Panasonic VDR-M53 Operating Instructions Manual page 82

:
Note
•
Do not block the infrared sensor (see "Terminology" on
page 147) with hand, etc.
•
Be sure to remove the lens cap before turning the DVD
Video Camera on. If the DVD Video Camera is turned on
with the lens capped, the white balance will not work
normally.
82
Infrared sensor block