RCA Pro852, User Manual

Page 1: ...camcorder p m user s guide Pro852 Pro854 ...

Page 2: ...e la fiche dans la borne correspondante de la prise et pousserjusqu au fond CAUTION Avoid operating your camcorder immediately after moving it from a cold location to a warm location Give the camcorder 1 1 2 to 12hours to reach a stable temperature before inserting a video cassette When moved from a cold area to a warm location moisture may condense on the head drum inside the machine This moistur...

Page 3: ... 11 Using the Optional AC Adapter Charger 12 13 Remote Control 14 17 Recording Video Cassettes 18 Making a Recording 19 Viewfinder Displays 20 21 Recording Features Viewfinder 22 Beep Function 22 Flying Erase Head 23 iii Microphone 23 DISPLAY Button 23 White Balance and Iris 23 Tape Time Remaining Display 23 Quick Review 24 Camera Edit 24 Blank Search 24 Zooming 25 AE Shutter Control 25 Focusing 2...

Page 4: ...anual Caution Do not use this adapter for any other purpose than AC Adapter supplying Part No 221424 234632 power to this camcorder Remote control Part No 233195 Lens Cap Cord Part No 234328 Shoulder Strap Part No 213004 Audio Video Output Cable Part No 217496 O Q Clock and Remote Cells 3 Volt Micro Lithium Cells such as CR2025 available from most local drug stores and camera shops Use of other ce...

Page 5: ...ap Note Make sure the end of the strap is positioned securely before closing the flap B Thread one end of the shoulder strap through one of the shoulder strap rings Shoulder Strap Rings C Thread the strap back into the buckle as shown below Pull on the strap and make sure it is fastened securely before using it to support your camcorder Cautions When carrying the camcorder with the shoulder strap ...

Page 6: ...ack C Close the battery compartment Press the PUSH button to lock the battery compartment shut D Plug the AC adapter s power cord into an AC operating outlet Install Six Optional AA Alkaline Batteries If you do not want to use the adapter you may use six AA alkaline batteries PUSH here to open battery compartment 4 A B Press on the PUSH button to release the battery compartment door Open the compa...

Page 7: ...partment by pressing on the area labeled PUSH until it clicks into place The top closes automatically Do not press down on the top as it may damage the camcorder 7 Adjust viewfinder focus Turn the eyepiece focus control right or left to obtain the clearest possible picture Start and stop recording Press and release the REC START STOP button thumb trigger to start recording REC appears in the viewf...

Page 8: ...mote Holder Located in Battery Compartment Model Pro854 Only B Bright and C Color Controls Model Pr0852 Only B Bright and F Focus Controls See Trouble Checks for details Cassette Compartment PLA Y VCR CAM Button and PLA Y VCR CAM and CHARGE Indicators Button Button Button STOP Button BLANK Button DISPLAY BLANK PLAY STOP PAUSE EJECT Button JVER Switch Handstrap REC S TAR T STOP Button Thumb Trigger...

Page 9: ...tery compartment Carefully open the compartment fully Insert the small plug on the AC adapter in the DC IN jack on the camcorder Close the battery compartment Press the PUSH button to lock the battery compartment shut Plug the AC adapter s power cord into an operating outlet Remove the AC Adapter Unplug the adapter from the wall outlet Open the battery compartment and remove the plug from the DC I...

Page 10: ...t over 149 F 65 C could be hazardous Install the Battery 1 Press the PUSH button to open the battery compartment Carefully open the compartment fully 2 Insert the battery sideways as shown and snap into place 3 Close the battery compartment Press the PUSH button to lock the battery compartment shut Remove the Battery 1 Press the PUSH button to open the battery compartment Carefully open the compar...

Page 11: ... into the CHARGE position The CHARGE indicator will light and the battery will begin charging 5 The battery takes approximately 12 hours to charge When the CHARGE indicator starts flashing make sure to unplug the adapter from the wall outlet and the camcorder Notes After approximately 16 hours the CHARGE indicator will begin flashing to remind you that the battery is charged Your battery may be ch...

Page 12: ...ed If the battery is recharged and not used it will slowly lose its charge Make sure to exhaust the charge of the battery pack completely when recording If the battery pack is recharged when the previous charge is not completely exhausted the charge time gradually decreases Charge the battery within a temperature range of 50 F to 86 F 10 C to 30 C to prevent damage After repeated chargings and use...

Page 13: ... of the batteries Safety Precautions When Using Alkaline Batteries Do not short disassemble heat or throw the batteries into a fire Do not recharge the batteries or short the battery terminals Do not short the battery terminals for the nickel cadmium batter Batteries become warm during and after use Use caution when removing them Use AA alkaline batteries only during their recommended lifetime Rem...

Page 14: ...40V 50 60Hz The POWER indicator lights Align the reference marks on the battery with marks on the adapter charger and slide the battery in the direction of the arrow until it locks The CHARGE indicator lights while battery is charging Remove the battery when the CHARGE indicator turns off Notes Make sure AC power cord is removed from the outlet when finished If the CHARGE indicator flashes rapidly...

Page 15: ...on to open the battery compartment Carefully open the compartment fully 2 Plug one end of the optional DC cable into the DC OUT jack on the adapter charger and the other end into the DC IN jack on the camcorder 3 Close the battery compartment Press the PUSH button to lock the battery compartment shut 4 Plug the AC adapter charger power cord into an AC operating outlet The adapter charger s POWER i...

Page 16: ... if it will not be used for a month or more This will prevent possible damage from cell leakage If leakage occurs wipe up liquid inside compartment and replace cell Cautions Lithium cell Replace only with 3 volt lithium cell such as CR2025 Use of other cell presents a risk of fire or explosion Must be disposed of properly Never handle punctured or leaking cell May cause burns or personal injury Ke...

Page 17: ...ol When you are not using the remote control you may want to store it in the remote control holder located in the camcorder s battery compartment Remot Control Holder J 1 Remot _ _ Control _ _i_ Holder _ _ j Store the Remote Control 1 Press the PUSH button to open the battery compartment Carefully open the compartment fully 2 Insert the remote control in the remote control holder and click it into...

Page 18: ...g record or record pause Press T to move the lens in the telephoto close up direction Press W to move the lens in the wide angle direction DISPLAY Button Press this button to have the viewfinder displays appear on a TV monitor Details are on pages 23 and 35 COUNTER MEMORY and RESET Buttons Used with the time counter and memory stop feature Details are on page 30 STOP Button When the camcorder is i...

Page 19: ...ons and should not be used for an extended period of time If the camcorder remains in pause for more than three minutes it will automatically enter the stop mode and then turn off REC Record Button When the camcorder is in CAM camera mode press REC to start and stop recording PLA Y Button Press PLAY when the camcorder is in PLAY VCR mode to begin playback F FWD Fast Forward Button Camcorder is in ...

Page 20: ...he safety tab on top and the tape window facing out 4 Gently press the compartment where it is labeled PUSH until it clicks into place The top closes automatically CAUTION Do not press down on the top or you may damage your camcorder Erase Protection Safety Tab You can protect your video cassettes from being erased by closing the safety tab To erase a previous recording open the safety tab and rec...

Page 21: ...ontrol for your vision 6 Start and stop recording Press and release the thumb trigger REC START STOP button to start recording REC appears in the view finder Zoom Control Camera Indicator Switch Thumb Trigger Press and release the thumb trigger again to stop recording The camcorder is now in record pause PA USE appears in the viewfinder The camcorder will automatically turn off if it remains in re...

Page 22: ...th the exception of the TAPE indicator causes the camcorder to beep 10 times Details are on page 22 TAPE appears during recording when there is approximately five minutes of tape left TAPE END appears when the end of the tape is reached during recording or a cassette is inserted with its tape already at the end _ appears when the safety tab on the cassette has been closed no cassette is in the cam...

Page 23: ...f these indicators appears when the focus has been locked Details on page 26 Tape Time Remaining Indicator This indicator shows the approximate amount of tape remaining in the cassette Details on page 23 Battery Level Indicator This indicator shows how much power is left in the rechargeable battery Details are on page 10 AUTO DATE Date Date and Time or 88 88 AUTO DATE date or date and time appears...

Page 24: ...ece Focus Control Look through the viewfinder and adjust the eyepiece focus control for your vision Use the viewfinder s on screen displays to set the correct focus Eyepiece focusing does not affect the picture while recording Beep Function Your camcorder is equipped with a beep function that sounds in the following conditions One beep during a standard operation power on recording or playback sta...

Page 25: ...halfway point of the tape Microphone The microphone picks up the sound during a recording It is more sensitive to sounds coming from the direction the lens is pointed DISPLAY Button Press the DISPLAY button when the camcorder is connected to a TV monitor to have the viewfinder displays appear on the TV screen They will be recorded during tape copying if they appear Press DISPLAY again to remove th...

Page 26: ...corder to record pause at that point on the tape Press the thumb trigger REC on remote to start recording at this point Blank Search With the press of a button the camcorder advances through the tape looking for a blank section This feature saves time and tape by locating the end of the last recorded segment I 2 Place the camcorder in record pause Press the BLANK button The camcorder fast forwards...

Page 27: ...m control toward T or press the ZOOM T button on the remote To move the lens in the wide angle Control T W Viewfinder Display direction slide the control toward W or press the ZOOM W button on the remote The zoom level indicator appears in the viewfinder AE Automatic Exposure Shutter Speed Control The camcorder automatically adjusts the shutter speed 1 60 1 100 1 150 or 1 250 according to the ligh...

Page 28: ...ature FOCUSLOCK will appear for a few seconds and then will remain in the viewfinder FOCUSLOCK Conditions Requiring Focus Lock When recording a subject through a dirty window When recording two subjects one nearby and one in the distance When recording a horizontally or vertically striped subject When the subject is not in the center of the viewfinder When recording very bright subjects When recor...

Page 29: ...l To remove cell slide the cell out of the cell holder Cautions Lithium cell Replace only with 3 volt lithium cell such as CR2025 Use of other cell presents a risk of fire or explosion Must be disposed of properly Never handle punctured or leaking cell May cause burns or personal injury Keep out of the hands of children Can cause death or injury if swallowed If swallowed consult a physician immedi...

Page 30: ...own the DATE TIME and FOCUS LOCK buttons until the reset time and date appears A flashing cursor lets you know which part of the display you are setting Press the DATE TIME button repeatedly until the correct month appears Then press FOCUS LOCK The flashing cursor will move to the next part of the display Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have entered the correct month day year hour with AM or PM and...

Page 31: ...OMy No Display AM 12 00 00 11 18 1996 Dateand Time Select the Display to Record _ Repeatedly press DATE TIME to select the display you want to record Select AUTO DATE to automatically record the date for 15 seconds at the beginning of the first recording of the day Note AUTO DATE will remain selected even if the POWER switch is turned off Select date only to continuously record the date Select dat...

Page 32: ...the PLAY VCR CAM button to light the green PLAY VCR indicator and press PLAY 2 Press COUNTER RESET on the remote control to reset the time counter to 0 00 00 3 Press CO UNTER MEMORY on the remote control to turn the time counter s memory stop feature on When memory stop is on an M appears before the time counter in the viewfinder 4 Continue to play the tape When you want to return to the place you...

Page 33: ...dmarks and scenic attractions Recordings are more interesting if they include people and details Local color will give travel videos lasting appeal Consider recording a familiar or landmark scene from an unfamiliar vantage point Traveling Tips Write down your camcorder s serial number and keep it separate from the camcorder when traveling If your camcorder is lost or stolen you will be able to ide...

Page 34: ... t Viewfinder Playback 1 Slide the POWER switch upward to turn on the camcorder 2 Press the VCR PLA D CAM button to put the camcorder in the playback mode The green VCR PLAY indicator will light 3 Press EJECT and insert the cassette you want to play back Close the cassette compartment 4 Press PLAY to begin playback During playback use the playback features described on the next page 5 Press STOP w...

Page 35: ... turn on the camcorder 2 Press the VCR PLA Y CAM button to put the camcorder in the playback mode The green VCR PLAY indicator will light 3 Press and quickly release REW or F FWD to rewind or fast forward the tape 4 Press STOP to stop the tape Stop Action Pause t During playback press PAUSE to stop the action and view one frame of the tape Press PLAY or PA USE to return to normal playback Caution ...

Page 36: ...or Yellow Video Plug 4 _ i 1 I _ _ Audio _ IAuo o White k _ T t vibE _ Audio _ __ _Optional Y Adapter I N W Plug I _ _ such as AH25 i Audio Video _ i Cable _ Yellow Video Plug Installation Attach the white plug on one end of the audio video cable to the AUDIO IN jack on the TV or VCR Notes If your TV or VCR has stereo AUDIO IN jacks attach the plug to the one labeled MONO If one is not labeled MON...

Page 37: ...unter reaches M 0 00 00 6 Press STOP when you are finished Caution The unauthorized recording of copyrighted material may infringe the rights of others Viewing What the Camcorder is Seeing or Recording 1 A Camcorder connected directly to 2 TV Turn on the TV and tune it to the video input channel Slide the POWER switch upwards toward POWER The red CAM indicator will light B Camcorder connected to V...

Page 38: ...ter Transformer Installation lo Disconnect the VHF antenna from your TV Connect the antenna to the connector on the RF output adapter as shown above if you are going to leave the adapter connected to the TV Note If your VHF antenna is the flat twin lead type attached by two screws you will also need an optional 300 75 ohm transformer Attach one end of the optional coaxial RF cable to the other con...

Page 39: ...RF output adapter to the same channel you selected on the TV 3 Press PLAY VCR CAM button to place the camcorder in the CAM mode The red CAM indicator will light 4 Press the thumb trigger to begin recording You can watch what the camcorder is seeing or recording on the TV screen Notes The remote will also operate the camcorder Press the DISPLAY button to have the camcorder s displays appear on the ...

Page 40: ... Custom compact soft case designed especially to provide protection and utility for your compact VHS camcorder and most accessories Rugged fabric lined with soft non abrasive material and generous padding Has adjustable dividers for custom fit for lens filters adapters batteries and tapes These RF cables are used with the RF output adapter to connect your camcorder to a standard TV one without aud...

Page 41: ...r DCC100 DC Cable This DC cable lets you connect the CPS801C AC adapter charger or the DCC05 DC car cord adapter charger directly to the camcorder This adapter is used with a coaxial RF cable to connect your camcorder to a standard TV one without audio video VH54 Cable Transformer This 75 to 300 ohm transformer is used to connect a standard 75 ohm antenna cable such as VH82 or VH90 to the 300 ohm ...

Page 42: ...llow for sure footing Cautions Before using a tripod make sure it is stable enough to hold the camcorder without falling over Do not transport the camcorder attached to the tripod When attac_ng your camcorder to a tripod be careful not to force the tripod screw into the camc0rder s tripod mounting hole The tripod screw should not protrude into the camcorder more than approximately three eighth 3 8...

Page 43: ...96 CPS801C 221424 233195 234329 234330 234632 Price 39 95 39 95 1 95 12 95 59 95 1 95 4 95 5 95 12 95 48 45 _ 118 75 104 85 36 85 45 95 49 95 104 85 IQty Prices are 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 5 00 To...

Page 44: ...ard _ Expiration date _ IMPORTANT Copy complete account number from your Discover Card IIII II I I I II I I I II T T _ Expiration date _ l T AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE Prices are subject to change without notice Print or type your name and address clearly This will be your mailing label A complete and correct order will save you days of waiting Name Street City State Apt Zip 2 t_ Please make sure that b...

Page 45: ... the toll free number listed below between 8AM and 8PM EST Monday through Friday or between 9AM and 5PM EST Saturday 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...

Page 46: ...nd then gently wipe the lens with cleaning tissue and commercially prepared cleaning solution designed for use on camera lens Improper cleaning may scratch the lens Lens Caution Do not touch the lens with your fingers The oil from your skin can damage the lens Cleaning the Camcorder s Viewfinder The viewfinder eyepiece can be removed for cleaning 1 Turn the eyepiece counterclockwise and pull it ou...

Page 47: ... moving it from a cold location to a warm location Give the camcorder 1 1 2 to 2 hours to reach a stable temperature before inserting a cassette When the camcorder is moved from cold to warm condensation may cause the tape to stick to the headwheel and damage the headwheel or tape Do not aim your camcorder at the sun or other bright objects Do not leave your camcorder in direct sunlight for extend...

Page 48: ...harged If using AC adapter or AC adapter charger make sure it is plugged into a working outlet If using AA batteries they may need to be replaced If the dew indicator gl flashes in the viewfinder there is moisture in the camcorder Wait until the dew indicator no longer appears before operating the camcorder Make sure PLAY VCR CAM button is in the CAM camera or PLAY VCR mode See page 5 There may no...

Page 49: ... again to continue rewinding or fast forwarding or press COUNTER MEMORY on the remote to turn off the memory stop feature Press PLAY or PA USE to return to normal playback Subject was too far from camcorder Subject is not in center of viewfinder or two subjects are at different distances Use the focus lock feature See page 26 Lens is smudged and image appears unfocused Eyepiece focus control is mi...

Page 50: ...e 28 This may occur when background extremely contrasts with the subject If battery has not been used for some time completely drain the battery s power and then recharge it Battery run times are measured when the camcorder is recording continuously You can check your battery by first fully charging it and then aiming the camcorder at a clock and recording the picture of the clock When the recordi...

Page 51: ... to avoid delays accounting errors or even loss of your unit Important information to customers Thomson Consumer Electronics The Thomson representative who authorized the return of your equipment will give you an RA number over the phone They will also provide you with instructions on where and how to return your camcorder Write the number in large clear characters on the outside of the box To avo...

Page 52: ...e exchange point next business day delivery in the continental USA 2 The exchange location will notify you of its arrival 3 Take your unit excluding all accessories and your evidence of purchase date such as a bill of sale to the exchange location and you will be provided the new or refurbished unit 4 If the repairs were covered by your warranty you will not be billed If you are not located near a...

Page 53: ...payment a new or refurbished unit will be shipped to you next day delivery in the continental USA To have your Camcorder repaired by an Authorized RCA Camcorder Servicenter Check with your dealer or call 1 800 336 1900 for the Authorized RCA Camcorder Servicenter nearest you Take your unit to the Authorized RCA Camcorder Servicenter of your choice Show the Authorized RCA Camcorder Servicenter repr...

Page 54: ...ype 270 000 pixels Pro852 0 6 inch electronic B W viewfinder Pro854 0 55 inch electronic color viewfinder 16x zoom F1 4 2 8 f 4 0 to 64ram Fuzzy logic auto focus Fuzzy logic auto white balance Fuzzy logic auto iris 6V Ni Cd battery pack 6 5V Optional AC adapter charger CPS801 C 9V Alkaline batteries 6 AA AC adapter 221424 234632 Pro852 4 8W Pro854 5 4W during recording 32 F to 104 F 0 C to 40 C 4 ...

Page 55: ... interferencewill not occur in a particular installation If this equipment doescauseharmful interferenceto radio or television reception which can bedeterminedby turning the equipmentoff andon the useris encouragedto try to correct the interferenceby one or more of the following measures Reorientor relocatethe receiving antenna Increasethe separationbetweenthe equipmentand receiver Connectthe equi...

Page 56: ...ion 22 BEEP ON or OFF 20 BLANK Button 6 24 BLANK Indicator 20 24 Blank Search Feature 24 CAM VCR PLAY Button and Indicators 5 6 19 24 26 30 32 33 35 37 Camcorder Cleaning 44 Camcorder Controls 6 Camcorder Turning On 5 Camcorder Unpacking 2 Camera Edit 24 Care and Maintenance 44 45 Care and Storage Battery 10 Care and Storage Camcorder 45 Cassette Compartment 5 6 18 Cassettes Inserting and Removing...

Page 57: ...2 41 43 Inserting and Removing Cassettes 5 18 Install Clock Cell 27 Install Cell in Remote 14 Iris Automatic 23 L Fro Fast Forward Operation 33 Features Recording 22 31 Features Playback 32 33 FF Indicator 20 F FWD Fast Forward Button 6 16 17 19 24 32 33 First Recording 5 First Time Operation 2 6 Flying Erase Head 23 FOCUS LOCK Button 6 26 28 Focusing 26 FOCUSLOCK Indicator 20 21 26 Function Butto...

Page 58: ...n Inside Front Cover PUSH Button 6 7 8 11 13 Q Quick Review Feature 24 REC Record Button Remote 16 17 REC Indicator 19 20 REC START STOP Button 5 6 19 24 Rechargeable Nickel Cadmium Battery 8 10 Recording Features 22 31 Recording First 5 Recording Making a 19 Recording Over Your Tapes 18 Recording the Date and Time 29 Recording Times 18 Recording Tips 31 Registration Card Inside Front Cover Remote...

Page 59: ...ecording 29 Time and Date Setting 28 Time Counter Display 20 21 30 Time Remaining Tape Display 20 21 23 Times Recording 18 Tips Recording 31 Tips Traveling 31 Traveling Tips 31 Tripod Using 40 Trouble Checks 46 48 Turn Off the Camcorder 5 m U m Unpacking the Camcorder 2 Using AA Batteries 4 11 Using Optional AC Adapter Charger 12 13 39 Using the Adapter 4 7 VCR PLAY CAM Button and Indicators 5 6 1...

Page 60: ...act your dealer or the nearest Servicenter from the yellow pages Please do not send any products to the Indianapolis address listed in this manual or on the carton This will only add delays in service for your product _ THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS 10330 N Meridian Street Indianapolis IN 46290 01997 Thomson Consunler Electronics Inc Trademark s Registered Mar ca s Registrada s Printed in Indonesia...