Sharp VL-AH50 User Manual

Preparation

Preparation

Attaching and Removing
the Battery Pack

Attaching

Power switch

Preparation

1 Make sure that the Power

switch is set to OFF.

2 Align the = mark on the side of the

battery pack with the = mark on the
camcorder (1), and slide the battery
pack in the direction of the arrow
completely until it locks into place (2).

Removing

1 Make sure that the Power switch is set

to OFF.

2 Rotate the monitor section of the

camcorder (1), then press the battery
release (2). Slide the battery pack in
the direction of the arrow and take it out
(3).

Battery release

Cautions:

• BEFORE REMOVING THE BATTERY PACK,

ALWAYS STOP RECORDING OR PLAYBACK
AND TURN THE POWER OFF. Removing the

battery pack while shooting or during playback
may damage the tape by causing it to wrap
around the video head drum.

• Remove the battery pack from the camcorder if
you will not use the camcorder for a long period
of time.

• Make sure that the battery pack is firmly
attached during operation. If it is not, the battery
pack may come off or camcorder operation may
fall because of the poor contact pressure.

• To prevent damage to the battery pack when
removing, be sure to firmly hold the battery pack
while pressing the release.

• Use only SHARP model BT-L225 or BT-L445
battery packs with this camcorder. Use of other
batteries may create a risk of fire or explosion.

7

Charging the Battery
Pack

Charging time and maximum continu­ous recording and playback times

1

Attach the battery pack on the
camcorder, and make sure that the
Power switch is set to OFF.

2 Connect the supplied power cord to the

AC power socket on the AC adapter, and
insert the AC plug into a power outlet.

AC power socket

To power

outlet

3 Insert the DC plug into the DC input

jack.

• The charge indicator lights up.

DC input jack

Charge indicator

• The charge indicator turns off when the
battery is charged.

4 Remove the DC plug from the DC input

jack, then remove the AC plug from the
power outlet.

Battery

BT-L225

BT-L445

Notes:

• Charge the battery pack between 10°C and

• The battery pack and charger become warm

• Using the zoom (see page 17) and other

• The charging time and recording time may

• See page 52 for more information on using the

Caution:

• Charge only SHARP model BT-L225 or BT-L445

Charging

pack

3hr. 30min.

30°C. The battery pack may not charge
properly at temperatures too low or too high.

during charging. This is not a malfunction.

functions or turning the power on and off
frequently will increase power consumption.
This may result in a decrease in the actual
recording time compared to the maximum
continuous recording time listed above.

vary depending on the ambient temperature
and the condition of the battery pack.

battery pack.

battery packs. Other types of battery packs may
burst, causing personal injury and damage.

time

approx.

2hr.

approx.

Max. continuous

recording time

approx.

1hr. 30min.

approx.

3hr.

Max. continuous

playback time

approx.

1hr. 30min.

approx.

3hr.

Extending battery pack life

Even when the battery pack is not used, the
capacity of the battery pack will naturally
deteriorate over time. To limit the deterioration
of the capacity, it is recommended to perform
the following procedure at least once every six
months:

1Fully charge the battery pack.
2Attach the battery pack to the camcorder,

and set the Power switch to CAMERA
without inserting a cassette. Allow the
battery power to fully discharge by leaving
it on the camcorder until the camcorder
power automatically turns off.

3Remove the battery pack and store it

between 10°C and 20°C.

Preparation

8

Preparation

Powering the
Camcorder from an AC
Outlet

You can also power the camcorder from a
power outlet by using the supplied AC adapter.

Caution:

• The supplied AC adapter is specially designed
for use with this camcorder, and should not be
used as a power supply for other camcorders.

Preparation

1 Make sure that the Power switch is set

to OFF.

2 Connect the supplied power cord to the

AC power socket on the AC adapter, and
insert the AC plug into a power outlet.

AC power socket

To power

3 Insert the DC plug into the DC input

jack.

• The camcorder is supplied power.

DC input jack

Note:

• When using the AC adapter to power the
camcorder, the battery pack is not charged.

Cautions:

• BEFORE REMOVING THE DC PLUG, ALWAYS
STOP RECORDING OR PLAYBACK AND TURN
THE POWER OFF. Removing the DC plug while

shooting or during playback may damage the
tape by causing it to wrap around the video
head drum.

• Disconnect the camcorder from the AC adapter
if you will not use the camcorder for a long
period of time.

outlet

4 Hold down the Lock button

and set the Power switch to
CAMERA or VCR.

9

Lock button

Inserting and Removing
a Cassette

Inserting

1 Attach the power source to the

camcorder, then slide the cassette
compartment door release and open the
cassette compartment door.

• After confirmation sound, the cassette
holder extends and opens automatically.

Cassette compartment

door release

2 Insert a commercially available cassette

fully with the window facing outwards,
and with the erasure protect tab facing
upwards.

Erasure protect tab

SAVE

REC

3 Press the W mark gently until the

cassette holder clicks into place.

• After confirmation sound, the cassette
holder retracts automatically.

“W” mark

4 Wait for the cassette holder to fully

retract. Close the compartment door by
pressing the centre until it clicks into
place.

Preparation

Removing

Perform step 1 above, then take out the
cassette.

Cautions:

• Do not try to close the cassette compartment
door while the cassette holder is extending or
retracting.

• Be careful not to get your fingers caught in the
cassette holder.

• Do not apply force to the cassette holder except
when pressing the W mark to close it.

• Do not tilt the camcorder or hold it upside down
when you are inserting or removing a cassette. It
may damage the tape.

• Remove the cassette if you will not use the
camcorder for a long period of time.

• If you do not correctly close the cassette holder
in step 3, the cassette protection mechanism of
the camcorder might eject the cassette. If this
happens, repeat the insertion procedure.

• Do not attempt to pick up the camcorder by the
cassette compartment door.

Notes:

• If the battery power is too low, you may not be
able to eject the cassette. Replace the battery
pack with a fully charged one.

• See page 51 for more information on the video
cassette tapes intended for use with this
camcorder.

10

Preparation

Installing the Lithium
Battery

Installing

The supplied lithium battery is used to store the
memory of the date and time settings.

1 Slide the cassette compartment door

release and open the cassette compart­ment door.

Preparation

Note:

• The cassette holder will extend and open
when the camcorder is connected to a
power source. Be sure to close the cassette
holder before proceeding to the next step
(see page 10).

2 Pull out the lithium battery holder using

a pointed object such as the tip of a
ballpoint pen.

Lithium battery

holder

Removing

Perform steps 1 and 2 above,
then lift out the battery from
the battery holder.

Notes on the Use of the Lithium battery

CAUTION: Danger of explosion if battery is

incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the
same or equivalent type CR2025 recom­mended by the equipment manufacturer.
X KEEP THIS BATTERY AWAY
FROM CHILDREN. IF SWALLOWED,
CONSULT A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY FOR
EMERGENCY TREATMENT.
Z BATTERY MAY EXPLODE IF
MIS-USED OR INSTALLED WITH POLARITY
REVERSED. DO NOT RECHARGE, DISAS­SEMBLE OR DISPOSE OF IN FIRE.

• Do not short-circuit, recharge, disassemble, or
heat the lithium battery.

• Should the lithium battery leak, wipe the battery
compartment clean, and then insert a new
battery.

• The lithium battery will last about one year under
normal usage.

3 Insert the lithium

battery into the
battery holder with
the H side of the
battery facing the
m side of the
holder.

“m” mark

4 Push the battery holder back into

position. Press the W mark gently,
then close the cassette compartment
door by pressing the centre until it clicks
into place.

11

Setting the Date and

000

:

1 2002.2.

SETT ING

Time

Example: Setting the date to 2 June 2003 (2. 6.

2003) and the time to 10:30 am (10:30).

Power switch

SET button

MENU button

Operation button

Note:

• Before performing the steps below, make sure
that the lithium battery has been installed (see
page 11).

1 Hold down the Lock button

and set the Power switch to
CAMERA.

Lock button

2 Press the MENU button until the menu

screen appears.

4 Press l or m to select “2” (day), then

press the SET button.

5 Press l or m to select “6” (month),

then press the SET button.

SETT ING

6 2002.2.

:

000

6 Press l or m to select “2003” (year),

then press the SET button.

SETT ING

:

0 00

6 2003.2.

7 Press l or m to select “10” (hour), then

press the SET button.

SETT ING

:

10 00

6 2003.2.

8 Press l or m to select “30” (minute),

then press the SET button.

• The internal clock now starts operating.

SETT ING

:

10 30

6 2003.2.

Preparation

3 Press the SET button.

CLOCK SET

DISPLAY

SETT ING

12H 24H/
RETURN

000:

120

9 Press the MENU button to turn off the

menu screen.

02.1.

Note:

• If the date and time have been set, the SETTING

1 screen (T) appears in step 2. Select
“SETTING” in the CLOCK SET screen (P) using
the Operation button and SET button.

12

Preparation

Changing to the 12-hour Time
Mode

1 After performing step 8 above, press l

or m to select “12H/24H”, then press the
SET button.

CLOCK SET

DISPLAY
SETT ING

Preparation

12H 24H/
RETURN

24H

12H

2 Press l or m to select “12H”, then

press the SET button.

21H24H

12H

3 Press the MENU button to turn off the

menu screen.

Notes:

• The date and time, once set, are internally
recorded even when not displayed on the
screen.

• The menu screen automatically turns off if no
settings are made within five minutes.

Attaching the Lens
Hood

Turn the lens hood in the direction of the arrow
to attach it.

To remove it, turn it in the opposite direction.

Note:

• Filters and other accessories cannot be attached
on the top of the lens hood.

Attaching the Wrist
Strap

Attach the wrist strap to the wrist strap loop as
shown below.

Wrist strap loop

13

Caution:

• Do not swing the camcorder by the strap.

Using the Lens Cap

Attach the strap to the lens cap as shown
below.

Attach the strap of the lens cap to the wrist
strap as shown below.

Always attach the lens cap when not using the
camcorder.

Preparation

Lens hood

Note:

• Be sure the lens hood is attached to the
camcorder before attaching the lens cap.

When recording, hang the lens cap on the wrist
strap to keep the cap out of the way.

14

Preparation

Tips on Recording
Positions

To create images that are easy to watch during playback, try to record with an upright posture and
steady hand to prevent a shaky image.

Holding the camcorder

Place your right thumb close to the REC START/STOP button and Power Zoom control.
Place your left thumb on the thumb rest on the left side of the screen.

Basic posture

Preparation

Take care not

to cover the

microphone

with your

lens or

finger.

Shooting from a high angle

Turn the LCD monitor so

that the screen faces

downward.

Place your elbows
against your sides.

Shooting from a low angle

15

Balance your

weight on both

legs.

Turn the LCD monitor
so that the screen
faces upward.