Panasonic Digital Hd Video Cassette Recorder Ajhd1500p Operating Instructions

							– 111 –
Displaying the “HOURS METER” information
Turn the search dial to move the cursor (¢). The description for the item where the cursor is located is shown as a
superimposed display.
Item No. Item Description
H00 OPERATION
H01 DRUM RUN
H02 TAPE RUN
H03 THREADING
H11 DRUM RUN r
H12 TAPE RUN r
H13 THREADING r
H30 POWER ON

•The resettable items in the “HOURS METER” information are reset by the shop when performing maintenance or
other work.
•The search buttons and the search dial cannot be operated while the DIAG menu is displayed.
If “T&S&M” is selected in the setup menu No. 006 (DISPLAY SEL), a message appears in the mode display
whenever a warning or error occurs. When multiple events occur, the event with the highest priority is displayed.
Priority Display Description
High Error messages
(See error message table)
INT SG
NO INPUT
Warning messages
Low
(See warning message table)
Warning messages
Priority Monitor display Description VTR operation
High FAN STOPOperation continues
NO RF
Operation continues
SERVO NOT
LOCKEDOperation continues
LOW RF
Operation continues
HIGH ERROR
Operation continues
Low RATE
Error messages
Displays the time that the power has been supplied in one-hour units.
Displays the time that the drum has been rotating in one-hour units.
Displays the time that the tape has been running during FF, REW, PLAY, SEARCH (JOG,
VAR, SHTL), REC, and EDIT modes (except for STILL in the JOG, VAR or SHTL mode) in
one-hour units.
The number of times for threading/unthreading is displayed in single units.
Displays the time that the drum has been rotating in one-hour units. (Can be reset)
Displays the time that the tape has been running during FF, REW, PLAY, SEARCH (JOG,
VAR, SHTL), REC, and EDIT modes (except for STILL in the JOG, VAR or SHTL mode) in
one-hour units. (Can be reset)
The number of times for threading/unthreading is displayed in single units. (Can be reset)
The number of times the power has been turned on is displayed in single units.
When an abnormal operation is detected in this unit, the AUTO OFF lamp lights up
and an error message is displayed.
When INT SG is selected in setup menu No.600 (VIDEO IN SEL) or No.700
(AUDIO IN SEL), pressing REC button or EDIT button causes the display to be
given for 2 sec. from the beginning (EE mode).
Similarly in edit mode, the display will be given for 2 sec. from the beginning.
In case of no input signal at the connector selected by setup menu No.600 (VIDEO IN SEL)
or No.700 (AUDIO IN SEL) except analog audio, pressing REC button or EDIT button
causes the display to be given for 2 sec. from the beginning (EE mode).
Similarly in edit mode, the display will be given for 2 sec. from the beginning.
When a warning occurs in this unit, the warning lamp lights up and a warning message is
displayed. When multiple warnings occur, the warning with the highest priority is displayed.
This is displayed when the fan motor stops.
The alarm beep is always sounded regardless of the setup menu item
No.134 (ALARM BEEP) setting selected.
This appears when a blank part of the tape lasting for 1 or more
seconds has been detected during playback.When all the following
conditions have been met, it will be recognized as a blank part.
· When no signals are output from any of the heads
· When the playback data cannot be read
· When CTL is not present
This is displayed when the servo is not locked for three or more
seconds during playback, recording, or editing.
This is displayed when envelope levels approximately 1/3 that of
normal levels are detected for more than one second during
playback, recording, or editing.
This is displayed when the error rate increases and correction/
interpolation is performed on either the video or audio playback signal. 
						

							– 112 –
Table of AUTO OFF Error messages
Monitor display DescriptionVTR operation(Restart condition)
CAP ROTATE TOO
SLOW
CAP TENSION ERROR
DEW
DRUM ROTATE TOO
FAST
E-FF DRUM ROTATE TOO
SLOW
If the capstan motor speed is abnormally low, the 
AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the message display 
flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If an abnormal tension at the supply side is detected 
in the capstan mode, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and 
the message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If condensation is detected, the AUTO OFF lamp 
lights, the message display flashes, and the VTR is 
transferred to the eject mode. After the tape is 
ejected, the drum rotates in order to eliminate the 
condensation.
When the condensation has been eliminated, the 
AUTO OFF lamp and message display go off, and the 
VTR can be used.

 1)
 2)EJECT
(Normal operation
resumed after
condensation is
eliminated)
If the cylinder motor speed is abnormally high, the 
AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the message display 
flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If the tape start and tape end are detected simulta-
neously either during or after loading, the AUTO OFF 
lamp lights, and the message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If condensation is detected in the eject mode, the 
drum starts rotating as soon as it is detected.
If condensation is detected when the cassette has 
been inserted, the drum rotation is stopped, and 
after the tape is ejected, the drum starts rotating.
If the cylinder motor speed is abnormally low, the 
AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the message display 
flashes.
STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
FRONT LOAD MOTORIf the cassette does not move up even when 6 
seconds have elapsed since the VTR was transferred 
to the eject mode, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the 
message display flashes.

If the cassette does not move down inside the 
machine even when 6 seconds have elapsed since 
the cassette was inserted, the VTR is transferred to 
the eject mode.
STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
LOADING MOTORWhen the unloading operation is not completed within 
6 seconds, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the 
message display flashes.

When the loading operation is not completed within 6 
seconds, the VTR is transferred to the eject (unload-
ing) mode.
STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
FRONT LOAD ERRORThe AUTO OFF lamp lights and the message display 
flashes when the take-up reel has been rotating idly 
for a fixed period of time while the start/end 
processing operation during loading (half position) is 
being performed.
STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
Counter display
CAP ROTA TOO
SLOW
CAP TENSION ERROR
DEW
DRUM ROTA TOO
FAST
E-FF DRUM ROTA TOO
SLOW
FRONT LOAD MOTOR
LOADING MOTOR FRONT LOAD ERROR 
						

							– 113 –
SERVO CONTROL
ERROR
Counter display DescriptionVTR operation(Restart condition)
REEL DIR UNMATCHIf the reel motor at the take-up side is running in the 
reverse direction, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the 
message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
REEL TENSION ERROR
SERVO COMM ERROR
SERVO ERROR
S-FF/REW TIMEOVER
S REEL ROTA TOO
FAST
T REEL ROTA TOO
FAST
T REEL TORQUE
ERROR
UNLOAD ERROR S REEL TORQUE
ERROR
WINDUP ERROR
If an abnormal tension at the supply side is detected 
in the reel mode, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the 
message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
When the servo microcomputer does not follow the 
instructions of the system control microcomputer even 
when 10 seconds have elapsed, the AUTO OFF lamp 
lights, and the message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
When there is no response from the servo micro-
computer for 1 or more seconds, the AUTO OFF 
lamp lights, and the message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
When only the servo microcomputer was reset in an 
instantaneous power failure, the AUTO OFF lamp 
lights, and the message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If the start/end processing operation is not completed, 
the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the message display 
flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If the supply reel motor should rotate at an abnormally 
fast rate, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the message 
display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If an abnormal torque applied to the supply reel motor 
is detected or if an abnormal current flowing to the 
current-sensing resistor is detected, the AUTO OFF 
lamp lights, and the message display flashes.
STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If the take-up reel motor should rotate at an ab- 
normally fast rate, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and 
the message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If an abnormal torque applied to the take-up reel 
motor is detected, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and 
the message display flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If the tape has not been wound up during unloading, 
the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and the message display 
flashes.STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
If, after the total tape amount has been detected, the 
amount of tape wound up on the take-up reel and the 
amount of tape supplied by the supply reel differ to an 
abnormal extent while the tape is traveling in the 
forward or reverse direction, the AUTO OFF lamp 
lights, and the message display flashes.
STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
WINDUP REEL NOT
ROTAIf, after the cassette has been inserted, the tape take-
up reel has not wound up the tape while the total tape 
amount is not detected and while the tape is traveling 
in the forward or reverse direction, the AUTO OFF 
lamp lights, and the message display flashes.
STOP
(POWER OFF→ON)
Monitor display
SERVO CONTROL
ERR REEL DIR UNMATCH
REEL TENSION ERROR
SERVO COMM ERROR
SERVO ERROR
S-FF/REW TIMEOVER
S REEL TOO FAST
T REEL TOO FAST
T REEL TORQUE
ERR
UNLOAD ERROR S REEL TORQUE
ERR
WINDUP ERROR
W-UP REEL NOT ROTA
Table of AUTO OFF Error messages 
						

							– 114 –
RS-232C interface
1. Introduction
(1) The VTR can be operated by commands when the RS-232C interface is used.
(See command table on page 117 – 119.)
(2) Conditions for acknowledging commands from RS-232C interface
The front panel REMOTE/LOCAL switch must be at REMOTE.
The setup menu item No. 204 “RS232C SEL” must be ON.
If the above conditions are not met, [ACK] + [STX]ER001[EXT] is returned to the external unit.
Whether the [ACK] code is returned depends on the setting which has been selected for setup menu item No. 209
“RETURN ACK”.
2. Hardware specifications
External interface specifications
1) Connector specifications
Connector: D-SUB 25-pin (crossover cable supported)
Pin No. Signal Circuit name Description
1 FG Protective ground Frame ground
2 RXD Received data Data is sent to PC.
3 TXD Transmitted data Data is received from PC.
4 CTS Clear to send Shorted with pin 5.
5 RTS Request to send Shorted with pin 4.
6 DTR Data terminal ready No processing
7 SG Signal ground Signal ground
20 DSR Data set ready + voltage output after communication enable status
2) Example of connection with controller (PC)

Using crossover cable with D-SUB 25-pin
Using crossover cable with D-SUB 9-pin and
connectors 25-pin connectors
PC side
(D-SUB 25-pin
connector)
FG
TXD
RXD
RTS
CTS
DSR
SG
DTR1
2
3
4
5
6
7
20
VTR side
FG
RXD
TXD
CTS
RTS
DTR
SG
DSR 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
20
PC side
(D-SUB 9-pin
connector)
RXD
TXD
DTR
SG
DSR
RTS
CTS2
3
4
5
6
7
8FG
RXD
TXD
CTS
RTS
DTR
SG
DSR 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
20
VTR side 
						

							– 115 –
3. Software specifications
Protocol
1) Communication parameters
Communication system Asynchronous, full duplex
Communication speed 300/600/1200/2400/4800/9600
Bit length 7 bit/8 bit
Stop bit1 bit/2 bit
Parity bitNONE/ODD/EVEN
ACK codeACK code returned/ACK code not returned

The ACK code is what is returned from the VTR to the controller when data has
been successfully sent from the controller.
The underlining indicates the factory settings.
Any changes to the settings can be made using the setup menu items listed below.
Communication parameter Setup menu item
Communication speed No. 205 BAUD RATE
Bit length No. 206 DATA LENGTH
Stop bit No. 207 STOP BIT
Parity bit No. 208 PARITY
ACK code No. 209 RETURN ACK
2) Send format [controller (PC) → VTR]

 Data format
[STX]  [command]   [:]   [data]  [ETX]
 02h     XX XX XX 3Ah XX-XX   03h←(ASCII code: symbols, numbers upper-case letters)
                       20h
						

							– 116 –
RS-232C interface
3) Return format [VTR → controller (PC)]
The following responses are made to the command. If necessary, more than one response is made.

 When the communication has terminated normally
1. The receive completion message is returned.
[ACK]
 06h
2. The execution completion message is returned.
[STX]  [command]  [data]  [ETX]
 02h     XX XX XX  XX-XX   03h
•[command]: This is the message (data) which is returned or the execution completion message identifier.
•[data]: This is the data to be returned. It can be omitted.
Example: Send command Return message (data)
[STX] OPL [ETX]→[ACK] [STX] OPL [ETX]

 When the communication has terminated abnormally
[NACK]
  15h

 When processing is not possible due to incorrect data or trouble in the VTR
1. The receive completion message is returned.
[ACK]
 06h
2. An error code is returned.
[STX] E R N
1 N2 N3 [ETX]
 02h     Error code     03h
4. Error code table
ER001: Invalid command
•Unsupported command received.
•Error in command execution
ER002: Parameter error
ER102: VTR mode error (front loading motor)
ER103: VTR mode error (loading motor)
ER104: VTR mode error (drum, capstan system)
ER105: VTR mode error (reel system)
ER106: VTR mode error (tension system)
ER108: VTR dew error
ER1FF: VTR system error 
						

							– 117 –
5. Command table
(1) Commands relating to operation control

•As for the return (completion) message, [ACK] is first returned when data is received, and the execution message is
subsequently returned. It is only the execution message which is listed in this table.
•In the case of commands not listed in the table, ER001 (invalid command) is returned after [ACK] has been returned.
VTR
operationSend commandReturn (completion)
messageSupplementary notes
[STX] OSP [ETX] STOP
[STX] OSP [ETX]This command is for stopping the tape travel.
The resulting output picture and sound statuses 
differ according to the settings selected for the setup 
menu No. 105 (AUTO EE SEL).
[STX] OEJ [ETX] EJECT [STX] OEJ [ETX]This command is for ejecting the cassette tape.
The resulting output picture and sound statuses 
differ according to the settings selected for the setup 
menu No. 105 (AUTO EE SEL).
[STX] OPL [ETX] PLAY [STX] OPL [ETX]This command is for starting playback.
[STX] ORW [ETX] REWIND [STX] ORW [ETX]This command is for rewinding the tape.
The resulting output picture and sound statuses 
differ according to the settings selected for the setup 
menu No. 105 (AUTO EE SEL).
The maximum tape speed differs according to the 
setting selected for setup menu No. 102 (FF. REW 
MAX).
[STX] OFF [ETX] FAST
FORWARD[STX] OFF [ETX]This command is for fast forwarding the tape.
The resulting output picture and sound statuses 
differ according to the settings selected for the setup 
menu No. 105 (AUTO EE SEL).
The maximum tape speed differs according to the 
setting selected for setup menu No. 102 (FF. REW 
MAX).
[STX] ORC [ETX] REC [STX] ORC [ETX]This command is for starting the recording.
[STX] OSF:data [ETX] SHTL
FORWARD[STX] OSF [ETX]This is the forward direction shuttle command.
data = n:
0:
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:
A:speed data
STILL
×0.03
×0.1
×0.2
×0.5
×1
×2.0 (× 1.85 with any format except the DVCPROHD-LP format)
×4.9
×9.8
×16
×32: This speed differs according to the setting selected for 
setup menu No. 101 (SHTL MAX).
: This speed differs according to the setting selected for 
setup menu No. 101 (SHTL MAX).
RS-232C interface 
						

							– 118 –
VTR
operationSend commandReturn (completion)
messageSupplementary notes
[STX] OBF [ETX] STANDBY
OFF[STX] OBF [ETX]This command is setting the VTR to standby OFF.
[STX] OSR:data [ETX] SHTL
REVERSE[STX] OSR [ETX]This is the reverse direction shuttle command.
data = n:  
0:
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:
A:speed data
STILL
×0.03
×0.1
×0.2
×0.5
×1
×2.0 (×1.85 with any format except the DVCPROHD-LP format)
×4.9
×9.8
×16
×32: This speed differs according to the setting selected for 
setup menu No. 101 (SHTL MAX).
: This speed differs according to the setting selected for 
setup menu No. 101 (SHTL MAX).
[STX] OBN [ETX] STANDBY
ON[STX] OBN [ETX]This command is setting the VTR to standby ON.
RS-232C interface 
						

							– 119 –
(2) Commands relating to inquiries

•As for the return (completion) message, [ACK] is first returned when data is received, and the execution message is
subsequently returned. It is only the execution message which is listed in this table.
•In the case of commands not listed in the table, ER001 (invalid command) is returned after [ACK] has been returned.
VTR
operationSend commandReturn (completion)
messageSupplementary notes
[STX] QCD [ETX] CTL/TC
DATA
REQUEST
[STX] CD data [ETX]This command is for inquiring about the counter 
value.
[STX] QOP [ETX] STATUS
REQUEST[STX] xxx [ETX] data = 
data = AJ-HD1500f w gh mm ss ff
f
w
gh
mm
ss
ff= F
= S
=
CTL:
TC:
=
=
=
=g =
h =
gh =SP (20h):
— (2Dh):
0—9: hours
00—23: hours
00—59: minutes
00—59: seconds
00—29: frames (525 mode)
00—24: frames (625 mode)for a plus display
for a minus display
CTL or TC is returned,
whichever corresponds
to the front display
mode.
This command is for inquiring about the VTR s ope-
ration mode.
xxx =  OEJ:
OFF:
OPL:
ORC:
ORW:
OSP:
SRS:
OBF:
OSF:
OSR:
OJG:
OSW:
EAE:
EON:
EPV:
ERV:EJECT
FAST FORWARD
PLAY
REC
REWIND
STOP (including the STANDBY ON)
(IN/OUT) PREROLL
STANDBY OFF
SHTL FORWARD
SHTL REVERSE
JOG FORWARD/REVERSE
VAR FORWARD/REVERSE
AUTO EDIT
EDIT ON (MANUAL EDIT)
PREVIEW
REVIEW
[STX] QID [ETX] ID (VTR No.)
REQUEST[STX] data [ETX]This command is for inquiring about the VTR used.
RS-232C interface 
						

							– 120 –
RS-232C interface
(3) Microsoft QuickBASIC sample program
CLS
STX$ = CHR$(&H2): ETX$ = CHR$ (&H3): NAK$ = CHR$(15): ACK$ = CHR$(&H6)
PRINT *** RS-232C COMMUNICATION SAMPLE PROGRAM ***
PRINT Type Command QUIT to quit.
PRINT
REM *** Communication Port Initial & Open ***
REM Port 1,9600Bps,No parity,8 bit data,1 stop bit
OPEN COM1:9600,N,8,1 FOR RANDOM AS #1 LEN = 256
REM *** Input Command & Send Command ***
SendCmd:
INPUT Input Command =; SEND$
IF SEND$ = QUIT THEN GOTO ProgEnd
PRINT #1, STX$ + SEND$ + ETX$
REM *** Wait for Receive Command ***
WHILE LOC(1) = 0
        WAITKEY$ = INKEY$
        IF WAITKEY$ = Q THEN PRINT *** Quit ***: GOTO ProgEnd
WEND
REM *** Receive Command ***
RecvCmd:
RECV$ = INPUT$(1, #1)
IF RECV$ = STX$ THEN RECV$ = [Stx]
IF RECV$ = ACK$ THEN RECV$ = [Ack]
IF RECV$ = NAK$ THEN RECV$ = [Nak]
IF RECV$ = ETX$ THEN BUFFER$ = BUFFER$ + [Etx]: GOTO DispOut
BUFFER$ = BUFFER$ + RECV$
GOTO RecvCmd
REM *** Output Receive Command ***
DispOut:
PRINT Receive Command =; BUFFER$
PRINT
BUFFER$ = 
GOTO SendCmd
REM *** End Program ***
ProgEnd:
CLOSE
END
MICROSOFT QUICKBASIC is a registered trade mark of Microsoft Corporation.