Brand: HITACHI
Category: Camcorder
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for VM-H38A
Uploaded: Aug. 10, 2025, 12:52 a.m.
Warranty Information
Normal maintenance is the user's responsibility, but defective parts are covered under warranty.
Camera Operation
Recording: Connect power source, insert cassette, set power to CAMERA, press Start/Stop to record. "REC" appears in viewfinder. Press Start/Stop again to pause. "PAUSE" appears.
Playback: Set power to VIDEO, insert cassette, press PLAY. Use F.FWD/REW for searching.
Viewing on TV: Connect camera/recorder to TV using AV stereo output cord or RF output adapter. Select appropriate input on TV and tune to the correct channel.
Date/Time Setting: Press DATE, use F.FWD/REW to set month, date, year, hour, minute, AM/PM. Press STOP to confirm.
Troubleshooting: Check power source, lens cap, record-protect tab, focus settings, and TV connections for common issues.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Symptom | Check Point & Correction |
|---|---|
| Cassette holder cannot be opened when you slide "EJECT” button | Connect the power source. |
| Cassette cannot be inserted into cassette compartment. | Load cassette in direction indicated by arrow on cassette. Cassette window must be toward outside. |
| Picture does not appear in the viewfinder. | Remove the lens cap. Slide the power switch to "CAMERA" Disconnect the AV input cable from the camera/recorder. |
| The camera/recorder cannot go into the recording mode, even when the start/stop button is pressed. | Check the record protect tab on the cassette. |
| Picture is out of focus. | Make sure that the "FOCUS M" does not appear in the viewfinder. If it is displayed, press "Focus" select button to erase it. Auto-Focus does not operate if a special effects filter is attached. |
| The camera/recorder can not be set to the recording mode, even when the start/sop button on the camera/recorder is pressed. | Check the record protect tab on the cassette. Set the power switch to “CAMERA” position. Connect the camera/recorder and TV (or VCR). |
| "PLAY" button cannot be engaged. | Set the power switch to “VIDEO" position. |
| No picture appears on television screen when "PLAY" button is pressed. | Set the television to the camera/recorder channel (3 or 4) depending upon the selected channel in the RF channel select switch of RF output adapter. (TV is connect to the camera/recorder by using RF output adapter.) |
| Interference on playback picture. | When you see the playback picture on your TV, adjust fine tuning knob on television set to obtain best picture. |
| Picture bends at the top of the TV screen. | TV receiver is older type. It needs to be modified to work properly with camera/recorder. |
| Color of your TV screen is too bright, too faint or change. | Tape is damaged, try another cassette. TV set has VIR circuit. Turn off during playback. |
| "DEW" indication flashes in the viewfinder. | Condensation on the camera/recorder mechanism - wait until the unit has reached normal room temperature and condensation has dried. "DEW" indication will then stop flashing. |
| The "" indication in the electronic viewfinder | Try another battery or charge the battery. |