Panasonic Digital Camera Ajd900w Operating Instructions

							P
AJ-
AJ-P
Operating Instructions
Digital Camera/VTR 
						

							–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 lim-
its 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 ra-
dio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio commu-
nications. Operation of this equipment in a resi-
dential area is likely to cause harmful interference
in which case the user will be required to correct
the interference at his own expense.
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.
ATTENTION:
Le produit que vous avez acheté est alimenté par
une pile au nickel-cadmium. La pile est recycla-
ble. Pour obtenir des renseignements sur les
façons de recycler cette pile, appeler au 1-800-8
BATTERY.
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. 
						

							–3–
Contents
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 Panasonic AU-BP402
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
Mounting the Lens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Adjusting the Lens Flange. . . . . . . . . 30
Adjusting the White Shading. . . . . . . 31
Adjusting the Viewfinder

Adjusting the Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Adjusting the Diopter and
Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Adjusting the Eyepiece Position . . . . . 34

Detaching the Eyepiece . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Detaching the  Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . 36

Mounting the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Audio Input Preparations

Using the Microphone Mounted to the
Main Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Bold letters should be set or adjusted immediately after
purchase.

Using the AJ-MC700P Microphone
Kit (Option) Mounted to the Main
Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Mounting the AJ-MH700P Microphone
Holder (Option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Using the Microphone not Mounted to
the Main Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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 AQ-EC1 Extension
Control Unit (Option) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Warning/Status Displays in the
Viewfinder and Display Window

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

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

Basic Setting Menu Operations . . . . . 49
Lamp Displays Inside the
Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Setting the ! Lamp Display . . . . . . . . . 52
Status Displays Inside the Viewfinder
Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Selecting Display Items . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Display Mode and Setting Change
Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Changing the Display Mode . . . . . . . . 58

Setting the Marker Displays . . . . . . . . 58

Setting the Camera ID . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Displays

Remaining Battery Level and Audio
Level Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

VTR Section Operation/Status-Related
Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Time Code-Related Displays . . . . . . . 61 
						

							–4–
Contents
Adjusting the Time and Date . . . . . . . . . 62
Adjustments and Setup During Recording

Adjustments and Setup Using the Setting
Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Setting the Gain Selector Value . . . . . 64

Selecting Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Adjusting the White Balance/Black Balance

Adjusting the White Balance . . . . . . . . 66

Adjusting the Black Balance . . . . . . . . 69
Setting the Electronic Shutter

Shutter Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Selecting the Shutter Mode/Speed . . . 72

Setting the Synchro Scan Mode . . . . . 73

Changing the Shutter Speed/Mode
Selection Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Changing the Iris Automatic Adjustment
Reference Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Adjusting the Audio Level . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Setting the Time Data

Setting the Time Code . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Setting the User Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Locking the Time Code to an External
Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

External Lock Operation
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Using the user data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

User data operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Saving the user data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Reading the user data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Setup Card Operations

Setup Card Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Setup Card Data Operations . . . . . . . 82
Cassettes

Inserting and Ejecting Cassettes . . . . 87

Preventing Accidental Erasure . . . . . . 88
Recording

Basic Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Successive Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Successive Shooting in Other
Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93Playback — Checking Recorded Contents

Rec Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Color Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Connection With an External VTR . . . . . 95
Recording Simultaneously with the
Internal VTR and an External
VTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Recording With an External VTR Instead
of the Internal VTR

Using the 26-pin/12-pin Output
Adaptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
RET Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Replacing the Backup Battery . . . . . . . . 101
Setting Menu Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Warning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Emergency eject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Maintenance

Condensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Cleaning the Video Heads . . . . . . . . . 128

Cleaning the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Characteristic Phenomenon of CCD
Cameras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Inspections Before Shooting

Inspection  Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Inspecting the Camera Section . . . . . . 129

Inspecting the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . 130

Inspecting the Iris and Zoom
Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Inspecting the VTR Section . . . . . . . . 131
Specifications

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Camera Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

VTR Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Related Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 
						

							–5–
General and Features
This unit combines into a single integrated unit a 3-CCD color video camera, which features
M-FIT CCDs and a 520,000-pixel on-chip lens, with a DVCPRO format VTR equipped with 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 en-
ables pictures with a very high picture quality to be recorded: this means that this is an integrat-
ed 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 capabil-
ity. 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 lev-
els 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 unit has the following features.

High sensitivity: 2000 lux (F9)

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, mes-
sages, marker displays, etc. Whether or not to display each item, as well as the display condi-
tions when items are to be displayed, can be selected according to the user’s convenience. For
example, display ON/OFF for the ! lamp display which informs the user that the unit has entered
irregular status can be selected for 7 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 Pic-
ture 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 mon-
itor screens, and provides images with little horizontal stripe noise.

High vertical resolution (Super V) mode: This mode provides images with high vertical resolu-
tion 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 dB. 
						

							–6–
General and 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 3 adjustment values each for
the CC filter (cross filter is the same as 3200K.), making a total of 6 adjustment values. When
adjustment values matching 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 adjustment 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.
High-performance viewfinder
(The viewfinder is an optional accessory with the AJ-D900WA.)

The high-resolution CRT projects a detailed picture which facilitates focus operations.

The viewfinder employs a low flare CRT which makes the screen easy to see.

A center marker which indicates the center of the screen and a safety zone marker which indi-
cates the effective screen region can be displayed by menu operations.

A large aperture allows the screen to be easily seen even when the operator’s eye is removed
from the eyepiece.

The eyepiece can easily be detached. When the eyepiece is detached, the center of the
screen will not become blurred even when viewed from a distance.

One-touch position adjustment is possible not only in the right-left direction but also in the
forward-backward direction.
Character display function
The unit is equipped with a function that displays switch settings, the automatic adjustment sta-
tus 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 sup-
ply, 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 dis-
play inside the viewfinder.
Four filter disks as standard equipment
CC (color temperature conversion) and ND (neutral density) filters are provided as standard
equipment. The filter setting best suited to the brightness of the subject and lighting conditions
can be selected from among 16 different combinations.
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 fol-
lowing 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. 
						

							–7–
Functions and circuits for assuring high picture quality
The unit 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.
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, AQ-EC1) allows a portion of the camera section
functions to be operated by remote control. 
						

							–8–
General and Features
Features of the VTR section
Digital system
The VTR section features a component digital recording system that employs the latest com-
pression technology and non-compressed PCM recording for audio. This system provides supe-
rior 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
This function automatically rewinds the tape and plays back the last two seconds recorded, al-
lowing recorded contents to be quickly checked.
Playback function
Playback pictures (black-and-white pictures) can be seen on the viewfinder screen. In addition,
color playback pictures can be seen on a color monitor connected to the VIDEO OUT connector
on the main unit.
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-D900W/
AJ-D900WA
Battery case
SHAN-B220
Battery case
AU-M402H
Battery case/
Battery holder
AC adaptor
AJ-B75Sony Battery
BP-90
BP-L60/BP-L90 Panasonic Battery
AU-BP220
Sony Battery
NP-1
Panasonic Battery
AU-BP402
Anton Bauer BatteryBattery
charger
AG-B425
Rain cover
SHAN-RC700
Soft carrying
case
AJ-SC900
Tripot mount
adaptor
SHAN-TM700
Extension control
unit
AQ-EC1Cleaning 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-VF53
5 EVF mount
adaptor
AJ-QVF900
5 EVF
WV-VF65B/C
Picture Link adaptor
board
AJ-YAP900 1.5 viewfinder
AJ-VF10P/-VF15P
2.0 viewfinder
AJ-VF20WP(The viewfinder is an optional
accessory with the AJ-D900WA.)
5 EVF I/F adaptor
AJ-YA711P 
						

							–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 inter-
nal inspection and adjustments, push this button back in. The power will come back on pro-
vided 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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