Sony Handycam CCD-TR86 User manual

3-859-131-i
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- Model No. AC- -
Serial No. - Serial No. -
CCD-TR96
Video 8
CCD-TR86/TR96/TR916 0
© 1997 by Sony Corporation

Welcome !
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam® camcorder. With your
Handycam,vou can capture life's precious moments with superior picture and sound quality.
Your Handycam 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.
This symbol is intended to alert the
user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the
product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electric shock to persons.
a This symbol is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important
I \ operating and maintenance
I \ (servicing) instructions in the
• \ literature accompanying the
appliance.
RECYCLING NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES
Ni-Cd
NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY.
MUST BE DISPOSED OF
PROPERLY.
Nickel-Cadmium batteries are
recyclable. You can help preserve
our environment by returning your
unwanted batteries to your nearest
Sony Service Center or Factory
Service Center for collection,
recycling or proper disposal.
Note: In some areas the disposal of nickel-
cadmium batteries in household or business
trash may be prohibited.
For the Sony Service Center nearest you call
1-800-222-SONY (United States only).
For the Factory Sendee Center nearest you call 416-
499-SONY (Canada only).
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking
nickel-cadmium batteries.
f oFMtdlto^>ers in the U.S.A.
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications
not expressly approved in this manual could void
your authority to operate this equipment.
Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
— Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
— Increase the separation between the equipment
and receiver.
— Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
— Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
^IB^M ?n?eirs In CANADA
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG WITH AN
EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTA CLE OR
OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES
CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT
BLADE EXPOSURE.

ble of contents
i
a
fore you begin
Jsing this manual.4
Checking supplied accessories.5
tting started
Charging and installing the battery
pack. 6
inserting a cassette.9
iic operations
Camera recording.10
Using the zoom feature.13
Hints for better shooting.14
Checking the recorded picture.15
Connections for playback.16
Playing back a tape. 17
vanced operations
Using alternative power sources. 19
Changing the mode settings.22
Recording with the date or time.25
Selecting the START/STOP mode.26
"'ade-in and fade-out.27
Cnjoying picture effect.28
Jsing the wide mode function.30
Reusing manually.32
Shooting with backlighting.33
Jsing the PROGRAM AE function .... 34
Jsing the built-in light.36
Superimposing a title.38
vlaking your own titles.40
Releasing the STEADY SHOT- function
(CCD-TR96 /TR916 only).42
Editing onto another tape.43
Additional information
Changing the lithium battery
in the camcorder.44
Resetting the date and time.46
Playback modes.47
Tips for using the battery pack.48
Maintenance information and
precautions.51
Using your camcorder abroad.55
Trouble check.56
Specifications.60
Identifying the parts.61
Warning indicators.70
Index. 71
3

I
Before you begin
Using this manual
The instructions in this manual are for the three models listed below. Before you start
reading this manual and operating the unit, check your model number by looking at the
bottom of your camcorder. The CCD-TR96 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-TR96 only".
As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on the camcorder are shown in
capital letters.
e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
As indicated with l 1 in the illustrations, you can hear the beep sound to confirm your
operation.
Types of differences
CCD- Steady Shot Battery case
TR86
—
•
TR96
•
•
TR916
•
—
V color systems > -A'
OTihifej srii
TV color systems differ from country to country. To view your recordings on a TV, you
need an NTSC system-based TV.
When you want to use a PAL M system-based TV, you will need an NTSC/PAL M
transcorder (as this is an NTSC system-based camcorder).
Television program, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the
copyright laws.
care |f
• The LCD screen and/or the color viewfinder are manufactured using high-
precision technology. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or
bright points (red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD
screen and/or in the viewfinder. These points are normal in the manufacturing
process and do not affect the recorded picture in any way. Over 99.99% are
operational for effective use.
• Do not let the camcorder get wet. Keep the camcorder away from rain and sea water.
It may cause a malfunction and sometimes the malfunction cannot be repaired, [a]
• Never leave the camcorder under temperatures above 140° F (60 °C), such as in a car
parked in the sun or under direct sunlight, [b]
.....
4

hecking supplied accessories
Check that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.
m
i
l
1
i'" 1 '
m
a
O" s. > ■ €!!'>
«CE>i' S N f 1 |
m
m
’-• ••••
I
Wireless Remote Commander (1)
(p. 18, 65)
NP-33 Battery Pack (1) (p. 6)
CR2025 Lithium Battery (1) (p. 44)
Already installed in the camcorder.
A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 16)
[U Size AA (R6) battery for Remote
Commander (2) (p. 66)
[6] Shoulder strap (1) (p. 64)
[7] AC-V16/V16A AC power adaptor (1)
(p. 6,19)
[8] Battery case (1) (p. 20)
CCD-TR86/TR96 only
Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is
not made due to a malfunction of the camcorder, video tape, etc.
5
Before
you
begin

Charging and installing the battery pack
Before using your camcorder, you first need to charge and install the battery pack. To
charge the battery pack, use the supplied AC power adaptor.
Charging the battery,pack "Jilll
Charge the battery pack on a flat place without vibration.
(D Connect the AC power adaptor to a wall outlet.
(2) Align the right side of the battery pack with the line on the AC power adaptor,
then slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
(3) Set the selector to CHARGE. The CHARGE lamp (orange) lights up. Charging
begins.
When charging is completed, the CHARGE lamp goes out. Unplug the unit from the
wall outlet, and then remove the battery pack and install it on the camcorder.
Charging Time
Battery pack NP-33
(supplied)
NP-60D
NP-C65 NP-68
NP-78
NP-80/80D NP-98/98D
Charging time*
60 90 105
125 170 190 215
Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack using the supplied AC power
adaptor (Lower temperatures require a longer charging time.)

barging and installing the battery pack
Battery life
Recording time with the built-in light on is indicated in parentheses.
CCD-TR86
mattery pack
NP-33
(supplied)
NP-60D
NP-C65 NP-68 NP-78
NP-80/80D
NP-98/98D
ypical recording
50
75 90
105 135
155 175
me**
(25)
(40) (45)
(55) (75) (80)
(90)
ontinuous
95
140 165 190
250 280
320
ecording time***
(45)
(70) (85) (100)
(140) (145)
(165)
CCD-TR96/TR916
iattery pack
NP-33
(supplied)
NP-60D
NP-C65 NP-68
NP-78 NP-80/80D
NP-98/98D
ypical recording
50 75 90
100 130
150 175
ime"
(25)
(40) (45) (55)
(75)
(75)
(90)
ontinuous
95 135 160 185
240 270
315
ecording time***
(45)
(70) (85)
(100) (135)
(140) (160)
** Approximate minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/stop,
zooming and turning the power on/off.
The actual battery life may be shorter.
’** Approximate continuous recording time indoors.
To remove the battery pack
Slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
Notes on charging the battery pack
• The POWER lamp will remain lit for a while even if the battery pack is removed and
the AC power cord is unplugged after charging the battery pack. This is normal.
• If the POWER lamp does not light, set the selector to VTR (DC OUT) and disconnect
the power cord. After about one minute, reconnect the AC power cord and set the
selector to CHARGE again.
• You cannot operate the camcorder using the AC power adaptor while charging the
battery pack.
7
Getting
started

Charging and installing the battery pack
to jJWBPNpwaSRSi-.-o. ■
(D Insert the top of the battery pack into the top of the battery mounting surface.
( 2 ) Push the battery pack so that it attaches firmly. Make sure that you hear clicks
twice.
Attach the battery pack to the camcorder securely.
Note on installing the NP-98/98D battery pack
Use the camcorder while lifting up the viewfinder slightly.
Note on the battery pack
Do not carry the camcorder by grasping the battery pack.
To remove the battery pack
Slide BATT, and then pull the lower part of the battery pack.
You can look at the demonstration of the functions available with this camcorder, (p. 24)

Inserting a cassette
Make sure that a power source is installed.
(D While pressing the small blue button, slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow.
The cassette compartment automatically opens.
( 2 ) Insert a cassette (not supplied) with the window facing out.
(3) Press the PUSH mark on the cassette compartment to close it. The cassette
compartment automatically closes.
To eject the cassette
While pressing the small blue button, slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow.
To prevent accidental erasure
Slide the tab on the cassette to expose the red mark.
If you insert the cassette with the red mark exposed and close the cassette compartment,
the beeps sound for a while. If you try to record with the red mark exposed, the Etp and
— indicators flash, and you cannot record.
To re-record on this tape, slide the tab back out covering the red mark.

Camera recording
Make sure that a power source and a cassette is inserted and that the START/STOP
MODE switch is set to A .
When you use the camcorder for the first time, power on it and reset the date and time
to your time (p. 46) before you start recording. The date is automatically recorded for 10
seconds after you start recording (AUTO DATE feature). This feature works only once a
day.
Before you record one-time events, you may want to make a trial recording to make
sure that you are using the camcorder correctly.
(D While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to
CAMERA.
(2) Turn STANDBY up. The "STBY" indicator appears in the viewfinder.
(3) Press START/STOP. The camcorder starts recording and the "STBY" indicator
changes to the "REC" indicator.
You can also select Recording mode, SP (standard play) mode or LP (long play) mode.
Set REC MODE in the menu system according to the length of your planned recording
before you start.