DCR-TRV27
Welcome
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture
For customers in the U.S.A
and CANADA
RECYCLING LITHIUM-IONBATTERIES
DCR-TRV25,DCR
TRV27
For customers in CANADA
Note:
—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
Recording moving pictures or still images, and playing them back
Capturing images on your computer
Other uses
Functions for adjusting exposure in the recording mode •BACK LIGHT (p. 33)
Functions for giving images more impact •Digital zoom (p. 30)
OFF
D ZOOM
Quick Start Guide
Getting Started
Recording – Basics
Playback – Basics
Advanced Recording
Viewing Images Using Your
Computer
Customizing Your Camcorder
Troubleshooting
Additional Information
Connecting the power cord (p. 22)
Inserting a cassette (p. 25)
Recording a picture (p. 26)
Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD screen (p. 38)
Inserting a “Memory Stick” (p. 106)
Recording a still image on a “Memory Stick” (p. 112)
Monitoring the playback still images on the LCD
screen
PLAY
— Getting Started —
Using this manual
Types of differences
Using this manual
Note on Cassette Memory
Note on TV color systems
Copyright precautions
Precautions on camcorder care
Lens and LCD screen/finder (on mounted models only)
recording in any way
[a]
[b]
Checking supplied accessories
1Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 216)
3Size AA (R6) battery for Remote Commander (2) (p. 216)
Battery pack
5A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 42)
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Installing the battery pack
(1)
(2)
To remove the battery pack
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Charging the battery pack
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series)
(3)
(4)
Charging time
Recording time
DCR-TRV16/TRV18
DCR-TRV25
Playing time
Recommended charging temperature
What is ”InfoLITHIUM”
Connecting to a wall outlet
PRECAUTION
Notes
Using a car battery
Step 2 Setting the date and time
about four months
(5)
(6)
(7)
Step 2 Setting the date and time
The year changes as follows:
If you do not set the date and time
Note on the time indicator
Step 3 Inserting a cassette
To eject a cassette
When you use a cassette with cassette memory
To prevent accidental erasure
When ejecting a cassette
Recording a picture
Camera recording
lamp
Microphone
Note on recording mode
Recording a picture
Note on the LOCK switch (except DCR-TRV16)
To enable smooth transition
When you record in the SP and LP modes on one tape or you record in the LP mode
The battery use time when you record using the LCD screen
Adjusting the LCD screen
When you use the LCD screen outdoors in direct sunlight
When you adjust the angle of the LCD panel
Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen
LCD screen backlight
Adjusting the viewfinder
The viewfinder lens adjustment lever
Viewfinder backlight
Using the zoom feature
To use zoom greater than 10⋅
When you shoot close to a subject
Note on digital zoom
When the POWER switch is set to MEMORY (except DCR-TRV16)
Shooting with the Mirror Mode
Rotate the LCD screen 180 degrees
Picture in the mirror mode
During recording in the mirror mode
Indicators displayed in the recording mode
Remaining battery time
Cassette memory
Recording mode
STBY/REC
Shooting backlit subjects – BACK LIGHT
BACK LIGHT
If you press EXPOSURE when shooting backlit subjects
Shooting in the dark
–NightShot/Super NightShot/Color Slow Shutter
COLOR SLOW S
SUPER NS
NightShot Light emitter
While using NightShot, you cannot use the following functions:
While using Super NightShot, you cannot use the following functions:
While using Color Slow Shutter, you cannot use the following functions:
While using Super NightShot or Color Slow Shutter
NightShot Light
1,3 MENU
END
SEARCH
— Playback – Basics —
Playing back a tape
To stop playback
When monitoring on the LCD screen
If you leave the power on for a long time
When you open or close the LCD panel
Playing back a tape
To display the screen indicators – Display function
DATA CODE
About date/time and various settings
(data code)
Various playback modes
To play back pause (view a still image)
To advance the tape
To rewind the tape
To change the playback direction
To view pictures at double speed
To view pictures frame-by-frame
To search the last scene recorded (END SEARCH)
In the various playback modes
When the playback pause mode lasts for five minutes
Viewing the recording on TV
If your TV is already connected to a VCR
If your TV or VCR is a monaural type
If your TV or VCR has an S video jack
To display the screen indicators on TV
Recording still images on a “Memory Stick” during recording on a tape
Before operation
[a][b]
Recording still images on a “Memory Stick” during recording on a tape
Image size of still images (DCR-TRV25/TRV27only)
When the POWER switch is set to CAMERA
To record still images using the Remote Commander
To record still images on a “Memory Stick” during tape recording
Taking photos with the self-timer
Recording still images on a tape
–Tape Photo recording
Recording images with self-timer(except DCR-TRV16)
Recording still images on a tape – Tape Photo recording
If you record a moving subject with the tape photo recording
To use tape photo recording using the Remote Commander
To use the tape photo recording during normal recording on a tape
To record still images with higher quality (except DCR-TRV16)
Adjusting the white balance manually
HOLD :
(OUTDOOR) :
n(INDOOR) :
To return to the automatic white balance mode
Using the wide mode
[a]
[c][d]
To cancel the wide mode
In the wide mode
Using the wide mode
ID-1system
ID-2system
[a] STBY
FADER
While using the bounce function, you cannot use the following functions:
Note on the bounce function
Using special effects – Picture effect
NEG. ART [a] :
SEPIA :
B&W :
SOLARIZE [b]
Using special effects – Digital effect
STILL:
FLASH (Flash motion):
LUMI. (Luminance key):
TRAIL:
Using special effects – Digital effect
Items to be adjusted
To cancel the digital effect function
When you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)
When recording in the slow shutter mode
Shutter speed
Using the PROGRAM AE function
SPOTLIGHT:
PORTRAIT (Soft portrait):
SPORTS (Sports lesson):
BEACH&SKI:
Using the PROGRAM AE function
To cancel the PROGRAM AE function
While WHT BAL is set to AUTO in the menu settings
Even if the PROGRAM AE function is selected
Adjusting the exposure manually
EXPOSURE
To return to the automatic exposure mode
When you adjust the exposure manually, the following functions do not work:
Your camcorder automatically returns to the automatic exposure mode:
FOCUS/INFINITY
Interval recording
Example
Interval recording
To cancel the interval recording
To suspend interval recording and perform normal recording
On recording time
When pressing START/STOP during recording time
Frame by frame recording
–Frame recording
To cancel the frame recording
When using the frame recording function
— Advanced Playback Operations —
Playing back tapes with picture effect
To cancel the picture effect
Pictures processed by picture effect functions
When you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) or stop playing back
Playing back tapes with digital effect
MENU2
To cancel the digital effect
Pictures processed by digital effect functions
Enlarging images recorded on a tape
–Tape PB ZOOM
To cancel the PB ZOOM function
Enlarging images recorded on a tape – Tape PB ZOOM
Pictures in the PB ZOOM
Quickly locating a scene
–ZERO SET MEMORY
MEMORY
m N
Searching the boundaries of recorded tape by title – TITLE SEARCH
To stop searching
If you use a cassette without cassette memory
To superimpose a title
Searching a recording by date
–DATE SEARCH
Searching for the date by using cassette memory
Searching a recording by date – DATE SEARCH
Searching for the date without using cassette memory
Searching for a photo
–PHOTO SEARCH/PHOTO SCAN
(PHOTO SEARCH)
(PHOTO SCAN)
Searching for a photo by using cassette memory
Searching for a photo – PHOTO SEARCH/PHOTO SCAN
Searching for a photo without using cassette memory
Scanning photo
To stop scanning
— Editing —
Dubbing a tape
Using the A/V connecting cable
When you have finished dubbing a tape
You can edit on VCRs that support the following systems:
Dubbing a tape
If your VCR is a monaural type
If your VCR has an S video jack
Using the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)
Page
Dubbing only desired scenes
–Digital program editing (on tapes)
Step
Using the Digital program editing function on tapes recorded on other equipment
Operation
Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)
Step 2: Setting the VCR to operate with the A/V connecting cable
(1) Set the IR SETUP code
About IR SETUP codes
Brand
* TV/VCR component
Note on IR SETUP codes
(2)Setting the modes to cancel the recording pause on the VCR
Buttons to cancel recording pause on the VCR
(3) Setting your camcorder and the VCR to face each other
(4)Confirming VCR operation
When the VCR does not operate correctly
Step 2: Setting the VCR to operate with the i.LINK cable
(DV connecting cable)
(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder
(3) Press MENU. Select VIDEO EDIT in with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial (p. 184)
(5) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select EDIT SET, then press the dial
Step 3: Adjusting the synchronization of the VCR
(8)
(9)
(10)
Page
Operation 1: Making the program
Erasing the program you have set
To cancel erasing
Erasing all programs
To cancel erasing all programs
To cancel a program you have set
Operation 2: Performing the program (Dubbing a tape)
To stop dubbing during editing
To end the Digital program editing function
You cannot record on the VCR when:
NOT READY appears on the LCD screen when:
Recording video or TV programs
Recording video or TV programs
If your VCR or TV is a monaural type
You can connect one VCR only using the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)
When you dub a picture in digital form
DV IN/OUT jack
Before recording
Inserting a scene from a VCR
–Insert Editing
[A]
[b][c]
[B]
Inserting a scene from a VCR – Insert Editing
To change the insert end point
If you insert scenes on the tape recorded on another camcorder
When the inserted picture is played back
To insert a scene without setting the insert end point
Audio dubbing
Connecting the microphone with the MIC jack
Connecting the microphone to the intelligent accessory shoe
Audio dubbing
Dubbing with the AUDIO/VIDEO jack
Dubbing with the built-inmicrophone
If you make all the connections
Adding audio on a recorded tape
AUDIO DUB
To add audio more precisely
Monitoring the new recorded sound
We recommend that you add audio on a tape recorded with your camcorder
If you set the write-protecttab of the cassette to lock
Superimposing a title
VACATION
Superimposing a title
To use a custom title
If the tape has a blank portion
If the tape has a blank portion between recorded portions
Titles superimposed with your camcorder
Erasing a title
(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or VCR
(2) Press MENU, then select TITLEERASE in with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial (p. 181)
ERASE OK ? indicator appears
To cancel erasing a title
Making your own titles
Making your own titles
To change a title you have stored
To delete the title
To enter a space
Labeling a cassette
Labeling a cassette
To erase the label you have made
To change the label you have made
If you have superimposed titles in the cassette
When the “-----”indicator has fewer than 10 spaces
Using a “Memory Stick” – Introduction
On file format
Still image (JPEG)
Moving picture (MPEG)
Typical image data file name
Using a “Memory Stick” – Introduction
“Memory Stick”s formatted on a computer
Notes on image data compatibility
Inserting a “Memory Stick”
Access lamp
Selecting the still image quality mode
Image quality settings
Setting
Differences in image quality mode
1152 ⋅ 864 image size
Image quality
Selecting the image size
Still images:
DCR-TRV25/TRV27:You can select either of two image sizes
480.)
DCR-TRV18:
Image size settings
Indicator
Approximate number of still images you can record on a “Memory Stick”
Type of “Memory Stick”s
Image size
Approximate time of moving pictures you can record on a “Memory Stick”
Recording still images on a “Memory Stick” – Memory Photo recording
Recording still images on a “Memory Stick”
–Memory Photo recording
While you are recording a still image
When you press PHOTO on the Remote Commander
When you press PHOTO lightly in step
Recording images continuously
NORMAL* [a]
EXP BRKTG (Exposure bracketing)
MULTI SCRN (Multi screen) [b]
If the capacity of the “Memory Stick” becomes full
The number of images in continuous shooting
During recording images continuously
When shooting with the self-timerfunction or the Remote Commander
When selecting NORMAL
Self-timermemory photo recording
Recording an image from a tape as a still image
Image size of still images
When the access lamp is lit or flashing
If “” appears on the screen
Recording an image from a tape as a still image
If you press PHOTO lightly in the playback mode
Sound recorded on a tape
Titles already recorded on cassettes
Recording date/time
Page
Superimposing a still image in the “Memory Stick” on an image
–MEMORY MIX
M. CHROM (Memory chroma key):
M. LUMI (Memory luminance key):
C. CHROM (Camera chroma key):
Superimposing a still image in the “Memory Stick” on an image
Recording superimposed images on a tape
To change the still image to superimpose
To change the mode setting
To cancel MEMORY MIX
Image data modified on your computer or shot with other equipment
When you select M. OVERLAP
Recording superimposed images on a “Memory Stick” as a still
image
–Press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial before step 6, and repeat the procedure from step
The PROGRAM AE function does not work. (The indicator flashes.)
–For M. CHROM: 18 images (such as a frame) 100-0001to
–For C. CHROM: two images (such as a background) 100-0019to
Sample images
Recording moving pictures on a “Memory Stick” – MPEG movie recording
To stop recording
Recording moving pictures on a “Memory Stick”
–MPEG movie recording
During recording on a “Memory Stick”
Self-timerMPEG movie recording
START
STOP
2 PLAY PAUSE
Recording pictures from a tape as a moving picture
If “AUDIO ERROR” is displayed
Recording a moving picture from external equipment
Page
Making the program
Recording edited pictures from a tape as a moving picture
–Digital program editing (on “Memory Stick”s)
Performing the program (Dubbing a “Memory Stick”)
Copying still images from a tape
–PHOTO SAVE
To stop copying
When the “Memory Stick” becomes full
Copying still images from a tape – PHOTO SAVE
If the write-protecttab on the “Memory Stick” is set to LOCK
When you change “Memory Stick”s during copying
Viewing still images
–Memory Photo playback
To stop memory photo playback
Notes on the file name
Viewing still images – Memory Photo playback
To play back recorded images on a TV screen
When no image is recorded on the “Memory Stick”
Screen indicators during still image playback
Playing back six recorded images at a time (index screen)
To return to the normal playback screen (single screen)
Viewing moving pictures
–MPEG movie playback
To stop MPEG movie playback
To play back recorded pictures on a TV screen
Viewing moving pictures – MPEG movie playback
Playing back a moving picture from the desired part
Screen indicators during moving picture playback
3 zX
Copying images recorded on “Memory Stick”s to a tape
During copying
Note on the index screen
If you press EDITSEARCH during pause mode
Image data modified on computers or shot with other equipment
4 PB
Enlarging still images recorded on a “Memory Stick”
–Memory PB ZOOM
The PB ZOOM mode is canceled when the following buttons are pressed:
Moving pictures recorded on “Memory Stick”s
To copy the still image processed by Memory PB ZOOM to a tape
Playing back images in a continuous loop
–SLIDE SHOW
To stop the slide show
To pause during a slide show
To start the slide show from a particular image
Preventing accidental erasure
–Image protection
To cancel image protection
Deleting images – DELETE
Deleting selected images
To cancel deleting an image
To delete an image displayed on the index screen
Deleting images – DELETE
Deleting all images
You can delete all unprotected images in a “Memory Stick.”
(2) Press MENU, then select DELETE ALL in with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial (p. 180)
To cancel deleting all the images in the “Memory Stick”
Writing a print mark – PRINT MARK
To cancel writing of print marks
Moving pictures
While the file name is flashing
Using the optional printer
9PIC PRINT
DATE/TIME
SAME PICS
DATE
Using the optional printer
Images recorded in the multi screen mode
Moving pictures recorded on a “Memory Stick”
When “Memory Stick” has no files
When there are no files with a PRINT MARK
Viewing images with your computer
–Introduction
Viewing images recorded on a tape
When connecting to a computer using the USB cable
Viewing images with your computer – Introduction
When connecting to a computer using the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)
Viewing images recorded on a “Memory Stick”
When connecting to a computer without a USB jack
Notes on using your computer
Software
Communications with your computer
Recommended computer usage environment to view tape
images on the computer
OS:
CPU:
Application:
Connecting your camcorder to your computer using the USB cable
–For Windows users
Recommended computer usage environment to view “Memory
Stick” images on the computer
Installing the USB driver
Windows XP Home Edition/Professional users
Making the computer recognize the camcorder
Page
If you cannot install the USB driver
Page
Page
Viewing images recorded on a tape with your computer – For Windows users
Capturing images with “PIXELA ImageMixer Ver.1.0 for Sony”
Viewing images recorded on a tape with your computer
Viewing pictures live from your camcorder
Capturing still images
Capturing moving pictures
If image data cannot be transferred by the USB connection
If any trouble occurs
Carry out the following operations after quitting the application:
Seeing the on-linehelp (operating instructions) of “PIXELA
ImageMixer Ver.1.0 for Sony”
To close on-linehelp
If you have any questions about “PIXELA ImageMixer Ver.1.0 for Sony”
Note on using your computer
Viewing images recorded on a “Memory Stick” with your computer
Page
–For Macintosh users
Recommended Macintosh environment
–For Macintosh users
For Mac OS X (v10.0) users
Capturing images from an analog video unit on your computer
–Signal convert function
After capturing images and sound
If your computer has a USB jack
— Customizing Your Camcorder —
Changing the menu settings
Changing the menu settings
To make the menu display disappear
MANUAL SET
CAMERA SET
VCR SET
•The SteadyShot function will not correct excessive camera-shake
If you cancel the SteadyShot function
(continued on the following page)
VCR SET
HiFi SOUND
To darken
To lighten
LCD B.L
LCD COLOR
To get low
DCR-TRV25/TRV27only
For DCR-TRV18,the default setting is FINE
•Do not do any of the following while FORMATTING is displayed:
–Switch the POWER switch
–Operate buttons
–Eject the “Memory Stick”
You cannot format the “Memory Stick” if the
PRINT SET (except DCR-TRV16)
9PIC PRINT
DATE/TIME
CM SET
TITLE
Notes on the LP mode
Notes on AUDIO MODE
SETUP MENU
CLOCK SET
USB STREAM
*Except DCR-TRV16
Notes on DEMO MODE
Other menu settings are held in memory even when the battery is removed
When recording a close subject
When REC LAMP is set to ON, the red camera recording lamp on the front of the
— Troubleshooting —
Types of trouble and how to correct trouble
In the recording mode
Symptom
Types of trouble and how to correct trouble
• NIGHTSHOT is set to ON
c Set it to OFF. (p. 34)
• NIGHTSHOT is set to ON in a bright place
c Set it to OFF . (p. 34)
In the recording and playback modes
When operating using the “Memory Stick”
Others
• Setting program on a blank portion of the tape is
attempted
c Set the program again on a recorded portion (p. 132)
• COMMANDER is set to OFF in the menu settings
c Set it to ON. (p. 184)
Self-diagnosisdisplay
LCD screen, viewfinder or display window
Five-digitdisplay
Warning indicators and messages
Warning indicators
100-0001 Warning indicator as to file
C:21:00 Self-diagnosisdisplay (p. 191)
Warning indicator as to “Memory Stick”
Warning indicators and messages
Warning messages
• -*1)
— Additional Information —
Usable cassettes
Selecting cassette types
mark on the cassette
Usable cassettes
Copyright signal
When you play back
When you record
Audio mode
Notes on the cassette
When affixing a label on the cassette
After using the cassette
When the cassette memory function does not work
Cleaning the gold-platedconnector
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
What is the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
Effective use of the battery pack
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
Remaining battery time indicator
How to store the battery pack
Battery life
About i.LINK
What is i.LINK
About the name “i.LINK”
About i.LINK
i.LINK baud rate
*What is Mbps
i.LINK functions on this unit
Required i.LINK cable
Using your camcorder abroad
Using your camcorder abroad
AC-L10A/L10B/L10C
NTSC system
PAL system
Maintenance information and precautions
Moisture condensation
If moisture condensation has occurred
Note on moisture condensation
How to prevent moisture condensation
Maintenance information and precautions
Maintenance information
Cleaning the video heads
Cleaning the LCD screen
Charging the built-inrechargeable battery in your camcorder
Precautions
Camcorder operation
On handling tapes
Camcorder care
AC power adaptor
About care and storage of the lens
Notes on dry batteries
If batteries are leaking
Specifications
Video camera
recorder
Page
— Quick Reference —
Identifying parts and controls
Camcorder
1 Focus ring (p. 61)
4 Viewfinder (p. 29)
2 Lens
Identifying parts and controls
qj wa
qj BATT release button (p. 16)
wa Intelligent accessory shoe (p. 94)
qk SEL/PUSH EXEC dial (p. 23)
ws LOCK switch* (p. 26)
wjes
wl AUDIO/VIDEO jack (black) (p. 75, 95)
e; (USB) jack
ea DV IN/OUT jack (p. 76)
es i (headphones) jack (green)
ef Speaker
el Viewfinder lens adjustment lever
eg OPEN button (p. 26)
eh LCD screen (p. 26)
r; MEMORY operation buttons* (p. 121)
Page
ta Battery pack (p. 16)
tf Cassette compartment
tg Lens cap (p. 26)
th Tripod receptacle
Remote Commander
1PHOTO button (p. 43)
2DISPLAY button (p. 39)
3SEARCH MODE button (p. 70)
4./> buttons (p. 70)
q; qa qs
wf Audio mode (p. 182)
wg Data file name*1) *2) (p. 124)/Time (p. 23)
wh Video flash ready
wj Continuous mode*1) (p. 114)
wl FULL charge (p. 17)
Index
A, B
C, D
F, G, H
I, J, K, L
to OFF in the menu settings (p. 181).
DATE SEARCH t PHOTO SEARCH t PHOTO SCAN t no indicator 
TITLE SEARCH* t DATE SEARCH t PHOTO SEARCH