Panasonic Digital Hd Video Cassette Recorder Ajhd1800 Operating Instructions

							21
Connections
Example of connections performed for 
one VTR
Set the REMOTE LED   on the front panel to the
off status (LOCAL mode).
Example of connections performed for 
two VTRs (deck-to-deck)
Source side:
Press the “9P 1394” REMOTE button on the front panel
for 2 or more seconds to set the VTR to the REMOTE
status.  (The LED lights.)
Recorder side:
Set the REMOTE LED   on the front panel to the off
status (LOCAL mode).
SD SDI input ACTIVE THRU
SD SDI input
(audio, video)
HD SDI input
(audio, video)
HD SDI output 
(ACTIVE THRU)
Audio monitor outputsSD SDI output
HD SDI outputs
Digital audio inputs
Digital audio outputs
HD/SD reference inputs
(loop-through output)
Video monitor output
(3 composite output lines)
Analog audio inputsAnalog audio outputs
HD SDI signal To audio monitor 
component
Remote 
signal (9P)
SD reference signal generator
Source side
To video monitor 
component
To audio monitor 
component
Recorder side
To video monitor 
component
REMOTE
IN/OUT
REMOTE
IN/OUT
75htermination
OFF
75
htermination
ON 
						

							22
Connections (continued)
Example of connections in 23/24 Hz or 25/
50 Hz (HD) mode
When a tape recorded with a frame rate of 24 fps (25/50 fps)
using a variable frame rate camera is played back on the
unit, data can be converted and output in 1080/24 psf (1080/
25 psf or 1080/50i) and recorded on the AJ-HD3700 series.
Shown in the figure below is an example of the deck-to-deck
connections.
Input the 48 Hz (or 50 Hz) reference signal as the REF input.

zWhen the tape begins to travel at 1k speed, the video 
may be disturbed and the audio muted for several frames 
in order to synchronize the REF input with the tape.
zVITC signals are not output to the SD SDI and VIDEO 
OUT connectors in the 23/24 Hz mode.
zIn the 25/50 (HD) Hz mode, the output video signals of the 
SD SDI and VIDEO OUT connectors are delayed by 
approximately 1 field in relation to the HD SDI output.
zHD SDI output is muted in the 25/50 Hz (SD) mode.
Example of connections in 25/50 Hz (SD) 
mode
When a tape recorded with a frame rate of 25/50 fps using a
variable frame rate camera is played back on the unit, data
can be converted and output in 576/50i and recorded in the
SD-VTR. An example of a connection between decks is
shown in the following illustration.
Input the 50 Hz reference signal to the SD REF input
connector as the REF input.
CH 1 CH 2 CH 3CH 4 CH 1 CH 2 CH 3CH 4 CH 5
CUE L R
OUT
~AC IN
SIGNAL
GND
IN
PUSHPUSHPUSHPUSHPUSHPUSHPUSH PUSH
OUTPUTCH CH CH CH
INPUTCH CH CH CH
HDHD
REMOTE
IN
75
ON
OFF123(
SUPER)
(
SUPER) IN
INOUTHD SDI SD SDI WFM VIDEO OUT REF IN
REF OUT DIGITAL AUDIO1OUT1
OUT2OUT
2
OUT3
MONITORMONITOR(
SUPER)SPA R E
ACTIVE
THROUGH
REMOTE
OUTREMOTE
IN/OUT
CONTROL
PA N E LV/A
CONTROLRS-232CPARALLELIN/OUT(
50P)
SD
SD SD75
ON
OFFFUSE
125V 5A
AUDIO OUTAUDIO IN
MONITOR TIME CODE
ACTIVE
THROUGH
HD SDI OUT
Reference signal
For 24 Hz mode: 
HD REF 48 Hz (Interlace) 
For 25 Hz (HD)/50 Hz (HD) mode: HD REF 50 Hz (Interlace) or 
SD REF 50 Hz (Interlace)
75h
termination
OFF
75h 
termination
ON
HD SDI signal
Video monitor
AJ-HD1800
(Source side)
REMOTE
IN/OUT
AJ-HD3700B
(Recorder side)HD SDI IN
Remote 
signal (9P)
REMOTE
IN/OUT
Note concerning tapes played back by this VTR
zUse tapes which have been shot by a variable frame rate 
camera.
zDo not use tapes which are copies of shot tapes or 
edited tapes.  Doing so will cause the tape management 
information to be lost, and normal conversion and 
playback may not be possible as a result.
zTo convert a tape recorded at frame rates other than 24 
fps (25/50 fps) into 1080/24 psf (1080/25 psf or 1080/
50i), use the frame rate converter (optional AJ-FRC27).
PUSHPUSH
PUSHPUSHPUSHAC IN
SIGNAL
GND
AES/EBUSDI
SDTI
ANALOGCH1/2
INYVIDEO
VIDEO
OUT
SERVICE ONLY
REMOTE IN/OUTCH1 CH2AUDIO
IN
ENCODER REMOTE
RS-232C
PARALLEL
REMOTE OUT
IN
REF VIDEOIN
ON
OFF
P
B
P
R
Y1
2
(WFM)3(SUPER)
P
B
P
R
OPTION
CH3/4
IN
CH1/2
OUT
CH3/4
OUT
REMOTE
75?
ON
OFF75?
ANALOGTCININ
ACTIVE
THROUGH
OUT1TCOUT
MON
L
MON
R
CH4 CH3
CH1 CH2AUDIO
OUT
CH4 CH32
OPTION
IN OUT
1
2 3
(SUPER)
CH1 CH2AUDIO
INTCIN
TCOUT
MON
L
MON
R
CH4 CH3
CH1 CH2AUDIO
OUT
CH4 CH3PUSH
PUSHPUSHPUSH
PUSHPUSHPUSH
SD SDI OUT
Reference signal
SD REF 50Hz 
(interlace)
75htermination
OFF
SD SDI signal
Video monitorAJ-HD1800
(Source side)
REMOTE
IN/OUT
AJ-SD965
(Recorder side)SD 
SDI IN
Remote
signal 
(9P)
REMOTE
IN/OUT
75
h 
termination
ON 
						

							23
Connections (continued)
Example of connections with an editing controller
AV  m o n i t o r
Av monitor
Av monitorAv mo ni to r Recorder
Video monitor 
signals
Source unit Audio monitor 
signals
To REMOTE IN/OUT
Remote signals
Editing controller
AV switcherReference signal 
generator
Remote signals
Source unit 
Video monitor 
signals
Audio monitor 
signals
Reference signal
Reference signal Audio output signals Video output signalsAudio output 
signalsVideo output signals
Video input signals
Audio input signals
Video monitor signalsAudio monitor 
signals
To  R E M OT E  
IN/OUTTo  
REMOTE 
IN/OUT
  
When disconnecting the remote signals (9P) from one component and re-connecting them to another component,
check the settings, etc. of the editing controller.
Remote signals
Remote signals Reference signal
Video monitor 
signals
Audio monitor 
signals 
						

							24
Concerning tapes
Consumer-use DV and DVCAM cassettes
(Standard DV and DVCAM cassettes, mini DV and 
DVCAM cassettes)
Use a cassette adapter (AJ-CS455P) when a mini DV or
DVCAM cassette is to be used.
Note that inserting a mini DV or DVCAM cassette without the
use of a cassette adapter will cause malfunctioning.
Also note that long-duration mini DV cassettes (80 minutes
in the standard mode and 120 minutes in the LP mode)
cannot be used.
It is recommended that tapes bearing the Panasonic
brand be used as the consumer-use DV tapes.
M cassettes
Tapes capable of up to 33 minutes of recording or playback
(AJ-HP33EMG: for AJ-HD1800E)
L cassettes
Tapes capable of up to 64 minutes of recording or playback
(AJ-HP64ELG)
XL cassettes
Tapes capable of up to 126 minutes of recording and
playback
¢AJ-HP126EXG£Align the cassette with the center of the insertion slot, and
push it in gently.
The cassette tape will be loaded automatically.

zIt is not possible to play back consumer-use tapes which 
have been recorded in the LP mode.
zThe maximum transport speed of a consumer-use DV or 
DVCAM cassette tape is 32k.
zThe maximum still time for a consumer-use DV or 
DVCAM cassette tape is 10 seconds.
zFrom the perspective of protecting consumer-use DV 
and DVCAM cassette tapes, minimize the number of 
times the tapes are cued up at the same place as far as 
possible.
zWhen consumer-use DV and DVCAM cassette tapes are 
used, the maximum time for STILL TIMER is set to 10 
seconds and the total time elapsing when the VTR is left 
standing in the STILL mode  (When the STEP FWD 
mode is selected) is set to 1 minute.
zWhen editing material which has been recorded onto a 
consumer-use DV or DVCAM cassette tape, first record 
the material onto a DVCPRO HD tape or another VTR 
used for broadcasting applications.
zNoise may occur when performing slow playback using 
consumer-use DV or DVCAM cassette tapes.

zSet the cassette level with the cassette slit and insert
straight.
zDo not put your hand in the cassette slit.
zInsert an M/L-cassette between the left/right M/L-
cassette guides.
zIf the cassette slit is exposed to the strong direct rays of
the sun, a malfunction in the tape travel may occur.
M cassette size
L cassette size
XL cassette size 
						

							25
Turning on the power and inserting the 
cassette
Before starting to operate the VTR, check whether the
equipment has been connected properly.
1Turn on the VTR’s power.
2Check that the AUTO OFF lamp is off.
If condensation or some other problem has occurred, the
AUTO OFF lamp lights, and no further operations can be
performed.
3Insert the cassette tape.
Without forcing it, insert the cassette tape at the
prescribed position.
4Check that the STOP lamp is lighted.
When the tape is inserted, the cylinder starts rotating
automatically, the tape is loaded, and the VTR is set to
the STOP mode.  The EJECT lamp goes off.
STOP and STANDBY modes
1The VTR is set to the STOP mode when its STOP button 
is pressed.
The STOP lamp lights, and the tape stops running.
zIn order to protect the tape, the VTR is set to  standby 
OFF after the time set by setup menu item No.400 
(STILL TIMER) has elapsed.  If the STOP, REW, FF or 
PLAY button is now pressed, the VTR will be set to the 
corresponding mode.
2The VTR is set to the STANDBY ON/OFF mode when its 
STAND BY button is pressed.
The standby ON mode is established while the button’s
lamp is lighted.  When the button is pressed in the
standby OFF mode, the VTR is set to the standby ON
mode.
When the button is pressed while the VTR is in the STOP
mode, it is set to the standby OFF mode and the half-
loading status, and the button’s lamp goes off.

The cumulative total standby time at the same place
increases when programs are transmitted or the same
material is used repeatedly.  In order to protect the tape,
keep the standby time at the same place on the tape as
short as possible by, for instance, selecting a maximum of 30
seconds or so as the setup menu item No.400 (STILL
TIMER) setting.
123
4
2
1 
						

							26
Recording
1Set the accidental erasure prevention tab on the cassette 
tape to the “REC” position, and insert the tape.
2Press the STOP button to set the VTR to the stop mode.
3Select “EE” as the OUTPUT setting using   on the 
 menu.  EE pictures now appear on the TV 
monitor.
4Check that the REC INHIBIT lamp is off.
If the lamp is lighted, select “OFF” as the R INH setting
using   on the  menu.
If the inserted cassette has been formatted in a format
other than DVCPRO HD-LP, recording is prohibited by
default (factory settings) as set in SETUP MENU No. 118
(SP MODE INH).
5Select the video and audio input signals, and adjust the 
audio levels.
Selecting the video and audio input signals
1Connect the signals to be recorded.
2Select the input signals using   on the  
menu and   to   on the  menu or 
 menu
Adjust the audio levels
1Adjust the audio input levels of the CH1, CH2, CH3, 
CH4, CH5, CH6, CH7, CH8 audio signals and analog 
cue signal selected on the AUDIO menu.
When the audio UNITY lamp on the front panel is 
lighted, the audio signals will be recorded at the 
appropriate levels.
2Before adjusting the recording level, check that the 
REC LED is lighted and that the audio adjustment dial 
is in the unlocked status (LOCK LED off).
If the dial is in the LOCK status (LOCK LED lighted), 
press it.  The LOCK LED goes off, and the lock is 
released.
In addition, the analog cue audio recording level is 
adjusted using setup menu item No.790 (CUE REC 
VOL) so that it will not exceed j20 dB.
6Press the PLAY button while holding down the REC but-
ton.
The REC and PLAY lamps light, and recording starts.
7When the STOP button is pressed, the recording ends, 
and the VTR is set to the stop mode.
  
zDuring recording, check that the SERVO lamp is lighted.  
The playback pictures will be disturbed if it is blinking or 
off.
zIf analog signals (ANA1 to ANA4) have been selected as 
the CH5 to CH8 input signals on the AUDIO menu, their 
recording levels are tied in with the recording levels which 
have been set for the CH1 to CH4 signals.
zThe audio playback level of 1394 output cannot be 
adjusted.
F1
F6
F1
F1F6 
						

							27
Playback
1Insert the cassette tape, and set the VTR to the STOP 
mode.
2Press the PLAY button.
Normal playback commences. 
3Adjust the audio playback levels.
Before adjusting the playback levels, check that the PB
LED is lighted and that the audio adjustment dial is in the
unlocked status.  If the dial is locked (indicated by the
lighted LOCK LED), press it.  The LOCK LED goes off,
and the lock is released.  The analog cue audio level is
adjusted using setup menu item No.791 (CUE PB VOL).
Normally, the VTR is kept in the UNITY status (the
segment display of the control lights at the center).
4To end the playback, press the STOP button.  The VTR is 
now set to the STOP mode.

zDuring playback, check that the SERVO lamp is lighted.  
The playback pictures will be disturbed if the lamp is off or 
blinking.
zThe audio playback level of 1394 output cannot be 
adjusted.
Playback phase adjustment function
If two VTRs are to be used to play the same program, the
playback phase between the VTRs can be adjusted by
changing the playback speed of one of the VTRs.
1Press the TRIM button (“i” or “j” button) while holding 
down the PLAY button.  Each time it is pressed, the play-
back speed is accelerated or decelerated in increments 
of the number of playback framing fields selected by the 
setup menu item No.109 (CAP.LOCK) setting.
The SERVO lamp remains off while the tape is being
played at the accelerated or decelerated speed.
2Upon completion of the playback phase adjustment, 
release the PLAY button.
The VTRs now return to the standard playback speed,
and the SERVO lamp lights. 
						

							28
Jog/Shuttle
Jog Mode
1Push in the search dial. 
Confirm that the JOG lamp lights.
2Turn the search dial.
The dial’s click-stops are released, and the tape is played
back at the speed corresponding to the speed at which
the dial is turned.
The maximum jog speed can be changed by selecting
the setup menu item No.310 (JOG FWD MAX) and
No.311 (JOG REV MAX) settings.
When the dial is no longer turned, a still picture will
appear.
3To transfer the VTR from the jog mode to another mode, 
press the button that corresponds to the mode con-
cerned.

The default setting for the search dial is the direct search
mode for moving to the shuttle mode/jog mode/variable
mode.
It is possible to set the mode to the search mode only when
the search button is pressed by changing the setting in
SETUP MENU No. 100 (SEARCH ENA) to [KEY].
Shuttle Mode
1Press the search dial to return the pressed dial to the 
original position.
The SHTL lamp lights, and the mode becomes the
shuttle mode.
zImmediately after turning on the power, turn the search 
dial to the center position.
2Press the SHTL/SLOW button to shift to [SHTL] or 
[SLOW].
3Turn the search dial.
zWhen the lamp lights for [SHTL] of JOG/SHTL/SLOW, 
the playback rate will vary within the range from 0 to +/
-32 times. The range can be changed to +/-9.8, +/-16, 
and +/-32 times in SETUP MENU No. 101 (SHTL 
MAX). When the dial is at the center position, images 
become still pictures.
zWhen the lamp lights for [SLOW] of JOG/SHTL/SLOW, 
the playback rate will vary within the range from -4.9 to 
+4.9 times. The maximum rate can be switched in 
SETUP MENU No. 308 (VAR FWD MAX) and No. 309 
(VAR REV MAX). However, noise may be generated 
unless the rate is set within the range from -1.0 to +2.0 
times. For recording tapes other than the DVCPRO 
HD-LP recording tape, noise may be generated unless 
the rate is set within the range from -1.0 to +1.1 times. 
When the dial is at the center position, images become 
still pictures.
4To move from the Shuttle mode to other modes, press 
the STOP button or other buttons.

zFrom the audio monitor output, audio can be played back 
when the rate is within the range from -32 to +32 times. 
However, you must select [PCM] in SETUP MENU No. 
746 (MONI CH SEL).
zAudio playback in search mode may contain some noise. 
						

							29
Manual Editing
1Select the editing mode.
ASSEM button: 
Assemble (frame-to-frame continuity) editing is 
performed using this button.
INSERT button: 
Insert editing is performed using this button.
2On the time code display, select the channels to be 
edited.
ASSEM: 
Set ASSEM to ON using the   button.
INSERT
To select V, A1, A2, A3, A4 and CUE channels, press 
the   to   buttons; to select A5, A6, A7, A8 and 
TC channels, press the   +   to   +   
buttons.  The highlighted channels will now be edited.
3Press the PLAY button.
4While monitoring the TV monitor, search the position 
where the editing is to be started (IN point), and press 
the PLAY and EDIT buttons together at this position.
5Similarly, while monitoring the TV monitor, search the 
position where the editing is to be terminated (OUT 
point), and press the PLAY or STOP button at this posi-
tion.  The VTR is set to the PLAY or STOP mode, and the 
editing is terminated.
Preroll
Press the PREROLL button.
The VTR now performs the preroll operation.
When the cue time has been registered on the HOME, PF1
or PF2 screen:
The tape is prerolled from the registered cue time using
the preroll time which was set using  (PREROL) on the
 menu.
When the search mode is established on the CUE screen:
The tape is prerolled from the selected cue point using
the preroll time which was set using   (CU-ROL) on the
 menu.
The preroll operation is not performed when the selected
cue point has not been registered or when the cue point
registration mode is established.
In all other situations:
The tape is prerolled from the registered IN point (or the
current tape position when the IN point has not been
registered) using the preroll time which was set using 
(PREROL) on the  menu.
If the PREROLL button is pressed when the IN point has
not been registered, the current tape position is
automatically registered as the IN point [but only when
ENA has been selected as the setup menu item No.305
(AUTO ENTRY) setting].

The time code or CTL signal must be continuously recorded
between the edit IN point and preroll point.
F1
F1F6
SHIFTF2SHIFTF6
F1
F5
F1 
						

							30
Automatic Editing (deck-to-deck)
“Editing” refers to the work involved in using pre-recorded
tapes to bring different contents together or delete
unnecessary parts and bring together only the necessary
parts.
The basic editing steps are as follows.
1Using the REMOTE button, set the player to REMOTE 
and the recorder to LOCAL (ensure that the REMOTE 
LED is not lighted).
2Select the editing mode (ASSEM or INSERT).
3Register the edit points of the recorder and player.
4Check and modify, if necessary, the edit points.
5Preview the material before editing it.
6Proceed with the editing (AUTO EDIT).
7 Review the edited results.
Switch settings and adjustments
When using this VTR as the recorder
When using this VTR as the player
Set the VTR to the LOCAL status 
(which is indicated when the REMOTE 
LED is OFF).
Set the POWER 
switch to ON.
Switch the time counter display to TC 
or CTL. Adjust the recording 
levels.
Press the 9P button for 2 or more 
seconds to set the VTR to the REMOTE 
status which is indicated when the 
REMOTE LED is ON.
Set the POWER 
switch to ON.
Switch the time counter display to TC 
or CTL.
Adjust the playback 
levels.