Sony Digital 8 Manual

Getting started
Getting started
11
Getting started
Step 1: Checking 
supplied items
Make sure you have following items supplied 
with your camcorder.
The number in parentheses indicates the number 
of that item supplied.
AC Adaptor (1)
Power cord (1)
Lens cap (1)
See page 104 on how to attach the lens cap.
Shoulder strap (1)
See page 107 on how to attach the shoulder 
strap.
A/V connecting cable (1)
Monaural: ( TRV138/338)Stereo: ( TRV280)
USB cable (1)
( TRV280)
Rechargeable battery pack NP-FM30 (1)...

Getting started12
Step 2: Charging the 
battery pack 
You can charge the battery by attaching the 
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series) 
to your camcorder.
bNotes
 You cannot use batteries other than the  “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series) (p. 96).
 Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor or battery terminals with any metallic objects. This 
may cause a malfunction.
 Use a nearby wall outlet when using the AC  Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall 
outlet immediately if any...

Getting started
Getting started
13
6Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) 
OFF.
The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and 
charging starts.
After charging the battery
The CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the 
battery is fully charged. Disconnect the AC 
Adaptor from the DC IN jack. 
To remove the battery pack
1
Lift up the viewfinder.
2Set the POWER switch to (CHG) OFF.
3Slide the battery pack out in the direction 
of the arrow while pressing the BATT 
(battery) release button down.
bNote
 If you do not use the...

Getting started14
at 25°C (77°F). (10 – 30°C (50 – 86°F) 
recommended.)
Recording time when recording with the 
LCD screen on
Approximate number of minutes available 
when you use a fully charged battery pack at 
25°C (77°F).
For TRV138/338:
For TRV280:
Recording time when recording with the 
viewfinder 
Approximate number of minutes available 
when you use a fully charged battery pack at 
25°C (77°F).
For TRV138/338:For TRV280:
* Approximate number of minutes when recording 
while you repeatedly record,...

Getting started
Getting started
15
bNotes
 The power will not be supplied from the battery pack  when the AC Adaptor is connected to the DC IN jack 
of your camcorder, even if its power cord is 
disconnected from the wall outlet.
 The recording and playback time will be shorter  when you use your camcorder in low temperature.
 The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging, or  the battery information will not be correctly 
displayed in following conditions.
– The battery pack is not attached...

Getting started16
Step 4: Adjusting the 
LCD panel and 
viewfinder
Adjusting the LCD panel
You can adjust the angle and brightness of 
the LCD panel to meet various recording 
situations. 
Even when there are obstructions between you 
and the subject, you can check the subject on the 
LCD screen during recording by adjusting the 
angle of the LCD panel. 
Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the 
camcorder, then rotate it to the desired 
position.
To adjust the brightness of the LCD 
screen
1
Press MENU....

Getting started
Getting started
17
Step 5: Setting the 
date and time
Set the date and time when using this 
camcorder for the first time. If you do not set 
the date and time, the [CLOCK SET] screen 
appears every time you turn on your 
camcorder. 
bNote
 If you do not use your camcorder for about  3 
months , the built-in rechargeable battery gets 
discharged and the date and time settings may be 
cleared from the memory. In that case, charge the 
rechargeable battery (p. 100) and then set the date...

Getting started18
To check the preset date and time
For TRV138/338:
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.
To hide the date and/or time indicator, press 
DATE and/or TIME again.Step 6: Inserting a 
cassette tape
You can use standard 8 mm  and Hi8  , 
Digital8   video cassettes on your camcorder.
For details on these cassettes (such as write-
protection),...

Getting started
Getting started
19
2Insert a cassette with its window-side 
facing up.
3Press .
The cassette compartment automatically 
slides back in.
4Close the lid.
To eject the cassette
1
Slide the  OPEN/EJECT lever in the 
direction of the arrow and open the lid.
The cassette compartment automatically 
comes out.
2Take out the cassette, then press  .
The cassette compartment automatically 
slides back in.
3Close the lid.
Step 7: Setting the 
screen language
You can select the language to be used on...

Getting started20
5Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
select [  LANGUAGE], then press 
the dial.
6Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
select the desired language, then press 
the dial.
7Press MENU.
zTip
 Your camcorder offers [ENG [SIMP]] (simplified  English) for when you cannot find your native 
tongue among the options.
 SETUP  MENU
  CLOCK  SET
  USB  STREAM 
  LTR  SIZE
    LANGUAGE
  DEMO  MODE
[ MENU ]
 : END
ENGLISH
ENG [
SIMP ]
FRANÇAIS
ESPAÑOL
PORTUGUÊS
STBY