IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
HITACHI
Instruction Manual
8mm Video Camera/Recorder
VM-SP1A
Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc.
For information concerning repairs, operation or
Compton,
technical assistance, please contact the Service
Department of your nearest Regional Office.
Western Regional Office
401 West Artesia Boulevard,
California 90220
Tel. 310-537-8383
Eastern Regional Office
1290 Wall Street West
Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071
Hawaii 96819
Tel. 201-935-8980
Mid-Western Regional Office
1400 Morse Ave.
Claire,
Elk Grove Village, Ill. 60007
Tel. 708-593-1550
Southern Regional Office
3890 Steve Reynolds Blvd.
Norcross, GA 30093
Tel. 404-279-5600
P4705457 © Hitachi, Ltd. 1992
HITACHI SALES CORPORATION OF
HAWAII, INC
3219 Koapaka Street, Honolulu,
Tel. 808-836-3621
HITACHI (HSC) CANADA INC.
3300 Trans Canada Highway, Pointe
Quebec, H9R 1B1, CANADA
Tel. 514-697-9150
E131110/E72118
Printed in Japan KF-S(N)
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS ..................................................................................................................4
FEATURES.................................................................................................................................................7
ACCESSORIES ..........................................................................................................................................8
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS ..................................................................................................................9
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR AC ADAPTER/CHARGER ......................................13
WATER-RESISTANT..............................................................................................................................14
ADJUSTING THE HAND STRAP ..........................................................................................................17
ATTACHING THE LENS CAP AND MICROPHONE CAP .................................................................18
HOW TO INSTALL THE SHOULDER STRAP.....................................................................................19
EYEPIECE ADJUSTMENT.....................................................................................................................20
POWER SOURCES..................................................................................................................................22
CHECKING THE BATTERY..................................................................................................................24
CHARGING THE BATTERY..................................................................................................................25
INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF CASSETES.....................................................................................27
MAKING A SAMPLE CAMERA RECORDING ...................................................................................30
IDENTIFICATION AND OPERATION OF CONTROLS .....................................................................34
DATE/TIME SETTING............................................................................................................................39
AUTO FOCUS..........................................................................................................................................41
AUTO IRIS ...............................................................................................................................................43
POWER ZOOM ........................................................................................................................................44
DIGITAL ZOOM......................................................................................................................................45
MACRO ....................................................................................................................................................47
QUICK EDIT ............................................................................................................................................48
FADE IN FADE OUT..............................................................................................................................49
INSTANT REVIEW .................................................................................................................................50
WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL..........................................................................................................51
SELF TIMER ............................................................................................................................................52
DISPLAY BUTTON.................................................................................................................................53
TITLE RECORDING ...............................................................................................................................54
MENU .......................................................................................................................................................57
SECOND CLOCK SETTING...................................................................................................................59
TIME REMAINING .................................................................................................................................61
LINEAR TIMER COUNTER...................................................................................................................62
MEMORY.................................................................................................................................................63
AUDIO/VIDEO DUBBING .....................................................................................................................64
RECORDING TV PROGRAMS ..............................................................................................................66
VIEWING THE PICTURE PLAYED BACK ON YOUR TV ................................................................67
STILL........................................................................................................................................................69
FORWARD AND REVERSE SEARCH..................................................................................................70
ATTACHING THE TELE OR WIDE CONVERTER.............................................................................71
CAMERA/RECORDER TO VCR DUBBING ........................................................................................72
FLYING ERASE HEAD ..........................................................................................................................73
PROGRAMME AE (Auto Exposure).......................................................................................................74
SYNCHRO EDIT......................................................................................................................................75
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE AFTER USE ..................................................................................76
TROUBLESHOOTING............................................................................................................................79
HEAD CLEANING ..................................................................................................................................81
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE ..................................................................................................................82
SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................................................................................83
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
HOTLINE..................................................................................................................................................84
ACCESSORY TO ADD MORE EXCITEMENT ....................................................................................85
HOW TO ORDER ....................................................................................................................................86
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
CAUTION: WHEN OUTDOORS, DO NOT USE AC ADAPTOR/CHARGER, USE ONLY
BATTERY PACK TYPE: VM-BP82.
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.
This symbol warms the user that uninsulated voltage within the unit may have
sufficient magnitude to cause electric shock. Therefore, it is dangerous to make any kind of
contact with any inside part of this unit.
This symbol alerts the user that important literature concerning the operation and
maintenance of this unit has been included. Therefore, it should be read carefully to avoid
any problems.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT,
FULLY INSERT
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
MOISTURE
Moisture may occur if the video camera/recorder is moved from a cold area to a warm
humid area. A flashing "POWER" light and "DEW" indication in the viewfinder indicates
that moisture is on the recorder mechanism, which could result in tape damage. When
the "POWER" light and "DEW" indication in the viewfinder is flashing the unit will not
operate. When this happens, slide the "EJECT" switch, remove the tape, and wait for
the moisture to dry... the "POWER" light and "DEW" indication in the viewfinder will stop
flashing.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
PRECAUTIONS
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
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 camera/recorder.
When you are not using the camera/recorder, switch off the power.
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 camera/recorder
is functioning properly, but the solid-state pickup device (C.C.D.) usually causes this as
an inherent characteristic. Try to avoid shooting an excessively bright object directly.
Be sure not to leave it in a place where the temperature exceeds 120ºF, or the pickup
device may be damaged.
Dangerous includes:
• Inside a car with the windows closed and in direct sunshine.
• Near heating appliances.
Do not leave the viewfinder lens facing sunlight for a prolonged period, or the
phosphorescent surface of the cathode ray tube may be damaged.
WARNING: Many television programs and films are copyrighted. In certain circumstances,
copyright law may apply to private in-home video taping of copyrighted materials.
FEATURES
FEATURES
• Water-resistant
feature
• 53 Color Graphic Title Library
• Digital Zoom up to X16
• Solid-state camera pickup
• Program AE (Auto Exposure)
• Auto Focus Power Zoom Lens with macro
• Flying Erase Head
• Audio/Video dub
• Time and date
• Wireless Remote Control
ACCESSORIES
ACCESSORIES
Check that you have the following components and accessories (besides the
camera/recorder unit itself) before disposing of the packing material.
1. AV Output Cord
2. Battery Pack
3. AC Adapter/Charger
4. RF Output Adaptor
5. 75-ohm Coaxial Cable with Antenna Adapter
6. DC cord
7. Shoulder Strap
8. Batteries for Date/Time and Remote Control
9. Remote Control
10. Microphone Cap
11. Brush (housed in lens cap)
12. Grease
NOTE: Use the microphone cap to protect the microphone from impacts when carrying the
camera/recorder or the entrance of water when maintaining it. Remove the cap when
recording. Otherwise, sound cannot be recorded.
NOTES:
• This unit uses 8mm video format cassettes.
• It records and plays back in the SP mode (14.3 mm/sec.).
• It cannot record and play back in the LP mode (7.2 mm/sec.).