JVC Everio GZ-MG55U Instructions Manual
JVC Everio GZ-MG55U Instructions Manual

JVC Everio GZ-MG55U Instructions Manual

Jvc hard disk camcorder instructions
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INSTRUCTIONS
HARD DISK CAMCORDER
GZ-MG55U
To deactivate the demonstration mode, set "DEMO
MODE" to "OFF". (
Dear Customer,
Thank you for purchasing this hard disk camera.
Before use, please read the safety information and
precautions contained in pages 4 and 5 to ensure
safe use of this product.
pg. 55)
GETTING STARTED
RECORDING
PLAYBACK
EDITING/PRINTING
DUBBING
MENU SETTINGS
FURTHER
INFORMATION
For Customer Use:
Enter the Model No. (located on
the bottom of the camera) and
Serial No. (located on the battery
pack mount of the camera) below.
Retain this information for future
reference.
Model No.
Serial No.
LYT1771-001A
ENGLISH
8
18
22
28
32
38
49
54
60
EN

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Summary of Contents for JVC Everio GZ-MG55U

  • Page 1 INSTRUCTIONS HARD DISK CAMCORDER GZ-MG55U To deactivate the demonstration mode, set “DEMO MODE” to “OFF”. ( pg. 55) Dear Customer, Thank you for purchasing this hard disk camera. Before use, please read the safety information and precautions contained in pages 4 and 5 to ensure safe use of this product.
  • Page 2: Major Features

    Major Features The camera has a built-in high-capacity HDD (hard disk drive) that enables you to record videos and still images in massive quantities. SD Memory Card You can also record onto SD cards. “When Using an SD Card” ( pg.
  • Page 3 When requesting repairs for breakdowns by your dealer or JVC service center, be sure to bring your camera together with the SD card. If one of them is not included, the cause cannot be diagnosed, and the repair cannot be made properly.
  • Page 4: Safety Precautions

    Safety Precautions CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage"...
  • Page 5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    Contents GETTING STARTED Accessories ...8 Attaching the Shoulder Strap ...9 Attaching the Lens Cap ...9 Attaching the Core Filter ...9 Index ...10 Indications on LCD Monitor ...12 Necessary Settings before Use ...14 Power Related Preparations (Using the Battery Pack) ...14 Language Setting ...15 Date/Time Setting ...15 Other Settings ...16...
  • Page 7 Video Playlists ...44 Creating Playlists ...44 Playing Back Playlists ...46 Other Operations of Playlists ...46 Still image Print Setting ...47 DPOF Print Setting ...47 Direct Printing with PictBridge Printer ...48 DUBBING Video Dubbing Video Files to DVD Discs ...49 Using a DVD Burner for Dubbing (DVD Creation Function) ...49 Using a VCR/DVD Recorder for Dubbing ...52 Still image...
  • Page 8: Accessories

    Accessories AC Adapter AP-V14U Shoulder Strap pg. 9) Lithium Battery CR2025 (for remote control unit) Pre-installed in the remote control unit at time of shipment. NOTE: Make sure to use the provided cables for connections. Do not use any other cables. Battery Pack Audio/Video Cable BN-VF707U...
  • Page 9: Attaching The Shoulder Strap

    Attaching the Shoulder Strap Peel off the pad and thread the end of the strap through the eyelet. Eyelet Attaching the Lens Cap To protect the lens, attach the provided lens cap to the camera as shown in the illustration. Attaching the Core Filter Attach the core filter to the DC cord.
  • Page 10: Index

    Index How to open the LCD monitor Push and open the LCD monitor fully. The LCD monitor can rotate 270°. Power-linked operation When the power switch is set to can also turn the camera on/off by opening/closing the LCD monitor. , you...
  • Page 11: Press

    Controls Power Switch [OFF, Lock Button ( pg. 14) Zoom Lever [W Speaker Volume Control [–VOL+] ( Light Button [LIGHT] ( pg. 20, 23)/ Information Button [INFO] ( Mode Switch [MODE] ( pg. 18, 22, 28, 32) Auto/Manual Mode Button [AUTO] pg.
  • Page 12: Indications On Lcd Monitor

    Indications on LCD Monitor During both Video and Still Image Recording Selected Operation Mode Indicator pg. 24) : Auto Mode : Manual Mode Tele Macro Mode Indicator ( Approximate Zoom Ratio ( Zoom Indicator ( pg. 20, 23) Iris Lock Indicator ( pg.
  • Page 13 During Video Playback Mode Indicator ( pg. 28) : Playlist Playback Indicator (Appears when playing back a playlist. : Event Search Playback Indicator (Appears when playing back a video file from the event search. pg. 31) : Date Search Playback Indicator (Appears when playing back a video file from the date search.
  • Page 14: Necessary Settings Before Use

    Necessary Settings before Use Be sure to configure the following three settings before use. Power Related Preparations (Using the Battery Pack) Set the power switch to OFF. Slide while pressing down the lock button. Power off Playback Recording Lock button Attach the battery pack.
  • Page 15: Language Setting

    Language Setting The language on the display can be changed. pg. 56) Open the LCD monitor. Set the power switch to Slide while pressing down the lock button. Power off Playback Recording Lock button Select [DATE/DISPLAY]. Select Select [LANGUAGE]. Select Select the desired language.
  • Page 16: Other Settings

    In such a case, mount it to the consult your nearest JVC dealer. tripod. The recordable time display should only be used as a guide. It is displayed in 10 minute units.
  • Page 17: When Using An Sd Card

    When Using an SD Card By default, the HDD is set as the recording medium. If you want to record to an SD card, the following three operations need to be performed. NOTE: For details on compatible SD cards, see “Check the compatibility of recording media”...
  • Page 18: Recording

    Video Recording Preparation: Open the LCD monitor. ( Set the power switch to Slide while pressing down the lock button. Power off Playback Recording Lock button LIGHT/INFO INDEX To stop recording Press the REC/SNAP button again. To change the picture quality ( To register a file to an event ( pg.
  • Page 19: Registering Files To Events

    NOTES: By default, the camera is set to record videos in 4:3 size. To record videos in 16:9 size, see “Changing the Screen Size” ( If the camera is not operated for 5 minutes while the power is on using the battery pack, it turns itself off automatically to conserve power.
  • Page 20: Zooming

    Video Recording (Continued) Zooming While recording Zoom out W: Wide angle You can zoom in up to 15x by using the optical zoom. Zoom magnification over digital image processing, and is therefore called digital zoom. Digital zooming is possible up to 700x.
  • Page 21: Deleting A File

    Deleting a File The file most recently recorded will be deleted. After the recording is finished Select [EXECUTE]. Select NOTE: If the recording mode (video or still image) is switched, or the power is turned off and on again after recording, you cannot delete the file. Checking the Remaining Space on the Recording Media Preparation:...
  • Page 22: Still Image Recording

    Still Image Recording Preparation: Open the LCD monitor. ( Set the power switch to Slide while pressing down the lock button. Power off Playback Recording Lock button Zoom Lever LIGHT/INFO To change the picture quality ( NOTES: Still images are recorded at 4:3 size. They cannot be recorded at 16:9 size. If the camera is not operated for 5 minutes while the power is on using the battery pack, it turns itself off automatically to conserve power.
  • Page 23: Zooming

    Zooming While recording Zoom out W: Wide angle You can zoom up to 15x by using the optical zoom. Digital zoom ( pg. 20) is not available. Continuous Shooting If the continuous shooting mode is set to on, keeping the REC/SNAP button pressed in step 3 ( pg.
  • Page 24: Manual Recording

    Manual Recording About manual recording mode This mode enables you to set the focus and screen brightness manually. You need to switch to this mode because auto recording mode, which adjusts these settings automatically, is selected by default. To change to manual recording mode Preparation: Set the power switch to Select the file type (video or still image) using...
  • Page 25 MSET Menu Menus For video recording (Manual Exposure) [AUTO]: The brightness is adjusted automatically. Adjusts the brightness. –6 to +6: Corrects the brightness within this range in increments of 1. For still image recording [±0]: The brightness is not adjusted. –2.0 to +2.0 (EV): Corrects the brightness within this range in To lock the exposure When the menu disappears after you finish configuring the setting,...
  • Page 26 Manual Recording (Continued) MSET Menu (Continued) Menus S.SP (Shutter Speed) A fast shutter speed can freeze the motion of a fast-moving subject, and a slow shutter speed can blur the subject to give the impression of motion. P.AE (Program AE) You can use the program AE settings for specific shooting...
  • Page 27: Nightalive

    Nightalive The shutter speed is automatically adjusted from 1/2 to 1/30 seconds. It enables recording with low light levels in dim locations. After performing “To change to manual recording mode” ( pg. 24) indicator appears. To cancel nightalive Press (NIGHT) so that the disappears.
  • Page 28: Playback

    Video Playback Set the power switch to Slide while pressing down the lock button. Power off Playback Recording Lock button LIGHT/INFO INDEX To return to the index screen Press INDEX when playback is paused. To adjust the speaker volume During playback, slide the speaker volume control towards + to turn the volume up, or towards – to turn the volume down.
  • Page 29: Various Operations During Playback

    Various Operations during Playback To resume normal playback, press 49. Still playback (Pause) Search playback Backward Forward Pressing repeatedly increases the search speed. (–60x to +60x) Locating the start point of the file or skipping the file Backward Forward Frame-by-frame playback While playback is paused Backward Forward...
  • Page 30: File Search Function

    Video Playback (Continued) File Search Function One-touch operation enables you to switch the index screen to the date index screen or event screen for the convenient file search. To change the display On the index screen Each press switches the screen. Index Date index screen...
  • Page 31: Event Screen

    Event Screen You can search the desired file by the event that you registered the file to when recording. pg. 19) After searching by the event, you can search by the recording date to narrow down the search. After displaying the event screen in “To change the display”...
  • Page 32: Still Image

    Still Image Playback Set the power switch to Slide while pressing down the lock button. Power off Playback Recording Lock button LIGHT/INFO INDEX To return to the index screen Press INDEX. To turn the date/time display on/off Set [DATE/TIME] to [ON], [AUTO] or [OFF]. ( To check the file information Press INFO when playback is paused.
  • Page 33: Slide Show

    Slide Show You can playback all the images stored in the recording media automatically. During playback During the slide show, pressing files in descending order, and pressing displays files in ascending order. To end the slide show Press 49 again. Image Rotation You can rotate a still image clockwise or counterclockwise.
  • Page 34: Watching Images On Tv/Remote Control

    Enables playback of even higher quality. NOTES: The S-Video cable is optional. Be sure to use the YTU94146A S-Video cable. Consult the JVC Service Center described on the sheet included in the package for details on its availability. Make sure to connect the end with a core filter to the camera.
  • Page 35: Playback Using The Remote Control

    Playback Using the Remote Control A battery is included inside the remote control at the time of purchase. Remove the insulation sheet before use. Beam Effective Area Effective distance for indoor use: 5 m (16 ft) Remote Sensor NOTE: The transmitted beam may not be effective or may cause incorrect operation when the remote sensor is directly exposed to sunlight or powerful lighting.
  • Page 36: Playback With Special Effects

    Playback with Special Effects You can add the following two types of special effects before playback. Wipe or fader effects Add effects at the beginning and end of videos. These effects cannot be set for still images. Playback effects Add effects that, for example, alter the color tones of videos.
  • Page 37 [WIPE/FADER] Menus FADER:WHITE Fade in or out with a white screen. FADER:BLACK Fade in or out with a black screen. FADER:B.W Fade in to a color screen from a black and white screen, or fade out from color to black and white. WIPE:CORNER Wipe in on a black screen from the upper right to the lower left corner, or wipe out from lower left to upper right, leaving a black screen.
  • Page 38: Managing Files

    Managing Files You can directly manage recorded files in the camera. CAUTION: Do not remove the recording medium or perform any other operation (such as turning off the power) while accessing files. Also, be sure to use the provided AC adapter, as the data on the recording medium may be corrupted if the battery becomes exhausted during operation.
  • Page 39: Viewing File Information

    Deleting on Menu Screen Preparation: Set the power switch to Select the file type (video or still image) using the MODE switch. Select [DELETE]. Select Select the desired menu. Select [CURRENT]: Currently displayed file is deleted. You can select the previous or next file by pressing [FILE SELECT]: You can choose multiple files to delete from the index screen.
  • Page 40: Protecting Files From Accidental Erasure

    Managing Files (Continued) Protecting Files from Accidental Erasure Preparation: Set the power switch to Select the file type (video or still image) using the MODE switch. Select [PROTECT]. Select Select the desired menu. Select [CURRENT]: Currently displayed file is protected. You can select the previous or next file by pressing [FILE SELECT]:...
  • Page 41: Formatting A Recording Medium

    Formatting a Recording Medium You can format (initialize) the built-in hard disk (HDD) or SD cards. You have to format newly- purchased SD cards with this camera before using them. This will also ensure stable speeds and operation when accessing the recording medium.
  • Page 42: Cleaning Up A Recording Medium

    Managing Files (Continued) Cleaning Up a Recording Medium Writing speed of recording media tends to become slow after long periods of repeated use. To regain the speed, execute cleanup periodically. The cleanup function is equivalent to a PC’s “Defragmentation” function. Preparation: Set the power switch to Be sure to use the provided AC adapter for...
  • Page 43: Changing The Event Registration Of Video Files After Recording

    Changing the Event Registration of Video Files after Recording Preparation: Set the power switch to Set the MODE switch to Select [CHANGE EVENT REG.]. Select Select a new event to register the file VIDEO Select To move to the next page, select [NEXT PAGE].
  • Page 44: Playlists

    Playlists What is a Playlist? It is a list that enables you to organize recorded videos in order of preference. To display the playlist screen Preparation: Set the power switch to Set the MODE switch to Select [PLAYLIST]. Select NOTE: You can display the playlist menu simply by pressing the PLAYLIST button on the remote control.
  • Page 45 Select the insertion point. Select To add other files, repeat steps 5 and 6. Select [SAVE AND QUIT]. Select To check a registered scene after step 6 to move to the 1) Press registered file column shown on the right. 2) Use to select a file and press 3) Press INDEX to return to the previous...
  • Page 46: Playing Back Playlists

    Playlists (Continued) Playing Back Playlists After performing “To display the playlist screen” ( pg. 44) Select [PLAYLIST CONTENTS]. Select Select the playlist that you want to playback. Select During playback of the playlist, appears on the top left corner of the screen. If you slide the zoom lever towards W while playback is paused, the index screen for playlist appears.
  • Page 47: Print Setting

    Print Setting DPOF Print Setting This camera is compatible with DPOF (Digital Print Order Format). You can set which images to be printed and the number of prints with this camera. This feature is useful to print with a DPOF-compatible printer or for taking the recording medium to a photo lab for printing.
  • Page 48: Direct Printing With Pictbridge Printer

    Print Setting (Continued) Direct Printing with PictBridge Printer If your printer is compatible with PictBridge, still images can be printed easily by connecting the camera directly to the printer with the USB cable. DPOF setting can also be used. ( To Print by Selecting a Still Image Preparation: Set the power switch to...
  • Page 49: Dubbing Video Files To Dvd Discs

    Dubbing Video Files to DVD Discs Using a DVD Burner for Dubbing (DVD Creation Function) Connecting the camera to a DVD burner (CU- VD10, sold separately) enables you to dub the video files in the camera to a DVD disc. Supported discs: DVD-R, DVD-RW Regarding DVD-R discs, only unused DVD-R discs can be used.
  • Page 50 Dubbing Video Files to DVD Discs (Continued) Using a DVD Burner for Dubbing (DVD Creation Function) (Continued) Select an item and display the DVD Creation List for the files to be dubbed. Select [SELECT FROM EVENT]: Search for an event and display the corresponding files listed by recording date.
  • Page 51: Dvd Creation List

    DVD Creation List Displaying Files for Dubbing Files for dubbing can be displayed in two ways shown below. Displaying file by recording date or playlist Multiple files are displayed as a single file. Recording date: Oct. 10, 2006 DVD CREATION LIST ALL DISCS DVD1 OCT.10.2006...
  • Page 52: Using A Vcr/Dvd Recorder For Dubbing

    Dubbing Video Files to DVD Discs (Continued) Using a VCR/DVD Recorder for Dubbing Preparation: Connect the camera to a VCR or DVD recorder. pg. 34) Set the VCR/DVD recorder to its AUX input mode. Start playback on the camera. To playback videos ( To playback playlists ( At the point you want to start dubbing, start recording on the VCR/...
  • Page 53: Copying/Moving Still Image Files

    Copying/Moving Still Image Files Check which buttons to use in the illustration of “Controls in this section” on page 49. You can copy or move still image files between the HDD and SD card using the on-screen display. Preparation: Set the power switch to Make sure that SD card is inserted in the SD slot.
  • Page 54: Changing The Menu Settings

    Changing the Menu Settings You can change the menu settings to customize your camera. Some menus can be used for both operation modes (recording/playback) and file types (video/still image). Other menus can be used depending on the selected file type and operation mode.
  • Page 55: Common Menus For All Modes

    Common Menus for All Modes Menus BASIC SETTING PRESET Returns all the camera settings to their default values. DEMO MODE Introduces special features of the camera at the following cases. When the menu screen is closed. When there is no operation for about 3 minutes after the power switch is set to OPERATION SOUND...
  • Page 56 Changing the Menu Settings (Continued) Common Menus for All Modes (Continued) Menus REC MEDIA SETTING VIDEO MODE Enables you to set the recording medium for videos. IMAGE MODE Enables you to set the recording medium for still images. FORMAT Enables you to select the medium to format.
  • Page 57: Video Recording Menus

    Menus CLOCK ADJUST Enables you to set the time. DATE DISPLAY ORDER Enables you to set the date and time display format. DISPLAY Video Recording Menus Menus REGISTER EVENT Enables you to turn on/off event registration for any videos before starting recording.
  • Page 58: Video Playback Menus

    Changing the Menu Settings (Continued) Video Playback Menus Menus CHANGE EVENT REG. Enables you to change the event registration of recorded video files. PLAYLIST Enables you to perform operations related to playlists. WIPE/FADER These are special playback effects. They add effects to the beginning and end of playback.
  • Page 59: Still Image Recording Menus

    Still Image Recording Menus Menus QUALITY Enables you to set the picture quality for still images. IMAGE SIZE Enables you to select the picture size for still images. SELF-TIMER This is the timer function. It starts recording when the set time elapses after the REC/SNAP button is pressed.
  • Page 60: Troubleshooting

    To solve the problem, first follow the instructions below. If the problem is not solved, reset the camera. right column) If the problem persists, please consult your nearest JVC dealer. Trouble Power No power is supplied. No display appears. The power was turned off accidentally.
  • Page 61 When the LCD monitor's LED light reaches the end of its service life, images on the LCD monitor become dark. Consult your nearest JVC dealer. The LCD monitor is made with high precision technology. However, black spots or bright spots of light (red, green or blue) may appear constantly on the LCD monitor.
  • Page 62 Troubleshooting (Continued) Trouble Recording (Continued) The LCD monitor indications blink. Digital zoom does not work. The recorded image is white. The focus is not adjusted automatically. The color of the image looks strange. The recorded image is too dark. The recorded image is too bright.
  • Page 63 Trouble Editing / Printing Files cannot be deleted. When the image is printed from the printer, a black bar appears at the bottom of the screen. Other problems The data process is too slow after the power is switched on or the mode is changed.
  • Page 64: Warning Indications

    Warning Indications The following indications appear on the screen. Indication (Battery indicator) SET DATE/TIME! LENS CAP PLEASE INSERT MEMORY CARD! HARD DISK DRIVE IS NOT FORMATTED THIS CARD IS NOT FORMATTED HDD ERROR! MEMORY CARD ERROR! CHECK CARD’S WRITE PROTECTION SWITCH NO VIDEO FILES STORED! NO IMAGE FILES STORED!
  • Page 65 Indication NUMBER OF FOLDERS OVERFLOW MEMORY CARD ERROR! REINSERT CARD OR CHANGE CARD. FILE SYSTEM MAY HAVE PROBLEM. FORMAT IS RECOMMENDED AFTER COPYING WANTED DATA. VIDEO MANAGEMENT FILE IS BROKEN. TO RECORD/ PLAYBACK VIDEO, RECOVERY IS REQUIRED. RECOVER? NO VIDEO MANAGEMENT FILE VIDEO FILES HAVE BEEN MOVED TO MPEG FOLDER CAN NOT READ EVENT...
  • Page 66: Cleaning The Camera

    Warning Indications (Continued) Indication RECORDING FAILURE RECORDING MAY NOT BE CORRECT ON THE MEMORY CARD MEMORY CARD CANNOT BE PLAYED BACK CORRECTLY CANNOT USE IN VIDEO MODE DROP DETECTION WORKED AND THE POWER IS TURNED Cleaning the Camera Before cleaning, turn off the camera and remove the battery pack and AC adapter. To clean the exterior Wipe gently with a soft cloth.
  • Page 67: Cautions

    In case of connecting the unit’s power cord to an AC wall outlet other than American National Standard C73 series type use an AC plug adapter, called a “Siemens Plug”, as shown. For this AC plug adapter, consult your nearest JVC dealer. Plug Adapter Battery Packs...
  • Page 68 Cautions (Continued) Recording Medium (Continued) Do not strike or shake the hard disk. When the camera is repaired or inspected, data may be erased, and the hard disk may be formatted. Back up all data before requesting repair or inspection. Play back your trial recording to make sure the video and audio have been recorded properly.
  • Page 69 JVC dealer. When requesting repairs for malfunctioning by your dealer or JVC service centre, be sure to bring your camera together with the recording medium. If one of them is not included, the cause cannot be diagnosed, and the repair cannot be made properly.
  • Page 70: Specifications

    Specifications Camera For general Power supply DC 11 V (Using AC adapter) DC 7.2 V (Using battery pack) Power consumption Approx. 3.9 (4.1)* W *When using the LED light Approx. 6.5 W (Maximum; when charging a battery) Dimensions (W x H x D) 68 mm x 69 mm x 109 mm (2-11/16"...
  • Page 71 Recording Time and Number of Images The tables below show the approximate recording time and number of storable images. The number increases or decreases depending on the conditions such as image size and/or picture quality. Approximate recording time (minutes) (for video) Quality [ ] = Factory-preset [ULTRA FINE]...
  • Page 72: Terms

    ...14 AC Adapter ... 27 Backlight Compensation ... 14 Battery Pack ... 56 Brightness Control ...43 Changing Event Registration ... 54 Changing the Menu Settings ...42 Cleaning Up a Recording Medium ...15 Clock Adjust Connecting to a TV, VCR or DVD Recorder ...23 Continuous Shooting ...53...

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