Sony HVR-MRC1 User Manual
3-290-149-11(1)
Memory Recording
Unit
Operating Instructions
Owner’s record
The model number and the serial number are located at the name plate on the left of the
unit. 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. HVR- Serial No. ______________________
HVR-MRC1
2008 Sony Corporation
Table of contents
Overview ........................................................ 3
Names of parts............................................... 4
Memory Recording Unit / i.LINK Cradle ...................... 4
LCD screen display............................................................. 5
On trademarks
• “InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
• i.LINK and
• HDV and the HDV logo are trademarks of Sony
Corporation and Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
• Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and Windows Media
are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
• Macintosh and Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple
Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.
• CompactFlash is the registered trademark of SanDisk
Corporation.
are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
Using in VIDEO mode .................................... 6
Connecting this unit to a camcorder ................................ 6
Inserting/removing optional memory media ................ 6
Menu settings ...................................................................... 6
Menu organization (VIDEO mode) ............... 7
Recording images from the camcorder to this
unit ................................................................. 9
Recording images
(POWER switch at the ON side) ....................................... 9
Playback the image recorded on a
CompactFlash in this unit............................ 12
Playback (POWER switch to ON) .................................. 12
Useful functions in combination with HVR-Z7/S270
............................................................................................. 13
Using in COMPUTER mode.......................... 16
Connecting to a computer ............................................... 16
Menu organization (COMPUTER mode)..... 17
Folder saving format ................................... 18
Folder organization .......................................................... 18
Notes regarding COMPUTER mode.............................. 19
All other product names mentioned herein may be the
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies. Furthermore, ™ and “®” are not mentioned in
each case in this manual.
Notes on the License
ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT OTHER THAN CONSUMER
PERSONAL USE IN ANY MANNER THAT COMPLIES
WITH THE MPEG-2 STANDARD FOR ENCODING VIDEO
INFORMATION FOR PACKAGED MEDIA IS EXPRESSLY
PROHIBITED WITHOUT A LICENSE UNDER APPLICABLE
PATENTS IN THE MPEG-2 PATENT PORTFOLIO, WHICH
LICENSE IS AVAILABLE FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C., 250
STEELE STREET, SUITE 300, DENVER, COLORADO 80206.
Power supply ............................................... 20
Preparing the power supply ........................................... 20
Trouble shooting.......................................... 22
Power sources.................................................................... 22
Recording ........................................................................... 22
Connecting a computer .................................................... 23
Warning indicators ...................................... 24
Self-diagnosis display ...................................................... 24
Caution message ............................................................... 25
About i.LINK ................................................. 26
Optional CompactFlash ............................... 27
CompactFlash .................................................................... 27
Specifications ............................................... 28
Precautions................................................... 29
Getting the best performance from the
battery pack ................................................. 30
2
Overview
Integrated architecture to the camcorder
• The body is small and light with a weight of about 130 g
and connects directly to a camcorder without a cable to
provide camcorder mobility. Power is supplied from the
camcorder so no additional battery is required; weight and
size have thus been minimized. The power-saving design
also enables longer recording time.
• The operational status such as operating mode, remaining
CompactFlash capacity or recording format, etc. can be
checked on the LCD screen of the camcorder. Not having to
check the unit itself means you can concentrate more on
what you are shooting.
• The camcorder used with this unit can output a record
command without a tape inserted. This synchronizes the
unit to the REC/STOP operation of the camcorder and so
audio and video can be recorded on the CompactFlash unit
only. A loop recording mode is also available which
enables you to record repeatedly.
Recording on small, light and highly versatile
CompactFlash
• CompactFlash used as recording media
• CompactFlash is less subject to strong vibration or high
altitude and are highly resistant to impact such as being
dropped. This enables recording in a wide range of
environments.
•A highly versatile CompactFlash media (16GB) enables
about 1 hour and 12 minutes of recording of an HDV/
DVCAM/DV stream.
• Connecting the unit to a computer via a commercial
CompactFlash reader allows faster data transfer to the
computer than when using a tape. The data transfer time
depends on the specifications of the CompactFlash media
and CompactFlash reader.
Supported models
• This unit can be connected to a camcorder via a special
interface.
• Refer to the supplied “Guide to supported models and
their functions” for details on supported models when
connecting via an i.LINK terminal.
Can also connect to the HVRA-CR1 i.LINK
cradle
• The unit can be connected to a computer or camcorder via
the HVRA-CR1 i.LINK cradle.
• The unit operates with a battery or AC adaptor via the
HVRA-CR1 i.LINK cradle, which enables you to record in a
wide range of environments.
• This unit has two operating modes, VIDEO mode and
COMPUTER mode. The mode is automatically selected
depending on which device is connected. The unit
independently outputs playback video to the i.LINK
interface.
• VIDEO mode is for recording and playback an HDV/
DVCAM/DV stream via the i.LINK terminal of the
camcorder.
• COMPUTER mode enables the unit to be recognized as an
external drive when connected to a computer via an i.LINK
terminal. This mode enables high-speed data transfer.
3
Names of parts
q
Memory Recording Unit / i.LINK Cradle
1
5
6
2
3
4
7
8
9
q;
qa
qs
qd
Attaching to the i.LINK cradle
Attach this unit to the i.LINK cradle by sliding
the unit in the direction of the arrow.
qg
f
qh
qj
qk
1 RELEASE button
Press this button to remove this unit.
2 CAM LINK button
Press this button to switch to CAM LINK [ON]
(FOLLOW/SYNCHRO) to record video in conjunction
with the recording operation of the camcorder, or to CAM
LINK [OFF] to record with this unit alone.
* Default setting is CAM LINK [ON].
3 PREVIOUS/REW button
Press this button during standby to go back to the
previous clip.
Press this button during playback to stop playback and
restart playback from the beginning of the current clip.
Keep this button pressed down during playback to play
the current clip backwards at triple the normal speed.
When the menu screen is displayed on the LCD screen,
press this button to move the cursor.
4 CompactFlash slot door OPEN latch
Slide the button to open the CompactFlash slot door. If
the CompactFlash door is opened while the CompactFlash
is being accessed, such as when recording or during
playback, operations will stop.
5 LCD screen
6 MENU/LCD BACK LIGHT button
Press this button to display the menu screen on the LCD
screen.
Press the MENU/LCD BACK LIGHT button long enough
for the backlight of the LCD screen to come on or off.
7 REPEAT button
Press this button to change the auto repeat mode.
Each time you press the button, the mode cycles through
each of the following changes.
REPEAT1 (Repeatedly plays back the selected clip only)/
ALL REPEAT (Repeatedly plays back all clips)/OFF
8 NEXT/FF button
Press this button during standby to go to the next clip.
Press this button during playback to stop playback and
restart playback from the beginning of the next clip.
Keep this button pressed down during playback to play
the current clip forwards at triple the normal speed.
When the menu screen is displayed on the LCD screen,
press this button to move the cursor.
9 PLAY/EXEC button
Press this button to play recorded files.
Press this button during playback to pause playback.
When the menu screen is displayed on the LCD screen,
press this button to execute the selected menu item.
q; REC button
Press two buttons together to start recording.
qa STOP button
Press this button to return to the VIDEO mode screen.
Press this button to stop recording or playback.
When a menu is selected, press this button to cancel it.
qs POWER switch
Press this button to turn the power of this unit on or off.
The VIDEO mode and COMPUTER mode switch
automatically.
qd REC lamp/Access lamp
REC lamp/Access lamp comes on during recording in
VIDEO mode.
REC lamp/Access lamp blinks while accessing the
computer in COMPUTER mode.
qf HDV/DV terminal
Connect to a camcorder or computer with an i.LINK
cable.
qg CompactFlash slot door
qh Eject lever
Press this lever to eject the CompactFlash.
qj DC IN (DC power input) terminal
Connect the AC adaptor etc. to supply power to this unit.
qk Attachment screw hole
This unit enables mounting to the camcorder equipped a
cold shoe or to directly mount to a tripod using the
optional shoe adaptor.
Use a tripod with 5.5 mm or shorter screws.
4
LCD screen display
VIDEO mode
During recording During playback
1
234 qa5
96
87
1 Power supply display
This icon is not displayed when this unit is connected
directly to the camcorder.
Displays the power supply icons when connected to a PC
or camcorder using the i.LINK cradle.
Battery pack in use
Display the remaining battery capacity.
AC adapter connected
2 CAM LINK mode display
When the CAM LINK is set to ON, this icon is on.
When the CAM LINK is set to OFF, this icon is off.
3 CompactFlash display
Remains on under normal conditions.
Starts blinking in the following situations.
• When the remaining recording time is less than 5
minutes
• When the CompactFlash slot door is open
• When the clip number is 9999
4 Clip number display
Displays the selected clip number or recording/playback
clip number.
5 Remaining CompactFlash capacity display
Displays the remaining recording time (in minutes).
6 Format type display
Displays the recording/playback clip format.
q;
8 Status display
Displays the status with an icon.
x Power is on and playback/recording is stopped
z Recording
N Playback
u Pausing playback
M Fast-forward
m Rewind
9 REC mode display
Displays REC mode setting in the menu.
NORMAL Not displayed.
Cache recording mode
Interval recording mode
Loop recording mode
q; Repeat mode display
Displays the repeat status during playback.
REPEAT 1
REPEAT ALL
qa Loop recording display
Time display of 5 is the total time recorded by loop
recording.
Displays [L] to the left of the time display.
7 TC (time code) display
Displays the time code.
5
Using in VIDEO mode
Connecting this unit to a camcorder
Refer to the operating instructions of the camcorder.
Connecting the shoe connector of the unit enables the
camcorder to supply power and a stream signal.
Inserting/removing optional memory media
• Although this unit has been tested with CompactFlash,
Sony does not guarantee its operation with all
CompactFlash.
The operation of this unit with Sony CompactFlash has
been checked.
• CompactFlash with 133x 2GB or more specifications are
recommended for this unit. (A speed of less than 133x is
not guaranteed; space less than 2GB is not guaranteed.)
• Always format a new CompactFlash with this unit
before use.
• Do not remove the CompactFlash while the access lamp
is blinking.
Inserting the CompactFlash
1 Open the CompactFlash slot door while sliding the
OPEN latch.
2 Push the CompactFlash in the correct direction until it
clicks into place.
3 Close the CompactFlash slot door.
1
Removing the CompactFlash
1 Open the CompactFlash slot door and push the eject
lever 1 to remove the CompactFlash.
2 Close the CompactFlash slot door.
1
1
CompactFlash capacity and available
recording time
CompactFlash available recording time
2GB Approx. 9 min.
4GB Approx. 18 min.
8GB Approx. 36 min.
16GB Approx. 72 min.
Notes
Do not repeatedly insert or remove the CompactFlash over a
short amount of time. Doing so may cause mis-recognition of
the CompactFlash and memory malfunction. If you open the
CompactFlash slot door while the unit is recording or in
playback, operations will stop. If that occurs, be sure that the
status on the LCD screen changes to x (playback/recording
is stopped) before removing the CompactFlash.
When ejecting the CompactFlash, forcefully pressing the eject
lever and allowing the CompactFlash to be pointed
downward when ejected will cause the CompactFlash to fall.
Menu settings
3
Check the individual settings and change them if necessary.
For details, see page 7.
1 Display the menu screen on the LCD screen by
2
pressing the MENU button.
2 Select the desired setting by pressing the PREVIOUS/
REW button or the NEXT/FF button and press the
PLAY/EXEC button.
3 Select the desired item by pressing the PREVIOUS/REW
button or the NEXT/FF button and press the PLAY/
EXEC button.
4 Return to the VIDEO mode screen by pressing the
STOP button. Press the MENU button to close the
menu screen.
Notes
You cannot record or play back movies while the menu
screen is displayed on the LCD screen. Also, you cannot
change to the menu screen on the LCD screen during
recording or playback.
6
Menu organization (VIDEO mode)
root CLIP SELECT
DELETE
REC MODE
i.LINK MODE
SETTING
ALL RESET
CLIP
ALL
FORMAT
NORMAL
CACHE
INTERVAL
LOOP
AUTO
HDV
DV
TC FORMAT
DV FILETYPE
INTERVAL
CAMLINK SEL
SLEEP MODE
CAMERA NO
* Boldface settings are default settings.
AUTO
NDF
DF
AVI
RAW DV
REC TIME
INT.TIME
FOLLOW
SYNCHRO
OFF
1min
5min
0.5sec
1sec
1.5sec
2sec
30sec
1min
5min
10min
CLIP SELECT
You can select the clip number directly.
Press the PREVIOUS/REW (previous clip/rewind) or NEXT/
FF (next clip/fast-forward) button to select the number and
press the PLAY/EXEC (playback/execute) button.
Select the digits one by one. The display returns to the menu
after four digits are selected.
If there is no clip number, the previous clip number is
selected.
DELETE
Deletes the recorded data or formats the CompactFlash.
• CLIP
Displays the three clip numbers from those displayed on the
normal screen.
Selects and deletes clips.
• ALL
Deletes all the recorded clips.
• FORMAT
Formats the CompactFlash.
REC MODE
• NORMAL
Sets the normal recording mode.
• CACHE
Sets the cache recording mode.
• INTERVAL
Sets the interval recording mode. Only DVCAM/DV format
is valid.
• LOOP
Sets the loop recording mode.
Notes
When inputting the stream signal from the i.LINK,
INTERVAL and LOOP is valid.
i.LINK MODE
• AUTO ....... Automatically switches to the camcorder
recording/playback format.
• HDV .......... Plays back HDV format only.
•DV............. Plays back DVCAM (DV) format only.
If there is no clip, you cannot make a selection.
7
SETTING
TC FORMAT
Follows the DF/NDF of the time code from the camcorder
connected to this unit.
• AUTO ....... Follows the time code format of the camcorder.
• NDF........... Records the time code in NDF format.
•DF.............. Records the time code in DF format.
Notes
The default [AUTO] setting is NDF. If time code information
from the camcorder is not obtained, this unit is set to the most
recent recording setting.
DV FILE TYPE
Changes the DV recording format.
• AVI ............ Records video in AVI format.
• RAW DV... Records video in DV format.
INTERVAL
• REC TIME
Selects the interval recording time.
You can select [0.5sec], [1sec], [1.5sec] or [2sec].
• INT.TIME
Selects the interval time between recordings.
You can select [30 sec], [1 min], [5 min], or [10 min].
CAM LINK SEL
When CAM LINK is set to [ON], select the type of camcorderlinked operation.
• FOLLOW ...... Uses this setting when connecting to a
camcorder that has no “external REC
control” function. The unit follows the
camcorder operation.
• SYNCHRO ... Uses this setting when connecting to a
camcorder that has an “external REC
control” function. The unit operates
simultaneously with the camcorder.
CAMERA NO
You can assign a number to the data clip name when
recording.
Use this mode to assign non-overlapping numbers to clip
names recorded simultaneously on more than one camcorder,
or to manage clip data by assigning numbers.
Press the PREVIOUS/REW (previous clip/rewind) or NEXT/
FF (next clip/fast-forward) button to select the number and
press the PLAY/EXEC (playback/execute) button.
Select the digits one by one. The display returns to the menu
after two digits are selected.
The factory default setting is [00].
ALL RESET
Restores all default settings.
SLEEP MODE
Switches the sleep mode ON/OFF.
• OFF
Sleep mode is set to OFF.
• 1min
If the i.LINK cable is disconnected and no operation is done
for more than one minute, this unit automatically switches to
SLEEP status.
• 5min
If the i.LINK cable is disconnected and no operation is done
for more than five minutes, this unit automatically switches
to SLEEP status.
To return to normal status, reconnect the i.LINK cable to this
unit or turn the POWER switch off and back on.
Notes
In SLEEP MODE, this unit is not completely switched off but
continues to run using low power consumption.
8
Recording images from the camcorder to this unit
Images recorded by the camcorder can be recorded onto this
unit.
Recording images (POWER switch at the ON side)
The different methods of recording are as follows:
x Recording video simultaneously on this unit and
a camcorder
x Recording on this unit during camcorder tape
replacement
x Recording video from this unit
x Operating cache recording
x Operating interval recording
x Operating loop recording
Notes
•A 0 KB file may be created, but the file cannot be opened
because it does not have video data. Do not delete the 0 KB
file on your computer. If you do, this clip cannot be played
back.
• When changing the tape, the audio may mute on some
camcorder models. At the recorded part, only video is
recorded.
• When HDV recording with this unit, if you start the tape
recording with the camcorder, the i.LINK output stream is
cut for about 0.5 seconds, so when that video is recorded
onto this unit, it is the cut form. In this case, the file will be
separated before and after changing the tape recording
started.
• The file will be separated automatically every time the
recording time of one clip over about 20 minutes but this
clip is operated as a same clip.
• If the i.LINK cable is disconnected or the power of the
connecting device turned off during recording, recording
stops but the data recorded until that point is recorded.
• If the power of this unit is turned off by battery exhaustion
or mistakenly sliding the POWER switch, the data recorded
until the power off is detected is recorded on a
CompactFlash in this unit.
• If the battery pack is removed or the jack of the AC adaptor
disconnected during recording, the folder information at
the moment the power goes off may not be written
correctly.
• The interval recording operation of the camcorder is not
timed, so operations are not guaranteed.
• Do not switch the audio mode of the camcorder while
recording. Depending on the PC application, there may not
be any audio.
x Recording video simultaneously on this unit and
a camcorder
– Connecting to a camcorder with an “external REC
control” function (SYNCHRO mode)
When connected to a camcorder that has an external REC
control function, this unit can be controlled by the
camcorder to record video data simultaneously to the
camcorder recording on tape.
• Clips recorded by this unit include several frames after
the recording stopping point on the tape.
Camcorder
This unit
STANDBY REC STANDBY
REC
STANDBY REC STANDBY
STOP
1 Press the CAM LINK button of this unit and set it to
ON.
2 Set the [CAM LINK SEL] setting of this unit to
[SYNCHRO].
3 Set the [EXT REC CTRL] setting of the camcorder to
[SYNCHRONOUS].
4 Connect the camcorder to this unit via an i.LINK cable.
5 Press the REC START/STOP button of the camcorder to
start recording.
• The above Step 3 is for the HVR-Z7/S270 series. For details
on another camcorder you want to connect to this unit,
refer to the operating instructions supplied with that
camcorder.
• For details on the types of camcorder that have an “external
REC control” function and on motion detection, refer to the
“Guide to supported models and their functions” supplied
with this unit.
– Connecting to a camcorder without an “external
REC control” function (FOLLOW mode)
When connected to a camcorder that has no external REC
control function, this unit regularly checks the status of
the camcorder and follows its recording operation.
Camcorder
This unit
STANDBY REC STANDBY
STANDBY REC STANDBY
1 Press the CAM LINK button of this unit and set it to
ON.
2 Set the [CAM LINK SEL] setting of this unit to
[FOLLOW].
3 Connect the camcorder to this unit via an i.LINK cable.
4 Press the REC START/STOP button of the camcorder to
start recording.
Notes
• This unit may lag up to two seconds behind the tape
recording/stopping point of the camcorder.
• For details on camcorders that have been tested in
FOLLOW mode, refer to “Guide to supported models
and their functions” supplied with this unit.
9
x Recording on this unit during camcorder tape
replacement
When connected to a camcorder that has an external REC
control function, you can record video on this unit only
while changing the tape of the camcorder.
5 minutes before end of tape
Camcorder
This unit
REC
STANDBY REC STANDBY
Changing the tape
REC
REC
STANDBY
STOP
1 Press the CAM LINK button of this unit and set it to
ON.
2 Set the [CAM LINK SEL] setting of this unit to
[SYNCHRO].
3 Set the [EXT REC CTRL] setting of the camcorder to
[RELAY].
4 Connect the camcorder to this unit via an i.LINK cable.
5 Press the REC START/STOP button of the camcorder to
start recording.
• When the remaining time of the tape is less than 5 minutes,
the camcorder sends a command to this unit to start
recording.
• The recording by this unit can be stopped from the
camcorder after changing the tape or by pressing the STOP
button of this unit.
• The noise of the tape change is recorded.
• The above Step 3 is for the HVR-Z7/S270 series. For details
on another camcorder you want to connect to this unit,
refer to the operating instructions supplied with that
camcorder.
• For details on camcorders that have an “external REC
control” function and on motion detection, refer to the
“Guide to supported models and their functions” supplied
with this unit.
Cache recording mode
The most recent approximately maximum 14 seconds of
video and audio captured by the camcorder are held in a
buffer memory and automatically recorded when the
recording button is pressed.
To set cache recording
Select [CACHE] from [REC MODE] on the menu screen.
Notes
• After cache recording, it may take about 30 seconds to write
data of the cache part.
Interval recording mode
Records a series of videos at regular intervals.
This function is useful to observe things like cloud
movements or daylight changes. Only DVCAM/DV format is
valid.
Selecting an interval recording time
Select [SETTING] t [INTERVAL] t [REC TIME] on the
menu screen to set the time.
You can select [0.5sec], [1sec], [1.5sec] or [2sec].
Setting the interval time
Select [SETTING] t [INTERVAL] t [INT TIME] on the
menu screen to set the time.
You can select [30sec], [1min], [5min] or [10min].
Setting interval recording
Select [INTERVAL] from [REC MODE] on the menu screen.
LCD screen display in interval recording mode
Notes
• During RELAY recording, the cache recording cannot be
operated.
x Recording video from this unit
You can use this unit to start or stop recording a video
input signal from an i.LINK without linked operation to a
device connected via i.LINK.
Camcorder
This unit
STANDBY REC STANDBY
STANDBY
REC REC REC STANDBY
STANDBY
1 Press the CAM LINK button of this unit and set it to
OFF.
2 Slide the REC button to start recording.
Remains on during
recording and blinks
during standby
10
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