RCA CC6384, User Manual

Page 1: ...Camcorder User s Guide Changing Entertainment Again CC6384 CC6394 ...

Page 2: ...No user serviceable parts inside Refer servicing to qualified service personnel This symbol indicates important instructions accompanying the product WARNING RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN Product Registration Please fill out the product registration card and return it immediately Returning this card allows us to contact you if needed Keep your sales receipt for proof of purchase to obtain war...

Page 3: ...at s recording 14 Start recording 15 Play your recording 15 Turn off the camcorder 16 Powering the Camcorder 16 Charging the Battery 16 Refreshing the Battery 18 Battery Level Icon 19 Battery Care and Storage 19 Using the Power Supply 20 Using the Shoulder Strap 21 Setting the Date and Time 22 Setting the Recording Format for CC6394 only 23 Additional Notes about S VHS and S VHS ET Cassette Tapes ...

Page 4: ...pter 4 Playback Playback Options 46 Basic Playback 46 Still Playback Mode 49 Shuttle Search 50 Choose your Connection 51 Using the Cassette Tape Adapter 51 Connecting to a TV or VCR with Audio Video Input Jacks 54 Playback on a TV or VCR with Audio Video Input Jacks 55 Tape Dubbing 56 Chapter 5 Digital Still Camera Digital Still Camera Recording and Playback 58 Setting the Picture Quality 59 Selec...

Page 5: ...ced Adjustment 76 Menu Definitions 77 Camera Menu 77 System Menu 77 System Menu continued 78 Using the Advanced Features 80 Fade Wipe Effects 80 Program AE With Special Effects 82 Digital Effects 83 Exposure Control 84 Focusing 85 White Balance Adjustment 87 Date Time Insert 89 Instant Titles 90 Animation 91 Time Lapse 92 Chapter 7 Other Information Troubleshooting 94 Final Notes 99 Care and Clean...

Page 6: ...Avoid 105 Traveling Tips 106 Specifications 107 Customer Assistance and Service 109 Limited Warranty 111 FCC Declaration of Conformity and Industry Canada Information 115 Optional Accessories 116 Accessories Order Form 119 Index 122 ...

Page 7: ...w Parts Checklist Buttons and Controls Getting Started Powering the Camcorder Using the Shoulder Strap Setting the Date and Time Setting the Recording Format Setting the Tape Recording Speed Setting the Tape Length 5 Changing Entertainment Again ...

Page 8: ...list Make sure the box includes the items shown here Caution Never use the power supply for any purpose other than charging the FB1260 battery pack or for supplying power to the camcorder AC power supply Part 250814 Battery pack Part 244427 FB1260 CC6394 only Part 244265 CC6384 only Cassette tape adapter Part 244270 AA battery for cassette tape adapter Imaging software CD ROM Part 247954 PC connec...

Page 9: ...Video jacks Viewfinder MENU BRIGHT TRACKING dial SNAPSHOT button Power Zoom VOL lever STEADY PIX button Recording Start Stop button Power switch DIGITAL DSC IN OUT DSC S T O P R R E T A K E F LIG HT OFF AUT O ON COUNT ER R M FADE W IPE P AE DIGIFE CT CHA RGE VID EO REF RES H EJE CT STEADY PIX TBC MENU BRIGHT TRACKING SNAPSHOT VOL Speaker Hand strap DIGITAL DSC IN OUT jack Eyepiece focus control Vi...

Page 10: ...iew Area marked CLOSE LCD monitor Shoulder strap eyelets Tripod mounting sockets DSC STOP R RETAKE F LIGHT OFF AUTO ON C O U N T E R R M F A D E W I P E P A E D I G I F E C T CHARGE VIDEO REFRESH EJECT EJECT switch REFRESH button Playback buttons VIDEO REFRESH indicator DSC CHARGE indicator Video LIGHT switch COUNTER R M and FADE WIDE button P AE button DIGIFECT button ...

Page 11: ...d feature options Unpack the camcorder and accessories The items shown are packed with the camcorder If any pieces are missing or appear damaged contact your dealer immediately Remove the plastic film that covers the front and side logos on the camcorder Use your fingernail not anything sharp to remove Save all packing materials and box in case the camcorder ever needs to be shipped or stored ...

Page 12: ... separate the Velcro strip 2 Insert your hand so your fingers can comfortably reach the buttons 3 Adjust the strap to fit snugly 4 Refasten the strap and fold the flap back down Attach the lens cap To protect the lens attach the provided lens cap to the camcorder as shown in the illustration MENU BRIGHT TRACKING SNAPSHOT VOL STEADY PIX TBC DIGITAL DSC IN OUT P L A Y O F F A M STOP R RETA KE F LI G...

Page 13: ...ETA KE F LI GH T OF F AU TO ON COUNTER R M FADE WIPE P AE DIGIFECT Attach the power supply Since the battery must be charged before it can be used the first time you need to use an AC outlet to power the camcorder 1 Plug the small end of the power supply into the DC IN jack on the camcorder 2 Plug the other end of the power supply into a working AC outlet ...

Page 14: ... operate in AutoShot mode see pages 77 79 for more information The camcorder automatically turns off to save battery power if you leave it in record standby mode for more than five minutes To turn it back on set the Power switch to OFF then back to automatic or manual record mode Set the video light OFF AUTO ON Switch to AUTO Slide the video LIGHT switch to AUTO In this setting the video light aut...

Page 15: ...t slide the tab Some tapes have removable tabs If the tab has been removed cover the hole with adhesive tape 5 Push on the area marked CLOSE until the cassette tape holder locks into place PAUSE appears on the LCD or in the viewfinder Notes You can t open the cassette tape holder unless a power supply is attached The cassette tape holder can t be opened while the camcorder is in the record mode Ca...

Page 16: ...tomatically turns off When the LCD monitor is closed the viewfinder automatically turns on STOP R RETAKE F LIGH T OFF AUT O ON COUN TER R M FADE WIPE P AE DIGIF ECT C H A R G E V ID EO R EF R ES H EJ EC T MENU dial LCD monitor MENU BRIGHT TRACKING SNAPSHOT VOL STEADY PIX TBC DIGITAL DSC IN OUT P L A Y O F F A M STOP R RETAK E F LIG HT OF F AU TO ON COUNTER R M FADE WIPE P AE DIGIFECT Viewfinder Us...

Page 17: ...ound completely the camcorder automatically stops 3 Press the Play Pause button to start playback View the recording using the LCD monitor or viewfinder 4 Press the Stop button when finished playing the tape Notes Sound will play back if the LCD monitor is open or closed To adjust the volume use the Zoom Lever also labeled VOL More information about using the LCD monitor and viewfinder can be foun...

Page 18: ...ator blinks 4 When the CHARGE indicator stops blinking but stays on charging is finished Make sure the Power switch is set to OFF then unplug the power supply from the AC outlet and from the camcorder Important Before detaching the power source make sure the camcorder s power is turned off Failure to do so can result in a camcorder malfunction Power switch MENU BRIGHT TRACKING SNAPSHOT VOL STEADY ...

Page 19: ...Charge marker Using the Charge Marker A charge marker is provided on the battery pack to help you remember whether it has been charged or not Two colors are provided red and black you choose which one means charged and which means discharged Notes If a protective cap is on the battery remove it before use or charging When charging a battery for the first time or after a long storage period the CHA...

Page 20: ...tes If you store a partially charged battery for a long period of time its performance is reduced During charging or discharging the camcorder can t be operated Charging and discharging isn t possible if the wrong type of battery is used If the battery operation time remains extremely short even after having been fully charged the battery is worn out and needs to be replaced Please purchase a new ...

Page 21: ...attery s terminals Do not attempt to disassemble or modify the battery There are no user serviceable parts inside Use the battery only with specified adapter chargers and camcorders Throwing the battery into a fire or exposing it to excessive heat over 149 F 65 C could be hazardous R B R C R B R C Ni Cd ATTENTION The EPA certified RBRC Battery Recycling Seal on the nickel cadmium Ni Cd battery ind...

Page 22: ...ower to the camcorder Removing the power supply 1 Make sure the Power switch is set to OFF 2 Unplug the power supply from the AC outlet 3 Unplug the small end of the power supply from the DC IN jack on the camcorder Important Before detaching the power source make sure the camcorder s power is turned off Failure to do so can result in a camcorder malfunction Using an Optional Plug Adapter in Forei...

Page 23: ...to attach the other end of the strap to the other eyelet located under the hand strap Make sure the strap is not twisted Caution When carrying the camcorder with the shoulder strap you should close the LCD monitor and rotate the viewfinder down This helps prevent possible damage to the monitor or viewfinder from bumping against your body as you move Make sure the shoulder strap is firmly attached ...

Page 24: ...t When the correct setting appears press in the MENU dial to select it 7 When finished rotate the MENU dial to select EXIT Then press in the MENU dial twice Note To make the date and time appear in the camcorder s display or on the TV see page 89 Important A separate internal battery is used for the time and date Under normal conditions this battery should last for 10 years or more If you should n...

Page 25: ...ghlight S VHS ET Press the MENU dial to select it The S VHS ET menu appears If you are using a standard VHS C tape rotate the MENU dial to S VHS ET Press in the MENU dial to select it If you are using an S VHS tape rotate the MENU dial to S VHS Press in the MENU dial to select it 5 Rotate the MENU dial to ON if you want to record in S VHS mode or OFF if you want to record in standard VHS mode Pres...

Page 26: ...ear on screen when tapes recorded in the SLP mode are played back Tapes recorded in S VHS or S VHS ET mode can be played back not only on this camcorder but also on a Super VHS VCR an S VHS ET VCR or a VCR equipped with the SQPB S VHS QUASI PLAYBACK function When tapes recorded in S VHS or S VHS ET mode are played back on a VCR equipped with the SQPB S VHS QUASI PLAYBACK function S VHS picture qua...

Page 27: ...ial to highlight SP if you want the best recording quality or SLP if you want a lesser quality recording which provides three times the recording time as SP Press in the MENU dial to select it 6 When finished press in the MENU dial again to exit Note If the recording speed is switched during the recording the playback picture will be blurred at the switching point Power switch MENU BRIGHT TRACKING...

Page 28: ...TAPE LENGTH menu appears 5 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight the length of the tape you are using T20 T30 T35 T40 T20 20 minutes T30 30 minutes etc in SP mode Press in the MENU dial to select it 6 When finished press in the MENU dial again to exit Note The tape remaining time feature is accurate only if the correct tape length has been selected Power switch MENU BRIGHT TRACKING SNAPSHOT VOL STEADY...

Page 29: ...27 Chapter 2 Using the Monitors Chapter Overview Seeing What You Are Recording On screen Icons Changing Entertainment Again ...

Page 30: ...wn up to 90 From a high angle such as over a crowd tilt the monitor down to record From a low angle such as when kneeling tilt the monitor up to record 3 Adjust the brightness of the LCD monitor by turning the bright control MENU dial This doesn t affect the brightness of the recording you are making Turn the dial toward to brighten the image Turn the dial toward to darken the image 4 When finishe...

Page 31: ... set the correct focus by focusing on one of the viewfinder s on screen displays Look through the viewfinder and adjust the eyepiece focus control for your vision Note The eyepiece focus control does not affect the focus of the image captured by the camcorder Cautions Never force the viewfinder to rotate completely around This will damage the viewfinder and or the camcorder When carrying the camco...

Page 32: ...detected on the recording heads Use an optional cleaning cassette to remove dirt On screen Icons Several displays appear on the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder to aid in the operation of the camcorder Although it may look crowded all of the icons shown below do not appear on screen at the same time Also not all screen icons are shown in the illustration Refer to the icon descriptions that follow ...

Page 33: ...er automatic or manual record mode and the lens cap is still attached Safeguard The error icons E01 E06 show what type of malfunction has occurred If an error icon and warning appear turn the unit off remove the power supply battery etc and wait a few minutes for the warnings to clear If they do you can resume using the camcorder If the warnings remain consult your nearest RCA authorized service c...

Page 34: ...ct Appears when you select TWILIGHT to record scenes at twilight fireworks etc Appears when you select 1 2000 to record faster moving action than the SPORTS mode Appears when you select NEGA POSI to reverse the colors and create a negative image Appears when you select MOSAIC to record scenes in a mosaic pattern Appears when you select STRETCH to record scenes which are double the horizontal width...

Page 35: ... CLOUD to record outdoors on a cloudy day Appears when you select HALOGEN to record using halogen or tungsten lighting MWB appears when you select MWB to adjust the color temperatures Appears when the camcorder is recording Appears during record standby Appears when the camcorder plays a tape Appears during play pause Appears during fast forward and flashes during forward search Appears during rew...

Page 36: ...f the monitor with the BRIGHT dial During playback the VOLUME icon appears when you adjust the volume of the speaker with the VOL control also zoom lever This icon appears when you are adjusting brightness manually using the EXPOSURE menu Appears when you select black fade Appears when you select mosaic fade Appears when you select shutter wipe Appears when you select slide wipe Appears when you s...

Page 37: ...5S 30S 1MIN or 5MIN 15S 15 seconds 30S 30 seconds etc Appears when you select the recording time for animation or time lapse recording 1 4S 1 2S 1S or 5S 1 4S 1 4 of a second 1 2S 1 2 of a second etc see pages 91 92 Appears when you are using Steady Pix see page 41 Indicates what tape length you have selected T20 T30 T35 or T40 T20 20 minutes T30 30 minutes etc see page 26 Indicates what tape spee...

Page 38: ...oximate time remaining on the tape Indicates the quality of picture you have selected and the number of pictures remaining for that quality see page 59 Indicates the type of snapshot selected other than FULL see page 60 P is displayed for PIN UP M4 is displayed for MULTI 4 M9 is displayed for MULTI 9 TBC Time Base Corrector Icon TBC Time Counter Icon M0 00 00 Time Remaining Icon 120MIN Picture Qua...

Page 39: ...Chapter 3 Recording Chapter Overview Recording Details Recording Tips 37 Changing Entertainment Again ...

Page 40: ...n back to A or M to turn the camcorder on again If you are recording on a tape from the middle such as when a tape is removed and reinserted during recording use the Retake function see page 39 to find the end of the last recording so you do not erase any of it To remove the icons from the camcorder s display during recording see page 78 Journalistic Shooting In some situations different shooting ...

Page 41: ...This is normal Retake You can also rerecord certain segments 1 Make sure the camcorder is in the Record Standby mode 2 Press and hold either RETAKE button to reach the start point for new recording Pressing forwards the tape and pressing reverses it 3 Press the Recording Start Stop button to start recording Note Noise bars appear and pictures may become monochrome or darken during Retake This is n...

Page 42: ... zoom lever to either T or W With telephoto zooming it is possible to capture images to a maximum of 400 times normal magnification To do this the camcorder uses technology to artificially enhance the image Optical zoom is the natural non enhanced magnification that the camcorder s lens will support This camcorder has an optical zoom of 16 times 16X When using the zoom lever an icon appears on scr...

Page 43: ...high magnifications To turn on image stabilization press the STEADY PIX button appears To turn off image stabilization press STEADY PIX again The icon disappears Notes Accurate stabilization may not be possible if hand shake is excessive or when recording the following subjects with vertical or horizontal stripes dark or dim subjects subjects with excessive backlighting scenes with movement in var...

Page 44: ...y keep turning on and off depending on the lighting conditions If this happens manually switch the light ON or OFF using the LIGHT OFF AUTO ON switch If the Sports or High Speed Shutter mode is turned on the video light is likely to stay on While in Twilight mode the light won t activate Notes The video light can only be used when the camcorder is on Set the white balance to artificial light when ...

Page 45: ...ht after use Serious injury may result Do not place the camcorder in a carrying case right after using the light Never operate the video light close to flammable or explosive material Consult your nearest RCA authorized service center to replace the video light The video light and bulb need to cool for approximately 30 minutes after use before the bulb assembly is replaced ...

Page 46: ...ily outings or group functions Fading in and out of scenes makes your videos appear more professional Learn to use the special effects to add variety to your recordings Be aware of video and audio backgrounds Background details barely noticed while recording may show up as visual clutter on your recording Background noises especially TV sets radios household appliances traffic sounds etc might det...

Page 47: ...Chapter 4 Playback Chapter Overview Playback Options Choose Your Connection 45 Changing Entertainment Again ...

Page 48: ...vance the tape while in stop mode Notes If stop mode continues for 5 minutes when power is supplied from a battery the camcorder shuts off automatically to conserve power To turn the camcorder on again set the Power switch to OFF then to back to playback mode When the Power switch is set to and the LCD monitor is opened at an angle of 25 or more the LCD monitor switches on and the viewfinder switc...

Page 49: ...ial towards to brighten or to darken Controlling Speaker Volume Slide the Zoom Lever VOL towards to turn up the volume or towards to turn down the volume MENU BRIGHT TRACKING SNAPSHOT VOL STEADY PIX TBC DIGITAL DSC IN OUT P L A Y O F F A M STOP R RETAK E F LIG HT OF F AU TO ON COUNTER R M FADE WIPE P AE DIGIFECT BRIGHT dial VOL lever Tips The playback picture can be viewed in the viewfinder with t...

Page 50: ...r enters the Auto Tracking mode and AT appears Manual Tracking may not work with tapes that were recorded on other VCRs or camcorders Using TBC Time Base Corrector You may need to remove jitter from fluctuating video signals to deliver a stable picture even with old tapes The default setting is for TBC to be activated To activate the TBC mode press the TBC button during playback for more than 1 se...

Page 51: ... press COUNTER R M for less than 1 second until M disappears Still Playback Mode Still playback pauses the tape freezing a single frame 1 Press the Play Pause button during playback to freeze the image 2 To resume normal playback press the Play Pause button again Video noise appears on the screen and the picture may become monochrome during still playback This is normal If pause continues for more...

Page 52: ...he search continues as long as you hold down the button Once released normal playback resumes A slight mosaic effect appears on screen during shuttle search This is normal Video noise appears on the screen and the picture may become monochrome during shuttle search This is normal DSC STOP R RETAKE F LIGHT OFF AUTO ON C O U N T E R R M F A D E W I P E P A E D I G I F E C T CHARGE VIDEO REFRESH EJEC...

Page 53: ...andard VHS tapes Insert the VHS C tape into the cassette tape adapter Insert the adapter into the VHS VCR like a normal VHS tape 1 Remove battery compartment cover 2 Install supplied AA battery so positive and negative ends align properly with and terminals in battery compartment 3 Replace battery compartment cover Notes Replace the battery when the load time becomes much longer than normal Remove...

Page 54: ...he tape compartment lid 3 Insert the tape with the tape window on the left and facing up Allow the tape to drop into the adapter Do not force the tape 4 Gently close the tape compartment lid until it locks into place Make sure the tape reel area under the adapter is free to turn while the tape is loading Note You should hear a whirring sound while the tape loads Tape window Tape wheel VHS C tape E...

Page 55: ...pe loading is not complete Try to load the tape again Attempting to insert the cassette tape adapter into a VCR with the load detector extended may cause damage to the adapter and or VCR Caution Do not touch the reels during loading and unloading It could cause injury or damage the cassette tape adapter or tape Notes Tapes recorded in S VHS or S VHS ET mode cannot be played back on a regular VHS V...

Page 56: ... A M STOP R RETAKE F LIGH T OFF AUTO ON COUNTER R M FADE WIPE P AE DIGIFECT TV or VCR Optional S video cable Audio cable An audio cable must also be used when using an S video connection The S video cable only transfers video information 1 Attach the white plug on one end of the audio video cable to the AUDIO IN jack on the TV or VCR 2 Attach the yellow plug to the VIDEO IN jack on the TV or VCR 3...

Page 57: ...eve uniform playback Adjust the TV sound volume to its minimum level to avoid a sudden burst of sound when the camcorder is turned on If you have a TV or speakers that are not specially shielded do not place the speakers next to the TV as interference will occur in the camcorder playback picture To view the picture and sound from the camcorder without recording set the camcorder s Power switch to ...

Page 58: ...ate record button on the VCR 6 When you want to stop recording press the VCR s pause button and press on the camcorder 7 Repeat steps 4 through 6 for additional editing then stop the VCR and camcorder when finished Note If you wish to dub still images recorded with the DSC indicator on play back the still images and instead of doing the above steps 4 through 6 engage the VCR s Record mode DSC STOP...

Page 59: ...Chapter 5 Digital Still Camera Chapter Overview Digital Still Camera Recording and Playback System Requirements for Picture Navigator Connecting to a Windows PC 57 Changing Entertainment Again ...

Page 60: ...s built in memory These pictures can be transferred to a PC saved and edited using the included cable and software You can choose the quality of the pictures you want to record and four types of snapshots These snapshots can be viewed protected and deleted from memory Note Some sample pictures have been stored in memory and you can use the delete function to remove them ...

Page 61: ...amera can store more of them than in fine mode 1 Set the Power switch to M manual record The VIDEO indicator comes on 2 Press the MENU dial in The CAMERA MENU appears 3 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight TO SYSTEM MENU Press in the MENU dial to select it The SYSTEM MENU appears 4 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight PICTURE Press in the MENU dial to select it The PICTURE menu appears 5 Rotate the MENU...

Page 62: ...al to highlight TO SYSTEM MENU Press in the MENU dial to select it The SYSTEM MENU appears 5 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight SNAPSHOT Press in the MENU dial to select it The SNAPSHOT menu appears 6 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight the type of snapshot you want to take Power switch MENU BRIGHT TRACKING SNAPSHOT VOL STEADY PIX TBC DIGITAL DSC IN OUT P L A Y O F F A M STOP R RETAK E F LIG HT OF F ...

Page 63: ...lect MULTI 4 to take four snapshots in a quick progression giving the illusion of movement and place all four snapshots within one shot Select MULTI 9 to take nine shapshots in a quick progression giving the illusion of movement and place all nine images within one shot Note Snapshots taken in a dark area may become coarse and lose their true colors ...

Page 64: ...f the screen During the DSC recording the zooming see page 40 Steady Pix see page 41 and Video Light see page 42 functions can be operated Snapshots are taken in a format based on JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group When you use the LCD monitor outdoors under direct sunlight the LCD monitor may be difficult to see If this happens close the LCD monitor and use the viewfinder instead To store the ...

Page 65: ...s not on press REFRESH for approximately 1 second The DSC indicator comes on 3 Press and release quickly The snapshot is displayed for approximately 3 seconds DELETE PRESS PLAY BUTTON appears To delete the snapshot press If you want to keep it wait for the delete message to disappear DSC STOP R RETAKE F LIGHT OFF AUTO ON C O U N T E R R M F A D E W I P E P A E D I G I F E C T CHARGE VIDEO REFRESH ...

Page 66: ...hes off automatically to save power The playback picture can be viewed in the viewfinder with the LCD monitor shut on the LCD monitor or on a connected TV see page 54 When viewing a picture on a connected TV it may jitter slightly You can also view the picture on the LCD monitor with it flipped over and retracted To brighten the LCD monitor rotate the BRIGHT dial towards To darken the LCD monitor ...

Page 67: ...pshots in groups of 6 This also allows you to see which picture mode was selected for each picture and which ones are protected against accidental erasure 01 Index number The first snapshot taken is index 01 Let s say for example that a total of 10 images are stored index number 01 to 10 in memory If three images numbers 02 04 and 06 are deleted from memory the remaining images are automatically m...

Page 68: ...tely 1 second The DSC indicator comes on and a snapshot stored in memory is displayed 3 Press in the MENU dial The DSC menu appears 4 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight INDEX Press in the MENU dial to select it The index of the images in memory appears DSC STOP R RETAKE F LIGHT OFF AUTO ON C O U N T E R R M F A D E W I P E P A E D I G I F E C T CHARGE VIDEO REFRESH EJECT VIDEO indicator Power switc...

Page 69: ...memory is displayed 3 Press in the MENU dial The DSC menu appears 4 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight PROTECT Press in the MENU dial to select it The index of the images in memory appears 5 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight the image you want to protect Press in the MENU dial to select it A padlock icon appears on the image It can t be deleted now Repeat this procedure for all images you want to p...

Page 70: ...mory is displayed 3 Press in the MENU dial The DSC menu appears 4 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight PROTECT Press in the MENU dial to select it The index of the images in memory appears 5 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight the image you want to unprotect Press in the MENU dial to select it The padlock icon disappears from the image It can now be deleted Repeat this procedure for all images you want...

Page 71: ... in memory appears 6 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight the image you want to delete 7 Press in the MENU dial to select it A red X appears on the image 8 When finished rotate the MENU dial to NEXT at the top of the screen Press in the MENU dial to select it 9 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight ENTER The image s are deleted Note To cancel deleting images rotate the MENU dial to highlight CANCEL and p...

Page 72: ...apshot stored in memory is displayed 2 Press P AE for more than 5 seconds The FORMAT menu appears 3 Rotate the MENU dial to select CANCEL or ENTER Press in the MENU dial to select it CANCEL does not initialize the memory ENTER initializes the memory While the camcorder s memory is being erased ENTER blinks When finished the screen becomes blue Very important Never turn off the camcorder or remove ...

Page 73: ...nd press it twice Very important Never turn off the camcorder or remove the power battery or AC while the memory is being erased The built in memory may become corrupt Notes Protected images see pages 67 68 cannot be deleted with the above operation To delete them remove protection first If the remaining number of shots is not 30 in the FINE mode or 60 in the STANDARD mode after you have deleted a...

Page 74: ...isplay capable of at least 640 x 680 pixels 256 colors recommended 800 x 600 pixels 32 000 colors 1 free serial transmission port compatible with 9600 bps or higher transmission rate connectable to RS 232C with 9 pin serial connector Note An optional 9 pin serial conversion adapter is required for computers using a serial communication port other than a standard 9 pin Mouse Windows compatible Micr...

Page 75: ...TEA DY PIX T BC DIGITAL DSC IN OUT P L A Y O F F A M STOP R RETA KE F LIG HT OF F AU TO ON COUNTER R M FADE WIPE P AE DIGIFECT DIGITAL DSC IN OUT 4 Set the Power switch to The VIDEO or DSC indicator comes on 5 If the DSC indicator is not on press REFRESH for approximately 1 second The DSC indicator comes on and a snapshot stored in memory is displayed When transferring snapshots to a computer be s...

Page 76: ...he personal computer in the selected Picture Mode When transferring snapshots from your personal computer to the camcorder make sure the number of images to be transferred is smaller than the camcorder s remaining number of shots available Use the power supply instead of the battery pack to power the camcorder The snapshots stored in the camcorder s memory are not automatically removed after you t...

Page 77: ...Chapter 6 Advanced Features Chapter Overview Using the Menus for Advanced Adjustment Menu Definitions Using the Advanced Features 75 Changing Entertainment Again ...

Page 78: ... go to the next page rotate the MENU dial to highlight NEXT Press in the MENU dial to select it To return to the CAMERA MENU from page 2 of the SYSTEM MENU rotate the MENU dial to highlight TO CAMERA MENU Press in the MENU dial to select it 4 Press in the MENU dial to display the menu for the function you have selected and rotate it to select the desired setting 5 Press in the MENU dial The CAMERA...

Page 79: ...cal zoom limit to a maximum of 400X digital magnification OFF Digital Zoom isn t available Only optical zoom maximum 16x magnification can function When set to OFF during Digital Zoom zoom magnification changes to 16X Activated only when VIDEO is selected the DSC indicator is not on If DSC is selected the DSC indicator is on this function will not be activated even though the highlight bar on the ...

Page 80: ...ayback cassette warning tape remaining time battery pack remaining power icon and tape length icon Refer to Picture Mode Setting see page 59 Displayed when DSC the DSC indicator is on is selected see pages 60 61 Refer to Animation and Time Lapse see pages 91 92 Refer to Time Lapse see page 92 Factory preset OFF Usually the distance to a subject where the lens is in focus depends on the zoom magnif...

Page 81: ...nu Rotate the MENU dial to highlight OFF Then press in the MENU dial again to select it Note When a tape is loaded in the camcorder the demonstration is not available Automatic demonstration will not take place TITLE LANG DATE TIME DEMO MODE ON OFF Activated only when VIDEO is selected the DSC indicator is not on If DSC is selected the DSC indicator is on this function will not be activated even t...

Page 82: ...Fade ins or wipe ins work at recording start and fade outs or wipe outs work at recording end 1 Set the Power switch to M manual record 2 If the DSC indicator comes on press REFRESH for approximately 1 second to select VIDEO 3 Press FADE WIPE repeatedly until the desired mode s name and icon appear They are displayed for approximately 2 seconds then the name disappears so that only the icon remain...

Page 83: ...t corner revealing the scene Wipes out from lower left to upper right leaving a black screen WINDOW Wipes in on a black screen from the center of the screen towards the corners revealing the scene Wipes out from the corners to the center leaving a black screen Note Pressing and holding the Recording Start Stop button allows you to vary the length for the image during fade in out or wipe in out DSC...

Page 84: ...TS High shutter speed clearly captures fast moving action SD SHADOW A black mist darkens the picture as when an ND filter is used Helps to counter the effects of glare on the subject HZ HAZE Makes the picture look misty white as if you re using an external fog filter and softens the image TWILIGHT Dusk twilight scenery fireworks etc look more natural and dramatic When Twilight mode is selected Aut...

Page 85: ...for approximately 2 seconds then the name disappears so that only the icon remains 4 To cancel the effect press DIGIFECT repeatedly until OFF appears OFF is displayed for approximately 2 seconds SEPIA Recorded scenes have a brownish tint like old photos Combine this with the 16x9 mode see page 78 for a classic look B W MONOTONE Recorded scenes are shot in black and white Combine this with the 16x9...

Page 86: ...ackground such as at the beach or when skiing When the background is overly dark or the subject light 1 Set the Power switch to M manual record 2 Press REFRESH for approximately 1 second to select VIDEO or DSC 3 Press in the MENU dial The CAMERA MENU appears 4 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight EXPOSURE Press in the MENU dial to highlight it The EXPOSURE menu appears 5 Rotate the MENU dial to highl...

Page 87: ...s a flat one color wall or a clear blue sky The low contrast warning appears When a dark object is barely visible in the viewfinder The low contrast warning appears When the scene contains small patterns or identical patterns that are regularly repeated When the scene is affected by sunbeams or light reflecting off the surface of a body of water When shooting a scene with a high contrast backgroun...

Page 88: ...s If the lens is smeared or blurred accurate focusing isn t possible Keep the lens clean wiping it with a piece of soft cloth if it gets dirty If condensation occurs wipe the lens with a soft cloth or wait for it to dry naturally When shooting a subject close to the lens zoom out first see page 40 When zooming in the auto focus mode the camcorder could automatically zoom out depending on the dista...

Page 89: ...pproximately 1 second to select VIDEO or DSC 2 Press in the MENU dial The CAMERA MENU appears 3 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight M W B Press in the MENU dial to select it The M W B menu appears 4 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight the desired setting AUTO White balance is adjusted automatically factory preset FINE Outdoors on a sunny day CLOUD Outdoors on a cloudy day HALOGEN A video light or simi...

Page 90: ...he tint Red paper deeper green Blue paper orange Yellow paper deeper purple Notes A subject can be shot under various types of lighting conditions indoors natural fluorescent candlelight etc Because the color temperature is different depending on the light source the subject tint will differ depending on the white balance settings Use this function for a more natural result Once you adjust white b...

Page 91: ...ted Notes DISPLAY The selected display can be recorded If you do not want to record the display select the OFF mode before shooting The date time is displayed during the VIDEO mode only and it is recorded only onto the tape AUTO DATE In this mode the date is replaced after 5 seconds with AUTO DATE but isn t recorded Your camcorder automatically records the date for about 5 seconds after you do the...

Page 92: ...lect it The TITLE menu appears 4 Rotate the MENU dial to highlight the desired mode Press in the MENU dial to select it Notes The title is displayed during the VIDEO mode only and it is recorded only onto the tape The selected title will remain until OFF is selected in the TITLE Menu DSC STOP R RETAKE F LIGHT OFF AUTO ON C O U N T E R R M F A D E W I P E P A E D I G I F E C T CHARGE VIDEO REFRESH ...

Page 93: ...o select it The REC TIME menu appears 7 Rotate the MENU dial to select the desired recording time Press in the MENU dial to select it The SYSTEM MENU reappears with RETURN highlighted 8 Press the MENU dial in again to close the SYSTEM MENU 9 Press the Recording Start Stop button after focusing on the subject The recording stops automatically after the selected period of time Repeat for the desired...

Page 94: ...tervals alternate automatically 6 To release the Time Lapse mode press the Recording Start Stop button to display PAUSE Then set REC TIME and INT TIME in the menus to OFF Notes for Animation and Time Lapse For best results make sure the camcorder is secured when shooting in Animation or Time Lapse mode Fade in out or wipe in out can t be performed during Animation or Time Lapse shooting After usin...

Page 95: ... Troubleshooting Final Notes Care and Cleaning Traveling Tips Specifications Customer Assistance and Service Limited Warranty FCC Declaration of Conformity and Industry Canada Information Optional Accessories Index 93 Changing Entertainment Again ...

Page 96: ...onnected see page 11 The power suddenly goes off and does not come back on by itself Turn the Power switch off and then on again The battery pack has completely discharged Remove the tape and disconnect the power source then after a few minutes try reconnecting and turning the power back on If it still does not come on consult your nearest RCA authorized service center Feature and Function Problem...

Page 97: ...e to any defect of the unit The icons and the picture color on the LCD monitor are not clear This may occur when the surface or the edge of the LCD monitor is pressed The LCD monitor the viewfinder and the lens are dirty Wipe them gently with soft cloth Gently wipe the LCD monitor in a semicircle because wiping strongly spreads the stain and it won t come out easily An error number i e E03 appears...

Page 98: ...pe set the camcorder to the Recording mode for about 5 seconds so that the tape runs smoothly Using the Fade in function at this point is a good way to begin an animated program Playback Problems The tape is running but there is no playback picture The TV has not been set to its VIDEO input channel If Audio Video connection is used the TV s VIDEO TV switch has not been set to VIDEO Playback can t ...

Page 99: ...ear If you remove the power source from the camcorder while the power is on all settings and selections are erased Make sure to turn the camcorder s power off before disconnecting the power source The wrong date and time are displayed recorded If you have not performed Date Time Setting see page 22 the date and time are not displayed recorded correctly Be sure that Date Time setting is carried out...

Page 100: ...ction then try deleting all snapshots again see pages 68 69 If images cannot be deleted even after you have unprotected them you may need to initialize the memory This will erase all the images including protected see page 70 There seems to be a problem with storing images in memory Try to delete some of the images then try to take a few more snapshots If that doesn t work you may need to save any...

Page 101: ...th reception do not use the AC power supply near a radio Since the AC power supply processes electricity internally it becomes warm during use Be sure to use it only in well ventilated areas The following stops charging or discharging Setting the Power switch to A or M Disconnecting the AC power supply from the camcorder Unplugging the AC power supply s cord from the AC outlet Detaching the batter...

Page 102: ...d the power goes off automatically if left in this condition for 5 minutes TAPE END also appears when a tape whose tape is already at its end is loaded If the Recording Start Stop button is pressed after the Record Standby mode has continued for over 5 minutes recording may not start immediately While shooting sound is not heard from the speaker TBC Time Base Corrector The TBC icon turns yellow gr...

Page 103: ...lly remove the unit Wait a few minutes and reinsert it When the camcorder is suddenly moved from a cold environment to a warm environment wait a short time before opening the cassette tape holder door Closing the cassette tape holder door before the holder comes out may damage the camcorder Even when the camcorder is turned off a tape can still be loaded or unloaded After the cassette tape holder ...

Page 104: ...p and wring the cloth well Then wipe again with a dry cloth 2 Open the LCD monitor and wipe it gently with a soft dry cloth Close it when done 3 To clean the lens blow it with air using a blower brush Wipe gently with lens cleaning paper 4 To clean the viewfinder raise it to the vertical position Turn the eyepiece counterclockwise and pull it out Insert a lens blower or soft cloth into the gap to ...

Page 105: ...mcorder make sure your hands and face are free from any chemical products such as suntan lotion as it might damage the finish The camcorder might be damaged by improper storage or handling Do not subject the camcorder to swinging shaking or dropping Do not store the camcorder in temperatures below 22 F 30 C or above 149 F 65 C When the camcorder is not in use always remove the tape and AC power su...

Page 106: ... All dust is abrasive and causes excessive wear on the tape and the camcorder s recording and playback heads Never use tapes with damaged or spliced tape Do not use a tape if it has been damaged or exposed to moisture The tape might jam and or damage the camcorder CD ROM Care Take care not to soil or scratch the mirror surface opposite to the printed surface Do not write anything or put a sticker ...

Page 107: ...xtended periods of time The resulting heat buildup might permanently damage the camcorder s internal parts or reduce the life of the clock battery Do not operate the camcorder in extremely humid environments Do not operate the camcorder near the ocean as salt water or spray might damage the internal parts of the camcorder Do not operate the camcorder for extended periods in temperatures below 40 F...

Page 108: ... be avoided If your lens has been exposed to the elements clean it only with proper lens cleaning supplies Make sure you have any plug adapters that you might need before taking your camcorder to other countries Consult your dealer for advice Carry your camcorder in a carrying case when traveling See the accessories section page 116 for a case designed especially for this camcorder An ordinary sui...

Page 109: ...640 x 480 pixels when captured on a PC Specifications Operating temperature 0 C to 40 C 32 F to 104 F Operating humidity 35 to 80 Storage temperature 20 C to 50 C 4 F to 122 F Weight Approx 900 g 2 0 lbs Dimensions W x H x D 206 mm x 112 mm x 118 mm 8 1 8 x 4 7 16 x 4 11 16 with the LCD monitor closed and with the viewfinder fully tilted downward Pickup 1 4 format CCD Lens F1 6 f 3 9 mm to 62 4 mm...

Page 110: ... 75 Ω analog output C 0 29 V p p 75 Ω analog output AC Power Supply Power requirement U S A and Canada AC 120 V 60 Hz Other countries AC 110 V to 240 V 50 Hz 60 Hz Output DC 11 V 1 A Dimensions W x H x D 59 mm x 31 mm x 69 mm 2 3 8 x 1 1 4 x 2 3 4 Weight Approx 130 g 0 29 lbs CC6394 only ...

Page 111: ...rchase ready when you call If your unit is out of warranty we will quote the cost of a repair or replacement unit to you Returning equipment to Thomson for repair or exchange If we are unable to resolve your problem over the phone we will gladly service your unit or exchange it for a new or refurbished camcorder Refer to the limited warranty on the reverse side to learn about your specific rights ...

Page 112: ...be returned to you at your expense Include a brief note describing the problem and any conversations about the problem you have had with Thomson personnel Include your name address and model serial number of the camcorder These numbers are located on the bottom of the camcorder If the camcorder is within the warranty period please provide a copy of the bill of sale to verify purchase date Use the ...

Page 113: ...ter the 90 days and within one year Exchange your camcorder with a new or refurbished unit or repair your camcorder The option will be ours Parts will be provided at no charge but you will be responsible for the cost of labor required for the repair How you get service Call 1 800 283 6503 and have your unit s date of purchase and model serial number ready The model serial number information is on ...

Page 114: ...lude with the shipment Evidence of purchase date such as a bill of sale to verify your unit s warranty eligibility A brief note describing your camcorder s problem Your name address and phone number Return transportation storage handling and insurance costs are your sole responsibility We accept no liability in case of damage or loss Option II 1 For a fee of 10 00 we will send a replacement unit t...

Page 115: ...rized RCA Camcorder Service Center of your choice Show the Authorized RCA Camcorder Service Center representative evidence of purchase date such as a bill of sale Pick up your camcorder when repairs are complete What your warranty does not cover Adjustment of customer controls Damage from misuse or neglect A unit that has been modified or incorporated into other products or is used for institution...

Page 116: ...er rights that vary from state to state If you purchased your camcorder outside the United States This warranty does not apply Contact your dealer for warranty information Service calls that do not involve defective materials or workmanship are not covered by this warranty Costs of such calls are the sole responsibility of the purchaser ...

Page 117: ...ever there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception which you can determine by turning the equipment off and on try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna that is the antenna for the radio or television that is rece...

Page 118: ...able through toll free ordering or by using the order form found on page 119 AC201A Soft Carrying Case Custom compact soft case designed especially to provide protection and utility for your camcorder and most accessories Rugged fabric lined with soft nonabrasive material and generous padding Has three outside pockets with storage for lens filters adapters batteries and tapes ACS091 Shoulder Strap...

Page 119: ...than approximately three eighths 3 8 of an inch Forcing the screw could damage the mounting hole on the bottom of the camcorder Used to attach the camcorder to an external component like a TV or VCR Using the Optional AC088 Tripod Mounting the camcorder on a tripod such as AC088 keeps the camcorder steady and produces excellent video results This tripod s fluid effect head provides smooth camera p...

Page 120: ...e have your Visa MasterCard or Discover card ready and call the toll free number listed below Use this number only to place an order for accessory items listed on this order form 1 800 338 0376 To place your order by mail detach and mail the completed order form with credit card information money order or check in U S currency made payable to Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc to the following addre...

Page 121: ... Cable VH83 5 95 Extended Life Battery BB99L 69 99 All prices subject to change without notice Total Merchandise _________ Sales Tax _________ We are required by law to collect the appropriate sales tax for each individual state county and locality to which the merchandise is being sent Shipping and Handling _________ Total Amount Enclosed _________ Use VISA MasterCard or Discover Money order or c...

Page 122: ...n date Copy Number above your name on MasterCard AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE Prices are subject to change without notice Please make sure that both sides of this form have been filled out completely Allow 4 weeks for delivery All accessories are subject to availability IMPORTANT Copy complete account number from your Discover Card Expiration date Print or type your name and address clearly A complete and...

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Page 124: ...arging the battery 16 Choose your connection 51 Cleaning 102 Clock adjustment 22 Connecting to a TV or VCR with A V inputs 54 Connecting to a Windows PC 73 Counter memory 49 Customer assistance and service 109 D Date and time setting 22 Date time insert 89 Deleting all images 71 Deleting Images 69 Deleting select images 69 Digital and optical zoom 40 Digital effects 83 Digital still camera recordi...

Page 125: ...6 Picture mode 65 Picture quality setting 59 Picture quality icon 36 Playback basic 46 normal 64 still 49 using cassette adapter 51 Playback on a TV or VCR with A V inputs 55 Playback options 46 Plug adapter 20 Power supply 20 attaching 11 POWER switch 55 Power zoom lever volume control 47 Powering the camcorder 12 16 Preset titles 33 Product registration 2 Program AE with special effects 82 Prote...

Page 126: ... icons 33 Steady Pix icon 35 Steady Pix 41 Still playback 49 STOP button 55 System requirements for Picture Navigator 72 T Tape care and storage 104 Tape dubbing 56 Tape length setting 26 Tape length icon 35 Tape recording speed setting 25 Tape speed icon 35 TBC Time Base Corrector 48 TBC Time Base Corrector icon 36 Time counter icon 36 Time Lapse 92 Time remaining icon 36 Tips traveling 105 Title...

Page 127: ...mages 68 V Video light 12 42 Video light details 42 Viewfinder 14 W W and T zoom lever 40 Warning icons 30 Warranty 111 White balance adjustment 87 Wipes 81 Z Zoom level icon 34 Zoom lever 34 40 Zooming digital 40 optical 40 zoom lever 40 ...

Page 128: ...any products to the Indianapolis address listed in this manual or on the carton This will only add delays in service for your product 2001 Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc Trademark s Registered Marca s Registrada s Printed in Japan TOCOM 1571624B Part No LYT0730 001A VP ...