Hitachi VM-8400LA - Camcorder Instruction Manual Download

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HITACHI

Instruction Manual

Video

Camcorder

VM-8400LA

HITACHI HOME ELECTRONICS

HITACHI (HSC) CANADA INC.

(AMERICA),

INC.

6740 Campobello Road

3890 Steve Reynolds Blvd., Norcross, GA 30093

Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2L8

Tel.

770-279-5600 Tel.

905-821-4545

HITACHI SALES CORPORATION OF HAWAII, INC.

3219 Koapaka Street, Honolulu, HI 96819
Tel. 808-836-3621

Thank you for choosing the

video camcorder. For maximum pleasure and convenience please read these simple

instructions before operating your camcorder.

QR19391 ©Hitachi, Ltd. 1998

Printed in Japan KY-F(N)

Summary of Contents for VM-8400LA - Camcorder

Page 1: ...lvd Norcross GA 30093 Mississauga Ontario L5N 2L8 Tel 770 279 5600 Tel 905 821 4545 HITACHI SALES CORPORATION OF HAWAII INC 3219 Koapaka Street Honolulu HI 96819 Tel 808 836 3621 Thank you for choosing the video camcorder For maximum pleasure and convenience please read these simple instructions before operating your camcorder QR19391 Hitachi Ltd 1998 Printed in Japan KY F N ...

Page 2: ...AYBACK 25 DATE TIME SETTING 27 DATE RECORDING 29 AUTO FOCUS 30 DISPLAY BUTTON 32 REMAINING TAPE 34 DIGITAL ZOOM 35 DIGITAL EFFECTS RECORDING 37 FADE IN FADE OUT 40 INDEX SIGNAL RECORDING 42 TITLE RECORDING 43 AUDIO DUBBING 46 AUDIO AND VIDEO DUBBING 47 RECORDING TV PROGRAMS 49 VIEWING THE PICTURE PLAYED BACK ON YOUR TV 50 CAMCORDER TO VCR DUBBING 52 USING THE BUILT IN CAMERA 53 ATTACHING THE OPTIO...

Page 3: ... interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation Note This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency e...

Page 4: ... bright vertical bar may appear in the picture 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 Dangerous includes Inside a car with the wind...

Page 5: ...g 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 The following text describes the operation assuming that the viewfinder is used as a major monitor device ACCESSORIES Check to make sure you have the following components and accessories besides the camcorder un...

Page 6: ... the plug fully into the outlet try reversing the plug If the plug should still fail to fit contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet To prevent electric shock do not use this polarized plug with an extension cord receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted without blade exposure If you need an extension use a polarized cord 5 Power Sources This video product ...

Page 7: ...e card stand tripod bracket or table The video product may fall causing serious injury to a child or adult and serious damage to the appliance Use only with a cart stand tripod bracket or table recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the video product Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer s instructions and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer 1...

Page 8: ...he following conditions a When the power supply cord or plug is damaged b If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the video product 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 cont...

Page 9: ...IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS 9 registers stoves or other products including amplifiers that produce heat ...

Page 10: ...mmediately 10 An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary Use of improper extension cord could result in a risk of fire and electric shock If extension cord must be used make sure A That the pins on plug of extension cord are the same number size and shape as those of plug on charger B That extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition and C That wire size ...

Page 11: ...eyepiece You can adjust the position and angle of the viewfinder so you can see through it easily Cautions Do not force the viewfinder to rotate completely around This will damage the viewfinder and or camcorder When pulling the viewfinder out or returning it to its original position hold the viewfinder by the swivel selection Do not hold the diopter control side EYEPIECE ADJUSTMENT To use the ele...

Page 12: ...ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER EVF 12 focus adjustment ...

Page 13: ...itor switches the picture to appear on the 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 Connect the power source See pages 10 and 11 Press the red button on the CAM OFF VIDEO switch as you slide it to CAM or VIDEO 2 Use the bright control on the side of the LCD monitor to adjus...

Page 14: ...to wipe off the dirt If the camcorder is used in a cold place and becomes too cold the LCD screen will be dim for a while after the power is turned on When the temperature inside the camcorder rises the brightness of the picture will become normal Do not hold by the LCD monitor as this could cause a malfunction Open the LCD monitor by 90º before changing its direction If you were to attempt to inv...

Page 15: ...dark subject POWER SOURCES WHEN USING WITH THE BATTERY Provided To attach align the mark 10 of the battery with that of the camcorder so that the battery fits into the grooves and slide the battery downward as illustrated To remove the battery Push and hold BATTERY EJECT lever then slide the battery to the upside and remove WHEN USING WITH THE AC ADAPTOR CHARGER Provided 1 Plug the AC adaptor char...

Page 16: ...und system To prevent fire or shock hazard or damage to your camcorder please use only the specified car battery cord CHECKING THE BATTERY When the indication appears in the viewfinder or LCD monitor 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 Press the DISPLAY button The remain...

Page 17: ...ACTIVE SCREEN 17 ...

Page 18: ...he battery is fully charged Charging time Operating time The camcorder operating time depends on how often you turn power on off and use REC PAUSE and zoom ATTENTION The product that you have purchased contains a rechargeable battery The battery is recyclable At the end of its useful life under various state and local laws it may be illegal to dispose of this battery into the municipal waste strea...

Page 19: ...se the operation time will gradually decrease When operation time becomes too short to be useful it is time to replace the battery If the CHARGE light on the AC adaptor charger starts flashing remove the battery and then reattach it If after several attempts the light continues to flash this means your battery cannot take a charge and must be replaced with a new one The CHARGE light will not light...

Page 20: ...and 11 2 Press STOP EJECT The cassette door will open automatically 3 Insert the cassette so the transparent window is toward you and the arrow toward the cassette holder Slide the cassette into cassette holder as far as it will go NOTE Push in the center of the cassette all the way until it is latched by the cassette holder 4 Press the cassette holder The holder will latch in the operating positi...

Page 21: ...IDENTIFICATION AND OPERATION OF CONTROLS 21 IDENTIFICATION AND OPERATION OF CONTROLS click for image of camcorder click for image of camcorder click for images of camcorder ...

Page 22: ... or closing the LCD monitor switches the picture to appear on the LCD mon the viewfinder 5 Press and hold the small button on CAM OFF VIDEO and then slide it to the CAM position The camcorder will enter record pause mode automatically NOTES If the erase prevention tab on the cassette is removed the TAPE indication in the viewfinder or LCD monitor flashes for several seconds and the camcorder will ...

Page 23: ...ess STOP EJECT to remove the cassette 10 Always remove the power source from the camcorder after use INSTANT REVIEW 1 In record pause stand by mode tap REW REVIEW and the last few seconds of the recorded scene is played back in the reverse direction and then played back in the forward direction 2 When the tape reaches the end of the scene you have just recorded the camcorder returns to the record ...

Page 24: ...MAKING A SAMPLE CAMERA RECORDING 24 an image of yourself the image displayed on the LCD monitor will be the reverse of a mirror image ...

Page 25: ... back a recording by connecting the camcorder to your TV lf 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 When the LCD monitor is turned on and left as it is the monitor becomes warm but this does not indicate a fault When CAM OFF VIDEO is set to CAM...

Page 26: ... REVIEW during playback the tape will be played back at a speed about 3 times faster than the normal playback speed and you can easily locate a certain spot on the tape Press PLAY to return to normal playback mode or press STOP EJECT to stop tape movement NOTE There will be some noise interference in the forward or reverse search pictures while visually scanning AUTOMATIC REWIND When the tape reac...

Page 27: ...months If it is not charged periodically it will be over discharged and its life will be shortened A cassette cannot be loaded or ejected when setting the date and time 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 or LCD monitor and 1 flashes 3 Press F FWD to select correct month Hold button down to ad...

Page 28: ...E After the date and time are set AUTO appears and the camcorder enters the automatic date recording mode See DATE RECORDING on page 25 To correct date time information after starting the date time 1 Press and hold DATE TIME and then press STOP EJECT The month starts flashing 2 Correct the incorrect digit by using F FWD REW REVIEW and STOP EJECT To correct date time information during programming ...

Page 29: ...date changes while recording continues over 10 seconds the new date is recorded for about 10 seconds the next time you make a recording and date Automatic title and date recording This option records the date and created title see TITLE RECORDING on page 35 automatically once a day at the beginning of recording for 10 seconds Date only Date recording The camcorder records the date with the picture...

Page 30: ...ce 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 1 Objects not in the center of the viewfinder or LCD monitor 2 Objects at far and near positions at the same time 3 Objects lit by spotlight or neon signs etc 4 Objects behind glass with water droplets or dust on it 5 Objects with almost no difference in bright...

Page 31: ...AUTO FOCUS 31 6 Objects moving rapidly 7 Dark objects ...

Page 32: ... appears in the viewfinder or 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 1 Press DISPLAY The tape counter and memory indicator M appear 2 Start playing or recording a tape 3 At the ...

Page 33: ...DISPLAY BUTTON 33 ...

Page 34: ...ess than about five minutes TAPE END flashes in the viewfinder or LCD monitor With some tapes TAPE END may appear slightly earlier but you can continue recording PROGRAM AE Auto Exposure Program AE automatically selects the shutter speed 1 60 1 100 1 120 1 180 1 250 1 350 1 500 1 750 1 1000 1 1500 1 2000 or 1 4000 second that is optimum for the brightness of the subject The iris is also adjusted a...

Page 35: ...gher the picture becomes Also even a slight shaking of the camcorder is conspicuous MACRO Allows you to shoot objects as close as 3 8 inch 1 cm from the lens tip Press and hold W side of power zoom switch An object is auto focused NOTES Determine the size of the object by moving the camera backward and forward Be careful as the lighting tends to be insufficient when shooting in the above condition...

Page 36: ...nal zoom position press INST ZOOM so that I ZOOM disappears from the viewfinder or LCD monitor When the instant zoom is used the more the image is magnified the rougher the picture becomes Also even slight shaking of the camcorder is conspicuous ...

Page 37: ...x or zoom fade function Each time DIGITAL EFFECT is pressed the recording mode is switched 16x9 Mode Recording The picture format can be switched from 4 3 the picture format of an ordinary TV set to 16x9 1 Place the camcorder in record pause 2 Press DISPLAY and repeatedly press DIGITAL EFFECT until 16x9 appears in the viewfinder or LCD monitor The top and bottom of the picture in the viewfinder or...

Page 38: ...s function can magnify the image up to 200 times when instant zoom is used at the same time Half mirror Recording 1 Place the camcorder in record pause 2 Press DISPLAY and repeatedly press DIGITAL EFFECT until MIRROR appears in the viewfinder or LCD monitor The image in the viewfinder or LCD monitor will change to a symmetric image on the left and right obtained by placing a mirror at the center o...

Page 39: ...s REC PAUSE to start recording To release the mosaic mode press DIGITAL EFFECT repeatedly in recording pause until normal mode is restored NOTE This function cannot be used with digital zoom instant zoom stable pix or zoom fade function ...

Page 40: ...n When DISPLAY is pressed and the display appears in the viewfinder or LCD monitor appears in the upper left corner of the viewfinder or LCD monitor Zoom fade Fades in while zooming from a white screen or fades out while zooming to a white screen When DISPLAY is pressed and the display appears in the viewfinder or LCD monitor appears in the upper left corner of the viewfinder or LCD monitor Black ...

Page 41: ... is pressed the display will appear in the viewfinder or LCD monitor along with STABLE PIX icon 2 Press REC PAUSE to start recording When STABLE FIX is engaged the viewfinder or LCD image shakes with a slight delay NOTES STABLE FIX may not function if you use a wide or tele converter lens When the STABLE FIX function is engaged in the vicinity of the zoom range with ZOOM displayed in the viewfinde...

Page 42: ...s changed to the next day with the power off and then recording is started NOTE When DISPLAY is pressed and INDEX is displayed in the viewfinder or LCD monitor an INDEX signal is recorded when recording is started and when the INDEX signal has been recorded INDEX disappears QUICK EDIT Edit Search The quick edit feature allows you to search for the end of previously recorded material or find a part...

Page 43: ...ide CAM OFF VIDEO to either CAM or VIDEO position 2 Press TITLE The flashing cursor will appear in the viewfinder or LCD monitor 3 Press SHIFT button repeatedly to move the flashing cursor to the place you want to begin your title 4 Select the first character for your title by pressing or repeatedly until the desired character appears NOTE A title contains two lines of up to 1 characters per line ...

Page 44: ...CAM OFF VIDEO to CAM 4 Press TITLE to display the title graphics 5 Press REC PAUSE to start the title recording 6 Press TITLE to remove the title graphics from the viewfinder or LCD monitor The camcorder will now record as normal NOTES If you are planning to video tape an event you must prepare your titles in advance then by pressing TITLE superimpose the title over the scene as it s being recorde...

Page 45: ...ITLE RECORDING 45 4 Press TITLE to erase the display from the viewfinder or LCD monitor 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: ...ed tape Be sure that the record safety tab is not missing 2 Place CAM OFF VIDEO to VIDEO position 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 appears in the viewfinder or LCD monitor NOTE If DUBBING AUDIO VIDEO and PLAY are pressed twice audio and video dubbing will start In thi...

Page 47: ... and VIDEO jacks 1 Insert a recorded tape Be sure that the record safety tab is not missing 2 Place CAM OFF VIDEO in VIDEO position 3 Press DISPLAY to display the tape counter 4 Press PLAY and then REW REVIEW or F FWD to search to the approximate position of the tape on which you want to dub sound and picture 5 Press PLAY again to search the exact position where you wish to stop dubbing and then p...

Page 48: ...AUDIO AND VIDEO DUBBING 48 10 Press the REC PAUSE Dubbing will start and will stop when the counter reads 0000M ...

Page 49: ...amcorder 3 Insert the cassette NOTE Power source must be connected to the camcorder 4 Set AV OUT IN to IN position 5 Press and hold the small button on CAM OFF VIDEO and then slide it to CAM position 6 Turn on your TV or VCR and tune it to the channel you wish to record 7 Press REC PAUSE to start recording You are now recording the TV program 8 Press REC PAUSE to stop recording 9 After recording p...

Page 50: ...IN and VIDEO IN of your TV 2 Connect the other end of the audio video cable to AUDIO and VIDEO of your camcorder 3 Turn on TV 4 Press STOP EJECT button on the camcorder and then insert the cassette 5 Place CAM OFF VIDEO in VIDEO position 6 Press PLAY 7 After playing press STOP EJECT Tracking adjustment When playing prerecorded tapes or tapes recorded by the recorders other than your own black and ...

Page 51: ...h antenna adaptor to OUT TO TV on the RF converter unit 4 Connect the other end to the VHF antenna terminal on the TV as illustrated 5 Connect the connector cable from FIF converter unit to RF DC OUT AUDIO and VIDEO jacks on the camcorder 6 Turn on the TV and set to channel 3 unless channel 3 is one of the TV stations in your area If channel 3 is used in your area set your TV to channel 4 7 Set th...

Page 52: ... to AUDIO and VIDEO of your camcorder 2 Connect the other ends to AUDIO IN VIDEO IN of your VCR as shown in diagram above 3 Play the tape on the camcorder and record it on the VCR NOTE If you connect the VHF OUT TO TV connector of VCR to the TV ANT connector as illustrated and set VCR TV selector of the VCR to VCR mode the picture being dubbed by VCR can be monitored FLYING ERASE HEAD A rotating e...

Page 53: ...ery pack is shortened due to the power consumption of the camera light When LIGHT is set to AUTO the camera light does not turn on unless a cassette is loaded CAUTION Do not hold the unit by the built in camera light when carrying as this could cause a malfunction 3 After use set LIGHT to OFF or set CAM OFF VIDEO of the camcorder to OFF position CAUTION During operation and or after use of the cam...

Page 54: ...ass the lamp through the hole of the reflection plate then attach the upper hooks to the camera light and then attach the lower hook to the camera light NOTES Do not touch the lamp directly with your fingers It may shorten its service life When the lamp is replaced or when the front case of the camera light is removed make sure the front case is attached to the camera light properly Consult your n...

Page 55: ...ood counterclockwise as shown in the figure 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 HOW TO ATTACH THE SHOULDER STRAP Attach the shoulder strap provided as illustrated ...

Page 56: ...re does not appear in the viewfinder Remove the lens cap Set CAM OFF VIDEO to CAM The camcorder can not go into the recording mode even when REC PAUSE button is pressed The cassette has had the erase prevention tab removed Stick a piece of cellophane tape over the erase prevention hole or select a different cassette Picture is out of focus Auto focus does not operate Auto focus does not operate if...

Page 57: ...VIDEO position No picture appears on television screen when PLAY is pressed 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 IN OUT switch to OUT position Interference on playback picture Adjust the tracking using TRACKING control power zoom switch When you see the playback picture on your TV adjust f...

Page 58: ...t or foreign matter adheres inside the viewfinder clean it by using the following procedure 1 Push the tab and hold it then open the cover 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 ...

Page 59: ...ity of the user although defective parts are covered during the warranty period Consult your VCR service center to determine recommendations for normal maintenance based upon your location use patterns and machine age SPECIFICATIONS General Power requirements 9 6V DC Power consumption 9W nominal Dimensions 4 3 4 W x 8 3 8 H x 13 1 8 D 121 W x 213 H x 334 D mm Weight 4 7 lbs 2 15 kg Operating temp ...

Page 60: ...HEAD CLEANING 60 Pickup device 1 4 C C D Lens diameter 46 mm ...

Page 61: ...y will provide you with convenient and expedient assistance Our service Hotline operator will direct you to the Hitachi Authorized Service Facility nearest you Just present proof of purchase and or delivery receipts to the Hitachi Authorized Service Facility and service will be rendered in accordance with the terms of the limited warranty as stated on your warranty card or operating guide Should y...

Page 62: ...RD or DISCOVER card ready and call the toll free number 8 00 AM 6 00 PM East Coast Time workdays 1 800 995 4500 Please allow two to three weeks for delivery If there is a current back order status on the model s you ordered we will notify you Thank you for allowing us Hitachi and HiTRON to be of service to you our valued customer FOR AUTHORIZED HITACHI SERVICE FACILITY IN CANADA Please consult the...

Page 63: ...ACCESSORIES ADD EXCITEMENT 63 FILTER KIT VM FL60K 99 95 RF CONVERTER VM RF80A 39 95 SHOULDER STRAP VM SS70 14 95 ...

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