2. Z 9 Reference Guide
  3. Connecting to HDMI TVs and Recorders
  4. Recorders

Recorders

In video mode, the camera can record directly to connected HDMI recorders.

  • If a memory card is inserted in the camera when it is connected to a recorder, video will be recorded both to the recorder and the memory card. If no memory card is inserted, the footage will be recorded only to the external device.

Adjusting Settings

Use the [HDMI] item in the setup menu to adjust settings for HDMI output.

Option

Description

[Output resolution]

The format for output to HDMI devices can be selected from [Auto], [4320p (progressive)], [2160p (progressive)], [1080p (progressive)], [1080i (interlaced)], and [720p (progressive)].

  • Video will not be output at 1080i when [Auto] is selected for [Output resolution] even when a recorder that supports this option is connected. Choose [1080i (interlaced)] for interlaced output.

[Output range]

The RGB video signal input range varies with the HDMI device. [Auto], which matches the output range to the HDMI device, is recommended in most situations. If the camera is unable to determine the correct RGB video signal output range for the HDMI device, you can choose from the following options:

  • [Limited range]: For devices with an RGB video signal input range of 16 to 235. Choose this option if you notice a loss of detail in shadows.

  • [Full range]: For devices with an RGB video signal input range of 0 to 255. Choose this option if you notice that shadows are “washed out” or too bright.

[Output shooting info]

Choose whether shooting information is displayed on the HDMI device. If [ON] is selected, icons and other information in the shooting display will be recorded with the footage saved to external recorders.

[Mirror camera info display]

Choose whether the display in the camera monitor remains on while an HDMI device is connected.

  • If [OFF] is selected, the display will remain off, reducing the drain on the camera battery.

  • [Mirror camera info display] will be fixed at [ON] while [OFF] is selected for [Output shooting info].

“Output Resolution”

  • When [Auto] is selected for [HDMI] > [Output resolution] in the setup menu, the camera automatically detects whether the external recorder supports the frame size and rate selected on the camera. If it does not, the camera will search for a supported resolution and frame rate in the order listed below. If no supported resolution and frame rate is found, output will be suspended.

    • No memory card inserted in camera:

      Frame size/frame rate

      Output resolution/frame rate search order

      [7680×4320; 30p]

      4320/30p V 2160/30p V 1080/30p

      [7680×4320; 25p]

      4320/25p V 2160/25p V 1080/25p

      [7680×4320; 24p]

      4320/24p V 2160/24p V 1080/24p

      [3840×2160; 120p]

      2160/120p V 1080/120p V 2160/60p V 1080/60p V 2160/30p V 1080/30p

      [3840×2160; 100p]

      2160/100p V 1080/100p V 2160/50p V 1080/50p V 2160/25p V 1080/25p

      [3840×2160; 60p]

      2160/60p V 1080/60p V 2160/30p V 1080/30p

      [3840×2160; 50p]

      2160/50p V 1080/50p V 2160/25p V 1080/25p

      [3840×2160; 30p]

      2160/30p V 1080/30p

      [3840×2160; 25p]

      2160/25p V 1080/25p

      [3840×2160; 24p]

      2160/24p V 1080/24p

      [1920×1080; 120p]

      1080/120p V 1080/60p V 1080/30p

      [1920×1080; 100p]

      1080/100p V 1080/50p V 1080/25p

      [1920×1080; 60p]

      1080/60p V 1080/30p

      [1920×1080; 50p]

      1080/50p V 1080/25p

      [1920×1080; 30p]

      1080/30p

      [1920×1080; 25p]

      1080/25p

      [1920×1080; 24p]

      1080/24p

    • Memory card inserted in camera:

      Frame size/frame rate

      Output resolution/frame rate search order

      [7680×4320; 30p]

      1080/30p

      [7680×4320; 25p]

      1080/25p

      [7680×4320; 24p]

      1080/24p

      [3840×2160; 120p]

      1080/60p V 1080/30p

      [3840×2160; 100p]

      1080/50p V 1080/25p

      [3840×2160; 60p]–[1920×1080; 24p]

      Same as when no memory card is inserted in the camera.

  • When an option other than [Auto] is selected for [Output resolution], the signal will be output at the selected resolution. HDMI output will be suspended if:

    • output resolution is higher than the current frame size or

    • the recorder does not support the selected output resolution.

  • Regardless of the option chosen for [HDMI] > [Output resolution] in the setup menu, the maximum output resolution when [N-RAW 12‑bit (NEV)] or [ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit (MOV)] is selected for [Video file type] in the video recording menu is 1920 × 1080.

Frame Rates for [Output Resolution] Options Other Than [Auto]

Video recording rates of 120p, 100p, 60p, or 50p will be adjusted as follows if not compatible with the frame rate chosen for the external recorder.

  • 120p: The frame rate will first drop to 60p. If 60p is also not supported, it will drop to 30p.

  • 100p: The frame rate will first drop to 50p. If 50p is also not supported, it will drop to 25p.

  • 60p: The frame rate will drop to 30p.

  • 50p: The frame rate will drop to 25p.

Frame Rates for an [Output Resolution] of [720p (progressive)]

Footage filmed at a frame rate of 120p, 60p, 30p, or 24p is output at 60p. Footage filmed at 100p, 50p, or 25p is output at 50p.

Frame Rates for an [Output Resolution] of [1080i (interlaced)]

Footage filmed at a frame rate of 120p, 60p, 30p, or 24p is output at 60i. Footage filmed at 100p, 50p, or 25p is output at 50i.

Caution: Filming with Memory Cards

Footage filmed at a frame size of 7680 × 4320 or at a frame size and rate of 3840 × 2160; 120p or 3840 × 2160; 100p will not be output via HDMI if [4320p (progressive)] or [2160p (progressive)] is selected for [HDMI] > [Output resolution] in the setup menu. Remove the memory cards from the camera and record the footage to the external recorder.

Zoom

  • The camera display can be zoomed in by pressing the X button during recording, but this has no effect on the footage output to the recorder.

  • If no footage is currently being recorded, changes to zoom using the X button will be reflected both in the camera display and in the output to the recorder. The output resolution however switches to [1080p (progressive)], even if the option last selected for [HDMI] > [Output resolution] in the setup menu was [4320p (progressive)] or [2160p (progressive)].

YCbCr and Bit Depth

The YCbCr value and bit depth for footage output to external HDMI devices varies with the options selected for [Video file type] and [Frame size/frame rate] in the video recording menu.

Video file type

Frame size/frame rate

YCbCr and bit depth

N-RAW 12-bit (NEV)

8256×4644

  • Video mode (ready to record/recording in progress): 4:2:2 10-bit

  • Video playback: 4:2:2 8-bit

4128×2322

5392×3032

3840×2160

ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit (MOV)

4128×2322

  • Video mode (ready to record/recording in progress): 4:2:2 10-bit

  • Video playback: 4:2:2 8-bit

5392×3032

3840×2160

ProRes 422 HQ 10‑bit (MOV)

3840×2160

4:2:2 10-bit

1920×1080

H.265 10-bit (MOV)

7680×4320

4:2:0 10-bit

3840×2160 120p/100p

3840×2160 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p

4:2:2 10-bit

1920×1080

H.265 8-bit (MOV)

7680×4320

4:2:0 8-bit

3840×2160 120p/100p

3840×2160 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p

4:2:2 8-bit

1920×1080

H.264 8-bit (MP4)

1920×1080

4:2:2 8-bit
Recording to External Recorders That Support a Bit Depth of 10 Bits

The HDMI signal will be output at a bit depth of 10 bits only to HDMI recorders that support this option.

HDMI Output and Tone Mode

The tone mode selected via [Video file type] in the video recording menu applies to video output via HDMI. Equipment that supports HDR (HLG) is required when [HLG] is selected.

External Recording Control

Choosing [ON] for [External rec. cntrl (HDMI)] in the video recording menu allows camera controls to be used to start and stop recording on the external recorder.

  • For information on whether your recorder supports external recording control, consult the manufacturer.

  • The camera display will turn off automatically when the time selected for Custom Setting c3 [Power off delay] > [Standby timer] expires, ending HDMI output. When recording videos to an external device, select [Standby timer] and choose [No limit] or a time longer than the anticipated recording time.

  • An icon will be displayed in the camera monitor when [ON] is selected: A is displayed if no footage is currently being recorded, B while videos are being recorded. During recording, check the recorder and recorder display to ensure that footage is being saved to the device.

  • Note that selecting [ON] may disrupt the footage output to the device.