3-859-496-11 (1) 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. CCDSerial No. ___________________ Model No. ACSerial No. __________________ CCD-TR930 ©1997 by Sony Corporation 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. Welcome! WARNING To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. 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. 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. DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY. LITHIUM ION BATTERY. DISPOSE OF PROPERLY. You can return you 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 Factory Service Center nearest you call 416-499-SONY (Canada only) Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium ion battery. For the customers in CANADA CAUTION TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE. 2 Table of contents Before you begin Using this manual ........................................ 4 Checking supplied accessories ................... 5 Additional information Changing the lithium battery in the camcorder ............................................. 46 Resetting the date and time ....................... 47 Usable cassettes and playback modes ..... 48 Tips for using the battery pack ................. 49 Maintenance information and precautions ........................................... 52 Using your camcorder abroad .................. 55 Trouble check .............................................. 56 Self-diagnosis function ....................... 60 Specifications ............................................... 61 Identifying the parts ................................... 62 Warning indicators ..................................... 70 Index ............................................................. 71 Before you begin Getting started Charging and installing the battery pack ..................................... 6 Inserting a cassette ..................................... 10 Basic operations Camera recording ....................................... 11 Using the zoom feature ...................... 14 Selecting the START/STOP mode .... 15 Hints for better shooting ........................... 16 Checking the recorded picture ................. 17 Connections for playback .......................... 18 Playing back a tape ..................................... 19 Advanced operations Using alternative power sources .............. 22 Using the house current ..................... 22 Using alkaline battery ......................... 23 Using a car battery .............................. 23 Changing the mode settings ..................... 24 Fade-in and fade-out .................................. 27 Using the wide mode function ................. 28 Enjoying picture effect ............................... 29 Focusing manually ..................................... 31 Using the PROGRAM AE function .......... 33 Shooting with backlighting ....................... 35 Adjusting the exposure .............................. 36 Superimposing a title ................................. 37 Making your own titles ............................. 40 Recording with the date/time .................. 41 Optimizing the recording condition ........ 42 Editing onto another tape .......................... 43 Recording from a VCR or TV .................... 44 Releasing the STEADY SHOT function ... 45 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. As indicated with in the illustrations, you can hear the beep sound to confirm your operation. 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. Precautions on camcorder care · The LCD screen and/or the color viewfinder are manufactured using highprecision technology. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD screen 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]. [a] [b] Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a malfunction of the camcorder, video tape, etc. 4 Checking supplied accessories Check that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder. 1 2 3 Before you begin 4 5 6 7 8 1 Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p.66) 2 NP-F330 Battery pack (1) (p.6) 3 AC-V316/V316A AC power adaptor (1) (p.6, 22) 4 CR2025 Lithium Battery (1) (p.46) The lithium battery is already installed in your camcorder. 5 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote Commander (2) (p.67) 6 A/V connecting cable (1) (p.18, 44) 7 Shoulder strap (1) (p.68) 8 Battery case (1) (p.23) 5 Getting started Charging and installing the battery pack Before using your camcorder, you first need to charge and install the battery pack. To charge the battery pack, use the supplied AC power adaptor. This camcorder operates with the "InfoLITHIUM" battery. If you use any other battery to operate your camcorder, the camcorder may not operate or the battery life may be shortened. "InfoLITHIUM" is a trade mark of Sony Corporation. Charging the battery pack Charge the battery pack on a flat surface without vibration. (1) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet. (2) Align the surface of the battery pack indicated by the z mark with the edge of the terminal shutter of the AC power adaptor. Then fit and slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow. The CHARGE lamp (orange) lights up. Charging begins. When the CHARGE lamp goes out, normal charge is completed. For full charge, which allows you to use the battery longer than usual, leave the battery pack in place for approximately one hour. Unplug the unit from the wall outlet, then remove the battery pack and install it into the camcorder. You can also use the battery pack before it is completely charged. 1 2 Charging time Battery pack Charging time* (min.) NP-F330 (supplied) 160 (100) NP-F530 170 (110) NP-F730 250 (190) NP-F930 330 (270) 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 (full charge). (Lower temperatures require a longer charging time.) 6 Charging and installing the battery pack Battery lifee Battery pack Continuous recording time* (min.) Typical recording time* (min.) NP-F330 (supplied) 70 (65) 40 (35) NP-F530 150 (135) 85 (75) NP-F730 305 (275) 170 (155) NP-F930 480 (435) Before you begin Getting started 270 (245) Numbers before the parentheses indicate the time when you use a fully charged battery. Numbers in the parentheses indicate the time when you use a normal charged battery. * 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. Note on remaining battery time indication during recording Remaining battery time is displayed in the viewfinder. It may not be displayed properly, however, depending on the conditions and circumstances of use. To remove the battery pack Slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow. Notes on charging the battery pack ·The CHARGE 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 CHARGE lamp does not light, disconnect the power cord. After about one minute, reconnect the power cord again. ·You cannot operate the camcorder using the AC power adaptor while charging the battery pack. ·When a fully charged battery pack is installed, the CHARGE lamp will light once, then go out. 7 Charging and installing the battery pack Installing the battery pack Align the grooves of the battery pack with the receptacles of the camcorder and slide the battery pack down until it catches on the battery release lever and clicks. Attach the battery pack to the camcorder securely. To remove the battery pack While pressing the BATT (battery) RELEASE (PUSH) button, slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow. BATT RELEASE (PUSH) You can look at the demonstration of the functions available with this camcorder (p.26). 8 Charging and installing the battery pack Using the camcorder with the finder slid out or lifted up When NP-F730 or NP-F930 is installed When you install NP-F730 or NP-F930, slide out the viewfinder for more comfortable camera recording. Getting started Before you begin When you record in a low angle Lift up the viewfinder. To restore the viewfinder Push the viewfinder down or slide it into the camcorder. Note on the battery pack Do not carry the camcorder by grasping the battery pack. 9 Inserting a cassette Make sure that the power source is installed. When you want to record in the Hi8 system, use Hi8 video cassette H. (1) While pressing the small blue button on the EJECT switch, slide it in the direction of the arrow. The cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens. (2) Insert a cassette with the window facing out. (3) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the PUSH mark on the cassette compartment. The cassette compartment automatically goes down. 1 EJECT 2 3 PUSH 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 the tab on the cassette to expose the red mark. If you insert the cassette with the red mark exposed and close the cassette compartment, the beeps sound for a while. If you try to record with the red mark exposed, the L and 6 indicators flash in the viewfinder, and you cannot record. To re-record on this tape, slide the tab back out covering the red mark. 10 Basic operations ...