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Hitachi VM-8500LA Instruction Manual

Hitachi instruction manual video camcorder vm-7500la, vm-8500la
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SAFTEY PRECAUTIONS
777

Instruction Manual

Video Camcorder
VM-7500LA/VM-8500LA
HITACHI HOME ELECTRONICS
(AMERICA), INC.
1855 Donroch Court,
San Diego, California 92173
Tel. 770-279-5600
Thank you for choosing the
simple instructions before operating your camcorder.
QR31031 ©Hitachi, Ltd. 1998
HITACHI (HSC) CANADA INC.
6740 Campobello Road
Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2L8
CANADA
Tel. 905-821-4545
video camcorder. For maximum pleasure and convenience please read these
Printed in Japan KY-TF(N)
- 1 -

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Summary of Contents for Hitachi VM-8500LA

  • Page 1: Instruction Manual

    QR31031 ©Hitachi, Ltd. 1998 HITACHI (HSC) CANADA INC. 6740 Campobello Road Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2L8 CANADA Tel. 905-821-4545 video camcorder. For maximum pleasure and convenience please read these - 1 - Printed in Japan KY-TF(N)

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    QUICK EDIT (Edit Search) ...42 TITLE RECORDING ...42 AUDIO DUBBING (only for VM-8500LA)...45 AUDIO AND VIDEO DUBBING (only for VM-8500LA)...46 RECORDING TV PROGRAMS (only for VM-8500LA)...47 VIEWING THE PICTURE PLAYED BACK ON YOUR TV ...48 CAMCORDER TO VCR DUBBING ...50 FLYING ERASE HEAD (only for VM-8500LA)...51...

  • Page 3: Saftey Precautions

    Caution: Avoid operating your camcorder immediately after moving it from a cold area to a warm humid area. Give the camcorder 2 to 3 hours to acclimate to the surroundings before inserting a video cassette. When moved from a cold area to a warm humid area, moisture may condense on the head drum inside the machine.

  • Page 4: Precautions

    Your camcorder is functioning properly, but the solid-state pickup device (CCD) usually causes this as an inherent characteristic. Try to avoid shooting an excessive bright object directly. Be sure not to leave the camcorder in a place where the temperature exceeds 140ºF (60ºC), or the pickup device may be damaged.

  • Page 5: Accessories

    With this camcorder you can view the picture being recorded or the playback picture whether on the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder. Opening or closing the LCD monitor switches the picture to appear on the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder.
  • Page 6 IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS - 6 - 2 Retain Instruction -- The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. 3 Heed Warnings -- Comply with all warnings on the video product and in the operating instructions. 4 Polarized Plug -- This video product is equipped with a polarized alternating-current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other).
  • Page 7 IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS - 7 - 12 Outdoor Antenna Grounding -- If an outside antenna or cable system is connected to the video product, be sure the antenna or cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and built-up static charges.

  • Page 8: Important Safety Instructions For Ac Adaptor/Charger

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR AC ADAPTOR/CHARGER c. If the video product has been exposed to rain or water. d. If the video product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions. Improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the video product to its normal operation.

  • Page 9: Electronic Viewfinder (Evf)

    ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER (EVF)  S et the viewfinder to the position shown in the figure when carrying the camcorder or storing it in the carrying case.  T urn the viewfinder to the position shown below when shooting pictures.

  • Page 10: Eyepiece Adjustment

    LCD MONITOR - 10 - Do not hold the diopter control side. EYEPIECE ADJUSTMENT To use the electronic viewfinder without eyeglasses on, adjust the diopter control for optimum focus adjustment. LCD MONITOR When using the LCD monitor during recording and playback, you can adjust the brightness of its screen and the angle of the monitor.
  • Page 11 LCD MONITOR - 11 - NOTE: Opening or closing the LCD monitor switches the picture to appear on the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder. Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen NOTE: Even when the picture on the LCD monitor is adjusted, the recorded video will not change. 1.

  • Page 12: Active Screen

    If the LCD screen becomes dirty, use a soft cloth to wipe off the dirt. • If the camcorder is used in a cold place and becomes to cold, the LCD screen will be dim for a while after the power is turned on.
  • Page 13 ". This indicator is used for battery operation and has no meaning when using the AC adaptor/charger to power the camcorder.  W HEN USING WITH THE CAR BATTERY (By using optional car battery cord Hitachi VM-CC70A) 1. Connect the small plug of the car battery cord to the "DC IN 9.6V" jack of the camcorder.

  • Page 14: Checking The Battery

    CHECKING THE BATTERY When the " " indication appears in the viewfinder and flashes while the camcorder is being operated with a battery (provided), it indicates that the battery charge is low. Charge it or replace it with a charged battery.
  • Page 15 Charging time Battery Pack VM-BP66 Charging about 120 min. Full Charge Operating time The camcorder operating time depends on how often you turn power on.off and use REC/PAUSE and zoom. Battery pack Charging LCD monitor Continuous recording about 60 min.

  • Page 16: Inserting And Removing Cassettes

    Removing a cassette Press "STOP/EJECT". The cassette door will open automatically. Remove the cassette. VIEWFINDER BRIGHT CONTROL (ONLY FOR VM-8500LA) Viewfinder brightness can be adjusted by turning the "BRIGHT" control. This does not affect the picture actually recorded by the camcorder.

  • Page 17: Identification And Operation Of Controls

    - 17 - IDENTIFICATION AND OPERATION OF CONTROLS Click here for diagram. Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) Displays what the camcorder lens sees. The electronic viewfinder also functions as a convenient monitor during playback of recorded material. For VM-8500LA Diopter Control Use this control to focus the viewfinder.
  • Page 18 TV/monitor receiver. You can also connect the RF converter unit (optional) to these jacks and your TV receiver. For VM-8500LA: These can be used as input or output jacks depending on the position of "AV OUT/IN". • When using these jacks as outputs, connect the audio/video cable (not supplied) to these hacks and to the audio and video inputs of your TV/ monitor receiver.
  • Page 19 F1.4 (4 ~ 64 mm) 16:1 power zoom lens features auto focus and auto iris functions. "CAM/OFF/VIDEO" Switch This switch turns the camcorder on and off. Set the switch to "CAM" for camera recording, and to "VIDEO" for playback. Press and hold the small button on this switch, and then slide it to "CAM" or "VIDEO".
  • Page 20 IDENTIFICATION AND OPERATION OF CONTROLS NOTE: When the camcorder is in record/ pause (stand-by) mode, pressing and holding this button will play the tape at normal speed. Click here for diagram. "BATTERY EJECT" Lever Releases the battery attached to the video camcorder.
  • Page 21 This button is used to control the camcorder. When this button is pressed with the camcorder set to the recording mode, the tape runs to start recording. "REC" appears in the viewfinder. When this button is pressed again, " " appears instead of "REC" and the tape stops and the camcorder enters the record/ pause (stand-by) mode.

  • Page 22: Making A Sample Camera Recording

    NOTES: • If the erase prevention tab on the cassette is removed, the "TAPE" indication in the viewfinder or on the LCD monitor flashes for several seconds and the camcorder will not enter record/pause mode.

  • Page 23: Instant Review

    LCD monitor and you are now recording the picture you see through the viewfinder or LCD monitor. 7. Press "REC/PAUSE" to stop recording. Press the button again to resume recording. The " " indication will appear in the viewfinder or on the LCD monitor instead of "REC" while the camcorder is in the record/pause (stand-by) mode.

  • Page 24: Playback

    You can view recorded pictures on the three-inch LCD monitor immediately after recording. • If you connect the camcorder to your TV, you can seethe picture played back on your TV. Refer to "VIEWING THE PICTURE PLAYED BACK ON YOUR TV" on page 40.
  • Page 25 • Decrease the sound volume od the camcorder when you play back a recording by connecting the camcorder to your TV. If the volume of the camcorder is set to maximum, the played back picture may be distorted. Make sure that the volume is not set to maximum during recording as it could distort the played back picture.

  • Page 26: Automatic Rewind

    • A cassette cannot be loaded or ejected when setting the date and time. • If you leave the powered camcorder for 10 minutes without a cassette inserted when the date has not been set or the backup battery is dead, the camcorder demonstration mode will start. To cancel the demonstration mode, disconnect the power from camcorder and reconnect it, or insert a cassette.
  • Page 27 DATE/TIME SETTING 1. Press and hold the small button on "CAM/OFF/ VIDEO", and then slide it to "CAM" position. 2. Press "DATE/TIME". Date and time appear in the viewfinder and "'1" flashes. 3. Press "F.FWD" to select correct month. Hold button down to advance rapidly. If you go past the month you want to set, press "REW/REVIEW".

  • Page 28: Date Recording

    8. After setting AM or PM, press "DATE/TIME" to change the display and start the internal clock. It is recommended that you press "DATE/TIME" to match the time signal. NOTE: After the date and time are set, " AUTO" appears and the camcorder enters the automatic date recording mode. See "DATE RECORDING" on page 25.
  • Page 29 This option records the date and created title (see "TITLE RECORDING" on page 28) automatically once a day at the beginning of recording for 10 seconds. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Date only - Date recording The camcorder records the date with the picture all the time. AUTO 11/ 5/1999 TITLE...

  • Page 30: Auto Focus

    No display - No date recording The camcorder does not record the date. Date and time - Date and time recording The camcorder records the date and time with the picture all the time. 3. Press "REC/PAUSE". Recording will start.
  • Page 31 AUTO FOCUS - 31 - Good No good The range of object with which auto focus can be used • On "T" side: about 2.6 feet (80 cm) from the lens surface to infinity. • On "W" side: about 3/8 inch (1 cm) from the lens surface to infinity. The auto focus will not work under the following conditions.

  • Page 32: Display Button

    DISPLAY BUTTON - 32 - DISPLAY BUTTON When "DISPLAY" is pressed, the information on the shutter speed, tape remaining, remaining battery level, etc. is displayed. When "DISPLAY" is pressed so the display appears in the viewfinder or on the LCD monitor, the same display appears on the screen of the connected TV/monitor receiver.

  • Page 33: Memory

    REMAINING TAPE - 33 - NOTE: Counter changes to 0000M when cassette is ejected. MEMORY When the tape counter with memory indication appears in the viewfinder or on the LCD monitor, a tape that is being rewound automatically stops when the counter reads approximately "0000M". This is useful if there is a section of tape you want to review immediately after recording or if you want to return to the same point several times in a row.

  • Page 34: Program Ae (Auto Exposure)

    This feature is handy when recording since it lets you know how long you can record on the loaded tape. Insert a cassette in the camcorder and start recording or playback; 10 seconds later, the remaining tape will be displayed. When the cassette is ejected, the display will disappear. "...

  • Page 35: Digital Zoom

    T and W controls. When "DISPLAY" is pressed and the display appears in the viewfinder, "ZOOM" is displayed to signal to you that the camcorder is in the digital zoom area. NOTE: When the digital zoom is used, the more the image is magnified, the rougher the picture becomes. Also even a slight shaking of the camcorder is conspicuous.

  • Page 36: Instant Zoom

    Press "INST.ZOOM" and the picture is magnified 1.5 times. When "DISPLAY" is pressed and the display appears in the viewfinder or on the LCD monitor, "I.ZOOM" is displayed to signal to you that the camcorder is in the instant zoom mode. NOTES: •...
  • Page 37 DIGITAL EFFECTS RECORDING The digital processor in this camcorder allows you to record pictures and add special effects; 16x9 recording mode, a negative image (negative/positive recording), 240 times digital zoom feature (with instant zoom), a symmetric image, obtained by placing a mirror at the center of the screen (half-mirror recording), and an image in mosaic (mosaic recording).
  • Page 38 - 38 - Half-Mirror Mode Mosaic Mode ACTIVATING DIGITAL EFFECTS RECORDING 1. Press the camcorder in the record pause mode. 2. Press "DISPLAY" and repeatedly press "DIGITAL EFFECT" to select the digital effects record mode you want. "16x9": 16x9 Mode This picture format can be switched from 4:3 (the picture format of an ordinary TV set) to 16x9.

  • Page 39: Fade In/Fade Out

    FADE IN/FADE OUT - 39 - 3. Press "REC/PAUSE" to start recording. • To release digital effects recording, press "DIGITAL EFFECT" repeatedly in the record pause mode until the normal mode is restored. FADE IN/FADE OUT Use the fade feature to add a professional touch to your recordings. Use "DIGITAL FADE" to select the fade options.

  • Page 40: Stable Pix" (Electronic Image Stabilizer) Function (Only For Vivi-8500La)

    2. Press "REC/PAUSE" to start recording; fade begins automatically. Fading Out 1. While recording with the camcorder use "DIGITAL FADE" to select a fade option. 2. Press "REC/PAUSE" to stop recording; the fade begins automatically and "REC" flashes until the fade ends.

  • Page 41: Index Signal Recording

    INDEX SIGNAL RECORDING - 41 - • While you zoom to a distant subject. • While you approach a small subject. • While you walk around. • While you record from inside a moving vehicle. 1. Press "STABLE PIX" . When "DISPLAY" is pressed, the display will appear in the viewfinder or on the LCD monitor, along with STABLE PIX icon "...

  • Page 42: Quick Edit (Edit Search)

    The quick edit feature allows you to search for the end of previously recorded material, or find a particular spot on your tape, to begin your editing, or record new material. Quick edit is used while the camcorder is in the record.pause (stand-by) mode.
  • Page 43 - 43 - Creating a title 1. Attach a power source to the camcorder and slide "CAM/OFF/VIDEO" to either "CAM" or "VIDEO" position. 2. Press "TITLE". The flashing cursor will appear in the viewfinder. 3. Press "SHIFT" button repeatedly to move the flashing cursor to the place you want to begin your title.
  • Page 44 Recording titles on another VCR while playing a tape back with the camcorder 1. Connect the camcorder and VCR. (See page 32.) 2. Set the VCR in the recording mode and camcorder in the playback mode. 3. Press "TITLE" when you see the scene where you want to record the title.

  • Page 45: Audio Dubbing (Only For Vm-8500La)

    AUDIO DUBBING (only for VM-8500LA) 4. Press "TITLE" to erase the display from the viewfinder. Chart of characters available in the titler A B C D E F G H I J K L M N 0 P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ? ' .

  • Page 46: Audio And Video Dubbing (Only For Vm-8500La)

    AUDIO AND VIDEO DUBBING (only for VM-8500LA) 3. Play the tape and press "REC/PAUSE" where you want to dub audio. • The camcorder enters the still play mode. 4. Press "DUBBING AUDIO/VIDEO" and "PLAY" at the same time. • "A.DUB II" appears in the viewfinder or on the LCD monitor.

  • Page 47: Recording Tv Programs (Only For Vm-8500La)

    LCD monitor, and at the same time the picture to be dubbed appears. 10. Press the "REC/PAUSE". Dubbing will start and stop when the counter reaches "0000M". RECORDING TV PROGRAMS (only for VM-8500LA) If your TV or VCR has video/audio out jacks, you can record the TV program with camcorder.

  • Page 48: Viewing The Picture Played Back On Your Tv

    - 48 - 1. Connect the audio/video cable (not supplied) to "AUDIO OUT" and "VIDEO OUT" of your TV or VCR. 2. Connect the other end to "AUDIO" and "VIDEO" of camcorder. 3. Insert the cassette. NOTE: Power source must be connected to the camcorder.
  • Page 49 VIEWING THE PICTURE PLAYED BACK ON YOUR TV - 49 - To play back a tape recorded on your camcorder and view it on your TV receiver, you must connect the camcorder to the TV receiver using either audio/video cable (not supplied) or RF converter unit (optional).

  • Page 50: Camcorder To Vcr Dubbing

    CAMCORDER TO VCR DUBBING - 50 - NOTE for VM-8500LA: Make sure that the "AV OUT/IN" is in the "OUT" position. 1. Disconnect the VHF antenna leads from the rear of the TV receiver. NOTE: Leave the UHF antenna leads connected to the TV.

  • Page 51: Flying Erase Head (Only For Vm-8500La)

    If you wish to exchange or copy some of your friend's favorite home recordings, the following instructions can be used to connect camcorder to VCR for this purpose. NOTE for VM-8500LA: Make sure that the "AV OUT/IN" is in the "OUT" position. 1. Connect the audio/video cable to "AUDIO" and "VIDEO" of your camcorder.
  • Page 52 • Never use the camera light in the vicinity of explosive or highly inflammable materials. • After using the camera light, cool the camera light section sufficiently before storing the camcorder in the case. • Replace only with the specified lamp (optional) to reduce the risk of fire.

  • Page 53: Attaching The Optional Tele Or Wide Converter Lens

    Or, attach the lens cap over the lens hood, then turn them counterclockwise to remove them. 2. Remove both caps of the telephoto or wide angle lens. 3. Screw the lens into the threads on the front of camcorder lens assembly.

  • Page 54: How To Attach The Shoulder Strap

    Attach the shoulder strap (provided), as illustrated. TROUBLESHOOTING Your camcorder is a highly sophisticated instrument. It has been carefully checked and adjusted at the factory under the most rigid quality control and inspection systems. However, should problems develop, check the following points and take necessary corrective measures.
  • Page 55 * Set the television to the camcorder channel (3 or 4) depending upon the selected channel on the RF channel select switch of RF converter unit. * Set "AV OUT/IN" switch to "OUT" position (only for VM-8500LA). * Adjust the tracking using "TRACKING" control (power zoom switch).

  • Page 56: Cleaning The Inside Of The Electronic Viewfinder

    2. Clean the picture tube face and lens. To prevent scratching, use a soft non abrasive cloth, swab or lens cleaning paper. 3. Close the cover. For VM-8500LA: 1. Rotate and remove eye cup 2. Clean the picture tube face and lens.

  • Page 57: Head Cleaning

    We expect that no maintenance other than head cleaning will be required during the warranty period by most users, unless the video camcorder is heavily used or seldom used. Normal maintenance is the responsibility of the user, although defective parts are covered during the warranty period.

  • Page 58: For U.s.a. Only

    Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. Hitachi has made every effort to assure you hours of trouble free operation from your unit. However, should you require service, a network of Hitachi Authorized Service Facilities has been established in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

  • Page 59: Accessories Add Excitement

    ACCESSORIES ADD EXCITEMENT We know that once you discover how much your VM-7500LA/VM-8500LA can add to your life you will want to use these accessories for even more excitement. Converter lenses and car cords are just a few of the matching accessories available to you from Hitachi.

This manual is also suitable for:

Vm-7500la

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