Panasonic AJ-SD255E User Manual

Digital Video Cassette Recorder

Operating Instructions

AJ-

P

AJ-

E

Model No.

ENGLISH

VQT0L63

S1204N0 -M
Printed in Japan

D

Before operating this product, please read the instructions carefully and save this manual for future use.

IMPORTANT

“Unauthorized recording of copyrighted television programmes, video tapes and other materials may
infringe the rights of copyright holders and contravene copyright laws.”

For AJ-SD255P

2

THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE GROUNDED

To ensure safe operation, the three-pin plug must be
inserted only into a standard three-pin power outlet which
is effectively grounded through normal household wiring.
Extension cords used with the equipment must have three
cores and be correctly wired to provide connection to the
ground. Wrongly wired extension cords are a major cause
of fatalities.
The fact that the equipment operates satisfactorily does
not imply that the power outlet is grounded or that the
installation is completely safe. For your safety, if you are
in any doubt about the effective grounding of the power
outlet, please consult a qualified electrician.

WARNING:

• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.

• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, KEEP THIS EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM
ALL LIQUIDS. USE AND STORE ONLY IN
LOCATIONS WHICH ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THE
RISK OF DRIPPING OR SPLASHING LIQUIDS,
AND DO NOT PLACE ANY LIQUID CONTAINERS
ON TOP OF THE EQUIPMENT.

CAUTION:

In order to maintain adequate ventilation, do not
install or place this unit in a bookcase, built-in
cabinet or any other confined space. To prevent
risk of electric shock or fire hazard due to
overheating, ensure that curtains and any other
materials do not obstruct the ventilation.

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD AND ANNOYING INTERFERENCE, USE
THE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES ONLY.

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, REFER MOUNTING OF OPTIONAL
INTERFACE BOARDS TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, REFER CHANGES OF SWITCH
SETTINGS INSIDE THE UNIT TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.

CAUTION:

This apparatus can be operated at a voltage in the
range of 100 – 240 V AC.
Voltages other than 120 V are not intended for U.S.A.
and Canada.

CAUTION:

Operation at a voltage other than 120 V AC may
require the use of a different AC plug. Please contact
either a local or foreign Panasonic authorized service
center for assistance in selecting an alternate AC
plug.

FCC Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a class A digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if
not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in
a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user wi3 Tw(insure thatNote:)Tj96idential that510.23 72mcasse iike20.9e359.46913T*0.0355 Tw510.23 7 operated atTj72in thethis mful

For AJ-SD255E

3

FOR U.K. ONLY

This appliance is supplied with a moulded three pin
mains plug for your safety and convenience.
A 13 amp fuse is fitted in this plug.
Should the fuse need to be replaced please ensure that
the replacement fuse has a rating of 13 amps and that it
is approved by ASTA or BSI to BS1362.
Check for the ASTA mark or the BSI mark on the
body of the fuse.

If the plug contains a removable fuse cover you must
ensure that it is refitted when the fuse is replaced.
If you lose the fuse cover the plug must not be used
until a replacement cover is obtained.
A replacement fuse cover can be purchased from your
local Panasonic Dealer.

FOR YOUR SAFETY PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TEXT CAREFULLY.

This product is equipped with 2 types of AC mains cable. One is for continental Europe, etc. and the other one is only
for U.K.
Appropriate mains cable must be used in each local area, since the other type of mains cable is not suitable.

FOR CONTINENTAL EUROPE, ETC.

Not to be used in the U.K.

FOR U.K. ONLY

Caution for AC Mains Lead

How to replace the fuse

1.Open the fuse compartment with a screwdriver.

2.Replace the fuse.

Fuse

indicates safety information.

For AJ-SD255E

4

indicates safety information.

IMPORTANT

“Unauthorized recording of copyrighted television
programmes, video tapes and other materials may
infringe the rights of copyright holders and
contravene copyright laws.”

Operating precaution

Operation near any appliance which generates strong
magnetic fields may give rise to noise in the
video and audio signals. If this should be the case, deal
with the situation by, for instance, moving the source of
the magnetic fields away from the unit before operation.

THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED

To ensure safe operation, the three-pin plug must be
inserted only into a standard three-pin power point which
is effectively earthed through normal household wiring.
Extension cords used with the equipment must have three
cores and be correctly wired to provide connection to the
earth. Wrongly wired extension cords are a major cause
of fatalities.
The fact that the equipment operates satisfactorily does
not imply that the power point is earthed or that the
installation is completely safe. For your safety, if you are
in any doubt about the effective earthing of the power
point, please consult a qualified electrician.

WARNING:

• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.

• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, KEEP THIS EQUIPMENT AWAY FROM
ALL LIQUIDS. USE AND STORE ONLY IN
LOCATIONS WHICH ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THE
RISK OF DRIPPING OR SPLASHING LIQUIDS,
AND DO NOT PLACE ANY LIQUID CONTAINERS

Contents

5

Introduction ......................................................6

Included accessories ......................................6

Optional boards ...............................................6

Features ...........................................................7

Parts and their functions .................................8

Front Panel ..........................................................8

Display Panel .....................................................11

Rear Panel .........................................................12

Tapes ...............................................................13

IEEE1394 digital interface..............................14

Joystick ...........................................................15

PF (Programmable Function) ........................15

Repeat playback .............................................16

Setup (initial settings)....................................17

Setup menus...................................................18

SYSTEM menu ..................................................20

USER menu .......................................................21

<BASIC> ..........................................................21

<OPERATION>................................................23

<INTERFACE> ................................................24

<TAPE PROTECT> .........................................25

<TIME CODE>.................................................26

<VIDEO>..........................................................28

<AUDIO> .........................................................30

<V BLANK>......................................................32

<DIF> ...............................................................33

<MENU> ..........................................................34

Time code/user bit..........................................35

Superimpose screen ......................................36

Condensation .................................................37

Maintenance....................................................37

Audio input impedance..................................37

Error messages ..............................................38

Specifications .................................................43

Introduction

6

This product is a multi-purpose digital VTR that uses 1/4-inch
wide tapes. It is capable of recording and playback in
DVCPRO (25 Mbps) format, recording and playback in the
consumer DV format (SP mode only), and playback of
DVCAM tapes.
This high-picture-quality VTR incorporates digital
compression technology to reduce the deterioration of the
picture quality and sound quality resulting from dubbing.
It has a compact and lightweight design so that it can readily
be carried around or easily installed in a rack.

•3-pin power cord x 1

Included accessories

•IEEE1394 interface board:

AJ-YAD255G

•SDI interface board:

AJ-YA94G

Use only the optional boards listed above.

Optional boards

7

Features

Compact and lightweight

This unit is a DVCPRO digital VTR which uses 1/4-inch
wide cassette tapes. The compact and lightweight design
makes it light to carry around and ideal for usage as a
desktop viewer.

Up to 184 minutes of recording

M cassettes (max. 66 minutes: using the AJ-P66MP)
and L cassettes (max. 184 minutes: using the AJ-5P92LP)
can be used with this unit. Tape width is a compact 1/4­inch.

2-channel, high-sound-quality digital audio

The unit can record and play back 2-channel PCM audio.
(However, it does not support cue recording or playback.)

Compatibility with general consumer video
equipment

DV cassette tapes containing material shot with a
consumer digital camera or the like can be played back on
this unit. Recording is also possible in DV format. A
cassette adapter (AJ-CS455P) is necessary when a mini
DV cassette tape is to be used.

Digital slow motion

Panasonic's original digital slow-motion technology makes
it possible to obtain clear pictures even during slow
playback at speeds ranging from -0.43x to +0.43x.
(DVCPRO only)

Joystick

The unit comes with a joystick (stick controller). It is used
to control variable-speed playback during searches, etc.
In addition, the settings for the on-screen menus and time
code generator can also be accomplished easily using the
joystick.

PF (Programmable Function) buttons

The unit comes with three PF buttons. Any three
frequently used setup menus can be selected, and by
operating these buttons on the front panel, it is possible to
change the menu settings.

Recording and playback of UMID information

Recording and playback of UMID (Unique Material
Identifier) information complies with the SMPTE 330M
standard.
UMID information can be checked on the DIAG menu.

UMID information cannot be played back correctly
by VTRs that do not support the recording and
playback of UMID information.
In addition, even if a VTR that does not support the
recording and playback of UMID information is
connected to this unit and recording performed,
UMID information will not be recorded correctly.

Time code

The unit incorporates a TCG (time code generator)/TCR
(time code reader). In addition to the internal time code,
an external time code input or input signal VITC can also
be recorded to the tape as a time code by this unit.

Multi-functional interfaces

• IEEE1394 digital input/output

Use of the IEEE1394 interface board (option: AJ­YAD255G) enables an IEEE1394 digital interface for the
input and output of DVCPRO/DV compressed digital
video/audio signals without any reduction in image
quality.

• Serial digital input/output

Use of the SDI interface board (option: AJ-YA94G)
enables input and output of the serial digital component
signals.

Menu-based setup

The setup settings, which are conducted prior to
operating the unit, are performed while viewing the
setup menus on the unit’s display or a TV monitor.

8

Parts and their functions

Front panel

Digital Video Cassette Recorder AJ-

SUPER

ON

OFF

TCG

REGEN

PRESET

EXT

INT

COUNTER

PF PF1PF2PF

3DIAG

MENU

PUSH

SHTL/SLOW

TC

PRESET

METER

FULL/FINE

MONITOR SEL

RESET

UNITY VAR

INPUT SELECT
VIDEO AUDIO

CH 1 CH 2 CH 1 CH 2

REC PB

HEADPHONES

SEARCH

EJECT

POWER

REC INHIBITCONTROL

ON

ON

OFF

OFF

LOCAL

REMOTE

RECPLAY

FFREW STOP

POWER switch
Cassette insertion slot

EJECT button

When this button is pressed, the tape is unloaded and the
cassette is ejected automatically a few seconds later.
When CTL display has been selected for the counter
display, the display is reset.
EJECT button operation can be enabled or disabled with
setup menu No. 115 (EJECT SW INH).

CONTROL switch

This is selected to control the unit from an external
source using the REMOTE connector.
REMOTE: Set to this position to control the unit using the

9-pin REMOTE connector and IEEE1394
AV/C commands.

LOCAL : Set to this position to control the unit using the

controls on the unit's operation panel.

REC INHIBIT switch

This switch is used to enable or disable recording on the
cassette tape.

ON:

Recording on the cassette tape is disabled
(inhibited).
In this state, the REC INH lamp lights on the display
panel.

OFF:

Recording on the cassette tape is enabled so long
as the accidental erasure prevention mechanism on
the cassette tape is set to enable recording.

METER (FULL/FINE) selector button

This button is used to select the scale display for the
audio level meter.
FULL mode : The standard scale (– ∞ to 0 dB) is

selected.

FINE mode : The scale in 0.5 dB increments is

selected. The position indicates the
standard level of –20 dB (–18 dB). (See

page 11)

MONITOR SEL button

This button is used to select the audio signals which are
to be output to the AUDIO MON L and R connectors.
Each time the button is pressed, the audio signals to be
output to the AUDIO MON L or R connector are changed
in the following sequence.

Which signal is currently selected is displayed by the
lighting of the L or R lamp on the level meter display.

Headphone jack and volume control

When stereo headphones are connected to the
headphone jack, the sound can be monitored using the
headphones during recording or playback.

Audio level control knobs

These knobs are used to adjust the recording and
playback level of the PCM audio signals (CH1 and CH2).

The audio level control selector switch is used to set
to variable or fixed level.

Note:

The level of the IEEE1394 digital input/output audio
signals cannot be adjusted.

Audio level control selector switch

UNITY: At this position, the audio signals are recorded or

played back at a fixed level regardless of the
position of the audio level control knobs .

VAR: At this position, the audio signals are recorded or

played back at the level adjusted by the audio level
control knobs .

Note:

When UNITY is selected, the recording and playback
levels both become UNITY (fixed level).

L : [CH1] [CH1] [CH2] [CH1+CH2]
R : [CH2] [CH1] [CH2] [CH1+CH2]

→→→

9

Parts and their functions (continued)

INPUT SELECT buttons

These buttons are used to switch the video and audio
input signals. They can also be used to switch the input
signals to the internal reference signal selected as the
setup menu item No.600 (INT SG) setting.

VIDEO:

Each time the VIDEO button is pressed, the input video
signal selection is switched in the order of [Y P

B PR

]

→[CMPST] → [S-VIDEO] → [SDI] → [1394] → [SG].

• When SG has been selected, the signal is switched to
the internal reference signal selected as the setup
menu item No.600 (INT SG) setting.

AUDIO:

Each time the AUDIO button is pressed, the input audio
signal selection is switched in the order of [ANALOG] →
[SDI] → [1394] → [SG].

Notes:

• It is possible to inhibit the input switch operations
(video and audio) of the INPUT SELECT buttons
using setup menu item No.112 (V IN SEL INH) and
item No.113 (A IN SEL INH).

• The 1394 option for the VIDEO and AUDIO buttons is
available only when the optional board (AJ­YAD255G) is installed.

• The SDI setting for the VIDEO and AUDIO buttons
cannot be selected unless the optional board (AJ­YA94G) has been installed.

PF button

When this button is pressed, buttons to function
as the PF1, PF2 and PF3 buttons, respectively. When it

is pressed again before another button is pressed, these
modes are canceled.
When this button is pressed together with the

MENU/DIAG button , the DIAG screen is displayed.

COUNTER/PF1 button

Each time this button is pressed, the counter display on
the display panel changes by one step in the following

sequence: CTL → TC → UB.

RESET/PF2 button

When this button is pressed in the CTL mode, the
counter display is reset to [00:00:00:00].
When it is pressed in the TC/UB mode while holding

down the TC PRESET button , the generator is reset.

TC PRESET/PF3 button

This button is used to set the TC or UB values.

MENU/DIAG button

When this button is pressed, the setup menus are
displayed on the TV monitor (but only when the VIDEO
MON connector is used), and the setup menu numbers
are displayed on the unit’s display panel.
When it is pressed again, the setup menu settings are
exited, and the original status is restored.
When the button is pressed while holding down the PF

button , the VTR information is displayed. When it is
pressed again, the original display is restored. The VTR

information consists of the WARNING, HOURS METER,
UMID and DIF STATUS 1, 2 information. The SEARCH
button is used to switch the displays between these kinds
of information.
Descriptions of the warnings are displayed on the
WARNING screen. The deck’s serial number, power-on
time, drum rotation time, tape travel time, number of
loading times, number of power on/off times, etc. are
displayed on the HOURS METER screen. The UMID
(Unique Material Identifier) information is displayed on the
UMID INFO screen. The IEEE1394 digital interface
information is displayed on the DIF STATUS 1, 2 screen
(when using AJ-YAD255G only).

SEARCH
button

CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4

REC PB

Digital Video Cassette Recorder AJ-

SUPER

ON

OFF

TCG

REGEN

PRESET

EXT

INT

COUNTER

PF PF1PF2PF

3DIAG

MENU

PUSH

SHTL/SLOW

TC

PRESET

METER

FULL/FINE

MONITOR SEL

RESET

UNITY VAR

INPUT SELECT
VIDEO AUDIO

HEADPHONES

SEARCH

EJECT

POWER

REC INHIBITCONTROL

ON

ON

OFF

OFF

LOCAL

REMOTE

RECPLAY

FFREW STOP

CH 1 CH 2 CH 1 CH 2

REC PB

Front panel

10

Parts and their functions (continued)

Digital Video Cassette Recorder AJ-

Level meter

This displays the levels of the PCM audio signals for CH1
and CH2.
During recording and when the E-E mode is selected, it
shows the levels of the input audio signals; during
playback, it shows the levels of the output audio signals.
The audio level display is switched between the FULL
mode and FINE mode using the METER selector button

. (See page 8)

lamp

This lamp lights when UMID information is present on the
input signal in E-E mode.
This lamp lights during tape playback when UMID
information has been recorded on the tape.

WIDE lamp

This lamp lights when 16:9 wide-screen information is
being recorded on a tape.
Recording of wide-screen information can be selected on
setup menu No. 645 (WIDE SELECT).
This lights lamps during tape playback when wide-screen
information has been recorded on the tape.
Regardless of the above setting, the wide-screen
information cannot be superimposed onto tape playback
and output.

REMOTE lamp

This lamp lights when the CONTROL switch has been set
to the REMOTE position.

Format displays

The recording format and the format of the tape inserted
in the unit are displayed here.

INPUT SELECT display area

The characters corresponding to the selected input
signals light up in this area. With the exception of analog
audio signals, flashing appears in this area if the selected
input signals are not available.

Y PB PR : Analog component video signals
CMPST : Analog composite video signals

VIDEO

11

Parts and their functions (continued)

Display panel

SDI : Serial digital video signals (option)
S-VIDEO : S-Video (Y/C separated) signals
1394 : IEEE1394 digital signals (option)
SG : Internal reference signal

ANALOG : Analog audio signals
SDI : Serial digital audio signals (option)
1394 : IEEE1394 digital signals (option)
SG : Internal reference signal

lamp

This lamp lights when a cassette tape is inserted into the
VTR.
In the standby OFF mode, this lamp is flashing.

Repeat lamp

This lights when the repeat play mode has been set.

Counter display

The tape counter, time code, etc. are displayed here.
The type of value displayed is indicated by CTL, TC or
UB.

REC/REC INH lamps

REC:

This lights in the recording mode.

REC INH:

This lights in the recording inhibit mode which is
established either when the REC INHIBIT switch
has been set to ON or the cassette has been set to the

accidental erasure prevention status. Recording is not
possible while this lamp is lighted.
Whether the lamp is to light or flash when the accidental
erasure prevention tab on the cassette tape has been
set to the recording inhibit position can be selected
using setup menu item No.114 (REC INH LAMP).

SERVO lamp

This lights when both the drum servo and capstan servo
are locked.

Channel condition lamps

These lamps light to indicate the error rate status.
(green → white → red)
Green : This lights when the error rates for the video and

audio playback signals are both at
acceptable levels.

White : This lights when the error rate for the video or

audio playback level has increased.
The playback picture and sound remain
unaffected even while this lamp is lighted.

Red : This lights when the error rate for the video or

audio playback level has increased to the extent
that correction or interpolation was
performed.

AUDIO

12

Parts and their functions (continued)

DVCPRO
/DV

AUDIO MON

AUDIO OUT

VIDEO MON

(SUPER)

750

AUTO

IN

OUT

VIDEO

Y

VIDEO1

SDI
IN

SDI

OUT

VIDEO2

L

CH1CH

2

CH1CH

2

Y C

Y

R

AC IN

AUDIO IN

P

B

P

R

P

B

P

R

VIDEO OUT

DIGITAL

VIDEO

IN

REF VIDEO IN TIME CODE REMOTE

SIGNAL

GND

9

1

6

5

Pin No.

1 Frame Ground

Signal

2 Transmit A

3 Receive B

4 Receive Common

5

6 Transmit Common

7 Transmit B

8 Receive A

9 Frame Ground

Rear panel

IEEE1394 digital input/output connector

(option: AJ-YAD255G)

This enables signals to be input and output using the
IEEE1394 digital interface. Use a 6-pin type of connector.
Bus power is not supported.

VIDEO MON connector

Analog composite video signals are output from this connector.
Video signals with information superimposed on them
can be output. To set the superimposing to ON or OFF,

use the SUPER switch on the front panel.

AUDIO MON (L, R) connectors

The playback signal from the PCM audio signals (CH1

and CH2) are output from these connectors.

Fan

This fan is used to cool down the VTR.
If, for any reason, the fan stops, “E-10” will appear on the
counter display.

AC IN socket

Connect one end of the power cord supplied to this
socket and the other end to the power outlet.

SIGNAL GND terminal

This is connected to the signal ground terminal on the

component connected to this VTR in order to minimize

noise. It is not a safety ground.

SERIAL DIGITAL COMPONENT AUDIO
VIDEO IN/OUT connectors
(option: AJ-YA94G)

Digital component audio/video signals complying with the
SMPTE 259M-C standard are input to and output from
these connectors.

Note:

The digital audio signals to be input must be
synchronized with the video input signals. Otherwise,
noise will be generated in the audio output signals.

ANALOG VIDEO IN connectors

The signals which are to be supplied to these connectors
are selected as follows by setting the INPUT SELECT
button on the front panel.

Y P

B PR: Analog component video signals are input.

CMPST: Analog composite video signals are input using

the VIDEO/Y connector .

S-VIDEO:

S-Video (Y/C separated) signals are input using the
VIDEO/Y connector and PB/C connector .

Note:

The wide ID superimposed on the input signals is not detected.

ANALOG VIDEO OUT connectors

The signals which are to be output from these connectors
are selected as follows by setting the ANALOG VIDEO

OUT selector switch .

Y P

B PR (bottom position):

Analog component video signals are output.

VIDEO1/VIDEO2 (top position):

Two sets of analog composite video signals are output from
connectors and .

Y/C (middle position):

S-Video (Y/C separated) signals are output from
connectors and .

Note:

The wide ID is not superimposed onto the output signals.

ANALOG VIDEO OUT selector switch

Set this switch to the Y PBPRposition (bottom) when using
the ANALOG VIDEO OUT connectors for component video
output, set to the VIDEO1 VIDEO2 position (top) when
using for composite video output, and set to the middle
position when using for S-Video (Y/C separated) output.

REF VIDEO IN connector

This is the input connector for the reference video
signal. Input a signal with color burst.

Note:

Since the video or audio output signal may be disrupted
if the reference video signal is not input, it is
recommended that this connector be used by the system
which supplies the reference video signals.
Use a signal where SCH does not fluctuate for the
reference video signal.

REF VIDEO OUT connector

This is the loop-through output connector of the REF
VIDEO IN connector . When a cable is not connected

to this connector, the REF VIDEO IN connector is
automatically terminated by the 75 Ω resistance. When a

cable is connected, the 75 Ω termination is released.

TIME CODE IN connector

This connector is used for recording the external time
code onto the tape.

TIME CODE OUT connector

The playback time code is output from this connector during
playback. During recording, the time code generated by the
internal time code generator is output.

Remote control connector

This enables the unit to be connected to the external remote
controller for operation from an external source.

Notes:

• Set the CONTROL switch to REMOTE.

• The specifications are based on the RS-422A interface,

and editing-related functions do not work. In this case,
use it as a player.

ANALOG AUDIO IN connectors

The analog audio signals are input from these
connectors.

ANALOG AUDIO OUT connectors

The analog audio signals are output from these
connectors.

14

IEEE1394 digital interface

Precautions for use

• Connect the interface with another device on a 1:1 basis.

• If the E-92 warning (1394 INITIAL ERROR) is

displayed, either re-connect the connecting cable or turn
the VTR’s power off and back on.

• The AV signals may be disrupted when the power of the
connected devices is turned on or off and when the
interface cable is connected or disconnected.

• When the input signals are switched or the mode is
transferred, it may take a few seconds for the system to
stabilize. Proceed with the recording operation only after
the system has stabilized.

• The following situation applies when recording is to be
performed by selecting the IEEE1394 digital interface
input, and it applies with the signals which are output by
the IEEE1394 digital interface.

- The audio level control knobs on the front panel do
not work.

- The settings in the 800 series of setup menu items
concerning the vertical blanking period are ignored.

- When playback signals other than regular 1x speed
playback signals have been input, no guarantees are
made for the pictures and sound which will be
recorded or for the EE-type pictures and sound.

• The following situation applies when the video input
selection has been set as the IEEE1394 digital interface.

- The SDI signals, the analog video output signals and
time code output signals become irregular in the E-E
mode. Do not use these signals for recording
purposes. (The teletext signals and other signals
superimposed onto the video output signals also
become irregular.)

• During SLOW/STILL playback, unprocessed video and
audio signals are output as the IEEE1394 digital
interface output. When these video and audio signals
are monitored using another device, they may differ from
the video and audio signals played back by this unit.

Recording tape

DVCPRO

DV

Input data

DVCPRO
DV
DVCPRO
DV

Recording format

DVCPRO
DVCPRO ( 1)
DV
DV

Recording tape

DVCPRO

DV

Input data

DVCPRO
DV

DVCPRO

DV

Recording format

DVCPRO
Cannot record or
receive data.
Cannot record or
receive data.
DV

The recording format for IEEE1394 digital input data is
determined based on the table below.

For AJ-SD255P

For AJ-SD255E

1 If the audio of the input data is 32 kHz/4CH, CH1/CH2

and CH3/CH4 can be selected in setup menu No. 889
(DIF AUD IN).

The format for IEEE1394 digital output data is determined
based on the setup menu No. 881 (DIF TYPE) setting and
playback tape (mode).

The format for IEEE1394 digital output data is determined
based on the playback tape (mode).

Setup menu No. 881

(DIF TYPE) setting

During
DVCPRO
tape playback
During
DV/DVCAM
tape playback

During
EJECT or E-E

During
DVCPRO
tape playback
During
DV/DVCAM
tape playback

During
EJECT or E-E

Mode

DVCPRO
DVCPRO
DV
DV
DVCPRO
DV
DVCPRO
DVCPRO
DV

Output data

format

AUTO
DVCPRO
DV
AUTO
DVCPRO
DV
AUTO
DVCPRO
DV

Mode

DVCPRO

DV

DVCPRO

Output data

format

For AJ-SD255P:

For AJ-SD255E:

Be absolutely sure not to defeat the
following safeguards when connecting the
IEEE1394 cable.

• Ensure that the unit and all devices to be connected
are grounded (or connected to a common ground).
If the equipment cannot be grounded, first turn off the
power of all the connected devices, and then
disconnect and re-connect the IEEE1394 cable.

• When connecting the unit to a device equipped with a
4-pin connector, connect the unit’s connector (6-pin
type) first.

• When making a connection to a PC equipped with a 6-

pin connector, connect the 1394 cable so that it mates
properly with the 1394 connector. Bear in mind that if
the plug is inserted the wrong way round, the unit may
be damaged as a result.