Moviecorder (160-0804) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 18538 SELECTING A POWER SOURCE You can power the camcorder with any one of the following: AC power (using the supplied AC adapter/charger) The supplied battery A vehicle battery (using an optional DC adapter) USING THE AC ADAPTER/CHARGER With the supplied AC adapter/charger, you can use standard household AC power to power the camcorder. Attaching the Adapter/Charger Follow these steps to attach the adapter/charger to the camcorder. 1. With the CAMERA SIDE of the AC adapter/charger facing the camcorder, line up the arrows on the side of the AC adapter/charger with the arrows on the side of the camcorder. 2. Slide the AC adapter/charger down until it clicks into place. 3. Plug the AC adapter/charger's power cord into an AC outlet. Removing the AC Adapter/Charger Follow these steps to remove the AC adapter/charger from the camcorder. 1. Unplug the AC adapter/charger's power cord from the AC outlet. 2. While pushing the BATTERY release lever in the direction of the arrow, slide the AC adapter/charger up. Then, pull it away from the camcorder. 3. Release the lever. NOTES: You cannot power the camcorder with the AC adapter/charger and charge the battery at the same time. Remove the battery from the AC adapter/charger when you use the adapter/charger to power the camcorder. When you use the AC adapter/charger to power the camcorder, the battery level indicator in the viewfinder might show E- -. This indicator is used for battery operation and has no meaning when you are using the AC adapter/charger to power the camcorder. USING THE BATTERY You must charger the supplied battery before you can use it to power the camcorder. See "Charging the Battery.", (see below). WARNINGS: Do not use the battery at temperatures below 14 (degrees) F (-10 [degrees] C) or above 95 (degrees) F (35 [degrees] C). Do not short the battery's terminal. Do not disassemble or modify the battery. There are no user -serviceable parts inside. Exposing the battery to fire or to temperatures above 149 (degrees) F (65 [degrees] C) could be hazardous. Charging the Battery A fully discharged battery takes about 2 hours to charge. Follow these steps to charge the battery. CAUTIONS: Use only the supplied AC adapter/charger to charge the battery. Use of any other adapter/charger could damage the battery. Also, do not use the supplied adapter/charger to charge any battery other than the supplied battery. Charge the battery only in temperatures between 32 (degrees) F and 95 (degrees) F (0-35 [degrees] C). Do not charge a hot battery. The AC adapter/charger's CHARGE indicator does not light if you attach a hot battery. 1. Be sure the AC adapter/charger is not connected to the camcorder. 2. With the battery's label facing the AC adapter/charger, line up the arrows on the side of the battery with the arrows on the BATTERY side of the AC adapter/charger. 3. Slide the battery into place. 4. Plug the AC adapter/charger's AC power cord into a standard AC outlet. The adapter/charger's POWER and CHARGE indicators light. NOTE: If the AC adapter/charger's CHARGE and POWER indicators begin flashing, remove the battery and reattach it. If, after several attempts, both lights continue to flash, the battery can no longer take a charge; replace it with a new one. 5. Charge the battery until the AC adapter/charger's CHARGE indicator goes out. 6. Unplug the AC adapter/charger's AC power cord from the outlet. Then, remove the battery by sliding it off and pulling it away from the adapter/charger. Attaching the Battery Follow these steps to attach the battery to the camcorder. 1. With the battery's label facing the camcorder, line up the arrows on the side of the camcorder. 2. Slide the battery down until it clicks into place. Removing the Battery Follow these steps to remove the battery from the camcorder. 1. While pushing the BATTERY release lever in the direction of the arrow, slide the battery up and then pull it away from the camcorder. 2. Release the lever. Battery Status When the battery is attached and the camcorder's power is on, you can display the battery's current power level in the viewfinder. Press DISPLAY to change the viewfinder displays. When the battery is fully charged, the following display appears: E- - - F As the battery's power decreases, the display changes first to E- - , and then to E-. When E- flashes, the battery needs recharging. If you do not display the battery's power level, E, flashes in the viewfinder when the battery needs recharging. Battery Usage Hints When fully charged, the supplied battery provides about 45-60 minutes of power. Frequent starts and stops, frequent zooming, and low temperatures might reduce actual recording and playback time. Turn off the camcorder when you are not recording. If you are not going to use the camcorder for an extended period, remove the battery. To prevent interruptions in recording, we recommend you buy an extra battery and keep one on charge at all times. Immediately recharge the battery after you finish recording. Never leave the battery uncharged. It is best to leave the battery on charge at all times. If this is not possible, recharge it again immediately before you begin using it. Recharge the battery at least once ever 6 months even when you are not using it. Do not completely discharge the battery. Store the battery in a cool, dry place. USING A VEHICLE BATTERY Using an optional DC adapter (Radio Shack's CM No. T16-0841), you can power the camcorder with the vehicle's battery. CAUTIONS: The vehicle must have a 12-volt, negative-ground electrical system. Use only the suggested DC adapter. Using a different adapter might damage the adapter, the camcorder, or the vehicle's electrical system. Follow these steps to use vehicle battery power. 1. Be sure that neither the AC adapter/charger nor the battery are connected to the camcorder. 2. Plug the DC adapter's small plug into the camcorder's DC IN 9.6V jack. 3. Plug the DC adapter's other plug into the vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket. PREPARING THE CAMCORDER FOR USE INSTALLING THE CLOCK/CALENDAR BATTERY You can record the current time and date (or date only) in the corner of the picture. See "Clock/Calendar Code Generator." The camcorder's internal clock/calendar is powered by a 3-volt micro lithium battery (Cat. No. 23-161). One battery is supplied. We recommend you install the battery as soon as you unpack the camcorder so that you don't lose the battery. WARNINGS: Keep this battery away from children. Swallowing a lithium battery could be fatal. If the battery is swallowed, consult a physician immediately for emergency treatment. To avoid risk of explosion, do not recharge, open, or heat a lithium battery or dispose of it in fire. Follow these steps to install the clock/calendar battery. 1. Push the tab on the clock/calendar battery compartment's door to the right. Then, open the door. 2. Insert the clock/calendar battery so that the battery's positive (+) side faces you. 3. Gently push the cover closed until it snaps into place. INSERTING/REMOVING A CASSETTE CAUTION: Use only VHS video cassettes. You can insert or remove a video cassette only when the camcorder is connected to a power source. However, you do not have to turn on the camcorder. 1. Press EJECT and wait for the compartment door to open. 2. Insert the cassette into the cassette compartment with the side label facing you and the spine label facing up. 3. Press in on the center of the compartment door until it closes. To remove a cassette, press EJECT and wait for the compartment door to open. Then, pull out the cassette. NOTES: Never assist compartment door opening procedure. Never force/pry compartment door open or closed. ADJUSTING THE VIEWFINDER Rest the camcorder on the right shoulder, and slip the right hand through the strap on the camcorder's front right side. Slide the viewfinder to the left and adjust it up or down to position the eyepiece for the left eye or right eye. ATTACHING THE SHOULDER STRAP The shoulder strap is a convenient way to carry the camcorder when it is not in the carrying case. You can also use it as a safety strap while you are recording. Attach each end of the strap to the camcorder, as shown. ATTACHING A TELEPHOTO OR WIDE-ANGLE LENS Follow these steps to attach an optional telephoto or wide-angle conversion lens. NOTE: You must manually focus when you use an optional lens. 1. Remove the camcorder's lens hood by grasping the focus ring and turning the lens hood counterclockwise. 2. Remove both caps from the optional lens. 3. Screw the optional lens onto the camcorder's lens. ATTACHING AN EXTERNAL MICROPHONE For distant sound sources, you might want to use an optional super directional shotgun microphone. You can also use an optional FM wireless microphone. Attach the external microphone to the accessory shoe on top of the camcorder. Then, plug the microphone's cord into the camcorder's MIC jack. (EB 12/6/95)