8 If required, switch on the center marker and/or safety zone in the viewfinder image.

For details, see “Setting the marker display” on page 100.

Also, press the ZEBRA button to display zebra pattern in the viewfinder.

9 If necessary, adjust the white balance and black balance (page 50).

10If necessary, adjust the iris and gain.

For details about the adjustment of iris, see “Iris ring” on page 19, “Instant automatic iris adjustment button” on page 19, and “Adjusting the iris” on page 55.

For details about the adjustment of gain, see “GAIN switch” on page 11, and “Setting gain values for the GAIN switch positions” on page 103.

11Turn the focusing ring so that the subject is sharply in focus.

12Setup the VTR section according to your shooting objects, then start recording by pressing the REC button.

•During recording, the REC/TALLY indicator(s) in the viewfinder light(s), and “REC” appears on the viewfinder screen.

•You can use the AUDIO LEVEL knob on the front of the camcorder to manually adjust the channel 1 audio level. To do this, you must first set up the VTR section to enable manual adjustment of the audio recording level (page 57).

13To pause recording, press the REC button again.

Recording

Usable cassettes

It is recommended to use the DVCAM cassettes listed below for this camcorder.

Model name

Size

PDV-184*/124*/94*/64*/34*

Standard size

 

 

PDVM-40*/32*/22*/12*

Mini size

 

 

The “*” in each model name is actually “ME” (indicating that a cassette memory is contained), or “N” (indicating that no cassette memory is contained).

The numbers in the model names show maximum recording/playback time (minutes) for each model. For example, the maximum recording/playback time of the PDV-184* is 184 minutes.

 

Chapter

Note

 

4

 

If you insert an incorrect type of cassette, it will be

andRecording

DVCAM cassettes

automatically ejected.

 

The following figure illustrates the DVCAM cassettes’

Playback

 

appearance.

 

Standard size

 

Mini size

 

REC/SAVE

 

switch

 

Cassette memory

Notes on using cassettes

•Before storing the cassette, rewind the tape to the beginning and be sure to put the cassette in its storage case, preferably on end instead of flat on its side. The storage case of a DVCAM cassette is specially designed to ensure a long-period storage of the tape. Storing a cassette in any other condition (not rewound, out of its case, etc.) may cause the video and audio contents to become damaged over time.

•If the cassette memory connector (contact point) becomes dirty, connection problems may occur and cause a loss of functions. Remove away any dust or dirt from this area before using the cassette.

•If the cassette is dropped on the floor or otherwise receives a hard impact, the tape may become slackened

Recording 47