Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HPX370P AG-HPX371E Operating Instructions

							
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ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

Shooting and Recording/Playback Functions Section
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 Shooting and Recording (camera unit)
1  ND FILTER (filter switching) control
Use this control to adjust the amount of light entering 
the MOS sensor during shooting in strong outdoor 
lighting.
Control 
positionSettingDescription
1CLEARDoes not use the ND filter.
21/4NDReduces the amount of light 
entering the MOS sensor to 1/4.
31/16NDReduces the amount of light 
entering the MOS sensor to 1/16.
41/64NDReduces the amount of light 
entering the MOS sensor to 1/64.
2  USER MAIN, USER1 and USER2 buttons
These buttons can be assigned user-selected functions 
in a setting menu. Each button, when pressed, 
performs the assigned function.
For details, refer to [Assigning functions to USER 
buttons] (page 61).
3  SHUTTER switch
Use to turn the electronic shutter on and off.
OFF:   The electronic shutter is off.
ON:   The electronic shutter is on.
SEL:  Changes the speed of the electronic shutter.
This dial switch returns to its original position when 
released. Each push in the SEL direction changes the 
shutter speed.
For details, refer to [Setting the Electronic Shutter] 
(page 58). 4 
AUTO W/B (white/black) BAL switch
AWB:   Automatically adjusts the white balance. Set 
the WHITE BAL switch on the side to [A] or 
[B] and use this switch to adjust the white 
balance, which takes a few seconds. The 
adjusted value is stored in memory.
When the WHITE BAL switch is set to PRST 
and the AUTO W/B BAL switch is set to AWB 
to indicate the color temperature, pushing 
the AUTO W/B BAL switch towards AWB a 
second time allows you to change the preset 
color temperature.
ABB:   Automatically adjusts the black balance.
For details, refer to [Adjusting the White Balance and 
Black Balance] (page 55).
5  GAIN selector switch
•  This switch adjusts video amplifier gain to suit 
ambient lighting conditions at the time of shooting.
•   Use the menu options LOW GAIN, MID GAIN and 
HIGH GAIN in the SW MODE screen to set the L/M/H 
position gain values.
•   The factory settings for L, M and H positions are 0 dB, 
6 dB and 12 dB, respectively. 
						

							

ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

6 OUTPUT/AUTO KNEE selector switch
This switch selects the video signals sent from 
the camera unit to the memory card recorder unit, 
viewfinder and video monitor.
CAM. AUTO KNEE ON: 
Video being recorded through the camera is 
output with the Auto knee circuit activated. A 
DRS (Dynamic Range Stretcher) function can 
be used instead of the AUTO KNEE function.
For details, refer to [DRS (Dynamic Range 
Stretcher) function] (page 12).
CAM. AUTO KNEE OFF: 
Video being recorded through the camera is 
output with the Auto knee circuit turned off.
The KNEE point is locked to the level set in 
the menu.
BARS:   Color bar signals are output with the AUTO 
KNEE circuit turned off.
 NOTE
AUTO KNEE function
Usually, when you shoot people or scenery against a 
strongly lit background and adjust the level to the subject, 
the background will be totally whited-out, with buildings 
and other objects blurred. Use of the AUTO KNEE function 
in situations like these will reproduce the background 
clearly.
The AUTO KNEE function is effective when: 
•  The subject is a person positioned in the shade under a 
clear sky.
•  The subject is a person in a vehicle or building and you 
also want to capture the background visible through a 
window.
•  The subject is a high-contrast scene.
7  WHITE BAL (white balance memory selector) switch
Use to select method of white balance adjustment.
PRST:   Use PRST when you have no time to adjust 
the white balance.
•  The factory default setting is 3200 K.
•   Use a setting menu or push the AUTO W/B 
switch towards AWB to display the color 
temperature. While the color temperature 
is still indicated, push the AUTO W/B 
switch once again towards AWB to switch 
between 3200 K and 5600 K.
A • B:   Pushing the AUTO W/B BAL towards AWB 
will automatically adjust the white balance 
and save the adjusted value in memory A or 
memory B.
For details, refer to [Adjusting the White 
Balance] (page 55).
The setting menu also allows you to assign Auto 
Tracking White balance (ATW) to B. For details, refer to 
(page 56). 8 
DISP/MODE CHK button
•  Press this button to turn off the viewfinder and LCD 
display. (The time code indication stays on.)
•   A second press of the button turns the display back 
on and holding it down displays shooting conditions 
and functions assigned to USER switches.
•   It also serves to turn off the alarm sound.
9  SYNCHRO SCAN switch
This function adjusts the synchro scan speed when 
the SHUTTER switch is set to ON and synchro scan is 
selected.
Pressing the – switch sets a slower shutter speed and 
pressing the + switch sets a faster one.
For example, to record a computer screen, make 
adjustments to minimize horizontal bar noise in the 
viewfinder.
In VFR (Variable Frame Rate) mode, press the JOG dial 
button and this switch to change the frame rate.
For details, refer to [2. JOG dial button] in [Menu/
Thumbnail Operation Section] (page 25).
10  ZEBRA (zebra pattern) switch
Use this switch to display a zebra pattern in the 
viewfinder and on the LCD monitor.
For details, refer to [Zebra pattern display] (page 83).
11  Focal plane index (
)
This symbol indicates the focal plane of the MOS 
sensor.
It provides a reference for making accurate focal 
distance measurements from the subject. 
						

							

ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

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 Shooting and Recording/Playback 
Function Section (Recorder Unit)
12  REC button
Press this button to start recording and press once 
again to stop it.
This button operates in the same way as the VTR button 
on the lens.
13  SDI OUT CHARACTER switch
Use this switch to control the superimposition of 
character data onto SDI OUT to indicate status or 
setting menus.
ON:    Superimposes characters.
OFF:  Does not superimpose characters.
 NOTE
In addition to SDI OUT, a setting menu allows you to 
superimpose characters on VIDEO OUT video.
14 t  REW (rewind) button
In stop mode, press this button for fast-reverse 
playback.
During playback, press this button for fast-reverse 
playback at about 4x normal speed.
If this button is pressed when playback is paused, the 
beginning of the clip being played is located in pause 
mode (cue-up mode). 15 
y
 FF (fast forward) button
In stop mode, press this button for fast playback.
During playback, press this button for fast playback at 
about 4x normal speed.
If this button is pressed when playback is paused, the 
beginning of the next clip is located in pause mode 
(cue-up mode).
16 
g  STOP button
Press this button to stop playback.
You can also press this button to stop interval recording 
or one-shot recording, or stop compiling to the current 
clip in one-clip recording mode.
17  PLAY/PAUSE button
Press this button to view playback in the viewfinder or 
on a color video monitor.
Press it during playback to pause playback.
18  USB 2.0 connector (DEVICE)
19  USB 2.0 connector (HOST)
Connect a USB 2.0 cable to this connector.
To enable transfer of data via USB 2.0, set the menu 
option PC MODE in the SYSTEM SETUP screen to ON.
This setting restricts recording, playback and clip 
operations with the camera. For details, refer to 
page 150. 
						

							
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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 32).
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 (50i), 720/59.94P (50P)) 
or a composite signal (480/59.94i (576/50i)) 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 
Control Unit] (page 109).
Some functions can also be remote controlled when the 
AG-EC4G extension control unit (optional accessory) is 
connected.
For details, refer to [Connecting the AG-EC4G 
Extension Control Unit] (page 109).
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 miniSD/microSD card adapters when 
using miniSD/microSD cards with this camera. (Note that 
this camera will not operate normally when a miniSD/
microSD 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 miniSD/microSD 
cards is recommended. Be sure to format such cards in 
this camera. 
•  This camera supports SD memory cards with capacities 
between 8 MB to 2 GB, and SDHC memory cards with 
capacities up to 32 GB. For proxy (optional) recording, 
use SDHC memory cards or 256 MB to 2 GB SD memory 
cards labeled “High Speed”.
•  For the latest information not available in the Operating 
Instructions, visit the support desk at the following 
website.
http://pro-av.panasonic.net/
About SD and SDHC memory cards
•  The SDHC memory 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 155).
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 (576i). This 
connector does not support up-conversion. 
It outputs the same signals as SDI OUT 1 connector.
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.
For details, refer to [How to use Scene File Data] 
(page 91).
 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.
30  FOCUS ASSIST button
Turns magnification of the center portion of the image 
on and off.
For details, refer to [Focus assist function] (page 84).
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). 
						

							
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ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

Menu/Thumbnail Operation Section
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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 129).
•   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 129).
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 110).
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. 
						

							
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ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

Time Code Section
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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 71).
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 71).
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-HPX370P/AG-HPX371E.
For details, refer to [Outputting the time code externally] 
(page 72).
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 
counter value 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 64). 
						

							
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ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions
Warning and Status Display 
Functions
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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
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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 129).
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 110).
2  OPEN button
Use to open the LCD monitor. 
						

							
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ChapterPartsandtheirFunctions

Viewfinder
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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
For details, refer to [Detaching the eyepiece] 
(page 160).
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. 
						

							
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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, 2010.
1 SetthePOWERswitchtoON.
2Select TIMEZONEiteminOTHER
FUNCTIONS,thenpresstheJOGdialbutton.
•   For details on menu operation, refer to [Using the 
menus] (page 129).
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. 
						

							
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ChapterRecordingandPlayback
4SelectCHANGEattheCLOCKSETTINGitem
inOTHERFUNCTIONS,thenpresstheJOG
dialbutton.
•  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  
2010MONTH APRDAY 1 HOUR 13 MINUTE7 
YEAR 
C L O C K   S E T T I N G
6 TurntheJOGdialbuttontoset YEARto010,
thenpresstheJOGdialbutton.
• A year between 2000 to 2037 can be set.
7 TurntheJOGdialbuttontoselectMONTH,
thenpresstheJOGdialbutton.
8TurntheJOGdialbuttontosetMONTHto
APR,thenpresstheJOGdialbutton.
9SetDAY,HOURandMINUTEinthesameway
assetting YEARandMONTH.
• This is a 24-hour clock.
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN  
2010MONTH  APRDAY 1HOUR 17 MINUTE20 
YEAR 
C L O C K   S E T T I N G