Panasonic Vdr M53pp Operating Instructions Manual

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Error Messages 
A message may appear while you are operating the DVD Video Camera. If a message appears, refer to 
the following table and take appropriate corrective action.
Messages are arranged in alphabetical order.
MessageCause & TroubleshootingReference 
page
(1) Data error in a part of 
image file. Repair data 
now?
(2) Found error in image 
file. Repair data now?
(3) Data error in all 
image file. Repair all 
data now?It is possible that the system cannot normally complete writing of file 
when, for example, power is turned off for some reason during 
recording or editing (deleting, dividing or combining scenes, or 
creating play list). Selecting “YES” will automatically repair the 
video file, but even if “NO” is selected, the same message will 
appear when the DVD Video Camera is turned on next time. (Do not 
remove the disc while the DVD Video Camera is recognizing it: 
ignoring this will deactivate the file repair function.)
Follow the instructions on screen, taking note of the following 
cautions:
Data may not be repaired, depending on the timing when power 
was turned off.
Data may not be repaired normally if data recorded on another 
recorder is mixed in.
The repaired data may be different from the original recorded 
content because of partial deletion of defective portion.
Since the date/time of repair is added to the repaired data (only 
the corrected portion for partial repair), the original date/time 
information will be lost.
Since all movies, and then all stills, are repaired, the order of 
recorded contents will be lost.
(In case of message (2) (3) only)
See *1 on page 156.⎯
(1) This disc must be 
formatted before it can 
be used by this camera.
(2) Do not format this 
disc if you want to record 
from the PC connection 
terminal. 
(3) Format the disc now?DVD-R disc that was not initialized for camera use was inserted.
47
Battery is almost empty. 
Replace it.Replace with a charged battery pack, or use AC adaptor to power 
the DVD Video Camera.42, 45
Cannot combine 
scenes.Unless consecutive scenes are selected, they cannot be combined.
107
Cannot combine. 
Deselect PHOTO 
scenes.Select only movies and combine them.
107
Cannot combine scenes 
of multiple programs.Scenes cannot be combined, because the programs are different. 
Create a play list first, and then combine scenes. 116
Cannot combine. Select 
multiple scenes.Select a range of at least 2 scenes to be combined, and then 
combine them.107
Cannot  delete  scenes. This may occur when scene that was edited for division, etc. is to be 
deleted.
Combine the divided scenes, and then delete them.107
Cannot execute. 
Change display 
category to ALL.This message will appear if you attempt to combine or move scenes 
with “Category: VIDEO or PHOTO” specified. 128
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Cannot execute. 
Unselect multiple 
scenes.Division or change in thumbnail was executed when multiple 
scenes were selected. 99
Cannot read disc. 
Please clean disc, check 
for disc cracks insert 
properly and try again.An error occurred during disc recognition. Make sure the disc is not 
dirty, inserted upside down, or not fully inserted on the spindle.
9, 42, 45, 46
CANNOT RECORD 
PHOTOSAre you using DVD-R disc? You cannot record still images on DVD-
R disc. Use DVD-RAM disc to record still images.28
Cannot replace 
thumbnail on PHOTO 
scenes.The thumbnail of a still cannot be changed.
Select a movie. 104
Cannot select any more 
scenes.The maximum number of selectable scenes is 999.
111
CARD ALMOST FULL Remaining space is only enough to record less than 10 stills.
Delete unnecessary stills and try the card, or use another card.33, 102
Card error has occurred.
Format the card now?Was the card formatted on PC? Was formatting interrupted 
midway? When using the card on this DVD Video Camera, choose 
“YES” and format it.125
Card error has occurred.
Formatting is not 
complete.The card may be damaged: Use another card.
30
Card error.
The card terminals may be dirty: Wipe off dirt, and try the card 
again, or use another card.
Data other than still image may be included: Use another card.30
Card error has occurred. 
Keep card inside & 
restart.Card error could have occurred during editing of scenes. Turn off the 
DVD Video Camera with the card being used inside, connect the AC 
adaptor, and then power the DVD Video Camera again. Repair of 
scenes will be attempted.45, 50
Card full. Delete unnecessary stills and try the card, or use another card.
33, 102
No more recording on this card can be done: Delete unnecessary 
stills or use another card.
Card full.
Cannot execute.Delete unnecessary stills and try the card, or use another card.
33, 102
Card has no data. This message will appear when an attempt is made to execute 
playback or editing on Disc Navigation with no scene recorded.⎯
Card is not formatted.
Format the card now?Was the card formatted on PC? When using the card on this DVD 
Video Camera, choose “YES” and format it.125
Control Information 
Error.Mismatch may occur between the recorded image and scene 
information.
Update the control information.126
Use another disc.See *3 on page 156.28, 30
COPY PROTECTED The video signal input to this DVD Video Camera may be copy-
guarded.
Some prerecorded video materials, such as movies, are guarded 
against copying.
Copy-guarded materials cannot be recorded on this DVD Video 
Camera.75
MessageCause & TroubleshootingReference 
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DISC ACCESS The recorded scene is being stored on disc.
Wait until the message disappears, and you can start to use the 
DVD Video Camera.51, 52
This DVD Video Camera is verifying whether the correct disc has 
been inserted.
Wait until the message disappears, and you can start to use the 
DVD Video Camera.⎯
DISC ALMOST FULL The disc will soon be full, and recording will be impossible.
Delete unnecessary scenes and try the disc again, or use another 
disc.32, 33,102
Disc error has occurred. 
Finalizing is not 
complete.
Disc error occurred during finalizing, and finalizing failed. 
Replace the disc.
See *3 on 156.127
Disc error has occurred. 
Format the disc now?
Has the disc been initialized on PC? Has initializing the disc on 
PC been interrupted?
Choose “YES” and initialize the disc when using it on this DVD 
Video Camera. Initializing the disc will erase all data on it.
See *2 on page 156.125
Disc error has occurred. 
Formatting is not 
complete.The disc may be dirty.
Remove the disc and wipe off fingerprints, dust, etc. before reusing 
it, or use another disc.
This message may also appear if you insert a disc for which 
formatting was interrupted midway. In this case, use another disc.30, 125
Disc error has occurred. 
Keep disc inside & 
restart.Disc error could have occurred during editing of scenes.
Turn off the DVD Video Camera with the disc being used in it, 
connect AC adaptor, and then power the DVD Video Camera again. 
Repair of scenes will be tried.45
Disc error.
Use another disc.See *3 on page 156.28, 30
Mismatch in recording information may be caused by editing 
done on some device other than this DVD Video Camera.
Initialize the disc or use another disc.
Initializing the disc will erase all data on it.125
Disc full. Cannot 
execute.Delete unnecessary scenes before using this disc, or use another 
disc.102
Disc has no data. This message will appear when an attempt is made to execute 
playback or editing on Disc Navigation with no scene recorded.⎯
Disc has no Play List. Switching of play list was selected with no play list stored. 117
Disc includes protected 
scenes. Delete scenes?The disc may have been software protected using a device other 
than this DVD Video Camera. To release in this case, use the  device 
that has executed software-protect.⎯
Disc is full. Cannot add 
control info.The number of entered scenes has reached the limit that can be 
entered, so the control information for generating thumbnails 
cannot be added.
Combine several scenes or delete them.102, 107
Disc is not formatted. 
Format the disc now?
Has the disc been initialized on a PC?
Choose “YES” and initialize the disc when using it on this DVD 
Video Camera. Initialization will delete all data on the disc.
See *2 on page 156.125
MessageCause & TroubleshootingReference 
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Drive overheat. Please 
retry later.The temperature inside the DVD Video Camera is too high, and 
reading or writing of the data on disc may not be performed 
normally.
Turn the DVD Video Camera off and wait for a while. The 
temperature will be effectively decreased if the DVD Video Camera 
is placed in a well-ventilated spot.50
DVD-R Disc, Video 
mode cannot be 
changed.With DVD-R disc, the movie quality mode once selected and used 
for recording cannot be changed. 32
END OF DISC The disc is full. 
You cannot record on this disc anymore. Prepare another disc or 
delete unnecessary movie scenes from this disc.102
End scene cannot be 
divided.Division is not possible at the end of scene.
108
Error occurred. Please 
replace disc or format 
disc.
Abnormality has occurred with the DVD-RAM disc to be repaired. 
Initialize the disc before using it, or use another disc. Initializing 
the disc will erase all data on it.
See *2 on page 156.125
Error occurred. Please 
replace disc.An abnormality occurred with a DVD-R disc to be repaired. Replace 
the disc.⎯
Finalize may not be 
complete. Finalize again 
now?Instantaneous shutoff occurred during finalizing, after which power 
was supplied and disc was inserted. 127
It is unrecordable on this 
card.The inserted card cannot be used in this DVD Video Camera. Use 
another card.30
JPEG files related to 
scenes are not found.This message will appear when stills recorded on DVD-RAM disc 
using a device other than this DVD Video Camera are to be copied 
to card.⎯
NO CARD Insert a card. 49
No card.
Please insert card.No card is inserted.
Insert a card.49
NO  DISC This message may appear when the DVD Video Camera or disc is 
moved from a cold place to a warm place.
Condensation has occurred on the DVD Video Camera lens or 
DVD-RAM drive. Do not remove the disc; leave the DVD Video 
Camera turned off in a place as dry as possible for 1-2 hours.9
The disc has not been inserted.
Insert it.46
No more scenes. Play 
List was deleted.
All scenes are deleted from the play list.Since a play list with no scenes cannot be supported by 
specifications, a play list from which all registered scenes have 
been deselected will be deleted.119, 120
Photo cannot be 
divided.Still image cannot be divided.
108
PlayLists  over  limit. An attempt was made to create new play list or copy play list, even 
though limit specified for play lists in the video recording standard 
had already been stored.116
Same scenes on Play 
List will be deleted. 
Delete scenes?
This will appear when scenes are to be deleted.When a play list exists on disc, an attempt to delete scenes in 
program will display this message. (This message will not appear 
if you deselect scenes from play list.)102
Scenes over limit. 
Cannot add scene.The number of scenes entered in play list has reached the limit that 
can be entered.
Delete several scenes.116, 120
MessageCause & TroubleshootingReference 
page
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Scenes over limit. 
Cannot divide scene.The number of entered scenes has reached the limit that can be 
entered.
Delete several scenes.108, 116
Scenes over limit. 
Cannot move scene.This message will appear if you try to move a scene when the 
number of scenes has already reached the registrable limit.105, 116
Stop processing The button was pressed to stop processing of multiple scenes.⎯
There was no scene 
which can be deleted.This message will appear if you try to delete multiple scenes on Disc 
Navigation when all the selected scenes have been locked. 
Release the lock on scenes before executing deletion.102, 110
This card cannot be 
used.
Please replace card.The card cannot be used in this DVD Video Camera. Use another 
card. 30
This disc cannot be 
used. Please replace 
disc.A disc that cannot be used in this DVD Video Camera has been 
loaded. Check the type of disc. 29
This disc is recorded by 
the PAL system. Please 
replace disc.This DVD Video Camera can use only discs recorded on the NTSC 
system. A disc recorded on the PAL system cannot be used in this 
DVD Video Camera.⎯
Top scene cannot be 
divided.Division is not possible at the start of scene.
108
UNFORMAT DISC The disc is not initialized or it is damaged.
If this message appears, be sure to initialize the disc in this DVD 
Video Camera before using it.
Reinitializing even a disc used in this DVD Video Camera may be 
necessary (initializing will erase all recorded contents on disc). If 
this message appears, try to initialize the disc. If the same message 
still appears, the disc may be damaged. Use another disc.125
See *2 on page 156.⎯
Use AC adapter/
charger.Finalization is not possible when the DVD Video Camera is powered 
by a battery pack. Use the AC adaptor for finalization.45, 127
Use AC adapter/
charger.
Turn off power.Scene cannot be repaired when the DVD Video Camera is powered 
by a battery pack.
If the AC adaptor is unavailable in handy place, remove the disc, use 
the opposite side, or use another disc. To repair the removed disc, 
insert the disc into the DVD Video Camera afterwards, and connect 
the AC adaptor.45
VIDEO scene cannot be 
copied to card.No movie can be copied to card.
Select stills and copy them to card.109
Write protected.
Check card.
A locked card or write-protected disc is inserted.Release the lock or write-protect using the Card or Disc 
Navigation menu.30, 124
Write protected.
Check disk.
MessageCause & TroubleshootingReference 
page
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*1
This message may also appear when dirt adheres to disc. If this message appears when a recorded disc 
is recognized immediately after it is inserted, do not repair the disc; remove it and then use Disc Cleaning 
Cloth to clean off the dirt before using it.
This message may appear when condensation occurs. In this case, do not repair the disc; turn the DVD 
Video Camera off, wait until it dries out, and then turn it on again.
If the repair message appears when you turn the DVD Video Camera on from off with a disc loaded after 
recording on it, choose repair.
If the repair message appears when recording and playback are normally possible with another disc - 
and no condensation has occurred and the disc is not dirty - choose repair.
*2
This message may appear when dirt adheres to disc. In this case, do not initialize the disc; remove it and 
then use Disc Cleaning Cloth to clean the dirt before using it.
This message may appear when condensation occurs. In this case, do not initialize the disc; turn the DVD 
Video Camera off, wait until it dries out, and then turn it on again.
Initialization will delete all data on disc.
*3 
This message may also appear when dirt adheres to disc. Remove the disc and then use Disc Cleaning 
Cloth to clean the dirt before using it.
This message may appear when condensation occurs. Wait until the DVD Video Camera dries out, and 
then turn it on again.
This message will appear when a single-sided disc is inserted in reverse. Reinsert the disc correctly. 
(Insert the disc with the label/printed surface facing up.)
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Troubleshooting
Check to see the following before asking for a repair. If the suggested solution still cannot restore the DVD 
Video Camera to normal, do not attempt to repair it yourself, but consult your dealer. 
Power supplies
SymptomCause and CorrectionReference 
page
Battery pack cannot be 
charged.
*If the battery pack does 
not charge after you try 
the four procedures 
shown on the right, it 
may be dead. 
Purchase a new 
battery pack.Is the ambient temperature too low or too high?
Charge the battery pack at 50-86°F (10-30°C).
23 Is the battery pack abnormally hot?
Remove the battery pack, leave it for a while to cool down, then 
charge it.
Is the DC cord connected to AC adaptor? Unplug it.
Has the battery pack been unused for a long time?
Remove the battery pack, and then reattach it.
Battery pack weakens 
fast.Are you using the DVD Video Camera where the temperature is very 
low?
A fully charged battery may be discharged sooner than usual at low 
temperatures. Keep extra batteries on hand.43
Battery pack may be dead.
The performance of battery pack will deteriorate if it is used for an 
extended period of time or frequently. Purchase a new battery pack.44
The CHARGE indicator 
on AC adaptor is blinking.Is the ambient temperature too low or too high?
Charge the battery pack in environment where the temperature is 
50-86°F (10-30°). 
The battery pack has possibly discharged excessively. Continue 
charging. After a while, the battery pack will be charged to the 
specified voltage, and the CHARGE indicator will light. Then the 
battery charge will be completed normally.43
Power turns off 
immediately after being 
turned on.Is battery pack charged?
Charge it.
23
When power is turned 
on, the LCD screen will 
turn on and off.
Power goes off  
unexpectedly.Is Power Save set to “On”? 
If the powered DVD Video Camera is left for as long as 5 minutes 
without recording or playback with “Power Save: On” specified, it will 
automatically turn off to save battery power. To restart recording in 
this case, set the power switch to “OFF” and then set it to “ ”. You 
can also specify “Power Save: Off ” to stop automatic power off.93
Power cannot be turned 
off.Detach the battery pack or AC adaptor once, and then press the 
RESET button of DVD Video Camera: Reattach a power supply to 
DVD Video Camera before turning it on again.⎯
If the disc cover is 
opened while the power 
is off, the access light 
flashes.The power turns on automatically so that the disc can be recognized. 
If the cover is closed, the power turns off automatically.
46
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During recording
SymptomCause and CorrectionReference 
page
Pressing the REC button 
will not start recording.Is input image copy-guarded?
Copy-guarded image cannot be recorded on this DVD Video 
Camera.75
Recording starts but 
stops immediately.Is disc scratched or do dirt or fingerprints adhere to it?
Clean the disc. If there is still no improvement, replace the disc.30
If you turn this DVD Video Camera on for many hours in a high 
temperature location, this DVD Video Camera may automatically 
stop recording for the protection of the lens in the laser pickup 
assembly. In this case, follow the messages on the display of this 
DVD Video Camera.
To start recording again, turn this DVD Video Camera off and leave 
it for a while.⎯
Is some other AV device directly connected to the AV input/output 
jack of this DVD Video Camera?
If the AV device is connected via several other devices, such as AV 
selector, the video signal may be transmitted incorrectly. In such a 
case, reduce the number of devices through which the video signal 
is transmitted, or connect AV device directly.75
Are you attempting to record an image from a video game or PC?
From some video games or PCs, images cannot be recorded on this 
DVD Video Camera.75
LCD screen is hard to 
see.Has brightness of LCD screen been adjusted?
Stop recording and adjust the brightness.91
Is the DVD Video Camera being used outdoors?
Use the viewfinder. When using LCD monitor, adjust its angle so that 
LCD screen is not exposed to direct sunlight.38
Focus is not correct. Is it difficult to use auto focus with your subject?
Focus manually.65
Does “MF” appear?
The DVD Video Camera is set to manual focus. Focus the subject 
manually, or release manual focus.64
Is the diopter control correctly adjusted if you are using the 
viewfinder as a monitor?
Adjust the diopter control.37
In cases other than the above, set the power switch to “OFF”, and 
then set it to “ ”, “ ” or “ ” again.50
Some vibrations are felt 
or slight sound is heard 
from mechanism.These vibrations or sound are caused by disc drive: This does not 
indicate a fault.⎯
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During playback
SymptomCause and CorrectionReference 
page
Recognition of disc is not 
completeIs disc dirty?
Use Disc Cleaning Cloth to clean it.30
Pressing the playback 
button will not start 
playback.Has the image been recorded by devices other than this DVD Video 
Camera?
Playback of images recorded on devices other than this DVD Video 
Camera may be impossible on this DVD Video Camera.
126
Has scene been edited on a device other than this DVD Video 
Camera? 
If a scene recorded on this DVD Video Camera is edited on a device 
other than this DVD Video Camera, playback may not be possible on 
this DVD Video Camera.
No playback picture 
appears on TV screen.Is TV input selector set correctly?
Some TVs have multiple video input jacks. Check whether the 
correct input was selected on TV to match the connected jacks. If the 
DVD Video Camera is connected to VCR, set its input selector to 
“external input (LINE)”.72
Is the DVD Video Camera connected to TV correctly?
Check the connections.71
Playback picture is 
momentarily interrupted.Is disc scratched or do dirt or fingerprints adhere to it?
Clean the disc.30
Poor  playback  picture Was the image input from analog VCR (VHS, 8 mm) and recorded?
The problem may be remedied if a VCR equipped with TBC circuit 
is used for playback.⎯
Playback picture is 
greatly distorted.Was recording of external input made with “Frame” specified?
Specify “Field” for “PHOTO Input” in record mode settings.88
No sound Is the TV volume control set correctly?
Adjust TV volume control.⎯
Disc Navigation 
thumbnails do not 
appear.Was the image recorded from AV input/output jack with 
interference?
Record images with no noise or disturbance.⎯
Photos on card cannot 
be played back.This DVD Video Camera can play back image data recorded on SD 
Memory Card in other digital cameras conforming to the DCF 
(Design rule for Camera File system) standard. The range of image 
data normally playable on this DVD Video Camera is that with pixels 
from 80 horizontal x 60 vertical to 4000 horizontal x 3000 vertical. If 
the pixel data is outside this range, blue thumbnails will appear 
(thumbnails* in the figure), meaning the image is unplayable.
Even when the number of pixels is within the above range, playback 
may not be possible, depending on the recording status of the digital 
camera used.
DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) is an integrated image file 
format for digital cameras: Image files can be used on all digital 
devices conforming to DCF.⎯
It will take some time to 
play back photos on card.When playing back a still, “Playback.” will appear: Stills with a large 
number of pixels will take some time to appear.⎯
1/6 All scenes
PLAY
Fig. 1*
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When the DVD Video Camera is connected to PC:
SymptomCause and CorrectionReference 
page
No drive icon appears on 
PC.The DVD Video Camera is not turned on.
Check the power supply.50
Turn PC off and then disconnect the USB cable. Turn PC on again, 
and then use the USB cable to connect the DVD Video Camera to 
PC.⎯
Make sure the USB cable is completely plugged into this DVD Video 
Camera.⎯
Error occurs in playback 
of DVD Video Camera on 
PC.If error occurs with USB connection, the transfer rate is not sufficient. 
It is recommended that you use a USB terminal conforming to 
USB2.0 when connecting the DVD Video Camera.147
Application is 
abnormally run on PC.Turn the PC and DVD Video Camera off, and try again.
⎯
Error occurs during 
writing to disc.The temperature of DVD Video Camera is too high due to continuous 
operation.
Disconnect the DVD Video Camera from PC once, remove the disc 
from the DVD Video Camera, and then turn it off. After a few 
moments, connect them again and write to a brand-new disc.⎯
Transfer of images stops. Connect the DVD Video Camera to another USB terminal of PC. If 
your PC is a desktop type, it is recommended that you use USB 
terminal on the back of PC. ⎯
DVD-RAM/R drive built 
into PC cannot be used 
after the provided 
software has been 
installed.This problem may be solved if the software related to DVD-RAM/R 
of your PC is upgraded, or if the DVD-RAM Driver is uninstalled. 
However, with Windows
® Me / 2000 Professional, uninstalling the 
DVD-RAM Driver will make it impossible for the JPEG stills recorded 
on DVD-RAM on this DVD Video Camera to be read by the PC.⎯
DVD-R disc cannot be 
played back on DVD-
MovieAlbumSE.DVD-MovieAlbumSE does not support playback or data read of 
DVD-R disc. Use optional-user provided DVD video playback 
software to play back DVD-R disc on PC.139
Error appears when 
starting DVD-
MovieAlbumSE.Make sure that your PC display adapter (video card) conforms to 
DirectX 8.1.⎯
Movies are not 
recognized by 
application in PC.Make sure the power switch of this DVD Video Camera is set to 
“ ”, “ ” or “ ”.⎯
The DISC EJECT lever 
does not work when the 
DVD Video Camera is 
connected to PC.While the DVD Video Camera is connected to PC, use Explorer to 
right-click the DVD Video Camera drive icon and execute “Eject”.
⎯
The DVD-RAM drive of 
DVD Video Camera 
cannot be opened by PC 
Explorer or application. 
Error appears. Disc 
cannot be ejected.If DVD-MovieAlbumSE is running, terminate it.
⎯
When the time stamp of 
file in DVD-RAM is 
viewed on PC, it is 
different from the actual 
recording time.The file system of this DVD Video Camera is operated on Greenwich 
Mean Time (GMT), and time lag information has not been set. With 
Windows
®, the time stamp of file viewed on Explorer looks different 
from the actual recording time. The actual recording time will appear 
as date/time indication on playback screen.⎯
When DVD-
MovieAlbumSE is 
started, “Disc in Drive X: 
cannot be used” 
appears.A disc other than DVD-RAM is loaded in drive: DVD-MovieAlbumSE 
cannot be used for media other than DVD-RAM.⎯
Click the “Preference” button in the dialog box, click the “Device 
setting” tab to choose the drive where DVD-RAM disc is loaded in the 
“Drive Select” column, and then click “OK”.143
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