Sony CCD-TR517 Primary manual

3-868-320- 11 (1) ©1999 Sony Corporation CCD-TR517 Video Camera Recor der Model No. CCD-TR517 Model No. AC-L Serial No. Serial No. 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 numbe[...]

2 Welcome! Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam ® camcorder. With your Handycam, you 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[...]

Getting started 3 T able of contents Quick Start Guide ............................. 4 Getting started Using this manual ................................... 6 Checking supplied accessories .............. 7 Step 1 Preparing the power supply ..... 8 Installing the battery pack .............. 8 Charging the battery pack ............... 9 Connecting to[...]

Quick Start Guide 4 Quick Start Guide This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your camcorder. See the page in parentheses “( )” for more information. Open the DC IN jack cover. Connect the plug with its v mark facing up. Inserting a cassette (p. 14) Connecting the power cord (p. 13) Use the battery pack when using your camcorder ou[...]

Quick Start Guide 5 L O C K START/STOP S T A N D B Y Recording a picture (p. 15) Viewfinder Use the viewfinder placing your eye against its eyecup. Monitoring the playback picture in the viewfinder (p. 23) NOTE Do not pick up your camcorder by holding the viewfinder or the battery pack. 1 Set the POWER switch to PLAYER while pressing the small gree[...]

6 — Getting started — Using this manual [a] [b] 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 operation, you can hear a beep sound to indicate that the operation is being carried out. Note on TV color systems TV color systems diffe[...]

Getting started 7 Checking supplied accessories Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder. 1 AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power adaptor (1), Power cord (1) (p. 9) 2 NP-F330 battery pack (1) (p. 8, 9) 3 CR2025 lithium battery (1) (p. 46) The lithium battery is already installed in your camcorder. Contents of the recording can[...]

8 Installing the battery pack Install the battery pack to use your camcorder outdoors. Slide the battery pack down until it clicks. To remove the battery pack Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing BATT RELEASE down. After installing the battery pack Do not carry your camcorder by holding the battery pack. If you do[...]

9 Getting started Step 1 Preparing the power supply Charging the battery pack Use the battery pack after charging it for your camcorder. Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series). ( 1 ) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC power adaptor supplied with your camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug’s v [...]

10 Notes • Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the DC plug of the AC power adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC power adaptor. • Keep the battery pack dry. • When the battery pack is not to be used for a long time, charge the battery pack once fully and then use it until it fully disch[...]

11 Getting started Charging time Battery pack 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) NP-F960 420 (360) Approximate number of minutes to charge an empty battery pack Recording time Battery pack Continuous* Typical** NP-F330 (supplied) 170 (160) 95 (90) NP-F53[...]

12 Step 1 Preparing the power supply Note on the remaining battery time indicator during recording The indicator may not be correct, depending on the conditions in which you are recording. What is ”InfoLITHIUM”? The “InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange data such as battery consumption with compatible electronic equ[...]

13 Getting started Step 1 Preparing the power supply Connecting to a wall outlet 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 v mark facing up. ( 2 ) Co[...]

14 Step 2 Inserting a cassette ( 1 ) Prepare the power supply (p. 8). ( 2 ) Slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow while pressing the small blue button. The cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens. ( 3 ) Insert a cassette with its window facing out and the tab on the cassette up. ( 4 ) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the[...]

15 Recording – Basics — Recording – Basics — Recor ding a picture Your camcorder automatically focuses for you. ( 1 ) Install the power source and insert a cassette. See “Step 1” and “Step 2” for more information (p. 8 to 14). ( 2 ) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button. The lens cover opens. ( 3 ) Tur[...]

16 After recording ( 1 ) Turn STANDBY down to LOCK. ( 2 ) Eject the cassette. ( 3 ) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHARGE). To record pictures with the viewfinder – adjusting 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 [...]

17 Recording – Basics Using the zoom feature Move the power zoom lever a little for a slower zoom. Move it further for a faster zoom. Using the zoom function sparingly results in better-looking recordings. “T” side: for telephoto (subject appears closer) “W” side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away) Zoom greater than 20 × is pe[...]

18 SP 0:00:01 40 min REC Indicators displayed in the recording mode The indicators are not recorded on tape. Shooting backlit subjects (BACK LIGHT) When you shoot a subject with the light source behind the subject or a subject with a light background, use the backlight function. Press BACK LIGHT in the recording or standby mode. The . indicator app[...]

19 Recording – Basics Shooting in the dark (NightShot) 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. While your camcorder is in the standby mode, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON. and “NIGHTSHOT” indicators[...]

20 Superimposing the date and time on pictures You can record the date or time displayed in the viewfinder superimposed on the picture. Carry out the following operations in the standby or recording mode. Press DATE to record the date. Press TIME to record the time. Press DATE (or TIME), then press TIME (or DATE) to record the date and time. Press [...]

21 Recording – Basics Checking the r ecording – EDITSEARCH / Rec Review You can use these buttons to check the recorded picture or shoot so that the transition between the last recorded scene and the next scene you record is smooth. EDITSEARCH You can search for the next recording start point. Hold down the +/– ( 7 ) side of EDITSEARCH in the[...]

22 — Playback – Basics — Connections for playback Connect your camcorder to your TV or VCR with the A/V connecting cable supplied with your camcorder to watch the playback picture on the TV screen. When monitoring the playback picture on the TV screen, we recommend that you power your camcorder from a wall outlet using the AC power adaptor (p[...]

23 Playback – Basics Playing back a tape You can monitor the playback picture on a TV screen after connecting your camcorder to a TV or VCR. You can also monitor the picture in the viewfinder. ( 1 ) Install the power source and insert the recorded tape. ( 2 ) Set the POWER switch to PLAYER while pressing the small green button. ( 3 ) Press m to r[...]

24 Various playback modes To operate video control buttons, set the POWER switch to PLAYER. To view a still picture (playback pause) Press X during playback. To resume playback, press X or N . To advance the tape Press M in the stop mode. To resume normal playback, press N . To rewind the tape Press m in the stop mode. To resume normal playback, pr[...]

25 Advanced Recording Operations You can record a cinema-like picture (CINEMA) or a 16:9 wide picture to watch on the 16:9 wide-screen TV (16:9FULL). Refer to the operating instructions of your TV. CINEMA Black bands appear on the screen during recording in the CINEMA mode [ a ] , playing back on a normal TV [ b ] or a wide-screen TV [ c ] . If you[...]

26 Using the wide mode In the standby mode, set 16:9WIDE to CINEMA or 16:9FULL in the menu settings (p. 39). To cancel the wide mode Set 16:9WIDE to OFF in the menu settings. In the wide mode You cannot select the bounce function with FADER. Date or time indicator When you record in the 16:9FULL mode, the date or time indicator will be widened on w[...]

27 Advanced Recording Operations You can fade in or out to give your recording a professional appearance. Using the fader function MONOTONE When fading in, the picture gradually changes from black-and-white to color. When fading out the picture gradually changes from color to black-and-white. * You can use this function only when D ZOOM is set to O[...]

28 Using the fader function ( 1 ) When fading in [ a ] In the standby mode, press FADER until the desired fader indicator flashes. When fading out [ b ] In the recording mode, press FADER until the desired fader indicator flashes. The indicator changes as follows: FADER t M.FADER t STRIPE t BOUNCE t MONOTONE t no indicator The last selected fader m[...]

29 Advanced Recording Operations You can digitally process images to obtain special effects like those in films or on the TV. PASTEL [ a ] : The contrast of the picture is emphasized, and the picture looks like an animated cartoon. NEG. ART [ b ] : The color and brightness of the picture is reversed. SEPIA : The picture is sepia. B&W : The pict[...]

30 Using the PROGRAM AE function You can select PROGRAM AE (Auto Exposure) mode to suit your specific shooting requirements. Spotlight mode This mode prevents people’s faces, for example, from appearing excessively white when shooting subjects lit by strong light in the theater. Soft portrait mode This mode brings out the subject while creating a[...]

31 Advanced Recording Operations ( 1 ) Press PROGRAM AE in the standby mode. The PROGRAM AE indicator appears. ( 2 ) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select the desired PROGRAM AE mode. The indicator changes as follows: To turn the PROGRAM AE function off Press PROGRAM AE. Notes • In the spotlight, sports lesson and beach & ski modes, you canno[...]

32 You can manually adjust and set the exposure. Adjust the exposure manually in the following cases: • The subject is backlit • Bright subject and dark background • To record dark pictures (e.g. night scenes) faithfully ( 1 ) Press EXPOSURE in the standby or recording mode. The exposure indicator appears. ( 2 ) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to[...]

33 Advanced Recording Operations You can gain better results by manually adjusting the focus in the following cases: •The autofocus mode is not effective when shooting – subjects through glass coated with water droplets – horizontal stripes – subjects with little contrast with backgrounds such as walls and sky •When you want to change the[...]

34 Superimposing a title You can select one of eight preset titles and two custom titles (p. 36). You can also select the language, color, size and position of titles. ( 1 ) Press TITLE in the standby mode. ( 2 ) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select , then press the dial. ( 3 ) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select the desired title, then press th[...]

35 Advanced Recording Operations To superimpose the title while you are recording Press TITLE while you are recording, and carry out steps 2 to 5. When you press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial at step 5, the title is superimposed. To select the language of a preset title If you want to change the language, select before step 2. Then select the desired lang[...]

36 Making your own titles You can make up to two titles and store them in your camcorder. Each title can have up to 20 characters. ( 1 ) Press TITLE in the standby or PLAYER mode. ( 2 ) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select , then press the dial. ( 3 ) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select the first line (CUSTOM1) or second line (CUSTOM2), then pre[...]

37 Advanced Recording Operations To change a title you have stored In step 3, select CUSTOM1 or CUSTOM2, depending on which title you want to change, then press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select [ C ], then press the dial to delete the title. The last character is erased. Enter the new title as desired. If you take 5 min[...]

38 — Editing — Dubbing a tape Using the A/V connecting cable Connect your camcorder to the VCR using the A/V connecting cable supplied with your camcorder. (1) Insert a blank tape (or a tape you want to record over) into the VCR, and insert the recorded tape into your camcorder. (2) Set the input selector on the VCR to LINE. Refer to the operat[...]

39 Customizing Your Camcorder — Customizing Your Camcorder — Changing the menu settings To change the mode settings in the menu settings, select the menu items with the SEL/ PUSH EXEC dial. The default settings can be partially changed. First, select the icon, then the menu item and then the mode. ( 1 ) In the standby or PLAYER mode, press MENU[...]

40 In more than 5 minutes after removing the power source The “EDIT” item is returned to its default setting. The other menu items are held in memory even when the battery is removed, as long as the lithium battery is installed. Changing the menu settings Menu items are displayed as the following icons: CAMERA SET PLAYER SET VF SET TAPE SET SET[...]

41 Customizing Your Camcorder Changing the menu settings Icon/item VF B.L. REC MODE ORC TO SET ORC stands for “Optimizing the Recording Condition”. q REMAIN Mode z BRT NORMAL BRIGHT z SP LP z AUTO ON Meaning To set the brightness in the viewfinder normal To brighten the viewfinder screen To record in SP (Standard Play) mode To increase the reco[...]

42 Changing the menu settings Notes on DEMO MODE • You cannot select DEMO MODE when a cassette is inserted in your camcorder. • DEMO MODE is set to STBY (Standby) at the factory and the demonstration starts about 10 minutes after you have set the POWER switch to CAMERA without a cassette inserted. To cancel the demonstration, insert a cassette,[...]

43 Customizing Your Camcorder Resetting the date and time The default clock setting is set to East Coast Standard Time. The date and time are held in memory by the lithium battery. If you replace the lithium battery with the battery pack or other power source connected, you need not reset the date and time. You must reset the date and time when the[...]

44 To check the preset date and time Press DATE to display the date indicator. Press TIME to display the time indicator. Press DATE (or TIME) and then press TIME (or DATE) to simultaneously display the date and time indicator. Press DATE and/or TIME again. The date and/or time indicator disappears. The year changes as follows: Auto date function Wh[...]

45 Additional Information — Additional Information — Playback modes What is Video 8 ? “Video 8 XR” is a function that further enhances the image quality of Video 8. This function allows you to record and playback pictures with clearer details. Video tapes recorded on a camcorder having the “XR” function show excellent picture quality wh[...]

46 When replacing the lithium battery, keep the battery pack or other power source attached. Otherwise, you will need to reset the date, time and other items in the menu settings hold in memory by the lithium battery. Insert the battery with the positive (+) side facing out. When the battery becomes weak or dead, the W indicator flashes in the view[...]

47 Additional Information Changing the lithium battery ( 1 ) Open the lid of the lithium battery compartment. ( 2 ) Push the lithium battery down once and pull it out from the holder. ( 3 ) Install a Sony CR2025 or Duracell DL-2025 lithium battery with the positive (+) side facing out. ( 4 ) Close the lid. Changing the lithium battery in your camco[...]

48 T r oubleshooting If you run into any problem using your camcorder, use the following table to troubleshoot the problem. If the problem persists, disconnect the power source and contact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility. If “C: ss : ss ” appears in the viewfinder, the self-diagnosis display function has worked. See p[...]

49 Additional Information Troubleshooting Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions • NIGHTSHOT is set to ON. c Set it to OFF. (p. 19) • NIGHTSHOT is set to ON in a bright place. c Set it to OFF, or use the NightShot function in a dark place. (p. 19) In the playback mode Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions • The POWER switch is set to CAMER[...]

50 Troubleshooting Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions • The power source is disconnected. c Connect it firmly. (p. 8, 13) • The battery is dead. c Use a charged battery pack. (p. 8, 9) • Moisture condensation has occurred. c Remove the cassette and leave your camcorder for at least 1 hour to acclimatize. (p. 54) Others Symptom Cause and/[...]

51 Additional Information Self-diagnosis display Five-digit display Cause and/or Corrective Actions • You are using a battery pack that is not an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack. c Use an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack. (p. 12) • Moisture condensation has occurred. c Remove the cassette and leave your camcorder for at least 1 hour to acclimatize[...]

52 C:21:00 W arning indicators and messages If indicators and messages appear in the viewfinder or the display window, check the following: See the page in parentheses “( )” for more information. The indicators and messages are displayed in yellow. Warning indicators The battery is dead or nearly dead Slow flashing: •The battery is nearly dea[...]

53 Additional Information Using your camcor der abr oad Using your camcorder abroad You can use your camcorder in any country or area with the AC power adaptor supplied with your camcorder within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. When charging the battery pack, use a commercially available AC plug adaptor [ a ] , if necessary, depending on the design of[...]

54 Maintenance information and pr ecautions Moisture condensation If your camcorder is brought directly from a cold place to a warm place, moisture may condense inside your camcorder, on the surface of the tape, or on the lens. In this condition, the tape may stick to the head drum and be damaged or your camcorder may not operate correctly. If ther[...]

55 Additional Information Maintenance information and precautions Maintenance information Cleaning the video head To ensure normal recording and clear pictures, clean the video heads. The video head may be dirty when: • The x indicator and “ CLEANING CASSETTE” message appear one after another or the x indicator flashes in the viewfinder. • [...]

56 Precautions Camcorder operation • Operate your camcorder on 7.2 V (battery pack) or 8.4 V (AC power adaptor). • For DC or AC operation, use the accessories recommended in this operating instructions. • If any solid object or liquid get inside the casing, unplug your camcorder and have it checked by a Sony dealer before operating it any fur[...]

57 Additional Information Maintenance information and precautions Battery pack • Use only the specified charger or video equipment with the charging function. • To prevent accident from a short circuit, do not allow metal objects to come into contact with the battery terminals. • Keep the battery pack away from fire. • Never expose the batt[...]

58 Specifications Video camera recorder System Video recording system 2 rotary heads Helical scanning FM system Audio recording system Rotary heads, FM system Video signal NTSC color, EIA standards Usable cassette 8 mm video format cassette Standard 8 Recording/playback time (using cassette P6-120) SP mode: 2 hours LP mode: 4 hours Fastforward/rewi[...]

59 Quick Reference 1 POWER switch (p. 15) 2 FOCUS switch (p. 33) 3 NEAR/FAR dial (p. 33) 4 Eyecup 5 Viewfinder lens adjustment lever (p. 16) 6 Power zoom lever (p. 17) 7 BATT RELEASE lever (p. 8) 8 STANDBY switch (p. 15) 9 START/STOP button (p. 15) q; Hooks for shoulder strap (p. 61) qa DC IN jack (p. 9, 13) This mark indicates that this product is[...]

60 qs Video control buttons (p. 23, 24) x STOP (stop) m REW (rewind) N PLAY (playback) M FF (fastforward) X PAUSE (pause) qd EDITSEARCH button (p. 21) qf Lens cover (p. 15) qg Camera recording lamp (p. 15) qh Infrared rays emitter (p. 19) qj Microphone qk NIGHTSHOT switch (p. 19) ql Display window (p. 64) w; Tripod receptacle (base) Make sure that [...]

61 Quick Reference Identifying the parts and controls Attaching the shoulder strap Attach the shoulder strap supplied with your camcorder to the hooks for the shoulder strap. wa FADER button (p. 28) ws BACK LIGHT button (p. 18) wd EXPOSURE button (p. 32) wf MENU button (p. 26, 39) wg SEL/PUSH EXEC dial (p. 39) wh Lithium battery compartment (p. 47)[...]

62 Identifying the parts and controls wj DATE button (p. 20) wk TITLE button (p. 34) wl PROGRAM AE button (p. 30) e; TIME button (p. 20) ea COUNTER RESET button (p. 15) es PICTURE EFFECT button (p. 29) wk wl wj e; ea es[...]

63 Quick Reference Identifying the parts and controls ed Viewfinder (p. 16) ef EJECT switch (p. 14) eg LANC control jack LANC stands for Local Application Control Bus System. The control jack is used for controlling the tape transport of video equipment and other peripherals connected to the video equipment. This jack has the same function as the j[...]

64 Operation indicators Viewfinder Display window 1 Recording mode indicator (p. 41) 2 Remaining battery time indicator (p. 18) 3 Exposure indicator (p. 32) /Zoom indicator (p. 17) 4 Fader indicator (p. 28) 5 Wide mode indicator (p. 25) 6 Picture effect indicator (p. 29) 7 PROGRAM AE indicator (p. 30) 8 Backlight indicator (p. 18) 9 Manual focusing[...]

65 Quick Reference Quick Function Guide Functions to adjust exposure (in the recording mode) •In a dark place •In dark environments such as sunset, fireworks, or general night views •Shooting backlit subjects •In spotlight, such as at the theater or a formal event •In strong light or reflected light, such as at a beach in midsummer or on [...]

66 Index A, B AC power adaptor .................... 9 Adjusting viewfinder ............. 16 A/V connecting cable ...... 22, 38 BACK LIGHT .......................... 18 Battery pack ............................... 8 Beep .......................................... 42 BOUNCE .................................. 27 C, D Charging battery .................[...]

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