JVC GR-AX280 manual

G R-A X4 80 G R-A X 2 80 COMP ACT VHS CAMCORDER INSTRUCTIONS LYT0033-001A Com pa ct VHS P AL GETTING ST ARTED 6 RECORDING 14 Basic Recording ...................... 14 Basic Features ........................ 16 Advanced Features .................. 20 Programme AE With Special Effects ................. 20 Fader .......................................[...]

2 EN 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 . SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Using This Instruction Manual • All major sections and subsections are listed in the T able Of Contents ( Z cove[...]

EN 3 This camcorder is designed to be used with P AL-type colour television signals. It cannot be used for playback with a television of a different standard. However , live recording and viewfinder playback are possible anywhere. Use the BN-V12U/BN-V22U/BN-V25U battery packs and, to rechar ge them, the provided multi-voltage AC Power Adapter/Charg[...]

4 EN MAJOR FEA TURES Programme AE with Special Effects ( Z pg. 20) n Auto Mode Lock n Auto Mode Release n Electronic Fog Filter n ND Ef fect n Sepia n T wilight n Sports n 1/1000 sec. High Speed Shutter n 1/2000 sec. High Speed Shutter Integrated Auto Light (GR-AX480 only) ( Z pg. 18) 22 x Optical Hyper Zoom ( Z pg. 16) Zoom-in Zoom-out 5Sec.-Rec ([...]

EN 5 2 1 3 Using the battery pack 1 Hook-on the battery pack’ s top end to the camcorder . (Charging procedure, Z pg. 6) 2 Push in the battery pack until it locks into place. T o remove the battery pack Slide BA TT . RELEASE and pull out the battery pack. QUICK OPERA TION GUIDE 1 Set the Power Switch to “PLA Y”. 2 Press REW . — The tape wil[...]

6 EN GETTING ST ARTED 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 BA TTERY P ACK SUPPL Y POWER 1 Connect the char[...]

EN 7 CHARGE MARKER A charge marker is provided on the battery pack to help you remember whether it has been charged or not. T wo colours are provided (red and black)—you choose which one means char ged and which means dischar ged. NOTES: ● The recording time per char ge is affected by such factors as the time spent in Record-Standby mode and th[...]

8 EN GETTING ST ARTED (cont.) Clock (Lithium) Battery Inser tion/Removal This battery is necessary for clock operation and to perform date/time settings. SWITCH OFF POWER 1 Switch off the unit’ s power and remove the power supply unit. OPEN COVER 2 Open the clock battery compartment cover while pressing the release tab. REMOVE BA TTERY (when repl[...]

EN 9 Date/T ime Setting ACCESS MENU SCREEN 1 First set the Power Switch to “CAMERA”. T urn the Select Dial to any position except AUTO LOCK, then press the MENU Jog Dial. SELECT FUNCTION 2 Rotate the MENU Jog Dial to move the highlight bar to “DA TE/TIME”, then press it. The DA TE/TIME Setting Menu appears. • If you decide you want to ret[...]

10 EN GETTING ST ARTED (cont.) T ape Length Setting Set the tape length according to the length of the tape used. ACCESS MENU SCREEN 1 First set the Power Switch to “CAMERA”. T urn the Select Dial to any position except AUT O LOCK, then press the MENU Jog Dial. SELECT FUNCTION 2 Rotate the MENU Jog Dial to move the highlight bar to “T APE LEN[...]

EN 11 2 2 3 3 1 1 Erase Protection Gear T urn to take up slack. Loading/Unloading A Cassette OPEN CASSETTE HOLDER 1 Slide EJECT until the holder opens. Do not use force to open. INSER T/REMOVE CASSETTE 2 Make sure the label is facing outward. CLOSE CASSETTE HOLDER 3 Press PUSH and make sure the holder is closed and locked. NOTES: ● A cassette hol[...]

12 EN GETTING ST ARTED (cont.) Grip Adjustment EXP AND LOOP 1 Separate the V elcro strip. INSER T HAND 2 Pass your right hand through the loop and grasp the grip. ADJUST STRAP LENGTH 3 Adjust so your thumb and fingers can easily operate the Recording Start/Stop Button and Power Zoom Button. Refasten the V elcro strip. Viewfinder Adjustment POSITION[...]

EN 13 CAUTION: When using a tripod, be sure to open and extend its legs fully to stabilize the camcorder . T o prevent damage to the unit caused by falling over , do not use a small-sized tripod. T ripod Mounting ALIGN AND TIGHTEN 1 Align the screw and camera direction stud on the tripod with the camera’ s mounting socket and stud hole. Then tigh[...]

14 EN RECORDING Basic Recording NOTE: Y ou should already have performed the procedures listed below . If not, do so before continuing. ● Power ( Z pg. 6) ● T ape Length Setting ( Z pg. 10) ● Recording Mode Setting ( Z pg. 10) ● Grip Adjustment ( Z pg. 12) LOAD A CASSETTE 1 Slide EJECT to open the cassette holder , then insert the cassette [...]

EN 15 STOP RECORDING 4 Press the Recording Start/Stop Button again to stop recording. • The camcorder re-enters the Record-Standby mode. NOTES: ● A cassette holder can’t be opened unless a power supply is attached. ● There may be a delay after you slide EJECT until the holder opens. Do not use force. ● The displayed remaining time is appr[...]

16 EN RECORDING Basic Features FEA TURE: Zooming PURPOSE: T o produce the zoom in/out effect, or an instantaneous change in image magnification. OPERA TION: Zoom In Press the “T” of the Power Zoom Button. Zoom Out Press “W” of the Power Zoom Button. n Zooming speed is available. A total of 4 zoom speeds are available. 2 speeds can be select[...]

EN 17 FEA TURE: Quick Review PURPOSE: T o check the end of the last recording. OPERA TION: 1) Press “ ” and release quickly during the Record-Standby mode. n T ape is rewound for about 2 seconds and played back automatically , then pauses in Record-Standby mode for the next shot. NOTE: Distortion may occur at start of playback. This is normal. [...]

18 EN RECORDING Basic Features (cont.) FEA TURE: Video Light (GR-AX480 only) PURPOSE: T o brighten the scene when natural lighting is too dim. OPERA TION: 1) Set the LIGHT OFF/AUTO/ON Switch 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 insufficie[...]

EN 19 FEA TURE: Date/T ime/Character Insert PURPOSE: T o display the date and time in the viewfinder or on a connected colour monitor , as well as to record them manually or automatically. OPERA TION: 1) T urn the Select Dial to any position except AUTO LOCK. 2) Choose a display mode by pressing DA TE/TIME repeatedly while in Record-Standby to cycl[...]

20 EN SEPIA 1 / 1 0 0 0 1 / 2 0 0 0 F G N D A U T O M O D E L O C K R E L E A S E WIDE TITLE EFFECT SUPER LOLUX Programme AE With Special Effects All you have to do to access any of the variety of shooting effects is to turn the Select Dial. SELECT MODE 1 T urn the Select Dial until the symbol of the function you want is aligned with the mark. • [...]

EN 21 Dial V iewfinder Mode symbol indication Auto Mode Lock LOCK AUTO LOCK Auto Mode Lock Locks the camcorder in Full Auto mode, preventing incorrect operation due to accidental button pressing during shooting. • In this mode the following controls are disabled; DA TE/TIME display select, and the Menu Jog Dial. Auto Mode Release RELEASE AUTO REL[...]

22 EN RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) Fader This feature allows smooth fade-in and fade-out to black blank screen. Fade-in works at recording start, and fade- out works at recording end or when you enter Record- Standby mode. ENGAGE F ADE-ST ANDBY MODE 1 Press EFFECT to engage the Fade-Standby mode. •“ B K F ADER” is displayed for approx.[...]

EN 23 Super LoLux(Gain Up) Bright, natural recordings can be taken even in areas with low or poor lighting. SELECT SUPER LOLUX MODE 1 Press SUPER LOLUX repeatedly to cycle through the modes as shown to the left. Once the desired mode appears, it is engaged. • The mode’ s name is displayed for approx. 2 seconds, then disappears. MAX : T o record[...]

24 EN MENU MENU 4 MENU END FOCUS EXPOSURE DATE T IME TELE MACRO TAPE LENGTH M. W. B. ZOOM SPEED 4 NE X T AUTO AUTO 25. 12. 98 OFF T30 AUTO FAST 4 BACK REC T IME INT. T IME TALLY LAMP CHARACTER JLIP ID NO. DEMO MODE   4 MENU END OFF OFF ON 07 OFF CHARACTER A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Ä Ö Ü À È Ì Ò Ù Ñ Æ Ø Å [...]

EN 25 Using Menu For Detailed Adjustment This camcorder is equipped with an easy-to-use, on-screen menu system that simplifies many of the more detailed camcorder settings. ACCESS MENU SCREEN 1 T urn the Select Dial to any position except AUT O LOCK, then press the MENU Jog Dial. The Menu Screen appears. SELECT FUNCTION 2 Rotate the MENU Jog Dial t[...]

26 EN RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) FOCUS AUTO Adjusts focus automatically . MANU Allows you to adjust focus manually ( Z pg. 28, 29). EXPOSURE AUTO Adjusts exposure automatically . MANU Allows you to adjust exposure manually ( Z pg. 30). DA TE/TIME Allows you to set the current date and time ( Z pg. 9). TELE MACRO Usually the distance to a s[...]

EN 27 REC TIME This feature allows you to set the parameters for Animation and T ime-Lapse recording ( Z pg. 33). INT . TIME This feature allows you to set the parameters for Self-T imer ( Z pg. 32) and T ime- Lapse recording ( Z pg. 33). T ALL Y LAMP ON The tally lamp comes on to signal the start of recording. (available only for GR-AX480) OFF The[...]

28 EN RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) Focusing Auto Focus 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 [...]

EN 29 Manual Focus NOTE: Y ou should already have made the necessary viewfinder adjustments ( Z pg. 12). If you haven’ t, do so before continuing. ACCESS MENU SCREEN 1 T urn the Select Dial to any position except AUT O LOCK, then press the MENU Jog Dial. The Menu Screen appears, and the highlight bar is placed on “ FOCUS”. ACCESS FOCUS MENU S[...]

30 EN RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) Exposure Control This feature automatically adjusts the iris for the best available picture quality , but you can override and make the adjustment manually . ACCESS MENU SCREEN 1 T urn the Select Dial to any position except AUTO LOCK, then press the MENU Jog Dial. The Menu Screen appears. ACCESS EXPOSURE ME[...]

EN 31 MENU 4 MENU END FOCUS EXPOSURE DATE T IME TELE MACRO TAPE LENGTH M. W. B. ZOOM SPEED 4 NE X T AUTO AUTO 25. 12. 98 OFF T30 AUTO FAST AUTO : FINE : CLOUD : HALOGEN MWB EX I T M. W. B. Manual White Balance Adjustment (M.W .B.) The white balance is usually adjusted automatically . However , the more advanced camcorder operator would prefer to co[...]

32 EN RECORDING Advanced Features (cont.) Self-Timer Y ou can set the delay between pressing the Recording Start/Stop Button 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: Make sure the camcorder is in the Record-Standby mode before per[...]

EN 33 Animation 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. NOTE: Make sure the camcorder is in the Record-Standby mode and the recording mode is set to “SP” before performing the following steps. ACCESS[...]

34 EN PLA YBACK Basic Playback LOAD A CASSETTE 1 Slide EJECT to open the cassette holder , then insert the cassette with the label facing out. Press PUSH to ensure the holder is closed and locked. SELECT MODE 2 Set the Power Switch to “PLA Y”. The power indicator lights. PLA Y BACK 3 Press PLA Y/P AUSE . The playback picture appears. STOP PLA Y[...]

EN 35 PLA YBACK Features T racking This function can be used to eliminate noise bars that appear on-screen during playback. Initial setting is Auto T racking. Manual T racking is also available. ACTIV A TE MANUAL TRACKING 1 Press the MENU Jog Dial during playback mode. Keep rotating it until noise bars disappear . • T o return to Auto T racking, [...]

36 EN PLA YBACK Featur es (cont.) FEA TURE: Still Playback PURPOSE: T o pause during playback. OPERA TION: 1) Press PLAY/P AUSE during playback. 2) T o resume normal playback, press PLA Y/P AUSE again. NOTE: Noise bars appear and pictures may become monochrome during Still Playback. This is normal. FEA TURE: Shuttle Search PURPOSE: T o allow high-s[...]

EN 37 PLA YBACK 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. INSER T BA TTERY 1 Slide the battery cover up to remove it, [...]

38 EN There are three basic types of connections. When making the connections, refer also to your VCR and TV instruction manuals. Connection T o A VCR A (Editing, Dubbing and Playback) NOTE: Use the optional Audio and V ideo cables. CONNECT CAMCORDER TO VCR 1 As shown in the illustration to the left, connect the Audio and V ideo cables between the [...]

EN 39 T APE DUBBING T ape Dubbing CONNECT EQUIPMENT 1 Following the illustration to the left, connect the camcorder and the VCR. PREP ARE FOR DUBBING 2 Set the camcorder ’ s Power Switch to “PLA Y”, turn on the VCR’ s power , and insert the appropriate cassettes in the camcorder and the VCR. SELECT VCR MODE 3 Engage the VCR’ s AUX and Rec[...]

40 EN USING REMOTE CONTROL UNIT (GR-AX480 only) The Full-Function Remote Control Unit can operate this camcorder from a distance as well as the basic operations (PLAY , ST OP , PAUSE, FF , and REW) of your VCR. This remote control unit makes additional recording functions possible. BUTTONS FUNCTIONS With the camcorder’s power switch With the camc[...]

EN 41 FEATURE: Self-Timer , Animation and Time-Lapse PURPOSE: The remote control lets you set/release Interval T imer and Rec Time functions as well as the Menu Screen. OPERATION: Self-Timer 1) Set Instead of performing steps 1 through 4 on pg. 32 (“Self-T imer”), press INT . TIME on the remote control. Each time INT . TIME is pressed, the Inte[...]

42 EN USING REMOTE CONTROL UNIT (GR-AX480 only) (cont.) 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 optional RM-V700U MBR (Multi- Brand Remote, Z pg. 40) is set to [...]

EN 43 A B C MAKE CONNECTIONS CONNECT TO . . . 1 A JVC VCR EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE P AUSE TERMINAL Connect the editing cable to the Remote P AUSE terminal. B JVC VCR NOT EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE P AUSE TERMINAL BUT EQUIPPED WITH R.A. EDIT CONNECTOR Connect the editing cable to the R.A.EDIT connector . C VCR OTHER THAN TYPE A OR B Connect the editing cable [...]

44 EN USING REMOTE CONTROL UNIT (GR-AX480 only) (cont.) SELECT SCENES ACCESS R.A. EDIT COUNTER DISPLA Y 1 Press PLA Y/P AUSE , then press ON/OFF and the counter display appears in the viewfinder and the screen of the connected TV . REGISTER BEGINNING OF SCENE 2 Press REW or FF to locate the beginning of a scene you want, then press IN/OUT to regist[...]

EN 45 AUTOMA TIC EDITING TO VCR ENGAGE VCR’S RECORD-P AUSE MODE 1 Point the remote control towards the VCR’ s infrared sensor and press VCR REC STBY , or manually engage the VCR’ s Record-Pause mode. BEGIN AUTOMA TIC EDITING 2 Press the MENU Jog Dial on the camcorder , and the previously selected scenes are copied to the VCR in the specified [...]

46 EN USING REMOTE CONTROL UNIT (GR-AX480 only) (cont.) Insert Editing Y ou 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: Use the RM-V700U remote control unit to perform this procedure. SELEC[...]

EN 47 e 4 M – 0 :05:20 Audio Dubbing Y ou 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. 46) before continuing. • The sound comes from the built-in microphone. FIND EDIT -IN POINT 1 Press REW to go a little beyond the beginning of the scene onto which you [...]

48 EN USER MAINTENANCE After Use 1 Set the Power Switch to “POWER OFF” to turn off the camcorder . 2 Slide EJECT to open the cassette holder , then remove the cassette. 3 Close and lock the cassette holder by pressing PUSH . 4 Slide BA TT . RELEASE to remove the battery pack. 5 Slide the LENS COVER Open/Close switch to close the lens cover . Cl[...]

EN 49 TROUBLESHOOTING SYMPTOM POWER No power is supplied. The power suddenly goes off and doesn’ t come back on by itself. RECORDING Recording cannot be performed. Recording does not start. PLA YBACK The tape is running, but there’ s no playback picture. Playback picture is blurred or interrupted. The counter indication is blurred during Still [...]

50 EN TROUBLESHOOTING (cont.) SYMPTOM OTHER The tape won’t eject. Some functions are not available. V ertical white lines appear when shooting a very bright object. Bright, crystal-shaped spots appear in the viewfinder . The viewfinder and the lens have become dirty (ex. fingerprints). The picture is blurred in the Quick Review or Retake mode. An[...]

EN 51 REC SP 30MIN 444 4 S.L X T 3 0 01 MWB NORM 5MIN 1 4S LENS COVER PAUSE MERRY CHRISTMAS TAPE END 1 6 7 2 3 4 5 % ^ & 9 $ 0 # ( * ) 8 ! @ T WILIGHT 25. 12. 98 2 2:5 0:0 0 INDEX V iewfinder Indications @ Interval T imer/Recording T ime/ 5Sec. Rec Mode Indicator ........... Z pgs. 17 ,32 # Instant T itle Display ............................ Z [...]

52 EN INDEX (cont.) 4 3 u p i o 1 9 0 ! 5 6 7 8 ^ ( # % $ @ ) W q w e r & R * t y E T 2 Q[...]

EN 53 Controls 1 Power Zoom Button ........................... Z pg. 16 2 Select Dial ......................................... Z pg. 20 3 Multi-Function Control • EFFECT Button ................................. Z pg. 22 • WIDE Button ................................... Z pg. 22 • TITLE Button .................................... Z pg. 23 •[...]

54 EN INDEX T erms A AC Power Adapter .................................. pg. 6 Animation Recording .............................. pg. 33, 41 Audio Dubbing ....................................... pg. 47 Auto Date Record ................................... pg. 19 Auto Focus .............................................. pg. 28 Auto Mode Lock Mode ...[...]

EN 55 NOTES: ● It is normal for the battery pack to be warm after charging, or after use. T emperature Range Specifications Charging ........................... 10°C to 35°C Operation ......................... 0°C to 40°C Storage ............................. –10°C to 30°C ● Recharging time is based on room temperature of 20°C. ● The[...]

56 EN CAUTIONS (cont.) 3. DO NOT leave the unit . . . ..... in places of over 50°C. ..... in places where humidity is extremely low . (below 35%) or extremely high (above 80%). ..... in direct sunlight. ..... in a closed car in summer . ..... near a heater . 4. T o protect the unit, DO NOT . . . ..... allow it to become wet. ..... drop the unit or[...]

EN 57 SPECIFICA TIONS GENERAL Format : VHS P AL standard Power sour ce : DC 6V Power consumption • GR-AX480 light on : 7.9 W • GR-AX480 light off / GR-AX280 : 5.0 W Signal system : P AL-type V ideo recording system Luminance : FM recording Colour : Converted sub-carrier direct recording Conforms to VHS standard Cassette : cassette T ape speed S[...]

MEMO[...]

MEMO[...]

G R-AX480 G R-AX280 COPYRIGHT© 1998 VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LTD. EK Printed in Japan 0198MKV * UN * VP VICTOR COMP ANY OF JAPAN, LIMITED[...]