About the LCD panels

LCD panels are manufactured with extremely high- precision technology that yields effective pixel rates of 99.99% or higher. However, very rarely, one or more pixels may be permanently dark or permanently lit in white, red, blue, or green.

This phenomenon is not a malfunction. Such pixels have no effect on the recorded data, and the unit may be used with confidence even if they are present.

Characteristics of CCD sensors

The following effects may appear in the image. They are characteristic of camcorders using CCDs (charge coupled devices), and do not indicate a malfunction.

Bright or dark points of light

A CCD is made with high-precision technology. However, minor bright or dark points of light (red, blue, or green) may sometimes appear. This caused by the structure of the CCD and is not a malfunction.

In this case, adjustment of black balance may help to improve this problem.

For details on automatic adjustment of black balance, see “To adjust the black balance” on page 50.

Vertical smear

When shooting a very bright object, such as a light, the highlight tends to produce vertical tails. This effect is much reduced in this camcorder. (Use of the electronic shutter increases this effect.)

Vertical tail on the image

Monitor screen

Bright object (electric light, sun, etc.)

White flecks

White flecks may appear on the screen during use under high-temperature conditions. White flecks may also appear under normal temperature conditions if the sensitivity is increased (especially to +18 dB or higher).

Aliasing

When patterns of stripes or lines are shot, they may appear jagged.

Condensation

If you move the camcorder from a very cold place to a warm place, or use it in a damp location, condensation may

form on the drum. Then, if the camcorder is operated in this state, recording and playback may not be performed properly.

Do the following to prevent this from happening.

When you move or operate the camcorder in an environment where condensation may form, be sure to insert a cassette in advance and close the cassette compartment lid.

Whenever you turn on the power, check that the HUMID indicator does not appear on the color LCD. If it appears, wait until it disappears before inserting a cassette.

Appendix 7 Chapter

Important Notes on Operation 119