Sony DCR-PC100 User Manual
3-867-752-12 (1)
Digital
Video Camera
Recorder
Operating Instructions
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly,
and retain it for future reference.
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the
serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers
whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. DCR-PC100 Model No. AC-
Serial No. Serial No.
DCR-PC100
©1999 Sony Corporation
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Digital Handycam camcorder. With your Digital
Welcome!
Handycam, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Digital
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.
Never expose the battery pack to temperatures
above 140°F (60°C) such as in a car parked in
the sun or under direct sunlight.
For customers in the U.S.A. and
CANADA
DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.
You can return your unwanted lithium ion batteries
to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory
Service Center.
Note: In some areas the disposal of lithium ion
batteries in household or business trash may
be prohibited.
For the Sony Service Center nearest you call
1-800-222-SONY (United States only).
For the Sony Factory Service Center nearest you call
416-499-SONY (Canada only).
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium
ion battery.
For the Customers in the U.S.A.
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: DCR-PC100
Responsible Party:Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 1 Sony Drive, Park
Ridge, NJ, 07656 USA
Telephone No.: 201-930-6970
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.
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.
2
For customers in CANADA
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
“Memory Stick”
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.
For customers in CANADA
This Class B digital apparatus complies with
Canadian ICES-003.
3
Table of contents
Checking supplied accessories.............. 5
Quick Start Guide ................................... 6
Getting started
Using this manual ................................... 8
Step 1 Preparing the power supply ... 10
Installing the battery pack ................... 10
Charging the battery pack ................... 11
Connecting to a wall outlet.................. 13
Step 2 Inserting a cassette ................... 14
Recording – Basics
Recording a picture............................... 15
Shooting backlit subjects
(BACK LIGHT) ............................... 21
Shooting in the dark (NightShot) ....... 22
Self-timer recording .............................. 23
END SEARCH ....................................... 24
Playback – Basics
Playing back a tape ............................... 25
Viewing the recording on TV .............. 29
Advanced Recording Operations
Recording a still image on a tape
– Tape photo recording ................. 31
Adjusting the white balance manually ..
Using the wide mode ........................... 35
Using the fader function ...................... 36
Using special effects – Picture effect .. 38
Using special effects – Digital effect ... 39
Using the PROGRAM AE function .... 42
Adjusting the exposure manually ...... 44
Focusing manually................................ 45
Advanced Playback Operations
Playing back a tape with picture
effects ............................................... 46
Playing back a tape with digital effects ...
Quickly locating a scene using the zero
set memory function ...................... 48
Searching the boundaries of recorded
tape by title – Title search ............. 49
Searching a recording by date
– Date search ................................... 50
Searching for a photo – Photo search/
Photo scan ....................................... 52
Editing
Dubbing a tape ...................................... 54
Editing partially on a DV tape
4
– DV synchro-editing..................... 56
Recording video or TV programs ....... 58
Inserting a scene from a VCR
– Insert editing ................................ 62
Audio dubbing ...................................... 64
Superimposing a title ........................... 68
Making your own titles ........................ 72
Labeling a cassette ................................ 74
Customizing Your Camcorder
Changing the menu settings................ 76
Resetting the date and time ................. 83
“Memory Stick” Operations
Using a “Memory Stick”
– introduction.................................. 84
Recording still images on“Memory Stick”s
– Memory photo recording ...............
Superimposing a still picture in a
“Memory Stick” on a moving
picture – MEMORY MIX ............... 95
Recording an image from a mini DV
tape as a still image ........................ 98
Copying still images from a mini DV
tape – Photo save .......................... 101
Viewing a still picture
– Memory photo playback .......... 103
34
Copying the image recorded on
“Memory Stick”s to mini DV
tapes ............................................... 106
Playing back images continuously
– SLIDE SHOW............................. 108
Preventing accidental erasure
– Image protection........................ 109
Deleting images................................... 110
Writing a print mark
– PRINT MARK ............................ 113
Additional Information
47
Usable cassettes ................................... 114
Troubleshooting .................................. 116
Self-diagnosis display......................... 122
Warning indicators and messages.... 123
Using your camcorder abroad .......... 125
Maintenance information and
precautions .................................... 126
Specifications ....................................... 130
Quick Reference
Identifying the parts and controls .... 131
Quick Function Guide ........................ 139
Index ........................................ Back cover
91
Checking supplied accessories
Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.
12
4
7
qa
5
8
9
3
Getting started
6
0
1 Wireless Remote Commander (1)
(p. 136)
2 AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power
adaptor (1), Power cord (1) (p. 11)
3 NP-FM50 battery pack (1) (p. 10, 11)
4 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote
Commander (2) (p. 137)
5 Serial port adaptor for Memory Stick
(1), PC serial cable (1), AC adaptor for
Serial port adaptor (1) (p. 105)
6 “Memory Stick” (1) (p. 84)
7 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 29, 54)
8 Lens cap (1) (p. 15)
9 Application software: PictureGear
3.2Lite (CD ROM) (1) (p. 105)
0 Battery terminal cover (1) (p. 10)
qa Lens hood (1) (p. 18)
5
Quick Start Guide
Connecting the power cord (p. 13)
Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 10).
AC power adaptor
Quick Start Guide
(supplied)
This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your
camcorder. See the page in parentheses “( )” for more
information.
Connect the plug with its v
mark facing up.
Open the DC IN jack
cover.
Inserting a cassette (p. 14)
1Slide OPEN/ZEJECT
in the direction of the
arrow and open the
lid.
2Push the middle
portion of the back of
the cassette to insert.
Insert the cassette in a
straight line deeply
into the cassette
compartment with the
window facing out.
2
3Close the cassette
compartment by
pressing the
mark on the cassette
compartment.
4After the cassette
compartment going
down completely,
close the lid until it
clicks.
3
6
Recording a picture (p. 15)
Viewfinder
When the LCD
panel is closed, use
the viewfinder
placing your eye
against its eyecup.
5Press START/
STOP. Your
camcorder
starts recording.
To stop
recording, press
START/STOP
again.
POWER
VTR
OFF
CAMERA
MEMORY
Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD
screen (p. 25)
1Set the POWER
switch to VTR
while pressing the
small green button.
4Press OPEN to open the
LCD panel.
POWER
VTR
OFF
CAMERA
MEMORY
1Remove the lens cap.
2Set the START/STOP MODE
switch to .
ANTI GROUND SHOOTING
START/STOP
MODE
5SEC
3Set the POWER switch to
CAMERA while pressing the
small green button.
POWER
VTR
OFF
CAMERA
MEMORY
2Press m to rewind the tape.
REW
Quick Start Guide
Quick Start Guide
NOTE
Do not pick up your camcorder by
holding the viewfinder, the LCD
panel or the battery pack.
3Press N to start playback.
PLAY
7
— Getting started —
Using this manual
As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on your camcorder are shown in
capital letters.
e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
When you carry out an operation, you can hear a beep or a melody sound to indicate
that the operation is being carried out.
Note on Cassette Memory
Your camcorder is based on the DV format. You can only use mini DV cassettes with
your camcorder. We recommend that you use a tape with cassette memory .
The functions which require different operations depending on whether the tape has
the cassette memory or not are:
•End search (p. 24, 28)
•Searching a recording by date – date search (p. 50)
•Photo search (p. 52).
The functions you can operate only with the cassette memory are:
•Searching the boundaries of recorded tape by title – title search (p. 49)
•Superimposing a title (p. 68)
•Making your own titles (p. 72)
•Labeling a cassette (p. 74).
For details, see page 114.
You see this mark in the introduction of the features that are operated only with
cassette memory.
Tapes with cassette memory are marked by (Cassette Memory).
8
Using this manual
Note on TV color systems
TV color systems differ from country to country. To view your recordings on a TV, you
need an NTSC system-based TV.
Copyright precautions
Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the
copyright laws.
Precautions on camcorder care
•The LCD screen and/or the color viewfinder are manufactured using highprecision technology. However, there may be some tiny black spots and/or
bright spots (red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD
screen and/or in the color viewfinder. These spots occur normally in the
manufacturing process and do not affect the recorded picture in any way.
Effective number of pixels is 99.99% or more.
•Do not let your camcorder get wet. Keep your camcorder away from rain and sea
water. Letting your camcorder get wet may cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [a].
•Never leave your camcorder exposed to temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as in a
car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [b].
•Do not place your camcorder so as to point the viewfinder or the LCD screen toward
the sun. The inside of the viewfinder or LCD screen may be damaged [c].
[a] [b] [c]
Getting started
Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a
malfunction of the camcorder, video tape, etc.
9
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Installing the battery pack
Install the battery pack to use your camcorder outdoors.
(1) While sliding BATT RELEASE in the direction of the arrow 1, slide the
battery terminal cover in the direction of the arrow 2.
(2) Insert the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
1 2
2
1
To remove the battery pack
The battery pack is removed in the same way as the battery terminal cover.
10
Note on the remaining battery time indicator
The remaining battery time indicator on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder roughly
indicates the recording time. The indicator may not be correct, depending on the
conditions in which you are recording. When you close the LCD panel and open it
again, it takes about one minute for the correct remaining battery time in minutes to be
displayed.
Note on the battery terminal cover
To protect the battery terminals, install the battery terminal cover after the battery pack
is removed.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Charging the battery pack
Use the battery pack after charging it for your camcorder.
Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series).
(1) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC power adaptor supplied with
your camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug’s v mark facing up.
(2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
(4) Set the POWER switch to OFF. The CHARGE lamp (orange) lights up.
Charging begins.
When the CHARGE lamp goes out, normal charge is completed. For full charge,
which allows you to use the battery longer than usual, leave the battery pack in place
for approximately one hour after the CHARGE lamp goes out.
11
Getting started
VTR
OFF
CAMERA
MEMORY
POWER
4
CHARGE lamp
2
Note
Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the DC plug of
the AC power adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC power
adaptor.
C
K
O
L
11
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Charging time
Battery pack Full charge (Normal charge)
NP-FM50 (supplied) 150 (90)
NP-FM70 240 (180)
NP-FM90 330 (270)
Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack
Recording time
Battery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen
NP-FM50 (supplied) 125 (110) 70 (60) 110 (100) 60 (55)
NP-FM70 265 (235) 150 (135) 230 (210) 130 (120)
NP-FM90 400 (360) 230 (210) 355 (315) 205 (180)
Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery
Numbers in parentheses “( )” indicate the time using a normally charged battery.
* Approximate continuous recording time at 77°F (25°C). The battery life will be
shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.
**Approximate minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/stop,
zooming and turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be shorter.
Recording with Recording with
Continuous* Typical** Continuous* Typical**
Playing time
Battery pack
NP-FM50 (supplied) 130 (115) 155 (140)
NP-FM70 270 (245) 320 (290)
NP-FM90 410 (370) 490 (440)
Playing time Playing time
on LCD screen with LCD closed
12
Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery
Numbers in parentheses “( )” indicate the time using a normally charged battery.
The battery life will be shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.
After charging the battery pack
Disconnect the AC power adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.
What is ”InfoLITHIUM?”
The “InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange data with
compatible electronic equipment about its battery consumption. Sony recommends that
you use the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack with electronic equipment having the
mark.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Connecting to a wall outlet
When you use your camcorder for a long time, we recommend that you power it from a
wall outlet using the AC power adaptor.
(1) Open the DC IN jack cover, pulling the cover out a little. Connect the AC
power adaptor to the DC IN jack on your camcorder with the plug’s v mark
facing up.
(2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
Getting started
1
Notes
•The power cord must only be changed at an authorized service shop.
•The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (house current) as long as it is
connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off.
•AC power 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 power cord is connected to the DC IN jack, even when the power
cord is not plugged into a wall outlet.
2,3
Using a car battery
Use Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (not supplied).
13
Step 2 Inserting a cassette
(1) Install the power source.
(2) Slide OPEN/ZEJECT in the direction of the arrow and open the lid. The
cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens.
(3) Push the middle portion of the back of the cassette to insert.
Insert the cassette in a straight line deeply into the cassette compartment with
the window facing out.
(4) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the
compartment. The cassette compartment automatically goes down.
(5) After the cassette compartment going down completely, close the lid until it
clicks.
OPEN/Z EJECT
2 3, 4
To eject a cassette
Follow the procedure above, and take out the cassette in step 3.
mark on the cassette
5
14
Notes
•Do not press the cassette compartment down firmly. Doing so may cause malfunction.
•The cassette compartment may not be closed when you press any part of the lid other
than the mark.
When you use mini DV cassette with cassette memory
Read the instruction about cassette memory to use this function properly (p. 114).
To prevent accidental erasure
Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to expose the red mark.
— Recording – Basics —
Recording a picture
Your camcorder automatically focuses for you.
(1) Remove the lens cap and pull the lens cap string to fix it.
(2) Install the power source and insert a cassette. See “Step 1” and “Step 2” for
more information (p. 10 to p. 14).
(3) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button.
Your camcorder is set to the standby mode.
(4) Press OPEN to open the LCD panel.
(5) Press START/STOP. Your camcorder starts recording. The “REC” indicator
appears. The camera recording lamp located on the front of your camcorder
lights up. To stop recording, press START/STOP again.
Recording – Basics
3
VTR
OFF
CAMERA
MEMORY
POWER
LOCK
L
C
O
K
Microphone
1
4
2
5
VTR
OFF
CAMERA
MEMORY
POWER
C
K
O
L
40min
REC
0:00:01
Camera recording
lamp
Note
Fasten the grip strap firmly. Do not touch the built-in microphone during recording.
Note on Recording mode
Your camcorder records and plays back in the SP (standard play) mode and in the LP
(long play) mode. Select SP or LP in the menu settings. In the LP mode, you can record
1.5 times as long as in the SP mode.
When you record a tape in the LP mode on your camcorder, we recommend playing the
tape on your camcorder.
15
Recording a picture
Note on the LOCK switch
When you slide the LOCK switch to the left, the POWER switch can no longer be set to
MEMORY accidentally. The LOCK switch is set to the right as a default setting.
To enable smooth transition
Transition between the last scene you recorded and the next scene is smooth as long as
you do not eject the cassette even if you turn off your camcorder.
However, check the following:
•When you change the battery pack, set the POWER switch to OFF.
•Do not mix recordings in the SP mode and ones in the LP mode on one tape.
When you use a tape with cassette memory, however, you can make the transition
smooth even after ejecting the cassette if you use the END SEARCH function (p. 24).
If you leave your camcorder in the standby mode for five minutes while the
cassette is inserted
Your camcorder automatically turns off. This is to save battery power and to prevent
battery and tape wear. To resume the standby mode, set the POWER switch to OFF, and
to CAMERA again.
When a cassette is not inserted, your camcorder does not turn off.
Adjusting the LCD screen
The LCD panel rotates about 90 degrees to the viewfinder side and about 180 degrees to
the lens side.
If you turn the LCD panel over so that it faces the other way, the indicator appears
on the LCD screen and in the viewfinder (Mirror mode).
16
180°
90°
OPEN
To close the LCD panel, set it vertically until it clicks, and swing it into the camcorder
body.
Note
When using the LCD screen except in the mirror mode, the viewfinder automatically
turns off.
Recording a picture
When you use the LCD screen outdoors in direct sunlight
The LCD screen may be difficult to see. If this happens, we recommend that you use the
viewfinder.
When you adjust angles of the LCD panel
Make sure if the LCD panel is opened up to 90 degrees.
Picture in the mirror mode
The picture on the LCD screen is a mirror-image. However, the picture will be normal
when recorded.
During recording in the mirror mode
ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote Commander does not work.
Indicators in the mirror mode
The STBY indicator appears as Xz and REC as z. Some of the other indicators appear
mirror-reversed and others are not displayed.
Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen
(1) In the standby/recording/memory mode, select LCD BRIGHT in in the
menu settings. The bar indicator appears.
(2) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to adjust the brightness of the LCD screen,
then press the dial.
1
LCD/VF SET
LCD BRIGHT
Recording – Basics
LCD screen backlight
You can change the brightness of the backlight. Select LCD B.L. in the menu settings
(p. 76).
Even if you adjust the LCD screen backlight or brightness of the LCD screen
The recorded picture will not be affected.
After recording
(1) Set the POWER switch to OFF.
(2) Close the LCD panel.
(3) Eject the cassette.
(4) Remove the battery pack.
(5) Attach the battery terminal cover.
2
To darken
[MENU] : END
To lighten
17
Recording a picture
Adjusting the viewfinder
If you record pictures with the LCD panel closed, check the picture with the viewfinder.
Adjust the viewfinder lens to your eyesight so that the indicators in the viewfinder
come into sharp focus.
Move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever.
Attaching the supplied lens hood
To record fine pictures under strong light, we recommend you to attach the lens hood.
You can also attach the lens cap when using the lens hood.
18
Detach the lens hood when:
•You cannot shoot with the Remote Commander. In this case, the lens hood may block
the infrared ray emitted from the Remote Commander.
•You will attach a filter (not supplied).
When you attach a filter (not supplied)
The four corners of the screen may be eclipsed by the lens hood.
Recording a picture
Using the zoom feature
Move the power zoom lever a little for a slower zoom. Move it further for a faster zoom.
Using the zoom function sparingly results in better-looking recordings.
“T” side: for telephoto (subject appears closer)
“W” side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away)
Zoom greater than 10× is performed digitally, if you set D ZOOM to ON in the menu
settings. The digital zoom function is set to OFF as a default setting (p. 76).
Recording – Basics
W
T
W
W
T
T
W
T
The right-ended portion of the
bar shows the digital zooming
zone.
The digital zooming zone appears
when you set D ZOOM to ON.
When you shoot close to a subject
If you cannot get a sharp focus, move the power zoom lever to the “W” side until the
focus is sharp. You can shoot a subject that is at least about 2 feet 5/8 inch (about 80 cm)
away from the lens surface in the telephoto position, or about 1/2 inch (about 1 cm)
away in the wide-angle position.
Notes on digital zoom
•Digital zoom starts to function when zoom exceeds 10×.
•The picture quality deteriorates as you move the power zoom lever toward the “T”
side.
•You cannot use the digital zoom when the POWER switch is set to MEMORY.
19
Recording a picture
START/STOP MODE setting
: Recording starts when you press START/STOP, and stops when you press it
again (default setting).
ANTI GROUND SHOOTING :
Your camcorder records only while you press START/STOP. Use this mode to
avoid recording unnecessary scenes.
5SEC: When you press START/STOP, your camcorder records for five seconds and
then stops automatically.
Notes
•You cannot use the fader function in the 5SEC or mode.
•The time code does not appear in the 5SEC mode.
To extend the recording time in the 5SEC mode
Five dots (zzzzz) appear, and then disappear at a rate of one per second. To extend
the recording time, press START/STOP again before all the dots disappear. Recording
continues for about five seconds from the moment you press START/STOP.
ANTI GROUND SHOOTING
START/STOP
MODE
5SEC
20
Indicators displayed in the recording mode
The indicators are not recorded on tapes.
Cassette memory indicator
This appears when using a tape with cassette memory.
Recording mode indicator
STBY/REC indicator
0:00:01
40
min
REC
45min
Remaining battery time indicator
This appears after you turn on the power and
wait for a while.
Time code/Tape counter
Remaining tape indicator
This appears after you insert a cassette and record or play
back for a while.
Recording a picture
Time code
The time code indicates the recording or playback time, “0:00:00” (hours : minutes :
seconds) in CAMERA mode and “0:00:00:00” (hours : minutes : seconds : frames) in
VTR mode. You cannot rewrite only the time code.
Remaining tape indicator
The indicator may not be displayed accurately depending on the tape.
Shooting backlit subjects (BACK LIGHT)
When you shoot a subject with the light source behind the subject or a subject with a
light background, use the backlight function.
Press BACK LIGHT in the recording , standby, or memory mode.
The . indicator appears on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
To cancel, press BACK LIGHT again.
If you press EXPOSURE when shooting backlit subjects
The backlight function will be canceled (p. 44).
Recording – Basics
BACK LIGHT
21
Recording a picture
Shooting in the dark (NightShot)
The NightShot function enables you to shoot a subject in a dark place. For example, you
can satisfactorily record the environment of nocturnal animals for observation when
you use this function.
While your camcorder is in the standby or memory mode, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON.
and “NIGHTSHOT” indicators flash on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder. To
cancel the NightShot function, slide NIGHTSHOT to OFF.
NIGHTSHOT
OFF ON
NightShot Light emitter
+
SLOW SHTR
Using +SLOW SHTR
The NightShot +Slow shutter mode makes subjects more than four times brighter than
those recorded in the NightShot mode.
(1) Slide NIGHTSHOT to ON in the standby mode. indicator appears on the
LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
(2) Press +SLOW SHTR repeatedly until the desired NIGHTSHOT indicator
flashes.
The indicator changes as follows:
(NIGHTSHOT) t (NIGHTSHOT1) t (NIGHTSHOT2) t
(NIGHTSHOT)
To cancel the NightShot +Slow shutter mode, slide NIGHTSHOT to OFF.
Using the NightShot Light
The picture will be clearer with the NightShot Light on. To enable NightShot Light, set
N.S. LIGHT to ON in the menu settings (p. 76).
Notes
•Do not use the NightShot function in bright places (ex. the outdoors in the daytime).
This may cause your camcorder to malfunction.
•When you keep NIGHTSHOT set to ON in normal recording, the picture may be
recorded in incorrect or unnatural colors.
•If autofocusing is difficult when using the NightShot function, focus manually.
•Do not cover the NightShot Light emitter when using the NightShot function.
•Detach the lens hood when you shoot with the NightShot Light. Since the lens hood
may block the NightShot Light.
22
Recording a picture
While using the NightShot function, you cannot use the following functions:
– Exposure
– PROGRAM AE
– White balance
– Fader*
– Digital effect*
* You cannot use these functions only in the NightShot +Slow shutter mode.
Shutter speed in the NightShot +Slow shutter mode
Indicator Shutter speed
(NIGHTSHOT1) 1/15
(NIGHTSHOT2) 1/4
The +SLOW SHTR button does not work:
– While the fader function is set or in use.
– While the digital effect function is in use.
– When NIGHTSHOT is set to OFF.
– When the POWER switch is set to MEMORY.
NightShot Light
NightShot Light rays are infrared and so are invisible. The maximum shooting distance
using the NightShot Light is about 10 feet (3 m). The shooting distance will be twice or
more in the NightShot +Slow shutter mode.
Self-timer recording
You can make a recording with the self-timer. This mode is useful when you want to
record yourself.
(1) Press (self-timer) in the standby mode. The (self-timer) indicator appears
on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
(2) Press START/STOP.
Self-timer starts counting down from 10 with a beep sound. In the last two
seconds of the countdown, the beep sound gets faster, then recording starts
automatically.
Recording – Basics
(self-timer)
START/STOP
23
Recording a picture
To stop the self-timer before recording
Press START/STOP again.
Use the Remote Commander for convenience.
To record still pictures on tapes using the self-timer
Press PHOTO in step 2 (p. 32).
To record still pictures on “Memory Stick”s
Press (self-timer), then press PHOTO in MEMORY mode (p. 94).
To cancel self-timer recording
Press (self-timer) so that the indicator disappears from the LCD or viewfinder
screen while your camcorder is in the standby mode.
Note
The self-timer recording mode is automatically canceled when:
– Self-timer recording is finished.
– The POWER switch is set to OFF or VTR.
END SEARCH
You can go to the end of the recorded portion after you record.
In the standby mode, press END SEARCH.
The last five seconds of the recorded portion are played back and playback stops. You
can monitor the sound from the speaker or headphones.
24
END
SEARCH
To stop searching
Press END SEARCH again.
End search function
When you use a tape without cassette memory, the end search function does not work
once you eject the cassette after you have recorded on the tape. If you use a tape with
cassette memory, the end search function works even once you eject the cassette.
If there is a blank portion at the beginning or between the recorded portions, the end
search function may not work correctly (p. 114).
— Playback – Basics —
Playing back a tape
You can monitor the playback picture on the LCD screen. If you close the LCD panel,
you can monitor the playback picture in the viewfinder. You can control playback using
the Remote Commander supplied with your camcorder.
(1) Install the power source and insert the recorded tape.
(2) Press OPEN to open the LCD panel.
(3) Set the POWER switch to VTR while pressing the small green button. The
video control buttons light up.
(4) Press m to rewind the tape.
(5) Press N to start playback.
(6) To adjust the volume, press either of the two buttons on VOLUME.
Playback – Basics
2
To stop playback
Press x.
+
VOLUME
–
1
36
4
5
VTR
OFF
CAMERA
MEMORY
REW
PLAY
POWER
C
K
O
L
25
Playing back a tape
When monitoring on the LCD screen
You can turn the LCD panel over and move it back to the camcorder body with the
LCD screen facing out.
If you leave the power on for a long time
Your camcorder gets warm. This is not a malfunction.
When you open/close the LCD panel
Make sure that the LCD panel is set vertically.
To control the display of the screen indicators
Press DISPLAY on your camcorder or on the Remote Commander supplied with your
camcorder.
The indicators disappear from the LCD screen.
To make the indicators appear, press DISPLAY again.
26
DISPLAY
Playing back a tape
Using the data code function
Your camcorder automatically records not only images on the tape but also the
recording data (date/time or various settings when recorded) (Data code).
You can only operate with the Remote Commander.
Press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander in the playback mode.
The display changes as follows:
date/time t various settings (SteadyShot, white balance, gain, shutter speed, aperture
value, exposure mode) t no indicator
Date/time Various settings
SteadyShot OFF indicator
Exposure mode indicator
JUL 4 1999
12:05:56 AM
AUTO
60 AWB
F1.8 9dB
White balance indicator
Gain indicator
Shutter speed indicator
Aperture value
Not to display various settings
Set DATA CODE to DATE in the menu settings (p. 76).
The display changes as follows:
date/time y no indicator
Recording data
Recording data is your camcorder’s information when you have recorded. In the
recording mode, the recording data will not be displayed.
When you use the data code function, bars (-- -- --) appear if:
•A blank portion of the tape is being played back.
•The tape is unreadable due to tape damage or noise.
•The tape was recorded by a camcorder without the date and time set.
Data code
When you connect your camcorder to the TV, the data code also appears on the TV
screen (p. 29).
Note on the date/time indicator
Recording date/time is not displayed during shooting, however, it is automatically
recorded on the tape. You can check the recording date/time while in playback mode
by pressing DATA CODE on the Remote Commander.
Playback – Basics
27
Playing back a tape
Various playback modes
To operate video control buttons, set the POWER switch to VTR.
To view a still picture (playback pause)
Press X during playback. To resume normal playback, press N or X.
To advance the tape
Press M in the stop mode. To resume normal playback, press N.
To rewind the tape
Press m in the stop mode. To resume normal playback, press N.
To change the playback direction
Press on the Remote Commander during playback to reverse the playback direction.
To resume normal playback, press N.
To locate a scene monitoring the picture (picture search)
Keep pressing m or M during playback. To resume normal playback, release the button.
To monitor the high-speed picture while advancing or
rewinding the tape (skip scan)
Keep pressing m while rewinding or M while advancing the tape. To resume
rewinding or advancing, release the button.
To view the picture at slow speed (slow playback)
Press y on the Remote Commander during playback. For slow playback in the reverse
direction, press , then press y on the Remote Commander. To resume normal
playback, press N.
To view the picture at double speed
Press ×2 on the Remote Commander during playback. For double speed playback in the
reverse direction, press , then press ×2 on the Remote Commander. To resume
normal playback, press N.
To view the picture frame-by-frame
Press C on the Remote Commander in the playback pause mode. For frame-by-frame
playback in the reverse direction, press c. To resume normal playback, press N.
To search the last scene recorded (END SEARCH)
Press END SEARCH in the stop mode. The last five seconds of the recorded portion
plays back and stops.
28
End Search
When you use a tape without cassette memory, the end search function does not work
once you eject the cassette after you have recorded on the tape.
When you use a tape with cassette memory, the end search function works even once
you eject the cassette.
In the various playback modes
Sound is muted.
When the playback pause mode lasts for five minutes
Your camcorder automatically enters the stop mode. To resume playback, press N.
Slow playback
The slow playback can be performed smoothly on your camcorder: however, this
function does not work for an output signal through the DV IN/OUT jack.
When you play back a tape in reverse
Horizontal noise may appear at the center, or the top and bottom of the screen. This is
not a malfunction.
Viewing the recording on TV
Connect your camcorder to your TV or VCR with the A/V connecting cable supplied
with your camcorder to watch the playback picture on the TV screen. You can operate
the video control buttons in the same way as when you monitor playback pictures on
the LCD screen. When monitoring the playback picture on the TV screen, we
recommend that you power your camcorder from a wall outlet using the AC power
adaptor (p. 13). Refer to the operating instructions of your TV or VCR.
Open the jack cover. Connect your camcorder to the TV using the A/V connecting cable
supplied with your camcorder. Then, set the TV/VCR selector on the TV to VCR.
Yellow
S VIDEO
AUDIO/VIDEO
White
: Signal flow
Red
If your TV is already connected to a VCR
Connect your camcorder to the LINE IN input on the VCR by using the A/V connecting
cable supplied with your camcorder. Set the input selector on the VCR to LINE.
If your TV or VCR is a monaural type
Connect the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable to the video input jack and the
white or the red plug to the audio input jack on the VCR or the TV. If you connect the
white plug, the sound is L (left) signal. If you connect the red plug, the sound is R
(right) signal.
Playback – Basics
IN
S VIDEO
VIDEO
AUDIO
If your TV or VCR has an S video jack
Connect using an S video cable (not supplied) to obtain high-quality pictures. With this
connection, you do not need to connect the yellow (video) plug of the A/V connecting
cable.
Connect the S video cable (not supplied) to the S video jacks on both your camcorder
and the TV or the VCR.
This connection produces higher quality DV format pictures.
29
Viewing the recording on TV
Using the AV cordless IR receiver
Once you connect the AV cordless IR receiver (not supplied) to your TV or VCR, you
can easily view the picture on your TV. For details, refer to the operating instructions of
the AV cordless IR receiver.
LASER LINK
LASER LINK emitter
Insert the recorded cassette into your camcorder.
(1) After connecting your TV and AV cordless IR receiver, set the POWER switch
on the AV cordless IR receiver to ON.
(2) Turn the TV on and set the TV/VCR selector on the TV to VCR.
(3) Set the POWER switch to VTR on your camcorder.
(4) Press LASER LINK. The lamp of LASER LINK lights up.
(5) Press N on your camcorder to start playback.
(6) Point the LASER LINK emitter at the AV cordless IR receiver. Adjust the
position of your camcorder and the AV cordless IR receiver to obtain clear
playback pictures.
30
To cancel the laser link function
Press LASER LINK. The lamp on the LASER LINK button goes out.
If you use a Sony TV
•You can turn on the TV automatically when you press LASER LINK. You need to do
following prepartions beforehand:
– Turn the TV’s main switch on.
– Set AUTO TV ON to ON in the menu settings.
– Point the LASER LINK emitter at the TV’s remote sensor.
•You can switch the video input of the TV automatically to the one which the AV
cordless IR receiver is connected. To do so, set AUTO TV ON to ON and TV INPUT to
the same video input (1, 2, 3) in the menu settings. With some models, however, the
picture and sound may be disconnected momentarily when the video input is
switched.
•The above feature may not work on some TV models.
Notes
•When laser link is activated (the LASER LINK button is lit), your camcorder consumes
power. Press LASER LINK to turn off the laser link function when it is not needed.
•
When you attach the lens hood, the lens hood may block the infrared ray depending on
the positions of the camcorder and the IR receiver. In this case, detach the lens hood.
If you turn the power off
Laser link turns off automatically.
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