Panasonic Vdr M53pp Operating Instructions Manual

							161
An image that should 
have been recorded 
does not appear when 
DVD-MovieAlbumSE is 
started.Click the “Preference” button at top right of DVD-MovieAlbumSE 
screen, click the “Device Setting” tab to choose the drive where 
DVD-RAM disc is loaded in the “Drive Select” column, and then click 
“OK”.⎯
The DISC EJECT lever 
does not work.
Insert DVD-RAM discs in the camera before connecting the DVD 
Video Camera to your computer. The cover of the disc insertion 
block may not open after the camera is connected to a computer 
in some cases.
After files are exported from DVD-MovieAlbum, a confirmation 
message is displayed about ejecting DVD-RAM discs. Select 
“Eject the disc being used.”143
No USB HS (high speed) 
connection even when 
USB2.0 card is used.Make sure that you have already installed the driver provided with 
the USB2.0 card.
You will need to install the driver provided by USB2.0 card maker in 
order to operate the USB2.0 card at HS (high speed).⎯
When executing “Export” 
on DVD-MovieAlbumSE, 
it takes much time to 
read.
If stills are included in the range of “export”, it may take more time 
because data must be re-encoded and read. 
If “Divide by Chapter” is not chosen, it may take some time 
because data will be read while being re-encoded.143
SymptomCause and CorrectionReference 
page
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Miscellaneous
SymptomCause and CorrectionReference 
page
Power does not come on, 
or no operation occurs by 
pressing button.Execute system reset (press the RESET button). 163
Has the DVD Video Camera been subjected to impact?
The DVD Video Camera could be damaged. Please contact us.168
The date and time are 
incorrect.Has the DVD Video Camera been left unused for a long period of 
time?
The internal backup memory battery may be discharged: 
charge it.40
No scene can be deleted. Is the cursor placed on the scene to be deleted?
If the selected scene (framed in red) exists, that scene will be deleted 
even if you use yellow cursor to select a scene. Check the colors of 
cursors and bar graph on the thumbnail screen.97
Disc cannot be removed.
Cover will not open.Did you detach the battery pack or AC adaptor before setting the 
power switch to “OFF”?
Connect the battery pack or AC adaptor, set the power switch to 
“ ” and then “OFF”, and remove the disc.42, 45, 50
DVD Video Camera 
cannot be operated from 
remote controller.Is the remote controller pointed at the infrared receiver on DVD 
Video Camera?
Point it at the infrared receiver to operate the DVD Video Camera.37
Is the infrared receiver on DVD Video Camera exposed to direct 
sunlight or strong fluorescent light, etc.?
The remote controller cannot operate the DVD Video Camera when 
strong light strikes the infrared receiver. Adjust the place or angle of 
the DVD Video Camera.37
Is there a battery in the remote controller?
Also check the polarities of battery. The battery could be dead: Try 
replacing it.36
Is the DVD Video Camera powered?
Tu r n  i t  o n .50
Disc cover cannot be 
closed.Is disc correctly inserted?
Was disc inserted from wrong direction?
Remove the disc and then reinsert it.46
Is disc inserted in wrong orientation?
Remove the disc, and then reinsert it.46
Connect a fully charged battery pack or AC adaptor, and then turn 
the DVD Video Camera on.23
Operating sound is heard 
cyclically.This sound is heard because the disc is cyclically operated and does 
not indicate a fault.⎯
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System Reset
If the DVD Video Camera does not operate normally, perform “System Reset”: The DVD Video Camera may 
recover to normal. “System Reset” will reset all settings to factory defaults. The date and time will also be 
reset: Set the date and time again before using the DVD Video Camera.
1Set the power switch to “OFF” to turn the DVD 
Video Camera off.
Detach the battery pack or AC adaptor.
2Use a fine tipped pen to hold down the reset 
button for several seconds.
All settings will be reset.
Note:Do not press the reset button with undue force.
lList of setting items
Some items will not appear depending on the disc or card inserted.
* Only for VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP.
ItemDefaultSetting 
method
Camera Functions Setup Program  AE Auto P.  80
White Bal. Auto P. 81
ElS On P. 83
Dig.Zoom “60×” (VDR-M53PP/VDR-M55PP)
“40×” (VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP)P.  5 7
Wind Cut Off P. 83
Record Functions Setup VIDEO Mode FINE P. 84
Quality FINE P. 85
Wide* 4:3 P. 86
Input Source CAMERA P. 88
PHOTO Input Field P. 88
Self Timer Off P. 89
OSD Output On P. 90
Date Setup Date Set JAN 1 2005 12:00AM P. 40
Date Mode M/D/Y P. 41
LCD/EVF Setup LCD Brightness P. 91
EVF Brightness P. 91
Color Level P. 92
EVF Display Auto P. 92
Initial Setup Beep On P. 93
Power Save Off P. 93
Record LED On P. 94
Language English P. 94
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Major Specifications
DVD Video Camera Information for your safety
Power Source: DC 7.9/7.2 V
Power Consumption: When recording with LCD monitor off
VDR-M53PP/M55PP approx. 3.7 W (in FINE mode)
VDR-M75PP approx. 4.3 W (in FINE mode)
VDR-M95PP approx. 4.9 W (in FINE mode)
CCD VDR-M53PP/M55PP: 1/6-inch interlaced
VDR-M75PP: 1/4.5-inch interlaced
VDR-M95PP: 1/3.6-inch interlaced
Total number of pixels
VDR-M53PP/M55PP: approx. 680,000
VDR-M75PP: approx. 1,330,000
VDR-M95PP: approx. 2,120,000
Number of effective pixels
VDR-M53PP/M55PP:
Movie: approx. 340,000
Still: approx. 340,000
VDR-M75PP: Movie: approx. 690,000
Still: approx. 1,100,000
VDR-M95PP: Movie: approx. 1,230,000
Still: approx. 1,920,000
Lens VDR-M53PP/M55PP: F1.8 - 3.6, f = 1/8 - 2 (2.1 - 50.4 mm)
VDR-M75PP: F1.8 - 2.3, f = 1/8 - 1-1/4 (3.2 - 32 mm)
VDR-M95PP: F1.8 - 2.2, f = 3/16 - 1-3/4 (4.5 - 45 mm)
Filter diameter:
VDR-M53PP/M55PP/M95PP: 1-5/16 (34 mm)
VDR-M75PP: 1-3/16 (30.5 mm)
Focus Auto/Manual
Zoom Optical 24x (VDR-M53PP/M55PP), 
Optical 10x (VDR-M75PP/M95PP), 
60x-800x with digital zoom added, 60x for still (VDR-M53PP/
M55PP), 
40x-240x with digital zoom added, 40x for still (VDR-M75PP/
M95PP),
Required minimum illumination VDR-M53PP/M55PP: 12 lx (1 lx in Low Light mode)
VDR-M75PP: 15 lx (1 lx in Low Light mode)
VDR-M95PP: 24 lx (1 lx in Low Light mode)
Viewfinder 0.2-inch color TFT (equivalent to approx. 200,000 pixels)
LCD monitor 2.5-inch color TFT (approx. 120,000 pixels)
Electronic image stabilizer Electronic type
Shutter speed 1/4 - 1/4000 second (movie)
Self-timer recording Still recording only
External microphone jack ø3.5 mm stereo mini-jack (a plug-in power type microphone 
cannot be used)
Recording mode Movie (with sound)
Still (with DVD-RAM disc, SD Memory Card)
Maximum 
recordable time 
(per side)DVD-RAM/R disc approx. 18 minutes (XTRA)
approx. 30 minutes (FINE)
approx. 60 minutes (STD)
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Maximum number of 
recordable stillsDVD-RAM disc 
(per side)VDR-M53PP/M55PP/M75PP: 999
VDR-M95PP: 750
However, if movies and stills are mixed on one disc, the 
recordable number may decrease.
SD Memory Card
(when using 32 MB card)
(See page 31 for “Suitable
SD Memory Card”.)VDR-M53PP/M55PP approx. 232 (in FINE mode)
VDR-M75PP approx. 58 (in FINE mode)
VDR-M95PP approx. 29 (in FINE mode)
Varies depending on the recording quality and the type of card. 
(P. 33)
Recording format DVD-RAM disc Movie: Conforming to DVD Video Recording format 
(Dolby Digital)
Still: Simultaneous recording, conforming to DVD Video 
Recording standard (704 × 480 pixels) and JPEG 
(VDR-M53PP/M55PP: 640 × 480 pixels, VDR-M75PP: 
1280 × 960 pixels, VDR-M95PP: 1600 × 1200 pixels)
DVD-R disc Movie: Conforming to DVD Video Recording format
(Dolby Digital)
Card Still: Conforming to JPEG (VDR-M53PP/M55PP: 640 × 480 
pixels, VDR-M75PP: 1280 × 960 pixels, VDR-M95PP: 1600 × 
1200 pixels) standard
Audio playback format Dolby Digital, linear PCM, MPEG Audio Layer 2
Recording media
8 cm DVD-RAM disc (conforming to DVD-RAM Ver. 2.1)
8 cm DVD-R disc (conforming to DVD-R for General Ver. 2.0)
SD Memory Card
Jacks Video/audio input/output × 1,  External microphone input × 1, 
USB port (connected to PC USB port) × 1 (not provided with 
VDR-M53PP)
USB (not provided with VDR-M53PP) USB2.0 compliant (Hi-Speed)
Battery system Lithium-ion
Dimensions 
(W × H × D)
VDR-M53PP/M55PP:  approx. 2 × 3-1/2 × 5-1/4(51 × 89 × 135 mm)
(excluding projections)
VDR-M75PP: approx. 2 × 3-3/8 × 4-13/16(51 × 86 × 123 mm)
(excluding projections)
VDR-M95PP: approx. 2 × 3-9/16 × 5-3/8(51 × 90 × 137 mm)
(excluding projections)
Operating temperature (humidity) 32-104 °F (0-40 °C) (less than 80%).
32-86 °F (0-30 °C) when connected to PC
Storage temperature -4-140 °F (-20-60 °C)
Weight VDR-M53PP
/M55PP approx. 0.97 lbs (440 g)
VDR-M75PP approx. 0.95 lbs (430 g)
VDR-M95PP approx. 1.08 lbs (490 g)
(without battery pack or disc)
Total weight when recording VDR-M53PP
/M55PP approx. 1.13 lbs (485 g)
VDR-M75PP approx. 1.11 lbs (475 g)
VDR-M95PP approx. 1.24 lbs (565 g)
 (when using battery pack)
Provided accessories AC adaptor/Charger, battery pack, AV/S input/output cable, 
remote controller*, button type battery for remote controller*, 
lens cap, lens cap string, shoulder belt, power cable, DC cord, 
software CD-ROM*, USB cable*, 8 cm DVD-RAM disc*, Disc 
cleaning cloth
* (not provided with VDR-M53PP)
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							166
AC adaptor/Charger Information for your safety
Note:Weight and dimensions shown are approximate.
Designs and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
Request for Service Notice (USA Only)
Power Source: AC 110-240 V, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption: 19 W
0.5 W (When not in use)
DC Output: DC 7.9 V, 1.4 A
(DVD Video Camera operation)
DC 8.4 V, 0.65 A (Battery Charging)
Dimensions (W × H × D) approx. 23/8 × 11/4 × 39/16 inch (61 × 32 × 91 mm)
Weight: approx. 0.231 lbs (105 g)
Mail this completed form and your Proof of Purchase along with  your  unit to:  
Panasonic Services Company  
1705 N. Randall Road  
Elgin, IL. 60123-7847  
Attn: Camcorder Repair             
Request for Service Notice:   
Please photocopy this form when making a request for service notice.     
In the unlikely event this product needs service.
 Please include your proof of purchase.  
 (Failure to do so will delay your repair.)
 To further speed your repair, please provide  
 an explanation of what  wrong with the unit  
 and any symptom it is exhibiting.
Please write the displayed above Self Diagnostic number here.
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							167
Limited Warranty (For USA Customers)
Panasonic/Quasar Video Products 
Limited Warranty 
Product
Camcorder
DVD/VCR Deck,
A/V Mixer 
TV/VCR, TV/DVD,
TV/DVD/VCR
Combination 
TV/HDR
Combination
Rechargeable
Batteries
(in exchange for
defective item)  
Tape
(in exchange for
defective item)   
Memory Cards
(in exchange for
defective item)   
LaborNinety (90) Days 
Ninety (90) Days 
Ninety (90) Days 
Ninety (90) Days 
Ninety (90) Days 
Ninety (90) Days 
Ninety (90) Days 
Not Applicable 
Not Applicable 
Not Applicable Parts
One (1) Year (except CCD Image Sensor)
CCD Image Sensor - 6 (Six) Months 
One (1) Year 
One (1) Year (except CRT)
CRT - Two (2) Years 
One (1) Year (except CRT)
CRT - Two (2) Years 
Ten (10) Days 
Five (5) Days 
Ninety (90) Days 
Contact Number 
1-800-211-PANA(7262)
1-800-211-PANA(7262)
1-800-211-PANA(7262)
1-888-843-9788
1-800-211-PANA(7262)
1-800-211-PANA(7262)
1-800-211-PANA(7262)
Service
Carry-In or Mail-In 
Carry-In or Mail-In 
Carry-In: 21” 
CRTand Smaller
In-Home or Carry-In:
22” CRT and Larger 
In-Home or Carry-In 
Carry-In or Mail-In 
Carry-In or Mail-In 
Carry-In or Mail-In 
During the “Labor” warranty period there will be no charge for labor. During the “Parts” warranty period, there will be no charge for parts. 
You must carry-in or mail-in your product or arrange for in-home service, as applicable, during the  warranty period. If non-rechargeable 
batteries are included, they are not warranted. This warranty only applies to products purchased and serviced in the United States or 
Puerto Rico. This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser of a new product which was not sold “as is”. A purchase receipt or 
other proof of the original purchase date is required for warranty service.
Carry-In, Mail-in or In-Home ServiceFor Carry-In, Mail-In or In-HomeService (as applicable) in the United States call toll free contact number listed above or visit Panasonic 
Web Site: http://www.panasonic.com
For assistance in Puerto Rico call Panasonic Puerto Rico, Inc. (787)-750-4300 or fax (787)-768-2910.
In-Home service, if applicable, requires clear, complete and easy access to the product by the authorized servicer and does not include 
removal or re-installation of an installed product. It is possible that certain in-home repairs will not be completed in-home, but will require 
that the product, or parts of the product, be removed for shop diagnosis and/or repair and then returned.
Limited Warranty Limits And ExclusionsThis warranty ONLY COVERS failures due to defects in materials or workmanship, and DOES NOT COVER normal wear and tear or 
cosmetic damage, nor does it cover markings or retained images on the picture tube resulting from viewing fixed images (including, 
among other things, letterbox pictures on standard 4:3 screen TV’s, or non-expanded standard 4:3 pictures on wide screen TV’s, or 
onscreen data in a stationary and fixed location). The warranty ALSO DOES NOT COVER damages which occurred in shipment, or 
failures which are caused by products not supplied by the warrantor, or failures which result from accidents, misuse, abuse, neglect, 
mishandling, misapplication, alteration, faulty installation, set-up adjustments, misadjustment of consumer controls, improper 
maintenance, power line surge, lightning damage, modification, or commercial use (such as in a hotel, office, restaurant, or other 
business), rental use of the product, service by anyone other than a Factory Servicenter or other Authorized Servicer, or damage that is 
attributable to acts of God.
THERE ARE NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES EXCEPT AS LISTED UNDER “LIMITED WARRANTY COVERAGE”.  
THE WARRANTOR IS NOT LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM 
THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT, OR ARISING OUT OF ANYBREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. 
(As examples, this excludes damages for lost time, cost of having someone remove or re-install an installed unit if applicable, or travel 
to and from the servicer, loss of media or images, data or  other memory or recorded content. The items listed are not exclusive, but are 
for illustration only.)
ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, ARE 
LIMITED TO THE PERIOD OF THE LIMITED WARRANTY.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, or limitations on how long an implied 
warranty lasts, so the exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights 
which vary from state to state. If a problem with this product develops during or after the warranty period, you may contact your dealer 
or Servicenter. If the problem is not handled to your satisfaction, then write to the warrantor’s Consumer Affairs Department at the 
addresses listed for the warrantor.
PARTS AND SERVICE (INCLUDING COST OF AN IN-HOME SERVICE CALL, WHERE APPLICABLE) WHICH 
ARE NOT COVERED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.    
PANASONIC CONSUMER ELECTRONICS COMPANY, 
DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH 
AMERICA
One Panasonic Way Secaucus, New Jersey 07094PANASONIC PUERTO RICO, INC.
AVE. 65 de Infantería, Km. 9.5 San Gabriel Industrial Park,
Carolina, Puerto Rico 00985
Limited Warranty CoverageIf your product does not work properly because of a defect in materials or workmanship, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company or 
Panasonic Puerto Rico, Inc. (collectively referred to as “the warrantor”) will, for the length of the period indicated on the chart below, 
which starts with the date of original purchase (“warranty period”), at its option either (a) repair your product with new or refurbished 
parts, or (b) replace it with a new or a refurbished product. The decision to repair or replace will be made by the warrantor.   
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							168
Customer Services Directory
Obtain Product Information and Operating Assistance; locate your nearest Dealer or 
Servicenter; purchase Parts and Accessories; or make Customer Service and 
Literature requests by visiting our Web Site at: 
http://www.panasonic.com/consumersupport
or, contact us via the web at:
http://www.panasonic.com/contactinfo
You may also contact us directly at:
1-800-211-PANA (7262), 
Monday-Friday 9 am-9 pm; Saturday-Sunday 10 am-7 pm, EST. 
Accessory Purchases 
Service in Puerto Rico 
Customer Services Directory 
For hearing or speech impaired TTY users, TTY : 1-877-833-8855 
Purchase Parts, Accessories and Instruction Books online for all Panasonic 
Products by visiting our Web Site at: 
http://www.pasc.panasonic.com
or, send your request by E-mail to:
[email protected]
You may also contact us directly at: 
1-800-332-5368 (Phone)    1-800-237-9080 (Fax Only) (Monday – Friday 9 am to 8 pm, EST.)Panasonic Services Company 
20421 84th Avenue South, 
Kent, WA 98032
(We Accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, American Express, and Personal Checks)
PanasonicPuerto Rico, Inc. 
Ave. 65 de Infanteria, Km. 9.5, San Gabriel Industrial Park, 
Carolina, Puerto Rico00985
Phone (787)750-4300, Fax (787)768-2910
For hearing or speech impaired TTY users, TTY : 1-866-605-1277 
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							169
Warranty (For Canadian Customers)
Panasonic Canada Inc.5770 Ambler Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 2T3
PANASONIC PRODUCT – LIMITED WARRANTY
Panasonic Canada Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship and agrees to remedy any 
such defect for a period as stated below from the date of original purchase.
Camcorder Product – One (1) year, parts and labour
LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
This warranty does not apply to products purchased outside Canada or to any product which has been improperly installed, 
subjected to usage for which the product was not designed, misused or abused, damaged during shipping, or which has been 
altered or repaired in any way that affects the reliability or detracts from the performance, nor does it cover any product which is 
used commercially. Dry cell batteries are also excluded from coverage under this warranty.
This warranty is extended to the original end user purchaser only. A purchase receipt or other proof of date of original purchase 
is required before warranty service is performed.
THIS EXPRESS, LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT WILL PANASONIC CANADA INC. BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL 
DAMAGES.
In certain instances, some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, or the
exclusion of implied warranties, so the above limitations and exclusions may not be applicable.
WARRANTY SERVICE
For product operation and information assistance, please contact your Dealer or our Customer Care Centre at:
Telephone #: (905) 624-5505 Fax #: (905) 238-2360 Web: www.panasonic.ca
For product repairs, please contact one of the following:
Your Dealer who will inform you of an authorized Servicentre nearest you.
Our Customer Care Centre at (905) 624-5505 or www.panasonic.caA Panasonic Factory Servicentre listed below:
IF YOU SHIP THE PRODUCT TO A SERVICENTRE
Carefully pack and send prepaid, adequately insured and preferably in the original carton.
Include details of the defect claimed, and proof of date of original purchase.
Richmond, British ColumbiaPanasonic Canada Inc.
12111 Riverside Way
Richmond, BC   V6W 1K8
Tel:   (604) 278-4211
Fax:  (604) 278-5627Calgary, AlbertaPanasonic Canada Inc.
6835-8th St. N. E.
Calgary, AB   T2E 7H7
Tel:   (403) 295-3955
Fax:  (403) 274-5493
Mississauga, OntarioPanasonic Canada Inc.
5770 Ambler Dr.
Mississauga, ON   L4W 2T3
Tel:   (905) 624-8447
Fax:  (905) 238-2418Lachine, QuebecPanasonic Canada Inc.
3075, rue Louis A. Amos
Lachine, QC   H8T 1C4
Tel:    (514) 633-8684
Fax:   (514) 633-8020
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							Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company,  
Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America       Executive Office:
One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094  
(201) 348-7000 
Panasonic Company East: 6749 Baymeadow Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21060
Panasonic Company Central: 1707 North Randall Road, Elgin, IL 60123
Panasonic Company West: 6550 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630
Panasonic  Puerto Rico, Inc.
San Gabriel Industrial Park, Ave. 65 de Infanteria, Km. 9.5, Carolina, PR 00985
Panasonic Canada Inc.
5770 Ambler Drive, Mississauga, ON, L4W 2T3
P
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