Digital Video Cassette Recorder P AJOperating Instructions
IMPORTANT “Unauthorized recording of copyrighted television programs, video tapes and other materials may infringe the right of copyright owners and be contrary to copyright laws.” WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture. CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Contents General and Features Controls and their functions Front panel Front panel bottom section Connector area Connections Connections when one unit is used Connections when 2 units are used Connections with editing controller Connections for adjusting video output (encoder output) signals Tapes Switching on the power/inserting the cassette STOP/STAND BY mode Recording Playback Jog/shuttle Manual editing Preroll Automatic editing Switch settings and adjustments Selecting the editing mode Entering the edit
General and Features This unit is a digital video cassette recorder which uses 1/4-inch tapes. It incorporates digital compression technology so that the deterioration in picture quality and sound quality resulting from dubbing is significantly minimized compared with existing analog systems. Furthermore, since it has a compact 4U size and light weight, the unit can be carried around or mounted in a 19-inch rack with ease.
Features (continued) Dial jog/shuttle All playback is free of noise bars with jog operations performed when the variable range is set to between –0.43 and 1 × normal tape speed. Shuttle operations can be performed up to 60X normal tape speed in both forward and reverse directions. Color images are welldefined even during high-speed searches. Automatic editing functions Besides assembly and insert editing, can also be performed.
Controls and their functions Front panel - 6 -
POWER switch When the ON side is pressed, the power is switched on, and the audio level and video level meters, counter display and INPUT SELECT display light up. INPUT SELECT switches These are used to select the video and audio input signals.
Controls and their functions (continued) PLAY button Playback commences when this button is pressed. Recording commences when the button is pressed together with the REC button; manual editing commences when it is pressed together with the EDIT button during playback. Pressing only the PLAY button during manual editing will cut out the editing and establish the playback mode. REC button Recording commences when this button is pressed together with the PLAY button.
STAND BY button When this is pressed, the same tension as in the regular stop mode is applied to the tape, and while the head drum continues to rotate, the button’s lamp lights to indicate that the standby ON mode is established. In the standby OFF mode, the half-loading mode is established. When this button is pressed in the stop mode, the standby OFF mode is established, the half-loading mode is established. The lamp in the button now goes off.
Controls and their functions (continued) REMOTE/LOCAL switch This switch is set when the unit is to be controlled from an external source using the REMOTE connector, RS-232C connector or parallel connector. REMOTE: Set to this position when controlling the unit by a device connected using the 9-pin REMOTE connector or RS-232C/parallel connector. LOCAL: Set to this position when controlling the unit using the controls on its own operation panel.
PREROLL button This is used for feeding and cueing the tape for manual editing. When it is pressed, the tape travels to the preroll point where it stops. The preroll time can be set on-screen. When this button is pressed together with the IN or OUT button, the tape can be cued to the IN or OUT point entered. When the AUDIO ENTRY on the setup menu No.
Controls and their functions (continued) Time code buttons These are used to set the TC or UB value. SHIFT: When setting the TC or UB value, first press this button to stop the data running. Change the digit now flashing on the display. Each time the button is pressed, the flashing moves to the right by one digit, and when it reaches the right-most digit, it returns to the left-most digit. When it is kept depressed, the flashing moves consecutively.
Volume control This is used to adjust the headphones volume and the monitor output volume. Whether the headphones output and monitor output volumes are to be linked or kept separate can be set on-screen menu. (Note that the headphones output volume is normally linked.) When the volumes are kept separate, the monitor output is set to the unity value (preset value). MONITOR SELECT switches These are used to select the audio signals output to the monitor L/R channels.
Controls and their functions (continued) ENCODER CONTROL switch This selects whether the adjustments to the video output signals are to be performed by the unit or by an external encoder/remote controller. REMOTE: The adjustments to the video output signals are performed by the external encoder/remote controller. LOCAL: The adjustments to the video output signals are performed by the unit.
REC INHIBIT switch This selects whether to enable or inhibit the recording on the cassette tape. ON: The recording on the cassette tape is inhibited. The REC INHIBIT lamp on the front panel now lights. OFF: The recording on the cassette tape is enabled provided that the cassette’s accidental erasure prevention mechanism has been set to the recording enable position.
Controls and their functions Connector area -16-
AC IN connector This is for connecting the unit to the power outlet using the power cord provided. SIGNAL GND terminal This terminal is connected to the signal unit which is connected to the unit in order to reduce noise. It is not connected to ground for safety purposes. Fuse holder This contains a 5A fuse. Fan motor This is for cooling the unit. The AUTO OFF lamp lights when trouble has caused the fan motor to stop.
Controls and their functions (continued) ANALOG COMPONENT VIDEO OUT connector The analog component video signal is output from this connector. ANALOG COMPOSITE VIDEO OUT connectors The analog composite video signals are output from these connectors. The video signal with signals superimposed on it can be output from the VIDEO OUT3 connector. The superimpose function can be set ON or OFF on the setup menu No. 006 (SUPER).
Connections when one unit is used Set the CONTROL switch on the front panel to LOCAL. Analog video input (component) connectors Analog audio input connectors Reference input connectors Digital audio/video input connector.
Connections when 2 units are used (deck to deck) Source machine: Set the CONTROL switch on the front panel to REMOTE. Recorder: Set the CONTROL switch on the front panel to LOCAL.
Connections with editing controller Recorder AV monitor Video monitor signals Audio monitor signals To REMOTE IN/OUT connector AV monitor Editing Controller Reference signal generator AV switcher Remote To REMOTE IN/OUT connector To REMOTE IN/OUT connector Reference signal Source machine Source machine AV monitor AV monitor When an editing controller made by CMX is used, support must be provided at the editing controller side.
Connections for adjusting video output (encoder output) signals REF (BB) Player 1 (source machine 1) REF VIDEO IN Player 2 (source machine 2) REF (BB) REF VIDEO IN VIDEO 1 OUT REF (BB) RECORDER REF VIDEO IN VIDEO IN VIDEO 1 OUT REF (BB) P1 IN REF IN P2 IN Switcher Make these two cables equally long. RECORDER OUT MONITOR OUT Supply the external reference signal from a sync signal generator to the units. Use the composite connectors for the video signals.
Tapes Three types of tapes can be used with the unit. Type Description Consumer cassette Tape designed exclusively for the camcorders used by consumers in general. Only playback is possible using the optional cassette adaptor. Newsgathering cassette Recording/playback tape with a maximum capacity of 63 minutes. (AJ-P6MP, AJ-P12MP, AJ-P23MP, AJ-P33MP, AJ-P63MP) General purpose cassette Recording/playback tape with a maximum capacity of 123 minutes.
Switching on the power/inserting the cassette Before starting to operate the unit, check whether the equipment has been connected properly. Turn on the power. Check that the AUTO OFF lamp is off. When condensation has formed or some other trouble has occurred, the AUTO OFF lamp lights, and all operations are disabled. Insert the cassette tape. Insert the tape at its proper position without force. Check that the STOP lamp is on.
STOP/STAND BY mode When the STOP button is pressed, the unit goes into the stop mode. The STOP lamp lights and the tape stops traveling. In order to protect the tape, the unit goes into the standby OFF mode after the time set by setting menu No.400 (STILL TIMER) has elapsed. When the STOP, REW, FF or PLAY button is pressed, the unit will go into the appropriate mode. When the STAND BY button is pressed, the unit goes into the standby ON/OFF mode.
Recording Set the accidental erasure prevention tab on the cassette tape to the “recording” position and insert the tape. Press the STOP button to place the unit in the stop mode. Set the MODE switch to EE. EE images now appear on the TV monitor. Check that the REC INHIBIT lamp is off. If this lamp is lighted, set the REC INHIBIT switch to OFF. Select the video and audio input signals and adjust their levels. 5-1 Selecting video/audio input signals 1 Connect the signals to be recorded.
Playback Insert the cassette tape, and place the unit in the stop mode. Press the PLAY button. Regular playback is now commenced. Adjust the audio playback level. Pull out the audio level controls and turn them clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the levels. Normally, they are kept in the pushed-in state (unity value). To end playback, press the STOP button. The VTR now goes into the stop mode. Check that the SERVO lamp is lighted during playback.
Jog/shuttle modes Jog mode Push the search dial to the “in” position. Be sure that the JOG lamp lights. Rotate the search dial. The dial’s clickstops are cleared, and the tape is played back at the speed (–0.43 × to +1 × normal speed) corresponding to the speed at which the dial is turned. When the dial rotation is stopped, a still picture appears. The playback picture is noise-free. To transfer from the jog mode to another mode, press the appropriate button.
Manual editing Select the editing mode. ASSEMBLE: For assemble editing. INSERT: For insert editing. Select the editing channel. In the case of insert editing, press the channel button corresponding to the signals to be edited, and check that its lamp is on. Press the PLAY button. Search for the position where the editing is to be commenced (IN point) while viewing the TV monitor, and press the PLAY and EDIT buttons together at the IN point.
Preroll Press the PREROLL button. The VTR now performs the preroll operation. When the edit IN point has been entered, the tape is rewound from the edit IN point for the duration set by setting menu “000,” and the unit then goes into the stop mode. When the edit IN point has not been entered, the tape is rewound for the duration set by setting menu “000” from the position where the button was pressed, and the unit then goes into the stop mode.
Automatic editing (Deck to Deck) Editing refers to the job of using a prerecorded tape to produce a complete recording by joining together separate cuts and deleting unnecessary parts. The basic steps taken for editing are as follows. Set the CONTROL switch to REMOTE on the player and to LOCAL on the recorder. Select the editing mode. Enter the edit points of the recorder and player. Check and modify the edit points. Check (Preview) before proceeding with the editing. Proceed with the editing.
Automatic editing Switch settings and adjustments When the unit is used as the recorder: Set the POWER switch to ON. Select the video and audio input signals using the INPUT SELECT switches. Adjust the recording level. Set the CONTROL switch to LOCAL. Set the time counter display to TC or CTL. When the unit is used as the player: Set the CONTROL switch to REMOTE. Set the POWER switch to ON. Adjust the playback level. -32- Set the time counter display to TC or CTL.
Select the editing mode Select the editing mode. For assemble editing, press the ASSEMBLE button. For insert editing, press the INSERT button. ASSEMBLE: The assemble editing mode (in which cuts are joined together) is established. INSERT: The insert editing mode (in which cuts are inserted) is established. Select the editing channel. With assemble editing, the ASSEMBLE lamp light. With insert editing, press the button of the channel whose signals are to be edited and light its lamp.
Automatic editing Entering the edit points Search for the edit IN point by performing the jog or shuttle operation. Establish the still picture mode at the desired position. Refer to page 28 for details on the jog/shuttle operations. Press the IN and SET buttons together. The edit IN point is now entered. The edit IN point value now appears on the display. Search for the edit OUT point by performing the jog or shuttle operation. Establish the still picture mode at the desired position.
Checking the edit points Press the IN (or OUT) button to check the edit point. The value of the entered edit point appears on the display. Press the IN (or OUT) button while holding down the PREROLL button to check the image at the edit point. The tape is accessed at the edit IN (or OUT) point, and the still picture mode at that point is displayed. Press the IN and OUT buttons together to check the edit duration. The duration time appears on the display.
Automatic editing Modifying the edit points Re-entering the edit points Search for the new edit point by performing the jog or shuttle operation, and press the IN (or OUT) and SET buttons together to re-enter the edit point. Modifying the edit point in frame units (trim function) Press the TRIM button while holding down the IN (or OUT) button. The edit point is put ahead by 1 frame each time the + button is pressed. The edit point is put back by 1 frame each time the – button is pressed.
Preview After the edit points have been entered, press the PREVIEW button. Normal preview is now performed. If the edit IN point has not been entered, the position where the PREVIEW button was pressed will be entered at the edit IN point. To stop the preview at any time, press the STOP button. If the PREVIEW button is pressed again while preview is in progress after the IN point, preview will start again from the beginning.
Automatic editing Executing automatic editing Press the AUTO EDIT button. Automatic editing is now performed. To stop the editing at any time, press the STOP button. When the edit OUT point is reached, the unit goes into the stop mode after postrolling. Postroll With assemble editing, editing continues for approx. 2 seconds even after the edit OUT point has been passed, the tape is rewound to the OUT point, and the unit goes into the stop mode.
Review Upon completion of the editing, press the REVIEW button. The review is started in the recorder. To stop the review at any time, press the STOP button. When the edit OUT point is reached, the unit goes into the stop mode after postrolling.
Split editing Split editing refers to editing where the editing channels are switched while insert editing is in progress. Perform insert editing. Switch the editing channel. When, for instance, sound from AUDIO CH2 is to be additionally inserted during video channel insert editing: 2-1 Press the AUDIO CH2 button during video channel editing. The lamp in the button lights and the AUDIO CH2 sound is insert edited. 2-2 Press the AUDIO CH2 button again and turn off the lamp in the button.
Video output (encoder output) signal adjustments After this system has been connected, the video output signal (ENCODER OUT) must be adjusted if AB roll editing (editing using two source machines) using an editor, for instance, is to be error-free and accurate. (This adjustment must be repeated when one of the connecting cables has been replaced and whenever the connections are changed.) The adjustment procedure using this unit is outlined below. Check the connections. (see page 22.
Setup (default settings) The units major settings are performed by making selections on menus. The setting menus appear on the TV monitor when the TV monitor and VIDEO OUT 3 connector in the unit’s connector area are hooked up. Changing the settings Press the MENU button. The setup menu appears on the TV monitor and setup menu No. appears on the counter display. (If the setup has already been performed, the screen showing the changes made last will appear.
Setup (setting) menus This unit can store up to 5 user files (user 1 to user 5) containing different menu settings, and these files can be selected and used. Changing the file Press the MENU button. Hold down the STAND BY button and press the FF button to switch to the next user file. Hold down the STAND BY button and press the REW button to switch to the previous user file.
Setup (setting) menus SYSTEM menu Item Setting No. Superimposed display No.
USER menu Item No. Superimposed display Setting No. Description Superimposed display 0000 0S 0005 5S 0015 15S 0000 0 0005 5 0012 12 0000 0 0018 18 0022 22 0000 0001 0002 TIME T&STA T&S&M This selects what information is to be provided by the time code and other super displays output to the VIDEO 3 connector. 0: Time only. 1: Time and status. 2: Time, status and mode. The mode display is DVCPRO mode display during DVCPRO format and DV mode display during DV format.
Setup menus USER menu (continued) Setting Item No. Superimposed display 007 CHARA TYPE 0000 0001 REMAIN SEL 0000 0001 OFF SETUP NUMBER 0000 0001 OFF 008 009 No. Description Superimposed display WHITE W/OUT ON This selects the display type for the super display output to the VIDEO OUT 3 connector as well as for displays such as the setting menu, etc. 0: White characters against a black background. 1: White characters with a black border.
Setup menus USER menu Setting Item No. Superimposed display No. Description Superimposed display 100 SEARCH ENA 0000 0001 DIAL KEY This selects the direct search dial operation. 0: For direct search dial operations. 1: Operation is not transferred to the search mode unless the search button is pressed. 101 SHTL MAX 0000 0001 × 16 × 32 × 60 This sets the maximum speed for shuttle operations.
USER menu Item No. Superimposed display Setting No. Description Superimposed display 200 PARA RUN 0000 0001 DIS ENA This selects whether two or more VTRs are to be operated in synchronization. 0: No operation in synchronization 1: Operation in synchronization When operating two or more VTRs in synchronization, set item 200 of all the VTRs to 0001.
Setup menus USER menu Setting Item No. Superimposed display No. Description Superimposed display VAR RANGE 0000 0001 – 0.43 – 1 –4–+4 This sets the VAR speed range. 0: The tape is played in slow motion at a speed ranging from – 0.43 × to +1 × (or from – 0.5 × to +1 × for the DV format) normal speed. 1: The tape is played in the ±4.1 × normal speed range. Phase synchronization from the editing controller is no longer possible once this item has been set to “0”.
USER menu (continued) Item No. 306 Superimposed display EDIT RPLCE2 Setting No. Description Superimposed display N-DEF CH1 CH2 CH1+2 This sets the channel assignments for the controller’s analog audio preset when editing the digital audio of the VTR using a controller which does not have a digital audio edit preset control function.
Setup menus USER menu Item No. 400 401 Setting Superimposed No. display STILL TIMER SRC PROTECT Description Superimposed display 0000 0001 0002 0003 0004 0005 0006 0007 0008 0.5s 5s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 1 min 2min 0000 0001 STEP HALF This selects the time to be taken until the unit goes into the tape protection mode when it is left standing in the stop or search still (JOG/VAR/SHTL) mode.
USER menu
Setup menus USER menu
Setup menus USER menu
USER menu
Setup menus USER menu
USER menu
Time code/user bit Time code The time code is used when the time code signal generated by the time code generator (time code signal generator) is to be recorded on the tape, its values are to be read by the time code reader (time code signal reader), and the absolute position of the tape is to be displayed in increments of hours, minutes, seconds and frames. The time code is written in the sub-code area (data area) of the helical track.
Recording internal/external time codes 1. Setting the internal time code Place the VTR in the stop mode. Set the TC/CTL switch to TC. Set the TC INT/EXT switch to INT. (internal time code selected) Set the REC RUN/FREE RUN switch position. REC RUN: The time code runs at the same time as the recording proceeds. FREE RUN: The time code runs in the same way as the time regardless of the VTR’s operation. Set the REGEN/PRESET switch position. Continuity is maintained with the recorded time code before editing.
Reproducing the time code/user bit Place the unit in the stop mode. Set the TC/CTL button to TC. Set the TC/UB switch to TC or UB. TC: The time code is displayed. UB: The user bit is displayed. When it is no longer possible to read the time code, it is interpolated using the CTL signal. Press the PLAY button. Playback now commences, and the time code appears on the display. When setting menu No.006 (SUPER) is ON, the time code value is superimposed onto the video signal from the VIDEO OUT 3 connector.
Superimpose screen The control signals, time code, etc. are displayed using abbreviations. CTL = control signal TCR = TC time code reading UBR = TC user bit reading Abbreviation TCR : : : TV monitor Characters displayed The background of characters superimposed on the display can be changed using menu No.007 (CHARA TYPE). TCR : : : TV monitor Display position The position of the characters superimposed on the display can be changed using setting menus No.001 (CHARA H-POS) and No.
Servo reference This unit automatically selects the input video signal selected by the INPUT switch, the reference video signal supplied from the REF VIDEO input connector or the internal sync signal as the servo reference signal. When the signal is selected, the unit’s mode and servo reference stand in the relationship shown in the flowchart presented below. EXT What is the SERVO REF on the setup menu No.
Servo reference setting tables The servo reference signal is switched as shown in the tables below depending on the servo reference setting, deck mode and what input signal is available. When the mode is transferred to editing or recording/playback, the image may be disturbed and the transfer may be delayed if the references during playback and recording do not match. During playback or special playback SERVO REF on the setup menu No.
Audio V Fade Function When editing tapes, the edit point splicing selection (setting menu No. 309 and 310) information is recorded on the tape. This information is then sensed during playback, and V fade or cut processing is automatically performed for these sections. [However, only when the playback fade selection (No. 719) is AUTO.] When the edit point splicing selection (setting menu No. 309 and 310) is CUT Audio signal A Audio signal B Noise appears at the edit splice.
Printed circuit board Printed circuit board Abbr. name Full name Function Factory setting Audio Input Impedance SW This sets the CH1 audio input impedance. HIGH/600W HIGH Audio Input Impedance SW This sets the CH2 audio input impedance. HIGH/600W HIGH H2 board SW101 CUE Cue Input Impedance SW This sets the CUE input impedance. F4 board Component PB/PR This sets the component PB/PR output level when connecting with Output level the editor.
Rack mounting The unit can be mounted into a 19-inch standard rack if the optional rack-mounting adaptors (AJ-MA34HP) are used. For the installation rails, it is recommended that the rail and bracket for 18" length (model number CC3001-99-0400) of SHASSIS TRAK be used. (The complete slide rail and bracket unit is not available from Panasonic) For further details, consult with your dealer. Remove the screws on the left and right sides of the unit.
Connector signals VIDEO IN SERIAL IN (DIGITAL) Y, PB, PR (ANALOG) BNC×2 BNC×3 VIDEO IN BNC×2 Loop-through, 75 switch provided termination REF VIDEO IN BNC×2 Loop-through, 75 switch provided termination Active through (Option) VIDEO OUT (Option) SERIAL OUT (DIGITAL) BNC×3 Y, PB, PR (ANALOG) BNC×3 VIDEO OUT BNC×3 AUDIO IN SERIAL IN (DIGITAL) AUDIO IN (DIGITAL) AUDIO IN (ANALOG) CUE IN TIME CODE IN BNC×2 XLR×2 XLR×2 XLR×1 XLR×1 (Option) CH1/CH2 AES/EBU format CH1, CH2 SERIAL OUT (DIGITAL) AUDIO
Connector signals PARALLEL REMOTE (25P) Pin No. Signal Pin No. 1 PLAY COMMAND 2 Signal Pin No.
Video head cleaning This unit has an auto head cleaning function which automatically reduces the dirt on the heads. However, to further increase the units reliability, it is recommended that its video heads be cleaned every day. Use the cleaning fluid designated by Panasonic. Condensation Condensation occurs due to the same principle involved when droplets of water form on a window pane of a heated room.
Specifications GENERAL (Video output connector) Analog component output: Power supply: Power consumption: AC 120 V±10%, 50 – 60 Hz 165 W Analog composite output: Operating ambient temperature: Operating ambient humidity: Weight: Dimensions (WxHxD): Recording format: Recording tracks: Tape speed: Recording time: Tape: FF/REW time: Editing accuracy: Tape timer accuracy: Servo lock time: 41°F to 104°F (5°C to 40°C) 10% to 90% (no condensation) 39.
Broadcast & Television Systems Company Division of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America Executive Office One Panasonic Way (4B-7), Secaucus, NJ 07094 Service Centers Eastern: One Panasonic Way, Panazip (2A-4), Secaucus, NJ 07094 (201)-348-7677 Fax (201)-348-7511 Southern: 1225 Northbrook Parkway, Suite #170, Suwanee, GA 30174 (770)-338-6855 Fax (770)-338-6656 Western: 4001 West Alameda Ave., Suite 100, Burbank, CA 91505 (818)-562-1579 Fax (818)-562-6663 Parts Information & Ordering 9:00 am–5:00 p.
