Sony DCR-PC120BT, DCR-PC115 User Manual

3-070-602-11 (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-PC Model No. AC-

Serial No. Serial No.

DCR-PC120BT

DCR-PC115/PC120BT

©2001 Sony Corporation

TM

SERIES

Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam. With your Handycam, you can

Welcome!

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

WARNING

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

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

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

CAUTION

The use of optical instruments with this
product will increase eye hazard. As the laser
beam used in this Handycam is harmful to
eyes, do not attempt to disassemble the
cabinet.
Refer to servicing to qualified personnel only.

For customers in the U.S.A.
and CANADA

CAUTION

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH
WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT,
FULLY INSERT.

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.

“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 OPERAION.
THIS CLASS B DIGITAL APPARATUS
COMPLIES WITH CANADIAN ICES-003.

DCR-PC120BT only

Countries and areas where you can use
network functions are restricted.
For details, refer to the separate Network
Operating Instructions.

2

For customers in the U.S.A.

If you have any questions about this product,
you may call:
Sony Customer Information Center 1-800-222­SONY (7669)
The number below is for the FCC related
matters only.

Regulatory Information

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: DCR-PC120
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 680 Kinderkamack

Road, Oradell,

NJ07649 U.S.A.
Telephone No.: 201-930-6972
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2)this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.

CAUTION

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

Note:

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

equipment and receiver.

— Connect the equipment into an outlet on a

circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

— Consult the dealer or an experienced

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

3

Main Features

Taking moving or still images, and playing them back

•Recording a moving picture on a tape (p. 20)

•Recording a still image on a tape (p. 36)

•Playing back a tape (p. 31)

•Recording still images on “Memory Stick”s (p. 112)

•Recording moving pictures on “Memory Stick”s (p. 126)

•Viewing a still image recorded on “Memory Stick”s (p. 136)

•Viewing a moving picture on “Memory Stick”s (p. 139)

Capturing images on your computer

•Using with an analog video unit and your computer (p. 80)

•Viewing images recorded on “Memory Stick”s using the USB cable (p. 141)

Accessing the Internet via a Bluetooth equipped device
(DCR-PC120BT only)

Accessing the Internet, sending/receiving your e-mail. For details, refer to the Network
Function Operating Instructions supplied with your camcorder. (p. 155)

Other uses

Functions to adjust exposure in the recording mode

•Back light (p. 27)

•NightShot/Super NightShot (p. 27)

•Recording images with the flash (p. 37, 115)

•PROGRAM AE (p. 49)

•Adjusting the exposure manually (p. 52)

Functions to give images more impact

•Digital zoom (p. 24) The default setting is set to OFF. (To zoom greater than 10×, select
the digital zoom power in D ZOOM in the menu settings.)

•Fader (p. 42)

•Picture effect (p. 45)

•Digital effect (p. 46)

•Title (p. 90)

•MEMORY MIX (p. 121)

Functions to give a natural appearance to your recordings

•Manual focus (p. 53)

•Sports lesson (p. 49)

•Landscape (p. 49)

Functions to use on recorded tapes

•END SEARCH/EDITSEARCH/Rec Review (p. 30)

•DATA CODE (p. 32)

•Tape PB ZOOM (p. 60)

•Zero set memory (p. 61)

•Title search (p. 62)

•Digital program editing (p. 69, 132)

4

•HiFi SOUND (p. 166)

Checking supplied accessories

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

1

4

9

qf

1 AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power

adaptor (1), Power cord (1) (p. 13)

2 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 35)
3 USB cable (1) (p. 142)
4 Battery terminal cover (1) (p. 12)
5 NP-FM50 battery pack (1) (p. 12, 13)
6 Wireless Remote Commander (1)

(p. 185)

7 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote

Commander (2) (p. 185)

8 Lens cap (1) (p. 20)
9 Lens hood (1) (p. 23)

5

q;

qg

6

qa

qh

2

7

qs

q; “Memory Stick” (1) (p. 104)
qa CD-ROM (SPVD-004 USB Driver) (1)

(p. 142)

qs Modem Adaptor with Bluetooth

Function (BTA-NW1) * (1) (p. 155)

qd Bluetooth modem card

(MDM-5614G)*(1)

qf Bluetooth modem cable*(1)
qg AC power adaptor (AC-PT1)*(1)
qh Size AA alkaline dry batteries for

Modem Adaptor with Bluetooth
Function*(2)

* DCR-PC120BT only. For details, refer to

the operating instructions of the Modem
Adaptor with Bluetooth Function.

3

8

qd

Getting started

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

5

Table of contents

Main Features .......................................... 4

Checking supplied accessories.............. 5

Quick Start Guide............................. 8

Getting started

Using this manual ................................. 10

Step 1 Preparing the power supply ... 12

Installing the battery pack ............ 12

Charging the battery pack............. 13

Connecting to a wall outlet ........... 15

Step 2 Setting the date and time ........ 16

Step 3 Inserting a cassette ................... 19

Recording – Basics

Recording a picture............................... 20

Shooting backlit subjects

– BACK LIGHT ........................ 27

Shooting in the dark – NightShot/

Super NightShot ...................... 27

Self-timer recording ....................... 29

Checking the recording

– END SEARCH / EDITSEARCH /

Rec Review ...................................... 30

Playback – Basics

Playing back a tape ............................... 31

To display the screen indicators

– Display function ................... 32

Viewing the recording on TV .............. 35

Advanced Recording
Operations

Recording a still image on a tape

– Tape Photo recording ................. 36

Adjusting the white balance

manually .......................................... 40

Using the wide mode ........................... 41

Using the fader function ...................... 42

Using special effects – Picture effect .. 45
Using special effects – Digital effect ... 46

Using the PROGRAM AE function .... 49

Adjusting the exposure manually ...... 52

Focusing manually................................ 53

Interval recording ................................. 55

Frame by frame recording

– Cut recording ............................... 57

6

Advanced Playback
Operations

Playing back a tape with picture effects

........................................................... 58

Playing back a tape with digital effects

........................................................... 59

Enlarging images recorded on tapes

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

Quickly locating a scene using the zero

set memory function ...................... 61

Searching the boundaries of recorded

tape by title – Title search ............. 62

Searching a recording by date

– Date search ................................... 63

Searching for a photo

– Photo search/Photo scan ........... 65

Editing

Dubbing a tape ...................................... 67

Dubbing only desired scenes

– Digital program editing

(on tapes) ......................................... 69

Using with analog video unit and your

computer

– Signal convert function............... 80

Recording video or TV programs ....... 81

Inserting a scene from a VCR

– Insert editing ................................ 84

Audio dubbing ...................................... 86

Superimposing a title ........................... 90

Making your own titles ........................ 93

Labeling a cassette ................................ 94

Customizing Your Camcorder

Changing the menu settings................ 96

“Memory Stick” Operations

Using a “Memory Stick”

– introduction................................ 104

Recording still images on “Memory

Stick”s

– Memory Photo recording ......... 112

Recording an image from a tape as a

still image ...................................... 118

Superimposing a still image in the

“Memory Stick” on an image

– MEMORY MIX .......................... 121

Recording moving pictures on

“Memory Stick”s

– MPEG movie recording ............ 126

Table of contents

Recording a picture from a tape as a

moving picture ............................. 128

Recording edited pictures as a moving

picture – Digital program editing

(on “Memory Stick”s) .................. 132

Copying still images from a tape

– Photo save .................................. 135

Viewing a still image

– Memory photo playback .......... 136

Viewing a moving picture

– MPEG movie playback ............. 139

Viewing images using computer ...... 141

Copying the image recorded on

“Memory Stick”s to tapes ........... 147

Enlarging still images recorded on

“Memory Stick”s

– Memory PB ZOOM ................... 148

Playing back images in a continuous

loop – SLIDE SHOW .................... 149

Preventing accidental erasure

– Image protection........................ 150

Deleting images................................... 151

Writing a print mark

– PRINT MARK ............................ 153

Using the optional printer ................. 154

Using the Network function

Accessing the network ....................... 155

Getting started

Troubleshooting

Types of trouble and their solutions

......................................................... 156

Self-diagnosis display......................... 162

Warning indicators and messages.... 163

Additional Information

Usable cassettes ................................... 165

About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery

pack ................................................ 167

About i.LINK ....................................... 169

Using your camcorder abroad .......... 171

Maintenance information and

precautions .................................... 172

Specifications ....................................... 177

Quick Reference

Identifying the parts and controls .... 179

Index ..................................................... 187

7

Quick Start Guide

Connecting the power cord (p. 15)

Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 12).

Quick Start Guide

AC power adaptor (supplied)

This chapter introduces you to the basic features
of your camcorder. See the page in parentheses
“( )” for more information.
Pull down the Holding Grip to hold your
camcorder as illustrated.

Holding Grip

Open the jack
cover.

Connect the plug with its v
mark facing up.

Inserting a cassette (p. 19)

1 Slide OPEN/

Z EJECT in the
direction of the
arrow and open the
lid.

2 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.

3 Close the cassette

compartment by
pressing the
mark on the cassette
compartment.
After the cassette
compartment goes
down completely,
close the lid until it
clicks.

8

Recording a picture (p. 20)

1Remove the lens cap.

Viewing a picture with
the viewfinder

Close the LCD panel,
and pull out the
viewfinder.

3Press OPEN to open the

LCD panel.
The picture appears on
the screen.

When you purchase your camcorder, the clock setting
is set to off. If you want to record the date and time for
a picture, set the clock setting before recording (p. 16).

Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD
screen (p. 31)

1Set the POWER

switch to VCR
while pressing the
small green button.

(CHG)

OFF

C

A

M

M

E

R

POWER

R

C

V

E

M

A

LOCK

O

R

Y

2Set the POWER

switch to CAMERA
while pressing the
small green button.

POWER

R

C

V

(CHG)

OFF

C

M

A

E

M

M

O

E

R

R

Y

A

4Press START/STOP. Your

camcorder starts recording.
To stop recording, press
START/STOP again.

POWER

R

C

V

(CHG)

OFF

C

M

A

E

M

M

O

E

R

R

Y

A

2Press m to rewind the tape.

REW

LOCK

LOCK

Quick Start Guide

NOTE

Do not pick up your camcorder by
holding the viewfinder, the flash, the
LCD panel or the battery pack.

3Press N to start playback.

PLAY

9

— Getting started —

Using this manual

The instructions in this manual are for the two models listed in the table below. Before
you start reading this manual and operating your camcorder, check the model number
by looking at the bottom of your camcorder. (DCR-PC120BT is marked as DCR-PC120
on the bottom of this unit.) The DCR-PC120BT is the model used for illustration
purposes. Otherwise, the model name is indicated in the illustrations. Any differences
in operation are clearly indicated in the text, for example, “DCR-PC120BT only”.

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 sound to indicate that the
operation is being carried out.

Types of differences

DCR- PC115 PC120BT
Network function — z

z Provided
— Not provided

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 .

10

The functions which require different operations depending on whether the tape has
the cassette memory or not are:
– End search (p. 30)
– Date search (p. 63)
– Photo search (p. 65)
The functions you can operate only with the cassette memory are:
– Title search (p. 62)
– Superimposing a title (p. 90)
– Labeling a cassette (p. 94)
For details, see page 165.

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).

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

Lens and LCD screen/finder (on mounted models only)

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

•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 60°C (140°F), such as in a
car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [b].

•Be careful when placing the camera near a window or outdoors. Exposing the LCD
screen, the finder or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods may cause
malfunctions [c].

•Do not directly shoot the sun. Doing so might cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Take pictures of the sun in low light conditions such as dusk [d].

Getting started

[a][b]

[c][d]

11

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Installing the battery pack

(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 until it clicks.

1 2

2

1

To remove the battery pack

The battery pack is removed in the same way as the battery terminal cover.

12

When you store your camcorder

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).
See page 167 for details of “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.

(1) Open the 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 the wall outlet.
(4) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). The CHG lamp lights up when the

charge begins. After the charge is completed, the CHG lamp goes out. (full
charge)

2

CHG lamp

1

4

(CHG)

C

A

OFF

M

V

M

E

R

POWER

R

C

E

M

O

A

Getting started

LOCK

R

Y

After charging the battery pack

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

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.

While charging the battery pack, the CHG lamp flashes in the following cases:

– The battery pack is not installed correctly.
– Something is wrong with the battery pack.

When you use the AC power adaptor

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

13

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

Charging time

Battery pack Full charge

NP-FM50 (supplied) 150
NP-FM70 240
NP-FM90 330
NP-FM91 360

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

Recording time

Battery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen

NP-FM50 (supplied) 130 75 110 60
NP-FM70 270 155 230 130
NP-FM90 410 235 355 205
NP-FM91 475 275 410 235

Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery

* Approximate continuous recording time at 25°C (77°F). The battery life will be

shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.

**Approximate number of 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**

14

Playing time

Battery pack

NP-FM50 (supplied) 150 185
NP-FM70 310 385
NP-FM90 475 580
NP-FM91 550 670

Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery

Approximate continuous playing time at 25°C (77°F). The battery life will be shorter if
you use your camcorder in a cold environment.

Playing time Playing time

on LCD screen with LCD closed

Step 1 Preparing the power supply

If the power goes off although the battery remaining indicator indicates that the
battery pack has enough power to operate

Charge the battery pack fully again so that the indication on the battery remaining
indicator is correct.

Recommended charging temperature

We recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of between 10°C
to 30°C (50°F to 86°F).

What is ”InfoLITHIUM”?

The “InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange data such as
battery consumption with compatible electronic equipment. This unit is compatible
with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series). Your camcorder operates only with
the “InfoLITHIUM” battery. “InfoLITHIUM” M series battery packs have the

“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

mark.

TM

SERIES

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 jack cover. Connect the AC power adaptor supplied with your

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

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

Getting started

1

PRECAUTION

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.

Notes

•The 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.

Using a car battery

Use Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (optional).
Refer to the operating instructions of the DC Adaptor/Charger for further information.

2,3

15

Step 2 Setting the date and time

Set the date and time settings when you use your camcorder for the first time. “CLOCK
SET” will be displayed each time that you set the POWER switch to CAMERA or
MEMORY unless you set the date and time settings.
If you do not use your camcorder for about three months, the date and time settings
may be released (bars may appear) because the built-in rechargeable battery installed in
your camcorder will have been discharged (p. 174).
Set the area, the daylight saving time, year, month, day, hour and then the minute, in
that order.

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY, then press MENU to display

the menu settings.

(2) Press v/V on the control button to select
(3) Press v/V on the control button to select CLOCK SET, then press zor B.
(4) Press v/V on the control button to adjust the desired area (where you are),

then press z.

(5) Press v/V on the control button to select whether or not the time is daylight

saving time, then press z.
Select OFF if the time is not daylight saving time. Select ON if it is.

(6) Press v/V on the control button to adjust the desired year, then press z.

The year changes as follows:

1995 T · · · · t 2001 T · · · · t 2079

(7) Set the month, day and hour by pressing v/V on the control button and

pressing z.

(8) Set the minute by pressing v /V on the control button and pressing z by the

time signal. The clock starts to move.

(9) Press MENU to make the menu settings disappear.

, then press z or B.

16

Step 2 Setting the date and time

MENU

2

3

4

6

8

MANUA L SE T

PROGRAM AE
PEFFECT
DEFFECT

W

HT BAL

AUTO SH TR

[

MENU

SETUP MENU

CLOCK SET ––
LTR S IZE
DEMO MOD E

RETURN

[

MENU

CLOCK SET
AREA

26RGMT–5.0
NewYor k, Bo go t a

r

DST OF F
DATE Y M D

––––––– –– ––

[

] :

EXEC

NEXT I TEM

CLOCK SET

26RGMT–5.0

AREA

NewYor k, Bo go t a

r

DST OF F

RYRMRDRRR

DATE

2001

JAN

rrr rrr

[

] :

EXEC

NEXT I TEM

CLOCK SET

26RGMT–5.0

AREA

NewYor k, Bo go t a

r

DST OF F

RYRMRDRRR

DATE

2001

JUL

rrr rrr

[

] :

EXEC

END

] :

END

] :

END

112:00

45:30

SETUP MENU

CLOCK SET

––

] :

END

R

1
Li sbon ,London

r

––––––– –– ––

] :

NEXT I TEM

GMT–5.0

:

GMT–5.0

JAN

112:00

JUL

5:30:00

END

:––:––

GMT+0.0

:

––

AM

4 2001

PM

Getting started

––

LTR S IZE
DEMO MOD E

RETURN

[

MENU

:––:––

5

:

––

AM

PM

CLOCK SET
AREA

DST OF F
DATE Y M D

[

EXEC

CLOCK SET

26

AREA

NewYor k, Bo go t a

DST OF F

ON

DATE Y M D

––––––– –– ––

[

] :

EXEC

NEXT I TEM

CLOCK SET

26

AREA

NewYor k, Bo go t a

DST OF F

RYRMRDRRR

DATE

2001

rrr rrr

[

] :

EXEC

NEXT I TEM

SETUP MENU

CLOCK SET
LTR S IZE
DEMO MODE

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

Note

Instead of DST, SUMMERTIME is displayed on the screen for some models.

If you do not set the date and time

“--:--:--” and “--- -- ----” are recorded on the data code of the tape and the “Memory
Stick.”

When using your camcorder abroad

Set the clock to the local time (p. 18).

Note on the time indicator

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

•12:00 AM stands for midnight.

•12:00 PM stands for noon.

17

Step 2 Setting the date and time

Simple setting of clock by time difference

You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference. Select AREA
SET, DST SET* in the menu settings. See page 103 for more information.
* Instead of DST, SUMMERTIME is displayed on the screen for some models.

World time differences

19202122232425 26 27293031 1 2346810121314161718

18

AREA

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Time
difference

GMT
+01:00
+02:00
+03:00
+03:30
+04:00
+04:30
+05:00
+05:30
+06:00
+06:30
+07:00
+08:00
+09:00
+09:30
+10:00

To adjust a time difference

Select AREA SET in the menu setting, and select and decide upon an area or country
you want to adjust to.

Area or country

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

AREA

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Time
difference

+11:00
+12:00

–12:00
–11:00
–10:00
–09:00
–08:00
–07:00
–06:00
–05:00
–04:00
–03:30
–03:00
–02:00
–01:00

Area or country

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

Step 3 Inserting a cassette

(1) Install the power source.
(2) Slide OPEN/Z EJECT 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 goes down completely, close the lid until it

clicks.

Getting started

mark on the cassette

2

OPEN/Z EJECT

To eject a cassette

Follow the procedure above, and take out the cassette in step 3.

Notes

•Do not press the cassette compartment down forcibly. Doing so may cause a
malfunction.

•The cassette compartment may not be closed when you press any part of the lid other
than the mark.

When you use cassette with cassette memory

Read the instruction about cassette memory to use this function properly (p. 165).

To prevent accidental erasure

Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to expose the red mark.

3, 4

5

19

— Recording – Basics —

Recording a picture

Your camcorder automatically focuses for you.

(1) Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on its sides and pull the lens cap

string to fix it.

(2) Install the power source and insert a cassette. See “Step 1” to “Step 3” for more

information (p. 12 to 19).

(3) Pull down the Holding Grip.

Hold your camcorder firmly as illustrated.

(4) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button.

Your camcorder is set to the standby mode.

(5) Press OPEN to open the LCD panel. The viewfinder automatically turns off.
(6) 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.

4

(CHG)

OFF

C

A

M

M

E

R

POWER

R

C

V

E

M

A

LOCK

LOCK

O

R

Y

Microphone

1

5

2

6

(CHG)

OFF

C

A

M

E

POWER

R

C

V

M

E

M

R

A

O

R

Y

LOCK

Notes

•Fasten the grip strap firmly.

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

40min

REC

0:00:01

Camera recording
lamp

3

20

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 (p. 96). 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.

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. 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:
– Do not mix recordings in the SP mode and ones in the LP mode on one tape.
– When you change the battery pack, set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
– 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. 30).

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
(CHG), and to CAMERA again. However, your camcorder does not turn off
automatically while the cassette is not inserted.

When you record in the SP and LP modes on one tape or you record in the LP
mode

•The transition between scenes may not be smooth.

•The playback picture may be distorted or the time code may not be written properly
between scenes.

Recording data

The recording data (date/time or various settings when recorded) are not displayed
while recording. However, they are recorded automatically onto the tape. To display
the recording data, press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander during playback.

Recording – Basics

The battery use time when you record using the LCD screen

The battery time is slightly shorter than the shooting time using the viewfinder.

After recording

(1) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
(2) Close the LCD panel.
(3) Set the Holding Grip back to the previous position.
(4) Eject the cassette.
(5) Remove the battery pack.
(6) Attach the battery terminal cover.

21

Recording a picture

Adjusting the LCD screen

The LCD screen can be opened up to 90 degrees.
The LCD panel moves about 90 degrees to the viewfinder side and about 180 degrees to
the lens side.

180°

90°

When closing the LCD panel, set it vertically, and swing it into the camcorder body.

Note

When using the LCD screen except in the mirror mode, the viewfinder automatically
turns off (p. 25).

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 the angle of the LCD panel

Make sure if the LCD panel is opened up to 90 degrees.

Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA, VCR or MEMORY. Press MENU, then

select and decide upon LCD BRIGHT in
bar indicator appears.

(2) Press b/B on the control button to adjust the brightness of the LCD screen,

then press z.

with the control button (p. 96). The

22

1

LCD/VF SET

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

[MENU] : END

LCD/VF SET

LCD BRIGHT

LCD B.L.
LCD COLOR
VF B.L.
RETURN

[MENU] : END

2

MENU

To darken

LCD screen backlight

You can change the brightness of the backlight. Select LCD B.L. in the menu settings
when using the battery pack (p. 96).

To lighten

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.

Pull out the viewfinder and move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever.

Viewfinder backlight

You can change the brightness of the backlight. Select VF B.L. in the menu settings
when using the battery pack (p. 96).

Attaching the supplied lens hood

To record fine pictures under strong light, we recommend attaching the lens hood. Also
the lens cap can be attached even with the lens hood on.

Recording – Basics

Photocell window

Notes

•When you use the Remote Commander and the lens hood, the Remote Commander
may not function properly because the lens hood blocks the infrared rays from the
Remote Commander. In such case, remove the lens hood from your camcorder.

•You cannot attach filters or other objects onto the lens hood. If you do so forcibly, you
will no longer be able to remove filters or other objects from the lens hood.

When you use the filter (optional)

•The shadow of the lens hood may appear in the corners of the screen.

•The flash may not be adjusted correctly if the photocell window is covered.

23

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)

To use zoom greater than 10×

Zoom greater than 10× is performed digitally. To activate digital zoom, select the digital
zoom power in D ZOOM in the menu settings (p. 96). The digital zoom function is set to
OFF as a default setting.

W

T

W

W

T

T

24

W

T

The right side of the bar shows the digital zooming
zone.
The digital zooming zone appears when you select
the digital zoom power in the menu settings.

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 80 cm (about 2 feet 5/8 inch)
away from the lens surface in the telephoto position, or about 1 cm (about 1/2 inch)
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 towards the “T”
side.

When the POWER switch is set to MEMORY

You cannot use the digital zoom.

Recording a picture

Shooting with the Mirror Mode

This feature allows the camera subject to view him-or herself on the LCD screen.
The subject uses this feature to check his or her own image on the LCD screen while you
look at the subject in the viewfinder.

Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY.

Pull out the viewfinder and rotate the LCD screen 180 degrees.

The indicator appears in the viewfinder and on the LCD screen.
Xz appears in the standby mode, and z appears in the recording mode. Some of other
indicators appear mirror-reversed and others are not displayed.

Picture in the mirror mode

The picture on the LCD screen is a mirror-image. However, the picture will be normal
when recorded.

Recording – Basics

During recording in the mirror mode

ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote Commander does not work.

25

Recording a picture

Indicators displayed in the recording mode

The indicators are not recorded on tapes.

Remaining battery time

Cassette memory

This appears when using a tape with cassette memory.

Recording mode

STBY/REC

0:00:01

40

min

REC

45min

Time code/Tape counter
Remaining tape

This appears after you insert a cassette and record or
play back for a while.

JUL 4 2001

12:05:56AM

Time

The time is displayed about five seconds after the
power is turned on.

Date

The date is displayed about five seconds after the
power is turned on.

Remaining battery time indicator during recording

The remaining battery time indicator roughly indicates the continuous 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.

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
VCR mode. You cannot rewrite only the time code.

Remaining tape indicator

The indicator may not be displayed accurately depending on the tape.

Recording data

The recording data (date/time or various settings when recorded) are not displayed
while recording. However, they are recorded automatically onto the tape. To display
the recording data, press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander during playback.

26

Recording a picture

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.

Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY, press BACK LIGHT.
The . indicator appears on the screen. To cancel, press BACK LIGHT again.

BACK LIGHT

If you press EXPOSURE when shooting backlit subjects

The backlight function will be canceled.

Shooting in the dark – NightShot/Super 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.

Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON.

and “NIGHTSHOT” indicators flash on the screen. To cancel the NightShot function,

slide NIGHTSHOT to OFF.

Recording – Basics

SUPER
NIGHTSHOT

NIGHTSHOT

OFF

ON

NightShot Light emitter

27

Recording a picture

Using Super NightShot

The Super NightShot mode makes subjects more than 16 times brighter than those
recorded in the NightShot mode.

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA, slide NIGHTSHOT to ON. and

“NIGHTSHOT” indicators flash on the screen.

(2) Press SUPER NIGHTSHOT.

on the screen.
To cancel the Super NightShot mode, press SUPER NIGHTSHOT again.

Using the NightShot Light

The picture will be clearer with the NightShot Light on. To enable the NightShot Light,
set N.S. LIGHT to ON in the menu settings (p. 96).
(The default setting is ON.)

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 focusing is difficult with the autofocus mode 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.

While using the NightShot function, you cannot use the following functions:

– Exposure
– PROGRAM AE
– White balance
– HOLOGRAM AF

and “SUPER NIGHTSHOT” indicators flash

28

While using the Super NightShot function

The shutter speed is automatically adjusted depending on the brightness. At that time,
the moving picture may be slow down.

While using the Super NightShot function, you cannot use the following
functions:

– Fader
– Digital effect
– PROGRAM AE
– Exposure
– White balance
– Recording with the flash
– HOLOGRAM AF

When the POWER switch is set to MEMORY

You cannot use the Super NightShot function.

NightShot Light

NightShot Light rays are infrared and so are invisible. The maximum shooting distance
using the NightShot Light is about 3 m (10 feet).

Recording a picture

Self-timer recording

Recording with the self-timer starts in 10 seconds automatically. You can also use the
Remote Commander for this operation.

(1) Press (self-timer) in the standby mode. The (self-timer) indicator appears

on the screen.

(2) Press START/STOP.

Self-timer starts counting down from ten with a beep sound. In the last
two seconds of the countdown, the beep sound gets faster, then recording
starts automatically.

START/STOP

2

(CHG)

C

A

OFF

M

E

POWER

R

C

V

M

E

M

R

A

O

R

Y

LOCK

To stop the countdown

Press START/STOP.
To restart the countdown, press START/STOP again.

To record still images on tapes using the self-timer

Press PHOTO in step 2 (p. 39).

To cancel self-timer recording

Press (self-timer) so that the indicator disappears from the screen while your
camcorder is in the standby mode.

(self-timer)

Recording – Basics

Note

The self-timer recording mode is automatically canceled when:
– Self-timer recording is finished.
– The POWER switch is set to OFF (CHG) or VCR.

When the POWER switch is set to MEMORY

You can also record still images on “Memory Stick”s with the self-timer (p. 117).

29

Checking the recording

– END SEARCH / EDITSEARCH / Rec Review

You can use these buttons to check the recorded picture or shoot so that the transition
between the last recorded scene and the next scene you record is smooth.

END SEARCH

You can go to the end of the recorded section after you record.

Press END SEARCH in the standby mode.
The last five seconds of the recorded section are played back and your camcorder
returns to the standby mode. You can monitor the sound from the speaker or
headphones.

EDITSEARCH

EDIT

SEARCH

END

SEARCH

30

You can search for the next recording start point.

Hold down the + · –/7 side of EDITSEARCH in the standby mode. The recorded
section is played back.

+ : to go forward
–/7 : to go backward

Release EDITSEARCH to stop playback. If you press START/STOP, re-recording begins
from the point you released EDITSEARCH. You cannot monitor the sound.

Rec Review

You can check the last recorded section.

Press the –/7 side of EDITSEARCH momentarily in the standby mode.
The section you have stopped most recently will be played back for a few seconds, and
then your camcorder will return to the standby mode. You can monitor the sound from
the speaker or headphones.

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 a tape has a blank portion in the recorded portions

The end search function may not work correctly.

— Playback – Basics —

Playing back a tape

You can monitor the playback picture on the 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) Set the POWER switch to VCR while pressing the small green button.
(3) Open the LCD panel while pressing OPEN.
(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.

When you close the LCD panel, sound is muted.

Playback – Basics

(CHG)

OFF

C

A

M

M

E

R

POWER

R

C

V

E

M

A

LOCK

O

R

Y

4562

REW

PLAY

VOLUME

3

1

To stop playback

Press x.

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.

31

Playing back a tape

If you leave the power on for a long time

Your camcorder gets warm. This is not a malfunction.

When you open or close the LCD panel

Open or close the LCD panel vertically.

To display the screen indicators – Display function

Press DISPLAY. The indicators appear on the screen. To make the indicators disappear,
press DISPLAY again.

DATA CODE

DISPLAY

DISPLAY

About date/time and various settings

Your camcorder automatically records not only images on the tape but also the
recording data (date/time or various settings when recorded) (Data code).
Use the Remote Commander for this operation.

1 Set the POWER switch to VCR, then playback a tape.
2 Press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander.

The display changes as follows:
date/time t various settings (SteadyShot, exposure, white balance, gain, shutter
speed, aperture value) t no indicator

Date/time Various settings

40min

JUL 4 2001
12:05:56 AM

[a] Tape counter
[b] SteadyShot OFF
[c] Exposure mode
[d] White balance
[e] Gain
[f] Shutter speed
[g] Aperture value

0:00:23:01

40min

AUTO
60 AWB
F1.8 9dB

0:00:23:01

[a]
[b]
[c]
[d]

[e]
[f]
[g]

32

Not to display various settings

Set DATA CODE to DATE in the menu settings (p. 96).
The display changes as follows when you press DATA CODE on the Remote
Commander: date/time y no indicator

Playing back a tape

Various settings

Various settings is your camcorder’s information when you have recorded. In the
recording mode, the various settings 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 appears on the TV screen.

Remaining battery time indicator during playback

The indicator indicates the approximate continuous playback time. The indicator may
not be correct, depending on the conditions in which you are playing back. When you
close the LCD panel and open it again, it takes about one minute for the correct
remaining battery time to be displayed.

Various playback modes

To operate video control buttons, set the POWER switch to VCR.

To playback pause (view a still picture)

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.

Playback – Basics

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.

33

Playing back a tape

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.

In the various playback modes

•Sound is muted.

•The previous picture may remain as a mosaic image during playback.

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 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.

34

Viewing the recording on TV

Connect your camcorder to your TV 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 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. 15). Refer to
the operating instructions of your TV.

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.

AUDIO/VIDEO

S VIDEO

: Signal flow

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.

IN

S VIDEO

VIDEO
AUDIO

Playback – Basics

TV

If your TV has an S video jack

Pictures can be reproduced more faithfully by using an S video cable (optional). With
this connection, you do not need to connect the yellow (video) plug of the A/V
connecting cable. Connect the S video cable (optional) to the S video jacks on both your
camcorder and the TV.
This connection produces higher quality DV format pictures.

To display the screen indicators on TV

Set DISPLAY to V-OUT/LCD in the menu settings (p. 96).
Then press DISPLAY on your camcorder. To turn off the screen indicators, press
DISPLAY on your camcorder again.

35

— Advanced Recording Operations —

1

•••••••

2

CAPTURE

PHOTO

PHOTO

Recording a still image on a tape
– Tape Photo recording

You can record an still image like a photograph.
You can record about 510 images in the SP mode and about 765 images in the LP mode
on a 60-minute tape.
Besides the operation described here, your camcorder can record still images on
“Memory Stick”s (p. 112).

(1) In the standby mode, keep pressing PHOTO lightly until a still image appears.

The CAPTURE indicator appears. Recording does not start yet.
To change the still image, release PHOTO, select a still image again, and then
press and hold PHOTO lightly.

(2) Press PHOTO deeper.

The still image on the screen is recorded for about seven seconds. The sound
during those seven seconds is also recorded.
The still image is displayed on the screen until recording is completed.

36

Notes

•During tape photo recording, you cannot change the mode or setting.

•When recording a still image, do not shake your camcorder. The image may fluctuate.

•You cannot use PHOTO during the following operations:
– Fader
– Digital effect

If you record a moving subject with tape photo recording function

When you play back the still image on other equipment, the image may fluctuate.
This is not a malfunction.

To use the tape photo recording function using the Remote Commander

Press PHOTO on the Remote Commander. Your camcorder records an image on the
screen immediately.

To use the tape photo recording function during normal CAMERA recording

You cannot check an image on the screen by pressing PHOTO lightly. Press PHOTO
deeper. The still image is then recorded for about seven seconds, and your camcorder
returns to the standby mode.

To record clear and less fluctuated still images

We recommend that you record on “Memory Stick”s.

Recording a still image on a tape – Tape Photo recording

Recording images with the flash

The flash pops up automatically. The default setting is auto (no indicator). To change
the flash mode, press the (flash) repeatedly until the flash mode indicator appears on
the screen.

(flash)

Each press of (flash) changes the indicator as follows:

t t t No indicator
Auto red-eye reduction: The flash fires before recording to reduce the red-eye

phenomenon.

Forced flash: The flash fires regardless of the surrounding brightness.

No flash: The flash does not fire.

The flash is adjusted to the appropriate brightness through the photocell window for
the flash. You can also change FLASH LVL to the desired brightness in the menu
settings (p. 96). Try recording various images to find the most appropriate setting for
FLASH LVL.

Advanced Recording Operations

Notes

•Attaching the lens hood (supplied) or a conversion lens (optional) may block the light
from the flash or cause lens shadow to appear.

•You cannot use an external flash (optional) and the built-in flash at the same time.

• (auto red-eye reduction) may not produce the desired effect depending on
individual differences, the distance to the subject, the subject not looking at the pre­recording flash or other conditions.

•The flash effect cannot be obtained easily when you use forced flash in a bright
location.

•When you record images with the flash, sound may not be recorded clearly.

•When recording with the flash, it takes longer to prepare for image capture. This is
because your camcorder starts to charge power for firing after the flash pops up.
Darken the surroundings by covering the lens part, and press PHOTO lightly so that
your camcorder starts to charge power after the flash pops up.

•If it is not easy to focus on the subject automatically, for example, when recording in
the dark, use the focal distance information (p. 53) for focusing manually.

37

Recording a still image on a tape – Tape Photo recording

When you record images with the flash

The possible shooting distance using the built-in flash is shorter than when you record
on “Memory Stick”s.

When playing back images recorded with the flash on other equipment

These images may flicker.

If you leave your camcorder for five or more minutes after disconnecting the
power source

Your camcorder returns to the default setting (auto).

You cannot shoot images with the flash during the following operations:

– Low lux of PROGRAM AE
– Super NightShot
– Digital effect
– Fader
– Recording

The flash does not fire even if you select auto (no indicator) and (auto red-eye
reduction) during the following operations:

– Exposure
– NightShot
– Spotlight of PROGRAM AE
– Sunset & moon of PROGRAM AE
– Landscape of PROGRAM AE

When you use an external flash (optional) which does not have the auto red-eye
reduction function

You cannot select the auto red-eye reduction.

38

Recording a still image on a tape – Tape Photo recording

Self-timer recording

You can record still images on tapes with the self-timer. You can also use the Remote
Commander for this operation.

(1) Press (self-timer) in the standby mode. The (self-timer) indicator appears

on the screen.

(2) Press PHOTO deeper.

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.

PHOTO

(self-timer)

2

PHOTO

Advanced Recording Operations

To cancel self-timer recording

Press (self-timer) so that the indicator disappears from the screen while your
camcorder is in the standby mode. You cannot cancel the self-timer recording using the
Remote Commander.

Note

The self-timer recording mode is automatically canceled when:
– Self-timer recording is finished.
– The POWER switch is set to OFF (CHG) or VCR.

39

Adjusting the white balance manually

You can manually adjust and set the white balance. This adjustment makes white
subjects look white and allows more natural color balance. Normally white balance is
automatically adjusted.

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY. Press MENU, then select

and decide upon WHT BAL in

(2) Select and decide upon the desired white balance mode with the control

button.

HOLD :
Recording a single-colored subject or background

OUTDOOR :

•Recording a sunset/sunrise, just after sunset, just before sunrise, neon signs, or
fireworks

•Under a color matching fluorescent lamp

n INDOOR :

•Lighting condition changes quickly

•Too bright place such as photography studios

•Under sodium lamps or mercury lamps

with the control button (p. 96).

40

1

MANUA L S E T

PROGRAM AE
P

EFFEC T
DEFFECT
W

HT BAL

A U T O S H T R

RET URN

[

] :

MENU

END

AUTO
HOL D
OUT DOOR

I N DOOR

MENU

To return to the automatic white balance mode

Set WHT BAL to AUTO in the menu settings.

If the picture is being taken in a studio lit by TV lighting

We recommend that you record in the n indoor mode.

When you record under fluorescent lighting

Use the automatic white balance or hold mode.
Your camcorder may not adjust the white balance correctly in the n indoor mode.

In the automatic white balance mode

Point your camcorder at a white subject for about 10 seconds after setting the POWER
switch to CAMERA to get a better adjustment when:
– You detach the battery for replacement.
– You bring your camcorder to the outdoors from the interior of a house holding the

exposure, or vice versa.

In the hold white balance mode

Set the white balance to AUTO and reset to HOLD after a few seconds when:
– You change the PROGRAM AE mode.
– You bring your camcorder to the outdoors from the interior of a house, or vice versa.

Using the wide mode

You can record a 16:9 wide picture to watch on the 16:9 wide-screen TV (16:9WIDE).
Black bands appear on the screen during recording in 16:9WIDE mode [a]. The picture
during a playback on a normal TV [b] or on a wide-screen TV [c] is compressed in the
widthwise direction. If you set the screen mode of the wide-screen TV to the full mode,
you can watch pictures of normal images [d].

[a]

16:9

WIDE

(1) In the standby mode, press MENU, then select and decide upon 16:9WIDE in

with the control button (p. 96).

(2) Select and decide upon ON with the control button.

To cancel the wide mode

Set 16:9WIDE to OFF in the menu settings.

[b]

[c]

MENU

2

[d]

CAMERA SET

DZOOM

:

16
STEADYSHOT
N.S.LIGHT
FRAME REC

INT

FLASH LVL

[

MENU

9WIDE

REC

.

] :

NRUTER

Advanced Recording Operations

NO

END

In the wide mode

You cannot select the following functions:
– OLD MOVIE
– BOUNCE

During recording

You cannot select or cancel the wide mode. When you cancel the wide mode, set your
camcorder to the standby mode and then set 16:9WIDE to OFF in the menu settings.

Connection for a TV

Pictures recorded in the 16:9WIDE mode automatically appear on the TV screen at full
size when:
– you connect your camcorder to a TV that is compatible with the video ID (ID-1/ID-2)

system.

– you connect your camcorder to the S video jack on the TV.

ID-1 system

The ID-1 system sends aspect ratio information (16:9, 4:3, or letter box) with video
signals. If you connect a TV compatible with the ID-1 system, the screen size is
automatically selected.

ID-2 system

The ID-2 system sends a copyright protection signal with ID-1 signals inserted between
video signals when you connect your camcorder to other equipment using an A/V
connecting cable.

41

Using the fader function

You can fade in or out to give your recording a professional appearance.

FADER

M. FADER
(mosaic)

BOUNCE

OVERLAP

2)

WIPE

1) 2)

[a]

2)

RECSTBY

42

2)

DOT

[b]

MONOTONE

When fading in, the picture gradually changes from black-and-white to color.
When fading out, the picture gradually changes from color to black-and-white.

1)

You can use the bounce function when D ZOOM is set to OFF in the menu settings.

2)

Fade in only.

RECSTBY

Using the fader function

(1) When fading in [a]

In the standby mode, press FADER until the desired fader indicator flashes.

When fading out [b]

In the recording mode, press FADER until the desired fader indicator flashes.
The indicator changes as follows:

FADER t M. FADER t BOUNCE t MONOTONE

no indicator T DOT T WIPE T OVERLAP

The last selected fader mode is indicated first of all.

(2) Press START/STOP. The fader indicator stops flashing.

After the fader in/out is carried out, your camcorder automatically returns to
normal mode.

1

FADER

Advanced Recording Operations

FADER

To cancel the fader function

Before pressing START/STOP, press FADER until the indicator disappears.

Note

You cannot use the following functions while using the fader function. Also, you cannot
use the fader function while using the following functions:
– Digital effect
– Low lux of PROGRAM AE (Overlap, Wipe, or Dot function only) (The indicator

flashes.)
– Super NightShot
– Tape photo recording
– Interval recording
– Cut recording

When you select OVERLAP, WIPE, or DOT

Your camcorder automatically stores the image recorded on a tape. As the image is
being stored, the indicators flash fast, and the playback picture disappears. At this
stage, the picture may not be recorded clearly, depending on the tape condition.

When you set the POWER switch to MEMORY

You cannot use the fader function.

43

Using the fader function

While using the bounce function, you cannot use the following functions:

– Focus
– Zoom
– Picture effect
– Exposure

Note on the bounce function

The BOUNCE indicator does not appear in the following mode or functions:
– D ZOOM is activated in the menu settings
– Wide mode
– Picture effect
– PROGRAM AE

44

Using special effects – Picture effect

You can digitally process images to obtain special effects like those in films or on TV.

NEG. ART [a] : The color and brightness of the picture are reversed.
SEPIA : The picture gets sepia.
B&W : The picture appears in monochrome (black-and-white).
SOLARIZE [b] : The light intensity is clearer, and the picture looks like an illustration.
SLIM [c] : The picture expands vertically.
STRETCH [d] : The picture expands horizontally.
PASTEL [e] : The contrast of the picture is emphasized, and the picture looks like an

MOSAIC [f] : The picture gets mosaic-patterned.

[a] [b] [c] [d] [e] [f]

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA. Press MENU, then select and decide upon

P EFFECT in

(2) Select and decide upon the desired picture effect mode with the control button.

animated cartoon.

with the control button (p. 96).

Advanced Recording Operations

MENU

To cancel the picture effect function

Set P EFFECT to OFF in the menu settings.

While using the picture effect function

You cannot select OLD MOVIE mode with D EFFECT.

When you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)

The picture effect is automatically canceled.

1

MANUA L SE T

PROGRAM AE
PEFFECT
DEFFECT
W

LABTH

NRUTER

[

] :

MENU

END

FFO

.

TRAGEN

AIPES

W

&B

EZIRALOS

RTHSOTUA

MILS

HCTERTS
LETSAP
CIASOM

45

Using special effects – Digital effect

You can add special effects to recorded pictures using the various digital functions. The
sound is recorded normally.

STILL

You can record a still image so that it is superimposed on a moving picture.

FLASH (FLASH MOTION)

You can record still images successively at constant intervals.

LUMI. (LUMINANCEKEY)

You can swap a brighter area in a still picture with a moving picture.

TRAIL

You can record the picture so that an incidental image like a trail is left.

SLOW SHTR (SLOW SHUTTER)

You can slow down the shutter speed. The slow shutter mode is good for recording
dark pictures more brightly.

OLD MOVIE

You can add an old movie type atmosphere to pictures. Your camcorder automatically
sets the wide mode to ON and picture effect to SEPIA, and the appropriate shutter
speed.

Still image Moving picture

STILL

46

Still image Moving picture

LUMI.

Using special effects – Digital effect

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA. Press MENU, then select and decide upon

D EFFECT in

(2) Select and decide upon the desired digital effect mode with the control button.

The bars appear. In the STILL or LUMI. mode, the still image that you selected
and decided upon is stored in memory.

(3) Adjust and decide upon the effect with the control button.

Items to be adjusted

STILL The rate of the still image you want to superimpose on the moving

FLASH The interval of flash motion
LUMI. The color scheme of the area in the still image which is to be

TRAIL The time until the incidental image vanishes
SLOW SHTR Shutter speed. The larger the shutter speed number, the slower the

OLD MOVIE No adjustment necessary

The more bars there are on the screen, the stronger the digital effect. The bars
appear in the following modes: STILL, FLASH, LUMI. and TRAIL.

with the control button (p. 96).

picture

swapped with a moving picture

shutter speed becomes.

Advanced Recording Operations

MANUA L S E T

1

2

MENU

3

PROGRAM AE
PEFFECT
DEFFECT

W

HT BAL

AUTO SHTR

RET URN

[

] :

MENU

END

MANUA L S E T

DEFFECT

OFF
ST I LL
FLASH
LUMI

.

TRA I L

W

OLS

[

] :

MENU

END

MANUA L S E T

PROGRAM AE
PEFFECT
DEFFECT

W

HT BAL

AUTO SHT R

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

RTHS
EIVOMDLO

To cancel the digital effect function

Set D EFFECT to OFF in the menu settings.

OFF

ST IL L

IIIIIIII

••••••••

MANUA L S E T

DEFFECT

OFF
ST I LL
FLASH

LUMI

.
TRA I L
SLOWSHTR
OLD MOVI E

[

] :

MENU

END

MANUA L S E T

LLITS

[

] :

MENU

END

TCEFFED

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

47

Using special effects – Digital effect

Notes

•The following functions do not work during digital effect:
– Fader
– Low lux of PROGRAM AE (The indicator flashes.)
– Tape photo recording
– Super NightShot

•The PROGRAM AE function does not work in the slow shutter mode.

•The following functions do not work in the old movie mode:
– Wide mode
– Picture effect
– PROGRAM AE

When you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)

The digital effect is automatically canceled.

When recording in the slow shutter mode

Auto focus may not be effective. Focus manually using a tripod.

Shutter speed

Shutter speed number Shutter speed
SLOW SHTR 1 1/30
SLOW SHTR 2 1/15
SLOW SHTR 3 1/8
SLOW SHTR 4 1/4

48

Using the PROGRAM AE function

You can select PROGRAM AE (Auto Exposure) mode to suit your specific shooting
requirements.

Spotlight

This mode prevents peoples’ faces, for example, from appearing excessively white
when shooting subjects lit by strong light in the theater.

Soft portrait

This mode brings out the subject while creating a soft background for subjects such as
people or flowers.

Sports lesson

This mode minimizes shake on fast-moving subjects such as in tennis or golf.

Beach & ski

This mode prevents peoples’ faces from appearing dark in strong light or reflected light,
such as at a beach in midsummer or on a ski slope.

Sunset & moon

This mode allows you to maintain atmosphere when you are recording sunsets, general
night views, fireworks displays and neon signs.

Landscape

This mode is for when you are recording distant subjects such as mountains, and
prevents your camcorder from focusing on glass or metal mesh in windows when you
are recording a subject behind glass or a screen.

Low lux

This mode makes subjects brighter in insufficient light.

Advanced Recording Operations

49

Using the PROGRAM AE function

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY. Press MENU, then select

and decide upon PROGRAM AE in

(2) Select and decide upon the desired PROGRAM AE mode with the control

button.

with the control button (p. 96).

1

MANUA L S E T

PROGRAM AE
PEFFECT
DEFFECT

WH T BA L

AUTO SHTR

RET URN

[

] :

MENU

END

AUTO
SPOTL I GHT
PORTRA I T
SPORTS
BEACH&SKI
SUNSETMOON
LANDSCAPE

W

LUX

LO

MENU

To cancel the PROGRAM AE function

Select PROGRAM AE to AUTO in the menu settings.

Notes

•Because your camcorder is set to focus only on subjects in the middle to far distance,
you cannot take close-ups in the following modes:
– Spotlight
– Sports lesson
– Beach & ski

•Your camcorder is set to focus only on distant subjects in the following modes:
– Sunset & moon
– Landscape

•The following functions do not work in the PROGRAM AE mode:
– Slow shutter
– Old movie
– Bounce

•The following functions do not work in the low lux mode:
– Digital effect
– Overlap
– Wipe
– Dot
– Recording with the flash

•When you set the POWER switch to MEMORY, the following modes do not work
(The indicator flashes.):
– Low lux
– Sports lesson

•The PROGRAM AE function does not work in the following cases. (The indicator
flashes.)
– To set NIGHTSHOT to ON
– To record images on a “Memory Stick” using the MEMORY MIX function.

50

Using the PROGRAM AE function

While WHT BAL is set to AUTO in the menu settings

The white balance is adjusted even if the PROGRAM AE function is selected.

Even if the PROGRAM AE function is selected

You can adjust the exposure.

If you are recording under a discharge tube such as a fluorescent lamp, sodium
lamp or mercury lamp

Flickering or changes in color may occur in the following modes. If this happens, turn
the PROGRAM AE function off.
– Soft portrait
– Sports lesson

Advanced Recording Operations

51

Adjusting the exposure manually

You can manually adjust and set the exposure. Normally exposure is automatically
adjusted. Adjust the exposure manually in the following cases:
– The subject is backlit
– Bright subject and dark background
– To record dark pictures (e.g. night scenes) faithfully

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY, press EXPOSURE.

The exposure indicator appears.

(2) Push b/B on the control button to adjust the brightness.

2

EXPOSURE

To return to the automatic exposure mode

Press EXPOSURE.

52

Note

When you adjust the exposure manually, the backlight function does not work.

Your camcorder automatically returns to the automatic exposure mode:

– If you change the PROGRAM AE mode.
– If you slide NIGHTSHOT to ON.

Focusing manually

You can gain better results by manually adjusting the focus in the following cases.
Normally, focus is automatically adjusted:

•The autofocus mode is not effective when shooting:
– subjects through glass coated with water droplets
– horizontal stripes
– subjects with little contrast with backgrounds such as walls and sky

•When you want to change the focus from a subject in the foreground to a subject in
the background.

•Shooting a stationary subject when using a tripod.

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY, press FOCUS lightly.

The 9 indicator appears.

(2) Turn the focus ring to sharpen focus.

Advanced Recording Operations

FOCUS

2

To return to the autofocus mode

Press FOCUS lightly to turn off the indicator.

To record distant subjects

When you press FOCUS down firmly, the lens focuses on and indicator appears.
When you release FOCUS, your camcorder returns to the manual focus mode. Use this
mode when your camcorder focuses on near objects even though you are trying to
shoot a distant object.

53

Focusing manually

To focus precisely

It is easier to focus on the subject if you adjust the zoom to shoot at the “W” (wide­angle) after focusing at the “T” (telephoto) position.

When you shoot close to the subject

Focus at the end of the “W” (wide-angle) position.

9 changes as follows:

when recording a distant subject

when the subject is too close to focus on

Focal distance information is displayed for about three seconds on the screen in
the following cases:

– When switching the focus adjustment mode from autofocus to manual
– When turning the focus ring

Focal distance information

– This information aids focusing if it is not easy to focus on the subject, for example,

when recording in the dark. Use this information as a rough guide to get a sharp
focus.

– You cannot get correct information if you have attached a conversion lens to your

camcorder.

54

Interval recording

You can make a time-lapse recording by
setting the camcorder to automatically record
and standby sequentially. You can achieve an
excellent recording for flowering, emergence,
etc., with this function.

Example

1 s 1 s

9 min 59 s 9 min 59 s

[a][a]

[b][b]

[a]REC TIME
[b]INTERVAL

10 min10 min

(1) In the standby mode, press MENU, then select and decide upon INT. REC in

with the control button (p. 96).

(2) Select and decide upon SET with the control button.
(3) Set INTERVAL and REC TIME.

1 Select and decide upon INTERVAL with the control button.
2 Select and decide upon the desired interval time with the control button.

The time: 30SEC y 1MIN y 5MIN y 10MIN

3 Select and decide upon REC TIME with the control button.
4 Select and decide upon the desired recording time with the control button.

The time: 0.5SEC y 1SEC y 1.5SEC y 2SEC

5 Select and decide upon

RETURN with the control button.

(4) Select and decide upon ON with the control button.
(5) Press MENU to erase the menu display. The INTERVAL indicator flashes.
(6) Press START/STOP to start interval recording. The INTERVAL indicator lights

up.

Advanced Recording Operations

55

Interval recording

6

4

5

MENU

POWER

R

C

V

(CHG)

OFF

C

M

A

E

M

M

E

R

A

CAMERA SET

D ZOOM
16 : 9W
STEADYSHOT
N.
FRAME REC
I

NT. REC
FLASH
RETURN

[MENU] : END

O

R

S. L I

LOCK

Y

2

CAMERA SET

D ZOOM
16 : 9W

I

DE
STEADYSHOT
N.

S. L I

GHT
FRAME REC
I

NT. REC OFF

FLASH

LVL
RETURN

[MENU] : END

I

DE
GHT

ON

LVL

STBY

I

NTERVAL

3

CAMERA SET

I

NT. REC

I

NTERVAL

REC T

I

RETURN

[MENU] : END

CAMERA SET

I

NT. REC

I

NTERVAL

REC T

I

RETURN

[MENU] : END

30SEC

ME

ME

0 . 5SEC

CAMERA SET

D ZOOM
16 : 9W

I
STEADYSHOT
N.

S. L I

GHT
FRAME REC
I

NT. REC

FLASH

LVL
RETURN

[MENU] : END

CAMERA SET

I

NT. REC
I

NTERVAL

REC T

I
RETURN

[MENU] : END

CAMERA SET

I

NT. REC
I

NTERVAL

REC T

I
RETURN

[MENU] : END

DE

ON
OFF
SET

30SEC

ME

1M I N
5M

I

N

10M

I

N

ME

0 . 5SEC
1SEC
1

.

5SEC

2SEC

56

To cancel the interval recording

Perform either of the following:
– Set INT. REC to OFF in the menu settings.
– Set the POWER switch to other than CAMERA.

To perform normal recording during the interval recording

You can perform normal recording only once during INTERVAL.
Press START/STOP. The INTERVAL indicator flashes, and normal recording starts. To
stop normal recording, press START/STOP again.

On recording time

There may be a discrepancy in recording time of up to +/– six frames from the selected
time.

Frame by frame recording – Cut recording

You can make a recording with a stop-motion animated effect using cut recording. To
create this effect, alternately move the subject a little and make a cut recording. We
recommend that you use a tripod, and operate the camcorder using the Remote
Commander after step 4.

(1) In the standby mode, press MENU, then select and decide upon FRAME REC

in

with the control button (p. 96).

(2) Select and decide upon ON with the control button.
(3) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

The FRAME REC indicator lights up.

(4) Press START/STOP to start cut recording. The camcorder makes a recording

for about six frames, and returns to recording standby.

(5) Move the subject, and repeat step 4.

4

(CHG)

OFF

C

A

M

E

MENU

C

V

M

E

R

A

POWER

R

M

O

R

Y

LOCK

2

CAMERA SET

D ZOOM

I

16 : 9W
STEADYSHOT
N.

S. L I

GHT
FRAME REC
I

NT. REC

FLASH

LVL
RETURN

[MENU] : END

DE

OFF
ON

CAMERA SET

D ZOOM

I

16 : 9W
STEADYSHOT
N.

S. L I

GHT
FRAME REC
I

NT. REC

FLASH

LVL
RETURN

[MENU] : END

DE

ON

Advanced Recording Operations

To cancel the cut recording

Perform either of the following:
– Set FRAME REC to OFF in the menu settings.
– Set the POWER switch to other than CAMERA.

Note

The proper remaining tape time is not indicated if you use this function continuously.

When using the cut recording function

The last recorded cut is longer than other cuts.

57

— Advanced Playback Operations —

Playing back a tape with picture effects

During playback, you can process a scene using the picture effect functions: NEG. ART,
SEPIA, B&W and SOLARIZE.

(1) In the playback or playback pause mode, press MENU, then select and decide

upon P EFFECT in

(2) Select and decide upon the desired mode with the control button.

For details of each picture effect function, see page 45.

To cancel the picture effect function

Set P EFFECT to OFF in the menu settings.

Notes

•You cannot process externally input scenes using the picture effect function.

•You cannot record images on a tape on your camcorder when you have processed the
image using the picture effect function. However, you can record images on a
“Memory Stick” (p. 118, 128), or on a VCR using your camcorder as a player.

with the control button (p. 96).

1

MENU

MANUA L SE T

PEFFECT
D

EFFECT

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

OFF

.

NEG ART
SEP I A
B&

W

SOLA R I ZE

58

Pictures processed by the picture effect function

Pictures processed by the picture effect function are not output through the DV jack.

When you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) or stop playing back

The picture effect function is automatically canceled.

Playing back a tape with digital effects

During playback, you can process a scene using the digital effect functions: STILL,
FLASH, LUMI. and TRAIL.

(1) In the playback or playback pause mode, press MENU, then select and decide

upon D EFFECT in

(2) Select and decide upon the desired mode with the control button.

The bars appear. In the STILL or LUMI. mode, the picture is captured and is
stored in memory as a still image.

(3) Press b/B on the control button to adjust the effect with the control button.

For details of each digital effect function, see page 46.

with the control button (p. 96).

MANUA L S E T

DEFFECT

1

OFF

ST I LL
FLASH
LUMI

.

TRA I L

[

] :

MENU

END

MENU

2

3

MANUA L S E T

DEFFECT

OFF
ST I LL

FLASH
LUMI

.

TRA I L

[

] :

MENU

END

MANUA L

PEFFECT
DEFFECT

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

ST I LL

IIIIIIII

••••••••

MANUA L S E T

DEFFECT

ST I LL

[

] :

MENU

END

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

To cancel the digital effect function

Set D EFFECT to OFF in the menu settings.

Notes

•You cannot process externally input scenes using the digital effect function.

•You cannot record images on a tape on your camcorder when you have processed the
image using the digital effect function. However, you can record images on a
“Memory Stick” (p. 118, 128), or on a VCR using your camcorder as a player.

Advanced Playback Operations

Pictures processed by the digital effect function

Pictures processed by the digital effect function are not output through the DV jack.

When you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) or stop playing back

The digital effect function is automatically canceled.

59

Enlarging images recorded on tapes
– Tape PB ZOOM

You can enlarge playback images recorded on tapes. Besides the operation described
here, your camcorder can enlarge still images recorded on “Memory Stick”s (p. 148).

(1) In the playback or playback pause mode, press PB ZOOM on your camcorder.

The center of the image is enlarged to twice its size.

(2) Press the control button to move the image.

The image moves in the same direction as the control button setting.

(3) Adjust the zoom ratio by the power zoom lever.

You can enlarge the image from 1.1 times up to five times its size.

W: Decreases the zoom ratio.
T: Increases the zoom ratio.

1

MPEG

PB

ZOOM

3

W

T

2

PB ZOOM

× 5.0

To cancel the PB ZOOM function

Press PB ZOOM.

Notes

•You cannot process externally input scenes using the PB ZOOM function with your
camcorder.

•You cannot record images on a tape on your camcorder when you have processed the
image using the tape PB ZOOM function. However, you can record images on a VCR
using your camcorder as a player.

•You cannot record moving pictures on a “Memory Stick” on your camcorder when
you have processed the picture using the tape PB ZOOM function.

60

The PB ZOOM function is automatically canceled when you operate the following
functions:

– Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
– Stop playback.
– Display the menu settings.

Images in the PB ZOOM

Images in the PB ZOOM mode are not output through the DV jack.

Quickly locating a scene using the zero
set memory function

Your camcorder goes forward or backward to automatically stop at a desired scene
having a tape counter value of “0:00:00”. Use the Remote Commander for this
operation.

(1) In the playback mode, press DISPLAY.
(2) Press ZERO SET MEMORY at the point you want to locate later. The tape

counter shows “0:00:00” and the ZERO SET MEMORY indicator flashes.

(3) Press x when you want to stop playback.
(4) Press m to rewind the tape to the tape counter’s zero point. The tape stops

automatically when the tape counter reaches approximately zero. The ZERO
SET MEMORY indicator disappears and the time code appears.

(5) Press N. Playback starts from the counter’s zero point.

Advanced Playback Operations

DISPLAY

m

x

Notes

•When you press ZERO SET MEMORY before rewinding the tape, the zero set memory
function will be canceled.

•There may be a discrepancy of several seconds from the time code.

If a tape has a blank portion in the recorded portions

The zero set memory function may not work correctly.

ZERO SET MEMORY

N

61

Searching the boundaries of recorded
tape by title – Title search

If you use a tape with cassette memory, you can search for the boundaries of
recorded tape by title. Use the Remote Commander for this operation.

Before operation

Set CM SEARCH in to ON in the menu settings. (The default setting is ON.)

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR.
(2) Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander repeatedly, until the TITLE

SEARCH indicator appears.
The indicator changes as follows:

TITLE SEARCH t DATE SEARCH t PHOTO SEARCH

no indicator T PHOTO SCAN

(3) Press . or > on the Remote Commander to select the title for playback.

Your camcorder automatically starts playback of the scene having the title that
you selected.

2

SEARCH

MODE

3

.>

TITLE SEARCH
1

HEL LO

!

CONGRAT UL A T I ON S

2

HAPPY NEWYEAR

3

PRESENT

4
5

GOODMORN I NG

6WEDDI NG

3
4
5
6WEDDI NG
7
8

!

!

HCRAESELTIT

HAPPY NEWYEAR
PRESENT
GOODMORN I NG

NIGHT
BASEBALL

[b][a]

!

[a] Actual point you are trying to search for
[b] Present point on the tape

To stop searching

Press x.

If you use a tape without cassette memory

You cannot superimpose or search a title.

If a tape has a blank portion between recorded portions

The title search function may not work correctly.

To superimpose a title

See page 90.

62

Searching a recording by date
– Date search

You can automatically search for the point where the recording date changes and start
playback from that point (Date search). Use a tape with cassette memory for
convenience. Use the Remote Commander for this operation.
Use this function to check where recording dates change or to edit the tape at each
recording date.

Searching for the date by using cassette memory

Before operation

•You can use this function only when playing back a tape with cassette memory.

•Set CM SEARCH in to ON in the menu settings. (The default setting is ON).

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR.
(2) Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander repeatedly, until the DATE

SEARCH indicator appears.
The indicator changes as follows:

TITLE SEARCH t DATE SEARCH t PHOTO SEARCH

no indicator T PHOTO SCAN

(3) Press . or > on the Remote Commander to select the date for playback.

Your camcorder automatically starts playback at the beginning of the selected
date.

2

SEARCH

MODE

3

.>

DATE SEARCH
1

SEP

/5/01

SEP

/6/01

2
3

DEC

/24/01

JAN

/1/02

4
5

FEB

/11/02

APR

/29/02

6

DATE SEARCH

1

SEP

/5/01

SEP

/6/01

2
3

DEC

/24/01

JAN

/1/02

4
5

FEB

/11/02

APR

/29/02

6

[b][a]

[a] Actual point you are trying to search for
[b] Present point on the tape

Advanced Playback Operations

To stop searching

Press x.

63

Searching a recording by date – Date search

Note

If one day’s recording is less than two minutes, your camcorder may not accurately find
the point where the recording date changes.

If a tape has a blank portion between recorded portions

The date search function may not work correctly.

Cassette memory

The tape cassette memory can hold six recording date data. If you search the date
among seven or more data, see “Searching for the date without using cassette memory”
below.

Searching for the date without using cassette memory

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR.
(2) Press MENU, then select and decide upon CM SEARCH in

control button (p. 96).

(3) Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander repeatedly until the DATE

SEARCH indicator appears.
The indicator changes as follows:

DATE SEARCH t PHOTO SEARCH t PHOTO SCAN t no indicator

(4) Press . on the Remote Commander to search for the previous date or press

> on the Remote Commander to search for the next date. Your camcorder

automatically starts playback at the point where the date changes. Each time
you press . or >, your camcorder searches for the previous or next date.

to OFF with the

64

To stop searching

Press x.

Searching for a photo
– Photo search/Photo scan

You can search for a still image you have recorded on a tape (photo search).
You can also search for still images one after another and display each image for
five seconds automatically regardless of cassette memory (photo scan). Use the Remote
Commander for these operations.
Use this function to check or edit still images.

Searching for a photo by using cassette memory

Before operation

•You can use this function only when playing back a tape with cassette memory.

•Set CM SEARCH in to ON in the menu settings. (The default setting is ON.)

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR.
(2) Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander repeatedly, until the

PHOTO SEARCH indicator appears.
The indicator changes as follows:

TITLE SEARCH t DATE SEARCH t PHOTO SEARCH

no indicator T PHOTO SCAN

(3) Press . or > on the Remote Commander to select the date for playback.

Your camcorder automatically starts playback of the photo having the date
that you selected.

2

SEARCH

MODE

3

.>

PHOTO SEARCH
1

SEP

/ 5/01 5:30

2

SEP

/ 6/01 8:50

3

DEC

/24/01 10:30

4

JAN

/ 1/02 11:25

5

FEB

/11/02 4:11

6

APR

/29/02 1:45

PHOTO SEARCH
1

2
3
4
5
6

P
A
A
P
P
P

SEP

/5/01 5:30

SEP

/6/01 8:50

DEC

/24 / 01 10 : 30

JAN

/1/0211:25

FEB

/11/02 4:11

APR

/29/02 1:45

[b][a]

M
M
M
M
M
M

M

P

M

A

M

A

M

P

M

P

M

P

MENU

Advanced Playback Operations

[a] Actual point you are trying to search for
[b] Present point on the tape

To stop searching

Press x.

65

Searching for a photo – Photo search/Photo scan

Searching for a photo without using cassette memory

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR.
(2) Press MENU, then select and decide upon CM SEARCH in

control button (p. 96).

(3) Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander repeatedly until the

PHOTO SEARCH indicator appears.
The indicator changes as follows:

DATE SEARCH t PHOTO SEARCH t PHOTO SCAN t no indicator

(4) Press . or > on the Remote Commander to select the photo for playback.

Each time you press . or >, your camcorder searches for the previous or
next photo.
Your camcorder automatically starts playback of the photo.

To stop searching

Press x.

Scanning photo

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR.
(2) Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander repeatedly until the

PHOTO SCAN indicator appears.
The indicator changes as follows:

DATE SEARCH t PHOTO SEARCH t PHOTO SCAN t no indicator

(3) Press . or > on the Remote Commander.

Each photo is played back for about five seconds automatically.

to OFF with the

66

2

SEARCH

MODE

3

To stop scanning

Press x.

If a tape has a blank portion between recorded portions

The photo search/photo scan function may not work correctly.

The available number of photos that can be searched using the cassette memory

The available number is up to 12 photos. However, you can search 13 photos or more
using the scanning photo function.

PHOTO

SCAN

00

— Editing —

Dubbing a tape

Using the A/V connecting cable

You can dub or edit on the VCR connected to your camcorder using your camcorder as
a player.
Connect your camcorder to the VCR using the A/V connecting cable supplied with
your camcorder.

Before operation

•Set DISPLAY to LCD in the menu settings. (The default setting is LCD.)

•Press the following buttons to make the indicator disappear so that they will not be
superimposed on the edited tape:
– DISPLAY
– DATA CODE on the Remote Commander
– SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander

(1) Insert a blank tape (or a tape you want to record over) into the VCR, and insert

the recorded tape into your camcorder.

(2) Prepare the VCR for recording, then set the input selector to LINE.

Connect the A/V connecting cable to AUDIO/VIDEO jack.
Refer to the operating instructions of the VCR.

(3) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
(4) Play back the recorded tape on your camcorder.
(5) Start recording on the VCR. Refer to the operating instructions of your VCR.

S VIDEO

AUDIO/VIDEO

: Signal flow

IN

S VIDEO

VIDEO
AUDIO

When you have finished dubbing a tape

Press x on both your camcorder and the VCR.

You can edit on VCRs that support the following systems:

8 mm, Hi8, VHS, S-VHS, VHSC, S-VHSC,
Betamax, ED Betamax, mini DV, DV, Digital8

Editing

If your 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. When the white
plug is connected, the left channel audio is output, and when the red plug is connected,
the right channel audio is output.

67

Dubbing a tape

If your VCR has an S video jack

Pictures can be reproduced more faithfully by using an S video cable (optional).
With this connection, you do not need to connect the yellow (video) plug of the A/V
connecting cable.
Connect an S video cable (optional) to the S video jacks of both your camcorder and the
VCR.
This connection produces higher quality DV format pictures.

Using the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)

Simply connect the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable) (optional) to DV jack of your
camcorder and to DV IN of the DV products. With a digital-to-digital connection, video
and audio signals are transmitted in digital form for high-quality editing. You cannot
dub the titles, display indicators or the contents of cassette memory or letters on the
“Memory Stick” index screen.
Set the input selector on the VCR to the DV input position if the VCR is equipped with
the input selector.

(1) Insert a blank tape (or a tape you want to record over) into the VCR, and insert

the recorded tape into your camcorder.

(2) Prepare the VCR for recording.

Set the input selector to LINE. Refer to the operating instructions of the VCR.

(3) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
(4) Play back the recorded tape on your camcorder.
(5) Start recording on the VCR. Refer to the operating instructions of the VCR.

68

DV

DV

: Signal flow

(optional)

DV IN

When you have finished dubbing a tape

Press x on both your camcorder and the VCR.

You can connect one VCR only using the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)

See page 169 for more information about i.LINK.

Pictures processed by the picture effect, the digital effect or PB ZOOM function

Pictures processed by the picture effect, the digital effect or PB ZOOM function are not
output through the DV jack.

If you record a playback pause picture with the DV jack

The recorded picture becomes rough. And when you play back the picture using the
other video equipment, the picture may jitter.

Dubbing only desired scenes
– Digital program editing (on tapes)

You can duplicate selected scenes (programs) for editing onto a tape without operating
the VCR.
Scenes can be selected by frame. You can set up to 20 programs.
Your camcorder can dub on “Memory Stick”s. See p. 132 for more information.

Unwanted scene Unwanted scene

Switch the order

Before operating the Digital program editing on tapes
recorded on other equipment

Step 1 Connecting the VCR (p. 69).
Step 2 Setting the VCR for operation (p. 70, 74).
Step 3 Adjusting the synchronization of the VCR (p. 75).

When you dub using the same VCR again, you can skip steps 2 and 3.

Editing

Using the Digital program editing function on tapes recorded
on other equipment

Operation 1 Making the program (p. 77).
Operation 2 Performing the program (dubbing a tape) (p. 79).

Notes

•When you connect with an i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable), you may not be able to
operate the dubbing function correctly, depending on the VCR.
Set CONTROL to IR in the menu settings of your camcorder.

•When editing digital video on tapes, the operation signals cannot be sent with
LANC.

Step 1: Connecting the VCR

You can connect both an A/V connecting cable and an i.LINK cable (DV connecting
cable).
When you use the A/V connecting cable, connect the devices as illustrated on page 67.
When you use an i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable), connect the devices as illustrated
on page 68.

If you connect using an i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)

With digital-to-digital connection, video and audio signals are transmitted in digital
form for high-quality editing.

69

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

Step 2: Setting the VCR to operate with the A/V connecting cable

To edit using the VCR, send the control signal by infrared rays to the remote sensor on
the VCR.
When you connect using an A/V connecting cable, follow the procedure below, (1) to

(4), to send the control signal correctly.

(1) Set the IR SETUP code

1 Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
2 Turn the power of the connected VCR on, then set the input selector to LINE.

When you connect a video camera recorder, set its power switch to VCR/VTR.

3 Press MENU, then select and decide upon VIDEO EDIT in with the control

button (p. 96).

4 Select and decide upon TAPE with the control button.
5 Select and decide upon EDIT SET with the control button.
6 Select and decide upon CONTROL with the control button.
7 Select and decide upon IR with the control button.
8 Select and decide upon IR SETUP, then select and decide upon IR SETUP code

of your VCR with the control button.
Check the code in “About the IR SETUP code.” (p. 71)

70

3

OTHERS

DATA CODE
BEEP
COMMANDER
DI SPLAY
VIDEO EDIT

RETURN

[

MENU] : END

4

OTHERS

DATA CODE

BEEP
COMMANDER
DI SPLAY

VIDEO EDIT RET URN

RETURN

[

MENU] : END

READY

TAPE
MEMORY

OTHERS

DATA CODE

BEEP
COMMANDER
DI SPLAY

VIDEO EDIT RET URN

RETURN

[

MENU] : END

V IDEO ED I T

KRAM
ODNU

LLAESARE

TRATS

TES/TIDE

LATOT

0:00:00:00

ENECS

0

[

] :

MENU

END

TAPE
MEMORY

0:08:55:06

NI

1

MENU

5

V IDEO ED I T

[

MENU

6

VIDEO ED I T

”

CUT-OUT

”

PAUSEMODE

[

MENU

8

VIDEO ED I T

”

CUT-OUT

”
PAUSEMODE

[

MENU

KRAM

ODNU

TRATS

LATOT

0:00:00:00

ENECS

0

] :

END

TUC

] :

END

TUC

] :

END

0:08:55:06

LLAESARE

TES/TIDE

IR

0:08:55:06

TEST IDE
LORTNOC

RI

TSETJDA

i.LINK

”NI-

”

PUTESRI

TSETRI
NRUTER

0:08:55:0

TESTIDE
LORTNOC

TSETJDA
”NI-

”

PUTESRI

TSETRI
NRUTER

6

1

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

About the IR SETUP code

The IR SETUP code is stored in the memory of your camcorder. Be sure to set the
correct code, depending on your VCR. The default setting is code number 3.

Brand IR SETUP code

Sony 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Admiral (M. Wards) 89
Aiwa 80
Audio Dynamic 21, 35
Bell&Howell (M. Wards)

36
Brocsonic 70, 82
Canon 77, 78, 97
Citizen 47
Craig 47, 73
Curtis Mathis 8, 77, 80
Daewoo 26, 40, 77
DBX 21, 33, 35
Dimensia 8
Emerson 26, 48, 59, 70, 81, 82
Fisher 36, 37, 44, 45
Funai 80
General Electric 8, 32*, 77, 87, 94*
Goldstar 47
Hitachi 8, 42, 78
Instant Replay 77, 78
JC Penny 8, 21, 33, 35, 36, 42, 77
JVC 12, 13, 14, 21, 33, 35
Kenwood 21, 33, 35, 47
LXI (Sears) 36, 37, 42, 44, 45, 47, 80
Magnavox 77, 78, 83
Marantz 21, 33, 35
Marta 47
Memorex 37, 77
Minolta 8, 42
Mitsubishi/MGA 22, 23, 24, 28

Brand IR SETUP code

Multitech 23, 32, 80
NEC 21, 33, 35
Olympic 77, 78
Panasonic 16, 17, 77, 78, 96
Pentax 8, 42
Philco 77, 78
Philips 77, 78, 83
Pioneer 78
Quasar 16, 17, 77, 78
RCA/PROSCAN 7, 8, 16, 40, 41, 42, 77, 78*, 83,

101
Realistic 36, 77
Sansui 21
Singer 73
Samsung 24*, 32, 32*, 41, 94, 94*
Sanyo 36, 37
Scott 22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 37, 40, 41
Sharp 88, 89
Shintom 73
Signature 2000 (M. Wards)

80, 89
Sylvania 77, 78, 80, 83
Symphonic 80
Tashiro 47
Tatung 21, 33, 35
Teac 21, 33, 35, 80
Technics 77, 78
Toshiba 7, 40
Wards 37, 47, 88, 89, 95
Yamaha 21, 33, 35, 36
Zenith 95

Editing

* TV/VCR component

Note on IR SETUP code

Digital program editing is not possible if the VCR does not support IR SETUP codes.

71

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

(2) Setting the modes to cancel the recording pause on the VCR

Select and decide upon PAUSEMODE with the control button, then select and decide
upon the mode to cancel recording pause on the VCR with the control button.
Refer to the operating instructions of your VCR.

VIDEO ED I T

ED I T SET

CONTRO L
ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN

”

CUT-OUT

IR SETUP

PAUSEMODE

IR TEST

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

0:08:55:06

”

”

PAUSE

REC

PB

VIDEO ED I T

ED I T SET

CONTROL
ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN
CUT-OUT

”

IR SETUP

PAUSEMODE

IR TEST

RETURN

[

MENU

0:08:55:0

”

”

PAUSE

] :

END

The buttons to cancel recording pause on the VCR

The buttons vary depending on your VCR. To cancel recording pause:
– Select PAUSE if the button to cancel recording pause is X.
– Select REC if the button to cancel recording pause is z.
– Select PB if the button to cancel recording pause is N.

(3) Setting your camcorder and the VCR to face each other

Locate the infrared rays emitter of your camcorder and face it towards the remote
sensor of the VCR.
Set the devices about 30 cm (12 in.) apart, and remove any obstacles between the
devices.

Infrared rays emitter

Remote sensor

6

72

A/V connecting cable

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

(4) Confirming the VCR operation

1 Insert a recordable tape into the VCR, then set to recording pause.
2 Select and decide upon IR TEST with the control button.
3 Select and decide upon EXECUTE with the control button.

If the VCR starts recording, the setting is correct.
When recording is finished, the indicator changes to COMPLETE.

2

3

VIDEO ED I T

ED I T / SET

CONTRO L
ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN
CUT-OUT

”

IR SETUP
PAUSEMODE
IR TEST

RETURN

[

MENU

VIDEO ED I T

ED I T / SET

CONTROL
ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN
CUT-OUT

”

IR SETUP
PAUSEMODE
IR TEST

RETURN

[

MENU

0:08:55:06

”

”

ENGAGE

RECCP A U S E

RETURN
EXECUTE

] :

END

0:08:55:06

”

”

COMPLETE

] :

END

When the VCR does not operate correctly

•After checking the code in “About the IR SETUP code”, set the IR SETUP or the
PAUSEMODE again.

•Place your camcorder at least 30 cm (12 in.) away from the VCR.

•Refer to the operating instructions of your VCR.

Editing

73

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

Step 2: Setting the VCR to operate with the i.LINK cable

(DV connecting cable)

When you connect using i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable) (optional), follow the
procedure below.

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
(2) Turn the power of the connected VCR on, then set the input selector to DV

input. When you connect a digital video camera recorder, set its power switch
to VCR/VTR.

(3) Press MENU, then select and decide upon VIDEO EDIT in

button (p. 96).

(4) Select and decide upon TAPE with the control button.
(5) Select and decide upon EDIT SET with the control button.
(6) Select and decide upon CONTROL with the control button.
(7) Select and decide upon i.LINK with the control button.

MENU

with the control

74

3

OTHERS

DATA CODE
BEEP
COMMANDER
DI SPLAY
VIDEO EDIT

RETURN

[

MENU] : END

4

OTHERS

DATA CODE

BEEP
COMMANDER
DI SPLAY

VIDEO EDIT RET URN

RETURN

[

MENU] : END

READY

TAPE
MEMORY

OTHERS

DATA CODE

BEEP
COMMANDER
DI SPLAY

VIDEO EDIT RET URN

RETURN

[

MENU] : END

V IDEO ED I T

KRAM
ODNU

LLAESARE

TRATS

TES/TIDE

LATOT

0:00:00:00

ENECS

0

[

] :

MENU

END

TAPE
MEMORY

0:08:55:06

NI

1

5

V IDEO ED I T

[

MENU

6

VIDEO ED I T

”
”

CUT-OUT

PAUSEMODE

[

MENU

KRAM

ODNU

LATOT
ENECS

7

VIDEO ED I T

”

CUT-OUT

”

PAUSEMODE

[

MENU

When you connect using i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)

You cannot dub the titles, display indicators.

TRATS

TES/TIDE

0:00:00:00
0

] :

END

TEST IDE
LORTNOC

TSETJDA

”NI-

TUC

PUTESRI

TSETRI
NRUTER

] :

END

TESTIDE
LORTNOC

TSETJDA

”NI-

TUC

PUTESRI

TSETRI
NRUTER

] :

END

LLAESARE

”

”

IR

RI

i.LINK

i

.

LINK

0:08:55:06

0:08:55:06

0:08:55:0

6

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

Step 3: Adjusting the synchronization of the VCR

You can adjust the synchronization of your camcorder and the VCR. Have a pen and
paper ready for notes. Before operation, eject a cassette from your camcorder.

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
(2) Insert a blank tape (or a tape you want to record over) into the VCR, then set

to recording pause.
When you select i.LINK in CONTROL, you do not need to set to recording
pause.

(3) Select and decide upon ADJ TEST with the control button.
(4) Select and decide upon EXECUTE with the control button.

IN and OUT are recorded on an image for five times each to calculate the
numerical values for adjusting the synchronization.
The EXECUTING indicator flashes on the screen.
When finished, the indicator changes to COMPLETE.

(5) Rewind the tape in the VCR, then start slow playback.

Take a note of the opening numerical value of each IN and the closing
numerical value of each OUT.

(6) Calculate the average of all the opening numerical values of each IN, and the

average of all the closing numerical values of each OUT.

(7) Select and decide upon “CUT-IN” with the control button.
(8) Select the average numerical value of IN with the control button.

The calculated start position for recording is set.

(9) Select and decide upon “CUT-OUT” with the control button.
(10)Select and decide upon the average numerical value of OUT with the control

button.
The calculated stop position for recording is set.

(11)Select and decide upon

RETURN with the control button.

Editing

75

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

3,4

VIDEO ED I T

ED I T SET

CONTRO L
ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN
CUT-OUT

”

IR SETUP

PAUSEMODE

IR TEST

[

ME

VIDEO ED I T

[

RETURN

”

EXECUTE

”

ENGAGE
RECCP A U S E

ED I T SET

CONTROL
ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN

”

CUT-OUT

IR SETUP

PAUSEMODE

IR TEST

ME

0:08:55:06

EXECUTI NG

”

”

.

No

IN

–

60

VIDEO ED I T

ED I T SET

CONTRO L

ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN
CUT-OUT

”

IR SETUP
PAUSEMODE
IR TEST

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

0:08:55:06

5

COMPL E T E

”

”

0:08:55:06

7

9

VIDEO ED I T

ED I T SET

CONTRO L
ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN

”

CUT-OUT

IR SETUP

PAUSEMODE

IR TEST

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

VIDEO ED I T

ED I T SET

CONTRO L
ADJ TES T

”

CUT-IN

”

CUT-OUT

IR SETUP

PAUSEMODE

IR TEST

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

0:08:55:06

”

0

”

0:08:55:06

”

”

0

Notes

•When you complete step 3, the image to adjust the synchronization is recorded for
about 50 seconds.

•If you start recording from the very beginning of the tape, the first few seconds of the
tape may not record properly. Be sure to allow about 10 seconds’ lead before starting
recording.

•When the recording unit cannot be operated properly by the i.LINK cable (DV
connecting cable), leave the connection as it is, and make the A/V connecting cable
settings (p. 70). Video and audio are sent by digital signals.

76

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

Operation 1: Making the program

(1) Insert the tape for playback into your camcorder, and insert a tape for

recording into the VCR.

(2) Press MENU, then select and decide upon VIDEO EDIT in

button (p. 96).

(3) Select and decide upon TAPE with the control button.
(4) Search for the beginning of the first scene you want to insert using the video

operation buttons, then pause playback.
You can fine-adjust one frame at a time with EDITSEARCH.

(5) Press MARK on the Remote Commander, or z on the control button.

The IN point of the first program is set, and the top part of the program mark
changes to light blue.

(6) Search for the end of the first scene you want to insert using the video

operation buttons, then pause playback.

(7) Press MARK on the Remote Commander, or z on the control button.

The OUT point of the first program is set, then the bottom part of the program
mark changes to light blue.

(8) Repeat steps 4 to 7, then set the program.

When the program is set, the program mark changes to light blue.
You can set up to 20 programs.

with the control

Editing

MENU

23

0:00:00:00
0

] :

END

0:00:47:12
3

] :

END

0:08:55:06

1

IN

0:10:01:23

4

IN

77

OTHERS

DATA CODE
BEEP
COMMANDER
DI SPLAY
VIDEO EDIT

READY

RETURN

[

MENU] : END

5

0:00:00:00
0

] :

END

0:08:55:06

1

OUT

VIDEO ED I T

MARK
UNDO
ERASE AL L
START
ED I T / SET EDI T / SET EDI T / SET

TOTAL
SCENE

[

MENU

OTHERS

DATA CODE
BEEP
COMMANDER
DI SPLAY
VIDEO EDIT

[

MENU] : END

7

VIDEO ED I T

MARK
UNDO
ERASE AL L
START

TOTAL
SCENE

[

MENU

RETURN

0:00:12:00
1

] :

END

RETURN
TAPE

MEMORY

0:09:07:06

2

IN

V IDEO ED I T

TOTAL
SCENE

8

VIDEO ED I T

TOTAL
SCENE

MARK
UNDO
ERASE ALL
START

ED I T SET

[

MENU

MARK

UNDO
ERASE AL L
START

[

MENU

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

Erasing the program you have set

Erase OUT first and then IN from of the last program.

(1) Select and decide upon UNDO with the control button.
(2) Select and decide upon EXECUTE with the control button.

The last set program mark flashes, then the setting is canceled.

To cancel erasing

Select and decide upon RETURN with the control button in step 2.

Erasing all programs

(1) Select and decide upon VIDEO EDIT in the menu settings, then select and

decide upon TAPE with the control button.

(2) Select and decide upon ERASE ALL, then select and decide upon EXECUTE

with the control button.
All the program marks flash, then the settings are canceled.

To cancel erasing all programs

Select and decide upon RETURN with the control button in step 2.

To cancel a program you have set

Press MENU.
The program is stored in memory until the tape is ejected.

Note

You cannot operate recording during the Digital program editing.

78

On a blank portion of the tape

You cannot set IN or OUT on a blank portion of the tape.

If there is a blank portion between IN and OUT on the tape

The total time code may not be displayed correctly.

Dubbing only desired scenes – Digital program editing (on tapes)

Operation 2: Performing the program (Dubbing a tape)

Make sure your camcorder and VCR are connected, and that the VCR is set to recording
pause. When you use an i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable) the following procedure is
not necessary.
When you use a digital video camera recorder, set its power switch to VCR/VTR.

(1) Select and decide upon VIDEO EDIT, then select and decide upon TAPE with

the control button.

(2) Select and decide upon START, then select and decide upon EXECUTE with

the control button.
Search for the beginning of the first program, then start dubbing.
The program mark flashes.
The SEARCH indicator appears during search, and the EDIT indicator appears
during edit on the screen.
The PROGRAM indicator changes to light blue after dubbing ends.
When the dubbing ends, your camcorder and the VCR automatically stop.

To stop dubbing during editing

Press x using the video operation buttons.

To end the Digital program editing function

Your camcorder stops when the dubbing ends. Then the display returns to VIDEO
EDIT in the menu settings.
Press MENU to end the program editing function.

You cannot record on the VCR when:

– The tape has run out.
– The write-protect tab on the cassette is set to lock.
– The IR SETUP code is not correct (when IR is selected).
– The button to cancel recording pause is not correct (when IR is selected).

Editing

NOT READY appears on the LCD screen when:

– The program to operate the Digital program editing has not been made.
– i.LINK is selected but an i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable) is not connected.
– The power of the connected VCR is not turned on (when you set i.LINK).

79

Using with analog video unit and your
computer – Signal convert function

You can capture images and sound from an analog video unit connected to your
computer which has the i.LINK (DV) jack to your camcorder.

Before operation

Set DISPLAY to LCD in the menu settings. (The default setting is LCD.)

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR.
(2) Press MENU, then select and decide upon A/V t DV OUT in

the control button (p. 96).

(3) Start playback on the analog video unit.
(4) Start capturing procedures on your computer. The operation procedures

depend on your computer and the software which you use.
For details on how to capture images, refer to the instruction manual of
computer and software.

AUDIO/VIDEO

S VIDEO

to ON with

80

OUT

S VIDEO
VIDEO

AUDIO

: Signal flow

DV

(optional)

After capturing images and sound

Stop capturing procedures on your computer , and stop the playback on the analog
video unit.

Notes

•You need to install software which can exchange video signals.

•Depending on the condition of the analog video signals, the computer may not be able
to output the images correctly when you convert analog video signals into digital
video signals via your camcorder. Depending on the analog video unit, the image may
contain noise or incorrect colors.

•You cannot record or capture the video output via your camcorder when the video
tapes include copyright protection signals such as ID-2 system.

•You can capture images and sound with an S video cable (optional) instead of the
A/V connecting cable (supplied).

i.LINK

Recording video or TV programs

Using the A/V connecting cable

You can record a tape from another VCR or a TV program from a TV that has video/
audio outputs. Use your camcorder as a recorder.

Before operation

Set DISPLAY to LCD in the menu settings. (The default setting is LCD.)

(1) Insert a blank tape (or a tape you want to record over) into your camcorder. If

you are recording a tape from the VCR, insert a recorded tape into the VCR.

(2) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
(3) Press z REC and the button on its right simultaneously on your camcorder,

then immediately press X on your camcorder.

(4) Press N on the VCR to start playback if you record a tape from a VCR. Select

a TV program if you record from a TV. The picture from a TV or VCR appears
on the screen.

(5) Press X on your camcorder at the scene where you want to start recording

from.

S VIDEO

3

REC

OUT

PAUSE

S VIDEO

Editing

AUDIO/
VIDEO

VIDEO
AUDIO

: Signal flow

When you have finished dubbing a tape

Press x on both your camcorder and the VCR.

Using the Remote Commander

In step 3, press z REC and MARK simultaneously, then immediately press X. And in
step 5, press X at the scene where you want to start recording from.

If your VCR is a monaural type

Connect the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable to the video output jack and the
white or the red plug to the audio output jack on the VCR or the TV. When the white
plug is connected, the left channel audio is output, and when the red plug is connected,
the right channel audio is output.

81

Recording video or TV programs

If your TV or VCR has an S video jack

Pictures can be reproduced more faithfully by using an S video cable (optional).
With this connection, you do not need to connect the yellow (video) plug of the A/V
connecting cable.
Connect an S video cable (optional) to the S video jacks of both your camcorder and the
TV or VCR.
This connection produces higher quality DV format pictures.

Note on the Remote Commander

Your camcorder works in the commander mode VTR 2. Commander modes 1, 2 and 3
are used to distinguish your camcorder from other Sony VCRs to avoid remote control
misoperation. If you use another Sony VCR in the commander mode VTR 2, we
recommend changing the commander mode or covering the sensor of the VCR with
black paper.

Using the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)

Simply connect the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable) (optional) to DV jack of your
camcorder and to DV OUT of the DV products. With a digital-to-digital connection,
video and audio signals are transmitted in digital form for high-quality editing.

(1) Insert a blank tape (or a tape you want to record over) into your camcorder,

and insert the recorded tape into the VCR.

(2) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
(3) Press z REC and the button on its right simultaneously on your camcorder,

then immediately press X on your camcorder.

(4) Press N on the VCR to start playback. The picture to be recorded appears on

the screen.

(5) Press X on your camcorder at the scene where you want to start recording

from.

82

3

DV

DV OUT

: Signal flow

REC

(optional)

PAUSE

DV

Recording video or TV programs

When you have finished dubbing a tape

Press x on both your camcorder and the VCR.

Using the Remote Commander

In step 3, press z REC and MARK simultaneously, then immediately press X. And in
step 5, press X at the scene where you want to start recording from.

You can connect one VCR only using the i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable)

During digital editing

The color of the display may be uneven. However, this does not affect the dubbed
picture.

If you record playback pause picture with the DV jack

The recorded picture becomes rough. And when you play back the picture using your
camcorder, the picture may jitter.

Before recording

Make sure that the DV IN indicator appears on the screen. The DV IN indicator may
appear on both equipment.

Note on the Remote Commander

Your camcorder works in the commander mode VTR 2. Commander modes 1, 2 and 3
are used to distinguish your camcorder from other Sony VCRs to avoid remote control
misoperation. If you use another Sony VCR in the commander mode VTR 2, we
recommend changing the commander mode or covering the sensor of the VCR with
black paper.

Editing

83

Inserting a scene from a VCR
– Insert editing

You can insert a new scene from a VCR onto your originally recorded tape by
specifying the insert start and end points. Use the Remote Commander for this
operation. Connections are the same as on page 81 or 82.
Insert a cassette containing the desired scene to insert into the VCR.

[a]

[A]

[b]

[c]

[B]

[C]

[A]: A tape that contains the scene to be superimposed
[B]: A tape before editing
[C]: A tape after editing

(1) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
(2) On the connected VCR, locate just before the insert start point [a], then press

X to set the VCR to the playback pause mode.

(3) On your camcorder, locate the insert end point [c]. Then press X to set it to the

playback pause mode.

(4) Press ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote Commander. The ZERO SET

MEMORY indicator flashes and the end point of the insert is stored in
memory. The tape counter shows “0:00:00.”

(5) On your camcorder, locate the insert start point [b] by pressing m, then press

z REC and the button on its right simultaneously.

(6) First press X on the VCR, and after a few seconds press X on your camcorder

to start inserting the new scene.
Inserting automatically stops near the zero point on the tape counter. Your
camcorder automatically returns to the recording pause mode.

84

4

ZERO SET

MEMORY

0:00:00

ZERO SET

MEMORY

5

REC

Inserting a scene from a VCR – Insert editing

To change the insert end point

Press ZERO SET MEMORY again after step 5 to erase the ZERO SET MEMORY
indicator and begin from step 3.

Using the Remote Commander

In step 5, press z REC and MARK simultaneously, then immediately press X. And in
step 6, press X at the scene where you want to start recording from.

Note

The picture and sound recorded on the portion between the insert start and end points
will be erased when you insert the new scene.

If you insert scenes on the tape recorded with other camcorder (including other
DCR-PC115/PC120BT)

The picture and sound may be distorted. We recommend that you insert scenes on a
tape recorded with your camcorder.

When the inserted picture is played back

The picture and sound may be distorted at the end of the inserted portion. This is not a
malfunction.
The picture and sound at the start point and the end point may be distorted in the LP
mode.

To insert a scene without setting the insert end point

Skip steps 3 and 4. Press x when you want to stop inserting.

Note on the Remote Commander

Your camcorder works in the commander mode VTR 2. Commander modes 1, 2 and 3
are used to distinguish your camcorder from other Sony VCRs to avoid remote control
misoperation. If you use another Sony VCR in the commander mode VTR 2, we
recommend changing the commander mode or covering the sensor of the VCR with
black paper.

Editing

85

Audio dubbing

You can record an audio sound to add to the original sound on a tape by connecting
audio equipment or a microphone. If you connect the audio equipment, you can add
sound to your recorded tape by specifying starting and ending points. The original
sound will not be erased.
Use the Remote Commander for this operation.
Select one of the following connections to add an audio sound.

Connecting the microphone with the MIC jack

Microphone (optional)

: Signal flow

You can check the recorded picture and sound by connecting the AUDIO/VIDEO jack
to a TV.
The recorded sound is not output from a speaker. Check the sound by using the TV or
headphones.

MIC
(PLUG IN POWER)

86

Connecting the microphone with the intelligent accessory shoe

Microphone (optional)

Intelligent Accessory Shoe

Audio dubbing

Connecting the A/V connecting cable to the AUDIO/VIDEO jack

Audio equipment

LINE OUT

LR

AUDIO L AUDIO R

Do not connect the
video (yellow) plug.

: Signal flow

Dubbing with the built-in microphone

No connection is necessary.

Note

When dubbing with the AUDIO/VIDEO jack or the built-in microphone, pictures are
not output through S VIDEO jack or the AUDIO/VIDEO jack. Check the recorded
picture on the screen. You can check the recorded sound by using headphones.

AUDIO/
VIDEO

Editing

If you make all the connections

The audio input to be recorded will take precedence over others in the following order:

•MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack

•Intelligent accessory shoe

•AUDIO/VIDEO jack

•Built-in microphone

87

Audio dubbing

Adding an audio sound on a recorded tape

Choose a connection mentioned before, and connect audio equipment or microphone to
your camcorder. Then follow the procedure below.

(1) Insert the recorded tape into your camcorder.
(2) Set the POWER switch to VCR on your camcorder.
(3) Locate the recording start point by pressing N. Then press X at the point

where you want to start recording to set your camcorder to the playback pause
mode.

(4) Press AUDIO DUB on the Remote Commander. The green

appears on the screen.

(5) Press X and start playing back the audio you want to record at the same time.

The new sound is recorded in stereo 2 (ST2) during playback. During
recording new sound, the red

(6) Press x at the point where you want to stop recording.

AUDIO DUB

appears on the screen.

X indicator

88

Monitoring the new recorded sound

To play back the sound

Adjust the balance between the original sound (ST1) and the new sound (ST2) by
selecting AUDIO MIX in in the menu settings (p. 96).

VCR SET

HiFi SOUND
AUD I O MI X

/Vc

DV OUT

A

[

MENU

Five minutes after when you disconnect the power source or remove the battery pack,
the setting of AUDIO MIX returns to the original sound (ST1) only. The default setting
is original sound only.

RETURN

] :

END

ST1 ST2

Audio dubbing

Notes

•New sound cannot be recorded on a tape already recorded in the 16-bit mode (32 kHz,

44.1 kHz or 48 kHz).

•New sound cannot be recorded on a tape already recorded in the LP mode.

•You cannot add audio with the DV jack.

•You cannot add audio on the blank portion of the tape.

If an i.LINK cable (DV connecting cable) (optional) is connected to your camcorder

You cannot add a sound to a recorded tape.

We recommend that you add new sound on a tape recorded with your camcorder

If you add new sound on a tape recorded with another camcorder (including other
DCR-PC115/PC120BT), the sound quality may become worse.

If you set the write-protect tab of the tape to lock

You cannot record on a tape. Slide the write-protect tab to release the write protection.

To add new sound more precisely

Press ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote Commander at the point where you want to
stop recording later in the playback mode.
Carry out from steps 3 to 5. Recording automatically stops at the point where ZERO
SET MEMORY was pressed.

Editing

89

Superimposing a title

If you use a tape with cassette memory, you can superimpose the title. When
you play back the tape, the title is displayed for five seconds from the point
where you superimposed it.

You can select one of eight preset titles and two custom titles (p. 93). You can also select
the color, size and position of titles.

VACATION

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or VCR. Press MENU, then select and

decide upon TITLE in

(2) Select and decide upon
(3) Select and decide upon the desired title with the control button. The title

flashes.

(4) Change the color, size, or position, if necessary.

1 Select and decide upon the COLOR, SIZE or POSITION with the control

button. The item appears.

2 Select and decide upon the desired item with the control button.
3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the title is laid out as desired.

(5) Press z on the control button again to complete the setting.

In the recording, playback or playback pause mode:
The TITLE SAVE indicator appears on the screen for five seconds and the title
is set.
In the standby mode:
The TITLE indicator appears. And when you press START/STOP to start
recording, TITLE SAVE appears on the screen for five seconds and the title is
set.

with the control button (p. 96).

with the control button.

90

MENU

2

3

4

PRESET TI T LE

HEL LO

!
HAPPY B I RTHDAY
HAPPY HOL I DAYS
CONGRAT U L A T I ONS
OUR SWEET BABY
W

EDDI NG
VACAT ION
THE END

[

MENU]:END

PRESET TI T LE

!

HEL LO
HAPPY B I RTHDAY
HAPPY HOL I DAYS
CONGRAT U L A T ION S
OUR SWEET BABY
W

EDDI NG
VACAT ION
THE END

RETURN

[

MENU]:END

SIZE SMALL

SIZE LARGE

VACATION

PRESET T I TLE

HEL LO

!

HAPPY B I RTHDAY

!

!

HAPPY HOL I DAYS
CONGRAT U L A T I ONS
OUR SWEET BABY
W

EDDI NG
VACAT ION
THE END

RETURN

[

MENU]:END

TITLE

VACATION

[

]: :

EXEC

TITLE

!

SAVE[MENU]END

VACATION

[

]: :

EXEC

SAVE[MENU]END

Superimposing a title

If you set the write-protect tab of the tape to lock

You cannot superimpose or erase the title. Slide the write-protect tab to release the write
protection.

To use the custom title

If you want to use the custom title, select in step 2.

If the tape has a blank portion

You cannot superimpose a title on the portion.

If the tape has a blank portion in the middle of the recorded parts

The title may not be displayed correctly.

The titles superimposed with your camcorder

•They are displayed by only the DV format video equipment with index titler
function.

•The point you superimposed the title may be detected as an index signal when
searching a recording with other video equipment.

If the tape has too many index signals

You may not be able to superimpose a title because the memory is full. In this case,
delete data you do not need.

Not to display titles

Set TITLE DSPL to OFF in the menu settings (p. 96).

Title setting

•The title color changes as follows:
WHITE y YELLOW y VIOLET y RED y CYAN y GREEN y BLUE

•The title size changes as follows:
SMALL y LARGE
You cannot input 13 characters or more in LARGE size. If you input more than 12
characters, the title size returns to SMALL even you select LARGE.

•If you select SMALL, you have nine choices for the title position.
If you select LARGE, you have eight choices for the title position.

One cassette can have up to about 20 titles, if one title consists of five characters

However, if the cassette memory is full with date, photo and cassette label data, one
cassette can have only up to about 11 titles with five characters each.
Cassette memory capacity is as follows:
– 6 date data
– 12 photo data
– 1 cassette label

Editing

If the “ FULL” mark appears

The cassette memory is full. Erase the title you do not need.

91

Superimposing a title

Erasing a title

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or VCR.
(2) Press MENU, then select and decide upon TITLEERASE in

button (p. 96).

(3) Select and decide upon the title you want to erase with the control button.

ERASE OK ? indicator appears.

(4) Make sure the title is the one you want to erase, and select and decide upon

OK with the control button. OK changes to EXECUTE.

(5) Select and decide upon EXECUTE with the control button.

ERASING flashes on the screen. When the title is erased, COMPLETE is
displayed.

with the control

2

CM SET

TITLE
TITLEERASE
TI TLE DSPL
CM SEARCH
TAPE T I TLE
ERASE ALL

RETURN

[

MENU

34

TITLE ERASE
1

HEL LO
CONGRATULAT I ONS

2

HAPPY NEWYEAR

3

PRESENT

4
5

GOODMORNING

6WEDDI NG

[

MENU

To cancel erasing a title

Select and decide upon RETURN in step 5.

MENU

TITLE ERASE
1

HEL LO

!

CONGRATULAT I ONS

2

HAPPY NEWYEAR

3

PRESENT

4
5

GOODMORNING

6WEDDI NG

[

] :

END

!

!

!

] :

END

] :

MENU

END

T I T LE ERASE
4

PRESENT

ERASE OOKK

[

] :

MENU

END

?

RETURN

!

!

92

Making your own titles

You can make up to two titles and store them in the memory of your camcorder. Each
title can have up to 20 characters.

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or VCR.
(2) Press MENU, then select and decide upon TITLE in

button (p. 96).

(3) Select and decide upon
(4) Select and decide upon CUSTOM1 SET or CUSTOM2 SET with the control

button.

(5) Select and decide upon the desired character with the control button.
(6) Repeat steps 5 to complete making your own title.
(7) To finish making your own titles, select and decide upon [SET] with the

control button.

with the control button.

TITLE SET

CUSTOM

3

CUSTOM

with the control

TES

1

TES

2

TITLE SET

CUSTOM

1
2

CUSTOM

RETURN

TES
TES

Editing

MENU

[

MENU]:END

TITLE SET

CUSTOM

4

CUSTOM

[

MENU]:END

TITLE SET
____________________

5

ABCDE
FGHI J
KLMNO
PQRST

UV

&?!

Z

[

MENU]:END

RETURN

W

XY

1
2

12345
67890
’.,/–
[C]
[

SET

TES
TES

]

[

MENU]:END

TITLE SET
____________________

12345

ABCDE

67890

FGHI J

’.,/–

KLMNO

[

]

C

PQRST

[

]

SET

UV

W

XY

Z

&?!

[

MENU]:END

TITLE SET
S

___________________

12345

ABCDE

67890

FGHI J

’.,/–

KLMNO

]

[

C

PQRST

]

[

SET

W

XY

UV

&?!

Z

[

MENU]:END

To change a title you have stored

In step 4, select the original title you want to change, and then press z on the control
button.
Select [C] to select the title to delete, then press z to delete the last character of your
title. Enter the new title as desired.

If you take five minutes or longer to enter characters in the standby mode while a
cassette is in your camcorder

The power automatically goes off. The characters you have entered remain stored in
memory. Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) once and then to CAMERA again, then
proceed from step 1.
We recommend setting the POWER switch to VCR or removing the cassette so that
your camcorder does not automatically turn off while you are entering title characters.

To erase the title

Select [C]. The last character is erased.

To enter a space

Select [ Z& ? ! ], then select the blank part.

93

Labeling a cassette

If you use a tape with cassette memory, you can label a cassette. The label can
consist of up to 10 characters and is stored in cassette memory. When you insert
the labelled cassette and turn the power on, the label is displayed for about
five seconds.

(1) Insert the cassette you want to label.
(2) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or VCR.
(3) Press MENU, then select and decide upon TAPE TITLE in

button (p. 96).
Tape title display appears.

(4) Select and decide upon the desired character with the control button.
(5) Repeat steps 4 until you complete the label.
(6) Select and decide upon [SET] with the control button.

The label is stored in memory.

with the control

MENU

3

4

CM SET

TITLE
TITLEERASE
TAPE TI T LE
ERASE AL L

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

TAPE T I TLE
__________

ABCDE

12345

FGHI J

67890

’ .,/–

KLMNO

[

PQRST

[

UV

W

XY

Z

&?!

[

] :

MENU

END

SET

]

C

•

]

__________

TAPE T I TLE

__________
ABCDE

12345

FGHI J

67890

’ .,/–

KLMNO

[

PQRST

[

SET

UV

W

XY

Z

&?!

[

] :

MENU

END

TAPE T I TLE
M

_________

ABCDE

12345

FGHI J

67890

’ .,/–

KL

M

NO

[

PQRST

[

SET

UV

W

XY

Z

&?!

[

] :

MENU

END

]

C

]

]

C

•

]

94

Labeling a cassette

To erase the label you have made

Select and decide upon [C] with the control button in step 4. The last character is erased.

To change the label you have made

Insert the cassette to change the label, and operate in the same way to make a new label.

If you set the write-protect tab of the tape to lock

You cannot label a cassette. Slide the write-protect tab to release the write protection.

If the tape has too many index signals

You may not be able to label a cassette because the memory is full. In this case, delete
data you do not need.

If you have superimposed titles in the cassette

When the label is displayed, up to four titles also appear.

When the “-----” indicator has fewer than 10 spaces

The cassette memory is full.
The “-----” indicates the number of characters you can select for the label.

To erase the character

Press [C]. The last character is erased.

To enter a space

Select [ Z& ? ! ], then select the blank part.

Erasing all the data in cassette memory

You can erase all the data in cassette memory at once.

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or VCR.
(2) Press MENU, then select and decide upon ERASE ALL in

button (p. 96).

(3) Select and decide upon OK with the control button. OK changes to EXECUTE.
(4) Select and decide upon EXECUTE with the control button. ERASING flashes

on the screen. When all the data is erased, COMPLETE is displayed.

To cancel deleting

Select and decide upon RETURN with the control button in step 4.

Editing

with the control

95

— Customizing Your Camcorder —

Changing the menu settings

To change the mode settings in the menu settings, select the menu items with the
control button. The default settings can be partially changed. First, select the icon, then
the menu item and then the mode.

(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA, VCR or MEMORY, press MENU.
(2) Press v/V on the control button to select the desired icon, then press z or B.
(3) Press v/V on the control button to select the desired item, then press z or B.
(4) Press v/V on the control button to select the desired mode, then press z.
(5) If you want to change other items, select

repeat steps 2 to 4.

For details, see “Selecting the mode setting of each item” (p. 97).

RETURN and press z or b, then

1

MENU

CAMERA

MANUA L SE T

PROGRAM AE

PEFFECT
DEFFECT
W

HT BAL

AUTO SH TR

[

] :

MENU

END

VCR

MANUA L SE T

PEFFECT

DEFFECT

[

] :

MENU

END

MEMORY

MANUA L SE T

PROGRAM AE
W

HT BAL

[

] :

MENU

END

2

3

4

TAPE SET

R

EC MODE

AUDI O MODE

REMA IN

[

] :

MENU

TAPE SET

REC MODE
AUDI O MODE

REMAI N

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

TAPE SET

REC MODE
AUDI O MO D

REMAI N

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

END

END

AUTO

AUTO
ON

TAPE SET

R

EC MODE SP

AUDI O MO DE

REMAI N

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

TAPE SET

REC MODE
AUDI O MODE

REMAI N

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

TAPE SET

REC MODE
AUDI O MODE

REMAI N

RETURN

[

] :

MENU

END

or

AUTO
ON

or

ON

96

To make the menu display disappear

Press MENU.

This manual refers to selecting and deciding upon items by the
above procedure as “Select and decide upon [(item name)].”

Changing the menu settings

Menu items are displayed as the following icons:

MANUAL SET
CAMERA SET
VCR SET
LCD/VF SET
MEMORY SET
PRINT SET
CM SET
TAPE SET
SETUP MENU
OTHERS

Selecting the mode setting of each item z is the default setting.

Menu items differ depending on the position of the POWER switch. The screen shows
only the items you can operate at the moment.

Icon/item

PROGRAM AE

P EFFECT

D EFFECT

WHT BAL

AUTO SHTR

D ZOOM

16:9WIDE

STEADYSHOT

N.S. LIGHT

Mode

——

——

——

——

z ON

OFF

z OFF

20×

120×

z OFF

ON

z ON

OFF

z ON

OFF

Meaning

To suit your specific shooting requirement
(p. 49).

To add special effects like those in films or on
the TV to images (p. 45, 58).

To add special effects using the various digital
functions (p. 46, 59).

To adjust the white balance (p. 40).

To automatically activate the electronic shutter
when shooting in bright conditions.

Not to automatically activate the electronic
shutter even when shooting in bright conditions.

To deactivate the digital zoom. Up to 10× zoom
is carried out.

To activate the digital zoom. More than 10× to
20× zoom is performed digitally (p. 24).

To activate the digital zoom. More than 10× to
120× zoom is performed digitally (p. 24).

—
To record a 16:9 wide picture (p. 41).
To compensate for camera-shake.
To cancel the SteadyShot function. Natural

pictures are produced when shooting a
stationary object with a tripod.

To use the NightShot Light function (p. 28).
To cancel the NightShot Light function.

POWER
switch

CAMERA
MEMORY

VCR
CAMERA

VCR
CAMERA

CAMERA
MEMORY

CAMERA

CAMERA

CAMERA

CAMERA

CAMERA
MEMORY

Customizing Your Camcorder

Notes on the SteadyShot function

•The SteadyShot function will not correct excessive camera-shake.

•Attachment of a conversion lens (optional) may influence the SteadyShot function.

If you cancel the SteadyShot function

The SteadyShot off indicator appears. Your camcorder prevents excessive
compensation for camera-shake.

97

Changing the menu settings

Icon/item

FRAME REC

INT. REC

FLASH LVL

HOLOGRAM F

HiFi SOUND

AUDIO MIX

A/VtDV OUT

Mode

z OFF

ON
ON

z OFF

SET

HIGH

z NORMAL

LOW

z AUTO

OFF

z STEREO

1

2

——

z OFF

ON

Meaning

To deactivate Cut recording function.
To activate Cut recording function (p. 57).
To activate Interval recording function (p. 55).
To deactivate Interval recording function.
To set INTERVAL and REC TIME for Interval

recording function.
Makes the flash level higher than normal.
Normal setting.
Makes the flash level lower than normal.
The HOLOGRAM AF emits when focusing on

subjects is difficult in dark places (p. 116).
The HOLOGRAM AF does not emit.
To play back a stereo tape or dual sound track

tape with main and sub sound (p. 166).
To play back a stereo tape with the left sound or

a dual sound tape with main sound.
To play back a stereo tape with the right sound

or a dual sound track tape with sub sound.
To adjust the balance between the stereo 1 and

stereo 2 (p. 88).

ST1 ST2

To output digital images and sound in analog
format using your camcorder.

To output analog images and sound in digital
format using your camcorder (p. 80).

POWER
switch

CAMERA

CAMERA

CAMERA
MEMORY

MEMORY

VCR

VCR

VCR

98

Note on FLASH LVL

You cannot adjust FLASH LVL if the external flash (optional) is not compatible with the
flash level.

Changing the menu settings

Icon/item

LCD BRIGHT

LCD B. L.

LCD COLOR

VF B.L.

STILL SET

PIC MODE

QUALITY

IMAGESIZE

Mode

——

z BRT NORMAL

BRIGHT

——

z BRT NORMAL

BRIGHT

z SINGLE

NORMAL

HIGH SPEED
MULTI SCRN

z SUPER FINE

FINE

STANDARD

z 1360 × 1020

640 × 480

Meaning

To adjust the brightness on the LCD screen with
b/B on the control button.

To darken To lighten

To set the brightness on the LCD screen normal.
To brighten the LCD screen.

To adjust the color on the LCD screen, press
b/B on the control button.

To get low­intensity

To set the brightness on the viewfinder screen to
normal.

To brighten the viewfinder screen.

Not to record continuously.
To record from three to nine images

continuously (p. 113).
To record up to 16 images continuously fast.
To record nine images continuously, display the

images on a single page divided into nine boxes.
To record still images in the finest image quality

mode (p. 107).
To record still images in the fine image quality

mode.
To record still images in the standard image

quality mode.
To record still images in 1360 × 1020 size

(p. 109).
To record still images in 640 × 480 size.

To get high­intensity

POWER
switch

VCR
CAMERA
MEMORY

VCR
CAMERA
MEMORY

VCR
CAMERA
MEMORY

Customizing Your Camcorder

VCR
CAMERA
MEMORY

MEMORY

VCR
MEMORY

MEMORY

Notes on LCD B.L. and VF B.L.

•When you select BRIGHT, battery life is reduced by about 10 percent during
recording.

•When you use power sources other than the battery pack, BRIGHT is automatically
selected.

Even if you adjust LCD BRIGHT, LCD B.L., LCD COLOR and/or VF B.L.

The recorded picture will not be affected.

(Continued on the following page)

99

Changing the menu settings

Icon/item

MOVIE SET

IMAGESIZE

PRINT MARK

PROTECT

SLIDE SHOW

DELETE ALL
FORMAT

PHOTO SAVE

REMAIN

Mode

z 320 × 240

160 × 112

z AUTO

ON

ON

z OFF

ON

z OFF

——

——

z RETURN

OK

——

Meaning

To record moving pictures in 320 × 240 size
(p. 109).

To record moving pictures in 160 × 112 size.
To display the remaining capacity of the

“Memory Stick” in the following cases:

•For five seconds after inserting a “Memory
Stick” into your camcorder

•When the capacity of the “Memory Stick” is
less than one minute in MEMORY mode

•For five seconds after completing a moving
picture recording

To always display the remaining capacity of the
“Memory Stick.”

To write a print mark on the recorded still
images you want to print out later (p. 153).

To cancel print marks on still images.
To protect selected images against accidental

erasure (p. 150).
Not to protect images.
To play back images in a continuous loop

(p. 149).
To delete all the unprotected images (p. 152).
To cancel formatting.
To format an inserted “Memory Stick.”

1. Select FORMAT.

2. Select and decide upon OK with the control

button.

3. After EXECUTE appears, press z on the

control button. FORMATTING flashes during
formatting. COMPLETE appears when
formatting is finished.

To duplicate still images on tape onto “Memory
Stick” (p. 135).

POWER
switch

VCR
MEMORY

VCR
MEMORY

VCR
MEMORY

VCR
MEMORY

MEMORY

MEMORY
MEMORY

VCR

100

Notes on formatting

•Supplied “Memory Stick”s have been formatted at factory. Formatting with this
camcorder is not required.

•Do not turn the POWER switch or press any button while the display shows
FORMATTING.

•You cannot format the “Memory Stick” if the write-protect tab on the “Memory Stick”
is set to LOCK.

•Format the “Memory Stick” when FORMAT ERROR is displayed.

Formatting erases all information on the “Memory Stick”

Check the contents of the “Memory Stick” before formatting.

• Formatting erases sample images on the “Memory Stick.”

• Formatting erases the protected image data on the “Memory Stick.”