Sony FX600 Service Manual
About the software on
your Sony notebook
PCG-FX600 series
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Notice
This product contains software owned by Sony and licensed by third parties. Use of such software is subject to the terms and conditions
of license agreements enclosed with this product. Software specifications are subject to change without notice and may not necessarily
be identical to current retail versions. Updates and additions to software may require an additional charge. Subscriptions to online
service providers may require a fee and credit card information. Financial services may require prior arrangements with participating
financial institutions.
© 2002 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
End user software license agreement
About the software on your Sony notebook
This End User Software License Agreement (the EULA) is a legal agreement between you and Sony Corporation (hereinafter referred
to as Sony), a corporation organized under Japanese Law, the manufacturer of your Sony computer system (the SONY HARDWARE).
Please read this EULA carefully before installing or using the software distributed together with this EULA (the SONY SOFTWARE). By
installing or using the SONY SOFTWARE, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. You may use the SONY SOFTWARE only in
connection with the use of the SONY HARDWARE. SONY SOFTWARE is licensed; not sold.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, software distributed together with separate End User Software License Agreement (the Third Party
EULA), including but not limited to Windows
EULA.
If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, please return the SONY SOFTWARE together with the SONY HARDWARE to the place
where you obtained it.
1. License. This SONY SOFTWARE and the related documentation are licensed to you by Sony. This EULA allows you to use the SONY
SOFTWARE for your personal use for a single SONY HARDWARE outside a network and only to make one copy of the SONY SOFTWARE
in machine-readable form for back-up purposes only.
®
operating system provided by Microsoft Corporation, shall be covered by the Third Party
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2. Restrictions. The SONY SOFTWARE contains copyrighted material and other proprietary material. In order to protect them, and
except as permitted by applicable law, you may not decompile, reverse engineer or disassemble the SONY SOFTWARE in whole or in
part. Except for the transfer of the SONY SOFTWARE together with the SONY HARDWARE and prior agreement of the recipient to be
bound by the terms and conditions of this EULA, you may not sell or rent the SONY SOFTWARE and its copy to any third party.
3. Limited Warranty. Sony warrants the media on which the SONY SOFTWARE is recorded to be free from physical defects for a period
of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase as evidenced by a copy of the receipt. During the applicable warranty period, Sony will
replace free of charge such media proved to be defective, provided they are returned properly packaged to the place where you
obtained it, together with your name, address, and proof of date of purchase. Sony will have no responsibility to replace media
damaged by accident, abuse, or misapplication. The above limited warranty replaces all other representations, conditions and
warranties, whether express or implied, by statute or otherwise and Sony expressly disclaims all other warranties and all conditions
including, but not limited to, the implied warranties and/or conditions of satisfactory quality and fitness for a particular purpose. The
terms of this limited warranty do not affect or prejudice your statutory rights as an ultimate consumer, neither do they limit or exclude
any liability for death or personal injury caused by the negligence of Sony.
4. Termination. This EULA is effective until terminated. You may terminate this EULA at any time by destroying the SONY SOFTWARE,
related documentation, and all copies thereof. This EULA will terminate immediately without notice from Sony, if you fail to comply
with any provision of this EULA. Upon termination you must destroy the SONY SOFTWARE, related documentation, and all copies
thereof.
5. Governing Law. This EULA shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan.
Should you have any questions concerning this EULA or this limited warranty, please refer to the Customer Service Guide on how to
contact VAIO-Link.
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About the software on your Sony notebook
ENERGY STAR
As an ENERGY STAR® Partner, Sony has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy efficiency. The
International E
of computers and their office equipment. The program backs the development and dissemination of products with functions that
effectively reduce energy consumption. It is an open system in which business proprietors can participate voluntarily. The targeted
products are office equipment such as computers, displays, printers, facsimiles and copiers. Their standards and logos are uniform
among participating nations.
NERGY STAR
E
®
is a U.S. registered mark.
®
NERGY STAR
®
Office Equipment Program is an international program that promotes energy saving through the use
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Trademarks
Sony, DVgate, DigitalPrint, Smart Capture, SonicStage, MovieShaker, VAIO System Information, UI Design Selector, i.LINK and the i.LINK
logo, Memory Stick and the Memory Stick logo, VAIO and the VAIO logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394 connection.
Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo, Windows Media and Outlook are trademarks or registered trademarks of U.S. Microsoft
Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
Adobe, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe PhotoShop Elements LE are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are trademarks used under license. QuickTime is registered in the U.S. and other countries.
RealPlayer and RealJukebox are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, inc. in the U.S. and other countries.
Symantec Norton AntiVirus is a trademark of Symantec Corporation.
All other names of systems, products and services are trademarks of their respective owners. In the manual, the ™ or
specified.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
®
marks are not
Starting your VAIO for the first time
Starting your VAIO for the first time
Registering your VAIO
It only takes a few moments to register your Sony VAIO computer.
By registering your computer, you can take advantage of Sony’s commitment to quality customer support
and receive the following benefits:
Club VAIO – Online support, tutorials, tips and tricks, news, news forums, competitions, free downloads
and software updates.
VAIO-Link – If you are experiencing any problems with your computer, you can check the VAIO-Link
website for a possible solution: http://www.vaio-link.com
Guarantee – Protect your investment. See the Guarantee sheet for the terms and conditions and refer
to your Customer Guide for more information.
About the software on your Sony notebook
To register your Sony VAIO computer, proceed as follows:
1 Connect your phone line and set up a modem connection (see Configuring your modem (page 46)).
2 Double-click the VAIO Online Registration icon on the desktop.
3 Select your language and click Next.
4 Select the Register Now option button and click Next.
You get to the website https://registration.sonystyle-europe.com/vaio/registration.asp
5 Fill in your first and last name, the serial number of your computer and the place where you live.
6 Click Submit.
Your VAIO is registered.
You can only register if you have administrator rights on your computer.
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.
.
About the software on your computer
About the software on your computer
Your Sony computer is ready to help you work, play, learn, and communicate as soon as you turn it on. This
section gives you an overview of what you can do with the software installed on your computer.
Sony software
DigitalPrint
Sony Electronics
DigitalPrint is an easy-to-use application designed to help you get the most enjoyment out of your
photographs taken with a digital camera or taken from a CD, floppy disk or Memory Stick™. With
DigitalPrint, you can easily load photos into your computer, create photo albums, labels and make prints.
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About the software on your Sony notebook
DVgate
Sony Electronics
DVgate is a kit of 3 complementary applications: DVgate Motion, DVgate Still, and DVgate Assemble. This
collection makes it easy to select and edit digital video clips, then bring them together into a professionallooking home video. Use i.LINK™ to connect your digital video camera, and the computer operates as an
editing desk that can capture, preview, cut and assemble your selection and save the sequences in AVI and
MPEG1 formats. DVgate Still displays digital video images sent from a digital videocassette recorder or a
digital video camera recorder (only possible if you have DV In/Out on your camera), and saves them as
graphic files on your hard drive.
About the software on your computer
MovieShaker
Sony Electronics
MovieShaker
text. All you do is import your clips, pick the tune you want and MovieShaker
choose to take control and produce your very own movie. You choose the exact clips order, special effects,
and transitions. You can also import your own music and MovieShaker
of the song to the length of your movie.
®
creates personal movies - complete with transitions, special effects, background music, and
Smart Capture
Sony Electronics
Connect a digital camera to your computer to shoot still images and video clips, which you can view or send
by e-mail. The Smart Capture Finder displays images from the camera and allows you to adjust the settings
About the software on your Sony notebook
or create effects. Smart Capture enables you to capture images via i.LINK™ compatible devices or create a
panorama picture using the panorama assist function. The final panorama will be created in ArcSoft
PanoramaMaker, using the individual snapshots made in Smart Capture.
SonicStage
Sony Electronics
SonicStage is software using the OpenMG technology, a copyright protection technology developed by Sony
Corporation and designed to allow recording and playback of digital music data on a personal computer.
Once the data is encrypted and recorded onto the hard disk, SonicStage technology allows it to be played
back on the PC but prevents unauthorized distribution. The purpose of SonicStage technology is to create
an environment in which larger quantities of high-quality music can be distributed without subsequent
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®
does the rest. You can also
®
will automatically match the length
About the software on your computer
unauthorized distribution of the music files.
The SonicStage software encrypts and manages music files either downloaded to a personal computer by
using the EMD services or adopted (or created) from your own CD or the Internet.
UI Design Selector
Sony Electronics
You can change the window design of the Sony software compatible with UI Design Selector.
VAIO Edit Components (available on the application CD-ROM)
Designed as a plug-in for Adobe® Premiere®, VAIO Edit Components includes special features to support
your i.LINK™-DV devices, so you can produce superior quality home movies even after editing. Now you can
control the DV device from your computer, import and edit the movie, and then export it back to the DV
device. To be able to use the Sony software VAIO Edit Components, you must first install Adobe
About the software on your Sony notebook
version 6.0* on your computer.
* available for purchase.
VAIO System Information
Sony Electronics
Thanks to VAIO System Information (Start - VAIO - Assistance - VAIO System Configuration), you can check
the product information (model name, serial number, BIOS version, OS version and OS serial number) and
the system information (CPU, clock frequency, system memory and cache memory) of your notebook at
all times.
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®
Premiere®
About the software on your computer
Product Recovery CD-ROMs
Sony Corporation
The Product Recovery CD-ROMs allow you to reinstall the system, the software shipped with your computer
and the bundled device drivers if they are corrupted or accidentally erased. Reinstalling an individual device
driver may correct a problem you are experiencing with your computer, without you having to recover the
entire system.
!
You can only use the Recovery CD-ROMs on the Sony computer you purchased, and not on any other Sony PC or other manufacturer's PC.
Operating system and other pre-installed software
Windows® XP Home Edition
Microsoft Corporation
About the software on your Sony notebook
Microsoft
computer stay up and running. If anything does go wrong, you can quickly roll back to the state your system
was in when all was well. The new, simpler visual design lets you use your computer the way you want. If
you share a computer with other users, you can each enjoy your own personal preferences because this
Windows
Windows
on the Internet.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://support.microsoft.com/directory
®
Windows®XP Home Edition allows you to enjoy a new level of reliability that helps your
®
operating system enables your computer to handle multiple activities at the same time.
®
XP Home Edition automatically shields your computer from unauthorized access when you are
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About the software on your computer
Internet Explorer 6.0
Microsoft Corporation
Internet Explorer is the Microsoft Internet browser allowing you to surf the World Wide Web. The Setup
Wizard configures your computer to connect automatically to your service provider. A full e-mail package
enables you to send and receive mail - including attached files - across the Internet. NetMeeting, Outlook
Express and Microsoft Chat are just some of the components bundled with Internet Explorer 6.0. Internet
Explorer 6.0 also includes 128-bit encryption, the highest possible level of protection for all your Internet
communications, including credit card use and financial transactions. A complete online tutorial helps new
users become comfortable using the Internet.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://support.microsoft.com/directory
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 5.0
About the software on your Sony notebook
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Acrobat
®
Reader software allows you to view, navigate, and print electronic documents in Adobe Portable
Document Format (PDF), an open file format that is intended to preserve the conformity of documents
created on all major computer platforms. Once Acrobat
from within your Web browser by clicking a PDF file embedded in an HTML file. You quickly see the first
page while the rest of the document is being downloaded.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com
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®
Reader is installed, you can open and view PDF files
About the software on your computer
Adobe® Photoshop® Elements LE
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe
new features that offer something for every user. Delivering the broadest and most productive toolset
available, Photoshop
quality results across all image media.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.adobe.com
®
Photoshop® Elements LE software introduces the next generation of image editing with powerful
Panorama Maker™ 3.0
ArcSoft
ArcSoft Panorama Maker™ is an easy-to-use image entertainment program that seamlessly stitches multiple
photos into a single panoramic picture. It enables you to create eye-catching, large-format panoramas with
About the software on your Sony notebook
point-and-click simplicity. You can also view your panoramas from different perspectives.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.arcsoft.com
QuickTime 5.0
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®
helps you explore your creativity, work at peak efficiency, and achieve the highest
Apple
QuickTime is the Apple technology that makes video, sound, music, 3D and virtual reality come alive for your
Internet browser and Windows.
For further information, see the website at:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime
About the software on your computer
Real Entertainment Center
Real Entertainment Center contains two software programs: RealPlayer and RealJukebox.
RealNetworks - RealPlayer
RealPlayer is the RealNetworks video and audio player, which lets you access 2,500 radio stations featuring
music, news and sports.
For further information, see the website at:
http://www.real.com
RealNetworks - RealJukebox
RealJukebox is your personal music management system. RealJukebox lets you build, manage, and play your
digital music library on your personal computer.
For further information, see the website at:
http://www.real.com
About the software on your Sony notebook
Symantec Norton AntiVirus (setup file on hard drive)
Symantec
With Norton AntiVirus, you can scan files, folders, or entire drives for viruses, and quarantine infected files
for submission to the Symantec AntiVirus Research Center (SARC). Files submitted to SARC are analyzed and
the results are reported automatically within seven days. When you configure Norton AntiVirus adequately,
your computer is safe. Norton AntiVirus can automatically check boot records for viruses at system startup,
check programs for viruses at the time you use them, scan all local hard drives for viruses once per week, and
monitor your computer for any activity that might indicate the work of a virus in action. It can also scan files
you download from the Internet and check floppy disks for boot viruses when you use them.
You must first launch the Norton AntiVirus installation, and you will then be prompted to update the virus
definitions. This is normal as new viruses will have come out since your VAIO left the factory.
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About the software on your computer
For more information, see the online help files and the website at:
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp
WinDVD
InterVideo, Inc.
InterVideo Inc.'s WinDVD is a simple-to-use DVD player. WinDVD combines all the features you would expect
to find on a standard consumer DVD player, in addition to some very advanced functionalities, full precision
video decoding, a choice of user interfaces, and video display options. You can play DVD movies, interactive
DVD titles, MPEG video content, video and audio CDs. WinDVD automatically determines the type of disc in
the DVD drive and uses the correct playback method.
For questions and technical assistance, go online to:
http://www.intervideo.com
About the software on your Sony notebook
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Using Video software
Using Video software
The following video software applications are installed on your VAIO:
Using DVgate (page 14)
Using MovieShaker (page 29)
Using Smart Capture (page 35)
Using DVgate
DVgate is a software application that enables you to capture and then edit images taken with digital video
devices (DV devices), such as digital video camera recorders, on your personal computer. It also gives you the
ability to output the edited material for recording on a DV device.
With DVgate, you can easily perform image editing with your computer and a DV device.
About the software on your Sony notebook
DVgate consists of 3 applications:
DVgate Motion;
DVgate Still;
DVgate Assemble.
Depending on the computer settings, frames may be lost during video capture and frame duplication when recording edited video. Please make sure
you configure your computer according to the recommended settings to prevent this from happening. To configure your computer to use DVgate, refer
to the Online help of DVgate.
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Using Video software
Using DVgate Motion
With DVgate Motion you can capture video and record edited videos on a DV device.
Capturing video:
Yo u ca n automatically or manually capture any scene or portion of the images recorded on a DV
device, such as a digital video camera recorder. What is more, you can specify the exact scenes that you
want to capture while watching the tape playback on the monitor. You can then choose to save the
selected scenes as separate files or as one file.
Recording edited video on a DV device
You can record the edited video on tape using a DV device, such as a digital video camera recorder*,
connected to the computer. With DVgate, you are not limited to recording single clips, but you can
record a series of clips on the DV device at one time.
To launch DVgate Motion, proceed as follows:
1 Connect the camera to the computer with the i.LINK™ cable and turn on the camera.
About the software on your Sony notebook
2 Click Start, All Programs, DVgate, DVgate Motion.
DVgate Motion and the Monitor windows appear.
* The digital video camera recorder must have a DV-IN connector.
Capturing video
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You can automatically or manually import videos onto your computer.
To automatically import videos onto your computer, proceed as follows:
1 Launch DVgate Motion.
2 Click the down arrow and select Import-Auto from the Mode drop-down list.
Use the DVgate camera controls buttons to play, rewind or fast forward the tape to the selected time
code to begin capturing.
Using Video software
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About the software on your Sony notebook
3 Press Play to start the video.
The video begins to play in the Monitor window.
4 Click Mark to mark the beginning of the first segment.
The first frame of the segment to be captured, is displayed in the In/Out list window.
Click Mark again to mark the end of the segment to capture.
The last frame of the segment to be captured, is displayed in the In/Out list window.
Continue to mark as many segments as you want.
5 Click Capture to import the selected video segment or click Capture All to import them all at once.
The Save as a file window appears.
6 Select the location to save the file.
7 Click the Save button.
DVgate captures the segments.
The Capturing complete message appears.
Using Video software
8 Click OK in the DVgate Motion window to finish.
Information about the capturing process is displayed in the Report window.
9 Click OK.
10 Exit DVgate Motion.
The Dvmotion2 window appears on the screen.
You can then save the In/Out list, which allows you to capture the same video sequences later on, or
change the In/Out settings.
Make sure that the camera is in Video Tape Recorder mode (VTR) when capturing or playing back video from or to a tape.
If you want to manually import video onto your computer, refer to the DVgate online help file.
Recording edited videos on a DV device
To record edited videos on a DV device, proceed as follows:
1 Adjust the recording correction values.
About the software on your Sony notebook
2 Add files to the Record List.
3 Record remotely or manually the video on the DV device.
Adjusting the recording correction values
To ensure accuracy in the recording, you can specify recording correction values. Adjustment of the
recording correction values is especially important when performing splice recording. You can choose to
specify the values yourself or to have them automatically adjusted by using the automatic calibration
feature. The values generated by the automatic calibration feature are usually correct.
To automatically adjust the recording correction values, proceed as follows:
1 Launch DVgate Motion.
2 Click the down arrow and select Export - Auto from the Mode drop-down list.
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Using Video software
3 Select Adjust on Recording… from the Settings menu.
The Adjust on Recording dialog box appears.
4 Click the AutoAdjust button.
DVgate Motion activates the connected DV device and automatically finds the adjustment values.
5 Click OK.
To manually adjust the recording correction values, refer to the DVgate online help file.
Adding files to the Record List
To add files to the Record List, proceed as follows:
1 Launch DVgate Motion.
2 Click Add in the DVgate Motion – AVI file list.
The Add dialog box appears.
3 Select a file and click Open.
About the software on your Sony notebook
The specified file is added and the serial number, first and last images, time code, file length and file
name are displayed.
DVgate Motion adds all serial numbered files with the same name if you select Add all divided files saved with the same name. Serial numbered
files are created when you specify to save files as multiple files in DVgate Motion and DVgate Assemble.
All newly added files are appended to the end of the list.
You can drag multiple files at one time; however, the order in which they are added is unpredictable.
You can record AVI files with different sound modes on a DV device, but about one second of no sound (depending on the DV device) may occur at
the point where the sound modes change.
You can only add AVI files using DV Codec as video compression; MPEG files are not supported.
When recording a video sequence, make sure that all images are saved in the same mode. Recording in different modes might cause sound or image
distortions during playback. After adding the files you want to the Record List, you can still change the order of the files, add or delete files.
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Using Video software
After adding the files to the Record List, you can still change the order of the files, add or delete files.
To change the order of the files in the Record List, proceed as follows:
1 Click the file you want to move while holding down the mouse button.
2 Drag the file to the appropriate position and then release the mouse button.
To remove a file from the Record List, proceed as follows:
1 Click the file you want to remove.
2 Click Delete.
The removed file is filled by the subsequent file and the files are renumbered.
Click Delete All when to remove all files.
You can select multiple AVI or still picture files from the Record List by clicking them while holding down the <Shift> or <Ctrl> ke y.
When you move multiple files, they are all moved together.
You can undo changes by choosing Undo from the Edit menu immediately after inserting, moving or deleting (a) file(s).
About the software on your Sony notebook
You can save a Record List for future use. Record List files can only be used in DVgate Motion.
To preview a clip, proceed as follows:
1 Select the file you want to preview in the DVgate Motion – AVI file list window.
2 Click Preview.
The Monitor window and the Preview window appear.
The Monitor window shows the first frame of the file.
Click on the Previous File button or on the Next File button to select the file you want to preview.
Click Preview All to preview all the files shown in the list.
Previous File and Next File are buttons for moving the preview from one selected file to another. They are not for designed for navigation purposes
within the list. Consequently, you cannot click on them when only one file is selected. When you select only one file, Previous File and Next File
do not function.
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Using Video software
Recording on the DV device
You can automatically or manually export videos from your computer to a DV device.
To automatically export videos from your computer to a DV device, proceed as follows:
1 Connect the camera to the computer with the i.LINK™ cable and turn on the camera.
2 Launch DVgate Motion.
3 Click the down arrow and select Export-Auto from the Mode drop-down list.
4 Click the Add button in the DVgate Motion - AVI file list window and select the video file you want
to export.
5 Click Record or Record All.
The Output dialog box appears.
6 Select the Add blank image option button.
About the software on your Sony notebook
7 Click OK.
The Output dialog box closes and recording starts.
Video sequences are recorded on the DV device in the order in which they are arranged in the Record
List.
Clicking Record All will send all the video files shown in the Record List to the connected device. Clicking Record will send only the video files
selected from the Record List to the connected device.
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You can add blank frame(s) during recording if you select the Append option button in the Output
dialog box.
Blank frame(s) can be placed in the following locations:
Head: A blank image is placed before the start of the video sequence during recording.
Tail: A blank image is placed after the end of the video sequence during recording.
Both: Blank images are placed before the start and after the end of the video sequence during
recording.
You can specify the length of a blank image by entering the number of frames in the Length box in
the Output dialog box.
Using Video software
Even if you specify not to add blank frames, several blank frames are always placed at the end of the recorded segment regardless of the settings.
This is to prevent image noise from being recorded when recording stops.
Do not quit or log off from Windows
Disable the screen saver in Windows
Do not start other applications or move any active window while recording.
Recording from the very beginning of the tape may not be successful if you record by controlling the video device through DVgate Motion.
Do not turn the power switch on the digital video camera recorder to Camera or turn it off while DVgate Motion is recording. Never switch the input
sources when recording on a digital videocassette recorder as this might prevent recording.
If you want to export manually videos from your computer to a DV device, refer to the DVgate online help file.
Using DVgate Still
DVgate Still is an application that displays digital video images sent from DV devices such as a digital
videocassette recorder or a digital video camera recorder and that captures them as still pictures.
About the software on your Sony notebook
The following functions are featured:
Control the connected DV device and display a video image on the screen of your VAIO.
Capture 30 frames of still pictures in total with respectively 15 frames in the forward and backward
directions.
Capture only one frame of a still picture.
Save a captured still picture in BMP, JPEG, GIF or DVF format.
Save a captured still picture in another application via the clipboard.
The sound recorded with the image, is not played.
®
while recording. Otherwise, recording will fail.
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.
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Capturing pictures
There are two capture modes in DVgate Still: the Continuous Capture mode and the Single Frame
Capture mode.
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