Capturing Memorable Moments Into a VHS Video Tape Using the SONY Handycam CCD-TRV29 Video

Capturing Memorable Moments into a VHS Video Tape using the SONY Handycam CCD-TRV29 Video Camera Recorder and the SHARP H992 Video Cassette Recorder

Often times, people like to use video camera recorders to capture memorable moments. Then, data need to be transferred from the mini tape for the video camera recorder to a regular VHS video cassette tape so that the recipient of the tape can play it in a video cassette recorder/player to view the captured video images. This document shows you how to achieve that: (1) charging the battery pack for the video camera recorder, (2) loading the tape for the video camera recorder, (3) recording video images, and (4) transferring images from the video camera recorder to the video cassette recorder.

The Basic Buttons

PLAY – Start running a tape at a normal speed for viewing.

STOP – Stop a tape from running

FF – Fast forward a tape to a desired position.

REW – Rewind or fast backward a tape to a previous position.

REC – Starts recording onto a tape.

PAUSE – Temporarily stop a tape from running.

EJECT – Releases a tape from the tape holder.

Equipment and Supplies

1.  SONY Handycam CCD-TRV29 video camera recorder with battery pack.

NOTE: SONY BATTERIES ARE RECOMMENDED. USE OF NON-SONY BATTERIES MAY DAMAGE YOUR HANDYCAM CAMCORDER AND/OR YOUR AC POWER ADAPTOR.

2.  SHARP H992 video cassette recorder.

3.  SONY AC-V16 power adaptor.

4.  8mm video cassette tape.

5.  VHS video cassette tape.

6.  One pair of cables with banana plugs at the ends.

Charging the Battery Pack for the Video Camera Recorder

Before starting using the camera recorder, make sure you charge the battery pack so you will be able to record any video images you like until the battery runs out of charges. This can be done by following these steps: (1) removing the battery pack from the camera recorder, (2) charging the battery pack, and (3) install the battery pack in the camera recorder.

Removing the battery pack from the camera recorder. Before charging the battery pack, dismount it from the camera recorder first. Locate the BATT button below the eyepiece. See figure 1 for the names and locations of the camera recorder parts. Slide the BATT button sideway toward the battery pack This releases the battery pack from the battery mounting surface of the camera recorder.

CAUTION:

DO NOT OPEN THE BATTERY MOUNTING SURFACE BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.

A picture of SONY Handycam with labels goes here

Figure 1. SONY Handycam CCD-TRV29 video camera recorder.

Charging the Battery Pack. Get the power adaptor. The battery pack is ready to be charged:

1.  Place the SONY AC Power Adaptor in front of you with the words right side up.

2.  Put the battery pack along the left edge of the mounting surface of the power adaptor. While pressing the battery pack down, slide the pack toward the right edge of the surface until it is secured in place.

3.  Slide the switch on the power adaptor to the side labeled CHARGE. See figure 2 for the location of the switch.

4.  The power cord of the power adaptor should be plugged into a electric outlet. The CHARGE light shows an amber color when the battery pack is not fully-charged.

5.  Keep charging the battery pack until the CHARGE light turns green which indicates that the pack is fully charged. Slide the pack toward the left edge to release it. Do not open the AC power adaptor because of the risk of electric shock.

A picture of SONY power adaptor with labels goes here

Figure 2. SONY AC-V16 power adaptor.

Install the Battery Pack in the Camera Recorder. After being fully charged, you must put battery pack back in the camera recorder so you can start using it:

1.  Insert the top of the battery pack into the top of the battery mounting surface.

2.  Push the battery pack into the surface until it attaches firmly.

Loading the tape for the video camera recorder. An 8mm video cassette tape is used to record images.

1.  See figure 1 to locate the EJECT switch.

2.  While pressing down the tiny blue button, slide the switch in the direction of the arrow to open the tape holder.

3.  Insert the tape into the holder.

4.  Push the door of the holder toward the body of the camera recorder to close the holder.

Recording Video Images

After you charged the battery pack, you can start using the camera recorder. See figure 1 for the locations of the buttons and switches. Follow the steps to perform the basic function of capturing video images:

1.  Locate the POWER switch. While pressing down the tiny green button, slide the switch to the CAMERA position.

2.  This opens the lens cover to expose the lens.

3.  Locate the START/STOP button-switch set. Make sure it is set to the STANDBY position – the unlock position.

4.  Using the view finder, point to the target image. Whenever targets are located, press the START/STOP button to start/stop recording respectively. The button toggles between start and stop.

5.  When image recording is finished, set the START/STOP button-switch to the LOCK position. While pressing the tiny green button of the POWER switch, slide the switch to the OFF position.

Transferring Images from the Video Camera Recorder to the Video Cassette Recorder

To let friends and family view memorable moments using a regular video cassette recorder/player, image data have to be transferred from the 8mm tape to a VHS video cassette tape. It can be achieved by performing these tasks: (1) Make the physical connection; (2) Position the tapes; (3) Transfer desired images; and (4) Finish the process.

Make the physical connection. Use cables to connect the camera recorder and the cassette recorder together so electrical signal can flow from one equipment to the other:

1.  Using figure 1, locate the video/audio output connectors next to the tape holder on the camera recorder.

2.  Hold one end of the cable pair. Insert one plug into the video connector and the other into the audio connector.

3.  Using figure 3, locate the video/audio input connectors at the back of the cassette recorder.

4.  Hold the other end of the cable pair. Insert the video cable (the one that has the plug inserted into the video connector of the camera recorder) into the video input connector, and the audio cable into the audio input connector of the cassette recorder.

A picture of SHARP video cassette recorder with labels goes here

Figure 3. SHARP H992 video cassette recorder

Position the tapes. Both the VHS tape and the 8mm tape need to be adjusted to the desired position to transfer the desired images:

1.  Using figure 3, locate the POWER button on the video cassette. Press the button to turn it on.

2.  Insert a VHS tape into the cassette recorder.

3.  Press the REW or FF buttons to rewind or fast forward the tape respectively to the desired position. Press the STOP button when it is done.

4.  Using figure 1, locate the REW button on the video camera recorder. Press it to rewind the tape to the position from where you want to start recording. Press the STOP button when it is done.

Transfer desired images. You are ready to transfer images from the camera recorder to the cassette recorder:

1.  Using both hands, press the PLAY button on the camera recorder and the REC button on the cassette recorder simultaneously to start transferring images.

2.  When finished recording, press the STOP buttons on both recorders.

Finishing the process. After images are transferred. You have a VHS tape ready to give to friends and/or family to enjoy:

1.  Press the EJECT button on the cassette recorder to release the VHS tape.

2.  Turn off the power of both recorders.

Note: If power of the camera recorder is left on after the process is finished, the battery pack will gradually run out of charge and you must recharge next time.