Sony Digital Video Camera Recorder DCR-TRV900 Operating Instructions

							31
Advanced operations
Changing the mode settings
TV INPUT 
Select 1, 2 or 3 of the video input on the TV which the AV cordless IR receiver (not supplied)
is connected to when using the LASER LINK function.
LTR SIZE 
¥ Normally select NORMAL.
¥ Select 2X to display the selected menu item by twice size of the normal.
DEMO MODE 
¥ Select ON to glance over the function of camcorder.
¥ Select OFF not to display demonstration.
Notes on DEMO MODE
¥ DEMO MODE is set to STBY (Standby) at the factory. The demonstration starts about 10
minutes after you set the POWER switch to CAMERA without inserting a cassette.
You can cancel the demonstration by inserting a cassette, setting the POWER switch to a
position other than CAMERA, or select OFF in the menu system. To select STBY again, set
the POWER switch to OFF when DEMO MODE is set to ON, and set the POWER switch
back to CAMERA.
¥ You cannot select DEMO MODE when a cassette is inserted in the camcorder.
¥ If you insert a cassette during the demonstration, the demonstration stops. You can start
recording as usual. DEMO MODE automatically returns to STBY.
¥ To look at the demonstration at once, eject the cassette, if inserted. Then select ON of
DEMO MODE and erase the menu display. The demonstration will begin.
Items for the  OTHERS menu
WORLD TIME
Select this item to set the clock by a time difference. See page 119 for details.
BEEP 
¥ Normally select MELODY so that a melody sounds when you start/stop recording, etc.
¥ Select NORMAL so that beeps sound when you start/stop recording, etc.
¥ Select OFF when you do not want to hear the beep sound.
COMMANDER* 
¥ Select ON when using the supplied Remote Commander for the camcorder.
¥ Select OFF when not using the Remote Commander.
DISPLAY 
¥ Normally select LCD.
¥ Select V-OUT/LCD to display indicators both on the LCD screen and TV screen.
REC LAMP 
¥ Normally select ON.
¥ Select OFF when you do not want the camera recording lamp on the front of the unit to
light up.
COLOR BAR 
¥ Normally select OFF not to display the color bar.
¥ Select ON to display the color bar.
DV EDITING
Select this item when editing a tape on another equipment connected with the i.LINK cable
(DV connecting cable). See page 84 for details. 
						

							32
Changing the mode settings
* These settings return to the default 5 minutes or more after the power source is
disconnected or battery is removed. As far as the other items without an asterisk are
concerned, their settings are retained even when the power source is disconnected or
battery is removed, as long as the vanadium-lithium battery is charged.
When recording a close subject
When REC LAMP is set to ON, the red camera recording lamp on the front of the camcorder
may reflect on the subject if it is close. In this case, we recommend you set REC LAMP to
OFF.
Notes
¥ When playing back a tape recorded in the 16-bit mode, you cannot adjust the balance in
AUDIO MIX.
¥ If you select 16BIT in AUDIO MODE, you cannot add an audio sound.
¥ If you select BRIGHT in LCD B.L., the battery life while recording decreases 10 to 20%.
When you use a power source other than the battery, the menu item LCD B.L. is set to
BRIGHT automatically and the item does not appear on the screen. 
						

							33
Advanced operations
You can record a still picture like a photograph for about seven seconds. This photo
recording is useful when you want to enjoy a picture such as a photograph or when you
print a picture using a video printer (not supplied). You can record about 510 pictures on a
60-minute tape in SP mode.
Besides the operation described here, this camcorder can record a still picture on a PC card
(not supplied), using the memory card slot (see page 102).
You can also record still/moving pictures on a mini DV tape with all the pixels in the
progressive mode. See page 35 for details.
(1)While pressing the small green button on the POWER switch, set it to CAMERA.
(2)Keep pressing PHOTO lightly until a still picture and ÒCAPTUREÓ appears on the
LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
Recording does not start yet. To change the still picture, release PHOTO, select still
picture again, and keep pressing PHOTO lightly again.
If you press PHOTO on the Remote Commander when a still picture appears on
the LCD screen or in the viewfinder, the camcorder will record that still picture.
However, you cannot select other still pictures by using this button.
(3)Press PHOTO deeper.
The still picture on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder is recorded for about seven
seconds. The sound during those seven seconds is also recorded.
To record a still picture while normal recording, press PHOTO deeper. Then the
still picture is recorded for about seven seconds and the camcorder returns to
Standby mode.
When shooting in the dark
Install the HVL-FDH2 video flash light (not supplied) to the accessory shoe. If the exposure
is in manual exposure mode, set it to automatic exposure mode.
When 
 appears next to the ÒCAPTUREÓ indicator on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder,
the video flash is ready to be used.
Note on the still picture
When the still picture recorded on this camcorder is played back on another VCR, the
picture may be blurred. This is not a malfunction.
When you press PHOTO while recording a photo
The picture on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder whenever you press PHOTO will be
recorded. You cannot check the recorded picture by pressing PHOTO lightly.
After the moving picture is recorded as a still picture for about seven seconds, the camcorder
will go back to Standby mode.
Photo recording
21
PHOTO
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR
3
PHOTO
CAPTURE
••••••• 
						

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LINE INVIDEO S VIDEO
Printing the still picture
You can print a still picture by using the video printer (not supplied). Connect the video
printer using the S video connecting cable (not supplied). Refer to the operating instruction
of the video printer as well.
If the video printer is not equipped with S VIDEO input
Use the supplied A/V connecting cable. Connect it to the AUDIO/VIDEO jack and connect
the yellow plug of the cable to the VIDEO input of the video printer.
Photo recording
AUDIO/VIDEOS VIDEO
‚ : Signal flowVideo printer
(not supplied) 
						

							35
Advanced operations
Shooting with all the pixels Ð PROG. SCAN
When modifying the digital images on your personal computer, set PROG. SCAN to ON
before shooting. You can record the images on a mini DV tape frame by frame with higher
resolution.
Since the image taken in progressive mode does not go out of focus even in a pause, it is
especially useful when you analyze high-speed actions such as sport scenes.
(1)Press MENU to display the menu in Standby mode.
(2)Turn the control dial to select 
, then press the dial.
(3)Turn the control dial to select PROG. SCAN, then press the dial.
(4)Turn the control dial to select ON, then press the dial.
(5)Press MENU to erase the menu display. The PROG. SCAN indicator lights up.
To return to normal modeSelect OFF in step 4, then press the control dial.
Note on the progressive mode
The normal TV broadcast divides the screen into two finer fields and displays them in turns
every 1/60 of a second. Thus, the actual image displayed in an instant covers only half of the
apparent image area. Displaying the whole image simultaneously on a full screen is called
displaying with all the pixels. In this mode the picture is clearer than one in normal mode,
but moving objects appear jerky since the picture is read/output every about 1/15 second.
The setting at the factory
This camcorder is originally programed to record still/moving pictures on a mini DV tape in
the normal TV format (Interlace format).
When shooting under fluorescent light
When shooting in the progressive mode under fluorescent light or light bulb, a rare
phenomenon may happen in which the screen lights up brightly (Flicker phenomenon). This
is not a malfunction. If you want to stop this phenomenon, set PROG. SCAN to OFF in the
menu system.
12-4MENUMA NU A L S E T
AUTO SHTR
PROG . SCAN
[MENU ] : END
MA NU A L S E T
AUTO SHTR
PROG . SCAN OF F
RE T URN ON
[MENU ] : END
MA NU A L S E T
AUTO SHTR
PROG . SCAN ON
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END5MENUPROG . SCAN 
						

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You can fade in or out to give your recording a professional appearance.
When fading in, the picture gradually fades in while the sound increases. When fading out,
the picture gradually fades out while the sound decreases.
FADER
OVERLAP (FADE IN only)
MONOTONE
When fading in, the picture gradually changes from black and white to color.
When fading out, the picture gradually changes from color to black and white.
When fading in [a]
(1)While the camcorder is in Standby mode, press FADER until the desired indicator
flashes.
(2)Press START/STOP to start recording. The fade indicator stops flashing.
When fading out [b]
(1)During recording, press FADER until the desired indicator flashes.
(2)Press START/STOP to stop recording. The fade indicator stops flashing, and then
recording stops.
Using the FADER function
[a]REC STBY
[b]REC STBY
21POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR
MONOTONE FADER
OVERLAP
FADER 
						

							37
Advanced operations
To cancel the fader functionBefore pressing START/STOP, press FADER until the fade indicator disappears.
You cannot use the fader function in the following situations
Ð The START/STOP MODE selector is set to
ANTI GROUND SHOOTING or 5SEC.
Ð The camcorder is in the photo recording.
Ð A title is displayed on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. If the title is not necessary,
erase it before using the fader function.
Note
During fading, you cannot operate the DIGITAL EFFECT button.
The fader function is effective in the following situations
¥ A big change of scene (FADE IN, FADE OUT)
¥ The beginning of a story (FADE IN)
¥ The end of a day (FADE OUT)
¥ Change the scene while leaving the trace of the previous scene
If you use the fader function repeatedly
The situation the subject is in cannot be seen clearly, thus making the picture difficult to
enjoy.
When the OVERLAP indicator appears
The camcorder automatically memorizes the image recorded on a tape. As the image is
being memorized, the OVERLAP indicator flashes fast, and the playback picture is
displayed. At this stage, the picture may not be recorded clearly, depending on the tape
condition.
Using the FADER function 
						

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When you shoot a subject with the light source behind the subject or a subject with a light
background, use the BACK LIGHT function.
Press BACK LIGHT. The c indicator appears on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
[a]Subject is too dark because of backlight.
[b]Subject becomes bright with backlight compensation.
After shootingBe sure to release this adjustment condition by pressing BACK LIGHT again. The c
indicator disappears. Otherwise, the picture will be too bright under normal lighting
condition.
This function is also effective under the following conditions:
¥ A subject with a light source nearby or a mirror reflecting light.
¥ A white subject against a white background. Especially when you shoot a person wearing
shiny clothes made of silk or synthetic fiber, his or her face tends to become dark if you do
not use this function.
Note on the BACK LIGHT function
When you press EXPOSURE or SHUTTER SPEED, the BACK LIGHT function is canceled.
Shooting with backlighting
[a]
[b]
BACK LIGHT 
						

							39
Advanced operations
You can record a 16:9 wide picture to watch on the 16:9 wide-screen TV (16:9WIDE).
The picture with black bands at the top and the bottom on the LCD screen or in the
viewfinder [a] is normal. The picture on a normal TV [b] is horizontally compressed. You
can watch the picture of normal images on a wide-screen TV [c].
(1)Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
(2)Press MENU to display the menu.
(3)Turn the control dial to select    , then press the dial.
(4)Turn the control dial to select 16:9WIDE, then press the dial.
(5)Turn the control dial to select ON, then press the dial.
(6)Press MENU to erase the menu display.
To cancel wide modeSelect OFF in step 5, then press the control dial.
To watch the tape recorded in wide modeTo watch the tape recorded in 16:9WIDE mode, set it to full mode. For details, refer to the
operating instruction of your TV.
Note that the picture recorded in 16:9WIDE mode looks compressed on a normal TV.
Notes on wide mode
¥ In wide mode, you cannot select the old movie function with DIGITAL EFFECT.
¥ You cannot select or cancel the wide mode during recording.
¥ You cannot use the wide mode function when you set PROG. SCAN to ON.
Using the wide mode function
16:9 WIDE[a][b]
[c]
2,6
13,4
5
MENU
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
[MENU ] : END
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE ON
S T EADYSHOT
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END
16 : 9WI DE
POWER
OFFCAMERA
MEMORY
VTR
CAMERA SE T
DZOOM
16 : 9WI DE OFF
S T EADYSHOT ON
AE SH I F T
GA I N SH I F T
FRAME REC
I NT . REC
RE T URN
[MENU ] : END 
						

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Enjoying picture effect
Selecting picture effect
You can make pictures like those of television with the Picture Effect function.
NEG. ART [a]The color of the picture is reversed.
SEPIAThe picture is sepia.
B&WThe picture is monochrome (black and white).
SOLARIZE [b]The light intensity is clearer, and the picture looks like an illustration.
SLIM [c]The picture expands vertically.
STRETCH [d]The picture expands horizontally.
[a]
[b][d][c]