Panasonic Vdr D250 Operating Instructions Manual

							51LSQT1011
Recording
Recording motion pictures
ARecording mode
BRemaining time left for recording
(When the remaining time is less than 1 minute, [R 0h00m] 
flashes red.)
CRecording time elapsed
≥The maximum number of scenes on a disc (per 
side): 999 (Even if there is remaining capacity for 
recording on a disc, you may not be able to record 
999 scenes.)
≥Sound is recorded in Dolby Digital from the internal 
stereo microphone on the front of the unit. Take 
care not to block this microphone.
≥Each time the unit enters the recording pause 
mode, the counter display will be reset to 
“0h00m00s”.
≥While motion picture recording is in progress, the 
recording will not stop even if the LCD monitor is 
closed and the viewfinder is retracted.≥While “WRITING THE INFORMATION ON THE 
DISC.” is displayed, do not disconnect the AC 
adaptor or remove the battery as doing so may 
make the disc unusable.
≥While motion picture recording is in progress, do not 
disconnect the AC adaptor or remove the battery. If 
you do, a repair disc message may be displayed 
when the power is turned back on. (l148, About 
recovery)
Press the MENU button, then select [ BASIC] # 
[RECMODE] # desired item and press the 
joystick.
≥This unit records in VBR. VBR is an abbreviation for Variable Bit Rate. VBR recording 
automatically varies the bit rate (amount of data in a fixed time) depending on the subject being 
recorded. This means if a subject with sharp movements is recorded, the recording time is 
reduced.
≥Mosaic-pattern noise may appear on a playback 
image in the following cases.
– When there is a complicated pattern in the 
background– When the unit is moved too much or too fast
– When a subject with sharp movements has been 
recorded
(Particularly if it has been recorded in [LP] mode.)
Screen indications in the disc recording mode
0h00m10s0h00m10s0h00m10sSPR   0h30mR   0h30mR   0h30mA
B
C
Immediately after recording finishes the ACCESS/PC lamp lights. While it lights, the disc is 
rotating and disc information is being recorded. If you run while holding the unit or swing it, the 
recorded images may be distorted so do not strongly shake or cause impact to it.
Changing the recording mode of the motion picture
 
Recording modes and recordable time available for the motion picture
Recording modeRecordable time
(on single side)
XP(High quality) Approx. 18 min Image quality prioritized
SP(Normal) Approx. 37 min
LP(Long play) Approx. 75 min Recording time prioritized
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  51 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							52LSQT1011
Recording
Recording still pictures
Recording still pictures
(SD)
Record the still picture on an SD card.
≥When this unit is purchased, [PICTURE SIZE] is set to [ ] (VDR-D300)/[ ] (VDR-D250) 
for recording pictures compatible with a wide-screen TV (16:9).
To record pictures with a 4:3 aspect ratio, change the [PICTURE SIZE] setting before recording 
(l54).
≥(VDR-D250 only) Remove the lens cap before turning the unit on.
If the unit is turned on with the lens cap attached, the automatic white balance adjustment may 
not function properly.
1 Turn the unit on.
2 Rotate the mode dial to select  .
(VDR-D300 only) The lens cover opens 
automatically.
3 Open the LCD monitor or extend the viewfinder.
4 Press the PHOTO SHOT button halfway in 
order to adjust focusing. (For auto focusing 
only)
The shutter speed and the iris/gain value are fixed and the unit 
focuses on the subject automatically.
≥(VDR-D300 only) If you set [O.I.S.] to [ON], then the image 
stabilizer function will be more effective. ([ ] (MEGA optical 
image stabilizer) will be displayed.)
A Shutter chance mark
± (The white lamp flashes.): Focusing
¥ (The green lamp lights up.): When in focus
No mark: When focusing is unsuccessful.
≥The shutter chance mark is indicated as follows when the 
PHOTO SHOT button is not pressed halfway. Please use it as a 
guide for recording.
¥ (The green lamp lights up.): When in focus and a good picture can be recorded.
± (The white lamp lights up.): Almost in focus
B Focus area
21.7
MEGA
A
B
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  52 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							53LSQT1011
Recording
Recording still pictures
5 Press the PHOTO SHOT button fully to take 
the picture.
≥For information about the number of recordable still 
pictures on an SD card (l167)
≥When the [PICTURE SIZE] is set to other than 
[ ], the mega pixel recording mode is set.
≥The sound cannot be recorded.
≥If the write protection switch on the SD card is set to 
LOCK, it cannot be used for recording.
≥The PHOTO SHOT button on the remote control 
and the Magic Wire Remote Control cannot be 
pressed halfway.
≥If the [PICT. QUALITY] is set to [ ], mosaic-
pattern noise may appear on a playback image 
depending on the picture content.≥While this unit accesses the SD card (  is 
displayed/the access lamp is lit), do not perform the 
following operations. The SD card or the recorded 
data may be damaged.
– Turn the unit off.
– Remove the SD card.
– Operate the mode dial.
≥Another product may degrade or not play back still 
pictures recorded on this unit.
∫To record still pictures clearly
≥When zooming in on the subject with a magnification of 4k or higher, it is difficult to reduce the 
slight shaking from holding this unit by hand. We recommend decreasing the zoom magnification 
and approaching the subject when recording.
≥When recording still pictures, hold the unit firmly with your hands and keep your arms stationary 
at your side so as not to shake the unit.
≥You can record stable pictures without shaking by using a tripod and the remote control.
ARemaining number of still pictures
(Flashes in red when [R 0] appears.) 
BSize of still pictures
CQuality of still pictures
0.3M
Screen indications in card recording mode
R 100R 100R 100A
B
C
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  53 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							54LSQT1011
Recording
Recording still pictures
∫About the shutter chance mark
≥The shutter chance mark does not appear in 
manual focus mode.
≥When the subject is not easily focused, focus 
on the subject manually.
≥You can record still pictures on the card even 
if the shutter chance mark does not appear, 
but pictures may be recorded without being 
focused.≥The shutter chance mark does not appear or 
has difficulty displaying in the following 
cases.
– When the zoom magnification is high.
– When the unit is shaken.
– When the subject is moving.
– When the subject stands in front of a light 
source.
– When close subjects and far subjects are 
included in the same scene.
– When the scene is dark.
– When there is a bright part in the scene.
– When the scene is filled with only horizontal 
lines.
– When the scene lacks contrast.
∫Concerning the focusing area
When there is a contrasting object ahead or behind the subject in the focus area, the subject may 
not be focused. If so, move the contrasting object out of the focus area.
Even when it is still difficult to focus, adjust the focus manually.
∫PICTURE SIZE
Changing the recording size.
Press the MENU button, then select [ BASIC] # 
[ PICTURE SIZE] # desired item and press the 
joystick.
VDR-D300 VDR-D250
≥When this unit is purchased, [PICTURE SIZE] is set 
to [ ] (VDR-D300)/[ ] (VDR-D250). The 
sides of pictures recorded with a 16:9 aspect ratio 
may be cut at printing. Check before printing.
Number of pixels and picture quality for still picture 
recording
IconAspectNumber of pixels
4:3 2048k1512
4:3 1280k960
4:3 640k480
16:9 1920k1080
3.1M
1M
0.3M
2
IconAspectNumber of pixels
4:3 1760k1320
4:3 1280k960
4:3 640k480
16:9 1760k992
2.3M
1M
0.3M
1.7
21.7
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  54 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							55LSQT1011
Recording
Recording still pictures
∫PICT. QUALITY
Selecting the picture quality.
Press the MENU button, then select [ BASIC] # 
[ PICT. QUALITY] # desired item and press the 
joystick.
: Still pictures with a high picture quality are recorded.
: Priority is given to the number of still pictures recorded. Still 
pictures are recorded in normal picture quality.
You can add a shutter sound when recording still pictures.
Press the MENU button, then select [ ADVANCED] 
# [ SHTR EFFECT] # [ON] or [OFF] and press the 
joystick.
≥This function’s default setting is [ON].
Switching the shutter effect on/off
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  55 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							56LSQT1011
Recording
Various recording functions
Various recording functions
(RAM) (-RW‹VR›) (-RW‹V›) (-R) (SD)
You can zoom in up to 10k optically.
¬Rotate the mode dial to select   or  .
Move the zoom lever.
≥When zooming in while holding this unit by hand, 
we recommend using the image stabilizer function. 
(l67)
≥When distant subjects are brought closer, they are 
focused at about 1 m (3.3 feet) (VDR-D300)/1.2 m 
(3.9 feet) (VDR-D250) or more.
≥When the zoom magnification is 1k, this unit can 
focus on a subject approx. 3.5 cm (1.4z) 
(VDR-D300)/4 cm (1.6z) (VDR-D250) away from the 
lens. (Macro function)≥The zoom speed varies depending on the range 
over which the zoom lever is moved.
(The zoom speed does not vary when operating 
with the remote control or the Magic Wire Remote 
Control.)
≥When the zoom speed is high, the subject may not 
be focused easily.
(RAM) (-RW‹VR›) (-RW‹V›) (-R)
If the zoom magnification exceeds 10k, then the digital zoom function will be activated. The 
maximum magnification provided by the digital zoom can be switched.
¬Rotate the mode dial to select  .
Press the MENU button, then select [ ADVANCED] 
# [ D.ZOOM] # desired item and press the 
joystick.
≥If [25k] or [700k] is selected, the digital zoom range is displayed in blue while zooming.
≥The larger the digital zoom magnification, the more 
the image quality is degraded.≥This function cannot be used in card recording 
mode.
Zoom in/out function
T side:Close-up recording (zoom in)
W side:Wide-angle recording (zoom out)
Digital zoom function
OFF:Optical zoom only (Up to 10k)
25k:Up to 25k
700k:Up to 700k
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  56 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							57LSQT1011
Recording
Various recording functions
(RAM) (-RW‹VR›) (-RW‹V›) (-R)
Interlocked with the zooming operation, the microphone will collect sounds clearly far away with the 
tele-shot or those in the vicinity with the wide-angle shot.
¬Rotate the mode dial to select  .
Press the MENU button, then select [ ADVANCED] 
# [ ZOOM MIC] # [ON] and press the joystick.
≥The zoom microphone function does not work with 
an external microphone.
(RAM) (-RW‹VR›) (-RW‹V›) (-R) (SD)
You can record yourself while viewing the LCD monitor. You can record persons in front of the unit 
while showing them the image.
¬Rotate the mode dial to select   or  .
Rotate the LCD monitor towards the lens side.
The image is horizontally flipped as if you see a mirror image. (However 
the image recorded is the same as a normal recording.)
≥Extend the viewfinder to see the picture while recording.
≥When the recording aspect is 16:9, the image displayed on the 
viewfinder screen is squeezed horizontally, but this is normal and not 
a sign of any trouble.
≥When the LCD monitor is rotated towards the lens 
side, the icon will not be displayed even if you press 
the joystick.≥Only some indications will appear on the screen. 
When [°] appears, return the direction of the LCD 
monitor to normal position and check the warning/
alarm indication. (l147)
To use the zoom microphone function
Recording yourself
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  57 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							58LSQT1011
Recording
Various recording functions
(RAM) (-RW‹VR›) (-RW‹V›) (-R) (SD)
Use this function when the light is emanating from behind the subject and the subject appears dark.
¬Rotate the mode dial to select   or  .
1 Press the joystick. Then move the joystick down 
to display the icon shown in the illustration.
2 Move the joystick up to select [ª].
The image on the screen will become brighter.
To return to normal recording
Select [ª] again.
≥If you turn off the power or operate the mode dial, 
the backlight compensation function is canceled.
Backlight compensation function
This is for protecting a backlit subject from being darkened.
1/3 NEXT
1/3 NEXT
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  58 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							59LSQT1011
Recording
Various recording functions
(RAM) (-RW‹VR›) (-RW‹V›) (-R)
¬Rotate the mode dial to select  .
To fade in
1 While recording is paused, press the joystick. 
Then move the joystick down to display the icon 
shown in the illustration.
2 Move the joystick left to select [ ].
3 Press the recording start/stop button.
Start recording. (fade in)
When you start recording, the image/audio 
gradually appears.
≥Once the “fade in” is complete, the fade setting 
is canceled.
To fade out
1 During recording, press the joystick. Then move 
the joystick down to display the icon shown in 
the illustration.
2 Move the joystick left to select [ ].
Fade in/fade out function
Fade in:The image and audio gradually appear.
Fade out:The image and audio gradually disappear.
1/3 NEXT
1/3 NEXT
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  59 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分 
						

							60LSQT1011
Recording
Various recording functions
3 Press the recording start/stop button.
Pause recording. (fade out)
The image/audio gradually disappears. After the 
image/audio completely disappears, recording 
stops.
≥After recording, the fade setting is canceled.
To cancel fading
Select [ ] again.
To select the color for fade in/out
The color which appears in fading pictures can be selected.
Press the MENU button, then select [ ADVANCED] # [ FADE COLOR] # [WHITE] or 
[BLACK] and press the joystick.
≥If you turn off the power, the fade function is 
canceled.
≥While the fade in/fade out function is selected, it 
takes several seconds to display the image when 
you start recording. It also takes several seconds to 
pause recording.≥The thumbnails of scenes recorded using fade in 
become black (or white).
D250&300(P_PC)eng.book  60 ページ  ２００６年１月２０日　金曜日　午後２時３分