Panasonic Digital Video Cassette Recorder Ajd850a Operating Instructions

							Operating Instructions
Digital Video Cassette Recorder
AJ-             P 
						

							Ð 2 Ð
IMPORTANT
“Unauthorized recording of copyrighted televi-
sion programs, video tapes and other materials 
may infringe the right of copyright owners and 
be contrary to copyright laws.”
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
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.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an 
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the 
presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within 
the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient 
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to 
persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is 
intended to alert the user to the presence of important 
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in 
the literature accompanying the appliance.
CAUTION:
To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard and 
annoying interference, use the recommended 
accessories only.
WARNING:
To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, 
do not expose this equipment to rain or 
moisture.
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 instruc-
tion 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.
is the safety information.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR 
SHOCK HAZARD, REFER MOUNTING OF 
THE OPTIONAL INTERFACE BOARD TO 
AUTHORIZED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CAUTION:
Do not install or place this unit in a bookcase, 
built in cabinet or in another confined space in 
order to keep well ventilated condition. Ensure 
that curtains and any other materials do not 
obstruct the ventilation condition to prevent 
risk of electric shock or fire hazard due to 
overheating. 
						

							Ð 3 Ð
Contents
Setup (default settings) ........................................... 50
Setup menus ........................................................... 51
¥ SYSTEM menu ..................................................... 55
¥ USER menu .......................................................... 57
¥ Basic menu ......................................................... 57
¥ Operation menu .................................................. 59
¥ Interface menu .................................................... 62
¥ Edit menu ............................................................ 63
¥ Tape protect menu .............................................. 67
¥ Time Code menu ................................................ 67
¥ Video menu ......................................................... 70
¥ Audio menu ......................................................... 72
¥ V BLANK menu .................................................... 75
¥ MENU menu ....................................................... 78
Time code/user bit ................................................... 79
Recording internal/external time codes ................... 80
Reproducing the time code/user bit ........................ 81
Superimpose screen ............................................... 82
Servo reference ....................................................... 83
Servo reference setting tables ................................ 84
Audio V Fade Function ............................................ 85
Rack mounting ........................................................ 86
Video head cleaning ................................................ 87
Condensation .......................................................... 87
Error messages ....................................................... 88
Table of AUTO OFF Error messages ...................... 91
RS-232C interface ................................................... 93
Connector signals ................................................. 100
Printed circuit board .............................................. 102
Specifications ........................................................ 103 General and Features ............................................... 4
Controls and their functions ...................................... 6
¥ Front panel .............................................................. 6
¥ Front panel top section ......................................... 6
¥ Front panel center section .................................... 8
¥ Front panel bottom section ................................. 14
¥ Connector area ..................................................... 16
Connections
¥ Connections when one unit is used ...................... 19
¥ Connections when 2 units are used
(deck to deck) ..................................................... 20
¥ Connections with editing controller ....................... 21
¥ Connections for adjusting video output
(encoder output) signals ..................................... 22
Tapes ....................................................................... 23
Switching on the power/inserting the cassette ......... 24
STOP/STAND BY mode .......................................... 25
Recording ................................................................ 26
Playback .................................................................. 27
Jog/shuttle ............................................................... 28
Manual editing ......................................................... 29
Preroll ...................................................................... 30
Automatic editing ..................................................... 31
¥ Switch settings and adjustments ........................... 32
¥ Selecting the editing mode .................................... 33
¥ Entering the edit points ......................................... 34
¥ Checking the edit points ........................................ 35
¥ Modifying the edit points ....................................... 36
¥ Preview ................................................................. 37
¥ Executing automatic editing .................................. 38
¥ Review .................................................................. 39
Split editing .............................................................. 40
Audio split editing .................................................... 41
Voice-over facility (internal) ..................................... 43
Audio cross channel editing (internal) ..................... 46
V blanking data recording/playback ........................ 48
Video output (encoder output)
signal adjustments ................................................ 49
Before operating this unit, check that all of its accessories are present and accounted for.
Power cord....1 pc
Option
¥ AJ-YA750P Component serial interface board
¥ AJ-CS750P Cassette adaptor
¥ AJ-MA75P Rack mounting adaptor
¥ AJ-YA752 Audio memory unit
¥ AJ-YAC850P SDTI/SDI board 
						

							Ð 4 Ð
General and Features
This unit is a digital video cassette recorder which uses 1/4-inch tapes.
It incorporates digital compression technology so that the deterioration in picture quality and
sound quality resulting from dubbing is significantly minimized compared with existing analog
systems.
Furthermore, since it has a compact 4U size and light weight, the unit can be carried around
or mounted in a 19-inch rack with ease.
The settings for the unitÕs setup can be performed interactively while viewing the screen
menus on the TV monitor, and editing functions include both assemble and insert editing.
Features
Compact size and light weight
This is a 4U size digital VTR. It can be mounted in a 19-inch rack with ease using the optional
rack-mounting adaptors (AJ-MA75P).
Up to 184 minutes of recording
Two sizes of cassette tapes can be used with this unit: M cassette (max. 66 minutes) and L
cassette (max. 184 minutes). The width of the tapes measures 1/4 inch to achieve a compact
design.
Compatibility with consumer products
Consumer cassette tapes shot with digital cameras available on the consumer market can be
played back on this unit using the optional cassette adaptor (AJ-CS750P).

¥ Slow motion playback is not possible with consumer cassette tapes.
¥ Consumer cassette tapes recorded in LP mode cannot be played back.
Digital slow motion/dial jog
The slow-motion playback images can be reproduced clearly at any of the speeds given
below using commands from the external controller or other such device: Ð0.43/Ð0.3/Ð0.2/
Ð0.1/Ð0.03/0/+0.03/+0.1/+0.2/+0.3/+0.5/+0.75.

Some noise may occur when the slow motion speed is changed.
Digital audio output in slow-motion/jog mode
This enables smooth playback of sound even in the slow-motion or jog mode, making it
easier to use sound to search for edit points and determine their positions.
Dial shuttle
Shuttle operations enable the tape to be played back with color images at a speed of up to
60 times normal tape speed in either the forward or reverse direction.
Internal audio memory with 20-second capacity
Sound can now be recorded as pictures are played back without any time lag between the
sound and picture (a process known as Òvoice-overÓ). Audio cross channel editing is enabled
by using the unit in combination with an external sound mixer.
Audio memory unit (AJ-YA752) supported
Voice-over extending up to 34 minutes and 30 seconds (5 min. 46 sec. standard) is enabled
by connecting the AJ-YA752 unit (optional accessory). 
						

							Ð 5 Ð Features
(continued)
Recording and playing back V blanking data
In addition to closed caption and VITC, up to 28 lines of the character data per frame in the V
blanking period can be recorded and played back.

There is some limitation to the number of lines in which signals can be recorded.
Time codes
This unit comes with a built-in time code generator (TCG)/time code reader (TCR). In
addition to the internal time code, an external code input or input signal VITC can be
recorded in the machine as the LTC time code.
Multi-function input/output interfaces
¥ Analog input/output
Component (Y, P
B, PR) and composite signal input and output connectors are provided.
¥ Serial digital input/output
Digital component interfacing complying with the EBU Tech. 3267-E serial digital signal
standard is possible when the optional component serial interface board (AJ-YA750P) is
used. Transfer using SDTI is enabled by the AJ-YAC850P SDTI/SDI board (option).
(SMPTE 305M)
¥ AES/EBU audio input/output
Digital audio input and output connectors are provided.
¥ 9-pin (RS-422A)/(RS-232C) remote
In addition to the standard 9-pin serial (RS-422A) connector, RS-232C and 25-pin parallel
connectors are also featured.
The RS-422A connector enables another VTR to be operated in parallel with the unit if a
looping connection is used for the two units.
2-channel high-sound-quality digital audio
Sound can be edited separately for two channels while channel mixing capabilities are also
available. One channel is provided for the analog cue track.
Automatic editing functions
Assembly and insert editing can be performed.
Menu-driven setup
The setup settings, which are conducted prior to operating the unit, are performed while
viewing the setup menus either on the unitÕs display or a TV monitor. 
						

							Controls and their functions
Ð 6 Ð
REMOTEPRESET PRESET PRESET PRESET
REGEN
PRESET FREE RUNREC RUN
MANUAL MANUAL MANUAL MANUAL LOCALVIDEO
LEVELCHROMA
LEVELCFTCREC
INHIBITMENU  SET  DIAGSYNCHRO-
NIZE ENC
CONTROL8F/4F
2FON
OFFON
OFF
ON
OFF
L
LEVEL CUE VIDEO
ASSEMBLEDV AUDIO ANALOGVIDEO Y PB PR
AES/EBUCMPST INPUT SELECT
CH CONDITION
SCH CFSHIFT ADJ START RESETSTAND BYUB EXT EETC INTTC MODE
TAPE
LOCALREV FWD
PULL
OPEN JOGPUSHEJECT
AUTO OFF
SHTL
SLOW CONTROL
REMOTE
EDIT
REWPLAY SERVO
STOP PLAYER
REC REC INHIBIT
FF RECORDERTC/CTL
TC SET
INSERT-VIDEO CH1 CH2 CUE TC
AUTO EDIT
PREROLL PREVIEW
REVIEW REC
PB
PULL FOR VARIABLE PULL
OPENHEADPHONESCH1 CH2 RMONITOR SELECTW
METER
FULL/FINE
POWERUSER SET SDISDI
SDTI(V&A)
SET UP HUE
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Controls and their functions
Front panel

qPOWER switch
When the ON side is pressed, the power is switched on, and the audio level and video
level meters, counter display and INPUT SELECT display light up.
wINPUT SELECT switches
These are used to select the video and audio input signals.

Each time the VIDEO button is pressed, the input video signal selection is switched in the
order of Y P
B PR, COMPOSITE, SDTI (V&A), SDI and back to Y PB PR. If SDTI (V&A) is
selected, both the video and audio signals will be input from SDTI.

Each time the AUDIO button is pressed, the input audio signal selection is switched in the
order of ANALOG, AES/EBU, USER SET, SDI and back to ANALOG.
USER SET is a function for selecting two different input signals to be recorded on PCM
audio signal CH1 and CH2, and it is used in tandem with the setup menu.
For instance, if USER SET is selected by INPUT SELECT and CH1=ANALOG, and
CH2=DIGI are selected on the setup menu No. 710 (CH1 IN SEL), No. 711 (CH2 IN SEL)
and No. 712 (DIGI IN SEL), the analog input signal and AES/EBU digital signal will be
respectively recorded on channels 1 and 2 of the PCM audio signals recorded on the tape.
However, when SDTI has been selected for the video input, SDTI input will be forcibly
established for the audio input as well. 
						

							Ð 7 Ð 
eINPUT SELECT display
The characters corresponding to the selected input signal light. When, with the exception
of analog signals, the selected input signals are not available, the display flashes to alert
the user.

Y PB PR:Analog component video signal
CMPST:Analog composite video signal
SDTI (V&A):Compressed data, serial and digital video and audio signals (option)
SDI:Serial digital video signal (EBU Tech. 3267-E) (option)
When BB has been selected as the setup menu No. 601 (INT BB SIG) setting, the entire
display area will light up.

ANALOG:Analog audio signal
AES/EBU:Digital audio signal
USER SET:Selection of audio signal to be recorded
SDI:Serial digital audio signal (EBU Tech. 3267-E) (option)
When ON has been selected as the setup menu No. 722 (INT SG) setting, the entire
display area will light up.
rCassette insertion slot
The M cassette, L cassette and consumer cassette (S cassette) with adaptor are inserted
into this slot.
Consumer cassettes can be played back only.
tEJECT button
When this is pressed, the tape is unloaded and several seconds later the cassette is
automatically ejected. When the counter display indicates ÒCTLÓ, the display is reset.
The lamp lights when the eject command is received.
yChannel condition lamps
One of these lamps lights in accordance with the error rate status. (Green®amber®red)
Green:This lights when the error rates for the video and audio playback signals are both
acceptable.
Amber:This lights when the error rate for the video or audio playback signals has
deteriorated.
Red:The playback picture will remain normal even when this lamp lights.
This lights when the video or audio signals are subject to rectification or
interpolation.
uAUTO OFF lamp
This lights when trouble has arisen in the deckÕs operation. 
						

							Controls and their functions
Ð 8 Ð 
iPLAY button
Playback commences when this button is pressed.
Recording commences when the button is pressed together with the REC button; manual
editing commences when it is pressed together with the EDIT button during playback.
Pressing only the PLAY button during manual editing will cut out the editing and establish
the playback mode.
oREC button
Recording commences when this button is pressed together with the PLAY button.
When it is pressed during playback, search, fast forward or rewind, EE mode images and
audio signals can be monitored for as long as it is kept depressed.
When it is pressed in the stop mode, EE mode images and sound can be monitored.
When the STOP button is pressed, the original picture and sound are restored.
!0STOP button
When this is pressed, the tape stops traveling, and if the TAPE/EE selector switch is at
TAPE, still pictures can be monitored.
The drum continues to rotate even in the stop mode, and the tape remains in close contact
with the drum.
If the stop mode continues for more than a certain period of time, the unit automatically
switches to the standby OFF mode in order to protect the tape.
The stop mode is established immediately after a cassette has been inserted into the unit.
!1FF button*
The tape is fast forwarded when this is pressed.
!2REW button*
The tape is rewound when this is pressed.
!3EDIT button
For manual editing, press both this button and the PLAY button together during playback.
When the button is pressed in the stop mode, the input mode signals selected by the
ASSEMBLE or INSERT button can be monitored in the EE mode.
The original picture and sound are restored when the STOP button is pressed.
When the button is pressed during playback, search, fast forward or rewind, the input
signals of the mode selected by the ASSEMBLE or INSERT button can be monitored in
the EE mode for as long as the button is held down.
!4SERVO lamp
This lights when the drum servo and capstan servo have locked.
!5REC INHIBIT lamp
This lights when the REC INHIBIT switch in the front panel bottom section is at ON or
when the accidental erasure prevention mode has been set for the cassette.
In this state, neither recording nor editing is possible.
* The FF/REW speed can be selected on the setup menu No. 102 (FF. REW MAX), and it is
set to the same speed. 
						

							Ð 9 Ð 
!6STAND BY button
When this is pressed, the same tension as in the regular stop mode is applied to the tape,
and while the head drum continues to rotate, the buttonÕs lamp lights to indicate that the
standby ON mode is established.
In the standby OFF mode, the half-loading mode is established.
When this button is pressed in the stop mode, the standby OFF mode is established, the
half-loading mode is established. The lamp in the button now goes off. When the unit
remains in the stop mode for longer than a predetermined period, the standby OFF mode
is automatically established in order to protect the tape.
When this button or the STOP button is pressed in the standby OFF mode, the standby
ON mode is established.
When a button other than the STOP button is pressed, the mode corresponding to the
button pressed is established.
On-screen settings are available for the transfer time to the standby OFF mode.
!7PLAYER/RECORDER buttons
These buttons are operated when editing operations are conducted using the unit as the
recorder and a VTR equipped with an RS-422A serial interface remote control connector
(9 pins). Neither button functions when the unit is used on its own.
PLAYER button:When this button is pressed, its lamp lights, and the player
connected to the unit can be operated by remote control. The unitÕs
editing and tape transport buttons now control the playerÕs
functions.
RECORDER button:When this button is pressed, its lamp lights, and the editing and
tape transport buttons control the recorderÕs (= the unitÕs) functions.
!8TC/CTL switch
By pressing this switch, what appears on the counter display is changed between TC and
CTL.
When TC is selected, either the TC or UB value is displayed depending on the position
selected by the TC/UB switch.
!9TC/UB switch
This selector switch determines whether the value of TC or UB appears on the counter
display when the TC/CTL switch has been set to TC.
@0INT/EXT switch
INT:For using the built-in time code generator.
EXT:For using the time external code which is input from the time code input connector or
the video signal VITC. The selection is set at the setup menu No. 505 (EXT TC
SEL).
@1TAPE/EE switch

TAPE:For outputting the signals played back from the tape.
EE:For outputting the input signals selected by the INPUT SELECT switch.
Select NORMAL or THRU as the setup menu No. 116 (EE MODE SEL) setting. In
either case, use the switch for monitoring purposes.

TAPE:For outputting the simultaneous playback signals.
EE:For outputting the input signals selected by the INPUT SELECT switch.
* The SETUP menu No. 308 (CONFI EDIT) setting is required. 
						

							Controls and their functions
Ð 10 Ð 
@2REMOTE/LOCAL switch
This switch is set when the unit is to be controlled from an external source using the
REMOTE connector, RS-232C connector or parallel connector.
REMOTE:Set to this position when controlling the unit by a device connected using the
9-pin REMOTE connector or RS-232C/parallel connector.
LOCAL:Set to this position when controlling the unit using the controls on its own
operation panel.
@3REMOTE lamp
This lights when the REMOTE/LOCAL switch has been set to the REMOTE position.
@4Search button
This button is pressed to establish the search mode.
When the search dial is set to the shuttle mode and turned to a particular position, and this
button is pressed, playback commences at the speed set by the search dial.
@5JOG/SHTL/SLOW lamps
These indicate the present status of the search dial and SHTL/SLOW switch.
JOG:This lights when the unit is in the JOG mode.
SHTL:This lights when the unit is in the SHTL mode.
SLOW:This lights when the unit is in the VAR (variable) mode.
@6SHTL/SLOW switch
This selector switch is set when the search dial is used for SHTL or SLOW applications.
@7REV/STILL/FWD lamps
One of these lamps lights depending on the operation of the search dial.
REV:This lights when the dial is turned counterclockwise and the tape travels in the
REV direction provided that the lamp in the search button has lighted.
STILL:This lights in the JOG mode while the dial is kept stationary, and the tape stops
traveling provided that the lamp in the search button has lighted.
It lights in the SHTL mode provided that the dial is at the STILL position.
FWD:This lights when the dial is turned clockwise, and the tape travels in the FWD
direction provided that the lamp in the search button has lighted.
@8Search dial
This is used to search for the edit points.
Each time it is pressed, the mode is alternately set to shuttle or jog, and one of the JOG,
SHTL and SLOW lamps lights. When the power has been turned on, the dial will not
function until it has first returned to the STILL position.
Shuttle mode:When the dial is turned and stopped at a particular position while the
SHTL/SLOW switch is at SHTL, the tape can be played back at the
speed corresponding to the dialÕs rotary angle position. A still picture
appears at the dialÕs center position.
When the dial is turned all the way counterclockwise with the SHTL/
SLOW switch at SLOW, the tape speed is set to Ð4´ normal speed, when
it is set to the center position, a still picture is produced, and when it is
turned all the way clockwise, the tape speed is set to +4´ normal speed.
The maximum speed for SLOW can be set using setup menus No. 317
(VAR FWD MAX) and No. 318 (VAR REV MAX).
Jog mode:The dial clickstops are cleared, and the tape is played back at the speed
corresponding to the speed at which the dial is turned. The maximum
speed can be selected using the setup menu No. 320 (JOG FWD MAX)
and No. 321 (JOG REV MAX) settings.