ENGLISH DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA GR-DX55 GR-DX45 GR-DX35 GR-DX25 Please visit our Homepage on the World Wide Web for Digital Video Camera: http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/cyber/ CONTENTS AUTOMATIC DEMONSTRATION 6 GETTING STARTED 7 – 10 TAPE RECORDING & PLAYBACK 11 – 15 ADVANCED FEATURES 16 – 33 REFERENCES 34 – 47 For Accessories: http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/accessory/ INSTRUCTIONS LYT1120-001A 01 DX55/45/35/25EK_EN 01-10 1 03.1.
CONTENTS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS SOME DO’S AND DON’TS ON THE SAFE USE OF EQUIPMENT PROVIDED ACCESSORIES HOW TO ATTACH THE LENS CAP HOW TO ATTACH THE CORE FILTER AUTOMATIC DEMONSTRATION 3 4 5 5 6 6 GETTING STARTED Power ............................................................ 7 – 8 Grip Adjustment ...................................................... 8 Viewfinder Adjustment ............................................. 8 Tripod Mounting ......................................................
Dear Customer, Thank you for purchasing this digital video camera. Before use, please read the safety information and precautions (墌 pgs. 3 and 4) to ensure safe use of this product. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTIONS: ● To prevent shock, do not open the cabinet. No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
Do not point the lens or the viewfinder directly into the sun. This can cause eye injuries, as well as lead to the malfunctioning of internal circuitry. There is also a risk of fire or electric shock. CAUTION! The following notes concern possible physical damage to the camcorder and to the user. Do not carry or hold the camcorder by the viewfinder and/or the LCD monitor as this can result in dropping the unit, or in a malfunction. Take care not to get your finger caught in the cassette holder cover.
PROVIDED ACCESSORIES or AC Adapter AP-V11E or AP-V13E Power Cord Battery Pack BN-V107U or BN-V107U-S S-Video/Audio/ Video/Editing Cable Lens Cap (See below for attachment) Editing Extension Cable Grip Belt (Already attached to the camcorder) USB Cable Tab AAA (R03) Battery x 2 (for remote control unit) AAA (R03) Battery x 2 1 3 Core Filter (for provided USB Cable 墌 pg.
HOW TO ATTACH THE CORE FILTER Attach the Core Filter(s) to the provided AC Adapter’s cord, S-Video/Audio/Video/Editing cable and USB cable. The Core Filter reduces interference. 1 Release the stoppers on both ends of the Core Filter. 2 1) Run the cable through the Core Filter, leaving approx. 3 cm of cable between the cable plug and the Core Filter. If using the AC Adapter’s cord or USB cable, be sure to wind the cable once around the outside of the Core Filter as shown in the illustration.
Power CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK y 1 Insert the terminal end of the battery pack into the battery pack mount ), then firmly push the end of the battery pack in the direction of the arrow until it locks into place as shown in the illustration. 2 Set the Power Switch 8 to “OFF”. Connect the AC Adapter to the camcorder, then connect the Power Cord to the AC Adapter. To DC connector AC Adapter ) 8 6 3 Plug the Power Cord into an AC outlet.
About Batteries DANGER! Do not attempt to take the batteries apart, or expose them to flame or excessive heat, as it may cause a fire or explosion. Grip Adjustment 1 Separate the Velcro strip. 2 Pass your right hand through the loop and grasp the grip. 3 Adjust your thumb and fingers through the grip, to easily operate the Recording Start/Stop button 7 and Power Switch 8 and Power Zoom (SHUTTLE SEARCH) Ring 9. Be sure to fasten the Velcro strip to your preference.
Tripod Mounting Loading/Unloading A Cassette CAUTION The camcorder needs to be powered up to load or eject a cassette. When attaching the camcorder to a tripod, extend its legs to stabilise the camcorder. It is not advised to use small sized tripods. This may cause damage to the unit by falling over. 1 Slide and hold OPEN/EJECT u in the direction of 1 • Do not touch internal components. To attach the camcorder to a tripod, align the screw to the mounting socket r on the camcorder.
● It takes a few seconds for the cassette holder to open. Do not apply force. ● There may be a delay after you open the cassette holder cover until the cassette holder opens. Do not use force. ● If you wait a few seconds and the cassette holder does not open, close the cassette holder cover and try again. If the cassette holder still does not open, turn the camcorder off then on again. ● If the tape does not load properly, open the cassette holder cover fully and remove the cassette.
Basic Recording Perform the procedures listed below before continuing. ● Power (墌 pg. 7) ● Grip Adjustment (墌 pg. 8) ● Viewfinder Adjustment (墌 pg. 8) ● Load A Cassette (墌 pg. 9) ● Recording Mode Setting (墌 pg. 10) 1 Remove the lens cap. Pull on bottom end t of LCD monitor to open. During shooting 2 Set the Power Switch 8 to “ ” or “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. 180° Shooting while using the viewfinder: Pull out the viewfinder fully.
Journalistic Shooting Zooming In some situations, different shooting angles may provide more dramatic results. Hold the camcorder in the desired position and tilt the LCD monitor in the most convenient direction. It can rotate 270° (90° downward, 180° upward). To produce the zoom in/out effect, or an instantaneous change in image magnification. Self-Recording Zoom Out Turn the Power Zoom (SHUTTLE SEARCH) Ring 9 counterclockwise. You can shoot yourself while viewing your own image in the LCD monitor.
Time Code Normal Playback During recording, a time code is recorded on the tape. This code is to confirm the location of the recorded scene on the tape during playback. If recording starts from a blank portion, the time code begins counting from “00:00:00” (minute:second:frame). If recording starts from the end of a previously recorded scene, the time code continues from the last time code number. To perform Random Assemble Editing (墌 pg. 30 – 32), time code is necessary.
Blank Search Helps you find where you should start recording in the middle of a tape to avoid time code interruption (墌 pg. 13). 1 Load a tape (墌 pg. 9). 2 Set the Power Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. 3 Press BLANK SEARCH (. Speaker 8 &* • “BLANK SEARCH” r appears and the camcorder automatically starts reverse or forward shuttle search, then stops at the spot which is about 3 seconds of tape before the beginning of the detected blank portion.
Connections 1 Make sure all units are turned off. 2 Connect the camcorder to a TV or VCR as shown in the illustration. If using a VCR . . . go to step 3. If not . . . go to step 4. 3 Connect the VCR output to the TV input, referring to your VCR’s instruction manual. Connector cover* To S/AV # 4 Turn on the camcorder, the VCR and the TV. 5 Set the VCR to its AUX input mode, and set the TV S-Video/Audio/Video/Editing cable (provided) to its VIDEO mode.
Night-Scope Makes dark subjects or areas even brighter than they would be under good natural lighting. Although the recorded image is not grainy, it may look as if it is strobing due to the slow shutter speed. 1 Set the Power Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. Open the LCD monitor fully or pull out the viewfinder fully. 2 Press NIGHT * so that the Night-Scope indicator “ ” 2 appears.
Fade/Wipe Effects FADER — WHITE These effects let you make pro-style scene transitions. Use them to spice up the transition from one scene to the next. Fade or Wipe works when tape recording is started or when you stop recording. Fade in or out with a white screen. 1 Set the Power Switch 8 to “ Fade in to a colour screen from a black and white screen, or fade out from colour to black and white. ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch.
NOTES: Snapshot This feature lets you record still images that look like photographs onto a tape. SNAPSHOT MODE SELECTION 1 Set the Power Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. Open the LCD monitor fully or pull out the viewfinder fully. 2 Press MENU 2. The Menu Screen appears. 3 Press + or – 3 to select “ (CAMERA)”, then press SELECT/SET 1. 4 Press + or – 3 to select “SNAP MODE”, then press SELECT/SET 1.
Manual Focus Exposure Control To obtain correct focus. 1 If you are using the viewfinder, you should already have made the necessary viewfinder adjustments (墌 pg. 8). 2 Set the Power Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch, then press FOCUS ( (墌 pgs. 40 and 41). The manual focus indicator appears. 3 To focus on a farther subject, press + 3 . “ appears and blinks. To focus on a nearer subject, press – 3. “ appears and blinks. ”q ”q 4 Press SELECT/SET 1.
3 Press + or – 3 to select “ Iris Lock Use this function in the following situations: • When shooting a moving subject. • When the distance to the subject changes (so its size in the LCD monitor or the viewfinder changes), such as when the subject is backing away. • When shooting on a reflective natural background such as at the beach or when skiing. • When shooting objects under a spotlight. • When zooming. When the subject is close, keep the iris locked.
WIPE/FADER For Recording Menu This camcorder is equipped with an easy-to-use, on-screen menu system that simplifies many of the more detailed camcorder settings (墌 pg. 21 – 24). 1 Set the Power Switch 8 to “ ” while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. Open the LCD monitor fully or pull out the viewfinder fully. 2 Press MENU 2. The Menu Screen appears. 3 Press + or – 3 to select the desired function menu, Refer to “Fade/Wipe Effects” (墌 pg. 17).
SNAP MODE Refer to “Snapshot” (墌 pg. 18). GAIN UP OFF: Allows you to shoot dark scenes with no picture brightness adjustment. [AGC]: The overall appearance may be grainy, but the image is bright. AUTO : The shutter speed is automatically adjusted (1/25 — 1/200 sec.). Shooting a subject in low or poor lighting at 1/25 sec. shutter speed provides a brighter image than in the AGC mode, but the subject’s movements are not smooth or natural. The overall appearance may be grainy.
SYSTEM “ SYSTEM” functions which are set when the Power Switch 8 is set to “ ” are also applied when the Power Switch 8 is set to “ ” (墌 pg. 24). S Y S TEM – MELODY B EEP – ON T ALLY – ON R EMOTE D EMO MODE – ON P R I OR I TY – LCD CAM RESET RETURN BEEP OFF: Even though not heard while shooting, shutter sound is recorded on the tape. BEEP: The beep sounds when the power is turned on or off, and at the beginning and end of recording. Also to activate the shutter sound effect (墌 pg. 18).
VIDEO TIME CODE [OFF]: Time code is not displayed. ON: Time code is displayed on the camcorder and on the connected TV. Frame numbers are not displayed during recording. V I DEO SOUND MOD E – STEREO 12b i t MOD E – SOUND 1 – O.O SYNCHRO REC MODE – S / AV I NPUT – OF F CLOCK ADJ. Allows you to set the current date and time (墌 pg. 10). RETURN For Playback Menu The following procedure applies to all except Synchro Comp (墌 pg. 32).
VIDEO DISPLAY • Settings made in the “ VIDEO DISPLAY” Menu are effective only for tape playback. V I DEO ON SCR E E N DA TE / T I ME T I ME COD E D I SPLAY – LCD – OF F – OF F NOTES: • The camcorder cannot detect the sound mode in which the recording was made during fast-forward or rewind. During playback the sound mode is displayed in the upper left corner. • The “SOUND MODE” setting is available for both 12-bit and 16-bit sound.
To Use This Camcorder As A Player 4. Press START/STOP s on the remote control to engage the Record-Pause mode. “ A/V IN ” or “ S IN ” appears on the screen. 1 Following the illustration, connect the camcorder 5. Press START/STOP s on the remote control to start recording. % rotates. Dubbing To Or From A VCR and the VCR. Also refer to pg. 15.
Dubbing To Or From A Video Unit Equipped With A DV Connector (Digital Dubbing) It is also possible to copy recorded scenes from this camcorder onto another video unit equipped with a DV connector. Since a digital signal is sent, there is little if any image or sound deterioration. To Use This Camcorder As A Player 1 Make sure all units are turned off. Connect this camcorder to a video unit equipped with a DV input connector using a DV cable as shown in the illustration. 5.
Make sure “REMOTE” in the SYSTEM Menu is set to “ON” (墌 pg. 23) and the remote control is pointed at the remote sensor !. The transmitted beam’s approximate effective distance for indoor use is 5m. Playback Special Effects To allow you to add creative effects to the playback image. 1 To start playback, press PLAY (4) j. 2 Point the remote control at the camcorder’s remote sensor and press EFFECT I. The PLAYBACK EFFECT Select Menu appears.
Audio Dubbing Insert Editing The audio track can be customized only when recorded in the 12-bit mode (墌 pg. 21). 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 outpoints. The original audio remains unchanged. NOTES: ● Audio Dubbing is not possible on a tape recorded in 16-bit audio, on a tape recorded in the LP mode or on a blank portion of a tape.
IMPORTANT Random Assemble Editing [R.A.Edit] Create edited videos easily using your camcorder as the source player. You can select up to 8 “cuts” for automatic editing, in any order you like. R.A.Edit is more easily performed when the MBR (Multi-Brand Remote) is set to operate with your brand of VCR (see VCR CODE LIST), but can also be performed by operating the VCR manually. Before operation, make sure the batteries are installed in the remote control (墌 pg. 5).
● Make sure to set “S/AV INPUT” to “OFF” in the Menu Screen (GR-DX55/DX35 only, 墌 pg. 24). ● Set the video out select switch of the cable adapter as required: Y/C : When connecting to a TV or VCR which accepts Y/C signals and uses an S-Video cable. CVBS : When connecting to a TV or VCR which does not accept Y/C signals and uses an audio/video cable. ● When editing on a VCR equipped with a DV input connector, an optional DV cable can be connected instead of an S-Video cable and audio/video cable.
AUTOMATIC EDITING TO VCR For More Accurate Editing 11 Rewind the tape in the camcorder to the beginning of the scene you want to edit and press PAUSE (6) ;. 12 Point the remote control towards the VCR’s remote sensor and press VCR REC STBY (q6) S, or manually engage the VCR’s Record-Pause mode. 13 Press START/STOP s on the remote control. Editing proceeds as programmed, right through to the end of the last registered scene.
Connection To A Personal Computer [A] Using USB cable [A] Using USB cable [B] Using DV cable Connector cover* It is possible to do the following things: ● Transfer still/moving images recorded on a tape to a PC. ● Capture still/moving images in real-time. ● Use this camcorder as a WebCam. [B] Using DV cable It is also possible to transfer still/moving images to a PC with a DV connector by using the provided software, software equipped with the PC or commercially available software.
Before consulting your JVC dealer, please check the following to see it you can correct the problem yourself. The camcorder is a microcomputer-controlled device. External noise and interference (from a TV, a radio, etc.) might prevent it from functioning properly. In such cases, first disconnect its power supply unit (battery pack, AC Adapter, etc.) and wait a few minutes; and then re-connect it and proceed as usual from the beginning. No power is supplied. • The power is not connected properly.
The image looks like the shutter speed is too slow. • When shooting in the dark, the unit becomes highly sensitive to light when “GAIN UP” is set to “AUTO” in the Menu Screen. ¥ If you want the lighting to look more natural, set “GAIN UP” to “AGC” or “OFF” in the Menu Screen (墌 pg. 22). White Balance cannot be activated. • The Sepia or Monotone mode is activated. ¥ Turn off Sepia or Monotone before setting White Balance (墌 pg. 16, 20).
Coloured bright spots appear all over the LCD monitor or the viewfinder. • The LCD monitor and the viewfinder are made with high-precision technology. However, black spots or bright spots of light (red, green or blue) may appear constantly on the LCD monitor or the viewfinder. These spots are not recorded on the tape. This is not due to any defect of the unit. (Effective dots: more than 99.99 %) During recording, sound cannot be heard. • This is normal. Play, Rewind and Fast-Forward functions do not work.
General Battery Precautions If the remote control is not functioning even if it is being operated correctly, the batteries are exhausted. Replace them with fresh ones. Use only the following batteries: AAA (R03) size x 2 Please make note of the following rules for battery use. When misused, the batteries can leak or explode. 1. When replacing batteries, refer to page 5. 2. Do not use any different size of batteries from those specified. 3. Be sure to install batteries in the correct direction. 4.
5. Dirty heads can cause the following problems: 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 . .
For Your Maintenance About moisture condensation . . . ● You have observed that pouring a cold liquid into a glass will cause drops of water to form on the glass outer surface. This same phenomenon occurs on the head drum of a camcorder when it is moved from a cool place to a warm place, after heating a cold room, under extremely humid conditions or in a place directly subjected to the cool air from an air conditioner.
Controls, Connectors And Indicators Refer to this diagram while reading the instructions. LCD monitor PL AY OFF A M TLE SEARCH SHUT 6 7 9 8 0 Stereo microphone 5 Speaker 1 2 3 4 & * ( ! @ # $ % ^ Viewfinder r t y u ) w q i e o W T I p E Y O a Remote Control Q d R h U P l S s g k A EN 40 INDEX 01 DX55/45/35/25EK_EN 34-48 40 03.1.
1 SELECT/SET Button ................................. 墌 pg. 21 2 MENU Button ............................................ 墌 pg. 21 3 • +, – Button ............................................... 墌 pg. 21 • LCD Monitor Brightness Control [MONITOR BRIGHT +, –] ........................ 墌 pg. 11 4 Stop Button [5] ......................................... 墌 pg. 13 5 Snapshot Button [SNAPSHOT] ................. 墌 pg. 18 6 Power Lamp .................................... 墌 pg.
LCD Monitor/Viewfinder Indications During Tape Recording 0 ! 9 @ # $ 1 1h50m 40 x W 2 4 6 T REC 6w 3 % & ^ 3 5 * 7 SOUND 1 2 b i t 8 1 5 : 55 w ( 25 . 12 . 03 17 : 30 q ) During Tape Playback e r t 12 b i t / SOUND 1 L y 64 6w BLANK SEARCH ( VOLUME 25 . 12 . 03 17 : 30 116 : 21 : 24 w u ) EN 42 INDEX 01 DX55/45/35/25EK_EN 34-48 42 03.1.
1 Appears when the Power Switch is set to “ 2• • ” .............................................. 墌 pg. 12 : Appears when Night-Scope is engaged ....................................... 墌 pg. 16 : Appears when “GAIN UP” is set to “AUTO” and the shutter speed is being automatically adjusted ................................ 墌 pg. 22 3 Appears when the white balance is adjusted ..................................................... 墌 pg. 20 4 • “ⴣ” : Appears when the exposure is • adjusted ...............
WARNING INDICATIONS (high) (exhausted) Displays the battery remaining power level. As the battery power comes close to nil, the battery indicator blinks (battery power warning). When the battery power is exhausted, power turns off automatically. (墌 pg. 9) Appears when no tape is loaded. CHECK TAPE’S ERASE PROTECTION TAB Appears when the erase protection tab is set to “SAVE” while the Power Switch 8 is set to “ ” or “ ”. (墌 pg.
Digital Video Camera Camcorder General Power supply : DC 11.0 V (Using AC Adapter) DC 7.2 V (Using battery pack) Power consumption LCD monitor off, viewfinder on : Approx. 3.4 W LCD monitor on, viewfinder off : Approx. 4.6 W Dimensions (W x H x D) : 55 mm x 102 mm x 96 mm (with the LCD monitor closed and the viewfinder pushed back in) Weight : Approx.
A G AC Adapter ................................................... 墌 pg. 7, 8 Analogue Input ......................................... 墌 pg. 24, 26 Audio Dubbing ................................................ 墌 pg. 29 Auto Date ....................................................... 墌 pg. 23 Auto Focus ..................................................... 墌 pg. 18 Auto Shut off ............................................ 墌 pg. 11, 14 B Backlight Compensation ................................ 墌 pg.
R T 墌 pg. 30 – 32 Record-Standby ............................................. 墌 pg. 11 Recording Mode ............................................. 墌 pg. 10 Remote Control .......................................... 墌 pg. 5, 28 Reset .............................................................. 墌 pg. 23 Rewind The Tape ........................................... 墌 pg. 13 Random Assemble Editing ..................... S Self-Recording ............................................... 墌 pg. 12 Sepia .......
VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LIMITED COPYRIGHT© 2003 VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LTD. 01 DX55/45/35/25EK_EN 34-48 48 EK 03.1.
