Hitachi VM-E230A manual

Table of Contents HITACHI Instruction Manual 8mm Video Camcorder VM-E230A HITA CHI HOME ELECTRONICS HITACHI (HSC) CA NA DA INC. (A MERICA ), INC. 6740 Campobello R oad 3890 Steve Rey nolds Blv d., Norcross, GA 30093 Mississaug a, Ontario L5N 2L8 Tel. 770-279-5600 CANADA Tel. 905-821-4545 HITA CHI SA LES CORPORA TION OF HA WA II, INC 3219 Koapaka St[...]

Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. .......................... 2 For Your Safet y ................................................................................................................ ..........................[...]

Table of Contents Using Forward and Re vers e Search ............................................................................................... 37 To Play Back a Recordi ng at Double th e Normal S peed ............................................................. 37 Advanced Techniques ..........................................................[...]

Table of Contents Make sure that FOCUS does not appear in the view finder. If it is display ed, press FOCUS Control b uttons to eras e it. ................................................................................................................ 58 Auto-Foc us does not o perate i f a special e ffects filter i s attached. .....................[...]

Table of Contents Video Recor der Speci fications ......................................................................................................... 60 Camera Specifications ....................................................................................................................... 60 Accessories Add Excitement ...................[...]

Table of Contents[...]

For Your Safety For Your Safety The CAM/OFF/VIDEO swit ch turns the camcorder on and off, leaving the date/tim e feature unaffected. If the unit is to be l eft unattended for a long period of ti me, turn the camcor der off and attach the lens cap. WA RNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO N OT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. The camcor de[...]

For Your Safety reasonable protecti on against harmful interference i n a residential install ation. This equipment g enerates, uses, and can radiate radi o frequency energ y and, if not installed and used in accordance w ith the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio commu nications. However, there is no guarante e that interf erenc[...]

Impor tant Safeguards Important Safeguards In addition to the careful attention dev oted to quality standards in the manufacture of your v ideo product, safety is a major factor in the design of ever y instrument. But, safety is your responsibility too. This page lists important inform ation that will help to assure y our enjoyment and proper use o[...]

Impor tant Safeguards 7 Powe r-Cord Protection -- Pow er-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be wal ked on or pinched by i tems placed upon or agai nst them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, conv enience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the appl iance. 8 Ventilation -- Slots and openings in the [...]

Impor tant Safeguards respect to proper g rounding of the mast and supporting structure, gr ounding of the l ead- in wi re to an antenna discharge uni t, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna- discharge uni t, connection to grounding electrodes, and req uirements for the grounding electrode. See ex ample below: EXAMPLE OF ANTE NNA GROUN[...]

Impor tant Safeguards e. If the video product has been dr opped or the cabinet has been damaged. f. W hen the v ideo product ex hibits a distinct change i n performance - this indicates a need for servi ce. 19 Replacement Parts -- W hen r eplacement parts are req uired, have the ser vice technician v erify that the replacements he uses hav e the sa[...]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCT IONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER IMPORTA NT SA FETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR AC A DA PTER/CHA RGER 1. Save these Instructi ons -- This page contains i mportant safety and operating instructions for AC Adapter /Charger Model VM-AC 85A. 2. Before using AC Adapter /Charger, r ead all instructions and cauti onary marki ngs on (1) AC Adapte[...]

Read This First R e a d T h i s F i r s t To guide you, we've included: • A "Before You Begi n" section containing impor tant cautions for your family 's safety as well as instruction for getting your v ideo camcorder r eady for use. Please read and understand this secti on thoroughly before moving on. • A "Getting Star[...]

Before You Begin Before You Begin Any problems that occur as a result of any of the f ollowing conditions w ill not be covered by our w arranty .  Be careful that no water, dust or sand enters the camcorder and all accessor ies.  W hen you shoot at a scene which contai ns an ex tr emel y bright obj ect such as the sun or a lig ht source, a br[...]

Before You Begin Optional RF A dapter If you wi sh to connect this camcorder to a telev ision that does not hav e audio/video input jacks you w ill need to use the optional RF adapter model VM-RF86A (R). The RF adapter can be purchased by calling the telephone number below . For your convenience Vi sa, Master Card, and Ameri can Express credi t car[...]

Before You Begin During shooting attach the lens cap as show n in the figure to prev ent it from being lost.[...]

Getting Started G e t t i n g S t a r t e d This section guides you thr ough the initial prepar ation of the camcor der. None of these processes are complex. Set aside som e time, relax, and familiariz e yourself with this quality instrument. Enjoy getting to know all about your Hitachi 8m m cam corder. The m ore comfor table and familiar you are w[...]

Getting Started A dditional Information To use a battery in opti mum condition: • Use the battery until the low charge lig ht ( ) f lashes. Using a battery for a short time and then recharg ing it may shorten the operation time. • It is recommended to refresh a batter y before recharg ing it w hen it has not been used for long time; other wise [...]

Getting Started before storing the camcorder in its case or carry ing the camera recorder around to av oid damaging the view finder or camcorder. CA UTION: Do not hold the unit by the electronic v iewfinder w hen carry ing as this coul d cause a malfunction. Ey epiece A djust ment To use the electronic v iewfinder, turn thi s control for your opti [...]

Getting Started Clock Battery Install the battery to pr event misplaci ng it. 1. Pull out the battery holder. 2. Insert the battery with the "+ " terminal facing up. 3. Fully insert the battery holder into the camcorder. WA RNING: K EEP THE BA TTERIES A WA Y FR OM CHILDREN A ND PETS. IF SWALLOWED CONSULT A P HYSICIA N IMMEDIA TELY FOR EME[...]

Getting Started 2. Install batteries. Be caref ul to install with correct p o larity. 3. Re-attach the cover to the remote control. Cautions on the batteries: • Do not use the old and new batteries at the same time. • Do not mix batteries of diff erent types. • Do not short, take apart or dispose of batteries by throw ing them into a fire. ?[...]

Getting Started 3. Once the arrow s are alig ned, push down on the battery . 4. W h ile pushing down the battery, slide it to the rig ht until it "clicks" into place. 5. After installing the battery, close the cover. Hold the OPEN lev er and align the tabs on both sides of the cover w ith the end of the attachment section. Note: If the OP[...]

Getting Started 3. Remove the batter y and close the cov er. Checking the Bat tery 's Charge A battery charge indi cator is located on the upper r ight corner of the viewfi nder. One of three sym bols displays when the battery is used. This symbol i ndicates a fully charg ed battery. This symbol i ndicates a partially charged batter y. This fl[...]

Getting Started 3. Insert six alkaline batteries w ith the correct polar ities. 4. Af ter installing the batteries, clo se the cover. Hold th e OPEN lever and align the tabs on both sides of the cover w ith the end of the attachment section. Note: Use only "AA" alkal ine batteries marked "LR 6". (Manganese batteri es cannot be u[...]

Getting Started a cold place. (At 50°F (10°C ), the chemical reacti on decreases the capacity of battery to one-tenth w hen compared to that at normal temperatur e 68°F (20°C).) Note: Noise may appear momentar ily i n the view finder when r ecording is star ted or stopped. Note: Be careful when touching the batter ies with y our bare hand to re[...]

Getting Started detaching any power supply ( ie. battery, AC adapter/char ger, etc). 1. Plug the car battery cord into the car's cigar ette lighter socket. 2. Connect one end of the DC cord (pr ovided) to the DC IN jack of the camcorder. Connect to other end of the DC cord to the D C OUTPUT of the car battery cord. Note: Only use the car batte[...]

Getting Started damaged, is not sl ack or no dust adheres to it, etc. After making sur e that there is no abnormality , reinsert the cassette. If TAPE reappears, see "Troubleshooti ng" on page 53. Removing a C assette Slide the EJECT sw itch in the direction of the arrow . T he cassette door opens automatically . Remove the cassette. Prot[...]

Getting Started flashes in the view f inder. Setting the Date and Time Take the tim e to set the date and time now. The date and tim e can be recorded on your tapes to act as a handy reference when viewi ng them later. U se the following procedur e to set up the display for the cur rent date and time. Note: Be sure to insert the clock battery befor[...]

Getting Started 4. After setting the AM/PM , press the DATE/TITLE button. T he display changes and the internal clock starts. 6:30 AM 11/ 5/1997 Note: Af ter the date and time are set, " AU TO" appears and the camcorder enters the automatic date recor ding mode. See "Date Recor ding" on page 32. Correcting the Date and Time 1[...]

Getting Started, Identif y ing Controls Getting Started, Identify ing Controls Left Side/Rear Camera Il lustration 1. Lens F1.6 (4~48mm) 12:1 pow er zoom lens wi th auto focus and auto iris functions. 2. View finder BRIGHT, COLOR and TINT controls Refer to page 49. 3. Cassette Holder C lose Button CA UTION: Be sure to press this button to close the[...]

Getting Started, Identif y ing Controls - PLAY Button Use to play back recorded tapes. Right Si de Illustration 11. FOCUS Control Buttons Press these buttons simultaneousl y to select manual or automati c focus. For manual focusing ("Using Manual Focus", p. 35), press the F or N buttons to bring the subject into focus. W hen usi ng manual[...]

Getting Started, Identif y ing Controls 23. A UDIO/VIDEO OUT Jacks (Behind the j ack cover) Use this jack to connect the camcor der to a VCR or telev ision ("Play ing Back Y our Recording ", p.26, 27, "Dubbing from the Camcor der to a VCR", p.38). 24. Shoulder Strap Slots Attach a shoulder strap her e. 25. Clock Battery Compartm[...]

Basic T echniques Basic Techniques The batteries are in place and charged, the date and time are set, and you are fam iliar with the controls. Is tim e to make a recording. Basic recor ding is easy and sim ple. Hooking up the cam corder to your TV is not complicated but gi ve yourself plenty of tim e to ensure connections are cor rect. This section[...]

Basic T echniques visi ble. 6. To stop recording pr ess the Start/Stop button and REC disappears from the view f inder repl aced by . This places the camcorder i n standby. Note: TAPE END f lashes in the viewfinder w hen about 3 mi nutes or l ess r emain of the tape cassette. Note: If the camcorder is left in record/pause mode for more than 5 mi nu[...]

Basic T echniques channel AUDIO IN j ack. 2. Connect the other ends of the cable to the AUDIO OUT and VIDEO OUT jacks of the camcorder. 3. Insert a recorded cassette i nto the camcorder. 4. Turn on your tel evision and set to the camcorder input mode (consult y our televi sion manual for details) . 5. Hold dow n the red button on the CAM/OFF/VIDEO [...]

Basic T echniques Using Still To view a still picture during playback press the Sta rt/Stop. Press the Sta rt/Sto p button again to resume playback. If you leave the camcorder i n play /pause mode f or more than 5 minutes the camcorder automati cally stops the cassette to pr event damage to the tape. Note: W hen you eng age play/pause mode the stil[...]

Basic T echniques video at doubl e speed. To restore normal pl ayback, press the PLAY button on ei ther the remote control or the camcorder. Note: T he indication showing double speed playback does not appear . Note: W hen double speed play back is activ ated, both the picture and sound are play ed back at twice the normal speed. This will cause no[...]

Advanced T echniques A dvanced Techniques The Hitachi VM -E230A offers a divers e group of features that add interest and excitement to your video. As you learn and practi ce with these features think of situations that they m ight fit in and add a special touch. Date Recording When the date has been set, the camcorder will enter the automatic date[...]

Advanced T echniques using the remote contr ol. Date - Date Recording The camcorder records the date w ith the picture all the time. No Display - No Date Recording The camcorder does not record the date. Date and Time - Date and Time Recording The camcorder records the date and ti me with the pictur e all the time. 3. Press the start/stop button. R[...]

Advanced T echniques Using the Digital Zoom The digital z oom incr eases the magnificati on of the power z oom by 2 tim es. You must place the subject you wish to m agnify at the center of the viewfi nder. Note: T his digital z oom has certain li mitation and may deg radate at extr eme magnification and amplify camcor der's movement. Press and[...]

Advanced T echniques Using A uto Focus The camcorder focuses the subject in the center of the view f inder automatical ly unless the manual focus is engag ed. If FOCUS appears in the view f inder, manual focus is engaged. Pr ess the FOCUS control buttons simul taneously to return to auto focus. The auto focus will not work under the following condi[...]

Advanced T echniques Dark objects Note: W ith the T zoom control y ou can use the auto focus with subjects that are 3.3 feet (100cm) aw ay from the lens and further aw ay to infinity. W ith the W zoom control y ou can use the auto focus with subjects 3/8 inches ( 1cm) away from the lens and further away to infinity. Using Manual Focus 1. Press the [...]

Advanced T echniques Using Quick Edit Use qui ck edit to search for the end of previously recorded materi al, find a particular spot on your tape, beg in editing , or record new material. W hile the camera is in record/pause mode hold dow n the F.F, REW , or PLAY button and vi sually sear ch the tape. Release the button and the camcorder stops the [...]

Advanced T echniques 4. W hen the required position i s located, the camcorder enters the stop mode and "SEARCH" disappears from the view finder. Note: If you hav e ejected the cassette, this function will not operate with that cassette. (W hen a cassette is inserted and the recordi ng is started, the positi on is identified as the record[...]

Advanced T echniques Note: Use the wirel ess remote control w ithin the range of the infrared r eceiver of the camcorder show n above. Note: T he wireless remote control may not function in strong l ight such as direct sunli ght or very bright ar tificial lig hting. Note: Clear a direct path from the w ireless remote control to the infrared receiv [...]

Advanced T echniques Using the Display Button Pressing the DISPLAY button on the r emote control all ows you to switch the displays in the viewfinder. When the camc order is turned on, the l inear tim e counter appears. • Pressing the D ISPLAY button once display s the linear ti me counter with the memor y feature. • W hen a recorded tape is in[...]

Advanced T echniques Creating a Title 1. Connect the camcorder to a pow er source. 2. Hold dow n the red button on the CAM/OFF/VIDEO sw itch and slide it to ei ther CAM or VIDEO. 3. Press the TITLE ON/OFF button on the remote control and a flashing cursor appears in the vi ewfinder. 4. Use the STOP button to place the cursor where y ou wish to beg [...]

Advanced T echniques 5. Press the TITLE ON/OFF button on the remote control to stop recor ding the title. The title gr aphics disappear from the v iewfinder and the camcorder can record normall y. Note: Create and store your ti tle before an event y ou plan to record. Just press the TITLE ON/OFF button on the remote control to super impose the titl[...]

Advanced T echniques Using A udio/Video Dubbing Use audio/video dubbi ng to record audio and video from the camcorder's buil t-in mi crophone and camera onto a pr eviously recorded tape i n the camcorder . Audio/Video Dubbi ng Illustration 1. Connect your camcorder to the telev ision, following "Connecting to a Telev ision wi th Audio In [...]

Advanced T echniques 1. Turn the VCR on. 2. Aim the remote control at the infrared receiv er on the VCR and press the VC R SET button on the remote control and hol d it, then press the button corresponding to the VCR's maker code. For example, if y ou have a RCA VCR , press the VCR SET button and hold it, then press the D ISPLAY button. To che[...]

Advanced T echniques PHILIPS RCA DISPLAY Zenith COUNTER RESET Magnav ox TITLE ON/OFF Note: T he remote control code is held in memor y until i t is changed or the batter ies are replaced. Note: Point the remote control straig ht at the VCR's infrared recei ver for operation. Note: Use the remote control indoors. W hen the inf rared recei vers [...]

Advanced T echniques tape position. Press FOR W ARD and hold it; the tape i s played w hile the button is held. Press REVERSE and hol d it for reverse pl ay. 6. Press the IN button to store the counter reading. W hen you press the IN button, OU T flashes in the progr am display. 7. Press the button to search for the end of the segment you w ant to [...]

Advanced T echniques A ttaching the Optional W ide or Tele Converter Lens 1. To remove the lens hood, turn i t counterclockwi se. 2. Remove both caps of the conver ter lens. 3. Screw the l ens into the threads on the camcorder l ens assembly. A ttaching the Optional DC Camera Light You can use the DC camer a light to li ght subjects in darkened ar [...]

Advanced T echniques • Never use the DC camera lig ht in the vici nity of expl osive or hi ghly flammable mater ials. • Alway s allow the DC camer a light to cool fully before storing. • The DC camera lig ht becomes v ery hot during use of the camera l i g ht or immedi atel y after use. Be careful that your hand or hair does not touch them. ?[...]

Advanced T echniques Note: Only replace the camera l ight bulb w ith VM-CP4L ( optional) to reduce the ri sk of f ire. View finder Bright, Color and Tint Control This small "BRIGH T", "COLOR" and "TINT" controls are set at the factory and should requir e no adjustment. If they ever r equire adjustment, use a pl astic s[...]

General Maintenance G e n e r a l M a i n t e n a n c e Cleaning the camcorder Heads Dirt can accumul ate on the video heads on the camera causing the playback pictur e to become blurred or appear as if video information i s lost. This often means that the video heads are dirty . Use a v ideo head cleaner such as a dry type head cleaning tape to cl[...]

General Maintenance location, and the age of the camcorder . Troubleshooting Quality is ver y important at H itachi. We inspect and check every camcorder carefully at the factory under the most rigid quality control and inspection system s. If problems develop please check the foll owing possible solutions befor e inquiring about professional serv [...]

General Maintenance T ape is damaged. Try another cassette. Color of your TV screen is too bright, too faint or change. TV set has VIR circuit. Turn if of f during playback. Date search function does not operate. Slide the CAM/OFF/VID EO switch to VIDEO. Insert the clock battery, set the date and time, then start recor ding. Do not remove the clock[...]

General Maintenance TA PE DISPLAY Sy mptom Check Point & Co rrection Tape appears in the vi ewfinder. Have y ou moved the camcorder or cassette from a cold place to a w arm place so that its temperature chang ed abruptly ? If the temperature has changed, remov e the cassette and set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to OFF, then w ait for about one hour[...]

General Maintenance 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. How ever, should y ou requir e servic e, a network of Hitachi Authorized Ser vice Facilities has been established in all 50 states and[...]

Accesso ri es Add Excite m ent A ccessories Add Excitement We know that once you discover how much your H itachi VM-E230A can add to your life you will w ant to use th e se accessories fo r e ven more excitement. Converter len se s, adapters for synchro edi ting, and car cords are just a few of the exciti ng accessories available to you fr om Hitac[...]