Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-HPX255P AG-HPX255EN Operating Instructions

							11
Shooting
Under	the	following	circumstances,	even	if	
you	press	the	START/STOP	button	it	may	
take	some	time	until	the	writing	to	the	P2	card	
finishes.	For	this	reason,	the	operation	will	not	
be	acknowledged	if	you	press	the	START/STOP 	
button	too	soon.
•	 Stopped	after	only	a	short	recording	time	
•	 Stopped	immediately	after	the	recording	has	
moved	to	a	second	P2	card  
						

							12
P2 card access lamps
■	CAMERA/PB/PC (USB HOST) mode
Lights green: Data	can	be	saved	onto	the	cards	or	loaded	from	
them.
Blinks green (slow): No	available	space	on	card,	card	is	
writeprotected.
Lights orange: Slot	that	is	the	object	of	recording.
Blinks orange: Data	is	now	being	accessed.
Blinks orange (fast): A	card	is	now	being	recognized.
Both lamps blink orange: Ejection	of	card	during	access.
Off: Cards	have	not	been	inserted	or	formatted.
Insertion	of	incompatible	card.
■	PC (USB DEVICE) mode
Blinks orange: Data	is	now	being	accessed.
Off: A	status	other	than	access	underway.
P2 card access lamp
Protecting against a possible erasure
Switch	the	write-protect	switch	of	the	P2	card	to	
[PROTECT].
PROTECT
Write-protect switch
Checking the shot videos (REC CHECK)
Pressing	the	REC	CHECK	button	after	a	recording	
will	automatically	play	back	the	last	two	seconds	of	
the	most	recent	clip.	
Holding	down	the	REC	CHECK	button	will	allow	
you	to	play	back	up	to	10	seconds.
Use	this	function	to	check	that	recording	is	
performed	normally.
•	 The	camera-recorder	returns	to	recording	
standby	mode	after	playback.
•	 For	clips	with	a	playback	time	of	10	seconds	or	
less,	clips	earlier	than	the	current	clip	are	not	
played	back	even	if	the	REC	CHECK	button	is	
held	down	after	returning	the	clip	to	the	start.
REC CHECK button
•	Note that a backup recording performed on 
a backup device connected to the DVCPRO/
DV or SDI OUT connector will also record 
video played back using the REC CHECK 
function. 
•	 In one-clip recording mode, the beginning 
of a clip is not used as the start position for 
playback after returning as far as possible 
with the REC CHECK function or starting 
playback while recording is paused. 
Instead, playback starts from the start point 
of the most recent recording operation.
Basic shooting operations (continued) 
						

							13
Shooting
Formatting P2 cards
1 Set the POWER/MODE switch to ON. 
(Page	25	of	Vol.	1)
2  Turn the POWER/MODE switch to set to PB/
THUMBNAIL mode (PB/THUMBNAIL lamp 
illuminates).
•	Thumbnails	are	displayed.
Mode lamp (PB/THUMBNAIL)
POWER/MODE switch
3 
Press the MENU button.
•	Thumbnails	menu	are	displayed.
Operation lever
EXIT button
MENU button
4 
On the thumbnails menu, select 
OPERATION and then FORMAT. (Page 91)
•	A
	screen	such	as	the	one	shown	below	
appears.	Select	the	number	of	the	slot	
into	which	you	inserted	the	P2	card	to	
be	formatted.	Select	EXIT 	to	cancel	the	
formatting.
•	 When	you	press	the	MENU	button,	the	
thumbnails	menu	display	disappears.
THUMBNAIL
OPERATION
PROPERTY
META DATA
HDD
EXITDELETE
FORMAT
REPAIR CLIP
RE\fCONNECTION
COPY
EXCH.THUMBNAIL
EXIT
SLOT1
SLOT\b
SD CARD
EXIT
5 
Select YES on the confirmation screen.
•	The	selected	P2	card	is	formatted.  
						

							14
Splitting clips recorded on P2 cards
This	camera-recorder	will	automatically	generate	
additional	clips	for	a	continuous	recording	on	
an	8	GB	or	higher	capacity	P2	card	when	the	
recording	exceeds	the	durations	given	below.	Note	
that	a	P2	device	handles	such	clips	as	a	single	clip	
in	thumbnail	operations	(such	as	display,	delete,	
and	recover).	Such	recordings	may	be	handled	as	
separate	clips	by	nonlinear	editing	software	or	a	
PC.
Recording format
(excluding Native format)Continuous 
recording time
AVC-I	100
DVCPRO	HD Approx.	5	min.
AVC-I	50
DVCPRO50 Approx.	10	min.
DVCPRO
DV Approx.	20	min.
P2 card recording times
P2 cards available to the AG-HPX255P/EN
This	camera-recorder	supports	the	optional	
	
AJ-P2C064AG 	(64 	GB) 	and 	AJ-P2E032XG 	(32 	GB)	
P2	cards,	and	other	4	GB	to	64	GB	P2	cards	(as	of	
Jun.	2012).
•	 This unit cannot use AJ-P2C002SG (2 GB) 
cards.
•	 Depending on the type of P2 card used, you 
may need to update the camera-recorder 
driver.
	
· “Updating
	the 	firmware 	incorporated 	into 	the	
unit”	(Page	158)
•	 For the latest information not available in 
the Operating Instructions, visit the support 
desk at the following website.
http://pro-av.panasonic.net/
P2 card recording times
(When	using	one	64	GB	card)
System mode Recording 
format (codec)Recording time
HD 	(1080i, 	720P) AVC-I	100
DVCPRO	HD
Approx.	64	min.
AVC-I	50 Approx.	128
min.
SD	(480i,	576i) DVCPRO50
Approx.	128
min.
DVCPRO
DV Approx.	256
min.
•	
The above recording time is for normal 
recording. Recording in native mode 
will extend recording time depending on 
system mode.
	
· “Recording	format	list”	(Page	164)
•	 Use of 32 GB, 16 GB and 8 GB P2 cards 
will provide 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8, respectively of 
above recording times.
•	 The indicated capacities include a 
management area so the total area available 
for recording is somewhat smaller.
Basic shooting operations (continued) 
						

							15
Shooting
Remove the P2 card
1 Push the OPEN lever of the P2 card slot 
cover downward ( ) and slide to open ( ).
2 Check that the P2 card access lamp is not 
blinking orange.
3 Push the P2 card eject button and press it.
4 Remove the P2 card.
3
4
P2 card access 
lamp P2 card eject button
•	Do	not	eject	the	P2	card	or	turn	the	power	off	
under	the	following	circumstances,	since	doing	
so	may	cause	a	malfunction	in	the	card:
1
	 	 While	the	orange	P2	card	access	lamp	is	
blinking	after	the	card	is	inserted	(and	until	it	
stops	blinking).
2 	 	 During	recording,	during	the	recording	finish	
process,	or	while	the	access	lamp	is	blinking. •	
If	a	P2	card	is	ejected	during	formatting	or	while	
its	data	is	being	accessed,	“TURN	POWER	OFF”	
appears	in	the	viewfinder	and	LCD	monitor,	and	
a	warning	is	indicated	by	the	tally	lamp.	If	this	
happens,	turn	the	power	off	and	back	on	again.
	
· When	a	card	is	ejected	during	formatting:
Format	the	card	again.
	
· When
	a 	card 	is 	ejected 	while 	its 	data 	is 	being	
accessed:
The	clips	may	be	thrown	out	of	order.	(Page	78)
Check	the	clips	and	repair	them.	“Restoring	
clips”	(Page	85)
•	 Immediately	after	pre-recording,	a	P2	card	
inserted
	into 	an 	empty 	slot 	will 	not 	be 	immediately	
recognized.
•	 During	playback,	a	P2	card	inserted	into	the	
empty	slot	will	not	be	recognized	and	the	P2	
card	access	lamp	will	not	light.	When	playback	is	
completed,	the	P2	card	recognition	will	begin.
•	 You	can	use	
ACCESS	LED	on	the	OTHER	
FUNCTIONS	screen	to	set	the	P2	card	access	
lamps	so	that	they	will	always	be	off.	In	this	case,	
either	turn	OFF	the	power	or	wait	until	enough	
time	has	passed	after	inserting	the	cards	or	
stopping	the	operation	(such	as	recording	or	
playback)	before	ejecting	the	cards.
•	 When	a	P2	card	is	removed	in	PB/THUMBNAIL
	
mode	or	PC	mode	(USB	HOST),	the	screen	is	
updated	once	it	is	closed. 	
However,	the	system	returns	to	the	thumbnail	
screen	no	matter	which	screen	was	displayed	
just	prior	to	removing	the	card. 	
Furthermore,	if	a	P2	card	remains	in	the	other	
slot	at	this	time,	this	card	will	be	accessed	so	
please	be	careful	when	removing	P2	cards	
consecutively.
Cautions in using P2 cards
Before	using	a	P2	card,	be	sure	to	format	it	with	
a	P2	device.  
						

							16
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,	and	
to	upload	clip	meta	data.	(Page	58)
Installing and removing the SD 
memory card
Installation
1  Push the OPEN lever of the P2 card slot 
cover downward ( ) and slide to open ( ).
2 Insert the card while making sure it is 
oriented in the proper direction.
2
Access lamp
3 Close the P2 card/SD memory card slot 
cover.
Removal
1  Open the P2 card/SD memory card slot 
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 P2 card/SD memory card slot 
cover.
Formatting SD memory card
1  Set the POWER/MODE switch to ON. 
(Page	25	of	Vol.	1)
2  Turn the POWER/MODE switch to set to PB/
THUMBNAIL mode (PB/THUMBNAIL lamp 
illuminates).
3 Press the MENU button.
4 On the thumbnail menu, select OPERATION, 
FORMAT and then SD CARD. (Page 91)
•	Select	EXIT
	to	cancel	the	formatting.
THUMBNAIL
OPERATION
PROPERTY
META DATA
HDD
EXITDELETE
FORMAT
REPAIR CLIP
RE\fCONNECTION
COPY
EXCH.THUMBNAIL
EXIT
SLOT1
SLOT\b
SD CARD
EXIT
5  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	setting	CARD	
FUNCTIONS	screen.	(Page	150)
•	 With	SDHC	cards,	32	KB	of	capacity	will	have	
been	used.
Using SD/SDHC memory cards 
						

							17
Shooting
Cautions in using SD memory cards
SD	memory	cards	used	with	the	AG-HPX255P/EN	
should	conform	to	SD	or	SDHC	standards.	
Be	sure	to	format	cards	using	the	 AG-HPX255P/
EN.
SD	memory	cards	with	the	following	capacity	can	
be	used	for	the	 AG-HPX255P/EN.
SDXC	memory	cards	are	not	available	for	this	
product. SD (from 8 MB to 2 GB)
SDHC (from 4 GB to 32 GB)
For	the	latest	information	not	available	in	the	
Operating	Instructions,	visit	the	P2	Support	Desk	at	
the	following	Web	sites.
http://pro-av.panasonic.net/
•	 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.
•	 See	also	“Checkpoints	for	using	memory	cards”	
(Page	162).  
						

							18
Using the zoom function
This	camera-recorder	has	a	22	x	optical	zoom	
function.
Zoom	with	the	zoom	lever	or	the	zoom	ring.
Zoom lever (handle side)Zoom ring
Zoom lever (grip side)
ZOOM switch HANDLE ZOOM switch
Zoom lever
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	grip	to	zoom	
slowly,	firmly	press	to	zoom	faster.
Zoom lever (handle side)
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	138)
Zoom ring
Set	the	ZOOM	switch	to	MANUAL 	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-recorder. On the remote control
Press	ZOOM/VOL
	to	zoom	with	the	motor	drive.
•	 Zoom	speed	is	fixed	at	medium.
ZOOM/VOL button 
						

							19
Shooting
Digital zoom function
Assign	the	D.ZOOM	function	to	USER	MAIN	or	
any	of	the	USER	1	–	4	buttons	to	enable	use	of	the	
digital	zoom.	(Page	39)
Each	press	of	the	USER	button	to	which	D.ZOOM	
is	assigned	switches	the	zoom	ratio	in	the	following	
order:	OFF	(x1)	→	x2	→	x5	→	x10	→	OFF	(x1).
•	The	viewfinder	and	the	LCD	monitor	indicate	the	
zoom	ratio	when	a	setting	other	than	OFF	(x1)	is	
selected.
•	 “Using	the	USER	buttons”	(Page	39)
Please take note of the following points 
regarding use of the digital zoom function.
•	Digital	zoom	is	not	available	when	the	DRS	
(dynamic	range	stretcher)	function	(Page	133)
or	the	SCAN	REVERSE	function	(Page	136)	is	
running.
•	 The	FBC	(flash	band	compensation)	function	
(Page
	38) 	is 	not 	available 	when 	the 	digital 	zoom	
function	is	running.	 The	FBC	function	becomes	
available	again	when	digital	zoom	is	switched	
back	to	OFF.
•	 Operating	the	DRS	function	or	SCAN	
REVERSE	function	when	the	digital	zoom	
function	is	running	switches	the	digital	zoom	
function	off.  
						

							20
Shooting in progressive mode
•	In 24P/24PA, 24PN (native recording) and in 
30PN/25PN (native recording) at 720P, the 
camera starts recording in 5-frame, 4-frame 
and 2-frame segments, respectively. For 
this reason, to continue recording clips in 
a system mode using a different recording 
segmentation may break the continuity of 
the time code.
•	 The camera uses internal memory for 
recording, when recording starts as soon 
as a P2 card is inserted or the camera is 
powered up. In this situation, recording 
cannot be stopped until P2 card recognition 
ends.  
To check P2 card status, press the DISP/
MODE CHK button and check the row for 
SLOT 1 and 2 displayed in the viewfinder or 
LCD monitor.
•	 An editing system that supports 24PA 
(2:3:3:2 advanced pulldown) will enable 
editing with less quality loss than 24P (2:3 
pulldown).
•	 Record at standard 24P if a 24PA 
compatible editing system will not be used.In	1080i	and	480i	(576i)	mode,	this	unit	can	
perform	progressive	shooting	when	CAMERA
	
MODE	of	the	setting	menu	is	set	to	24P,	24PA,	or	
30P 	(25P).
When	performing	progressive	shooting,	the	
recording	format	can	be	set	to	native	(which	uses	
the	camera’s	shooting	frame	rate	as	is)	or	standard	
(which	pulls	the	frame	rate	down	to	59.94	(50)).
Standard recording 
(pull-down recording)
24P 	records	with	2:3	pulldown	and	30P 	(25P)	
records	with	2:2	pulldown,	and	both	record	as	
59.94i	(50i).
The	camera-recorder	can	also	handle	video	shot	in	
the	24PA 	mode	(2:3:3:2	advanced	pulldown).
Note	that	 AVC-Intra	does	not	support	pulldown	
recording.
Camera-recorder 
capture
(1080/24P over 60i)
2:3 pull-down 
recordingA
Ao AeBoBeBoCe CoDeDoDe
B C
D
Native recording
This	format	extracts	and	records	only	effective	
frames	when	1080i	mode	is	used	with	24PN	or	
30PN	(25PN)	AVC-Intra	mode.
Furthermore,	native	recording	format	for	both	
DVCPRO	HD	and	 AVC-Intra	is	supported	with	
720P,	enabling	recording	of	2	–	2.5x	longer	than	
pull	down	recording.
Also	in	native	recording,	the	output	of	camera-
recorder	video	and	playback	video	is	a	59.94	(50)	
frame	rate.
Camera-recorder 
capture (1080/24PN)
2:3 pull-down
RecordingA
Ao A BAe
BoBeBoCe CoDeDoDe
B C
D
C D
Camera-recorder 
capture (720/24PN)
2:3 pull-down
RecordingA
A
A BB B CC D
A B C DD D
B C
D
Active frame