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.
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam Vision camcorder. With your
Handycam Vision, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and sound
quality. Your Handycam Vision 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 NOT OPEN
CAUTION : TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
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.
RECYCLING NICKEL-CADMIUM
BATTERIES
NICKEL-CADMIUM
BATTERY.
MUST BE DISPOSED OF
PROPERLY.
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.
Note: In some areas the disposal of nickel-cadmium
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 Factory Service Center nearest you call
416-499-SONY (Canada only).
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking nickel-
cadmium batteries.
For the Customers in the U.S.A.
WARNING
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.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications
not expressly approved in this manual could void
your authority to operate this equipment.
For the 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.
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-TRV12 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-TRV33 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.
As indicated with ≥ in the illustrations, you can hear the beep sound to confirm your
operation.
Types of differences
Model
CCD-TRV12/TRV112
CCD-TRV22/TRV212
CCD-TRV33
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.
Viewfinder
B/W
r
r
Color
r
Zoom
(X)
26X (Digital)
26X (Digital)
52X (Digital)
Steady Shot
r
r
CINEMA Mode
r
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
• The LCD screen and/or the color viewfinder are manufactured using highprecision technology. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or
bright points (red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD
screen and/or in the viewfinder. These points are normal in the manufacturing
process and do not affect the recorded picture in any way.
Over 99.99% are operational for effective use.
• 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 this
malfunction cannot be repaired. [a]
• Never leave the camcorder under temperatures above 140° F (60 °C), such as in a car
parked in the sun or under direct sunlight. [b]
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 place without vibration.
(1) Connect the AC power adaptor to the 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. Unplug the unit from the
wall outlet, and then remove the battery pack and install it on the camcorder.
123
Charging Time
Battery pack
Charging time*(min)
NP-33(supplied)
60
NP-98/98D
215
NP-80/80D
190
NP-78
170
NP-68
125
NP-C65
105
90
NP-60D
* Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack using the supplied AC power
adaptor. (Lower temperatures require a longer charging time.)
Approximate continuous recording time indoors is indicated outside of parentheses.
NP-33(supplied)
65 (30)
85 (40)
65
NP-98/98D
220 (110)
300 (160)
220
NP-80/80D
190 (100)
250 (135)
190
NP-78
175 (95)
220 (120)
180
NP-68/66H
Approximate minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/stop,
zooming and turning the power on/off are indicated in parentheses. The actual
battery life may be shorter.
2)
Approximate minutes when using the LCD screen. When using both the viewfinder
and LCD screen, the battery life is shorter.
3)
Approximate continuous playback time indoors.
If the LCD BACK LIGHT switch is set to BRIGHT while the LCD screen is open, the
battery life is approximately 10% shorter.
To remove the battery pack
Slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
Notes on charging the battery pack
• 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 VTR (DC OUT) 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.
135 (70)
170 (95)
135
NP-C65
100 (50)
150 (80)
100
NP-60D
95 (50)
125 (70)
Getting started
95
Installing the battery pack
(1) Insert the top of the battery pack into the top of the battery mounting surface.
(2) Push the battery pack so that it attaches firmly. Make sure that you hear clicks
Slide BATT, and then pull the lower part of the battery pack.
2
1
Inserting a cassette
Make sure that a power source is installed.
(1) While pressing the small blue button, slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow.
The cassette compartment automatically opens.
(2) Insert a cassette (not supplied) with the window facing out.
(3) Press the PUSH mark on the cassette compartment to close it. The cassette
compartment automatically closes.
PUSH
EJECT
To eject the cassette
While pressing the small blue button, slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow.
To prevent accidental erasure
Slide the tab on the cassette to expose the red
mark.
If you insert the cassette with the red mark
exposed and close the cassette compartment,
the beeps sound for a while. If you try to
record with the red mark exposed, the L
and 6 indicators flash in the viewfinder, and
you cannot record.
8
To re-record on this tape, slide the tab back out covering the red mark.
Make sure that a power source and a cassette is inserted and that the START/STOP
MODE switch inside the LCD panel is set to .
When you use the camcorder for the first time, power on it and reset the date and time
to your time (p. 33) before you start recording. 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 you are using the camcorder correctly.
(1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to
CAMERA.
(2) Turn STANDBY up. The “STBY” indicator appears in the viewfinder.
(3) Press START/STOP. The camcorder starts recording and the “STBY” indicator
changes to the “REC” indicator.
You can also select Recording mode, SP (standard play) mode or LP (long play) mode.
Set REC MODE (p. 28) according to the length of your planned recording before you
start.
CAMERA
OFF
PLAYER
Basic operations
To stop recording momentarily[a]
Press START/STOP again. The “REC” indicator in the viewfinder changes to the
“STBY” indicator (Standby mode).
To finish recording [b]
Press START/STOP. Turn STANDBY down, and set the POWER switch to OFF.
Then, eject the cassette and remove the battery pack.
If you leave the camcorder for 5 minutes or more with a cassette inserted in Standby
mode, the camcorder goes off automatically. This prevents wearing down the battery
and wearing out the tape. To resume Standby mode, turn STANDBY down once and
turn it up again. To start recording, press START/STOP.
Notes on the recording mode
• This camcorder records and plays back in SP (standard play) mode and in LP (long
play) mode.
The playback quality in LP mode, however, will not be as good as that in SP mode.
• When a tape recorded on this camcorder in LP mode is played back on other types of
8 mm camcorders or VCRs, the playback quality may not be as good as that on this
camcorder.
To focus the viewfinder lens
If the viewfinder is not in focus at all or when you use the camcorder after someone else
has used it, focus the viewfinder lens. Turn the viewfinder lens adjustment ring so that
the indicators in the viewfinder come into sharp focus.
Recording with the START/STOP button depressed
You can also make recording while pressing down the START/STOP button. To make
the START/STOP button work this way, slide START/STOP MODE to. [a]
Shooting scenery in several short takes
You can automatically make a recording for about 5 seconds with the 5 SEC mode (p.
25). To make the START/STOP button work this way, slide START/STOP MODE to 5
SEC. [b]
10
[a]
START/STOP MODESTART/STOP MODE
5
ANTI GROUND
SHOOTING
Note on recording
When you record from the beginning of the tape, run the tape for about 15 seconds
before actual recording. This prevents the camcorder from missing any start-up scenes
when you play back the tape.
• 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.
• If the tape is recorded in SP and LP modes mixed, the tape counter shows incorrect
recording time. When you intend to edit the tape using the tape counter as a guide,
record in same (SP or LP) mode.
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. Note that the beep sound is not recorded on the tape. If you do not want to
hear the beep sound, change the BEEP setting to OFF.
Note on the AUTO DATE feature
The clock is set to East Coast Standard Time at the factory. You can reset the clock.
The AUTO DATE feature shows the date automatically 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.
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 sparingly.
Turn the power zoom lever fully for a high-speed zoom. Turn it lightly 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, move the power
zoom lever to the “W” side until the focus is sharp.
You can shoot a subject that is at least 2.6 feet (about 80 cm) away from the lens surface
in the telephoto position, or 1/2 inches (about 1 cm) in the wide-angle position.
Notes on digital zoom
• More than 13x 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.
• The vertical bar in the power zoom indicator separates the digital zooming zone
(right side of the bar [a]) and the optical zooming zone (left side of the bar [b]). If you
set the D ZOOM function to OFF, the right side of the bar [a] disappears.
Shooting with the LCD screen
You can also record the picture while looking at the LCD screen.
When using the LCD screen, the viewfinder turns off automatically. You cannot
monitor the sound from the speaker during recording.
(1) While pressing PUSH OPEN, open the LCD panel.
(2) Adjust the angle of the LCD panel.
The LCD panel moves about 90 degrees to this side and about 210 degrees to the
other side.
To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen, turn the BRIGHT dial.
The battery life is longer when the LCD panel is closed. Use the viewfinder instead of
the LCD screen to save the battery power.
• You can record in a low position to get an interesting recording angle. Lift the
viewfinder up for recording from a low position [a].
• While recording in a low position, you can use the START/STOP button on the top of
the camcorder or the power zoom button located on the front [b]. Note that you
cannot change zooming speed using the front power zoom button.
• You can also record in a low position or even in a high position using the LCD panel
[c].
[b][a][c]
START / STOP
W
T
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. 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 and the LCD
• Do not pick up the camcorder by the viewfinder or by the LCD panel [d].
• Do not place the camcorder so as to point the viewfinder or the LCD screen toward the
sun. The inside of the viewfinder or the LCD panel may be damaged. Be careful when
placing the camcorder under sunlight or by a window [e].
14
[d]
Note on the LCD screen
When you use the LCD screen outdoors in direct sunlight, the LCD screen may be
difficult to see. If this happens, we recommend that you use the viewfinder.
Using EDITSEARCH, you can review the last recorded scene or check the recorded
picture in the viewfinder. You can also review the picture on the LCD screen.
(1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to
CAMERA.
(2) Turn STANDBY up.
(3) Press the – (Œ) side of EDITSEARCH momentarily; the last few seconds of the
recorded portion plays back (Rec Review). You can also monitor the sound
from the speaker or by using an earphone (not supplied).
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).
1
CAMERA
OFF
PLAYER
2
S
K
C
O
L
T
A
N
D
Basic operations
3
Y
B
EDITSEARCH
Œ
Œ
Œ
To stop playback
Release EDITSEARCH.
To go back to the last recorded point after edit search
Press END SEARCH. The last recorded point is played back for about 5 seconds if the
tape was recorded in SP mode, or 10 seconds if the tape was recorded in LP mode, and
stops.
Note that this function does not work once you eject the cassette after you recorded in
the tape.
To begin re-recording
Press START/STOP. Re-recording begins from the last recorded point or 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.