Panasonic Multi Purpose Camera Ak Hc1500g Operating Instructions

							
AK-HC1500G
ULTI  FORMATDIGIT AL  CAMERA  SYSTEM

Multi Purpose Camera
AK-HC1500G
Before attempting to connect, operate or adjust this product,  
please read these instructions completely.
FRAN
ÇAIS
DEUTSCH
ENGLISH
ITALIANO
ESPA
ÑOL
中
  
文
ÔŠ 
РУССКИЙ
PANASONIC BROADCAST & TELEVISION SYSTEMS COMPANY
UNIT COMPANY OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
Executive Office:
One Panasonic Way 4E-7, Secaucus, NJ 07094   (201) 348-7000
EASTERN ZONE: 
One Panasonic Way 4E-7, Secaucus, NJ 07094   (201) 348-7621
   Southeast Region:
   1225 Northbrook Parkway, Ste 1-160, Suwanee, GA 30024   (770) 338-6835
   Central Region:
   1707 N Randall Road E1-C-1, Elgin, IL 60123   (847) 468-5200
WESTERN ZONE: 
3330 Cahuenga Blvd W., Los Angeles, CA 90068   (323) 436-3500
Government Marketing Department:
52 West Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850   (301) 738-3840
Broadcast PARTS INFORMATION & ORDERING:
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PST) (800) 334-4881/24 Hr. Fax (800) 334-4880
Emergency after hour parts orders (800) 334-4881
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
Emergency 24 Hour Service (800) 222-0741
Panasonic Canada Inc.
5770 Ambler Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 2T3   (905) 624-5010
Panasonic de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Av angel Urraza Num. 1209 Col. de Valle 03100 Mexico, D.F. (52) 1 951 2127
P anasonic Puerto Rico Inc.
San Gabriel Industrial Park, 65th Infantry Ave., Km. 9.5, Carolina, Puerto Rico 00630 (787) 750-4300
© 2006 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.  All rights reserved.
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© 2006 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.¢	¦<?+ˆÀÒÜqþ£ All Rights Reserved.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Web Site: h t t p : / / w w w. p a n a s o n i c . c o . j p / g l o b a l /
松下电器产业株式会社
Web Site: h t t p : / / w w w. p a n a s o n i c . c o . j p / g l o b a l /
Printed in Japan
Gedruckt in Japan
Imprimé au Japon
Stampato in Giappone
Impreso en Japón
Напечатано в Япони
在日本印制VQTB0110 
F0206S0 D
Operating Instructions
AK-
HC1500G 
						

							
 indicates safety information.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, 
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER TO SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The  lightning  flash  with  arrowhead  symbol,  within  an  equilateral  triangle, 
is  intended  to  alert  the  user  to  the  presence  of  uninsulated  “dangerous 
voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude 
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The  exclamation  point  within  an  equilateral  triangle  is  intended  to  alert 
the  user  to  the  presence  of  impor tant  operating  and  maintenance 
(service) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
FCC Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class A 
digital  device,  pursuant  to  Part  15  of  the  FCC  Rules.   These  limits  are  designed 
 
t o   p r ov i d e   r e a s o n a bl e   p r o t e c t i o n   a g a i n s t   h a r m f u l   i n t e r fe r e n c e   w h e n   t h e 
equipment  is  operated  in  a  commercial  environment.   This  equipment  generates, 
uses,  and  can  radiate  radio  frequency  energy,  and  if  not  installed  and  used  in 
accordance  with  the  instruction  manual,  may  cause  harmful  interference  to  radio 
communications.    Operation  of  this  equipment  in  a  residential  area  is  likely  to 
cause  harmful  interference  in  which  case  the  user  will  be  required  to  correct  the 
interference at his own expense.
Warning:
To  assure  continued  FCC  emission  limit  compliance,  the  user  must  use  only 
sh ie ld ed   i nt er fa ce  ca bles   w he n  co nn ec ti ng   t o  ex te r n al  un it s.    Al so,  any 
unauthorized  changes  or  modifications  to  this  equipment  could  void  the  user’s 
authority to operate it.
This class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet  appareil  numérique  de  la  classe  A  est  conforme  à  la  norme 
NMB-003 du Canada.
For CANADA
ENGLISH VERSION
- 1 (E) - 
						

							
- 2 (E) -
ENGLISH
 indicates safety information.
CAUTION:
TO  REDUCE  THE  RISK  OF  FIRE  OR  SHOCK  HAZARD  AND  ANNOYING 
INTERFERENCE, USE THE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES ONLY.
Note:
The rating plate is on the bottom of the unit.
WARNING:
•  TO  REDUCE THE  RISK  OF  FIRE  OR  ELECTRIC  SHOCK,  DO  NOT  EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
•  THE APPARATUS SHALL NOT BE EXPOSED TO DRIPPING OR SPLASHING  AND THAT  NO  OBJECTS  FILLED WITH  LIQUIDS,  SUCH  AS VASES,  SHALL 
BE PLACED ON THE APPARATUS. 
						

							
- 3 (E) -

  1) Read these instructions.
  2) Keep these instructions.
  3) Heed all warnings.
  4) Follow all instructions.
  5)  Do  not  use  this  apparatus  near water.
  6) Clean only with dry cloth.
  7)  D o   n o t   b l o c k   a n y   v e n t i l a t i o n  openings. Install in accordance with 
the manufacturer’s instructions.
  8)  D o   n o t   i n s t a l l   n e a r   a n y   h e a t  sources  such  as  radiators,  heat 
 
r e g i s t e r s ,   s t o v e s ,   o r   o t h e r 
apparatus  (including  amplifiers) 
that produce heat.
  9)  Do  not  defeat  the  safety  purpose  o f   t h e   p o l a r i ze d   o r   gr o u n d i n g -
type  plug.  A  polar ized  plug  has 
two blades with one wider than the 
other.  A  grounding-type  plug  has 
two  blades  and  a  third  grounding 
prong.  The  wide  blade  or  the  third 
 
prong  are  provided  for  your  safety. 
 
If  the  provided  plug  does  not  fit 
 
i n t o   y o u r   o u t l e t ,   c o n s u l t   a n 
electrician  for  replacement  of  the 
obsolete outlet.   10)  Protect  the  power  cord  form  being 
walked  on  or  pinched  particularly 
at  plugs,  convenience  receptacles, 
and  the  point  where  they  exit  from 
the apparatus.
  11)  Only  use  attachments/accessories  specified by the manufacturer.
  12)  Use only with the cart,  stand,  tripod,  bracket, 
or  table  specified  by 
the  manufacturer,  or 
sold 
   
  with  the  apparatus. When  a  cart  is  
used,  use  caution  when  moving 
the  cart/apparatus  combination  to 
avoid injury from tip-over.
  13)  U n p l u g   t h i s   a p p a r a t u s   d u r i n g  lightning  storms  or  when  unused 
for long periods of time.
  14)  R e fe r   a l l   s e r v i c i n g   t o   q u a l i f i e d  ser vice  personnel.  Ser vicing  is 
required  when  the  apparatus  has 
been  damaged  in  any  way,  such 
as  power-supply  cord  or  plug  is 
damaged,  liquid  has  been  spilled 
o r   o b j e c t s   h ave   fa l l e n   i n t o   t h e 
apparatus, the apparatus has been 
exposed  to  rain  or  moisture,  does 
not  operate  normally,  or  has  been 
dropped.
Read  these  operating  instructions  carefully  before  using  the  unit.  Follow  the  safety 
instructions  on  the  unit  and  the  applicable  safety  instructions  listed  below.  Keep 
these operating instructions handy for future reference.
IMPORTANT SAFETY 
INSTRUCTIONS
 indicates safety information. 
						

							
- 4 (E) -
ENGLISH

Information on Disposal for Users of Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment 
(private households)
This symbol on the products and/or accompanying documents means that used 
electrical and electronic products should not be mixed with general household 
waste.
For proper treatment, recovery and recycling, please take these products to 
designated collection points, where they will be accepted on a free of charge 
basis. Alternatively, in some countries you may be able to return your products to 
your local retailer upon the purchase of an equivalent new product.
Disposing of this product correctly will help to save valuable resources and prevent any potential 
negative effects on human health and the environment which could otherwise arise from 
inappropriate waste handling.
Please contact your local authority for further details of your nearest designated collection point.
Penalties may be applicable for incorrect disposal of this waste, in accordance with national 
legislation.
For business users in the European Union
If you wish to discard electrical and electronic equipment, please contact your dealer or supplier 
for further information.
Information on Disposal in other Countries outside the European Union
This symbol is only valid in the European Union.
If you wish to discard this product, please contact your local authorities or dealer and ask for the 
correct method of disposal. 
						

							
- 5 (E) -

Contents
Accessories
Accessories  .......................................... 5
Introduction  ...........................................
 6
Characteristics  ...................................... 6
Precautions for use  ..............................
 7
Major operating controls and 
 
their functions  ................................. 8 
How to install  ......................................
 12
 How to set the lens  ........................ 12
 How to install on the camera housing,  pan/tilt head, tripod, etc.  ............
 12
Ho w to set up the system  ..................
 13
 Configuration example 1:  
Connection of camera controller  ...
 13
 Configuration example 2: 
High-speed P/T system  ............. 14
Operation procedure  ..........................
 15
How to adjust  ......................................
 16 
 Flange back adjustment  
(for zoom lens)  ..........................
 16
 Lens iris gain volume adjustment ... 16
 White balance adjustment  ............. 17
 Color temperature and white balance  adjustment (reference)  ..............
 17
 Black balance adjustment ............... 18
 Gen-lock adjustment  ...................... 18
Setting of menu items  ........................
 19
 How to display the menus  .............. 19
 TOP menu  ...................................... 19
  MAINTENANCE menu  ................. 20
  SETTING menu  ............................ 36
  CAMERA ID menu  ....................... 43
  FILE OPERATION menu  .............. 44
  TIME CODE menu  ....................... 45
 Menu list  .........................................46 
Appearance  ......................................... 49
Specifications  ..................................... 50
Appendix  ............................................. 51
  Control cable for 
 
information camera  ....................
51 
Lens cap  ................................................. 1
Filter  ........................................................ 2 
						

							
- 6 (E) -
ENGLISH

Introduction
Characteristics
New 2/3˝ 1 million-pixel CCD is employed. [1280(H)720(V)]
  1 million-pixel CCD is 2/3˝ in size, being compact and light-weight.
Multiple HD formats supported
   Signal output of many different formats enabled by incorporating a format conversion circuit in Panasonic’s original LSI chip.
 
Fabrication of a circuit for 24 Hz-based formats also supported.
14-bit A/D conversion and brand-new DSP featured
  Wide dynamic range achieved
  Crystal-clear shooting even of images with different brightness levels
  Boosting of gain to a maximum 72 dB enabled
  Electronic extender function provided
  Cine gamma supported
Multiple functions
  Multi-function DTL such as high-luminance DTL and skin DTL.
  Right and left, top and bottom picture reversing function. This camera employs new 2/3˝ 1 million-pixel IT CCD, realizing a compact light-weight 
system including the optical system.
The newly developed CCD image sensor, 14-bit A/D converter and brand-new DSP make 
for a wide dynamic range.
The self-contained format conversion circuit ensures support for a multiple number of HD 
formats including 1080/59.94i, 50i, 720/60p, 59.94p and 50p.
Making the best use of the features of a small-sized self-contain camera, it is 
accommodated in the camera housing and able to provide high-quality HD pictures as an 
multi purpose digital camera. 
						

							
- 7 (E) -

   Do not attempt to disassemble the camera or other units. In order to prevent 
electric shock, do not remove screws or 
covers. There are no user-serviceable 
parts inside.
   Do not abuse the camera. Avoid striking, 
shaking, etc. The camera contains 
sensitive components which could 
be damaged by improper handling or 
storage.
   Do not let the lens remain uncapped 
when the camera is not use. If the lens is 
not installed, do not leave the lens mount 
hole uncovered.
   Do not touch the surface of the lens or 
prism.
   Do not use strong of abrasive detergents 
when cleaning the camera body.
   Do not aim the camera toward the sun, 
no matter whether it is turned on or not.
   Do not expose the camera to rain or 
moisture, and do not try to operate the 
equipment in wet conditions. Do not 
operate the camera if it becomes wet.
   Do not operate the camera outdoors 
during a lightning storm.
   Do not use the camera in an extreme 
environment where high temperatures or 
high humidity exist.
   Do not leave the camera turned on when 
not in use. Do not unnecessarily turn the 
camera power on and off repeatedly. 
 
Do not block the ventilation slots.
    Do not cover the port otherwise block 
ventilation during operation. Internal heat 
buildup can cause a fire.
   Refer any servicing to qualified service 
personnel.
 Handle the camera with care.
    Protect the precision made lens by 
placing the lens cap over when the 
camera is not in use. If the lens is not 
installed, protect the surface of the prism 
by placing the body cap into the lens 
mount hole.
   Use a mild blower or lens cleaning tissue 
designed for coated lenses, to clean the 
surface of the lens or prism in the event 
that it should become dirty.
   Use a dry cloth to clean the camera 
if it is dirty. In case the dirt is hard to 
remove, use mild detergent and wipe 
gently.
     Use caution when operating the camera 
in the vicinity of spot lights or bright 
lights, as well as light reflecting objects 
and surfaces.
   Take immediate action if ever the 
camera should become wet. Turn the 
power off and have the unit checked by 
an authorized service facility.
   Follow normal safety precaution to avoid 
personal injury.
     Use the camera in an environment 
where the temperature is within 32°F 
– +104°F (0°C – +40°C), and the relative 
humidity is within 30% – 90% (no 
condensation).
   Always turn the power off when the 
camera is not going to be used. Operate 
the camera only when there is adequate 
ventilation.
   Cooling fan 
There is internally provided a cooling fan.
 
Since the cooling fan is a consumable 
part, replace it after about 30,000 hours 
of operation.
 
(Be sure to ask the dealer for the 
replacement.)
Precautions for use
DON’TSDO’S 
						

							
- 8 (E) -
ENGLISH

Major operating controls and their functions
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Front viewTop view
Bottom viewRear view 
						

							
- 9 (E) -

Major operating controls and their functions
 Lens mount
2/3˝ standard bayonet type (B4 mount) lens is installed.
 Lens fixing ring knob
Lens is fixed by turning the knob clockwise.
 Camera mounting hole (1/4-20UNC)
 Camera mounting hole (3/8-16UNC)
The screw holes can be used to secure the camera for installing it on camera housing, 
and when using a pan/tilt head or a tripod.
 MENU switch [MENU]
A menu will appear on the monitor screen when MENU switch is pressed for at least  
3 seconds. The menu screen is cleared when the switch is pressed for at least 3 seconds 
while the menu is displayed.
 ENTER/AWB switch [ENTER/AWB]
The item just below can be selected by pressing this switch while the menu is on the 
screen.
When the menu is not displayed or the camera is in shooting mode, the automatic white 
balance control (AWB) can be set with this switch.
 UP/ABB switch [UP/ABB]
The item just above can be selected by pressing this switch while the main menu is 
displayed.
While the Sub menu is displayed, any setting can be brought up to a higher value with 
this switch.
When the menu is not displayed or the camera is in shooting mode, the automatic black 
balance control (ABB) can be set with this switch.
 DOWN/BAR switch [DOWN/BAR]
The item just below can be selected by pressing this switch while the Sub menu is on 
the screen.
While the Sub menu is displayed, any setting can be brought down to a lower value with 
this switch.
When the menu is not displayed, the color bar and the shooting conditions are 
alternately indicated by pressing the switch for about 5 seconds.
Each time the MENU switch 
 is pressed while the UP/ABB switch  and DOWN/BAR 
switch 
 is held down and while the menu is not displayed, the video output format is 
changed in the following sequence.
720/60p  720/59.94p  720/50p  1080/60i  1080/59.94i  1080/50i  
1080/30p  1080/29.97p  1080/25p  1080/24p  1080/23.98p
When the video format is changed, the operate indicator 
 flashes twice with the 
720/60p format and once with any other format.