Panasonic Aj D230h Operating Instructions Manual

							Tapes
Type
Consumer-use
cassette
(S size cassette)
M size cassette
L size cassette
Description
This is exclusively designed for use in consumer-use camera/recorder units. It can be
used in the unit for playback only provided that the cassette adaptor (option) is obtained.
Use of Panasonic consumer DV cassette tape is recommended.
Note that inserting a cassette tape without using the cassette adaptor can damage the
unit.
Recording/playback tape with a maximum length of 66 minutes
(AJ-P12MP, AJ-P24MP, AJ-P33MP, AJ-P46MP, AJ-P66MP)
Recording/playback tape with a maximum length of 126 minutes
(AJ-P34LP, AJ-P66LP, AJ-P94LP, AJ-P126LP)
Align the cassette tape with the center of the loading slot, and push it in gently.It will
then be loaded automatically.
M size cassette
L size cassette

A consumer-use tape can be used for playback only.
A consumer-use tape recorded in LP mode cannot be played back.
Since a consumer-use tape cannot be used for recording, the unit’s functions related to
recording are prohibited.
The maximum traveling speed of a consumer-use tape is 32× normal tape speed.
The still-picture images on a consumer-use tape may be disturbed.
From the perspective of protecting the tape, refrain from cue-up operation using a consumer-
tape wherever possible.
When a consumer-use tape is employed, the maximum duration of the still timer is set to 10
seconds, and the total time during which the unit is allowed to be left standing in the still mode
is set to 1 minute.
The time code read disabled display may appear when a search is performed on a consumer-
use tape or the still-picture image of such a tape is displayed.
11 
						

							Operation
Switching on the power and inserting the cassette
Before attempting to operate the unit, make sure that it has been connected properly.
1
2
3
Switch on the power.
Insert the cassette tape.
Insert the cassette tape into its prescribed position without forcing it in any way.
Check that the STOP lamp has lighted.
When the tape is inserted, the cylinder starts rotating automatically, the tape is loaded,
and the unit is set to the stop mode.
1
3
12
2 
						

							Operation
Stop mode
1The unit is set to the stop mode when the STOP button is pressed.
The STOP lamp lights and the tape stops traveling.
In order to protect the tape, the unit is set to the tape protection mode after the period
of time set in the “STILL TIMER” set-up menu item has elapsed. (See page 27) When
the STOP, REW, FF or PLAY button is pressed, the unit is set to the corresponding
mode.

When the same part of the same tape is used repeatedly, the cumulative standby time in the
same place increases.
In order to protect the tape, set the standby time for the same place on the same tape to as
short a duration as possible.
1
13 
						

							Operation
Recording
1
2
3
4
5
6Set the accidental erasure prevention tab on the cassette tape to “recording,” and
insert the tape.
Press the STOP button to set the unit to the stop mode.
Check that the REC INH lamp is off.
Selecting the video and audio input signals and adjusting the audio signal level
4-1Selecting the video and audio input signals
1 Connect the signals which are to be recorded.
2 Select the input signals using the INPUT SELECT switch on the front panel.
4-2Adjusting the audio signal level
1 Adjust the audio input signal level.
The audio signals are recorded at the appropriate level when the level
controls are set to the center click-stop position.
Press the PLAY button while holding down the REC button.
The REC and PLAY lamps light, and recording is commenced.
To stop recording, press the STOP button.
Recording is now ended, and the unit is set to the stop mode.

A recording cannot be made properly on a tape on which the recording protection signal has
been recorded as an input signal.
During recording, check that the SERVO lamp is lighted. If the lamp is flashing or off, the
images played back will be disturbed.
14 
						

							Operation
Pause/still recording (back-space assemble recording)
1Press the PAUSE/STILL button while the cassette tape is playing.
If the “AUTO BACK” set-up menu item has been set to ON, the tape will be rewound for 1
or 2 seconds starting at the position where the PAUSE/STILL button was pressed.
(See page 25)
2Press the REC button to set the unit to the REC PAUSE mode.
The monitor display now switches to the E-E screen.
3Press the PAUSE/STILL button to start the recording.
The tape runs to the position where the PAUSE/STILL button was pressed in step 1, and
the recording is started.

The E-E screen now appears.
Playback
1Insert the cassette tape.
2Press the PLAY button.
Normal playback is now commenced.
3To stop playback, press the STOP button.
The VTR is now set to the stop mode.

During playback, check that the SERVO lamp is lighted. If the lamp is off or flashing, the images
played back will appear disturbed.
Cue and Review
Keep pressing the FF or REW button during playback.
While the button is held down, the tape is cued or reviewed at approximately 10× normal tape
speed.
Normal playback is restored when the button is released.
The cue track sound is output during cue or review if the “SEARCH CUE” set-up menu item
has been set to ON. (See page 30)
Still-picture playback
Press the PAUSE/STILL button during playback.
When it is pressed again, normal playback is restored.
No sound is heard during still-picture playback.
15 
						

							Operation
Frame advance
The tape is advanced or reversed frame by frame when the FF or REW button is pressed
during playback.
No sound is heard during frame advance or reverse.
Sound selection
Use the AUDIO OUT SELECT button to select the desired sound.
By pressing the AUDIO OUT SELECT button, the mode for the audio output is selected in the
sequence shown below.
ModeAUDIO OUT connectors
CH1 outputCH2 output
ACH1
B
CH2
CH1
CCH2
DCH3
E
CH4
CH3
FCH4
GCH1+CH3CH2+CH4
Display tube
CH1
CH2
CH1
CH2
No display
No display
No display
CH1
CH2
The shading denotes that the selection is valid only
during playback using the DV format in the 4-channel
mode.
Sequence of mode selection
LED
CH3
CH4
CH3
CH4
CH3
CH4
CH3
CH4
CH3
CH4
CH3
CH4
CH3
CH4
Off
On
16 
						

							Operation
Repeat playback
Setting the BEGIN and END points
[Menu mode]
1
2
3
4
5
Set the VTR to the menu mode.
(Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the MENU position.)
Select the “BEGIN/END PRESET” set-up menu item, and press the MODE (REW)
button. (See page 27)
Select TC or CTL using the COUNTER button.
Select either BGN or END using either the BEGIN button or the END button.
Select the digit (flashing display) in which the change is to be made using the UP
(FF) and DOWN (STOP) buttons.
The frame digit cannot be selected.“00” is displayed for the frame value at all times.
Press the DATA+ (PAUSE/STILL) button or DATA– (PLAY) button to change the
value.6
7
8
Upon completion of the settings, press the SET (REC) button.
The settings are now stored in the memory, and the display returns to the regular menu
screen.
Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the LOCAL or REMOTE position.

When an item has no setting,is displayed.
When repeat playback is initiated in this status, the start of the tape serves as the BEGIN
point and the end of the tape serves as the END point.
When the RESET button is pressed, the setting is reset to “00:00:00:00.”
If the MODE (REW) button is pressed without pressing the SET button upon completion of the
settings, the time code setting is canceled, and the display returns to the regular menu
screen.
When the BEGIN or END button is used to set the digit in which the change is to be made to
BGN or END, and then the DATA+ or DATA– button is pressed, it is possible to select whether
an item is to be set or left unset.

CTLBGN–00 : 00 : 00 : 00
END+ 00 : 00 : 00 : 00
17 
						

							Operation
Setting the BEGIN and END points
[Front panel]
1Set the VTR to the local mode.
(Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the LOCAL position.)
2Press the BEGIN or END button on the front panel to set the current position as the
BEGIN or END point.
Displaying the BEGIN and END points
1Set the VTR to the remote mode.
(Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the REMOTE position.)
2When the BEGIN or END button on the front panel is pressed, the BEGIN or END
point is displayed while the button is held down.
Setting the repeat playback mode
1Set the VTR to the menu mode.
(Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the MENU position.)
2Select the “MEMORY MODE” set-up menu item, and select the repeat playback
mode. (See page 27)
Setting
Description of operation
OFF
Normal operation
MEM STOP
When the tape is fast forwarded or rewound, it stops near the BEGIN
point.
REPEAT 1When the tape is played to the END point, it is rewound to the BEGIN
point where it stops.
CONTINUE
When the tape is played to the END point, it is rewound to the BEGIN
point and played back, and this sequence of operation is repeated.
3Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the LOCAL or REMOTE position.
When the repeat play function is used over and over again for the same tape, the tape’s
images will deteriorate. Replace the tape with a new one after about a hundred repeat plays.
Bear in mind that no operation will result when repeat play is to be performed using a
consumer-use tape even if “CONTINUE” has been selected for set-up menu item No.300
(MEMORY MODE). (See page 27)
18 
						

							Time Code and User’s Bit
Time code
The time code signal generated by the time code generator is recorded on the tape as a time
code, it is read out by the time code (signal) reader, and used to display the absolute position of
the tape in increments of hours, minutes, seconds and frames.
The time code is written in the sub-code area (data area) of the helical track. For this reason, it
can be read out across a wide range of VTR playback speeds from the stop mode to slow
playback and to high-speed playback.
The time code is indicated by the display or by the figures superimposed onto the screen.
TCR 00 : 07 : 04 : 24
Hours Minutes Seconds Frames
User’s bit
The user’s bit is a 32-bit (8-digit) information frame contained in the time code signals which is
made available to the user. It enables the operator number and other information to be
recorded.
The figures 0 to 9 and the letters ABCDEF can be used for this bit.
19 
						

							Time Code and User’s Bit
Setting the time code
1Set the VTR to the menu mode.
(Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the MENU position.)
2Select the “TC PRESET” set-up menu item, and press the MODE (REW) button.
(See page 28)
3Select the digit (flashing display) in which the change is to be made using the UP
(FF) and DOWN (STOP) buttons.
4Press the DATA+ (PAUSE/STILL) button or DATA- (PLAY) button to change the
value.
5Upon completion of the settings, press the SET (REC) button.
(The display returns to the regular menu screen.)
6Press the SET (REC) button again.
(The settings are now stored in the memory, and the menu mode closes.)
7Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the LOCAL or REMOTE position.

The current time code value is displayed as the default setting.
When the RESET button is pressed, the setting is reset to “00:00:00:00.”
The time code cannot be set unless the “TC MODE” set-up menu item has been set to “P-
REC” or “P-FREE.” (See page 28)
If the MODE (REW) button is pressed without pressing the SET button upon completion of the
setting, the time code setting is canceled, and the display returns to the regular menu screen.
Setting the user’s bit
1Set the VTR to the menu mode.
(Set the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the MENU position.)
2Select the “UB PRESET” set-up menu item, and press the MODE (REW) button.
(See page 28)
The remaining steps in the setting procedure are the same as for the time code.
20