GE CG400 manual

Camcorder User’ s Guide CG400 W e bring good things to life. .. FPO CG400 Cover 4/10/97 8:24 AM Page i[...]

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS i Pr oduct Registration Please fill out the product registration card and return it immediately. Returning this card allows us to contact you if needed. Keep your sales receipt to obtain warranty parts and service and for proof of purchase. Attach it here and record the serial and model numbers in case you ever need them. The num[...]

CAUTION: READ “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER” ON THE NEXT PAGE BEFORE USING THE AC ADAPTER/CHARGER. CAUTION: MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL SAFETY. POWERLINE-OPERATED EQUIPMENT OR ACCESSORIES CONNECTED TO THIS UNIT SHOULD BEAR THE UL LISTING MARK OR, IF PURCHASED AND USED IN CANADA, THE C-UL OR CSA CERTIFICATION MARK ON THE ACCESSOR[...]

iii Before using the AC adapter/charger, read all instructions and cautionary markings on (1) AC adapter/charger, (2) battery, and (3) product using battery. Caution: To reduce risk of injury, charge only rechargeable batteries recommended for this camcorder. Other types of batteries may burst causing personal injury and damage. Do not expose the a[...]

T able of Contents 1 Product Registration ............................i Safety Precautions ...........................i-iii Recording and Traveling Tips ...........2 Optional Accessories ........................3-7 • Accessory Order Form..................5-7 First-Time Operation • Unpack the Camcorder and Accessories ...........................[...]

2 Recording and T raveling T ips T raveling Tips • Write down your camcorder’s serial number for identification if your camcorder is lost or stolen. • Use extra care to avoid damage to your camcorder and accessories when operating them at a beach or pool. Spray, sand, and dust should be avoided. If your lens has been exposed to the elements, [...]

3 AC025A Soft Carrying Case Custom compact soft case is designed to provide protection and utility for your camcorder and most accessories. The rugged fabric is lined with soft non- abrasive material and generous padding. It has three outside pockets with storage for adapters, batteries, and tapes. CRF800 RF Output Adapter This adapter is used with[...]

4 Optional AC088 Tripod Mounting the camcorder on a tripod, such as AC088, will keep the camcorder steady. This tripod’s fluid-effect head provides smooth camera pan and tilt. The grooved, tubular 3-section leg design folds down to 26" when not in use. Rubber feet allow for sure footing. Cautions: Before using a tripod, make sure it is stabl[...]

Detach Here ✂ Please complete other side also 5 Order Form for Camcorder Model CG400 Description Part No. Price Qty. Total Soft Camcorder Case AC025A $ 59.95 Super Lightweight Tripod AC088 $ 39.95 75-300 Ohm Cable Transformer AH011 $ 1.90 RF Coaxial Cable (6-ft.) AH065G $ 6.99 RF Coaxial Cable (10-ft.) AH066G $ 8.99 Audio/Video Cable (3-ft.) AH06[...]

6 Detach Here ✂ ® r r s TM Charge your order on your VISA or MasterCard by filling in below USE YOUR CREDIT CARD IMPORTANT: Copy complete account number from your VISA card IMPORTANT: Copy complete account number from your MasterCard My card expires: My card expires: Copy Number above your name on MasterCard AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE Prices are subje[...]

7 To order accessories, contact your local dealer. If a dealer is not nearby, you can also follow the directions below to order by telephone or direct-by-mail. United States and Canada Orders To place your order by phone, have your Visa or MasterCard ready and call the toll-free number listed below between 8AM and 8PM Eastern Standard Time. Use thi[...]

First-T ime Operation 8 Unpack the Camcorder and Accessories The items shown below are packed with your camcorder. If any are missing or appear damaged, contact your dealer immediately. WARNING: NICKEL CADMIUM BATTERY MUST BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY. This section describes only the basic steps necessary to set up your camcorder to record. Refer to the[...]

9 Attaching the Adapter/Charger 1. Slide the OPEN-BATT button to open the battery compartment. Carefully open the compartment fully. 2. Insert the DC connecting cord from the DC output terminal on the AC adapter/charger to the DC input terminal on the camcorder. 3. Close the battery compartment. 4. Plug the AC adapter/charger power cord into an AC [...]

10 Insert a Cassette 1. Press the EJECT button to open the cassette compartment. 2. Insert the cassette so the safety tab is at the top; the flap is at the bottom; and the tape window faces out. 3. Gently press the compartment where it is labeled PUSH until it clicks into place. The top closes automatically so do not press down on the top as it may[...]

11 Review the Camcorder Contr ols V A BLANK Button OPEN-BATT Button Battery Compartment EJECT Button Camera Lens Playback Controls (located under control door) Microphone Handstrap Shoulder Strap Attachment LCD Window REC: Record Start/Stop Button (Thumb Trigger) Viewfinder Focus Control Shoulder Strap Attachment Warning Indicator Record-Pause Indi[...]

12 1. Battery Level Indicator ( ) Indicates the amount of power remaining in the battery. Details are on page 15. 2. Dew Warning ( ) Flashes when excessive moisture (condensation) has entered the camcorder. The camcorder will not operate when this warning appears; wait until the warning disappears before you operate. 3. Head Clog Warning ( ) Flashe[...]

13 Powering Y our Camcorder T o Attach Adapter/Charger: 1. Slide the OPEN-BATT button to open the battery compartment. Carefully open the compartment fully. 2. Plug one end of the DC power cord into the DC OUT jack on the adapter/ charger and the other end into the DC IN 6.5V jack on the side of the camcorder. 3. Close the battery compartment. 4. P[...]

Tips: Make sure AC power cord is removed from the outlet when finished. If the CHARGE indicator flashes rapidly, this may indicate the battery is improperly installed. Remove it and try again. If the CHARGE indicator still flashes rapidly, it may indicate the battery pack cannot be used. Please consult your dealer for assistance. To Refresh a Batte[...]

15 Installing the Battery 2 1 To Install a Battery: 1. Slide the OPEN-BATT button to open the battery compartment. 2. Insert the battery sideways as shown and snap into place. 3. Close the battery compartment. To Remove a Battery: 1. Slide the OPEN-BATT button to open the battery compartment. 2. Slide the battery towards the back of the camcorder a[...]

16 Do not store a battery pack where it can reach high temperatures. Remove the battery from the camcorder when it is not in use to prolong the battery life. Recharge the battery just before it is used. If the battery is recharged and not used, it will slowly lose its charge. Make sure to exhaust the charge of the battery pack completely when recor[...]

17 1 1 2 30 40 50 4 4 Using the Optional Car Cord Adapter/Charger This adapter/charger lets you power your camcorder from the cigarette lighter socket of a car, truck, or RV. It converts 24- or 12-volts to a 6.5-volt output. It can also charge the battery that came with your camcorder. Consult the operating instructions enclosed with the DCC05. Tip[...]

18 Recording V ideo Cassettes We recommend that our cassettes be used with your camcorder. Use of poor quality or damaged tapes can contaminate the video heads. Head cleaning is not covered under warranty and is considered normal maintenance. 1. Attach a power supply. 2. Press the EJECT button to open the cassette compartment. 3. Insert the tape so[...]

19 The record-pause indicator to the right of the viewfinder and and ❙❙ in the LCD window stop flashing. Tips: Use the thumb trigger for brief recording pauses. The camcorder turns off if it remains in record-pause for three minutes. If you plan to stop recording for a longer period, turn the camcorder off. The recording speed is SP (standard s[...]

20 Recording Featur es This section explains the features available to enhance your recordings. PLA Y (Playback)/ CAM (Recording) Mode This camcorder can be used for recording or playing a tape. Pressing the PLAY/ CAM button toggles between the recording mode and playback mode. The green and red indicators on each side of the button let you know th[...]

21 Blank Search With the press of a button, the camcorder advances through the tape for a blank section. This feature saves time and tape by locating the end of the last recorded segment. 1. Place the camcorder in record-pause. 2. Press BLANK (located under top control door). BLANK flashes when searching a recorded portion of the tape. It lights fo[...]

AUDIO IN VIDEO IN AUDIO IN L R VIDEO IN Back of Mono VCR or TV Monitor Back of Stereo VCR or TV Monitor Y-Adapter* White Audio Plug Yellow Video Plug Audio/Video Cable Audio/Video Cable White Audio Plug Yellow Video Plug OR Video Jack Audio Jack REW PLAY F.FWD EJECT STOP PAUSE BLANK V A Playback on TV (or VCR) with AUDIO/VIDEO IN Jacks To connect y[...]

23 Playback on a TV Using the Antenna Connector To connect your camcorder to a TV without audio/video inputs, additional accessories are required for this connection. V A OR VHF Antenna CHANNEL 4CH/3CH Switch VHF Antenna OR Back of TV Back of TV CRF800 RF Output Adapter* 75-300 Ohm Transformer* RF Coaxial Cable* Output Jacks (Located behind AV TERM[...]

24 Playback Featur es The playback features described below are used when you connect your camcorder to a TV with or without AUDIO/VIDEO jacks as described on pages 22 and 23. The buttons are located under the control panel on top of the camcorder. Picture Sear ch During playback, you can search through the tape quickly by using the F.FWD (fast for[...]

25 Refer ence Car e and Maintenance • Keep dust and grit from entering the camcorder’s cassette door. Dust and grit are abrasive and will cause excessive wear to both the camcorder’s recording/playback heads and cassettes. • Wipe the lens gently with a cleaning tissue and commercially prepared cleaning solution designed for camera lens. Do [...]

26 No power Won’t record or playback Won’t playback Won’t record Camcorder turns itself off Camcorder remains in pause mode Sound is too low or distorted T rouble Checks Troubles sometimes are caused by simple “faults” that you can easily correct without the help of a service technician by first checking a few basic remedies. Before you c[...]

27 Dew indicator flashing in the LCD window Viewfinder displays are not clear Vertical white lines appear when shoot- ing bright object Cannot see video during playback ( ) indicator flashing in LCD window • If the dew indicator ( ) flashes in the LCD window, there is moisture in the camcorder. Wait until this indicator no longer appears before o[...]

28 Camcorder Television system: NTSC, EIA Video Recording system: Rotating 2-head, helical-scan system Audio recording system: Rotating head, FM system Cassette type: 8 mm video cassette tape Tape speed: SP mode - Approx. 14.345 mm/sec. Maximum recording time: 120 minutes (P6-120 cassette) Image Sensor: CCD solid-state type Viewfinder: Optical view[...]

29 Limited W arranty What your warranty covers: • Any defect in material or workmanship. For how long after your purchase: • Ninety days for labor charges. • One year for parts. (The warranty period for rental units begins with the first rental.) What we will do: • Pay any Authorized GE Camcorder Servicenter the labor charges to repair your[...]

30 Index A AC Adapter/Charger Attaching the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,13 Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii Using the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,13 Accessories Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Optional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 Order Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5[...]

31 P PAUSE Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Pause, Stop-Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Picture Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 PLAY Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-24 PLAY/CAM Button . . . . . 10,19,20,22,23 Playback Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Playback Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

For your nearest GE Dealer or Authorized Servicenter call toll-free in the U.S.A. 1-800-447-1700 © 1994 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. Trademark(s) ® Registered Marca(s) Registrada(s) Printed in Japan Part Number 94-CG400-1 If your camcorder needs service, please contact your dealer or the nearest Servicenter from the yellow pages. Please do [...]