Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HPX300P Operating Instructions

							
1
ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

VFR (variable frame rate) time code
•  At 24PN, recording is performed at 24 frames and output uses a 2:3 pull-down scheme to produce 30 frames.
•  At a frame rate (capture frame rate) of 24P the speed of recording and the output time code matches actual time, but not 
at any speed other than 24P. (Example: at 60P recording progresses at 60/24 speed)
•  Then the camera operates in Rec Run mode and the time code output at sta\
rt of recording matches the recording time 
code.
•  This is true also for frame rates other than 30P capture in 30PN mode
PNrecordingat0Pcapture
Video output0 1 2 3 22 23 24 25 58 59 60 61 62 63 67 68 
Rec startRec stop
Skips
Rec start
Output time code00:0000:00 00:00 00:01 00:11 00:12 00:29 01:00 01:01 02:20 02:20 
Recorded video0 1 2 3 22 23 24 25 58 59 60 61 62 63 67 68 
Recorded time code00:00 00:01 00:02 00:03 00:22 00:23 01:00 01:01 02:10 02:11 02:12 02:13 02:14 02:15 02:16 02:16 02:17
24/30conversion
0PNrecordingat1Pcapture
Video output0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 20 20 20 20 21 21 
Rec startRec stop
Skips
Rec start
Output time code00:0000:00 00:01 00:02 00:03 00:29 00:28 01:00 00:16 00:16 00:17 
Recorded video0 1 14 15 
Recorded time code00:00 00:01 00:14 00:15 
21 
00:16 00:16 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Externally Locking the Time Code
The time code generator built into your AG-HPX300P may 
be locked to an external generator. It is also possible 
to lock an external time code generator to the internal 
generator.
Connections for externally locking the 
time code (examples)
As illustrated, both the reference video signals and the time 
code must be input.
Example 1:   Locking the time code to 
external signals
Referencetimecode
Referencevideo
signal TCIN
GENLOCKIN
  NOTE
•   In addition to an HD Y reference signal, a composite video 
signal can also be input as reference signal.
•  Input composite video signals when the system mode is 480i 
(SD) and 720P.
•  During HD-Y signal input in 720P system mode, GENLOCK 
input for the video signal is applied but the time code is 
delayed by 1 field.
•  If the reference GENLOCK input signal becomes irregular 
and recording cannot be normally performed, “TEMPORARY 
PAUSE IRREGULAR FRM SIG” blinks in red in the viewfinder 
and on the LCD screen and the current clip is divided. The 
continuity of the time code cannot be guaranteed. Recording 
resumes when the signal returns to normal. Recording 
will not resume if interval, one-shot or loop recording is in 
progress.
Example 2:   Connecting two or more AG-
HPX300Ps with one another, 
with one being used as the 
reference device.
Referencedevice
VIDEOOUT TCOUT
TCIN
GENLOCKIN VIDEOOUT
TCOUT
TCIN
GENLOCKIN VIDEOOUT TCOUT
 NOTE
•   Set the menu option TC VIDEO SYNCHRO to TC IN in the 
OUTPUT SEL screen and the menu option GL PHASE to 
COMPOSITE in the OTHER FUNCTIONS screen on both units.
•  Setting TC VIDEO SYNCHRO in the OUTPUT SEL screen to TC 
IN will supply the time code via TC IN to the next slave device 
without delay.
•  
The subcarrier in the VBS signal of the VIDEO OUT connector 
of the camera cannot be externally locked.
To externally lock the time code
Follow the steps below.
1 TurnonthePOWERswitch.
2Positionthe TCGswitchat[F-RUN].
3SettheCOUNTERbuttonto TC.
4Supplyaphase-relationshipreference
timecode(thatconformstothetimecode
requirements)andreferencevideosignals
tothe TCINandGENLOCKINconnectors,
respectively. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

•  Now the built-in time code generator is locked to the 
reference time code.
•  When locked to an external time code generator, the 
time code is at all times locked to the external time code, 
which is displayed as a highlighted value on the counter 
indicator. Do not engage the recording mode during the 
few seconds it takes for the sync generator to stabilize. 
•  Once a slave relationship is established, the TC IN and 
GENLOCK IN connectors stay in slave status.*  
Note that the following events release slave status.
• When TC PRESET is performed
•  When the REC SIGNAL option in the SYSTEM SETUP 
screen is set to 1394.
• The power is turned off
• The time code mode is switched
• The TCG switch is set to R-RUN
•  When REC FORMAT and CAMERA MODE have been 
switched
*  The slave function locks the time code to the TC IN 
input and the device will use this time code even if time 
code input should subsequently cease.
Setting the user bits when the time code 
is externally locked
To externally lock user bits, set the setting menu UB MODE 
(RECORDING SETUP screen) to EXT.
Regardless of an F-RUN or R-RUN setting of the TCG 
switch, the time code is slaved to user bit values input to 
the TC IN connector. 
For details, refer to [Setting Time Data] (page 56) and 
[Setting user bits] (page 58).
To unlock the externally locked time code
Discontinue external time code supply, then position the 
TCG switch at [R-RUN].
Cautions in switching the power source 
from battery to external power supply
Connect the DC IN socket with the external power supply 
before removing the battery, in order to keep the time code 
generator energized. If the battery is removed first, there is 
no guarantee that the time code will stay externally locked.
External synchronisation of the camera 
when the time code is externally locked
When the time code is externally locked, the reference 
video signals input through the GENLOCK IN connector 
gen-lock the camera.
 NOTE
•   
To lock other devices externally to the AG-HPX300P, as the 
master device, make sure that the other devices are in the 
same camera mode as the AG-HPX300P. Note that if some of 
the connected devices use interlaced scanning while other 
devices use progressive scanning, there may be breaks in the 
video and time code.
•   
When 24P, 24PA or 24PN (native) is selected and the time 
code is externally locked, be sure to select a non-drop frame 
time code. The time code cannot be externally locked when 
drop frame mode is selected. When the time code is externally 
locked, the video may be distorted, but this is because of 
adjustment to 5-frame segments and not a malfunction.
Outputting the time code externally
To output time code from the camera’s TC OUT connector 
to a VTR or other recording device in sync with camera 
picture or playback picture, set the setting menu TC VIDEO 
SYNCRO (OUTPUT SEL) to VIDEO OUT.
Set the menu option GL SELECT to SDI or COMPOSITE 
as required by supplied video output in the OTHER 
FUNCTIONS screen and the menu option TC OUT to TCG/
TCR in the OUTPUT SEL screen.
TC OUT
VIDEO INSDI INHD SDI IN
TC IN
AG-HPX00P
VTR,etc.
SDIOUT

or
VIDEOOUT
  NOTE
When the setting menu TC VIDEO SYNCRO is set to VIDEO 
OUT, the time code is output via TC OUT in tune with VIDEO 
OUT delay. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording
GENLOCK and time code input/output connection and setup
Camera operating conditionsCamera setupGENLOCK input and camera output phase 
(In phase:  Out of phase: ×)
Recording 
format
Video and reference 
signal to be output 
externally
GENLOCK inputGL PHASESDI OUT (HD)VIDEO OUT,  
SDI OUT (SD)TC OUT
1080i
SDI OUT (1080i)1080iSDI90H delay
VIDEO OUTCOMPOSITE90H advance
SDI OUT (1080i)SD (480i)SDI90H delay
VIDEO OUTCOMPOSITE90H advance
720P
SDI OUT (720P)
720P
SDI120H delay×
VIDEO OUTCOMPOSITE120H 
advance×
SDI OUT (720P)
SD (480i)
SDI90H delay
VIDEO OUTCOMPOSITE120H 
advance
480iSDI OUT (480i)SD (480i)Disabled×VIDEO OUT
Counter Setting and Display
Pressing the COUNTER button to view the counter displays the counter value\
 on the time code indicator in the LCD and in 
the viewfinder. The counter value is indicated in “Hour : Minute : Second” format. The counter value is not displayed during 
playback.
The menu option REC COUNTER in the DISPLAY SETUP screen can be set to display two types of counters.
TOTAL:    provides a continuous count until reset by pressing the COUNTER RESET button. The counter value is retained 
when P2 cards are replaced and when the power is turned off.
CLIP:    The counter is reset to 0 at the start of each recording and allows you to keep track of clip recording time while 
shooting the current clip.
 NOTE
•   Pressing the RESET button when the counter value is displayed resets the counter to 0.
•  
The counter value indicates values in the range between 0:00:00 and 9:59:59 in 1-second steps. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Viewfinder Screen Status Displays
In addition to video, the viewfinder shows messages 
indicating camera settings and operating status, center 
markers, safety zone markers, zebra patterns and other 
indications.
View finder Status Indication Layout
The illustration below shows the indications (except MODE 
CHECK) that are displayed in the viewfinder.
T C1 2: 34 :5 6: 23 112 99 9min B9 0%P 2L AC KI -P AU SE US ER -1
1394
PROXY
C AC
1 0 8 0iAVC-I100
P 3.2K
L T. BO X0dBN D18 3% ND 1F EB 25 20 08 2S PO TF 5. 6
3 :5 9:
Z
5
9
9
96 0: 24 PN DR S12= == == = = =1/1 23 .4CHCH
For more information, see the following pages:
Selecting Viewfinder Display 
Information
To select items in the viewfinder screen, open the DISPLAY 
SETUP screen and turn on or off each item or type.
Refer to the section [Using the menus] (page 120).
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
EVF PEAK FREQEVF SETTINGEVF B. LIGHTEVF COLORZEBRA1 DETECTZEBRA2 DETECT
0LOW>>>NORMALON
ZEBRA2SPOT
70%85%
EVF PEAK LEVEL
D I S P L A Y   S E T U P 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Screen displays
T C1 2: 34 :5 6: 23 112 99 9minB 90 %
P 2L AC KI -P AU SE US ER -1
1394
PROXY
C AC
1 0 8 0iAVC-I100
P 3.2K
L T. BO X0dB
N D1
8 3% ND 1
F EB 25 20 08 2
S PO T
F 5. 6
3 :5 9:
Z
5
9
9
9
6 0: 24 PN DR S12= == == = = =1/1 23 .4CHCH
13
26
141512
2324251
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3
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6
10
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8
9
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5
16
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1 Time code displays
Each press of the COUNTER button displays (or turns 
off) the indications listed below.
• (No indication)
• Counter: 
  Counter value (during recording only)
• TC:  Time code value
  TC* is indicated when the time code value 
cannot be correctly read from DVCPRO/DV 
connector input.
 The colon between the seconds and the 
frames changes to a period ( . ) in drop 
frame mode.
• tc: Time code value (frame digits are indicated 
in 24/30 frames only)
  tc* is indicated when the time code value 
cannot be correctly read from DVCPRO/DV 
connector input.
 The colon between the seconds and the 
frames changes to a period (.) in drop frame 
mode.
• UB:  User bit values
  UB* is indicated when the user bit value 
cannot be correctly read from DVCPRO/DV 
connector input.
• FR:  Frame rate information for recording
• FR60I  -: 60i interlace mode (60 fields/s)
• FR60P  -: 60P progressive mode (60 frames/s)
• FR30P -: 30P progressive mode (30 frames/s)
• FR24P    *: 24P progressive mode (24 frames/s)
• FR24PA  *: 24P advanced mode (24 frames/s)
*:  In FR24P and FR24PA modes, the last digit contains 
the frame conversion sequence information.
 NOTE
When TC, tc and UB are locked to TC IN input, the characters in 
their icons change to outline characters TC  TC  .
When the HOLD button is used to temporarily freeze 
indications, the HOLD indication blinks.
2  Warnings
• P2 :     Blinks when no P2 card is inserted or the 
card is write protected.
• P2 FULL: 
    Blinks when there is no more space left on 
the P2 card.
• P2 LACK: 
   Blinks in loop rec mode when there is not 
enough space left on the P2 card.
•  :    Lights when the battery for the internal clock 
is depleted. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording
3 Backup unit displays
•  The following indications show the status of backup 
units connected to the DVCPRO/DV connector.
•  The following indications are not displayed when 
the menu option 1394 CONTROL in the OTHER 
FUNCTIONS screen is set to OFF.
• 1394 *:  Recording
• 1394 h:  Recording standby
• 1394  : 
    The backup unit cannot be controlled.
• 1394:    No backup unit is connected.
• 1394  – –: 
  A backup unit is connected but is not in 
recording or recording standby status.
4 Recording format and system frequency indication
• System mode
• 1080i
• 720P
• 480i
• Recording format
(In 1080i, 720P system mode)
• AVC-I 100: AVC-Intra 100 format
• AVC-I 50: AVC-Intra 50 format
• DVCPRO HD: DVCPRO HD format
(in 480i system mode)
• DVCPRO50, DVCPRO, DV
5 Information display
The following information is displayed depending on the 
situation.
•  Performance of auto white balance and auto black 
balance
• Warning and error indication
• Information on switch and button operations
For details, refer to [Center Information Display] 
(page 69).
6  Proxy information display (optional)
This display provides information on proxy card errors 
and time remaining in proxy recording on an SD 
memory card.
7 Letter box recording display
This display appears in the 480i recording format when 
LETTER BOX is selected in the menu option ASPECT 
CONV in the SYSTEM SETUP screen.
8 Y GET brightness display
When the Y GET function is used, the image level at the 
center of the image is indicated in a range between 0% 
and 109%
9 Calendar
Month:
Year: 2000 – 2037
Seconds
Hours
Day of the month
Minutes
mmm dd yyyy hh:mm:ss
JAN (January), FEB (February), 
MAR (March), APR (April), MAY (May), 
JUN (June), JUL(July), AUG (August), 
SEP (September), OCT (October), 
NOV (November), DEC (December)
10 Recording/playback frame rate display
In native recording, the capture frame rate and 
recording and playback frame rates are displayed.
Example:   60:24PN (recording 60P with the camera 
frame rate set to a variable frame rate of 
24PN)
Playback applies a 2:3 pull-down to perform 24P over 
60P, indicating that 24/60 speed slow playback is 
performed. 
In standard recording only the capture frame rate is 
indicated.
Example:  24PA (recording 24PA using 2:3:3:2 pulldown 
for over60i recording)
11 Audio level meter display
HEADROOM at-0dB
CH 1-20dB0dB
CH 2
HEADROOMat-1dB
CH 1-18dB0dB
CH 2
By assigning MAG A. LVL (level meter magnification) 
to a user button makes it possible to switch to display 
magnification.
For details, refer to [Audio level meter magnification] 
(page 73).
12 Shutter speed
The shutter speed is displayed here.
In synchro scan mode, the display (time (minutes) 
display or shutter angle icon display) made in the menu 
option SYNC SCAN DISP in the DISPLAY SETUP screen 
is used.
13 DRS display
This indicates operation of the dynamic range stretcher 
function.
14 Iris display
Displays F values.
•  NC appears when the lens connector is not 
connected.
15  Auto-iris control displays
• SPOT:  Auto iris control for spot light 
• BACK:  Auto iris control for backlight compensation
This indication also appears when the lens is set to 
manual iris, but is not active. 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

16 Zoom position display
Zoom positions are indicated in a range from Z00 
(maximum wide angle) to Z99 (maximum zoom).
17 Recommended ND filter display
This indicates the most suitable ND filter to use under 
current shooting conditions.
18 ND filter display
•  This indicates the selected ND filter.
•  An ND -- indication means that the ND FILTER switch 
is incorrectly set (a position other than ND1 to ND4). 
Check ND FILTER switch position.
19  Gain display
Indicates the gain value set using the video amplifier.
20 WHITE BAL switch position indication
Indicates the currently selected switch position and 
also white balance operation when AWB is preset. In 
ATW (Auto Tracking White Balance) mode, ATW is also 
indicated and LOCK is displayed when the function is 
locked.
21 CAC indicator
Indicates that the chromatic aberration function of the 
lens is operating.
22 Scene file name display
Indicates the name of currently selected SCENE FILE 
(F1 to F6).
23 Remaining battery charge
As the remaining battery charge drops, the display 
changes as follows:         
 .
When the battery is completely discharged,   
(  ) blinks. 
(When the AC adapter is being used, a display 
other than  may appear: this is not a sign of 
malfunctioning.)
• 13.5 V: 
  Battery voltage indication
Indicates the current voltage for analog batteries.
• B XX %: 
 10%~99%
Indicates the remaining battery level in % for digital 
batteries.
• MAX:  Indicates that a digital battery is fully 
charged.
• EMP:   Indicates that the remaining capacity of a 
digital battery is less than 10%.
24  Media remaining memory display
•  Set the menu option P2CARD REMAIN in the DISPLAY 
SETUP screen to ONE-CARD to display the remaining 
time on the P2 card being recorded and show the 
number of the slot it resides in on the left. TOTAL 
displays the remaining time on both cards.
•  In a mode check, ONE-CARD and TOTAL are 
alternately displayed.
•  This display does not appear while remaining memory 
is calculated and when the camera is in USB device 
mode.
•  A mode check during loop recording displays the 
standard recording time available to loop recording.
•  Indicates remaining time in 1-minute increments 
from 0 to 999 minutes. 999 minutes and longer time 
periods are also indicated as 999 minutes 
•  The display blinks when 2 minutes or less time is left.
25  Media information display
Indicates the slots that contain P2 cards and general 
information on the media.
• 1 Lights orange: 
  P2 card selected for recording
• 1 lights green: 
 P2 card ready for recording
• 1 flashes: 
 The card is being recognized
• - :  No card inserted
• P :  Write-protected
• F :  Full
• X :  Cannot recognize
• E :  P2 card in an invalid format (formatting will 
take care of this problem)
• o :  P2 card slot contains a PROXY card.
26 Recording and playback
• REC:  Recording
• PAUSE: 
  Recording standby
• h :  Playback pause
• q :   Play
• y (t ) : 
  Fast-forward/fast-forward playback (fast-
reverse/fast-reverse playback)
• 4X y (4X t ) : 
 4x speed search
• CLIP h q (CLIP hw ) : 
 Clip forward (clip reverse), cue up of single 
clips
In DISPLAY OFF, only REC display is shown at top 
right. (Also displayed at top right, when pre-recording, 
interval recording or one-shot recording is set.)
Specialrecordingdisplay
This display appears when the menu option REC 
FUNCTION in the RECORDING SETUP screen is set to 
INTERVAL, ONE SHOT or LOOP and when PRE REC is 
set to ON.
A P2 card inserted during recording will not be used for 
recording.
Stop recording before inserting the P2 card.
• L – : LOOP (loop recording)
• I – : INTERVAL, ONE SHOT
• P – : PRE REC 
						

							

ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Center Information Display
The following information displays (for details, refer to 
page 67) are provided.
P2 card recording and playback data 
indications
•BOS
Beginning of stream. No more data is available in the 
rearward playback direction.
•CANNOTPLAY
Appears when playback is disabled.
•CARDERR(1)()(1/): 
The number identifies the P2 card that is giving 
trouble.
•UPDATING:Readingcarddata
•CANNOTREC
Appears when recording cannot be started by pressing 
the REC button.
•EOS
End of stream. No more data is available in the forward 
playback direction.
•PRERECON(OFF)(INVALID)
Appears when the user button to which pre-recording 
has been assigned is pressed.
•SHOTMARKON(OFF)(INVALID)
SHOT MARK appears when the user button or the lens 
RET button to which it has been assigned is pressed.
•SLOTSEL(INVALID)
Appears when pressing the user button to which SLOT 
SEL is assigned.
•TEXTMEMO(INVALID)
TEXT MEMO appears when the user button or the lens 
RET button to which it has been assigned is pressed.
Errors and warnings
Errors and warnings appear when something goes wrong 
with the camera or a P2 card malfunctions. If the problem 
cannot be solved by turning off the camera and turning it 
back on, try replacing the card and if that does not help, it 
may be necessary to consult your supplier.
• 1
This error occurs in a 1394 connection or when signal 
faults occur.
• 1394 INITIAL ERROR: a connection error
• 1394 INPUT ERROR: an input error
• 1394 INPUT ERROR (OTHER FORMAT): 
  (different input format)
• COPY INHIBITED: 
 This indicates that a copy-guarded signal 
entered DV format input from the DVCPRO/
DV connector.
•DIRENTRYNGCARD
This message indicates that the directory on the card 
has become corrupted and that normal recording 
cannot be guaranteed if operation continues. Make a 
quick backup of card data and reformat the card.
•EXTERNAL1DISCONNECT
This message appears when the menu option 1394 
CONTROL in the OTHER FUNCTIONS screen is set to 
EXT and recording is attempted without connecting an 
external device to the DVCPRO/DV connector.
•FORMATERR!
This indicates a P2 card that does not meet the P2 card 
standard
•INCOMPATIBLECARD
This message indicates that the inserted card does not 
meet required standards and cannot be used.
It may also appear when a proxy card is inserted when 
the power is on.
•LOWBATTERY
This message indicates that the battery is depleted.
•RECWARNING
This is displayed during a recording error. Do the 
recording over. If this does not solve the problem, 
consult your supplier.
•  CARD ERR (1) (2) (1/2): The number indicates the P2 
card that is giving trouble.
•  Turn the power off if the warning continues.
•  If the warning persists after rerecording, replace 
the card with another card.
• ERROR: Other causes (This indicates that an attempt 
was made to record 1000 or more clips on 
one card, for example.)
•  PULL DOWN ERROR: Video pull-down sequence 
error in 24P mode
•  REC RAM OVERFLOW: Overflow of recording memory
•RUNDOWNCARD
This message indicates that a P2 card has been 
overwritten the maximum number of times and that 
normal recording cannot be guaranteed if operation 
continues.
It is best to replace such P2 cards with a new card.
•SYSTEMERROR
This message indicates that a system error has 
occurred.  This type of error can often be corrected by 
turning off the power and turning it back on again.
•  CAM MICON ERROR: The microprocessor in the 
camera is not responding.
•  P2 CONTROL ERROR: a P2 control error has 
occurred.
•  P2 MICON ERROR: The P2 microprocessor does not 
respond
•TEMPORARYPAUSE
IRREGULARFRMSIG: 
This message indicates that input GENLOCK 
reference signal is irregular and that recording 
has been terminated.
•TURNPOWEROFF
This message indicates that an abnormal event has 
occurred, for example, that a card was removed during 
access or that a system mode change was made.
Turn the power off and then turn it back on again.
• WIRELESSRF
This message indicates that reception from the wireless 
receiver is poor. 
						

							
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ChapterAdjustmentsandSettingsforRecording

Camera status display
•ABB
ABB indicator
•ATWACTIVE
Appears when the AUTO W/B BAL switch is set to AWB 
and ATW is running.
•ATW(ATWLOCK)
Appears when the WHITE BAL switch is set to B and 
ATW has been assigned.
•AUTOKNEE(ON/OFF)
Displayed when changing the AUTO KNEE switch 
position.
•AWB
AWB indicator
•AWBP.K/AWBP.K
Displays the color temperature assigned to PRST when 
the WHITE BAL switch is set to PRST. Also displayed 
when AWB is performed in the PRST position.
•BACKLIGHT(OFF)
Displayed during iris control when back light status is 
changed by pressing the user button to which BACK 
LIGHT is assigned.
•DRSON(OFF)
Displayed when DRS operation has been changed.
•GAIN**dB
Displayed when GAIN is switched.
•NDNG
Displayed when the ND filter is not positioned correctly.
•SCENE******
Displays the name of a scene file selected by turning 
the SCENE FILE dial.
•SHUTTER1/****(OFF)
Displayed when the shutter speed is changed.
•SPOTLIGHT(OFF)
Displayed during iris control when back light status is 
changed by pressing the user button to which SPOT 
LIGHT is assigned.