Panasonic AG-AC30 User manual

1
The AG-AC30
V1.00E

2
Table of contents
1.Availableformats.........................................................................................................................................................4
1-1.AG-AC30PJ, AG-AC30PB (59.94Hz model) .......................................................................5
1-2. AG-AC30EJ (50Hz model).................................................................................................5
2.PreparationbeforeShooting....................................................................................................................................6
2-1. Major IN/OUT connectors ..................................................................................................7
2-2. Record mode settings........................................................................................................8
2-3. Audio input settings............................................................................................................8
2-4. Record modes and required speed class of SD memory cards..........................................9
2-5. Mounting to Tripod.............................................................................................................9
3.MENUsettings........................................................................................................................................................10
CAMERA SETUP....................................................................................................................12
SYSTEM MODE.....................................................................................................................13
USER SW...............................................................................................................................15
SW SETUP.............................................................................................................................17
RECORD SETUP...................................................................................................................19
AUDIO SETUP .......................................................................................................................20
OUTPUT SETUP....................................................................................................................21
DISP SETUP ..........................................................................................................................22
OTHER FUNCTIONS .............................................................................................................23
MAINTENANCE......................................................................................................................24
4.Understandingadvancedfeatures.....................................................................................................................25
4-1. Understanding Focus assist features...............................................................................26
4-2. Understanding Dual memory card slots ...........................................................................27
4-3. Using built-in LED light.....................................................................................................28
4-4. Understanding Time stamp feature ..................................................................................29
5. UnderstandingCAMERASETUPoperations............................................................................................30
5-1. Expressing the texture of objects (detail enhancement)...................................................31
5-2. COLOR adjustment .........................................................................................................35
6.Afterrecording..........................................................................................................................................................36
6-1. Connecting to PC/Mac.....................................................................................................37
6-2. File structure of SD memory card.....................................................................................37
6-3. Folder name structure for MOV/MP4 folders....................................................................38

3
7.Appendix....................................................................................................................................................................39
7-1. Recording time in each video setting (AG-AC30PB,PJ - 59.94Hz model).........................40
7-2. Recording time in each video setting (AG-AC30EJ - 50Hz model)...................................41
7-3. Battery runtime ................................................................................................................42
7-4. Output signal format (AG-AC30PJ,PB - 59.94Hz model)..................................................43
7-5. Output signal format (AG-AC30EJ - 50Hz model)............................................................44
7-6. Genuine accessories .......................................................................................................45

4
1. Available formats

5
The AG-AC30 camera recorder is a full HD and SDTV ready camera recorder that is equipped with
1/3.1 type(inch), 60.3M pixel imager and wide-angle 29.5mm (35mm equivalent) built-in lens A full
HD images in MP4/MOV formats can be selected. And also possible to select lower bitrate
HD/SD images in AVCHD format.
1-1.AG-AC30PJ, AG-AC30PB (59.94Hz model)
Resolution
Frame rate
Bit-rate (Average)
Audio
MP4/MOV
1920x1080
59.94p
50Mbps
LPCM
59.94i
29.97p
23.98p
AVCHD
1920x1080
59.94p
(PS mode)
25Mbps
Dolby Digital
59.94i
(PH mode)
21Mbps
23.98p
(PH mode)
21Mbps
1920x1080
59.94i
(HA mode)
17Mbps
1440x1080
59.94i
(HE mode)
5Mbps
1280x720
59.94p
(PM mode)
8Mbps
720x480
59.94i
(SA mode)
9Mbps
1-2. AG-AC30EJ (50Hz model)
Resolution
Frame rate
Bit-rate (Average)
Audio
MP4/MOV
1920x1080
50p
50Mbps
LPCM
50i
25p
AVCHD
1920x1080
50p
(PS mode)
25Mbps
Dolby Digital
50i
(PH mode)
21Mbps
1920x1080
50i
(HA mode)
17Mbps
1440x1080
50i
(HE mode)
5Mbps
1280x720
50p
(PM mode)
8Mbps
720x576
50i
(SA mode)
9Mbps
1. Available formats

6
2. Preparation before
Shooting

7
2-1. Major IN/OUT connectors
Image resolution of HDMI and VIDEO OUT signals vary depend on the system settings. See P.43
for the details.
2. Preparation before shooting
HDMI output
(Type-A connector)
Wired remote
terminals
Headphones out
(Ø3.5mm stereo mini jack)
Battery charge indicator
Analog audio & video out
USB2.0 DEVICE terminal
(Type micro-B connector)
For connection between a
computer
USB2.0 HOST terminal
(Type-A connector)
For external storage
device connection.
12V DC IN
(Capable of battery
charge)

8
2-2. Record mode settings
Set the resolution and frame-rate, etc. with MENU > “SYSTEM MODE” where the following menu
items are available.
MENU > SYSTEM MODE
-REC MODE : MOV, MP4 or AVCHD
-REC FORMAT: Choose a combination of the number of pixels and bitrate (see P.4)
2-3. Audio input settings
The AG-AC30 can handle up to 2 channels of audio and record them.
1. Set CH SELECT switches (A) for audio source selection (built-in MIC / external)
2. When external input is chosen, set attenuation type (LINE, MIC) and phantom powering option
with INPUT1/2 switches (B). Input levels for LINE and MIC inputs can be set with MENU >
AUDIO SETUP.
3. Set record level adjustment mode (AUTO / MANUAL) with MENU >AUDIO LEVEL CH1/CH2.
Audio record level can be set with the AUDIO LEVEL knob (c) when set to MANUAL.
2. Preparation before shooting
(C)
-12dB
0dB
(A)
(B)

9
2-4. Record modes and required speed class of SD memory cards
SD memory cards require a higher writing speed when recording at high bitrates. The following
table shows the minimum speed class necessary for each bitrate.
Record
mode
Record bit rate
Minimum required speed
class
Speed class
symbols
MOV/MP4
Super slow mode
UHS Speed Class3
50Mbps
UHS Speed Class1
Class10
AVCHD
5 to 28Mbps
Class4
* UHS-II SD memory cards are not supported.
2-5. Mounting to Tripod
The AG-AC30 is equipped with an industrial standard 1/4-20UNC sized screw hole.
Use screws shorter than 5.5mm in length, otherwise damage may occur to internal parts.
2. Preparation before shooting

10
3. MENU settings

11
3-1. MENU items overview
MENU
CAMERA SETUP (Image related settings) [P.12]
SYSTEM MODE (Fundamental settings such as CODEC etc.) [P.13]
USER SW (Assign functions to USER buttons) [P.14]
SW SETUP (Gain, WB and other operation related settings) [P.17]
RECORD SETUP (Recording related such as Pre-REC, TC set) [P.19]
AUDIO SETUP (Input gain and other audio related settings) [P.20]
OUTPUT SETUP (HDMI, EVF/LCD output related settings) [P.21]
DISP SETUP (Selection of items to be shown on EVF etc.) [P.22]
OTHER FUNCTION (Media format, Calendar setting etc.) [P.23]
MAINTENANCE (Firmware version display etc.) [P.24]
3. MENU settings

12
CAMERA SETUP
Menu item
Description
Value
(Factory default setting
underlined)
SCENE MODE
Recall CAMERA SETUPs.
OFF / Sports / Portrait /
Soft skin / Spotlight / Snow
/ Beach / Sunset / Scenery
/ Fireworks / Night Scenery
SHARPNESS
Adjust image contour correction level for
entire image.
-5 - 0 - +5
COLOR
Adjust saturation of color.
-5 - 0 - +5
EXPOSURE
Adjust brightness
-10 - 0 - +10
AWB Ach ADJUST
Fine-tune the AWB adjustment result in
A-channel (to make it more/less Blueish
or Reddish).
-5 - 0 - +5
AWB Bch ADJUST
Fine-tune the AWB adjustment result in
B-channel (to make it more/less Blueish
or Reddish).
-5 - 0 - +5
BACKLIGHT
COMPENS.
Switch auto iris mode to backlight mode.
The backlight mode can prevent
underexposure when the lighting is
illuminating from behind the subject.
ON / OFF
DRS
Turn ON/OFF Dynamic Range Stretcher
(DRS) function.
ON / OFF
LEVEL SHOT
Turn ON/OFF horizontal image balance
compensation.
ON / OFF
FLASH BAND
COMPENSATION
Turn ON/OFF the image compensation
function, which allows removing
flash-band effects from an image.
ON / OFF
NR CONTROL
Sets noise reduction level. Effect
becomes stronger when value is
increased, and image aliasing could be
seen in exchange for that.
-5 - 0 - +5
3. MENU settings

13
SYSTEM MODE
Menu item
Description
Value
(Factory default setting underlined)
REC MODE
Set record file format.
MOV / MP4 / AVCHD
REC FORMAT
Set image quality of video to be
recorded. (resolution, frame rate,
and bit-rate)
Available formats vary depending
on the system frequency and REC
mode settings.
See P.4 for the details.
ASPECT CONVERT
Set image aspect ratio when
REC FORMAT is set to
SA 480/59.94i (AG-AC30P)
or SA 576/50i (AG-AC30EJ).
SIDE CROP / SQUEEZE
CAMERA NUMBER
SET
Set camera identification
number. This number is used as
a part of footage folder’s title
when MOV or MP4 file format is
selected.
See P.38 for the footage folder
name structure.
0 –9
3. MENU settings

14
USER SW feature
Features can quickly be recalled from 9 user assignable buttons. (5 of them are physical buttons
and 4 are available as a part of the touch screen.)
How to assign? MENU > USER SW >Assign any function to any button.
* See next page for assignable functions including their details.
3. MENU settings
USER 4
USER 3
(O.I.S.)
USER 2
(BACK LIGHT)
USER 1
(LCD/EVF)
(FOCUS ASSIST)
USER 5
(REC CHECK)
LCD screen

15
USER SW
The following table shows all functions that can be assigned to the USER buttons.
Menu item
Description
INHIBIT
The USER button is disabled (nothing is assigned).
FOCUS
ASSIST1,2
Turn ON/OFF the FOCUS ASSIST function. See 4-1. Understanding Focus
assist features (P.26) for further details of this function.
BACKLIGHT
Switch auto iris mode to backlight mode. The backlight mode can prevent
underexposure when the lighting is illuminating from behind the subject.
BLACK FADE
Apply fade-in/out effect to video (black) and audio.
WHITE FADE
Apply fade-in/out effect to video (white) and audio.
SLOT SEL
Switch SD memory card slots for recording/playing back.
ATW LOCK
Fix the white balance aligned by ATW mode.
D.ZOOM
Use Digital Zoom (electronic image magnification) feature.
The magnification ratio can be chosen from x2, x5, x10, or can be toggled
through them.
REC CHECK
Plays last 2 seconds of the last recorded clip on the SD memory card.
LAST SCN DEL
Delete the last clip from the SD memory card.
DRS
Turn ON/OFF the dynamic range stretcher function. The DRS works to
minimize saturated blacks and overexposure.
FRZ FRAME
Turn ON/OFF freeze frame feature. A still image is on the screen while this
feature is working.
SUPER GAIN
Turn ON/OFF the Super Gain control. The gain value to be boosted can be
set using the “SUPER GAIN”item of the SW SETUP menu.
[SUPER GAIN values that can be set] 30dB or 36dB
AREA
The following features can be enabled by touching (pointing) the subjects
on the built-in LCD screen.
[Selectable items forAREA mode]
INH：No function is assigned.
FOCUS：Adjust the focus so that the pointed subject is in focus.
IRIS：Adjust the iris so that aperture level is appropriate for the pointed
subject.
Y GET：Indicate Y level of the pointed subject.
FOCUS/IRIS：Adjust both focus and iris for the pointed subject.
FOCUS/YGET：Adjust focus and indicate Y level of the pointed subject.
PUSH AF
Focus mode becomes AUTO while keep pressing the button in MANUAL
focus mode.
CAPTURE
Create a still image from camera image or recorded video.
EVF/LCD DETAIL
Make focusing easier by enhancing the subject’s edge on the viewfinder
and built-in LCD monitor.
The level of this enhancement and the frequency can be set using the
“EVF/LCD PEAK LEVEL”and “EVF/LCD PEAK FREQ.”items of the DISP
menu.
3. MENU settings

16
USER SW <continued>
The following table shows all functions that can be assigned to the USER buttons.
Menu item
Description
LCD/EVF OUTPUT
Select the display device. (Always displayed on either Built-in LCD
monitor or EVF)
LEVEL GAUGE
Display a level gauge on the viewfinder for the horizontal and vertical
axis’. Inclinations can be indicated up to approx. 45 degrees in the
horizontal, and up to approx. 10 degrees in the vertical directions.
LEVEL SHOT
Turn ON/OFF horizontal image balance compensation.
FLASH BAND
Turn ON/OFF the image compensation function, which allows removing
flash-bands from the image.
PRE-REC
Turn ON/OFF the pre-record mode. This mode allows the camera to start
recording video and audio approx. 4 sec (in MOV/MP4 mode, 3 sec in the
AVCHD mode) before the REC/PAUSE button is pressed.
SUPER SLOW
Turn ON/OFF super slow (120fps) record mode.
AUTO REC
Turn ON/OFF sending the embedded REC-Start/-Stop signal to external
recorders connected via HDMI OUT.
O.I.S.
Turn ON/OFF the optical image stabilizer.
ZEBRA
Turn ON/OFF the ZEBRA indicator.
MENU
Open MENU.
3. MENU settings

17
SW SETUP
Menu item
Description
Value
(Factory default setting underlined)
IRIS RING
Set the IRIS control direction of
the IRIS ring.
DOWN OPEN / UP OPEN
SUPER GAIN
Set GAIN value in the SUPER
GAIN mode, which is available
as one of the user assignable
functions.
33dB / 36dB
AGC LIMIT
Set the upper limit of the
amplifier while in AUTO mode.
3 / 6 / 9 / 12 / 15 / 18 / 21 / 24 / 27 / 30dB
HYBRID O.I.S
Turn ON/OFF electrical image
stabilizer which works in
addition to the optical one.
ON / OFF
SLOW SHUTTER
Set auto slow shutter mode
(ON or OFF) while in AUTO
mode.
The auto slow shutter mode
adjusts shutter speed (to make
it slower) when light intensity is
not sufficient.
ON / OFF
FOCUS ASSIST1
Set focus assist type
EXPAND / PEAKING / BOTH
FOCUS ASSIST2
Set focus assist type
EXPAND / PEAKING
PEAKING
COLOR
Set highlighting color for the
peaking focus assist.
Red / Blue / Yellow / White
PEAKING LEVEL
Set highlighting level of the
peaking focus assist.
-7 –0 –+7
AREA MODE
Choose the feature that works
when tapping the subject on
the built-in LCD.
INH, FOCUS, IRIS, YGET, FOCUS/IRIS,
FOCUS/YGET
INH：No function is assigned.
FOCUS：Adjust the focus so that the
pointed subject is in focus.
IRIS：Adjust the iris so that aperture level
is appropriate for the pointed subject.
Y GET：Indicate Y level of the pointed
subject.
FOCUS/IRIS：Adjust both focus and iris
for the pointed subject.
FOCUS/YGET：Adjust focus and indicate
Y level of the pointed subject.
3. MENU settings

18
SW SETUP <continued>
Menu item
Description
Value (Factory default setting underlined)
ZEBRA MODE
Set the display period of
ZEBRA.
CONTINUE / MOMENT (5sec)
BARS TYPE
Set the type of color bars.
TYPE 1
TYPE 2
TYPE 3
SUB REC BUTTON
Use one of the REC buttons
on the carrying handle.
ACTIVE / INHIBIT
SUB ZOOM
Use one of the zoom levers
on the carrying handle.
OFF / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
* Zoom speed becomes faster as the
number increases.
DIGITAL ZOOM
Set magnification ratio of the
digital zoom.
x2 / x5 / x10 / TOGGLE
i. ZOOM
Activate electronic image
zoom feature, which can
extend zoom ratio up to x40
while maintaining a certain
image quality.
ON / OFF
3. MENU settings

19
RECORD SETUP
Menu item
Description
Value
(Factory default setting underlined)
MEDIA SELECT
Select media slot for recording.
SD CARD1 / SD CARD2
2SLOT FUNC.
Set the record mode, which uses
dual memory card slots.
OFF / RELAY REC /
SIMULTANEOUS
INTERVAL REC
Set record interval time (pause
time) of time-lapse recording.
OFF / 1SEC / 10SEC / 30SEC /
1MIN / 2MIN
For AG-AC30PJ,PB
*Available in FHD1080/29.97p
50M, and HA1080/59.94i modes.
For AG-AC30EJ
*Available in FHD1080/25p 50M,
and HA1080/50i modes.
SUPER SLOW
Turn ON/OFF high frame rate
record mode.
at 120fps (AG-AC30PB, PJ)
at 100fps (AG-AC30EJ)
ON / OFF
PRE-REC
Turn ON/OFF the pre-record
mode. This mode allows the
camera to start recording the video
and audio (approx. 4 sec in the
MOV/MP4 mode, 3 sec in the
AVCHD modes) before the REC
button is pressed.
ON / OFF
TIME STAMP
Superimpose calendar information
on video image and record.
(Available since firmware version
1.03)
ON / OFF
*Does not function under
following conditions.
- SA480i or SA576i is chosen as
REC FORMAT.
- DATE/TIME item is set to OFF
- Freeze frame function is ON
- Super Slow mode is ON
DF MODE
Set timecode drop frame mode.
DF / NDF
TCG
Set timecode count mode.
FREE RUN / REC RUN
TC PRESET
Set initial value of timecode.
--
3. MENU settings

20
AUDIO SETUP
Menu item
Description
Value
(Factory default setting underlined)
AUDIO LOW CUT CH1
Reduce the level of low
frequency sound on audio
channel 1.
ON / OFF
AUDIO LOW CUT CH2
Reduce the level of low
frequency sound on audio
channel 2.
ON / OFF
AUDIO LEVEL CH1
Set audio level adjustment
mode for audio channel1.
AUTO / MANUAL
AUDIO LEVEL CH2
Set audio level adjustment
mode for audio channel2.
AUTO / MANUAL
AUDIO ALC LINK
Auto Level Control (ALC)
effect links audio CH1 and
CH2.
When this item is set to
“ON”, ALC works on both
CH1 audio and CH2 audio.
ON / OFF
Set the following menu items as
shown below to use this feature.
- AUDIO LEVEL CH1: MANUAL
- AUDIO LEVEL CH2: MANUAL
- AUDIO ALC CH1: ON
- AUDIO ALC CH2: ON
AUDIO ALC CH1
Use Auto Level Control on
audio channel 1.
ON / OFF
AUDIO ALC CH2
Use Auto Level Control on
audio channel 2.
ON / OFF
INPUT1 LINE LEVEL
Set audio level of audio
channel 1. (LINE level)
+4dBu / 0dBu
INPUT2 LINE LEVEL
Set audio level of audio
channel 2. (LINE level)
+4dBu / 0dBu
INPUT1 MIC LEVEL
Set audio level of audio
channel 1. (MIC level)
-40dB / -50dB / -60dB
INPUT2 MIC LEVEL
Set audio level of audio
channel 2. (MIC level)
-40dB / -50dB / -60dB
3. MENU settings