Brand: HITACHI
Category: Camcorder
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for VM-E520A / VM-E521A
Uploaded: Aug. 10, 2025, 12:52 a.m.
Manual Publish Date: 1995
Warranty Information
Defective parts are covered by the warranty. Normal maintenance is the owner's responsibility.
Getting Started
1. **Charging the Battery:** Plug in the AC adapter/charger, align the battery's reference arrow with the charger's, and push until flush. The CHARGE light indicates charging.
2. **Installing the Battery:** Lift the OPEN lever, align the battery's arrow with the camcorder's, push down, and slide right until it clicks.
3. **Setting Date and Time:** Load the clock battery, turn the camcorder on, press DATE/TITLE, and use F.F/REW/STOP to set the date and time.
4. **Inserting a Cassette:** Slide EJECT, place the cassette with the transparent window facing away, and push the cassette holder until it clicks.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Symptom | Check Point & Correction |
|---|---|
| Cassette holder cannot be opened when you slide EJECT switch | • Connect the power source • Load cassette in direction indicated by arrow on cassette • Cassette window must be toward outside. |
| Cassette cannot be inserted into cassette compartment | • Connect the power source • Load cassette in direction indicated by arrow on cassette • Cassette window must be toward outside. |
| Picture does not appear in the viewfinder. | • Remove the lens cap. • Slide the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to CAM. • Disconnect the AV input cable from the camcorder. • Check the record-protect tab on the cassette. See page 19 for details. • Push the cassette holder embossed PUSH LOCK to close it. • Slide the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to CAM. |
| The camcorder cannot go into the recording mode, even when the start/stop button is pressed. | • Check the record-protect tab on the cassette. See page 19 for details. • Set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to CAM. • Connect the camcorder and TV or VCR. |
| Picture is out of focus. | • Make sure that FOCUS does not appear in the viewfinder. If it is displayed, press FOCUS Control buttons to erase it. • Auto-Focus does not operate if a special-effects filter is attached or the objects shown on page 35 are being recorded. |
| Auto-focus does not operate. | • Make sure that FOCUS does not appear in the viewfinder. If it is displayed, press FOCUS Control buttons to erase it. • Auto-Focus does not operate if a special-effects filter is attached or the objects shown on page 35 are being recorded. |
| The created title does not appear | • Insert the clock battery, then create a title. • Do not remove the clock battery after creating a title. |
| "PLAY" button cannot be engaged. | • Set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to VIDEO |
| No picture appears on television screen when "PLAY" is pressed. (TV is connected to the camcorder by using RF output adapter.) | • Set the television to the camcorder channel (3 or 4) depending upon the selected channel in the RF channel select switch of RF output adapter. • When you see the playback picture on your TV, RF adjust fine tuning knob on television set to obtain best picture |
| Interference on playback picture. (TV is connected to the camcorder by using output adapter.) | • TV receiver is of older type. It needs to be modified to work properly with camcorder. • Tape is damaged. Try another cassette. • Color of your TV screen is too bright, too faint or change • TV set has VIR circuit. Turn it off during playback |
| Picture bends at the top of the TV screen | • TV receiver is of older type. It needs to be modified to work properly with camcorder. |
| Date search function does not operate | • Slide the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to VIDEO. Insert the clock battery, set the date and time, and then start recording. • Do not remove the clock battery after recording. |
| The playback picture moves rapidly and noise appears. Also sound speeded up from normal is heard. | • The camcorder is set to the double speed playback mode. Pressing the playback button to restore the normal playback mode. The sound also returns to the normal speed. • See page 31 for details. |
| Noise appears in the picture during double speed playback, but this does not indicate a fault. | • See page 31 for details. |
| The indication flashes in the electronic viewfinder flashes to indicate battery is discharged. | • Try another battery or charge the battery. |
| Power is turned on, but no button operations are accepted | • Remove the power source and the date/title battery. And, after about one minute, the display in the viewfinder will be reset. Then set the information again. |
| The camcorder does not operate when alkaline batteries are inserted. | • Check that the polarities (+, -) of the batteries are correct. Insert six batteries. |
| TAPE appears in the viewfinder | • Have you moved the camcorder or cassette from a cold place to a warm place so that its temperature changed abruptly? • If the temperature has changed, remove the cassette and set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to OFF, then wait for about one hour. • Remove the cassette and then try to reinsert it several times. • If the indication is still shown in the viewfinder, use a cleaning tape to clean the heads and replace the cassette. |