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3-810-917-13 (1)
Video Camera
Recorder h
CCD-TR78/TR88/TR98
Operation Manual
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly,
and retain it for future reference.
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record
the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these
numbers whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this
product.
Model No. CCD-
Model No. AC-
Serial No. Serial No.
CCD-TR98
1996 by Sony Corporation
CCD-TR78/TR88/TR98 3-810
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Welcome to video h Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam® camcorder. With your Handycam, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Handycam is loaded with advanced features, but at the same time it is very easy to use. You will soon be producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come. For the Sony Service Center nearest you call WARNING 1-800-222-SONY (United States only). For the Factory Service Center nearest you call To pre
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Table of Contents Before You Begin Using This Manual 4 Checking Supplied Accessories 5 Getting Started Charging and Installing the Battery Pack 6 Inserting a Cassette 9 Basic Operations Camera Recording 10 Using the Zoom Feature 13 Hints for Better Shooting 14 Checking the Recorded Picture 15 Connections for Playback 16 Playing Back a Tape 17 Advanced Operations Using Alternative Power Sources 19 Recording with the Date or Time 21 Using the Built-in Light 22 Using the PROGRAM AE Funct
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Before You Begin Using This Manual The instructions in this manual are for the three models listed below. Before you start reading this manual and operating the unit, check your model number by looking at the bottom of your camcorder. The CCD-TR98 is the model used for illustration purposes. Otherwise, the model name is indicated in the illustrations. Any differences in operation are clearly indicated in the text, for example, “ CCD- TR98 only”. As you read through this manual, buttons and setti
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Using This Manual/Checking Supplied Accessories Checking Supplied Accessories Check that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder. 1 2 3 45 67 8 1 NP-33 Battery Pack (1) (p. 6) 2 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 16) 3 Shoulder strap (1) (p. 51) 4 AC-V15/V16/V16A AC power adaptor (1) (p. 6, 19) 5 CR2025 Lithium Battery (1) (p. 31) Already installed in the camcorder. 6 Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 17, 51) 7 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote Commander (2) (p. 52) 8 Battery case (1)
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Getting Started Charging and Installing the Battery Pack Before using your camcorder, you first need to charge and install the battery pack. To charge the battery pack, use the supplied AC power adaptor. Charging the Battery Pack Charge the battery pack on a flat place without vibration. (1) Connect the AC power adaptor to the wall outlet. (2) Align the right side of the battery pack with the line on the AC power adaptor, then slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow. (3) Set the sel
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Charging and Installing the Battery Pack Battery Life Recording time with the built-in light on is indicated in parentheses. CCD-TR78 NP-33 NP-98/ NP-80/ NP-68/ Battery pack NP-66 NP-C65 NP-60D (supplied) 98D 80D 66H Typical recording time* 45 (25) 170 (85) 140 (75) 95 (55) 75 (40) 80 (45) 70 (35) Continuous recording time** 85 (45) 300 (150) 250 (135) 170 (95) 140 (75) 150 (80) 125 (65) CCD-TR88 NP-33 NP-98/ NP-80/ NP-68/ Battery pack NP-66 NP-C65 NP-60D (supplied) 98D 80D 66H Typical recording
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Charging and Installing the Battery Pack Installing the Battery Pack (1) Insert the top of the battery pack into the top of the battery mounting surface. (2) Push the battery pack so that it attaches firmly. To Remove the Battery Pack Slide BATT, and then pull the lower part of the battery pack. 8 CCD-TR78/TR88/TR98 3-810-917-13.E
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Charging and Installing the Battery Pack/Inserting a Cassette Inserting a Cassette Make sure that a power source is installed. (1) While pressing the small blue button, slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow. The cassette compartment automatically opens. (2) Insert a cassette (not supplied) with the window facing out. (3) Press the PUSH mark on the cassette compartment to close it. The cassette compartment automatically closes. 2 1 3 To Eject the Cassette While pressing the small blue button,
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Basic Operations Camera Recording Make sure that a power source and a cassette is inserted. When you use the camcorder for the first time, power on it and reset the date and time to your time (p. 33) before you start recording. When you reset the date and time, the date is automatically recorded for 10 seconds after you start recording (AUTO DATE feature). This feature works only once a day. Before you record one-time events, you may want to make a trial recording to make sure that you are using
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Camera Recording Note on Standby mode If you leave the camcorder for 5 minutes or more with a cassette inserted in Standby mode, the camcorder goes off automatically. This prevents wearing down the battery and wearing out the tape. To resume Standby mode, turn STANDBY down once and turn it up again. To start recording, press START/STOP. To Focus the Viewfinder Lens If the viewfinder is not in focus at all or when you use the camcorder after someone else has used it, focus the viewfinder lens. Tu
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Camera Recording Note on recording When you record from the beginning of the tape, run the tape for about 15 seconds before actual recording. This prevents the camcorder from missing any start-up scenes when you play back the tape. Notes on recording mode • This camcorder records and plays back in SP (standard play) mode and in LP (long play) mode. The playback quality in LP mode, however, will not be as good as that in SP mode. • When a tape recorded on this camcorder in LP mode is played back
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Camera Recording 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 sparingly. T side: for telephoto (subject appears closer) W side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away) Zooming Speed Turn the power zoom lever fully for a high-speed zoom. Turn it lightly for a relatively slow zoom. When you shoot a subject using a telephoto zoom If you cannot get a sharp focus while in
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Hints for Better Shooting For hand-held shots, you’ll get better results holding the camcorder according to the following suggestions: [a] [b] • 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 right elbow against your side. • Place your left hand under the camcorder to support it. Do not cover the microphone with your fingers. • Place your eye firmly against the viewfinder eyecup. • Use the viewfinder fr
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Hints for Better Shooting/Checking the Recorded Picture S T A N D B Y Checking the Recorded Picture Using EDITSEARCH, you can review the last recorded scene or check the recorded picture in the viewfinder. (1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, slide it to CAMERA. (2) Turn STANDBY up. (3) Press EDITSEARCH. Press the – (Î) side momentarily, the last few seconds of the recorded portion plays back (Rec Review). Hold down the – side of EDITSEARCH until the camcorder goes back
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Connections for Playback You can use this camcorder as a VCR by connecting it to your TV for playback. It is recommended to use the house current as the power source (p. 19). If a VCR is connected to a TV Open the jack cover and connect the camcorder to LINE IN on the VCR by using the supplied A/V connecting cable. Set the input selector on the VCR to LINE. Set the TV/VCR selector to VCR on the TV. : Signal flow Connecting Directly to a TV Open the jack cover and connect the camcorder to your TV
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Connections for Playback/Playing Back a Tape Playing Back a Tape You can monitor the playback picture in the viewfinder. You can also monitor on the TV screen, after connecting the camcorder to the TV/VCR (p. 16). You can control playback using the supplied Remote Commander. (1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, slide it to PLAYER. (2) Insert the recorded tape with the window facing out. (3) Press (. Playback starts. PLAY REW FF STOP PAUSE To stop playback, press p. To r
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Playing Back a Tape Various Playback Modes To view a still picture (playback pause) Press P during playback. To resume playback, press P or (. To locate a scene (Picture Search) Keep pressing 0 or ) during playback. To resume normal playback, release the button. To monitor the high-speed picture during fastforward or rewind (Skip Scan) Keep pressing 0 while rewinding or ) while advancing the tape. To resume normal playback, press (. Notes on playback • Streaks appear and the sound is muted in
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Playing Back a Tape/Using Alternative Power Sources Advanced Operations Using Alternative Power Sources You can choose any of the following power sources for your camcorder: battery pack (p.6), the house current, alkaline battery, and 12/24 V car battery. Choose the appropriate power source depending on where you want to use your camcorder. Place Power source Accessory to be used Indoors House current Supplied AC power adaptor Outdoor Battery pack Battery pack NP-33 (supplied), NP-98/98D, NP-80/
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Using Alternative Power Sources WARNING AC power cord must only be changed at qualified service shop. PRECAUTIONS The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off. Notes on the POWER lamp •The POWER lamp will remain lit for a while even if the unit is unplugged after use. This is normal. •If the POWER lamp does not light, disconnect the power cord. After about one minute, reconnect the power cor
