Sony CCD-FX425 Owner’s Manual

CCD-FX420/FX425

RMT-509

i

SERVICEMANUAL

Canadian Model

Remote commander is available as a unit. But as

individual parts the battery case lid of commander

is only avaiable.

For MECHANISM ADJUSTMENTS, refer to the
"8 mm Video MECHANICAL ADJUSTMENT

CCD-FX420/FX425 is based on model CCD-FX300/FX310/FX311.

In this service manual, onlythe differences from CCD-FX300/FX310/FX311 are mentioned.

When servicing, see the CCD-FX300/FX310/FX311 service manual(9-973-275-11 ) with this.

MANUAL ]Y" (9-973-199-11 ).

US Model

CCD-FX420/FX425

CCD-FX420

Video8

Handgcam

IA MECHANISM I

Video camera recorder

System

Video recording system

Audio recording system

Video signal NTSC color, EIA standards
Usable cassette 8 mm video format cassette

Tape speed SP mode: Approx. 1.43 cm

Recording time SP mode: 2 hours (P6-120)

Playback time SP mode: 2 hours (P6-120)

Fast forward/rewind time

Image device CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
Viewfinder Electronic viewfinder

Lens Combined 10 × power zoom lens

Rotary two heads, Helical scanning
FM system

Rotary head, FM system

(_9/32inch)/sec.

LP mode: Approx. 0.72 cm

(5/,6inch)/sec.
(playback only)

LP mode: 4 hours (P6-120)

Approx. 6 min. 30 sec. (P6-120)

(black and white)

f=6.1 to 61 mm (V4 to 2V2 inches)
Approx. 441o 440 mm (13/4to

173/Binches) converted into the

focal length of a 35-mm still

camera.
F 1.6 to 2.4 with macro
Filter diameter: 37 mm (1 '/2 inches)
TTL autofocus system inner focus

wide macro system

SPECl FICATIONS

Color temperature AUTO
Minimum illumination

Illumination range 2 Ix to 100,000 Ix

Recommended illumination

Aperture correction Automatic

Input and output connector

Video output Phono jacK, 1 Vp-p, 75 ohms

Audio output Phono jack

RFU DC OUT Special minijack, 5 V DC
Earphone jack Minijack, 8-ohm impedance

Remote _ jack Stereo mini-minijack
MIC jack Minijack, --66 dBs, low impedance

Microphone power output jack

2 Ix

(0.2 to 9294 footcandles)

More than 100 Ix
(9 footcandles)

With backlight adjustment

unbalanced sync negative

Output: -7.5 riBs, (at output
impedance 47 kilohms)

impedance less than

1 kilohms

with 2.5 to 3 V DC output, impedance

6.8 kilohms

Special minijack, 5 V DC

Continued on next page --

VIDEOCAMI RARECORDER

IMICROFILM

S 01 'Y

SECTION 1

GENERAL

This section is extracted from

instruction manual. (CCD-FX425)

Before you can use this camcorder, you need to charge and install the battery pack.

Notes

Removing the battery pack

1 Plug the AC power adaptor into a wall outlet.
2 Align the flat side of the battery pack with the lines on the AC power adaptor and the

battery back.

3 Push down and slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
4 Set the VTR (DC OUT)/CHARGE selector to CHARGE.

Required charging time:

I Type of battery pack

I

I

Required charging time

When charging is finished, the charge indicator will go out.

NP-55 NP-77H NP-77 NP-66H NP-55H

(supplied) NP-77HD

70 160 140 120 80

(approx._nutes u=ng AC-V25)

Battery life and remaining capacity

Important!

Use the battery completely before recharglngl
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 __\'_ indicator
appears blinking and a red lamp blinks in the viewfinder.

Notes

OpUon

i_l_"llhn[!lli_ !:fi'Ji('-,]MJ I,_l_.[ol;g

Video equipment cannot be operated whikD charging the battery back.
The POWER lamp will remain lit for a while even if the battery pack is removed and the power cord

is unplugged after charging the battery pack. This is normal.

• It the POWER lamp does not light, set the VTR (C)C OUT)/CHARGE selector to OFF and

disconnect the power cord. After about one minute, reconnect the power cord and set the VTR (DC

OUT)ICHARGE selector to CHARGE again.
ACoS10 AC power adaptor:
This adaptor has a lunction which allows you to confirm that the battery is completely discharged and

ready to be recharged to its full capacity.

When you have finished-charging the battery, install the battery pack as follows:

1 Align the flat side of 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.

• 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 e power source when recording indoors.

Slide the BATT switch in the direction of the arrow, and at the same time, slide out the
battery pack to the left.

BATI"

A fullychargedbatterypack _astsfor:

Type of battery pack NP-55 NP-77H/ NP-77 NP-66H NP-55H
Battery life 60 150 120 110 75

TO check the remaining battery capacity, set the POWER switch to CAMERA, set the

STANDBY switch up and press TAPE/BATT CHECK.

(supplied) NP-77HD

(ap_ox. minutes.¢(:_tirxJous_cocdingwhen_ irldo_)

[

TAPFJBA'I-r CHECK

The decreasing black bar indicates decreasing

battery power, After the black bar disappears the
_\_ indicator will appear and blink and a red

lamp will also blink in the viewfinder. When they
blink rapidly, replace the battery pack.

Battery life
indicator

\l/

J

J

Q

Notes

(3 Getting Started Getting Started 7

• The battery life indicator of the camcordar 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 quickty.

i IiI[,."[:JitIIel_*I_.11!.:.Ij[;.l

Make sure that the battery pack or another power source is attached.

Press the small blue button

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.

Close the cassette holder by

I

pressing the area on the
cassette compartment

marked "PUSH".

I

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.

4 3

Press the small green button on POWER and
set the POWER switch to CAMERA.

Insert a tape.
(See page 8.)

Set the STANDBY switch up. ,_

_Amh_

Turn the vlewflnder
adjustment ring around the

vlewflnder lens until the
"STBY" Indicator displayed in

the vlewflnder screen comes
Into sharp focus.

i_iil.I ilillvl l:lTi il"iTil_hl'il.ll-lil.]ill_ Ii1"iii [I

i lil[l'l=iliilll* II-'l_ _ HTI l I ;it;.I.lil|-JI

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 i 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 dust and uneven winding.

Getting Started

What Is a sports finder?

Setting the vlewflnder to the sports finder position

Returning from the sports finder position to the normal
vlewflnder position

When storing your camcorder

Your camcorder is equip!_:l with a Sports Finder.
You can use the viewfinder as the sports finder by

turning the viewfinder adjustment ring.

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,

Turn the viewfinder adjustment ring clockwise
completely,

Turn the adjustment ring counterclockwise until the
word "STBY" that appears in the viewfinder comes
into sharp focus.

Turn the viewfinder barrel to the front.

Adjustment ring

Gettin_l Started 9

To keep birth dates in the camcorder's memory and to activate the clock, the lithium

battery must be Installed.

Remove the lithium battery holder
located st the bottom of the
camcorder.

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.

;.;-

,i=

I=i

@

Install the supplied CR2025
lithium battery with the + side

facing down.

l

t

Lithium battery life

Changing the lithium battery

WARNING

Cautions

I 0 Getting Sta,"ted Getting Started 11

Put the lithium battery holder into the camcorder.

The battery will last for approximately 1year 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.

Remove the lithium battery holder from the camcorder, and pull out the lithium battery and
insert a new one.

The battery may explode if mistreated,
DO not recharge, disassemble, or dispose of it in fire.

• Keep the lithium battery out of the leach 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,

Correcting the date and time settings

Press the small green button on the [llH_,f_llJ J
POWER switch and slide the POWER CAMEn oF AVE

switch to CAMERA. _/<_E_ :_

Set the STANDBY switch ._
up.

Press DATE (+) and TIME (NEXT)

simultaneously for a few
seconds until the date indicator

appears in the vlewflnder.
The DATE button now functions as +

(to advance numbers) and the TIME

button functions as NEXT (to set).

4

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 1993 and
proceeds as follows:

1993--_1999-,2000---_2020

o%j.%

s.0,o,,,...,n.,°O0,0t.o,m,nut,byor...,noO.TO

Press TIME (NEXT) to set the second to "00".
The clock Starts operating.

Repeat steps 3 to 6.

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

How to store birth date

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.

To store a birth date in your camcorder, see the following example and procedure.

Example: Store "Aug. 3, 1987" in memory 2.

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.

.... --> 1

I

if you missed the correct number with DATE (+)

Press the small green button on the

I

€O

I

12

Getting Started

POWER switch and slide the POWER
switch to CAMERA.

Set the STANDBY switch up.

3

Press TIME (NEXT) and AGE/EVENT

simultaneously for a few seconds until the

"_ BIRTHDAY---1900" Indicator appears
In the vlewflnder.

A

='1' Press DATE (+) to select r_.

Each time you press DATE (+), the display in the
viewfinder changes as follows:

_L_BIRTHDAY _ [] BIRTHpAY

[] EVENT*_

* Alfhough "EVENT" is displayed on [_, you can

use it for age as well.

[] and [] can also be used to record event
dates in memory.

Press TIME (NEXT).

The "1900"indicatorblinks.

%

- e=ntxoA_
A._ .. tJ==

,,, 1

- ,_l_nT.O=

i1 .... 1tel)

= mJn'f'_kI

/t,,'_ntln, **I\

........ ue_ I

Correcting/changing the setting

Advancing the digits faster

Presetting the year before 1900

When In 2000

Keep pressing DATE (+),
The indicator changes as follows:

Year: 1900 ---) 1901 - - - _ Current year

Current year - (minus) 99

Month: JAN. _ FEB. - - - -* DEC. _ ---

T I

Day: 1 -_2------) 31

1" r

Followthe proceduresfrom step 1 again,

Keep DATE (+) pressed.

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: 1993--_ 1894)

3 Go to step 6 above.

"--- -1901" is displayed in step 3 on page 12. After that, it advances every year as "1902,

1903 ...... ".

Now It's ready for recording!

GettinQ Started 13

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 cemcorder by putting your
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 the small green button on the
POWER switch end slide the POWER

switch to CAMERA.
This puts the camcorder in the camera

recording mode.

[llll ll I

Set the PROGRAM AE (Auto Exposure)
switch to the green position.

Automatic recording

Note about covertng the camcorder

To stop recording momentarily

With the PROGRAM AE 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).

Do not use marine packs, sports pecks, or rain jackets to cover the carncorder. The camcorder will
fOCUS on the front glass of the packs or transparent plate of the jacket

Press START/STOP again. "STBY" appears in the viewfinder. The camcorder beeps twice

when you have BEEP turned on.

When you have finished recording

Turnthe STANDBY switchdownand slide thePOWER switchto 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.

Cautlonl
Please remember that you can only use 8-ram format v_leo tapes withthis semcorder.

You willbe able to record tapes in SP (standardplay) mode only and play back tapes in beth SP
end LP (longplay) modes.

Checking the time remaining on the tape

Press TAPE/BATTCHECK.

I;

14

Basic Camera Operation

5

"STBY" appears in the viewfinder. Now.
Set the STANDBY switch up, '_ l

you can see through the viewfinder,

6

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 ITMIT/3TOP
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.

STBV]

After pressing TAPE/BAIT CHECK, the time remaining may not be indicated for about 20
seconds. When the time remaining is tess than about 5 minutes, the indicator displays the

minutes remaining.

S[ ..... |E .......... S [IiIiII-IE .......... S r"I'--'Iil E -------_ 5ml n it

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

TAPE/BATr CHECK

Omin e - Ondn- -4- ........... 4rain _iJ

•" I\

Tape length indicator

/

Basic Camera Operation 1 5

You can create a 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(Telephoto)

n-JhvAiaLom-'P.[_:!_.! r.1f,i=a

You can use this camcorder as a VCR by connecting it directly to your TV for playback.
After you connect'this camcorder to your "IV, use the Remote Commander for convenient

control of the camcorder.

| Ik'd[e] ei in IkVA i_ I_'_Sj i1 I,Vd[.=ll l__i (:-] il iKII r| I e) i t d

Use the supplied RFU adaptor to connect your camcorder to your TV. Before connecting,
make sure that the TV is turned off to prevent speaker damage, If your TV has audio/

video Inputs, see page 33.

I

t RFU DC OUT

AUDIO OUT

=

To zoom

9suc / l 3CH_4cH

' Channel selector

RFU-90UCRFu-9ouC__ !

RFU DC OUT

r

d

0

Telephoto

J

ilv;lel [._vL;.] ] _'1 e_'_:Ze ir_eIel i i I I a[el

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).

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.

Note

2 Press the W side of the power zoom button until the Indicator In the vlewfinder

stops at the W end,

You can shoot a subject that is at least 1 m (about 393/0 iches) away from lens surface in the tarephoto
position.

Note

Notaa on the AC power adaptor

t_l 3_'_ __'_* * €_ ! RFU-95UC_'_-__ AUDIOOU_"',

: Signal flow

To connect your camoorder to a "IV that is already connected to a regular TV (VHF)
antenna, you need to:

1 Unplug the antenna cable from your "IV first.

Plug in the tail end of the RFU adaptor marked OUT to the antenna input of your TV.
Re-wire the antenna cable you unplugged to the RFU adaptor jack marked ANT. This
way, you can switch between TV broadcasting and your home video playback without
re-wiring.

2 Connect the RFU adaptor to the camcorder.
3 Connect the AC power adaptor to a wall outlet.
4 Set the channel selector on the RFU adaptor (and your TV channel) to 3 CH or 4 CH of

the VHF channel, whichever is not active (vacant) in your area.

5 Attach the connecting plate of the AC power adaptor to the camcorder.
6 Make sure the CHARGFJVTR selector on the AC power adaptor is set to VTR position.

When you want to switch to a raguler TV program, set the CHARGEJVTR selector to OFF or turn off
the power on the carncorder.

• Video equipment cannot be operated unless the selector is changed to VTR (DO OUT) position.
= Keep the sdaptor away from video equipment if video operation is disturbed.

L Channel selector

16 Basic Camera Operation Basic Camera Operation 17