Digital8tips and tricks

Back to French Digital8

Pre-release page

Caution : extrapolation from EU camcorders... not yet tested !

this page is for testers only... preferably electronic technicians

these modifications are at your own risks... guaranty may be lost etc...

NTSC Codes : Zebra, Frame record, Interval record and manual white balance for TRV120 (and TRVx20).

TRV110 (and TRVx10 series) added at bottom of page.

Required :

-A PC computer with at least Windows 95

-A cable LPT1 to Lanc. Schematic : cable LANC. Only use the BS170 version.

-Software DVin_lite version 1.7 (with new function "emergency")

-some patience and one hour of tranquility !

 

Some explanations about this camcorder :

Normal operation : the tiny computer works with speedy RAM (witch requires power to maintain data)

After disconnecting from all power sources, data is lost in RAM and, at the new power on, computer reload data from a slow EEprom or "zero power ram" (witch maintain data without power), and, only at this time, verify the checksum.

In case of checksum error, the "battery down" symbol blinks quickly on viewfinder, and 10sec. after, camcorder is turned off.

(the "emergency" function helps you to correct the false data, but it's easy to be careful and don't write incorrect data)

 

On DVin_lite, data is write in RAM directly when you change value, but to write in EEprom you need to clic on "STORE" button


First time, verify our hardware if you have just build our cable :

Camcorder in player mode, powered by full load battery.

Run DVin-lite.

You read : Page 0 Address 00 Data 00

Verifying all "original data"

go to Page D

increase Address to 16, Data read will be 07 (see below, "Original data" for TRVx20 or TRVx30)

increase Address to 1A, Data will be 37

and so one...


Principle of operation :

Stage 1 :

- unlock memory in page 0

- change some values in "page D"

Stage 2 :

-read checksum value in RAM (page 2)

-unlock checksum memory

-put checksum in EEPROM

-lock

No risks... but be careful ! don't change code using unstable desktop computer or with bad wiring...

right ? let's go...

 

 

Example : programming a D8 2nd or 3rd generation

Go to Page 0

increase Address to 01, Data will be 00 (see below, "Original data")

increase Data to 01 (New data)... clic on "store" button

and the first step is done (Unlock memory)

 

Go to Page D

increase Address to 16, Data will be 07 (see below, "Original data")

increase Data to 1F ("New data")... clic on "store" button.

the 2nd step is done (Interval rec and Frame rec)

....

 

 

TRV120 and TRVx20 series (NTSC), also TRV230 and x30 series

Don't power off your camcorder between stage 1 and 2

Stage 1 : put our data

Page

Address

Original data

New data

Function

0

01

00

01

Unlock memory (allows writes in memory)

D

16

07

1F

Interval record and Frame record

D

1A

37

B7

Gain and F-Stop on viewfinder in manual mode

D

1B

44

64

Zebra

D

23

x9*

xB

White Balance : auto, hold, indoor or outdoor

* the x value don't change (exemple if you read B9, put BB)

Stage 2 : put new checksum value

Important at this time : read and note data from page 2 at addresses F0 and F1

 

Page

address

Original data

New data

Function

0

FF

00

02

Unlock memory (allows writes in checksum memory)

0

01

01

80

Unlock memory (allows writes in checksum memory)

F

FF

xx

noted value from page 2 address F0

Checksum

F

FE

xx

noted value from page 2 address F1

Checksum

0

FF

02

00

Lock memory

0

01

80

00

Lock memory

 

 

Same things for TRV110 and TRVx10 (NTSC)

Don't power off your camcorder between stage 1 and 2

Stage 1 : put our data

Page

Address

Original data

New data

Function

0

01

00

01

Unlock memory (permet d'écrire dans la page D)

D

17

77

F7

Gain and F-Stop on viewfinder in manual mode

D

18

44

64

Zebra

D

1E

89

8B

White Balance : auto, hold, indoor or outdoor

D

24

01

19

Interval record and Frame record

Stage 2 : put new checksum value

Important at this time : read and note data from page 2 at address F0

Page

Address

Original data

New data

5

Function

0

FF

00

02

.

autorisation d'écriture du checksum

0

01

01

80

.

autorisation d'écriture du checksum

F

FF

xx

noted value from page 2 address F0

X

Checksum

0

FF

02

00

.

Verrouillage de la mémoire

0

01

80

00

.

Verrouillage de la mémoire

For use TRVx10 series as A/D converter (I.E. analog to DV converter), you may try :

http://www.sps.volyne.cz/set1394/anin/anin.zip

 

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You want some tricks?

Low light condition

Using steadyshot in low light conditions, first the gain rise to +18dB, and after, the shutter speed falls from 1/100 to 1/60

In this case, the picture is snowy, blacks are grey....bad picture !

It's possible control exposure manually, but shutter speed stays at 1/100.

If you use program :

-the shutter speed is 1/60, giving maximum light on the CCD

-max. gain is +9dB, giving good black and no snow

-the autoexposure and steadyshot works

but :

-manual focusing only (may be a good requirement ! )

-the picture is a bit reddish

 

Turn on/off infrared light quickly, in any condition

Simply push "LaserLink" button

Infrared light must be deactivated in menu

 

Power down the B&W viewfinder on TRVx10 series:

-For use a long time in NLE editing system or as VTR alone. Don't burn the viewfinder phosphor.

-Increase battery life in extreme conditions (submarine use, etc...) (extra time : +20% )

Page

address

Original data

New data

Function

0

01

00

01

Unlock memory (allows writes in memory)

D

1A

D1

D0

Shutdown the B&W viewfinder, don't clic on "store"

0

01

01

00

Lock memory

To reset, unplug power for at least 1 minute, original data will be restored and viewfinder works

(you can replace D1 at address 1A, but it's a bit time consuming)

 

Power down the B&W viewfinder on TRVx20 series:

Page

address

Original data

New data

Function

0

01

00

01

Unlock memory (allows writes in memory)

D

1A

C1

C0

Shutdown the B&W viewfinder, don't clic on "store"

0

01

01

00

Lock memory

To reset, unplug power for at least 1 minute, original data will be restored and viewfinder works


 Head drum hours on TR7000E, TRV110E, TRV210E, TRV310E, TRV410E

Page

address

Data read (exemple)

Function (coded BCD)

2

A2

30

minutes

2

A3

52

hours

2

A4

01

hours x 100

The head drum have 152 hours and 30 min
in this exemple

Works also on TRV120E and x20 series, on TRV900 etc...