Panasonic Aj Sd255 Operating Instructions Manual

							Digital Video Cassette Recorder
Operating Instructions
AJ-
P
AJ-
EModel No.
ENGLISH
VQT0L63 S1204N0 -M
Printed in Japan
D
Before operating this product, please read the instructions carefully and save this manual for future use. 
						

							IMPORTANT
“Unauthorized recording of copyrighted television programmes, video tapes and other materials may
infringe the rights of copyright holders and contravene copyright laws.”
For AJ-SD255P
2
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE GROUNDED
To ensure safe operation, the three-pin plug must be
inserted only into a standard three-pin power outlet which
is effectively grounded through normal household wiring.
Extension cords used with the equipment must have three
cores and be correctly wired to provide connection to the
ground. Wrongly wired extension cords are a major cause
of fatalities.
The fact that the equipment operates satisfactorily does
not imply that the power outlet is grounded or that the
installation is completely safe. For your safety, if you are
in any doubt about the effective grounding of the power
outlet, please consult a qualified electrician.
WARNING:
• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE. 
• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, KEEP THIS EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM
ALL LIQUIDS. USE AND STORE ONLY IN
LOCATIONS WHICH ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THE
RISK OF DRIPPING OR SPLASHING LIQUIDS,
AND DO NOT PLACE ANY LIQUID CONTAINERS
ON TOP OF THE EQUIPMENT.
CAUTION:
In order to maintain adequate ventilation, do not
install or place this unit in a bookcase, built-in
cabinet or any other confined space. To prevent
risk of electric shock or fire hazard due to
overheating, ensure that curtains and any other
materials do not obstruct the ventilation.
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 OPTIONAL
INTERFACE BOARDS TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, REFER CHANGES OF SWITCH
SETTINGS INSIDE THE UNIT TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION:
This apparatus can be operated at a voltage in the
range of 100 – 240 V AC.
Voltages other than 120 V are not intended for U.S.A.
and Canada.
CAUTION:
Operation at a voltage other than 120 V AC may
require the use of a different AC plug. Please contact
either a local or foreign Panasonic authorized service
center for assistance in selecting an alternate AC
plug.
FCC Note:
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.
Warning:To assure continued FCC emission limit
compliance, the user must use only shielded interface
cables when connecting to external units.  Also, any
unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment
could void the user’s authority to operate it.
indicates safety information.
CAUTION:
THE AC RECEPTACLE (MAINS SOCKET OUTLET)
SHALL BE INSTALLED NEAR THE EQUIPMENT
AND SHALL BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT THIS
EQUIPMENT FROM THE AC MAINS, DISCONNECT
THE POWER CORD PLUG FROM THE AC
RECEPTACLE. 
						

							For AJ-SD255E
3
FOR U.K. ONLY
This appliance is supplied with a moulded three pin
mains plug for your safety and convenience.
A 13 amp fuse is fitted in this plug.
Should the fuse need to be replaced please ensure that
the replacement fuse has a rating of 13 amps and that it
is approved by ASTA or BSI to BS1362.
Check for the ASTA mark  or the BSI mark  on the
body of the fuse.
If the plug contains a removable fuse cover you must
ensure that it is refitted when the fuse is replaced.
If you lose the fuse cover the plug must not be used
until a replacement cover is obtained.
A replacement fuse cover can be purchased from your
local Panasonic Dealer. FOR YOUR SAFETY PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TEXT CAREFULLY.
This product is equipped with 2 types of AC mains cable.  One is for continental Europe, etc. and the other one is only
for U.K.
Appropriate mains cable must be used in each local area, since the other type of mains cable is not suitable.
FOR CONTINENTAL EUROPE, ETC.
Not to be used in the U.K.FOR U.K. ONLY
Caution for AC Mains Lead
How to replace the fuse
1. Open the fuse compartment with a screwdriver.
2. Replace the fuse.
Fuse
indicates safety information. 
						

							For AJ-SD255E
4
indicates safety information.
IMPORTANT
“Unauthorized recording of copyrighted television
programmes, video tapes and other materials may
infringe the rights of copyright holders and
contravene copyright laws.”
Operating precaution
Operation near any appliance which generates strong
magnetic fields may give rise to noise in the
video and audio signals. If this should be the case, deal
with the situation by, for instance, moving the source of
the magnetic fields away from the unit before operation.
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED
To ensure safe operation, the three-pin plug must be
inserted only into a standard three-pin power point which
is effectively earthed through normal household wiring.
Extension cords used with the equipment must have three
cores and be correctly wired to provide connection to the
earth. Wrongly wired extension cords are a major cause
of fatalities.
The fact that the equipment operates satisfactorily does
not imply that the power point is earthed or that the
installation is completely safe. For your safety, if you are
in any doubt about the effective earthing of the power
point, please consult a qualified electrician.
WARNING:
• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE. 
• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, KEEP THIS EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM
ALL LIQUIDS. USE AND STORE ONLY IN
LOCATIONS WHICH ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THE
RISK OF DRIPPING OR SPLASHING LIQUIDS,
AND DO NOT PLACE ANY LIQUID CONTAINERS
ON TOP OF THE EQUIPMENT.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, REFER MOUNTING OF OPTIONAL
INTERFACE BOARDS TO AUTHORIZED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, REFER CHANGES OF SWITCH
SETTINGS INSIDE THE UNIT TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION:
In order to maintain adequate ventilation, do not
install or place this unit in a bookcase, built-in
cabinet or any other confined space. To prevent
risk of electric shock or fire hazard due to
overheating, ensure that curtains and any other
materials do not obstruct the ventilation.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD AND ANNOYING INTERFERENCE, USE
THE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES ONLY.
CAUTION:
THE AC RECEPTACLE (MAINS SOCKET OUTLET)
SHALL BE INSTALLED NEAR THE EQUIPMENT
AND SHALL BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.
TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT THIS
EQUIPMENT FROM THE AC MAINS, DISCONNECT
THE POWER CORD PLUG FROM THE AC
RECEPTACLE.
DO NOT REMOVE PANEL COVERS BY
UNSCREWING THEM.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the
covers. No user serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. 
						

							Contents
5
Introduction ......................................................6
Included accessories  ......................................6
Optional boards  ...............................................6
Features ...........................................................7
Parts and their functions .................................8
Front Panel ..........................................................8
Display Panel .....................................................11
Rear Panel .........................................................12
Tapes ...............................................................13
IEEE1394 digital interface..............................14
Joystick ...........................................................15
PF (Programmable Function) ........................15
Repeat playback .............................................16
Setup (initial settings) ....................................17
Setup menus ...................................................18
SYSTEM menu ..................................................20
USER menu .......................................................21
 ..........................................................21
................................................23
 ................................................24
 .........................................25
 .................................................26
..........................................................28
 .........................................................30
......................................................32
 ...............................................................33
 ..........................................................34
Time code/user bit ..........................................35
Superimpose screen ......................................36
Condensation .................................................37
Maintenance....................................................37
Audio input impedance..................................37
Error messages ..............................................38
Specifications .................................................43 
						

							Introduction
6
This product is a multi-purpose digital VTR that uses 1/4-inch
wide tapes. It is capable of recording and playback in
DVCPRO (25 Mbps) format, recording and playback in the
consumer DV format (SP mode only), and playback of
DVCAM tapes.
This high-picture-quality VTR incorporates digital
compression technology to reduce the deterioration of the
picture quality and sound quality resulting from dubbing.
It has a compact and lightweight design so that it can readily
be carried around or easily installed in a rack.
•3-pin power cord x 1
Included accessories
•IEEE1394 interface board:
AJ-YAD255G
•SDI interface board:
AJ-YA94G
Use only the optional boards listed above.
Optional boards 
						

							7
Features
Compact and lightweight
This unit is a DVCPRO digital VTR which uses 1/4-inch
wide cassette tapes. The compact and lightweight design
makes it light to carry around and ideal for usage as a
desktop viewer.
Up to 184 minutes of recording
M cassettes (max. 66 minutes: using the AJ-P66MP)
and L cassettes (max. 184 minutes: using the AJ-5P92LP)
can be used with this unit. Tape width is a compact 1/4-
inch.
2-channel, high-sound-quality digital audio
The unit can record and play back 2-channel PCM audio.
(However, it does not support cue recording or playback.)
Compatibility with general consumer video
equipment
DV cassette tapes containing material shot with a
consumer digital camera or the like can be played back on
this unit. Recording is also possible in DV format. A
cassette adapter (AJ-CS455P) is necessary when a mini
DV cassette tape is to be used.
Digital slow motion
Panasonics original digital slow-motion technology makes
it possible to obtain clear pictures even during slow
playback at speeds ranging from -0.43x to +0.43x.
(DVCPRO only)
Joystick
The unit comes with a joystick (stick controller). It is used
to control variable-speed playback during searches, etc.
In addition, the settings for the on-screen menus and time
code generator can also be accomplished easily using the
joystick.
PF (Programmable Function) buttons
The unit comes with three PF buttons.  Any three
frequently used setup menus can be selected, and by
operating these buttons on the front panel, it is possible to
change the menu settings.
Recording and playback of UMID information
Recording and playback of UMID (Unique Material
Identifier) information complies with the SMPTE 330M
standard.
UMID information can be checked on the DIAG menu.
UMID information cannot be played back correctly
by VTRs that do not support the recording and
playback of UMID information.
In addition, even if a VTR that does not support the
recording and playback of UMID information is
connected to this unit and recording performed,
UMID information will not be recorded correctly.
Time code
The unit incorporates a TCG (time code generator)/TCR
(time code reader). In addition to the internal time code,
an external time code input or input signal VITC can also
be recorded to the tape as a time code by this unit.
Multi-functional interfaces
•IEEE1394 digital input/output
Use of the IEEE1394 interface board (option: AJ-
YAD255G) enables an IEEE1394 digital interface for the
input and output of DVCPRO/DV compressed digital
video/audio signals without any reduction in image
quality.
•Serial digital input/output
Use of the SDI interface board (option: AJ-YA94G)
enables input and output of the serial digital component
signals.
Menu-based setup
The setup settings, which are conducted prior to
operating the unit, are performed while viewing the
setup menus on the unit’s display or a TV monitor. 
						

							8
Parts and their functions
Front panel
Digital Video Cassette Recorder AJ-
SUPERONOFFTCGREGENPRESETEXT INTCOUNTER
PF PF1PF2PF3DIAG
MENU
PUSH
SHTL/SLOW
TC 
PRESET
METER
FULL/FINE
MONITOR SEL
RESETUNITY VARINPUT SELECT
VIDEO AUDIOCH 1 CH 2 CH 1 CH 2
REC PBHEADPHONES
SEARCHEJECT
POWER
REC INHIBIT CONTROLON ON
OFF OFFLOCALREMOTE
REC PLAY
FF REW STOP
POWER switch
Cassette insertion slot
EJECT button
When this button is pressed, the tape is unloaded and the
cassette is ejected automatically a few seconds later.
When CTL display has been selected for the counter
display, the display is reset.
EJECT button operation can be enabled or disabled with
setup menu No. 115 (EJECT SW INH).
CONTROL switch
This is selected to control the unit from an external
source using the REMOTE connector.
REMOTE: Set to this position to control the unit using the
9-pin REMOTE connector and IEEE1394
AV/C commands.
LOCAL   :Set to this position to control the unit using the
controls on the units operation panel.
REC INHIBIT switch
This switch is used to enable or disable recording on the
cassette tape.
ON:
Recording on the cassette tape is disabled 
(inhibited).
In this state, the REC INH lamp lights on the display
panel.
OFF:
Recording on the cassette tape is enabled so long
as the accidental erasure prevention mechanism on
the cassette tape is set to enable recording.
METER (FULL/FINE) selector button 
This button is used to select the scale display for the
audio level meter.
FULL mode :The standard scale (– ∞to 0 dB) is
selected.
FINE mode :The scale in 0.5 dB increments is
selected. The  position indicates the
standard level of –20 dB (–18 dB). (See
page 11)
MONITOR SEL button
This button is used to select the audio signals which are
to be output to the AUDIO MON L and R connectors.
Each time the button is pressed, the audio signals to be
output to the AUDIO MON L or R connector are changed
in the following sequence.
Which signal is currently selected is displayed by the
lighting of the L or R lamp on the level meter display.
Headphone jack and volume control
When stereo headphones are connected to the
headphone jack, the sound can be monitored using the
headphones during recording or playback.
Audio level control knobs
These knobs are used to adjust the recording and
playback level of the PCM audio signals (CH1 and CH2).
The audio level control selector switch  is used to set
to variable or fixed level.
Note:
The level of the IEEE1394 digital input/output audio
signals cannot be adjusted.
Audio level control selector switch
UNITY: At this position, the audio signals are recorded or
played back at a fixed level regardless of the
position of the audio level control knobs  .
VAR: At this position, the audio signals are recorded or
played back at the level adjusted by the audio level
control knobs  .
Note:
When UNITY is selected, the recording and playback
levels both become UNITY (fixed level).
L :   [CH1]      [CH1]      [CH2]      [CH1+CH2]
R :   [CH2]      [CH1]      [CH2]      [CH1+CH2]→→→  
						

							9
Parts and their functions (continued)
INPUT SELECT buttons
These buttons are used to switch the video and audio
input signals. They can also be used to switch the input
signals to the internal reference signal selected as the
setup menu item No.600 (INT SG) setting.
VIDEO: 
Each time the VIDEO button is pressed, the input video
signal selection is switched in the order of [Y P
BPR]
→[CMPST] →[S-VIDEO] →[SDI] →[1394] →[SG].
•When SG has been selected, the signal is switched to
the internal reference signal selected as the setup
menu item No.600 (INT SG) setting.
AUDIO: 
Each time the AUDIO button is pressed, the input audio
signal selection is switched in the order of [ANALOG] →
[SDI] →[1394] →[SG].
Notes:
•It is possible to inhibit the input switch operations
(video and audio) of the INPUT SELECT buttons
using setup menu item No.112 (V IN SEL INH) and
item No.113 (A IN SEL INH).
•The 1394 option for the VIDEO and AUDIO buttons is
available only when the optional board (AJ-
YAD255G) is installed.
•The SDI setting for the VIDEO and AUDIO buttons
cannot be selected unless the optional board (AJ-
YA94G) has been installed.
PF button
When this button is pressed, buttons  to  function
as the PF1, PF2 and PF3 buttons, respectively.  When it
is pressed again before another button is pressed, these
modes are canceled.
When this button is pressed together with the
MENU/DIAG button  , the DIAG screen is displayed.
COUNTER/PF1 button
Each time this button is pressed, the counter display on
the display panel changes by one step in the following
sequence: CTL →TC →UB.
RESET/PF2 button
When this button is pressed in the CTL mode, the
counter display is reset to [00:00:00:00].
When it is pressed in the TC/UB mode while holding
down the TC PRESET button  , the generator is reset.
TC PRESET/PF3 button
This button is used to set the TC or UB values.
MENU/DIAG button
When this button is pressed, the setup menus are
displayed on the TV monitor (but only when the VIDEO
MON connector is used), and the setup menu numbers
are displayed on the unit’s display panel.
When it is pressed again, the setup menu settings are
exited, and the original status is restored.
When the button is pressed while holding down the PF
button  , the VTR information is displayed.  When it is
pressed again, the original display is restored.  The VTR
information consists of the WARNING, HOURS METER,
UMID and DIF STATUS 1, 2 information.  The SEARCH
button is used to switch the displays between these kinds
of information.
Descriptions of the warnings are displayed on the
WARNING screen.  The deck’s serial number, power-on
time, drum rotation time, tape travel time, number of
loading times, number of power on/off times, etc. are
displayed on the HOURS METER screen.  The UMID
(Unique Material Identifier) information is displayed on the
UMID INFO screen. The IEEE1394 digital interface
information is displayed on the DIF STATUS 1, 2 screen
(when using AJ-YAD255G only). 
SEARCH
button
CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4
REC PB
Digital Video Cassette Recorder AJ-
SUPERONOFFTCGREGENPRESETEXT INTCOUNTER
PF PF1PF2PF3DIAG
MENU
PUSH
SHTL/SLOW
TC 
PRESET
METER
FULL/FINE
MONITOR SEL
RESETUNITY VARINPUT SELECT
VIDEO AUDIOHEADPHONES
SEARCHEJECT
POWER
REC INHIBIT CONTROLON ON
OFF OFFLOCALREMOTE
REC PLAY
FF REW STOP
CH 1 CH 2 CH 1 CH 2
REC PB
Front panel 
						

							10
Parts and their functions (continued)
Digital Video Cassette Recorder AJ-
SUPERONOFFTCGREGENPRESETEXT INTCOUNTER
PF PF1PF2PF3DIAG
MENU
PUSH
SHTL/SLOW
TC 
PRESET
METER
FULL/FINE
MONITOR SEL
RESETUNITY VARINPUT SELECT
VIDEO AUDIOHEADPHONES
SEARCHEJECT
POWER
REC INHIBIT CONTROLON ON
OFF OFFLOCALREMOTE
REC PLAY
FF REW STOP
CH 1 CH 2 CH 1 CH 2
REC PB
TCG switch
REGEN:
The internal time code generator is synchronized with the
time code which the time code reader has read from the
tape.
The signal that is to be used for regeneration is selected
using setup menu No. 503 (TCG REGEN).
PRESET:
The time code generator can be preset (see page 35) on
the operation panel or by remote control.
EXT:
The external time code which is input from the time code
input connector or video signal VITC, or IEEE1394 digital
input signal is used. Which of the two is to be set is
selected using setup menu No. 505 (EXT TC SEL).
SUPER switch
ON : The time code and other superimposed
information are output to the VIDEO MON
connector.
OFF : No superimposed information is output.
Joystick
This is used for shuttle, slow and other variable-speed
playback.  It is also used for the menu settings, etc.
The stick can be moved upward, downward, to the left or
to the right, and it can also be pressed to initiate
operations.
SEARCH button
When this button is pressed, the search mode is
established.
PLAY button
When this button is pressed, playback starts.
When this button and the REC button are pressed
together, recording starts.
REC button
When this button is pressed together with the PLAY
button, recording starts.
When it is pressed during playback, a search, fast
forwarding or rewinding, the E-E mode pictures and audio
signals can be monitored while it is held down.
When it is pressed in the stop mode, the E-E mode
pictures and audio signals can be monitored.  (When it is
pressed during playback, the servo will be disrupted.)
When the STOP button is pressed, the original pictures
and sound are restored.
REW button
When this button is pressed, the tape is rewound. The
rewinding speed can be selected using setup menu
No.102 (FF. REW MAX).
FF button
When this button is pressed, the tape is fast  forwarded.
The fast forwarding speed can be selected using setup
menu No.102 (FF. REW MAX).
STOP button
When this button is pressed, the tape stops traveling, and
when TAPE has been selected for the setup menu item
No.122 (STOP EE SEL) setting, the still images can be
monitored.
Even in the stop mode, the drum continues to rotate, and
the tape remains in close contact with the drum.
When the stop mode continues beyond a specific time
period, the unit is automatically set to the standby OFF
mode or STEP FWD mode in order to protect the tape.
(This is set using setup menu item No.400 to 403.)
Immediately after a cassette has been loaded in the unit,
the stop mode is established.
Front panel