Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HPX300P Operating Instructions

							
1
ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

20 P2 CARD ACCESS LED
This LED indicates the recording and playback status of 
each card.
For details, refer to [P2 CARD ACCESS LED and status 
of P2 cards]. (Page 29)
21 GENLOCK IN connector
This connector inputs a reference signal when the 
camera unit is gen-locked, or when the time code is 
externally locked.
 NOTE
•   Supply an HD Y signal (1080/59.94i, 720/59.94P) or 
a composite signal (480/59.94i) as input reference 
signal. The subcarrier of VIDEO OUT connector output 
(composite signal) cannot be externally locked. In SD 
mode, the signal will not lock to the HD signal.
22  REMOTE connector
Some functions can be remote controlled when the 
remote control unit AJ-RC10G (optional accessory) is 
connected to the camera.
For details, refer to [Connecting the AJ-RC10G Remote 
Controller] (page 100).
23 VIDEO OUT connector
This connector outputs video signals.
•  In HD mode, down-converted composite video 
signals are output.
•  Use the menu option DOWNCON MODE in the 
OUTPUT SEL screen to set signal output. (The factory 
setting is LETTER BOX.)
24  SD memory card slot
Insert an SD memory card (optional accessory) in this 
slot. It is used for recording and loading camera setting 
menus or lens files, uploading meta data and recording 
proxies (optional).
 NOTE
SD memory card precautions
•   Use only SD memory cards that conform to the SD 
standard or the SDHC standard in this camera.
•  MultiMediaCards (MMC) cannot be used. (Use of such 
cards may prevent recording.)
•  Be sure to use mini SD card adapters when using mini 
SD cards with this camera. (Note that this camera will 
not operate normally when a mini SD adapter is installed 
without inserting a card. Be sure to insert a card when an 
adapter is installed.)
•  Use of Panasonic SD memory cards and mini SD cards 
is recommended. Be sure to format such cards in this 
camera. 
•  
This unit supports the following SD and SDHC memory 
card capacities.
SD memory cards
8MB/16MB/32MB/64MB/
128MB/256MB/512MB/1GB/
2GB
SDHC memory 
cards
4GB/6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB/
32GB
For proxy (optional) recording, use 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 
2 GB SD memory cards labeled “High Speed” or SDHC 
memory cards. 
•   For the latest information not available in the Operating 
Instructions, visit the P2 Support Sites at the following 
Web site.
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av
About SD and SDHC memory cards
•  
The SDHC card is a new standard, established by the 
SD Card Association in 2006, for memory cards with 
capacities of 2 GB or more.
• The SD logo is a registered trademark.
•   MMC (MultiMediaCard) is a registered trademark of 
Infineon Technologies AG.
25  BUSY (operation mode display) lamp
This lamp indicates the active status of the SD memory 
card. It stays illuminated when the card is active.
 NOTE
Do not remove the card while the lamp is on.
The SD memory card could be damaged.
26  DVCPRO/DV connector
An IEEE1394 standard connector for input and output of 
video, audio and data.
For details, refer to [Connections to the DVCPRO/DV 
Connector] (page 145).
27 SDI OUT 1 connector
28 SDI OUT 2 connector
•  This connector outputs SDI signals.
•  Use the menu option SDI SELECT in the OUTPUT SEL 
screen to select AUTO, 1080i or 480i. This connector 
does not support up-conversion. 
It outputs the same signals as SDI OUT.
29  SCENE FILE dial
This dial allows you to select and load shooting 
conditions from the scene files prerecorded to each of 
the six positions.
 NOTE
During recording, selecting a position with a different 
frame rate will not change the frame rate until the camera 
is set to recording standby mode.
For details, refer to [How to use Scene File Data] (page 82).
30  FOCUS ASSIST button
Turns magnification of the center portion of the image 
on and off.
For details, refer to [Focus assist function] (page 75).
31 REC switch
Switches functions of the REC button on the handle.
ON:   Enables the REC button.
OFF:  Disables the REC button.
32 USB lamp
This lamp lights when the camera is in USB mode (PC 
mode). 
						

							

ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

Menu/Thumbnail Operation Section
12
5
73
46
1 MENU button
•  Hold down the button to open a setting menu screen. 
A second press of the button returns the previous 
image.
•  This function is not available in the thumbnail display 
and during recording.
2  JOG dial button
•  Use this button to go between setting menus and to 
select and set items in open setting menus.
•  In a setting menu, turning the JOG dial button 
downwards moves the menu cursor downwards and 
turning it upwards moves the menu cursor upwards. 
Press the JOG dial button to confirm made settings.
For more information, see [Using the menus] 
(page 120).
•  In VFR (Variable Frame Rate) mode, press this button 
and use the SYNCHRO SCAN switch to change frame 
rates.
 NOTE
Use the JOG dial button to go between setting menus and 
select items.
For details, refer to [Viewfinder and LCD Menus] (page 120).
3  Thumbnail button
Press this button to open the thumbnail screen. Note 
that this switchover cannot be performed during 
recording or playback.
4 Thumbnail menu button
In thumbnail display mode, use this button to access 
thumbnail menu functions to delete clips, for example.
 NOTE
Use the cursor, SET and EXIT/CANCEL buttons to select 
thumbnails and access menu functions.
For details, see [Manipulating Clips with Thumbnails] 
(page 101).
5  CURSOR and SET buttons
Use these buttons to manipulate setting menus, the 
menu bar and thumbnails.
The four triangular buttons are cursor buttons and the 
square center button is the SET button.
6 EXIT/CANCEL button
Press this button to exit an open thumbnail menu or 
property window to return to the previous image.
Pressing this button while holding down the SHIFT 
button turns it into a cancel function allowing you to 
cancel clip selections at one time.
7 SHIFT button
Use this button together with other buttons.
•  Hold down the SHIFT button and press the cursor 
button ([ ]) in a thumbnail screen to move the 
pointer to the thumbnail at the beginning or end of a 
clip.
•  Hold down the SHIFT button and press the SET button 
to select all clips from a previously selected clip to the 
clip at the cursor location.
• SHIFT button + EXIT/CANCEL button
This button combination operates like the cancel 
function.
For details, refer to [6. EXIT/CANCEL button].
Operations while the SHIFT button is pressed are 
shown blow each button. 
						

							

ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

Time Code Section
654
78
132
1 GENLOCK IN connector (BNC)
Use this connector to input a reference signal to 
genlock the camera unit or externally lock the time 
code. The subcarrier of the VBS signal output by 
the VIDEO OUT connector of the camera cannot be 
externally locked.
For details, refer to [Externally Locking the Time Code] 
(page 62).
2 TC IN connector (BNC)
To externally lock the time code, input a reference time 
code to this connector.
For details, refer to [Externally Locking the Time Code] 
(page 62).
3 TC OUT connector (BNC)
Connect this connector to the time code input (TC IN) of 
the external device to lock the time code of that device 
to the time code of the AG-HPX300P.
For details, refer to [Outputting the time code externally] 
(page 63).
4 HOLD button
Pressing this button instantly freezes the time data 
indication on the counter. Note that time code 
generation continues. Pressing the button again restarts 
the counter.
This function allows you to check the time code or CTL 
count of a recorded scene.
5 RESET button
Use this button to reset the counter value on the time 
code display to 0.
Pressing this button with the TCG switch positioned at 
[SET] when the TC PRESET screen and UB PRESET 
screen are open, resets all set values to 0. Use the 
Cursor SET button to PRESET.
6 COUNTER (counter display selector) button
Each press of the button displays the counter value, 
time code, user bit and frame rate data in the viewfinder 
and LCD display.
7 TCG (time code selector) switch
Use this switch to set the running mode of the built-in 
time code generator.
F-RUN:  Select this position to continuously advance 
the time code independently of P2 card 
recording status. Use this position to 
synchronize the time code with the time of 
day, or to externally lock the time code.
SET:   Select this position to set the time code or 
user bits.
R-RUN:  Select this position to advance the time 
code only during recording. The time code 
is continuously recorded during normal 
recording. But deleting clips and setting a 
24P/24PA frame rate to continue recording of 
clips that are not 24P/24PA clips may break 
the sequence of time code recording.
 NOTE
Always use the CURSOR and SET buttons to set the time 
code and user bits. The JOG dial button cannot be used for 
this purpose.
8  CURSOR and SET buttons
Use these buttons to set the time code and user bits. 
The four triangular buttons are cursor buttons and the 
square center button is the SET button.
For details, refer to [Setting Time Data] (page 56). 
						

							

ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions
Warning and Status Display 
Functions
1
2
34
1 Back tally lamp
When the BACK TALLY switch is set to ON, this lamp 
behaves in the same way as the front tally lamp.
2 Rear tally lamp
When the BACK TALLY switch is set to ON, the rear tally 
lamp behaves in the same way as the back tally lamp.
3 BACK TALLY switch
Use this switch to control the back and rear tally lamps.
ON:   Enables the back and rear tally lamps.
OFF:  Disables the back and rear tally lamps.
4 WARNING lamp
This lamp starts blinking or lights when an error is 
detected in the memory card recorder unit.
LCD Monitor
21
1 LCD Monitor
The LCD monitor displays the video in the viewfinder.
Alternatively, it can show clips on the P2 card in a 
thumbnail format.
For details on the LCD monitor, refer to [Viewfinder and 
LCD Menus] (page 120).
In thumbnail display mode, you can use the thumbnail 
menu buttons, CURSOR and SET buttons to manipulate 
or delete clips, or format P2 cards.
For details, refer to [Manipulating Clips with 
Thumbnails] (page 101).
2 OPEN button
Use to open the LCD monitor. 
						

							

ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

Viewfinder
7
6
8
2
3154
1  Viewfinder
The viewfinder displays the video image in color during 
recording or playback. It also displays warnings and 
messages – indicating camera operating status and 
settings – zebra patterns and markers (safety zone and 
center markers, etc.).
 NOTE
The menu option EVF COLOR can be set to monochrome 
in the DISPLAY SETUP screen.
2  TALLY switch
Use to control the front tally lamp.
ON:   Tally lamp goes on
OFF:  Tally lamp goes out.
3 Front tally lamp
This lamp goes on during recording when the TALLY 
switch is set to the [ON] . It blinks to indicate warnings.
4 Eyepiece
5 Diopter adjusting ring
Adjust this ring to suit your vision so that the image in 
the viewfinder is as clear as possible.
6 Eyepiece lock button
7 Microphone holder
8 Right and left viewfinder positioning rings
Loosen the rings to adjust right and left position, and 
tighten the ring after completing the adjustment. 
						

							

ChapterRecordingandPlayback

Chapter 3  Recording and Playback
Setting Date and Time of Internal Clock
The CLOCK SETTING value is recorded in the contents 
(clip), and affects the sequence of playback of the 
thumbnails. Before carrying out recording, be sure to check 
and set CLOCK SETTING and TIME ZONE.
  This shows you how to adjust the calendar 
to 5:20 PM on April 1, 2009.
1 SetthePOWERswitchtoON.
2Select TIMEZONEiteminOTHER
FUNCTIONS,thenpresstheJOGdialbutton.
•  For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the 
menus] (page 120).
3 UsetheJOGdialbuttontosetthetime
differencefromGreenwichMean Time.
•  Check what time zone you are in and set 
accordingly.
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
1394 CONTROL1394 CMD SELACCESS LEDALARMCLOCK SETTING
GL PHASETIME ZONE
>>>OFFREC PONHIGH>>>
HD SDI+9:00
USER FILE
O T H E R     F U N C T I O N S
Time zone
Time 
differenceAreaTime 
differenceArea
00:00Greenwich+01:00Central Europe
-00:30+01:30
-01:00Azores Islands+02:00Eastern 
Europe
-01:30+02:30
-02:00Mid-Atlantic+03:00Moscow
-02:30+03:30Tehran
-03:00Buenos Aires+04:00Abu Dhabi
-03:30Newfoundland 
Island+04:30Kabul
-04:00Halifax+05:00Islamabad
-04:30+05:30Bombay
-05:00New York+06:00Dacca
-05:30+06:30Yangon
-06:00Chicago+07:00Bangkok
-06:30+07:30
-07:00Denver+08:00Beijing
-07:30+08:30
-08:00Los Angeles+09:00Tokyo
-08:30+09:30Darwin
-09:00Alaska+10:00Guam
-09:30Marquesas 
Islands+10:30Lord Howe 
Island
-10:00Hawaii+11:00Solomon 
Islands
-10:30+11:30Norfolk Island
-11:00Midway Island+12:00New Zealand
-11:30+12:45Chatham 
Islands
-12:00Kwajalein+13:00
+00:30
 NOTE
•   
The clock is accurate to within about ±30 seconds a month 
with the power turned off.
•   Check and set the time when accurate time is required. After 
setting the time, change the setting menu TIME ZONE item 
and the display and the recorded local time will be reset 
accordingly. 
						

							

ChapterRecordingandPlayback
4SelectCHANGEattheCLOCKSETitemin
OTHERFUNCTIONS,thenpresstheJOGdial
button.
•  The CLOCK SET screen appears.
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
1394 CONTROL1394 CMD SELACCESS LEDALARMCLOCK SETTINGTIME ZONE
>>>OFFREC PONONRETURN
GL PHASEHD SDICHANGE
USER FILE
O T H E R     F U N C T I O N S
5 TurntheJOGdialbuttontoselect YEAR,then
presstheJOGdialbutton.
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN  
2009MONTH APRDAY 1 HOUR 13 MINUTE7 
YEAR 
C L O C K   S E T T I N G
6TurntheJOGdialbuttontoset YEARto00,
thenpresstheJOGdialbutton.
• A year between 2000 to 2037 can be set.
7TurntheJOGdialbuttontoselectMONTH,
thenpresstheJOGdialbutton.
8TurntheJOGdialbuttontosetMONTHto
APR,thenpresstheJOGdialbutton.
9SetDAY,HOURandMINUTEinthesameway
assetting YEARandMONTH.
• This is a 24-hour clock.
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN  
2009MONTH  APRDAY 1HOUR 17 MINUTE20 
YEAR 
C L O C K   S E T T I N G 
						

							

ChapterRecordingandPlayback

P2 Cards
Inserting P2 Cards
 NOTE
When using the camera recorder for the first time, be sure to 
set the time data beforehand.
For details, refer to [Setting Date and Time of Internal Clock] 
(page 26).
1 TurnonthePOWERswitch.
2Openthecardslotcover.
Slotcover
3InsertaPcardinaPcardslot.
• Press in the card until the eject button pops up.
Insertthecardwiththe
logofacingup.
EJECTbutton
4Pushtheejectbuttonthatpopsuptotheright.
•  Insert a P2 card into the AG-HPX300P. The P2 
CARD ACCESS LED for the appropriate slot 
indicates the status of the P2 card.
For details, refer to [P2 CARD ACCESS LED and 
status of P2 cards] (page 29).
PCARDACCESSLED
5 Closethecardslotcover.
 NOTE
•    To prevent cards from falling out, dust from entering and 
reduce the risk of exposure to static electricity, close the card 
slot cover before moving the camera.
•   Format P2 cards only on a P2 card device.
Removing P2 Cards
1 Openthecardslotcover.
2Raisetheejectbutton.
3ThendepresstheejectbuttontoreleasetheP
card.
Raisetheejectbutton. Presstheraisedeject
buttontoremoveaP
card. 
						

							

ChapterRecordingandPlayback
 NOTE
•   
When a P2 card is being accessed or recognised after 
insertion (P2 CARD ACCESS LED blinks in orange), do not 
remove the P2 card. Removing a P2 card during access could 
damage it.
•   If a P2 card being accessed is removed, the viewfinder 
displays “TURN POWER OFF” and the AG-HPX300P gives a 
warning using an alarm and the WARNING LED. In addition, 
all P2 CARD ACCESS LEDs blink rapidly in orange. If this is 
the case, turn the power off. 
For details, refer to [Warning System] (page 151).
•  Removing a P2 card during access may corrupt clip data. 
Check the clips and restore them if required. 
For details, refer to [Restoring Clips] (page 109).
•  If a P2 card being formatted is removed, it may be not be 
formatted properly. In this case, the viewfinder displays 
“TURN POWER OFF”. If this message appears, turn off the 
power, then restart the AG-HPX300P to reformat the card.
•  If a P2 card is inserted while another P2 card is being played 
back, the inserted P2 card is not recognised and the P2 
CARD ACCESS LED for that card does not come on. Card 
recognition starts when playback ends.
•  A P2 card inserted in an empty slot during recording may not 
be immediately recognized during the following events.
•  Immediately following PRE REC operation
•  Immediately before or after a recording that bridges P2 
cards in two slots (hot swap recording, etc.)
•  
The CARD ACCESS LED can be set to stay off in the menu 
option ACCESS LED in the OTHER FUNCTIONS screen. 
When the camera is used in this way, remove cards when the 
camera has been powered down or a sufficiently long time 
after terminating recording, playback and other operating 
modes.
•   Removing a P2 card during thumbnail display terminates the 
thumbnail display.
To Prevent Accidental Erasure of 
P2 Card Content
To prevent the content of a P2 card being accidentally 
erased, position the write-protect switch on the P2 card at 
[Protect].
Write-protectswitch
 NOTE
Write-protect switchover can be performed while the card is 
being accessed (during recording or playback), but does not 
take effect until access to the card ceases.
P2 CARD ACCESS LED and status 
of P2 cards
P2 
CARD 
ACCESS 
LED
Status of P2 Card
MODE 
CHECK 
indication *1
Stays on 
in green
Recording 
enabled
Writing and 
reading enabled.ACTIVE
Stays on 
in orange
Selected for 
recording
Writing and 
reading enabled 
for current 
recording mode 
(loop, interval 
or one-shot 
recording).
ACTIVE
Blinks in 
orange *2Being 
accessed
Writing or reading 
being performed.ACCESSING
Quickly 
blinks in 
orange
Being 
recognized
The P2 card is 
being recognised.
INFO 
READING
Blinks in 
green
Card full
The P2 card has 
no free space. 
Only reading is 
enabled.
FULL
Write-
protected
The write-protect 
switch on the P2 
card is positioned 
at [PROTECT]. 
Only reading is 
enabled.
PROTECTED
Stays off
Card not 
supported
The card is not 
supported by your 
AG-HPX300P. 
Replace the card.
NOT 
SUPPORTED
Incorrect 
format
The P2 card 
is not properly 
formatted. 
Reformat the card.
FORMAT 
ERROR
Card not 
inserted
No P2 card is 
inserted.
Card recognition 
standby.
NO CARD
*1    MODE CHECK appears in the viewfinder and on the 
LCD monitor.
For details, see [Viewfinder Screen Status Displays] 
(page 65)
*2   Blinks orange also when a PROXY card (optional 
accessory) is inserted in slot 2. 
						

							
0
ChapterRecordingandPlayback

P2 card recording times
P2 cards available to the AG-HPX300P
This camera supports the following P2 cards.
• AJ-P2C004HG (4 GB)
• AJ-P2C008HG (8 GB)
• AJ-P2C016AG (16 GB)
• AJ-P2C016RG (16 GB)
• AJ-P2C032AG (32 GB)
• AJ-P2C032RG (32 GB)
• AJ-P2C064AG (64 GB)
 NOTE
•   Card model numbers and capacities above will become 
available as of January 2009. Greater capacities and technical 
innovation may extend the recording time.
•  
This unit cannot use AJ-P2C002SG (2 GB) cards.
•   Use of cards other than those listed above may require 
updating the camera driver.
For details, refer to [Updating the firmware incorporated into the 
unit] (page 155).
•  For the latest information not available in the Operating 
Instructions, visit the P2 Support Desk at the following Web 
site. 
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/
P2 card recording times
(When using one 64 GB card)
System modeRecording format 
(codec)
Recording 
time
HD (1080i, 720P)
AVC-I 100
DVCPRO HDApprox. 64 min.
AVC-I 50Approx. 128 
min.
SD (480i)
DVCPRO50Approx. 128 
min.
DVCPRO
DV
Approx. 256 
min.
 NOTE
•   
The above recording time is for normal recording. Recording 
in native mode will extend recording time depending on 
system mode.
For details, refer to [List of recording formats and functions] 
(page 45).
•   Use of 32 GB, 16 GB and 8 GB P2 cards will provide 1/2, 1/4 
and 1/8, respectively of above recording times.
•  
The indicated capacities include a management area so the 
total area available for recording is somewhat smaller.
Splitting clips recorded on P2 cards
This camera will automatically generate additional clips 
for a continuous recording on an 8 GB or higher capacity 
P2 card when the recording exceeds the durations given 
below. Even so, a P2 device will handle such clips as a 
single clip in thumbnail operations (display, delete, recover, 
copy, etc.). Such recordings may be handled as separate 
clips by nonlinear editing software or a PC.
Recording format
(excluding Native format)Continuous recording time
AVC-I 100
DVCPRO HDApprox. 5 min.
AVC-I 50
DVCPRO50Approx. 10 min.
DVCPRO
DVApprox. 20 min.