Sony ProMavica MVC-A7AF User manual

SONY
MVC-A7AF
K
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ProMavica
Professional Still Video System
©1987 by Sony Corporation

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. MVC-A7AF Serial No. —
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do
not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
To reduce the risk of fire, do not
remove cover (or back).
This symbol is intended to
A alert the user to the presence
of important operating and
/ I \ maintenance (servicing)
/ 4 \ instructions in the literature
^^ accompanying the appliance.
INFORMATION
This equipment generates and uses radio
frequency energy and if not installed and used
properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause
interference to radio and television reception. It
has been type tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B computing device in
accordance with the specifications in Subpart J
of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to
provide reasonable protection against such
interference in a residential installation. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause 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 the receiving antenna
Relocate the equipment with respect to the
receiver
Move the equipment away from the receiver
Plug the equipment into a different outlet so
that equipment and receiver are on different
branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer
or an experienced radio/television technician for
additional suggestions. The user may find the
following booklet prepared by the Federal
Communications Commission helpful:
“How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV
Interference Problems”. This booklet is available
from the U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402, Stock No.
004-000003454.
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
Features. J
Overview. 4
Usage examples. 4
Recording format of a still video
camera recorder. 5
Location and function of parts and controls. 6
Indicators in the display window. 8
Indicators in the viewfinder. 9
Preparations — Before turning the power on.10
Power sources.
Viewfinder lens adjustment.13
Disk care.
Disk insertion
Disk ejection..
14
.14
.14
Basic operations
Recording with automatic adjustment.16
Factory settings.
Settings before recording.18
How to record. 29
Video recording using the locked focus
and AE.
24
Zooming. 25
Close-ups (Macro). 25
Recording date. 26
Adva nced operations
Recording with manual adjustments.28
Manual focusing. 29
Shutter priority AE. 30
Video recording in the field mode.31
Manual white balance adjustment.32
Exposure compensation.34
High sensitivity setting.35
Manual audio recording.36
Skip recording.37
Use of the optional accessories.38
Remote control operation.38
Use of an external microphone.38
Use of the electronic flash.39
.40
.41
Precautions. 43
Notes on moisture condensation.44
Troubleshooting. 45
ouaur wr-'-T • * n
Audio recording
Sound can be recorded through the buiit-in
microphone or an external microphone.
Audio recording is automatically done for
approximately 10 seconds following a video
recording. This is convenient for recording a
comment on the video recording, etc.
Recording in both frame and field modes
On a still video floppy disk, 25 pictures can be
recorded in the frame mode, and 50 pictures in
the field mode. Both frame and field modes can
be used in a single disk.
Automatic adjustments
Auto focusing, auto white balance adjustment,
programmed AE (automatic exposure) and
automatic flash* facilitate recording.
* An optional Sony MFL-30 electronic flash is
required.
x 6 zooming
The size of the subject ir. the scene can be
changed.
Macro shooting
Even tiny objects can fill the scene.
Display window
The remaining shot counter, the video recording
mode, the date and caution indicators are shown
in the display window.
Skip recording
A blank track can be assigned for recording.
Remote jack
Video and audio recording can be activated from
a distance.
is the common mark of the Still Video Floppy System.
3

OVERVIEW
USAGE EXAMPLES
For making business reports
The working process can be easily recorded on a disk.
Filing data is also easy, as film development is not required.

RECORDING FORMAT OF A STILL VIDEO CAMERA RECORDER
This unit conforms to the Video/Audio Recoding Format of the Still Video Floppy System and can
record video signals of 525 lines and 60 fields, and audio signals of 5 kHz for 10 seconds per track.
This unit is for recording only. Playback, erasing and editing are not possible on this unit. For playback,
erasing and editing the recordings, use the Sony MVR-A770 still video recorder.
The still video floppy disk
A still video floppy disk has 52 tracks numbered from the outer rim in. Tracks 1 through 50 are assigned
for video and audio recordings, while track 51 is unused. Track 52 is assigned for cue recording, but
cannot be used because this unit does not conform to the Data and Cue Signal Formats. The recording
head moves linearly radius toward the center along the radius as the disk rotates.
Recording side
Video recording
A disk can hold 25 frame recordings, which
require 2 tracks a piece, or 50 field recordings,
which require 1 track a piece.
The picture quality of the field recording is
slightly inferior to that of the frame recording,
while the sensitivity of the field recording
(equivalent to ISO 80) is superior to that of the
frame recording (equivalent to ISO 160).
Continuous video and audio recording
An audio recording for 9.6 seconds can be
automatically activated immediately following a
video recording. For consecutive video and audio
recordings, 3 tracks are required in the frame
mode, and 2 tracks in the field mode.
Audio recording
The Video/Audio Recording Format specifies 3
audio recording Formats: 5-second (10 kHz),
10-second (5 kHz) and 20-second (2.5 kHz)
recordings on a track. This unit employs the
audio recording format for 10 seconds (actually
9.6 seconds) on a track, thus a disk can hold up
to 480 seconds of audio recordings.
5

LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF PARTS
AND CONTROLS
Shutter release button-
A three-position push button.
Recording will start by
depressing it completely.
-Accessory shoe
Attach an MFL-30 electronic flash, etc.
■ Automatic white balance sensor
POWER switch'
Zoom ring
Zooming between wide-angle
(f = 12 mm) and telephoto
(f = 72 mm) can be done.
Self-timer lamp
Blinks when using the
self-timer.
Focus ring
Turn this ring to focus
when the focus
selector is set to MAN.
Lens cap
Remote jack-
Connect the optional
RM-S7 remote control
unit.
Battery holder
Drive mode selector-
S (single recording)
C (continuous recording)
0 (self-timer recording)
Macro set button
Keeping this button depressed, turn the zoonr
ring to the MACRO range for macro shooting
Tripod receptc
• Focus selector
AF (auto focusing)
MAN (manual focusing)
6

EJECT (disk eject) button ■
Disk holder
Lens hood
(supplied)
SHIFT button
Used for setting the various
selectors.
Backup battery holder
Date setting buttons
SEL (select) button
SET button
AUDIO recording mode selector
OFF
AUTO (automatic)
MAN (manual)
WB (white balance) selector
AWB (automatic)
(outdoor)
-A (indoor)
SKIP recording button
Press to set to the skip recording
mode.
Keeping this button depressed,
press the SHIFT button to assign
the track.
■ Viewfinder lens adjustment knob
Adjust the position of the viewfinder lens.
Display window
Viewfinder
Eyepiece
AUDIO REC (MAN) (manual
audio recording) switch
In the MAN (manual)
audio recording mode,
slide this switch to
start and stop the
audio recording.
Built-in microphone
Uni-directional microphone
for recording the camera
operator’s voice, etc.
Hook for shoulder strap
-Grip
MIC (external microphone) jack
Connect an external microphone
equipped with a miniplug.
When a microphone is plugged
in, the built-in microphone is
disconnected automatically.
DC IN 9.6 V (DC power input) jack
Connect the optional DCC-2600A
car battery cord to operate the
unit on a car battery or the
optional N P-4000 battery pack.
AE (automatic exposure) selector
PROG AE (programmed AE)
S AE (shutter priority AE)
VIDEO recording mode
selector
FR (frame recording)
FLD (field recording)
\
SENS (sensitivity) selector
Normal/SENS. HI (high sensitivity
EV (exposure compensation value
set button
The exposure compensation value
can be set in 0.5EV steps betwee 1
-2.0EV and +2.0EV.
7

LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF PARTS
AND CONTROLS
The following indices appear In Ihe display window. (The illustration shows all the indicator.
-VIDEO recording mode
FR (frame recording)/FLD (field recording)
r
AE (automatic exposure) mode
PROG (programmed AE)/S (shutter
priority AE)
Remaining shot counter
In the skip recording mode, the assigned track
number is displayed.
White balance mode
AWB (automatic)/-)*;- (outdoor)/ ...- (indoor)
Shutter speed ,
When the shutter release button is pressed lightly
(1st position), the shutter speed is displayed here
When the S AE mode is selected, the preset shutter
speed is displayed.
Aperture value
Displayed when the shutter release button is
pressed lightly (1st position).
Audio recording time indicator
During audio recording, one blinking bar lights up
every 2 seconds. After 10 seconds, all the bars will
disappear momentarily. The first bar then starts
blinking.
Caution indicators
Q: The head has been contaminated
[£: Moisture has condensed inside the unit.
r yi : The battery is weak.
EV (exposure compensation value)
Displayed when the automatic exposure is
compensated.
SENS. HI (high sensibility) indicator
Displayed when the double sensitivity is selected.
Date
AUTO (automatic) audio recording indicator
Displayed when the audio recording mode is set to
8

INDICATORS IN THE VIEWFINDER
When the shutter release button is pressed lightly, the following indicators appear in the viewfinder.
Focusing frame
Autofocus circle
Ready-light indicator
Lights up when the MFL-30 electronic flash is
connected and the flash is charged.
Focusing impossibility indicator
Lights up when the correct focus cannot be
obtained with auto focusing. (See page 28.)
Ready indicator
In the auto focusing mode, this indicator lights up
when the unit is ready for recording and the correct
focus has been obtained.
In the manual focus mode, the indicator lights when
the unit is ready for recording.
Aperture value
9

preparations—B efore turning the power on
POWER SOURCES
Batteries
Battery life , ..
New alkaline batteries provide the video and audio
recordings on four or five disks (in the automatic
audio recording mode, measuring according to t e
test conditions specified by Sony).
The operating time will be shortened in a cold place.
For a longer operating time
When the POWER switch is set ON, the unit draws
on the batteries even when recording does nottake
place. Be sure to set the POWER switch to OFF
when the unit is not being used.
If the POWER switch is kept at ON for 4 hours
The unit will be turned off automatically. To reuse
the unit, first turn the POWER switch OFF and ther
ON.
10

I Caution
Never ren
may caus
mm

Car battery
Connect the optional DCC-2600A car battery cord to
cigarette lighter socket (12 V or 24 V) of a car.
the DC IN 9.6 V jack of the unit and to the
conditions specified by Sony). NP-4000 using the optional DCC-
Connect the DC IN 9.6V jack of the unit to the DC 12V socket or me nr
2600A car battery cord.
Note
Use only the recommended car battery cord
manufactured by Sony. Polarity of the plugs of other
manufacturers may be different.
12
Note on connection
Before inserting/removing a connecting cord plug
Into/from the DC IN 9.6 V jack, turn the POWER
switch OFF. if it is turned ON, the battery indicate
may light inappropriately in the display window. To
extinguish the Indicator, turn the POWER switch o
and turn ON again.
Note on use of an external power source
When an external battery is weak, the indicators n
the display window may blink. In this case, remove
the connecting cord plug from the unit and rechar
the battery.

A backup battery is required for retaining the date, AE mode, VIDEO recording mode, remaining shot
counter, etc. in memory.
The position of the viewfinder lens for optimum vision varies depending on the person. Adjust the
position when you use the unit for the first time or after another person has used it.
Lithium battery life
When the lithium battery becomes weak, the date
indication in the display window blinks 3 times after
the power is turned on. in this case, replace the
battery with a Sony CR2025 or Duracell DL-2025
lithium battery. Use of another battery may present
a risk of fire or explosion.
Note on lithium battery
Keep the lithium battery out of the reach of children.
Should the battery be swallowed, immediately
consult a doctor.
Note on lithium battery replacement
Replace the lithium battery with a power source
connected so that the memory contents are
retained.
WARNING
Battery may explode if mistreated. Do not
recharge, disassemble or dispose of in fire.

DISK CARE
DISK INSERTION
Make sure that the safety
tab is not removed.
Insert the disk with the
arrow facing the outside.
DISK EJECTION
-| Slide the EJECT button in the direction of the arrow.
2 Take out the disk. _
3 Push to close the disk holder.
When a disk with the safety tab removed Is inserted
If the POWER switch is ON, the remaining shot
counter indicates and the unit cannot operate.
If the POWER switch is OFF, the unit cannot
Note |
The EJECT button does not function during
recording or immediately after the power is turned
On.
Note on replacement of the disk
Do not replace the disk where rain, dust or other
foreign objects might enter the disk drive unit inside
the camera recorder. Such contamination may
damage the unit.

Do not open the protection shutter and touch
the surface of the disk, as invisible dirt or
scratch on the disk may impair picture quality.
Disks do not need cleaning.
Keep disks away from magnetic fields
generated by loudspeakers, motors,
transformers, TV sets, etc., or data stored on
the disk may be erased.
Do not expose disks to direct sunlight, heat or
excessive dust.
Protection
shutter
Safety tab
Break off the tab to protect the disk against
accidental erasure and to prevent addition of
any new data to the disk.
If you cover the opening, where the safety tab
has been removed, with the seal supplied with
the disk, you can re-record on the disk.
Attach the supplied seal
without any wrinkle. Be
careful not to let the seal
go over the edge.
bet use
pie Identifying titles on the label supplied with the
gk. When there Is no more space on the label, peel
ifgff and stick on a new (able,
jp not stick a new label over an old one, and be
greful to stick the new label exactly within the
pace provided.

RECORDING WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT
FACTORY SETTINGS_
When the power is first turned on, the following factory settings are displayed in the display window.^
Generally, you can make recordings easily with these factory settings and some adjustments described
on the following pages.
■ Remaining shot counter
For a new disk, 25 is displayed in case of frame
mode.
-—
SHOT 1
-i-=r
Zt C 1
L _/ |
AE
PROG J
VIDEO
FR
AWB I
AUDIO
AWB (automatic white balance) mode
White balance is adjusted automatically.
^-PROG AE (programmed AE) mode
The aperture value and shutter speed are
automatically set according to the program.
" FR (frame) recording mode
1 In tn OR ninti ir<5e
_j:_l -
16

Video recording mode
Frame mode
Field mode
Automatic
7 shots
10 shots
ample 2: When the recroding head is on track 49
Video recording mode
Frame mode
Audio recording mode
Automatic
0 shots
Field mode

SETTINGS BEFORE RECORDING
Select the drive mode with the drive
mode selector.
timer
lamp
Set the focus selector to AF (auto
focusing).
S (single recording)
When the shutter release button is
pressed, one picture is recorded.
C (continuous recording)
While the shutter release button is kept
pressed, recording continues at the rate
of four shots per second.
0 (self-timer recording)
Recording will be made about 10
seconds after the shutter release button
has been pressed. The self-timer lamp
blinks until the recording starts. (The
lamp blinks rapidly for the last two
seconds.)

Set the AUDIO recording mode selector to AUTO.
Audio recording will be automatically made for 9.6 seconds after a video recording.
Display window
OFF AUTO MAN
-• • •-
AUDIO i
AUDIO
When the AUDIO selector is set to AUTO, continuous recordings cannot be made even if the
drive mode selector is set to C.

RECORDING WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT
HOW TO RECORD
Turn the POWER switch
ON. Hold the camera
recorder as in the
illustration and point it
at the subject.
Press the shutter release
button lightly.
Auto focusing and automatic exposure
(AE) will be activated and the unit will
stand by for recording in 0.5-1 second.
Then the ready indicator will light in the
viewfinder. —C'O; ' -