Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HPX300P Operating Instructions

							
1
ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

3Theadjustmentwilltakeeffectinafewseconds
andthefollowingmessagewillappear:
ABB   END 
•  The adjusted value is automatically stored in the 
memory.
 NOTE
•   Ensure that the lens connector is connected and the lens iris 
is CLOSE.
•  During a black balance adjustment, light is automatically cut 
off.
• ABB NG appears when the lens connector has come loose.
• Black balance adjustment is not available during recording.
•  Pressing the REC button during ABB adjustment will not 
start recording on a P2 card. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Setting the Electronic Shutter
Setting the Shutter Mode and 
Speed
1PresstheSHUTTERswitchpositionedatOFF
towardsON.
SHUTTERswitch
2PresstheSHUTTERswitchtowards[SEL]. 
Repeatthisswitchoveruntilthedesiredmode
orspeedappearsintheviewfinderscreen.
•  If all modes and speeds are available, the display 
changes in the following order:
For0iand0Precording
(1/15)(1/30)1/601/100
1/250
S/S1/120
1/5001/1000 1/2000
For0Precording
(1/7.5)(1/15)1/601/100
1/250
S/S1/120
1/5001/1000 1/2000
ForPrecording
(1/6)(1/12)1/601/100
1/250
S/S1/120
1/5001/1000 1/2000
•  The bracketed (  ) speeds cannot be selected 
when VFR is ON.
 NOTE
•   In any electronic shutter mode, a slower shutter speed will 
reduce camera sensitivity.
•  In auto iris mode, a faster shutter speed will increase the 
aperture and lower the depth of field.
•  During 1080i operation, speeds in brackets do not allow DRS 
operation.
•  Changes in synchro scan and shutter speed settings may 
cause screen flicker.
Viewfinder displays relating to the shutter
See [Viewfinder Screen Status Displays] (page 65).
Placing the Camera-recorder in 
SYNCHRO SCAN Mode
To place the camera-recorder in SYNCHRO SCAN mode, 
follow the steps below.
1 PresstheSHUTTERswitchpositionedatON
towardsSEL,toplacethecamera-recorderin
SYNCHROSCAN(S/S)mode.
SHUTTERswitch
SYNCHROSCANswitch
2InSYNCHROSCANmode,usetheSYNCHRO
SCANswitchtomakesteplesschangesinthe
rangebetween1/0.0sand1/.s(for0i
mode).
•HolddowntheSYNCHROSCANswitchtospeed
uptherateofshutterspeedchanges.
Ifshutterspeedchangesstopbeforethedesired
shutterspeedhasbeenreached,pressagainto
continuechangingshutterspeeds.
Range of variation in each mode
•   60P/60i mode: 1/60.0 to 1/249.8
•  30P/30PN mode: 1/30.0 to 1/249.8
•  24P/24PA/24PN mode: 1/24.0 to 1/249.8
•  When the SYNC SCAN DISP option in DISPLAY SETUP is 
set to DEG: 3.0d to 359.5d
SettingthemenuoptionSYNCSCANDISPintheDISPLAY
SETUPscreentodegprovidesaguidetosettingand
displayingshutterangle. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Assigning functions to USER buttons
The USER MAIN, USER1, and USER2 buttons can be 
assigned user-selected functions.
Use the menu options USER MAIN, USER1, and USER2 to 
assign functions to respective button. Select these items 
from the setting menu SW MODE screen.
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
MID GAINHIGH GAINATWATW TYPEW.BAL.PERSETUSER MAIN
0dB6dB12dBOFF1
USER1BACKLIGHT
3.2KY GET
LOW GAIN
S W   M O D E
Selectable Functions
• REC REVIEW: 
 Assigns REC REVIEW.
• SPOTLIGHT: 
 Assigns auto iris control on/off for spotlight.
• BACKLIGHT: 
 Assigns auto iris control on/off for backlight 
compensation.
• ATW: 
 Turns the ATW function on or off.
• ATW LOCK: 
 Pressing this lock during ATW operation locks 
the white balance. Press again to start the ATW 
function again.
• GAIN:24 dB: 
 Assigns a function that raises gain by 24 dB.
• Y GET: 
 Assigns a function that displays the brightness 
level at the center of the image.
• DRS: 
 Assigns a function that stretches the dynamic 
range. A function that magnifies the dynamic 
range by compressing the video level in high-
brightness areas.
• TEXT MEMO: 
 Assigns text memory recording.
• SLOT SEL: 
 Assigns P2 card slot selection.
• SHOT MARK: 
 Assigns the shot marker function.
• MAG A. LVL: 
 Assigns a function that magnifies the audio level 
meter.
• PRE REC: 
 Assigns a function that turns the PRE REC 
function on and off.
• PC MODE: 
 Assigns a function that switches the USB 
device mode or the USB host mode on and off. 
Switching the USB device mode and USB host 
mode on and off is set by the menu option PC 
MODE SELECT in the SYSTEM SETUP screen.
• WFM: 
 Assigns a function that switches WAVE FORM 
display. The WAVE FORM display is selected 
using the menu option WFM (page 128) in the 
SW MODE screen.
 NOTE
The default settings are listed below.
• USER MAIN:   Y GET
• USER1:  BACK LIGHT
• USER2: TEXT MEMO 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Selecting Audio Input Signals and Adjusting Recording Levels
This AG-HPX300P supports independent four-channel 
audio recording in any format (HD or SD). 
When the AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 switch is positioned 
at [AUTO], the recording levels for Audio Channels 1 
and 2 are automatically adjusted. To manually adjust the 
recording levels, position the switch at [MAN]. 
A setting menu allows you set the recording levels for 
Audio Channels 3 and 4 either to automatic adjustment or 
manual mode.
Selecting Audio Input Signals
The input signals to be recorded on Audio Channels 1, 2, 
3, and 4 are selected with the AUDIO IN switch. For more 
information, see [Audio (input) Function Section] (page 16).
e
a
c
b
d
a AUDIO LEVEL CH1/CH2 controls
b AUDIO SELECT CH1/CH2 switch
c MONITOR SELECT CH1/3, ST, CH2/4 selector switch
d MONITOR SELECT CH1/2, CH3/4 selector switch
e AUDIO IN switch
Your AG-HPX300P is factory-set to perform no recording on 
Audio Channels 3 and 4 in the DVCPRO and DV formats. 
To enable four-channel recording, the menu option 25M 
REC CH SEL on the AUDIO SETUP screen must be set to 
4CH.
For details on switch settings and the input system, see 
[AUDIO IN switch] (page 16).
 NOTE
•   
The audio signals recorded on the four channels are output 
as is (SDI).
Use the AUDIO SETUP screen in the setting menu to make 
detailed audio settings.
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
FRONT VR CH2MIC LOWCUT CH1MIC LOWCUT CH2MIC LOWCUT CH3MIC LOWCUT CH4LIMITER CH1
OFFOFFOFFOFFOFF
LIMITER CH2OFF
OFFOFF
FRONT VR CH1
A U D I O   S E T U P
Adjusting Recording Levels
To adjust the recording levels for Audio Channels 1 and 2, 
follow the steps below.
1 Position theMONITOR SELECTCH1/,CH/-
selectorswitchatCH1/sothattheaudiolevel
meteronthedisplaywindowwillprovideCH1
andCHindications. Ensurethatthechannel
indicationsdisplayedinthewindoware1and.
2PositiontheAUDIOSELECTCH1/CHswitch
at[MAN].
3Whilecheckingtheaudiochannellevelmeterin
thedisplaywindowortheaudiolevelmeterin
theviewfinder,adjusttheAUDIOLEVELCH1/
CHcontrol.
•  Note that if the level exceeds the top bar (0 dB), 
the word OVER illuminates to show that the input 
level is excessive. Adjust so that maximum sound 
levels do not reach the 0 dB bar.
CH 1CH 2
OVERindication
 NOTE
 
Pressing the USER button to which the magnification of the 
audio level meters (MAG A.LVL) has been assigned magnifies 
the audio level meters.
For details, refer to [Audio level meter magnification] (page 73). 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording
When operating the AG-HPX300P without a sound 
recordist, it is recommended that the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL 
control should be used to adjust the audio level.
In advance, check the level meter in the viewfinder screen 
and use the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL control to adjust the 
appropriate audio channel to prevent input of excessive 
audio signals.
Selecting Function for the FRONT 
AUDIO LEVEL Control
Use the menu options FRONT VR CH1 and FRONT VR 
CH2 in the AUDIO SETUP screen to determine whether or 
not the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL control should be enabled. 
Selecting an input signal in the menu will enable FRONT 
AUDIO LEVEL control operations for that input signal.
•  When the FRONT AUDIO LEVEL control is set to level 10, 
it controls AUDIO LEVEL CH1 and CH2.
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
FRONT VR CH2MIC LOWCUT CH1MIC LOWCUT CH2MIC LOWCUT CH3MIC LOWCUT CH4LIMITER CH1
OFFOFFOFFOFFOFF
LIMITER CH2OFF
OFFOFF
FRONT VR CH1
A U D I O   S E T U P
CH3 and CH4 Recording Levels
Conditions and input levels set in the menu options AUTO 
LEVEL CH3 and the AUTO LEVEL CH4 in the AUDIO 
SETUP screen change the operation of the audio level of 
channels 3 and 4 as shown below. These functions cannot 
be manually adjusted.
Each option can be selected in the AUDIO SETUP screen.
AUTO LEVEL
CH3/CH4
Input level
LINEMIC
ONAGC * ONAGC ON
OFFAGC/LIMITER OFFLIMITER ON
* AGC: Audio Gain Control 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Setting Time Data
The camera provides time data such as time codes, user 
bits, time of day (real-time) data, which is recorded on each 
frame alongside video data. It is also recorded as as data 
in clip metadata files.
Time data overview
Time code
Use the TCG switch to select Rec Run or Free Run mode.
•  Free Run: The time code advances constantly whether 
the camera is on or not just like time itself. Recording 
using a slave-locked time code input to the TC IN or 
DVCPRO/DV connectors is also possible.
•  Rec Run: The time code advances only during recording. 
This will enable continuation of time codes in previously 
recorded clips and when the power is turned off or new 
P2 cards are inserted to continue recording.
 NOTE
The following events will disrupt time code continuity. 
• When clips are deleted
• When a 24P or 24PA frame rate is selected
• When 24PN or 30PN is selected
•   
When a recording is interrupted by a REC WARNING or other 
abnormality
User bits
•   Two types of user bits are provided internally: (LTC UB: 
recorded as LTC, output via the TC OUT connector 
as LTC embedded in HD SDI) and VITC (in DVCPRO 
recorded in the VIDEO AUX area and output as VITC 
embedded in HD SDI).
•  LTC UB enables the recording of user settings, time, 
date, time codes and similar values, the frame rate data 
for camera capture and external input values (via TC IN 
or DVCPRO/DV connector input). 
•  VITC user bits record the frame rate data of camera 
capture. 
•  The user bits in clip metadata record the LTC UB value at 
the start of recording.
Date (real time)
•  The built-in clock calculates the year, month, day and 
time from the internal clock to display on video in the 
LCD, viewfinder and VIDEO OUT and other video output.
•  The internal clock is not only used to calculate the free 
run time code when the power is off and to set the user 
bit year, date and time, but also to set file creation dates 
when clips are recorded that determine the order of 
thumbnails and playback order.
•  It is also used for generating clip metadata and UMID 
(Unique Material Identifier).
For details, see [Setting Date and Time of Internal Clock] 
(page 26). 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording
Recording time codes and user bits
System setting statusRecorded TCOutput TCDisplayed TCRecorded UBOutput UB
SYSTEM MODEREC SIGNALREC FORMATCAMERA MODEFRAME RATELTCVITCTC OUTLTC and VITC embedded in HD SDI
TC tc(24/30 conversion)LTC UBVITC UBTC OUT  connector UB *1
LTC UB embedded in HD SDI *1
VITC UB embedded in HD SDI
1080 -59.94i
CAMERA
DVCPROHD/60i
60i,  30P—R-RUN/F-RUN *3
DF/NDF30 frames
Same as LTC value
Outputs LTCOutputs LTCTC: 30 framestc: 24 framesFollows UB MODE.  In ‘EXT’ slaves to UB in TC IN connector
Frame rate data
Outputs LTC UBOutputs LTC UB
Frame rate data
24P, 24PA—R-RUN/F-RUN*5
NDF locked30 frames
AVC-I100/60i AVC-I50/60iAVC-I100/30PN AVC-I50/30PN
——R-RUN/F-RUN*3
DF/NDF30 frames
AVC-I100/24PN AVC-I50/24PN——R-RUN/F-RUN*5
NDF locked30 frames
Converted to 30 frames based on LTC
Converted to 30 frames based on LTC
RecordingTC: 24 framesPlaybackTC: 24 framestc: 30 frames
Output adjusted to Over 60P based on LTC UB
Output adjusted to Over 60P based on LTC UB
1394DVCPROHD/60i——R-RUN/F-RUN*2
DF/NDF30 frames
Records VAUX TC in 1394 input at all times *6Outputs LTCOutputs LTCTC: 30 framestc: 24 frames
Follows UB MODE. In ‘EXT’ slaves to LTC UB in 1394 connector
Records values input to the 1394 connector as is
Outputs LTC UBOutputs LTC UBOutputs VITC UB
720-59.94P
CAMERA
DVCPROHD/60P AVC-I100/60P AVC-I50/60P
—Other than 24 frames
R-RUN/F-RUN*3
DF/NDF30 frames
Same as LTC value
Outputs LTCOutputs LTC
TC: 30 framestc: 24 frames
Follows UB MODE.   In ‘EXT’ slaves to UB in TC IN connector
Frame rate data
Outputs LTC UBOutputs LTC UB
Frame rate data
—24 framesR-RUN/F-RUN*5
NDF locked30 frames
DVCPROHD/30PN AVC-I100/30PN AVC-I50/30PN
—30 frames
R-RUN/F-RUN*4
DF/NDFEvery active frame30 frames
—Other than 30 frames
R-RUN lockedDF/NDFEvery active frame30 frames
Matches recorder TC at start of recording30 frames/s
Matches recorder TC at start of recording30 frames/s
DVCPROHD/24PN AVC-I100/24PN AVC-I50/24PN
—24 frames
R-RUN/F-RUN*5
NDF lockedEvery active frame24 frames
Converts and outputs LTC to 30 frames
Ouputs LTCRecordingTC: 24 framesPlaybackTC: 24 framestc: 30 frames
Output adjusted to Over 60P based on LTC UB
Output adjusted to Over 60P based on LTC UB—Other than 24 frames
R-RUN lockedDF/NDFEvery active frame24 frames
Matches recorder TC at start of recording30 frames/s
Matches recorder TC at start of recording30 frames/s
1394DVCPROHD/60P——R-RUN/F-RUN*2
DF/NDF30 frames
Records VAUX TC in 1394 input at all times *6Ouputs LTCOuputs LTCTC: 30 framestc: 24 frames
Follows UB MODE. In ‘EXT’ slaves to LTC UB in 1394 connector
Records values input to the 1394 connector as is
Outputs LTC UBOutputs LTC UBOutputs VITC UB
480-59.94i
CAMERA
DVCPRO50/60i DVCPRO/60i DV/60i
60i, 30P—R-RUN/F-RUN*3
DF/NDF30 framesSame as LTC value(but not for DV)
Outputs LTCNoneTC: 30 frames tc: 24 frames
Follows UB MODE. In ‘EXT’ slaves to UB in TC IN connector
Frame rate dataOutputs LTC UB
NoneNone
24P, 24PA—R-RUN/F-RUN*5
NDF locked30 frames
1394——R-RUN/F-RUN*2
DF/NDF30 frames
Records VAUX TC in 1394 input at all times (No DV)*6
Follows UB MODE. In ‘EXT’ slaves to LTC UB in 1394 connector
Records values input to the 1394 connector as is
Ouputs  LTC UB
*1   When UB MODE is FRM. RATE, playback of native clips is the pulldown frame rate read from VITC UB.
*2   In free run mode, it is slaved to the value input to the DVCPRO/DV connector. It does not slave it to the time code from 
the TC IN connector.
*3 In Free Run mode, it is slaved to the time code input to the TC IN connector.
*4 In Free Run mode, it is slaved to the time code input to the TC IN connector. But not slaved to it during recording.
*5   In Free Run mode, it is slaved when TC input to the TC IN connector is non-dr\
op frame. But not slaved to it during 
recording.
*6 VAUX TC is time code recorded in the video AUX area in the DVC format. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Setting user bits
Use the setting menu UB MODE on the RECORDING 
SETUP screen to select the user bits to record in the 
subcode area.
•USER:
Records internal user values.
To set user values, set the TCG switch to SET to open 
the setting menu TC PRESET screen.
Set values are retained after the power is turned off.
See also [Entering the User Bits] (page 58).
•TIME:
Records the time calculated by the internal clock.
•DATE:
Records the year, month and day time digits from the 
internal clock.
•EXT: 
Records the user bits input to the TC IN connector.
Recording of 1394 input also records user bits input to 
the DVCPRO/DV connector.
•TCG:
Records the time code value.
•FRM. RATE:
Records the frame rate information of camera capture.
A native recorded clip is played back at the same frame 
rate as the VITC UB regardless of recorded values. Use 
this setting when a PC or other editing device is to use 
the user bit frame rate.
For details, see [Frame rate information recorded in 
user bits] (page 59).
•  To slave lock to the user bits input to the TC IN connector, 
set to EXT.
•  In slave mode, the UB indicator is highlighted.
•  A slave relationship, once started, continues even after 
input from the TC IN or DVCPRO/DV connector ends. 
Note that the following events release user bit slave 
status.
•  When a UB MODE option is set to something other than 
EXT.
•  When UB PRESET is performed
•  Switching to 1394 in the menu option REC SIGNAL in 
the SYSTEM SETUP screen.
•  Turning the power off.
The internal user value retains the slave values even after 
slave release.
Entering the User Bits
The user bits allow information, including memos that use 
up to eight-digit hexadecimal numbers (date and time), to 
be recorded in the Subcode area.
b
d
a
c
a  RESET button
b COUNTER button
c TCG switch
d CURSOR and SET buttons
1 SettheCOUNTERbuttontoUB.
2Positionthe TCGswitchatSET. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

3UseCURSORbuttonstosettheuserbits.
SEL : PUSH    / 
+/- : PUSH 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
UB PRESET 
/ 
PRESET :  PUSH SET
q button:   Shifts the target (highlighted) digit to the 
right.
w button:  Shifts the target (highlighted) digit to the 
left.
e button:  Increases the highlighted number by one.
r button:  Decreases the highlighted number by 
one.
SET button: Confirms the set user bits.
•  Pressing the RESET button while setting the user 
bits will reset any user bit setting to 0.
4 PresstheSETbuttontoconfirmtheuserbit
value,andpositionthe TCGswitchatF-RUNor
R-RUN.
 NOTE
Changing the TCG switch setting without pressing the 
SET button disables the set value.
5 OpenthesettingmenuRECORDINGSETUP
screenandsetthemenuoptionUBMODEto
USER.
Retaining the user bits
The data set for the user bits are automatically saved and 
retained even if the video camera-recorder is turned off.
Frame rate information recorded in user 
bits
The frame rate value of video data captured and recorded 
at a frame rate set in the menu option FRAME RATE 
or other options in the SYSTEM SETUP screen can be 
recorded in the user bits and be used in editing equipment 
(computer editing software).
This type of data is recorded in VITC UB at all times.
Setting the setting menu UB MODE to FRM RATE, records 
the information also to the user bits.
In playback of clips recorded in native mode, the same 
frame rate information as that obtained in playing back the 
user bits in the VIDEO AUX area is also output to the user 
bits in the subcode area.
Frame rate information
Frame rate, video pull-down and time code user bits are 
related as described below.
Verification
informationon
theright-hand
sixdigits Fixedvalue
SequenceNo. P,PA:0-
Otherthanabove: lockedatF
Cameracapturemode
Example: •0i: 00•0P: 0•0P:0•P:•PA: C•PN: D(recording)
•P:Mediamanagementdata
• Updateframeflag,active
frameflag
•RECmark
When100ior0i
Framerate:
Pover0i(:)
 First field of updated frame rate
0225000103040506232426272829
AoAeBoBeBoCeCoDeDoDeAoAeBoBeCoDeDoDeAoAeBoBeBoCeCoDeDoDe
2 00 13 4 01 34 12 3 4
0110101001001010010010010100
Time code digit
Video
Sequence No.
Updated frame information
Framerate:PAover0i(:::)
0225000103040506232426272829
AoAeBoBeBoCeCoCeDoDeAoAeBoBeCoCeDoDeAoAeBoBeBoCeCoCeDoDe
2 00 13 4 01 34 12 3 4
0110101000101010001010010010
Time code digit
Video
Sequence No.
Updated frame information 
						

							
0
ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Framerate: 0Pover0i(:)
020001
AoAeBoBeCoCe
101010
Time code digit
Video
Updated frame information
0Pmode
Framerate:Pover0P(:)
 Updated frame
0225000103040506232426272829
A A B B BC CCD DD DA A B B BC C D DDD DA A B B
0110101001001010010010010100
Time code digit
Video
Updated frame information
Framerate:0Pover0P(:)
Time code digit
Video
Updated frame information
020001
A A B BC C
101010
Setting the Time Code
1Switchthemenuoption TCMODEonthe
RECORDINGSETUPscreentoDForNDF
usingthemenus.
For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the 
menus] (page 120).
•  Select DF to advance time code in drop frame 
mode and NDF in non-drop frame mode. Note that 
24P, 24PA and 24PN are always recorded in NDF 
mode.
2 UsetheCOUNTERbuttontoswitchtotime
codedisplay.
3Positionthe TCGswitchatSET.
4UsetheCURSORbuttonstosetthetimecode.
•  Range of available time code settings:  
00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:29 (other than 24PN), 
00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:23 (24PN)
        00 h 00 m 00 s 00         h   min    s   frm
TC PRESET 
SEL : PUSH    / 
+/- : PUSH 
REC RUN 
/ 
PRESET :  PUSH SET
q button:   Shifts the target (highlighted) digit to the 
right.
w button:  Shifts the target (highlighted) digit to the 
left.
e button:  Increases the highlighted number by one.
r button:  Decreases the highlighted number by 
one.
SET button:   Use to confirm set time code value.
•  Pressing the RESET button will reset any time 
code setting to 0.
5 PresstheSETbuttontoconfirmthetimecode
setting,andusethe TCGswitchtoselectatime
code.
•  F-RUN steps the time code in free run mode, and 
R-RUN set it in recording run mode.
 NOTE
•   
When 24P or 24PA is used, the time code is adjusted 
every 5 frames. It is adjusted to multiples of four for 
24PN and to even numbers for 720/30PN. The time 
code cannot be set during recording.
•  
The set value is not valid if you change the TCG 
switch position without pressing the SET button.
Time code function during battery 
replacement
Even during battery replacement the backup mechanism 
keeps the time code generator functioning.
 NOTE
When the POWER switch has been switched ON  OFF  
ON, the backup accuracy of the time code in free run mode is 
about ±2 frames.