JVC AA-V15EG User manual

2EN
Dear Customer,
Thank you for purchasing the JVC Compact VHS camcorder. Before use, please read the safety informa-
tion and precautions contained in the following pages to ensure safe use of your new camcorder.
Warning on lithium battery
The battery used in this device may present a
fire or chemical burn hazard if mistreated. Do
not recharge, disassemble, heat above 100°C or
incinerate.
Replace the battery with Maxell, Panasonic
(Matsushita Electric), Sanyo or Sony CR2025;
use of another battery may present a risk of fire
or explosion.
nDispose of used battery promptly.
nKeep away from children.
nDo not disassemble and do not dispose of in
fire.
PAL
nCamcorder is designed exclusively for the VHS-C video cassette. Only cassettes marked VHS-C can be
used with this unit.
nHQ VHS is compatible with existing VHS equipment.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Using This Instruction Manual
•All major sections and subsections are listed in the Table Of Contents (Zpg. 3).
•Notes appear after most subsections. Be sure to read these as well.
•Basic and advanced features/operation are separated for easier reference.
It is recommended that you . . .
.... refer to the Index (Zpg. 40 – 42) and familiarize yourself with button locations, etc. before use.
.... read thoroughly the Safety Precautions that follow and cautions (Zpg. 43, 44). They contain extremely
important information regarding the safe use of your new camcorder.
CAUTIONS:
nTo prevent shock, do not open the cabinet.
No user serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified personnel.
nWhen you are not using the AC Power
Adapter/Battery charger for a long period of
time, it is recommended that you disconnect
the power cord from AC outlet.
WARNING:
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE
THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.
This camcorder is designed to be used with
PAL-type colour television signals. It cannot be
used for playback with a television of a different
standard. However, live recording and
viewfinder playback are possible anywhere.
Use the BN-V12U/V22U/V25U battery packs
and, to recharge them, the provided multi-
voltage AC Power Adapter/Charger. (An
appropriate conversion adapter may be
necessary to accommodate different designs of
AC outlets in different countries.)
NOTES:
● The rating plate (serial number plate) and
safety caution are on the bottom and/or the
back of the main unit.
● The rating plate (serial number plate) of the
AC Power Adapter/Charger is on its bottom.
This unit is produced to comply with Standard
IEC Publ. 65.

EN 3
n Program Manager II ( Z pg. 18 – 31)
nProgramme AE with Special Effects
(Zpg. 18, 19)
•Auto Mode Lock •Auto Mode Release
•Electronic Fog Filter •ND Effect
•Sepia •Twilight •Sports
•1/1000 sec. High Speed Shutter
•1/2000 sec. High Speed Shutter
n5Sec.-Rec (5 sec. Recording)
(Zpg. 16)
n 22x Optical Hyper Zoom ( Z pg. 14)
CONTENTS
EN 3
GETTING STARTED 4
Power .............................................. 4
Clock (Lithium) Battery Insertion/Removal ..... 6
Date/Time Setting ................................ 7
Tape Length Setting ............................... 8
Recording Mode Setting .......................... 8
Loading/Unloading A Cassette .................. 9
Grip Adjustment ................................. 10
Viewfinder Adjustment ......................... 10
Shoulder Strap Attachment .................... 11
Tripod Mounting ................................. 11
RECORDING 12
Basic Recording ................................. 12
Basic Features .................................. 14
Advanced Features ............................. 18
PLAYBACK 32
Basic Playback .................................. 32
Features ......................................... 33
Using The Cassette Adapter .................. 35
Basic Connections .............................. 36
TAPE DUBBING 37
TROUBLESHOOTING 38
INDEX 40
Controls ......................................... 40
Connectors ...................................... 40
Indicators ........................................ 40
Other Parts ..................................... 40
Viewfinder Indications ........................ 42
CAUTIONS 43
SPECIFICATIONS 45
MAJOR FEATURES
PROVIDED ACCESSORIES
•AC Power Adapter/
Charger AA-V15EG
•Cassette Adapter
C-P7U
•Battery Pack
BN-V12U
•Lithium Battery
CR2025 x 1
(clock operation)
•Shoulder Strap
•AUDIO/VIDEO
(A/V) Cable
•DC Cord
The Logical Choice
The only compact video cassettes that can be used with
your VHS VCR*
*With Cassette Adapter

4EN
1
1
2
GETTING STARTED
Power
This camcorder’s 3-way power supply system lets you
choose the most appropriate source of power.
NOTES:
● No function is available without power supply.
● Use only specified power supply.
● Do not use provided power supply units with other
equipment.
CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK
SUPPLY POWER
1
Connect the charger’s AC power cord to a wall
outlet.
ATTACH BATTERY PACK
2
Align the marks and slide the battery pack in the
direction of the arrow until it locks in place.
•The CHG. indicator begins blinking to indicate
charging has started.
DETACH BATTERY PACK
3
When the CHG. indicator stops blinking but stays lit,
charging is finished. Slide the battery pack opposite
the direction of the arrow.
REFRESH
The AC power adapter features a REFRESH
function that allows you to fully discharge
the battery pack before recharging.
Perform the REFRESH function after no less
than 5 chargings.
To discharge the battery . . .
..... attach the battery pack to the adapter
as shown in the above illustration.
Then push REFRESH. The REFRESH
indicator lights when discharging
starts, and goes out when discharging
is complete.
CHG. (charge)
indicator
Marks
To AC outlet
REFRESH indicator
REFRESH switch
BATT. PACK CHARGE DISCHARGE
BN-V12U approx. 1 hr. 10 min. approx. 3 hrs. 30 min.
BN-V22U approx. 2 hrs. 10 min. approx. 7 hrs.
BN-V25U approx. 2 hrs. 40 min. approx. 10 hrs.
Push in.
Hook on.
BATT. RELEASE
ATTENTION:
Before detaching the power source,
make sure that the camcorder’s power
is turned off. Failure to do so can result
in a camcorder malfunction.
USING THE BATTERY PACK
ATTACH BATTERY PACK
1
Hook its top end to the camcorder and push the
battery pack in until it locks in place.
DETACH BATTERY PACK
2
Slide BATT. RELEASE and pull out the battery pack.
BATT. PACK Approximate recording time (unit: min.)
BN-V12U 75
BN-V22U 150
BN-V25U 200

EN 5
CHARGE MARKER
A charge marker is provided on the battery pack to
help you remember whether it has been charged or
not. Two colours are provided (red and black)—you
choose which one means charged and which
means discharged.
NOTES:
● The recording time per charge is affected by such factors as the time spent in Record-Standby mode and
the frequency of zooming. It is safer to have spare battery packs.
● Charging times noted on page 4 are for fully discharged battery pack, and discharging times are for fully
charged battery pack.
● Charging and discharging times vary according to the ambient temperature and the status of the battery pack.
● Remember to set the charge marker after charging a battery pack or after detaching a discharged one from
your camcorder.
● Perform the REFRESH function after no less than 5 chargings.
● While the AC Power Adapter/Charger’s power cord is disconnected from the AC outlet, it is possible to
discharge the battery by pressing the REFRESH switch. During that time, the AC Power Adapter/Charger
does not charge the battery. When disharging is complete, detach the battery from the AC Power Adapter/
Charger to store it.
● High temperatures can damage the battery pack, so use only where good ventilation is available. Don’t
allow it to discharge in container, such as a bag.
● If you stop recharging or discharging part way through, make sure to remove the battery pack before
unplugging the adapter’s AC cord.
● Remove the battery pack from the adapter immediately after discharging.
● To avoid interference with reception, do not use the AC Power Adapter/Charger near a radio.
● Make sure you unplug the DC cord before charging or discharging the battery pack.
● The CHG. indicator may not light properly with a brand new battery pack, or with one that’s been stored
for an extended period. In this case, remove and reattach the battery pack and recharge it. The CHG.
indicator should blink during recharging. If not, contact your nearest JVC dealer.
To DC IN jack
DC cord
DC OUT
terminal
To car’s
cigarette
lighter socket
AC Power
Adapter/Charger
AA-V15EG
Car Battery Charger/Adapter
BH-V3E (optional)
To AC outlet
USING A CAR BATTERY
Use the optional Car Battery Charger/Adapter
(connect as shown in the illustration above).
NOTES:
● When using the car battery, leave the engine idling.
● The optional Car Battery Charger (BH-V3E) can
also be used to charge the battery pack.
● When using the optional Car Battery Charger,
refer to the respective instruction booklet.
USING AC POWER
Use the AC Power Adapter (connect as shown in
the illustration above).
NOTE:
The supplied AC Power Adapter/Charger features
automatic voltage selection in the AC range from
110 V to 240 V.
Charge marker

6EN
GETTING STARTED (cont.)
Clock (Lithium) Battery Insertion/Removal
This battery is necessary for clock operation and to
perform date/time settings.
SWITCH OFF POWER
1
Switch off the unit’s power and remove the power
supply unit.
OPEN COVER
2
Open the clock battery compartment cover while
pressing the release tab.
REMOVE BATTERY (when replacing)
3
Insert a pointed, non-metallic object between the
battery and the compartment ( A) and pull the
battery out.
INSERT BATTERY
4
Ensure that the plus (+) side is up and insert a
CR2025 lithium battery and push it in.
CLOSE COVER
5
Close the compartment cover until it clicks in place.
NOTE:
See “SAFETY PRECAUTIONS” ( Z pg. 2) for information
on safe handling of lithium batteries.
A

EN 7
Date/Time Setting
ACCESS MENU SCREEN
1
First set the Power Switch to “CAMERA”. Turn the
Select Dial to any position except AUTO LOCK,
then press the MENU Jog Dial.
SELECT FUNCTION
2
Rotate the MENU Jog Dial to move the highlight bar
to “DATE/TIME”, then press it. The DATE/TIME
Setting Menu appears.
•If you decide you want to return the date and time
to the previous settings, rotate the MENU Jog Dial
to move highlight bar to “EXIT” and press it, then
go to step 6.
•If you want to set only the time without changing
the date, go to step 4.
SET DATE
3
Rotate the MENU Jog Dial to move the highlight bar
to the item you want to set and then press it. When
the setting begins blinking, rotate the MENU Jog
Dial until the correct setting appears and then press
it. The setting stops blinking.
•Repeat this procedure until you’re satisfied with
the Date settings (“YEAR”, “MONTH” and “DAY”).
SET TIME
4
Rotate the MENU Jog Dial to move the highlight bar
to “TIME” and then press it. When the hour setting
begins blinking, rotate the MENU Jog Dial until the
correct setting appears and then press it. When the
hour setting stops blinking and the minute setting
begins blinking, rotate the MENU Jog Dial until the
correct setting appears and then press it. The minute
setting stops blinking.
START CLOCK OPERATION
5
When none of these settings (YEAR, MONTH, DAY,
TIME) blinks, rotate the MENU Jog Dial to move the
highlight bar to “EXIT”, and press it. The Menu
Screen appears and “MENU END” is highlighted.
CLOSE MENU
6
Press the MENU Jog Dial.
NOTE:
To display the date and time in the viewfinder and on a
connected TV, see “Date/Time/Character Insert”
( Z pg. 17).
DATE TIME
YEAR
MONTH
DAY
TIME
EXIT
1998
1
1
22:50
MENU
4 MENU END
FOCUS
EXPOSURE
DATE TIME
TELE MACRO
TAPE LENGTH
M. W. B.
ZOOM SPEED
4 NEXT
AUTO
AUTO
25. 12. 98
OFF
T30
AUTO
FAST
MENU
4 MENU END
FOCUS
EXPOSURE
DATE TIME
TELE MACRO
TAPE LENGTH
M. W. B.
ZOOM SPEED
4 NEXT
AUTO
AUTO
1. 1. 98
OFF
T30
AUTO
FAST
Select Dial
MENU
Jog Dial
Viewfinder
24-hour
indication
Menu Screen
DATE/TIME Setting Menu

8EN
GETTING STARTED (cont.)
Tape Length Setting
Set the tape length according to the length of the tape
used.
ACCESS MENU SCREEN
1
First set the Power Switch to “CAMERA”. Turn the
Select Dial to any position except AUTO LOCK,
then press the MENU Jog Dial.
SELECT FUNCTION
2
Rotate the MENU Jog Dial to move the highlight bar
to “TAPE LENGTH”, then press it. The TAPE
LENGTH Setting Menu appears.
SET TAPE LENGTH
3
Rotate the MENU Jog Dial to move the highlight bar
to the correct setting. T30=30 minutes of recording
time, T45=45 minutes, and T60=60 minutes (in SP).
•If you decide you want to return the tape length to
the previous setting, rotate the MENU Jog Dial to
move the highlight bar to “EXIT”.
CLOSE MENU
4
Press the MENU Jog Dial. The Menu Screen
reappears and the highlight bar is on “MENU END”.
Then press the MENU Jog Dial again to close the
Menu Screen.
NOTES:
● The tape remaining time ( Z pg. 13) is correct only if
the correct tape length has been selected.
● Once you have set the tape length, it remains un-
changed even if the Select Dial is returned to AUTO
LOCK.
Recording Mode Setting
Set depending on your preference.
SET RECORDING MODE
1
First set the Power Switch to “CAMERA”. Press SP/LP
Button for more than 1 second. “SP” (Standard Play)
provides higher picture and sound quality and is
better for dubbing, while “LP” (Long Play) is more
economical, providing twice as the recording time.
NOTE:
If the recording mode is switched during recording, the
playback picture will be blurred at the switching point.
MENU
4 MENU END
FOCUS
EXPOSURE
DATE TIME
TELE MACRO
TAPE LENGTH
M. W. B.
ZOOM SPEED
4 NEXT
AUTO
AUTO
25. 12. 98
OFF
T60
AUTO
FAST
MENU
4 MENU END
FOCUS
EXPOSURE
DATE TIME
TELE MACRO
TAPE LENGTH
M. W. B.
ZOOM SPEED
4 NEXT
AUTO
AUTO
25. 12. 98
OFF
T30
AUTO
FAST
T30
T45
T60
EXIT
TAPE LENGTH
SP T30
Menu Screen
TAPE LENGTH Setting Menu
Viewfinder
MENU Jog Dial
Tape length
indicator
Recording
mode
indicator
SP/LP Recording
Mode Button
Select Dial

EN 9
2
2
3
3
1
1
Erase Protection Gear
Turn to take
up slack.
Loading/Unloading A Cassette
OPEN CASSETTE HOLDER
1
Slide EJECT until the holder opens. Do not use force
to open.
INSERT/REMOVE CASSETTE
2
Make sure the label is facing outward.
CLOSE CASSETTE HOLDER
3
Press PUSH and make sure the holder is closed and
locked.
NOTES:
● A cassette holder can’t be opened unless a power
supply is attached.
● Make sure that the tape is not slack when loading the
cassette. If there is any slack, turn the gear on the
cassette in the direction of the arrow to take up the
slack.
● Make sure the Erase Protection tab is in the position
that allows recording. If not, slide the tab. Some
cassettes have removable tabs. If the tab has been
removed, cover the hole with adhesive tape.
● The cassette holder can’t be opened while the
camcorder is in the record mode.

10 EN
GETTING STARTED (cont.)
Grip Adjustment
EXPAND LOOP
1
Separate the Velcro strip.
INSERT HAND
2
Pass your right hand through the loop and grasp the
grip.
ADJUST STRAP LENGTH
3
Adjust so your thumb and fingers can easily operate
the Recording Start/Stop Button and Power Zoom
Button. Refasten the Velcro strip.
Viewfinder Adjustment
POSITION VIEWFINDER
1
Adjust the viewfinder manually for best viewability
(see illustration to the left).
SELECT MODE
2
Set the Power Switch to CAMERA.
ADJUST DIOPTRE
3
Turn the Dioptre Adjustment Control until the
indications in the viewfinder are clearly focused.
Recording Start/Stop Button
Power Zoom Button
1
12
2
3
Set POWER to “CAMERA”.

EN 11
CAUTION:
When using a tripod, be sure to open and extend
its legs fully to stabilize the camcorder. To
prevent damage to the unit caused by falling
over, do not use a small-sized tripod.
Tripod Mounting
ALIGN AND TIGHTEN
1
Align the screw and camera direction stud on the
tripod with the camera’s mounting socket and stud
hole. Then tighten the screw.
2
4
32
1
1
Shoulder Strap Attachment
ATTACH STRAP
1
Following the illustration at left, thread the strap
through the top of the eyelet 1, then fold it back
and thread it through the keeper 2, and then
through the buckle 3. Repeat the procedure to
attach the other end of the strap to the other eyelet
4, making sure the strap isn’t twisted.
ADJUST LENGTH
2
Adjust as shown in the illustration at left 1, then
slide both keepers snug against the eyelets to
prevent slipping 2.