Sony DCR-DVD100 User Manual

Introduction

DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK

CAMCORDERS: AN INTRODUCTION

Sony led the way in video camcorders. The first consumer cassette camcorder was developed by Sony. And in 1985, Sony's compact,

lightweight 8mm Handycam video by making memories easy to shoot, play, and share anytime, anywhere.

Sony also led the way in digital technology. Sony CD and MD recording raised the standard of excellence in music reproduction. And Sony DV Handycam models adopted digital video for high-quality recording and multi-generation editing.

camcorders expanded the world of home

CAMCORDERS: AN INTRODUCTION

Now, Sony takes the next step in digital video: DVD Handycam

camcorders. They use DVD discs as their digital recording medium -- so movies can be shot on disc, stored on disc, edited in the camcorder, even uploaded to a PC for creative editing and easy sharing.

DVD offers significant advantages over cassette tape. Discs allow instant access and rapid scene search without fast-forward or rewind. They record video, audio, even still images. They're more compact and durable as a storage and playback medium.

Best of all, DVD recordings can be played back on PCs, DVD players, even PlayStation

2 video game consoles -- for instant compatibility with

over 100 million playback devices around the globe.

Sony DVD Handycam camcorders are new and exciting. This handbook explains basic DVD technology, highlights DVD Handycam camcorder features, answers common questions, and helps you understand and appreciate the exciting possibilities of this next step in camcorder evolution.

DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAMCORDERS: AN INTRODUCTION 3

DVD: A BRIEF HISTORY 5

DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY 6

DVD VIDEO RECORDING APPLICATIONS 10

THE DVD HANDYCAM CONCEPT 12

DVD HANDYCAM RECORD MODES AND MEDIA 14

DVD HANDYCAM STILL-IMAGE RECORDING 15

DVD HANDYCAM EDITING 16

FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) 18

GLOSSARY 20

DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK

DVD: A BRIEF HISTORY

The DVD format was introduced in 1996. Today, DVD is accepted worldwide, in use for a broad range of applications -- and its next major impact will be felt in the home video recording market.

The development of DVD started 12 years ago. Inspired by the success of the CD (Digital Audio Compact Disc) format for music and data recording, manufacturers began working toward the goal of a new disc format that would hold two or more hours of high-quality video recording. In 1994, two standards were proposed: “MMCD,” from Sony and Philips, and “SD,” from Toshiba and Pioneer. At the end of 1995, an agreement was reached on a common standard. At this point the DVD Consortium was formed and DVD was ready for marketing. Its first applications were for prerecorded movies and computer software (DVD-ROM). Recording standards soon followed; the DVD-R Book and DVD-RAM Book standards were defined in 1997. In 1999, the DVD-RW Book defined a 4.7 GB rewritable disc format using a short-wavelength red semiconductor laser. Currently, standardization efforts are underway to define a next-generation optical disc system using blue laser technology.

1996 DVD-Video 1997 DVD-R/DVD-RAM/DVD+RW 1998 1999 DVD-RW 2000 2001 2002 DVD+R

Next-generation optical disc

DVD: A BRIEF HISTORY

DVD Advantages

DVD is more compact

Because DVD discs are more compact than videocassettes, they take up less space inside the camcorder and are easier to carry, shelve and archive.

DVD provides random access

Videotapes must be wound and rewound on their reels, which takes time and creates wear. DVD discs never require rewinding -- and the search process is virtually instantaneous.

DVD is more durable

Videocassette recording requires contact between videotape and recording head. In the DVD system, the optical laser pickup does not touch the disc itself, so there is far less wear during recording and playback.

DVD recordings can't be erased

Videotapes can be erased within a VCR or by exposure to strong magnets. With DVD, there is no danger that contents may be accidentally erased.

DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK

DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY

Although a 12cm (4-3/4") DVD is the same size as a standard CD, its high-density format allows more than 7 times more data to be recorded on a single disc.

The Basic Structure of a DVD

DVD consists of a dual-layered disc 12cm (4-3/4") or 8cm (3-1/8") in diameter. Each layer has a thickness of 0.6mm (1/32"). Var ious kinds of DVD suit the needs of various applications, such as DVD-ROM (for playback only), DVD-R (for onetime recording), and DVD-RW (for rewritable recording).

●Structure of DVD-ROM

DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK

Protection Layer

Record Layer

Base

DVD-ROM for Playback Only

DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY

DVD-ROM discs are for commercial prerecorded movies, computer software programs, etc. Data is stored in the form of microscopic “pits” in the record layer of the disc. These pits are scanned by a laser and then “read” as minute reflections. These minute changes in reflection

●Record Layer of DVD-ROM

Track pitch

0.74µm

DVD-R for Recording Once

are converted to signals for further processing. There are four different DVD configurations: single-sided discs with one or two recordable layers, and double-sided discs with one or two recordable layers.

Pit

DVD-R discs are for recording only once. Since data recorded to disc cannot be erased, DVD-R is a good choice for data that requires long-term storage. Unlike commercially recorded DVD-ROM discs, DVD-R discs are recorded by a process of chemical change within the surface of the disc. After a DVD-R disc is recorded, data

●Record Layer of DVD-R

Track pitch

0.74µm

is read by the optical pickup in a manner similar to the process of reading a DVD-ROM disc; this similarity makes DVD-R recordings compatible with DVD playback units. Recorded (or “written”) areas of a disc are called “grooves”; unrecorded (or “unwritten”) area is called “land.”

Groove

Land

DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK

DVD MEDIA TECHNOLOGY

DVD-RW for Repeatable Recording

DVD-RW discs allow repeated recording, erasing, and re-recording of data. Data is rewritable approximately 1,000 times. This capability makes DVD-RW widely used in applications that require data editing and future updating. The recording and playback process is basically similar to the process of DVD-R recording.

●Record Layer of DVD-RW

Track pitch

0.74µm

DVD Handycam camcorders use both DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. Discs are 8cm (3-1/8") in diameter; they can be single-sided with one recordable layer, or double-sided with one recordable layer per side.

In the case of DVD-RW, however, the chemical change that takes place within the surface of the disc during recording is reversible, allowing data to be erased and re-recorded. DVD-RW recordings are also compatible with most DVD players.

Groove

Land

Other DVD Formats

In addition to DVD-ROM, DVD-R and DVD-RW, the following DVD standards also are currently being marketed.

DVD-RAM A rewritable media allowing up to 100,000 reliable rewriting operations. It cannot be played back on

DVD+R A once-only recording media similar in capability to DVD-R. DVD+RW A rewritable media similar in capability to DVD-RW.

DVD Handycam TECHNOLOGY HANDBOOK

standard DVD players; only players supporting DVD-RAM can be used.

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