Sony DCR-DVD100 User Manual

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Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam. With your Handycam, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Handycam is loaded with advanced features, but at the same time it is very easy to use. You will soon be producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come.

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Welcome!

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY Model No.: DCR-DVD200 Responsible Party:Sony Electronics Inc. Address: 680 Kinderkamack Road,

Oradell, NJ 07649 U.S.A. Telephone No.: 201-930-6972 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions.: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY Model No.: DCR-DVD300 Responsible Party:Sony Electronics Inc. Address: 680 Kinderkamack Road,

CAUTION

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: — Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. — Increase the separation between the

equipment and receiver.

— Connect the equipment into an outlet on a

circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

— Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/

TV technician for help. The supplied interface cable must be used with the equipment in order to comply with the limits for a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.

Getting Started

Certain countries may regulate disposal of the battery used to power this product. Please consult with your local authority.

Read this first

What you can do with your DVD Handycam

Your DVD Handycam uses DVD-R and DVD-RW as a recording media. You can enjoy your DVD Handycam in ways that are new and different from those of a tape media-based camcorder. Read the next few pages to find out how.

You can find a scene quickly using a Visual Index display.

The Visual Index display shows thumbnails of movies and still images recorded on the disc in your DVD Handycam. You can find the desired scene quickly using this convenient index.

You can play back a disc recorded with your DVD Handycam on your DVD player.

You can play back a disc recorded with your DVD Handycam on DVD players that can play back DVD-R/DVD-RW.

You can edit and copy a disc easily by connecting your DVD Handycam to your computer.

You can edit and copy a disc easily on your computer using the supplied ImageMixer Ver.1.5 for Sony DVD Handycam software. It also enables you to produce your own original DVD disc.

Read this first

What is the difference between DVD-R and DVD-RW?

Two types of discs are available and they are different in the following ways.

Which disc can I use?

8cm DVD-Rs and 8cm DVD-RWs are available.

8cm DVD-R

You can use the following discs:

• DMR30 (single-sided disc)

• DMR60 (double-sided disc)

8cm DVD-RW

You can use the following discs:

• DMW30 (single-sided disc)

• DMW60 (double-sided disc)

How can I choose between these two discs?

The number of recordable times is different for the two discs. Choose the one that meets your needs.

DVD-Rs can be recorded only once.

It is suitable for permanent records and for making a backup copy. Recorded in VIDEO mode.

DVD-RWs can be overwritten repeatedly.

It is suitable for source gathering and temporary recordings. You can choose VIDEO mode or VR mode to make your recordings (see page 26).

Discs other than these two types are cannot be used in your DVD Handycam.

Examples of incompatible discs

• 12cm DVD-R

• 12cm DVD-RW

• DVD+R

• DVD-RAM

• DVD+RW

• DVD-ROM

• CD-R

• CD-RW

What kind of player can I use for playback?

You can play back a disc you have recorded on your DVD Handycam on other players by finalizing the disc (see page 63). The following list shows examples of players that can play back a disc recorded by your DVD Handycam. However, playback compatibility is not guaranteed with all players.*

DVD-R (VIDEO mode only)

Players compatible with the DVD Video format.

Read this first

DVD-RW (in VIDEO mode)

Players that can play back DVD-RWs.

Computer with a DVD drive installed

DVD-RW (in VR mode)

Players that can play back DVD-RWs in VR mode.

In VIDEO mode and VR (Video Recording) mode

VIDEO mode: A disc has wide compatibility with other players. VR mode: A disc can be edited on DVD Handycam but the players are limited.

* DVD-R/RW discs recorded by Sony DVD Handycam camcorders are designed to be compatible with

and may be played back on most home DVD players, computer DVD drives, and PlayStation 2 video game consoles.**

** Playback on all home DVD players, computer DVD drives, and PlayStation 2 consoles cannot be

guaranteed. Some players, drives, and video game consoles lack the ability to read due to the optical reflection standards of DVD-R/RW discs and/or due to encoding incompatibilities. Refer to the specifications of your playback equipment for additional compatibility information.

How to prepare and use your DVD Handycam

Preparing

Prepare a new disc.

• You can start recording promptly with a DVD-R.

• You need to format a DVD-RW before recording. Formatting is required also when using a once recorded

DVD-RW again.

Select a recording format (either VIDEO mode or VR mode) when using DVD-RW.

Shooting

Both movies and still images can be recorded on a single disc.

Because your movies and still images are recorded in free areas on the disc automatically, important recordings are not overwritten.

Playing back

Select a scene to play back from the Visual Index display.

Continued on the right page.

Editing

Finalizing

You can make a copy of a disc you have recorded by connecting your DVD Handycam to your computer with the supplied software.

For the recommended computer system environment, see page 89.

You can produce an original DVD by editing your movies/still images on your computer.

Finalize the disc so that it is compatible with other DVD players.

You may not overwrite, edit, or format a disc after finalizing it.

Overwrite Edit Format

DVD-R No No No (VIDEO mode)

DVD-RW Yes* (VIDEO mode)

DVD-RW Yes* (VR mode)

No Yes*

Yes*

Read this first

*1 Unfinalizing a disc is required. *2 Unfinalizing a disc is not required. *3 Recorded data will be erased.

Table of contents

Read this first

What you can do with your

DVD Handycam ............................... 4

What is the difference between

DVD-R and DVD-RW? .................... 6

How to prepare and use your DVD

Handycam ......................................... 8

Getting Started

Using this manual ................................. 12

Checking the supplied accessories ..... 14

Step 1 Preparing the power source ... 15

Installing/removing the battery

pack............................................ 15

Charging the installed battery

pack............................................ 16

Showing the remaining battery time

– BATTERY INFO .................... 18

Connecting to a wall outlet ........... 18

Step 2 Opening the LCD screen ......... 19

Step 3 Turning on the power.............. 20

Step 4 Setting the date and time ........ 21

Simple setting of the clock using a

time difference ......................... 23

Step 5 Adjusting the LCD screen and

the viewfinder................................. 24

Adjusting the brightness of the LCD

screen ......................................... 24

Adjusting the viewfinder .............. 25

Step 6 Preparing a disc for recording. 26

Shooting movies/still images

Shooting movies/still images ............. 28

Before shooting ............................... 28

Shooting movies ............................. 29

Shooting still images ...................... 34

Shooting techniques to match your

circumstances .................................. 41

Shooting backlit subjects

– BACK LIGHT ........................ 41

Shooting in the dark

– NightShot/Super NightShot/

Color Slow Shutter .................. 41

Shooting with the subject checking

the image – Mirror mode........ 43

Self-timer recording ....................... 43

Adjusting the white balance

manually ................................... 44

Shooting for the wide-screen TV

– Wide mode ............................ 45

Optimizing the camera

automatically

– PROGRAM AE...................... 47

Adjusting the exposure manually 48

Focusing manually ......................... 49

Shooting with special effects .............. 50

Using fader (for movies only)....... 50

Using special effects – Picture

effect/Digital effect ................. 51

Other functions...................................... 53

Checking the last scene – Review 53 Deleting the last scene

(DVD-RWs only)...................... 53

Changing the disc title ................... 54

Viewing the recordings

Playing a disc on your camcorder ...... 55

Choosing and viewing a recording

– Visual Index........................... 55

Various playback modes ............... 57

To display the indicators during

playback – Display .................. 58

Magnifying recorded images

– PB ZOOM .............................. 60

Playing still images automatically

– Slide Show ............................. 61

Viewing recordings on TV................... 62

If your TV is already connected to a

VCR............................................ 62

If your TV or VCR is a monaural

type ............................................ 62

Finalizing a disc for other players

Finalizing a disc..................................... 63

Playing back a finalized disc on other

players.............................................. 66

Playing back a disc on DVD

players ....................................... 66

Playing back movies on a computer

with a DVD drive installed .... 68

Showing still images on a computer

with a DVD drive installed .... 68

Structures and file names of movies

and still images ........................ 69

Recording on a finalized disc

– Unfinalizing (VIDEO mode DVD-RWs only) ... 70

Recording again on a used disc

– Formatting

(DVD-RWs only) ............................ 72

Table of contents

Using a disc in VR mode (DVD-RWs only)

Selecting the playing order on your

camcorder – Playlist ....................... 74

Registering movies or still images

to the Playlist ............................ 74

Saving all the still images on a

disc to a movie file ................... 77

Erasing unnecessary scenes from

the Playlist ................................ 78

Changing the order within the

Playlist ....................................... 80

Dividing a movie within the

Playlist ....................................... 82

Playing the Playlist......................... 84

Editing the original data ...................... 85

Dividing a movie ............................ 85

Deleting movies/still images ....... 87

Viewing/dubbing discs/ editing the recordings on your computer

Connecting your camcorder to your

computer – Introduction ............... 89

System requirements ..................... 89

Installing the USB driver ............... 90

Installing software.......................... 91

Connecting your camcorder to

the computer ............................ 92

Consulting the on-line help

(operating instructions) of ImageMixer Ver.1.5 for Sony

DVD Handycam ...................... 97

Viewing scenes recorded on your

computer.......................................... 98

Viewing scenes on the disc ........... 98

Making a disc copy – Disc Dubbing. 100

Making a disc copy ...................... 100

Editing and saving scenes.................. 101

Editing movies .............................. 101

Saving the movie on your

computer ................................. 101

Creating an original disc .................... 102

Making a menu ............................. 102

Editing the contents ..................... 103

Recording on a disc ...................... 104

Connecting your camcorder to a TV and a VCR

Dubbing a disc to a tape..................... 105

Connecting your camcorder to

a VCR....................................... 105

Dubbing to a tape ......................... 106

Dubbing a TV program or video

tape onto a disc ............................. 107

Connecting your camcorder to a

TV or a VCR............................ 107

Dubbing onto a disc ..................... 107

Customizing your camcorder

Changing the SETUP display............ 108

Selecting the option of each

item. ......................................... 109

Troubleshooting

Types of trouble and corrective

action .............................................. 116

Self-diagnosis display......................... 123

Warning indicators ............................. 124

Warning messages .............................. 125

Additional information

About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery

pack ................................................ 127

Glossary................................................ 128

Using your camcorder abroad .......... 129

Maintenance information and

precautions .................................... 130

Specifications ....................................... 134

Parts and controls/Index

Identifying parts and controls........... 136

Index ..................................................... 144

Getting Started

— Getting Started —

Using this manual

The instructions in this manual are for the three models listed in the table below. Before you start reading this manual and operating your camcorder, check the model number by looking at the bottom of your camcorder. The DCR-DVD200 is the model used for illustration purposes. Otherwise, the model name is indicated in the illustrations. Any differences in operation are clearly indicated in the text, for example, “DCR-DVD200 only”.

Types of differences

Model DVD100 DVD200 DVD300

Image device CCD, gross approx. CCD, gross approx. CCD, gross approx.

LCD screen 6.2 cm (2.5 type) 6.2 cm (2.5 type) 8.8 cm (3.5 type)

Note on TV color systems

TV color systems differ depending on the country or region. To view your recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC system-based TV.

4.5mm (1/4 type) 3.8 mm (1/4.7 type) 3.8 mm (1/4.7 type)

680 000 pixels 1 070 000 pixels 1 070 000 pixels

Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to copyright laws. You cannot dub copyright protected software on your camcorder.

Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a malfunction of the camcorder, storage media, etc.

Using this manual

Camcorder care

LCD screen/finder

The LCD screen and the finder are manufactured using extremely high-precision technology, so over 99.99 % of the pixels are operational for effective use. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (white, red, blue or green in color) that appear constantly on the LCD screen and the finder. These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way.

Disc compatibility with other players

Discs recorded on your camcorder must be finalized to play with other players. For details on how to finalize a disc, see “Finalizing a disc” (page 63).

Discs recorded in VIDEO mode

You must finalize a disc after all the recording is finished. You cannot record again on a disc recorded in VIDEO mode once you finalize it. On DVD-RW, you can record again by unfinalizing it. Compatible players: DVD players

Discs recorded in VR mode

Only DVD-RWs can be recorded in VR mode. Finalizing is required only when other DVD-RW compatible players cannot play the disc. You can record again with your camcorder on a finalized disc recorded in VR mode. Compatible players: DVD players that can play back DVD-RWs in VR mode

Note

You may not be able to play certain finalized discs, depending on the disc and the players.

Getting Started

Checking the supplied accessories

Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.

1 Wireless Remote Commander (1)

(page 141)

2 AC-L15A AC adaptor (1),

Power cord (1) (page 16)

3 Size AA (R6) battery for the Remote

Commander (2) (page 142)

4 NP-FM50 rechargeable battery pack

(1) (page 15)

5 A/V connecting cable (1) 6 Shoulder strap (1) 7 Lens cap (1) (page 29) 8 USB cable (1) (page 92) 9 DVD-R (DMR30) (1) q; CD-ROM (SPVD-011 USB Driver) (1) qa Cleaning cloth (1)

Step 1 Preparing the power source

Installing/removing the battery pack

1 Lift up the viewfinder. 2 Slide the battery pack in and down until it clicks.

To remove the battery pack

1 Lift up the viewfinder. 2 Slide the battery pack up and out in the direction of the arrow while pressing

BATT down.

BATT

Getting Started

BATT release button

Step 1 Preparing the power source

Charging the installed battery pack

Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series). See page 127 for more information on the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.

Open the DC IN jack cover.

AC adaptor

POWER/CHG lamp

5 1

Power cord

DISPLAY/BATT INFO button

With the v mark facing up

1 Make sure that the battery pack is installed on the camcorder. 2 Open the DC IN jack cover, then connect the AC adaptor supplied with your

camcorder to the DC IN jack on your camcorder with the plug’s v mark facing up.

3 Connect the power cord to the AC adaptor. 4 Connect the power cord to the wall outlet. 5 Slide the POWER switch downward while pressing the green button in the

center. Charging begins. The POWER/CHG lamp lights in orange during the charge, then turns off when the charge is completed (full charge).

After charging the battery pack

Disconnect the AC adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.

Notes on the AC adaptor

•Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the DC plug of the AC adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC adaptor.

•Place the AC adaptor near a wall outlet. If any trouble occurs with this unit while using the AC adaptor, disconnect the plug from the wall outlet as soon as possible to cut off the power.

•The POWER/CHG lamp may flash if the battery pack is not installed correctly or the battery pack is damaged.

Step 1 Preparing the power source

Charging time (full charge)

Battery pack

NP-FM50 (supplied) 150 NP-FM70 240 NP-QM71/QM71D 260 NP-FM91/QM91/QM91D 360

Approximate number of minutes required at 25°C (77°F) to charge an empty battery pack. The charging time may increase if the battery’s temperature is extremely high or low because of the ambient temperature.

Recording time with the viewfinder

Battery pack

NP-FM50 (supplied) 85 75 75 40 35 35 NP-FM70 185 170 170 90 85 85 NP-QM71/QM71D 215 195 195 105 95 95 NP-FM91/QM91/QM91D 325 295 295 160 145 145

Continuous Typical

DVD100 DVD200 DVD300 DVD100 DVD200 DVD300

Recording time with the LCD screen

Battery pack

NP-FM50 (supplied) 70 65 65 35 30 30 NP-FM70 155 145 140 75 70 70 NP-QM71/QM71D 180 165 160 90 80 80 NP-FM91/QM91/QM91D 275 255 245 135 125 120

Approximate number of minutes you can record when using a fully charged battery pack.

Continuous Typical

DVD100 DVD200 DVD300 DVD100 DVD200 DVD300

Getting Started

* Approximate number of minutes you can record, including starting/stopping,

zooming and turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be shorter.

Playing time

Battery pack

NP-FM50 (supplied) 80 80 75 100 100 100 NP-FM70 175 175 170 210 210 210 NP-QM71/QM71D 205 205 195 245 245 245 NP-FM91/QM91/QM91D 305 305 295 375 375 375

Approximate number of minutes of playing time when using a fully charged battery pack.

Notes

•If the power goes off even though the remaining battery time indicator indicates that the battery pack has enough power to operate, charge the battery pack fully again so that the indication on the remaining battery time indicator is correct.

•Battery pack performance decreases in low-temperature surroundings and recording may not be possible even though the battery time remaining may be as much as 20 minutes. Recharge the battery pack fully in this case.

•NP-FM30 is not recommended because of its short recording time when used with your camcorder.

Playing time on LCD screen Playing time with LCD closed DVD100 DVD200 DVD300 DVD100 DVD200 DVD300

Step 1 Preparing the power source

Showing the remaining battery time – BATTERY INFO

1 Open the LCD screen while pressing OPEN. 2 Press DISPLAY/BATT INFO.

The remaining battery time appears for a while on the LCD display.

BATTERY INFO

BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL 0% 50%

REC TIME AVAILABLE

LCD SCREEN VIEWFINDER::5260

100%

min min

During charging

Notes

•The remaining battery time may not be indicated in the following cases: – The battery pack is not installed correctly. – The battery pack is damaged. – The battery pack is empty.

•The number displayed as Battery Info is the approximate recording time.

•While the remaining battery time is being calculated, “CALCULATING BATTERY INFO...” is displayed.

•It may take some time to display the remaining battery time after DISPLAY/BATT

INFO is pressed.

Connecting to a wall outlet

When you use your camcorder for a long time, it is recommended that you power it from a wall outlet using the AC adaptor.

1 Open the DC IN jack cover, then connect the AC adaptor supplied with your

camcorder to the DC IN jack on your camcorder with the plug’s v mark facing up.

2 Connect the power cord to the AC adaptor. 3 Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.

See page 16 for details.

BATTERY INFO

BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL 0% 50% 100%

REC TIME AVAILABLE

LCD SCREEN VIEWFINDER::6575

min min

Fully charged

WARNING

Your camcorder is not disconnected from the AC power source (house current) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if your camcorder itself has been turned off.

Notes

•The AC adaptor can supply power even if the battery pack is attached to your camcorder.

•The DC IN jack has “source priority”. This means that the battery pack cannot supply any power if the AC adaptor is connected to the DC IN jack, even when the power cord is not plugged into a wall outlet.

Step 2 Opening the LCD screen

LCD screen is used for such as changing settings, shooting images in various angles, and reviewing recorded images.

OPEN button

1 Open the LCD screen while pressing OPEN. 2 Adjust the direction of the LCD screen to the desired position.

When you adjust the angle of the LCD screen, make sure if the LCD screen is opened up to 90 degrees. You can turn the LCD screen over and move it back to the camcorder body with the LCD screen facing out as shown below.

Getting Started

Notes

•When closing the LCD screen, set it vertically until it clicks, then swing it into the camcorder body.

•When the LCD screen is moved back to the camcorder while recording or while in standby to record, the screen backlight is fixed to the [BRT NORMAL].

Step 3 Turning on the power

Slide the POWER switch upward while pressing the green button in the center. Your camcorder turns on and the POWER/CHG lamp lights up in green.

To turn off the power

Slide the POWER switch downward while pressing the green button in the center. When the POWER/CHG lamp turns off, the power cuts off.

Step 4 Setting the date and time

Set the date and time when you use your camcorder for the first time. Set the geographical area, then the daylight savings time, the year, the month, the day, the hour and then the minute, in that order. If you do not use your camcorder for about 3 months, the date and time settings may be cleared from memory (bars may appear) because the built-in rechargeable battery in your camcorder will have been discharged during that time. In that case, charge the built-in rechargeable battery by connecting the AC adaptor, and set the date and time again (page 16, 132).

SETUP button

POWER switch

b/v/V/B/ENTER buttons

Getting Started

1 Open the LCD screen while pressing OPEN. 2 Turn the power on by sliding the POWER switch upward while pressing the

green button. The CLOCK SET display appears.

3 Select the desired geographical area with v/V, and press ENTER.

Step 4 Setting the date and time

4 Set daylight savings time ([DST]) to [ON] with v/V if necessary.

CLOCK SET AREA 26 -5.0GMT

New York,Bogota DST OFF DATE Y M D

2003 JAN 1

[ ENTER ] : NEXT ITEM

12 : 00

5 Select the desired year with v/V, and press ENTER.

CLOCK SET AREA 26 -5.0GMT

New York,Bogota DST OFF DATE Y M D

2003 JAN 1

[ ENTER ] : NEXT ITEM

12 : 00

6 Set the month, day, hour and minute with the same procedure as in step 5.

Set the minute using a time signal, etc., with v/V, and press ENTER. The clock starts to move.

The internal clock of your camcorder operates on a 12-hour cycle.

•12:00 AM stands for midnight.

•12:00 PM stands for noon.

Tips

•If the CLOCK SET display does not appear in step 2, press SETUP, then select (SETUP MENU), then [CLOCK SET] with v/V.

•If the SETUP display appears after step 6, press SETUP.

The SETUP display disappears.

Step 4 Setting the date and time

Simple setting of the clock using a time difference

You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference. In the SETUP display, select (OTHERS) then [AREA SET] with v/V/ENTER.

World time difference

1 234681012131416171819 20 2122 23 2425 26 27293031

Getting Started

Area Time-zone code differences

GMT

+01:00

+02:00

+03:00

+03:30

+04:00

+04:30

+05:00

+05:30

+06:00

+06:30

+07:00

+08:00

+09:00

+09:30

+10:00

Area setting

Lisbon, London Berlin, Paris Helsinki, Cairo Moscow, Nairobi Tehran Abu Dhabi, Baku Kabul Karachi, Islamabad Calcutta, New Delhi Almaty, Dhaka Rangoon Bangkok, Jakarta HongKong, Singapore Seoul, Tokyo Adelaide, Darwin Melbourne, Sydney

Area Time-zone code differences

+11:00

+12:00

–12:00

–11:00

–10:00

–09:00

–08:00

–07:00

–06:00

–05:00

–04:00

–03:30

–03:00

–02:00

–01:00

Area setting

Solomon Is. Fiji, Wellington Eniwetok, Kwajalein Midway Is., Samoa Hawaii Alaska LosAngeles, Tijuana Denver, Arizona Chicago, MexicoCity New York, Bogota Santiago St. John’s Brasilia, Montevideo Fernando de Noronha Azores

Step 5 Adjusting the LCD screen and the viewfinder

Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen

Adjust the brightness of the LCD screen properly in your sight.

1 Open the LCD screen while pressing OPEN. 2 Turn the power on by sliding the POWER switch upward while pressing the

green button.

3 Press SETUP.

The SETUP display appears.

MANUAL SET

PROGRAM AE P EFFECT D EFFECT WHT BAL AUTO SHTR

[ SETUP ] : END

4 Select (LCD/VF SET) with v/V, and press ENTER.

LCD / VF SET

LCD BRIGHT LCD B. L. LCD COLOR VF B. L.

RETURN

[ SETUP ] : END

5 Select [LCD BRIGHT] with v/V, and press ENTER.

LCD / VF SET

LCD BRIGHT

[ SETUP ] : END

6 Adjust the brightness of the LCD screen with b/B, and press ENTER.

b: Get darker B: Get brighter

The LCD screen brightness is adjusted.

7 Press SETUP.

The SETUP display disappears from the LCD display.

Tips

•You can change the brightness of the backlight. Select (LCD/VF SET) then [LCD

B.L.] in the SETUP display when using the battery pack (page 111).

•The [LCD BRIGHT] and [LCD B.L.] settings do not affect the brightness of the image

when you are recording.

Step 5 Adjusting the LCD screen and the viewfinder

Adjusting the viewfinder

When recording pictures with the LCD screen closed, check the picture with the viewfinder. Adjust the viewfinder lens to accommodate your eyesight so that the image in the viewfinder comes into sharp focus.

Getting Started

Viewfinder lens adjustment lever

1 Lift up the viewfinder. 2 Move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever as you can see the characters in the

viewfinder clearly.

Tips

•If you install an NP-FM70/QM71/QM71D/FM91/QM91/QM91D battery pack in your camcorder, extend and lift up the viewfinder and adjust the angle of it.

•You can change the brightness of the viewfinder backlight. Select [VF B.L.] in the SETUP display when using the battery pack (page 111).

•The [VF B.L.] setting does not affect the brightness of the image when you are recording.

•Recording pictures with the viewfinder is recommended in the following cases:

– When the picture seen on the LCD display is poor. – When you want to save on battery consumption.

Step 6 Preparing a disc for recording

A new DVD-R or DVD-RW is required for recording. You cannot overwrite or delete data recorded on a DVD-R, but you can delete data and record again with a DVD-RW. The preparation procedure is different depending on the type of disc you use.

Note

You can open the disc cover only while the Access/Open lamp is lit in green. The cover will be locked after about 30 seconds if you do not open the disc cover. When the lamp turns off, slide the disc cover OPEN switch again.

Tips

•The camcorder is set in the VIDEO mode as the default setting.

•Formatting is required when a DVD-RW is used for the first time.

Access/Open lamp

1 2

1 Set the mode dial to (Movie) or (Still). 2 Turn the power on by sliding the POWER switch upward while pressing the

green button.

3 Slide the disc cover OPEN switch to the mark.

The beep sounds and PREPARING TO OPEN COVER appears on the LCD display. After a while, the beep sound changes and the Access/Open lamp lights in green, and SLIDE [OPEN] appears.

4 Slide the disc cover OPEN switch again to the end.

The disc cover opens.

5 Set the disc with the label side facing up, then press firmly to seat it on the

center spindle until it clicks. Make sure that the disc is not exposed to fingerprints and dust.

Step 6 Preparing a disc for recording

6 Close the disc cover.

Your camcorder starts recognizing the inserted disc. With a DVD-R, you can start recording immediately after DISC ACCESS disappears on the LCD display. See page 29 for details on shooting movies and see page 34 for details on shooting still images. The FORMAT display appears when you insert a DVD-RW. Proceed to step 7.

FORMAT

REC FORMAT EXECUTE

EST. PROCESS TIME : 7sec REC FORMAT : VIDEO

VIDEO

7 When recording in VIDEO mode, select [EXECUTE] and [YES] with b/v/V/

B, then press ENTER.

When recording in VR mode (page 7):

1 Select [REC FORMAT] with v/V, then press ENTER. 2 Select [VR] with v/V, then press ENTER. 3 Select [EXECUTE] with v/V, then press ENTER. 4 Select [YES] with v/V, then press ENTER.

The disc formatting starts. When the formatting is completed, you can start recording on the DVD-RW.

Notes

•If you close the disc cover with the disc set incorrectly, it may cause your camcorder to malfunction.

•Do not shock or vibrate your camcorder during “DISC ACCESS” appearing.

•It may take some time to recognize the disc depending on the disc type and condition.

•You may hear the motor running when the disc cover is closed without a disc being

set. This is not a malfunction.

•Do not remove the battery pack or disconnect the AC adaptor while formatting.

•See page 133 for details on disc handling.

Getting Started

To eject the disc

1 Perform the steps 3 and 4 on page 26. 2 Take out the disc after the disc spin stops completely.

Note

You can open the disc cover only while the Access/Open lamp is lit in green.

On disc information

When you replace a disc, disc information such as the date you started to use it and information on previously recorded areas appears for about 5 seconds. The information on previously recorded areas may not be displayed correctly depending on the condition of the disc.

— Shooting movies/still images —

Shooting movies/still images

Before shooting

To shoot movies/still images correctly, note the following:

– Do not vibrate your camcorder during shooting. – Do not expose the disc to dirt and dust. – Do not scratch the disc.

You can shoot stable images by holding the camcorder correctly.

To hold your camcorder

Hold your camcorder with your fingers inserted through the grip belt.

Note

Do not pick up your camcorder by the viewfinder, the LCD screen, or the battery pack.

To fasten the grip belt

Fasten the grip belt firmly following the illustration below.

Viewfinder LCD screen Battery pack

Shooting movies

Perform “Getting Started” from step 1 to 6 beforehand (page 15). The following operation is common with VIDEO mode and VR mode.

1 Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on the sides of the cap.

Shooting movies/still images

2 Install the battery pack or connect the AC adaptor (page 15). 3 Open the LCD screen while pressing OPEN.

The image is not displayed in the viewfinder when the LCD screen opens.

4 Set the mode dial to (Movie). 5 Turn the power on by sliding the POWER switch upward while pressing the

green button.

6 Insert a disc (page 26).

This sets your camcorder to standby.

Shooting movies/still images

7 Press START/STOP (z).

Your camcorder starts recording. The REC indicator appears on the LCD display. The camera recording lamp located on the front of your camcorder lights up. To stop recording, press START/STOP again.

REC 0:00:01

Notes

•Do not touch the built-in microphone during recording.

•When the Access/Open lamp lights in red, data is being recorded on the disc. Take

note of the following when data is being recorded, or the data or the disc may be damaged.

– Do not shock or vibrate the camcorder. – Do not turn the power off. – Do not remove the battery pack or disconnect the AC adaptor. – Do not open the disc cover.

•The time to access the disc for recording may vary depending on the type of movies.

•There may be time difference between the point when you press START/STOP and

the actual point that the recording stops.

Tip

If you leave your camcorder powered by battery pack for 5 minutes while a disc is inserted, your camcorder automatically turns off. This is to save battery power and to prevent battery wear. Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) once, then set to ON, and your camcorder is set to a standby mode. You can cancel the automatic power-off by

setting the (SETUP MENU) – [A. SHUT OFF] menu item to [NEVER] in the SETUP display.

VIDEO

After recording

1 Eject the disc (page 27). 2 Turn the power off by sliding the POWER switch downward while pressing

the green button.

3 Close the LCD screen. 4 Remove the battery pack or disconnect the AC adaptor.

+ 118 hidden pages