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

©1998 by Sony Corporation

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.

2

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

3

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.

4

Checking supplied accessories

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

123 4

5

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)

5

Identifying the parts

1
2

3

4
5

6
7

8
9

0

!¡

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)

6

!™
!£

!¢
!∞

!§
!¶

!•
!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

7

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.

8

$§ 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.

9

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)

10

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

5

Before you begin

6

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

11

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.

12

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

1

5

MENU

STOP

MENU
DIGITAL F ZOOM/WIDE

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

[ MENU ] : END

2

3

MENU

COMMANDER VTR4
OFF
ID
ID SET

[ MENU ] : END

MENU

COMMANDER VTR4
OFF
ID
ID SET

COMMANDER [ STOP ] : ID SET

4

VTR 4

ID

VTR 2

13

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.

14

Identifying the parts

In the viewfinder

1
2
3

4
5

6
7

T

16:9WIDE

W

JUL. 4 1998
10:13:02 AM

1 0 0 0

F 2 . 8

0 dB

FADER

8

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

I

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

15

Identifying the parts

In the display window

HMSF

DVCAM

F

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.

1

2

min

AM

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)

3

16

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

1

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.

2

[a]

[b]

[c]

17

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.

1

4

2

3

5

LINE/
MIC

AUDIO IN

18

[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

1

1

3

2

234

1

3

2

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]

19

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.

1

3

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.

2

4

[a]

20

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

1

2

3

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

21

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.

1)

time

2)

To remove the battery pack

Slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.

22

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

23

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.

1

3

2

EJECT6

24

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

25

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.

1

4

LOCK
STANDBY
PHOTO

STANDBY

START/STOP

STBY

0 : 00 : 00 : 00

184 min

26

POWER

23

POWER

OFF ON

CAMCORDER

VTR

5

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

27

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.

28

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]

29

Camera recording

Using the zoom feature

Zooming is a recording technique that lets you change the size of the subject in the
scene.
“T” side: for telephoto (subject appears closer)
“W” side: for wide-angle (subject appears farther away)

T

W

W

T

T

W

Zooming speed (Variable speed zooming)

Press the power zoom button a little for a slower zoom, press it more for a faster zoom.

When you shoot a subject using a telephoto zoom

If you cannot get a sharp focus while in extreme telephoto zoom, press the power zoom
button to the “W” side until the focus is sharp. You can shoot a subject that is at least
about 2 5/8 feet (about 80 cm) away from the lens surface in the telephoto position, or
about 1/2 inch (about 1 cm) away in the wide-angle position.

To use digital zoom

Set DIGITAL F in the menu system to ZOOM/WIDE. Then set D ZOOM in the menu
system to ON.

Notes on digital zoom

•More than 10x zoom is performed digitally and the picture quality deteriorates as you
go toward the “T” side.

•The upper side [a] of the power zoom indicator shows the digital zooming zone, and
the lowerside [b] shows the optical zooming zone. If you set the D ZOOM function to
OFF, the [a] zone disappears.

[a]

T

T

30

[b]

W

W

120°

90°

Hints for better shooting

When shooting with the digital camcorder on your shoulder, you’ll get better results by
holding the digital camcorder according to the following suggestions:

•Place the digital camcorder on your shoulder and secure it with the grip strap so that
you can easily manipulate the controls with your thumb.

•To adjust the grip, loosen the grip screw [a] with a coin, rotate the grip, and then
tighten the screw. Set the grip to one of the three different position marks.

[a]

1

3

•Place your right elbow against your side.

•Place your left hand under the digital camcorder to support it. Be sure to not touch the
built-in microphone.

•Place your eye firmly against the viewfinder eyecup.

•Use the viewfinder frame as a guide to determine the horizontal plane.

•You can also record in a low position to get an interesting angle. Lift the viewfinder
up for recording from a low position [b].

•While recording in a low position, you can use the front START/STOP button [c].

•You can rotate the viewfinder 120° up and 90° down. This is useful when recording in
a high or low position [d].

Basic operations

2

[b] [d][c]

START/STOP

31

Hints for better shooting

•You can move the viewfinder up to about 1 3/16 inches (30 mm) laterally. Turn the
lock ring to release the viewfinder, and then move it. Turn back the lock ring to fix the
viewfinder in place [e].

•You can move the viewfinder up to about 1 3/16 inches (30 mm) lengthwise. Turn the
lock lever under the viewfinder to release it, and then move the viewfinder. Turn back
the lock lever to fix the viewfinder in place [f].

[e]

Caution on carrying
Do not pick up the digital camcorder by anything other than the grip or handle [g].

Caution on the viewfinder

Do not place the digital camcorder so as to point the viewfinder toward the sun. The
inside of the viewfinder may be damaged.
Be careful when placing the digital camcorder under sunlight or by a window [h].

[f]

Release

Lock

[g][h]

32

Note on the viewfinder

When attaching the video light (not supplied) to the accessory shoe, do not lift the
viewfinder. The video light heat may damage the eyecup.

Checking the recorded picture

Using EDITSEARCH, you can review the last recorded scene or check the recorded
picture in the viewfinder.

(1) Set the POWER switch to ON and then set CAMCORDER/VTR to

CAMCORDER.

(2) Turn STANDBY up to STANDBY.
(3) Press the – (Œ) side of EDITSEARCH momentarily; the last few seconds of the

recorded portion play back (Rec Review).
Hold down the – side of EDITSEARCH until the digital camcorder goes back
to the scene you want. The last recorded portion is played back. To go forward,
hold down the + side (Edit Search).

Basic operations

1

3

POWER

OFF ON

CAMCORDER

VTR

EDITSEARCH

EDITSEARCH

2

STANDBY
PHOTO

STANDBY

START/STOP

LOCK

EDITSEARCH

To stop playback

Release EDITSEARCH.

To begin re-recording

Press START/STOP. Re-recording begins from the point you released EDITSEARCH.
Provided you do not eject the cassette, the transition between the last scene you
recorded and the next scene you record will be smooth.

Note on the EDITSEARCH

If you press EDITSEARCH fully, the playback speed doubles.

33

Connections for playback

You can use this digital camcorder as a VCR by connecting it to monitor for playback.
There are some ways to connect the digital camcorder to monitor. When monitoring the
playback picture by connecting the digital camcorder to monitor, we recommend you to
use house current for power source.

Connecting directly to a monitor with Video/Audio input jacks

If you connect directly to a monitor

Open the jack cover and connect the digital camcorder to the inputs on the monitor by
using the supplied A/V connecting cable.

S VIDEO OUT

[a]

VIDEO OUT

[b]

AUDIO OUT

: Signal flow

If you are going to connect the digital camcorder using the S video cable [a], you do not
need to connect the yellow (video) plug of the A/V connecting cable [b].

S VIDEO IN

VIDEO IN

AUDIO IN

34

Connections for playback

If your monitor is already connected to a VCR

Open the jack cover and connect the digital camcorder to the LINE IN inputs on the
VCR by using the supplied A/V connecting cable. Set the input selector on the VCR to
LINE. Set the monitor/VCR selector on the monitor to VCR.

Basic operations

S VIDEO OUT

[a]

VIDEO OUT

[b]

AUDIO OUT

: Signal flow

If your monitor or VCR has a BNC jack

When connecting video output using BNC cable, connect to the rear VIDEO OUT jack.
In this connection, you need not connect S video cable nor the yellow (video) plug of
the A/V connecting cable.

If your monitor or VCR is a monaural type

Connect only the white plug for audio on both the digital camcorder and the monitor.
With this connection, the sound is monaural.

To connect to a TV without Video/Audio input jacks

Use the RFU-95UC RFU adaptor (not supplied).

S VIDEO IN

VCR

AUDIO INVIDEO IN

35

Playing back a tape

You can monitor the playback picture in the viewfinder. You can also monitor the
picture on a monitor screen, after connecting the digital camcorder to a monitor or VCR.

(1) Set the POWER switch to ON.
(2) Set CAMCORDER/VTR to VTR.
(3) Insert the recorded tape with the window facing out.
(4) Open the cover, then press · to start playback.

1

2

4

POWER

OFF ON

CAMCORDER

VTR

STOP REW PLAY FF PAUSE

To stop playback, press π.
To rewind the tape, press 0.
To fast-forward the tape rapidly, press ).

REC

3

To monitor the sound while viewing the playback picture in
the viewfinder

Connect headphones (not supplied) to the 2 jack or turn on the built-in speaker by
setting SPEAKER to ON.

36

Using the Remote Commander

You can control playback using the supplied Remote Commander. Before using the
Remote Commander, insert the size AA (R6) batteries.

Note on the DISPLAY button on the remote commander

Press DISPLAY to display the screen indicators on the monitor screen. To erase the
indicators, press DISPLAY again.

Playing back a tape

Note on DV-formatted tapes

You can play back DV-formatted tapes on this digital camcorder if the tape is recorded
in SP mode. “DV” appears in the viewfinder during playback.
You cannot play back DV-formatted tapes recorded in LP mode.

Various playback modes

To view a still picture (playback pause)

Press P during playback. To resume playback, press P or ·.

To locate a scene (picture search)

Keep pressing 0 or ) during playback. To resume normal playback, release the
button.

To monitor the high-speed picture while advancing the tape or
rewinding (skip scan)

Keep pressing 0 while rewinding or ) while advancing the tape. To resume
normal playback, press ·.

To view the picture at 1/5 speed (slow playback)

Press & during playback. To resume normal playback, press ·. If slow playback lasts
for about 1 minute, it shifts to normal speed automatically.

To view the picture at double speed

For double speed playback in the reverse direction, press '/<, then press x2 on the
Remote Commander during playback. For double speed playback in the forward
direction, press >/7, then press x2 during playback. To resume normal playback,
press ·.

To view the picture frame-by-frame

Press '/< or >/7 in playback pause mode. If you keep pressing the button, you
can view the picture at 1/30 speed. To resume normal playback, press ·.

To change the playback direction

Press '/< for reverse direction or >/7 for forward direction during playback. To
resume normal playback, press ·.

Basic operations

Notes on playback

•Streaks appear and the sound is muted in the various playback modes.

•When playback pause mode is left on for 5 minutes, the digital camcorder
automatically enters stop mode.

•When using playback slow or still picture modes, images from the previous frames
might to seen mixed in with the main picture.

37

Advanced operations

Using alternative power sources

You can choose any of the following power sources for your digital camcorder: battery
pack and the house current. Choose the appropriate power source depending on where
you want to use your digital camcorder.

Place
Indoors
Outdoors

Note on AC power adaptor

Use the recommended AC power adaptor, such as AC-V615.

Note on power sources

Disconnecting the power source or removing the battery pack during recording or
playback may damage the inserted tape. If this happens, restore the power supply again
immediately.

Power source

House current
Battery pack

Using the house current

(1) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(2) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet, then connect the connecting cord (not

supplied) to the DC OUT jack on the AC power adaptor.

(3) Connect the connecting cord to the DC IN jack on the digital camcorder.

1

2 3

Accessory to be used (not supplied)

AC power adaptor AC-V615
Battery pack NP-F950, NP-F750

Battery adaptor NPA-10000

DC IN

38

DC OUT

Using alternative power sources

Charging the attached battery pack

After connecting the power cord to the wall outlet and setting the POWER switch on
the digital camcorder to OFF, you can charge the battery pack in either of the following
two ways:

•Charging the battery pack attached to the digital camcorder
Leave the battery pack attached to the digital camcorder. (The NP-F950 battery pack
(not supplied) requires about 390 minutes for a full charge and about 330 minutes for
a normal charge.)
While charging, the battery indicator appears repeatedly in the display window:

•Charging two battery packs at the same time
Attach one battery pack to the AC power adaptor and the other to the digital
camcorder. Both are charged simultaneously. When charged, CHARGE lamp and the
ı indicator goes out (normal charge). If either lamp is still lit, both battery packs are
not charged (the NP-F950 battery packs (not supplied) require about 480 minutes for a
full charge and about 420 minutes for a normal charge).

To remove the adaptor

Pull out by the plug. Never pull on the connecting cord itself.

WARNING

The power cord must only be changed at a qualified service shop.

PRECAUTION

The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it is connected
to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off.

Advanced operations

Notes on the VTR/CAMERA lamp

•The VTR/CAMERA lamp will remain lit for a while even if the unit is unplugged
after use. This is normal.

•If the VTR/CAMERA lamp does not light, disconnect the power cord. After about one
minute, reconnect the power cord.

This mark indicates that this product is a genuine accessory for Sony
video products.
When purchasing Sony video products, Sony recommends that you
purchase accessories with this “GENUINE VIDEO ACCESSORIES”
mark.

39

Changing the mode settings

You can change the mode settings in the menu system to further enjoy the features and
functions of the digital camcorder.

(1) Open the cover, then press MENU to display the menu.
(2) Press
(3) Press

For some items, you may need to repeat steps 2 and 3.

(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

or to select the desired item, then press EXECUTE.
or to select the desired setting, then press EXECUTE.

1

MENU

CAMCORDER

MENU
DIGITAL F ZOOM/WIDE

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

[ MENU ] : END

VTR

MENU
TC IND ON

COMMANDER
BEEP
AUDIO MIX
WIDE PB
CM SEARCH
DATA CODE

[ MENU ] : END

2

3

1

2

EXECUTE

1

2

EXECUTE

MENU
DIGITAL F ZOOM/WIDE

D ZOOM
16:9WIDE

MENU
ZEBRA
TC IND

DIGITAL F
DATE/TIME

D ZOOM OFF
COMMANDER

16:9WIDE

ZEBRA
[ MENU ] : END

TC IND

MENU
DATE/TIME
COMMANDER

DIGITAL F

D ZOOM
[ MENU ] : END

16:9WIDE

ZEBRA OFF

TC IND

DATE/TIME

COMMANDER

[ MENU ] : END

MENU

ZEBRA

[ MENU ] : END

MENU

ZEBRA

[ MENU ] : END

MENU

DIGITAL F

D ZOOM

16:9WIDE

ZEBRA ON

TC IND

DATE/TIME

COMMANDER

[ MENU ] : END

OFF
ON

OFF
ON

40

Changing the mode settings

Selecting the mode setting of each item

Items for both CAMCORDER and VTR modes

TC IND* <ON/OFF>

•Normally select ON.

•Select OFF to erase the time code indicator.

COMMANDER* <VTR4/OFF/ID/ID SET>

•Normally select VTR4.

•Select OFF when not using the Remote Commander.

•Select ID when using the Remote Commander with the ID number set.

•Select ID SET when setting the ID number of the Remote Commander.

BEEP* <ON/OFF>

•Select ON so that beeps sound when you start/stop recording, etc.

•Select OFF when you do not want to hear the beep sound.

CLOCK SET*

Reset the date and time.

Items for CAMCORDER mode only

DIGITAL F* <ZOOM/WIDE or OVERLAP>

•Select ZOOM/WIDE before using the wide mode function, digital zoom or slow
shutter.

•Select OVERLAP before using the overlap function.

D ZOOM* <OFF/ON>

Before turning on D ZOOM, set DIGITAL F to ZOOM/WIDE.

•Select OFF to not use the digital zoom.

•Select ON to activate digital zooming. More than 10x zoom is performed digitally.

Advanced operations

16:9WIDE* <OFF/ON>

Before turning on 16:9WIDE, set DIGITAL F to ZOOM/WIDE.

•Normally select OFF.

•Select ON to record a 16:9 wide picture to watch on a wide-screen TV.

ZEBRA* <OFF/ON>

•Normally select OFF.

•Select ON to shoot with the zebra pattern displayed in the viewfinder.

DATE/TIME* <OFF/ON>

•Normally select OFF.

•Select ON to display the date and time indicators.

FRAME REC <OFF/ON>

•Normally select OFF.

•Select ON for cut recording.

INT REC <RETURN> <SET> <INTERVAL*/REC TIME*>

•Select RETURN to return to the menu to change other menu items.

•Select SET to set interval recording ON or OFF.

•Select INTERVAL to set or change the interval time for interval recording.

•Select REC TIME to set or change the recording time for interval recording.

41

42

Changing the mode settings

SLOW SHTR* <4/8/15/30>

Before setting, turn the SHUTTER SPEED dial to SLOW.
Select a slow shutter speed.

S PRESET* <60/100/250/500/1000/2000/4000/10000>

Before setting, turn the SHUTTER SPEED dial to USER PRESET.
Select a shutter speed.

G PRESET* <–3dB/0dB/3dB/6dB/9dB/12dB/15dB/18dB>

Before setting, turn the GAIN dial to USER PRESET.
Select a gain level.

AGC LIMIT* <OFF/ON>

•Normally select OFF.

•Select ON when shooting a bright subject on a dark background.
This function prevents the digital camcorder from creating picture noise by
controlling excessive automatic gain level.

CUSTOM* <RETURN> <SET> <COLOR LEV/SHARPNESS/WB SHIFT/AE SHIFT>
<RESET>

•Select RETURN to return to the menu to change other menu items.

•Select SET to set custom preset ON or OFF.

•Select COLOR LEV/SHARPNESS/WB SHIFT/AE SHIFT to preset the color intensity
(COLOR LEV), sharpness (SHARPNESS), white balance (WB SHIFT), and brightness
(AE SHIFT) of the picture.

•Select RESET to restore the default settings.

Items for VTR mode only

AUDIO MIX*

When playing back a tape recorded with Fs 32k, select this item to adjust the volume
balance between audio mode ST1 and ST2.

WIDE PB* <OFF/ON>

•Normally select OFF.

•Select ON to playback a picture recorded in the 16:9 wide mode to watch on a
monitor.

CM SEARCH* <ON/OFF>

•Normally select ON to turn on the cassette memory search function.

•Select OFF to search without using the cassette memory function.

DATA CODE* <DATE/CAM or DATE>

•Select DATE/CAM to display date and time, as well as various settings data, of your
recordings.

•Select DATE to display date and time of your recordings.

When DIGITAL F is set to OVERLAP

You cannot set 16:9WIDE and D ZOOM to ON. When you set DIGITAL F to OVERLAP,
16:9WIDE and D ZOOM settings are changed to OFF automatically.

About FRAME REC and INT REC setting

Both settings are automatically set to off when:

•The POWER switch is set to OFF.

•CAMCORDER/VTR is set to VTR.

•Turn STANDBY up to PHOTO STANDBY.

* These settings are retained even when the battery is removed, as long as the lithium

battery is in place.

Fade-in and fade-out

When fading in, the picture gradually fades in from black while the sound increases.
When fading out, the picture gradually fades to black while the sound decreases.
To use fade-in and fade-out, press FADER/OVERLAP to display FADER in the
viewfinder.

When fading in [a]

(1) While the digital camcorder is in Standby mode, press FADER/OVERLAP.

The fade indicator starts flashing.

(2) Press START/STOP to start recording. The fade indicator stops flashing.

When fading out [b]

(1) During recording, press FADER/OVERLAP. The fade indicator starts flashing.
(2) Press START/STOP to stop recording. The fade indicator stops flashing, and

then recording stops.

STBY REC

[a]

Advanced operations

1

FADER/

OVERLAP

[b]

STBY REC

2

FADER

OVERLAP

To cancel the fade-in/fade-out function

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

Note on the fade-in/fade-out function

You can not fade-in or fade-out while recording with interval recording, cut recording,
or photo recording.

LOCK
STANDBY
PHOTO

STANDBY

START/STOP

43

Overlapping two pictures

When using the overlap function, the picture gradually fades in over a still picture of
the last scene recorded.

(1) While the digital camcorder is in Standby mode, open the cover, then press

MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.

(2) Press
(3) Press
(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.
(5) Press FADER/OVERLAP repeatedly until “OVERLAP” appears in the

viewfinder.

(6) Press START/STOP to start recording.

The scene being shot gradually fades in over the still picture of the last
recorded scene.

or to select DIGITAL F, then press EXECUTE.
or to select OVERLAP, then press EXECUTE.

STBY REC

OVERLAP

44

1

MENU

5

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

ZOOM/WIDE

MENU

23

DIGITAL F

ZOOM/WIDE
OVERLAP

[ MENU ] : END

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

OVERLAP

6

LOCK

FADER/

OVERLAP

FADER

OVERLAP

To cancel the overlap function

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

Notes on the overlap function

•You cannot use the overlap function while recording with interval recording, cut
recording, or photo recording.

•When in Standby mode select OVERLAP, the digital camcorder automatically goes
into picture search, then the last recorded scene is stored for overlap.

•When you set DIGITAL F to OVERLAP, 16:9WIDE and D ZOOM settings are set to
OFF automatically.

STANDBY
PHOTO

STANDBY

START/STOP

Using the wide mode function

You can record a 16:9 wide picture to watch on a 16:9 wide-screen TV.

[b]

[c]

[a]

[d]

In the viewfinder black bands appear at the top and bottom of the screen [a].
On a monitor screen, the picture appears horizontally compressed [b].
When setting WIDE PB to ON in the menu system, you get a cinema-like picture with a
black band at the bottom of the screen [c].
You can watch the picture of normal images on a wide-screen TV [d].

(1) While the digital camcorder is in Standby mode, open the cover, then press

MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.

(2) Press
(3) Press
(4) Press
(5) Press
(6) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

MENU

1

DIGITAL F
D ZOOM
16 : 9WIDE

MENU

ZEBRA
TC IND
DATE/TIME
COMMANDER

[ MENU ] : END

or to select DIGITAL F, then press EXECUTE.
or to select ZOOM/WIDE, then press EXECUTE.
or to select 16:9WIDE, then press EXECUTE.
or to select ON, then press EXECUTE.

MENU
DIGITAL F

[ MENU ] : END

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

ZOOM/WIDE
OVERLAP

ZOOM/WIDE

ZOOM/WIDE

2

3

4

5

MENU

16 : 9WIDE

[ MENU ] : END
MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

Advanced operations

OFF
ON

ON

To cancel wide mode

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

To watch a tape recorded in 16:9 wide mode on a wide-screen TV

Set the screen mode of the wide-screen TV to full mode. For details, refer to the
instruction manual of your TV.

Notes on wide mode

•When you record in 16:9 wide mode, the date and time indicator will be widened on
the wide-screen TV.

•If you dub a tape, the tape is copied in the same mode as the original recording.

•When you set DIGITAL F to OVERLAP, the 16:9WIDE setting is changed to OFF
automatically.

45

Photo recording

You can record a still picture like a photograph for about seven seconds. This mode is
useful when you want to enjoy a picture such as a photograph or when you print a
picture using a video printer (not supplied).

(1) Turn STANDBY up to PHOTO STANDBY.

PHOTO appears in the viewfinder.

(2) Keep pressing PHOTO lightly until a still picture appears in the viewfinder.

To change the still picture, release PHOTO, select a still picture again, and then
press and hold PHOTO lightly. PHOTO CAPTURE appears in the viewfinder.

(3) Press PHOTO deeper.

The still picture in the viewfinder is recorded for about seven seconds. The sound
during those seven seconds is also recorded. If you change the POWER switch or
STANDBY to other positions while recording, this operation is performed after
recording.

1 2,

START/STOP

LOCK
STANDBY
PHOTO

STANDBY

3

To use the remote commander to take a photo

If you press the PHOTO button on the Remote Commander when a still picture appears
in the viewfinder, the digital camcorder will record that still picture. However, you
cannot select other still pictures by using this button.

Note on automatic shutter speed adjustment

If AUTO LOCK is ON or AUTO/MANUAL is set to AUTO, the shutter speed is
automatically adjusted up to 1/1000 depending on the environment.

To use a flash

Attach the HVL-F7 video flash unit (not supplied) to the accessory shoe, and then
connect a LANC cable to the l LANC jack.

Note on using a flash

When using a flash, the shutter speed is automatically adjusted to 1/60 if using
automatic adjustment, and if using manual adjustment, we recommend using a shutter
speed of 1/60.

PHOTO

46

Interval recording

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

(1) While the digital camcorder is in Standby mode, open the cover, then press

MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.

(2) Press
(3) Press
(4) Press
(5) Press
(6) Press

The time: 30SEC ˜ 1MIN ˜ 5MIN ˜ 10MIN.

(7) Press
(8) Press

The time: 0.2SEC ˜ 0.5SEC ˜ 1SEC ˜ 2SEC.

(9) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

You can also press
the menu display.

(10)

Press START/STOP to start interval recording.

or to select INT REC, then press EXECUTE.
or to select SET, then press EXECUTE.
or to select ON, then press EXECUTE.
or to select INTERVAL, then press EXECUTE.
or to select the desired waiting time, then press EXECUTE.

or to select REC TIME, then press EXECUTE.
or to select the desired recording time, then press EXECUTE.

to select RETURN, then press EXECUTE to return to

Advanced operations

1

MENU

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

ZOOM/WIDE

INTERVAL REC
RETURN

2

SET
INTERVAL
REC TIME

[ RETURN ] : MENU
INTERVAL REC

3

SET OFF
ON

[ MENU ] : END
INTERVAL REC
RETURN

4

SET ON
INTERVAL
REC TIME

[ RETURN ] : MENU
INTERVAL REC

5

INTERVAL 30SEC
1MIN
5MIN
10MIN

[ MENU ] : END

6

7

8

To stop interval recording

Press START/STOP twice.

To cancel interval recording

Set the INT REC mode to OFF in the menu system.

Note on interval recording

You cannot do interval recording with photo recording.

If you change the mode as follows, interval recording is cancelled

•Turn STANDBY down to LOCK.

•Set the POWER switch to OFF.

•Set CAMCORDER/VTR to VTR.

INTERVAL REC
RETURN

SET
INTERVAL 5MIN
REC TIME

[ RETURN ] : MENU
INTERVAL REC

REC TIME 0.2SEC

0.5SEC
1SEC
2SEC

[ MENU ] : END
INTERVAL REC
RETURN

SET
INTERVAL
REC TIME 2SEC

[ RETURN ] : MENU

47

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. Secure
the digital camcorder and use the Remote Commander for effective cut recording.

(1) While the digital camcorder is in Standby mode, open the cover, then press

MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.

(2) Press
(3) Press
(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.
(5) Press START/STOP on the digital camcorder or the Remote Commander to

start cut recording.
The digital camcorder records about 6 frames, then enters recording Standby
mode.

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

or to select FRAME REC, then press EXECUTE.
or to select ON, then press EXECUTE.

1 2

MENU

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

ZOOM/WIDE

3

5

To cancel cut recording

Set the FRAME REC mode to OFF in the menu system.

Notes on cut recording

•The portion immediately after cut recording is completed may be longer than four
frames.

•You cannot do cut recording with photo recording.

•The remaining tape indicator may not be accurate if you do cut recording repeatedly.

MENU

FRAME REC OFF
ON

[ MENU ] : END

MENU
ZEBRA

TC IND
DATE/TIME
COMMANDER
BEEP
FRAME REC ON
INT REC

[ MENU ] : END

START/STOP

48

If you change the mode as follows, cut recording is cancelled

•Turn STANDBY down to LOCK.

•Set the POWER switch to OFF or CAMCORDER/VTR to VTR.

Selecting automatic or manual mode

The digital camcorder’s automatic functions offer you worry-free operation under most
shooting conditions. But in some circumstances, manual adjustment is better for
creative recording.
You can adjust focus, aperture, shutter speed, gain, and white balance automatically or
manually.
Here’s the overview of each manual adjustment. See the following pages for detailed
information.

To focus manually

Set FOCUS to MANU. You can adjust the focus regardless of the position of the AUTO
LOCK switch. When you want to focus automatically, set FOCUS to AUTO.

To manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, gain, and white
balance

Set AUTO LOCK to OFF. By setting AUTO (AGC, ATW)/MANUAL to MANUAL, you
can adjust each item independently. When you want to adjust each item automatically,
set AUTO/MANUAL to AUTO (AGC, ATW).

Advanced operations

49

Selecting automatic or manual mode

When to adjust aperture, shutter speed, and gain manually

When selecting one of aperture, shutter speed, or gain to be adjusted manually and
leaving the remaining two in automatic adjustment, the remaining two automatic
settings adjust their values based on the value of that one manual setting.
In the following cases you should obtain better results by adjusting setting manually.

[a][b][c]

[a] Shooting portraits – adjust aperture manually.

To alter the depth of focus field, softening the background and making the
subject stand out, portrait style.

[b] Shooting sporting events – adjust shutter speed manually.

• To record fast moving objects and protect against blurring of subject.

• To brighten subject in dark situations.

• To prevent the aperture from closing down in unusually bright situations.

[c] Shooting dark environments – adjust gain manually.

• To suppress color distortion when shooting bright objects in dark places.

• To protect against picture distortion when shooting bright objects.

50

Settings for each item

Item
Aperture
Shutter speed
Gain

Selectable steps

13 steps
12 steps
8 steps

Variation of exposure

0.5 EV/step
1 – 2 EV/step

0.5 EV / step

Note on recording in manual mode

We recommend that you adjust the focus and white balance manually.

Relation of aperture, shutter speed and gain

While recording, a picture’s brightness varies by exposure, you need to keep the
exposure fixed to obtain a fixed brightness.

Total EV (exposure) = EV from aperture control

+ EV from shutter speed control
+ EV from gain control

Brighter ˜ Darker

F1.6 ˜ F11, CLOSE
1/4 ˜ 1/10000
+18 dB ˜ –3 dB

Focusing manually

When to use manual focus

In the following cases you should obtain better results by adjusting the focus manually.

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

•Insufficient light [a]

•Subjects with little contrast - walls, sky, etc. [b]

•Too much brightness behind the subject [c]

•Horizontal stripes [d]

•Subjects through frosted glass

•Subjects beyond nets, etc.

•Bright subject or subject reflecting the light

•Shooting a stationary subject when using a tripod

Advanced operations

51

Focusing manually

Focusing manually

When focusing manually, first focus in telephoto before recording, and then reset the
shot length.

(1) Set FOCUS to MANU. The f indicator appears in the viewfinder.
(2) Press the power zoom button on the “T” side so that the bar in the viewfinder

moves all the way to the “T” side.

(3) Turn the focus ring to achieve a sharp focus.
(4) Set the desired shot length using the power zoom button.

FOCUS

1

AUTO

MANU

INFINITY

2

W

T

T

W

Shooting with auto focusing momentarily

Press PUSH AUTO while focusing manually.
Auto focus functions while you are pressing PUSH AUTO.
When you release PUSH AUTO, manual focusing returns.
You can use this feature to switch between two subjects cleanly.

34

PUSH AUTO

W

T

W

T

52

Focusing manually

To return to autofocus mode

Set FOCUS to AUTO. The f indicator in the viewfinder disappears.

Shooting in relatively dark places

Shoot at wide-angle after focusing in the telephoto position.

Shooting in fast-moving subjects relatively bright places

Shoot at wide-angle.

To record a very distant subject

Push FOCUS down to INFINITY. The lens focuses on the most distant subject while
FOCUS is held down. When it is released, manual focus mode is resumed.
Use this function when shooting through a window or a screen, to focus on a most
distant subject.

Notes on manual focusing

The following indicators may appear:

when recording a very distant subject.
when the subject is too close to focus on.

When you shoot close to the subject

Shoot at wide-angle.

Advanced operations

53

Adjusting the aperture

If the difference between the brightness of the subject and the background is too great,
adjust the aperture manually.

When the aperture opens (lowering the F value), focal point becomes smaller (reducing
depth of field) so that the background will blur and the subject will be in focus [a].
When the aperture closes (raising the F value), focal point becomes greater (increasing
depth of field) so that both background and subject will focus clearly [b].

[a][b]

(1) Set AUTO LOCK to OFF.
(2) Set AUTO/MANUAL at the right of the IRIS dial to MANUAL.

The current aperture setting appears in the viewfinder.

(3) Turn IRIS to adjust the aperture.

Using the dial, you can select F1.6, F2, F2.4, F2.8, F3.4, F4, F4.8, F5.6, F6.8, F8,
F9.6, F11, and CLOSE. The aperture indicator appears in the viewfinder.
If you select CLOSE, the aperture closes completely, and the picture becomes
black (the effect is the same as trying to record with the lens cover attached).

12

ON OFF

AUTO LOCK

AUTO
MANUAL

54

3

O

P

E

N

IRIS

E

S

O

L

C

To return to automatic aperture mode

Set AUTO/MANUAL at the right of the IRIS dial to AUTO.

About the depth of focus field

The depth of focus field is the in-focus range measured from the distance behind a
subject to the distance in front. The depth of focus field can vary with the aperture value
and the focal length. Lowering the F value (larger aperture) reduces the depth of focus
field. Raising the F value (smaller aperture) provides a larger depth of focus field.
Zooming in telephoto position offers a smaller depth of focus field while the depth of
focus field in wide-angle position is greater.

Note on the aperture

When zoom is in telephoto, you can open the aperture as far as F2 (not to F1.6).

Adjusting the shutter speed

Adjust the shutter speed to control the picture quality. When recording sports events,
for example, use a high speed shutter to record fast moving objects clearly.
You can select from 6 different shutter speeds SLOW, 60, 100, 250, 1000 and USER
PRESET. SLOW and USER PRESET have their own menus. Refer to “To adjust the
SLOW SHTR (shutter) or S (shutter) PRESET menu items”.
Shutter speed numbers that appear in the viewfinder are inverted. For example, “250”
means 1/250 sec.

(1) Set AUTO LOCK to OFF.
(2) Set AUTO/MANUAL under the SHUTTER SPEED dial to MANUAL.
(3) Turn SHUTTER SPEED to select a shutter speed. Using the dial, you can select

SLOW, 60, 100, 250, 1000, or USER PRESET. The shutter speed indicator
appears in the viewfinder screen.

Advanced operations

2

AUTO

MANUAL

1

ON OFF

AUTO LOCK

To return to automatic shutter speed mode

Set AUTO/MANUAL below the SHUTTER SPEED dial to AUTO.

3

SHUTTER SPEED

100 250

60

SLOW USER

1000

PRESET

55

Adjusting the shutter speed

To adjust the SLOW SHTR (shutter) or S (shutter) PRESET menu
items

When you want to make a dark scene look brighter or give an object the appearance of
motion, use a slow shutter. Set the dial to SLOW, then select speed from SLOW SHTR
menu.
When you want to choose a shutter speed, set dial to USER PRESET, then select the
appropriate shutter speed from the S PRESET menu.
The chosen speed data is set into memory. When you dial another setting, (e.g. 100),
then return to USER PRESET or SLOW, the previous speed is selected automatically.

(1) Open the cover, then press MENU to display the menu.
(2) Press
(3) Press

You can select the following shutter speeds:
SLOW SHTR — 4, 8, 15, 30
S PRESET — 60, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 10000

(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

or to select SLOW SHTR or S PRESET, then press EXECUTE.
or to select a setting, then press EXECUTE.

2

3

SLOW SHTR S PRESET

MENU

4
8
15
SLOW SHTR 30

[ MENU ] : END

MENU
DATE/TIME

COMMANDER
BEEP
FRAME REC
INT REC
SLOW SHTR 4
S PRESET

[ MENU ] : END

MENU

500
1000
2000
4000
S PRESET 10000

[ MENU ] : END

MENU
COMMANDER

BEEP
FRAME REC
INT REC
SLOW SHTR
S PRESET 500
G PRESET

[ MENU ] : END

56

Adjusting the shutter speed

To select the Best Shutter Speed

Concerning shooting conditions and brightness, refer to the following chart to adjust
shutter speed accordingly.

Subject

•A golf swing or tennis match in fine weather

•A landscape shot from a moving car or train

•A moving roller coaster in overcast days

•An athletic scene, marathon, etc.

•Indoor sports

•Replacement for the ND2 filter (to halve the exposure)
in situations of glare a sunny beach
or a snow covered mountain.

•Recording pictures with less flicker under a
fluorescent lamp

•In sunny weather (to avoid an out-of-focus picture
due to a small aperture)

Notes on the slow shutter speed

•You cannot use the slow shutter when DIGITAL F in the menu is set to OVERLAP.

•When using slow shutter, focusing can become difficult. In this case set focus to
manual and put the digital camcorder on a tripod.

Note on the high shutter speed

Using high shutter speed can cause the image to darken. So check brightness using the
viewfinder.

Shutter speed

1/500 – 1/10000

1/100 – 1/500

1/100

Advanced operations

57

Adjusting the gain

If the picture is too dark even with the aperture fully open, and using the slowest
acceptable shutter speed, adjust the gain to make the picture as bright as necessary.
When shooting night scenes in automatic setting, the picture may become dark. To
brighten the picture the digital camcorder will automatically turn the gain value up,
and picture noise can develop. In this case, adjust the gain in accordance with the
atmosphere of the subject.

(1) Set AUTO LOCK to OFF.
(2) Set AGC/MANUAL under the GAIN dial to MANUAL.
(3) Turn GAIN to adjust the gain.

Using the dial, you can select –3, 0, 3, 6, 9, or USER PRESET. The gain indicator
appears in the viewfinder.
If you turn the dial to USER PRESET (preset gain), the setting you selected in
the menu activates.

58

1

ON OFF

AUTO LOCK

To return to automatic gain mode

Set AGC/MANUAL below the GAIN dial to AGC.

To use the AGC LIMIT function

The AGC LIMIT function prevents the digital camcorder from creating picture noise by
controlling excessive automatic gain level. To use this function, set to ON in the menu
system.

2

3

AGC

MANUAL

GAIN

36

09

-3

USER
PRESET

Adjusting the gain

To adjust the G (gain) PRESET menu item

When you want to choose a gain setting higher than 9, select the appropriate level from
the G PRESET menu.
The setting data is set into memory. When you dial another setting, (e.g. 9), then return
to USER PRESET, the previous setting is selected automatically.

(1) Open the cover, then press MENU to display the menu.
(2) Press
(3) Press

You can select the following settings: –3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 dB.

(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

1

MENU

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

Note on the gain

If you set gain too high, picture noise results.

or to select G PRESET, then press EXECUTE.
or to select a setting, then press EXECUTE.

ZOOM/WIDE

2

3

MENU

6dB
9dB
12dB
15dB
G PRESET 18dB

[ MENU ] : END

MENU
BEEP

FRAME REC
INT REC
SLOW SHTR
S PRESET
G PRESET 15dB
AGC LIMIT

[ MENU ] : END

Advanced operations

59

Adjusting the white balance

White balance is the adjustment to make white subjects look white and to obtain a more
natural color balance. You can obtain better results by adjusting the white balance
manually when lighting conditions change quickly or when recording outdoors, e.g.
neon signs, fireworks.

Selecting the appropriate mode

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

∑

∑ one-push white balance mode

•Shooting with lighting condition on the subject set and with the white balance set in a
particular condition

•Monochromatic subject or background [a]

e (3200K) indoor mode

•Lighting conditions change quickly [b]

•A bright place such as a photography studio

•Under sodium or mercury lamps

w (5800K) outdoor mode

•Under a color matching fluorescent lamp

•Recording a sunset/sunrise, just after sunset, just before sunrise [c], neon signs, or
fireworks [d]

60

Adjusting the white balance

Adjusting white balance manually

(1) Set AUTO LOCK to OFF.
(2) Set ATW/MANUAL under the WHT BAL dial to MANUAL.
(3) Turn WHT BAL to select a white balance.

Usually select e (3200K) (indoor mode) or w (5800K) (outdoor mode). To fix
the white balance by using one-push white balance, select ∑ and see “
the white balance setting

”.

Locking

2

ATW

MANUAL

3

1

ON OFF

AUTO LOCK

To return to automatic white balance mode

Set ATW/MANUAL below the dial to ATW.

Locking the white balance setting (One-push white balance mode)

When you set the white balance to one-push white balance mode, the setting is locked
and maintained even if lighting conditions change. In addition, if the lithium battery is
installed, the setting is saved for one hour if you remove the power source.

(1) While in Standby mode, set AUTO LOCK to OFF.
(2) Set ATW/MANUAL under the WHT BAL dial to MANUAL.
(3) Turn WHT BAL to ∑. The ∑ indicator appears in viewfinder.
(4) Shoot a white object, such as paper, fully in the viewfinder.
(5) Press WHITE BALANCE ∑ on the front of the digital camcorder.

The ∑ indicator flashes rapidly. When the white balance has been adjusted
and stored in memory, the indicator stops flashing.

WHT BAL

(5800K)

(3200K)

Advanced operations

1

ON OFF

AUTO LOCK

WHITE

BALANCE

5

2

3

ATW

MANUAL

WHT BAL

(5800K)

(3200K)

61

Adjusting the white balance

Notes on the ∑ indicator in the viewfinder

•The indicator means:
Slow flashing: white balance is not adjusted.
Fast flashing: white balance is being adjusted (after you pressed WHITE BALANCE
∑).
Lit steady: white balance has been adjusted.

•If the ∑ indicator keeps flashing even when you press WHITE BALANCE ∑, shoot
in automatic white balance mode. Set AUTO LOCK to ON and slide ATW/MANUAL
under the WHT BAL dial to ATW.

Notes on white balance

•When you shoot with studio lighting or video lighting, use e (3200K) (indoor) mode.

•When you shoot under fluorescent lighting, use automatic white balance mode.

Shooting when the lighting condition changes

•After the lighting condition changes, readjust the white balance using the WHITE
BALANCE ∑ button while the digital camcorder is in Standby mode. The WHITE
BALANCE ∑ button does not function during recording.

•If you are adjusting the aperture (iris) and shutter speed manually, then when you
move from indoors to outdoors or vice-versa, set AUTO LOCK to ON and then set it
to OFF again.

•After you move from indoors to outdoors or vice-versa, or detach the battery to
replace it, while shooting in automatic white balance mode, point the digital
camcorder at a white subject for about 10 seconds before you start recording.

62

Using the ND filter

The digital camcorder automatically senses the need for the ND filter, in such a case,
ND ON/OFF flashes in the display.
Using the ND filter (to filter down to one-tenth the quantity of light), you can prevent
the picture from going out of focus under bright conditions.

When ND ON flashes in the viewfinder

Set ND FILTER to ON [a].
The flashing indicator disappears, and the ND indicator remains.

When ND OFF flashes in the viewfinder

Set ND FILTER to OFF [b].
The indicator disappears.

[a] [b]

ND

FILTER

ON

OFF

ND ON ND OFF

ND

OFF

ON

FILTER

ND

Advanced operations

63

Using the zebra pattern

You can set the digital camcorder to display a zebra pattern (diagonal stripes) [a] in the
portion of the picture in the viewfinder where the brightness exceeds a certain level.
The portion of the picture where the zebra pattern appears is an area of high brightness
and overexposure. You can check the picture level of a subject by displaying the zebra
pattern.
Before you start recording, use the zebra pattern as a guide for adjusting the aperture,
gain, and shutter speed.

(1) Open the cover, then press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.
(2) Press
(3) Press
(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

or to select ZEBRA, then press EXECUTE.
or to select ON, then press EXECUTE.

1

MENU

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

ZOOM/WIDE

[a]

2

3

MENU

ZEBRA OFF
ON

[ MENU ] : END

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

Note on shooting with the zebra pattern

Even though you see the zebra pattern in the viewfinder, the zebra pattern is not
recorded.

64

Adjusting the recording sound

You can adjust the recording sound level. Use headphones (not supplied) to monitor
the sound when you adjust.

Selecting and setting audio mode

You can record sound using channel 1 and channel 2.
Select sound input using the LINE/MIC switch as follows:
MIC FRONT: When recording from the built-in microphone or external microphone

MIC REAR: When recording from external microphone connected to AUDIO IN CH-

LINE: When recording from line-in connected to AUDIO IN CH-1 or/and CH-

LINE/MIC switches setting and recording sound

LINE/MIC switch

CH-1 CH-2 CH-1 CH-2

MIC FRONT MIC FRONT — Built-in mic: L Built-in mic: R

MIC REAR MIC REAR — XLR MIC XLR MIC

LINE LINE — XLR LINE XLR LINE

* External microphone connected to MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack. This “–” means no connection.

Notes on recording

•Be sure to set LINE/MIC setting properly, otherwise no sound will be recorded.

•When nothing is connected to the XLR connector and you set the LINE/MIC switch to
MIC REAR, a noise may occur.

•When both CH-1 and CH-2 LINE/MIC switches are set to FRONT, adjust the sound
level using the REC LEVEL dial and switch for CH-1 only.

connected to MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack.

1 or/and CH-2.

2.

position

LINE — Built-in mic: L+R

MIC REAR — Built-in mic: L+R

LINE — XLR MIC XLR LINE
MIC FRONT — Built-in mic: L+R

MIC FRONT — Built-in mic: L+R

MIC REAR — XLR LINE XLR MIC

Microphone

type*

Stereo External mic: L External mic: R
Monaural External mic: Mono External mic: Mono

Stereo External mic: L+R XLR LINE
Monaural External mic: Mono

Stereo External mic: L+R XLR MIC
Monaural External mic: Mono

Stereo XLR MIC External mic: L+R
Monaural External mic: Mono

Stereo XLR LINE External mic: L+R
Monaural External mic: Mono

Recording

sound

MIC (PLUG IN POWER)

Advanced operations

CH-1 AUDIO IN

CH-2 AUDIO IN

Built-in microphone

CH-1 LINE/MIC

CH-2 LINE/MIC

65

Adjusting the recording sound

Checking the recording level

Use the level indicator in the display window.
If the input level is excessive, the PEAK indicator lights. If the PEAK indicator remains
lit, adjust the recording sound manually.

PEAK

REC LEVEL

Adjusting the recording level automatically

Set REC LEVEL to AUTO.

CH-1 REC LEVEL CH-2

AUTO MANUAUTO MANU

Adjusting the recording level manually

(1) Set the REC LEVEL switch to MANU.
(2) Turn the REC LEVEL dials to adjust the sound level so that the PEAK indicator

does not light up. You can adjust the level of each channel separately.

We recommend using headphones (not supplied) to monitor the sound when you
adjust.
Select the sound you want to monitor (CH-1, CH-2 or MIX) using the AUDIO
MONITOR switch.

1

CH-1 REC LEVEL CH-2

AUTO MANUAUTO MANU

2

5

CH-1

REC LEVEL

10

CH-2

0

10

0

5

66

Adjusting the recording sound

To attenuate the recording level

Attenuate the recording level when recording very loud sounds.

•When using the built-in microphone or external microphone.
Set the MIC switch to ATT. Normally set off (green position).

•When connecting an external microphone to AUDIO IN (CH-1/CH-2) input
connector.
Set ATT (REAR) to ON.

To reduce wind noise of the built-in microphone

If there is a loud wind, set the BUILT-IN MIC switch to WIND. Note that low frequency
input signal will weaken.

To change the directionality of the built-in microphone

Set DIRECTION SELECT to the desired position (0°/90°/120°).
When set to 0° the sound is in monaural.

Advanced operations

MIC (PLUG IN POWER)

DIRECTION SELECT

MIC

BUILT-IN MIC

AUDIO IN

CH-1 LINE/MIC

CH-1 ATT (REAR)
CH-2 LINE/MIC
CH-2 ATT (REAR)

67

Releasing the STEADY SHOT function

When you shoot, the Ó indicator appears in the viewfinder. This indicates that the
Steady Shot function is working and the digital camcorder compensates for camera­shake.

When you attach the digital camcorder to a tripod, you need not worry about camera­shake.
Release the Steady Shot function.

Set STEADY SHOT to OFF.

STEADY SHOT

ON OFF

To activate the Steady Shot function again

Set STEADY SHOT to ON.

68

Note on the Steady Shot function

The Steady Shot function will not correct excessive camera-shake.

Making a custom preset

Use this menu setting to achieve consistent picture quality. This feature lets you
customize the picture quality.

Item

COLOR LEV

SHARPNESS
WB SHIFT
AE SHIFT*

Adjusts

Color intensity

Sharpness
White balance
Brightness

* When the aperture, shutter speed and gain are set manually, AE SHIFT level does

not change.

(1) Open the cover, then press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.
(2) Press

or to select CUSTOM, then press EXECUTE.

The custom preset menu appears.

(3) Press
(4) Press
(5) Press
(6) Press

to select SET, then press EXECUTE.
to select ON, then press EXECUTE.
or to select the desired item, then press EXECUTE.
or to adjust the selected mode, then press EXECUTE.

(7) Press MENU to erase the menu display and display

To perform other menu settings, press
EXECUTE.

Adjustment value

Decreases color intensity
˜ Increases color intensity

Softer ˜ Sharper
Bluish ˜ Reddish
Darker ˜ Brighter

Advanced operations

in the viewfinder.

to select RETURN, then press

1

MENU

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

ZOOM/WIDE

2

3

CUSTOM PRESET
RETURN

SET
COLOR LEV
SHARPNESS
WB SHIFT
AE SHIFT
RESET

[ RETURN ] : MENU

CUSTOM PRESET

SET OFF
ON

[ MENU ] : END

4

5

CUSTOM PRESET
RETURN

SET ON
COLOR LEV
SHARPNESS
WB SHIFT
AE SHIFT
RESET

[ RETURN ] : MENU

CUSTOM PRESET

COLOR LEV

[ MENU ] : END

69

Making a custom preset

To turn off custom preset

(1) While the digital camcorder is in Standby mode, press MENU.
(2) Press
(3) Press
(4) Press

(5) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

or to select CUSTOM, then press EXECUTE.
to select SET, then press EXECUTE.
to select OFF, then press EXECUTE.

goes off in the viewfinder.

To turn on custom preset again

(1) While the digital camcorder is in Standby mode, press MENU.
(2) Press
(3) Press
(4) Press
(5) Press MENU to display

or to select CUSTOM, then press EXECUTE.
to select SET, then press EXECUTE.
to select ON, then press EXECUTE.

To restore the standard settings

(1) While the digital camcorder is in Standby mode, press MENU.
(2) Press
(3) Press

FINISHED appears in the viewfinder.

(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

or to select CUSTOM, then press EXECUTE.
to select RESET, then press EXECUTE.

To check the custom preset settings

You can display and check the custom preset settings in the viewfinder while recording.
Press CP CHECK on the front of the digital camcorder while the digital camcorder is in
Standby mode or recording mode.
The custom preset settings are displayed in the viewfinder.
Press CP CHECK again to make the display disappear.

in the viewfinder.

70

Note on custom preset

You can turn on custom preset when in automatic mode and also when in manual
mode.

Searching the recorded picture

When you use a cassette memory-mounted DVCAM cassette ( logo*) which can
store the recorded date and time, etc., you can search the recorded picture with the date
or time using the Remote Commander (Cassette memory search). You can also search
the photo-recorded pictures only, or the recorded picture in the backward and forward
direction from the present position without cassette memory.

* is a trademark.

Searching the recorded picture with the date or time – Cassette
memory search

(1) Set the POWER switch to ON, then set CAMCORDER/VTR to VTR.
(2) Open the cover, press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.
(3) Set CM SEARCH to ON in the menu system.
(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.
(5) Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander to select date search (search

with the date) or photo search (search the photo recorded-pictures only).

(6) On the Remote Commander, press + to search forward or = to search

backward.

Advanced operations

1

POWER

POWER

OFF ON

CAMCORDER

VTR

5

DATE SEARCH
1 MAY/ 24/98

2 JUN/ 3/98
3 JUN/ 23/98
4 JUL/ 24/98
5 JUL/ 25/98
6 AUG/ 1/98

SEARCH

MODE

PHOTO SEARCH
1 MAY/ 24/98 8:52 PM

2 JUN/ 3/98 10:29 AM
3 JUN/ 23/98 8:12 AM
4 JUL/ 24/98 4:15 PM
5 JUL/ 25/98 9:43 PM
6 AUG/ 1/98 12:05 PM

6

DATE SEARCH
1 MAY/ 24/98

2 JUN/ 3/98
3 JUN/ 23/98
4 JUL/ 24/98
5 JUL/ 25/98
6 AUG/ 1/98

Notes on cassette memory search

•You can search up to 24 days for date search and 179 pictures for photo search when
you use the 16k-bit cassette memory.

•Make sure that the lithium battery is installed if using cassette memory.

PHOTO SEARCH
1 MAY/ 24/98 8:52 PM

2 JUN/ 3/98 10:29 AM
3 JUN/ 23/98 8:12 AM
4 JUL/ 24/98 4:15 PM
5 JUL/ 25/98 9:43 PM
6 AUG/ 1/98 12:05 PM

71

Searching the recorded picture

Searching the recorded picture without using cassette memory

(1) Set the POWER switch to ON, then set CAMCORDER/VTR to VTR.
(2) Open the cover, press MENU to display the menu in the viewfinder.
(3) Set CM SEARCH to OFF in the menu system.
(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.
(5) Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote Commander to select date search (search

with the date) or photo search (search the photo-recorded pictures only).

(6) On the Remote Commander, press + to search forward or = to search

backward.
Each time you press + or =, the digital camcorder searches for the next
scene.

To stop searching

Press π.

If your tape has blank portions between pictures

The digital camcorder may not search for the recorded picture or data may not be
stored.

Notes on searching

•The digital camcorder may not search correctly if the beginning of the search portion
is too close to the tape head position.

•When you use date search, the digital camcorder plays back the search picture, and
when you use photo search, the digital camcorder enters playback pause when it finds
the point it was searching for.

72

Displaying recording data

You can display the date and time as well as system data and when you recorded (Data
Code), on the TV during playback or editing. The Data Code is also displayed in the

viewfinder and the display window.

Press DATA CODE on the Remote Commander while playing back. Each time you
press DATA CODE, the indicator cycles in the viewfinder as follows:
When you select DATE/CAM from the menu [a]:
recorded date and time n various settings n no indication
When you select DATE from the menu [b]:
recorded date and time n no indication

Press DATA CODE repeatedly to erase the display.

[a] [b]

Advanced operations

DATA CODE

JUL. 4 1998
10:13:02 AM

AUTO
6 0 ATW
F1.6 0dB

JUL. 4 1998
10:13:02 AM

When bars (--:--:--) appear

•A blank portion of the tape is being played back.

•The tape was recorded by a digital camcorder without the Data Code function.

•The tape was recorded by a digital camcorder without having date and time set.

73

Editing onto another tape

You can create your own video programs by editing with any other VCRs that have DV
IN or video/audio inputs. Note that cassette memory data is not recorded on the
edited tape.
You can edit with little deterioration of picture and sound quality when using the DV
connecting cable (not supplied). Data code of the source tape is dubbed on the edited
tape at the same time.

Before editing

Connect DV IN/OUT of the digital camcorder and the DV IN (or DV IN/OUT) jack of
the VCR using the VMC-2DV DV connecting cable (not supplied).
You can use this digital camcorder either as a player or as a recorder without changing
the connection. The direction of signal flow changes automatically.
When this digital camcorder is used as a recorder, the “DV IN” appears in the
viewfinder.

DV IN/OUT

Recorder with DV IN

74

VMC-2DV

: Signal flow

Notes on editing using the DV connecting cable

•When the tape is carried out DV dubbing using a domestic DV equipment to
playback, you might not to be able to edit the tape with editing equipment for
business use such as the DSR-80/85. If you want to edit using such equipment, carry
out dubbing again using it to record.

•Depending on signal conditions, DVCAM-formatted tapes may not be able to edit
using the DV connecting cable. Edit using the supplied A/V connecting cable in this
case.

•You can connect one VCR only.

•If you edit playback pause picture, the edited picture becomes rough.

•Connect a LANC cable (not supplied) to control the playback VCR from the recording
VCR.

DV IN

To connect the VCR without DV IN jack

Connect the digital camcorder to the VCR using the supplied A/V connecting cable.
Set the TV/VCR input selector on the VCR to LINE.
If your VCR is a monaural type, connect only the white plug for audio on both the
digital camcorder and the VCR. With this connection, the sound is monaural.

Editing onto another tape

Starting editing

(1) Set the POWER switch to ON and then set CAMCORDER/VTR to VTR.
(2) Insert a blank tape (or a tape you want to record over) into the recording VCR.

Then insert your recorded tape into the digital camcorder.

(3) Play back the recorded tape on the digital camcorder until you locate the point

where you want to start editing. Then set the digital camcorder to playback
pause mode.

(4) Set the recording VCR to recording pause mode.
(5) Press P on the digital camcorder and VCR simultaneously to start editing.

To edit more scenes, repeat steps 3 to 5.

To stop editing

Press π on the digital camcorder and VCR.

Note on editing when using the A/V connecting cable

Press DISPLAY on the Remote Commander while editing onto another tape to turn off
the display indicators. Otherwise, the indicators will be recorded on the tape.

Note on Fine Synchro Edit

If you connect a video deck that has the Fine Synchro Edit feature to the l LANC jack
of the digital camcorder using a LANC cable (not supplied), the edit will be even more
precise.

Advanced operations

75

Audio dubbing

If you recorded in Fs 32k (12 bit) recording mode, you can add stereo narration or music
to the recording.

Making connections

To use additional audio line in [a]

Connect the LINE OUT jacks of an audio source to the rear AUDIO IN jacks of the
digital camcorder using an audio connecting cord with the XLR connector (not
supplied) and then set LINE/MIC to LINE.

To use an additional microphone

•Use the built-in microphone [b] or connect an external microphone (not supplied) [c]
to the MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack, then set LINE/MIC to MIC FRONT.

•Use an external microphone (not supplied) with the XLR connector [d], connect the
rear AUDIO IN jack of the digital camcorder, then set LINE/MIC to MIC REAR.

Audio source

[a]

76

MIC

MIC

: Signal flow

[c]

[b]

[d]

Audio dubbing

Recording

(1) Set the POWER switch to ON and then set CAMCORDER/VTR to VTR.
(2) Open the cover, press ·, then ) or 0, to search for the start and end

points of the recording.

(3) Press P at the start point of the recording.
(4) Press AUDIO DUB
(5) Adjust the recording volume.
(6) Press P.

Audio dubbing begins.
If you are using an audio source input, press P on the stereo at the same time.

2

REW PLAY FF

.

REC LEVEL

4

AUDIO

DUB

Advanced operations

3,
6

PAUSE

Audio source

: Signal flow

To stop recording

Press π.

To pause recording

Press P. To start recording again, press P.

To adjust the volume

If you set REC LEVEL to AUTO, the volume is automatically adjusted.
To adjust the volume manually, set REC LEVEL to MANU, and turn the REC LEVEL
dials.

Note on audio dubbing

You cannot operate audio dubbing on DV-formatted tapes. Depending on signal
conditions, you may not be able to operate audio dubbing even on DVCAM-formatted
tapes.

77

Additional information

Changing the lithium battery in the digital
camcorder

Your digital camcorder is supplied with a lithium battery installed. When the battery
becomes weak or dead, the I indicator flashes in the viewfinder for about 5 seconds
when you set the digital camcorder to CAMCORDER mode with the POWER switch
ON. In this case, replace the battery with a Sony CR2025 or Duracell DL-2025

lithium battery. Use of any other battery may present a risk of fire or explosion.

The lithium battery for the digital camcorder lasts for about 1 year under normal
operation. (The lithium battery that comes installed at the factory may not last 1 year.)

Notes on lithium battery

• Keep the lithium battery out of the reach of children.
Should the battery be swallowed, immediately consult a doctor.

•Wipe the battery with a dry cloth to assure a good contact.

•Do not hold the battery with metallic tweezers, otherwise a short-circuit may occur.

•The lithium battery has positive (+) side and negative (–) side as illustrated. Be sure

to insert the lithium battery with the positive side facing out.

78

2

0

2

0

5

2

R

C

(+)

5

2

R

C

(–)

WARNING

The battery may explode if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble, or dispose of in
fire.

Changing the lithium battery in the digital camcorder

Changing the lithium battery

When replacing the lithium battery, keep the battery pack or other power source
attached. Otherwise, you will need to reset the date, time and other items in the menu
system retained by the lithium battery.

(1) Open the lid of the lithium battery compartment.
(2) Push the lithium battery down once and pull it out from the holder.
(3) Install the lithium battery with the positive (+) side facing out. Close the lid.

1 2 3

Additional information

C

R

2

0

2

5

79

Resetting the date and time

You can reset the date and time in the menu system.

(1) Open the cover, then press MENU to display the menu.
(2) Press
(3) Press

month, hour, and minutes by pressing

(4) Press MENU to erase the menu display.

to select CLOCK SET, then press EXECUTE.
or to select the desired year, then press EXECUTE. Set the day,

/ and then pressing EXECUTE.

1 2

MENU

MENU
DIGITAL F

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

[ MENU ] : END

ZOOM/WIDE

3

1

2

3

4

5

MENU
INT REC

SLOW SHTR
S PRESET
G PRESET
AGC LIMIT
CUSTOM
CLOCK SET - - : - - : - -

[ MENU ] : END

1999 JAN 1

CLOCK SET 12 00 AM
MENU

[ MENU ] : END

1999 JUL 1

CLOCK SET 12 00 AM
MENU

[ MENU ] : END

1999 JUL 4

CLOCK SET 12 00 AM
MENU

[ MENU ] : END

1999 JUL 4

CLOCK SET 8 00 AM
[ MENU ] : END

MENU

1999 JUL 4

CLOCK SET 8 20 AM
[ MENU ] : END

MENU

1998 JAN 1

CLOCK SET 12 00 AM
[ MENU ] : END

1999 JAN 1

CLOCK SET 12 00 AM
MENU

[ MENU ] : END

1999 JUL 1

CLOCK SET 12 00 AM
MENU

[ MENU ] : END

1999 JUL 4

CLOCK SET 12 00 AM
MENU

[ MENU ] : END

1999 JUL 4

CLOCK SET 8 00 AM
[ MENU ] : END

MENU
INT REC

SLOW SHTR
S PRESET
G PRESET
AGC LIMIT
CUSTOM JUL 4 1999
CLOCK SET 8:20:01 AM

[ MENU ] : END

80

To correct the date and time setting

Repeat the above procedure.

To check the preset date and time

The date and time are shown in the display window. They can only be seen when the
power is on.

The year changes as follows:

1998 ˜ 1999 N · · · · n 2028

n

Note on the time indicator

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

•12:00 AM stands for midnight.

•12:00 PM stands for noon.

n

Compatibility of DVCAM and DV formats

DVCAM format is developed as a more reliable and higher end format than consumer
DV format. Here are explained about DVCAM and DV formats: the differences,
compatibility, and limitations on editing.

Differences between DVCAM and DV formats

Item DVCAM DV

Track pitch 15 µm 10 µm
Audio sampling 12 bit: 32 kHz 12 bit: 32 kHz

frequency 16 bit: 48 kHz 16 bit: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
Audio recording mode 1)Lock mode Unlock mode
Time code Drop frame system or Drop frame system only

1)

There are two modes for audio recording, lock mode and unlock mode. In lock mode,
the sampling frequencies of audio and video are synchronized. In unlock mode, which
consumer DV format adopts, the two sampling frequencies are independent.
Therefore, lock mode is more effective than unlock mode in digital processing and
smooth transition during audio editing.

DVCAM and DV cassettes

Both DVCAM and DV cassettes can be used on DVCAM or DV video equipment. The
recording format of picture is defined according to recorder’s format as described
below.

Recorder’s format Cassette’s format Recording format

DVCAM DVCAM DVCAM

DV DVCAM DV

Non-drop frame system
(SMPTE time code)

DV DVCAM

DV DV

Additional information

This digital camcorder complies with DVCAM format. Though DV cassettes can be
used for recording, we recommend you to use DVCAM cassettes to get the most out of
high reliability of DVCAM format. The recording time of DV cassettes is 2/3 shorter
than that indicated on the DV cassettes.

Compatibility on playback

Some tapes cannot be played back on DVCAM or DV video equipment.

Tape On DV video equipment On DVCAM video equipment

DV-formatted Can be played back Can be played back

(only when recorded in SP mode)

DVCAM-formatted Some equipments may be Can be played back

able to play back

81

Compatibility of DVCAM and DV formats

Compatibility on editing using DV connectors

When this digital camcorder is connected to other DVCAM or DV video equipment
using DV connectors, the recording format of edited tapes is defined according to
recorder’s format as described below.

Source tape Player’s format Recorder’s format Recording format

DVCAM-formatted
DVCAM-formatted DVCAM DV DV
DVCAM-formatted
DVCAM-formatted DV
DV-formatted
DV-formatted
DV-formatted DV DVCAM DVCAM
DV-formatted DV DV DV

1)

When using the DVCAM video equipment to carry out DV dubbing of a tape
recorded in DV format, the tape produced will be in DVCAM format as follows:

– Audio recording mode will be unlock mode.
– The time code format will be partly maladjusted. (There will be no effect on the

recorded picture except in certain case.)

2)

If the tape is to be dubbed is DVCAM formatted tape as in 1), the tape produced will
be in DVCAM format as follows:

– Audio recording mode will be unlock mode.
– The time code format will be partly maladjusted.

3)

Depending on signal conditions of the source tape, you may not be able to edit the

tape using the DV connectors.

4)

Audio recording mode of the edited tape is lock mode.

5)

Some DV video equipment may be able to play back a DVCAM-formatted tape. Even

if the tape is played back, contents of the playback cannot be guaranteed.

6)

DV-formatted tapes recorded in SP mode only can be used as source tapes.

7)

Depending on model of video equipment, you may not be able to edit.

2) 3)

DVCAM DVCAM DVCAM

2)

6)

6)

5)

DV

5)

DVCAM DVCAM

DV DV
DVCAM DVCAM DVCAM
DVCAM DV DV

4)

7)

4)

1)

1)

82

Limitations on editing

You will find the following limitations when editing.

• Due to the difference of a track pitch, you cannot record or edit on DV-formatted
tapes using DVCAM video equipment.

• Depending on signal conditions, you may not be able to record or edit on DVCAM­formatted tapes.

In these cases, do the following:

• Edit using audio/video jacks.

• Dub a DV-formatted tape using audio/video jacks, then use the dubbed tape as a
source tape.

Notes on video cassettes

Usable cassettes

We recommend using a standard DVCAM cassette

You can get the highest quality pictures with this digital camcorder using a standard
DVCAM cassette which is the highest quality cassette.
You may not get as good a quality with lesser cassettes.

You cannot use any other mini DVCAM, mini DV, h 8 mm, H Hi8, j
VHS, k S-VHS,  VHSC, K S-VHSC, l Betamax or ¬ ED Betamax type
cassettes.

Copyright signal

When you play back

Using this digital camcorder, you cannot play back a tape that has recorded copyright
control signals for copyright protection of software. “COPY INHIBIT” appears on the
monitor screen or in the viewfinder if you try to play back such a tape. This digital
camcorder does not record copyright control signals on the tape when it records.

When you record

You cannot use this digital camcorder and the DV connecting cable to copy a tape that
has recorded the copyright control signals for copyright protection of software. “COPY
INHIBIT” appears in the viewfinder or on the monitor screen if the playback signal of
such a tape is input to this digital camcorder.

Notes on the DVCAM cassette

Gold-plated connector of the standard DVCAM cassette

If the gold-plated connector of the DVCAM cassette gets dirty or dust sticks to the
connector, the digital camcorder may malfunction when using the cassette memory
functions such as cassette memory search.
Clean the connector with the swab once every ten times you eject the cassette [a].

To prevent accidental erasure

Slide the protect tab on the cassette so that the red portion is visible [b].

When affixing a label on the standard DVCAM cassette

Be sure to affix a label on only the location illustrated below so as not to cause
malfunction of the digital camcorder [c].

After using the standard DVCAM cassette

After use, please be sure to rewind the tape completely (to prevent picture and sound
distortion).
Return to its case and store in an upright position.

Additional information

[c]

[a]

[b]

REC
SAVE

83

Tips for using the battery pack

This section shows you how you can get the most out of your battery pack.

Preparing the battery pack

Always carry additional batteries

Have sufficient battery pack power to do 2 to 3 times as much recording as you have
planned.

Battery life is shorter in a cold environment

Battery efficiency is decreased, and the battery will be used up more quickly, if you are
recording in a cold environment.

To save battery power

Turn STANDBY down to LOCK when not recording to save battery power.
A smooth transition between scenes can be made even if recording is stopped and
started again. While you are positioning the subject, selecting an angle, or looking
through the viewfinder lens, the lens moves automatically and the battery is used. The
battery is also used when a tape is inserted or removed.

When to replace the battery pack

While you are using your digital camcorder, the remaining battery indicator in the
viewfinder decreases gradually as battery power is used up.

When the remaining battery indicator reaches the lowest point, the i indicator may
appear and start flashing in the viewfinder.
When the i indicator in the viewfinder changes from slow flashing to rapid flashing
while you are recording, set the POWER switch to OFF on the digital camcorder and
replace the battery pack. Leave the tape in the digital camcorder to obtain a smooth
transition between scenes after the battery pack has been replaced.

84

Notes on the rechargeable battery pack

Caution

Never leave the battery pack in temperatures above 140°F (60°C), such as in a car
parked in the sun or under direct sunlight.

The battery pack heats up

During charging or recording, the battery pack heats up. This is caused by energy that
has been generated and a chemical change that has occurred inside the battery pack.
This is not cause for concern and is normal.

Battery pack care

•Remove the battery pack form the digital camcorder after using it, and keep it in
a cool place. When the battery pack is installed to the digital camcorder, a small
amount of current flows to the digital camcorder even if the POWER switch is set to
OFF. This shortens battery life.

•The battery pack is always discharging even when it is not in use after charging.
Therefore, you should charge the battery pack right before using the digital
camcorder.

Tips for using the battery pack

The switch on the battery pack

This switch is provided so that you can mark the charged battery pack. Set the switch to
the “green mark” position when charging is completed. (When removed from the
charging adaptor, the switch exposes the green mark. When removed from your digital
camcorder, no mark is indicated.)

The life of the battery pack

If the battery indicator flashes rapidly just after turning on the digital camcorder with a
fully charged battery pack, the battery pack should be replaced with a new fully
charged one.

Charging temperature

You should charge batteries at temperatures from 50°F to 86°F (from 10°C to 30°C).
Lower temperatures require a longer charging time.

Notes on charging

A brand-new battery pack

A brand-new battery pack is not charged. Before using the battery pack, charge it
completely.

Additional information

Recharge the battery pack whenever you like

You do not have to discharge it before recharging. If you charged the battery pack fully
but you did not use it for a long time, it becomes discharged. Then recharge the battery
pack before use.

Notes on the terminals

If the terminals (metal parts on the back) are not clean, the battery charge
duration will be shortened.

When the terminals are not clean or when the battery pack has not been used for a long
time, repeatedly install and remove the battery pack a few times. This improves the
contact condition. Also, wipe the + and – terminals with a soft dry cloth or paper.

Be sure to observe the following

•Keep the battery pack away from fire.

•Keep the battery pack dry.

•Do not open nor try to disassemble the battery pack.

•Do not expose the battery pack to any mechanical shock.

85

Maintenance information and precautions

Moisture condensation

If the digital camcorder is brought directly from a cold place to a warm place, moisture
may condense inside the digital camcorder, on the surface of the tape, or on the lens. In
this condition, the tape may stick to the head drum and be damaged or the unit may not
operate correctly. To prevent possible damage under these circumstances, the digital
camcorder is furnished with moisture sensors. Please, take the following precautions.

Inside the digital camcorder

If there is moisture inside the digital camcorder, the beep sounds and the { indicator
flashes. If this happens, none of the functions except cassette ejection will work. Open
the cassette compartment, turn off the digital camcorder, and leave it about 1 hour.
When 6 indicator flashes at the same time, the cassette is inserted in the digital
camcorder. Eject the cassette, turn off the digital camcorder, and leave also the cassette
about 1 hour. You can continue use of digital camcorder when the { indicator does not
appear when the power is turned on again.

On the lens

If moisture condenses on the lens, no indicator appears, but the picture becomes dim.
Turn off the power and do not use the digital camcorder for about 1 hour.

How to prevent moisture condensation

When bringing the digital camcorder from a cold place to a warm place, put the digital
camcorder in a plastic bag and allow it to adapt to room conditions over a period of
time.

(1) Be sure to tightly seal the plastic bag containing the digital camcorder.
(2) Remove the bag when the air temperature inside it has reached the

temperature surrounding it (after about 1 hour).

86

Video head cleaning

To ensure normal recording and clear pictures, clean the video heads.
The video heads may be dirty when:

•mosaic-pattern noise appears on the playback picture

•playback pictures do not move

•playback pictures are hardly visible

•the playback picture does not appear

•the v indicator flashes in the viewfinder.

If the picture becomes like [a] or [b], clean the video heads with the Sony DV-12CL
cleaning cassette (not supplied). After checking the picture, if it is still “noisy”, repeat
the cleaning. (Do not repeat cleaning more than 5 times.)

Note

If the DV-12CL cleaning cassette (not supplied) is not available in your area, consult
your nearest Sony dealer.

[a]

[b]

or

Maintenance information and precautions

Removing dust from inside the viewfinder

(1) While pressing PUSH, open the viewfinder.
(2) Clean the surface with a commercially available blower.
(3) Close the viewfinder until it clicks.

1

2

Precautions

Digital camcorder operation

•Operate the digital camcorder on 7.2 V (battery pack) or 8.4 V (AC power adaptor).

•For DC or AC operation, use the accessories recommended in this manual.

•Should any solid object or liquid get inside the casing, unplug the digital camcorder
and have it checked by a Sony dealer before operating it any further.

•Avoid rough handling or mechanical shock. Be particularly careful of the lens.

•Keep the POWER switch set to OFF when not using the digital camcorder.

•Do not wrap up the digital camcorder and operate it since heat may build up
internally.

•Keep the digital camcorder away from strong magnetic fields or mechanical vibration.

On Handling Tapes

•Do not insert anything into the small holes on the cassette.

•Do not open the tape protect cover or touch the tape.

•Avoid touching or damaging the terminals.
To remove dust, clean the terminals with a soft cloth.

1

2

Additional information

87

Maintenance information and precautions

Digital camcorder care

•When the digital camcorder is not to be used for a long time, disconnect the power
source and remove the tape. Periodically turn on the power, operate the camera and
player sections and play back a tape for about 3 minutes.

•Clean the lens with a soft brush to remove dust. If there are fingerprints on it, remove
them with a soft cloth.

•Clean the digital camcorder body with a dry soft cloth, or a soft cloth lightly
moistened with a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of solvent which may
damage the finish.

AC power adaptor

Charging

•Use only a lithium ion type battery pack.

•Place the battery pack on a flat surface without vibration during charging.

•The battery pack will get hot during charging. This is normal.

Others

•Unplug the unit from the wall outlet when not in use for a long time. To disconnect
the power cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the power cord itself.

•Do not operate the unit with a damaged cord or if the unit has been dropped or
damaged.

•Do not bend the power cord forcibly, or put a heavy object on it. This will damage the
cord and may cause a fire or electrical shock.

•Be sure that nothing metallic comes into contact with the metal parts of the connecting
plate. If this happens, a short may occur and the unit may be damaged.

•Always keep the metal contacts clean.

•Do not disassemble the unit.

•Do not apply mechanical shock or drop the unit.

•While the unit is in use, particularly during charging, keep it away from AM receivers
and video equipment because it will disturb AM reception and video operation.

•The unit becomes warm while in use. This is normal.

•Do not place the unit in locations that are:

– Extremely hot or cold
– Dusty or dirty
– Very humid
– Vibrating

88

If any difficulty should arise, unplug the unit and contact your nearest Sony dealer.

Using your digital camcorder abroad

Each country has its own electric and TV color systems. Before using your digital
camcorder abroad, check the following points.

Power sources

You can use your digital camcorder in any country with the AC-V615 AC power
adaptor within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.

Difference in color systems

This digital camcorder is an NTSC system based digital camcorder. If you want to view
the playback picture on a monitor, it must be an NTSC system based monitor.
Check the following list.

NTSC system countries

Bahama Islands, Bolivia, Canada, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica,
Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Surinam, Taiwan, the Philippines, the U.S.A., Venezuela,
etc.

PAL system countries

Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great
Britain, Holland, Hong Kong, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal,
Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, etc.

PAL-M system country

Brazil

PAL-N system countries

Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

SECAM system countries

Bulgaria, France, Guyana, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Monaco, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, etc.

Additional information

89

Trouble check

If you run into any problem using the digital camcorder, use the following table to
troubleshoot the problem. Should the difficulty persist, disconnect the power source
and contact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.

Digital camcorder

Power

Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions

The power is not on.

The power goes off.

The battery pack is quickly
discharged.

• The battery pack is not installed.
m Install the battery pack. (p. 23)

• The battery is dead.
m Use a charged battery pack. (p. 21)

• The AC power adaptor is not connected to a wall outlet.
m Connect the AC power adaptor to a wall outlet. (p. 38)

• While being operated in CAMCORDER mode, the digital

camcorder has been in Standby mode for more than 5
minutes.

m Turn STANDBY down once and then up again. (p. 26)

• The battery is dead.
m Use a charged battery pack. (p. 21)

• The ambient temperature is too low. (p. 85)

• The battery pack has not been charged fully.
m Charge the battery pack again. (p.21)

• The battery pack is completely dead, and cannot be

recharged.

m Use another battery pack. (p. 85)

Operation

Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions

START/STOP does not operate.

The cassette cannot be removed
from the holder.

{ and 6 indicators flash and no
function except for cassette
ejection works.

The time code is flashing in
display window.

• The tape is stuck to the drum.
m Eject the tape. (p. 25)

• The tape has run out.
m Rewind the tape or use a new one. (p. 36)

• CAMCORDER/VTR is set to VTR.
m Set it to CAMCORDER. (p. 26)

• The tab on the cassette is out (red).
m Use a new tape or slide the tab. (p. 25)

• The battery is dead.
m Use a charged battery pack or the AC power adaptor.

(p. 21, 38)

• Moisture condensation has occurred.
m Remove the cassette and leave the digital camcorder for

at least 1 hour. (p. 86)

• The battery is weak or dead.
m Replace the battery with a new one. (p. 79)

90

Trouble check

Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions

The tape does not move when a
video control button is pressed.

The Steady Shot function does not
activate.

The autofocusing function does
not work.

The microphone does not work
while recording.

Built-in microphone sound does
not record in stereo when
monitoring by headphone or line
out jacks.

Audio dubbing does not work.

Excessive high-pitched sound is
heard when recording using the
built-in microphone.

The recording sound is weak or is
not heard.

The date and time indicator
disappears.

The overlap function does not
work.

D ZOOM or 16:9WIDE mode in
the menu system cannot be set to
ON.

The slow shutter does not work.

• CAMCORDER/VTR is set to CAMCORDER.
m Set it to VTR. (p. 36)

• The tape has run out.
m Rewind the tape or use a new one. (p. 36)

• The digital camcorder is updating the cassette memory

data (only for DVCAM cassettes with cassette memory).

m Eject the cassette after the C MEMORY indicator

disappears (p. 25).

• STEADY SHOT is set to OFF.
m Set STEADY SHOT to ON. (p. 68)

• FOCUS is set to MANU.
m Set it to AUTO. (p. 53)

• Shooting conditions are not suitable for autofocus.
m Set FOCUS to MANU to focus manually. (p. 52)

• LINE/MIC is set to LINE.
m Set it to MIC FRONT or MIC REAR.

• DIRECTION SELECT is set to 0°.
m Set it to 90° or 120°. (p. 29)

• The signal of recording tape is no condition to operate

audio dubbing.

m Dub the tape into another DVCAM cassette in Fs 32k

using A/V connecting cable. (p. 29)

• The picture has been recorded with BUILT-IN MIC set to

WIND.

m When there is no wind, set it to off (green position).

(p. 67)

• AUDIO MIX in the menu is set to ST2.
m Set it to ST1. (p. 40)

• Reset the date and time. (p. 80)

• Set DIGITAL F in the menu to OVERLAP. (p. 40)

• Set DIGITAL F in the menu to ZOOM/WIDE. (p. 40)

• Set DIGITAL F in the menu to ZOOM/WIDE. (p. 40)

Additional information

(to be contunued)

91

Trouble check

Trouble check

Picture

Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions

The image on the viewfinder
screen is not clear.

A vertical band appears when a
subject such as lights or a candle
flame is shot against a dark
background.

A vertical band appears when
shooting a very bright subject.

The picture is “noisy” or hardly
visible.

v indicator flashes in the
viewfinder.

Battery remaining indicator does
not indicate full ı when you
insert a charged battery pack.

While editing using the DV
connecting cable, recording
picture cannot be monitored.

The indicators in the viewfinder
do not appear.

• The viewfinder lens is not adjusted.
m Adjust the viewfinder lens. (p. 27)

• The contrast between the subject and background is too

high. The digital camcorder is not malfunctioning.

m Change locations.

• The digital camcorder is not malfunctioning.

• The video heads may be dirty.
m Clean the heads using the Sony DV-12CL cleaning

cassette (not supplied). (p. 86)

• The video heads may be dirty.
m Clean the heads using the Sony DV-12CL cleaning

cassette (not supplied). (p. 86)

• The ambient temperature is too low.

• The battery pack is completely dead, and cannot be

recharged.

m Use another battery pack. (p. 85)

• Remove the DV connecting cable, and connect it again.

• The player or the cassette are not DVCAM format.

• VF DISPLAY is set to OFF.
m Set it to ON. (p. 28)

Others

Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions

The supplied Remote
Commander does not work.

There is dust in the viewfinder.

• COMMANDER is set to OFF in the menu system.
m Set it to VTR4 or ID. (p. 40)

• VTR4/ID/VTR2 on the Remote Commander is set to ID.
m Register the ID of the Remote Commander to the digital

camcorder. (p. 13)

• Something is blocking the infrared rays.
m Remove the obstacle.

• The batteries are not inserted with the correct polarity.
m Insert the batteries with the correct polarity. (p. 12)

• The batteries are dead.
m Insert new ones. (p. 12)

• To lift the viewfinder press PUSH and while holding, open

the viewfinder. Clean the viewfinder surface. (p. 87)

92

Trouble check

AC power adaptor

Symptom

The VTR/CAMERA or
CHARGE lamp does not light.
The CHARGE lamp flashes.

Corrective Actions

• Disconnect the power cord. After about 1 minute, reconnect
the power cord.

• See the following chart.

When the CHARGE lamp flashes

Check through the following chart.

Remove the battery pack from the AC
power adaptor. Then install the same
battery pack again.

$

When the CHARGE lamp flashes again

Install another battery pack.

$

When the CHARGE lamp flashes again

The problem is with the AC power adaptor.

$

Additional information

$

When the CHARGE lamp does not flash
again

If the CHARGE lamp lights up and goes
out after a while, there is no problem.*

$

When the CHARGE lamp does not flash
again

If the CHARGE lamp lights up and goes
out after a while, the problem is with the
battery pack installed first.

Please contact your nearest Sony dealer in
connection with the problem.

* If you use a battery pack which you have

just bought or which has been left unused
for a long time, the CHARGE lamp may
flash at the first charging. This does not
indicate a problem. Repeat again to charge
with the same battery pack.

93

SpecificationsSpecifications

System

Video recording system

Two rotary heads, Helical
scanning system

Audio recording system

Two rotary heads, PCM system

Video signal

NTSC color, EIA standards

Usable cassette

DVCAM logo printed cassette

Recording / Playback time (using
PDV-184ME cassette)

184 min.

Fastforward/rewind time

Approx. 7 min.

Image device

3 CCD (Charge Coupled Device 1/
3")

Viewfinder

Electronic viewfinder:
Monochrome

Lens

10x (optical), 20x (digital)
f = 1/4 to 2 5/16 inches (5.9 to 59
mm)
1 5/8 to 16 9/16 inches (42 to 420
mm) when converted into a 35­mm still camera
F = 1.6 to 2.1
Filter diameter 2 1/8 inches (52
mm)

Color temperature

Auto/Indoors (3200K)/Outdoors
(5800K)

Minimum illumination

3 lux (F 1.6)

Illumination range

3 lux to 100,000 lux

Recommended illumination

More than 100 lux

Shutter speed control

1/4 to 1/10000

Gain control

–3 to 18 dB

Aperture control

F 1.6 to F 11, CLOSE

Input and output
connectors

S video output

4-pin mini DIN
Luminance signal: 1 Vp-p, 75 ohm,
unbalanced
Chrominance signal: 0.286 Vp-p,
75 ohm, unbalanced

Video output

Phono jack, 1 Vp-p, 75 ohm,
unbalanced
BNC connector

Audio output

Phono jacks (2: stereo L and R)
327 mV, (at load impedance 47
kilohm) impedance less than 2.2
kilohm

RFU DC OUT

Special minijack, DC 5 V

Headphone jack

Stereo minijack (ø 3.5 mm)

LANC control jack

Stereo mini-minijack (ø 2.5 mm)

MIC jack

Stereo minijack, 0.388 mV low
impedance with 2.5 to 3.0 V DC,
output impedance 6.8 kilohm (ø

3.5 mm)

Audio input

XLR jacks (2: CH-1 and CH-2)

Speaker

Dynamic speaker

DC input

4-pin connector

DV IN/OUT

4-pin special connector

Viewfinder connector

8-pin connector

General

Power requirements

7.2 V (battery pack)

8.4 V (AC power adaptor)

Average power consumption

11.6 W during camera recording

Operating temperature

32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)

Storage temperature

–4°F to +140°F (–20°C to +60°C)

Dimensions (Approx.)

8 5/8 x 9 3/8 x 18 3/4 inches (216 x
237 x 474 mm) (w/h/d)
(When the viewfinder is lying flat)

Mass (Approx.)

7 lb 14 oz (3.6 kg) excluding the
battery pack, lithium battery,
cassette, lens cover and shoulder
strap
10 lb 5 oz (4.7 kg) including the
battery adaptor NPA-10000,
battery pack NP-F950 (x3), lithium
battery CR2025, cassette PDV­184ME, lens cover

Microphone

Stereo type

Supplied accessories

See page 5.

Design and specifications are
subject to change without notice.

94

Warning indicators

If indicators flash in the viewfinder, or a caution lamp on the digital camcorder flashes,
check the following:
≥: you can hear the beep sound when the BEEP is set to ON.

1234

5min

5678

90

C MEMORY

1 The battery is weak or dead.

Slow flashing: The battery is weak.
Fast flashing: The battery is dead.

2 The tape is near the end.

The flashing is slow.

3 The tape has run out.

The flashing becomes rapid.

4 No tape has been inserted.
5 The tab on the tape is out (red).
6 Moisture condensation has occurred.
7 The video heads may be

contaminated.

!¡

COPY

INHIBIT

8 Some other trouble has occurred.

Disconnect the power source and
contact your Sony dealer or local
authorized facility.

9 The lithium battery is weak or is not

installed.

0 Updating the cassette memory data.

Wait until C MEMORY disappears.

The cassette compartment automatically
lifts up and opens after the indicator
disappears.

!¡ You tried to playback or record a

picture that has a copyright signal.

This indicator appears only in the
viewfinder.

Additional information

95

Index

A, B

Adjusting viewfinder ............. 27

AE SHIFT ................................. 69

AUDIO MODE........................ 29

AUDIO MONITOR ................ 66

Auto focus............................... 52

AUTO LOCK ........................... 49

BEEP ........................................ 28

BUILT-IN MIC ........................ 67

C, D

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

Charging battery .................... 21

Cleaning video heads............ 86

Clock set .................................. 80

Connection.............................. 34

Custom preset ........................ 69

DATA CODE.......................... 73

Depth of field ......................... 54

Digital zoom ........................... 30

Display window ..................... 16

DISPLAY ................................. 36

DV connecting cable............... 74

E

Editing ..................................... 74

EDITSEARCH ........................ 33

EJECT (6) ............................... 25

F, G, H

Fade-in/Fade-out .................. 43

FADER/OVERLAP ......... 43, 44

Gain .......................................... 58

House current.......................... 38

I, J, K, L

ID............................................... 13

LANC ........................................ 8

Lithium battery ...................... 78

M, N

Manual focus .......................... 51

Menu system .......................... 40

MIC (microphone) jack ......... 28

MIC ........................................... 67

ND filter ................................... 63

O, P

One-push white balance ........ 61

Overlap .................................... 44

Playback pause....................... 37

Power sources ........................ 38

Power zoom............................ 30

PEAK ....................................... 66

Q, R

Rec review .............................. 33

Recording mode...................... 29

Remote control jack (LANC)

.................................................... 8

Reverse .................................... 37

S

Shoulder strap ........................ 16

Shutter speed.......................... 55

Skip scan ................................. 37

SPEAKER ................................. 28

Standby mode ........................ 28

STEADYSHOT ....................... 68

T, U, V

TC RESET................................... 9

Tripod mounting ................... 17

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

VTR4 ........................................ 11

W, X, Y, Z

White balance ......................... 60

Zebra pattern ........................... 64

Sony Corporation Printed in Japan