Brand: HITACHI
Category: Camcorder
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for VM-H100LA
Uploaded: Aug. 10, 2025, 12:52 a.m.
Manual Publish Date: 1995-01-01
Warranty Information
Hitachi Authorized Service Facilities will provide service according to the limited warranty terms.
- Charging the Battery: Ensure the battery is fully charged before first use. Charge using the AC adapter/charger or the optional car adapter.
- Inserting/Removing Cassettes: Connect a power source before inserting or removing cassettes. Slide the EJECT switch and place the cassette correctly.
- Basic Recording: Set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to CAM. Press the Start/Stop button to begin recording and again to pause.
- Playback: Set the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to VIDEO. Press the PLAY button to playback recorded tapes.
- Setting Date and Time: Access the CAM MENU to set the date and time for accurate recording information.
- LCD Monitor Adjustment: Use the LCD MENU to adjust brightness, color, and tint of the LCD screen.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Symptom | Check Point & Correction |
|---|---|
| Cassette holder cannot be opened when you slide EJECT switch | Connect the power source |
| Cassette cannot be inserted into cassette compartment | Load cassette in direction indicated by arrow on cassette Cassette window must be toward outside. |
| Picture does not appear in the LCD Monitor. | Remove the lens cap. Slide the CAM/OFF/VIDEO switch to CAM. |
| The camcorder cannot go into the recording mode, even when the start/stop button is pressed. | 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. |
| Picture is out of focus. | Make sure that FOCUS does not appear in the LCD Monitor. If it is displayed, press FOCUS Control buttons to erase it. |
| Auto-focus does not operate. | Auto-Focus does not operate if a special-effects filter is attached or the objects shown on page 35 are being recorded. |
| The camcorder cannot be set to the recording mode, even when the Start/Stop button on the camcorder 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. |
| "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.) | When recording with an external monaural microphone, the sound is recorded only on the left channel. If recording is done with the power of the external microphone turned off, no sound is recorded. Disconnect the external microphone from the camcorder when you are not using it |
| Sound is heard only from one channel or no sound was recorded | TV receiver is of older type. It needs to be modified to work properly with camcorder. |
| Picture bends at the top of the TV screen | 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 |
| 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. Do not eject the recorded cassette. Leave it in the camcorder. |
| The () indication 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. |
| The LCD screen in black and white. | Remove the power source, and after about one minute, push the reset switch gently using a toothpick, etc. until you feel a click. The display will be reset. Then set the information again |
| TAPE appears in the LCD Monitor | 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: remove it several times. If the indication is still shown in the viewfinder, use a cleaning tape to clean the heads and replace the cassette. |