Sony Digital 8 Manual

							2-515-259-12(1)
© 2005 Sony Corporation
Camera
Operations Guide
Video Camera Recorder/Digital Video Camera Recorder
CCD-TRV138/TRV338
DCR-TRV280
Read this first 
						

							2
Read this first
Before operating the unit, please read this 
manual thoroughly, and retain it for future 
reference.
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not 
expose the unit to rain or moisture.
This symbol is intended to alert the 
user to the presence of uninsulated 
“dangerous voltage” within the 
product’s enclosure that may be of 
sufficient magnitude to constitute a 
risk of electric shock to persons.
This symbol is intended to alert the 
user to the presence of important 
operating and maintenance 
(servicing) instructions in the 
literature accompanying the 
appliance.
b Notice
If static electricity or electromagnetism causes data 
transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart the 
application or disconnect and connect the 
communication cable (USB, etc.) again.
For customers in the U.S.A. and 
CANADA
RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Lithium-Ion batteries are 
recyclable.
You can help preserve our 
environment by returning your 
used rechargeable batteries to the 
collection and recycling location 
nearest you.
For more information regarding recycling of 
rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-822- 8837, 
or visit http://www.rbrc.org/
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking Lithium-
Ion batteries.
For customers in the U.S.A.
If you have any questions about this product, you may 
call:
Sony Customer Information Center 1-800-222-SONY 
(7669).
The number below is for the FCC related matters only.
Regulatory Information
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.                         
-TRV                         Serial No.                                                            Model No.AC-                                                     Serial No.                                                            
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: DCR-TRV280
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 16450 W. Bernardo Dr, San Diego, CA 
92127 U.S.A.
Telephone No.: 858-942-2230
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. 
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, 
and (2) this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may cause 
undesired operation. 
						

							3
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications 
not expressly approved in this manual could void your 
authority to operate this equipment.
bNotes:
 This equipment has been tested and found to comply  with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant 
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable 
protection against harmful interference in a 
residential installation. This equipment generates, 
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if 
not installed and used in accordance with the 
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio 
communications. However, there is no guarantee 
that interference will not occur in a particular 
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful 
interference to radio or television reception, which 
can be determined by turning the equipment off and 
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the 
interference by one or more of the following 
measures:– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit  different from that to which the receiver is 
connected.
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV  technician for help.
The supplied interface cable must be used with the 
equipment in order to comply with the limits for a 
digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of 
FCC Rules.
 This product contains mercury. Disposal of this  product may be regulated if sold in the United States.
For disposal or recycling information, please contact 
your local authorities or the Electronics Industries 
Alliance (http://www.eiae.org).
Notes on use
Note on a cassette tape You can use standard 8 mm   and Hi8  , 
Digital8   video cassettes on your camcorder. See 
page 95 for details.
Notes on recording Before starting to record, test the recording function to make sure the picture and sound are recorded 
without any problems.
 Compensation for the contents of recordings cannot  be provided, even if recording or playback is not 
possible due to a malfunction of the camcorder, etc.   TV color systems differ depending on the country/
region. To view your recordings on a TV, you need 
an NTSC system-based TV.
 Television programs, films, video tapes, and other  materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized 
recording of such materials may be contrary to the 
copyright laws.
Notes on the LCD panel, viewfinder, and 
lens
 The LCD screen and the viewfinder are manufactured using extremely high-precision 
technology, so over 99.99% of the pixels are 
operational for effective use.
However, there may be some tiny black points and/
or bright points (white, red, blue, or green in color) 
that appear constantly on the LCD screen and the 
viewfinder.
These points are normal results of the manufacturing 
process and do not affect the recording in any way.
 Exposing the LCD screen, the viewfinder, or the lens  to direct sunlight for long periods of time may cause 
malfunctions. Be careful when placing the camera 
near a window or outdoors.
 Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause your  camcorder to malfunction. Take pictures of the sun 
only in low light conditions, such as at dusk.
Note on connecting other deviceBefore connecting your camcorder to other device 
such as a VCR or a computer with an USB or i.LINK 
cable, be sure to insert the connector plug in the proper 
direction. If you insert the connector plug forcibly in 
the wrong direction, the terminal may be damaged.
This may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.
Notes on using this manual The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder used on this manual are captured using a digital still 
camera, and thus may appear different from what 
you see.
 In this instruction manual, each model is indicated as  follows.
CCD-TRV138: TRV138
CCD-TRV338: TRV338
DCR-TRV280: TRV280
Instructions with no specific model names are for all 
models.
Instructions with specific model names are for the 
indicated models only.
Before you start reading this manual, check the 
model name of your camcorder.
 The on-screen displays in each local language are  used in illustrating the operating procedures. Change 
the screen language before using your camcorder if 
necessary (p. 19).
, continued 
						

							4
 The illustrations used on this manual are based on the model DCR-TRV280.
 The screens shown in this manual are from a  Windows XP computer. The screens may vary 
depending on the OS.
Notes on using the camcorder Hold your camcorder correctly.
 To ensure a good grip, fasten the grip belt as shown in the following illustration.
 Be careful not to press buttons on the LCD frame  accidentally when you open or close the LCD panel, 
or when you adjust the angle of the LCD panel.
 Do not hold the camcorder by the following parts.  Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select desired 
item, then press the dial to decide.
Viewfinder LCD panel
Battery pack 
						

							5
Read this first .............................................................................................  2
Quick Start Guide
Recording movies ......................................................................................  8
Recording/Playing back with ease ...........................................................  10
Getting started
Step 1: Checking supplied items ..............................................................  11
Step 2: Charging the battery pack............................................................  12
Using an outside power source  ................................................................................. 15
Step 3: Turning the power on ...................................................................  15
Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder ......................................  16
Adjusting the LCD panel  ........................................................................................... 16
Adjusting the viewfinder  ............................................................................................ 16
Step 5: Setting the date and time .............................................................  17
Step 6: Inserting a cassette tape..............................................................  18
Step 7: Setting the screen language ........................................................  19
Recording
Recording movies ....................................................................................  21
Recording for a longer time ....................................................................................... 23
Using zoom  ............................................................................................................... 23
Using the built-in light  ................................................................................................ 23
Recording in mirror mode  ......................................................................................... 24
Superimposing the date and time on pictures ( TRV138/338)  ........................... 25
Recording still images – Tape photo recording ( TRV280)....................  25
Recording with ease – Easy Handycam ..................................................  26
Adjusting the exposure.............................................................................  27
Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjects  ............................................................... 27
Adjusting the exposure manually  .............................................................................. 28
Recording in dark places – NightShot plus ..............................................  28
Adjusting the focus manually ...................................................................  29
Recording a picture using various effects ................................................  30
Fading in and out of a scene – FADER  .................................................................... 30
CCD-TRV138:  TRV138  CCD-TRV338:  TRV338
DCR-TRV280: TRV280Table of Contents
,continued 
						

							6
Superimposing a title................................................................................  31
Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording – END SEARCH .................................................................................  33
Playback
Viewing pictures recorded on a tape ........................................................  34
Playing back in various modes  .................................................................................. 35
Playing back with ease – Easy Handycam ..............................................  36
Various playback functions ......................................................................  37
Displaying the screen indicators  ................................................................................ 37
Displaying the date/time and camera settings data – Data code
( TRV280) ......................................................................................................... 37
Playing the picture on a TV ......................................................................  39 
						

							7
Advanced operations
Customizing Your 
Camcorder
Changing the menu settings  .............. 41
Using the   (MANUAL SET) menu – PROGRAM AE/P EFFECT, 
etc. ............................................... 42
Using the   (CAMERA SET) menu  – 16:9 WIDE/STEADYSHOT, 
etc. ............................................... 45
Using the   (PLAYER SET)/  (VCR  SET) menu
 – HiFi SOUND/EDIT, 
etc. ............................................... 49
Using the   (LCD SET) menu
 
– LCD B.L./LCD COLOR, etc.  ...... 51
Using the   (TAPE SET) menu
 
– FRAME REC/INT.REC, etc.  ...... 52
Using the   (SETUP MENU)  – CLOCK SET/USB STREAM/
LANGUAGE, etc.  ..................... 55
Using the   (OTHERS) menu
 
– WORLD TIME/VIDEO EDIT, 
etc. ............................................... 57
Dubbing/Editing
Connecting to a VCR  ......................... 59
Dubbing to another tape  .................... 61
Dubbing a tape easily – Easy Dubbing  ( TRV138/338) ...................... 62
Recording pictures from a VCR  ( TRV280) .................................. 66
Dubbing selected scenes from a tape  – Digital program editing 
( TRV280) .................................. 67
Using with your 
computer
Features ( TRV280)  ........................72
Installing the software and “First Step Guide” on a computer 
( TRV280) ..................................74
Using “First Step Guide” ( TRV280) ..................................78
Creating a DVD (Direct Access to “Click  to DVD”) ( TRV280)  ...................79
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting .................................82
Warning indicators and messages  .....92
Additional Information
Using your camcorder abroad  ............94
Usable cassette tapes  ........................95
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack  ..................................96
About i.LINK  .......................................97
Maintenance and precautions  ............98
Specification .....................................101
Quick Reference
Identifying parts and controls  ...........104
Index ................................................109
For TRV280:
Two operating instructions are supplied with 
your camcorder:
 Camera Operations Guide (This manual)
 “First Step Guide” for using the supplied  applications (included in the supplied CD-ROM) 
						

							Quick Start Guide8
Quick Start Guide
Recording movies
1Attach the charged battery pack to the camcorder.
To charge the battery, see page 12.
2Insert a cassette into the camcorder.
aLift up the viewfinder.bSlide the battery pack in the direction 
of the arrow until it clicks.
aSlide the  OPEN/
EJECT lever in the 
direction of the arrow 
and open the lid until 
it clicks.
The cassette compartment 
comes out automatically.
bInsert the cassette with 
its window-side facing 
up, then push the center 
of the back of the 
cassette.cPress .
Close the cassette lid after 
the cassette compartment 
slides back in by itself.
OPEN/EJECT leverWindow-side  
						

							Quick Start Guide
Quick Start Guide
9
3Start recording while checking the subject on the LCD screen.
The date and time is not set up in the default setting. To set the date and time, see page 17.
4View the recorded picture on the LCD screen.
aRemove the lens cap.
Lens cap is not attached 
when you purchase your 
camcorder (p. 104). 
bPress OPEN and 
open the LCD panel.
cWhile pressing the 
green button, slide 
the POWER switch 
down to light up the 
CAMERA lamp.
The power turns on.
dPress REC START/
STOP.
Recording starts. To change to 
standby mode, press REC 
START/STOP again.
You can also use REC START/
STOP of the LCD panel.
aSlide the POWER 
switch repeatedly 
until the PLAY/EDIT 
lamp lights up.
bPress  (rewind).
cPress   (play) to 
start the playback.
To stop, press  .
To turn off the power, slide the 
POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.
START/STOP 
						

							Quick Start Guide10
Recording/Playing back with ease
By switching to Easy Handycam operation, recording/playback operation 
becomes even easier. 
Easy Handycam operation allows easy recording/playback for even first 
time users by providing only the basic functions for recording/playback.
For details, see instructions for each operation. 
See page 26 for recording, page 36 for playback.
Press EASY when recording/
playing back.
EASY lights up in blue (1) and 
screen font size increases ( 2) during 
Easy Handycam operation.
Easy  Handycam operationON