DOWNLOAD Sony DCR-TRV15 / DCR-TRV17 (serv.man2) Service Manual ↓ Size: 14.42 MB | Pages: 127 in PDF or view online for FREE

1-40

The DV jack on this unit is an i.LINK-compliant DV input/output jack. This section
describes the i.LINK standard and its features.

i.LINK is a digital serial interface for handling digital video, digital audio and other
data in two directions between equipment having the i.LINK jack, and for controlling
other equipment.
i.LINK-compatible equipment can be connected by a single i.LINK cable. Possible
applications are operations and data transactions with various digital AV equipment.
When two or more i.LINK-compatible equipment are connected to this unit in a daisy
chain, operations and data transactions are possible with not only the equipment that
this unit is connected to but also with other devices via the directly connected
equipment.
Note, however, that the method of operation sometimes varies according to the
characteristics and specifications of the equipment to be connected, and that operations
and data transactions are sometimes not possible on some connected equipment.

Note
Normally, only one piece of equipment can be connected to this unit by the i.LINK
cable (DV connecting cable). When connecting this unit to i.LINK-compatible
equipment having two or more i.LINK jacks (DV jacks), refer to the instruction manual
of the equipment to be connected.

i.LINK is a more familiar term for IEEE 1394 data transport bus proposed by SONY,
and is a trademark approved by many corporations.
IEEE 1394 is an international standard standardized by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers.

i.LINK’s maximum baud rate varies according to the equipment. Three maximum
baud rates are defined:

S100 (approx. 100Mbps*)
S200 (approx. 200Mbps)
S400 (approx. 400Mbps)

The baud rate is listed under “Specifications” in the instruction manual of each
equipment. It is also indicated near the i.LINK jack on some equipment.
The maximum baud rate of equipment on which it is not indicated such as this unit is
“S100”.
When units are connected to equipment having a different maximum baud rate, the
baud rate sometimes differs from the indicated baud rate.

*What is Mbps?
Mbps stands for megabits per second, or the amount of data that can be sent or
received in one second. For example, a baud rate of 100Mbps means that 100 megabits
of data can be sent in one second.

For details on how to dub when this unit is connected to other video equipment having
DV jacks, see page 67, 81.
This unit can also be connected to other i.LINK (DV) compatible equipment made by
SONY (e.g. VAIO series personal computer) other than video equipment.
Before connecting this unit to a personal computer, make sure that application software
supported by this unit is already installed on the personal computer.
For details on precautions when connecting this unit, also refer to the instruction
manuals for the equipment to be connected.

Use the Sony i.LINK 4-pin-to-4-pin cable (during DV dubbing).

i.LINK and   are trademarks.

You can use your camcorder in any country or area with the AC power adaptor
supplied with your camcorder within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.

When charging the battery pack, use a commercially available AC plug adaptor [a], if
necessary, depending on the design of the wall outlet [b].

Your camcorder is an NTSC system based camcorder. If you want to view the playback
picture on a TV, it must be an NTSC system based TV with the AUDIO/VIDEO input
jack.
The following shows TV color systems used overseas.

NTSC system
Bahama Islands, Bolivia, Canada, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica,
Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Surinam, Taiwan, the Philippines, the U.S.A., Venezuela,
etc.

PAL system
Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great
Britain, Holland, Hong Kong, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal,
Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, etc.

PAL-M system
Brazil

PAL-N system
Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

SECAM system
Bulgaria, France, Guyana, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Monaco, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, etc.

You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference. Select WORLD
TIME in the menu settings. See page 102 for more information.

If your camcorder is brought directly from a cold place to a warm place, moisture may
condense inside your camcorder, on the surface of the tape, or on the lens. In this
condition, the tape may stick to the head drum and be damaged or your camcorder may
not operate correctly. If there is moisture inside your camcorder, the beep sounds and
the 

% indicator flashes. When the Z indicator flashes at the same time, the cassette is

inserted in your camcorder. If moisture condenses on the lens, the indicator will not
appear.

None of the functions except cassette ejection will work. Eject the cassette, turn off your
camcorder, and leave it for about one hour with the cassette compartment open. Your
camcorder can be used again if the 

% indicator does not appear when the power is

turned on again.

Note on moisture condensation
Moisture may condense when you bring your camcorder from a cold place into a warm
place (or vice versa) or when you use your camcorder in a hot place as follows:
•You bring your camcorder from a ski slope into a place warmed up by a heating

device.

•You bring your camcorder from an air-conditioned car or room into a hot place

outside.

•You use your camcorder after a squall or a shower.
•You use your camcorder in a high temperature and humidity place.

How to prevent moisture condensation
When you bring your camcorder from a cold place into a warm place, put your
camcorder in a plastic bag and tightly seal it. Remove the bag when the air temperature
inside the plastic bag has reached the surrounding temperature (after about one hour).

1-41

To ensure normal recording and clear pictures, clean the video heads. The video head
may be dirty when:
• mosaic-pattern noise appears on the playback picture.
• playback pictures do not move.
• playback pictures do not appear.
• the 

x indicator and “  CLEANING CASSETTE” message appear one after another

or the 

x indicator flashes on the screen.

If the above problem, [a], [b] or [c] occurs, clean the video heads for 10 seconds with
the Sony DVM-12CLD cleaning cassette (optional). Check the picture and if the above
problem persists, repeat cleaning.

If the video heads gets dirtier, the entire screen becomes blue [c].

If fingerprints or dust make the LCD screen dirty, we recommend using a LCD
Cleaning Kit (optional) to clean the LCD screen.

Your camcorder is supplied with a built-in rechargeable battry battery installed so as to
retain the date and time, etc., regardless of the setting of the POWER switch. The built-
in rechargeable battery is always charged as long as you are using your camcorder. The
battery, however, will get discharged gradually if you do not use your camcorder. It
will be completely discharged in about 4 months if you do not use your camcorder at
all. Even if the built-in rechargeable battery is not charged, it will not affect the
camcorder operation. To retain the date and time, etc., charge the battery if the battery
is discharged.

Charging the built-in rechargeable battery:
• Connect your camcorder to wall outlet using the AC power adaptor supplied with

your camcorder, and leave your camcorder with the POWER switch turned off for
more than 24 hours.

• Or install the fully charged battery pack in your camcorder, and leave your camcorder

with the POWER switch turned off for more than 24 hours.

•Operate your camcorder on 7.2 V (battery pack) or 8.4 V (AC power adaptor).
•For DC or AC operation, use the accessories recommended in this operating

instructions.

•If any solid object or liquid get inside the casing, unplug your camcorder and have it

checked by a Sony dealer before operating it any further.

•Avoid rough handling or mechanical shock. Be particularly careful of the lens.
•Keep the POWER switch set to OFF (CHG) when you are not using your camcorder.
•Do not wrap your camcorder with a towel, for example, and operate it. Doing so

might cause heat to build up inside.

•Keep your camcorder away from strong magnetic fields or mechanical vibration.
•Do not touch the LCD screen with your fingers or a sharp-pointed object.
•If your camcorder is used in a cold place, a residual image may appear on the LCD

screen. This is not a malfunction.

•While using your camcorder, the back of the LCD screen may heat up. This is not a

malfunction.

•Do not insert anything into the small holes on the rear of the cassette. These holes are

used to sense the type and thickness of the tape and if the recording tab is in or out.

•Do not open the tape protect cover or touch the tape.
•Avoid touching or damaging the terminals. To remove dust, clean the terminals with

a soft cloth.

•Remove the tape, and periodically turn on the power, operate the CAMERA and VCR

sections and play back a tape for about three minutes when your camcorder is not to
be used for a long time.

•Clean the lens with a soft brush to remove dust. If there are fingerprints on the lens,

remove them with a soft cloth.

•Clean the camcorder body with a dry soft cloth, or a soft cloth lightly moistened with

a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of solvent which may damage the
finish.

•Do not let sand get into your camcorder. When you use your camcorder on a sandy

beach or in a dusty place, protect it from the sand or dust.  Sand or dust may cause
your camcorder to malfunction, and sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired.

•Unplug the unit from the wall outlet when you are not using the unit for a long time.

To disconnect the power cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the power cord itself.

•Do not operate the unit with a damaged cord or if the unit has been dropped or

damaged.

•Do not bend the power cord forcibly, or place a heavy object on it. This will damage

the cord and may cause fire or electrical shock.

•Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the

connecting section. If this happens, a short may occur and the unit may be damaged.

•Always keep metal contacts clean.
•Do not disassemble the unit.
•Do not apply mechanical shock or drop the unit.

•While the unit is in use, particularly during charging, keep it away from AM receivers

and video equipment. AM receivers and video equipment disturb AM reception and
video operation.

•The unit becomes warm during use. This is not a malfunction.
•Do not place the unit in locations that are:

– Extremely hot or cold
– Dusty or dirty
– Very humid
– Vibrating

•Wipe the surface of the lens clean with a soft cloth in the following instances:

– When there are fingerprints on the lens surface
– In hot or humid locations
– When the lens is used in environments susceptible to salt such as the seaside

•Store the lens in a well-ventilated location subject to little dirt or dust.

To prevent mold from occurring, periodically perform the above.
We recommend turning on and operating the video camera recorder about
once per month to keep the video camera recorder in an optimum state for
a long time.

•Use only the specified charger or video equipment with the charging function.
•To prevent accident from a short circuit, do not allow metal objects to come into

contact with the battery terminals.

•Keep the battery pack away from fire.
•Never expose the battery pack to temperatures above 60°C (140°F), such as in a car

parked in the sun or under direct sunlight.

•Keep the battery pack dry.
•Do not expose the battery pack to any mechanical shock.
•Do not disassemble nor modify the battery pack.
•Attach the battery pack to the video equipment securely.

To avoid possible damage from battery leakage or corrosion, observe the following:
•Be sure to insert the batteries with the + – polarities matched to the + – marks.
•Dry batteries are not rechargeable.
•Do not use a combination of new and old batteries.
•Do not use different types of batteries.
•Current flows from batteries when you are not using them for a long time.
•Do not use leaking batteries.

If batteries are leaking
•Wipe off the liquid in the battery compartment carefully before replacing the batteries.
•If you touch the liquid, wash it off with water.
•If the liquid get into your eyes, wash your eyes with a lot of water and then consult a

doctor.

If any problem occurs, unplug your camcorder and contact your nearest Sony dealer.

1

2

Focus ring (p. 53)

3

4

5

Infrared rays emitter (p. 27, 36, 71)

This mark indicates that this product is a genuine accessory for Sony
video products.
When purchasing Sony video products, Sony recommends that you
purchase accessories with this “GENUINE VIDEO ACCESSORIES”
mark.

6

Display window (p. 13)

7

Viewfinder (p. 24)

8

MENU button (p. 96)

9

BACK LIGHT button (p. 26)

q;

Focus button (p. 53)

1

6

7

8

9

q;

2

3

4

5

Note on the Carl Zeiss lens
Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens which can reproduce a fine
image.
The lens for your camcorder was developed jointly by Carl Zeiss, in Germany, and
Sony Corporation. It adopts the MTF* measurement system for video camera and
offers a quality as the Carl Zeiss lens.

* MTF is an abbreviation of Modulation Transfer Function.

The value number indicates the amount of light of a subject penetrating into the
lens.

1-42

qa

> MEMORY EJECT Lever
(DCR-TRV17 only) (p. 105)

qs

Power zoom lever (p. 24)

qd

POWER switch (p. 13)

qf

qg

qh

qj

qs

qa

qd

Notes on the intelligent accessory shoe
•The intelligent accessory shoe supplies power to optional accessories such as a video

light, microphone or printer (DCR-TRV17 only) .

•The intelligent accessory shoe is linked to the POWER switch, allowing you to turn the

power supplied by the shoe on and off. Refer to the operating instructions of the
accessory for further information.

•The intelligent accessory shoe has a safety device for fixing the installed accessory

securely. To connect an accessory, press down and push it to the end, and then tighten
the screw.

•To remove an accessory, loosen the screw, and then press down and pull out the

accessory.

qf

EDITSEARCH button (p. 30)

qg

SUPER LASER LINK button (p. 36)

qh

Intelligent accessory shoe (p. 85)

qj

 Camera recording lamp (p. 21)

qk

wa

ws

wd

wf

wg

ql

w;

qk

PHOTO button (p. 38, 112)

ql

BATT release button (p. 12)

w;

wa

 (USB) jack (DCR-TRV17 only)

(p. 135)

ws

NIGHTSHOT switch (p. 27)

wd

SUPER NIGHTSHOT button (p. 27)

Attaching the shoulder strap
Attach the shoulder strap supplied with your camcorder to the hooks for the shoulder
strap.

wf

LANC stands for Local Application
Control Bus System. The   control jack
is used for controlling the tape transport
of video equipment and other
peripherals connected to the video
equipment. This jack has the same
function as the jack indicated as
CONTROL L.

wg

AUDIO/VIDEO ID-2 jack
(p. 35, 40, 66, 118, 122)

wh

wl

e;

ea

es

wj

wk

wh

START/STOP button (p. 21)

wj

SEL/PUSH EXEC dial (p. 96)

wk

DC IN jack (p. 17)

wl

 DV IN/OUT jack (p. 67, 119, 123)

e;

i (headphones) jack
When you use headphones, the speaker
on your camcorder is silent.

ea

MIC jack (PLUG IN POWER)
Connect an external microphone
(optional). This jack also accepts a
“plug-in-power” microphone.

es

S VIDEO jack (p. 35, 40, 66, 118, 122)

ej

ek

el

r;

ef

ed

eg

eh

PAUSE

REC

STOP

PLAY

REW

FF

ed

ef

VOLUME buttons (p. 31)

eg

OPEN button (p. 21)

eh

LCD screen (p. 22)

ej

Viewfinder lens adjustment lever
(p. 24)

ek

END SEARCH button (p. 30)

el

PB ZOOM button (p. 59, 140)

r;

Video control buttons (p. 33)
x

 STOP (stop)

m

 REW (rewind)

N

 PLAY (playback)

M

 FF (fastforward)

X

 PAUSE (pause)

z

 REC (record)

1-43E

ra

DISPLAY button (p. 32)

rs

RESET button (p. 154)

rd

FADER button (p. 44)

rf

AUDIO DUB button (p. 87)

rg

MEMORY operation buttons
(DCR-TRV17 only)
MPEG u button (p. 132)
MEMORY PLAY button (p. 129)
MEMORY INDEX button (p. 131)
MEMORY DELETE button (p. 144)
MEMORY +/– buttons (p. 129)
MEMORY MIX button (p. 125)

rh

“Memory Stick” slot (DCR-TRV17
only)

rj

EXPOSURE button (p. 52)

ra

rf

rs

rd

rg

rh

rj

Fasten the grip strap firmly.

4

3

2

1

rk

rl

t;

ts

ta

rk

Battery pack (p. 13)

rl

EJECT lever (p. 20)

t;

Tripod receptacle
Make sure that the length of the tripod
screw is less than 6.5 mm (9/32 inch).
Otherwise, you cannot attach the tripod
securely and the screw may damage
your camcorder.

ta

ts

Lens cap (p. 21)

The buttons that have the same name on the Remote Commander as on your camcorder
function identically to the buttons on your camcorder.

Insert 2 size AA (R6) batteries by matching the + and –  polarities on the batteries to
the + – marks inside the battery compartment.

Notes on the Remote Commander
•Point the remote sensor away from strong light sources such as direct sunlight or

overhead lighting. Otherwise, the Remote Commander may not function properly.

•Your camcorder works in the Commander mode VTR 2.  Commander modes

1, 2 and 3 are used to distinguish your camcorder from other Sony VCRs to avoid
remote control misoperation. If you use another Sony VCR in the Commander mode
VTR 2, we recommend changing the Commander mode or covering the sensor of the
VCR with black paper.

1

PHOTO button (p. 38, 112)

2

DISPLAY button (p. 32)

3

SEARCH MODE button (p. 61, 62, 64)

4

.

/> buttons (p. 61, 62, 64)

5

Tape transport buttons (p. 33)

6

Transmitter
Point toward the remote sensor to
control the camcorder after turning on
the camcorder.

7

ZERO SET MEMORY button (p. 60, 83)

8

START/STOP button (p. 21)

9

DATA CODE button (p. 32)

0

Power zoom button (p. 24)

1

6

7

8

9

q;

2

3

4

5

1

Cassette memory indicator (p. 25, 158)

2

Remaining battery time indicator
(p. 25)

3

Zoom indicator (p. 25)/Exposure
indicator (p. 52)/Data file name indicator
(DCR-TRV17 only) (p. 125)

4

Digital effect indicator (p. 47)/MEMORY
MIX indicator (DCR-TRV17 only) (p. 125)/
FADER indicator (p. 44)

5

16:9WIDE indicator (p. 42)

6

Picture effect indicator (p. 45)

7

Data code indicator (p. 32)

8

LCD bright indicator (p. 23)/Volume
indicator (p. 31)/Date indicator (p. 25)/
Time indicator (p. 25)

9

PROGRAM AE indicator (p. 49)

0

Backlight indicator (p. 26)

qa

SteadyShot off indicator (p. 97)

qs

Manual focus/Infinity indicator (p. 53)

qd

Recording mode indicator (p. 25, 101)

qf

STBY/REC indicator (p. 21)/Video control
mode indicator (p. 33)/Image size
indicator (DCR-TRV17 only)
(p. 108)/Image quality mode indicator
(DCR-TRV17 only) (p. 107)

qg

NIGHTSHOT (p. 27)/SUPER NIGHTSHOT
indicator (p. 27)

qh

Warning indicators (p. 156)

1 2 0 min

S T B Y .

0 : 1 2 : 3 4

n

i

m

2

1

+

–
S T I L L

Z E R O

S E T

M E M O R Y

E N D

S E A R C H

1 6 : 9 W I D E
N E G . A R T

O

T

U

A

B

W

A

0

6

F 1. 7

1 6 B I T

1 0 0 - 0 0 0 1

A / V

t

D V

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

q;

qa

qs

qf

qd

qg

qh

qk

qj

ql

w;

wf

ws

wd

wg

wa

wj

wh

2

wk

qj

Tape counter indicator (p. 25)/Time code
indicator (p. 25)/Self-diagnosis indicator
(p. 155)/Tape photo indicator (p. 38)/
Memory photo indicator
(DCR-TRV17 only) (p. 112)/Image
number indicator (DCR-TRV17 only)
(p. 130)

qk

Remaining tape indicator (p. 25)/Memory

playback indicator (DCR-TRV17 only)
(p. 130)

ql

ZERO SET MEMORY indicator (p. 60)

w;

END SEARCH indicator (p. 30)

wa

Self-timer indicator (p. 28)

ws

A/V t DV indicator (p. 79)/DV IN

indicator (p. 82)

wd

Audio mode indicator (p. 101)

wf

Data file name indicator* (DCR-TRV17

only) (p. 125)/Time indicator (p. 25)
*This indicator appears when the
MEMORY MIX functions work.

wg

This indicator appears when you use the
video flash light (optional).

wh

Continuous mode indicator (DCR-TRV17

only) (p. 114)

wj

Remaining battery time indicator
(p. 25)/Tape counter (p. 25)/Memory
counter (DCR-TRV17 only)/Time code
indicator (p. 25)/Self-diagnosis indicator
(p. 155)

wk

FULL charge indicator (p. 13)