Manual for HC-MDH3

Manual for HC-MDH3

Brand: Panasonic

Category: Video Camera

Document Type: Manual

Language: EN

Uploaded: Aug. 10, 2025, 12:41 a.m.

Manual Publish Date: 2018-01-23

Warranty Information

Warranty covers manufacturing defects for one year from purchase, with exclusions for misuse and consumable parts.

Preparation

  • Recording to the SD card: Records motion pictures and still pictures to SD cards (SDHC/SDXC). Supports relay/simultaneous recording with dual card slots.
  • Linking to external devices: Copy/playback to external media (USB HDD, flash memory) via USB 2.0.
  • Importing data to a PC: Transfer SD card data to a PC for editing.
  • Connecting to a TV: Output images via AV or HDMI cable.
  • Names and Functions of Main Parts: Identifies key components of the camera including the shoulder strap fixture, handle, zoom levers, recording start/stop buttons, terminals (USB, HDMI, etc.), and control buttons.
  • Power supply: Details battery types (VW-VBD29/58, AG-VBR59/89) and charging procedures using the supplied AC adapter. Emphasizes using genuine Panasonic batteries.
  • Charging the battery: Explains the charging process using the AC adapter and the function of the charging lamp.
  • Charging and recording time: Provides estimated charging and recording times based on battery capacity and operating conditions.
  • Preparation of SD cards: Recommends Panasonic Memory Cards and specifies Speed Class ratings for MOV/MP4 and AVCHD recording.
  • Functions of the USER button: Lists customizable functions assignable to the USER buttons.

Playback

  • Motion picture/Still picture playback: Guides through selecting media, recording modes, and formats for playback. Details playback controls and displays icons for different recording formats and potential playback issues.

Menu

  • Using the menu screen: Instructions on navigating the menu system to adjust settings.
  • Language Selection: How to change the display language.
  • Menu structure: Outlines the various menu categories and their sub-items for both Recording and Playback modes.

Others

  • Troubleshooting: Addresses common issues like condensation, warped objects, power problems, and recording/playback errors, providing check points for resolution.
  • About copyright: Advises on observing copyright laws when recording material.
  • Licenses: Lists trademarks and software licenses used in the product.
  • Specification: Provides detailed technical specifications for the camera, including power, recording formats, image sensor, lens, audio, and dimensions.
  • Limited Warranty (ONLY FOR AUSTRALIA): Outlines the warranty terms and conditions specific to Australia.

Troubleshooting and error codes

Problem Check points
The lens, the viewfinder or LCD monitor fog up.
This is due to condensation. It is not a malfunction. Please refer to page 8.
Object seems to be warped.
Object seems to be warped slightly when the object moves across the image very fast, but this is because the unit is using MOS for the image sensor. This is not a malfunction.
Power
This unit cannot be turned on. • Charge the battery again to ensure it is sufficiently charged. (→20)
This unit does not stay on long enough.
Battery runs down quickly.		 • In cold places, the battery using time becomes shorter.
• The battery has a limited life. If the operating time is still too short even after the battery is fully charged, the battery has worn out and needs to be replaced.
This unit cannot be operated though it is turned on.
This unit does not operate normally.		 • Remove the battery or AC adaptor, wait about 1 minute and then reconnect the battery or AC adaptor. Then about 1 minute later, turn on the unit again. (Conducting the above operation while the media is being accessed may damage the data on the media.)
• If normal operation is still not restored, detach the power connected, and consult the dealer who you purchased this unit from.
Recording
The unit arbitrarily stops recording. • Use an SD card that can be used for motion picture recording. (→22)
• The recordable time may have shortened due to the deterioration of the data writing speed or repeated recording and deletion. Using the unit, format the SD card. (→27)
Color or brightness of the image changes, or you may see horizontal bars in the image.
The LCD monitor flickers indoors.		 • Color or brightness of the image may change, or you may see horizontal bars in the image when the object is recorded under fluorescent light, mercury light or sodium light, etc., but this is not a malfunction.
• Change settings as follows:
  - Set this unit to Auto Shutter Mode.
  - Adjust the shutter speed to 1/50, 1/60 or 1/100.
Playback
Scenes/still pictures cannot be played back. • Any scenes/still pictures where the thumbnails are displayed as ![cannot be played back].
• In most cases, i is displayed for the following scenes:
  - Scenes recorded with another device or edited with editing software
  - Scenes with damaged data
• The thumbnails of scenes recorded on other devices with different system frequencies are indicated with ▷. This unit cannot play back these scenes.
Refer to the "Operating Instructions” (PDF format) for more details.
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