JVC GR-AX840, Instructions Manual

Page 1: ...MCORDER LYT0251 001B INSTRUCTIONS ENGLISH EN GR AX840 For Customer Use Enter below the Model No and Serial No which is located on the bottom of cabinet Retain this information for future reference Model No Serial No ...

Page 2: ...he user to the presence of important operating and maintenance servicing instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance WARNING TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE Warning on lithium battery for clock operation The battery used in this device may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if mistreated Do not recharge disassemble heat above 100 C 212 ...

Page 3: ...rsonal safety In order not to defeat the built in safeguards observe the following basic rules for its installation use and servicing ATTENTION Follow and obey all warnings and instructions marked on your product and its operating instruc tions For your safety please read all the safety and operating instructions before you operate this product and keep this manual for future reference INSTALLATIO...

Page 4: ...ing amplifiers that produce heat SERVICING 1 Servicing If your product is not operating correctly or exhibits a marked change in performance and you are unable to restore normal operation by following the detailed procedure in its operating instructions do not attempt to service it yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards Refer all servicing to qu...

Page 5: ...ette Adapter VHS Playpak Z pg 39 1 Turn the LENS COVER Open Close Ring to open the lens cover 2 Set the Power Switch to AUTO or PRO The power lamp will light and an image will appear 3 Press the Recording Start Stop Button Recording starts To stop recording temporarily momentarily press the Recording Start Stop Button once again For more details Z pgs 16 17 SUPPLY POWER INSERTING A VIDEO CASSETTE ...

Page 6: ... this camcorder Digital Hyper Zoom Z pg 18 Picture Stabilizer Z pg 20 The Logical Choice The only compact video cassettes that can be used with your VHS VCR PROVIDED ACCESSORIES AC Power Adapter Charger AA V15U Cassette Adapter VHS Playpak C P7U Shoulder Strap Battery Pack BN V11U DC Cord Lithium Battery CR2025 x 1 for clock operation Zoom in Zoom out 5 Sec Recording Z pg 20 Menu Adjustment Z pg 2...

Page 7: ...ipod Mounting 15 RECORDING 16 35 Basic Recording 16 Basic Features 18 Advanced Features 21 PLAYBACK 36 41 Basic Playback 36 Features 37 Using The Cassette Adapter 39 Basic Connections And Tape Dubbing 40 USER MAINTENANCE 42 TROUBLESHOOTING 43 44 INDEX 45 48 Indications 45 Controls Connectors And Indicators 46 Terms 48 CAUTIONS 49 50 SPECIFICATIONS 51 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES 51 ESPAÑOL 52 53 FOR SERVI...

Page 8: ... Failure to do so can result in a camcorder malfunction REFRESH The AC Power Adapter Charger features a REFRESH function that allows you to fully discharge the battery pack before recharg ing Perform the REFRESH function after no less than 5 chargings To discharge the battery attach the battery pack to the adapter as shown in the above illustration Then push REFRESH The REFRESH indicator lights wh...

Page 9: ... through make sure to remove the battery pack before unplugging the adapter s AC cord Remove the battery pack from the adapter immediately after discharging To avoid interference with reception do not use the AC Power Adapter Charger near a radio Make sure you unplug the DC cord before charging or discharging the battery pack The CHARGE indicator may not light properly with a brand new battery pac...

Page 10: ...he power supply unit battery pack AC Power Adapter Battery Charger etc 2 REMOVE BATTERY HOLDER Pull out the battery holder 3 INSERT BATTERY IN HOLDER Insert the battery in the holder and be sure to have the mark visible 4 RE INSERT HOLDER Slide the holder back into the slot until you hear a click NOTE See SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Z pg 2 for information on safe handling of lithium batteries Slot Battery ...

Page 11: ...he Select Dial until the correct setting appears and then press it The setting stops blinking Repeat this procedure until you re satisfied with the Date settings YEAR MONTH and DAY 4 SET TIME Rotate the Select Dial to move the highlight bar to TIME and then press it When the hour setting begins blinking rotate the Select Dial until the correct setting appears and then press it When the hour settin...

Page 12: ... Display Tape Length Setting Set the tape length according to the length of the tape used 1 ACCESS MENU SCREEN First set the Power Switch to PRO Press MENU 2 SELECT FUNCTION Rotate the Select Dial to move the highlight bar to TAPE LENGTH then press it The TAPE LENGTH Setting Menu appears 3 SET TAPE LENGTH Rotate the Select Dial to move the highlight bar to the correct setting T20 20 minutes of rec...

Page 13: ...ply is attached Make sure that the tape is not slack when loading the cassette If there is any slack turn the gear on the cassette in the direction of the arrow to take up the slack Make sure the Erase Protection tab is in the position that allows recording If not slide the tab Some cassettes have removable tabs If the tab has been removed cover the hole with adhesive tape The cassette holder cann...

Page 14: ... 3 ADJUST STRAP LENGTH Adjust so your thumb and fingers can easily operate the Recording Start Stop Button and Power Zoom Lever Refasten the Velcro strip Viewfinder Adjustment 1 SELECT OPERATION MODE Set the Power Switch to CAMERA AUTO or PRO 2 POSITION VIEWFINDER Adjust the viewfinder manually for best viewability see illustration at left 3 ADJUST DIOPTER Turn the Diopter Adjustment Control until...

Page 15: ...other eyelet 3 making sure the strap is not twisted 2 ADJUST LENGTH Adjust as shown in the illustration at left 4 Tripod Mounting 1 ALIGN AND TIGHTEN Align the screw and camera direction stud on the tripod with the camera s mounting socket and stud hole Then tighten the screw CAUTION When using a tripod be sure to open and extend its legs fully to stabilize the camcorder To prevent damage to the u...

Page 16: ...ecord Standby mode The scene you are aimed at appears on the viewfinder screen with the word PAUSE superimposed upon it 3 START SHOOTING Press the Recording Start Stop Button appears in the viewfinder while recording is in progress Power lamp Tally lamp lights while recording is in progress Power Switch Position According to the Power Switch position you have selected the following functions are a...

Page 17: ...ording Start Stop button is pressed after the Record Standby mode has continued for over 5 minutes recording may not start immediately If you are recording on a cassette from the middle such as when a tape is removed and re inserted during recording use the Retake function Z pg 19 to find the end of the last recording so you don t erase any of it The LENS COVER warning blinks for about 5 seconds w...

Page 18: ... push the Power Zoom Lever the quicker the zoom action NOTES Focusing may become unstable during Zooming In this case set the zoom while in Record Standby lock the focus by using the manual focus Z pg 31 then zoom in or out in Record mode The zoom level indicator 5 moves during zoom Once the zoom level indicator reaches the top of the zoom indicator bar all magnification from that point is through...

Page 19: ...r the next shot NOTE Distortion may occur at the start of playback This is normal FEATURE Retake PURPOSE To re record certain segments OPERATION 1 Make sure the camcorder is in the Record Standby mode 2 Press either RETAKE to reach the start point for new recording Pressing F forwards the tape and pressing R reverses it 3 Press the Recording Start Stop Button to start recording NOTE Noise bars app...

Page 20: ...When shooting scenes with low contrast back grounds Switch off the Picture Stabilizer when recording with the camcorder on a tripod The indicator appears blinking if the Stabilizer cannot be used FEATURE 5Sec Rec 5 sec Recording PURPOSE To record a scene for 5 seconds providing quick scene transitions like those seen in TV programs OPERATION n Make sure the recording mode is set to SP 1 During Rec...

Page 21: ...s EFFECT repeatedly until OFF appears OFF is displayed for approx 2 seconds and the fade wipe standby mode is canceled Fade in Recording Start Stop Button After 2 sec EFFECT Button Ex Fader Display Fade out FADER Fades in out to a black screen MOSAIC Fader Gradually turns returns the picture into from a mosaic pattern SHUTTER Wipe A black screen moves in from the top and bottom closing over the im...

Page 22: ...de s name and its indication are displayed for approx 2 seconds Then the name disappears and only the indication remains The mode is activated NOTES Only one mode can be engaged at a time The screen becomes slightly reddish when the Fade Wipe Z pg 21 is used in the Sepia mode The screen becomes slightly dark in the High Speed Shutter mode Use in well lit situations In the High Speed Shutter or Spo...

Page 23: ...n an external fog filter is attached to the lens Softens the image and gives it a fantasy look Twilight TWILIGHT Twilight Dusk twilight scenery fireworks etc look more natural and dramatic The following happens when Twilight mode is selected Auto gain control is turned off White Balance is set to FINE day mode but can also be manually changed to another mode Z pg 32 Auto Focus becomes available on...

Page 24: ... Then press it to display the DATE TIME DISP Menu 4 SELECT THE DESIRED MODE Move the highlight bar to the desired mode by rotating the Select Dial then press it The desired mode is activated You should have already performed the Date Time Setting procedure Z pg 11 If you haven t do so first 5 CLOSE MENU SCREEN The Menu Screen reappears with the highlight bar on RETURN Then press the Select Dial to...

Page 25: ...h Spanish and Portuguese Change the setting in TITLE LANG in the Menu Screen Z pg 26 28 1 SELECT OPERATION MODE Set the Power Switch to PRO 2 ACCESS MENU SCREEN Press the Select Dial to display the Menu Screen 3 ACCESS TITLE MENU Move the highlight bar to TITLE by rotating the Select Dial while in Record Standby Then press it to display the TITLE Menu 4 SELECT THE DESIRED MODE Move the highlight b...

Page 26: ... to BACK and press it If the setting you want cannot be found in the Menu Screen place the highlight bar on RETURN then go to step 6 4 MAKE SETTING Press the Select Dial The setting procedure depends on the function you select If you select FOCUS EXPOSURE TITLE DATE TIME DISP or DATE TIME see respective pages FOCUS Z pg 30 31 EXPOSURE Z pg 29 TITLE Z pg 25 DATE TIME DISP Z pg 24 DATE TIME Z pg 11 ...

Page 27: ...s a distance of more than 1m 3 3 ft to the subject the lens is out of focus at the maximum telephoto setting When set to ON you can shoot a subject as large as possible at a distance of approx 60 cm 2 ft Depending on the zoom position the lens may go out of focus Adjusts focus automatically Allows you to adjust focus manually Z pg 30 31 Adjusts exposure automatically Allows you to adjust exposure ...

Page 28: ... J terminal JLIP The numbers range from 01 to 99 Factory setting is 07 Automatic demonstration will not take place Demonstrates certain functions such as Fade Wipe etc When DEMO MODE is set to ON and the Menu Screen is closed the demonstration starts NOTES When a tape whose Erase Protection tab is in the position that allows recording is loaded in the camcorder demonstration is not available By tu...

Page 29: ...evel counter appears 5 ADJUST EXPOSURE To brighten the image rotate the Select Dial upward The exposure control level counter increases maximum 06 Go to step 6 To darken the image rotate the Select Dial downward The exposure control level counter decreases maximum 06 Go to step 6 6 END ADJUSTMENT OF EXPOSURE Press the Select Dial The Menu Screen reappears with the highlight bar on RETURN 7 CLOSE M...

Page 30: ...tical patterns that are regularly repeated When the scene is affected by sunbeams or light reflecting off the surface of a body of water When shooting a scene with a high contrast background The low contrast warning appears NOTES If the lens is smeared or blurred accurate focusing is not possible Keep the lens clean wiping with a piece of soft cloth if it gets dirty When condensation occurs wipe w...

Page 31: ... nearer subject rotate the Select Dial downward appears and blinks Go to step 6 6 END ADJUSTMENT OF FOCUS Press the Select Dial The Menu Screen reappears with the highlight bar on RETURN 7 CLOSE MENU SCREEN Press the Select Dial The Menu Screen disppears and reappears to indicate the focus is locked NOTES To return to Auto Focus select AUTO in step 4 To re adjust Manual Focus repeat the procedure ...

Page 32: ...en press it The Menu Screen disap pears and the M W B Menu appears 4 SET FUNCTION PARAMETERS Move the highlight bar to the required white balance by rotating the Select Dial AUTO The white balance is adjusted automatically This is the factory preset position FINE When shooting outdoors on a sunny day CLOUD When shooting outdoors on a cloudy day HALOGEN When using a video light or other similar typ...

Page 33: ...MENU SCREEN Press the Select Dial again to close the Menu Screen To Change The Tint For Recording in step 2 substitute colored paper for white The white balance is adjusted based on the color changing the tint Red paper deeper green blue paper orange yellow paper deeper purple NOTES In step 2 it may be difficult to focus on the white paper in some circumstances In such a case adjust focus manually...

Page 34: ...E Make sure the Power Switch is set to PRO and the camcorder is in the Record Standby mode before performing the following steps 1 ACCESS MENU SCREEN Press MENU 2 ACCESS INT TIME MENU Rotate the Select Dial to move the highlight bar to NEXT in Menu Screen 1 and press it to display Menu Screen 2 Then move the highlight bar to INT TIME and press it 3 SET INTERVAL TIME Rotate the Select Dial to move ...

Page 35: ...apse recording make sure the Animation or Time Lapse mode is deactivated Self Timer Animation and Time Lapse are canceled when the power is shut off or when the cassette is ejected Time Lapse 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 Before performing the following steps make...

Page 36: ...e tape during Stop mode NOTES The camcorder shuts off automatically after about 5 minutes in Stop mode To turn on again set the Power Switch to POWER OFF then to PLAY During Stop Fast Forward or Rewind mode none of the indications are displayed in the viewfinder If a blank portion on the tape is played back the screen may become black This is not a malfunction Power Switch Power lamp REW 2 Button ...

Page 37: ... Then press P AE or EFFECT as many times as necessary until the noise bars disappear To return to Auto Tracking press P AE and EFFECT simultaneously AT blinks When Auto Tracking finishes the indication disappears NOTES When noise bars appear during playback the camcorder enters the Auto Tracking mode and AT is displayed Manual Tracking may not work with tapes recorded on other VCRs or camcorders E...

Page 38: ...n Once you release it normal playback resumes Noise bars appear and pictures may become monochrome or darken during Shuttle Search This is normal FEATURE Counter Memory Function PURPOSE To make it easier to locate a specific tape segment OPERATION 1 Press COUNTER R M and hold for more than 1 second The counter resets to 0 00 00 2 Press COUNTER R M for less than 1 second M appears 3 After recording...

Page 39: ...er into the VCR and play the tape back as you would any other 4 REMOVE CASSETTE FROM ADAPTER Slide the latch and the compartment door opens automatically This may take around 10 seconds Do not attempt to force the adapter open Then insert your finger in the hole on the underside of the adapter as shown in the illustration at left and push up and remove the cassette NOTES During tape loading and un...

Page 40: ...ions Video cable optional To VIDEO IN Audio cable optional To Video Output To Audio Output TV VCR Connector cover To TV or VCR To AUDIO IN A Connection to a TV or VCR equipped with an S VIDEO Use optional Video and Audio cables Connection For Tape Dubbing When connecting the cables open this cover Power Switch PLAY PAUSE 4 6 Button Connector cover Audio cable optional To Video Output Video cable o...

Page 41: ...mum level to avoid a sudden burst of sound when the camcorder is turned on If you have a TV or speakers that are not specially shielded do not place the speakers adjacent to the TV as interference will occur in the camcorder playback picture Tape Dubbing 1 CONNECT EQUIPMENT Following the illustration on pg 40 connect the camcorder and the VCR 2 PREPARE FOR DUBBING Set the camcorder s Power Switch ...

Page 42: ...S Blow it with a blower brush then wipe it gently with lens cleaning paper 3 REMOVE EYEPIECE Turn the eyepiece counterclockwise and pull it out 4 CLEAN VIEWFINDER Remove dust using a blower brush 5 RE ATTACH EYEPIECE Re attach the eyepiece and turn it clockwise Remove PUSH LENS COVER Open Close Ring EJECT Set to POWER OFF BATTERY RELEASE NOTES Avoid using strong cleaning agents such as benzine or ...

Page 43: ...harged Z pg 8 The power supply has not been correctly connected Z pg 9 The battery pack has completely discharged Remove the cassette and disconnect the power source then after a few minutes try turning the power back on If it still does not come on consult your nearest JVC dealer Make sure the Erase Protection tab is in the position that allows recording If not slide the tab Some cassettes have r...

Page 44: ...de with high precision technology However black spots or bright spots of light red green or blue may appear constantly in 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 Wipe them gently with a soft cloth Gently wipe in a semicircular motion as wiping strongly spreads the stain and it won t come out easily This is nor...

Page 45: ...r Indicator Changes as follows according to the battery pack s remaining power level When the power is almost gone the indicator blinks battery power warning then the unit shuts off Replace the battery pack with a fully charged one Note The symbol containing 3 darkened squares does not necessarily mean that the battery pack is fully charged Focus Indicator Z pg 31 Exposure Control Level Counter Z ...

Page 46: ...46EN INDEX Controls Connectors And Indicators E R 1 u i y r w q 2 o p 3 4 5 t Q e 6 7 9 8 0 W ...

Page 47: ...g 16 Power Switch Z pg 16 36 Battery Release Switch BATTERY RELEASE Z pg 8 PUSH Button Z pg 13 Connectors DC IN Jack Z pg 9 The connectors q to e are located beneath the cover q Video Output Connector Z pg 40 w Audio Output Connector Z pg 40 e J Terminal JLIP Joint Level Interface Protocol Connector It is used to connect the camcorder to a device such as a personal computer For further details con...

Page 48: ...pg 14 H High Speed Shutter Mode Z pg 23 I Instant Titles Z pg 25 L Load A Tape Z pg 13 M Manual Focus Z pg 31 Menu Screen Z pg 27 28 N ND Effect Mode Z pg 23 Nega Posi Mode Z pg 23 P Picture Stabilizer Z pg 20 Power Switch Position Z pg 16 Program AE With Special Effects Z pg 22 Provided Accessories Z pg 6 Q Quick Review Z pg 19 R Record Standby Z pg 16 Recording Mode Z pg 12 Retake Z pg 19 Rewind...

Page 49: ...n room temperature of 20 C 68 F The lower the temperature the longer recharging takes CAUTIONS When using the AC Power Adapter Charger in areas other than the USA n The provided AC Power Adapter Charger features automatic voltage selection in the AC range from 110 V to 240 V USING HOUSEHOLD AC PLUG ADAPTER In case of connecting the unit s power cord to an AC wall outlet other than American Nationa...

Page 50: ...cooking stove in places subject to excessive shock or vibration near a television set near appliances generating strong magnetic or electric fields speakers broadcasting antennas etc in places subject to extremely high over 40 C or 104 F or extremely low under 0 C or 32 F temperatures 3 DO NOT leave the unit in places of over 50 C 122 F in places where humidity is extremely low below 35 or extreme...

Page 51: ... size battery x 1 Operating temperature 0 C to 40 C 32 F to 104 F Operating humidity 35 to 80 Storage temperature 20 C to 50 C 4 F to 122 F Weight Approx 710 g 1 6 lbs Dimensions 91 W x 119 H x 198 D mm 3 8 5 x 4 11 16 x 7 13 16 with the viewfinder fully tilted downward Pickup 1 4 format CCD Lens F1 6 f 3 9 to 62 4 mm 16 1 power zoom lens with auto iris and macro control filter diameter 40 5 mm Vi...

Page 52: ...la cámara de video REFRESCADO REFRESH El adaptador de CA se caracteriza por la función REFRESH que le permite descargar totalmente la batería antes de recargarla Efectúe la función REFRESH después de un mínimo de 5 cargas Para descargar la batería coloque la batería en el adaptador como se muestra en la ilustración de arriba Luego presione REFRESH El indicador REFRESH se enciende cuando se inicia ...

Page 53: ...n VCR de VHS utilizando el adaptador de cassette VHS Playpak Z p 39 1 Gire el anillo LENS COVER de abertura cierre para abrir el cubreobjetivo 2 Adjuste el interruptor de alimentación en AUTO o PRO La lámpara de alimentación se encenderá y aparecerá una imagen 3 Presione el botón inicio parada de grabación Comenzará la grabación Para detener temporariamente la grabación presione nuevamente el botó...

Page 54: ...oducts may require occasional service Just as quality is a keyword in the engineering and production of the wide array of JVC products service is the key to maintaining the high level performance for which JVC is world famous The JVC service and engineering organization stands behind our products NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS JVC SERVICE ENGINEERING COMPANY OF AMERICA DIVISION OF US JVC CORP 107 Little Fa...

Page 55: ...xed to any attachment not provided with the products or if the model or serial number has been altered tampered with defaced or removed 2 Initial installation and installation and removal for repair 3 Operational adjustments covered in the Owner s Manual normal maintenance video and audio head cleaning 4 Damage that occurs in shipment due to act of God and cosmetic damage 5 Signal reception proble...

Page 56: ...GR AX840 COPYRIGHT 1998 VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN LTD U Printed in Japan 1298MKV UN YP VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN LIMITED EN ...