RCA CC431 User manual

USER‘S
GUIDE
CC431
CAMCORDER

i
CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug
to wide slot, fully insert.
ATTENTION: Pour éviter les chocs électriques, introduire la lame
la plus large de la fiche dans la borne correspondante de la prise et
pousser jusqu au fond.
To reduce risk of injury, charge only rechargeable batteries recommended by the
manufacturer for this camcorder. Other types of batteries may burst causing
damage and personal injury.
CAUTION: Avoid operating this product immediately after moving it from a
cold location to a warm location. Give it 2 to 3 hours to reach a stable temperature
before inserting a video cassette. When moved from a cold area to a warm
location, moisture may condense on the head drum inside the machine. This
moisture could cause the tape to stick to the headwheel and damage the
headwheel or tape.
FCC Regulations state that unauthorized changes or modifications to this
equipment may void the user’s authority to operate it.
Product Registration
Please fill out the product registration card and return it immediately. Returning
this card allows us to contact you if needed.
Keep your sales receipt for proof of purchase to obtain warranty parts and service
and attach it here. Record the serial and model numbers located on the bottom of
the product.
Model _______________________________________________________
Serial No:_____________________________________________________
Purchase Date: ________________________________________________
Purchased From: ______________________________________________
Important Safety Information
Be sure to read all the safety information before you begin to use this product.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose
product or AC adapter/charger to rain or moisture.
RISKOF ELECTRICSHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
This symbol indicates “dangerous voltage”
inside the product that presents a risk of
electric shock or personal injury.
This symbol indicates important
instructions accompanying the product.
RISQUEDE CHOC
ELECTRIQUENE PAS OUVRIR
CAUTION
ATTENTION
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE
COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS ARE INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
CC431

1
Assistance
Table of Contents
We want to make sure you enjoy your new camcorder. If you have any
questions, call:
Camcorder Exchange Warranty . . .800-283-6503 (Pages 58-59)
Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-336-1900 (Page 57)
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-338-0376 (Pages 44-51)
Safety Information................................i
Product Registration.............................i
Contents.............................................1-2
First-Time Operation
• Assistance............................................3
• Unpack Camcorder and
Accessories ......................................3
• Attach the Adapter/Charger ................4
• Remove Lens Cap and Attach
to Handstrap.....................................5
• Turn on the Camcorder .......................5
• Insert a Cassette ..................................6
• Position Viewfinder and
Adjust Eyepiece Focus Control .......6
• Start and Stop Recording ....................7
• Play Back What You Have
Recorded..........................................7
• Review the Camcorder’s
Operating Controls .......................8-9
Powering the Camcorder
• Using the Adapter/Charger ...............10
• Using the Rechargeable Battery
• Charging.........................................11
• Attaching and Removing................12
• Care and Storage ............................13
• Safety Precautions..........................13
• Battery Level Indicator...................14
• Using the Optional Thomson
Car Cord Adapter.......................15
Video Cassettes
• Erase Protection..............................16
• Recording and Playback Times......16
• Inserting and Removing
Cassettes.....................................17
Cassette Care and Storage................17
Traveling Tips ....................................18
Cassette Tips.......................................18

Table of Contents
2
Recording Features
• Quick Review....................................19
• Tape Positioning ...............................19
• Microphone.......................................19
• AI (Artificial Intelligence) ................19
• Program AE (Auto Exposure)...........20
• Auto Focus........................................20
• Macro Focus......................................20
• Electronic Indexing...........................21
• Time Remaining Display ..................21
• Viewfinder...................................22-23
• Displays in Viewfinder................24-25
• Date and Time Display
• Set the Date and Time....................26
• Record the Date and Time
(or Date) on Your Tape.............27
• Charging the Clock Cell.................27
•Tape Counter with Memory Stop..28-29
• Zooming............................................30
• ProEdit®Features
• Edit Search .....................................31
• Titler..........................................32-34
Recording Tips...................................35
Playback
• Viewfinder Playback.........................36
• Playback Features
• Stop-Action Pause.....................36-37
• Picture Search ...........................36-37
• Tracking .........................................37
• Playback on TV (or VCR) with
AUDIO/VIDEO IN Jacks.......38-39
• Playback on TV without
Audio and Video Inputs.........40-41
Attaching the Shoulder Strap...........42
Information to User ...........................43
Specifications......................................44
Optional Accessories.....................44-51
• Accessory Order Form.................49-51
Care and Maintenance.................52-53
Trouble Checks.............................54-56
Assistance............................................57
Limited Warranty.........................58-59
Index (Alphabetical).....................60-61

3
First-Time Operation
• Save the box and packing materials in case you ever need to store or ship
your camcorder.
• The items shown below are packed with your camcorder. If any of them are
missing or appear damaged, contact your dealer immediately.
AC Adapter/Charger: Stock No. 232595
DC Cable: Stock No. 233328
Rechargeable 10-Volt Battery
Stock No. EP096FS
WARNING: LEAD-
ACID BATTERY.
MUST BE DISPOSED
OF PROPERLY.
Camcorder
Model CC431
POWER CHARGE
Shoulder Strap
Stock No. 227327
This section describes only the basic steps necessary to set up your camcorder to
record. Refer to the other sections for detailed operation and feature options.
Assistance
The toll-free numbers are available to help you with any problem you may encounter.
Camcorder Exchange Warranty . . . . .800-283-6503
Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-336-1900
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-338-0376
1. Unpack the camcorder and accessories.
Caution: Do not use this adapter/charger for any purpose other than charging the
EP096FL or EP096FS battery pack or supplying power to the camcorder.

4
First-Time Operation
2. Attach the adapter/charger.
Since the battery must be charged
before it can be used the first time,
attach the adapter/charger to the
camcorder.
• Attach one end of the
adapter/charger’s DC cable to the
DC OUTPUT jack on the
adapter/charger.
POWER CHARGE
Adapter/Charger
DC OUTPUT
Jack
Adapter/Charger’s
DC Cable DC IN 9.6V Jack on
Back of Camcorder
• Attach the other end of the cable to
the DC IN 9.6V jack on the
camcorder.
• Plug the adapter/charger’s plug into
an operating outlet.
•Details are on page 10.

5
First-Time Operation
CAMERA/OFF/VCR Switch
Lens Cap
Handstrap
3. Remove the lens cap and attach
it to the handstrap.
4. Turn on the camcorder.
The position of the
CAMERA/OFF/VCR switch tells the
camcorder whether you want to record
(CAMERA), play back tapes (VCR), or
turn off the power (OFF).
• Press and hold the small button on
CAMERA/OFF/VCR while
sliding it in CAMERA. The
electronic viewfinder will come on.

First-Time Operation
Lens Cap on
Handstrap
Cassette Door
Press Here to Close
Tape Window
Safety Tab
REC (Record)
/PAUSE Button
6
5. Insert a cassette.
• Press STOP/EJECT to open the
cassette compartment.
• Insert the cassette with the safety tab
facing up and the tape windows
facing out.
• Press the cassette down gently until
it locks into place, and close the
cassette compartment door.
•Details are on page 17.
6. Position viewfinder and adjust
eyepiece focus control.
• Grasp the viewfinder and rotate it
horizontally.
• Pull the viewfinder out from the
camcorder and rotate the eyepiece
into a comfortable viewing position.
Caution: Pulling on the eyepiece may
cause damage to the eyepiece or
camcorder.
• If the image in the viewfinder is
blurry, adjust the eyepiece focus
control for your vision. Details are
on page 22.

7
First-Time Operation
7. Start and stop recording.
Start and stop recording by pressing
and releasing REC/PAUSE. REC
appears in the viewfinder. You do not
have to hold the button to record.
Notes: If you do not record within five
minutes, the camcorder will automatically
shut off to prevent excessive tape wear.
Press REC/PAUSE to turn on the
camcorder.
Any material recorded on the tape will
automatically be erased if you record
over it.
8. Play back what you have
recorded.
•Press REC/PAUSE to stop recording.
• Press and hold the small button on
CAMERA/OFF/VCR while sliding
it to VCR.
• Press REW(rewind)/REVIEW to
rewind the tape.
• Press PLAY to play back the tape in
the viewfinder.
• Press STOP/EJECT when you are
finished playing back the tape.
• Details on viewfinder playback are
on page 36.
STOP/EJECT
PLAY
REW(Rewind)/
REVIEW
CAMERA/OFF/VCR Switch
Eyepiece
Electronic
Viewfinder
(Grasp Here
to Move)
REC (Record)
/PAUSE Eyepiece
Focus
Control

8
■▲
❙
/
First-Time Operation
9. Review the camcorder’s operating controls.
VIDEO, AUDIO, and RF DC OUT
Jacks (Located Behind Small Cover)
Lens
Lens
Hood
Microphone
BRIGHT Control
(Located Under Microphone)
Eyepiece
Focus
Control
Viewfinder
STOP/EJECT Button
Also EDIT•ADV Button
F.FWD (Fast Forward) Button
Also Title Select + Button
PLAY Button
DISPLAY Button
RESET Button
DATE/TIME Button
TITLER Button
CAMERA•OFF•VCR Switch
REW (Rewind/Review) Button
Also Title Select – Button