Panasonic - DVX 200 - Quick Start Recording Workflow

Barry Green and Panasonic have created this AWESOME, MUST-READ eBook explaining the design and concept of the camera!  Download the ZIP file by clicking on the attachment to the right --->

Here is another eBook - more of a nuts and bolts, quick-start reference handbook.

Download the ZIP file by clicking on the attachment to right --->

Setup the Tripod first using this wiki for the

Libec Tripod - How to Setup and Use

Open the back door and put the batter inside

Or plug in the external power supply to the "DC Input" on the side of

the camera.

If you are prompted at the boot of the camera to set the

time zone and date go ahead and do that

On the side of the camera press the "Menu" button to get into the menus.

We are going to "Reset" the camera to defaults

The camera will reboot and set all the menus back to default so any

weird settings are erased on the camera. This way we can set the correct

settings without any worry that something is set incorrectly.

SYSTEM FREQ set to 59.94

OUTPUT BITS - MUST BE SET TO 4:2:2 (8bit) if you are recording to internal SDHC

If you set it to 10 bit then you can't record internally to SDHC cards.

This menu setting governs what kind of data is output through the

HDMI and SDI ports. It doesn’t change the quality of internal (SD card)

recordings, it only affects what is sent out to the monitor or external

recorder you have attached to the HDMI or SDI ports.

Internal recording -

Every recording mode the camera offers uses 8-bit 4:2:0.

 REC MODE -

USE MOV or MP4 not any difference in quality but if you are using a Mac it's

easier to use .MOV on Windows use a .MP4

AVCHD will only record HD not 4K or UHD

Most likely you will record in UHD 2160/23.98 100M this is the best setting for most recording.

For example, interviews this is a great setting.

The 4K setting is 4K/2160P at 24.00 frames per second. This mode utilizes

an (approximately) 17:9 aspect ratio

4,096 x 2,160

and also records at 24 Frames Per Second not

23.98. It is designed to exactly match the frame rate of a film camera, not a video camera;

as such, video footage shot in this mode may not synchronize exactly with external audio

recordings unless you are recording at 47.952 not 48KHz on a Sound Devices Audio Recorder.

How to set the 744T for TRUE 24 (not 23.98) frame recording of video or Film

To be on the safe side unless you have worked in 24FPS before set the camera to

UHD 2160 23.98

This is the "SYSTEM MODE" settings that should be set double check them

SYSTEM FREQ - 59.94Hz

OUTPUTBITS - 4:2:2 (8bit)

REC MODE - MOV

REC FORMAT - UHD 2160 23.98

Press Return to go back to "Main Menu"

Click on AUDIO SETUP - If you are recording internally.

If you are recording to a external recorder skip this step.

There is a decent mic on board the camera. To record from it set the side buttons

on the camera to INT ( L) and INT (R)

To record from it set the side buttons

on the camera to INT ( L) and INT (R)

Also set INPUT 1 and 2 to MIC

Set the Chanel select to the Input your XLR cable from the mic is plugged into

In our case Input 2

Set the INPUT to +48 for phantom power for the microphone

Adjust the knobs for AUDIO LEVEL input

FORMAT THE SDHC CARDS before recording

Click MENU

choose SD CARD 1 OR SD CARD 2

make sure you format both cards

Confirm format - YES

Choose 2 "SLOTS FUNC" - Choose RELAY REC

This will turn on clip spanning

The other option if you don't want to record over 1 hour and 24 min is to choose

"SIMULTANEOUS" RECORDING this will record the same data to both cards so

there is redundancy if one card is bad.

TURN ON FOCUS ASSIST - to make sure you are in focus

Press Menu

Next setup the external TimeCode - If you are only shooting with this camera you don't need this feature turned on. You need this if you are trying

to match timecode with another camera on set.

Menu>Record Setup

>TCG>Free Run

Then click on TimeCode Preset and set the timecode on the Master Camera for time of day.

Click on Record Setup

Ext TC Link

To Jam Sync the timecode press Slave on the "Non Master Camera"

White Balance

Have someone hold a white card or piece of paper or place a white card on an easel.

With cameras in position, approximately 10 feet away from where your subject will be. Zoom in on the card until the picture on the viewfinder is filled with nothing but the white card.

When you are finished with the Menus you will see on the Viewfinder all the information

the Cards recording time

RELAY record on

UHD 2160 and 23.98 fps