Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HPX300P Operating Instructions

							
ENGLISH
VQT2C25
S0109T0 -P D
Printed in Japan
Operating Instructions
Memory Card Camera-Recorder
Model No. AG-HPX300P
Before operating this product, please read the instructions carefully an\
d save this manual for 
future use.
This product is eligible for the P2HD 5 Year Warranty Repair Program. For details, see page 163. 
						

							



CAUTIONRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK  DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,  DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.REFER TO SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Thelightningflashwitharrowheadsymbol,withinanequilateraltriangle,isintendedtoalerttheusertothepresenceofuninsulated“dangerousvoltage” withintheproduct’senclosurethatmaybeofsufficientmagnitudetoconstituteariskofelectricshocktopersons.
Theexclamationpointwithinanequilateraltriangleisintendedtoalerttheusertothepresenceofimportantoperatingandmaintenance(servicing)instructionsintheliteratureaccompanyingtheappliance.
WARNING:
•  
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR 
SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS 
EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
•  
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK 
HAZARD, KEEP THIS EQUIPMENT AWAY 
FROM ALL LIQUIDS. USE AND STORE ONLY 
IN LOCATIONS WHICH ARE NOT EXPOSED 
TO THE RISK OF DRIPPING OR SPLASHING 
LIQUIDS, AND DO NOT PLACE ANY LIQUID 
CONTAINERS ON TOP OF THE EQUIPMENT.
WARNING:
Always keep memory cards (optional 
accessory) or accessories (FRONT AUDIO 
LEVEL knob, knob screw, BNC cap, XLR 
connector cap, rear lens cap, zoom lever, 
connector cap) out of the reach of babies and 
small children.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK 
HAZARD AND ANNOYING INTERFERENCE, USE 
THE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES ONLY.
CAUTION:
Do not jar, swing, or shake the unit by its handle while 
the conversion lens or another accessory is attached.
Due to the added weight of the conversion lens, any 
strong jolt to the handle may damage the unit or 
result in personal injury.
CAUTION:
In order to maintain adequate ventilation, do 
not install or place this unit in a bookcase, 
built-in cabinet or any other confined space. 
To prevent risk of electric shock or fire hazard 
due to overheating, ensure that curtains 
and any other materials do not obstruct the 
ventilation.
CAUTION:
Do not lift the unit by its handle while 
the tripod is attached. When the tripod is 
attached, its weight will also affect the unit’s 
handle, possibly causing the handle to break 
and hurting the user. To carry the unit while 
the tripod is attached, take hold of the tripod.
CAUTION:
EXCESSIVE SOUND PRESSURE FROM 
EARPHONES AND HEADPHONES CAN
CAUSE HEARING LOSS.
CAUTION:
Do not leave the unit in direct contact with 
the skin for long periods of time when in use.
Low temperature burn injuries may be 
suffered if the high temperature parts of this 
unit are in direct contact with the skin for 
long periods of time.
When using the equipment for long periods 
of time, make use of the tripod.
Read this first!
indicatessafetyinformation. 
						

							


FCC NOTICE (USA)
Declaration of Conformity
Model Number: AG-HPX300P
Trade Name: Panasonic
Responsible Party:   Panasonic Corporation of North America One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 
07094
Support contact: Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company 1-800-524-1448
This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
To assure continued compliance, follow the attached installation instructions an\
d do not make any 
unauthorized modifications.
CAUTION:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a\
 Class B digital device, 
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection 
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can 
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, 
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that 
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful 
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off 
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•  Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is 
connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The user may find the booklet “Something About Interference”
available from FCC local regional offices helpful.
FCC Warning:
To assure continued FCC emission limit compliance, follow the attached installat\
ion instructions and 
the user must use only shielded interface cables when connecting to host computer or peripheral 
devices. Also, any unauthorized changes or modifications to this equip\
ment could void the user’s 
authority to operate this device.
NOTIFICATION (Canada)
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
indicatessafetyinformation.
IMPORTANT
“Unauthorized recording of copyrighted television programs, video tapes and other materials may infringe the 
right of copyright owners and be contrary to copyright laws.”
For USA-California Only
This product contains a CR Coin Cell Lithium Battery which contains Perchlorate Material – special handling 
may apply.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
A rechargeable battery that is recyclable powers the product you have perchased. 
						

							



Precautions for Use
Caution regarding laser beams
TheMOSsensormaybedamagedifitisexposedtolaserlight.
Whenusingthecamera-recorderinlocationswherelaserirradiationequipmentisused,becarefulnottoallowthelaser
beamtoshinedirectlyonthelens.
PLEASE NOTE: 
 Whenpreparingtorecordimportantevents,alwaysshootsomeadvancetestfootage,toverifythatbothpicturesand
soundarebeingrecordednormally.
 Shouldvideooraudiorecordingfailduetoamalfunctionofthiscamera-recorderorthePcardsused,wewillnot
assumeliabilityforsuchfailure.
Disposing and transferring ownership of memory card devices
FormattingordeletingamemorycarddeviceinthiscameraoraPCwillonlychangefilemanagementdataandleave
dataonthecardintact. Itisrecommendedthatthecardeitherbephysicallydestroyedorthatcommerciallysoldsoftware
beusedtocompletelydeleteanydataonthecard. Notethatmanagingcarddataistheowner’sresponsibility.
Information on software for this product
1. IncludedwiththisproductissoftwarelicensedundertheGNUGeneralPublicLicense(GPL)andGNULesser
GeneralPublicLicense(LGPL),andusersareherebyinformedthattheyhavetherighttoobtain,changeand
redistributethesourcecodesofthissoftware.
DetailsonGPLandLGPLcanbefoundontheinstallationCDprovidedwiththeunit. Refertothefoldercalled
“LDOC”.(Detailsaregivenintheoriginal(English-language)text.)
Toobtainthesourcecodes,gotothefollowinghomepage:
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/
Themanufacturerasksuserstorefrainfromdirectinginquiriesconcerningthesourcecodestheyhaveobtainedand
otherdetailstoitsrepresentatives.
. IncludedwiththisproductissoftwarewhichislicensedunderMIT-License.
DetailsonMIT-LicensecanbefoundontheinstallationCDprovidedwiththeunit. Refertothefoldercalled“LDOC”.
(Detailsaregivenintheoriginal(English-language)text.)
This product is licensed under the AVC Patent Portfolio License for the personal and 
non-commercial use of the following activities of a consumer but no license is granted 
or implied for any other use.
EncodevideoincompliancewiththeAVCstandard(“AVCvideo”)
DecodeAVCvideothatwasencodedbyaconsumerengagedinapersonalandnon-commercialactivity.
DecodeAVCvideothatwasobtainedfromavideoproviderlicensedtoprovideAVCvideo
Additional information may be obtained from MPEG LA, LLC (http://www.mpegla.com).
Trademarks
  TheSDandSDHClogosaretrademarks.
 MultiMediaCard(MMC)isaregisteredtrademarkofInfineon TechnologiesAG.
 Apple,Macintosh,MacOSareregisteredtrademarksortrademarksofApple,Inc. intheUnitedStatesand/orother
countries.
UnislotisaregisteredtrademarkofIkegami TsushinkiCo.,Ltd.
 Microsoftand WindowsareregisteredtrademarksortrademarksofMicrosoftCorporationintheUnitedStatesand/or
othercountries.
 Othernamesofcompaniesandproductsaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksoftherespectivecompanies. 
						

							



Contents
Read this first!  ........................................................................\
......................................... 2
Precautions for Use  ........................................................................\
................................. 4
Chapter 1  Overview
Camera Unit Features  ........................................................................\
............................. 8
Recording and Playback Features   ........................................................................\
....... 10
Outline of operations  ........................................................................\
.............................  12
Saving and editing on external devices ................................................................ 12
System Configuration  ........................................................................\
............................  13
Standard accessories  ........................................................................\
...........................  14
Chapter 2  Parts and Their Functions
Power Supply and Accessory Mounting Section  ..................................................  15
Audio (input) Function Section  ........................................................................\
......  16
Audio (output) Function Section   ........................................................................\
... 17
Shooting and Recording/Playback Functions Section  ..........................................  18
Menu/Thumbnail Operation Section   ..................................................................... 22
Time Code Section  ........................................................................\
........................  23
Warning and Status Display Functions   ................................................................. 24
LCD Monitor  ........................................................................\
..................................  24
Viewfinder   ........................................................................\
..................................... 25
Chapter 3  Recording and Playback
Setting Date and Time of Internal Clock  ....................................................................... 26
P2 Cards   ........................................................................\
............................................... 28
Inserting P2 Cards   ........................................................................\
........................ 28
Removing P2 Cards   ........................................................................\
...................... 28
To Prevent Accidental Erasure of P2 Card Content   .............................................. 29
P2 CARD ACCESS LED and status of P2 cards  ...................................................  29
P2 card recording times  ........................................................................\
................  30
Handling P2 Card Recording  ........................................................................\
........  31
Basic Procedures  ........................................................................\
..................................  32
Shooting  ........................................................................\
........................................  33
Normal Recording  ........................................................................\
.........................  34
Standard and Native Recording   ........................................................................\
........... 35
Standard recording (pull-down recording)   ........................................................... 35
Native recording ........................................................................\
............................ 35
Variable Frame Rate (VFR) Recording  ........................................................................\
..  36
Native VFR Recording  ........................................................................\
...................  36
Standard VFR recording(pulldown recording)  ......................................................  36
Using VFR Recording Function  ........................................................................\
.....  37
Special Recording Modes   ........................................................................\
.................... 39
Pre-recording (PRE REC)  ........................................................................\
..............  39
Interval recording (INTERVAL REC)  ......................................................................  40
One-shot recording (ONE SHOT REC)   ................................................................. 40
Loop recording (LOOP REC)   ........................................................................\
........ 41
PROXY Recording Function (Optional)  .................................................................  41
Hot Swap Recording  ........................................................................\
.....................  41
REC REVIEW Function  ........................................................................\
..................  41
Shot Marker (SHOT MARK) Recording Function   .................................................. 42
Text Memo Recording Function   ........................................................................\
.... 42
Normal and Variable Speed Playback  ........................................................................\
..  43
Chapter 4  Adjustments and Settings for Recording
Selecting recording signals  ........................................................................\
.......... 44
List of recording formats and functions   ................................................................ 45
Recording settings and recording function table   ................................................. 46
Selecting video output   ........................................................................\
.................. 46
List of recording, playback and output formats  ....................................................  47
Adjusting the White Balance and Black Balance   ......................................................... 49
Adjusting the White Balance  ........................................................................\
.........  49
Adjusting the Black Balance  ........................................................................\
.........  50
Setting the Electronic Shutter  ........................................................................\
................  52
Setting the Shutter Mode and Speed  ....................................................................  52
Placing the Camera-recorder in SYNCHRO SCAN Mode   .................................... 52 
						

							



Assigning functions to USER buttons  ........................................................................\
... 53
Selecting Audio Input Signals and Adjusting Recording Levels   .................................. 54
Selecting Audio Input Signals  ........................................................................\
.......  54
Adjusting Recording Levels  ........................................................................\
..........  54
Selecting Function for the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL Control  ....................................  55
CH3 and CH4 Recording Levels   ........................................................................\
.. 55
Setting Time Data ........................................................................\
.................................. 56
Recording time codes and user bits  .....................................................................  57
Setting user bits   ........................................................................\
............................ 58
Entering the User Bits   ........................................................................\
................... 58
Setting the Time Code   ........................................................................\
.................. 60
Externally Locking the Time Code   ........................................................................\
 62
Outputting the time code externally  ......................................................................  63
GENLOCK and time code input/output connection and setup   ............................ 64
Counter Setting and Display  ........................................................................\
.........  64
Viewfinder Screen Status Displays   ........................................................................\
....... 65
Viewfinder Status Indication Layout  ......................................................................  65
Selecting Viewfinder Display Information   ............................................................. 65
Screen displays   ........................................................................\
............................ 66
Center Information Display   ........................................................................\
........... 69
Checking and displaying shooting status  .............................................................  71
MODE CHECK indication  ........................................................................\
..............  72
Center marker display  ........................................................................\
...................  73
Safety zone markers   ........................................................................\
..................... 73
Audio level meter magnification  ........................................................................\
....  73
Zebra pattern display ........................................................................\
.................... 74
Focus assist function   ........................................................................\
.................... 75
Adjusting and setting the LCD monitor  ........................................................................\
.  76
Waveform monitor function   ........................................................................\
........... 77
Adjusting and Setting up the Viewfinder  .......................................................................  78
Adjusting Right and Left Viewfinder Position   ........................................................ 78
Diopter Adjustment   ........................................................................\
....................... 78
Using the Viewfinder   ........................................................................\
..................... 78
Emphasizing Image Outlines  ........................................................................\
........ 79
Setting the viewfinder to monochrome mode   ....................................................... 79
Handling setup data   ........................................................................\
............................. 80
Configuration of setup data files  ........................................................................\
...  80
Handling SD memory cards  ........................................................................\
..........  81
Formatting, Writing and Reading an SD memory card  .........................................  81
How to Use Scene File Data   ........................................................................\
......... 82
Saving scene files and other settings on SD memory cards   ................................ 84
Chapter 5  Preparation
Power Supply  ........................................................................\
........................................  86
Mounting the Battery and Setting the Battery Type   .............................................. 86
Use of the external DC power supply  ...................................................................  88
Mounting and Adjusting the Lens  ........................................................................\
.........  89
Mounting the Lens   ........................................................................\
........................ 89
Adjusting the Lens Flange Back  ........................................................................\
...  90
White Shading Compensation   ........................................................................\
...... 91
Setting Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC)    ........................................... 92
Preparing for Audio Input  ........................................................................\
......................  95
When Using the Front Microphone   ....................................................................... 95
Using a wireless receiver  ........................................................................\
..............  95
When Using Audio Devices   ........................................................................\
.......... 96
Attaching Accessories  ........................................................................\
..........................  97
Mounting the Camera on a Tripod   ........................................................................\
 97
Attaching the Shoulder Strap  ........................................................................\
........  97
Attaching the Rain Cover  ........................................................................\
..............  98
Attaching the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL Control Knob  ..............................................  98
DC OUT Connector and External REC Start/Stop Switch Connection   ......................... 99
Connecting the AJ-RC10G Remote Controller   ........................................................... 100
Chapter 6  Manipulating Clips with Thumbnails
Thumbnail Operations ........................................................................\
......................... 101
Thumbnail Manipulations Overview   .................................................................... 101
Thumbnail Screen   ........................................................................\
....................... 102 
						

							



Selecting Thumbnails  ........................................................................\
..................  104
Playing back Clips   ........................................................................\
...................... 104
Switching the Thumbnail Display  ........................................................................\
  105
Changing thumbnails  ........................................................................\
..................  106
Shot Mark  ........................................................................\
....................................  106
Text Memo  ........................................................................\
...................................  107
Deleting Clips  ........................................................................\
..............................  108
Restoring Clips  ........................................................................\
............................  109
Reconnection of Incomplete Clips  ......................................................................  109
Copying Clips   ........................................................................\
............................. 109
Setting of Clip Meta Data  ........................................................................\
............  110
Setting of Proxy (optional)  ........................................................................\
...........  114
Formatting a P2 Card  ........................................................................\
..................  114
Formatting SD memory cards  ........................................................................\
.....  115
Setting the Thumbnail Display Mode   .................................................................. 115
Properties  ........................................................................\
....................................  116
Chapter 7  Menu Operations
Viewfinder and LCD Menus  ........................................................................\
................ 120
Using the menus  ........................................................................\
.........................  120
Initializing the menu settings  ........................................................................\
.......  121
Setup menu structure  ........................................................................\
..........................  122
Setup menu list   ........................................................................\
................................... 124
SCENE FILE screen   ........................................................................\
.................... 124
SYSTEM SETUP screen   ........................................................................\
.............. 126
SW MODE screen   ........................................................................\
....................... 128
RECORDING SETUP screen  ........................................................................\
.......  129
AUDIO SETUP screen  ........................................................................\
.................  130
OUTPUT SEL screen  ........................................................................\
...................  132
DISPLAY SETUP screen  ........................................................................\
..............  132
BATTERY SETUP screen  ........................................................................\
.............  134
CARD FUNCTIONS screen  ........................................................................\
.........  136
LENS SETUP screen   ........................................................................\
................... 136
OTHER FUNCTIONS screen  ........................................................................\
.......  137
DIAGNOSTIC screen   ........................................................................\
.................. 138
OPTION MENU screen   ........................................................................\
............... 138
Chapter 8  Connecting to External Devices
Functionality Provided by Connections to USB 2.0 Connector  .................................. 139
Connecting to a computer in USB device mode   ................................................ 139
 USB host mode  ........................................................................\
..........................  140
Connections to the DVCPRO/DV Connector ............................................................... 145
Recording signals input to the DVCPRO/DV connector   ..................................... 145
Control of external devices through 1394 connection   ........................................ 146
Chapter 9  Maintenance and Inspections
Inspections Before Shooting  ........................................................................\
...............  147
Preparing for Inspections  ........................................................................\
............  147
Inspecting the Camera Unit  ........................................................................\
........  147
Inspecting the Memory Recording Functions  .....................................................  148
Maintenance   ........................................................................\
....................................... 150
Cleaning Inside the Viewfinder   ........................................................................\
... 150
Eyepiece Care   ........................................................................\
............................ 150
Charging the internal battery   ........................................................................\
...... 150
Warning System  ........................................................................\
..................................  151
Warning Description Tables   ........................................................................\
........ 151
Warning and Error Display for Thumbnail Operation and USB HOST MODE   .... 153
Updating the firmware incorporated into the unit   ....................................................... 155
Chapter 10  Index
Chapter 11 Specifications
Dimensions and specifications  ........................................................................\
...........  160
Dimensions   ........................................................................\
................................. 160
Specifications  ........................................................................\
..............................  160
Connector signal description  ........................................................................\
..............  164 
						

							

Chapter1Overview

Chapter 1  Overview
The AG-HPX300P P2 memory card camera-recorder features a camera unit equipped with a 1/3 inch 2.2 megapixel 3MOS 
sensor and a recording and playback unit that provides AVC-Intra 100 compression recording as standard to offer HD full 
pixel and full sampling for superb image quality and high-quality video.\
It handles multiple HD and SD formats: AVC-Intra, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV compression recording. 
The P2 card provides a reliability, speed and IT functionality that no other media can match and is destin\
ed to revolutionize 
recording and editing paradigms.
    Multiple HD/SD formats
The camera supports both the HD and SD video formats making it ready for news gathering, program production 
and film making in a wide range of professional applications and content production. In 1080i/720P HD recording for 
broadcasting, the camera uses the highly reliable AVC-Intra or DVCPRO HD codec while also supporting SD multi-
codec (DVCPRO50, DVCPRO or DV) recording capability.
The AG-HPX300P provides high quality and uncompressed, 16-bit, 48 kHz, 4-channel recording of audio in all formats.
   Variable frame rate makes speed effects possible (in the 720P format)
The AG-HPX300P comes with the variable frame rate feature developed for the VariCam HD Cinema camera. In 720P 
mode *1, the frame rate can be set to any of 20 steps between 12P and 60P. This puts features such as undercranking 
(dropping frames) and overcranking (high frame rate) for quick motion and slow motion cine-like \
effects at the disposal 
of the camera crew.
    Native mode/over 60P mode selectable
 Nativemode:
Playing back a recording made at a frame rate set in the camera at the normal rate provides speed effects without 
using a frame rate converter.  Native mode also extends the recording time of a P2 card.
 0Pover0Pmode:
Use of a DVCPRO HD recorder such as the AJ-HD1400 or the FOCUS FS-100 hard disk recorder enables the AG-
HPX300P to make backup recordings with a DVCPRO HD stream from the DVCPRO/DV connector. *2
   1080/480 24P advanced mode
Recording 1080/24P or 480/24P makes it possible to select 24PA (advanced) mode *3. Using 2:3:3:2 pulldown, the 24PA 
mode performs 60i conversion to enable nonlinear editing *4 maintaining an image quality that is better than normal 24P 
(2:3 pulldown). Recording at 30P applies a 2:2 pulldown.
Camera Unit Features
   Progressive 3MOS sensor
The AG-HPX300P is equipped with a 1/3 inch 2.2 megapixel 3MOS sensor tha\
t enables HD full pixel recording for high-
resolution video.
   14-bit digital circuit
The high-performance DSP (Digital Signal Processor) in the camera offers 14-bit signal input and 20-bit internal 
processing. It handles gamma settings and other adjustments for each R/G/B\
 color in 1080/60i video as well as 
conversion to all HD/SD formats (P/I conversion, line conversion and down conversion). Because of\
 this high-quality 
images can be produced in all video formats.
   Seven gamma curves including cine-like gamma
To expand camera capabilities, the AG-HPX300P offers seven gamma curves including cine-like gamma to easily 
produce recordings with the characteristic warm tone of film.
 *1  1080 and 480 recording is performed at a fixed frame rate of 24P/30P.
 *2 The AVC-Intra mode does not allow the output of a DVCPRO HD stream from the DVCPRO/DV connector.
 *3 Not available with the AVC-Intra codec.
 *4 For details on compatible systems, visit the Web site listed below.
  https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/
 24P and 30P indicate recording at 23.98P and 29.97P, respectively, while 60P and 60i indicate recording at 59.94P and 
59.94i, respectively. 
						

							

Chapter1Overview
   Slow, synchro and high speed shutter
The shutter speed can be set from a slow speed of 1/6 s up to a maximum speed of 1/7200 s. Combined wit\
h the 
variable frame rate functions, this allows you to create blurring or stop motion effects. The AG-HPX300P also features a 
synchro scan function that is ideal for capturing screen shots from a computer monitor.
   Scene file dial
This dial allows you to instantly retrieve settings that suit shooting conditions. Six preset files are provided, and you can 
change the file names and their settings as desired. You can also save up to four files to an SD or SDHC memory card 
(both referred to as “SD memory card” below) and load files from an SD memory card.
   Shooting assist functions
 USERbuttons:
Three USER buttons each of which can be assigned a frequently used function for immediate access.
 Focusassist:
Magnifies the center portion of the image and displays a focus bar to facilitate focusing.
 Eightfilesforcompensatinglenschromaticaberrationandfourfilesforcorrectingshadingforinterchangeablelenses
areprovided.
 Variablecolortemperature:
Allows fine adjustment after setting the white balance.
  RECcheck:
Provides a quick check of the last few seconds of the most recently recorded clip.
 -positionopticalNDfilterprovided.
   Chromatic aberration compensation (CAC)
This function automatically corrects the registration error caused by the slight chromatic aberration that the lens cannot 
compensate for, in order to minimize color bleeding into surrounding image areas.
   Remote control support
The camera supports the AJ-RC10G (optional accessory) remote control unit.  The remote control allows you to adjust 
camera image and recording controls at a distance while viewing what you are shooting.
   Auto Tracking White Balance (ATW)
Automatically adjusts the white balance of the subject in real-time, a convenient function for quick adjustment in 
recording situations where there is no time for normal white balance adjustment.
   DRS (Dynamic Range Stretcher) function
This function compresses the video signal level while maintaining contrast to extend the dy\
namic range making it 
possible to correctly render highlight areas without overexposure and loss of detail that would otherwise occur. *1
 *1    The DRS function is not available in 1080/24P and 1080/30P modes. 
The 1/15 and 1/30 shutter speeds are not available in 1080/60i mode. 
						

							
10
Chapter1Overview
Recording and Playback Features
   A variety of interfaces
   USB.0connector(HOST/DEVICE)
A USB 2.0 connection to a computer or other device allows you to use P2 \
cards in the camera as mass storage.
The USB host function makes it possible to save P2 card data to an external hard disk connected via USB 2.0 and 
clips stored on the hard disk can be viewed and written back to a P2 card.
  DVCPRO/DVinputandoutputprovidedasstandardfeature
IEEE 1394 compliant external devices can be connected to enable output and input via the digital \
interface.
Connect a 6-pin plug to this connector. Note that the connector does not support bus power.
Input and output via IEEE 1394 is not available when the AVC-Intra codec is selected.
   P2 cards for high capacity, high speed and high reliability
In addition to exceptional resistance to shock, vibration and temperature fluctuations, the P2 (Professional Plug-in) card 
has a reliability that guarantees long-term repeated recording/initialization that a tape or hard disk system with their 
moving parts could never match.
The connectors are professional grade to withstand long-term continual insertion and removal.
The P2 card stores the AV data for each shooting session as a single file that is immediately \
accessible for nonlinear 
editing or transfer over a network without digitizing. Transfer speeds far surpassing those of optical disks also help to 
speed up production processes. The P2 card complies with PC card standards and can be directly plugged into the PC 
card slot on a computer. *1
The two P2 card slots allow continuous recording on two P2 cards and also offer the following recording capabilities in a 
memory card camera-recorder.
   Cardselection:
In standby status, you can instantly select (switch to) the slot of th\
e card you wish to record on *2 Recorded content 
can be quickly passed on to editing or transferred to minimize interruptions in recording making it far more efficient 
than systems where tapes or disks have to be exchanged.
 Hot-swaprecording:
Cards can be replaced during recording. A full memory card can be replaced while recording is made on another 
card. Successively swapping cards in this way gives you virtually unlimited recording capacity.
 Looprecording:
Setting the camera for consecutive overwriting, you can repeatedly rerecord on the inserted P2 cards, always 
maintaining a recording of the most recent, specific period of time.
   Immediate startup and reliable data protection
When you press the REC button in standby mode, the camera instantly finds a blank\
 area on the P2 card and begins 
recording. Unlike a VTR system, there is no need to locate a blank section before recording. It can begin recording 
immediately even when you are using it to preview video. In normal use, there is no chance of accidentally deleting a 
recording. Recordings will not be erased unless you intentionally delete a file or ini\
tialize the card.
 *1  This requires the installation of a P2 card driver (provided with each device). The P2 card driver runs under Windows® 
Vista, Windows® XP or Windows® 2000.
 *2 This assumes that the SLOT SEL function is assigned to a USER button (U\
SER MAIN, USER1 or USER2).