Sony Handgcam CCD-FX425, AC-V25 Operation Manual

SONY o_oo_-_, _1

Video Camera Recorder I_

CCD-FXa95

AC Power Adaptor

AC-V25

Operation Manual

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

Owner's Record

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

Model No. CCD-FX425 Serial No. Model No. AC-V25 Serial No.

Video 8 Handgcam

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit

to rain or moisture.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Not!ce for the customers in Canada

This apparatus complies with the Class IB limits for radio noise emissions set out in Radio Interference

Regulations.

Informationon:t_ilCamc_rder

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 equipmelt 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 isconnected.

-- 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.

Information on the AC Power Adaptor

For the customers in the U.S.A. WARNING

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if rot installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part

15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause 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 the receiving antenna Relocate the equipment with respect to the receiver Move the equipment away from the receiver Plug the equipment into a different outlet so that equipment and receiver are on different branch circuits.

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:

"How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference

Problems". This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, Stock No. 004-

000-00345-4.

FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN USA AND 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.

i,,.

Before You Begin

About this manual .......................................................................................................... 4

Checking supplied accessories ...................................................................................... 5

Before you start ............................................................................................................ 5

Getting Started

Charging and installing the battery pack ........................................................................... 6

Inserting a tape .................................................................................................................... 8

Preventing accidental erasure ........................................................................................ 8

Adjusting the viewfinder lens .............................................................................................. 9

Using the vlewfinder as a sports finder .......................................................................... 9

Instalhng the lithium battery .............................................................................................. 10

Setting the date and t=me................................................................................................ 11

Storing a birth date m your camcorder .......................................................................... 12

Basic Camera Operation

How to record .................................................................................................................... 14

Using zooming features .................................................................................................. 16

Playing back a tape .......................................................................................................... 17

Using the remote commander .......................................................................................... 19

Getting the most out of your battery pack ............................................. ............................ 20

Advanced Camera Operation

Connectingalternativepowersources ............................................................................. 22

Usinghouse current................................................................................................... 22

Usingcar battery.......................................................................................................... 23

Camera recording............................................................................................................. 24

Recordingthe date ortime ........................................................................................... 24

Puttingan age on your tape.......................................................................................... 24

Forlow-positionrecording ........................................................................................... 25

Checking the lastportionof a sceneyou just recorded(Rec Review) ......................... 26

Checking recording inthe viewfinder(EDITSEARCH) ................................................ 26

Re-recordingon a previouslyrecordedportion(EDITSEARCH) .................................. 27

Helpfulhintsfor recording............................................................................................ 27

Insertinga scene in the middleofa recordedtape ...................................................... 28

Recordingwithan externalmicrophone ...................................................................... 29

Connectinga wired remotecontrolunit ....................................................................... 29

Manual adjustments .......................................................................................................... 30

Maintainingfocus .......................................................................................................... 30

Compensatingfor backlighting.................................................................................... 30

Using program AE (Auto Exposure) .................................................................................. 31

Selectingthe PROGRAM AE mode.............................................................................. 31

Fade-in and fade-out ......................................................................................................... 32

Playingback ..................................................................................................................... 33

Editing................................................................................................................................ 37

Additional Information

Maintenance information................................................................................................... 39

Tips for bettercamera recording....................................................................................... 41

Identifyingthe parts........................................................................................................... 44

Trouble check.................................................................................................................... 49

Specifications .................................................................................................................... 51

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

Welcome to Video 8

Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam ® camcorder. With your Handycam you can capture life's precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Handycam is loaded with advanced

features, but at the same time it is very easy to use. You will soon be producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come.

This manual shows you how to operate your camcorder. To get the most out of the features of your Handycam, we recommend you read this manual thoroughly before using.

But if you want to shoot as soon as possible, please read the chapters, Getting Started and Basic Camera Operation. Once you are familiar with basic operations, you may want to proceed to the chapter, Advanced Camera Operation.

• When you are reading through this manual, please remember that buttons and settings on the camcorder are shown in capital letters:

e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.

• Use"Identifying the Parts" as an index to look for a function and operation according to the indication printed on the camcorder itself.

TV color systems are different depending on the countries. If you want to view the playback picture on a TV, you need an NTSC system based TV. When you want to use a PAL-M system based TV, you will need NTSC/PAL-M transcoder (as this is an NTSC system based camcorder). Please check the list on page 42 to see the

TV color system of your country.

You can use the supplied RFU adaptor on!y in the country where you bought this camcorder. Since each country has its own electricity and TV color system, you may not be able to use the RFU adaptor when you use the camcorder abroad.

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.

4 Before You Begin

Check that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.

• Wireless Remote Commander (1)

• Size AA (R6) battery for Remote Commander (2)

• Battery pack NP-55 (1)

• AC power adaptor • Lithium battery AC-V25 (1) CR2025 (1)

• RFU adaptor RFU-90UC/95UC (1)

• Shoulder strap (1) • Lens cap (1) (attached to the camcorder)

• Jack cover (1) (attached to the camcorder)

Before using your camcorder, you need to:

1 Charge and install the battery pack. 2 Insert atape. 3 Adjust the viewfinder lens to your eyes. 4 Install the lithium battery.

5 Set the date and time.

This chapter takes you through these procedures step by step.

The BEEP switch

• The BEEP switch ispreset to ON: when you parchase the camcorder.

• The camcorder will beep when you start and stop recording and as a warning of unusual conditions (see page 50). These beeps will not be recorded on the tape.

• Set the BEEP switch to OFF, to deactivate the beep.

I BEEP

OFFIION

Before You Begin 5

Before you can use this camcorder, you need to charge and install the battery pack.

Notes

Option

Plug the AC power adaptor into a wall outlet. Align the flat side of the battery pack with the lines on the AC power adaptor and the

1 2

battery pack. 3 Push down and slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow. 4 Set the VTR (DC OUT)/CHARGE selector to CHARGE.

Required charging time:

Type of battery pack NP-55 NP-77H NP-77 NP-66H NP-55H

(supplied) NP-77HD

Required charging time 70 160 140 120 80

(approx.minutesusingAC-V25)

When charging is finished, the charge indicator will go out.

Important!

Use the battery completely before recharging!

Before you recharge the battery, make sure the battery has been used (discharged) completely. Excessive charging may reduce the charging capacity of the battery.

To use up the battery, remove the video cassette and set the POWER switch to

CAMERA with the battery attached, and leave the camcorder until the #_\-3indicator appears blinking and a red lamp blinks in the viewfinder.

Video equipment cannot be operated while 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 VTR (DC OUT)/CHARGE selector to OFF and

disconnect the power cord. After about one minute, reconnect the power cord and set the VTR (DC

OUT)/CHARGE selector to CHARGE again. AC-S10 AC power adaptor: This adaptor has a function which allows you to confirm that the battery is completely discharged and ready to be recharged to its full capacity.

When you have finished charging the battery, install the battery pack as follows:

6 Getting Started

1 Align the flat side of the battery pack with the white line on the camcorder. 2 Make sure that the arrow on the battery pack is close to the top of the camcorder.

3 Push down and slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.

Notes • Make sure the battery is securely installed so that it does not fall off. If the battery is not

installed properly, the camcorder will not record accurately.

• You can use the AC power adaptor as a power source when recording indoors.

Removing the battery pack

Slide the BATT switch inthe direction of the arrow, and at the same time, slide out the battery pack to the left.

BATT

Battery life and remaining capacity

A fully charged battery pack lasts for:

Type of ba_erypack

Batterylife

NP-55

(supplied)

NP-77H/ NP-77 NP-66H NP-55H

NP-77HD

150 120 110 75

(approx. minutes, continuous recording when used indoors

To check the remaining battery capacity, set the POWER switch to CAMERA, set the STANDBY switch up and press TAPE/BATT CHECK.

TAPE/BATT CHECK

The decreasing black bar indicates decreasing battery power. After the black bar disappears the

,r_\_Jindicator will appear and blink and a red lamp will also blink in the viewfinder. When they

blink rapidly, replace the battery pack.

S=;

Batterylife indicator

-_o.

Notes • The battery life indicator of the camcorder may indicate a different remaining capacity from that of

the NP-77HD battery pack.

• Charge the battery pack when the black bar of the battery life indicator decreases quickly.

Getting Started 7

Make sure that the battery pack or another power source is attached.

Press the small blue button on the EJECT switch and

simultaneously slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow.

The cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens

toward you.

Insert a tape with the window facing outside.

Close the cassette holder by pressing the area on the

cassette compartment marked "PUSH",

Slide the red tab closing the windowto prevent accidental recording. To re-record on the tape, slide the tab opening the window.

Ifyou try to record with the red mark exposed, the _ and -_ indicators flash" in the

viewfinder and beeps sound for about 5 seconds.

Notes on handling tapes

Don't insert anything in the small holes on the rear of the cassette. These holes are used to sense the type and thickness of tape, or if the red mark is exposed or covered, etc, Store tapes in their cases and keep them in an upright position to prevent intrusion of dust and uneven winding.

Getting Started

Before using your camcorder for the first time or after anether person used it, adjust the viewfinder lens to best fit your eyesight. Make sure that a battery pack or another power source is attached to the camcorder.

2 3

Press the small green button on POWER and set the POWER switch to CAMERA.

Insert a tape.

(See page 8.)

3 Set the STANDBY switch up. _'_

START !STOp

Turn the viewfinder adjustment ring around the

viewfinder lens until the

"STBY" indicator displayed in

the viewfinder screen comes

into sharp focus.

:3".

-I

Your camcorder is equipped with a Sports Finder. You can use the viewfinder as the sports finder by

turning the viewfinder adjustment ring.

What is a sports finder?

Since this finder has a long focal length, you can monitor the picture while your eye is at a distance from the eyecup. The sports finder is convenient when moving around to shoot scenes.

Setting the viewfinder to the sports finder position

Turn the viewfinder adjustment ring clockwise completely.

Returning from the sports finder position to the normal

viewfinder position +

Turn the adjustment ring counterclockwise until the word "STBY" that appears in the viewfinder comes into sharp focus.

When storing your camcorder

Turn the viewfinder barrel to the front.

Adjustment ring

Getting Started 9

To keep birth dates in the camcorder's memory and to activate the clock, the lithium battery must be installed.

Remove the lithium battery holder located at the bottom of the

camcorder,

Install the supplied 0R2025 lithium battery with the + side

facing down,

Put the lithium battery holder into the camcorder.

Lithium battery life

The battery will last for approximately 1year in normal operation. When the lithium battery becomes weak, the ,_,indicator will blink in the viewfinder screen for about 5 seconds when you set the POWER switch to CAMERA. Inthis case, replace

the battery with a Sony CR2025 or Duracell DL-2025. Use of any other battery may present a risk of fire or explosion.

When replacing the lithium battery, keep the battery pack or other power source attached. Otherwise, resetting the date, time and birth dates will be necessary.

Changing the lithium battery

Remove the lithiumbattery holder from the camcorder, and pull out the lithium battery and insert a new one.

WARNING

The battery may explode if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble, or dispose of it in fire.

Cautions

• Keep the lithium battery out of the reach of children. Should the battery be swallowed, immediately consult a doctor.

• Do not hold the battery with metallic tweezers, otherwise a short-circuit may occur.

10 Getting Started

You need to set your camcorder's date and time to be able to superimpose the date and time onto your video. Make sure that the power source and lithium battery are attached.

3,4,5,6

Press the small green button on the POWER switch and slide the POWER

switch to CAMERA. POWER

Set the STANDBY switch

up.

START / STOP

Press DATE (+) and TIME (NEXT) simultaneously for a few seconds until the date indicator appears in the viewfinder.

The DATE button now functions as + (to advance numbers) and the TIME button functions as NEXT (to set).

JAN. I "4 9 9

Adjust the blinking digits of the year, month, day, and hour by using DATE (+), and by pressing TIME (NEXT).

Notes

• When you keep DATE (+)

pressed, the digitsadvance faster.

• The year starts at 1993 and proceeds as follows;

1993----+1999--_2000-----_2020

1" )

O °"_'" ;J ""'%

'A" >

_J U L,-I 19g

O OATE(*I 31 "rIME(NE_

% -,

JU L,_4 _-I I)9

-_ _eo:o0 PM)

5 6

Adjust the blinking digits of minute by pressing DATE (+).

DATEI÷)

Press TIME (NEXT) to set the second to "00".

The clock starts operating.

TIME{NEXT}

,_orrecting the date and time settings

Repeat steps 3 to 6.

Getting Started 11

(

m Q

When you preset your child's birth date in your camcorcer, you can put your child's age in years and months on your tape. You can also preset the date of an event. Once you enter the birth date of your child, the clock inside your camcorder will automatically update age of your child. You can superimpose the age anytime on your recording.You can preset up

to three birth dates or events.

Before you begin

Before you store a birth date in your camcorder, make sure that power source is

connected, that the lithium battery is installed and that the date is correctly set.

How to store birth date

To store a birth date in your camcorder, see the following example and procedure. Example: Store "Aug. 3, 1987" in memory 2.

I DATE(+) TIME(NEXTI AGE/EVENT

Press the small green button on the POWER switch and slide the POWER switch to CAMERA.

Set the STANDBY switch up.

START I STOP

Press TIME (NEXT) and AGE/EVENT simultaneously for a few seconds until the

"ITI BIRTHDAY ..... 1900" indicator appears

in the viewfinder.

-- rn,Bi RTHDA _1

"1:%-- 1_oc

Press DATE (+) to select i2-1. Each time you press DATE (+), the display in the

viewfinder changes as follows:

_ BIRTHDAY ---)[] BIRTHDAY

[] EVENT*_(-_-J

* Although "EVENT" is displayed on [3-1,you can

use it for age as well. [] and [] can also be used to record event

dates in memory.

DATE{*)

Press TIME (NEXT).

The "1900" indicator blinks.

TIME(NEXll

_] BIRTN, O_ l

.... ---J 90q.]-

i •

(continued)

12 Getting Started

Enter the birth date.

First adjust the blinking digits by pressing DATE (+), and then press TIME (NEXT). The age (year and month) appears

when all the items are adjusted.

_eIRT_O_

o,T.... l_x

_[_ pl_TH 0A

-A uG.,.,,,_98U

If you missed the correct number with DATE (+)

Keep pressing DATE (+). The indicator changes as follows:

Year: 1900 -_ 1901 - - - -_ Current year

Current year- (minus) 99

Month: JAN. -_ FEB. - - - --_DEC. _ ---

t J

Day: 1-->2----->31

t I

Correcting/changing the setting

Follow the procedures from step 1 again.

Advancing the digits faster

Keep DATE (+) pressed.

Presetting the year before 1900

1 After step 5 on page 12, keep pressing DATE (+) until the current year is displayed.

2 Press DATE (+) again.

The year goes back 99 years. (example: 1993 --_1894)

3 Go to step 6 above.

When in 2000

"-.... 1901" is displayed in step 3 on page 12. After that, it advances every year as "1902,

1903...... ".

Now it's ready for recording!

Getting Started 1 3

Before you record one-time events, make a trial recordinc to make sure that your camcorder is working properly.

Keep the lens clean, or the focus cannot be adjusted properly. It is very easy to start recording scenes.

Hold the camcorder by putting your hand through the grip belt so that your thumb can easily press the red START/STOP button.

By pressing the release on the lens cap, remove and attach it to the grip belt.

Press the small green button on the POWER switch and slide the POWER switch to CAMERA.

Thisputsthe camcorder inthe camera

recording mode.

POWER

Set the PROGRAM AE (Auto Exposure) switch to the green position.

Set the STANDBY switch up. "STBY" appears in the viewfinder. Now,

you can see throughthe viewfinder.

START ISTOP

Press START/STOP (red button) once.

The camera is recordingwhen the word "REC" appears on the viewfinderscreen and the red lamp lightsinthe viewfinder. You can also confirmthe start,of recording with beep soundwhen you have the BEEP switchturned on.

_ REC 1

START ' STOP , %_/._

reJl,_mp

In the viewfinder you can see a black and white picture of whatyou are recording and

information that indicates what the camcorder is now doing.

Basic Camera Operation

Automatic recording

With the PROGRAM AE switch set to the green position, all the camera functions are on automatic (i.e. auto iris, auto white balance, auto focus) and the shutter ,.speedis set at normal (1/60 second).

Note about covering the camcorder

Do not use marine packs, sports packs, or rain jackets to cover the camcorder. The camcorder will focus on the front glass of the packs or transparent plate of the jacket.

To stop recording momentarily

Press START/STOP again. "STBY" appears in the viewfinder. The camcorder beeps twice

when you have BEEP turned on.

When you have finished recording

Turn the STANDBY switch down and slide the POWER switch to OFF.

Ejecting the tape

Make sure that you have attached the battery pack or other power source to the camcorder.

1 Press the small blue button on the EJECT switch, and at the same time push EJECT in

the direction of the arrow. 2 Take out the tape. 3 Close the cassette holder by pressing the area marked PUSH on the cassette

compartment.

Caution! Please remember that you can only use 8-ram format video tapes with this camccrder. You will be able to record tapes in SP (standard play) mode only and play back tapes in both SP

and LP (long play) modes.

Checking the time remainingon the tape

PressTAPE/BATTCHECK.

TAPE/BATT CHECK

Tape length indicator

After pressing TAPE/BATT CHECK, the time remaining may not be indicated for about 20 seconds. When the time remaining is less than about 5 minutes, the indicator displays the minutes remaining.

S[ ..... ]E ......... P'SI rolE ......... _SI mlE-_"_5mln --_

',,, I / /

Omin = Omin- 4 ............ 4rain

/ I \

When "5 min" lights, the ,,vL_indicator appears in the viewfinder and blinks.

Note on the tape length indicator

• The camcorder must be in the recording or playback mode when the TAPE/BATT CHECK is pressed to find out the time remaining. In the playback mode, however, the indicator does not indicate the minutes remaining.

• The tape length indicator does not change while using EDITSEARCH.

Basic Camera Operation 15

You can create aprofessional-looking home video using these sepcial effects; zoom, close-up, fade-in and fade-out.

Zooming is a recording technique that lets you change the size of the subject in the scene. Use "Zoom-in (telephoto)" for dramatic close-ups, and "zoom-out (wide-angle)" for panoramic long shots. You can also use zooming to focus manually or to decide on a shooting angle. For more professional-looking recordings, use zooming sparingly.

W(Wide-angle) T(Telephoto)

To zoom

"Wide-angle

• I!

Telephoto

The camcorder's power zoom button offers two-level speed zooming. Press it firmly for high speed zooming and softly, for relatively slow zooming. Press the T side of the power zoom button for telephoto (subject appears closer) and the W side for wide-angle (subject appears farther away).

_j rr,_r_j_[_- - ....-- :.

Note

Even small subjects such as flowers, insects, and images in photographs, can literally fill

the screen using focus in macro.

1 Bring the camcorder as close as necessary to obtain the desired subject size. 2 Press the W side of the power zoom button until the indicator in the viewfinder

stops at the W end.

You can shoot a subject that is at least 1 3m (about 39/e iches) away from lens surface in the telephoto position.

Basic Camera Operation

+ 36 hidden pages

Sony Handgcam CCD-FX425, AC-V25 Operation Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual