Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HPX255P AG-HPX255EN Operating Instructions

							101
Editing
Connecting external units
Headphones
3.5-mm stereo mini jack
•	Sound	is	no	longer	heard	from	the	speaker	when	the	headphones	(optional)	are	connected.
External microphone
Microphone (optional)
AG-MC200G
INPUT 1 or 
INPUT 2 terminalMicrophone holder
Microphone   
holder adapter
Screws for microphone 
holder 6 mmScrews for 
microphone 
holder 12 mm
•	
When	attaching	an	external	microphone	to	the	microphone	shoe,	use	the	supplied	microphone	holder	
and	microphone	holder	adapter.
•	 When	attaching	the	microphone	holder	and	the	microphone	holder	adapter,	be	sure	to	tighten	the	screws	
firmly	even	though	you	might	hear	a	squeaking	sound.
•	 Use	the	cable	clamper	of	the	microphone	holder	adapter	to	fix	the	microphone	cable.
Editing
Playback 
						

							102
Connecting external units (continued)
Personal computer (non-linear editing/file transfer)
File transfer/nonlinear editing
Personal 
ComputerUSB cable (optional)
Mini-B
•	“Procedures	for	making	connections	to	a	personal	computer”	(Page	109)
•	 USB2.0	cable	is	not	included	with	this	camera.	Please	use	a	commercial	USB2.0	cable	(double-shielded	
for	noise	reduction).
Hard disk drive (data copying)
Hard disk drive
USB cable (optional) USB2.0  
HOST
•	
“Switching	to	the	USB	HOST
	mode”	(Page	111)
•	 USB2.0	cable	is	not	included	with	this	camera.	Please	use	a	commercial	USB2.0	cable	(double-shielded	
for	noise	reduction). 
						

							103
Editing
Digital video equipment (Dubbing)
1394 cable 
(optional)Other Digital video equipment
6-pin BNC cable (optional) Connect one of these cables to 
the terminal on the recorder.
•	
“Control	of	external	devices	through	1394	connection”	(Page	106)
•	 “Recording	signals	input	to	the	DVCPRO/DV	connector”	(Page	105)
•	 Please	use	a	double-shielded	IEEE1394	cable.
AUTO REC function
When	recording	is	started	or	stopped	on	this	camera-recorder,	recording	start/stop	information	can	be	
output	through	the	SDI	(HD)	connector	to	control	external	device.
*	 The	external	device	should	support	this	function.  
						

							104
TV/Monitor (playback/dubbing)
BNC cable (optional)
HDMI cable (optional) Video pin cable (optional)
Audio pin cable (optional)
White: CH1 (left channel) sound
Red: CH2 (right channel) soundConnect one of these 
cables to the terminal on 
the television or monitor.
TV/Monitor
•	VIERA
	Link	is	not	supported.	Please	be	aware	that	when	using	an	HDMI	cable	and	connecting	this	
camera	to	a	device	that	supports	VIERA 	Link,	the	VIERA	Link	of	other	devices	may	not	work	in	some	
cases.
•	 From	the	HDMI	OUT
	terminal,	SD	signals	(480i,	576i)	are	converted	to	progressive	signals	(480P,	576P)	
then	output.
•	 Simultaneous	display	with	the	LCD	monitor	and	the	viewfinder	is	not	possible	when	outputting	video	from	
the	SDI	OUT
	terminal.	For	simultaneous	display,	set	SDI	OUT 	on	the	setting	menu	OUTPUT	SEL	screen	
to	OFF	and	EVF	MODE	on	the	DISPLAY 	SETUP	screen	to	ON.
•	 Use	a	BNC	cable	(optional)	with	double-shield	that	is	equivalent	to	5C-FB	to	connect	to	SDI	OUT
	
terminal.
•	 Please	use	a	double-shielded	HDMI	cable	(optional).
•	 It	is	recommended	that	you	use	a	Panasonic	HDMI	cable.	
Extension control unit (AG-EC4G)
•	 Some	of	the	functions	can	be	controlled	remotely	by	connecting	an	extension	control	unit	
AG-EC4G	
(optional). 	When 	AG-EC4G 	is 	connected 	to 	the 	REMOTE 	terminal 	of 	the 	camera 	recorder 	and 	the 	POWER	
switch	of	the	 AG-EC4G	is	set	to	ON,	the	camera	recorder	enters	the	remote	control	mode	automatically.	
When	the	POWER	switch	is	set	to	OFF,	the	camera	recorder	exits	the	remote	control	mode.
•	 For	details,	please	refer	to	the	
AG-EC4G	Operating	Instructions	and	the	“Cautions	in	using	the	Extension	
Control	Unit”	(Page	165).
BNC cable (optional) 10-pin cable
(supplied with AG-EC4G)
Monitor Extension control unit
AG-EC4G (optional)
VIDEO 
OUT
CAM/BS
Connecting external units (continued) 
						

							105
Editing
Connections to the DVCPRO/DV connector
Recording signals input to the 
DVCPRO/DV connector
1 Connect a 1394 cable (DV cable).
•	“Precautions
	in 	1394 	connections” 	(Page 	107)
•	 Make	sure	that	the	signal	format	of	the	
camera-recorder
	and 	the 	connected 	device 	is	
the	same.
2  To route inputs via the IEEE1394 interface, 
set the menu option REC SIGNAL in the 
SYSTEM SETUP screen to 1394.
•	To	use	HD	(1080i,	720P)	set	the	menu	option	
REC	FORMAT
	in	the	SYSTEM	SETUP 	
screen	to	DVCPRO	HD/60i	(DVCPRO	
HD/50i)	or	DVCPRO	HD/60P 	(DVCPRO	
HD/50P).
The	 AVC-Intra	format	and	DVCPRO	HD	
native	recording	do	not	allow	input	via	the	
IEEE1394	interface.
3  Check that video from the IEEE 1394 
interface is displayed in the viewfinder or 
LCD monitor, and press the START/STOP 
button to begin recording.
4 Press the START/STOP button again to stop 
recording.
• Signals that have the same format as that 
set in the menu options SYSTEM MODE 
and REC FORMAT in the SYSTEM SETUP 
screen should be input to the IEEE1394 
interface. A signal in a different format will 
not be correctly recorded on a P2 card. 
Video and audio recording and EE type 
video and audio of signal inputs other than 
1x speed playback signals may not work.
	
· “Errors	and	warnings”	(Page	126)
•  Audio signal inputs are input signals from 
the DVCPRO/DV connector.
•  32 kHz/4CH (12 bit) audio signals input via 
the IEEE1394 interface are recorded as 
48 kHz/4CH (16 bit) on a P2 card.
•  It is not possible to use the GENLOCK IN 
connector to synchronize to an external 
reference signal.
•  Signals output from the VIDEO OUT 
or AUDIO OUT connectors differ from 
actual input signals. Use such signals for 
monitoring.
•  The following functions do not operate.
	
· Pre-recording function
	
· Loop recording function
	
· Interval recording and one-shot recording 
function
	
· One-clip recording function
•  As well as those displayed in blue, there 
are other items on the setting menu for 
which the setting value cannot be changed. 
However, this is not a fault and these items 
are not related to this function.
Time Code and User Bits
•	 When	input	from	the	IEEE1394	interface	is	
selected,	the	time	code	and	user’s	bit	input	from	
TC	IN/OUT
	cannot	be	recorded	on	P2	card.
•	 When	input	from	the	IEEE1394	interface	is	
selected,	the	time	code	output	from	
TC	IN/OUT	
is	not	synchronized	with	the	video	signal	output	
from	the	VIDEO	OUT 	terminal.	 
						

							106
Connections to the DVCPRO/DV connector (continued)
Subcode area time codes and user bits
•	When	input	from	the	IEEE1394	interface	is	
selected	and	the	time	code	is	set	to	free	run,	the	
subcode	area	time	code	input	from	the	DVCPRO/
DV	terminal	can	be	recorded	on	P2	card.
•	 To	record	user	bits	input	from	the	DVCPRO/DV	
connector	on	a	P2	card,	set	the	menu	option	UB	
MODE	in	RECORDING	SETUP
	to	EXT.
VAUX area time codes and user bits
When	input	from	the	IEEE1394	interface	is	
selected,	time	code	and	user	bits	of	the	VAUX	area	
input	from	the	DVCPRO/DV	connector	is	recorded	
on	a	P2	card	regardless	of	camera-recorder	menu	
settings	and	switch	positions.
Recording UMID (Unique Material Identifier) 
data
When	input	from	the	IEEE1394	interface	is	
selected,	UMID	data	input	via	the	DVCPRO/
DV	connector	is	recorded	on	a	P2	card.	When	
no	UMID	data	is	available,	the	camera-recorder	
generates	and	records	such	data.
UMID	data	is	not	recorded	when	the	camera-
recorder	is	operating	in	the	DV	mode.
Control of external devices through 
1394 connection
Connecting 	an 	external 	device 	for 	backup 	recording	
to	the	DVCPRO/DV	connector	allows	the	operator	
to 	control 	start 	and 	stop 	recording 	from 	the 	camera-
recorder.
1  Connect a 1394 cable (DV cable).
•	“Precautions
	in 	1394 	connections” 	(Page 	107)
•	 Set	1394	CONTROL
	in	the	setting	menu	
OTHER	FUNCTIONS	screen	to	BOTH.
2  Use the setting menu 1394 CMD SEL 
(OTHER FUNCTIONS) to select the 
command for terminating recording that 
external devices receive.
•	For
	details 	on 	menu 	operation, 	refer 	to 	“Basic	
operations	of	setup	menus”	(Page	28	of	Vol.	
1).	
3  Recording can be started and stopped 
for both this unit and external devices by 
pressing the START/STOP button on this 
unit.
Note the following when backup recording.
•	Menu	settings	are	retained	even	if	you	turn	the	
power	off.	So	if	you	use	the	camera-recorder	
with	the	settings	for	backup	recording	still	
in	effect,	images	on	media	in	any	unit	that	
connected	may	be	overwritten.
After	backup	recording,	check	the	menu	item	
settings	before	you	operate	the	camera-
recorder.
•	 If	you	use	another	
AG-HPX255P/EN	as	the	
external	unit	for	backup	recording,	select	
“OFF”	for	1394	CONTROL 	on	the	external	unit	
and	set	REC	SIGNAL 	to	“1394”	on	the	setting	
menu	SYSTEM	SETUP 	screen.	
•	 Backup	recording	may	not	work	properly	if	you	
connect	two	or	more	external	units.
•	 Use	a	1394	cable	of	4.5	m	or	less	for	
connection.
•	 Set	the	external	unit	up	to	receive	1394	signals	
before	backup	recording.
•	 You	can	have	a	media	in	the	external	unit	start	
recording	automatically	when	the	media	in	this	
unit	is	almost	finished.	Set	1394	CONTROL
	on	
the	setting	menu	OTHER	FUNCTIONS	screen	
(Page	151)	to	“CHAIN”.
•	 Note	that	images	are	recorded	even	when	you	
perform	a	rec	check. 
						

							107
Editing
• External devices cannot be controlled via 
1394 connection when AVC-Intra format or 
DVCPRO HD native recording is selected.
•  Backup recording does not work in three 
of the special recording modes: Interval 
recording, One-shot recording and Loop 
recording. (Page 44 – 46)
•  Please note that when performing backup 
recording to a connected external device 
with the time code of this unit set to REC 
RUN, continuing recording when there is 
no more free space on the P2 card inserted 
into this unit causes the time code output 
from the DVCPRO/DV terminal to halt.
•  Backup recording may not be performed by 
external devices if you perform recording 
start → stop → recording start in quick 
succession.Precautions in 1394 connections
•	
The	camera-recorder	does	not	supply	power	via	
the	cable.
•	 Observe	the	following	in	connections	using	a	
1394	cable.
	
· Connect	this	unit	to	only	one	other	device.	
	
· Do	not	expose	the	DVCPRO/DV	connector	to	
excessive	force	when	connecting	a	1394	cable	
to	avoid	damaging	the	connector.
	
· If	an	error	(1394	INITIAL
	ERROR)	should	occur	
when	making	a	connection,	reinsert	the	1394	
cable	or	turn	the	camera-recorder	off	and	then	
turn	it	back	on	again.
	
· Make	sure	that	the	camera-recorder	and	all	
connected	devices	are	connected	to	ground	
(or	connected	to	a	common	ground).	If	the	
equipment	cannot	be	connected	to	ground,	turn	
off	all	connected	devices	before	connecting	or	
disconnecting	an	IEEE1394	cable.
	
· When	connecting	the	unit	to	a	device	with	a	
4-pin	connector,	connect	the	cable	to	the	6-pin	
connector	on	the	camera-recorder	first.
•	 Be	sure	to	properly	connect	the	1394	cable	to	
the	DVCPRO/DV	connector	on	a	computer	with	a	
6-pin	connector.	Note	that	inserting	the	plug	the	
wrong	way	round	may	damage	the	connector.
6-pin type 
4-pin type
•	AV	signals	may	be	disrupted	when	connected	
devices	are	turned	on	and	off	or	when	the	
interface	cable	is	connected	or	disconnected.
•	 It	may	take	the	system	a	few	seconds	to	stabilize	
after	switching	input	signals	or	changing	modes.	
Start	recording	after	the	system	has	stabilized.	
•	 When	recording	with	IEEE1394	interface	input	
selected,	the	
AUDIO	LEVEL 	knobs	(CH1,	CH2)	
are	not	available.  
						

							108
•	Observe	the	following	precautions	when	
controlling	a	P2	memory	card	camera-recorder	
using	PC	application	software	(editing	software).
	
· Recording	
cannot	be	 inserted	 to	a	portion	 within	
a	clip.	It	can	only	be	appended	to	the	end	of	the	
newest	clip.	
	
· Do	not	open	the	thumbnail	screen	during	
application	software	operation	as	this	may	
prevent	normal	software	operation.
•	 Unprocessed	video	and	audio	signals	are	
output	via	the	IEEE1394	interface	during	special	
playback.	When	monitored	on	another	device,	
these	video	and	audio	signals	may	sound	
different	than	when	played	back	on	this	unit.
•	 A
	DV	or	DVCPRO	output	format	makes	it	
possible	to	select	audio	channel	CH1/CH2	or	
CH3/CH4	output	from	the	IEEE1394	interface	in	
the	menu	option	1394	 AUDIO	OUT	in	the	AUDIO	
SETUP 	screen.
•	 When	recording	a	signal	from	an	external	device,	
do	not	halt	output	at	the	external	device	or	
disconnect	the	cable	as	the	device	may	not	be	
recognized	when	recording	is	recommenced.
•	 When	recording	a	signal	from	an	external	device,	
do	not	change	the	output	format	used	by	the	
external	device	as	recording	cannot	be	correctly	
performed.
•	 The
	automatic 	recording 	function 	on 	DVD 	devices	
may	not	function	correctly.	In	such	cases,	please	
record	manually.
Connections to the DVCPRO/DV connector (continued) 
						

							109
Editing
Nonlinear editing with P2 card (PC mode: USB device)
A	USB	2.0	connection	to	a	computer	or	other	
device	allows	you	to	use	P2	cards	in	the	camera-
recorder	as	mass	storage.
Procedures for making connections 
to a personal computer
1  Connect a USB cable to the USB 2.0 
connector.
A USB 2.0 cable is not supplied with the 
AG-HPX255P/EN. Use a commercially 
available USB cable (with shielding or 
other noise-reduction measures) that 
supports USB 2.0. (Page 102)
USB 2.0 Connector 
(DEVICE)
2 Select USB DEVICE in PC MODE SELECT 
on the setting menu SYSTEM SETUP 
screen, and press SET on the Operation 
lever.
•	Refer	to	the	section	“Basic	operations	of	
setup	menus”	(Page	28	of	Vol.	1)	for	menu	
operation.	
PUSH  MENU  TO  RE\6TURN 
REC FORMAT
CAMERA MODE
ASPECT CONV
SETUP
PC MODE SELECT
SCAN REVERSE CAMERA
DVCPROHD/6\fi
7.\b%AUSB DEVICE
24PA
OFF
LETTER BOX
REC SIGNAL
1\f8\f-\b9.9i
SYSTEM MODE S Y S T E M   S E T U P
3 
Press MENU twice to exit the menus.
4 Turn the POWER/MODE switch to the MODE 
position to illuminate the PB/THUMBNAIL 
lamp, and then turn and hold it.
•	The	PC	lamp	illuminates,	the	camera	enters	
PC	mode,	and	video/audio	output	stops.
•	 You	cannot	switch	to	PC	mode	directly	from	
CAMERA
	mode.	Leaves	the	thumbnail	
screen	of	PB/THUMBNAIL 	mode.
To	make	a	USB	connection,	you	must	first	install	
the	P2	software	on	the	supplied	CD-ROM	on	the	
computer.	Select	the	“AG-HPX255”	driver.	 This	
USB	driver	supports	only	the	Windows	operating	
system.	For	details,	refer	to	the	installation	manual.
•  A USB driver must be installed on the 
computer.
•  Use a computer that supports USB 2.0 
since the camera-recorder supports only 
USB 2.0.
•  Connect only one camera-recorder to a 
personal computer via USB.
•  Do not remove P2 cards when the camera-
recorder is connect to a personal computer 
via USB.
•  In a USB connection, the P2 card access 
lamp is on only when the card is accessed.
•  In USB device operation, recording, 
playback and clip thumbnail operations are 
not available.
•  The free space and status of P2 cards is 
not displayed when operating as a USB 
device, and video/audio cannot be output 
or displayed.
(Continued	on	the	next	page) 
						

							110
•	When	a	USB	connection	is	present	the	PC	
operation	lamp	illuminates,	and	“USB	DEVICE	
CONNECT”	appears	in	the	center	of	the	
viewfinder	or	LCD	monitor.	When	connection	is	
not	correctly,	“DISCONNECT”	appears	in	the	
viewfinder.		
Mode lamp (PC)
POWER/MODE switch
USB DEVICE  CONNECT
(Viewfinder	display)
5  Terminating USB device mode. 
•	Set	the	camera-recorder	POWER/MODE	
switch	to	OFF.
•	 You	cannot	return	to	CAMERA
	mode	or	PB/
THUMBNAIL 	mode	from	USB	device	mode.
Nonlinear editing with P2 card (PC mode: USB device) (continued)