Important Safeguards -1- Instruction Manual 8mm Video Camcorder VM-E220A Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. 3890 Steve Reynolds Blvd., Norcross, GA 30093 Tel. 770-279-5600 HITACHI (HSC) CANADA INC 3300 Trans Canada Highway, Pointe Claire, Quebec, H9R 1B1, CANADA Tel. 514-697-9150 HITACHI SALES CORPORATION OF HAWAII, INC 3219 Koapaka Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 Tel. 808-836-3621 Thank you for buying a Hitachi product. Please take time to become familiar with the manual and how it is set up.
Important Safeguards -2TABLE OF CONTENTS Important Safeguards .............................................................................................................................. 4 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER .................................... 6 Read This First.......................................................................................................................................... 7 Before You Begin ......................................................
Important Safeguards -3Periodic Maintenance ........................................................................................................................ 42 Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................. 43 Specifications ...................................................................................................................................... 46 Accessories Add Excitement ..............
Important Safeguards -4- -- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. -- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. -- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. -- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Caution to the user: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacture could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
Important Safeguards -5- 5 Power Sources -- This video product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your video dealer or local power company. For video products intended to operate from battery power, or other sources, refer to the operating instructions. 6 Overloading -- Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER -6- other electric light or power circuits, or where it can fall into such power lines or circuits. When installing an outside antenna system, extreme care should be taken to keep from touching or approaching such power lines or circuits as contact with them might be fatal. Installing an outdoor antenna can be hazardous and should be left to a professional antenna installer.
Read This First -7- 4. Caution -- To reduce risk of injury, charge only rechargeable battery, VM-BP82G, VM-BP82 or VM-BP84. Other types of batteries may burst causing personal injury and damage. 5. Do not expose charger to rain or snow. 6. Use of an attachment nor recommended or sold by the battery charger manufacturer may result in a risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons. 7. To reduce risk of damage to electric plug and cord, pull by plug rather than cord when disconnecting charger. 8.
Before You Begin -8- Any problems that occur as a result of any of the following conditions will not be covered by our warranty. Be careful that no water, dust or sand enters the camcorder and all accessories. When you shoot at a scene which contains an extremely bright object such as the sun or a light source, a bright vertical bar may appear in the picture. Your camcorder is functioning properly, but the solid-state pickup device (C.C.D) usually causes this as an inherent characteristic.
Getting Started -9- Card, and American Express credit cards are accepted. The RF adapter can also be purchased by mail by sending either money order or your credit card information to the following address: HiTRON, Inc. 675, Old Peachtree RD. Suwanee, GA 30174 Tel: 1-800-995-4500 For more information concerning the purchase of camcorder accessories, please see the optional accessory listing on page 61.
Getting Started - 10 - 1. Plug the AC adapter/charger 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. To insert the battery into the charger align the reference arrow on the battery with the reference arrow on the AC adapter/charger.
Getting Started - 11 - ATTENTION: The product that you have purchased contains a rechargeable battery. The battery is recyclable. At the end of its useful life, under various state and local laws, it may be illegal to dispose of this battery into the municipal waste stream. Check with your local solid waste officials for details in your area for recycling options or proper disposal.
Getting Started - 12 - Loading Batteries Clock Battery Install the battery to prevent misplacing it. 1. Pull out the battery holder. 2. Insert the battery with the "+" terminal facing up. 3. Fully insert the battery holder into the camcorder. WARNING: KEEP THE BATTERIES AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS. IF SWALLOWED CONSULT A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT. Note: Replace the batteries with 3V micro lithium cells such as Maxell CR2025 or its equivalent.
Getting Started - 13 - Before you install the battery for the first time it must be fully charged. Refer to "Charging the Battery" on page 12 for details. 1. Lift the OPEN lever and pull it up. The power supply attachment cover will open. 2. With the battery compartment facing you, align arrow on the battery with the arrow on the camcorder. 3. Once the arrows are aligned, push down on the battery. 4. While pushing down the battery, slide it to the right until it "clicks" into place. 5.
Getting Started - 14 - Removing the Battery Pack 1. Lift the OPEN lever and pull it up. The power supply attachment cover will open. 2. Push the side of the battery in the direction of the arrow. A click will be heard and the battery is released. 3. Remove the battery and close the cover. Checking the Battery's Charge A battery charge indicator is located on the upper right corner of the viewfinder. One of three symbols displays when the battery is used. This symbol indicates a fully charged battery.
Getting Started - 15 - 2. Lift the battery holder plates at the center of the attachment holder. 3. Insert six alkaline batteries with the correct polarities. 4. After installing the batteries, close the cover. Hold the OPEN lever and align the tabs on both sides of the cover with the end of the attachment section. Note: Use only "AA" alkaline batteries marked "LR6". (Manganese batteries cannot be used to power the camcorder.
Getting Started - 16 - Note: Do not let the batteries or the terminals of the camcorder get dirty. If they are dirty, use a dry cloth to wipe off the dirt completely. Note: It is recommended that you use a battery pack to power the camcorder when using a DC camera light. If a camera light is used when the camcorder is powered by batteries, the required supply voltage will be very short and the camcorder will turn off soon.
Getting Started - 17 - 1. Plug the car battery cord into the car's cigarette lighter socket. 2. Connect one end of the DC cord (provided) to the DC IN jack of the camcorder. Connect to other end of the DC cord to the DC OUTPUT of the car battery cord. Note: Only use the car battery cord with cars having 12/24 volt negative ground system. Inserting and Removing Cassettes A power source must be connected before inserting or removing cassettes.
Getting Started - 18 - slack or no dust adheres to it, etc. After making sure that there is no abnormality, reinsert the cassette. If TAPE reappears, see "Troubleshooting" on page 56. Removing a Cassette Slide the EJECT switch in the direction of the arrow. The cassette door opens automatically. Remove the cassette. Protecting Recorded Material Protect 8mm cassettes from accidental erasure by sliding the tab on the side of the cassette towards the opposite side until the tab is completely visible.
Getting Started, Identifying Controls - 19 - reference when viewing them later. Use the following procedure to set up the display for the current date and time. Note: Be sure to insert the clock battery before setting the date and time. Although the date and time can be set without the clock battery inserted, they will disappear when the battery providing power to the camcorder is removed. Make sure that the current time is displayed correctly before you start filming. 1.
Getting Started, Identifying Controls - 20 - 2. Viewfinder BRIGHT, COLOR and TINT controls Refer to page 52. 3. Cassette Holder Close Button CAUTION: Be sure to press this button to close the cassette holder. Otherwise, the tape may become slack and may be damaged. 4. Cassette Holder A power source must be connected to the camcorder before a cassette can be inserted or removed. 5. Microphone 6. Record Indicator This indicator lights when the camcorder is recording. 7.
Basic Techniques - 21 - Refer to page 13. 20. DC IN Jack (Behind the jack cover) When using the AC adapter/charger, connect one end of the DC cord (provided) to this jack and the other end to the DC OUTPUT jack of the AC adapter/charger. When using the car battery cord (optional), connect this jack and the DC OUTPUT jack of the car battery cord. 21. 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.
Basic Techniques - 22 - Note: TAPE flashes in the viewfinder when the tab on the side of the cassette is completely visible. 6. To stop recording press the Start/Stop button and REC disappears from the viewfinder replaced by places the camcorder in standby. . This Note: TAPE END flashes in the viewfinder when about 3 minutes or less remain of the tape cassette. Note: If the camcorder is left in record/pause mode for more than 5 minutes, the camcorder turns off automatically.
Basic Techniques - 23 - 1. Connect the provided audio/video output cable to the AUDIO IN and VIDEO IN jacks of your television. Note: If your television has two (stereo) AUDIO IN and VIDEO IN jacks, connect the audio plug to the leftchannel AUDIO IN jack. 2. Connect the free square plug to the AUDIO OUT and VIDEO OUT jacks of the camcorder. 3. Insert a recorded cassette into the camcorder. 4. Turn on your television and set to the camcorder input mode (consult your television manual for details). 5.
Basic Techniques - 24 - Note: When you engage play/pause mode the still picture will have some interference or noise. This is normal. Using Forward and Reverse Search When looking for a particular point in your videotape use the F.F button and REW button to find the spot quickly. • Press F.F button during playback to play the tape forward at approximately 9 times normal speed. Press PLAY button to return to normal playback.
Advanced Techniques - 25 - Note: The indication showing double speed playback does not appear. Note: When double speed playback is activated, both the picture and sound are played back at twice the normal speed. This will cause noise lines to appear on the picture and the sound to become warbled. (With some tapes the width of the noise band may vary or noise may flow.) Note: With some TVs, the synchronization may unlock and the picture may fluctuate or the picture may become black-and-white.
Advanced Techniques - 26 - - the cassette is replaced. - you select AUTO and date display again. - the recording is less than 10 seconds long. Note: If the date changes while recording continues over 10 seconds, the new date is recorded for about 10 seconds the next time you make a recording.
Advanced Techniques - 27 - Using the Digital Zoom The digital zoom increases the magnification of the power zoom by 2 times. You must place the subject you wish to magnify at the center of the viewfinder. Note: This digital zoom has certain limitation and may degradate at extreme magnification and amplify camcorder's movement. Press and hold the power zoom T control until you find the picture you want. You control the zoom with the power zoom T and W controls.
Advanced Techniques - 28 - Using Auto Focus The camcorder focuses the subject in the center of the viewfinder automatically unless the manual focus is engaged. If FOCUS appears in the viewfinder, manual focus is engaged. Press the FOCUS control buttons simultaneously to return to auto focus.
Advanced Techniques - 29 - manually. 2. Use the power zoom T control to zoom up completely to your subject. If you don't use the T control to zoom to the picture you want, the picture may fall out of focus when actual recording starts. 3. Press the Focus control F (far) or N (near) button until the subject is in focus. 4. Use the power zoom W control to zoom back to the picture you desire. Note: To return to auto focus press the FOCUS control buttons and the FOCUS disappears from the viewfinder.
Advanced Techniques - 30 - Date Search The date search function memorizes the start and end positions of recordings you made on a specific day so you can easily locate those positions later as long as the cassette is left in the camcorder. Note: Be sure that the date and time are set. 1. Attach a power source and slide the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to VIDEO. 2. Press the DATE/TITLE button (the DISPLAY button on the remote control) to display "SEARCH" in the viewfinder. 3.
Advanced Techniques - 31 - If your television or VCR has AUDIO OUT and VIDEO OUT jacks you can record television programs with your camcorder. Recording Television Programs Illustration 1. Connect the optional AV input cable to the VIDEO OUT and AUDIO OUT jacks of your television or VCR. 2. Connect the free plug to the AV IN/OUT jack of your camcorder. 3. Connect the camcorder to a power source. 4. Insert a cassette in the camcorder. 5.
Advanced Techniques - 32 - 1. Recorder's Remote Control The shaded buttons on the remote control have the same functions as the corresponding buttons on the camcorder. 2. S.EDIT (Synchro Edit) Button (only on the remote control) Use this button to activate the synchro edit function for dubbing ("Using Synchro Edit", P.46). 3. TITLE ON/OFF Button (only on the remote control) Use this button to create and record titles for your tapes ("Creating and Recording a Title," p.43). 4.
Advanced Techniques - 33 - To remove the remote control Push both sides of the holder until the remote control is released from the tab. The rear of the remote control will be released from the holder and will lift slightly. Using Memory The linear time counter memory stops a rewinding tape at approximately 0:00:00M. This feature helps in locating a specific point in the tape to which you wish to return.
Advanced Techniques - 34 - • When a recorded tape is in the camcorder during the VIDEO mode, "SEARCH" appears in the viewfinder. (Refer to "Date Search" on page 37). • Pressing the DISPLAY button a second time returns to the linear time counter. Note: The linear time counter with the memory feature in the viewfinder can also be displayed on the connected television.
Advanced Techniques - 35 - 6. Once you've selected a character press the STOP button to set it. 7. Complete the title by repeating steps 5 and 6. 8. When you complete your title, press the TITLE ON/OFF button on the remote control to store the title in memory and remove the title graphics from the viewfinder. Note: As long as the correct current time can be displayed, the title is held in memory. Correcting Errors 1.
Advanced Techniques - 36 - Using Audio/Video Dubbing Use audio/video dubbing to record audio and video from the camcorder's built-in microphone and camera onto a previously recorded tape in the camcorder. Remote Control Audio/Video Dubbing Buttons 1. Connect your camcorder to the television, following "Connecting to a Television with Audio In and Video In Jacks" on page 27. 2. Turn on your television and place it in the camcorder input mode (consult your television manual for details). 3.
Advanced Techniques - 37 - Simple Programmable Edit (Edit remote control is optional accessory) Simple programmable edit allows you to program your camcorder to select the scenes you want to copy from a pre-recorded tape. Use the edit remote control (optional) to easily copy scenes from a recorded tape in the camcorder (playback machine) onto a blank tape in a table-top VCR which handles infrared signals (recording machine).
Advanced Techniques Sanyo - 38 - OUT Sharp NEC JVC Akai A/V DUB Gold Star PHILIPS RCA DISPLAY Zenith COUNTER RESET Magnavox TITLE ON/OFF Note: The remote control code is held in memory until it is changed or the batteries are replaced. Note: Point the remote control straight at the VCR's infrared receiver for operation. Note: Use the remote control indoors.
Advanced Techniques - 39 - 6. Press the IN button to store the counter reading. When you press the IN button, OUT flashes in the program display. button to search for the end of the segment you want to copy. Press and then to set the 7. Press the camcorder to the play pause mode. Use the FORWARD or REVERSE button as required to fine adjust the tape position. 8. Press the OUT button to store the counter reading at the end of the scene. 9.
Advanced Techniques - 40 - 2. Remove both caps of the converter lens. 3. Screw the lens into the threads on the camcorder lens assembly. Attaching the Optional DC Camera Light You can use the DC camera light to light subjects in darkened areas or correct unflattering shadows. Use the camera light wisely as it greatly reduces the time you may use a charged battery. NEVER TOUCH THE DC CAMERA LIGHT TERMINAL WHEN THE CAMCORDER IS TURNED ON TO AVOID ELECTRIC SHOCK. 1. Slide the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to OFF. 2.
Advanced Techniques - 41 - Replacing the DC Camera Light Bulb 1. Turn the front of the case counter-clockwise and remove it. 2. Remove the bulb by pulling it out through the opened case. 3. Install the new bulb by aligning the notch in the rim of the bulb's base with the " " mark outside the socket. Avoid touching the bulb directly with your fingers. It may shorten the life of the bulb. 4.
General Maintenance - 42 - General Maintenance Cleaning the camcorder Heads Dirt can accumulate on the video heads on the camera causing the playback picture to become blurred or appear as if video information is lost. This often means that the video heads are dirty. Use a video head cleaner such as a dry type head cleaning tape to clean the heads. If after cleaning the heads the picture does not clear up consult your nearest dealer or VCR service center for professional head cleaning.
General Maintenance - 43 - Troubleshooting Quality is very important at Hitachi. We inspect and check every camcorder carefully at the factory under the most rigid quality control and inspection systems. If problems develop please check the following possible solutions before inquiring about professional service.
General Maintenance Symptom The camcorder cannot be set to the recording - 44 Check Point & Correction § Check the record-protect tab on the cassette mode, even when the Start/Stop button on the camcorder is pressed. See page 19 for details § Set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to CAM. § Connect the camcorder and TV or VCR. PLAYBACK OF PRE-RECORDED CASSETTE Symptom "PLAY" button cannot be engaged. Check Point & Correction § Set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to VIDEO.
General Maintenance The playback picture moves rapidly and noise appears. Also sound speeded up from normal is heard. - 45 § The camcorder is set to the double speed playback mode. Pressing the playback button to restore the normal playback mode. The sound also returns to the normal speed Noise appears in the picture during double speed playback, but this does not indicate a fault. See page 30 for details.
General Maintenance - 46 - TAPE DISPLAY Symptom TAPE appears in the viewfinder. Check Point & Correction § Have you moved the camcorder or cassette from a cold place to a warm place so that its temperature changed abruptly? If the temperature has changed, remove the cassette and set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to OFF, then wait for about one hour. Remove the cassette and then try to reinsert: remove it several times.
Accessories Add Excitement - 47 - DIAL TOLL FREE 7 days a week, 24 hours a day 800 HITACHI 1-800-448-2244 Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. Hitachi has made every effort to assure you hours of trouble free operation from your unit. However, should you require service, a network of Hitachi Authorized Service Facilities has been established in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Each facility will provide you with convenient and expedient assistance.
Accessories Add Excitement - 48 - HiTRON, Inc. 675, Old Peachtree RD. Suwanee, GA 30174 Please allow two to three weeks for delivery. If there is a current back order status on the model(s) you ordered, we will notify you. Thank you for allowing us (Hitachi and HiTRON) to be of service to you...our valued customer! Order form VM-E520A/VM-E521A iNo, this camera does not have fading as a feature.
