Sony video Hi8 XR CCD-TRV63 User manual

SONY. 3-865-659-11 (1)
Video Camera
Recorder
Operating Instructions
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly,
and retain it for futm'e reference.
Owner's Record
The model and serial numbers are locatt, d 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-
Serial No, ,_rial N_.
HandgcamVi_i®_.
video Hi8 _ _ InfoUTHIUM
CCD- TRV63/TR V66 H i []
01998 by Sony Corporation

Welcome!
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam Vision TM camcorder. With your
Handycam Vision, you can capture lite's precious momen_ 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.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do
not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
DO no_ _h:)vl_ COWRIOn lung9
This symbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
unklsulated "dangerous voltage"
within the product's enclosure
that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
This symbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
important operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
Never expose the hatter), pack t-otempe..'atu2"es
above 60°C (140°F), such as in a car parked in
the sun or under direct sunlight.
DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.
You can return you_"unwan_d lithium ion batteries
to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory
Service Center
Note: Ln_ome areas the disposal oflithium ion
batteries in household or business trash may
be prohiblK_d
For the Sony Service Center nearest you ca!l
1-800-222-SONY (United States only)
For the ,Sony Factory Service Center c,earesf you call
416-499-SONY (Canada only)
Caution: Do not handle daraaged or leaking lithium
ion battery.
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 eq uipmer_t has been tested and found to com_ly
with the limits for a Class Bdigital device, pursuant
to Pall 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential insta llatio_. This
equipment generates, usPs, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, i! ii.ot installed and used in
accordance with the msmactions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However,
thele 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 tur_ng the
correct the interference by one or more of the
following measu_s:
-- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
-- Increase the separation between the equipn_enl
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 e×perienced radio/TV
technician for help.
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH
WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT,
FULLY INSERT.

Table of contents
Quick Start Guide .............................4
Getting started
Using this manual .................................6
Checking supplied accessories,...,,.,...._.7
Step 1 Preparing thepower supply .....8
Installingthe battery pack ..............8
Charging tile battery pack ..............9
Connecting toawall outlet ...........11
Step 2 Inserting a cassette...................12
Recording - Basics
Recording apicture .............................. 13
Shooting backlit subjects
(BACK LIGHT) ........................ 18
Shooting in the dark
(NightShot) ............................... 18
Superimposing the date and time
on pictures ................................ 20
Checking the recording
- END SEARCH/EDITSEARCH/
Rec Review ...................................... 21
Playback - Basics
Playing back a tape ............................... 22
Viewing_ _e recording on TV .............. 25
Advanced Recording Operations
Photo recording ..................................... 27
Using the wide mode ........................... 29
Using the fader function ...................... 31
Using special effects
-Picture effect ................................. 34
Using special effects
-Digital effect ................................. 35
Using the PROGRAM AE function .... 38
Adjusting the exposure manually ...... 40
Focusing manually ................................4!
Superimposing a title ........................... 42
Making your own titles ........................ 44
Using the built-in light ......................... 46
Advanced Playback Operations
Playing back a tape with digital effects
........................................................... 48
Editing on Other Equipment
Dubbing a tape ...................................... 49
Recording video or TV programs ....... 50
Customizing Your Camcorder
Changing the MENU settings ............. 51
Resetth_g the date and time ................. 57
Additional Information
Usable cassettes and playback modes
........................................................... 59
Changing the lithium battery in your
camcorder ..........................................
Troubleshooting .................................... 63
Self-diagnosis display .......................... 66
Warning indicators and messages ....., 67
Using your camcorder abroad ............ 68
Maintenance information and
precautions ...................................... 69
Specifications ......................................... 73
Quick Reference
Identifying the parts and controls ...... 74
Quick Function Guide ............................
Index ....................................................... 82

Quick Start Guide
This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your
camcorder. See the page in parentheses "( )" for more
information.
,O
c
Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 8),
Open the DC IN
jack cover,
Connect the plug with
its • mark facing up.
OSlide EJECTin the
direction of the arrow
while pressing the
small blue button.
(_ Insert acassette
into the cassette
compartment
with its
window facing
out.
O Close the cassette
compartraent by
pressing the "PUSH"
mark on the cassette
compartment. The
cassette compartment
automatically goes
do1*gl_.

_]_ Setthe POWER switch to CAMERA
while pressing
POWER the small green
• _ button
•OFF
[ _Open the LCD
panel while
pressing OPEN.
OTurn STANDBY to STANDBY. The
picture appears on the LCD screen.
_OCK
O Press the red button. Your camcorder
starts recording. To stop recording,
press the red button again.
Viewfinder
When the LCD panel is dosed, use the
viewfinder placing your eye against its eyecup.
A
lit Set the POWER switch to V2_
while pressing the small green
button.
_Press _to rewind the tape.
REW[_
_PressP"to sta_pla_ack.
PLAY
I:k
Q
Do not pick up your camcorder by holding
the viewfinder or by holding the LCD
panel.

Getting started --
Using this manual
As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on your camcorder are shown in
capital letters.
e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
When you carry out an opel'ation, you can hear a beep sound to indicate that the
operation is being carried out.
Note on l_0_#ystems
TV color systems differ from country to country. To view your r_'ordings on aTV, 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.
• The LCD screen is manufactured using high-precision technology. However, there
may he some tiny black spots and/or bright spots (red, blue or green in color)
that constantly appear on the LCD screen. These spots occur normally in the
manufacturing process and do not affect the recorded picture in any way.
Effective number of pixels is99.99% or more.
-Do not let your camcorder get wet. Keep your camcorder away from rain and sea
water. Letting your camcorder get wet may cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [a].
• Never leave your camcorder exposed to temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as in a
car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [b].
•Do not place your camcorder so as te point the viewfinder or the LCD screen toward
the sun. The inside of the viewfinder or the LCD screen may be damaged [c].
[a] [b] [c]

Checking supplied accessories
[]
[]
Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.
[]
[] []
[] ======_t
.=
o.
[] Wireless Remote Commander (1)
(p, 79) [] Size AA (R6) battery for Remote Commander (2) (p. 79)
[] AC-L10AJL10B/L10C AC power adaptor
(1), Power cord (1) (p. 9)
[] NP-F330 battery pack (1) (p. 8, 9)
[] A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 25)
[_] Shoulder strap (1) (p. 76)
[] CR2025 lithium battery(l) (p. 61)
The lithium battery is already installed
in your camcorder.
Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is notmade due to a malfunction of the camcorder, video tape, etc.

Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Install the battery pack to use your camcorder outdoors.
Slide the battery pack down.
To remove the battery pack
Slide the battery pack out in the dLrection of the arrow while pressing _ BATr
RELEASE down.
LEASE
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
Use the battery pack after charging it for your camcorder.
Your camcorder operates only with the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack (L series).
"InfoLITHIUM" is at_ademark of Sony Corporation.
(11 Open the DC IN jack cover and cormect the AC power adaptor supplied with
your camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug's •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. Charging begins. The remaining batte D'time is
indicated in minutes on the display window.
When the remaining baflery indicator changes to Jm, normal charge is completed, To
fully charge the battery (full charge), leave the battery pack attached for about I hour
after normal charge is completed until FULL appears in the display window, Fully
charging the batte D, allows you to use the battery longer than usual.
R
2
Note
Prevent metallic objectsfrom coming into contact with the metal parts of the _ plug of
the AC power adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC power
adaptor.
Remaining battery time indicator
"The remaining batter), time indicator i_ the display window roughly indicates the
recording time with the viewfinder ....
Battery pack
The battery pack is charged alittle before it leaves the factory.
Until your camcorder calculates the actual remaining battery time
"- - -- rain" appears in the display window.

Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Charging time
Battery pall( Full charge (Normal charge)
NP-F330 (supplied) 150 (90)
NP-F530/F550 210 (150)
NP-F730/F730H/F750 300 (240)
NP-F930/F950 390 (330)
Approxamate number of minutes to charge an empty battery pack
Recording time
Recording with Recording with
Battery the viewfinder the LCDscreen
pack Continuous* Typical** Continuous* Typical**
NP-F330 (supplied) 140 (125) 75 (65) 115 (100) 65 (55)
NP-F530 245 (220) 130 (120) 195 (170) 110 (95)
NP-F550 280 (250) 15(I(135) 230 (200) 125 (110)
NP-F730 500 (450) 270 (245) 395 (355) 220 !195)
NP-F730HIF750 580 (525) 315 (285) 470 (425) 260 (235)
NP-F930 78O (7O5) 42O (38O) 625 (5601 345 (310)
NP-F950 9_ (79o) 485 (425) 725 (6so) 4oo (36o)
Approximate number of minutes when you use a fully charged battery
Numbers in parentheses "( )" indicate the time using a normally charged battery,
* Appro_.ate continuous recording time at 77_F (25°C). The battery life will be
shorter ff you use your camcorder in a cold environment.
"* Approximate number of minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/
stop, zooming and turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be shorter.
Playing time
Battery Playing time Playing time
pack on LCDscreen with LCDclosed
NP-F330 (supplied) 110 (95) 135 (120)
NP-F530 185 065) 235 (210)
NP'-F550 220 095) 270 (240)
NP- F730 380 (340) 475 (425)
NP- F'730H/FT_ 455 (410) 550 (5_)
NpoF930 600 (540) 745 (670)
NP-F950 700 (630) 850 (760)
Approximate number of minutes when you use a fully charged battery
Numbers in parentheses "( )" indicate the time using anormally charged battery. The
battery life will be shorter if you use your camcorder in acold environment.
10

Step 1 Preparing the power supply
After cha_ing the battery pack
Disconnect the AC power adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.
Note on the remaining battery time indicator during recording
The indicator may not be correct, depending on the conditions in which you are
recording. When you close the LCD panel and open it again, it takes about 1 minute for
the correct remaining battery, time to be displayed
What is "lnfoLITHIU M'?
The "lnfoLITHIUM" is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange data such as
battery consumption with compatible video equipment, This unit is compatible with the
"InfoLITHIUM" battery pack (L series). Your camcorder operates only with the
"InfoLITHIUM" battery, "hr foLITHIUM" batte D, packs have the _'1)tntourHlug mark.
"InfoLITHIUM" is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
2.... _'' ' ....
_9_'qilS_i_g,_t9 a wall i _ . _ _**_.....
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 •mark facing up.
(I) Con.r_ect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet,
12,3
WARNING
The power cord must only be changed at a qualified service shop.
PRECAUTION
The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (house current) as long as it is
connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off.
Notes
• The AC power adaptor can supply power even if the battery pack is attached to your
camcorder.
•The DC IN jack has "source priority". This means that the battery pack cannot supply
any power if the power cord is c6nnected'to the DC IN iack, even when the power
cord is not plugged into awall outlet.
•Keep the AC power adaptor away from the camcorder if the picture is disturbed.
Using a car battery
Use Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (not supplied).
m
11

Step 2 Inserting a cassette
When you want to record in the Hi8 system, use Hi8 video cassette HII_.
(1) Slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow while pressing the small blue button.
The cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens.
(2) Insert a cassette with its window facing out and the tab on the cassette up.
(3) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the "PUSH" mark on the cassette
compartment. The cassette compartment automatically goes down.
2 3
To eject a cassette
Slide EJECTin the direction of the arrow while pressing the smallblue button.
N_ce
Do not press the cassette compartment down. Doing so may cause malfunction.
To prevent accidental erasure
Slide the wrlte-protect tab on the cassette to expose the red mark.
12

-- Re_-ording - Basics
Recording a picture
Your camcorder automatically focuses foryou,
(1) Install the power source and insert a cassette. See "Step 1"and "Step 2" for
more information (p. 8 to 12).
(2) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button. The
lens cover opens.
13)Open the LCD panel while pressing OPEN. The viewfinder automatically
turns off.
(4) Turn STANDBY to STANDBY. 8
(5) Press START/STOP. Your camcorder starts recording. The "REC" indicator _.
appears. The camera recording lamp located on the front of your carncorder 5'
lights up. To stop recording, press START/STOP again.
The recording lamp lights up in the viewfinder when you record with the _
viewfinder.
3
Microphone
Camera recording
lamp
4
_M_V,_ N I l_ STB_ O:_:O0
5c:;II4_Nll I_ REC 0:00:01
Note
Fasten the grip strap firmly. Do not touch the built-in microphone during recording.
To enable smooth transition
You can make the transition between the last scene you recorded and the next scene
smooth as long as you do z_ot eject the cassette. When you exchange the battery pack in
the recording mode, set STANDBY to LOCK.
If you leave your camcorder in the standby mode for 5 minutes while the cassette
is inserted
Your camcorder automatically turns off. Tb,is 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.
To set the counter to 0:00:00
Press COUNTER RESET (p 7'7). 13

Recording a picture
To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen, press either of the two buttons on LCD
BRIGHT.
The LCD panel moves about 90 degrees to the viewfinder side and about 210 degrees to
the lens side,
If you turn the LCD panel over so that it faces the other way, the Q indicator appears
in the viewfinder (Mirror mode).
to brighten
to dim
When closing the LCD panel, set it vertically until it clicks, and swing it into the
camcorder body.
Note
When nsmg the LCD screen except in the mirror mode, the viewfinder automatically
turns off.
When you use the LCD screen outdoors in direct sunlight
The LCD screen may be difficult to see. If this happens, we recommend that you use the
view finder.
Picture in the mirror mode
The picture on the LCD is a mirror-image. However, the picture will be normal when
recorded
During recording in the mirror mode
While recording in the mirror mode, you cannot operate the following buttons: MENU,
TITLE, DATE, and TIME on your camcorder.
Indicators in the mirror mode
• The STBY indicator appears as 110 and REC as @ Some of the other indicators
appear mirror-reve_rsed and others are not displayed
• The date appears mirror-reversed when the auto date function is working However,
the date will be normal when recorded
(1) Turn STANDBY down toLOCK,
(2) Close the LCD panel.
(3) Eject the cassette.
(4) Set the POWER switch to OFF.
After use your camcorder
Remove the battery pack from your cam_order to avoid turning on the built in light
14

Recording a picture
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.
Lift up the viewfinder and move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever S
E
15

Recording a picture
Move the power zoom lever alittle for aslower zoom. Move it further for afaster zoom.
Using the zoom function sparingly results in better-looking recordings.
"F" side: for telephoto (subject appears closer)
"W" side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away)
W T
Zoom greater than 20x is performed digitally, if you set D ZOOM to ON in the MENU
settings. The digital zoom function is set to OFF at the factory. (p. 51)
2
tsideof ebarshows
the digital zooming zone. I
The digital zooming zone appears [
when you set D ZOOM to ON.
Whenyoushoot closeto asubject
Ifyou cannotget asharp focus,move thepower zoom levertothe "W" side until the
focusis sharp. Youcan shoot a subjectthatis at leastabout 2 feet 5/8 inch(about 80 cm)
away from thelens surface in the telephoto position, orabout 1/2 inch (about 1cm)
away in the wide-angieposition.
Notes on digital zoom
•Digital zoom starts to function when zoom exceeds 20x.
•The picture quality deterioratesasyou go toward the "T" side. SetD ZOOM to OFF in
the MENU settings.Otherwise thedigital zoom activateswithout notice (p. 51).
16

Recording a picture
._: Recording starts when you press START/STOP, and stops when you press it again
(factory setting).
ANTI GROUND SHOOTING _ : The camcorder records only while you press START/
STOP. Use this mode to avoid recording unnecessary
scenes.
5SEC: When you press use this mode toSTART/b_fOP, your camcorder records for 5 p_
seconds and then stops automatically. _.
START/STOP
MODE
SEC
GROUND
Notes
• You cannot use the fader function in the 5SEC or q- mode.
• The tape counter does not appear in the 5SEC mode.
To. extend qle recording time in the 5SEC mode
Five dots (OOiHN)) appear, and then disappear at a rate of one per second, To extend
the recording time, press START/STOP again before all the dots disappear. Recording
continues for about 5 seconds from the moment you press START/STOP.
The indicators are not recorded on tape.
_-- Hi8 format indicator r
This appears while playing back or recording in Hi8 format.
I _ Recording mode indicator
J] ff STANDBY/RECindicator
_I'_-I _Tape counter
_Remaining tape indicator
]| ] This appears after a cassette is inserted and
L [ /played back for a while.
k._ Remaining battery time indicator
17

Recording a picture
When you shoot a subject with the light source behind the subject or asubject with a
light background, use the backlight function.
Press BACK LIGHT in the recording or standby mode.
The 1_indicator appears in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
To cancel, press BACK LIGHT again.
If you press EXPOSUREwhen shooting backlit subjects
The backlightfunction will be canceled.
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.
(1) While your camcorder is in the standby mode, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON.
(2) Press START/STOP tostart recording.
[] and "NIGHTSHOT"indicators flash on the LCD screen or in the
viewfinder. To cancel theNightShot hmction, slide NIGHTSHOT to OFF.
18

Recording a picture
Using +SLOW SHUTTER
The NightShot +Slow shutter mode makes subjects more than four times brighter than
those recorded in the NightShot mode.
(1) Slide NIGHTSHOT to ON in the standby mode. _indicator appears.
(2) Press +SLOW SHUTTER until the desired NIGHTSHOT indicator flashes.
The indicator changes as follows:
(NightShot) --* _1 (NightShot +Slow shutterl) --_
_2 (NightShot +Slow shutter2) -_ _(NightShot)
To cancel the NightShot +Slow shutter mode, slide NIGHTSHOT to OFF.
Using the NightShot Light
The picture will be clearer with the NightShot Light on. To enable NightShot Light, set
N.S.LIGHT to ON in the MENU settings (p. 51).
Notes
•Do not use the NightShot function in bright places (ex. outdoors in the daytime). This
may cause your camcorder to malfunction.
•When you keep setting N1Gi1 USHOT to ON in normal recording, the picture may be
recorded inincorrect or unnatur_ colors.
•If focusing is difficult with the autofocus mode when using the NightShot function,
focus manually.
While usingthe NightShot function, you can not usethe following functions:
-Exposure
- PROGRAM AE
'- Fader*
-Digital effect*
* You cannot use these functions only in the NightShot +Slow shutter mode.
Shutter speed in the NightShot +Slow shutter mode
Shhtterspeednumber 5hurterspeed
+SLOW SHUTTER1 1/15
+SLOW SHUTTER2 1/4
The +SLOW SHUTTERbutton does not work:
- while the fader function issetor 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 NightShot +Slow shutter mode.
l
8
K
3"
I
19

Recording a picture
You can record the date or time displayed in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen
superimposed on the picture.
Carry out the following operations in the standby or recording mode,
Press DATE to record the date,
Pre_ TIME to record the time.
Press DATE (or TIME), then press TIME (or DATE) to record the date and time.
Press DATE and/or TIME again. The date and/or time indicator disappears.
DATE TIME
Theclockis set toEastCoast StandardTimeat the factory.Youcan resetthe clockin the
MENUsettings (p. 51).
Note
The date and time indicators recorded manually calmot be deleted.
If you do not record the date and time in the picture
Record the date and time in the black screen as the background for about 10 seconds,
then erase the date and time indicators before starting actual recording.
2O