Panasonic Hdc Hs250 Operating Instructions

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≥Modes are selected automatically by the unit, 
so it may not choose desired mode depending 
on the recording conditions.
≥ Brightness may change suddenly or flicker 
when set to on.
≥ In the Portrait Mode, a subject that is bigger 
and close to center of the screen will be 
surrounded by an orange frame. ( l64)
≥ Using a tripod is recommended in Night 
Portrait and Night Scenery Mode.
≥ Optical image stabilizer function ( l55) is set 
to on in all modes.
≥ In the following case, faces may not be 
detected in some recording conditions:
jFaces are not full-faces
j Faces tilt
j Faces are not completely exposed (for 
instance wearing sunglasses)
j The size of a face is small on the screen.
j When the digital zoom is used
≥ The function may not operate properly in some 
recording conditions, even if faces are 
detected. 
∫ When Intelligent Auto Mode is set 
to off:
When the Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off, the 
Auto white balance and Auto focus operate and 
automatically adjust the color balance and 
focusing.
Depending on the brightness of the subject etc., 
the aperture and shutter  speed are automatically 
adjusted for an optimum brightness.
≥ Color balance and focus may not be adjusted 
automatically depending on light sources or 
scenes. If so, manually adjust these settings. 
(l 71, 73)
Automatic white balance
White balance adjustment recognizes the color 
of light and adjusts so the white color will 
become a purer white. The unit determines the 
hue of light, thereby judging the recording 
condition, and selects the closest hue setting.
The illustration above shows the range over 
which the Auto white balance functions.
1) The effective range of automatic white 
balance adjustment on this unit
2) Blue sky
3) Cloudy sky (rain)
4) TV screen
5) Sunlight
6) White fluorescent lamp
7) Halogen light bulb
8) Incandescent light bulb
9) Sunrise or sunset
10) Candlelight
Automatic white balance adjustment does not 
function normally when there are multiple light 
sources or the light source is other than the 
stored white balance. In such cases, use the 
Manual White Balance Adjustment Mode.
10 000K 9 000K
8 000K
7 000K
6 000K
5 000K
4 000K
3 000K
2 000K
1 000K2)
1) 3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
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Auto focus
The lens is moved forward or backward 
automatically to bring the subject into focus.
Auto focus has the following characteristics.jAdjusts so that the vertical lines of a subject 
are seen more clearly.
j Attempts to bring an object with higher 
contrast into focus.
Auto focus does not work correctly in the 
following situations. Record pictures in the 
Manual Focus Mode. jRecording distant and close-up objects at the 
same time
j Recording a subject behind a dirty or dusty 
window
j Recording a subject that is surrounded by 
objects with glossy surfaces or by highly 
reflective objects
j Recording a subject in dark surroundings
j Recording a fast-moving subject
j Recording a subject with little contrast This unit will resume recording pause mode 
about 0.6 seconds after the LCD monitor is 
reopened.
≥
When in Quick Start Standby Mode about 
70% of the power used in Recording Pause 
mode is being consumed, so the recording 
time will be reduced.
¬ Change the mode to or .
1Select the menu. ( l28)
2Close the LCD monitor while the 
mode is set to   or  .
The status indicator  A flashes green and the unit 
goes into Quick Start Standby Mode.
≥ The lens cover does not close.
3Open the LCD monitor.
The status indicator  A lights red and the unit is 
put into recording pause.
Quick start
[SETUP]  # [QUICK START]  # [ON]
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≥Quick Start Standby Mode is canceled if
jabout 5 minutes have elapsed
j mode is set to 
j unit is turned off
≥ Time for Quick Start will be more than 0.6 
seconds slower when the digital cinema is 
used.
≥ Depending on the recording conditions, time 
for Quick Start may be more than 0.6 seconds 
slower in Still Picture Recording Mode.
≥ It may take some time for Automatic White 
Balance to adjust.
≥ In the Quick Start Mode, the zoom 
magnification becomes 1k .
≥ If [ECONOMY] ( l30) is set to [5 MINUTES] 
and the unit automatically goes into Quick Start 
Standby Mode, close the LCD monitor and 
then open it again.
≥ Quick Start Standby Mode cannot be released 
by the remote control. Turn the mode to OFF 
when powering off. (Only when recording to an SD card)
The unit is put into recording pause approx. 
1.9 seconds when the mode is set to   or 
 from OFF.
≥ Start time will not shorten if there is no SD card 
inserted.
¬ Change the mode to   or  .
1Select SD card as a media to 
record from the menu. ( l28)
2Select the menu. ( l28)
≥This function’s default setting is [ON].
≥Depending on the recording conditions, start 
time may be longer than 1.9 seconds in Still 
Picture Recording Mode.
≥ In the Quick Power on mode, the zoom 
magnification becomes 1k.
Quick power on
[MEDIA SELECT]  # [SD CARD]
[SETUP]  # [QUICK POWER ON]  # [ON]
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Recording
Recording (Basic)
2
Recording motion pictures
This unit records high definition images that are compatible with the AVCHD format.
Sound is recorded with the Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator.
1Change the mode to  .
2Open the LCD monitor.
3Select the media to record from 
the menu.
≥You cannot set the recording media for motion 
pictures and still pictures separately.
4Press the recording start/stop 
button to start recording.
≥While recording is in progress, the recording 
will not stop even if the LCD monitor is closed.
5Press the recording start/stop 
button again to pause recording.
∫
When selecting media
Select the menu. ( l28)
[MEDIA SELECT]  # [HDD] or [SD CARD]
OFF
≥Rotate the mode dial while at the same 
time pressing in the lock release button  A 
if changing from OFF to another mode.
≥ Align with the status indicator  B.
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≥Still pictures can be recorded while recording the motion picture. ( l50)
≥ The images recorded between pressing the recording start/stop button to start recording and 
pressing it again to pause recording become one scene.
≥ Maximum number of recordable scenes: 3900
Maximum number of different dates: 200 ( l78)
When either of them reaches to the maximum limit, additional scenes cannot be recorded.
(In the case of SD cards it is the maximum number of recordable scenes per card.)
≥ A continuous recording of motion picture data t hat exceeds 4 GB may momentarily stop at every 
4 GB of data when played back with another device.
∫ Screen indications in the 
recording modeA Recording mode
B Remaining time left for recording
(When the remaining time is less than 
1 minute, [R 0h00m] flashes red.)
C Recording time elapsed
Each time the unit is put into recording 
pause, the counter display will be reset to 
“0h00m00s”.
About the compatibility of the recorded motion pictures
≥They are not compatible with devices other than those that support AVCHD. Images cannot be 
played with equipment that does not support AVCHD (ordinary DVD recorders). Confirm that your 
equipment supports AVCHD by referring to the operating instructions.
≥ There are some cases where the recorded motion  pictures cannot be played back, even if the 
device supports AVCHD. In such cases, play the  recorded motion picture with this unit instead.
0h00m00s 0h00m00s
0h00m00s
R 1h20m
R 1h20m
R 1h20mHG
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Switch the picture quality of the motion pictures to be recorded.
Select the menu. (l28)
A Favors image quality
B Favors recording time
*1 1920k 1080: Motion pictures can be recorded with the highest picture quality.
*
*2 1920k1080: Motion pictures can be recorded with high picture quality.
*3 1920k 1080: Motion pictures can be recorded with normal picture quality.
*4 1440k 1080: Motion pictures can be recorded for a longer time.
* This means the highest quality for this unit.
≥ The recording is in high definition picture quality in all recording modes.
≥ Maximum continuously recordable time for one scene: 12 hours
≥ The recording is paused once when the recording time for one scene exceeds 12 hours, and the 
recording will automatically resume after a few seconds.
≥ If a recording with a lot movements is recorded, the recording time is reduced.
≥ The recordable time may be reduced if recording of short scene is repeated.
≥ Use time in the row of 4 GB in above table as a guideline for the time that can be copied onto one 
DVD disc (4.7 GB).
≥Recordable time using the battery ( l22)
≥ Mosaic-pattern noise may appear on a playback image in the following cases.
jWhen there is a complicated pattern in the background
j When the unit is moved too fast
j When a subject with sharp movements has been recorded 
(Particularly if it has been recorded in HE mode.)
Recording modes/approximate recordable time
[RECORD SETUP]  # [REC MODE]  # desired setting
HA*1HG*2HX*3HE*4
SD card 1GB
7 min 9 min 14 min 21 min
2GB 15 min 20 min  30 min 45 min
4GB 30 min 40 min 1 h 1 h 30 min
6GB 45min 1h 1h30min 2h15min
8GB 1h 1h20min 2 h 3 h
12 GB 1h30min2h 3h4h30min
16 GB 2h 2h40min 4h 6h
32 GB 4h 5h20min 8h 12h
HDD 120 GB 15 h 50 min  20 h 20 min 31 h 50 h
∫Back up data periodically.
The HDD is temporary storage. In order to avoid eras ing data due to static electricity, electromagnetic 
waves, breakage, and failures, back up the data to a PC or DVD disc. (l100, 111)
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This allows recording of the pictures and sound 
to start approximately 3 seconds before the 
recording start/stop button is pressed.
1Press the PRE-REC button.
 appears on the screen.
≥ Aim this unit at the subject and position it 
securely.
2Press the recording start/stop 
button to start recording.
≥There is no beep sound.
≥ After recording starts, the PRE-REC setting is 
canceled.
≥PRE-REC is canceled in the following cases.
jIf you change the mode.
j If you open the SD card cover when the 
[MEDIA SELECT] is set to [SD CARD] in 
Recording mode.
j If you press the MENU button.
j If you turn the unit off.
≥ When the remaining time left for recording 
motion pictures is less than 1 minute, PRE-
REC cannot be set.
≥ If you start recording less than 3 seconds after 
pressing the PRE-REC button, or while the 
PRE-REC indication flashes within about 
3 seconds after initiating the Quick Start 
operation, motion pictures taken 3 seconds 
before pressing the recording start/stop button 
cannot be recorded.
≥ When the recording start/stop button is 
pressed, image shake and operation sound 
may be recorded.
≥ Images displayed on the thumbnail in Playback 
Mode will differ from the motion pictures 
displayed at the start of playback. Message is displayed when this unit is moved 
rapidly.
Select the menu. (
l28)
≥This function’s default setting is [ON].
When “CAMERA PANNING IS TOO FAST.” 
appears, move the unit slowly while recording.
≥ Set to [OFF] to turn off the message 
indication.
≥Message will not appear while pausing the 
recording. (Message will appear even if it is 
pausing the recording if [DEMO MODE] is set 
to [ON])
≥ In some recording conditions, messages may 
not appear.
PRE-REC
This prevents you from missing a 
shot.
PRE-REC
PRE-REC
Shooting guide
[RECORD SETUP]  # [SHOOTING GUIDE] 
# [ON]
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Recording
Recording (Basic)
3
Recording still pictures
1Change the mode to  .
2Open the LCD monitor.
3Select the media to record from 
the menu. (l44)
≥You cannot set the recording media for motion 
pictures and still pictures separately.
4Press the   button halfway. 
(For auto focus only)
Focus indication and focus area 
appear and the unit focuses on the 
subject automatically.
≥If you set the Optical Image Stabilizer function 
(l 55) to   (MODE1), then the image 
stabilizer function will be more effective. 
(  (MEGA optical image stabilizer) will 
be displayed.)
≥ The AF assist lamp lights in dark places.
Focus indication:
A Focus indication
± (The white lamp flashes.):
Focusing
¥ (The green lamp lights up.):
When in focus
No mark:
When focusing is unsuccessful.
B Focus area (area inside brackets)
5Press the   button fully.
≥The sound cannot be recorded while recording 
still pictures.
≥ If the   button is pressed fully all at once, it 
may take time to record still pictures.
≥ Using a flash or tripod is recommended when 
recording still pictures in dark places because 
the shutter speed becomes slow.
≥ The screen will become darker when the   
button is pressed halfway if the shutter speed 
is 1/30 or slower.
OFF≥Rotate the mode dial while at the same 
time pressing in the lock release button  A 
if changing from OFF to another mode.
≥ Align with the status indicator  B.
MEGA
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∫About the screen indications in 
Still Picture Recording
: Still picture operation indicator 
(l 125)
ß : Flash ( l60)
ß j : Flash level ( l60)
: Red eye reduction ( l61)
: MEGA optical image stabilizer  (l 55)
: Quality of still pictures ( l50)
: Size of still pictures
R3000: Remaining number of still pictures
(Flashes in red when [0] appears.)
: AF assist lamp ( l68)
∫ About the focus indication
≥The focus indication indicates the status of the 
auto focus.
≥ The focus indication does not appear in 
Manual Focus mode.
≥ The focus indication does not appear or has 
difficulty focusing in the following cases.
jWhen the zoom magnification is high.
j When the unit is shaken.
j When the subject is moving.
j When the subject stands in front of a light 
source.
j When close subjects and far subjects are 
included in the same scene.
j When the scene is dark.
j When there is a bright part in the scene.
j When the scene is filled with only horizontal 
lines.
j When the scene lacks contrast.
∫ About the focusing area
When there is a contrasting object ahead or 
behind the subject in the focus area, the subject 
may not be focused. If so, move the contrasting 
object out of the focus area. ≥
Focus area is not displayed in the following 
conditions.
jWhen the Intelligent Auto (Portrait Mode) is 
used.
j When the Digital Zoom (more than approx. 
12k ) is used.
j When AF tracking is used.
j When the Extra Optical Zoom is used.
j When the unit determines that the AF assist 
lamp is necessary.
This allows you to select the aspect ratio of the 
pictures to suit printing or the playback method.
The higher the number of pixels, the higher the 
clarity of the picture when printing.
(When setting aspect ratio)
Select the menu. ( l28)
(When setting picture size)
Select the menu. ( l28)
∫ Picture size and Maximum zoom 
ratio
* Extra optical zoom cannot be used. The 
maximum zoom magnification is 12 k.
≥ Refer to page 54 for Extra Optical Zoom.
R3000R3000R3000
MEGA
10.6M
MEGA
10.6M
Aspect ratio/Picture size
[PICTURE]  # [ASPECT RATIO]  # desired 
setting
[PICTURE]  # [PICTURE SIZE]  # desired 
setting
Aspect 
ratioPicture sizeExtra 
optical  zoom
4:3 3520k
2640 –
*
3264k2448 12.9 k
2560k 1920 16.5 k
640k 480 20 k
3:2 3984k
2656 –
*
3264k2176 14.6 k
2592k 1728 18.4 k
16:9 4224k
2376 –
*
3328k1872 15.2 k
2560k 1440 19.8 k
9M
8M
5M
0.3M
10.6M
M7M
4.5M
10M
6M
3.5M
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≥When the aspect ratio is set to [4:3] or [3:2], 
black bands may appear on the left and right of 
the screen.
≥
The edges of still pictures recorded on this unit 
with a 16:9 aspect ratio may be cut at printing. 
Check the printer or photo studio before printing.
≥ The number of recording pixels that can be set 
changes depending on selected screen aspect 
ratio.
≥ The recording will become longer depending 
on the recording pixels.
Selecting the picture quality.
Select the menu. ( l28)
: Still pictures with a high picture quality 
are recorded.
: Priority is given to the number of still  pictures recorded. Still pictures are 
recorded in normal picture quality.
≥If the [QUALITY] is set to  , mosaic-pattern 
noise may appear on a playback image 
depending on the picture content.
You can record still pictures even in Motion 
Picture Recording Mode.
¬ Change the mode to  .
1While pausing the recording, 
press the   button halfway. 
(For Auto Focus only)
A Focus indication
B Focus area (area inside brackets)
Focus indication and focus area appear and the 
unit focuses on the subject automatically.
2Press the   button fully. ∫
Picture size in Motion Picture 
Recording Mode
Select the menu. ( l28)
∫ Simultaneous recording
(recording still pictures while 
recording motion pictures)
You can record still pictures even while recording 
motion pictures.
¬Change the mode to  .
While recording motion pictures, 
press the   button fully (press to 
the bottom) to take the picture.
≥While recording motion pictures or during the 
PRE-REC operation, the following arrangements 
are applied so that motion picture recording 
takes preference over still picture recording.
jImage quality is different from ordinary still 
pictures.
j Pressing the   button halfway is disabled.
j The remaining usable capacity (number of 
pictures that can be taken) indication does 
not appear.
Picture quality
[PICTURE]  # [QUALITY]  # desired setting
Recording still pictures in 
Motion Picture Recording Mode
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
[PICTURE] # [PICTURE SIZE]  # desired 
setting
Aspect ratioPicture size
16:9 3840
k2160
1920 k1080
8.3M
2.1M
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