Manual for GR-DVL557

Manual for GR-DVL557

Brand: JVC

Category: Camcorder

Document Type: Manual

Language: EN

Uploaded: Nov. 21, 2025, 7:36 p.m.

Manual Publish Date: 2001-01-01

Power

  • Charging the Battery Pack: Tilt viewfinder up, attach battery, set Power Switch to OFF, connect AC adapter and power cord, plug into outlet. CHARGE lamp blinks. When it stays lit, charging is finished.
  • Using the Battery Pack: Tilt viewfinder up, attach battery until it locks.
  • Using AC Power: Connect AC Adapter to camcorder and power outlet.

Grip Adjustment

  • Separate Velcro strip, pass hand through loop, grasp grip. Adjust thumb and fingers for easy access to buttons. Fasten Velcro.

Viewfinder Adjustment

  • Set Power Switch to "A" or "M", press Lock Button. Turn Dioptre Adjustment Control until viewfinder is clear.

Shoulder Strap Attachment

  • Remove battery. Thread strap through eyelet ①, then buckle ②. Repeat for other end. Confirm strap is not twisted.

Tripod Mounting

  • Extend tripod legs. Align direction stud and screw to camera's mounting socket and stud hole. Tighten screw.

Date/Time Settings

  • Set Power Switch to "M", press Lock Button. Press MENU/BRIGHT wheel. Select "DISPLAY", then "CLOCK ADJ.". Input day, month, year, hour, minute. Select "◄RETURN" twice.

Loading/Unloading A Cassette

  • With power on, slide OPEN/EJECT, open cassette holder. Insert or remove tape, press "PUSH HERE" to close holder. Close holder cover firmly.

Recording Mode Setting

  • Set Power Switch to "M", press Lock Button. Press MENU/BRIGHT wheel. Select "CAMERA", then "REC MODE". Select "SP" or "LP". Select "RETURN" twice.

Loading A Memory Card

  • Ensure camcorder is off. Open card cover. Insert memory card clipped edge first. Close cover until it clicks.

Picture Quality Mode Setting

  • Set Power Switch to "M", press Lock Button. Press MENU/BRIGHT wheel. Select "DSC", then select desired mode (FINE/STANDARD). Select "◄RETURN" twice.

Troubleshooting and error codes

Indications Function
CHECK TAPE'S ERASE PROTECTION TAB Appears when the erase protection tab is set to “SAVE” while the Power Switch is set to “A” or “M” and the VIDEO/DSC Switch (GR-DVL557/DVL555/DVL357/DVL355 only) is set to “VIDEO”. (☞ pg. 12)
HEAD CLEANING REQUIRED USE CLEANING CASSETTE Appears if dirt is detected on the heads during recording. Use an optional cleaning cassette. (☞ pg. 86)
CONDENSATION OPERATION PAUSED PLEASE WAIT Appears if condensation occurs. When this indication is displayed, wait more than 1 hour until condensation disappears.
TAPE! Appears if a tape is not loaded when the Recording Start/Stop Button or SNAPSHOT Button is pressed while the Power Switch is set to “A” or “M” and the VIDEO/DSC Switch (GR-DVL557/DVL555/DVL357/DVL355 only) is set to “VIDEO”.
TAPE END Appears when the tape ends during recording or playback. (☞ pg. 71)
DIFFERENT FORMATTED TAPE Appears if a tape in another format is loaded.
SET DATE/TIME! • Appears when the date/time is not set. (☞ pg. 11) • Appears when the built-in clock battery runs out and the previously set date/time is erased. Consult your nearest JVC dealer for replacement.
LENS CAP Appears for 5 seconds after power is turned on if the lens cap is attached.
A. DUB ERROR! Appears if Audio Dubbing is attempted on a blank portion of a tape. (☞ pg. 66)
A. DUB ERROR! <CANNOT DUB ON A LP RECORDED TAPE> <CANNOT DUB ON A 16BIT RECORDING> <CHECK TAPE'S ERASE PROTECTION TAB> • Appears if Audio Dubbing is attempted on a tape recorded in the LP mode. (☞ pg. 66) • Appears if Audio Dubbing is attempted on a tape recorded in 16-bit audio. (☞ pg. 66) • Appears if A. DUB (◕) on the remote control is pressed when the erase protection tab is set to “SAVE”. (☞ pg. 66)
INSERT ERROR! Appears if Insert Editing is attempted on a blank portion of a tape. (☞ pg. 67)
INSERT ERROR! <CANNOT EDIT ON A LP RECORDED TAPE> <CHECK TAPE'S ERASE PROTECTION TAB> • Appears if Insert Editing is attempted on a tape recorded in the LP mode. (☞ pg. 67) • Appears if INSERT (C) on the remote control is pressed when the erase protection tab is set to “SAVE”. (☞ pg. 67)
MEMORY IS FULL Appears when the memory card's memory is full and shooting is not possible.
COPYING FAILED • Appears if dubbing of copyguarded signals is attempted while this camcorder is being used as a recorder. (☞ pg. 67) • Appears in the following cases when dubbing from a tape to a memory card: – when no memory card is loaded. – when the memory card's memory is full. – when the memory card is not formatted. – when a copy-protected SD Memory Card is loaded. (☞ pg. 56) • Appears in the following cases when dubbing still images stored in the memory card to a tape: – when condensation occurs. – when no tape is loaded. – when the erase protection tab is set to “SAVE”. – when a tape in another format is loaded. – when the tape ends. (☞ pg. 55)
MEMORY CARD! PLEASE FORMAT Appears when there is a problem with a memory card and its memory is corrupt, or it has not been initialised. Initialise the memory card. (☞ pg. 36)
NO IMAGES STORED Appears if there is no images stored in the memory card when the Power Switch is set to “PLAY” and the VIDEO/DSC Switch is set to “DSC”.
CARD ERROR! Appears when the camcorder takes more than 60 seconds to recognize the loaded memory card. Remove the memory card once and insert it again. Repeat these procedures until no indication appears. If the indication still appears, the memory card is corrupted.
CHECK CARD'S WRITE PROTECTION SWITCH Appears when you attempt to shoot digital still images while a copy-protected SD Memory Card is loaded.
E01 – E06 UNIT IN SAFEGUARD MODE REMOVE AND REATTACH BATTERY The error indications (E01 — E06) show what type of malfunction has occured. When an error indication appears, the camcorder turns off automatically. Remove the power supply (battery, etc.) and wait a few minutes for the indication to clear. When it does, you can resume using the camcorder. If the indication remains, consult your nearest JVC dealer.
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