Sony DCR-HC85E User Manual
3-090-179-11(1)
Camera Operations Guide [GB]
Camera
Operations Guide
Read this first
Digital Video Camera Recorder
© 2004 Sony Corporation
DCR-HC85E
Read this first
FOR CUSTOMERS IN EUROPE
Before operating the unit, please read this
manual thoroughl y, and retain it for futur e
reference.
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do no t
expose t h e u nit to rain o r moisture .
To avoid electrical sho ck, do not open
the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel only.
“Memory Stick”
N50
FOR CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED
KINGDOM
NOTICE ON THE SUPPLIED AC
ADAPTOR
A moulded plug complying with BS1363 is fitted to
this equipment for your safe ty an d convenience.
Should the fuse in the plug supplied need to be
replaced, a fuse of the same rating as the supplied one
and approved by ASTA or BSI to BS1362 (i.e.,
marked with or mark) must be used.
ATTENTION
The electromagnetic fields at the specific frequencies
may influence the picture and sound of this camcorder.
This product has been tested and found compliant with
the limits set out in the EMC Directive for using
connection cables shorter than 3 meters.
(9.8 feet)
b Notice
If static elec tr icity or elec tr o magnetic interference
causes data transfer to discontinue midway (fail),
restart the application or disconne c t a nd co nne ct the
USB cable again.
If the plug supplied with this equipment has a
detachable fuse cover , be sure to at ta ch the fus e cov er
after you change the fuse. Never use the plug without
the fuse cover. If you should lose the fuse cover, please
contact your nearest Sony service station.
2
Notes on use
Note on Cassette Memory
Your camcorder is based on the DV format. You can
use only mini DV cassettes in your camcorder. Use of
mini DV cassettes with Cassette Memory is
recommended as you can use Title search (p. 59), Date
search (p. 60), [ TITLE] (p. 79), [ TAPE
TITLE] (p. 81).
Cassettes with Cassette Memory are marked
with .
Note on the type of “Memory Stick” you
can use in your camcorder
You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo,” which is
about half the size of a standard “Memory Stick,” in
your camcorder (p. 125).
The mark is indicated on the
“Memory Stick Duo.”
Notes on recording
• Before starting to record, test the recording function
to make sure the picture and sound are rec or de d
without any problems.
• Compensation for the contents of recordings cannot
be provided, even if recording or pl ayb ac k is not
possible due to a malfunction of the camcorder,
storage media, etc.
• TV color systems differ depending on the countries/
regions. To view your recordings on a TV, you need
a PAL system-based TV.
• Television programs, film s, vide o ta pe s, and ot her
materials may be copyrighte d. Unaut horiz e d
recording of such materi als may be contrary to the
copyright laws.
Note on connecting other device
Before connecting your camcorder to othe r devi ce
such as a VCR or a computer with a USB or i.LINK
cable, be sure to insert the connector plug in the proper
direction. If you insert the connect or plug f or c ibly in
the wrong direction, the terminal may be damaged, or
this may cause a malfunction of your ca mcor de r .
Notes on using this manual
• The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder
used on this manual are captured using a digital still
camera, and thus may appear different from what
you see.
• The on-screen displays in each local language are
used in illustrating the operating procedures. Change
the screen language before using your camcorder if
necessary (p. 22).
Notes on using the camcorder
• Hold your camcorder correctly.
• To ensure a good grip, fasten the grip belt as shown
in the following illustration.
Notes on the LCD panel, viewfinder, and
lens
• The LCD screen and the viewfinder 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 blac k points and/
or bright points (white, red , blu e, or gree n in co lor )
that appe ar constantly on the LCD screen and the
viewfinder.
These points are normal results of the manufacturing
process and do not affect the recording in any way.
• Exposing the LCD screen, the viewfinder, or the lens
to direct sunlight for long periods of time may cause
malfunctions. Be careful when placing the camera
near a window or outdoors.
• Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause your
camcorder to malf unction. Take pictur e s of the sun
only in low light co nditions, such as at dusk.
• When you are using the touch panel, place your hand
on the back side of the LCD panel to support it.
Then, touch the buttons displayed on the screen.
Touch the button on the LCD screen.
• If you install the NP-FP70/FP90 (optiona l) ba tte r y
pack on your c a mcorder, ex tend its viewf inder.
• Be careful not to press buttons on the LCD frame
accidentally when you open or close the LCD panel,
or when you adjust the angle of the LCD panel.
• Do not hold the camcorder by the following parts .
,continued
3
Viewfinder
LCD panel
Battery pack
Flash
4
Table of Contents
: Features available for tape only.
: Features ava ilable for “Me mory Stick Duo”
only.
Read this first ............................................................................................. 2
Quick Start Guide
Recording movies ...................................................................................... 8
Recording still images.............................................................................. 10
Recording/Playing back with ease ........................................................... 12
Getting started
Step 1: Checking supplied items.............................................................. 13
Step 2: Charging the battery pack............................................................ 14
Using an outside power sourc e ....................... ........................... ............... ................ 17
Step 3: Turning the power on................................................................... 17
Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder...................................... 18
Adjusting the LCD panel ...........................................................................................18
Adjusting the viewfinder ................................................................................ ......... ...18
Step 5: Setting the date and time............................................................. 19
Step 6: Inserting the recording media ...................................................... 20
Inserting a cassette tape ........................................................................................... 20
Inserting a “Memory Stick Duo” ................................................................................21
Step 7: Setting the screen language........................................................ 22
Recording
Recording movies .................................................................................... 24
Recording for a longer time .......................................................................................26
Using zoom ........................................................... ....................................................27
Recording in mirror mode ......................................................................................... 27
Using the self-timer .............. ............... ...................................................................... 28
Recording movies fit for breaking into still images
– Progressive recording mode ............................................................................ 28
Recording still images – Memory photo recording............................. 29
Selecting image quality or siz e ............... .......................................... .............. ..........31
Using the flash ....................... ........................... ............... ........................... ..............31
Using the self-timer .............. ............... ...................................................................... 32
Recording a still image on a “Memory Stick Duo” while recording movies on a tape 33
Recording with ease – Easy Handycam ................................................. 34
Recording a movie ............................................................................................. 34
,continued
5
Recording a still image .......................................................................................35
Making full use of Easy Handycam operation ...........................................................35
Adjusting the exposure............................................................................. 36
Adjusting the exposure for b ack lit subjects ......................................................... ......36
Fixing the exposure for the selected subject – Flexible spot meter ...........................37
Adjusting the exposure manually ...............................................................................37
Recording in dark places – NightShot plus, etc. ...................................... 38
Adjusting the focus................................................................................... 40
Adjusting the focus for an off-center subject – SPOT FOCUS ..................................40
Adjusting the focus manually .....................................................................................40
Recording a picture using various effects ................................................ 41
Fading in and out of a scene – FADER ..............................................................41
Using special effects – Digital effect ..................................................................43
Overlaying still images on movies on a tape – MEMORY MIX ..................................44
Searching for the starting point .......................................................... 46
Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording – END SEARCH .............46
Searching manually – EDIT SEARCH .......................................................................47
Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes – Rec review .................................... 47
Playback
Viewing movies recorded on a tape ................................................... 48
Playing back in various modes ..................................................................................49
Viewing recordings with added effects – Digital effect .............................................. 50
Viewing recordings on a “Memory Stick Duo” .................................... 51
Playing back in various modes from a “Memory Stick Duo” ......................................52
Playing back with ease – Easy Handycam .............................................. 53
Making full use of Easy Handycam operation ...........................................................54
Various playback functions ...................................................................... 55
Magnifying pictures – Tape playback zoom/Memory playback zoom .......................55
Displaying the screen indicators ................................................................................56
Displaying the date/time and camera settings data – Data code ..............................56
Playing the picture on a TV...................................................................... 58
Locating a scene on a tape for playback ........................................... 59
Searching quickly for a desired scene – Zero set memory ........................................59
Searching for a scene using Cassette Memory – Title search ..................................59
Searching for a scene by date of recording – Date search .......................................60
6
Advanced operations
Using the Menu
Selecting menu items .........................61
Using the (CAMERA SET) menu
– PROGRAM AE/WHITE BAL./16:9
WIDE, etc. ....................................63
Using the (MEMORY SET) menu
– BURST/QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/
ALL ERASE/NEW FOLDER, etc.
......................................................69
Using the (PICT.APPLI.) menu
– PICT.EFFECT/SLIDE SHOW/
FRAME REC/INT.REC-STL, etc.
......................................................73
Using the (EDIT/PLAY) menu
– TITLE/TAPE TITLE, etc. ...........78
Using the (STANDARD SET ) menu
– REC MODE/MULTI-SOUND/
AUDIO MIX/USB-CAMERA, etc. ..82
Using the (TIME/LANGU.) menu
– CLOCK SET/WORLD TIME, etc.
......................................................87
Customizing Personal Menu .............. 88
Dubbing/Editing
Marking recorded images with specific
information
– Image protection/Print mark ....106
Printing recorded images (PictBridge
compliant printer) .................108
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting ...............................111
Warning indicators and me ss age s ...119
Additional Information
Using your camcorder abroad ..........123
Usable cassette tapes ......................123
About the “Memory Stick” .................125
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
....................................................127
About i.LINK .....................................129
Maintenance and precauti ons ..........130
Specification .....................................133
Quick Reference
Identifying parts and controls ...........135
Index ................................................142
Connecting to a VCR or TV ...............91
Dubbing to another tape ..............92
Recording pictures from a VCR or TV
......................................................93
Dubbing pictures from a tape to a
“Memory Stick Duo” .....................94
Dubbing still images from a “Memory
Stick Duo” to a tape ......................95
Dubbing selected scenes from a tape
– Digital program editing ..............96
Dubbing sound to a recorded tape
....................................................103
Deleting recorded pictures ........105
Refer also to other operating instructions
supplied with your camcorder:
• Editing images with your computer
cCompute r Appli c at ions Guide
7
Quick Start Guide
Recording movies
1 Attach the charged battery pack to the camcorder.
To charge the battery, see page 14.
a Lift up the viewfinder. b Slide the battery pack in th e direction
of the arrow until it clicks.
2 Insert a cassette into the camcorder.
a Slide the OPEN/
EJECT lever in the
direction of the arrow
to open the lid.
The cassette compartment
comes out automatically.
OPEN/EJECT lever
Quick Start Guide
8
b Insert the cassette with
its window-side facing
up, then push the center
of the back of the
cassette.
Window-side
c Press .
Close the cassette lid after
the cassette compartment
slides back in by itself.
3 Start recording while checking the subject on the LCD screen.
The date and time is not set up in the default setting. To set the date and time, see page 1 9.
a Remove the lens cap.
b Press OPEN and
open the LCD panel.
c While pressing the
green button, slide
the POWER switch
down to light up the
CAMERA-TAPE lamp.
The power turns on.
d Press REC START/
STOP.
Recording starts. To
change to standb y m ode,
press REC START/STOP
again.
You can also use REC
START/STOP of the LCD
panel.
4 View the recorded picture on the LCD screen.
a Slide the POWER
switch rep eatedly
until the PLAY/EDIT
lamp lights up.
Quick Start Guide
b Touch (rewind).
c Touch (play) to
start the playback.
To stop, press .
To turn off the power, slide the
POWER switch up to OFF
(CHG).
Quick Start Guide
9
Recording still images
1 Attach the charged battery pack to the camcorder.
To charge the battery, see page 14.
a Lift up the viewfinder. b Slide the battery pack in the direction
of the arrow until it clicks.
2 Insert a “Memory Stick Duo” into the camcorder.
Insert it so that the b mark
is at the bottom left corner.
Push in until it clicks.
Quick Start Guide
10
b mark
3 Start recording while checking the subject on the LCD screen.
The date and time is not set up in the default setting. To set the date and time, see page 1 9.
a Remove the lens cap.
b Press OPEN and
open the LCD panel.
c While pressing the
green button, slide
the POWER switch
repeatedly until the
CAMERA-MEMORY
lamp lights up.
The power turns on.
d Press PHOTO lightly.
A short beep sound is heard
when the focus is adjusted.
e Press PHOTO fully.
A shutter sound is heard
and the still image is
recorded.
4 View the recorded picture on the LCD screen.
a Slide the POWER
switch rep eatedly
until the PLAY/EDIT
lamp lights up.
Quick Start Guide
b Touch .
The most recently recorded
image is d isplayed.
c Touch (next) or
(previous) to
view images in
sequence.
To turn off the power, slide the
POWER switch up to OFF
(CHG).
Quick Start Guide
11
Recording/Playing back with ease
By switching to Easy Handycam operation, recording/playback operation
becomes even easier.
Easy Handycam operation allows easy recording/playback for even first
time users by providing only the basic functions for recording/playback.
Press EASY when recording/
playing back.
EASY lights up in blue (1) and
screen font si ze increa ses ( 2) during
Easy Handycam operation.
Easy Handycam
operation
ON
For details, se e i nstructions for ea ch op er ation.
See page 34 for recording, page 53 for pl ayback.
Quick Start Guide
12
Getting started
Step 1: Checking supplied items
Make sure you have following ite ms supplied
with your camcorder.
The number in parentheses indicates the number
of that item supplied.
“Memory Stick Duo” 8MB (1 )
You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo,” which is
about half the size of a standard “Memory Stick,” in
your camcorder. See page 125 for details.
Memory Stick Duo adaptor (1)
If you attach a Memory Stick Duo adaptor to a
“Memory Stick Duo,” you can use a “Memory Sti ck
Duo” with an y o f the devices co mpatible with a
standard “Memory Stick.”
the shadow of the lens hood may appear on the screen.
Also, if you force the lens hood on, you may not be
able to remove it again.
Shoulder strap (1)
See page 138 on how to attach the shoulder strap.
Getting started
Wireless Remote Commander (1)
A button-type lithium battery is already installe d.
A/V connecting cable (1)
USB cable (1)
AC Adaptor (1)
Mains lead (1)
Lens cap (1)
Attached to the camcorder.
Lens hood (1)
Use the lens hood to record under strong light, such as
under the sun. Note when you use a filter (optional ),
Rechargeable battery pac k NP - FP50 (1)
CD-ROM “SPVD-012 USB Driver” (1)
Cleaning cloth (1)
Shoe cover (1)
Attached to the camcorder.
21-pin adaptor (1)
For the models with the mark printed on their
bottom surfaces only.
Camera Operations Guide (This manual)
(1)
Computer Applications Guide (1)
Getting started
13
Step 2: Charging the battery pack
You can charge the battery by attaching the
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (P series) to
your camcord er .
b Note
• You cannot use batteries other than the
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (P series) (p. 127).
• Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor
or battery terminals with any metallic objects. This
may cause a malfunction.
• Use a nearby wall socket when using the AC
Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall
socket immediately if any mal f unc tion occurs.
Battery pack
DC plug
2 Attach the battery pack by sliding it in
the direction of the arrow until it
clicks.
3 With the b mark on the DC plug facing
the LCD panel side, connect the AC
Adaptor to the DC IN jack on your
camcorder.
DC IN jack
Mains lead
To the wall socket
1 Lift up the viewfinder.
Getting started
14
b mark
AC Adaptor
4 Connect the mains lead to the AC
Adaptor.
5 Connect the mains lead to the wall
socket.
6 Slide the POWER switch up to OFF
(CHG).
The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and
charging starts.
To check the remaining battery – Battery
Info
DISPLAY/BATT INFO
Getting started
POWER switch
CHG (charge)
lamp
After charging the battery
The CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the
battery is fully c har ged. Disconnect t he AC
Adaptor fro m the DC IN jack.
To remove the battery pack
POWER
PUSH
switch
Battery pack
1
Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
2 Lift up the viewf i nder.
3 Slide the ba ttery pack o ut in the di rection
of the arrow whil e pressing the PUSH
button.
b Note
• If you do not use the battery pack for a long time, use
up the battery pack completely before storing it. See
page 128 about storage of the battery pack.
You can check the battery’s current charge level
and its current remaining recording time both
during charging or when the power is turned off.
1 Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
2 Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.
3 Press DISPLAY/BATT INFO.
The battery informa tion appears for about 7
seconds.
Keep the button pressed to view it for about
20 seconds.
BATTERY INFO
BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL
REC TIME AVAILABLE
A Battery charge level: Displa ys
approximate remai ning amount of
power left in the ba ttery pack.
B Approximate possible re cording time
using the LCD panel.
C Approximate possible re cording time
using the viewfinder.
LCD SCREEN
VIEWFINDER::
50%0% 100%
54 min
76 min
Getting started
15
Charging t ime
Approximate number of minutes require d when
you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack
at 25°C (77°F). (10 – 30°C (50 – 86°F)
recommended.)
Battery pack
NP-FP50 (supplied) 125
NP-FP70 155
NP-FP90 220
Recording time when recordi ng with the
LCD screen on
Approximate nu m ber of minutes availabl e
when you use a fully charged battery pack at
25°C (77°F).
With LCD BACKLIGHT set to ON
Battery pack Continuous
NP-FP50
(supplied)
NP-FP70 130 70
NP-FP90 235 125
recording
time
60 30
With LCD BACKLIGHT set to OFF
Battery pack Continuous
NP-FP50
(supplied)
NP-FP70 180 95
NP-FP90 320 175
recording
time
85 45
Typical*
recording
time
Typical*
recording
time
Recording time when recording with the
viewfinder
Approximate number of minutes available
when you use a fully charged battery pack at
25°C (77°F).
Battery pack Continuous
NP-FP50
(supplied)
NP-FP70 180 95
NP-FP90 320 175
* Approximate number of minutes when recording
while you repeatedly record, start/stop, slide the
POWER switch to change the power mode, and
zoom. The actual battery life may be shorter.
recording
time
85 45
Typical*
recording
time
Playing time
Approximate number of minutes available
when you use a fully charged battery pack at
25°C (77°F).
Battery pack LCD panel
NP-FP50
(supplied)
NP-FP70 175 255
NP-FP90 310 455
* With LCD BACKLIGHT set to ON.
b Note
• The power will not be supplied from the battery pack
when the AC Adap tor is conne cted to th e DC IN jack
of your camcorder, even if its mains lead is
disconnected from the wall socket.
• The recording and playback time will be shor te r
when you use your camcorder in low temperatu re.
• The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging, or
the battery information will not be correctly
displayed in following conditions.
– The battery pack is not attached correctly.
– The battery pack is damaged.
– The battery pack is fully discharged. (For Battery
information only)
opened*
80 120
LCD panel
closed
Getting started
16
Using an outside power source
Step 3: Turning the power on
You can use the AC Adaptor as the power
source when you do not want the battery to
run out. While you are using the AC Adaptor,
the battery pack will not lose its c harg e ev en
when it is attached to your camc order.
PRECAUTION
Even if your camcorder is turned off, AC power
(mains) is still supp lied to it while connec ted t o
the wall socket via the AC Adaptor.
Connect your camcorder as shown in
“Charging the battery pack” (p. 14).
You need to slide the POWER switch
repeatedly to select the desired power mo de
to record or play.
When using this camcorder for the first time,
the [CLOCK SET] screen appears (p. 19).
Getting started
While pressing the green button, slide the
POWER switch down.
The power turns on.
To enter the recording or playing mod e, sl ide
the switch repeatedly until the respective lamp
for the desire d power mode lights up.
• CAME RA -TAPE mode: To record on a tape.
• CAMERA-MEMORY mode: To record on a
“Memory Stick Duo. ”
• PLAY/EDIT mode: T o play or ed it picture s on
a tape or “Memory St ic k D uo.”
To turn off the power
Slide the POWER switch up to OFF (CHG).
Getting started
17
Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder
Adjusting the LCD panel
You can adjust the angle and brightness of
the LCD panel to meet various recording
situations.
Even when there are obstructions between you
and the subject, you can check the subject on the
LCD screen during recording by adjusting the
angle of the LCD panel.
Maximum
180 degrees
Maximum
90 degrees
LCD BACKLIGHT
Press OPEN and open the
LCD panel.
3 Adjust the item with / , then
touch .
z Tip
• If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees to the lens
side, you can close the LCD panel with the LCD
screen facing out.
• If you are using the battery pack for power sour ce,
you can adjust the brightness by selecting [LCD BL
LEVEL] from the [LCD/VF SET] on the
(STANDARD SET) menu
• When you use your camcorder in bright conditions,
press LCD BACKLIGHT to switch off the LCD
screen backlight ( appears on the screen). This
setting saves battery power.
• Even if you adjust the LCD screen backlight, the
recorded picture will not be affected .
• You can turn off the operation confirmation beep by
setting [BEEP] in the (STANDARD SET)
menu to [OFF] (p. 86).
(p. 83).
Adjusting the viewfinder
You can view images using the viewfinder
when you close the LCD panel. Use the
viewfinder when the battery is running out, or
when the screen is hard to see.
Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the
camcorder, then rotate it to the desired
position.
To adjust the brightness of the LCD
screen
1
Touch .
2 Touch [LCD BRIGHT].
If the item is not displayed on the screen,
touch / . If you cannot find it, touch
[MENU], (STANDARD SET) menu,
then touch [LC D/VF SET] (p. 83).
Getting started
18
Viewfinder lens adjustment lever
1 Lift up the viewfinder.
2 Adjust the viewfinder lens adjustment
lever until the picture is clear.
To use the viewfinder during operation
When you are recording on a tape or a “Memo ry
Stick Duo,” you can adjust the exposure (p. 36)
and fader (p. 41) while ch ecking the image on
the viewfind er. Have the LCD pa nel rot ated 180
degrees and closed with the screen facing out.
1 Set the power mode to CAMERA-TAPE
or CAMERA-MEMORY (p. 17).
2 Close the LCD panel with the screen
facing out.
appears on the sc reen.
3 Touch .
[Set LCD off?] appears on the sc reen.
4 Touch [YES].
The LCD screen is turned off.
5 Touch the LCD screen while checki ng
the display in the viewfin d er .
[EXPOSURE], et c. are displayed.
6 Touch the button you want to set.
• [EXPOSURE]: Adjust with /
and touch .
• [FADER]: Touch it repeatedly to select a
desired effect (o nl y i n the CAMERATAPE mode).
• : The LCD screen lights up.
To hide the buttons on the LCD screen,
touch .
z Tip
• To adjust the brightness of the viewfinder backlight,
select (STANDARD SET) menu, [LCD/VF
SET], then [VF B.LIGHT] (when you are using the
battery pack, p. 83).
Step 5: Setting the date and time
Set the date and time when using this
camcorder for the first time. If you do not set
the date and time, the [CLOCK SET] screen
appears every time you turn on your
camcorder.
b Note
• If you do not use your camcorder for about 3
months, the built-in rechargeable button-t ype
battery gets discharged and th e date and time
settings may be cleared from the memory. In that
case, charge the rechargeable bu tton-type battery
(p. 132) and then set the date and time again.
OPEN
POWER switch
1 Turn on your camcorder (p.17).
2 Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.
Proceed to step 7 when you set th e clock for
the first time.
Getting started
3 Touch .
60min
1/3
MENU
FADER
SPOT
METER
EXPO–
SURE
SPOT
FOCUS
PRGRAM
AE
–:––:––
,continued
Getting started
19
4 Touch [MENU].
60min
–:––:––
CAMERA SET
PROGRAM AE
SPOT METER
EXPOSURE
OK
5 Select (TIME/LANGU.) with
/ , then touch .
DISPLAY
MENU ROT ATE
LANGUAGE
PROGRAM AE
–:––:––
––:––:––
OK
60min
A. SHUT OFF
CLOCK SET
WORLD
6 Select [CLOCK SET] with / ,
then touch .
CLOCK SET
DATE
Y 1M 1D 0: 00
2004
–:––:––
OK
Step 6: Inserting the recording media
Inserting a cassette tape
You can use mini DV cassettes only.
For details on these cassettes (such as writeprotection), see page 123.
b Note
• Do not force the cassette into the compartment. This
may cause a malfunction of your camc or de r.
1 Sl ide the OPEN/EJECT lever in
the direction of the arrow and open the
lid.
OPEN/EJECT lever
Lid
7 Set [Y] (year) with / , then touch
.
CLOCK SET
DATE
Y 1M 1D 0: 00
2004
–:––:––
OK
You can set any year up to the year 2079.
8 Set [M] (month), [D] (day), hour and
minute in the same way as was done in
step 7, then touch .
Getting started
20
The cassette compartment automatically
comes out and opens up.
2 Insert a cassette with its window-side
facing up.
Window-side
Push the center of the back
of the cassette lightly.
3 Press .
The cassette compartment automatically
slides back in.
Inserting a “Memory Stick Duo”
For details on the “Memory Stick Duo” (such
as write-protection), see page 125.
b Note
• You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo,” which is
about half the size of a standard “Memory Stick,” in
your camcorder (p. 125). Do not try to force any
other type of “Memory Stick” into the “M emor y
Stick Duo” slot.
Access lamp
b mark
Getting started
4 Close the lid.
To eject the cassette
Slide the OPEN/EJECT lever in the
1
direction of the arrow and open the lid.
The cassette compartment automatically
comes out.
2 Take out the ca ssette, then pres s .
The cassette compartment automatically
slides back in.
3 Close the lid.
Insert the “Memory Stick Duo” with the b
mark at the bottom left corner until it
clicks.
To eject a “Memory Stick D uo”
Lightly push the “Me m ory Stick Duo” in once.
Lightly push in
once.
,continued
Getting started
21
b Note
• If you force the “Memory Stick Duo” into the
“Memory Stick Duo” slot in the wrong direction, the
“Memory Stick Duo” slot may be damaged.
• Do not insert anything other than a “Memory Stick
Duo” into the “Memory Stick Duo” slot. Doing so
may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.
• When the access lamp is lit or flashing, your
camcorder is reading/writing data fro m/to the
“Memory Stick Duo.” Do not shake or knock your
camcorder, turn the power off, eject the “Memory
Stick Duo,” or remove the battery pack. Otherw ise,
image data may be damaged.
Step 7: Setting the screen language
You can select the language to be used on the
LCD screen.
OPEN
POWER switch
1 Turn on your camcorder.
2 Press OPEN to open the LCD panel.
3 Touch .
0:00:0060min STBY
EXPO–
MENU
SURE
FADER
SPOT
METER
SPOT
FOCUS
PRGRAM
AE
1/3
4 Touch [LANGUAGE].
If the item is not displayed on the screen,
touch / . If you cannot find it, touch
[MENU], and select it from the
(TIME/LANGU.) menu (p. 87).
0:00:0060min
DEU
TSCH
ENG
LISH
STBY
ENG
[
SIMP
]
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
1/4
Getting started
22
5 Select the desired language with /
, then touch .
z Tip
• Your camcorder offers [ENG [SIMP]] (simplified
English) for when you cannot find your native
tongue among the options.
Getting started
Getting started
23
Recording
Recording movies
You can record movi es on a tape or a
“Memory Stick Duo.”
Before recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in
“Getting started” (p. 13 to p. 22).
When you are recor ding on a tape, movies
will be recorded alon g with stereo sound.
When you are recording on a “Memory Stick
Duo,” the movie will be recorded with
monaural sound.
Camera recording lamp
POWER switch
3 Sel ect the recording mode.
To record on a tape
Slide the POWER switch until the
CAMERA-TAPE lamp lights up, and your
camcorder is set t o t he standby mode.
Slide the POWER
switch while pressing
the green button.
To record on a “Memo ry Stick
Duo” – MPEG MOVIE EX
Slide the POWER switch repeatedly until
the CAMERA-MEMORY lamp lights up,
and the currently selected recor ding folder
appears on the sc reen.
Slide the POWER
switch while pressing
the green button.
REC START/STOP
z Tip
• Performing Easy Handycam opera tion, even first time
users can record easily. For details, see page 34.
1 Remo ve the lens cap. Pull the lens cap
string down and attach it to the grip
belt.
2 Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.
Recording
24
4 Press REC START/STOP.
Recording starts. [REC] appears on the
LCD screen and the Camera recording lamp
lights up.
Press REC START/STOP again to stop
recording.
To check the most recently recorded
MPEG movie – Review
Touch . Playback star ts automatically.
Touch again to return to standby.
To delete the movie, touch after playback
is finished, then [YES].
To cancel deleting, to uch [NO].
To turn the power off
Slide the POWER switch up to the OFF (CHG)
position.
Indicators displayed during recording
on a tape
The indicators will not be recorded on the tape.
Date/time and the camera settings data (p. 56)
will not be displayed during recording.
Indicators displayed during recording
on a “Memor y Stick Duo”
The indicators will not be recorded on the
“Memory Stick Duo. ”
Date/time (p. 56) will not be displayed during
recording.
60min
0:00:00REC
60min
P-MENU
A Indica tors for C assette Memory cass ettes
B Remaining battery
The indicated time may not be correct
depending on the environment of use.
When you opened or closed the LCD panel,
it takes about 1 minute to display the cor rect
remaining battery time.
C Recording mode (SP or LP )
D Recording status ([STBY] ( st andby) or
[REC] (recording))
E Time code or tape counter (hour:
minute: s e cond)
F Recording capacity o f t he tape (p. 85)
G Personal Menu button (p . 61)
H END SEARCH/EDIT SEARCH/Rec
review display switch button (p. 46)
60min REC
101
0:00:00
320
P-MENU
2min
A Recording folder
B Remaining battery
The indicated time may not be correct
depending on the env ir onment of use.
When you opened or closed the LCD panel,
it takes about 1 minute to display the correc t
remaining battery time.
C Recording status ([STBY] (standby) or
[REC] (recordin g))
D Movie si ze
E Recorded time (hour: minute: second)
F Recording capacity of the “Memory
Stick Duo”
G “Memory Stick Duo” reco rdi n g start
indicator (appears for about 5 seconds)
H Personal Menu button (p. 61)
I Review button (p. 24)
b Note
• Before changing the battery pack, sli de the PO WER
switch up to OFF (CHG).
• In the default setting, when you do not operate the
camcorder for more than about 5 minutes, the power
will automatica lly turn off to prevent batt er y loss
([A.SHUT OFF], p. 86). To restart recording, slide
the POWER switch down to select CAMERATAPE or CAMERA-MEMORY, and then press
REC START/STOP.
• While recording movies on a “Memory Stick Duo,”
the only menu items available will be those with
short cuts on the Personal Menu. In order to use
other menu items, add them to the Pe rs ona l Me nu.
,continued
Recording
Recording
25
• When you are record ing on a “Memory Stick Duo”
with an external flash (optional) attached to the
intelligent acce sso r y sho e, turn off the power of the
external flash to prevent charging noise from getting
recorded.
z Tip
• If you do not use your camcorder for a long time,
remove the cassette and store it.
• You can also use REC START/STOP of the LCD
panel to record moving pictures. It is useful when
you record from a low-angle or record yourself in the
mirror mode.
• To press REC START/STOP on LCD frame,
support the LCD panel with your hand.
• Recording with LCD screen is recommended when
you use the large capacity battery pa ck
(NP-FP70/FP90).
• To ensure smooth transition on a tape from the last
recorded sc ene to the next , n ote the follow in g.
– Do not remo ve the cas sette. (The picture will be
recorded continuously without a break even when
you turn the power off).
– Do not record pictures in SP mode and LP mode on
the same tape.
– Avoid stopping then recording a movie in the LP
mode.
• See “To record for a longer time on a “Memory Stick
Duo”” (p. 26) for the approximate length of time it is
possible to record on a “Memory Stick Duo” of
different capacities .
• The recording time, date, and the camera settings
data (for tape only) are recorded au to matically on
the recording media without being displayed on the
screen. You can view this information duri ng
playback by selecting [DATA CODE] in the me nu
setting (p. 56).
Recording for a longer time
To record for a longer time on a tape
In the (STANDARD SET) menu, select
[ REC MODE], then [LP] (p. 82).
In the LP mode, you can record 1.5 times longer
than you can when recording in the SP m ode.
A tape recorded in the LP mode should be
played back only on t hi s c am corder.
To record for a longer time on a
“Memory Stick Duo”
In the (MEMORY SET) menu, select
[MOVIE SET], [ IMAGE SIZE], then [160 ×
112] (p. 70).
The length of time you can record on a
“Memory Stick D uo” varies depending on th e
image size and th e recording environment.
Refer to the following list for approximate length
of time you can record movies on a “Memory
Stick Duo” formatted on yo ur cam co rder.
Image size and time
(hour: minute: second)
320 × 240 160 × 112
8MB
(supplied)
16MB 00:02:40 00:10:40
32MB 00:05:20 00:21:20
64MB 00:10:40 00:42:40
128MB 00:21:20 01:25:20
256MB
(MSX-M2 5 6)
512MB
(MSX-M5 1 2)
00:01:20 00:05:20
00:42:40 02:50:40
01:25:20 05:41:20
26
Recording
Using zoom
Recording in mirror mode
When the CAMERA-TAPE mode is
selected, you can choose zoom to
magnification levels greater than 10 times,
and from that point activ a te the d i gi ta l zoo m
([DIGITAL ZOOM], p. 67).
Occasional use of the zoom is effective, but
use it sparingly for best results.
1 cm (approx.
1/2 inch)*
* The minimum distance required between your
camcorder and the subj ec t to get a sharp focus in
that position of the lever.
80 cm (approx.
2 5/8 feet)*
Move the power zoom lever slightly for a
slower zoom. Move it further for a faster
zoom.
To record wider ran g e of vi ew
Move the power zoom lever towards W.
The subject appears farther away (Wide
angle).
To record closer vie w
Move the power zoom lever towards T.
The subject appears closer (Telephoto).
You can turn the LCD panel towards the
subject so that you and your subject can share
the image being recorded. You can also
utilize this function wh en recording yo urself,
to keep the attention of small children
attracted to the camcorder while you record
them.
Recording
Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the
camcorder, then rotate it 180 degrees
towards the subject.
A mirror-image of the subject appears on the
LCD screen, but the picture will be normal
when record ed.
Recording
27
Using the self-timer
With the self-timer, you can start recording
after a delay of abou t 10 s ec o nd s .
REC START/STOP
REC START/STOP
1 Touch .
2 Touch [SELF-TIMER].
If the item is not displayed on the screen,
touch / . If you cannot find it, touch
[MENU], and select it from the
(CAMERA SET) menu.
SELF–TIMER: OFF
0:00:0060min STBY
4 Press REC START/STOP.
You will hear a beep sound counting down
for about 10 seconds (The count down
indication begins from 8).
The recording sta rt s .
To stop recording, press REC START/
STOP.
To cancel the count down
Touch [RESET] or pr es s REC START/STOP .
To cancel the self-timer
Follow steps 1 and 2, then select [OFF] in step
3.
Recording movies fit for br eaking into still images – Progressive recording mode
This feature is useful for movies you intend
to import to your computer to produce still
images.
You can record pictures with less blurring than
recording in the normal mode, producing
pictures suitable for analyzing high-speed
action such as sports. To enjoy as a movie, it is
better to record the picture in the normal mode,
since the image is recorded only every 1/25 of a
second in the progressive recording mode.
ONOFF
3 Touch [ON], then .
appears.
0:00:00STBY
P-MENU
28
60min
Recording
REC START/STOP
1 Touch .
2 Touch [PROGRE REC].
If the item is not displayed on the screen,
touch / . If you cannot find it, touch
[MENU], and select [PROGRES. REC]
from the (CAMERA SET) menu.
Recording still
3 T ouch [ON], then .
appears.
4 Pre ss REC START/STOP.
Press it again to st op recording.
To cancel the progressive recording
mode
Follow step s 1 and 2, then sele ct [OFF] in step
3.
Note on the progressive recording mode
In a normal TV broadcast, the screen is divided into 2
finer fields and these are displayed in turn, every 1/50
of a second. Thus, the actual picture disp la ye d in an
instant covers only half of the apparent picture area. In
progressive recording, the pi ct ur e is ful ly dis played
with all the pixels. A pict ur e recorded in this mode
appears clearer, but a moving subject may appea r
awkward.
b Note
• When recording in the progressive recording mode
under fluorescent light or a light bulb, the screen
may flicker. This is not a malfunc ti on.
• You cannot use the Progressive recording mode
together with [16:9 WIDE] mode.
images
– Memory photo recording
You can record still images on a “Memory
Stick Duo.” Before recording, follow steps 1
to 7 in “Getting started” (p. 1 3 to p. 22).
PHOTO
POWER switch
z Tip
• Performing Easy Handycam operation, even first time
users can record easily. For details, see page 34.
1 Remove the lens cap. Pull the lens cap
string down and attach it to the grip
belt.
Recording
2 Press OPEN and open the LCD panel.
,continued
Recording
29
3 Slid e the POWER swit ch repeatedly
until the CAMERA-MEMORY lamp
lights up.
The selected recording folder is displa yed.
Slide the POWER
switch while pressing
the green button.
To turn the power off
Slide the POWER switch up to the OFF (CHG)
position.
To record still images continuously –
Burst
Select th e (MEMORY S ET) menu,
[STILL SET], then [ BURST] (p. 69).
You can record images continuously in a time
interval of about 0.5 t o 0. 08 seconds.
Indicators displayed during recording
4 Press and hold PHOTO lightly.
You will hear a light beeping sound when
the focus and brightness settings ar e
adjusted. Reco rding does not star t at t hi s
point.
The indicator
stops flashing.
The number of images
that can be recorded.*
60min
101
*The number of images that can be recorded
varies depending on the image quality setting
and the recording environment.
8
FINE
1600
P-MENU
5 Press PHOTO fully.
A shutter sound i s he ard. When bars of
disappear, the image is recorded on
the “Memory Stick Du o. ”
To check the most recently recorded
image – Review
Touch .
Touch to return to standby.
To delete the image, touch , then [YES].
To cancel deleting, touch [NO].
60min
101
FINE
1600
P-MENU
A Recording folder
B Image size
(1600 × 1200) or (640 × 480)
1600
C Quality
([FINE]) or ([STANDARD])
D Personal Menu button (p. 61)
E Review button (p. 30)
z Tip
• When you press PHOTO on your Remote
Commander, the image displayed on the screen at
that timing is record ed.
• The recording time, date, and th e cam e ra se ttings
data are recorded automatically on the recording
media without being displayed on the scre en. You
can view this information during playback by
selecting [DATA CODE] in the menu setting
(p. 56).
• The recording angle is wider than that of the
CAMERA-TAPE mode.
30
Recording
Loading...