Sony DCR-TRV15, DCR-TRV18 User Manual

Digital Video Camera Recorder

Operating Instructions

3-067-425-11 (1)

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. DCR-TRV Model No. AC-

Serial No. Serial No.

DCR-TRV18

DCR-TRV15/TRV18

Welcome!

Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Digital Handycam camcorder. With your Digital Handycam, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Digital 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.

For the Customers in the U.S.A.

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

If you have any questions about this product, you

may call : Sony Customer Information Center 1-800-222-SONY (7669) The number below is for the FCC related matters only.

Regulatory Information

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY Model No.: DCR-TRV15, DCR-TRV18 Responsible Party:Sony Electronics Inc. Address: 680 Kinderkamack Road,

Oradell, NJ07649 U.S.A. Telephone No.: 201-930-6972 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the

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 U.S.A. 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.

following two conditions.: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

“Memory Stick”

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

CAUTION

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

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.

“Memory Stick”

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Main Features

Taking moving or still images, and playing them back

•Recording a picture (p. 21)

•Recording a still image on a tape (p. 38)

•Playing back a tape (p. 31)

•Recording still images on “Memory Stick”s (p. 112) (DCR-TRV18 only)

•Recording moving pictures on “Memory Stick”s (p. 120) (DCR-TRV18 only)

•Viewing a still image recorded on “Memory Stick” (p. 129) (DCR-TRV18 only)

•Viewing a moving picture recorded on “Memory Stick” (p. 132) (DCR-TRV18 only)

Capturing images on your computer

•Using with analog video unit and your computer (p. 79)

•Viewing images recorded on “Memory Stick” using USB cable (p. 134) (DCR-TRV18 only)

Other uses

Functions to adjust exposure in the recording mode

• Back light (p. 26)

• NightShot/Super NightShot (p. 27)

• PROGRAM AE (p. 49)

• Adjusting the exposure manually (p. 52)

Functions to give images more impact

• Digital zoom (p. 24) The default setting is set to OFF. (To zoom greater than 10×, select the digital zoom power in D ZOOM in the menu settings.)

• Fader (p. 43)

• Picture effect (p. 45)

• Digital effect (p. 46)

• Digital program editing (p. 68)

• Title (p. 89, 92)

• MEMORY MIX (p. 124) (DCR-TRV18 only)

Functions to give a natural appearance to your recordings

• Landscape mode (p. 49)

• Sports lesson mode (p. 49)

• Manual focus (p. 53)

Functions to use after recording

• END SEARCH/EDITSEARCH/Rec review (p. 30)

• DATA CODE (p. 32)

• SUPER LASER LINK (p. 36)

• Tape PB ZOOM (p. 59)/Memory PB ZOOM (p. 140) (DCR-TRV18 only)

• Zero set memory (p. 60, 83)

• Title search (p. 61)

• HiFi SOUND (p. 98)

Checking supplied accessories

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

5 6

Getting started

1 Wireless Remote Commander (1)

(p. 178)

2 AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power adaptor

(1), Power cord (1) (p. 13)

3 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote

Commander (2) (p. 178)

4 NP-FM30 battery pack (1) (p. 12, 13) 5 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 35, 66)

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

6 Shoulder strap (1) (p. 173) 7 Lens cap (1) (p. 21) 8 “Memory Stick” (1) (p. 103)

DCR-TRV18 only

9 USB cable (1) (p. 135)

DCR-TRV18 only

0 CD-ROM (SPVD-004, USB Driver) (1)

(p. 135) DCR-TRV18 only

Table of contents

Superimposing a still picture in a

“Memory Stick” on a moving

picture – MEMORY MIX ............. 124

Copying still images from a tape

– Photo save .................................. 127

Viewing a still picture

– Memory photo playback .......... 129

Viewing a moving picture

– MPEG movie playback ............. 132

Viewing images using computer ...... 134

Copying the image recorded on

“Memory Stick”s to tapes ........... 138

Enlarging still images recorded on

“Memory Stick”s

– Memory PB ZOOM ................... 140

Playing back images in a continuous

loop

– SLIDE SHOW............................. 142

Preventing accidental erasure

– Image protection........................ 143

Deleting images................................... 144

Writing a print mark

– PRINT MARK ............................ 146

Using the printer (optional)............... 148

Getting started

Troubleshooting

Types of trouble and their solutions

......................................................... 149

Self-diagnosis display......................... 155

Warning indicators and messages.... 156

Additional Information

Usable cassettes ................................... 158

About “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack

......................................................... 160

About i.LINK ....................................... 162

Using your camcorder abroad .......... 164

Maintenance information and

precautions .................................... 165

Specifications ....................................... 169

Quick Reference

Identifying the parts and controls .... 171

Index ........................................ Back cover

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. 17)

Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 12).

Open the DC IN jack cover.

Quick Start Guide

Inserting a cassette (p. 20)

1Slide OPEN/

direction of the arrow and open the lid.

EJECT in the

EJECT

AC power adaptor (supplied)

2Push the middle

portion of the back of the cassette to insert. Insert the cassette in a straight line deeply into the cassette compartment with the window facing out.

Connect the plug with its v mark facing up.

3Close the cassette

compartment by pressing the mark on the cassette compartment. After the cassette compartment going down completely, close the lid until it clicks.

Recording a picture (p. 21)

1Remove the lens cap.

3To open the LCD

panel, press OPEN. The picture appears on the screen.

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. 18).

2Set the POWER switch to CAMERA

while pressing the small green button.

POW

VCR

OFF(CHG) CAMERA

MEMORY

4Press START/STOP. Your camcorder starts

recording. To stop recording, press START/ STOP again.

Viewfinder

When the LCD panel is closed, use the viewfinder placing your eye against its eyecup.

Quick Start Guide

Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD screen

(p. 31)

1Set the POWER

switch to VCR while pressing the small green button.

NOTE

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

POWER

VCR

OFF(CHG)

CAMERA MEMORY

2Press m to rewind the tape.

REW

3Press N to start playback.

PLAY

— 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 DCR-TRV18 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, “DCR-TRV18 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

DCRMEMORY mark*

(on the POWER switch)

(USB) jack

Intelligent accessory shoe

z Provided — Not provided

The model with MEMORY marked on the POWER switch is provided with memory functions. See page 106 for details.

This intelligent accessory shoe is designed to use a printer (optional) (p. 148).

TRV15

—

8 pin

TRV18

15 pin*

Note on Cassette Memory

Your camcorder is based on the DV format. You can only use mini DV cassettes with your camcorder. We recommend that you use a tape with cassette memory

The functions which require different operations depending on whether the tape has the cassette memory or not are:

•End search (p. 30)

•Date search (p. 62)

•Photo search (p. 64)

The functions you can operate only with the cassette memory are:

•Title search (p. 61)

•Superimposing a title (p. 89)

•Making your own titles (p. 92)

•Labeling a cassette (p. 94)

For details, see page 158.

You see this mark in the introduction of the features that are operated only with cassette memory.

Tapes with cassette memory are marked by

(Cassette Memory).

Using this manual

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.

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

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 conditions such as dusk [d].

Getting started

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Installing the battery pack

Install the battery pack to use your camcorder outdoors.

(1) Lift up the viewfinder. (2) Slide the battery pack down until it clicks.

To remove the battery pack

(1) Lift up the viewfinder. (2) Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing BATT

down.

If you use the large capacity battery pack

If you install the NP-FM70/FM90/FM91 battery pack on your camcorder, extend its viewfinder.

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Charging the battery pack

Use the battery pack after charging it for your camcorder. Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series). See page 160 for details of “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 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 the wall outlet. (4) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). Charging begins. The remaining battery

time is indicated in minutes on the display window.

When the remaining battery indicator changes to , normal charge is completed. To fully charge the battery (full charge), leave the battery pack attached for about one hour after normal charge is completed until FULL appears in the display window. Fully charging the battery allows you to use the battery longer than usual.

Getting started

The number in the illustration of the display window may differ from that on your camcorder.

POWER

VCR OFF(CHG) CAMERA

MEMORY

After charging the battery pack

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

Note

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.

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

When the battery pack is charged fully

“FULL” appears in the display window.

Remaining battery time indicator

The remaining battery time you record with the viewfinder is displayed. The remaining battery time indicator in the display window indicates the approximate recording time with the viewfinder.

Until your camcorder calculates the actual remaining battery time

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

Charging time

Battery pack Full charge (Normal charge)

NP-FM30 (supplied) 145 (85) NP-FM50 150 (90) NP-FM70 240 (180) NP-FM90 330 (270) NP-FM91 360 (300)

Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack at 25 °C (77 °F).

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Recording time

DCR-TRV15

Recording with Recording with

Battery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen

Continuous* Typical** Continuous* Typical**

NP-FM30 (supplied) 125 65 90 45 NP-FM50 200 110 150 75 NP-FM70 415 225 310 165 NP-FM90 630 345 475 255 NP-FM91 725 395 550 290

DCR-TRV18

Recording with Recording with

Battery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen

Continuous* Typical** Continuous* Typical**

NP-FM30 (supplied) 120 60 80 40 NP-FM50 195 105 135 65 NP-FM70 400 220 275 145 NP-FM90 600 330 425 225 NP-FM91 695 380 490 255

Getting started

Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery * 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.

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Playing time

DCR-TRV15

Battery pack

NP-FM30 (supplied) 100 135 NP-FM50 160 220 NP-FM70 335 450 NP-FM90 505 685 NP-FM91 585 785

Playing time Playing time

on LCD screen with LCD closed

DCR-TRV18

Battery pack

NP-FM30 (supplied) 85 130 NP-FM50 140 210 NP-FM70 295 430 NP-FM90 450 655 NP-FM91 520 755

Playing time Playing time

on LCD screen with LCD closed

Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery Approximate minutes when playing back at 25 °C (77 ºF). The battery life will be

shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment. The recording and playing times of a normally charged battery are about 90% of those

of a fully charged battery.

If the power goes 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.

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 (M series). Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery. “InfoLITHIUM” M series battery packs have the

mark.

SERIES

“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation. We recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of between 10 ˚C to 30 ˚C (50 ˚F to 86 ˚F).

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, pulling the cover out a little and rotating it.

Connect the AC power adaptor supplied with your camcorder 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.

Getting started

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

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

•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.

Using a car battery

Use Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (optional). Refer to the operating instractions of the DC Adaptor/Charger for further information.

Step 2 Setting the date and time

Set the date and time settings when you use your camcorder for the first time. “CLOCK SET” will be displayed each time that you set the POWER switch to CAMERA/ MEMORY (DCR-TRV18 only) unless you set the date and time settings. If you do not use your camcorder for about four months, the date and time settings may be released (bars may appear) because the built-in rechargeable battery in your camcorder will have been discharged (p. 166). First, set the year, then the month, the day, the hour and then the minute.

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY (DCR-TRV18 only), and then

press MENU to display the menu settings.

(2) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select (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 settings disappear.

, then press the dial.

SETUP MENU

CLOCK SET AUTO TV ON TV INPUT LTR SIZE DEMO MODE

[MENU] : END

The year changes as follows:

SETUP MENU

CLOCK SET – – : – – : – – AUTO TV ON TV INPUT LTR SIZE DEMO MODE RETURN

[MENU] : END

SETUP MENU

CLOCK SET AUTO TV ON TV INPUT 2001 JUL 4 LTR SIZE DEMO MODE RETURN 5 30 PM

[MENU] : END

SETUP MENU

CLOCK SET AUTO TV ON TV INPUT 2001 JAN 1 LTR SIZE DEMO MODE RETURN 12 00 AM

[MENU] : END

SETUP MENU

CLOCK SET JUL 4 2001 AUTO TV ON 5:30:00 PM TV INPUT LTR SIZE DEMO MODE RETURN

[MENU] : END

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

Step 2 Setting the date and time

If you do not set the date and time

“– –:– –:– –” is recorded on the data code of the tape and the “Memory Stick” (DCRTRV18only).

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.

Getting started

Step 3 Inserting a cassette

(1) Install the power source.

(2) Slide OPEN/

cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens.

(3) Push the middle portion of the back of the cassette to insert.

Insert the cassette in a straight line deeply into the cassette compartment with the window facing out.

(4) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the

compartment. The cassette compartment automatically goes down.

(5) After the cassette compartment going down completely, close the lid until it

clicks.

EJECT in the direction of the arrow and open the lid. The

mark on the cassette

OPEN/ EJECT

To eject a cassette

Follow the procedure above, and take out the cassette in step 3.

Note

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

When you use cassette with cassette memory

Read the instruction about cassette memory to use this function properly (p. 158).

mark.

3, 4

To prevent accidental erasure

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

When ejecting a cassette

Do not press EDITSEARCH.

— Recording – Basics —

Recording a picture

Your camcorder automatically focuses for you.

(1) Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on its sides and attatch 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. 12 to p. 20).

(3) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button.

Your camcorder is set to the standby mode.

(4) To open the LCD panel, press OPEN. The viewfinder automatically turns off. (5) 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.

Recording – Basics

min

REC

Notes

•Fasten the grip strap firmly.

•Do not touch the built-in microphone during recording.

Note on Recording mode

Your camcorder records and plays back in the SP (standard play) mode and in the LP (long play) mode. Select SP or LP in the menu settings. In the LP mode, you can record

1.5 times as long as in the SP mode.

When you record a tape in the LP mode on your camcorder, we recommend playing the tape on your camcorder.

0:00:01

Recording a picture

Note on the LOCK switch (DCR-TRV18 only)

When you slide the LOCK switch to the right, the POWER switch can no longer be set to MEMORY accidentally. LOCK switch is set to the left before your camcorder leaves the factory.

To enable smooth transition

Transition between the last scene you recorded and the next scene is smooth as long as you do not eject the cassette even if you turn off your camcorder. However, check the following:

•Do not mix recordings in the SP mode and ones in the LP mode on one tape.

•When you change the battery pack, set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).

•When you use a tape with cassette memory, however, you can make the transition smooth even after ejecting the cassette if you use the END SEARCH function (p. 30).

If you leave your camcorder in the standby mode for five 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 (CHG), and to CAMERA again.

When you record in the SP and LP modes on one tape or you record some scenes in the LP mode

The playback picture may be distorted or the time code may not be written properly between scenes.

Recording data

The recording date (date/time or various settings when recorded) are not displayed while recording. However, they are recorded automatically onto tape. To display the recording date and time, press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander during playback.

Adjusting the LCD screen

The LCD panel moves about 90 degrees to the viewfinder side and about 180 degrees to the lens side. If you turn the LCD panel over so that it faces the other way, the on the LCD screen and in the viewfinder (Mirror mode).

When closing the LCD panel, set it vertically until it clicks, and swing it into the camcorder body.

indicator appears

Note

When using the LCD screen except in the mirror mode, the viewfinder automatically turns off.

Recording a picture

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.

Picture in the mirror mode

The picture on the LCD screen is a mirror-image. However, the picture will be normal when recorded.

During recording in the mirror mode

ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote Commander does not work.

Indicators in the mirror mode

The STBY indicator appears as Xz and REC as z. Some of the other indicators appear mirror-reversed and others are not displayed.

Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen

Adjust the brightness of the LCD screen with LCD BRIGHT in in the menu settings (p. 98).

Recording – Basics

LCD screen backlight

You can change the brightness of the backlight. Select LCD B.L. in the menu settings (p. 98).

Even if you adjust the LCD screen backlight or brightness of the LCD screen

The recorded picture will not be affected.

After recording

(1) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). (2) Close the LCD panel. (3) Eject the cassette.

Recording a picture

Adjusting the viewfinder

If you record pictures with the LCD panel closed, check the picture with 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.

Viewfinder backlight

You can change the brightness of the backlight. Select VF B.L. in the menu settings. (p. 98)

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)

Recording a picture

To use zoom greater than 10×

Zoom greater than 10× is performed digitally. To activate digital zoom, select the digital power in D ZOOM in the menu settings (p. 97). The digital zoom function is set to OFF as a default settings. (p. 97)

The right side of the bar shows the digital zooming zone. The digital zooming zone appears when you select the digital power in the menu settings (p. 97).

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 10×.

•The picture quality deteriorates as you move the power zoom lever toward the “T” side.

•You cannot use the digital zoom when the POWER switch is set to MEMORY (DCRTRV18 only).

Indicators displayed in the recording mode

Recording – Basics

The indicators are not recorded on tapes.

Remaining battery time indicator

Cassette memory indicator

This appears when using a tape with cassette memory.

Recording mode indicator

STBY/REC indicator

0:00:01

min

REC

45min

Time code/Tape counter indicator

Remaining tape indicator (p. 101)

JUL 4 2001

12:05:56 AM

Time indicator The time is displayed about 5 seconds after the power is turned on.

Date indicator

The date is displayed about 5 seconds after the power is turned on.

Recording a picture

Remaining battery time indicator

The remaining battery time indicator roughly indicates the recording time. The indicator may not be correct, depending on the conditions in which you are recording. When you close the LCD panel and open it again, it takes about one minute for the correct remaining battery time in minutes to be displayed.

Time code

The time code indicates the recording or playback time, “0:00:00” (hours : minutes : seconds) in CAMERA mode and “0:00:00:00” (hours : minutes : seconds : frames) in VCR mode. You cannot rewrite only the time code.

Remaining tape indicator

The indicator may not be displayed accurately depending on the tape.

Recording data

The recording data (date/time or various settings when recorded) are not displayed while recording. However, they are recorded automatically onto tape. To display the recording date and time, press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander during playback.

Shooting backlit subjects – BACK LIGHT

When you shoot a subject with the light source behind the subject or a subject with a light background, use the backlight function.

In CAMERA or MEMORY (DCR-TRV18 only) mode, press BACK LIGHT. The . indicator appears on the screen. To cancel, press BACK LIGHT again.

If you press EXPOSURE when shooting backlit subjects

The backlight function will be canceled.

BACK LIGHT

Recording a picture

Shooting in the dark – NightShot/Super NightShot

The NightShot function enables you to shoot a subject in a dark place. For example, you can satisfactorily record the environment of nocturnal animals for observation when you use this function.

In CAMERA or MEMORY (DCR-TRV18 only) mode, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON.

and “NIGHTSHOT” indicators flash on the screen. To cancel the NightShot function,

slide NIGHTSHOT to OFF.

NIGHTSHOT

OFF

SUPER

NIGHTSHOT

NightShot Light emitter

Using Super NightShot

The Super NightShot mode makes subjects more than 16 times brighter than those recorded in the NightShot mode.

(1) In CAMERA mode, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON. indicator flashes on the

screen.

(2) Press SUPER NIGHTSHOT. The

flash on the screen. To cancel the Super NightShot mode, press SUPER NIGHTSHOT.

indicator and “SUPER NIGHTSHOT“

Recording – Basics

Using the NightShot Light

The picture will be clearer with the NightShot Light on. To enable the NightShot Light, set N.S. LIGHT to ON in the menu settings (p. 97).

Notes

•Do not use the NightShot function in bright places (ex. the outdoors in the daytime). This may cause your camcorder to malfunction.

•When you keep NIGHTSHOT set to ON in normal recording, the picture may be recorded in incorrect or unnatural colors.

•If focusing is difficult with the autofocus mode when using the NightShot function, focus manually.

While using the NightShot function, you cannot use the following functions:

– Exposure – PROGRAM AE – White balance

Recording a picture

While using the Super NightShot function

The shutter speed is automatically adjusted depending on the brightness. At that time, the moving picture may be slow down.

While using the Super NightShot function, you cannot use the following functions:

– Exposure – PROGRAM AE – Fader – Digital effect – White balance

While in MEMORY mode (DCR-TRV18 only)

You cannot use the Super NightShot function.

NightShot Light

NightShot Light rays are infrared and so are invisible. The maximum shooting distance using the NightShot Light is about 3 m (10 feet).

Self-timer recording

Recording with the self-timer starts in 10 seconds automatically. You can also use the Remote Commander for this operation.

(1) Press MENU to display the menu settings in the standby mode. (2) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select (3) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select SELFTIMER, then press the dial. (4) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select ON, then press the dial. (5) Press MENU to make the menu settings disappear. (6) Press START/STOP.

Self-timer starts counting down from 10 with a beep sound. In the last two seconds of the countdown, the beep sound gets faster, then recording starts automatically. To stop recording, press START/STOP again.

, then press the dial.

Recording a picture

To stop the countdown

Press START/STOP. To restart the countdown, press START/STOP again.

To record still images using the self-timer

Press PHOTO in step 6. (p. 39)

To cancel self-timer recording

Set SELFTIMER to OFF in the menu settings in the standby mode.

Note

The self-timer recording mode is automatically cancelled when: – Self-timer recording is finished. – The POWER switch is set to OFF (CHG) or VCR.

Self-timer memory photo recording (DCR-TRV18 only)

You can also record still images on “Memory Stick”s with the self-timer (p. 116).

Recording – Basics

Checking the recording

– END SEARCH / EDITSEARCH / Rec Review

You can use these buttons to check the recorded picture or shoot so that the transition between the last recorded scene and the next scene you record is smooth.

END SEARCH

You can go to the end of the recorded section after you record.

EDITSEARCH

END

Press END SEARCH in the standby mode. The last five seconds of the recorded section are played back and your camcorder returns to the standby mode. You can monitor the sound from the speaker or headphones.

EDITSEARCH

You can search for the next recording start point.

Hold down the +/– 7 side of EDITSEARCH in the standby mode. The recorded section is played back.

+ : to go forward

– 7: to go backward Release EDITSEARCH to stop playback. If you press START/STOP, re-recording begins from the point you released EDITSEARCH. You cannot monitor the sound.

Rec Review

You can check the last recorded section.

Press the – 7 side of EDITSEARCH momentarily in the standby mode. The section you have stopped most recently will be played back for a few seconds, and then your camcorder will return to the standby mode. You can monitor the sound from the speaker or headphones.

End search function

When you use a tape without cassette memory, the end search function does not work once you eject the cassette after you have recorded on the tape. If you use a tape with cassette memory, the end search function works even once you eject the cassette.

If a tape has a blank portion in the recorded portions

The end search function may not work correctly.

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