Brand: Panasonic
Category: Camcorder
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Available Languages: EN , ES
Manual for SV-AV20U
Uploaded: Aug. 10, 2025, 12:39 a.m.
Warranty Information
The product comes with a one-year parts warranty and a ninety-day labor warranty for the main unit.
This manual provides instructions for operating the Panasonic SD Multi AV Device SV-AV20U. It covers basic functions like recording and playing still pictures, moving pictures (MPEG4), and sound (VOICE). Advanced functions include adjustments like backlight compensation and white balance. It also details how to connect to a PC, use the supplied software, and manage memory cards. Safety precautions and troubleshooting tips are also included.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Troubleshooting Topic | Possible Cause and Solution |
|---|---|
| Power cannot be turned on |
1. Is the power source connected correctly? 1-1. Is the battery fully charged? Charge it with the AC Adaptor. 2. The SD Multi AV Device power shuts off automatically. If you do not use the SD Multi AV Device for more than 10 minutes, the power shuts off automatically to save the Battery power. |
| Battery runs down quickly |
1. Is the battery fully charged? Charge it with the AC Adaptor. 1-1. Are you using the Battery in an extremely cold place? In cold places, the operating time of the Battery becomes shorter. 1-2. Has the Battery worn out? If the operating time is still short even after the Battery is fully charged, the Battery has worn out. |
| Recording does not start although power is supplied |
1. Is the SD Multi AV Device turned on? 1-1. Is the write-protect switch set to [LOCK]? Being set to [LOCK], the Memory Card cannot be recorded. 1-2. Does the Memory Card have enough free space? Delete useless data in the Memory Card. |
| Recorded images are not clear | Is [MPEG4 MODE] on the menu set to [NORMAL] or [ECONOMY]? If recording is done with it set to [NORMAL] or [ECONOMY], images with fine details may include a mosaic-like pattern. Set [MPEG4 MODE] to [SUPER FINE] or [FINE]. |
| Playback images do not look normal | The picture may be damaged. In order to prevent the loss of image data, backing up on a personal computer is recommended. |
| Actual recording time/still image storage capacity is different | Actual recording time/still image storage capacity depends on the kind of the image. When MPEG4 moving picture data, still picture data, sound data, and audio data are recorded, less capacity in the Memory Card can be used. |
| LCD Monitor suddenly turns off while playing back a Voice or Music file | The LCD Monitor is automatically turned off approx. 5 seconds after starting playback or recording a Voice file. Pressing the [► SET] button turns on the LCD Monitor. However, if no operation is conducted for approx. 5 seconds, the LCD Monitor turns off again. When the [POWER SAVE] mode is set to [ON], the LCD Monitor is turned off 5 seconds after starting playback of a Music file. |
| During Playback an [×] Indication is displayed | The data was either recorded in a different format, or data is damaged. |
| Even if a Memory Card is formatted, it cannot be used | Either the SD Multi AV Device or the Memory Card may be damaged. Please consult your Panasonic dealer. |
| Playing back or recording do not function and the screen has frozen | Set the Power/Mode Switch to [OFF] and then set it back to [REC] or [PLAY] after a while (approx. 1 minute). If the SD Multi AV Device is not turned off after setting to [OFF], unplug the AC Adaptor and remove the battery. |
| Sound is not heard while a still picture is played back | Sound is not presented in the Still Picture mode. |
| Red, blue, green or white dots appear on the screen | 0.01% or less of the pixels of some LCD Monitors may remain turned on or off. If the SD Multi AV Device is used continuously for a long time or at a high ambient temperature, these dots may appear due to the rise of temperature inside the body. Turn the SD Multi AV Device off and leave it for a while. |
| When the USB cable is connected, a green [?] mark is indicated in [USB Mass Storage Device] in [Device Manager] of the Windows OS | If the USB cable is connected without installing the USB Driver (supplied), [?] will be indicated on some OSs. Remove the USB cable and install the USB Driver. |
| When the USB cable is removed when Windows Me is used, Device removal warning appears | If the USB cable is connected without installing the USB Driver (supplied) when using Windows Me, the warning message will appear as soon as the USB cable is pulled out. Install the USB Driver, and the warning message will not appear. |