Panasonic Digital Hd Video Cassette Recorder Ajhd1800 Operating Instructions

							131
RS-232C interface
The VTR can be operated by commands when the RS-232C
interface is used.  (Refer to the command tables on page
134.)
_Condition for acknowledging commands 
from RS-232C interface
Setup menu item No.204
(RS232C SEL)ON
If the above condition is not met, 
[ACK]+[STX]ER001[EXT] is returned to the external 
component.  Whether [ACK] is returned depends on 
the setting which has been selected for setup menu 
item No.209 (RETURN ACK).
Hardware specifications
External interface specifications
zConnector pin specifications
Connector: D-SUB 25-pin 
(crossover cable supported)
zExample of connection with controller (PC)
(Using crossover cable with D-SUB 25-pin connectors)
(Using crossover cable with D-SUB 9-pin and D-SUB 25-
pin connectors)
Pin No. Signal Description
1FG
Protective ground (frame ground)
2RXD
Received data (data is sent to PC)
3TXD Transmitted data (data is received from 
PC)
4CTS
Clear to send (shorted with pin 5)
5RTS
Request to send (shorted with pin 4)
6DTR
Data terminal ready (no processing)
7SG
Signal ground
20DSR Data set ready (+ voltage output after 
communication enable status)
FG
TXD
RXD
RTS
CTS
DSR
SG
DTR1
2
3
4
5
6
7
20FG
RXD
TXD
CTS
RTS
DTR
SG
DSR 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
20
PC side
(D-SUB 25-pin connector) 
VTR side
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
PC side
(D-SUB 9-pin connector)  
VTR side 
						

							132
RS-232C interface(continued)
Software specifications (protocol)
1.Communication parameters
The underlining (__) denotes the factory setting mode.
The settings can be changed in the following Setup Menu.
2.Send format 
[controller (PC) > VTR]
The following responses are for command instructions.
Multiple responses may be made if necessary.
_Data format
20H
						

							133
RS-232C interface(continued)
3.Return format 
 controller (PC)>
The following responses are made to the commands.  If
necessary, more than one response is made.
_When the communication has ended suc-
cessfully
1.The receive completion message is returned.
[ACK]
  06h
2.The execution completion message is returned.
[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 ended 
unsuccessfully
[NACK]
  15h
_When processing is not possible due to 
incorrect data or problem with the VTR
1.The receive completion message is returned.
[ACK]
  06h
2.An error code is returned.
4.Error code table
ER001:Invalid command
zUnsupported command received
zCommand execution error
ER002:Param eter e rror
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 condensation error
ER1FF:VTR system error[STX][command][data][ETX]
02h XX XX XX XX.....XX 03h
[STX] [E R N1 N2 N3][ETX]
02herror code03h 
						

							134
RS-232C interface(continued)
5.Command table
_Commands relating to operation control
 
zAs the return (completion) message, [ACK] is returned 
when data is received, and only the execution message 
which is subsequently returned is listed in the table.
zIf a command not listed in the table is received, ER001 
(invalid command) is returned after [ACK].
VTR 
operationSend commandReturn (completion) 
message
STOP[STX] OSP [ETX]áà[STX] OSP [ETX]
This command is for stopping the tape transport.  The 
resulting output picture and sound statuses differ 
according to the setting selected for the setup menu 
item No.105 (AUTO EE SEL).
For details, refer to the setup menus.
EJECT[STX] OEJ [ETX]áà[STX] OEJ [ETX]
This command is for ejecting the cassette tape.  The 
resulting output picture and sound statuses differ 
according to the setting selected for the setup menu 
item No.105 (AUTO EE SEL).
For details, refer to the setup menus.
PLAY[STX] OPL [ETX]áà[STX] OPL [ETX]
This command is for starting playback.
REWIND[STX] ORW [ETX]áà[STX] ORW [ETX]
This command is for rewinding the tape.  The 
resulting output picture and sound statuses differ 
according to the setting selected for the setup menu 
item No.105 (AUTO EE SEL). 
The maximum speed differs according to the setting 
selected for the setup menu item No.102 (FF. REW 
MAX).
For details, refer to the setup menus.
FA S T  
FORWARD[STX] OFF [ETX]áà[STX] OFF [ETX]
This command is for fast forwarding the tape.  The 
resulting output picture and sound statuses differ 
according to the setting selected for the setup menu 
item No.105 (AUTO EE SEL). 
The maximum speed differs according to the setting 
selected for the setup menu item No.102 (FF. REW 
MAX).
For details, refer to the setup menus.
REC[STX] ORC [ETX]áà[STX] ORC [ETX]
This command is for starting recording.
VTR 
operationSend commandReturn (completion) 
message
SHTL 
FORWARD[STX] OSF:data [ETX]áà[STX] OSF [ETX]
This is the forward direction shuttle command.
data = n:speed data
0:STILL
1:k0.03
2:k0.1
3:k0.2
4:k0.5
5:k1
6:k2.0
(1.85k for formats other than 
DVCPROHD-LP)
7:k4.9
8:k9.8
9:k16
A:k32
  
The 16
k and 32k speeds differ according to the 
setting selected for setup menu item No.101 (SHTL 
MAX).
SHTL 
REVERSE[STX] OSR:data [ETX]áà[STX] OSR [ETX]
This is the reverse direction shuttle command.
data = n:speed data
0:STILL
1:k0.03
2:k0.1
3:k0.2
4:k0.5
5:k1
6:k2.0
(1.85k for formats other than 
DVCPROHD-LP)
7:k4.9
8:k9.8
9:k16
A:k32
  
The 16k and 32k speeds differ according to the 
setting selected for setup menu item No.101 (SHTL 
MAX).
STANDBY 
OFF[STX] OBF [ETX]áà[STX] OBF [ETX]
This command is for setting the VTR to standby OFF.
STANDBY 
ON[STX] OBN [ETX]áà[STX] OBN [ETX]
This command is for setting the VTR to standby ON. 
						

							135
RS-232C interface(continued)
_Commands relating to inquiries
 
zIn terms of the return (completion) message, [ACK] is 
returned when data is received, and only the execution 
message which is subsequently returned is listed in the 
table.
zIn the case of commands not listed in the table below, 
ER001 (invalid command) is returned after [ACK].
VTR 
operationSend commandReturn (completion) 
message
CTL/TC 
DATA 
REQUEST[STX] QCD [ETX]áà[STX] CD data [ETX]
This command is for inquiring about the counter 
value.
data =f w gh mm ss ff
f=F
w= S
gh=
With CTL:
g = SP(20h):for a plus display 
j(2Dh):for a minus display 
h = 0 to 9: hours
With TC:
gh = 00 to 23:hours
mm = 00 to 59:minutes
ss = 00 to 59:seconds
(525i system)
ff = 00 to 29:frames
  
CTL or TC is returned, whichever corresponds to the 
front display mode.
STATUS 
REQUEST[STX] QOP [ETX]áà[STX] ÎÎÎ[ETX]
This command is for inquiring about the VTR’s 
operation mode.
ÎÎÎ =OEJ: EJECT
OFF: FAST FORWARD
OPL: PLAY
ORC: REC
ORW: REWIND
OSP: STOP (including STANDBY ON)
SRS: (IN/OUT) PREROLL
OBF: STAND BY OFF
OSF: SHTL FORWARD
OSR: SHTL REVERSE
OJG: JOG FORWARD/REVERSE
OSW: VAR FORWARD/REVERSE
EAE: AUTO EDIT
EON: EDIT ON (MANUAL EDIT)
EPV: PREVIEW
ERV: REVIEW
ID
 (VTR No.) REQUEST
[STX] QID [ETX]áà[STX] data [ETX]
This command is for inquiring about the VTR used.
data =AJ-HD1800 
						

							136
RS-232C interface(continued)
_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 trademark of Microsoft Corporation. 
						

							137
Connector signals
RS-422A REMOTE(9P)
VIDEO IN
HD SERIAL IN 
(DIGITAL)BNC k 1, active-through (BNC k 1)
HD/SD REF INBNC k 2, loop-through, 75h termination 
switch provided
SD SERIAL IN 
(DIGITAL)BNC k 1, active-through (BNC k 1) 
VIDEO OUT
HD SERIAL OUT 
(DIGITAL)BNC k 4
SD SERIAL OUT
(DIGITAL)BNC k 2
ANALOG 
COMPOSITE 
OUTBNC k 3
AUDIO IN
AUDIO IN 
(DIGITAL)BNC  k  4 (CH1/CH2, CH3/CH4, CH5/CH6, 
CH7/CH8), AES/EBU format
AUDIO IN 
(ANALOG)XLR k 4(CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4)
HD SERIAL IN 
(DIGITAL)BNC k 1, active-through (BNC k 1)
SD SERIAL IN 
(DIGITAL)BNC k 1, active-through (BNC k 1) 
CUE IN XLR k 1
TIME CODE IN XLR k 1
AUDIO OUT
AUDIO OUT 
(DIGITAL)BNC k 4 (CH1/CH2, CH3/CH4, CH5/CH6, 
CH7/CH8), AES/EBU format
AUDIO OUT 
(ANALOG)XLR k 4(CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4)
HD SERIAL OUT 
(DIGITAL)BNC k 4
SD SERIAL OUT 
(DIGITAL)BNC k 2
CUE OUT XLR k 1
TIME CODE OUT XLR k 1
MONITOR OUT XLR k 2(LÅAR)
HEADPHONES
(FRONT)M6
zREMOTE IN/OUT
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
zREMOTE OUT
Pin No. Signal
1 FRAME GROUND
2 RECEIVE A
3 TRANSMIT B
4 TRANSMIT COMMON
5====
6 RECEIVE COMMON
7 RECEIVE B
8 TRANSMIT A
9 FRAME GROUND 
						

							138
Connector signals(continued)
PARALLEL REMOTE (50P)
Refer to 50P IN/OUT ASSIGN on the function menu (page
74) for the connection pin signals.
EMERGENCY EJECT
Procedure to ejecting the tape manually in an emergency
If the cassette tape fails to be ejected even when the EJECT button is pressed, it can be ejected as follows.
zFollow the steps below after making absolutely sure that the unit’s power has been turned off.
1Remove the top panel.
2Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to push in the red plastic
gear (A) and turn it counterclockwise while keeping it
pushed in. The mechanism that winds up the tape is
activated by this, and it makes a latching sound. Ignore
the sound, and turn the gear through about 10
revolutions.

Turning the gear more than necessary will strain the
cassette, possibly resulting in tape damage.
3Check that the posts have unloaded the tape and that the
tape is completely housed inside the cassette.
4When the tape returns to the cassette case completely, 
remove the cassette by pressing and turning the red 
plastic gear (B) clockwise for front loading as shown in 
the illustration.

When closing the cassette cover, take care not to catch
the tape.
RS-232C 
(D-SUB 25-pin, crossover cable supported)
Pin No. Signal 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
20 DSR Data set ready (+ voltage output after 
communication enable status)
ENCODER REMOTE(15P)
Pin No. Signal
1 FRAME GROUND
4REM (G)
7REM RX (X) 
REMOTE CONTROL PROTOCOL RECEIVE
8REM TX (X)
REMOTE CONTROL PROTOCOL TRANSMIT
14 REM RX (Y)
REMOTE CONTROL PROTOCOL RECEIVE
15 REM TX (Y)
REMOTE CONTROL PROTOCOL TRANSMIT
Plastic gear 
(A)Plastic gear 
(B) 
						

							139
Specifications
[GENERAL]
Operating ambient temperature: 
5 xC to 40 xC (41 xF to 104 xF)
Operating ambient humidity: 
10% to 80% (no condensation)
Storage temperature:
–20°C to 60°C (–4°F to 140°F)
Dimensions (W k H k D): 
424 mm (max. 435.4 mm) a 175.2 mm a 417 mm
16-3/4 inches (max. 17-3/16 inches) a 6-15/16 inches a 
16-7/16 inches
(not including supporting feet, jacks and connectors, JOG dial 
and fan)
Weight: 
19.5 kg (43.0 lb)
Recording format: 
DVCPRO HD-LP
Video signals recorded: 
1080i (50 Hz/59.94 Hz switching)
720p (50 Hz, 59.94 Hz and 60 Hz  
switching)
480i/59.94Hz
576i/50Hz
Audio signals recorded:
48 kHz, 16 bits, 8 channels
Recording tracks:   
z
Digital video/audio:Helical track
z
Time code:Helical track (sub code area)
zCue track: 
1 track
zControl (CTL) track: 1 track
Tape speed:  
67.64 mm/sec. (in 59.94 Hz mode)
67.70 mm/sec. (in 50 or 60 Hz mode)
Tape used: 
Metal tape
Recording time: 
126 minutes (using XL cassette)
92 minutes (using L cassette)
32 minutes (using M cassette)
FF/REW time: 
Approx. 1 min. 30 sec. 
(when XL cassette is used and  d100a speed is selected)
Search speed: 
d100a
Digital slow: 
j1k to i2k 
(when playing back tapes recorded using the DVCPRO HD-
LP format)
j1k to i1.1k 
(when playing back tapes recorded using any other format)
Editing accuracy:
d0 frames 
(when time code is used, in 50 Hz, 59.94 Hz or 60 Hz mode)
Tape timer accuracy: 
d1 frame (when continuous CTL signal is used)
Servo lock time: 
Less than 0.3 sec. (from standby ON)
Loading time: 
Approx. 4 sec. (using M/L cassette), 
Approx. 6 sec. (using XL cassette)
Audio split editing: 
Provided
[VIDEO]
Sampling frequencies:
Y: 74.176 MHz
P
B/PR: 37.088 MHz (1080/59.94i, 720/59.94p)
Y 74.25 MHz
P
B/PR: 37.125 MHz (1080/50i, 720/50p)
Quantizing: 
8 bits
Video compression method: 
DV-Based Compression (SMPTE370M, 317M)
Video compression rate: 
1/6.7
Error correction: 
Reed-Solomon product code
Video recording bit rate: 
100 Mbps
Video Input Connectors
HD serial digital input: 
BNC a 1 
(Complies with the SMPTE 292M/296M/299M standards),
BNC a 1 (active-through)
SD serial digital input: 
BNC a 1 
(Complies with the SMPTE 259M-C/272M-A, ITU-R 
BT.656-4 standards),
BNC a 1 (active-through)
Reference input 
Black burst/HD3 value SYNC auto switching
BNC a 2 (Loop through), 75 h ON/OFF switching 
Video Output Connectors
HD serial digital output: 
BNC a 3 
(Complies with the SMPTE 292M/296M/299M standards)
BNC a 1 (monitor output with superimposed display)
SD serial digital output: 
BNCa1 
(Complies with the SMPTE 259M-C/272M-A, ITU-R BT.656-4 
standards) 
BNC a 1 (monitor output with superimposed display)
Analog composite output: 
BNC a 3
VIDEO1, VIDEO2, VIDEO3 (Super ON/OFF selectable)
To be output during SD playback or down-converting
Power supply: AC 100-240 V , 50/60 Hz
Power consumption:125 W
indicates safety information. 
						

							140
Specifications (continued)
[VIDEO] (continued)
Video signal adjustment ranges
zComponent style
HD/SD SDI, composite output Y gain: 
–   to +3 dB
HD/SD SDI, composite output P
B gain: 
–   to +3 dB
HD/SD SDI, composite output P
R gain: 
–   to +3 dB
HD/SD SDI, composite output Y black level: 
d10%
zComposite style
HD/SD SDI, composite output video gain:  
–   to +6 dB
HD/SD SDI, composite output chroma gain:  
–   to +3 dB
HD/SD SDI, composite output chroma phase *
1:  
d30x
HD/SD SDI, composite output setup: 
d10%
zSystem phase
HD serial digital output system phase
1080i: d1.0H (13.5 nS step)
59.94/60 Hz :d2200 Sample
50 Hz :d2640 Sample
23.98/24 Hz :d2750 Sample
720p:d1.0H (13.5 nS steps)
59.94/60 Hz :d1650 Sample
50 Hz :d1980 Sample
SD serial digital/composite video output system phase 
d1.0H¢37 nS steps£
59.94 Hz :d1716 Sample
50 Hz :d1728 Sample
Composite video output SC phase: 
d180x or more
*1: Only the SD SDI composite output of SD tape playback is valid 
in the 50 Hz or 25 Hz mode.
[AUDIO]
Digital Audio
Sampling frequency: 
48 kHz (synchronized with video)
Quantizing: 
16 bits
Frequency response: 
20 Hz to 20 kHz d1.0 dB (at reference level)
Dynamic range: 
Better than 90 dB (1 kHz, emphasis OFF)
Distortion: 
Less than 0.05% (1 kHz, emphasis OFF, reference level)
Crosstalk: 
Less than j80 dB (1 kHz, between 2 channels)
Wow  &  f lu t t e r:
Below measurable limit
Headroom: 
20/18/12dB selectable
Cue Track
Frequency response: 
300 Hz to 6 kHz d3 dB
Audio Input Connectors
Analog input (CH1 to CH4)
XLR k 4, 600 h/high impedance (selectable), 
+4/0/j3/j20 dBu selectable
Digital input (CH1/CH2, CH3/CH4, CH5/CH6, CH7/CH8)
BNC k 4, AES/EBU format
HD serial digital input
BNC·1 
(Complies with the SMPTE 292M/296M/299M standards)
BNC k 1 (active-through)
SD serial digital input
BNC·1
(Complies with the SMPTE 259M-C/272M-A, ITU-R BT.656-4 
standards)
BNC k 1 (active-through)
Cue track input
XLR k 1, 600 h/high impedance (selectable)
+4/0/j3/j20/j60 dBu switchable
Audio output Connectors
Analog output (CH1 to CH4)
XLR k4, low impedance
+4/0/j3/j20 dBu switchable
Digital output (CH1/CH2, CH3/CH4, CH5/CH6, CH7/CH8)
BNC k 4, AES/EBU format
HD serial digital output
BNC k 4 
(complies with SMPTE 292M/296M/299M standards)
SD serial digital output
BNC k 2 
(Complies with the SMPTE 259M-C/272M-A, ITU-R BT.656-4 
standards)
Cue track output
XLR k 1, low impedance
+4/0/j3/j20 dBu switchable
Monitor output
XLR k 2, low impedance
+4/0/j3/j20 dBu switchable
Headphone output
M6z8 h, Level variable
Audio level adjustment range
–   to +12 dB