Hitachi VM-8400LA manual

TABLE OF CONTENT S 1 HITACHI Instruction Manual Video Camcorder VM-8400LA HITACHI HOM E ELECTRONICS HITACHI (HSC) CANADA INC. (AMERICA), INC. 6740 Cam pobello Road 3890 Steve R eyn olds Blvd., N orcross, GA 30093 Missi ssaug a, Ontari o L5N 2L8 Tel. 770-279- 5600 Tel. 905-821- 4545 HITACHI SALES CORPORATION OF HAWAII, INC. 3219 Koapaka Street , Hon[...]

TABLE OF CONTENT S 2 TA BLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................2 PRECAUTIONS.................................................................................................................... ......3 FEATURE S ...................................[...]

PRECAUTIO NS 3 PRECA UTION S WA RNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NO T EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTUR E. CA UTION: TO RE DUCE RISK OF ELECT RIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER - SER VICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVIC ING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. This symbol w arns the user that uninsul ated voltag e within[...]

PRECAUTIO NS 4 Caution: Avoid operati ng your camcorder immediatel y after movi ng it from a cold area to a warm humi d area. Give the camcorder 2 to 3 hours to acclimate to the surr oundings before inserting a video cassette. W hen moved from a cold area to a w arm humid area, moi sture may condense on the head drum inside the machi ne. This moist[...]

PRECAUTIO NS 5 • Titler • Index sig nal recording • Audio / vi deo Input function • Audio / vi deo dub • Audio dub • Built-i n automatic camera lig ht * This video camcorder with this marking incorporates high-quality picture technology and is compatible w ith any video cassette recorder bearing the mark. W ith this camcorder y ou can v[...]

IMPORT ANT SAFEG UARDS 6 IMPORTA NT SA FEGUARDS In addition to the careful attention dev oted to qualit y standards in the manufacture of your video pr oduct, safety is a major factor in the desig n of every instrument. But, safety is y our responsibility too. This page lists important inform ation that will help to assure y our enjoyment and prope[...]

IMPORT ANT SAFEG UARDS 7 cords at plugs, conv enience receptacles, and the poi nt where they exit from the appli ance. 8 Ventilation -- Slots and openings in the cabi net are provi ded for ventilation to ensur e reliabl e operation of the video product and to pr otect it from overheati ng. These openings must not be blocked or cov ered. The opening[...]

IMPORT ANT SAFEG UARDS 8 professional antenna install er. USE 14 Cleaning -- Unplug this v ideo product from the w all outlet before cleaning . Do not use liqui d cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleani ng. 15 Object and Liquid Entry -- N ever push objects of any kind into this v ideo product through openings as they may touch dan[...]

IMPORT ANT SAFEG UARDS 9 register s, stoves, or other pr oducts (including amplifiers) that produce heat.[...]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCT IONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER 10 IMPORTA NT SA FETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR AC A DA PTER/CHA RGER 1. Sav e these instructions -- This page contains important safety and oper ating instructions for AC Adaptor/Char ger Model VM -ACV41A. 2. Before using AC Adaptor /Charger, r ead all instructions and cauti onary mark ings on (1) AC Ad[...]

ELECTRO NIC VIEW FINDER (EVF) 11 ELECTRONIC VIEWFIND ER (EVF)  Set the view finder to the position show n in the figure w hen carry ing the camcorder or storing it in the carrying case .  Turn the view finder to the position show n below w hen shooting pi ctures. 1. Turn the view finder 2. Turn the eyepiece.  You can adjust the posit ion a[...]

ELECTRO NIC VIEW FINDER (EVF) 12 focus adjustment.[...]

LCD MONITOR 13 LCD MONITOR W hen using the LCD monitor dur ing recordi ng and playback and pl ayback, you can adj ust the brightness of its scr een and the angle of the monitor. Opening the LCD monitor 1. Press the OPEN button to open the LCD monitor. NOTE: Opening or closing the LCD monitor sw itches the pictur e to appear on the monitor or in the[...]

LCD MONITOR 14 • If the LCD monitor is tur ned 90* so that it faces the same direction as the lens w hen the camera signal is being r ecorded during r ecording, recordi ng pause, instant rev iew, editi ng, A/V dubbing or A/V dubbing pause, the image on the monitor screen w ill become a mirror image, and the view finder will turn on. The on-screen[...]

ACTIVE SCREEN 15 A CTIVE SCREEN The camcorder automatical ly bri ghtens the backlig ht of the LCD monitor w hen you are recording a bright subject outdoor s, so that the LCD screen is easy to see. NOTES: • W hen you record a bright subject outdoors, the camcorder operating time will be less than when r ecording indoors. • Even if y ou record ou[...]

ACTIVE SCREEN 16 NOTES: • The AC adaptor/charg er cannot charge the battery and operate the camcorder at the same time. • W hen using the AC adaptor/charg er to power the camcor der, the battery l evel indi cator may display " ". This indicator i s used for battery operati on and has no meaning w hen using the AC adaptor/charg er to p[...]

ACTIVE SCREEN 17[...]

CHARGING THE BAT TERY 18 CHA RGING THE BA TTERY 1. Plug the AC adaptor /charger pow er cord into AC el ectrical outlet. 2. Attach the battery to the AC adaptor/charger. Align the mark " " on the battery w ith that of AC adaptor/charg er and push the battery flush w ith the AC adaptor/char ger and slide i t in the direction of arrow . NOTE[...]

CHARGING THE BAT TERY 19 battery tends to di scharge if not used for an extended peri od of time. If the battery is stored for a extended leng th of time without being recharg ed, you may not be abl e to recharge it. • A battery char ged after being stor ed for a long period may not supply pow er for the specified time. Additional rechargings w i[...]

INSERTING AND REMOVING CASSET TES 20 INSERTING A ND REMOVING CASSETTES A power source must be connected before inserting or removing cassettes. Once connected, cassettes can be inserted or r emoved whether the CAM/OFF/VIDEO sw itch is on or off. Inserting a cassette 1. Connect the POW ER SOURCE. (See pages 10 and 11.) 2. Press "STOP/EJECT"[...]

IDENTIFICAT ION AND OPERATION OF CONT ROLS 21 IDENTIFICA TION A ND OPERA TION OF CONTROLS click for image of camcorder click for image of camcorder click for images of camcorder[...]

MAKING A SAMPLE CAMERA RECORDING 22 MA KING A SA MPLE CA MERA RECORDING 1. Connect the power source. 2. Insert the cassette. 3. Unfold the extension shoul der pad. W hen recording w hile view ing the LC D monitor, fit the extension shoulder pad on y our shoulder; the LCD screen will be easy to see. 4. Open the LCD monitor if you want to v iew the p[...]

MAKING A SAMPLE CAMERA RECORDING 23 7. Press "REC/PAUSE" to stop recording. Press the button ag ain to resume recording . The " " indication will appear in the v iewfinder or LCD monitor instead of "REC" while the camcorder is in the record/pause ( stand-by) mode. NOTES: • The "TAPE END" indication starts f[...]

MAKING A SAMPLE CAMERA RECORDING 24 an ima ge of yourself ; the im age displayed on the L CD monitor will be th e reverse of a mirror image.[...]

PLAYBACK 25 PLA YBA CK You can v iew recor ded pictures on the 3-inch LC D monitor immedi ately after recor ding. • If you connect the camcorder to y our TV, you can see the pictur e played back on y our TV. Open the LCD monitor , and then adjust the angle of the monitor 2. Press and hold the small button on "CAM/OFF/ VIDEO", and then s[...]

PLAYBACK 26 Using still W hen "REC/PAUSE" is pressed during playback, a still picture can be seen. To start again press "REC/PAUSE" and playback w ill be resumed. NOTE: Th ere will be some n oise (interf erence) in th e still picture. Using forward and reverse search W hen you press "F.FW D" or "REW /REVIEW "[...]

DA TE/ TIM E S ETTI NG 27 DA TE/TIME SETTING The date and time can be recorded on y our tapes to act as a handy reference w hen view ing them at a later time. Use the follow ing procedur e to set up this display for the current date and time. The time backup battery i s rechargeabl e. Charge the backup battery every two months. Set "CAM/OFF/VI[...]

DA TE/ TIM E S ETTI NG 28 6. Press "F.FW D" or "REW /REVIEW " as many times as may be r equired to select corr ect hour, and then press "STOP/EJECT". 7. Repeat step 6 to select minute and AM /PM. 8. After setting AM or PM, press "DATE/TIME" to change the displ ay and start the inter nal clock. It is recommend[...]

DATE RECORDING 29 DA TE RECORDING W hen the date has been set, the cam corder will enter the automatic date recording mode automatically . Specify the req uired date mode option before r ecording. 1. Press and hold the small button on "CAM/OFF/ VIDEO", and then slide i t to "CAM" position. 2. Press "DATE/TIME" repeated[...]

AUTO FOCUS 30 A UTO FOCUS The camcorder focuses the subject in the center of the vi ewfinder or LCD monitor automatically . The range of object wi th which auto focus can be used • On "T" side: about 2.6 feet (80 cm) from the lens surface to infinity. • On "W " side: about 3/8 inch (1 cm) from the lens surface to infinity. ?[...]

AUTO FOCUS 31 6. Objects movi ng rapidly . 7. Dark objects.[...]

DISPLAY BUTTO N 32 DISPLA Y BUTTON W hen "DISPLAY" is pressed, the information on the shutter speed, tape remaining, r emaining battery l evel, etc. is di splayed. • W hen "DISPLAY" is pressed so the displ ay appears in the v iewfinder or LCD monitor, the same display appears on the screen of the connected TV/monitor receiv er[...]

DISPLAY BUTTO N 33[...]

REMAINING T APE 34 REMA INING TA PE W hen "DISPLAY" is pressed so the displ ay appears in the v iewfinder or LCD monitor , the tape remaining display show s the remaining length of tape that can be used for recording and playback, usi ng seven dashes. This feature is handy when recor ding since it l ets you know how l ong you can recor d [...]

DIGITAL ZOOM 35 DIGITA L ZOOM The digital z oom increases the mag nification of the power z oom by 2 times. Y ou must place the subject you w ish to magni fy at the center of the view finder or LCD moni tor. Press and hold the pow er zoom T control unti l you find the pictur e you want. Y ou control the zoom w ith the power zoom T and W controls. W[...]

DIGITAL ZOOM 36 NOTES: • To return to the origi nal zoom positi on, press "INST. ZOOM" so that "I.ZOOM" disappear s from the view finder or LCD monitor. • W hen the instant zoom is used, the more the imag e is magnified, the r ougher the picture becomes. Also even sl ight shaking of the camcorder is conspicuous.[...]

DIGITAL EFFECT S RECORDING 37 DIGITA L EFFECTS RECORDING The digital pr ocessor in this camcorder allows y ou to record pictures and add speci al effects; 16X9 recor ding mode, a negati ve image ( negative/posi tive r ecording), 200 ti mes digital z oom feature (wi th instant zoom), a symmetric i mage, obtained by pl acing a mir ror at the centre o[...]

DIGITAL EFFECT S RECORDING 38 view finder or LC D monitor. The image in the view finder or LCD monitor will become negative. 3. Press "REC/PAUSE" to star t recording. • To release the negativ e mode, press "DIGITAL EFFECT" repeatedly in recording pause until normal mode is restored. X200 Digital Zoom Recording 1. Place the [...]

DIGITAL EFFECT S RECORDING 39 3. Press "REC/PAUSE" to star t recording. • To release the mosaic mode, press "D IGITAL EFFECT " repeatedly in recor ding pause until normal mode is restored. NOTE: This function cannot be used with dig ital zoom, i nstant zoom, stable pix or zoom fade function.[...]

FADE IN /FADE OUT 40 FA DE IN /FA DE OUT Use the fade feature to add a professional touch to your recordings. U se "DIGITAL FADE" to select one of the four fade options. NOTE: If you press the "DIGITAL EFFECT" button after setting the fade function, the fade function will be released. After setting the "DIGITAL EFFECT"[...]

FADE IN /FADE OUT 41 2. Press "REC/PAU SE" to stop recording; the fade begi ns automatically and "REC" flashes until the fade ends. NOTE: W hen fading out be sure to w ait until the PAUSE indi cator ( ) i s visibl e in the view finder or LCD monitor before attempting to put the camcor der into the record mode ag ain. "STA B[...]

INDEX SIGNAL RECORDING 42 INDEX SIGNA L RECORDING Indexing your tapes w hile recor ding makes it easy to find desired progr am segments when y ou play back the tape i n a VCR that has a compatible index ing feature call ed the "VHS Index Search System". See y our VCR's i nstruction manual for index playback instructi ons. "INDEX[...]

TIT LE RECORDING 43 TITLE RECORDING You can easily create and record per sonalized ti tles on your v ideos wi th the camcorder's built- in titler. Once a ti tle is stored, it can be di splayed and recor ded at anytime. A title contai ns two lines of up to 16 characters per line. The titler contains 47 different characters for creati ng titles.[...]

TIT LE RECORDING 44 NOTE: Character may flash, however it w ill be recorded correctly wi thout flashing. 7. After creating the ti tle, press "TITLE" to remove the title g raphics from the vi ewfinder or LCD monitor. Now title g raphics is stored i n memory. NOTE: As long as the correct curr ent time can be display ed, the title is held i [...]

TIT LE RECORDING 45 4. Press "TITLE" to erase the display from the view finder or LCD monitor . Chart of characters av ailable in the ti tler A B C D E F G H I J K L M N 0 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ? ' . / , - ; : < > ![...]

AUDIO DUBBING 46 A UDIO DUBBING The audio dubbing feature lets y ou record new audio (sound) on a pr eviously recorded tape wi thout erasing the ori ginal v ideo (pictur e). W hen you audio dub a tape, the previ ous audio is erased and r eplaced with new sound. NOTES: • Sound from the built-in mi crophone and the AUDIO jack can be dubbed. • W h[...]

AUDIO AND VIDEO DUBBING 47 A UDIO A ND VIDEO DUBBING The audio and video dubbi ng feature lets you r ecord new audi o (sound) and v ideo (pictures) simultaneously on a previ ously recor ded tape. W hen you audio and vi deo dub a tape, the previous audi o and video are er ased and replaced wi th the new sound and pictures. The repl acement audio and[...]

AUDIO AND VIDEO DUBBING 48 10. Press the "REC/PAU SE". Dubbing w ill start and will stop when the counter reads "0000M"[...]

RECORDING TV PROGRAMS 49 RECORDING TV PROGRA MS If your TV or VCR has video/audio out jacks, y ou can record the TV program with camcorder. 1. Connect the audio/vi deo cable (not supplied) to "AUDIO OU T" and "VIDEO OUT" of your TV or VCR. 2. Connect the other end to "AUD IO" and "VIDEO" of camcorder. 3. Inse[...]

VIEW ING THE PICT URE PLAYED BACK ON YOUR TV 50 VIEWING THE P ICTURE PLA YED BA CK ON YOUR TV To play back a tape recor ded on your camcorder and view it on your TV receiver, y ou must connect the camcorder to the TV receiv er using ei ther audio/vi deo cable (not supplied) or RF converter unit (optional) . You also may play back the tape r ecorded[...]

VIEW ING THE PICT URE PLAYED BACK ON YOUR TV 51 1. Disconnect the VHF antenna leads from the r ear of the TV receiver. NOTE: Leave the UHF antenna l eads connected to the TV. 2. Connect the VHF antenna lead to "IN FR OM ANT" on the RF conver ter unit. If the cable is round (75ohm), it will connect directly to the "IN FROM ANT". [...]

CAMCORDER TO VCR DUBBING 52 CA MCORDER TO VCR DUBBING If you wi sh to exchange or copy some of your friend's favor ite home recording s, the following instructions can be used to connect camcorder to VCR for this purpose. NOTE: Make sure that the "AV OUT/IN" is in the "OU T" position. 1. Connect the audio/v ideo cable to &q[...]

USING TH E BUILT-IN CAMERA 53 USING THE BUILT-IN CA MERA Use the built- in camera lig ht if you wish to shoot obj ects in dark places. W hen "LIGHT" is set to "AUTO", the camera light turns on automati cally w hen the camcorder is pointed at objects i n a dark place and turns off when it is poi nted at objects in a brig ht place[...]

USING TH E BUILT-IN CAMERA 54 • Replace only with the speci fied lamp (optional) to reduce the r isk of fire. To replace the lamp of camera light To remove the front case, press and hold the tab, then r emove the front case. To replace the front case, pass the lamp throug h the hole of the reflection plate then attach the upper hooks to the[...]

ATT ACHING THE OPT IONAL TELE OR W IDE CONVERT ER LENS 55 A TTA CHING THE OPTIONA L TELE OR WIDE CONVERTER LENS 1. Remove the l ens hood. Turn the lens hood counterclockw ise as shown i n the figure. Or, attach the lens cap ov er the lens hood, then turn them countercl ockwise to remov e them. 2. Remove both caps of the telephoto or w ide angl e le[...]

TROUBLES HOOTING 56 TROUBLESHOOTING Your camcor der is a highl y sophisticated i nstrument. It has been carefully checked and adjusted at the factory under the most r igid q uality contr ol and inspection systems. H owever , should problems dev elop, check the followi ng points and take necessary correctiv e measures. INSERTING OR REM OVING THE CA [...]

TROUBLES HOOTING 57 Sy mptom Check Point & Co rrection The " " indication in the electroni c view finder flashes to indicate battery is discharg ed. Try another batter y or charg e the battery. NO OPERA TION IS A CCEPTED Sy mptom Check Point & Co rrection Power is not turned on and no button operations are accepted. Remove the pow[...]

TROUBLES HOOTING 58 CLEA NING TH E INSIDE OF THE ELECTRONIC VIEWFIN DER If dust or foreign matter adheres i nside the view finder, clean it by using the follow ing procedure. 1. Push the tab and hold it, then open the cov er. 2. Clean the pictur e tube face and lens. To prevent scratching, use a soft non abrasi ve cloth, swab or l ens cleaning pape[...]

HEAD CLEANING 59 HEA D CLEA NING • Picture play back may become blur red or be interr upted. This does not mean that the recorded prog ram has been erased. • Dirt accumul ated on the head after long periods of use causes this probl em. In this case, head cleaning r equiring highly technical care is necessary . • Consult y our nearest dealer o[...]

HEAD CLEANING 60 Pickup devi ce 1/4" C.C.D. Lens diameter 46 mm[...]

HOTLINE 61 HOTLINE For U.S.A. only HITA CHI Service Hotline To locate an authoriz ed HITACHI service f acility in the continental U.S.A. DIA L TOLL FREE 7 days a w eek, 24 hours a day 800 HITACHI 1-800-448-2244 Hitachi Home Elect ronics (A merica), Inc. Hitachi has made ev ery effort to assure y ou hours of trouble free operation from y our unit. H[...]

ACCESSORIES ADD EXCIT EMENT 62 A CCESSORIES A DD EXCITEMEN T W e know that once y ou discover how much your VM-8400LA can add to your life you w ill want to use these accessories for even mor e excitement. Conv erter lenses and car cor ds are just a few of the matching accessori es available to y ou f rom Hitachi. H itachi takes you to w herever yo[...]

ACCESSORIES ADD EXCIT EMENT 63 FILTER KIT VM-FL60K 99.95 RF CONVER TER VM-RF80A 39.95 SHOULDER STRAP VM-SS70 14.95[...]