Sony DCR-TRV460E, DCR-TRV461E User Manual

3-087-923-12(1)

Camera Operations Guide [GB]

Camera Operations Guide

Read this first

Digital Video Camera Recorder

SERIES

DCR-TRV460E/TRV461E

Read this first

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

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do no t expose t h e u nit to rain or moistu re .

To avoid electrical sho ck, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

FOR CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

NOTICE ON THE SUPPLIED AC ADAPTOR

A moulded plug complying with BS1363 is fitted to this equipment for your safe ty an d convenience.

Should the fuse in the plug supplied need to be replaced, a fuse of the same rating as the supplied one and approved by ASTA or BSI to BS1362 (i.e., marked with or mark) must be used.

If the plug supplied with this equipment has a detachable fuse cover , be sure to at ta ch the fus e cov er after you change the fuse. Never use the plug without the fuse cover. If you should lose the fuse cover, please contact your nearest Sony service station.

FOR CUSTOMERS IN EUROPE

ATTENTION

The electromagnetic fields at the specific frequencies may influence the picture and sound of this camcorder.

This product has been tested and found compliant with the limits set out in the EMC Directive for using connection cables shorter than 3 meters (9.8 feet).

Notice

If static elec tr icity or electromagnetic in terference causes data transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart the application or disconne c t a nd co nne ct the USB cable again.

Notes on use

Note on a cassette tape

You can record on standard 8 mm and Hi8 , Digital8 video cassettes in Digital8 system only on your camcorder. See page 114 for details.

Notes on recording

• Before starting to record, test the recording function to make sure the picture and sound are reco rd ed without any problems.

• Compensation for the contents of recordings cannot be provided, even if recording or playbac k is not possible due to a malfunction of the camcorder, storage media, etc.

• TV color systems differ dependin g on the co u ntry / regions. To view your recordings on a TV, you need a PAL system-based TV.

• Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyright ed . Unau thorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the copyright laws.

Notes on the LCD panel, viewfinder, and lens

• The LCD screen and the viewfinder are manufactured using extremely high-precision technology, so over 99.99% of the pixels a re operational for effective u se . However, there may be some tiny blac k point s an d/ or bright points (white, red, blue, or gre en in colo r) that appear constantly on the LCD screen and the viewfinder. These points are normal results of the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any wa y.

• Exposing the LCD screen, the viewfinder, or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods of time may cause malfunctions. Be careful when placing the camera near a window or outdoors.

• Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause your camcorder to malf unction. Take pictures of the sun only in low light co nditions, such as at dusk.

Note on connecting other device

Before connecting your camcord er to ot he r devi ce such as a VCR or a computer with a USB or i.LINK cable, be sure to insert the connector plug in the proper direction. If you insert the connecto r plu g fo rcibly in the wrong direction, the terminal may be damaged, or this may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.

Notes on using this manual

• The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder used on this manual are captured using a digital still camera, and thus may appear different from what you see.

• Instructions with no specific model names are for all models. Instructions with specific model names are for the indicated models only. Before you start reading this manual, check the model name of your camcorder.

Notes on using the camcorder

• Hold your camcorder correctly.

Touch the button on the LCD screen.

• Y ou c a n change the language to be used for screen display on your camcorder (p. 22)

• D o not hold the camcorder by the following parts .

Viewfinder

Battery pack

LCD panel

• To ensure a good grip, fasten the grip belt as shown in the following illustr at ion.

• When you are using the touch panel, place your hand on the back side of the LCD panel to suppor t it . Then, touch the buttons dis pla ye d on the screen.

Table of Contents

: Features available for tape only. : Features available for “Memory Stick”

only.

Read this first............................................................................................. 2

Quick Start Guide

Recording movies ...................................................................................... 8

Recording still images.............................................................................. 10

Recording/Playing back with ease ......................................... ....... ...... ..... 12

Getting started

Step 1: Checking supplied items.............................................................. 13

Step 2: Charging the battery pack............................................................ 14

Using an outside power source .................................................................................17

Step 3: Turning the power on................................................................... 17

Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder...................................... 18

Adjusting the LCD panel ................................................................... .... .. .... .. ....... .... ..18

Adjusting the viewfinder .............................................................................................18

Step 5: Setting the date and time............................................................. 19

Step 6: Inserting the recording media...................................................... 20

Inserting a cassette tape .................................................................. .... .... .... ........... ..20

Inserting a “Memory Stick” .........................................................................................21

Step 7: Setting the screen language........................................................ 22

Recording

Recording movies .................................................................................... 24

Recording for a longer time .......................................................................................26

Using zoom ................................................................................................................26

Using the built-in light ................................................................................................27

Recording in mirror mode ..........................................................................................28

Using the self-timer ....................................................................................................28

Recording still images – Memory photo recording............................. 29

Selecting image quality ................................................................................. ....... .... ..31

Using the self-timer ....................................................................................................31

Recording a still image on a “Memory Stick” while recording movies on a tape .......32

Recording with ease – Easy Handycam .................................................. 33

Recording a movie ...............................................................................................33

Recording a still image .........................................................................................34

Making full use of Easy Handycam operation ...........................................................34

Adjusting the exposure............................................................................. 35

Adjusting the exposure fo r ba ck l it subjects ........................ ........................... ............35

Fixing the exposure for the selected subject – Flexible spot meter .......................... 35

Adjusting the exposure man ually ..................................... .........................................36

Recording in dark places – NightShot plus, etc. ...................................... 37

Adjusting the focus................................................................................... 38

Adjusting the focus for an off - cen ter subject – SPOT FOCUS ........ ..........................38

Adjusting the focus manually ....................................... .... .... .... .. ......... .... .... .... ....... ...39

Recording a picture using various effects ................................................ 40

Fading in and out of a scene – FADER .............................................................. 40

Using special effects – Digital effect ........ ............... ............... .............. ..............41

Overlaying still images on movies on a tape – MEMORY MIX .................................43

Searching for the starting point .......................................................... 44

Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording – END SEARCH ............ 44

Searching manually – EDIT SEARCH ......................................................................45

Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes – Rec review .................................... 45

Playback

Viewing movies recorded on a tape ................................................... 46

Playing back in various modes .................................................................................4 7

Viewing recordings with added effects – Digital effect .............................................. 48

Viewing recordings on a “Memory Stick” ........................................... 49

Playing back in various modes from a “Memory Stick” ............................................. 50

Playing back with ease – Easy Handycam .............................................. 51

Making full use of Easy Handycam operation ...........................................................52

Various playback functions ...................................................................... 53

Magnifying pictures – Tape playback zoom/Memory playback zoom ....................... 53

Displaying the screen indi cators .............................. .............. ................................... 54

Displaying the date/time and camera settings data – Data code .............................. 54

Playing the picture on a TV................................... ................................... 56

Locating a scene on a tape for playback ........................................... 57

Searching quickly for a desired scene – Zero set memory ....................................... 57

Searching for a scene by date of recording – Date search ....................................... 57

,continued

Advanced operations

Dubbing/Editing

Using the Menu

Selecting menu items ........................59

Using the (CAMERA SET) menu

– PROGRAM AE/16:9 WIDE,

etc ................................................ 61

Using the (MEMORY SET) menu

– QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/ALL

ERASE/NEW FOLDER, etc .........65

Using the (PICT. APPLI.) menu

– PICT. EFFECT/SLIDE SHOW/ FRAME REC/INTERVAL REC,

etc ................................................ 68

Using the (EDIT/PLAY) menu

– END SEARCH/TITLE, etc .........73

Using the (STANDARD SET) menu

– REC MODE/MULTI-SOUND/ AUDIO MIX/USB-CAMERA,

etc ................................................ 76

Using the (TIME/LANGU.) menu

– CLOCK SET/WORLD TIME,

etc ................................................ 82

Customizing Personal Menu ..............83

Connecting to a VCR or TV ...............86

Dubbing to another tape ...............87

Recording pictures from a VCR or TV 88 Dubbing pictures from a tape to a

“Memory Stick” .............................89

Dubbing still images from a “Memory

Stick” to a tape ............................. 90

Dubbing selected scenes from a tape

– Digital program editing ..............91

Deleting recorded pictures ............98

Marking recorded images with specific

information – Image protection/

Print mark .....................................99

Printing recorded images (PictBridge

compliant printer) ..................101

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting ...............................103

Warning indicators and messages....110

Additional Information

Using your camcorder abroad ..........114

Usable cassette tapes .....................114

About the “Memory Stick” ................115

About the “InfoLITHIUM”

battery pack ................................117

About i.LINK .....................................119

Maintenance and precautions ..........120

Specification ....................................123

Quick Reference

Identifying parts and controls ...........125

Index ................................................131

Refer also to other operat in g inst ruc ti ons supplied with your camco rde r:

• Editing images with your computer cComputer Applications Guide

Quick Start Guide

Recording movies

1 Attach the charged battery pack to the camcorder.

To charge the battery, see page 14.

a Lift up the viewfinder. b Slide the battery pack in the direction

of the arrow until it clicks.

2 Insert a cassette into the camcorder.

a Slide the OPEN/

EJECT lever in the direction of the arrow to open the lid.

The cassette compartment comes out automatically.

OPEN/EJECT lever

Quick Start Guide

b Insert the cassette with

its window-side facing up, then push the center of the back of the cassette.

Window-side

c Press .

Close the cassette lid after the cassette co m partment slides back in by itself.

3 Start recording while checking the subject on the LCD screen.

The date and time is not set up in the default setting. To set the date and time, see page 19.

a Remove the lens cap.

Lens cap is not attached when you purcha se your camcorder (p.125).

b Press OPEN and

open the LCD panel.

c While pressing the

green button, slide the POWER switch down to light up the CAMERA-TAPE lamp.

The power turns on.

d Press REC START/

STOP.

Recording starts. To change to standb y m ode, press REC START/STOP again.

4 View the recorded picture on the LCD screen.

Quick Start Guide

a Slide the POWER

switch rep eatedly until the PLAY/EDIT lamp lights up.

b Touch (rewind). c Touch (play) to

start the playback.

To stop, press .

To turn off the power, slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.

Quick Start Guide

Recording still images

1 Attach the charged battery pack to the camcorder.

To charge the battery, see page 14.

a Lift up the viewfinder. b Slide the battery pack in the direction

of the arrow until it clicks.

2 Insert a “Memory Stick” into the camcorder.

Insert it so that the b mark is at the bottom left corner. Push in until it clicks.

Quick Start Guide

b mark

3 Start recording while checking the subject on the LCD screen.

The date and time is not set up in the default setting. To set the date and time, see page 19.

a Remove the lens cap.

Lens cap is not attached when you purcha se your camcorder (p.125).

b Press OPEN and

open the LCD panel.

c While pressing the

green button, slide the POWER switch repeatedly until the CAMERA-MEMORY lamp lights up.

The power turns on.

d Press PHOTO lightly.

A short beep sound is heard when the focus is adjusted.

e Press PHOTO fully.

A shutter sound is heard and the still image is recorded.

4 View the recorded picture on the LCD screen.

Quick Start Guide

a Slide the POWER

switch rep eatedly until the PLAY/EDIT lamp lights up.

b Touch .

The most recently recorded image is d isplayed.

c Touch (next) or

(previous) to view images in sequence.

To turn off the power, slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.

Quick Start Guide

Recording/Playing back with ease

By switching to Easy Handycam operation, recording/playback operation becomes even easier. Easy Handycam operation allows easy recording/playback for even first time users by providing only the basic functions for recording/playback.

Press EASY when recording/ playing back.

EASY lights up in blue (1) and screen font size increases (2) during Easy Handycam op er at ion.

Easy Handycam

operation

For details, se e i nstructions for ea ch operation. See page 33 for reco rding, page 51 for playback.

Quick Start Guide

Getting started

Step 1: Checking supplied items

Make sure you have following ite ms supplied with your camcorder.

The number in parentheses indicates the number of that item supplied.

“Memory Stick” 8MB (1) (DCR-TRV461E)

“Memory Stick” media is only supplied with DCR-TRV461E. There is no “Mem or y St ic k” media supplied with DCR-TRV460E.

Wireless Remote Commander (1)

A button-type lithium battery is already installed.

A/V connecting cable (1)

Getting started

USB cable (1)

Rechargeable battery pack NP-FM30 (1)

AC Adaptor (1)

Mains lead (1)

Lens cap (1)

See page 125 on how to attach the lens cap.

Shoulder strap (1)

See page 126 on how to atta ch the shoulder strap.

CD-ROM “SPVD-012 USB Driver” (1)

Cleaning cloth (1)

21-pin adaptor (1)

For the models with the mark printed on their bottom surfaces only.

Camera Operations Guide (This manual) (1)

Computer Applications Guide (1)

Getting started

Step 2: Charging the battery pack

You can charge the battery by attaching the

“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series)

to your camcorder .

b Notes

• Y ou c annot use batteries other than th e “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series) (p. 117).

• Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor or battery terminals with any metallic objects. This may cause a malfunction.

• Use a nearby wall socket when using the AC Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall socket immediately if any mal f unc tion occurs.

Battery pack

1 Lift up the viewfinder.

2 Attach the battery pack by slid ing it in

the direction of the arrow until it clicks.

DC IN jack

Mains lead

To the wall socket

Getting started

DC plug

3 With the v mark on the DC plug

facing up, connect the AC Adaptor to the DC IN jack on your camcorder.

AC Adaptor

v mark

4 Connect the mains lead to the AC

Adaptor.

5 Connect the mains lead to the wall

socket.

6 Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG)

OFF.

The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and charging starts.

To check the remaining battery – Battery Info

DSPL/BATT INFO

Getting started

After charging the battery

The CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the battery is fully c har ged. Disconnect the AC Adaptor fro m the DC IN jack.

To remove the battery pack

BATT(battery) release button

Set the POWER switch to (CHG) OFF.

POWER switch

2 Lift up the viewfinde r. 3 Slide the battery pa ck out in the directio n

of the arrow pr essing the BAT T (battery) release butt on down.

b Note

• If you do not use the battery pack for a long time, use up the battery pack completely before storing it. See page 118 about storage of the battery pack.

OPEN

POWER switch

You can check the battery’s current charge level and its current remaining recording time both during charging or when the power is turned off.

1 Set the POWER switch to (CH G) OFF. 2 Press OPEN and open the LCD panel. 3 Press DSPL/BATT INFO.

The battery informa tion appears for about 7 seconds. Keep the button pressed to view it for about 20 seconds.

BATTERY INFO

BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL

REC TIME AVAILABLE

A Battery charge level: Displays

approximate remai ning amount of power left in the ba ttery pack.

B Approximate possibl e recording time

using the LCD panel.

C Approximate possibl e recording time

using the viewfinder.

LCD SCREEN

LCD SCREEN VIEWFINDER::

VIEWFINDER::

50%0% 100%

72 min

72 min 95 min

95 min

,continued

Getting started

Charging time

Approximate number of minutes require d when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack at 25°C (77°F). (10 – 30°C (50 – 86°F) recommended.)

Battery pack

NP-FM30 (supplied) 145 NP-FM50 150 NP-QM71/QM71D 260 NP-QM91/QM91D 360

Recording time when recordi ng with the LCD screen on

Approximate nu m ber of minutes availabl e when you use a fully charged battery pack at 25°C (77°F).

Battery pack Continuous

recording time

NP-FM30 (supplied)

NP-FM50 130 60 NP-QM71/

QM71D NP-QM91/

QM91D

80 40

315 150

475 230

Typical* recording time

Recording time when recordi ng with the viewfinder

Approximate nu m ber of minutes availabl e when you use a fully charged battery pack at 25°C (77°F).

Battery pack Continuous

recording time

NP-FM30 (supplied)

NP-FM50 170 85 NP-QM71/

QM71D NP-QM91/

QM91D

105 50

415 205

625 310

Typical* recording time

* Approximate number of minutes when recording

while you repeatedly record, start/stop, slide the POWER switch to change the power mode, and zoom. The actual battery life may be shorter.

Playing time

Approximate number of minutes available when you use a fully charged battery pack at 25°C (77°F). This table shows the playing time for tapes recorded in the Digital8 system. The playing time of tapes recorded on ot her devices in the Hi8 /standard 8 m m system is reduce d by about 20%.

Battery pack LCD panel

opened

NP-FM30 (supplied)

NP-FM50 135 195 NP-QM71/

QM71D NP-QM91/

QM91D

b Notes

• The power will not be supplied from the battery pack when the AC Adap tor is conne cted to th e DC IN jack of your camcorder, even if its mains lead is disconnected from the wall socket.

• T he recording and playback time will be shor te r when you use your camcorder in low temperatu re.

• The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging, or the battery information will not be correctly displayed in following conditions. – The battery pack is not attached correctly. – The battery pack is damaged. – The battery pack is fully discharged. (For Battery

information only.)

80 120

335 465

505 695

LCD panel closed

Getting started

Using an outside power source

Step 3: Turning the power on

You can use the AC Adaptor as the power source when you do not want the battery to run out. While you are using the AC Adaptor, the battery pack will not lose its c harg e ev en when it is attached to your camc order.

PRECAUTION

Even if your camcorder is turned off, AC power (mains) is still supp lied to it while connec ted t o the wall socket via the AC Adaptor.

Connect your camcorder as shown in “Charging the battery pack” (p. 14).

You need to slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the desired power mode to record or play. When using this camcorder for the first time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears (p. 19).

Getting started

While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch down.

The power turns on. To enter the recording or playing mod e, sl id e the switch repeatedly until the respective lamp for the desire d power mode lights up.

• CAMER A - TA PE mode: To record on a tape.

• CAMERA-MEMORY mode: To record on a “Memory Stick.”

• PLAY/EDIT mode: T o play or ed it picture s on a tape or “Memory St ic k. ”

To turn off the power

Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.

Getting started

Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder

Adjusting the LCD panel

You can adjust the angle and brightness of the LCD panel to meet various recording situations.

Even when there are obstructions between you and the subject, you can check the subject on the LCD screen during recording by adjusting the angle of the LCD panel.

Maximum 180 degrees

[MENU], (STANDARD SET) menu, then touch [LCD SET ] (p. 78).

3 Adjust the item with / , th en

touch .

z Tips

• If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees to the lens

side, you can close the LCD panel with the LCD screen facing out.

• If you are using the battery pack for power so ur ce,

you can adjust the brightness by selecting [LCD BL LEVEL] from the [LCD SET] on the (STANDARD SET) menu (p. 78).

• Even if you adjust the LCD screen backlight, the

recorded picture will not be affected .

• You can turn off the operation confirmation beep by

setting [BEEP] in the (STANDARD SET) menu to [OFF] (p. 80).

Adjusting the viewfinder

You can view images using the viewfinder when you close the LCD panel. Use the viewfinder when the battery is running out, or when the screen is hard to see.

Maximum 90 degrees

Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.

Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder, then rotate it to the desired position.

To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen

Touch .

2 Touch [LCD BRI GHT].

If the item is not displayed on the screen, touch / . If you cannot find it, touch

Getting started

Viewfinder lens adjustment lever

1 Lift up the viewfinder. 2 Adjust the viewfinder lens adjustment

lever until the picture is clear.

To use the viewfinder during operation

When you are recording on a tape or a “Memo ry Stick”, you can adjust the exposu re (p. 35) and fader (p. 40) while checki ng the image on the viewfinder. Ha ve the LCD panel rotat ed 180 degrees and closed with the screen facing out.

1 Set the power mode to CAMERA-TAPE

or CAMERA-MEMORY (p. 17).

2 Close the LCD panel with the screen

facing out.

appears on the sc reen.

3 Touch .

[Set LCD off?] appears on the screen.

4 T ouc h [ Y ES] .

The LCD screen is turned off.

5 T ouch the LCD screen whi l e checking

the display in the viewfin d er .

[EXPOSURE], etc. are displayed .

6 T ouc h the button you want to set.

• [EXPOSURE]: Adjust with /

and touch .

• [FADER]: Touch it repeatedly to select a

desired effect (o nl y i n the CAMERATAPE mode).

• : The LCD screen lights up. To hide the buttons on the LCD screen, touch .

Step 5: Setting the date and time

Set the date and time when using this camcorder for the first time. If you do not set the date and time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears every time you turn on your camcorder.

b Note

• I f you do not use your camcorder for about 3 months, the built-in rechargeable button-type

battery gets discharged and th e date and time settings may be cleared from the memory. In that case, charge the rechargeable button-type battery (p. 122) and then set the date and time again.

Getting started

To use the large-capacity battery pack

When you use the la rge-capacity batt er y pack (NP-QM71/QM71D/QM91/QM91D) on your camcorder, extend the viewfinder and pull it up to the optimal angle for viewing.

OPEN

POWER switch

1 Turn on your camcorder (p. 17). 2 Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.

Proceed to step 7 when you set th e clock for the first time.

3 Touch .

60min

1/3

FADER

SPOT METER

EXPO– SURE

SPOT FOCUS

PRGRAM AE

–:––:––

,continued

Getting started

4 Touch [MENU].

60min

–:––:––

CAMERA SET

PROGRAM AE SPOT METER EXPOSURE

5 Select (TIME/LANGU.) with

/ , then touch .

DISPLAY

MENU ROT ATE

LANGUAGE

PROGRAM AE

–:––:––

60min

A. SHUT OFF

CLOCK SET

WORLD TIME

6 Select [CLOCK SET] with / ,

then touch .

CLOCK SET

DATE

Y 1M 1D 0: 00

2004

–:––:––

Step 6: Inserting the recording media

Inserting a cassette tape

You can record on standa rd 8 m m , Hi8 and Digital8 cassettes in Digital8

system only. For details on the se ca sse t tes

(such as write-protection), s ee pag e114.

b Notes

• Do not force the cassette into the compartment. This

may cause a malfunction of your camc or de r.

• The recording time when you use your camcorder is

2/3 of the indicated time on Hi8 tape. If you select the LP mode in the me nu settings, the recording time is th e indicated time on Hi8 tape.

1 Slide the OP EN/EJECT lever in

the direction of the arrow and open the lid.

OPEN/EJECT lever

Lid

7 Set [Y] (year) with / , then touch

CLOCK SET

DATE

Y 1M 1D 0: 00

2004

–:––:––

You can set any year up to the year 2079.

8 Set [M] (month), [D] (day), hour and

minute in the same way as was done in step 7, then touch .

Getting started

The cassette compartment automatically comes out and opens up.

2 Insert a cassette with its window-side

facing up.

Window-side

Push the center of the back of the cassette lightly.

3 Press .

The cassette compartment automatically slides back in.

Inserting a “Memory Stick”

For details on the “Memory Stick” (such as write-protection), see page 115.

b Note

• When using the half-sized “Memor y St ic k, ” th e “Memory Stick Duo,” make sure you att ach the Memory Stick Duo adaptor. Your camcorder may malfunction when it is inserted without an adaptor (p. 116).

Access lamp

b mark

Getting started

4 Close the lid.

To eject the cassette

Slide the OPEN/EJECT lever in the direction of the arrow and open the lid.

The cassette compartment automatically comes out.

2 T ake out the cassette, then press .

The cassette compartment automatically slides back in.

3 Close the lid.

Insert the “Memory Stick” with the b mark at the bottom left corner until it clicks.

To eject a “Memory Stick”

Lightly push the “Me m ory Stick” in once.

Lightly push in once.

,continued

Getting started

b Notes

• If you force the “Memory Stick” into the “Memor y Stick” slot in the wrong direction, the “Memory Stick” slot may be damaged.

• Do not insert anything other than a “Memory Stick” into the “Memory Stick” slot. Doing so may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.

• When the access lamp is lit or flashing, your camcorder is reading/writing data from/to the “Memory Stick.” Do not shake or knock your camcorder, turn the power off, eject the “Memory Stick,” or remove the battery pack. Othe rw ise , image data may be damaged.

Step 7: Setting the screen language

You can select the language to be used on the LCD screen.

OPEN

POWER switch

1 Turn on your camcorder. 2 Press OPEN to open the LCD panel. 3 Touch .

60 min STBY

1/3

FADER

SPOT METER

EXPO– SURE

SPOT FOCUS

PRGRAM AE

0:00:00

4 Touch [LANGUAGE].

If the item is not displayed on the screen, touch / . If you cannot find it, touch [MENU], and select it from the (TIME/LANGU.) menu. (p. 82)

ΕΛΛΗ

ΝΙΚΑ

ENG

[

SIMP

0:00:00

]

60 min STBY

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

DEU

TSCH

1/4

ENG LISH

Getting started

5 Select the desired language with /

, then touch .

z Tip

• Your camcorder offers [ENG[SIMP]](simplified English) for when you cannot find your native tongue among the options.

Getting started

Recording

Recording movies

You can record movi es on a tape or a “Memory Stic k.” Before recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in “Getting started” (p. 13 - p. 22). When you are recor ding on a tape, movi es will be recorded alon g with stereo sound. When you are recor ding on a “Memory Stick,” the movie will be recorded with monaural sound.

3 Select the recording mode.

To record on a tape

Slide the POWER switch until the CAMERA-TAPE lamp lights up, and your camcorder is set t o t he standby mode.

Slide the POWER switch while pressing the green button.

Camera recording la mp

OPEN

REC START/STOP

z Tip

• Per f ormi ng Ea sy Ha ndyc a m oper at ion , even firs t

time users can record easily. For deta ils,s ee page 33.

POWER switch

1 Remove the lens cap. Pull the lens cap

string down and attach it to the grip belt.

To record on a “Memory Stick” –

MPEG MOVIE EX

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly until the CAMERA-MEMORY lamp lights up, and the currently selected recor di ng folder appears on the sc reen.

Slide the POWER switch while pressing the green button.

4 Press REC START/STOP.

Recording starts. [REC] appears on the LCD screen and the Camera recording lamp lights up. Press REC START/STOP again to stop recording.

To check the most recently recorded MPEG movie – Review

Touch . Playback starts automat i cal l y. Touch again to return to standby. To delete the movie, touch after playback is finished, then [YES]. To cancel deleting, to uch [NO].

2 Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.

Recording

To turn the power off

Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.

b Note

• While recording movies on a only menu items available will be those with short cuts on the Personal Menu. In order to use othe r menu items, add them to the Personal Menu.

z Tip

• If you do not use your camcorder for a long tim e , remove the cassette and store it.

“Memory Stick,” the

Indicators displayed during recording on a “Memor y Stick”

The indicators will not be recorded on the “Memory Stick.” Date/time (p. 54) will not be displayed during recording.

Indicators displayed during recording on a tape

The indicators will not be recorded on the tape. Date/time and the camera settings data (p. 54) will not be displayed during recording.

60min

A Remaining battery

The indicated time may not be correct depending on the environment of use . When you opened or closed the LCD panel, it takes about 1 minute to display the cor rect remaining battery time.

B Recording mode (SP or LP) C Format indicator D Recording status ([STB Y ] ( st andby) or

[REC] (recording))

E Time code or tape counter

(hour: minute: second)

F Recording capacity of the tape

Displayed after y ou run t he t ape for a while.

G Personal Menu button (p. 59) H END SEARCH/EDIT SEARCH/Rec

review display switch button (p. 44)

0:00:00REC

P-MENU

60min REC

101

0:00:00

320

P-MENU

2min

A Recordi n g folder B Remaining battery

The indicated time may not be correct depending on the env ir onment of use. When you opened or closed the LCD panel, it takes about 1 minute to display the correc t remaining battery time.

C Recording status ([REC] (recording)) D Movie siz e E Recorded time (hour: minute: second) F Recording capacity of the “Memory

Stick”

G “Memory Stick” record ing start

indicator (appears for about 5 seconds)

H Personal Menu button (p. 59) I Review button (p. 24)

b Notes

• Before changing the battery pack, sli de the P OWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.

• In the default setting, when you do not operate the camcorder for more than about 5 minutes, the power will automatica lly turn off to prevent batt er y loss ([A.SHUT OFF], p. 81). To restart recording, slide the POWER switch down to select CAMERATAPE or CAMERA-MEMORY, and then press REC START/STOP.

Recording

,continued

Recording

z Tips

• To ensure smooth transition on a tape from the last recorded sc ene to the next, n o te the followin g. – Do not remove the cassette. (The pictur e will be

recorded continuously without a break even when you turn the power off).

– Do not record pictures in SP mode and LP mode on

the same tape.

– Avoid stopping then recording a movie in the LP

mode.

• See “To record for a longer time on a “Memory Stick”” (p. 26) for the approximate length of time it is possible to record on a “Memory Stick” of different capacities .

• The recording time, date, and the camera settings data (for tape only) are recorded automatically on the recording media without being displayed on the screen. You can view this information during playback by selecting [DATA CODE] in the menu setting (p. 54).

Recording for a longer time

To record for a longer time on a tape

In the (STANDARD SET) menu, select [ REC MODE], then [LP] (p. 7 6). In the LP mode, you can record 1.5 times longer than you can when recording in the SP mode. A tape recorded in the LP mode should be played back only on this camcorder.

To record for a longer time on a “Memory Stick”

In the (MEMORY S ET) m enu , select [MOVIE SET], [ IMAGE SIZE], then [160 × 112] (p. 65). The length of ti m e you can record on a “Memory Stick” varies depend ing on th e image size and the recording environment. Refer to the following list for approximate length of time you can record movies on a “Memory Stick” formatted on your camcorder.

Image size and time (hour: minute: second)

[320 × 240] [160 × 112]

8MB* 00:01:20 00:05:20 16MB 00:02:40 00:10:40 32MB 00:05:20 00:21:20 64MB 00:10:40 00:42:40 128MB 00:21:20 01:25:20 256MB

(MSX-25 6 ) 512MB

(MSX-51 2 ) 1GB

(MSX-1G)

* Supp lie d wit h D CR- TRV4 61E only.

00:42:40 02:50:40

01:25:20 05:41:20

02:50:40 11:22:40

Using zoom

When the CAMERA-TAPE mode is selected, you can choose zoom to magnification levels greater than 20 times, and from that point activate th e dig ita l zoo m ([DIGITAL ZOOM], p. 63). Occasional use of the zoom is effective, but use it sparingly for best results.

Recording

1 cm (approx. 1/2 inch)*

* The mi nimum distance required between your

camcorder and the subject to get a sharp focus in that position of the lever.

80 cm (approx. 2 5/8 feet)*

Move the power zoom lever slightly for a slower zoom. Move it further for a faster zoom.

To record wider ran g e of vi ew

Move the power zoom lever towards W. The subject appears farther away (Wide angle).

To record closer vie w

Move the power zoom lever towards T. The subject appears closer (Teleph ot o ) .

Using the built-in light

You can use the built-in light to suit your shooting situation. The recommended distance between the subject and camcorder is about 1.5 m (5 feet).

Built -i n li ght

b Notes

• T he built-in video light emits very bright light, which is perfectly safe in normal use. However, avoid directly aiming the light at a subject’s eyes from very close range.

• The battery pack discharges quickly while the builtin light is turned on.

• When you do not use your camcorder, turn the builtin light off and remove the battery pack to avoid turning on the built-in light acc ide ntally.

• W hen flickering occurs while shooting in the

mode, press LIGHT until

appears.

• T he buil t- in li ght ma y tur n on/off when you use the [PROGRAM AE] or backlight function while shooting in the mode.

• The built-in light is turned off in the following cases: – While the END SEARCH function is working. – Interval time of Interval recording. – When you leave it on for more than 5 minutes with

the POWER switch set to C A MERA-MEMORY.

– When it stays on in the mode for more

than 5 minutes.

– When you leave it on for more than 5 minutes with

no cassette inserted or after the tape has run out.

• When you use the conversion lens (optional), light from the built-in light is blocked a nd ma y not illuminate the subject prop erl y.

Recording

LIGHT

Press LIGHT repeatedly to select a setting.

The settings are displayed cyclically in the following orde r.

No indicator displayed: Always records without using the built-in light.

: Automatically turns on and off

according to th e ambient brightness.

: Always turns on.

To turn off the built-in light

Press LIGHT repeatedly until no indicator appears on the screen.

,continued

Recording

Recording in mirror mode

Using the se lf-timer

You can turn the LCD panel towards the subject so that you and your subject can share the image being recorded. You can also utilize this function when recording you rself, to keep the attention of small children attracted to the camcorder while you record them.

Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder, then rotate it 180 degrees towards the subject.

A mirror-image of the subject appears on the LCD screen, but the picture will be normal when recorde d .

With the self-timer, you can start recording after a delay of about 10 seconds.

REC START/STOP

1 Touch . 2 Touch [SELF-TIMER].

If the item is not displayed on the screen, touch / . If you cannot find it, touch [MENU], and select it from the (CAMERA SET) menu.

SELF–TIMER: OFF

0:00:0060 min STBY

Recording

ONOFF

3 Touch [ON], then .

appears.

60min

0:00:00STBY

P-MENU

4 Press REC START/STOP.

You will hear a beep sound counting down for about 10 secon ds (The count down indicatio n begins from 8). The recording starts. To stop recordin g, pre ss REC START/ STOP.

To cancel the count down

Touch [RESET] or press REC START/STOP.

To cancel the self-timer

Follow step s 1 and 2, then sele ct [O FF] in step

Recording still images

recording

You can record still images on a “Memory Stick.” Before rec ord in g, f oll ow steps 1 to 7 in “Getting started” (p. 13 - p. 22).

OPEN

POWER switch

z Tip

• P erf or ming Easy Handycam operation, even first time users can record eas ily. For de tails, see p age 33.

– Memory photo

PHOTO

Recording

1 Remove the lens cap. Pull the lens cap

string down and attach it to the grip belt.

2 Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.

,continued

Recording

3 Slide the POWER switch repeatedly

until the CAMERA-MEMORY lamp lights up.

The selected recording folder is displa yed.

To record moving subjects correcting jitter - FIELD/FRAME

Select th e (MEMORY SET) menu, [STILL SET], then [ FLD/FRAME]. Your camcorder compens ates for camera-s hake when recording moving subjects in the [FIELD] mode. Your camcorder records in high quality in the [FRAME] mode (p. 65).

Slide the POWER switch while pressing the green button.

4 Press and hold PHOTO lightly.

You will hear a light beeping sound when the focus and brightness settings ar e adjusted. Reco rding does not start at this point.

The indicator stops flashing.

The number of images that can be recorded.*

60min

101

* The num ber of ima ge s that can be recorded

varies depending on the image quality setting and the recording environment.

FINE

P-MENU

5 Press PHOTO fully.

A shutter sound i s he ard. When bars of

disappears, the image is recorded

on the “Memory Stick.”

To check the most recently recorded image – Review

Touch . Touch to return to standby. To delete the image, touch , then [YES]. To cancel deleting, touch [NO].

Indicators displayed during recording

60min

101

A Recording folder B Quality

([FINE]) or ([STANDARD])

C Personal Menu button (p . 59) D Review button (p. 30)

b Notes

• When recording fast-moving subjects in the

[FRAME] mode, the recorded ima ge appear s b lurry.

• W he n r ecor ding in the [FRAME] mode, your

camcorder may not correct camera-s h ak e. We recommend that you shoot obje ct s with a tripod.

z Tips

• W he n you press PHOTO on your Remote

Commander, the image displayed on the screen at that timing is record ed.

• The recording time, date, and th e cam e ra se ttings

data are recorded automatically on the recording media without being displayed on the scre en. You can view this information during playback by selecting [DATA CODE] in the menu setting (p. 54).

FINE

P-MENU

To turn the power off

Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.

Recording

+ 106 hidden pages