Sony CCD-TR83 User Manual
3-798-581-21 (1)
Video Camera
Recorder
Operation Manual
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 _
Serial No.
______
TR73ITR76ITR83ITR93
©1995 by Sony Corporation
CCD-TR93
Model No. AC-v_
Serial No.
_____
Video 8
Handycam
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.
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO HO’ OPEN
CAUTION ; TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OH 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.
RECYCLING NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES
For the Sony Service Center nearest you call
1-800-222-SONY (United States only)
For the Factory Service Center nearest you
call 416-499-SONY (Canada only)
Caution: Do not handle damaged or
leaking nickel-cadmium
batteries.
For Customers in the U.S.A.
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.
NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY.
MUST BE DISPOSED OF
PROPERLY.
Ni-Cd
Note: In some areas the disposal of nickel-
Nickel-Cadmium batteries are
recyclable. You can help preserve
our environment by returning your
unwanted batteries to your nearest
Sony Service Center or Factory
Service Center for collection,
recycling or proper disposal.
cadmium batteries in household or
business trash may be prohibited.
You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate
this equipment.
For Customers in CANADA
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG WITH AN
EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR
OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES
CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT
BLADE EXPOSURE.
Table of Contents
Before You Begin
Checking Your Model Number 4
Checking Supplied Accessories 5
Getting Started
Charging and Installing the Battery Pack 6
Inserting a Cassette 9
Basic Operations
Camera Recording 10
Using the Zoom Feature 12
Hints for Better Shooting 13
Checking the Recorded Picture 14
Connections for Playback 15
Playing Back a Tape 16
Advanced Operations
Using Alternative Power Sources 18
Using House Current 18
Recording with4he Date or Time 19
Shooting with Backlighting 20
Using the PROGRAM AE Function 21
Fade-in and Fade-out 22
Focusing Manually 23
Releasing the STEADY SHOT Function (CCD-TR83/TR93 only) 24
Enjoying Picture Effect (CCD-TR36/TR76/TR83/TR93 only) 25
Shooting Scenery in Several Short Takes 27
Changing the Mode Settings 28
Editing onto Another Tape 30
iwMm
Additional Information
Changing the Lithium Battery 31
Resetting the Date or Time 32
Playback Modes 33
Tips for Using the Battery Pack 33
Maintenance Information and Precautions 36
Using Your Camcorder Abroad 39
Trouble Check 40
Specifications 43
Identifying the Parts 45
Remote Commander 48
Operation Indicators 50
Warning Indicators 51
Index (Back Cover)
H Before You Begin
Checking Your Model Number
The instructions in this manual are for the five models listed below. Before you start reading
this manual and operating the unit, check your model number by looking at the bottom of
your camcorder. The CCD-TR93 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-TR36 only."
As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on the camcorder are shown in capital letters,
e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
Types of differences
Model
number
CCD-TR36*
CCD-TR73*
CCD-TR76 5 modes
CCD-TR83
CCD-TR93
• CCD-TR36/TR73 are the U. S. A. models.
Steady Shot Picture Effect
.3 modes
•
•
7 modes
7 modes
Monochrome
Note on TV Color Systems
TV color systems differ from country to country. To view your recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC
system-based TV. When you want to use a PAL-M system-based TV, you will need an NTSC/PAL-M
transcoder (as this is an NTSC system based camcorder). Please check the list on
page 39 to find out the TV color system used in your country.
Viewfinder
•
•
Zoom (x)
12
.
•
•
12
12
24 (Digital)
24 (Digital)
Precaution 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.
Precautions on Camcorder Care
• Do not let sand get into the camcorder. When you use the camcorder on a sandy beach or
dusty place, protect it from the sand or dust. Sand or dust may cause the unit to malfunction
and sometimes the malfunction cannot be repaired [a].
• Do not let the camcorder get wet. Keep the camcorder away from rain and sea water. Letting
the camcorder get wet may cause the unit to malfunction and sometimes the malfunction
cannot be repaired [b].
• Never leave the camcorder exposed to temperatures above 140 «F (60 »C), such as in a car
parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [c].
Checking Supplied Accessories
[T] Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 48)
[2] NP-55 Battery pack (1) (p. 6)
[3] AC-V25A/V25B/V25C AC power adaptor (1) (p. 6,18)
[4] CR2025 Lithium Battery (1) (p. 31)
(The lithium battery is already installed in your camcorder.)
[5] Size AA (R6) battery for Remote Commander (2) (p. 48)
[6] Shoulder strap (1) (p. 47)
[7] A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 15)
[8] Tripod adaptor (1) (p. 13)
[9] Shading cover (CCD-TR73/TR76/TR93 only) (1)
09
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09
19
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Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a
malfunction of fhe camcorder, video tape, etc.
I
Getting Started
Charging and installing the Battery Pack
Before using your camcorder, you first need to charge and install the battery pack. To charge the
battery pack, use the supplied AC power adaptor.
Charging the Battery Pack
Charge the battery pack on a flat surface without vibration.
(1) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
(2) Align the right side of the battery pack with the line on the AC power adaptor, then slide the
battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
(3) Set the selector to CHARGE. The CHARGE lamp (orange) lights up. Charging begins.
When charging is completed, the CHARGE lamp goes out. Set the selector to the center position and
unplug the unit from the wall outlet. Then remove the battery pack and install it on the camcorder.
To stop charging, set the selector to the center position.
Battery pack
Charging time* 70
» Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack using the supplied AC power adaptor.
(Lower temperatures require a longer charging time.)
Battery Life
CCD-TR36
Battery pack
Typical recording
time**
Continuous recording
time***
NP-55
(supplied)
NP-80
NP-80D
NP-5S
(supplied)
30
60
NP-77H
190 170 125
NP-80
NP-80D
85 85
165
NP-77H
160
NP-68
NP-66H
NP-68
NP-66H
65
115
105 90
NP-C65 NP-60D
45 40
90 80
NP-600
CCD-TR73/TR76
Battery pack
Typical recording
Continuous recording
time^**
CCD-TR83
Battery pack
Typical recording
Continuous recording
CCD-TR93
Battery pack
Typical recording
time**
Continuous recording
time***
NP-55
(supplied)
30 80 80
60
NP-55
(supplied)
30 75 75 55
55 145 140 105
NP-55
(supplied)
25
50
NP-80
NP-80D
160
NP-80
NP-80D
NP-80
NP-80D
70
140
NP-77H
NP-68
NP-66H
NP-C65
60 45
150 110 85 80
NP-77H
NP-68
NP-66H
NP-C65
40 35
80 70
NP-68
NP-66H
NP-C65 NP-60D
70 50 40
135
100 75 65
Approximate minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/stop or zooming and
turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be shorter.
’ Approximate continuous recording time indoors.
NP-60D
40
NP-60D
35
IQ
th
(B
3
3
01
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a
Important!
Use the battery completely before re-charging!
Before you recharge the battery pack, make sure the battery has been used up (discharged)
completely. Repeated charging while some capacity remains causes a lowering of battery
capacity. However, the original battery capacity can be recovered if you use the battery
completely and charge it fully again. -
To use up the battery, remove the cassette and turn the POWER switch to CAMERA with
the battery pack attached, and leave the camcorder until the <Xi indicator flashes and the red
lamp flashes rapidly in the viewfinder.
See the next page for further information.
Charging and Installing the Battery Pack
Removing the Battery Pack
Slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
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.
• If the POWER lamp does not light, set the selector to the center position and disconnect the power
cord. After about one minute, reconnect the power cord and set the selector to CHARGE again.
■ You cannot operate the camcorder using the AC power adaptor while charging the battery pack.
Installing the Battery Pack
(1) Lift up the viewfinder.
(2) Align the right side of the battery pack with the white line on the camcorder, and slide the battery
pack to the right.
Removing the Battery Pack
(1) Lift up the viewfinder.
(2) While pressing ВАТТ, slide the battery pack to the left.
8 V
inserting a Cassette
Make sure that the power source is installed.
(1) While sliding the release knob in the direction of the arrow, lift up the lid.
(2) Press EJECT. The cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens.
(3) Insert a cassette with the window facing out.
(4) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the “PUSH" mark on the cassette compartment. The
cassette compartment automatically goes down.
(5) Close the lid.
To Eject the Cassette
While sliding the release knob in the direction of the arrow, lift up the lid of the cassette holder and
press EJECT.
To Prevent Accidental Erasure
Slide the tab on the cassette to expose the red mark. If you try to record with the red mark exposed,
the ffl and A indicators flash in the viewfinder, and you cannot record.
To re-record on this tape, slide the tab back out covering the red mark.
H Basic Operations
Camera Recording
Make sure that the power source is installed and a cassette is inserted. The date is automatically
recorded for 10 seconds after you start recording (AUTO DATE feature). This feature works only once a
day.
Before you record one-time events, you may want to make a trial recording to make sure that the
camcorder is working correctly.
(1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, turn it to CAMERA.
(2) Turn STANDBY up.
(3) Press START/STOP. The camcorder starts recording. The "REC" indicator appears and the red
lamp lights up in the viewfinder. The camera recording/battery lamp also lights up.
To Stop Recording Momentarily [a]
Press START/STOP again. The “STBY" indicator appears in the viewfinder (Standby mode).
To Finish Recording [b]
Press START/STOP again. Turn STANDBY down and turn the POWER switch to OFF. Then, eject the
cassette (p. 9).
10
To Focus the Viewfinder Lens
If you cannot see the indicators in the viewfinder clearly, or after someone else has used the camcorder,
focus the viewfinder lens.
When using a monochrome viewfinder, turn the viewfinder lens adjustment ring so that the indicators
in the viewfinder come into sharp focus [a]. When using a color viewfinder, move the viewfinder lens
adjustment lever so that the indicators in the viewfinder come into sharp focus [b].
Note on Standby mode
If you leave the camcorder in Standby mode for 5 minutes while the cassette is inserted, the camcorder
turns off automatically. This prevents wearing down the battery and wearing out the tape. To resume
Standby modey-turn STANDBY down once and turn it up again. To start recording, press
START/STOP.
Note on recording
When you record from the beginning of a tape, run the tape for about 15 seconds before starting the
actual recording. This will ensure that you won't miss any start-up scenes when you play back the tape.
You can record tapes in SP (standard play) mode only.
Note on the tape counter
The tape counter indicates the recording or playback time. Use it as a guide. There will be a time lag of
several seconds from the actual time. To set the counter to zero, press COUNTER RESET.
Note on beep sound
As indicated with in the illustrations, a beep sounds when you turn the power on or when you start
recording and two beeps sound when you stop recording, confirming the operation. Several beeps also
sound as a warning of any unusual condition of the camcorder (p. 51).
Note that the beep sound is not recorded on the tape. If you do not want to hear the beep sound, select
"OFF" in the menu system.
Note on the AUTO DATE feature
The clock is set to the East Coast Standard Time at the factory, but you can reset the clock in the menu
system (p. 32). You can change the AUTO BATE settings by selecting ON or OFF in the menu system.
The AUTO DATE feature works once a day. However, the date may automatically appear more than
once a day when:
• 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 to ON again in the menu system.
When moving from indoors to outdoors (or vice versa)
Turn STANDBY up and point the camcorder at a white object for about 15 seconds so that the white
balance is properly adjusted.
11
Camera Recording
Using the Zoom Feature
Zooming is a recording technique that lets you change the size of the subject in the scene.
For more professional-looking recordings, use the zoom function sparingly.
"T" side: for telephoto (subject appears closer)
"W" side; for wide-angle (subject appears farther away)
Zooming Speed (Dual speed zooming)
Press the power zoom button firmly for a high-speed zoom, press it softly for a relatively slow zoom.
When you shoot a subject using a telephoto zoom
If you cannot get a sharp focus while in extreme telephoto zoom, press the "W" side of the power
zoom button until the focus is sharp. You can shoot a subject that is at least about 3 1/4 feet (100 cm)
away from the lens surface in the telephoto position, or about 1/2 inches (1 cm) in the wide-angle
position.
Notes on Digital Zoom (CCD-TR83/TR93 only)
• More than 12x zoom is performed digitally, and the picture quality deteriorates as you go toward the
T side. If you do not want to use the digital zoom, set the D ZOOM function to OFF in the menu
system (p. 29).
■ The horizontal bar in the power zoom indicator separates the digital zooming zone (above the bar [a])
and the optical zooming zone (under the bar [b]). If you set the D ZOOM function to OFF, the part
above the bar disappears.
Hints for Better Shooting
For hand-held shots, you'll get better results by holding the camcorder according to the following
suggestions:
• Hold the camcorder firmly and secure it with the grip strap so that you can easily manipulate the
controls with your thumb [a],
• Place your right elbow against your side.
■ Place your left hand under the camcorder to support it.
• Place your eye firmly against the viewfinder eyecup.
• Use the viewfinder frame as a guide to determine the horizontal plane.
• You can also record in a low position to get an interesting recording angle. Lift the viewfinder up for
recording from a low position [b].
Place the camcorder on a flat surface or use a tripod
Try placing the camcorder on a table top or any other flat surface of suitable height. If you have a
tripod for a still camera, you can also use it with the camcorder (p. 46).
If the camcorder is difficult to balance on a tripod, use the supplied tripod adaptor. Attach the tripod
adaptor to the camcorder by turning the screw [c]. The adaptor has a screw hole for a tripod. Do not
leave the tripod adaptor on the camcorder if the camcorder is not mounted on a tripod.
When attaching a non-Sony tripod, make sure that the length of the tripod screw is less than
9/32 inches (6.5 mm). Otherwise, the screw may damage the inner parts of the camcorder.
Cautions on the viewfinder
■ Do not pick up the camcorder by the viewfinder [d].
• Do not place the camcorder so as to point the viewfinder toward the sun. The inside of the viewfinder
may be deformed. Be careful when placing the camcorder under sunlight or by the window [e].
O
■a
n>
13
Checking the Recorded Picture
Using EDITSEARCH, you can review the last recorded scene or check the recorded picture in the
viewfinder.
(1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, turn it to CAMERA.
(2) Turn STANDBY up.
(3) Press the - (©) side of EDITSEARCH momentarily; the last few seconds of the recorded portion
plays back (Rec Review).
Hold down the - side of EDITSEARCH until the camcorder goes back to the scene you want. The
last recorded portion is played back. To go forward, hold down the + side (Edit Search).
To Stop Playback
Release EDITSEARCH.
To Begin Re-recording
Press START/STOP. Re-recording begins from the point you released EDITSEARCH. Provided you do
not eject the tape, the transition between the last scene you recorded and the next scene you record will
be smooth.
To Monitor the Sound While Viewing the Playback Picture in the Viewfinder
Connect headphones (not supplied) to the 0 jack. Play back the tape in PLAYER mode (p. 16).
14
Connections for Playback
You can use this camcorder as a VCR by connecting it directly to your TV for playback. There are some
ways to connect the camcorder to your TV, When monitoring the playback picture by connecting the
camcorder to your TV, we recommend you to use house current for the power source (p. 18).
To Connect to a TV with Video/Audio Input Jacks
Connect the camcorder to the inputs on the TV by using the supplied A/V connecting cable. Set the
TV/VCR selector on the TV to VCR.
If a VCR is already connected to your TV
Connect the camcorder to the LINE IN inputs on the VCR by using the supplied A/V connecting cable.
Set the input selector on the VCR to LINE. Set the TV/VCR selector on the TV to VCR.
O
T3
1«
If your TV or VCR is a monaural type
Connect only the white plug for audio on both the camcorder and the TV or the VCR. With this
connection, the sound is monaural.
To connect a TV or a VTR without Video/Audio input jacks
Use the RFU-95UC RFU adaptor (not supplied).
15
Playing Back a Tape
You can monitor the playback picture in the viewfinder. You can also monitor the picture on a TV
screen, after connecting the camcorder to a TV or VCR (p. 15). You can use the supplied Remote
Commander to control playback.
(1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, turn it to PLAYER. The tape
transport buttons light up.
(2) Insert the recorded tape with the window facing out.
(3) Press [>. Playback starts.
PLAY
To stop playback, press □.
.To rewind the tape, press
To advance the tape rapidly, press I
16
3
STOP REWO-PLAY —®FF PAUSE
i~Dl @ ® QD
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