ENGLISH COMPACT VHS CAMCORDER GR-AX460 GR-AX360 GR-AX260 Compact VHS PAL (GR-AX460 shown) INSTRUCTIONS YU30052-562-1
Dear Customer, Thank you for purchasing the JVC Compact VHS camcorder. Before use, please read the safety information and precautions contained in the following pages to ensure safe use of your new camcorder. Using This Instruction Manual • All major sections and subsections are listed in the Table Of Contents (Z pg. 3). • Notes appear after most subsections. Be sure to read these as well. • Basic and advanced features/operation are separated for easier reference. It is recommended that you . . . ....
MAJOR FEATURES n Programme AE with Special Effects (Z pg. 14) n Intelligent Function Control (Z pg. 16 – 23) n 14x Variable-Speed Hyper Zoom ( Z pg. 11) n EasyEdit (Random Assemble Editing) (Z pg. 30 – 33) n Desigh-Integrated Auto Light (GR-AX460 only) (Z pg.
GETTING STARTED Power This camcorder’s 3-way power supply system lets you choose the most appropriate source of power. NOTES: ● No function is available without power supply. ● Use only specified power supply. ● Do not use provided power supply units with other equipment. CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK CHG. (charge) indicator Marks POWER indicator To AC outlet END indicator REFRESH switch 1 2 REFRESH indicator 3 SUPPLY POWER Connect the charger’s AC power cord to a wall outlet.
**CHARGE MARKER Charge marker A charge marker is provided on the battery pack to help you remember whether it has been charged or not. Two colours are provided (red and black)—you choose which one means charged and which means discharged. NOTES: ● The recording time per charge is affected by such factors as the time spent in Record/Standby mode and the frequency of zooming. It is safer to have spare battery packs.
GETTING STARTED (cont.) Clock (Lithium) Battery Removal/Insertion A This battery is necessary to operate the clock and to perform date/time settings. 1 2 3 –/+ SET 4 5 SWITCH OFF POWER Switch off the unit’s power and remove the power supply unit. OPEN COVER Open the clock battery compartment cover while pressing the release tab. REMOVE BATTERY (when replacing) Insert a pointed, non-metallic object between the battery and the compartment ( A ) and pull the battery out.
TAPE30•45 tape length select button Viewfinder Adjustment 1 2 3 POSITION VIEWFINDER Adjust the viewfinder manually for best viewability (see illustration at left). SELECT MODE Set the power switch to CAMERA. ADJUST DIOPTER Turn the diopter adjustment control until the indications in the viewfinder are clearly focused. Tape Length Setting 1 Set POWER to “CAMERA”. T30 Tape length indicator SET TAPE LENGTH Set the tape length button according to the length of the tape used.
GETTING STARTED (cont.) Grip Adjustment 1 2 Recording Start/Stop button 3 EXPAND LOOP Separate the Velcro strip. INSERT HAND Pass your right hand through the loop and grasp the grip. ADJUST STRAP LENGTH Adjust so your thumb and fingers can easily operate the Recording Start/Stop button and Power Zoom switch. Refasten the Velcro strip.
Remote Control Unit The RM-V704U Full-Function Remote Control Unit can operate this camcorder from a distance as well as the basic operations (PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, FF, and REW) of your VCR. This remote control unit makes additional recording functions possible. To operate, point it at the camcorder’s remote sensor. The RM-V704U is provided with GR-AX460, and is available optionally for GR-AX360/AX260.
RECORDING Basic Recording LENS COVER SWITCH NOTE: You should already have performed the procedures listed below. If not, do so before continuing. ● Power (Z pg. 4) ● Tape Length Setting (Z pg. 7) ● Grip Adjustment (Z pg. 8) 1 POWER 2 Start/Stop Tape remaining time indicator 44MIN 1MIN (Blinking) 3 ENTER RECORD–STANDBY MODE Slide the LENS COVER open/close switch to open the lens cover, then set the power switch to CAMERA. 2MIN (Blinking) MIN.....
RECORDING Basic Features FEATURE: PURPOSE: Zoom indicator Zoom-in T T T T W W W W Zoom-out RETAKE Power zoom switch Zooming To vary the length of the focal lens and produce zoom in/out effect. OPERATION: Zoom In 1) Pull the power zoom switch down toward “T”. Zoom Out 2) Push the switch up toward “W”. NOTES: ● The further the power zoom switch is pushed or pulled, the faster the zoom speed becomes. ● Focusing may become unstable during zooming.
RECORDING Basic Features (cont.) FEATURE: PURPOSE: START/STOP VISS RM-V704U (provided with GR-AX460, optional for GR-AX360/AX260) AUTO PAUSE Record-Standby Up Normal Upside down Record Record-Standby Record-Standby Down Index Code Marking To give you automatic access to any selected point on a recording. Auto Marking and Manual Marking are available. OPERATION: Auto Marking An index code is always marked to start the first recording on a new date after a cassette is inserted.
RECORDING Advanced Features Video Light (GR-AX460 only) When natural lighting is too dim, you can brighten the scene by using the built-in video light. 1 LIGHT ON/AUTO/OFF SET VIDEO LIGHT Set the LIGHT ON/AUTO/OFF as required. ON : Always keeps the light on as long as the camcorder is turned on. AUTO : Automatically turns on the light when the camcorder senses insufficient lighting on the subject. OFF : Turns off the light. •The video light can be used with the camcorder’s power on.
RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) Program AE With Special Effects All you have to do to access any of the variety of shooting effects is to turn the PROGRAM AE select dial until the desired indication appears in the viewfinder. The mode is activated about 1 second later. DIAL SYMBOL LOCK VIEWFINDER A AUTO LOCK Tally lamp MODE Auto Mode Lock Auto Mode Lock Locks camcorder in Full Auto mode, preventing accidental misoperation/button pressing during shooting.
White balance mode indicator No indication (Auto) MWB White Balance Adjustment This camcorder’s Automatic Colour Temperature system senses the colour temperature of the ambient lighting for automatic white balance adjustment. However, precise colour adjustment is not possible under the following conditions: •When an object is in various shades of the same colour. •When a predominantly red or brown object is being shot outdoors.
RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) INTELLIGENT FUNCTION CONTROL Group 1 F1 FADER F2 CINEMA F1 FADER F2 CINEMA SEL. Group 2 F1 FOCUS F2 EXP. Viewfinder SEL. Group 3 F1 TITLE F2 This feature makes it easier for you to make selections during the following modes: Fader, Cinema, Manual Focus Adjust, Exposure Control, Display, and Instant Title. DISP. SEL. 1 2 PROGRAM AE select dial 3 PREPARATION Set the PROGRAM AE dial to any position except LOCK. SELECT MODE Press Function SEL.
Cinema mode Cinema This feature allows you to record black bars at the top and bottom of the screen to produce a cinema-like “wide-screen” effect. 1 2 3 SELECT MODE Press Function SEL. until “CINEMA” appears to the right of F2. ENGAGE CINEMA MODE Press F2. RESTORE NORMAL SCREEN Press F2 again while “CINEMA” appears next to F2 in the viewfinder.
RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) Focusing Auto Focus Focus detection zone F1 F2 The camcorder’s Full Range AF system offers continuous shooting ability from close-up to infinity. However, correct focus may not be obtainable in the situations listed below (in these cases use manual focusing): •When two subjects overlap in the same scene. •When illumination is low.* •When the subject has no contrast (difference in brightness and darkness), such as a flat, one-colour wall, or a clear, blue sky.
Manual Focus Viewfinder F1 FOCUS F2 EXP. NOTE: You should already have made the necessary viewfinder adjustments (Z pg. 7). If you haven’t, do so before continuing. Power zoom switch 1 SELECT MODE Press Function SEL. until “FOCUS” appears to the right of F1. ADJUST FOCUS 2 2 F1 button F2 button B F1 F2 Function SEL. button 3 4 + TO FARTHER SUBJECT ” TO NEARER SUBJECT While holding down F1, slide the power zoom switch to W. The Manual Focus indications “ ” appear and “ ” blinks.
RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) Viewfinder Exposure Control F1 FOCUS F2 EXP. This feature automatically adjusts the iris for the best available picture quality, but you can override and make the adjustment manually. Power zoom switch 1 2 SELECT MODE Press Function SEL. until “EXP.” appears to the right of F2. BRIGHTEN IMAGE While holding down F2, slide the power zoom switch to T. The Exposure indicator bar appears in the viewfinder. OR . . .
F1 button F2 button Date/Time Character Insert This feature allows you to display date, time and characters in your viewfinder and on a connected colour monitor, record them manually or automatically, and even make your own titles. F1 SEL F2 NOTE: Function SEL. button You should already have performed the Date/Time Setting procedure (Z pg. 6). If you haven’t, do so before continuing. DISPLAY 1 F1 TITLE F2 DISP. 2 SELECT DISPLAY Press Function SEL. until “DISP.” appears to the right of F2.
RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) –/+ SET Character Generator 1 2 3 4 SELECT MODE Press Function SEL. until “DISP.” appears to the right of F2. SET CHARACTER OR TITLE Press F2 until “SET CHAR” or a previously stored title appears in the viewfinder. ACCESS CHARACTER MODE SCREEN Press SET. A character grid appears in the view finder. ENTER DESIRED CHARACTERS Press + or – to move the cursor on the character grid to the desired character, then press SET to enter.
Example of Character Generator & Title The camcorder has eight preset titles in memory. You can superimpose one of them above a previously stored title as shown in the illustration to the left. The preset titles appear in this order: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, OUR FAMILY, MOVIE STAR, PARTY TIME, MERRY CHRISTMAS, WEDDING DAY, CONGRATULATIONS.
RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) Tally lamp PROGRAM AE Self-Timer You can set the delay between pressing Recording Start/ Stop and the actual start of recording. If you secure the camcorder, you (or whomever is operating the camcorder) can enter the scene before recording starts. NOTE: You need the RM-V704U remote control unit to perform this procedure. 1 START/STOP INT.
Animation Time-Lapse Give stationary scenes or objects an illusion of movement. This function allows you to shoot a series of pictures, each slightly different, of the same object for a brief period of time. You can record sequentially at preset time spans. Leaving the camcorder aimed at a specific subject, you can record subtle changes over an extended period of time. NOTE: NOTE: You need the RM-V704U remote control unit to perform the following procedure.
PLAYBACK Using The Cassette Adapter Cassette Adapter Use this to play back a VHS-C video cassette recorded with this camcorder. It is fully compatible with any VHS video cassette recorder. The C-P7U adapter is battery powered and automatically performs tape loading and unloading.
PLAYBACK Basic Connections There are three basic types of connections. When making the connections, refer also to your VCR and TV instruction manuals. Connection To A VCR [A] (Editing, Dubbing and Playback) NOTE: Use the provided A/V cable. To AUDIO and VIDEO connectors 1 A/V cable (provided) A If your TV/VCR has the SCART connector, use the provided cable adapter.
PLAYBACK Basic Playback PLAY/PAUSE STOP NOTE: Make sure you connect your camcorder as directed in “BASIC CONNECTIONS” (Z pg. 27). 1 FF REW 2 3 4 LOAD A CASSETTE Load as you did in the recording procedure. SELECT MODE Set the power switch to PLAY. The Power On indicator lights. PLAYBACK Press PLAY/PAUSE. The playback picture appears in the viewfinder and the connected TV. STOP PLAYBACK Press STOP.
PLAYBACK Features TRACKING COUNTER R/M PLAY/PAUSE REW FF STOP FEATURE: PURPOSE: Manual Tracking To eliminate noise bars that appear on the screen. OPERATION: 1) Press either TRACKING button as many times as necessary for best picture. NOTES: ● To reset TRACKING to the original preset, press both TRACKING buttons simultaneously. ● Manual Tracking may not work with tapes recorded on other VCRs or camcorders. FEATURE: Still Playback PURPOSE: To pause during playback.
EDITING Power switch Tape Dubbing 1 EDIT PLAY/PAUSE 2 To EDIT To AUDIO out To VIDEO out Editing cable (provided) A/V cable (provided) To AUDIO IN To VIDEO IN To Remote PAUSE If your TV/VCR has the SCART connector, use the provided cable adapter. VCR (Recording deck) 3 4 5 6 7 CONNECT EQUIPMENT Following the illustration at left, connect the camcorder and the VCR. If you have a Remote PAUSE terminal, use the editing cable to connect it to the camcorder and the VCR.
SET REMOTE/VCR CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 MBR SET VCR CTL Turn off the power to the VCR and point the remote toward the VCR’s infrared sensor. Then, referring to the chart at left, press and hold MBR SET, and press button (A) and then (B). •The code is automatically set once you release the MBR SET button, and the VCR’s power comes on.
EDITING (cont.) REW/FF CANCEL IN/OUT R.A. EDIT PLAY/PAUSE STOP 2 3 PREPARE CAMCORDER Insert a recorded tape and set the power switch to PLAY. PREPARE VCR Turn the power on, insert a recordable tape and engage the AUX mode (refer to VCR’s instructions). SELECT SCENES 1 To EDIT Editing cable (provided) A B C To Remote PAUSE To Pause-In To AUDIO and VIDEO out connector A/V cable (provided) To AUDIO and VIDEO IN connectors If your TV/VCR has the SCART connector, use the provided cable adapter.
AUTOMATIC EDITING TO VCR ORIGINAL TAPE (camcorder) 1 IN OUT 3 IN OUT 2 IN OUT 1 EDITED TAPE (VCR) EDIT STOP 2 3 ENGAGE VCR’S RECORD–PAUSE MODE Point the remote control toward the VCR’s infrared sensor and press VCR REC STBY, or manually engage the VCR’s Record-Pause mode. BEGIN AUTOMATIC EDITING Press EDIT on the camcorder, and the previously selected scenes are copied to the VCR in the specified order.
EDITING (cont.) COUNTER R/M Insert Editing You can record a new scene into a previously recorded tape, replacing a section of the original recording with minimal picture distortion at the in- and out-points. The original audio remains unchanged. NOTE: You need the RM-V704U remote control unit to perform the following procedure. 1 2 3 POWER M-0:12:34 Tape Counter Insert editing indicator 4 Viewfinder 5 6 SELECT MODE Set the power switch to PLAY.
Audio dubbing indicator Viewfinder Audio Dubbing You can record a new soundtrack on a prerecorded tape (normal audio only). ** Perform steps 1, 2 and 3 of the Insert Editing procedure (Z pg. 34) before continuing. 1 Mic 2 3 FIND EDIT-IN POINT Press REW to go a little beyond the beginning of the scene onto which you want to dub new audio, press PLAY to view the recorded tape, then press PAUSE at exactly the point where dubbing should start. ENGAGE AUDIO DUB STANDBY MODE Press and hold A.
INDEX Controls Controls 1 PROGRAM AE Select Dial .................. Z pg. 14 2 F1 [Function 1] Button ........................ Z pg. 16 3 PUSH Button ......................................... Z pg. 7 4 Function SEL. Button ........................... Z pg. 16 5 F2 [Function 2] Button ........................ Z pg. 16 6 EJECT Switch ......................................... Z pg. 7 7 AUTO PAUSE ON/OFF Switch @ # $ % ^& y U I9O 0 * ()q w (GR-AX460 only) ................................. Z pg.
INDEX Viewfinder 6 78 9 T F1 1 2 3 4 5 s MWB W 0 45 M I N T 45 FADER F2 C INEMA REC P AUSE SPORTS LENS COVER INDEX FADER 1 4S 5MIN ! @ # $ % ^ & MERRY CHR ISTMAS 10 : 55 25. 12. 96 *( ) q Viewfinder Indications 1 , 2 PROGRAM AE Indicator ................ Z pg. 14 Displayed at 2 for approx. 3 seconds when the 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 PROGRAM AE select dial is switched from one position to another. Then only the indicator remains at 1 . Focus Indicator ................................... Z pg.
CAUTIONS DANGER: • The video light becomes extremely hot. Do not touch it either while in operation or soon after turning it off, otherwise serious injury may result. • Do not place the camcorder into the carrying case immediately after using the video light, since it remains extremely hot. • When operating, keep a distance of about 30 cm between the video light and people or object. • Do not use near flammable or explosive materials.
Main Unit 1. For safety, DO NOT . . . .... open the camcorder’s chassis. .... disassemble or modify the unit. .... short-circuit the terminals of the battery pack. Keep it away from metallic objects when not in use. .... allow inflammables, water or metallic objects to enter the unit. .... remove the battery pack or disconnect the power supply while the power is on. .... leave the battery pack attached when the camcorder is not in use. 2. Avoid using the unit . . . ....
TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE(S) POWER No power is supplied. ● The battery pack has not been attached correctly ( Z pg. 4). ● The battery pack is not charged (Z pg. 4). ● The power supply has not been correctly connected ( Z pg. 5). RECORDING Recording cannot be performed. ● The recording tape’s Erase Protection tab is missing. Cover the hole with adhesive tape. (Some tapes have sliding tabs. In this case, check the position of the tab.) Recording does not start.
SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Format Power source Power consumption GR-AX460 light on GR-AX460 light off GR-AX360 GR-AX260 Signal system Video recording system Luminance Colour Cassette Tape speed Recording time Max. Operating temperature Operating humidity Storage temperature Weight GR-AX460 GR-AX360 GR-AX260 Dimensions GR-AX460/AX260 GR-AX360 VIDEO : VHS PAL standard : DC 6 V Output : : : : : AUDIO 8.7 W 5.7 W 5.9 W 5.
GR-AX460/AX360/AX260 VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LIMITED COPYRIGHT© 1995 VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LTD.
