Sony Digital Video Camera Recorder TRV940, TRV950 Operating Instructions

							Quick Start Guide
11
PLAYPB
POWER
OFF(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY/
NETWORK
VCR
POWER
OFF(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY/
NETWORK
VCR
Recording a still image on a “Memory Stick” (p. 135)
When you purchase your camcorder, the clock setting is set to off. If you want to record
the date and time for a picture, set the clock setting before recording (p. 20).
NOTE
Do not pick up your
camcorder by holding the
viewfinder, the flash, the LCD
panel or the battery pack.
Monitoring the playback still images on the LCD
screen 
(p. 165)
1Set the POWER switch to
MEMORY/NETWORK
(DCR-TRV950 only)
or VCR while pressing the
small green button.
2Press PLAY or  PB. The last recorded
image is displayed.
1Remove the lens cap.3Press OPEN to open
the LCD panel.
The picture appears on
the  screen.
ViewfinderWhen the LCD panel is closed, use the viewfinder with your eye
against the eyecup.
Adjust the viewfinder lens to your eyesight (p. 30).
2Set the POWER switch to
MEMORY/NETWORK
(DCR-TRV950 only)
while pressing the small
green button.
4Press PHOTO
lightly.
You can start
recording when the
small green button
on the screen stops
flashing, and lights
up.
5Press PHOTO
deeper.
The image while
pressing the
button deeply is
recorded on the
“Memory Stick.”
or 
						

							12
— Getting Started —
Using this manual
The instructions in this manual are for the two models listed in the table below. Before
you start reading this manual and operating your camcorder, check the model number
by looking at the bottom of your camcorder. The DCR-TRV950 is the model used for
illustration purposes. Otherwise, the model name is indicated in the illustrations. Any
differences in operation are clearly indicated in the text, for example, “DCR-TRV950
only”.
As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on your camcorder are shown in
capital letters.
e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
When you carry out an operation, you can hear a beep to indicate that the operation is
being carried out.
Types of differences
DCR- TRV940 TRV950
Mark on the POWER switch MEMORY MEMORY/NETWORK
Network function —z
zProvided
—Not provided
Note on Cassette Memory
Your camcorder is based on the DV format. You can use only mini DV cassettes with
your camcorder. We recommend that you use a tape with cassette memory .
Functions that require different operations depending on whether or not the tape has a
cassette memory are:
–END SEARCH (p. 37)
–DATE SEARCH (p. 90)
–PHOTO SEARCH (p. 92)
Functions you can operate only with the cassette memory are:
–TITLE SEARCH (p. 89)
–Superimposing a title (p. 119)
–Labeling a cassette (p. 124)
For details of cassette types, see page 228.
You see this mark in the introduction of features that are operated only with
cassette memory.
Cassettes with cassette memory are marked by 
 (Cassette Memory). 
						

							Getting Started
13
Using this manual
Note on TV color systems
TV color systems differ depending on the country or region. To view your recordings
on a TV, you need an NTSC system-based TV.
Copyright precautions
Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the copyright laws.
Precautions on camcorder care
Lens and LCD screen/finder (on mounted models only)•The LCD screen and the finder 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 constantly appear on the LCD screen and the finder.
These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the
recording in any way.
•Do not let your camcorder get wet. Keep your camcorder away from rain and sea
water. Letting your camcorder get wet may cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [a].
•Never leave your camcorder exposed to temperatures above 60°C (140°F), such as in a
car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [b].
•Be careful when placing the camera near a window or outdoors. Exposing the LCD
screen, the finder or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods may cause
malfunctions [c].
•Do not directly shoot the sun. Doing so might cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Take pictures of the sun in low light conditions such as dusk [d].
[a][b]
[c][d] 
						

							14
Checking supplied accessories
Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.
1AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power
adaptor (1), power cord (1) (p. 16)
2NP-FM50 battery pack (1) (p. 15, 16)
3A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 45)
4Wireless Remote Commander (1)
(p. 250)
5Size AA (R6) battery for Remote
Commander (2) (p. 251)
6Shoulder strap (1)
Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a
malfunction of the camcorder, storage media, etc.
7Lens cap (1) (p. 26)
8“Memory Stick” (1) (p. 126)
9USB cable (1) (p. 183)
0CD-ROM (SPVD-008 USB Driver) (1)
(p. 188)
qaCleaning cloth (1) (p. 237)
qsStylus (1) (DCR-TRV950 only) (p. 206)
9 1
4
q; 5
qa 6
qs 2
73
8 
						

							15
Getting Started
Step 1  Preparing the power supply
Installing the battery pack
(1)Lift up the viewfinder.
(2)Slide the battery pack down until it clicks.
To remove the battery pack
(1)Lift up the viewfinder.
(2)Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing BATT
down.
If you use the large capacity battery pack
If you install the NP-FM70/QM71/FM90/FM91/QM91 battery pack on your camcorder,
extend its viewfinder.
BATT  release
button
2
1
1
2 2 
						

							16
Step 1  Preparing the power supply
Charging the battery pack
Use the battery pack after charging it for your camcorder.
Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series).
See page 231 for details of “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.
(1)Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC power adaptor supplied with
your camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug’s v mark facing up.
(2)Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3)Connect the power cord to the wall outlet.
(4)Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). Charging begins. The remaining battery
time is indicated in minutes on the display window.
When the remaining battery indicator changes to , normal charge is completed. To
fully charge the battery (full charge), leave the battery pack attached for about one hour
after normal charge is completed until FULL appears in the display window. Fully
charging the battery allows you to use the battery longer than usual.
After charging the battery packDisconnect the AC power adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.
2
1
4
POWER
OFF(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY/
NETWORK
VCR 
						

							17
Getting Started
Step 1  Preparing the power supply
Note
Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the DC plug of
the AC power adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC power
adaptor.
Remaining battery time indicator
The remaining battery time indicator in the display window indicates the approximate
recording time with the viewfinder.
Until your camcorder calculates the actual remaining battery time
“---- min” appears in the display window.
When you use the AC power adaptor
Place the AC power adaptor near a wall outlet. If any trouble occurs with this unit,
disconnect the plug from a wall outlet as soon as possible to cut off the power.
Charging time
Battery pack Full charge (Normal charge)
NP-FM50 (supplied) 150 (90)
NP-FM70 240 (180)
NP-QM71 260 (200)
NP-FM90 330 (270)
NP-FM91/QM91 360 (300)
Approximate minutes at 25°C (77°F) to charge an empty battery pack
The charging time may increase if the battery’s temperature is extremely high or low
because of the ambient temperature.
Recording time
Recording with Recording withBattery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen
Continuous Typical* Continuous Typical*
NP-FM50 (supplied) 95 50 75 40
NP-FM70 175 100 135 75
NP-QM71 200 115 155 85
NP-FM90 310 175 240 140
NP-FM91/QM91360 205 280 160
Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery
*Approximate number of minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/
stop, zooming and turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be shorter. 
						

							18
Step 1  Preparing the power supply
Playing time
Battery packPlaying time Playing timewith LCD closed on LCD screen
NP-FM50 (supplied) 180 115
NP-FM70 310 205
NP-QM71 350 235
NP-FM90 550 365
NP-FM91/QM91635 425
Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery
Note
Approximate recording time and playing time at 25°C (77°F). The battery life will be
shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.
If the power goes off although remaining battery time indicator indicates that the
battery pack has enough power to operate
Charge the battery pack fully again so that the indication on the battery remaining
indicator is correct.
Recommended charging temperature
We recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of between 10°C
to 30°C (50°F to 86°F).
What is ”InfoLITHIUM”?
The “InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion battery pack that can exchange data such as
battery consumption with compatible electronic equipment. This unit is compatible
with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series). Your camcorder operates only with
the “InfoLITHIUM” battery. “InfoLITHIUM” M series battery packs have the
SERIESTM mark.
“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation. 
						

							19
Getting Started
Connecting to a wall outlet
When you use your camcorder for a long time, we recommend that you power it from a
wall outlet using the AC power adaptor.
(1)Open the DC IN jack cover. Connect the AC power adaptor supplied with
your camcorder to the DC IN jack on your camcorder with the plug’s v mark
facing up.
(2)Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3)Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
PRECAUTION
The set is not disconnected from the AC power supply (house current) as long as it is
connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off.
Notes
•The AC power adaptor can supply power even if the battery pack is attached to your
camcorder.
•The DC IN jack has “source priority.” This means that the battery pack cannot supply
any power if the power cord is connected to the DC IN jack, even when the power
cord is not plugged into a wall outlet.
Using a car battery
Use Sony Car Battery Adaptor (optional).
Refer to the operating instructions of the Car Battery Adaptor for further information.
Step 1  Preparing the power supply
2,3 1 
						

							20
Set the date and time when you use your camcorder for the first time. “CLOCK SET”
will be displayed each time that you set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY/
NETWORK (DCR-TRV950 only) unless you set the date and time settings.
If you do not use your camcorder for about four months, the date and time may be
cleared from memory (bars may appear) because the built-in rechargeable battery
installed in your camcorder will have been discharged (p. 239).
Set the area, the daylight saving time, year, month, day, hour and then the minute, in
that order.
(1)Press MENU to display the menu settings while the POWER switch is set to
CAMERA or MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-TRV950 only).
(2)Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select 
, then press the dial.
(3)Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select CLOCK SET, then press the dial.
(4)Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select the desired area (where you are), then
press the dial.
(5)Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select whether or not the time is daylight
saving time, then press the dial.
Select OFF if the time is not daylight saving time. Select ON if it is.
(6)Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select the desired year, then press the dial.
The year changes as follows:
(7)Set the month, day and hour by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial and
pressing the dial.
(8)Set the minute by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial and pressing the dial by
the time signal. The clock starts to move.
(9)Press MENU to make the menu settings disappear.
1995   T  · · · ·  t   2002   T  · · · ·  t   2079
Step 2  Setting the date and time