Sony Digital 8 Manual

							Getting started
Getting started
11
Getting started
Step 1: Checking 
supplied items
Make sure you have following items supplied 
with your camcorder.
The number in parentheses indicates the number 
of that item supplied.
AC Adaptor (1)
Power cord (1)
Lens cap (1)
See page 104 on how to attach the lens cap.
Shoulder strap (1)
See page 107 on how to attach the shoulder 
strap.
A/V connecting cable (1)
Monaural: ( TRV138/338)Stereo: ( TRV280)
USB cable (1)
( TRV280)
Rechargeable battery pack NP-FM30 (1)
CD-ROM “Picture Package Ver.1.5” (1)
( TRV280)
Camera Operations Guide (This manual) 
(1) 
						

							Getting started12
Step 2: Charging the 
battery pack 
You can charge the battery by attaching the 
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series) 
to your camcorder.
bNotes
 You cannot use batteries other than the  “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series) (p. 96).
 Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor or battery terminals with any metallic objects. This 
may cause a malfunction.
 Use a nearby wall outlet when using the AC  Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall 
outlet immediately if any malfunction occurs.
 Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such  as a bookcase or build-in cabinet.
1Lift up the viewfinder.
2Attach the battery pack by sliding it in 
the direction of the arrow until it 
clicks.
3With the  v mark on the DC plug 
facing up, connect the AC Adaptor to 
the DC IN jack on your camcorder. 
4Connect the power cord to the AC 
Adaptor.
5Connect the power cord to the wall 
outlet.
To the wall outlet DC plug
DC IN jack
Power cord AC AdaptorBattery pack
v 
mark 
						

							Getting started
Getting started
13
6Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) 
OFF.
The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and 
charging starts.
After charging the battery
The CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the 
battery is fully charged. Disconnect the AC 
Adaptor from the DC IN jack. 
To remove the battery pack
1
Lift up the viewfinder.
2Set the POWER switch to (CHG) OFF.
3Slide the battery pack out in the direction 
of the arrow while pressing the BATT 
(battery) release button down.
bNote
 If you do not use the battery pack for a long time, use  up the battery pack completely before storing it. See 
page 96 about storage of the battery pack.
To check the remaining battery – Battery 
Info
You can check the batterys current charge level 
and its current remaining recording time both 
during charging or when the power is turned off.
1Set the POWER switch to (CHG) OFF.
2Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.
3Press DISPLAY/BATT INFO.
The battery information appears for about 7 
seconds. 
Keep the button pressed to view it for about 
20 seconds.
A Battery charge level: Displays 
approximate remaining amount of 
power left in the battery pack.
B Approximate possible recording time 
using the LCD panel.
C Approximate possible recording time 
using the viewfinder.
Charging time
Approximate number of minutes required when 
you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack 
BATT (battery) 
release button POWER switch
POWER switch
OPEN DISPLAY/BATT INFO
BATTERY  INFO
BATTERY     CHARGE     LEVEL   
REC  TIME  AVAILABLE
0% 50% 100%
LCD  SCREEN:  81  min
VIEWFINDER: 
112 min
,continued 
						

							Getting started14
at 25°C (77°F). (10 – 30°C (50 – 86°F) 
recommended.)
Recording time when recording with the 
LCD screen on
Approximate number of minutes available 
when you use a fully charged battery pack at 
25°C (77°F).
For TRV138/338:
For TRV280:
Recording time when recording with the 
viewfinder 
Approximate number of minutes available 
when you use a fully charged battery pack at 
25°C (77°F).
For TRV138/338:For TRV280:
* Approximate number of minutes when recording 
while you repeatedly record, start/stop, slide the 
POWER switch to change the power mode, and 
zoom. The actual battery life may be shorter.
Playing time
Approximate number of minutes available 
when you use a fully charged battery pack at 
25°C (77°F).
For TRV138/338:
For TRV280:
Battery pack
NP-FM30 (supplied) 145
NP-FM50 150
NP-QM71D 260
NP-QM91D 360
Battery packContinuous 
recording 
timeTypical * 
recording 
time 
NP-FM30 
(supplied) 115 55
NP-FM50 185 90
NP-QM71D 445 220
NP-QM91D 670 335
Battery packContinuous 
recording 
timeTypical * 
recording 
time 
NP-FM30 
(supplied) 90 50
NP-FM50 145 80
NP-QM71D 355 220
NP-QM91D 535 300
Battery packContinuous 
recording 
timeTypical * 
recording 
time
NP-FM30 
(supplied) 175 85
NP-FM50 280 135
NP-QM71D 675 330
NP-QM91D 1010 495
Battery packContinuous 
recording 
timeTypical
* 
recording 
time
NP-FM30 
(supplied) 125 65
NP-FM50 200 105
NP-QM71D 485 255
NP-QM91D 725 385
Battery packLCD panel 
openedLCD panel 
closed
NP-FM30 
(supplied) 115 185
NP-FM50 185 295
NP-QM71D 445 715
NP-QM91D 670 1070
Battery packLCD panel 
openedLCD panel 
closed
NP-FM30 
(supplied) 100 150
NP-FM50 160 240
NP-QM71D 390 580
NP-QM91D 585 865
Battery packContinuous 
recording 
timeTypical * 
recording 
time 
						

							Getting started
Getting started
15
bNotes
 The power will not be supplied from the battery pack  when the AC Adaptor is connected to the DC IN jack 
of your camcorder, even if its power cord is 
disconnected from the wall outlet.
 The recording and playback time will be shorter  when you use your camcorder in low temperature.
 The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging, or  the battery information will not be correctly 
displayed in following conditions.
– The battery pack is not attached correctly.
– The battery pack is damaged.
– The battery pack is fully discharged. (For Battery information only.)
Using an outside power source
You can use the AC Adaptor as the power 
source when you do not want the battery to 
run out. While you are using the AC Adaptor, 
the battery pack will not lose its charge even 
when it is attached to your camcorder.
PRECAUTION
Even if your camcorder is turned off, AC power 
(house current) is still supplied to it while 
connected to the wall outlet via the AC Adaptor.
Connect your camcorder as shown in 
“Charging the battery pack” (p. 12).
Step 3: Turning the 
power on
You need to slide the POWER switch 
repeatedly to select the desired power mode 
to record or play.
When using this camcorder for the first time, 
the [CLOCK SET] screen appears (p. 17).
While pressing the green button, slide the 
POWER switch down.
The power turns on.
To enter the recording or playing mode, slide 
the switch repeatedly until the respective lamp 
for the desired power mode lights up.
 CAMERA mode: To record on a tape.
 PLAY/EDIT mode: To play or edit pictures on 
a tape.
To turn off the power
Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF. 
						

							Getting started16
Step 4: Adjusting the 
LCD panel and 
viewfinder
Adjusting the LCD panel
You can adjust the angle and brightness of 
the LCD panel to meet various recording 
situations. 
Even when there are obstructions between you 
and the subject, you can check the subject on the 
LCD screen during recording by adjusting the 
angle of the LCD panel. 
Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the 
camcorder, then rotate it to the desired 
position.
To adjust the brightness of the LCD 
screen
1
Press MENU.
2Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select  (LCD SET), then press the dial.
3Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select 
[LCD BRIGHT], then press the dial 
(p. 51).
4Adjust the brightness of the LCD screen 
with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then 
press the dial.
5Press MENU.
zTips
 If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees to the lens  side, you can close the LCD panel with the LCD 
screen facing out. 
 If you are using the battery pack for power source,  you can adjust the brightness by selecting [LCD 
B.L.] in the   (LCD SET) menu (p. 51).
 The recorded picture will not be affected by this  setting.
 You can turn off the operation confirmation beep by  setting [BEEP] in the   (OTHERS) menu to 
[OFF] (p. 57).
Adjusting the viewfinder
You can view images using the viewfinder 
when you close the LCD panel. Use the 
viewfinder when the battery is running out, or 
when the screen is hard to see.
1Lift up the viewfinder.
2Adjust the viewfinder lens adjustment 
lever until the picture is clear.
Press OPEN and 
open the LCD panel. MENU
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial
Maximum 
90 degrees
Maximum 
180 degrees
Viewfinder lens adjustment lever 
						

							Getting started
Getting started
17
Step 5: Setting the 
date and time
Set the date and time when using this 
camcorder for the first time. If you do not set 
the date and time, the [CLOCK SET] screen 
appears every time you turn on your 
camcorder. 
bNote
 If you do not use your camcorder for about  3 
months , the built-in rechargeable battery gets 
discharged and the date and time settings may be 
cleared from the memory. In that case, charge the 
rechargeable battery (p. 100) and then set the date 
and time again.
1Turn on your camcorder (p. 15).
2Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.
Proceed to step 6 when you set the clock for 
the first time.
3Press MENU.
4Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
select   (SETUP MENU), then press 
the dial.
5Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
select [CLOCK SET], then press the 
dial.
6Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to set 
[Y] (year), then press the dial.
You can set any year up to the year 2079.
7Set [M] (month), [D] (day), [H] (hour) 
and [M] (minute) in the same way as 
was done in step 6, then press the dial.
For midnight, set it to 12:00 AM.
For midday, set it to 12:00 PM.
OPEN SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial POWER 
switch
MENU
MANUAL  SET
  PROGRAM  AE
  P  EFFECT
  AUTO  SHTR
[ MENU ]
 : ENDSTBY
 SETUP  MENU
  CLOCK  SET
  USB  STREAM 
  LTR  SIZE
      LANGUAGE
  DEMO  MODE
      RETURN
[ MENU ]
 : ENDSTBY––:––:––
CLOCK  SET
  
2005   JAN     1    12 : 0 0 AM
  [
MENU ]
 :
 CANCEL
Y
MDHM
STBY
CLOCK  SET
  
2005   JAN     1    12 : 0 0 AM
  [
MENU ]
 :
 CANCEL
Y
MDHM
STBY
,
continued 
						

							Getting started18
To check the preset date and time
For TRV138/338:
Press DATE to display the date indicator.
Press TIME to display the time indicator.
Press DATE (or TIME) and then press TIME 
(or DATE) to simultaneously display the date 
and time indicator.
To hide the date and/or time indicator, press 
DATE and/or TIME again.Step 6: Inserting a 
cassette tape
You can use standard 8 mm  and Hi8  , 
Digital8   video cassettes on your camcorder.
For details on these cassettes (such as write-
protection), see page 95.
b Notes
 Do not force the cassette into the compartment. This  may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.
 For TRV280: The recording time when you use your camcorder is 
half of the indicated time on Hi8   tape. If you 
select the [LP] mode in the menu settings, the 
recording time is 3/4 of the indicated time on 
Hi8  tape.
1Slide the  OPEN/EJECT lever in 
the direction of the arrow and open the 
lid until it clicks.
The cassette compartment automatically 
comes out and opens up.
Lid
OPEN/EJECT lever 
						

							Getting started
Getting started
19
2Insert a cassette with its window-side 
facing up.
3Press .
The cassette compartment automatically 
slides back in.
4Close the lid.
To eject the cassette
1
Slide the  OPEN/EJECT lever in the 
direction of the arrow and open the lid.
The cassette compartment automatically 
comes out.
2Take out the cassette, then press  .
The cassette compartment automatically 
slides back in.
3Close the lid.
Step 7: Setting the 
screen language
You can select the language to be used on the 
LCD screen.
1Turn on your camcorder.
2Press OPEN to open the LCD panel.
3Press MENU.
4Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
select   (SETUP MENU), then press 
the dial.
Window-side
Push the center of the 
back of the cassette 
lightly.
POWER 
switch
 OPEN
SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dialMENU
MANUAL  SET
  PROGRAM  AE
  P  EFFECT
  AUTO  SHTR
[ MENU ]
 : END STBY
 SETUP  MENU
  CLOCK  SET
  USB  STREAM 
  LTR  SIZE
      LANGUAGE
  DEMO  MODE
      RETURN
[ MENU ]
 : ENDSTBY––:––:––
, continued 
						

							Getting started20
5Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
select [  LANGUAGE], then press 
the dial.
6Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
select the desired language, then press 
the dial.
7Press MENU.
zTip
 Your camcorder offers [ENG [SIMP]] (simplified  English) for when you cannot find your native 
tongue among the options.
 SETUP  MENU
  CLOCK  SET
  USB  STREAM 
  LTR  SIZE
    LANGUAGE
  DEMO  MODE
[ MENU ]
 : END
ENGLISH
ENG [
SIMP ]
FRANÇAIS
ESPAÑOL
PORTUGUÊS
STBY