CCD-TR555 - Camcorder SONY - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL CCD-TR555 SONY

Video Camera Recorder H Operating Instructions Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference. CCD-TR555 ©1996 by Sony Corporation CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21(E,S) English 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. For the customers in the United States and Canada For the Customers in the U.S.A. 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 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. CAUTION You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment. 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.

DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY

AND VANADIUM-LITHIUM BATTERY. LITHIUM ION BATTERY AND VANADIUMLITHIUM BATTERY. DISPOSE OF PROPERLY. You can return your unwanted lithium ion batteries and vanadium-lithium batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory Service Center. Note: In some areas the disposal of lithium ion batteries and vanadium-lithium 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 batteries and vanadium-lithium batteries. Español Table of contents Using this manual 4 Checking supplied accessories 6 Charging and installing the battery pack 7 Inserting a cassette 11 Camera recording 12 Using the zoom feature 16 Hints for better shooting 18 Checking the recorded picture 20 Connections for playback 21 Playing back a tape 23 Displaying the date or time when you recorded – data code function 26 Searching for the end of the picture 28 Using alternative power sources 29 Using the house current 29 Changing the mode settings 32 —for camera recording— Recording with the date or time 36 Fade-in and fade-out 37 Using the wide mode function 39 Shooting scenery in several short takes 41 Using the PROGRAM AE function 42 Focusing manually 44 Adjusting the exposure 46 Shooting with backlighting 48 Using the ND filter 49 Optimizing the tape condition before recording 50 —for playing back/editing— Searching the boundaries of recorded date 52 Returning to a pre-registered position 54 Locating the marking position 56 Writing the RC time code on a recorded tape 62 Editing onto another tape 64 Recording from a VCR or TV 66 Additional Information Charging the vanadium-lithium battery in the camcorder 68 Resetting the date and time 69 Usable cassettes and playback modes 71 Tips for using the battery pack 72 Maintenance information and precautions 76 Using your camcorder abroad 80 Trouble check 81 Specifications 89 Identifying the parts 91 Warning indicators 102 Index Back cover Before you begin Before you begin Using this manual Uso del manual Welcome to Video

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. 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 [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.

• Do not let sand get into the camcorder. When you use the camcorder on a sandy beach or in a dusty place, protect it from the sand or dust. Sand or dust may cause the unit to malfunction, and sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [a].
• 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 [b].
• 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 [c]. [c] Checking supplied accessories Check that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.

1 Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 96)

2 NP-F530 battery pack (1) (p. 7) 3 AC-V615 AC power adaptor (1) (p. 7, 29) 4 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote Commander (2) (p. 97) 5 Shoulder strap (1) (p. 98) 6 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 21) 7 ETA-26 Handycam Station adaptor (1) (p. 95) 8 DK-626 connecting cord (1) (p. 29) 9 Step-up ring (1) (p. 17) 0 Accessory shoe adaptor (1) (p. 17) !¡ MC protector (1) (p. 17) Charging and installing the battery pack “InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation. Charging the battery pack (1) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor. (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. (3) Connect the AC power cord to a wall outlet. The CHARGE lamp (orange) lights up. Charging begins. When the CHARGE lamp goes out, normal charge is completed (Normal charge). For a full charge, which allows you to use the battery longer than usual, leave the battery pack in place for approximately one hour (Full charge). Unplug the cord 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.

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 pack such as the NP-F530. If you use any other battery pack to operate your camcorder, the camcorder may not operate or battery life may be shorten. Charging and installing the battery pack Charging time Charging time * NP-F530 (supplied) 170 (110) Numbers in parentheses indicate the time for a normal charge. (Normal charge)

• Approximate number of minutes to charge an empty battery pack fully using the supplied AC power adaptor. (Full charge) (Lower temperatures require a longer charging time.) Battery life Battery pack Continuous recording time ** Typical recording time *** NP-F530 (supplied) 140 (125) 80 (75) Numbers in parentheses indicate the time when you use a normal charged battery pack. ** Approximate number of minutes to record continuously indoors *** Approximate number of minutes when recording with repeated recording start/stop, standby, zooming and turning the power on/ off. The actual battery life may be shorter. Note on remaining battery time indication during recording When using the NP-F530 battery pack, remaining battery time is displayed in the viewfinder. It may not be displayed properly, however, depending on the conditions and circumstances of use. 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 charge the battery pack while operating the camcorder using the AC power adaptor.
• When a fully charged battery pack is installed, the CHARGE lamp will light once, then go out. To remove the battery pack

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21(E,S) Charging and installing the battery pack Installing the battery pack (1) Set the POWER switch to OFF to prevent misoperation of the camcorder. (2) To open the lid of the battery compartment, slide down the OPEN (BATT) release lever. (3) Insert the battery pack in the direction of the arrow. (4) Close the lid until it clicks.

To remove the battery pack Open the lid of the battery compartment. Then release the BATT release lever, and remove the battery pack. When removing the battery pack, keep the lid of the battery compartment upright so that the battery pack does not fall out. 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) Set the POWER switch to OFF. (2) Slide OPEN/EJECT on the bottom of the camcorder in the direction of the arrow. The cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens. (3) Insert a cassette with the window facing out. (4) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the mark on the cassette compartment. The cassette compartment automatically goes down. (5) Close the lid until it clicks. To eject the cassette Slide OPEN/EJECT outward. 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 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. Camera recording Make sure that the power source is installed and a cassette is inserted. When you use the camcorder for the first time, power on it and reset the date and time before you start recording (p. 69). Before you record one-time events, you may want to make a trial recording to make sure that the camcorder is working correctly. To save battery power, the picture in the viewfinder appears only when you bring your face close to the viewfinder (Finder power save). (1) Remove the lens cap. (2) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to CAMERA. The camcorder is set to Standby mode. (3) Slide START/STOP MODE to . (4) Press START/STOP. The camcorder starts recording. “REC” appears in the viewfinder. To stop recording momentarily [a] Press START/STOP. The “STBY” indicator appears in the viewfinder (Standby mode).

40min Press START/STOP again to stop recording. Set the POWER switch to OFF. Then, eject the cassette and remove the battery pack. 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 recording When you record from the beginning of a tape, run the tape for about 15 seconds before starting the actual recording. This will ensure that you will not miss any start-up scenes when you play back the tape. You can record the tapes in SP mode only.

To finish recording [b] Camera recording Notes on the tape counter

• The tape counter indicates the recording or playback time. Use it as a guide. There will be a time lag of several seconds from the actual time. To set the counter to zero, press COUNTER RESET.
• If the tape is recorded in SP and LP modes mixed, the tape counter shows incorrect recording time. When you intend to edit the tape using the tape counter, record in same (SP or LP) mode. Note on the beep sound As indicated with in the illustrations, a beep sounds when you turn the power on or when you start recording, and two beeps sound when you stop recording, confirming the operation. Several beeps also sound as a warning of any unusual condition of the camcorder. 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. Notes on finder power save
• The recording continues even when the picture in the viewfinder disappears during recording.
• If you set VF PW-SAVE to OFF in the menu system, the picture in the viewfinder does not disappear even when you turn your face away from the viewfinder. Selecting the start/stop mode When you select or 5SEC, you cannot use the fade-in/fade-out function. When you select 5SEC, the remaining tape indicator is not displayed. : When you press START/STOP, the camcorder starts recording. When you press the button again, the camcorder stops recording. (factory setting) : As long as you keep pressing START/STOP, the camcorder records. When you release the button, the camcorder stops recording. 5SEC: When you press START/STOP, the camcorder records for 5 seconds and stops. (p. 41)

START/STOP MODE

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Camera recording 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)

Zooming speed (Variable speed zooming) Press the power zoom lever a little for a relatively slow zoom; press it still more for a high-speed 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. To protect the lens Remove the lens ring and then attach the supplied MC protector. To attach a 52-mm conversion lens To attach an accessory Remove the lens ring or the MC protector, and attach the supplied step-up ring. Then attach a conversion lens (not supplied). (1)Loosen the screw of the cover using the projecting part of the supplied accessory shoe adaptor, and remove the cover. (2)Attach the accessory shoe adaptor. (3)Attach an accessory (not supplied). 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]

• Place your elbows against your side.
• Place your left hand under the camcorder to support it.
• Place your eye firmly against the viewfinder eyecup. Be sure not to touch the built-in microphone.
• Use the viewfinder frame as a guide to determine the horizontal plane.
• You can record in a low position to get an interesting recording angle. Lift the viewfinder up to record from a low position. [b] If you wear glasses You can bend back the eyecup to get a better view of viewfinder [c]. Cautions on the viewfinder
• Do not pick up the camcorder by the viewfinder [d].
• Do not place the camcorder so as to point the viewfinder toward the sun. The inside of the viewfinder may be damaged. Be careful when placing the camcorder under sunlight or by a window [e]. [c] [d] Note on the color viewfinder The color viewfinder is made with high-precision technology. However, black points or bright points of light (red, blue, or green) may appear on the color viewfinder. These points are not recorded on the tape. This is not a malfunction. (Effective dots: more than 99.99%) 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 inches (6.5 mm). Otherwise, the screw may damage the inner parts of the camcorder. [e] Checking the recorded picture Using the EDITSEARCH, you can review the last recorded scene or check the recorded picture in the viewfinder. (1)While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to CAMERA. (2)Press the – Œ side 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).

To stop playback To go back to the last recorded point after edit search Press END SEARCH. The last recorded point is played back for about 5 seconds and stops. Note that this function does not work once you eject the cassette after you recorded in the tape. 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. Connections for playback Connecting directly to a VCR/TV with Video/Audio input jacks If your TV is already connected to a VCR Open the jack cover and connect the camcorder to the LINE IN inputs on the VCR by using the supplied A/V connecting cable. Set the input selector on the VCR to LINE. Set the TV/VCR selector on the TV to VCR. If you are going to connect the camcorder using S video cable (not supplied) [a], you do not need to connect the yellow (video) plug of the A/V connecting cable [b]. You can use the camcorder as a VCR by connecting it to your TV for playback. There are some ways to connect the camcorder to your TV. When monitoring the playback picture by connecting the camcorder to your TV, we recommend you to use house current for the power source.

S VIDEO IN

S VIDEO AUDIO/VIDEO VCR Continued to the next page Connections for playback If you connect directly to TV Open the jack cover and connect the camcorder to the inputs on the TV by using the supplied A/ V connecting cable. Set the TV/VCR selector on the TV to VCR.

S VIDEO IN

S VIDEO AUDIO/VIDEO VIDEO IN [b] ç AUDIO IN Ç : Signal flow / Flujo de señales If your VCR or TV is a monaural type Connect only the white plug for audio on both the camcorder and the VCR or the TV. With this connection, the sound is monaural even on the stereo model. Playing back a tape You can monitor the playback picture in the viewfinder. You can also monitor a picture on a TV screen, after connecting the camcorder to a TV or VCR. (1) Insert the recorded tape with the window facing out. (2) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to VTR. The tape transport buttons appears. (3) Press 0 to rewind the tape. (4) Press · to start playback. To stop playback, press p. 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 viewfinder screen indicators on the TV Press DISPLAY on the Remote Commander. To erase the indicators, press again. Using headphones Connect headphones (not supplied) to the 2 jack (p. 94). Playing back a tape 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. To view the picture at 1/5 speed (slow playback) Press & on the Remote Commander during playback. To resume normal playback, press ·. If slow playback lasts for about 1 minute, it shifts to normal speed automatically. 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 ·. Change the “HiFi SOUND” mode setting in the menu system. Notes on playback

• Streaks appear and the sound is muted in the various playback modes.
• When playback pause mode lasts for 5 minutes, the camcorder automatically enters stop mode.
• Horizontal noise appears at the center of the screen when you play back a tape in reverse if the RC time code or the Data Code is displayed on the screen. This is normal. To select the playback sound Playing back a tape Displaying the date or time when you recorded – data code function Even if you did not record the date or time when you were recording, you can display the date or time when you recorded (Data Code) on the TV during playback or editing. The Data Code is also displayed in the viewfinder and the display window. Press DATE on the camcorder [a], or press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander [b]. To make the date disappear, press DATE again or DATA CODE twice. To display the time when you recorded Press TIME on the camcorder [a], or press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander twice [b]. To make the time disappear, press it again. [a] [b] DATE JUL. 4 1996 JUL. 4 1996 5:30:00 PM DATA CODE TIME 5:30:00 PM

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) When bars (––:– –:––) appear

• A blank portion of the tape is being played back.
• The tape was recorded by a camcorder without the Data Code function.
• The tape was recorded by a camcorder without having date and time set.
• The tape is unreadable due to tape damage or noise.
• The tape is being played back in variable speed. (slow playback, etc.)
• An index is marked, the RC time code is written, or PCM after recording is made on the tape.
• The tape was recorded in LP mode.

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Searching for the end of the picture 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 5 seconds of the recorded portion plays back. Then the tape stops at the end of the recorded picture (End Search). Note that End Search function does not work once you have ejected the cassette after you recorded in the tape. Press END SEARCH. This function works when the POWER switch is set to either CAMERA or VTR. Note on the End Search function When you re-record continuously after using the End Search function, you might not be able to obtain smooth transition between the last scene and the next scene. 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. Operaciones avanzadas Power Accessory to be used source Lugar Indoors House current Outdoors Battery pack Supplied AC power adaptor Battery pack NP-F530 (supplied) In the car 12 V or Car battery charger DC-V515 24 V car battery 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) Connect the connecting plug on the camcorder to the DC OUT jack on the AC power adaptor using the supplied connecting cord. (2) Connect the AC power cord to the AC power adaptor. (3) Connect the AC power cord to the wall outlet.

Using alternative power sources Charging the battery pack You can charge the battery pack installed in the camcorder by connecting the AC power adaptor to the camcorder and setting the POWER switch to OFF. The CHARGE lamp lights up, and goes out when normal charge is completed. For a full charge, leave the battery pack in place for approximately one hour. Charging time of the supplied NP-F530 battery pack is as follows: Full charge: approx. 3 hours and 30 minutes Normal charge: approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes Charging two battery packs at the same time Install one battery pack in the camcorder and another one on the AC power adaptor. The CHARGE lamps on the camcorder and on the AC power adaptor light up, and go out when normal charge is completed. For a full charge, leave the battery pack in place for approximately one hour. If either of the CHARGE lamps remains lit, charging both battery packs is not completed. Time taken to charge two NP-F530 battery packs simultaneously is as follows: Full charge: approx. 4 hours Normal charge: approx. 3 hours Notes on the CHARGE lamp

• The CHARGE lamp will remain lit for a while even if the unit is unplugged after use. This is normal.
• If the CHARGE lamp does not light, disconnect the power cord. After about one minute, reconnect the power cord. WARNING The power cord must only be changed at a qualified service shop. PRECAUTION The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off. Using a car battery Use a car battery charger such as the DC-V515 (not supplied). Connect the car battery cord to the cigarette lighter socket of a car (12 V or 24 V). Connect the car battery charger and the camcorder using the supplied DK-626 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. To remove the connecting cord While pressing the button on the connecting plug, pull out the connecting cord. Never pull the connecting cord itself. When you use the AC power with the connecting cord, the battery pack installed in the camcorder is not used because the AC power has priority over the battery pack. Changing the mode settings You can change the mode settings in the menu system to further enjoy the features and functions of the camcorder. (1) Press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder. (2) Turn the CONTROL dial to select the desired item, then press the CONTROL dial. Only the selected item is displayed. (3) Turn the CONTROL dial to select the desired mode, then press the CONTROL dial. If you want to change the other modes, repeat steps 2 and 3. (4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

Note on changing the mode settings Menu items differs depending on the setting of the POWER switch to VTR or CAMERA. Selecting the mode setting of each item

COUNTER* <NORMAL/TIME CODE>

• Normally select NORMAL.
• Select TIME CODE to display the RC time code in order to edit more precisely.

COMMANDER <ON/OFF>

• Select ON when using the supplied Remote Commander for the camcorder.
• Select OFF when not using the Remote Commander.

BEEP* <ON/OFF>

• Select ON so that beeps sound when you start/ stop recording, etc.
• Select OFF when you do not want to hear the beep sound. VF BRIGHT* 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 (–).

VF PW-SAVE* <ON/OFF>

• Select ON to activate “finder power save” (page 14).
• Select OFF to disactivate “finder power save”.
• These settings are retained even when the battery is removed, as long as the vanadiumlithium battery is charged. As far as the items without an asterisk are concerned, their settings return to the default 5 minutes or more after the battery is removed. Continued to the next page Items for both CAMERA and VTR modes Changing the mode settings Items for CAMERA mode only AUTO SHTR* (shutter) <ON/OFF>
• Normally select ON to activate the auto shutter.
• Select OFF to disactivate the auto shutter. Note on auto shutter When AUTO SHTR is set to ON, the camcorder automatically adjusts the shutter speed of the electronic shutter according to the quantity of light. This prevents the optical blur when you record a too bright subject without using the ND filter.

WIND <ON/OFF>

• Select ON to reduce wind noise when recording in strong wind.
• Normally select OFF.

REC LAMP* <ON/OFF>

• Select OFF when you do not want the camera recording/battery lamp at the front of the unit to light up.
• Normally select ON. When recording a close subject When REC LAMP is set to ON, the red camera recording lamp on the front of the camcorder may reflect on the subject if it is close. In this case, we recommend you set REC LAMP to OFF. CLOCK SET* Select this item to reset the date or time.

ORC TO SET*

Select this item to automatically adjust the recording condition of the tape to get the best possible recording (page 50). If you have already performed this function, “ORC ON” is displayed.

EDIT <ON/OFF>

• Select ON to minimize picture deterioration when editing.
• Normally select OFF. HiFi SOUND <STEREO/1/2>
• Normally select STEREO.
• Select 1 or 2 to play back a dual soundtrack tape.

TBC* <ON/OFF>

• Normally select ON, to correct for jitter.
• Select OFF to not correct for jitter. The picture may not be steady when played back. Note on TBC setting Set TBC to OFF when playing back
• A tape recorded when the camcorder was shaking.
• A tape on which you recorded a low quality TV signal.
• A tape you have dubbed over.
• A tape on which you recorded the signal of a video game or similar machine.

DNR* <ON/OFF>

• Normally select ON to reduce picture noise.
• Select OFF if the picture has a lot of movement, causing a conspicuous afterimage.
• These settings are retained even when the battery is removed, as long as the vanadiumlithium battery is charged. As far as the items without an asterisk are concerned, their settings return to the default 5 minutes or more after the battery is removed. Items for VTR mode only Recording with the date or time Before you start recording or during recording, press DATE or TIME. You can record the date or time displayed in the viewfinder with the picture. You cannot record the date and the time at the same time. Except for the date or time indicator, no indicator in the viewfinder is recorded. The clock is set to East Coast Standard Time at the factory. You can reset the clock in the menu system. Press DATE or TIME before you start recording. Notes on recording with the date or time
• You cannot record the date and the time at the same time.
• Once you record the date or time, you cannot erase it. 5:30:00 PM During recording in WIDE CINEMA mode When displaying the date or time, the date/time and remaining battery indicator slide up. To stop recording with the date or time Press DATE or TIME again. The date or time indicator disappears. The recording continues. Fade-in and fade-out You can fade in or out to give your recording a professional appearance. When fading in, the picture gradually fades in from black or mosaic while the sound increases. When fading out, the picture gradually fades to black or mosaic while the sound decreases. When fading in [a] When fading out [b] (1) During recording, press FADER. The fade indicator starts flashing. (2) Press START/STOP to stop recording. The fade indicator stops flashing, and then recording stops. [a] (1) While the camcorder is in Standby mode, press FADER. The fade indicator starts flashing. (2) Press START/STOP to start recording. The fade indicator stops flashing. Continued to the next page

Fade-in and fade-out Before pressing START/STOP, press FADER until the fade indicator disappears. When the date or time indicator is displayed The date or time indicator does not fade in or out. When the START/STOP MODE control is set to or 5SEC You cannot use the fade-in/fade-out function. Using the wide mode function Selecting the desired mode You can record a cinemalike picture (CINEMA) or a 16:9 wide picture to watch on the 16:9 widescreen TV (16:9FULL). Black bands appear at the top and the bottom of the screen, and the viewfinder [a] and a normal TV screen [b] look wide. You can also watch the picture without black bands on a wide-screen TV [c]. 16:9FULL The picture in the viewfinder [d] or on a normal TV [e] is horizontally compressed. You can watch the picture of normal images on a widescreen TV [f]. Continued to the next page Using the wide mode function Using the wide mode function While the camcorder is in Standby mode, press 16:9 WIDE repeatedly so that the desired mode indicator appears in the viewfinder. To cancel wide mode Press 16:9 WIDE repeatedly until the wide mode indicator disappears. To watch the tape recorded in wide mode To watch the tape recorded in CINEMA mode, set the screen mode of the wide-screen TV to zoom mode. To watch the tape recorded in 16:9FULL mode, set it to full mode. For details, refer to the instruction manual of your TV. Note that the picture recorded in 16:9FULL mode looks compressed on a normal TV. Notes on wide mode

• When you record in 16:9FULL mode, the date or time indicator will be widened on the widescreen TV.
• If you dub a tape, the tape is copied in the same mode as the original recording.
• The wide mode is cancelled automatically 5 minutes after you remove the power source.
• You cannot select or cancel the wide mode during recording. Shooting scenery in several short takes

1 START/STOP MODE

REC 0:00:00 Long, continuous shots of scenery tend to be dull, and have to be edited to make an interesting video. With 5SEC. REC (5-second recording) mode, the camcorder records for only 5 seconds and then switches to Standby mode, so that you will automatically take a series of quick shots resulting in a lively video. (1) Set START/STOP MODE to 5SEC. Five dots appear in the viewfinder. (2) Press START/STOP. Recording starts. The dots disappear at a rate of one per second. When 5 seconds elapse and all the dots disappear, the camcorder switches to Standby mode automatically. REC 0:00:04 OFF

To extend the recording time Press START/STOP again before all the dots disappear. Recording continues for 5 seconds from the moment you press START/STOP. To cancel 5-second recording Set START/STOP MODE to . If you set the switch while recording, recording continues. Note on 5-second recording You cannot use FADER function during 5-second recording. Using the PROGRAM AE function You can select from six PROGRAM AE (Auto Exposure) modes to suit your shooting situation. When you use PROGRAM AE, you can get a Portrait effect (the subject is in focus and the background is out of focus), capture high-speed action, record night views, etc. Selecting the best mode Select a proper PROGRAM AE mode reffering to the discription on each PROGRAM AE mark in the viewfinder or the PROGRAM AE mode indication on the display window. / SPOTLIGHT: Spotlight mode Recording a subject spotlighted on a stage or at a wedding ceremony, etc. / PORTRAIT: Portrait mode To record

• A still subject such as a person or flower
• A person in clearer flesh tones / SPORTS: Sports lesson mode Capturing high-speed action in sports such as golf or tennis / BEACH&SKI: Beach & Ski mode Recording a person in a place such as on the beach or in the ski slopes where there is a lot of reflection /SUNSETMOON: Sunset & Moon mode Recording sunset, night views, fireworks or neon signs /LANDSCAPE: Landscape mode Recording a landscape through a window or wire net Notes on focus setting
• In the Spotlight, Sports lesson and Beach & Ski modes, you cannot take close-ups because the camcorder is set to focus only on subjects in the middle to far distance.
• In the Sunset & Moon and Landscape modes, the camcorder is set to focus only on distant subjects. While the camcorder is in recording or Standby mode, turn the PROGRAM AE dial so that the symbol of the desired PROGRAM AE mode matches the indication on the camcorder. The indicator of the selected mode appears in the viewfinder. Also, the selected mode appears on the display window. To return to automatic adjustment mode Turn the PROGRAM AE dial so that the r matches the indication on the camcorder. The indicator of the PROGRAM AE mode disappears. Note on shutter speed The shutter speed in each PROGRAM AE mode is as follows: Soft Portrait mode – from 1/60 to 1/500 Sports lesson mode – from 1/250 to 1/4000 Beach & Ski mode – from 1/60 to 1/250 When to use manual focus In the following cases you should obtain better results by adjusting the focus manually. [a] [b]

• Insufficient light [a]
• Subjects with little contrast — walls, sky, etc. [b]
• Too much brightness behind the subject [c]
• Horizontal stripes [d]
• Subjects through frosted glass
• Subjects beyond nets, etc.
• Bright subject or subject reflecting light
• Shooting a stationary subject when using a tripod To return to the autofocus mode Press FOCUS to turn off AUTO LOCK up. Shooting in relatively dark places Shoot at wide-angle after focusing in the telephoto position. Note on the CONTROL dial The CONTROL dial does not have a stop position. When focusing manually, first focus in telephoto before recording, and then reset the shot length. (1)Slide AUTO LOCK down. (2)Press FOCUS. The indicator appears in the viewfinder. (3)Turn the CONTROL dial to focus on the subject. Adjusting the exposure When to adjust the exposure Adjust the exposure manually under the following cases. [a] [a] Turn the CONTROL dial up (+) when:
• The background is too bright (backlighting)
• Insufficient light: most of the picture is dark [b] Turn the CONTROL dial down (–) when:
• Bright subject and dark background
• To record the darkness faithfully

CONTROL Adjusting the exposure

To return to automatic exposure mode Press EXPOSURE to turn off the exposure indicator. Or, slide AUTO LOCK up. Shooting with the sun behind you If the light source is behind your subject, or in the following situation, the subject will be recorded too dark.

• The subject is indoors and there is a window behind the subject.
• Bright light sources are included in the scene.
• When shooting a person wearing white or shiny clothes in front of a while background, the face will be recorded too dark. Shooting in the dark We recommend you to use a video light (not supplied). To get the best color, you must maintain a sufficient light level. Note on the CONTROL dial The CONTROL dial does not have a stop position. (1)Slide AUTO LOCK down. (2)Press EXPOSURE. The exposure indicator appears in the viewfinder. The exposure is locked at the actual brightness. (3)Turn the CONTROL dial to adjust the exposure. The exposure is locked at the adjusted brightness. Shooting with backlighting When you shoot a subject with the light source behind the subject or a subject with a light background, use the BACK LIGHT function. Press BACK LIGHT. The c indicator appears in the viewfinder. [a] Subject is too dark because of backlight. [b] Subject becomes bright with backlight compensation. After shooting Be sure to release this adjustment condition by pressing BACK LIGHT again. The c indicator disappears. Otherwise, the picture will be too bright under normal lighting condition. This function is also effective under the following conditions:
• A subject with a light source nearby or a mirror reflecting light
• A white subject against a white background. Especially when you shoot a person wearing shiny clothes made of silk or synthetic fibre, his or her face tends to become dark if you do not use this function. [b] Using the ND filter Using the ND filter (corresponds to one-tenth the quantity of light), you can record a picture clearly, preventing the picture from going out of focus under bright conditions. When ND ON flashes in the viewfinder [a] Set ND FILTER to ON. Set ND FILTER to OFF. Note on the ND filter The camcorder automatically senses and indicates when the ND filter is needed. When “ND ON” or “ND OFF” appears, set the ND FILTER switch accordingly. ND FILTER OFF

When ND OFF flashes in the viewfinder [b] Optimizing the tape condition before recording Set the ORC TO SET in the menu to automatically adjust the recording condition of the tape to get the best possible recording. (1) Insert a cassette, and press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder before starting recording. (2) Turn the CONTROL dial to select the ORC TO SET, then press the CONTROL dial. “START/STOP KEY” appears in the viewfinder [a]. In the display window, “ORC STBY” appears [b]. (3) Press START/STOP. “ORC” blinks for about 9 seconds in the viewfinder [c]. In the display window, the indication spins [d]. If “ORC” disappears, it means that setting is completed. Once you eject a cassette, the setting returns to the default. If you have already performed this function, “ORC ON” is displayed when you select ORC TO SET in the menu system. 1 MENU

Note on ORC TO SET setting When you eject a cassette, the ORC TO SET setting is released. Set ORC TO SET when you insert a cassette. When you set ORC TO SET, the recording on the tape is erased for about 0.1 second so that the camcorder can check the tape condition. Be careful when you use a recorded tape. The 0.1 second blank is erased if you record from the point where you set ORC TO SET for more than 2 seconds, or if you record over the blank. You cannot set ORC TO SET for a cassette with its tab out (red).

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Searching the boundaries of recorded tape You can search for the boundary between recording dates using the Date Code automatically recorded on the tape. There are two modes:

• Searching for the beginning of a specific date, and playing back from there (Date Search)
• Searching for the beginning of all days, one after another and playing back about 10 seconds of each (Date Scan) Each time you press DATE SEARCH, the mode changes as follows: Date Search Date Scan Nothing To search for the beginning of a specific date (1) Set the POWER switch to VTR. (2) Press DATE SEARCH. (3) When the current position is [b], press 0 to search towards [a] or press ) to search towards [c]. To scan the beginning of all days (1) Set the POWER switch to VTR. (2) Press DATE SEARCH twice. (3) Press 0 or ). Date Scan starts. To stop searching or scanning Press one of the following tape transport buttons:
• , p, 0 or ). To view pictures during searching or scanning Press · and then press 0 or ). Notes on Date Search and Date Scan mode
• If a day’s recording is not longer than 2 minutes, the camcorder may not accurately find its boundaries.
• Date Search and Date Scan do not function on a tape recorded by a camcorder without the Data Code function.

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Returning to a preregistered position Using the Remote Commander, you can easily go back to the desired point on a tape after playback. Use the tape counter. When the RC time code appears in the viewfinder, set COUNTER to NORMAL in the menu system to display the tape counter. (1) During playback, press COUNTER RESET at the point you later want to locate. The counter shows “0:00:00” in the viewfinder. (2) Press p when you want to stop playback. (3) Press ZERO MEM on the Remote Commander. The ZERO MEM indicator flashes in the viewfinder. (4) Press 0 to rewind or press ) to fastforward the tape to the counter’s zero point. The tape stops automatically when the counter reaches approximately zero.

DISPLAY COUNTER RESET 0:00:00 STOP Notes on ZERO MEM

• When you press ZERO MEM, the counter’s zero point is memorized. Press ZERO MEM again to cancel the memory.
• This function is cancelled automatically once the tape is rewound or advanced to the point you pre-registered.
• ZERO MEM does not function during playing back.
• ZERO MEM does not function when COUNTER is set to TIME CODE in the menu system. Notes on the tape counter
• Something must be recorded on the tape in order for the tape counter to function. Tape counter does not work on a blank tape.
• There may be a discrepancy of several seconds from the actual time.

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Locating the marking position If you mark an index signal during recording or playback, you can easily locate the beginning of a desired program later. Marking an index signal You can mark an index signal during recording or playback with the Remote Commander. When you see on a TV, press DISPLAY. When marking at the beginning of recording or playback Press INDEX MARK on the Remote Commander in Standby or playback pause mode. The INDEX MARK indicator appears in the viewfinder with the MARK indicator flashing. When recording or playback starts, the MARK indicator stops flashing. This shows that the index signal is being marked. Then the INDEX MARK indicator will disappear. When marking during recording or playback Press INDEX MARK on the Remote Commander at the point you want to locate later. Notes on marking

• Make sure you mark index signals at more than two-minute intervals. Otherwise, you may not be able to search for them correctly.
• If you stop recording while the index signal is being marked (the INDEX MARK indicator lights in the viewfinder), the search may not be completed correctly.
• If you mark an index signal on the tape with the Data Code, the Data Code will be erased at the point on which the index signal is marked. When playing back this tape, the camcorder keeps displaying the Data Code immediately before the erased one. If the Data Code does not exist for more than 30 seconds, the Data Code displays bars (--).
• A black band appears when you mark the index signal during playback, and you cannot hear the sound. This does not affect the picture and the sound that are already recorded.
• An index signal is marked automatically when you start recording with the POWER switch to VTR. When you start recording from recording pause mode, however, an index signal is not marked.
• You cannot mark an index signal on a tape with the red mark on the cassette exposed.
• You cannot mark an index when you set START/STOP MODE to or 5SEC.

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Locating the marking position Scanning the beginning of each marking position – index scan When you see on a TV, press DISPLAY. (1) Press INDEX on the Remote Commander during normal playback or stop. (2) Press 0 or ). The tape rewinds or advances rapidly and plays back for approximately 10 seconds from the point on which the index signal was marked. If you want to continue playback, press ·. When you do not press any button, the tape is automatically scanned to the next program. To cancel index scan mode Press · . Normal playback resumes. Locating the desired marking position – index search [a] the current position [b] the index number To stop index search mode Press · . Normal playback resumes.

INDEX INDEX 02 SEARCH When you see on a TV, press DISPLAY. (1) Press INDEX on the Remote Commander during stop or playback mode. (2) Press INDEX repeatedly until the index number of the desired program is displayed in the viewfinder. (3) Press 0 or ). Playback starts from the beginning of the desired program. Note on the index number The index number (1, 2, etc.) indicates the distance from the point you are now viewing [a], regardless of the direction. Locating the marking position Erasing an index signal (1) Locate the index signal to be erased using the index scan or index search function. (2) Press INDEX ERASE on the Remote Commander within 2 to 10 seconds while the desired program plays back. After the index signal is erased, the camcorder returns to index scan or index search mode, whichever was used in step 1. Notes on erasing

• Press INDEX ERASE more than 2 seconds after the playback of the desired program begins.
• You cannot erase the index signal on a tape with the red mark on the cassette exposed.
• While the index signal is being erased, the sound cannot be heard and a black band appears at the bottom of the picture. This will not affect the recorded sound or picture.
• The camcorder can detect index signals marked with VCRs, but may not erase them. VCRs with an index function can detect index signals marked with this camcorder but cannot erase them.
• An index signal may be erased when making PCM after recording on another VCR in the portion where the index signal is marked. Note on RC time code and Data Code When an index signal is erased, the RC time code and Data Code on the same portion of the tape is also erased. Bars (–) appear in place of the RC time code when the portion is played back. To use that tape for editing using an editing controller (not supplied), rewrite the RC time code. Writing the RC time code on a recorded tape

You can write the RC time code on a recorded tape. Use the Remote Commander. (1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to VTR. (2) Set COUNTER to TIME CODE in the menu system. (3) Rewind the tape to the beginning and set the camcorder to playback pause mode. (4) Press TIME CODE WRITE on the Remote Commander. The TIME CODE WRITE indicator appears in the viewfinder with the WRITE indicator flashing. (5) Press · or P to start playback. The WRITE indicator stops flashing and the RC time code writing starts from 0:00:00:00. To stop writing the RC time code Press p (or any tape transport button). PAUSE 0:00:00:01 REW PLAY PAUSE TIMECODE WRITE Rewind the tape to the portion on which the RC time code has been written and set the camcorder to playback pause mode. Then follow steps 4 and 5 on the previous page. The RC time code is written continuously. Notes on writing the RC time code

• The RC time code writing stops when: – you press TIME CODE WRITE again before starting playback. – you press INDEX before starting playback. – you change from playback mode to another mode.
• When you are writing the RC time code from the middle of a tape without the time code written, writing starts several frames before the current picture.
• If you write the RC time code on a recorded tape, the Data Code and index signal are erased.
• The RC time code written in LP mode may not be read correctly.
• You cannot mark the RC time code on a tape with its record protect tab out (red).
• When you are writing the RC time code, the sound cannot be heard and a black band appears at the bottom of the picture. This does not affect the picture and sound that are already recorded. Note on --:--:--:-- indicator The --:--:--:-- indicator appears during playback if:
• nothing is recorded.
• the RC time code is unreadable because of the damage of the tape or because of the noise.
• you recorded using another VCR without RC time code function.
• you erase the index signal or make PCM after recording on another VCR in the portion on which the RC time code is written. In this case, we recommend you to rewrite the RC time code. To write the RC time code from the end of the RC time code recorded portion Editing onto another tape You can create your own video program by editing with any other h 8 mm, H Hi8, j VHS, k S-VHS, VHSC, K S-VHSC, l Betamax or ¬ ED Betamax VCR that has audio/video inputs. Connect the camcorder to the VCR using the supplied A/V connecting cable. Set the TV/VCR selector on the TV to VCR. Set the input selector on the VCR to LINE, if available. (1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to VTR. (2) Set EDIT to ON in the menu system.

Ç : Signal flow / Flujo de señales If your TV or VCR is a monaural type Connect the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable for video to the TV or VCR. Connect only the white or red plug for audio to the TV or VCR. If you connect the white plug, the sound is L (left) signal. If you connect the red plug, the sound is R (right) signal. Starting editing Editing onto another tape Repeat steps 2 to 4. To stop editing Press p on both the camcorder and the VCR. Note on the DISPLAY function If you have displayed the viewfinder screen indicators on the TV, erase the indicators by pressing DISPLAY on the Remote Commander so that they will not be superimposed on the edited tape. To edit more scenes (1) Insert a blank tape (or a tape you want to record over) into the VCR, and insert your recorded tape into the camcorder. (2) Play back the recorded tape on the camcorder until you locate the point where you want to start editing, then press P to set the camcorder in playback pause mode. (3) On the VCR, locate the recording start point and set the VCR in recording pause mode. (4) Press P on the camcorder and VCR simultaneously to start editing. Recording from a VCR or TV You can record a tape from another VCR or a TV program from a TV that has video/audio outputs. Connect the camcorder to the VCR or TV. (1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to VTR. (2) Press the two r REC buttons at the same time, then press P to set the camcorder to recording pause mode. (3) Start playing back a tape on the VCR or tune in the TV program you want to record. The pictures on the VCR or TV appear in the viewfinder screen of the camcorder. (4) Press P at the point where you want to start recording. S VIDEO and AUDIO/VIDEO jacks automatically work as input jacks. If your VCR or TV is a monaural type, connect only the white plug for audio on the VCR or TV. If you are going to connect the camcorder using the S video cable [b], you do not need to connect the yellow (video) plug of the A/V connecting cable [a]. Note on the S video plug If the S video plug is not provided on the TV or VCR, do not connect the S video cable to the camcorder, Picture will not appear. To check the picture from a VCR or TV before recording Press P after pressing r. You can check the picture in the viewfinder.

To stop recording Replacing recording on a tape (insert editing) To change the end point Press ZERO MEM on the Remote Commander so that the ZERO MEM indicator disappears and begin from step 3. Notes on the inserted picture

• The picture may be distorted at the end of the inserted portion when it is played back.
• You cannot use the insert editing function when COUNTER is set to TIME CODE in the menu system. You can insert a new scene from a VCR onto your originally recorded tape by specifying starting and ending points. Connections are the same as in “Recording from a VCR or TV” on the previous page. (1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to VTR. (2) On the VCR, locate the start point to be inserted and set it to playback pause mode. (3) On the camcorder, press · to set it to playback mode, and then locate the point where the insert should end by pressing 0 or ). Then press P to set it to playback pause mode. (4) Press DISPLAY to display the counter, and then press COUNTER RESET to set the counter to zero. (5) On the camcorder, locate the point where the insert should begin by pressing 0, then press r REC to set it to recording pause mode. (6) Press ZERO MEM on the Remote Commander. The ZERO MEM indicator flashes and the end point of the insert is stored in memory. (7) Press P on the camcorder and the VCR simultaneously to start insert editing. The insert editing stops automatically near the counter's zero point. Press p to set the camcorder to stop mode. Charging the vanadiumlithium battery in the camcorder Your camcorder is supplied with a vanadiumlithium battery installed so as to retain the date and time, etc., regardless of the setting of the POWER switch. The vanadium-lithium battery is always charged as long as you are using the camcorder. The battery, however, will get discharged gradually if you do not use the camcorder. It will be completely discharged in about 1 year if you do not use the camcorder at all. Even if the vanadium-lithium battery is not charged, it will not affect the camcorder operation. To retain the date and time, etc., charge the battery if the battery is discharged. The following are charging methods:
• Connect the camcorder to a wall outlet using the supplied AC power adaptor, and leave the camcorder with the POWER switch turned off for more than 24 hours.
• Or, install the fully charged battery pack in the camcorder, and leave the camcorder with the POWER switch turned off for more than 24 hours. When disposing of the camcorder Remove the vanadium-lithium battery, and dispose of the camcorder and the vanadiumlithium battery according to the disposal system in your country. The vanadium-lithium battery is installed in the cassette compartment. (1) Peel off the label. (2) Remove the vanadium-lithium battery cover. (3) Pick out the vanadium-lithium battery.

Resetting the date and time The date and time are set at the factory. Set the time according to the local time in your country. If you do not use the camcorder for about a year, the date and time settings may be released (bars may appear) because the vanadium-lithium battery installed in the camcorder will have been discharged. In this case, first charge the vanadium-lithium battery, then reset the date and time. (1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to CAMERA. (2) Press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder. (3) Select CLOCK SET, then press the CONTROL dial. (4) Turn the CONTROL dial to adjust the year, and then press the CONTROL dial. (5) Set the month, day, hour and minutes by turning and pressing the CONTROL dial. (6) Press MENU to erase the menu display. CONTROL OFF

MENU SEL/ PUSH EXEC 1 2 00 AM 1 9 9 7 JUL 4 SEL/ PUSH EXEC SEL/ PUSH EXEC SEL/ PUSH EXEC 1 2 00 AM

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Resetting the date and time To correct the date and time setting Repeat steps 2 to 5. To check the preset date and time Press DATE to display the date indicator in the viewfinder and the display window. Press TIME to display the time indicator. When you press the same button again, the indicator goes off. The year indicators changes as follows:

Note on the time indicator The internal clock of this camcorder operates on a 12-hour cycle.

• 12:00 AM stands for midnight.
• 12:00 PM stands for noon. Usable cassettes and playback modes Selecting cassette types The playback mode (SP/LP mode or Hi8/ standard 8 mm) is selected automatically according to the format in which the tape has been recorded. The quality of the recorded picture in LP mode, however, will not be as good as that in SP mode. When you play back a tape, the sound will be in monaural if:
• you record the tape using this camcorder, then play it back on an AFM Hi-Fi monaural video recorder/player.
• you record the tape on an AFM Hi-Fi monaural video recorder, then play it back on this camcorder. LP (long play) mode When you play back a tape recorded in LP mode, the LP indicator appears in the viewfinder and on the display window. This camcorder cannot record a tape in LP mode. Foreign 8 mm video You cannot play back tapes recorded on a different TV color system. Because the TV color systems differ from country to country, you may not be able to play back foreign pre-recorded tapes. Refer to the list of “Using your camcorder abroad” to check the TV color system of foreign countries. This Hi8 system is an extension of the standard 8 mm systems, and was developed for higherquality pictures. You can use Hi8 video and standard 8 mm cassettes. When you want to record in the Hi8 system, use only Hi8 video cassettes. You cannot record on standard 8 mm cassettes in the Hi8 system. Tips for using the battery pack This section shows you how you can get the most out of your battery pack. Preparing the battery pack Always carry additional batteries Have sufficient battery pack power to do 2 to 3 times as much recording as you have planned. Battery life is shorter in a cold environment Battery efficiency is decreased, and the battery will be used up more quickly, if you are recording in a cold environment. To save battery power Do not leave the camcorder in Standby mode when not recording to save the battery power. A smooth transition between scenes can be made even if recording is stopped and started again. While you are positioning the subject, selecting an angle, or looking through the viewfinder, the lens moves automatically and the battery is used. The battery is also used when a tape is inserted or removed. When to replace the battery pack While you are using your camcorder, the remaining battery indicator in the viewfinder and on the display window decreases gradually as battery power is used up [a]. When using the InfoLITHIUM battery pack such as the NP-F530, the remaining time in minutes appears. When the remaining battery indicator reaches the lowest point, the i indicator appears and starts flashing in the viewfinder. When the i indicator in the viewfinder changes from slow flashing to rapid flashing while you are recording, set the POWER switch to OFF on the camcorder and replace the battery pack. Leave the tape in the camcorder to obtain a smooth transition between scenes after the battery pack has been replaced. When you use the InfoLITHIUM battery pack, depending on conditions, the i indicator may flash, even if there are 5 to 10 minutes remaining. Notes on the rechargeable battery pack Caution Never leave the battery pack in temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as in a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight. The battery pack heats up During charging or recording, the battery pack heats up. This is caused by energy that has been generated and a chemical change that has occurred inside the battery pack. This is not cause for concern, and is normal. Tips for using the battery pack battery pack The InfoLITHIUM battery pack is a lithium battery pack which can exchange data with compatible video equipment about its battery consumption. Sony recommends that you use the InfoLITHIUM battery pack with video equipment having the mark. When you use this battery pack with video equipment having the mark, the video equipment will indicate the remaining battery time in minutes.* However, if you use it with video equipment not having this mark, the remaining battery capacity will not be indicated in minutes.
• The indication may not be accurate depending on the condition and environment which the equipment is used under. Battery pack care

• Remove the battery pack from the camcorder after using it, and keep it in a cool place. When the battery pack is installed to the camcorder, a small amount of current flows to the camcorder even if the POWER switch is set to OFF. This shortens battery life.
• The battery pack is always discharging even when it is not in use after charging. Therefore, you should charge the battery pack right before using the camcorder. The switch on the battery pack This switch is provided so that you can identify a charged battery pack. Set the switch to the “green mark” position when charging is completed. [a] (When the battery pack is removed from the AC power adaptor after charging, the switch automatically moves to the “green mark” position. However, when removed from the camcorder after charging, the switch does not change position.) The life of the battery pack If the battery indicator flashes rapidly just after turning on the camcorder with a fully charged battery pack, the battery pack should be replaced with a new fully charged one. Charging temperature You should charge batteries at temperatures from 50°F to 86°F (from 10°C to 30°C). Lower temperatures require a longer charging time. A brand-new battery pack A brand-new battery pack is not charged. Before using the battery pack, charge it completely. Recharge the battery pack whenever you like You do not have to discharge it before recharging. If you charged the battery pack fully but you did not use it for a long time, it becomes discharged. Then recharge the battery pack before use. Notes on the terminals If the terminals (metal parts on the back) are not clean, the battery charge duration will be shortened. When the terminals are not clean or when the battery pack has not been used for a long time, repeatedly install and remove the battery pack a few times. This improves the contact condition. Also, wipe the + and – terminals with a soft cloth or paper. Be sure to observe the following
• Keep the battery pack away from fire.
• Keep the battery pack dry.
• Do not open nor try to disassemble the battery pack.
• Do not expose the battery pack to any mechanical shock. Notes on charging Maintenance information and precautions If the camcorder is brought directly from a cold place to a warm place, moisture may condense inside the camcorder, on the surface of the tape, or on the lens. In this condition, the tape may stick to the head drum and be damaged or the camcorder may not operate correctly. To prevent possible damage under these circumstances, the camcorder is furnished with moisture sensors. Take the following precautions. Inside the camcorder If there is moisture inside the camcorder, the beep sounds and the { indicator flashes. If this happens, none of the function except cassette ejection will work. Open the cassette compartment, turn off the camcorder, and leave it about 1 hour. When 6 indicator flashes at the same time, the cassette is inserted in the camcorder. Eject the cassette, turn off the camcorder, and leave also the cassette about 1 hour. On the lens If moisture condenses on the lens, no indicator appears, but the picture becomes dim. Turn off the power and do not use the camcorder for about 1 hour. How to prevent moisture condensation When bringing the camcorder from a cold place to a warm place, put the camcorder in a plastic bag and allow it to adapt to room conditions over a period of time. (1) Be sure to tightly seal the plastic bag containing the camcorder. (2) Remove the bag when the air temperature inside it has reached the temperature surrounding it (after about 1 hour). Video head cleaning To ensure normal recording and clear pictures, clean the video heads. When the v indicator and “ CLEANING CASSETTE” message appear one after another in the viewfinder or playback pictures are “noisy” or hardly visible, the video heads may be dirty. [a] Slightly dirty [b] Very dirty If this happens, clean the video heads with the Sony V8-25CLH cleaning cassette (not supplied). After checking the picture, if it is still “noisy,” repeat the cleaning. (Do not repeat cleaning more than 5 times in one session.) Caution Do not use a commercially available wet-type cleaning cassette. It may damage the video heads. Note If the V8-25CLH cleaning cassette is not available in your area, consult your nearest Sony dealer. Maintenance information and precautions

• Operate the camcorder on 7.2 V (battery pack) or 8.4 V (AC power adaptor).
• Should any solid object or liquid get inside the casing, unplug the camcorder and have it checked by Sony dealer before operating it any further.
• Avoid rough handling or mechanical shock. Be particularly careful of the lens.
• Keep the POWER switch set to OFF when not using the camcorder.
• Do not wrap up the camcorder and operate it since heat may build up internally.
• Keep the camcorder away from strong magnetic fields or mechanical vibration. On handling tapes Do not insert anything in the small holes on the rear of the cassette. These holes are used to sense the type of tape, thickness of tape and if the recording tab is in or out. Camcorder care
• When the camcorder is not to be used for a long time, disconnect the power source and remove the tape. Periodically turn on the power, operate the camera and player sections and play back a tape for about 3 minutes.
• Clean the lens with a soft brush to remove dust. If there are fingerprints on the lens, remove them with a soft cloth.
• Clean the camcorder body with a dry soft cloth, or a soft cloth lightly moistened with a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of solvent which may damage the finish. Charging
• Use only a lithium ion type battery pack.
• Place the battery pack on a flat surface without vibration during charging.
• The battery pack will get hot during charging. This is normal. Others
• Unplug the unit from the wall outlet when not in use for a long time. To disconnect the power cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the cord itself.
• Do not operate the unit with a damaged cord or if the unit has been dropped or damaged.
• Do not bend the AC power cord forcibly, or put a heavy object on it. This will damage the cord and may cause a fire or an electrical shock.
• Be sure that nothing metallic comes into contact with the metal parts of the connecting plate. If this happens, a short may occur and the unit may be damaged.
• Always keep the metal contacts clean.
• Do not disassemble the unit.
• Do not apply mechanical shock or drop the unit.
• While the unit is in use, particularly during charging, keep it away from AM receivers and video equipment because it will disturb AM reception and video operation.
• The unit becomes warm while in use. This is normal.
• Do not place the unit in locations that are: – Extremely hot or cold – Dusty or dirty – Very humid – Vibrating If any difficulty should arise, unplug the unit and contact your nearest Sony dealer. AC power adaptor Using your camcorder abroad Each country has its own electric and TV color systems. Before using your camcorder abroad, check the following points. Power sources You can use your camcorder in any country with the supplied AC power adaptor within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. Use a commercially available AC plug adaptor [a], if necessary, depending on the design of the wall outlet [b]. [a] Difference in color systems This camcorder is an NTSC system-based camcorder. If you want to view the playback picture on a TV, it must be an NTSC systembased TV. Check the following list. NTSC system countries Bahama Islands, Bolivia, Canada, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Surinam, Taiwan, the Philippines, the U.S.A., Venezuela, etc. PAL system countries Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Hong Kong, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, etc. PAL-M system country Brazil PAL-N system countries Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay SECAM system countries Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Guiana, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Monaco, Poland, Russia, Slovak Republic, Ukraine, etc. Trouble check If you run into any problem using the camcorder, use the following table to troubleshoot the problem. Should the difficulty persist, disconnect the power source and contact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility. Camcorder Power Symptom Cause and/or corrective actions
• The battery pack is not installed. m Install the battery pack. (p. 10)
• The battery is dead. m Use a charged battery pack. (p. 7)
• The AC power adaptor is not connected to a wall outlet. m Connect the AC power adaptor to a wall outlet. (p. 29)
• If the power is still not on after you tried the corrective actions above, press the RESET button on the back of the battery compartment lid using a sharp-pointed object. (If you press the RESET button, all the settings including the date and time return to the default.) The power goes off.

• While being operated in CAMERA mode, the camcorder has been in Standby mode for more than 5 minutes. m Set the POWER switch to OFF, then to CAMERA. (p. 12)
• The battery is dead. m Use a charged battery pack. (p. 7)
• If VF PW-SAVE is set to ON in the menu system, the picture disappears automatically when you turn your face away from the viewfinder. m Bring your face close to the viewfinder within 1/2 inch (1 cm). Or set VF PW-SAVE to OFF in the menu system. (p. 32) The battery pack is quickly discharged.

• The ambient temperature is too low. (p. 72)
• The battery pack has not been charged fully. m Charge the battery pack again. (p. 7)
• The battery pack is completely dead, and cannot be recharged. m Use another battery pack. (p. 29)
• The camcorder does not operate when using a battery that is not an InfoLITHIUM battery pack. m Use an InfoLITHIUM battery pack. (p. 7) The power is not on. Operation Symptom Cause and/or corrective actions START/STOP does not operate.

• The tape is stuck to the drum. m Eject the tape. (p. 11)
• The tape has run out. m Rewind the tape or use a new one. (p. 23)
• The POWER switch is set to VTR. m Set it to CAMERA. (p. 12)
• The tab on the cassette is out (red). m Use a new tape or slide the tab. (p. 11) The cassette cannot be removed from the holder.

• The battery is dead. m Use a charged battery pack or the AC power adaptor. (p. 7, 29) Continued to the next page

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Trouble check Operation Symptom Cause and/or corrective actions No function except for cassette ejection works.

• Moisture condensation has occurred. m Remove the cassette and leave the camcorder for at least 1 hour. (p. 76)

• Reset the date and time. (p. 69) The End Search function does not activate.

• The cassette was ejected after you recorded on it. m The End Search function will not activate until you make a new recording after reinserting the cassette. The tape does not move when a tape transport button is pressed.

• The POWER switch is set to CAMERA or OFF. m Set it to VTR. (p. 23)
• The tape has run out. m Rewind the tape or use a new one. (p. 23) No sound or only a low sound is heard when playing back a tape.

• The stereo tape is played back with HiFi SOUND set to 1 or 2 in the menu system. m Set it to STEREO. (p. 32) Excessive high-piched sound is heard.

• The picture has been recorded with WIND set to ON in the menu system. m When there is no wind, set it to OFF. (p. 32) Recording stops in a few seconds.

• The START/STOP MODE switch is set to 5SEC or m Set it to . (p. 15) The autofocus function does not activate.

• Focus is set to the manual mode. m Set it to autofocus. (p. 45)
• Shooting conditions are not suitable for autofocus. m Set focus to manual mode to focus manually. (p. 45) The fader function does not work.

• The START/STOP MODE switch is set to 5SEC or m Set it to . (p. 15)

Picture Symptom Cause and/or corrective actions The image on the viewfinder screen is not clear.

• The viewfinder lens is not adjusted. m Adjust the viewfinder lens. (p. 13) A vertical band appears when a subject such as lights or a candle flame is shot against a dark background.

• The contrast between the subject and background is too high. The camcorder is not malfunctioning. m Change locations. The menu is not displayed on the TV.

• DISPLAY on the Remote Commander has not been pressed. m Press DISPLAY on the Remote Commander. (p. 23) The playback picture is not clear.

• EDIT is set to ON in the menu system. m Set it to OFF. (p. 32) The picture is “noisy".

• The video heads may be dirty. m Clean the heads using the Sony V8-25CLH cleaning cassette. (p. 77) The picture is too bright or too dark.

• VF BRIGHT is set in the menu system. m Set it to the center position. (p. 32) A vertical band appears when shooting a very bright subject.

• The camcorder is not malfunctioning.

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Picture Symptom Cause and/or corrective actions

• If VF PW-SAVE is set to ON in the menu system, the picture disappears automatically when you turn your face away from the viewfinder. m Bring your face close to the viewfinder within 1/2 inch (1 cm). Or, set VF PW-SAVE to OFF. (p. 32)
• A tape in a poor condition, such as a tape recorded repeatedly, is played back with TBC set to ON in the menu system. m Set TBC to OFF. (p. 32) The picture in the viewfinder does not disappear even VF PW-SAVE is set to OFF in the menu system.

• Sunlight or the incandescent lamp may prevent the viewfinder sensor from working correctly. This is not a malfunction. The picture jitters.

• A tape where video game pictures are recorded is played back with TBC set to ON in the menu system. m Set TBC to OFF. (p. 32)
• A tape in a poor condition, such as a tape recorded repeatedly, is played back with TBC set to ON in the menu system. m Set TBC to OFF. (p. 32) Others Symptom Cause and/or corrective actions The supplied Remote Commander does not work.

• COMMANDER is set to OFF in the menu system. m Set it to ON. (p. 32)
• Something is blocking the infrared rays. m Remove the obstacle.
• The battery is not inserted with the correct polarity. m Insert the battery with the correct polarity. (p. 97)
• The batteries are dead. m Insert new ones. (p. 97) The CHARGE lamp flashes after you charge the battery pack installed in the camcorder.

• The camcorder is not malfunctioning. No function works though the power is on.

• Disconnect the connection plug on the battery pack or on the AC power adaptor, then reconnect it in about 1 minute. Turn the power on. If the functions still do not work, press the RESET button on the back of the battery compatment lid using a sharp-pointed object. (If you press the RESET button, all the settings including the date and time return to the default.) The picture does not appear in the viewfinder. AC power adaptor Symptom Corrective actions The VTR/CAMERA or CHARGE lamp does not light.

• Disconnect the power cord. After about 1 minute, reconnect the power cord. (p. 7) The CHARGE lamp flashes.

• See the chart on the next page.

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Trouble check When the CHARGE lamp flashes Check through the following chart. Remove the battery pack from the AC power adaptor. Then install the same battery pack again. When the CHARGE lamp flashes again Install another battery pack. When the CHARGE lamp does not flash again If the CHARGE lamp lights up and goes out after a while, there is no problem. * When the CHARGE lamp flashes again The problem is with the AC power adaptor. When the CHARGE lamp does not flash again If the CHARGE lamp lights up and goes out after a while, the problem is with the battery pack installed first. Please contact your nearest Sony dealer in connection with the product with the problem.

• If you use a battery pack which you have just bought or which has been left unused for a long time, the CHARGE lamp may flash at the first charging. This does not indicate a problem. Repeat again to charge with same battery pack.

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Español Specifications Video camera recorder System S video input/output 4-pin mini DIN Luminance signal: 1 Vp-p, 75 Ω, unbalanced, sync negative Chrominance signal: 0.286 Vp-p, 75 Ω, unbalanced Video input/output Special minijack, 1 Vp-p, 75 Ω, unbalanced, sync negative Audio input/output 327 mV, (at output impedance more than 47 kΩ) LANC jack Stereo mini-mini jack (ø 2.5 mm) Headphones jack Stereo minijack (ø 3.5 mm) MIC jack Stereo minijack, 0.388 mV low impedance with 2.5 V DC, input impedance 6.8 kΩ (ø 3.5 mm) DC OUT jack Special minijack, DC 5 V Connection 26-pin connector AC power adaptor Power requirements 100 to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz Power consumption 22 W Output voltage DC OUT: 8.4 V, 1.8 A in operating mode Battery charge terminal: 8.4 V, 1.4 A in charge mode Application Sony battery pack NP-F530 lithium ion type Operating temperature 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) Storage temperature –4°F to +140°F (–20°C to +60°C) Dimensions Approx. 23/ 16 × 13/ 4 × 43/ 16 in. (56 × 44 × 107 mm) (w/h/d) Mass Approx. 6.7 oz (190 g) Design and specifications are subject to change without notice. General Power requirements

7.2 V (battery insertion input)

8.4 V (26-pin connector)

Average power consumption

3.8 W during camera recording

Operating temperature 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C) Storage temperature –4°F to +140°F (–20°C to +60°C) Dimensions Approx. 33/8 x 4 x 7 1/4 in. (w/h/d) (85 x 99 x 187 mm) Mass Approx. 1 lb 7 oz (680 g) excluding the battery pack NP-F530, lithium battery, cassette, and shoulder strap Approx. 1 lb 13 oz (840 g) including the battery pack NP-F530, lithium battery, cassette E6/P6-120, and shoulder strap Microphone Electric condenser microphone, Stereo type Supplied accessories See page 6. Video recording system Four rotary heads, Helical scanning FM system Audio recording system Rotary heads, FM system Video signal NTSC color, EIA standards Usable cassette 8 mm video format cassette (Hi8 or standard 8 mm) Recording/playback time SP mode: 2 hours (E6/P6-120) LP mode (playback only): 4 hours (E6/P6-120) Fastforward/rewind time Approx. 6 min. (E6/P6-120) Image device CCD (Charge Coupled Device) Viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (color) Lens Combined power zoom lens, 8x Focal distance f = 5/32 to 13/ 16 in. (3.6 to 29 mm) (17/ 16 to 111/8 in. (35 to 280 mm) when converted into a 35 mm still camera) F 1.6 – 2.3 TTL autofocus system inner focus wide macro system Color temperature Auto Minimum illumination 2 lux at F 1.6 Illumination range 2 to 100,000 lux Recommended illumination More than 100 lux Input and output connectors

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Español Identifying the parts 2 TIME button (p. 26, 36) 3 DATE button (p. 26, 36) 4 AUTO LOCK switch (p. 45, 47) 4 Interruptor AUTO LOCK (p. 45, 47) 5 FOCUS button (p. 45) 6 EXPOSURE button (p. 47) 8 Viewfinder (p. 99) 9 Viewfinder lens adjustment lever (p. 13) !º START/STOP MODE swtich (p. 15, 41) !¡ POWER switch (p. 12, 23) !™ START/STOP button (p. 12) 0 Interruptor START/STOP MODE (p. 15, 41) !¡ Interruptor POWER (p. 12, 23) !™ Botón START/STOP (p. 12)

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S) Identifying the parts !£ Accessory shoe screw (p. 17) !¢ ND FILTER switch (p. 49) !¢ Interruptor ND FILTER (p. 49) !§ BACK LIGHT button (p. 48) !¶ MENU button (p. 32) !• CONTROL dial (p. 32, 45, 47) !• Dial CONTROL (p. 32, 45, 47) @¡ COUNTER RESET button (p. 14) @™ PROGRAM AE dial (p. 43) @™ Dial PROGRAM AE (p. 43) @£ 26-pin connector (p. 29) @£ Conector de 26 pines (p. 29) @¢ EDITSEARCH buttons (p. 20) @¢ Botones EDITSEARCH (p. 20)

CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21 (E,S)

@∞ Zoom lever (p. 16) @§ S VIDEO jack (p. 21) @§ Toma S VIDEO (p. 21) @¶ Display window (p. 101) @¶ Visor principal (p. 101) @• Hooks for shoulder strap (p. 98) @ª CHARGE lamp (p. 30) #¡ Tape transport buttons (p. 23, 24, 66) p STOP (stop) 0 REW (rewind)

• PLAY (playback) ) FF (fastforward) P PAUSE (pause) r REC (record) #™ LANC l control jack l stands for Local Application Control Bus System. The l control jack is used for controlling the tape transport of video equipment and peripherals connected to it. This jack has the same function as the jack indicated as CONTROL L or REMOTE. Identifying the parts

#§ 2 headphones jack (p. 23) #¶ MIC jack (PLUG IN POWER) Connect an external microphone (not supplied). When you connect an external microphone, you cannot set WIND in the menu system. This jack also accepts a “plugin-power” microphone. #• DC OUT (output) jack #ª Tripod receptacle (p. 19) $º OPEN/EJECT lever (p. 11) $º Palanca OPEN/EJECT (p. 11) $¡ Lens $¡ Objetivo $™ Remote sensor Aim the Remote Commander here for remote control. $£ Recording lamp Using the ETA-26 Handycam Station adaptor

Notes on the ETA-26 Handycam Station adaptor

• While the adaptor is attached to the camcorder, you cannot install nor remove the cassette.
• While the adaptor is attached to the camcorder, you cannot mount the camcorder on a tripod. You can use the Handycam Station, etc., by attaching the ETA-26 Handycam Station adaptor. (1) Match the screw on the adaptor with the screw hole for a tripod on the camcorder, then tighten the screw. You can slide the plate including the screw to the left or right until the camcorder is in the desired position. (2) Connect the connection plug of the adaptor to the 26-pin connector on the camcorder. Identifying the parts The buttons that have the same name on the Remote Commander as on the camcorder function identically. 1 COUNTER RESET button (p. 14) 2 TIME CODE WRITE button (p. 62) 3 INDEX buttons INDEX MARK button (p. 56) INDEX ERASE button (p. 60) 4 DATE SEARCH button (p. 52) INDEX SEARCH button (p. 58) 5 DISPLAY button (p. 23, 65) 6 Transmitter Point toward the remote sensor to control the camcorder after turning on the camcorder. 7 DATA CODE button (p. 26) 8 ZERO MEM button (p. 54) 9 START/STOP button (p. 12) !¡ Tape transport buttons (p. 23, 24) !™ REC button (p. 66) To prepare the Remote Commander To use the Remote Commander, you must insert two size AA (R6) batteries. Use the supplied size AA (R6) batteries. (1) Remove the battery cover from the Remote Commander. (2) Insert both of the size AA (R6) batteries with correct polarity. (3) Put the battery cover back onto the Remote Commander. Note on battery life The batteries for the Remote Commander last about 6 months under normal operation. When the batteries become weak or dead, the Remote Commander does not work. To avoid damage from possible battery leakage Remove the batteries when you will not use the Remote Commander for a long time. To use the Remote Commander Make sure that the COMMANDER is set to ON in the menu system on the camcorder. Identifying the parts Remote control direction Notes on the Remote Commander
• Keep the remote sensor away from strong light sources such as direct sunlight or illumination. Otherwise, the remote control may not be effective.
• Be sure that there is no obstacle between the remote sensor on the camcorder and the Remote Commander.
• This camcorder works at commander mode VTR 2. The commander modes (1, 2 and 3) are used to distinguish this camcorder from other Sony VCRs to avoid remote control misoperation. If you use another Sony VCR at commander mode VTR 2, we recommend you change the commander mode or cover the remote sensor of the VCR with black paper. Attaching the shoulder strap Attach the supplied shoulder strap to the hooks for the shoulder strap (p. 93).

15˚ 1 Power zoom (p. 16) / Exposure indicator (p. 46) 2 WIND indicator (p. 34) 3 MANUAL FOCUS indicator (p. 45) 4 PROGRAM AE indicator (p. 42) 5 BACK LIGHT indicator (p. 48) 6 FADER indicator (p. 37) 7 16:9 WIDE indicator (p. 39) 8 Data Code indicator (p. 26) 9 Playing back or recording in Hi8 format !º Appears when playing back a tape recorded in LP mode. 3 Indicador MANUAL FOCUS (p. 45) Identifying the parts !¡ Recording standby mode/recording mode indicator (p. 12)/ Tape transport mode indicator !™ Tape counter (p. 14)/RC time code indicator (p. 62) !£ Remaining tape indicator !¢ END SEARCH indicator (p. 28)/ INDEX SEARCH indicator (p. 59)/ INDEX SCAN indicator (p. 58)/ INDEX MARK indicator (p. 56)/ TIME CODE WRITE indicator (p. 62)/ ZERO MEM indicator (p. 54)/ DATE SEARCH indicator (p. 52)/ DATE SCAN indicator (p. 52) !∞ Warning indicator (p. 102) !§ Remaining battery indicator (p. 73) Remaining time in minutes indicator appears only when using the InfoLITHIUM battery pack such as the NP-F530. !¶ Date or time indicator (p. 36) 0min In the display window Visor principal

1 Lights up when playing back a tape recorded in LP mode (p. 71) 2 Playing back or recording in Hi8 format 3 Date or time/ Tape counter (p. 14)/ RC Time code indicator (p. 62) 4 Recording standby mode/ Recording mode indicator (p. 12)/ Tape tansport mode indicator/ Program AE mode indicator (p. 42)/ ORC indicator (p. 50)/ Warning indicator (p. 102) 5 Time code indicator (p. 62) 6 Data code indicator (p. 26) 7 Remaining battery indicator (p. 73) Warning indicators If indicators flash in the viewfinder or warning messages appear on the display window , check the following: : you can hear the beep sound when BEEP is set to ON in the menu system.

• 1 The battery is weak or dead. [a] In the viewfinder Slow flashing: The battery is weak. Fast flashing: The battery is dead. When you use the NP-F530 battery pack, depending on conditions, the i indicator may flash, even if there are 5 to 10 minutes remaining. [b] On the display window The battery is discharged. Replace the battery with a charged one. 2 The tape is near the end. The flashing is slow. 3 The tape has run out. [a] In the viewfinder The flashing becomes rapid. [b] On the display window 4 No tape has been inserted. [a] In the viewfinder [b] On the display window 5 The tab on the tape is out (red). 6 Moisture condensation has occurred. (p. 76) 8 Some other trouble has occurred. Disconnect the power source and contact your Sony dealer or local authorized facility. 7 The video heads may be contaminated. (p. 77) RC time code p. 62
• Remaining battery indicator p. 73
• Remaining tape indicator p. 99
• Remote control jack (LANC) I, J, K, L p. 93

• Camera recording p. 12
• Car battery p. 31
• Charging battery pack p. 7
• Charging vanadium-lithium battery p. 68
• Cleaning video heads p. 77
• Clock set p. 69
• Color TV system p. 4
• , 80 Connection p. 21
• COUNTER RESET D, E Printed in Japan CCD-TR555.3-856-784-21(E,S) p. 14