Sharp VL-Z100S User manual

VL-Z300S/VL-Z100S-Cover1; 04/2/23/18:00
Printed in Malaysia
TINSLA106WJN1
04P03-M-GPrinted on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
SHARP CORPORATION
LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY CAMCORDER
OPERATION MANUAL
VL-Z300S-S
VL-Z100S-S

VL-Z300S/VL-Z100S-CE1; 04/1/9/18:00

i
ENGLISH
OPERATION MANUAL
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard,
do not expose this apparatus to
dripping or splashing. No
objects filled with liquids, such
as vases, should be placed on
the apparatus.
This equipment should be used
with the recommended AC
adapter or battery pack.
CAUTION
To prevent electric shocks and
fire hazards, do NOT use any
other power source.
CAUTION
To prevent shock, do not open the
cabinet. No user serviceable parts
inside. Refer servicing to qualified
dealer or service centre.
Important:
Audio-visual material may consist
of copyrighted works which must
not be recorded without the
authority of the owner of the
copyright. Please refer to relevant
laws in your country.
Power supply:
This unit can be operated by
connecting it to either the AC
adapter or battery pack. The AC
adapter incorporates the AUTO
VOLTAGE (AC 110–240 V,
50/60 Hz) function.
NOTE
The LCD panel of this camcorder is a very high technology product with
more than 215,000 thin-film transistors*, giving you fine picture detail.
Occasionally, a pixel may appear on the screen as a fixed point of blue,
green, red, or black. Please note that this does not affect the
performance of your camcorder.
*Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Before using the camcorder, please read this operation manual
carefully, especially page vi.
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ii
Part Names ............................................................. 1
Warning Indicators .................................................. 4
Operation References
Preparation
Basic Operations
Attaching and Removing the Battery Pack ............. 5
Charging the Battery Pack ...................................... 7
Powering the Camcorder from an AC Outlet .......... 8
Inserting and Removing a Cassette ....................... 9
Installing the Lithium Batteries .............................. 10
Selecting the Language
for the On-screen Display .................................. 12
Setting the Date and Time .................................... 13
Using the Lens Cap .............................................. 14
Adjusting the Hand Strap ..................................... 15
Using the Grip ....................................................... 15
Detaching the Lens Hood ..................................... 16
Using the Viewfinder ............................................. 16
Using the LCD Monitor ......................................... 18
Tips on Recording Positions ................................. 19
Camera Recording
Easy Camera Recording in Full Auto Mode .......... 20
Zooming ................................................................ 21
Power Standby Mode ........................................... 22
Turning on/off the Backlight .................................. 22
Auto Focus ............................................................ 23
Macro Shots .......................................................... 23
Remaining Recording Time Display ..................... 23
Remaining Battery Power Display ........................ 24
Information Display for Battery Usage .................. 24
Playback
Playback ............................................................... 25
Volume Control ...................................................... 26
Still ........................................................................ 26
Video Search ......................................................... 26
Watching Playback on a TV .................................. 27
Contents
Supplied Accessories ......................................................................................... v
Optional Accessories .......................................................................................... v
Precautions ........................................................................................................ vi
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iii
Useful Features Control Buttons ..................................................... 28
Using the Mode Screens ...................................... 28
Using the Menu Screens ....................................... 29
Camera Recording
Setting the Digital Zoom ....................................... 30
Backlight Compensation (BLC) ............................ 31
Gain-up ................................................................. 32
Fade In and Fade Out ........................................... 33
Quick Return ......................................................... 34
Edit Search ............................................................ 35
Still Recording ....................................................... 35
Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) ........................... 36
Wide Mode ............................................................ 36
Power Save Mode ................................................. 37
Windbreak ............................................................. 37
Self Recording ...................................................... 38
Recording in LP (Long Play Recording) Mode ..... 40
Selecting the 16-bit Audio Recording Mode......... 41
Playback
Using the Remote Control (Not supplied) ............. 42
Selecting the Date and Time of Recording
Display ................................................................ 43
Picture Effect Playback ......................................... 44
Rotate Playback .................................................... 45
Stretch Playback ................................................... 46
Advanced Features Camera Recording
Manual Focus ....................................................... 47
Returning to Auto Focus ....................................... 48
Displaying the Manual Setting Screen .................. 48
Adjusting White Balance ....................................... 49
Manual Iris ............................................................ 51
Manual Gain .......................................................... 52
Setting the Shutter Speed ..................................... 53
Tips on Manual Settings ....................................... 54
Setting the Camcorder to Full Auto Mode............. 54
Scene Menu (Program AE) ................................... 55
Digital Picture Effects ............................................ 56
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iv
Advanced Features
Appendix Picture/Backlight Adjustments .............................. 67
Turning off the Confirmation Sound ...................... 68
Setting the Camcorder to Factory Presettings ...... 68
Demonstration Mode ............................................ 69
Useful Information ................................................. 70
Troubleshooting .................................................... 75
Specifications ....................................................... 79
On-screen Display Index ...................................... 80
Index ..................................................................... 82
Note:
• Before requesting service, please read “Troubleshooting” carefully. (See pages 75–
78.)
Contents
Playback
Using the Time Code ............................................ 57
Audio Dubbing Feature......................................... 58
Selecting the Audio Playback Mode ..................... 60
Editing ................................................................... 61
Recording from an External Source
(VL-Z300 only) .................................................... 62
Editing with the DV Terminal (IEEE1394) .............. 64
Using the Camcorder as a Converter
(VL-Z300 only) .................................................... 66
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v
Supplied Accessories
Battery pack
BT-L227
CR1216 type
lithium battery
for camcorder Lens cap
Standard-life
battery pack
BT-L227
External battery with
hand strap
BT-LCA1
Optional Accessories
AC adapter
Audio/video/S-video
cable
Power cord
VL-Z300S/VL-Z100S-GB-*ii-xiv 04.2.12, 1:53 PM5

vi
Precautions
•Before recording an important scene,
please perform the recording test, then
playback to check if the scene was re-
corded properly. If noise occurs, use a
commercially available cleaning tape to
clean the video heads (see page viii).
•When the camcorder is not in use, re-
member to remove the cassette tape,
turn off the power, and disconnect the
camcorder from the power source.
•Do not aim the lens at the sun.
Do not allow direct sunlight to strike the
camcorder lens, whether or not recording
is in progress, as it may damage the CCD
sensor. Be particularly careful when re-
cording outside.
•Avoid magnetic sources.
Using the camcorder near
strong fluorescent lights,
motors, televisions, or
other magnetic sources
may adversely affect re-
corded images.
•Using the camcorder near a broad-
casting station or other powerful trans-
mission source may cause buzzing or
picture deterioration.
•Avoid shocks and dropping.
Do not drop or otherwise sub-
ject the camcorder to hard
shocks or strong vibrations.
Bumping or striking the unit
during recording will gener-
ate noise in the recorded im-
age.
•Avoid placing the
camcorder in close
proximity to lighting
equipment.
The heat from in-
candescent lights
may deform the
camcorder, or
cause it to malfunction.
•Always respect prohibitions or restric-
tions on the use of electronic equipment
on commercial flights or in other sensi-
tive areas.
•Be aware of the temperature and humid-
ity.
You can use your camcorder at 0°C to
L40°C, and at 30% to 80% relative hu-
midity. Do not store the unit in an
unventilated car in the summer, in direct
sunlight, or near
strong heat
sources; this can
result in severe
damage to the unit
casing and cir-
cuitry.
•Avoid situations where water, sand, dust
or other foreign matter could get on or
inside the camcorder, and do not use or
leave your camcorder in areas with ex-
cessive smoke, steam or moisture.
Such environments can cause malfunc-
tions or cause mil-
dew to form on the
lenses. Be sure to
keep the unit in a
well-ventilated loca-
tion.
•Some small, portable tri-
pods may be difficult to
attach and may not be
sturdy enough to sup-
port your camcorder. Be
sure to use only a
strong, stable tripod.
•When using your camcorder in a cold
environment, the LCD monitor screen of-
ten appears less bright immediately af-
ter the power is turned on. This is not a
malfunction. To prevent the camcorder
from becoming too cold, wrap it in a
thick cloth (a blanket, etc.).
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vii
Dew Formation
•What is “dew formation”?
When cold water is poured into a glass,
dew drops form on the glass. This clinging
of water drops is called dew formation.
•When dew forms in your camcorder.
Dew will gradually form on the head drum
of your camcorder and make the video
tape stick to the head. This causes
damage both to the head and the tape.
When dew forms, recording and playback
may not function properly.
Dew is likely to form in the following
circumstances:
— When moving the camcorder from a
cold place to a warm place.
— When placing the camcorder in a cold
room which is then heated rapidly.
— When moving the camcorder outdoors
from an air conditioned room or car.
— When placing the camcorder in the
direct path of air
blowing from an air
conditioner.
— When placing the
camcorder in a
humid room.
•How to prevent trouble.
When using the camcorder in a place
where dew is likely to form, allow the
camcorder and the video tape to
acclimatise to the surroundings for about
one hour.
For example, when bringing the
camcorder indoors after skiing, place it in
a plastic bag.
1Be sure to tightly seal the plastic bag
containing the camcorder.
2Remove the bag when the air tem-
perature inside it reaches the tempera-
ture of the room.
•“Dew” warning feature
If dew forms, the word “DEW” flashes on
the screen, and the power will automati-
cally turn off in approximately 10 seconds.
Plastic bag
1If “DEW” flashes, remove the cassette,
leave the cassette compartment open,
and wait for a few hours to allow the
camcorder to acclimatise to the
surrounding temperature.
2To use the camcorder again, turn on the
power after waiting for a few hours. Be
sure that “DEW” has disappeared.
3Do not insert a cassette while “DEW” is
flashing; this may result in damage to
the tape.
4Since dew forms gradually, it may take
10 to 15 minutes before the dew
warning feature engages.
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viii
Dirty Video Heads
When the video heads have become
clogged with dirt (dust and tape coating
particles),
• mosaic-like noise appears on the
playback picture. (See illustrations above.)
• playback pictures do not move.
• during playback, the whole screen
becomes blue.
Using a Cleaning Tape (Commer-
cially Available)
You can clean the video head with a
commercially available cleaning tape.
Notes:
• Excessive use of the cleaning tape may
cause damage to the video heads. Please
read the instructions accompanying the
cleaning tape carefully before using it.
• The fast forward and rewind functions cannot
be used when the cleaning tape is in the
camcorder.
• If the video heads again become clogged
with dirt soon after cleaning, this might be
caused by a damaged tape. In this case,
stop using that cassette immediately.
1Insert a cleaning tape into the
camcorder.
2Hold down the Lock button and set
the Power switch to w.
• The video head cleaning screen
appears.
3Press mon the Operation button to
begin video head cleaning.
• “NOW CLEANING” flashes during
cleaning.
• After about 20 seconds, video head
cleaning automatically finishes, and
“EJECT THE CASSETTE.” displays.
4Remove the cleaning tape.
To cancel cleaning, press l.
Causes of video head clogging
• High-temperature and high-humidity
environment
• A lot of dust in the air
• Damaged tape
• Worn tape
• Long-time use
• Dew formation
If the video heads become clogged, the
vindicator appears on the screen. Contact
the nearest SHARP service centre or your
dealer for further advice.
Precautions
STOPSTART
CLEANI NG
CLEANINGNOW
Striped noise Mosaic noise
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