Getting Started

To get started, master the basic operations of the camcorder first, before moving on to its full range of features. For quick reference, refer to:

• Finding Your Way Around ULTURA (p. 91)
• Screen Displays (p. 94)
• Troubleshooting (p. 83)

Powering Your Camcorder

Before operating, you need to use the power adapter to provide power from an AC outlet or charge a battery pack.

1. Connect the power adapter to the camera's DC IN terminal.
2. Plug the adapter into an AC outlet.
3. Remove the power adapter after use. Always turn the camera off before connecting/removing the power source.

Charging and Attaching the Battery Pack

1. Set the POWER switch to OFF.
2. Connect the power adapter to the camera.
3. Insert the battery into the camera until it clicks.
4. Plug the adapter into an AC outlet.
5. When charging is complete, disconnect the power adapter.
6. Remove the battery pack after use.

Loading a Cassette

1. Ensure a power source is inserted.
2. Slide the OPEN button to release and open the cover.
3. Press the EJECT button and wait for the cassette compartment to open.
4. Load or unload the cassette.
5. Press the PUSH mark until it clicks to close the compartment.
6. Click the cover back into place.

Basic Recording

1. Press down and slide the POWER switch to ■.
2. Turn the standby lever to MOVIE.
3. Press the start/stop button to begin recording.
4. Press the start/stop button again to pause recording.
5. Turn the standby lever to LOCK.

When you have finished recording

• Replace the lens cap.
• Lower the viewfinder.
• Return the LCD screen flush to the camera body.
• Unload the cassette.
• Set the POWER switch to OFF.
• Disconnect the power source.

Changing the Recording Mode (SP/LP)

You can record and play back in SP (standard play) and LP (long play) modes. LP extends tape usage by 1.5 times.

• To switch to LP mode, select REC MODE from the camera or VCR menu, select LP, and then close the menu.

Zooming

16x optical zoom

• Press the zoom control towards WIDE to zoom out.
• Press it towards TELE to zoom in.
• Control zoom speed by how far you press the control.

64x/320x digital zoom

• Turn digital zoom on via the camera menu (D. ZOOM).

Using the LCD Screen

Switching between displays

• Opening the LCD screen turns it on; closing it activates the viewfinder.

Changing the angle of the LCD screen

• Rotate the screen to suit your preference or to face the lens.
• Avoid touching the screen when moving the panel. Open the panel 90° before rotating.

Allowing the subject to monitor recording

• Turn the LCD panel to face the opposite direction for self-monitoring or subject monitoring.
• The viewfinder is also activated.
• During "monitor recording", you can choose the display style (mirror on/off) from the camera menu.
• Recording time and remaining tape indicators disappear during "monitor recording".

Indications that appear when "mirror" is selected

These indicators appear normally in the viewfinder.

Built-in speaker

• The camcorder has a built-in speaker for reviewing sound.
• Adjust volume with the volume control buttons.
• The speaker turns off when the camera is set to camera mode or when headphones are used.

Playing Back a Cassette

• Use the LCD screen for instant playback. The camera also plays back sound via the built-in speaker.
• For playback, it's convenient to close the LCD screen with its screen side facing up.
• To monitor sound with headphones, close the LCD screen with its screen side facing inwards.

1. Attach a power source and slide the POWER switch to VCR.
2. Load the cassette.
3. Press the PLAY button to start playback.

Other playback modes

• Playback pause: Press PAUSE. Press again or PLAY to resume.
• Fast forward playback: Press and hold FF.
• Rewind playback: Press and hold REW.

Special playback

• Frame Advance: Press +/II or turn command dial clockwise during pause.
• Frame Reverse: Press -/II or turn command dial counter-clockwise during pause.
• Slow Forward Playback: Press SLOW.
• Slow Reverse Playback: Press -/II and then SLOW.
• Reverse Playback: Press -/II.
• Forward ×2 Playback: Press ×2.
• Reverse ×2 Playback: Press -/II and then ×2.

Connections for Playback on a TV Screen

Connect the camera to a TV or VCR to play back recordings. Ensure a power source is attached to the camera.

If your TV (or VCR) has an S-video input terminal

• Use the S-150 S-video Cable to connect the S-video terminal.
• Use the STV-250 Stereo Video Cable for AUDIO terminals (white to white, red to red). Do not connect the yellow plug.
• Set the TV/VIDEO selector to VIDEO or VCR input selector to LINE.

If your TV (or VCR) has audio/video input terminals

• Connect the camera using the STV-250 Stereo Video Cable. Connect white to white, red to red, and yellow to yellow.
• Set the TV/VIDEO selector to VIDEO or VCR input selector to LINE.

Finding Your Way Around ULTURA

Diagrams identifying key components like the accessory shoe, zoom control, tally lamp, start/stop button, stereo microphone, command dial, set button, MIC terminal, DIGITAL EFFECTS button, FOCUS wheel, grip belt, tripod socket, battery release button, backup battery holder, and battery cover are provided.

Screen Displays

Turning off the LCD screen displays

• Set the camera to VCR mode, open the VCR menu, choose the DISPLAYS option, and set to OFF <PLAYBK>.
• The LCD screen will be blank, but warnings will still appear.

Display examples:

• Record pause mode (PAUSE)
• Recording (REC)
• Backup battery status
• Battery power remaining
• Battery pack exhausted
• No cassette loaded or erasure prevention set
• Remaining tape indicator (color-coded)
• End of tape
• Ejecting tape
• Safety mechanism activated
• Recording mode (SP/LP)
• Playback stopped (STOP)

Time Code

Records counter information (hour, minute, second, frame number). Resets automatically with new tape. Frame number does not appear in camera mode.

Recording reminder

Camera counts from 0SEC to 10SEC. Shots shorter than 10 seconds may be difficult to edit. For shots without action, keep them under 10 seconds.

Caution phrases

Various caution phrases appear for 4 seconds before disappearing:

• Set Time Zone, Date and Time prompt.
• Change Battery Pack warning.
• Tape End notification.
• Tape set for erasure prevention.
• Condensation has been detected.
• Remove the Cassette prompt.
• Copyright Protected Playback/Dubbing Restricted notices.
• Check the DV Input notification.

Specifications

• ULTURA: Power Supply (rated): 7.2 V DC, Power Consumption: 5.4 W (Viewfinder), 6.2 W (LCD), Television system: EIA standard (NTSC), Video recording system: DV system, Digital component recording, Audio recording system: PCM digital sound, Image sensor: 1/4" CCD, Tape format: Mini DV, Tape speed: SP (18.81 mm/s), LP (12.56 mm/s), Max recording time: SP (80 min), LP (120 min), Fast forward/rewind time: Approx. 2 min. 50 sec., Lens: 16x optical zoom, Focusing: TTL autofocus/manual, Min. focusing distance: 80 cm (1 cm wide angle), Max. shutter speed: 1/8,000 sec, Min. illumination: 2 lx (Low Light program).
• Recommended illumination: More than 100 lx.
• Filter diameter: 37.5 mm.
• Viewfinder: 0.55-inch, color LCD (approx. 113,000 pixels).
• LCD screen: 2.5 in diagonally, 120,000 pixels (approx.).
• Microphone: Stereo electret condenser.
• DV Terminal: Special 4-pin connector (IEEE 1394).
• Output level: Video terminal (1 Vp-p/75 ohms), S-video terminal (1 Vp-p Y, 0.286 Vp-p C), Audio terminal (–10dBV).
• Operating temperature range: 32–104 °F (0–40 °C).
• Dimensions: 3 × 3 7/8 × 6 1/8 in (76 × 100 × 157 mm).
• Weight: 1 lb 9 3/8 oz approx. (720 g).
• BP-915 Battery Pack: Battery type: Rechargeable lithium ion, Rated voltage: 7.2 V DC, Operating temperature: 32°–104°F (0°-40°C), Battery capacity: 1,500 mAh, Dimensions: 1 1/2 × 3/4 × 2 3/4 in (38.2 x 20.5 x 70.5 mm), Weight: 3 3/8 oz (96 g).