Panasonic Aj Sdc915 Operating Instructions Manual

							AJ-P
Digital Camera/VTR
Operating Instructions
Model No.
VQT0A45 Printed in Japan
F0802H  DP
Before operating this product, please read the instructions carefully and save this manual for future use. 
						

							–2–
For your safety
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol,
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user to the presence of uninsulated “dan-
gerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to consti-
tute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral tri-
angle is intended to alert the user to the pres-
ence of important operating and maintenance
(service) instructions in the literature accompa-
nying the appliance.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
SHOCK HAZARD AND ANNOYING INTER-
FERENCE, USE THE RECOMMENDED
ACCESSORIES ONLY.
is the safety information.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION

	






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 communica-
tions. 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.
Replace battery with part No. CR2032 only.
Use of another battery may present a risk of fire or
explosion.
Caution — Battery may explode if mistreated.
Do not recharge, disassemble or dispose of in fire.
Ni-Cd
RBRC
RBRC
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, REFER MOUNTING OF
THE OPTIONAL BOARD TO AUTHO-
RIZED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
ATTENTION:
The product you have purchased is powered by a
nickel cadmium battery which is recyclable. At the
end of it’s useful life, under various state and local
laws, it is illegal to dispose of this battery into your
municipal waste stream.
Please call 1-800-8-BATTERY for information on
how to recycle this battery. 
						

							–3–
Contents
For your safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
General and Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Features of the Camera Section . . . . . 5

Features of the VTR Section . . . . . . . 8
System Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Controls and Their Functions

Power Supply Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Accessory Mounting Section . . . . . . . 11

Audio Function Section . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Shooting (Recording)/Playback
Function Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Menu Operation Section . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Time Code-Related Section . . . . . . . . 20

Warning/Status Display Section . . . . . 22
Power Supply

Using an Anton Bauer Battery
Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Using the BP-90 type Battery Pack . . . 24

Using a Sony Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . 26

Using the Sony BP-90 Battery
Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Using the Sony BP-L60/BP-L90
lithium-ion Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Using an AC Power Supply (When
Using the AJ-B75 AC Adaptor) . . . . . . 28

Checking and Selecting the Type of
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 029
Mounting the Lens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Adjusting the Lens Flange. . . . . . . . . 31
Adjusting the White Shading. . . . . . . 32
Adjusting the Viewfinder

Adjusting the Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Adjusting the Diopter and
Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Adjusting the Eyepiece Position . . . . . 35

Detaching the Eyepiece . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Mounting the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Detaching the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . 37
Audio Input Preparations

Using the Microphone Mounted to the
Main Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Using the AJ-MC700P Microphone Kit
(Option) Microphone Mounted to the
Main Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Mounting the AJ-MH700P Microphone
Holder (Option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Bold letters should be set or adjusted immediately after
purchase.

Using the Microphone not Mounted to
the Main Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Mounting a Wireless Microphone . . . . 41

Connecting an Audio Component . . . . 41
Mounting the Unit to a Tripod . . . . . . . . 42
Mounting the Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . 43
Adjusting the Shoulder Pad Position . . . 44
Attaching the Rain Cover . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Connecting the AJ-EC3 Extension
Control Unit (Option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Displaying Menus on the Viewfinder Screen

Displaying the Setting Menu Inside the
Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Setting Menu Configuration . . . . . . . . 47

Checking and Selecting the Master Gain
Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Selecting the Color Bar Setting . . . . . . 49

Checking the DIAGNOSTIC Screen
Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Transferring to the MAIN menus and
SUB menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Basic Setting Menu Operations . . . . . 52
Lamp Displays Inside the
Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Setting the ! Lamp Display . . . . . . . . . 56
Status Displays Inside the Viewfinder
Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Selecting Display Items . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Display Mode and Setting Change
Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Changing the Display Mode . . . . . . . . 62

Setting the Marker Displays . . . . . . . . 62

Setting the Camera ID . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Displays

Remaining Battery Level and Audio
Level Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

VTR Section Operation/Status-Related
Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Time Code-Related Displays . . . . . . . 65
Adjusting the Time and Date . . . . . . . . . 66
Adjustments and Setup During Recording

Adjustments and Setup Using theSetting
Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Setting the Gain Selector Value . . . . . 68

Selecting Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 
						

							–4–
Contents
Adjusting the White Balance/Black Balance

Adjusting the White Balance . . . . . . . . 70

Adjusting the Black Balance . . . . . . . . 75
Setting the Electronic Shutter

Shutter Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Setting the Shutter Mode/Speed . . . . . 78

Setting the Synchro Scan Mode . . . . . 79

Changing the Shutter Speed/Mode
Selection Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Changing the Iris Automatic Adjustment
Reference Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Adjusting the Audio Level . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Setting the Time Data

Setting the Time Code . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Setting the User Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Locking the Time Code to an External
Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

External Lock Operation
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Using the user data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

User data operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Saving the user data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Loading the user data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Setup Card Operations

Setup Card Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Setup Card Data Operations . . . . . . . 88
Cassettes

Inserting and Ejecting Cassettes . . . . 93

Preventing Accidental Erasure . . . . . . 94
Recording

Basic Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Successive Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Playback—Checking Recorded Contents

Rec Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Color Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Connection With an External VTR . . . . . 101
Recording Simultaneously with the
Internal VTR and an External
VTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Recording With an External VTR Instead
of the Internal VTR

Using the 26-pin/12-pin Output
Adaptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
RET Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Replacing the Backup Battery . . . . . . . . 107
Setting Menu Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
MAIN menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

MAIN menu screen 1 of 4
(SUB menus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
ROP (112), MATRIX (113), LOW SETTING (114), MID
SETTING (115), HIGH SETTING (116), ADDITIONAL DTL
(117), SKIN TONE DTL (118), KNEE/LEVEL (119), FLARE/
GAMMA (120), CAMERA SETTING (120)

MAIN menu screen 2 of 4
(SUB menus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
VF DISPLAY (121), VF INDICATOR (123), CAMERA ID
(124), SHUTTER SPEED (124), SYNCHRO SCAN (125),
!LED (125), CAMERA SW MODE (126), SUPER GAIN
(127), VTR FUNCTION (128), BATT/TAPE ALARM (130)

MAIN menu screen 3 of 4
(SUB menus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
CARD READ/WRITE (131), CARD R/W SELECT (132),
REC (ASPECT)/PB/RET (133), MIC/AUDIO (134),
GENLOCK/IRIS (136), VIDEO OUT (137), TIME/DATE
(137), LENS SEL/ADJ (137)

MAIN menu screen 4 of 4
(SUB menus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
USER MENU SEL 1 of 3 (138), USER MENU SEL 2 of 3
(139), USER MENU SEL 3 of 3 (140), AUTO SHADING
(141), EVALUATION (141), INITIALIZE (146),
DIAGNOSTIC (146)

REMOTE menu screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
REMOTE FUNCTION (147), VF IND. (REMOTE) (147),
!LED (REMOTE) (148), TALLY/RET (REMOTE) (148)
Warning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Emergency eject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Maintenance

Condensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Cleaning the Video Heads . . . . . . . . . 152

Cleaning the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Characteristic Phenomenon of CCD
Cameras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Inspections Before Shooting

Inspection  Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Inspecting the Camera Section . . . . . . 153

Inspecting the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . 154

Inspecting the Iris and Zoom
Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Inspecting the VTR Section . . . . . . . . 155
Specifications

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Camera Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

VTR Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Related Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 
						

							–5–
General and Features
This unit combines as a single integrated unit a 3-CCD color video camera which features IT-
CCDs and a 520,000-pixel on-chip lens, and a DVCPRO format VTR which incorporates com-
pression technology.
Not only can the screen aspect ratio be switched between 16:9 and 4:3 in a single action but the
rate at which the signals are recorded onto the VTR tape can also be set to 50 Mbps for a higher
picture quality or 25 Mbps for a longer recording duration. Recording at the 50 Mbps rate enables
pictures with a very high picture quality to be recorded: this means that this is an integrated VTR
unit which provides all the optimum functions and performance for EFP applications.
The unit in itself is compact and lightweight, its power consumption is minimal, it yields a high
picture quality, and it offers excellent sensitivity, mobility and dust-proof and damp-proof capabili-
ty. These features make it possible for the unit to be used in ENG applications as well.
Both the camera unit and VTR unit feature digital signal processing to achieve much higher levels
of picture quality and stability.
Memory cards complying with global standards can be used for the camera and VTR setting data
to provide a system to manage the data.
Features of the Camera Section
The camera section of the AJ-SDC915 has the following features.

High sensitivity: 2000 lux (F13)

High S/N ratio: 63 dB (standard)

Ultra-low smear

Ultra-low flare
Digital signal processing
Signal processing is digitized by a 18 MHz (typ.) 10-bit AD/DA converter. This improves picture
quality, stability and reliability, and allows the viewfinder screen displays as well as numerous
adjustment and setup items to be converted to menus.
Setting menu
The setting menu is displayed on the viewfinder screen, and controls the status displays, messag-
es, marker displays, etc. Whether or not to display each item, as well as the display conditions
when items are to be displayed, can be selected according to the user’s convenience. For exam-
ple, display ON/OFF for the ! lamp display which informs the user that the unit has entered irregu-
lar status can be selected for 8 different conditions.
The setting menu is also used to select various settings and functions and execute memory card
operations, etc.
Setup cards
Setting menu and subject data can be stored on SRAM memory cards with a capacity of 64 kilo-
bytes or greater which conform to PCMCIA standard ratings as setup cards. Stored data can be
saved individually or according to the shooting conditions, allowing the same setup conditions to
be easily reproduced and assisting in standardizing setup conditions between individual data.
An ATA flash memory card with a memory size of 4 MB or more is required to operate the Picture
Link (Pix Link) function sold as an optional accessory.
High-function electronic shutter
Using the built-in electronic shutter achieves steady images even of quickly moving subjects. In
addition, the following special operation modes can also be selected.

Synchro scan mode: This mode is suited for shooting personal computer and workstation moni-
tor screens (60.8–250 Hz), and provides images with little horizontal stripe noise.

High vertical resolution (Super V) mode: This mode provides images with high vertical resolution
compared to standard mode.
Wide range of video gain selections
Gain values can be selected from 3 dB to 30 dB using the setting menu and the GAIN switch.
The high S/N ratio allows images with little noise to be obtained even when the gain is increased
for shooting in dark locations. Using the SUPER GAIN switch provided specially to implement the
super gain function, the video gain can be set to 30 or 36 dB. 
						

							–6–
Features
Automatic adjustment and memory functions for black balance/white balance
The black set, black balance and white balance can be automatically adjusted by simple switch
operations. Adjustment values are held in the memory even if the power for the unit is turned off,
so there is no need to readjust the balance each time the power is turned on.
There are two memory systems for white balance which can hold four adjustment values each for
the CC and ND filters, making a total of eight adjustment values. When adjustment values match-
ing the illumination conditions are selected from among the values stored in the memory, the unit
is automatically adjusted to the corresponding white balance. (A menu setting also allows adjust-
ment of only two values instead of the values for each filter.) In addition, when the unit is shipped
from the factory, the white balance value for 3200K is stored in the memory as a preset value. This
value can be called when there is no time to adjust the white balance, etc.
Character display function
The unit is equipped with a function that displays switch settings, the automatic adjustment status
for black balance and white balance, warning displays, etc. on the viewfinder screen.
In addition, when using an Anton Bauer Digital Magnum series battery as the unit’s power supply,
the remaining battery level can be displayed numerically on the viewfinder screen.
Warning system for displaying the VTR section status
The unit informs of VTR trouble, the end of the tape, battery wear, etc. with various warning lamps
and a warning tone. The remaining tape time can also be checked by the character display inside
the viewfinder.
Four filter disks as standard equipment
CC (color temperature conversion) and ND (neutral density) filters are provided as standard
equipment. This allows the optional filter setting to be selected from among four combinations in
accordance with the brightness of the subject.
Fine adjustment of the automatic iris reference value
The reference value for automatic iris adjustment can be finely adjusted by setting menu opera-
tions.
Auto close function
The unit is equipped with an auto close function which automatically closes the lens in the follow-
ing cases.

When the black balance is automatically adjusted.

When the power is turned off in the auto iris mode.
Generation of SMPTE/SNG color bar and reference audio signals
The camera section contains a circuit which generates an SMPTE type color bar signal to facili-
tate color monitor adjustments, and a circuit which generates a reference level audio signal to
facilitate audio level adjustments.
The unit also contains a circuit for generating SNG color bar signals which come in handy for
sending signals to communication satellites.
Functions and circuits for assuring high picture quality
The AJ-SDC915 is equipped with the following functions (and circuits) in order to assure high
picture quality and is designed to make the fullest use of the advantages of the high-performance
CCD.

A built-in AUTO KNEE circuit achieves a wide dynamic range which allows large signals to pass
through.

A built-in 2-line image enhancer

A built-in shading compensation function for use with a lens extender

A built-in sawtooth wave generator for adjustments

A zebra pattern ON/OFF selector switch which selects three types of zebra patterns including
spot zebra from two levels of zebra patterns. 
						

							–7–
Features
Audio functions

A phantom power supply type super-cardioid microphone (option) can be attached and it can
also be detached from the main unit for use in interviews.

Microphone can also be connected, and can be attached to the main unit using the
AJ-MH700P microphone holder (option).

The audio CH1 recording level can be easily adjusted at the front panel of the unit.
Recording by an external VTR
When an external VTR is connected using the 26-pin/12-pin output adaptor (option,
AJ-YA900P), recording can be performed by the external VTR instead of the internal VTR.
Remote control
Connecting the Extension Control Unit (option, AJ-EC3) allows a portion of the camera section
functions to be operated by remote control. 
						

							–8–
Features
Features of the VTR Section
Digital system
The VTR section features a component digital recording system that employs the latest compres-
sion technology and non-compressed PCM recording for audio. This system provides superior S/
N, frequency band and waveform characteristics as well as reproduction of detailed areas, etc.,
and realizes even higher picture and sound quality.
One of the following 4 modes can be selected for conducting recording and playback: 16:9
(50 Mbps), 4:3 (50 Mbps), 16:9 (25 Mbps) and 4:3 (25 Mbps).
Rec review function
By automatically rewinding and playing back the last two to ten seconds or so of the recording,
this function enables what has been recorded to be promptly checked out.
Playback function
This function enables the playback picture (black-and-white picture) to be seen on the viewfinder
screen.  In addition, color playback pictures can be output from the unit’s VIDEO OUT connector.
Built-in time code generator/reader
Time code information can be recorded and played back on a dedicated subcode track.
Locking of the time code to an external source
The built-in time code generator can be locked to an external generator. Also, the built-in time
code generator uses a lithium battery as its back-up power supply, allowing time codes to be
backed up for approximately one year even if power is not supplied to the unit.
Built-in DOLBY NR System
A Dolby B Noise Reduction System is built in for audio recording in the longitudinal direction.
Successive shooting
Images can be shot successively within an accuracy of 0–1 frame simply by pressing the VTR
START button or the lens VTR button.
Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
“Dolby” and the double-D symbol 
 are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. 
						

							–9–
System Configuration
Multi connector
cable
SHAN-C12TCA
Carrying case
AJ-HT900 Microphone kit
AJ-MC700PShoulder
belt Wireless
microphone
receiver
WX-RA70026P/12P
output
adaptor
AJ-YA900PVTR cable VTR
Microphone holder
AJ-MH700P
Lens
(Bayonet type)
Fujinon/Canon
Camera/VTR
AJ-SDC915
Battery case
SHAN-B220
Battery case
AU-M402H
Battery case/
Battery holder
AC adaptor
AJ-B75Sony Battery
BP-90
BP-L60/BP-L90 Sony Battery NP-1
BP-90 type Battery
Anton Bauer Battery
Rain cover
SHAN-RC700
Soft carrying
case
AJ-SC900
Tripot mount
adaptor
SHAN-TM700
Extension control
unit
AJ-EC3Cleaning tape
AJ-CL12MP Cassette tape

M size cassette tape
exclusively for
DVCPRO
Setup memory card
SHL-064HSRVS 5 EVF mount
adaptor
AJ-QVF900
5 EVF  AJ-VF53P
5 EVF mount
adaptor
AJ-YA711
5 EVF
WV-VF65B/C
Picture Link adaptor
board
AJ-YAP900
1.5 viewfinder
AJ-VF10P/-VF15P
2.0 viewfinder
AJ-VF20WP
IDX Battery L-40 
						

							–10–
Controls and Their Functions
Power Supply Section

Battery holder
The battery pack (option) made by Anton Bauer is mounted onto this holder.
DC IN (external power input) connector (XLR, 4P)
The AJ-B75 AC adaptor (option) is plugged into this socket when the unit is to be operated by
AC power. An external battery is plugged in when an external battery is to be used to operate
the unit.
BREAKER (circuit breaker) button
In order to protect the equipment, the circuit breaker is tripped and the power is automatically
turned off when an excessively high level of power flows inside. Upon completion of the internal
inspection and adjustments, push this button back in. The power will come back on provided
that there is no trouble inside the unit.
POWER switch
ON:Set to this position to turn on the unit’s power.
OFF:Set to this position to turn off the unit’s power.
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1
4
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