PANASONIC SDR-T50PC (01) PDF Document

To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or product damage, please adhere to the following safety precautions for your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC:

WARNING:

• Do not expose the camera to rain, moisture, dripping, or splashing. No objects filled with liquids, such as vases, should be placed on the apparatus.

• Use only the recommended accessories.

• Do not remove the cover (or back); there are no user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

CAUTION:

• Do not install or place this unit in a bookcase, built-in cabinet, or another confined space. Ensure the unit is well-ventilated.

• To prevent the risk of electric shock or fire hazard due to overheating, ensure that curtains and any other materials do not obstruct the ventilation vents.

• The socket outlet should be installed near the equipment and be easily accessible. The mains plug of the power supply cord must remain readily operable. To completely disconnect the apparatus from the AC Mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.

For the lithium-ion battery pack of your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC, please follow these precautions:

• Use the specified unit to recharge the battery pack.

• Do not use the battery pack with equipment other than the specified unit.

• Do not get dirt, sand, liquids, or other foreign matter on the terminals.

• Do not touch the plug terminals (+ and -) with metal objects.

• Do not disassemble, remodel, heat, or throw into fire.

• If any electrolyte comes into contact with your hands or clothes, wash it off thoroughly with water.

• If any electrolyte comes into contact with your eyes, never rub them. Rinse your eyes thoroughly with water and then consult a doctor.

Warning: Risk of fire, explosion, and burns. Do not disassemble, heat above 60°C (140°F), or incinerate.

The AC adaptor for your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC operates on AC between 110 V and 240 V. However, please note the following:

• In the U.S.A. and Canada, the AC adaptor must be connected to a 120 V AC power supply only.

• When connecting to an AC supply outside of the U.S.A. or Canada, use a plug adaptor to suit the AC outlet configuration.

• When connecting to a supply of greater than AC 125 V, ensure the cord you use is suited to the voltage of the AC supply and the rated current of the AC adaptor.

• Contact an electrical parts distributor for assistance in selecting a suitable AC plug adaptor or AC cord set.

To Avoid Shock Hazard:

Your camera and power supply should not be exposed to rain or moisture. Do not connect the power supply or operate your camera if it gets wet. Although designed for outdoor use, it is not meant to sustain direct exposure to water, rain, sleet, snow, sand, dust, or direct splashing. This could permanently damage internal parts. Do not attempt to disassemble this unit. Unplug your camera before cleaning.

Handling SD Cards:

As with any small object, SD cards can be swallowed by young children. Do not allow children to handle the SD card.

Camera Handling:

• Do not aim your camera at the sun or other bright objects.

• Do not expose your camera to extended high temperatures, such as in direct sunlight, inside a closed car, or next to a heater. This could permanently damage internal parts.

• Avoid sudden changes in temperature. If the unit is moved from a cold to a warm place, moisture may form on the SD card and inside the unit.

• Do not leave your camera or the power supply turned on when not in use.

• Store and handle your camera in a manner that will not subject it to unnecessary movement (avoid shaking and striking). The camera contains a sensitive pick-up device that could be damaged by improper handling or storage.

To Clean Your Camera Body: Do not use strong or abrasive detergents.

To Protect the Lens: Do not touch the surface of the lens with your hand. Use a commercial camera lens solution and lens paper for cleaning. Improper cleaning can scratch the lens coating.

To Protect the Finish: Before handling your camera, ensure your hands and face are free from any chemical products, such as suntan lotion, as it may damage the finish.

The PANASONIC SDR-T50PC is equipped with a built-in 4 GB memory. When using this component, pay attention to the following points:

• Back up data periodically: The built-in memory is temporary storage. To avoid erasing data due to static electricity, electromagnetic waves, breakage, and failures, back up the data to a PC or DVD disc.

• Access lamp [ACCESS]: This lamp illuminates while the SD card or built-in memory is being accessed (e.g., initialization, recording, playback, deleting). Do not perform the following operations when the lamp is lit, as it may damage the built-in memory or cause a malfunction:

– Turn off the power (remove the battery)

– Insert and remove the USB cable

– Expose the unit to vibrations or shock

• About disposing of or giving away this unit: Be sure to format the memory to protect personal data.

The following accessories are included with your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC:

• Battery pack (VW-VBL090)

• AC adaptor (VSK0711)

• AC cable (K2CA2CA00025)

• AV cable (K2KYYYY00054)

• USB cable (K1HY04YY0032)

• CD-ROM (Software)

1. Inserting the battery: Install the battery by inserting it in the direction shown in the figure until it clicks and locks.

2. Charging the battery:

• Connect the AC adaptor to the unit’s DC input terminal.

• Connect the AC cable to the AC adaptor, then to an AC outlet.

3. Inserting/removing an SD card:

• Open the LCD monitor.

• Open the SD card cover. Face the label side of the SD card as shown and press it straight in as far as it will go.

• To remove, press the center of the SD card and pull it straight out.

• Securely close the SD card cover.

4. How to turn on the power:

• With the power button: Press the power button to turn it on. The status indicator lights up. To turn it off, hold the power button down until the indicator goes off.

• With the LCD monitor: Power is turned on when the LCD monitor is opened and turned off when it is closed.

5. Selecting a mode: Operate the mode switch to change between Recording mode and Playback mode.

6. Recording motion pictures:

• Change the mode to Recording and open the LCD monitor.

• Press the recording start/stop button to start recording. Press it again to stop.

7. Recording still pictures:

• Change the mode to Recording and open the LCD monitor.

• Press the photoshot button.

1. Change the mode to Playback.

2. Use the joystick to select the Play Mode Select icon, then press the center of the joystick.

3. Select the media you wish to play back (e.g., [VIDEO/Built-inMemory]), then press the center of the joystick.

4. Select the scene to be played back, then press the joystick.

5. Use the joystick for playback operations:

• Up/Down: Not used for basic playback control.

• Press Center: Playback/Pause.

• Left: Rewind playback.

• Right: Fast forward playback.

• To stop playback and show thumbnails, you need to select the stop icon on the screen.

1. Change the mode to Playback.

2. Use the joystick to select the Play Mode Select icon, then press the center of the joystick.

3. Select the media you wish to play back (e.g., [PICTURE/Built-inMemory]), then press the center of the joystick.

4. Select the still picture to be played back, then press the joystick.

5. Use the joystick for playback operations:

• Press Center: Start/pause slide show (playback of still pictures in numerical order).

• Left: Plays back the previous picture.

• Right: Plays back the next picture.

• To stop playback and show thumbnails, select the stop icon on the screen.

Main Controls:

• LCD monitor (1): Can be opened up to 90° and rotated up to 180° towards the lens.

• Intelligent auto/Manual button [iA/MANUAL] (2): Switches between Intelligent Auto Mode and Manual Mode.

• Optical image stabilizer button [O.I.S.] (3): Toggles the image stabilizer function.

• Power button (4): Turns the unit on or off.

• Delete button (5): Deletes scenes or pictures.

• Long recording button [LONG REC.] (6): Switches between Normal and Long recording modes.

• Lens cover (12) & Open/close switch (14): Slide to open or close the lens cover for protection.

• Microphone (15): Built-in stereo microphone.

• Joystick (17): Used to navigate menus, select functions, and control playback.

• Mode switch (18): Switches between recording and playback modes.

• Recording start/stop button (19): Starts and stops video recording.

• Menu button [MENU] (20): Opens the menu screen.

• Photoshot button (22): Takes a still picture.

• Zoom lever [W/T] (23): Zooms in (T) and out (W). Also used for thumbnail display and volume control in playback.

• Grip belt (28): Adjust for a secure hold.

• Battery release lever [BATTERY] (29): Releases the battery.

Terminals and Indicators:

• Audio-video output terminal [A/V] (7): Connects to a TV.

• USB terminal (8): Connects to a PC or DVD burner.

• Access lamp [ACCESS] (9): Lights up when the SD card or built-in memory is being accessed.

• SD card slot (10) & cover (11): For inserting an SD memory card.

• Status indicator (25): Shows the operational status of the camera (power, charging).

• DC input terminal [DC IN] (27): Connects the AC adaptor.

The following are approximate charging and recording times for the PANASONIC SDR-T50PC, based on a temperature of 25°C (77°F) and 60% humidity. These times are approximations and can vary based on usage conditions.

The “Actual recordable time” refers to the time available when repeatedly starting/stopping recording, turning the unit on/off, and using the zoom lever.

Your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC is compatible with SD, SDHC, and SDXC Memory Cards. For motion picture recording, use SD cards conforming to Class 2 or higher of the SD Speed Class Rating. The following table details the usable card types and their capacities.

Note: When the write-protect switch on an SD card is locked, no recording, deletion, or editing will be possible.

Follow these steps to use the menu screen on your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC:

1. Press the MENU button.

2. Use the joystick to move up or down to select the desired top menu (e.g., RECORD SETUP, PICTURE, SETUP), then move the joystick right or press the center to enter.

3. Select the desired submenu item by moving the joystick up or down, then move the joystick right or press the center to enter.

4. Select the desired setting by moving the joystick up or down, then press the center of the joystick to confirm the selection.

• To get back to the previous screen, move the joystick left.

• To exit the menu screen completely, press the MENU button.

You can adjust the brightness and color level of the LCD monitor. These settings will not affect the images actually recorded.

Adjusting Brightness and Color:

1. Select the menu: [SETUP] → [LCD SET].

2. Use the joystick to select either [BRIGHTNESS] or [COLOR], then press the center of the joystick.

3. Make adjustments using the joystick. Select the return icon and press the center of the joystick to go back to the previous screen.

4. Press the MENU button to close the setting.

Using Power LCD:

This feature makes it easier to view the LCD monitor in bright places, including outdoors.

1. Select the menu: [SETUP] → [POWER LCD].

2. Choose a setting from +2 (brightest) to -1 (darker) or Auto.

To record yourself, follow these steps:

1. Change the mode to Recording.

2. Rotate the LCD monitor towards the lens side.

The image will be horizontally flipped as if you are looking in a mirror; however, the recorded image will be normal. When the LCD monitor is rotated this way, some on-screen icons may not be displayed.

Intelligent Auto Mode on your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC automatically sets the optimal shooting conditions just by pointing the unit at what you want to record. Press the [iA/MANUAL] button to switch to this mode. The camera will automatically select one of the following scenes:

In this mode, Auto White Balance and Auto Focus operate automatically. Depending on the recording conditions, the unit may not enter the desired mode.

You can use the zoom lever [W/T] to change the zoom magnification.

• T side: Close-up recording (zoom in)

• W side: Wide-angle recording (zoom out)

The zoom speed varies depending on how far you push the lever.

Enhanced Optical Zoom: It is possible to enhance the zoom magnification up to 78x without degrading the image quality.

Digital Zoom Function: If the zoom magnification exceeds 78x, the digital zoom function will be activated. You can switch the maximum digital zoom magnification in the menu: [RECORD SETUP] → [D.ZOOM].

• [OFF]: Optical zoom only (Up to 78x)

• [100x]: Up to 100x

• [3500x]: Up to 3500x

Note that the larger the digital zoom magnification, the more the image quality is degraded.

The Optical Image Stabilizer on your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC can stabilize the image to reduce blur caused by camera shake, without decreasing image quality. To use it, press the optical image stabilizer button.

The settings are as follows:

• OFF: Set the Manual Mode before setting the Image Stabilizer function to off.

• Active mode: This setting gives more stabilization and is suitable for recording when walking.

• ON: This setting is suitable for recording in a stable state, such as on a tripod for scenery.

Stabilization may not be possible under strong shaking. When a tripod is used, it is recommended to turn the image stabilizer off.

AF/AE (Auto Focus/Auto Exposure) Tracking allows you to lock the focus and exposure on a specific subject, and the camera will automatically keep following it even if it moves. This is also known as Dynamic Tracking.

1. Change the mode to Recording.

2. Press the AF/AE button. A target frame will appear on the screen.

3. Align the subject with the target frame and press the AF/AE button again to lock on to the target.

4. Start recording. The focus and exposure will follow the locked subject.

• To release tracking, press and hold the AF/AE button.

• If the target lock fails, the frame will blink red and disappear. Realign the subject and press the button again to regain lock.

• AF/AE tracking is canceled when the mode is changed, the power is turned off, or you switch to face-to-face recording.

Deleted scenes/still pictures cannot be restored, so confirm your selection before proceeding.

To Delete from the Thumbnail Display:

1. In playback mode, press the delete button while the thumbnail view screen is displayed.

2. Select [SELECT] (to choose specific items) or [ALL SCENES] and press the joystick.

3. If you chose [SELECT], select the scene/still picture to be deleted, then press the joystick. A checkmark will appear. You can select up to 99 items.

4. Select [Delete] and press the joystick or press the delete button.

To Delete While Playing Back:

Press the delete button while a scene or still picture is being played back. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm deletion.

Note: Protected scenes/still pictures cannot be deleted.

You can protect scenes and still pictures so they are not deleted by mistake. Note that formatting the media will delete all content, including protected items.

1. Change the mode to Playback.

2. Select the menu: [VIDEO SETUP] or [PICT. SETUP] → [SCENE PROTECT].

3. Select the scene or still picture you want to protect and press the joystick.

4. A protect icon will be displayed, and the selected item will be protected. Press the joystick again to deselect.

5. Press the MENU button to complete the settings.

You can play back motion pictures and still pictures recorded on your camera on a TV.

1. Connect the camera to a power source using the AC adaptor to avoid battery depletion.

2. Connect the supplied AV cable to the A/V output terminal on the camera.

3. Connect the other ends of the AV cable (yellow for video, white for audio) to the corresponding VIDEO IN and AUDIO IN jacks on your TV.

4. Turn on your camera and change the mode to Playback.

5. Turn on the TV and select the appropriate AV input channel.

6. Start playback on the camera.

If the image does not appear, check the connections, ensure plugs are inserted fully, and verify the TV’s input setting.

If the image appears squeezed or distorted, you may need to adjust the TV aspect ratio setting on your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC to match your TV screen (e.g., 4:3 for standard TVs, 16:9 for widescreen TVs).

1. Press the MENU button.

2. Go to [SETUP] → [TV ASPECT].

3. Select the aspect ratio that matches your television, typically [4:3].

If you have a widescreen TV, you may also need to adjust the aspect setting on the TV itself. Refer to your TV’s operating instructions for details.

If your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC cannot be turned on, does not stay on long, or the battery runs down quickly, please check the following points:

• Charge the battery: Ensure the battery is sufficiently charged by connecting it to the AC adaptor.

• Cold conditions: In cold places, the battery’s usage time becomes shorter.

• Battery life: The battery has a limited life. If the operating time is still too short even after the battery is fully charged, the battery has worn out and needs to be replaced.

Your PANASONIC SDR-T50PC is designed to automatically turn off to conserve battery life if it is not used for approximately 5 minutes. This is the economy function. To resume recording, simply turn the power back on.

You can disable this feature by going to the menu: [SETUP] → [ECONOMY] → [OFF].

The power will not turn off automatically when the unit is connected to a DVD burner and a disc is being accessed.

If recording stops unexpectedly, consider the following causes:

• SD Card Compatibility: Ensure you are using an SD card that is suitable for motion picture recording (Class 2 or higher).

• Media Deterioration: The recordable time may have shortened due to the deterioration of the data writing speed from repeated recording and deletion. Try formatting the SD card or built-in memory to resolve this. Remember to back up important data first, as formatting will erase everything.

If you are having trouble playing back or deleting content, check these points:

• Playback Issues: Any scenes or still pictures where the thumbnails are displayed with a “!” icon cannot be played back due to data corruption or incompatibility.

• Deletion Issues:

1. Check if the content is protected. You must first release the protect setting before you can delete it.

2. Scenes or still pictures where the thumbnails are displayed with a “!” icon cannot be deleted. If this content is unnecessary, you must format the media to erase the data. Be sure to back up all other important data on the media before formatting.

• If the SD card is not recognized in the camera: If the SD card was formatted on a PC, it may not be recognized by this unit. Use this camera to format SD cards.

• If the SD card is not recognized in another device: Check that the other device is compatible with the capacity and type of SD card you inserted (SD, SDHC, or SDXC). Refer to the operating instructions of that device for details.

This message indicates that the unit has automatically detected an error. Follow these steps:

1. Restart the unit by turning the power off and then on again.

2. If you do not turn the power off, it will turn off automatically in about 1 minute.

3. If the message is repeatedly displayed even after restarting, the unit needs repair. Detach the power connected and contact consumer support. Do not attempt to repair the unit by yourself.

Here are the key specifications for the PANASONIC SDR-T50PC:

Motion Pictures:

Still Pictures: