Sony Digital Video Camera Recorder TRV940, TRV950 Operating Instructions

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Additional Information
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
What is the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack?The “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack is a lithium-ion battery pack that has functions for
communicating information related to operating conditions between the battery pack
and an optional AC adaptor/charger.
The “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack calculates the power consumption according to the
operating conditions of your camcorder, and displays the remaining battery time in
minutes.
With an AC adaptor/charger (optional), the remaining battery time and charging time
are displayed.
Charging the battery pack•Be sure to charge the battery pack before you start using your camcorder.
•We recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of between
10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F) until FULL appears in the display window, indicating that
the battery pack is fully charged. If you charge the battery outside of this temperature
range, you may not be able to efficiently charge the battery pack.
•After charging is completed, either disconnect the cable from the DC IN jack on your
camcorder or remove the battery pack.
Effective use of the battery pack•Battery pack performance decreases in low-temperature surroundings. So, the time
that the battery pack can be used becomes shorter. We recommend the following to
ensure longer battery pack use:
–Put the battery pack in a pocket to warm it up, and insert it in your camcorder
immediately before you start taking shots.
–Use the large-capacity battery pack (NP-FM70/QM71/FM90/FM91/QM91,
optional).
•Frequently using the LCD panel or frequently operating playback, fast forward or
rewind wears out the battery pack faster. We recommend using the large-capacity
battery pack (NP-FM70/QM71/FM90/FM91/QM91, optional).
•Be sure to turn the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) when not taking shots or playing
back on your camcorder. The battery pack is also consumed when your camcorder is
in the standby or playback pause.
•Have spare battery packs handy for two or three times the expected recording time,
and make trial recordings before taking the actual recording.
•Do not expose the battery pack to water. The battery pack is not water-resistant.
Remaining battery time indicator•If the power goes off although the remaining battery time indicator indicates that the
battery pack has enough power to operate, fully charge the battery pack again so that
the indication on the remaining battery time indicator is correct. Note, however, that
the correct battery indication sometimes will not be restored if it is used in high
temperatures for a long time or left in a fully charged state, or the battery pack is
frequently used. Regard the remaining battery time indication as the approximate
recording time.
•The E mark indicating that there is little remaining battery time sometimes flashes
depending on the operating conditions or ambient temperature and environment even
if the remaining battery time is about five to ten minutes. 
						

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How to store the battery pack•If the battery pack is not used for a long time, do the following procedure once per
year to maintain proper function.
1. Fully charge the battery.
2. Discharge on your electronic equipment.
3. Remove the battery from the equipment and store it in a dry, cool place.
•To use the battery pack up on your camcorder, leave your camcorder in the recording
standby until the power goes off without a cassette inserted.
Battery life•The battery life is limited. Battery capacity drops little by little as you use it more and
more, and as time passes. When the available battery time is shortened considerably, a
probable cause is that the battery pack has reached the end of its life. Buy a new
battery pack.
•The battery life varies according to how it is stored and operating conditions and
environment for each battery pack.
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack 
						

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Additional Information
The DV Interface on this unit is an i.LINK-compliant DV input/output Interface. This
section describes the i.LINK standard and its features.
What is i.LINK?i.LINK is a digital serial interface for handling digital video, digital audio and other
data in two directions between equipment having the i.LINK jack, and for controlling
other equipment.
i.LINK-compatible equipment can be connected by a single i.LINK cable. Possible
applications are operations and data transactions with various digital AV equipment.
When two or more i.LINK-compatible equipment are connected to this unit in a daisy
chain, operations and data transactions are possible with not only the equipment that
this unit is connected to but also with other devices via the directly connected
equipment.
Note, however, that the method of operation sometimes varies according to the
characteristics and specifications of the equipment to be connected, and that
operations and data transactions are sometimes not possible on some connected
equipment.
Note
Normally, only one piece of equipment can be connected to this unit by the i.LINK
cable. When connecting this unit to i.LINK-compatible equipment having two or more
i.LINK jacks (DV jacks), refer to the operating instructions of the equipment to be
connected.
About the name “i.LINK”
i.LINK is a more familiar term for IEEE 1394 data transport bus proposed by SONY,
and is a trademark approved by many corporations.
IEEE 1394 is an international standard standardized by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers.
i.LINK baud rate
i.LINK’s maximum baud rate varies according to the equipment. Three maximum
baud rates are defined:
S100 (approx. 100Mbps*)
S200 (approx. 200Mbps)
S400 (approx. 400Mbps)
The baud rate is listed under “Specifications” in the operating instructions of each
equipment. It is also indicated near the i.LINK jack on some equipment.
The maximum baud rate of equipment on which it is not indicated such as this unit is
“S100”.
When units are connected to equipment having a different maximum baud rate, the
baud rate sometimes differs from the indicated baud rate.
*What is Mbps?
Mbps stands for megabits per second, or the amount of data that can be sent or
received in one second. For example, a baud rate of 100Mbps means that 100 megabits
of data can be sent in one second.
About i.LINK 
						

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About i.LINK
i.LINK functions on this unit
For details on how to dub when this unit is connected to other video equipment having
DV Interface, see page 97 and 111.
This unit can also be connected to other i.LINK (DV Interface) compatible equipment
made by SONY (e.g. VAIO series personal computer) other than video equipment.
Before connecting this unit to a personal computer, make sure that application software
supported by this unit is already installed on the personal computer.
For details on precautions when connecting this unit, also refer to the operating
instructions of the equipment to be connected.
Required i.LINK cable
Use the Sony i.LINK 4-pin-to-4-pin cable (during DV dubbing).
i.LINK and 
 are trademarks. 
						

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Additional Information
Using your camcorder abroad
Countries and areas where you can use network functions are restricted.  For details,
refer to the separate Network Operating Instructions. (DCR-TRV950 only)
You can use your camcorder in any country or area with the AC power adaptor
supplied with your camcorder within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.
When charging the battery pack, use a commercially available AC plug adaptor [a], if
necessary, depending on the design of the wall outlet [b].
Your camcorder is an NTSC system based camcorder. If you want to view the playback
picture on a TV, it must be an NTSC system based TV with the AUDIO/VIDEO input
jack.
The following shows TV color systems used overseas.
NTSC system
Bahama Islands, Bolivia, Canada, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana,
Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Surinam, Taiwan, the Philippines, the U.S.A.,
Venezuela, etc.
PAL system
Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany,
Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand,
United Kingdom etc.
PAL-M system
Brazil
PAL-N system
Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
SECAM system
Bulgaria, France, Guiana, Iran, Iraq, Monaco, Russia, Ukraine, etc.
Using your camcorder abroad
[b] [a]
AC-L10A/L10B/L10C 
						

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Moisture condensation
If your camcorder is brought directly from a cold place to a warm place, moisture may
condense inside your camcorder, on the surface of the tape, or on the lens. In this state,
the tape may stick to the head drum and be damaged or your camcorder may not
operate correctly. If there is moisture inside your camcorder, the beep and the %
indicator flashes. When the Z indicator flashes at the same time, the cassette is inserted
in your camcorder. If moisture condenses on the lens, the indicator will not appear.
If moisture condensation has occurredNone of the functions except cassette ejection will work. Eject the cassette, turn off your
camcorder, and leave it for about one hour with the cassette lid open. Your camcorder
can be used again if the % indicator does not appear when the power is turned on
again.
If moisture starts to condense, your camcorder sometimes cannot detect condensation.
If this happens, the cassette is sometimes not ejected for 10 seconds after the cassette lid
is opened. This is not a malfunction. Do not close the cassette lid until the cassette is
ejected.
Note on moisture condensation
Moisture may condense when you bring your camcorder from a cold place into a warm
place (or vice versa) or when you use your camcorder in a hot place as follows:
•You bring your camcorder from a ski slope into a place warmed up by heating device.
•You bring your camcorder from an air-conditioned car or room into a hot place
outside.
•You use your camcorder after a squall or a shower.
•You use your camcorder in a high temperature and humidity place.
How to prevent moisture condensation
When you bring your camcorder from a cold place into a warm place, put your
camcorder in a plastic bag and tightly seal it. Remove the bag when the air temperature
inside the plastic bag has reached the surrounding temperature (after about one hour).
Maintenance information and
precautions 
						

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Additional Information
Maintenance information
Cleaning the video headsTo ensure normal recording and clear pictures, clean the video heads. The video heads
may be dirty when:
•Mosaic-pattern noise appears on the playback picture.
•Playback pictures do not move.
•Playback pictures do not appear.
•The x indicator and “
 CLEANING CASSETTE” message appear one after another,
or the x indicator flashes on the screen during recording.
If the above problem [a], [b] or [c] occurs, clean the video heads for 10 seconds with the
Sony DVM-12CLD cleaning cassette (optional). Check the picture and if the above
problem persists, repeat cleaning.
If the video heads get dirtier, the entire screen becomes blue [c].
Cleaning the LCD screenIf fingerprints or dust make the LCD screen dirty, we recommend using the Cleaning
cloth (supplied) to clean the LCD screen. When you use the LCD Cleaning Kit
(optional), do not apply the cleaning liquid directly to the LCD screen. Clean the LCD
screen with cleaning paper moistened with the liquid.
Maintenance information and precautions
[a]
[b] [c] 
						

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Maintenance information and precautions
Adjusting the LCD screen (CALIBRATION)
The buttons on the touch panel may not work correctly. If this happens, follow the
procedure below.
(1)Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
(2)Eject the cassette from your camcorder, then disconnect any connecting cable
from your camcorder.
(3)Set the POWER switch to VCR while pressing DISPLAY/TOUCH PANEL on
your camcorder, then keep pressing DISPLAY/TOUCH PANEL for about five
seconds.
(4)Follow the procedure below using an object such as the corner of a “Memory
Stick” supplied with your camcorder.
You can use the supplied stylus for this operation (DCR-TRV950 only).
1Touch 
 at the upper left corner.
2Touch 
 at the lower right corner.
3Touch 
 in the middle of the screen.
Note
If you do not press the right spot,  always returns to the position at the upper left
corner. In this case, start from step 4 again.
CALIBRATECALIBRATECALIBRATE
FNINDEXPB 
						

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Additional Information
Maintenance information and precautions
Charging the built-in rechargeable battery
Your camcorder has a built-in rechargeable battery so that the date, time and other
settings are retained even when the POWER switch is turned off. The built-in
rechargeable battery is always charged as long as you are using your camcorder. The
battery, however, will become discharged gradually if you do not use your camcorder.
It will be completely discharged in about four months if you do not use your
camcorder at all. Even if the built-in rechargeable battery is not charged, it will not
affect camcorder operation. To retain the date, time, and other information, charge the
battery if the battery is discharged.
Charging the built-in rechargeable battery:
•Connect your camcorder to house current using the AC power adaptor supplied with
your camcorder, and leave your camcorder with the POWER switch turned off for
more than 24 hours.
•Or, install a charged battery pack in your camcorder, and leave your camcorder with
the POWER switch set to OFF (CHG) for more than 24 hours.
Precautions
Camcorder operation•Operate your camcorder on 7.2 V (battery pack) or 8.4 V (AC power adaptor).
•For DC or AC operation, use the accessories recommended in these operating
instructions.
•If any solid object or liquid gets inside the casing, unplug your camcorder and have it
checked by a Sony dealer before operating it any further.
•Avoid rough handling or mechanical shock. Be particularly careful of the lens.
•Keep the POWER switch set to OFF (CHG) when you are not using your camcorder.
•Do not wrap your camcorder with a towel, for example, and operate it. Doing so
might cause heat to build up inside.
•Keep your camcorder away from strong magnetic fields or mechanical vibration.
•Do not press the LCD screen with a sharp-pointed object other than the supplied
stylus (DCR-TRV950 only).
•If your camcorder is used in a cold place, a residual image may appear on the LCD
screen. This is not a malfunction.
•While using your camcorder, the back of the LCD screen may heat up. This is not a
malfunction.
On handling tapes•Do not insert anything into the small holes on the rear of the cassette. These holes are
used to sense the type and thickness of the tape and if the recording tab is in or out.
•Do not open the cassette protect cover or touch the tape.
•Avoid touching or damaging the terminals. To remove dust, clean the terminals with
a soft cloth. 
						

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Maintenance information and precautions
Camcorder care•Remove the cassette, and periodically turn on the power, operate the CAMERA and
VCR sections and play back a tape for about three minutes when your camcorder is
not to be used for a long time.
•Clean the lens with a soft brush to remove dust. If there are fingerprints on the lens,
remove them with a soft cloth.
•Clean the camcorder body with a dry soft cloth, or a soft cloth lightly moistened with
a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of solvent which may damage the
finish.
•Do not let sand get into your camcorder. When you use your camcorder on a sandy
beach or in a dusty place, protect it from the sand or dust. Sand or dust may cause
your camcorder to malfunction, and sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired.
AC power adaptor•Unplug the unit from the wall outlet when you are not using it for a long time. To
disconnect the power cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the power cord itself.
•Do not operate the unit with a damaged cord or if the unit has been dropped or
damaged.
•Do not bend the power cord forcibly, or place a heavy object on it. This will damage
the cord and may cause fire or electric shock.
•Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the
connecting section. If this happens, a short may occur and the unit may be damaged.
•Always keep metal contacts clean.
•Do not disassemble the unit.
•Do not apply mechanical shock or drop the unit.
•While the unit is in use, particularly during charging, keep it away from AM receivers
and video equipment. AM receivers and video equipment disturb AM reception and
video operation.
•The unit becomes warm during use. This is not a malfunction.
•Do not place the unit in locations that are:
–Extremely hot or cold
–Dusty or dirty
–Very humid
–Vibrating
About care and storage of the lens•Wipe the surface of the lens clean with a soft cloth in the following instances:
–When there are fingerprints on the lens surface.
–In hot or humid locations.
–When the lens is used in environments such as the seaside.
•Store the lens in a well-ventilated location subject to little dirt or dust.
To prevent mold from growing, periodically perform the above.
We recommend turning on and operating the video camera recorder about once per
month to keep the video camera recorder in an optimum state for a long time.