You will find information on using your camcorder to its fullest in this “Handycam”
Handbook. Read the “Handycam” Handbook in addition to the Operating Guide (a separate
volume). Information on using your camcorder connected to a computer will be also found
in the Operating Guide and the “PMB Help” that is the Help of the supplied “PMB (Picture
Motion Browser)” software.
Searching for information quickly
Click an item on the right edge of each page, and you will jump to the page for that item.
Click here.
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
You can search for an item by keyword using Adobe Reader. Refer to the Help of Adobe Reader for tips
on how to use Adobe Reader.
You can print out the “Handycam” Handbook.
GB
2
Read this first
Supplied items
The numbers in ( ) are the supplied
quantity.
AC Adaptor (1)
Power cord (Mains lead) (1)
Component A/V cable (1)
A/V connecting cable (1)
USB connection support cable (1)
Use this cable when the Built-in USB Cable
of the camcorder (p. 14) is too short for
connection.
See page 21 for the memory card you can use
with this camcorder.
Using the camcorder
Do not hold the camcorder by the following
parts, and also do not hold the camcorder by
the jack covers.
LCD ScreenBattery pack
Built-in USB Cable
The camcorder is not dustproofed, dripproofed
or waterproofed. See “About handling of your
rder” (p. 98).
camco
Menu items, LCD panel, and lens
A menu item that is grayed out is not available
under the current recording or playback
conditions.
The LCD screen is manufactured using
extremely high-precision technology, so over
99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective
use. However, there may be some tiny black
points and/or bright points (white, red, blue,
or green in color) that appear constantly on the
LCD screen. These points are normal results of
the manufacturing process and do not affect the
recording in any way.
Black points
White, red, blue or green points
Exposing the LCD screen or the lens to direct
sunlight for long periods of time may cause
malfunctions.
Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause
your camcorder to malfunction. Take images
of the sun only in low light conditions, such as
at dusk.
About language setting
The on-screen displays in each local language
are used for illustrating the operating
procedures. Change the screen language before
sing th
e camcorder if necessary (p. 19).
u
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GB
3
On recording
To ensure stable operation of the memory
card, it is recommended to format the memory
card with your camcorder before the first use
. 77). F
ormatting the memory card will erase
(p
all the data stored on it and the data will be
irrecoverable. Save your important data on your
PC etc.
Before starting to record, test the recording
function to make sure the image and sound are
recorded without any problems.
Compensation for the contents of recordings
cannot be provided, even if recording or
playback is not possible due to a malfunction of
the camcorder, recording media, etc.
TV color systems differ depending on the
country/region. To view your recordings on a
TV, you need a PAL system-based TV.
Television programs, films, video tapes,
and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may
be contrary to the copyright laws.
Use the camcorder in accordance with local
regulations.
Notes on playing back
You may not be able to play back normally
images recorded on your camcorder with other
devices. Also, you may not be able to play back
images recorded on other devices with your
camcorder.
Standard (STD) image quality movies recorded
on SD memory cards cannot be played on AV
equipment of other manufacturers.
DVD media recorded with HD image
quality (high definition)
DVD media recorded with high definition
image quality (HD) can be played back with
devices that are compatible with the AVCHD
standard. You cannot play discs recorded with
high definition image quality (HD) with DVD
players/recorders as they are not compatible
with the AVCHD format. If you insert a disc
recorded with the AVCHD format (high
definition image quality (HD)) into a DVD
player/recorder, you may not be able to eject
the disc.
Save all your recorded image data
To prevent your image data from being lost,
save all your recorded images on external media
periodically. To save images on your computer,
see page 46, and to save images on external
devices, see page 52.
The type of discs or media on which the images
can be saved depend on the [
REC Mode]
selected when the images were recorded.
Movies recorded with [50p Quality
] can
be saved using external media (p. 54). Movies
recorded with [Highest Quality
] can be
saved on external media or on Blu-ray discs
(p. 51, 54).
Notes on battery pack/AC Adaptor
Be sure to remove the battery pack or the AC
Adaptor after turning off the camcorder.
Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the
camcorder, holding both the camcorder and the
DC plug.
Note on the camcorder/battery pack
temperature
When the temperature of the camcorder
or battery pack becomes extremely high or
extremely low, you may not be able to record
or play back on the camcorder, due to the
protection features of the camcorder being
activated in such situations. In this case, an
or appears on the LCD screen (p. 90).
dicat
in
When the camcoder is connected to a
computer or accessories
Do not try to format the recording media of the
camcorder using a computer. If you do so, your
camcorder may not operate correctly.
When connecting the camcorder to another
device with communication cables, be sure to
insert the connector plug in the correct way.
Pushing the plug forcibly into the terminal
will damage the terminal and may result in a
malfunction of the camcorder.
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GB
4
When the camcorder is connected to other
devices through a USB connection and the
power of the camcorder is turned on, do not
close the LCD panel. The image data that has
been recorded may be lost.
If you cannot record/play back images,
perform [Format]
If you repeat recording/deleting images for
a long time, fragmentation of data occurs on
the recording media. Images cannot be saved
or recorded. In such a case, save your images
on some type of external media first, and
then perform [Format] by touching
(MENU) [Setup] [
(Media Settings)]
[Format] the desired medium (HDRCX160E/CX180E)
.
Notes on optional accessories
We recommend using genuine Sony accessories.
Genuine Sony accessories may not be available
in some countries/regions.
About this manual, illustrations and
on-screen displays
The example images used in this manual for
illustration purposes are captured using a
digital still camera, and therefore may appear
different from images and screen indicators that
actually appear on your camcorder. And, the
illustrations of your camcorder and its screen
indication are exaggerated or simplified for
understandability.
In this manual, the internal memory (HDRCX160E/CX180E) and the memory card are
called “recording media.”
In this manual, the DVD disc recorded with
high definition image quality (HD) is called
AVCHD recording disc.
Design and specifications of your camcorder
and accessories are subject to change without
notice.
Confirm the model name of your
camcorder
The model name is shown in this manual when
there is a difference in specification between
models. Confirm the model name on the
bottom of your camcorder.
The main differences in specification of this
series are as follows.
Recording
media
HDR-CX130E Memory card—
HDR-CX160E Internal
HDR-CX180E32 GB
memory +
memory card
Capacity
of internal
recording media
16 GB
Notes on use
Do not do any of the following. Otherwise, the
recording media may be damaged, recorded
images may be impossible to play back or may
be lost, or other malfunctions could occur.
ejecting the memory card when the access
. 22) is lit or flashing
amp (p
l
removing the battery pack or AC Adaptor
from the camcorder, or applying mechanical
shock or vibration to the camcorder when the
(Movie)/ (Photo) lamps (p. 24) or the
access lamp (p. 22) are lit or flashing
When using a shoulder belt (sold separately), do
not crash the camcorder against an object.
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GB
5
Enjoy useful functions
Enjoy useful functions
Beautiful & easy
anywhere & anytime
Checking your golf swing
Golf Shot (66)
Smth Slw REC (65)
Recording
Capturing images
beautifully without
cumbersome setting
Intelligent Auto (34)
Focus on the child on the
left side of the screen
Tracking the subject (36)
Spot Focus (68)
GB
GB
6
6
Recording in a dimly-lit
room
Low Lux (69)
Capturing photos during
movie recording
Dual Rec (37)
Smile Shutter (37)
Changing the image quality and
recording mode
/Setting (35)
Recording mode (35)
Capturing fireworks, or a
sunset in all its splendor
Fireworks (69)
Sunrise&Sunset (69)
Changing the recording media
Media setting (20)
GB
GB
7
7
Fun & simple
playback & edit
Playing back a digest of
your movies
Highlight Playback (38)
Using
Editing on the camcorder
Capturing a photo from a movie (45)
Deleting unnecessary scene (Dividing (44),
Deleting (41))
Align the mark on the DC plug
with that on the DC IN jack.
You can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (V series) after attaching it to your
camcorder.
Notes
You cannot attach any “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack other than the V series to your camcorder.
Turn off your camcorder by closing the LCD screen.
1
Attach the battery pack by sliding it in the direction of the arrow until it
2
clicks.
DC plug
(wall socket)
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
Connect the AC Adaptor and the power cord (mains lead) to your
3
camcorder and the wall outlet (wall socket).
The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and charging starts. The CHG (charge) lamp turns off
when the battery pack is fully charged.
GB
13
When the battery is charged, disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN
4
jack of your camcorder.
To charge the battery using your computer
This method is useful when the AC Adaptor is not available.
Turn off the camcorder and attach the battery pack to the camcorder.
ect the camcorder to a running computer using the Built-in USB Cable.
Conn
To the wall outlet
(wall socket)
When the battery is fully charged, disconnect the camcorder from the computer.
Notes
Operation with all computers is not assured.
If you connect the camcorder to a laptop computer that is not connected to a power source, the battery
of the laptop computer will continue to use up its charge. Do not leave the camcorder connected to a
computer in this manner.
Charging with a personally assembled computer, with a converted computer, or through a USB hub are
not guaranteed. The camcorder may not function correctly depending on the USB device which is used
with the computer.
Tips
You can charge the battery by connecting the Built-in USB Cable to a wall outlet (wall socket) using an
AC-U501AD/AC-U50AG USB charger/AC Adaptor (sold separately). You cannot use a Sony CP-AH2R
or CP-AL portable power supply device (sold separately) to charge the camcorder.
The USB charger/AC Adaptor may not be available in some countries/regions.
The CHG (charge) lamp may not light up when the remaining battery power is too low. In such a case,
charge the battery using the supplied AC adaptor.
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14
GB
Charging time
Approximate time (min.) required when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack.
Battery pack
AC Adaptor
Charging time
Built-in USB Cable
*
NP-FV50 (supplied)155315
NP-FV70195600
NP-FV1003901050
The charging times shown in the table above are measured when charging the camcorder at a
temperature of 25
C to 30 C (50 °F to 86 °F).
* The charging times are measured without using the USB Connection support cable.
Tips
When your camcorder is on, you can check the approximate amount of remaining battery power with the
remaining battery indicator at the upper right on the LCD screen.
C (77 °F). It is recommended that you charge the battery in a temperature range of 10
To remove the battery pack
Close the LCD screen. Slide the BATT (battery) release lever () and remove the battery
pack ().
To use a wall outlet (wall socket) as a power source
Make the same connections as “Step 1: Charging the battery pack” (p. 13). Even if the battery
pack is attached, the battery pack is not discharged.
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
Charging the battery pack abroad
You can charge the battery pack in any countries/regions using the AC Adaptor supplied with
your camcorder within the AC 100 V - 240 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz range.
Notes
Do not use an electronic voltage transformer.
GB
15
Notes on the battery pack
When you remove the battery pack or disconnect the AC Adaptor, turn the camcorder off and make sure
that the
The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging under the following conditions:
(Movie)/ (Photo) lamps (p. 24), the access lamp (p. 22) are turned off.
The battery pack is not attached correctly.
The battery pack is damaged.
The temperature of the battery pack is low.
Remove the battery pack from your camcorder and put it in a warm place.
The temperature of the battery pack is high.
Remove the battery pack from your camcorder and put it in a cool place.
We do not recommend using an NP-FV30, which only allows short recording and playback times, with
your camcorder.
In the default setting, the power turns off automatically if you leave your camcorder without any
perat
ion for about 5 minutes, to save battery power ([A. Shut Off], p. 81).
o
Notes on the AC Adaptor
Use the nearby wall outlet (wall socket) when using the AC Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from
the wall outlet (wall socket) immediately if any malfunction occurs while using your camcorder.
Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in a narrow space, such as between a wall and furniture.
Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor or battery terminal with any metallic objects. This
may cause a malfunction.
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16
GB
Step 2: Turning the power on, and setting the
date and time
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.
1
Your camcorder is turned on and the lens cover is opened.
To turn on your camcorder when the LCD screen is open, press POWER.
Select the desired language, then touch [Next].
2
Touch the button on the
Select the desired geographical area with
3
LCD screen
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
MODE lamp
POWER button
/, then touch [Next].
To set the date and time again, touch (MENU) [Setup] [ (Clock Settings)] [Date
& Time Setting] [Date & Time]. When an item is not on the screen, touch
the item appears.
GB
/ until
17
Set [Summer Time], then touch [Next].
4
If you set [Summer Time] to [On], the clock advances 1 hour.
Select the date format, then touch [Next].
5
Select the date and time, touch
6
[Next]
* The confirmation screen appears only when you set the clock for the first time.
*.
/ to set the value, then touch
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
The clock starts.
Notes
The date and time does not appear during recording, but they are automatically recorded on the
recording media, and can be displayed during playback. To display the date and time, touch
(MENU) [Setup] [
You can turn off the operation beeps by touching
[Beep] [Off]
If the button you touch does not react correctly, calibrate the touch panel (p. 100).
Both movies and photos are recorded on the selected medium.
To check the recording media settings
In either movie recording mode or photo recording mode, the media icon of the selected
recording media is displayed at the top right corner of the screen.
Recording media icon
The icon displayed may vary depending on your model.
20
GB
Inserting a memory card
Notes
Set the recording medium to [Memory Card] to record movies and/or photos on a memory card
(HDR-CX160E/CX180E).
Types of memory card you can use with your camcorder
SD Speed ClassDescribed in this
manual
“Memory Stick PRO
Duo” media (Mark2)
“Memory Stick PRO-
—
HG Duo” media
SD memory card
SDHC memory card
Class 4 or fasterSD card
SDXC memory card
Operation with all memory cards is not assured.
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, half the size of “Memory Stick”, or standard size SD cards can be used
for this camcorder.
Do not attach a label or the like on memory card or memory card adaptor. Doing so may cause a
malfunction.
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media of up to 32 GB and SD cards of up to 64 GB have been verified to
operate with your camcorder.
Notes
A MultiMediaCard cannot be used with this camcorder.
Movies recorded on SDXC memory cards cannot be imported to or played back on computers or AV
devices not supporting the exFAT* file system by connecting the camcorder to these devices with the
USB cable. Confirm in advance that the connecting equipment is supporting the exFAT system. If you
connect an equipment not supporting the exFAT system and the format screen appears, do not perform
the format. All the data recorded will be lost.
* The exFAT is a file system that is used for SDXC memory cards.
“Memory Stick PRO
Duo” media
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21
GB
Open the cover, and insert the memory card with the notched edge in the
direction as illustrated until it clicks.
Close the cover after inserting the memory card.
Access lamp
Note the direction of notched corner.
The [Preparing image database file. Please wait.] screen appears if you insert a new
memory card. Wait until the screen disappears.
Close the cover.
Notes
If [Failed to create a new Image Database File. It may be possible that there is not enough free space.] is
ayed, format the memory card (p. 77).
displ
Confirm the direction of the memory card. If you forcibly insert the memory card in the wrong direction,
the memory card, memory card slot, or image data may be damaged.
Do not open the cover during recording.
When inserting or ejecting the memory card, be careful so that the memory card does not pop out and
drop.
To eject the memory card
Open the cover and lightly push the memory card in once.
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22
GB
Recording/Playback
Recording
In the default setting, movies and photos are recorded on the following media. Movies are
recorded with high definition image quality (HD).
HDR-CX130E: Memory card
HDR-CX160E/CX180E: Internal recording media
Tips
To change the recording media, see page 20 (HDR-CX160E/CX180E).
Fasten the grip belt.
1
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.
2
Your camcorder is turned on and the lens cover is opened.
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23
GB
Recording movies
MODE button
(Movie): When recording a movie
(Photo): When recording a photo
START/STOP button
[STBY] [REC]
Press MODE to turn on the (Movie) lamp.
Press START/STOP to start recording.
To stop recording, press START/STOP again.
To display items on the LCD screen again
Touch anywhere on the screen except the buttons on the LCD screen so that you can use
items. You can change the settings using the [Display Setting] menu (p. 74).
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
about 4 sec
after
GB
24
To capture smiles
In the default setting, a photo is automatically recorded when the camcorder detects the smile
of a person during movie recording (Smile Shutter, p. 72). When the camcorder detects faces
ovie recording, image quality is automatically adjusted ([Face Detection], p. 72).
during m
Capturing a photo
Smile Detection frame
(Orange)
Face Detection frame (White)
Notes
If you close the LCD screen while recording movies, the camcorder stops recording.
The maximum continuous recordable time of movies is about 13 hours.
When a movie file exceeds 2 GB, the next movie file is created automatically.
It will take several seconds until you can start recording after you turn on the camcorder. You cannot
operate your camcorder during this time.
The following states will be indicated if data is still being written onto the recording media after recording
has finished. During this time, do not apply shock or vibration to the camcorder, or remove the battery or
AC Adaptor.
You can record photos during movie recording by pressing PHOTO fully (Dual Rec, p. 37).
[
You can specify the priority face by touching it (p. 36).
You ca
You can check the recordable time, estimated remaining capacity, etc., by touching
[Setup] [
The LCD screen of your camcorder can display recording images across the entire screen (full pixel
mp (p. 22) is lit or flashing
ccess la
A
The media icon in the upper right of the LCD screen is flashing
Tips
SteadyShot] is set to [Active] in the default setting.
n capture photos from recorded movies (p. 45).
(Media Settings)] [Media Info].
(MENU)
display). However, this may cause slight trimming of the top, bottom, right and left edges of images when
played back on a TV which is not compatible with full pixel display. In this case, set [Guide Frame] to
. 73), a
[On] (p
To adjust the angle of the LCD panel, first open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (), and
nd record images using the outer frame displayed on the screen as a guide.
then adjust the angle ().
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
90 degrees (max.)
180 degrees (max.)
90 degrees to the
camcorder
GB
25
Data code during recording
The recording date, time and condition are recorded automatically on the recording media.
They are not displayed during recording. However, you can check them as [Data Code]
during playback. To display them, touch
Settings)] [Data Code] a desired setting
(MENU) [Setup] [ (Playback
.
Shooting photos
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
MODE button
PHOTO button
(Movie): When recording a movie
(Photo): When recording a photo
When disappears, the photo is recorded.
Flashes Lights up
Press MODE to turn on the (Photo) lamp.
The LCD screen display switches for photo recording mode, and the screen aspect ratio
becomes 4:3.
Press PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus, then press it fully.
Tips
To change the image size, touch
a desired setting
You cannot record photos while
.
(MENU) [Image Quality/Size] [Image Size]
is displayed.
26
GB
Playback on the camcorder
You can enjoy the playback of images with powerful sound through the stereo speakers built
into the camcorder.
In the default setting, movies and photos that are recorded on the following recording media
are played.
HDR-CX130E: Memory card
HDR-CX160E/CX180E: Internal recording media
Tips
To change the recording media, see page 20 (HDR-CX160E/CX180E).
The camcorder displays recorded images as an event automatically based on the date and time.
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.
1
Your camcorder is turned on and the lens cover is opened.
Press
2
The Event View screen appears after some seconds.
Touch
3
(View Images).
/ to select the desired event ().
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
To the MENU screen
Events
/ : To the previous/next event
Event name
27
Highlight
Playback
button
(p
. 38).
GB
Change to the movie/photo recording mode
Time-line bar
Highlight Playback button
Change Event Scale button
* Appears only when the image quality is set to [HD Quality].
The Event Index screen appears when you touch the event that is displayed on the center.
You can also choose an event by touching on the time-line bar.
(Change Event Scale) on the bottom right of the screen so that you can change the time
Touch
range of the time-line bar from one and a half years to three months, which changes the number of
the events that can be displayed on the time-line bar.
*
Touch an image you want to view.
4
Touch to select the image type to be displayed in the index from [MOVIE]
(movies only), [
photos mixed).
To go back to the Event View screen
/ : Displays the previous/next page (Touching and holding the button
scrolls the index screen.)
Change to the movie/photo recording mode
Event title
Switch Image Type button
Movie
Photo
PHOTO] (photos only), or [MOVIE/PHOTO] (movies and
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
appears with the movie or photo that was most recently played or recorded. If you touch the movie or photo with , you can continue playback from the previous time.
GB
28
Operating the camcorder while playing a movie
You can use the functions shown in the figure below while the camcorder is playing a movie.
The figure below will be displayed when you select [
setting) or [
MOVIE] by touching the Switch Image Type button on the Event Index
screen.
Volume adjustment
Delete
Context
MOVIE/PHOTO] (the default
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
To stop*
Previous
To fast-reverse
* These buttons can be used only when the camcorder is playing a movie.
Notes
You may not be able to play back the images with other devices than camcorder.
Tips
Touching the
to use those functions easily.
When playback from the selected image reaches the last image, the screen returns to the INDEX screen.
Touch
As you repeat touching
about 10 times about 30 times about 60 times.
The recording date, time, and shooting conditions are recorded automatically during recording. This
information is not displayed during recording, but you can display it during playback by touching
(MENU) [Setup] [
In the default setting, a protected demonstration movie is pre-recorded (HDR-CX160E/CX180E).
/ during pause to play back movies slowly.
.
*
button on the playback screen displays functions you can currently use, and allows you
/ during playback, movies are played as fast as about 5 times
(Playback Settings)] [Data Code] a desired setting
Next
To fast-forward
To pause*/play
To adjust the sound volume of movies
While playing back movies, touch adjust with /.
*
29
GB
Viewing photos
You can use the functions shown in the figure below while you are viewing photos. The figure
below will be displayed when you select [
button on the Event Index screen.
Delete
Context
PHOTO] by touching the Switch Image Type
Table of ContentsEnjoy Useful FunctionsIndex
Previous
Tips
To repeat Slideshow, touch
Next
To start/stop slide show
[Slideshow Set].
30
GB
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