Hitachi VM-E543LE User manual

HITACHI
V28528
8mm VIDEO CAMERA/RECORDER
VM-E543LE (UK)
Instruction manual
To obtain the best performance and ensure years of
trouble-free use, please read this instruction manual
completely.
8

PRECAUTION
■ No water, dust or sand
Be careful that no water, dust or sand enters
the camera/recorder because it may cause
trouble and accidents.
■ When you shoot at a scene which contains an
extremely bright object such as the sun or a
light source, a bright vertical bar may appear
in the picture.
Your camera/recorder is functioning properly,
but the solid-state pickup device (C.C.D)
usually causes this as an inherent character¬
istic. Try to avoid shooting an excessive bright
object directly.
■ Do not leave the viewfinder lens and the liquid
crystal facing sunlight for a prolonged period,
or the phosphorescent surface of the cathode
ray tube and the LCD panel may be damaged.
The liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is
made by highly precise technology. More
than 99.99% of its picture elements (pixels)
are effective, but some (less than 0.01%)
may appear as coloured bright dots. This
does not indicate a fault as the LCD panel
stretches the limits of current technology.
MOISTURE
Avoid operating your camera/recorder
immediately after moving it from a cold
place to a warm, humid place. Give the
camera/recorder 2 to 3 hours to stabilize in
the ambient conditions of the surroundings
before inserting a cassette. When moved
from a cold place to a warm, humid place,
moisture may condense on the head drum
inside the machine. This moisture could
cause the tape to stick to the headwheel
and damage the headwheel or tape.
When a small amount of moisture is
sensed, "TAPE" flashes in the viewfinder or
LCD monitor. Remove the cassette and set
the CAM/OFFA/IDEO switch to OFF, then
wait for about one hour.
NOTES:
• This unit uses 8mm video format cas¬
settes.
• It records and plays back in the SP mode
(20.05 mm/sec.).
WARNING: To prevent risk of injury or
damage to your camera/recorder and the
AC adaptor/charger, use only the specified
batteries and AC adaptor/charger.
Batteries; VM-BPL13, VM-BPL27 and VM-
BPL30. (The VM-BPL13 is sup¬
plied with this camera/recorder.)
AC adaptor/charger; VM-ACE4E (UK)
BE SURE NOT TO LEAVE IT IN A PLACE AT
HIGH TEMPERATURE EXCEEDING 60°C,
OR ITS INTERNAL PARTS MAY DETERIO¬
RATE. BE CAREFUL NOT TO LEAVE THE
UNIT IN THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
* Inside a car with the window closed and
in direct sunshine.
* Near heating appliances.
* in direct sunshine in summer.
WARNING: It is permissible to record tele¬
vision programmes only in the event that
third party copyrights and other rights are
not violated.
Important for United Kingdom
The mains lead on this equipment is sup¬
plied with a moulded plug incorporating a
fuse, the value of which is indicated on the
pin face of the plug. Should the fuse need
to be replaced, an ASTA or BSI approved
BS 1362 fuse must be used of the same rat¬
ing. If the fuse cover is detachable never
use the plug with the cover omitted. If a
replacement fuse cover is required, ensure
it is of the same colour as that visible on the
pin face of the plug. Fuse covers are
available from your dealer.
DO NOT cut off the mains plug from this
equipment. If the plug fitted is not suitable
for the power points in your home or the
cable is too short to reach a power point,
then obtain an appropriate safety approved
extension lead or consult your dealer.
If there is no alternative to cutting off the
mains plug, ensure that you dispose of it
immediately, having first removed the fuse,
to avoid a possible shock hazard by
inadvertent connection to the mains sup¬
ply.
IMPORTANT
The wires in the mains lead are colored in
accordance with the following code:
Blue = Neutral, Brown = Live
As these colours may not correspond with
the colored markings identifying the termi¬
nals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire coloured BLUE must be connected
to the terminal marked with the letter N or
coloured BLUE or BLACK. The wire
coloured BROWN must be connected to the
terminal marked with the letter L or
coloured BROWN or RED.
On no account connect either of these wires
to the terminal marked E or by the earth
symbol ^ or coloured green or green and
yellow.
1

FEATURES
Single-Unit Convenience and Ease of Operation
Your video camera/recorder combines the func¬
tions of a video camera and a video tape recorder
in one lightweight, easy-to-use instrument. This
eliminates interconnecting cables and simplifies
operation.
Record and Playback Capability
Record — Your camera/recorder can record
directly from the built-in video camera.
Playback — Video/audio played back by the video
recorder or fed directly from the camera may be
viewed and heard on a TV receiver/monitor by
using the audio/video output cable.
2.5-inch Colour Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Monitor
Digital Zoom up to x200
Digital zoom magnifies the image up to 32 times
in normal use, 130 times when the zoom mode is
switched, and 200 times when instant zoom is
used at the same time.
Digital Effect
The digital processor in this camera/recorder
allows you to record picture and add special
effects. You can select five modes — 16x9
mode, negative/positive mode, x200 digital
zoom mode, half-mirror mode and mosaic mode.
Programme AE (Auto Exposure)
The camera automatically determines the shutter
speed and aperture according to the brightness
of the subject.
Auto Focus Power Zoom Lens
The 16X autofocus zoom lens uses video auto
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Controls and functions.3
Accessories.6
Adjusting the hand strap.7
Electronic viewfinder position adjustment.7
Eyepiece adjustment .7
How to install the shoulder strap.8
Lens door opener.8
Programme AE .8
Flying erase head .8
LCD monitor .9
Loading batteries for clock and remote
control.10
Power sources.11
Checking the battery pack .12
Charging the battery.13
Insertion and removal of cassettes.14
Camera recording.15
Instant review.16
Playback.16
F-search and R-search .17
Still.17
Changing the angle of the LCD monitor
when recording.18
Active screen.18
Date/time setting.19
Date recording.20
Auto focus.21
focus system to automatically maintain focus and
to allow you to zoom in and out for tele or wide
angle shots at just the touch of the zoom button.
Wireless Remote Control is Provided
Fade-in/Fade-out
Use this function to make the picture appear and
disappear gradually. You can select four fade
modes — fading-in from a white picture (white
fading), fading-in from a black picture (wipe
fading), fading-in while zooming (zoom fading)
and fading-in a black-and-white picture (black-
and-white fading).
Automatic Title Recording
This function automatically records the created
title on the tape together with the date for about
10 seconds after recording is started.
Date Search
The date search function memorizes the start and
end positions of recordings you made on a
specific day so you can easily locate those pos¬
itions later as long as the cassette is left in the
camera/recorder.
With this camera/recorder you can view the
picture being recorded or the playback pic¬
ture whether on the LCD monitor or in the
viewfinder. Opening or closing the LCD
monitor switches the picture to appear on
the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder. The
following text describes the operation
assuming that the viewfinder is used as a
major monitor device.
Power zoom.22
Digital zoom .23
Instant zoom.24
Macro.24
Digital effects recording.25
Fade-in/fade-out.27
Quick edit.28
Linear time counter.29
Remaining tape.29
Display button .30
Date search.30
Memory.31
Wireless remote control.31
Title recording .32
Attaching the tele or wide converter.33
Audio/video dubbing.34
Connections and operations for viewing
the picture played back on your TV .35
Video channel setting.36
Camera/recorder to VCR dubbing .37
Simple programmable edit.38
Troubleshooting.41
Cleaning the inside of the electronic
viewfinder.42
Maintenance.42
Specifications .43
Optional accessories.44

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS
1. Lens Door
Slide the lens door opener to open and close the
lens door. To protect the lens, keep the lens door
closed when not recording.
2. Lens
FI.4 (4 ~ 64 mm) 16x power zoom lens features
with auto focus and auto iris functions.
3. Lens Door Opener
Slide the opener to open and close the lens door.
Align with OPEN to open the lens door for record¬
ing. Align with CLOSE to close it.
Hold down the small button in the opener as you
slide it to CLOSE. However, you need not to hold it
down to slide the opener to OPEN.
4. Electronic Viewfinder
5. Diopter Control
To use the electronic viewfinder, turn this control
for your optimum focus adjustment.
6. Microphone
Sensitive to sounds coming from the direction in
which the camera is pointed.
7. Record Indicator
This indicator lights up to indicate that the camera/
recorder is recording.
8. Infrared Ray Receiving Section
Receives infrared rays from the remote control unit.
9. Speaker
You can listen to the recorded sound.
10. OPEN Button
Push this button to open the LCD monitor.
11. Bright Control
Use this to adjust the brightness of the LCD moni¬
tor screen.
12. Volume Control
Use this to adjust the volume when viewing a
played back picture on the LCD monitor.
13. LCD Monitor
You can view the pictures as they are being
recorded and play them back immediately after
recording on the 2.5-inch LCD screen.
14. Cassette Holder
Slide the EJECT switch to open the cassette holder.
Be aware of the cassette direction when inserting.
NOTE: Power source must be connected to open
the cassette holder.
15. Cassette Holder Close Button
CAUTION: Be sure to press this button to close the
cassette holder. Otherwise, the tape may become
slack and may be damaged.
16. INST. ZOOM (Instant Zoom) Button
Use this button to magnify the image being
recorded 1.5 times momentarily.
17. D.EFFECT Button
Use this button to add special effects to your
recording. You can select five modes — 16X9
mode, negative/positive mode, X200 digital zoom
mode, half-mirror mode and mosaic mode.
18. FADE Button
During recording you can add a professional touch
to your recordings by fading in and out of the
scenes. You can select the four fade modes — the
white fade, wipe fade, zoom fade and black-and-
white fade.
19. DATE/DISP. Button
When the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch is set to CAM,
this button can be used as the DATE button; set the
date and time, and select the date display you want
to record. In the VIDEO mode, the DATE/DISP. but¬
ton is used as the DISPLAY button.
NOTE: Be sure to insertthe clock battery before set¬
ting the date and time or creating a title.
20. FOCUS Control Buttons
Press these buttons simultaneously to switch
between automatic and manual focusing.
When "FOCUS" is not displayed in the viewfinder
or LCD monitor, focusing is automatic.
If these buttons are pressed at the same time
and "FOCUS" appears, the camera/recorder enters
the manual focus mode. For manual focusing,
press the A or ▼ button to bring the subject into
focus.
3

25 26 27
171819 20 21 22 23 24
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
21. DC IN Jack
When using the AC adaptor/charger, connect one
end of the DC cord (provided) to this jack and the
other end to the DC OUT jack of the AC
adaptor/charger. When using the car battery cord
(optional), connect this jack and the DC OUTPUT
jack of the car battery cord.
22. AUDIO/VIDEO Output Jacks (Behind the
cover)
You can use the audio/video cable (provided) to
connect this jack to a TV when viewing the playback
picture on the TV, etc.
• Connect the yellow plug of the audio/video cable
to the yellow jack (VIDEO OUT) and the white plug
to the white jack (AUDIO OUT).
23. Power Supply Attachment Section
Attach the battery pack (provided) here.
24. Shoulder Strap Slots
Attach the shoulder strap here.
25. BATTERY EJECT Lever
Releases the battery attached to camera/recorder.
26. EJECT Switch
Operates with the CAM/OFFA/IDEO switch either on
or off, if a power source is connected to the camera/
recorder.
27. Power Zoom Control
This control performs zooming electrically.
"W": Picture becomes wider gradually.
"T": Picture becomes telescopic gradually.
28. PLAY Button
Used for playback of tape.
NOTE: When the camera/recorder is in record/
pause (stand-by) mode, pressing and holding this
button will play the tape at normal.
29. STOP Button
The STOP button is used to stop playback, rewind,
and fast forward operations. The STOP button has
no effect during record operation. Also use STOP
button when setting the date/time.
30. Audio/Video Output Jack (Behind the cover)
Use the RF output adaptor (optional) to connect this
jack to a TV to view the pictures played back by the
camera/recorder.
31. REW/REVIEW Button
Press this button during stop or fast forward mode,
and fast-rewinding starts. Press the button during
playback of tape, and the tape is played back in the
rewind direction approximately 5 times faster than
the normal speed to confirm the recorded contents.
Press PLAY button to return to normal playback
mode or press STOP button to stop tape movement
("F-SEARCH AND R-SEARCH", page 17). Also use
this button to review the last few seconds of the
tape you are recording. Use REW/REVIEW button
when setting the date/time.
NOTE: You can also visually scan backward when
the camera/recorder is in record/pause (stand-by)
mode by pressing and holding this button.
32. F.FWD Button
Press this button during stop or rewind mode, and
fast-forwarding starts. Press the button during
playback of tape, and the tape is played back in the
forward direction approximately 7 times faster than
the normal speed to confirm the recorded content.
Press PLAY button to return to normal playback
mode or press STOP button to stop tape movement
("F-SEARCH AND R-SEARCH", page 17). Also use
F.FWD button when setting the date/time.
NOTE: You can also visually scan forward when the
camera/recorder is in record/pause (stand-by) mode
by pressing and holding this button.
33. Start/Stop Button
This button is used to control the camera/recorder.
When this button is pressed with the camera/
recorder set to the record/pause mode, the tape
runs to start recording.
When this button is pressed again, the tape stops
and the camera/recorder enters the record/pause
(stand-by) mode. This button may also be used to
display a still picture during playback mode.
4

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS
41
42
34. CAM/OFF/VIDEO Switch
This switch turns the camera/recorder on and off.
Set the switch to CAM for camera recording, and to
VIDEO for playback. Hold down the small red but¬
ton as you slide the switch to CAM or VIDEO. You
do not need to hold down the red button to slide the
switch to OFF.
35. Hand Strap
Adjust to best fit to your hand. (Refer to page 7.)
36. Clock Battery Compartment
Pull the battery holder and install the lithium battery
(provided).
37. Tripod Mount Screw
Use this screw to mount the camera/recorder on a
tripod (generally available).
38. Camera/Recorder Control Buttons
These shaded buttons on the remote control func¬
tion the same as those on the camera/recorder.
39. TITLE ON/OFF Button (only on the remote
control)
Use this button to store a title in memory or recall
the stored title and record it superimposed on the
picture being shot.
40. A/V DUB Button (only on the remote control)
This button is used to record new audio and video
in place of existing audio and video.
41. DISPLAY Button
Use this button to select the display in the
viewfinder or LCD monitor.
42. COUNTER RESET Button (only on the remote
control)
Press this button to reset the linear time counter in
the viewfinder or LCD monitor to "0:00:00".
5

ACCESSORIES
Check to make sure you have the following com¬
ponents and accessories (besides the camera/
recorder unit itself) before disposing of the pack¬
ing material.
1. Audio/video Output Cable
2. Battery Pack
3. AC Adaptor/Charger
4. AV Plug Adaptor
5. Shoulder Strap
6. DC Cord
7. Battery for Date/Time (CR2025)
8. Remote Control
9. Batteries for Remote Control
@
WARNING: Keep this
battery ( away, from
children. If swallowed,
consult a physician
immediately for
emergency treatment.

ADJUSTING THE HAND STRAP
Adjust the length of the hand strap so you can
press the Start/Stop button and power zoom con¬
trol easily with your fingers.
NOTE: After adjustment, close the hand strap's
pad securely.
ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER POSITION ADJUSTMENT
Adjust the electronic viewfinder to a position
where you can see through it easily.
NOTES:
• Put the viewfinder back to original position
when storing the camera/recorder into the car¬
rying case or carrying the camera/recorder.
• Do not point the electronic viewfinder to direct
sunlight; it could damage the viewfinder.
EYEPIECE ADJUSTMENT
To use the electronic viewfinder, grasp the knobs
on both sides of the eye cup stem and pull the
eye cup all the way out, then turn the diopter con¬
trol for optimum focus adjustment.
Since the eye cup has already been pulled out at
the factory, in present condition, only adjustment
of the diopter control is necessary.
NOTES:
• The eye cup stem can be retracted when the
camera/recorder is being carried.
• Be sure to pull out the eye cup all the way so
that you can see the subject in the viewfinder
clearly.
7

HOW TO INSTALL THE SHOULDER STRAP
Attach the shoulder strap as illustrated below.
NOTE: When carrying the camera/recorder with the shoulder strap, put the electronic viewfinder down
to its original position so that direct sunlight does not enter the viewfinder.
LENS DOOR OPENER
Slide the opener to open and close the lens door.
Align the mark with OPEN to open the lens
door for recording. Align with CLOSE to close it.
Hold down the small button in the opener as you
slide it to CLOSE. However, you need not to hold
it down to slide the opener to OPEN.
PROGRAMME AE (Auto Exposure) _
Programme AE automatically selects the shutter speed 1/50, 1/100, 1/150, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500, 1/750,
1/1000,1/1500,1/2000 or 1/4000 second that is optimum for the brightness of the subject. The iris is also
adjusted automatically in response to the shutter speed.
FLYING ERASE HEAD _
A rotating erase head which eliminates glitches and rainbow noise that occurs at the joints between
recordings in previous models.
8

LCD MONITOR
When using the LCD monitor during recording and playback, you can adjust the brightness of its screen
and the angle of the monitor.
■ Opening the LCD monitor
1. Press the OPEN button to open the LCD moni¬
tor.
■ Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen
NOTE: Even when the picture on the LCD moni¬
tor is adjusted, the recorded video will not
change.
1. Load the battery (Refer to "POWER
SOURCES" on page 11). Press the red button
on the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch as you slide it
to CAM or VIDEO.
2. Use the bright control on the side of the LCD
monitor to adjust the brightness of the LCD
screen.
■ Range in which the LCD monitor can be
moved
■ Cautions on LCD monitor screen
• Do not touch the LCD screen with your fingers
as the screen could get dirty and the picture
will not be seen clearly. If the LCD screen
becomes dirty, use a soft cloth to wipe off the
dirt.
• If the camera/recorder is used in a cold place
and becomes too cold, the LCD screen will be
dim for a while after the power is turned on.
When the temperature inside the camera/
recorder rises, the brightness of the picture
will become normal.
• Do not hold by the LCD monitor as this could
cause a malfunction.
• Open the LCD monitor by 90° before changing
its direction. If you were to attempt to invert
its direction before opening it completely, it
could cause a malfunction.
• The LCD monitor cannot be closed if it is tilted.
• Close the LCD monitor after making sure it is
parallel with the camera/recorder. If you were
to close the monitor while it faces the same
direction as the lens or it is diagonal, it could
damage the LCD monitor.
• Do not disassemble the LCD monitor as this
might cause a malfunction.
• When opening the LCD monitor, be careful
that no water droplets adhere the monitor
screen and that no water or dust enters the
camcorder through the gap as it could cause a
malfunction.
9