JVC GR-DX55 manual

Please visit our Homepage on the World Wide Web f or Digital Video Camera: http://www .jvc-victor .co.jp/english/cyber/ For Accessories: http://www .jvc-victor .co.jp/english/accessory/ INSTRUCTIONS DIGIT AL VIDEO CAMERA EN L YT1120-001A ENGLISH CONTENTS AUTOMA TIC DEMONSTRA TION 6 GETTING ST ARTED 7 – 10 T APE RECORDING & PLA YBACK 11 – 15[...]

EN 2 CONTENTS None USING MENUS FOR DET AILED ADJUSTMENT .... 21 – 25 For Recording Menu ...................................... 21 – 24 For Playback Menu ....................................... 24 – 25 DUBBING .............................................. 26 – 27 Dubbing T o Or From A VCR .................................... 26 Dubbing T o [...]

EN 3 None None NOTES: ● The rating plate (serial number plate) and safety caution are on the bottom and/or the back of the main unit. ● The rating information and saf ety caution of the A C Adapter are on its upper and lower sides. W ARNING: T O PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NO T EXPOSE THIS UNIT T O RAIN OR MOISTURE. Dear Customer , Thank y[...]

EN 4 None Do not point the lens or the viewfinder directly into the sun. This can cause eye injuries, as w ell as lead to the malfunctioning of internal circuitr y . There is also a r isk of fire or electric shock. CAUTION! The follo wing notes concer n possible physical damage to the camcorder and to the user . Do not carry or hold the camcorder b[...]

EN 5 NOTE: In order to maintain optimum perf ormance of the camcorder , provided cab les may be equipped with one or more core filter . If a cab le has only one core filter, the end that is closest to the filter should be connected to the camcorder . S-Video/Audio/ Video/Editing Cable Grip Belt (Already attached to the camcorder) Battery Pac k BN-V[...]

EN 6 A utomatic Demonstration takes place when “ DEMO MODE ” is set to “ ON ” (factory-preset). 䡲 A utomatic Demonstration star ts when there is no operation f or about 3 minutes after the P ower Switch 8 is set to “ ” or “ ” and no cassette is in the camcorder . 䡲 P erforming any operation during the demonstration stops the dem[...]

EN 7 8 y 6 ) Battery pack BN-V107U BN-V114U (optional) Charging time approx. 1 hr . 30 min. approx. 3 hrs. Power CHARGING THE BA TTERY P A CK 1 Insert the ter minal end of the batter y pack into the battery pack mount ) , then firmly push the end of the battery pack in the direction of the arrow until it loc ks into place as shown in the illustr at[...]

EN 8 Grip Adjustment 1 Separate the V elcro strip. 2 Pass y our r ight hand through the loop and grasp the grip. 3 Adjust your thumb and fingers through the grip, to easily operate the Recording Start/Stop button 7 and P o wer Switch 8 and P ower Zoom (SHUTTLE SEARCH) Ring 9 . Be sure to fasten the V elcro strip to your pref erence. Viewfinder Adju[...]

EN 9 u T ripod Mounting CAUTION When attaching the camcorder to a tripod, extend its legs to stabilise the camcorder . It is not advised to use small sized tripods. This may cause damage to the unit by f alling over . 1 T o attach the camcorder to a tripod, align the screw to the mounting sock et r on the camcorder. Then tighten the scre w clockwis[...]

EN 10 ● It takes a f ew seconds for the cassette holder to open. Do not apply force . ● There may be a dela y after you open the cassette holder cov er until the cassette holder opens. Do not use force . ● If you wait a f ew seconds and the cassette holder does not open, close the cassette holder cov er and tr y again. If the cassette holder [...]

EN 11 2 0 5 m h 1h30m 1h29m 0h 0 3m 1 h 30 m 0h 0 2m 0h 0 1m 0h 0 0m P L A Y O F F A M S H U T T L E S E A R C H 180 ° 90 ° t 6 7 8 0 3 During shooting Basic Recording P erform the procedures listed below before contin uing. ● P ower ( 墌 pg. 7) ● Grip Adjustment ( 墌 pg. 8) ● Viewfinder Adjustment ( 墌 pg. 8) ● Load A Cassette ( 墌 p[...]

EN 12 T APE RECORDING P ower Switch P osition : Allows you to set v arious recording functions using the Menus. If you w ant more creative capabilities than Full Auto recording, try this mode. (Full A uto): Allows you to record using NO special eff ects or manual adjustments. Suitable f or standard recording. OFF: Allows y ou to switch off the camc[...]

EN 13 12 : 34 : 24 T APE RECORDING Time Code During recording, a time code is recorded on the tape. This code is to confirm the location of the recorded scene on the tape during playbac k. If recording starts from a blank por tion, the time code begins counting from “ 00:00:00 ” (minute:second:frame). If recording starts from the end of a previ[...]

EN 14 8 & * 7 9 4 T APE PLA YBA CK Blank Search Helps you find where y ou should star t recording in the middle of a tape to av oid time code interruption ( 墌 pg. 13). 1 Load a tape ( 墌 pg. 9). 2 Set the P ower Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. 3 Press BLANK SEARCH ( . •“ BLANK SEARCH ” r[...]

EN 15 T o S/A V # S-Video/Audio/Video/Editing cable (pr ovided) Connector cover * * When connecting the cables, open this co ver . ** The audio connection is not required f or watching still images only . *** Connect when the S-Video connection is not used. VCR TV T APE PLA YBA CK Connections 1 Make sure all units are turned off . 2 Connect the cam[...]

EN 16 Night-Scope Makes dark subjects or areas e v en brighter than they would be under good natural lighting. Although the recorded image is not grain y , it ma y look as if it is strobing due to the slow shutter speed. 1 Set the P ower Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the s witch. Open the LCD monitor fully or [...]

EN 17 Fade/Wipe Effects These effects let y ou make pro-style scene transitions. Use them to spice up the transition from one scene to the ne xt. F ade or Wipe works when tape recording is started or when you stop recording. 1 Set the P ower Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Loc k Button 0 located on the s witch. Open the LCD monitor full[...]

EN 18 FOR RECORDING Snapshot This feature lets y ou record still images that look like photographs onto a tape . SNAPSHO T MODE SELECTION 1 Set the P ower Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. Open the LCD monitor fully or pull out the viewfinder fully . 2 Press MENU 2 . The Menu Screen appears. 3 Press + [...]

EN 19 FOR RECORDING Manual Focus T o obtain correct focus . 1 If you are using the vie wfinder, y ou should already hav e made the necessar y viewfinder adjustments ( 墌 pg. 8). 2 Set the P ower Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Loc k Button 0 located on the s witch, then press FOCUS ( ( 墌 pgs . 40 and 41). The manual f ocus indicator [...]

EN 20 Iris Lock Use this function in the follo wing situations: • When shooting a moving subject. • When the distance to the subject changes (so its size in the LCD monitor or the viewfinder changes), such as when the subject is backing a way . • When shooting on a reflective natural bac kground such as at the beach or when skiing. • When s[...]

EN 21 USING MENUS FOR DET AILED ADJUSTMENT For Recording Menu This camcorder is equipped with an easy-to-use, on-screen menu system that simplifies many of the more detailed camcorder settings ( 墌 pg. 21 – 24). 1 Set the P ower Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Loc k Button 0 located on the s witch. Open the LCD monitor fully or pull [...]

EN 22 USING MENUS FOR DET AILED ADJUSTMENT 0 AD J . – AU TO LAS H F LAS H F – ON IS D – RE TURN OF F IN D C U T W – OF F ID E M O D E W – OF F ELE M A C R O T – N A MU A L SNAP MODE Ref er to “ Snapshot ” ( 墌 pg. 18 ). GAIN UP OFF: Allows you to shoot dark scenes with no picture brightness adjustment. [A GC]: The o verall appearan[...]

EN 23 USING MENUS FOR DET AILED ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM “ SYSTEM ” functions which are set when the P ower Switch 8 is set to “ ” are also applied when the P ower Switch 8 is set to “ ” ( 墌 pg. 24). BEEP OFF: Even though not heard while shooting, shutter sound is recorded on the tape. BEEP: The beep sounds when the power is turned on or off[...]

EN 24 USING MENUS FOR DET AILED ADJUSTMENT TIME CODE [OFF]: Time code is not displayed. ON: Time code is displayed on the camcorder and on the connected TV . F rame numbers are not displa yed during recording. CLOCK ADJ. Allows you to set the current date and time ( 墌 pg. 1 0). For Playback Menu The f ollowing procedure applies to all e xcept Syn[...]

EN 25 12 12 : 34 : 24 0 3 0 . 2 1 3 : 7 1 . 5 2 bi t /S O U N D 1 4 6 L USING MENUS FOR DET AILED ADJUSTMENT ON SCREEN setting: For playback sound, tape speed and tape running. D A TE/TIME setting: For date/time. Display Minutes Seconds Frames * * 25 frames = 1 second TIME CODE setting: For time code. VIDEO DISPLA Y • Settings made in the “ VID[...]

EN 26 DUBBING Connector cover * * When connecting the cables, open this co ver. ** Connect when the S-Video connection is not used. *** If your VCR has a SCAR T connector T o use this camcorder as a player [ use the pro vided cable adapter . T o use this camcorder as a recorder [ use a commercially av ailable output cab le adapter . VCR TV T o S/A [...]

EN 27 DUBBING Dubbing T o Or From A Video Unit Equipped With A DV Connector (Digital Dubbing) It is also possible to copy recorded scenes from this camcorder onto another video unit equipped with a DV connector . Since a digital signal is sent, there is little if any image or sound deterioration. T o Use This Camcorder As A Pla yer 1 Make sure all [...]

EN 28 USING THE REMOTE CONTROL UNIT Slow-Motion Playback T o allow slow-speed search in either direction during tape playbac k. 1 T o change from nor mal to Slow-Motion Pla yback, press SLO W ( 9 ) R or ( 0 ) E more than appro x. 2 seconds. After approx. 5 minutes (appro x. 20 seconds with an 80-minute cassette) in Slow Re wind or appro x. 5 minute[...]

EN 29 USING THE REMOTE CONTR OL UNIT Audio Dubbing The audio track can be customized only when recorded in the 12-bit mode ( 墌 pg. 21). NOTES: ● Audio Dubbing is not possible on a tape recorded in 16-bit audio, on a tape recorded in the LP mode or on a blank portion of a tape. ● T o perform Audio Dubbing while w atching on the television, mak[...]

EN 30 USING THE REMOTE CONTROL UNIT 34 0 9 2 5 1 8 7 6 W Q d VCR (Recording dec k) IMPORT ANT Although the MBR is compatible with JVC VCRs and those of many other maker s, it ma y not work with your s or may off er limited functions. NOTES: ● If the VCR ’ s po wer does not come on in step 1 , try another code from the VCR CODE LIST . ● Some b[...]

EN 31 USING THE REMOTE CONTR OL UNIT I O Y Q j A P ● Make sure to set “ S/A V INPUT ” to “ OFF ” in the Menu Screen (GR-DX55/DX35 only , 墌 pg. 24). ● Set the video out select switch of the cab le adapter as required: Y/C : When connecting to a TV or VCR which accepts Y/C signals and uses an S-Video cable . CVBS : When connecting to a [...]

EN 32 USING THE REMOTE CONTROL UNIT For More Accurate Editing Some VCRs make the transition from Record-P ause to Record mode faster than others . Ev en if you begin editing for the camcorder and the VCR at e xactly the same time, y ou may lose scenes y ou wanted, or find that you ha v e recorded scenes you did not want. F or a cleanly edited tape,[...]

EN 33 SYSTEM CONNECTIONS “ A CCESSING FILES ” appears on the LCD monitor while the PC is accessing data in the camcorder or the camcorder is transf err ing a file to the PC. NEVER disconnect the USB cable while “A CCESSING FILES” is displayed on the LCD monitor since this can result in product damage. To D V ^ T o USB connector D V cable (o[...]

EN 34 TROUBLESHOO TING The focus does not adjust automaticall y . • Focus is set to the Manual mode. ¥ Set Focus to the A uto mode ( 墌 pg. 19). • The recording was done in a dark place, or the contrast was low . • The lens is dir ty or cov ered with condensation. ¥ Clean the lens and check the f ocus again ( 墌 pg. 39). The cassette will[...]

EN 35 TROUBLESHOO TING The image looks like the shutter speed is too slow . • When shooting in the dark, the unit becomes highly sensitive to light when “ GAIN UP ” is set to “ AU TO ” in the Menu Screen. ¥ If you w ant the lighting to look more natural, set “ GAIN UP ” to “ AGC ” or “ OFF ” in the Menu Screen ( 墌 pg. 22). [...]

EN 36 TROUBLESHOO TING An unusual mark appears. ¥ Check the section of the manual that explains LCD monitor/viewfinder indications ( 墌 pg. 42 – 44). An error indication (E01, E02 or E06) appears. • A malfunction of some kind has occurred. In this case the camcorder ’ s functions become unusable. ¥ Remove the power supply (battery pack, et[...]

EN 37 CA UTIONS Battery Packs The supplied battery pack is a lithium-ion battery . Before using the supplied battery pack or an optional battery pack, be sure to read the following cautions: 1. T o av oid hazards . . . ... do not burn. ... do not short-circuit the terminals. When transporting, make sure the provided battery cap is attached to the b[...]

EN 38 CA UTIONS 5. Dir ty heads can cause the follo wing problems: • No picture during playbac k. • Blocks of noise appear during pla yback. • During recording or playback, the Head Clog Warning indicator “ ” appears. • Recording cannot be performed properly . In such cases, use an optional cleaning cassette . Insert it and play back. I[...]

EN 39 CA UTIONS Serious malfunctioning If malfunctioning occurs, stop using the unit immediately and consult your local JVC dealer . The camcorder is a microcomputer-controlled de vice. Exter nal noise and interf erence (from a TV , a radio, etc.) might prevent it from functioning properly . In such cases, first disconnect its po wer supply unit (b[...]

EN 40 P L A Y O F F A M S H U T T L E S E A R C H 2 3 4 1 5 # @ ! ^ % $ 6 8 7 t r u y * & ( ) w q e 0 9 ia W Y O I Q R T E U s d f g h j k l ; P S A p o INDEX Controls, Connectors And Indicators Viewfinder Speaker LCD monitor Refer to this diagram while reading the instructions. Remote Control Stereo microphone 01 DX55/45/35/25EK_EN 34-48 03.1.[...]

EN 41 INDEX 1 SELECT/SET Button ................................. 墌 pg. 21 2 MENU Button ............................................ 墌 pg. 21 3 • +, – Button ............................................... 墌 pg. 21 • LCD Monitor Brightness Control [MONIT OR BRIGHT +, –] ........................ 墌 pg. 11 4 Stop Button [ 5 ] ........[...]

EN 42 INDEX LCD Monitor/Viewfinder Indications During T ape Recording During T ape Playback C E R SOUND b i t 2 1 5:5 5 6 w 1h50m 4 3 0 3 : 7 1 0 xW T 2 5.1 2.0 3 !@ #$ 8 0 9 25 1 ^ * & ( % 2 3 4 5 7 6 w ) q 1 6 w 12 / 1 bi S O U N D B L ANK S E ARCH VOL U ME t 116 : 21 : 24 6 4 L 0 3 : 7 1 2 5.1 2.0 3 e y t r w ) u ( 01 DX55/45/35/25EK_EN 34-4[...]

EN 43 INDEX 1 Appears when the P ower Switch is set to “ ” .............................................. 墌 pg. 12 2 • : Appears when Night-Scope is engaged ....................................... 墌 pg. 16 • : Appears when “GAIN UP” is set to “A UTO” and the shutter speed is being automati- cally adjusted .......................[...]

EN 44 INDEX W ARNING INDICA TIONS (high) (exhausted) Displays the battery remaining power le vel. As the batter y pow er comes close to nil, the battery indicator blinks (battery power warning). When the battery power is e xhausted, power turns off automatically . Appears when no tape is loaded. ( 墌 pg. 9) CHECK T APE’S ERASE PRO TECTION T AB A[...]

EN 45 SPECIFICA TIONS Camcorder General P ower supply : DC 11.0 V (Using A C Adapter) DC 7.2 V (Using battery pack) P ower consumption LCD monitor off, viewfinder on : Appro x. 3.4 W LCD monitor on, viewfinder off : Approx. 4.6 W Dimensions (W x H x D) : 55 mm x 102 mm x 96 mm (with the LCD monitor closed and the viewfinder pushed bac k in) W eight[...]

EN 46 G Gain Up .......................................................... 墌 pg. 22 Grip Adjustment ............................................... 墌 pg. 8 I Icons ...................................................... 墌 pg. 21 – 25 Insert Editing .................................................. 墌 pg. 29 Iris ...........................[...]

EN 47 R Random Assemble Editing ..................... 墌 pg. 30 – 32 Record-Standby ............................................. 墌 pg. 11 Recording Mode ............................................. 墌 pg. 10 Remote Control .......................................... 墌 pg. 5, 28 Reset ........................................................[...]

COPYRIGHT© 2003 VICTOR COMP ANY OF JAP AN, L TD . VICTOR COMP ANY OF JAPAN, LIMITED EK Printed in Japan 0103-HO-UN-SN1 01 DX55/45/35/25EK_EN 34-48 03.1.29, 11:57 AM 48[...]