– 11 –Chapter 1 Overview — Before using the cameraBefore using the camerar When using this product during rain or snow or when at the beach, be careful that water does not get inside the camera recorder.Water causes damage to the camera recorder and memory card. (Repair may be impossible)r Keep the camera recorder away from devices (TVs, TV games, etc.) that produce magnetism.f If you use the camera recorder on or near TVs, video and sound data may be distorted by electromagnetic waves.f Strong magnetic fields produced by speakers and large motors may cause damage to recorded contents and may distort images.f Electromagnetic waves emitted by microcomputers may have a harmful effect on the camera recorder and may corrupt video and sound data.f The camera recorder may not operate properly if it receives harmful effects from devices that produce magnetism. If this happens, turn off the camerarecorder and either remove the battery or unplug the AC adaptor from the power outlet. Then, replace the battery or reconnect the AC adaptor. Afterthat, turn on the camera recorder.r Do not use the camera recorder near radio transmitters or high-voltage devices.If you use the camera recorder near radio transmitters or high-voltage devices, the recorded video and sound data may suffer harmful effects.r When using the camera recorder at the beach, etc., be careful that sand and dust do not get inside the camera recorder.Sand and dust may damage the camera recorder and memory card. (Be careful when inserting and removing the memory card)r Battery charger and batteryf If the lamp continues blinking even when the battery is at its optimal temperature, the battery or battery charger may be damaged.Contact a dealer.f If the battery is warm, it will take longer than usual to charge.f If you use the battery charger near a radio, the radio sound may be distorted. Keep the battery and battery charger at least 1 m away from radioswhen in use.f Noise may be emitted when using the battery charger, but this is not a malfunction.r When carrying the camera recorder, be careful not to drop it.f Strong shocks will damage the camera recorder body and it may not operate properly.f If you carry the camera recorder, use a grip strap or shoulder strap and handle it carefully.r Do not apply insecticide or volatile materials to the camera recorder.f If insecticide or volatile materials come into contact with the camera recorder, the camera recorder body may warp and the paint may come off.f Do not allow the camera recorder to remain in contact with rubber or vinyl objects for a long period of time.r After using the camera recorder, either remove the battery or disconnect the AC cable from the power outlet.r Battery characteristicsThe battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It produces electrical energy via an internal chemical reaction. This chemical reaction is easilyinfluenced by the surrounding temperature and humidity, so the effective usage time of the battery is reduced when the surrounding temperature is hotor cold. When used in extremely low temperature environments, the effective usage time is approximately five minutes.When the battery is in an extremely hot environment, its protective function will operate and the camera recorder cannot be used temporarily.r After using the camera recorder, be sure to remove the battery.Be sure to remove the battery from the camera recorder. (If the battery is left in the camera recorder, it will continue to consume a small amount ofelectric current even when the power is turned off)If the battery is left inside the camera recorder for a long time, it will over discharge and may become unusable even if it is recharged.Do not remove the battery when the power is turned on.Turn off the power and remove the battery after the operation lamp goes completely out.r Take proper care of the battery terminal.Do not allow dust or foreign objects on the battery terminal.Also, if you drop the battery by mistake, make sure that the battery body and the terminal are not warped.Inserting a deformed battery into the camera recorder or attaching it to the battery charger may cause damages on the camera recorder or batterycharger.r Cautions when throwing memory cards away or transferring them to othersFormatting memory cards or deleting data using the functions of the camera or a computer will merely change the file management information: it willnot completely erase the data on the cards. When throwing these cards away or transferring them to others, either physically destroy them or use adata deletion program for computers (commercially available) to completely erase the data. Users are responsible for managing the data stored in theirmemory cards.r LCD monitor and viewfinderf If the same image or letters are allowed to be displayed on the LCD monitor for a long time, the image may be burned into the screen. It will return tonormal after leaving the camera recorder turned off for several hours.f Condensation sometimes forms on the LCD panel of the LCD monitor in locations subject to extreme temperature differences. If this happens, wipewith a soft, dry cloth.f If the camera recorder is very cold, the LCD monitor will be slightly darker than normal immediately after the power is turned on. The screen will returnto its regular brightness when the temperature inside increases.
