Panasonic PV-GS120 About AC Adaptor, Condensation, Video Head Clogging and Care

Others

After use, be sure to take the Cassette out and detach the Battery from the Camcorder or pull out the AC Cable from AC Jack.

≥If the Cassette is left in the Camcorder, the tape sags and deteriorates.

≥If the Battery is left in the Camcorder for a long time, the voltage drops excessively, and the Battery will not function even after it is recharged.

ªAbout AC Adaptor

≥If the temperature of the Battery is extremely high or extremely low, the [CHARGE] Lamp may continue flashing, and the Battery may not be charged. After the temperature of the Battery has decreased or increased sufficiently, charging starts automatically. If the [CHARGE] Lamp continues to flash even after the Battery temperature has decreased or increased sufficiently, the Battery or AC Adaptor may be faulty. In this case, please contact a dealer.

≥If the Battery is warm, charging takes a longer time than normal.

≥If you use the AC Adaptor near a radio, radio reception may be disturbed. Keep the AC Adaptor 3 feet (1 meter) or more away from

radio.

≥When using the AC Adaptor, it may generate whirring sounds. However, this is normal.

≥After use, be sure to pull out the AC Cable from the AC jack. (If they are left connected, a minute amount of current is consumed.)

≥Always keep the electrodes of the AC Adaptor and Battery clean.

ªCondensation

If you turn the Camcorder on when there is condensation on the head or the tape, the Condensation Indicator [3DEW] (yellow or red) blinks on the Viewfinder or the LCD monitor and the messages [DEW DETECT] or [EJECT TAPE] (only when the tape is inserted) appear. In this case, follow the procedure below.

Blinking in yellow:

Dew is adhering to the head or the tape.

Blinking in red:

Dew is adhering to the head or the tape.

1Remove the tape if it is inserted.

≥It takes about 20 seconds to open the Cassette Holder. This is not a malfunction.

2Leave the Camcorder with the Cassette Compartment Cover closed to cool or warm it to the ambient temperature.

When [3DEW] blinks in yellow ≥You cannot use the Tape Recording/

Playback Mode. Leave the Camcorder for about 30 minutes.

≥However, you can use the Card Recording Mode or Picture/MPEG4 Playback Mode when the cassette is not inserted. (MPEG4 Playback Mode on PV-GS200 Model only)

When [3DEW] blinks in red

≥The Power Indicator Lamp blinks for about 1 minute and then the Camcorder automatically turns off. Leave it for about 2 to 3 hours.

3Turn the Camcorder on again, set it to the Tape Recording/Playback Mode and then check if the condensation indicator

disappears.

Especially in cold conditions, dew may be frozen. In this case, it may take more time before the condensation indication disappears.

Watch for Condensation even before the Condensation Indicator is displayed. ≥The condensation indicator may not appear

depending on circumstances. When condensation occurs on the lens or the Camcorder, it also may occur on the head and the tape. Do not open the Cassette Compartment Cover.

When the Lens Is Fogged:

Set the [OFF/ON] Switch to [OFF] and leave the Camcorder in this condition for about 1 hour. When the lens temperature becomes close to the ambient temperature, the fog disappears naturally.

ªVideo Head Clogging and Care

If the heads (the parts that make contact with the tape) are dirty, mosaic-pattern noise may appear on the playback image, or the screen as a whole becomes black. If the heads are extremely dirty, recording performance deteriorates, and, in the worst case, the Camcorder cannot record at all.

Causes of Dirty Heads

≥Large quantity of dust in the air

≥High-temperature and high-humidity environment

≥Damaged tape

≥Long operating hours

Using Mini-DV Format Digital Video Head Cleaner

1Insert the Head Cleaner into the Camcorder in the same manner as a Video Cassette.

2Press the [1] Button, and approximately

20 seconds later, press the [∫] Button. (Do not rewind the tape.)

3Take out the Head Cleaner. Insert a Video Cassette and start recording. Then, play the tape back to check the recorded image.

4If the image is not still clear, repeat

Steps 1 to 3. (Do not use the Head Cleaner 3 times or more consecutively.)

-79-