Sony Digital 8 Manual

							Using with your computer
Using with your computer81
WRITING: The picture is being written 
onto the DVD.
z Tip If you use a DVD-RW/+RW which has other 
data stored on it, the message [This is a 
recorded disc. Delete and overwrite?] appears 
on the LCD screen of your camcorder. When 
you press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, the 
existing data is erased and new data is written.
9Press BURN DVD/VCD to finish 
creating a DVD.
The disc tray comes out automatically.
To create another DVD with the same 
content, press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. 
The disc tray comes out. Place a new 
writable DVD in the disc drive. Then, 
repeat steps 8 and 9.
To cancel the operation
Press BURN DVD/VCD.
bNotes You cannot cancel the operation after [Finalizing DVD.] is displayed on the LCD screen of your 
camcorder.
 Do not disconnect the i.LINK cable or set the  POWER switch to another mode on your camcorder 
until the picture is completely copied to the 
computer.
 The DVD is created even if you disconnect the  i.LINK cable (optional) or turn off the power of your 
camcorder while [WRITING] or [CONVERTING] 
is displayed.
 When any of the following occurs, copying of the  picture is canceled. A DVD containing the data up to 
the point the operation was canceled is created. 
Refer to the help files of “Click to DVD Automatic 
Mode Launcher” for details.
– When there is a blank portion of 10 seconds or longer on the tape.
– When the data of the tape contains a date before  the recording date of the later images.
– When normal and wide size pictures are recorded  on the same tape.  You cannot operate your camcorder in the following 
situations:
– While playing back a tape
– When “Click to DVD” is started up from the computer
 You may not be able to create a DVD from an 8mm  tape if it contains pictures recorded in a format other 
than Digital8 format.
BURN  DVD
 COMPLETED 0:00:00:00
Create another copy?
Disctray  opens.
[ EXEC ]
 :EXECUTE
[ BURN DVD/VCD ]
 : CANCEL60min 
						

							Troubleshooting82
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting 
If you run into any problem using your 
camcorder, use the following table to 
troubleshoot the problem. If the problem persists, remove the power source and 
contact your Sony dealer. 
If “C:
ss:ss ” is displayed on the LCD 
screen or the viewfinder, the self-diagnosis 
display function is activated. See page 92 for 
details.
Overall operations
Batteries/Power sources
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
The power does not turn on.  The battery pack is discharged, running low, or not attached to the 
camcorder.
cAttach a charged battery pack to the camcorder. (p. 12)
c Use the AC Adaptor to connect to the wall outlet. (p. 15)
The camcorder does not operate even 
when the power is set to on. c
Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet or remove the battery 
pack, then reconnect it after about 1 minute. If the functions still do not 
work, press the RESET button using a sharp-pointed object. (If you press 
the RESET button, all settings including the clock setting are reset.)
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
The CHG (charge) lamp does not 
light while the battery pack is being 
charged. c
Attach the battery pack to the camcorder correctly. If the lamp still does 
not light up, then it indicates that no power is supplied from the wall 
outlet.
 The battery charge is completed. (p. 12)
The CHG (charge) lamp flashes while 
the battery pack is being charged. c
Attach the battery pack to the camcorder correctly. If the problem 
persists, disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet and contact 
your Sony dealer. The battery pack may be damaged. (p. 12)
The battery pack is quickly 
discharged.  The temperature of the environment is too low, or the battery pack has 
not been charged enough. This is not a malfunction.
c Fully charge the battery again. If the problem persists, replace the 
battery pack with a new one. It may be damaged. (p. 12, 96)
The remaining battery time indicator 
does not indicate the correct time.  The temperature of the environment is too high or too low, or the battery 
pack has not been charged enough. This is not a malfunction.
c Fully charge the battery again. If the problem persists, replace the 
battery pack with a new one. It may be damaged. (p. 12, 96)
The power turns off frequently 
although the remaining battery 
indicator indicates that the battery 
pack has enough power to operate.  A problem has occurred in the remaining battery time indicator, or the 
battery pack has not been charged enough.
c Fully charge the battery again to correct the indication. (p. 12) 
						

							Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting83
Cassette tapes
LCD screen/viewfinder
The power abruptly turns off.  [A.SHUT OFF] in the   (OTHERS) menu is set to [5 min]. (p. 57)cWhen approximately 5 minutes have elapsed while you do not operate 
your camcorder, the camcorder is automatically turned off. Slide the 
POWER switch down to turn the power on again. (p. 15) Or use the AC 
adaptor.
A problem occurs when the 
camcorder is connected to the AC 
Adaptor. c
Turn off the power, and disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet. 
Then, connect it again.
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
Cassette cannot be ejected from the 
compartment. c
Make sure the power source (battery pack or AC Adaptor) is connected 
correctly. (p. 12)
c Remove the battery pack from the camcorder, then attach it again. (p. 12)
c Attach a charged battery pack to the camcorder. (p. 12)
Cassette is not ejected even when the 
cassette lid is open. c
Moisture condensation is starting in your camcorder. (p. 99)
The remaining tape indicator is not 
displayed. c
Set [  REMAIN] to [ON] in the   (TAPE SET) menu to always 
display the remaining tape indicator. (p. 53)
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
An unknown language appears on the 
screen. c
See page 19.
An unknown picture appears on the 
screen. c
The camcorder is in [DEMO MODE]. (The [DEMO MODE] is 
automatically displayed when you leave the camcorder for 10 minutes 
after selecting CAMERA without inserting a cassette.) Insert a cassette 
to cancel [DEMO MODE]. You can also set [DEMO MODE] to [OFF] 
in the menu. (p. 56)
An unknown indicator appears on the 
screen. c
Refer to the indicator list. (p. 108)
The picture in the viewfinder is not 
clear. c
Use the viewfinder lens adjustment lever to adjust the lens. (p. 16)
The picture in the viewfinder has 
disappeared. c
Close the LCD panel. The picture is not displayed in the viewfinder 
when the LCD panel is open. (p. 16)
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
, continued 
						

							Troubleshooting84
Recording
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
The tape does not start when you 
press REC START/STOP.c
Slide the POWER switch to turn on the CAMERA lamp. (p. 15)
c The tape has reached the end. Rewind it, or insert a new cassette.
c Set the write-protect tab to REC or insert a new cassette. (p. 95)
c The tape is stuck to the drum due to moisture condensation. Remove the 
cassette and leave your camcorder for at least 1 hour, then re-insert the 
cassette. (p. 99)
The power abruptly turns off.  [A.SHUT OFF] in the   (OTHERS) menu is set to [5 min]. (p. 57) cWhen approximately 5 minutes have elapsed while you do not operate 
your camcorder, the camcorder is automatically turned off. 
Slide the POWER switch down to turn the power on again (p. 15). Or 
use the AC Adaptor. 
 The battery pack is discharged. (p. 12)
For TRV338/ TRV280:
The SteadyShot does not function. c
Set [STEADYSHOT] to [ON] in the   (CAMERA SET) menu. 
(p. 48)
c Set [16:9 WIDE] to [OFF] in the   (CAMERA SET) menu. (p. 46)
The auto focus does not function. cPress FOCUS to enable auto focus. (p. 29)
c The recording conditions are not suitable for auto focus. Adjust the focus 
manually. (p. 29)
A vertical band appears when 
recording candlelight or electric light 
in the dark.  This occurs when the contrast between the subject and the background is 
too high. This is not a malfunction.
A vertical band appears when 
recording a bright subject.  This phenomenon is called the smear effect. This is not a malfunction.
The color of the picture is not 
correctly displayed. c
Deactivate the NightShot plus function. (p. 28)
Picture appears too bright on the 
screen, and the subject does not 
appear on the screen. c
Deactivate the NightShot plus function in bright places. (p. 28)
c Cancel the back light function. (p. 27)
The shutter sound is not heard. cSet [BEEP] to [MELODY] or [NORMAL] in the   (OTHERS) menu. 
(p. 57)
For TRV338/ TRV280:
Black bands appear when you record 
a TV screen or computer screen. c
Set [STEADYSHOT] to [OFF] in the   (CAMERA SET) menu. 
(p. 48)
Flickering or changes in color occurs. cThis occurs when recording pictures under a fluorescent lamp, sodium 
lamp, or mercury lamp in the soft portrait or sports lesson mode. Cancel 
[PROGRAM AE] in this case. (p. 42) 
END SEARCH does not work.  The cassette was ejected after recording.  The cassette is new and has nothing recorded. 
END SEARCH does not work 
correctly.  There is a blank section in the beginning or middle of the tape. This is 
not a malfunction. 
						

							Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting85
Playback
The built-in light does not function.cPress LIGHT repeatedly to select  .
c If the problem presists, contact your Sony dealer or local authorized 
Sony service facility.
Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions
Cannot play back. cIf the tape has reached the end, rewind the tape. (p. 34) 
Horizontal lines appear on the 
picture. The displayed pictures are 
not clear or do not appear. c
Clean the head using the cleaning cassette (optional). (p. 99)
 For TRV138/338: The television’s video channel is not adjusted correctly.
cAdjust it. (p. 39)
c For TRV138/338:
Set [EDIT] to [OFF] in the   (PLAYER SET) menu. (p. 49)
No sound or only a low sound is 
heard. c
For TRV280:
Set [HiFi SOUND] to [STEREO] in the   (VCR SET) menu. (p. 49)
c Turn up the volume. (p. 34) 
c For TRV280:
In the   (VCR SET) menu, adjust [AUDIO MIX] from the [ST2] side 
until the sound is heard appropriately. (p. 50)
c Make sure the black plug for  TRV138/338, or the red and white 
plugs for  TRV280 of the A/V connecting cable are connected. (p. 39) 
The sound breaks off. cClean the head using the cleaning cassette (optional). (p. 99) 
For TRV280:
“---” is displayed on the screen.  The tape you are playing was recorded without setting the date and time. 
 A blank section on the tape is being played.
 The data code on a tape with a scratch or noise cannot be read.
END SEARCH does not work.  The cassette was ejected after recording.  The cassette is new and has nothing recorded.
END SEARCH does not work 
correctly.  There is a blank section in the beginning or middle of the tape. This is 
not a malfunction.
For TRV280:
The picture does not appear on the 
screen when playing back a tape.  The tape is recorded in the Hi8  /standard 8 mm   system.
Noises appear on the screen.  The tape was recorded in a TV color system other than that of your  camcorder. (p. 94)
 For TRV138/338: Noise may appear while playing back the tape in various modes. This is 
not a malfunction.
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
, continued 
						

							Troubleshooting86
Dubbing/Editing
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
Cannot dub correctly using the A/V 
connecting cable. c
Set [DISPLAY] to [LCD] in the   (OTHERS) menu. (p. 58) 
For TRV280:
Pictures from connected devices are 
not displayed correctly.  The input signal is not NTSC. (p. 66)
For TRV280:
Digital program editing does not 
function. c
Set the input selector on the VCR correctly, then check the connection 
between your camcorder and the VCR. (p. 60)
c When your camcorder is connected to a DV device that is not a Sony 
product via an i.LINK cable, select [IR] in step 9 of “Step 1: Preparing 
your camcorder and VCR for operation.” (p. 67)
c Adjust the synchronization of the VCR. (p. 68) 
c Enter a correct [IR SETUP] code. (p. 63)
c Select the mode used to cancel recording pause again. (p. 68) 
c Set your camcorder and the VCR more than 30 cm (12 in.) apart. (p. 68) 
 The program may not be set to a blank section on the tape.
 You cannot perform the Digital program editing on a VCR that does not  support [IR SETUP] codes, a DVD recorder and a DVD recorder 
equipped with an HDD, etc.
For TRV280:
The VCR is not responding properly 
during Digital program editing when 
it is connected via an i.LINK cable. c
While connecting via an i.LINK cable, select [IR] in step 9 of “Step 1: 
Preparing your camcorder and VCR for operation.” (p. 67)
 You cannot perform the Digital program editing on a DVD recorder, a  DVD recorder equipped with an HDD, etc.
For TRV138/338:
Easy Dubbing does not function.  Your VCR and/or video camera recorder is not set correctly.
c Make sure the input selector of the VCR is set to LINE. Also, make 
sure the power switch of the video camera recorder is set to VCR. 
(p. 62)
 The [IR SETUP] code or [PAUSE MODE] is not set correctly.
c  Select the correct [IR SETUP] code and [PAUSE MODE], according 
to your VCR. Then confirm VCR operation with the [IR TEST] 
function. (p. 62) 
						

							Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting87
Connecting to a computer
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
For TRV280:
The computer does not recognize 
your camcorder.   c
Disconnect the cable from the computer and camcorder, then connect it 
again firmly.
c Disconnect the USB device other than the keyboard, the mouse, and the 
camcorder from the computer.
c Disconnect the cable from the computer and camcorder, restart the 
computer, then connect them again correctly.
For TRV280:
An error message appears when you 
place the CD-ROM in your computer. c
Set the computer display as follows:
– Windows: 800 × 600 dots or more, High Color (16 bits, 65 000 colors 
or more)
– Macintosh: 1 024 × 768 dots or more, 32 000 colors or more
For TRV280:
You cannot view the pictures the 
camcorder is seeing on the computer.    c
Disconnect the cable from the computer, turn on the camcorder, then 
connect it again.
c Slide the POWER switch to select the CAMERA mode, set [USB 
STREAM] to [ON] in the   (SETUP MENU). (p. 55) (Only when 
connecting to the Windows computer with a USB cable)
For TRV280:
You cannot view the pictures 
recorded on a tape on the computer.    c
Disconnect the cable from the computer, turn on the camcorder, then 
connect it again.
c Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the PLAY/EDIT mode, set 
[USB STREAM] to [ON] in the   (SETUP MENU). (p. 55) (Only 
when connecting to the Windows computer with a USB cable)
For TRV280:
You cannot view the pictures 
recorded on a tape on the Macintosh 
computer.  c
When you connect your camcorder to a Macintosh computer using a 
USB cable, you cannot copy pictures recorded on a tape to the computer. 
To copy recordings from a tape, connect your camcorder to the computer 
with an i.LINK cable and use the standard software in the OS.
, continued 
						

							Troubleshooting88
For TRV280:
The image does not appear on the 
screen of the Windows computer 
when using the USB cable. c
The USB driver has been registered incorrectly as the computer was 
connected to your camcorder before the installation of the USB driver 
was completed. Follow the procedure below to install the USB driver 
correctly.
For Windows 98 */Windows 98SE/Windows Me* When copying or playing the pictures on a tape using a computer, the 
operation is not guaranteed on Windows 98.
1Check that your camcorder is connected to a computer.
2Right-click [My Computer], then click [Properties].
The [System Properties] screen appears.
3Click the [Device Manager] tab.
4If devices below are already installed, right-click them, 
then click [Remove] to delete them.
For copying and viewing pictures recorded on a 
tape
 [USB Audio Device] in the [Sound, video and game controllers] folder
 [USB Device] in the [Other devices] folder
 [USB Composite Device] in the [Universal Serial Bus  Controller] folder
5When the [Confirm Device Removal] screen appears, 
click [OK].
6Turn off the power of your camcorder, disconnect the 
USB cable, then restart the computer.
7Place the CD-ROM in the disc drive of your computer.
8Follow the steps below and try to install the USB driver 
again.
1Double-click [My Computer].
2Right-click [PICTUREPACKAGE] (Disc drive)*.* Drive names (such as (E:)) may vary depending on the computer.
3Click [Open].
4Double-click [Driver].5Double-click [Setup.exe].
b Note
 Deleting anything other than [USB Audio Device], [USB Device], and  [USB Composite Device] may cause malfunction of your computer.
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions 
						

							Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting89
For TRV280:
The image does not appear on the 
screen of the Windows computer 
when using the USB cable. For Windows 2000Log on as Administrators.
1Check that your camcorder is connected to a computer.
2Right-click [My Computer], then click [Properties].
The [System Properties] screen appears.
3Click the [Hardware] tab.
4Click [Device Manager].
5Click [View], then click [Devices by type].
6If devices below are already installed, right-click them, 
then click [Uninstall] to delete them.
For copying and viewing pictures recorded on a 
tape
 [USB Composite Device] in the [Universal Serial Bus Controller] folder
 [USB Audio Device] in the [Sound, video and game 
controller] folder
 [Composite USB Device] in the [Other devices] folder
7When the [Confirm Device Removal] screen appears, 
click [OK].
8Turn off the power of your camcorder, disconnect the 
USB cable, then restart the computer.
9Place the CD-ROM in the disc drive of your computer.
10Follow the steps below and try to install the USB driver 
again.
1Double-click [My Computer].
2Right-click [PICTUREPACKAGE] (Disc drive)*.* Drive names (such as (E:)) may vary depending on the computer.
3Click [Open].4Double-click [Driver].
5Double-click [Setup.exe].
b Note
 Deleting anything other than [USB Composite Device], [USB Audio  Device], and [Composite USB Device] may cause malfunction of your 
computer.
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
, continued 
						

							Troubleshooting90
For TRV280:
The image does not appear on the 
screen of the Windows computer 
when using the USB cable. For Windows XPLog on as Administrators.
1Check that your camcorder is connected to a computer.
2Click [Start].
3Right-click [My Computer], then click [Properties].
The [System Properties] screen appears.
4Click the [Hardware] tab.
5Click [Device Manager].
6Click [View], then click [Devices by type].
7If devices below are already installed, right-click them, 
then click [Uninstall] to delete them.
For copying and viewing pictures recorded on a 
tape
 [USB Composite Device] in the [Universal Serial Bus Controller] folder
 [USB Audio Device] in the [Sound, video and game  controllers] folder
 [USB Device] in the [Other devices] folder
8When the [Confirm Device Removal] screen appears, 
click [OK].
9Turn off the power of your camcorder, disconnect the 
USB cable, then restart the computer.
10Place the CD-ROM in the disc drive of your computer.
11Follow the steps below and try to install the USB driver 
again.
1Double-click [My Computer].2Right-click [PICTUREPACKAGE] (Disc drive)*.* Drive names (such as (E:)) may vary depending on the computer.
3Click [Open].4Double-click [Driver].5Double-click [Setup.exe].
b Note
 Deleting anything other than [USB Composite Device], [USB Audio  Device], and [USB Device] may cause malfunction of your computer.
For TRV280:
[Cannot start Easy Handycam with 
USB connected] appears on the 
screen of your camcorder.  c
You cannot start the simple operation settings while the USB cable is 
connected. Disconnect the USB cable from your camcorder first.
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions