Roland P-20HD Startup Guide

What you can do with the P-20HD

The Roland P-20HD Video Instant Replayer offers several key functionalities:

• Slow-motion replay: Select and replay scenes in slow motion, ideal for live events and sports broadcasting.
• Composite video from multiple cameras: Utilize two HDMI inputs to composite video signals (PinP or SPLIT), then record and replay the result.
• Extended recording to SD card: Records in H.264 format, allowing extended recording duration on commercially available SD cards.
• Unit-controlled operations: All replay operations can be managed directly from the unit, featuring buttons, a jog shuttle dial, a lever, and an LCD display.
• Title and caption compositing: Superimpose specified still image titles onto video or layer individual still images onto live input or replay video.

Manual and Downloads

Detailed operations and menu lists are available in the "Reference Manual" (PDF).

Downloading the Manual

1. Visit the following URL on your computer: https://proav.roland.com/manuals/
2. Choose "P-20HD."

Checking the Included Items

Verify that all items listed below are present. Contact your dealer if any items are missing:

• P-20HD unit
• AC adaptor
• Power cord
• Startup Guide (this document)
• Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"

System Program Update

Ensure the unit's system program is at the most recent version. Information on available upgrades can be found on the Roland website: https://proav.roland.com/. To check the current version, press the [MENU] button, navigate to "SYSTEM," and then select "VERSION."

Before using this unit, carefully read "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" and "IMPORTANT NOTES" (found in the leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" and on page 11 of this guide). Keep these documents for future reference.

Panel Descriptions

Top Panel / Front Panel

The front panel features controls for input selection, recording, playback, and clip management.

Front Panel Components

• 19 PHONES jack: For connecting headphones.
• 20 [PHONES] knob: Adjusts headphone volume.
• 21 SD card slot: For inserting an SD card.

Input Section

• 1 [REC] button: Starts or stops video recording. (Lit: recording in progress; Unlit: recording stopped)
• 2 [SELECT] button: Switches the input video source (LIVE IN 1, LIVE IN 2, PinP, SPLIT). The LED indicates the selected input.
• 3 [AUDIO OUT] knob: Adjusts the output volume.

PAD Section

• [STILL] button: Selects still image clips.
• [AUDIO] button: Selects audio clips.
• 4 [CLIP LIST] button: Selects video clips.
• [PALETTE] button: Selects video clips within a palette.
• 5 Pad [1]-[8]: Selects assigned clips (video/still/audio).
• 6 [<] / [>] button: Switches between pages of pads.

Transport Section

• 7 [SPEED] lever: Adjusts playback speed.
• 8 [SPEED RANGE] button: Switches the speed range for the [SPEED] lever.
• [ ] button: Pauses video and audio playback.
• [p] button: Plays video and audio playback.
• [u] / [ ] button: Jumps to the next or previous bookmark.

Marker Section

• [LIVE IN] button: Switches marker reference time (LIVE IN time or REPLAY time).
• [DELETE] button: Deletes a bookmark.
• 12 [IN] / [OUT] button: Sets the clip's start (IN) and end (OUT) points.
• [BOOKMARK] button: Sets a bookmark in the file.
• [MAKE CLIP] button: Creates a clip using the current time as the OUT point.

Output Section

• 9 [LIVE IN] button: Outputs the live input video.
• [REPLAY] button: Outputs the replay video.

Auto Play Section

• 10 [CLIP] button: Plays back a clip.
• [PLAYLIST] button: Plays back a playlist.

Cooling Vent

• 11 Cooling vent: Exhausts heat. Ensure it is not blocked to prevent malfunctions.

Jog Shuttle Section

• [JOG] button: Sets the [JOG/SHUTTLE] dial to jog mode (frame advance).
• [SHUTTLE] button: Sets the [JOG/SHUTTLE] dial to shuttle mode (speed change).
• 18 [JOG/SHUTTLE] dial: Adjusts playback speed in jog or shuttle mode.

Control Buttons

• 14 [MENU] button: Shows or hides the menu.
• 15 [EXIT] button: Exits a menu level or cancels an operation.
• 16 [VALUE] knob (Turning/Pressing): Turns to select menu items or edit values; presses to confirm selections or execute operations.

Rear Panel (Connecting Your Equipment)

Follow these precautions before making connections:

• Turn down volume and turn off all units.
• Use cables and adaptor plugs matching the connectors of other devices.
• Perform the Eject operation before disconnecting SD cards or USB flash drives while the power is on.

Connection Ports and Functions:

• CTL/EXP 1, 2 jacks: Connect footswitches or expression pedals for controlling operations like video switching. (Note: Use only specified pedals to avoid damage.)
• AUDIO OUT L, R jacks: Output mixed audio to recording decks, amplifiers, or speakers.
• DC IN jack: Connect the included AC adaptor. Use the cord hook to secure the power cord.
• Ground terminal: Connect to an external earth or ground if necessary.
• USB 3.0 port: Connect USB storage (flash drives, SSDs) for backing up settings or importing clips.
• [POWER] switch: Turns the unit on/off.
• AUDIO IN L, R jacks: Input audio signals from mixers, CD players, etc.
• LAN CONTROL connector: Connect to a network device (e.g., computer) for remote control via Ethernet (CAT5e or higher recommended).
• OUTPUT (MAIN/PREVIEW) connectors: Output video to projectors or external displays. The P-20HD's menu is shown on its built-in display and the display connected to the OUTPUT PREVIEW connector.
• INPUT 1, 2 connectors: Input video signals from devices with HDMI output.
• RS-232 connector: Connect to a remote control device (e.g., computer) for serial control.

Getting Ready

About SD Cards

An SD card is required for most P-20HD features, except for menu settings. The unit supports SDXC cards. Some SD cards may not function correctly for video/audio recording. Refer to the Roland support page for a list of compatible cards: https://roland.cm/p-20hd.

Before first use, format the SD card as described in "Formatting an SD Card" (page 4).

Inserting an SD Card

Insert the SD card into the slot until it clicks. Ensure correct orientation and push fully in; do not use excessive force.

Formatting an SD Card

Navigate to [MENU] → "SD Card/USB Memory" → "SD Card" → "Format," then press the [VALUE] knob. Confirm by selecting "OK" and pressing the [VALUE] knob. This process erases all data on the card.

Removing an SD Card

Navigate to [MENU] → "SD Card/USB Memory" → "SD Card" → "Eject," then press the [VALUE] knob. The screen will indicate it's safe to remove. Press the SD card inward, then pull it out.

Turning the Power On/Off

Powering On:

1. Ensure all connected devices are turned off.
2. Turn on the P-20HD's [POWER] switch.
3. Turn on source devices (e.g., video cameras).
4. Turn on output devices (e.g., projectors).

Powering Off:

1. Turn off output devices first, then source devices.
2. Turn off the P-20HD's [POWER] switch. The SHUTDOWN screen will appear.
3. Press the [VALUE] knob to complete the shutdown. (Pressing the [POWER] switch again cancels shutdown.)

Auto Off Function: The unit automatically powers off after 240 minutes of inactivity (no operation, no audio/video input, no output devices connected). This can be disabled via "System menu" → "Auto Off" → "Off." Unsaved data will be lost upon auto power-off.

Main Screen

The main screen displays the LIVE IN and REPLAY video feeds, along with status indicators such as available recording time, playback time counter, video recording counter, and audio level meters.

Using the Menus

Navigate menus by pressing the [MENU] button. Use the [VALUE] knob to select categories and menu items, and press it again to confirm or change values. The [EXIT] button returns to the previous menu level.

Creating a Project

Projects organize recorded clips and playlists. To create a new project, go to [MENU] → "PROJECT" → "New." Set parameters as needed and select "CREATE." Projects are saved automatically.

Opening a Previously-Created Project

To open an existing project, go to [MENU] → "Project" → "Open." Select the desired project from the list and press the [VALUE] knob.

An Overview of the P-20HD

• Project: Manages material and settings as a unit.
• Clip: A segment of playback over a specified time (video, still, or audio).
• Clip List: Stores all materials, including created video clips.
• Recording Data: The recorded video data. Clips are created by defining IN/OUT points.
• Palette: A collection of clips for grouping or sequential playback in a playlist.
• Page: Units of eight clips within the storage area.
• Audio: Stores imported audio clips (up to 16 per project).
• Still: Stores imported still image clips (up to 16 per project).

Video Operations

Recording and Playback (Chase Play)

You can play back recorded video while the P-20HD is recording. Select the input using [INPUT SELECT], press [REC] to start recording. After a second, the recorded video will play back. Use the [ ] button to stop chase play and the [p] button to resume.

To stop recording, hold down [EXIT] and press [REC]. Playback will pause briefly and then resume.

Changing the Playback Speed

Use the [SPEED] lever or the [JOG/SHUTTLE] dial to adjust playback speed. Note that audio is not played back when speed is changed.

• [SPEED] lever: Move forward/backward to change speed.
• [JOG/SHUTTLE] dial: Press [JOG] for frame-by-frame advance (jog mode) or [SHUTTLE] for speed change (shuttle mode).

Switching the Video Output

Seamlessly switch output between live input and replay video by pressing the OUTPUT [LIVE IN] or OUTPUT [REPLAY] buttons. Effects like mix or wipe can be applied during switching (refer to Reference Manual).

Using Clips

Creating a Clip

Specify a region within recorded video to create a clip. Ensure the MARKER [LIVE IN] button is unlit. Press MARKER [IN] to set the start point, then MARKER [OUT] to set the end point. The clip is registered in the CLIP LIST.

Creating a clip with one touch: Ensure MARKER [LIVE IN] is unlit. Activate replay playback and press MARKER [MAKE CLIP] at the desired end point. A seven-second clip is created.

Clips must be at least one second long. Frame accuracy for markers may vary slightly.

Playing a Clip

Press the [CLIP LIST] button. Use the [VALUE] knob to select a clip and press the AUTO PLAY [CLIP] button to play it. Playback returns to the previous state automatically upon completion.

Using Palettes

Registering Clips in the Palette

Press [CLIP LIST], select a clip, and choose "Add To PALETTE." Press the corresponding pad number (e.g., [3] for palette 3) to register it. Pressing [PALETTE] displays the palette screen.

Using Play List Playback

Access the CLIP LIST or PALETTE screen and press the AUTO PLAY [PLAYLIST] button to play clips consecutively.

Using Audio and Still Images

Import audio or still image files from a computer via a USB storage device. Connect the device, press [AUDIO] or [STILL], select the target clip, press [VALUE], select "Import," choose the device and file, and confirm. The imported files can then be played back using the pads.

Safety and Important Notes

USING THE UNIT SAFELY

WARNING: Concerning the Auto Off function

The unit has an Auto Off function that powers it down after a period of inactivity. This can be disabled via the system menu. Ensure sufficient space around the unit for ventilation (recommendations: 30 cm/12 in. or greater at the rear, 20 cm/8 in. or greater at the sides, 15 cm/6 in. or greater at the top/front).

WARNING: Power Supply

Use only the supplied AC adaptor and power cord. Ensure the line voltage matches the adaptor's specifications. Using incorrect adaptors can cause damage or electric shock.

WARNING: Handle lithium batteries carefully

Lithium batteries must not be recharged, heated, disassembled, or exposed to fire or water. Keep them away from children. If swallowed, seek immediate medical attention. Avoid excessive heat.

CAUTION: Handle the ground terminal carefully

If the ground terminal screw is removed, ensure it is replaced securely. Keep it away from children.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Power Supply: Place the AC adaptor with the indicator facing upwards.
• Placement: Rubber feet may discolor or mar surfaces.
• Repairs and Data: Back up data before sending for repairs, as data loss is possible, especially with physical damage. Roland is not liable for lost content.
• Internal Battery: The unit maintains time with an internal battery. A "BATTERY ERROR" message indicates the battery needs replacement by a service center.
• Additional Precautions: Data can be lost due to equipment failure or incorrect operation; regular backups are recommended. Avoid striking or applying strong pressure to the display. Observe local waste disposal regulations for packaging. Use only specified expression pedals. Be mindful of potential discomfort from high-speed image switching. Do not use cables with built-in resistors. The nameplate is on the bottom of the unit. This document reflects specifications at the time of issue; check the Roland website for the latest information.
• Using External Memories: Observe precautions for handling external memory devices, including avoiding removal during read/write operations and discharging static electricity.
• Intellectual Property Right: Recording, copying, or distributing copyrighted works without permission is illegal. Do not infringe on third-party copyrights. Roland Corporation reserves copyright for its product content but permits purchasers to use it for creating original works. Extraction and distribution of Roland's content is prohibited. SDXC logo is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC. The product uses open-source software (GPL/LGPL, MIT license); source code is available via the Roland website. Roland and BOSS are registered trademarks. Other company/product names are trademarks of their respective owners.