Sony Digital 8 Manual

							Recording
Recording21
Recording
Recording movies
Before recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in 
“Getting started” (p. 11 - p. 19).
For TRV138/338:
Movies will be recorded along with monaural 
sound.
For TRV280:
Movies will be recorded along with stereo 
sound.
bNote
 For TRV138/338:  The date is automatically recorded for 10 seconds 
after you start recording (Auto date function). This 
function works only once a day. See page 55 for 
details.
z Tip
 Performing Easy Handycam operation, even first  time users can record easily. For details, see page 26.
1Remove the lens cap. Pull the lens cap 
string down and attach it to the grip 
belt.
2Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.
3Slide the POWER switch until the 
CAMERA lamp lights up.
Your camcorder is set to the standby mode. 
4Press REC START/STOP.
Recording starts. [REC] appears on the 
LCD screen and the Camera recording lamp 
lights up.
Press REC START/STOP again to stop 
recording.
To turn the power off
Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.
z Tip 
 If you do not use your camcorder for a long time,  remove the cassette and store it.OPEN POWER switch
REC START/STOP
Camera recording lamp
Slide the POWER 
switch while 
pressing the green 
button.
,
continued 
						

							Recording22
Indicators displayed during recording
The indicators will not be recorded on the tape.
For TRV
138/338:
For TRV
280:
Date/time and camera settings data (p. 37) will 
not be displayed during recording.
A Remaining battery time
The indicated time may not be correct 
depending on the environment of use. 
When you opened or closed the LCD panel, 
it takes about 1 minute to display the correct 
remaining battery time.
B Recording mode (SP or LP)
C Recording status ([STBY] (standby) or 
[REC] (recording))
D Tape counter (hour: minute: second) 
( TRV138/338)
To set the counter to 0:00:00, press 
COUNTER RESET (p. 106).
E Recording capacity
For TRV
138/338:
This appears after you insert a cassette and 
record for a while.
For TRV280:
This appears after a while when you set the 
POWER switch to CAMERA and insert a 
cassette. F
Hi8 format ( TRV138/338)
This appears while recording Hi8 format 
tapes.
G Time code/Tape counter (hour: minute: 
second)/Tape photo recording 
( TRV280)
bNotes
 Before changing the battery pack, slide the POWER  switch up to (CHG) OFF.
 In the default setting, if you do not operate the  camcorder for more than about 5 minutes, the power 
will automatically turn off to preserve battery power 
([A.SHUT OFF], p. 57). To restart recording, slide 
the POWER switch down to select CAMERA, and 
then press REC START/STOP.
z Tips
 You can also use REC START/STOP on LCD frame  to record moving pictures. It is useful when you 
record from a low-angle or record by yourself in the 
mirror mode.
 To press REC START/STOP on LCD frame,  support the LCD panel with your hand.
 To ensure smooth transition on a tape from the last  recorded scene to the next, note the following.
– Do not remove the cassette. (The picture will be  recorded continuously without a break even when 
you turn the power off.)
– Do not record pictures in SP mode and LP mode on  the same tape.
– Avoid stopping then recording a movie in the LP  mode.
 For TRV280: The recording time, date, and the camera settings 
data are recorded automatically on the tape without 
being displayed on the screen. You can view this 
information during playback by selecting [DATA 
CODE] on the screen (p. 57).SP0:00:0060minREC
123
5
4 
6
SP0:00:0060minREC
12
37
5 
						

							Recording
Recording23
Recording for a longer time
To record for a longer time
In the   (TAPE SET) menu, select [REC 
MODE], then [LP] (p. 52). 
In the LP mode, you can record longer than 
when recording in the SP mode (2 times longer 
for TRV138/338
, 1.5 times longer for 
TRV280).
A tape recorded in the LP mode should be 
played back only on this camcorder.
Using zoom
When the CAMERA mode is selected, you 
can choose zoom to magnification levels 
greater than 20 times, and from that point 
activate the digital zoom ([D ZOOM], p. 45).
Occasional use of the zoom is effective, but 
use it sparingly for best results.
Move the power zoom lever slightly for a 
slower zoom. Move it further for a faster 
zoom.
To record wider range of view
Move the power zoom lever towards W.
The subject appears farther away (Wide 
angle).
To record closer view
Move the power zoom lever towards T.
The subject appears closer (Telephoto).
To use the zoom buttons on LCD frame
Keep W pressed to record wider range of view, 
and keep T pressed to record closer view.
b Notes
 You cannot change the zoom speed with the zoom  buttons on LCD frame.
 To press the zoom buttons on LCD frame, support  the LCD panel with your hand.
Using the built-in light
You can use the built-in light to suit your 
shooting situation. The recommended 
distance between the subject and camcorder 
is about 1.5 m (5 feet).
Press LIGHT repeatedly to select a setting.
The settings are displayed cyclically in the 
following order.
No indicator displayed: Always records 
without using the built-in light.
m
* The minimum distance required between your 
camcorder and the subject to get a sharp focus in 
that position of the lever.
1 cm (approx. 
1/2 inch) * 80 cm 
(approx. 
2 5/8 feet)
*
LIGHT Built-in light
,continued 
						

							Recording24
: Automatically turns on and off 
according to the ambient brightness.
m : Always turns on.
To turn off the built-in light
Press LIGHT repeatedly until no indicator 
appears on the screen.
bNotes
 The built-in video light emits very bright light,  which is perfectly safe in normal use. However, 
avoid directly aiming the light at a subject’s eyes 
from very close range. 
 The battery pack discharges quickly while the built- in light is turned on.
 When you do not use your camcorder, turn the built- in light off and remove the battery pack to avoid 
turning on the built-in light accidentally.
 When flickering occurs while shooting in the   mode, press LIGHT until   
appears.
 The built-in light may turn on/off when you use the  [PROGRAM AE] or back light function while 
shooting in the   mode.
 For TRV280: The built-in light is turned off during the interval 
time of Interval recording.
 When you use the conversion lens (optional), light  from the built-in light is blocked and may not 
illuminate the subject properly.
Recording in mirror mode
You can turn the LCD panel towards the 
subject so that you and your subject can share 
the image being recorded. You can also 
utilize this function when recording yourself, 
or to keep the attention of small children 
attracted to the camcorder while you record 
them.
Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the 
camcorder, then rotate it 180 degrees 
towards the subject.
A mirror-image of the subject appears on the 
LCD screen, but the picture will be normal 
when recorded.
b Notes
For TRV138/338:
  appears in the viewfinder and on the LCD  screen.  Xz appears in the standby mode, and  z 
appears in the recording mode. Some of other 
indicators appear mirror-reversed and others are not 
displayed.
 During recording in the mirror mode, DATE and  TIME on your camcorder do not work. 
						

							Recording
Recording25
Superimposing the date and time 
on pictures (
TRV138/338)
You can record the date and/or time 
displayed on the screen superimposed on the 
picture.
Press DATE to record the date.
Press TIME to record the time.
Press DATE (or TIME), then press TIME 
(or DATE) to record the date and time.
To hide the date and time, press DATE and/or 
TIME again.
When you purchase your camcorder, the clock 
is not set up yet. Set the date and time to your 
local time before using (p. 17).
bNote
 The date and time indicators recorded manually  cannot be deleted.
z Tip
 If you do not record the date and time in the picture,  record the date and time in the black screen as the 
background for about 10 seconds, then erase the date 
and time indicators before starting actual recording.
Recording still 
images
 
– Tape photo recording 
(
TRV280)
You can record still images. Before 
recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in “Getting 
started” (p. 11 - p. 19).
1Remove the lens cap. Pull the lens cap 
string down and attach it to the grip 
belt.
2Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.
TIME
DATE
CCD-TRV338
PHOTO
OPEN
POWER switch
,continued 
						

							Recording26
3Slide the POWER switch to select the 
CAMERA mode.
4Press and hold PHOTO lightly.
You will hear a small beep sound, and the 
picture will become a still image. 
Recording does not start at this point.
5Press PHOTO fully.
A shutter sound is heard, and the image is 
recorded with sound for 7 seconds.
The still image is displayed on the screen 
until recording is completed.
To turn the power off
Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.
bNote
  appears when the tape photo recording does  not work.
z Tip
 You can record about 510 images in the SP mode  and about 765 images in the LP mode on a tape 
which can record for 60 minutes in the SP mode.
Recording with ease 
– Easy Handycam
With this Easy Handycam operation, most of 
the camera settings are set to automatic 
mode, only basic functions become available, 
and screen font size increases for easy 
viewing. Even first time users can enjoy easy 
recording. Before recording, follow steps 1 to 
7 in “Getting started” (p. 11 - p. 19).
z Tip
 Buttons that do not work during Easy Handycam  operation have a dot beside them on your camcorder. 
Also, only menu items that are available during Easy 
Handycam operation are displayed when MENU is 
pressed.
1Remove the lens cap. Pull the lens cap 
string down and attach it to the grip 
belt.
2Press OPEN and open the LCD panel. 
3Slide the POWER switch to select the 
CAMERA mode.
You can record movies only.
4Press EASY. 
EASY lights up in blue.
Slide the POWER 
switch while pressing 
the green button.
CAPTURE60minThe indicator appears.
REC START/STOP
EASY POWER switch
OPEN
Camera recording lamp 
						

							Recording
Recording27
5Press REC START/STOP.
Recording starts. [REC] appears on the 
LCD screen and the Camera recording lamp 
lights up. Press REC START/STOP again 
to stop recording.
To turn the power off 
Slide the POWER switch up to (CHG) OFF.
To cancel Easy Handycam operation
Press EASY again.
bNotes
 You cannot switch from/to Easy Handycam  operation during recording.
 For TRV280: During Easy Handycam operation, you cannot 
connect the USB cable to your camcorder.
 For TRV280:  You cannot use Easy Handycam operation together 
with USB Streaming.
 All the settings return to their defaults during Easy  Handycam operation. Previously made settings are 
restored when you cancel Easy Handycam 
operation.
Adjusting the 
exposure
The exposure is adjusted automatically in the 
default setting.
Adjusting the exposure for backlit 
subjects
When your subject has its back to the sun or 
other light, you can adjust the exposure to 
prevent the subject from becoming 
shadowed. 
Press BACK LIGHT in CAMERA mode.
. appears.
To cancel the back light function, press BACK 
LIGHT again.
b Note
 The back light function is canceled when you press  EXPOSURE (p. 28). 
Easy  Handycam
operationON
BACK LIGHT
,continued 
						

							Recording28
Adjusting the exposure manually
You can fix the brightness of a picture at the 
best exposure. When recording indoors on a 
clear day, for instance, you can avoid 
backlight shadows on people next to the 
window by manually fixing the exposure to 
that of the wall side of the room.
1Press EXPOSURE in CAMERA mode.
The exposure indicator appears on the 
screen.
2Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
adjust the brightness.
While exposure is set to manual mode,   is 
displayed in the left-hand corner of the 
screen.
To return the setting to automatic 
exposure
Press EXPOSURE.
Recording in dark 
places
 
– NightShot plus
You can record subjects in dark places (such 
as when capturing the face of your baby 
sleeping) with this function.
Set the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch to ON.
 and [”NIGHTSHOT PLUS”] appear.
To cancel NightShot plus, set the NIGHTSHOT 
PLUS switch to OFF.
b Notes
 Do not use the NightShot plus function in bright  places. This may cause a malfunction.
 You cannot use the NightShot plus function together  with:
– [PROGRAM AE]
– Manual exposure
 Adjust the focus manually when it is hard to focus  automatically.
 Do not cover the infrared port with your fingers or  other objects. Remove the conversion lens (optional) 
if it is attached.
 Depending on the shooting conditions or  circumstances, colors may not be reproduced 
properly.
EXPOSURE SEL/PUSH EXEC dial 
						

							Recording
Recording29
zTip
 If you record subjects in complete darkness, set  [N.S. LIGHT] to [ON] in the menu settings. The 
maximum shooting distance using the NightShot 
Light is about 3 meters (10 feet). If you record 
subjects in dark places (such as night scene or in 
moonlight), set [N.S. LIGHT] to [OFF] in the menu 
settings. You can make image color deeper (p. 48).
Adjusting the focus 
manually
The focus is adjusted automatically in the 
default setting.
You can adjust the focus manually according 
to the recording conditions. 
Use this function in the following cases.
– To record a subject behind a window covered 
with raindrops.
– To record horizontal stripes.
– To record a subject with little contrast  between the subject and its background.
– When you want to focus on a subject in the  background.
– To record a stationary subject using a tripod.
1Press FOCUS in CAMERA mode.
9 appears.
2Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
sharpen focus.
9 changes to   when the focus cannot be 
adjusted any further. 9 changes to   
when the focus cannot be adjusted any 
closer.
SEL/PUSH EXEC 
dial
FOCUS
,
continued 
						

							Recording30
Tips for focusing manually
 It is easier to focus on the subject when you use the zoom function. Move the 
power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) 
to adjust the focus, and then, towards W 
(wide angle) to adjust the zoom for 
recording.
 When you want to record a close-up  image of a subject, move the power zoom 
lever towards W (wide angle) to fully 
magnify the image, then adjust the focus.
To adjust the focus automatically
Press FOCUS again.
Recording a picture 
using various effects
 
Fading in and out of a scene 
– FADER
You can add the following effects to 
currently recording pictures.
[BLACK FADER]
[WHITE FADER]
[MOSAIC FADER]
POWER switch
REC START/STOP FADER