Sharp ViewCam VL-AH131E Operation Manual
Sharp ViewCam VL-AH131E Operation Manual

Sharp ViewCam VL-AH131E Operation Manual

Liquid crystal display camcorder
Table of Contents

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LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY CAMCORDER
VL - AH131E
OPERATION MANUAL
PAL

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Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for Sharp ViewCam VL-AH131E

  • Page 1 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY CAMCORDER VL - AH131E OPERATION MANUAL...
  • Page 2 Before using the VIEWCAM, please read this operation manual carefully, especially page i. OPERATION MANUAL ENGLISH WARNING CAUTION TO PREVENT SHOCK To prevent shock, do not open the cabinet. No user serviceable parts HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE inside. Refer servicing to qualified THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN dealer or service centre.
  • Page 3 Copying such material without permission of the relevant licensees or owners of the copyright is prohibited by law. Sharp is not in a position to authorize the recording of copyright works and nothing in this operation manual should be read or implied as giving that authority.
  • Page 4 Precautions • When the VIEWCAM is not in use, • Always respect prohibitions or restrictions remember to remove the cassette tape, on the use of electronic equipment on turn off the power, and disconnect the commercial flights or in other sensitive VIEWCAM from the power source.
  • Page 5 About Your VIEWCAM Recording Format LCD Monitor Screen Hi8 is a high-performance extension of the The VIEWCAM is equipped with a large LCD ordinary 8 mm format. It uses advanced monitor screen that allows you to record technology to achieve even higher resolution scenes while comfortably holding the and picture quality.
  • Page 6: Supplied Accessories

    Supplied Accessories Battery pack BT-H22 AC adapter Power cord Audio/video cable CR2025 type lithium battery Shoulder strap Lens cap...
  • Page 7: Optional Accessories

    Optional Accessories Standard type Extended type Accessory battery pack battery pack Sun hood shoe adapter BT-H32 VR-30AD BT-H22 VR-60BF Tripod adapter for 180° recording Soft case VR-33FA VR-33SC Note: Some of these accessories may not be available in selected areas.
  • Page 8: Table Of Contents

    Contents Operation Summary Part Names ............3 On-screen Display Index ........5 Quick Reference Index ........6 Warning Indicators ..........7 Preparation Inserting and Removing the Battery Pack ... 8 Charging the Battery Pack ........9 Powering the VIEWCAM from an AC Outlet ..10 Inserting and Removing a Cassette ....
  • Page 9 Useful Features Operations of the On-screen Controls Using the Control Buttons ....... 22 Selecting the Mode/Menu Screens ....22 Adjusting the Menu Settings ......23 Recording the Date and Time ......24 Fade In and Fade Out ........25 Quick Review ............. 26 Quick Return ............
  • Page 10: Operation Summary

    Operation Summary Part Names For details on the use of each part, refer to the page number indicated in the brackets. Front view Terminal cover Microphone Zoom lens VIDEO jack [pp. 20, 47] AUDIO jack [pp. 20, 47] DC IN jack [pp. 9, 10] Speaker When the cassette compartment door is open Cassette holder [p.
  • Page 11 Rear view RECord START/STOP button [p. 16] Power Zoom Wide angle/ LCD monitor screen Telephoto control [p. 17] VOLume control [p. 19] Shoulder strap loop [p. 14] FADE button [p. 25] CHARGE indicator [p. 9] MENU button [p. 22] Hand strap [p. 14] Operation buttons [p.
  • Page 12: On-Screen Display Index

    Operation Summary On-screen Display Index For details on the use of each function, refer to the page number indicated. Camera Mode p. 38 p. 25 MENU P I C GAMA p. 26 p. ii E F F E F F F ADE NORMAL AUTO...
  • Page 13: Quick Reference Index

    Quick Reference Index This index lists some example uses of the VIEWCAM’s features. • To record with a Hi8 tape in normal 8 mm format. —See page ii ( Recording Format) • To quickly check what you have just recorded. —See page 26 (Quick Review) •...
  • Page 14: Warning Indicators

    Operation Summary Warning Indicators Displayed for the first Displayed after Description of warning 3 seconds 3 seconds The video cassette is defective and should be removed (see page 11). Dew has formed inside the VIEWCAM. Wait for a few hours until the dew disappears (see page 49). About 10 seconds after this warning appears, the VIEWCAM automatically turns off.
  • Page 15: Preparation

    • Do not expose the battery compartment door to strong force, as it may come off. • Use only SHARP model BT-H22 or BT-H32 battery packs with this VIEWCAM. Use of other batteries may present a risk of fire or explosion.
  • Page 16: Charging The Battery Pack

    • See page 50 for more information on using the battery pack. Terminal cover Caution: • Charge only SHARP model BT-H22 or BT-H32 battery packs. Other types of battery packs may burst, causing personal injury and damage. DC IN jack...
  • Page 17: Powering The Viewcam From An Ac Outlet

    Powering the VIEWCAM from Cautions: • BEFORE REMOVING THE DC PLUG, ALWAYS an AC Outlet STOP THE TAPE AND TURN THE POWER OFF. If you remove the DC plug during recording or playback, the tape will remain wound around the Caution: video head drum, potentially causing damage to •...
  • Page 18: Inserting And Removing A Cassette

    Preparation Inserting and Removing a Wait for the cassette holder to fully retract. Close the compartment door by Cassette pressing the centre until it clicks into place. Inserting a Cassette Supply power to the VIEWCAM, then slide the release and open the cassette compartment door.
  • Page 19: Installing The Lithium Memory Battery

    Installing the Lithium Close the cassette compartment door by pressing the centre until it clicks into Memory Battery place. The supplied lithium battery is used to store the memory of the date and time settings. Slide the cassette compartment door release and open the cassette compartment door.
  • Page 20: Setting The Date And Time

    Preparation button (C or D) to Setting the Date and Time Press the select “2” (day), and press the SET button. Example: Setting the date to 2 June 2003 (2. 6. 2003) and the time to 10:30 am (10:30). S E T T I NG 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 Note:...
  • Page 21: Using The Hand Strap And The Lens Cap

    Using the Hand Strap and the Notes: • Always replace the Lens Cap lens cap on the lens when the VIEWCAM is not in use. Open the hand strap flap (Q) and grip • Attach the lens cap to strap (W). the hand strap so it will Hand strap flap not get in the way...
  • Page 22: Using The Sun Hood (Optional Accessory)

    Preparation Using the Sun Hood Closing the Sun Hood (Optional Accessory) Fold in both side covers while holding the top cover open. It is recommended that you use the optional sun hood when recording outdoors on a sunny day or at a brightly illuminated location. Attaching the Sun Hood Fit the bottom clip on the sun hood into the slot below the LCD screen (Q), and align the top...
  • Page 23: Basic Operations

    Basic Operations Camera Recording Easy Camera Recording with Note: • When recording at the beginning of a tape, advance Full Auto Mode the tape about 15 seconds before you begin recording. This will prevent the beginning of the recording being cut off when it is played back. Before you start recording, perform the operations described on pages 8 through 15 to prepare your To Pause Recording...
  • Page 24: Zooming

    Basic Operations Camera Recording Zooming Tips on Recording Positions Zooming allows you to move visually closer to The rotating LCD monitor screen lets you enjoy or farther from a subject without physically easy video recording in a more relaxed posture changing your position.
  • Page 25: Remaining Recording Time Display

    Remaining Recording Time Remaining Battery Power Display Display When the VIEWCAM is recording in Camera When using the VIEWCAM with the battery mode, about 10 minutes before the tape pack as the power source, you can turn on and reaches the end, an on-screen indicator off the remaining battery power display by displays the approximate remaining recording pressing the DISPLAY button.
  • Page 26: Playback Playback

    Basic Operations Basic Operations Playback Playback Playback To Stop Playback Press the STOP The LCD monitor screen makes it possible to button (A). REW P L AY S T OP S T I L L play back and see what you have just recorded.
  • Page 27: Watching The Playback On A Tv

    Watching the Playback on a Turn on the TV and set it to the “AV” or “VIDEO” channel. (See the operation manual of your TV.) • When connecting to a TV via a VCR, turn on You can also connect the VIEWCAM to a TV to the VCR and set it to the “AV”...
  • Page 28: Video Search

    Basic Operations Playback Video Search Still The video search function makes it easy to The still function makes it possible to pause search for a desired scene on the tape. playback. During playback, press the STILL button ( ). Searching for a Scene Near the Current Tape Position During playback, press the Forward REW P L A Y...
  • Page 29: Useful Features

    Useful Features Useful Features Operations of the On-screen Selecting the Mode/Menu Screens Controls You can use the mode screens to select Using the Control Buttons various functions and the menu screens to adjust various settings. Follow the procedure The following buttons on the VIEWCAM can be below to display the mode/menu screen with used to control the various functions, settings the indicator of the desired function/setting.
  • Page 30: Adjusting The Menu Settings

    Useful Features Adjusting the Menu Settings Press the SET button (B) to select the desired setting. • Each time you press the SET button, the Follow the procedure below to adjust the setting changes. desired menu settings. Example Camera mode MENU Hold down the Lock button and slide the S E T...
  • Page 31: Recording The Date And Time

    Recording the Date and Time When “AUTO” is selected, the date/time is displayed and recorded for 10 seconds at the beginning of the first Follow the procedure shown below to record recording of each day. the date and time, or the date only, along with When “ON”...
  • Page 32: Fade In And Fade Out

    Useful Features Fade In and Fade Out Selecting Fade Mode In Recording Standby mode, press the The fade function allows you to gradually bring MENU button until (MENU 1) the image and sound in or out at the beginning appears. or end of a scene to create a scene transition.
  • Page 33: Quick Review

    Press the REC START/STOP button to Quick Review begin recording. • The picture and sound fade in with the The quick review function lets you check the selected fade mode. last 5 seconds of tape just recorded without switching to VCR mode, to make sure that the recording has come out right.
  • Page 34: Quick Return

    Useful Features Quick Return Edit Search When you have been playing back what you The edit search function lets you search, have recorded, and wish to quickly return to without switching from Camera mode to VCR recording again from the end of the last mode, for the point on the tape where you wish recorded scene, use the quick return function.
  • Page 35: Gamma Brightness Compensation

    Gamma Brightness To obtain a brighter picture Compensation Press the GAMA EFF. button (A) again. • The indicator appears. When the subject is backlit, the image will be GAMA darkened if it is recorded normally. The gamma GAMMA GAMMA E F F . brightness compensation function improves the picture by increasing the brightness of the subject while leaving the brighter portions of...
  • Page 36: Gain-Up (Cat's Eye)

    Useful Features Gain-up (Cat’s Eye) To cancel the gain-up function Press the GAMA EFF. button until “GAMMA” When you are recording in a dark or poorly- disappears. illuminated location, “LIGHT” is displayed on the screen. Use the gain-up function to record Notes: a brighter picture.
  • Page 37: Wide Screen (16:9)

    Wide Screen (16:9) Macro Shots The wide screen function lets you record This VIEWCAM lets you shoot close-up images scenes with the wide-screen feel of a movie of small objects such as flowers and insects, or shown in a theatre. The top and bottom of the make title frames for your videos.
  • Page 38: Self Recording

    Useful Features Self Recording Push the Power Zoom control to obtain the desired angle of view. The LCD monitor can be rotated 180° vertically so that the monitor screen faces the subject. This lets you record yourself while watching your image on the screen. Press the REC START button (B) to You can enjoy recording a portrait of yourself, begin recording.
  • Page 39 Self-recording Message When the remaining recording time reaches 5 seconds, “EXTEND” will begin flashing. In Self Recording mode, you can record a short • When you want to extend the recording video message for somebody. This feature is time, press the EXTEND button (A) convenient for editing video letters.
  • Page 40: Setting The Viewcam To Full Auto Mode

    Useful Features Setting the VIEWCAM to Full If “EXPOSURE” is displayed in yellow, press the EXPOSURE button ( ) to Auto Mode display the exposure setting screen, then press the AUTO button (B). This VIEWCAM is equipped with auto focus, •...
  • Page 41: Program Search

    Program Search Press the REW (C) (or FF [B]) button. • The tape rewinds (or fast forwards) to the The program search function automatically beginning of a scene immediately before finds and plays back the beginning of a (or after) the current tape position; number of previously recorded scenes.
  • Page 42: Tape Counter Feature

    Useful Features Tape Counter Feature Camera mode Press the MENU button until The tape counter shows elapsed playback or appears. recording time in hours, minutes and seconds. (The counter continues to count internally even Press the COUNTER button (B) to while it is not being displayed.) This feature can display the tape counter.
  • Page 43 Using the Counter Memory Press the REW button (C). • The tape will automatically stop when the counter reaches 0:00.00. Use the counter memory feature when you want to return to the beginning of a particular scene. The position where the counter was reset (0:00.00) is stored in memory to make it easier to return to that point on the tape.
  • Page 44: Using The Remote Control (Not Supplied)

    VIEWCAM, and press the control buttons for operation. The remote control (RRMCG0084TASA) is not supplied with this VIEWCAM. Contact the nearest SHARP service centre or your dealer Remote sensor for purchasing as a specified part. Installing the Batteries in the Remote Control Open the battery compartment cover.
  • Page 45: Advanced Features

    Advanced Features Digital Picture Effects To cancel the digital picture effect Select “PIC. EFF.” in step 2 above. These digital picture effects let you record the subject with a more dramatic effect. Note: • The digital picture effect will be cancelled if the Type of Digital Picture Effects power source is interrupted.
  • Page 46: Scene Menu (Program Ae)

    Advanced Features Scene Menu (Program AE) To cancel the scene setting Select “SCENE MENU” in step 2 above. You can set the VIEWCAM to the shooting mode that will create the best results for a Notes: specific type of shooting situation. Just select •...
  • Page 47: Superimposing A Title

    Superimposing a Title Press the button (Q) to select the desired title, then press the SET button (B) (W) to superimpose it. Use the title feature to superimpose titles on your videos when recording. There are eight titles preset for your convenience which you T I T LE SUP E RST AR ! HAPPY B I RTHDAY ! can choose from.
  • Page 48: Changing The Preset Titles

    Advanced Features Changing the Preset Titles Press the © or ß button (Q) to select the desired character (or “ ” for space) and press the SELECT button You can make a new title of your own by ( ) (W). changing any of the eight preset titles.
  • Page 49: Auto/Manual Focus

    Auto/Manual Focus In Recording Standby mode, press the MENU button until appears. Auto Focus The auto focus function is designed to focus on WH I T E E XPO most types of subjects. In Auto Focus mode, F OCUS BAL. SURE the VIEWCAM automatically focuses on what- ever is in the centre of the scene.
  • Page 50: White Balance Lock

    Advanced Features White Balance Lock Press the WHITE BAL. button (A). • “WHITE BAL.” changes from blue to yellow and begins flashing. The colour of the subject on the screen tends to look different depending on the lighting WH I T E BA L.
  • Page 51: Manual Exposure

    Manual Exposure Press the button to select the desired exposure level. The bar indicates the selected exposure • The VIEWCAM is preset to Auto Exposure level. mode, which automatically chooses the optimal aperture. When there is too much contrast in brightness between the subject and E X POSURE background, however, you may not be able to...
  • Page 52: Picture/Backlight Adjustments

    Advanced Features Picture/Backlight Press the button to adjust the picture or backlight to the desired Adjustments setting. If the monitor picture is difficult to see due to ambient lighting, etc., adjust the picture settings. This feature can be adjusted in both Camera and VCR modes.
  • Page 53: Gamma Playback

    Gamma Playback Turning Off the LCD Monitor Backlight The gamma playback function improves the picture by increasing the brightness of the The LCD monitor uses a fluorescent lamp for subject while leaving the brighter portions of backlighting (see page 50). In order to reduce the image unaffected.
  • Page 54: Editing

    Advanced Features Editing Press the Pause/Still button on the VCR to pause recording when the source tape reaches the beginning of the sequence to Video editing lets you refine your videos by be cut. removing unwanted sequences from your tape, or transposing one sequence with another.
  • Page 55: Useful Information

    References Useful Information Lighting For clear, good-quality recording, 500 to Hints for Better Shooting 100,000 lux is needed. Recording is possible with less light, but the picture quality may • Position the subject in the centre of the suffer. Adequate lighting is also essential for screen.
  • Page 56: Dew Formation

    If the video heads become clogged, the the surroundings for about one hour. indicator appears on the screen. Contact the For example, when bringing the VIEWCAM nearest SHARP service centre or your dealer indoors after skiing, place it in a plastic bag. for further advice. Note: •...
  • Page 57: Battery Pack

    Contact the nearest SHARP service centre or CHARGE your dealer for further advice. Window...
  • Page 58 References Video Cassette Tapes Cleaning Use only tapes with the mark • Many plastic parts are used in the VIEWCAM casing. Do not use thinner, benzene or other with this VIEWCAM. strong chemical cleaners. These may cause To protect recordings against erasure discolouration and damage to the casing.
  • Page 59: Demonstration Mode

    Demonstration Mode Cancelling Demo Mode During the demonstration, perform step You can watch a brief demonstration of the 3 above. special VIEWCAM features in Demo mode. If the demonstration appears on the screen Press button (Q) to select when you turn on the VIEWCAM for the first “DEMO MODE”, then press the SET time, cancel the Demo mode to use your button (B) (W) to select “OFF”.
  • Page 60: Before Requesting Service

    References Before Requesting Service Before calling for service, please check the following troubleshooting table. Symptom Possible cause Suggested solution No power. Power source is not properly Connect power source properly connected. (pp. 8, 10). Battery pack is not charged. Charge battery pack sufficiently (p.
  • Page 61 Symptom Possible cause Suggested solution Cannot play back, rewind Position at beginning or end of tape. Rewind or fast forward tape to or fast forward tape. desired point (p. 19). Video noise in image. Dirty video heads. Call for service. Old or worn tape.
  • Page 62: Specifications

    References Specifications VIEWCAM Signal System: PAL standard Recording System: 2 rotary heads, helical scanning system Cassette: 8 mm video tape, MP type or Hi8 MP, ME type Recording/Playback Time: 120 minutes (P5-120) Tape Speed: 20.051 mm/second Pickup Device: ⁄ (6.4 mm, effective size: 4.5 mm) CCD image sensor (with approx.
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