INSTRUCTIONS

ENGLISH

LYT1200-001A

COMPACT VHS CAMCORDER

GR-FXM40 GR-FX16

Printed in Malaysia 1103-AS-YL-PJ
COPYRIGHT 2003 VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LTD
Dear Customer, Thank you for purchasing the JVC Compact VHS camcorder. Before use, please read PRECAUTIONS ( pg. 3, 4) to ensure safe use of this product.

AUTOMATIC DEMONSTRATION

Automatic Demonstration takes place when DEMO MODE is set to ON (factory-preset).
Available when the Power Switch ! is set to or while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. Performing any operation during the demonstration stops the demonstration temporarily. If no operation is performed for more than 1 minute after that, the demonstration will resume. DEMO MODE remains ON even if the camcorder power is turned off. To cancel Automatic Demonstration, set the Power Switch ! to and press the MENU Wheel 1 in while the demo is in progress. This takes you directly to the demo modes Setting Menu (so you will not have to go through the main Menu Screen). Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select OFF and press it. NOTES: When a tape whose Erase Protection tab is in the position that allows recording is loaded in the camcorder, demonstration is not available. If you do not detach the Lens Cap, you cannot see the actual changes of the Automatic Demonstration activated on the LCD monitor* or viewfinder.

* GR-FXM40 only.

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PROVIDED ACCESSORIES

Battery Pack BN-V10U
AC Adapter AP-V14E OR AP-V15E

Power Cord

Shoulder Strap

A/V (Audio/Video) Cable

Lens Cap

Cable Adapter

NOTE: In order to maintain optimum performance of the camcorder, provided cables may be equipped with one or more core filter. If a cable has only one core filter, the end that is closest to the filter should be connected to the camcorder.
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PRECAUTIONS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

IMPORTANT

Connection to the mains supply in the United Kingdom.
DO NOT cut off the mains plug from this equipment. If the plug fitted is not suitable for the power points in your home or the cable is too short to reach a power point, then obtain an appropriate safety approved extension lead or consult your dealer. BE SURE to replace the fuse only with an identical approved type, as originally fitted, and to replace the fuse cover. If nonetheless the mains plug is cut off be sure to remove the fuse and dispose of the plug immediately, to avoid possible shock hazard by inadvertent connection to the mains supply. If this product is not supplied fitted with a mains plug then follow the instructions given below: DO NOT make any connection to the Larger Terminal coded E or Green. The wires in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code: Blue to N (Neutral) or Black Brown to L (Live) or Red If these colours do not correspond with the terminal identifications of your plug, connect as follows: Blue wire to terminal coded N (Neutral) or coloured black. Brown wire to terminal coded L (Live) or coloured Red. If in doubt consult a competent electrician.
NOTES: The rating plate (serial number plate) and safety caution are on the bottom and/or the back of the main unit. The rating information and safety caution of the AC Adapter are on its bottom. CAUTIONS This camcorder is designed to be used with PAL-type colour television signals. It cannot be used for playback with a television of a different standard. However, live recording and LCD monitor*/viewfinder playback are possible anywhere. Use the JVC BN-V10U/V12U/V20U/V400U battery packs and, to recharge them or to supply power to the camcorder from an AC outlet, use the provided multi-voltage AC Adapter. (An appropriate conversion adapter may be necessary to accommodate different designs of AC outlets in different countries.)
CAUTIONS To avoid electric shock or damage to the unit, first firmly insert the small end of the power cord into the AC Adapter until it is no longer wobbly, and then plug the larger end of the power cord into an AC outlet.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTIONS To prevent shock, do not open the cabinet. No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel. When you are not using the AC Adapter for a long period of time, it is recommended that you disconnect the power cord from AC outlet.

Connect the AC Adapter to the camcorder ( step 2) and 3) of CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK). The provided AC Adapter features automatic voltage selection in the AC range from 110 V to 240 V. ATTENTION Before detaching the power source, make sure that the camcorders power is turned off. Failure to do so can result in a camcorder malfunction.
CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK
1) Hook the end of the battery pack to the camcorder and push the battery in until it locks in place. If the battery pack is attached in the wrong position, a malfunction may occur. 2) Set the Power Switch ! to OFF while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. Connect the AC Adapter to the DC IN connector 8, then connect the Power Cord to the AC Adapter. 3) Plug the Power Cord into an AC outlet. The CHARGE lamp * blinks to indicate charging has started. 4) When the CHARGE lamp * stops blinking but stays lit, charging is finished. Unplug the AC Adapter from the AC outlet. Disconnect the AC Adapter from the camcorder. To Detach The Battery Pack. slide BATTERY RELEASE 7 and pull out the battery pack.
Battery pack BN-V10U BN-V12U (optional) BN-V20U (optional) BN-V400U (optional) Charging time approx. 1 hr. 30 min. approx. 1 hr. 40 min. approx. 2 hrs. 40 min. approx. 5 hrs. 10 min.

REFRESH:

Be sure to fully discharge a battery pack before recharging or storing it for a long period of time, otherwise the battery performance will be reduced. 1) Perform steps 1) through 3) of CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK. 2) Press REFRESH ( for over 2 seconds. The POWER lamp @ blinks to indicate discharging has started. 3) When discharging is finished, charging automatically starts and the CHARGE lamp * blinks.
Charging times are for a fully discharged battery pack.
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The following steps have the same function as REFRESH ( pg. 6). 1. Attach the battery to the camcorder with no cassette inserted. 2. Set the Power Switch ! to or while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. During charging or discharging, the camcorder cannot be operated. Charging and discharging is not possible if the wrong type of battery is used. When charging the battery pack for the first time or after a long storage period, the CHARGE lamp * may not light. Remove the battery pack from the camcorder, then try charging again. If a fully-charged batterys operation time remains extremely short, the battery is worn out. Please purchase a new one. Perform charging where the temperature is between 10C and 35C. 20C to 25C is the ideal temperature range for charging. If the environment is too cold, charging may be incomplete. Charging time varies according to the ambient temperature and the status of the battery pack. Since the AC Adapter processes electricity internally, it becomes warm during use. Be sure to use it only in well-ventilated areas. The following operation stops charging or discharging: , or . Set the Power Switch ! to Disconnect the AC Adapter from the camcorder. Unplug the AC Adapters power cord from the AC outlet. Detach the battery from the camcorder. Using the optional AA-V15EG AC Power Adapter/ Charger, you can charge the BN-V10U/V12U/ V20U/V400U battery pack without the camcorder. However, it cannot be used as an AC adapter. To avoid interference with reception, do not use the AC Adapter near a radio. Recording time is reduced significantly when Zoom or Record-Standby mode is engaged repeatedly or the LCD monitor* is used repeatedly. Before extended use, it is recommended that you prepare enough battery packs to cover 3 times the planned shooting time.

Date/Time Settings

1) Set the Power Switch ! to while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. 2) Press the MENU Wheel 1 in. The Menu Screen appears. 3) Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4TO SYSTEM MENU and press it to display SYSTEM MENU. Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4NEXT and press it to display the next page. 4) Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select DATE/ TIME and press it. The DATE/TIME Menu appears. 5) To set YEAR, MONTH, DAY or TIME (hour/minute), rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select the desired item, and press it. When the setting begins blinking, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 until the correct setting appears and then press it. The setting stops blinking. 6) When none of these settings (YEAR, MONTH, DAY, TIME) blinks, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4EXIT, and press it. The Menu Screen reappears with the highlight bar on 4RETURN. 7) Press the MENU Wheel 1 in to close the Menu Screen. To display the date and time in the camcorders display and on a connected TV, see DATE/TIME DISP. ( pg. 21) in SYSTEM MENU. The date/time cannot be stored in memory if the built-in clock battery runs out. Consult an authorised JVC dealer for replacement, or set the date/time as necessary before you start shooting.
DAT E YEAR MO N T H DAY T I ME

T I ME : 20

24-hour indication

tE X I T

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Grip Adjustment

1) Separate the Velcro strip. 2) Pass your right hand through the loop and grasp the grip. 3) Adjust so that your thumb and fingers can easily operate the Recording Start/Stop Button 9 and Power Zoom Lever 3. Refasten the Velcro strip.

Tripod Mounting

Align the screw and camera direction stud on the tripod with the tripod mounting socket o. Then tighten the screw. CAUTION When using a tripod, be sure to open and extend its legs fully to stabilise the camcorder. To prevent damage to the unit caused by falling over, do not use a small-sized tripod.

Velcro strip.

Viewfinder Adjustment 1) Set the Power Switch ! to or while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the

Tape Remaining Time.. pg. 21 Recording Mode Indicator.. pg. 20 Backlight Compensation Indicator. pg. 12 Digital Effect Indicator.. pg. 24 Programme AE Indicator.. pg. 24 Fade/Wipe-Standby Indicator. pg. 23 Tape Length Indicator.. pg. 21 Zoom Indicator Bar.. pg. 13 Zoom Level Indicator Approximate Zoom Ratio Recording Indicator.. pg. 11 Digital Effect Indicator.. pg. 24 Programme AE Indicator.. pg. 24 Fade/Wipe-Standby Indicator. pg. 23 Picture Stabiliser Indicator.. pg. 18 Interval Time/Recording Time Indicator. pg. Sec. Rec Mode Indicator.. pg. 12 Bright Level Indicator. pg. 11, 22 Instant Title Display.. pg. 19 Date/Time Display.. pg. 21 Focus Indicator.. pg. 12 Exposure Control Level Counter. pg. 18 White Balance Mode Indicator.. pg. 19 Record-Standby Mode Indicator.. pg. 11 : Cassette Indicator.. pg. 8 TBC Indicator.. pg. 14 Tape Counter.. pg. 14 Recording Mode Indicator (SP/LP).. pg. 20 Tape Running Indicator 4 : Playback 3 : Fast-Forward/Shuttle Search 2 : Rewind/Shuttle Search 6 : Pause Tracking Indicator. pg. 14 BRIGHT: Bright Level Indicator*. pg. 11 VOLUME: Speaker Volume Indicator*.. pg. 11
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RECORDING

Set REC MODE, TAPE LENGTH and DATE/TIME in SYSTEM MENU. ( pg. 18 22, MENU SETTINGS)

PLAYBACK

1 Load a tape ( pg. 8, Loading/Unloading A Cassette).
Set the Power Switch ! to while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. To start playback, press 4/6 %. To stop playback temporarily (Still Playback), press 4/6 %. To stop playback, press 5 w. Press 2 q to rewind, or 3 ^ to fast-forward the tape. High-speed picture search (Shuttle Search) is possible by pressing 2 q or 3 ^ during playback (holding 2 q or 3 ^ down during playback continues search until released). To resume normal playback, press 4/6 %. For VIDEO RECORDING/VIDEO PLAYBACK The camcorder shuts off automatically after about 5 minutes in the Record-Standby or Stop mode. To turn on again, set the Power Switch ! to. OFF, then to , or When the Power Switch ! is set to , or and the LCD monitor* is opened at an angle of 60 degrees or more, the LCD monitor* switches on and the viewfinder switches off automatically to save power. The playback picture can be viewed in the viewfinder (with the LCD monitor* shut), on the LCD monitor* or on a connected TV ( pg. 15, Connections To A TV/VCR). To remove the indications, pg. 21, DISPLAY or OSD OUTPUT in SYSTEM MENU. To control the speaker* volume, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 towards + to turn up, or towards to turn down. While shooting, sound is not heard from the speaker*. Noise bars appear and pictures may become monochrome or darken during Shuttle Search. This is normal.
1 Remove the lens cap. Set the Power Switch !
to or while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. Shooting while using the viewfinder: Make sure the LCD monitor* is closed and locked. Shooting while using the LCD monitor*: Make sure the LCD monitor* is fully open. The camcorder enters the Record-Standby mode and PAUSE is displayed. The viewfinder and LCD monitor cannot be used simultaneously on this camcorder. Therefore, when opening the LCD monitor and tilting it upward to 180, you cannot view any image in the viewfinder, however you can shoot yourself while viewing your own image in the LCD monitor.

Press the Recording Start/Stop Button 9. appears while recording is in progress. To stop recording, press the Recording Start/Stop Button 9. The camcorder re-enters the RecordStandby mode.
To Adjust The Brightness Of The LCD Monitor*: When the Power Switch ! is set to , adjust LCD BRIGHT in SYSTEM MENU ( pg. 18, 22). When the Power Switch ! is set to or OFF, this adjustment cannot be performed.
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BASIC FEATURES

5Sec. Rec (5-sec. Recording)
To record a scene for 5 seconds, providing quick scene transitions like those seen in TV programmes. 1) Make sure the recording mode is set to SP. 2) During RecordStandby, press 5SEC. REC 2. 5S appears and 5Sec. Rec is reserved. 3) Press the Recording Start/Stop Button 9. Recording starts, and after 5-second recording is finished, the camcorder re-enters the Record Standby mode automatically. 4) To cancel the 5Sec. Rec. function, press 5SEC. 5S disappears. REC 2 again so that Fade/Wipe ( pg. 23) cannot be activated by pressing 5SEC. REC 2.

Backlight Compensation

To quickly increase the brightness of the subject relative to the background. 1) Press BACK LIGHT w during recording. is displayed and the subject is brightened. 2) To cancel Backlight Compensation, press BACK LIGHT w again. disappears and the brightness returns to the previous level. Backlight Compensation functions in both recording modes ( or ). Using BACK LIGHT w may make the subject too bright, resulting in a washed out or white image. BACK LIGHT w cannot be used when the manual Exposure Control mode ( pg. 18) is engaged.

Auto/Manual Focus

If correct focus cannot be obtained with Auto Focus, use Manual Focus. 1) Set the Power Switch ! to while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. FOCUS 4. appears. 2) Press 3) To focus on a distant subject, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 upward. appears and blinks. To focus on a close subject, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 downward. appears and blinks. FOCUS 4) To cancel the Manual Focus, press 4. disappears and the Auto Focus is applied.
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Zooming

To produce the zoom in/out effect. Digital circuitry extends the maximum magnification offered by optical zoom. This system is called Digital Zoom. Slide the Power Zoom Lever 3 towards T to zoom in, or W to zoom out. The further you slide the Power Zoom Lever 3, the quicker the zoom action. Focusing may become unstable during Zooming. In this case, set the zoom while in Record Standby, lock the focus by using the manual focus ( pg. 12, Auto/Manual Focus), then zoom in or out in Record mode. The zoom level indicator - moves during zoom. Once the zoom level indicator reaches the top, all magnification from that point is through digital processing. When using Digital Zoom, the quality of image may suffer. To deactivate Digital Zoom, set D.ZOOM ( pg. 20) to OFF in SYSTEM MENU.

Quick Review

To check the end of the last recording. 1) Make sure the camcorder is in the Record Standby mode. 2) Press 2 q and release quickly. Tape is rewound for approx. 1 second and played back automatically, then pauses in RecordStandby mode for the next shot. Distortion may occur at the start of playback. This is normal.

Retake

To re-record certain segments. 1) Make sure the camcorder is in the Record Standby mode. 2) Press and hold either RETAKE ^ or q to reach the start point for new recording. Pressing 3 ^ forwards the tape and pressing 2 q reverses it. 3) Press the Recording Start/Stop Button 9 to start recording. Noise bars appear and pictures may become monochrome or darken during Retake. This is normal.
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Tracking

Eliminates noise bars that appear on-screen during playback. To activate Manual Tracking: 1) Press the TRACKING Wheel 1 for approx. 2 seconds. MT appears. 2) Rotate the TRACKING Wheel 1 so that the noise bars disappear. To return to Auto Tracking, press the TRACKING Wheel 1 for approx. 2 seconds or set the Power again. AT Switch ! to OFF and then blinks. When Auto Tracking finishes, the indication disappears. When noise bars appear during playback, the camcorder enters the Auto Tracking mode and AT appears. Manual Tracking may not work with tapes recorded on other VCRs or camcorders.

Counter Memory

Makes it easier to locate a specific tape segment. 1) Press COUNTER R/M ) and hold for more than 1 second. The counter resets to 0:00:00. 2) Press COUNTER R/M ) for less than 1 second. M appears. 3) After recording or playback, press 5 w, then 2 q. The tape automatically stops at or close to 0:00:00. 4) Press 4/6 % to start playback. The counter memory functions in the FastForward and Rewind modes. To disable the counter memory function, press COUNTER R/M ) for less than 1 second so that M disappears.
TBC (Time Base Corrector)
Removes jitter from fluctuating video signals to deliver a stable picture even with old tapes. To activate/release the TBC mode, press TBC 4 during playback for more than 1 second. When the TBC mode is activated, TBC is displayed. The TBC indicator turns green (grey with a camcorder equipped with a black/white viewfinder) while TBC is working, and white while TBC is not operative. TBC does not work during Still Playback and Shuttle Search ( pg. 11). It may take a few seconds before TBC actually starts working. The picture may be distorted if the TBC mode is activated or deactivated at the edit-in/-out points or when normal playback resumes after Still Playback or Shuttle Search ( pg. 11). If the playback picture is distorted when TBC is set to on, turn off TBC.

DATE/TIME DISP. Makes the date/time appear in the camcorder or on a connected monitor (set DATE/TIME in SYSTEM MENU first pg. 7). The selected display will be recorded. If you do not want to record the display, select OFF before shooting. In the AUTO DATE mode, the camcorder records the date for about 5 seconds when recording is initiated after the date is changed, a cassette is loaded, or AUTO DATE is selected. The date is replaced after 5 seconds with AUTO DATE but this is not recorded. OSD OUTPUT ON: On-screen indications are displayed. OFF: On-screen indications are turned off except Date/Time, Instant Title and Warning Indication. REC TIME You can shoot a series of pictures, each slightly different, of the same object for a brief selected period of time (Animation). REC MODE should be set to SP. Select the desired recording time and press the Recording Start/Stop Button 9 after focusing on the subject. Fade- or wipe-in/out cannot be performed. This function is cancelled when the power is shut off or when the cassette is ejected. To use this function, it is recommended that SCROLL in TITLE SETUP ( pg. 18, 19) be set to OFF.

TELE MACRO

When set to ON, you can shoot a subject as large as possible at a distance of approx. 60 cm. Depending on the zoom position, the lens may go out of focus.
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DEMO MODE

Demonstrates certain functions automatically. Available when the Power Switch ! is set to or and DEMO MODE is set to ON (factorypreset). Performing any operation during the demonstration stops the demonstration temporarily. Set to OFF to stop completely. When a tape whose erase protection tab is in the position that allows recording is loaded in the camcorder, demonstration is not available. If you do not detach the Lens Cap, you cannot see the actual changes of the Automatic Demonstration activated on the LCD monitor* or viewfinder.

LCD BRIGHT

(GR-FXM40 only)
To adjust the brightness of the LCD monitor, perform the following steps quickly (within approx. 1 second by each interval): 1) Select LCD BRIGHT in SYSTEM MENU. The BRIGHT ON message appears. 2) Press the BRIGHT Wheel 1 in to return to normal screen. 3) Rotate the BRIGHT Wheel 1 to display the bright level indicator s. 4) Rotate the BRIGHT Wheel 1 until the appropriate brightness is reached. After the BRIGHT Wheel 1 is released, the indicator soon disappears and adjustment is completed.

DATE/TIME

Allows you to set the current date and time. ( pg. 7)
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ADVANCED FEATURES

Fade/Wipe Effects
Fade- or wipe-in works at recording start, and fadeor wipe-out works at recording end. 1) Set the Power Switch ! to while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. 2) Press FADE/WIPE ) repeatedly until the desired mode appears. 3) Press the Recording Start/Stop Button 9 to activate fade-in/out or wipe-in/out. Pressing and holding the Recording Start/Stop Button 9 allows you to vary the length for the image during fade in/out or wipe in/out. To cancel a fade or wipe, press FADE/WIPE ) repeatedly until OFF appears. FADER: Fades in/out to a black screen. FADER: Fades in/out to a white screen. MOSAIC (Fader): Gradually turns/returns the picture into/from a mosaic pattern. SHUTTER (Wipe): A black screen moves in from the top and bottom, closing over the image like a shutter, or a new image pushes open the black screen vertically from the centre. SLIDE (Wipe): A black screen moves in from the left to gradually cover the image, or a new image moves in from right to left. DOOR (Wipe): Wipes in as the two halves of a black screen open to the left and right, revealing the scene, or wipes out and the black screen reappears from left and right to cover the scene. CORNER (Wipe): Wipes in on a black screen from the upper right to the lower left corner, revealing the scene, or wipes out from lower left to upper right, leaving a black screen. WINDOW (Wipe): Wipes in on a black screen from the centre of the screen towards the corners, revealing the scene, or wipe out from the corners to the centre, leaving a black screen. SCROLL (Wipe): Wipes in on a black screen from the bottom to the top, revealing the scenes, or wipes out from the top to the bottom, leaving a black screen.
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Programme AE With Special Effects 1) Set the Power Switch ! to while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. 2) Press P.AE $ repeatedly until the desired mode
appears. To cancel the effect, press P.AE $ repeatedly until OFF appears. Only one mode can be engaged at a time. In the High Speed Shutter or Sports modes, picture colour may be adversely affected if the subject is lit by alternating discharge-type light sources such as flourescent or mercury-vapour lights. SPORTS: High shutter speed clearly captures fast-moving action. ND : ND EFFECT: A black mist darkens the picture, as when an ND filter is used. Helps to counter the effects of glare on the subject. FG : FOG: Makes the picture look misty white, as when an external fog filter is attached to the lens. Softens the image and gives it a fantasy look. TWILIGHT: Dusk, twilight scenery, fireworks, etc., look more natural and dramatic. In this mode, the Auto Focus ( pg. 12) and S.LX ( pg. 20) may not work. S1/2000 (1/2000 sec. High Speed Shutter): Captures faster action than Sports mode. The screen becomes slightly dark. Use in well-lit situations. SUNSET: Makes scenes have a reddish tint like a sunset. SURF & SNOW: Compensates for subjects that may otherwise appear too dark when shooting in extremely bright surroundings such as in the snow or beach. In this mode, the fast-moving images can be recorded since the shutter speed becomes fast.

Digital Effects

1) Set the Power Switch ! to while pressing down the Lock Button 0 located on the switch. 2) Press DIGIFECT # repeatedly until the desired mode appears. To cancel the effect, press DIGIFECT # repeatedly until OFF appears. SEPIA: Recorded scenes have a brownish tint like old photos. Combine this with WIDE in SYSTEM MENU for a classic look. MONOTONE: Like black and white films, your footage is shot in B/W. Combine this with WIDE in SYSTEM MENU for a classic look. B. FILTER: Recorded scenes have a bluish tint. R. FILTER: Recorded scenes have a reddish tint. SOLARI: The picture is recorded with an effect similar to a painting. NEGA POSI: The colours of a picture are reversed. MOSAIC: Turns recorded scenes into a mosaic pattern. STRETCH: Doubles the width of the picture horizontally.
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TROUBLESHOOTING

Before consulting your JVC dealer, please check the following to see if you can correct the problem yourself.
Vertical white lines appear when shooting a very bright object. This sometimes occurs when the contrast between the back-ground and the object is great. It is not a defect of the camcorder. Bright, crystal-shaped spots appear in the LCD monitor and the viewfinder. Sunlight is directly entering the lens. This is not a defect of the camcorder. Coloured bright spots appear all over the LCD monitor or the viewfinder. The LCD monitor and the viewfinder are made with highprecision technology. However, black spots or bright spots of light (red, green or blue) may appear constantly on the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder. These spots are not recorded on the tape. This is not due to any defect of the unit. (Effective dots: more than 99.99 %.) Animation or Time-Lapse is not available. Before recording in the Animation mode at the very beginning of a tape, set the camcorder to the Recording mode for about 5 seconds, so that the tape runs smoothly. Using the Fade-in function at this point is a good way to begin an animated programme ( pg. 21, REC TIME/INT. TIME in SYSTEM MENU). The tape is running, but there is no playback picture. The TV has not been set to its VIDEO mode or channel. If A/V connection is used, the TVs VIDEO/TV Switch has not been set to VIDEO.

Playback picture is blurred or interrupted. The video heads are dirty or worn out. Consult your nearest JVC dealer for head cleaning or replacement. The tape stops during fast-forward or rewind. The Counter Memory Function has been activated ( pg. 14, Counter Memory). The date and time displays disappear. If you remove the power source from the camcorder while the power is on, all settings and selections are erased. Make sure to turn the camcorders power off before disconnecting the power source. The tape will not eject. The battery pack is running low. If the LCD monitor is not open over 60 degrees, the EJECT switch & does not function.
The camcorder is a microcomputer-controlled device. External noise and interference (from a TV, a radio, etc.) might prevent it from functioning properly. In such cases, first disconnect its power supply unit (battery pack, AC Adapter, etc.); and then re-connect it and proceed as usual from the beginning.

Warning Indications

(high) (exhausted) : Displays the battery remaining power level. As the battery power comes close to nil, the battery indicator blinks (battery power warning). When the battery power is exhausted, power turns off automatically. : Blinks when no cassette is loaded, or when the erase protection tab is not in the position that allows recording. TAPE END: Appears when the tape ends during recording, playback or fast-forward. LENS CAP: Appears for 5 seconds after power is turned on if the lens cap is attached. CONDENSATION OPERATION PAUSED PLEASE WAIT: These 2 warnings appear alternately every 3 seconds if condensation occurs. In this case, all functions except tape eject and power on/off are disabled. Remove the tape, turn the unit off (without removing the power supply), wait a few minutes for the warnings to clear, and turn it on again. HEAD CLEANING REQUIRED USE CLEANING CASSETTE: These 2 warnings appear alternately every 3 seconds if dirt is detected on the heads during recording. In this case, use an optional cleaning cassette. If the warning remains after cleaning, consult your nearest JVC dealer. E01E06 UNIT IN SAFEGUARD MODE REMOVE AND REATTACH BATTERY: The error indications (E01 E06) show what type of malfunction has occured. If an error indication and warning appear, turn the unit off, remove the power supply (battery, etc.) and wait a few minutes for them to clear. When it does, you can resume using the camcorder. If the indication remains, consult your nearest JVC dealer.

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CAUTIONS

General Battery Precautions
If the cassette adapter is not functioning even if it is being operated correctly, the batteries are exhausted. Replace them with fresh ones. Please make note of the following rules for battery use. When misused, the batteries can leak or explode. 1. When replacing batteries, read the cassette adapter (C-P6U/C-P7U) instructions. 2. Do not use any different size of batteries from those specified. 3. Be sure to install batteries in the correct direction. 4. Do not use rechargeable batteries. 5. Do not expose the batteries to excessive heat as they can leak or explode. 6. Do not dispose of the batteries in a fire. 7. Remove the batteries from the unit if it is to be stored for an extended period to avoid battery leakage which can cause malfunctions. 2. To prevent damage and prolong service life. do not subject to unnecessary shock. avoid repeated charging without fully discharging. charge in an environment where temperatures are within the tolerances shown in the chart below. This is a chemical reaction type batterycooler temperatures impede chemical reaction, while warmer temperatures can prevent complete charging. store in a cool, dry place. Extended exposure to high temperatures will increase natural discharge and shorten service life. fully charge and then fully discharge the battery every 6 months when storing the battery pack over a long period time. remove from charger or powered unit when not in use, as some machines use current even when switched off. It is normal for the battery pack to be warm after charging, or after use. Temperature Range Specifications Charging. 10C to 35C Operation.. 0C to 40C Storage. 10C to 30C Recharging time is based on room temperature of 20C. The lower the temperature, the longer recharging takes.

Battery Packs

The battery packs are nickel-cadmium or nickel metal-hydride batteries. Before using the supplied battery pack or an optional battery pack, be sure to read the following cautions: 1. To avoid hazard. do not burn. do not short-circuit the terminals. do not modify or disassemble. use only specified chargers.

Cassettes

To properly use and store your cassettes, be sure to read the following cautions: 1. During use. make sure the cassette bears the VHS-C mark. be aware that recording onto prerecorded tapes automatically erases the previously recorded video and audio signals. make sure the cassette is positioned properly when inserting. do not load and unload the cassette repeatedly without allowing the tape to run at all. This slackens the tape and can result in damage. do not open the front tape cover. This exposes the tape to fingerprints and dust. 2. Store cassettes. away from heaters or other heat sources. out of direct sunlight. where they wont be subject to unnecessary shock or vibration. where they wont be exposed to strong magnetic fields (such as those generated by motors, transformers or magnets). vertically, in their original cases.

cloth. Be careful not to damage the monitor. Close the LCD monitor*.
3 Blow the lens with a blower brush, then wipe it gently
with lens cleaning paper.
4 Turn the eyepiece counterclockwise and pull it out. 5 Remove dust from the viewfinder using a blower brush. 6 Re-attach the eyepiece and turn it clockwise.
. swing it excessively when using the shoulder strap.
LCD Monitor (for GR-FXM40 only)
1. To prevent damage to the LCD monitor, DO NOT. push it strongly or apply any shocks. place the camcorder with the LCD monitor on the bottom. 2. To prolong service life. avoid rubbing it with coarse cloth. 3. Be aware of the following phenomena for LCD monitor use. These are not malfunctions: While using the camcorder, the surface around the LCD monitor and/or the back of the LCD monitor may heat up. If you leave power on for a long time, the surface around the LCD monitor becomes hot.
Avoid using strong cleaning agents such as benzine or alcohol. Cleaning should be done only after the battery pack has been removed or other power units have been disconnected. Mould may form if the lens is left dirty. When using a cleaner or chemically treated cloth, refer to the cautions that came with it. When removing the eyepiece, be sure to hold the viewfinder securely.
About moisture condensation. You may have observed that pouring a cold liquid into a glass will cause drops of water to form on the glass outer surface. This same phenomenon occurs on the head drum of a camcorder when it is moved from a cool place to a warm place, after heating a cold room, under extremely humid conditions or in a place directly subjected to the cool air from an air conditioner. Moisture on the head drum can cause severe damage to the video tape, and can lead to internal damage to the camcorder itself. Serious malfunctioning If malfunctioning occurs, stop using the unit immediately and consult your local JVC dealer.
GR-FXM40_EN 27 11/3/03, 01:09 PM

SPECIFICATIONS

Camcorder

General

Format Power source : VHS PAL standard : DC 11 V (Using AC Adapter) (Using battery pack) DC 6 V Pickup Lens : 1/6" format CCD : F1.6, f = 2.7 mm to 43.2 mm, 16:1 power zoom lens with auto iris and macro control, filter diameter 40.5 mm : Electronic viewfinder with 0.5" black/white CRT : Auto/Manual adjustment : 2.5" diagonally measured, LCD panel/TFT active matrix system : Monaural

01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 4 10/29/03, 11:36 AM
AC Adapter... pg. 6 Animation Recording.. pg. 21 Auto Date Record.. pg. 21 Auto Focus... pg. 12 Auto Shut Off... pg. 11
Picture Stabiliser.. pg. 18 Playback... pg. 11 Playback Special Effects.. pg. 14 Programme AE with Special Effects. pg. 24 Provided Accessories.. pg. 2
Backlight Compensation.. pg. 12 Battery Pack.. pg. 6, 26 Blue Filter Effect.. pg. 24 Brighten The Image.. pg. 18 Brighten The LCD Monitor.. pg. 11, 22

Quick Review... pg. 13

Recording, Advanced Features. pg. 23, 24 Recording, Start/Stop.. pg. 11 Recording Format (S-VHS/S-VHS ET).. pg. 20 Recording Mode.. pg. 20 Record-Standby.. pg. 11 Red Filter Effect.. pg. 24 Retake... pg. 13 Rewind The Tape... pg. 11
Cassette Adapter... pg. 16 Charging The Battery Pack.. pg. 6 Classic Film Effect... pg. 24 Clean The Camcorder... pg. 27 Connection To a VCR/TV... pg. 15 Counter Memory.. pg. 14
Self-Recording.. pg. 11 Sepia Mode.. pg. 24 Shoulder Strap Attachment.. pg. 8 Snapshot... pg. 12 Snapshot During Playback.. pg. 12 Solarisation Effect.. pg. 24 Specifications... pg. 28 Sports Mode... pg. 24 Still Playback.. pg. 11 Stretch Effect... pg. 24 Strobe Effect.. pg. 24 Sunset Mode.. pg. 24 Super LoLux (S.LX).. pg. 20 Super VHS Expansion Technology.. pg. 20 Surf and Snow Mode... pg.24
Darken The Image... pg. 18 Darken The LCD Monitor.. pg. 11, 22 Date/Time Display.. pg. 21 Date/Time Settings... pg. 7 Demonstration Mode.. pg. 1, 22 Digital Effects... pg. 24 Digital Zoom... pg. 20 Dioptre Adjustment... pg. 8
Electronic Fog Filter Mode.. pg. 24 Erase Protection... pg. 8 Exposure Control... pg. 18
Fade-In/Out.. pg. 23 Fast-Forward Tape... pg. 11 5-Second Recording Mode.. pg. 12
Tape Counter... pg. 14 Tape Dubbing... pg. 15 Tape Length Setting.. pg. 21 Tele Macro... pg. 21 Time Base Corrector.. pg. 14 Time-Lapse Shooting.. pg. 21 Tracking.. pg. 14 Tripod Mounting.. pg. 8 Twilight Mode... pg. 24

Grip Adjustment.. pg. 8

High Speed Shutter Mode.. pg. 24

Instant Titles... pg. 19

REFRESH:

Be sure to fully discharge a battery pack before recharging or storing it for a long period of time, otherwise the battery performance will be reduced. 1) Perform steps 1) through 3) of CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK. 2) Press REFRESH q for over 2 seconds. The POWER lamp $ blinks to indicate discharging has started. 3) When discharging is finished, charging automatically starts and the CHARGE lamp ) blinks.
Charging times are for a fully discharged battery pack.
01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 6 10/29/03, 11:36 AM
The following steps have the same function as REFRESH ( pg. 6). 1. Attach the battery to the camcorder with no cassette inserted. 2. Set the Power Switch @ to or while pressing down the Lock Button ! located on the switch. During charging or discharging, the camcorder cannot be operated. Charging and discharging is not possible if the wrong type of battery is used. When charging the battery pack for the first time or after a long storage period, the CHARGE lamp ) may not light. Remove the battery pack from the camcorder, then try charging again. If a fully-charged batterys operation time remains extremely short, the battery is worn out. Please purchase a new one. Perform charging where the temperature is between 10C and 35C. 20C to 25C is the ideal temperature range for charging. If the environment is too cold, charging may be incomplete. Charging time varies according to the ambient temperature and the status of the battery pack. Since the AC Adapter processes electricity internally, it becomes warm during use. Be sure to use it only in well-ventilated areas. The following operation stops charging or discharging: , or . Set the Power Switch @ to Disconnect the AC Adapter from the camcorder. Unplug the AC Adapters power cord from the AC outlet. Detach the battery from the camcorder. Using the optional AA-V15EG AC Power Adapter/ Charger, you can charge the BN-V10U/V12U/ V20U/V400U battery pack without the camcorder. However, it cannot be used as an AC adapter. To avoid interference with reception, do not use the AC Adapter near a radio. Recording time is reduced significantly when Zoom or Record-Standby mode is engaged repeatedly or the LCD monitor* is used repeatedly. Before extended use, it is recommended that you prepare enough battery packs to cover 3 times the planned shooting time.

Date/Time Settings

1) Set the Power Switch @ to while pressing down the Lock Button ! located on the switch. 2) Press the MENU Wheel 1 in. The Menu Screen appears. You can select the language (ENGLISH or RUSSIAN) used in all messages displayed on screen ( pg. 18, 22 MENU LANG. in SYSTEM MENU). 3) Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4TO SYSTEM MENU and press it to display SYSTEM MENU. Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4NEXT and press it to display the next page. 4) Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select DATE/ TIME and press it. The DATE/TIME Menu appears. 5) To set YEAR, MONTH, DAY or TIME (hour/minute), rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select the desired item, and press it. When the setting begins blinking, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 until the correct setting appears and then press it. The setting stops blinking. 6) When none of these settings (YEAR, MONTH, DAY, TIME) blinks, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4EXIT, and press it. The Menu Screen reappears with the highlight bar on 4RETURN. 7) Press the MENU Wheel 1 in to close the Menu Screen. To display the date and time in the camcorders display and on a connected TV, see DATE/TIME DISP. ( pg. 21) in SYSTEM MENU. The date/time cannot be stored in memory if the built-in clock battery runs out. Consult an authorised JVC dealer for replacement, or set the date/time as necessary before you start shooting.

DAT E YEAR MO N T H DAY T I ME

T I ME : 20

24-hour indication

tE X I T

01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 7 10/29/03, 11:36 AM

Grip Adjustment

1) Separate the Velcro strip. 2) Pass your right hand through the loop and grasp the grip. 3) Adjust so that your thumb and fingers can easily operate the Recording Start/Stop Button 0 and Power Zoom Lever 3. Refasten the Velcro strip.

Tripod Mounting

Align the screw and camera direction stud on the tripod with the tripod mounting socket Q. Then tighten the screw. CAUTION When using a tripod, be sure to open and extend its legs fully to stabilise the camcorder. To prevent damage to the unit caused by falling over, do not use a small-sized tripod.

Velcro strip.

Viewfinder Adjustment 1) Set the Power Switch @ to or while pressing down the Lock Button ! located on the
switch. 2) Turn the Dioptre Adjustment Control i until the indications in the viewfinder are clearly focused.
Loading/Unloading A Cassette
1) Open the LCD monitor* fully and keep it aligned vertically with the camera (do not tilt it at an angle). Slide EJECT ( until the cassette holder opens. Do not use force to open. 2) Insert or remove a cassette. When inserting, F make sure the label is facing outward. appears when a cassette is loaded. 3) Press the Close button u to close the cassette holder until it locks into place. Close the LCD monitor*. Closing the LCD monitor* while the cassette holder is still open may cause damage to the LCD monitor*. Make sure the erase protection tab is in the position that allows recording. If not, slide the tab. Some cassettes have removable tabs. If the tab has been removed, cover the hole with adhesive tape. The cassette holder cannot be opened while the camcorder is in the record mode or detached from the power source.
* Applicable models only. Cassette holder
Shoulder Strap Attachment Thread the strap through the eyelet t, then fold it
back and thread it through the buckle. Repeat the procedure to attach the other end of the strap to the other eyelet t, making sure the strap is not twisted. Adjust the length.
Gear Turn to take up slack.

Erase Protection tab

Cassette holder
01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 8 10/29/03, 11:36 AM
CONTROLS, CONNECTORS AND INDICATORS

Eyepiece

Refer to this diagram while reading the instructions. During shooting

# $ % ^& *

90 ! @
Viewfinder Keep the lens cap attached to the camcorder.
Speaker (applicable models only)
Turn the gear to take up slack.

o u 180

LCD monitor (applicable models only)

Erase protection tab

Microphone Video light (GR-SXM50/FXM404/SX26 only)
LCD Monitor/Viewfinder Indications
During Recording During Playback

W P a s d f g h k j

ER T Y U I

A SET T30

J KL : z

0M I N REC S P

L I GH T S VHS REC P AU S E

MWB 1 / 2S

SP 4 SET 1 : 23 : 45 T BC MONOT ON E AT

5M I N

CONGRA T U L A T I ON S 25. 12. : 45 : 18 BR I GH T 6 +

VO L UME

6 +
pg. 25 for Warning Indications.
01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 9 10/29/03, 11:36 AM
1 MENU Wheel [, +].. pg. 18
BRIGHT Wheel [, +]*1.. pg. 11 Speaker Volume Control [VOL.]*1. pg. 11 TRACKING Wheel [, +]. pg. Snapshot Button [SNAPSHOT]*2. pg. 12 5-Second Recording Button [5 SEC. REC]*3.. pg. Power Zoom Lever [T/W].. pg. Manual Focus Button [ FOCUS]. pg. 12 Time Base Corrector Button [TBC]. pg. S-Video Output Connector [S]*2. pg. Audio Output Connector [A]. pg. Video Output Connector [V]. pg. Battery Release Switch [BATTERY RELEASE]. pg. DC IN Connector.. pg. Recording Start/Stop Button. pg. 11 ! Lock Button.. pg. 11 @ Power Switch [ , OFF, , ]. pg. 11 # Video Light Button [LIGHT]*4. pg. 13 $ POWER Lamp.. pg. 6 % Digital Effect Button [DIGIFECT]. pg. 24 ^ Programme AE Button [P.AE]. pg. 24 & Play/Pause Button. pg. 11 * Retake Forward Button [RETAKE F].. pg. 13 Fast-Forward Button [F]. pg. 11 ( EJECT Switch.. pg. 8 ) CHARGE Lamp... pg. 6 q REFRESH Button. pg. 6 NIGHT Button*2.. pg. 23 w Fade/Wipe Button [FADE/WIPE]. pg. 23 Counter Reset/Memory Button [COUNTER R/M].. pg. 14 e Retake Rewind Button [RETAKE R]. pg. 13 Quick Review Button [ R].. pg. 13 Rewind Button [R].. pg. 11 r Stop Button [STOP].. pg. 11 Backlight Compensation Button [BACK LIGHT].. pg. 12 t Shoulder Strap Eyelets.. pg. 8 y Battery Pack Mount.. pg. 6 u Close Button... pg. 8 i Dioptre Adjustment Control. pg. 8 o Camera Sensor Be careful not to cover this area; a sensor necessary for shooting is built-in here. p Grip Strap.. pg. 8 Q Tripod Mounting Socket.. pg. 8
W Tape Remaining Time.. pg. 21 E Recording Mode Indicator.. pg. 20 R Video Light Indicator*4.. pg. 13 T Backlight Compensation Indicator. pg. 12 Y Recording Format Indicator (S/S-ET)*2. pg. 20 U Digital Effect Indicator.. pg. 24
Programme AE Indicator.. pg. 24 Night-Scope Indicator*2. pg. 23 Fade/Wipe-Standby Indicator. pg. 23 I Tape Length Indicator.. pg. 21 O Zoom Indicator Bar.. pg. 13 Zoom Level Indicator Approximate Zoom Ratio P Recording Indicator.. pg. 11 a Digital Effect Indicator.. pg. 24 s Programme AE Indicator.. pg. 24 Night-Scope Indicator*2. pg. 23 d Fade/Wipe-Standby Indicator. pg. 23 f Picture Stabiliser Indicator.. pg. 18 g Interval Time/Recording Time Indicator. pg. Sec. Rec Mode Indicator*3. pg. 12 h Instant Title Display.. pg. 19 j Date/Time Display.. pg. 21 k Bright Level Indicator*1.. pg. 11, 22 l Focus Indicator.. pg. 12 ; Exposure Control Level Counter. pg. 18 A White Balance Mode Indicator.. pg. 19 S S-VHS/S-VHS ET Recording Indicator*2.. pg. 20 D Record-Standby Mode Indicator.. pg. 11 F : Cassette Indicator.. pg. 8 G TBC Indicator.. pg. 14 H Playback Special Effect Indicator*2.. pg. 14 J Recording Format Indicator (S/S-ET)*2. pg. 20 K Tape Counter.. pg. 14 L Recording Mode Indicator (SP/LP).. pg. 20 : Tape Running Indicator 4 : Playback 3 : Fast-Forward/Shuttle Search 2 : Rewind/Shuttle Search 6 : Pause z Tracking Indicator. pg. 14 x BRIGHT: Bright Level Indicator*1. pg. 11 VOLUME: Speaker Volume Indicator*1. pg. 11

01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 11 10/29/03, 11:36 AM

BASIC FEATURES

Snapshot

(GR-SXM50/SX26 only)

Backlight Compensation
To quickly increase the brightness of the subject relative to the background. 1) Press BACK LIGHT r during recording. is displayed and the subject is brightened. 2) To cancel Backlight Compensation, press BACK LIGHT r again. disappears and the brightness returns to the previous level. Backlight Compensation functions in both recording modes ( or ). Using BACK LIGHT r may make the subject too bright, resulting in a washed out or white image. BACK LIGHT r cannot be used when the manual Exposure Control mode ( pg. 18) is engaged.
You can record still images that look like photographs onto a tape. 1) Perform step 1) of RECORDING ( pg. 11). 2) Press SNAPSHOT 2. There is a momentary camera shutter-type blackout together with the sound effect of a shutter closing. Snapshot is also available during playback. However, the shutter sound is not heard.
5Sec. Rec (5-sec. Recording)
(GR-FXM404/FXM40/FX16 only)
To record a scene for 5 seconds, providing quick scene transitions like those seen in TV programmes. 1) Make sure the recording mode is set to SP. 2) During RecordStandby, press 5SEC. REC 2. 5S g appears and 5Sec. Rec is reserved. 3) Press the Recording Start/Stop Button 0. Recording starts, and after 5-second recording is finished, the camcorder re-enters the Record Standby mode automatically. 4) To cancel the 5Sec. Rec. function, press 5SEC. 5S g disappears. REC 2 again so that Fade/Wipe ( pg. 23) cannot be activated by pressing 5SEC. REC 2.

Auto/Manual Focus

If correct focus cannot be obtained with Auto Focus, use Manual Focus. 1) Set the Power Switch @ to while pressing down the Lock Button ! located on the switch. FOCUS 4. appears. 2) Press 3) To focus on a distant subject, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 upward. appears and blinks. To focus on a close subject, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 downward. appears and blinks. FOCUS 4) To cancel the Manual Focus, press 4. disappears and the Auto Focus is applied. When the focus level cannot be adjusted any farther or closer, or will blink.
01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 12 10/29/03, 11:36 AM
Video Light (GR-SXM50/FXM404/SX26 only)
To brighten the scene when natural lighting is too dim. Pressing LIGHT # changes the Video Light mode sequentially as shown below.
OFF (no indication) AUTO ( ) ON ( )

Zooming

Retake

To re-record certain segments. 1) Make sure the camcorder is in the Record Standby mode. 2) Press and hold either RETAKE * or e to reach the start point for new recording. Pressing 3 * forwards the tape and pressing 2 e reverses it. 3) Press the Recording Start/Stop Button 0 to start recording. Noise bars appear and pictures may become monochrome or darken during Retake. This is normal.
01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 13 10/29/03, 11:36 AM

Tracking

Eliminates noise bars that appear on-screen during playback. To activate Manual Tracking: 1) Press the TRACKING Wheel 1 for approx. 2 seconds. MT z appears. 2) Rotate the TRACKING Wheel 1 so that the noise bars disappear. To return to Auto Tracking, press the TRACKING Wheel 1 for approx. 2 seconds or set the Power again. AT z Switch @ to OFF and then blinks. When Auto Tracking finishes, the indication disappears. When noise bars appear during playback, the camcorder enters the Auto Tracking mode and AT z appears. Manual Tracking may not work with tapes recorded on other VCRs or camcorders.

Counter Memory

Makes it easier to locate a specific tape segment. 1) Press COUNTER R/M w and hold for more than 1 second. The counter K resets to 0:00:00. 2) Press COUNTER R/M w for less than 1 second. M appears. 3) After recording or playback, press 5 r, then 2 e. The tape automatically stops at or close to 0:00:00. 4) Press 4/6 & to start playback. The counter memory functions in the FastForward and Rewind modes. To disable the counter memory function, press COUNTER R/M w for less than 1 second so that M disappears.

Playback Special Effects

TBC (Time Base Corrector)
Removes jitter from fluctuating video signals to deliver a stable picture even with old tapes. To activate/release the TBC mode, press TBC 4 during playback for more than 1 second. When the TBC mode is activated, TBC G is displayed. The TBC indicator G turns green (grey with a camcorder equipped with a black/white viewfinder) while TBC is working, and white while TBC is not operative. TBC does not work during Still Playback and Shuttle Search ( pg. 11). It may take a few seconds before TBC actually starts working. The picture may be distorted if the TBC mode is activated or deactivated at the edit-in/-out points or when normal playback resumes after Still Playback or Shuttle Search ( pg. 11). If the playback picture is distorted when TBC is set to on, turn off TBC.

Sliding Latch

Compartment Door Recording Safety Hole Hole

Reels Battery Cover

01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 16 10/29/03, 11:36 AM
01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 17 10/29/03, 11:36 AM

MENU SETTINGS

CAMERA MENU

EXPOSURE

Manual exposure adjustment is recommended in the following situations: When shooting using reverse lighting or when the background is too bright. When shooting on a reflective natural background such as at the beach or when skiing. When the background is overly dark or the subject light. 1) Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select MANUAL, then press it. 2) To brighten the image, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 downward. To darken the image, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 upward. The exposure control level increases/decreases (maximum 06).
1 Set the Power Switch @ to while pressing down the Lock Button ! located on the switch. 2 Press the MENU Wheel 1 in. The Menu Screen appears. Rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select the desired function. To go from CAMERA MENU to SYSTEM MENU, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4TO SYSTEM MENU and press it. SYSTEM MENU is composed of 2 pages. To go to the next page, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4NEXT and press it. To return to CAMERA MENU from page 2 of SYSTEM MENU, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select 4TO CAMERA MENU and press it.
CAME R A ME N U tT O S Y S T E M M E N U E X POSURE AUTO S TAB I L I Z ER ON M. W. B. AUTO HAP. B T I TLE T I T LE SETUP

tR E T U R N

S Y S T EM tN E X T R E C MO D E D. Z OOM S. LX W I DE S VHS T A P E L E NG T H D I SPLAY DA T E T I ME D I tR E T U R N
ME NU SP 50x NORMA L OF F ON T30 FULL SP.
3 Press the MENU Wheel 1 in to display the Setting Menu and rotate it to select the desired setting. 4 Press the MENU Wheel 1 in. The Menu Screen reappears with the highlight bar on 4RETURN. Press the MENU Wheel 1 in. The normal screen reappears.
STABILIZER The Picture Stabiliser compensates for unstable images caused by camera-shake, particularly at high magnification. ON : The Picture Stabiliser is activated. f appears. OFF : The Picture Stabiliser is disactivated. f disappears. Accurate stabilisation may not be possible in certain conditions including excessive hand shake. f appears blinking if the Stabiliser cannot be used. This function cannot be activated during the Night-Scope, CLASSIC FILM, STROBE and VIDEO ECHO modes ( pg. 24, Digital Effects).

01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 18 10/29/03, 11:36 AM

M.W.B.

If the white balance is correct, all other colours will be accurately reproduced. AUTO : White balance is adjusted automatically. FINE : Outdoors on a sunny day. CLOUD : Outdoors on a cloudy day. HALOGEN : A video light or similar type of lighting is used. MWB: White balance is set manually. Hold a sheet of plain white paper in front of the subject. Adjust zoom or position yourself so that the white paper fills the screen. If it is difficult to focus on the white paper, adjust focus manually ( pg. 12, Auto/ Manual Focus). Press the MENU Wheel 1 in until MWB begins blinking. When the setting is completed, MWB stops blinking. Once you adjust white balance manually, the setting is retained even if the power is turned off or the battery removed. White balance cannot be used when the SEPIA or MONOTONE mode ( pg. 24, Digital Effects) is activated.
Allows you to superimpose one of eight preset titles in 11 different languages. Change the language in LANGUAGE in TITLE SETUP in CAMERA MENU ( pg. 19). j shows the selected title which remains until OFF is selected.

TITLE SETUP

Adjust the settings for TITLE. SIZE : When LARGE is selected, the title is twice enlarged vertically more than selected NORMAL. SCROLL : When ON is selected, the title is scrolled from right to left. LANGUAGE : Select the language (ENGLISH, FRENCH, RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN, GERMAN, ITALIAN, SPANISH, CZECH, POLISH, HUNGARIAN, BULGARIAN) for TITLE. To set SIZE, SCROLL or LANGUAGE, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 to select the desired item, and press it. When the setting begins blinking, rotate the MENU Wheel 1 until the correct setting appears and then press it. The setting stops blinking.
01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 19 10/29/03, 11:36 AM

SYSTEM MENU

This Menu Screen cannot be accessed while recording.

REC MODE

Allows you to set the recording mode. LP (Long Play) is more economical, providing twice the recording time. If the recording mode is switched during recording, the playback picture will be blurred at the switching point.
D. ZOOM Zooming is possible from 16X (the optical zoom limit), to a maximum of 50X or 700X digital magnification. When set to OFF only optical zoom (maximum 16x magnification) can function. S.LX MAX: To record a subject in a darkly lit environment, when it is more convenient to shoot the subject with a brighter image even if the picture becomes slightly coarse. NORMAL: To record a subject in a dimly lit environment, when it is more convenient to shoot with a less coarse picture although the subject becomes slightly dark. OFF: Allows you to shoot dark scenes with no picture brightness adjustment. WIDE When set to ON black bars will be recorded at the top and bottom of the screen to produce a cinemalike wide-screen effect. Not effective with Snapshot (GR-SXM50/SX26 only, pg. 12). S-VHS (S-VHS ET)

01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 23 10/29/03, 11:36 AM
Programme AE With Special Effects 1) Set the Power Switch @ to while pressing down the Lock Button ! located on the switch. 2) Press P.AE ^ repeatedly until the desired mode
appears. To cancel the effect, press P.AE ^ repeatedly until OFF appears. Only one mode can be engaged at a time. In the High Speed Shutter or Sports modes, picture colour may be adversely affected if the subject is lit by alternating discharge-type light sources such as flourescent or mercury-vapour lights. This function cannot be activated during NightScope ( pg. 23). SPORTS: High shutter speed clearly captures fast-moving action. ND : ND EFFECT: A black mist darkens the picture, as when an ND filter is used. Helps to counter the effects of glare on the subject. FG : FOG: Makes the picture look misty white, as when an external fog filter is attached to the lens. Softens the image and gives it a fantasy look. This mode cannot be used when the VIDEO ECHO mode ( Digital Effects) is activated. TWILIGHT: Dusk, twilight scenery, fireworks, etc., look more natural and dramatic. In this mode, the Auto Focus ( pg. 12) and S.LX ( pg. 20) may not work. S1/2000 (1/2000 sec. High Speed Shutter): Captures faster action than Sports mode. The screen becomes slightly dark. Use in well-lit situations. SUNSET: Makes scenes have a reddish tint like a sunset. SURF & SNOW: Compensates for subjects that may otherwise appear too dark when shooting in extremely bright surroundings such as in the snow or beach. In this mode, the fast-moving images can be recorded since the shutter speed becomes fast.

Digital Effects

1) Set the Power Switch @ to while pressing down the Lock Button ! located on the switch. 2) Press DIGIFECT % repeatedly until the desired mode appears. To cancel the effect, press DIGIFECT % repeatedly until OFF appears. This function cannot be activated during NightScope ( pg. 23). Picture Stabiliser ( pg. 18) cannot be activated during the CLASSIC FILM, STROBE and VIDEO ECHO mode. SEPIA: Recorded scenes have a brownish tint like old photos. Combine this with WIDE in SYSTEM MENU for a classic look. MONOTONE: Like black and white films, your footage is shot in B/W. Combine this with WIDE in SYSTEM MENU for a classic look. B. FILTER: Recorded scenes have a bluish tint. R. FILTER: Recorded scenes have a reddish tint. SOLARI: The picture is recorded with an effect similar to a painting. NEGA POSI: The colours of a picture are reversed. MOSAIC: Turns recorded scenes into a mosaic pattern. STRETCH: Doubles the width of the picture horizontally. CLASSIC FILM*: Makes your footage look like a classic movie by shooting in black and white, with a strobing effect, and black bars added at the top and bottom. STROBE*: Your recording looks like a series of consecutive snapshots. VIDEO ECHO*: Adds a ghost to the subject, giving your recording a fantasy feeling. Zoom magnification of over 10X is not available.

01 GR-SXM50EX_EN 24 10/29/03, 11:36 AM

TROUBLESHOOTING

Before consulting your JVC dealer, please check the following to see if you can correct the problem yourself.
Vertical white lines appear when shooting a very bright object. This sometimes occurs when the contrast between the back-ground and the object is great. It is not a defect of the camcorder. Bright, crystal-shaped spots appear in the LCD monitor and the viewfinder. Sunlight is directly entering the lens. This is not a defect of the camcorder. Coloured bright spots appear all over the LCD monitor or the viewfinder. The LCD monitor and the viewfinder are made with highprecision technology. However, black spots or bright spots of light (red, green or blue) may appear constantly on the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder. These spots are not recorded on the tape. This is not due to any defect of the unit. (Effective dots: more than 99.99 %.) Animation or Time-Lapse is not available. Before recording in the Animation mode at the very beginning of a tape, set the camcorder to the Recording mode for about 5 seconds, so that the tape runs smoothly. Using the Fade-in function at this point is a good way to begin an animated programme ( pg. 21, REC TIME/INT. TIME in SYSTEM MENU). The tape is running, but there is no playback picture. The TV has not been set to its VIDEO mode or channel. If A/V connection is used, the TVs VIDEO/TV Switch has not been set to VIDEO.
Playback picture is blurred or interrupted. The video heads are dirty or worn out. Consult your nearest JVC dealer for head cleaning or replacement. The tape stops during fast-forward or rewind. The Counter Memory Function has been activated ( pg. 14, Counter Memory). The date and time displays disappear. If you remove the power source from the camcorder while the power is on, all settings and selections are erased. Make sure to turn the camcorders power off before disconnecting the power source. The tape will not eject. The battery pack is running low. If the LCD monitor is not open over 60 degrees, the EJECT switch ( does not function.
The camcorder is a microcomputer-controlled device. External noise and interference (from a TV, a radio, etc.) might prevent it from functioning properly. In such cases, first disconnect its power supply unit (battery pack, AC Adapter, etc.); and then re-connect it and proceed as usual from the beginning.

Warning Indications

(high) (exhausted) : Displays the battery remaining power level. As the battery power comes close to nil, the battery indicator blinks (battery power warning). When the battery power is exhausted, power turns off automatically. : Blinks when no cassette is loaded, or when the erase protection tab is not in the position that allows recording. TAPE END: Appears when the tape ends during recording, playback or fast-forward. LENS CAP: Appears for 5 seconds after power is turned on if the lens cap is attached. CONDENSATION OPERATION PAUSED PLEASE WAIT: These 2 warnings appear alternately every 3 seconds if condensation occurs. In this case, all functions except tape eject and power on/off are disabled. Remove the tape, turn the unit off (without removing the power supply), wait a few minutes for the warnings to clear, and turn it on again. HEAD CLEANING REQUIRED USE CLEANING CASSETTE: These 2 warnings appear alternately every 3 seconds if dirt is detected on the heads during recording. In this case, use an optional cleaning cassette. If the warning remains after cleaning, consult your nearest JVC dealer. E01E06 UNIT IN SAFEGUARD MODE REMOVE AND REATTACH BATTERY: The error indications (E01 E06) show what type of malfunction has occured. If an error indication and warning appear, turn the unit off, remove the power supply (battery, etc.) and wait a few minutes for them to clear. When it does, you can resume using the camcorder. If the indication remains, consult your nearest JVC dealer.

Battery Packs

The battery packs are nickel-cadmium or nickel metal-hydride batteries. Before using the supplied battery pack or an optional battery pack, be sure to read the following cautions: 1. To avoid hazard. do not burn. do not short-circuit the terminals. do not modify or disassemble. use only specified chargers.

Terminals

Main Unit
1. For safety, DO NOT. open the camcorders chassis. disassemble or modify the unit. short-circuit the terminals of the battery pack. Keep it away from metallic objects when not in use. allow inflammables, water or metallic objects to enter the unit. remove the battery pack or disconnect the power supply while the power is on. leave the battery pack attached when the camcorder is not in use.
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2. Avoid using the unit. in places subject to excessive humidity or dust. in places subject to soot or steam such as near a cooking stove. in places subject to excessive shock or vibration. near a television set. near appliances generating strong magnetic or electric fields (speakers, broadcasting antennas, etc.). in places subject to extremely high (over 40C) extremely low (under 0C) temperatures. 3. DO NOT leave the unit. in places of over 50C. in places where humidity is extremely low (below 35%) or extremely high (above 80%). in direct sunlight. in a closed car in summer. near a heater. in dusty places such as a beach. 4. To protect the unit, DO NOT. allow it to become wet. drop the unit or strike it against hard objects. subject it to shock or excessive vibration during transportation. keep the lens directed at extremely bright objects for long periods. direct the eyepiece of the viewfinder at the sun. carry it by holding the viewfinder or the LCD monitor*. Be sure to hold the main unit with both hands or use the grip.

For Your Maintenance

1. After Use
1 Set the Power Switch to OFF to turn off the

camcorder.

2 Open the LCD monitor* to an angle of over 60 degrees.
Slide EJECT to open the cassette holder, then remove the cassette.
3 Close and lock the cassette holder by pressing the

Close button.

4 Close and lock the LCD monitor*. 5 Slide BATTERY RELEASE to remove the battery pack. 6 Attach the provided lens cap to the camcorders lens.
2. Cleaning The Camcorder
1 Wipe gently the exterior with a soft cloth. Put cloth in
diluted mild soap and wring it well to wipe off heavy dirt, then wipe again with a dry cloth.
2 Open the LCD monitor* and wipe it gently with a soft
cloth. Be careful not to damage the monitor. Close the LCD monitor*.

* Applicable models only. ** GR-SXM50/FXM404/SX26 only.
White balance adjustment : Auto/Manual adjustment LCD monitor : 2.50" diagonally measured, LCD (Applicable models panel/TFT active matrix system only) Speaker : Monaural (Applicable models only)
Signal system : PAL-type Video recording system Luminance : FM recording Colour : Converted sub-carrier direct recording Conforms to VHS standard Cassette : / cassette Tape speed SP : 23.39 mm/sec. LP : 11.70 mm/sec. Recording time (max.) SP : 60 minutes LP : 120 minutes (with EC-60 cassette) Operating temperature : 0C to 40C Operating humidity : 35% to 80% Storage temperature : 20C to 50C Weight : Approx. 830 g (GR-SXM50/FXM404/FXM40 only) Approx. 750 g (GR-SX26 only) Approx. 740 g (GR-FX16 only) Dimensions : 113 mm x 117 mm x 199 mm (W x H x D) (GR-SXM50/FXM404/FXM40 only) 108 mm x 117 mm x 199 mm (GR-SX26/FX16 only) (with the LCD monitor* closed and with the viewfinder fully tilted downward)

Connectors

Video : 1 V (p-p), 75 unbalanced, analogue output (via Video output connector) : 300 mV (rms), 1 k, analogue output (via Audio output connector) : Y : 1 V (p-p), 75 , analogue output C : 0.30 V (p-p), 75 , analogue output
S-Video (GR-SXM50/ SX26 only)

AC Adapter

Power requirement : AC 110 V 240 V`, 50 Hz/60 Hz ,1A Output : DC 11 V

Optional Accessories

Battery Packs BN-V12U, BN-V20U, BN-V400U Compact S-VHS ( ) Cassettes SE-C45/30 Compact VHS ( ) Cassettes EC-60/45/30 Active Carrying Bag CB-V7U Cassette Adapter C-P7U Some accessories are not available in some areas. Please consult your nearest JVC dealer for details on accessories and their availability.
Specifications shown are for SP mode unless otherwise indicated. E & O.E. Design and specifications subject to change without notice.
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