Page 1
Basic Operations
Basic Operations
Camera Recording
Camera Recording
Selecting the Camcorder Mode
This camcorder includes functions for use as both a
video camera for recording and playing back images
on tapes and as a digital still camera for recording and
playing back still images on cards. One of the following
camcorder modes needs to be set before starting any
operation.
Camcorder modes
Tape Camera mode
For recording motion and still images on
a tape.
1 Set the Media
Selection switch to V.
2 Hold down the Lock
Basic Operations
button and set the
Power switch to v.
Card Camera mode
For recording still images on a card.
1 Set the Media Selection
switch to u.
Lock button
Tape Playback mode
For playing back or editing motion and still
images recorded on a tape.
1 Set the Media Selection
2 Hold down the Lock
Card Playback mode
For playing back still images recorded on
a card.
1 Set the Media Selection
switch to V.
button and set the
Power switch to w.
switch to u.
Media Selection
switch
Power switch
Lock button
2 Hold down the Lock
button and set the
Power switch to v.
Lock button
Notes:
• To turn the power off, set the Power switch to OFF without pressing the Lock button.
• Do not change the camcorder mode by operating the Media Selection switch during recording
or playback, as this may cause damage to the tape or card.
2 Hold down the Lock
button and set the
Power switch to w.
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Lock button
Page 2
Easy Camera
Recording on Tape in
Full Auto Mode
4 Press the Record Start/Stop button to
begin recording.
Available mode:
Tape Camera
• Before you start recording, perform the
operations described on pages 6 through
21 to prepare your camcorder for
recording.
Media Selection switch
Power switch
Record Start/Stop button
1 Remove the lens cap.
2 Set the Media Selection
switch to V.
3 Hold down the Lock button and set
the Power switch to v.
• The picture from the lens now
displays and the POWER/CHARGE
(RED) indicator lights up green.
• The camcorder is now ready to
record (Recording Standby mode).
POWER/CHARGE
(RED) indicator
PAUSE
REC
Note:
• Before recording an important scene,
please perform the recording test, then
playback to check if the scene was
recorded properly. If noise occurs, use a
commercially available cleaning tape to
clean the video heads (see page xii).
Maximum continuous recording and
actual recording times in Tape
Camera mode
Max. continuous
Battery
pack
BT-L227
• The chart specifies the approximate times in
minutes.
Note:
• Using the zoom (see page 24) and other
functions or turning the power on and off
frequently will increase power consumption. This may result in a decrease in the
actual recording time compared to the
maximum continuous recording time listed
above.
recording time
LCD
closed
145
LCD
open
125
Actual
recording time
LCD
closed
70
LCD
open
60
Basic Operations
AU T OAUTO
Lock button
Note:
• If “AUTO” is not displayed at this time,
set the camcorder to Full Auto mode
(see page 61).
(Continued on the next page)
23
Page 3
Basic Operations
WT3ZOOM
Camera Recording
To pause recording
Press the Record Start/Stop button again.
Recording pauses, and the camcorder
enters Recording Standby mode.
PAUSE
To turn the power off
Set the Power switch to OFF without
pressing the Lock button.
Remaining in Recording Standby
mode for 5 minutes
Basic Operations
If the camcorder remains in Recording
Standby mode over 5 minutes in Tape
Camera mode, the camcorder automatically
enters stop mode to protect the tape from
damage.
— To resume Recording Standby mode from
stop mode, press the STANDBY button (see
page 25).
— To resume recording from stop mode
directly, press the Record Start/Stop button.
However, it may need several seconds to
resume recording after pressing the Record
Start/Stop button.
Zooming
Available modes:
Tape Camera, Card Camera
Zooming allows you to move visually closer
to or further from a subject without physically changing your position.
When using the optical zoom, you can
enlarge the subject up to 10K.
Zooming in (when you want to centre
attention on the subject)
Zooming out (when you want to include
Zooming in
Push the Power Zoom control to the T
(telephoto) side to get a close-up view (1).
Zooming out
Push the Power Zoom control to the W (wide
angle) side to get a wide field of view (2).
the surroundings)
24
Power Zoom
control
Zoom range indicator
• The zoom range indicator shows you the
current zoom setting.
• The zoom speed depends on how far you
push the Power Zoom control.
Notes:
• The camcorder is unable to focus when
zooming in on subjects closer than 1.5 m.
• See page 34 for how to use the digital zoom.
Page 4
Power Standby Mode
Available mode:
Tape Camera
Power Standby mode allows you to prevent
accidental recording by locking all
operations except cancelling the mode.
STANDBY button
Hold down the STANDBY button for more
than 2 seconds when you pause recording in Tape Camera mode.
• The screen turns off and the STANDBY
indicator lights up.
STANDBY indicator
To resume operation
Press the STANDBY button again to
return to the Recording Standby mode.
• It takes about 2 seconds to be able to start
recording.
Notes:
• Power Standby will cancel and the STANDBY
indicator will turn off in these situations below:
— When the camcorder remains in Power
Standby mode for more than 5 minutes
— When the camcorder is set to Card
Camera, Tape Playback or Card Playback
mode
— When removing the battery pack
— When removing a cassette
• The camcorder will enter stop mode
automatically 5 minutes after setting Power
Standby mode if it remains in Recording
Standby mode after cancelling Power
Standby mode.
— When Power Standby mode, for example,
is cancelled after 3 minutes, the
camcorder will enter stop mode if
recording is not started within 2 minutes.
Turning on/off the
Backlight
Available modes:
All modes
You can see the on-screen display outdoors
on a sunny day or in a location with bright
lighting even when the backlight turns off.
Also, this function is useful when watching
playback on a TV.
LCD LAMP button
Hold down the LCD LAMP button for
more than 2 seconds to turn off the
backlight.
• H will flash for 2 seconds, then lights up.
To turn on the backlight
Hold down the LCD LAMP button for
more than 2 seconds.
Note:
• The backlight off mode will cancel when you
close the LCD monitor.
Basic Operations
25
Page 5
Basic Operations
30
min
CHANGE THE
CASSETTE.
TAPE END
Camera Recording
Auto Focus
Available modes:
Tape Camera, Card Camera
The camcorder is preset to Auto Focus
mode, which is designed to focus on most
types of subjects. In Auto Focus mode, the
camcorder automatically focuses on the
subject in the centre of the scene. Always
keep the subject in the centre of the scene.
Notes:
• If no subject is in the centre of the scene, the
focus area will expand and the subject
nearest the centre will be focused on.
• Auto Focus may not work in the situations
described on page 54. In these situations,
use the manual focus function.
• The camcorder may not be able to focus
correctly if the subject is closer than
approximately 1.5 m. Set the zoom control to
wide angle, and try refocusing again.
• If the lens is dirty or fogged, the camcorder
Basic Operations
may not be able to focus correctly.
Macro Shots
Available modes:
Tape Camera, Card Camera
This camcorder lets you shoot close-up
images of small objects such as flowers and
insects, or make title frames for your videos.
When you want to record a magnified image
of a subject which is within approximately
1.5 m of the camcorder, do not zoom in on
it. Instead, zoom out all the way by pushing
the Power Zoom control to the W side, and
then move the camcorder closer to the
subject until you obtain the desired angle of
view. The camcorder will automatically
focus on the subject when the lens is set for
the widest angle.
Note:
• When you are recording a macro shot, be
sure that the subject receives sufficient
illumination.
26
Remaining Recording
Time Display
Available mode:
Tape Camera
When the camcorder is recording in Tape
Camera mode, an on-screen indicator
displays the approximate remaining tape
time in minutes.
Remaining
recording time
Notes:
• The remaining recording time indicator
appears when the on-screen indicators are
turned on.
• The remaining recording time indicator
appears 10 seconds after pressing the
Record Start/Stop button to begin
recording.
• The remaining recording time indicator only
shows the approximate time left. Also, it
varies slightly depending on the length of the
tape used. (This function is based on the
DVM60 tape standard.)
When the remaining recording time reaches
1 minute, a warning indicator will appear.
Prepare a new cassette.
Warning indicator
THE
TAPE
ENDS SOON.
TAPE END
indicator
Approx. remaining
time
Less than 1 min.
The tape has reached
the end.
Page 6
Remaining Battery
Power Display
Information Display
for Battery Usage
Available modes:
All modes
When using the camcorder with the battery
pack as the power source, the remaining
battery power indicator is displayed. If the
battery power becomes very low, a warning
indicator appears. Replace the battery
pack.
(Green)
(Green)
(Red)
BATTERY IS
TOO LOW.
Notes:
• The remaining battery power indicator
appears when the on-screen indicators are
turned on.
• Use the remaining battery power indicator
only as an approximate indication.
• The remaining battery power indicator may
change to either a higher or lower level if you
set the Power switch to OFF and then back to
v or w.
• In cold environments, the red remaining
battery power indicator may appear sooner.
• Use of the zoom functions when the warning
indicator is displayed may cause the
camcorder to suddenly lose power.
Remaining
battery power
indicator
Warning
indicator
Available modes:
All modes
When the camcorder operates with the
battery pack, the battery usage indicator
appears beside the remaining battery
power indicator.
Battery usage indicator for
the battery pack attached
to the camcorder
Battery usage indicator for the
optional external battery with
hand strap BT-LCA1
When both indicators appear, the
camcorder consumes power from both
battery packs.
When one indicator appears, it consumes
power from the indicated battery pack.
Basic Operations
27
Page 7
Basic Operations
– +
PHONES VOL
Camera Recording
Using Earphones
(Commercially
Available)
Available modes:
Tape Camera, Tape Playback
You can monitor the sound via stereo
earphones (commercially available) during
playback or recording. Stereo earphones
with a 3.5 mm diameter plug can be used
with this camcorder.
Connect the plug of stereo earphones to the
earphones jack on the camcorder as shown
below.
Basic Operations
Earphones jack
Notes:
• Before connecting stereo earphones, turn the
camcorder volume down to the lowest
setting.
• The built-in speaker automatically turns off
when stereo earphones are connected to the
earphones jack.
Adjusting the Phones
Volume
Available mode:
Tape Camera
You can adjust the phones volume if sound
through the earphones is difficult to hear.
1 Set the Media Selection switch to V,
then hold down the Lock button and
set the Power switch to v (see page
22).
2 Press the MENU button to display the
menu screen.
3 Press l or m on the Operation
button to select Y, then press the
centre of the Operation button.
SETT I NG 2
DIS
AUDI O MODE
W
IND
PHONES VOL
RETURN
ON
bit
12
OFF
–+
4 Press l or m to select “PHONES
VOL” , then press the centre of the
Operation button.
5 Press j or k to adjust to the desired
volume level, then press the centre of
the Operation button.
Decrease Increase
6 Press the MENU button to turn off the
menu screen.
Note:
• During playback, you can use the Volume
control to adjust the earphones (see page
30).
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Page 8
Basic Operations
Playback
Tape Playback
Available mode:
Tape Playback
The LCD monitor screen functions as a
handy playback monitor. Nothing needs to
be connected, allowing instant on-screen
playback with the sound through the built-in
speaker.
Operation button
Media Selection
switch
Power switch
1 Set the Media Selection
switch to V.
2 Hold down the Lock
button and set the
Power switch to w.
Lock button
3 Press j (or k) on the Operation
button to rewind (or fast forward) the
tape to the desired point.
To stop playback
Press l.
To turn the power off
Set the Power switch to OFF without
pressing the Lock button.
Notes:
• The tape automatically rewinds when
playback reaches the end of the tape.
• When selecting “5 MIN” or “10 MIN” in power
save mode and remaining in stop mode
without any operation for 5 or 10 minutes, the
camcorder will turn off automatically.
Watching the playback in
the viewfinder
You can also watch the playback in the
viewfinder by closing the LCD monitor with
the screen facing in. You cannot monitor the
sound through the speaker when watching
the playback in the viewfinder.
Basic Operations
4 Press m to begin playback.
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Page 9
Basic Operations
Playback
Volume Control
Available mode:
Tape Playback
When the camcorder is in Tape Playback
mode, push the Volume control to the L or
+ side to increase (1) or decrease (2) the
volume.
The volume level indicator will appear on
the LCD screen during adjustment only.
Once the Volume control is released, the
volume level indicator will disappear shortly
afterwards.
Basic Operations
VOLUME
IncreaseDecrease
Still
Available mode:
Tape Playback
The still function allows you to pause in
Tape Playback mode.
During Tape Playback, press m on the
Operation button.
To return to normal playback, press m
again.
Notes:
• The sound is off in Still mode.
• To protect the tape, the camcorder automatically returns to normal playback if it is left in
Still mode for more than 5 minutes.
30
Volume
control
Video Search
Available mode:
Tape Playback
The video search function makes it easy to
search for a desired scene on the tape.
Searching for a Scene Near
the Current Tape Position
1 During Tape Playback, press k (or
j) on the Operation button.
• The playback picture fast forwards
(or reverses).
2 When you find the scene, press m to
return to normal playback.
Searching for a Scene Far
from the Current Tape Position
1 During fast forward (or rewind) in
Tape Playback mode, press and hold
k (or j) on the Operation button.
• The fast forward (or rewind) picture
displays.
2 If the scene is still rather far from the
current tape position, release the
Operation button to normal fast
forward (or rewind).
3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 above until you
find the scene.
4 Press m to begin normal playback.
Notes:
• The sound is off during search.
• You may experience picture noise during
search. This is not a malfunction.
Page 10
Watching Playback
0
VIDEO AUDIO
(L/MONO)
AUDIO
(R)
on a TV
Available modes:
Tape Playback, Card Playback
You can connect the camcorder to a TV to
allow a larger audience to enjoy playback.
1 Open the terminal cover on the
camcorder (see page 2).
Terminal cover
2 Connect the camcorder to your TV (or
VCR) with the supplied audio/video/
S-video cable, as shown.
TV or VCR
VIDEO
L-AUDIO-R(MONO)
AV-IN
The arrow shows the signal flow.
Black: To S-video input socket
Yellow: To video input jack
White: To audio input (L) jack
Red: To audio input (R) jack
S-VIDEO
Audio/video/S-video cable (supplied)
To AV
terminal
:
Note:
• Check that the camcorder, TV, VCR and
other equipment to be used are turned
off before making any connections.
Picture noise or malfunction may occur
if any of the above is left on while
making a connection.
3 Turn on the TV and set it to the “AV”
or “VIDEO” channel. (See the
operation manual of your TV.)
• When connecting to a TV via a VCR,
turn on the VCR and set it to the “AV”
or “LINE” input channel. Operate the
TV as you normally do to view the
signal from the VCR. (See the
operation manuals of your TV and
VCR.)
4 Set the Power switch on the
camcorder to w, and begin playback
(see page 29).
Notes:
• If your TV or VCR has a 21-pin Euro-SCART
connector, use a commercially available
RCA/21-pin Euro-SCART conversion
connector.
21-pin Euro-SCART on TV or VCR
RCA/21-pin Euro-SCART
conversion connector
Video
• If your TV or VCR has only one audio input
jack, use the white plug for the audio
connection on the TV or VCR.
• If your TV or VCR has an S-video input
socket, you do not need to connect the
yellow video plug.
• Close the terminal cover after use.
About the S-video socket
S-video sockets are used to separately pass
the chroma (colour) and luminance
(brightness) components of video signals.
They serve to improve the picture quality in
both recording and playback.
Audio R
Audio L
Basic Operations
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