ENGLISH LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY CAMCORDER VL-Z5E VL-Z3E OPERATION MANUAL Before using the camcorder, please read this operation manual carefully, especially page vi. 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. 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. ENGLISH CAUTION To prevent shock, do not open the cabinet. No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified dealer or service centre. 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 110­240 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. Trademarks · Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. · DPOF is a trademark of CANON INC., Eastman Kodak Company, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. · All other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. Information for Australia/New Zealand Only ENGLISH WARNING: This Camcorder must be supplied only with DC 7.4 volts from a BTL226 battery or the AC adapter (UADP-A016WJZZ). CAUTION: As there are no user-serviceable parts inside the Camcorder or AC adapter, do NOT remove their cabinets as touching parts inside could result in electric shock. Please refer servicing to a qualified dealer or a Camcorder service centre approved by Sharp. NOTE This Camcorder is a high technology product. The LCD Panel comprises 215,280 TFT Transistors. Due to the high density of transistors, it is possible that some pixels may fail. Important: Copyright may exist in material you wish to record. Copying such material without permission of the relevant licensees or owners of the copyright is prohibited by law. Sharp is not in a position to authorize the recording of copyright works and nothing in this operation manual should be read or implied as giving that authority. i Contents Supplied Accessories ......................................................................................... v Optional Accessory ............................................................................................ v Precautions ........................................................................................................ vi Operation References Part Names ............................................................. 1 Warning Indicators .................................................. 4 Attaching and Removing the Battery Pack ............. 6 Charging the Battery Pack ...................................... 8 Powering the Camcorder from an AC Outlet .......... 9 Inserting and Removing a Cassette ..................... 10 Inserting and Removing a Card ............................ 11 Installing the Lithium Batteries .............................. 12 Setting the Date and Time .................................... 14 Using the Lens Cap .............................................. 15 Adjusting the Hand Strap ..................................... 16 Using the Grip ....................................................... 16 Detaching the Lens Hood ..................................... 17 Using the Viewfinder ............................................. 17 Using the LCD Monitor ......................................... 19 Tips on Recording Positions ................................. 20 Camera Recording Selecting the Camcorder Mode ............................ 21 Easy Camera Recording on Tape in Full Auto Mode ................................................... 22 Zooming ................................................................ 23 Power Standby Mode ........................................... 24 Turning on/off the Backlight .................................. 24 Auto Focus ............................................................ 25 Macro Shots .......................................................... 25 Remaining Recording Time Display ..................... 26 Remaining Battery Power Display ........................ 26 Playback Tape Playback ...................................................... 27 Volume Control ...................................................... 28 Still ........................................................................ 28 Video Search ......................................................... 28 Using Earphones (Commercially Available, VL-Z5 only) ................ 29 Adjusting the Phones Volume (VL-Z5 only) .......... 29 Watching Playback on a TV .................................. 30 Preparation Basic Operations ii Useful Features Control Buttons ..................................................... 31 Using the Mode Screens ...................................... 31 Using the Menu Screens ....................................... 32 Camera Recording Setting the Digital Zoom ....................................... 33 Backlight Compensation (BLC) ............................ 34 Gain-up ................................................................. 35 Fade in and Fade out ............................................ 36 Quick Return ......................................................... 37 Edit Search ............................................................ 38 Still Recording on Tape ......................................... 38 Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) ........................... 39 Self Recording ...................................................... 40 Wide Screen (16:9) ............................................... 42 Recording in LP (Long Play Recording) Mode ..... 43 Windbreak ............................................................. 44 Selecting the 16-bit Audio Recording Mode ......... 45 Playback Using the Remote Control (Only supplied with VL-Z5) ................................. 46 Tape Playback Functions with the Remote Control (Only supplied with VL-Z5) .................... 47 Selecting the Date and Time of Recording Display ................................................................ 48 Picture Effect Playback ......................................... 49 Rotate Playback .................................................... 50 Copying an Image from Tape to Card .................. 51 Advanced Features Camera Recording Manual Focus ....................................................... 52 Returning to Auto Focus ....................................... 53 Displaying the Manual Setting Screen .................. 53 White Balance Lock .............................................. 54 Manual Iris ............................................................ 55 Manual Gain .......................................................... 56 Setting the Camcorder to Full Auto Mode ............. 57 Scene Menu (Program AE) ................................... 58 iii Contents Advanced Features Playback Using the Time Code ............................................ 59 Audio Dubbing Feature ......................................... 60 Selecting the Audio Playback Mode ..................... 62 Editing ................................................................... 63 Recording from an External Source ...................... 64 Editing with the DV Terminal (IEEE1394) .............. 66 Using the Camcorder as a Converter ................... 68 Camera Recording Card Recording .................................................... 70 Selecting the Picture Quality ................................. 71 Recording with the Self-timer ................................ 72 Formatting a Card ................................................. 73 Setting the File Numbering Method ...................... 74 Playback Card Playback ...................................................... 75 Playback Zoom with the Remote Control (Only supplied with VL-Z5) .......................................... 76 Delete Protection ................................................... 77 Deleting Stored Images ........................................ 78 Print Order ............................................................. 80 Transferring Data on Card to Computer ............... 82 Installing the USB Driver ................................... 82 Slide Show Playback ............................................ 85 Digital Still Camera Features Appendix Picture/Backlight Adjustments .............................. 86 Turning off the Confirmation Sound ...................... 88 Setting the Camcorder to Factory Presettings ...... 89 Demonstration Mode ............................................ 90 Useful Information ................................................. 91 Troubleshooting .................................................... 97 Specifications ..................................................... 101 On-screen Display Index .................................... 102 Note: · Before requesting service, please read "Troubleshooting" carefully. (See pages 97­ 100.) iv Supplied Accessories Battery pack BT-L226 AC adapter Power cord Audio/video/S-video cable * * Remote control CR2025 type lithium battery for remote control CR1216 type lithium battery for camcorder Lens cap * 8 MB SD Memory Card CD-ROM USB cable The accessories with * mark are not supplied with VL-Z3 (only supplied with VL-Z5). Optional Accessory Standard-life battery pack BT-L226 Note: · The accessory above may not be available in selected areas. v Precautions · Before recording an important scene, please perform the recording test, then playback to check if the scene was recorded 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, remember 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 recording outside. · Avoid magnetic sources. Using the camcorder near strong fluorescent lights, motors, televisions, or other magnetic sources may adversely affect recorded images. · Using the camcorder near a broadcasting station or other powerful transmission source may cause buzzing or picture deterioration. · Avoid shocks and dropping. Do not drop or otherwise subject the camcorder to hard shocks or strong vibrations. Bumping or striking the unit during recording will generate noise in the recorded image. · Avoid placing the camcorder in close proximity to lighting equipment. The heat from incandescent lights may deform the camcorder, or cause it to malfunction. · Always respect prohibitions or restrictions on the use of electronic equipment on commercial flights or in other sensitive areas. · Be aware of the temperature and humidity. You can use your camcorder at 0°C to L40°C, and at 30% to 80% relative humidity. 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 circuitry. · 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 excessive smoke, steam or moisture. Such environments can cause malfunctions or cause mildew to form on the lenses. Be sure to keep the unit in a well-ventilated location. · Some small, portable tripods may be difficult to attach and may not be sturdy enough to support your camcorder. Be sure to use only a strong, stable tripod. · When using your camcorder in a cold environment, the LCD monitor screen often appears less bright immediately after 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.). vi 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 ...