Picture/Backlight 3 Press the
or  button to adjust the

picture or backlight to the desired

Adjustments setting.
If the monitor picture is difficult to see due to
ambient lighting, etc., adjust the picture
settings. This feature can be adjusted in both
Camera and VCR modes.

• The example screens for this feature are for

Camera mode.

1 Press the MENU button until

(Camera mode) or (VCR mode)
appears.

P I C- Darker Brighter
SET TURE PAGE

2 Press the PICTURE button () to display Decrease Increase

the adjustment screen. Then press the
SELECT button (B) until the item you Type of Backlight Modes
wish to adjust appears.
AUTO: The VIEWCAM automatically switches
P I C- between “NORMAL” and “BRIGHT”
TURE depending on the ambient lighting. This
BACKL I GHT mode is only available in Camera mode.
AUTO
NORMAL: For use indoors or under moderate
lighting conditions.
SE -
BRIGHT: For use outdoors under strong
L E CT E X I T lighting conditions, such as bright daylight.

4 Press the EXIT button () to turn off the

adjustment screen.

Notes:
• If you set the backlight (“BACKLIGHT”) to
Advanced Features
“AUTO” in Camera mode and then set the
VIEWCAM to VCR mode, the backlight mode
automatically changes to “NORMAL”.
• When the colour is adjusted, the picture on the
screen may differ from the picture actually
recorded. Do not change the colour setting
unless it is necessary. (This adjustment only
affects the monitor picture, not the recorded
image.)

48
 Advanced Features

Gamma Playback Turning Off the LCD Monitor

The gamma playback function improves the
picture by increasing the brightness of the
subject while leaving the brighter portions of
the image unaffected.
1 During playback, press the MENU
button until appears.
GAMA COU-
E F F . NT ER
Backlight
The LCD monitor uses a fluorescent lamp for
backlighting (see page 53). In order to reduce
battery consumption, you can turn off the lamp
when backlighting is not necessary (e.g. when
you are recording a fixed scene).
Hold down the DISPLAY button. Three seconds
later, “LCD LAMP OFF” starts flashing on the
monitor. Keep the DISPLAY button down for
SE- three more seconds, and the backlight will turn
ARCH off.

2 Press the GAMA EFF. button (C).

• “GAMMA” appears and the picture
becomes brighter.

GAMA
E FF.

Power switch

DISPLAY button
GAMA COU- E--
SE
E F F . NT E R ARCH To turn on the backlight again, press the
DISPLAY button or set the Power switch to OFF
and then back to CAMERA or VCR.

GAMMA Note:
• Turning the backlight on and off repeatedly may
deplete the battery power.

GAMA COU- E--

SE
E F F . NT E R ARCH
Advanced Features

To cancel Gamma Playback

Press the GAMA EFF. button again. “GAMMA”
disappears.

49
Editing Cutting Unwanted Sequences

Video editing lets you refine your videos by 1 Play back the tape to be edited, and locate
removing unwanted sequences from your tape, the beginning and end of the sequence
or transposing one sequence with another. you wish to cut. Write down the tape
This VIEWCAM lets you monitor the source pro- counter readings at the beginning and end
gram on the built-in LCD monitor without of that sequence (see page 37). Then
having to connect it to an external TV or video rewind the tape to the beginning of the
monitor. portion that you wish to keep.

Connect the VIEWCAM to a VCR with the sup- 2 Load a video cassette into the recording
plied audio/video cable, as shown. VCR.

Yellow: To VIDEO IN jack

3 Set the Power switch on the VIEWCAM to
White: To AUDIO IN (L) jack
VCR. Press the PLAY button (D) on the
Recording VIEWCAM and the Record button on the
PAUSE
/STILL
CHANNEL
VCR at the same time.
PLAY

STOP/
EJECT
POWER
TV/VCR SET UP REC

4 Press the Pause/Still button on the VCR to

Audio/video cable pause recording when the source tape
(supplied) reaches the beginning of the sequence to
be cut.

Playback 5 Press the Pause/Still or Record button on

the VCR to resume recording when the
source tape reaches the end of the
sequence to be cut.

To stop editing
Press the Stop buttons on the VIEWCAM and
To VIDEO jack (ø2.5)
the VCR.
To AUDIO jack (ø3.5) Notes:
• Some of the transitions between edited sequences
may be slightly off.
• There may be picture noise during video search or
Note: still picture playback. This does not imply a defect in
• If your VCR has a 21-pin Euro-SCART connector, the VIEWCAM.
use the RCA/21-pin Euro-SCART conversion
connector (QSOCZ0033TAZZ).
Setting Edit Mode Advanced Features
21-pin Euro-SCART on VCR
Picture quality inevitably decreases when
0
RCA/21-pin Euro-SCART dubbing from the VIEWCAM to a VCR. To
conversion connector
VIDEO AUDIO AUDIO
(QSOCZ0033TAZZ)
minimize the quality reduction, set the
VIEWCAM to Edit mode.
(L/MONO) (R)

Video Audio L
1 Set the Power switch to VCR, then press
the MENU button until appears.

2 Press the 쑽 or 쒀 button to select “EDIT”,

then press the SET button (B) to select
“ON”.
Notes:
• The EDIT mode does not function when the
VIEWCAM is recording.
• After you finish editing, set the EDIT menu item back
to “OFF”. 50
 References
References

Useful Information Lighting

Hints for Better Shooting
• Position the subject in the centre of the
screen. When you are using auto focus,
whatever is in the centre of the screen is kept
in focus.
For clear, good-quality recording, 500 to
100,000 lux is needed. Recording is possible
with less light, but the picture quality may
suffer. Adequate lighting is also essential for
correct white balance.
Brightness Situation (Lux)
(Lux)

Blue sky

100,000 Clear day at noon (100,000)

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Position the subject in Focus manually when Clear day at 10 am (65,000)

the centre. you need to position
the subject off centre

Optimal lighting range

Clear day at 3 pm (35,000)
(see page 45). Cloudy day at noon (32,000)
• Avoid backlit subjects. For the best picture, Cloudy day at 10 am (25,000)
10,000
shoot with the light source behind you. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

When the background is brighter than the Cloudy day, one hour after sunrise (2,000)
subject, the subject often becomes too dark. Clear day, one hour before sunset (1,000)
If you have to record with this lighting, use the 1,000 Fluorescent light near window (1,000)
Gamma Brightness Compensation or correct ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

the exposure level to improve the picture (see Factory floor (700–800)
pages 31 and 47). Sales counter in department store (500–700)
Bowling alley (500)
Library (400–500)
Office with fluorescent lighting (400–500)
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Fluorescent desk lamp (400)

Flashlight at 1 m (250)
100 Shop stairway (100)
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Light from behind Backlighting During intermission at movie theatre (15–35)

Cigarette lighter at 30 cm (15–20)
• Before zooming, think about how to best Candles on birthday cake at 20 cm (10–15)
frame the shot. Frequent zooming produces 10
unattractive pictures. It also increases the Candlelight
battery power consumption.
Note: The figures in the chart are approximations.
• When image shakes are noticeable during
zoomed-in telephoto shooting, use a tripod,
or push the Power Zoom control to the W side
Tips on Good Lighting
to zoom out.
In most outdoor, daytime scenes, natural
• Horizontal panning (lateral movement) and
lighting is adequate for home videos. Indoors,
tilting (vertical movement) should be done
however, artificial lighting is usually required.
slowly to emphasize the wide expanse of a
Video lights with halogen lamps provide the
scene or the height of a building, and to
most natural artificial light over a long operating
make scenes easy to watch during playback.
life.
• Use a wide-angle setting for fast-moving
subjects.
References

Note:
• It may take longer to focus when zooming and
panning are used frequently.

51
Dew Formation • “Dew” warning feature
If dew forms, the word “DEW” flashes on the
• What is “dew formation”? LCD monitor, and the power will automatically
When cold water is poured into a glass, dew turn off in approximately 10 seconds.
drops form on the glass. This clinging of
water drops is called dew formation.
• When dew forms in your VIEWCAM.
Dew will gradually form on the head drum of
your VIEWCAM and make the video tape stick
to the head. This causes damage both to the
head and the tape. When dew formation
Q If “DEW” flashes on the LCD monitor,
occurs, recording and playback may not
remove the cassette, leave the cassette
function properly.
compartment open, and wait for a few hours
Dew is likely to form in the following circum-
to allow the VIEWCAM to acclimate to the
stances:
surrounding temperature.
• When moving the VIEWCAM from a cold
W To use the VIEWCAM again, turn on the
place to a warm place.
power after waiting for a few hours. Be sure
• When placing the VIEWCAM in a cold room
that “DEW” has disappeared from the
which is then heated rapidly.
monitor.
• When moving the VIEWCAM outdoors from
E Do not insert a cassette while “DEW” is
an air conditioned room.
flashing; this may result in damage to the
• When placing the
tape.
VIEWCAM in the direct
R Since dew forms gradually, it may take 10 to
path of air blowing from
15 minutes before the dew warning feature
an air conditioner.
engages.
• When placing the
VIEWCAM in a humid
room. Dirty Video Heads
• How to prevent trouble due to dew Using the VIEWCAM when the video tape is
formation. dirty may cause the heads to clog, producing
When using the VIEWCAM in a place where noise on the recorded image or preventing the
dew formation is likely to occur, allow the image from being recorded at all.
VIEWCAM and the video tape to acclimate to
If the video heads become clogged, the
the surroundings for about one hour.
indicator appears on the screen. Contact the
For example, when bringing the VIEWCAM

;
nearest SHARP service centre or your dealer
indoors after skiing, place it in a plastic bag.

;;
; ;;
;
for further advice.

;;;
;;
Note:
Plastic bag • Video head cleaning can be done by using a
commercially-available cleaning tape. However,
Q Be sure to tightly seal the plastic bag excessive use of the cleaning tape may also
containing the VIEWCAM. cause damage to the video heads. Please read
W Remove the bag when the air temperature the instructions accompanying the cleaning tape
References

inside it reaches the temperature of the carefully, before using it.

room.

52
 References

Replacing the Fluorescent Lamp How to use the battery pack cover
• When storing a fully charged battery pack,
This VIEWCAM uses a fluorescent lamp to put the cover on it so that the “CHARGE”
backlight the LCD monitor. If the monitor mark printed on the label is seen through the
becomes dark or difficult to view, the window, as shown.
fluorescent lamp may need to be replaced.
Contact the nearest SHARP service centre or CHARGE
your dealer for further advice.
Battery Window
Battery Pack pack
Cover
Battery pack consumption Label
• Recording with many starts and stops,
frequent zooming, and recording in low
temperatures will shorten actual recording • When storing a battery pack that is not fully
times. Accordingly, be sure to turn off the charged, put the cover upside down so that
power when not recording. Use of an auxiliary only the battery pack casing is seen through
battery pack is recommended to prevent the window.
undesirable interruptions in your recording. Caution:
• Do not use an insufficiently charged or weak • For safety reasons, put the cover on the
battery pack. Use of such battery packs may battery pack when it is not being used. If the
cause the power to automatically stop during metal parts of the battery pack come in
VIEWCAM operation to protect both the contact with other metal items, there is a
battery pack and the unit. danger that a short circuit may occur.
Note:
• This VIEWCAM uses a Ni-MH (nickel-metal Battery power is consumed even when the
hydride) type battery pack. Use only the VIEWCAM’s power is turned off. If you are not
SHARP BT-H22 or BT-H32 battery packs. going to use your VIEWCAM immediately,
They are designed specifically for use with remove the battery pack (see page 7).
this VIEWCAM.
Battery pack life Temperature during charging
The battery pack has a limited service life. If • The Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) type BT-H22
the period of use becomes noticeably and BT-H32 battery packs can be charged at
shorter with a normal charge, the battery a temperature of 15°C to 30°C.
pack is at the end of its service life. Replace
it with a new battery pack.
Extending battery pack life
• It is recommended that you use the battery
pack until its charge is fully drained and the
VIEWCAM is inoperable before recharging
the pack.
• Recharge the battery pack right before
recording. A battery pack stored for an
extended time will naturally wear down,
resulting in decreased recording time.
• Do not try to recharge a fully charged battery
pack before it has been discharged, as this
will cause deterioration of the battery’s
References

capacity.
• Store the battery pack in a dry, cool place.

53