RCA PROV600 - Manual

First-Time Operation 3 1. Unpack the camcorder and accessories. • Save the packing materials and box in case you ever need to ship or store your camcorder. • The items shown below are packed with your camcorder. If any are missing or appear damaged, contact your dealer immediately. This section desc...

4 First-Time Operation 2. Attach lens cap cord andadjust handstrap. • Press in on the tabs on both sides of the lens cap to remove it. • Attach the lens cap cord to the lens cap. • Pull up the flap of the handstrap and open the strap. • Run the cord from the lens cap through the audio/video terminal...

First-Time Operation 5 4. Attach the adapter/charger. Since the battery must be chargedbefore it can be used the first time,attach the adapter/charger to thecamcorder. • Connect one end of the DC cable to the DC OUT jack on theadapter/charger. • Press the OPEN button and open the monitor. • Connect ...

6 First-Time Operation VCR CAM 5. Turn on the camcorder. • Slide the POWER switch upward to turn on the camcorder. • The camcorder turns on in the CAM (camera) mode. The redCAM indicator beside the VCR/CAM button lights. If it does not,press the VCR/CAM button. Notes: The CAM (red) or VCR(green) ind...

First-Time Operation 7 Eyepiece FocusControl (continued on next page) 7. Use the LCD monitor or viewfinder to view what you are recording. You can watch what you are recording on the color LCD monitor or in the black-and-white viewfinder. Use the LCD Monitor • Rotate the monitor into a comfortable v...

8 First-Time Operation VCR CAM PLAY REW F.FWD STOP PAUSE EJECT DISPLAY BLANK 9. Play back what you have recorded. • Press the VCR/CAM button to light the green VCR indicator. 8. Start and stop recording. • Press and release the REC START/ STOP button (thumb trigger) tostart recording. REC appears on...

First-Time Operation 9 VCR CAM V A LCD Monitor andBattery Compartment Zoom ControlW = Wide AngleT = Telephoto Microphone A (Audio),V (Video),and RFOut Jacks EyepieceFocusControl RemoteControlSensor 11. Review camcorder’s operating controls. Lens Shoulder Strap Holder CAM (Red)Indicator BeepIndicator...

10 First-Time Operation PLAY REW F.FWD STOP PAUSE EJECT DISPLAY BLANK 11. Review camcorder’s operating controls. REW (Rewind) Button F.FWD (FastForward)Button PLAY Button PAUSEButton STOP Button BatteryCompartment LCDMonitor BRIGHTControl VOLUMEControl EJECT Button Speaker BLANKButton DATE Button FO...

First-Time Operation 11 Using the Adapter/Charger to Power Your Camcorder The adapter/charger attaches to the camcorder and lets you power your camcorderdirectly from standard household power. The adapter/charger operates on 100-240volts, 50/60 Hz, so it can be used virtually anywhere in the world t...

12 First-Time Operation Using the Battery to Power Your Camcorder The battery must be charged as described on the next page before it can be used thefirst time. Initial charging will take approximately 60 minutes. When fully charged,the battery should supply about 50 minutes of operating time (depen...

First-Time Operation 13 Caution : When a battery is attached to the adapter/charger, do not turn them upside down. The battery may fall off and be damaged or cause injury. Charge the Battery If the DC cable is attached to the DCOUT jack on the adapter/charger, removeits plug. 1. Plug adapter/charger...

14 First-Time Operation Battery Care and Storage • Store the battery pack in a place that does not reach high temperatures. • Remove the battery from the camcorder when it is not in use toprolong the battery life. • The battery will provide increased operation time if you “refresh” itbefore every ch...

15 Remote Control Install Remote’s Lithium Cell The remote’s lithium cell is packedseparately. Install it in the remote asfollows: 1. Turn the remote over, insert a pencil or paper clip in the small hole, and slidethe cell holder in the direction of thearrow to remove it. 2. Insert the cell in the c...

16 Remote Control Remote Control Buttons A brief description of the remote button’s functions is given here. Many of thebuttons perform the same function as the corresponding control on thecamcorder. The battery must be installed as shown on the previous page. PLAY STOP DISPLAY REC ZOOM COUNTER MEMO...

17 Remote Control Press PAUSE or PLAY to return tonormal playback. PLAY Button • When the camcorder is in the VCR mode, press PLAY to begin playback. REW (Rewind) Button Camcorder in CAM (Camera) Mode • When the camcorder is in record- pause, press and release REW to reviewthe last few seconds of yo...

18 Video Cassettes Make sure you select good quality tapes for your camcorder. Use of poorquality tapes or tapes that have been damaged or mishandled can contaminatethe video heads, resulting in a snowy picture or no picture at all duringplayback. Because there is no control over the type of tape pu...

19 Video Cassettes Cassette Care and Storage • When you are finished with a cassette, rewind it, remove it from thecamcorder, and label it. • Store cassettes vertically in their protective cases at normal roomtemperatures. Do not leave yourcamcorder or cassettes in a car oroutdoors for an extended p...

20 Recording VCR CAM PLAY REW F.FWD STOP PAUSE EJECT DISPLAY BLANK Making a Recording These steps tell you how to make a recording and suggest using someof the recording features. Each feature is described in detail on thefollowing pages. POWER Switch LCDMonitor REWButton EyepieceFocusControl ZoomLe...

21 Recording • The camcorder will automatically turn off if it remains in record-pause for three minutes. Slide thePOWER switch upward to turn thecamcorder back on. • The camcorder has a beeper that beeps for certain functions. Thebeep indicator flashes with thebeeps. To turn off the beeper, pressan...

22 Recording Viewing What You Are Recording Using the Viewfinder orLCD Monitor You can watch what you are recording in the black-and-white viewfinder or onthe color LCD monitor. Opening the monitor turns off the viewfinder unlessthe monitor is rotated 130º or more. Using the Viewfinder The camcorder...

23 Recording Using the LCD Monitor The camcorder’s LCD monitor is a miniature color monitor that displays thepicture seen by the camcorder when recording. 1. Press the OPEN button to open the LCD monitor. 2. Rotate the monitor into a comfortable viewing position. The monitor can berotated 180º and p...

24 Recording LCD Monitor and Viewfinder Displays Auto Exposure Higher ShutterSpeed Indicator (AE:100, AE150, orAE:250) • A shutter speed (1/60, 1/100, 1/150, or 1/250 second) is automatically selectedby the camcorder. • No indicator appears for the 1/60 second shutter speed. • AE:100, AE150, or AE:2...

25 Recording • 88:88 appears when the clock’s lithium cell has not been installed or needs tobe replaced. • Details are on page 31. Focus Indicators (FOCUSLOCKand ) • FOCUSLOCK appears briefly when you lock the focus with the FOCUSLOCK button. Then remains duringfocus lock. • Details are on page 30....

26 Recording VCR CAM PLAY REW F.FWD STOP PAUSE EJECT DISPLAY BLANK Flying Erase Head A separate erase head is mounted onthe spinning headwheel (hence the term“flying”). This allows you to makeclean edits without the “glitches” or“rainbow noise” that may occur at thebeginning or the end of recordings...

27 Recording Beep Feature The camcorder has a beep feature thatoperates as follows. The beep can beturned on or off. • One beep for a standard function (turning power on, starting recordingor playback, ejecting a tape, etc.). • Two beeps for stopping a recording. • Ten beeps for a warning such as TA...

28 Recording Blank Search The camcorder will advance through thetape and look for a blank section. Thishelps you locate the end of the lastrecorded section. 1. Place the camcorder in record-pause in the CAM mode or stop in the VCRmode to blank search. 2. Press the BLANK button. The camcorder will fa...

29 Recording Zooming You can zoom in and out for close ups or wide-angle shots just by sliding the zoomlever on the camcorder. The camcorder can automatically focus when you zoom atmost distances. Using the Zoom Lever 1. To zoom in or out, slide the zoom lever on the camcorder or pressZOOM T or W on...

30 Recording Focusing Under normal conditions, the camcorder can adjust focus automaticallyon the object located in the center area of the viewfinder. Under certainconditions, you may want to use the focus lock feature. Using Focus Lock The focus lock feature is useful whenobjects pass between your ...

31 Recording Date/Time Display — Clock Lithium Cell The clock cell indicator 88:88 will flash for a few seconds in the viewfinderwhen you turn on the camcorder if the clock lithium cell has not been installedor needs to be replaced. Install the Clock Lithium Cell 1. Make sure camcorder is turned off...

32 Recording Date/Time Display — Setting the Time and Date The correct date and time must be set before it can be displayed andrecorded on your tapes. The clock cell must be installed as shown onthe previous page before the date can be set and recorded. Set the Time and Date 1. Make sure the camcord...

33 Recording To Record the Date or Date and Time on Your Tape The date or date and time can be recorded on your tape. Whenever one of thedisplays appears, it will be recorded. The camcorder also has an AUTO DATEfeature that will record the date at the beginning of the first recording of the day.The ...

34 Recording PLAY REW F.FWD STOP PAUSE EJECT DISPLAY BLANK Time Counter The time-counter display shows the actual time elapsed when recording orplaying back a segment of tape. During playback, the memory-stop featurehelps locate a certain point on the tape. When memory stop is on, the tapewill stop ...

35 Recording Traveling Tips • Write down your camcorder’s serial number and keep it separate from thecamcorder when traveling. If yourcamcorder is lost or stolen, you will beable to identify it. • Use extra care to avoid damage to your camcorder and accessories whenoperating them at a beach or pool....

36 Playback VCR CAM PLAY REW F.FWD STOP PAUSE EJECT DISPLAY BLANK Playback Using the LCD Monitor or Viewfinder You can view tapes in color using the LCD monitor or in black-and-whiteusing the viewfinder. The viewfinder will be turned off when you open themonitor. You can hear the sound from the tape...

37 Playback Tape Positioning 1. Slide the POWER switch up to turn on the camcorder. 2. Press the VCR/CAM button to light the VCR indicator on the camcorder. 3. Press and quickly release REW or F.FWD to rewind or fast-forwardthe tape. 4. Press STOP to stop the tape. Visual Searching 1. During playbac...

38 Playback Playback on TV (or VCR) with AUDIO/VIDEO IN Jacks To connect your camcorder to a TV monitor (or VCR) with AUDIO/VIDEO IN jacks,you will need the audio/video cable that came packed with your camcorder. If your TVis already connected to a VCR, you can attach the camcorder to the VCR and wa...

39 Playback Playback Operation and How to Copy Tapes on the VCR 1. A. Camcorder connected directly to TV: Turn on the TV and tune it tothe video input channel. B. Camcorder connected to VCR that is already connected to TV: Turnon VCR and place it in the “line”or “camera mode”. (If your VCRdoes not h...

40 Playback Playback on a TV without Audio/Video Inputs To connect your camcorder to a TV without audio/video inputs, you will need anoptional CRF800 output adapter and an optional coaxial RF cable, such as VH82 orVH90 shown on page 43. If your TV has AUDIO and VIDEO IN jacks (or is connectedto a VC...

41 Playback Playback Operation 1. Set the CHANNEL 4CH/3CH switch on the RF output adapter toCHANNEL 4CH or 3CH. 2. Turn on the TV, and tune it to the same channel you selected with the RFoutput adapter’s CHANNEL switch. 3. Slide the POWER switch up to turn on the camcorder. 4. Press the VCR/CAM butt...

42 Optional Accessories We invite you to take a look at some great ideas for sparking creativity and adding tothe fun of using your compact 8mm camcorder. The following pages have a selectionof accessories to help make your memorable moments look and sound even better. These accessories are designed...

43 Optional Accessories CRF800 RF Output Adapter This RF output adapter is used with acoaxial RF cable, such as VH82 or VH90,to connect your camcorder to a standardTV (one without audio/video inputs) forplayback. If your antenna cable is the flattwin-lead type attached by two screws,you will also ne...

44 Optional Accessories Cautions: Before using a tripod, make sure it is stable enough to hold thecamcorder without falling over. Do not transport the camcorder attached to thetripod. When attaching your camcorder to a tripod, be careful not to force the tripod screwinto the camcorder’s tripod mount...

45 Accessory Order Form Order Form for Camcorder Model ProV600 Description Part No. Price Qty. Total Super Lightweight Tripod AC088 $ 39.95 Soft Camcorder Case AC201A $ 39.95 Y-Adapter AH25 $ 2.95 Rechargeable Battery (Standard) AV55 $ 49.95 RF Output Adapter CRF800 $ 59.95 DC Cable DCC100 $ 12.95 7...

46 Accessory Order Form ® r r s TM Charge your order on your VISA,MasterCard, or Discover Card by filling in below USE YOUR CREDIT CARD IMPORTANT: Copy complete account number from your VISA card IMPORTANT: Copy complete account number from your MasterCard Expiration date: Expiration date: Copy Numb...

47 Accessory Order Form To order accessories, contact your local Dealer. If a dealer is not nearby, you can also follow the directions below to order bytelephone or direct-by-mail. United States and Canada Orders To place your order by phone, have your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card readyand cal...

48 Care and Maintenance Cleaning the Camcorder To clean the camcorder’s exterior, removeany power source connected to thecamcorder and gently wipe it with a cleansoft cloth. Caution: Use of strong cleaningproducts, such as those containingalcohol or benzine, may damagethe camcorder. Caution: Do not ...

49 Customer Assistance and Service Proper Care and Storage • Keep dust and grit from entering the camcorder’s cassette door. Dust andgrit are abrasive and will causeexcessive wear to both the camcorder’srecording/playback heads andcassettes. • Always replace the lens cap when the camcorder is not in...

50 Trouble Checks Troubles sometimes are caused by simple “faults” that you can easily correct withoutthe help of a service technician by first checking a few basic remedies. Before you call or take your camcorder to an Authorized RCA Camcorder ServiceCenter, look below for the type of trouble you a...

51 Trouble Checks Trouble Checks and Adjustments Tape stops duringrewind or fastforward Camcorder remains inpause mode Recorded sound istoo low or distorted Dew indicatorflashing in viewfinder Poor auto-focusoperation Viewfinder displaysare out of focus Image in LCDmonitor is not brightenough. Sound...

52 Trouble Checks • Displays will be recorded on tape whenever theyappear in the viewfinder. Remove them fromviewfinder when recording. See page 33. • When AUTO DATE is selected, the date willautomatically be recorded when you begin recordingor change the cassette. See page 33. • Clock lithium cell ...

53 Customer Assistance and Service You can reach Thomson at the following number: 800-283-6503 (Toll free inside U.S.A.) Our toll-free Camcorder number operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., CST Monday – Friday for U.S. customers only Thomson provides a toll-free telephonenumber to help you with any proble...

54 Limited Warranty What your warranty covers: • Any defect in materials or workmanship. For how long after your purchase: • 90 days for labor charges. • One year for parts.The warranty period for rental units beginswith the first rental or 45 days from date ofshipment to the rental firm, whicheverc...

55 Limited Warranty insure your shipment in case of damageor loss. Include with the shipment: • Evidence of purchase date, such as a bill of sale, to verify your unit’swarranty eligibility. • A brief note describing your camcorder’s problem. • Your name, address and phone number. Return transportati...

56 Specifications Information to User This equipment has been tested and found tocomply with the limits for a Class B digitaldevice pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.These limits are designed to providereasonable protection against harmfulinterference in a residential installation. Thisequipment ...

57 Index A A (audio) and V (video) jacks 38, 40Accessories included 3optional 42order form 45 Adapter/charger charging battery 13using 5, 11, 21 AE (automatic exposure) 24, 27Assistance 1, 3, 53Attach lens cap cord 4Audio/video cable 38 B B (bright) control 10BATT (battery release) button 10, 12Batt...