Sony TRV-900 User Manual

3-864-632-14 (2)

Digital Video
Camera Recorder

Operating Instructions

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-TRV900 Model No. AC-L10A
Serial No. Serial No.

DCR-TRV900

©1998 by Sony Corporation

Welcome !!

Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam VisionΤΜ camcorder. With your
Handycam Vision, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and sound
quality. Your Handycam Vision is loaded with advanced features, but at the same time it is very
easy to use. You will soon be producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come.

WARNING

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

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION : TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).

NO USER•SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

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

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

For the Customers in the U.S.A.

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 the Customers in CANADA

CAUTION

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.

For the 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

2

batteries.

When you use Memory Sticks (not supplied),
see page 91 for details.

• IBM PC/AT is a registered trademark of International
Business Machines Corporation of the U.S.A.

• MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks
licensed to Microsoft Corporation, registered in the
U.S.A. and other countries.

• Macintosh is a trademark licensed to Apple
Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S.A. and other
countries.

• All other product names mentioned herein may be
the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies.

Furthermore, “” and “” are not mentioned in each
case in this manual.

Table of contents

Before you begin

Using this manual.............................................. 4

Checking supplied accessories ........................ 6

Getting started

Installing and charging the battery pack ....... 7

Inserting a cassette........................................... 11

Basic operations

Camera recording ............................................ 12

Attaching the lens hood ........................... 14

Using the zoom feature ............................ 14

Selecting the start/stop mode ................. 15

Shooting with the LCD screen ................ 16

Letting the subject monitor the shot....... 17

Self-timer recording .................................. 18

Hints for better shooting ................................ 19

Checking the recorded picture ...................... 21

Playing back a tape.......................................... 22

Searching for the end of the picture.............. 24

Advanced operations

Using alternative power sources ................... 25

Using the house current ........................... 25

Using a car battery .................................... 26

Changing the mode settings .......................... 27

—for camera recording—

Photo recording ............................................... 33

Shooting with all the pixels – PROG. SCAN .. 35

Using the FADER function............................. 36

Shooting with backlighting ............................ 38

Using the wide mode function ...................... 39

Enjoying picture effect .................................... 40

Recording with various effects

– digital effect ............................................ 42

Shooting with manual adjustment ................ 44

Using the PROGRAM AE function............... 54

Focusing manually .......................................... 57

Interval recording ............................................ 59

Cut recording ................................................... 61

Superimposing a title ...................................... 63

Making a custom title...................................... 66

Labeling a cassette ........................................... 68

—for playing back/editing—

Watching on a TV screen ................................ 70

Viewing the picture with the picture

effect ............................................................ 72

Viewing the picture with the digital

effect ............................................................ 73

Searching the boundaries of recorded

tape with date – date search ................... 74

Searching the boundaries of recorded

tape with title – title search..................... 76

Searching for a photo

– photo search/photo scan ...................... 77

Returning to a pre-registered position ......... 80

Displaying recording data

– data code function ................................. 81

Editing onto another tape............................... 82

Editing partially on a mini DV tape

– DV synchro-editing ............................... 84

Recording from a VCR or TV......................... 86

Replacing recording on a tape

– insert editing .......................................... 87

Audio dubbing................................................. 88

Memory card slot operations

Using the memory card slot

– introduction ............................................ 91

Recording an image from a mini DV tape

as a still image ........................................... 98

Copying still images from a mini DV tape

– photo save ............................................. 100

Recording still images on PC cards (not

supplied) – memory photo recording .. 102
Viewing a still picture

– memory photo playback ..................... 105

Preventing accidental erasure

– PROTECT .............................................. 108

Deleting images ............................................. 109

Copying the image recorded with the

memory card slot to mini DV tapes ..... 112

Playing back images in a continuous loop

– SLIDE SHOW ....................................... 114

Additional information

Usable cassettes and playback modes ........ 116

Charging the vanadium-lithium

battery in the camcorder ........................ 117

Resetting the date and time.......................... 118

Simple setting of clock by time

difference.................................................. 119

Tips for using the battery pack .................... 120

Maintenance information and

precautions............................................... 123

Using your camcorder abroad ..................... 126

Trouble check ................................................. 127

Self-diagnosis function ................................. 132

Specifications.................................................. 133

Identifying the parts ...................................... 134

Warning indicators ........................................ 143

Index ................................................................ 145

Before you begin

3

Before you begin

Using this manual

As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on the camcorder are shown in
capital letters.
e.g., Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.

Note on Cassette Memory

This camcorder is based on the DV format. You can only use mini DV cassettes with this
camcorder. We recommend you to use a tape with cassette memory .

The functions which depend on whether the tape has the cassette memory or not are:

•End Search (p. 21, 24)

•Date Search (p. 74)

•Photo Search (p. 77).

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

•Title Search (p. 76)

•Superimposing a title (p. 63)

•Making a custom title (p. 66)

•Labeling a cassette (p. 68).

For details, see page 116.

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.

Precaution on copyright

Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the copyright
laws.

4

Using this manual

Precautions on camcorder care

•The LCD screen and/or the color viewfinder are manufactured using high-precision
technology. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (red,
blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD screen and/or in the
viewfinder. These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect
the recorded picture in any way. Over 99.99% are operational for effective use.

•Do not let the camcorder get wet. Keep the camcorder away from rain and sea water.
Letting the camcorder get wet may cause the unit to malfunction, and sometimes this
malfunction cannot be repaired [a].

•Never leave the camcorder exposed to temperatures above 140°F (60°C ), such as in a car
parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [b].

Before you begin

[a]

[b]

5

Checking supplied accessories

Check that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.

1 3

4

78

1 Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 139)
2 AC-L10A AC power adaptor (1),

Power cord (1) (p. 8, 25)
The shape of the plug varies from region to
region.

3 NP-F330 battery pack (1) (p. 7)
4 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote

Commander (2) (p. 139)

2

5

6

9

5 Floppy disk adapter (1) (p. 91)
6 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 70, 82)
7 Shoulder strap (1) (p. 140)
8 Lens cap (1) (p. 12)

9 Lens hood (1) (p. 14)

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

6

Getting started

Installing and charging the battery pack

Before using your camcorder, you first need to install and charge the battery pack. To
charge the battery pack, use the supplied AC power adaptor.
This camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.
“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

Installing the battery pack

(1) Lift up the viewfinder.
(2) Insert the battery pack in the direction of the $ mark on the battery pack. Slide the

battery pack down until it is locked.

Attach the battery pack to the camcorder securely.

1

Note on installing the NP-F730/F730H/F750/F930/F950 battery pack

Use the camcorder while stretching out the viewfinder.

Note on the battery pack

Do not carry the camcorder by grasping the battery pack.

Getting started

2

7

Installing and charging the battery pack

Charging the battery pack

Charge the battery pack on a flat surface without vibration. The battery pack is charged a
little in the factory.

(1) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the supplied AC power adaptor to the DC

IN jack with the plug’s 4 mark up.

(2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
(4) Set the POWER switch to OFF. Remaining battery time is indicated by the minutes

on the display window. Charging begins.

When the remaining battery indicator becomes ı, normal charge is completed. For full
charge, which allows you to use the battery longer than usual, leave the battery pack
attached for about 1 hour after normal charge is completed until FULL appears in the display
window.
Before using the camcorder with the battery pack, unplug the AC power adaptor from the
DC IN jack of the camcorder. You can also use the battery pack before it is completely
charged.

VTR

OFF

CAMERA

POWER

MEMORY

Notes

•“– – – min” appears on the display window until the camcorder calculates remaining
battery time.

•Remaining battery time indication on the display window roughly indicates the recording
time with the viewfinder. Use it as a guide. It may differ from the actual recording time.

8

Installing and charging the battery pack

Charging time

Battery pack Charging time *

NP-F330 (supplied) 150 (90)
NP-F530 210 (150)
NP-F550 210 (150)
NP-F730 300 (240)
NP-F750/NP-F730H** 300 (240)
NP-F930 390 (330)
NP-F950 390 (330)

The time required for a normal charge is indicated in parentheses.
* Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack using the supplied AC power

adaptor. (Lower temperatures require a longer charging time.)

** NP-F730H is sold only in the U.S.A.

Battery life

While using with viewfinder

Battery pack Continuous recording time * Typical recording time **

NP-F330 (supplied) 75 (70) 40 (35)
NP-F530 120 (110) 60 (55)
NP-F550 150 (135) 75 (70)
NP-F730 270 (245) 140 (130)
NP-F750/NP-F730H*** 315 (275) 165 (145)
NP-F930 420 (375) 220 (195)
NP-F950 485 (440) 255 (230)

Getting started

While using with LCD

Battery pack Continuous Typical Playing

recording time * recording time ** time with LCD

NP-F330 (supplied) 60 (50) 30 (25) 75 (70)
NP-F530 95 (85) 50 (45) 120 (110)
NP-F550 120 (105) 65 (55) 150 (135)
NP-F730 210(190) 115 (105) 270 (245)
NP-F750/NP-F730H*** 250 (220) 140 (120) 315 (275)
NP-F930 325 (295) 180 (165) 420 (375)
NP-F950 375 (335) 210 (185) 485 (440)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the time when you use a normally charged battery.
Battery life will be shorter if you use the camcorder in a cold environment.
* Approximate continuous recording time indoors.
** Approximate minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/stop, zooming

and turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be shorter.

*** NP-F730H is sold only in the U.S.A.

9

Installing and charging the battery pack

Notes on remaining battery time indication during recording

•Remaining battery time is displayed on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. However, the
indication may not be displayed properly, depending on using conditions and
circumstances.

•When you close the LCD panel or open it, it takes about 1 minute for the correct remaining
time to be displayed.

To remove the battery pack

Lift up the viewfinder. While pressing BATT RELEASE, slide the battery pack in the
direction of the arrow.

BATT RELEASE

10

Inserting a cassette

You can use mini DV cassette with logo* only.
Make sure that the power source is installed.

(1) While pressing the small blue button on the EJECT switch, slide it in the direction

of the arrow. The cassette compartment automatically opens.

(2) Insert a cassette with the window facing out.
(3) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the “PUSH” mark on the cassette

compartment.

* is a trademark.

Getting started

1 2

To eject the cassette

While pressing the small blue button on the EJECT switch, slide it in the direction of the
arrow.

To prevent accidental erasure

Slide and open the tab on the cassette to expose the red mark. If you try to record with the
red mark exposed, the L and 6 indicators flash on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder,
and you cannot record on the tape. To re-record on this tape, slide and close the tab to cover
the red mark.

3

PUSH

11

Basic operations

Camera recording

Make sure that the power source is installed and a cassette is inserted and that the START/
STOP MODE selector inside the LCD panel is set to . Before you record one-time events,
you had better make a trial recording to make sure that the camcorder is working correctly.
When you use the camcorder for the first time, power on it and reset the date and time to
your time before you start recording (p. 118).

(1) Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on its sides and pull the lens cap string

to fix it.

(2) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to CAMERA.

The camcorder is set to Standby mode.

(3) Press START/STOP.

The camcorder starts recording. “REC” appears on the LCD screen or in the
viewfinder. The camera recording lamp on the front of the camcorder also lights
up.

You can also select Recording mode, SP (standard play) mode or LP (long play) mode.
Set REC MODE in the menu system according to the length of your planned recording
before you start.

2

VTR

OFF

CAMERA

MEMORY

3

VTR

OFF

CAMERA

MEMORY

POWER

POWER

STBY

REC

–:––:––

0:00:00

min

60

70

min

70

min

1

To stop recording momentarily [a]

Press START/STOP. The “STBY” indicator appears on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder
(Standby mode).

To finish recording [b]

Set the POWER switch to OFF. Then, eject the cassette and remove the battery pack.

[a]

VTR

OFF

CAMERA

POWER

MEMORY

STBY

0:35:20

min

25

[b]

70

min

VTR

OFF

CAMERA

POWER

MEMORY

12

Camera recording

To focus the viewfinder lens

If you cannot see the indicators in the viewfinder clearly, or after someone else has used the
camcorder, focus the viewfinder lens. Move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever so that the
indicators in the viewfinder come into sharp focus.

Note on Standby mode

If you leave the camcorder in Standby mode for 5 minutes while the cassette is inserted, the
camcorder turns off automatically. This prevents wearing down the battery and wearing out
the tape. To resume Standby mode, while pressing the small green button on the POWER
switch, set it to OFF once, and then to CAMERA. To start recording, press START/STOP.

Note on the progressive mode

If you modify the images on your personal computer or play the images back as still
pictures, we recommend you to set PROG. SCAN to ON in the menu system before
shooting. The picture quality may improve in this mode, but if you shoot a moving subject,
the image may shake when it is played back.

Note on the lock knob

When you set the lock knob to the left position, the POWER switch will not be set to
MEMORY accidentally.

Basic operations

Lock knob

Note on Recording mode

This camcorder records and plays back in SP (standard play) mode and in LP (long play)
mode. Select SP or LP in the menu system. In LP mode, you can record 1.5 times as long as in
SP mode.

Notes on LP mode

•We recommend to use this camcorder to play back a tape recorded on this camcorder. If a
tape recorded on other camcorder is played back on this camcorder, or vice versa, mosaic­pattern noise may appear.

•When you record in SP and LP modes on one tape or you record some scenes in LP mode,
the playback picture may be distorted or the time code may not be written properly
between scenes.

•When you record in LP mode, we recommend you to use a Sony Excellence/Master mini
DV cassette so that you can get the most out of your camcorder.

•You cannot make audio dubbing on a tape recorded in LP mode. Use the SP mode for the
tape to be audio dubbed.

Notes on the 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 VTR
mode.

•Be sure not to make a blank portion when recording, because the time code will start from
“0:00:00:00” again.

•This camcorder uses the drop frame mode.

13

Camera recording

Note on the beep sound

Note that the beep sound is not recorded on the tape. If you do not want to hear the beep
sound, select OFF in the menu system.

Note on remaining tape indicator

The indicator may not be displayed accurately depending on the tape. Though the indicator
does not appear at the time of recording, it will appear in a few seconds.

Attaching the lens hood

To record fine pictures, we recommend you to attach the lens hood, no matter where you
shoot. You can also attach the lens cap when using the lens hood.

If the lens hood is not attached properly

The four corners of the screen may be eclipsed by the lens hood.

Align the protruding part
with the groove on the hood.

Using the zoom feature

Zooming is a recording technique that lets you change the size of the subject in the scene.
For more professional-looking recordings, use the zoom function sparingly.
“T” side: for telephoto (subject appears closer)
“W” side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away)

T

W

Zooming speed (Variable speed zooming)

Press the power zoom lever a little for a relatively slow zoom; press it still more for a high­speed zoom.

When you shoot a subject using a telephoto zoom

If you cannot get a sharp focus while in extreme telephoto zoom, press the “W” side of the
power zoom lever until the focus is sharp. You can shoot a subject that is at least about
2 5/8 feet (about 80 cm) away from the lens surface in the telephoto position, or about
1/2 inch (about 1 cm) away in the wide-angle position.

14

T

W

Camera recording

Zooming of more than 12x – digital zoom

• If you set the D ZOOM function to ON in the menu system, you can perform zooming of
more than 12x performed digitally. It is set to OFF at the factory.

•You cannot use the digital zoom when you set PROG. SCAN to ON in the menu system.

•The right side [a] of the power zoom indicator shows the digital zooming zone, and the left
side [b] shows the optical zooming zone. If you set the D ZOOM function to ON, the [a]
zone appears.

W

[b]

T

[a]

Selecting the start/stop mode

Your camcorder has two modes besides normal start/stop mode. These modes enable you to
take a series of quick shots resulting in a lively video.

(1) While pressing OPEN, open the LCD panel.
(2) Set START/STOP MODE to the desired mode.

: Recording starts when you press START/STOP, and stops when you press it

again (factory setting).

ANTI GROUND SHOOTING : The camcorder records only while you press down

START/STOP so that you can avoid recording unnecessary scenes.

5SEC : When you press START/STOP, the camcorder records for 5 seconds and

then stops automatically.

(3) Press START/STOP. Recording starts.

If you selected 5SEC, five dots appear on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. The dots
disappear at a rate of one per second as illustrated below. When five seconds elapse and all
the dots disappear, the camcorder switches to Standby mode automatically.

1

2

T

W

START/STOP

MODE

Basic operations

ANTI GROUND SHOOTING

3

POWER

VTR

OFF

CAMERA

MEMORY

5SEC

REC REC

To extend the recording time in 5SEC mode

Press START/STOP again before all the dots disappear. Recording continues for about 5
seconds from the moment you press START/STOP.

Notes on 5SEC recording

•If you have turned off the indicators on the LCD screen, the dots do not appear.

•When selecting “ ANTI GROUND SHOOTING” or “5SEC,” the fader function does not
work.

•When selecting “5SEC,” the time code is not displayed.

15

Camera recording

Shooting with the LCD screen

You can also record the picture while looking at the LCD screen.
When using the LCD screen, the viewfinder turns off automatically except in mirror mode.
You cannot monitor the sound from the speaker during recording.

(1) While pressing OPEN, open the LCD panel.
(2) Adjust angle of the LCD panel.

The LCD panel moves about 90 degrees to this side and about 180 degrees to the
other side.
To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen, press LCD BRIGHT + or –.

The battery life is longer when the LCD panel is closed. Use the viewfinder instead of the
LCD screen to save the battery power.

12

OPEN

90°

Backlighting the LCD screen

If the LCD screen is insufficiently illuminated even after adjusting LCD BRIGHT, select LCD
B. L. in the menu system and set to BRIGHT. You can select LCD B. L. only while using the
battery pack as a power source.

180°

LCD BRIGHT

90°

90°

16

Notes on the LCD panel

•When closing the LCD panel, turn it vertically until it clicks [a].

•When turning the LCD panel, turn it always vertically; otherwise, the camcorder body may

be damaged or the LCD panel may not close properly [b].

•Close the LCD panel completely when not in use.

•Do not push nor touch the LCD panel while operating the camcorder.

•You may find it difficult to view the LCD screen due to glare when using the camcorder
outdoors.

[a]

[b]

Camera recording

Letting the subject monitor the shot

You can turn the LCD panel over so that it faces the other way and you can let the subject
monitor the shot while shooting with the viewfinder.

Turn the LCD panel up vertically. When you turn the LCD panel 180 degrees, the
indicator appears on the LCD screen (mirror mode) and the time code and remaining tape
indicators disappear.
You can also use the Remote Commander.

To cancel mirror mode

Turn the LCD panel down toward the camcorder body.

Notes on mirror mode

•When you turn the LCD panel about 135 degrees to 180 degrees, the camcorder enters
mirror mode.

•Using the mirror mode, you can record yourself while watching yourself on the LCD
screen.

•The picture on the LCD screen looks like a mirror-image while recording in mirror mode.
The STBY indicator appears as Pr and REC as r. Other indicators appear as mirror­image. Some indicators may not appear in mirror mode.

•While recording in mirror mode, you cannot operate the following functions: MENU,
TITLE, and ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote Commander.

Basic operations

17

Camera recording

Self-timer recording

You can make a recording with the self-timer. This mode is useful when you want to record
yourself.

(1) Press (self-timer) to display (self-timer) on the LCD screen or in the

viewfinder while the camcorder is in Standby mode.

(2) Press START/STOP.

Self-timer starts counting down to 10 with a beep sound. In the last two seconds of
the countdown, the beep sound gets faster, then recording starts automatically at
the time you set.

To stop self-timer recording

Press START/STOP.
Use the Remote Commander for convenience.

To record still pictures using the self-timer

Press PHOTO in step 2.

To cancel self-timer recording

Press so that the indicator disappears from the LCD or viewfinder screen while the
camcorder is in Standby mode.

START/STOP

18

Self-timer recording mode is canceled when

•Self-timer recording is finished.

•The POWER switch is set to OFF or VTR.

Note

The display may become darker right after pressing the button. This is not a malfunction.

Hints for better shooting

For hand-held shots, you will get better results by holding the camcorder according to the
following suggestions:

•Hold the camcorder firmly and secure it with the grip strap so that you can easily
manipulate the controls with your thumb. [a]

[a]

•Place your elbows against your side.

•Place your left hand under the camcorder to support it.

•Place your eye against the viewfinder eyecup.

•Be sure not to touch the built-in microphone.

•Use the LCD panel frame or the viewfinder frame as a guide to determine the horizontal
plane.

•You can also record in a low position to get an interesting angle. Lift the viewfinder up for
record from a low position. [b]

•You can also record in a low position or even in a high position using the LCD panel. [c]

•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.

[b]

[c]

Basic operations

19

Hints for better shooting

Place the camcorder on a flat surface or use a tripod

Try placing the camcorder on a table top or any other flat surface of suitable height. If you
have a tripod for a still camera, you can also use it with the camcorder. When attaching a
non-Sony tripod, make sure that the length of the tripod screw is less than 9/32 inch
(6.5 mm). Otherwise, you cannot attach the tripod securely and the screw may damage the
camcorder.

Cautions on the LCD panel and on the viewfinder

•Do not pick up the camcorder by the viewfinder or the LCD panel. [d]

•Do not place the camcorder so as to point the viewfinder or the LCD panel toward the sun.
The inside of the viewfinder or the LCD panel may be damaged. Be careful when placing
the camcorder under sunlight or by a window. [e]

[d]

[e]

20

Checking the recorded picture

Using the EDITSEARCH, you can review the last recorded scene or check the recorded
picture on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.

(1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to CAMERA.
(2) Press the РΠside of EDITSEARCH momentarily; the last few seconds of the

recorded portion plays back (Rec Review). Hold down the – side of EDITSEARCH
until the camcorder goes back to the scene you want. The last recorded portion is
played back. To go forward, hold down the + side (Edit Search).

Basic operations

EDITSEARCH

21

VTR

OFF

CAMERA

POWER

MEMORY

EDITSEARCH

EDITSEARCH

END SEARCH

To stop playback

Release EDITSEARCH.

To go back to the last recorded point (END SEARCH)

Press END SEARCH. The last recorded point is played back for about 5 seconds and stops.
Note that when you use a tape without cassette memory, this function does not work once
you eject the cassette after recording.

To begin re-recording

Press START/STOP. Re-recording begins from the point you released EDITSEARCH.
Provided you do not eject the tape, the transition between the last scene you recorded and
the next scene you record will be smooth.

21

Playing back a tape

You can monitor the playback picture on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.

(1) Insert the recorded tape with the window facing out.
(2) While pressing OPEN, open the LCD panel.
(3) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to VTR.
(4) Press 0 to rewind the tape.
(5) Press · to start playback.

Adjust the volume using VOLUME +/– and the brightness of the LCD screen using
LCD BRIGHT +/–.

You can also monitor the picture on a TV screen, after connecting the camcorder to a TV or
VCR.

LCD BRIGHT

2

PLAYREW FF

1

54

3

PLAYREW FF

POWER

VTR

OFF

CAMERA

MEMORY

22

VOLUME

DISPLAY

To stop playback, press π.
To rewind the tape, press 0.
To fast-forward the tape rapidly, press ).

Using the Remote Commander

You can control playback using the supplied Remote Commander. Before using the Remote
Commander, insert the size AA (R6) batteries.

To display the LCD screen/viewfinder screen indicators

Press DISPLAY.
To erase the indicators, press again.

Notes on screen indicators

•The screen indicator disappears when the title is displayed.

•When you play back a tape using a “InfoLITHIUM” battery, B indicates the remaining
battery capacity. The remaining battery time in minutes is not displayed.

Using headphones

Connect headphones (not supplied) to the 2 jack. You can adjust the volume of the
headphones using VOLUME +/–.

Playing back a tape

To view the playback picture in the viewfinder

Close the LCD panel. The viewfinder turns on automatically.
When using the viewfinder, you can monitor the sound only by using headphones.
To view on the LCD screen again, open the LCD panel. The viewfinder turns off
automatically.

When you cannot see the LCD screen clearly

Pull out the stand at the bottom to adjust the angle.

Stand

Various playback modes

To view a still picture (playback pause)

Press P during playback. To resume playback, press P or ·.

To locate a scene (picture search)

Keep pressing 0 or ) during playback. To resume normal playback, release the button.

To monitor the high-speed picture while advancing the tape or
rewinding (skip scan)

Keep pressing 0 while rewinding or ) while advancing the tape. To resume normal
rewinding or fast-forward, release the button.

Basic operations

To view the picture at 1/3 speed (slow playback)

Press & on the Remote Commander during playback. For slow playback in reverse
direction, press <, then press &. To resume normal playback, press ·.

To view the picture at double speed

For double speed playback in the reverse direction, press <, then press ×2 on the Remote
Commander during playback. For double speed playback in the forward direction, press >,
then press ×2 during playback. To resume normal playback, press ·.

To view the picture frame-by-frame

Press ' or 7 on the Remote Commander in playback pause mode. If you keep pressing
the button, you can view the picture at 1/30 speed. To resume normal playback, press ·.

To change the playback direction

Press < on the Remote Commander for reverse direction or > on the Remote Commander
for forward direction during playback. To resume normal playback, press · .

Notes on playback

•The sound is muted in the various playback modes.

•During playback other than normal playback, the previous recording may appear in
mosaic image. This is not malfunction.

•When playback pause mode lasts for 5 minutes, the camcorder automatically enters stop
mode. To resume playback, press ·.

Note on slow playback

The slow playback can be performed smoothly on this camcorder; however, this function
does not work for an output signal from the DV IN/OUT jack.

23

Searching for the end of the picture

END SEARCH

You can go to the end of the recorded portion after you record and play back the tape. The
tape starts rewinding or fast-forwarding and the last about 5 seconds of the recorded portion
plays back. Then the tape stops at the end of the recorded picture (End Search).

Open the LCD panel and press END SEARCH during recording standby.
This function works when the POWER switch is set to CAMERA or VTR.

Notes on End Search

•When you use a tape without cassette memory, the End Search function does not work
once you eject the cassette after recording.

•When you use a tape with cassette memory, the End Search function works once you eject
the cassette. When you play back a tape which has a blank portion in the beginning or
between the recorded portions, the End Search function will not work correctly.

24

Advanced operations

Using alternative power sources

You can choose any of the following power sources for your camcorder: battery pack, house
current, and 12/24 V car battery. Choose the appropriate power source depending on where
you want to use your camcorder.

Place Power source Accessory to be used

Indoors House current Supplied AC power adaptor
Outdoors Battery pack Battery pack NP-F330 (supplied), NP-F530, NP-F550, NP-

F730, NP-F730H*, NP-F750, NP-F930, NP-F950

In the car 12 V or 24 V car battery Sony DC adaptor/charger DC-V700

* NP-F730H is sold only in the U.S.A.

Note on power sources

Disconnecting the power source or removing the battery pack during recording or playback
may damage the inserted tape. If this happens, restore the power supply again immediately.

Using the house current

To use the supplied AC power adaptor:

(1) Open the DC IN jack cover, and connect the AC power adaptor to the DC IN jack

on the camcorder.

(2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.

Advanced operations

1

WARNING

The power cord must be changed only at a qualified service shop.

PRECAUTION

The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (house current) as long as it is
connected to the power cord, even if the set itself has been turned off.

Note

Keep the AC power adaptor away from the camcorder if the picture is disturbed.

2, 3

25

Using alternative power sources

Using a car battery

Use a DC adaptor/charger such as Sony DC-V700 (not supplied). Connect the car battery
cord to the cigarette lighter socket of a car (12 V or 24 V). Connect the DC adaptor/charger
and the camcorder using the DK-415 (supplied with DC-V700) connecting cord.

This mark indicates that this product is a genuine accessory for Sony video
product.
When purchasing Sony video products, Sony recommends that you purchase
accessories with this “GENUINE VIDEO ACCESSORIES” mark.

26

Changing the mode settings

SETUP MENU

AUTO TV ON OFF
TV I NPUT
LTR S IZE

RETURN

VTR SET

H i F i SOUND
AUD IO MI X

You can change some of the mode settings programed at the factory to further enjoy the
features and functions of the camcorder. Just turn the control dial to select the menu items
displayed on the LCD screen. You can make selections in the following order: the menu
display n icons n items n mode settings.

(1) Press MENU to display the menu.
(2) Turn the control dial to select the desired icon on the left side of the menu, then

press the dial.

(3) Turn the control dial to select the desired item, then press the dial.
(4) Turn the control dial to select the desired mode, then press the dial. If you want to

change the other modes, repeat steps 3 and 4. If you want to change the other items,
select

(5) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

RETURN and press the dial, then repeat steps 2 to 4.

Advanced operations

1

5

MENU

MENU

CAMERA

MANUA L S ET

AUTO SHTR
PROG. SCAN

[MENU] :END

MEMORY

MANUA L S ET

AUTO SHTR

[MENU] :END

VTR

VTR SET

H i F i SOUND
AUD IO MI X

[MENU] :END

2

3

4

SETUP MENU

AUTO TV ON
TV I NPUT
LTR S IZE

SETUP MENU

AUTO TV ON OFF
TV I NPUT
LTR S IZE

RETURN

SETUP MENU

AUTO TV ON
TV I NPUT V I DEO1
LTR S IZE

RETURN

SETUP MENU

AUTO TV ON
TV I NPUT V I DEO1
LTR S IZE VIDEO2

RETURN V I DEO3

SETUP MENU

AUTO TV ON
TV I NPUT V I DEO1
LTR S IZE VIDEO2

RETURN V I DEO3

SETUP MENU

AUTO TV ON
TV I NPUT V I DEO2
LTR S IZE

RETURN

OFF

OFF

Notes on changing the mode settings

•Menu items differ depending on the setting of the POWER switch to VTR, CAMERA or
MEMORY.

•While recording in mirror mode, you cannot operate the menu system.

27

Changing the mode settings

Selecting the mode setting of each item

Menu items that can be modified differ depending on the setting of the POWER switch. The
LCD screen shows only the items that you can operate at the moment. The menu items are
categorized into nine groups signified by the nine icons described below.

Items for the MANUAL SET menu

AUTO SHTR <ON/OFF>

•Select ON and the electronic shutter functions automatically when shooting in bright
conditions.

•Select OFF and the electronic shutter does not function even in bright conditions.

PROG. SCAN* <OFF/ON>

•Select OFF not to record still/moving pictures with all the pixels.

•Select ON to record still/moving pictures with all the pixels.

Items for the CAMERA SET menu

D ZOOM <OFF/ON>

•Select OFF not to use the digital zoom. The camcorder goes back to 12x optical zoom.

•Select ON to activate digital zooming.

16:9WIDE <OFF/ON>

Select this item to record a 16:9 wide picture. See page 39 for details.

STEADYSHOT <ON/OFF>

•Normally select ON.

•Select OFF when you do not have to worry about camera-shake.

28

AE SHIFT

Adjust the setting level of AE (Automatic Exposure). See page 52 for details.

GAIN SHIFT <0dB/–3dB>

•Set the gain value to 0dB.

•Set the gain value to –3dB.

FRAME REC <OFF/ON>

•Normally select OFF.

•Select ON for cut recording. See page 61 for details.

When you remove the power source, the setting becomes OFF.

INT.REC <ON/OFF/SET> <INTERVAL/REC TIME>

• Normally select OFF. Select ON to make an interval recording.

• Select INTERVAL to set or change the waiting time for interval recording.

• Select REC TIME to set or change the recording time for interval recording.

When you remove the power source, the setting becomes OFF, but the waiting time and
recording time are retained.

Items for the VTR SET menu

HiFi SOUND* <STEREO/1/2>

•Select STEREO to play back stereo sound or main and sub sound (for dual sound).

•Select 1 to play back the left sound (for stereo sound) or main sound (for dual sound).

•Select 2 to play back the right sound (for stereo sound) or sub sound (for dual sound).

Changing the mode settings

AUDIO MIX*

Select this item to adjust the balance between the stereo 1 and stereo 2 by turning the control
dial.

Items for the LCD/VF SET menu

LCD B.L. <BRT NORMAL/BRIGHT>

•Normally select BRT NORMAL.

•Select BRIGHT when the LCD screen is dark. The battery consumption increases by 10 to
20%.

Even if you adjust the LCD B.L., the recorded picture is not affected.

LCD COLOR

Select this item and change the level of the indicator by turning the control dial up (+) or
down (–) to adjust the color intensity of the picture.

VF BRIGHT

Close the LCD panel.
Select this item to adjust the brightness of the viewfinder. The viewfinder becomes brighter
when you turn the control dial up (+), and darker when you turn it down (–).

ZEBRA <OFF/ON>

•Normally select OFF.

•Select ON to shoot with the zebra pattern displayed on the LCD screen or in the
viewfinder.

Items for the MEMORY SET menu

CONTINUOUS <OFF/ON/MULTI SCRN>

•Select OFF not to record continuously.

•Select ON to record 2 to 4 pictures continuously.

•Select MULTI SCRN to record nine pictures continuously.

Advanced operations

QUALITY <STANDARD/FINE/SUPER FINE>

•Select STANDARD to record still pictures in the standard image quality mode, using the
memory card slot.

•Select FINE to record still pictures in the fine image quality mode, using the memory card
slot.

•Select SUPER FINE to record still pictures in the superfine image quality mode, using the
memory card slot.

PROTECT <OFF/ON>

•Normally select OFF not to protect still pictures.

•Select ON to protect selected still pictures against accidental erasure. See page 108 for
details.

SLIDE SHOW

Select this item to play back images in a continuous loop. See page 114 for details.

DELETE ALL

Select this item to delete all the images. See page 110 for details.

FORMAT

Select this item to format floppy disks or PC cards. See page 96 for details.

29

Changing the mode settings

PHOTO SAVE

Select this item to duplicate still pictures. See page 100 for details.

Items for the CM SET menu

CM SEARCH <ON/OFF>

•Select ON to search using cassette memory.

•Select OFF to search without using cassette memory.

TITLEERASE

Erase the title you have superimposed.

TITLE DSPL <ON/OFF>

•Select ON to display the title you have superimposed.

•Select OFF not to display the title.

TAPE TITLE

Select this item to label the cassette tape.

ERASE ALL

Select this item to erase all the data in cassette memory.

Items for the TAPE SET menu

REC MODE <SP/LP>

•Select SP when recording in SP (standard play) mode.

•Select LP when recording in LP (long play) mode.

AUDIO MODE <12BIT/16BIT>

•Normally select 12BIT to record two stereo sounds.

•Select 16BIT to record the one stereo sound with high quality.

30

MIC LEVEL* <AUTO/MANUAL>

•Select AUTO to adjust the recording level automatically.

•Select MANUAL to adjust the recording level manually.

ÒREMAIN <AUTO/ON>

•Select AUTO to display the remaining time of the tape in the following cases:
– With the power on or a tape inside, for eight seconds after the remaining time of the tape

becomes certain.
– For eight seconds after the · or DISPLAY button is pressed.
– During rewinding, fast-forwarding, and searching the picture.

•Select ON to always display the remaining time of the tape.

DATA CODE <DATE/CAM or DATE>

•Select DATE/CAM to display date and recording data during playback.

•Select DATE to display date during playback.

Items for the SETUP menu

CLOCK SET

Select this item to reset the date or time.

AUTO TV ON <OFF/ON>

You can use this feature only with Sony TVs.

•Select OFF not to turn on the TV.

•Select ON to turn on the TV automatically when using the LASER LINK function.