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Panasonic VDR-M50PP User Manual

Panasonic VDR-M50PP
174 pages
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Operating Instructions
DVD Video Camera
Model No. VDR-M50PP
VDR-M70PP
Thank you for buying a Panasonic product. Please take the time to become familiar with the operating
instructions and how it is set up. Keep this manual handy for future reference.
Quick Start Guide for Software on page 13.
Be sure to read page 4 before unpacking the provided CD-ROM.
The method for operating the VDR-M50PP is the same as that for VDR-M70PP.
VQT0K92-1
H0204HM1034
QR35225
R
The illustration shows VDR-M70PP.
For USA assistance, please call: 1-800-211-PANA(7262) or send e-mail to : consumerproducts@panasonic.com
For Canadian assistance, please call: 1-800-561-5505 or visit us at www.panasonic.ca

Table of Contents

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Panasonic VDR-M50PP Specifications

General IconGeneral
Camcorder Media TypeDVD
Optical Sensor Size1/6"
Optical Zoom30 x
Digital Zoom1000 x
Still Image Resolution640 x 480
USB InterfaceYes
AV OutputYes
Battery TypeLithium-ion
Focus AdjustmentAutomatic, manual
Min Shutter Speed1/50 sec
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 sec
Image StabilizerElectronic
Display TypeLCD
Microphone Operation ModeStereo
Recording MediaDVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW
LCD Screen Size2.5 inches
ViewfinderColor
Video Recording FormatMPEG2
Shooting ProgramsSpotlight, surf & snow, portrait mode, sports mode, low light
White BalanceAuto/Manual
White Balance PresetsIndoor, outdoor
Connector TypeUSB
Included AccessoriesAC Adapter, Remote Control

Summary

Important Information

For Your Safety and Precautions

Covers essential safety guidelines, warnings, and precautions for operating the device.

Caution Mark Identifications

Explains the meaning of various caution symbols used on the product and in the manual.

CD-ROM License Agreement

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

Installation Safety Instructions

Safety instructions related to the physical installation and setup of the video product and accessories.

Usage Safety Instructions

Safety guidelines for operating the video product and accessories to prevent hazards.

Servicing and Safety Checks

Instructions regarding product servicing, conditions requiring service, and safety checks.

Cautions When Using

LCD and Viewfinder Care

Guidelines for handling the delicate LCD screen and viewfinder to prevent damage.

Handling and Impact Precautions

Instructions on correctly holding the camera and avoiding impact, dust, sand, water, or oil.

Cautions When Storing

Suggestions and Restrictions

Read This First

About This Manual

Information on how the manual is structured and how to find information within it.

Introduction to Camera Operations

Key Operating Features

Overview of core functions including recording, playback, editing, and PC connectivity.

Quick Start Guide for Software

Software Features and Installation

Details the software included on the CD-ROM and the installation process.

Software Usage Suggestions

Guidance on connecting the camera to a PC and using the included software applications.

Advanced Techniques

Menu Navigation and Setup Options

Explains menu flow and various setup categories like Camera, Record, Date, LCD, and Initial Settings.

Disc Navigation

Disc Navigation Operations

Covers using Disc Navigation for scene management, editing, and playback features.

Scene Editing Functions

Details on editing scenes: delete, thumbnail, skip, fade, combine, divide, copy, lock, DPOF, select, detail.

Installing Software

Supplementary Information

Optional Accessories and Information

Lists optional accessories and provides information on the round DVD holder and cleaning.

Checking Provided Accessories

Names of Parts

Setting Up the Battery Pack

Battery Pack Charging and Status

Instructions for charging the battery pack and understanding its charge status indicators.

Try Recording and Playback Using Disc

Try Recording and Playback Using Card

Discs and Cards

Available Discs and Information

Details on compatible discs, their types, and specific information regarding DVD-R discs.

Disc Handling and Storage

Guidelines for properly handling and storing delicate DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs.

Available Cards and Cautions

Information on compatible memory cards and general cautions for their use.

Storage Capacity of Disc or Card

Recordable Time for Movies

Details the recordable time for video based on disc type and recording quality.

Recordable Stills and Photo Quality

Information on the number of photos recordable and their file size and quality.

Setups

Setting Up the DVD Video Camera

Instructions for basic camera setup, including holding and attaching accessories.

Holding the Camera and Straps

Guidance on properly holding the camera using grip belts and hand straps.

Attaching Accessories

Instructions for attaching the shoulder belt and lens cap to the camera.

Remote Controller Battery Installation

Steps for inserting and removing the battery from the remote controller.

Using the Remote Controller

How to operate the camera using the remote control and its limitations.

Viewing Through Viewfinder

Instructions for using the viewfinder and adjusting focus for clear viewing.

Viewing Image on LCD Monitor

How to open and use the LCD monitor for viewing the camera's display.

LCD Monitor Movement Range

Details on the adjustable angles and positions of the LCD monitor.

Closing the LCD Monitor

Procedure for properly closing the LCD monitor after use.

Setting Date and Time

Changing Display Format of Date and Time

How to select different formats for displaying date and time on the camera.

About the Battery Pack

Attaching and Removing Battery Pack

Steps for correctly attaching and removing the battery pack from the camera.

Recordable Time with Battery Pack

Approximate recording times based on battery charge, quality mode, and disc type.

Battery Charging Time

Information on how long it takes to charge the battery pack under specific conditions.

Battery Level Indicator and Usage Tips

Explanation of battery level indicators and advice for efficient battery use and storage.

Using DVD Video Camera with AC adaptor

Inserting and Removing Disc

Inserting Disc

Step-by-step guide on how to insert a DVD-RAM or DVD-R disc into the camera.

Identifying Disc Sides

How to distinguish between the recording/playback sides of single and double-sided discs.

Using New DVD-R Disc

Instructions for formatting a new DVD-R disc before use and cautions for PC recording.

Removing Disc

Procedure for safely removing a disc from the DVD Video Camera.

Inserting and Removing Card

Basic Techniques

Basic Operation of DVD Video Camera

Overview of fundamental camera operations including turning it on/off and recognizing media.

Turning Camera On or Off

Detailed steps for powering the DVD Video Camera on and off for various functions.

Recording Movie

Step-by-step guide for recording video footage.

Recording Stills

Step-by-step guide for capturing still images.

Compensating for Backlight

How to use the backlight compensation feature to improve lighting in backlit scenes.

On-Screen Information Display

Explanation of various icons and information shown on the viewfinder or LCD screen during recording.

Information Display During Recording

Detailed breakdown of the symbols and data displayed during the recording process.

Switching Information Display Modes

How to alternate between full and minimum display modes for on-screen information.

Self-Image Recording Display

How the camera display appears when recording yourself and status indicators.

Zooming Operations

Instructions on using optical and digital zoom, including settings and limitations.

Macro Recording

How to use the macro function for close-up shots and focus adjustments.

Using Conversion Lenses

Guidance on attaching and using optional tele- or wide-conversion lenses.

Playing Back Recorded Content

Steps for initiating playback of recorded scenes and managing playback mode.

Playback Navigation Methods

Methods for playback from disc start, search playback, and frame advance/slow playback.

Skipping Scenes and Playing Back Stills

How to skip movie scenes during playback and play back still images sequentially.

Jumping to Specified Points (Go To)

How to navigate directly to specific points within recorded scenes.

On-Screen Information Display During Playback

How to switch and interpret the on-screen information displayed during playback.

Manual Focusing

Instructions for manually focusing the subject for optimal clarity.

Focusing During Recording

How to focus on subjects during the recording process, including manual focus activation.

Adjusting Exposure Manually

Steps for manually adjusting the camera's exposure settings for optimal brightness.

Using the Auto Function

How to activate the full auto mode to automate camera functions.

Using External Microphone

How to connect and use an external microphone for improved audio recording.

Setting Video Flash (VDR-M70PP Only)

Instructions for setting the video flash for still photography, only for VDR-M70PP model.

Viewing on TV Screen

Connecting to a TV

Guide on connecting the DVD Video Camera to a television using AV/S cables.

Playback on DVD Video Recorder/Player

Using DVD Recorder with Hard Disk

How to transfer recorded images to a DVD recorder's hard disk or dub to discs.

Removing and Replacing Disc in Holder

Removing Disc from Holder

Procedure for removing a disc from its square adapter before placing it in the Round DVD Holder.

Replacing Disc in Round DVD Holder

Instructions for placing a disc correctly into the Round DVD Holder.

Disc Cleaning

Method for cleaning discs using a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and dirt.

Recording (Dubbing) Images

Recording from Other Video Devices

How to record video or still images from external devices like VCRs or other cameras.

Advanced Techniques

Understanding Menu Navigation Flow

Explains how to navigate through the camera's setup menus and options.

Menu Flow Overview

Provides a visual guide to the main menu structure and sub-menus available on the camera.

Setting Camera Functions

Covers camera settings like Program AE for exposure control.

Selecting Shooting Mode (Program AE)

How to choose shooting modes (Auto, Sports, Portrait, etc.) based on subject and conditions.

Adjusting Color (White Balance)

Methods for adjusting white balance to ensure accurate color reproduction under different lighting.

Manual White Balance Setting

Procedure for manually setting white balance using a white reference object.

Electronic Image Stabilizer (EIS)

How to use EIS to reduce image blur caused by camera shake, especially during zoom.

Reducing Wind Noise (Wind Cut)

Function to minimize wind noise in audio recordings using the built-in microphone.

Setting Wide TV Screen Mode (Wide)

How to set the aspect ratio for viewing on widescreen TVs (VDR-M70PP only).

Setting Up Record Functions

Options for configuring recording settings, including video quality modes.

Switching Movie Quality (VIDEO Mode)

How to select movie recording quality (XTRA, FINE, STD, LPCM) based on disc type and preference.

Switching Still Image Quality (Quality)

How to adjust the quality setting for recording still images, particularly when using cards.

Receiving Image Input Source

How to set the camera to receive video signals from external devices via LINE or S-VIDEO.

Switching External Input Recording Method (PHOTO Input)

Configuring settings for recording still images from external sources, choosing between Frame and Field modes.

Self Timer Recording

How to use the self-timer function for recording still photos at a set delay.

Setting OSD Output On or Off

How to control the display of on-screen information on TV screens while connected.

LCD Setup

Adjusting the display settings for the LCD screen.

Setting LCD Brightness

How to adjust the brightness level of the LCD screen.

Setting LCD Color Level

How to adjust the color density or level of the LCD screen.

Initial Settings

Configuration of basic camera initial settings.

Switching Operating Sound (Beep)

Enabling or disabling the beep sound for camera operations.

Automatic Power Off (Power Save)

Setting the camera to automatically turn off after a period of inactivity to save battery.

Turning Record LED On or Off

Option to switch the recording indicator light on the front of the camera on or off.

Changing Display Language

How to change the language used for menus and on-screen information.

Resetting Menu Settings to Defaults

Procedure to restore all camera settings to their factory default values.

Disc Navigation

Using Disc Navigation

Introduction to Disc Navigation as a tool for editing recorded scenes.

Starting or Terminating Disc Navigation

How to begin and end the Disc Navigation session.

Disc Navigation Functions

Overview of the capabilities provided by the Disc Navigation feature.

Playing Back from Disc Navigation Screen

How to select and play back scenes directly from the Disc Navigation screen.

Playback End and Still Playback

What happens when playback finishes and how still images are played back.

Selecting Multiple Scenes

Methods for selecting individual or consecutive scenes for playback or editing.

Disc Navigation Menu Functions

A summary of all functions available through the Disc Navigation menu, with reference pages.

Understanding Disc Navigation Menu Flow

Visual guide showing the hierarchical structure of the Disc Navigation menus.

Scene Deletion

Step-by-step guide on how to delete unwanted scenes from a disc or card.

Editing Scenes Using Submenu

How to access and use submenus for various scene editing functions.

Changing Thumbnail Images

How to select a different image to represent a scene as its thumbnail.

Skipping Scenes

How to mark scenes to be skipped during playback.

Arranging Scene Order (Move)

How to reorder scenes within a play list by moving them.

Adding Scene Fades (Edit - Fade)

How to add fade-in and fade-out effects to scenes for smoother transitions.

Combining Multiple Scenes (Edit - Combine)

How to merge consecutive short scenes into a single, longer scene.

Dividing Movies (Edit - Divide)

How to split a scene into two parts, useful for deleting unwanted sections.

Copying Stills to Card (Copy)

How to copy still image files from a DVD-RAM disc to a memory card.

Locking Scenes on Card (Lock)

How to lock scenes on a memory card to prevent accidental deletion or editing.

Designating Scenes for Printing (DPOF)

How to set print information for selected scenes compatible with DPOF systems.

Selecting Scenes Using Menu Screen

How to select multiple scenes at once using the menu screen.

Deselecting Scenes

Methods for deselecting individual or all selected scenes.

Displaying Scene Information (Detail)

How to view detailed information about a scene, including recording mode, date, and effects.

Program

What is a Program?

Defines a 'program' as an assembly of scenes recorded on the same date.

Switching to Thumbnail Display (Switch)

How to display scenes filtered by recording date (program).

Playing Back Program (Play)

How to select and play back a specific program of recorded scenes.

Changing Program Title (Title)

How to change the automatically assigned title of a program.

Entering Titles

Guide on selecting characters and inputting titles for programs.

Play List

What is a Play List?

Explains the concept of a play list for gathering favorite recorded scenes.

Creating a New Play List (Create)

Step-by-step guide to creating a new play list by selecting and arranging scenes.

Switching Play List Display

How to switch the view to display specific play lists or all programs.

Editing a Play List

General guidance on adjusting settings like title, fade, skip, etc. within a play list.

Playing Back a Play List (Play)

How to select and play back a created play list.

Adding Scenes to Play List

Instructions for adding scenes from programs to an existing play list.

Deleting Scenes from Play List

How to remove scenes from a play list.

Adding Scenes Using Submenu

Using submenus to add scenes to a play list.

Deleting Scenes Using Submenu

Using submenus to delete scenes from a play list.

Selecting Scenes Using Submenu

Using submenus to select ranges of scenes for editing.

Arranging Scene Order (Move)

How to reorder scenes within a play list by moving them.

Changing Title of Play List (Title)

How to change the title of a created play list.

Deleting Play List (Delete)

How to remove an entire play list.

Go To

Top (End) Scene Navigation

How to jump to the first or last scene of a program or play list.

Disc or Card Management

Verifying Remaining Space (Capacity)

How to check the available recording space on discs and memory cards.

Protecting Disc from Writing (Protect Disc)

How to prevent accidental erasure or editing of recorded data on a DVD-RAM disc.

Initializing Disc or Card (Format)

Steps for formatting DVD-RAM discs and memory cards to prepare them for use.

Updating Control Information

How to update disc control information for proper Disc Navigation compatibility.

Finalizing DVD-R Disc

Procedure to finalize a DVD-R disc for playback on other devices like DVD players.

Other Functions (Others)

Displaying Movies or Stills Independently (Category)

How to filter the display to show only movies or only stills.

Playing Back Scenes Repeatedly (Repeat Play)

How to set the camera to repeatedly play back scenes or entire play lists.

Slide Show (Continuous Playback of Stills)

How to enable continuous playback of still images from a memory card.

Installing Software

Compatible PC Requirements

Minimum hardware and software specifications for the PC to use the camera's software.

Operations Not Guaranteed Conditions

Situations where the camera's operation might not be guaranteed due to PC configuration or connection.

Contents on Provided CD-ROM

List of software programs included on the CD-ROM for installation.

Installing USB Driver

Step-by-step instructions for installing the USB driver to connect the camera to a PC.

DVD Camera Connection to PC

Information on operations that are not possible when the camera is connected to a PC.

Installing DVD-RAM Driver

Instructions for installing the DVD-RAM driver for PC access to recorded still images.

Confirming Driver Installation

How to verify successful installation of USB and DVD-RAM drivers via Device Manager.

Installing DVD-MovieAlbumSE

Step-by-step guide for installing the DVD-MovieAlbumSE software for editing movies.

Installing MyDVD

Instructions for installing the MyDVD software for creating DVD-Video discs.

Creating DVD Video on PC from DVD-RAM Disc

Guide on using DVD-MovieAlbumSE and MyDVD to create DVD-Video discs from camera recordings.

Uninstalling Software

Uninstalling USB Driver

Procedure for uninstalling the USB driver, including file deletion and PC restart.

Deleting Other Applications

How to uninstall other related software applications via the Control Panel.

Supplementary Information

Optional Accessories Overview

Lists and describes optional accessories available for the video camera.

Video Camera Accessories

Detailed list of accessories such as discs, batteries, memory cards, and adapters.

Information on Round DVD Holder

Instructions for removing discs from square adapters and placing them in the Round DVD Holder.

Cleaning Guide

Instructions for cleaning the camera's LCD screen, lens, and exterior case.

Terminology

Before Requesting Service

Troubleshooting Checks (Recording Issues)

Checks for common problems when movies or stills cannot be recorded.

Troubleshooting Checks (Playback & Operation Issues)

Checks for issues with playback, search, and general camera operation.

Troubleshooting Checks (No Operation/Image)

Checks for issues related to no camera operation, no viewfinder image, or no TV display.

Error Messages

Troubleshooting

Power Supplies Troubleshooting

Diagnosing and correcting problems related to battery charging, power, and AC adapter.

Troubleshooting During Recording

Solutions for issues encountered while recording, such as REC button not working or recording stopping.

Troubleshooting During Playback

Solutions for problems during playback, like recognition issues, no TV picture, or poor image quality.

Troubleshooting When Connected to PC

Resolving issues related to PC connection, drive recognition, and software errors.

Miscellaneous Issues

System Reset

Major Specifications

Request for Service Notice (USA Only)

Limited Warranty (For USA Customers)

Limited Warranty Coverage

Details the warranty period and what is covered for product defects in materials or workmanship.

Warranty Limits and Exclusions

Specifies what is NOT covered by the warranty, including misuse, accidents, and cosmetic damage.

Customer Services Directory

Product Information and Support

Contact information for obtaining product details, dealer locations, and customer support via web or phone.

Accessory Purchases and Service Information

Details on purchasing accessories and service contacts, including for Puerto Rico.

Warranty (For Canadian Customers)

Product Warranty Details (Canada)

Information on the limited warranty for products purchased and serviced in Canada.

Warranty Service and Contact Information (Canada)

Contact details for warranty service, authorized service centers, and shipping instructions for Canada.

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