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Panasonic P2HD (IP Control)

Newer Panasonic P2HD camcorders equipped with a rear RJ45 connector can be controlled directly over IP from a Cyanview RCP. No additional interface hardware is required — a simple Ethernet cable between the camera and the RCP is sufficient. Typical use cases include ENG/field production and studio configurations where direct IP shading is preferred. For older P2 models without IP control, see the P2 serial guide.

Supported Models​

These models have IP control via the rear RJ45 connector:

  • AJ-PX270
  • AJ-PX380
  • AJ-PX800
  • AJ-PX5000
  • AJ-PX5100

For older models without IP, see P2 serial control.

Supported Controls​

The control protocol and available features are consistent across all supported models. In some cases, parameters such as color temperature can be monitored but not modified.

ControlNotesAll Models
IrisManual✔
Gain✔
Shutter✔
Auto ExposureIris✔
Syncro Scan✔
NDDisplay only — ND is not motorized✔
White BalanceR/B gains✔
AWB✔
Black / PedestalR/B/Master, including ABB✔
DetailON/OFF — level is displayed only, not adjustable under control✔
KneeON/OFF only — other parameters cannot be controlled✔
Menu / OSDControls CHAR display function; CHAR must be enabled manually on the camera first✔
TallyRed works; green is acknowledged by the camera but may not display✔
Bars✔
Color TemperatureCannot be adjusted directly — see Known Limitations—
Record—
Control limitation

When the camera is connected to a controller (Cyanview RCP or Panasonic ROP), some functions are disabled and cannot be changed from the camera body or its menus. See Known Limitations for details.

Known Limitations​

  • Auto-Iris at startup: The AJ-PX5100, and potentially other models, activate auto-iris upon powering on. The RCP displays this state and you must manually switch iris back to manual mode.
  • CHAR/OSD: The RCP can trigger menu navigation, and most settings can be adjusted if CHAR is enabled on the SDI output. However, CHAR cannot be activated from the RCP itself — it must be enabled manually through the camera menus before connecting to the RCP.
  • Detail level: Detail level is displayed but cannot be changed while under control. To modify it: disconnect the Ethernet cable, reboot the camera, change the value via the camera menus. Once reconnected, detail can be toggled on/off from the RCP but the level remains fixed — even via the camera menus.
  • Color temperature: Color temperature cannot be adjusted directly. White balance control is limited to selecting between memories "A," "B," and "Preset." In "A" or "B," AWB can be triggered to store a new color temperature. "Preset" represents a fixed value only modifiable through the camera menus. Note: "Preset" mode incorrectly reports ATW as active even when the camera is not in ATW mode — this appears to be an erroneous status from the camera.

Connection​

The P2HD connects to the Cyanview RCP over IP/Ethernet using the rear RJ45 connector. A direct Ethernet cable between camera and RCP is sufficient — no switch is required.

P2HD control over IP

Configuration​

Camera Configuration​

Ensure the camera's rear RJ45 port is enabled and configured with an accessible IP address. No username or password is required.

RCP Configuration​

Add the camera as an IP camera.

  • Select brand Panasonic and the appropriate model (each model has its own entry in the list)
  • Enter the camera's IP address — no username or password is required

Troubleshooting​

Camera icon stays RED / camera not detected​

Check in this order:

  1. Verify the IP address — confirm the camera IP is correctly set and entered in the RCP configuration.
  2. Ping the camera from a computer — set the computer to the same IP range and ping the camera IP to confirm basic network connectivity.
  3. Ping the RCP from the same computer — confirms the RCP and camera are on the same subnet.
  4. Check the Ethernet cable — ensure the cable is connected to the rear RJ45 port and is fully seated at both ends.
  5. Power cycle — restart the camera and retry.

A specific parameter is not controllable​

  • Detail level, color temperature, and knee parameters have known limitations — see Known Limitations.
  • CHAR/OSD control requires CHAR to be manually enabled on the camera before connecting to the RCP.
  • Some controls are disabled by the camera when it is under RCP control — this is expected behavior.

Tally not working​

  • Red tally is confirmed working. Green tally is acknowledged by the camera but may not display on all models — this is a known camera behavior.

Auto-iris activates at camera startup​

  • This is a known behavior on the AJ-PX5100 and potentially other models. Switch iris back to manual mode from the RCP after the camera connects.

Camera firmware update broke control​

  • Firmware updates may reset network settings. Re-apply the IP configuration on the camera and retry.
  • As a general rule: do not update camera firmware during a live production. Test first in a controlled environment.