Sony DCR-DVD508 SYSTEM MANUAL

DCR-DVD508

DVD Handycam® Camcorder

NEW

Powerful and practical, the DCR-DVD508 merges quality with performance. Letting you easily record to DVD-R/

­RW/+RW/+R DL (Dual Layer) media formats, there’s no better way to share your moments with everyone. A
professional quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens sees all so you never have to miss any detail ever again.

Step-up

3.0 Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid™ CMOS
Sensor

1/2.9" ClearVid™ CMOS Sensor with 2280K
(effective) pixels (16:9) provides stunning
detail and clarity with exceptional video (up
to 530 lines of horizontal resolution) and
still image performance. The Megapixel
technology enhances your digital videos
and digital still (3040K) photography
performance (4:3).

DVD Format Video Recording

The DVD recording format delivers digital
picture and sound quality comparable to
that of MiniDV, but on DVD. Playback of the
DVDs couldn't be simpler. After finalizing
the disc in the camcorder, the disc can play
back in most DVD Players, computers and
even PlayStation® 2 and PlayStation 3

video game consoles

.

2

DVD-R/RW/+RW and +R DL (Dual Layer)
Compatible

The DCR-DVD508 is compatible with a
variety of DVD formats allowing the ease of
use and simplicity found in DVD Media. With
DVD+RW media there is not a need to
finalize the disc (minimum recording
required). Simply remove the disc and
insert the media into a compatible DVD
Player.

6

10X Optical/20X Digital Zoom

The optical zoom helps to bring the action
close up from far away. In addition, the
Digital Zoom interpolation means that
extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less
distortion than previous types of digital
zooms.

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario­Sonnar® T* Lens

Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical
multi-layer coating for increased contrast.
This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to­life color saturation and perfect renditions
of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on
the lens further reduces unwanted glare
and flare.

Dolby® Digital 5.1ch Recording

The DCR-DVD508 will record in Dolby
Digital 5.1ch surround sound with a built-in
microphone. By recording in 5.1 channel
surround sound you can now experience
your home movies with active sounds
coming from all directions. Enjoy your
personal home movies the way you
experienced them while recording.

2.7" Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear
Photo™ plus LCD (211K Pixels)

The 2.7" Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides
excellent viewing clarity with improved
resolution. The high resolution 211K pixel
LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for
multiple viewing angles providing sharp,
detailed images for monitoring or
playback, and the widescreen format
makes shooting in 16:9 mode and
composing shots even easier.

7

Smooth Slow Recording

By increasing the record rate from 60 fields
per second (fps) to 240 fps for 3 seconds
allowing you to capture 3 seconds of fast
motion and play the video back in 12
seconds. This is great for analyzing a golf
swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In
addition, record an audio track to narrate
what is being seen during the video.

Memory Stick Duo™ Media Slot

Capture still images up to 2848x2136 (4:3)
resolution, directly onto Memory Stick
Duo™ Media for easy transfer to PCs for
emailing, printing or sharing with other
compatible Memory Stick® devices.

5

Super SteadyShot® (Optical) Image
Stabilization System

An advanced form of Sony's SteadyShot
Image Stabilization system that controls a
higher range of shake and vibration
frequencies. This optical stabilization
system achieves an even higher level of
smoothness without degradation of video
like some digital stabilization systems.

On Screen Zoom and Record Buttons

For additional control of the camcorder, the
DCR-DVD508 features Zoom and Record
buttons on the frame of the LCD screen. This
allows the user more flexibility when
holding the camcorder, especially in
overhead or low angle shots.

USB 2.0 Interface

USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to
connect your DVD Handycam Camcorder to
the computer for fast transfer of video and
still images to your computer for editing.
The camcorder can also be used as an
external DVD burner, convenient for
making copies of your DVDs or burning
edited movies.

4

One Touch Wide Angle Shooting

Easily switch between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect
ratios for shooting, with just the touch of a
button.

Progressive Shutter System

A mechanical shutter system that provides
progressive scan performance while
utilizing an interlaced scanning system.
Digital still images will be sharp and clear
with excellent definition.

Active Interface Shoe

Provides a location directly on the
camcorder to which one may add optional
accessories while providing power and two­way communication with those accessories.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Super NightShot® Infrared System

InfoLITHIUM® Battery with AccuPower™
Meter System

Manual Focus

Scene Selection Modes

Picture Effects

Fader Effects

Battery Information

Easy Handycam Button

Multi Lanugage Menu

Sony Electronics Inc. • 16530 Via Esprillo • San Diego, CA 92127 • 1.800.222.7669 • www.sony.com

Last Updated: 06/11/2007

DCR-DVD508

DVD Handycam® Camcorder

1. Actual battery life may vary based on product settings, usage patterns, battery and environmental
conditions. Designed for use with compatible Sony InfoLITHIUM® batteries.

2. Playback on all home DVD players, computers, DVD drives, and PlayStation® 2 and PlayStation 3
consoles cannot be guaranteed. Some players drives, and video game consoles lack the ability to read
due to the optical reflection standard of DVD-R/RW disks and/or due to encoding incompatibilities.
Refer to the specifications of your playback equipment for additional compatibility information.

3. Image size and files size may vary based upon the type and complexity of the image recorded.

4. Not all products with USB 2.0 connector may communicate with each other due to chipset variations.

5. Available storage capacity of Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO media may vary. A portion of the
memory is used for data management functions. Actual available memory in MBs is: 8=7.5, 16=15, 32=30,
64=61, 128=123, 256=220, 512=460, 1GB=940, 2GB=1.85GB, 4GB=3.66GB.

6.Use of Sony DVD-R/-RW/ RW/ R DL Media recommended. For third party media, confirm compatibility with
manufacturer.

7. Viewable area measured diagonally.

©2007 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony, AccuPower, Clear Photo,
ClearVid, Handycam, InfoLITHIUM, like.no.other, Memory Stick, the Memory Stick logo, Memory Stick Duo,
Memory Stick PRO Duo, NightShot, Remote Commander, SteadyShot and SwivelScreenare trademarks of
Sony. PlayStation is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment of America. Carl Zeiss and Vario

­Sonnar are trademarks of Carl Zeiss. PictBridge is a trademark of CIPA. Microsoft and Windows are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective
owners.
Features and specifications subject to change without notice. Non-metric weights and measures are
approximate and may vary.
Screen Images Simulated

Please visit the Dealer Network for more information at www.sony.com/dn

Specifications

General

Imaging Device:

1/2.9" ClearVid™

CMOS Sensor

Pixel Gross: 3200K Pixels
Recording Media:

3" (8cm) DVD (DVD-R/DVD

-

RW/DVD+RW/DVD+R DL)

Recording and Playback Times:

Single Layer

- HQ: 20
min., SP: 30 min., LP 60 min.
Dual Layer - HQ: 35 min., SP: 55 min., LP 110 min.

Video Actual: 2280K Pixels (16:9), 1710K Pixels (4:3)
Still Actual: 2280K Pixels (16:9), 3040K Pixels (4:3)

Audio

Recording Format:

Dolby® Digital 5.1ch

Convenience

USB Streaming:

N/A

SteadyShot® Image Stabilization:

Yes (Super; Optical)

Accessory Shoe:

Active Interface Shoe

White Balance:

Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor

Memory Stick PRO

™

Media Compatibility:

Tested to
support up to 4GB media capacity; does not support
high speed transfer function; does not support
Access Control security function.

Still Image Mode(s):

JPEG

Minimum Illumination:

1.5 Lux (0 Lux with Super

NightShot® Infrared System)

Low Light Capability:

Super NightShot® System

Convenience Features

Easy Operation:

Yes

Fader Effects:

Black and White

Multiple Language Display: Yes
Remote Control:

Yes

Slide Show Mode:

Yes

Titling:

N/A

Light/Flash: Yes/Yes
Scene Mode(s):

Beach, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait,
Snow, Spotlight, Sunrise & Sunset, Twilight and
Twilight Portrait

Picture Effect(s):

Monotone, Pastel and Sepia

Digital Picture Effect(s): Old Movie
PictBridge Compatible:

Yes

Inputs and Outputs

Analog Audio/Video Input(s):

N/A

Analog Audio/Video Output(s):

Yes (Multi A/V)

Digital Audio/Video Input(s):

Yes (via USB)

Digital Audio/Video Output(s):

Yes (via USB)

USB Port(s):

Yes (2.0 compliant)

Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s):

N/A

Headphone Jack:

N/A

Microphone Input:

Yes (thru Active Interface Shoe)

Remote Jack:

Yes (Mini Plug)

S

-Video Input(s):

N/A

S

-Video Output(s):

Yes (optional accessory)

Hardware

LCD:

2.7" (211K Pixels) Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel

Clear Photo™

Plus LCD

Lens Type: Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T*
Viewfinder:

Wide, Color (123K Pixels)

Docking Station:

N/A

6 4 7

Microphone:

Yes (Built-in 5.1ch)

Optics/Lens

35mm Equivalent: 40 -

400mm(16:9 Camera Mode), 49

-

490mm (4:3 Camera Mode), 40 - 400mm (16:9

Memory Mode), 37-370mm (4:3 Memory Mode)

Aperture:

f1.8 - 2.9

Exposure:

Touch Panel (24 steps)

Filter Diameter:

37mm

Focal Distance:

5.4

- 54mm

Focus:

Full Range Auto, Manual (Touch Panel)

Progressive Shutter Mode:

Yes

Shutter Speed:

Auto, 1/2 - 1/500 (Scene Mode)

Optical Zoom:

10X

Digital Zoom:

20X

Power

Power Consumption:

4.5W / 4.7W (VF/LCD)

Battery Type:

InfoLITHIUM® with AccuPower™

Meter

System (NP-FH60)

Power Requirements:

7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC

Adaptor)

Service and Warranty Information

Limited Warranty:

1 Year Parts; 90 Days Labor

Software

Operating System Compatibility:

Microsoft

®
Windows® 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP
Professional

Supplied Software:

Picture Motion Browser v. 2.0

Video

Video Recording System:

DVD-Video/DVD

-VR

Video Signal System:

NTSC color, EIA standards

Analog-to-

Digital Converter:

N/A

Format(s) Supported:

MPEG2 (SD)

Dimensions

Weight:

1 lb 4 oz (590g)

Measurements: 2 7/8" x 3 /2" x 5 5/8" (70 x 87 x

142mm)

Supplied Accessories

Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (AC-L200)
InfoLITHIUM® Rechargeable Battery (NP-FH60)
Remote Commander® Remote Control (RMT-835)
A/V Cable (Stereo)
USB Cable
Application Software and USB Driver (CD

-ROM)

Enjoy Handycam DVD

Optional Accessories

Wireless Bluetooth® Microphone with Center Channel

Capability (ECM-HW1)

High Grade A/V Cable with S-Video (VMC-30FS)

UPC Code:

027242701717