Brand: Panasonic
Category: Camcorder
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for AG-AC160AP
Uploaded: Aug. 10, 2025, 12:44 a.m.
Manual Publish Date: 2012-01-01
- Using the viewfinder: Adjust the diopter for clear viewing. Do not point the eyepiece at the sun.
- Using the LCD monitor: Open to 90°, rotate up to 180° towards the lens or 90° towards you. Avoid applying force.
- Emphasizing image outlines: Press
for easier focusing. - Adjusting screen display: Use the
- Changing backlight brightness: Cycle through 5 brightness levels using the
button. - Flipping images: Use
assigned to the button to flip the display. - Tally lamp: Lights during recording; flashes for errors or low battery/memory.
- Preparing for shooting: Turn on the camera, insert memory card, close cover.
- Switching modes: Select AVCHD or DV mode via the
- Shooting in Auto mode: Set
to . Face detection can assist. - Checking recorded images: Use
to review the last 3 seconds. - Selecting a slot: Use
to switch between memory card slots when idle. - Formatting memory cards: Select
in via - Removing memory cards: Slide
, press card center, pull out. Ensure access lamp is off. - Protecting memory cards: Use the write-protect switch on the card.
- Repairing memory cards: For AVCHD, follow on-screen prompts or use AVCCAM Restorer software. For DV, refer to page 58.
- Zoom function: Use the zoom lever (
) or zoom ring ( ). Digital zoom available via USER button. - Manual mode: Switch
to for manual focus, iris, gain, and white balance. - Focus assist: Use
for red edges or enlargement. - Adjusting iris: Use
button to switch between auto and manual iris. Adjust with IRIS ring. - Adjusting gain: Use
switch ( , , ) for brightness. - Light intensity adjustment: Use
dial ( , 1/4, 1/16, 1/64). - Adjusting white balance: Use
switch (, , ) and button. function automatically adjusts. - Adjusting black balance: Press
repeatedly after white balance adjustment.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Problem | Solution | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot start shooting. | • Make sure that the POWER/MODE switch is <ON>. | Page 27 of Vol.1 |
| Cannot focus automatically. | • Make sure the camera is in manual focus mode. You can focus automatically when the auto focus mode is selected.<br>• Depending on the lens, the auto focus function may not be available.<br>• You may be shooting a scene where it is difficult to bring the subject into focus in the auto focus mode.<br>If this is the case, focus in the manual focus mode.<br><strong>It may be hard to bring the subject into focus when</strong><ul><li>Shooting both close and distant objects</li><li>Shooting through a dirty window</li><li>Shooting in a dark location</li><li>There are sparkling or shiny objects around the subject</li><li>Shooting a fast-moving subject</li><li>Shooting a subject with minimal contrast</li></ul> | P18 |
| Cannot record even though the memory card is inserted correctly. | • The write-protect switch on the memory card may be in the <LOCK> position. The memory card cannot be recorded to if the switch is in the <LOCK> position.<br>• The remaining memory on the memory card may be extremely low. Save the content onto other media and delete unnecessary data from the memory card, or use a new memory card instead.<br>• The memory card may have been correctly formatted. Alternatively, the format itself may be incompatible with this camera. Reformat the memory card using the camera.<br>• 8 MB to 16 MB memory cards cannot be used for shooting movies.<br>• The memory card may not be compatible with video recording. Always use a memory card compatible with video recording. | P15<br>P13<br>Page 11 of Vol.1<br>Page 11 of Vol.1 |
| Recording stops by itself. | • The memory card may not be compatible with video recording. Always use a memory card compatible with video recording. | Page 11 of Vol.1 |
| Cannot read the data on the memory card. | • Make sure the memory card has been correctly formatted. If not, format the memory card using the camera. | P13 |
| Cannot perform non-linear editing. | • Check the specifications of your computer and connection cable. | P64 |
| Cannot dub onto an external device. | • Make sure the external device connected correctly. | P64 |
| Something is wrong with the time code display. | • The time code display may not register a regular count if a clip is played back in the reverse slow mode, but this is normal. | — |
| Cannot play back content even when I press the play button. | • Make sure the camera is in the <CAMERA> mode. Turn the POWER/MODE switch and confirm that the PB lamp <PB> is lit.<br>• Make sure that the playback format matches the data. Match the playback format with the recording format of the clip. | P50 |
| Mosaic-like noise appears when fast-forwarding or rewinding a clip. | • This noise is inherent to digital video technology. It does not indicate a fault. | — |
| Images do not appear on the television even though I have connected the camera-recorder correctly. | • Make sure that the input selector on your television is set to video input. Read the instructions of your television carefully and select the correct video input connector for the camera. | — |
| Cannot hear any sound from the camera's speaker. | • You may have turned down the camera's volume control too far. Adjust the volume level by pressing the <AUDIO MON/ADV> button <+>. | P62 |
| Computer does not recognize camera when USB2.0 connection cable is connected. | • Check the operating environment.<br>• If your computer has multiple USB2.0 terminals, try connecting the camera to a different USB terminal.<br>• Switch off the camera and then on again and reconnect the USB2.0 connection cable. | P64 |
| An error message appears on the computer when the USB2.0 connection cable is disconnected. | • To disconnect the USB2.0 connection cable safely, double-click the icon in the task tray and follow the instructions on the screen. | — |
| The remote control does not work. | • The battery in the remote control may have run out. If the remote control fails to work even it is operated close to the remote control sensor of the camera, the battery may have run out. Replace the battery.<br>• Make sure the [IR REMOTE] item on the setting menu [OTHER FUNCTIONS] screen is not set to [OFF]. | Page 26 of Vol.1 |
| There is a rattling sound when the camera is tilted back and forth. | • This is the sound of the lens moving. This is normal. The sound will not be heard when the camera is switched on. | — |
| A clicking sound is heard when the power is turned on or when the <PB> mode is switched to the <CAMERA> mode. | • This initialization operation is performed when the camera starts up. It occurs due to the construction of the camera and does not indicate a fault. | — |
| The memory card screen is abnormal. | • The data on the memory card could be corrupted. Data can be corrupted by static electricity and electromagnetic waves. Always save important data to a computer or other storage media. | — |
| The memory card cannot be used even after formatting. | • There could be a fault with the camera or with the memory card. Please consult your dealer. Always use memory cards of 512 MB - 64 GB with this camera. | P13 |
| The camera does not recognize the memory card when it is inserted. | • The inserted memory card may have been originally formatted with a computer. Always use this camera to format memory cards. Please be aware that, when a memory card is formatted, all data recorded on the memory card will be erased and cannot be restored. | Page 11 of Vol.1 |
| The memory card is not recognized when inserted into other devices. | • Check that the device is compatible with the size and type (SD memory card/SDHC Memory Card/SDXC Memory Card) of the memory card you are using. For details, please refer to the device's own operating instructions. | — |
| Image burn-in occurs in the LCD monitor. | • If the same image or text is displayed continuously for a long time, image burn-in may occur on the screen, but this can be resolved by turning off the power for a few hours. | — |