Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HVX200AP Operating Instructions

							
Shooting
41
Using presets 
Use this feature when you have no time to make 
white balance adjustments.
1  If the camera is in auto mode, use the AUTO/MANUAL switch to switch to manual mode 
(
 on the viewfinder and LCD goes out). 
2  Set the WHITE BAL switch to PRST.The current white balance value appears.
•  White balance values 3200 K and 5600 K are  preset in the PRST position.
  Guide to the preset values
  P3.2K (3200 K): halogen light
  P5.6K (5600 K): outdoors
3  Press the AWB button. White balance switches between 3200 K and 
5600 K.
Black balance adjustments
In order to reproduce the black accurately, adjust 
the zero level of all three RGB primary colors. If the 
black balance is not adjusted properly, not only will 
the black be reproduced poorly but the color tones 
of the entire screen will also be downgraded.
It is not normally necessary to adjust the black 
balance. Adjust it when:
•  You use the camera for the first time.
•  You use the camera after not using it for a long  time.
•  The ambient temperature changes greatly.
•  You switch to the normal (OFF) shutter speed or  to slow shutter.
•  You switch between the progressive and normal  (60i) modes.
Press the AWB button to automatically adjust the 
white balance.
Press and hold the AWB button to adjust the black 
balance.
•  As the white balance is adjusted first when you  press the AWB button, make the necessary 
preparations for this.
•  You cannot adjust the black balance while you  are shooting.
Message during adjustment
ABB ACTIVE
Message after adjustment ABB END
Auto Tracking White  (ATW) 
You can allocate the ATW feature to one of the 
positions on the WHITE BAL switch (A, B, or 
PRST). Allocate it by going to the setup menus, 
SW MODE screen, ATW. (Page 104)
The ATW feature is set to work in the auto mode at 
the time of shipping. (Page 106)
If you use the ATW feature whenever you are 
shooting, the camera automatically adjusts the 
white balance as you shoot.
•  The ATW feature automatically determines the current shooting environment and adjusts the 
white balance accordingly. Depending on the 
environment, there may be some error in the 
adjustment.
   Use the procedure described on the preceding 
page whenever you need more precise white 
balance.
Do not block the white balance sensor when using 
the ATW feature. ATW will not work if you do.
  White balance sensor
Adjusting the white balance (continued) 
						

							
42
Shooting techniques for different targets
Low-angle shooting
Use the START/STOP button on the handle to 
make it easier to shoot from low angles.
  START/STOP button
Self-portrait shooting 
Images in the LCD when it is turned 180 degrees 
for self-portrait shooting may appear unusual.
You can make them appear better by reversing 
left and right. Go to the setup menus, DISPLAY 
SETUP screen, SELF SHOOT, and select 
MIRROR.
Shooting in mirror mode has no effect on what you 
actually shoot and record. 
						

							
Shooting
43
Zebra pattern 
Press the ZEBRA button in the camera mode to 
show the zebra pattern or marker on the screen so 
you can check the brightness of the subject.
Parts that may be whited out through over 
exposure are shown as a zebra pattern.
• Very bright
• Reflecting parts
You can remove most overexposed parts by 
adjusting the iris and shutter speed in the manual 
mode to remove the areas with zebra patterns.
The display changes as follows each time you 
press the ZEBRA button.
In the setup menus, DISPLAY SETUP screen, 
ZEBRA DETECT 1 and ZEBRA DETECT 2, set the 
brightness for the zebra patterns. (Page 113)
The zebra pattern you have set appears as a 
percentage on the display for about 2 seconds.
Marker
If you press the ZEBRA button again while the 
zebra pattern is being displayed, a marker appears 
in the center of the display (if you have set the 
setup menu, DISPLAY SETUP, MARKER to ON).
The brightness of the areas near the screen center 
can be checked as a percentage (0% to 99%).
“99%↑” appears if the percentage is over 99.
The normal display reappears if you press the 
ZEBRA button again. Image level detection area
Image level Marker
CH 1 SELECT CH 2 SELECTINPUT 1 INPUT 2INT(L)
INPUT 1
INPUT 2 INT(R)
INPUT 2 ON
OFFMIC POWER +48V
BARS
AUDIO
SHUTTERSPEED SEL
COUNTER RESET/TC SETZEBRA OIS
RESET
ON
OFF
ZEBRA 1  → ZEBRA 2
   ↑   ↓
           OFF  ← MARKER 
						

							
44
Changing the image size
When recording in 480i mode, you can change the 
size (aspect ratio) of the images that you record.
Select the aspect ratio in the setup menus, 
CAMERA SETUP screen, ASPECT CONV. (Page 
103)
•  For menu operation (Page 97)
NORMAL:
  Recorded in the regular 4:3 aspect ratio.
LETTER BOX:
  Recorded in the 16:9 aspect ratio.
  Black bands are recorded at the top and bottom of the image.
SQUEEZE:
  The recorded images are squeezed horizontally so that they are shown as 16:9 images on a 
compatible wide-screen television.
  If you have selected SQUEEZE, “SQU” appears  on the screen.
To change the aspect ratio display of the 
viewfinder and LCD
Select the aspect ratio in the setup menus, 
DISPLAY SETUP screen, DISPLAY ASPECT. 
(Page 114)
Checking and displaying shooting 
status
  DISP/MODE CHK button
When you hold down the DISP/MODE CHK 
button during recording standby or recording, all 
the information including the setting status of the 
shooting functions and a list of functions allocated 
to the USER buttons, will be displayed. When 
you release the button, the normal display will be 
restored.
When you push the DISP/MODE CHK button 
during recording standby or recording, all the 
information will be unshown. When you press the 
button again, the normal display will be restored.
The information is retained even if you turn off 
the unit’s power or switch to another media or 
operation mode.
Shooting techniques for different targets (continued) 
						

							
Shooting
45
Optical Image Stabilizer
Use the Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) to reduce 
the effects of camera shake when shooting by 
hand.
Press the OIS button to turn the function on and 
off.
 appears on the screen when this function is on.
Turn the function off when using a tripod for more 
natural images.
CH 1 SELECT CH 2 SELECTINPUT 1 INPUT 2INT(L)
INPUT 1
INPUT 2 INT(R)
INPUT 2 ON
OFFMIC POWER +48V
BARS
AUDIO
SHUTTERSPEED SEL
COUNTER RESET/TC SETZEBRA OIS
RESET
ON
OFF
•  This function will not be as effective when the 
vibration is severe or when tracking a moving 
subject.
Adding effects to images
Press the USER button you have allocated to the 
BLACKFADE or WHITEFADE feature to add fading 
effects to your images. The button’s function is 
forcibly canceled during playback or REC CHECK 
and also when thumbnails are displayed.
BLACKFADE:
  Press and hold to fade out to black. Audio also fades out. Fade-in starts when the button is 
released.
WHITEFADE:
  Press and hold to fade out to white. Audio also  fades out. Fade-in starts when the button is 
released.
Using the USER buttons 
You can allocate one of twelve features to each of 
the three USER buttons.
Use these buttons to change shooting settings 
quickly or add effects to the images you are 
shooting.
The following features are allocated to the buttons 
at the time of shipping.
 USER1: WHITEFADE
 USER2: BACKLIGHT
 USER3: INDEX/MEMO
For details, see the setup menus, SW MODE 
screen, USER1 to 3. (Page 105)
If you press a USER button to which one of the 
following functions has been allocated and then 
turn off the power, that button will revert to the 
previous setting:
SPOTLIGHT, BACKLIGHT, ATW, ATW LOCK, 
GAIN: 18dB, FOCUS RING
Backlight compensation
Press the USER button you have allocated to the 
BACKLIGHT feature when shooting subjects lit 
from the back.
BACK appears on the screen.
Backlight compensation adjusts the iris so the 
subject doesn’t come out dark.
Press the same USER button to turn the feature 
off. (In the manual iris mode, the backlight 
compensation status is retained even if the 
backlight compensation is released.)
Color bars
Press the BARS button to output a color bar screen 
to a television or monitor so you can adjust them.
Press the button again to turn the feature off. 
						

							
46
Adjusting the volume while shooting
PA G E /
AUDIO MON/VAR
If you are monitoring the sound through 
headphones while shooting, you can adjust the 
volume with the PAGE/AUDIO MON/VAR button.
•  To adjust the recording level (Page 54)
Backup recording 
If you have connected equipment to the 1394 
terminal (pages 78 and 79), you can make 
automatic backup recordings of whatever you are 
shooting.
•  In the setup menus, OTHER FUNCTIONS 
screen, 1394 CONTROL and 1394 CMD SEL, 
select how to control the equipment you have 
connected. (Page 115)
•  Select the settings below for the following items  on the DISPLAY SETUP screen (page 113) for 
backup recording when using a tape.
  •  OFF for VIDEO OUT OSD
  •  OFF for DATE/TIME
Note the following when backup recording.
•  When performing backup recording while a tape  is used:
 •   If either of the following settings have been 
selected,  the OSD will be output to the 1394 
output at all times except when the unit is in 
the recording mode .
  -   When ON has been set for the VIDEO OUT 
OSD option on the DISPLAY SETUP screen 
(page 113)
  -   When a setting other than OFF has been 
selected for the DATE/TIME option on the 
DISPLAY SETUP screen (page 113)
 •   Bear in mind that the OSD may be recorded 
inadvertently if backup recording is performed 
when a setting other than OFF is selected for 
the 1394 CONTROL option (page 115) on the 
OTHER FUNCTIONS screen.
 •  If the DATE/TIME button on the remote control 
is pressed,  the date and time will be output 
to the 1394 output regardless of whether 
recording is underway or the recording 
standby status is established .
•  Menu settings are retained even if you turn the  power off. So if you use the camera-recorder with 
the settings for backup recording still in effect, 
images on media in any unit that connected may 
be overwritten. After backup recording, check 
the menu item settings before you operate the 
camera-recorder.
•  If you use another AG-HVX200AP/AG-HVX200  as the external unit for backup recording, select 
“OFF” for 1394 CONTROL on the external unit 
and set it to MCR/VCR mode.
•  Backup recording may not work properly if you  connect two or more external units.
•  Use a DV (IEEE1394) cable of 4.5 m or less for  connection.
•  Set the external unit up to receive 1394 signals  before backup recording.
•  You can have a media in the external unit start  recording automatically when the media in this 
unit is almost finished. Set 1394 CONTROL 
(page 115) to “CHAIN”.
•  Note that images are recorded even when you  perform a rec check if a P2 card is being used: 
When a tape is used, no images are output 
during rec check.
•  You cannot perform backup recording when the  unit is set up for native recording.
•  Backup recording does not work in three of  the special recording modes of the P2 card: 
Interval recording, One-shot recording and Loop 
recording. (Pages 48 - 50)
•  Backup recording does not work during direct  shooting (page 67) in MCR mode.
Adjusting the volume
Shooting techniques for different targets (continued) 
						

							
Shooting
47
2-slot continuous recording
If you insert two P2 cards into the two card slots, 
this function allows you to record continuously on 
the two cards.
You can also record continuously on three or more 
cards by replacing one card while data is being 
recorded on the other. (Hot swap recording)
However, depending on when the P2 card is 
inserted into an empty slot (immediately after pre-
recording, or before or after continuous recording 
spanning two slots), there may be a delay in 
recognizing the P2 card. We recommend inserting 
the P2 card while there is at least one minute 
remaining on the card that is recording.
If you allocate SLOT SEL to a USER button under 
USER (page 105) on the SW MODE screen, you 
can switch the slot with the card on which data is to 
be written using a one-touch operation.
•  You cannot change slots while recording so do this during recording standby.
•  Does not support hot swap playback.
Shot mark function
The marks attached to the thumbnails of clips 
are called shot marks. On the thumbnail screen 
monitor you can select only those clips with a shot 
mark and display them or play them back.
During recording, when you press the USER button 
to which the SHOT MARK function has been 
allocated, MARK ON appears in the LCD monitor 
or the viewfinder, and a shot mark is set for the 
thumbnail of the clip being recorded. If you press 
the button again, the shot mark is released.
You can also set or release the shot marks by 
performing the thumbnail operations for clips. 
(Page 67)
However, note that you cannot set or release shot 
marks during playback.
•  INVALID appears when you cannot set or release  shot marks.
•  When the video data of a single shoot using  hot swap recording is made up of multiple clips, 
you cannot set or release shot marks unless all 
the P2 cards that make up the video data are 
inserted into the slots.
•  You cannot set or release shot marks during loop  recording.
P2
Text memo recording
This function adds text memos at the video points 
on the clip now being recorded or played back. 
When you press the USER button to which the 
INDEX or MEMO function has been allocated, the 
text memo signal will be recorded at that point. 
(Page 58)
On the thumbnail screen you can select only those 
clips where text memos have been added, and 
then either display those clips or play them back.
You can record up to a hundred text memos per 
clip.
You will need the latest updated version of P2 
Viewer to edit the text memos. (Page 58)
•  You cannot record text memos during interval recording or one-shot recording.
•  INVALID appears when you cannot record text  memos. 
						

							
48
TA P E
Finding specific scenes
(image search)
STILL ADVPAUSESTILL ADVINDEXSELECTSTOP INDEX
MULTI/P-IN-PREC A.DUB
PLAY  VOL +-
While in the shooting standby mode, you can 
search through any images you have shot.
This is useful when you want to find a point from 
which to continue shooting so two scenes come 
one after the other. Camera
Remote control
or
1 Press  or  in the shooting standby 
mode.
The tape plays forward or backward while you 
are pressing the button.
2  Release the button when you find the point  you are looking for.
The camera returns to shooting standby mode.
•  The scenes may not connect smoothly for certain  recording states.
Index recording
When you press the USER button to which the  
INDEX/MEMO function has been allocated at 
any point during shooting or recording, the index 
signals are recorded if a tape is being used. When 
the same USER button is pressed in shooting or 
recording pause mode, recording standby status is 
established for the index signals. The index signals 
are recorded when shooting or recording is started. 
You can conduct searches (index searches) during 
playback by recording these signals. (Page 76) 
Shooting techniques for different targets (continued)
Pre-recording (PRE REC)
This function is used to record pictures and sound 
starting at a fixed time (approx. 3 seconds for HD 
recording or approx. 7 seconds for 480i recording) 
before the time when the actual recording has 
been set to start. When recording to a P2 card, making the settings in the RECORDING SETUP \
screen (page 107) enables 
special recording functions such as  Pre-recording, Interval Recording , One Shot Recording , and Loop 
Recording .
These special recording functions can be used only when the settings below are established.
• OPERATION TYPE item (page 101):  VIDEO CAM
•  Recording format:  1080i/60i, 720P/60P, 480i/60i, 1080i/30P, 720P/30P or 480i/30P
Recording start 
operation Recording stop 
operation
Actual 
recording time
Pre-recording 
time (Time)
Using the special recording functionsP2 
						

							
Shooting
49
 Interval recording (INTERVAL REC)
With this function, the unit continuously records 
frames (1/30 sec.) one at a time with an interval. 
The interval can be set with INTERVAL TIME item.
1  Check that the settings given on the previous page have been established for 
the OPERATION TYPE item and recording 
format.
2  Select INTERVAL under REC FUNCTION. (Page 107)
•  For menu operations (Page 97)
3  Set the time INTERVAL TIME. (Page 107)
4  Press the START/STOP button.The unit starts INTERVAL REC operation.
To stop operation, press the 
 among the 
operation buttons.
To release the function, either turn off the unit’s 
power or select NORMAL under REC FUNCTION.
•  The following displays will appear on the left  of the operation status display.
  While recording is underway: I-REC lights up.
  In temporary standby: I-PAUSE lights up.
  While recording is stopped: The “I-” of I- PAUSE flashes.
 
However, if the duration selected in step 3 is less 
than 2 seconds, I-REC will flash while recording 
is underway in accordance with the set time.
•  The pre-recording function does not work.
•  No sound is recorded.
•  All data recorded while this mode is active will  be contained in one file.
•  No guarantees are made for the 1394 output  images.
•  Operation is not possible even if only one of  the inserted cards is DIR ENTRY NG CARD. 
(Page 94)
•  After interval recording has started, a  recordable P2 card cannot be used even if it 
is inserted into an empty slot.
• 
The slots for recording in this mode are 
indicated by the orange P2 card access lamps.
  The slots for recording P2 cards that are  inserted later are indicated by the green P2 
card access lamps.
P2
One-frame 
recording One-frame 
recordingOne-frame 
recording
Time set as 
INTERVAL TIME
(Time)
Time set as 
INTERVAL TIME
1  Check that the settings given on the 
previous page have been established for 
the OPERATION TYPE item and recording 
format.
2  Select ON under PREREC MODE. (Page 107)•  For menu operations (Page 97)
3  Press the START/STOP button.Pre-recording starts.
• In the following cases, the pre-recording  function will be canceled, and recording will 
be initiated from the respective operation 
points.
  · When IEEE1394 input recording is initiated
 ·   When the unit is transferred from the 
playback mode to the recording mode
  · When interval recording is initiated
  · When one-shot recording is initiated
  · When loop recording is initiated
•  Immediately after switching from the MCR  mode to CAMERA mode, immediately after 
turning on the camera-recorder’s power or 
immediately after changing the PRE-REC 
option setting, it may not be possible to 
record the images and sound before the time 
mentioned on the previous page has elapsed 
even if the recording has been started straight 
away. 
						

							
50
One-shot recording (ONE-SHOT REC)
This function records a single shot at each unit of 
time which has been set.
1  Check that the settings given on page 48 have been established for the OPERATION 
TYPE item and recording format.
2  Select ONE SHOT under REC FUNCTION. (Page 107)
•  For menu operations (Page 97)
3  Set the recording time using ONE-SHOT TIME. (Page 107)
4  Press the START/STOP button.Recording continues for the duration set in step 
2 and then goes on standby.
To stop operation, press the 
 among the 
operation buttons.
To release standby, either turn off the unit’s 
power or select NORMAL under REC 
FUNCTION.
•  The following displays will appear on the left  of the operation status display.
  While recording is underway: I-REC lights up.
  In temporary standby: I-PAUSE lights up.
  While recording is stopped: The “I-” of I- PAUSE flashes.
•  No other operations are acknowledged during  operation.
•  The pre-recording function does not work.
•  No sound is recorded.
•  All data recorded while this mode is active will  be contained in one file.
•  No guarantees are made for the 1394 output  images.
•  Operation is not possible even if only one of  the inserted cards is DIR ENTRY NG CARD. 
(Page 94)
•  When continuous one-shot recording  is performed, there may be delays in 
acknowledging the recording operation.
•  After one-shot recording has started, a  recordable P2 card cannot be used even if it 
is inserted into an empty slot.
• 
The slots for recording in this mode are 
indicated by the orange P2 card access lamps.
  The slots for recording P2 cards that are  inserted later are indicated by the green P2 
card access lamps.
Loop recording (LOOP REC)
This function is used to record first on one card 
and then on the next when you have inserted two 
P2 cards into the card slots. If there is not enough 
free memory remaining on the second card, 
recording returns to the first card whose data will 
then be overwritten. When data is overwritten, the 
saved clips are deleted, and then the new clips are 
recorded in their place.
(Clip deletion is performed approximately 30 
seconds before the overwrite.)
1 Check that the settings given on page 48 
have been established for the OPERATION 
TYPE item and recording format.
2  Select LOOP under REC FUNCTION. (Page 107)
•  For menu operations (Page 97)
3  Press the START/STOP button.Recording starts.
To stop operation, press the START/STOP 
button.
To release the function, either turn off the 
unit’s power or select NORMAL under REC 
FUNCTION.
•  The following displays will appear on the left  of the operation status display.
  While recording is underway: L-REC lights up.
  While recording is stopped: L-PAUSE flashes.
  Insufficient memory space:  
P2 LACK L- flashes.
•  Use two P2 cards each with a recording  capacity of more than one minute. Recording 
stops when either card is ejected.
•  This function does not work during IEEE1394  input recording.
•  The pre-recording function does not work.
•  Operation is not possible even if only one of  the inserted cards is DIR ENTRY NG CARD. 
(Page 94)
•  Stopping may take some time.
  The following operations are not  acknowledged until the P2 card access lamps 
change from blinking to fully lit up.
•  After loop recording has started, a recordable  P2 card cannot be used even if it is inserted 
into an empty slot.
• 
The slots for recording in this mode are 
indicated by the orange P2 card access lamps.
P2Using the special recording functions (continued)