Panasonic Pv Gs34 Operating Instructions Manual

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Initializing the Modes
You can change the Menu settings back to the 
shipping condition.
•  Set to Tape/Card Recording Mode.
1 Set [  ADVANCE] >> [  INITIAL SET] >> 
[YES].
•  The initializing takes a little while.
•  Initializing will not erase a clock setting (p. 20) that 
has been adjusted.
„ To Display  Date/Time IndicationThis switches between date and time indications.
Set [  BASIC] or [  ADVANCE] >> [  DATE/TIME] 
>> [D/T], [DATE] or [OFF]. (pp. 18~20)
•  The Camcorder automatically records the date and 
time of picture taking on the tape.
„ To Change the Display ModeSet [  SETUP] >> [  DISPLAY] >> [ON] or [OFF]. 
Set to [ON] and the display mode can be switched to 
all functions. Set to [OFF] and it can be switched to 
minimum display. (pp. 19, 20)
„ Progressive  PhotoshotYou cannot use the Progressive Photoshot Function in 
the following cases.
When using Tape Recording Mode•  Digital Zoom [  ]
•  1/750 s or faster shutter speed
•  When brightness is insufficient
•  When the MagicPix Function is ON
•  When the Portrait is used
•  When the Gain Up mode is set to ON
When using Card Recording Mode•  When brightness is insufficient
•  When the Gain Up mode is set to ON
„ Power Save ModeSet [  SETUP] >> [  POWER SAVE] >> 
[5 MINUTES] or [OFF].
[OFF]:
When about 5 minutes passed without any operation, 
the standby mode automatically will be set. In the 
standby mode, [ 
 ] blinks and it takes time more than 
usual to start recording after you press the Recording 
Start/Stop Button.
[5 MINUTES]:
When about 5 minutes passed without any operation, 
the Camcorder automatically turns off to protect the 
tape or to prevent the battery from running down. 
When you use the Camcorder, turn it on again.
•  The Camcorder cannot be automatically turned off 
when you connect the USB Cable or the DV Cable 
with the Camcorder or when the Camcorder is in the 
PC Mode.
 (Green):While the Card being read
 (Red):Using the card that cannot be 
recognized
Warning/Alarm Indications
If any one of the following indications lights up or 
flashes, please check the Camcorder.
Confirmatory Indications
 :A cassette with the accidental erasure 
prevention slider placed in the [SAVE] 
position is inserted.
No cassette is inserted.
[--] / 
:The built-in battery is low. (p. 20)
 :The Warning/Alarm Indication appears 
when you record yourself. Turn the LCD 
Monitor towards the Viewfinder and check 
the Warning/Alarm Indication.
 :No card is inserted.
 END :The tape came to the end during 
recording.
 :The video heads are dirty. (pp. 57~58)
Textual Indications
 DEW DETECT/ EJECT TAPE:
Condensation has occurred. Take out the 
cassette and wait for a while. It takes some time 
until the cassette holder opens, but this is not a 
malfunction. (p. 57)
TAPE END:
The tape came to the end during recording.
NEED HEAD CLEANING:
The video heads are dirty. (pp. 57~58)
PUSH THE RESET SWITCH:
An irregularity in the equipment has been 
detected. Press the [RESET] Button (p. 62). This 
may solve the problem.
LOW BATTERY:
The Battery is low. Recharge it. (p. 12)
NO TAPE:
No tape is inserted. (p. 13)
CHECK REC TAB:
You are attempting to record pictures on a tape 
with the accidental erasure prevention slider 
placed in the [SAVE] position.
You are attempting Digital Dubbing on a tape with 
the accidental erasure prevention slider placed in 
the [SAVE] position.
WRONG TAPE FORMAT:
You are attempting to play back a tape section 
that has been recorded with a different TV 
system. This cassette is incompatible.
COPY PROTECTED:
Images cannot be recorded correctly because the 
medium is protected by a copy guard.
CARD ERROR:
The Card is not compatible with this Camcorder.
You are attempting to format a failed card.
It displays, when you attempt to insert the 
incompatible card to Card Slot. 
						

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For assistance, please call : 1-800-211-PANA(7262) or, contact us via the web at: http://www.panasonic.com/contactinfo
NO CARD:
No card is inserted.
CARD FULL:
Card does not have sufficient memory remaining.
Select Picture Playback Mode and delete 
unnecessary files.
NO DATA:
There are no recorded files on the card.
UNPLAYABLE CARD:
You are attempting to play back data not 
compatible with this Camcorder.
FILE LOCKED:
You are attempting to erase protected files.
CARD LOCKED:
The write protection switch on the SD Memory 
Card is set to [LOCK].
CHANGE MODE TO USE USB:
The USB Cable is connected to the Camcorder in 
Card Recording Mode.
CANCEL NIGHT VIEW MODE:
You are attempting to select an item other than 
[OFF] in [ 
 SCENE MODE] during MagicPix 
Mode.
DISCONNECT USB CABLE:
You are attempting to turn the Mode Dial in PC 
Mode with the USB Cable connected to the 
Camcorder.
You are attempting to record pictures on a 
Tape/Card with the USB Cable connected to the 
Camcorder.
PC DOES NOT SUPPORT USB2.0:
The Camcorder is connected to a personal 
computer that does not support USB2.0.
CAN NOT USE USB:
You are connecting the USB Cable with the DV 
Cable connected.
CHANGE TO MANUAL MODE:
You are attempting to select an item other than 
[OFF] in [ 
 SCENE MODE] when the [AUTO/
MANUAL/FOCUS] Switch is set to [AUTO].
TURN OFF THE VIDEO LIGHT:
You are attempting to select an item in [ 
 
SCENE MODE] when Light is on.
Notes and Hints
„ Concerning the Power Supply•  When the Camcorder has been used for a long time, 
the Camera body becomes warm, but this is not a 
malfunction.
•  If the [CHARGE] Lamp does not light up although 
the Battery is attached to the AC Adaptor, detach the 
Battery and reattach it.
„ Inserting/Removing the Cassette•  When inserting a previously recorded Cassette, 
use the Blank Search Function (p. 23) to find the 
position where you want to continue recording. If you 
overwrite-record on a previously recorded cassette, 
be sure to find the position where you want to 
continue recording.
•  If a new Cassette is inserted, rewind to the beginning 
of the tape before starting recording.
•  When inserting the cassette, make sure it faces in 
the right direction and then push it in until it stops.
•  When the Cassette Holder is in action, do not touch 
anything except the [PUSH] mark.
•  Close the Cassette Compartment Cover tightly.
•  When closing the Cassette Compartment Cover, 
do not get anything, such as a cable, caught in the 
cover.
„ Alarm  Sounds•  Set to Tape/Card Recording Mode.When [  BEEP SOUND] on the [  SETUP] is set to 
[ON], confirmation/alarm beeps are issued as follows.
1 Beep
•  When you start recording
•  When you turn on the power
2 Beeps
•  When you pause recording
2 Beeps 4 times
•  When a cassette with its erasure prevention tab 
set to [SAVE] is inserted, condensation occurs, 
and at other times. Check the sentence displayed 
on the screen.
„ Recording on a Card•  Even if the [  SHTR EFFECT] is set to [ON], the 
Shutter Effect cannot be recorded on the picture.
•  When the color of the screen changes or blurs, 
adjust the shutter speed manually to 1/60 or 1/100.
Photoshot•  Photoshot Recording results in slightly inferior image 
quality.
•  For the number of still pictures to be recorded on a 
card, refer to page 24.
•  The sound cannot be recorded.
•  While data is being recorded on a card, do not 
operate the Mode Dial.
•  When the Access Lamp is lit, do not insert or remove 
a card.
•  Another product may degrade or not play back data 
recorded on this Camcorder.
•  If set [ 
 PICT. QUALITY] >> [  ], mosaic-pattern 
noise may appear on a playback image depending 
on the picture content.
RapidFire Consecutive Photoshot•  One more still picture may be recorded after you 
release the [PHOTO SHOT] Button. 
• If [ 
 BASIC] >> [  SELF TIMER] >> [YES] is set, 
the Camcorder records the maximum number of 
pictures recordable. 
						

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•  Since about half the power of normal recording 
is used in quick start standby, using Quick Start 
reduces the recordable time.
•  The zoom magnification may differ from when it 
is in the Quick Start Standby Mode and when the 
recording starts.
„ Self-timer  Recording• When [  BEEP SOUND] on the [  SETUP] 
Sub-Menu is set to [ON], the beep sound will be 
emitted along with the Recording Lamp flashing in 
the Self-timer Standby Mode.
•  By operating the [OFF/ON] Switch or Mode Dial, the 
Self-timer Standby Mode is canceled.
„ Zoom In/Out Functions•  When zooming in and taking a picture while holding 
the Camcorder by hand, we recommend using the 
image stabilizer function.
•  When you are zooming in on a faraway subject, a 
sharper focus is achieved if the recording subject is 
4.3 feet (1.3 meters) or further from the Camcorder.
•  When the zoom speed is high, the subject may not 
be focused easily.
„ Zoom  Microphone  Function•  The Zoom Microphone Function may not work 
effectively if the surrounding noise is too loud.
„ Digital Zoom Functions•  The larger the digital zoom magnification, the more 
the image quality is degraded.
•  When the Card Recording mode is used, the Digital 
Zoom Function cannot be used.
•  White balance cannot be set in the Digital Zoom 
range.
„ Image Stabilizer Function•  When the MagicPix Function is used, the image 
stabilizer function does not work. If so, the [  ] 
indication flashes.
•  When the Gain Up mode is set to ON, the image 
stabilizer function does not work. If so, the [ 
 ] 
indication flashes.
•  Under fluorescent lighting, image brightness may 
change or colors may not look natural.
•  After-images may appear.
•  When a tripod is used, we recommend that you turn 
the Image Stabilizer off.
•  In the following cases, the Image Stabilizer Function 
may not work effectively.
-  When the digital zoom is used
-  When a conversion lens is used
-  When recording is done in an extremely dark place
-  When the Camcorder is shaken greatly
-  When you record a moving subject while tracking it
„ Fade In/Fade Out Functions•  While the Fade in/Fade out function is selected, it 
takes several seconds to display the image when 
you start recording images. Besides, it also takes 
several seconds to pause recording. •  Intervals between recording pictures may become 
longer depending on the card. We recommend using 
a Panasonic SD Memory Card.
•  When using a card formatted by other equipment or 
a card that was recorded and erased repeatedly, the 
intervals between recording pictures may become 
longer. If so, back up your important data on a PC, 
and format your card with this Camcorder.
„ Recording with the Built-in LED Video 
Light
•  The subject should be within 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) of 
the Camcorder.
•  Using the LED Video Light reduces battery time.
•  Set the LED Video Light to off when not in use.
•  Do not look directly into the light.
•  If the LED Video light is used with a Conversion 
lens attached, a slight vignetting (darkening around 
edges) effect occurs on the screen.
•  Using the MagicPix Function at the same time will 
make conditions even brighter.
•  The LED video light enables simply lightening 
the images taken in a dimly-lit place. We also 
recommend using it in a bright place to obtain high 
quality images.
„ Quick  Start•  During the Quick Start Standby Mode, a minute 
amount of electricity is consumed.
•  When you set [ 
 POWER SAVE] to [5 MINUTES] 
and the Camcorder is left in the Recording Pause 
Mode for 5 minutes, it will be turned into the Quick 
Start Standby Mode. To turn the Camcorder on 
again, set the [OFF/ON] Switch to [OFF] and then 
set it to [ON] again. (The Quick Start Mode will be 
restored.)
•  This Function is not activated in the following case:
•  Neither a card nor a tape has been inserted while 
the Tape/Card Recording Mode is set.
•  When you rotate the Mode Dial or remove the 
battery, the Quick Start Recording Lamp is turned 
off and the Quick Start mode is canceled. If 
the Camcorder is turned on and the Tape/Card 
Recording Mode is set, the Lamp turns on and the 
quick start mode is restored.
•  Press and hold the [QUICK START] Button for 
approx 2 seconds during the Quick Start Standby 
Mode. The Lamp will go off and the Camcorder will 
be turned off.
•  If the standby continues for approx. 30 minutes, 
then the Lamp will go off and the Camcorder will be 
completely turned off.
•  When the Camcorder is Quick-Started with the 
White Balance on automatic, it may take some time 
until the White Balance is adjusted if the scene 
being recorded has a light source different from the 
scene last recorded. (When the MagicPix Function is 
used, however, the White Balance of the scene last 
recorded is retained.) 
						

							54
Others
For assistance, please call : 1-800-211-PANA(7262) or, contact us via the web at: http://www.panasonic.com/contactinfo
„ Backlight Compensation Function•  When setting the Iris manually, the Backlight 
Compensation Function does not work.
•  If you operate the [OFF/ON] Switch or Mode Dial, 
the Backlight Compensation Function is canceled.
„ MagicPix  Function•  If set in a bright place, the screen may become 
whitish for a while.
•  The MagicPix Function is canceled when you 
operate the [OFF/ON] Switch or the Mode Dial.
•  In a dark place, the recorded picture is presented in 
a time-lapse-like manner.
•  Adjust the Focus manually.
•  The Progressive Photoshot Function is automatically 
turned off.
•  White Balance cannot be set.
•  The Shutter Speed cannot be adjusted.
•  The Scene Mode cannot be set.
•  When recording with the MagicPix Function, it is 
recommended that you use a tripod.
•  The MagicPix Function makes the signal charging 
time of CCD longer up to approx. 30× longer than 
usual, so that dark scenes that are invisible to 
the naked eyes can be recorded brightly. For this 
reason, bright dots may be seen, but this is not a 
malfunction.
•  The Image Stabilizer Function does not work. In this 
case, the [ 
 ] Indication flashes.
•  The Backlight Compensation Function cannot be 
changed.
„ Soft-Skin  Mode•  If the background or anything else in the scene 
has colors similar to the skin color, they will also be 
softened.
•  If the brightness is insufficient, the effect may not be 
clear.
„ Wind Noise Reduction Function•  Reduces the wind noise depending on the wind 
strength. (If this function is activated in strong winds, 
the stereo effect may be reduced. When the wind 
weakens, the stereo effect will be restored.)
„ Cinema  Function•  Images played back vary depending on the TV 
connected. Please refer to the operating instructions 
for your TV.
•  This function does not widen the recording range.
•  When images are played back on a TV screen, the 
Date/Time Indication may be erased in some cases.
•  Depending on the TV, the picture quality may 
deteriorate.
•  When a Cinema picture is imported onto a personal 
computer, the imported picture may not be displayed 
correctly, depending on the software in used.
„ Scene  Mode•  If any of the Scene Modes are selected, you cannot 
adjust the shutter speed (p. 30) or iris (p. 31).
•  Using the MagicPix Function cancels any of the 
Scene Modes.
•  Using the Light Function cancels any of the Scene 
Modes.
Sports Mode•  For Playback Pause of recorded pictures, this 
mode helps diminish camera shake.
•  During normal playback, the image movement 
may not look smooth.
•  Avoid recording under fluorescent light, mercury 
light or sodium light because the color and 
brightness of the playback image may change.
•  If you record a subject illuminated with strong light 
or a highly reflective subject, vertical lines of light 
may appear.
•  If the light is insufficient, the Sports Mode does 
not function. The [ 
 ] Indication flashes.
•  If this mode is used indoors, the screen may 
flicker.
Sports Mode/Portrait Mode•  If you record a still picture in Progressive 
Photoshot Mode, the brightness and hue of the 
recorded still picture may become unstable.
•  If this mode is used for indoors, the screen may 
flicker. If so, change the [ 
 SCENE MODE] 
setting to [OFF].
Low Light Mode•  Extremely dark scenes may not be able to be 
recorded finely.
Spotlight Mode•  If the subject is extremely bright, the recorded 
image may become whitish and the periphery of 
the recorded image extremely dark.
Surf & Snow Mode•  If the recording subject is extremely bright, the 
recorded image may become whitish.
„ White  Balance•  When the Camcorder is turned on with the Lens 
Cap attached, the automatic White Balance 
adjustment may not function properly. Please turn 
the Camcorder on after removing the Lens Cap.
•  When setting both the White Balance and the Iris/
Gain, set the White Balance first.
•  Whenever recording conditions change, re-set the 
White Balance for correct adjustment.
In the following cases, you cannot change 
White Balance:
•  When you set the Zoom higher than 30×
•  When you display a Menu
•  When you use the MagicPix Mode
About flashing of the [  ] Indication:When the manual adjustment mode is selected
•  Flashing indicates that the White Balance 
previously adjusted is stored. This setting is 
stored until the White Balance is adjusted again. 
						

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„ Playing Back a Card•  While the data on a card is playing back, do not 
operate the Mode Dial.
•  If a blank (nothing recorded) Card is played, the 
screen becomes white.
•  If you attempt to play back file recorded in a different 
format or file data is defective, the whole display 
becomes bluish and the [UNPLAYABLE CARD] 
Indication may appear as a warning.
•  When the Access Lamp is lit, do not insert or remove 
a card.
•  When playing back a picture recorded on other 
equipment, its size and that of this Camcorder may 
appear differently.
•  It takes time to display the file depending on the 
number of pixels of the file.
•  When playing back a file recorded on other 
equipment, the date and time display is different 
from when it was recorded.
•  When playing back a picture recorded on other 
equipment, the picture may not be played back or 
the quality of pictures may be deteriorated.
•  When playing back a non standardized file, the 
Folder File Number may not be displayed.
„ Slide  Show•  Playback time may take longer than usual depending 
on the picture.
„ Deleting the Files Recorded on a Card•  When [CARD FULL] is shown during recording, 
switch to the Picture Playback Mode and then delete 
unnecessary files.
•  If there are no files to delete, insert a new card.
•  If files conforming to DCF standard are deleted, all 
the data related to the files will be deleted.
„ DPOF•  DPOF setting made on another camera may not 
be recognized by Camcorder. Perform the DPOF 
Settings on your Camcorder.
•  Verifying the DPOF Settings may take a little time. 
Wait until the Card Access Lamp goes out.
„ Lock  Setting•  The Lock Setting carried out by this Camcorder is 
only effective for this Camcorder.
•  The SD Memory Card has a write protection switch 
on it. If the switch is moved to the [LOCK] side, you 
cannot write to or format the Card. If it is moved 
back, you can.
„ Playing Back on Your TV•  Use the AC adaptor to avoid battery depletion.
„ Recording from a Tape onto a Card•  If you press the [PHOTO SHOT] Button without 
pausing, blurred pictures may be recorded. When white balance cannot be set in the manual 
adjustment mode
•  White balance may not be adjusted properly in the 
manual adjustment mode in dark places. If so, use 
the auto white balance mode.
During setting in the manual adjustment mode
•  When the setting is completed, it will remain lit.
„ Manual Shutter Speed Adjustment•  If you increase the shutter speed manually, the 
sensitivity lowers and accordingly the gain value 
increases automatically, which may increase the 
noises on the screen.
•  You may see vertical lines of light in the playback 
image of a brightly shining subject or highly reflective 
subject, but this is not a malfunction.
•  During normal playback, image movement may not 
look smooth.
•  Avoid recording under fluorescent light, mercury light 
or sodium light because the color and brightness of 
the playback image may change.
•  When recording in the extremely bright place, the 
color of the screen may change or flickers. If so 
adjust the shutter speed manually to 1/60 or 1/100.
•  If you are using MagicPix Mode (p. 27) or Scene 
Mode (p. 28), you cannot adjust the shutter speed.
„ Manual Iris Adjustment•  Depending on zoom magnification, there are iris 
values that are not displayed.
•  If the value does not become [OPEN], you cannot 
adjust the gain value.
•  If the gain value is increased, the noise on the 
screen increases.
•  If you are using MagicPix Mode (p. 27) or Scene 
Mode (p. 28), you cannot adjust the iris.
•  If you attempt to adjust the Shutter Speed after 
setting the Iris, the value set for the Iris will be 
canceled.
„ Playing  Back 
Repeat PlaybackIf you set [  ADVANCE] >> [  REPEAT PLAY] 
>> [ON], the Camcorder switches to Repeat Play 
Mode, and the [ 
►] Indication appears. (To cancel 
Repeat Playback Mode, set the [  REPEAT PLAY] 
to [OFF].)
Choosing Sound during PlaybackYou can select the sound by using the [  AUDIO 
OUT] setting on the [  SETUP] Sub-Menu.
STEREO:  Stereo Sound (main sound and sub    
 sound)
L:  Left channel sound (main sound)
R:  Right channel sound (sub sound)
•  If you dub a tape recorded at the [12bit] selected 
as the [ 
 AUDIO REC] on the [  SETUP] 
Sub-Menu, playback sound becomes stereo 
sound regardless of the [ 
 AUDIO OUT] setting if 
[  12bit AUDIO] is set to [MIX]. 
						

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For assistance, please call : 1-800-211-PANA(7262) or, contact us via the web at: http://www.panasonic.com/contactinfo
Cautions for Use
„ After  Use
1  Take out the Cassette. (p. 14)
2  Set the [OFF/ON] Switch to [OFF].
3  Take out the Card. (p. 14)
4  Detach the power supply and retract the 
Viewfi nder or the LCD Monitor. (pp. 12, 
16~17)
5  To protect the Lens, attach the supplied 
Lens Cap.
„ Cautions for UseWhen you use your Camcorder on a rainy or 
snowy day or on a beach, make sure that no 
water enters the Camcorder.
•  Water may cause the Camcorder or Cassette to 
malfunction. (Irreparable failure may occur.)
•  If sea water splashes onto the Camcorder, wet a 
soft cloth with tap water, wring it well, and use it to 
wipe the camera body carefully. Then, wipe it again 
thoroughly with a soft dry cloth.
Keep the Camcorder away from magnetized 
equipment (such as a microwave oven, TV, 
video game equipment, etc.).
•  If you use the Camcorder on or near a TV, images 
or sounds may be disturbed due to electromagnetic 
wave radiation.
•  Do not use near a cell phone because doing so 
may cause noise to adversely affect the picture and 
sound.
•  Recordings on the tape may be damaged, or images 
may be distorted, by strong magnetic fields created 
by speakers or large motors.
•  Electromagnetic wave radiation generated by a 
microprocessor may adversely affect the Camcorder, 
causing the disturbance of images and sounds.
„ Using the DV Cable for Recording 
(Digital Dubbing)
•  Do not plug or unplug the DV Cable during dubbing, 
or the dubbing may not be completed properly.
•  Regardless of the menu settings on the recorder, 
digital dubbing is carried out in the same mode as 
the [AUDIO REC] mode of the playback tape.
•  The images on the recorder monitor may be 
disturbed, but it does not affect the recorded images.
•  Even if you use a device equipped with DV 
Terminals such as IEEE1394, you may not be able 
to perform Digital Dubbing in some cases. For more 
information, see the instructions for equipment 
connected.
•  Date or other information to be displayed cannot be 
displayed if the software of the connected equipment 
does not support the display function.•  If the Camcorder is affected by magnetically charged 
equipment and does not function properly, turn off 
the Camcorder power and detach the Battery or AC 
Adaptor and then connect the Battery or AC Adaptor 
again. Thereafter, turn on the Camcorder power.
Do not use your Camcorder near radio 
transmitters or high-voltage cables.
•  If you record pictures near radio transmitters or 
high-voltage cables, recorded images or sounds 
may be adversely affected.
Do not use this Camcorder for surveillance 
purposes or other business use.
•  If you use the Camcorder for a long period of 
time, the internal temperature increases and, 
consequently, this may cause malfunction.
•  This Camcorder is not intended for business use.
When you use your Camcorder on a beach or 
similar place, do not let sand or fine dust get 
into the Camcorder.
•  Sand or dust may damage the Camcorder or 
Cassette. (Care should be taken when inserting and 
removing the Cassette.)
Do not spray insecticides or volatile chemicals 
onto the Camcorder.
•  If the Camcorder is sprayed with such chemicals, 
the camera body may be deformed and the surface 
finish may peel off.
•  Do not keep rubber or plastic products in contact 
with the Camcorder for a long period of time.
Do not use benzine, thinner or alcohol for 
cleaning the Camcorder.
•  The Camcorder body may be deformed and the 
surface finish may peel off.
•  Before cleaning, detach the Battery or pull out the 
AC Cable from the AC Jack.
•  Wipe the Camcorder with a soft dry cloth. To remove 
stubborn stains, wipe with a cloth that is soaked in 
a detergent diluted with water and afterwards finish 
wiping with a dry cloth.
•  For storing or transporting the Camcorder, place it in 
a bag or case lined with soft pads so as to prevent 
the coating on the camera body from being worn.
After use, be sure to take the Cassette out and 
detach the Battery from the Camcorder or pull 
out the AC Cable from AC Jack.
•  If the Cassette is left in the Camcorder, the tape 
sags and deteriorates.
•  If the Battery is left on the Camcorder for a long time, 
the voltage drops excessively, and the Battery will 
not function even after it is recharged. 
						

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Especially in cold conditions, dew may be frozen. 
In this case, it may take more time before the 
condensation indication disappears.
Watch for Condensation even before the 
Condensation Indication is displayed.
•  The condensation indication may not appear 
depending on circumstances. When condensation 
occurs on the lens or the Camcorder, it also may 
occur on the head and the tape. Do not open the 
Cassette Compartment Cover.
When the Lens Is Fogged:Set the [OFF/ON] Switch to [OFF] and leave the 
Camcorder in this condition for about 1 hour. When 
the lens temperature becomes close to the ambient 
temperature, the fog disappears naturally.
„  Video Head Clogging and CareIf the heads (the parts that make contact with the tape) 
are dirty, mosaic-pattern noise may appear on the 
playback image, or the screen as a whole becomes 
black. If the heads are extremely dirty, recording 
performance deteriorates, and, in the worst case, the 
Camcorder cannot record at all.
Causes of Dirty Heads•  Large quantity of dust in the air
•  High-temperature and high-humidity environment
• Damaged tape
•  Long operating hours
Using Panasonic cleaning cassette 
(AY-DVMCLA)
1  Set the Mode Dial to Tape 
Playback Mode.
•  The One-Touch Navigation icon is 
displayed on the lower right of the 
screen.
2  Insert the Head Cleaner into the Camcorder 
in the same manner as a Video Cassette.
3  Move the Joystick Control [▲], and 
approximately 20 seconds later, move the 
Joystick Control [▼]. (Do not rewind the 
tape.)
4  Take out the Head Cleaner. Insert a Video 
Cassette and start recording. Then, play the 
tape back to check the recorded image.
5  If the image is not still clear, repeat Steps 1 
to 4. (Do not use the Head Cleaner 3 times 
or more consecutively.)
Notes:
•  Do not rewind every time you use the Head Cleaner. 
Rewind only when the tape reaches the end, and 
then use it again from the beginning in the same 
manner as before.
•  If the heads become dirty soon after cleaning, the 
tape may be damaged. In this case, immediately 
stop using that Cassette.
„ About   AC Adaptor•  If the temperature of the Battery is extremely high or 
extremely low, the [CHARGE] Lamp may continue 
flashing, and the Battery may not be charged. After 
the temperature of the Battery has decreased or 
increased sufficiently, charging starts automatically. 
If the [CHARGE] Lamp continues to flash even after 
the Battery temperature has decreased or increased 
sufficiently, the Battery or AC Adaptor may be faulty. 
In this case, please contact a dealer.
•  If the Battery is warm, charging takes a longer time 
than normal.
•  If you use the AC Adaptor near a radio, radio 
reception may be disturbed. Keep the AC Adaptor 
3 feet (1 meter) or more away from radio.
•  When using the AC Adaptor, it may generate 
whirring sounds. However, this is normal.
•  After use, be sure to pull out the AC Cable from 
the AC Jack. (If they are left connected, a minute 
amount of current is consumed.)
•  Always keep the electrodes of the AC Adaptor and 
Battery clean.
„  CondensationIf you turn the Camcorder on when condensation 
occurs on the head or the tape, Condensation 
Indication [ 
 ] (yellow or red) blinks on the 
Viewfinder or the LCD Monitor and the messages 
[
DEW DETECT] or [EJECT TAPE] (only when 
the tape is inserted) appear. In this case, follow the 
procedure below.
When [  ] in yellow:Dew is slightly adhering to the head or the tape.When [  ] in red:Dew has adhered to the head or the tape.
1  Remove the tape if it is inserted.•  It takes about 20 seconds to open the Cassette 
Holder. This is not a malfunction.
2  Leave the Camcorder with the Cassette 
Compartment Cover closed to cool or warm 
it to the ambient temperature.
When [ 
 ] blinks in yellow•  You cannot use the Tape Recording/Playback 
Mode. Leave the Camcorder for about 
30 minutes.
•  However, you can use the Card Recording 
Mode or Picture Playback Mode when the 
cassette is not inserted.
When [  ] blinks in red•  The Power Indicator Lamp blinks for about 
1 minute and then the Camcorder automatically 
turns off. Leave it for about 2 to 3 hours.
3  Turn the Camcorder on again, set it to 
the Tape Recording/Playback Mode and 
then check if the condensation indication 
disappears. 
						

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Others
For assistance, please call : 1-800-211-PANA(7262) or, contact us via the web at: http://www.panasonic.com/contactinfo
•  Do not clean the heads excessively. (Excessive 
cleaning may cause excessive wear of the heads. If 
the heads are worn, images cannot be played back 
even after the heads are cleaned.)
•  If the dirty heads cannot be cleaned with the Head 
Cleaner, the Camcorder needs to be cleaned at a 
Servicenter. Please consult a dealer.
•  Head cleaning due to dirty heads is not considered 
a malfunction of the product. It is not covered by the 
warranty.
Periodical Check-upTo maintain the highest image quality, we recommend 
replacement of worn parts, such as heads, etc., 
after approximately 1000 hours of use. (This, 
however, depends on operating conditions, such as 
temperature, humidity, dust, etc.)
„ Optimal Use of the BatteryBattery CharacteristicsThis Battery is a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Its 
ability to generate power is based upon the chemical 
reaction that takes place inside it. This reaction is 
susceptible to the surrounding temperature and 
humidity, and, if the temperature is too high or too low, 
the operating time of the Battery becomes shorter. If 
the Battery is used in an extremely cold environment, 
the Battery may operate only for about 5 minutes. 
If the Battery becomes extremely hot, a protective 
function may operate, and the Battery may become 
unusable for a while.
Be Sure to Detach the Battery after UseBe sure to detach the Battery from the Camcorder. (If it 
is left attached to the Camcorder, a minute amount of 
current is consumed even when the Camcorder power 
is off.) If the Battery is left attached to the Camcorder 
for a long time, over-discharge takes place. The 
Battery may become unusable after it is charged.
Disposing of an Unusable Battery•  The Battery has a limited life.
•  Do not throw the Battery into fire because it may 
cause an explosion.
Always Keep the Terminals of the Battery CleanPrevent the terminals from getting clogged with dirt, 
dust, or other substances. If you drop the Battery 
accidentally, check to see if the Battery body and 
terminals are deformed. Attaching a deformed Battery 
to the Camcorder or AC Adaptor may damage the 
Camcorder or AC Adaptor.
„ Cautions for StorageBefore storing the Camcorder, take the 
Cassette out and detach the Battery.
Store all the components in a dry place with a 
relatively stable temperature.
(Recommended Temperature: 15 °C to 25 °C (59 °F 
to 77 °F), Recommended Humidity: 40 % to 60 %)
Camcorder•  Wrap it with a soft cloth to prevent dust from getting 
into the Camera.•  Do not leave the Camcorder in places that expose it 
to high temperature.
Battery•  Extremely high temperatures or low temperatures 
will shorten the life of the Battery.
•  If the Battery is kept in smoky or dusty places, the 
terminals may rust and cause malfunctions.
• Do not allow the Battery terminals to come in 
contact with metal objects (such as necklaces, 
hairpins, etc.). This can result in a short circuit 
or heat generation and, if you touch the Battery 
in this condition, you may be badly burned.
•  Store the Battery in a completely discharged state. 
To store the Battery for a long period of time, we 
recommend you charge it once every year and store 
it again after you completely use up the charged 
capacity.
Cassette•  Before storing it, rewind the tape to the beginning. 
If the Cassette is left for more than 6 months with 
the tape stopped midway, the tape sags (although it 
depends on the storage condition). Be sure to rewind 
to the beginning.
•  Store the Cassette in its case. Dust, direct sunlight 
(ultraviolet rays), or humidity may damage the tape. 
Dust contains hard mineral particles, and dusty 
Cassettes damage the heads of the Camcorder and 
other components. Develop a habit of returning the 
Cassette back to its case.
•  Once every half year, wind the tape to the end and 
then rewind it to the beginning. If the Cassette is left 
for 1 year or longer without winding or rewinding, 
temperature and humidity changes may cause the 
Cassette to deform due to swelling, shrinking, and 
so forth. The wound tape may stick to itself.
•  Do not place a Cassette near highly magnetic 
substances or equipment.
•  The surface of tape is covered with extremely minute 
magnetic particles, upon which signals are recorded. 
Magnetic necklaces, toys, etc., have magnetic force 
that is stronger than you may normally expect, and 
they may erase the contents of a recording or may 
cause noise in images and sounds.
Card•  When the Card is being read, do not remove the 
Card, turn off the power, or subject it to vibration or 
impact.
•  Do not leave the Card in places where there is 
high temperature or direct sunlight, or where 
electromagnetic waves or static electricity are easily 
generated.
•  Do not bend or drop the Card. The Card or the 
recorded content may be damaged.
•  After use, be sure to remove the Card from the 
Camcorder.
•  After usage, store the supplied SD Memory Card in 
the enclosed bag. 
						

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Others
Before Requesting Service 
(Problems and Solutions)
Power/Body
The Camcorder power cannot be turned on.
•  Is the battery fully charged? Use a fully charged 
battery.
•  The battery protection circuit may have operated. 
Attach the battery to the AC adaptor for 5 to 
10 seconds. If the Camcorder still cannot be used, 
the battery is faulty.
The Camcorder power is turned off 
automatically.
•  If you set [  POWER SAVE] to [5 MINUTES] 
and do not operate the Camcorder for about 
5 continuous minutes, the power is automatically 
turned off for tape protection and power 
conservation. To resume recording, turn the [OFF/
ON] switch to [OFF]. Then turn it to [ON] again. 
(pp. 15, 51)
The Camcorder power does not stay on long 
enough.
•  Is the battery low? If the remaining battery power 
indication is flashing or the message [LOW 
BATTERY] is displayed, the battery has run down. 
Charge the battery or attach a fully charged battery. 
(p. 12)
•  Has condensation occurred? When you carry the 
Camcorder from a cold place into a warm place, 
condensation may occur inside it. If so, the power 
is turned off automatically, disabling all operations 
except for taking cassettes out. Wait until the 
condensation indication disappears. (p. 57)
Battery runs down quickly.•  Is the battery fully charged? Charge it with the AC 
adaptor. (p. 12)
•  Are you using the battery in an extremely cold 
place? The battery is affected by ambient 
temperature. In cold places, the operating time of 
the battery becomes shorter.
•  Has the battery worn out? The battery has a limited 
life. If the operating time is still too short even 
after the battery is fully charged, depending on the 
usage, the battery has worn out and can no longer 
be used.
The Camcorder cannot be operated though 
powered up.
The Camcorder does not operate normally.
•  Remove the cassette and then press the [RESET] 
button. (p. 62) If normal conditions are not restored 
yet, turn off the power. Then, about 1 minute 
later, turn on the power again. (Conducting the 
above operation when the Access Lamp is on may 
destroy the data on the card.) •  Do not touch the terminals on the back of the Card 
with your fingers. Do not allow dirt, dust or water to 
enter it.
•  Keep the Memory Card out of reach of children to 
prevent swallowing.
„ LCD Monitor/Viewfinder/Lens Hood 
LCD Monitor•  In a place with drastic temperature changes, 
condensation may form on the LCD Monitor. Wipe it 
with a soft dry cloth.
•  If your Camcorder is extremely cold when you turn 
its power on, the image on the LCD Monitor is 
slightly darker than usual at first. However, as the 
internal temperature increases, it goes back to the 
normal brightness.
  Viewfinder•  Do not direct the Viewfinder or Lens to the sun. 
Internal components may be seriously damaged.
• 
When the Camcorder is used with a large capacity 
Battery attached to it, it is not practical to look in the 
Viewfinder from behind the Battery.
Lens Hood•  When you wish to attach the Tele Conversion Lens 
(not supplied), Wide Conversion Lens (not supplied), 
MC Protector (not supplied), or ND Filter (not 
supplied), rotate these in a clockwise direction.
•  If you push the [W/T] Lever toward [W] during 
recording with the filter and conversion lens attached 
to the Camcorder, 4 corners of the image may 
become dark (vignetting). For details, please refer to 
the operating instructions of your accessories.Extremely high precision technology is employed to 
produce the LCD Monitor screen featuring a total 
of approximately 105,000 pixels. The result is more 
than 99.99 % effective pixels with a mere 0.01 % 
of the pixels inactive or always lit. However, this is 
not a malfunction and does not affect the recorded 
picture.
Extremely high precision technology is employed 
to produce the Viewfinder screen featuring a total 
of approximately 113,000 pixels. The result is more 
than 99.99 % effective pixels with a mere 0.01 % 
of the pixels inactive or always lit. However, this is 
not a malfunction and does not affect the recorded 
picture. 
						

							60
Others
For assistance, please call : 1-800-211-PANA(7262) or, contact us via the web at: http://www.panasonic.com/contactinfo
The cassette cannot be removed.•  Does the power lamp comes on when opening 
the cassette cover? (p. 15) Make sure that the 
battery and the AC adaptor are properly connected. 
(pp. 11~12)
•  Is the battery in use discharged? Charge the 
battery and remove the cassette.
•  Close the cassette cover completely, and fully open 
it again. (pp. 13~14)
No operation other than cassette removal can 
be performed.
•  Has condensation occurred? Wait until the 
condensation indication disappears. (p. 57)
Recording
Recording does not start although power is 
supplied to the Camcorder and the cassette is 
correctly inserted.
•  Is the accidental erasure prevention slider on 
the cassette open? If it is open (set to [SAVE]), 
recording cannot be performed. (p. 14)
•  Is the tape wound to the end? Insert a new 
cassette.
•  Is the Recording Mode set? When in the Playback 
Mode, recording cannot be performed. (p. 22)
•  Has condensation occurred? No operation other 
than cassette removal can be performed when 
condensation occurs. Wait until the condensation 
indication disappears. (p. 57)
•  Is the cassette cover open? If the cover is open, 
the Camcorder may not operate normally. Close 
the cassette cover. (pp. 13~14)
The screen has changed suddenly.•  Has the demonstration started? In the Tape 
Recording mode, if you set [  DEMO MODE] 
>> [ON] without inserting a cassette or a card, 
the demonstration starts. For normal use, set this 
function to [OFF]. (p. 19)
A cassette cannot be inserted.•  Has condensation occurred? Wait until the 
condensation indication disappears.
Auto focus function does not work.•  Is manual focus mode selected? If auto focus mode 
is selected, focus is automatically adjusted.
•  There are some recording subjects and 
surroundings for which the auto focus does not 
operate correctly. (p. 62) If so, use the manual 
focus mode to adjust the focus. (p. 31) 
•  Is the MagicPix function set? When the MagicPix 
function is working, focusing shifts into the manual 
mode.
Indications
A sentence is displayed in red or yellow in the 
screen center.
• Read the contents and respond to them. (pp. 51~52)
The remaining tape time indication 
disappears.
•  The remaining tape time indication may disappear 
temporarily during Still Advance Playback or other 
operation. If you continue ordinary recording or 
playback, the indication is restored.
The remaining tape time Indication does not 
match the actual remaining tape time.
•  If scenes of less than 15 seconds are continuously 
recorded, the remaining tape time cannot be 
correctly displayed.
•  In some cases, the remaining tape time indication 
may show remaining tape time that is 2 to 
3 minutes shorter than the actual remaining tape 
time.
A function indication such as mode indication, 
remaining tape time indication, or time code 
indication is not shown.
• If you set [  SETUP] >> [  DISPLAY] >> [OFF], 
indications other than the tape running condition, 
warning, and date indications disappear.
Playback (Sound)
Sound is not played back from the built-in 
speaker of the Camcorder.
•  Is the volume too low? During playback, push the 
[–  / VOL +] lever to display the volume indication 
and adjust it. (p. 32)
Different sounds are reproduced at the same 
time.
•  Have you set [  SETUP] >> [  12bit AUDIO] >> 
[MIX]? If you set [  AUDIO REC] >> [12bit] and 
dub audio to a recorded tape, you can hear the 
sound on recording and the sound dubbed at a 
later time. To hear the sounds separately, set to 
[ST1] or [ST2]. (p. 19)
•  Have you set [ 
 SETUP] >> [  AUDIO OUT] >> 
[STEREO] and reproduced a picture containing the 
main sound and sub sound? Set to [L] to hear main 
sound, and set to [R] to hear the sub sound. (p. 55)
Playback (Pictures)
Mosaic-pattern noise appears on images 
during cue or review playback.
•  This phenomenon is characteristic of digital video 
systems. It is not a malfunction.
Horizontal stripes appear on images during 
cue and review playback.
•  Horizontal stripes may appear depending on the 
scene, but this is not a malfunction.