The Sony Digital Video Camera Recorder, models DCR-TRV420E, DCR-TRV520E, and DCR-TRV620E, is a versatile camcorder designed for capturing precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. This device records and plays back images in the Digital8 system, and can also play tapes recorded in the Hi8/standard 8 (analog) system.
Function Description:
The camcorder allows for both basic and advanced recording and playback operations. For basic recording, simply remove the lens cap, set the POWER switch to CAMERA, and press the red START/STOP button. The camcorder automatically focuses for you. The LCD panel can be opened by pressing OPEN, displaying the picture on the screen, or you can use the viewfinder (black and white for DCR-TRV420E/TRV520E, color for DCR-TRV620E). To stop recording, press START/STOP again.
Playback is equally straightforward: set the POWER switch to VTR (DCR-TRV620E) or PLAYER (DCR-TRV420E/TRV520E), open the LCD panel, and use the REW and PLAY buttons to navigate and view your recordings. Volume can be adjusted using the VOLUME buttons.
Advanced recording features include:
- Tape Photo recording: Capture still images on tape, useful for photos or printing. The camcorder can record approximately 510 images in SP mode or 765 in LP mode on a 60-minute SP tape.
- Wide mode (16:9 WIDE): Record widescreen pictures for viewing on compatible TVs.
- Fader function: Create professional-looking fade-in/fade-out effects (FADER, M.FADER, BOUNCE, OVERLAP, WIPE, DOT, MONOTONE).
- Special effects (Picture Effect & Digital Effect): Apply various digital effects like NEG. ART, SEPIA, B&W, SOLARIZE, SLIM, STRETCH, PASTEL, MOSAIC (Picture Effect) or STILL, FLASH, LUMI., TRAIL, SLOW SHTR, OLD MOVIE (Digital Effect) to enhance your recordings.
- PROGRAM AE: Select from various auto exposure modes (Spotlight, Soft Portrait, Sports Lesson, Beach & Ski, Sunset & Moon, Landscape, Low Lux) to suit different shooting conditions.
- Manual exposure and focus: Adjust brightness and focus manually for greater control.
- Title superimposing: Add preset or custom titles (up to 20 characters) in various languages, colors, sizes, and positions.
- Self-timer recording: Record yourself automatically after a 10-second countdown.
- NightShot/Super NightShot: Shoot in dark places, with Super NightShot making subjects up to 16 times brighter. Infrared lighting is used for visibility in 0 lux conditions.
Advanced playback features include:
- Picture effects and digital effects: Process recorded scenes with NEG. ART, SEPIA, B&W, SOLARIZE (Picture Effect) or STILL, FLASH, LUMI., TRAIL (Digital Effect).
- PB ZOOM: Enlarge moving and still images during playback.
- Zero set memory: Quickly locate a desired scene by setting a counter value of "0:00:00".
- Date search/Photo search/Photo scan: Search recordings by date or still images, and display images one after another automatically.
Editing capabilities include:
- Dubbing: Copy tapes to a VCR using A/V connecting cables or i.LINK (DV) cable for high-quality digital-to-digital editing.
- Signal convert function (DCR-TRV620E only): Capture analog video/audio signals from a video unit to a PC via the camcorder's i.LINK (DV) jack.
- Recording video or TV programs (DCR-TRV620E only): Use the camcorder as a recorder to capture content from a VCR or TV.
- Insert Editing (DCR-TRV620E only): Insert new scenes from a VCR onto an existing tape by specifying start and end points.
"Memory Stick" operations:
- Memory Photo recording: Record still images directly onto a "Memory Stick."
- MEMORY MIX: Superimpose still images from a "Memory Stick" onto a moving image during recording, with options like M. CHROM, M. LUMI, C. CHROM, and M. OVERLAP.
- Photo save: Copy still images from a tape to a "Memory Stick."
- Memory Photo playback: View still images recorded on a "Memory Stick," including an index screen mode to view 6 images at once.
- Copying images to tapes (DCR-TRV620E only): Copy still images or titles from a "Memory Stick" to Hi8/Digital8 tapes.
- Memory PB ZOOM: Enlarge still images recorded on a "Memory Stick."
- SLIDE SHOW: Play back images in a continuous loop from a "Memory Stick."
- Image protection: Protect selected images on a "Memory Stick" from accidental erasure.
- Deleting images: Delete individual or all unprotected images from a "Memory Stick."
- PRINT MARK: Write print marks on still images recorded on a "Memory Stick" for later printing.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Video Recording System: 2 rotary heads, Helical scanning system.
- Audio Recording System: Rotary heads, PCM system (12 bits Fs 32 kHz, stereo 1, stereo 2; 16 bits Fs 48 kHz, stereo).
- Video Signal: PAL colour, CCIR standards.
- Recommended Cassette: Hi8/Digital8 video cassette.
- Recording/Playback Time (90 min. Hi8 cassette): SP mode: 1 hour; LP mode: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Fastforward/Rewind Time (90 min. Hi8 cassette): Approx. 5 min.
- Image Device: 1/4 type CCD (Charge Coupled Device), approx. 800,000 pixels (Effective: approx. 400,000 pixels).
- Lens: Combined power zoom lens, filter diameter 37 mm.
- Zoom: 25x (Optical), 100x (Digital) (125x for DCR-TRV420E only).
- Focal Length: 3.7 - 92.5 mm (35 mm still camera equivalent: 48 - 1200 mm).
- Minimum Illumination: 3 lux (F1.6), 0 lux (in NightShot mode).
- Input/Output Connectors: S video input/output (4-pin mini DIN), Audio/Video input/output (AV MINIJACK), DV input/output (4-pin connector), Headphone jack (stereo minijack ø 3.5 mm), LANC/DIGITAL I/O jack (stereo mini-minijack ø 2.5 mm), MIC jack (stereo minijack ø 3.5 mm).
- LCD Screen: DCR-TRV420E: 3-inch type (61.0 x 43.8 mm); DCR-TRV520E/TRV620E: 3.5-inch type (72.2 x 50.4 mm). Total dot number: 123,200 (560 x 220).
- Power Requirements: 7.2 V (battery pack), 8.4 V (AC power adaptor).
- Average Power Consumption (using battery pack): LCD: 4.2 W; Viewfinder: 3.1 W.
- Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F).
- Storage Temperature: –20 °C to +60 °C (–4 °F to +140 °F).
- Dimensions (approx.): 111 x 106 x 207 mm (w/h/d).
- Mass (approx.): DCR-TRV420E: 980 g; DCR-TRV520E/TRV620E: 990 g (excluding battery pack, lithium battery, cassette, and shoulder strap). 1.1 kg (including battery pack NP-F330 or F550, lithium battery CR2025, 90 min. Hi8 cassette, and shoulder strap).
- "Memory Stick": Flash memory (4MB: MSA-4A), operating voltage 2.7 - 3.6 V, power consumption approx. 45 mA (operating mode), approx. 130 µA (standby mode). Dimensions (approx.): 50 x 2.8 x 21.5 mm (w/h/d), mass (approx.) 4 g.
Usage Features:
- InfoLITHIUM Battery: The camcorder operates with "InfoLITHIUM" battery packs (L series), which exchange data on battery consumption with the unit. Full charging allows for longer use.
- Power Source Priority: The DC IN jack has "source priority," meaning the battery pack will not supply power if the mains lead is connected, even if not plugged into the mains.
- Automatic Shut-off: The camcorder automatically turns off after 3 minutes in standby mode to save battery power and prevent battery/tape wear.
- Mirror Mode: Turning the LCD panel to face the other way activates mirror mode, displaying a mirror-image on the LCD screen (recording remains normal).
- Digital Zoom: Zoom beyond 25x (or 100x/125x depending on model) is performed digitally, which may reduce picture quality.
- Write-Protect Tab: Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to expose the red mark and prevent accidental erasure.
- "Memory Stick" Compatibility: The camcorder uses "Memory Stick"s for still image recording and playback. Ensure the write-protect tab is not set to LOCK for recording/erasing. "Memory Stick"s formatted by a computer may not be fully compatible.
- i.LINK (DV) Cable: Use a Sony i.LINK 4-pin-to-4-pin cable for digital-to-digital dubbing. The maximum baud rate is S100 (100Mbps).
- TV Colour Systems: The camcorder is PAL system-based. For viewing recordings on a TV, a PAL system-based TV with VIDEO/AUDIO input is required.
- World Time: Easily set the clock to local time by setting a time difference in the menu settings.
Maintenance Features:
- Moisture Condensation: If moisture condenses inside the camcorder (indicated by a beeping sound and flashing % indicator), eject the cassette, turn off the camcorder, and leave it for about 1 hour with the cassette compartment open to acclimatize.
- Cleaning Video Heads: If mosaic-pattern noise, unclear pictures, or non-moving images appear during playback/recording, clean the video heads using a Sony V8-25CLD cleaning cassette (not supplied).
- Cleaning LCD Screen: Use an LCD Cleaning Kit (not supplied) to clean fingerprints or dust.
- General Care:
- Operate the camcorder on 7.2 V (battery pack) or 8.4 V (AC power adaptor).
- Avoid rough handling, mechanical shock, and strong magnetic fields.
- Do not touch the LCD screen with fingers or sharp objects.
- Keep the POWER switch set to OFF (CHARGE) when not in use.
- Do not wrap the camcorder in a towel during operation to prevent heat build-up.
- Keep the camcorder away from sand or dust.
- Periodically remove the tape and operate the CAMERA and VTR/PLAYER sections for about 3 minutes if the camcorder is not used for a long time.
- Clean the lens with a soft brush and cloth.
- Clean the camcorder body with a dry soft cloth or a soft cloth lightly moistened with a mild detergent solution (avoid solvents).
- Battery Pack Care:
- Use only specified chargers or video equipment with charging function.
- Prevent metallic objects from contacting battery terminals.
- Keep the battery pack dry and away from fire or temperatures above 60°C.
- For long-term storage, fully charge the battery once, then discharge it completely, and store in a cool place.
- Lithium Battery: The internal clock is powered by a lithium battery (CR2025). If this battery dies, you will need to reset the date and time. Replace with a Sony CR2025 lithium battery, ensuring correct polarity. Discard used batteries according to manufacturer instructions.
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