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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
VM-E455LA, VM-H655LA
HITACHI
Instruction Manual
8mm Video Camcorder
VM-E455LA
Hi
HI 8 Video Camcorder
VM-H655LA
HITACHI AMERICA, LTD.
HOME ELECTRONICS DIVISION
1855 Dornoch Court
San Diego, CA 92173
Tel. 1-800-HATACHI
(1-800-448-2244)
HITACHI (HSC) CANADA INC.
6740 Campobello Road
Missisauga, Ontario, L5N 2L8
CANADA
Tel. 1-800-HATACHI
(1-800-448-2244)
Thank you for buying a Hitachi product. Please take time to become familiar
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ................................................................................................ 3 Important Safeguards .............................................................................................................................. 4 Before You Begin.................................................................................................................................... 7 Read This First ...
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Demonstration Mode............................................................................................................................. 53 Dubbing from the Camcorder to a VCR ............................................................................................... 53 Simple Programmable Edit (Edit remote control is optional accessory) .............................................. 53 Using the Optional Edit Remote Control ...........................
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 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 colored bright dots. This does not indicate a fault as the LCD panel stretches the limits of current technology. Information for VM-H655LA: This camcorder can use and Hi video cassettes. it automatically determines the loaded cassette is or Hi and recorded and plays it back cor
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INSTALLATION 1 Read and Follow Instructions -- All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the video product is operated. Follow-all operating and use instructions. 2 Retain Instructions -- The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. 3 Heed Warnings -- Comply with all warnings on the video product and in the operating instructions. 4 Polarized Plug -- This video product is equipped with a polarized a
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Caution: Maintain electrical safety. Powerline operated equipment or accessories connected to this unit should bear the UL listing mark or CSA certification mark on the accessory itself and should not have been modified so as to defeat the safety features. This will help avoid any potential hazard from electric shock or fire. If in doubt, contact qualified service personnel. 10 Water and Moisture -- Do not use this video product near water - for example, near a
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 16 Lightning -- For added protection for this video product during a lightning storm, or when it its left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable-system. This will prevent damage to the video product due to lightning and power-line surges. SERVICE 17 Servicing -- Do not attempt to service this video product yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous volt
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION device may be damaged. Dangerous includes: • Inside a car with the windows closed and in direct sunshine. • Near heating appliances. Do not leave the viewfinder lens and the liquid crystal display (LCD) screen facing sunlight for a prolonged period, or the phosphorescent surface of the cathode ray tube and the LCD panel may be damaged. Read This First To guide you, we've included: • An "Important Safety Information" section containing important cautions fo
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Getting Started • Automatic title recording • Video effects • Multi playback (PAL60 conversion) Types of differences VM-E455LA VM-H655LA System Hi Getting Started This section guides you through the initial preparation of the camcorder. None of these processes are complex. Set aside some time, relax, and familiarize yourself with this quality instrument. Enjoy getting to know all about your Hitachi 8mm camcorder. The more comfortable and familiar you are with the machine an
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Getting Started Optional RF Adaptor If you wish to connect this camcorder to a television that does not have audio/video input jacks you will need to use the optional RF adapter model VM-RF86A (R). Identifying Controls 1. Lens Door The door will automatically open when the CAM/ OFF/VIDEO switch is set to "CAM". Setting the switch to "OFF" will close the door. 2. Record Indicator This indicator flashes when the camcorder is recording. 3. Microphone Sensitive to sounds coming from the
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Getting Started 8. STOP Button Use this button to stop playback, fast forward, or reverse. Also use this button to set date and time and create a title. ("Creating and Recording a Title", p39). 9. BATTERY Release Lever Releases the battery attached to camcorder. 10. CHARGE Indicator When the battery is being charged, this indicator will flash or fight to show the charged level as a reference 11. Electronic Viewfinder 12. Diopter Control To use the electronic viewfinder, pull the eye
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Getting Started When you are viewing playback pictures on the LCD monitor with the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch set to VIDEO, these buttons can be used to control the volume of the built-in speaker 24. DATE/DISP Button When the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch is set to CAM, this button can be used as the DATE or DISPLAY button: set the date and time, and select the date display you want to record ("Setting the Date and Time", p24 and "Date Recording", p38). In the VIDEO mode, th
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Getting Started Use this button to digitally process the image you are going to record or the playback image. During recording, you can select among six modes: 16x9, negative/ positive, X400 digital zoom, half-mirRor, mosaic, or art ("Digital Effects Recording", p42). During playback, you can select among three modes: 16x9, art, or sepia ("Video Effects in Playback Mode", p35). 26. FADE Button The FADE button features six modes; white fade, wipe fade, mosaic fade, art fade, zoom fade and b
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Getting Started 29. Start/Stop Button When the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch is in CAM press this button to start recording. When pressed a second time the camera pauses. During playback use this button to stop the tape temporarily. Pressing a second time resumes normal playback. 30. Hand Strap Refer to page 21. 31. Clock Battery Compartment Pull the battery holder and install the clock battery (provided). (See "Loading Clock Battery" on page 21.) 32. Power Zoom Control Use this to zoom auto
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Getting Started Charging the Battery The first step is to set the battery for charging. To charge the battery, attach it to the camcorder, and connect the VM-ACE5A AC adaptor. Charge the battery at a temperature range of 50°F (10°C) - 86°F (3O°C) to prevent damage to the battery. Note: This camcorder operates with a lithium ion battery such as VM-BPL13/VM-BPL27/VM-BPL30/VM- BPL60. Note: We cannot be responsible for any malfunctions of the camcorder which occur whe
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Getting Started accessory. 4 Connect the AC adaptor DC plug to the DC IN jack of the camcorder. Charging will start within five seconds. During charging, the CHARGE indicator of the camcorder will flash or light to give you a reference of the charged level. Note: If the CHARGE Indicator flashes once every two seconds, the battery could be defective. Note: The CHARGE indicator will not light at all when the AC adaptor is defective. Note: You can use the battery before it Is completely char
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Getting Started More than 75% charge Flashes three times at approx. one-second intervals. Full charge Steady light Charging Time Pack Charging 130 . 230 min. 260 min. 460 min. 70 min. 140 min. 160 min. 320 min. Battery VM-BPL13VM-BPL27VM-BPL30VM-BPL60 Charging Full Charge 170 min 300 min 330 min 590 min 75% Charge 100 min 190 min 210 min 410 min Operating Time The camcorder operating time depends on how often you turn power on/off and use start/stop
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Getting Started • Do not operate the battery at temperature below 14°F (-10°C) or above 113°F (45°C). At extremely low temperatures operation time decreases, while at high temperature the battery may be damaged, • Do not attach a hot battery to the camcorder. Allow it to cool. THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE BATTERY OR AC ADAPTOR. THROWING THE BATTERY INTO FIRE OR EXPOSING IT TO EXCESSIVE HEAT (ABOVE 140°F [60°C]) MAY CAUSE INJURY. SHORTING THE BATTERY'S TERMINAL
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Getting Started Note: If you connect the VM-BPL30 battery with the remaining battery time of 5 minutes or less, the time will not be displayed. Note: If the correct remaining time does not appear, use up the battery attached to the camcorder, and then fully charge it. Note: If you repeat charging and discharging the battery before using it up, the correct remaining time may not be displayed. Note: If the battery is used at low temperatures, the actual operating time with battery will be s
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Getting Started 1 Plug the AC adaptor power cord into an AC outlet. Make sure that the wide blade fits into the wide slot. If it doesn't fit try reversing it. If you still cannot make fit the blades fully into the outlet either contact an electrician to replace your obsolete outlet, or use a polarized cord or outlet accessory. 2 Connect the DC plug of the AC adaptor to the DC IN jack of the camcorder. Note: The AC adaptor can be used around the world. An AC plug adaptor is required in some
