Panasonic Aj D95dc Operating Instructions Manual

							AJ- DCP
Digital Video Cassette Recorder
Operating Instructions
F10399W3040 DPrinted in Japan
VQT8017-3
P 
						

							2
indicates safety information.
IMPORTANT
“Unauthorized recording of copyrighted
television programs, video tapes and other
materials may infringe the right of copyright
owners and be contrary to copyright laws.”
$Do not insert fingers or any objects into the video
cassette holder.
$Avoid operating or leaving the unit near strong magnetic
fields. Be especially careful of large audio speakers.
$Avoid operating or storing the unit in an excessively hot,
cold, or damp environment as this may result in
damage both to the recorder and to the tape.
$Do not spray any cleaner or wax directly on the unit.
$If the unit is not going to be used for a length of time,
protect it from dirt and dust.
$Do not leave a cassette in the recorder when not in use.
$Do not block the ventilation slots of the unit.$Use this unit horizontally and do not place anything on
the top panel.
$Cassette tape can be used only for one-side, one
direction recording. Two-way or two-track recordings
cannot be made.
$Cassette tape can be used for either Color or Black &
White recording.
$Do not attempt to disassemble the recorder.
There are no user serviceable parts inside.
$If any liquid spills inside the recorder, have the recorder
examined for possible damage.
$Refer any needed servicing to authorized service
personnel.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, 
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR  BACK).
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER TO SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol,
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and
maintenance (service) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
CAUTION:
Do not install or place this unit in a bookcase,
built-in cabinet or in another confined space
in order to keep well ventilated condition.
Ensure that curtains and any other materials
do not obstruct the ventilation condition to
prevent risk of electric shock or fire hazard
due to overheating.
WARNING:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD AND ANNOYING INTERFERENCE,
USE THE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
ONLY.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, REFER MOUNTING OF THE
OPTIONAL INTERFACE BOARD TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
FCC Note:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
To assure continued compliance follow the attached
installation instructions and do not make any
unauthorized modifications.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a class A digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmful interference
in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, REFER CHANGE OF SWITCH
SETTING INSIDE THE UNIT TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
3883A160 
						

							3
Contents
Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Features  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Parts and Their Functions  . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Front panel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Connector areas  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Example of Connections  . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Tapes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Types of tapes and their recording times  . . . . . . 12
Operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Turning on the power/inserting a cassette  . . . . . 13
Stop mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Recording  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Pause/recording
(back-space assemble recording)  . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Playback  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Cue/review  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Still-picture playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Linear 0.3aspeed playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Variable speed playback  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Audio channels  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Time Codes/User’s Bit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Time codes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
User’s bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Setting the time code  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Setting the user’s bit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Time code/user’s bit playback  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Superimposed Screens  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Setup (Initial Settings)   . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Setting method using on-screen menus  . . . . . . . 23
How to return to the factory settings  . . . . . . . . . . 23
How to set the user defaults  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
How to load the user defaults  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
How to protect the menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
How to release the menu protection  . . . . . . . . . . 26
How to display the DIAG menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Setup Menus  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SYSTEM menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
BASIC menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
OPERATION menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
INTERFACE menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
TAPE PROTECT menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
TIME CODE menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
VIDEO menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
AUDIO menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Error Messages  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Emergency Eject  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Video Head Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Condensation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Maintenance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 
						

							4
Introduction
The AJ-D95DCP is a multi-purpose digital VTR which
is capable not only of 525i/50 Mbps recording and
playback using 1/4-inch wide compact cassette tapes
but of recording and playback onto existing DVCPRO
(25 Mbps) cassette tapes as well.
This VTR with its high picture quality, which is due to
the use of digital compression technology, significantly
reduces the deterioration in the quality of both sound
and picture accompanying dubbing operations. Its compact size and light-weight design makes it easy
for the unit to be carried around and installed in a
rack.
A dialogue system enables the unit’s settings to be
performed while monitoring the on-screen menus that
appear on the TV monitor.
Features
Compact size and lightweight
The unit is 8-7/16˝ (214 mm) wide, 5-1/4˝ (132 mm) high
and 16-15/16˝ (430 mm) deep, weighing 17.16 lb (7.8
kg).
It comes equipped with grips, which come in handy
when the unit is to be carried.
Efficient installation in a rack
The unit’s width is less than one-half of the standard
19 inches, while its height is equivalent to 3U.  
This means that the unit can be installed in a rack with
twice the efficiency of previous units, a feature which
makes it economical as well.
Long-time recording and playback
When an L size cassette is used, the maximum
recording and playback time is 92 minutes in the 50
Mbps mode and 184 minutes in the 25 Mbps mode.
(using AJ-5P92LP
)
Both L and M size cassettes supported
This unit employs a front loading mechanism to
support the recording or playback of DVCPRO or
DVCPRO 50 format size L and M cassette tapes.
AC or DC operation
This unit supports power supplied from both AC 120V
and DC 12V sources.
Back-space assemble recording function
By using the REC button and PAUSE button
together— a combination which activates the auto
back function— pictures can be joined smoothly with
no disturbances.On-screen menu settings
Detailed function settings tailored to the individual
user can be performed on-screen.
Audio level controls featured
The level of the signals for the two audio channels can
be adjusted for recording and playback applications.
Time codes
Incorporated inside the unit is a TCG/TCR (time code
generator/time code reader).  It is also possible to
input time codes from an external source to enable
regeneration with an external time code.
Installation of SDI connector enabled
An optional SDI input/output board (model AJ-YA95P)
for deriving the maximum from the digital VTR’s
features can be installed.
9-pin remote control
This unit comes with a 9-pin remote control connector
so that the unit can be operated using an optional
external remote controller (model AJ-A95P).
Encoder remote control 
The unit’s 15-pin encoder remote control connector
enables adjustments to be made to the analog video
output section using an optional external encoder
remote controller (model AU-ER65B).
For AJ-5P92LP cassette tapes recorded using the
DVCPRO (25 Mbps) mode, use a VTR supporting
DVCPRO (25 Mbps) 184 minute tapes. 
						

							5
CH1
AUDIO OUT25
CH1
ST
CH2
AUDIO MON SELECT
CH 3·450Mbps
CH2REC
INPUT SELECT ON
OFFC
B
POWEREJECT
LOCAL
MENU
ANALOGSDIOFFREC INHIBITON
REMOTE
PB
PULL
FOR VAR
PLAYPAUSE/STILLRECTAPE
EE
SET
DATAjiMODE MENU UPDOWN PAGE
REW STOP FFSEARCH
RESET
COUNTER
50
WIDEREMOTEREC
INH
CH 1
CH 2dB -30-25 -20 -16 -12 -8 -4 0-CTL
TC
UB
HOURS MINUTES SECONDS FRAMES
SERVO SCH
Parts and Their Functions
Front panel
Counter display area 
						

							6
Front panel
1
POWER switch
When this switch is pressed, the power is turned on
and the counter display area lights; when it is
pressed again, the power is turned off.
2
Cassette insertion slot
Newsgathering cassettes and general-purpose
cassettes are inserted into this slot.

Do not insert DV cassettes, which are designed for
general consumer applications.
3
EJECT button
When this button is pressed, the tape inside is
unloaded and several seconds later it is
automatically ejected.
If the counter display area is set to the CTL display,
the display will be reset.
4
REC and REC INH lamps
REC:This lamps lights during recording.
REC INH:This lamp lights when the cassette is set
to the accidental erasure prevention
status.  It also lights when the REC
INHIBIT switch P
is at the ON setting.
In this status, recording is not possible.
5
REMOTE lamp
This lamp lights when the REMOTE setting has
been selected by the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE
switch =
.
6
WIDE lamp
This lamp lights when the WIDE mode has been
selected.
7
SCH lamp
This lamp lights when the external sync signal
subcarrier phase is within the specified range.
8
SERVO lamp
This lamp lights when the drum servo and capstan
servo lock.
9
Channel condition lamps
One of these lamps lights in accordance with the
error rate statuses.  (Green 
Blue Red)
Green:This lamp lights when both the error rates for
the video and audio playback signals are at
an acceptable level.
Blue:This lamp lights when the error rate for
either the video and audio playback signals
has deteriorated.  A normal playback picture
will appear even when this lamp is lighted.
Red:This lamp lights when either the video or
audio playback signals are subject to
correction or interpolation.:
Level meter
This displays the levels of the audio signals.
The level of the input audio signals is displayed
during recording and E-E selection; the level of the
output audio signals is displayed during playback.
;
Cassette insertion and tape travel display lamp
This lamp lights when a cassette has been inserted
into the unit.
:When a tape has been inserted and the
STANDBY ON status has been
established
:When a tape has been inserted and the
STANDBY OFF (HALF LOADING) status
has been established
:While the tape is traveling, the segment
display moves as the tape travels.
:The “” symbol at the stopped side
flashes when the fan has shut down.
<
Counter display area
The TC and CTL counts, the on-screen information
and other messages are displayed in this area.
If DC power is supplied to the unit, the whole
display will flash as a warning when the voltage has
dropped.
When the voltage drops to 10.6V or so, the power
will automatically be turned off.
=
LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch
This switch is set when menu settings are to be
performed or when the unit is to be controlled from
an external source.
LOCAL:Set here when the unit is to be controlled
using the controls on its operation panel.
MENU:Set here when on-screen menu settings
are to be performed.
REMOTE:Set here when the unit is to be controlled
using an external remote controller
(model AJ-A95P).
Parts and Their Functions 
						

							7
>
INPUT SELECT button and lamp
This button is used to select the input signals.
Each time it is pressed, ANALOG and SDI signals
are selected alternately.

It is not possible to select ANALOG for the video
signals and SDI for the audio signals or vice versa:
the same setting must be used for both sets of
signals.
ANALOG:This is selected when analog composite
video signals and analog audio signals
are input.  When it is selected, the
ANALOG lamp lights.
The ANALOG lamp flashes when this
setting is selected but no analog
composite video signals are input.
SDI:SDI input signals can be selected when
the optional SDI input/output board has
been installed.  When it is selected, the
SDI lamp lights. The SDI lamp flashes
when this setting is selected but no SDI
signals are input.
?
Audio signal CH1 and CH2 recording level controls
These controls are used to adjust the recording
levels of the CH1 and CH2 audio signals.
They use a “pull to vary level” system which means
that the levels can be adjusted after they have been
pulled up.  The default signal levels apply when
they are pushed down.
@
Audio signal CH1 and CH2 playback level controls
These controls are used to adjust the playback
levels of the CH1 and CH2 audio signals.
They use a “pull to vary level” system which means
that the levels can be adjusted after they have been
pulled up.  The default signal levels apply when
they are pushed down.

The cue audio signal level cannot be adjusted.
A
CH3 and CH4 lamp
This lamp lights when TR3/4 is selected as the
setup menu item No.711 setting in the 50 Mbps
mode.  It also lights in the E-E mode when the
optional SDI input/output board has been installed,
SDI input is selected, and CH3/4 is selected as the
setup menu item No.712 setting.  (During playback,
the lamp is lighted by the No.712 setting.)
(See page 37)
B
50 Mbps lamp
This lamp lights when the 50 Mbps mode has been
established.C
Headphones jack
When a pair of stereo headphones are connected
to this jack, the sound of the recording or playback
can be monitored through the headphones.
D
Volume control
This control is used to adjust the headphone
volume.
E
Audio monitor selector switch
This switch is used to select the audio monitor
output and headphone output channels.
CH1:The CH1 sound is output through both the left
and right channels.
ST:The sound selected by the settings of setup
menu items No.708 and No.709 is output.
CH2:The CH2 sound is output through both the left
and right channels.
F
REW button
This button is pressed to rewind the tape.  The
playback pictures can be monitored when the
TAPE/EE switch M
is set to TAPE.
Pressing the REW button while in the search mode
(search still, forward search, forward search still,
reverse search still) causes operation to switch to
reverse search, and reverse playback occurs at the
speed selected using setting No. 100 on the setup
menu. (See pages 15 and 30.)
Pressing the REW button while in the slow mode
(slow still, forward slow, forward slow still) causes
operation to switch to reverse linear 0.3a
playback.
(See page 16.)
Noise will appear during linear 0.3a
playback: this
is normal and not indicative of malfunctioning.
G
STOP button
This button is pressed to stop the tape travel.  The
playback pictures can be monitored when the
TAPE/EE switch M
is set to TAPE.
The tape drum continues to rotate even in the stop
mode, and the tape remains in close contact with
the drum.
When the stop mode continues beyond the
prescribed period of time, the unit is automatically
set to the STANDBY OFF (HALF LOADING) mode
in order to protect the tape.
The stop mode is established immediately after a
cassette has been inserted into the unit.
Parts and Their Functions 
						

							8
Parts and Their Functions
H
FF button
This button is pressed to fast forward the tape.  The
playback pictures can be monitored when the
TAPE/EE switch M
is set to TAPE.
Pressing the FF button while in the search mode
(search still, reverse search, reverse search still,
forward search still) causes operation to switch to
forward search, and fast forward playback occurs at
the speed selected using setting No. 100 on the
setup menu. (See pages 15 and 30.)
Pressing the FF button while in the slow mode
(slow still, reverse slow, reverse slow still) causes
operation to switch to forward linear 0.3a
playback.
(See page 16.)
Noise will appear during linear 0.3a
playback: this
is normal and not indicative of malfunctioning.
I
SEARCH button
This button is pressed to switch to the search mode
or the slow mode. (See pages 15 and 16.)
J
PLAY button
This button is pressed to commence playback.
Recording is commenced when it is pressed
together with the REC button.
K
PAUSE/STILL button
When this button is pressed during recording, the
tape is temporarily stopped.
Recording is resumed when it is pressed again.
When this button is pressed during playback, the
still picture mode is established.  Playback is
resumed when it is pressed again.
Pressing the PAUSE/STILL button during forward
or reverse search operation causes the tape to
pause (forward or reverse search still). Pressing the
button a second time causes forward or reverse
search operation to resume.
Pressing the PAUSE/STILL button during forward
or reverse slow operation causes the tape to pause
(forward or reverse slow still). Pressing the button a
second time causes forward or reverse slow
operation to resume.
Linear 0.3a
playback takes place during forward or
reverse slow operation. Noise will appear during
still and linear 0.3a
playback: this is normal and not
indicative of malfunctioning. (See page 16.)
L
REC button
Recording is commenced when this button is
pressed together with the PLAY button.  When it is
pressed in the stop or eject mode, the input video
signals and audio signals can be monitored even
when the TAPE/EE switch is set to TAPE.
It is also possible to use the button to check the
time code generator’s value.  (REC CHECK mode)
When the STOP button or any other function button
is pressed, the REC CHECK mode will be released.M
TAPE/EE switch
This switch is used to select the signals to be
output in the stop, fast forward or rewind mode.
TAPE:The signals which are played back from the
tape are output.
EE:The input signals which were selected by the
INPUT SELECT button are output.

OWhen REC has been set for setup menu item
No.105, the E-E mode will be established in the
stop mode regardless of the position of the
TAPE/EE switch.  (See page 30)
OThe picture and sound may break up when the
position of the switch is changed.
N
COUNTER button
This button is used to switch the counter display
area.  Each time it is pressed, the setting is
changed in the following sequence: CTL 
TC 
UB r CTL, etc.
CTL:The tape timer (control signal) appears on the
display.
TC:The time code appears on the display.
UB:The user bit appears on the display.
r:The amount of tape remaining is displayed in
1-minute increments.
(Example)
“r102” = 102 minutes of tape are remaining.
O
RESET button
When this button is pressed in the CTL mode, the
counter display is reset to 00:00:00:00.
P
REC INHIBIT button
This button is used to allow or inhibit recording onto
the cassette tape.
ON:Recording on the cassette tape is inhibited.  
The REC INHIBIT lamp on the display lights.
OFF:Provided that the accidental erasure
prevention mechanism on the cassette tape is
set to the recording enable position, a
recording can be made on the cassette tape. 
						

							9
CH 1 CH 2AUDIO
OUT
CH 1 CH 2AUDIO
IN
REF VIDEO IN
VIDEO IN OUT
ON OFF
75 Ω
TC IN
TC OUT
VIDEO MON
OUT
AUDIO
MON OUT
LRENCODER
REMOTE
DC OUT
12V  250mAAC INREMOTE
DC INSIGNAL
GND
FUSE 125V 2.5A
Connector areas
Parts and Their Functions
3
DC OUT socket
This is the DC 12V output connector.
It is used to supply power to the external remote
controller (model AJ-A95P).
The DC power cable is packed with the model AJ-
A95P controller.
4
Fuse holder
This contains a 2.5A fuse.
5
AUDIO MONITOR OUT (Lch/Rch) connectors
These are the output connectors for the audio
monitor signals.  It is possible to select the channel
through which the audio monitor signals are to be
output using the audio monitor selector switch on
the front panel and setup menu item No.708.  
(See page 36)
3
1 2
4
Pin No. Signal
1 Ground
2
3
4 +12 V12 3 4
Pin No. Signal
1 Ground
2
3
4 +12 V
1
AC IN socket
This is the AC power inlet.  
The accessory power cord is connected here.  
Use an AC 120V (±10%) power supply to operate
this unit.
When the voltage has dropped to an extremely low
level, the unit’s power is automatically switched off.
It will take several minutes for the unit to be reset
even after the supply voltage is restored.  In a case
like this, set the POWER switch to OFF, wait
several minutes, and start up the unit again.  AC
power takes precedence when both AC and DC
power supplies have been connected.
2
DC IN socket
This is the input connector for the DC 12V power.
Use the optional AC adaptor (model AJ-B75).
When the voltage has dropped to around 10.6V, the
unit’s power is automatically switched off.  It will
take several minutes for the unit to be reset even
after the supply voltage is restored.  AC power
takes precedence when both AC and DC power
supplies have been connected. 
						

							10
Connector area
Parts and Their Functions
Pin No. Signal
1 Frame Ground
2 Transmit A
3 Receive B
4 Receive Common
5
6 Transmit Common
7 Transmit B
8 Receive A
9 Frame Ground
1
6
9
5
Pin No. Signal
1
2 Set Up
3 C Level
4 Ground
5 +9 V
6 System H
7 SYS. SC. Coarse (2)
8–9 V
9 Hue
10 Video Level
11 Ret Ground
12
13
14 SYS. SC. Fine
15 SYS. SC. Coarse (1)
1
89
15
?
Fan motor
This motor drives the fan to cool down the unit.
@
Grip
Grips are provided on the side panels.  However,
when the unit is to be operated, lay it flat.
A
Slot for SDI card (option)
This is the slot for the optional component serial
interface board (SDI input/output board: model AJ-
YA95P). 6
VIDEO MONITOR OUT connector
This is the output connector for the video monitor
signals.  Superimposed video signals can be output
to this connector.
Superimposing can be set to ON or OFF by setup
menu item No.002.  (See page 29)
7
VIDEO IN and OUT connectors
These are the input connector and output
connectors for the analog composite video signals.
8
AUDIO OUT (CH1/CH2) connectors
These are the output connectors for the analog
audio signals.
9
AUDIO IN (CH1/CH2) connectors
These are the input connectors for the analog audio
signals.
:
REF VIDEO IN connectors and 75 Ωtermination
switch
These are the input connectors for the reference
video signals.
Input black burst signals or composite video signals
which comply with the RS-170A standard.
Set the switch to ON for termination.
;
TC IN connector
This is the connector for recording the external time
codes on the tape.
<
TC OUT connector
During playback, the playback time code is output
to this connector.  During recording, the time code
generated by the internal time code generator is
output.
=
REMOTE CONTROL connector
This unit can be operated from an external source
by connecting an optional external remote controller
(model AJ-A95P) to this connector.
 
OSet the LOCAL/MENU/REMOTE switch to the
REMOTE position.
OThis complies with the RS-422A interface
standard but the functions associated with editing
do not work.>
ENCODER REMOTE connector
An optional external encoder remote controller
(model AU-ER65B) is connected to this connector
when the video output signal settings are to be
adjusted from an external source.

Set setup menu item No.00 to REMOTE.
(See page 27)