Sony DCR-TRV17E User manual

YORK U3A
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF VIDEO CAMERA
(FOR SATURDAY MORNING MEETING VIDEO FEED)
1. The video ca era is a Sony DCR-TRV17E, about 10 years old, donated to U3A by a e ber.
It has excellent quality video, and records (if needed) onto ini- DV tapes.
TO SET UP
2. Set up on Tripod. The ca era should have attached (at the botto ) a silver “ ount”
which will clip into the base at the top of the tripod (using a si ple spring clip to do this)
3. Open the viewfinder on left side of the ca era. NB The only proble with the ca era is
that the viewfinder does not work in its “nor al” position! Twist the viewfinder 180
degrees (it works this way!) and then fold flat against the ca era……
NB** NOTE THE IMAGE IN THIS VIEWFINDER (AS A RESULT OF HAVING BEEN TWISTED
ROUND) NOW SHOWS IN MIRROR IMAGE OF THE ACTUAL SCENE. BEWARE!! **
NB There is also an “eye” viewfinder on top of the ca era, which can be swivelled upwards.
4. Connect power cable into the “DC IN” slot
(underneath the battery at back of ca era)

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5. Connect v deo cable (s ngle jack nto camera, t has 3 coloured jacks at other end)
nto the “A/V OUT” socket on r ght s de of camera (beh nd cover)
The YELLOW jack then connects to the extens on cable go ng out to the v ew ng room
(NOTE: the sound s carr ed from the PA system, the sound from the camera s not used so
the red and wh te jacks are not needed)
6. Ensure tape s rewound n camera before start ng. To do th s:-
- Press GREEN button and turn the POWER knob to
“PLAYER”
- Press “REW <<” button on s de of camera
The rew nd w ll automat cally stop when
the tape s completely rewound.

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7. TO SET CAMERA TO OPERATE
- **FIRST remove the grey ens cap**
- Press GREEN button and turn the
POWER knob to “CAMERA”
This wi start the camera, and the video image wi now be seen on the viewfinder - and a so in the
viewing room (via the ye ow cab e / projector)
HOWEVER, the camera is pre-set to automatica y shut off after 5 minutes.
To avoid this, set the camera to record the proceedings as we ….
To start recording, press the RED button on back of camera. (A red dot wi appear in the
viewfinder)
*START RECORDING JUST BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS – THE TAPE IN THE CAMERA HAS A 0
MINUTE CAPACITY*
8. Adjust the camera position to get optimum view – the zoom can be adjusted (by the knob
extending from top right of camera). Genera y it is best to eave this on the widest setting
9. AT END OF MEETING,
- Simp y press the Red button to stop the recording.
- Rewind the tape in the camera (see 6. ABOVE) ready for next time.
- Turn POWER knob back to “OFF” then disconnect cab es

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OTHER INSTRUCTIONS FOR OCCASIONAL USE
Norma y, these wi not be needed. But if necessary…
To charge the battery
The battery in the camera is not needed when the power cab e is attached. If for any reason the
battery is required, and needs charging, then simp y connect the power cab e and eave the POWER
button in the “OFF(CHG)” position. The battery wi now be charging, and progress can be seen in
the window on top of the camera.
To change the DV cassette
The cassette in the camera has a 90-minute capacity on the existing cassette (the camera is set up
for LP (Long P ay))
It can be overwritten again and again, so wi not norma y need to be changed. If however, it is
required to change (for examp e if a recording of the meeting is required to be archived) then this is
done as fo ows:
- Remove the tripod “mount” from the bottom of the camera, and remove any cab es.

- Locate the “Open/Eject” switch on the bottom of camera, and slide the switch
- gently push open the cassette holder
Lid
Cassette
“O EN/EJECT” switch
- when fully open, the camera will “beep” and automatically raise the cassette mechanism, allowing
you to slide out the cassette.
INSERTING A NEW CASSETTE
- A new DV cassette can be inserted if required (spare cassettes are kept in the storage box).
Then gently push shut the cassette down into its compartment, and the mechanism will
automatically close.
Then close the outer lid.
York U3A
March 2013