Panasonic Aj-D950 Aj-Pd950 Operating Instructions Manual

							Operating Instructions
Digital Video Cassette Recorder
AJ-
AJ- 
						

							Ð 3 Ð
Video output (encoder output)
   signal adjustment ................................................. 43
Setup (default settings) ........................................... 44
Setup menus ............................................................ 45
¥System menu ........................................................ 46
¥Basic menu ........................................................... 47
¥Operation menu .................................................... 49
¥Interface menu ...................................................... 51
¥Edit menu .............................................................. 52
¥Tape protect menu ................................................ 54
¥Time Code menu ................................................... 54
¥Video menu ........................................................... 56
¥Audio menu ........................................................... 58
¥AJ-PD950 USER menu ......................................... 60
Time code/user bit ................................................... 61
¥Recording internal/external time codes ................. 62
¥Reproducing the time code/user bit ...................... 63
Superimpose screen ............................................... 64
Servo reference ....................................................... 65
Audio V Fade Function ............................................ 67
Audio recording channel and monitor
   output selection ..................................................... 68
Printed circuit board ................................................ 69
Rack mounting ........................................................ 70
Head cleaning ......................................................... 71
Condensation .......................................................... 71
Error messages ....................................................... 72
Table of AUTO OFF Error messages ...................... 74
RS-232C interface ................................................... 76
Connector signals ................................................... 83
Specifications .......................................................... 85 General and Features ............................................... 4
Controls and their functions ...................................... 6
¥Front panel .............................................................. 7
¥Front panel bottom section ................................... 14
¥Connector area ..................................................... 16
Connections
¥Connections when one unit is used ...................... 19
¥Connections when 2 units are used ...................... 20
¥Connections with editing controller ....................... 21
¥Connections for adjusting video output
(encoder output) signals .................................... 22
Tapes ....................................................................... 23
Switching on the power/inserting the cassette ......... 24
STOP/STAND BY mode .......................................... 25
Recording ................................................................ 26
Playback .................................................................. 27
Jog/shuttle ............................................................... 28
Manual editing ......................................................... 29
Preroll ...................................................................... 30
Automatic editing ..................................................... 31
¥Switch settings and adjustments ........................... 32
¥Selecting the editing mode .................................... 33
¥Entering the edit points ......................................... 34
¥Checking the edit points ........................................ 35
¥Modifying the edit points ....................................... 36
¥Preview ................................................................. 37
¥Executing automatic editing .................................. 38
¥Review .................................................................. 39
¥Split editing ........................................................... 40
¥Audio split editing .................................................. 41
Contents
Before operating this unit, check that all of its accessories are present and accounted for.
Power cord....1 pc
Option
¥ AJ-MA75P Rack mounting adaptor 
						

							Ð 4 Ð
General and Features
This multi-purpose studio digital video cassette recorder uses 1/4-inch compact video
cassette tapes, and it is designed to record, playback and edit both interlace signals (525i/
625i, 50 Mbps recording rate) and progressive signals (525p)* as well as record and play
back existing DVCPRO signals (25 Mbps). Its 525/625 switching function makes this a studio
video cassette recorder which can be used anywhere in the world. In addition, it corporates
digital compression technology so that the deterioration in picture quality and sound quality
resulting from dubbing is significantly minimized.
The compact, lightweight 4U size makes carrying easier, even when mounted in a 19-inch
rack. The settings for the unitÕs setup can be performed interactively while viewing the screen
menus on the TV monitor, and editing functions include both assemble and insert editing.
The editing functions do not work when using this unit in DVCPRO (25 Mbps) mode.
Features
Compact size and light weight
This is a 4U-size digital VTR. It can be mounted in a 19-inch rack with ease using the
optional rack-mounting adaptors (AJ-MA75P).
Up to 92 minutes of recording
Two sizes of cassette tapes can be used with this unit: M cassette (max. 33 minutes) and L
cassettes (max. 92 minutes). The width of the tapes measures 1/4 inch to achieve a compact
design.
Superior Picture quality
Superior picture quality is delivered in the component signal and the 4:2:0p progressive
signal* recording mode.
Switchable 525i/625i/525p*
The video input signal switch (settings: 525i/625i/525p*) can be set to accommodate the
recording and playback of each type of signal.
SDI interface
This productÕs standard features include 4:2:2/4:2:0p* serial digital interface.
Playback compatibility with DVCPRO
This product is also capable of recording in the existing DVCPRO format and playing back
tapes which have been recorded using this format.
Digital slow motion/dial jog
With PanasonicÕs unique digital slow motion technology, slow motion playback images are
clear at the following speeds: Ð0.43/Ð0.3/Ð0.2/Ð0.1/Ð0.03/+0.03/+0.1/+0.2/+0.3/+0.5/+0.75

¥Some noise may occur when the slow motion speed is changed.
Dial shuttle
Shuttle operations enable the tape to be played back with color images at a speed of up to
32 times the forward and reverse direction.
Time codes
This unit comes with a built-in time code generator (TCG)/time code reader (TCR). In
addition to the internal time code, an external code input or input signal VITC can be
recorded on this VTR as the LTC time code.
* Applies only to
AJ-PD950. 
						

							Ð 5 Ð
Features
 (continued)
Multifunctional interface
¥ Serial digital input/output
The component serial interface, a standard feature, allows for interfacing with progressive
signals* and component signals in serial digital (SMPTE259M-C, 272M, 294M*).
¥ Analog video input/output
Analog component input/output signals (Y, P
B, PR) as well as composite input/output signals
are standard feature.
¥ AES/EBU audio input/output
Digital audio input/output connectors are featured.
¥ SDTI input/output
¥ 9-pin (RS-422A)/(RS-232C) remote
In addition to the standard 9-pin serial remote (RS-422A), RS-232C and 25-pin parallel
remote connectors are also featured.
The RS-422A connector enables another VTR to be operated in parallel with the unit if a
looping connection is used for the two units.
4-channel high-sound-quality digital audio
The 4-channel PCM audio allows for not only independent editing and mixing on all four
channels. One channel is provided for the analog CUE track.
Menu-driven setup
The setup settings, which are conducted prior to operating the unit are performed while
viewing the setup menus either on the unitÕs display or a TV monitor.* Applies only to
AJ-PD950. 
						

							Ð 6 Ð
POWER ON
OFF
L
LEVEL CH4 CUE
DVCPRO
AUDIO ANALOGVIDEO Y PB PR
AES/EBU USER SETCMPST
INPUT SELECT
SDI
CH CONDITION
SCH CFSHIFT ADJ START RESET
STAND BYUB EXT EETC INT
TC   MODETAPE
LOCALREV FWD
PULL
OPEN JOGPUSHEJECT
AUTO OFF
SHTL
SLOWCONTROLREMOTE
EDIT
REWPLAYSERVO
STOP PLAYER
REC
REC INHIBIT
FF RECORDER
TC/CTL
TC SET
INSERT CH2
TRIM
V
INSET CH3 CH4 CUE TC
AUTO EDIT
PREROLL PREVIEW
REVIEW REC
PB
PULL FOR VARIABLE PULL
OPENHEADPHONESCH1 CH2 R
METER
FULL/FINE
MONITOR SELECT
W
–+
PRESET PRESET PRESET PRESET
REGEN
PRESET FREE RUNREC RUN
MANUAL MANUAL MANUAL MANUALVIDEO LEVELCHROMA
LEVELSET UP HUE
CFTCREC
INHIBITMENU  SET  DIAG4F/8F
2FON
OFF
SDI
SDTI(V&A)
VOUT
ASSEMVIDEO CH1
AOUTAIN
CH3
PRESET
MANUALOUT INBLKCHROMA PH
625 525TV
SYSTEM
qw e r t y
i
@7 @6
@8
@9 @5 @3 @2@4 @1 @0 !9 #7
#8
#5$0 $1 $2 $3
#6
#2 #1 #0 #3 #4 !3 !1 !2!0 o !4!5
!6 !7 !8 u
$5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $4
%0 %1 %2 %4 %5 %6 %9 ^0 ^1#9
%3
%8 %7
Controls and their functions
Front panel

qPOWER switch
wTV system/format displays
These displays indicate the type of TV system selected and tape format.

525:This lights when the 525 interlaced TV system has been selected.
525P*:This lights when the 525 progressive TV system is selected or is currently
playing back. [The 525P setting is selected on setup menu No. 012 (SYSTEM
FORMAT).]
625:This lights when a 625 interlaced TV system is selected.

25Mbps:This indicates that the tape is recorded or played back in the 25Mbps DVCPRO
format.
50Mbps:This indicates that the tape is recorded or played back in the 50Mbps DVCPRO
format. 
						

							Ð 7 Ð
* Applies only to
AJ-PD950.
eINPUT SELECT switches
These are used to select the video and audio input signals.

Each time the VIDEO button is pressed, the input video signal selection is switched in the
order of Y/P
B/PR, COMPOSITE, SDTI (V&A), SDI and then back to Y/PB/PR. When SDTI
(V&A) is selected, both video input and audio input are switched to SDTI.

Each time the AUDIO button is pressed, the input audio signal selection is switched in the
order of ANALOG, AES/EBU, USER SET, SDI and then back to ANALOG. USER SET is a
feature for independently selecting the input signals to record on PCM audio signal
channels 1 through 4, and is used together with the setup menu. However, when video
input is set to SDTI, audio input is also forcibly set to SDTI. For instance, if USER SET is
selected by INPUT SELECT and the channel selections are CH1=ANALOG on setup
menu No. 715, CH2=DIGITAL on No. 716, CH2=AES on No. 719, CH3=DIGITAL on No.
717, CH3=SIF on No. 720, and CH4=ANALOG on No. 718, then analog input signals are
recorded on PCM audio signal CH1 on the tape, AES/EBU digital signals on CH2, SDI
input digital signals on CH3, and analog input signals on CH4.
rINPUT SELECT display
The characters corresponding to the selected input signal light up.
With the exception of analog audio signals, the display flashes to alert the user when the
selected input signal is not supplied.

Y PB PR:Analog component video signal
CMPST:Analog composite video signal
SDTI (V&A): Compressed data serial digital video/audio signal (optional)
SDI:Serial digital video signal (SMPTE259M-C, 272M, 294M*)
(The entire display lights when signal generation using the internal signal generator has
been selected for setup menu No. 600 (INT SG).)

ANALOG:Analog audio signal
AES/EBU:Digital audio signal
USER SET:Selection of the audio signal to record
SDI:Serial digital audio signal
(The entire display lights when signal generation using the internal signal generator has
been selected for setup menu No. 700 (INT SG).)
tCassette insertion slot
yEJECT button
When this is pressed, the tape is unloaded and several seconds later the cassette is
automatically ejected. When the counter display indicates ÒCTLÓ, the display is reset.
uChannel condition lamps
One of these lamps lights in accordance with the error rate status. (Green®Amber®Red)
Green:This lights when the error rates for the video and audio playback signals are both
acceptable.
Amber:This lights when the error rate for the video or audio playback signals has
deteriorated.
Red:The playback picture will remain normal even when this lamp lights.
This lights when the video or audio signals are subject to rectification or
interpolation.
iAUTO OFF lamp
This lights when trouble has arisen in the deckÕs operation. 
						

							Ð 8 Ð
Controls and their functions (continued)

oPLAY button
Playback commences when this button is pressed.
Recording commences when the button is pressed together with the REC button; manual
editing commences when it is pressed together with the EDIT button during playback.
However, manual editing will not be initiated if the servo is not locked.
Pressing only the PLAY button during manual editing will cut out the editing and establish
the playback mode.
!0REC button
Recording commences when this button is pressed together with the PLAY button.
When it is pressed during playback, search*
1), fast forward or rewind, EE mode images
and audio signals can be monitored for as long as it is kept depressed.
When it is pressed in the stop mode, EE mode images and sound can be monitored.
When the STOP button is pressed, the original picture and sound are restored.
!1STOP button
When this is pressed, the tape stops traveling, and if the TAPE/EE selector switch is at
TAPE, still pictures can be monitored.
The drum continues to rotate even in the stop mode, and the tape remains in close contact
with the drum.
If the stop mode continues for more than a certain period of time, the unit automatically
switches to the standby OFF mode in order to protect the tape.
The stop mode is established immediately after a cassette has been inserted into the unit.
!2FF button*
2)
The tape is fast forwarded when this is pressed.
!3REW button*
2)
The tape is rewound when this is pressed.
!4EDIT button
For manual editing, press both this button and the PLAY button together during playback.
When the button is pressed in the stop mode, the input mode signals selected by the
ASSEMBLE or INSERT button can be monitored in the EE mode.
The original picture and sound are restored when the STOP button is pressed.
When the button is pressed during playback, search*
1), fast forward or rewind, the input
signals of the mode selected by the ASSEMBLE or INSERT button can be monitored in
the EE mode for as long as the button is held down.
!5SERVO lamp
This lights when the drum servo and capstan servo have locked.
*
1)No guarantees are given for the audio playback sound in the search mode.
*2)The FF/REW speed can be selected on the setup menu No. 102 (FF. REW MAX), and it is
set to the same speed. 
						

							Ð 9 Ð

!6REC INHIBIT lamp
This lights when the REC INHIBIT switch in the front panel bottom section is at ON or
when the accidental erasure prevention mode has been set for the cassette.
In this state, neither recording nor editing is possible.
!7STAND BY button
When this is pressed, the same tension as in the regular stop mode is applied to the tape,
and while the head drum continues to rotate, the buttonÕs lamp lights to indicate that the
standby ON mode is established.
In the standby OFF mode, the half-loading mode is established.
When this button is pressed in the stop mode, the standby OFF mode is established, the
half-loading mode is established. The lamp in the button now goes off. When the unit
remains in the stop mode for longer than a predetermined period, the standby OFF mode
is automatically established in order to protect the tape.
When this button or the STOP button is pressed in the standby OFF mode, the standby
ON mode is established.
When a button other than the STOP button is pressed, the mode corresponding to the
button pressed is established.
On-screen settings are available for the transfer time to the standby OFF mode.
!8PLAYER/RECORDER buttons
These buttons are operated when editing operations are conducted using the unit as the
recorder and a VTR equipped with an RS-422A serial interface remote control connector
(9 pins). Neither button functions when the unit is used on its own.
PLAYER button:When this button is pressed, its lamp lights, and the player connected
to the unit can be operated by remote control. The unitÕs editing and
tape transport buttons now control the player Õs functions.
RECORDER button:When this button is pressed, its lamp lights, and the editing and tape
transport buttons control the recorderÕs (= the unitÕs) functions.
Both lamps light, and the recorder functions as the master unit for Parallel Run operations
if the PLAYER or RECORDER button is pressed while ÒENAÓ has been selected for setup
menu No. 200 (PARA RUN). [However, external control can no longer be exercised from
the REMOTE connector (9-pin) when this setting has been made.]
!9TC/CTL switch
By pressing this switch, what appears on the counter display is changed between TC and
CTL.
When TC is selected, either the TC or UB value is displayed depending on the position
selected by the TC/UB switch.
@0TC/UB switch
This selector switch determines whether the value of TC or UB appears on the counter
display when the TC/CTL switch has been set to TC.
@1INT/EXT switch
INT:For using the built-in time code generator.
EXT:For using the time external code which is input from the time code input connector or
the video signal VITC. The selection is set at the setup menu No. 505 (EXT TC SEL).
@2TAPE/EE switch

TAPE:For outputting the signals played back from the tape.
EE:For outputting the input signals selected by the INPUT SELECT switch.

TAPE:For outputting the simultaneous playback signals.
EE:For outputting the input signals selected by the INPUT SELECT switch.
* The SETUP menu No. 310 (CONFI EDIT) setting is required. 
						

							Ð 10 Ð
Controls and their functions (continued)

@3REMOTE/LOCAL switch
This switch is set when the unit is to be controlled from an external source using the
REMOTE connector, RS-232C connector or parallel connector.
REMOTE:Set to this position when controlling the unit by a device connected using the
9-pin REMOTE connector or RS-232C/parallel connector.
LOCAL:Set to this position when controlling the unit using the controls on its own
operation panel.
@4REMOTE lamp
This lights when the REMOTE/LOCAL switch has been set to the REMOTE position.
@5Search button
This button is pressed to establish the search mode.
When the search dial is set to the shuttle mode and turned to a particular position, and this
button is pressed, playback commences at the speed set by the search dial.
@6JOG/SHTL/SLOW lamps
These indicate the present status of the search dial and SHTL/SLOW switch.
JOG:This lights when the unit is in the JOG mode.
SHTL:This lights when the unit is in the SHTL mode.
SLOW:This lights when the unit is in the VAR (variable) mode.
@7SHTL/SLOW switch
This selector switch is set when the search dial is used for SHTL or SLOW applications.
@8REV/STILL/FWD lamps
One of these lamps lights depending on the operation of the search dial.
REV:This lights when the dial is turned counterclockwise and the tape travels in the
REV direction provided that the lamp in the search button has lighted.
STILL:This lights in the JOG mode while the dial is kept stationary, and the tape stops
traveling provided that the lamp in the search button has lighted.
It lights in the SHTL mode provided that the dial is at the STILL position.
FWD:This lights when the dial is turned clockwise, and the tape travels in the FWD
direction provided that the lamp in the search button has lighted.
@9Search dial
This is used to search for the edit points.
Each time it is pressed, the mode is alternately set to shuttle or jog, and one of the JOG,
SHTL and SLOW lamps lights. When the power has been turned on, the dial will not
function until it has first returned to the STILL position.
Shuttle mode:When the dial is turned and stopped at a particular position while the
SHTL/SLOW switch is at SHTL, the tape can be played back at the speed
corresponding to the dialÕs rotary angle position. A still picture appears at
the dialÕs center position.
When the dial is turned all the way counterclockwise with the SHTL/SLOW
switch at SLOW, the tape speed is set to Ð4.1´ normal speed, when it is
set to the center position, a still picture is produced, and when it is turned
all the way clockwise, the tape speed is set to +4.1´ normal speed. The
speed for SLOW can be set using setup menu No. 300 (VAR RANGE).
Jog mode:The dial clickstops are cleared, and the tape is played back at the speed
(Ð0.43´ to +1´ normal speed) corresponding to the speed at which the dial
is turned. 
						

							Ð 11 Ð

#0PREROLL button
This is used for feeding and cueing the tape for manual editing.
When it is pressed, the tape travels to the preroll point where it stops.
The preroll time can be set on the setup menu No. 000 (P-ROLL TIME).
When this button is pressed together with the IN or OUT button, the tape can be cued to
the IN or OUT point entered.
When the AUTO ENTRY on the setup menu No. 313 is set to ÒENAÓ, IN point has been
entered at the point where the PREROLL button is pressed even if the IN point has not
been entered.
#1AUTO EDIT button
Automatic editing is executed when this is pressed after an edit point has been entered.
When the AUTO EDIT button is pressed though the IN point has not been entered,
automatic editing is executed using the point at which the button was pressed as the IN
point.
#2PREVIEW/REVIEW buttons
PREVIEW:When this is pressed after an edit point has been entered, the tape travels,
editing is not performed, and the preview can be activated on the screen
connected to the recorder.
If it is pressed when the IN point has not been entered, the point at which the
button was pressed is entered as the IN point, and preview is executed
accordingly.
REVIEW:If this is pressed after a block has been edited, the now edited block can be
played back and monitored on the screen connected to the recorder.
#3IN (A IN)/SET/OUT (A OUT) buttons
When IN (A IN) or OUT (A OUT) button is pressed together with the SET button, the IN (A
IN) or OUT (A OUT) point is entered.
A IN and A OUT are used during audio split editing to enter an audio IN or OUT point that
differs from the video In or OUT point.
While an IN (A IN) or OUT (A OUT) point is selected, the IN (A IN) or OUT (A OUT) button
corresponding to the point entered lights. When this button is pressed after a point has
been entered, the IN (A IN) /OUT (A OUT) point value appears on the counter display.
When the IN (A IN) or OUT (A OUT) button is pressed together with the RESET button, the
IN (A IN) or OUT (A OUT) point is cleared.
#4TRIM buttons
These buttons are used to trim IN or OUT point finely.
When the Ò+Ó or ÒÐÓ button is pressed while the IN or OUT button is held down, the entered
edit point can be trimmed in 1-frame increments. When the Ò+Ó button is pressed, the tape
is advanced by one frame; when the ÒÐÓ button is pressed, it is rewound by one frame.
#5ASSEMBLE button
This is pressed for assemble editing.
The button is self-illuminating, and it is set ON (lamp lights) when it is pressed once and
OFF (lamp goes off) when it is pressed again.
#6INSERT buttons
Press one of these five buttons to select the input signals to be edited during insert editing.
The buttons are self-illuminating, and they are set ON (lamp lights) when they are pressed
once and OFF (lamp goes off) when they are pressed again.
#7Counter display
This displays the TC and CTL count values, on-screen information and other messages.