5-2 Adjusting the Black
Balance and the
White Balance
To ensure excellent image quality when using this camcorder, conditions may require that both the black balance and the white balance be adjusted.
Black balance adjustment
The black balance will require adjustment in the following cases.
•When the camcorder is used for the first time
•When the camcorder has not been used for a long time
•When the camcorder is used under conditions in which the surrounding temperature has changed greatly
•When the GAIN selector (L/M/H) values have been changed by using the USER menu
OUTPUT/DCC switch
AUTO W/B BAL switch
To adjust the black balance, proceed as follows.
1 Set the OUTPUT/DCC switch to CAM.
2 Push the AUTO W/B BAL switch to BLK and release the switch.
The switch returns to the center position, and the adjustment is executed.
During adjustment, the following message is displayed on the viewfinder screen.
and Adjustments 5 Chapter
It is not usually necessary to adjust the black balance when using the camcorder after it has been off.
White balance adjustment
Always readjust the white balance when the lighting conditions change.
ABB:EXECUTING 
The messages change in the following sequence :
Recording for Settings
Viewfinder screen displays
If the black balance or white balance adjustment is started, messages that report on the progress and results are displayed on the viewfinder screen when the VF DISP MODE item is set to “2” or “3” on the VF DISP 1 page of the USER menu.
Note
Black balance and white balance adjustment values that are automatically set by the camcorder and the various settings are stored in the camcorder memory and retained even when the power is turned off.
5-2-1 Adjusting the Black Balance
In automatic black balance mode, adjustments are performed in the following order: clamp level, black set, and black balance. Manual black balance adjustment can be selected from the setup menu.
For details of manual black balance adjustment, refer to the Maintenance Manual.
The black balance adjustment ends in a few seconds with the message “ABB:OK” and the adjustment value is automatically stored in memory.
Notes
•During the black balance adjustment, the iris is automatically closed.
•During the black balance adjustment, the gain selection circuit is automatically activated so you may see flickering on the viewfinder screen, but this is not a fault.
If automatic black balance adjustment cannot be made
If the black balance adjustment cannot be completed normally, an error message will appear for about 3 seconds on the viewfinder screen (in display mode 2 or 3). Possible messages are listed below.
Black balance adjustment error messages
Error message | Meaning |
|
|
ABB : NG | The lens iris did not close; adjustment |
IRIS NOT | was impossible. |
CLOSED |
|
|
|
ABB : NG | Adjustment could not be completed |
TIME LIMIT | within the standard number of attempts. |
|
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