Owner’s Record The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product. Model No. DCR-TRV Model No. AC- Serial No.
Welcome! Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam. 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.
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“Memory Stick” The term “IC” before the equipment This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC certification number only signifies that the Rules. Operation is subject to the following Industry Canada technical specifications were met. two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired...
Main features •Recording moving pictures on a tape (p. 26) Recording moving pictures •Recording still images on a tape or still images, and playing (p. 52) them back •Playing back a tape (p. 40) •Recording still images on “Memory Stick”s (p. 47, 126) •Recording moving pictures on “Memory Stick”s (p.
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Main features Accessing the Internet via a Bluetooth equipped device (DCR-TRV50 only) Accessing the Internet, sending/ receiving your e-mail. For details, refer to the Network Function Operating Instructions supplied with your camcorder. (DCR- TRV50 only) (p. 197) Other uses Functions for adjusting exposure in the recording mode •BACK LIGHT (p.
Table of contents Using the spot light-metering Main features ........4 – Flexible Spot Meter ..... 68 Focusing manually ........ 69 Quick Start Guide Using the spot focus – Spot Focus ..71 – Recording on a tape ......8 Interval recording .........
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Table of contents Recording pictures from tape as a Using the Network function moving picture ......147 (DCR-TRV50 only) Recording edited pictures from a Accessing the network ....... 197 tape as a moving picture For the details, refer to the Network –...
Quick Start Guide – Recording on a tape This chapter introduces you to the basic features to recorded pictures on tapes of your camcorder. See the page in parentheses “( )” for more information. Connecting the power cord (p. 19) Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p.
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Recording a picture (p. 26) Remove the lens cap. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button. Press OPEN to open the LCD panel. OFF(CHG) CAMERA The picture MEMORY/ appears on the NETWORK screen. Press START/STOP. Your Viewfinder camcorder starts recording.
Quick Start Guide – Recording on a “Memory Stick” This chapter introduces you to the basic features to record on a “Memory Stick” of your camcorder. See the page in parentheses “( )” for more information. Connecting the power cord (p.
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Recording a still image on “Memory Stick” (p. 126) Set the POWER switch Remove the lens cap. to MEMORY/ NETWORK (DCR- TRV50 only) while Press OPEN pressing the small green to open the button. LCD panel. Make sure that the The picture LOCK switch is set to appears on...
— Getting Started — Using this manual The instructions in this manual are for the two models listed in the table below. Before you start reading this manual and operating your camcorder, check the model number by looking at the bottom of your camcorder. The DCR-TRV50 is the model used for illustration purposes.
Using this manual Note on TV color systems TV color systems differ depending on the country or region. To view your recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC system-based TV. Copyright precautions Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the copyright laws.
Checking supplied accessories Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder. 1 AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power 7 Lens cap (1) (p. 26) adaptor (1), power cord (1) (p. 16) 8 Lens hood (1) (p. 30) 2 NP-FM50 battery pack (1) (p. 15, 16) 9 “Memory Stick”...
Step 1 Preparing the power supply Installing the battery pack (1) Lift up the viewfinder. (2) Slide the battery pack down until it clicks. To remove the battery pack (1) Lift up the viewfinder. (2) Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing BATT down.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply Charging the battery pack Use the battery pack after charging it for your camcorder. Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series). See page 223 for details of “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack. (1) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC power adaptor supplied with your camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug’s v mark facing up.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply Note Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the DC plug of the AC power adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC power adaptor. Remaining battery time indicator The remaining battery time indicator in the display window indicates the approximate recording time with the viewfinder.
This unit is compatible with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series). Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery. “InfoLITHIUM” M series battery packs have the mark. SERIES “InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
DC IN jack, even when the power cord is not plugged into a wall outlet. Using a car battery Use Sony Car Battery Adaptor (optional). Refer to the operating instructions of the Car Battery Adaptor for further information.
Step 2 Setting the date and time Set the date and time when you use your camcorder for the first time. “CLOCK SET” will be displayed each time that you set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY/ NETWORK (DCR-TRV50 only) unless you set the date and time settings. If you do not use your camcorder for about four months, the date and time may be cleared from memory (bars may appear) because the built-in rechargeable battery installed in your camcorder will have been discharged (p.
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Step 2 Setting the date and time SETUP MENU SETUP MENU STBY CLOCK SET CLOCK SET – –:– –:– – USB STREAM USB STREAM LTR SIZE LTR SIZE LANGUAGE LANGUAGE DEMO MODE DEMO MODE RETURN [ MENU ] : END [ MENU ] : END CLOCK SET SETUP MENU...
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Step 2 Setting the date and time Simple setting of clock by a time difference You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference. Select AREA SET, DST SET* in the menu settings. See page 208 for more information. * Instead of DST, SUMMERTIME is displayed on the screen for some models.
Step 3 Inserting a cassette (1) Prepare the power supply. (2) Slide OPEN/EJECT in the direction of the arrow and open the lid. The cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens. (3) Push the center of the cassette back to insert. Insert the cassette straight as far as possible into the cassette compartment with the window facing up.
Step 4 Using the touch panel Your camcorder has operation buttons on the LCD screen. Touch the LCD screen directly with your finger or the supplied stylus (DCR-TRV50 only) to operate each function. This section describes how to operate the touch panel during recording or playing back images on a tape.
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Step 4 Using the touch panel Notes •When using the touch panel, press operation buttons with your thumb supporting the LCD panel from the back side of it or press those buttons lightly with your index finger. •Do not press the LCD screen with sharp-pointed objects other than the stylus supplied.
— Recording – Basics — Recording a picture Your camcorder automatically focuses for you. (1) Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on its sides and pull the lens cap string to fix it. (2) Prepare the power supply and insert a cassette. See “Step 1” to “Step 3” for more information (p.
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Recording a picture Notes • Fasten the grip strap firmly. • The recording data (date/time or various settings when recorded) are not displayed while recording. However, they are recorded automatically on the tape. To display the recording data, press DATA CODE during playback. You can also use the Remote Commander for this operation (p.
Recording a picture After recording (1) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). (2) Close the LCD panel. (3) Eject the cassette. (4) Remove the battery pack. Adjusting the LCD screen The LCD panel can be opened up to 90 degrees. The LCD panel moves about 90 degrees to the viewfinder side and about 180 degrees to the lens side.
Recording a picture Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen (1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-TRV50 only). Press FN and select PAGE2. When you set the POWER switch to VCR, press FN to display PAGE1 (p. 24). (2) Press LCD BRT.
Recording a picture Adjusting the viewfinder If you record pictures with the LCD panel closed, check the picture with the viewfinder. Adjust the viewfinder lens to your eyesight so that the images in the viewfinder come into sharp focus. Lift up the viewfinder and move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever. The viewfinder lens adjustment lever Viewfinder backlight...
Recording a picture Using the zoom feature Move the power zoom lever a little for a slower zoom. Move it further for a faster zoom. Using the zoom sparingly results in better-looking recordings. W : Wide-angle (subject appears farther away) T : Telephoto (subject appears closer) To use zoom greater than 10×...
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Recording a picture Shooting with the Mirror Mode This feature allows the camera subject to view him-or herself on the LCD screen. The subject uses this feature to check his or her own image on the LCD screen while you look at the subject in the viewfinder.
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Recording a picture Indicators displayed in the recording Indicators are not recorded on tapes. Remaining battery time Cassette memory This appears when using a cassette with cassette memory. Recording mode STBY/REC 0:00:01 Time code/Tape counter 45min Remaining tape This appears after you insert a cassette and record or play back for a while.
Recording a picture Shooting backlit subjects – BACK LIGHT When you shoot a subject with the light source behind the subject or a subject with a light background, use the backlight function. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-TRV50 only), press BACK LIGHT.
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Recording a picture Using Super NightShot The Super NightShot makes subjects more than 16 times brighter than those recorded in the NightShot. (1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON. The “NIGHTSHOT” indicators flash on the screen. (2) Press SUPER NS.
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Recording a picture When the POWER switch is set to MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-TRV50 only) You cannot use the following functions: – Super NightShot – Color Slow Shutter NightShot Light NightShot Light rays are infrared and so are invisible. The maximum shooting distance using the NightShot Light is about 3 m (10 feet).
Recording a picture Self-timer recording Recording with the self-timer starts in 10 seconds automatically. You can also use the Remote Commander for this operation. (1) In the standby, press FN and select PAGE2 (p. 24). (2) Press SELFTIMER. (self-timer) indicator appears on the screen. (3) Press START/STOP.
Checking recordings – END SEARCH/EDITSEARCH/Rec Review You can use these buttons to check the recorded picture or shoot so that the transition between the last recorded scene and the next scene you record is smooth. EDITSEARCH END SEARCH You can go to the end of the recorded section after you record. (1) In the standby, press FN to display PAGE1 (p.
Checking recordings – END SEARCH/EDITSEARCH/Rec Review Rec Review You can check the last recorded section. Press the 7 – side of EDITSEARCH momentarily in the standby. The section you have stopped most recently will be played back for a few seconds, and then your camcorder will return to the standby.
— Playback – Basics — Playing back a tape You can monitor the playback picture on the screen. If you close the LCD panel, you can monitor the playback picture in the viewfinder. You can control playback using the Remote Commander supplied with your camcorder. (1) Prepare the power supply and insert the recorded tape.
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Playing back a tape When monitoring on the LCD screen You can turn the LCD panel over and move it back to the camcorder body with the LCD screen facing out. If you leave the power on for a long time Your camcorder gets warm.
Playing back a tape To display the screen indicators – Display function Press DISPLAY/TOUCH PANEL on your camcorder or DISPLAY on the Remote Commander supplied with your camcorder. The indicators disappear on the screen. To make the indicators appear, press DISPLAY/TOUCH PANEL or DISPLAY again. DISPLAY DATA CODE DISPLAY/...
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Playing back a tape Date/time Various settings 50min 40min 0:00:23:01 0:00:23:01 AUTO JUL 4 2002 60 AWB 12:05:56 AM F1.8 [a] Tape counter [b] SteadyShot OFF [c] Exposure mode [d] White balance [e] Gain [f] Shutter speed [g] Aperture value To not display various settings Set DATA CODE to DATE in the menu settings (p.
Playing back a tape Various playback modes To operate video control buttons, set the POWER switch to VCR. To play back pause (viewing a still picture) Press X during playback. To resume normal playback, press N or X. To advance the tape Press M in the stop mode.
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Playing back a tape In the various playback modes •Sound is muted. •The previous picture may remain as a mosaic image during playback. When the playback pause lasts for five minutes Your camcorder automatically enters the stop mode. To resume playback, press N. Slow playback The slow playback can be performed smoothly on your camcorder.
Viewing the recording on TV Connect your camcorder to your TV with the A/V connecting cable supplied with your camcorder to watch playback picture on the TV screen. You can operate the video control buttons in the same way as when you monitor playback pictures on the screen. When monitoring playback pictures on the TV screen, we recommend that you power your camcorder from a wall outlet using the AC power adaptor (p.
— Advanced Recording Operations — Recording still images on a “Memory Stick” during tape recording You can record still images on a “Memory Stick” in the tape recording or tape recording standby. You can also record still images on a tape (p. 52). Before operation •Insert a “Memory Stick”...
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Recording still images on a “Memory Stick” during tape recording Image size of still images Image size is automatically set to 640 × 480. When you want to record still images in different size, use the Memory Photo recording (p. 126). When the POWER switch is set to CAMERA You cannot select image quality.
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Recording still images on a “Memory Stick” during tape recording Recording images with the flash The flash pops up automatically. The default setting is auto (no indicator). To change the flash mode, press the (flash) repeatedly until the flash mode indicator appears on the screen.
Recording still images on a “Memory Stick” during tape recording If you leave your camcorder for five or more minutes after disconnecting the power supply Your camcorder returns to the default setting (auto). You cannot shoot images with the flash during the following operations: –...