Recording from Mini-DV to VHSPanasonic PV-DV201 and PV-DV601
To record video from a Mini-DV tape to a VHS tape (so that it can be easily played on a normal VCR), you will need the following items: 1. Panasonic PV-DV201 or PV-DV601 camera. 2. AV cable (included with camera & made for this camera). 3. Power supply for the camera (included in camera bag). 4. VCR with front inputs, located in the A10 lab. (Any VCR will work, but these instructions are written assuming a lab VCR will be used.) 5. Mini-DV tape you wish to use as a source. 6. VHS tape onto which you want to record (destination). To record from a Mini-DV tape, please use the following instructions: 1. Connect the AV cable to the yellow AV port under the plastic door on the side of the camera, just under the hand strap. 2. Connect the other end of the AV cable (which has three plugs-one yellow for video, one red for right audio channel, and one white for left audio channel) to the front of the JVC VCR. (The connections are color-coded on the VCR.) 3. Plug the Panasonic power supply (refer to the diagram in the bag if you dont know what this is) into the back of the camera. The port for this plug is on the right edge, inside the indentation where the battery usually goes. 4. Connect the cord that goes from the power supply (the big plastic chunky part) to the wall into the power supply, and the other end into a wall outlet. 5. Turn on the VCR and camera, and place a tape into each (the camera should be switched to VCR). Also turn on the video monitor, which should display the video as you record it. 6. Locate the portion of video on the Mini-DV tape that youd like to record onto a VHS tape, and stop the tape a few seconds before the beginning of the clip. 7. If theres anything on the VHS tape you need to keep, stop the tape a few seconds AFTER the portion that you want to save. (Otherwise, just rewind it.) 8. Make sure the VCR reads F1 on the front of the VCR, indicating that it will pay attention to the connections on the front. (Do this by using the channel up/down buttons on the front of the VCR). 9. Press the REC and Play buttons on the front of the VCR. 10. Press Play on the camera and the video from the Mini-DV tape should be displayed on the video monitor and the cameras screen. 11. When the video has all been recorded, just press stop on the camera and VCR, turn all devices off, and return all cables and accessories to the camera bag.
Recording from VHS to Mini-DVNewer Panasonic Cameras (Models PV-DV801 and 851)
To record video from a Mini-DV tape to a VHS tape (so that it can be easily played on a normal VCR), you will need the following items: 1. Panasonic PV-DV801 or PV-DV851 camera. 2. AV cable (included with camera & made for this camera). 3. Power supply for the camera (included in camera bag). 4. VCR with front inputs, located in the A10 lab. (Any VCR will work, but these instructions are written assuming a lab VCR will be used.) 5. Mini-DV tape you wish to use as a source. 6. VHS tape onto which you want to record (destination). To record from a Mini-DV tape, please use the following instructions: 1. Connect the AV cable to the AV port under the plastic door on the side of the camera, just under the hand strap. (Its labeled AV IN/OUT Phones.) 2. Connect the other end of the AV cable (which has three plugs-one yellow for video, one red for right audio channel, and one white for left audio channel) to the front of the JVC VCR. (The connections are color-coded on the VCR.) 3. Slide the Panasonic dummy battery (looks like a battery, but has a cable sticking out of it) into the camera where the battery usually goes. 4. Connect the free end of the cable coming out of the dummy battery into the power supply (the big plastic chunky thing thats used to recharge the batteries). 5. Connect the cord that goes from the power supply (the big plastic chunky part) to the wall into the power supply, and the other end into a wall outlet. 6. Turn on the VCR and camera, and place a tape into each (the camera should be switched to VCR by pushing the switch upward toward the word mode until the VCR light on the side of the camera lights up). Also turn on the video monitor, which should display the video as you record it. 7. Locate the portion of video on the Mini-DV tape that youd like to record, and stop the tape a few seconds before the beginning of the clip. 8. If theres anything on the VHS tape you need to keep, stop the tape a few seconds AFTER the portion that you want to save. (Otherwise, just rewind it.) 9. Make sure the VCR reads F1 on the front of the VCR, indicating that it will pay attention to the connections on the front. (Do this by using the channel up/down buttons on the front of the VCR). 10. Press the REC and Play buttons on the front of the VCR. 11. Press Play on the camera and the video from the Mini-DV tape should be displayed on the video monitor and the cameras screen. 12. When the video has all been recorded, just press stop on the camera and VCR, turn all devices off, and return all cables and accessories to the camera bag.

How to Connect the Wireless Microphones to our Digital Video Cameras First, the parts of the wireless microphone kits:
Coiled wire from receiver to camera.
Microphone connected to transmitter.
Close-up of wireless microphone.
Antenna connects to receiver here.

Rubber ducky antenna

Additionally, you will find in the wireless microphone kit a flexible rubber ducky antenna, which connects to the receiver as indicated by a red arrow above, an earpiece to monitor the sound levels (at the receiver, or through the camera headphone jack), and three clips. Likely, at least one of the belt clips will be attached to the transmitter. The other belt clip will either be loose in the package, or will be connected to the receiver. The third clip is shaped vaguely like the letter S (in profile). The S-shaped clip will be used to attach the microphone receiver to the camera. To connect the receiver to the camera: 1. Remove the belt clip from the back of the receiver (if its connected) and slide in the clip thats shaped vaguely like an S (in profile). If you compare the S-shaped clip to the belt clip, it should be apparent which end slides into the bracket on the back of the receiver. Slide the appropriate end of the clip into the bracket on the back of the receiver until it clicks. 2. Remove the video camera from its case and look at the top of the camera (forward of the viewfinder). Here you will find a small metal bracket, known as the accessory shoe, or when power is supplied through the bracket, occasionally as a hot shoe. 3. Slide the free end of the S-shaped clip into the accessory shoe until it is snug.
4. Connect one end of the coiled cable to the Microphone Out port on the receiver. (The plug should go in far enough to hide the silver shaft; you may have to use some force to get it to fully connect.) 5. Plug the other end of the coiled cable into the microphone input of the video camera. (This will be in different places on different cameras, but all of the cameras, except for the Panasonic PV-DV201, our oldest mini-DV camera, has one.) 6. Connect the antenna to the top of the receiver. (The antenna has screw threads on one end that meet up with a port on the top of the receiver.) The antenna can be pointed upwards toward the ceiling to improve its reception. Optional: Plug the included earphone into the Headphone Out port on the receiver, or to the Phones jack of the camera. Connecting the transmitter and microphone: 1. Start by clipping the microphone to a lapel, collar, or some piece of clothing close to the speakers face. (It doesnt have to be in their face, but should be as close as possible without being intrusive.) 2. Attach the transmitter to a belt or waistband, preferably in an inconspicuous location, or place it in a pocket. 3. Run the cable from the microphone to the transmitter, keeping it as inconspicuous as possible, remembering to leave enough slack so that the speaker can move freely. Putting it all together (Final Setup): 1. Turn on both the receiver and the transmitter. They each have a small power switch on the side. You should see a red light, above the power switch. (What, no light? Did you remember to put nine-volt batteries in the transmitter and receiver?) 2. Make sure both the transmitter and receiver are on the same channel. (In cases where two wireless microphones will be used in close proximity, one transmitter-receiver set can be on channel A, the other on channel B.) The switch for this is just above the power switch.