Sony PDX10 Workshop Handbook
SONY PDX10
Workshop Handbook
Community Media Grantees 2005
Writer, Designer and Editor
Ann Theis
Contributing Editors
Director of Production
Revised for PDX10
Version 1
Manhattan Neighborhood Network
Ivettza Sanchez, Jay Dedman
Cyrille Phipp
Community Media Dept
June 2005
SONY PDX10 Workshop Manual
Index
Quick Start
Powering Up..............................................................3
Removing the Lens Cap............................................3
Inserting Tape............................................................4
The Power Switch..................................................... 5
Auto Focus................................................................ 6
The LCD Screen....................................................... 7
Auto Lock.................................................................. 7
Power Zoom..............................................................7
Headphones............................................................. 7
Edit Search................................................................7
Advanced Manual Features and Functions
Manual Focus............................................................8
Manual White Balance.............................................. 8
Manual Shutter Speed.............................................. 8
Manual Exposure.......................................................8
Zebra and Color Bars................................................9
Playback....................................................................9
Microphone................................................................9
Additional Information
All About Microphones.............................................. 10
Recording Onto Digital Tape......................................11
Time Code, Pre-&Post Roll and Edit Search...........12
Batteries and Charging............................................. 13
Tripod vs. Handheld................................................. 14
Camera Composition.................................................15
Camera Angles..........................................................17
Camera Movements..................................................18
Interviewing Techniques............................................ 19
Sample Treatment.....................................................20
Production Stages & Planning.................................. 21
The Logging and EDL Processes............................. 23
Logging Sheet .........................................................24
Appendixes
A. All About White Balancing.................................... 25
B. Setting Manual Sound Levels...............................28
C. Suggested Menu Settings.................................... 29
D. Tape Formats and Tape Care...............................30
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 2
Quick Start Instructions For The Sony PDX-10
Follow the next Five Steps for a quickstart to recording.
1.USING THE POWER CORD
1. Open the DC cover located at the rear of the camera
(below the battery compartment).
2. Connect the DC end (small connector) of the power supply
to the DC input.
3. Connect the AC power cord to the power supply.
4. Connect to AC wall outlet.
2.USING THE BATTERY
1. Lift the viewfinder.
2. Slide the battery in a downward motion until you hear it
click into place.
For more information on
batteries see page 15
1. Lift the viewfinder
2. Press down the BATT tab (located just above the battery
compartment) and at the same time slide the battery upwards.
3.REMOVE THE LENS CAP
1. Locate the lens cap in front of the camera.
2. Squeeze gently on the tabs on either side of the lens cap
and pull off.
3. Secure cap to the hand strap on the side of the camera.
4. When finished taping place lens cap back over lens.
REMOVING THE BATTERY
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 3
4.INSERTING A TAPE*
*To perform the following the camera does not have to be
‘on’ but either the battery or power supply have to be
attached.
1. Slide the OPEN/EJECT button in the direction of the arrow
to open the tape compartment.
2. Insert the tape straight as far as possible into the cassette
compartment with the window facing out and the
write-protect tab facing up.
3. First close the inner cassette compartment where it says
PUSH.
4. After cassette compartment goes down completely, close
the lid until it clicks.
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 4
5. POWER SWITCH - under the right thumb when the camera is hand held
Camera modes
The power switch has four positions…
1. Press in the small green button and then rotate the power
switch to VCR. The camera should beep and the transport
controls illuminate - you can use the player/recorder to review
your tapes by operating the STOP, REWIND, PLAY, FAST
FORWARD and PAUSE buttons.
2. OFF (CHG) is the power off position and used to save battery. You should also use this position when charging a battery.
3. Press in the small green button and then rotate the power
switch to CAMERA. You should now see a picture and will
be able to record footage and operate camera functions
4. MEMORY - select when recording information to the
memory stick for taking digital stills.
Start / Stop
This is a red button with the power switch control around it.
TO START RECORDING - Press the red button, the message
REC will appear in the viewfinder
TO STOP RECORDING -Press the red button again, the mes-
sage STBY will appear in the viewfinder.
* If you are trying to record but cannot and you see a flashing
yellow icon in the center of the viewfinder/LCD screen check
that you are not in the memory mode instead of camera mode.
A few extra tips:
Remember to make sure the camera is secure and steady either in your hands or on a tripod.
Don’t forget to take off your lens cap and to use the viewfinder or LCD screen to frame your shot!
If you leave the camera on but are not recording the camera will automatically go into standby after
five minutes. Simply, return the POWER switch to STANDBY then back to CAMERA.
Make sure to never point the camera at the sun or to expose the camera to long periods in extreme
sunlight/heat or cold and rain.
Don’t touch the lens! Only clean the lens with lens tissue.
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 5
Camera Features and Functions
THE LCD SCREEN
1. Once you pull out the LCD screen the viewfinder is automatically switched off.
2. However, the Viewfinder and LCD will be on together when
the screen is turned through 180 degrees.
3. Once the LCD screen is re-housed into the side of the camera the viewfinder becomes operational.
4. When screen is turned through 180 degrees (to be in in
front of camera without a camera person) it drops into "mirror
mode".
5. Using the LCD screen will drain your batteries much faster
than the viewfinder. If you need to be conservative with your
batteries power then you use the viewfinder.
Take care of the LCD screen...
1. Do not touch the surface of the screen unless using the provided stylus.
2. Do not lift the camera by the viewfinder or screen.
3. Exposing the screen to sunlight for extended periods may damage it.
AUTO/MANUAL FOCUS
1. With the FOCUS switch set to AUTO the camera will
automatically focus for you.
2. Set the switch to MANUAL to take control of focusing and
a little hand appears in the viewfinder. (see page 10 for more)
3. The PUSH AUTO button below will automatically focus
the camera on whatever is in the center of the picture. When
you release the button it will revert to the manual mode.
4. When the camera is in INFINITY mode you will see a little
mountain appear. INFINITY gives you the greatest range of
focus and is generally used for landscapes or when shooting
distant objects.
The TROUBLE with auto focus ... is that it doesn't work well under the following conditions:
* When the subject is not in the center of the picture (particularly when there are moving objects)
* In low light conditions or if there is a bright light behind the subject (e.g. a window)
* When the subject is bright (e.g. a car with its head lamps on)
* When the subject is of low contrast - walls, the sky
* If the subject is made up of fine repetitive patterns
* If the subject is behind vertical bars or a chain link fence
* When another subject passes between the camera and the point of interest
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 6
AUTO LOCK/HOLD
POWER ZOOM
1. When the HOLD/AUTO LOCK switch is in AUTO LOCK
position - the camcorder will automatically adjust the
EXPOSURE, SHUTTER SPEED and WHITE BALANCE.
2. With the HOLD/AUTO LOCK turned to the middle position you have the choice of operating the above features
manually or on auto.
3. To retain the settings you have adjusted manually, place in
the HOLD position.
1. The 'T' stands for TELEPHOTO and will zoom the lens in.
The subject appears closers.
2.The 'W' stands for WIDE-ANGLE and will zoom the lens
out. The subject appears further away.
Press the zoom controller gently for a slow zoom speed and
press harder for a faster zoom speed. Practice gently pressing
these buttons while continually framing your shot in order to
achieve effective and more professional looking shots.
HEADPHONES
EDIT SEARCH/REC REVIEW
DON’T FORGET TO USE HEADPHONES!
Plug in mini headphone connector into the mini jack on the
side of the camera next to the Audio/Video jacks.
If you want to ensure quality sound you must use headphones.
Looking at the sound levels (covered on next page) is not
enough. Sound level only show you how high or low the
sound is, not the quality of it. Check for clear, full sound free
of buzzing, cut outs, and other unwanted noises.
To search for the next recording point:
1. Set the POWER switch is set to STANDBY.
2. Open the LCD and locate the Edit search + and - buttons.
(+ button to go forward and - to go backward)
3. Hold down the EDIT SEARCH in STANDBY.
The recorded portion is played back.
Release the EDIT SEARCH to stop playback. If you press the
START/STOP button from the point you released the EDIT
SEARCH (make sure you have TIME CODE and you will
record seamless TIME CODE.
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 7
Advanced Manual Features
MANUAL FOCUS
1. Locate the Manual/Auto Focus selector on side of camera.
2. Select Manual Focus
3. Locate the Zoom button and Zoom into your shot (eyes).
4. Locate Focus Ring, at front of camera and turn until image
is sharp and in focus.
5. Zoom back out to your desired shot.
MANUAL SHUTTER SPEED
Adjusting the shutter speed allows you to adjust the video to
make fast action clearer or objects in the dark more visible.
1. Press the SHUTTER SPEED button in the rear of the camera.
2. Turn the SEL/Push EXEC dial to select either the appropriate
speed-higher for action or darker, lower for brighter or slowish
look.
3. If needed make other manual adjustments and set HOLD.
Push/EXEC Dial
Use dial to scroll
through options and
then push in to select.
MANUAL WHITE BALANCE (see appendix A for more info)
Adjusting the white balance make colors look natural no matter
the type of lighting, whether sunlight, fluorescent, or candle light.
1. Press the WHT BAL button in the rear of the camera.
2. Turn the SEL/Push EXEC dial to select either outdoor-
(sun), indoor-(bulb) or manual WB. Select Manual WB.
3. Focus and set your frame fully on a White Card.
4. Press SEL/Push EXEC and hold until blinking symbol stops.
5. You should notice the white of the card adjust its color
temperature to match the light source.
6. If needed make other manual adjustments and set the
AUTO LOCK/HOLD to HOLD
MANUAL EXPOSURE
Adjusting the exposure allows you to adjust between the lightness
and darkness of the video.
1. Press the EXPOSURE button in the rear of the camera.
2. Turn the SEL/Push EXEC dial to select either the appropriate
F-Stop-Lower allows more light in (brighter), Higher for
allows in less light (darker)
3. If needed make other manual adjustments and set HOLD.
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 8
ZEBRA
COLOR BARS
PLAYBACK
Adjusting between the exposure and the shutter speed allows you
to adjust between the lightness and darkness of the video. The
Zebra function creates a zebra-like pattern over areas that are
exposed at the level of either 70 or 100 IREs, depending on the
setting you choose. This is useful to whether lighting is too hot - it
is for visual reference only and does not effect recording.
*100 IRE and over is considered to be over exposed.
*70 IRE is generally considered to be a good level of exposure.
It is always a good idea to record a minute of color at the
beginning of a tape. For checking color later on and most
importantly for safeguarding your footage. The first minute
of tape is the most used and gets stretched out more easily.
1. Open the LCD.
2. Locate and press the COLOR BARS button.
3. Record for minute.
4. Press the COLOR BARS button again to return to camera.
To view what you have recorded:
MICROPHONE JACKS
1. Set the POWER switch button to VCR
2. Open the LCD and press the Rewind, Play, Fast forward, or
Stop buttons on the side of the camera. If functions like a
normal VCR.
3. When finished be sure to return the tape back to the
position to continue recording.
4. Return the POWER switch to OFF or CAMERA.
The PDX10 comes with two XLR microphone connectors .
In normal operation, the camera mic is connected to INPUT 1
and the REC CH switch is set to CH1•CH2 (this records the
mic audio onto both channels). When using two mics, this
switch should be set to CH1 so that each mic records to a different channel. The recording levels of each mic can be controlled independently through the menus/audio level (see
Appendix B).
Select the appropriate INPUT LEVEL when using a
mic. Use LINE if you are connecting directly into a PA
or mixer to receive program audio. Use MIC when
using microphones. The +48v switch refers to
‘Phantom power’ and should be turned on when using
microphones that normally require batteries (if you use
phantom power - remove all mic batteries).
Always monitor audio with headphones!
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 9
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