Model 161 Moviecorder
(160-0862) Recording Faxback Doc. # 31679
BASIC RECORDING/PLAYBACK
Before you begin using your camcorder, you should read all of the
instructions in this manual. When you are familiar with the camcorder's
features and operation, follow these basic instructions as an easy guide
for camera recording and playback. See the referenced sections of the
manual for more detailed instructions.
RECORDING
1. Connect a power source (battery pack, AC adapter/charger, or optional
car battery adapter/charger) to the camcorder. See "Selecting a Power
Source", on Faxback Doc. # 31676.
2. Load an 8 mm tape in the cassette compartment. See "Inserting/Removing
a Cassette", on Faxback Doc. # 31677.
3. Set the power switch to CAMERA.
4. Make sure that the monitor displays the AUTO indicator. See "Auto
Focus", below.
5. Press REC START/STOP to start recording.
6. To pause recording, press REC START/STOP again. The camcorder enters
the recording standby mode. Press REC START/STOP to resume recording.
NOTE: If the camcorder stays in the recording standby mode for more
than 5 minutes, the power automatically turns off to save
battery power and to protect the tape. To continue recording,
set the power switch to OFF, and then back to CAMERA again.
7. Set the power switch to OFF to turn off the camcorder.
NOTES: Be sure to set the power switch to OFF when you finish recording so
the battery pack will last longer.
The camcorder's speaker is silent during recording. To monitor the
sound being recorded, connect an optional monaural earphone with a
1/8-inch plug (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 33-175) to the
camcorder's EAR jack.
PLAYBACK
The monitor lets you view and hear what you have just recorded without
making additional connections. You can also watch prerecorded 8 mm video
tapes.
1. Set the power switch to VCR.
2. Load an 8 mm tape in the cassette compartment. See "Inserting/
Removing a Cassette", on Faxback Doc. # 31677.
3. Press PLAY to begin playback.
4. Press REW or FF to rewind or fast forward the tape.
5. Press STOP to stop playback.
6. Set the power switch to OFF to exit the play-back mode.
NOTE: Be sure to set the power switch to OFF when you finish so the
battery pack will last longer.
MONITOR DISPLAY
The illustration (see Faxback Doc. # 31673, Fig. C) shows where the
different indicators, warnings, and operation-related controls appear on
the monitor display. The meaning of the indicators and the function of the
controls are discussed later in the related sections of this manual.
NOTE: Only the date/time indicators are recorded on the tape along with
the subject.
USING THE FUNCTION BUTTONS
The buttons along the bottom of the Model 161's monitor screen have
different functions, depending on whether you set the power switch to
CAMERA or VCR. Other functions become available when you press MENU, MODE
DISPLAY, PICTURE/VOLUME ADJUST, or TAPE INFORMATION. (See Faxback Doc. #
31673, Fig. D)
ZOOMING
Zooming lets you go from wide-angle to telephoto shots at the touch of a
button. During recording, press W (wide angle) to get a wide field of view.
Press T (telephoto) to get to a close-up view.
The monitor's on-screen displays shows the current zoom setting.
Selecting the Zoom Speed
You can select between a slower or faster zoom speed to match the movement
of the subject you are recording. For example, for recording fast action,
you might use a faster zoom speed.
1. Set the power switch to CAMERA.
2. Press MENU to display MENU 2. If MENU 1 displays, press PAGE (>|<)
so MENU 2 displays.
3. Press \/ or /\ so the arrow points to ZOOM SPEED.
4. Press SET to select the zoom speed (NORMAL or SLOW).
5. Press MENU to turn off the menu display.
NOTE: The zoom speed you select on MENU 2 is also used when you zoom with
the remote control.
SELF RECORDING
The Model 161's monitor can be rotated 180 degrees vertically so the lens
faces you. This lets you record and watch yourself on the screen at the
same time.
1. Set the power switch to CAMERA.
2. Press MENU. The menu display appears on the monitor. If MENU 1
displays, press PAGE (>|<) so MENU 2 displays.
3. Press \/ or /\ so the arrow points to SELF REC. Press SET so AUTO
CORRECT displays. This corrects the monitor's image so it is not
upside-down during self recording.
NOTES: During self recording, the record indicator displays opposite
of how it appears in normal recording.
For normal recording, set SELF REC to NO CORRECT.
You cannot support the camcorder on its stand during self
recording.
4. Rotate the monitor 180 degrees vertically. The monitor shows a mirror
image of the subject.
NOTES: Do not rotate the monitor during playback or recording.
For self recording, be sure to rotate the monitor, NOT the lens. If
you hold the camcorder upside-down with its lens at the bottom, the
subject is recorded upside-down, even though it appears correctly
oriented in the monitor during recording.
In the camera recording mode, when you turn the monitor back to its
normal position, the image automatically adjusts so it is correctly
oriented.
If you playback a normal recording when the camcorder is set for
self recording, the monitor shows a mirror image. The image
returns to normal when you rotate the monitor or set SELF REC to NO
CORRECT.
If you rotate the monitor to the self recording position when SELF
REC is set to NO CORRECT, the image is recorded upside-down.
In the self recording mode, you cannot record using manual
recording, change picture adjustments, display menus, record the
date and time, or use the quick-return feature.
In the self recording mode, all standard warning indicators on the
monitor are replaced by a flashing indicator (<!>) in the center of
the monitor. To check the meaning of the warning, turn the monitor
back to the normal position.
AUTO FOCUS
The auto focus feature is designed to focus on most types of subjects. In
auto focus mode, the camcorder automatically focuses on whatever is in the
center of the scene. Therefore, always keep the subject in the center of
the monitor.
NOTES: If no subject is in the center of the monitor, the focus area
expands, and the camcorder focuses on the subject nearest the
center.
If no subject displays on the monitor, the camcorder automatically
zooms out until a subject comes into the frame.
MANUAL FOCUS
Auto focus may not be able to focus on the subject in the situations shown
in the chart below. In such situations, set the camcorder to the manual
focus mode and focus manually.
1. Press MODE DISPLAY to display the auto/manual indicators.
2. Press the power zoom T button to zoom in completely on the subject.
3. Press FOCUS so the display changes to MAN'L FOCUS.
4. Press << and >> to focus on the subject.
NOTES: While recording using manual focus, you might not be able to
focus correctly if the subject is within about 5 feet (1.5 m)
of the camcorder. In such an instance, press W to zoom out
away from the subject, and try focusing again.
If you focus on a subject without first completely zooming in
on it, the subject might go out of focus when you zoom in on it
later.
If the lens is dirty or fogged, you might not be able to focus
correctly.
5. Press MODE DISPLAY to turn off the auto/manual indicators.
6. Press the power zoom buttons (W and T) to frame the subject as you
desire.
To return to auto focus, press MODE DISPLAY to display the auto/manual
indicators. Then press MAN'L FOCUS (>) so the display changes to FOCUS.
MACRO FOCUSING
When you want to shoot extremely close up pictures of small objects such as
plants, insects, or photos in your family album, do not zoom all the way in
on the subject. Instead, set the camcorder for auto focus, and press the
power zoom W button to zoom out from the subject. Then move the camcorder
closer to the subject until you see the image you want on the monitor. The
camcorder automatically focuses on the subject in most cases.
NOTE: When recording a macro shot, make sure there is sufficient lighting
(the LIGHT indicator does not appear on the display). We recommend
you use a tripod for recording macro shots to prevent camera shake.
WIDE SCREEN
The wide screen feature lets you record panoramic scenes in a wide-screen
ratio of 16:9 width-to-height. The resulting picture has black bands
across the top and bottom.
Example: Cutting out portion of the sky and sea to record a panoramic
picture of a yacht in the evening sun.
1. Set the power switch to CAMERA.
2. Press MENU to display MENU 2. If MENU 1 displays, press PAGE (>|<)
so MENU 2 displays.
3. Press \/ or /\ so the arrow points to SCREEN.
4. Press SET to select WIDE.
5. Press MENU to turn off the menu display. The monitor now displays the
picture with the black bands.
To return to the normal screen/picture, set SCREEN to NORMAL on the MENU
2 display.
NOTES: You cannot set or disengage the wide screen mode during recording.
You can view a picture in wide screen only if it was originally
recorded that way.
USING THE FULL AUTO MODE
In addition to auto focus, the camcorder has auto white balance, auto
exposure, and auto shutter speed features. Setting the camcorder to the
full auto mode lets you select all the auto settings to easily record high
quality pictures in most situations.
1. Set the power switch to CAMERA.
2. Press MODE DISPLAY so FOCUS displays.
NOTE: If MAN'L FOCUS displays, press > so FOCUS displays.
3. Press symbol so SCENE MENU displays to select all of the auto settings.
4. Press MODE DISPLAY so the indicators disappears from the bottom of the
display, and the AUTO indicator appears in the top right corner.
BACKLIGHT COMPENSATION
If the subject is lit from behind, the recorded image darkens if recorded
normally. The backlight compensation feature improves the picture when
you must use this type of lighting.
NOTE: You cannot use the backlight compensation feature when the LIGHT
indicator (warning of too little ambient illumination) displays in
the top left of the monitor.
Press MODE DISPLAY to display the auto/manual indicators. Press BLC
(>|<) so the backlight compensation indicator (light) appears in the top
left of the monitor, indicating that the backlight function is now working.
To turn off backlight compensation, press BLC (>|<) again so the light
indicator disappears.
GAIN-UP
When you are recording in a dark or poorly illuminated location, the LIGHT
indicator appears on the display to warn you there is insufficient ambient
lighting. Use the gain up function to record a brighter picture in this
type of lighting.
Press MODE DISPLAY to display the auto/manual indicators. Press GAIN UP
(>|<) so the LIGHT display changes to the gain up indicator indicating that
the gain up function is not working.
To turn off gain up, press GAIN UP (>|<) again so the symbol indicator
disappears.
NOTES: GAIN UP only appears on the display when the LIGHT indicator
appears on the monitor.
If the camcorder is moved to a bright location after the gain up
mode is engaged, it disengages automatically.
There is more picture noise in the gain up mode.
RECORDING THE DATE AND TIME
You can record the date and time you set in "Setting the Clock/Calendar" or
only the date as part of the picture. Use the following procedure to
select whether just the date or both the date and time are recorded on the
tape.
1. Set the power switch to CAMERA.
2. Press MENU to display MENU 1. If MENU 2 displays, press PAGE (>|<)
so MENU 1 displays.
3. Press \/ or so /\ the arrow points to DISPLAY.
4. Press SET to select AUTO, ON, or OFF.
When ON is selected, the date/time displays and records continuously.
When AUTO is selected the date/time displays and records for 10 seconds
at the beginning of the day's first recording.
When OFF is selected, the date/time neither displays nor records.
5. Press \/ or /\ points to SELECT.
6. Press SET to select DATE + TIME (both the date and time display and
record) or DATE (only the date displays and records).
7. Press MENU to turn off the menu display.
QUICK RETURN
After you have been recording, use the quick return function to resume
recording from the point where you stopped recording.
NOTE: If the cassette has been removed since the last recording, or if no
recording has been made since the cassette was loaded, the RETURN
indicator does not appear, and the quick return function does not
operate.
1. Set the power switch to CAMERA.
2. Press TAPE INFORMATION so RETURN appears in the bottom left of the
monitor screen.
3. Press RETURN QUICK RETURN flashes on the screen while the tape fast
forwards or rewinds to the position where you stopped recording and
enters the recording standby mode. Press TAPE INFORMATION to clear the
indicators on the monitor.
EDIT SEARCH
During the recording standby mode, use the edit search function to search
for the point on the tape where you wish to start recording, without having
to switch from the camera to the VCR mode.
With the power switch set to CAMERA, make sure the auto/manual indicators
do not appear on the display. If they do, press MODE DISPLAY to turn them
off. Press and hold << or >>. When you locate the point where you want to
begin recording, release the button.
NOTES: Some picture noise appears during reverse edit search.
In forward edit search, the tape moves at the same speed as normal
playback. In reverse edit search, the tape moves at three times
the normal playback speed.
REMAINING TAPE INDICATOR
When the camcorder is recording in the camera mode (as opposed to dubbing)
and the tape is reaching its end, an on-screen indicator begins to show how
much time you have left so you can have a new tape handy.
Approx.Remaining Monitor display
Recording Time
10 min.- 8 min. TAPE [x][x][x][x][x]
8 min.-6min. TAPE [x][x][x][x][ ]
6 min.-4 min. TAPE [X][x][x][ ][ ]
4 min.-2 min. TAPE [X][x][ ][ ][ ]
2 min.-1 min. TAPE [X][ ][ ][ ][ ]
THE TAPE
1 min.-0 min. ENDS SOON.
\/
TAPE END
0 min. CHANGE THE
(The tape has CASSETTE.
Reached its end.) \/
TAPE END
For about 10 minutes to 1 minute before the tape ends, a bar indicator
displays. The length of the bar shows the approximate amount of remaining
tape. About one minute before the tape ends, the message TAPE END flashes
in large characters. When the tape has almost reached the end, the display
shows CHANGE THE CASSETTE for about 3 seconds, and then changes to TAPE END
in smaller characters (see "Warning Indicators", above).
If you want to turn off the bar indicator, press TAPE INFORMATION so the
REMAIN indicator appears on the monitor, and then press REMAIN (>). Press
REMAIN again to re-display the bar indicator.
NOTES: The first bar indicator must appear before pressing TAPE
INFORMATION causes the REMAIN button indicator to appear.
The time-remaining bar indicators show only the approximate amount
of time left. They also vary slightly depending on the length of
tape used.
(EB 4/4/96)