Sony DSR-200A User Manual

3-862-712-11 (1)

Digital Camcorder

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. DSR-200A Serial No.

DSR-200A

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.

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)

For the customers in the U.S.A.

WARNING

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.

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

For the customers in CANADA

CAUTION

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.

Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium

ion battery.

Table of contents

Before you begin

Using this manual ................................... 4

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

Identifying the parts ............................... 6

Attaching optional accessories............ 17

Getting started

Attaching the viewfinder ..................... 20

Charging and installing the

battery pack .................................... 21

Inserting a cassette ................................ 24

Basic operations

Camera recording ................................. 26

Using the zoom feature ................. 30

Hints for better shooting ...................... 31

Checking the recorded picture............ 33

Connections for playback .................... 34

Playing back a tape ............................... 36

Advanced operations

Using alternative power sources ........ 38

Changing the mode settings................ 40

– for camera recording –

Fade-in and fade-out ............................ 43

Overlapping two pictures.................... 44

Using the wide mode function............ 45

Photo recording..................................... 46

Interval recording ................................. 47

Cut recording......................................... 48

– for manual adjustment –

Selecting automatic or manual mode

........................................................... 49

Focusing manually................................ 51

Adjusting the aperture ......................... 54

Adjusting the shutter speed ................ 55

Adjusting the gain ................................ 58

Adjusting the white balance................ 60

Using the ND filter ............................... 63

Using the zebra pattern........................ 64

Adjusting the recording sound ........... 65

Releasing the STEADY SHOT function

........................................................... 68

Making a custom preset ....................... 69

– for editing/playback –

Searching the recorded picture ........... 71

Displaying recording data ................... 73

Editing onto another tape .................... 74

Audio dubbing ...................................... 76

Additional information

Changing the lithium battery in the

digital camcorder ........................... 78

Resetting the date and time ................. 80

Compatibility of DVCAM and DV

formats ............................................. 81

Notes on video cassettes ...................... 83

Tips for using the battery pack ........... 84

Maintenance information and

precautions ...................................... 86

Using your digital camcorder abroad

........................................................... 89

Trouble check ........................................ 90

Specifications ......................................... 94

Warning indicators ............................... 95

Index ........................................ Back cover

Before you begin

Using this manual

As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on the digital camcorder are shown in capital letters. e.g. Set the POWER switch to ON. As indicated with ≥ in the illustrations, you can hear the beep sound to confirm your operation.

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.

Precaution on copyright

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 digital camcorder care

• Do not let sand get into the digital camcorder. When you use the digital camcorder on a sandy beach or in a dusty place, protect it from the sand or dust. Sand or dust may cause the unit to malfunction, and sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [a].

• Do not let the digital camcorder get wet. Keep the digital camcorder away from rain and sea water. Letting the digital camcorder get wet may cause the unit to malfunction, and sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [b].

• Never leave the digital camcorder exposed to temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as in a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [c].

[b] [c][a]

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

Checking supplied accessories

Check that the following accessories are supplied with your digital camcorder.

123 4

Before you begin

1 Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p.11) 2 CR2025 Lithium Battery (1) (p. 78)

The lithium battery is already installed in your digital camcorder.

3 Size AA (R6) battery for Remote

Commander (2) (p. 12)

4 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 34) 5 S video cable (1) (p. 34)

Identifying the parts

1 2

4 5

6 7

8 9

!¡

1 Stopper (p. 20)

Lift up and hold to remove the viewfinder.

2 Viewfinder (p. 20, 27, 87) 3 Viewfinder adjustment ring (p. 27) 4 PUSH button (p. 87)

Press and hold to raise the eyecup.

5 Viewfinder release lever (p. 32)

Push forward to move the position of the viewfinder front and back.

6 Focus ring (p. 52) 7 FOCUS switch (p. 52)

Set to select auto or manual focus.

8 ND FILTER switch (p. 63) 9 PUSH AUTO button (p. 52)

Push to use automatic focus momentarily.

!º POWER switch (p. 26)

!™ !£

!¢ !∞

!§ !¶

!• !ª

@º

@¡

!¡ CAMCORDER/VTR switch (p. 26) !™ Accessory shoe (p. 46) !£ Hook for shoulder strap (p. 16) !¢ Cassette compartment and cassette

compartment cover (p. 24)

!∞ Hook for shoulder strap (p. 16) !§ EJECT 6 button (p. 25)

Press to eject the cassette.

!¶ Speaker (p. 28) !• Battery mounting surface (p. 23) !ª BATT lever (p. 23)

Press and hold to release the batteries.

@º VIDEO OUT jack (for BNC type plug)

(p. 35)

@¡ AUDIO IN jacks (p. 65)

Input external audio/microphone signals.

Identifying the parts

@™

@£ @¢

@∞

@§ @¶

@• @ª

#º

@™ Microphone holder attaching point

(p. 18)

@£ TALLY lamp (p. 27)

Lights while recording and when the battery becomes low.

@¢ CONTR knob (p. 27)

Turn to adjust the viewfinder’s contrast.

@∞ TALLY switch (p. 27)

Set to select TALLY lamp ON/OFF.

@§ Front Remote Commander sensor

(p. 14)

@¶ Grip (p. 31) @• Grip strap (p. 31) @ª Lens hood

You can attach a wide teleconversion lens (not supplied) by removing the lens hood.

#¡

#™

#£

#¢

#∞ #§

#º Lens hood cap (p. 26) #¡ BRIGHT knob (p. 27)

Turn to adjust the viewfinder’s brightness.

#™ EDITSEARCH button (p. 33) #£ Front START/STOP button (p. 31) #¢ FADER/OVERLAP button (p. 43, 44) #∞ WHITE BALANCE ∑ (one-push white

balance) button (p. 60)

#§ CP CHECK button (p. 70)

Press to check the custom preset settings.

Before you begin

Identifying the parts

#¶

#•

#ª $º $¡ $™ $£ $¢ $∞

$§ $¶ $• $ª %º %¡ %™ %£ %¢ %∞ %§ %¶ %•

#¶ Eyecup #• VIEW FINDER jack (p. 20) #ª S VIDEO OUT jack (p. 34) $º RFU DC OUT jack (p. 35) $¡ DV IN/OUT jack (p. 74)

Connect DV products using the connecting DV cable.

This “i.LINK” mark is a trademark of Sony Corporation and indicates that this product is in agreement with IEEE 13941995 specifications and their revisions.

The DV IN/OUT jack is i.LINK compatible.

$™ CH-1 LINE/MIC switch (p. 65)

Set to change the audio source using a CH-1 input.

$£ CH-1 ATT switch (p. 67)

Set ON to attenuate the CH-1 input microphone level.

$¢ CH-2 LINE/MIC switch (p. 65)

Set to change the audio source using CH-2 input.

$∞ CH-2 ATT switch (p. 67)

Set ON to attenuate the CH-2 input microphone level.

$§ MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack (p. 28)

Connect an external mini jack type microphone (not supplied). This jack also accepts a “plug-in-power” microphone. When using this jack, set LINE/MIC to MIC FRONT.

$¶ DIRECTION SELECT switch (p. 29)

Set to change the directionality of the built-in microphone.

$• Built-in microphone (p. 65) $ª Microphone wind screen screw

Loosen to remove wind screen.

%º MIC switch (p. 67)

Set ATT to attenuate the built-in microphone and external microphone connected to MIC (PLUG IN POWER) level.

%¡ Lens hood screw %™ Power zoom button (p. 30) %£ PHOTO button (p. 46)

Press to shoot in photo mode.

%¢ STANDBY (LOCK/STANDBY/PHOTO

STANDBY) switch (p. 26)

%∞ START/STOP button (p. 26) %§ BUILT-IN MIC switch (p. 67)

If recording when there is a loud wind using the built-in microphone, set to WIND.

%¶ AUDIO OUT/VIDEO OUT jacks (p. 34) %• DC IN jack (p. 38)

Identifying the parts

%ª ^º ^™ ^¢ ^∞ ^§ ^¶^¡ ^£

Before you begin

%ª SHUTTER SPEED dial and AUTO/

MANUAL switch (p. 55)

^º VF DISPLAY switch (p. 28)

Set to display (ON) or erase (OFF) the indicators in the viewfinder.

^¡ GAIN dial and AGC/MANUAL switch

(p. 58)

^™ STEADY SHOT switch (p. 68) ^£ WHT BAL (white balance) dial and

ATW/MANUAL switch (p. 60, 61)

^¢ DISPLAY LIGHT switch (for display

window)

Use to set the display back light switch ON/OFF.

^∞ Display window (p. 16) ^§ PEAK indicators (L and R) (p. 66)

&º&¡&™&£ ^ª ^•

^¶ REC LEVEL dials (p. 66) ^• REC LEVEL switches (p. 66) ^ª TC RESET button

Set time code to 0:00:00:00 when you want to reset the time code while shooting.

&º AUDIO MODE switch (p. 29)

Set to select Fs 32k (12 bit) or Fs 48k (16 bit) audio recording mode.

&¡ SPEAKER switch (p. 28) &™ AUDIO MONITOR switch (p. 66) &£ AUTO LOCK switch (p. 26)

Set to turn automatic settings for aperture, shutter speed, gain, and white balance ON/OFF.

Identifying the parts

*¡*º

*£ *™

&¢

&∞

&§

&¶ &•

&¢ Carrying handle &∞ IRIS dial and AUTO/MANUAL switch

(p. 54)

&§ Shoulder pad &¶ Tripod receptacle (p. 17) &• Lithium battery cover (p. 79) &ª Cover for menu and video controls *º Menu buttons (p. 40) *¡ TC switch (p. 28)

Set to select the drop frame or non-drop frame for time code recording.

*™ AUDIO DUB *£ Video controls (p. 36)

π STOP button (stop) 0 REW button (rewind)

· PLAY button (playback) ) FF button (fast forward)

button (p. 77)

&ª

*¢ *∞ *§

*¶

P PAUSE button (pause) r REC switch (recording) & SLOW button (slow speed playback) '/7 FRAME button (direction

select/frame-by-frame)

*¢ MONITOR LEVEL dial (p. 28)

Turn to adjust the volume level of the headphones and built-in speaker.

*∞ 2 (headphones) jack (p. 28) *§ l LANC jack

l stands for Local Application Control Bus System. The l control jack is used for controlling the tape transport of video equipment and peripherals connected to it. This jack has the same function as the jack indicated as CONTROL L or REMOTE.

*¶ Tally lamp/Rear Remote Commander

sensor (p. 27, 14)

Identifying the parts

Remote Commander

The buttons that have the same name on the Remote Commander as on the digital camcorder function identically.

1 2 3 4

Before you begin

7 8 9 !º !¡

1 Transmitter

Point toward the remote sensor to control the digital camcorder after turning on the digital camcorder.

2 PHOTO button (p.46) 3 DISPLAY button (p. 36) 4 SEARCH MODE/=/+ buttons

(p. 71) Press SEARCH MODE to select date search or photo search.

5 AUDIO DUB button (p. 77) 6 ZERO SET MEMORY button

This button does not function.

7 VTR4/ID/VTR2 switch (p. 13)

Select VTR4 or ID, the same setting as COMMANDER in the menu system. The VTR2 position does not function on this digital camcorder.

8 START/STOP button 9 Zoom button

The zooming speed is unchangeable by the Remote Commander.

!º DATA CODE button (p. 73) !¡ Video control buttons

Identifying the parts

To prepare the Remote Commander

To use the Remote Commander, you must insert two size AA (R6) batteries. Use the supplied size AA (R6) batteries.

(1) Remove the battery cover from the Remote Commander. (2) Insert both of the size AA (R6) batteries with correct polarity. (3) Put the battery cover back onto the Remote Commander.

Note on battery life

The batteries for the Remote Commander last about 6 months under normal operation. When the batteries become weak or dead, the Remote Commander does not work.

To avoid damage from possible battery leakage

Remove the batteries when you will not use the Remote Commander for a long time.

To use the Remote Commander

Make sure that the COMMANDER is set to VTR4/ID in the menu system on the digital camcorder.

Identifying the parts

About the ID of the Remote Commander

You can avoid having the digital camcorder accidentally respond to signals from other remote commanders by setting the VTR4/ID/VTR2 switch to ID. Use the supplied Remote Commander when you set the switch to ID. When you use the Remote Commander for the first time, register the ID following the procedure below. Once you have registered the ID, you do not need to do so again.

(1) Install a power source, open the cover, then press MENU to display the menu

in the viewfinder.

(2) Press (3) Press (4) Set VTR4/ID/VTR2 on the Remote Commander to ID. (5) Point the Remote Commander at the Remote Commander sensor on the digital

camcorder and press π on the Remote Commander. After the beep sound, the ID of the Remote Commander is registered, and the COMMANDER is set to ID in the menu system.

(6) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

or to select COMMANDER, then press EXECUTE. or to select ID SET.

Before you begin

STOP

MENU DIGITAL F ZOOM/WIDE

D ZOOM 16:9WIDE ZEBRA TC IND DATE/TIME COMMANDER

[ MENU ] : END

COMMANDER VTR4 OFF ID ID SET

[ MENU ] : END

COMMANDER VTR4 OFF ID ID SET

COMMANDER [ STOP ] : ID SET

VTR 4

VTR 2

Identifying the parts

Remote control direction

Aim the Remote Commander at either of the two remote commander sensors. The range of the Remote Commander is about 16 feet (about 5 m) indoors. Use the Remote Commander as close to flat as possible, otherwise it may not work.

Remote Commander Sensors

Notes on the Remote Commander

•Keep the Remote Commander sensor away from strong light sources such as direct

sunlight or illumination. Otherwise, the remote control may not be effective.

•Be sure that there is no obstacle between the Remote Commander sensor on the digital

camcorder and the Remote Commander.

•This digital camcorder works in commander mode VTR 4 or ID. The commander

modes (VTR 4 and ID) are used to distinguish this digital camcorder from other Sony VCRs. If you use another Sony VCR at commander mode ID, we recommend that you change the commander mode or cover the Remote Commander sensor of the VCR with black paper.

•You do not need to store the ID again, after having done so once. Set COMMANDER

to ID in the menu system, and set the VTR4/ID/VTR2 switch on the Remote Commander to ID.

•The stored ID is not erased even if you replace the lithium battery.

Identifying the parts

In the viewfinder

1 2 3

4 5

6 7

16:9WIDE

JUL. 4 1998 10:13:02 AM

1 0 0 0

F 2 . 8

0 dB

FADER

1 Manual focusing indicator (p. 53)

appears when focusing far,

appears when focusing close.

2 ND filter indicator (p. 63) 3 White balance indicator (p. 60) 4 Steady shot indicator (p. 68) 5 Zoom indicator (p. 30, 52) 6 Manual setting data/wide mode/

fader or overlap/AGC LMT indicators

(p. 54, 55, 58, 45, 43, 44) If not set, the indicator disappears, and all indicators below rise 1 row.

7 Data code indicators (p. 73)/Date and

Time indicators (p. 41)

8 Lithium battery indicator (p. 78) 9 Recording/battery indicator (p. 26) 0 Custom preset indicator (p. 69)

CP DV

ONND

STBY

0 :13 : 46: 05

170 m i n

48k

PHOTO

DV IN

!¡ DV indicator (p. 37)

During DV-formatted cassette playback, this indicator appears.

!™ Video control mode (p. 26) !£ Time code !¢ Remaining tape indicator !∞ Audio mode indicator (p. 29) !§ INTERVAL/FRAME REC/PHOTO/

C MEMORY/date search/Photo search indicator (p. 47, 48, 46, 25, 71)

!¶ DV IN indicator (p. 74) !• Remaining battery indicator (p. 84)

!ª Warning indicators (p. 95)

9 0 !¡

!™ !£ !¢

!∞ !§ !¶ !• !ª

Before you begin

Identifying the parts

In the display window

HMSF

DVCAM

143562789

1 Time code 2 Warning indicators (p. 95) 3 DVCAM indicator

Lights up when using a DVCAMformatted cassette.

4 Flash indicator

Attaching the shoulder strap

Attach the shoulder strap (not supplied) to the hooks for the shoulder strap.

min

5 Date/aperture indicator (p. 54) 6 Remaining battery indicator (p. 84) 7 Time indicator 8 Remaining tape indicators 9 Audio level indicators (p. 66)

Attaching optional accessories

Attaching digital camcorder to the tripod adaptor

Use the VCT-U14 tripod adaptor (not supplied). Once the tripod adaptor has been attached to the tripod stand, then you may attach the digital camcorder.

(1) Attach the tripod adaptor to the tripod. (2) Attach the digital camcorder to the tripod stand’s grooved surface [a], and

slide it forward until you hear a click. Select a balanced and secure position for the tripod stand.

Before you begin

To remove the digital camcorder from the tripod

Press the red button on the release lever [b], and while holding, move the lever in the direction of the arrow to release the lock.

Note on tripod attachment pin

If the tripod attachment pin [c] does not return after removing the digital camcorder, press the red button on the release lever, and while holding, move the lever in the direction of the arrow and the pin returns to its original position. If the pin is not set in its original position you will not be able to reattach the digital camcorder.

[a]

[b]

[c]

Attaching optional accessories

Attaching the external microphone with XLR connector

When using the ECM-672 external microphone (not supplied), attach the CAC-12 microphone holder (not supplied) to the digital camcorder.

(1) Remove the screws from the top of the viewfinder.

Remove the spacer from the screws. They are unnecessary when attaching the microphone holder.

(2) Attach the microphone holder with the supplied washers and the screws

removed in step (1).

(3) Loosen the microphone holder screw and open the cover. (4) Place the microphone into the holder, close the cover, and tighten the screw. (5) Connect the microphone to the AUDIO IN jacks of the digital camcorder, then

set LINE/MIC to MIC REAR.

LINE/ MIC

AUDIO IN

[d]

CHECK

Attaching optional accessories

Attaching the battery adaptor

The NPA-10000 battery adaptor (not supplied), can hold up to 3 battery packs NP-F950 or NP-F750 (not supplied). Attach the adaptor to the digital camcorder.

(1) Release the lock and open the cover. (2) Insert the battery packs in the direction of the z mark on the battery packs. (3) Close the cover, then lock. (4) Attach the battery adaptor to the digital camcorder by sliding until it clicks.

Before you begin

234

To remove the battery adaptor [a]

While pressing BATT, lift the battery adaptor out in the direction of the arrow.

To remove the battery pack [b]

Open the cover, press and hold the release lever, and slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow.

Checking the remaining battery indicator [c]

Press CHECK on the battery adaptor. If there is still power left in the batteries, the lamp [d] lights.

[b]

BATT

[c][a]

VIEW FINDER

Getting started

Attaching the viewfinder

Before using the digital camcorder, attach the viewfinder.

(1) Loosen the viewfinder release ring. (2) Slide the viewfinder onto the attaching plate. (3) Adjust the position of the viewfinder, then tighten the viewfinder release ring. (4) Attach the 8 pin connector to the VIEW FINDER jack on the digital camcorder.

Match ridge on 8 pin connector to the ridge on the jack.

Note on the VIEW FINDER jack

This VIEW FINDER jack is specially designed for this digital camcorder. Do not connect anything else to this VIEW FINDER jack.

[a]

To remove the viewfinder

Loosen viewfinder release ring. Then pull stopper [a] up, and while holding, slide viewfinder off the attaching plate.

Charging and installing the battery pack

Before using your digital camcorder, you first need to charge and install the battery pack (not supplied). To charge the battery pack, use the AC-V615 AC power adaptor (not supplied). This digital camcorder does not interface with “InfoLITHIUM” batteries. The remaining time (minutes) indication does not appear when using “InfoLITHIUM” batteries.

Charging the battery pack

Charge the battery pack on a flat surface without vibration.

(1) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor. (2) Align the surface of the battery pack indicated by the z mark with the edge of

the terminal shutter of the AC power adaptor. Then fit and slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.

(3) Connect the AC power cord to a wall outlet. The CHARGE lamp (orange)

lights up. Charging begins.

When the CHARGE lamp goes out, normal charge is completed. For full charge, which allows you to use the battery longer than usual, leave the battery pack in place for approximately one hour. Unplug the unit from the wall outlet, then remove the battery pack and install it into the digital camcorder. You can also use the battery pack before it is completely charged.

Getting started

Charging time

Battery pack Charging time* (min.)

NP-F950 360 (300) NP-F750 270 (210)

The time required for a normal charge is indicated in parentheses. * Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack using the AC-V615 AC power

adaptor. (Lower temperatures require a longer charging time.)

CHARGE

Charging and installing the battery pack

Battery life

Battery Continuous Typical recording pack recording time

NP-F950 150 (135) 80 (70) NP-F750 95 (85) 50 (45)

NP-F950 (x3)3)450 (405) 240 (210)

Numbers in parentheses indicate the time when you use a normally charged battery. Battery life will be shorter if you use the digital camcorder in a cold environment.

1) Approximate continuous recording time indoors.

2) Approximate minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/stop, zooming and turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be shorter.

3) When using the NPA-10000 battery adaptor.

time

To remove the battery pack

Slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.

Notes on charging the battery pack

•The CHARGE lamp will remain lit for a while even if the battery pack is removed and

the power cord is unplugged after charging the battery pack. This is normal.

•If the CHARGE lamp does not light, disconnect the power cord. After about one

minute, reconnect the power cord again.

•When operating the digital camcorder using the AC power adapter, you cannot

charge the battery pack.

•When a fully charged battery pack is installed, the CHARGE lamp will light once,

then go out.

Charging and installing the battery pack

Installing the battery pack

Insert the battery pack in the direction of the $ mark on the battery pack. Slide the battery pack down until it catches on the battery release and clicks.

To remove the battery pack

While pressing BATT, lift the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow.

Getting started

BATT

Inserting a cassette

Use a standard DVCAM cassette with logo*. Make sure that a power source is installed. We recommend you set the POWER switch to ON before inserting the cassette.

(1) Open the cassette compartment cover. (2) Insert a cassette (not supplied) with the tab upwards, and the window facing

out and press down so that the cassette loads.

(3) Close the cover.

Note on the cassette

Mini DVCAM cassettes and Mini DV cassettes cannot be used.

* is a trademark.

EJECT6

Inserting a cassette

To eject the cassette

Open the cassette compartment cover and press 6. After the cassette rises, take it out, then close the cover. You cannot eject the cassette while C MEMORY appears in the viewfinder because the digital camcorder is still writing information into the cassette memory. After C MEMORY disappears the cassette automatically rises. When ejecting the cassette, never close the cassette compartment cover until the cassette is completely removed.

To prevent accidental erasure

Slide the tab on the cassette to expose the red mark. If you insert the cassette with the red mark exposed, the beeps sound, the and 6 indicators flash in the viewfinder and display window, and you cannot record. To re-record on this tape, slide the tab back out, covering the red mark.

Getting started

Basic operations

Camera recording

Make sure that the power source is installed and a cassette is inserted and that AUTO LOCK is set to ON. When AUTO LOCK is set to ON, all settings are automatically adjusted to best suit your shooting environment. Before you record one-time events, you may want to make a trial recording to make sure that the digital camcorder is working correctly. When you use the digital camcorder for the first time, power on it and reset the date and time to your time before you start recording (p. 80).

(1) Remove the lens hood cap, and attach it to the grip strap. (2) Set the POWER switch to ON. (3) Set CAMCORDER/VTR to CAMCORDER. (4) Turn STANDBY up to STANDBY. (5) Press START/STOP.

The digital camcorder starts recording. The “REC” indicator appears and the red lamp lights up in the viewfinder. The tally lamps located on the front and rear also light up.

LOCK STANDBY PHOTO

STANDBY

START/STOP

STBY

0 : 00 : 00 : 00

184 min

POWER

OFF ON

CAMCORDER

VTR

LOCK STANDBY PHOTO

STANDBY

START/STOP

REC

0 : 00 : 00 : 01

184 min

Camera recording

When ND ON flashes in the viewfinder

Set ND FILTER to ON.

To stop recording momentarily [a]

Press START/STOP again. The “STBY” indicator appears in the viewfinder (Standby mode).

To finish recording [b]

Press START/STOP again. Turn STANDBY down to LOCK, and set the POWER switch to OFF. Then, eject the cassette and remove the battery pack.

[a] [b]

LOCK STANDBY PHOTO

STANDBY

START/STOP

STBY

0 : 13 : 46 : 00

170 min

To focus the viewfinder lens [c]

If you cannot see the indicators in the viewfinder clearly, or after someone else has used the digital camcorder, focus the viewfinder lens. Turn the viewfinder lens adjustment ring so that the indicators in the viewfinder come into sharp focus.

To adjust the contrast and the brightness of the viewfinder [d]

To adjust the contrast, turn the CONTR knob. To adjust the brightness, turn the BRIGHT knob.

If you want to turn off the tally lamp [d]

Set TALLY to OFF. The rear tally lamp cannot be turned off.

[c]

[d]

BRIGHT

TALLY

CONTR

LOCK STANDBY PHOTO

STANDBY

START/STOP

LOCK STANDBY PHOTO

STANDBY

Basic operations

START/STOP

Camera recording

To erase the indicators in the viewfinder

You can erase the indicators in the viewfinder except for menu and warning indicators. Set VF DISPLAY to OFF.

VF DISPLAY

ON OFF

Note on recording

When you record from the beginning of a tape, run the tape by recording for about 15 seconds before you start the actual recording. This will ensure that you won’t miss any start-up scenes when you play back the tape.

Note on Standby mode

If you leave the digital camcorder in Standby mode for 5 minutes while a cassette is inserted, the digital camcorder turns off automatically. This prevents wearing down the battery and wearing out the tape. To resume Standby mode, turn STANDBY down and up again. To start recording, press START/STOP.

Note on time code display

While recording or playing back, the time code shows hours, minutes, seconds and frame number (0:00:00:00). If there is a blank portion between pictures on a tape, the time code restarts from zero. You cannot rewrite the time code only. You can select the drop frame or non-drop frame system. Set DF or NDF using the TC switch inside the cover of the video control buttons. You can erase only time code display in the viewfinder. Set TC IND in the menu to OFF.

Note on the beep sound

As indicated with ≥ in the illustration, a beep sounds when you turn the power on or when you start recording, and two beeps sound when you stop recording, confirming the operation. Several beeps also sound as a warning of any unusual condition of the digital camcorder. Note that the beep sound is not recorded on the tape. If you do not want to hear the beep sound, select “OFF” in the menu system.

Camera recording

To change the directionality of the built-in microphone

Set DIRECTION SELECT on the back of the microphone to the desired position (0°/ 90°/120°).

To record through an external microphone

Connect a microphone (not supplied) to the MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack or AUDIO IN input jacks. You can also attach a microphone to the accessory shoe or to the microphone holder (not supplied). Then select the input mode using the LINE/MIC switches. In this case, sound from the built-in microphone will not be recorded.

When the microphone has Connect to Set LINE/MIC to

Mini-plug MIC (PLUG IN POWER) MIC FRONT XLR connector AUDIO IN (CH-1/CH-2) MIC REAR

To monitor the sound while recording

Use headphones or the built-in speaker. To turn on the built-in speaker, set SPEAKER to ON. To use headphones, connect them to the 2 jack. Use the MONITOR LEVEL dial to adjust the volume of the speaker or headphones. When using headphones the builtin speaker becomes inactive. When monitoring the built-in speaker, feedback may occur. In this case, turn down the MONITOR LEVEL or SPEAKER set to OFF.

To select Fs 48k [a] or Fs 32k [b] recording mode

Set AUDIO MODE to Fs 48k (16 bit) so that you can get higher sound quality. In Fs 48k mode, the digital camcorder records one video sector [c] and one audio sector [d]. In the viewfinder the “48k” indicator appears. Set AUDIO MODE to Fs 32k (12 bit), and 1 sector is left open for audio dubbing afterwards. In Fs 32k mode, the digital camcorder records one video sector [c], one audio sector [d], and one blank audio sector [e], which enables you to add narration or music after the initial recording.

Basic operations

[d]

[a]

[c]

[e]

[b]

[d]

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