Brand: JVC
Category: Camcorder
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for GZ-MS120
Uploaded: Nov. 21, 2025, 7:10 p.m.
Warranty Information
JVC warrants that any media in which the Program is embodied are free from defects for thirty (30) days.
- Charge the Battery Before Recording: Turn off the camcorder, attach the battery pack, and connect the AC adapter. The power/charge lamp indicates charging status.
- Insert the SD Card: Ensure the camcorder is off. Open the SD card cover, firmly insert the card, and close the cover. Format the card for first-time use.
- Date/Time Setting: Open the LCD, touch the sensor to navigate menus, and set the date and time.
- Video Recording: Slide the mode switch to video mode, press PLAY/REC to select recording mode, and press START/STOP to begin recording. Press START/STOP again to stop.
- Still Image Recording: Slide the mode switch to still image mode, press PLAY/REC, press and hold SNAPSHOT halfway, then press fully to take a photo.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Trouble | Action |
|---|---|
| Recording cannot be performed. | SD card is full. Delete unnecessary files or replace the SD card. Insert a commercially available SD card, and set each of the [VIDEO SLOT SELECTION] and [IMAGE SLOT SELECTION] to [SLOT A] or [SLOT B]. |
| Recording stops by itself. | • Recording stops automatically after 12 hours of non-stop recording. To ensure continuous recording, set [AUTO SWITCH REC MEDIA] to [ON] before you start recording. (☞ p. 56) |
| The recorded subject is too dark. | • Use backlight compensation. • Set [GAIN UP] to [AGC] or [AUTO]. • Use [NIGHT] from scene select. • Set the brightness to the [+] side. |
| The recorded subject is too bright. | • Set the backlight compensation to off if it is being used. • Set the brightness to the [–] side. |
| Digital zoom does not work. | • Change [ZOOM] to [70X/DIGITAL] or [800X/DIGITAL]. Digital zoom is not available in the still image recording mode. |
| The focus is not adjusted automatically. | • Wipe the lens with lens cleaning cloth. • If you are recording in a dark place or a subject that has no contrast between dark and light, adjust the focus manually. |
| The color looks strange. (Too bluish, too reddish, etc.) | • Set [WB] in [MANUAL SETTING] appropriately to the light source. • Select [MWB] in [WB] while holding a sheet of plain white paper in front of the camcorder so that the white paper fills the screen. Keep touching OK until the indicator appears. |
| White balance setting cannot be activated. | • This cannot be used if [SEPIA] or [MONOTONE] are selected as effects. • Do not use [TWILIGHT] from scene select. |
| The continuous shooting speed is slow. | • The continuous shooting speed will drop after continuous shots. Continuous shooting speed may drop depending on the recording media or under certain recording conditions. |
| Band of bright light appears on the LCD monitor. | • This occurs when there is a bright light source near the camcorder. This is not a malfunction. Change the direction of the camcorder to prevent the light source comes into view. |