Media Equipment: Audiovisual
DSR 200 guide
How to use the Sony DSR 200 digital
video camera.
learning resources © University of Lincoln 2002
Media Equipment: DSR 200
Page 3 of 9
Attaching the camera to the tripod
First it is necessary to attach the tripod adaptor also known as a foot-plate to the tripod.
The wedge shaped section of the footplate is inserted into the recess on the top of the
tripod. It should securely click into place. Fully open the three legs of the tripod into a
position that is secure and balanced.
Place the camera’s pin into the grooved surface of the tripod (a). Slide the camera forward
until you hear a click.
To remove the digital camera from the tripod, press the red button on the release lever,
and whilst holding this button down, move the lever forward to release the lock.
Charging and removing the battery
Charger
Charge
lamp
1. Connect the mains lead to the charger.
2. Align the surface of the battery pack with the charger. Then fit and slide the battery
pack in the direction of the arrow.
3. Connect the power lead to the mains. At this time the CHARGE lamp will light up
orange to identify the battery is charging.
When the charge lamp goes out, charging is complete.
Unplug the unit from the mains and then remove the battery.
The battery can be used before it is completely charged.
DC in
The approximate normal charging time is 3 hours
A battery that is indicated as dead should hold a minimal charge
to allow for a cassette to be ejected from the camera
learning resources © University of Lincoln 2002
Media Equipment: DSR 200
Page 4 of 9
Installing and removing the battery
To install the battery
An arrow situated on the battery indicates which way to
place it
Slide the battery down until it clicks into place.
To remove the battery
Press the BATT button, lift the battery pack out in the
direction of the arrow.
Connecting the mains supply that accompanies the equipment can operate the camera.
To do this, connect the mains supply to the charger. The DC lead has two different
connectors, one attaches to the charger (see diagram 4) and the other to the camera. To
attach the DC lead to the camera open the rubber flap at the side of the camera and insert
the plug into the DC IN socket.
Inserting and ejecting a cassette
learning resources © University of Lincoln 2002
Media Equipment: DSR 200
Page 5 of 9
A battery must be installed and the power switch at on to carry out the following steps.
1. Open the cassette compartment cover.
2. Insert a cassette with the tab upwards, and the window facing out and press down so
that the cassette loads.
3. Close the cover.
To eject the cassette, open the cassette compartment cover and press the eject button.
After the cassette rises take it out and close the cover.
Recording
Make sure the battery is installed, and the camera switched on and a cassette is inserted.
Set AUTO LOCK to ON (see diagram 11 on page 6 for location of this switch), thereby
allowing the settings to be automatically adjusted to best suit your shooting environment.
1. Remove the lens hood cap, and attach it to the grip strap.
2. Set the POWER switch to ON.
3. Set CAMCORDER / PLAYER to CAMCORDER.
4. Turn the start stop level to STANDBY.
5. Press START / STOP button.
The digital camera starts recording. The “REC” indicator appears and the red lamp lights
up in the viewfinder. The tally lamp on the front of the camera lights up red to indicate
recording.
learning resources © University of Lincoln 2002
Media Equipment: DSR 200
Page 6 of 9
To stop recording momentarily or to pause.
Press the start stop button. The “STBY” indicator appears in the
viewfinder.
To finish recording
Press the start stop button. Turn the start
stop lever to LOCK, and set the POWER
switch to OFF.
Recording sound
The DSR 200 comes with an on board microphone as well as an external shotgun
microphone. To make the most of the sound recording facilities a number of settings on
the camera should be made.
Manual audio record levels
Auto lock
Manual / Auto
selection
Both record level
switches under
ch-1 and ch-2 set to
AUTO
To gain the optimum from the microphone at the front of the camera set both switches to
AUTO.
The two REC LEVEL dials will only operate if using the REC LEVEL in the manual position
and not in auto mode.
Selecting the on board microphone or the external shotgun microphone
The upper switches relate to channel 1, the bottom switches to channel 2. Selecting either
channel 1 or 2 has implications on where to plug in the external microphone, it is therefore
necessary to compare which channel is selected here and which channel the external
microphone is plugged into (see diagrams 12 & 13).
learning resources © University of Lincoln 2002
Media Equipment: DSR 200
Page 7 of 9
Whichever channel is selected:
FRONT if using the onboard microphone.
REAR if using the external shotgun microphone.
Line should not be selected.
Attenuation switches must be positioned at OFF
unless rear microphone input levels are excessive
and distorted.
CH-1 and CH-2 microphone input
Headphone socket
Headphone and internal
speaker volume control
When using the external shotgun microphone. Plug into either channel 1 or 2. But
whichever channel is selected switch to rear position as shown in diagram 12.
The on board microphone is effective when the subject is in close proximity and the
surrounding environmental noise is low.
The external shotgun microphone is effective when the camera is located away from the
subject. If environmental noise is high the external shotgun microphone also allows you to
position it closer to the subject to attain the highest levels achievable.
Remember when recording audio levels connect the headphone to the camera and
monitor the levels.
learning resources © University of Lincoln 2002
Media Equipment: DSR 200
Page 8 of 9
Playing back a tape
You can monitor the playback picture in the viewfinder.
1. Set the POWER switch to ON.
2. Set CAMCORDER / PLAYER to PLAYER.
3. Insert the tape if it is not already in the machine.
4. Open the flap, then press play to start to playback.
Troubleshooting
If the Sony DSR 200 camera or any of the equipment that accompanies it, will not function
please check the symptoms and solutions described below which could advise you in
correcting the problem.
If the Sony DSR 200 camera or any of the equipment that accompanies it, cannot be
corrected or the symptom is not listed please return the equipment to Learning Support
and report the situation
The power is not on
The battery pack is not installed
The battery is dead and requires
charging
The power goes off
If the camera has been left idle for 5
minutes it may go into standby mode.
The battery is dead
Start/stop does not operate
The tape has run out
The camcorder/player switch is set to
PLAYER
The tab on the cassette has been
moved to the save position
learning resources © University of Lincoln 2002
Media Equipment: DSR 200
Page 9 of 9
The cassette cannot be removed from The battery is dead
the holder
The tape does not move when a
video control button is presses
Camcorder/player is set to
CAMCORDER
The tape has run out
Is the picture recording onto the tape The viewfinder is in black and white
in colour as the viewfinder is in black
and white?
but the camera will record in colour
onto the tape.
EXTRA EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
Shotgun Microphone Kit
Shotgun mic with Rycote Softie
6 mtr XLR Lead
Fishpole
Lighting Tripod Kit
Redhead Tripod
Blonde Tripod
Grey Bag
Lighting Kit
Blonde Lamp with ELCB Plug
Redhead Lamp with ELCB Plug
Red Bag
learning resources © University of Lincoln 2002
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