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

							21
Shooting
Recording with Variable Frame Rate (VFR)
In	1080i	and	720P	mode,	this	unit	can	shoot	
using	frame	skipping	(under	cranking)	and	high	
speed	recording	(over	cranking).	 You	can	select	
native	(PN)	recording	mode	and	standard	(OVER)	
recording.
Native VFR recording
1  In 1080i or 720P mode, set REC FORMAT on 
the setting menu SYSTEM SETUP screen to 
AVC-I 100/24PN (or 30PN, 25PN).
2 In the SCENE FILE screen, set the menu 
option VFR to ON and the menu option 
FRAME RATE to suit shooting purposes.
You can also change the frame rate using 
the SHTR/F.RATE dial.
•	“Setting	FRAME	RATE	mode”	(Page	51)
3 
Press the START/STOP button.
This	starts	recording	in	the	VFR	mode	(native	
VFR).
This	mode	can	be	combined	with	the	 AVC-I	100,	
AVC-I	50,	30PN	(25PN),	and	24PN	recording	
formats.
You	can	also	select	DVCPRO	HD	with	720P.
•	 “Setting	FRAME	RATE	mode”	(Page	51)
•	 “SYSTEM	SETUP
	screen”	(Page	135)
Note the following about native VFR 
recording.
•	Pre-recording, loop recording, interval 
recording, one-shot recording, and one-clip 
recording are not available.
•	 1394 output is not available during 
recording and recording standby.
•	 Changing Scene Dial position during 
recording does not change VFR on and off 
position.
•	 Sound cannot be recorded. 
*1
At this time, no audio is output and 
 
“ 
A. REC ” is displayed over the audio level 
meter. “VFR ON, NO AUDIO RECORDING” 
is also displayed when recording starts.
•	 The time code is locked to Rec Run 
(R-RUN). 
*1
•	Thumbnail screens are created 1 frame 
later than video recorded on a P2 card, but 
this is not a malfunction.
•	 The screen may be distorted when 
changing the FRAME RATE setting.
•	 Gain is fixed to 0 dB when set to 4 frames 
or less. 
Furthermore, AGC, auto iris, auto focus, 
and ATW do not function and must be 
operated manually.
•	 Red, blue, or green points may appear on 
the screen when the frame rate is low. This 
is not a fault.
*1	 	 In	24PN/30PN	(25PN)	recording	modes,	
when	the	frame	rate	is	24	and	30	(25)	frames	
per	second,	respectively,	audio	can	also	be	
recorded.	 The	time	code	can	be	set	to	Free	
Run	(F-RUN).  
						

							22
Standard VFR recording 
(pulldown recording)
1 In 1080i or 720P mode, set REC FORMAT on 
the setting menu SYSTEM SETUP screen to 
AVC-I 100/60i (60P) (or 50i, 50P).
2 In the SCENE FILE screen, set the menu 
option VFR to ON and the menu option 
FRAME RATE to suit shooting purposes.
You can also change the frame rate using 
the SHTR/F.RATE dial.
•	“Setting	FRAME	RATE	mode”	(Page	51)
3 
Press the START/STOP button.
This	starts	recording	in	the	VFR	mode	
(pulldown	recording).
This	mode	can	be	combined	with	the	 AVC-I	
100/60P  (50P),	AVC-I	50/60P (50P),	and	
DVCPROHD/60P  (50P)	recording	formats	in	720P 	
system 	mode, 	and 	AVC-I 	100/60i  (50i ), 	AVC-I 	50/60i 
(50i),	DVCPROHD/60i  (50i)	in	1080i	system	mode.
•	 “Setting	FRAME	RATE	mode”	(Page	51)
•	 “SYSTEM	SETUP
	screen”	(Page	135)
Recording with Variable Frame Rate (VFR) (continued)
•	With AVC-Intra or DVCPRO HD in 1080i, 
clips are recorded as 60i, 60P (50i, 50P) 
with pull down information not recorded.
•	 Audio playback is disabled when a frame 
rate converter is used to extract active 
frames for over and under-cranking.
Note the following about standard VFR 
recording.
•	 Pre-recording, loop recording, interval 
recording, one-shot recording, and one-clip 
recording are not available.
•	 1394 output is available during recording 
and recording standby, but not in AVC Intra 
mode.
•	 Changing Scene Dial position during 
recording does not change VFR on and off 
position.
•	 Sound is recorded.
•	 The screen may be distorted when 
changing the FRAME RATE setting.
•	 Gain is fixed to 0 dB when set to 4 frames 
or less. 
Furthermore, AGC, auto iris and ATW do not 
function and must be operated manually.
•	 Red, blue, or green points may appear on 
the screen when the frame rate is low. This 
is not a fault. 
						

							23
Shooting
Using progressive mode and VFR recording function
Standard speed for film production
Screen	production	normally	requires	a	24	fps	(24	frames	per	second)	frame	rate	(normal	speed)	for	
screening	a	film.	Making	the	settings	described	below	will	provide	film-quality	playback.	The	720P	
progressive	mode	and	cine-like	gamma	will	make	video	look	like	it	was	shot	with	a	film	camera-recorder.
Standard settings for film production
SYSTEM MODE settings Recording frame rate
SYSTEM MODE Other settings
720-59.94P REC	FORMAT AVC-I	100/24PN
(AVC-I	50/24PN)
(DVCPROHD/24PN)
24	frames
VFR
OFF
1080-59.94i REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/24PN
(AVC-I	50/24PN)
(DVCPROHD/60i)
CAMERA 	MODE
*124P,	24PA
VFR OFF
*1:	Only	when	the	menu	option	REC	FORMAT 	is	set	to	DVCPROHD/60i	in	the	SYSTEM	SETUP 	screen.  
						

							24
Recording with Variable Frame Rate (VFR) (continued)
Shooting at standard speed for producing commercials and TV programs
When	producing	videos	for	display	on	a	television	screen	such	as	HDTV/SDTV	broadcast,	a	frame	rate	
of	30	fps	(30	frames	per	second),	25	fps	(25	frames	per	second)	for	50	Hz,	is	standard	(x1).	The	settings	
below	allow	you	to	obtain	the	kind	of	playback	used	for	broadcast	programs.	 This	permits	film-like	video	
recording	of	commercials	and	music	clips	that	also	provide	a	frame	rate	suitable	for	broadcasting.
Standard settings for producing commercials and dramas
SYETEM MODE settings Recording frame rate
SYSTEM MODE Other settings
720-59.94P REC	FORMAT AVC-I	100/30PN
	
(AVC-I	50/30PN)
(DVCPROHD/30PN)
30	frames
VFR
OFF
1080-59.94i REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/30PN
	
(AVC-I	50/30PN)
(DVCPROHD/60i)
CAMERA 	MODE
*130P
VFR OFF
720-50P REC	FORMAT AVC-I	100/25PN	
(AVC-I	50/25PN)
(DVCPROHD/25PN)
25	frames
VFR
OFF
1080-50i REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/25PN	
(AVC-I	50/25PN)
(DVCPROHD/50i)
CAMERA 	MODE
*125P
VFR OFF
*1	 	 Only	when	the	 menu	option	REC	FORMAT 	is	set	to	DVCPROHD/60i	(50i)	in	the	SYSTEM	SETUP 	
screen. 
						

							25
Shooting
Undercranking effects
This	effect	produces	the	quick	motion	often	used	for	showing	clouds	drifting	across	the	sky,	crowds	of	
people	swarming	past	a	solitary	standing	individual,	a	kung	fu	demonstration	and	other	performances.	For	
example,	selecting	a	VFR	recording	frame	rate	of	12	fps	when	shooting	at	a	24P	recording	format	yields	a	
fast-motion	effect	of	approx.	2x	normal	speed.
Standard setup for undercranking effects
SYSTEM MODE settings Recording frame rate
SYSTEM MODE Other settings
1080-59.94i REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/24PN	
(AVC-I	50/24PN) 1	to	22	frames
VFR ON
FRAME	RATE	 Set	to	23	frames	or	less
1080-50i REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/25PN	
(AVC-I	50/25PN) 1	to	24	frames
VFR ON
FRAME	RATE	 Set	to	24	frames	or	less
720-59.94P REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/24PN	
(AVC-I	50/24PN)
(DVCPROHD/24PN) 1	to	22	frames
VFR ON
FRAME	RATE	 Set	to	22	frames	or	less
720-50P REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/25PN	
(AVC-I	50/25PN)
(DVCPROHD/25PN) 1	to	24	frames
VFR ON
FRAME	RATE	 Set	to	24	frames	or	less
•	 With	the	menu	option	REC	FORMAT
	set	to	DVCPROHD/60P	(50P),	you	can	use	a	nonlinear	editing	
system	to	generate	quick	motion	effects	from	the	resulting	footage.  
						

							26
Recording with Variable Frame Rate (VFR) (continued)
Overcranking effects
Overcranking	produces	slow-motion	playback,	which	is	frequently	used	in	climax	scenes,	or	for	dramatic	
effects	like	car	chases	and	action	scenes.	For	example,	selecting	a	recording	frame	rate	of	60	fps	when	
shooting	a	24P	recording	format	yields	a	slow-motion	effect	that	is	2.5	times	normal	speed.	Shooting	720P 	
progressive	video	will	produce	smooth	and	highquality	slow-motion.	
Furthermore,	with	1080i,	a	slow	motion	effect	of	1.25	can	be	gained	if	you	set	the	recording	frame	rate	to	
30	fps	when	recording	was	performed	using	24P,	a	recording	format	for	specifying	the	playback	frame	rate.	
Standard setup for overcranking effects
SYSTEM MODE setup Recording frame rate
SYSTEM MODE Other settings
1080-59.94i REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/24PN
	
(AVC-I	50/24PN) 25	to	30	frames
VFR ON
FRAME	RATE	 Set	to	25	frames	or	more
720-59.94P REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/24PN
	
(AVC-I	50/24PN)	
(DVCPROHD/24PN) 25	to	60	frames
VFR ON
FRAME	RATE	 Set	to	25	frames	or	more
720-50P REC	FORMAT
AVC-I	100/25PN
	
(AVC-I	50/25PN)	
(DVCPROHD/25PN) 26	to	50	frames
VFR ON
FRAME	RATE	 Set	to	26	frames	or	more
•	 With	the	menu	option	REC	FORMAT
	set	to	DVCPROHD/60P	(50P),	you	can	use	a	nonlinear	editing	
system	to	generate	slow	motion	effects	from	the	resulting	footage.
•	 A
	slow	motion	effect	cannot	be	gained	if	SYSTEM	MODE	is	set	to	1080-50i	and	REC	FORMAT 	is	set	to	
AVC-I***/25PN. 
						

							27
Shooting
Flow effect shooting
This	way	of	shooting	provides	a	flow	effect	and	
may,	for	instance,	be	used	to	shoot	a	subject	on	
a	far	side	of	a	road	with	a	stream	of	fast-moving	
cars	as	the	flow,	in	such	a	way	that	the	stationary	
subject	comes	into	focus	though	the	cars.
1 Set SYSTEM MODE on the setting menu 
SYSTEM SETUP screen to 1080-59.94i (50i), 
REC FORMAT to AVC-I 100 (50)/60i (50i) or 
DVCPRO HD/60i (50i), and VFR to ON.
Set	FRAME	RATE	to	a	low	value	suitable	for	
the	shooting	purpose.
Setting	can	be	performed	in	the	same	way	for	
720P.
2 Press the START/STOP button.
This	starts	recording	in	the	VFR	mode.
During flow effect shooting - general 
notes
•	Please	take	note	of	the	following	points	when	
selecting	
AVC-Intra	recording.
	
· When	1080i	is	selected,	the	image	signal	and	
HD	SDI	output	signal	recorded	are	60i	(50i)	and	
all	frames	are	effective	frames.
	
· With
	both 	1080i 	and 	720P, 	pull 	down 	information	
is	not	attached	to	recorded	clips.
When	you	wish	to	use	this	information,	select	
DVCPRO	HD	mode	with	720P.
•	 Audio	recording	will	be	recorded	onto	P2	card	at	
all	frame	rates.
•	 Fixed	shutter	and	synchro	scan	are	valid.  
						

							28
Shooting in manual mode
PUSH AUTO button
While	pressing	the	PUSH	AUTO	button,	the	
automatic	focus	can	be	set	quickly.
Switching to manual focus assist mode
To	change	from	the	manual	focus	mode	to	the	
manual	focus	assist	mode,	set	MF	 ASSIST	to	ON	
on	the	setting	menu	SW	MODE	screen.
•	 You	can	make	coarse	adjustments	to	the	focus	
in	manual	focus	assist	mode	by	turning	the	focus	
ring	about	half	the	amount	you	would	turn	it	in	
manual	focus	mode.
•	 Fine	adjustment	is	made	automatically	after	you	
operated	the	focus	ring.	
•	 If
	the 	focus 	differs 	considerably 	form 	the 	manually	
set	focus,	the	focus	may	not	be	set	correctly.
•	 Automatic	adjustment	is	not	performed	until	you	
operate	the	focus	ring	for	the	next	time.
•	 Auto	focus	may	not	work	properly	if	there	is	
flickering.	Select	a	shutter	speed	suited	to	the	
ambient	light.	(Page	49)
•	 If	the	auto	focus	mode	is	set	with	any	format	
except	60i	(50i)	and	60P
	(50P),	controlling	the	
focus	will	take	slightly	longer	than	in	the	normal	
focus	mode.
•	 If	you	have	set	ON	for	the	
AF	item	on	the	setting	
menu	 AUTO	SW	screen,	auto	focusing	will	occur	
regardless	of	the	position	of	the	FOCUS	switch	
when 	the 	auto 	mode 	has 	been 	established. 	(Page	
140)
•	 When	the	display	is	set	to	macro	shooting,	
the	screen	display	for	“AF”,	“MF”,	and	“MA”	is	
reversed	black	and	white	characters.Set	the	unit	to	manual	mode	when	manually	
adjusting	the	focus,	iris,	gain	and	white	balance.
Switching to manual mode
Slide	the	
AUTO/MANUAL 	switch	to	MANUAL 	to	
switch	to	the	manual	mode.	
(	
A	on	the	viewfinder	and	LCD	go	out.)
AUTO/MANUAL switch
Manual focusing
AUTO/MANUAL switch
PUSH AUTO 
button
Focus ring
FOCUS 
switch
1 Use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to 
manual mode.
2 Use the FOCUS switch to choose how to 
control focusing.
A (AUTO): (Auto focus mode)
Adjusts	focus	automatically.
M (MANUAL): (Manual focus mode) Turn	the	focus	ring	by	hand.
∞: The	camera-recorder	first	focuses	on	infinity,	
then	it	switches	to	manual	focus.
The	FOCUS	switch	automatically	moves	
back	to	M	(MANUAL)	after	you	move	it	to	∞. 
						

							29
Shooting
Using focus assist function
To	easily	focus	an	image,	expanded	display	or	
In	Red	display	can	be	selected	with	the	FOCUS	
ASSIST	button,	and	the	focus	bar	display	can	be	
used.
FOCUS ASSIST button When	you	press	the	FOCUS	 ASSIST	button,	
the	image	contour	has	red	edges	or	the	screen	
center	of	the	LCD	monitor	is	enlarged	to	set	the	
focus	easily.	 The	screen	display	of	the	viewfinder	
or	the	LCD	monitor	that	appears	when	you	press	
the	FOCUS	 ASSIST	button	can	be	set	in	the	
FOCUS	 ASSIST	item	on	the	setup	menu	SW	
MODE.
Using expanded display (EXPAND): By	pressing	the	FOCUS	 ASSIST	button,	the	
central	part	of	the	screen	is	expanded	about	
3	times	so	you	can	easily	bring	the	image	into	
focus.
FOCUS ASSIST button
EXPANDED
•	 During	expanded	display,	the	status	display	and	
zebra	pattern	disappear	and	“EXPANDED”	is	
displayed	at	the	top	of	the	screen.
•	 Expanded	display	does	not	function	during	
recording.
Focus in red (IN RED): The	image	contour	displayed	on	the	viewfinder	
or	the	LCD	monitor	has	red	edges.	 The	screen	
border	turns	red.	 Adjust	the	focus	so	that	the	
contour	of	the	subject	you	want	to	focus	on	
becomes	red.
This function magnifies only the image 
at the center of the LCD monitor and 
viewfinder. 
In	VIDEO	OUT,	SDI	OUT,	and	HDMI	OUT,	the	
center	of	the	image	is	not	magnified	and	status	
indications	do	not	appear.
Displaying the focus bar (FOCUS BAR): You	can	display	the	focus	bar	by	setting	FOCUS	
BAR	on	the	DISPLAY 	SETUP	screen	of	the	
settings	menu	to	ON.
The	degree	to	which	the	image	is	in	focus	is	
displayed	by	the	length	of	the	bar.
When the image is 
not in focus  As the image comes 
into focus, the bar 
extends rightward  
						

							30
Shooting in manual mode (continued)
Iris adjustments
IRIS ringIRIS button
1 Use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to 
the manual mode. (Page 28)
2 Press the IRIS button to switch how to 
adjust the aperture of lens.
AUTO IRIS: 
Adjust	the	iris	automatically.
MANUAL IRIS:  Adjust	the	iris	manually.
3  Turn the IRIS ring to adjust the aperture of 
lens when in the manual iris mode.
In	the	auto	iris	mode,	the	lens	iris	can	be	
corrected	using	this	ring.
If	you	have	set	ON	under	 A.IRIS	on	the	setting	
menu	 AUTO	SW	screen,	auto	iris	will	be	forcibly	
selected	when	auto	mode	has	been	established.	
(Page	140)
•	 This
	unit’s 	iris 	F 	number 	when 	it 	is 	open 	is 	F1.6	
at	full	WIDE	and	F3.2	at	full	 TELEPHOTO.	
The	iris	display	in	the	viewfinder	or	on	the	LCD	
when	the	iris	is	open	is	OPEN	at	full	WIDE	(W)	
and	F3.2	or	OPEN	at	full	 TELEPHOTO	(T).
•	 You	can	display	the	brightness	level	for	the	
center	part	of	the	screen	by	pressing	a	USER	
button	(Page	39)	to	which	
Y	GET 	has	been	
assigned.
Adjusting the gain
When	the	display	is	dark,	increase	the	gain	to	
brighten	the	display.
GAIN switch
1  Use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to 
the manual mode. (Page 28)
2 Switch the gain with the GAIN switch.
L:  Set	here	under	normal	conditions.	
	 (The	default	value	is	0	dB.)
M:  Increase	the	gain	of	the	image	amplifier.
	 (The	default	value 	is	6	dB.)
H:  Increase	the	gain	of	the	image	amplifier.
	 (The	default	value 	is	12	dB.)
You 	can 	change 	each 	L, 	M 	and 	H 	gain 	values 	using	
the	LOW	GAIN,	MID	GAIN	and	HIGH	GAIN	items	
on 	the 	setting 	menu 	SW 	MODE 	screen. 	(Page 	138)
In	auto	mode,	auto	gain	is	available	regardless	of	
the	GAIN	switch	setting	when	a	setting	other	than	
OFF	is	selected	under	 AGC	on	the	setting	menu	
AUTO	SW	screen.	(Page	140)
In	variable	frame	rate	(VFR)	mode,	gain	is	fixed	
to	0	dB	when	the	frame	rate	is	set	to	4	frames	or	
less.