Brand: SHARP
Category: Camera
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for VLZ3s
Uploaded: Nov. 21, 2025, 7:38 p.m.
Preparation
- Attaching and Removing the Battery Pack: Ensure the power switch is OFF. Open the LCD monitor, slide the battery pack, and push until it clicks. To remove, slide the battery release and take the pack out.
- Charging the Battery Pack: Attach the battery pack, ensure power is OFF, and open the DC IN jack cover. Connect the AC adapter to a power outlet and the DC plug to the camcorder. The POWER/CHARGE indicator lights up red and turns off when charged.
- Powering the Camcorder from an AC Outlet: Connect the AC adapter to a power outlet and the DC plug to the camcorder. The POWER/CHARGE indicator lights up green.
- Inserting and Removing a Cassette: Attach power source, open the compartment door. Insert Mini DV cassette with the window facing outwards. Press "PUSH" until it clicks. To remove, open the compartment and take out the cassette.
- Inserting and Removing a Card: Ensure power switch is OFF, open the card slot cover. Insert SD Memory Card or MultiMediaCard and push in fully. To remove, push the card and release slowly, then pull out.
- Installing the Lithium Batteries: Ensure power switch is OFF, open the LCD monitor. Slide the battery release and remove the battery pack. Insert the smaller lithium battery into the compartment and close the cover.
Operation References
- Part Names: Diagrams and descriptions of the camcorder's front, left, and right views with corresponding page numbers for details.
- Warning Indicators: Explanations of various warning messages that may appear on the screen, with suggested solutions.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Symptom | Possible cause | Suggested solution |
| No power. | Power source is not properly connected. | Connect power source properly (pp. 6, 9). |
| Battery pack is not charged. | Charge battery pack sufficiently (p. 8). | |
| Dew in camcorder. | Wait until dew dries (p. vii). | |
| Safety function is in effect. | Set Power switch to OFF and remove battery pack. Wait for 2 seconds, then reinstall battery pack and turn on power (pp. 6, 7). | |
| Start/Stop button does not work. | Erasure-protect tab on video cassette is open. | Close tab or use a new cassette (p. 92). |
| Power suddenly turns off. | Camcorder left in Recording Standby mode for 5 minutes in Tape Camera mode. | Set Power switch to OFF and then back to Camera mode. |
| Auto focus does not work. | Manual Focus mode is engaged. | Set to Auto Focus mode (p. 53). |
| Zoom used on close subject. | Zoom out from subject (p. 23). | |
| Bright subject produces wide vertical lines. | Subject has little contrast in brightness, or is full of horizontal or vertical stripes. Occurs when shooting subject with strong contrast to the background. Does not indicate a malfunction. | Focus manually (p. 52). |
| Display automatically changes in Tape Camera mode. | Camcorder is in Demo mode. | Set the DEMO MODE menu item to "OFF" (p. 90). |
| No image appears on connected TV screen. | Video input channel on TV or TV channel is not selected properly. | Select video input channel or TV channel properly (p. 30). |
| Audio/video/S-video cable is not properly connected. | Connect audio/video/S-video cable properly (p. 30). | |
| No image from an external source appears on the camcorder screen. | DV cable or audio/video/S-video cable is not properly connected. | Connect DV cable or audio/video/S-video cable properly (pp. 63, 64, 68). |
| The cable connection does not match the S-VIDEO IN menu setting. | Set the S-VIDEO IN menu item to "ON" for S-video connection, or "OFF" for video connection (p. 65). | |
| Cannot rewind or fast forward tape. | Position at beginning or end of tape. | Rewind or fast forward tape to desired point (p. 27). |
| Using a cleaning tape | The cleaning tape will automatically rewind after cleaning finishes (p. viii). | |
| Video noise in image. | Dirty video heads. | Call for service or use a commercially available cleaning tape (p. viii). |
| Old or worn tape. | Use a new cassette. | |
| No sound. | Using a 12-bit recording tape with AUDIO menu item set to “AUDIO 2”. | Set the AUDIO menu item to "AUDIO 1" or "AUDIO 1+2" (p. 62). |
| Tape does not work. | Power switch is set to Camera mode. | Set the Power switch to Playback mode (p. 21). |
| Media Selection switch is set to Card mode. | Set the Media Selection switch to Tape mode (p. 21). | |
| Battery pack is depleted. | Charge battery pack or replace it with a fully charged one (pp. 6-8). | |
| Still images in Card mode are rotated 180° upside down. | The images are recorded in self recording with reversed grip. | Transfer the data to PC (pp. 82–84), and rotate the images 180° back by using a commercially available editing software. |
| Motion images are rotated 180° upside down. | Improper self recording. | Turn on Rotate Playback (p. 50). |
| Cannot delete image on card. | Image is delete-protected. | Cancel the protection setting (p. 77). |
| Cannot format card. | — | |
| Battery pack is easily depleted. | Using camcorder in extremely cold environment. | Warm up battery pack, for example in your pocket, just before using it. |
| Battery pack is not fully charged. | Charge battery pack sufficiently (p. 8). | |
| Clock has been reset. | Lithium battery is not properly installed. | Install lithium battery properly (p. 12). |
| Lithium battery is depleted. | Replace new lithium battery (p. 12). | |
| Cassette will not eject. | Power source is not properly connected. | Connect power source properly (pp. 6, 9). |
| Battery pack is not charged. | Charge battery pack sufficiently (p. 8). | |
| Camcorder is recording. | Stop recording and try again (p. 22). | |
| No image on monitor. | Backlight has been turned off. | Turn on backlight (p. 24). |
| Fluorescent lamp has burned out. | Call for service. | |
| Viewfinder picture is hard to see. | Adjust dioptre (p. 18). | |
| Monitor picture is hard to see. | Inappropriate picture adjustments. | Adjust picture (p. 86). |
| POWER/CHARGE (RED) indicator flashes in red when charging battery pack. | AC adapter or battery pack may have malfunctioned. | Call for service. |
| Cannot edit to connected VCR. | Audio/video/S-video cable is not properly connected. | Connect audio/video/S-video cable properly (p. 63). |
| Remote control does not function. | REMOTE menu item is set to "OFF". | Set REMOTE menu item to "ON" (p. 46). |
| Remote control battery has run down. | Replace remote control battery with new one (p. 13). | |
| Remote control used beyond operating range. | Use remote control within operating range (p. 46). | |
| Intense daylight falling on camcorder remote sensor. | Protect remote sensor from exposure to intense daylight (p. 46). | |
| Obstacle between remote control and camcorder remote sensor. | Remove obstacle or use remote control from different angle (p. 46). | |
| "E007" is displayed on the screen, and unable to operate normally. | The camcorder may be damaged. | Do not take out a cassette, and call for service. |