RCA Pro 8 Manual
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Powering Your Camcorder (continued) Using the RCA DCC05 Car Cord Adapter/Charger to Charge the Battery 1.If the DC power cord is attached to the car cord adapter/charger, remove it. 2.Attach the battery to the car cord adapter/charger as shown. 3.Insert the plug on the DCC05 into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket. If the car cord and battery are properly attached, the POWER and CHARGE indicators on the DCC05 will light. Note: Use the REFRESHfeature on the adapter/charger to maximize the life of your battery. 19 Using the RCA DCC05 Car Cord Adapter/ Charger to Power the Camcorder 1.If the battery is attached to the camcorder or car cord adapter/charger, remove it. 2.Plug one end of the DC power cord into the DC OUTjack on the car cord adapter/charger and the other end into the DC IN 6.5 Vjack on the back of the camcorder. 3.Insert the plug on the DCC05 into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket. If the car cord is properly attached, the POWER indicator on the DCC05 will light. Using the Optional RCA DCC05 Car Cord Adapter/Charger The optional RCA DCC05 DC car cord adapter/charger allows you to power your camcorder from the cigarette lighter socket of a car, truck, or RV. It converts 24- and 12-volts to a 6-volt output. The DCC05 can also charge the battery that came with your camcorder and the AV8MM (long play) battery. Consult the installation and operating instructions enclosed with the DCC05 for complete operating instructions. Cautions:The DCC05 is designed to be used only with vehicles having negative ground electrical systems. Do not use any other RCA car cord with this camcorder. Other RCA car cords may damage your camcorder. ON POWER SAVEDC IN 6.5V START/ STOPREC ADJ. POWERDATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTEROPEN
RCA Video Cassettes 20 We recommend that RCA cassettes be used with your camcorder. The tape in these cassettes is of high-quality formulation. It has been manufactured to our critical specifications for excellent performance. Use of tape not meeting these specifications could considerably reduce the performance of your camcorder. Use of poor quality tapes or tapes that have been damaged or mishandled can contaminate the video heads, resulting in a snowy picture or no picture at all during playback. Because there is no control over the type of tape purchased or rented by consumers, head cleaning is not covered under warranty. It is considered normal maintenance. Playing a new RCA tape for approximately 30 minutes will often satisfactorily clean the heads and improve your picture. Erase Protection–Record-Protect (Safety) Tab You can use your video cassettes over and over again. To erase a previous recording, just record over it. A.To prevent erasing a recording you want to keep, close the cassette’s record-protect tab by sliding it in the direction of the arrow until the red area is completely visible. B.To record again on the cassette, slide the record- protect tab open in the direction of the arrow until the red area disappears behind the cassette case. Recording and Playback Speeds and Times The camcorder records in standard speed (SP). The chart in the next column shows the maximum SP recording times for some popular 8mm cassettes. The camcorder can play back tapes in standard speed (SP) or long play (LP) speed. The playback speed is automatically selected by the camcorder. TheLP indicator appears in the electronic viewfinder when the camcorder is playing back a tape recorded in the LP speed. 8 Inserting and Removing Cassettes 1.Attach a power supply to the camcorder. 2.Slide the OPENbutton and completely open the cassette compartment cover. 3.Press the EJECTbutton to open the cassette compartment. Insert or remove the cassette. 4.Close the cassette compartment door. Gently press on the area labeled PUSH as shown above. 5.After the cassette compartment is fully retracted, close the cassette compartment cover. P6-1515 Minutes P6-2020 Minutes P6-4545 Minutes P6-6060 Minutes P6-9090 Minutes P6-1202 Hours P6-1502 1/2 Hours CassetteRecording Time Record-Protect TabTo Prevent Erasure–Close Record-Protect Tab (Expose Red)To Record Again –Open Record-Protect Tab (Red Disappears) A.B. Caution: Insert the cassette only one way with the record-protect tab facing up and the tape window facing out. The cassette should slide easily in the compartment. Do not force the cassette. EJECTButton OPENButton Record- Protect Tab Tape Window Press Here to Close
Special Features Camera Edit The camera edit feature allows you to use the F.FWD.(fast forward) and REW (rewind) buttons on the camcorder (or the SCENE SEARCH+ and – buttons on the remote control) to precisely position the tape while the camcorder is in the record-pause mode. • Press and hold the REW(rewind) button on the camcorder (or the SCENE SEARCH– button on the remote control) to visually search the recorded tape in reverse. • Press and hold the F.FWD.(fast forward) button on the camcorder (or the SCENE SEARCH+ button on the remote control) to visually search forward on the recorded tape. When you release the buttons, the camcorder will return to the record-pause mode at that point on the tape. Quick Review When the camcorder is in the record-pause mode, press and release the REWbutton to review the last few seconds of recorded material in the viewfinder. The camcorder will return to the record-pause mode. Note:Do not hold the REWbutton, or the camcorder will go into camera edit. Flying Erase Head A separate erase head is mounted on the spinning headwheel (hence the term “flying”). This allows you to make clean edits without the “glitches” or “rainbow noise” that may occur at the beginning and end of each recording. Earphone Jack Plug an optional earphone into this jack to privately listen while recording or playing back a tape. AUTO LOCK Switch When the AUTO LOCKswitch is in the AUTO LOCKposition, the camcorder will automatically control the focus and other recording features. When you press the thumb trigger to start recording, the RECand PAUSEindicators will briefly appear twice their normal size in the viewfinder to alert you that the AUTO LOCKswitch is in the AUTO LOCK position. Details are on pages 26-27. Note:When the AUTO LOCKswitch is in the AUTO LOCKposition, you cannot manually control the focus or preset program modes. Tape Positioning When the POWER switch is in the PLAYposition and the camcorder is stopped, you can quickly fast- forward or rewind the tape. • Press the F.FWD. (fast-forward) button to fast- forward the tape. Press the STOP button to stop fast-forwarding. • Press the REW (rewind) button to rewind the tape to the beginning. Press the STOP button to stop rewinding. Microphone The microphone picks up the sound during a recording. It is more sensitive to sounds coming from the direction the lens is pointed. Tally Light The tally light on the front of the camcorder flashes when the camcorder is in the record-pause mode. • During recording, the tally light will turn off if you start recording with the thumb trigger on the camcorder or place the ON/POWER SAVElever in the POWER SAVEposition. • During recording, the tally light will light continuously if you start recording with the RECORD START/STOPbutton on the remote control. REWF.FWD.BATTERY STOP MODE SEL. AUTO LOCK MANUAL FOCUSON OFF + – FOCUSPLAY ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL REW (Rewind) Button F.FWD. (Fast Forward) Button POWER Switch AUTO LOCK Switch Microphone Tally Light Earphone Jack (Located on the side of the camcorder) 21
Date and Time Display 22Installing the Battery for Time and Date Display REWF.FWD.BATTERY STOP MODE SEL. AUTO LOCK MANUAL FOCUSON OFF + – FOCUSPLAY ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL Caution: Lithium battery. Must be disposed of properly. Never handle punctured or leaking batteries. May cause burns or personal injury. Can cause death or injury if swallowed. Keep out of the hands of children. If swallowed, consult a physician immediately for emergency treatment. Never use metallic tweezers to hold the battery, and never short circuit the + and – sides of the battery. 1.Locate the clock battery compartment on the bottom side of the camcorder. 2.Pull the battery tray out from the battery compartment. 3.Insert the clock battery with the “+” terminal facing up as illustrated above. 4.Replace the battery tray in the camcorder. Notes:Under normal conditions, the lithium battery should last about one year. When the battery is expired the date display will show “88:88”. After the lithium battery has been replaced, the date and time will need to be reset. Setting the Time and Date Display in the Viewfinder The time and date (or only the date) can be recorded on your tape. Whenever one of the displays appear in the viewfinder, it will be recorded on the tape. You can choose to record only the date, both the date and time, or neither. AM 12:00:00 1. 1.1992 Hours and AM or PM Minutes Seconds Display in Viewfinder Month Day Year Battery Compartment Battery Tray 1.Install the clock battery as described in the previous column. 2.Attach a power supply to the camcorder. Press and hold the small button on the POWER switch while you slide it in the CAM(camera) position. Place the ON/POWER SAVElever in the ON position. 3.Use a straightened paper clip or pen to press and hold the ADJ.(adjust) button for about one second. The reset date (1. 1. 1992) and time (AM 12:00:00) will appear in the viewfinder. 4.The month will be flashing. Repeatedly press the DATE/TIMEbutton until the correct month appears REWF.FWD.BATTERY STOP MODE SEL. AUTO LOCK MANUAL FOCUSON OFF + – FOCUSPLAY ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL ADJ.(Adjust) ButtonDATE/TIME Button (continued on the next page)
Date and Time Display (continued) Electronic Viewfinder 23 PressTo Display in Viewfinder DATE/TIMEand Record on the Tape Button Press OnceDate Only Press AgainDate and Time Press AgainNeither Date nor Time 5.Then, press the ADJ. button. The flashing cursor will move to the next part of the display. 6.Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have entered the correct month, day, year, hour including AMor PM, and minute. 7.After setting the minutes, press the ADJ.button to start the seconds. The seconds counter will start with “00”. Notes:To correct the date or time after the clock has been started, repeat steps 3-7. If “88:88” appears instead of the date display, the lithium clock battery is expired. Replace the battery and reset the time and date. The camcorder’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a miniature black-and-white monitor that displays the picture seen by the camcorder when recording. The viewfinder can also be used for viewing the tape during playback. Eyepiece Focus Control The eyepiece focus control lets you set the focus of the viewfinder for your personal vision. If you wear eyeglasses, you can probably operate the camcorder without them. It’s easiest to set the correct focus by focusing on one of the viewfinder’s on-screen displays (such as the date). Pull the viewfinder out into operating position. Look through the viewfinder and adjust the eyepiece focus control for your vision. The eyepiece focus control does not affect the focus of the picture actually recorded by the camcorder. REWF.FWD.BATTERYSTOP MODE SEL. AUTO LOCK MANUAL FOCUSON OFF+ – FOCUSPLAY ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL Eyepiece Focus Control Electronic Viewfinder in Operating Position (PULLhere to extend viewfinder.) Caution: Do not force the viewfinder to rotate completely around. This will damage the viewfinder and/or the camcorder. ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL Caution: When carrying the camcorder with the shoulder strap, rotate the EVF down. This helps prevent possible damage to the viewfinder from bumping against your body as you move.Recording Date and TIme (or Date) on Your Tape If you see the date and time (or date) display in the viewfinder while you are recording, it will be recorded on your tape. Ifyou do not want it recorded, press the DATE/TIMEbutton until the displays are removed from the viewfinder. Cleaning the Viewfinder You may occasionally want to clean the viewfinder. Follow the steps below. 1.Fully extend the viewfinder, and then slightly push it back. 2.Rotate the viewfinder in the counter-clockwise direction to remove the eyecup piece. 3.Use an optional air blower available from most camera storesto clean the viewfinder. Tilt Adjustment For convenient viewing, the viewfinder can be raised 90°. 132
24 Displays in Viewfinder camcorder’s preset program modes ( , , , , , or ). The indicator for the mode selected will appear in the viewfinder. This indicator will not be recorded on the tape when it appears in the viewfinder. No indicator appears when the auto mode is selected. Details are on page 27. Battery Warning The battery warning indicator appears when it is time to recharge the battery pack. Dew, TAPEand TAPE END Indicators •The dew indicator appears when excessive moisture has entered the camcorder or cassette. The camcorder’s buttons will not operate except to eject the cassette.Press the EJECTbutton and remove the cassette from the camcorder. Place the camcorder in a warm, dry area until the indicator disappears (approximately one hour). When the indicator no longer appears in the viewfinder, the camcorder will operate. •TAPEappears in the viewfinder when there is approximately five minutes of recording time left on the tape. •TAPE ENDappears in the viewfinder during recording when the end of the tape is reached. The camcorder has several displays in the electronic viewfinder that tell what the camcorder is doing, and aid in the ease of operation. LPIndicator The LPindicator appears when you are playing back a tape that was recorded at the LP speed. Status Displays One of the following displays will appear in the viewfinder to let you know what the camcorder is doing. These displays are not recorded on the tape when they appear in the viewfinder. •RECappears when the camcorder is recording. •PAUSE flashes when the camcorder is in the record-pause mode. •FFappears when the tape is fast forwarding, and REWappears when the tape is rewinding. •STOPappears when the camcorder is stopped during playback. •PLAYappears when the camcorder is playing back a tape. Note:When you start or stop recording, a larger RECor PAUSEindicator will briefly flash below the status display area to let you know that the AUTO LOCK switch is in the AUTO LOCKposition. Preset Program Mode Indicators (Sports, Auto High-Speed Shutter, Close-up, Low- Light, and Flickerless) Slide the AUTO LOCKswitch out of the AUTO LOCKposition, and then repeatedly press the MODE SEL.(select) button to select one of the REC LP M 1:00:00 MF AM 10:30:15 1. 1.1992Status Displays LPDisplay Time Counter with Memory Stop Preset Program Mode Indicators (Sports, Auto High-Speed Shutter, Close- up, Low- Light, and Flickerless) Battery Warning Dew, TAPE, and TAPEEND Indicators Manual Focus (MF,+, and–) Indicators Cassette Indicator Time and Date Display 1 2 3 4 5 7 6 8 9 1 2 3 4 5
Power ZoomingDisplays(continued) 25 Time Counter with Memory Stop •Press the COUNTER RES. (reset) button to reset the counter to “0:00:00” when you start recording or playing back a tape. •Press the COUNTER MEM(memory) button to turn on the time counter’s memory-stop feature. An Mappears in front of the time counter display. Press the COUNTER MEM button again to remove theM and turn off the memory-stop feature. •These displays will not be recorded on the tape when they appear. •Details are on page 28. Manual Focus (MF, MF+, and MF–) Indicator Slide the AUTO LOCK switch to the left (out of the AUTO LOCK position). Then press the FOCUS ON/OFFbutton to turn off auto focus and focus manually. •The MF indicator will appear in the viewfinder during manual focus. •Focus manually using the MANUALFOCUS +/– button. •During manual focus, MF+ or MF– will appear in the viewfinder when using the MANUAL FOCUS –/+ button. •This display will not be recorded on the tape when it appears. •Press the FOCUS ON/OFFbutton again to return to auto focus. No indicator appears when using auto focus. Cassette Indicator This indicator appears if there is no cassette in the camcorder, or if you try to record on a cassette that has its record-protect tab closed. It also appears if there is moisture in the cassette. Time and Date Display After the time and date have been set, press the DATE/TIMEbutton to display the time and date (or date) in the viewfinder. The time and date display only appears when the camcorder is recording or in the record-pause mode (POWER switch in the CAMposition). •This display will be recorded on the tape whenever it appears in the viewfinder. •Repeatedly press the DATE/TIMEbutton to remove this display from the viewfinder. •“88:88” appears instead of the time and date if the time and date have not been set. It also appears when the clock battery is not installed correctly or it needs to be replaced. •Details are on pages 22-23. 7 6 8 9 The 8:1 motorized zoom lens allows you to zoom in and out for close-ups or wide-angle shots just by pressing one of the power zoom buttons. The zoom buttons are easily controlled by your index and middle fingers when you hold the camcorder through the handstrap. •Press the button labeled “T” to move the lens in the telephoto (close-up) direction. •Press the button labeled “W” to move the lens in the wide-angle direction. Notes:Image vibration is more noticeable when zooming in to film close-up shots. If possible use a tripod or make sure that the camcorder is kept steady. When the camcorder’s CAM/OFF/PLAYswitch is set to the OFFposition, the zoom ratio will automatically return to the full wide-angle position. When you place the ON/POWER SAVElever in the POWER SAVEposition and then back in the ON position, the zoom ratio will remain the same as before you put it in the POWER SAVEposition. REWF.FWD.BATTERY STOP MODE SEL. AUTO LOCK MANUAL FOCUSON OFF + – FOCUSPLAY ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL Power Zoom Buttons T=Telephoto W=Wide Angle
Focusing Your Camcorder 26Manual Focus Under certain conditions, such as those listed, you may need to focus manually. •When filming two subjects–one nearby and one distant. •When filming subjects in very low light. •When filming a horizontally striped subject. •When filming subjects with little or no contrast in the picture. To focus manually. 1.Slide the AUTO LOCKswitch to the left (out of the AUTO LOCKposition). 2.Press the power zoom button labeled “T” and zoom in on the subject. 3.Press the FOCUS ON/OFF button to select manual focus. MFwill appear in the viewfinder. 4.Adjust the focus by pressing the + or – side of the MANUAL FOCUS +/– button. •MF+will appear in the viewfinder when focusing in the + direction. •MF–will appear in the viewfinder when focusing in the – direction. 5.Use the power zoom buttons to select desired zooming range. Note:When the CAM/OFF/PLAYswitch is set to OFF, the focus will reset to auto focus when power is restored. Manual focus will remain selected when you place the ON/POWER SAVElever in the POWER SAVEposition and then restore power by returning it to the ON position. Auto Focus If you want the camcorder to focus for you automatically, set the AUTO LOCKswitch to the AUTO LOCKposition. Notes:The camcorder will automatically focus on any subject at a distance of three feet or more from the lens. When a subject is closer than three feet, press the power zoom button “W” to change to a wide-angle position where the subject will be in focus. When zooming in on a distant subject from the wide- angle position, auto focus may not function properly due to the instability of the image. Let auto focus adjust for the full zoomed-in position, and then use a tripod for stable images. The subject will then stay in focus while using the power zoom buttons.MANUAL FOCUS + and – Button FOCUS ON/OFF Button REWF.FWD.BATTERY STOP MODE SEL. AUTO LOCK MANUAL FOCUSON OFF + – FOCUSPLAY ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL AUTO LOCK Switch
Preset Program Modes 27 The camcorder has several preset program modes which allow you to select a mode that fits your particular recording situation. The camcorder will automatically set shutter speed, white balance, and iris. Manual or auto-focus can be used during any of the preset program modes. To select one of the preset program modes, follow the steps below. 1.Place the camcorder in the record-pause mode. 2.Slide the AUTO LOCKswitch to the left (out of the AUTOLOCKposition). 3.Repeatedly press the MODE SEL. (select) button to select the preset program mode that best fits your recording conditions. See the chart below to determine which mode to use. Notes:If you want the camcorder to remember the preset program mode and settings you selected during recording breaks, place the ON/POWER SAVElever in the POWER SAVEposition. The camcorder will automatically return the settings to the auto mode if the power is turned off using the POWERbutton. Auto focus will automatically reset whenever you select a new preset program mode. Mode Auto mode Sports Auto high speed shutter Close-up Low Light Flickerless Shutter Speed 1/60 second. 1/60 ~ 1/250 second. (depending on brightness) 1/250 ~ 1/10,000 second (depending on brightness) 1/60 second 1/60 second 1/100 second Indicator None Auto-Focus Area Normal Center Frame Area Only (9 feet and farther) Normal 2/5 inch~78 inches Normal Normal Recording Conditions Use under normal conditions. For filming sporting events, football games, etc. •Colors may change if this mode is used indoors with fluorescent lighting. For capturing fast movements such as a golf swing, tennis swing, etc. •Colors may change if this mode is used indoors with fluorescent lighting. For filming subjects, such as flowers or insects, at a short distance. •This mode automatically sets the zoom to the wide-angle position and the focus to about 2 inches from the lens. The focus can then be adjusted on any subject in a range of 2/5 inch to 78 inches from the lens. For best results when filming indoors, under low light conditions. •If the camcorder makes too many focus adjustments, this may indicate that the subject is too bright. In this case select the auto mode shown above or use manual focus. When recording in a foreign country under fluorescent lighting that uses 50 Hz. electric current (some parts of Europe and Asia). REWF.FWD.BATTERY STOP MODE SEL. AUTO LOCK MANUAL FOCUSON OFF + – FOCUSPLAY ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL AUTO LOCKSwitch Display in Viewfinder with the Sports mode selected MODE SEL.(Select) Button
Time Counter with Memory Stop 28 Time Counter The time counter display shows the actual time elapsed when recording a program or playing back a segment of a pre-recorded tape. The time counter also helps you quickly locate the end of recorded segments. Note the time counter reading when you are finished recording or playing back a tape. For example, you recorded a 10-minute segment. Later, if you want to locate the end of your recording, you can insert the cassette and fast- forward the tape until the time counter reads “0:10:00”. Before you start to record or playback a tape, press the COUNTER RES. (reset) button to set the counter to “0:00:00”. Memory Stop Feature The memory-stop feature helps you locate a certain point on the tape. This is useful if you want to review a section immediately after recording or return to the same place on the tape several times during playback. When memory stop is turned on, the tape will stop automatically during rewind or fast forward when the time counter reaches “M 0:00:00”. 1.Press the COUNTER MEM(memory) button to turn on the memory stop feature. An “M”appears in front of the time counter in the viewfinder. M 0:00:00 Display in Viewfinder Time Counter with Memory- Stop Feature Turned onSeconds Minutes Hours 2.Locate the place on the tape you want to return to and press the COUNTER RES.(reset) button to set the time counter to “M0:00:00”. 3.Continue to record or play the tape. When you want to return to the place you marked, press the thumb trigger to stop recording or the STOP button to stop playing back the tape. 4.Make sure the CAM/OFF/PLAY switch is in the PLAYposition, and then press the REW(rewind) button. The tape will rewind to the time counter reading of “M 0:00:00”. Notes for Memory Stop: The corresponding buttons on the remote control can be used to operate the camcorder. Whenever the time counter is displayed, you can reset it to 0:00:00by pressing the COUNTER RES.button. If you rewind the tape farther back than a counter reading of “0:00:00”, a minus will appear in front of the time counter display. Whenever memory stop is turned on, the camcorder will stop rewinding or fast forwarding when the counter reaches “M 0:00:00”. To continue rewinding or fast forwarding, press REWor F.FWD.again. There may be a small difference between the actual length of the tape and the counter reading. The memory stop feature can be turned on at any time by pressing the COUNTER MEM.button. Press the COUNTER MEM.button again to turn memory stop off and remove the Min front of the time counter. If the tape does not stop at the exact memory location, use the REWand F.FWDbuttons. REWF.FWD.BATTERY STOP MODE SEL. AUTO LOCK MANUAL FOCUSON OFF + – FOCUSPLAY ADJ.DATE/TIMERES.MEM COUNTERPULL COUNTER RES. (Reset) ButtonCOUNTER MEM (Memory) Button RECORD STOP F.FWD PLAY REW STILL SCENE SEARCH COUNTER DISPLAY–+ START STOP MEMORY RESET COUNTER RESET Button COUNTER MEMORY Button