GR-D338AH_EN.book  Page 1  Wednesday, January 25, 2006  5:45 PM
DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA
GR-D338AH
Please visit our Homepage on the World Wide Web for 
Digital Video Camera:
http://www.jvc.co.jp/english/cyber/
For Accessories
:
http://www.jvc.co.jp/english/accessory/
Dear Customer,
Thank you for purchasing this digital 
video camera. Before use, please 
read the safety information and 
precautions contained in the pages 
2 – 4 and 6 to ensure safe use of this 
product.
ENGLISH
GETTING STARTED
VIDEO RECORDING & 
PLAYBACK
ADVANCED FEATURES
REFERENCES
TERMS
7
17
22
35
42
PAL
INSTRUCTIONS
To deactivate the demonstration, 
set “DEMO MODE” to “OFF”. 
墌
(
 pg. 22, 25) 
EN
LYT1598-001A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2 
EN
READ THIS FIRST!
Remember that this camcorder is intended for 
private consumer use only.
Any commercial use without proper permission is 
prohibited. (Even if you record an event such as a 
show, performance or exhibition for personal 
enjoyment, it is strongly recommended that you 
obtain permission beforehand.)
DO NOT leave the unit
-  in place of over 50°C.
-  in place where humidity is extremely low (below 
35%) or extremely high (80%).
-  in direct sunlight.
-  in a closed car in summer.
-  near a heater.
The LCD monitor is made with high-precision 
technology. However, black spots or bright spots 
of light (red, green or blue) may appear constantly 
on the LCD monitor. These spots are not 
recorded on the tape. This  is not due to any 
defect of the unit. (Effective dots: more than 
99.99%)
Do not leave the battery pack attached when the 
camcorder is not in use and check the unit 
regularly whether it is working or not.
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Before recording important video, be sure to 
make a trial recording.
Play back your trial recording to make sure the 
video and audio have been recorded properly.
We recommend cleaning your video heads 
before use.
If you haven’t used your 
camcorder for awhile, the 
heads may be dirty. We 
recommend periodically 
cleaning the video heads 
with a cleaning cassette 
(optional).
Be sure to store your 
cassette tapes and 
camcorder in the proper environment.
Video heads can become dirty more easily if your 
cassette tapes and camcorder are stored in a 
dusty area. Cassette tapes should be removed 
from the camcorder and stored in cassette cases. 
Store the camcorder in a bag or other container.
Use SP (Standard) mode for important video 
recordings.
LP (Long Play) mode lets you record 50% more 
video than SP (Standard) mode, but you may 
experience mosaic-like noise during playback 
depending on the tape characteristics and the 
usage environment.
So, for important recordings, we recommend 
using SP mode.
For safety and reliability.
It is recommended only genuine JVC batteries 
and accessories are used in this camcorder.
This product includes patented and other 
proprietary technology and will operate only 
with JVC Data Battery. Use the JVC BN-
VF707U/VF714/VF733U battery packs. Using 
generic non-JVC batteries can cause damage 
to the internal charging circuitry.
Make sure you only use cassettes with the 
Mini DV mark 
This camcorder is designed exclusively for the 
digital video cassette. Only cassettes marked 
“
” can be used with this unit.
.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 3
EN
NOTES:
●
The rating plate (serial number plate) and 
safety caution are on the bottom and/or the 
back of the main unit.
The rating information and safety caution of 
the AC Adapter are on its upper and lower 
sides.
●
When the equipment is installed in a cabinet or on 
a shelf, make sure that it has sufficient space on 
all sides to allow for ventilation (10 cm or more on 
both sides, on top and at the rear).
Do not block the ventilation holes.
(If the ventilation holes are blocked by a 
newspaper, or cloth etc. the heat may not be able 
to get out.)
No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, 
should be placed on the apparatus.
When discarding batteries, environmental 
problems must be considered and the local rules 
or laws governing the disposal of these batteries 
must be followed strictly.
The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or 
splashing.
Do not use this equipment in a bathroom or 
places with water.
Also do not place any containers filled with water 
or liquids (such as cosmetics or medicines, flower 
vases, potted plants, cups etc.) on top of this unit.
(If water or liquid is allowed to enter this 
equipment, fire or electric shock may be caused.)
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK 
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO 
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTIONS:
÷
÷
÷
If you notice smoke or a peculiar smell coming 
from the camcorder or AC Adapter, shut it down 
and unplug it immediately. Continue using the 
camcorder or AC Adapter under these 
conditions could lead to fire or electric shock. 
Contact your JVC dealer. Do not attempt to 
repair the malfunction yourself.
To prevent shock, do not open the cabinet. No 
user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing 
to qualified personnel.
When you are not using the AC Adapter for a 
long period of time, it is recommended that you 
disconnect the power cord from AC outlet.
CAUTION:
To avoid electric 
shock or damage to 
the unit, first firmly 
insert the small end 
of the power cord into 
the AC Adapter until it 
is no longer wobbly, 
and then plug the 
larger end of the 
power cord into an 
AC outlet.
CAUTIONS:
÷
●
This camcorder is designed to be used with 
PAL-type colour television signals. It cannot be 
used for playback with a television of a different 
standard. However, live recording and LCD 
monitor/viewfinder playback are possible 
anywhere.
This product includes patented and other 
proprietary technology and will operate 
only with JVC Data Battery. Use the JVC 
BN-VF707U/VF714U/VF733U battery packs 
and, to recharge them or to supply power to 
the camcorder from an AC outlet, use the 
provided multi-voltage AC Adapter. (An 
appropriate conversion adapter may be 
necessary to accommodate different 
designs of AC outlets in different 
countries.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
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EN
4 
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.
When carrying, be sure to always securely attach 
and use the provided strap. Carrying or holding 
the camcorder by the viewfinder and/or the LCD 
monitor can result in dropping the unit, or in a 
malfunction.
Take care not to get your finger caught in the 
cassette holder cover. Do not let children operate 
the camcorder, as they are particularly 
susceptible to this type of injury.
Do not use a tripod on unsteady or unlevel 
surfaces. It could tip over, causing serious 
damage to the camcorder.
CAUTION!
Connecting cables (Audio/Video, S-Video, etc.) to 
the camcorder and leaving it on top of the TV is 
not recommended, as tripping on the cables will 
cause the camcorder to fall, resulting in damage.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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EN
Major Features of this Camcorder
 button 
BACKLIGHT
Backlight Compensation
Simply pressing the 
brightens the image darkened by backlight. 
墌
(
 pg. 28)
You can also select a spot metering area so 
÷
that more precise exposure compensation 
is available. (
Control) 
 pg. 29, Spot Exposure 
墌
Data Battery
You can check the battery status by simply 
pressing the 
 button. (
 pg. 13)
DATA
墌
BATTERY CONDITION
LEVEL
MAX  TIME
100%
50
0
LCD
80min
FINDER
90min
Wipe/Fader Effects
You can use the Wipe/Fader Effects to make 
pro-style scene transitions. (
 pg. 30) 
墌
Fade in
Fade out
Program AE and Special Effects
For example, “SPORTS” mode allows fast-
moving images to be captured one frame at a 
time, for vivid, stable slow-motion. (
 pg. 31) 
墌
Auto Button
You can change the recording mode between 
manual setting to the standard mode setting 
of the camcorder by pressing the 
button.(
 pg. 14)
AUTO
 
墌
AUTO
M
MANUAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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EN
6 
Before Using This Camcorder
.
” can be used with this unit.
Make sure you only use cassettes with the Mini 
DV mark 
This camcorder is designed exclusively for the 
digital video cassette. Only cassettes marked 
“
Remember that this camcorder is not 
compatible with other digital video formats.
Remember that this camcorder is intended for 
private consumer use only.
Any commercial use without proper permission is 
prohibited. (Even if you record an event such as a 
show, performance or exhibition for personal 
enjoyment, it is strongly recommended that you 
obtain permission beforehand.)
Before recording important video, be sure to 
make a trial recording. 
Play back your trial recording to make sure the 
video and audio have been recorded properly.
We recommend cleaning your video heads 
before use.
If you haven’t used your camcorder for a while, the 
heads may be dirty. We recommend periodically 
cleaning the video heads with a cleaning cassette 
(optional).
Be sure to store your cassette tapes and 
camcorder in the proper environment.
Video heads can become dirty more easily if your 
cassette tapes and camcorder are stored in a dusty 
area. Cassette tapes should be removed from the 
camcorder and stored in cassette cases. Store the 
camcorder in a bag or other container.
Use SP (Standard) mode for important video 
recordings.
LP (Long Play) mode lets you record 50% more 
video than SP (Standard) mode, but you may 
experience mosaic-like noise during playback 
depending on the tape characteristics and the 
usage environment. 
So, for important recordings, we recommend using 
SP mode.
It is recommended that you use JVC brand 
cassette tapes.
Your camcorder is compatible with all brands of 
commercially available cassette tapes complying 
with the MiniDV standard, but JVC brand cassette 
tapes are designed and optimized to maximize the 
performance of your camcorder.
Also read “CAUTIONS” on pages 39 – 40.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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GETTING STARTED
8
Index................................................................. 8
Provided Accessories ..................................... 11
Power ............................................................. 12
Operation Mode.............................................. 14
Auto/Manual Mode ......................................... 14
Power-Linked Operation................................. 14
Language Settings.......................................... 14
Date/Time Settings ......................................... 15
Grip Adjustment.............................................. 15
Viewfinder Adjustment.................................... 15
Brightness Adjustment Of The Display........... 15
Tripod Mounting.............................................. 16
Loading/Unloading A Cassette ....................... 16
VIDEO RECORDING & PLAYBACK
17
VIDEO RECORDING ........................................... 17
Basic Recording ............................................. 17
Tape Remaining Time ................................ 17
LCD Monitor And Viewfinder ...................... 17
Zooming...................................................... 18
Journalistic Shooting .................................. 18
Time Code .................................................. 18
Quick Review.............................................. 19
Recording From The Middle Of A Tape...... 19
VIDEO PLAYBACK ............................................. 20
Normal Playback ............................................ 20
Still Playback .............................................. 20
Shuttle Search ............................................ 20
Blank Search .............................................. 20
Playback Snapshot..................................... 20
Connections To A TV Or VCR........................ 21
EN
CONTENTS
 7
ADVANCED FEATURES
22
MENUS FOR DETAILED ADJUSTMENT.................. 22
Changing The Menu Settings ......................... 22
Recording Menus............................................ 23
Playback Menus ............................................. 25
FEATURES FOR RECORDING............................... 26
Wide Mode...................................................... 26
Night-Scope .................................................... 26
Snapshot (Record still Image on Tape) .......... 26
Manual Focus ................................................. 27
Exposure Control ............................................ 27
Iris Lock .......................................................... 28
Backlight Compensation ................................. 28
Spot Exposure Control.................................... 29
White Balance Adjustment.............................. 29
Manual White Balance Adjustment................. 30
Wipe Or Fader Effects .................................... 30
Program AE, Effects And Shutter Effects ....... 31
EDITING............................................................ 32
Dubbing To A VCR ......................................... 32
Dubbing To Or From A Video Unit Equipped With 
A DV Connector (Digital Dubbing).............. 33
Connection To A Personal Computer............. 34
REFERENCES
35
TROUBLESHOOTING .......................................... 35
USER MAINTENANCE ......................................... 38
CAUTIONS ........................................................ 39
SPECIFICATIONS................................................ 41
TERMS
42
 
 
 
 
 
 
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GETTING STARTED
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8 
EN
Index
111
25
222
333
22
888
999
21
)
~
!!!
""
23
# $
% &
24
26
444
555
666
777
++
27
28
29
30 31
(
32