Instruction manual

pictures.
Full-sized VHS home camcorders are designed to rest on a person’s shoulder
during hand-held operation. They use regular size VHS cassettes, and can record up to 2
hours on one tape.
Smaller home camcorders are compact, and referred to as palmcorders. The unit
is strapped to a person’s hand during hand-held operation. Here are the tape formats for
palmcorders, and the maximum record time per tape:
8mm (2 hours) VHS-C (30 minutes)
Hi-8mm (2 hours) Super-VHS-C (30 minutes)
* VHS-C and Super VHS-C palmcorders use smaller video cassettes than the regular full-
sized VHS and S-VHS video cassettes. By using an adapter cassette, a small video
cassette can be played back in a regular VHS VCR or Super-VHS VCR. The small
cassettes and adapters can also be used during editing. Longer record time is possible
with the VHS-C formats, but the quality won’t be as good.
* In 1993, Sony and Sharp introduced a new type of camcorder. Instead of a viewfinder,
the Sony Handycam Snap, and the Sharp Viewcam had a 3” color view screen on the
back.
* If you happen to use a camera with a Pickup Tube: Tubes are extremely sensitive to
bright light. Permanent tube damage can occur, if the camera is accidentally moved, and
the lens is pointed at the sun, active flashbulbs or TV lights. Mirrors, water, chrome,
jewelry, and other reflective surfaces also pose potential tube danger. When a pickup
tube becomes permanently damaged by excessive light, it’s called burn-in, and the tube
must be replaced. (It would be a better idea to buy a new or used chip camcorder than to
replace the tube in an old home video camera.) Rock music fans: Be on the lookout for an
early live version of “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” by U2. Some of the broadcast video
cameras show many red streaks... that’s burn-in.
Home video camcorders need either an AC power adapter or a rechargeable
battery to operate. The convenience and portability of battery power is the preferred way
to go, especially for all hand-held camera work.
Always use common sense when shooting with lights, AC power and/or extension
power cords. Bring an extra videotape as a spare, in case of tape failure. It’s unlikely, but
you’ll be prepared.
FADE - Some camcorders have special effects, like freeze-frame or strobe. Many
camcorders can Fade-up from black, and Fade-down to black by pushing a button. Fades
are the ideal way to begin and end the video.
If your camcorder doesn’t have the Fade option, here’s another idea. Just before
shooting the music video, place the lens cap on the lens, press the Record button, and
tape for 5-10 seconds. About one second before the song begins, remove the lens cap,
start the music, and proceed to shoot. When the song is over, quickly place the lens cap
back on, and let the videotape continue to record for another 5-10 seconds, then pause the