Sony CCD-F301 User Manual

SONY®

Video Camera Recorder B

CCD-F301

Operating Instructions

Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly

and retain it for future reference.

3-752-959-21 (1)

Video 8 Handycam

I 1991 by Sony Corporation

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the serial number m the space provided below Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product

Model No. CCD F301 Serial No

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

This symbol IS intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a nsk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

For the customers in Canada

This apparatus complies with the Class B limits for radio noise emissions set out m Radio Interference Regulations

INFORMATION FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN THE U.S.A.

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer s instructions, may cause inlerierence to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device m accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there IS no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient the receiving antenna Relocate the equipment with respect to the receiver Move the equipment away from the receiver Plug the equipment into a different outlet so that equipment and receiver are on different branch circuits

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following (»Oklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful.

" How to Identity and Resolve Radio-TV

Interference Problems ". This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington. DC 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Introduction

..................

Identifying the parts ...................................

Preparing your camcorder

Connecting the power sources

Setting the date and lime ...........................

Inserting tapes

Adjusting the viewfinder lens ..................... 21

Optnrting th* Camera Section

Recording a picture using automatic adjustments

To record the date and lime Playing back the picture instantly

Recording a picture using manual adjustments

Selecting the automafic'manual adjustment

Manual focusing ..............................................

Ad|usting the white balance

Selling shutter speed .................................

Shooting with backlighting

Zooming ....

Close ups (Auto-focusing in macro) .. . .

Fade in and lade-out Recording the age of your child

Operating the VCR Saetton

Connections tor playback . . Playing back a tape

Editing onto another VCR................

Recording from another VCR o' a Insert recording Using the tape counter

Olhara

Hints for better shooting ... .... 52

Notes and precautions . . 54 Using your camcorder abroad . 56

Specifications........................................ ... 57

Trouble'check Indications inside the viewfinder List of beeps

.... 4

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back cover back cover

5 11

12 18 20

Introduction

How the Manual is Organized How this Manual Works

The tirsi section of the manual explains ihe preliminary steps necessary to prepare lor

shooting and playing back

Other sections include shooting procedures that show how to use the features and functions of your camcorder II you are a beginner, slan with "Recording a picture using automatic ad|ustmenis If you are very tamiliar with camcorders, try to shoot your picture with mat\ual ad|ustmenis as well as automatic adjustment If you want to record right away, see pages 11.

22. and 28

The manual also includes how to play back a picture on a TV how to edit your original 8mm tape onto another uideo tape, and how to record a picture from another video tape or TV

If you have any problems during operation, see the Trouble check section.

Use the information below to help you follow the instructions in this manual.

• Controls and settings on the camcorder are shown in capital letters.

ex. Sel POWER to CAMERA.

• The letter in an illustration corresponds to the letter in the text:

ex. (A.1)of(B)

• The step number in an illustration corresponds to the step number m the text.

• Notes and cautions are enclosed with lines:

Note on battery life

Battery will not last as long in cold places

Supplied Accessories

The camcorder is packed together with Ihe following accessories. Check to see that everything is corrtained in the package.

• Remote Commander HMT-506 (1)

• Size AA {R6) battery for Remote Commander (2)

. Battery pack NP-66H(1)

• AC power adaptor AC-V60Af60A (1)

• Lithium battery CR2025 (1)

. RFU adaptor RFU-90UC (1)

• Lens cap (1)*

• Shoulder strap (1)

‘Atfached to the camcorder

Identifying the Parts

For details on the use of each part, refer to the pages indicated m the circle

(A-1) []] Eyecup

[~2l Viewfinder lens adjustment ring ф

|~з] Viewfinder (back cover)

The picture being recorded or played back can be monitored in black and white here Also, indicators which shows caution and function mode appear here

[7] Power zoom button ф

|Т| Accessory shoe

Attach a video light, external microphone, etc (not supplied)

[T] Zoom lever ф

DATA SCREEN button Ф

(TJ BEEP switch ФФ

Normally sel to "ON to activate the

recording starVstop and warning beep. To deactivate the beep, sel the switch to "OFF".

[fj EDIT switch Ф

Щ POWER switch

CAMERA, for camera recording VTR. for playing back or editing tapes OFF: power off

[IT] Tape transport buttons ф ф

>-'II^FRAME (forward direclion/trame-by-

frame in forward direcfionj

!► SLOW

L (stop)

REW (rewind) i (playback) Mf FF (fast forward) II PAUSE

[T^ • REC switch Ф

DATE {«) and TIME (NEXT) buttons ф

AOE'EVENT button Ф

Qs] ZERO MEM (zero memory) button ф ф

[Тб] COUNTER RESET button ФФ ^

m 6 5 mm (П.32 inches)

Identifying the Parts

[uj EDITSEARCH (and ©recording review)

button Ф

[l8j FADER button ф

MACRO AF (AutO'focusing in macro) button Ф

Press to record close-ups with automatic focusing.

[2^ Lens hood (Focus ring) ф

SHUTTER SPEED button Ф

WHT BAL (while balance) button ф

[2^ BACK LIGHT button ф

PUSH AUTO button Ф

FOCUS button Ф

[2^ ВАТТ (battery eject) knob ф

EJECT (cassette eject) кпоЬф

[is] Tripod receptacle (bottom)

AUTO LOCK cover ф

To adjust the control such as focus, white balance, back light, or shutter speed manually, slide open this cover so that the buttons inside can be seen.

Lithium battery compartment (bottom) ф

Note on attaching a tripod (A-3)

When atlaclimg n iripod olhei ihan Sony s make si iiiat the length oi the camera mounting screw is les man 6.5 mm ¡9 .32 inchest Otherwise, the screw m damage Um inner parts oi the camcorder

Identifying the Parte

(A-4) [Ji] START/STOP button ®

Press to start and stop camera recording

STANDBY switch $

Slide up to set the camcorder to the recording standby mode

[33] PUSH/SLIDE button (tor adjusting the

viewfinder)

Slide the viewfinder to a suitable position.

IN/OUT (video and audio input/oulpul) selector ®

Select the (unction of the VIDEO«AUDIO IN/

OUT lacks, input or output.

Camera recording/battery lamp

Lights up during recording and blinks when the battery becomes weak

[36| Battery mounting surface 9

Hooks for shoulder strap

B REMOTE COMMANDER ON/OFF switch

e Set to ' ON' when using the supplied wireless

Remote Commander When you do not use

the Commander, set to "OFF" to keep the

unit from being operated incorrectly by another Commander etc

VIDEO*AUOIO IN/OUT (input/output) jacks (phono jacks) ®

RFU DC OUT (RFU adaptor DC output) jack (special minijack)

•S'

Identifvina th« Parts

(A-5) !*1| <9 (earphone) jack (minijack) 9

C REMOTE control connector (stereo mini-minijack)

Conned a wired remote control unit or a

editing controller, etc here.

Remote sensor 0

Built-In microphone (monaural)

Camera recording/battery lamp 0

Lights up during recording and blinks when the battery becomes weak.

REC START/STOP button (for low-position shooting)

Use this button for easier low-position recording.

BUILT-IN MIC (microphone) switch 0

Set to "WIND when recording m a strong

Grip strap

Lens cap

About <r (LANC)

U stands lor Local Application Control Bus System The U connector is used lor controlling the tape transport of video equipment and peripherals connected to It This connector has the same function as the connectors indicated as CONTROL L or REMOTE

To remove dust from inside the viewfinder (A-6)

Delach the eyecup as illustrated and dean the surface oi the screen with a blower

(A-7)

Wireless Remote Commander

You can play back a tape from a distance The buttons on the Commander with the same name or mark as those on the canicordet have the same function

When you use the Commander

Be sure to set the REMOTE COMMANDER ON/ OFF switch on the camcorder to ON . and then start operation ol the camcorder, with the Commander pointing towards the remote sensor. (See page lOl

(A-7) [T] -44 REW (rewind) button 0. 0

[T] II PAUSE button 0,0

[3] DATA SCREEN button

r*| FF (fast forward) button 0.0

[5] I PLAY button 0

■ STOP button 0

¡Tj t* SLOW button 0

Idantitvina the Parte

Inserting {»tieries (A-8)

Insert two size AA (R6) ballenes with polarity positioned correctly

Remotely controllable area (A-9J

Point the Commander towards the remote sensor

Note on batteries

With normal operation, batteries will last lor about si< months However, it the commander will not be used tor a long period, remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage

Notes on the Remote Commander

• Keep the remote sensor away from the strong light source such as direct sunlight or illumination. Remote control with the Commander may not be effective

• Be sure that there is no obstacle between the remote sensor and Commander

• The command mode ol the Commander is VTR2 Avoid to use the Sony VCRs with the same command mode at the same time

• Be sure to set the REMOTE COMMANDER ON,OFF switch on the camcorder to OFF when you conned the receiver ol a remote control kit (not supplied) to the REMOTE C control conneclor

(B-1)

Before recording, prepare your camcorder following the steps below.

1 Conned a power source, »see page 12

2 Set the dale and time .see page 18

3 Insert a tape. -* see page 20

4 Adjust the viewfinder lens. -* see page 21

5 Adiust the length of the grip strap (B-1)

6 Take off fhe lens cap and attach it to the grip

strap (B-2)

7 Close me AUTO LOCK cover (B-3)

The locus, white balance, back light, and shutter speed will be adjusted automatically.

II you warn to adjust them manually, see page 28

Using the BEEP switch

Normally, the BEEP switch should be set to ON Beep will sound when you start and slop recording, and it any dilfiruUy should arise during operation

II you want to deadivaie tiie beep, sei ihe BEEP switch

to OFF (B-4)

Note

• Beeps are not recorded on the lape

• For warning beep. See page 58

When you have completed these preparations, go to page 22.

First, Choose the Power Sources

Accessory to be used

Battery par.k MP-66H (supplied). NP 77H, NP.77, or NP 55

Battery case EBP 55

AC power adaptor AC V6O1 V60A (supplied). AC V30. or

AC V55

DC pack DCP-77, or AC power adaptor AC V55 and car battery cord DCC 16AW

Note on power sources

Disconnecting the power source or removing the battery pack during recording or playback may damage the inserted tape II disconnected, supply the power again

(C-2)

I Preparing your camcorder 1

Connecting the Power Sources

Mount the battery pack on the camcorder. (C-2)

1 Align the right side of the battery pack

with the tine on the camcorder.

2 Slide in the battery pack to the right.

Notes

» Make sure the battery fils completely on the

mour^ting surface of the camcorder Imperfect fit may damage the projections on the camcorder

• If your nose touches the battery pack, adjust the position of the viewfinder by sliding it while pressing PUSH SLIDE.

Battery life

A fully charged battery pack lasts for

Using the Battery Pack

Charge the battery pack. (C-1)

1 Align the right side of the battery pack

with the line on the AC power adaptor.

2 Slide in the battery pack in the direction of

the arrow.

3 Connect the AC power adaptor to a wall

outlet.

4 Set the CHARGE/VTR selector on the

adaptor to CHARGE.

Required

charging

See the instruction manual ot the AC power adaptor lor details

When (he baffery becorrres weak. Ihe C\i indication and red lamp blink in the viewfinder

(C-3)

Also the camera recording-battery lamps on the camcorder blmk Replace the battery with a lully charged one

To remove the battery pack (C-4)

While sliding BATT up. slide out the battery pack to the left

Other options for charging

• AC V55 AC powei adaptor You can charge two battery packs simultaneously

• BC 55. BC 77 portable battery charger. You can charge a battery pack on 100 - 2A0V AC

• DC V30 car battery charger You can charge a battery pack by connecting the car battery charger to the cigarette lighter socket

(C-5)

[ Preparing your camcorder 1

ConnMtlng the Power Sources

Using Alkaline Batteries

(C-5)

The EBP-55 battery case is required (not supplied).

1 Insert the size AA (R6) alkaline batteries

Into the battery case.

2 Attach the case in the same way as the

battery pack.

Battery life (When using Sony alkaline batteries); approx. *«5 minutes

(continuous recording when used indoors)

To remove the battery case

Proceed in the same way as the battery pack. See page 13

Notes on battery Mfe

• Batteries will not last as long in cold places

• No indication appears in the viewlmder to wai weak battery

Using House Current

(C-6)

The supplied AC-V60.'V60A AC power adaptor is required.

1 Align the right side of the connecting plate

with the line on the camcorder, and slide It in to the right.

2 Connect the AC power adaptor to a wall

outlet.

3 Set the CHARGE/VTR selector to VTR (DC

OUT).

See the instruction manual of the AC power adaptor lor details.

To remove the connecting plate

Proceed in the same way as the battery pack See page 13

The AC V30 01 AC-V55 AC power adaploi can also be

(C-7)

Using Car Battery

(C-7)

The DCP-77 DC pack is required (not supplied)

1 Align the right side of the DC pack with

the line on the camcorder, and slide It in to

the right.

2 Connect the cord to the cigarette tighter

socket of a car (12 V or 24 V).

To remove the DC pack

While pressing the ВАТТ knob on the camcorder, slide the DC pack to the left and pull out

other options

• The AC V55 AC power adaptor and the DCC I6AW car battery cord cati also be used to operate this camcorder on a 12 V or 24 V car battery

• The DCP 55 DC pack can also be used to operate this camcorder on a 12 V or 24 V car battery

(D-1)

Setting the Date and Time

Inserting the Lithium Battery

(D-1)

This camcorder uses a lithium battery to activate the clock, and to keep birthdays/anniversary in memory Before operating it for the first time, install the supplied lithium battery.

1 Open the cover of the lithium battery

compartment on the bottom of the

2 Install the supplied CR202S lithium battery

with the + side facing out.

3 Close the cover.

To remove the lithium battery (D-2)

Press the side of the battery in the direction as indicated for installation

Note on lithium battery life

The battery will last for approximately 1 year m When the lithium battery becomes weak, the c\-7

indication will blink in the viewfinder screen tor about 5 seconds (when POWER is set lo CAMERA). (D-3) In this case replace the battery with a Sony CR2025

or a Duracell DL-2025 lithium battery. Use of another battery may present a risk ot tire or explosian. While replacing the lithium battery, keep the

battery pack or other power source attached II ihe battery pack or other power source was not attached while replacing, readiusiments of the date. time, birthdays and anniversary are necessary

Cautions

• Keep the lithium battery out ol the reach of children Should the battery be swallowed, immedialely consult

• Wipe Ihe battery with a dry doth lo assure a good contact

• Be sure to observe the correct polaniy when mstallrng

I WARNING

I Battery may enplode it mistreated Do not recharge. I disassemble, or dispose of in lire

Setting the Date and Time

(0-4)

Make sure that a power source Is

connected, set POWER to CAMERA, and

slide STANDBY up.

Press DATE (f) and TIME (NEXT) simultaneously for more than 1.5 seconds until the date Indication blinks In the viewfinder screen.

DATE now functions as + (lo advance numbers) and TIME functions as NEXT (to

execute).

If you missed Ihe number you wanted, keep <-

pressed. The digit will return lo the original

3 Adjust the year, month, day, hour, and

minute, in that order.

First ad|usl Ihe blinking digits with and then

press NEXT

4 Press NEXT to set the second to “OO".

The dock starts operating

To correct dale and time setting

Repeat steps 2 to 4

To advance the digits faster

Keep + pressed.

To check the preset date and time

Press DATE or TIME. When you press the same

button again, the indication goes oh '

I Preparing your camcorder 2

+ 21 hidden pages