Hitachi VM-H57A manual

TABLE OF CONTENT S HITA CHI Instruction Manual 8mm Video Camera/R ecorder VM-H57A Hitachi Home Ele c tronics (A merica ), Inc. HITA CHI (HSC) CA NADA INC. 3890 Steve Rey nolds Blvd., Nor cross, GA 30093 3300 Trans Canada Hig hway, Pointe Cla ire, Tel. 404-279-5600 Quebec, H9R 1B1, CAN ADA Tel. 514-697-9150 HITA CHI SA LE S CORP ORATION OF HA WA II,[...]

TABLE OF CONTENT S TA BLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................ 2 For Your Safet y ................................................................................................................ ........................... 4 Read Th[...]

TABLE OF CONTENT S Connecti ng to a Telev ision without A udio In and Vi deo In Jacks ............................................... 38 Simple Pl ayback (Usin g the Electronic Vi ewfinder) ...................................................................... 38 Using Still ..........................................................................[...]

For Your Safety F o r Y o u r S a f e t y The CAMERA/OFF/VIDEO swi tch turns the camera/recorder on and off, leaving the date/tim e feature unaffected. If the unit is to be left unattended for a long per iod of time, Tturn the cam era/recorder off and attach the lens cap. Illustrated bel ow is the label on the bottom of y our unit. This symbol w ar[...]

For Your Safety Caution to the user: Changes or modi f ications not ex pressly approv ed by the party responsible for compli ance could void the user's authori ty to operate the equipment. This camera/recor der can use 8mm and video cassettes. It automati cally determines the loaded cassette i s 8mm or and records and play s it back correctly.[...]

Read This First R e a d T h i s F i r s t Thank you for buying a Hit achi product. You've chosen the best 8 mm video camer a/recorder for you, and we want to help you m ake the most of your purchase. Please take time to becom e familiar with the manual and how it is set up. Keep it handy for future refer ence. To guide you, we've included[...]

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 camera/recorder.  W hen you shoot at a scene which contai ns an ex tr emel y bright object such as the sun or a lig ht source, a bright v ertical b[...]

IMPORT ANT SAFEG UARDS 1 Read and Follow Instructions -- All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the vi deo product is operated. Follow all operating and use i nstructions. 2 Retain Instructions - - The saf ety and operati ng instructions should be retained for fu t ure ref ere nce. 3 Heed Warnings -- Compl y wi th all warni[...]

IMPORT ANT SAFEG UARDS follo wed. 9 A ttachments -- D o not use attachments unless recommended by the vi deo product manufacturer as they may cause hazards.[...]

IMPORT ANT SAFEG UARDS Caution: Maintain electri cal safety. Powerli ne operated equipment or accessories connected to this unit should bear the UL listing mar k or CSA certification mar k on the accessory i tsel f and should not hav e been modi fied so as to defeat the safety features. This will help avoid any potentia l hazard from electric shock[...]

IMPORT ANT SAFEG UARDS 14 Cleaning -- Unplug this v ideo product from the wall outl et bef ore cleaning . Do not use liqui d cleaners or aerosol cleaner s. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. 15 Object and Liquid Entry -- Nev er push objects of any kind into this v ideo product through opening s as they may touch dang erous voltage poi nts or short-out [...]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCT IONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER IMPORTA NT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR A C A DAPTER/CHA RGER 1. Save these instr uctions -- This page contains important safety and operating instructions for AC Adapter /Charger Model VM -AC82A(R). 2. Before using AC Adapter /Charger, read all instructions and cautionary markings on (1) AC Adapter [...]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCT IONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER NOTES: • This unit uses v ideo format cassettes. • It records and play s back in the SP mode (14.3 mm/sec.). • It cannot record and play back in the LP mode (7.2 mm/sec.). • This camera/recorder uses a Hi-Fi stereo sound sy stem. W hen a tape recorded by this camera/recorder is played by[...]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCT IONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER Components and A ccessories Check that you hav e the following components and accessor ies before preceding. 1. AV stereo output cord w ith S-VIDEO plug 2. Battery pack 3. AC adapter/charg er 4. Remote control batter y 5. Shoulder Strap 6. External power adapter 7. Remote control[...]

Getting Started G e t t i n g S t a r t e d This section guides you thr ough the initial preparati on of the camera/recorder . None of these processes are complex. Set aside som e time, relax, and familiariz e yourself with this quality instru ment. Enjoy getting to know all about your Hitachi 8mm camera/recor der. The more comfortable and fam ilia[...]

Getting Started whether the battery is charg ed or uncharged. Note: T he marker switch is not concerned with the battery 's performance. A dditional Information To use a battery in opti m um condition: • Use the battery until the low char ge light ( ) flashes. Using a battery f or a short time and then recharg ing it may shor ten the operati[...]

Getting Started A TTENTION: The product that you hav e purchased contains a rechargeabl e battery. The battery i s recyclable. At the end of its useful life, under various state and local laws, it may be illegal to dispose of this battery into the municipal waste str eam. Check with your local solid waste officials for details in y our area for rec[...]

Getting Started A djusting th e Electronic View finder The electronic v iewfinder adjusts simpl y by piv oting it to a position w here it is comfortable and easy to see thr ough. Place the view finder back in its orig inal position before storing the camer a/recorder in its case or car rying the camera recorder around to avoid damag ing the vi ewfi[...]

Getting Started[...]

Getting Started A ttaching the Optional Wide or Tele Converter Lens 1. To remove the lens hood, turn i t counterclockwise. 2. Remove both caps of the conver ter lens. 3. Screw the l ens into the threads on the camera/recorder l ens assembly. Loading Batteries Install the rem ote control battery now to prevent m isplacing it. Remote Control Battery [...]

Getting Started Camera/Recorder Battery Before you install the batter y for the first tim e it must be fully char ged. Refer to "Charging the Batter y" for details. 1. Align the ar row on the battery with the gui de arrow on the camera/r ecorder. 2. Hold the battery f irmly against the camer a/recorder whi le sliding it tow ards the right[...]

Getting Started This flashing sy mbol indicates a battery nearly out of power. U se an alternate pow er source or charg e the battery before continuing to use the camera/recorder .[...]

Getting Started Using A lternative Power Sources Using the A C A dapter/Charger Please ensure that the CAM ERA/OFF/VIDEO switch is in the OFF position whenever attaching or detaching any power supply (ie. battery, AC adapter/char ger, etc.) 1. Plug the AC adapter /charger pow er cord into an AC outlet. Make sure that the w ide blade fits into the w[...]

Getting Started switch is in the OFF posi tion whenever attaching or detaching any power suppl y (ie. battery, AC adapter/char ger, etc.) 1. Insert six "AA" alkaline dry- cell batteries as shown, bei ng sure not to confuse their polarity . 2. Align the ar row on the battery case with the gui de arrow on the camera/r ecorder. 3. Hold the b[...]

Getting Started Inserting and Remov ing Cassettes A power source m ust be connected before inserting or rem oving cassettes. Once connected cassettes can be inserted or r emoved whether the CAMERA/OFF/VIDEO switch is on or off. Inserting a Cassette 1. Slide the EJECT sw itch in the direction of the arrow . The cassette door opens automatically . 2.[...]

Getting Started Protecting Recorded Material Protect 8mm cassettes from accidental erasur e by sliding the tab on the side of the cassette towards the opposi te side until the tab is completely visible. Sl ide the tab in the opposite directi on, until the tab disappears, to record on the cassette ag ain. A ttaching the Optional DC Camera Light You [...]

Getting Started • If the DC camera lig ht is turned on and off during recording , there could be noise in the picture. W atch the battery charg e indicator especially when using a batter y as the power source. • W hen the DC camera light i s used, the operation time of the camera/recorder w hen a fully-c harged battery pack i s attached is halv[...]

Getting Started Using Memory The linear ti me counter mem ory stops a rewinding tape at appr oximately 0:00:00M. This feature helps in l ocating a specific point in the tape to which you wi sh to return. An exampl e might be that you have recorded som e tape that you have already watched, you continue recordi ng but do not care to watch the tape yo[...]

Getting Started Setting the Date and Time Take the tim e to set the date and time now: The tim e backup battery is rechargeable. Charge the backup battery ever y two months. Set the CAMERA/OFF/VID EO switch to OFF and connect a charged battery or the AC adapter/charger to the camer a/recorder for 24 hours. If you recor d the date and time at the be[...]

Getting Started Correcting the Date and Time 1. Press the DATE button whi le pressing the stop button. The f lashing cur sor appear s at the month. 2. Move to w here you need to make the corr ection with the STOP button and use the F.FW D and REW /REVIEW to correct. 3. Press the DATE button to set the corrected date and time. A utomatic Date Reco r[...]

Getting Started Remaining Tape The tape rem aining display shows the rem aining tape that can be used for recording and playback, using seven dashes. This featur e is handy when recording since it l ets you know how long you can record on the l oaded tape. Insert a cassette into the camera/r ecorder and start recording or playback; 10 seconds later[...]

Getting Started - Identif yi ng Contr ols Getting Sta rted - Identi fy ing Control s Left side / Front Controls Il lustration 1. Lens F1.4 (6~46mm) 8:1 pow er zoom lens w ith auto focus and auto iris functions. 2. Record Indicator This indicator l ights when the camera/r ecorder is recording . 3. Infrared Receiv er The area wher e inf rared signals[...]

Getting Started - Identif yi ng Contr ols 11. EIS (Electronic Image Stabilizer) But ton EIS corrects sligh t shaking o f an im age ("Using th e Electron ic Im age Stab ilizer," p. 32). 12. FOCUS Control (AUTO/MA N) Buttons Press these buttons simultaneousl y to select manual or automatic focus. For manual focusing ("Using Manual Focu[...]

Getting Started - Identif yi ng Contr ols Use this button to fast rew ind tapes or for visual sear ch. During vi sual search the camcorder rew inds at approxi m ately 7 times normal play back speed. Also use this button to set date and time. Furthermor e, use this button to review the last few seconds of the tape you are recor ding. 24. A V IN/OUT [...]

Getting Started - Identif yi ng Contr ols 33. DISPLA Y Button (only on the remote control) Use this button to sel ect the viewfinder and TV displ ay ("Using the Display Button," p 19). 34. A/V DUB Button (only on the remote c ontrol) Use this button to r ecord new audio and v ideo over ex isting audio and v ideo.[...]

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 it 's time to make a recor ding. Basic recording is easy and sim ple. Hooking up the cam era/recorder to your TV is not complicated but give yoursel f plenty of time to ensur e connections are correct. T[...]

Basic T echniques 6. To stop recording pr ess the Start/Stop button and REC disappears from the view finder replaced by . This places the camera/recor der in standby. Note: TAPE END f lashes in the viewfinder w hen about 3 minutes or l ess r emain of the tape cassette. Note: If the camera/recorder is left in record/pause mode for more than 5 minute[...]

Basic T echniques Connecting to a Television without A udio In and Video In Jacks 1. Disconnect the VHF antenna leads from the back of the telev ision. Leave the UHF antenna leads connected. 2. Connect the VHF antenna lead to AN T IN of the RF output adapter. If the cable on the VHF antenna lead is flat y ou need to purchase an antenna adapter (300[...]

Advanced T echniques Using Forw a rd and Reverse Search W hen looking for a particular poi nt in your v ideotape use the F.FW D button and REW /REVIEW button to find the spot quickly. • Press F.FW D button during play back to play the tape forwar d at approximately 9 ti mes normal speed. Press PLAY button to return to normal play back. • Press [...]

Advanced T echniques Using the Pow e r Zoom The power z oom W control wi dens the picture, moving the subject farther away , while the power zoom T control brings the subj ect closer, narrow ing the picture. If appears at the left of the view f inder, the dig ital zoom function show n below has been engag ed. Using the Digital Zoom The digital z oo[...]

Advanced T echniques Using the INST. ZOOM (Instant Zoom) Button The instant zoom feature activ ates the digital z oom to magnify the subject 1.5 times regar dless of zooming engag ed by the power zoom T and W controls. Press the INST. ZOOM button. appears at the l ef t of the view f inder and the picture i s magnified 1.5 times momentar ily. Note: [...]

Advanced T echniques Using A uto Focus The camera/recorder focuses the subject in the center of the view finder automatically unless the manual focus is engag ed. If appears in the view f inder, manual focus is engaged. Pr ess the FOCUS control (AUTO/MAN) buttons simultaneously to retur n to auto focus. The auto focus will not work under the follow[...]

Advanced T echniques Note: W ith the T zoom control y ou can use the auto f ocus with subj ects that are 3.6 f eet away from the lens and further away to infinity. W ith the W zoom control you can use the auto focus with subjects 1.2 inches aw ay from the lens and further aw ay to infinity. Using Manual Focus 1. Press the FOCUS control (AUTO/MAN) b[...]

Advanced T echniques Using the Electronic Image Stabilizer The electronic image stabilizer (EIS) corrects slight shaking of the im age being recorded and is effective in the follow ing situations. • W hile you zoom to a distant subj ect. • W hile you approach a small subj ect. • W hile you wal k around. • W hile you record from inside a mov[...]

Advanced T echniques Using Fade Use the fade feature to add a professional touch to your recordings. Use the FAD E button to select one of the three fade options. • W hite f ade: Fades in from a white scr een or fades out to a white screen. appears in the upper left corner of the v iewfinder. • W ipe f ade: The picture opens gradual ly from the[...]

Advanced T echniques Using Instant Rev iew Use this feature to v iew the last few seconds of the tape you shot. 1. Set the camera/recorder to record/pause mode and tap the REW /REVIEW button. The last few seconds of tape play back in r everse and then in normal playback mode. 2. The camera plays back to the spot w here you paused and retur ns to re[...]

Advanced T echniques This function allows you to shoot subjects as close as 3/8 of an inch. Press and hold the power zoom control W . The camera f o cuses on the subject automatically. C heck your lighti ng as it tends to be insufficient when filming close up. Creating and Recording Titles Create titl es easily and personaliz e your recor dings whi[...]

Advanced T echniques 6. Once you'v e selected a character press the STOP button to set it. 7. Complete the title by repeating steps 5 and 6. 8. W hen you complete your ti tle, press PLAY to create a second title as r equired, or press the TITLE ON/OFF button on the remote control to store the ti tle in memory and remove the ti tle graphics fro[...]

Advanced T echniques Recording a Title while Transferring a Tape 1. Connect the camera/recor der to the VCR (p 24). 2. Press the TITLE ON/OFF button on the remote control to turn titl e on. 3. Use the PLAY button to sel ect a title from memory. 4. Press the TITLE ON/OFF button on the remote control to turn titl e of f. 5. Turn on the VCR and set it[...]

Advanced T echniques Using the Wireless Remote Cont rol Use the wirel ess remote control to operate the cam era/recorder fr om a distance. The PLAY, F.FWD, REW, STOP, PAUSE (START/STOP) and ZOOM buttons on the wireless rem ote control operate the functions of the cor responding buttons on the camera/r ecorder. Aim the wi reless remote control at th[...]

Advanced T echniques Using Sy nchro Edit Use sy nchro edit to record only segments of a previously recorded tape when dubbing from the camera/recorder to a VC R. This requires an opti onal synchro edit cor d. T he Hitachi VM -H57A uses a flying er ase head to eliminate glitches or rainbow noise that sometimes occurs betw een edits. Your VCR must ha[...]

Advanced T echniques Controlling Your TV with the Camera/Recorder's Remote The remote control is designed to be com patible with many televisions, but will not work with every one m ade. If your TV does not respond the way it should when you progr am it as explained bel ow, this remote m ay be incapable of operating it. Once you have program m[...]

Advanced T echniques NEC PAUSE (START/STOP) RCA DISP LAY Panasonic TITLE ON/OFF Mitsubishi ZOOM.(T) JVC COUNTER RESET Sharp S.EDIT Controlling the TV Once progr ammed, the camera/recorder's remote control is ready to control the TV. • Press the button of the TV function that you want. Be awar e that not all of your TV's functions may w [...]

Advanced T echniques Using A udio/Video Dubbing Use audio/v ideo dubbing to recor d audio and video from the camera/recor der's built-in microphone and camera onto a pr eviously recorded tape in the camera/recorder . Audio/Video Dubbi ng Diagr am 1. Hold dow n the red button on the CAMERA/OFF/VIDEO sw itch while sli ding the switch to VIDEO. 2[...]

General Maintenance Recording Television Programs If your television or VCR has AUDIO OUT and VIDEO OUT jacks you can record televi sion programs w ith your camera/r ecorder. Recordin g TV Dia gram 1. Connect the camera/recor der to a power source. 2. Insert a cassette in the camera/r ecorder. 3. Hold dow n the red button on the CAMERA/OFF/VIDEO sw[...]

General Maintenance VCR serv ice center for professional head cleaning .[...]

General Maintenance Cleaning the Lens and Picture Tube of the Electronic View finder The lens of the electronic vi ewfinder can be user-cl eaned if dust, dirt, or other foreign matter adheres to it. Cleaning the Lens Illustration 1. Pull out the ey e cup to the position where a mar k can be seen (up to a half where it is pulled out all the way). Th[...]

General Maintenance Troubleshooting Quality is ver y important at Hitachi . W e inspect and check every camer a/recorder carefully at the factory under the most rigid quality control and inspection system s. If problems develop please check the following possi ble solutions before inquir ing INSERTING OR REM OVING THE CA SSETTE Sy mptom Check Point[...]

General Maintenance General Maintenance (cont.) PLA YBA CK OF P RE -RE CORDE D CA SSE TTE Symptom Check Point & Corr ection “PLAY” button cannot be engaged. Set the pow er switch to “VID EO” position. No picture appear s on television screen w hen “PLAY” button is pressed. Set the television to the camera/recorder channel (3 or 4) d[...]

General Maintenance EJECT OR TROUBLE DISPLAY Symptom Check Point & Corr ection EJECT or TROUBLE appears in the view finder. Remove the cassette and then tr y to reinsert, remov e it several times. If the indication is still sh own in the view finder, use a cleaning tape to clean the heads and replace the cassette.[...]

Specific ations S p e c i f i c a t i o n s General Specifications Power r equirements 6V DC Power consumption 5.9W (when recording ) Dimensions 3-9/16" W x 4-9/16" H x 8-1/16" D (91mm x 116mm x 205mm) W eight 1.6 lbs (730g) without battery pack, lens hood, lens cap or cassette Operating temper ature 32°F ~ 104°F Storage temper atu[...]

Specific ations warr anty card or operati ng guide. Should you have any questions regarding in-warranty service, operation or technical assistance, please contact : Hitachi Home Elect ronics (A merica), Inc. 3890 Steve Rey nolds Blvd Norcross, GA 30093 Tel 404-279-5600 Hitachi Sales Corporation of Haw aii 3219 Koapaka St./Honolulu, H I 96819 Tel 80[...]

Accesso ri es Add E xcitement A ccessories A dd Excitement We know that once you discover how much your H itachi VM-H57A can add to your l ife you will w ant to use th ese accessorie s fo r even more excitement. Converter le n ses, adapters for synchro edi ting, and car cords are just a few of the exciting accessor ies available to you fr om Hitach[...]