Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HVX200AP Operating Instructions

							
Shooting
31
TA P E
Cassette tapes
 You can use tapes with this mark .
  Use the following mini DV cassette tapes with this  camera-recorder.
  AY-DVM63 series tape
  (60 minutes in SP mode)
  Do not use 80-minute mini DV cassette tapes.
 Picture quality does not worsen if you shoot in LP  mode, but you may notice some block noise and 
there may be other limitations.
  Block noise and feature limitations occur in the  following situations.
 •   When you play a tape on other digital video 
equipment that you have shot in LP mode on 
this camera.
 •   When you play a tape in this camera that you 
have shot in LP mode on other digital video 
equipment.
 •   When you have shot in LP mode and try to play 
it on other digital video equipment that doesn’t 
have an LP mode.
 •   During slow motion or still-picture playback
 •   When using the camera’s search functions
 Audio dubbing cannot be performed in the LP 
mode as the tracks on the tape are narrower than 
the heads.
Preventing accidental erasure
To prevent erasing the recordings on a tape by 
accident, set the tab on the cassette to SAVE.
REC
SAVE
Tape loading and unloading
•  Tapes cannot be loaded or unloaded when the  MEDIA switch is set to P2.
•  Do not try to insert or eject the tape by just  holding the cassette cover.
•  Insert and remove cassette tapes after putting  the camera-recorder down on a stable, flat 
surface or hold it to keep it stable.
•  Do not force the cassette holder while it is  moving. Trying to do so could damage the 
camera.
•  Close the cassette cover only after the cassette  holder is completely in position. Trying to close 
the cover while the cassette holder is moving 
could damage the camera.
•  Close the cassette holder again if you are not  going to insert another tape.
•  Do not open the cassette cover while you are  recording. Recording continues, and the open 
cover allows outside light and dust to adversely 
affect the tape. 
						

							
32
Using SD/SDHC memory cards
You can use SD and SDHC memory cards (the 
term “SD memory card” is used for both hereafter) 
to save and load SCENE files and USER files. 
(Page 57)
Installing and removing the SD 
memory card
Installation
1  Open the cover, and insert the card while making sure it is oriented in the proper 
direction.
L O CK
2  Close the cover.
Removal
1  Open the cover, and check that the access 
lamp is not lit.
2  Press the card further into the unit, grasp the card, and then remove.
3  Close the cover.
Formatting SD memory card
1  Switch the MEDIA switch to “P2”.
2  Set the POWER switch to ON. (Page 20)
3  Press the mode button and set it to MCR mode (the MCR/VCR lamp lights).
4  Press the MENU button.
5  On the menu, select OPERATION, FORMAT and then SD CARD. (Page 70)
•  Select EXIT to cancel the formatting.
6  Select YES on the confirmation screen.•  The selected SD memory card is formatted.
•  You can also format from the SD CARD FORMAT  option on the CARD FUNCTIONS screen. (Page 
115)
•  With SDHC cards, 32 KB of capacity will have  been used.
Cautions in using SD memory cards
•  SD memory cards used with the AG-HVX200AP should conform to SD or SDHC standards. Be 
sure to format cards using the AG-HVX200AP.
  To format SD memory cards using a personal  computer, download the dedicated software from 
the support site.
  SD memory cards with the following capacity can 
be used for the AG-HVX200AP.
For the latest information not available in the 
Operating Instructions, visit the P2 Support Desk 
at the following Web sites.
 https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/
•  SD memory cards must not be used or stored in  an environment where they may be
  Exposed to high temperatures/humidities;
  Exposed to water droplets; or
 Electrically charged.
•  Be sure always close the cover when using an  SD memory card.
•  You cannot use the SD memory card in the TAPE  mode.
•  See also “Checkpoints for using memory cards”  on page 131.
SD (from 8 MB to 2 GB):
8 MB 16 MB 32 MB 64 MB 128 MB
256 MB 512 MB 1 GB 2 GB
SDHC (4 GB to 16 GB): 4 GB 8 GB 16 GB
Access lamp
P2 
						

							
Shooting
33
Using the zoom function
This camera has a 13 x optical zoom function.
Zoom with the zoom button or the zoom ring.
Zoom button
Set the ZOOM switch to SERVO so that you can 
use the motor-driven zoom.
 T  : Zoom in
  W  : Zoom out
Gently press the zoom button on the cassette 
cover to zoom slowly, firmly press to zoom faster.
You can change the zoom speed on the handle 
zoom button by selecting one of three speeds with 
the HANDLE ZOOM switch.
Set the HANDLE ZOOM switch speeds by going 
to the setup menus, SW MODE screen HANDLE 
ZOOM (Page 104).
Zoom ring
Set the ZOOM switch to MANU so that you can 
use the zoom ring.
•  You cannot use the zoom ring if the ZOOM switch  is set to SERVO. Trying to use it could damage 
the camera.
On the remote control
Press ZOOM/VOL to zoom with the motor drive.
•  Zoom speed is fixed at medium.HANDLE ZOOM switch
Handle zoom button
Zoom button
ZOOM
SERVO MANU
Zoom ring
OSD
COUNTERRESET TITLE
STILL ADVPA U S ESTILL ADV
INDEX
SELECT
STORE
OFF/ONP.B.DIGITAL
VA R .
SEARCH
 VOL +-
PB.
ZOOM
MENU
SET
ITEM
STOP INDEX
MULTI/ P-IN-PREC A.DUB
PLAY
/REW FF/
 
ZOOM
DATE/
TIME PHOTO
SHOT START/
STOP
ZOOM/VOL button 
						

							
34
Variable frame rates (VFR)
By taking full advantage of the special characteristics of P2 cards, this unit provides frame skipping 
(undercranking) recording and highspeed (overcranking) recording, which are actually movie techniques, 
without the use of a frame rate converter. (Either the 30PN or 24PN mode must be set for this.)
Since the camera-recorder records only the effective frames (native recording), recording is possible for 
between 2 times and 2.5 times as long compared with recording in the 24P, 30P or 60P mode (standard 
recording).
As with Panasonic’s Varicam model (AJ-HDC27 series), this unit also provides a recording format that 
allows frame rate conversion using nonlinear editing. (Either the 30P or 24P mode must be set for this.)
24PN mode:
The camera-recorder shoots in the 24 fps native mode. The video signals delivering images at a rate of 
24 fps are recorded in 24 frames. The signals are recorded only in the effective frames so recording is 
possible for 2.5 times as long.
P2
Recording frame 
rate displayed60 48 36 32 30 26 24 22 20 18 12
Frame rate at which 
images are actually 
recorded 59.94 48.17 35.68 32.11 29.97 26.44 23.98 22.48 19.55 17.98 12.26
•  Before VFR shooting, you must set the recording frame rate and recording format ahead of time.
•  You cannot change the frame rates while recording.
•  VFR shooting is possible only in progressive-shooting P2 mode with 720 vertical lines.
You can select any of 11 recording frame rates ranging from 12 frames per second (fps) to 60 fps.
The list of formats that allow recording by the camera-recorder (Page 132)
1234
1112233344
1
1234
23 4
: effective frame
Camera-Recorder
24P
24PN
There may be slight discrepancies between the recording frame rate displayed and the frame rate at which 
the images are actually recorded. Refer to the table below. 
						

							
Shooting
35
P2
Native recording
1  Using the REC FORMAT (P2) function (page 107) on the RECORDING SETUP 
screen, select 720/30PN or 720/24PN as the 
recording format.
2  Select the appropriate scene file using the SCENE FILE dial. 
If necessary, before doing this, perform the 
camera settings from the setting menu, and 
register the scene file. (page 55)
3  Using the OPERATION TYPE function (page 101) on the SCENE FILE screen, select FILM 
CAM, and set the desired recording frame 
rate using the FRAME RATE function (page 
101).
4  Press the START/STOP button to start or stop native recording in VFR mode.
•  No signals are output from the 1394 terminal  during recording or recording standby in the 
native mode.
•  Sound is not recorded. However, sound will be  recorded when the same frame rate is used 
for both recording and playback.
•  When a recorded clip lasting a long time  is to be played back and imported using 
a nonlinear editing system that supports 
Varicams, the UB MODE option on the 
RECORDING SETUP screen must be set to 
FRM.RATE.
•  If the effective frame information is to be  carried over when recording onto this camera-
recorder from a nonlinear editing system that 
supports Varicams, the 1394 UB REGEN 
option on the RECORDING SETUP screen 
must be set to ON.
•  After editing, materials are output from the  nonlinear editing system in 1080i/24P or 
720P/60P (24P over 60P) format.
Standard recording
1  Using the REC FORMAT (P2) function (page 107) on the RECORDING SETUP screen, 
select 720P/60P, 720P/30P or 720P/24P as 
the recording format.
2  Select the appropriate scene file using the SCENE FILE dial.
If necessary, before doing this, perform the 
camera settings from the setting menu, and 
register the scene file. (page 55)
3  Using the OPERATION TYPE function (page 101) on the SCENE FILE screen, select FILM 
CAM, and set the desired recording frame 
rate using the FRAME RATE function (page 
101).
When 720P/30P or 720P/24P has been 
selected as the recording format, the following 
displays appear depending on the setting which 
has been selected for the FRAME RATE item 
on the SCENE FILE screen.
1)   PULL DOWN information displayed in 
PROPERTY-CLIP PROPERTY-VIDEO 
  With the default setting: 2:2 or 2:3
  With any other settings: other
2)   Format information in the bottom left of the 
screen when thumbnails are displayed
  
With the default setting: 720P/30P or 720P/24P  With any other settings: 720P/60P
   (The “default” setting is 30FRAME if the 
frame rate of the recording format is 30P or 
24FRAME if it is 24P.)
4  Press the START/STOP button to start or 
stop standard recording in VFR mode.
•  Sound is recorded.
•  In the case of a nonlinear editing system that  supports Varicams equipped with an effective 
frame extraction function, you can upload 
even undercrank or overcrank shooting 
materials as is. (The UB MODE option on the 
RECORDING SETUP screen must be set to 
FRM.RATE.)
•  After editing, materials are output from the  nonlinear editing system in 1080i/24P or 
720P/60P (24P over 60P) format.
•  The 24P format is used for 2:3 pull-down  recording; the 30P format is used for 2:2 pull-
down recording. 
						

							
36
Standard speed shooting for movie 
production
When making movies to show on a screen, a frame 
rate of 24 fps (frames per second), which is the 
same as for films, is the norm (1x speed). If you 
use the settings below, the same kind of playback 
as with screenings can be obtained. By using the 
720P progressive mode and cine-like gamma, 
high-quality film-like images can be achieved.
Standard speed shooting for making 
commercials and dramas
When producing commercials and dramas to be 
shown on a TV screen, as in the case of HDTV/
SDTV and other broadcasts, a frame rate of 30 
fps (frames per second) is the norm (1x speed). 
If you use the settings below, the same kind of 
playback as when the programs are broadcast can 
be obtained. Commercials and music clips will be 
recorded with a high film-like picture quality while 
the number of frames is also ideally suited to TV 
broadcasts.
Undercrank shooting
This way of shooting provides quick motion effects 
used to present such scenes as the movement of 
clouds, someone standing among crowd of people, 
and moves made by martial artists. If, for instance, 
you have shot scenes using the 24P recording 
format for specifying the playback frames, you can 
double the speed of the quick motion effects by 
setting the VFR recording frame rate to 12 fps.
•  In the case of the 720P/24P and 720P/30P formats, the quick motion effect can be obtained 
by using a nonlinear editing system to process 
what has been recorded.
Overcrank shooting
This way of shooting provides slow motion effects 
used to show car chases as well as action scenes, 
climax scenes and other dramatic presentations. 
If, for instance, you have shot scenes using the 
30P recording format for specifying the playback 
frames, you can obtain slow motion effects with the 
speed halved by setting the recording frame rate to 
60 fps. Images in the 720P progressive format will 
create smoothly flowing slow motion sequences 
with a high picture quality.
•  In the case of the 720P/24P and 720P/30P formats, the slow motion effect can be obtained 
by using a nonlinear editing system to process 
what has been recorded.
∗   You can select any of 11 recording frame rates 
ranging from 12 frames per second (fps) to 60 
fps. (Page 101)
Using variable frame rates (VFR)
Recording 
format
(REC FORMAT) 720P/24P, 
720P/24PN  720P/30P, 
720P/30PN
Recording  frame rate 
(FRAME RATE) Set to 22 fps 
or lower. ∗Set to 26 fps 
or lower. ∗
Recording  format
(REC FORMAT) 720P/30P 
(2:2 pull-down) 720P/30PN 
(native 
recording)
Recording  frame rate 
(FRAME RATE) 30 fps
∗ Recording 
format
(REC FORMAT) 720P/24P, 
720P/24PN 720P/30P, 
720P/30PN
Recording  frame rate 
(FRAME RATE) Set to 26 fps or 
higher. ∗ Set to 32 fps
or higher. ∗
Recording 
format
(REC FORMAT) 720P/24P 
(2:3 pull-down) 720P/24PN 
(native 
recording)
Recording  frame rate 
(FRAME RATE) 24 fps
∗
Variable frame rates (VFR) (continued)P2 
						

							
Shooting
37
Shooting in 1080i/480i progressive mode
Selecting 1080i/30P, 1080i/24P, 1080i/24PA, 
480i/30P, 480i/24P or 480i/24PA in the REC 
FORMAT option (page 107) of the setting menu 
RECORDING SETUP screen enables shooting in 
progressive mode.
30P mode:
  Shoot 30 frames a second in the progressive mode.
  For output and recording, the 30-frame-per- second signal is converted to 60-field-per-second 
interlace.
  This mode gives you high quality images.
Ao Ae Bo Be Co Ce Do De Eo Ee Fo Fe GoGe Ho He Io Ie Jo Je
ABCDEFGH I J30 P
60 i
24P mode:
  Shoot 24 frames a second in the progressive  mode.
  For output and recording, the 24-frame-per- second signal is converted to 60-field-per-second 
interlace using the widely used “2:3” ratio.
  This gives you images similar to a movie shot  with film.
ABCDEFGH
Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co De Do De Eo Ee Fo Fe FoGeGoHeHoHe
24 P
60 i
24P advanced mode:
  Shoot 24 frames a second in the progressive mode.
  For output and recording, the 24-frame-per- second signal is converted to 60-field-per-second 
interlace using “advanced” conversion.
ABCDEFGH
Ao Ae Bo Be Bo Ce Co Ce Do De Eo Ee Fo Fe FoGeGoGeHoHe
24 PA
60 i
With the “2:3” method, frames [BoCe], [CoDe], 
[FoGe], and [GoHe] shown in the illustration would 
be extended over different frames which can cause 
a drop in picture quality.
With the 24P advanced method, however, frames 
[BoCe] and [FoGe] are cut out, leading to a 
reduction in image quality loss.
If you also use a system compatible with the 
advanced method, editing will also yield better 
quality images than those shot in the normal 24P 
mode.
•  If you are not going to do your editing on such a system, use the normal 24P method for shooting.
Note the following when shooting in 
progressive mode.
•  You cannot have a gain of 18dB.
•  Set the shutter speed to 1/50 (OFF) or 1/60 for  best results.
•  There may be a slight delay to the start of  recording when you use the 24P or 24P 
advanced modes because 5 frames are recorded 
at a time. When using a tape, the shortest 
possible recording time is three seconds. 
						

							
38
Shooting in manual mode
Set the unit to manual mode when manually 
adjusting the focus, iris, gain and white balance.Manual focusing 
1  Use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode.
2  Use the FOCUS switch to choose how to control focusing.
A (AUTO):
  Auto focus mode
M (MANUAL):
  Manual focus mode
  Turn the focus ring by hand.
 :
  The camera first focuses on infinity, then it  switches to manual focus.
  The FOCUS switch automatically moves back  to M (MANUAL) after you move it to 
.
Temporarily switching to auto focus
Even if you have switched FOCUS to M (MANUAL) 
the camera will focus automatically while you press 
down PUSH AUTO.
•  Auto focus may not work properly if there is  flickering.
  Select a shutter speed suited to the ambient light.  (Page 51)
•  If the auto focus mode is set with any format  except 60i and 60P, controlling the focus will take 
slightly longer than in the normal focus mode.
•  If you have set ON for the AF item on the setting  menu AUTO SW screen, auto focusing will occur 
regardless of the position of the FOCUS switch 
when the auto mode has been established. (Page 
106)
•  During macro shooting “AF” or “MF” will be  displayed in a frame on the screen.
Using focus assist
When you press the FOCUS ASSIST button, the 
area at the center of the screen will be enlarged, 
making it easier for you to bring the subjects into 
focus. The normal display is restored about 10 
seconds after the focus ring has been operated. 
This is useful when focusing manually. This 
function is enabled only during recording or 
recording standby in the HD modes of 1080i and 
720P, and it does not work in external input mode.
Focus ring
FOCUS ASSIST buttonFOCUS switch
PUSH AUTO button AUTO/MANUAL switch
Switching to manual mode 
If the camera is in auto mode, use the AUTO/
MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode 
( 
 on the viewfinder and LCD goes out). 
						

							
Shooting
39
Iris adjustments
1  If the camera is in auto mode, use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode. 
(Page 38)
2  Press the IRIS button to switch how to adjust the aperture of lens.
AUTO IRIS:   Adjust the iris automatically.
MANUAL IRIS:   Adjust the iris manually.
3  Turn the IRIS dial to adjust the aperture of 
lens when in the manual iris mode.
In the auto iris mode, the lens iris can be 
corrected using this dial.
Set the direction of the IRIS DIAL and aperture 
control in the setup menus, SW MODE screen, 
IRIS DIAL. (Page 104)
If you have set ON under A.IRIS on the setting 
menu AUTO SW screen, auto iris will be forcibly 
selected when auto mode has been established. 
(Page 106)
This unit’s iris F number when it is open is F1.6 at 
full WIDE and F2.8 at full TELEPHOTO.
The iris display in the viewfinder or on the LCD 
when the iris is open is OPEN at full WIDE and 
F2.8 or OPEN at full TELEPHOTO. IRIS dial
ND FILTER switch
IRIS button
GAIN switch
Adjusting the gain
When the display is dark, increase the gain to 
brighten the display.
1  If the camera is in auto mode, use the  AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual 
mode (
 goes out). (Page 38)
2  Switch the gain with the GAIN switch.L:    Set here under normal conditions. (0 dB)
M:   Increase the gain of the image amplifier.
(The default value is 6 dB.)
H:   Increase the gain of the image amplifier.
(The default value is 12 dB.)
You can change the M and H gain values using the 
MID GAIN and HIGH GAIN items on the setting 
menu SW MODE screen. (Page 104)
If ON is set for the setting menu AUTO SW and 
you have selected a setting other than OFF under 
AGC, auto gain will be provided when auto mode 
has been established regardless of the GAIN 
switch position. (Page 106)
When the recording frame rate is less than 22 fps 
and when a slow shutter speed (1/15) has been 
set, the gain is fixed at 0 dB regardless of the GAIN 
switch setting. (Pages 34 and 51)
Light intensity adjustments
Use the ND FILTER Switch to change the ND Filter 
used (filter to change light intensity).
OFF:   ND filter is not used.
1/8:     Cuts light intensity by up to about 1/8.
1/64:   Cuts light intensity by up to about 1/64. 
						

							
40
In order to reproduce the white accurately, adjust 
the ratio between the three RGB primary colors. If 
the white balance is not adjusted properly, not only 
will the white be reproduced poorly but the color 
tones of the entire screen will also be downgraded.
When you are shooting in manual mode, readjust 
the white balance whenever lighting conditions 
change.
You can save adjustments and reselect them by 
setting the WHITE BAL switch to A or B.
You can also use the preset values.
Use the settings to suit the shooting conditions.
 
White balance adjustments 
1  If the camera is in auto mode, use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode. 
(Page 38)
2  Set the shutter speed. (Page 51)
3  Place a white pattern in a location with the same lighting conditions and light source as 
the subject, then zoom in and fill the whole 
screen with white.
Something white (a white cloth or wall) near the 
subject can be used instead.
•  Do not include bright spotlights in your shot.
4  Set the WHITE BAL switch to A or B (whichever one you want to save the  
adjustment in).
5  Press the AWB button.• Adjustment takes a few seconds.
  (The following messages appear on the  screen.) Message during adjustment
AWB Ach ACTIVE
Message after adjustment AWB Ach OK
An error message appears on the screen when 
white balance adjustment is not possible. Message when adjustment cannot be done
AWB Ach NG
•  White balance cannot be adjusted if the Auto  Tracking White (ATW) function is working.
If you have set ON under ATW (Auto Tracking 
White) on the setting menu AUTO SW screen, 
ATW will be selected when auto mode has been 
established regardless of the WHITE BAL switch 
position. (Page 106)
Make the necessary adjustments if one of the 
above error messages appears, then try adjusting 
the white balance again.
•  If the messages repeatedly appear even after  trying a number of times, consult your dealer.
Adjusting the white balance
Error messages Adjustments
LOW LIGHT Increase light or increase 
the gain. 
LEVEL OVER Reduce light or decrease 
the gain.
WHITE BAL switch
AWB button
Shooting in manual mode (continued)