Manual for DCR-TRV38/TRV38E/TRV39

Manual for DCR-TRV38/TRV38E/TRV39

Brand: SONY

Category: Camcorder

Document Type: Manual

Language: EN

Uploaded: Nov. 21, 2025, 8:46 p.m.

Manual Publish Date: 2003-11-01

Quick Start Guide - Recording on tape

  1. Connecting the power cord: Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 15). Open the DC IN jack cover. Connect the AC Adaptor (supplied) plug with its ▲ mark facing up.
  2. Inserting the cassette: Slide OPEN/EJECT in the direction of the arrow and open the lid. Push the center of the cassette back to insert it straight as far as possible into the cassette compartment with the window facing up. Close the cassette compartment by pressing PUSH. After the cassette compartment goes down completely, close the lid until it clicks.
  3. Recording a picture on the tape: Remove the lens cap. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button. Press OPEN to open the LCD panel. Press START/STOP to begin recording. Press START/STOP again to stop.
  4. Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD screen: Set the POWER switch to VCR while pressing the small green button. Press < or > of the touch panel to rewind the tape. Press ▶ of the touch panel to start playback.

Quick Start Guide - Recording on "Memory Stick"

  1. Connecting the power cord: Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 15). Open the DC IN jack cover. Connect the AC Adaptor (supplied) plug with its ▲ mark facing up.
  2. Inserting the "Memory Stick": Insert the "Memory Stick" in the "Memory Stick" slot as far as it can go with the ▶ mark facing up as illustrated.
  3. Recording still images on the "Memory Stick": Remove the lens cap. Set the POWER switch to MEMORY while pressing the small green button. Make sure that the LOCK switch is set to the left (unlock) position. Press OPEN to open the LCD panel. Press PHOTO lightly. When the green mark stops flashing, then lights up, you can record a still image. Press PHOTO deeply. The image will be recorded on the "Memory Stick.".
  4. Monitoring the playback still image on the LCD screen: Set the POWER switch to MEMORY while pressing the small green button. Press PLAY. The last recorded image is displayed.

Troubleshooting and error codes

Self-diagnosis Code Block Detailed Code Symptom/State Correction
Repaired by:
C 0 4 0 0 Non-standard battery is used. Use the info LITHIUM battery.
C 2 1 0 0 Condensation. Remove the cassette, and insert it again after one hour.
C 2 2 0 0 Video head is dirty. Clean with the optional cleaning cassette.
C 3 1 1 0 LOAD direction. Loading does not complete within specified time Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 1 1 UNLOAD direction. Loading does not complete within specified time Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 2 0 T reel side tape slacking when unloading. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 2 1 Winding S reel fault when counting the rest of tape. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 2 2 T reel fault. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 2 3 S reel fault. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 2 4 T reel fault. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 3 0 FG fault when starting capstan. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 4 0 FG fault when starting drum. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 1 4 2 FG fault during normal drum operations. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 1 0 LOAD direction loading motor time-out. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 1 1 UNLOAD direction loading motor time-out. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 2 0 T reel side tape slacking when unloading. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 2 1 Winding S reel fault when counting the rest of tape. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 2 2 T reel fault. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 2 3 S reel fault. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 2 4 T reel fault. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 3 0 FG fault when starting capstan. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 4 0 FG fault when starting drum Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 3 2 4 2 FG fault during normal drum operations Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
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