Sony PDW-F355L User Manual

3-270-573-11 (1)

Professional Disc Camcorder

Operating Instructions

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

PDW-F355L

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the top. Record these numbers in the spaces provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No.

Serial No.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

This label is located inside the outside panel of the unit.

Denna etikett finns på apparatens ovansida.

Denne mærkat sidder på apparatets øverste panel.

Tämä kyltti sijaitsee laitteen yläpinnalla.

Dette merket er plassert på oversiden av produktet.

This Professional Disc Camcorder is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT.

Laser diode properties

Wavelength: 400 to 410 nm Emission duration: Continuous Laser output power: 135 mW (max. of pulse peak), 65 mW

(max. of CW)

Tekniska data för laserdiod

Våglängd: 400 till 410 nm Emissionslängd: Kontinuerlig Laseruteffekt: 135 mW (max. för pulstopp), 65 mW (max. för kontinuerlig våg)

Spesifikasjoner laserdiode

Bølgelengde: 400 til 410 nm Strålingens varighet: Kontinuerlig Laserens effekt: 135 mW (maks stråletoppunkt), 65 mW (maks ved kontinuerlig stråling)

Laserdiodin ominaisuudet

Aallon pituus: 400 - 410 nm Välityksen kesto: Jatkuva Laserlähdön teho: 135 mW (sykehuipun maks.), 65 mW (jatkuvan aallon maks.)

CAUTION

The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard.

CAUTION

Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

VAROITUS!

LAITTEEN KÄYTTÄMINEN MUULLA KUIN TÄSSÄ KÄYTTÖOHJEESSA MAINITULLA TAVALLA SAATTAA ALTISTAA KÄYTTÄJÄN TURVALLISUUSLUOKAN 1 YLITTÄVÄLLE NÄKYMÄTTÖMÄLLE LASERSÄTEILYLLE.

VARNING

OM APPARATEN ANVÄNDS PÅ ANNAT SÄTT ÄN I DENNA BRUKSANVISNING SPECIFICERATS, KAN ANVÄNDAREN UTSÄTTAS FÖR OSYNLIG LASERSTRÅLNING, SOM ÖVERSKRIDER GRÄNSEN FÖR LASERKLASS 1.

For the customers in the U.S.A.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

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

All interface cables used to connect peripherals must be shielded in order to comply with the limits for a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.

For the customers in the USA 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 the customers in Taiwan only

For more information regarding recycling of rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-822-8837, or visit http://www.rbrc.org/

Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium-ion batteries.

For the State of California, USA only

Perchlorate Material - special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate Perchlorate Material : Lithium battery contains perchlorate.

For the customers in Europe

This product with the CE marking complies with the EMC Directive issued by the Commission of the European Community. Compliance with this directive implies conformity to the following European standards:

• EN55103-1: Electromagnetic Interference (Emission)

• EN55103-2: Electromagnetic Susceptibility (Immunity) This product is intended for use in the following Electromagnetic Environment(s): E1 (residential), E2 (commercial and light industrial), E3 (urban outdoors) and E4 (controlled EMC environment, ex. TV studio).

The manufacturer of this product is Sony Corporation, 1-7-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The Authorized Representative for EMC and product safety is Sony Deutschland GmbH, Hedelfinger Strasse 61, 70327 Stuttgart, Germany. For any service or guarantee matters please refer to the addresses given in separate service or guarantee documents.

Foreword .....................................................7

Before Use ....................................................7

Frame Frequency Indications for Interlaced

Signals .................................................7

Chapter 1 Overview

Product Configurations ............................. 8

Features ......................................................9

Camera Features ...........................................9

Features of the Optical Disc Drive (VDR) .10

Input/Output Features .................................11

Other Features.............................................11

Location and Function of Parts .............. 12

Front............................................................12

Right Side ...................................................14

Status Display on the LCD Monitor ...........16

Left Side and Upper Section.......................21

Rear.............................................................23

DXF-20W Viewfinder................................25

Status Display on the Viewfinder Screen ...26

Chapter 2 Preparations

Attaching and Replacing the Lithium

Battery ................................................29

Preparing a Power Supply.......................30

Using a Battery Pack ..................................30

Using an AC Adaptor .................................30

Setting the Area of Use and the Frame

Frequency ..........................................31

Using the Unit for the First Time ...............31

Setting the Frame Frequency......................31

Setting the Date and Time of the Internal

Clock...................................................33

Preparing the Lens...................................34

Mounting the Lens......................................34

Adjusting the Flange Focal Length.............34

Adjusting the Viewfinder ......................... 36

Detaching the Viewfinder...........................36

Adjusting the Viewfinder Position ............ 36

Adjusting the Eyepiece Focus and the Screen

(Brightness, Contrast, and Outline

Emphasis) ......................................... 36

Attaching a 5-inch Electronic Viewfinder . 37

Using the Shoulder Strap ........................38

Adjusting the Shoulder Pad Position..... 38

Mounting on a Tripod .............................. 39

Using a Video Light..................................39

Preparing the Audio Input System ......... 40

Using the Supplied Microphone ................ 40

Using an External Microphone.................. 40

Attaching a UHF Synthesized Tuner......... 41

Connecting Line Input Audio Equipment.. 43

Connecting the Remote Control Unit ..... 43

Connecting ...............................................45

Connecting an External Video Monitor..... 45

Using an i.LINK Connection..................... 45

Connecting Using the SDI OUT Connector47

Connections for Using the PDZ-1 ............. 47

Chapter 3 Recording and Playback

Handling Discs .........................................48

Discs Used for Recording and Playback ... 48

Notes on Handling ..................................... 48

Write-Protecting Discs............................... 48

Loading and Unloading a Disc .................. 49

Formatting a Disc ...................................... 49

Handling of Discs When Recording Does Not

End Normally (Salvage Function).... 50

Basic Procedure for Shooting ................51

Recording – Basic Operations................53

Selecting the Recording Format ................ 53

Adjusting the Black Balance/White Balance

.......................................................... 54

Setting the Electronic Shutter .................... 57

Adjusting the Iris ....................................... 59

Adjusting the Audio Level......................... 60

Setting the Time Data ................................ 61

Setting for Special Shooting Cases............ 64

Deleting Clips ............................................ 64

Recording Shot Marks ............................... 65

Table of Contents

Setting the Thumbnail Image at Recording

Time ..................................................66

Recording – Advanced Operations ........ 67

Time-lapse Video Recording (Interval Rec

Function) ...........................................67

Slow & Quick Motion Shooting.................68

Starting a Shoot with a Few Seconds of Pre-

Stored Picture Data (Picture Cache

Function) ...........................................69

Assigning User-Defined Clip Titles

Automatically....................................71

Assigning User-Defined Clip and Clip List

Names................................................72

Recording with the Clip Continuous Rec

Function.............................................75

Viewing Camera Video during Playback (Live

& Play Function) ...............................75

Playback....................................................76

Normal Playback ........................................76

Checking the Last Two Seconds of the

Recording (Recording Review).........77

Checking the Recording on a Color Video

Monitor..............................................77

Thumbnail Search ....................................78

Searching Using Thumbnails......................78

Switching the Information Displayed in the

Thumbnail Screen .............................79

Changing the Thumbnail Image (Index Frame)

of a Clip.............................................79

Cuing Up a Frame by Searching for an

Essence Mark ....................................80

Searching Using the Chapter Function.......81

Searching Using the Expand Function .......81

Clip List Playback.......................................82

Locking (Write-Protecting) Clips...............83

Deleting Clips .............................................84

Chapter 4 Scene Selection

Overview ...................................................86

Creating Clip Lists....................................89

Including Sub Clips in the Current Clip List

...........................................................89

Adding Sub Clips Using the Expand Function

...........................................................91

Adding Sub Clips Using the Chapter Function

.......................................................... 92

Editing Clip Lists......................................93

Reordering Sub Clips................................. 93

Adjusting Sub Clip In/Out Points (Trimming)

.......................................................... 93

Deleting Sub Clips..................................... 94

Saving the Current Clip List to Disc.......... 94

Setting the Start Timecode for the Current Clip

List.................................................... 95

Switching the Information Displayed on

Thumbnails....................................... 95

Managing Clip Lists .................................96

Loading a Clip List from the Disc as the

Current Clip List............................... 97

Deleting a Clip List from the Disc............. 97

Sorting the List of Clip Lists ..................... 97

Using the PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing Software

............................................................ 98

Chapter 5 Menu Displays and Detailed Settings

Menu Organization and Operation .........99

TOP Menu ............................................... 107

Menu List................................................. 108

Displaying Menus.................................... 132

Basic Menu Operations............................ 132

Using the USER Menu (Example Menu

Operation)....................................... 133

Editing the USER Menu .......................... 134

Resetting USER Menu Settings to the

Standard Settings............................ 136

Resetting USER Menu Settings to the Factory

Default Settings .............................. 137

Setting the Status Display on the

Viewfinder Screen and the LCD Monitor

.......................................................... 137

Selecting the Display Items ..................... 137

Change Confirmation/Adjustment Progress

Messages ........................................ 138

Setting the Marker Display...................... 138

Setting the Viewfinder Screen Display.... 139

Table of Contents

Recording Shot Data Superimposed on the

Color Bars .......................................139

Setting the Shot ID....................................140

Showing the Status Display......................141

Adjustments and Settings from Menus 141

Setting Gain Values for the GAIN Switch

Positions ..........................................141

Selecting the Output Signals.....................141

Setting the Color Temperature Manually .142 Specifying an Offset for the Auto White

Balance Setting................................142

Selecting Gamma Tables ..........................143

Making Low-Noise Settings.....................143

Assigning Functions to ASSIGN Switches

.........................................................143

Selecting the Lens File..............................144

Selecting the Aspect Ratio........................144

About the CCD Scan Mode ......................145

Appendix

Important Notes on Operation ..............162

Phenomena Specific to CCD Image Sensors

........................................................ 163

Condensation ........................................... 163

Maintenance ...........................................164

Testing the Camcorder Before Shooting . 164

Maintenance............................................. 166

Note About the Battery Terminal ............ 166

Operation Warnings...............................167

Troubleshooting.....................................171

Using UMID Data ....................................173

MPEG-4 License ..................................... 175

About i.LINK ...........................................175

About a “Memory Stick”........................176

Specifications......................................... 178

Chart of Optional Components and

Accessories ..................................... 181

Glossary..................................................182

Chapter 6 Saving and Loading User Setting Data

Saving and Loading User Files ............. 147

Handling the “Memory Stick”..................147

Saving USER Menu Data (User File) to the

“Memory Stick” ..............................148

Loading Saved Data from a “Memory Stick”

.........................................................150

Saving and Loading Scene Files ..........151

Saving a Scene File...................................151

Loading Scene Files..................................153

Resetting the Settings of the Camcorder to the

Standard Settings.............................154

Chapter 7 File Operation

Overview .................................................156

Directory Structure ...................................156

File Operation Restrictions.......................157

File Access Mode File Operations........159

Recording Continuous Timecode over FAM

Connections.....................................161

Index........................................................185

Table of Contents

Foreword

Before Use

After purchasing this unit, before operating, it is necessary to set the region of use and the frame frequency. (Unless these settings are made, the unit will not operate.)

For details of these settings, see “Setting the Area of Use and the Frame Frequency” on page 31.

Frame Frequency Indications for Interlaced Signals

In the menus of this unit, the frame frequency of an interlaced signal is shown as “60I” or “50I”, with a capital letter, but in this manual these are shown as “60i” and “50i” with a lower-case letter. For progressive signals, both menus and manual use a capital letter (e.g. “30P”, “25P”, “23.98P”).

Foreword

Chapter 1 Overview

Overview

Product Configurations

The PDW-F355 Professional Disc Camcorder comprises the components and accessories supplied as shown in the followoing figure.

DXF-20W Viewfinder

PDW-F355 Camcorder

Chapter

Stereo Microphone VCT-U14 Tripod Adaptor

• Lens mount cap

• PFD23A Professional Disc

• PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing Software

Test chart for flange focal length adjustment

a) Use a tripod adaptor with a suffix of “-E” or later on the model name.

For more details, see “Mounting on a Tripod” (page 39).

• Operating Instruction (Japanese version, English version,

• Warranty Booklet

and CD-ROM manual)

Shoulder strap

Product Configurations

Features

The PDW-F355 is an XDCAM integrating an HD video camera using three HD CCDs of

the

/2-inch type with a total effective pixel count of 1.56 million, and a Professional Disc This unit provides a range of useful shooting functions for video production, and allows shooting and recording in both progressive scan and interlace scan modes with an HD image having 1080 effective scan lines. Since it also supports SD

DVCAM recording, it can be used through a transition from SD to HD production. The use of Professional Disc adds high reliability to recording and playback, and the unit also includes many playback and editing functions exploiting the possibilities of random access.

1) XDCAM and “Professional Disc” are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

2) HD: High Definition

3) SD: Standard Definition

Camera Features

drive.

camcorder

Shooting functions provide various effects

This unit is equipped with many of the functions provided in a film camera, allowing the operator creative control through a variety of techniques.

Slow shutter function

A maximum of 64 frames can be accumulated using the slow shutter function. In low light levels this allows clear and noiseless video to be shot, and provides a fantasy video effect with ghost images.

Time lapse function (interval recording)

Using this function slow-moving subjects can be shot with the movement compressed in time. This is convenient for many applications, such as monitoring plant growth, or the progress of a construction site.

Slow & quick motion function

This unit has a slow & quick motion function. This allows the shooting frame rate to be different from the playback frame rate, for the same effect as overcranking or undercranking a film camera. Unlike low-speed or highspeed playback of normally shot video, this provides a smooth slow-motion effect, or action speeded up beyond actual speed.

Chapter 1 Overview

/2-inch HD CCD

The use of three interline transfer CCD with an effective pixel count of approximately 1.56 million (1440 ×1080) enables high sensitivity, high picture quality, and high fineness video shooting.

Camera signal processing for high quality video

A specially-developed ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) for signal processing provides the following functions.

• A 12-bit A/D converter ensures recording of pictures

stable at high quality.

• Both progressive and interlace scan modes are

supported.

• You can select from five HD shooting/recording modes:

23.98P support of various applications including digital cinema production, program production, and event video production.

• For recording and playback in the DVCAM format (SD),

the aspect ratio (16:9/4:3) and standard broadcasting system (NTSC/PAL) can be freely selected. Further, when NTSC is selected, video shot at 23.98P can also be subjected to 2-3 pulldown and recorded. (The recording format is then 59.94i.)

1) In this system, shown as 23.9P or 23.98P.

2) In this system, shown as 30P.

3) In this system, shown as 60I.

, 25P, 29.97P 2), 50i, and 59.94i 3), for ideal

1) This function is available when the recording mode is MPEG HD.

Shooting functions to cope with different shooting conditions

•The ATW automated adjustment of the white balance and intenstity levels to cope with varying ambient lighting conditions.

• By switching among the four levels (including CLEAR) of neutral density (ND) filter, it is possible to compensate for lighting conditions, and control the depth of field.

• When shooting in daylight or other high color temperature illumination, pressing the 5600K button instantly switches the color temperature setting to 5600K

• With the GAIN switch, you can adjust the gain of the video amplifier according to the lighting conditions when shooting. You can vary the setting in the GAIN switch positions (H/M/L) to any values in the range –3 dB to +48 dB.

1) Auto Tracing White balance

2) Only when the WHITE BAL switch is in the PRST position

and auto iris functions allow shooting with

Saving and recalling settings on a “Memory Stick”

Using a “Memory Stick” save menu settings adjusted to particular shooting conditions, and then recall those settings as required.

1) “Memory Stick” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

(supplied separately), you can

Features

Features of the Optical Disc Drive (VDR)

Support for HD/SD recording and playback

Chapter 1 Overview

formats

For HD video recording format, MPEG-2 MP@HL compression is used, and the image quality (bit rate) and recording time application. Recording in the DVCAM format is also supported. The audio is recorded as four channels or two channels

1) The recording mode can be selected from the three modes: HQ (High Quality), SP (Standard Play) and LP (Long Play).

2) DVCAM recording is available for four channels only.

Proxy AV data recording

Proxy AV data is low resolution data using MPEG-4 (video 1.5 Mbps, audio 64 kbps per channel). With this unit, when recording HD or SD high resolution data, low resolution Proxy AV data is automatically generated at the same time, and recorded. Since Proxy AV data is compact, it can be transferred to a computer or network at high speed, enormously reducing the storage capacity required for recording. Exploiting this allows a laptop computer to be used for editing content management on an inexpensive and compact server, and makes many other applications easy to implement.

1) Using the supplied PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing Software, a simple EDL (edit decision list) can be created.

Saving general-purpose files

The Professional Disc has an area of approximately 500 MB provided for storing general-purpose computer files.

can be selected according to the shooting

, uncompressed.

, allows

It is also possible to keep recording to the same clip even when recording stops and starts again. (In this manual, this feature is called the “Clip Continuous Rec” function.) The Clip Continuous Rec function can be turned on and off from the menu system.

For details, see “Recording with the Clip Continuous Rec Function” (page 75).

Convenient playback and search functions exploiting the disc characteristics

Thumbnail search

Pressing the THUMBNAIL button on this unit displays a representative image for each clip as a thumbnail on the LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, in the viewfinder, and on the external video monitor. Selecting a thumbnail with the cursor and pressing the PLAY/PAUSE button allows any clip to be checked easily.

Essence mark search

During or after movie recording, an essence mark can be recorded on any scene. A list of frames with an essence mark recorded can be displayed on the LCD monitor, in the viewfinder, and on the external video monitor. Essence marks can also be added after recording using the supplied PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing Software.

Expand function

The expand function allows you to divide a selected clip into 12 blocks, and to display thumbnails of the first frame in each block in the thumbnail list. You can also divide the segment between a selected essence mark and the next essence mark in the same way. The expansion can be repeated up to three times to display a total of 1728 thumbnails. This function allows you to quickly review the selected clip or segment and to search efficiently for a target scene.

Long recording times

When dual-layer Professional Discs are used, this unit can record about 190 minutes in SP mode and about 185 minutes in DVCAM mode.

Recording and playback in clip units

A clip is created each time recording is started and stopped.

• Recording always writes to an empty area of the disc. Therefore, even if playback is carried out between shooting sessions, there is no danger of the next shot inadvertently overwriting previous material. During playback, the next recorded can always be started immediately.

• Since unwanted clips can be deleted on this unit immediately after they are recorded, the disc capacity can be used effectively.

Features

Scene selection

You can select clips on the disc to create a clip list. The clips in this list can be played back in any order. A single disc can hold up to 99 clip lists.

Audio recording functions

Audio is recorded as uncompressed data with 16-bit quantization, and a sampling frequency of 48 kHz. Depending on shooting requirements and recording time, either two or four audio channels can be selected. (Only four channels for DVCAM recording.)

• The unit is equipped with a stereo front microphone.

• There are two AUDIO IN connectors (XLR, 3-pin) on the rear of the unit, which can be used for line and microphone input.

• The CA-WR855 Camera Adaptor (supplied separately) can be used to install the WRR-855 series slot-in type

UHF synthesized tuner (supplied separately) without using any connecting cable.

• The audio signals to be recorded on the disc can be freely selected from the audio inputs to the stereo microphone, AUDIO IN connectors and the UHF synthesized tuner, and assigned to any desired audio channel.

Input/Output Features

Equipped with an i.LINK connector

The i.LINK connector on this unit supports the following two functions.

DV stream output (AV/C

stream can be output from the i.LINK connector on this unit, and recorded on a DV recorder or nonlinear editor supporting DV. For recording and playback in MPEG HD format, a down-converted DV stream can be output.

File access from a computer (FAM

FAM connection between this unit and a computer allows the video, audio, and metadata information on the disc to be read and written as files. (The data can be written and read as normal files on a computer.) With this function, a nonlinear editing device connected to this unit can be used for direct HD video editing or simple Proxy AV data editing, enabling a more efficient workflow.

1) Audio/Video Control

2) File Access Mode

Other signal input/output connectors

SDI output connector

This connector outputs video signals with embedded audio. You can switch between HDSDI and SDSDI signal output by a menu setting. The video and audio output from this connector can be recorded on an external HD device. Select HDSDI signal output when you are recording with an external HD device connected. Select SDSDI signal output when you are recording with an external SD device connected.

Composite video output connector

50i/25P video is output as a PAL signal, 60i/30P video is output as an NTSC signal, and 23.98P video is output as an NTSC signal which has undergone 2-3 pulldown processing. A Y signal is output when the 23.9P OUTPUT menu item is set to PSF.

mode connection): A DV

connection): An

GENLOCK connector

The SD or HD reference signal can be input to apply a genlock to the camera.

Video light connector

There is an interface connector for a maximum 50 W video light, and a control switch. Depending on the switch setting, the light can be turned on and off as recording starts and stops.

Remote control connector

Connect the RM-B150/B750 remote control unit (supplied separately) or other remote commander, to allow remote operation of the shooting functions of this unit.

Audio output connectors

The unit is provided with XLR connectors (5-pin, balanced output), allowing stereo output.

Earphone jack (monaural/stereo)

Audio channels to be monitored can be selected with the MONITOR switch on the side of the unit. Switch between monaural and stereo using the menus.

Other Features

User-friendly interface functions

ASSIGN (assignable) switches

The unit is provided with four ASSIGN switches; two on the front and the others on the top of the grip. You can assign various functions to these switches. By assigning frequently used functions to the switches, you can call up the desired functions instantly, for example during shooting operations. The functions that can be assigned are as follows.

• Lens zoom control (telephoto/wide-angle)

• Easy focus function

• Turbo gain function

3.5-inch color LCD monitor

The LCD monitor on the side of the unit can be switched to show the following images and data.

• Status information, including audio level meters for four channels and timecode

• List of thumbnails of the video recorded on the Professional Disc

• A playback image of the video recorded on the Professional Disc

•The camera image

Chapter 1 Overview

Timecode input/output connectors

The unit is provided with one input connector and one output connector.

Features

Location and Function of Parts

Front

Chapter 1 Overview

7 VF connector

1 Lens mount securing rubber

2 Lens mount cap 3 LENS connector

4 AUTO W/B BAL switch 5 REC button

6 Auto focus ranging

sensor

a Lens mount securing rubber

After locking the lens in position using the lens locking lever, fit this rubber over the lower of the two projections. This fixes the lens mount, preventing it from coming loose.

b Lens mount cap

Remove by pushing up the lens locking lever (see page

13). When no lens is mounted, keep this cap fitted for

protection from dust.

c LENS connector (12-pin)

Connect a lens cable if you are using a 2/3-inch lens or a cable-type 1/2-inch lens. This connector is not used for a 1/2-inch lens which is connected by a hot shoe inside the lens mount.

Note

When mounting or removing the lens on this unit, power off this unit first.

d AUTO W/B BAL (automatic white/black balance

adjustment) switch

Activates the automatic white/black balance adjustment functions. WHT: Adjusts the white balance automatically. If the

WHITE BAL switch (see page 15) is set to A or B, the white balance setting is stored in the corresponding memory. If the WHITE BAL switch is set to PRST, the automatic white balance adjustment function does not operate.

BLK: Adjusts the black set and black balance

automatically.

8 Lens mount 9 FILTER selector 0 ZEBRA button

qa ASSIGN switches qs Lens locking lever

qd MENU knob qf SHUTTER switch

qg AUDIO LEVEL knob

e REC (recording start) button

Press to start recording. Press it again to stop recording. The effect is the same as that of the REC button on the supplied lens. When the REC SWITCH function is assigned to an ASSIGN switch on the ASSIGNABLE page of the OPERATION menu, you can use the switch as the REC button.

f Auto focus ranging sensor

This sensor is provided as an auxiliary function for improving the automatic focusing speed. Even if this sensor is blocked, the focusing precision will not be affected.

g VF (viewfinder) connector (20-pin)

Connect the supplied viewfinder.

h Lens mount (special bayonet mount)

Attach the lens.

i FILTER selector

Selects from the four neutral density (ND) filters built into this unit.

Position number

1 CLEAR 2 3 4

ND filter

/4 ND (attenuates light to approximately 1/4)

/16 ND (attenuates light to approximately 1/16)

64 ND (attenuates light to approximately

/64)

Normally set this to 1 (CLEAR). For shooting with the lens iris wide open for reduced depth of field, or when the subject is too brightly lit and the auto

Location and Function of Parts

iris function does not operate correctly, select an appropriate position. When this selector is used with the menu item for filter selection display set to ON (see page 138), the new setting appears on the viewfinder screen for about 3 seconds. You can change a MAINTENANCE menu setting so that different white balance settings can be stored for different FILTER selector positions. This allows you to automatically obtain optimum white balance for the current shooting conditions in linkage with the filter selection.

For details, see “To adjust the white balance” (page 55).

j ZEBRA button

Press to display a zebra pattern (diagonal stripes) in the viewfinder screen. The zebra pattern is factory set to indicate picture areas where the video level is approximately 70%. However, on the VF SETTING page of the OPERATION menu, you can change the setting so that areas where the video level is 100% and above are also indicated at the same time. In addition, you can also change the video level for displaying the zebra pattern in the range from 30% to 107%.

n SHUTTER switch

Set to ON to use the electronic shutter. Flick to SEL to switch the shutter speed or shutter mode setting within the range previously set with the menu. When this switch is operated, the new setting appears on the setting change/ adjustment progress message display area for about 3 seconds.

For details about the shutter speed and shutter mode settings, see “Setting the Electronic Shutter” on page 57.

o AUDIO LEVEL knob

Adjusts the input level of audio channels 1and 2. You can disable this knob by setting the AUDIO CH1 LEVEL and AUDIO CH2 LEVEL items on the AUDIO-1 page of the MAINTENANCE menu. (The knob is factory preset so that it is enabled.)

Chapter 1 Overview

For details, see “Setting the Viewfinder Screen Display” on page 139.

k ASSIGN switches

You can assign the desired functions to each of the EZ MODE 1 and ASSIGN 2 switches on the ASSIGNABLE page of the OPERATION menu. The following functions are factory preset to the switches.

Switch Function

ASSIGN 1/ EZ MODE

ASSIGN 2 No assignment (equivalent to an OFF

EZ MODE (EZ mode ON/OFF)

selection in the function assignment menu)

For details, see “Assigning Functions to ASSIGN Switches” on page 143.

l Lens locking lever

After inserting the lens in the lens mount, rotate the lens mount ring with this lever to lock the lens in position. After locking the lens, be sure to use the lens mount securing rubber to prevent the lens from becoming detached.

m MENU knob

Changes the page selection or a setting within the menu.

For details about how to use the MENU knob, see “Basic Menu Operations” on page 132.

Location and Function of Parts

Right Side

Near the front

Chapter 1 Overview

1 5600K button

2 LIGHT switch

3 GAIN switch

4 VDR SAVE/STBY switch

5 POWER switch

a 5600K button

Press to light the button and switch the standard color temperature for shooting to 5600K. Use this button for outdoor shooting in daytime or shooting under lighting with higher temperature. This button is effective only when the WHITE BAL switch is set to PRST.

b LIGHT switch

Determines how a video light connected to the LIGHT connector (see page 22) is turned on and off. AUTO: When the POWER switch of the video light is in

the on position, the video light is turned on automatically while the camcorder is recording.

MAN: You can turn the video light on or off manually,

using its own switch.

6 MONITOR knob

7 ALARM knob

8 LCD monitor

9 MENU switch

0 WHITE BAL switch

qa OUTPUT/DCC switch

For details, see “Setting Gain Values for the GAIN Switch Positions” on page 141.

d VDR SAVE/STBY (VDR save/standby) switch

Switches the status of the power supply to the VDR while recording is paused (REC PAUSE). SAVE: At the start of recording, an internal operating

sound may be recorded. There is a small delay from pressing the REC button until recording starts, since the power consumption is less than in the standby state.

STBY: When the REC button is pressed, recording starts

immediately.

Notes

• When this switch is set to AUTO, at the beginning of the recording, the picture is recorded even though the lighting may fluctuate until the video light comes on. If the beginning of the recording is important, you should set this switch to MAN. However, when using the interval recording mode, the video light is automatically turned on immediately before recording starts.

• To ensure proper operation of the video light, Sony recommends the use of the BP-GL95 Battery Pack with the camcorder.

c GAIN switch

Switches the gain of the video amplifier to match the lighting conditions during shooting. The gains corresponding to the L, M, and H settings can be selected in the menu. (The factory settings are L = 0 dB, M = 9 dB, and H = 18 dB.) When this switch is adjusted, the new setting appears on the setting change/adjustment progress message display area of the viewfinder screen for about 3 seconds.

• Even if the switch is on the SAVE side, the unit exits SAVE (power saving) mode and enters STBY (standby) mode whenever you exit REC PAUSE mode by carrying out playback to check the recorded video or by displaying the thumbnail screen (page 78). To put the unit into SAVE mode again, put the unit into REC PAUSE mode again after recording, or power the unit off and on again.

• An internal operating sound may be recorded at the start of recording when the VDR SAVE/STBY switch is set to SAVE.

e POWER switch

Turns the main power supply on and off.

f MONITOR (monitor volume adjustment) knob

Controls the volume of the sound other than the warning tone that is output via the built-in speaker or optional earphones. When the knob is turned to the minimum setting, no sound can be heard.

Location and Function of Parts

g ALARM (alarm tone volume adjustment) knob

Controls the volume of the warning tone that is output via the built-in speaker or optional earphones. When the knob is turned to the minimum position, no sound can be heard.

ALARM

is activated. When this switch is adjusted, the new setting appears on the setting change/adjustment progress message display area of the viewfinder screen for about 3 seconds. You can assign the ATW function to an ASSIGN switch on the ASSIGNABLE page of the OPERATION menu.

Chapter 1 Overview

Minimum Maximum

h LCD monitor

Displays camera video, VDR-related warnings, remaining battery capacity, remaining disc space, audio levels, time data, and so on.

For details, see “Status Display on the LCD Monitor” on page 16.

i MENU switch

When flicking toward ON, the menu is displayed. When flicking toward STATUS, the status of the camcorder (of current settings) is displayed.

For details, see “Displaying Menus” on page 132.

j WHITE BAL (white balance memory) switch

Controls adjustment of the white balance. PRST: Adjusts the color temperature to the preset value

(the factory default setting: 3200K). Use this setting when you have no time to adjust the white balance.

A or B: Recall the white balance adjustment settings

already stored in A or B. Press the AUTO W/B BAL switch (see page 12) on the WHT side, to automatically adjust the white balance, and save the adjustment settings in memory A or memory B. The 5600K button does not function. You can use the AUTO W/B BAL switch even when

ATW

is in use.

B (ATW): When this switch is set to B and WHITE

SWITCH <B> is set to ATW on the WHITE SETTING page of the MAINTENANCE menu, ATW

For details about how to assign the function to an ASSIGN switch, see “Assigning Functions to ASSIGN Switches” on page 143.

1) ATW (Auto Tracing White Balance): The white balance of the picture being shot is adjusted automatically for varying lighting conditions.

k OUTPUT/DCC (output signal/dynamic contrast

control) switch

Switches the video signal, which is output to the video disc drive (referred to as “VDR”), viewfinder, and video monitor from the camera section, between the following two.

BARS: Outputs the color bar signal. CAM: Outputs the video signal from the camera. When

this is selected, you can switch DCC

1) DCC (Dynamic Contrast Control): Against a very bright background with the iris opening adjusted to the subject, objects in the background will be lost in the glare. The DCC function will suppress the high intensity and restore much of the lost detail and is particularly effective in the following cases.

• Shooting people in the shade on a sunny day

• Shooting a subject indoors, against a background through a window

• Any high contrast scene

OUTPUT: BARS, DCC: OFF

A color bar signal is output and the DCC circuit does not operate. Use this setting to adjust the video monitor, to record the color bar signal, etc.

OUTPUT: CAM, DCC: OFF

OUTPUT

DCC

The video signal from the camera is output, and the DCC circuit does not operate.

CAMBARS

OUTPUT: CAM, DCC: ON

The video signal from the camera is output, and the DCC circuit operates.

ONOFF

on and off.

LCD monitor operating buttons

a DISPLAY/EXPAND button

Each time pressing this button, the display in the LCD monitor changes as follows.

1 DISPLAY/EXPAND button

2 COUNTER/CHAPTER button

3 RESET button

4 BRIGHT button

Location and Function of Parts

Display indication Meaning

Video with superimposed information

Chapter 1 Overview

Video without superimposed information

Status display Counter indications, warnings, audio

When the MENU switch is flicked toward STATUS, the principal settings of this unit appear as on the viewfinder screen.

The video only appears.

levels, and similar information appears. No video image appears.

Settings of buttons and switches

COUNTER/CHAPTER button: TC PRESET/REGEN/CLOCK switch: PRESET F-RUN/SET/R-RUN switch: SET

COUNTER/CHAPTER button: U-BIT PRESET/REGEN/CLOCK switch: PRESET F-RUN/SET/R-RUN switch: SET

To reset

Timecode to 00:00:00:00

User bits data

00 00

to 00 00

If you press this button when the thumbnail screen is displayed, the duration of the selected clip is divided into 12, and the first frame of each of the divisions is shown in a further thumbnail display (expand function). Each time you press the button, the division is repeated (to a maximum of three times, with 1728 divisions). Hold down the SHIFT button and press this button to step back through the division process.

For details of the expand function, see page 81.

b COUNTER/CHAPTER (counter display toggle/

chapter) button

Each time this button is pressed, the counter display section changes as follows. This setting is activated only when the LCD monitor display is set to STATUS with the DISPLAY/EXPAND button. COUNTER: Displays the elapsed recording/playback

time.

TC: Displays timecode. U-BIT: Displays user bits data.

If you press this button when the thumbnail screen is displayed, those frames on which essence marks are recorded appear in a list (chapter function). Press the button once more to return to the normal thumbnail display. By displaying thumbnails with essence marks attached in place of index frames, you can check the contents of clips more easily and more quickly. This is also useful for cueing up long clips.

For details of the chapter function, see page 81.

a) Of the timecode bits for every frame recorded on the disc, those bits which

can be used to record useful information for the user such as scene number, shooting place, etc.

b) Can only be reset when the display is set to STATUS. When it is set to

CHAR, resetting is not possible.

For details, see “Setting the Time Data” on page 61.

If you press this button when thumbnails of frames with essence marks are displayed using the COUNTER/ CHAPTER button, or when thumbnails of clip divisions are displayed using the DISPLAY/EXPAND button, then the display returns to the normal thumbnail display.

d BRIGHT (brightness) button

Sets the backlight brightness. Each time you press this button, the backlight brightness cycles through the following four levels: H: Select this to view the LCD monitor in outdoor

daylight.

M: Brightness level between H and L. L: Select this to view the LCD monitor indoors or outside

at night.

OFF: Turn the backlight off (you can view video under

normal lighting). Select this in outdoor daylight when the LCD monitor screen is subjected to direct sunlight.

Status Display on the LCD Monitor

The following display appears when the LCD monitor display is set to STATUS with the DISPLAY/EXPAND button.

c RESET button

Resets the display of the time data when the LCD monitor display is set to STATUS or CHAR with the DISPLAY/ EXPAND button. According to the settings of the PRESET/REGEN/CLOCK switch (see page 21) and the F-RUN/SET/R-RUN switch (see page 21), this button resets the display as follows.

Settings of buttons and switches

COUNTER/CHAPTER button: COUNTER

Location and Function of Parts

To reset

Counter to 0:00:00:00

HD SP

TCG

01:23:45 15:

WARNING:HUMID

DISC E B 184 BATT E F Li

23.98P 4ch

PB NDF EXT-LK21HOLD

MIN SEC FRM

OVER

PEUK

a Video format

Indicates the format of video being currently played back or recorded. HD HQ: HQ (high quality) mode in the MPEG HD video

format

HD SP: SP (standard play) mode in the MPEG HD video

format

HD LP: LP (long play) mode in the MPEG HD video

format

DVCAM: DVCAM format

b Playback indicator

Appears during playback.

c Camera scan mode indicator

Indicates the camera scan mode of video being currently played back or recorded.

• If NTSC AREA is selected

60I: 59.94 fields per second, interlace scan mode 30P: 29.97 frames per second, progressive scan mode

23.98P: 23.98 frames per second, progressive scan mode

(converted to 60i at 2-3 pulldown)

• If PAL AREA is selected

50I: 50 fields per second, interlace scan mode 25P: 25 frames per second, progressive scan mode

1) Selected by COUNTRY setting on the FORMAT page of the OPERATION menu .

Note

There may be no indication displayed when this unit cannot identify the camera scan mode, for example, when playing back a disc recorded with other equipment.

d Non-drop-frame mode indicator

Appears when non-drop-frame timecode is selected.

e External synchronization indicator

Appears when the internal timecode generator is locked to an external signal input to the TC IN (timecode input) connector.

f Audio channel display

Shows the audio channel mode during recording or playback. 2ch: two-channel mode (only when the MPEG HD format

is selected)

4ch: four-channel mode

g Hold indicator

Appears when the internal timecode generator is stopped.

i Lithium battery low voltage warning

Appears when the voltage of the internal lithium backup battery (CR2032) is low. If this indication appears, replace the lithium battery immediately (see page 30).

j Remaining battery capacity indicator

Indication Battery voltage

BP-L90A/L60S/ L80S

BATT E [ ■■■■■■■ ] F 15.5 V or more 17.0 V or more BATT E [ ■■■■■■ ] F 15.1 to 15.5 V 16.0 to 17.0 V BATT E [ ■■■■■ ] F 14.6 to 15.1 V 15.0 to 16.0 V BATT E [ ■■■■ ] F 13.8 to 14.6 V 14.0 to 15.0 V BATT E [ ■■■ ] F 12.9 to 13.8 V 13.0 to 14.0 V BATT E [ ■■ ] F 12.0 to 12.9 V 12.0 to 13.0 V BATT E [ ■ ] F 10.8 to 12.0 V 11.0 to 12.0 V BATT E [ ] F 10.8 V or less 11.0 V or less

Indication Battery voltage

BP-GL95/GL65/IL75/ M100, Anton Bauer Battery System

BATT E [ ■■■■■■■ ] F 80 to 100% BATT E [ ■■■■■■■ ] 70% BATT E [ ■■■■■■ ] 60% BATT E [ ■■■■■ ] 50% BATT E [ ■■■■ ] 40% BATT E [ ■■■ ] 30% BATT E [ ■■ ] 20% BATT E [ ■ ] 10% BATT E [ ] 0%

Other batteries

k Remaining disc capacity indicator

Indication Remaining recording

DISC E [ ■■■■■■■ ] B More than 30 minutes DISC E [ ■■■■■■ ] B 25 to 30 minutes DISC E [ ■■■■■ ] B 20 to 25 minutes DISC E [ ■■■■ ] B 15 to 20 minutes DISC E [ ■■■ ] B 10 to 15 minutes DISC E [ ■■ ] B DISC E [ ■ ] B 2 to 5 minutes DISC E [ ■ ] B (flashing) 0 to 2 minutes DISC E [ ] B (flashing) 0 minutes

time

5 to 10 minutes

Chapter 1 Overview

h Audio level indicators

Indicates the audio recording or playback levels of channels 1 to 4.

l Remaining clips display

Displays the remaining number of clips that can be recorded. The display flashes once per second when the number of remaining clips is less than 10. It flashes 4 times per second when the number of remaining clips is 0.

Location and Function of Parts

m Warning indicator area

Displays warnings when trouble with recording or moisture condensation occurs.

For details, see “Operation Warnings” on page 167.

Chapter 1 Overview

n Time counter display

Each press of the COUNTER/CHAPTER button cycles through displays of timecode, user bits, and counter information. You can display the date or time using the four-way arrow key on the side control panel. TCG: Value of timecode generator

Near the rear

TCR: Value of timecode reader UBG: Value of user bits generator UBR: Value of user bits reader CNT: Counter information CLK: Time by the internal clock

TCG and UBG can be displayed when the disc is stopped and during recording, and TCR and UBR are displayed during playback. CLK appears when the COUNTER/CHAPTER button has been pressed to display TC, and the PRESET/REGEN/ CLOCK switch is set to CLOCK.

1 WARNING indicator

2 ACCESS indicator 3 Built-in speaker

4 Protection cover of the side control panel

5 EARPHONE jack

F REC

EJECT

PLAY/PAUSE

m.NX

PREC

STOP NEXT

a WARNING indicator

Lights up or flashes when an abnormality occurs in the VDR section.

For details about the meaning of the states of the WARNING indicator, see “Operation Warnings” on page 167.

b ACCESS indicator

This lights when data is written to or read from the disc.

c Built-in speaker

The speaker can be used to monitor E-E

sound during recording, and playback sound during playback. The speaker also sounds alarms to reinforce visual warnings.

6 EJECT button and indicator 7 F REV button and indicator 8 PLAY/PAUSE button and indicator

F FWD

9 F FWD button and indicator

0 NEXT button

qa STOP button qs PREV button

If you connect earphones to the EARPHONE jack, the speaker output is suppressed automatically.

1) E-E: Abbreviation of “Electric-to-Electric”. In E-E mode, video and audio signals input to the camcorder are output after passing through internal electric circuits only. This can be used to check input signals.

For details about alarms, see “Operation Warnings” on page 167.

d Protection cover of the side control panel

Open to access the side control panel (see page 19).

e EARPHONE jack

By plugging earphones, you can monitor the E-E sound during recording and playback sound during playback. When an alarm is indicated, you can hear the alarm sound

Location and Function of Parts

through the earphones. Plugging earphones into the jack automatically cuts off the sound from the built-in speaker. You can select monaural or stereo on the AUDIO-2 page of the MAINTENANCE menu.

f EJECT button and indicator

Press this button to insert a disc or eject the disc. The indicator flashes while the disc is being ejected.

g F REV (fast reverse) button and indicator

This plays back at high speed in the reverse direction. The indicator lights during high-speed playback in the reverse direction.

h PLAY/PAUSE button and indicator

Press this button to view play back video images using the viewfinder screen or a color video monitor. The indicator lights during playback. Press this button again during playback to pause, outputting a still image. At this time the indicator flashes. This unit is equipped with a color search function at approximately four times normal playback speed, for easy checking of recorded material. To use the color search function at approximately four times normal playback speed, press the F REV button or F FWD button during playback. At this time the PLAY indicator and F REV or F FWD indicator light.

j NEXT button When FIND MODE on the ESSENCE MARK page of

the MAINTENANCE menu is set to R.ST: This

jumps to the next REC START essence mark.

When FIND MODE on the ESSENCE MARK page of

the MAINTENANCE menu is set to CLIP: This

jumps to the first frame of the next clip. During the jump, the F FWD indicator flashes. If you press this together with the F FWD button, the jump is to the last frame of the last recorded clip on the disc.

For details, see “Recording Shot Marks” (page 65).

k STOP button

Press this to stop disc playback.

l PREV (previous) button When FIND MODE on the ESSENCE MARK page of

the MAINTENANCE menu is set to R.ST: This

jumps to the previous REC START essence mark.

When FIND MODE on the ESSENCE MARK page of

the MAINTENANCE menu is set to CLIP: This

jumps to the first frame of the current clip, or jumps to

the first frame of the previous clip when the PREV

button is pressed at the first frame of the current clip. During the jump, the F REV indicator flashes. If you press this together with the F REV button, the jump is to the start of the first recorded clip on the disc.

Chapter 1 Overview

i F FWD (fast forward) button and indicator

This plays back at high speed in the forward direction. The indicator lights during high-speed playback in the forward direction.

Side control panel (inside the protection cover)

1 MONITOR switches

2 SHIFT button

3 Lithium battery compartment

CH-1

MIX

CH-2

LITHIUM BATT

MONITOR

CH-3 MIX CH-4

SHIFT

CH-1/2 CH-3/4

PRESET

REGEN CLOCK

OFF

THUMBNAIL

ESSENCE

MARK

FRONT MIC

LOW CUT

SUB CLIP

CLIP MENU

SEL/SET

010010

F-RUN SET R-RUN

VIDEO OUT

CHARACTER

ON OFF

For details, see “Recording Shot Marks” (page 65).

4 THUMBNAIL indicator 5 THUMBNAIL button 6 SUB CLIP indicator

7 SEL/SET button

(four-way arrow key)

AUDIO LEVEL

8 AUDIO LEVEL knobs

CH-3

AUTO

MANUAL

CH-1

AUDIO SELECT

AUDIO IN

FRONT

WIRELESS

REAR

CH-2

9 AUDIO SELECT switches

CH-4

0 AUDIO IN switches

W R

qa VIDEO OUT CHARACTER switch qs F-RUN/SET/R-RUN switch

qd FRONT MIC LOW CUT switch qf PRESET/REGEN/CLOCK switch

Location and Function of Parts

a MONITOR (audio monitor selection) switches

By means of combinations of the two switches, you can select audio that you want to hear through the built-in speaker or optional earphones.

Position of left-

Chapter 1 Overview

side switch

CH-1/CH-3 CH-1/2 Channel 1 audio MIX Channels 1 and 2

CH-2/CH-4 Channel 2 audio CH-1/CH-3 CH-3/4 Channel 3 audio MIX Channels 3 and 4

CH-2/CH-4 Channel 4 audio

a) By connecting stereo headphones to the EARPHONE connector you can

hear the audio in stereo. (On the AUDIO-2 page of the MAINTENANCE menu, HEADPHONE OUT must be set to “STEREO”.)

Position of rightside switch

Audio output

mixed audio (stereo)

b SHIFT button

Use this in combination with other buttons.

c Lithium battery compartment

Attach the supplied CR2032 lithium battery.

Details on how to attach the lithium battery, see “Attaching and Replacing the Lithium Battery” on page 29.

d THUMBNAIL indicator

This lights when thumbnails are displayed.

e THUMBNAIL button

Press this button to carry out a thumbnail search or create a clip list. When pressed, the whole-screen display changes to a thumbnail display. Press once more to return to the wholescreen display. For a thumbnail search using essence marks, hold down the SHIFT button and press this button.

f SUB CLIP indicator

This lights when using a clip list for playback.

g SEL/SET (select/set) button (four-way arrow key)

Sets the timecode and user bits. Push the button towards left or right so that the digit you want to change flashes. Pushing the button upward increases the value of the flashing digit, and pushing it downward decreases the value. Hold down the SHIFT button and press upward (in the direction of the “SUB CLIP” legend) to display the clip lists (when no clip list is loaded into the current clip list). When a clip list is loaded, that clip list can be played back. Hold down the SHIFT button and press upward once more

to exit the display of the clip lists or to exit the clip list playback state. Hold down the SHIFT button and press downward (in the direction of the “CLIP MENU” legend) to display the CLIP menu. Hold down the SHIFT button and press downward once more to exit the CLIP menu. When thumbnails (index frames of clips) are displayed on the LCD monitor, you can use this button to select a thumbnail. Push the button in four directions to move the cursor up, down, left and right. After selecting the desired thumbnail with the cursor, press the button centrally to confirm. This button is used for scene selection and other operations.

For details of clip list playback operations, see page 82.

For details of the CLIP menu, see “Managing Clip Lists” (page 96).

For details of scene selection, see page 86.

h AUDIO LEVEL (CH-1/CH-2) (audio channel 1/2

recording level) knobs

Adjusts the audio levels to be recorded on channels 1 and 2 when the AUDIO SELECT (CH-1/CH-2) switches are set to MANUAL.

i AUDIO SELECT (CH-1/CH-2) (audio channel 1/2

adjustment method selection) switches

Select the audio level adjustment method for each of audio channels 1 and 2.

AUTO: Automatic adjustment MANUAL: Manual adjustment

j AUDIO IN (CH-1/CH-2/CH-3/CH-4) (audio

channel 1/2/3/4 input selection) switches

AUDIO IN CH-1/CH-2 switches

Select the audio input signals to be recorded on audio channels 1 and 2. FRONT: Input signals from the microphone connected to

the MIC IN connector WIRELESS: Audio input signals from the CA-WR855

Camera Adaptor (supplied separately) if a WRR-855

series UHF synthesized tuner (supplied separately) is

installed using the CA-WR855 REAR: Audio input signals from an audio device

connected to the AUDIO IN CH-1/CH-2 connectors

AUDIO IN CH-3/CH-4 switches

Select the audio input signals to be recorded on audio channels 3 and 4. F (FRONT): Input signals from a microphone connected

to the MIC IN connector W (WIRELESS): Audio input signals from the CA-

WR855 camera adaptor (supplied separately) if a

Location and Function of Parts

WRR-855 series UHF synthesized tuner (supplied separately) is installed using the CA-WR855

R (REAR): Audio input signals from an audio device

connected to the AUDIO IN CH-1/CH-2 connectors (The signal input to the AUDIO IN CH-1 connector is recorded on channel 3, and the signal input to the AUDIO IN CH-2 connector on channel 4.)

Note

synchronizing the timecode with an external

timecode.

SET: Sets the timecode or user bits. R-RUN: Timecode advances only during recording. Use

this setting to have a consecutive timecode on the

disc.

For details, see “To set the timecode” on page 61 and “To set the user bits” on page 62.

Chapter 1 Overview

For audio channels 3 and 4, level adjustment can only be performed in AUTO (automatic) mode. The audio level of these channels cannot be adjusted in MANUAL (manual) mode.

k VIDEO OUT (video output) CHARACTER switch

Selects whether or not (ON/OFF) to superimpose text information on the VIDEO OUT connector output.

l F-RUN/SET/R-RUN (free run/set/recording run)

switch

Selects the operating mode of the internal timecode generator. The operating mode is set as explained below, depending on the position of the switch. F-RUN: Timecode keeps advancing, regardless of the

operating state of the VDR. Use this setting when

Left Side and Upper Section

1 ASSIGN 3/4 switches

2 Large viewfinder attachment shoe

m FRONT MIC LOW CUT switch

Set to ON to insert a high-pass filter in the microphone circuit, reducing wind noise. Normally leave the switch in the OFF position.

n PRESET/REGEN (regeneration)/CLOCK switch

Selects whether to set a new timecode or to utilize the existing timecode.

PRESET: Records a new timecode. REGEN: Records timecode continuous with the existing

timecode recorded on the disc. Regardless of the

setting of the F-RUN/SET/R-RUN switch, the

camcorder operates in R-RUN mode. CLOCK: Records timecode synchronized to the internal

clock. Regardless of the setting of the F-RUN/SET/R-

RUN switch, the camcorder operates in F-RUN mode.

5 Accessory fitting shoe

6 Shoulder strap fitting

3 Viewfinder front-to-back

positioning knob

4 Lid of the disc compartment

a ASSIGN 3/4 switches

You can assign the desired functions to these switches on the ASSIGNABLE page of the OPERATION menu.

For details, see “Assigning Functions to ASSIGN Switches” on page 143.

7 Viewfinder left-to-right positioning ring

8 Viewfinder fitting shoe

9 Fitting for optional microphone holder

0 LIGHT connector

qa MIC IN connector

qs Shoulder pad

1 Video output and timecode connectors

(see page 22)

b Large viewfinder attachment shoe

Use this to mount an optional 5-inch electronic viewfinder (see page 37).

Location and Function of Parts

c Viewfinder front-to-back positioning knob

Loosen this knob to adjust the front-to-back position of the viewfinder (see page 36).

d Lid of the disc compartment

This opens when the EJECT button on the top panel is

Chapter 1 Overview

pressed. Press the side of the lid to close.

e Accessory fitting shoe

Attach an optional accessory such as a video light (see page 39).

1 Video output and timecode connectors

1 GENLOCK IN connector

GENLOCK

VIDEO

OUT

TC OUT

TC IN

f Shoulder strap fitting

Attach the supplied shoulder strap (see page 38).

g Viewfinder left-to-right positioning ring

Loosen this ring to adjust the left-to-right position of the viewfinder (see page 36).

h Viewfinder fitting shoe

Attach the supplied viewfinder.

i Fitting for optional microphone holder

Fit an optional CAC-12 Microphone Holder (see page 40).

j LIGHT (video light) connector (2-pin, female)

A video light with a maximum power consumption of 50 W, such as the Anton Bauer Ultralight 2 or equivalent can be connected (see page 39).

k MIC IN (microphone input) (+48 V) connector

(XLR type, 5-pin, female)

Connect the supplied stereo microphone to this connector. The power (+48 V) is supplied via this connector.

l Shoulder pad

Raise the shoulder pad fixing lever to adjust the position in the front-to-rear direction. Adjust the position for maximum convenience when operating the unit on your shoulder.

For details of the adjustment, see “Adjusting the Shoulder Pad Position” on page 38.

4 TC IN connector

3 TC OUT connector

2 VIDEO OUT connector

a GENLOCK IN (genlock signal input) connector

(BNC type)

Input an SD or HD reference signal when applying a genlock to the camera, or synchronizing timecode to an external source. Use the GENLOCK page of the MAINTENANCE menu to carry out phase adjustment of the horizontal synchronization signal for genlock.

Note

The subcarrier phase cannot be adjusted.

b VIDEO OUT (video output) connector (BNC type)

Outputs a video signal for a video monitor. The output signal is composite or HD Y. When the output signal is composite, setting menus, timecode, or shot data can be superimposed on the camera output video depending on the menu settings, and you can view them on the monitor screen. To lock the timecode of an external device to the timecode of this unit, connect the genlock signal input connector of the external device to this connector.

Notes

• The subcarrier phase cannot be adjusted.

• Even when you are recording or playing back HD

23.98P signals, 23.98PsF signals are not output from this connector. The output is 59.94i signals after 2-3 pulldown.

• Video signals are not output if the connection

destinations of these connectors are not terminated properly.

Location and Function of Parts

You can select the composite or HD Y signal output on the OUTPUT page of the OPERATION menu. For details, see “Selecting the Output Signals” on page 141.

c TC OUT (timecode output) connector (BNC type)

To lock the timecode of an external VTR to the timecode of this unit, connect this connector to the external VTR’s timecode input connector.

d TC IN (timecode input) connector (BNC type)

To apply an external lock to the timecode of this unit, input the reference timecode.

For details of timecode, see “To set the timecode” on page 61.

Note

For your safety, and to ensure proper operation of the camcorder, Sony recommends the use of the following battery packs: BP-GL95, BP-GL65, BP-L60S, and BPL80S.

d WRR connector (7-pin)

Connect a CA-WR855 Camera Adaptor with attached WRR-855 UHF Synthesized Tuner.

For details, see “Attaching a UHF Synthesized Tuner” on page 41.

Chapter 1 Overview

Rear

1 TALLY indicator

2 TALLY switch

3 Battery attachment

shoe

4 WRR connector

1 Connector panel

(see page 23)

a TALLY (back tally) indicator (red)

Lights up during recording. It will not light if the TALLY switch is set to OFF. This indicator also flashes to indicate warnings (see page 18) in the same manner as the REC/ TALLY indicator in the viewfinder.

1 Connector panel

1 “Memory Stick” slot

2 DC IN connector

3 AUDIO IN CH-1/CH-2 connectors and

input selection switches

6 DC OUT 12V

connector

5 REMOTE

connector

a “Memory Stick” slot

4 DV OUT S400

connector

qa SDI OUT connector

0 AUDIO OUT connector

For details, see “Operation Warnings” on page 167.

b TALLY switch

Set to ON to activate the TALLY indicator function.

c Battery attachment shoe

Attach a BP-GL95/GL65/L60S/L80S Battery Pack. Alternatively, you can attach an AC-DN2B/DN10 AC Adaptor to operate the camcorder on AC power supply.

For details about how to attach the battery or AC adaptor, see “Preparing a Power Supply” on page 30. For information about attaching a synthesized tuner, see “Attaching a UHF Synthesized Tuner” on page 41.

“Memory Stick” access indicator

“Memory Stick”

Insert a “Memory Stick”. The “Memory Stick” access indicator lights up when the “Memory Stick” is being accessed for reading or writing.

For details about how to insert a “Memory Stick”, see “To insert a “Memory Stick”” on page 147.

For details about the types of “Memory Stick”, see “About a “Memory Stick”” on page 176.

Location and Function of Parts

Note

Do not remove a “Memory Stick” while the “Memory Stick” access indicator is lit. Doing so may cause a loss of data.

Chapter 1 Overview

b DC IN (DC power input) connector (XLR type, 4-

pin, male)

To operate the camcorder using an AC power supply, connect an AC-550 AC Adaptor with the DC output cable supplied with the adaptor.

1) Equipment that can be powered through i.LINK cable (DV cable)

e REMOTE connector (8-pin)

Connect an RM-B150/B750 Remote Control Unit, which makes it possible to control the camcorder remotely.

Note

Before connecting/disconnecting the Remote Control Unit to/from the camcorder, be sure to turn off the camcorder POWER switch.

c AUDIO IN CH-1/CH-2 (audio input channel 1/2)

connectors (XLR type, 3-pin, female) and input selection switches

Connect other audio equipment or external microphone. Set the input selection switches as shown below according to the microphone or equipment. LINE (left position): For connecting an external audio

signal source such as a stereo amplifier

MIC (center position): For connecting any microphone

other than 48 V microphone

MIC +48V ON (right position): For connecting a 48 V

microphone

Signals input to the AUDIO IN CH-1 connector can be recorded on audio channels 1 and 3. Similarly, signals input to the AUDIO IN CH-2 connector can be recorded on audio channels 2 and 4.

1) When the AUDIO IN (CH-1/CH-2/CH-3/CH-4) switches on the side control panel are set to “REAR” or “R”.

Note

If MIC +48V ON is selected for a microphone other than 48 V microphone, the microphone may be damaged.

d (i.LINK) DV OUT S400 connector (6-pin, IEEE

1394 compliant)

Connect to a device supporting the DV format or a computer, using an i.LINK cable (DV cable).

f DC OUT 12V (DC power output) connector (4-pin,

female)

Supplies power for a WRR-861/862 UHF Synthesized Tuner (optional) (maximum 0.2 A). Do not connect any equipment other than the UHF synthesized tuner.

g AUDIO OUT connector (XLR type, 5-pin, male)

Output the audio signals recorded on audio channels 1 and 2 or audio channels 3 and 4. The audio signals are selected by the MONITOR switch.

h SDI OUT connector (BNC type)

Outputs an HDSDI or SDI signal (with embedded audio). To switch between HDSDI and SDI output, use the SDI OUTPUT SEL item on the OUTPUT page of the OPERATION menu. Note that when the selected signal format is HDSDI, this connector outputs no signal if you try to play back video recorded in the DVCAM format.

During recording and playback of HD 23.98P signals

You can select 59.94i signals after 2-3 pulldown, or

23.98PsF signals. To switch between these signals, use the

23.9P OUTPUT item on the FORMAT page of the OPERATION menu.

Notes

• If video and audio signals are not output from the external device connected to the (i.LINK) DV OUT S400 connector, disconnect the i.LINK cable (DV cable) and then reconnect it, making sure that it is firmly seated.

• When you connect the camcorder and other equipment, such as a hard disk drive, with an i.LINK interface to a computer with i.LINK connectors, turn off the power of the computer, the other equipment, and the camcorder before connecting them using the i.LINK cable (DV cable). If a bus-powered type

hard disk drive or similar equipment is connected while the computer is powered on, electric current flows into the camcorder because of the high voltage caused by the load shift of the computer power, and this may cause a malfunction.

Location and Function of Parts

DXF-20W Viewfinder

1 Eyepiece focusing ring

2 Camera person tally light

3 Stopper

TALLY

6 TALLY indicator

7 REC/TALLY

indicators

BATTREC

8BATT indicator

Chapter 1 Overview

Microphone fixing screw

Microphone holder

Stereo microphone (packaged with camcorder)

4 PEAKING control

5 CONTRAST control

a Eyepiece focusing ring

Adjusts the viewfinder focus to match your eyesight (see page 36).

b Camera person tally light

Lights while the camcorder is recording. To start recording with your eye off the viewfinder, open the slide window. This indicator flashes when the remaining battery capacity or remaining disc capacity is low.

SHUTTER GAIN UP

9 GAIN UP indicator

q; SHUTTER indicator

Eye cup

qa Lock ring

qs Tally light

qd Barrel

qf BRIGHT control

qg Viewfinder

connector

qh TALLY switch

qj DISPLAY switch

g REC/TALLY (recording/tally) indicators (red)

Function as follows.

• Begin flashing when you press the REC button on the camcorder or on the lens until recording starts, then stay on continuously during recording.

• Indicate a fault (see page 167).

On the CAM CONFIG page of the MAINTENANCE menu, you can select that the lower indicator also lights.

c Stopper

Lift up when detaching the viewfinder (see page 36).

d PEAKING control

Adjusts the outline intensity of the viewfinder image (see page 36).

e CONTRAST control

Adjusts the contrast of the viewfinder image (see page 36).

f TALLY (tally) indicator (green)

Flashes when the camcorder is in Interval Rec mode. Flashing quickens while you are shooting in Interval Rec mode.

For details on Interval Rec mode, see “Time-lapse Video Recording (Interval Rec Function)” on page 67.

h BATT (battery) indicator (red)

Lights up when the remaining battery capacity is low.

i GAIN UP indicator (orange)

Lights up when the gain is 3 dB or more.

j SHUTTER indicator (red)

Lights up when the SHUTTER switch (page 13) is ON.

k Lock ring

To directly view the screen, turn this ring counterclockwise, to align the orange marks on the lock ring and the barrel of the viewfinder, and remove the eyepiece.

Location and Function of Parts

l Tally light

When the TALLY switch is in the HIGH (high intensity) or LOW (low intensity) position, this operates in the same way as the REC/TALLY indicators.

m Barrel

Chapter 1 Overview

You can rotate this for convenience.

Layout of the status display on the viewfinder screen

All items that can be displayed on the viewfinder screen are shown below.

Note

The position of the image may change, as a result of the earth’s magnetic field.

n BRIGHT (brightness) control

Adjusts the brightness of the viewfinder image (see page

36).

o Viewfinder connector (20-pin)

Connect to the VF connector (see page 12).

p TALLY switch

Set to the HIGH (high-intensity) or LOW (low-intensity) to use the tally light.

q DISPLAY switch

Set to ON when you want to display text information on the viewfinder screen.

Status Display on the Viewfinder Screen

The viewfinder screen displays not only the video picture but also characters and messages indicating the camcorder settings and operating status, a center marker, a safety zone marker, etc. When the menu screen is not displayed and the DISPLAY switch is set to ON, the items for which an ON setting was made on the VF DISP 1 or VF DISP 2 page of the OPERATION menu or with related switches are displayed at the top and bottom of the screen. The messages that give details of the settings and adjustment progress and results can also be made to appear for about 3 seconds while settings are being changed, during adjustment, and after adjustment.

For details about the display item selection, see “Selecting the Display Items” on page 137.

For details about setting change and adjustment progress messages, see “Change Confirmation/Adjustment Progress Messages” on page 138.

For details about marker display, see “Setting the Marker Display” on page 138.

HD SP P[ ] Z 1 m V REC TCG 0:30:11:03

WHITE:NG LEVEL TOO HIGH E0099 56 00

LOW LIGHT

W:A

18 dB 1/ 20 00 F-30 184C F1 .6

2823 .9 .599 13 .4

1 2

a VDR operation indicators

VDR operation is displayed as follows:

REC: During recording PLAY: During playback CONT (lit): Continuous recording to extend the previous

clip is possible.

CONT (flashing): CLIP CONT REC is ON, and a new

clip will be created and recorded.

X: During pause of recording/playback M: During high-speed playback or forward jump to clips m: During reverse high-speed playback or reverse jump

to clips

b Recording format

Indicates the current recording format.

c Frame frequency

Indicates the current frame frequency. When using the slow & quick motion function, the playback frame frequency appears with the shooting frame frequency in square brackets (two-digit whole number, with decimal fractions rounded). During normal playback, the square brackets and included value do not appear.

d Timecode

Indicates the elapsed recording/playback time, timecode, user bits or other information selected by the DISPLAY switch (see page 26).

e Zoom position

Indicates the zoom position of the zoom lens in the range from 0 to 99.

f Focus

Indicates the focusing distance corresponding to the focus ring when an auto focus lens is mounted, and the focus adjustment mode is set to manual. The displayed resolution is as shown below.

Location and Function of Parts

• 10 m or less (including the macro area): 0.1 m

• 10 m to 100 m: 1 m

• 100 m to 200 m: 10 m

• 200 m to infinite distance: 50 m

m Shutter speed

Indicates the shutter speed or the shutter mode. However, if the SHUTTER switch (see page 13) is set to OFF, nothing is displayed.

g Power source voltage/battery remaining capacity

When the unit is powered from a battery pack or AC adaptor attached to the battery attachment shoe, indicates the remaining capacity of the power source voltage. When the unit is powered from an external battery (a battery connected to the DC IN connector), indicates the power source voltage. When the DISP BATT REMAIN item is set to “INT” on the VF DISP 1 page of the OPERATION menu, the battery voltage is not indicated. However, when the Anton Bauer intelligent battery system or the BP-GL95/GL65 Battery Pack is used, the remaining battery capacity is automatically detected and indicated in steps of 10%.

• Until the remaining battery capacity is reduced to 40%, the indications MAX, 90%, 80%...40% are displayed for three seconds in the viewfinder each time the remaining battery capacity reduces by 10%.

• When the remaining battery capacity is less than 40%, the indication is displayed all the time.

• When the remaining battery capacity is less than 10%, the indication flashes. When the remaining battery capacity is reduced further, the “LOW” flashes.

h Clip list name

Displays the name (E0001 to E0099) of the currently selected clip list.

i 5600 indicator

Appears when the electric color temperature filter function is on.

j Filter

Indicates the currently selected filter type.

k White balance memory

Indicates the currently selected white balance automatic adjustment memory.

A: Displayed when the WHITE BAL switch is set to A. B: Displayed when the WHITE BAL switch is set to B. P: Displayed when the WHITE BAL switch is set to PRST

or when the preset button on an RM-B150 has been pushed.

T: Displayed when ATW is being used.

l Gain value

Indicates the gain value (in dB) of the video amplifier, as set by the GAIN switch.

For details of the displayed shutter speed, see “Setting the Electronic Shutter” on page 57.

n Operation/alarm message display area

For details, see “Operation/alarm messages” on page 168.

o Audio level

Indicates the level of audio channel 1 and channel 2. The peak indication of the VDR level meter is related as follows to the audio level. For example, the level of the internal 1 kHz sine wave signal is -20 dB, causing the six bars from the left to light.

udio channel 1 level indicator

udio channel 2 level indicator

VDR level meter indicator

p Remaining disc capacity

Indicates the remaining recording time (in minutes) of the disc.

Examples of remaining recording time indication

Indication Remaining recording time

90 < More than 90 minutes 90 - 85 90 to 85 minutes 85 - 80 85 to 80 minutes

. .

. 20 - 15 20 to 15 minutes 15 - 10 15 to 10 minutes 10 - 5 10 to 5 minutes 5 - 0 5 to 0 minutes No display 0 minute

. . .

As shown below, dual-layer discs (PFD50DLA) allow longer recording times than those in the above table.

Indication

250 < More than 250 minutes 240 < More than 240 minutes 230 < More than 230 minutes

Remaining recording time

q Remaining clips display

Displays the remaining number of clips that can be recorded. The display flashes once per second when the number of remaining clips is less than 10.

Chapter 1 Overview

Location and Function of Parts

r Iris setting/auto iris override

Indicates the F value (iris setting) of the lens. Also, the auto iris override is displayed using two squares which appear in the upper and lower parts respectively.

For details, see “Adjusting the Iris” on page 59.

Chapter 1 Overview

s Setting change and adjustment progress message

display area

For details, see “Change Confirmation/Adjustment Progress Messages” on page 138.

Location and Function of Parts

Preparations

Attaching and Replacing the Lithium Battery

Chapter

Take out the lithium battery.

Chapter 2 Preparations

This camcorder uses a lithium battery to retain stored data. When using the camcorder for the first time, be sure to attach the supplied lithium battery (CR2032). The camcorder will not operate correctly without this lithium battery. After attaching the lithium battery, set the date and time of the internal clock (see “Setting the Date and Time of the Internal Clock” on page 33).

Note

Use CR2032 lithium batteries only. Other types of lithium battery may come loose when the camcorder is subjected to vibrations. If you have difficulty finding CR2032 lithium batteries, contact your Sony dealer.

Catch

LITHIUM BATT

Battery cover

Press down and pull forward.

Press down and pull out toward you.

Reverse step 3 to insert a replacement lithium battery. Make sure that the + symbol on the battery is facing you.

Close the battery cover.

WARNING

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

CAUTION

Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Bei der Entsorgung leerer Batterien sind die Anweisungen des Herstellers zu befolgen.

Set the POWER switch to OFF.

Press down the catch at the top of the battery cover and open the cover.

Service life of the lithium battery

When the lithium battery’s voltage falls, the lithium battery low voltage warning appears on the LCD monitor (see page 16). If this warning appears, replace the lithium battery (CR2032) within three or four days. The lithium battery has an average service life of about one year.

Attaching and Replacing the Lithium Battery

Preparing a Power Supply

The following power supplies are recommended for the camcorder.

• BP-GL95/GL65/L60S/L80S Lithium-ion Battery Pack

• AC power using the AC-DN2B/DN10 AC adaptor

Slide the battery pack down until its “LOCK” arrow points at the matching line on the camcorder.

“LOCK” arrow

Chapter 2 Preparations

Using a Battery Pack

When a BP-GL95/GL65/L60S/L80S Battery Pack is used, the camcorder will operate continuously for the time shown below.

Model name Operating time

BP-GL95 Approx. 150 minutes BP-GL65 Approx. 95 minutes BP-L60S Approx. 95 minutes BP-L80S Approx. 125 minutes

Note

The battery pack operating time depends on the frequency of use of the battery pack, and the ambient temperature when used.

Before use, charge the battery pack with a charger suitable for each battery.

For details on the battery charging procedure, refer to the battery charger operation manual.

Note on using the battery pack

A warm battery pack may not be able to be fully recharged.

Matching line on the camcorder

Note

If the battery pack is not attached correctly, the terminal may be damaged.

To detach the battery pack

Holding this button in, pull the battery pack up.

Notes

• During recording and playback (while the ACCESS indicator is lit), be careful never to remove the battery pack.

• Make sure to power the camcorder off before replacing the battery pack.

To attach the battery pack

Press the battery pack against the back of the camcorder, aligning the line on the side of the battery pack with the matching line on the camcorder.

Back of the camcorder

Preparing a Power Supply

Using an AC Adaptor

When using the AC-DN10 AC adaptor

Mount an AC-DN10 on the camcorder in the same way as a battery pack, then connect to the AC power supply. The AC-DN10 can supply up to 100 W of power.

BP-GL95/GL65/L60S/L80S

Align these lines.

to an AC power source

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