Hitachi DZ-HS903A, DZ-HS803A User Manual

DZ-HS903A

DZ-HS803A

Instruction Manual

(English)

Instruction Manual

DZ-HS903A
DZ-HS803A

DZ-HS903A

DZ-HS803A

Introduction

HDD/DVD/Cards
Battery Pack

Let’s Get Started
Recording — Viewing

Various Recording
Techniques

Dubbing on DVD

Editing

Viewing on the
Other Devices

Connecting to
Your PC

Additional
Information

DZ-HS903A

DZ-HS803A

Thank you for purchasing this Hitachi Camcorder.
Please read this Instruction Manual to understand its proper use.
Before opening the CD-ROM included with this product, please read
p.182.
After reading the Instruction Manual, store it safely.

The Instruction Manual contains an illustration of the DZ-HS803A
on the cover page only.

QR74442 ©Hitachi, Ltd. 2008

QUICK GUIDE

This manual was printed
with soy based ink.

Printed on recycled paper

Printed in Japan OY-K (I)

Important Information

For Your Safety

The power switch turns the camcorder on and off, leaving the date/time feature unaffected. If the
camcorder is to be left unattended for a long period of time, turn it off.

The DVD video camera/recorder and AC adapter/charger have the following caution marks.

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT

EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

WARNING: DANGER OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS

INCORRECTLY REPLACED. REPLACE ONLY WITH
THE SAME OR EQUIVALENT TYPE.

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD,
BE SURE TO USE THE SPECIFIED AC ADAPTER/
CHARGER (DZ-ACS3).

The camcorder and AC adapter/charger
have the following caution marks.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTR IC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF

ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN.

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED

SERVICE PERSONNEL.

Identifications of caution marks

This symbol warns 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.

Precautions

WARNING: Many television programs and

films are copyrighted. In certain circumstances,
copy-right law may apply to private in-home
videotaping of copyrighted materials.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is
made by highly precise technology. More
than 99.99% of its picture elements (pixels)
are effective, but some (less than 0.01%)
may appear as colored bright dots. This
does not indicate a fault as the LCD panel
stretches the limits of current technology.

CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT

CAUTION

This product contains a laser diode of
higher class than 1. To ensure continued
safety, do not remove any covers or attempt
to gain access to the inside of the product.
Refer all servicing to qualified personnel.

Avoid using and storing the battery pack in
places subject to direct sunlight, high
temperatures, or near a flame source.

2

Warning: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to

the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Caution to the user: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Microsoft®, Windows®, Windows® XP and Windows Vista® are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.

®

Intel

and Pentium® Processor are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

®

Intel

Core™ is a trademark of Intel Corporation.

Macintosh is a trademark of Apple, Inc.

®

IBM

and PC/AT® are registered trademarks of International Business Machines
Corporation.
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
“Dolby” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
SD logo is a trademark.
Other company names and product names listed are trademarks or brand names
belonging to each individual company.

3

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1 Read these instructions.

2 Keep these instructions.

3 Heed all warnings.

4 Follow all instructions.

5 Do not use this apparatus near water.

6 Clean only with dry cloth.

7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus

(including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has

two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third
grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided
plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience

receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11 Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12 Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the

manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution
when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long

periods of time.

14 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has

been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does
not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15 Do not drip or splash liquids onto the camcorder or place the camcorder near objects filled with

liquid such as vases.

16 Use the equipment (AC adapter/Charger) near a power outlet with easy accessibility.

17 Do not cover the camcorder with a cloth while using nor use the camcorder in a ill-ventilated

space such as in a box or bookcase.

4

Table of Contents

Important Information ............................ 2

For Your Safety ...................................... 2

Precautions.............................................. 2

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS ............................... 4

Introduction 8

This camcorder makes all of the following

possible! .......................................................... 8

Choosing a disc to suit your purpose .............. 9

How to Read this Instruction Manual................... 9

Before Using the Product

- Be sure to read this information - ............... 11

Checking Provided Accessories ......................... 13

Names of Parts.................................................... 14

How to Open and Use the LCD Monitor ........... 19

How to Change the LCD Brightness .................. 20

Let’s Get Started 21

Preparing ............................................................ 21

Setting up the battery pack ............................ 21

Turning on the Power.................................... 22

Changing the display language ..................... 22

Setting the date and time ............................... 23

Recording Movies to the HDD........................... 24

Recording Movies to a DVD .............................. 25

Recording Stills to an SD card ........................... 27

Playing Recorded Movies/Stills ......................... 28

Deleting Recorded Movies/Stills........................ 29

Functions and Characteristics of
HDD/DVD/Cards 30

About HDD/DVD ......................................... 31

About cards ................................................... 33

Cautions for discs and cards.......................... 33

Inserting a DVD............................................ 34

When loading a new DVD-RW/+RW .......... 36

Battery Pack 37

CHARGE lamp status and charging time ..... 37

Recording time with a fully charged battery . 37

Connecting the camcorder to a wall outlet.... 38

Detaching the DC power cord/b attery pack from

the camcorder .......................................... 38

Efficient Use of the Battery .......................... 39

Recording 40

Recording Movies .............................................. 40

Using the Quick Start function ..................... 41

Information Display During Recording ........ 42

Recording Still Pictures ...................................... 45

Viewing 47

Playback (Watching Your Recordings).............. 47

Playing back the last recorded scene ............ 47

Deleting the last recorded scene ................... 48

Choosing and playing back a scene .............. 48

Choosing and playing back multiple scenes . 49

Jumping to the designated scene ................... 50

Adjusting speaker volume during movie

playback................................................... 52

Information Display During Playback .......... 52

Simple functions you can use during playback

or playback pause .................................... 54

Playing still pictures on a card automatically

(Slide Show) ........................................... 55

Capturing a still picture from a movie

(PHOTO Capture).................................... 56

Playing back scenes repeatedly

(Repeat Play) ........................................... 56

Various Recording Techniques 57

How to Operate the Menu .................................. 57

Menu (While Recording).................................... 58

How to use the LCD setup and initial setup . 60

About the demonstration function ................ 61

Magnified Recording

(Optical Zoom and Digital Zoom) ................ 62

Recording at Close Range (Macro Recording) .. 63
Using the Separately-Sold Lenses to Increase the

Wide-Angle or Telephoto Effect .................. 63

Adjusting the Focus Manually (Manual Focus) . 64
Adjusting the Brightness of the Image

(Exposure)..................................................... 66

Compensating for Backlight

(Backlight Compensation) ............................ 67

Selecting a Program AE Mode to Match the

Conditions (Program AE) ............................. 67

Adjusting the Color (White Balance) ................. 68

Setting the white balance manually (Set)...... 70

Using the Electronic Image Stabilizer (EIS) ...... 71

Reducing Wind Noise During Recording .......... 71

Restoring all the Record ing Settings to Default

(Full Auto) .................................................... 72

5

Using the Flash .................................................. 72

Turning Off the Recording Indicator Beneath the

Lens .............................................................. 74

Changing the Movie Quality (VIDEO Mode) ... 75
Recording Movies for Wide-Screen TVs (16:9) 75

Changing Still Picture Quality (Quality) ........... 77

Inputting Audio and Video Signals From an

External Device (Input Source)

(DZ-HS903A)............................................... 78

Changing Capturing Still Picture Quality for

External Input (PHOTO Input)

(DZ-HS903A)............................................... 78

Using the Self-Timer ......................................... 79

Dubbing on DVD 80

First Dubbing (“New”) ...................................... 82

Dubbing All Scenes Recorded on the Same Day

(“Date”) ........................................................ 83

Dubbing All Scenes Recorded on the HDD

(“All”)........................................................... 84

Dubbing Scenes Selected (“Select”).................. 85

Displaying only Dubbed or Not Dubbed Scenes

(Category)..................................................... 86

Clearing the dub marks on Thumbnails

(MARK OFF) ............................................... 86

Editing 87

Menu Items for the Disc Navigation ............... .. 88

Menu flows for the disc navigation.............. 90

Choosing Scenes by Program ............................ 92

Switching to the display arranged by program

(Program) ................................................ 92

Playing back a program (Play) ..................... 93

Renaming the title of a program (Title)........ 93

Playlist ............................................................... 95

What is “Playlist”? ....................................... 95

Creating a new Playlist (Create Playlist)...... 96

Displaying a desired Playlist (Playlist) ........ 97

Playing back a Playlist (Play)....................... 97

Adding scenes to a Playlist (Edit) ................ 98

Deleting scenes from Playlist (Edit)............. 99

Adding scenes using the Submenu for Editing

(Edit) ....................................................... 99

Deleting scenes using the Submenu for Editing

(Edit) ..................................................... 100

Selecting scenes using the Submenu for Editing

(Edit) ..................................................... 100

Arranging the order of scenes in the Playlist

(Edit) ..................................................... 101

Renaming the title of a Playlist (Title) ....... 101

Deleting a Playlist (Delete) ........................ 102

Deleting Scenes (Edit – Delete) ....................... 102

Dividing a Movie (Edit – Divide).................... 103

Combining Multiple Scenes (Edit – Combine) 105

Adding Special Effects (Edit –Fade) ............... 106

Skipping Scenes (Effect – Skip) ..................... 107

Changing Thumbnail Image

(Effect – Thumbnail) ................................. 108

Go To ............................................................... 109

Copying still pictures on a DVD-RAM to the Card

(Copy)......................................................... 109

Locking Scenes on a Card (Lock) ................... 110

Displaying Information Using the Menu Screen

(Detail) ....................................................... 111

Formatting the HDD/DVD/CARD .................. 112

Protecting the HDD/DVD................................ 113

Checking the Remaining Recording Capacity on

the Medium (Capacity)............................... 114

Displaying Movies or Stills Independently

(Category)................................................... 114

Viewing on the Other Devices 115

Connecting to Your TV for Viewing............... 115

Connecting to a TV .................................... 115

Viewing on your TV .................................. 116

Setting the on-screen display output On/Off

(OSD Output)........................................ 116

Playing back wide-mode images on a 4:3 TV

(TV Type) ............................................. 117

Viewing on Other Players/Recorders .............. 118

About DVD-RW (VF mode)/DVD-R Discs and

Finalization................................................. 118

About +RW Discs and Finalization................. 118

About DVD-RW (VR Mode) Discs and

Finalization................................................. 119

Playing back a DVD-RAM Disc on a DVD Player/

Recorder ..................................................... 119

Notes on Finalization....................................... 119

Finalizing a Disc .............................................. 120

Unfinalizing a Disc .......................................... 121

Dubbing With Another Audio/Video
(A/V) Device 122

Dubbing from another A/V device

(DZ-HS903A) ....................................... 122

Dubbing from the camcorder to another A/V

device .................................................... 124

6

Connecting to Your PC 125

Software installation ................................... 128

Preparation before importing images .......... 130

Connecting the camcorder to your PC using the

provided USB cable ............................... 130

How to remove/replace a DVD or remove a card

during the connection ............................ 132

Using a PC’s DVD drive to read a DVD

recorded on the camcorder .................... 133

Before terminating PC connection (removing

the USB cable) and changing the power

switch setting ......................................... 134

How to Use the Software.................................. 135

Uninstalling the software ............................ 145

Precautions When Connecting to a PC............. 145

Contact Information ......................................... 146

Additional Information 147

Optional Accessories ........................................ 147

Attaching the Shoulder Strap (Commercially

Available).................................................... 147

Error Messages ................................................. 148

Troubleshooting................................................ 157

Cautions on Use of this Product

- Be sure to read this information - ............. 167

System Reset .................................................... 172

Major Specifications......................................... 173

Glossary............................................................ 178

Index ................................................................. 179

Be sure to read the following before opening the

package of CD-ROM .................................. 182

To Order in the United States ........................... 183

7

Introduction

This camcorder makes all of the following
possible!

Record movies and stills with this one device!

Introduction

Stills Movies

After recording

View on large screen by hooking up the camcorder to a TV!

AV Cable

S Cable

Various media

HDD

DVD

SD card

View on the TV

View on the
LCD monitor

After Watching

Store the recordings! Create a gift disc! Select a disc easily!

Dubbing Menu

New All

Dubbing the scene which
isn't dubbed in HDD.

ENTER

f

8

SelectDate

EXIT

DVD-RAM/
DVD-RW/
DVD-R
+RW

 Choosing a disc to suit your purpose

Do you want to delete/edit images
using this camcorder?

Do you want to play the disc
on a DVD player/recorder?

Do you want to reuse the disc?

+RW

NO

One-time

recording

DVD-RDVD-RAM

Re-recordable

DVD-RW

(VR mode)

Playable on devices that are
compatible with 8 cm DVD-RAM
or 8 cm DVD-RW (VR mode)
accordingly.

* For details, refer to the standards

stated in "Recording format" (p.174).

YES

Re-recordable

DVD-RW

(VF mode)

Playable on most other DVD
players/recorders once they are
finalized after recording.

* For details, refer to the standards

stated in "Recording format" (p.174).

How to Read this Instruction Manual

This Instruction Manual is intended for the DZ-HS903A and DZ-HS803A
models. The following table shows the differences between the two models.

DZ-HS903A DZ-HS803A

HDD (Hard Disk Drive) Capacity

Maximum movie recording time

External input function

Approx. 30 GB Approx. 8 GB

Approx. 11 hours

(FINE mode)

Equipped Not equipped

Approx. 3 hours

(FINE mode)

Introduction

About operations using the cursor

Use the cursor d/c/f/e to select the items that appear on the LCD
screen. This manual indicates the cursor operations using the symbol .
For details on how to operate the cursor, see "How to Operate the Menu" (p.57).

9

About media descriptions

HDD

RAM

-RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

CARD

CARD

The camcorder functions available vary depending on the media (HDD/DVD/
Card) used. Refer to the icon headings shown below to determine whether the
function explained complies with the media in use.

Introduction

Collective

term

HDD Built-in hard disk drive (HDD)

DVD

Card

Icon Media

DVD-RAM

DVD-RW (VR mode)

DVD-RW (VF (Video) mode)

DVD-R

+RW

SD memory card

C

miniSD memory card (exclusive adapter required)
microSD memory card (exclusive adapter required)

+RW

Displays in the Instruction Manual

The display messages are omitted in this manual. Please use the LCD display of
your camcorder to check the messages.

10

Before Using the Product

- Be sure to read this information -

Conduct test recording.

• Before recording important shots, always conduct test recording to confirm that images
are normally recorded.

Recording surface

• Single-sided disc: unlabeled side.

• Double-sided disc: both sides.

Single-sided disc

Labeled side

Double-sided disc

Recording side

Introduction

Recording side

Recording side

How to hold a disc

For correct recording

• Do not touch the recording surface of a disc.

• Check that a disc recording surface is not dirty or
scratched.

• If the recording surface is dirty, wipe it clean using a
soft cloth.

Caution on disc loading

• Never touch the pickup.

Caution on vibrations and impacts

• While the ACCESS/PC indicator (p.14) is lit, do not
subject the camcorder to strong vibrations or impacts.
Caution should be particularly observed while the indicator
remains lit for a while after the end of recording.

Use a soft cloth and gently
wipe the disc surface from
the inner to the outer region.

About DVD

• We recommend using Hitachi Maxell brand discs. The
compatibility of the discs with this camcorder is
confirmed.

• If there is concern that the camcorder may be subjected to large vibrations or impact
during transport, remove the DVD and protect the camcorder using soft protective
materials.

pickup

11

Using DVD with other equipment

• We cannot guarantee that playback is possible on all types of recorders/players.

• Playback may not be possible depending on the model of the playback device or
recording status of the disc.

• When a DVD-RW/DVD-R recorded with this camcorder is used on another device,
always finalize the disc (p.120) using the camcorder in advance.

Hitachi will not compensate for recorded images.

Introduction

• Hitachi cannot compensate for any damages caused when recording is not made
normally or recorded contents cannot be played back because of a defect in the
camcorder, disc or card. Also, Hitachi cannot be responsible for your recorded video
and audio.

• If you or a third party make a mistake when handling this camcorder, disc, card, etc.,
the recorded contents may be lost. We cannot be responsible for compensation for
damage due to loss of recorded contents.

• In the event that your camcorder is sent for repair, whether repair is successful or not,
recorded content may be lost. Hitachi cannot be held responsible for any lost data.

Copyright

• Be aware that recording is restricted for some demonstrations, performances and
exhibitions, even for personal enjoyment.

12

Checking Provided Accessories

Make sure the following accessories are included in the package.

Battery pack (DZ-BP14S)

Portable power supply for your
new Hitachi Camcorder. Be
sure to fully charge the battery
before use.

AC adapter/charger
(DZ-ACS3)

Use to power the camcorder
from an AC power outlet, and
to charge the battery.

DC power cord

To power the camcorder from
an AC outlet, use this cord to
connect the AC adapter/
charger to the camcorder.

Introduction

Remote control
(DZ-RM4W)

Use to control the camcorder
from a distance.

AV/S cable

Use this cable to view images
from the camcorder on a TV.

The DZ-HS903A can input
audio and video signals from
external AV devices using this
cable. (However, note that the
S-Video connector is for
output signals only.)
The DZ-HS803A has no
external input function.

Lithium battery (CR2032)

To power the remote control.

WARNING

Keep this battery away from
children. If swallowed, consult
a physician immediately for
emergency treatment.

Lens cap and lens cap
string

Attach the lens cap when not
recording, to protect the lens.

Power cable

Connects the AC adapter/
charger to the AC outlet.

Software CD-ROM and
USB cable

Install the software on the CD­ROM onto your PC, then
connect the camcorder to the
PC using the USB cable.

13

Names of Parts

Power switch side

Introduction

QUICK START button (p.41)
ACCESS/PC indicator (p.11)
PHOTO/SELECT button

(p.27, 47)
DISC EJECT switch (p.25)
Disc compartment (p.25)
Battery platform (p.21)
Battery eject switch (PUSH)
(p.38)
Record button (p.25)

14

Lock switch (p.22)

When the power switch is set to
“HDD”, set the LOCK switch to the
upper position to prevent
accidentally moving the power
switch to “DVD”.
When the power switch is set to
“DVD”, the LOCK switch cannot
be moved.

Power switch (p.22)
Hand strap (p.18)

LCD monitor side (when the LCD monitor is opened
90°), and bottom

Bottom

Introduction

(Disc Navigation) button
(p.28)
MENU button (p.23)
DUBBING button (p.82)

C (stop/exit) button (p.47)
f/e/d/c (cursor)/

A (confirmation) buttons

Used to choose scenes (movies and
stills), select menu items and
confirm, play/pause, or manually
adjust exposure/focus.

Speaker
RESET button (p.172)
FULL AUTO button (p.72)

DISPLAY button
(p.42, 48-49, 52)
CARD ACCESS indicator
Tripod receptacle

Used to attach the camcorder to a
tripod.

Card slot (p.27)
QUICK MENU button (p.57)

Used to display only basic menu
items

LCD BRIGHTNESS button
(p.20)
BLC button (p.67)

15

Lens side

Introduction

Inside the
cover

Light receiving sensor

Used to control flash amount.
Do not block the light receiving
sensor with your hand when
recording still pictures.

Flash (p.72)
Optical 10x zoom lens (p.62)
Zoom lever/volume (p.52, 62, 64)

16

USB terminal (p.131)
A/V terminal (p.115)
Stereo microphone

Do not block the microphone with
your hand during recording.

Remote control receiver
Recording indicator (p.40)
LCD monitor (color wide-screen)

Remote control

REC

MENU

SELECT

DELETE

DISC

NAVIGATION

PHOTO

DIGITAL

ZOOM

DISPLAY

ZOOM

Introduction

PHOTO button (p.27)
REC button (p.24)
MENU button (p.23)
SELECT button (p.47)
d (reverse search) button (p.54)
DELETE button (p.102)
DISC NAVIGATION button
(p.28)

* Functions the same as .

DISPLAY button (p.42)
ZOOM T button (p.62)
DIGITAL ZOOM button (p.62)
ZOOM W button (p.62)

f (reverse skip) button (p.54)
c (forward search) button

(p.54)
Confirmation button (p.28)

C (stop/cancel) button (p.47)
e (forward skip) button (p.54)

Inserting the provided lithium battery into the
remote control

While inserting a thin
tipped instrument
(paperclip, etc.) into the
hole marked PUSH,
swing the battery holder
arm out.

* For instructions on handling batteries, see p.18.

Insert the lithium
battery with the
positive (+) terminal
facing down.

Battery holder

Slide the cover to
close it.

17

Warning

BATTERY MAY EXPLODE IF NOT HANDLED PROPERLY. DO NOT
RECHARGE, DISASSEMBLE, OR DISPOSE OF IN FIRE.

Note

Replace the battery with a Hitachi Maxell, Sony, Panasonic, Sanyo, Toshiba
CR2032, or Duracell DL2032. Use of another battery may present a risk of

Introduction

fire or explosion.

Adjusting the hand strap

Fasten the hand strap according to the procedure in the diagram.

Flip the cover.

Flip the belt.

Replace the belt.

Replace the cover.

Attaching the lens cap

Tie the lens cap to the hand strap using the string (all supplied).

Pass the small loop end of the string through the lens cap
eyelet and knot.

Tie the strap to the the hand strap.

Attach the lens cap to the lens.

small loop

Notes

• To protect the lens, attach the lens cap to the lens when you are not using
the camcorder.

• Wipe the lens using a soft dry cloth if the lens gets dirty.

18

How to Open and Use the LCD Monitor

You can use the LCD monitor as follows.

Introduction

Recording high
places above your
line of sight

Effortlessly record
small children or pets
at their line of sight

• If the LCD monitor is hard to see while recording in bright outdoor conditions,
adjust the LCD brightness (p.20).

Basic posture

Hold the camcorder with
both hands and tuck your
elbows to your chest or
sides, and move the
camcorder at a gentle pace.
This will allow you to
record effectively without
blurring.

To record yourself
(p.20)

When playing back, etc.

19

About the LCD monitor display when recording
yourself (the lens and LCD monitor are facing you)

• The LCD monitor displays a mirror image of the subject.

• The remaining battery charge indicator will only appear when battery power is
almost gone. The battery charge indicator flashes red in this case.

• A warning message will not be displayed (p.148). You can confirm the

Introduction

warning message by rotating the LCD monitor 180° back to its normal
orientation.

How to Change the LCD Brightness

You can adjust the brightness of the LCD monitor when it is too dark or too bright
to see the image on display.
The brightness changes every time you press LCD BRIGHTNESS. There are
three settings available.
At time of purchase of this camcorder, the brightness is set to the brightest.
The LCD brightness setting is retained in memory even when the power is turned
off. However, if the camcorder is turned on while being powered from an AC
power outlet, the LCD brightness setting will be reset to the brightest.

20

Let’s Get Started

Preparing

 Setting up the battery pack

Connect the power cable to the AC adapter/charger.

Plug in the power cable to a wall outlet.

Attach the battery pack to the AC adapter/charger.

Attach the battery pack to the camcorder.

CHARGE indicator

If the CHARGE indicator does not light,
check that the connections ( , , )
are firmly connected.

Note

Charging will not occur if the DC power
cord is connected.

Let’s Get Started

Terminal at
bottom

z Charge status of the battery pack

The CHARGE indicator of the AC adapter/charger allows you to check on the
charge status of the battery pack.

Charge Status CHARGE indicator

During charge lit

Charge complete Unlit

Notes

* For details on charging time,

see p.37.

• Charge battery pack in temperatures above +50ºF (10ºC) and below +86ºF
(30ºC).

• Use only the AC adapter/charger which accompanied your camcorder or
direct replacement as listed in this manual.

21

 Turning on the Power

1

Let’s Get Started

2

1 Turn on the power.

Press and hold the gray button, and turn the power switch to “HDD”, “DVD”, or “SD”.

* You do not need press the gray button

when you turn off the switch or switch
between “HDD” and “DVD”.

2 Open the LCD monitor.

 Changing the display language

You can change the language used on screens and menus as follows.

A (Confirmation button)

Press MENU, then select “Initial Setup” by pressing f/e.
Then press c (or the confirmation button).

22

Select “Language” by pressing f/e, then press c (or the confirmation
button).

Initial Setup

Beep
Power S ave
Record LED

Language

Demo Mo de
Reset

ENTER RETURN

On
Off
On
Eng l i sh
Au t o

Choose the desired language by pressing d/c, then press the confirmation
button.

 Setting the date and time

Press MENU, then select “Date Setup” by pressing f/e.
Then press c to select “Date Set” and press c again.

Select each item by pressing d/c and
set the correct value by pressing f/e.

• Repeat this step until year, month,
date, hour, minute, and AM/PM are
correctly set.

Press the confirmation button.

The confirmation screen appears.

Press d to select “YES”, then press the
confirmation button to confirm.

• If you select “NO” and press
screen returns to step .

Let’s Get Started

e, the

23

Recording Movies to the HDD

1 Turn the power switch to “HDD”.

Let’s Get Started

* You can change the movie recording quality (p.75).

2 Press the record button.

Recording begins.
To pause recording, press the record button again.

24

Recording Movies to a DVD

1 Insert a DVD.

When handling a disc:

Do not touch the recording surface
of a disc (p.11).

Attach the charged battery pack.

Place the recording surface of the DVD face
down. (For a single-sided disc, the side
opposite the label is the recording surface.)

Let’s Get Started

25

2 Turn the power switch to “DVD”.

Let’s Get Started

Hint

If the format confirmation screen appears after loading a new DVD-RW/+RW,
format the disc as guided through the LCD screens (p.36). Formatting is not
necessary when recording on a DVD-RAM/DVD-R.

3 Press the record button.

Recording begins.

To pause recording, press the record button again.

26

Recording Stills to an SD card

1 Insert an SD card.

For usable card types, see p.33.

Pay attention to the orientation of the card.
Face up the label side.

2 Turn the power switch to “SD”.

3 Press PHOTO/SELECT.

Press PHOTO/SELECT halfway down so that a subject in the center of the
screen is focused.

Fully press PHOTO/SELECT to record.

Single press of the PHOTO/SELECT button of the remote control enables
focusing and recording at the same time.

Let’s Get Started

27

Playing Recorded Movies/Stills

1

Let’s Get Started

1 Press .
2 Choose a scene (movie/still), then press the

confirmation button.

001/014All Programs

PHOTO

PLAY

See p.115 for the instructions on viewing the recordings on your TV screen.

SELECT

2

28

Deleting Recorded Movies/Stills

2

1

3, 4

1 Press .
2 Select a scene you want to delete, then press MENU.

001/014All Programs

PHOTO

PLAY

SELECT

3 Select “Scene” “Edit” “Delete”, and then press

the confirmation button.

4 Select “YES”, then press the confirmation button.

The selected scene is deleted.

Let’s Get Started

y

Scenes on DVD-RW (VF mode)/DVD-R/+RW discs cannot be deleted.

y

On +RW, you can delete only the last recorded scene (p.48).

29

Functions and Characteristics of HDD/DVD/Cards

The following table lists the storage media (discs and cards) and available
functions that can be used with this camcorder.

Function

●: Functions available
—: Not available

Recording movies

Built-in

(p.40)

DVD­RAM

HDD

(VR mode)

●● ● ● ●●—

Recording stills (p.45) — — — — — — ●

Deleting recordings

Functions and Characteristics of HDD/DVD/Cards

(p.102)

●● ● ——●

Editing recordings (p.87) ●● ● ————

Playing on other DVD
players/recorders (p.118)

Initializing and reusing
(p.112)

Making additional
recordings after a disc is

— ●

●

*2

●● ● ● — ●●

*4

*4

●

finalized (p.121)

Copying recordings onto
a PC (p.125)

Making DVD video discs
using a PC

*

1 Only the last recorded scene can be deleted (p.48).

*

2 Not playable on some devices.

Playback is possible using a device which complies with the medium type.

*

3 Must be finalized. Not playable on some devices.

*

4 As finalizing is unnecessary (cannot be performed), additional recordings are possible at any time.

*

5 To make additional recordings, the finalized disc must be unfinalized.

*

6 The provided software is used.

*

7 Finalize the disc to edit on a PC.

*

8 A DVD-VR disc can be created.

*

9 A DVD video disc can be created.

*6

●

— ●

*6

●

*6 *8●*6 *8

Media

DVD-RW

●

*2 *3

DVD-RW

(VF mode)

*3

●

DVD-R +RW

*1

*2 *3

●*3●

●●*5— ●*5●

●

*6 *7

*6 *7●*6 *7●*6 *7

●

*6 *9●*6 *9

●

——

SD

card

●

—

*4

●

30

 About HDD/DVD

Usable discs and their logos Function

Allows extensive movie recordings.

HDD

DVD-RAM Ver. 2.1 (8 cm)

DZ-HS903A: approx. 11 hours in FINE mode
DZ-HS803A: approx. 3 hours in FINE mode

Allows editing and deleting scenes.

Allows editing and deleting scenes.

Allows editing and deleting scenes using the

DVD-RW 2x Ver. 1.1 (8 cm)

DVD-R for General Ver. 2.0
(8 cm)

+RW Ver. 1.2 (8 cm)

camcorder in VR mode.
Does not allow editing or deleting scenes using the
camcorder in VF mode, but provides higher
compatibility with other DVD players.

Provides compatibility with most DVD players.
Does not allow editing and deleting scenes.

Provides high compatibility with other DVD players
and does not need to be finalized.
Scenes can be deleted immediately after being
recorded.

* The versions in the above chart refer to physical standard versions of discs.

Functions and Characteristics of HDD/DVD/Cards

31

Notes

• Hitachi Maxell single sided discs (HG type) have been confirmed to be
compatible with this camcorder and are recommended. Take care not to
dirty (including fingerprints) or scratch the surface of the discs when
handling.
When using a double-sided disc, take great care with handling it. Using
non-Hitachi Maxell discs may not allow the camcorder to deliver optimum
performance.

• DVD housed in a square cartridge/caddy case or a round DVD holder

Functions and Characteristics of HDD/DVD/Cards

cannot be used as is. The DVD must be removed from its case/holder
before it can be used.

Note on DVD-R

This camcorder writes control data to a disc in order to automatically make
recording adjustments when first recording after:

• a disc is inserted, and

• the power is turned on while the disc is in the camcorder.
If there is not enough space on the control area of a disc, recording may not
be possible even if the data space for recording movies is not full. To prevent
this, avoid performing operations described above more than 99 times per
disc.

Unusable Discs

Dual layer DVD discs, Blu-ray disc, +R, and HD-DVD.

32

 About cards

z Card Handling

• Do not use cards other than those specified.

• Be sure to perform trial recording before recording important
images.

• Do not touch the card terminal or allow it to touch metal.

• Do not paste anything other than the designated label in the label
area.

• Do not subject cards to impact, bending, or dropping.

• Do not disassemble or modify a card.

• Do not expose cards to water.

• Do not use or store cards in the following places:

− Where the temperature is high, such as in a vehicle in the sun or near a heater

− Where humidity is high, or in a dusty place

• When the erasure prevention
switch is locked, recording,
deletion, and editing are not
allowed. Only playback is
possible.

Notes

• Only 1 GB or less capacity SD memory cards can be used.
(2GB SD memory cards cannot be used with this camcorder.)

• When using an exclusive adapter, a miniSD memory card and micro SD
memory card can be used in the same way as an SD memory card. No
SDHC card or multimedia card can be used.

Erasure prevention
switch

Locked status

Ter mi na l

Functions and Characteristics of HDD/DVD/Cards

 Cautions for discs and cards

To prevent data loss or damage:

• Do not remove the battery and card while reading or writing data.

• Do not use the camcorder in a place subject to static electricity or electrical noise.

• Do not leave a disc unused in the camcorder for an extended period of long time.

33

 Inserting a DVD

Functions and Characteristics of HDD/DVD/Cards

Close the lid.

The ACCESS/PC indicator flashes. During this process, do not remove the
power source, shake, or subject the camcorder to impacts.

Attach the charged battery pack to
the camcorder or connect the
camcorder to a wall outlet.

Turn the power switch to “OFF”.
Then, press down the DISC
EJECT switch until the ACCESS/
PC indicator lights, then release.

After several seconds, the lid pops
open. Open it fully with your hand.

Place the recording surface of the DVD
face down, then push down on the
center of the DVD until it clicks into
place.

• For single-sided discs, the side
opposite the label is the
recording surface.

• To record on the other side for
double-sided discs, remove the
disc (p.35), flip it over, and
reload it.

When a new DVD-RW or +RW is inserted, see p.36.

34

Removing the disc

Pressing slightly on the center hub with
a finger, grip the edge of the disc by
your thumb and lift the disc out as
shown.

Notes

• The disc mechanism will be very hot immediately after use. Do not touch
the metallic areas.

• Do not peer into the pickup. Doing so may cause
damage to your eyesight.

• To prevent malfunction, never do any of the
following:
– touch the pickup
– insert a disc that is not compatible with the

camcorder (p.31, 32)

– close the lid before setting the disc securely into

place

• The power automatically turns off if the lid is left open for approx. three
minutes.

• The lid will not open if the camcorder is not connected to a power source.

Pickup

Functions and Characteristics of HDD/DVD/Cards

35

 When loading a new DVD-RW/+RW

The disc must be formatted before it can be used for recording. When the disc is
loaded, the format confirmation screen will appear in the LCD monitor. Format
the disc according to the procedure below.

Open the LCD monitor.

d/c

Functions and Characteristics of HDD/DVD/Cards

A (confirmation button)

Select “YES” by pressing d, then press the confirmation button.

Format DVD

DVD is not formatted.
Format the DVD now?

YES

NO

ENTER

(When using a DVD-RW)

The recording format selection screen appears.
Select “VR Mode” or “VF Mode” by pressing d

confirmation button.

Format DVD

DVD Format.
Select record format.

VR Mode

ENTER

VF Mode

Note

Be careful that the power is not
accidentally cut off during formatting.
Otherwise, the disc will become unusable.

When using a DVD-RW

Proceed to step .

When using a +RW

Formatting will start. Skip step .

/

c, then press the

VR Mode

After recording, you can perform
various editing functions such as
choosing and deleting scenes.

You can play back the disc in a device
which supports 8 cm DVD-RW (VR
Mode) after finalizing the disc.

VF Mode (Video mode)

Although editing cannot be done on the
camcorder, you can play back the disc
on other DVD devices after finalizing
the disc.

36

Battery Pack

 CHARGE lamp status and charging time

Lights Charging

Goes out

Blinks See "Troubleshooting" (p.157).

Charge
Complete

Approx. charging time
(at approx. 77°F (25°C))

DZ-BP14S (provided)
DZ-BP14SW (separately sold)
DZ-BP21SW

(separately sold)

165 mins

235 mins

 Recording time with a fully charged battery

Use the following table to estimate continuous recording times (minutes) using a
fully charged battery pack.

Continuous recording

Battery

DZ-BP14S (provided)
DZ-BP14SW
(separately sold)

DZ-BP21SW
(separately sold)

* Recordable time when zoom, focus, and switch changes are operated.

Video mode XTRA/FINE STD XTRA/FINE STD

type

Recording

media

(with max LCD brightness)

HDD DVD HDD DVD HDD DVD HDD DVD

110 95 110 105 55 45 55 50

165 140 165 155 80 70 80 75

Notes

• In low temperature environments, recording time will be shortened.

• The times indicated in the table are estimates, and will change depending
on actual recording conditions.

Normal use*

(with max LCD brightness)

Battery Pack

37

 Connecting the camcorder to a wall outlet

Connect to the AC adapter/charger.

Power cable

Battery Pack

Connect to the
camcorder.

Notes

• The battery pack will not be charged while the DC power cord is connected
to the AC adapter/charger even if the battery pack is attached to the AC
adapter/charger.

• The AC adapter/charger can be used around the world. An AC plug adapter
is required in some foreign countries. If you need one, purchase it from
your local electronics distributor.

AC Plug Adapter (not provided)

DC power cord

AC 200-240V

Connect to the AC adapter/
charger.

To wall outlet

 Detaching the DC power cord/battery pack from

the camcorder

Always turn the power off before disconnecting
the power supply.

While pressing and holding PUSH, slide the
DC connector or battery pack upward, then
remove it.

• Be careful not to drop the battery pack
while detaching it.

38

 Efficient Use of the Battery

• The battery will slightly discharge even if it is detached from the camcorder.

• If the battery is left attached to the camcorder, it will consume a slight amount
of power. Therefore, it is recommended that you charge the battery a day
before using the camcorder.

When you intend not to use the camcorder for an extended period
of time

It is recommended that you fully charge the battery at least once every six months, attach
it to the camcorder, turn it on and fully deplete the battery charge, then remove the
battery and store it in a cool place.

Battery life

The battery life varies greatly depending on the ambient environment and how
often the camcorder is used. If the usable time of the camcorder with a fully
charged battery is noticeably short, the battery should be replaced. Purchase a
new one.

Power Save function

To save power, do not leave the camcorder in record pause mode for too long.
Even during record pause, battery power is consumed at about the same level as
during recording.
By turning the power save function On, the camcorder will automatically turn off
if left idle for approximately five minutes in record pause mode. For power save
function, see "How to use the LCD setup and initial setup" (p.60).

Battery Pack

39

Recording

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

+RW

Recording Movies

You can choose either HDD or DVD to record movies.

1 Turn the power switch to “HDD” or “DVD”.
2 Open the LCD monitor.

Recording

3 Press the record button.

•“m“(record pause) in the LCD monitor will
change to “n” and recording will begin.

• The recording indicator beneath the lens will
also light up red.

• To pause recording, press the record button
again. The elapsed recording time will reset to
“0:00:00”.

• To resume recording, press the record button
again.

Press and hold the lock
button, and turn the power
switch.

Elapsed recording time
(hrs : mins : secs)

Remaining space on
HDD/DVD/Card

m/n

10:00 AM

12/ 1/2008

Remaining
battery level

Current time

40

 Using the Quick Start

function

If you press QUICK START, the
camcorder enters sleep mode and will
keep battery consumption to a minimum
(approx. half of the power consumed
during recording) and you can restore record pause mode quickly (about one
second) by pressing QUICK START again.
During sleep mode, the QUICK START button lights blue.

Just press
QUICK START.

Hints

• For details on screen displays during recording, see p.42.

• You can change the movie recording quality (p.75).

• If you cannot record movies, the camcorder does not operate, or it takes too
long for recording to start, see “Troubleshooting” (p.157).

• About Sleep Mode
– You can also return to record pause mode from sleep mode by pressing

the record button (press again to start recording) or changing the media.

– When you return to record pause mode from sleep mode, the zoom

position (approx. 1.5×), manual focus, exposure, and backlight
compensation will return to their default settings (p.62, 64–67).

– Regardless of the power save setting (p.60), the camcorder power will

automatically turn off if standby in sleep mode continues for approx. 30
minutes. In this case, first turn the power switch to “OFF”, then turn it to
“HDD”/“DVD”.

Notes

• The ACCESS/PC indicator is flashing for a while even after you finish
recording. While the ACCESS/PC indicator is flashing, do not turn off the
power or shake the camcorder. Doing so may cause an error in the recorded
data and you may not be able to play back the data (p.170).

• The minimum recording time for movies is about three seconds (even if you
press the record button before three recording seconds have elapsed).

• It may not be possible to deactivate the protection on a DVD which was
protected using another device. In this case, use that same device to
deactivate the protection.

Recording

41

 Information Display During Recording

Switching the display mode

Various information will appear in the LCD monitor during recording.
You can choose simple display or detailed (all information) display by pressing
DISPLAY repeatedly.

Recording

On-Screen Information

See the next page for details.

16:9 mode Program AE

EIS (Electronic
Image Stabilizer)

White Balance

Backlight
Compensation

Current medium/
input mode

Zoom

Exposure

Manual Focus

HDD/DVD/Card
type

Movie recording
quality

42

Microphone filter

Flash

Self-timer

External Input
(DZ-HS903A)

REC

0:00:00

REM

30MIN

REM

12/ 1/2008

14

VOLUME

8:00AM

Scene

Recording status

Movie recording time

Remaining space on
HDD/DVD/Card

Remaining number of
recordable scenes
(DZ-HS903A)

Remaining battery
level

FULL AUTO
indicator (p.72)

Volume

FINE

Warnings/Messages

10

FULL AUTO

HDD ACCESS

Current time/date

L IN

* The above display is for explanation and different from the actual display.

Current medium/input mode

: “Input Source” is “CAMERA”

and in movie recording mode
(HDD/DVD)

: “Input Source” is “CAMERA”

and in still recording mode
(Card)

: “Input Source” is “LINE” and

“PHOTO input” mode (still
capture quality for a movie from
a connected external device) is
“Field”. (LINE) (DZ-HS903A)

: “Input Source” is “LINE” and

“PHOTO input” mode is
“Frame”. (LINE)
(DZ-HS903A)

16:9 mode

(p.75) (when using HDD/DVD)

No icon : Off

:On

Program AE

No icon : Auto

Backlight Compensation

No icon : Off

Electronic Image Stabilizer

(when using HDD/DVD)

No icon : Off

White Balance

No icon : Auto

(p.67)

: Sports

:Portrait

: Spotlight

: Sand & Snow

: Low Light

(p.67)

:On

:On

(p.68)

:Set

: Outdoor

: Indoor1

: Indoor2

(p.24, 25, 27)

(EIS) (p.71)

Microphone filter

(when using HDD/DVD)

No icon : Off

Flash

(p.72) (when using Card)

No icon : Auto

Self-timer

No icon : Off

External Input

L IN : AV input

Recording status

REC

No icon

Zoom

(p.62)

W

(Digital Zoom: Off)

X

(Digital Zoom: 40x)

Y

(Digital Zoom: 240x) (when using HDD/DVD)

Exposure

No gauge : Auto

(p.71)

:On

: Flash On

: Flash Off

(p.79) (when using Card)

:On

(Ten-second countdown)

(p.78) (DZ-HS903A)

Recording

Record pause (lit green)
Focus is locked (lit purple when
using card (recording sills))

*1

(p.66)

: Manual

Recording

43

Manual Focus

No gauge : Auto

Current medium and its status

(HDD/DVD/Card)

/ : DVD-RW (VR m ode/VF mode)

Recording

*2

No icon

Movie recording quality

(when using HDD/DVD)

XTRA : Best quality

FINE : High quality

STD : Extended recording

Still recording quality

(when using card)

FINE : High quality

NORM : Standard quality

(p.64)

: Manual

(p.30)

:HDD

: Protected HDD

: DVD-RAM

: Protected DVD-RAM

: Protected DVD-RW (VR mode)

: Finalized DVD-RW (VR mode)

: Protected Finalized DVD-RW

(VR mode)

: Finalized DVD-RW (VF mode)

: DVD-R

: Finalized DVD-R

(finalized using this camcorder)

: DVD-R finalized using a device

other than the DZ-HS903A/
DZ-HS803A.
Or DVD-R recorded using a
HITACHI camcorder marketed
before the DZ-HS903A/
DZ-HS803A

:+RW

: Finalized +RW

: SD memory card

: Locked SD memory card

(p.75)

(p.77)

ECO High quantity (lower quality)

Remaining space on HDD/DVD/Card

REM XX MIN*4:

Remaining recordable time during movie
recording (HDD/DVD)

REM XX*5:

Number of remaining recordable still images
during stills recording (Card)

Remaining number of recordable scenes

(when using HDD) (DZ-HS903A)

REM XX Scene

Will appear when the remaining number of
recordable scenes (999 scenes max.
less. If the number is down to 10 or less, the
display will be in purple.

Remaining battery level

Full

Volume

Appears here when “Input Source” is set to
“LINE” (DZ-HS903A).
During playback, this indicator appears in a
different position of the LCD screen (p.52).

*1 No icon appears when:

• no disc or card is inserted.

• a disc not formatted is loaded.

• the HDD is protected or a protected disc
or locked card is loaded.

• the HDD, disc, or card has no remaining
space.

*2 No icon appears when:

• no disc or card is inserted.

• an unusable disc or card is inserted.

*3 No remaining time or number will be

displayed when a protected disc or locked
card, or a finalized DVD-RW (VF mode)/
DVD-R/+RW disc is inserted.

*4 Sometimes longer recording than indicated

is possible while recording in XTRA mode.

*5 The number of recordable stills is

approximate. Depending on the recording
conditions, the number may not decrease.

*6 Combining scenes will not increase the

remaining number of recordable scenes.

:

(p.37)

*3

*6

) is 50 or

Almost empty

*3

44

CARD

Recording Still Pictures

Still pictures are recorded on an SD memory Card.

1 Turn the power switch to “SD”.

2 Open the LCD monitor.

Recording

Press and hold the lock button
to turn the power switch.

3 Press PHOTO/SELECT halfway down.

A subject in the center of the screen will be focused. When focus is locked, the
green “m” in the LCD monitor will turn purple.

4 Fully press PHOTO/SELECT.

The image will be recorded. After a few seconds, the image shot will be
displayed for about three seconds. You can shoot the next photo when “m”
changes back to green.

45

Hints

• For details on screen displays during recording, see p.42.

• If you want to compose a shot in which the subject is not centered, first

press PHOTO/SELECT halfway with the subject centered in the monitor.
Next, with the button pressed halfway, compose your shot and fully press
PHOTO/SELECT.

• If the camcorder has difficulty focusing, adjust the focus manually (p.64).

• Although it is possible to fully press PHOTO/SELECT in a single action

without pressing it halfway, the image may be out of focus.

• You can check the card capacity and number of remaining recordable

Recording

pictures (p.176).

• If you are unable to record still pictures, see “Troubleshooting” (p.157).

• About Sleep Mode
– You can also return to record pause mode from sleep mode by pressing

PHOTO/SELECT. To record, you need to press PHOTO/SELECT
again.

– When you return to pause mode from sleep mode, the zoom position

(approx. 1.5×), manual focus, exposure, and backlight compensation will
return to their default settings (p.62, 64–67).

– Regardless of the power save setting (p.60), the camcorder power will

automatically turn off if standby in sleep mode continues for
approximately 30 minutes. In this case, first turn the power switch to
“OFF”, then turn it to “SD”.

Notes

• After recording, do not disconnect the battery or AC adapter/charger until
“

m” lights green in the LCD monitor. Doing so may cause an error in the

recorded data and you may not be able to play back the data (p.170).

• Hold the camcorder with both hands and tuck your elbows to your chest or
sides for best recording results.

• When recording with digital zoom, use a tripod for best results.

• The recorded image may differ slightly from the image in the LCD monitor.

46

Viewing

Playback

(Watching Your Recordings)

Recorded movies and still pictures are referred to as “scenes”. For movies, a scene
is one continuous uninterrupted recording, and for still images, a scene is one still
picture.
Open the LCD monitor before starting playback (p.19).

MENU

f/e/d/c/A (confirmation)

PHOTO/SELECT

(Disc Navigation)

C (stop/exit)

Viewing

HDD -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

CARD+RWRAM

 Playing back the last recorded scene

You can play back the last recorded scene right away.

If the camcorder is not in record pause mode, set the camcorder to record pause mode
for the medium you want to play back (p.40, p.45).

Press the confirmation button.

The scene recorded last will play back.
When playing back a movie, playback is paused after the final frame and “

(playback pause icon at the final frame) appears. If this condition continues for more
than five minutes, the camcorder will automatically return to record pause mode. To
promptly return to record pause mode, press

C

.

i

”

47

HDD RAM -RW (VR) CARD+RW

 Deleting the last recorded scene

Play back the last recorded scene (p.47).

Press MENU.

Select “Edit”

“Delete Scene”, then press the confirmation button.

Delete Scene

Select “YES” by pressing d, then press the
confirmation button.

Delete scene?

YES NO

Viewing

ENTER

The scene will be deleted.

• To cancel deletion, select “NO” and
press the confirmation button or simply
press

C.

• After deleting or canceling deletion, the
camcorder will return to record pause
mode.

Hint

There is another playback method using the disc navigation screen (see
below). In this case, “Delete Scene” does not appear after pressing MENU.

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

HDD RAM

+RW

 Choosing and playing back a scene

Press while the media you want to play back is in record pause mode.

The scenes thumbnails appear on the disc navigation screen.

Thumbnail

Currently

selected scene

Dub mark

Still image icon

Operation guide

001/014All Programs

*1

*2

PLAY

PHOTO

SELECT

Current scene number/
Total number of scenes

Current page
position
Bar graph

Icon of HDD, DVD/
card type

*3

*4

48

*1

The icon displayed represents a photo recorded that uses another Hitachi DVD camcorder
that can record photos on a DVD-RAM disc. (This DVD camcorder cannot record photos
on a DVD-RAM disc.)

*2

The operation guide will vary depending on the operation status of the DVD camcorder.

Each press of
Date and time of recording, Movie quality (VIDEO mode)/Wide (16:9) mode/Movie length
(only HDD), Operation guide.

*3

Appears when 13 scenes or more have been recorded.

*4

When using a disc, the icon that corresponds to the type of disc being used will appear,
and “ ” will appear for a card.

DISPLAY

switches the information of the currently selected scene as follows:

Icons displayed in a thumbnail:

: Dub mark (p.80) : Photo (p.27) : Lock (p.110)

: Fade-in (p.106) : Fade-out (p.106) : Skip (p.107)

Choose a scene by pressing f/e (up/down, previous page/following page) and
d/c (left/right).

• Holding down the button will increase the scene selection speed. Use the
“Current scene number/Total number of scenes” display and the bar graph as
reference.

Press the confirmation button.

The chosen scene is played back.
Playback is paused at the final frame of the last scene, and “i”

icon at the final frame)

appears. When this condition continues for longer than

(playback pause

five minutes, the display will automatically return to the disc navigation screen.

• To promptly return to the disc navigation screen
To return to record pause mode

, press C or again.

, press C or .

• If you press the confirmation button while “i” is displayed, playback starts
from the first scene.

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

CARD+RW

 Choosing and playing back multiple scenes

After step of “Choosing and playing back a scene” (p.48), perform procedures
according to your purpose from the table below. When you have finished choosing
scenes, press the confirmation button to begin playing them back.

• You can utilize more than one method in the table below when choosing scenes.

• You can choose up to 999 scenes.

• The color of the frame(s) may change depending on your operations as follows:
– Yellow: indicates your current position (cursor frame)
– Red: indicates scenes already chosen
– Blue: indicates the range of consecutive scenes being selected
– 2-color frame: includes the meaning of both colors

Viewing

49

Select multiple scenes
individually

Using the current scene as
your starting point, select
multiple previous or
succeeding consecutive
scenes

Select all scenes from the
first scene to the current
scene. (Menu option:

Start– Current)

Viewing

Select all scenes from the
current scene to the final
scene. (Menu option:
Current– End)

Select all scenes on the
media. (Menu option: All)

Cancel operations while
selecting the range (while a
blue frame is displayed)

Cancel selected scenes
individually

Cancel all scenes selected Press C.

Select a scene by pressing d/c/f/e,
then press PHOTO/SELECT.

Repeat this step to choose the next scene.

Press and hold PHOTO/SELECT until the
cursor frame becomes blue.

Choose a final scene by pressing

d/c/f/e,

then press the confirmation button to confirm the
setting.

Press MENU, select “Scene” by pressing
then select “Select” by pressing

c or the confirmation button.

Press

f/e.

c,

After choosing the desired option by pressing f/
e, press the confirmation button to confirm the

setting.

Press C.

Move the cursor frame (yellow) to a selected scene (red)
you want to cancel and press PHOTO/SELECT.

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

CARD+RW

 Jumping to the designated scene

Press MENU after step of “Choosing and playing back a scene” (p.48)—while a
scene is played back.

The Menu appears.

Select “Go To” by pressing f/e, then press c.
Select “Top”, “End”, or “Specify” by pressing f/e, then press the confirmation

button to confirm.

Top: Goes to the beginning, then pauses playback.
End: Goes to the end, then pauses playback.
Specify: Goes to the specified point, then pauses playback. (See next page on

how to specify a point.)

Press the confirmation button.

50

z Specifying the point to jump

to

Select “Specify” in step in
“Jumping to the designated scene”
(p.50), then press the confirmation
button.

The specify screen will appear.

Total recording time
of all selected scenes

1

Position of currently
played back image

Go to

TOP ENDCURRENT

Cursor

0:00:00 0:00:45 0: 00 : 10

TOP END ENTER CANCEL

GO TO

0 :00 : 10

Press the confirmation button.

The camcorder will go to the
specified point and enter playback

3

pause mode.

• To start playback, press the
confirmation button again.

Hints

• To cancel the “Go To” procedure

midway, press C before going to
the specified point.

• With a card, the number of stills
will appear at the “Top”, “Current”,
“End”, and “Go To” indicators.

Viewing

Cursor position

Select the desired point by time by

f

pressing

/ e / d / c.

f: To select the beginning
e: To select the end
d / c once:

To move the cursor one
minute back or forward
for HDD (ten seconds for
DVD, one still for card)

Press and hold d / c:

2

To move the cursor in ten
minutes increments for
HDD (one minute for
DVD, ten stills for card)

Go to

TOP ENDCURRENT

0:00:00 0:00:45 0:00:10

0:00:00

GO TO

TOP END ENTER CANCEL

(When the start of the
selected scene is selected)

Note

The cursor position is a rough
estimate. The cursor may not move
at even intervals.

51

Notes

• When you play a still image from a card, “Playback.” appears. If the image
file is very large (high resolution, etc.), it will take more time to display.

• The disc navigation screen automatically appears if:
– the HDD/DVD is protected.
– the SD memory card is locked.
– a finalized DVD-RW (VF mode)/DVD-R/+RW is loaded.
– a DVD-RW (VF mode)/DVD-R recorded on a Hitachi DVD camcorder

other than this model is loaded.

• It may require more time to start playing back if many scenes are chosen.

Viewing

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF)

HDD RAM

+RW

 Adjusting speaker volume during movie playback

Decreases the volume

Increases the volume

 Information Display During Playback

Various types of information on recording will be superimposed on the playback
image you are viewing.
The display mode switched in the following way each time you press DISPLAY.

No display

Playback information display

Recording date/time

52

When using
HDD/DVD

Recording mode

Scene No.

Repeat play*

4

00606

Program/Playlist List*

1

Program/Playlist No.*

When using
Card

Scene No.

File name

003

Recording mode

*1 Program or Playlist
*2 Not displayed while playing All Scenes.
*3 See “Current medium and its status

(HDD/DVD/Card)” on p.44.
*4 Appears when set (see p.55, 56, 110).
*5 There are following playback operations:

F: Standard playback

b: Playback pause

c: Forward search playback

d: Reverse search playback

e: Forward skip playback

f: Reverse skip playback

g: Forward frame advance

h: Reverse frame back

: Forward slow playback

: Reverse slow playback
For instructions on how to operate,
see p.54.

Lock*

00:00:16

2

100—0003

4

Playback operation*

Playback operation*

5

Counter

Current medium
(HDD/DVD)*

Slide Show*

“j” appears after the first still or the first
frame of the first movie is played when
playing reverse.
“i” appears after the last still or the last
frame of the last movie is played when
playing forward.

3

4

5

Viewing

53

 Simple functions you

can use during
playback or playback
pause

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF)

HDD RAM

+RW

Movies
(during playback)

Functions Press

Pause

Viewing

Fast­forward/
Reverse

Skip
forward/
backward

• If you press f within a few

seconds from the beginning of a
scene, playback starts from the
beginning of the previous scene.

• If you press e while the last

scene is playing back, playback is
paused at the final frame of the last
scene.

Continuous
skipping

The confirmation button

c (Forward)/d
(Reverse) and hold

e (Forward)/
f (Reverse)

e (Forward)/f

(Reverse) and hold

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

+RW

Movies
(during playback pause)

The following functions will operate
during playback pause in the same
way as during playback. However, if
the button is released, playback will
return to playback pause.

•Skipping

• Continuous skipping

The following functions only operate
during playback pause.

Functions Press

Frame by
frame
playback
(forward/
reverse)

• No sound will be heard.

• Frames are advanced in intervals
of approx. 0.03 seconds and
reversed in intervals of approx.

0.5 seconds.

Slow
playback
(Forward/
Reverse)

• No sound will be heard.

• Slow playback advances in
intervals of approx. 0.03 seconds
and reverses in intervals of
approx. 0.5 seconds.

c (Forward)/
d (Reverse)

c (Forward)/d

(Reverse) and hold

54

Notes

• If the temperature inside the
camcorder gets too high, the
camcorder may fail to function
normally. Turn off the power and
wait awhile before turning the
power back on.

• In slow playback, images with
fast-moving subjects may appear
blurred.

CARD

Still pictures
(during card playback)

Reminder: For still images, a “scene”
is one still image, a photograph.

Functions Press

Playing
previous or
later scenes
(stills)

Each time you press e/c or
f/d, the next or previous still is

shown. If you continue pressing,
stills are played back successively
until you release the button, or the
last/first scene is reached.

• For automatic playback for still

pictures, use the slide show
function.

e/c (Forward)/
f/d (Reverse)

CARD

 Playing still pictures

on a card
automatically
(Slide Show)

When you play back when the slide
show is On, still pictures are played
one after the other.

If the playback range of scenes has
been specified, the slide show plays
back this specified range of scenes.

Press MENU on the disc navigation
screen (p.48).

Use the cursor buttons to select “Slide
Show”, then “Start”.
Press the confirmation button.

• Playback starts from the
beginning regardless of the
selected scene or cursor
position.

• The camcorder enters playback
pause after showing the last
picture.

• To return to the disc navigation
screen, press C.

Viewing

55

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

+RW HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

 Capturing a still

picture from a movie
(PHOTO Capture)

You can capture and record an image
displayed during movie playback as a
photo.
The number of photo pixels differs
depending on the mode as follows:
In 16:9 mode: 640 × 360 pixels
In 4:3 mode: 640 × 480 pixels

Viewing

Press PHOTO/SELECT or
MENU at the frame you want to
capture during movie playback or
playback pause.

• If you press PHOTO/SELECT,

go to step . If you press
MENU, proceed to the next
step.

Select “Edit” by pressing f/e,
then press c.

If “PHOTO Capture” is not selected,
select it by pressing f/e, then
press the confirmation button.

Press d to select “YES”, then press
the confirmation button to confirm.

• To cancel capturing, either press
the confirmation button while
“NO” is selected or press

• After capturing is complete or
canceled, the screen will return
to playback pause.

C.

-RW (VF)

+RW

 Playing back scenes

repeatedly
(Repeat Play)

When this function is On, all scenes
will play back from the first scene to
the last scene repeatedly.
If a range of scenes (or just one scene)
is specified (p.49), playback of the
specified scenes will be repeated.

Press MENU on the disc navigation
screen (p.48).

Select “Others” by pressing f/
e, then press c.

Select “Repeat Play” by pressing
f/e, then press c.

Select “On” by pressing f/e,
then press the confirmation button to
confirm the setting.

Press MENU to return to the disc
navigation screen.

Press the confirmation button to
begin playback.

• To quit playback, press
(“Repeat Play” remains “On”.)

• “Repeat Play” will be set to
“Off” if:

– you repeat the steps and

select “Off” instead of “On”

in step
– turn off the power
– remove the DVD

• Repeat playback will not
function when you play the last
scene when the camcorder is in
record pause mode.

C.

56

Various Recording Techniques

How to Operate the Menu

Press MENU.

You can also use QUICK MENU to display

1

the Quick Menu screen which contains only
basic menu items.

Example:

2

Select “Camera Functions Setup”
“White Balance” a white balance mode

The title of the selected icon
on the left appears at the top.

Camer a Func t i ons Set up

Program AE
W

hi te Bal.
EIS
Dig. Zoom
MIC.Fi lter

ENTER RETURN

A

A

Auto
Auto

On
40x
Off

Press up/down
to move the
cursor up or
down.

Press the confirmation button to confirm, then

3

MENU to end.

“Camera Functions Setup”

Record Funct i ons Setup

V I DEO Mo d e F I NE

16:9 On

Input Source CAMERA
OSD Ou t pu t On

ENTER RETURN

To cancel/exit and return to the
previous stage

To go back left in the Menu

Press right or down on the center
to move the cursor to the right.

Camer a Func t i ons Set up

Program AE

W

EIS
Dig. Zoom
MIC.Fi lter

ENTER RETURN

hi te Bal.

A

Au t o

A

Au t o
On
40x
Off

“White Bal.”

a white balance mode

Current settings appear first.
After selecting one of the setup

items, its options appear.

* To quit without changing the setting,

press MENU before pressing the
confirmation button.

These operations work
almost the same way.

Various Recording Techniques

57

Menu (While Recording)

Movie Menu

Menu items

(1st level)

Camera Functions Setup

* Not displayed while using

the external input
function
(DZ-HS903A)

Various Recording Techniques

Record Functions Setup

LCD Setup LCD Adjust  p.60

Date Setup

Initial Setup

Menu items

(2nd level)

Program AE  p.67

White Balance  p.68

EIS p.71

Digital Zoom p.62

MIC. Filter p.71

VIDEO Mode  p.75

16:9  p.75

Input Source
(DZ-HS903A)

OSD Output  p.116

Date Set p.23

Date Mode  p.61

Beep  p.60

Power Save  p.60

Record LED  p.74

Language p.22

Demo Mode p.61

Reset p.60

Quick
Menu

items

Common

to movie
and stills

p.78

See

58

Stills Menu

Menu items

(1st level)

Camera Functions Setup

* Not displayed while using

the external input function
(DZ-HS903A)

Record Functions Setup

LCD Setup LCD Adjust  p.60

Date Setup

Initial Setup

Menu items

(2nd level)

Program AE  p.67

White Balance  p.68

Digital Zoom p.62

Flash p.72

Quality  p.77

Input Source
(DZ-HS903A)

PHOTO Input
(DZ-HS903A)

Self Timer  p.79

OSD Output  p.116

Date Set p.23

Date Mode  p.61

Beep  p.60

Power Save  p.60

Record LED  p.74

Language p.22

Demo Mode p.61

Reset p.60

Quick

Menu
items

Common

to movie

and stills

p.78

See

p.78

Various Recording Techniques

59

 How to use the LCD setup and initial setup

Menu items Explanation of functions

LCD Adjust Color Level

Adjusts the color level of the
LCD monitor.

LCD Setup

Beep

Power Save

Various Recording Techniques

Record LED p.74 On

Initial Setup

Language You can select the display language. English

Demo Mode p.61 Auto

Reset Returns all menu settings to default. –

Select “Off” to turn off the beeps that sound
when any button is pressed.

When set to “On”, the camcorder power will
automatically turn off if it is left idle for
approx. five minutes during record pause
mode.
When set to “Off”, the camcorder does not
turn off automatically except while in sleep
mode.

Setting the Date and Time

See “Setting the date and time” (p.23) for setting procedures.

Note

The camcorder is equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery to retain the
date and time in memory. If the built-in battery is depleted, the date and time
will need to be reset. Periodically (once every six months) recharge the
internal battery by connecting the camcorder to a wall outlet or attaching a
charged battery pack to the camcorder while leaving the camcorder turned off
for 24 hours.

Initial
value

–

On

Off

60

Changing the date format

You can change the date format to “D/M/Y” or “Y/M/D”.
(Selecting “D/M/Y” will change the clock to 24 hour style.)

Press MENU.

Select “Date Setup” “Date Mode” one of the date formats

Press the confirmation button, then press MENU to exit the setup.

 About the demonstration function

At time of purchase of this camcorder, this function is set to “Auto”.

A demonstration starts automatically when you connect the AC adapter/
charger to the camcorder as a power source and leave the camcorder idle
for more than approx. ten minutes, after turning on the power and set the
camcorder to:

• HDD, or

• the medium (DVD or SD memory card) which is not inserted in the
camcorder.

To cancel the demonstration, press any one of the camcorder buttons.

Changing the demo mode setting or watching
the demonstration now

Press MENU.

Select “Initial Setup” “Demo Mode” one of the following settings:

Auto: See above.
Off: Turns off the demonstration function.
Start: The demonstration will start right away. If you cancel the

demonstration, the prior setting will be restored (“AUTO” or “OFF”).

Press the confirmation button.

Various Recording Techniques

Notes

• If a battery pack is connected to the camcorder as a power source, the
demonstration will not begin even if “Demo Mode” is set to “Auto”.

• The demonstration function does not work when the camcorder is connected
to a PC.

61

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

o

HDD RAM

+RW

Magnified Recording
(Optical Zoom and
Digital Zoom)

The zoom lever allows you to choose
a range of magnifications from wide­angle to telephoto zooming.
Optical zooming up to ten times is the
maximum telephoto magnification.

W:Wide-angle
(Recording over

a wide range)

Various Recording Techniques

Maximum zoom values will depend
on the “Digital Zoom” settings in the
Menu as follows.

Digital zoom options

Off

When the zoom is used, the following
optical zoom bar appears in the LCD
monitor.

Maximum optical zoom

TW

Current zoom position

T:Telephot
(Magnifies

recording)

40x

When the optical zoom exceeds ten
magnifications, the digital zoom
starts working automatically. The
maximum telephoto zoom value is
40x magnification. The zoom bar
appears as follows.

Maximum
optical zoom

Current zoom position

Digital range

TW

240x

The maximum telephoto zoom is
240x magnification. The zoom bar
appears as follows.

Maximum
optical zoom

Digital range

TW

Current zoom position

Setting the digital zoom

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Camera Functions Setup”
“Digital Zoom” a digital zoom

2

option

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then press MENU to end
the Menu.

3

• The “Digital Zoom” setting is
retained in memory even when
the power is turned off.

62

Hint

You can also use the remote
control for changing the maximum
digital value. Each press of
DIGITAL ZOOM switches the
“Digital Zoom” setting as follows;

Off” → “40x” → “240x”

“

(When using a card)
“

Off” ↔ “40x”

Recording at close range

During record pause or recording,
point the camcorder at the subject
and push the zoom lever toward the
W side until the wide-angle is

1

maximized.

• Recording up close may
require more lighting. If the
screen is dark, direct a light
source at the subject.

Notes

• The maximum telephoto zoom is
40x when using a card even if
“Digital Zoom” is set to “240x”.

• When operating the zoom lever,
the focus may blur for a moment.

• When digital zoom is added, the
image quality will become
coarser.

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

CARD+RW

Recording at Close
Range
(Macro Recording)

When you record a small subject at
close range, you can bring the lens
surface as close as approx. 13/16″ (2
cm) to the subject. This will allow you
to enlarge the subject to cover the
entire screen.

Note

Although the zoom can be used, the
focus may become blurred
depending on the distance to the
subject.

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

CARD+RW

Using the Separately­Sold Lenses to
Increase the Wide­Angle or Telephoto
Effect

Use the tele-conversion lens DZ-TL1
(separately-sold) to increase the
telephoto effect, and the wide­conversion lens DZ-WL1 (separately­sold) to increase the wide-angle
effect.

To attach one of the lenses, firstly you
need to attach the step-up ring DZ­SR3037 (separately sold).

Various Recording Techniques

63

Attaching the separately
sold lenses

Attach the step-up ring to the
camcorder.
Then remove the lens cap from the
conversion lens and attach the
conversion lens to the camcorder.

Conversion lens

1

Step-up ring

Various Recording Techniques

Notes

• If you attach the DZ-TL1
conversion lens, the focusing
range at the T (telephoto) side
will be from approx. 16.4 feet (5
m) to infinity.

• When you zoom while the
conversion lens is attached, the
four corners of the screen may
become a little dark or scratchy at
the W (Wide) side. (The four
corners may not be evenly dark.)

• When changing lenses, be careful
not to drop the camcorder.

• Attaching a conversion lens will
prevent you from using the flash.
Turn the “Flash” setting to “Off”
(p.72).

• If you intend to use any
commercially available
conversion lens, make sure its
filter diameter is 30.5mm and the
screw pitch is 0.5mm. (Note that
some lenses may be unusable
depending on their shape.)

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

HDD RAM

+RW

Adjusting the Focus
Manually
(Manual Focus)

If it is difficult to adjust the focus
automatically, you can adjust it
manually (Manual Focus). (See also
“Difficult auto focus conditions”
(p.65).)

Focusing range

• T (telephoto) side:
Approx. 3.2 feet (1 m) from the lens
surface to infinity.

• W (wide-angle) side:
Approx. 13/16″ (2 cm) from the
lens surface to infinity.

64

How to focus manually

During record pause or recording,
press e (MF).

The Focus icon appears in the
LCD monitor.

Manual focus icon

Adjust the focus by pressing d/
c.

• When the power is turned off,
the camcorder returns to auto
focus.

• To manually adjust the focus,

3

always magnify the subject as
in step 2. When the focus is
adjusted for wide-angle
zooming, the focus may
become blurred if you switch
to telephoto zooming.

Hint

If you wish to adjust exposure
while focusing manually, press
f. To return to manual focusing,
press e.

Difficult auto focus
conditions

Various Recording Techniques

0:00:00

REM

30MIN

1

FINE

• Focusing switches between
Manual Focus and Auto Focus
each time e (MF) is pressed.
The icon is displayed only
during manual focusing.

Push the zoom lever toward the T
(telephoto) side to magnify the

2

subject.

8:00AM

12 / 1/2008

Subjects are not
in the center of
the frame

Subjects lit by a
neon sign or spot
light which glares
or emits strong
light

Subjects that
are both near
and far

Subjects behind
glass covered
with water
droplets or dirt

65

Subjects moving
rapidly

Dark subjects Night views

Subjects with
minimal
variation in
brightness such
as a white wall

Various Recording Techniques

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

HDD RAM

+RW

Adjusting the
Brightness of the
Image (Exposure)

Normally, the exposure is
automatically adjusted. However,
depending on the recording
conditions, the exposure can be
adjusted manually.

Adjusting the exposure
manually

During record pause or recording,
press f ().

The exposure bar appears in the
LCD monitor.

Exposure Bar

0:00:00

REM

30MIN

1

FINE

8:00AM

12 / 1/2008

• Each time you press f (),

exposure adjustment switches
between manual adjustment
and automatic adjustment. The
exposure bar appears only
during manual adjustment.

Adjust the exposure by pressing d/
c.

2

• When the power is turned off,
exposure adjustment returns to
automatic adjustment.

Hint

If you wish to adjust focus
manually while adjusting
exposure, press e.
To return to exposure adjustment,
press f.

66

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

HDD RAM

+RW

Compensating for
Backlight (Backlight
Compensation)

• When the power is turned off,
the backlight compensation
setting returns to Off.

When the subject is lit from the rear,
this function will compensate for
lighting so that the subject is not too
dark.

Compensating for
backlight

During record pause or recording,
press BLC.

The backlight compensation
icon appears in the LCD
monitor.

Backlight compensation icon

1

FINE

• Each time you press BLC, the

backlight setting turns On or
Off. The backlight
compensation icon appears
only when this function is On.

0:00:00

REM

30MIN

8:00AM

12 / 1/2008

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

CARD+RW

Selecting a Program
AE Mode to Match the
Conditions
(Program AE)

The camcorder automatically gauges
the subject and surrounding
conditions and determines the
optimal settings for recording (during
Auto). However, you can also select a
Program AE mode that better suits the
situation for even clearer images.

Program AE modes

Auto

The Camcorder automatically
detects the subject and surrounding
conditions for optimum
recording.

Sports

Reduces blurring when
recording rapidly moving

subjects such as tennis.

Portrait

Makes the subject, such as a
person or pet, stand out from a

blurred background.

Spotlight

Prevents overexposure of the
subject in strong light, such as at

a wedding or on stage.

Various Recording Techniques

67

Sand&Snow

Prevents underexposure of the
subject in very bright conditions,

such as at the beach or on a ski slope.

Low Light

Allows you to record in dark
places with limited light.

Selecting a Program AE
mode

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Camera Functions Setup”
“Program AE” a Program AE

2

Various Recording Techniques

mode

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

HDD RAM

+RW

Adjusting the Color
(White Balance)

Light is required when recording
subjects. While the naked eye
perceives colors as they are, images
recorded by a camera may appear
redder or bluer than they actually are.
To record white colored subjects as
white images, adjust the white
balance.
The camcorder normally adjusts the
color automatically (during Auto).
Change the white balance setting
according to the recording conditions.

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

The selected Program AE mode
(other than Auto) appears in the

3

LCD monitor (p.42).

• The Program AE mode is
retained in memory even when
the power is turned off.

Notes

• When recording in dark places,
after-images may appear if the
subject is moving or if camera
shake occurs. Use a tripod for
best results.

• If you use Sports mode under
fluorescent light, the LCD screen
may flicker. In such a case, use
Auto mode.

68

White balance mode

Auto (No icon appears.)

Set

When recording sunsets and
sunrises, recording in shade, and
recording a stage lit with a spot light,
you can manually adjust white
balance to match the light source or
situation.

Outdoors

To record in fine weather.

Indoor 1

To record under incandescent
light, halogen light or soft fluorescent
light.

Indoor 2

To record under bright

fluorescent light

Selecting a white
balance mode

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Camera Functions Setup”
“White Balance” a white balance

2

mode

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

The selected white balance mode
(other than Auto) will appear on

3

the screen (p.42).

• The white balance mode is
retained in memory even when
the power is turned off.

Notes

• Do not block the infrared sensor
with your hand or other things to
obtain a good cast for your
recording.

Infrared sensor

• If a tele-conversion lens or wide­conversion lens is attached, the
white balance may not be
properly adjusted automatically
depending on the conditions. In
such a case, select the appropriate
white balance mode or set the
white balance manually.

• The white balance does not work
properly if you turn on the power
while the lens cap is attached to
the lens. Be sure to remove the
lens cap before turning on the
power.

Various Recording Techniques

69

 Setting the white

balance manually
(Set)

Prepare a white object such a thick
sheet of white paper that is not
translucent.

Point the camcorder at the white
object so that it fills the screen.

Thick white
paper

1

Various Recording Techniques

Press C to end, or to redo, repeat
step 5.

• The white balance setting
selected in “Set” is retained in
memory until the setting is
changed again.

• In order to accurately adjust
the color, readjust the settings
in “Set” each time the

6

recording conditions change.
If the power is turned off while
white balance is in “Set”
mode, “ ” flashes in the
LCD monitor the next time the
power is turned on to remind
you. As the previous setting is
retained in memory, redo the
settings if needed.

During record pause, press MENU.

2

Select “Camera Functions Setup”

3

“White Balance” “Set”

Press the confirmation button.

4

“ ” flashes in the LCD
monitor.

Press the confirmation button again,
and continue holding the button
down until

5

lights steadily.

The white balance setting is
complete.

“” stops flashing and

70

Notes

• It may be difficult to perform this
setting in dark places. Also if the
zoom bar is positioned in the
digital range (p.62), you may not
be able to set the white balance. If
white balance settings cannot be
accomplished, “ ” will
continue to flash. Return the
zoom to the optical range and
redo the settings in a bright
environment.

• If the “Set” settings are not
completed within a few moments,
the camcorder returns to record
pause mode and “ ” flashes in
the LCD monitor. Redo the
settings from step 1.

• You cannot select “Set” while
“Input Source” is set to “LINE”
(p.78).

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF)

HDD RAM

+RW

Using the Electronic
Image Stabilizer (EIS)

EIS corrects for fuzziness in an image
when you zoom in on a subject.

We recommend turning EIS Off when
you position the camcorder on a table
or use a tripod when recording.

Turning EIS Off/On

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Camera Functions Setup”

2

“EIS” “On”/“Off”

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

When the function is turned On,
“ ” appears in the LCD
monitor (p.42).

• EIS is retained in memory

3

even when the power is turned
off.

• If “Off” is selected, be sure to
return the setting to “On”
afterwards, if you do not
normally use a tripod, etc.

Notes

• When EIS is active, there will be
a slight divergence between the
actual camera movement and the
on-screen movement.

• Even if EIS is turned On, the
camera movement may not be
corrected if the movement is too
excessive.

We recommend you stabilize the
camcorder using both hands and
support your arms against your
body when recording.

• EIS may not function correctly
when a tele-conversion lens or
wide-conversion lens is used.

• When using a card (recording
stills), EIS cannot be set.

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

+RW

Reducing Wind Noise
During Recording

When recording sound from the built­in microphone, you can reduce wind
noise in the recording when the MIC.
filter is On. Lower frequencies noise
is eliminated and the target sound
becomes clearer.

Turning the MIC. filter
On/Off

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Camera Functions Setup”

2

“MIC. Filter” “On”/“Off”

Various Recording Techniques

71

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

When the function is turned On,
“ ” appears in the LCD
monitor (p.42).

• The MIC. filter setting is
retained in memory even when

3

the power is turned off.

• If you set this function to
“On”, it is recommended to set
the function to “Off” after
recording before turning off
the power unless you always
intend to use this function.

Setting the recording
settings to full auto

Various Recording Techniques

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

HDD RAM

+RW

Restoring all the
Recording Settings to
Default (Full Auto)

You can reset the following manually
adjusted recording settings to their
defaults with the press of a single
button.

Function Default See

Focus Auto p.64
Exposure Auto p.66
BLC (Backlight) Off p.67
Program AE Auto p.67
White Balance Auto p.68
EIS (Electronic

Image Stabilizer)
MIC. Filter Off p.71

On p.71

During record pause or recording,
press FULL AUTO.

“FULL AUTO” appears in the

1

LCD monitor for a while and the
settings are reset to their default
settings.

CARD

Using the Flash

As shutter speed will slow down
when still photos are recorded in dim
lighting, camera shake may easily
occur. We recommend you use a flash
in this case.
Normally, the flash fires
automatically depending on the
recording conditions (during Auto).
You can also set the flash to On
(always fires) or Off (does not fire).

72

Flash mode

Auto

The flash fires only when necessary.
When the flash is needed, “ ”
appears in the LCD monitor when you
press PHOTO/SELECT halfway,
and then the flash fires when you
press PHOTO/SELECT all the way.

On

“ ” is displayed in the LCD monitor
all the time. The flash always fires
when you fully press PHOTO/
SELECT.

Off

“ ” is always displayed in the LCD
monitor and the flash will not fire.

Selecting a flash mode

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Camera Functions Setup”

2

“Flash” a flash mode

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

• To check where the flash icon
appears in the LCD monitor,
see p.42.

• The flash setting is retained in
memory even when the power

3

is turned off.

• If “Off” or “On” is selected,
and you do not plan to record
with that flash mode all the
time, we recommend you
return the setting to “Auto”
after recording and before
turning off the power.

Hints

• There may be cases when the
recorded pictures are out-of­focus in dark places even if the
flash is used. We recommend
you shine a light on the subject
for recording in dark places.

• “ ” flashes in the LCD
monitor while the flash is
recharging and the flash will not
fire.

• When recording stills up close,
set “Flash” setting to “Off”. If
the subject is too close, image
smearing may occur.

Notes

• When a conversion lens is
attached, the flash cannot be
used. Adjust the “Flash” setting
to “Off”.

• Although the flash range differs
according to the subject, as a
reference, its range is about 3.2–

8.2 feet (1–2.5 m) in dark places.

• Although the amount of light
emitted will automatically be
adjusted at time of emission, the
flash may not be sufficiently
adjusted if the distance to the
subject is too distant or too near.

• In bright or backlit conditions, it
may be difficult to derive the full
effect of the flash.

Various Recording Techniques

73

• When recording consecutive
shots using the flash, the flash
may not fire or the amount of
light emitted may not be
sufficiently adjusted. After using
the flash to record, it is
recommended that you wait for a
while and then press PHOTO/
SELECT to record again.

• Do not emit the flash close up in
front of a person’s eyes. Doing so
may cause eyesight damage.
Particularly when recording
infants using the flash, record at a
distance greater than 3.2 feet (1

Various Recording Techniques

m) away.

• Do not fire the flash at the driver/
rider of a moving vehicle or
bicycle, etc. Doing so will
temporary blind the driver and
may result in accident.

• Do not use the flash in locations
where flammable or combustible
gas is present. Doing so may
cause the gas to ignite or explode.

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

HDD RAM

+RW

Turning Off the
Recording Indicator
Beneath the Lens

The recording indicator beneath the
lens lights red while recording to
indicate that you are recording.

You can turn the indicator off when
recording through reflective objects
such as glass or a fish tank, etc., so its
reflection is not recorded.

Turning Off/On the
recording indicator

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Initial Setup” “Record

2

LED” “On”/”Off”

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

• The recording indicator setting
is not displayed in the on-

3

screen information.

• Even if the recording indicator
is set to “Off”, it will still light
while the self-timer is counting
down (p.79).

74

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF)

HDD RAM

+RW

Changing the Movie
Quality (VIDEO Mode)

You can change the movie recording
quality to make high quality
recordings or lower the quality to
record over longer periods of time.

HDD movie quality
and recordable time

(DZ-HS903A)

Video
Mode

XTRA* Best Approx. 7 hrs.

FINE High Approx. 11 hrs.

STD

Quality Recordable time

Extended

recording

Approx. 23 hrs.

(DZ-HS803A)

Video
Mode

XTRA* Best

FINE High Approx. 3 hrs.

STD

Quality Recordable time

Approx. 1 hr.

50 mins.

Extended
recording

Approx. 6 hrs.

DVD movie quality
and recordable time

Video
Mode

XTRA*

FINE

STD

* In high temperature environments, the

image quality may be degraded to an
FINE equivalent.

Quality Recordable time

Best

High

Extended
recording

Approx. 18 mins.

Approx. 30 mins.

Approx. 60 mins.

Switching movie quality

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Record Functions Setup”
“VIDEO Mode” a movie quality

2

option

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

The selected movie quality will be
displayed in the LCD monitor

3

(p.42).

• The movie quality setting is
retained in memory even if the
power is turned off.

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

+RW

Recording Movies for
Wide-Screen TVs
(16:9)

If you intend to view recorded movies
on a wide-screen TV (aspect ratio
16:9), set “16:9” to “On” before
recording. (When “16:9” is set to
“Off”, movies are recorded in 4:3
aspect ratio.)

The image appearing on the LCD
screen differs according to the “16:9”
setting as follows.

Various Recording Techniques

75

When “16:9” mode is On
(Aspect ratio: 16:9)

• If you intend to view recorded
movies on a non wide-screen
TV, set “16:9” to “Off” before
recording. Otherwise, the
recorded images appearing on
the TV will be vertically
distorted as shown in the
illustration below.

When “16:9” mode is Off
(Aspect ratio: 4:3)

Various Recording Techniques

Turning “16:9” Mode On/
Off

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Record Functions Setup”

2

“16:9” “On”/“Off”

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

3

• The “16:9” setting is retained
in memory even when the
power is turned off.

4

• If you play back movies
recorded in “16:9 Off” mode
on this camcorder, black bands
will appear on both sides of the
LCD screen.

Notes

• If “Input Source” is set to
“LINE”, movies are recorded in
“16:9 Off” mode even if “16:9” is
set to “On”.

• When using DVD-RW (VF
mode)/DVD-R/+RW, you cannot
set “16:9” to “On” if “VIDEO
Mode” is set to “STD”. If you
change the “VIDEO Mode”
setting from “XTRA”/“FINE” to
“STD” while “16:9” is set to
“On”, “16:9” will be set to “Off”
automatically and the aspect ratio
of the image on the LCD screen
will become 4:3.

76

• When using DVD-RW (VF
mode)/DVD-R, you cannot set
“Input Source” to “LINE” after
recording movies in “16:9 On”
mode.

• When using DVD-RW (VF
mode)/DVD-R, you cannot
change the “16:9” setting in the
middle of the disc.

• The “16:9” setting is only for
movie recording and does not
affect playback or still picture
recording. (Movies are played
back in recorded aspect ratio and
still pictures are always recorded
in 4:3 aspect ratio.)

• This mode does not support the
ID-1/ID-2 system*.

* The system that records the

information of aspect ratio (16:9/
4:3) in the gaps between video
signals.

• If you connect the camcorder to
your TV’s S1 or S2 input
terminal, the TV will be switched
to wide mode automatically. For
details, refer to your TV’s
instruction manual. (Note that if
connected by way of a video
selector, the TV may not be
switched to wide mode
automatically.)

• If you connect the camcorder to a
TV that supports only 4:3 aspect
ratio display and play a DVD
recorded in “16:9” mode, the
image will appear vertically
distorted on the TV screen. In this
case, set the “TV type” setting of
the camcorder to “4:3” (p.117).

• If you play a +RW recorded in
“16:9” using a DVD player/
recorder, in some cases the image
on the 16:9 TV screen will be
vertically distorted. In this case,
change the related setting of the
DVD player/recorder (refer to
your DVD player/recorder’
instruction manual). Or use the
camcorder of which “TV type”
setting set to “4:3” (p.117) to play
back.

CARD

Changing Still Picture
Quality (Quality)

You can change the still picture
recording quality.

It is recommended that you choose
“FINE” for important recording
(“Still picture size and quality”
(p.177)).

Switching still picture
quality

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Record Functions Setup”

2

“Quality” a still quality option

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

3

• The still quality setting is retained
in memory even if the power is
turned off.

Various Recording Techniques

77

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF) CARD

HDD RAM

+RW

Inputting Audio and
Video Signals From an
External Device
(Input Source)
(DZ-HS903A)

CARD

Changing Capturing
Still Picture Quality for
External Input
(PHOTO Input)
(DZ-HS903A)

You can input audio and video signals
from an external device connected to
the camcorder by changing the
camcorder’s setting.

See “Dubbing from another A/V
device (DZ-HS903A)” (p.122) on
how to connect to an external device
and record images from it.

Various Recording Techniques

(The DZ-HS803A does not have an
external input feature.)

Input

Source

CAMERA

LINE For external input

Purpose

For normal use of
the camcorder

Switching the
camcorder to external
input mode

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Record Functions Setup”

“Input Source”

2

“CAMERA”/“LINE”

On-screen

display

(p.42)

—

L IN

When using a card and “Input
Source” is set to “LINE” (see the left
column), you can capture a still
picture from the movie incoming
from the connected external device
using the same method explained on
p.56.

You can choose either of the two
capture qualities (only for a movie
from an external device) as shown in
the table below.

PHOTO

Input

Frame

Field

Explanation

High quality and
suitable for a movie
that does not
contain much
movement. If you
choose this option
for a movie with
much movement,
the captured image
may be blurred.

Select this option fo r
a movie with more
action to reduce the
chance of capturing
a blurred image.

On-screen

display

(p.42)

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to end.

3

• When the power is turned off,
the “Input Source” setting
returns to “CAMERA”.

78

Switching capture
quality

During record pause, press MENU.

1

Select “Record Functions Setup”

“PHOTO Input”

2

“Frame”/“Field”

Press the confirmation button to

3

confirm, then MENU to end.

Hint

You can confirm the current
“PHOTO Input” mode by the icon
appearing on the LCD screen
(p.42).

CARD

Using the Self-Timer

You can use the self-timer to record
still photos.

Press PHOTO/SELECT halfway
to adjust the focus, then press it all
the way down.

A countdown starts. In the LCD
monitor, the countdown is
shown as follows: “q10”, “q9”,
…. The photo will be recorded
about 10 seconds later.
During countdown, the
recording indicator on the lens
side also flashes.

• To cancel the countdown and

4

return to “
PHOTO/SELECT or C.

• The self-timer operates every

time PHOTO/SELECT is
fully pressed and will not be
set to “Off” until the following
is conducted:

– Set the self-timer to “Off” in

the Menu.
– Turn off the power.
– Switch to movie recording.

q

10”, press

Various Recording Techniques

During still picture record pause,

1

press MENU.

Select “Record Functions Setup”

2

“Self Timer” “On”

Press the confirmation button to
confirm, then MENU to exit the

3

Menu.

The self-timer is set and “q10”
appears in the LCD monitor

(p.42)

.

79

Dubbing on DVD

HDD

This camcorder allows you to choose
from four options when dubbing images
recorded on HDD to a DVD.

Dubbing options

•“New”

Among the scenes recorded to the
HDD, scenes which have not yet been
dubbed to DVD are dubbed in order
from the first scene.

•“Date”

Dubs all scenes recorded on the HDD
on the same date to a DVD, beginning
with the first scene.

•“All”

Dubs all scenes recorded on the HDD

Dubbing on DVD

to a DVD, beginning with the first
scene.

•“Select”

You can select your favorite scenes
from all those recorded on the HDD,
for dubbing.

Time required for
dubbing

Required time estimates for dubbing
scenes approx. 30 minutes long are as
follows:

VIDEO Mode Required time*

XTRA

FINE

STD

*1 Excluding time for finalization
*2 Two DVDs are needed.

Approx. 23 mins.*

Approx. 15 mins.

Approx. 8 mins.

Before you begin

z Prepare a recordable disc (p.31).
z Be sure to use the AC adapter/

charger to power the camcorder
during dubbing. Dubbing is not
possible with a battery connected.

z If power is turned off and dubbing

is interrupted midway, proper
dubbing will not be possible.

z For details on the recording time

for a scene that can be dubbed on
one disc, see "Storage capacity of
HDD/DVD/Card" (p.175).

Hints for dubbing

z The maximum number of scenes

that can be dubbed will vary
depending on the DVD used
(p.176).

z Dub marks “ ” appear for the

thumbnails of the scenes which
have already been dubbed.

z Set the “Category” to “Un

Dubbed” if you wish to select only
the scenes on the HDD that has not
been dubbed yet.

1

2

80

About the playlist (p.95)
for dubbing

z With this camcorder, the scenes on

the HDD will be dubbed to a DVD
in the order they are displayed on
HDD Disc Navigation screen. To
dub the scenes in a different order,
create a playlist in which the scenes
are registered in the desired order
of dubbing (p.96), and then execute
dubbing.

z If you combine scenes with

different recording dates on a
playlist, and dub the combined
scene to a DVD-RAM/DVD-RW
(VR mode), the scenes will be
dubbed separately for each date.
However, if a combined scene is
subsequently divided, the scenes
may not be dubbed separately for
each date.

About dubbing scenes
edited [Divide
Combine
which effects [Fade

(p.103)

(p.105)

/

] or to

(p.106)
Skip (p.107)/Thumbnail
(p.108)] are applied

z If you divide a scene using the

“Edit” function, and then dub both
the divided scenes to a DVD-RW
(VF mode)/DVD-R/+RW, the
scene will be dubbed as one scene,
without the division.

z If you dub scenes combined using

the “Edit” function to a DVD-RW
(VF mode)/DVD-R/+RW, the two

scenes immediately before the
combination (sometimes more than
two scenes) will be dubbed.

z The effects applied to the scenes on

the HDD will not be passed to the
scenes dubbed on a DVD-RW (VF
mode)/DVD-R/+RW.

Notes on dubbing

z A DVD-RW/DVD-R dubbed on

this camcorder will not be
automatically finalized. To play it
back on a DVD player/recorder, be
sure to finalize it on this camcorder
first.

z The time shown during dubbing is

approximate. If the number of
scenes on the HDD is too large, or
the temperature of the camcorder
becomes too high, the required
recording time may be longer than
the time indicated on the screen.

z Please note that Hitachi will not

accept any responsibility for
compensation for loss of data, or
direct or indirect damage if

/

dubbing is not performed normally
due to a fault in this camcorder.

z We recommend first confirming

that the dubbed disc can be played
back normally before deleting
scenes on the HDD dubbed.

Dubbing on DVD

81

First Dubbing (“New”)

This option allows you to dub scenes
which were recorded to the HDD and
have not yet been dubbed to DVD.

Check the screen for finalization
setting.

If you are using a DVD-RW (VF
mode) or DVD-R, you can

6

finalize the disc continuously
after dubbing is complete.
Select “YES” to finalize or “NO”
not to finalize.

Select “YES“, then press the
confirmation button.

7

Dubbing starts.

When another disc is needed to
continue dubbing, a message screen
requesting another blank disc

8

appears. Replace a disc with a new
one.

Dubbing on DVD

the camcorder (p.38).

1

• Dubbing is not possible if a
battery pack is used as a power
source.

Turn the power switch to “HDD”

2

(p.24).

Press

DUBBING

The dubbing menu appears.

Dubbing Menu

3

New All

Dubbing the scene which
isn't dubbed in HDD.

ENTER

.

EXIT

SelectDate

Connect the AC adapter/charger to

After the dubbing is complete, the
confirmation screen whether or not
you delete the dubbed scenes
appears.

9

• If you wish to erase the dubbed
scenes, select “YES”.

• If you wish to leave them on the
HDD, select “NO”.

Remove the disc.

10

• Or press C to end.

Hints

• You can also display the
Dubbing Menu from the Disc
Navigation screen. Press ,
press MENU, select “Scene”

Select “New”, then press the

4

confirmation button.

Choose a disc for dubbing and insert

5

it into the camcorder (p.34).

“Dubbing” “Dubbing
Menu”, and then press the
confirmation button.

• If you want to use “New”
dubbing for a dubbed scene,
clear the dub marks (p.86).

82

Dubbing All Scenes
Recorded on the Same
Day (“Date”)

This option allows you to collectively
dub all scenes recorded on the HDD
on the same day.

Check the screen for finalization
setting.

If you are using a DVD-RW (VF
mode) or DVD-R, you can

7

finalize the disc continuously
after dubbing is complete.
Select “YES” to finalize or
“NO” not to finalize.

Connect the AC adapter/charger to
the camcorder (p.38).

1

• Dubbing is not possible if a
battery pack is used as a power
source.

Turn the power switch to “HDD”

2

(p.24).

Press

3

DUBBING

The Dubbing Menu appears.

.

Select “Date”, then press the
confirmation button.

The “Select Date” screen
appears.

4

Select Date

01

12/ 1 / 2008

02

12/ 5 / 2008

03

12/10 / 2008
12/15 / 2008

04
ENTER

Select a date for dubbing, then press

5

the confirmation button.

Choose a disc for dubbing and insert

6

it into the camcorder (p.34).

Select “YES“, then press the
confirmation button.

8

Dubbing starts.

When another disc is needed to
continue dubbing, a message screen
requesting another blank disc

9

appears. Replace a disc with a new
one.

After the dubbing is complete, the
confirmation screen whether or not
you delete the dubbed scenes
appears.

10

• If you wish to erase the dubbed
scenes, select “YES”.

• If you wish to leave them on
the HDD, select “NO”.

Remove the disc.

11

•Or press C to end.

Hint

You can also display the Dubbing
Menu from the Disc Navigation
screen. Press , press MENU,
select “Scene” “Dubbing”
“Dubbing Menu”, and then press
the confirmation button.

Dubbing on DVD

83

Dubbing All Scenes
Recorded on the HDD
(“All”)

You can dub all scenes recorded on
the HDD from the beginning in
sequence.

Connect the AC adapter/charger to
the camcorder (p.38).

1

• Dubbing is not possible if a
battery pack is used as a power
source.

When another disc is needed to
continue dubbing, a message screen
requesting another blank disc

8

appears. Replace a disc with a new
one.

After the dubbing is complete, the
confirmation screen whether or not
you delete the dubbed scenes
appears.

9

• If you wish to erase the dubbed
scenes, select “YES”.

• If you wish to leave them on the
HDD, select “NO”.

Turn the power switch to “HDD”

2

(p.24).

Press

3

Dubbing on DVD

4

5

6

7

DUBBING

The Dubbing Menu appears.

Select “All”, then press the
confirmation button.

The “Dubbing(All)” screen
appears.

Choose a disc for dubbing and insert
it into the camcorder (p.34).

Check the screen for finalization
setting.

If you are using a DVD-RW (VF
mode) or DVD-R, you can
finalize the disc continuously
after dubbing is complete.
Select “YES” to finalize or “NO”
not to finalize.

Select “YES“, then press the
confirmation button.

Dubbing starts.

.

Remove the disc.

10

• Or press C to end.

Hint

You can also display the Dubbing
Menu from the Disc Navigation
screen. Press , press MENU,
select “Scene” “Dubbing”
“Dubbing Menu”, and then press
the confirmation button.

84

Dubbing Scenes
Selected (“Select”)

You can select your favorite scenes
from all those recorded on the HDD,
for dubbing.

Connect the AC adapter/charger to
the camcorder (p.38).

1

• Dubbing is not possible if a
battery pack is used as a power
source.

Turn the power switch to “HDD”

2

(p.24).

Press

3

4

5

DUBBING

The Dubbing Menu appears.

Select “Select”, then press the
confirmation button.

Choose a disc for dubbing and insert
it into the camcorder (p.34).

.

Check the screen for finalization
setting.

If you are using a DVD-RW (VF
mode) or DVD-R, you can

8

finalize the disc continuously
after dubbing is complete.
Select “YES” to finalize or “NO”
not to finalize.

Select “YES“, then press the
confirmation button.

9

Dubbing starts.

After the dubbing is complete, the
confirmation screen whether or not
you delete the dubbed scenes
appears.

10

• If you wish to erase the dubbed
scenes, select “YES”.

• If you wish to leave them on the
HDD, select “NO”.

Remove the disc.

11

•Or press C to end.

Dubbing on DVD

Select a scene for dubbing by pressing
the confirmation button.

DVD remaining bar

Dubbing (Select)

6

DUB

ENTER SELECT

• You can choose multiple
scenes.

• You can also use PHOTO/
SELECT to choose a scene.

Press

7

DUBBING

.

Hint

You can also display the Dubbing
Menu from the Disc Navigation
screen. Press , press MENU,
select “Scene” “Dubbing”
“Dubbing Menu”, and then press
the confirmation button.

85

Displaying only Dubbed or
Not Dubbed Scenes
(Category)

Clearing the dub marks
on Thumbnails
(MARK OFF)

You can display all scenes recorded
on the HDD according to their dubbed
status.

Category Settings

“All”

All scenes will be displayed in
chronological order of recording
regardless of whether they have been
dubbed or not.

“Dubbed”

Only scenes with the “ ” dub
mark will be displayed in

Dubbing on DVD

chronological order of recording.

“Un Dubbed”

Only scenes without the “ ” dub
mark will be displayed in
chronological order of recording.

To set “Category”

Press , then press

1

Select “Others” “Category”

2

a Category option

MENU

You can use “New” dubbing again by
clearing the dub mark “ ”.

Press .

1

Choose a scene for which you want to
clear the dub mark, then press

PHOTO/SELECT

2

MENU

.

•You can also choose multiple
scenes (p.49).

Select “Scene” “Dubbing”
“Mark Off”, then press the
confirmation button.

Scene

3

• If you do not need to change the

.

Press C to end.

4

Dubbing

ENTER RETURN

scenes, press the confirmation
button.

, then press

Execute

Ma r k O f f

Press the confirmation button.

• The Category setting will return

3

to “All” if you exit the disc
navigation screen.

86

Editing

By using the and MENU buttons,
you can also edit recorded scenes. The
following edit functions are available
on the camcorder.

Convenient playback

The following are the functions that
enable you to play back the scenes as
if they were edited without changing
the original data.

z Program (p.92)

You can play back scenes by
specifying the desired recording date.
The scenes are played sequentially
from the earliest one of the date.

z Playlist (p.95)

You can create a playlist by gathering
your favorite scenes to play back.
You can also delete or add scenes on
the created playlist.

z Effect

There are special effect Fade (p.106)
and convenient functions Skip (p.107)
and Thumbnail (p.108) under the
“Effect” category.

z Information Display (p.111)

You can choose a scene and check its
recording date and time, image
quality, length (for movie), and
settings.

z Lock (p.110)

To avoid accidental deletion, you can
choose stills and lock them. (You can
also select all stills and lock them all.)

z Format (p.112)

You can erase all data from the
selected medium.

Editing

Editing the original data

z Deleting scenes (p.102)
z Dividing a movie (p.103)
z Combing multiple movies

(p.105)

Other editing

z Go To (p.109)

You can jump to the first or last scene
among all scenes on the selected
medium.

87

Menu Items for the Disc Navigation

After pressing

Editing zzz S

Applying
“Effect” settings
to movies

Copying from a
DVD-RAM to a
card

Scene lock z

Editing

Information
display

Changing
Program/
Playlist title

Creating a
playlist

Initialization zzzz z z

Protection zzz

Unprotection zzz

Remaining
display
(Capacity)

Function

MENU

on the disc navigation screen, you can use following functions.

DVD

-RAM

-RW (VR mode)

HDD

zzz

z

zzzzzzz

zzz

zzz

zzzzzzz

-RW (VF mode)

-R

+RW

Card

You can delete unnecessary

*1

scenes, combine scenes, or divide
one scene.

You can apply fade effect/skip
setting to a movie and alter still
images registered to thumbnails.

You can copy photos recorded on
a DVD-RAM to a card set in the
camcorder. (Note that this
camcorder cannot record stills
on a DVD-RAM.)

You can lock any scene so that it
will not be deleted by mistake.

You can display information on
one scene or multiple scenes,
such as image quality, recording
time, etc.

You can change Program/
Playlist titles originally
automatically generated
according to date (and also time
and sequential number for
Playlist).

You can create an original movie
by changing the playback order
of scenes.

You can delete all data recorded
on the HDD/DVD/Card.

You can protect the HDD or a
disc to prevent deletion or editing
by mistake.

You can cancel the protection.

The remaining recordable m ovie
time or number of recordable
stills is displayed.

Content s Page

p.102

p.106

–108

p.109

p.110

p.111

p.93

p.101

p.96

p.112

p.113

p.113

p.114

88

DVD

-RAM

-RW (VR mode)

-RW (VF mode)

-R

+RW

Function

Finalization z*2zzz

Unfinalization zz

Repeat play zzzzzz

Slide show z

HDD

Card

You can use this camcorder to
finalize any DVD-RW/DVD-R
disc recorded on it so that the
disc can be viewed on another
compatible DVD player or
device.

You can unfinalize a DVD-RW
(VF mode) that was finalized on
this camcorder so that additional
videos can be recorded on the
disc.

You can play back scenes
repeatedly.

You can play back stills in
succession.

Contents Page

*1 Only deletion is possible
*2 Additional recording can be made on a finalized DVD-RW (VR mode).

Note

Adding special effects to movies is a capability of this camcorder. If you play
a disc with effects set on this camcorder on another DVD recorder/player or
copy such movies to your PC, the set effects will not be reflected. To copy
movies to a disc with the effects playable using other DVD player/recorder,
see "Dubbing from the camcorder to another A/V device" (p.124).

p.120

p.121

p.56

p.55

Editing

89

 Menu flows for the disc navigation

After pressing
varies depending on the medium as shown below.
To operate the Menu, use

z When using HDD/DVD-RAM/DVD-RW (VR mode)

(

•: Quick Menu items)

Scene

Editing

PlayList

(p.96)

Program

(p.92)

Go To

(p.109)

MENU

Edit

Effect

Dubbing*2

(p.80)

Copy*3 (p.109)

Select

(p.49)

Detail

(p.111)

Select

Play

Create

Edit

Title

Delete

Select

Play

Title

Top

End

on the disc navigation screen, the Menu screen appears. The Menu

d/c/f/e

(p.102)

Delete

Divide

(p.103)

Combine

(p.105)

1

Move*

Fade

(p.106)

Skip

(p.107)

Thumbnail

(p.108)

Execute

Mark Off

(p.86)

. See "How to Operate the Menu" (p.57).

•

•

HDD
Setting/
DVD

•

Setting

•

•

•

Start → Current

Current

→

End

All

Others

*1 This menu item appears only while

playlist is displayed.
*2 HDD only
*3 DVD-RAM only
*4 DVD-RW (VR mode) only

(p.56)

4

(p.114)

All

2

Dubbed

Un Dubbed

All

3

VIDEO

PHOTO

On

Off

16:9

4:3

(p.118)

Finalize DVD*

Format HDD/DVD

Protect HDD/DVD

Unprotect HDD/DVD

Capacity

Update Control Info.

Full Format*2 (p.171)

Category*

(p.86)

Category*

(p.114)

Repeat
Play

TV type

(p.117)

(p.112)

(p.113)

(p.113)

(p.162)

•

•

•

•

•

•

90

z When using DVD-RW (VF (Video) mode)/DVD-R/+RW

(

•:Quick Menu items)

Scene

Program

(p.92)

Go To

(p.109)

Select

Detail

Select

Play

Top

End

(p.49)

(p.111)

Start →
Current

Current
End

All

→

DVD
Setting

Others

* DVD-RW (VF mode)/+RW only

Finalize DVD

Unfinalize DVD*

Format DVD*

Capacity

(p.114)

Repeat Play

(p.56)

TV type

(p.117)

z When using a card

(•:Quick Menu items)

Top

End

Format Card

Capacity

Start

Scene

Delete

Lock

Select

Detail

(p.102)

(p.110)

(p.49)

(p.111)

Start →
Current

Current
End

All

•

Go To

(p.109)

Card
Setting

→

Slide Show

(p.55)

(p.118)

(p.112)

(p.112)

(p.114)

(p.121)

On

Off

16:9

4:3

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Editing

•

91

Choosing Scenes by Program

A program is an assembly of scenes recorded on the same date, regardless of
whether they are movies or stills.

Scene No.1 Scene No.2 Scene No.3 Scene No.4 Scene No.5 Scene No.6

Movie 9:00AM

Movie 10:20AM Still 11:45AM Still 1:30PM

lays back in the order

rom the earliest

ecorded scene

HDD RAM -RW (VR) R

-RW (VF)

 Switching to the

display arranged by
program (Program)

Press , then press

1

Editing

Select “Program” “Select”, then
press the confirmation button.

2

The “Select Program” screen
appears.

Select the program you want to watch,
then press the confirmation button.

The disc navigation screen of the
selected program will appear.

Program

Select

Play
Title

3

ENTER

Select Progra

A l l Pr og r ams
01 12/ 1 / 2008
02 12/10/2008

12/20/2008

03

ENTER RETURN

Recorded on December 1

+RW

MENU

.

RETURN

m

Movie 5:20PM

12/20

PLAY PHOTO SELECT

Still 8:00PM

/2008

001/00803

Hints

• Pressing C on the “Select

Program” screen will restore the
disc navigation screen.

• If a disc recorded on another
device is loaded in this camcorder,
the program may not necessarily
be a collection of recordings made
on the same date.

• When using a +RW, if you change
the movie quality (VIDEO Mode)
or wide mode (16:9) setting,
programs are separately produced
even if they are recorded on the
same date.

92

-RW (VR) R-RW (VF)

HDD RAM

+RW

 Playing back a

program (Play)

Press , then press

1

Select “Program” “Play”, then
press the confirmation button.

2

The “Start Program” screen
appears.

Select the program to be played, then
press the confirmation button.

3

Playback begins from the first
scene of the selected program.

Hint

If “Repeat Play” is set to “On”
(p.56), the selected program will
be repeatedly played.

-RW (VR)

HDD RAM

MENU

.

 Renaming the title of

a program (Title)

Program titles are automatically
generated according to the date of
recording. You can rename the
program titles as you like.

Press , then press

1

Select “Program” “Title”, then
press the confirmation button.

2

The “Program Title” screen
appears.

MENU

.

Select the program whose title you
want to change, then press the
confirmation button.

Progra

3

m Title

01

12/ 1 / 2008
02 12/10/2008

03

12/20/2008

ENTER RETURN

The title entry screen appears.

Select a character, then press the
confirmation button.

The selected character is entered.
Repeat this procedure to create a
title. Up to 20 characters can be
input.

Title input bar

12/ 2 0 /2008TITLE

1 234567890SPACE

ABCDEFGHI J KLM
NOPQRST UVW XYZ
АИ М ТЩБЙ Н УЪГСХ
ВК О ФЫДЛ П ЦЬЗ
1 Cancel

Enter

INPUT DELETE SELECT

PHOTO

Input mode

Palette for selecting
characters

• There are the following three

4

input modes. To change input
mode, press DISPLAY
repeatedly.
1: Capital letter mode

TITLE

12/20/2008
1234567890SPACE
ABCDEFGHI JKL M
NOPQRST UVW XYZ
АИ М ТЩБЙ Н УЪГСХ
ВК О ФЫДЛ П ЦЬЗ

Enter

1 Cancel

CHANGE DELETE SELECT

PHOTO

2: Small letter mode

TITLE

12/20/2008
1234567890SPACE
abcdefghi j k lm
nopqrs tu vwx yz
аи м тщбй нуъгсх
вк офыдл п цьзЯ

Enter

2 Cancel

CHANGE DELETE SELECT

PHOTO

Editing

93

3: Symbol mode

TITLE

12/20/2008

1234567890SPACE

Enter

3 Cancel

CHANGE DELETE SELECT

PHOTO

• To delete a character from the

title input bar, press C. If you
press and hold C, all the letters
will be deleted.
(You can also use the DELETE
button of the remote control.)

After the title entry is complete,
position the cursor to “Enter” by

Select “YES”, then press the
confirmation button.

TITLE at a Par k

Finish title setting?

YES NO

6

ENTER

The disc navigation screen of the
selected program appears.

• To cancel, select “NO” and press
the confirmation button, or
simply press C.
The screen returns to step 4.

pressing the cursor buttons repeatedly,
then press the confirmation button.

a t a Pa r k

TITLE

1234567890SPACE
abcdefgh i jk lm
nopqrs tu vwx yz
аи м тщбй н уъгсх
вк о фыдлп цьзЯ
2 Enter Cancel

5

ENTER DELETE SELECT

PHOTO

Hints for character entry
(in step 4)

• You can change the cursor

position by pressing PHOTO/
SELECT or the cursor buttons
repeatedly as follows:
Title input bar → Character

Editing

The confirmation screen appears.

• To cancel the entry to restore the
original title, position the cursor
to “Cancel”, then press the
confirmation button. Then the
confirmation screen appears.
Select “YES”, then press the
confirmation button.

select palette → Input mode
selector → “Cancel”.

• As an alternative method of using

DISPLAY for changing input
mode, position the cursor on the
input mode selector, then press the
confirmation button repeatedly.

94

Note

Titles set on this camcorder may not
be visible on other devices.

-RW (VR)

HDD RAM

Playlist

 What is “Playlist”?

A Playlist is a compilation of scenes from various movies. You can create a
Playlist on this camcorder by gathering your favorite scenes.
Since a Playlist is not created by copying data, very little HDD/DVD space is
required to make one. Note, likewise, that deleting scenes from a Playlist will
not increase the remaining HDD/DVD capacity for recording.

12/1/2008 12/10/2008

Playlist 1 created

Up to 99 playlists can be created, and up to 999 scenes can be included in each
playlist.

Editing

95

 Creating a new

Playlist (Create)

Press .

1

Select the scene to be included in the
playlist, then press

2

• You can also select multiple
scenes at the same time (p.49).

Select “PlayList” “Create”, then

3

press the confirmation button.

If you do not need to change the
scene(s), press the confirmation
button.

When creation is complete, the
created Playlist will appear on the
Disc Navigation Playlist screen.
The camcorder automatically
generates the Playlist title from the

4

date, time, and sequential number
of Playlist creations.

Editing

• You can rename the Playlist title
as you like (p.101).

• If you press MENU before
pressing the confirmation
button, the Submenu appears
(p.103).

MENU

Hints

• The scenes that make up a
playlist are not actually copied,
but are linked from their original

.

data. Deleting a scene from a
playlist will not delete the
original data (scenes) from the
HDD or disc. Likewise, editing
scenes on a playlist will not
affect the original data (scenes).

• If a scene has the fade or skip
setting, or a dub mark “ ”,
that information will also be
added to the playlist.

• You can add other scenes or
remove unnecessary scenes to/
from the created playlist (p.98–
p.99).

Note

If free space available on the HDD/
DVD is insufficient, creation of a
new playlist may not be possible.
Delete unnecessary scenes.

96

 Displaying a desired

Playlist (PlayList)

After selecting the desired playlist, the
disc navigation screen will appear.

Press , then press

1

Select “PlayList” “Select”, then
press the confirmation button.

2

The “Select PlayList” screen
appears.

Select the playlist you want to display,
then press the confirmation button.

3

The disc navigation screen of the
selected playlist will be displayed.

Hint

To return the disc navigation
screen to let it show all recorded
scenes, select “PlayList”
Programs”.

z

Editing a playlist

The procedures for editing playlists
are the same as editing a program or
scenes. Refer to the following pages
for scene dubbing/editing to apply the
same procedures to dub/edit a playlist.

Dubbing...................................p.80

Dividing a scene......................p.103

Deleting scene .........................p.102

Combining scenes....................p.105

Arranging order of scenes .......p.101

Adding fade .............................p.106

Setting skip..............................p.107

Altering a thumbnail image .....p.108

Renaming a title.......................p.93

MENU

.

“All

(only on playlist)

 Playing back a Playlist

(Play)

Press , then press

1

Select “PlayList” “Play”, then press
the confirmation button.

2

The “Start PlayList” screen
appears.

Select the Playlist to be played, then
press the confirmation button.

Playback begins from the first
scene of the selected Playlist.

3

• To stop playback before a

Playlist finishes, press C. The
disc navigation screen of the
current Playlist will appear.

Hint

If “Repeat Play” is set to “On”
(p.56), the selected Playlist will be
repeatedly played.

MENU

.

Editing

97

 Adding scenes to a

Playlist (Edit)

Press , then press

1

MENU

Press C.

7

The confirmation screen whether
to end appears.

.

Select “PlayList” “Edit”, then press
the confirmation button.

2

The “Edit PlayList” screen
appears.

Select the playlist you want to edit,
then press the confirmation button.

The “Edit PlayList” screen
appears. The upper “All

3

Programs” row shows available
scenes. And the lower “PlayList
No.xx” row shows the contents of
the Playlist selected.

Move the cursor to the lower row by
pressing

e

4

position using

and select the insertion

d/c

.

Hints

• Pressing C in the middle of
adding scenes will display the
exit confirmation screen. Select
“YES” to exit. Select “NO” to
restore the “Edit PlayList”
screen.

• Each time you press DISPLAY,
the operation guide, the
recording date/time of the
selected scene, movie quality
(VIDEO Mode), screen aspect
ratio, and the recording length
(when using HDD) will appear.

• If you press MENU in step 4 or
5, the Submenu screen for

Editing

Move the cursor to the upper row by
pressing

f

and choose a scene you

wish to add by pressing

Scene to be added

Edit PlayList

All Progra

5

PlayList No.01

PHOTO SELECT

ADD

The green “I” mark shows
the insertion position.

• You can also choose multiple
scenes (p.49).

d/c

ms

004/014

008/008

008/008

.

editing the Playlist will appear.
You can also use this Submenu
(p.103).

• If you add a scene with a dub
mark, the mark will also appear
on the scene in the playlist.

Press the confirmation button.

6

• Repeat steps 4 to 6 to add other
scenes.

98

 Deleting scenes from

Playlist (Edit)

Press , then press

1

Display the “Edit PlayList” screen of
the playlist you wish to delete.

2

Perform steps 2 and 3 in "Adding
scenes to a Playlist (Edit)" (p.98).

Press e to move the cursor to the
lower row, then choose a scene you
wish to delete by pressing

3

• You can also choose multiple
scenes (p.49).

Press the confirmation button.

• You can also use the DELETE

button of the remote control

4

instead of the confirmation
button.

• Repeat steps 3 and 4 to delete
other scenes.

Press C.

5

The confirmation screen whether
to end appears.

MENU

d/ c

.

Move the cursor to the lower row by

e

pressing
position using

3

.

and select the insertion

d/c

.

Scene to be added

Edit PlayList

All Progra

ms

004/014

PlayList No.03

PHOTO SELECT

ADD

The green “I” mark shows
the insertion position.

007/007

Move the cursor to the upper row by
pressing

f

and choose a scene you

ms

MENU.

004/014

007/007PlayList No.03

wish to add, the press

Ed it

All Progra

Add

Ex it

ENTER RETURN

4

Edit PlayList

All Progra

PlayList No.03

PHOTO SELECT

ADD

ms

004/014

008/008

Editing

 Adding scenes using

the Submenu for
Editing (Edit)

You can add other scenes to a Playlist
using the “Edit” menu screen.

Press , then press

1

Display the “Edit PlayList” screen of
the Playlist you wish to edit.

2

Perform steps 2 and 3 in "Adding
scenes to a Playlist (Edit)" (p.98).

MENU

.

• You can also choose multiple
scenes (p.49).

Select “Edit” “Add”, then press the
confirmation button.

5

• Repeat steps 3 to 5 to add other
scenes.

Press C.

6

The confirmation screen appears.

Select “YES”, then press the
confirmation button.

7

The disc navigation screen of the
edited Playlist appears.

99

 Deleting scenes using

the Submenu for
Editing (Edit)

You can delete scenes from a Playlist
using the “Edit” menu screen.

Press , then press

1

Display the “Edit PlayList” screen of
the Playlist you wish to edit.

2

Perform steps 2 and 3 in "Adding
scenes to a Playlist (Edit)" (p.98).

Move the cursor to the lower row by

e

pressing

3

wish to delete, the press

• You can also choose multiple
scenes (p.49).

Select “Edit” “Delete”, then press
the confirmation button.

4

• Repeat steps 3 and 4 to delete

Editing

other scenes.

Press C.

5

The confirmation screen appears.

Select “YES”, then press the
confirmation button.

6

The disc navigation screen of the
edited Playlist appears.

Hint

If you delete all scenes on a
Playlist, the Playlist itself will be
erased.

and choose a scene you

MENU

MENU.

 Selecting scenes using

the Submenu for
Editing (Edit)

You can specify the range of scenes
when adding or deleting consecutive
multiple scenes to/from a playlist.

.

This “Select” menu item is useful
when selecting consecutive multiple
scenes in items for adding or deleting
scenes.

Press , then press

1

Display the “Edit PlayList” screen of
the Playlist you wish to edit.

2

Perform steps 2 and 3 in "Adding
scenes to a Playlist (Edit)" (p.98).

Move the cursor to the first or last
scene of those you wish to choose,

3

then press

• To select all scenes, simply press

Select “Select” “Start → Current”/
“Current

4

confirmation button.

Press C.

5

The confirmation screen appears.

Select “YES”, then press the
confirmation button.

6

The disc navigation screen of the
edited Playlist appears.

MENU.

MENU

→

End”/”All”, then press the

.

MENU

.

100