Sony CCD-TR818, CCD-TR618 User Manual

3-065-645-11 (3)

Video Camera

Recorder

Operating Instructions

Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference.

Owner’s Record

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

Model No. CCD-TR			Model No. AC-L
Serial No.			Serial No.

CCD-TR818

CCD-TR618/TR818

©2001 Sony Corporation

Welcome!

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.

WARNING

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 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.

Never expose the battery pack to temperatures above 60°C (140°F) such as in a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight.

For customers in the United

States and Canada

DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY.

LITHIUM ION BATTERY.

DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.

You can return your unwanted lithium ion batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory Service Center.

Note: In some areas the disposal of lithium ion batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited.

For the Sony Service Center nearest you call 1-800-222-SONY (United States only)

For the Sony Factory Service Center nearest you call 416-499-SONY (Canada only)

Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium ion battery.

For customers in the U.S.A.

CAUTION

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

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Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful 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 or relocate the receiving antenna.

—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help.

For customers in CANADA

CAUTION

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.

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Main Features

Functions to adjust exposure (in the recording mode)

•In a dark place	NIGHTSHOT (p. 24)
•In dark environments such as sunset, fireworks,	Sunset & moon mode (p. 34)
or general night views
•Shooting backlit subjects	BACK LIGHT (p. 24)
•In spotlight, such as at the theater or a formal	Spotlight mode (p. 34)
event
•In strong light or reflected light, such as at a beach	Beach & ski mode (p. 34)
in midsummer or on a ski slope

Functions to give images more impact (in the recording mode)

•Smooth transition between scenes •Digital processing of images •Creating a soft background for subjects •Superimposing a title

FADER (p. 31) PICTURE EFFECT (p. 33) Soft portrait mode (p. 34) TITLE (p. 38)

Functions to give a natural appearance to your recordings (in the recording mode)

•Preventing deterioration of picture quality in digital zoom

The default setting is set to OFF.

(To zoom greater than 20×, select the digital zoom power in D ZOOM in the menu settings.)

•Focusing manually •Shooting distant subjects

•Recording fast-moving subjects

D ZOOM [MENU] (p. 47)

Manual focus (p. 37) Landscape mode (p. 34) Sports lesson mode (p. 34)

Functions to use in editing (in the recording mode)

•Watching the picture on a wide-screen TV •Recording with the date/time •Enhancing old tapes

Wide mode (p. 29) Date and time (p. 25) ORC [MENU] (p. 49)

Functions to use after recording (in the playback mode)

•Correcting jitter	TBC [MENU] (p. 48)
•Correcting color noise	DNR [MENU] (p. 48)

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Table of contents

Main Features ..........................................		4
Quick Start Guide ...............................		6
Getting started
Using this manual ...................................		8
Checking supplied accessories ............		10
Step 1	Preparing the power supply ...	11
Installing the battery pack ............		11
Charging the battery pack ............		12
Connecting to a wall outlet ...........		16
Step 2	Setting the date and time ........	17
Step 3	Inserting a cassette ...................	19

Editing
Dubbing a tape ......................................	45
Customizing Your Camcorder
Changing the menu settings ................	46
Troubleshooting
Types of trouble and their solutions
...........................................................	52
Self-diagnosis display ..........................	55
Warning indicators and messages ......	56

Recording – Basics
Recording a picture ..............................	20
Shooting backlit subjects
– BACK LIGHT ........................	24
Shooting in the dark
– NightShot ...............................	24
Superimposing the date and time
on pictures ................................	25

Additional Information
Usable cassettes and playback modes
...........................................................	57
About “InfoLITHIUM” battery ...........	58
Using your camcorder abroad ............	59
Maintenance information and
precautions ......................................	60
Specifications .........................................	65

		Quick Reference
Playback – Basics		Identifying the parts and controls 66......
Connections for playback ....................	26	Index ........................................	Back cover
Playing back a tape ...............................	27
Advanced Recording
Operations
Using the wide mode ...........................	29
Using the fader function ......................	31
Using special effects
– Picture effect .................................	33
Using the PROGRAM AE function ....	34
Adjusting the exposure manually ......	36
Focusing manually ................................	37
Superimposing a title ...........................	38
Making your own titles ........................	40
Using the built-in light .........................	42

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Guide Start Quick

Quick Start Guide

This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your camcorder. See the page in parentheses “( )” for more information.

Connecting the power cord (p. 16)

Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 11).

Open the DC IN jack cover.

AC power adaptor (supplied)

Inserting a cassette (p. 19)

1Open the lid of the cassette compartment, and press EJECT.

The compartment opens automatically.

EJECT

2Insert a cassette into the cassette compartment with its window facing out and the write-protect tab on the cassette up.

Connect the plug with its v mark facing up.

3Close the cassette compartment by pressing the mark on the cassette compartment. The cassette compartment automatically goes down. Close the lid of the cassette compartment.

6

Recording a picture (p. 20)

1Remove the lens cap.

2Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button.

The picture appears in the viewfinder.

3Press the red button. Your camcorder starts recording. To stop recording, press the red button again.

PLAYER

CAMERA ) OFF ( CHARGE

PLAYER

CAMERA ) OFF ( CHARGE

POWER

POWER

Viewfinder

Use the viewfinder placing your eye against its eyecup.

The picture in the viewfinder is black and white. (CCD-TR618 only)

When you purchase your camcorder, the clock setting is set to off. If you want to record the date and time for a picture, set the clock setting before recording. (p. 17)

Monitoring the playback picture in the viewfinder (p. 27)

2Press m to rewind the tape.

REW

3Press N to start playback.

PLAY

1Set the POWER switch to PLAYER while pressing the small green button.

PLAYER	POWER
(
OFF CHARGE
)
CAMERA

NOTE

Do not pick up your camcorder by holding the viewfinder or the battery pack.

Guide Start Quick

7

— Getting started —

Using this manual

The instructions in this manual are for the two models listed in the table below. Before you start reading this manual and operating your camcorder, check the model number by looking at the bottom of your camcorder. The CCD-TR818 is the model used for illustration purposes. Otherwise, the model name is indicated in the illustrations. Any differences in operation are clearly indicated in the text, for example, “CCD-TR818 only.”

As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on your camcorder are shown in capital letters.

e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.

When you carry out an operation, you can hear a beep sound to indicate that the operation is being carried out.

Types of differences

CCD-	TR618	TR818
Viewfinder	B/W	Color
Built-in light	z	—
Digital zoom	450 ×	460 ×
SteadyShot	—	z
z Provided
— Not provided

Note on TV colour systems

TV colour systems differ from country to country. To view your recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC system-based TV.

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Using this manual

Precautions on camcorder care

Lens and LCD screen/finder (on mounted models only)

•The LCD screen and the finder are manufactured using extremely high-precision technology so over 99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective use. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (white, red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD screen and the finder. These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way.

•Do not let your camcorder get wet. Keep your camcorder away from rain and sea water. Letting your camcorder get wet may cause your camcorder to malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [a].

•Never leave your camcorder exposed to temperatures above 60°C (140°F), such as in a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [b].

•Be careful when placing the camera near a window or outdoors. Exposing the LCD screen, the finder or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods may cause malfunctions [c].

•Do not directly shoot the sun. Doing so might cause your camcorder to malfunction. Take pictures of the sun in low light coditions such as duck [d].

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[a]

[b]

[c]

[d]

9

Checking supplied accessories

Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.

1	2	3
4	5

1 AC-L10A/L10B/L10CACpower	4 Shoulder strap(1) (p. 68)
adaptor(1), Power cord(1) (p. 16)
2 NP-F330 battery pack(1) (p. 11, 12)	5 Lens cap (1) (p. 20, 69)
3 A/V connecting cable(1) (p. 26)

Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a malfunction of the camcorder, storage media, etc.

10

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Installing the battery pack

Install the battery pack to use your camcorder outdoors.

Slide the battery pack down until it clicks.

To remove the battery pack

Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing BATT RELEASE down.

BATT RELEASE

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11

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Charging the battery pack

4

Use the battery pack after charging it for your camcorder.

Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series). See page 58 for more information about “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.

(1) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC power adaptor supplied with your camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug’s v mark facing up.

(2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor. (3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.

(4) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHARGE). Charging begins. The remaining battery time is indicated in minutes on the display window.

The charging is completed when the remainnig battery indicator changes to u and the FULL appears on the display window.

PLAYER	POWER

CAMERA ) OFF ( CHARGE

1 2

After charging the battery pack

Disconnect the AC power adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.

12

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Notes

•Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the DC plug of the AC power adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC power

adaptor.

•Keep the battery pack dry.

•When the battery pack is not to be used for a long time, charge the battery pack fully, and then use it until it fully discharges again. Do this once a year. Keep the battery pack in a cool place.

Until your camcorder calculates the actual remaining battery time

“– – – – min” appears in the display window.

While charging the battery pack, no indicator appears or the indicator flashes in the display window in the following cases:

–The battery pack is not installed correctly.

–Something is wrong with the battery pack.

If the power may go off although the battery remaining indicator indicates that the battery pack has enough power to operate

Charge the battery pack fully again so that the indication on the battery remaining indicator is correct.

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13

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Charging time

Battery pack	Full charge
NP-F330 (supplied)	150
NP-F530/F550	210
NP-F730/F730H/F750	300
NP-F930/F950	390
NP-F960	420
Approximate number of minutes to charge an empty battery pack
Recording time
CCD-TR618
Battery pack	Continuous*	Typical**
NP-F330 (supplied)	140	75
NP-F530	245	135
NP-F550	280	155
NP-F730	500	275
NP-F730H/F750	580	320
NP-F930	780	430
NP-F950	900	495
NP-F960	1035	570
CCD-TR818
Battery pack	Continuous*	Typical**
NP-F330 (supplied)	160	90
NP-F530	290	160
NP-F550	325	180
NP-F730	590	325
NP-F730H/F750	670	370
NP-F930	915	505
NP-F950	1025	565
NP-F960	1200	660

Approximate number of minutes when you use a fully charged battery pack

*Approximate continuous recording time at 25°C (77°F). The battery life will be shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.

**Approximate number of minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/ stop, zooming and turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be shorter.

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Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Playing time

CCD-TR618

Battery pack
NP-F330 (supplied)	145		Getting
NP-F530	260
NP-F550	295
NP-F730	525		started
NP-F730H/F750	610
NP-F930	825
NP-F950	930
NP-F960	1090
CCD-TR818
Battery pack
NP-F330 (supplied)	170
NP-F530	305
NP-F550	340
NP-F730	625
NP-F730H/F750	710
NP-F930	975
NP-F950	1080
NP-F960	1260

Approximate number of minutes when you use a fully charged battery pack

The battery life will be shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.

What is ”InfoLITHIUM”?

The “InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange data such as battery consumption with compatible electronic equipment. This unit is compatible with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series). Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery. “InfoLITHIUM” L series battery packs have the mark.

“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

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Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Connecting to a wall outlet

When you use your camcorder for a long time, we recommend that you power it from a wall outlet using the AC power adaptor.

(1) Open the DC IN jack cover, and connect the AC power adaptor to the DC IN jack on your camcorder with the plug’s v mark facing up.

(2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor. (3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.

1

2, 3

PRECAUTION

The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (wall outlet) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off.

Notes

•The AC power adaptor can supply power even if the battery pack is attached to your camcorder.

•The DC IN jack has “source priority”. This means that the battery pack cannot supply any power if the power cord is connected to the DC IN jack, even when the power cord is not plugged into a wall outlet.

•Place the AC power adaptor near a wall outlet. While using the AC power adaptor, if any plug from the wall outlet as soon as possible to cut off the power.

Using a car battery

Use Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (optional).

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Step 2 Setting the date and time

Set the date and time settings when you use your camcorder for the first time.

If you do not use your camcorder for about 4 months, the date and time settings may be released (bars may appear) because the built-in rechargeable lithium cell in your camcorder will have been discharged.

First, set the year, then the month, the day, the hour and then the minute.

(1) While your camcorder is in CAMERA mode, press MENU to display the menu.

(2) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select , then press the dial.

(3) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select CLOCK SET, then press the dial. (4) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to adjust the desired year, then press the dial. (5) Set the month, day and hour by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial and

pressing the dial.

(6) Set the minute by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial and pressing the dial by the time signal. The clock starts to move.

(7) Press MENU to make the menu disappear. The time indicator appears.

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1,7	2				3
	MENU
	S E T UP	MENU	S E T UP	MENU	S E T UP	MENU
	C L OCK	S E T	C L OCK	S E T – –: – –: – –	C L OCK	S E T
	AU TO	DA T E	AU TO	DA T E	AU TO	DA T E
	L T R S I Z E		L T R S I Z E		L T R S I Z E		2001 J AN	1
	L ANGUAGE		L ANGUAGE		L ANGUAGE
	DEMO MODE		DEMO MODE		DEMO MODE
			RE T URN		RE T URN		12 00	AM
	[ ME NU ] : END		[ MENU ] : END		[ MENU ] : END
	6

4

	2 0 0 1	J A N 1		2 0 0 1	J A N	1
	1 2 0 0 AM			1 2 0 0 AM

S E T UP	MENU
C L OCK	S E T
AU TO	DA T E	2001		4
L T R S I Z E			J U L
L ANGUAGE
DEMO MODE
RE T URN		5	30	PM

[ MENU ] : END

S E T UP	MENU	J U L 4 2001
C L OCK	S E T
AU TO	DA T E	5:30:00 PM

L T R S I Z E

L ANGUAGE

DEMO MODE

RE T URN

[ MENU ] : END

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Step 2 Setting the date and time

To check the preset date and time

Press DATE to display the date indicator. Press TIME to display the time indicator.

Press DATE (or TIME) and then press TIME (or DATE) to simultaneously display the date and time indicator.

Press DATE and/or TIME again. The date and/or time indicator disappears.

The year changes as follows:

1995 T · · · · t 2001 T · · · · t 2079

Auto date function

When you use your camcorder for the first time, turn it on and reset the date and time to your local time before you start recording (p. 17). The date is automatically recorded for 10 seconds after you start recording (Auto date function). This function works only once a day.

Note on the time indicator

The internal clock of your camcorder operates on a 12-hour cycle. •12:00 AM stands for midnight.

•12:00 PM stands for noon.

Note on the auto date function

You can change the AUTO DATE setting by selecting ON or OFF in the menu settings. The auto date function automatically displays the date once a day.

However, the date may automatically appear more than once a day if:

–you reset the date and time.

–you eject and insert the tape again.

–you stop recording within 10 seconds.

–you set AUTO DATE to OFF once and set it back to ON in the menu settings.

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Step 3 Inserting a cassette

When you want to record in the Hi8 system, use Hi8 video cassettes .

(1) Prepare the power supply (p. 11).

(2) Open the lid of the cassette compartment, and press EJECT. The cassette compartment opens automatically.

(3) Insert a cassette with its window facing out and the tab on the cassette up. (4) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the mark on the cassette

compartment. The cassette compartment automatically goes down. (5) Close the lid of the cassette compartment.

2	3	4,5
	EJECT

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To eject a cassette

Follow the procedure above, and eject the cassette in step 3.

Note

•Do not press the cassette compartment down. Doing so may cause a malfunction. •The cassette compartment may not be closed when you press any part of the cassette

compartment other than the mark.

•Do not pick up your camcorder by holding the lid of the cassette compartment.

To prevent accidental erasure

Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to expose the red mark.

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— Recording – Basics —

Recording a picture

Your camcorder automatically focuses for you.

(1) Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on its sides and attach the lens cap to the grip strap.

(2) Install the power source and insert a cassette. See “Step 1” to “Step 3” for more information (p. 11 to 19).

(3) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button. Your camcorder is set to the standby mode.

(4) Press START/STOP. Your camcorder starts recording. The REC indicator appears. The camera recording lamp located on the front of your camcorder lights up.

To stop recording, press START/STOP again.

The recording lamp lights up in the viewfinder during recording(CCD-TR618 only).

1

Camera
recording lamp	2
Microphone
Note

3

PLAYER

CAMERA ) OFF ( CHARGE

4

CAMERA ) OFF ( CHARGE

POWER

PLAYER	POWER

40min REC 0:00:01

	Fasten the grip strap firmly. Do not touch the built-in microphone during recording.
	To enable smooth transition
	You can make the transition between the last scene you recorded and the next scene
	smooth as long as you do not eject the cassette even if you turn off your camcorder.
	When you change the battery pack, set the POWER switch to OFF (CHARGE).
	If you leave your camcorder in the standby mode for 5 minutes while the cassette
	is inserted
	Your camcorder automatically turns off. This is to save battery power and to prevent
	battery and tape wear. To resume the standby mode, set the POWER switch to OFF
	(CHARGE) once, then turn it to CAMERA again.
	To set the counter to 0:00:00
20	Press COUNTER RESET (p. 69).

Recording a picture

After recording

(1) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHARGE). (2) Eject the cassette.

(3) Attach the lens cap.

After using your camcorder (CCD-TR618 only)

Remove the battery pack from your camcorder to avoid turning on the built-in light accidentally.

To record pictures with the viewfinder – adjusting the

viewfinder

Adjust the viewfinder lens to your eyesight so that the indicators in the viewfinder come into sharp focus.

Lift up the viewfinder and move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever.

Basics – Recording

21

Recording a picture

Using the zoom feature

Move the power zoom lever a little for a slower zoom. Move it further for a faster zoom. Using the zoom function sparingly results in better-looking recordings.

“T” side: for telephoto (subject appears closer)

“W” side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away)

W T

W T

W

T

Zoom greater than 20× is performed digitally. To activate digital zoom, select the digital zoom power in D ZOOM in the menu settings. (p. 46)

The picture quality deteriorates as the picture is processed digitally.

The right side of the bar shows the digital
		W				T
zooming zone.
The digital zooming zone appears when
you select the digital zoom power in D
ZOOM in the menu settings.

When you shoot close to a subject

If you cannot get a sharp focus, move the power zoom lever to the “W” side until the focus is sharp. You can shoot a subject that is at least about 80 cm (about 2 feet 5/8 inch) away from the lens surface in the telephoto position, or about 1 cm (about 1/2 inch) away in the wide-angle position.

Notes on digital zoom

•Digital zoom starts to function when zoom exceeds 20×.

•The picture quality deteriorates as you go toward the “T” side.

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