3-868-323-12 (1) Video Camera Recorder Operating Instructions Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference. Owner’s Record The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product. Model No. CCD-TRV Model No. AC-L Serial No. Serial No.
Welcome! Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam VisionTM camcorder. With your Handycam Vision, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Handycam Vision is loaded with advanced features, but at the same time it is very easy to use. You will soon be producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come. WARNING To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY. LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
Table of contents Quick Start Guide ............................. 4 Using this manual ................................... 6 Checking supplied accessories .............. 8 Step 1 Preparing the power supply ..... 9 Installing the battery pack .............. 9 Charging the battery pack ............. 10 Connecting to a wall outlet ........... 14 Step 2 Inserting a cassette ................... 15 Recording – Basics Recording a picture ............................... 16 Shooting backlit subjects (BACK LIGHT) ..
Quick Start Guide This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your camcorder. See the page in parentheses “( )” for more information. Connecting the power cord (p. 14) Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 9). Open the DC IN jack cover. Quick Start Guide Connect the plug with its v mark facing up. AC power adaptor (supplied) Inserting a cassette (p. 15) 1 Slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow while pressing the small blue button.
Recording a picture (p. 16) 1 Set the POWER switch to CAMERA POWER CAMERA 3 Turn STANDBY to STANDBY. The picture appears on the LCD screen. CK LO STA OFF (CHARGE) while pressing the small green button. ND VTR BY START/STOP 4 Press the red button. Your camcorder starts recording. To stop recording, press the red button again. CK LO STA ND 2 Open the LCD Viewfinder When the LCD panel is closed, use the viewfinder placing your eye against its eyecup.
— Getting started — Using this manual The instructions in this manual are for the four 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 CCD-TRV87 is the model used for illustration purposes. Otherwise, the model name is indicated in the illustrations. Any differences in operation are clearly indicated in the text, for example, “CCD-TRV87 only.
Using this manual 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. 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. Getting started Copyright precautions Precautions on camcorder care •The LCD screen and the viewfinder are manufactured using high-precision technology.
Checking supplied accessories Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder. 1 2 4 5 3 6 7 * or 1 Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 84) CCD-TRV57/TRV67/TRV87 only 5 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote Commander (2) (p. 84) CCD-TRV57/TRV67/TRV87 only 2 AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power adaptor (1), Power cord (1) (p. 10) 6 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 27) 3 NP-F330 battery pack (1) (p. 9, 10) 7 Shoulder strap (1) (p. 81) * for stereo model 4 CR2025 lithium battery (1) (p.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply Installing the battery pack Install the battery pack to use your camcorder outdoors. Getting started Slide the battery pack down until it clicks. To remove the battery pack Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing RELEASE down. BATT BATT RELEASE After installing the battery pack Do not carry your camcorder by holding the battery pack. If you do so, the battery pack may slide off your camcorder unintentionally, damaging your camcorder.
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 (L series). (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. (2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor. (3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet. (4) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHARGE). Charging begins.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply Remaining battery time indicator The remaining battery time indicator in the display window roughly indicates the recording time with the viewfinder. Getting started Notes •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. •Keep the battery pack dry.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply Charging time Battery pack NP-F330 (supplied) NP-F530/F550 NP-F730/F730H/F750 NP-F930/F950 NP-F960 Full charge (Normal charge) 150 (90) 210 (150) 300 (240) 390 (330) 420 (360) Approximate number of minutes to charge an empty battery pack Recording time CCD-TRV17/TRV37/TRV57/TRV67 Battery pack NP-F330 (supplied) NP-F530 NP-F550 NP-F730 NP-F730H/F750 NP-F930 NP-F950 NP-F960 Recording with the viewfinder Continuous* Typical** 140 (125) 75 (70) 245 (220) 135 (120) 280 (250)
Step 1 Preparing the power supply Playing time CCD-TRV17/TRV37/TRV57/TRV67 Battery pack Playing time with LCD closed 145 (130) 260 (230) 295 (260) 525 (475) 610 (550) 825 (740) 930 (830) 1090 (980) Playing time on LCD screen 120 (105) 205 (180) 240 (210) 410 (370) 490 (440) 680 (585) 750 (675) 880 (790) Playing time with LCD closed 140 (125) 245 (220) 280 (250) 500 (450) 580 (525) 780 (705) 900 (790) 1035 (930) Getting started NP-F330 (supplied) NP-F530 NP-F550 NP-F730 NP-F730H/F750 NP-F930 NP-F950 NP-
Step 1 Preparing the power supply Connecting to a wall outlet When you use your camcorder for a long time, we recommend that you power it from a wall outlet using the AC power adaptor. (1) Open the DC IN jack cover, and connect the AC power adaptor to the DC IN jack on your camcorder with the plug’s v mark facing up. (2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor. (3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
Step 2 Inserting a cassette When you want to record in the Hi8 system, use Hi8 video cassette TRV87 only) . (CCD-TRV67/ 2 3 Getting started (1) Prepare the power supply (p. 9). (2) Slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow while pressing the small blue button. The cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens. (3) Insert a cassette with its window facing out and the tab on the cassette up. mark on the cassette (4) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the compartment.
— Recording – Basics — Recording a picture Your camcorder automatically focuses for you. (1) Install the power source and insert a cassette. See “Step 1” and “Step 2” for more information (p. 9 to 15). (2) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button. The lens cover opens. (3) Open the LCD panel while pressing OPEN. The viewfinder automatically turns off. (4) Turn STANDBY to STANDBY. (5) Press START/STOP. Your camcorder starts recording. The “REC” indicator appears.
Recording a picture If you leave your camcorder in the standby mode for 5 minutes while the cassette is inserted Your camcorder automatically turns off. This is to save battery power and to prevent battery and tape wear. To resume the standby mode, turn STANDBY down and up again. To start recording, press START/STOP. Recording – Basics To set the counter to 0:00:00 Press COUNTER RESET (p. 82). After recording (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Turn STANDBY down to LOCK. Close the LCD panel. Eject the cassette.
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 function sparingly results in better-looking recordings. “T” side: for telephoto (subject appears closer) “W” side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away) W W T T W T Zoom greater than 20× is performed digitally. To activate digital zoom, select the digital zoom power in D ZOOM in the menu settings. (p.
Recording a picture To record pictures with the viewfinder – 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 indicators in the viewfinder come into sharp focus. Recording – Basics Lift up the viewfinder and move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever.
Recording a picture Indicators displayed in the recording mode The indicators are not recorded on tape. Hi8 format indicator (CCD-TRV67/TRV87 only) This appears while playing back or recording in Hi8 format. Recording mode indicator STBY/REC indicator 40min H SP REC 0:00:01 Tape counter Remaining tape indicator This appears after you insert a cassette and record or play back for a while.
Recording a picture Shooting in the dark (NightShot) The NightShot function enables you to shoot a subject in a dark place. For example, you can satisfactorily record the environment of nocturnal animals for observation when you use this function. NIGHTSHOT OFF ON Recording – Basics While your camcorder is in the standby mode, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON. and “NIGHTSHOT” indicators flash on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. To cancel the NightShot function, slide NIGHTSHOT to OFF.
Recording a picture The SUPER NIGHTSHOT button does not work (CCD-TRV87 only): – while the fader function is set or in use – while the digital effect function is in use – when NIGHTSHOT is set to OFF NightShot Light NightShot Light rays are infrared and so are invisible. The maximum shooting distance using the NightShot Light is about 10 feet (3 m). The shooting distance will be twice or more in the Super NightShot mode (CCD-TRV87 only).
Checking the recording – 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. END SEARCH Recording – Basics EDITSEARCH END SEARCH You can go to the end of the recorded section after you record. Press END SEARCH in the standby mode. The last 5 seconds of the recorded section are played back and playback stops.
— Playback – Basics — Playing back a tape You can monitor the playback picture on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. 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. (CCD-TRV57/TRV67/TRV87 only) (1) Installthepowersourceandinserttherecordedtape. (2) Set the POWER switch to VTR (CCD-TRV87) or PLAYER (CCD-TRV17/ TRV37/TRV57/TRV67)whilepressingthesmallgreenbutton.
Playing back a tape To control the display of the screen indicators Press DISPLAY on your camcorder or the Remote Commander (CCD-TRV57/TRV67/ TRV87 only) supplied with your camcorder. The indicators appear on the LCD screen. To make the indicators disappear, press DISPLAY again.
Playing back a tape Various playback modes To operate video control buttons, set the POWER switch to VTR (CCD-TRV87) or PLAYER (CCD-TRV17/TRV37/TRV57/TRV67 only). To view a still picture (playback pause) Press X during playback. To resume playback, press X or N . To advance the tape Press Min the stop mode. To resume normal playback, press N . To rewind the tape Press min the stop mode. To resume normal playback, press N .
Viewing the recording on TV Connect your camcorder to your TV or VCR with the A/V connecting cable supplied with your camcorder to watch the playback picture on the TV screen. You can operate the playback control buttons in the same way as when you monitor playback pictures on the LCD screen. When monitoring the playback picture on the TV screen, we recommend that you power your camcorder from a wall outlet using the AC power adaptor (p. 14). Refer to the operating instructions of your TV or VCR.
Viewing the recording on TV If your TV or VCR is a monaural type – CCD-TRV87 only Connect the yellow plug for video and the white plug for audio on both your camcorder and the TV or the VCR (you do not connect the red plug). With this connection, the sound is monaural. To connect to a TV or VCR without Video/Audio input jacks Use an NTSC system RFU adaptor (not supplied). Refer to the operating instructions of your TV or VCR and the RFU adaptor.
Viewing the recording on TV To cancel the super laser link function Press S.LASER LINK. The lamp on the S.LASER LINK button goes out. If you turn the power off Super laser link turns off automatically. Playback – Basics If you use a Sony TV •You can turn on the TV automatically when you press S.LASER LINK or N . To do so, set AUTO TV ON to ON in the menu settings and turn the TV’s main switch on, then do either of the following: – Point the SUPER LASER LINK emitter at the TV’s remote sensor and press S.
— Advanced Recording Operations — Recording a still image on a tape – Tape Photo recording – CCD-TRV87 only You can record a still picture like a photograph. This mode is useful when you want to record a picture such as a photograph or when you print a picture using a video printer (not supplied). NORMAL PHOTO This mode records a still picture for about seven seconds. FADE PHOTO SHUTTER PHOTO (1) While your camcorder is in the standby mode, select the photo mode in the menu settings (p. 55).
Recording a still image on a tape – Tape Photo recording To use the tape photo recording function during normal CAMERA recording Press PHOTO deeper. The still picture is then recorded for about seven seconds and your camcorder returns to the standby mode. You cannot select another still picture.
Using the wide mode You can record a cinema-like picture (CINEMA) or a 16:9 wide picture to watch on the 16:9 wide-screen TV (16:9FULL). Refer to the operating instructions of your TV. CINEMA Black bands appear on the screen during recording in the CINEMA mode [a], playing back on a normal TV [b] or a wide-screen TV [c]. If you set the screen mode of the widescreen TV to the zoom mode, a picture without black bands appears [d].
Using the wide mode In the standby mode, set 16:9WIDE to CINEMA or 16:9FULL in the menu settings (p. 55). To cancel the wide mode Set 16:9WIDE to OFF in the menu settings. Advanced Recording Operations MENU If the wide mode is set to 16:9FULL (CCD-TRV57/TRV67/TRV87 only) The SteadyShot function does not work. If you select 16:9FULL in the menu settings when the SteadyShot function is working, flashes and the SteadyShot function does not function.
Using the fader function You can fade in or out to give your recording a professional appearance. [a] STBY REC FADER M.FADER (mosaic) STRIPE BOUNCE *1) (Fade in only) OVERLAP *2) (Fade in only) WIPE *3) (Fade in only) [b] STBY MONOTONE When fading in, the picture gradually changes from black-and-white to color. When fading out the picture gradually changes from color to black-and-white. *1) You can use this function only when D ZOOM is set to OFF. CCD-TRV87 only *3) CCD-TRV87 only.
Using the fader function (1) When fading in [ a] In the standby mode, press FADER until the desired fader indicator flashes. When fading out [ b] In the recording mode, press FADER until the desired fader indicator flashes. The indicator changes as follows: FADER t M.FADER t STRIPE t BOUNCE t MONOTONE t OVERLAP (CCD-TRV87 only) t WIPE (CCD-TRV87 only) t no indicator The last selected fader mode is indicated first of all. (2) Press START/STOP. The fader indicator stops flashing.
Using the Fader function Note (CCD-TRV87 only) You cannot use the following functions while using the fader function. Also, you cannot use the fader function while using the following functions. – Digital effect – Low lux mode of PROGRAM AE (Overlap/Wipe function only) – Super NightShot – Tape Photo recording The date, time indicator and title do not fade in or fade out Erase them before operating the fader function if they are not needed.
Using special effects – Picture effect You can digitally process images to obtain special effects like those in films or on the TV. PASTEL [a] : [a] [b] [c] [d] [e] [f] Advanced Recording Operations The contrast of the picture is emphasized, and the picture looks like an animated cartoon. NEG. ART [b] : The color and brightness of the picture is reversed. SEPIA : The picture is sepia. B&W : The picture is monochrome (black-and-white).
Using special effects – Digital effect – CCD-TRV87 only You can add special effects to recorded pictures using the various digital functions. The sound is recorded normally. STILL You can record a still picture so that it is superimposed on a moving picture. FLASH (FLASH MOTION) You can record still pictures successively at constant intervals. LUMI. (LUMINANCEKEY) You can swap a brighter area in a still picture with a moving picture.
Using special effects – Digital effect (1) While your camcorder is in the standby or recording mode, press DIGITAL EFFECT. The digital effect indicator appears. (2) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select the desired digital effect mode. The indicator changes as follows: STILL y FLASH y LUMI. y TRAIL y SLOW SHTR y OLD MOVIE (3) Press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. The indicator lights up and the bars appear. In the STILL and LUMI. modes, the still picture is stored in memory.
Using special effects – Digital Effect Notes •The following functions do not work during digital effect: – Fader – Low lux mode of PROGRAM AE – Tape Photo recording – Super NightShot •The following function does not work in the slow shutter mode: – Exposure – PROGRAM AE •The following functions do not work in the old movie mode: – Exposure – Wide mode – Picture effect – PROGRAM AE When you turn the power off The digital effect will be automatically canceled.
Using the PROGRAM AE function You can select PROGRAM AE (Auto Exposure) mode to suit your specific shooting requirements. Spotlight mode This mode prevents people’s faces, for example, from appearing excessively white when shooting subjects lit by strong light in the theater. Soft portrait mode This mode brings out the subject while creating a soft background for subjects such as people or flowers.
Using the PROGRAM AE function (1) Press PROGRAM AE in the standby mode. The PROGRAM AE indicator appears. (2) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select the desired PROGRAM AE mode. The indicator changes as follows: (CCD-TRV87 only) 1 PROGRAM 2 A To turn the PROGRAM AE function off Press PROGRAM AE. Notes •In the spotlight, sports lesson and beach & ski modes, you cannot take close-ups. This is because your camcorder is set to focus only on subjects in the middle to far distance.
Adjusting the exposure manually You can manually adjust and set the exposure. Adjust the exposure manually in the following cases: •The subject is backlit •Bright subject and dark background •To record dark pictures (e.g. night scenes) faithfully (1) Press EXPOSURE in the standby or recording mode. The exposure indicator appears. (2) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to adjust the brightness. EXPOSURE 2 Advanced Recording Operations 1 To return to the automatic exposure mode Press EXPOSURE again.
Focusing manually You can gain better results by manually adjusting the focus in the following cases: •The autofocus mode is not effective when shooting – subjects through glass coated with water droplets – horizontal stripes – subjects with little contrast with backgrounds such as walls and sky •When you want to change the focus from a subject in the foreground to a subject in the background •Shooting a stationary subject when using a tripod (1) Set FOCUS to MANUAL in the standby or recording mode.
