Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder Ag-hpx500p, Ag-hpx500e Operating Instructions

							
131Connecting to External Devices Using USB2.0 Port (PC mode)
Chapter 8 Connecting to External Devices 
Chapter8
Connecting to External 
Devices
Connecting to External Devices Using USB2.0 
Port (PC mode)
By connecting the AG-HPX500P/E with an external 
PC using USB 2.0, the P2 card connected to the AG-
HPX500P/E can be used as a mass storage device.
Procedures for establishing 
a connection with a PC
1Connect the USB cable to the USB 2.0 
port.
< Notes >
•  The USB 2.0 cable is not included with AG-HPX500P/ E. Please use a commercially 
available USB 2.0 cable (shield with a ferrite 
core) .
•  The camera supports USB cable lengths up to  5 meters. However, we recommend using a USB 
cable shorter than 3 meters.
2Open the setting menu < OTHER 
FUNCTIONS > screen, and set the menu 
option PC MODE to USB DEVICE.
For details on menu operation, refer to [Using 
the menus] (page 116).
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
1394 CONTROL1394 CMD SELPC MODEACCESS LEDALARMSAVE LEDCLOCK SET
OTHER  FUNCTIONS
OFF
REC_P
USB DEVICE
OFF
OFF
SAVE
USER FILE
3Press the MENU button to end menu 
operations. 
4Press the MODE button to turn on the 
MCR mode LED and keep the button 
held down. 
•  This lights the PC mode LED indicating that 
the unit is in the PC mode. 
5Edit data on the PC. 
•  For details, refer to the Operating Instructions supplied with the PC. 
When you establish the USB connection for the 
first time, install the accessory P2 software for AG-
HPX500P/E on the PC. Select AG-HPX500 for the 
USB driver during installation.
Refer to the Installation Manual for the details.
< Notes >
•  A USB driver must be installed on the PC.
•  The camera is only compatible with USB 2.0. Use a PC  that supports USB 2.0.
•  Only one AG-HPX500P/ E at a time must be connected  to the PC via USB.
•  The P2 card must not be removed when it is connected  via USB.
•  While a USB connection is established, the P2 card’s  access LED should not be lit except when access is 
being carried out.
•  Recording, playback and clip thumbnail operations  cannot be performed when the PC MODE is set to USB 
DEVICE. 
•  Be sure to follow “Safe hardware removal” procedures  on the PC when disconnecting the USB cable. 
•  “CONNECT” lights during USB connection. “USB DEVICE” appears at the center of the viewfinder.
•  “DISCONNECT” appears when the devices are not 
correctly connected.
6To exit the PC MODE, turn the POWER 
switch OFF. 
USB 2.0 port 
						

							
132Connecting to External Devices Using the IEEE1394 Connector (PC mode)
Chapter 8 Connecting to External Devices

Connecting to External Devices Using the 
IEEE1394 Connector (PC mode)
Connecting an external PC or hard disk to this unit via 
IEEE1394 makes it possible to use the P2 cards in this 
unit as mass storage. 
Procedures for establishing 
a connection with a PC
1Connect the IEEE1394 cable to the 1394 
connector. 
< Note >
•  An IEEE1394 cable is not supplied. Purchase a commercially available cable. 
•  Use a Macintosh computer running Apple
® Mac 
OS® X in version 10.3 or later. 
•  This operation is not guaranteed under  Windows
®. 
•  Pay attention to cable connector orientation  during connection. 
1394
2Open the setting menu < OTHER 
FUNCTIONS > screen and set the menu 
option PC MODE to 1394DEVICE.
For details on menu operation, refer to [Using 
the menus] (page 116).
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
1394 CONTROL1394 CMD SELPC MODEACCESS LEDALARMSAVE LEDCLOCK SET
OTHER  FUNCTIONS
OFF
REC_P1394DEVICE OFF
OFF
SAVE
USER FILE
3Press the MENU button to end menu 
operations.
4Press the MODE button to turn on the 
MCR mode LED and keep the button 
held down. 
•  This lights the PC mode LED indicating that 
the unit is in the PC mode. 
5Edit data on the PC. 
•  For details, refer to the Operating Instructions supplied with the PC. 
< Note >
•  Do not remove P2 cards when using an IEEE1394 
connection. 
•  Place the driver icon in the trash before replacing a  card. 
•  Place all driver icons in the trash and check that the  1394DEVICE-DISCONNECT message appears before 
disconnecting the 1394 cable. 
•  Recording, playback and clip thumbnail operations  cannot be performed when the PC MODE is set to 
1394DEVICE. 
• PC data cannot be saved on a P2 card. 
When the unit is connected to an IEEE1394 device, 
“1394DEVICE CONNECT” is displayed at the center 
of the viewfinder. “DISCONNECT” appears when the 
devices are not correctly connected.
6To exit the PC mode, turn the POWER 
switch OFF. 
PC
6-pin connector
1394 cable 
(separately sold) 
Apple Macintosh 
						

							
133Connecting to External Devices Using the IEEE1394 Connector (PC mode)
Chapter 8 Connecting to External Devices 

Procedures for connecting 
a hard disk
< Note >
•  Use a hard disk with sufficient space for copying. 
•  Format the hard disk for this unit. Note that this deletes all existing data on the hard disk. 
•  Connect this unit to a hard disk with a 1394 cable. 
•  Even if the hard disk is turned off, be sure to make  only one connection. There must be no multiple 
connections (chaining, hub connections, etc.) . 
1Turn on the hard disk (1394.a SBP2 
compliant), connect the IEEE1394 
cable, and then turn on this unit. 
2Open the setting menu OTHER 
FUNCTIONS screen and set the menu 
option PC MODE to 1394HOST.
For details on menu operation, refer to [Using 
the menus] (page 116).
PUSH  MENU  TO  RETURN 
1394 CONTROL1394 CMD SELPC MODEACCESS LEDALARMSAVE LEDCLOCK SET
OTHER  FUNCTIONS
OFF
REC_P1394HOST OFF
OFF
SAVE
USER FILE
3Press the MENU button to end menu 
operations.
4Press the MODE button to turn on the 
MCR mode LED and keep the button 
held down. 
•  This lights the PC mode LED indicating that 
the unit is in the PC mode. 
5If the hard disk has not been formatted, 
use the cursor buttons to select 
FORMAT (HDD) and press the SET 
button. 
•  Then use the JOG dial button to select YES and press the SET button. 
•  Formatting starts. (Formatting takes about 2 
or 3 seconds.) 
COPY TO HDD
FORMAT (HDD)
PROPERTY
SETUP
6When formatting ends, use the cursor 
buttons to select COPY TO HDD and 
press the SET button. 
•  The data is copied to the hard disk in card units. 
COPY TO HDD
FORMAT (HDD)
PROPERTY
SETUP
7Use the cursor buttons to select a card 
slot and press the SET button. 
•  Then use the cursor buttons to select YES and press the SET button to start copying. 
•  Up to 15 copy operations can be made to one 
hard disk. 
COPY TO HDD
FORMAT (HDD)
PROPERTY
SETUP
SLOT1
SLOT2
EXIT
SURE ?
YES
NO
8Turn the POWER switch off when 
copying completes. 
To check data copied to hard disk 
After completing step 4, use the cursor buttons to 
select PROPERTY and press the SET button to view 
hard disk data. 
•  To view details, use the cursor buttons to select an item and press the SET button.  
						

							
134Connecting to External Devices Using the IEEE1394 Connector (PC mode)
Chapter 8 Connecting to External Devices
To verify data copied to a hard disk
After completing step 4, use the cursor buttons to 
select YES for VERIFY in SETUP. 
•  Data copied from a P2 card will not be affected even if processing should be interrupted during 
verification. 
< Note >
•  Data cannot be copied from the hard disk to a P2 card. 
•  Use hard disks under the following conditions. 
•  Use a separate power supply (not the 1394 bus) to power the hard disk since this unit cannot supply 
power. 
•  Format the hard disk for this unit.  
•  Operate hard disks within its operating specifications  (temperature, etc.) . 
•  Do not use hard disks in locations that are unstable or  exposed to vibration. 
•  Some hard disks may not operate normally. 
•  During formatting and copying, do not disconnect  cables, do not remove a P2 card that is involved in 
any of these activities and do not power off this unit 
and the hard disk. Any of these operations will require 
turning once off the camera and the hard disk, and then 
turning them on again.
•  If you first set PC MODE to 1394HOST before  connecting a hard disk (1394.a SBP2 compliant) , 
normal operation is not guaranteed. Turn the power off 
and exit the 1394HOST mode. 
•  A hard disk is a precision instrument whose read  and write functions may fail in some operating 
environments. Please note that Panasonic accepts no 
liability whatsoever for data loss or other losses either 
direct or indirect arising from hard disk damage or 
other defects. 
•  When the hard disk used to copy data from this unit is  replaced with another device (PC, etc.) , the data may 
no longer work in this unit and the hard disk data may 
have become corrupted. 
•  It is recommended that you repair bad clips on a P2  card before copying them. 
•  Use a stable power supply to ensure that copying,  formatting and other operations are not interrupted. 
Warnings
• HDD CAPACITY FULL! There is not enough space left on the hard disk. 
• TOO MANY PARTITIONS!
There are too many partitions. 
• HDD DISCONNECTED! The hard disk is disconnected.
• CANNOT INITIALIZE!
The hard disk cannot be initialized. 
• TOO MANY TARGETS! There are too may 1394 connections. 
• CANNOT ACCESS TARGET! The connected device cannot be accessed. 
• CANNOT ACCESS CARD! The card cannot be accessed. 
• MISMATCH COMPONENT! There is a mismatch with the connected device. 
• UNKNOWN DEVICE CONNECTED! A device other than a hard disk is connected. 
• P2 CARD IS UNFORMATTED! The P2 card has not been formatted. 
• CARD IS EMPTY! CANNOT COPY!
There is no data on the P2 card to copy. 
• VERIFICATION FAILED! Verification turned up a mismatch. 
• TURN POWER OFF!
Turn off the power. 
• CANNOT RECOGNIZE HDD! Hard disk recognition failed.  
						

							
135DVCPRO/ DV Connection via IEEE1394 Connector
Chapter 8 Connecting to External Devices 
Recording DVCPRO/ DV 
signals input to 1394 
connector
1Connect a 1394 cable. 
 For details, see [Precautions in 1394 
Connections] (page 136). 
•  Make sure that the signal format of the camera and the connected device is the 
same. 
2To input via the IEEE1394 interface, 
enter MCR mode and turn off 
thumbnails. 
< Note >
•  Input signals that have the same format as the setting 
menu MCR FORMAT and 480i (576i) MCR MODE to the 
IEEE1394 interface. A signal in a different format will 
not be correctly recorded on a P2 card.  Video and 
audio recording and EE type video and audio of signal 
inputs other than 1x speed playback signals may not 
work. 
 
For details, see [Errors] (page 72) . 
•  Audio signal inputs are input signals from the 1394  connector.
•  32 kHz /4CH (12 bit) audio signals input via the  IEEE1394 interface are recorded as 48 kHz /4CH (16 bit) 
on a P2 card. 
•  It is not possible to use the GENLOCK IN connector to  synchronize to an external reference signal. 
•  Signals output from the VIDEO OUT or AUDIO OUT  connectors differ from actual input signals. Use such 
signals for monitoring. 
•  The following functions do not operate.  •  Pre-recording function
•  Loop recording function
•  Interval recording and one shot recording function
•  Inputs via the 1394 interface are not available when 720P/ 24PN, 30PN or 25PN are selected in the setting 
menu MCR FORMAT. 
Time Code and User Bits
•  When input from the IEEE1394 interface is selected, the time code or user bits input to the TC IN 
connector cannot be recorded on a P2 card. 
•  When input from the IEEE1394 interface is selected,  time code output from the TC OUT connector is not 
synchronized to the video signal output from the 
VIDEO OUT connector. 
DVCPRO/DV Connection via IEEE1394 
Connector
Subcode area time codes and user 
bits
•  When input from the IEEE1394 interface is selected, or the TCG switch is set to F-RUN and the menu 
option F-RUN TC SLAVE in the RECORDING 
SETUP screen is set to 1394, the time code of the 
subcode area input from the 1394 connector can be 
recorded on a P2 card.
•  To record user bits input form the 1394 connector on 
a P2 card, set the setting menu 1394 UB REGEN in 
the RECORDING SETUP screen to ON.
VAUX area time codes and user bits
When input from the IEEE1394 interface is selected, 
time code and user bits of the VAUX area input 
from the 1394 connector is recorded on a P2 card 
regardless of camera menu settings and switch 
positions. 
Recording UMID (Unique Material 
Identifier) data
When input from the IEEE1394 interface is selected, 
UMID data input via the 1394 connector is recorded 
on a P2 card. When no UMID data is available, the 
camera generates and records such data. 
UMID data is not recorded when the camera is 
operating in the DV mode. 
Control of external devices through 
1394 connection
Using the 1394 interface to connect an external device 
for backup recording allows the operator to control 
start and stop operation of backup recording from the 
camera. 
1Connect a 1394 cable (DV cable) . 
For details, see [Precautions in 1394 
Connections] (page 136). 
•  Set 1394 CONTROL in the setting menu OTHER FUNCTIONS screen to BOTH. 
2Use the setting menu 1394 CMD SEL 
(OTHER FUNCTIONS) to select the 
command for terminating recording 
that external devices receive. 
For details on menu operation, refer to [Using 
the menus] (page 116). 
						

							
136DVCPRO/ DV Connection via IEEE1394 Connector
Chapter 8 Connecting to External Devices 
< Note >
•  When the camera is set to REC RUN to perform backup recording on a connected external device, the advance 
of time code from the 1394 connector will stop when 
all P2 cards have been fully recorded regardless of 
whether backup recording continues. 
•  It may not be possible for an external device to back  up recording when quick transitions are made between 
recording and stopping. 
Precautions in 1394 Connections
•  The camera does not supply power via the cable. 
•  Observe the following in connections using a 1394 cable. 
•  Connect this unit to only one other device. 
•  Do not expose the 1394 connector to excessive  force when connecting a 1394 cable to avoid 
damaging the connector. 
•  If an error (1394 INITIAL ERROR) should occur  when making a connection, reinsert the 1394 cable 
or turn the camera off and then turn it back on 
again. 
•  Make sure that the camera and all connected 
devices are connected to ground (or connected 
to a common ground). If the equipment cannot be 
connected to ground, turn off all connected devices 
before connecting or disconnecting an IEEE 1394 
cable. 
•  When connecting the unit to a device with a 4-pin  connector, connect the cable to the 6-pin connector 
on the camera first. 
•  Be sure to properly connect the 1394 cable to a 
personal computer with a 6-pin connector. Note 
that inserting the plug the wrong way round may 
damage the connector. 
•  AV signals may be disrupted when connected devices are turned on and off or when the interface 
cable is connected or disconnected. 
•  It may take the system a few seconds to stabilize  after switching input signals or changing modes. 
Start recording after the system has stabilized. 
•  The AUDIO LEVEL control does not work in 
recordings that involve IEEE1394 interface input or 
output signals. 
•  Observe the following precautions when controlling  a P2 memory card camera-recorder using PC 
application software (editing software). 
•  Recording cannot be inserted to a portion within  a clip. It can only be appended to the end of the 
newest clip.
•  Do not open the thumbnail screen during 
application software operation as this may prevent 
normal software operation.  •  Unprocessed video and audio signals are output via 
the IEEE 1394 interface during special playback. 
When monitored on another device, these video and 
audio signals may sound different than when played 
back on this unit. 
•  CH1 and CH2 audio channel signals for the DV or  DVCPRO (25M) format are output via the IEEE1394 
interface. 
6-pin type
4-pin type 
						

							
137Inspections Before Shooting
Chapter 9 Maintenance and Inspections
Chapter9
Maintenance and 
Inspections
Inspections Before Shooting
3Insert a P2 card into the card slot and 
close the slide cover.
•  Confirm that the P2 card access LED for the inserted card slot lights up in orange. If P2 
cards are inserted into multiple card slots, 
only the P2 card access LED for the first-
inserted (first-accessed) P2 card lights up in 
orange. Then, the other P2 card access LEDs 
light up in green when P2 cards are inserted.
•  If the access LED for the P2 card slot in which  a P2 card is inserted keeps blinking in green, 
or if there is no display, recording is not 
possible on that particular P2 card.
1234
Make sure you check that the system is operating 
normally before embarking on a shoot. We 
recommend using a colour video monitor to check the 
image.
Preparing for Inspections
1Mount a charged battery pack.
2Turn the POWER switch to ON to check 
the battery remaining level in the 
viewfinder. 
•  When battery capacity is low, replace it with a fully charged battery. 
T E X T M E M O
 9  9
2 3  :  5 9  :  5 9
T13.5V 
						

							
138Inspections Before Shooting
Chapter 9 Maintenance and Inspections

Inspecting the Camera Unit
1Set the zoom to electric zoom mode 
and check the zoom operation.
•  Check that the image changes to telephoto and wide angle.
2Set the zoom to manual zoom mode 
and check the zoom operation.
•  Turn the manual zoom lever to check that the image changes to telephoto and wide angle.
3Set the iris to automatic adjustment 
mode and aim the lens at objects 
with different degrees of brightness, 
to check that the automatic iris 
adjustment operates normally.
4Set the iris to manual adjustment mode 
and turn the iris ring, to check the 
manual iris adjustment.
5While holding down the instant iris 
automatic adjustment button, aim the 
lens at objects with different degrees 
of brightness, to check that the instant 
iris automatic adjustment operates 
properly.
6Return the iris to automatic adjustment 
mode and change the GAIN switch 
setting to L, M, and H, to check the 
following items:
•  The iris is adjusted for objects with the same brightness according to the switch setting.
•  The gain value displayed on the viewfinder 
screen changes according to the switch 
setting.
7When a lens with an extender is 
mounted, set the extender to the 
operating position to check that the 
extender operates properly.
Inspecting the Memory 
Recording Functions
Make sure you successively carry out the inspections 
from [Inspecting the P2 Card Recording] (page 138) to 
[Inspecting the Earphone and Speaker] (page 139).
Inspecting the P2 Card Recording
1Check on the display inside the 
viewfinder that the remaining P2 card 
recording capacity is sufficient. 
Please refer to [P2 Card Status Display] (page 
113) for information about P2 card remaining 
recording capacity.
2Set the TCG switch to [R-RUN] .
3Set the COUNTER button to TC. 
4Press the camera’s REC START/ STOP 
button to check the following items:
•  The P2 access LED blinks in orange.
•  The REC lamp inside the viewfinder lights up.
•  System warnings do not appear inside the viewfinder.
5Press the camera’s REC START/ STOP 
button again.
•  This step confirms that the P2 access LED is on and showing orange, and the REC lamp in 
the viewfinder is turned off.
6Using the REC START/ STOP button on 
the handle, repeat Steps 4 to 5 to check 
the same operation. 
•  Check the VTR button on the lens in the same way.
7Engage the MCR mode and select the 
recorded clip from the thumbnail to 
play it back. 
•  Check that recording and playback operate properly. 
						

							
139Inspections Before Shooting
Chapter 9 Maintenance and Inspections

8Use the USER button to which the 
SLOT SEL function has been assigned 
to select P2 cards for recording when 
more than one P2 card is inserted in 
the card slots. 
•  Repeat the operations in Steps 4 to 5 and 7 to check that recording and playback operate 
properly.
Inspecting the Audio Level Automatic 
Adjustment
1Set the AUDIO SELECT CH1 and CH2 
switches to [AUTO] .
2Set the AUDIO IN switch to [FRONT] .
3Aim the microphone connected to the 
MIC IN jack at an appropriate sound 
source. Then, check that the level 
displays for both CH1 and CH2 change 
according to the sound level.
Inspecting the Audio Level Manual 
Adjustment
1Set the AUDIO IN switch to [FRONT] .
2Set the AUDIO SELECT CH1 and CH2 
switches to [MAN] .
3Turn the AUDIO LEVEL CH1 and CH2 
controls.
•  Check that the level display increases when the controls are turned to the right.
4Set the AUTO LEVEL CH3 and AUTO 
LEVEL CH4 in the setting menu AUDIO 
SETUP screen to OFF. 
For details on menu operation, refer to [Using 
the menus] (page 116).
5Set the MONITOR SELECT switch to 
CH3 / CH4 and turn the AUDIO LEVEL 
CH3 / CH4 controls clockwise to check 
that the level indication increases. 
Inspecting the Earphone and Speaker
1Turn the MONITOR control to check 
that the speaker volume changes.
2Connect an earphone to the PHONES 
jack.
•  Check that the speaker is turned off and the microphone sound can be heard from the 
earphone.
3Turn the MONITOR control to check 
that the earphone volume changes.
Inspection for Using an External 
Microphone
1Connect an external microphone to the 
REAR 1 and REAR 2 connectors.
2Set the AUDIO IN switch to [REAR] .
3Set the LINE / MIC /+ 48V selector 
switches on the rear panel to [MIC] or 
[+ 48V] , depending on the power supply 
type of the external microphone.
• MIC:  For a microphone with internal power  supply.
• + 48V:  For a microphone with external power  supply.
4Aim the microphone at the sound 
source and check that the sound level 
indication in the LCD or viewfinder 
varies with changes in sound intensity. 
•  The channels can also be checked separately by connecting a single microphone to each 
channel. 
						

							
140Inspections Before Shooting
Chapter 9 Maintenance and Inspections
Inspection of the clock, time code, and 
user bits
1Set the user bits as required.
Please refer to [Setting the User Bits] (page 
60) for the setting procedures.
2Set the time code.
Please refer to [Setting the Time Code] (page 
62) for the setting procedures.
3Set the TCG switch to [R-RUN] .
•  Press the COUNTER button to display the time code on the LCD monitor or in the 
viewfinder. 
4Press the REC START/ STOP button.
•  Check that the counter display number changes as recording progresses.
5Press the REC START/ STOP button 
again.
•  Check that recording stops and the counter display number stops changing.
6Set the TCG switch to [F-RUN] .
•  Check that the counter display number changes regardless of recording status.
7Hold down the DISP/ MODE CHK button 
to check the date and time on the LCD 
monitor or in the viewfinder. 
•  Adjust the date and time setting if the DATE, TIME and time zone is not correctly displayed. 
 
For details, see [Setting Date and Time of 
Internal Clock] (page 28).
< Note >
Note that date and time data set for DATE, TIME, 
and time zone is recorded in clips, and affects 
the playback sequence, etc. at the time of 
thumbnail manipulations.