User manual HITACHI VM-E220A

[. . . ] Important Safeguards i -1- Instruction Manual 8mm Video Camcorder VM-E220A Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. 770-279-5600 HITACHI (HSC) CANADA INC 3300 Trans Canada Highway, Pointe Claire, Quebec, H9R 1B1, CANADA Tel. 514-697-9150 HITACHI SALES CORPORATION OF HAWAII, INC 3219 Koapaka Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 Tel. Please take time to become familiar with the manual and how it is set up. [. . . ] DC IN Jack (Behind the jack cover) When using the AC adapter/charger, connect one end of the DC cord (provided) to this jack and the other end to the DC OUTPUT jack of the AC adapter/charger. When using the car battery cord (optional), connect this jack and the DC OUTPUT jack of the car battery cord. Start/Stop Button When the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch is in CAM press this button to start recording. Pressing a second time resumes normal playback. Basic Techniques Right side/Jack covers/Underside Illustration - 21 - 22. AV IN/OUT Jack (Behind the jack cover) Use this jack to connect the camcorder to a VCR or television ("Connecting to a Television without Audio In and Video In Jacks", P. 28). AV OUTPUT Jacks (Behind the jack cover) Use this jack to connect the camcorder to a VCR or television ("Playing Back Your Recording", p. 26, 27, "Dubbing from the Camcorder to a VCR", p. 38, "Recording Television Programs", p. 39). Clock Battery Compartment Pull the battery holder and install the clock battery (provided). Tripod Mounting Threaded Socket Use this threaded socket to mount the camcorder to a tripod. Basic Techniques The batteries are in place and charged, the date and time are set, and you are familiar with the controls. Hooking up the camcorder to your TV is not complicated but give yourself plenty of time to ensure connections are correct. Practice the basic techniques of recording and playback on something unimportant such as traffic or a short tour of your backyard. Once familiar with how the machine works you can move to the more sophisticated features with less stress. Let's get started! Making a Basic Recording The Hitachi VM-E220A uses PROGRAM AE auto exposure that automatically selects the optimum shutter speed (either 1/60, 1/120, 1/180, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500, 1/750, 1/1000, 1/1500, 1/2000, or 1/4000 of a second). Connect the camcorder to a power source ("Loading Batteries; Camcorder Batteries, " p 15, "Using Alternative Power Sources, " p. 17). Insert an 8mm cassette ("Inserting and Removing Cassettes, " p. 18). Press the red button on the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch as you slide it to CAM. Use the diopter control to match the viewfinder's focus with your eyesight. REC appears in the viewfinder and the camcorder records the picture you see in the viewfinder. Basic Techniques - 22 - Note: TAPE flashes in the viewfinder when the tab on the side of the cassette is completely visible. To stop recording press the Start/Stop button and REC disappears from the viewfinder replaced by places the camcorder in standby. This Note: TAPE END flashes in the viewfinder when about 3 minutes or less remain of the tape cassette. Note: If the camcorder is left in record/pause mode for more than 5 minutes, the camcorder turns off automatically. To restart it press the Start/Stop button and the camera returns to record/pause mode. Playing Back Your Recording Depending on the setup of your video equipment, you connect the camcorder in one of the 3 methods explained below. Connecting to a Television with a VCR Attached 1. Connect the provided audio/video output cable to the AUDIO IN and VIDEO IN jacks of your VCR. [. . . ] And, after about one minute, the display in the viewfinder will be reset. Insert six batteries. General Maintenance - 46 - TAPE DISPLAY Symptom TAPE appears in the viewfinder. Check Point & Correction § Have you moved the camcorder or cassette from a cold place to a warm place so that its temperature changed abruptly?If the temperature has changed, remove the cassette and set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to OFF, then wait for about one hour. [. . . ]