RCA CC618 User manual

USER‘S
GUIDE
CC618
CAMCORDER

i
Important Safety Information
Be sure to read all the safety information before you begin to use this product.
Cautions 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.
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 camcorder.
Model No: _____________________________________
Serial No: _____________________________________
Purchase Date: _____________________________________
Purchased From: _____________________________________
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose
camcorder 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
CC618

1
Assistance
Table of Contents
Safety Information..............................i
Product Registration...........................i
Table of Contents............................1-2
First-Time Operation
• Assistance..........................................3
• Unpack Camcorder &
Accessories......................................3
• Attach the Adapter/Charger...............4
• Insert a Tape......................................4
• Open Lens Cover...............................5
• Adjust Handstrap...............................5
• Turn on Camcorder............................5
• Select a Recording Speed..................6
• Set the SCENE SELECT AE Dial......7
• Adjust Viewfinder and
Eyepiece Focus Control...................7
• Start and Stop Recording...................8
• Play Back Your Recording................8
• Turn off the Camcorder.....................8
• Review Camcorder’s
Operating Controls.....................9-11
Powering Your Camcorder
• Using Adapter/Charger....................12
• Using Rechargeable Battery.......13-15
• Using Optional Car Cord Adapter...16
Remote Control
•Install Battery Cell...........................17
• Remote Sensor.................................17
• Buttons .......................................18-19
Video Cassettes............................20-21
Recording
• Making a Recording...................22-23
• Viewfinder..................................24-25
• Viewfinder Displays...................26-29
• Tally Light.......................................30
• Microphone......................................30
• Flying Erase Head ...........................30
(continued on next page)
We want to make sure you enjoy your new camcorder. If you have any
questions, call:
Camcorder Exchange Warranty..............800-283-650 (pages 84-85)
Customer Service...........................................800-336-1900 (page 83)
Accessories...............................................800-338-0376 (pages 70-75)

Table of Contents
2
Recording (continued)
• Electronic Indexing .........................30
• Quick Review..................................31
• Auto Head Cleaner..........................31
• Camera Edit.....................................31
• Time Counter With Memory Stop...32
• Tape Time-Remaining Display .......33
• Auto Pause Feature..........................34
• Electronic Image Stabilizer (EIS)....34
• Snapshot Feature .............................35
• Self-Timer (Remote Only) ..............36
• Zooming (Power and Digital)..........37
•SCENE SELECT AE Dial................38
• White Balance .................................39
•MODE Button..................................40
• Fading In and Out............................41
• 16X9 Mode.................................42-43
• Focusing (Auto and Manual) .....44-45
• Exposure Control (Iris)....................46
• Titler...........................................47-48
• Set the Date and Time .....................49
• Select the Date,Time, or Title To
Record on Tape.......................50-51
• Install the Clock Lithium Cell.........52
• Attaching the Shoulder Strap...........53
• Animation and Time-Lapse
Recording (Remote Only)........54-55
• Audio Dubbing (Remote Only).......56
• Edit Insert (Remote Only)...............57
• Built-in Color Enhancement
Light.........................................58-59
• Recording Tips ................................60
• Traveling Tips .................................61
Playback
• Using the Cassette Adapter........62-63
• Viewfinder Playback ......................64
• Playback Features
• Tracking .....................................64
• Visual Searching ........................65
• Tape Positioning ........................65
• Stop-Action Pause......................65
• Playback on TV (or VCR)
with AUDIO/VIDEO IN Jacks........66-67
• Playback on TV Without
Audio/Video Inputs..................68-69
Optional Accessories...................70-75
• Accessory Order Form...............73-75
Trouble Checks ...........................76-79
Care and Maintenance ...............80-81
Specifications ....................................82
Customer Assistance and Service ...83
Limited Warranty.......................84-85
Index (Alphabetical) ...................86-89

3
First-Time Operation
1. Unpack the camcorder and accessories.
• Save the packing materials and box in case you ever need to ship or store
your camcorder.
• The items shown below are packed with your camcorder. If any are
missing or appear damaged, contact your dealer immediately.
Rechargeable 6-Volt Battery
Part No. FB1260
Remote Control
Part No. 221125
Cassette Adapter
Part No. 221338
or VCA115A
Shoulder Strap
Part No. ACS091
Clock and Remote Cells
3-Volt Micro Lithium Cells
– such as CR2025 – are
available from most local
drug stores and camera
shops. Use of other cells
present a risk of fire or
explosion.
AC Adapter/Charger
Part No. 221339 or 217010
Model CC618
WARNING: NICKEL
CADMIUM BATTERY
MUST BE DISPOSED
OF PROPERLY.
+ -
Cassette Adapter
Battery
(Size "AA" 1.5 Volt)
ZOOM
START/STOP
SELF
INT.
TIME
TIME LAPSE
REC
TIME
ANIM.
PAUSE
FF
A.DUB
INSERT
REW
STOP
PLAY
Caution:
Do not use this
adapter/charger
for any purpose
other than
charging the
FB1260 or
FB120 battery
pack or supply-
ing power to
the camcorder.
Cautions: Lithium cell batteries. Must be disposed of properly. Never
handle punctured or leaking cells. May cause burns or personal injury.
Keep out of the hands of children. Can cause death or injury if swallowed.
If swallowed, consult a physician immediately for emergency treatment.
The lithium cells used in these devices may explode resulting in a fire or
chemical burn if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble, heat above
212˚F (100˚C), or incinerate.
Never use metallic tweezers to hold the cell, and never short circuit the +
and – sides of the cell.
F1
F2
MODE EIS
1
2
0
x
P
U
S
H
A
U
T
O
M
A
N
SCENE SELECT
POWER
CHG END REFRESH
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
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.

4
3.Insert a tape.
•Slide EJECT.
• Turn the tape wheel on the cassette
to remove any slack from the tape.
• Insert the cassette with the tape
wheel facing up and the tape window
facing out.
• Press on the area labeled PUSH until
the cassette door locks into place.
First-Time Operation
CAMERA
VCR
POWER
OFF
AUDIO
NAP
SHOT
RF
VIDEO
L
E
N
S
C
O
V
E
R
POWER
CHG END REFRESH
POWER
Indicator DC OUT Jack
Power Connector
Adapter/Charger
Reference Marks
To AC 100-
240V, 50/60 Hz
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.
(continued on next page)
A. Connect the power connector’s
small plug into the DC OUT jack
on the adapter/charger.
B. Align the reference mark on the
power connector with the mark on
the camcorder. Hold the top of the
power connector flush against the
back of the camcorder, and press
the bottom of the power connector
down until it locks into place.
C. Plug the adapter/charger’s plug into
an operating outlet. The adapter/
charger’s POWER indicator will
light.

CAMERA
VCR
POWER
OFF
AUDIO
DATE/TIME/CHAR––SET
•30•40
NAP
SHOT
TRACKING
R/M
PLAY/PAUSE
STOP
FF
REW
RCH
RF
DC OUT
VIDEO
L
E
N
S
C
O
V
E
R
5
EJECT
OFF
ON
LIGHT
AUTO
PAUSE
OFF
AUT
ON
F1
F2
ODE
EIS
1
2
0
x
P
U
S
H
A
U
T
O
M
A
N
SCENE SELECT
Tape Wheel
Tape Window
PUSH
Here to
Close
First-Time Operation
EJECT Button
6.Place POWER (CAMERA/
OFF/VCR) switch in
CAMERA.
•The power indicator will light and
the camcorder will enter record
pause. appears in the
viewfinder when the camcorder is in
record pause.
• The position of this switch tells the
camcorder whether you want to
record (CAMERA), turn the power
off (OFF), or play back tapes (VCR).
• The camcorder will automatically
turn off if it remains in record pause
for five minutes. Place POWER in
OFF and then back in CAMERA.
PAUSE
Handstrap Flap
Handstrap Velcro Strip
(Under Flap)
POWER Switch and
Indicator
LENS
COVER
Control
4.Slide LENS COVER control
to open lens cover.
5.Adjust the handstrap to fit
your hand.
• Lift the flap on the handstrap and
separate the velcro strip.
• Insert your hand, adjust the strap
to fit snugly, and refasten the
strap.

6
CAMERA
VCR
POWER
OFF
AUDIO
DATE/TIME/CHAR––SET
•30•40
NAP
SHOT
TRACKING
R/M
PLAY/PAUSE
STOP
FF
REW
RCH
RF
DC OUT
VIDEO
L
E
N
S
C
O
V
E
R
First-Time Operation
7.Select a recording speed and tape length using
SP•SLP/T20•30•40 switch.
SP•SLP/T20•30•40
Switch
Select SP or SLP recording speed.
• SP – Standard play provides the best
picture, but the shortest recording
time (20 minutes with a TC-20 tape).
• SLP – Extended play provides three
times the recording time as SP
(60 minutes with a TC-20 tape).
SLP has slightly more picture noise
in normal playback.
Set the length of the tape you are using
so the camcorder can correctly
calculate the recording time remaining
on the tape.
Repeatedly press the SP•SLP/
T20•30•40 switch.
• Select T20 SP if you are using a tape
with 20 minutes or less recording
time and want to record in SP speed.
• Select T20 SLP if you are using a
tape with 20 minutes or less
recording time and want to record in
SLP speed.
• Select T30 SP if you are using a tape
with 30 minutes recording time and
want to record in SP speed.
• Select T30 SLP if you are using a
tape with 30 minutes recording time
and want to record in SLP speed.
• Select T40 SP if you are using a tape
with 40 minutes recording time and
want to record in SP speed.
• Select T40 SLP if you are using a
tape with 40 minutes recording time
and want to record in SLP speed.

7
F1
F2
MODE EIS
1
2
0
x
P
U
S
H
A
U
T
O
M
A
N
SCENE SELECT
FULL
AUTO
Electronic Viewfinder
Eyepiece Focus Control
SCENE SELECT AE Dial
8.Set the SCENE SELECT AE
dial to AUTO.
• This places the camcorder in the
AUTO mode. FULL AUTO will
appear in the side display panel.
• In the AUTO mode, the fade, 16X9,
manual focus, exposure, display, and
titler controls will not operate.
9.Adjust the viewfinder and
eyepiece focus control.
• Rotate the viewfinder into a
comfortable operating position.
• Turn the eyepiece focus control to
adjust the focus of the viewfinder for
your vision.
First-Time Operation
(continued on next page)

8
CAMERA
VCR
POWER
OFF
AUDIO
DATE/TIME/CHAR––SET
•30•40
NAP
SHOT
TRACKING
R/M
PLAY/PAUSE
STOP
FF
REW
RCH
RF
DC OUT
VIDEO
L
E
N
S
C
O
V
E
R
First-Time Operation
10. Start and stop recording.
• Press and release the thumb trigger
to start recording. REC 666
appears in the viewfinder, and the
tally light will light when the
camcorder is recording.
• Press and release the thumb trigger
again to stop recording. The
camcorder is now in the record-
pause mode ( appears in
the viewfinder).
PAUSE
11. Play back what you have
recorded.
• Place the POWER switch in VCR.
• Press REW to rewind the tape.
• Press PLAY/PAUSE to play back
the tape in the viewfinder.
• Press STOP when you are finished
playing back the tape.
• Details on viewfinder playback are
on page 64.
12. Place the POWER switch in
OFF to turn off the camcorder.
The power indicator will turn off.
Thumb Trigger
Power Indicator
PLAY Button
REW Button
STOP Button
POWER (VCR/OFF/CAMERA) Switch