On 23 Jan 2002 21:35:38 -0800, tim@erg.abdn.ac.uk (Tim Spracklen) wrote:

>I also have a Sony PC9. It is possible to use a flash with the PC9.
>Several of the available Sony flash units have LANC interface cables
>that will plug into the camera's LANC socket and are specifically for
>cameras without a 'hot' shoe. The LANC socket is under the little
>cover on the side of the camera with the A/V and the microphone
>socket. These flash units have their own internal battery and will
>operate in the 'cold' accessory shoe. Once you plug in the flash and
>turn it on, the camera immediately recognises it and a little
>lightening symbol (indicating a flash) is displayed in the viewfinder
>or flip out screen. The camera will then fire the flash for (video or
>memory stick) stills if necessary - and adjusts the exposure
>accordingly. The results are excellent. The flash symbol in the
>viewfinder goes off momentarily as the flash unit recharges.
>
>These flash units will even work on camcorders with a hot shoe - such
>as the TRV900 - if you plug the interface cable into that camera's
>LANC socket too.
>
>(Of course, this won't help in daylight, as pointed out below)

Thanks for the information!
(Gosh, it *is* still possible to learn something
new! ;-) I had never heard of these flashes.