Model 160 Moviecorder (160-0861) Operation Faxback Doc. # 15135 SETTING THE STANDBY SWITCH Set the switch to STANDBY for recording. When you are not going to record, set the switch to POWER SAVE to conserve battery power. To eliminate complicated adjustments in most situations, this camcorder has fully automatic features for focus, white balance, and shutter speed. All you need to do is set the preset mode dial to AUTO and press REC START/STOP. Additionally, the mode selector dial has settings for recording in special conditions (see "Preset Modes"). Or, you can change to manual focusing (see Focus"). The following instructions outline the basic procedures for making a camera recording. When operating the camcorder for the first time, read all the steps and the suggested detailed information before you actually begin. Then use this outline as a reminder for basic camera recording procedures. 1. Choose and connect a power source. See "Selecting a Power Source." 2. Press EJECT to open the cassette compartment. Insert an 8 mm video cassette and close the compartment. See "Inserting/Removing a Cassette." 3. Slide the power switch to CAMERA. You must press and hold the center button when you change the position of the power switch. This prevents the power from accidentally being turned on. 4. Remove the lens cap and attach it to the handstrap. 5. Set the preset mode dial to AUTO. This selects the standard 1/60-second shutter speed and auto focus mode. See "Preset Modes." 6. Set the standby switch to STANDBY. The camcorder automatically enters the record-pause mode. PAUSE flashes in the viewfinder. NOTES: If the "no tape" symbol flashes in the viewfinder, a cassette is not loaded, or it might be erase protected. See "Video Cassette Handling." If TAPE flashes in the viewfinder, the tape is almost wound to the end and you do not have more than 6 minutes for recording. When the tape reaches the end, TAPE END flashes in the viewfinder. Set the power switch to VCR, and then press REWIND. CAUTION: Extreme changes in temperature can affect operation of the camcorder. The moisture symbol flashes in the viewfinder, and the camcorder will not operate. Let the camcorder adjust to the surrounding temperature before you use it. See "Dew Protection System." 7. Place your right hand between the hand strap and the camcorder. Then adjust the hand strap so it fits tightly over your hand. If the strap is too loose, the camcorder is difficult to handle. 8. Pull the viewfinder upward until you can comfortably look into it when holding the camcorder. Then adjust the viewfinder's focus control so the image is sharp. See "Viewfinder Adjustment." 9. Point the camcorder at the desired object and press T to zoom in or W to zoom out on the zoom control until you see the desired picture in the viewfinder. See "Power Zoom." 10. Press REC START/STOP. Recording begins and REC appears in the viewfinder. 11. To temporarily pause recording, press REC START/STOP again. PAUSE appears in the viewfinder. Press REC START/STOP to resume recording. 12. When you finish recording, press REC START/STOP. Be sure to read all other sections under "Special Camera Recording Features" for additional camcorder recording information. NOTES: The EJECT button does not operate during recording. Press REC START/STOP before you eject the tape. Vertical stripes might appear in your recording if you try to record with candlelight, fluorescent lamps, or mercury-vapor lamps. If you leave the camcorder in the record pause mode for about 5 minutes, the camcorder automatically shuts off to protect the tape. To restart recording, press REC START/STOP twice. DEW PROTECTION SYSTEM Moisture can collect inside the camcorder under certain conditions. This can damage the camcorder when the tape moves. To prevent this damage, the moisture symbol flashes in the viewfinder when the dew sensor detects moisture, and camcorder does not operate until the moisture is gone. In such cases, wait until the moisture symbol disappears from the viewfinder. The time required depends on the surrounding temperature. CAUTION: Moisture can form very quickly when you move the camcorder from a cold area to a warmer one, and it might take the dew sensor a few minutes to activate. Always let the camcorder adjust to room temperature before you use it. VIEWFINDER PLAYBACK After you make a recording, you can play it back through the viewfinder. NOTE: You can also play the recording in any 8mm VCR. 1. Slide the power switch to VCR. 2. Press REWIND to return the tape to the beginning or to the point where you want to begin playback. See "Real-Time Tape Counter." 3. Press PLAY and watch the picture in the viewfinder. NOTE: You cannot hear the tape's audio recording during viewfinder playback. To hear sound, play the tape through a TV/monitor or on a VCR. 4. Press STOP to end playback, and press EJECT to remove the cassette. NOTES: If you press EJECT during playback, the camcorder automatically stops and ejects the tape. If the tape was not recorded in your camcorder, the picture at the beginning of the tape might not appear normal because of differences in tape loading systems. The camcorder records at the SP speed only, but you can play back a tape recorded at the LP speed using this camcorder. The camcorder automatically selects the tape playback speed. USING THE REMOTE CONTROL You can use the remote control to record yourself in a scene or to play back your recording on a TV connected to the Model 160. Most remote control buttons perform the same procedures as the corresponding buttons on the camcorder. In addition, the remote control has two buttons that are not on the camcorder: F.ADV and SLOW. For an explanation of how to use these buttons, see "Special Playback Functions." Before using the remote control for the first time, pull out the insulation sheet on the battery compartment cover. To use the remote control, press the remote control sensor post on the camcorder so it pops out. Rotate the post so its window faces toward you. Point the remote control at the sensor post and press the desired button. When the power switch is set to CAMERA, the recording indicator on the front panel shows the operation mode: it lights steadily during recording and flashes in the record pause mode. When you finish operating the remote control, press the sensor post to conceal it. NOTES: The remote's range is within about 13 feet away from the sensor post within an angle of about 15 degrees on either side of the IR window. You can rotate the post to change the window direction. Be careful not to let direct sunlight or bright light from interior illumination fall onto the sensor window, as this might prevent the remote control from operating normally. Be sure that there are no obstacles between the remote control and the sensor post on the camcorder. If the remote control's range decreases or it does not operate, replace the battery. See "Replacing the Remote Control's Battery". PRESET MODES The Model 160 features six preset auto recording modes in addition to the full-auto mode. Select a suitable mode when you shoot in a special situation or you want a special effect. Turn the preset mode dial so the green arrow points to the icon for the desired mode. The corresponding indicator appears in the viewfinder. NOTES: No icon appears when the AUTO mode is selected. When you change the mode, the focus is reset to auto, even if you have previously selected manual focus. Flicker-Free Mode - Use this mode to record under fluorescent lighting when you notice a flickering in the viewfinder, especially in a country where the AC current is 50 Hz. The shutter speed is set to 1/100 second in this mode. Sports Mode - Use this mode to record a football game or other fast-moving subjects. The shutter speed varies automatically from 1/60 to 1/250 second, depending on the brightness of the subjects. The auto focus acts only on the subjects at the center of frame area, from 7 1/2 feet to infinity. Keep the main subject(s) in the center of the viewfinder. Colors might change if you use the sports mode indoors under fluorescent light. Twilight Mode - Use this mode in the early morning or evening to capture subtle shift in color and light (for example, a sunrise or sunset). Low Light Mode - Use this mode to record indoors under low light conditions. The image becomes brighter, but the recording quality might become coarse. Do not use this mode if you have sufficient lighting. High-Speed Shutter Mode - Use to record very fast movements, such as a golf swing, tennis stroke, and so on. The shutter speed varies automatically in the range of 1/250 to 1/10000 second depending on the brightness of the subjects. Colors might change if you use the high-speed shutter mode indoors under fluorescent light. Close-Up Mode - Lets you shoot small subjects such as flowers or insects from a short distance. The zoom automatically sets to wide. The focusing range is 1/2 inch to 6 feet. AUTO FOCUS LIMITATIONS The camcorder's automatic focus and preset recording modes let you concentrate on creating great videos without having to worry about whether or not they are properly focused. However, the camcorder also has a manual focusing feature for special situations or special effects. NOTE: The auto focus system functions as close as 1/2 inch from the subject. To focus on the subject from less than about 3 1/2 feet away, press the W zoom button. The auto-focus sensor might not be able to focus on a subject in the following situations: Close and distant objects are both near the center of the viewfinder. You are taping through a window. You are taping in extremely low light. You are taping subjects with no contrast such as a white wall, sky, and so on. The focus point is moving rapidly. You are taping a very bright subject. You are taping a subject that has lateral stripes such as venetian blinds. You are using a special filter (for vari-cross, mirages, and so on). SPECIAL CAMERA RECORDING FEATURES USING THE CLOCK/CALENDAR The clock/calendar feature lets you record the date and time as part of the picture. Use the following procedure to set the current date and time, and to select whether the date and time are recorded on the tape. NOTES: You cannot set the date or time during recording or playback. In the following example we set the clock/calendar to PM 2:10 on December 24, 1994. 1. Install the supplied lithium battery. See "Installing/Replacing the Clock/Calendar Battery." 2. Set the power switch to CAMERA. 3. Make sure that the standby switch is set to STANDBY. 4. Press ADJ (on the bottom of the camcorder) for about 2 seconds until the date/time display (AM 12:00:00 and 1.1.1993) appears in the viewfinder. 5. Press DATE to display the correct month. Then press ADJ. NOTE: Press and hold DATE to rapidly advance the display. 6. Press DATE to display the correct day. Then press ADJ. 7. Press DATE to display the correct year. Then press ADJ. 8. Press DATE to display the correct hour. Then press ADJ. NOTE: The clock/calendar uses an AM/PM time display. Be sure to set AM or PM correctly. 9. Press DATE to display the correct minute. Then press ADJ. The clock/calendar starts to count. Recording the Date or Time The time/date graphics are recorded on the tape whenever they appear in the viewfinder. To display and record the time/date information, press DATE repeatedly until the graphic(s) you want appear in the viewfinder. NOTE: If 88:88 flashes when you press DATE, either the clock/calendar battery is weak or the date has not been set. Replace the battery if necessary, and reset the clock/calendar. POWER ZOOM This feature lets you go from a wide-angle shot to a telephoto shot at the touch of a button. During recording, press the power-zoom buttons (W or T) with the fingers of your right hand. Press W to zoom out (wide angle) or T to zoom in (telephoto). MANUAL FOCUS Manual focusing is useful when the subject is not in the center of the viewfinder. You get the best results if you focus on the subject close up before you begin recording. Follow these steps to manually focus on the subject. 1. Press FOCUS AUTO/MANUAL. MF appears in the viewfinder. 2. Press T to zoom in on the subject. 3. Turn the manual focus dial to focus. 4. Press W or T until you see the desired image, and begin recording. RECORDING REVIEW 1. This feature lets you quickly review the last few seconds of a recording. 2. During recording, press REC START/STOP to stop the tape. PAUSE flashes in the viewfinder. 3. Press and release EDIT SEARCH -. The tape rewinds and plays the last few seconds of the tape and stops at the point where the recording ends. NOTE: Do not hold down EDIT SEARCH -, or the unit enters the edit search mode. 4. Press REC START/STOP to continue recording from that point. EDIT SEARCH During playback or recording, the edit search feature lets you locate a particular scene on the tape at the normal playback speed. You can then resume recording from that point. During playback or recording, press PAUSE/STILL or REC START/STOP to stop the tape. In the recording mode, PAUSE flashes in the viewfinder. 1. Press and hold down EDIT SEARCH + or - until the blank portion (or portion you want to record over) appears in the viewfinder. 2. In the recording mode, press REC START/STOP to resume recording. In the playback mode, press PAUSE/STILL or PLAY to resume playback. NOTE: You can use EDIT SEARCH + or - to locate a particular scene on a tape while viewing it on a TV/monitor, just as you can on the viewfinder. See "Viewing a Tape on a TV." AUTO WHITE BALANCE The camcorder adjusts the white balance automatically. White-balance adjustment is necessary so white objects record as white, and colors appear natural. In most cases, the automatic white-balance adjustment circuit works accurately. However, if the lighting changes or if you aim at a subject that is mostly white, the image might appear reddish or bluish when you play the tape on a TV/monitor. To correct this, aim at a brighter subject with more color contrast, and then return to the original subject. AUTO EXPOSURE This feature automatically adjusts to changing lighting conditions. The aperture widens in low light and narrows in bright light. FADE IN AND FADE OUT You can press FADE to fade in at the beginning of a scene and/or fade out at the end. This gives your recordings a professional look. The sound fades in and out along with the picture. To fade in, press FADE before you begin recording. FADE appears in the viewfinder. When you press REC START/STOP, FADE flashes, the viewfinder goes blank, and then the image gradually fades in. To fade out, press FADE before or during recording. FADE appears in the viewfinder. When you press REC START/STOP, PAUSE and FADE flash in the viewfinder, and the image gradually goes blank. NOTES: Do not press REC START/STOP again before FADE stops flashing and the image goes blank. Otherwise, you cancel the fade out. If you do not want to fade out your recording, press FADE during recording so FADE disappears from the viewfinder. REAL-TIME TAPE COUNTER The real-time tape counter shows you the amount of tape used in minutes and seconds. To use the real-time tape counter, do the following: 1. Rewind the tape to the beginning. 2. Press COUNTER RESET to set the counter to 0:00:00. 3. Begin recording or playback. 4. At each point you might want to return to, note the counter reading. As long as you rewind the tape to the beginning and reset the counter to 0:00:00 each time you use the tape, the same counter readings should correspond to the approximately same locations on the tape. You can also use this feature to calculate the remaining tape length. To do so, subtract the current counter reading from the tape's total length. For example, if you reset the counter at the beginning of a 60-minute tape and the current reading is 0:51:00, you have about 9 minutes of recording time remaining on the tape. USING THE COUNTER MEMORY The counter memory lets you automatically return to the exact position where you reset the counter to 0:00:00. To use the counter memory, do the following: 1. Press COUNTER RESET to reset the counter to 0:00:00 at the point you want to return to later. 2. Press COUNTER MEMO. M appears in the viewfinder. 3. Press REWIND when you finish recording or playback. The tape rewinds and automatically stops at the 0:00:00 counter reading. NOTE: You can rewind again past the 0:00:00 counter reading, and then fast forward to return to it. The tape automatically stops at 0:00:00. To cancel the counter memory mode, press COUNTER MEMO so M disappears from the viewfinder. NOTE: The counter indicates a minus reading when you rewind the tape past 0:00:00. Press FAST-F to return to the 0:00:00 point on the tape. HINTS FOR BETTER RECORDING If you are not familiar with video recording techniques, there are many books available at the local library. However, because the camcorder is simple to use and because you can use tapes again and again, you can experiment and learn as you go. The following information will get you started. LIGHTING Lighting should be uniform. The camcorder can record in low-light conditions, but more light is usually better. The optimum brightness for top-quality pictures is between 500 and 100,000 lux. If necessary, obtain an optional camera light and attach it to the camcorder's accessory shoe. CAUTION: Do not place a light source too near the camcorder mechanism. The heat can cause the camcorder to malfunction. Brightness Situations The following chart shows you the approximate brightness of light in different situations or from different light sources. Brightness Situation 100,000 (Lux) Clear day at noon (100,000) 10,000 Clear day at 10:00 AM (65,000) Clear day at 3:00 PM (35,000) Cloudy day at noon (32,000) Cloudy day at 10:00 AM (25,000) 1,000 Cloudy day, one hour after sunrise (2,000) Clear day, one hour before sunset (1,000) Fluorescent light near window (1,000) Factory floor (700-800) Sales Counter in department store (500-700) Bowling alley (500) Library (400-500) Office with fluorescent lighting (400-500) Fluorescent desk lamp (400) Flashlight at 3 feet (250) 100 Shop stairway (100) 10 During intermission at movie theater (15-35) Cigarette lighter at 1 foot (15-20) Candles on birthday cake at 8 inches (10-15) CAMCORDER MOVEMENT When you move the camcorder while recording, do so slowly and steadily. Too much movement or fast movement makes your recordings look awkward. A video camera tripod is a valuable investment for top-quality movie making. ZOOM IN AND ZOOM OUT As with rapid camcorder movement, too many zooms can detract from your recording. When you use power zoom, it is best to zoom in or zoom out in one smooth motion, not in several jerky motions. If you use them sparingly, movements from side to side combined with zooms can be very effective in your video tapes. See "Power Zoom." SOUND PICKUP If the sound source for your tapes is only a few feet away, the built-in microphone with a 1/8 inch plug picks it up clearly. However, for distant sound sources, a super-directional shotgun microphone might be better. Or you can use an FM wireless microphone for professional results. Connect an external microphone to the camcorder's MIC jack (inside the terminal cover). The built-in microphone is disconnected when you connect an external microphone. PLAYING A TAPE ON A TV If you have an 8 mm VCR, you can play the camcorder's tapes on that VCR. However, if the camcorder is your only VCR or if your other VCR does not use the 8 mm format, you can play back tapes from the camcorder through your TV. NOTE: You can only play back recordings made with the camcorder on a TV that uses the NTSC color system. The main countries that use the NTSC system are USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Connecting to a Standard TV Use an RF converter (optional) as described below to connect the camcorder to a TV that only has VHF/UHF input terminals. 1. Open the A/V TERMINAL cover of the camcorder's AUDIO/VIDEO INPUT/OUTPUT terminals. 2. Connect the RF converter plugs to the camcorder's VIDEO/AUDIO jacks. 3. Disconnect the VHF antenna/cable wire from your TV and connect it to the RF converter ANT IN jack. If your antenna wire is the flat, 300-ohm type use a 300-to-75-ohm matching transformer. 4. Using the 75-ohm antenna cable, connect the adapter's ANT OUT jack to the TV's VHF antenna terminal. If your TV has only 300-ohm VHF terminals, use the 75-to-300-ohm matching transformer to connect the coaxial cable to your TV. 5. Set the RF converter channel switch to 3 or 4. Either setting will work, but if possible, choose a channel that is not used for regular TV broadcasts in your area. 6. Set the TV's tuner to the same channel as the RF converter channel switch. 7. Set the camcorder's AV switch to OUT. When you turn on the camcorder, the antenna/cable signals are sent to the TV. When you turn off or disconnect the camcorder, the antenna/cable signals are sent to the TV. Set the TV tuner as usual. Connecting to a TV/Monitor A TV/monitor has separate audio/video input jacks. Connect the camcorder to a TV/monitor as follows. 1. Open the A/V TERMINAL cover of the camcorder's AUDIO/VIDEO INPUT/OUTPUT terminals. 2. Connect the supplied audio/video cable's yellow video plug to the camcorder's yellow video jack and white audio plug to the white audio jack. 3. Connect the cable's other end to the TV's input jacks -- the yellow plug to the video input jack, and the white plug to the audio input jack. If your TV/monitor is stereo, use a Y-adapter (Radio Shack Cat. No. 42-2435) to connect the white plug to both audio inputs. 4. Turn on the TV/monitor and set it to the video mode. 5. Set the camcorder's AV switch to OUT. Viewing a Tape on a TV After you connect the camcorder to your TV or TV/monitor, play a tape as follows. 1. Set the camcorder's power switch to VCR. Then turn on the TV. 2. Insert a pre-recorded tape into the camcorder. 3. Set your standard TV to channel 3 or 4, or set your TV/monitor to the video mode. 4. Press PLAY on the camcorder. 5. Press STOP to stop playback, and press EJECT to remove the tape. SPECIAL PLAYBACK FUNCTIONS You can use these special playback functions when viewing a tape on a TV connected to the camcorder. Be sure to set the power switch to VCR for any tape playback operation. Visual Search Visual search lets you view a tape at an increased speed in the forward or reverse direction. You can see the picture at faster than normal speed. To use this function, begin regular playback of a tape. Then press and hold FAST-F to search forward or REWIND to search backward. Release the button to return to normal playback. During visual search, the sound mutes and the picture quality is lower than during normal playback. Fast-forward/Rewind and High-Speed Visual Search When the tape is stopped, press FAST-F to rapidly move the tape forward. Press REWIND to rapidly move the tape backward. There is no sound or picture during normal fast-forward or rewind. Use the real-time tape counter to help you locate specific sections of the tape. Hold down FAST-F or REWIND during fast-forward/rewind to enter the visual search mode. Release the button to return to normal fast-forward or rewind. Freeze-Frame Freeze-frame lets you stop the action while you are playing a tape. Press PAUSE/STILL during playback to freeze the picture. Press PAUSE/STILL or PLAY to return to normal playback. During freeze-frame, the picture quality is lower than during normal viewing. If you leave the camcorder in the freeze-frame mode for about 5 minutes when you are using AC power, the camcorder automatically stops. If you are using battery power, the camcorder stops after about 5 minutes in the freeze-frame mode. Frame Advance During freeze-frame, you can advance the picture one frame at a time by pressing F.ADV on the remote control. Press PLAY to resume normal playback. Edit Search You can use EDIT SEARCH + or - to locate a particular scene on a tape while viewing it on a TV/monitor, just as you can during viewfinder playback. See "Edit Search" under "Special Camera Recording Features." Slow-Motion During playback or freeze-frame, press SLOW on the remote control to reduce the playback speed. Press PLAY to return to normal playback. NOTE: If the slow-motion picture is poor, press EDIT SEARCH + or - as needed to adjust the picture quality. On-Screen Display When you connect your TV or TV/monitor to the camcorder, you can have the viewfinder indicators appear on the TV screen. Press DATA ON SCREEN on the camcorder. The same display you see in the viewfinder appears on the TV screen. To cancel the indicators on the TV display, press DATA ON SCREEN again. DUBBING FROM THE CAMCORDER Follow these steps to copy a tape from the camcorder to another VCR. 1. Set the A/V switch to OUT. 2. Connect the supplied audio/video cable's yellow video plug to the camcorder's yellow video jack and the white audio plug to the white audio jack. 3. Connect the cable's other end to the VCR's input jacks -- the yellow plug to the video and the white plug to the audio. If the VCR is stereo, use a Y-adapter (Radio Shack Cat. No. 42-2435) to connect the white plug to both audio inputs. 4. Set the VCR to the audio/video mode. Some VCRs have a manual input select switch -- others automatically sense when you connect to the audio/video input jacks. 5. Set the camcorder's power switch to VCR and play the tape to locate the segment you want to copy. Then press PAUSE/STILL. Begin recording on the recording VCR. Then press PAUSE/STILL to begin playback on the camcorder. 6. Press STOP on the VCR to stop recording. Press STOP on the camcorder to stop playback. You can watch the tape on the TV connected to the VCR while you copy the tape. See the VCR's owner's manual. DUBBING TO THE CAMCORDER Follow these steps to copy a tape to the camcorder from another VCR (or other video device). 1. Set the A/V switch to IN. 2. Connect the supplied audio/video cable's yellow video plug to the camcorder's yellow video jack and the white audio plug to the white audio jack. 3. Connect the cable's other end to the VCR's output jacks -- the yellow plug to the video and the white plug to the audio. 4. Set the camcorder's power switch to VCR. 5. Insert a cassette into the camcorder. 6. Press RECORD. 7. Begin playback on the VCR (or other video device). 8. Press STOP on the camcorder to stop recording. Press STOP on the VCR to stop playback. (TE/all-05/05/95)