Panasonic AG-HMC40 User Manual - Page 9

Operating precautions Do not allow any water to get into the camerarecorder when using it in the rain or snow or at the beach. • Failure to heed this caution will cause the camera-recorder or a card to malfunction (and may result in irreparable damage). Keep the camera-recorder away from equipment (such as TV sets and video game machines) that generate magnetic fields. • Using the camera-recorder on top of or near a TV set may cause distortion in the images and/or sound due to the electromagnetic waves that the set emits. • The powerful magnetic fields generated by speakers or large motors may damage your recordings or distort the images. • The electromagnetic waves emitted from a microcomputer will adversely affect the camerarecorder, causing the images and/or sound to be distorted. • If the camera-recorder is so adversely affected by products that generate magnetic fields that it no longer operates properly, turn it off and remove the battery or unplug the AC adapter from the power outlet. Then install the battery again or reconnect the AC adapter. After this, turn the camera-recorder back on. Do not use the camera-recorder near radio transmitters or high-voltage equipment. • Using the camera-recorder near a radio transmitter or high-voltage equipment may adversely affect the recorded images and/or sound. Do not allow any sand or dust to get into the camera-recorder when using it at the beach and other similar places. • Sand and dust can damage the camera-recorder or a card. (Be especially careful when inserting or removing a card.) AC adapter and battery • If the CHARGE lamp continues to blink even when the battery temperature is normal, there may be something wrong with the battery or AC adapter. Contact your dealer. • The battery takes longer to charge when it is warm. • The AC adapter can interfere with radio reception so keep radios at least 1 meter away from it. • The AC adapter may make some noise when you are using it, but this is normal. Take precautions not to drop the camera when moving it. • Strong impacts may damage the camera and cause it to stop working. • Handle the camera with care, using the hand strap or shoulder strap to carry it. Do not spray the camera with insect sprays or other volatile substances. • These can warp the camera or cause the finish to come off. • Do not leave the camera-recorder in contact with rubber or PVC products for extended periods of time. After use, remove the battery and disconnect the AC power supply cable. Battery characteristics This camera-recorder uses a rechargeable lithiumion battery that uses its internal chemical reaction to generate electrical energy. This reaction is easily influenced by the ambient temperature and humidity, and the battery's effective operating time is reduced as the temperature rises or falls. In very low temperatures, the battery may last only 5 minutes. Protective circuitry functions if you use the battery where it is very hot and you will have to wait before you can use it again. Remove the battery after use. Completely remove the battery. (The battery continues to be used even if you have turned the camera off.) The battery can over discharge if you leave it in the camera and it may become impossible to recharge it. Disposing of spent batteries The battery will become unchargeable. Rather than throwing the battery into the garbage, take it to a store that can assist in recycling it. (Continued on the next page)  Before use