Canon cinema EOS C300 PL User Manual

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51
Recording
Recording Video
This section explains the recording basics. Before you begin recording, make a test recording first to check if the 
camcorder operates correctly. Record for  approximately 6 minutes at 50 Mbps (A59). Should the camcorder 
fail to operate correctly, refer to 
Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g ( A 172).
For details on recording audio, refer to 
Recording Audio ( A 91).
Preparing to Record
1 Attach the monitor unit, handle unit, grip unit, etc. as necessary to build the 
desired configuration (
A32).
2 Attach a charged battery pack to the camcorder (
A24).
3 Insert a CF card into a CF card slot (
A43).
• Insert another CF card into the other  CF card slot to use relay recording (A46) or 
double slot recording ( A47).
4 Attach a lens (A32, 36).
5 Adjust the viewfinder.
NOTES
• The camcorder can add a user memo ( A96) to a clip as you record. It can  be used to store information such 
as the clip name, camera operator and filming locatio n. However, you must set the user memo before 
recording.
Recording
1 Set the Q  switch to CAMERA (A26).
• The camcorder turns on in   mode and enters 
record pause mode.
• The access indicator for the CF card slot selected for  recording illuminates in red and then changes to green.
Operating modes:
Tally lamp
Access indicators 
						

							Recording Video
52
2 Press the START/STOP button to begin recording.
• Recording starts. The tally lamp illuminates and the recording indicator [ ÜREC] appears at the top of the screen.
• You can use the START/STOP  button on the back of the 
camcorder, the front of the camcorder (next to the lens 
mount), the grip unit or the monitor unit.
3 Press the START/STOP button to pause the recording.
• The clip* is recorded to the  CF card and the camcorder enters 
record pause mode. The tally lamp will also go out.
* “Clip” refers to one movie unit from the point you press the START/STOP  button to start recording until you press again to pause the recording. You can 
also include custom picture settings ( A114) and metadata ( A96) with the 
clip.
IMPORTANT
• Observe the following precautions while the CF 2 or CF 3 access indicator is illuminated in red. Failure to do 
so may result in permanent data loss.
- Do not open the CF card slot cover of the CF  card slot being accessed and remove the CF card.
- Do not disconnect the power source or turn off the camcorder.
• Be sure to save your recordings regularly ( A143), especially after making important recordings. Canon shall 
not be liable for any loss or corruption of data.
NOTES
•By default, [ wOther Functions]  > [Fan] is set to [Automatic] and the internal cooling fan will be activated 
during record pause mode. While recording, when th e camcorder’s internal temperature decreases below a 
predetermined level, the fan will be turned off.  You can also set the fan to run at all times.
• You can use [ wOther Functions]  > [Rec Review] ( A105) to review part or all of the last clip recorded.
• If you set an assignable button to [Add $ Mark] or [Add % Mark] ( A111), you can press the button to add 
an  $ mark or %  mark to the last clip recorded.
• You can use [ wOther Functions]  > [Clips]  > [Delete Last Clip] ( A162) to delete the last clip recorded. 
However, you cannot delete the last clip if double slot recording is on.
• When you set the [ wOther Functions]  > [SDI Rec Command] setting  to [On] and you connect the 
camcorder to another device using the  HD/SD SDI terminal, if you start or stop recording with the camcorder, 
the other device will also start or stop recording. 
						

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Recording Video
Locking the Controls in Recording Mode
Once in   mode, you can set the Q switch to C  (key lock) 
to lock all the physical controls  (buttons and switches) on the 
camcorder*, save for the START/STOP button. With the 
[ w Other Functions]  > [Custom Function] >  [C  START/STOP] 
setting, you can even choose to lo ck all buttons, including the 
START/STOP button. In such case,  you can use Wi-Fi Remote to 
operate the camcorder. This is useful in preventing settings from 
being changed due to inadvertently pressing one of the buttons. 
Return the  Q switch to the CAMERA po sition to reactivate the 
controls. 
* The Wi-Fi Remote application also has a key lock function that is limited only to  the controls on the application’s screens (you will still be able to use the controls 
on the camcorder). Press [ ] to lock the application’s controls; press [ C] to 
reactivate them.
About Clips
When the camcorder records a clip, it also assigns a 6-ch aracter clip name consisting of a 2-character prefix 
(letters or numerals) and 4 numerals (for example, “AA0 001”). The last 4 numbers serve as a running counter 
that increases every time a clip is recorded. You can set the initial clip name in advance using the 
[ w Other Functions]  > [Clips] >  [Title Prefix] and [Number Setting] settings. You cannot change the clip 
name after the clip is recorded.
NOTES
• If you are recording with two CF cards and the CF car d you are using becomes full while recording, the clip 
will continue uninterrupted on the other CF card when relay recording ( A46) is activated.  In such case, 
the recording will be recorded as separate clips.
• If you record using the custom picture and metadata se ttings, those settings will be recorded with the clip. 
For more details, refer to 
Custom Picture Settings ( A 114) and Using Metadata (A 96).
• The video (stream) file in a clip will be split approximately every 2 GB for clips with a long recording time  (approximately every 1 GB during slow motion recording). Even in such case, playback will be continuous. 
						

							Recording Video
54
Remote Operation Using Wi-Fi Remote 
After completing the necessary preparations (A49), you can start and stop r ecording from a Wi-Fi-enabled 
device using the Wi-Fi Remote application.
1 Press [LIVE VIEW ON/OFF] to show the camcorder’s live view image on the Wi-Fi Remote screen.
2 Press [START/STOP] to begin recording.
• The recording operation indicat or changes from [STBY] to [ÜREC], the center of the START/STOP button 
lights up in red and the time code display  starts running on the Wi-Fi Remote screen. 
• Press [START/STOP] again to pause the recording. 
Recording operation
Time code 
						

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Recording Video
Onscreen Displays
Refer to this section for an explanation of the various screen displays that appear in   mode. You can use 
the custom display function (
A123) to turn off individual onscreen  displays if they are not required.
When displaying the date and time (
A28):
1The displayed value is an estimate.2Only when an optional WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter is connected to the camcorder.3During slow & fast motion recording mode, this indicates the shooting frame rate.4Only when an optional GP-E1 GPS Receiver is attached to the camcorder.
1415 16 17 19 18
22
24
26
25 
27
28
29
23
20
21
1
2
30323138373334 3536
5
6 3
4
7
89
10
11
12
13
39
1 Remaining battery time ( A56)
2 CF card status/available recording time ( A56)
3 Remaining recording time for double slot 
recording ( A47)
4 #  Current focal length of an attached EF lens
1
5#  One-shot AF’s autofocus frame ( A80)
6Temperature warning ( A173) / Fan ( A58)
7 #  Light metering ( A73)
8 #  Focus mode ( A77)
9ND filter ( A68)
10 View assistance ( A58)
11 Custom picture ( A114)
12 Key lock ( A53)
13 White balance ( A74)
14 Wi-Fi
2 ( A 49) white - connected to a Wi-Fi 
network; yellow - connecting to or disconnecting 
from a Wi-Fi network.
15 Recording operation ( A56)
16 Character recording ( A123)
17 Genlock ( A88)
18 Time code ( A84)
19 SD card status 20 Interval counter (
A106)
21 Bit rate/Resolution ( A59)
22 Frame rate
3 ( A 59)
23 Output displays ( A142)
24 SDI recording command ( A164)
25 GPS signal
4 ( A 103). Continuously on - satellite 
signal acquired; blinking - satellite signal not 
acquired.
26 User memo ( A96)
27 User bit ( A87)
28 Audio output channel ( A95)
29 Audio level meter ( A93, 94)
30 #  Aperture value ( A69)
31 #  AE shift ( A72)
32 ISO speed/Gain ( A65)
33 #  Exposure bar ( A72)
34 Shutter speed ( A62)
35 Peaking ( A79)
36 Magnification ( A79)
37 #  Lens error warning ( A175)
38 Audio peak limiter ( A93)
39 Date/time ( A28) 
						

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56
NOTES
• You can press the DISP. button to switch th e onscreen displays in the following sequence.
Show all onscreen displays   show only onscreen markers*   hide all onscreen displays.
*Only when the [ £ LCD/VF Setup] > [Markers] setting is enabled. 
1 Remaining battery time
• The icon shows a rough estimate of the remaining char ge as a percentage of the full charge of the battery 
pack. The remaining recording/playback  time of the battery pack is displayed, in minutes, next to the icon.
• è    é    ê    ë    ì  (in red). 
When  ì is displayed, replace the battery pack with a fully charged one.
• Depending on the conditions und er which the camcorder and the battery pack are used, the actual 
battery charge may not be indicated accurately.
2 CF card status/available recording time
• The following indicates the CF card status.
2 /3  Can record on CF card
4 /5  No CF card or cannot record on CF card
The CF card selected for recording is indicated with a  Ð mark.
14 Recording operation
• When double slot recording ( A 47) is activated, the  4 icon will appear to the left of the operation indicator.
Ü
REC
Recording
STBY Record pause
ÜINT RECInterval recording
INT STBY (INT flashes) Interval record pause
ÜFRM REC Frame recording
ÜFRM STBYFrame record pause (after starting recording)
FRM STBY (FRM flashes) Frame record pause (before starting recording)
ÜS&F REC Slow & fast motion recording
S&F STBY Slow & fast motion record pause
ÜPRE RECPre-recording (after pressing the START/STOP button)
PRE REC STBY Pre-recording (before pressing the START/STOP button) 
						

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Recording Video
Rear Panel Displays
You can check the following information on the rear panel. This allows you to easily adjust main camera functions 
like the shutter speed, white balance  and ISO speed/gain even when the monitor unit is not attached to the 
camcorder without having to use the viewfinder.
1Displayed also in   mode.2In these shutter speed modes, only the denominator is displayed -   indicates a shutter speed of 1/100, etc.3Only displayed while adjusting the setting.4Only when an optional WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter is connected to the camcorder.
1
2
3
4 5
678
9
10
11
12
1 White balance (A74) 
2 Time code settings: NDF Non-drop frame ( A85) 
/EXT-LOCK External time code signal locked 
( A 89) / HOLD Time code display on hold 
( A 86)
3 Time code ( A84)
4 Audio level meter
1 ( A 93, 94)
5 White balance fine-tuning ( A75)
6  ISO speed/   Gain ( A65)
7 Shutter speed ( A62)/White balance
 Shutter speed
2 (mode set to [Speed], [Slow] 
or [Off])
 Shutter speed (mode set to [Angle]) Shutter speed (mode set to [Clear Scan])
 White balance fine-tuning
3 ( A 75)
 White balance, color temperature3 ( A 75) 8
#  Aperture value ( A69)
9ND filter ( A68)
10 Approximate remaining battery time
1
11 Wi-Fi4 ( A 49)
12 CF card status and available recording time1
Adjusting the Brightness of the Rear Panel
Repeatedly pressing the   (backlight) button will change the brightness of 
the rear panel in the following  order: Backlight on (bright)  Backlight on 
(dim)   Backlight off. 
						

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Canon Log Gamma and CINEMA Preset
You can easily set the camcorder to use a number of preset picture-
related settings especially designed with professional cinematography 
and motion picture production in mind . With the CINEMA preset settings, 
the gamma and color matrix ( A117) will be set to the advanced Canon 
Log setting, which makes full use of the newly developed image sensor to 
offer spectacular dynamic range. On th e other hand, other custom picture 
settings will not be available.
Clips recorded using Canon Log gamma need to be processed in post-production. During post-production, you 
can apply a LUT (look-up table) to clips recorded usin g Canon Log gamma to view the clips with more natural 
colors. For details about available LU Ts, visit your local Canon Web site.
1Open the [/ CINEMA Locked] submenu.
[~  Camera Setup]  > [/  CINEMA Locked]
2 Select [On] and then press SET.
• All picture-related settings will be set according to the CINEMA preset values.
•[/  LOCKED] appears on the left of the screen.
Checking Clips Recorded with Canon Log Gamma (View Assistance)
When Canon Log gamma is used, the image displayed on the screen will appear darker than usual. You can use 
the view assistance function to display an image that approximates the one that would be obtained using normal 
gamma settings. View assistance is only applied on the camcorder screen; it will not affect your recordings or the 
video signal output from the various terminals.
1 Open the [View Assist.] submenu. [£  LCD/VF Setup]  > [View Assist.]
2 Select [On] and then press SET. •  will appear on the lowe r left of the screen. 
Using the Fan
In   mode, the camcorder uses an internal coo ling fan to reduce the camcorder’s internal heat. 
1 Open the [Fan] submenu.
[w  Other Functions]  > [Fan]
2 Select the desired option and then press SET.
Options
Operating modes:
[On]: The fan runs at all times regardless of the camcorder’s internal 
temperature.
[Automatic]: During record pause mode, the fan is always turned on. While you  are recording (while [ ÜREC] appears on the screen), if the 
camcorder’s internal temperature decreases below a predetermined 
level, the fan will be turned off. If the camcorder’s internal 
temperature rises to a predetermined level, the fan will be activated 
automatically (  will appear on the screen), even while you are 
recording.
[ ~  Camera Setup]
[ /  CINEMA Locked]
[Off]
[£ LCD/VF Setup] 
[View Assist.] [Off]
[w Other Functions]
[Fan]
[Automatic] 
						

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Video Configuration: Type of Recording, Bit Rate, Resolution and Frame Rate
Video Configuration: Type of Recording, Bit Rate, Resolution and 
Frame Rate
Before you record, select the bit rate, resolution (frame  size) and frame rate that best match your creative needs. 
The options available will depend on  the type of recordings you select: NTSC-compatible, PAL-compatible or 
true 24.00P recordings. A single CF card can contain only one type of recordings.
Selecting the Type of Recording
For true 24.00P recordings
1 Open the [24.00P] submenu.
[ w  Other Functions]  > [24.00P]
2 Select [On] and then press SET.
• The camcorder will reset an d restart in 24.00P mode.
For recordings compatible with analog NTSC/PAL broadcast 
standards
1 Open the [NTSC/PAL] submenu. [w  Other Functions]  > [NTSC/PAL]
2 Select [NTSC] or [PAL] and then press SET. • The camcorder will reset and  restart in the selected mode.
Selecting the Bit Rate and Resolution
1 Open the [Bit Rate/Resolution] submenu to set the bit rate and  resolution.
[w Other Functions]  > [Bit Rate/Resolution]
2 Select the desired option and then press SET. • The selected bit rate and resolution  will appear on the upper right of 
the screen.
Selecting the Frame Rate
This procedure is not necessary for true 24.00P recordings.
1 Open the [Frame Rate] submenu to set the frame rate. [w Other Functions]  > [Frame Rate]
2 Select the desired option and then press SET.
• The selected frame rate will appear on the upper right of the screen.
NOTES
• A single CF card cannot be used to record  different types of recordings (NTSC/PAL/24.00P).
• For details on the signal output from each terminal, refer to 
Video Output Configuration ( A 139).
Operating modes:
[
w  Other Functions]
[24.00P][Off]
* Depending on the country/region of purchase.
[w  Other Functions]
[NTSC/PAL]
[NTSC] or [PAL]*
[ w Other Functions]
[Bit Rate/Resolution]
[50 Mbps 1920x1080]
* Depending on the country/region  of purchase.
[w Other Functions]
[Frame Rate]
[59.94i] or [50.00i]* 
						

							Video Configuration: Type of Recording, Bit Rate, Resolution and Frame Rate
60
Available bit rate, resolution and frame rate settings
* The first line indicates the bit rate (in Mbps); the second line indicates in parentheses whether the bit rate is constant (CB R) or 
variable (VBR), and the color sampling.
Bit rate*Resolution
[24.00P] set 
to [On][NTSC/PAL] set to [NTSC][NTSC/PAL] set to [PAL]
Frame rate[Frame Rate] setting
24.00P59.94i59.94P29.97P23.98P50.00i50.00P25.00P
50 Mbps
(CBR 4:2:2)1920 x 1080ÜÜ–ÜÜÜ–Ü
1280 x 720Ü–ÜÜÜ–ÜÜ
35 Mbps
(VBR 4:2:0)1920 x 1080–Ü–ÜÜÜ–Ü
1440 x 1080–Ü–––Ü––
1280 x 720––ÜÜÜ–ÜÜ
25 Mbps
(CBR 4:2:0)1440 x 1080–Ü–ÜÜÜ–Ü