Sony Digital Video Camera Recorder DCR-TRV900 Operating Instructions

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Getting started
Inserting a cassette
You can use mini DV cassette with  logo* only.
Make sure that the power source is installed.
(1)While pressing the small blue button on the EJECT switch, slide it in the direction
of the arrow. The cassette compartment automatically opens.
(2)Insert a cassette with the window facing out.
(3)Close the cassette compartment by pressing the ÒPUSHÓ mark on the cassette
compartment.
*   is a trademark.
To eject the cassetteWhile pressing the small blue button on the EJECT switch, slide it in the direction of the
arrow.
To prevent accidental erasureSlide and open the tab on the cassette to expose the red mark.  If you try to record with the
red mark exposed, the L and 6 indicators flash on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder,
and you cannot record on the tape.  To re-record on this tape, slide and close the tab to cover
the red mark.
123
PUSH 
						

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Basic operations
Camera recording
Make sure that the power source is installed and a cassette is inserted and that the START/
STOP MODE selector inside the LCD panel is set to. Before you record one-time events,
you had better make a trial recording to make sure that the camcorder is working correctly.
When you use the camcorder for the first time, power on it and reset the date and time to
your time before you start recording (p. 118).
(1)Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on its sides and pull the lens cap string
to fix it.
(2)While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to CAMERA.
The camcorder is set to Standby mode.
(3)Press START/STOP.
The camcorder starts recording. ÒRECÓ appears on the LCD screen or in the
viewfinder. The camera recording lamp on the front of the camcorder also lights
up.
You can also select Recording mode, SP (standard play) mode or LP (long play) mode.
Set REC MODE in the menu system according to the length of your planned recording
before you start.
To stop recording momentarily [a]Press START/STOP. The ÒSTBYÓ indicator appears on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder
(Standby mode).
To finish recording [b]Set the POWER switch to OFF. Then, eject the cassette and remove the battery pack.
12
3
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR70minREC
60min0:00:00
70minSTBY–:––:––
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR[a]70minSTBY
25min0:35:20POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR[b] 
						

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Basic operations
To focus the viewfinder lensIf you cannot see the indicators in the viewfinder clearly, or after someone else has used the
camcorder, focus the viewfinder lens. Move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever so that the
indicators in the viewfinder come into sharp focus.
Note on Standby mode
If you leave the camcorder in Standby mode for 5 minutes while the cassette is inserted, the
camcorder turns off automatically. This prevents wearing down the battery and wearing out
the tape. To resume Standby mode, while pressing the small green button on the POWER
switch, set it to OFF once, and then to CAMERA. To start recording, press START/STOP.
Note on the progressive mode
If you modify the images on your personal computer or play the images back as still
pictures, we recommend you to set PROG. SCAN to ON in the menu system before
shooting. The picture quality may improve in this mode, but if you shoot a moving subject,
the image may shake when it is played back.
Note on the lock knob
When you set the lock knob to the left position, the POWER switch will not be set to
MEMORY accidentally.
Note on Recording mode
This camcorder records and plays back in SP (standard play) mode and in LP (long play)
mode. Select SP or LP in the menu system. In LP mode, you can record 1.5 times as long as in
SP mode.
Notes on LP mode
¥ We recommend to use this camcorder to play back a tape recorded on this camcorder. If a
tape recorded on other camcorder is played back on this camcorder, or vice versa, mosaic-
pattern noise may appear.
¥ When you record in SP and LP modes on one tape or you record some scenes in LP mode,
the playback picture may be distorted or the time code may not be written properly
between scenes.
¥ When you record in LP mode, we recommend you to use a Sony Excellence/Master mini
DV cassette so that you can get the most out of your camcorder.
¥ You cannot make audio dubbing on a tape recorded in LP mode. Use the SP mode for the
tape to be audio dubbed.
Notes on the time code
¥ The time code indicates the recording or playback time, Ò0:00:00Ó (hours : minutes :
seconds) in CAMERA mode and Ò0:00:00:00Ó (hours : minutes : seconds : frames) in VTR
mode.
¥ Be sure not to make a blank portion when recording, because the time code will start from
Ò0:00:00:00Ó again.
¥ This camcorder uses the drop frame mode.
Camera recording
Lock knob 
						

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Note on the beep sound
Note that the beep sound is not recorded on the tape. If you do not want to hear the beep
sound, select OFF in the menu system.
Note on remaining tape indicator
The indicator may not be displayed accurately depending on the tape. Though the indicator
does not appear at the time of recording, it will appear in a few seconds.
Attaching the lens hood
To record fine pictures, we recommend you to attach the lens hood, no matter where you
shoot. You can also attach the lens cap when using the lens hood.
If the lens hood is not attached properly
The four corners of the screen may be eclipsed by the lens hood.
Using the zoom feature
Zooming is a recording technique that lets you change the size of the subject in the scene.
For more professional-looking recordings, use the zoom function sparingly.
ÒTÓ side: for telephoto (subject appears closer)
ÒWÓ side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away)
Zooming speed (Variable speed zooming)Press the power zoom lever a little for a relatively slow zoom; press it still more for a high-
speed zoom.
When you shoot a subject using a telephoto zoom
If you cannot get a sharp focus while in extreme telephoto zoom, press the ÒWÓ side of the
power zoom lever until the focus is sharp. You can shoot a subject that is at least about
2 5/8 feet (about 80 cm) away from the lens surface in the telephoto position, or about
1/2 inch (about 1 cm) away in the wide-angle position.
Camera recording
WTWT
Align the protruding part
with the groove on the hood. 
						

							15
Basic operations
Camera recording
Zooming of more than 12x Ð digital zoom¥ If you set the D ZOOM function to ON in the menu system, you can perform zooming of
more than 12x performed digitally. It is set to OFF at the factory.
¥ You cannot use the digital zoom when you set PROG. SCAN to ON in the menu system.
¥ The right side [a] of the power zoom indicator shows the digital zooming zone, and the left
side [b] shows the optical zooming zone. If you set the D ZOOM function to ON, the [a]
zone appears.
Selecting the start/stop mode
Your camcorder has two modes besides normal start/stop mode. These modes enable you to
take a series of quick shots resulting in a lively video.
(1)While pressing OPEN, open the LCD panel.
(2)Set START/STOP MODE to the desired mode.
 : 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 down
START/STOP so that you can avoid recording unnecessary scenes.
5SEC : When you press START/STOP, the camcorder records for 5 seconds and
then stops automatically.
(3)Press START/STOP. Recording starts.
If you selected 5SEC, five dots appear on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. The dots
disappear at a rate of one per second as illustrated below. When five seconds elapse and all
the dots disappear, the camcorder switches to Standby mode automatically.
To extend the recording time in 5SEC modePress START/STOP again before all the dots disappear. Recording continues for about 5
seconds from the moment you press START/STOP.
Notes on 5SEC recording
¥ If you have turned off the indicators on the LCD screen, the dots do not appear.
¥ When selecting Ò
ANTI GROUND SHOOTINGÓ or Ò5SEC,Ó the fader function does not
work.
¥ When selecting Ò5SEC,Ó the time code is not displayed.
WTWT
[a]
[b]
3 1
2
5SEC ANTI GROUND SHOOTINGSTART/STOP
MODE
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTRRECREC 
						

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Shooting with the LCD screen
You can also record the picture while looking at the LCD screen.
When using the LCD screen, the viewfinder turns off automatically except in mirror mode.
You cannot monitor the sound from the speaker during recording.
(1)While pressing OPEN, open the LCD panel.
(2)Adjust angle of the LCD panel.
The LCD panel moves about 90 degrees to this side and about 180 degrees to the
other side.
To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen, press LCD BRIGHT + or Ð.
The battery life is longer when the LCD panel is closed. Use the viewfinder instead of the
LCD screen to save the battery power.
Backlighting the LCD screenIf the LCD screen is insufficiently illuminated even after adjusting LCD BRIGHT, select LCD
B. L. in the menu system and set to BRIGHT. You can select LCD B. L. only while using the
battery pack as a power source.
Notes on the LCD panel
¥ When closing the LCD panel, turn it vertically until it clicks [a].
¥ When turning the LCD panel, turn it always vertically; otherwise, the camcorder body may
be damaged or the LCD panel may not close properly [b].
¥ Close the LCD panel completely when not in use.
¥ Do not push nor touch the LCD panel while operating the camcorder.
¥ You may find it difficult to view the LCD screen due to glare when using the camcorder
outdoors.
Camera recording
180¡
90¡
90¡
  LCD BRIGHT  
12
[a][b]
OPEN
90¡ 
						

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Basic operations
Camera recording
Letting the subject monitor the shot
You can turn the LCD panel over so that it faces the other way and you can let the subject
monitor the shot while shooting with the viewfinder.
Turn the LCD panel up vertically. When you turn the LCD panel 180 degrees, the 
indicator appears on the LCD screen (mirror mode) and the time code and remaining tape
indicators disappear.
You can also use the Remote Commander.
To cancel mirror mode
Turn the LCD panel down toward the camcorder body.
Notes on mirror mode
¥ When you turn the LCD panel about 135 degrees to 180 degrees, the camcorder enters
mirror mode.
¥ Using the mirror mode, you can record yourself while watching yourself on the LCD
screen.
¥ The picture on the LCD screen looks like a mirror-image while recording in mirror mode.
The STBY indicator appears as Pr and REC as r. Other indicators appear as mirror-
image. Some indicators may not appear in mirror mode.
¥ While recording in mirror mode, you cannot operate the following functions: MENU,
TITLE, and ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote Commander. 
						

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Self-timer recording
You can make a recording with the self-timer. This mode is useful when you want to record
yourself.
(1) Press  (self-timer) to display  (self-timer) on the LCD screen or in the
viewfinder while the camcorder is in Standby mode.
(2) Press START/STOP.
Self-timer starts counting down to 10 with a beep sound. In the last two seconds of
the countdown, the beep sound gets faster, then recording starts automatically at
the time you set.
To stop self-timer recordingPress START/STOP.
Use the Remote Commander for convenience.
To record still pictures using the self-timerPress PHOTO in step 2.
To cancel self-timer recordingPress  so that the  indicator disappears from the LCD or viewfinder screen while the
camcorder is in Standby mode.
Self-timer recording mode is canceled when
¥ Self-timer recording is finished.
¥ The POWER switch is set to OFF or VTR.
Note
The display may become darker right after pressing the 
 button. This is not a malfunction.
Camera recording
START/STOP 
						

							19
Basic operations
Hints for better shooting
For hand-held shots, you will get better results by holding the camcorder according to the
following suggestions:
¥ Hold the camcorder firmly and secure it with the grip strap so that you can easily
manipulate the controls with your thumb. [a]
¥ Place your elbows against your side.
¥ Place your left hand under the camcorder to support it.
¥ Place your eye against the viewfinder eyecup.
¥ Be sure not to touch the built-in microphone.
¥ Use the LCD panel frame or the viewfinder frame as a guide to determine the horizontal
plane.
¥ You can also record in a low position to get an interesting angle. Lift the viewfinder up for
record from a low position. [b]
¥ You can also record in a low position or even in a high position using the LCD panel. [c]
¥ 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 viewfinder.
[a]
[b][c] 
						

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Place the camcorder on a flat surface or use a tripod
Try placing the camcorder on a table top or any other flat surface of suitable height. If you
have a tripod for a still camera, you can also use it with the camcorder. When attaching a
non-Sony tripod, make sure that the length of the tripod screw is less than 9/32 inch
(6.5 mm). Otherwise, you cannot attach the tripod securely and the screw may damage the
camcorder.
Cautions on the LCD panel and on the viewfinder
¥ Do not pick up the camcorder by the viewfinder or the LCD panel. [d]
¥ Do not place the camcorder so as to point the viewfinder or the LCD panel toward the sun.
The inside of the viewfinder or the LCD panel may be damaged. Be careful when placing
the camcorder under sunlight or by a window. [e]
Hints for better shooting
[d][e]