Sony Digital Video Camera Recorder DCR-TRV900 Operating Instructions

							51
Advanced operations
Releasing the Steady Shot function
When the Steady Shot function is working, the camcorder compensates for camera-shake.
You can release the Steady Shot function when you do not need to use it. The 
 indicator
appears on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. Do not use the Steady Shot function when
shooting a stationary object with a tripod.
(1)Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
(2)Press MENU to display the menu.
(3)Turn the control dial to select 
, then press the dial.
(4)Turn the control dial to select STEADYSHOT, then press the dial.
(5)Turn the control dial to select OFF, then press the dial.
(6)Press MENU to erase the menu display.
To activate the Steady Shot function againSelect ON in step 5, then press the control dial.
Notes on the Steady Shot function
¥ The Steady Shot function will not correct excessive camera-shake.
¥ If you use a tele conversion lens (not supplied) or a wide conversion lens (not supplied),
the Steady Shot function may not work.
Shooting with manual adjustment
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT OF F
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT ON
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
1
2,6
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR
MENU
3,4
5
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT ON
AE SH I F T OF F
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END 
						

							52
Adjusting AE shift
(1)Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
(2)Press MENU to display the menu.
(3)Turn the control dial to select 
, then press the dial.
(4)Turn the control dial to select AE SHIFT, then press the dial.
(5)Turn the control dial to adjust brightness, then press the dial.
Darker picture ÷ Brighter picture
(6)Press MENU to erase the menu display.
To deactivate AE shiftSet the bar indicator at the center in step 5, then press the control dial.
When you adjust AE shift
The 
Ð4 to +4 indicator is displayed on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. The number
varies corresponding to the AE shift level.
Shooting with manual adjustment
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
1
2,6
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR
MENU
3,4
5
CAMERA SE T
AE SH I F T
[MENU ] : END 
						

							53
Advanced operations
Shooting with manual adjustment
Adjusting gain shift
(1)Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
(2)Press MENU to display the menu.
(3)Turn the control dial to select 
, then press the dial.
(4)Turn the control dial to select GAIN SHIFT, then press the dial.
(5)Turn the control dial to select Ð3dB, then press the dial.
(6)Press MENU to erase the menu display.
To deactivate gain shiftSelect 0dB in step 5, then press the control dial.
What is gain shift
When shooting in bright conditions, the gain shift function automatically adjusts the
automatic exposure controlÕs gain value to Ð3dB as much as possible. This helps you shoot
pictures with less noises in a bright condition. In dark conditions, the unit operates as usual.
When you adjust gain shift
The 
 indicator is displayed on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T 0 d B
FRAME REC – 3 d B
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I FT –3dB
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T 0 d B
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
1
2,6
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR
MENU
3,4
5 
						

							54
Using the PROGRAM AE function
You can select from five PROGRAM AE (Auto Exposure) modes to suit your shooting
situation, referring to the following.
Selecting the best mode
Select a proper PROGRAM AE mode referring to the following description.
 A: Aperture priority mode
Selecting the aperture to determine the desired depth of field. Gain and the shutter speed are
automatically set in combination with the aperture value to maintain appropriate exposure.
 S: Shutter speed priority mode
Selecting the shutter speed manually. The exposure value changes in accordance with the
selected shutter speed.
: Sports lesson mode
Capturing high-speed action in sports such as golf or tennis
: Sunset & Moon mode
Recording sunset, night views, fireworks or neon signs
 : Low lux mode
For recording a subject in insufficient light. Subject becomes bright.
Notes on focus setting
¥ In the Sports lesson mode, you cannot take close-ups because the camcorder is set to focus
only on subjects in the middle to far distance.
¥ In the Sunset & Moon mode, the camcorder is set to focus only on distant subjects. 
						

							55
Advanced operations
Using the PROGRAM AE function
Using the PROGRAM AE function
(1)Set AUTO LOCK selector to the center (auto lock release) position while the
camcorder is in Standby or Recording mode.
(2)Press PROGRAM AE.
(3)Turn the control dial so that the symbol of the desired PROGRAM AE mode
matches the indicator on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
When you select the aperture priority mode or the shutter speed priority mode,
press the control dial.
(4)In aperture priority mode (
 A) or shutter speed priority mode ( S), turn the
control dial to select the desired aperture value (F value) or shutter speed.
Aperture priority mode:
Turn the control dial to select the desired aperture value. As you turn the dial, the F
value changes between F1.6 and F11.
For a smaller aperture, select a higher value. Gain and the shutter speed change in
accordance with the selected aperture value.
Shutter speed priority mode:
Turn the control dial to select the desired shutter speed. As you turn the dial,
shutter speed changes between 1/60 and 1/10000.
For a faster shutter speed, select a smaller value indicator on the LCD screen or in
the viewfinder. The gain and aperture values change in accordance with the
selected shutter speed.
To return to automatic adjustment modeSet AUTO LOCK selector to AUTO LOCK or press PROGRAM AE so that the indicator
disappears.
When you focus in telephoto
You cannot choose F1.6, F2 and F2.4.
3,41
2
AUTO
LOCK
HOLD
PROGRAM
AE 
						

							56
About the depth of field
The depth of field is the in-focus range, measured from the distance behind a subject to the
distance in front. The depth of field can vary with the iris (F value) and the focal length.
Lowering the F value (large iris) reduces the depth of field. Raising the F value (small iris)
provides a larger depth of field. Zooming in telephoto position offers a smaller depth of field
while the depth of field in wide-angle position is greater.
The depth of field Shallow Deep
Iris Open (Low F value) Close (High F value)
Zoom Telephoto (T) Wide (W)
Using the PROGRAM AE function 
						

							57
Advanced operations
Focusing manually
When to use manual focus
In the following cases you should obtain better results by adjusting the focus manually.
¥ Insufficient light [a]
¥ Subjects with little contrast Ñ walls, sky, etc. [b]
¥ Too much brightness behind the subject [c]
¥ Horizontal stripes [d]
¥ Subjects through frosted glass
¥ Subjects beyond nets, etc.
¥ Bright subject or subject reflecting light
¥ Shooting a stationary subject when using a tripod[a] [b] [c] [d] 
						

							58
Focusing manually
Adjusting focus manually
When focusing manually, first focus in telephoto before recording, and then reset the shot
length.
(1)Slide FOCUS down to MANUAL. The f indicator appears on the LCD screen or in the
viewfinder.
(2)Turn the focus ring to focus on the subject.
To focus in infinitySlide FOCUS to INFINITY.   indicator appears on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
This function is useful when the nearer subject is focused automatically, and you want to
focus on a faraway subject.
To shoot with auto focusing momentarilyPress PUSH AUTO.
The auto focus functions while you are pressing PUSH AUTO.
Use this button to focus on one subject and then another with smooth focusing.
When you release PUSH AUTO, manual focusing resumes.
To return to the autofocus modeSlide FOCUS up to AUTO to turn off f or  indicator.
To shoot in relatively dark places or to shoot the subject moving quickly outside
Shoot at wide-angle after focusing in the telephoto position.
If 
 lights up
Subject is too close.
2
1FOCUS
AUTO
MANUAL
INFINITY
PUSH AUTO 
						

							59
Advanced operations
You can make a time-lapse recording by setting the camcorder to automatically record and
standby sequentially. You can achieve an excellent recording for flowering, emergence, etc.,
with this function.
(1)Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
(2)Press MENU to display the menu.
(3)Turn the control dial to select 
, then press the dial.
(4)Turn the control dial to select INT.REC, then press the dial.
(5)Turn the control dial to select SET, then press the dial.
(6)Set INTERVAL and REC TIME.
1 Turn the control dial to select INTERVAL, then press the dial.
2 Turn the control dial to select the desired waiting time, then press the dial.
The time: 30SEC ÷ 1MIN ÷ 5MIN ÷ 10MIN.
3 Turn the control dial to select REC TIME, then press the dial.
4 Turn the control dial to select the desired recording time, then press the dial.
The time: 0.5SEC ÷ 1SEC ÷ 1.5SEC ÷ 2SEC.
5 Turn the control dial to select 
 RETURN, then press the dial.
(7)Turn the control dial to select ON, then press the dial.
(8)Press MENU to erase the menu display. The interval recording indicator flashes.
(9)Press START/STOP to start interval recording. The interval recording indicator
lights up.
Interval recording
CAMERA SE T
I NT . REC
I NT ERVA L 3 0 SEC
REC T I ME
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
1
2,8
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR
MENU
6
7
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC OF F
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
3,4
5
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC ON
RE T URN OF F
SET
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
I NT . REC
I NT ERVA L 3 0 SEC
REC T IME 1MI N
RE T URN 5M I N
10MI N
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
I NT . REC
I NT ERVA L
REC T I ME 0 . 5 SEC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : ENDCAMERA SE T
I NT . REC
I NT ERVA L
REC T I ME 0 . 5 SEC
RE T URN 1 S EC
1.5SEC
2SEC
[MENU ] : END
12
34
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC ON
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
9
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTRI NT ERVA L 
						

							60
To cancel the interval recording¥ Set INT.REC to OFF in the menu system.
¥ Set the POWER switch to OFF, VTR or MEMORY.
To stop the interval recording momentarily and perform normal
recording
Press START/STOP. You can perform the normal recording only once. To cancel the normal
recording, press START/STOP again.
During the interval recording mode
The INTERVAL indicator appears.
Notes on interval recording
¥ You cannot do interval recording with photo recording.
¥ You cannot perform interval recording in the MEMORY mode.
¥ There may be a discrepancy in recording time of up to +/Ð 6 frames from the selected time.
Interval recording