The Panasonic AG-188 portable camcorder offers a 14x zoom lens, auto or manual focus, fade to black and other useful functions to make shooting a video easy.  The camcorder may be connected to electric current, or the supplied battery may be used for mobile recording.  A fluid head tripod is also available for smooth camera movements and steady close ups.
 
 
 

Click here to reserve a camcorder.

Getting the Camcorder Ready for Use

1.  Remove the camcorder from the camera case.

2.  If mounting on a tripod, click here.

3.Unfold the viewfinder and remove the lens cap.

4.Power Options

Battery Use:Insert fully charged camcorder battery into the battery compartment of the camcorder.  Make sure the + and - signs on the battery match the + and - signs on the camcorder

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Electric Use:    Plug the power supply into the AC jack on the back of the camcorder.  Plug the electrical cord into a standard electrical outlet

5.  Slide the camcorder power button to the "on" position.  You should see a picture in the viewfinder.

Recording with the camcorder

A.  Turn the camera/VCR knob to camera.

B.  Press the eject button to open the tape compartment door.  Insert a blank videocassette into the tape compartment.

C. Zoom lens controls and the record button are located toward the front of the camera.  Press the button closest to the lens to zoom in on the subject, and the button farthest from the lens to zoom out.  To begin recording, press and release the red record button.  The camera will record until the red record button is pressed again.

D.Adjust the picture.
 

Focus may be set to auto or you may adjust the focus manually.  Select manual or auto by sliding the focus button to the desired setting.

Display   Press the display button to change the items displayed in the viewfinder.  A running counter and time/date may be displayed.

Fade    Press the fade button to fade the picture to black.  Begin recording, then release the fade button to fade from black to the beginning of the video.  When the end of the program is reached, press and hold the fade button to fade the picture to black, then press the record button to stop recording.

Back Light    Press this button to open the iris of the camera when shooting into a bright source.  The picture will increase in brightness so the subject in front of the light source will become visible.

Light    A small light may be attached to illuminate a subject within 10 feet of the camera.  Simply slide the light onto the mount on the camcorder handle.  Slide the light button to the right to turn on the light, and again to turn it off. Note:  The camcorder battery life will be drastically lowered when using the camcorder light. No effects will be noticed when the camcorder is under electrical power.

High Speed Shutter    The H.S. Shutter button engages the high speed shutter function on the camcorder.  This feature is used when videotaping sports events and subjects in fast motion.

Date/Time Set    To set the correct date and time, press the Date/Time Set button while looking into the camcorder viewfinder.  Press the up and down buttons to adjust the time and date.

Videotape Playback

You may also playback a videotape in the camcorder.  This feature is beneficial when setting up the proper place to begin recording on a videotape, or to check if the scene just videotaped is acceptable.

a.  Insert a videotape into the camcorder  (see step B above).

b.  Turn the Camera/VCR knob to VCR

c.  Using the playback controls, press the play button to view the videotape.  Look into the viewfinder for the video playback.  Sound is not available while viewing the tape in the viewfinder.

d.  Use the fast forward or reverse buttons to cue the videotape to the desired place on the tape.

To begin recording from a particular place on the tape:  Press the pause button at the place you wish to begin recording.

e.  Turn the Camera/VCR knob to Camera.  The videotape is now set to begin recording from that particular place on the tape.