Panasonic Vdr M53pp Operating Instructions Manual

							81
Adjusting Color (White Balance)
This DVD Video Camera automatically adjusts the 
color of subject. Change the white balance setting 
depending on the recording conditions.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “White Bal.” on 
the “Camera Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Choose the desired 
option, and then press the 
A button.
3Press the MENU button to end the setting.
Note:The white balance mode can be confirmed using the on-
screen information.
In Set mode, resetting will be necessary when the DVD 
Video Camera is turned off. (All other modes of white 
balance will be stored in memory.)
If “Input Source: LINE” or “S LINE” has been specified, 
you cannot use the “Set” mode of white balance (P. 88).
lSetting white balance manually
1Point the DVD Video 
Camera at a white 
object so that it fills 
the screen. Use an 
object that is not 
transparent.
If the object that fills 
the screen is not 
focused, correct the 
focus using “Manual 
Focus”, P. 64.
2Press the MENU 
button, choose “White 
Bal.”, “Set”, and then 
press the A button.
3Hold A pressed until 
the “h“ indicator 
changes from blinking to a 
steady light. When the 
“h“ indicator lights, the 
white balance setting will 
be complete.
4Press the g button to end 
the setting.
Note:It is recommended that you specify “Dig. Zoom: Off ” (See 
page 57) before setting white balance.
Do not use a colored object when setting white balance: 
The appropriate tint cannot be set.
Setting the white balance might take a while in some 
cases, depending on the shooting environment. In this 
case, set white balance in a bright environment using an 
object as white as possible.
The white balance cannot be set when the digital zoom is 
engaged or under low light: The “h” indicator will blink 
at this time.
If the white balance that was manually set before is kept, 
the “h” indicator will blink.
ModeSetting contentsOn-screen 
display
Auto White balance always 
automatically adjustedNone
Set You can manually adjust 
white balance to match 
the light source or 
situation
h
Outdoor To record in fine weatheri
Indoor To record under 
incandescent light, 
halogen light or bulb-
color type fluorescent 
light
j
Camera Functions Setup
SetOutdoorIndoor
RAM
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom
Wind Cut EIS
ENTER RETURNAuto
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005
White balance mode
White thick paper
Camera Functions Setup
SetOutdoor
RAM
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom EIS
ENTER RETURNAuto
Indoor
Wind Cut
RAMSet EXIT
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 81  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							82
Note:Do not block the infrared sensor (see “Terminology” on 
page 147) with hand, etc.
Be sure to remove the lens cap before turning the DVD 
Video Camera on. If the DVD Video Camera is turned on 
with the lens capped, the white balance will not work 
normally.
Infrared sensor block
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 82  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							83
Using the Electronic Image Stabilizer (EIS)
 When you use zoom to record a magnified subject image, it will correct fuzziness in the recorded image.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “EIS” on the 
“Camera Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Choose “On” or “Off ”, and then press the A 
button.
3Press the MENU button to end setting.
lChecking whether EIS is On or Off
You can check whether EIS is On or Off by the on-
screen information display.After recording with EIS set to “Off ”, it is 
recommended that you return the setting to “On” 
and then turn the DVD Video Camera off, unless 
you normally record with EIS “Off ” setting.
Note:The EIS setting will be stored in memory even when the 
DVD Video Camera is turned off.
It is recommended that you specify “EIS : Off ” when using 
the DVD Video Camera on a desk or tripod.
When “EIS : On” is specified, there will be a slight 
difference between the actual movement and the 
movement on screen.
Gross camera shake may not be entirely corrected even 
if “EIS : On” is specified. Firmly hold the DVD Video 
Camera with both hands.
When you record pictures with 10x or more magnification 
and the EIS is “On” in dim places, after-images may stand 
out. In this case, we recommend using a tripod and 
turning the EIS to “Off ” (only for VDR-M53PP/VDR-
M55PP).
The EIS function cannot be used when still images are 
recorded (only for VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP).
The EIS function will work only during movie recording.  
(only for VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP).
Reducing Wind Noise during Recording (Wind Cut)
When recording sound from the microphone built into this DVD Video Camera, you can reduce wind noise 
in recording.
If “Wind Cut: ON” is specified, the low-frequency components in the sound picked up by the microphone 
will be cut off during recording: This makes it easier to hear the target voice or sound during playback.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “Wind Cut” on the 
“Camera Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Choose the desired option, and then press the 
A button.
3Press the MENU button to 
end setting.
Note:You can also use the on-screen display to confirm that  
Wind Cut has been set.
The Wind Cut setting will be stored in memory even when 
the DVD Video Camera is turned off.
The Wind Cut function will work only during movie 
recording.
The Wind Cut function works only with the built-in 
microphone. It will not function when using an external 
microphone (P. 70).
Camera Functions Setup
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom EIS
Off
On
ENTER RETURN
RAM
Wind Cut
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 30 2005
EIS
Camera Functions Setup
RAM
Program AE
White Bal.
Dig.Zoom
Wind Cut EIS
ENTER RETURN
Off On
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005
Wind cut icon
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 83  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							84
Setting Up Record Functions
12
Switching Movie Quality (VIDEO Mode)
Choose the movie quality from “XTRA”, “FINE” and “STD”.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “VIDEO Mode” on 
the “Record Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Choose the desired quality mode, and then 
press the A button.
3Press the MENU button to end the setting.
Note:The movie quality setting will be stored in memory even 
when the DVD Video Camera is turned off.
When using DVD-R disc, you cannot switch the movie 
quality while recording on the disc: The DVD Video 
Camera will be automatically set to the movie quality first 
used with the disc for recording.
The movie quality setting is effective only during movie 
recording: The setting will not be displayed during 
recording of stills.
Block-like noise may appear in recorded image, or the outline of subject image is distorted under the 
recording conditions listed below. Pan the DVD Video Camera as slowly as possible. (Block noise is likely 
to appear in “STD” mode):
If there is a complicated pattern in the background (as in figure on botton left)
If the DVD Video Camera is moved excessively or quickly
If subject is moving rapidly even when the DVD Video Camera is not moving
It is recommended that you record critical subjects in “XTRA” or “FINE”.
Record Functions Setup
FINESTD
RAM
XTRAVIDEO Mode
OSD OutputWide
Input Source
ENTER RETURN
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005Movie quality
(Image when block-like noise occurs) (Image without block-like noise)
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 84  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							85
3
Switching Quality of Still Image (Quality) 
You can switch the still recording quality only when using card.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “Quality” on the 
“Record Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Choose the option you want, and then press the 
A button.
3Press the MENU button 
to end setting.
Note:The still quality setting will be stored in memory even 
when the DVD Video Camera is turned off.
“PHOTO Input” is displayed only when “Input Source” is 
set to “LINE” or “S LINE” (VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP 
only).
“OSD Output” is displayed only when “Input Source” is set 
to “CAMERA”.
It is recommended that you use “FINE” when recording vital images.
Record Functions Setup
NORMECO
FINEQuality
Self Timer
OSD OutputInput Source
ENTER RETURN999 REM
NORM8:00AM
SEP 30 2005
Still recording quality
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 85  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							86
1
Setting to Wide TV Screen Mode (Wide) (Only for VDR-M75PP / VDR-M95PP)
You can record video in Wide TV Screen Mode (16:9 aspect ratio) for display on wide-screen TVs.
1 Press the MENU button, choose “Wide” on the 
“Record Functions Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A button.2Choose “16:9”, and then press the A button.
3Press the MENU button to end setting.
When viewing playback on an ordinary TV screen later, specify “Wide 4:3”. Recording with “Wide 16:9” 
specified will be played back on an ordinary TV with vertical elongation of image.
.
An image recorded with “Wide 16:9” specified will appear as follows :
“Wide 4:3” specified 
(aspect ratio 4:3)“Wide 16:9” specified 
(aspect ratio 16:9)
Record Functions Setup
4:3
RAM
VIDEO Mode
OSD Output Wide
Input Source
ENTER RETURN
Record Functions Setup
16:94:3
RAM
VIDEO Mode
OSD Output Wide
Input Source
ENTER RETURN
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005
Wide 16:9 icon
Display on LCD monitor screenDisplay in viewfinder (expanded vertically)
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 86  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							87
Note:The Wide setting will be kept even after the DVD Video Camera is turned off.The VDR-M53PP/VDR-M55PP does not have the Wide setting.Writing wide mode movies recorded to a DVD-RAM disc using [STD], to a DVD-R disc using the PC program software 
provided (DVDfunSTUDIO):
Depending upon the [Video settings] setting of DVDfunSTUDIO, when you play back the contents of a recorded DVD-
R disc, black bands may appear at top and bottom and also left and right of the screen when using a wide screen 
television, or at top and bottom of the screen when using a television other than a wide screen type.
The Wide 16:9 setting is not compatible with still recording, recording of external input, S-video external input, or STD 
recording using DVD-R discs.
Video recorded with Wide TV Screen Mode set to “Wide 16:9” cannot be changed back to 4:3 aspect ratio.The characters of dates and titles will be longer in the vertical direction on a wide-screen TV and on the LCD monitor 
of DVD Video Camera.
Even if you set the Wide setting at “16:9”, screen image will appear at 4:3 when you press the MENU button and display 
the menu screen.
When “Wide 16:9” is specified, black bands will appear across the top and bottom of screen.When you view the image recorded with “16:9” specified on the television or PC monitor with black bands at the top and 
bottom of the picture, flicker may occur between the black bands and the picture.
The “Wide 16:9” setting is not compatible with ID-1/ID-2*.Connecting the DVD Video Camera to the S1 input jack of TV will automatically switch the TV to Wide setting: See TV 
instruction manual for details.
* This system records the aspect ratio (16:9, 4:3) information in void space between video signals.
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 87  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							88
123
Receiving Image from Another Device (Input Source)
If you wish to input an image from another device to this DVD Video Camera, you must first switch the setting 
on the DVD Video Camera. Refer to the explanation starting from page 75 on how to connect the DVD Video 
Camera to other devices or record images input from them.
* Displayed on VDR-M75PP
/VDR-M95PP only.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “Input Source” on 
the “Record Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Choose “LINE” or “S LINE”, and then press the 
A button.
3Press the MENU button 
to end setting.
Note:The “Input Source” setting will 
return to “CAMERA” whenever 
the DVD Video Camera is 
turned off.
If you pull or push the card in  
“ ” mode, “Input Source” setting will return to 
“CAMERA”.
“PHOTO Input” is displayed only when “Input Source” is 
set to “LINE” or “S LINE” (VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP 
only).
“OSD Output” is displayed only when “Input Source” is set 
to “CAMERA”.
13
Switching External Input Recording Method (PHOTO Input)
When “Input Source: LINE or S LINE” is specified, you can record stills of externally input images on either 
a DVD-RAM disc or a card.  The DVD Video Camera can record an external image with little movement 
by specifying “Frame”, but “Field” is recommended for recording an image with movement.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “PHOTO Input” 
on the “Record Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Select the desired option and then press the A 
button.
3Press the MENU 
button to end setting.
SettingContentsOn-screen display
CAMERA
This option usually selected. No display
LINETo input image from another device. L IN
SLINE*To input S-VIDEO signal from another device. S IN
Record Functions Setup
CAMERA
LINE
RAMS LINE
VIDEO ModeWide
OSD OutputInput Source
ENTER RETURN3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINEL IN
8:00AM
SEP 3 0  2005
External input icon
Recording 
formatDetails of settingOn-screen display
Frame
Does not suit recording of frequently moving video subjects, despite high 
image quality. Frame suits recording of less moving video.
FieldSuitable for recording of frequently moving video subjects.
Record Functions Setup
Field Frame
RAM
PHOTO Input
Self TimerInput Source
ENTER RETURN
999 REML IN
8:00AM
SEP 30 2005
Still external input mode
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 88  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							89
Note:The PHOTO Input setting can be confirmed using the on-
screen information.
The PHOTO Input setting will be stored in memory even 
when the DVD Video Camera is turned off.
Refer to “Recording (Dubbing) Images” on page 75 to 
see how to connect the DVD Video Camera to another 
device.
“PHOTO Input” is displayed only when “Input Source” is 
set to “LINE” or “S LINE” (VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP 
only).
“OSD Output” is displayed only when “Input Source” is set 
to “CAMERA”.
13Self Timer
You can record photos using the self timer function, as with ordinary cameras.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “Self Timer” on 
the “Record Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Select “On”, and then press the A button.
The self timer will be set.
3Press the MENU button to end the setting.
4Press the Photo shot button.
The recording indicator at the front of DVD Video 
Camera will blink.
The Self timer indicator will start to count down, 
and recording will commence approximately 10 
seconds later.
Note:You can also check that self timer has been set by 
reviewing the on-screen information.
To release the self timer mode, choose “Off ” on the menu 
screen or turn DVD Video Camera off.
To suspend self timer, press the Photo shot button again 
before recording starts, or press the g button.
“PHOTO Input” is displayed only when “Input Source” is 
set to “LINE” or “S LINE” (VDR-M75PP/VDR-M95PP 
only).
“OSD Output” is displayed only when “Input Source” is set 
to “CAMERA”.
The self timer function is valid only when recording photos (stills).
Self Timer Record Functions SetupOn
Off
RAM
OSD OutputInput Source
ENTER RETURN
10999 REM
8:00AM
SEP 30 2005
Self timer recording
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 89  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM 
						

							90
123
Setting OSD Output On or Off (On-Screen Display)
If you connect this DVD Video Camera to a TV to view images on TV screen, you can switch off the on-
screen information (displayed in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen) from the TV screen.
1Press the MENU button, 
choose “OSD output” on 
the “Record Functions 
Setup” menu screen, and 
then press the A 
button.
2Choose “On” or “Off ”, and press the A button.
3Press the MENU button to end setting.
Note:The “OSD Output” setting will return to “On” whenever 
the DVD Video Camera is turned off.
Even if “Off ” is chosen, the on-screen information will 
appear during playback. See page 63 for playback on-
screen information display.
Even after the on-screen information is removed from the 
TV screen, it will still appear in the viewfinder or on the 
LCD screen.
The on-screen display output functions only when the 
“Input Source” setting is set to “CAMERA”. It cannot be 
set during “LINE” or “S LINE” (VDR-M75PP/VDR-
M95PP only).
“OSD Output” is displayed only when “Input Source” is set 
to “CAMERA”.
Record Functions Setup
OnOffRAM
VIDEO ModeWide
Input Source
ENTER RETURN
OSD Output
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 30 2005
LCD screen or viewfinder
“On” setting“Off ” setting
TV screen TV screen
3 0 MIN 0:00:00
REM
FINE8:00AM
SEP 30 2005
VDR-M95M75M55M53PP.book  Page 90  Tuesday, March 29, 2005  2:19 PM