The VM-3700A collects images through its f/1.8, 12:1 (5-60mm) zoom lens and directs them to a 1/3- inch CCD (charge coupled device). You can focus your images either automatically or manually. You choose this through a pair of switches that also focus the lens in the manual setting.

With the focus on automatic, and the zoom rocker set to fully wide angle, the lens enters the macro mode. It will then focus sharply on items as close as 1.2 inches from the lens surface.

If you push the two-speed zoom control to the fully telephoto end, the camcorder enters the digital zoom mode. This will increase the power zoom's magnification by two times. The unit also offers an Instant Zoom button, which magnifies the screen 1.5 times. Pushing the button again restores the image to normal size.

The VM-3700A uses a Program AE (automatic exposure) circuit which automatically selects one of twelve shutter speeds (1/60 to 1/4000) based on the brightness of the subject. The iris also automatically adjusts along with the shutter speed.

You view images through the LCD (liquid crystal display) color viewfinder, which will slide out from the camcorder body to accommodate anyone's eye position. The eyepiece also swivels through a 260-degree arc to allow shooting from almost any angle.

On the front of the viewfinder are the microphone and the camcorder light. There is no provision for an external mike (or for earphones to monitor your audio).

You operate the camcorder light by a three-position switch with settings for on and off, and a setting that automatically turns it on when the Program AE circuitry says there's too little light.

A diopter adjustment for crystal-clear viewing and both brightness and tint controls for the LCD round out the viewfinder's features. Along with those indicators already mentioned, the viewfinder will indicate shutter speed, linear time count, remaining tape, battery condition, time/date and zoom position, among other things.

Other features include two buttons labeled Instant Review and Display. If you're in record/standby mode, pressing the Instant Review button will play back the last few seconds of the last scene recorded. The Display button allows you to show the linear counter on a TV or monitor along with the recorded image.

A Fade button will allow three different kinds of fades which you choose by repeatedly hitting the button. In one position, you get a regular fade to or from a white/gray screen. Another fade zooms out as you fade in, or zooms in as you fade out, also to a solid color. The last fade position actually does a type of vertical wipe to true video black.

The VM-3700A also offers a two-page titler. Each page can have two lines with up to 16 characters on each line. The lines are at screen center only. One font is available (white letters with a black border). You can superimpose these titles as you shoot scenes, or superimpose them over tapes while dubbing to a VCR or other camcorder. You make titles with the Title button and the tape transport buttons (their secondary function).

Hidden under a small door on the left side of the camcorder are the audio/video jacks. A small switch sets them as either input or output jacks. With the camcorder in record mode and the switch set to input, the camcorder will act as a VCR and record external signals.

The VM-3700A will do audio dubbing and audio/video inserts when in VCR mode. You can use a Counter Memory setting along with the Insert button for accurate dubbing. You use the fast forward and rewind buttons while in play mode to visually search for the scenes you wish to change.

The VM-3700A produces nice video. The colors are accurate except for a slight blue tint when lighting is insufficient (probably due to limited performance of the white balance circuits when lighting is very low). But the built-in video light corrects this. Resolution is average for VHS units.

If you have been reading this column, you know that I'm a stickler for external mikes and headphones. They are the best way to be certain you're getting good audio. They're missing on the VM- 3700A. Hitachi would do well to consider them on future versions of this unit. Even so, audio recorded on the VM-3700A sounds good enough.

The color viewfinder provides enough detail for good focus and is a good assurance that you're recording the right colors. In the near future, I hope to see this feature on all camcorders.

The titler is useful for slating or logging your scenes and for other simple titling chores, and the simple titles may be satisfactory for titling family vacations and other similar events. If you use the VM- 3700A for more serious video efforts, you may want to consider an external titler.

Maybe it's just my personal taste, but somehow fading to or from white just doesn't have the same aesthetic feel as fading to or from black. Who knows? You may like it just fine.

All in all, the Hitachi VM-3700A is a nice full-size VHS camcorder. It should work well as a family camcorder. And beginning videomakers will want to consider the VM-3700A as well.

Hitachi VM-3700A VHS Camcorder

• Format
  VHS
• Lens
  Two-speed 12:1 optical zoom, f/1.8, 5-60mm focal length
• Focus
  Auto or manual
• Audio
  Mono
• Viewfinder
  Color LCD
• Other features
  Program AE (auto exposure), instant zoom, 2x digital zoom, macro, HQ picture technology, fade in/out, flying erase head, titler, audio dub, audio/video insert, built-in light.
• Video input/output
  Composite RCA
• Audio input/output
  Line-level RCA
• Dimensions
  8 1/16 (height) x 4 3/8 (width) x 12 1/4 (depth) inches
• Weight
  4.4 lbs.
• Video performance (approx.)
  • Horizontal resolution (camera)
    300 lines
  • Horizontal resolution (playback)
    240 lines
• Performance times
  • Pause to record:
    0.5 second
  • Power-up to record:
    6 seconds
  • Fastforward/rewind (120 minute tape):
    5 minutes, 50 seconds

JX-ED11 Video Editing Controller
JVC
41 Slater Drive
Elmwood, NJ 07407
($130)