Sony HDR-HC3 User Manual

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2-661-355-11(1)

Digital HD Video Camera Recorder

Operating Guide

HDR-HC3

Enjoying pictures with

high definition quality

Getting Started 14

Easy Handycam 26

Recording/

Playback

Using the Menu 48

Dubbing/Editing 74

Using a Computer 84

Troubleshooting 92

Additional Information 111

Quick Reference 127

Additional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Support Website.

http://www.sony.net/

Printed on 100% recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink.

Printed in Japan

WARNING

To reduce 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.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

For your protection, please read these safety instructions completely before operating the appliance, and keep this manual for future reference. Carefully observe all warnings, precautions and instructions on the appliance, or the one described in the operating instructions and adhere to them.

Use

Power Sources

This set should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of electrical power supplied to your home, consult your dealer or local power company. For those sets designed to operate from battery power, or other sources, refer to the operating instructions.

Polarization

This set may be equipped with a polarized ac power cord plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other).

This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to have a suitable outlet installed. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug by forcing it in.

Overloading

Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or convenience receptacles beyond their capacity, since this can result in fire or electric shock.

Object and Liquid Entry

Never push objects of any kind into the set through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the set.

Attachments

Do not use attachments not recommended by the manufacturer, as they may cause hazards.

Cleaning

Unplug the set from the wall outlet before cleaning or polishing it. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a cloth lightly dampened with water for cleaning the exterior of the set.

Installation

Water and Moisture

Do not use power-line operated sets near water – for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc.

Power-Cord Protection

Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to the plugs, receptacles, and the point where the cord exits from the appliance.

Accessories

Do not place the set on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The set may fall, causing serious injury to a child or an adult, and serious damage to the set. Use only a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer.

Ventilation

The slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for necessary ventilation. To ensure reliable operation of the set, and to protect it from overheating, these slots and openings must never be blocked or covered.

– Never cover the slots and openings with a cloth

or other materials.

– Never block the slots and openings by placing

the set on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface.

– Never place the set in a confined space, such as

a bookcase, or built-in cabinet, unless proper ventilation is provided.

– Do not place the set near or over a radiator or

heat register, or where it is exposed to direct sunlight.

Continued ,

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS (Continued)

Lightning

For added protection for this set during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent damage to the set due to lightning and power-line surges.

Service

Damage Requiring Service

Unplug the set from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

– When the power cord or plug is damaged or

frayed.

– If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen

into the set. – If the set has been exposed to rain or water. – If the set has been subject to excessive shock by

being dropped, or the cabinet has been

damaged. – If the set does not operate normally when

following the operating instructions. Adjust

only those controls that are specified in the

operating instructions. Improper adjustment of

other controls may result in damage and will

often require extensive work by a qualified

technician to restore the set to normal operation. – When the set exhibits a distinct change in

performance – this indicates a need for service.

Servicing

Do not attempt to service the set yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards.

Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

Safety Check

Upon completion of any service or repairs to the set, as the service technician to perform routine safety checks (as specified by the manufacturer) to determine that the set is in safe operating condition.

Replacement parts

When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer that have the same characteristics as the original parts.

Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

Read this first

Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference.

CAUTION

Replace the battery with the specified type only. Otherwise, fire or injury may result.

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

RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Lithium-Ion batteries are recyclable. You can help preserve our environment by returning your used rechargeable batteries to the collection and recycling location nearest you.

For more information regarding recycling of rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-8228837, or visit http://www.rbrc.org/

Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking Lithium-Ion batteries.

Battery pack

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

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. HDR-HC3 Serial No. Model No. ACNo.

For customers in the U.S.A.

If you have any questions about this product, you may call: Sony Customer Information Center 1-800222-SONY (7669). The number below is for the FCC related matters only.

Regulatory Information

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY Model No.: HDR-HC3 Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc. Address: 16450 W. Bernardo Dr, San Diego,

CA 92127 U.S.A. Telephone Number: 858-942-2230 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC

Rules. Operation is subject to the following two

conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful

interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

CAUTION

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

Note

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,

Continued ,

the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. – Increase the separation between the equipment

and receiver. – Connect the equipment into an outlet on a

circuit different from that to which the receiver

is connected. – Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV

technician for help. The supplied interface cable must be used w ith the

equipment in order to comply with the limits for a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.

Notes on use

Types of cassette you can use in your camcorder

You can use mini DV cassettes marked with . Mini DV cassettes with Cassette Memory are incompatible (p. 112).

Types of “Memory Stick” you can use in your camcorder

There are two sizes of “Memory Stick.” You can use “Memory Stick Duo” marked with or

“Memory Stick Duo” (This size can be used with your camcorder.)

“Memory Stick” (You cannot use it in your camcorder.)

• You cannot use any type of memory card

except “Memory Stick Duo.”

(p. 114).

• “Memory Stick PRO” and “Memory Stick PRO Duo” can be used only with “Memory Stick PRO” compatible equipment.

When using a “Memory Stick Duo” with “Memory Stick” compatible equipment

Be sure to insert the “Memory Stick Duo” into the Memory Stick Duo Adaptor.

Memory Stick Duo Adaptor

Using the camcorder

• Do not hold the camcorder by the following part.

• The camcorder is not dustproof, dripproof or waterproof. See “Maintenance and precautions” (p. 118).

• Before connecting your camcorder to another device with an HDMI cable, component video cable, USB or i.LINK cable, be sure to insert the connector plug the correct way, and not forcibly to avoid damaging the terminal, or cause a malfunction of your camcorder.

About menu items, LCD panel, viewfinder, and lens

• A menu item that is grayed out is not available under the current recording or playback conditions.

• The LCD screen and the viewfinder are manufactured using extremely highprecision 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 and the viewfinder. These points are normal results of the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way.

Black point

White, red, blue or green point

• Exposing the LCD screen, the viewfinder, 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 pictures of the sun only in low light conditions, such as at dusk.

On recording

• Before starting to record, test the recording function to make sure the picture 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, storage media, etc.

• TV color systems differ depending on the countries/regions. To view your recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC 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.

On playing back HDV tapes on other devices

You cannot play back a tape recorded in the HDV format on DV format video cameras or on mini DV players (The screen appears blue). Check the contents of tapes by playing them back on this camcorder prior to playing them back on other devices.

About this manual

• The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder used in this manual for illustration purposes are captured using a digital still camera, and therefore may appear different.

• The on-screen displays in each local language are used for illustrating the operating procedures. Change the screen language before using your camcorder if necessary (p. 70).

• Design and specifications of recording media and other accessories are subject to change without notice.

About the Carl Zeiss lens

Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens, which was developed jointly by Carl Zeiss, in Germany, and Sony Corporation, and produces superior images. It adopts the MTF measurement system for video cameras and offers a quality typical of a Carl Zeiss lens. Also, the lens for your camcorder is T -coated to suppress unwanted reflections and faithfully reproduce colors. MTF= Modulation Transfer Function. The number value indicates the amount of light from a subject coming into the lens.

Note on the icons used in this manual

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS ..................................................................3

Read this first ...........................................................................................5

Features available for the HDV

format only

Features available for the DV format only

Enjoying pictures with high definition quality

Trying out the new HDV format! .............................................................12

Viewing video recorded in the HDV format! ...........................................13

Getting Started

Step 1: Checking supplied items ............................................................14

Step 2: Charging the battery pack ......................................................... 15

Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly ......... 19

Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder ....................................20

Step 5: Using the touch panel ................................................................21

Changing the language setting .................................................................... 21

Checking the screen indicators (Display guide) .......................................... 21

Step 6: Setting the date and time ...........................................................23

Step 7: Inserting a tape or a “Memory Stick Duo” .................................. 24

Easy Handycam - using your camcorder with automatic settings

Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam) ........................................ 26

Recording/Playback

Recording ............................................................................................... 30

Playback ................................................................................................ 31

Functions used for recording/playback, etc. ..........................................32

Recording

To use zoom To record high quality still images during tape recording (Dual Rec) To control the image settings manually with the dial (CAM CTRL dial/ MANUAL button) To use the flash To record in dark places (NightShot) To adjust the exposure for backlit subjects To record in mirror mode To use a tripod

To use a Shoulder belt

Playback

To use PB zoom

Recording/playback

To check the remaining battery (Battery Info) To turn off the operation confirmation beep (BEEP) To initialize the settings (RESET) Other part names and functions

Indicators displayed during recording/playback .....................................36

Searching for the starting point ..............................................................39

Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording

(END SEARCH) .................................................................................. 39

Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes (Rec review) ....................... 39

Remote Commander ..............................................................................40

Searching quickly for a desired scene (Zero set memory) .......................... 40

Searching for a scene by date of recording (Date search) ......................... 41

Playing the picture on a TV ....................................................................42

High definition TV ......................................................................................... 42

16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV .................................................................................... 42

Connecting to a high definition TV ............................................................... 43

Connecting to a 16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV ......................................................... 44

Using the Menu

Using the menu items ........................................................... 48

Menu items .............................................................................................50

CAMERA SET menu ........................................................................52

Settings to adjust your camcorder to the recording conditions (EXPOSURE/ WHITE BAL./STEADYSHOT, etc.)

MEMORY SET menu .......................................................................58

Settings for the “Memory Stick Duo” (QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/ALL ERASE/ NEW FOLDER, etc.)

PICT.APPLI. menu ..........................................................................61

Special effects on pictures or additional functions on recording/playback (SLIDE SHOW/PICT.EFFECT/SMTH SLW REC, etc.)

EDIT/PLAY menu ...........................................................................64

Settings for editing or playing back in various modes (VAR.SPD PB/ END SEARCH, etc.)

STANDARD SET menu ..................................................................65

Settings while recording on a tape or other basic settings (REC MODE/ MULTI-SOUND/LCD/VF SET/DISP OUTPUT/QUICK REC, etc.)

TIME/LANGU. menu .......................................................................70

(CLOCK SET/WORLD TIME/LANGUAGE)

Customizing Personal Menu ..................................................................71

Using the CAM CTRL dial ......................................................................72

Continued ,

Dubbing/Editing

Dubbing to VCR/DVD device, etc. .........................................................74

Recording pictures from a VCR ............................................................77

Dubbing pictures from a tape to a “Memory Stick Duo” .........................79

Deleting recorded pictures from the “Memory Stick Duo” ...................... 80

Marking images on the “Memory Stick Duo” with specific information

(Print mark/Image protection) ....................................................... 80

Printing recorded images (PictBridge compliant printer) ........................81

Jacks to connect external devices .........................................................83

Using a Computer

Connecting to a computer ......................................................................84

Copying still images to a computer ........................................................84

Copying movies on a tape to the computer ...........................................87

Creating a DVD (Direct Access to “Click to DVD”) ................................89

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting .....................................................................................92

Warning indicators and messages ....................................................... 107

Additional Information

Using your camcorder abroad .............................................................. 111

Usable cassette tapes .......................................................................... 112

About the “Memory Stick” ....................................................................114

About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack .................................................116

About i.LINK ......................................................................................... 117

Maintenance and precautions ..............................................................118

Specifications .......................................................................................123

Quick Reference

Identifying parts and controls ............................................................... 127

Index .................................................................................................... 130

Enjoying pictures with high definition quality

Trying out the new HDV format!

Shooting in the HDV format

High image quality

The HDV format has about 2 times the horizontal resolution of a standard TV resulting in about 4 times the amount of pixels providing high quality images. Being HDV format compliant, your camcorder is ready to shoot crystal clear, high-definition images.

What is the HDV format?

The HDV format is a new video format for shooting and playing back high definition images on popular DV standard cassette tapes.

• Your camcorder adopts the HDV1080i

specification, which utilizes 1,080 effective scanning lines, within the HDV standards, and

records pictures at the image bit rate of about 25 Mbps.

• These operating instructions refer to the HDV1080i format as HDV format unless there is a need to specify.

Why shoot in the HDV format?

By moving to digital video, like the rest of the world, you will be able to capture important moments in your life in high quality digital HDV format, allowing you to relive them. Your camcorder’s down convert function converts pictures in HDV format to SD (standard definition) quality for viewing on older wide TV formats, and on 4:3 aspect ratio TVs when a high definition TV set is not available. This provides an easy path to HDV format video.

• The down convert function converts HDV format video to DV for playback or editing when your camcorder is connected to a TV or VCR that is not HDV1080i compliant. The resulting image is displayed in SD (standard definition).

Viewing video recorded in the HDV format!

Viewing on a high definition TV (p. 42)

Pictures recorded in the HDV format can be played back as crisp HD (high definition) pictures on a high definition TV.

• For details on Sony HDV1080i compliant TVs, see page 113.

Viewing on a 16:9 (wide)/4:3 TV (p. 42)

Your camcorder can down convert video recorded in the HDV format to SD (standard definition) quality for playback on a conventional TV.

Dubbing to other video devices (p. 74)

Enjoying pictures with high definition quality

Connecting to an HDV1080i device

An optional i.LINK cable allows you to copy pictures in HD (high definition) quality.

Connecting to an HDV1080i non-compliant device

Your camcorder can down convert HDV format video to SD (standard definition) quality to enable copying.

Connecting to a computer (p. 84)

Copying “Memory Stick Duo” still images to a computer

See page 84.

Copying movies on a tape to a computer

The computer will need to be set up differently, depending on whether HDV or DV format video is to be copied. See page 87 for details.

Getting Started

Step 1: Checking supplied items

Make sure that you have following items supplied with your camcorder. The number in the parentheses indicates the number of that item supplied.

• The cassette tape and “Memory Stick Duo” are not included. See page 6, 112 and 114 for compatible cassettes and “Memory Stick Duo” for your camcorder.

AC Adaptor (1) (p. 15)

Power cord (1) (p. 15)

Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 40)

A button-type lithium battery is already installed.

A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 42, 74)

Rechargeable battery pack NP-FP60 (1) (p. 15, 116)

Battery terminal cover (1)

Attached to the camcorder.

Operating Guide (This manual) (1)

Component video cable (1) (p. 42)

USB cable (1) (p. 81, 84)

Step 2: Charging the battery pack

You can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (P series) (p. 116) after attaching it to your camcorder.

• You cannot use the battery pack NP-FP30 with your camcorder (confirm the battery model on the back of the battery pack). If you attach it forcibly to your camcorder, the battery pack may be damaged or cannot be detached, and it may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.

POWER switch

DC IN jack

Jack cover

DC plug

To the wall outlet

Power cord

• You can operate your camcorder connected to a power source such as a wall outlet as shown in the illustration. The battery pack will not lose its charge in this case.

AC Adaptor

1 Attach the battery pack to your

camcorder.

1 Slide the BATT (battery release) lever

and remove the battery terminal cover.

Getting Started

BATT (battery release) lever

2 Attach the battery pack by sliding it in

the direction of the arrow until it clicks.

Continued ,

Step2: Charging the battery pack (Continued)

2 Slide the POWER switch in the

direction of the arrow to OFF (CHG) (The default setting).

CHG (charge) lamp

3 Connect the AC Adaptor to the

DC IN jack of your camcorder. Be sure that the v mark on the DC plug is facing to the v mark on your camcorder.

4 Connect the power cord to the AC

Adaptor and the wall outlet.

The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and charging starts. The CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the battery is fully charged.

5 Disconnect the AC Adaptor from

the DC IN jack on your camcorder.

Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack holding both the camcorder and the DC plug.

To remove the battery pack

Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). Slide the BATT (battery release) lever and remove the battery pack.

BATT (battery release) lever

Open the jack cover.

Match the v mark on the DC plug with the v mark on your camcorder.

When storing the battery pack

Attach the battery terminal cover to protect the battery terminal. Fully discharge the battery before storing it for an extended period (see page 116 for the details of storage).

Charging time

Approximate time (min.) required when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack.

Battery pack Charging time

NP-FP50 125

NP-FP60 (supplied) 135

NP-FP70 155

NP-FP71 170

NP-FP90 220

Recording time

Approximate time (min.) available when you use a fully charged battery pack.

Recording in the HDV format

Battery pack

Continuous recording time

NP-FP50 60 30

NP-FP60 (supplied)

NP-FP70 125 65

NP-FP71 150 80

NP-FP90 230 125

Typical recording time*

65 35

90 50

100 55

135 70

165 90

250 135

Recording in the DV format

Battery pack

Continuous recording time

Typical recording time*

NP-FP50 60 30

65 35

NP-FP60 (supplied)

95 50

105 55

NP-FP70 135 70

145 80

NP-FP71 160 85

175 95

NP-FP90 240 130

260 140

• All times measured under the following conditions: Top: When the LCD backlight turns on. Middle: When the LCD backlight turns off. Bottom: Recording time when recording with the viewfinder while the LCD panel is closed.

* Typical recording time shows the time when

you repeat recording start/stop, turning the power on/off and zooming.

Playing time

Approximate time (min.) available when you use a fully charged battery pack.

HDV format pictures

Battery pack

LCD panel opened*

NP-FP50 75 80

NP-FP60 (supplied)

NP-FP70 160 175

NP-FP71 195 205

NP-FP90 290 310

LCD panel closed

115 125

Getting Started

Continued ,

Step2: Charging the battery pack (Continued)

DV format pictures

Battery pack

LCD panel opened*

LCD panel closed

NP-FP50 85 95

NP-FP60 (supplied)

135 145

NP-FP70 185 200

NP-FP71 220 235

NP-FP90 335 355

* When the LCD backlight turns on.

On the battery pack

• Before changing the battery pack, slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).

• The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging, or Battery Info (p. 34) will not be correctly displayed under the following conditions.

– The battery pack is not attached correctly. – The battery pack is damaged. – The battery pack is worn-out (For Battery

Info only).

• The power will not be supplied from the battery as long as the AC Adaptor is connected to the DC IN jack of your camcorder, even when the power cord is disconnected from the wall outlet.

• When attaching an optional video light, it is recommended that you use a NP-FP60, NPFP70, NP-FP71 or NP-FP90 battery pack.

On the charging/recording/playback time

• Times measured with the camcorder at 25 °C (77 °F) (10 to 30 °C (50 °F to 86 °F) is recommended).

• The recording and playback time will be shorter when you use your camcorder in low temperatures.

• The recording and playback time will be shorter depending on the conditions under which you use your camcorder.

• Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor or battery terminal with any metallic objects. This may cause a malfunction.

PRECAUTION

• Even if your camcorder is turned off, AC power (house current) is still supplied to it while connected to the wall outlet via the AC Adaptor.

On the AC Adaptor

• Use the nearby wall outlet when using the AC Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet 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.

Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly

To record or play back, slide the POWER switch repeatedly to turn on the respective lamp. When using it for the first time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears (p. 23).

1 Slide the POWER switch

repeatedly in the direction of the arrow to turn on the respective lamp.

The lens cover opens automatically when the POWER switch is set to CAMERA-TAPE or CAMERAMEMORY.

2 Hold the camcorder correctly.

3 Ensure a good grip, then fasten

the grip belt.

Getting Started

Lamps that light up CAMERA-TAPE: To record on a tape. CAMERA-MEMORY: To record on a

“Memory Stick Duo.” PLAY/EDIT: To play or edit pictures.

• After you have set the date and time

([CLOCK SET], p. 23), the next time you turn on the power of your camcorder, the current date and time will be displayed on the LCD screen for a few seconds.

To turn off the power

Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).

• At the time of purchase, the power will be set to turn off automatically if you leave your camcorder without any operation attempted for approximately 5 minutes, to save battery power ([A.SHUT OFF], p. 70).

• If warning messages appear on the screen, follow the instructions (p. 108).

Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder

The LCD panel

Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it to the best angle to record or play (2 ).

190 degrees to the camcorder

2180 degrees (max.)

290 degrees (max.)

• Do not press the buttons on the LCD panel accidentally when you open or adjust the LCD panel.

• If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees to the lens side from the status 1, you can close the LCD panel with the LCD screen facing out. This is convenient during playback operations.

• When closing the LCD panel, rotate the LCD panel to the position as illustrated in 1, and then close the LCD panel facing inward.

DISP/BATT INFO

To turn off the LCD backlight to make the battery last longer

Press and hold DISP/BATT INFO for a few seconds until appears. This setting is practical when you use your camcorder in bright conditions or where you want to save battery power. The recorded picture will not be affected by the setting. To turn on the LCD backlight, press and hold DISP/BATT INFO for a few seconds until disappears.

• See [LCD/VF SET] - [LCD BRIGHT] (p. 67) to adjust the brightness of the LCD screen.

The viewfinder

You can view pictures using the viewfinder to avoid wearing down the battery, or when the picture seen on the LCD screen is poor.

Viewfinder

Viewfinder lens adjustment lever

Move it until the picture is clear.

• You can adjust the brightness of the viewfinder backlight by selecting [LCD/VF SET] - [VF B.LIGHT] (p. 67).

Step 5: Using the touch panel

You can play back recorded pictures (p. 31), or change the settings (p. 48) using the touch panel.

Place your hand on the rear side of the LCD panel to support it. Then, touch the buttons displayed on the screen.

DISP/BATT INFO

Touch the button on the LCD screen.

• Perform the same actions as explained above when you press the buttons on the LCD panel.

• Be careful not to press buttons on the LCD panel accidentally while using the touch panel.

• If the buttons on the touch panel do not work correctly, adjust the LCD screen (CALIBRATION) (p. 120).

To hide the screen indicators

Press DISP/BATT INFO to toggle the screen indicators (such as time code) on or off.

Changing the language setting

You can change the on-screen displays to show messages in a specified language. Select the screen language in [LANGUAGE] on the (TIME/ LANGU.) menu (p. 70).

Checking the screen indicators (Display guide)

You can easily check the meaning of each indicator that appears on the LCD screen (p. 38).

1 Touch .

60min

DIAL

1/3

SET

TELE MACRO

Touch [MENU] during Easy Handycam operation (p. 26).

DISP GUIDE

SMOOTH SLWREC

EXPOSURE

–:––:––

2 Touch [DISP GUIDE].

Getting Started

The indicators vary depending on the settings.

Step 5: Using the touch panel (Continued)

3 Touch the area including the

indicator that you want to check.

The meanings of the indicators in the area are listed on the screen. If you cannot find the indicator you want to check, touch / to toggle.

When you touch , the screen returns to the area selecting display.

DISP GUIDE

FOCUS: MANUAL

1/2

PROGRAM AE: SPOTLIGHT STEADYSHOT: OFF

To finish the operation

Touch [END].

END

Step 6: Setting the date and time

Set the date and time when using this camcorder for the first time. If you do not set the date and time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears every time you turn on your camcorder or change the POWER switch position.

• If you do not use your camcorder for about 3 months, the built-in rechargeable battery gets discharged and the date and time settings may be cleared from the memory. In that case, charge the rechargeable battery and then set the date and time again (p. 121).

POWER switch

Skip to step 4 when you set the clock for the first time.

3 Select [CLOCK SET] with / ,

then touch .

CLOCK SET

DATE

2006

4 Set [Y] (year) with / , then

touch .

You can set any year up to the year

2079.

CLOCK SET

DATE

2006

JANM1D12: 00

JAN M1D 12: 00

Getting Started

1 Touch t [MENU].

PROGRAM AE SPOT METER EXPOSURE

–:––:––

60min

CAMERA SET

2 Select (TIME/LANGU.) menu

with / , then touch .

60min

MENU ROTATE

A. SHUT OFF

QUICK REC

CLOCK SET

WORLD TIME

LANGUAGE

PROGRAM AE

–:––:––

––:––:––

5 Set [M] (month), [D] (day), hour

and minute, then touch .

The clock starts. For midnight, set it to 12:00 AM. For midday, set it to 12:00 PM.

• The date and time does not appear during recording, but they are automatically recorded on the tape, and can be displayed during playback (see page 68 for [DATA CODE] (during Easy Handycam operation, you can set only [DATE/TIME])).

Step 7: Inserting a tape or a “Memory Stick Duo”

Cassette tape

You can use mini DV cassettes only (p. 112).

• The recordable time varies depending on [ REC MODE] (p. 66).

1 Slide and hold the OPEN/

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

OPEN/EJECT lever

Lid

The cassette compartment automatically comes out and opens up.

• Do not force the cassette

compartment closed by pressing the portion marked while it is sliding in. It may cause a malfunction.

3 Close the lid.

To eject the cassette

Open the lid following the same procedure as described in step 1 and remove the cassette.

You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo” marked with or

• The number and time of recordable pictures vary, depending on the image quality or the image size. For details, see page 58.

(p. 114).

1 Open the LCD panel.

2 Insert a cassette with its window

facing outwards, then press

The cassette compartment automatically slides back in.

2 Insert the “Memory Stick Duo”

into the “Memory Stick Duo” slot in the right direction until it clicks.

• If you force the “Memory Stick Duo” into the slot in the wrong direction, the “M emory Stick Duo,” the “Memory Stick Duo” slot, or image data may be damaged.

To eject a “Memory Stick Duo”

Lightly push the “Memory Stick Duo” in once.

• When the access lamp is lit or flashing, your camcorder is reading/writing data. Do not shake or knock your camcorder, turn the power off, eject the “Memory Stick Duo,” or remove the battery pack. Otherwise, image data may be damaged.

• When inserting or ejecting the “Memory Stick Duo,” be careful that the “Memory Stick Duo” does not pop out and drop.

Getting Started

Easy Handycam - using your camcorder with automatic settings

Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam)

With this Easy Handycam operation, most of the camera settings are automatically optimally adjusted, which frees you from detailed adjustments. The screen font size increases for easy viewing.

Movies

1 Slide the POWER switch E to turn on the CAMERA-TAPE lamp.

2 Press EASY A.

appears on the screen B.

3 Press START/STOP F or C to start recording.

To stop recording, press F or C again.

Still images

60min

1 Slide the POWER switch E to turn on the CAMERA-MEMORY lamp.

If the POWER switch is set to OFF (CHG), slide it while pressing the green button.

2 Press EASY A.

appears on the screen B.

3 Press PHOTO D to record.*

EASY

4.0M

Press fully to record.

60min

101

Flashing t Lit

Press and hold lightly to adjust the focus.

When disappears, the image has been recorded.

* Still images are recorded in [FINE] quality on a “Memory Stick Duo.”

Easy Handycam - using your camcorder with automatic settings

To record high quality still images during tape recording (Dual Rec)

Slide the POWER switch E to turn on the CAMERA-TAPE lamp, then press PHOTO D fully during tape recording. For each separate time tape recording, up to 3 still images can be recorded. After tape recording, stored still images are stored onto the “Memory Stick Duo” (p. 32).

• Do not eject “Memory Stick Duo” before tape recording is finished and the still images are stored on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

Continued ,

Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam) (Continued)

Playing back movies/still images

Slide the POWER switch E to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp. Touch the buttons on the touch panel B as follows.

Movies

Touch , then touch

to start playback.

A Stop B Play/Pause toggles C Rewind/Fast forward

x To cancel Easy Handycam operation

Press EASY A again. disappears from the screen.

x Adjustable menu settings during Easy Handycam operation

Touch [MENU] to display adjustable menu settings. See page 49 for details on settings.

• Almost all the settings return to the default setting automatically (p. 50).

• is not displayed during Easy Handycam operation.

• Cancel Easy Handycam operation if you want to add any effects or settings to the images.

till images

Touch t /

to select a picture.

A Tape playback B Previous/Next C Delete (p. 80)

x Unavailable buttons during Easy Handycam

During Easy Handycam operation, the following buttons/dial are unavailable, since the items are set automatically. [Invalid during Easy Handycam operation] may appear if operations not available during Easy Handycam are attempted.

• BACK LIGHT button (p. 33)

• Pressing and holding DISP/BATT INFO button (p. 20)

• CAM CTRL dial (p. 33)

• MANUAL button (p. 33)

Easy Handycam - using your camcorder with automatic settings

Recording/Playback

Recording

Lens cover

Opens in accordance with the setting of the POWER switch.

CAM CTRL dial

START/STOP B

1 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on

the respective lamp to select a recording medium.

PHOTO

POWER switch

START/STOP A

Movies on tape: The CAMERA-TAPE lamp lights up.

Still images on “Memory Stick Duo”: The CAMERA-MEMORY lamp

lights up.*

* The image size ratio is set by default to 4:3.

If the POWER switch is set to OFF (CHG), slide it while pressing the green button.

2 Start recording.

Movies Still images

Press START/STOP A (or B).

60min

REC

60min

[STBY] t [REC]

To stop the movie recording, press START/STOP again.

• The pictures are recorded in the HDV format in the default setting (p. 66).

To record high quality still images during tape recording (Dual Rec)

See page 32.

Press and hold PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus (A), then press it fully (B).

Beep Shutter click

A shutter sound is heard. When disappears, the image has been recorded.

To check the latest recording on a “Memory Stick Duo”

Touch . To delete the picture, touch

t [YES].

• See page 58 for the image size.

Flashing t Lit

Playback

1 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow

repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

2 Start playing back.

Movies Still images

Touch to rewind the tape to the desired point, then touch to start playback.

Touch .

The most recently recorded image is displayed.

AB C

P-MENU

Recording/Playback

A Stop B Play/Pause toggles as you touch it

• Playback automatically stops if pause is

engaged for more than 3 minutes.

C Rewind/Fast forward

• is not displayed when a “Memory Stick Duo” is not inserted or no image files exist in it.

To adjust the volume

Rotate the CAM CTRL dial to adjust the volume (p. 33).

• You can also adjust the volume on the menu (p. 67).

To search for a scene during playback

Touch and hold / during playback (Picture Search), or / while fast forwarding or rewinding the tape (Skip Scan).

• You can play back in various modes ([ VAR. SPD PB], p. 64).

A Tape playback B Previous/Next C Index screen display

• When a “Memory Stick Duo” is inserted, appears by touching .

To display pictures on a “Memory Stick Duo” on the Index screen

Touch . Touch one of the pictures to back to the single display mode. To view pictures in other folders, touch

t t [PB FOLDER], select a

folder with / , then touch (p. 60).

A Previous/Next 6 pictures B The picture displayed before switching to

the index screen.

Functions used for recording/playback, etc.

focus is about 1 cm (about 13/32 in.) for wide

Recording

angle and about 80 cm (about 2 5/8 feet) for telephoto.

• You can set [DIGITAL ZOOM] (p. 57) if you want to zoom to a level greater than 10 ×.

• Be sure to keep your finger on the power zoom lever. If you move your finger off the power zoom lever, the operation sound of the power zoom lever may also be recorded.

To record high quality still images during tape recording (Dual Rec)

................................. 1 8 qa

You can record high quality still images on the “Memory Stick Duo” during tape recording.

1 Press START/STOP 8, qa to start tape

recording.

2 Press PHOTO 1 fully.

For each separate time tape recording, up to 3 still images can be recorded.

To use zoom...................... 2 0

Move the power zoom lever 2 slightly for a slower zoom. Move it further for a faster zoom.

• You cannot change the zoom speed with the

zoom buttons 0 on the LCD panel.

• The minimum possible distance between camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp

3 Press START/STOP 8, qa to stop tape

recording. Stored still images appear one by one, and

the images are stored onto the “Memory Stick Duo.” When disappears, the image has been recorded.

• When the POWER switch is set to CAMERATAPE, still images will be recorded at image size 2.3M in the HDV format, 1.7M (4:3) or

2.3M (16:9) in the DV format.

• Do not eject the “Memory Stick Duo” before tape recording is finished and the still images are stored on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

• You cannot use the flash during Dual Rec.

• During the standby mode, still images will be stored in the same way as when the POWER switch is set to CAMERA-MEMORY. You can use the flash.

To control the image settings manually with the dial (CAM CTRL

dial/MANUAL button) ........... 5 6

CAM CTRL dial

MANUAL button

• If you use the flash in bright places such as when shooting a backlit subject, the flash may not be effective.

• When attaching a conversion lens (optional) or a filter (optional) to your camcorder, the flash light does not emit light.

• You can change the brightness of the flash by setting [FLASH LEVEL], or you can prevent the redeye by setting [REDEYE REDUC], in [FLASH SET] (p. 55).

You can assign some of the camera settings to the CAM CTRL dial 5 such as focus adjustment (default setting). See page 72 for details. During playback, you can adjust the volume using the CAM CTRL dial 5 (p. 31).

• At the time of purchase, the [FOCUS] (p. 54)

setting is assigned to the CAM CTRL dial 5. If you press the MANUAL button 6, you can switch from the auto setting to the manual setting and adjust the focus manually.

To use the flash...................... 4

Press (flash) 4 repeatedly to select an appropriate setting.

No indication (Auto flash): Automatically flashes when there is insufficient ambient light.

(Forced flash): Always uses the flash

regardless of the surrounding brightness.

(No flash): Records without flash.

• The recommended distance to the subject when using the built-in flash is 0.5 to 2.5 m (1 5/8 to 8 feet).

• Remove any dust from the surface of the flash lamp before using it. Flash effect may be impaired if heat discoloration or dust obscures the lamp.

• The flash charge lamp flickers when charging the flash, and remains lit when the battery charge is complete. (In [STBY] of the CAMERA-TAPE mode, it takes a while to fully charge the flash lamp.)

• You cannot use the flash during tape recording.

To record in dark places (NightShot)

.......................................... 7

Set the NIGHTSHOT switch 7 to ON. ( and [“NIGHTSHOT”] appear.)

• To record an image brighter, use Super NightShot function (p. 55). To record an image more faithful to the original colors, use Color Slow Shutter function (p. 56).

• The NightShot and Super NightShot function use infrared light. Therefore, do not cover the infrared port 3 with your fingers or other objects and remove the conversion lens (optional).

• Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p. 54) when it is hard to focus automatically.

• Do not use these functions in bright places. This may cause a malfunction.

To adjust the exposure for backlit

subjects ............................... 9

To adjust the exposure for backlit subjects, press BACK LIGHT 9 to display .. To cancel the back light function, press BACK LIGHT again.

• The setting you have made will return to the default setting if you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

Recording/Playback

Continued ,

Functions used for recording/playback, etc. (Continued)

qj qk ql

To record in mirror mode .......... qh

Open the LCD panel qh 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it 180 degrees to the lens side (2).

• A mirror-image of the subject appears on the

LCD screen, but the picture will be normal when recorded.

To use a tripod ....................... wa

Attach the tripod (optional: the length of the screw must be less than 5.5 mm (7/32 in.)) to the tripod receptacle wa using a tripod screw.

To use a Shoulder belt .............. qd

Attach the Shoulder belt (optional) to its designated hook qd.

Playback

To use PB zoom ................. 2 0

You can magnify images from about 1.1 to 5 times (from about 1.5 to 5 times in still images) the original size. Magnification can be adjusted with the power zoom lever 2 or the zoom buttons 0 on the LCD panel.

1 Play back the picture you want to

magnify.

2 Magnify the picture with T (Telephoto). 3 Touch the screen at the point you want

to display in the center of the displayed frame.

4 Adjust the magnification with W (Wide

angle)/T (Telephoto).

To cancel, touch [END].

• You cannot change the zoom speed with the

zoom buttons 0 on the LCD panel.

Recording/playback

To check the remaining battery

(Battery Info).......................... qs

Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG), then press DISP/BATT INFO qs. The approximate recordable time in the selected format and battery information appear for about 7 seconds. You can view the battery information for up to 20 seconds by

pressing DISP/BATT INFO again while the information is displayed.

Remaining battery (approx.)

81 90

Recording capacity (approx.)

To turn off the operation confirmation

beep (BEEP).......................... qg

See [BEEP] on page 69.

To initialize the settings

(RESET) ............................... w;

Press RESET w; to initialize all the settings, including the setting of the date and time. (Menu items customized on Personal Menu are not initialized.)

Other part names and functions

N Speaker

Playback sounds come out from the speaker.

• For how to adjust the volume, see page 31.

Q Internal stereo microphone

An Active Interface Shoe compatible microphone (optional) will take precedence when connected.

R REC lamp

The REC lamp lights up in red during recording (p. 69).

The REC lamp flashes if the remaining tape or battery power is low.

S Remote sensor

Point the Remote Commander (p. 40) towards the remote sensor to operate your camcorder.

Recording/Playback

Indicators displayed during recording/playback

3 45

30qa4

min

Recording movies

876

A Recording format ( or )

(66)

Recording mode (SP or LP) is also displayed in the DV format.

B Remaining battery (approx.) C Recording status ([STBY] (standby) or

[REC] (recording))

D During recording:

Tape counter (hour: minute: second) During playback: Time code (hour: minute: second: frame)

E Recording capacity of the tape (approx.)

(69)

F Review button for still images on the

“Memory Stick Duo” (32)

Appears when “Memory Stick Duo” is inserted.

G END SEARCH/Rec review display

switch button (39)

H Personal Menu button (48)

I Recording folder (60) J Image size (58) K Quality ([FINE] or [STD]) (58) L Number of recorded still images (32)

Recording still images

6060min

60 min

101

M “Memory Stick Duo” indicator and the

number of images that can be recorded (approx.)

0qa qd

FINE

4.0M

Data code during recording

The date/time during recording and the camera setting data will be recorded automatically. They do not appear on the screen during recording, but you can check them as [DATA CODE] during playback (p. 68).

Recording still images during tape recording (Dual Rec)

101

FINE

2.3M

2qf45

2qh0qjq

( ) is a reference page. The indicators during recording will not be recorded.

Viewing movies

N Tape transport indicator O Video operation buttons (31)

Viewing still images

3.0M

MEMORY PLAY

wfwg

8qg

wswa

P Data file name Q Picture number/Total number of

recorded pictures in the current playback folder

R Playback folder (60) S Previous/Next folder icon

The following indicators appear when the first or last picture of the current folder is displayed and when there are multiple folders on the same “Memory Stick Duo.”

Touch to move to the previous

folder. Touch to move to the next folder.

Touch / to move to either

the previous or the next folder.

T Image delete button (80) U Tape playback select button (31) V Previous/Next image button (31) W Index screen display button (31) X Image protection mark (81) Y Print mark (80)

8wd

Recording/Playback

Continued ,

Indicators displayed during recording/playback (Continued)

( ) is a reference page.

Indicators when you made changes

You can use the [DISP GUIDE] (p. 21) to check the function of each indicator that appears on the LCD screen.

• Some of the indicators may not appear when you use [DISP GUIDE].

Upper left Upper right

120

Q.REC

+2+

Bottom Center

Upper left

Indicator Meaning

Recording format (65)

AUDIO MODE (66)*

SP LP Recording mode (66)*

Self-timer recording (56)

WIDE SELECT (66)*

QUICK REC (70)**

Interval photo recording (63)

Flash light (55)

Upper right

Indicator Meaning

HDV input/ DV input (78)

HDV output/ DV output (43, 76)

i.LINK connection (42, 76, 78)

Zero set memory (40)

Slide show (61)

LCD backlight off (20)

Center

Indicator Meaning

Color Slow Shutter (56)

PictBridge connecting (81)

EZ Warning (107)

NightShot (33)

Super NightShot (55)

Bottom

Indicator Meaning

AE SHIFT (54)

WB SHIFT (54)

Picture effect (62)

Digital effect (61)

9 Manual focus (54)

n White balance (53)

CONV.LENS (57)

* The settings can be made only for the pictures

in the DV format.

** The setting can be made only for the pictures in

the HDV format.

PROGRAM AE (52)

Sharpness (54)

Backlight (33)

SteadyShot off (57)

Zebra (56)

Tele macro (55)

CAMERA COLOR (54)

SPOT METER (52)/ EXPOSURE (53)

Other indicator

Indicator Meaning

Information (108)

Searching for the starting point

Make sure that the CAMERA-TAPE lamp lights up (p. 30).

Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording (END SEARCH)

END SEARCH will not work once you eject the cassette after you have recorded on the tape.

Touch t .

END SEARCH

EXECUTING

Touch here to cancel the operation.

The last scene of the most recent recording is played back for about 5 seconds, and the camcorder enters the standby mode at the point where the last recording has finished.

• END SEARCH will not work correctly when there is a blank section between recorded sections on the tape.

• You can also select [END SEARCH] from the menu. When the PLAY/EDIT lamp lights up, select the [END SEARCH] short-cut in Personal Menu (p. 48).

0:00:00160min

CANCEL

Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes (Rec review)

You can view about 2 seconds of the scene recorded just before you stopped the tape.

Touch t .

0:00:00STBY60min

The last 2 seconds (approx.) of the most recently recorded scene are played back. Then, your camcorder is set to the standby.

Recording/Playback

Remote Commander

Remove the insulation sheet before using the Remote Commander.

Insulation sheet

1 q;

2 3

A PHOTO (p. 30)

The on-screen image when you press this button will be recorded onto the “Memory Stick Duo” as a still image.

B SEARCH M. (p. 41)* C . >* D Video control buttons (Rewind,

Playback, Fast-forward, Pause, Stop, Slow) (p. 31)

E ZERO SET MEMORY* F Transmitter G START/STOP (p. 26, 30) H Power zoom (p. 32, 34) I DISPLAY (p. 21) J Memory control buttons (Index*, –/+,

Memory playback) (p. 31)

• Aim the Remote Commander towards the remote sensor to operate your camcorder (p. 35).

• To change the battery, see page 121.

Searching quickly for a desired scene (Zero set memory)

1 During playback, press ZERO

SET MEMORY 5 at a point you want to locate later on.

The tape counter is reset to “0:00:00” and appears on the screen.

0:00:0060 min

P-MENU

If the tape counter is not displayed, press DISPLAY 9.

2 Press STOP 4 when you want to

stop playback.

3 Press mREW 4.

The tape stops automatically when the tape counter reaches “0:00:00.”

The tape counter returns to the time code display, and the zero set memory display disappears.

4 Press PLAY 4.

Playback starts from the point designated “0:00:00” on the tape counter.

* These buttons are not available during Easy

Handycam operation.

To cancel the operation

Press ZERO SET MEMORY 5 again before rewinding.

• There may be a discrepancy of several seconds between the time code and the tape counter.

• Zero set memory will not function correctly if there is a blank section between recorded sections on the tape.

Searching for a scene by date of recording (Date search)

You can locate the point where the recording date changes.

1 Slide the POWER switch

repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/ EDIT lamp.

2 Press SEARCH M. 2.

3 Press .(Previous)/>(Next)

3 to select a recording date.

min

To cancel the operation

Press STOP 4.

• The Date search will not function correctly when there is a blank section between recorded sections on the tape.

0:00:00:00

DATE -01

SEACH

min

P.MENU

Recording/Playback

Playing the picture on a TV

Connection methods and image quality differ depending on what type of TV is connected and connectors used. Use the supplied AC Adaptor as the power source (p. 15). Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the device to be connected.

• Cancel Easy Handycam operation (p. 28) before connecting.

Selecting the connection method according to your TV type and connectors

High definition TV

HD (high definition) image quality*

• An HDV formatted picture is played back as it is (HD image quality).

• A DV formatted picture is played back as it is (SD image quality).

COMPONENT IN

AUDIO

HDMI

i.LINK

(for HDV1080i)

B CA

t (p. 43) t (p. 44)t (p. 43)

16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV

SD (standard definition) image quality*

• An HDV formatted picture is down converted to DV format (SD image quality) and played back.

• A DV formatted picture is played back as it is (SD image quality).

COMPONENT IN

AUDIO

t (p. 44) t (p. 45) t (p. 45)

• Make all menu settings on your camcorder before connecting. The TV may not recognize the video signal properly when changing [VCR HDV/DV] and [i.LINK CONV] settings after connecting with an i.LINK cable.

* Pictures recorded in the DV format are played back as SD (standard definition) images regardless of the

connection.

i.LINK

E F G

t (p. 45)

S VIDEO

VIDEO/AUDIO

Jacks on your camcorder

Open the jack cover and connect the cable.

Connecting to a high definition TV

: Signal flow

Type Camcorder Cable TV Menu Setting

• An A/V connecting cable is also needed to output audio signals. Connect the white and red plugs of the A/ V connecting cable to the audio input jack of your TV.

Component video cable (supplied)

A/V connecting cable (supplied)

HDMI cable (optional)

(Green) Y

(Blue) PB/C

(Red) PR/C

(Red)

(White)

(Yellow)

HDMI

(STANDARD SET)

[VCR HDV/DV] t [AUTO] (p. 65) [COMPONENT] t [1080i/480i] (p. 67)

(STANDARD SET)

[VCR HDV/DV] t [AUTO] (p. 65)

Recording/Playback

• Use an HDMI cable with the HDMI logo.

• Pictures in the HDV format are not output from the HDMI OUT jack, if copyright protection signals are recorded in the pictures.

• DV format pictures input to the camcorder via i.LINK cable (p. 77) cannot be output.

• Your TVs may not function correctly (e.g., no sound or image). Do not connect the HDMI OUT jack of your camcorder and HDMI OUT jack of the external device with the HDMI cable. This may cause a malfunction.

Continued ,

: Signal flow

Type Camcorder Cable TV Menu Setting

• Your TV needs to have an i.LINK jack compatible with HDV1080i. For details, confirm the

specifications of your TV. For details on Sony HDV1080i compliant TVs, see page 113.

• If your TV is not compatible with HDV1080i, connect your camcorder and TV with the supplied

component video cable and A/V connecting cable as illustrated in .

• The TV needs to be set so that it recognizes that the camcorder is connected. See the instruction manuals

supplied with your TV.

i.LINK cable (optional)

(STANDARD SET)

[VCR HDV/DV] t [AUTO] (p. 65) [i.LINK CONV] t [OFF] (p. 68)

Connecting to a 16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV

To set the aspect ratio according to the connected TV (16:9/4:3)

Change the [TV TYPE] setting to match your TV (p. 68).

• When you play back a tape recorded in the DV format on a 4:3 TV not compatible with the 16:9 signal, set

[ WIDE SELECT] to [4:3] on your camcorder when recording a picture (p. 66).

: Signal flow

Type Camcorder Cable TV Menu Setting

(STANDARD SET)

[VCR HDV/DV] t [AUTO] (p. 65) [COMPONENT] t [480i] (p. 67) [TV TYPE] t [16:9]/[4:3]* (p. 68)

• A/V connecting cable is also needed to output audio signals. Connect the white and red plugs of the A/V

connecting cable to the audio input jack of your TV.

: Signal flow

Type Camcorder Cable TV Menu Setting

(STANDARD SET)

[VCR HDV/DV] t [AUTO] (p. 65)

• The TV needs to be set so that it recognizes that the camcorder is connected. See the instruction manuals supplied with your TV.

• When connecting only an S VIDEO plug (S VIDEO channel), audio signals are not output. To output audio signals, connect the white and red plugs of the A/V connecting cable with an S VIDEO cable to the audio input jack of your TV.

• This connection produces higher resolution pictures compared with the A/V connecting cable (Type ).

i.LINK cable (optional)

A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (optional)

A/V connecting cable (supplied)

(Red)

(White)

(Yellow)

(Red)

(White)

(Yellow)

[i.LINK CONV] t [ON (HDV t DV)] (p. 68)

(STANDARD SET)

[VCR HDV/DV] t [AUTO] (p. 65) [TV TYPE] t [16:9]/[4:3]* (p. 68)

(STANDARD SET)

[VCR HDV/DV] t [AUTO] (p. 65) [TV TYPE] t [16:9]/[4:3]* (p. 68)

Recording/Playback

* Change the settings according to the TV connected.

• If you connect your camcorder to your TV using more than one type of cable to output images from a jack other than the i.LINK jack, the order of priority of the output signals is as follows: HDMI t component video t S VIDEO t audio/video.

• See page 117 for the details of i.LINK.

Continued ,

Playing the picture on a TV (Continued)

About HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)

HDMI OUT jack is an interface to send both video/audio signals. Connecting HDMI OUT jack and external device supplies high quality images and digital audio to you.

When connecting to your TV via a VCR

Select the connecting method on page 74 depending on the input jack of the VCR. Connect your camcorder to the LINE IN input on the VCR using the A/V connecting cable. Set the input selector on the VCR to LINE (VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, etc.).

When your TV is monaural (When your TV has only one audio input jack)

Connect the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable to the video input jack and connect the white (left channel) or the red (right channel) plug to the audio input jack of your TV or VCR. When you want to play the sound in monaural mode, use a connecting cable for that purpose.

Recording/Playback

Using the Menu

Using the menu items

Follow the instructions below to use each of the menu items listed after this page.

1 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow

repeatedly to turn on the respective lamp.

CAMERA-TAPE lamp: settings on a tape

CAMERA-MEMORY lamp: settings on a “Memory Stick Duo”

PLAY/EDIT lamp: settings for viewing/editing

2 Touch the LCD screen to select the menu item.

Unavailable items will be grayed out.

x To use the short-cuts of Personal Menu

On Personal Menu, short-cuts for frequently used menu items are added.

• You can customize Personal Menu as you like (p. 71).

1 Touch .

STBY

SMOOTH SLWREC

DISP GUIDE

EXPOSURE

0:00:00

60min

DIAL

1/3

SET

TELE MACRO

2 Touch the desired item.

If the desired item is not displayed on the screen, touch / until the item is displayed.

3 Select the desired setting, then touch .

x To use menu items

You can customize menu items that are not added to Personal Menu.

1234

60min STBY

CAMERA SET

PROGRAM AE SPOT METER EXPOSURE

1 Touch t [MENU].

The menu index screen appears.

2 Select the desired menu.

Touch / to select the item, then touch (The process in step 3 is the same as that in step 2).

3 Select the desired item.

•You can also touch the item directly to select it.

4 Customize the item.

After finishing the settings, touch t (close) to hide the menu screen.

If you decide not to change the setting, touch to return to the previous screen.

x To use menu items during Easy Handycam operation

is not displayed during Easy Handycam operation (p. 28).

STBY

EASY

60min

1 Touch [MENU].

Available menu items appear on the screen.

2 Select the desired menu. 3 Change your item setting.

After finishing the settings, touch . If you decide not to change the setting, touch to return to the previous screen.

• Cancel Easy Handycam operation to use menu items normally (p. 28).

• See page 72 for the settings of CAM CTRL dial.

Using the Menu

Menu items

CAMERA SET menu (p. 52)

PROGRAM AE zz – AUTO SPOT METER zz – EXPOSURE zz – WHITE BAL. zz – SHARPNESS zz – AUTO SHUTTER z –– AE SHIFT zz – CAMERA COLOR zz – WB SHIFT zz – SPOT FOCUS zz – FOCUS zz – TELE MACRO zz– FLASH SET zz – SUPER NS z –– NS LIGHT zz – COLOR SLOW S zz – ZEBRA zz – HISTOGRAM zz – SELF-TIMER zz – DIGITAL ZOOM z –– STEADYSHOT z –– CONV.LENS z –– DIAL SET zz –

MEMORY SET menu (p. 58)

STILL SET – zzFINE/z*

ALL ERASE – – z

FORMAT – zz FILE NO. – zz NEW FOLDER – zz REC FOLDER – zz PB FOLDER – – z

PICT.APPLI. menu (p. 61)

FADER z –– SLIDE SHOW – – z D.EFFECT z – z PICT.EFFECT z – z INT.REC-STL – z – SMTH SLW REC z –– PictBridge PRINT – – z USB SELECT – – z

Available menu items (z) vary depending on which lamp is lit. During Easy Handycam operation, the setting is set automatically as shown in the following list.

Position of lamp: TAPE MEMORY PLAY/EDIT Easy Handycam

– AUTO AUTO

–

OFF

–

– AUTO AUTO

OFF

*/OFF

OFF

ON OFF OFF OFF

z**

OFF

–*

–

–*

– –* –*

OFF

–

OFF OFF OFF

–

Position of lamp:

DEMO MODE z –– ON

TAPE MEMORY PLAY/EDIT Easy Handycam

EDIT/PLAY menu (p. 64)

VAR. SPD PB – – z –

REC CTRL – – z BURN DVD – – z END SEARCH z – z

STANDARD SET menu (p. 65)

VCR HDV/DV – – z AUTO REC FORMAT z ––

DV SET z – z

VOLUME – – z MULTI-SOUND – – z

LCD/VF SET zzz

COMPONENT zzz i.LINK CONV z – z TV TYPE zzz DISP GUIDE zzz STATUS CHECK z – z GUIDEFRAME zz – DATA CODE – – z

REMAINING z – z REMOTE CTRL zzz REC LAMP zz – BEEP zzz DISP OUTPUT zzz MENU ROTATE zzz A.SHUT OFF zzz CALIBRATION – – z QUICK REC z ––

TIME/LANGU. menu (p. 70)

CLOCK SET zzz WORLD TIME zzz LANGUAGE zzz

* The setting value before entering Easy Handycam operation will be retained. ** Cannot be operated in the CAMERA-TAPE mode.

– – –

SP*/16:9 WIDE*/

*/–*

STEREO

– /NORMAL/ – /

NORMAL

1080i/480i*

OFF* 16:9*

–

OFF

AUTO

ON ON

LCD PANEL

NORMAL*

5min

–

OFF

–* –*

Using the Menu

CAMERA SET menu

Settings to adjust your camcorder to the recording conditions (EXPOSURE/WHITE BAL./STEADYSHOT, etc.)

The default settings are marked with B. The indicators in parentheses appear when the items are selected.

See page 48 for details on selecting menu items.

PROGRAM AE

You can record pictures effectively in various situations with the [PROGRAM AE] function.

B AUTO

Select to automatically record pictures effectively without the [PROGRAM AE] function.

SPOTLIGHT*( )

Select to prevent people’s faces from appearing excessively white when subjects are lit by strong light.

PORTRAIT (Soft portrait) ( )

Select to bring out the subject such as people or flowers while creating a soft background.

BEACH&SKI*( )

SUNSET&MOON**( )

Select to maintain the atmosphere of situations such as sunsets, general night views or fireworks.

LANDSCAPE**( )

Select to shoot distant subjects clearly. This setting also prevents your camcorder from focusing on glass or metal mesh in windows that comes in between the camcorder and the subject.

• Items with one asterisk (*) are adjusted to focus

on subjects only a short distance away. Items with two asterisks (**) are adjusted to focus on subjects farther away.

• The setting returns to [AUTO] when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

SPOT METER (Flexible spot meter)

You can adjust and fix the exposure to the subject, so that it is recorded in suitable brightness even when there is strong contrast between the subject and the background, such as subjects in the spotlight on stage.

Select to prevent people’s faces from appearing dark in strong light or reflected light, such as at a beach in midsummer or on a ski slope.

1 Touch the point where you want to fix and

adjust the exposure on the screen.

appears.

2 Touch [END].

To return the setting to automatic exposure, touch [AUTO] t [END].

• If you set [SPOT METER], [EXPOSURE] is automatically set to [MANUAL].

• The setting returns to [AUTO] when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

EXPOSURE

You can fix the brightness of a picture manually. When recording indoors on a clear day, for instance, you can avoid backlight shadows on people next to the window by fixing the exposure to that of the wall side of the room.

1 Touch [MANUAL].

appears.

2 Adjust the exposure by touching /

3 Touch .

To return the setting to automatic exposure, touch [AUTO] t .

• You can also adjust the setting manually using the CAM CTRL dial (p. 72).

• The setting returns to [AUTO] when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

WHITE BAL. (White balance)

You can adjust the color balance to the brightness of the recording environment.

B AUTO

The white balance is adjusted automatically.

OUTDOOR ( )

The white balance is adjusted to be appropriate for the following recording conditions:

– Outdoors – Night views, neon signs and fireworks – Sunrise or sunset – Under daylight fluorescent lamps

INDOOR (n)

The white balance is adjusted to be appropriate for the following recording conditions:

– Indoors – At party scenes or studios where the lighting

conditions change quickly

– Under video lamps in a studio, or under

sodium lamps or incandescent-like color lamps

ONE PUSH ( )

The white balance will be adjusted according to the ambient light.

1 Touch [ONE PUSH]. 2 Frame a white object such as a piece of

paper, to fill the screen under the same lighting conditions as you will shoot the subject.

3 Touch [ ].

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

•Do not shake your camcorder while

is flashing quickly.

• flashes slowly if white balance

could not be set.

•If keeps flashing even after you

have touched , set [WHITE BAL.] to [AUTO].

• If you have changed the battery pack while [AUTO] is selected, taken your camcorder outdoors or brought it indoors after outside use while using fixed exposure, select [AUTO] and aim your camcorder at a nearby white object for about 10 seconds for better color balance adjustment.

• Redo the [ONE PUSH] procedure if you change the [PROGRAM AE] settings, or bring your camcorder outdoors from inside the house, or vice versa.

• Set [WHITE BAL.] to [AUTO] or [ONE PUSH] under white or cool white fluorescent lamps.

• The setting returns to [AUTO] when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

Using the Menu

CAMERA SET menu (Continued)

SHARPNESS

You can adjust the sharpness of the image outline with / . appears when the sharpness is anything other than the default setting.

Soften Sharpen

AUTO SHUTTER

Automatically activates the electronic shutter to adjust the shutter speed when recording in bright conditions if you set it to [ON] (the default setting).

AE SHIFT

You can adjust the exposure using (dark)/ (bright). and the setting value appear when [AE SHIFT] is anything other than the default setting.

• Touch if the subject is white or the backlight is bright, or touch if the subject is black or the light is dim.

• You can adjust the automatic exposure level to brighter or darker when [EXPOSURE] is set to [AUTO].

• You can also adjust the setting manually using the CAM CTRL dial (p. 72).

CAMERA COLOR

You can adjust the color intensity with

/ . appears when [CAMERA COLOR] is anything other than the default setting.

Decreases color intensity

Increases color intensity

WB SHIFT (White Balance Shift)

You can adjust the white balance to the desired setting using / .

and the setting value appear when [WB SHIFT] is anything other than the default setting.

• When the white balance is set to a lower value,

pictures appear bluish, and when set to a higher value, pictures appear reddish.

• You can also adjust the setting manually using

the CAM CTRL dial (p. 72).

SPOT FOCUS

You can select and adjust the focal point to aim it at a subject not located in the center of the screen.

1 Touch the subject on the screen.

9 appears.

2 Touch [END].

To adjust the focus automatically, touch [AUTO] t [END] in step 1.

• If you set [SPOT FOCUS], [FOCUS] is

automatically set to [MANUAL].

• The setting returns to [AUTO] when you set the

POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

FOCUS

You can adjust the focus manually. You can select this function also when you want to focus on a certain subject intentionally.

1 Touch [MANUAL].

9 appears.

2 Touch (focusing on close subjects)/

(focusing on distant subjects) to

sharpen the focus. appears when the focus cannot be adjusted any closer, and appears when the focus cannot be adjusted farther away.

3 Touch .

To adjust the focus automatically, touch [AUTO] t in step 1.

• It is easier to focus on the subject by moving the power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) to adjust the focus, then towards W (wide angle) to adjust the zoom for recording. When you want to record a subject at close range, move the power zoom lever to W (wide angle), then adjust the focus.

• The minimum possible distance between camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp focus is about 1 cm (about 13/32 in.) for wide angle and about 80 cm (about 2 5/8 feet) for telephoto.

• The setting returns to [AUTO] when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

• You can also adjust the focus manually using the CAM CTRL dial (p. 72).

TELE MACRO

This is useful to shoot small subjects, such as flowers or insects. You can blur out backgrounds and the subject stands out clearer. When you set [TELE MACRO] to [ON] ( ), the zoom (p. 32) moves to the top of the T (Telephoto) side automatically and allows for recording subjects at a close distance, down to about 37 cm (14 5/8 in.).

To cancel, touch [OFF], or zoom to wideangle (W side).

• When recording a distant subject, focusing may be difficult and can take some time.

• Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p. 54) when it is hard to focus automatically.

FLASH SET

You can set this function when you use the built-in flash or an external flash (optional) that is compatible with your camcorder.

x FLASH LEVEL

HIGH( )

Makes the flash level higher.

B NORMAL( )

LOW( )

Makes the flash level lower.

x REDEYE REDUC

You can prevent redeye by activating the flash before recording. Set [REDEYE REDUC] to [ON], then press

(flash) (p. 33) repeatedly to select a

setting.

(Auto redeye reduction): Pre-flashes to reduce redeye before the flash automatically flashes when there is insufficient ambient light.

(Forced redeye reduction): Always uses

the flash and the redeye reducing pre-flash.

(No flash): Records without flash.

• The redeye reduction may not produce the desired effect due to individual differences and other conditions.

SUPER NS (Super NightShot)

The picture will be recorded at a maximum of 16 times the sensitivity of NightShot recording if you set [SUPER NS] to [ON] while the NIGHTSHOT switch (p. 33) is also set to ON.

and [“SUPER NIGHTSHOT”] appear

on the screen.

To return to the normal setting, set [SUPER NS] to [OFF], or set the NIGHTSHOT switch to OFF.

Using the Menu

Continued ,

CAMERA SET menu (Continued)

• Do not use NightShot/[SUPER NS] in bright places. This may cause a malfunction.

• Do not cover the infrared port with your fingers or other objects (p. 33).

• Remove the conversion lens (optional).

• Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p. 54) when it is hard to focus automatically.

• The shutter speed of your camcorder changes depending on the brightness. The motion of the picture may slow down in this case.

NS LIGHT (NightShot Light)

When using either the NightShot (p. 33) or [SUPER NS] (p. 55) function to record, you can record clearer pictures by setting [NS LIGHT], which emits infrared light (invisible), to [ON] (the default setting).

• Do not cover the infrared port with your fingers or other objects (p. 33).

• Remove the conversion lens (optional).

• The maximum shooting distance using [NS LIGHT] is about 3 m (10 feet).

COLOR SLOW S (Color Slow Shutter)

When you set [COLOR SLOW S] to [ON], you can record an image brighter in color even in dark places.

and [COLOR SLOW SHUTTER]

appear on the screen.

To cancel [COLOR SLOW S], touch [OFF].

• Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p. 54) when it is hard to focus automatically.

• The shutter speed of your camcorder changes depending on the brightness. The motion of the picture may slow down at this time.

ZEBRA

Diagonal stripes appear in portions of the screen where brightness is at a preset level. This is useful as a guide when adjusting the brightness. When you change the default setting, is displayed. The zebra pattern is not recorded.

B OFF

The zebra pattern is not displayed.

The zebra pattern appears at a screen brightness level of about 70 IRE.

100

The zebra pattern appears at a screen brightness level of about 100 IRE or higher.

• Portions of the screen where brightness is about 100 IRE or above may appear overexposed.

• IRE represents the screen brightness.

HISTOGRAM

When you set [HISTOGRAM] to [ON], the [HISTOGRAM] (a graph to display a distribution of tones in your picture) window appears on the screen. This item is useful when you adjust exposure. You can adjust the [EXPOSURE] or [AE SHIFT] checking the [HISTOGRAM] window. The [HISTOGRAM] will not be recorded on a tape or “Memory Stick Duo.”

Pixels

BrighterDarker

Brightness

• The left area on the graph shows the darker areas of the picture while the right area shows the brighter areas.

SELF-TIMER

The self-timer starts recording after about 10 seconds.

Press START/STOP to record movies, or PHOTO to record still images when [SELFTIMER] is set to [ON] and appears.

To cancel the count down, touch [RESET].

To cancel the self-timer, select [OFF].

• You can also operate by pressing START/STOP or PHOTO on the Remote Commander (p. 40).

You can select the maximum zoom level in case you want to zoom to a level greater than 10 × (the default setting) while recording on a tape. Note that the image quality decreases when you are using the digital zoom.

When using an optional conversion lens, use this function to record using the optimum compensation for camera shake for each lens.

B OFF

Select this when the conversion lens (optional) is not used.

WIDE CONV. ( )

Select this to use the wide conversion lens (optional).

TELE CONV. ( )

Select this to use the tele conversion lens (optional).

B OFF

Up to 10 × zoom is performed optically.

20 ×

Up to 10 × zoom is performed optically, and after that, up to 20 × zoom is performed digitally.

80 ×

Up to 10 × zoom is performed optically, and after that, up to 80 × zoom is performed digitally.

You can compensate for camera shake (the default setting is [ON]). Set [STEADYSHOT] to [OFF] ( ) when using a tripod (optional), then the image becomes natural.

You can assign an item you want to set to the CAM CTRL dial and adjust it manually using the CAM CTRL dial.

B FOCUS

Assigns the [FOCUS] (p. 54) setting to the CAM CTRL dial.

EXPOSURE

Assigns the [EXPOSURE] (p. 53) setting to the CAM CTRL dial.

AE SHIFT

Assigns the [AE SHIFT] (p. 54) setting to the CAM CTRL dial.

WB SHIFT

Assigns the [WB SHIFT] (p. 54) setting to the CAM CTRL dial.

Using the Menu

MEMORY SET menu

Settings for the “Memory Stick Duo” (QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/ALL ERASE/NEW FOLDER, etc.)

The default settings are marked with B. The indicators in parentheses appear when the items are selected.

See page 48 for details on selecting menu items.

STILL SET

x QUALITY

B FINE ( )

Records still images at the fine image quality level.

STANDARD ( )

Records still images at the standard image quality level.

• Image quality is automatically fixed to [FINE]

during Easy Handycam operation.

x IMAGE SIZE

B 4.0M ( )

• [ IMAGE SIZE] can be set only when the

POWER switch is set to CAMERA-MEMORY.

4.0M

Records still images clearly.

3.0M ( )

Records still images clearly in the 16:9 (wide) ratio.

3.0M

1.9M ( )

Allows you to record more still images in relatively clear quality.

VGA (0.3M) ( )

Allows for the maximum number of images to be recorded.

Capacity of the “Memory Stick Duo” (MB) and the number of recordable pictures

When the POWER switch is set to CAMERAMEMORY

4.0M

3.0M

1.9M

2304 ×

1728

1296

4.0M 3.0M

16MB 7

32MB 15

64MB 31

128MB 63

256MB 110

512MB 230

1GB 475

2GB 970

• All numbers measured at the following setting: Top: [FINE] is selected for image quality. Bottom: [STANDARD] is selected for image quality.

• When using the “Memory Stick Duo” made by Sony Corporation. The number of recordable pictures varies depending on the recording environment.

15083195

270

550

1100

2300

9865150

150 355

305 720

620

1450

1250 3000

When the POWER switch is set to CAMERATAPE*

2.3M 2016 × 1134

16MB 13

32MB 27

1600 × 1200

163796

3275190

130 300

235 540

480

1100

980

2250

2000 4650

1.7M 1512 × 1134

1.7M

VGA 640 × 480

240

485

390 980

780

1970

1400 3550

2850 7200

5900

14500

12000 30000

17 40

36 85

2.3M 2016 × 1134

64MB 54

128MB 105

256MB 195

512MB 400

1GB 820

1950

2GB 1650

4000

* [ IMAGE SIZE] is fixed to [ 2.3M] in

HDV or DV format (16:9) and [1.7M] in DV format (4:3).

• All numbers measured at the following setting: Top: [FINE] is selected for image quality. Bottom: [STANDARD] is selected for image quality.

• When using the “Memory Stick Duo” made by Sony Corporation. The number of recordable pictures varies depending on the recording environment.

130

260

470

960

1.7M 1512 × 1134

1.7M

170

145 340

260 590

530

1200

1050 2450

1800 4300

When the POWER switch is set to PLAY/ EDIT*

1.2M 1440 × 810

16MB 25

32MB 51

64MB 100

128MB 205

256MB 370

512MB 760

1.2M

6096240

120

240

490

890

1800

VGA 640 × 480

190 485

390 980

780

1970

1400 3550

2850 7200

0.2M 640 × 360

115 240

240 485

490 980

980

1970

1750 3550

3600 7200

1.2M 1440 × 810

1GB 1550

2GB 3150

* [ IMAGE SIZE] is fixed to [ 1.2M] in

HDV format, [ 0.2M] in DV format (16:9) and [VGA (0.3M)] in DV format (4:3).

• All numbers measured at the following setting: Top: [FINE] is selected for image quality. Bottom: [STANDARD] is selected for image quality.

• When using the “Memory Stick Duo” made by Sony Corporation. The number of recordable pictures varies depending on the recording environment.

1.2M

3650

7500

VGA 640 × 480

14500

12000 30000

5900

0.2M 640 × 360

14500

15000 30000

7300

Approximate data size of a picture (kB)

4:3 picture

4.0M 1.9M 1.7M VGA

1980

830

960 420

860 370

150

16:9 picture

3.0M 2.3M 1.2M 0.2M

1500

640

• Data sizes measured at the following settings: Top: [FINE] is selected for image quality. Bottom: [STANDARD] is selected for image quality.

1150

480

610 260

130

ALL ERASE

Deletes all the pictures on a “Memory Stick Duo” without image protection, or in the selected folder.

1 Select [ALL FILES] or [CURRNT

FOLDER]. [ALL FILES]: Deletes all the images on

the “Memory Stick Duo.”

Continued ,

Using the Menu

MEMORY SET menu (Continued)

[CURRNT FOLDER]: Deletes all the images in the selected folder.

2 Touch [YES] twice t .

• Cancel image protection on the “Memory Stick Duo” beforehand when using the “Memory Stick Duo” with the write-protect tab (p. 114).

• The folder will not be deleted even when you delete all the pictures in the folder.

• Do not do any of the following while [ Erasing all data...] is displayed:

– Operate the POWER switch/operation

buttons.

– Eject the “Memory Stick Duo.”

FORMAT

The “Memory Stick Duo” has been formatted at the factory, and does not require formatting.

To execute formatting, touch [YES] twice t . Formatting is completed, and all the images will be deleted.

• Do not do any of the following while [ Formatting…] is displayed:

– Operate the POWER switch/operation

buttons.

– Eject the “Memory Stick Duo.”

• Formatting erases everything on the “Memory Stick Duo” including protected image data and newly created folders.

NEW FOLDER

You can create a new folder (102MSDCF to 999MSDCF) on a “Memory Stick Duo.” When a folder is full (a maximum of 9,999 images are stored) a new folder is automatically created.

Touch [YES] t .

• You cannot delete the created folders using your camcorder. You will have to format the “Memory Stick Duo” (p. 60), or delete them using your computer.

• The number of recordable pictures on a “Memory Stick Duo” may decrease as the number of folders increases.

REC FOLDER (Recording folder)

Select the folder to be used for recording with / , then touch .

• As the default setting, pictures are saved in the 101MSDCF folder.

• Once you record a picture in a folder, the same folder will be set as the default folder for playback.

PB FOLDER (Playback folder)

Select the playback folder with / , then touch .

FILE NO.

B SERIES

Assigns file numbers in sequence even if the “Memory Stick Duo” is replaced with another one. The file number is reset when a new folder is created or the recording folder is replaced with another.

RESET

Resets the file number to 0001 each time the “Memory Stick Duo” is changed.

PICT.APPLI. menu

Special effects on pictures or additional functions on recording/playback (SLIDE SHOW/PICT.EFFECT/SMTH SLW REC, etc.)

The default settings are marked with B. The indicators in parentheses appear when the items are selected.

See page 48 for details on selecting menu items.

FADER

You can record a transition with the following effects adding to the interval between scenes.

1 Select the desired effect in [STBY] (during

fading in) or [REC] (during fading out) mode, then touch .

2 Press START/STOP.

The fader indicator stops flashing and disappears when the fade is complete.

To cancel before starting the operation, touch [OFF] in step 1. Once you press START/STOP, the setting is canceled.

STBY REC

Fading out Fading in

WHITE FADER

SLIDE SHOW

Plays back the images stored on a “Memory Stick Duo,” or in a folder in sequence (slide show).

1 Touch t [PB FOLDER]. 2 Select [ALL FILES ( )] or [CURRNT

FOLDER ( )], then touch . If you select [CURRNT FOLDER ( )],

all the images in the current playback folder selected in [PB FOLDER] (p. 60) are played back in sequence.

3 Touch [REPEAT]. 4 Select [ON] or [OFF], then .

To repeat the slide show, select [ON] ().

To execute the slide show only once, select [OFF].

5 Touch [END] t [START].

To cancel [SLIDE SHOW], touch [END]. To pause, touch [PAUSE].

• You can select the first picture for the slide show with / before touching [START].

D.EFFECT (Digital effect)

You can add digital effects to your recordings.

Using the Menu

BLACK FADER

MOSAIC FADER

MONOTONE

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

1 Touch the desired effect.

When you select [STILL], the image is saved as a still image.

2 Adjust the effect with / , then

touch .

Effect Items to adjust

CINEMA EFECT*

STILL The degree of

No adjustment necessary.

transparency of the still image you want to superimpose under a movie.

Continued ,

PICT.APPLI. menu (Continued)

Effect Items to adjust

FLASH The interval of frame-by-

TRAIL The fade time of the

SLOW SHUTTR*

OLD MOVIE* No adjustment necessary.

* Available during tape recording only.

3 Touch .

appears.

frame playback.

incidental image.

Shutter speed (1 is 1/30, 2 is 1/15, 3 is 1/8, 4 is 1/4).

To cancel [D.EFFECT], touch [OFF] in step 1.

B OFF

Does not use [D.EFFECT] setting.

CINEMA EFECT (Cinematic effect)

You can add a cinematic atmosphere to pictures by adjusting the image quality.

STILL

Records a movie while superimposing it on a previously recorded still image.

FLASH (flash motion)

Records a movie with a serial-still-image effect (strobe effect).

TRAIL

Records a picture so that an incidental image like a trail is left.

SLOW SHUTTR (slow shutter)

The shutter speed is slowed down. Suitable for shooting a subject more clearly in a dark place.

• Adjust the focus manually using a tripod (optional) since adjusting the focus automatically is hard when [SLOW SHUTTR] is selected. ([FOCUS], p. 54)

OLD MOVIE

Adds an old movie effect with a sepia hue to pictures.

• You cannot change to another digital effect while recording pictures on a tape with [CINEMA EFECT] selected.

• You cannot record playback pictures edited using special effects on the tape in your camcorder.

• You cannot add effects to externally input pictures. Also, you cannot output playback pictures edited with digital effects via the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK).

• You can save pictures edited using special effects on a “Memory Stick Duo” (p. 79) or record them on another VCR/DVD device, etc. (p. 74).

• While using [D.EFFECT], you cannot use the review button for still images on the “Memory Stick Duo” .

PICT.EFFECT (Picture effect)

You can add special effects to a picture during recording or playback. appears.

B OFF

Does not use [PICT.EFFECT] setting.

SKINTONE*

Makes skin texture look more smoother and more appealing.

NEG.ART

The color and brightness are reversed.

SEPIA

Pictures appear in sepia.

B&W

Pictures appear in black and white.

SOLARIZE

Pictures appear as an illustration with strong contrast.

PASTEL*

Pictures appear as a pale pastel drawing.

MOSAIC*

Pictures appear mosaic-patterned.

* Available during tape recording only.

• You cannot add effects to externally input pictures. The playback pictures edited with picture effects are output via the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK) without effect control.

• You can save pictures edited using special effects on a “Memory Stick Duo” (p. 79) or record them on another VCR/DVD device, etc. (p. 74).

INT.REC-STL (Interval photo recording)

You can record still images on the “Memory Stick Duo” at a selected interval. This function is useful to observe the movement of clouds or the changes in daylight, etc.

[a]: Recording [b]: Interval

1 Touch t a desired interval time (1, 5

or 10 minutes) t t [ON] t t .

2 Press PHOTO fully.

stops flashing and the interval still

image recording starts.

To cancel [INT.REC-STL], select [OFF] in step 1.

SMTH SLW REC (Smooth slow recording)

Fast moving subjects and actions, which cannot be captured under the general shooting conditions, can be shot in smooth moving slow-motion for about 3 seconds. This is useful to shoot fast actions such as a golf or tennis swing.

Press START/STOP on the [SMTH SLW REC] screen. An about 3 second movie is recorded as a 12 second slow-motion movie. When [Recording···] disappears, recording is finished.

Touch to select one of the following start points for recording before pressing START/STOP.

Using the Menu

[3sec AFTER]*

[3sec BEFORE]

* The default setting is [3sec AFTER].

• Sounds cannot be recorded.

To cancel [SMTH SLW REC], select [END].

PictBridge PRINT

See page 81.

Continued ,

PICT.APPLI. menu (Continued)

USB SELECT

You can connect the camcorder to a personal computer with a USB cable and view pictures on the computer. You can also connect the camcorder to a PictBridge compatible printer (p. 81) using this function.

B Memory Stick

Select this to view pictures on a “Memory Stick Duo” on the computer or to import them to the computer.

PictBridge PRINT

Select this when you connect the camcorder to a PictBridge compatible printer to print out directly (p. 81).

DEMO MODE

The default setting is [ON], allowing you to view the demonstration in about 10 minutes, after you have removed both a cassette and a “Memory Stick Duo” from your camcorder, and slide the POWER switch to turn on the CAMERA-TAPE lamp.

• The demonstration will be suspended in

situations such as those described below. – When you touch the screen during the

demonstration (The demonstration starts again after about 10 minutes).

– When a cassette or a “Memory Stick Duo” is

inserted.

– When the POWER switch is set to other than

CAMERA-TAPE.

EDIT/PLAY menu

Settings for editing or playing back in various modes (VAR.SPD PB/END SEARCH, etc.)

The default settings are marked with B. The indicators in parentheses appear when the items are selected.

See page 48 for details on selecting menu items.

VAR.SPD PB

(Various speed playback)

You can play back in various modes while viewing movies.

1 Touch the following buttons during

playback.

To Touch

change the playback direction*

play back slowly** To reverse direction:

play back frame by frame

* Horizontal lines may appear at the top,

bottom, or in the center of the screen. This is not a malfunction.

**Pictures output from the HDV/DV

Interface (i.LINK) cannot be played back smoothly in slow mode.

2 Touch t .

To return to the normal playback mode, touch (Play/Pause) twice (once from frame playback).

• You will not hear the recorded sound. You may see mosaic-like images of the previously played picture.

• Pictures in the HDV format are not output from the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK) when they

(frame)

(frame) t

(frame) during playback pause. To reverse direction:

(frame) during frame playback.

are paused or played back in any mode other than normal playback mode.

• Pictures in the HDV format may appear distorted during:

– Picture search – Reverse playback

• Playing back slowly to the reverse direction and playing back frame by frame to the reverse direction are not available in HDV1080i format.

REC CTRL

(Movie recording control)

See page 78.

BURN DVD

When your camcorder is connected to a Sony VAIO series personal computer, you can easily burn the picture recorded on the tape on a DVD (Direct Access to “Click to DVD”) (p. 89).

• The quality of the picture to be copied to DVDs is SD (standard definition).

END SEARCH

EXEC

The most recently recorded picture is played back for about 5 seconds and then stops automatically.

CANCEL

Stops [END SEARCH].

• [END SEARCH] will not work once you eject the cassette after you have recorded on the tape.

STANDARD SET

Settings while recording on a tape or other basic settings (REC MODE/MULTI-SOUND/ LCD/VF SET/DISP OUTPUT/QUICK REC, etc.)

The default settings are marked with B. The indicators in parentheses appear when the items are selected.

See page 48 for details on selecting menu items.

VCR HDV/DV

Select the playback signal. Normally select [AUTO]. When your camcorder is connected to another device using an i.LINK cable, select the signal to input/output from the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK). The selected signal is recorded or played back.

B AUTO

Switches the signals between HDV and DV format automatically when playing back a tape.

During i.LINK connection, switches the signals between HDV and DV formats automatically, and inputs/outputs from the

HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK).

HDV

Plays back only the portions recorded in HDV format.

During i.LINK connection, inputs/outputs only HDV formatted signals from the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK), and records/ plays back. You can also select this when connecting the camcorder to a computer, etc.

Plays back only the portions recorded in DV format.

During i.LINK connection, inputs/outputs only DV formatted signals from the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK), and records/ plays back. You can also select this when connecting the camcorder to a computer, etc.

Using the Menu

Continued ,

STANDARD SET menu (Continued)

• Disconnect the i.LINK cable before changing

the [VCR HDV/DV] setting. Otherwise, the connected device, such as a VCR, may not be able to recognize the video signal from your camcorder.

• When [AUTO] is selected, when the signal

switches between HDV and DV formats, the picture and sound are interrupted temporarily.

• When [i.LINK CONV] is set to [ON (HDV t

DV)], pictures are output as follows: – at [AUTO], an HDV signal is converted to the

DV format and output; a DV signal is output as it is.

– at [HDV], an HDV signal is converted to the

DV format and output; a DV signal is not output.

– at [DV], a DV signal is output as it is; an

HDV signal is not output.

REC FORMAT

You can select a recording format.

B HDV1080i ( )

Records in the HDV1080i specification.

DV ( )

Records in the DV format.

• When you output the recording picture using an

i.LINK cable, set [i.LINK CONV] accordingly.

DV SET

The following functions are available when recording in DV format.

x REC MODE (Recording mode)

B SP (SP)

Records in the SP (Standard Play) mode on a cassette.

LP (LP)

Increases the recording time to 1.5 times the SP mode (Long Play).

• If you record in the LP mode, a mosaic-like

noise may appear or sound may be interrupted when you play back the tape on other camcorders or VCRs.

• When you mix recordings in the SP mode and in

the LP mode on one tape, the playback picture

may be distorted or the time code may not be written properly between the scenes.

x WIDE SELECT

You can select the aspect ratio according to the TV connected when recording. Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with your TV.

B 16:9 WIDE

Records pictures to the full screen on a 16:9 (wide) TV screen.

4:3 ( )

Records pictures to the full screen on a 4:3 TV screen.

• Set [TV TYPE] correctly according to the TV connected for playback (p. 68).

x AUDIO MODE

B 12BIT

Records in the 12-bit mode (2 stereo sounds).

16BIT ( )

Records in the 16-bit mode (1 stereo sound with high quality).

• When recording in the HDV format, sound is automatically recorded in [16BIT] mode.

x AUDIO MIX

You can monitor the sound recorded with audio dubbing or 4ch microphone recording on the tape during playback.

AUDIO MIX

ST1

Touch / to adjust the balance of the

ST2

0:00:00:0060min

original sound (ST1) and the sound recorded afterwards (ST2), then touch .

• The original sound (ST1) is output at the default setting.

• The adjusted audio balance returns to the default setting when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

VOLUME

Touch / to adjust the volume (p. 31).

• You can also adjust the setting using the CAM CTRL dial (p. 72).

MULTI-SOUND

You can select whether to play back audio recorded using other devices with dual sound or stereo sound.

B STEREO

Plays back with main and sub sound (or stereo sound).

Plays back with main sound (or the left channel sound).

Plays back with sub sound (or the right channel sound).

• You can play back, but cannot record a dual sound track cassette on your camcorder.

• The setting returns to [STEREO] when you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 hours.

BRIGHT

Brightens the LCD screen.

• When you connect your camcorder to outside power sources, [BRIGHT] is automatically selected for the setting.

• When you select [BRIGHT], battery life is slightly reduced during recording.

x LCD COLOR

You can adjust the color on the LCD screen with / .

Low intensity High intensity

x VF B.LIGHT

You can adjust the brightness of the viewfinder.

B NORMAL

Standard brightness.

BRIGHT

Brightens the viewfinder screen.

• When you connect your camcorder to outside power sources, [BRIGHT] is automatically selected for the setting.

• When you select [BRIGHT], battery life is slightly reduced during recording.

Using the Menu

LCD/VF SET

The recorded picture will not be affected by this operation.

x LCD BRIGHT

You can adjust the brightness of the LCD screen.

1 Adjust the brightness with / . 2 Touch .

• You can also turn off the LCD backlight (p. 20).

x LCD BL LEVEL

You can adjust the brightness of the LCD screen’s backlight.

B NORMAL

Standard brightness.

COMPONENT

Select [COMPONENT] when connecting your camcorder to a TV with the component input jack.

480i

Select when connecting your camcorder to a TV with the component input jack.

B 1080i/480i

Select when connecting your camcorder to a TV that has the component input jack and is capable of displaying the 1080i signal.

Continued ,

STANDARD SET menu (Continued)

i.LINK CONV

Signals in HDV format are converted to DV format, and pictures are output in DV format from the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK).

B OFF

Outputs the pictures from the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK) in accordance with the settings in [REC FORMAT] and [VCR HDV/DV].

ON (HDV t DV)

Pictures in HDV format are converted to DV format, and pictures in DV format are output in DV format.

• For input signal via an i.LINK connection, see [VCR HDV/DV] (p. 65).

• Disconnect the i.LINK cable before setting [i.LINK CONV]. Otherwise, the connected video device may not be able to recognize the video signal from your camcorder.

TV TYPE

You need to convert the signal depending on the TV connected when playing back the picture. The recorded pictures are played back as following illustrations.

B 16:9

Select to view your pictures on a 16:9 (wide) TV.

HDV/DV (16:9) format pictures

DV (4:3) format pictures

4:3

Select to view your pictures on a 4:3 standard TV.

HDV/DV (16:9) format pictures

• When you connect your camcorder to a TV compatible with the ID-1 system, or via an S VIDEO jack, and play back the tape, set [TV TYPE] to [16:9]. The TV automatically switches the aspect ratio according to the playback picture. Refer also to the manual supplied with your TV.

DV (4:3) format pictures

DISP GUIDE

See page 21.

STATUS CHECK

You can check the setup value of the following items.

– [COMPONENT] (p. 67) – [i.LINK CONV] (p. 68) – [TV TYPE] (p. 68) – HDMI OUTPUT (p. 83) – [VCR HDV/DV] (when the POWER switch is

set to PLAY/EDIT) (p. 65)

GUIDEFRAME

You can display the frame and check that the subject is horizontal or vertical by setting [GUIDEFRAME] to [ON]. The frame is not recorded. Press DISP/ BATT INFO to make the frame disappear.

• Pointing the subject at the cross point of the guide frame makes a balanced composition.

DATA CODE

During playback, displays the information (data code) recorded automatically at the time of recording.

B OFF

Data code is not displayed.

DATE/TIME

Displays the date and time.

CAMERA DATA (below)

Displays camera setting data.

0:00:00:0060min

1 2

AUTO

AWB100

9dBF1. 8

ASteadyShot off BExposure CWhite balance DGain EShutter speed FAperture value

• The exposure adjustment value (0EV), a shutter speed, and the aperture value appear when still images on a “Memory Stick Duo” are played back.

• appears for a picture recorded using a flash.

• In the DATE/TIME data display, the date and time are displayed in the same area. If you record a picture without setting the clock, [--- --

----] and [--:--:--] will appear.

• During Easy Handycam operation, you can set only [DATE/TIME].

REMAINING

B AUTO

Displays the remaining tape indicator for about 8 seconds in situations such as those described below.

• When you set the POWER switch to PLAY/ EDIT or CAMERA-TAPE with a cassette inserted.

• When you touch (Play/Pause).

Always displays the remaining tape indicator.

REMOTE CTRL (Remote control)

The default setting is [ON], allowing you to use the supplied Remote Commander (p. 40).

• Set to [OFF] to prevent your camcorder from responding to a command sent by another VCR remote control unit.

REC LAMP (Recording lamp)

The camera recording lamp will not light up during recording when you set this to [OFF]. (The default setting is [ON].)

BEEP

B ON

A melody sounds when you start/stop recording, or operate the touch panel.

OFF

Cancels the melody.

DISP OUTPUT

B LCD PANEL

Shows displays such as the time code on the LCD screen and in the viewfinder.

V-OUT/PANEL

Shows displays such as the time code on the TV screen, LCD screen, and in the viewfinder.

MENU ROTATE

B NORMAL

Scrolls the menu items downwards by touching .

OPPOSITE

Scrolls the menu items upwards by touching .

Using the Menu

Continued ,

STANDARD SET menu

(Continued)

A.SHUT OFF (Auto shut off)

B 5 min

The camcorder is automatically turned off when you do not operate your camcorder for more than approximately 5 minutes.

NEVER

The camcorder is not automatically turned off.

• When you connect your camcorder to a wall outlet, [A.SHUT OFF] is automatically set to [NEVER].

CALIBRATION

See page 120.

TIME/LANGU.

(CLOCK SET/WORLD TIME/LANGUAGE)

See page 48 for details on selecting menu items.

CLOCK SET

See page 23.

WORLD TIME

When using your camcorder abroad, you can set the time difference by touching

/ , the clock will be adjusted in accordance with the time difference. If you set the time difference to 0, the clock returns to the originally set time.

QUICK REC

You can slightly reduce the recording start point time when resuming recording by turning the POWER switch from OFF (CHG) to on.

B OFF

Takes more time to reach the recording start point, but a smooth transition can be recorded.

ON ( )

Slightly reduces the recording start point time by turning the POWER switch from OFF (CHG) to on. Select this so you will not miss any time from the click of the shutter.

• If [QUICK REC] is set to [ON], the interval between scenes freezes for a moment (editing on your computer is recommended).

• If the recording standby mode continues more than approximately 3 minutes, the drum will stop rolling, and the standby mode is canceled. This is to protect the tape and to prevent from unnecessarily battery exhausting. To resume recording, press START/STOP again.

LANGUAGE

You can select the language to be used on the LCD screen.

• Your camcorder offers [ENG[SIMP]] (simplified English) for when you cannot find your native tongue among the options.

Customizing Personal Menu

You can add desired menu items to Personal Menu, and customize Personal Menu settings for each POWER lamp position. This is convenient if you add frequently used menu items to Personal Menu.

Adding a menu item

You can add up to 28 menu items for each POWER switch position. Delete a less important menu item, if you want to add more.

1 Touch t [P-MENU SET UP]

t [ADD].

If the desired menu item is not displayed, touch / .

0:00:0060min

Select the category.

STBY

CAMERA SET PICT. APPLI. EDIT/PLAY STANDARD SET TIME/LANGU.

END

2 Touch / to select a menu

category, then touch .

0:00:0060min

PROGRAM AE SPOT METER EXPOSURE WHITE BAL. SHARPNESS

STBY

END

Select the item.

Deleting a menu item

1 Touch t [P-MENU SET UP]

t [DELETE].

If the desired menu item is not displayed, touch / .

0:00:0060min

DIAL SET

TELE MACRO

STBY

DISP GUIDE

SMOOTH SLWREC

EXPOSURE

END

Select button to delete.

1/3

2 Touch the menu item that you

want to delete.

0:00:0060min

DELETE

STBY

Delete this from

CAMERA-TAPE mode's

P-MENU?

YES NO

3 Touch [YES] t .

• You cannot delete [MENU] and [P-MENU

SET UP].

Using the Menu

3 Touch / to select a menu

item, then touch t [YES] t

The menu item is added to the end of list.

Continued ,

Customizing Personal Menu (Continued)

Using the CAM CTRL dial

Arranging the order of menu items displayed on Personal Menu

1 Touch t [P-MENU SET UP]

t [SORT].

If the desired menu item is not displayed, touch / .

2 Touch the menu item you want to

move.

3 Touch / to move the menu

item to the desired place.

4 Touch .

To sort more items, repeat steps 2 to 4.

5 Touch [END] t .

• You cannot move [P-MENU SET UP].

Initializing the Personal Menu settings (Reset)

Touch t [P-MENU SET UP] t [RESET] t [YES] t [YES] t .

CAM CTRL dial*

MANUAL button*

You can adjust the assigned item manually.

Press this button to switch the assigned item auto/manual setting.

You can assign some of your setting items to the CAM CTRL dial and adjust the following settings with the dial operation. The settings that can be set with the dial operation are the same with those on the menu. The default setting is [FOCUS].

Items that can be set

– [FOCUS] (p. 54) – [EXPOSURE] (p. 53) –[AE SHIFT] (p. 54) – [WB SHIFT] (p. 54)

• You can easily change settings only with the CAM CTRL dial and the MANUAL button while recording.

• During playback (when the POWER switch is set to PLAY/EDIT), you can adjust the volume with the CAM CTRL dial (p. 31).

If the desired menu item is not displayed, touch / .

Setting with the CAM CTRL dial

The following is an example of the procedure to adjust the [FOCUS] setting manually. The procedure is the same for other setting items.

1 Set the POWER switch to

CAMERA-TAPE or CAMERAMEMORY.

2 Press the MANUAL button.

The indicator of the setting item appears on the screen.

1. 2 m

• See page 38 for the name and display position of the indicators.

P-MENU

2 Press and hold the MANUAL

button for several seconds.

The [DIAL SET] screen appears.

STBY

DIAL SET

FOCUS EXPOSURE AE SHIFT WB SHIFT RESET

0:00:0060

min

[MANUAL]:EXEC

3 Rotate the CAM CTRL dial and

select an item to be assigned.

4 Press the MANUAL button.

A message appears and you can set the selected item with the dial operation.

EXPOSURE is set.

Using the Menu

3 Rotate the CAM CTRL dial and

adjust the setting.

Adjust the focus manually for the [FOCUS] setting.

Press the MANUAL button again when you want to return to the auto setting.

Changing the item assigned to the CAM CTRL dial

Select the setting item from the [DIAL SET] menu to change the item assigned to the CAM CTRL dial (p. 57). You can also assign the item with the following procedure.

1 Set the POWER switch to

CAMERA-TAPE or CAMERAMEMORY.

• Manual settings will be retained even if you change an assigned item. If [EXPOSURE] is set after [AE SHIFT] is set manually, [EXPOSURE] will override [AE SHIFT].

• If you select [RESET] in step 3, all the settings set manually return to the default setting. The item assigned to the CAM CTRL dial returns to [FOCUS].

Dubbing/Editing

Dubbing to VCR/DVD device, etc.

Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation (p. 15). Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the devices to be connected.

Connecting to external devices

The connection method and the image quality will differ depending on the VCR/DVD device and the connectors used.

: Signal flow

Camcorder Cable External device

i.LINK cable (optional)

• i.LINK jack which is compatible with HDV1080i specification is required on the external device.

HDV1080i compatible device t HD quality*

i.LINK cable (optional)

A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (optional)

AV device with i.LINK jack t SD quality*

AV device with S VIDEO jack t SD quality*

(Red) (White) (Yellow)

A/V connecting cable (supplied)

(Red)

AV device with audio/video

jacks* t SD quality*

(White) (Yellow)

Pictures recorded in the DV format are played back as SD (standard definition) images, regardless of the

connection.

When connecting your camcorder to a monaural device, connect the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable to the video jack on the device, and the white (left channel) or red (right channel) plug to the audio jack on the device.

• You cannot dub pictures using the HDMI cable.

Jacks on your camcorder

Open the jack cover and connect the cable.

Using an i.LINK cable (optional)

The dubbed format (HDV/DV) differs depending on the recording format or the format supported by the VCR/DVD device. Select the required settings from the table below and make the menu settings.

• Disconnect the i.LINK cable before changing these menu settings, otherwise the VCR/DVD device may not correctly identify the video signal.

Camcorder

Copy format

Copy HDV recording as HDV

Convert HDV recording to DV

recording format

HDV HDV –*

HDV DV DV

Copy DV recording as DV

When tape is recorded in both HDV and DV format

Convert both HDV and DV format to DV

Copy only portions

HDV/DV DV DV [AUTO]

HDV HDV –*

recorded in HDV format

Copy only portions

HDV –*

recorded in DV format

*1Recording device compliant with the HDV1080i specification.

The tape advances, but no video or sound is recorded (blank).

Picture is not recognized (no recording is made).

Format supported by the VCR/DVD device

HDV format*1DV format

DV DV DV [OFF]

DV –*

DV DV DV

–*

Menu setting

[VCR HDV/DV] (p. 65)

[AUTO]

[i.LINK CONV] (p. 68)

[ON (HDV t DV)]

[HDV] [OFF]

[DV] [OFF]

Dubbing/Editing

[OFF]

Dubbing to VCR/DVD device, etc. (Continued)

• When [VCR HDV/DV] is set to [AUTO], and

the signal switches between HDV and DV formats, the picture and sound are interrupted temporarily.

• When the recorder is HDR-HC3, set [VCR

HDV/DV] to [AUTO] on the recorder and the player (p. 65).

• When the player and the recorder are both

HDV1080i compatible devices such as HDRHC3 and connected with the i.LINK cable, after pausing or stopping and then resuming the recording, the images will be a bit choppy or rough at that point.

• Set [DISP OUTPUT] to [LCD PANEL] (default

setting) when connecting with an A/V connecting cable (p. 69).

When connecting with the A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (optional)

Connect with S VIDEO jack instead of the video plug (yellow). This connection produces pictures more faithfully. This connection produces higher quality DV format pictures. The audio will not be output when you connect with the S VIDEO cable alone.

Dubbing to another device

1 Prepare your camcorder for

playback.

Insert the recorded cassette. Slide the POWER switch to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

Set [TV TYPE] according to the playback device (TV, etc.) (p. 68).

2 Prepare your VCR/DVD device for

recording.

When dubbing to the VCR, insert a cassette for recording. When dubbing to the DVD recorder, insert a DVD for recording.

If your recording device has an input selector, set it to the appropriate input (such as video input1 and video input2).

3 Connect your VCR/DVD device to

your camcorder as a recording device.

See page 74 for connection details.

4 Start playback on the camcorder,

and recording on the VCR/DVD device.

Refer to the operating instructions supplied with your recording device for details.

5 When dubbing is complete, stop

your camcorder and the VCR/DVD device.

• To record the date/time and camera settings data when connected by the A/V connecting cable, display them on the screen (p. 68).

• The following cannot be output via the HDV/ DV interface (i.LINK):

– Indicators – Pictures edited with [PICT.EFFECT] (p. 62)

or [D.EFFECT] (p. 61)

– Titles that are recorded on other camcorder

• Pictures recorded in the HDV format are not output from the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK) jack during playback pause or in any playback mode other than normal playback.

• Note the following when connecting with an i.LINK cable:

– The recorded picture becomes rough when a

picture is paused on your camcorder while recording to a VCR/DVD device.

– Data codes (date/time/camera settings data)

may not be displayed or recorded depending on the device or application.

– You cannot record the picture and sound

separately.

• When dubbing to a DVD recorder from your camcorder in DV format through an i.LINK cable, you may not operate your camcorder on your DVD recorder even its instruction manual says you can. If you can set the input mode to DV on your DVD recorder and can input/output pictures, follow the steps in “Dubbing to another device.”

• When you use an i.LINK cable, the video and sound signals are transmitted digitally, producing high quality pictures.

• When an i.LINK cable is connected, the format of the output signal ( or

) will be indicated on the LCD screen of

your camcorder.

Recording pictures from a VCR

You can record pictures from a VCR on a tape. You can record a scene as a still image on a “Memory Stick Duo.” Be sure to insert a cassette or a “Memory Stick Duo” for recording in your camcorder beforehand. You can connect your camcorder to a VCR device using an i.LINK cable. Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation (p. 15). Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the devices to be connected.

• You need an i.LINK cable for this operation.

Dubbing/Editing

* An i.LINK jack which is compatible with

HDV1080i specification is required.

Recording pictures from a VCR (Continued)

Recording movies

1 Slide the POWER switch to turn

on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

2 Set the input signal of your

camcorder.

Set [VCR HDV/DV] to [AUTO] when recording from an HDV format compatible device.

Set [VCR HDV/DV] to [DV] or [AUTO] when recording from a DV format compatible device (p. 65).

3 Connect your VCR as a player to

your camcorder.

When an i.LINK cable is connected, the format of the input signal (

or ) will be indicated on the LCD screen of your camcorder (This indicator may appear on the screen of the playback device, however, it will not be recorded).

4 Insert a cassette into the VCR.

5 Operate your camcorder to record

movies.

Touch t [ REC CTRL] t [REC PAUSE].

If the desired item is not displayed on the screen, touch / until the item is displayed.

6 Start playing the cassette on your

VCR.

The picture played on the connected device appears on the LCD screen of your camcorder.

7 Touch [REC START] at the point

you want to start recording.

8 Stop recording.

Touch (Stop) or [REC PAUSE].

9 Touch t .

• You cannot record TV programs from the HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK).

• You can record pictures from DV devices only in the DV format.

• Note the following when connecting with an i.LINK cable:

– The recorded picture becomes rough when a

picture is paused on your camcorder while recording to a VCR.

– You cannot record the picture and sound

separately.

– If you pause or stop the recording and restart

it, the picture may not be recorded smoothly.

• When a 4:3 video signal is input, it appears with black bands on the right and left sides on the screen of your camcorder.

Recording still images

1 Perform steps 1 to 4 in

“Recording movies.”

Dubbing pictures from a tape to a “Memory Stick Duo”

You can record still images on a “Memory Stick Duo.” Make sure you have a recorded tape and a “Memory Stick Duo” inserted into your camcorder.

2 Start playing the cassette.

The pictures on the VCR appear on the screen of your camcorder.

3 Press PHOTO lightly at the scene

you want to record. Check the image and press it fully.

1 Slide the POWER switch to turn

on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

2 Search and record the scene you

want to record.

Touch (Play) to play back the tape, then press PHOTO lightly at the scene you want to record. Check the image and press it fully.

• The date and time the picture is recorded on the tape and stored on the “Memory Stick Duo” are recorded. On your camcorder, the date and time the picture is recorded on the tape are displayed. Camera setting data recorded on the tape cannot be stored on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

• Still images will be fixed to image size [

1.2M] when playing back in the HDV format. Still images will be fixed to image size [

0.2M] (16:9) or [VGA (0.3M)] (4:3) when playing back in the DV format (p. 59).

• You cannot record still images while using PB zoom.

Dubbing/Editing

Deleting recorded

101

0001

min

MEMORY PLAY

pictures from the “Memory Stick Duo”

1 Slide the POWER switch to turn

on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

2 Touch .

101

4.0M

1/10

MEMORY PLAY

P-MENU

6060min

60min

–0001

101

101–0001

3 Select a picture you want to

delete with / .

• To delete all pictures at once, select [ ALL ERASE] (p. 59).

Marking images on the “Memory Stick Duo” with specific information

Image protection)

When you are using a “Memory Stick Duo” with the write-protect tab, make sure the write-protect tab on the “Memory Stick Duo” is not set to the write-protect position (p. 114).

Selecting still images for printing (Print mark)

The DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard is used to select images for printing on your camcorder. By marking images that you want to print out, you do not need to reselect them when you print them out (You cannot specify the number of printouts).

(Print mark/

4 Touch t [YES].

• The pictures cannot be restored once they are deleted.

• You can delete pictures on the index screen (p. 31). You can easily search for the picture to be deleted by displaying 6 pictures at once. Touch t [ DELETE] t the picture you want to delete t t [YES].

• Pictures cannot be deleted when a “Memory Stick Duo” with the write-protect tab is set to the write-protect position (p. 114), or when the selected picture is protected (p. 81).

1 Slide the POWER switch to turn

on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

2 Touch t t t

[PRINT MARK].

3 Touch the image that you want to

print out later.

PRINT MARK

101–0002

2/10

101

appears.

4 Touch t [END].

• To cancel Print mark, touch the image again to

cancel Print mark in step 3.

• Do not mark images on your camcorder if the

101-0001

PictBridge PRINT

“Memory Stick Duo” already has some images with the Print mark put on using other devices. This may change the information of the images with the Print mark put on using the other device.

Printing recorded images

compliant printer)

You can print out pictures using a PictBridge compliant printer without connecting the camcorder to a computer.

(PictBridge

Preventing accidental erasure (Image protection)

You can select and mark images to prevent accidental erasure.

1 Slide the POWER switch to turn

on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

2 Touch t t t

[PROTECT].

3 Touch the image that you want to

protect.

101–0002

PROTECT

2/10

101

appears.

4 Touch t [END].

• To cancel image protection, touch the image

again to cancel image protection in step 3.

Connect your camcorder to the AC Adaptor to obtain power from the wall outlet. Insert the “Memory Stick Duo” containing still images into your camcorder and turn on the printer.

Connecting your camcorder to the printer

1 Slide the POWER switch to turn

on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

2 Connect the (USB) jack of your

camcorder to the printer using the USB cable. [USB SELECT] appears on the screen automatically.

3 Touch [PictBridge PRINT].

When connection is complete, (PictBridge connecting) appears on the screen.

101

1/10

4.0M

PictBridge PRINT

101-0001

END

SET

EXEC

Dubbing/Editing

One of the images stored on the “Memory Stick Duo” will be displayed.

• You can also operate by selecting in the following orders:

– t [MENU] t (PICT.APPLI.)

t [USB SELECT] t [PictBridge PRINT].

Continued ,

Printing recorded images (PictBridge compliant printer) (Continued)

– t [MENU] t (PICT.APPLI.)

t [PictBridge PRINT].

• We cannot guarantee the operation of models that are not PictBridge compatible.

Printing

1 Select the image to be printed

with / .

2 Touch t [COPIES].

3 Select the number of copies to be

printed with / .

A maximum of 20 copies of the image can be printed.

4 Touch t [END].

To print the date/time on the image, touch t [DATE/TIME] t [DATE] or [DAY&TIME] t .

5 Touch [EXEC] t [YES].

When printing is finished, [Printing...] disappears and the image selection screen appears again.

Touch [END] when printing is completed.

• If the printer stops working, disconnect the USB cable, turn the printer off and on again and restart the operation from the beginning.

• If you print a still image recorded with a 16:9 ratio, left and right ends of the image may be cut off.

• Some printer models may not support the date/ time printing function. Refer to your printer’s operating instructions for details.

• We cannot guarantee the printing of images recorded with a device other than your camcorder.

• PictBridge is an industry standard established by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA). You can print still images without using a computer by connecting a printer directly to a digital video camera or digital still camera, regardless of model or manufacturer.

• Refer also to the operating instructions for the printer to be used.

• Do not attempt the following operations when

is on the screen. The operations may not be

performed properly. – Operate the POWER switch. – Disconnect the USB cable from the printer. – Remove the “Memory Stick Duo” from your

camcorder.

Jacks to connect external devices

Camcorder

5 6

1 ...Open the shoe cover. 2 - 7 ...Open the jack cover. 8 ...Open the LCD panel.

A Active Interface Shoe

The Active Interface Shoe supplies power to optional accessories such as a video light, a flash, or a microphone. The accessory can be turned on or off as you operate the POWER switch on your camcorder. Refer to the operating instructions supplied with your accessory for details.

• When you connect an accessory, open the

shoe cover.

• The Active Interface Shoe has a safety

device for fixing the installed accessory securely. To connect an accessory, press down and push it to the end, and then tighten the screw. To remove an accessory,

loosen the screw, and then press down and pull out the accessory.

• Connecting with an external device wears out the battery pack faster.

• When you are recording movies with an external flash (optional) connected to the accessory shoe, turn off the power of the external flash to prevent charging noise being recorded.

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

• When an external microphone (optional) is connected, it takes precedence over the internal microphone (p. 35).

432

B HDMI OUT jack (p. 42)

• The available video signals are read, and the appropriate output format is selected and output automatically.

• You can check the setup value of HDMI OUTPUT on [STATUS CHECK] (p. 68).

C HDV/DV Interface (i.LINK) (p. 42,

74, 89)

D LANC jack (blue)

• The LANC control jack is used for controlling the tape transport of video devices and peripherals connected to it.

Dubbing/Editing

E COMPONENT OUT jack (p. 42) F A/V (audio/video) OUT jack (p. 42, 74) G DC IN jack (p. 15) H (USB) jack (p. 81, 84)

Using a Computer

Connecting to a computer

Copying still images to a computer

When connecting your camcorder to the computer, the following operations are available:

Copying the still images on a “Memory Stick Duo” to the computer

t p. 84

Copying the movie on a tape in the HDV format to the computer

t p. 87

Copying the movie on a tape in the DV format to the computer

t p. 87

About connection

There are 2 ways to connect your camcorder to a computer:

– USB cable

When copying pictures on a “Memory Stick Duo”

– i.LINK cable

When copying pictures on a tape

Notes on connecting to a computer

• When you are using a USB cable or an i.LINK cable to connect your camcorder to a computer, make sure you insert the connector in the correct direction. If you insert the connector forcibly, it may be damaged, and cause a malfunction of your camcorder.

• You cannot do the following: – Copying pictures on a tape to a computer with

a USB cable.

– Copying pictures on a “Memory Stick Duo”

to a computer with an i.LINK cable.

• Remove the USB cable according to the correct procedure when disconnecting it from the computer (p. 86).

System requirements

For Windows users

• OS: Windows 2000 Professional/Windows Millennium Edition/Windows XP Home Edition/Windows XP Professional Standard installation is required. Operation is not assured if the above OS has been upgraded.

• CPU: MMX Pentium 200MHz or faster

• Others: USB port (This must be provided as standard.)

For Macintosh users

• OS: Mac OS 9.1/9.2 or Mac OS X (v10.1/v10.2/ v10.3/v10.4)

• Others: USB port (This must be provided as standard.)

Using the USB cable

• You can do this operation with the standard driver of your computer. You do not need to install any software.

• If your computer has a Memory Stick slot, insert the “Memory Stick Duo” on which pictures are recorded into the Memory Stick Duo adaptor (optional), then insert it into the Memory Stick slot on your computer to copy still images to the computer.

• When using a “Memory Stick PRO Duo” and your computer is not compatible with it, connect your camcorder with the USB cable instead of using the Memory Stick slot on the computer.

• Do not connect your camcorder to the computer at this point.

• The computer may not recognize the camcorder if you connect them with the USB cable before turning on your camcorder.

• Refer to page 87 for the recommended connection.

1 Turn on the computer.

Close down all applications running on the computer.

For Windows 2000/Windows XP

Log on as an Administrator.

4 Slide the POWER switch to turn

on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

5 Connect the USB cable to the

(USB) jack on your camcorder and the USB jack on your computer.

[USB SELECT] appears on the LCD screen of your camcorder.

6 Touch [ Memory Stick].

It may take some time for the computer to recognize the camcorder when you connect the USB cable for the first time.

• You can also select [ Memory Stick] from [USB SELECT] of (PICT.APPLI).

• During the Easy Handycam operation, you can set by connecting the USB cable.

Using a Computer

2 Insert a “Memory Stick Duo” into

your camcorder.

3 Prepare the power source for

your camcorder.

Use the supplied AC Adaptor as the power source (p. 15).

• If you are using Mac OS X, turn off the computer before disconnecting the USB cable and ejecting the “Memory Stick Duo.”

• Do not disconnect the USB cable while the access lamp is lit.

• Make sure to disconnect the USB cable before turning off your camcorder.

Recommended connection

Observe the following points when connecting to ensure the camcorder operates correctly.

• Connect the camcorder to a computer via the USB cable. Make sure no other USB devices are connected to the computer.

• If your computer has a USB keyboard and a USB mouse as standard equipment, leave them connected and connect the camcorder to an available USB jack with the USB cable.

• Operation is not guaranteed if you connect two or more USB devices to the computer.

• Operation is not guaranteed if you connect the USB cable to the USB jack on a keyboard or USB hub.

• Make sure to connect the cable to the USB jack on the computer.

• Operation is not guaranteed even for the recommended environments.

Copying movies on a tape to the computer

Connect your camcorder to the computer with an i.LINK cable. The computer needs to have an i.LINK connector and be installed with editing software that can copy video signals. The software required depends on the format of the recorded pictures and the format for copying to the computer (HDV or DV) as shown in the table below.

Format for copying to the computer

HDV HDV

• Refer to the operating instructions of the software for the details on image copying.

• Refer to the operating instructions of the editing software for the recommended connection.

• Some editing software on the computer may not work correctly.

Recorded format

DV HDV

DV DV

Required software

Editing software capable of copying HDV signal

Editing software capable of copying DV signal

Using a Computer

HDV/DV Interface

(i.LINK)

i.LINK cable (optional)

Continued ,

Copying movies on a tape to the computer (Continued)

Notes on connecting to the computer

• Connect the i.LINK cable to the computer first, then to your camcorder. Connecting in the opposite order may cause static electricity to build up, resulting in a malfunction of your camcorder.

• The computer may freeze or may not recognize the signal from your camcorder in the following situations.

– Connecting your camcorder to a computer

that does not support the video signal formats appearing on the LCD screen of your camcorder display (HDV or DV).

– Changing the [VCR HDV/DV] and [i.LINK

CONV] settings on the (STANDARD SET) menu while connected with an i.LINK cable.

– Changing the [REC FORMAT] setting on the

(STANDARD SET) menu while connected with an i.LINK cable with the POWER switch set to CAMERA-TAPE.

– Changing the POWER switch position while

connected with an i.LINK cable.

• The format (HDV or DV) of input/output signal appears on the LCD screen of your camcorder while connected with an i.LINK cable.

When setting up your camcorder

The menu settings required depend on the format of the recorded pictures and the format for copying.

Format for copying to the computer

HDV

Menu setting*

[VCR HDV/DV] t [HDV] [i.LINK CONV] t [OFF]

[VCR HDV/DV] t [HDV] [i.LINK CONV]

t [ON (HDV t DV)]

[VCR HDV/DV] t [DV] [i.LINK CONV] t [OFF]

Recorded format

HDV

* See page 65 for [VCR HDV/DV] and 68 for

[i.LINK CONV].

• A tape recorded in the DV format cannot be copied in the HDV format to a computer.

• You can create DVDs from a tape by connecting your camcorder to a Sony VAIO series computer that has “Click to DVD Ver.2.3”or later installed (p. 89). The quality of the picture to be copied to DVDs is SD (standard definition).

When copying the movie in the HDV format from the computer to your camcorder

Set [VCR HDV/DV] to [HDV] and [i.LINK CONV] to [OFF] on the (STANDARD SET) menu (p. 65, 68).

When copying the movie in the DV format from the computer to your camcorder

Set [VCR HDV/DV] to [DV] on the (STANDARD SET) menu (p. 65).

Creating a DVD (Direct Access to “Click to DVD”)

You can create a DVD from a tape with a Sony VAIO series computer* preinstalled with “Click to DVD,” via an i.LINK cable. The picture is automatically copied and written to a DVD. The following procedures describe how to create a DVD from a recorded tape. For details of compatible computers, operating environment, “Click to DVD,” and upgrading to “Click to DVD Ver.2.3” or later, visit the following URL:

– Europe

http://www.vaio-link.com/

–USA

http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/perl/select-pn.pl

– Asia Pacific Regional

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/

– Korea

http://scs.sony.co.kr/

–Taiwan

http://vaio-online.sony.com/tw/vaio/

– China

http://www.sonystyle.com.cn/vaio/

– Thailand

http://www.sony.co.th/vaio/index.html

– Latin America

http://www.sony-latin.com/vaio/info/ index.jsp

* Note that you need a computer with a DVD

drive that can be used to write DVDs, and “Click to DVD Ver.2.3” (Sony original software) or later installed.

HDV/DV

• Images recorded in HDV format are down-converted to SD (standard definition) quality when copying to DVDs (They are not copied in the HD (high definition) quality).

• You can only use an i.LINK cable for this operation. You cannot use a USB cable.

Using the Direct Access to “Click to DVD” function for the first time

The Direct Access to “Click to DVD” function enables you to copy pictures recorded on a tape to a DVD easily if your camcorder is connected to a computer. Before operating the Direct Access to “Click to DVD” function, follow the steps below to start “Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher.”

1 Turn on the computer. 2 Click the start menu, then select [All

Programs].

3 Select [Click to DVD] from the programs

displayed, then click [Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher].

[Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher] starts up.

Using a Computer

Creating a DVD (Direct Access to “Click to DVD”) (Continued)

• After you start up [Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher] once, from then on it starts up automatically when you turn on your computer.

• [Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher] is set up for each Windows XP user.

7 Touch t [MENU] t

(EDIT/PLAY) t [BURN DVD] t

“Click to DVD” starts up and the onscreen instructions appear on your computer.

1 Turn on the computer.

Close all applications running with an i.LINK.

2 Prepare the power source for the

camcorder.

Use the supplied AC Adaptor as the power source since it takes a few hours to create a DVD.

3 Slide the POWER switch to turn

on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

4 Touch t [MENU] t

(STANDARD SET) t [i.LINK CONV] t [ON (HDV t DV)] t

5 Insert a recorded cassette into

your camcorder.

6 Connect your camcorder to a

computer via an i.LINK cable (p. 89).

• When you connect your camcorder to a computer, make sure you insert the connector in the correct way. If you insert the connector forcibly, damage may occur and cause camcorder malfunction.

8 Place a writable DVD in the disc

drive of the computer.

9 Touch [EXEC] on the screen of

your camcorder.

The status of the operation on your computer is displayed on the LCD screen of your camcorder.

CAPTURING: The picture recorded on the tape is being copied to the computer.

CONVERTING: The picture is being converted to the MPEG2 format.

WRITING: The picture is being written onto the DVD.

• If you use a DVD-RW/+RW which has other data stored on it, the message [This is a recorded disc. Delete and overwrite?] appears on the LCD screen of your camcorder. When you touch [EXEC], the existing data is erased and new data is written.

10Touch [NO] to finish creating a

DVD.

The disc tray comes out automatically. To create another DVD with the same content, touch [YES]. The disc tray comes out. Place a new writable DVD in the disc drive. Then, repeat steps 9 and 10.

To cancel the operation

Touch [CANCEL] on the LCD screen on your camcorder.

• You cannot cancel the operation after [Finalizing DVD.] is displayed on the LCD screen of your camcorder.

• Do not disconnect the i.LINK cable or set the POWER switch to another mode on your camcorder until the picture is completely copied to the computer.

• When [CONVERTING] or [WRITING] is displayed on the screen, capturing of pictures has already finished. Even if you disconnect the i.LINK cable or turn off the camcorder at this stage, DVD creation will continue on your computer.

• If any of the following occurs, copying of the picture is canceled. A DVD containing the data up to the point the operation was canceled is created. Refer to the help files of “Click to DVD” for details.

– The tape contains a 10-second or longer blank

portion.

– The tape data contains a date before the date

of later images.

– Both 16:9 (wide) and 4:3 pictures are

recorded on the same tape.

• You cannot create a DVD in the following situations:

– While a tape is running.

– While recording images onto a “Memory

Stick Duo.”

– When “Click to DVD” is started up from the

computer.

Using a Computer

Troubleshooting

If you run into any problems using your camcorder, use the following table to troubleshoot the problem. If the problem persists, disconnect the power source and contact your Sony dealer.

Overall operations/Easy Handycam

The power does not turn on.

• Attach a charged battery pack to the camcorder (p. 15).

• Use the AC Adaptor to connect to a wall outlet (p. 15).

The camcorder does not operate even when the power is set to on.

• Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet or remove the battery pack, then reconnect it after about 1 minute.

• Press the RESET button (p. 35) using a sharp-pointed object (If you press the RESET button, all settings are reset, except Personal Menu items).

Buttons do not work.

• During Easy Handycam operation, not all buttons are functional (p. 28).

You cannot turn Easy Handycam operation on or off.

• During recording or communicating with another device via USB cable, you cannot turn Easy Handycam operation on or off.

Settings change during Easy Handycam operation.

• During Easy Handycam operation, the settings of the functions that are not displayed on the screen return to their defaults (p. 26, 50).

[DEMO MODE] does not start.

• Eject the cassette and “Memory Stick Duo” from your camcorder (p. 24, 25).

The camcorder gets warm.

• The camcorder may get warmer while you use it. This is not a malfunction.

Batteries/Power sources

The power abruptly turns off.

• When approximately 5 minutes have elapsed while you do not operate your camcorder, the camcorder is automatically turned off (A.SHUT OFF). Change the setting of [A.SHUT OFF] (p. 70), or turn on the power again (p. 19), or use the AC Adaptor.

• Charge the battery pack (p. 15).

The CHG (charge) lamp does not light while the battery pack is being charged.

• Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) (p. 15).

• Attach the battery pack to the camcorder correctly (p. 15).

• Connect the power cord to the wall outlet properly.

• The battery charge is completed (p. 15).

The CHG (charge) lamp flashes while the battery pack is being charged.

• Attach the battery pack to the camcorder correctly (p. 15). If the problem persists, disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet and contact your Sony dealer. The battery pack may be damaged.

The power turns off frequently although the remaining battery time indicator indicates that the battery pack has enough power to operate.

• A problem has occurred in the remaining battery time indicator, or the battery pack has not been charged enough. Fully charge the battery again to correct the indication (p. 15).

The remaining battery time indicator does not indicate the correct time.

• Ambient temperature is too high or too low, or the battery pack has not been charged enough. This is not a malfunction.

• Fully charge the battery again. If the problem persists, the battery may be worn-out. Replace it with a new one (p. 15, 116).

• The indicated time may not be correct in certain circumstances. For example, when you open or close the LCD panel, it takes about 1 minute to display the correct remaining battery time.

The battery pack discharges too quickly.

• Ambient temperature is too high or low, or the battery pack has not been charged enough. This is not a malfunction.

• Fully charge the battery again. If the problem persists, the battery may be worn-out. Replace it with a new one (p. 15, 116).

A problem occurs when the camcorder is connected to the AC Adaptor.

• Turn off the power, and disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet. Then, connect it again.

LCD screen/viewfinder

An unknown picture appears on the LCD screen or viewfinder.

• The camcorder is in [DEMO MODE] (p. 64). Touch the LCD screen or insert a cassette or a “Memory Stick Duo” to cancel [DEMO MODE].

An unknown indicator appears on the screen.

• A warning indicator or message appears on the screen (p. 107).

Continued ,

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting (Continued)

The picture remains on the LCD screen.

• This occurs if you disconnect the DC plug or remove the battery pack without turning off the

power first. This is not a malfunction.

You cannot turn the LCD backlight off.

• During Easy Handycam operation, you cannot turn the LCD backlight on/off by pressing and

holding DISP/BATT INFO (p. 28).

You cannot turn off the indicators.

• You cannot turn off . Touch to check the warning messages (p. 108).

The buttons do not appear on the touch panel.

• Touch the LCD screen lightly.

• Press DISP/BATT INFO on your camcorder (or DISPLAY on the Remote Commander)

(p. 21).

The buttons on the touch panel do not work correctly or do not work at all.

• Adjust the screen ([CALIBRATION]) (p. 120).

The picture in the viewfinder is not clear.

• Move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever until the picture appears clearly (p. 20).

The picture in the viewfinder has disappeared.

• Close the LCD panel. The picture is not displayed in the viewfinder when the LCD panel is

open (p. 20).

Cassette tapes

The cassette cannot be ejected from the compartment.

• Make sure the power source (battery pack or AC Adaptor) is connected correctly (p. 15).

• Remove the battery pack from the camcorder, then attach it again (p. 16).

• Attach a charged battery pack to the camcorder (p. 15).

• Moisture condensation has occurred inside the camcorder (p. 119).

The Cassette Memory indicator or title display does not appear while using a cassette with Cassette Memory.

• This camcorder does not support Cassette Memory, so the indicator does not appear.

The remaining tape indicator is not displayed.

• Set [ REMAINING] to [ON] to always display the remaining tape indicator (p. 69).

The cassette is noisier during rewinding or fast-forwarding.

• When using the AC Adaptor, rewind/fast forward speed increases (compared with battery operation) and therefore increases noise. This is not a malfunction.

“Memory Stick Duo”

You cannot operate functions using the “Memory Stick Duo.”

• Slide the POWER switch to turn on the CAMERA-MEMORY or PLAY/EDIT lamp (p. 19).

• Insert a “Memory Stick Duo” into your camcorder (p. 24).

• If you use a “Memory Stick Duo” formatted on a computer, format it again on your camcorder (p. 60).

Pictures cannot be deleted.

• Release the lock on the write-protect tab of the “Memory Stick Duo” if there is one (p. 114).

• Cancel image protection on the picture (p. 81).

• The maximum number of pictures that you can delete on the index screen at one time is 100.

You cannot delete all pictures at once.

• Release the lock on the write-protect tab of the “Memory Stick Duo” if there is one (p. 114).

• Cancel image protection on the pictures (p. 81).

You cannot format the “Memory Stick Duo.”

• Release the lock on the write-protect tab of the “Memory Stick Duo” if there is one (p. 114).

Image protection cannot be applied.

• Release the lock on the write-protect tab of the “Memory Stick Duo” if there is one (p. 114).

• Perform the operation again on the index screen (p. 81).

You cannot mark pictures for print.

• Release the lock on the write-protect tab of the “Memory Stick Duo” if there is one (p. 114).

• Perform the operation again on the index screen (p. 80).

• The maximum number of pictures you can mark for print is 999.

The data file name is not indicated correctly.

• Only the file name is displayed if the directory structure does not conform to the universal standard.

• The file is damaged.

• The file format is not supported on your camcorder (p. 114).

Continued ,

Troubleshooting

The shutter sound is not heard when you record a still image.

• Set [BEEP] to [ON] (p. 69).

The flash does not work.

• You cannot use the flash during tape recording.

• When attaching a conversion lens (optional) or a filter (optional) to your camcorder, it may block the flash of your camcorder. In this case, the flash light does not emit light.

• Even if auto flash or (Auto redeye reduction) is selected, you cannot use the internal flash with: – [SPOTLIGHT], [SUNSET&MOON], and [LANDSCAPE] of [PROGRAM AE] – [SPOT METER]

• The power of the external flash (optional) is not turned on, or the flash is not attached correctly.

[END SEARCH] does not work.

• Do not eject the cassette after recording (p. 39).

• There is nothing recorded on the cassette.

[END SEARCH] does not work correctly.

• There is a blank section between recorded sections of the tape. This is not a malfunction.

Adjusting the image during recording

Refer also to “Menu” (p. 101).

The auto focus does not function.

• Set [FOCUS] to [AUTO] (p. 54).

• The recording conditions are not suitable for auto focus. Adjust the focus manually (p. 54).

[STEADYSHOT] does not function.

• Set [STEADYSHOT] to [ON] (p. 57).

• While using [SMTH SLW REC], [STEADYSHOT] does not work.

The BACK LIGHT function does not function.

• In the following settings, the BACK LIGHT function is canceled. – [MANUAL] of [EXPOSURE] – [SPOT METER]

• The BACK LIGHT function does not work during Easy Handycam operation (p. 28).

The [FLASH LEVEL] cannot be changed.

• [FLASH LEVEL] (p. 55) cannot be changed during Easy Handycam operation.

Continued ,

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting (Continued)

[DIGITAL ZOOM] does not function.

• [DIGITAL ZOOM] does not function when you set [TELE MACRO] to [ON].

Tiny spots in white, red, blue, or green appear on the screen.

• The spots appear when you are recording in [SLOW SHUTTR], [SUPER NS], or [COLOR

SLOW S]. This is not a malfunction.

The subjects passing by the frame might appear crooked.

• This is called the focal plane phenomenon. This is not a malfunction. Because of the way the

image device (CMOS sensor) reads out image signals, the subjects passing by the frame rapidly might appear crooked depending on the recording conditions.

The color of the picture is not correctly displayed.

• Deactivate the NightShot function (p. 33).

The screen picture is bright, and the subject does not appear on the screen.

• Cancel the BACK LIGHT function (p. 33).

• Set the NIGHTSHOT switch (p. 33) to OFF.

The screen picture is dark, and the subject does not appear on the screen.

• Press and hold DISP/BATT INFO for a few seconds to turn on the backlight (p. 20).

The picture appears too bright, or flickering or changes in color occurs.

• This occurs when recording pictures under a fluorescent lamp, sodium lamp, or mercury

lamp. Cancel [PROGRAM AE] to minimize this phenomena (p. 52).

Black bands appear when you record a TV screen or computer screen.

• Set [STEADYSHOT] to [OFF] (p. 57).

Playback

If you are playing back pictures stored on a “Memory Stick Duo,” refer also to the “Memory Stick Duo” section (p. 95).

You cannot play back tape.

• Slide the POWER switch to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.

• Rewind the tape (p. 31).

You cannot play back in reverse direction.

• Reverse playback is not possible with the tape recorded in the HDV format.

The pictures stored on a “Memory Stick Duo” are not played back in their correct size or aspect ratio.

• Pictures recorded on other devices may not appear in their actual size. This is not a malfunction.

Image data stored on a “Memory Stick Duo” cannot be played back.

• You cannot see movies recorded with other camcorders on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

• Image data cannot be played back if you have modified file names or folders, or have edited the data on a computer (In this case, the file name flashes). This is not a malfunction (p. 115).

• Pictures recorded on other devices may not be played back. This is not a malfunction (p. 115).

Horizontal lines appear on the picture. The displayed pictures are not clear or do not appear.

• Clean the head using the cleaning cassette (optional) (p. 119).

You cannot hear the sound recorded with 4CH MIC REC on another camcorder.

• Adjust [ AUDIO MIX] (p. 66).

Fine patterns flicker, diagonal lines look jagged.

• Adjust [SHARPNESS] to the (soften) side (p. 54).

No sound or only a low sound is heard.

• Set [MULTI-SOUND] to [STEREO] (p. 67).

• Turn up the volume (p. 31).

• Adjust [ AUDIO MIX] from the [ST2] (additional sound) side until the sound is heard appropriately (p. 66).

• If you are using an S VIDEO plug or component video plug, make sure the red and white plugs of the A/V connecting cable are also connected (p. 42).

• Pictures recorded using [SMTH SLW REC] do not have sounds.

Troubleshooting

The picture or sound breaks off.

• The tape was recorded in both of the HDV and DV formats. This is not a malfunction.

The movies freeze for a while, or the sound breaks off.

• This occurs if the tape or video head is dirty (p. 119).

• Use the Sony mini DV cassette.

Continued ,

Troubleshooting (Continued)

“---” is displayed on the screen.

• The tape you are playing was recorded without setting the date and time.

• A blank section on the tape is being played.

• The data code on a tape with a scratch or noise cannot be read.

Noises appear and or is displayed on the screen.

• The tape was recorded in a TV color system other than that of your camcorder (NTSC). This

is not a malfunction (p. 111).

Date Search does not work correctly.

• Be sure to record more than 2 minutes after the date changed. If one day’s recording is too

short, your camcorder may not accurately find the point where the recording date changes.

• There is a blank section between recorded sections of the tape. This is not a malfunction.

No picture appears during [END SEARCH] or Rec Review.

• The tape was recorded in both HDV and DV formats. This is not a malfunction.

You cannot view the picture on the TV connected with the i.LINK cable.

• You cannot view the picture in the HD (high definition) quality on the TV which is not

compatible with the HDV1080i specification (p. 42). Refer to the instruction manuals supplied with your TV.

• Down convert the pictures recorded in HDV format and play back in DV format (SD image

quality) (p. 68).

• Play back pictures using another connecting cable (p. 42).

You cannot view the picture or hear the sound on the TV connected with the component video cable.

• Set [COMPONENT] on the (STANDARD SET) menu according to the requirements of

the connected device (p. 67).

• When you are using the component video cable, make sure the red and white plugs of the

A/V connecting cable are connected (p. 42).

You cannot view the picture or hear the sound on the TV connected with the HDMI cable.

• Pictures in the HDV format are not output from the HDMI OUT jack, if copyright protection

signals are recorded in the pictures.

• DV format pictures input to the camcorder via i.LINK cable (p. 77) cannot be output.

• This occurs if you record on a tape in both HDV and DV formats. Disconnect and connect the

HDMI cable, or slide the POWER switch to turn on your camcorder again.

100

Sony HDR-HC3 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

Read this first

Table of Contents

Enjoying pictures with high definition quality

Trying out the new HDV format!

Viewing video recorded in the HDV format!

Getting Started

Step 1: Checking supplied items

Step 2: Charging the battery pack

Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly

Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder

Step 5: Using the touch panel

Changing the language setting

Checking the screen indicators (Display guide)

Step 6: Setting the date and time

Step 7: Inserting a tape or a “Memory Stick Duo”

Easy Handycam - using your camcorder with automatic settings

Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam)

Recording/Playback

Recording

Playback

Functions used for recording/playback, etc.

Recording

To record high quality still images during tape recording (Dual Rec)

To record in dark places (NightShot)

Playback

Recording/playback

Other part names and functions

Indicators displayed during recording/playback

Searching for the starting point

Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording (END SEARCH)

Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes (Rec review)

Remote Commander

Searching quickly for a desired scene (Zero set memory)

Searching for a scene by date of recording (Date search)

Playing the picture on a TV

High definition TV

16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV

Connecting to a high definition TV

Connecting to a 16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV

Using the Menu

Using the menu items

Menu items

CAMERA SET menu

Settings to adjust your camcorder to the recording conditions (EXPOSURE/WHITE BAL./STEADYSHOT, etc.)

MEMORY SET menu

Settings for the “Memory Stick Duo” (QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/ALL ERASE/NEW FOLDER, etc.)

PICT.APPLI. menu

Special effects on pictures or additional functions on recording/playback (SLIDE SHOW/PICT.EFFECT/SMTH SLW REC, etc.)

EDIT/PLAY menu

Settings for editing or playing back in various modes (VAR.SPD PB/END SEARCH, etc.)

Settings while recording on a tape or other basic settings (REC MODE/MULTI-SOUND/ LCD/VF SET/DISP OUTPUT/QUICK REC, etc.)

(CLOCK SET/WORLD TIME/LANGUAGE)

Customizing Personal Menu

Using the CAM CTRL dial

Dubbing/Editing

Dubbing to VCR/DVD device, etc.

Recording pictures from a VCR

Dubbing pictures from a tape to a “Memory Stick Duo”

Jacks to connect external devices

Using a Computer

Connecting to a computer

Copying still images to a computer

Copying movies on a tape to the computer

Creating a DVD (Direct Access to “Click to DVD”)

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting