Brand: HITACHI
Category: Camcorder
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for VM-H57A
Uploaded: Aug. 10, 2025, 12:50 a.m.
To charge the battery, plug the AC adapter/charger into an outlet, aligning the wide blade with the wide slot. Insert the battery into the charger, aligning the reference arrow. The CHARGE light stays on during charging. Remove the external power adapter before charging. Note: Do not operate the battery below 14°F (-10°C) or above 95°F (35°C). After charging, set the mark switch to red for easy identification. Use the battery until the low charge light flashes for optimal condition. It is recommended to refresh the battery before recharging if it hasn't been used for a long time. Refreshing takes approximately 4 hours. Replace the battery when operating time becomes too short. If the POWER light flashes during charging, remove and reattach the battery. A continuously flashing POWER light indicates a battery that needs replacement. Do not attach a hot battery to the charger.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| INSERTING OR REMOVING THE CASSETTE | Check Point & Correction |
| Cassette holder cannot be opened when you slide “EJECT” button | 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. |
| CAMERA RECORDING | Check Point & Correction |
| Picture does not appear in the viewfinder. | Remove the lens cap. |
| The camera/recorder cannot go into the recording mode, even when the start/stop button is pressed. |
Slide the power switch to "CAMERA"
Disconnect the AV input cable from the camera/recorder. Check the record protect tab on the cassette. |
| Picture is out of focus. |
Make sure that the "FOCUS M" does not appear in the viewfinder. If it is displayed, press "Focus” select button to erase it.
Auto-Focus does not operate if a special effects filter is attached. |
| RECORDING TV PROGRAMS OFF THE AIR | Check Point & Correction |
| The camera/recorder can not be set to the recording mode, even when the start/sop button on the camera/recorder is pressed. |
Check the record protect tab on the cassette.
Set the power switch to “CAMERA” position. Connect the camera/recorder and TV (or VCR). |
| PLAYBACK OF PRE-RECORDED CASSETTE | Check Point & Correction |
| "PLAY" button cannot be engaged. | Set the power switch to “VIDEO” position. |
| No picture appears on television screen when “PLAY” button is pressed. | Set the television to the camera/recorder channel (3 or 4) depending upon the selected channel in the RF channel select switch of RF output adapter. (TV is connect to the camera/recorder by using RF output adapter.) |
| Interference on playback picture. | When you see the playback picture on yourTV, adjust fine tuning knob on television set to obtain best picture. |
| Picture bends at the top of the TV screen. | TV receiver is older type. It needs to be modified to work properly with camera/recorder. |
| Color of your TV screen is too bright, too faint or change. |
Tape is damaged, try another cassette.
TV set has VIR circuit. Turn off during playback. |
| DEW | Check Point & Correction |
| "DEW" indication flashes in the viewfinder. | Condensation on the camera/recorder mechanism - wait until the unit has reached normal room temperature and condensation has dried. "DEW" indication will then stop flashing. |
| BATTERY CONDITION | Check Point & Correction |
| The "" indication in the electronic viewfinder | Try another battery or charge the battery. |
| NO OPERATION IS ACCEPTED | Check Point & Correction |
| Power is not turned on an no button operations are accepted. | 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. |
| EJECT OR TROUBLE DISPLAY | Check Point & Correction |
| EJECT or TROUBLE appears in the viewfinder. | 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. |