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3-859-131-11 (1)
Video Camera
Recorder
Operating Instructions
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-TR96
CCD-TR86/TR96/TR916
© 1997 by Sony Corporation
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Welcome ! 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 call416- 499-SONY (Ca
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Before you begin Table of contents Before you begin Additional information Using this manual ................................... 4 Changing the lithium battery in the camcorder ............................. 44 Checking supplied accessories .............. 5 Resetting the date and time ................. 46 Playback modes ..................................... 47 Getting started Tips for using the battery pack ........... 48 Charging and installing the battery Maintenance information and pack ......
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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-TR96 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-TR96 only”. As you read through this manual, buttons and settin
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Before you begin Checking supplied accessories Check that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder. 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 1 Wireless Remote Commander (1) 5 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote (p. 18, 65) Commander (2) (p. 66) 2 NP-33 Battery Pack (1) (p. 6) 6 Shoulder strap (1) (p. 64) 3 CR2025 Lithium Battery (1) (p. 44) 7 AC-V16/V16A AC power adaptor (1) Already installed in the camcorder. (p. 6, 19) 4 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 16) 8 Battery case (1) (p. 20) CCD-TR86/TR96 only Conten
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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 a 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 selec
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Getting started Charging and installing the battery pack Battery life Recording time with the built-in light on is indicated in parentheses. CCD-TR86 Battery pack NP-33 NP-60D NP-C65 NP-68 NP-78 NP-80/80D NP-98/98D (supplied) Typical recording 50 75 90 105 135 155 175 time** (25) (40) (45) (55) (75) (80) (90) Continuous 95 140 165 190 250 280 320 recording time*** (45) (70) (85) (100) (140) (145) (165) CCD-TR96/TR916 Battery pack NP-33 NP-60D NP-C65 NP-68 NP-78 NP-80/80D NP-98/98D (supplied) Typ
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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. Make sure that you hear clicks twice. Attach the battery pack to the camcorder securely. Note on installing the NP-98/98D battery pack Use the camcorder while lifting up the viewfinder slightly. Note on the battery pack Do not carry the camcorder by grasping the battery pack. To remove the b
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Getting started 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. 1 23 To eject the cassette While pressing the small blue button, slide EJECT in the direction of the arrow. To
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Basic operations Camera recording Make sure that a power source and a cassette is inserted and that the START/STOP MODE switch is set to . When you use the camcorder for the first time, power on it and reset the date and time to your time (p. 46) before you start recording. 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
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Basic operations Camera recording To stop recording momentarily [a] Press START/STOP again. The “REC” indicator in the viewfinder changes to the “STBY” indicator (Standby mode). To finish recording [b] Press START/STOP. Turn STANDBY down, and set the POWER switch to OFF. Then, eject the cassette and remove the battery pack. [a] [b] 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 we
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Camera recording 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. Move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever so that the indicators in the viewfinder come into sharp focus. Note on the lighting aperture If direct sunlight enters the lighting aperture, the picture in the viewfinder appears brighter. When this happens, colors in the viewfinder may change. Notes on the tape counter • The tap
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Basic operations 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 (Variable speed zooming) 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
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Hints for better shooting For hand-held shots, you’ll get better results by 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. • Place your eye firmly against the viewfinder eyecup. • Use the viewfinder frame as a guide to determine the horizontal p
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Basic operations 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, set it to CAMERA. (2) Turn STANDBY up. (3) Press the – (Î) side of EDITSEARCH momentarily; the last few seconds of the recorded portion plays back (Rec Review). Hold down the – side of EDITSEARCH until the camcorder goes back to the scene you want. The last recorded portion is played
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Connections for playback Connect the camcorder to your VCR or TV to watch the playback picture on the TV screen. When monitoring the playback picture by connecting the camcorder to your TV, we recommend you to use house current for the power source. Connecting directly to a VCR/TV with Video/Audio input jack Open the jack cover. With using the supplied A/V connecting cable, connect the camcorder to the LINE IN inputs on the TV or VCR connected to the TV. Set the TV/ VCR selector on the TV to VCR
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Basic operations Playing back a tape You can monitor the playback picture in the viewfinder. You can also monitor a picture on a TV screen, after connecting the camcorder to a TV or VCR. (1) While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to PLAYER. (2) Insert the recorded tape with the window facing out. (3) Press ( to start playback. PLAY REW FF STOP PAUSE To stop playback, press p. To rewind the tape, press 0. To fast-forward the tape, press ). 17
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Playing back a tape Using the Remote Commander You can control playback using the supplied Remote Commander. Before using the Remote Commander, insert the size AA (R6) batteries. To erase the indicators Press DISPLAY to erase the viewfinder screen indicators on the TV. To display the indicators, press again. 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 pla
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Advanced operations Advanced operations Using alternative power sources You can choose any of the following power sources for your camcorder: battery pack, 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 (Ni-Cd type) Size AA(LR6) Alkaline Supplied battery case (CCD-TR86/ batte
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Using alternative power sources WARNING AC power cord must only be changed at qualified service shop. PRECAUTION 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, set the selector to VTR (DC OUT) and disconnect the power cord. After abo
