Panasonic Vdr M53pp Operating Instructions Manual

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123
Viewing on TV Screen
Connecting to a TV 
Use the provided AV/S  input/output cable to connect the DVD Video Camera to a TV as follows:
* If your TV has an S-VIDEO input jack, you can connect the S-VIDEO plug into it.
Note:Using S-VIDEO will deliver clearer playback.Before connecting, make sure that the volume on TV is 
turned down: forgetting this may cause howling  (see 
“Terminology” on page 147) from the TV speakers.
Carefully connect the input and output cables to the 
corresponding connections on the device the DVD Video 
Camera is being used with.
To AV input/output jack
AV/S input/output cable 
(provided)
To video/
audio input 
jacksTo S-video 
input jack*
Ye l l o w
Red White
S-VIDEO VIDEOAUDIO
L RVIDEO AUDIO
L RVIDEO AUDIO
Stereo Type with 
S-VIDEO JackStereo Type
Monaural Type
RedWhiteRedYe l l o w White
WhiteYe l l o w
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Viewing on TV Screen 
1Turn on the TV and set the input selector to the 
Input connection the DVD Video Camera is 
connected to. This is often refered to as “line”.
Refer to the TV instruction manual for how to 
switch the TV input.
2Turn the DVD Video Camera on.
The image that the DVD Video Camera is 
viewing will appear on the TV screen.
You can also monitor the image on the LCD 
screen or viewfinder of the DVD Video Camera.
3Perform playback, recording or editing.
You can perform playback, recording or editing in 
Disc Navigation while viewing on TV screen.
Note:Adjust the sound volume on TV.The infrared remote controller is useful when operating 
the DVD Video Camera while viewing an image on TV 
screen.
Information that the DVD Video Camera is recording will 
appear on the TV screen: You can also display only part 
of information or switch off the display. Refer to “Setting 
OSD Output On or Off (On-Screen Display)” on page 90, 
and press the DISPLAY button to switch the display 
status.
When copy-guarded disc is played back, no image will 
appear on TV screen.
If you use TV with wide mode (aspect ratio 16:9) and set 
the TV to wide mode, the entire Disc Navigation display 
may not be displayed on the TV screen.  If this happens, 
turn off the wide mode setting on TV (see the TV 
instruction manual for turning off the wide mode).
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1
Playback on DVD Video Recorder/Player
You can use a DVD video recorder (see “Terminology” on page 147) or DVD player that conforms to 8 cm 
DVD-RAM to play back DVD-RAM discs recorded on this DVD Video Camera. Note, however, that such 
DVD-RAM discs are not compatible with all DVD video recorders and all DVD players.
1Insert the disc into the DVD video recorder/
player and play it back.
See the instruction manual for DVD video 
recorder/player.Note:Do not insert a DVD-R disc that has not been finalized into 
a DVD video recorder: the disc may be unusable.
When playing back disc on another device, the Disc 
Navigation display will be different from the one on this 
DVD Video Camera.
13
To Customers who Have a DVD Video Recorder with a 
hard disk
lThe following is possible using the hard disk of DVD video recorder:
1 Writing the images recorded on DVD-RAM disc 
in DVD Video Camera to hard disk of DVD video 
recorder.
2Dubbing the images recorded on hard disk to a 
DVD-RAM disc or brand-new DVD-R disc.
(See the Operating Instructions of DVD video 
recorder for details.)
„Note when recording to hard disk of DVD 
video recorder
Use video-only recorded discs.
Depending on the DVD video recorder you are 
using, a disc with only photos or a disc on which 
photos and videos are mixed may not be 
recordable to the hard disk.
No images recorded on a DVD-R disc on this 
Video Camera can be recorded to a hard disk.
If your DVD video recorder has a card slot, you 
can write the photos recorded on a card on this 
Video Camera to disc or hard disk, so it is 
recommended that you record photos on a card 
using this Video Camera.[Creating a Video-only disc] (Use procedure A or B)
A. Delete all photos on disc using the Video 
Camera (See page 102).
Be sure to use this DVD Video Camera to 
delete images: If you use the DVD video 
recorder to delete images, the images 
remaining on disc cannot be recorded to hard 
disk.
B. Use the Disc Navigation menu of DVD Video 
Camera to copy photos to card, and then delete 
those photos from the disc (See page 109).
You can also connect the DVD Video Camera and 
DVD video recorder via the provided AV/S input/
output cable to record images to hard disk. Note, 
however, that the image quality will be slightly 
inferior.
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2
Playback on DVD Player
1
Finalize a recorded DVD-R disc.
You need to finalize a disc to play it back on DVD 
player: See page 127.
No further data can be recorded on finalized 
disc.
Note:Use this DVD Video Camera to finalize the DVD-R disc 
recorded on the DVD Video Camera.
2Insert the disc into the DVD player and play it 
back.
See the instruction manual for DVD player.
Note:DVD-R discs recorded on this DVD Video Camera can be 
played back on Panasonic DVD players, but playback on 
all DVD players is not guaranteed.
Playback may not be possible on some DVD players, or 
it may depend on the recording status of DVD-R discs. In 
such cases, play back the DVD-R disc on this DVD Video 
Camera.
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123
Recording (Dubbing) Images
Recording (Dubbing) Images from Other Video Device 
You can record (dub) images from other video devices to disc or card in this DVD Video Camera.
Use the AV/S input/output cable (provided) to connect the DVD Video Camera to the other AV device as 
follows:
1Set the input source on 
the DVD Video Camera to 
“LINE (L IN)”.
Switch the input referring 
to “Input Source” on 
page 88.
Choose “S LINE” to input S-VIDEO signal (Only 
for VDR-M75PP
/VDR-M95PP).
2Turn on the connected device, and start 
playback.
The picture will appear on the LCD screen or 
viewfinder of this DVD Video Camera.
3Press the REC button.
Recording will start on this DVD Video Camera.
The operation of this line-input recording is the 
same as for recording movie.
Note:If you operate the DVD Video Camera connected to 
another device, always power the DVD Video Camera 
from household AC outlet using the AC adaptor.
With VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP, using S-VIDEO will 
enable you to record clearer images.
The VDR-M53PP/VDR-M55PP cannot record S-VIDEO 
input.
Reduce the volume of external input sound heard from 
the built-in speaker: The loud volume may cause noise to 
enter the recorded image.
The recorded contents can be played back in the same 
manner as when playing back camera images recorded 
on this DVD Video Camera.
Still images can also be recorded on DVD-RAM disc or 
card. See “Switching External Input Recording Method 
(PHOTO Input)” on page 88 for details, and “Recording 
Stills” on page 52 for how to record still images.
The “Input Source” setting will return to “CAMERA” 
whenever DVD Video Camera is turned off.
Recording of most images is prohibited by the copy-
guard signal to protect the copyright, except for images 
recorded on camcorders for personal enjoyment. “COPY 
PROTECTED” appears in these images: they cannot be 
recorded on this DVD Video Camera.
Typical copyright protected images include those of DVD 
video, LD, recorded video tapes, some parts of digital 
satellite broadcasts, etc.
If a video signal that cannot be read by this DVD Video 
Camera is present - even in images recorded on the DVD 
Video Camera for personal enjoyment without copy-
guard signal - the input image may not be recorded 
normally.
If the input signal is interrupted by switching the channel 
on TV or switching the signal using video selector (see 
“Terminology” on page 147), normal recording cannot be 
performed.
Before You BeginBefore connecting this DVD Video Camera to another device, be sure to 
turn both devices off.
Insert a recordable disc or card in this DVD Video Camera (see P. 28, 30).
To AV input/output jack
AV/S input/output cable 
(provided)To video/
audio output 
jacks
RedWhite
Signal flow
* If you are using VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP and the connected AV device has an S-
VIDEO output jack, you can connect the S-VIDEO jack of AV/S input/output cable.To S-video 
output jack*
Yellow
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINEL IN
8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005
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Recording (Dubbing) Images from Other Video Cameras
You can record (dub) images from other video cameras on a disc or card in DVD Video Camera. Use the 
AV/S input/output cable (provided) to connect the DVD Video Camera to the other video camera.
*1: The AV/S input/output cable provided with this DVD Video Camera can be directly connected to some video 
cameras.
*2: For relay adapters, JVC VZ-97 (a set of 3 adapters) and Audio-Technica ATL4C32M and PGF-517 (a set of 2 
adapters) are generally available.
*3: If the video camera to be connected has an S-VIDEO output jack, you can connect it to the DVD Video Camera 
(VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP only).
1Set the input source on 
the DVD Video Camera to 
“LINE (L IN)”.
Switch the input referring 
to “Input Source” on 
page 88.
Choose “S LINE” to input S-VIDEO signal (Only 
for VDR-M75PP
/VDR-M95PP).
2Turn on the connected device, and start 
playback.
The picture will appear on the LCD screen or 
viewfinder of this DVD Video Camera.
3Press the REC button.
Recording will start on this DVD Video Camera.
The operation of this line-input recording is the 
same as for recording movie.
Note:With VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP, using S-VIDEO will 
enable you to record clearer images.
Reduce the volume of external input sound heard from 
the built-in speaker: the loud volume may cause noise to 
enter the recorded image.
Still images can also be recorded on DVD-RAM disc or 
card. See “Switching External Input Recording Method 
(PHOTO Input)” on page 88 for details, and “Recording 
Stills” on page 52 for how to record still images.
To S-VIDEO output jack of 
video camera, etc.8mm video camera, VHS 
video camera, etc. 3 relay adapters
(generally available) 
*2
Signal flow
AV/S input/output cable (provided)*1
*3
8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005 0:00:00
3 0 MIN REMFINEL IN
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Recording (Dubbing) Images on Other Video Devices
You can record (dub) images played back on this DVD Video Camera, onto other video devices.
Use Disc Navigation to create a play list by selecting desired scenes from those recorded on this DVD Video 
Camera (P.116).
Use the AV/S input/output cable (provided) to connect the DVD Video Camera to another video device as 
shown in the following figure:
1Press the DISC NAVIGATION button.
2Press the MENU button.
3Choose “Play” on the “PlayList” menu screen, 
and then press the A button.
4Use the “Start PlayList” screen to select the play 
list to be recorded (dubbed), and then press the 
record button on the connected device. The DVD 
Video Camera will start playback and the 
recording device will record (dub) it.
Note:Using S-VIDEO will deliver clearer images.Audio is heard from the speaker. If the volume is too high, 
noise may enter the dubbed image.
Be sure to use the AC adaptor to power the DVD Video 
Camera from household AC outlet to prevent battery 
power from shutting off during recording on another video 
device.
Signal flow
To AV input/output 
jack
AV/S input/output 
cable (provided)To video/audio 
input jacks
Red
To S-VIDEO 
input jack of 
VCR, etc.*
* If the video device to be connected has an S-VIDEO input jack, you can connect it to the DVD Video Camera.
Yellow
White
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Advanced Techniques
This section explains various settings to further extend the usefulness of this DVD Video Camera.
Understanding Flow of Menus
Press the MENU button during recording pause. The “Camera Functions Setup” menu screen will appear.
Press f/e/d/c buttons to select a menu item, and then press the A button to choose the option.
The screens used here to explain menus are displayed when DVD-RAM disc is used. Some items will not 
appear when a DVD-R disc or card is used, or when no disc is inserted.

SportsPortraitSpotlightSurf&SnowLow Light
Auto
RAM
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom
Wind Cut EIS
ENTER RETURNCamera Functions SetupDisplay of selected 
setup item
Selection of setup items
S: Camera Functions 
Setup
T: Record Functions 
Setup
:Date Setup
V: LCD/EVF SetupW: Initial SetupSettable functionsShows disc or card 
being used (P. 55)Settable
Options Guide display
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lFlow of Menus
Refer to page indicated for details about each function. Movie functions are described below.
Camera Functions Setup
Program AE (P. 80)
White balance (P. 81)
EIS
*1 (P. 83)
Digital zoom (P. 57)
Wind Cut
*1 (P. 83)
Flash*2 *3 (P. 68)
Recording Functions Setup
Movie quality
*4 (P. 84)
Wide screen*5 (P. 86)
Input selection (P. 88)
External still input
*6 (P. 88)
Self-timer*2 (P. 89)
On-screen information 
display output 
*7 (P. 90)*1: Not displayed with stills
*2: Displayed only with stills
*3: If a separately sold Flash is connected, it is given 
priority. (Only VDR-M95PP.) 
*4: “Quality” mode will appear when using card (P. 85)
*5: Not displayed on VDR-M53PP/VDR-M55PP. 
*6: Displayed when DVD-RAM disc (PHOTO mode) or 
card is used, and input selection is set to external 
signal or S external signal.
*7: Displayed only when input source is set to 
“CAMERA”
Date Setup
Date setting (P. 40)
Display format (P. 41)
LCD/EVF Setup
Adjust (P. 91)
EVF Display (P. 92)
Initial Setup
Beep (P. 93)
Power Save (P. 93)
Recording LED (P. 94)
Language selection (P. 94)
Reset (P. 95)
You can use the control buttons on DVD Video Camera to select various setting options in menu.
Note:Pressing the MENU button during recording will not work.The menu screen will disappear when it is left for approx. 
1 minute without any operation.
Camera Functions Setup
On Auto
RAM
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom EIS
ENTER RETURN40x Auto
Wind CutOff :
:
: :
:
Record Functions Setup
RAM
Wide : 4:3 VIDEO Mode  :  FINE
Input Source  :  CAMERA
OSD Output  :  On  
ENTER RETURN
Date Setup
RAM
Date Set
Date Mode:M/D/Y
ENTER RETURN
LCD/EVF Setup
RAM
EVF Display : Auto Adjust
ENTER RETURN
Initial Setup
RAMReset Language : English
ENTER RETURNBeep : On
Power Save  :  Off
Record LED  :  On
Camera Functions Setup
On Auto
RAM
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom EIS
ENTER RETURN40x Auto
Wind CutOff :
:
: :
:
Record Functions Setup
RAM
Wide : 4:3 VIDEO Mode  :  FINE
Input Source  :  CAMERA
OSD Output  :  On  
ENTER RETURN
SportsPortraitSpotlightSurf&SnowLow Light
Auto
RAM
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom
Wind Cut EIS
ENTER RETURNCamera Functions Setup
or or 
Press the A button directly to choose an option from menu.
To return to the previous screen, press the C button.
Pressing the MENU button again will cause the menu screen to 
disappear.
Press the MENU button.
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Setting Up Camera Functions
Selecting Shooting Mode to Match the Subject (Switching Program AE Mode)
This DVD Video Camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture according to the subject 
brightness for optimum recording: You can also specify one of six modes depending on subject conditions, 
recording environment or purpose of filming.
1Press the MENU button, use the control buttons 
to choose “Program AE” on the “Camera 
Functions Setup” screen, and then press the 
A button.
The options will appear to the right of “Program 
AE”.
2Use the control buttons 
to choose the desired 
option, and then press 
the A button: The 
selected option will be 
set.
3Press the MENU button to end setting.
The menu screen will disappear.
Note:You can check the selected AE mode on the on-screen 
information display. However, nothing will appear in Auto 
mode.
The shooting mode set as above will be stored in memory 
even if the DVD Video Camera is turned off.
a Auto : The DVD Video Camera automatically 
judges the subject and surrounding environment for 
optimum recording.
 Sports : Reduces blurring when recording 
rapidly moving subjects such as in golf or tennis.
If the Sports mode is used under a fluorescent light, 
the image may flicker. In this case, use the Auto 
mode for recording.
 Por trait : Creates a shallow depth of field so that 
the person or subject appears against a softened 
background.
 Spotlight : Prevents overexposure of subject 
portrait face, etc. when strong light strikes the 
subject, as in a wedding or on stage.
 Surf & Snow : Prevents underexposure of 
subject portrait face, etc. in a place where reflection 
of light is intense, such as at the seaside in 
midsummer or on a ski slope.
 Low Light : Allows user to record in a dark place 
even with decreased lighting. However, an after-
image will appear with a moving subject.
Recording can be done using the light from the LCD. 
(P.70)
If there is difficulty in automatically focusing subject 
image, adjust the focus manually.
Before You BeginSee page 79 for how to set.
No menu screen appears with external input.
Press f/e/d/c 
to select, and then press 
A to activate.
Camera Functions Setup
SportsPortraitSpotlightSurf&SnowLow Light
Auto
RAM
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom
Wind Cut EIS
ENTER RETURN
0:00:00
3 0 MIN REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005
Selected AE mode
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