Sony Digital Video Camera Recorder TRV940, TRV950 Operating Instructions

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Advanced Recording Operations
Shooting with manual adjustment
When the shutter speed is fast
When shooting a bright subject, vertical lines may appear on the image, but this is not
a malfunction. In such cases, set the shutter speed a little slower.
When shooting at slow shutter speed
At slow shutter speed, automatic focus may be lost. Use a tripod and adjust the focus
manually.
When recording under a discharge tube such as a fluorescent lamp, sodium lamp
or mercury lamp
Flickering phenomenon which lights up or dims the screen, or the color change may
occur depending on the shutter speed.
When the POWER switch is set to MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-TRV950 only)
Shutter speeds available in the MEMORY/NETWORK(DCR-TRV950 only) mode are
different from those in the CAMERA mode.
Even if you set the shutter speed faster than 1/500 or slower than 1/60  while the
POWER switch is set to CAMERA, the shutter speed setting is automatically reset to
1/500 or 1/60 respectively if you set the POWER switch to MEMORY/
NETWORK(DCR-TRV950 only). 
						

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Shooting with manual adjustment
Adjusting the white balance
White balance adjustment makes white subjects look white and allows more natural
color balance for camera recording. You can obtain better results by adjusting the white
balance manually when lighting conditions change quickly or when recording
outdoors: e.g., neon signs, fireworks.
(1) Set the AUTO LOCK selector to the center (auto lock release) position while
the POWER switch is set to CAMERA or MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-
TRV950 only). (p. 67)
(2)Press WHT BAL.
(3)Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select the appropriate white balance mode
under the following conditions. As you turn the dial, the display changes as
follows:
 (One-push white balance) y  (Outdoor) y n (Indoor)
Indicator
 (One-push
white balance)
 (Outdoor)
n (Indoor)
WHT BAL
3
1AUTO
LOCKHOLD
2
Shooting conditions
•Adjusting the white balance according to the light source. Follow the
procedure described on the next page to adjust the setting again.
•Recording a sunset/sunrise, just after sunset, just before sunrise, neon
signs, or fireworks
•Under a color matching fluorescent lamp
•Lighting condition changes quickly
•Too bright a place such as a photography studio
•Under sodium lamps or mercury lamps 
						

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Advanced Recording Operations
If you have selected  in step 3When you set the white balance to one-push white balance mode, the setting is locked
and maintained even if lighting conditions change. You can achieve recording with
natural colors without the image being affected by ambient light.
(1)Shoot a white object such as paper fully with  displayed on the screen in the
recording standby.
(2)Press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
The  indicator flashes quickly. When the white balance has been adjusted and stored
in the memory, the indicator stops flashing. The setting will be maintained even after
removing the power supply.
To return to automatic adjustmentSet the AUTO LOCK selector to AUTO LOCK or press WHT BAL. The white balance
indicator disappears.
If the picture is being taken in a studio lit by TV lighting
We recommend that you record in the n (indoor) mode.
When you record under fluorescent lamp
Use the automatic white balance mode or  the 
 (one-push white balance) mode.
Your camcorder may not adjust the white balance correctly if you use the n (indoor)
mode.
Shooting when lighting conditions have changed
Readjust the white balance while the camcorder is in standby mode. White balance
cannot be adjusted in the 
 (One-push white balance) mode during recording.
If the 
 indicator does not stop flashing after you press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial
The white balance cannot be set. Use the automatic mode for recording.
In automatic white balance mode
Point your camcorder at a white subject for about 10 seconds after setting the POWER
switch to CAMERA to get a better adjustment when:
–You detach the battery for replacement.
–You bring your camcorder outdoors from the interior of a house, or vice versa.
Shooting with manual adjustment 
						

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Adjusting the exposure
You can manually adjust and set the exposure. Adjust the exposure manually in the
following cases:
–When you need a fine adjustment for the backlit subjects.
–When shooting subjects and dark backgrounds.
–When recording dark pictures (e.g. night scenes) faithfully.
(1)Set the AUTO LOCK selector to the center (auto lock release) position while
the POWER switch is set to CAMERA or MEMORY/NETWORK(DCR-TRV950
only). (p. 67)
(2) Press EXPOSURE. The exposure indicator appears.
(3)Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to adjust the brightness.
To return to automatic exposureSet the AUTO LOCK selector to AUTO LOCK or press EXPOSURE. The exposure
indicator disappears.
When you adjust the exposure manually, the following functions do not work:
– Backlight
– Spot light
–Shutter speed adjustment
If you press PROGRAM AE
Your camcorder also returns to automatic exposure.
Shooting with manual adjustment
3
1AUTO
LOCKHOLD
2
EXPOSURE 
						

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Advanced Recording Operations
Shooting with manual adjustment
Using the spot light-metering – Flexible Spot Meter
You can take a picture with the appropriate exposure automatically for just the point
you want to focus on and with its exposure fixed. Use the Flexible Spot Meter in the
following cases:
–When adjusting the exposure manually to shoot the backlit subjects.
–When there is strong contrast between the subject and background such as with a
subject that is on stage and lighted by a spotlight.
(1)Set the AUTO LOCK selector to the center (auto lock release) position while
the POWER switch is set to CAMERA or MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-
TRV950 only). (p. 67)
(2)Press FN to display PAGE1.
(3)Press SPOT METER. The SPOT METER screen appears.
(4)Press the desired area in the frame on the LCD screen.
The SPOT METER indicator flashes on the LCD screen. The exposure of the
point you selected is adjusted.
(5)Press 
 OK to return to PAGE1.
To return to FNPress EXIT.
To return to automatic exposureSet the AUTO LOCK selector to AUTO LOCK or press  AUTO to return to PAGE1.
The following functions do not work during Flexible Spot Meter
– Backlight
–Spot light
–Shutter speed adjustment
If you press PROGRAM AE
Your camcorder also returns to automatic exposure.
OKAUTO
SPOT  METER
2
3~5
FNSPOT
METER
SPOT
FOCUSDIG
EFFTMEM
M I XSPOT
METER
END
SCH
PAGE1 PAGE2EXIT
1AUTO
LOCKHOLD 
						

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You can gain better results by manually adjusting the focus in the following cases.
Normally, focus is automatically adjusted.
•The autofocus 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 focus from a subject in the foreground to a subject in
the background.
•Shooting a stationary subject when using a tripod.
(1)Set FOCUS to MAN while the POWER switch is set to CAMERA or
MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-TRV950 only).
The 9 indicator appears.
(2)Turn the focus ring to sharpen focus.
To return to the autofocusSet FOCUS to AUTO.
To record distant subjectsWhen you set FOCUS to INFINITY, the focus changes to a setting appropriate for an
object in the far distance, and the  indicator appears. When you release FOCUS, your
camcorder returns to the manual focus. Use this mode when your camcorder focuses on
near objects even though you are trying to shoot a distant object.
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.
Focusing manually
2
PUSH AUTO
FOCUSAUTO
MAN
INFINITY
1
Focus ring 
						

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Advanced Recording Operations
To focus precisely
It is easier to focus on subjects if you adjust the zoom to shoot at the “W” (wide-angle)
after focusing at the “T” (telephoto) position.
When you shoot close to the subject
Focus at the end of the “W” (wide-angle) position.
9 changes as follows:
when recording a distant subject when the subject is too close to focus on
Focal distance information is displayed for about three seconds on the screen in
the following cases:
–When switching the focus adjustment mode from autofocus to manual
–When turning the focus ring
Focal distance information
–This information aids focusing if it is not easy to focus on the subject, for example,
when recording in the dark. Use this information as a rough guide to get a sharp
focus.
–You cannot get correct information if you have attached a conversion lens (optional)
to your camcorder.
Focusing manually 
						

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You can take a picture with the appropriate focus automatically for just the point you
want to focus on and with its focus fixed.
(1)Set FOCUS to MAN while the POWER switch is set to CAMERA or
MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-TRV950 only).
(2)Press FN to display PAGE1.
(3)Press SPOT FOCUS. The SPOT FOCUS screen appears.
(4)Press the desired area in the frame on the LCD screen.
The SPOT FOCUS indicator flashes on the LCD screen. The spot focus of the
point you selected is adjusted.
(5)Press 
 OK to return to PAGE1.
To return to FNPress EXIT.
To return to the autofocusSet FOCUS to AUTO.
When Using PROGRAM AE
Spot focus do not work.
Focal distance information
It is not displayed on the screen.
Using the spot focus – Spot Focus
23~5
FNSPOT
FOCUS
OKSPOT
FOCUSDIG
EFFTMEM
M I XSPOT
METER
END
SCH
PAGE1 PAGE2EXITSPOT  FOCUS
1
PUSH AUTO
FOCUSAUTO
MAN
INFINITY 
						

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Advanced Recording Operations
You can adjust the recording sound level. Use headphones to monitor the sound when
you adjust it.
(1)Set MIC LEVEL in  to MANUAL in the menu setting while the POWER
switch is set to CAMERA or VCR. (p. 214)
(2)Press MENU to erase the menu display.
(3)Press AUDIO LEVEL to display the recording level adjustment display in
standby mode.
(4)Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to adjust the recording level.
[a]Recording level meter
[b]Decreases the recording level
[c]Increases the recording level
To clear the recording level adjustment displayPress AUDIO LEVEL.
To return to automatic recording sound levelSet MIC LEVEL to AUTO in the menu setting.
 [
MENU]
 :
 END
TAPE  SET
REC  MODE
AUD I O  MODE
     REMA I N
M I C  LEVEL
   RETURNMANUAL
 [
MENU]
 :
 END
2
3
30 20 12 0 dB
 [
MENU]
 :
 END [
MENU]
 :
 END
TAPE  SET
REC  MODE
AUD I O  MODE
     REMA I N
M I C  LEVEL
   RETURNAUTO
MANUAL[a]
[b] [c]
MENU
AUDIO LEVEL1
Adjusting recording level manually – Sound
recording level 
						

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Notes on the manual adjustment
•The recording level setting is retained for about five minutes even after removing the
power supply.
•The recording level indicator appears at the lower-right on the screen.
The sound input through the AUDIO/VIDEO jack or the 
 DV Interface
You cannot adjust the recording level.
When MIC LEVEL is set to AUTO
You cannot adjust the recording level, however, the recording level adjustment display
is displayed.
Adjusting recording level manually – Sound recording level