Sony CCD-FX310 User Manual
SONY
3-755-296-22 (3)
Video Camera Recorder B
_______
CCD-FX310
Operation Manual
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly
and retain it for future reference. ‘
m I
Video 8 Hsiidycsm
C©
1992 by Sony Corporation
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.
L-AUiluN luHtuu'-.t IHLAIbKiJi LLLClHKJb HOCK.
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL
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 risk 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.
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
interference to radio and television reception. It
has been type tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B computing device in
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 booklet prepared by the Federal
Communications Commission helpful:
“How to Identify 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.
Notice for the customers In Canada
This apparatus complies with the Class B limits for
radio noise emissions set out in Radio Interference
Regulations.
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are located on
the bottom. Record the serial number in the
space provided on the right hand. Refer to
these numbers whenever you call upon your
Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. CCD-FX310
Serial No.
JZ
O
N
O
(B
№
Before You Begin
About this manual....................................................................................................................................4
Checking supplied accessories...............................................................................................................5
Before you start.......................................................................................................................................5
Getting Started
Charging and installing the battery pack................................................................................................6
Inserting a tape........................................................................................................................................8
Preventing accidental erasure...........................................................................................................8
Adjusting the viewfinder lens...................................................................................................................9
Using the viewfinder as a sports finder..............................................................................................9
Installing the lithium battery..................................................................................................................10
Setting the date and time......................................................................................................................11
Storing a birth date in your camcorder.................................................................................................12
Basic Camera Operation
How to record.................................................................................................................................. 14
Using Zooming Features......................................................................................................................16
Playing Back a tape..............................................................................................................................17
Using the remote commander...............................................................................................................19
Getting the most out of your battery pack............................................................................................20
Advanced Camera Operation
Connecting alternative power sources.................................................................................................22
Using house current........................................................................................................................22
Using car battery.............................................................................................................................23
Camera recording.................................................................................................................................24
Recording the date or time..............................................................................................................24
Putting an AGE on your tape..........................................................................................................24
For low-position recording...............................................................................................................25
Checking the last portion of a scene you just recorded (Rec Review)...........................................26
Checking recording in the viewfinder (EDITSEARCH)...................................................................26
Re-recording on a previously recorded portion (EDITSEARCH)
Helpful hints for recording...............................................................................................................27
Inserting a scene in the middle of a recorded tape.........................................................................28
Recording with an external microphone..........................................................................................29
Connecting a wired remote control unit...........................................................................................29
Manual adjustments..............................................................................................................................30
Maintaining Focus............................................................................................................................30
Compensating for backlighting........................................................................................................30
Using program AE (Auto Exposure)..................................................................................................... 31
Selecting the PROGRAM AE Mode................................................................................................31
Fade-in and fade-out.......................................................................................................................32
Playing back..........................................................................................................................................33
Editing....................................................................................................................................................
...................................................
27
..
Additional Information
Maintenance information.......................................................................................................................
Tips for better camera recording...........................................................................................................
Identifying the parts.............................................................................................44
Indicators inside the viewfinder.............................................................................................................48
Trouble check........................................................................................................................................49
Specifications..............................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................Back cover
..........................
..
..
51
Welcome to Video 8
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam ® camcorder.
With your Handycam you can capture life’s precious moments with superior
picture and sound quality. Your Handycam is loaded with advanced
features, but at the same time it is very easy to use. You will soon be
producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come.
This manual shows you how to operate your camcorder. To get the most out of the
features of your Handycam, we recommend you read this manual thoroughly before using.
But if you want to shoot as soon as possible, please read the chapters, Getting Started
and Basic Camera Operation. Once you are familiar with basic operations, you may want
to proceed to the chapter. Advanced Camera Operation.
• When you are reading through this manual, please remember that buttons and settings
on the camcorder are shown in capital letters:
• Use “Identifying the Parts” as an index to look for a function and operation according to
e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
the indication printed on the camcorder itself.
Note on TV Color Systems
TV color systems are different depending on the countries.
If you want to view the playback picture on a TV, you need an NTSC system based TV or
a PAL-M system based TV with NTSC/PAL-M transcoder (as this is an NTSC system
based camcorder). Please check the list on page 42 to see the TV color system of your
country.
Note on the Supplied RFU adaptor
You can use the supplied RFU adaptor only In the country where you bought this
camcorder. Since each country has its own electricity and TV color system, you may not
be able to use the RFU adaptor when you use the camcorder abroad.
Note on Copyright
Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the copyright
laws.
^ Before You Begin
Check that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.
fill
ir-l
Before you can use your camcorder, you need to:
1 Charge and install the battery pack.
2 Insert a tape.
3 Adjust the viewfinder lens to your eyes.
4 Install the lithium battery.
5 Set the date and time.
This chapter takes you through these procedures step by step.
I You also need to set the BEEP switch
• The BEEP switch is preset to ON: the camcorder will beep when you start and stop
recording and as a warning of unusual conditions (see page 50). These beeps will
not be recorded on the tape.
• Set the BEEP switch to OFF, to deactivate the beep.
iïSVauÎMÎ.'feÎFu'r.i.ÉChaimr
Châf^ng'ârid inl
Before you can use this camcorder, you need to charge and install the battery pack
Charging the Battery Pack
1 Plug the AC power adaptor into a wall outlet.
2 Align the flat side of the battery pack with the iine on the AC power adaptor.
3 Push down and slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow
4 Set the CHARGE/VTR switch to CHARGE.
Required charging time:
• jit Bl*jBj US «1» tfr]
Type of battery pack
Required charging time 60 140
When charging is finished, the charge indicator will go out.
Important!
Use the battery completely before recharging!
Before you recharge the battery, make sure the battery has been used (discharged)
completely. Excessive charging may reduce the charging capacity of the battery.
To use up the battery, remove the video cassette and set the POWER switch to
CAMERA with the battery attached, and leave the camcorder until the CXl indicator
appears blinking and a red lamp blinks in the viewfinder.
Option
AC-S10 AC power adaptor.
This adaptor has a function which allows you to confirm that the battery is completely discharged and
ready to be recharged to its full capacity.
Installing the Battery Pack
When you have finished charging the battery, install the battery pack as follows.
NP-56
(supplied)
NP-77H/
NP-77HD
NP-77 NP-66H
120 100
(approx minutes using AC-V35/V35A)
NP-55H
70
0 Getting Started
1 Align the flat side ot the battery pack with the white line on the camcorder.
2 Make sure that the arrow on the battery pack is close to the top of the camcorder.
3 Push down and slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
Notes
• Make sure the battery is securely installed so that it does not fall off. If the battery is not
installed properly, the camcorder will not record accurately.
• You can use the AC power adaptor as a power source when recording indoors.
Removing the battery pack
Slide the ВАТТ switch in the direction of the arrow, and at the same time, slide out the
battery pack to the left.
Battery life and remaining capacity
A fully charged battery pack lasts for:
Type of battery pack
Battery life
NP-55
(supplied)
60
NP-77H/'
NP-77HD
150
NF>-77
120
Mi^-66H
110
NP-55H
75
(approx, minutes, continuous recording when used indoors)
To check the remaining battery capacity, set the POWER switch to CAMERA set the
STANDBY switch up and press TAPE/BATT CHECK. ’
Battery life
Indicator
The decreasing black bar indicates decreasing
battery power. After the black bar disappears the
CX3 indicator will appear and blink and a red
lamp will also blink in the viewfinder. When they
blink rapidly, replace the battery pack.
Notes • The battery life indicator of the camcorder may indicate a different remaining capacity from that of
the NP-77HD battery pack.
• Charge the battery pack when the black bar of the battery life indicator decreases quickly.
Getting Started ~J
\
m
Make sure that the battery pack or another power source is attached.
Press the small blue button
1
on the EJECT switch and
simultaneously slide EJECT
in the direction of the arrow.
The cassette compartment
automatically lifts up and opens
toward you.
Insert a tape with the
window facing outside.
Ciose the cassette holder by
pressing the area on the
cassette compartment
marked “PUSH”.
EJECT
V-
s
Preveriting Accldlental Erasur
Slide the red tab closing the window to prevent accidental recording. To re-record on the
tape, slide the tab opening the window.
If you try to record with the red mark exposed, the № and ± indicators flash In the
viewfinder and beeps sound for about 5 seconds.
Notes on handling tapes
Don't insert anything in the small holes on the rear of the cassette. These holes are used to sense the
type and thickness of tape, or if the red mark is exposed or covered, etc. Store tapes in their cases
and keep them in an upright position to prevent intrusion of dusf and uneven winding.
8 Getting Started
L
Before using your camcorder for the first time or after another person used it, adjust the
viewfinder lens to best fit your eyesight. Make sure that a battery pack or another power
source is attached to the camcorder.
Using the viewfinder as a sports finder
Your camcorder is equipped with a Sports Finder.
You can use the viewfinder as the sports finder by
turning the viewfinder adjustment ring.
What is a sports finder?
Since this finder has a long focal length, you can
monitor the picture while your eye is at a distance
from the eyecup. The sports finder is convenient
when moving around to shoot scenes.
Setting the viewfinder to the sports finder position
Turn the viewfinder adjustment ring clockwise
completely.
Returning from the sports finder position to the normal viewfinder position
Turn the adjustment ring counterclockwise until the
word “STBY” that appears in the viewfinder comes
into sharp focus.
When storing your camcorder
Turn the viewfinder barrel to the front.
Adjustment ring
I
Eili
-If'
To keep birth dates in the camcorder’s memory and to activate the clock, the lithium
battery must be installed.
1 Remove the lithium battery holder
located at the bottom of the
camcorder.
Install the supplied CR2025
lithium battery with the + side
facing down.
+side
Lithium battery life
The battery will last for approximately 1 year in normal operation.
When the lithium battery becomes weak, the ^ indicator will blink in the viewfinder screen
for about 5 seconds when you set the POWER switch to CAMERA. In this case, replace
the battery with a Sony CR2025 or Duracell DL-2025. Use of any other battery may
present a risk of fire or explosion.
When replacing the lithium battery, keep the battery pack or other power source attached.
Otherwise, resetting the date, time and birth dates will be necessary.
Changing the lithium battery
Remove the lithium battery holder from the camcorder, and pull out the lithium battery and
insert a new one.
WARNING Battery may explode if mistreated.
Do not recharge, disassemble, or dispose of in fire.
Cautions • Keep the lithium battery out of the reach of children.
Should the battery be swallowed, immediately consult a doctor.
• Do not hold the battery with metallic tweezers, otherwise a short-circuit may occur.
-side
10 Getting Started
You need to set your camcorder s date and time to be able to superimpose the date and
time onto your video.
Make sure that the power source and lithium battery are attached.
3,4,5,6
1
Press the small green button on the
POWER switch and slide the POWER
switch to CAMERA.
2 Set the STANDBY switch
up.
Press DATE (+) and TIME (NEXT)
simultaneously for a few
seconds until the date indicator
appears in the viewfinder.
The DATE button now functions as +
(to advance numbers) and the TiME
button functions as NEXT (to set).
Adjust the blinking digits of
the year, month, day, and
hour by using DATE (+), and
by pressing TIME (NEXT).
Notes
• When you keep DATE (+)
pressed, the digits advance
faster.
• The year starts at 1992 and
proceeds as follows:
1992—>1999-^2000—>2020
t
_____________________
I
o
0
0
O
DATE!*) TtMEtNEXT)
I
11:3
1camera/off\player|
POWER
JAN. 1 —1 992,
\ i /
' 9r~
-iui'^l 1 992j
^
TIMEfNEXT
if
5 Adjust the blinking digits of minute by
pressing DATE (+).
0 Press TIME (NEXT) to set the second to “00”.
The clock starts operating.
Correcting the date and time settings
Repeat steps 3 to 6.
\ * /•
&^30>«0 PM
Getting Started ~\
When you preset your child’s birth date in your camcorder, you can put your child’s age in
years and months on your tape. You can also preset the date of an event. Once you enter
the birth date of your child, the clock inside your camcorder will automatically update age
of your child. You can superimpose the age anytime on your recording.You can preset up
to three birth dates or events.
Before you begin
Before you store a birth date in your camcorder, make sure that power source is
connected, that the lithium battery is installed and that the date is correctly set.
How to store birth date
To store a birth date in your camcorder, see the following example and procedure.
Example: Store “Aug. 3, 1987” in memory 2.
1
Press the small green button on the
POWER switch and slide the POWER
switch to CAMERA.
Set the STANDBY switch up.
Press TIME (NEXT) and AGE/EVENT ^
simultaneously for a few seconds until the
“H] BIRTHDAY
........
1900” indicator appears
in the viewfinder.
Press DATE (+) to select [1].
Each time you press DATE (+), the display in the
viewfinder changes as follows:
S BIRTHDAY [U BIRTHDAY
t
------
[3] EVENT*^
---------------
1
DATE(+)
CD
TtME(NEX*n AGE/EVENT
И °l
ir^ I
CAMERA/OFF*\PLAYER|
V
POWER ^
Ч < ✓
[T]«IRTHDAY
^ iS .. 19 0 0
12 Getting Started
* Although “EVENT” is displayed on you can
use it for age as well.
E] and [2] can also be used to record event
dates in memory.
Press TIME (NEXT).
The “1900” indicator blinks.
(continued)
Enter the birth date.
First adjust the blinking digits by
pressing DATE (+), and then press
TIME (NEXT).
The age (year and month) appears
when all the items are adjusted.
TIMElNEXn
Sa&tflTHDAY
•“AUG”1 1 987
----------------
-
If you missed the correct number with DATE (+)
Keep pressing DATE (+).
The indicator changes as follows:
Year: 1900-^ 1901 -
T
Current year - (minus) 99
Month: JAN. FEB,
Day: 1 2 -
----------------
■31
Current year
> DEC.
t_____
Correcting/changing the setting
Follow the procedures from step 1 again.
Advancing the digits faster
Keep DATE (+) pressed.
Presetting the year before 1900
1 After step 5 on page 12, keep pressing DATE (+) until the current year is displayed.
2 Press DATE (+) again.
The year goes back 99 years.
(example: 1992 ^ 1893)
3 Go to step 6 above.
© C
(QBI^'f^DAY
AUO-a -4987
----
-V—•
When in 2000
1901 ” is displayed in step 3 on page 12. After that, it advances every year as “1902,
1903
Now it’s ready for recording!
Getting Started 13
Chapt
b: -I 1
How to Record
Before you record one-time events, make a trial recording to make sure that your
camcorder is working properly.
Keep the lens clean, or the focus cannot be adjusted properly.
It is very easy to start recording scenes.
Hold the camcorder by putting your
1
hand through the grip belt so that
your thumb can easily press the red
START/STOP button.
By pressing the release on the lens
cap, remove and attach it to the grip
belt.
■
—
Press
Press the small green button on the
POWER switch and slide the POWER
switch to CAMERA.
This puts the camcorder in the camera
recording mode.
Set the PROGRAM AE (Auto Exposure) switch to the green position.
Set the STANDBY switch up.
“STBY” appears in the viewfinder. Now,
you can see through the viewfinder.
Press START/STOP (red button)
once.
The camera is recording when the word
“REC" appears on the viewfinder screen
and the red lamp lights in the viewfinder.
You can also confirm the start of recording
with beep sound when you have the BEEP
switch turned on.
In the viewfinder you can see a black and white picture of what you are recording and
information that indicates what the camcorder is now doing.
14 Basic Camera Operation
|CAMERA/OFF\PLAYEH|
POWER
red lamp
Automatic recording
With the PROGRAM Ah switch set to the green position, all the camera functions are on
automatic (i.e. auto iris, auto white balance, auto focus) and the shutter speed is set at
normal (1/60 second).
To stop recording momentarily
Press START/STOP again. “STBY" appears in the viewfinder. The camcorder beeps twice
when you have BEEP turned on.
When you have finished recording
Turn the STANDBY switch down and slide the POWER switch to OFF.
Ejecting the tape
Make sure that you have attached the battery pack or other power source to the
camcorder.
1 Press the small blue button on the EJECT switch, and at the same time push EJECT in
the direction of the arrow.
2 Take out the tape.
3 Close the cassette holder by pressing the area marked PUSH on the cassette
compartment.
Caution!
Please remember that you can only use 8-mm format video tapes with this camcorder.
You will be able to record tapes in SP (standard play) mode only and play back tapes in both SP
and LP (long play) modes.
Checking the time remaining on the tape
Press TAPE/BATT CHECK.
■-f.
Tape length indicator
After pressing TAPE/BATT CHECK, the time remaining may not be indicated for about 20
seconds. When the time remaining is less than about 5 minutes, the indicator displays the
minutes remaining.
SI
When “5 min” lights, the indicator appears in the viewfinder and blinks.
Note on the tape length indicator
• The camcorder must be in the recording or playback mode when the TAPE/BATT CHECK is
pressed to find out the time remaining. In the playback mode, however, the indicator does not
indicate the minutes remaining.
• The tape length indicator does not change while using EDITSEARCH.
IE- '■►Sr
()mln
.
SilE ..
5mln —1
\ I /
- Omln-
I \
Basic Camera Operation "| 5
4^1,,
L
Zooming
To zoom
You сап create а professional-looking home video using these sepcial effects; zoom,
close-up, fade-in and fade-out.
Zooming is a recording technique that lets you change the size of the subject in the scene.
Use “Zoom-in (telephoto)” for dramatic close-ups, and “zoom-out (wide-angle)" for
panoramic long shots. You can also use zooming to focus manually or to decide on a
shooting angle. For more professional-looking recordings, use zooming sparingly.
W(Wide-angle) T(Teleph6to)
Two-level Speed Zooming
The camcorder’s power zoom button offers two-level speed zooming. Press it firmly for
high speed zooming and softly, for relatively slow zooming.
Press the T side of the power zoom button for telephoto (subject appears closer) and the
W side for wide-angle (subject appears farther away).
Focusing In Macro
Even small subjects such as flowers, insects, and images in photographs, can literally fill
the screen using focus in macro.
1 Bring the camcorder as close as necessary to obtain the desired subject size. 2 Press the W side of the power zoom button until the indicator in the viewfinder
stops at the W end.
Note
You can shoot a subject that is at least f m (about 39% iches) away from lens surface in the telephoto
position.
16 Basic Camera Operation
PSP
Loading...