Sony DCR-PC108 Camcorder Operations Guide

Camera

Operations Guide

Read this first

Digital Video Camera Recorder

DCR-PC108/PC109

3-089-181-11(1)

© 2004 Sony Corporation

2

Read this first

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

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated

“dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance

(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

b

Notice

If static electricity or electromagnetic interference causes data transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart the application or disconnect and connect the

USB cable again.

For customers in the U.S.A. and

CANADA

CAUTION

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE

BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY

INSERT.

RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Lithium-Ion batteries are recyclable.

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

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

Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking Lithium-

Ion batteries.

“Memory Stick” and battery pack

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

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

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian

ICES-003.

For customers in the U.S.A.

If you have any questions about this product, you may call:

Sony Customer Information Center 1-800-222-SONY

(7669)

The number below is for FCC related matters only.

Regulatory Information

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY

Model No.: DCR-PC109

Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.

Address: 680 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell,

NJ 07649 U.S.A.

Telephone No.: 201-930-6972

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

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

b

Note:

DCR-PC109 is to be used with Handycam Station

Model DCRA-C111 and AC Power Adaptor Model

AC-L25A/L25B.

Owner’s Record

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

Model No.DCR-PC

Serial No.

Model No.AC-

Serial No.

CAUTION

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

b

Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to

Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

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

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

– Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

– Consult a Sony dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

The supplied interface cable must be used with the equipment in order to comply with the limits for a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC

Rules.

Notes on use

Note on Cassette Memory

Your camcorder is based on the DV format. You can use only mini DV cassettes in your camcorder. Use of mini DV cassettes with Cassette Memory is

recommended as you can use Title search (p. 61), Date

search (p. 62), [

TITLE] (p. 81), [

TAPE

TITLE] (p. 83).

Cassettes with Cassette Memory are marked with .

Note on the type of “Memory Stick” you can use in your camcorder

You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo,” which is about half the size of a standard “Memory Stick,” in

your camcorder (p. 128).

The mark is indicated on the

“Memory Stick Duo.”

,

continued

3

4

Notes on recording

• Before starting to record, test the recording function to make sure the picture and sound are recorded without any problems.

• Compensation for the contents of recordings cannot be provided, even if recording or playback is not possible due to a malfunction of the camcorder, storage media, etc.

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

• Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the copyright laws.

Notes on the LCD panel, viewfinder, and lens

• The LCD screen and the viewfinder are manufactured using extremely high-precision technology, so over 99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective use.

However, there may be some tiny black points and/ or bright points (white, red, blue, or green in color) that appear constantly on the LCD screen and the viewfinder.

These points are normal results of the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way.

• Exposing the LCD screen, the viewfinder, or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods of time may cause malfunctions. Be careful when placing the camera near a window or outdoors.

• Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause your camcorder to malfunction. Take pictures of the sun only in low light conditions, such as at dusk.

Note on connecting other device

Before connecting your camcorder to other device such as a VCR or a computer with a USB or i.LINK cable, be sure to insert the connector plug in the proper direction. If you insert the connector plug forcibly in the wrong direction, the terminal may be damaged, or this may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.

Notes on using this manual

• The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder used on this manual are captured using a digital still camera, and thus may appear different from what you see.

• The illustrations used on this manual are based on the model DCR-PC109.

Notes on using the camcorder

• Hold the camcorder, putting your wrist through the belt and your fingers lightly on the finger rest.

Finger rest

• To ensure a good grip, fasten the Strap Belt as shown in the following illustration. If the Strap Belt hangs out too far, tuck it in the hand pad.

• The Strap Belt can also be used as a wrist strap

(p. 142).

• When you are using the touch panel, place your hand on the back side of the LCD panel to support it.

Then, touch the buttons displayed on the screen.

Touch the button on the LCD screen.

• You can change the language to be used for screen

display on your camcorder (p. 25).

• Be careful not to press buttons on the LCD frame accidentally when you open or close the LCD panel, or when you adjust the angle of the LCD panel.

• Do not hold the camcorder by the following parts.

Viewfinder

LCD panel

• Be sure to turn the power of your camcorder off before inserting it into or removing it from the

Handycam Station.

• Your camcorder may not attach properly to the

Handycam Station if the camcorder’s DC IN jack cover is open or the Strap Belt is caught between your camcorder and the Handycam Station.

• Do not connect the A/V connecting cables or the AC

Adaptors to both your camcorder and the Handycam

Station simultaneously while using your camcorder.

This may cause a malfunction.

Battery pack

Notes on handling the Handycam Station

• When attaching your camcorder to the Handycam

Station, insert your camcorder in the direction of the arrow as shown in the following illustration. Be sure to insert it all the way.

• When removing your camcorder from the

Handycam Station, hold both your camcorder and the Handycam Station as shown in the following illustration, and remove it from the Handycam

Station.

b

Notes

• When disconnecting the AC Adaptor from the

Handycam Station, hold both the DC plug and the

Handycam Station and disconnect the AC Adaptor.

5

6

Table of Contents

: Features available for tape only.

: Features available for “Memory Stick Duo” only.

Read this first ............................................................................................. 2

Quick Start Guide

Recording movies .................................................................................... 10

Recording still images .............................................................................. 12

Recording/Playing back with ease ........................................................... 14

Getting started

Step 1: Checking supplied items.............................................................. 15

Step 2: Charging the battery pack............................................................ 16

Using an outside power source ................................................................................. 19

Step 3: Turning the power on................................................................... 20

Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder...................................... 21

Adjusting the LCD panel ............................................................................................ 21

Adjusting the viewfinder ............................................................................................. 21

Step 5: Setting the date and time............................................................. 22

Step 6: Inserting the recording media ...................................................... 23

Inserting a cassette tape ........................................................................................... 23

Inserting a “Memory Stick Duo” ................................................................................. 24

Step 7: Setting the screen language ........................................................ 25

Recording

Recording movies .................................................................................... 27

Recording for a longer time ....................................................................................... 29

Using zoom ................................................................................................................ 29

Recording in mirror mode .......................................................................................... 30

Using the self-timer .................................................................................................... 31

Recording still images – Memory photo recording............................. 32

Selecting image quality or size .................................................................................. 33

Using the self-timer .................................................................................................... 34

Recording a still image on a “Memory Stick Duo” while recording movies on a tape ........................................................................ 35

Recording with ease – Easy Handycam .................................................. 35

Recording a movie ............................................................................................... 35

Recording a still image ....................................................................................... 36

Making full use of Easy Handycam operation ........................................................... 37

Adjusting the exposure............................................................................. 38

Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjects ............................................................... 38

Fixing the exposure for the selected subject – Flexible spot meter .......................... 38

Adjusting the exposure manually .............................................................................. 39

Recording in dark places – NightShot plus, etc. ...................................... 40

Adjusting the focus................................................................................... 41

Adjusting the focus for an off-center subject – SPOT FOCUS .................................. 41

Adjusting the focus manually .................................................................................... 42

Recording a picture using various effects ................................................ 43

Fading in and out of a scene – FADER .............................................................. 43

Using special effects – Digital effect .................................................................. 44

Overlaying still images on movies on a tape – MEMORY MIX ................................. 46

Searching for the starting point .......................................................... 48

Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording – END SEARCH ............ 48

Searching manually – EDIT SEARCH ...................................................................... 48

Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes – Rec review .................................... 49

Playback

Viewing movies recorded on a tape ................................................... 50

Playing back in various modes ................................................................................. 51

Viewing recordings with added effects – Digital effect .............................................. 52

Viewing recordings on a “Memory Stick Duo” .................................... 53

Playing back in various modes from a “Memory Stick Duo” ...................................... 54

Playing back with ease – Easy Handycam .............................................. 55

Making full use of Easy Handycam operation ........................................................... 56

Various playback functions ...................................................................... 57

Magnifying pictures – Tape playback zoom/Memory playback zoom ....................... 57

Displaying the screen indicators ............................................................................... 58

Displaying the date/time and camera settings data – Data code .............................. 58

Playing the picture on a TV ...................................................................... 60

Locating a scene on a tape for playback ........................................... 61

Searching quickly for a desired scene – Zero set memory ....................................... 61

Searching for a scene using Cassette Memory – Title search .................................. 61

Searching for a scene by date of recording – Date search ....................................... 62

,

continued

7

8

Advanced operations

Using the Menu

Selecting menu items ........................ 63

Using the (CAMERA SET) menu

– PROGRAM AE/WHITE BAL./16:9

WIDE, etc. .................................... 65

Using the (MEMORY SET) menu

– BURST/QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/

ALL ERASE/NEW FOLDER, etc. ............................................... 71

Using the (PICT. APPLI.) menu

– PICT. EFFECT/SLIDE SHOW/

FRAME REC/INTERVAL REC/INT.

REC–STL, etc. ............................. 75

Using the (EDIT/PLAY) menu

– TITLE/ TAPE TITLE, etc.

...................................................... 80

Using the (STANDARD SET) menu

– REC MODE/MULTI-SOUND/

AUDIO MIX/USB-CAMERA, etc. ............................................... 84

Using the (TIME/LANGU.) menu

– CLOCK SET/WORLD TIME, etc. ............................................... 89

Customizing Personal Menu .............. 90

Dubbing/Editing

Connecting to a VCR or TV ............... 93

Dubbing to another tape .............. 94

Recording pictures from a VCR or

TV ................................................ 95

Dubbing pictures from a tape to a

“Memory Stick Duo” ..................... 96

Dubbing still images from a “Memory

Stick Duo” to a tape ..................... 97

Dubbing selected scenes from a tape

– Digital program editing .............. 98

Dubbing sound to a recorded

Deleting recorded pictures .........107

Marking recorded images with specific information – Image protection/

Print mark ...................................108

Printing recorded images (PictBridge compliant printer) .................110

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting ...............................113

Warning indicators and messages ...121

Additional Information

Using your camcorder abroad .........126

Usable cassette tapes .....................127

About the “Memory Stick” ................128

About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack ............................................131

About i.LINK .....................................132

Maintenance and precautions ..........133

Specification ....................................136

Quick Reference

Identifying parts and controls ...........139

Index ................................................147

Refer also to other operating instructions supplied with your camcorder:

• Editing images with your computer cComputer Applications Guide

9

Quick Start Guide

Recording movies

1

Attach the charged battery pack to the camcorder.

To charge the battery, see page 16.

a

Slide the BATT (battery release) lever and remove the battery terminal cover.

b

Attach the battery pack with its terminal side facing your camcorder as shown in the illustration and press down the battery pack until it clicks.

BATT (battery release) lever

2

Insert a cassette into the camcorder.

a

Slide the OPEN/

Z

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

The cassette compartment comes out automatically.

b

Insert the cassette with its window-side facing up, then push the center of the back of the cassette.

c

Press .

Close the cassette lid after the cassette compartment slides back in by itself.

Window-side

OPEN/ Z EJECT lever

10

Quick Start Guide

3

Start recording while checking the subject on the LCD screen.

The date and time is not set up in the default setting. To set the date and time, see page 22.

a

Set the LENS COVER switch to OPEN.

b

Open the LCD panel.

c

While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch down to light up the

CAMERA-TAPE lamp.

The power turns on.

d

Press REC START/

STOP.

Recording starts. To change to standby mode, press REC START/STOP again.

You can also use REC

START/STOP of the LCD panel.

4

View the recorded picture on the LCD screen.

a

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly until the PLAY/EDIT lamp lights up.

b

Touch

c

Touch (play) to start the playback.

To stop, press .

To turn off the power, slide the

POWER switch up to OFF

(CHG).

Set the LENS COVER switch to CLOSE.

Quick Start Guide

11

Recording still images

1

Attach the charged battery pack to the camcorder.

To charge the battery, see page 16.

a

Slide the BATT (battery release)

b

Attach the battery pack with its lever and remove the battery terminal cover.

terminal side facing your camcorder as shown in the illustration and press down the battery pack until it clicks.


2

Insert a “Memory Stick Duo” into the camcorder.

Insert it so that the

B

mark is at the upper right corner.

Push in until it clicks.

B mark

12

Quick Start Guide

3

Start recording while checking the subject on the LCD screen.

The date and time is not set up in the default setting. To set the date and time, see page 22.

a


b


c

While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch repeatedly until the

CAMERA-MEM lamp lights up.

The power turns on.

d

Press PHOTO lightly.

A short beep sound is heard when the focus is adjusted.

e

Press PHOTO fully.

A shutter sound is heard and the still image is recorded.

4

View the recorded picture on the LCD screen.

a

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly until the PLAY/EDIT lamp lights up.

b

Touch .

The most recently recorded image is displayed.

c

Touch (next) or

(previous) to view images in sequence.

To turn off the power, slide the

POWER switch up to OFF (CHG).

Set the LENS COVER switch to

CLOSE.

Quick Start Guide

13

Recording/Playing back with ease

By switching to Easy Handycam operation, recording/playback operation becomes even easier.

Easy Handycam operation allows easy recording/playback for even first time users by providing only the basic functions for recording/playback.

Press EASY when recording/ playing back.

EASY lights up in blue (1) and screen font size increases (2) during Easy Handycam operation.

Easy Handycam operation

ON

For details, see instructions for each operation.

See page 35 for recording, page 55 for playback.

14

Quick Start Guide

Getting started

Step 1: Checking supplied items

Make sure you have following items supplied with your camcorder.

The number in parentheses indicates the number of that item supplied.

“Memory Stick Duo” 8MB (1)

You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo,” which is about half the size of a standard “Memory Stick,” in

your camcorder. See page 128 for details.

Wireless Remote Commander (1)

A button-type lithium battery is already installed.

A/V connecting cable (1)

USB cable (1)

Memory Stick Duo adaptor (1)

If you attach a Memory Stick Duo adaptor to a

“Memory Stick Duo,” you can use a “Memory Stick

Duo” with any of the devices compatible with a standard “Memory Stick.”

AC Adaptor (1)

Rechargeable battery pack NP-FF51 (1)

The silver-colored model of battery pack NP-FF51 is sold only with the camcorder.

Battery terminal cover (1)

Attached to the camcorder.

CD-ROM “SPVD-012 USB Driver” (1)

Cleaning cloth (1)

Camera Operations Guide (This manual)

(1)

Computer Applications Guide (1)

Power cord (1)

Handycam Station (1)

Getting started

15

Step 2: Charging the battery pack

You can charge the battery by attaching the

“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (F series) to your camcorder.

b

Notes

• You cannot use batteries other than the

“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (F series) (p. 131).

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

• Use a nearby wall outlet when using the AC

Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet immediately if any malfunction occurs.

1

Slide the BATT (battery release) lever and remove the battery terminal cover.


2

Attach the battery pack with its terminal side facing your camcorder as shown in the following illustration and press down the battery pack until it clicks.

DC plug

DC IN jack

Handycam Station

Power cord

AC Adaptor

To the wall outlet

3

With the v mark on the DC plug facing

up, connect the AC Adaptor to the DC

IN jack on the Handycam Station.

v mark

DC IN jack

4

Connect the power cord to the AC

Adaptor.

5

Connect the power cord to the wall outlet.

16

Getting started

6

Insert your camcorder into the

Handycam Station.

After charging the battery

The CHARGE lamp turns off when the battery is fully charged. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack.

To remove the battery pack

Battery pack

7

Slide the POWER switch up to OFF

(CHG) .

The CHARGE lamp lights up and charging starts.

To charge the battery pack using only the AC Adaptor

BATT

POWER switch

(battery release) lever

1

Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) .

2

Slide the BATT (battery release) lever in the direction of the arrow as shown in the illustration and remove the battery pack.

b

Note

• Always attach the terminal cover to protect the battery terminal. If you do not use the battery pack for a long time, use up the battery pack completely

before storing it. See page 131 about storage of the

battery pack.

To check the remaining battery – Battery

Info

DC plug

DC IN jack

Power cord

AC Adaptor

To the wall outlet

You can charge the battery pack on a trip, even if you have not brought the Handycam Station along. With the v

mark on the DC plug facing up, connect the AC Adaptor to the DC IN jack on your camcorder as shown in the illustration.

DISPLAY/BATT INFO POWER switch

You can check the battery’s current charge level and its current remaining recording time both during charging or when the power is turned off.

,

continued

Getting started

17

1

Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).

2


3

Press DISPLAY/BATT INFO.

The battery information appears for about 7 seconds.

Keep the button pressed to view it for about

20 seconds.

BATTERY INFO

BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL

0% 50% 100%

REC TIME AVAILABLE

LCD SCREEN

VIEWFINDER :

: 90 min

99 min

A Battery charge level: Displays

approximate remaining amount of power left in the battery pack.

B Approximate possible recording time

using the LCD panel.

C Approximate possible recording time

using the viewfinder.

Charging time

Approximate number of minutes required when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack at 25°C (77°F). (10 – 30°C (50 – 86°F) recommended.)

Battery pack

NP-FF50

NP-FF51 (supplied)

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

120

130

150

170

Recording time when recording with the

LCD screen on

Approximate number of minutes available when you use a fully charged battery pack at

25°C (77°F).

With LCD BACKLIGHT set to ON

For DCR-PC109:

Battery pack Continuous recording time

Typical* recording time

NP-FF50

NP-FF51

(supplied)

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

85

100

185

205

45

55

100

110

For DCR-PC108:


NP-FF50 110


60

NP-FF51

(supplied)

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

125

225

250

65

120

135

With LCD BACKLIGHT set to OFF

For DCR-PC109:


NP-FF50

NP-FF51

(supplied)

95

110

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

205

225


50

60

110

125

For DCR-PC108:


NP-FF50 125


65

NP-FF51

(supplied)

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

140

260

285

75

140

155

18

Getting started

Recording time when recording with the viewfinder


25°C (77°F).

For DCR-PC109:



NP-FF50

NP-FF51

(supplied)

95

110

50

60

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

205

225

110

125

For DCR-PC108:



NP-FF50

NP-FF51

(supplied)

125

140

65

75

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

260

285

140

155

* Approximate number of minutes when recording while you repeatedly record, start/stop, slide the

POWER switch to change the power mode, and zoom. The actual battery life may be shorter.

Playing time


25°C (77°F).

For DCR-PC109:

Battery pack LCD panel opened*

NP-FF50

NP-FF51

(supplied)

110

125

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

225

250

LCD panel closed

125

140

260

285

For DCR-PC108:

Battery pack LCD panel opened*

NP-FF50

NP-FF51

(supplied)

125

140

NP-FF70

NP-FF71

260

285

LCD panel closed

145

160

295

325

* With LCD BACKLIGHT set to ON.

b

Notes

• The power will not be supplied from the battery pack even when the power cord is disconnected from the wall outlet in the following cases:

– When the AC adaptor is connected to the DC IN jack of your camcorder

– When the AC adaptor is connected to the DC IN jack of the Handycam Station and your camcorder is attached to the Handycam Station

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

• The CHARGE lamp flashes during charging, or the battery information will not be correctly displayed in following conditions.

– The battery pack is not attached correctly.

– The battery pack is damaged.

– The battery pack is fully discharged. (For Battery information only.)

• With a large capacity battery pack (NP-FF70/FF71) installed, your camcorder will be less balanced - support it properly when placing your camcorder on a table etc., in this case.

Using an outside power source

You can use the AC Adaptor as the power source when you do not want the battery to run out. While you are using the AC Adaptor, the battery pack will not lose its charge even when it is attached to your camcorder.

PRECAUTION

Even if your camcorder is turned off, AC power

(house current) is still supplied to it while connected to the wall outlet via the AC Adaptor.

Connect your camcorder as shown in

“Charging the battery pack” (p. 16).

Getting started

19

Step 3: Turning the power on

You need to slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the desired power mode to record or play.

When using this camcorder for the first time,

the [CLOCK SET] screen appears (p. 22).

LENS COVER switch

• CAMERA-TAPE mode: To record on a tape.

• CAMERA-MEM mode: To record on a


• PLAY/EDIT mode: To play or edit pictures on a tape or “Memory Stick Duo.”

To turn off the power

Slide the POWER switch up to OFF (CHG).

Set the LENS COVER switch to CLOSE.

POWER switch

1

Set the LENS COVER switch to

OPEN.

2

While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch down.

The power turns on.

To enter the recording or playing mode, slide the switch repeatedly until the respective lamp for the desired power mode lights up.

20

Getting started

Step 4: Adjusting the

LCD panel and viewfinder

Adjusting the LCD panel

You can adjust the angle and brightness of the LCD panel to meet various recording situations.

Even when there are obstructions between you and the subject, you can check the subject on the

LCD screen during recording by adjusting the angle of the LCD panel.

Maximum

180 degrees

3

Adjust the item with / touch .

, then

z

Tips

• If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees to the lens side, you can close the LCD panel with the LCD screen facing out.

• If you are using the battery pack for power source, you can adjust the brightness by selecting [LCD BL

LEVEL] from the [LCD/VF SET] on the

(STANDARD SET) menu (p. 85).

• When you use your camcorder in bright conditions, press LCD BACKLIGHT to switch off the LCD screen backlight ( appears on the screen.). This setting saves battery power.

• Even if you adjust the LCD screen backlight, the recorded picture will not be affected.

• You can turn off the operation confirmation beep by setting [BEEP] in the

menu to [OFF] (p. 87).

(STANDARD SET)

Adjusting the viewfinder

You can view images using the viewfinder when you close the LCD panel. Use the viewfinder when the battery is running out, or when the screen is hard to see.

Maximum

90 degrees

Open the LCD panel.

LCD BACKLIGHT

Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder, then rotate it to the desired position.

Viewfinder lens adjustment lever

To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen

1

Touch .

2

Touch [LCD BRIGHT].

If the item is not displayed on the screen, touch / . If you cannot find it, touch

[MENU], (STANDARD SET) menu,

then touch [LCD/VF SET] (p. 85).

1

Extend the viewfinder until it clicks.

2

Adjust the viewfinder lens adjustment lever until the picture is clear.

,

continued

Getting started

21

To use the viewfinder during operation

When you are recording on a tape or a “Memory

Stick Duo,” you can adjust the exposure (p. 38)

and fader (p. 43) while checking the image on

the viewfinder. Have the LCD panel rotated 180 degrees and closed with the screen facing out.

1

Set the power mode to CAMERA-TAPE

or CAMERA-MEM (p. 20).

2

Extend the viewfinder, and close the

LCD panel with the screen facing out.

appears on the screen.

3

Touch .

[Set LCD off?] appears on the screen.

4

Touch [YES].

The LCD screen is turned off.

5

Touch the LCD screen while checking the display in the viewfinder.

[EXPOSURE], etc. are displayed.

6

Touch the button you want to set.

• [EXPOSURE]: Adjust with and touch .

/

•

[FADER]:

Touch it repeatedly to select a desired effect (only in the CAMERA-

•

TAPE mode).

:

The LCD screen lights up.

To hide the buttons on the LCD screen, touch .

z

Tip

• To adjust the brightness of the viewfinder backlight, select (STANDARD SET) menu, [LCD/VF

SET], then [VF B.LIGHT] (when you are using the

battery pack, p. 85).

Step 5: Setting the date and time

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

b

Note

• If you do not use your camcorder for about 3

months, the built-in rechargeable button-type battery gets discharged and the date and time settings may be cleared from the memory. In that case, charge the rechargeable button-type battery

(p. 136) and then set the date and time again.

POWER switch

1

Turn on your camcorder (p. 20).

2


Proceed to step 7 when you set the clock for the first time.

3

Touch .

60min

MENU

1/3

FADER

SPOT

FOCUS

EXPO–

SURE

– : – – : – –

FOCUS

SPOT

METER

22

Getting started

4

Touch [MENU].

60min – : – – : – –

CAMERA SET

PROGRAM AE

SPOT METER

EXPOSURE

OK

5

Select

/ , then touch .

60min – : – – : – –

DISPLAY

MENU ROTATE

A. SHUT OFF

CLOCK SET

WORLD

LANGUAGE

––:––:––

PROGRAM AE

OK

6

Select [CLOCK SET] with / , then touch .

CLOCK SET – : – – : – –

DATE

2004 Y JAN M 1 D 0: 00 AM

OK

7

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

.

CLOCK SET – : – – : – –

DATE

2004

Y

JAN

M

1

D

0: 00

AM

OK

You can set any year up to the year 2079.

8

Set [M] (month), [D] (day), hour and minute in the same way as was done in step 7, then touch .

For midnight, set it to 12:00AM.

For midday, set it to 12:00PM.

Step 6: Inserting the recording media

Inserting a cassette tape

You can use mini DV cassettes only.

For details on these cassettes (such as write-

protection), see page 127.

b

Note

• Do not force the cassette into the compartment. This may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.

1

Slide the OPEN/ZEJECT

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

OPEN/ Z EJECT lever

Lid

The cassette compartment automatically comes out and opens up.

,

continued

Getting started

23

2

Insert a cassette with its window-side facing up.

Window-side

Inserting a “Memory Stick Duo”

Push the center of the back of the cassette lightly.

3

Press .

The cassette compartment automatically slides back in.

For details on the “Memory Stick Duo” (such

as write-protection), see page 128.

b

Note

• You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo,” which is about half the size of a standard “Memory Stick,” in

your camcorder (p. 128). Do not try to force any

other type of “Memory Stick” into the “Memory

Stick Duo” slot.

Access lamp

B

mark

4

Close the lid.

To eject the cassette

1

Slide the OPEN/ZEJECT

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

The cassette compartment automatically comes out.

2

Take out the cassette, then press

The cassette compartment automatically slides back in.

.

3

Close the lid.

Insert the “Memory Stick Duo” with the B

mark at the upper right corner until it clicks.

To eject a “Memory Stick Duo”

Lightly push the “Memory Stick Duo” in once.

Lightly push in once.

24

Getting started

b

Notes

• If you force the “Memory Stick Duo” into the

“Memory Stick Duo” slot in the wrong direction, the

“Memory Stick Duo” slot may be damaged.

• Do not insert anything other than a “Memory Stick

Duo” into the “Memory Stick Duo” slot. Doing so may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.

• When the access lamp is lit or flashing, your camcorder is reading/writing data from/to the

“Memory Stick Duo.” Do not shake or knock your camcorder, turn the power off, eject the “Memory

Stick Duo,” or remove the battery pack. Otherwise, image data may be damaged.

Step 7: Setting the screen language

You can select the language to be used on the

LCD screen.

POWER switch

1

Turn on your camcorder.

2


3

Touch .

60min

MENU

STBY

EXPO–

SURE

0:00:00

1/3

FADER FOCUS

SPOT

FOCUS

SPOT

METER

4

Touch [LANGUAGE].


[MENU], and select it from the

(TIME/LANGU.) menu (p. 89).

60min

LANGUAGE:

1/2

ENG

LISH

FRAN

ÇAIS

STBY

ENGLISH

0:00:00

ENG

[SIMP]

ESPA

ÑOL

,

continued

Getting started

25

5

Select the desired language with /

, then touch .

z

Tip

• Your camcorder offers [ENG [SIMP]] (simplified

English) for when you cannot find your native tongue among the options.

26

Getting started

Recording


You can record movies on a tape or a


Before recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in

“Getting started” (p. 15 to p. 25).

When you are recording on a tape, movies will be recorded along with stereo sound.

When you are recording on a “Memory Stick

Duo,” the movie will be recorded with monaural sound.

Camera recording lamp

LENS COVER switch POWER switch

3

Select the recording mode.

To record on a tape

Slide the POWER switch until the

CAMERA-TAPE lamp lights up, and your camcorder is set to the standby mode.

Slide the POWER switch while pressing the green button.

To record on a “Memory Stick

Duo” – MPEG MOVIE EX

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly until the CAMERA-MEM lamp lights up, and the currently selected recording folder appears on the screen.


REC START/STOP z

Tip

• Performing Easy Handycam operation, even first time

users can record easily. For details, see page 35.

1

Set the LENS COVER switch to OPEN .

2


4

Press REC START/STOP.

Recording starts. [REC] appears on the

LCD screen and the Camera recording lamp lights up.

Press REC START/STOP again to stop recording.

To check the most recently recorded

MPEG movie – Review

Touch . Playback starts automatically.

Touch

again to return to standby.

To delete the movie, touch is finished, then [YES].

after playback

To cancel deleting, touch [NO].

To turn the power off

1

Slide the POWER switch up to the OFF

(CHG) position.

2

Set the LENS COVER switch to CLOSE .

,

continued

Recording

27

Indicators displayed during recording on a tape

The indicators will not be recorded on the tape.

Date/time and the camera settings data (p. 58)

will not be displayed during recording.

Indicators displayed during recording on a “Memory Stick Duo”

The indicators will not be recorded on the


Date/time (p. 58) will not be displayed during

recording.

60min REC 0:00:00

60min

60min

101

REC 0:00:00

320

2min

P-MENU

P-MENU

A Indicators for Cassette Memory cassettes

B Remaining battery

The indicated time may not be correct depending on the environment of use.

When you opened or closed the LCD panel, it takes about 1 minute to display the correct remaining battery time.

C Recording mode (SP or LP)

D Recording status ([STBY] (standby) or

[REC] (recording))

E Time code or tape counter (hour:

minute: second)

F Recording capacity of the tape (p. 87)

G Personal Menu button (p. 63)

H END SEARCH/EDIT SEARCH/Rec

review display switch button (p. 48)

A Recording folder

B Remaining battery

The indicated time may not be correct depending on the environment of use.

When you opened or closed the LCD panel, it takes about 1 minute to display the correct remaining battery time.

C Recording status ([STBY] (standby) or

[REC] (recording))

D Movie size

E Recorded time (hour: minute: second)

F Recording capacity of the “Memory

Stick Duo”

G “Memory Stick Duo” recording start

indicator (appears for about 5 seconds)

H Personal Menu button (p. 63)

I Review button (p. 27)

b

Notes

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

• In the default setting, when you do not operate the camcorder for more than about 5 minutes, the power will automatically turn off to prevent battery loss

([A.SHUT OFF], p. 88). To restart recording, slide

the POWER switch down to select CAMERA-TAPE or CAMERA-MEM, and then press REC START/

STOP.

• While recording movies on a “Memory Stick Duo,” the only menu items available will be those with short cuts on the Personal Menu. In order to use other menu items, add them to the Personal Menu.

28

Recording

• When you are recording on a “Memory Stick Duo” with an external flash (optional) connected to the accessory shoe, turn off the power of the external flash to prevent charging noise being recorded.

z

Tips

• If you do not use your camcorder for a long time, remove the cassette and store it.

• You can also use REC START/STOP of the LCD panel to record moving pictures. It is useful when you record from a low-angle or record yourself in the mirror mode.

• To press REC START/STOP on LCD frame, support the LCD panel with your hand.

• To ensure smooth transition on a tape from the last recorded scene to the next, note the following.

– Do not remove the cassette. (The picture will be recorded continuously without a break even when you turn the power off).

– Do not record pictures in SP mode and LP mode on the same tape.

– Avoid stopping then recording a movie in the LP mode.

• See “To record for a longer time on a “Memory Stick

Duo”” (p. 29) for the approximate length of time it is

possible to record on a “Memory Stick Duo” of different capacities.

• The recording time, date, and the camera settings data (for tape only) are recorded automatically on the recording media without being displayed on the screen. You can view this information during playback by selecting [DATA CODE] in the menu

setting (p. 58).

Recording for a longer time

Refer to the following list for approximate length of time you can record movies on a “Memory

Stick Duo” formatted on your camcorder.

Image size and time

(hour: minute: second)

320 × 240 160 × 112

8MB

(supplied)

16MB

32MB

64MB

128MB

256MB

(MSX-M256)

512MB

(MSX-M512)

00:01:20

01:25:20

00:05:20

00:02:40

00:05:20

00:10:40

00:21:20

00:10:40 00:42:40

00:21:20 01:25:20

00:42:40 02:50:40

05:41:20

Using zoom

To record for a longer time on a tape

In the (STANDARD SET) menu, select

[

REC MODE], then [LP] (p. 84).

In the LP mode, you can record 1.5 times longer than you can when recording in the SP mode.

A tape recorded in the LP mode should be played back only on this camcorder.

To record for a longer time on a

“Memory Stick Duo”

In the (MEMORY SET) menu, select

[MOVIE SET], [ IMAGE SIZE], then [160 ×

112] (p. 72).

The length of time you can record on a

“Memory Stick Duo” varies depending on the image size and the recording environment.

When the CAMERA-TAPE mode is selected, you can choose zoom to magnification levels greater than 10 times, and from that point activate the digital zoom

([DIGITAL ZOOM], p. 68).

Occasional use of the zoom is effective, but use it sparingly for best results.

,

continued

Recording

29

Recording in mirror mode

1 cm (approx. 1/2 inch)*

80 cm (approx. 2 5/8 feet)*

* The minimum distance required between your camcorder and the subject to get a sharp focus in that position of the lever.

You can turn the LCD panel towards the subject so that you and your subject can share the image being recorded. You can also utilize this function when recording yourself, to keep the attention of small children attracted to the camcorder while you record them.

Extend the viewfinder.

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

To record wider range of view

Move the power zoom lever towards W.

The subject appears farther away (Wide angle).

To record closer view

Move the power zoom lever towards T.

The subject appears closer (Telephoto).

Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder, then rotate it 180 degrees towards the subject.

A mirror-image of the subject appears on the

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

30

Recording

Using the self-timer

With the self-timer, you can start recording after a delay of about 10 seconds.

REC START/STOP

4


You will hear a beep sound counting down for about 10 seconds (The count down indication begins from 8).

The recording starts.

To stop recording, press REC START/

STOP.

To cancel the count down

Touch [RESET] or press REC START/STOP.

To cancel the self-timer

Follow steps 1 and 2, then select [OFF] in step

3.

REC START/STOP

1

Touch .

2

Touch [SELF-TIMER].



(CAMERA SET) menu.

60min

SELF–TIMER:

STBY

OFF

0:00:00

OFF ON

3

Touch [ON], then .

appears.

60min STBY 0:00:00

P-MENU

Recording

31


– Memory photo recording

You can record still images on a “Memory

Stick Duo.” Before recording, follow steps 1

to 7 in “Getting started” (p. 15 to p. 25).

PHOTO

4

Press and hold PHOTO lightly.

You will hear a light beeping sound when the focus and brightness settings are adjusted. Recording does not start at this point.

The indicator stops flashing.

The number of images that can be recorded.*

60min

101

1152

FINE

30

POWER switch

LENS COVER switch z

Tip


users can record easily. For details, see page 35.

1

Set the LENS COVER switch to OPEN .

2


3

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly until the CAMERA-MEM lamp lights up.

The selected recording folder is displayed.


P-MENU

*The number of images that can be recorded varies depending on the image quality setting and the recording environment.

5


A shutter sound is heard. When bars of

disappear, the image is recorded on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

To check the most recently recorded image – Review

Touch .

Touch to return to standby.

To delete the image, touch , then [YES].

To cancel deleting, touch [NO].


1


(CHG) position.

2

Set the LENS COVER switch to CLOSE.

To record still images continuously – Burst

For DCR-PC109:

Select the (MEMORY SET) menu,

[STILL SET], then [

BURST] (p. 71).

You can record 3 to 13 images continuously in a time interval of about 0.5 seconds.

32

Recording

Indicators displayed during recording

60min

101

1152

FINE

P-MENU

A Recording folder

B Image size

For DCR-PC109:

(1152 × 864) or (640 × 480)

C Quality

([FINE]) or ([STANDARD])

D Personal Menu button (p. 63)

E Review button (p. 32)

z

Tips

• When you press PHOTO on your Remote

Commander, the image displayed on the screen at that timing is recorded.

• The recording time, date, and the camera settings data are recorded automatically on the recording media without being displayed on the screen. You can view this information during playback by

selecting [DATA CODE] on the screen (p. 58).

• The recording angle is wider than that of the

CAMERA-TAPE mode.

Selecting image quality or size

For DCR-PC109:


[STILL SET], then [ QUALITY] or

[

IMAGE SIZE] (p. 72).

For DCR-PC108:


[STILL SET], then [

QUALITY] (p. 72).

The image size is set to [640 × 480].

The number of pictures you can record on a

“Memory Stick Duo” varies depending on the quality/size of the image and the recording environment.

Refer to the following list for the approximate number of pictures that can be recorded on a

“Memory Stick Duo” formatted on your camcorder.

When the image quality is [FINE]

(number of images)

The image size of 1152 × 864 for DCR-PC109 is 500kB, that of 640 × 480 is 150kB.

8MB (supplied)

16MB

32MB

64MB

128MB

256MB

(MSX-M256)

512MB

(MSX-M512)

1152 × 864

*

640 × 480

15 50

30

61

120

245

445

96

190

390

780

1400

900 2850

* The image size of 1152 × 864 is available for DCR-

PC109 only.

When the image quality is [STANDARD]

(number of images)

The image size of 1152 × 864 for DCR-PC109 is 200kB, that of 640 × 480 is 60kB.

8MB (supplied)

16MB

32MB

64MB

128MB

256MB

(MSX-M256)

512MB

(MSX-M512)

1152 × 864

*

640 × 480

37 120

74

150

240

485

300

600

1000

980

1970

3550

2050 7200

* The image size of 1152 × 864 is available for DCR-

PC109 only.

,

continued

Recording

33

Using the self-timer

3


appears.

60min

101

1152

FINE 30

With the self-timer, you can record a still image after a delay of about 10 seconds.

PHOTO

PHOTO

P-MENU

1

Touch .

2

Touch [SELF-TIMER].


[MENU] and select it from the

(CAMERA SET) menu.

60min

SELF–TIMER:

1152

FINE

OFF

30

OFF ON

4

Press PHOTO.

You will hear a beep sound counting down for about 10 seconds (The count down indication begins from 8).

The image is recorded. When bars of


To cancel the count down

Touch [RESET].

To cancel the self-timer


3.

34

Recording

Recording a still image on a

“Memory Stick Duo” while recording movies on a tape

PHOTO

Recording with ease

– Easy Handycam

With this Easy Handycam operation, most of the camera settings are set to automatic mode, only basic functions become available, and screen font size increases for easy viewing. Even first time users can enjoy easy recording. Before recording, follow steps 1 to

7 in “Getting started” (p. 15 to p. 25).

Camera recording lamp

PHOTO

Press PHOTO fully during tape recording.

60min REC 0:00:10

Recording is complete when the scrolling stops.

P-MENU

EASY

To record still images in standby mode

Press and hold PHOTO lightly. Check the image and press it fully.

b

Notes

• You cannot record a still image on a “Memory Stick

Duo” during the following operations:

– [16:9 WIDE] mode

– Memory overlap

– MEMORY MIX function

– [INTERVAL REC] (interval recording)

• Titles are not recorded on a “Memory Stick Duo.” z

Tip

• For DCR-PC109:

The image size is set to [640 × 480].

If you want to record a still image in a different size,

use the Memory photo recording function (p. 32).

REC START/STOP

Recording a movie

POWER switch

During Easy Handycam operation, you can record movies on a tape only. To record

movies on a “Memory Stick Duo,” see page 27 (MPEG MOVIE EX).

1


2


,

continued

Recording

35

3

Slide the POWER switch until the

CAMERA-TAPE lamp lights up.

Recording a still image

4

Press EASY.


The EASY lights up in blue.

1


2


3

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly until the CAMERA-MEM lamp lights up.

Easy Handycam operation

ON

Slide the

POWER switch while pressing the green button.

5


Recording starts. [REC] appears on the

LCD screen and the Camera recording lamp lights up. Press REC START/STOP again to stop recording.


1


(CHG) position.

2


To cancel Easy Handycam operation

Press EASY again.

b

Notes

• You cannot turn Easy Handycam operation on or off during:

– Recording

– USB Streaming

• During Easy Handycam operation, the following buttons are not available:

– LCD BACKLIGHT (p. 21)

– BACK LIGHT (p. 38)

• During Easy Handycam operation, the settings of the functions that are not displayed on the screen return to their defaults. Previously made settings are restored when you cancel Easy Handycam operation.

4

Press EASY.


5

Press and hold PHOTO lightly.

You will hear a light beeping sound when the focus and brightness settings are adjusted. Recording does not start at this point.

6


A shutter sound is heard. When bars of



1


(CHG) position.

2



Press EASY again.

36

Recording

b

Notes

• You cannot turn Easy Handycam operation on or off during recording.

• During Easy Handycam operation, the following buttons are not available:

– LCD BACKLIGHT (p. 21)

– BACK LIGHT (p. 38)

• During Easy Handycam operation, the settings of the functions that are not displayed on the screen return to their defaults. Previously made settings are restored when you cancel the Easy Handycam operation.

Making full use of Easy Handycam operation

1

Touch [MENU].

The available menu items are displayed on the screen.

Example: In the CAMERA-MEM mode

60min 30

SELF-

TIMER

BEEP

CLOCK

SET

LAN-

GUAGE

2

Touch the desired item.

3

Select the desired setting.

For [CLOCK SET]

1

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

.

2

Set [M] (month), [D] (day), hour and minutes in the same way as [Y] (year), then touch .

For [LANGUAGE]

Select the desired language with / , then touch .

For [BEEP]

See page p. 87.

For [SELF-TIMER] (in the CAMERA-

MEM mode only)

Touch [ON], then . Touch .

Press PHOTO fully.

You will hear a beep sound counting down for about 10 seconds. When the bars of


Recording

37

Adjusting the exposure

The exposure is adjusted automatically in the default setting.

Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjects

When your subject has its back to the sun or other light, you can adjust the exposure to prevent the subject from becoming shadowed.

Fixing the exposure for the selected subject – Flexible spot meter

You can adjust and fix the exposure to the subject, so that it is recorded in suitable brightness even when there is strong contrast between the subject and the background

(such as subjects in the limelight on stage).

1

Touch during recording or in the standby mode.

2

Touch [SPOT METER].



(CAMERA SET) menu.

SPOT METER STBY 0:00:00

AUTO END

BACK LIGHT

Press BACK LIGHT during recording or in the standby mode.

.

appears.

To cancel the back light function, press BACK

LIGHT again.

b

Note

• The back light function is canceled when you set

[EXPOSURE] to [MANUAL] (p. 39) or select

[SPOT METER] (p. 38).

3

Touch the point you want to adjust and fix the exposure on the screen.

[SPOT METER] flashes while the camera is adjusting the exposure for the selected point.

SPOT METER STBY 0:00:00

AUTO END

4

Touch [END].

To return the setting to automatic exposure

Follow steps 1 and 2, then select [AUTO] in

step 3. Or set [EXPOSURE] to [AUTO] (p. 39).

38

Recording

b

Notes

• You cannot use the Flexible spot meter together with:

– NightShot plus function

– Super NightShot plus function

– Color Slow Shutter function

• If you set [PROGRAM AE], [SPOT METER] is automatically set to [AUTO].

z

Tip

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

Adjusting the exposure manually

4

Adjust the exposure by touching

(dim)/ (bright), then touch .

60min STBY 0:00:00

P-MENU

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

1


2

Touch [EXPOSURE].



(CAMERA SET) menu.

60min

EXPOSURE:

STBY

AUTO

0:00:00

To return the setting to automatic exposure

Follow steps 1 and 2, then select [AUTO] in step 3.

b

Note

• You cannot use the manual exposure together with:

– NightShot plus function



AUTO MANUAL

3

Touch [MANUAL].

60min

EXPOSURE:

STBY

MANUAL

0:00:00

AUTO MANUAL

OK

Recording

39

Recording in dark places

– NightShot plus, etc.

You can record subjects in dark places (such as when capturing the face of your baby sleeping) with the NightShot plus, Super

NightShot plus or Color Slow Shutter function.

The NightShot plus and Super NightShot plus function enable you to record an image brighter and smoother.

The Color Slow Shutter function enables you to record an image more faithful to the original colors.

Set the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch to ON.

and [“NIGHTSHOT PLUS”] appear.

To cancel NightShot plus, set the NIGHTSHOT

PLUS switch to OFF.

To record higher sensitivity pictures on the tape – Super NightShot plus

The Super NightShot plus function enables you to use the NightShot plus function more effectively.

The picture will be recorded at a maximum of

16 times the sensitivity of NightShot plus recording.

1

Slide the POWER switch to select the

CAMERA-TAPE mode.

2

Set the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch to

ON.

and [“NIGHTSHOT PLUS”] appear.

3

Touch .

4

Touch [SUPER NSPLUS].



(CAMERA SET) menu.

5


and [“SUPER NIGHTSHOT PLUS”] appear.

To cancel Super NightShot plus, follow steps 3 and 4, then select [OFF] in step 5.

Or, set the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch to

OFF.

To record a clearer picture in color on the tape – Color Slow Shutter

1



2

Make sure the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch is set to OFF.

3

Touch .

4

Touch [COLOR SLOW S].



(CAMERA SET) menu.

5


and [COLOR SLOW SHUTTER] appear.

To cancel Color Slow Shutter, follow steps

3 and 4, then select [OFF] in step 5.

b

Notes

• Do not use the NightShot plus/Super NightShot plus function in bright places. This may cause a malfunction.

• The Color Slow Shutter function may not operate correctly in total darkness. When you are recording in a place with no light at all, use the NightShot plus or Super NightShot plus functions.

• You cannot use the Super NightShot plus/Color

Slow Shutter function together with:

– FADER function

– Digital effect

• You cannot use the Color Slow Shutter function together with:

– [PROGRAM AE]

– Manual exposure

– Flexible spot meter

40

Recording

• When using the Super NightShot plus or Color Slow

Shutter function, the shutter speed of your camcorder changes depending on the brightness.

The motion of the picture may slow down at this time.

• Adjust the focus manually when it is hard to focus automatically.

• Do not cover the infrared port with your fingers or other objects. Remove the conversion lens (optional) if it is attached.

• Depending on the shooting conditions or circumstances, colors may not be reproduced properly.

z

Tip

• If you record subjects in complete darkness, setting

[NS LIGHT] to [ON] in the menu setting is recommended. The maximum shooting distance using the NightShot Light is about 3 m (10 feet).

(The default setting is [ON].)

If you record subjects in dark places (such as night scene or in moonlight), set [NS LIGHT] to [OFF] in the menu setting. You can make image color deeper

(p. 68).

Adjusting the focus

The focus is adjusted automatically in the default setting.

Adjusting the focus for an offcenter subject – SPOT FOCUS

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

1


2

Touch [SPOT FOCUS].



(CAMERA SET) menu.

SPOT FOCUS STBY 0:00:00

AUTO END

3

Touch the subject for which you want to adjust the focus on the screen.

[SPOT FOCUS] flashes while the camera is adjusting the focus.

9

appears.

SPOT FOCUS STBY 0:00:00

AUTO

4

Touch [END].

END

,

continued

Recording

41

To adjust the focus automatically

Follow steps 1 and 2, then touch [AUTO] in step

3. Or set [FOCUS] to [AUTO] (p. 42).

b

Note

• You cannot use the SPOT FOCUS function together with [PROGRAM AE].

z

Tip

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

Adjusting the focus manually

3

Touch [MANUAL].

9

appears.

4

Touch or to sharpen the focus.

: To focus on close subjects.

: To focus on distant subjects.

9

changes to when the focus cannot be adjusted any further.

9

changes to when the focus cannot be adjusted any closer.

60min

FOCUS:

STBY

MANUAL

You can adjust the focus manually according to the recording conditions.

Use this function in the following cases.

– To record a subject behind a window covered with raindrops.

– To record horizontal stripes.

– To record a subject with little contrast between the subject and its background.

– When you want to focus on a subject in the background.

– To record a stationary subject using a tripod.

AUTO MANUAL

OK

Tips for focusing manually

• It is easier to focus on the subject when you use the zoom function. Move the power zoom lever towards

T (telephoto) to adjust the focus, and then, towards

W (wide angle) to adjust the zoom for recording.

• When you want to record a close-up image of a subject, move the power zoom lever towards W

(wide angle) to fully magnify the image, then adjust the focus.

5

Touch .

To adjust the focus automatically

Follow steps 1 and 2, then select [AUTO] in step 3.

1


2

Touch [FOCUS].


MENU, then select it from the

(CAMERA SET) menu.

60min

FOCUS:

STBY

AUTO

AUTO MANUAL

42

Recording

Recording a picture using various effects

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

[OVERLAP] (fade in only)

[WIPE] (fade in only)

[DOT FADER] (fade in only)

POWER switch

Fading in and out of a scene

– FADER

You can add the following effects to currently recording pictures.

[BLACK FADER]

[WHITE FADER]

1



2

Touch in the standby mode (to fade in) or during recording (to fade out).

3

Touch [FADER].



APPLI.) menu.

(PICT.

60min

FADER:

1/2

OFF

WHITE

FADER

STBY

OFF

BLACK

FADER

MOSAIC

FADER

0:00:00

[MOSAIC FADER]

[MONOTONE]

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

,

continued

Recording

43

4

Touch the desired effect, then touch

.

When you touch [OVERLAP], [WIPE] or

[DOT FADER], the image on the tape in your camcorder is stored as a still image.

(While storing the image, the screen turns to blue.)

60min STBY 0:00:00

MOSAIC

FADER

P-MENU

5


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

4

Touch [ MENU].

5

Select (PICT. APPLI.), then

[ OVERLAP] by touching / and .

The recorded image appears on the thumbnail screen.

6

Touch (previous)/ (next) to select the still image to be superimposed.

7


8

Touch .

9

Press REC START/STOP to start recording.

[M. OVRLAP] stops flashing, and disappears when fading is finished.

Using special effects – Digital effect

To cancel the operation


4.

b

Note

• You cannot use the FADER function together with:

– Self-timer



– Digital effect

– [FRAME REC] (Frame recording)

– [INTERVAL REC] (Interval recording)

Fading in from still image on the

“Memory Stick Duo” – Memory overlap

You can fade in from the still image on the

“Memory Stick Duo” to the movie currently being recorded on the tape.

Still image Movie

You can add digital effects to the recordings.

[STILL]

You can record a movie while superimposing it on a previously recorded still image.

[FLASH] (flash motion)

You can record a movie with a serial-still-image effect (strobe effect).

[LUMI. KEY] (luminance key)

You can replace a brighter area in a previously recorded still image, such as the background of a person or a title written on white paper, with a movie.

1

Check that you have a “Memory Stick

Duo” with the still image to be superimposed and a tape in your camcorder.

2



3

Touch .

[TRAIL]

You can record a picture so that an incidental image like a trail is left.

44

Recording

[SLOW SHUTTR] (slow shutter)

You can slow down the shutter speed. This mode is suitable for shooting a subject more clearly in a dark place.

[OLD MOVIE]

You can add an old movie-type atmosphere to pictures. Your camcorder automatically records pictures in the letterbox mode for all screen size, sepia in color, and at a slower shutter speed.

1



2

Touch .

3

Touch [D. EFFECT].



APPLI.) menu.

(PICT.

60min

D. EFFECT:

OFF

1/2

FLASH

STBY

OFF

0:00:00

STILL

LUMI.

KEY

Effect

[STILL]

[FLASH]

[LUMI. KEY]

[TRAIL]

[SLOW

SHUTTR]*

[OLD MOVIE]

Items to adjust

The degree of transparency of the still image you want to superimpose on a movie.

The interval of frame-byframe playback.

The color scheme of the area in the still image which is to be swapped with a movie.

The fade time of the incidental image.

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

No adjustment necessary.

* It is hard to adjust the focus automatically when you choose this effect. Adjust the focus manually using a tripod to steady the camcorder.

5

Touch .

appears.

4

Touch the desired effect, then adjust the effect by touching

(increase) and touch .

Adjustment screen example:

60min

D. EFFECT:

STBY

STILL

0:00:00

(decrease) /

OK

When you touch [STILL] or [LUMI. KEY], the image displayed on the screen at that time is saved as a still image.

To cancel Digital effect


4.

b

Notes

• You cannot use Digital effect together with:



– FADER function

– Memory overlap


• You cannot use [SLOW SHUTTR]/[OLD MOVIE] together with [PROGRAM AE] (except [AUTO]).

• You cannot use [OLD MOVIE] together with:

– [16:9 WIDE] mode

– Picture effect ([PICT. EFFECT]) z

Tip

• You can create a picture with color and brightness reversed or a picture that looks like a pastel drawing while recording on a tape. For details, refer to

Picture effect ([PICT. EFFECT], p. 75).

,

continued

Recording

45

Overlaying still images on movies on a tape – MEMORY MIX

You can superimpose a still image you have recorded on a “Memory Stick Duo” over the movie you are currently recording on a tape.

You can then record the superimposed pictures on a tape or a “Memory Stick Duo.”

(You cannot superimpose a still image on a tape which you have already finished recording.)

[M

T

CAM LUMI.] (Memory Luminance key)

You can swap the brighter (white) area of a still image into a movie. To use this function, have a still image of an illustration or title handwritten on white paper recorded on a “Memory Stick

Duo” beforehand.

Still image Movie

[CAM

T

M CHROMA] (Camera Chroma key)

You can superimpose a movie on top of a still image, such as an image which can be used as background. Shoot the movie with the subject against a blue background. Only the blue area of the movie will be swapped with the still image.

Still image Movie

Blue

[M

T

CAM CHROMA] (Memory Chroma key)

You can have the movie swap into the blue area of a still image such as an illustration or into a frame with a blue area enclosed by the frame.

Still image Movie

Blue

1

Check that you have a “Memory Stick

Duo” with the still image to be superimposed and a tape (only if you are recording on tape) in your camcorder.

2

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the CAMERA-TAPE mode

(when you are recording on a tape) or the CAMERA-MEM mode (when you are recording on a “Memory Stick

Duo”).

3

Touch .

4

Touch [MEMORY MIX].



APPLI.) menu.

(PICT.

The still image stored in the “Memory Stick

Duo” will be displayed on the thumbnail screen.

Thumbnail screen

60min STBY

MEMORY MIX: OFF

OFF

0:00:00

M CAM

L U M I .

101

101–0001

CAM M

CHROMA

M CAM

CHROMA

OK

5

Touch (previous)/ (next) to select the still image to overlap.

46

Recording

6

Touch the desired effect.

The still image is superimposed on the movie which is currently displayed on the

LCD screen.

60min

MEMORY MIX:

STBY 0:00:00

CAM M CHROMA

101

101–0001

OK

7

Touch (decrease)/ (increase) to adjust the following.

For [M

T

CAM LUMI.]

The color scheme of the bright area in the still image which is to be swapped into a movie. When you want to record only the still image stored on the “Memory Stick

Duo” to a tape, touch on the screen in

[M

TCAM LUMI.] until the bar indicator is extended fully to the right side.

For [CAM

T

M CHROMA]

The color scheme of the blue area in the movie.

For [M

T

CAM CHROMA]

The color scheme of the blue area in the still image which is to be swapped into a movie.

8

Touch

appears.

9

Start recording.

When you are recording on a tape

Press REC START/STOP.

When you are recording on a


Press PHOTO fully.

To cancel MEMORY MIX

Follow steps 3 and 4, then touch [OFF] in step 5.

b

Notes

• When the overlapping still image has a large amount of white, the image in the thumbnail screen may not be clear.

• When you use the MEMORY MIX function in the

mirror mode (p. 30), the picture on the LCD screen

appears normally, without being mirror-reversed.

• You may not be able to play back pictures modified on your computer or recorded with other camcorders on your camcorder.

z

Tip

• The supplied SPVD-012 USB Driver CD-ROM contains sample images for use in MEMORY MIX operations. Refer to the supplied “Computer

Applications Guide” for details.

Recording

47

Searching for the starting point

3

Touch .

60min

END SEARCH

EXECUTING

1 0:00:00

Appears only with a cassette with

Cassette Memory

CANCEL

POWER switch

Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording

– END SEARCH

This function is handy when you have played back the tape, for example, but want to start recording right after the most recently recorded scene. When you use a cassette without Cassette Memory, the END

SEARCH function will not work once you eject the cassette after you have recorded on the tape. If you use a cassette with Cassette

Memory, it will function even when you have ejected the cassette.

1

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the CAMERA-TAPE mode.

2

Touch .

60min STBY 0:00:00

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


Touch [CANCEL].

b

Note

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

z

Tip

• You can do this operation by selecting [END

SEARCH] in the menu setting. When PLAY/EDIT mode is selected, you can do this operation by selecting [END SEARCH] short-cut on

(p. 63).

Searching manually – EDIT

SEARCH

You can search for the start point while viewing the pictures on the screen. The sound is not played back during the search.

1



2

Touch .

60min STBY 0:00:00

EDIT

EDIT

48

Recording

3

Keep touching (to go backward)/ (to go forward) and release it at the point where you want the recording to start.

Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes – Rec review

You can view a few seconds of the scene recorded just before you stopped the tape.

1

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the CAMERA-TAPE mode.

2

Touch .

60min STBY 0:00:00

EDIT

3

Touch

The last few seconds of the most recently recorded scene are played back. Then, your camcorder is set to the standby mode.

Recording

49

Playback

Viewing movies recorded on a tape

Make sure you have a recorded cassette inserted into your camcorder.

Some of the operations are possible using the

Remote Commander or using the touch panel.

When you want to play back recordings on

your TV, see page 60.

3

Touch (rewind) to go to the point you want to view.

60min 0:00:00:00

60min

P-MENU

POWER switch z

Tip


users can play back easily. For details, see page 55.

1


2

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the PLAY/EDIT mode.


4

Touch (play) to start playback.

To adjust the volume

1

Touch .

2

Touch [VOLUME].



(STANDARD SET) menu.

3

Adjust the volume by touching

(decrease) /

.

(increase), then touch

To stop playback

To pause

Touch (pause) during playback. Touch it again to restart the playback.

Playback stops automatically when the pause mode continues for more than 5 minutes.

To fast forward or rewind

Touch stop mode.

(fast forward) or (rewind) in

To review movies on the viewfinder

Close the LCD panel. Then, extend the viewfinder.

50

Playback

Indicators displayed during tape playback

60min 0:00:00:15

60min

P-MENU

A Remaining battery

B Recording mode (SP or LP)

C Tape transport indicator

D Time code (hour: minute: second: frame)

or tape counter (hour: minute: second)

E Personal Menu button (p. 63)

F Video operation buttons

When a “Memory Stick Duo” has been inserted, (stop) changes to

(“Memory Stick” playback) when you stop playback.

b

Note

• If you press REC START/STOP (p. 139) during

tape playback, a movie recorded on the tape is recorded on the “Memory Stick Duo” (MPEG

MOVIE EX).

Playing back in various modes

To fast forward or rewind during playback – Picture search

Keep on touching (fast forward) or

(rewind) during playback.

To resume normal playback, release the button.

To view the picture while fast forwarding or rewinding – Skip scan

Keep on touching (fast forward) or

(rewind) while fast forwarding or rewinding the tape.

To resume fast forwarding or rewinding, release the button.

To play back in various modes

You will not hear the recorded sound. Also, you may see mosaic-like images of the previously played picture remaining on the screen.

1

During playback or playback pause, touch .

2

Touch [ VAR. SPD PB].



(EDIT/PLAY) menu.

3

Select a playback mode.

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

To

change the playback direction* play back slowly**

Touch

(frame) during playback.

(slow) during playback.

To reverse direction

1 Touch (frame).

2

(slow).

play back 2 times faster (double speed)

(double speed) during playback.

To reverse direction

1 Touch

2 (double speed).

play back frame by frame

(frame) during playback pause.

To reverse direction, touch

(frame) again during frame playback.

*Horizontal lines may appear at the top, bottom, or in the center of the screen. This is not a malfunction.

**Pictures output from the DV Interface cannot be played back smoothly in slow mode.

4

Touch ,

,

continued

Playback

51

Viewing recordings with added effects – Digital effect

You can apply [STILL], [FLASH], [LUMI.

KEY], and [TRAIL] effects when viewing recorded pictures. For details on each effect,

see page 44.

To cancel Digital effect

Follow steps 2 to 4, then select [OFF] in step 5.

b

Note

• You cannot add effects to externally input pictures.

Also, you cannot output pictures edited with digital effects via the DV Interface. z

Tip

• You cannot record the pictures edited using special effects on the tape in your camcorder, but you can

copy them to a “Memory Stick Duo” (p. 96) or

another tape (p. 94).

POWER switch

1


2

Touch while the picture you want to add the effect to is displayed.

3

Touch [MENU].

4

Select (PICT. APPLI.), then

[D.EFFECT] by touching / and touch .

5

Select an effect, then adjust the effect by touching (decrease)/

(increase).

6

Touch

appears.

52

Playback

Viewing recordings on a “Memory Stick

Duo”

You can view pictures one at a time on the screen. When you have a lot of pictures, you can list them to search through them easily.

Make sure you have a recorded “Memory

Stick Duo” inserted into your camcorder.

When you want to play back a recorded

picture on your TV, see page 60.

3

Touch .

The most recently recorded picture appears on the screen.

60min

101–0001

1152

1 / 10 101

MEMORY PLAY

P-MENU

4

Touch (previous)/ (next) to select a picture.

Screen example (movies):

60min

MOV00002

MPEG

320

2 / 10 101

MEMORY PLAY

POWER switch

1


2



P-MENU

When you view a movie, touch when the selected movie appears on the screen.

To adjust the volume of movies

1

Touch .

2

Touch [VOLUME].




3

Adjust the volume by touching

(decrease)/

.

(increase), then touch

To stop or pause movies

Touch playback.

. Touch it again to restart the

To delete pictures

See “Deleting recorded pictures” (p. 107).

,

continued

Playback

53

Indicators displayed during “Memory

Stick Duo” playback

60min

101–0010

1152

10 / 10

101

0:00:00 with short cuts on the Personal Menu. In order to use other menu items, add them to the Personal Menu.

z

Tip

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

can select a playback folder in the menu (p. 74).

Playing back in various modes from a “Memory Stick Duo”

P-MENU

A Remaining battery

B Image size

C Picture number/Total number of

recorded pictures in the current playback folder

D Playback folder

E Playing time (movies only)

F Previous/next folder icon

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

: Touch to move to the previous folder.

: Touch to move to the next folder.

: Touch / to move to either the previous or the next folder.

G Image delete button

H Print mark (still images only) (p. 109)

I Image protection mark (p. 108)

J Data file name

K Personal Menu button

L Index screen display button

M Tape playback select button

N Picture select button b

Notes

• Folders that you have created on a computer, renamed folders, and modified pictures may not appear on the screen.

• While playing back movies on a “Memory Stick

Duo,” the only menu items available will be those

54

Playback

Using the screen in step 4 in “Viewing recordings on a “Memory Stick Duo”” (p. 53),

the following operations are available.

To search for a scene in a movie

You can divide a movie into a maximum of 60 scenes in order to start playback from a particular scene. The number of scenes you can divide the movie into depends on the length of the movie.

1

Touch (previous)/ (next) to select a scene from which to start the playback.

60min

MOV00002

MPEG

320

2 / 10

101

0:00:00

P-MENU

2

Touch .

To display 6 pictures at a time, including movies – Index Screen

Touch .

Previous

6 pictures

N mark*

END

Next

6 pictures

101–0002

2 / 10 101 SET

Movie icon

* The picture displayed before switching to the index screen.

To return to the single display mode, touch the picture that you want to display.

To view pictures in other folders in the index screen

1

Touch .

2

Touch .

3

Touch [PB FOLDER].

4

Select a folder with / , then touch

.

Playing back with ease

– Easy Handycam

Easy Handycam operation allows easy playback for even first time users by providing only the basic functions for playback. Also screen font size increases for easy viewing. Make sure you have a recorded cassette or a recorded “Memory Stick Duo” inserted into your camcorder.

EASY POWER switch

1


2



,

continued

Playback

55

3

Press EASY.


4

Play back pictures.

When playing back on a tape

The following buttons can be operated.

(play/pause)/

(stop)/

(fast forward)/

(rewind)

You can operate these operations and

SLOW y on the Remote Commander.

When playing back on a “Memory

Stick Duo”

Touch .

The following buttons can be operated.

(previous)/ pause for movie)/

(next)/

(delete)

(play/

You can control playback with the Remote

Commander.


Press EASY again.

b

Note

• You cannot turn Easy Handycam operation on or off during communication with another device via USB cable.

Making full use of Easy Handycam operation

1

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

.

2

Set [M] (month), [D] (day), hour and minutes in the same way as [Y] (year), then touch

For [LANGUAGE]

Select the desired language with / , then touch .

For [BEEP]

See page p. 87.

For [VOLUME]

Adjust the volume by touching

(decrease)/ (increase), then touch .

For [DATA CODE]

During playback, you can view the date/ time data.

Touch [DATE/TIME], then touch .

For [ ALL ERASE]

You can delete all the images on the


Touch [YES].

z

Tip

• During Easy Handycam operation, you can also do the followings:

– “Playing the picture on a TV” (p. 60)

– “Dubbing to another tape” (p. 94)

1

Touch [MENU].

The available menu items are displayed on the screen.

60min 0:00:00:00

BEEP

VOLUME

CLOCK

SET

DATA

CODE

LAN-

GUAGE

ALL

ERASE

2


3


For [CLOCK SET]

56

Playback

Various playback functions

You can magnify a small subject in a recording and display it on the screen. You can also display the recorded date and the name of the folder in which the picture is recorded.

POWER switch

4

Select (PICT.APPLI.), then [PB

ZOOM] by touching / and touch .

Tape playback zoom screen

PB ZOOM 0:00:00:00

Play back the image.

PB

END

“Memory Stick

Duo” playback select button

Memory playback zoom screen

PB ZOOM 1 / 10 101

MEMORY PLAY

101–0001

VIDEO

END

Tape playback select button

DISPLAY/BATT INFO

Magnifying pictures – Tape playback zoom/Memory playback zoom

You can magnify movies recorded on a tape or still images stored on a “Memory Stick

Duo.”

1


2

Touch .

3

Touch [MENU].

5

Play back the still picture or movie, and touch the screen at the point you want to magnify within the displayed frame.

The picture is magnified approximately twice the original size and centered at the point you touched on the screen. When you touch another place, the point you touched becomes the center.

6

Adjust the zoom ratio using the power zoom lever.

You can select the zoom ratio from approximately 1.1 to 5 times the original size. Touch W to decrease, or T to increase the ratio.


Touch [END].

b

Notes

• You cannot use Tape PB zoom together with:

– Digital effect

– Picture effect ([PICT. EFFECT])

• Pictures edited with PB zoom cannot be recorded on a “Memory Stick Duo” in your camcorder.

• You cannot magnify externally input pictures. Also, you cannot output the magnified pictures via the

DV Interface.

,

continued

Playback

57

z

Tip

• If you press DISPLAY/BATT INFO during the playback zoom operation, the frame will disappear.

Displaying the screen indicators

You can choose to display the time code, tape counter, and other information on the screen.

3

Touch [DATA CODE].




60min

DATA CODE:

OFF

OFF

0:00:00:00

DATE/

TIME

CAMERA

DATA

Press DISPLAY/BATT INFO.

The indicator switches on or off as you press the button.

4

Select [CAMERA DATA] or [DATE/

TIME] then touch .

60min 0:00:00:00 z

Tip

• You can display the screen indicators during playback on a TV. Select the (STANDARD

SET) menu, [DISPLAY], then [V-OUT/PANEL]

(p. 88).

Displaying the date/time and camera settings data – Data code

AUTO

100

F3. 4

AWB

0dB

P-MENU

During playback, you can view the date/time data and the camera settings data

([CAMERA DATA]) that are automatically recorded while recording pictures on a tape or a “Memory Stick Duo.”

1


2

Touch during playback or playback pause.

To hide the date/time or camera settings data

Follow steps 2 and 3, and select [OFF] in step 4.

Camera settings data display

In the date/time data display, the date and time is displayed in the same area.

If you record the picture without setting the clock, [--- -- ----] and [--:--:--] will appear.

60min 0:00:00:00

AUTO

100

F1. 8

AWB

9dB

A SteadyShot off*

B Exposure*

C White balance*

D Gain*

58

Playback

E Shutter speed

F Aperture value

* Appears only during tape playback b

Note

• Camera setting data do not appear when movies on a

“Memory Stick Duo” are played back.

z

Tips

• Exposure adjustment value (0EV) appears when a

“Memory Stick Duo” is played back.

• appears for the picture recorded using an external flash (optional).

Playback

59

Playing the picture on a TV

Connect your camcorder via the Handycam

Station or the A/V jack of your camcorder to a TV using the supplied A/V connecting cable.

Connect the supplied AC Adaptor to the wall

outlet for the power supply (p. 16).

Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the devices to be connected.

To copy to another tape, see page 94.

IN

A/V jack

Yellow

White

Red

S VIDEO jack

A/V connecting cable (supplied)

Signal flow

* By using an S video cable (optional), higher quality

DV format pictures can be produced.

When there is an S video jack on the device to be connected, connecting the S video cable (optional) to the S video jacks on both your camcorder and the device instead of using the yellow plug is recommended. The audio will not be output when you connect with the S video plug alone.

When your TV is connected to a VCR

Connect your camcorder to the LINE IN input on the VCR using the A/V connecting cable. Set the input selector on the VCR to LINE.

VCRs or TVs

When your TV is monaural (When your

TV has only one audio input jack)

Connect the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable to the video input jack and connect the white or the red plug to the audio input jack of your TV or VCR.

When you want to play the sound in monaural mode, use a connecting cable (optional) for that purpose.

b

Note

• Do not connect A/V connecting cables to both your camcorder and the Handycam Station. The image might be distorted.

60

Playback

Locating a scene on a tape for playback

Searching quickly for a desired scene – Zero set memory

m REW

PLAY

STOP

DISPLAY

ZERO SET MEMORY

4

Press PLAY.

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


Press ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote

Commander again.

b

Notes

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

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

Searching for a scene using

Cassette Memory – Title search

You can locate a scene where you have added a

title (p. 81).

1

During playback, press ZERO SET

MEMORY on the Remote

Commander at the point you want to locate later on.

The tape counter is reset to “0:00:00” and

appears on the screen.

60min 0:00:00

SEARCH M.

.

/ >

STOP

P-MENU

If the tape counter is not displayed, press

DISPLAY on the Remote Commander.

2

Press (stop) when you want to stop playback.

3

Press m REW.

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

1


2

Press SEARCH M. on the Remote

Commander repeatedly to select

[TITLE SEARCH].

,

continued

Playback

61

3

Press .(previous)/> (next) on

the Remote Commander to select a title that you want to play.

Playback starts automatically from the selected title.

TITLE SEARCH 0:00:00:00

5

6

3

4

1 HELLO !

2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

CONGRATULATIONS !

OUR SWEET BABY

WEDDING

Present point on the tape

Point where the playback starts


Press STOP on the Remote Commander.

b

Notes

• You cannot use Title search when [ SEARCH] is set to [OFF] on the (EDIT/PLAY) menu (it is

set to [ON] by default) (p. 81).

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

Searching for a scene by date of recording – Date search

1


2

Press SEARCH M. on the Remote

Commander repeatedly to select

[DATE SEARCH].

3

Press . (previous)/> (next) on

the Remote Commander to select a recording date.

When your cassette has Cassette Memory, you can select the recording date itself.

When your cassette does not have Cassette

Memory, you can select the previous or the next date of the present point on the tape.

Playback starts automatically from the point where the date changes.

Screen example (when your cassette has

Cassette Memory):

DATE SEARCH

1

2

3

JAN/

JAN/

JAN/

4/ 04

4/

5/

04

04

0:00:00:00

Present point on the tape

Point where the playback starts

When you are using a cassette with Cassette

Memory, you can locate a scene by the recording date ([ SEARCH] is set to [ON] by default). When you are using a cassette that does not have Cassette Memory, you can locate the point where the recording date changes.

SEARCH M.

.

/ >

STOP


Press STOP on the Remote Commander.

b

Notes

• If one day’s recording is less than 2 minutes, your camcorder may not accurately find the point where the recording date changes.

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

• You can record date/time data for up to 6 days.

When you have recorded for more than 7 days on a tape, locate the date without using the Cassette

Memory. To turn off the Cassette Memory, select the (EDIT/PLAY) menu, [ SEARCH],

and then [OFF] (p. 81).

62

Playback

B

Advanced operations

Using the Menu

Selecting menu items

You can change various settings or make detailed adjustments using the menu items displayed on the screen.

4

Select the icon of the desired menu with / , then touch .

CAMERA SET (p. 65)

MEMORY SET (p. 71)

PICT. APPLI. (p. 75)

EDIT/PLAY (p. 80)

STANDARD SET (p. 84)

60min 0:00:00:00

TITLE ERASE

TAPE TITLE

ALL ERASE

REC MODE

AUDIO MODE

VOLUME

MULTI SOUND

SP

OK

3

Touch [MENU] to display the menu index screen.

60min 0:00:00:00

MEMORY SET

STILL SET

MOVIE SET

ALL ERASE

OK

POWER switch

1

Turn on the power (p. 20).

2

Touch .

The Personal Menu appears. Items that are used often are displayed as short-cuts.

Example: PLAY/EDIT mode’s

Personal Menu

60min

MENU

1/3

VOLUME

REC

CTRL

0:00:00:00

END

SEARCH

VAR.

SPD PB

DATA

CODE

5

Select the desired item with / , then touch .

You can also touch the item directly to select it.

You can scroll and see all items.

The available items vary depending on the power mode of your camcorder.

Unavailable items will be grayed out.

60min

REMOTE CTRL: ON

0:00:00:00

ON OFF

6


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

60min

REMOTE CTRL: OFF

0:00:00:00

ON OFF

OK

,

continued

Using the Menu

63

7

Touch , then to hide the menu screen.

You can also touch (return) to go back a screen each time you touch the button.

To use the short-cuts of the Personal

Menu

The available items vary depending on the power mode of your camcorder. Unavailable items will be grayed out.

You can customize the short-cuts (p. 90).

1

Touch .

2


3

Select the desired setting, then touch .

z

Tips

• When the PLAY/EDIT mode is selected, touch

on the screen displayed after step 2 (p. 63) to display

the video operation screen. Touch to return to the previous screen.

• It is convenient if the items you often use appear as short-cuts on the Personal Menu. To customize the

Personal Menu, see page 90.

64

Using the Menu

Using the

(CAMERA SET) menu

– PROGRAM AE/WHITE BAL./16:9 WIDE, etc.

You can select items listed below on the

CAMERA SET menu. To select items, see

“Selecting menu items” (p. 63).

The default settings are marked with G. The indicators in parentheses appear when the setting is selected. The settings you can adjust vary depending on the power mode of your camcorder. The screen shows the items you can currently operate. Unavailable items will be grayed out.

60min STBY 0:00:00

CAMERA SET

PROGRAM AE

SPOT METER

EXPOSURE

OK

PROGRAM AE

You can record pictures easily in a situation that requires various techniques by selecting the following settings.

G AUTO

SPOTLIGHT*

(spotlight) ( )

Select this when not using PROGRAM AE.

Select to prevent people’s faces from appearing excessively white when subjects are lit by strong light, such as in a theater or at a wedding.

PORTRAIT (soft portrait) ( )

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

SPORTS* (sports lesson) ( )

Select to minimize shake when shooting fastmoving subjects such as in tennis or golf.

BEACH&SKI*

(beach & ski) ( )

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

SUNSET&MOON

** (sunset & moon)

(

)

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

LANDSCAPE**

(landscape) ( )

Select when shooting distant subjects such as mountains. This setting also prevents your camcorder from focusing on glass or metal mesh in windows that comes in between the camcorder and the subject.

,

continued

Using the Menu

65

* Your camcorder is adjusted to focus only on subjects in the middle to far distance.

**Your camcorder is adjusted to focus only on distant subjects.

b

Note

• [SPORTS] (sports lesson) will not work when the POWER switch is set to CAMERA-

MEM.

SPOT METER

See page 38 for details.

EXPOSURE


WHITE BAL.

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

G AUTO Select when you want to record with the white balance adjusted automatically.

OUTDOOR ( ) • Select when recording a sunset/sunrise, general night views, neon signs, or fireworks.

• Select when under daylight fluorescent lamps.

INDOOR ( n ) • Select when recording at a party or in studios where lighting conditions change quickly.

• Select when under video lamps such as those in a studio, under sodium lamps, mercury lamps or warm white fluorescent lamps.

ONE PUSH ( )

Select when you want to record with the white balance adjusted according to the ambient light.

1

Select [ONE PUSH].

2

Frame a white object such as a piece of paper, to fill the screen under the same lighting conditions as you will shoot the subject.

3

Touch [ ].

flashes quickly.

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

b

Notes

• Do not shake your camcorder while is flashing quickly.

• When flashes slowly, the white balance has not been set, or could not be set.

• If keeps flashing even after you have touched , set

[WHITE BAL.] to [AUTO].

b

Notes

• You cannot use the white balance together with the NightShot plus or Super NightShot plus function.

• The setting returns to [AUTO] when you disconnect the power source from your camcorder for more than 5 minutes.

66

Using the Menu

AUTO SHUTTER

z

Tips

• For better color balance adjustment when [WHITE BAL.] is set to [AUTO], aim your camcorder at a nearby white object for about 10 seconds after setting the POWER switch to CAMERA-TAPE when:

– You remove the battery pack for replacement.

– You bring your camcorder outdoors from inside the house while using fixed exposure, or bring your camcorder in from outside.

• Redo the [ONE PUSH] procedure when:

– You changed the [PROGRAM AE] settings when [WHITE BAL.] is set to [ONE PUSH].

– You brought your camcorder outdoors from inside the house, or vice versa.

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

G ON

OFF

Select to automatically activate the electronic shutter to adjust the shutter speed when recording in bright conditions.

Select when recording without using the electronic shutter.

SPOT FOCUS


FOCUS


FLASH SET

Note that these settings will not function with external flashes that do not support the following settings.

FLASH MODE

G ON

ON

AUTO

AUTO

Select to trigger the flash (optional) regardless of the brightness of the surroundings.

For DCR-PC109:

Select to trigger the flash (optional) regardless of the brightness of the surroundings. The flash goes off prematurely to reduce the red-eye phenomenon.

Select to trigger the flash (optional) automatically.

For DCR-PC109:

Select to trigger the flash (optional) automatically. The flash goes off prematurely to reduce the red-eye phenomenon.

,

continued

Using the Menu

67

b

Note

• For DCR-PC109:

If the flash is not capable of preventing the red-eye phenomenon, you can select only [ON] or [AUTO].

FLASH LEVEL

You can select an appropriate flash setting for recording with an external flash

(optional).

HIGH ( ) Select to make the flash level higher than the standard setting.

G NORMAL ( ) Standard setting.

LOW ( ) Select to make the flash level lower than the standard setting.

b

Note

• The setting returns to [NORMAL] when you disconnect the power source from your camcorder for more than 5 minutes.

SUPER NSPLUS


NS LIGHT

When using the NightShot plus function to record, you can record clearer pictures by using the NightShot Light to emit infrared rays (invisible).

G ON

OFF

Select to use the NightShot Light (p. 40).

Select to disable the NightShot Light (p. 40).

COLOR SLOW S


SELF-TIMER

See page 31, 34 for details.

DIGITAL ZOOM

You can select the maximum zoom level in case you want to zoom to a level greater than 10 times while recording on a tape. Note that the image quality decreases when you are using the digital zoom. This function is useful when recording enlarged pictures of a distant subject, such as a bird.

68

Using the Menu

The right side of the bar shows the digital zooming zone.

The zooming zone appears when you select the zooming level.

G OFF

20 ×

120 ×

Select to deactivate the digital zoom. Up to 10 times zoom is performed optically.

Select to activate the digital zoom. 10 times through 20 times zoom is performed digitally.

Select to activate the digital zoom. 10 times through 120 times zoom is performed digitally.

16:9 WIDE

You can record a 16:9 wide picture on the tape to watch on a 16:9 wide-screen TV

([16:9WIDE] mode).

With this function [ON], your camcorder offers even wider angles when you move the power zoom lever to the “W” side than recording in [OFF].

When you connect your camcorder to a TV compatible with the ID-1/ID-2 system and play the tape, the TV switches to full mode automatically.

Refer also to the manuals supplied with your TV.

When viewed on the LCD screen/viewfinder

When viewed on a 16:9 wide screen TV*

When viewed on a standard TV**

* Picture appears in full screen when the wide-screen TV switches to full mode.

**Played in 4:3 mode. When you play a picture in the wide mode, it appears as you have seen on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.

G OFF

ON (

)

Standard setting (to record pictures to play back on a 4:3 TV). The recorded picture will not be wide.

Select to record a picture to be played back on a 16:9 wide TV. The recorded picture will be played in full mode when you connect to your

TV compatible with ID-1/ID-2 systems.

,

continued

Using the Menu

69

z

Tips

• The ID-1 system sends aspect ratio information (16:9, 4:3, or letter box) by inserting signals between video signals.

• The ID-2 system sends a copyright protection signal with the ID-1 signals inserted between video signals in an analog connection.

STEADYSHOT

You can select this function to compensate for camera-shake.

G ON

OFF

( )

Standard setting (enable the SteadyShot function).

Select to deactivate the SteadyShot function.

Select to shoot a stationary subject with a tripod, or when using a conversion lens (optional). Natural pictures are produced.

70

Using the Menu

Using the

(MEMORY SET) menu

– BURST/QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/ALL

ERASE/NEW FOLDER, etc.

You can select items listed below on the

MEMORY SET menu. To select items, see

“Selecting menu items” (p. 63).


60min

1152

FINE 30

MEMORY SET

STILL SET

MOVIE SET

FORMAT

OK

STILL SET

BURST

For DCR-PC109:

You can record several still images one after another. The number of images you can record changes with the image size and space available on the “Memory Stick

Duo” you are using.

1

Select [NORMAL] or [EXP. BRKTG], and then touch .

G OFF

Select when not recording continuously.

NORMAL ( ) Select to record from 4 (1152 × 864 image size) to 13 (640 × 480 image size) images continuously at approximately 0.5-second intervals.

EXP. BRKTG

( )

Select to record 3 images consecutively with different exposures at approximately 0.5-second intervals. You can compare the 3 images and select an image recorded in the best exposure.

2

Touch .

3


In the [NORMAL] setting, the maximum number of images are recorded as long as you are pressing PHOTO fully.

b

Notes

• The flash (optional) will not function while you are recording images continuously.

• The maximum number of images will be recorded in the self-timer mode or when you are operating with the Remote Commander.

• [EXP. BRKTG] will not function when you have space for fewer than 3 images remaining on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

• When it is hard to see the difference between the images recorded in [EXP. BRKTG] mode on the LCD screen, connect your camcorder to your TV or a computer.

,

continued

Using the Menu

71

QUALITY

G FINE (

STANDARD

( )

) Select to record still images with the fine image quality (compressed to about 1/4).

Select to record still images with the standard image quality

(compressed to about 1/10).

IMAGE SIZE

For DCR-PC109:

G 1152

×

864

( )

640 × 480 (

Select to record still images for playing on a large screen. This setting can be selected only in the CAMERA-MEM mode.

) Select to record many still images or for playing on a small screen.

MOVIE SET

IMAGE SIZE

G 320 × 240

( )

160

×

112 (

Select to record movies for playing on a large screen, or to record clearer pictures.

)

Select to record for longer time.

REMAINING

G AUTO

ON

Select to display the remaining capacity of the “Memory Stick Duo” in the following cases:

• After inserting a “Memory Stick Duo” with the POWER switch in the CAMERA-MEM mode (for about 5 seconds).

• When the remaining capacity of the “Memory Stick Duo” is less than 2 minutes after the CAMERA-MEM mode is selected.

• At the starting or ending point of the movie (for approximately 5 seconds).

Select to always display the remaining capacity of the “Memory Stick Duo.”

ALL ERASE

You can delete all the pictures on a “Memory Stick Duo” that are not write-

protected. To delete pictures one by one, see page 107.

1

Select [ALL FILES] or [CURRNT FOLDER].

ALL FILES

CURRNT

FOLDER

Select to delete all the images on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

Select to delete all the images in the selected playback folder.

2

Touch

[YES]

twice.

To cancel deletion of all pictures, select [NO].

3

Touch .

72

Using the Menu

b

Notes

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

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

– Move the POWER switch to select other power modes.

– Operate any buttons.

– Eject the “Memory Stick Duo.”

FORMAT

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

For details on the “Memory Stick Duo,” see page 128.

1

Touch

[YES]

twice.

To cancel formatting, select [NO].

2

Touch .

b

Notes

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

– Move the POWER switch to select other power modes.

– Operate any buttons.

– Eject the “Memory Stick Duo.”

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

FILE NO.

G SERIES

RESET

Select to assign file numbers in sequence even if the “Memory Stick

Duo” is replaced with another one. The file number is reset when a new folder is created or the recording folder is replaced with another.

Select to reset the file number to 0001 each time the “Memory Stick

Duo” is changed.

NEW FOLDER

You can create a new folder (102MSDCF to 999MSDCF) on a “Memory Stick

Duo.” When a folder is full (a maximum of 9999 images are stored) a new folder is automatically created.

1

Touch

[YES]

.

A newly created folder will be numbered in sequence after the last folder number.

To cancel creation, select [NO].

2

Touch .

b

Notes

• You cannot delete the created folders using your camcorder. You will have to format the

“Memory Stick Duo” (p. 73), or delete them using your computer.

• The number of pictures that can be recorded on a “Memory Stick Duo” decreases as the number of folders increases on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

,

continued

Using the Menu

73

REC FOLDER

As the default setting, pictures are saved in the 101MSDCF folder. You can select a folder to save your pictures. Create new folders from the [NEW FOLDER] menu, then select the folder to be used for recording with / and touch .

When you have a lot of pictures, you can search for the desired picture easily when you sort them in folders.

PB FOLDER

Select the playback folder with / , then touch .

74

Using the Menu

Using the (PICT.

APPLI.) menu

– PICT.

EFFECT/SLIDE SHOW/FRAME REC/

INTERVAL REC/INT. REC–STL, etc.

You can select items listed below on the PICT.

APPLI. menu. To select items, see “Selecting menu items” (p. 63).


60min STBY 0:00:00

PICT. APPLI.

FADER

OVERLAP

D. EFFECT

OK

FADER


OVERLAP


D. EFFECT

See page 44 and 52 for details.

PICT. EFFECT

You can add special effects (such as films) to a picture before or after recording on a tape. appears when the effect is selected.

G OFF

NEG.ART

Select when not using the Picture effect setting.

Select to record/play the picture with the color and brightness of the picture reversed.

SEPIA

B&W

SOLARIZE

Select to record/play the picture appearing in sepia.

Select to record/play the picture appearing in monochrome (blackand-white).

Select to record/play the picture looking like an illustration with strong contrast.

,

continued

Using the Menu

75

PASTEL

MOSAIC

Select to record the picture looking like a pale pastel drawing. (This effect is not available during playback.)

Select to record picture appearing mosaicpatterned. (This effect is not available during playback.) b

Note

• You cannot add effects to externally input pictures. Also, you cannot output pictures edited with Picture effects via the DV Interface.

z

Tip

• You can copy pictures edited using picture effects to a “Memory Stick Duo” (p. 96) or to

another tape (p. 94).

MEMORY MIX


PB ZOOM


SLIDE SHOW

You can play back the images stored in a “Memory Stick Duo” (or a selected playback folder) in sequence (slide show).

1

Touch .

2

Touch [PB FOLDER].

3

Select [ALL FILES] or [CURRNT FOLDER], then touch .

G ALL FILES ( )

Select to execute a slide show by playing back all the images on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

CURRNT

FOLDER ( )

Select to execute a slide show by playing back all the images in

the current playback folder selected in [PB FOLDER] (p. 74).

4

Touch [REPEAT].

5

Touch [ON] or [OFF], then .

G ON ( )

OFF

Select to repeat the slide show.

Select to execute the slide show only once.

6

Touch [END].

7

Touch [START].

Your camcorder plays back the images recorded on the “Memory Stick Duo” in sequence.

76

Using the Menu

To cancel the slide show, touch [END]. To pause, touch [PAUSE].

z

Tips

• You can select the first picture for the slide show by touching / before touching

[START].

• If movies are played in the slide show, you can adjust the volume by touching

(decrease)/ (increase).

FRAME REC

You can record pictures with a stop-motion animated effect by alternately frame recording and then moving the subject a little. Operate your camcorder using the

Remote Commander to prevent camera shake.

G

OFF

ON ( )

Select to record in the standard recording mode.

Select to record pictures using the FRAME REC function.

1

Select [ON], then touch .

2

Touch .

3


A picture (approximately 6 frames) is recorded, and your camcorder enters the standby mode.

4

Move the subject and repeat step 3.

b

Notes

• When you use frame recording continuously, the remaining tape time will not be indicated correctly.

• The last scene will be longer than other scenes.

,

continued

Using the Menu

77

INTERVAL REC.

You can record pictures on a tape at a selected interval, when you record flowers blooming, etc. Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet using the supplied AC

Adaptor during the operation.

[a] [a]

[b]

a: [REC TIME] b: [INTERVAL]

[b]

1

Touch .

2

Touch [INTERVAL].

3

Select a desired interval time (30 seconds, 1, 5 or 10 minutes), then touch

.

4

Touch [REC TIME].

5

Select a desired recording time (0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2 seconds), then touch

.

6

Touch [END].

7


G OFF

ON (

To deactivate interval recording.

) To record moving pictures on a tape in the selected interval.

8

Touch .

flashes on the screen.

9


stops flashing and the interval recording starts.

To cancel interval recording, select [OFF] in step 7.

b

Notes

• You cannot use the interval recording with:


– Memory overlap

• There may be a discrepancy in recording time of up to ± 6 frames from the selected time.

z

Tips

• If you adjust the focus manually, you may be able to record clear pictures even if the light

changes (p. 42).

• You can silence the beeps during recording (p. 87).

78

Using the Menu

INT. REC-STL

This function is useful to observe the movement of clouds or the change of daylight. Your camcorder will shoot a still image at a selected interval and record it on a “Memory Stick Duo.”

[a] [a] [a]

[b] [b]

a: Shooting time b: Interval

1

Touch .

2

Select a desired interval time (1, 5, or 10 minutes), then touch .

3

Touch [ON], then touch .

G OFF

ON

(

)

To deactivate interval recording.

To record still images on a “Memory Stick Duo” in the selected interval.

4

Touch .

flashes.

5


stops flashing and the interval photo recording starts.

To cancel interval photo recording, select [OFF] in step 3.

DEMO MODE

When you remove both cassette and “Memory Stick Duo” from your camcorder, and select the CAMERA-TAPE mode, you can view the demonstration in about

10 minutes.

G

ON

OFF

Select to see an overview of the functions available such as when you are using this camcorder for the first time.

Select when you do not intend to use the DEMO MODE.

b

Note

• You cannot view the demonstration when the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch is set to ON.

z

Tips

• The demonstration will be suspended in situations such as those described below.

– When you touch the screen during the demonstration. (The demonstration starts again in about 10 minutes.)

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

– When a mode other than CAMERA-TAPE is selected.

• If [A.SHUT OFF] is set to [5 min] when the camcorder is used on the battery pack, the

power will be turned off after approximately 5 minutes (p. 88).

PRINT


Using the Menu

79

Using the (EDIT/

PLAY) menu

– TITLE/

TAPE TITLE, etc.

You can select items listed below on the EDIT/

PLAY menu. To select items, see “Selecting menu items” (p. 63).

The default settings are marked with G. The settings you can adjust vary depending on the

VAR. SPD PB


REC CTRL


power mode of your camcorder. The screen shows the items you can currently operate.

Unavailable items will be grayed out.

60min 0:00:00:00

EDIT/PLAY

VAR. SPD PB

REC CTRL

AUD DUB CTRL

OK

AUD DUB CTRL


PROG. EDIT

OTHER DEVICE

Select to make programs and dubbing the selected scenes to a tape on

a VCR (p. 98).

MEMORY STICK Select to make programs and dubbing the selected scenes to a

“Memory Stick Duo” (p. 102).

REC CTRL


BURN DVD

When your camcorder is connected to a Sony VAIO series personal computer, you can easily burn the picture recorded on the tape on a DVD (Direct Access to

“Click to DVD”) using this command. See the supplied “Computer Applications

Guide” for details.

80

Using the Menu

BURN VCD

END SEARCH

When your camcorder is connected to a personal computer, you can easily burn the picture recorded on the tape on a CD-R (Direct Access to Video CD Burn) using this command. See the supplied “Computer Applications Guide” for details.

EXEC

CANCEL

Select to activate the END SEARCH function. The most recently recorded picture is played back for about 5 seconds and then stops automatically.

Select to stop the END SEARCH function.

SEARCH

G ON

OFF

Select when you want to search for a scene, title, etc. using the

Cassette Memory (p. 61, 62).

Select to search without using Cassette Memory.

TITLE

Any titles you have superimposed using this camcorder can only be viewed on a video cassette device with the index titler function. If you superimpose a title, you will be able to search for it using Title search. You can superimpose up to about 20 titles (about 5 letters per title) on a cassette with Cassette Memory.

Note, however, that only 11 titles can be recorded when other data (6 date/time data/1 cassette label) is recorded.

1

Select a desired title from the displayed titles (2 original titles that you have created before and the preset titles that have been stored in your camcorder). You can create original titles (up to 2 types of title of within

20 characters each) in the following procedure.

1

Select [CUSTOM 1 ” ”] or [CUSTOM 2 ” ”] using / , then touch .

2

Touch the button repeatedly to select the desired character on the button.

TITLE STBY 0:00:00

END

E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

&?!

ABC DEF

GHI

PQR

S

JKL

TUV

MNO

WXY

Z

123

45

' . ,

/ –

678

90

OK

To erase a character: Touch

To insert a space: Touch .

3

move character in the same manner.

.

,

continued

Using the Menu

81

4

When you have finished entering characters, touch .

2

Touch .

3

Touch (color), / (position), [SIZE] as necessary to select a desired color, position or size.

Color

white t yellow t violet t red t cyan t green t blue

Position

You can select from 8 to 9 choices.

Size

small y large

(You can only select the small size when you are entering more than 13 characters.)

4

Touch .

5

Touch [SAVE].

During playback, playback pause, or recording

[TITLE SAVE] is displayed on the screen for about 5 seconds and the title is set.

During recording standby

[TITLE] appears. When you press REC START/STOP to start recording,

[TITLE SAVE] is displayed on the screen for about 5 seconds, and the title is set.

b

Notes

• The point you superimposed the title may be detected as an index signal when searching a recording with other video device.

• When you are using your camcorder on the battery pack and do not operate it for 5 minutes, the power automatically goes off as the default setting. If you may take 5 minutes or longer to enter characters, set [A.SHUT OFF] on the (STANDARD SET) menu to

[NEVER] (p. 88). The power will not be turned off. Even though the power goes off, the

characters you have entered remain stored in memory. Turn the power back on, then start again from step 1 to continue superimposing the title. z

Tip

• To change a created title, select the title in step 1, then touch characters again.

. Then, reselect the

TITL ERASE

1

Select the title that you want to delete using / , then touch .

2

Confirm the title is the one you want to erase, then touch [YES] .

To cancel the operation, touch [NO].

3

Touch

.

TITLE DISP

You can view the title when you play back the picture.

G ON

OFF

Select to display the title when a scene superimposed with a title appears.

Select when you do not want to display the title.

82

Using the Menu

TAPE TITLE

You can label a cassette with Cassette Memory (up to 10 letters).

The label will be displayed for approximately 5 seconds when you select the

CAMERA-TAPE mode and insert a cassette, or when you select the PLAY/EDIT mode. Up to 4 titles will be displayed at the same time if the cassette has titles superimposed.

1

Touch the button repeatedly to select the desired character on the button.

TAPE TITLE STBY 0:00:00

END

&?!

ABC DEF

GHI

PQR

S

JKL

TUV

MNO

WXY

Z

123

45

' . ,

/ –

678

90

OK

To erase a character: Touch

To insert a space: Touch .

.

2

Touch

to move s to select the next character, and enter the

character in the same manner.

3

When you have finished entering characters, touch .

4

Touch .

z

Tips

• To erase the label you have created, touch touch .

repeatedly to erase the characters, then

• To change the label you have created, insert the cassette into your camcorder and go through the procedure from step 1.

ALL ERASE

You can delete all data such as date, title, and cassette label saved in the Cassette

Memory at one time.

1

Touch

[YES]

twice.

To cancel deletion of all data, select [NO].

2

Touch

.

Using the Menu

83

Using the

(STANDARD SET) menu

– REC MODE/MULTI-

SOUND/AUDIO MIX/USB-CAMERA, etc.

You can select the items listed below on the

STANDARD SET menu. To select these

items, see “Selecting menu items” (p. 63).

The default settings are marked with

G

.

The indicators in parentheses appear when the setting is selected.

The settings you can adjust vary depending on the power mode of your camcorder. The screen shows the items you can currently operate. Unavailable items will be grayed out.

60min STBY 0:00:00

STANDARD SET

REC MODE

AUD I O MODE

LCD/VF SET

OK

REC MODE

G SP

LP

( SP )

( LP )

Select to record in the SP (Standard Play) mode on a cassette.

Select to increase the recording time to 1.5 times the SP mode (Long

Play). The use of Sony Excellence/Master mini DV cassette is recommended to get the most out of your camcorder.

b

Notes

• You cannot add sound on the tape recorded in the LP mode.

• If you record in the LP mode, a mosaic-like noise may appear or sound may be interrupted when you play back the tape on other camcorders or VCRs.

• When you mix recordings in the SP mode and in the LP mode on one tape, the playback picture may be distorted or the time code may not be written properly between the scenes.

AUDIO MODE

G 12BIT

16BIT

( )

Select to record in the 12-bit mode (2 stereo sounds).

Select to record in the 16-bit mode (1 stereo sound with high quality).

VOLUME

See page 50, 53 for details.

MULTI-SOUND

You can select how to play back audio recorded on a tape in stereo mode.

G STEREO

1

2

Select to play back a stereo tape or dual sound track tape with main and sub sound.

Select to play back a stereo tape with the left channel sound or a dual sound track tape with main sound.

Select to play back a stereo tape with the right channel sound or a dual sound track tape with sub sound.

84

Using the Menu

b

Notes

• You can play back a dual sound track cassette on this camcorder. However, you cannot record a dual sound track on this camcorder.

• The setting returns to [STEREO] when you disconnect the power source from your camcorder for more than 5 minutes.

AUDIO MIX

You can adjust the audio balance between the originally recorded sound (ST1)

and sound added afterwards (ST2) on the tape (p. 107).

b

Notes

• You cannot adjust sound recorded in 16 bit audio mode.

• Only the originally recorded sound will be heard when you disconnect the power source from your camcorder for more than 5 minutes.

LCD/VF SET

The recorded picture will not be affected by this setting.

LCD BRIGHT


LCD BL LEVEL

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

G NORMAL

Standard

BRIGHT

Select to brighten the LCD screen.

b

Notes

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

• When you select [BRIGHT], battery life is reduced by about 10 percent during recording.

LCD COLOR

Touch / to adjust the color on the LCD screen.

Low intensity

High intensity

VF B.LIGHT

You can adjust the brightness of the viewfinder.

G NORMAL

BRIGHT

Standard brightness.

To brighten the viewfinder screen.

,

continued

Using the Menu

85

A/V c DV OUT

You can connect a digital device and an analog device to your camcorder and convert the signal transmitted from the connected devices to the appropriate signal on your camcorder.

G OFF

ON ( )

Select when not using the Digital convert function.

To output analog images and sound in digital format using your camcorder.

The analog signal input to the A/V jack of your camcorder will be converted and output from the DV Interface of your camcorder.

For details, refer to the “Computer Applications Guide.”

USB-CAMERA

b

Notes

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

• When you select [BRIGHT], battery life is reduced by about 10 percent during recording.

You can connect a USB cable (supplied) to your camcorder, and view the picture displayed on the screen of your camcorder on your computer (USB Streaming).

For details, refer to the “Computer Applications Guide.”

G OFF

USB STREAM

Select to deactivate the USB Streaming function.

Select to activate the USB Streaming function.

USB-PLY/EDT

You can connect a USB cable (supplied) to your camcorder, and view the picture on the tape or “Memory Stick Duo” in your camcorder on your computer. For details, refer to the “Computer Applications Guide.”

G STD-USB

PictBridge

USB STREAM

Select to view the picture on the “Memory Stick Duo.”

Select to connect the PictBridge compliant printer (p. 110).

Select to view the picture on the tape.

DATA CODE

G OFF

Select not to display date, time and the camera settings data during playback.

DATE/TIME

Select to display the date and time during playback (p. 58).

CAMERA DATA

Select to display the camera settings data during playback (p. 58).

86

Using the Menu

REMAINING

G AUTO

Select to display the remaining tape indicator for about 8 seconds:

• After you select the CAMERA-TAPE mode with the cassette inserted, and your camcorder calculates the remaining amount of tape.

• When you touch (play/pause).

Select to always display the remaining tape indicator.

REMOTE CTRL

ON

G ON

OFF

Select when using the Remote Commander supplied with your camcorder.

Select to deactivate the Remote Commander to prevent your camcorder from responding to a command sent by another VCR remote control unit.

b

Note

• The setting returns to [ON] when you have the power source disconnected from your camcorder for more than 5 minutes.

REC LED

G ON

OFF

Select to turn on the camera recording lamp on the front of your camcorder during recording.

Select this setting in the following recording situations. The camera recording lamp will not light up during recording.

• When you do not want the subject to be nervous about being recorded.

• When you are recording close to the subject.

• When the subject reflects the recording lamp.

BEEP

G MELODY

NORMAL

OFF

Select to sound a melody when you start/stop recording, operate the touch panel, or when an unusual condition occurs on your camcorder.

Select to sound a beep instead of the melody.

Select to cancel the melody, the beep sound, the shutter sound or touch panel operation confirmation beep.

,

continued

Using the Menu

87

DISPLAY

MENU ROTATE

You can select the scrolling direction (up or down) of the menu items on the LCD screen when you touch or .

G NORMAL

OPPOSITE

Select to scroll the menu items downwards by touching

Select to scroll the menu items upwards by touching .

.

A.SHUT OFF

G LCD PANEL

V-OUT/PANEL

Select to show the displays such as the time code on the LCD screen and in the viewfinder.

Select to show the displays such as the time code on the TV screen,

LCD screen, and in the viewfinder.

b

Note

• You cannot input a signal to your camcorder if you press DISPLAY/BATT INFO while

[V-OUT/PANEL] is selected.

G 5 min Select to activate the Auto shut off. When approximately 5 minutes have elapsed while you do not operate your camcorder, the camcorder is automatically turned off to prevent the battery from becoming consumed.

Select to deactivate the Auto shut off.

NEVER b

Note

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

88

Using the Menu

Using the (TIME/

LANGU.) menu

– CLOCK SET/

WORLD TIME, etc.

You can select items listed below on the TIME/

LANGU. menu. To select items, see “Selecting menu items” (p. 63).

The settings you can adjust vary depending on the power mode of your camcorder. The screen shows the items you can currently operate. Unavailable items will be grayed out.

60min STBY 0:00:00

TIME/LANGU.

CLOCK SET

WORLD TIME

LANGUAGE

OK

CLOCK SET

You can set the date and time (p. 22).

WORLD TIME

You can adjust the time difference when using your camcorder abroad. Set the time difference by touching / , the clock will be adjusted in accordance with the time difference. If you set the time difference to 0, the clock returns to the originally set time.

LANGUAGE

You can select or change the language used for the on-screen display (p. 25). You

can select from English, Simplified English, Canadian-French, Latin American

Spanish, Brazilian-Portuguese, Traditional-Chinese, or Korean.

Using the Menu

89

Customizing Personal

Menu

You can add frequently used menu items to

Personal Menu, or sort them in the order you like (customizing). You can customize the

Personal Menu for each power mode of your camcorder.

Adding a menu – Add

3

Touch [ADD].

60min STBY

Select the category.

0:00:00

END

CAMERA SET

PICT. APPLI.

EDIT/PLAY

STANDARD SET

TIME/LANGU.

OK

4

Touch / to select a menu category, then touch .

The available items vary depending on the power mode of the camcorder.

Only the available items are displayed.

60min

Select the item.

STBY 0:00:00

END

PROGRAM AE

SPOT METER

EXPOSURE

WHITE BAL.

AUTO SHUTTER

OK

You can add frequently used menu items to

Personal Menu for easier and faster access. b

Note

• You can add up to 28 menu items each for the

CAMERA-TAPE, CAMERA-MEM, and PLAY/

EDIT modes. If you want to add more, you must delete a less important menu item before adding a

new menu item (p. 91).

1

Touch .

60min

1/3

MENU

EXPO–

SURE

0:00:00

FADER FOCUS

SPOT

FOCUS

SPOT

METER

5

Touch / to select a menu item, then touch .

60min

ADD

STBY 0:00:00

Add this item to

CAMERA-TAPE mode's

P-MENU?

YES NO

2

Touch [P-MENU SET UP].

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

60min

P–MENU SET UP

STBY

ADD DELETE

0:00:00

END

SORT RESET

6

Touch [YES].

The menu is added to the end of the list.

7

Touch .

90

Using the Menu

Deleting menu – Delete

1

Touch .

60min

MENU

1/3 FADER

SPOT

FOCUS

EXPO–

SURE

0:00:00

FOCUS

SPOT

METER

2



60min

P–MENU SET UP

STBY

ADD DELETE

0:00:00

END

SORT RESET

The selected menu is deleted from Personal

Menu.

6

Touch .

b

Note

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

UP].

Arranging the order of menus displayed on Personal Menu

– Sort

You can sort the menus added to Personal Menu in the desired order.

1

Touch .

60min

1/3

MENU

EXPO–

SURE

0:00:00

FADER FOCUS

SPOT

FOCUS

SPOT

METER

3

Touch [DELETE].

60min STBY

Select button to delete.

MENU

EXPO–

SURE

0:00:00

END

1/3

FADER FOCUS

SPOT

FOCUS

SPOT

METER

2


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

60min

P–MENU SET UP

STBY

ADD DELETE

0:00:00

END

SORT RESET

4

Touch the menu that you want to delete.

60min

DELETE

STBY 0:00:00

Delete this from

CAMERA-TAPE mode's

P-MENU?

YES NO

3

Touch [SORT].

60min STBY

Select button to move.

MENU

EXPO–

SURE

0:00:00

END

1/3

FADER

SPOT

FOCUS

FOCUS

SPOT

METER

5

Touch [YES].

,

continued

Using the Menu

91

4

Touch the menu item you want to move.

60min STBY

Select new location.

1

MENU

2

EXPO–

SURE

0:00:00

END

1/3

3

FADER

4

FOCUS

5

SPOT

FOCUS

6

SPOT

METER

OK

2



60min

P–MENU SET UP

STBY

ADD DELETE

0:00:00

END

SORT RESET

5

Touch / to move the menu item to the desired place.

60min STBY

Select new location.

1 2

MENU FADER

0:00:00

END

1/3

3

FOCUS

5

EXPO–

SURE

4

SPOT

FOCUS

6

SPOT

METER

OK

3

Touch [RESET].

60min

RESET

STBY 0:00:00

Initialize

CAMERA-TAPE mode's

P-MENU setting?

YES NO

6

Touch .

To sort more items, repeat steps 4 to 6.

7

Touch [END].

8

Touch .

b

Note

• You cannot move [P-MENU SET UP].

Initializing the settings

–

Reset

4

5

Touch [YES].

60min

RESET

STBY 0:00:00

Are you sure?

NO YES

Touch [YES].

The Personal Menu settings return to the default settings.

To cancel reset, touch [NO].

6

Touch .

You can initialize Personal Menu to the default settings after adding or deleting menus.

1

Touch .

60min

MENU

1/3 FOCUS

EXPO–

SURE

FADER

0:00:00

SPOT

FOCUS

SPOT

METER

92

Using the Menu

Dubbing/Editing

Connecting to a VCR or TV

You can record the picture from a VCR or TV to a tape or a “Memory Stick Duo” inserted

into your camcorder (p. 95). You can also

create a copy of the picture recorded on your

camcorder on other recording device (p. 94).

Connect your camcorder via the Handycam

Station or the A/V jack of your camcorder to a TV or VCR using the supplied A/V connecting cable.

Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet using the supplied AC Adaptor during the operation.

Connecting with an i.LINK cable

DV i.LINK cable (optional) i.LINK jack

DV Interface

S VIDEO jack

A/V jack

Yellow

A/V connecting cable

(supplied)

White

Red

Signal flow

* By using an S video cable (optional), higher quality

DV format pictures can be produced.

When there is an S video jack on the device to be connected, connecting the S video cable (optional) to the S video jacks on both your camcorder and the device instead of using the yellow plug is recommended. The audio will not be output when you connect with the S video plug alone.

b

Notes

• Use the A/V connecting cable (supplied) to connect your camcorder to other devices. Before connecting, make sure the [DISPLAY] setting in the

(STANDARD SET) menu is set to [LCD PANEL]

(the default setting) (p. 88).

VCRs or TVs

• Connect the A/V connecting cable to the output jack of a device you are dubbing a picture from, or to the input jack of another device for dubbing a picture from your camcorder.

• When you are connecting your camcorder to a monaural device, connect the yellow plug of the

A/V connecting cable to the video jack, and the red

(right channel) or the white (left channel) plug to the audio jack on the VCR or the TV.

• Do not connect A/V connecting cables to both your camcorder and the Handycam Station. The image might be distorted.

,

continued

Dubbing/Editing

93

To use an i.LINK cable for connection

Use an i.LINK cable (optional) to connect your camcorder to other device via the DV

Interface. The video and sound signals are transmitted digitally, producing high quality pictures. Note that you cannot record the picture

and sound separately. For details, see page 132.

Dubbing to another tape

You can copy and edit the picture played back on your camcorder to other recording devices (such as VCRs).

1

Connect your VCR to your camcorder

as a recording device (p. 93).

2

Prepare your VCR for recording.

• Insert a cassette for recording.

• If your VCR has an input selector, set it to the input mode.

3

Prepare your camcorder for playback.

• Insert the recorded cassette.

• Slide the POWER switch to select the

PLAY/EDIT mode.

4

Start the playback on your camcorder, and record it on the VCR.

Refer to the operating instructions supplied with your VCR for details.

5

When the dubbing is finished, stop your camcorder and the VCR.

b

Notes

• When your camcorder is connected to the VCR via the DV Interface, you cannot record the title, indicators, information for the Cassette Memory, and words entered on the index screen of the


• When dubbing using the A/V connecting cable, press DISPLAY/BATT INFO to hide indicators

such as time code (p. 58). Otherwise, they will be

recorded on the tape.

• To record the date/time and camera settings data,

have them displayed on screen (p. 58).

• Pictures edited with Picture effect ([PICT. EFFECT]

p. 75), Digital effect (p. 44, 52), or Playback zoom

(p. 57) cannot be output via the DV Interface.

• When connected using the i.LINK cable, the recorded picture becomes rough when a picture is paused on your camcorder while recording to a

VCR.

94

Dubbing/Editing

Recording pictures from a VCR or TV

You can record and edit pictures or TV programs from a VCR or TV on a tape or a

“Memory Stick Duo” inserted in your camcorder. You can also record a scene as a still image on a “Memory Stick Duo.”

Insert a cassette or a “Memory Stick Duo” for recording in your camcorder.


1

Connect your TV or VCR to your

camcorder (p. 93).

2

If you are recording from a VCR, insert a cassette.

3


PLAY/EDIT mode.

4

Operate your camcorder to record movies.

When recording on a tape

1

Touch .

2

Touch [ REC CTRL].

If the item is not displayed on the screen, touch / . If you cannot find it, touch [MENU], and select it from the

(EDIT/PLAY) menu (p. 80).

3

Touch [REC PAUSE].

When recording on a “Memory Stick

Duo”

1

Touch .

2

Touch [MENU].

3

Select the (EDIT/PLAY) menu, then [ REC CTRL].

5

Start playing the cassette on your

VCR, or select a TV program.

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

6

Touch [REC START] at the point you want to start recording.

7

Stop recording.

When recording on a tape

Touch (stop) or [REC PAUSE].

When recording on a “Memory Stick

Duo”

Touch [REC STOP].

8

Touch ,

z

Tips

• The indicator appears when you connect your camcorder and other devices via an i.LINK cable.

(This indicator may also appear on your TV.)

• When recording movies on a “Memory Stick Duo,” you can skip step 4 and press REC START/STOP in step 6.


1

Perform steps 1 to 3 in “Recording movies” (p. 95).

2

Play the video, or receive the TV program you want to record.

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

3

Press PHOTO lightly at the scene you want to record. Check the image and press it fully.

The image is not recorded unless you press

PHOTO fully. Release it if you do not want

,

continued

Dubbing/Editing

95

to record the scene, and select other scene as described above.

Dubbing pictures from a tape to a


You can record movies (with sound recorded in monaural) or still images on a “Memory

Stick Duo.”

Make sure you have a recorded tape and a

“Memory Stick Duo” inserted into your camcorder.

1


PLAY/EDIT mode.

2

Search and record the scene you want to record.

When recording a still image

1

Touch (play) to play back the tape.

2

Press PHOTO lightly at the scene you want to record. Check the image and press it fully.

60min

101

1152

FINE

P-MENU

When recording a movie

1

Touch .

2

Touch [MENU].

3

Select the (EDIT/PLAY) menu, then [ REC CTRL].

4

Touch (play) to play back the tape.

0:00:00:00 REC CTRL

REC

START

2min

5

Touch [REC START] at the point you want to start recording.

6

Touch [REC STOP] at the point you want to stop recording.

7

Touch (stop) to stop tape playback.

96

Dubbing/Editing

8

Touch , b

Notes

• For DCR-PC109:

You can record still images fixed to image size

[640 × 480].

• The Data code and titles recorded on the tape cannot be recorded on the “Memory Stick Duo.” The time and date the picture is recorded on the “Memory

Stick Duo” will be recorded.

• The sound is recorded in 32kHz monaural.

z

Tips

• You can also record a movie by pressing REC

START/STOP during tape playback.

• For the recording time of movies, see page 29.

Dubbing still images from a “Memory Stick

Duo” to a tape

You can record still images on a tape.

Make sure you have the “Memory Stick Duo” with the images and a tape inserted into your camcorder.

1


PLAY/EDIT mode.

2

Search for the point where you want to start dubbing by touching

(rewind) or (fast forward), then

3

Touch .

4

Touch (previous)/ (next) to select the image you want to dub.

5

Touch .

6

Touch [ REC CTRL].



(EDIT/PLAY) menu.

7

Touch [REC PAUSE].

8

Touch [REC START].

The selected image is dubbed to the tape.

9

Touch (stop) or [REC PAUSE] when you want to stop recording.

To dub other still images, select images by touching / , then repeat steps 7 to

9.

,

continued

Dubbing/Editing

97

10

Touch ,

b

Notes

• You cannot dub the index screen.

• You may not be able to dub images modified on your computer or recorded with other camcorders on your camcorder.

• You cannot dub MPEG movies on the tape.

Dubbing selected scenes from a tape

– Digital program editing

You can select up to 20 scenes (programs) and record them in the desired order to other recording device such as VCRs or to a

“Memory Stick Duo” inserted in your camcorder.

When you are recording on a “Memory Stick

Duo,” skip steps 1 and 2 and start from

“Recording the selected scenes as programs”

(p. 102).

Delete unwanted scene

Change the order

Results of editing

Step 1 : Preparing your camcorder and VCR for operation

Follow the steps below when you are performing a digital program edit for the first time to a tape in a VCR. You can skip this setting if you have set up the VCR by the following procedure before.

b

Notes

• You cannot perform the Digital program editing on a VCR that does not support [IR SETUP] codes.

• The operating signal for the Digital program editing cannot be transferred via the LANC jack.

1

Connect your VCR to the camcorder

as a recording device (p. 93).

You can use either the A/V connecting cable or the i.LINK cable to make the

98

Dubbing/Editing

connection. The dubbing procedure is easier with the i.LINK connection.

2

Prepare your VCR.

• Insert a cassette for recording.

• Set the input selector to input mode if your

VCR has one.

3

Prepare your camcorder (playing device).

• Insert a cassette for editing.

• Slide the POWER switch to select the

PLAY/EDIT mode.

4

Touch .

5

Touch [MENU].

60min 0:00:00:00

MEMORY SET

STILL SET

MOVIE SET

ALL ERASE

OK

8

Touch [OTHER DEVICE].

PROG. EDIT

MARK

IN

START

EDIT

SET

0:00:00:00

UNDO

TOTAL

SCENE

0:00:00:00

0

END

9

Touch [EDIT SET].

PROG. EDIT

EDIT SET

1/2

CON–

TROL

CUT–

IN

0:00:00:00

END

ADJ

TEST

CUT–

OUT

10

Touch [CONTROL].

PROG. EDIT

CONTROL: IR

0:00:00:00

IR i. LINK

6

Touch / to select (EDIT/

PLAY), then touch .

60min 0:00:00:00

D. EFFECT

PICT. EFFECT

PRINT

VAR. SPD PB

REC CTRL

AUD DUR CTRL

PROG. EDIT

OK

7

Touch / to select [PROG.

EDIT], then touch .

PROG. EDIT 0:00:00:00

END

Select the media.

OTHER

DEVICE

MEMORY

STICK

11

Select [IR] or [i.LINK].

When connecting with an A/V connecting cable

Touch [IR], then . Follow the procedure

described in “To set the [IR SETUP] code”

(p. 100).

When connecting with an i.LINK cable

Touch [i.LINK], then

. Go on to “Step

2 : Adjusting the synchronization of the

VCR” (p. 101).

,

continued

Dubbing/Editing

99

To set the [IR SETUP] code

When you connect with an A/V connecting cable, you need to check the [IR SETUP] code signal to see if your VCR can be operated by your camcorder (infrared ray emitter).

Remote sensor

Infrared ray emitter

VCR

1

Touch , then [IR SETUP].

2

Select the [IR SETUP] code of your VCR with / , then touch .

For the [IR SETUP] code of your VCR,

refer to “[IR SETUP] code list” (p. 100).

When there is more than one code listed for the manufacturer of your VCR, try each code and find the most appropriate one.

3

Touch [PAUSEMODE].

4

Select the mode to cancel recording pause on your VCR, then touch .

Refer to the operating instructions supplied with your VCR for details on operation.

5

Point the infrared ray emitter of your camcorder towards the remote sensor on your VCR, from about 30 cm (12 in.) away, with no obstructions.

6

Insert a cassette into your VCR, and set the VCR to recording pause.

7

Touch [IR TEST].

8

Touch [EXEC].

The recording starts on your VCR when the setting is correct. [Completed.] appears when the [IR SETUP] code test is finished.

Go on to “Step 2 : Adjusting the synchronization of the VCR” (p. 101).

When recording fails to start, select another

[IR SETUP] code and try again.

[IR SETUP] code list

The following [IR SETUP] codes are recorded on your camcorder by default. (It is set at “3” as the default setting.)

Manufacturing company

Sony

Admiral (M. Wards)

Aiwa

[IR SETUP] code

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

89

47, 54, 80

Akai

Audio Dynamic

49, 51

21, 35

Bell&Howell (M. Wards) 36

Broksonic 21, 70, 82

Canon

Citizen

Craig

Curtis Mathis

Daewoo

DBX

Dimensia

Emerson

77, 78

47

47, 73

8, 77, 80

26, 40, 77

21, 33, 35

8

26, 48, 59, 70, 80, 81, 82

Fisher

Funai

General Electric

Goldstar/LG

GO VIDEO

Hitachi

HQ

Instant Replay

JC Penny

JVC

Kenwood

LXI (Sears)

Magnavox

Marantz

Marta

Memorex

Minolta

Mitsubishi/MGA

36, 37, 44, 45

80

8, 32*, 77, 94*, 101

47

71

8, 42, 78

40

77, 78

8, 21, 33, 35, 36, 42, 77

12, 13, 14, 21, 33, 35

21, 33, 35, 47

36, 37, 42, 44, 45, 47,

49, 80

17, 77, 78, 83

21, 33, 35

47

37, 77

8, 42

22, 23, 24, 28, 29

100

Dubbing/Editing

Manufacturing company

Multitech

NEC

Olympic

Optimus

Orion

Panasonic

Pentax

Philco

Philips

Pioneer

Quasar

RCA/PROSCAN

Realistic

Sansui

Singer

Samsung

Sanyo

Scott

Sharp

Shintom

Signature 2000

Sylvania

Symphonic

Tashiro

Tatung

Teac

Technics

Toshiba

Wards

Yamaha

Zenith

* TV/VCR component

[IR SETUP] code

23, 32, 80

21, 33, 35

77, 78

22

60

16, 17, 77, 78

8, 42

26, 70, 77, 78

47, 77, 78, 83

78

6, 16, 17, 77, 78

7, 8, 16, 40, 41, 42, 77,

78, 78*, 83, 101

22, 36, 37, 77, 80, 88

21

73

24, 24*, 32, 32*, 41, 94,

94*

26, 36, 37, 47

22, 23, 24, 28, 32, 37,

40, 41

88, 89

73

80, 89

77, 78, 80, 83

80

47

21, 33, 35

21, 33, 35, 80

77, 78

7, 40, 49

37, 47, 88, 89, 95

21, 33, 35, 36

95

Step 2 : Adjusting the synchronization of the VCR

Follow the steps below when you are performing digital program edit for the first time to a tape in a VCR. You can skip this setting if you have set up your VCR before using the following procedure.

You can adjust the synchronization of your camcorder and the VCR to avoid not recording the starting scene.

1

Remove the cassette from your camcorder. Prepare a pen and paper to take notes.

2

Set the VCR to recording pause mode.

Skip this step if you have selected [i.LINK]

in step 11 on p. 99.

b

Note

• Run the tape for about 10 seconds before pausing. The starting scenes may not get recorded when you start recording from the beginning of the tape.

3

Touch , then [ADJ TEST].

PROG. EDIT

ADJ TEST

0:00:00:00

Set the recording device in rec. pause mode.

EXEC CANCEL

4

Touch [EXEC].

A picture (about 50 seconds long) with 5

[IN] and [OUT] indicators each for adjusting synchronization is recorded.

[Completed.] appears when the recording is finished.

PROG. EDIT

ADJ TEST

Completed.

0:00:00:00

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continued

Dubbing/Editing

101

5

Rewind the tape on your VCR, then play back in slow mode.

5 opening numbers for each [IN] and closing numbers for each [OUT] appear.

6

Take a note of the opening number value of each [CUT-IN] and the closing number value of each [CUT-OUT], then calculate the average number value for each [CUT-IN] and [CUT-

OUT].

7

Touch [CUT-IN].

0:00:00:00 PROG. EDIT

CUT–IN

0

-60~+240

8

Touch / to select the average number value for [CUT-IN], then touch .

The calculated start position for recording is set.

9

Touch [CUT-OUT].

0:00:00:00 PROG. EDIT

CUT–OUT

0

-60~+240

10

Touch / to select the average number value for [CUT-OUT], then touch .

The calculated stop position for recording is set.

11

Touch [END] twice.

Recording the selected scenes as programs

When you are performing a digital program edit for the first time to a tape in a VCR, go through the procedures described in Steps 1

and 2 (p. 98 to p. 101) beforehand.

1

Prepare a cassette or a “Memory Stick

Duo.”

Insert a tape to be played back into the camcorder.

When you are recording on a tape, insert a cassette for recording into your VCR. When you are recording on a “Memory Stick

Duo,” insert a “Memory Stick Duo” into your camcorder.

2

Touch .

3

Touch [MENU].

60min 0:00:00:00

MEMORY SET

STILL SET

MOVIE SET

ALL ERASE

OK

4



60min 0:00:00:00

D. EFFECT

PICT. EFFECT

PRINT

VAR. SPD PB

REC CTRL

AUD DUR CTRL

PROG. EDIT

OK

5

Touch / to select [PROG.

EDIT], then touch .

PROG. EDIT 0:00:00:00

END

Select the media.

OTHER

DEVICE

MEMORY

STICK

102

Dubbing/Editing

6


When you are recording on a tape in the VCR

Touch [OTHER DEVICE].

PROG. EDIT

MARK

IN

START

EDIT

SET

0:00:00:00

UNDO

TOTAL

SCENE

0:00:00:00

0

END

When you are recording on a


1

Touch [MEMORY STICK].

PROG. EDIT

MARK

IN

START

0:00:00:00

IMAGE

SIZE

UNDO

2min

TOTAL

SCENE

0:00:00

0

END

2

Touch [IMAGE SIZE] repeatedly to select the desired image size.

7

Search for the beginning of the first scene that you want to dub on your camcorder, then pause playback.

You can adjust the position with

(frame).

/

8

Touch [MARK IN].

The starting point of the first program is set, and the upper part of the program mark changes to light blue.

[IMAGE SIZE] appears when recording on a “Memory Stick Duo.”

PROG. EDIT

MARK

OUT

START

EDIT

SET

0:00:00:00

UNDO

TOTAL

SCENE

0:00:00:00

0

END

9

Search for the end of the first scene that you want to record on your camcorder, then pause playback.

You can adjust the position with

(frame).

/

10

Touch [MARK OUT].

The ending point of the first program is set, and the lower part of the program mark changes to light blue.

PROG. EDIT

MARK

IN

START

EDIT

SET

0:00:00:00

UNDO

TOTAL

SCENE

0:00:00:12

1

END

11

Repeat steps 7 to 10 and create programs.

12

Set your VCR to recording pause.

Skip this step if your camcorder is connected via an i.LINK cable or recording on a “Memory Stick Duo.”

13

Touch [START].

START

CANCEL

ENGAGE

REC PAUSE

0:00:00:00

EXEC

TOTAL

SCENE

0:00:00:25

3

14

Touch [EXEC].

A search for the beginning of the first program starts, then the recording starts.

[SEARCH] appears during the search and

[EDITING] appears during editing.

–x1

0:00:00:00 SEARCH

SCENE 1/3

CANCEL END

When a program is recorded, the program mark changes from orange to light blue.

When all programs have been recorded, the program editing operation stops automatically.

To cancel recording, touch [CANCEL].

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continued

Dubbing/Editing

103

To end Digital program editing

Touch [END].

To save a program without using it to record

Touch [END] in step 11.

The program is stored in memory until the cassette is ejected.

To erase programs

1

Follow steps 1 to 6 in “Recording the selected scenes as programs” (p. 102),

then touch [UNDO].

2

Touch [DEL 1MARK] to delete the last set program. Or, touch [ALL ERASE] to erase all the programs.

3

Touch

[EXEC]

.

The programs are deleted.

To cancel this operation, touch [CANCEL].

b

Notes

• You cannot set starting point or ending point on a blank section of the tape. If there is a blank section between the starting and ending point of the program, the total time may not appear correctly.

• When you cannot operate the device correctly using an i.LINK cable connection, select [IR] in step 11 on

p. 99, and set the [IR SETUP] code.

104

Dubbing/Editing

Dubbing sound to a recorded tape

Preparing for audio recording

You can record additional audio to the original sound on the tape. You can add sound to a tape already recorded in the 12-bit mode without erasing the original sound.

B

Intelligent accessory shoe for DCR-PC109

Internal microphone

A

MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack

Microphone (optional)

A/V connecting cable (supplied)

C

A/V jack

Audio L (white)

Audio R (red)

S VIDEO jack

Signal flow

Do not connect the Video plug (yellow).

Audio output jacks

Audio device (such as

CD/MD players)

Record audio in one of the following ways.

• Using the internal microphone (no connection required).

• Connecting a microphone (optional) to the

MIC jack. (A)

• Connecting a microphone (optional) to the

Intelligent accessory shoe for DCR-PC109.

(B)

• Connecting audio device to the Handycam

Station or your camcorder using an A/V connecting cable. (C)

The audio input to be recorded takes precedence over others in the order of MIC jack t

Intelligent accessory shoe for DCR-PC109 t

A/V jack t internal microphone.

b

Notes

• You cannot record additional audio:

– When the tape is recorded in the 16-bit mode.

– When the tape is recorded in the LP mode.

– When your camcorder is connected via the i.LINK cable.

– On blank sections of the tape.

– When the write-protect tab of the cassette is set to

SAVE.

• When you are using the A/V jack or the internal microphone to record additional sound, the picture will not be output from the S VIDEO jack or the

A/V jack. Check the picture on the LCD screen or the viewfinder.

• When you use an external microphone (optional) to record additional audio, you can check the picture and the sound by connecting your camcorder to a TV

,

continued

Dubbing/Editing

105

using the A/V connecting cable. However, the sound you have recorded afterwards is not output from the speaker. Check the sound by using a TV.

• When you connect optional accessories such as an external microphone, extend the viewfinder first.

• Do not connect A/V connecting cables to both your camcorder and the Handycam Station. The sound might be distorted.

Recording sound

9

Touch [AUDIO DUB].

A green X mark appears on the LCD screen.

60min

AUD DUB CTRL

0:00:00:00

AUDIO

DUB

1

Insert a recorded cassette into your camcorder.

2


3

Touch (play/pause) to play the tape.

4

Touch (play/pause) again at the point where you want to start recording the sound.

The playback pauses.

5

Touch .

6

Touch [MENU].

7



8

Touch / to select [AUD DUB

CTRL], then touch .

60min

AUD DUB CTRL

0:00:00:00

10

Touch (play) and start playing back the audio you want to record at the same time.

A red mark remains on the LCD screen while recording sound.

The new sound is recorded in stereo 2

(ST2) during the playback of the tape.

11

Touch (stop) when you want to stop recording.

To dub on other scenes, repeat steps 3 and

4 to select scenes, then touch [AUDIO

DUB].

12

Touch ,

To set the end point for audio dubbing

During playback, press ZERO SET MEMORY on the Remote Commander at the scene at which you want to stop audio dubbing. Then, perform steps 4 to 10. The recording stops automatically at the selected scene.

b

Note

• You can only record additional audio over a tape recorded on your camcorder. The sound may deteriorate when you dub audio on a tape recorded on other camcorders (including other DCR-PC108/

PC109 camcorders).

AUDIO

DUB

106

Dubbing/Editing

Checking and adjusting the recorded sound

1

Play back the tape on which you have

recorded audio in “Recording sound”

(p. 106).

2

Touch .

3

Touch [MENU].

4

Touch / to select

(STANDARD SET), then touch .

60min 0:00:00:00

TITLE DEL

TAPE TITLE

ALL ERASE

REC MODE

AUDIO MODE

VOLUME

MULTI SOUND

SP

OK

5

Touch / to select [AUDIO

MIX], then touch .

60min

AUDIO MIX

ST1

0:00:00:00

ST2

Deleting recorded pictures

You can delete all or selected pictures stored on a “Memory Stick Duo.”

1


2

Touch .

60min

101–0001

2 / 10 101

MEMORY PLAY

P-MENU

3

Touch (previous)/ (next) to select a picture you want to delete.

4

Touch .

DELETE

101–0001

2 / 10

Delete this image?

101

YES NO

6

Touch / to adjust the balance between the original sound (ST1) and the sound recorded afterwards (ST2).

Then, touch .

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

The adjusted audio balance returns to the default setting in about 5 minutes after the battery pack or other power sources have been disconnected.

5

Touch [YES].

The selected picture is deleted.

To cancel deletion, touch [NO].

To delete all pictures at once

Select the (MEMORY SET) menu, then

[

ALL ERASE] (p. 72).

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continued

Dubbing/Editing

107

To delete pictures on the index screen

You can easily search for the picture to be deleted by displaying 6 pictures at once.

1


PLAY/EDIT mode.

2

Touch .

3

Touch .

4

Touch .

5

Touch [ DELETE].

6

Touch the picture you want to delete.

appears on the image to be deleted.

To display the next or the previous 6 pictures, touch / .

7

Touch .

8

Touch

[YES]

.

The selected pictures are deleted.

To cancel deletion, touch [NO].

b

Notes

• Pictures cannot be deleted when you are using a

“Memory Stick Duo” with the write-protect tab and

the “Memory Stick Duo” is write-protected (p. 129),

or when the selected picture is protected (p. 108).

• The pictures cannot be restored once they are deleted. Make sure you check the pictures before deleting them.

Marking recorded images with specific

protection/Print mark

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

Preventing accidental erasure –

Image protection

You can select and mark images to prevent accidental erasure.

1


PLAY/EDIT mode.

2

Touch .

3

Touch .

END

101–0002

2/ 10

101

SET

4

Touch .

SET

PRO–

TECT

PR I NT

MARK

DELETE

PB

FOLDER

END

108

Dubbing/Editing

5

Touch [PROTECT].

PROTECT

3

Touch .

END

101–0002

2/ 10 101

6

Touch the image that you want to protect.

PROTECT

appears on the selected image.

101–0002

2/ 10

101

SET

4

Touch .

SET

PRO–

TECT

PR I NT

MARK

DELETE

PB

FOLDER

END

101–0002

2/ 10 101 OK

7

Touch .

8

Touch [END].

To cancel image protection

Follow steps 1 to 5, then touch the image to cancel image protection.

-

disappears from the image.

Selecting still images for printing

– Print mark

5

Touch [PRINT MARK].

PRINT MARK

101–0002

2/ 10 101

6

Touch the image that you want to print out later.

PRINT MARK

appears on the selected image.

You can mark images that you want to print out while viewing them on your camcorder.

(You cannot specify the number of printouts.)

The DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard is used to select images for printing on your camcorder.

1


PLAY/EDIT mode.

2

Touch .

101–0002

2/ 10 101 OK

7

Touch .

8

Touch [END].

To cancel the Print mark

Follow steps 1 to 5, then touch the image to cancel the Print mark.

disappears from the image.

,

continued

Dubbing/Editing

109

b

Note

• Do not mark images on your camcorder if the

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

Printing recorded images (PictBridge compliant printer)

You can easily print still images recorded on your camcorder by using a PictBridge compliant printer, even if you do not have a computer. Just set the connection in the menu setting screen of your camcorder, then connect your camcorder and printer using the

USB cable.

z

Tip

• PictBridge is an industry standard established by the

Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA).

You can print still images without using a computer by connecting a printer directly to a digital video camera or digital still camera, regardless of model manufacturer.

Connect your camcorder to the printer

b

Note

• Connect the supplied AC Adaptor to the wall outlet for the power supply.

1

Insert the “Memory Stick Duo” on which still images are stored into your camcorder.

2

Set the paper in the printer, and turn on the power.

3


4

Touch .

110

Dubbing/Editing

5

Touch [MENU].

6

Select (STANDARD SET), then

[USB-PLY/EDT] by touching / and .

7

Select [PictBridge], then touch .

8

Touch .

9

Connect the USB jack (p. 143) of your

Handycam Station to a printer using the supplied USB cable, then set the

USB ON/OFF switch on the

Handycam Station to ON.

The location of the USB jack of the printer differs depending on the model. Refer to the operating instructions supplied with your printer for details on operation.

10

Select (PICT. APPLI), then

[PRINT] by touching / and .

When connection between your camcorder and printer is complete, appears on the screen.

PRINT

101-0001

1 / 10

101

END

PictBridge connecting

+ SET EXEC

One of the images stored on the “Memory

Stick Duo” will be displayed.

b

Notes

• We cannot guarantee the operation of models that are not PictBridge compatible.

• You cannot connect your camcorder to the printer if

[USB-PLY/EDT] in the menu settings is not set to

[PictBridge]. Follow the instructions shown on the screen.

Printing

1

Select the image to be printed by

(next image).

2

Touch , then [COPIES].

3

Select the number of copies to be printed by touching / , then touch .

You can set a maximum of 20 copies of one image to be printed.

4

Touch [END].

To print the date on the image

1

Touch ,

2

Select [DATE] or [DAY & TIME] and

.

The default setting is [OFF].

5

Touch [EXEC].

A confirmation screen appears.

PRINT

101-0001

Print this?

COPIES 1

DATE/TIME OFF

1 / 10 101

6

Touch [YES].

When printing is finished, [Printing...] disappears and the image selection screen appears again.

1 / 10

101

PRINT

101-0001

Printing...

Keep USB cable connected.

CANCEL

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continued

Dubbing/Editing

111

To print another image

Repeat steps 1 to 6.

To stop printing

Touch [CANCEL] while printing.

To finish printing

Touch [END] and disconnect the USB cable from your Handycam Station and printer. b

Notes

• Do not attempt the following operations when is on the screen. The operations may not be performed properly.

– Sliding the POWER switch to select other power modes

– Disconnecting the USB cable from your

Handycam Station or printer

– Removing the “Memory Stick Duo” from your camcorder

• If the printer stops working, disconnect the USB cable and restart the operation from the beginning.

• Some printer models may not support the date printing function. Refer to your printer’s operating instructions for details.

• We cannot guarantee the printing of images recorded with a device other than your camcorder.

112

Dubbing/Editing

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

If you run into any problem using your camcorder, use the following table to troubleshoot the problem. If the problem

Overall operations

persists, remove the power source and contact your Sony dealer.

If “C:ss:ss” is displayed on the LCD screen or the viewfinder, the self-diagnosis

display function is activated. See page 121

for details.

Symptom

The power does not turn on.

The camcorder does not operate even when the power is set to on.

Cause and/or Corrective Actions

• The battery pack is discharged, running low, or not attached to the camcorder.

cAttach a charged battery pack to the camcorder. (p. 16)

cUse the AC Adaptor to connect to the wall outlet. (p. 19)

• Your camcorder is not inserted to the Handycam Station correctly.

cInsert your camcorder to the Handycam Station correctly. (p. 5)

cDisconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet or remove the battery pack, then reconnect it after about 1 minute. If the functions still do not work, press the RESET button using a sharp-pointed object. (If you press the RESET button, all settings including the clock setting are reset, except the Personal Menu items.)

The supplied Remote Commander does not function.

The camcorder gets warm.

cSet [REMOTE CTRL] on the

(p. 87)

(STANDARD SET) menu to [ON]. cInsert a battery into the battery holder with the + – polarities correctly matching the + – marks. If this still does not solve the problem, insert a

new battery since the battery is dead. (p. 144)

cRemove any obstructions between the Remote Commander and the remote sensor.

• This is because the power has been turned on for a long time. This is not a malfunction.

,

continued

Troubleshooting

113

Batteries/Power sources

Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions

The CHARGE lamp does not light while the battery pack is being charged.

The CHARGE lamp flashes while the battery pack is being charged.

cAttach the battery pack to the camcorder correctly. If the lamp still does not light up, then it indicates that no power is supplied from the wall outlet.

• The battery charge is completed. (p. 16)

cInsert your camcorder to the Handycam Station correctly. (p. 5)

cAttach the battery pack to the camcorder correctly. If the problem persists, disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet and contact

your Sony dealer. The battery pack may be damaged. (p. 16)

The battery pack is quickly discharged.

The power turns off frequently although the remaining battery indicator indicates that the battery pack has enough power to operate.

The power abruptly turns off.

• The temperature of the environment is too low, or the battery pack has not been charged enough. This is not a malfunction.

cFully charge the battery again. If the problem persists, replace the

battery pack with a new one. It may be damaged. (p. 16, 131)

The remaining battery time indicator does not indicate the correct time.

• The temperature of the environment is too high or too low, or the battery pack has not been charged enough. This is not a malfunction.

cFully charge the battery again. If the problem persists, replace the

battery pack with a new one. It may be damaged. (p. 16, 131)

• A problem has occurred in the remaining battery time indicator, or the battery pack has not been charged enough.

cFully charge the battery again to correct the indication. (p. 16)

A problem occurs when the camcorder is connected to the AC

Adaptor.

• [A.SHUT OFF] in the (STANDARD SET) menu is set to [5 min].

(p. 88)

cWhen approximately 5 minutes have elapsed while you do not operate your camcorder, the camcorder is automatically turned off.

Slide the POWER switch down to turn the power on again. (p. 20) Or

use the AC Adaptor.

cTurn off the power, and disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet.

Then, connect it again.

Cassette tapes


Cassette cannot be ejected from the compartment.

cMake sure the power source (battery pack or AC Adaptor) is connected

correctly. (p. 16) cRemove the battery pack from the camcorder, then attach it again. (p. 16) cAttach a charged battery pack to the camcorder. (p. 16)

Cassette is not ejected even when the cassette lid is open.

• Moisture condensation is starting in your camcorder. (p. 134)

114

Troubleshooting

Symptom

The remaining tape indicator is not displayed.

A cassette label is not recorded.


The Cassette Memory indicator does not appear while using a cassette with

Cassette Memory.

cClean the gold-plated connector of the cassette. (p. 128)

cSet [ REMAINING] to [ON] on the (STANDARD SET) menu

to always display the remaining tape indicator. (p. 87)

cUse a cassette with Cassette Memory. (p. 127)

cErase unnecessary titles when the Cassette Memory is full. (p. 82)

cSet the write-protect tab to REC. (p. 127)

LCD screen/viewfinder

Symptom

An unknown language appears on the screen.


cSee page 25.

An unknown picture appears on the screen.

• The camcorder is in [DEMO MODE]. (The [DEMO MODE] is automatically displayed when you leave the camcorder for 10 minutes after selecting CAMERA-TAPE without inserting a cassette and

“Memory Stick Duo.”) cTouch on the LCD screen or insert a cassette or “Memory Stick Duo” to cancel [DEMO MODE]. You can also set [DEMO MODE] to [OFF]

on the menu. (p. 79)

An unknown indicator appears on the screen.

cRefer to the indicator list. (p. 146)

The buttons do not appear on the touch panel.

cTouch the LCD panel lightly. cPress DISPLAY/BATT INFO (or DISPLAY on the Remote

Commander). (p. 58)

The buttons on the touch panel do not work correctly or do not work at all.

cAdjust the screen ([CALIBRATION]). (p. 135)

The picture in the viewfinder is not clear.

The picture in the viewfinder has disappeared.

The picture remains on the LCD screen.

cExtend the viewfinder. (p. 21) cUse the viewfinder lens adjustment lever to adjust the lens. (p. 21)

cClose the LCD panel. The picture is not displayed in the viewfinder

when the LCD panel is open. (p. 22)

cThis occurs if you disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet or remove the battery pack without turning off the power first. This is not a malfunction.

,

continued

Troubleshooting

115

Recording

If you are using a “Memory Stick Duo” for recording, refer also to the “Memory Stick Duo” section.

(p. 118)

Symptom

The tape does not start when you press REC START/STOP.

The power abruptly turns off.

The SteadyShot does not function.

The auto focus does not function.


cSlide the POWER switch to turn on the CAMERA-TAPE lamp. (p. 20)

cThe tape has reached the end. Rewind it, or insert a new cassette.

cSet the write-protect tab to REC or insert a new cassette. (p. 127)

cThe tape is stuck to the drum due to moisture condensation. Remove the cassette and leave your camcorder for at least 1 hour, then re-insert the

cassette. (p. 134)

• [A.SHUT OFF] in the (STANDARD SET) menu is set to [5 min].

(p. 88)

cWhen approximately 5 minutes have elapsed while you do not operate your camcorder, the camcorder is automatically turned off.

Slide the POWER switch down to turn the power on again. (p. 20) Or

use the AC Adaptor.

• Charge the battery pack. (p. 16)

cSet [STEADYSHOT] to [ON] in the

(CAMERA SET) menu. (p. 70)

cSet [FOCUS] to [AUTO] in the

(CAMERA SET) menu to enable

auto focus. (p. 42)

cThe recording conditions are not suitable for auto focus. Adjust the focus

manually. (p. 42)

A vertical band appears when recording candlelight or electric light in the dark.

• This occurs when the contrast between the subject and the background is too high. This is not a malfunction.

A vertical band appears when recording a bright subject.

• This phenomenon is called the smear effect. This is not a malfunction.

Tiny spots in white, red, blue, or green appear on the screen.

The color of the picture is not correctly displayed.

• The spots appear when you are recording in [SLOW SHUTTR], Super

NightShot plus, or Color Slow Shutter. This is not a malfunction. (p. 40) cDeactivate the NightShot plus function. (p. 40)

Picture appears too bright on the screen, and the subject does not appear on the screen.

cDeactivate the NightShot plus function in bright places. (p. 40)

cCancel the back light function. (p. 38)

Picture appears too dark on the screen, and the subject does not appear on the screen.

• The LCD screen backlight is switched off.

cPress LCD BACKLIGHT. (p. 21)

The shutter sound is not heard.

Black bands appear when you record a TV screen or computer screen.

cSet [BEEP] to [MELODY] or [NORMAL] on the

SET) menu. (p. 87)

(STANDARD cSet [STEADYSHOT] to [OFF] on the

(CAMERA SET) menu.

(p. 70)

116

Troubleshooting


The external flash (optional) does not work.

• The power of the flash is not turned on, or the flash is not attached correctly.

• Two or more flashes are attached. Only one external flash can be attached.

The flash level cannot be changed.

• The flash level cannot be changed during Easy Handycam operation.

Flickering or changes in color occurs.

cThis occurs when recording pictures under a fluorescent lamp, sodium lamp, or mercury lamp in the soft portrait or sports lesson mode. Cancel

[PROGRAM AE] in this case. (p. 65)

END SEARCH does not work.

END SEARCH does not work correctly.

• The cassette was ejected after recording when using a cassette without

Cassette Memory. (p. 127)

• The cassette is new and has nothing recorded.

• There is a blank section in the beginning or middle of the tape. This is not a malfunction.

Playback

If you are playing back the pictures stored on a “Memory Stick Duo,” refer also to the “Memory Stick

Duo” section. (p. 118)

Symptom

Cannot play back.

Horizontal lines appear on the picture. The displayed pictures are not clear or do not appear.

No sound or only a low sound is heard.


cIf the tape has reached the end, rewind the tape. (p. 50)

cClean the head using the cleaning cassette (optional). (p. 134)

The sound breaks off.

Cannot perform the Date search with the recording date displayed on the screen.

cClean the head using the cleaning cassette (optional). (p. 134)


cSet [ SEARCH] to [ON] in the

(EDIT/PLAY) menu. (p. 81)


“---” is displayed on the screen.

cSet [MULTI-SOUND] to [STEREO] in the

menu. (p. 84)

(STANDARD SET)

cTurn up the volume. (p. 50)

cOn the

(STANDARD SET) menu, adjust [AUDIO MIX] from the

[ST2] (additional sound) side until the sound is heard appropriately.

(p. 85)

cWhen you are using an S VIDEO plug, make sure the red and white plugs

of the A/V connecting cable are connected as well. (p. 60)

END SEARCH does not work.

• The tape you are playing was recorded without setting the date and time.

• A blank section on the tape is being played.

• The data code on a tape with a scratch or noise cannot be read.

• The cassette was ejected after recording when using a cassette without

Cassette Memory. (p. 127)

• The cassette is new and has nothing recorded.

END SEARCH does not work correctly.


,

continued

Troubleshooting

117

Symptom

Noises appear and on the screen.


is displayed • The tape was recorded in a TV color system other than that of your

camcorder. This is not a malfunction. (p. 126)



Cannot operate functions using the


Cannot record on the “Memory Stick

Duo.” cSet the POWER switch to the CAMERA-MEM or PLAY/EDIT mode.

(p. 20)

c Insert a “Memory Stick Duo” into your camcorder. (p. 24)

• The “Memory Stick Duo” was formatted on a personal computer.

cFormat it on your camcorder (Note that all recorded data will be

deleted). (p. 73)

cWhen you are using the “Memory Stick Duo” with the write-protect tab, release the lock on the write-protect tab of the “Memory Stick Duo.”

(p. 129)

cThe capacity is full. Delete unnecessary pictures recorded on the

“Memory Stick Duo.” (p. 107)

cFormat the “Memory Stick Duo” on your camcorder or insert another

“Memory Stick Duo.” (p. 73)

The pictures are not played back in the actual size.

Image data cannot be played back.

• Pictures recorded on other devices may not appear in the actual size. This is not a malfunction.

cDeactivate the USB Streaming function on your camcorder and set the

(USB) ON/OFF switch on the Handycam Station to OFF.

• Image data cannot be played back if you have modified files or folders, or have edited the data on a computer. (The file name flashes in that

case.) This is not a malfunction. (p. 130)

• Pictures recorded on other devices may not be played back. This is not a malfunction.

The picture you have recorded on the tape has also been recorded on the


Pictures cannot be deleted.

cThe picture was recorded on a “Memory Stick Duo” because you pressed

REC START/STOP during tape playback. Delete the picture from the

“Memory Stick Duo” if the picture is unnecessary. (p. 107)


(p. 129)

cCancel image protection on the picture. (p. 108)

• The maximum number of pictures that you can delete at one time is 100.

Delete them in groups of less than 100 pictures each.

Cannot format the “Memory Stick

Duo.”

Cannot delete all pictures at once.


(p. 129)


(p. 129)

cCancel image protection on the picture. (p. 108)

118

Troubleshooting


Image protection cannot be applied.


(p. 129)

cPerform the operation again on the index screen. (p. 108)

Cannot mark pictures for print.


(p. 129)

cPerform the operation again on the index screen. (p. 109)

• The maximum number of pictures you can mark for print is 999.

• Movies cannot be marked for print.

The data file name is not indicated correctly.

The data file icon flashes.

• Only the file name is displayed if the directory structure does not conform to the universal standard.

• The file is damaged.

• The file format is not supported on your camcorder. (p. 128)


• The file format is not supported on your camcorder. (p. 128)

Dubbing/Editing

Symptom

Pictures from connected devices are not displayed on the LCD screen or the viewfinder.

The title is not displayed.

The title cannot be deleted.


cSet [DISPLAY] to [LCD PANEL] in the

menu. (p. 88)

(STANDARD SET)

Cannot dub correctly using the A/V connecting cable.

cSet [DISPLAY] to [LCD PANEL] in the

menu. (p. 88)

(STANDARD SET)

• The A/V connecting cable is not connected properly.

cMake sure that the A/V connecting cable is connected to the proper jack, i.e. to the output jack of a device you are dubbing a picture from, or to the input jack of another device for dubbing a picture from your camcorder.

• The input signal is not NTSC. (p. 95)

Pictures from connected devices are not displayed correctly.

New sound added to a recorded tape is not heard.

cIn the

(STANDARD SET) menu, adjust [AUDIO MIX] from the

[ST1] (original sound) side until the sound is heard appropriately. (p. 85)

A title is not recorded/A cassette label is not recorded.


cErase unnecessary titles when the Cassette Memory is full. (p. 82)


• A title cannot be added to a blank section of the tape.

cSet [

TITLE DISP] to [ON] in the

(p. 82)

(EDIT/PLAY) menu.

• The title cannot be displayed during Easy Handycam operation.


,

continued

Troubleshooting

119

Symptom

The Title search does not work.


cEnter a title if there is no title on the tape. (p. 81)


cSet [

SEARCH] to [ON] in the

(EDIT/PLAY) menu. (p. 81)


Still pictures cannot be dubbed from a tape to a “Memory Stick Duo.”

• You cannot record or a distorted picture may be recorded if the tape has been used repeatedly for recording.

Movies cannot be dubbed from a tape to a “Memory Stick Duo.”

• You cannot record or a distorted picture may be recorded in the following:

– The tape has a blank section.

– The tape has been used repeatedly for recording.

– Input signal has been interrupted or cut.

Digital program editing on the tape does not function.

The VCR is not responding properly during Digital program editing when it is connected via an i.LINK cable.

cSet the input selector on the VCR correctly, then check the connection

between your camcorder and the VCR. (p. 93)

cWhen your camcorder is connected to a DV device that is not a Sony

product via an i.LINK cable, select [IR] in step11 of “Step 1: Preparing your camcorder and VCR for operation” (p. 98).

cAdjust the synchronization of the VCR. (p. 101)

cEnter a correct [IR SETUP] code. (p. 100) cSelect the mode used to cancel recording pause again. (p. 100) cSet your camcorder and the VCR more than 30 cm (12 in.) apart. (p. 100)

• The program cannot be set to a blank section on the tape.

cWhile connecting via an i.LINK cable, select [IR] in step 11 of “Step 1:

Preparing your camcorder and VCR for operation” (p. 98).

Digital program editing on the

“Memory Stick Duo” does not function correctly.

• The program cannot be set to a blank section on the tape.

• You cannot record or a distorted picture may be recorded if the tape has been used repeatedly for recording.

The picture appears distorted or dark. • A/V connecting cables are connected to both your camcorder and the

Handycam Station. cDisconnect one of the A/V connecting cables.

120

Troubleshooting

Warning indicators and messages

Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators

If indicators appear on the screen or in the viewfinder, check the following. See the page in parentheses for details.

Indication Cause and/or Corrective Actions

C:ss:ss/E:ss:ss (Selfdiagnosis display)

101-0001 (Warning indicator pertaining to files)

E (Battery level warning)

Some symptoms can be fixed by yourself. If the problem persists even after you tried a couple of times, contact your Sony dealer or local authorized

Sony service facility.

C:04:ss cA battery pack that is not an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack is being used.

Use an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack. (p. 131)

C:21:ss cMoisture condensation has occurred. Remove the cassette and leave your

camcorder for at least 1 hour, then re-insert the cassette. (p. 134)

C:22:ss

cClean the head using a cleaning cassette (optional). (p. 134)

C:31ss / C:32ss cSymptoms that are not described above have occurred. Remove and insert the cassette, then operate your camcorder again. Do not perform

this procedure if moisture starts to condense. (p. 134)

cRemove the power source. Reconnect it again and operate your camcorder again.

cChange the cassette. Press RESET button (p. 141), and operate your

camcorder again.

E:61:ss / E:62:ss cContact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.

Inform them of the 5-digit code, which starts from “E.”


• The file is unreadable.

• You are trying to carry out the MEMORY MIX function on a movie

(p. 46).

• The battery pack is nearly used up.

• Depending on the operating, environmental, or battery conditions, the

E indicator may flash, even if there are approximately 5 to 10 minutes remaining.

(Battery Info warning) • The actual operating time may be considerably shorter than the indicated

battery charge level, due to low ambient temperature (p. 17).

% (Moisture condensation warning)* cEject the cassette, set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG), and leave it for

about 1 hour with the cassette lid open (p. 134).

(Warning indicator pertaining to the “Memory Stick Duo”)

• No “Memory Stick Duo” is inserted.

,

continued

Troubleshooting

121

Indication Cause and/or Corrective Actions

(Warning indicator pertaining to

“Memory Stick Duo” formatting)*

• The “Memory Stick Duo” data is damaged.

• The “Memory Stick Duo” is not formatted correctly (p. 73).

(Warning indicator pertaining to incompatible “Memory Stick Duo”)*

• An incompatible “Memory Stick Duo” is inserted.

Q

(Warning indicator pertaining to the tape)

Slow flashing:

• There is less than 5 minutes remaining on the tape.

• No cassette is inserted.*

• The write-protect tab on the cassette is set to lock (p. 127).*

Fast flashing:

• The tape has run out.*

Z (Eject cassette warning)*

Slow flashing:

• The write-protect tab on the cassette is set to lock (p. 127).

Fast flashing:

• Moisture condensation has occurred (p. 134).

• The self-diagnosis display code is displayed (p. 121).

- (Warning indicator pertaining to image deletion)*

• The image is protected (p. 108).

• The write-protect tab on the “Memory Stick Duo” is set to lock (p. 129).

(Warning indicator pertaining to the write-protect of the

“Memory Stick Duo”)

(Warning indicator pertaining to the flash (optional))

Slow flashing:

• During charging

Fast flashing:

• There is something wrong with the external flash (optional).

* You hear a melody or beep sound when the warning indicators appear on the screen.

122

Troubleshooting

Warning messages

If messages appear on the screen, check the following. See the page in parentheses for details.

Subjects

Battery

Moisture condensation

Cassette/Tape

“Memory Stick

Duo”

Indications

Use the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.

Battery level is low.

Old battery. Use a new one.

% Moisture condensation. Turn off for 1H.

Q Insert a cassette.

Q The tape has reached the end.

Use a cassette with Cassette Memory.

Insert a Memory Stick.

Reinsert the Memory Stick.

Corrective Actions/

References

cSee page 131.

cCharge the battery (p. 16).

cSee page 131.

– Z Re-attach the power source.

% Z Moisture condensation. Eject the cassette.

Z Reinsert the cassette.

Q Z The tape is locked - check the tab.

cSee page 134.

cSee page 134.

cSee page 23.

cCheck if the cassette is damaged, etc.

cSee page 127.

–

cSee page 127.

cSee page 24.

cReinsert the “Memory Stick Duo” a few times. If even then the indicator flashes, the “Memory Stick Duo” might be damaged. Try with another


– Do not eject the Memory Stick during writing.

This is a read-only Memory Stick.

Incompatible type of Memory Stick.

cInsert a writable “Memory Stick

Duo.” cThe type of “Memory Stick Duo” incompatible with your camcorder is

inserted (p. 128).

This Memory Stick is not formatted correctly.

cCheck the format, then format the

“Memory Stick Duo” as necessary

(p. 73).

Cannot record. The Memory Stick is full.

cDelete unnecessary images (p. 107).

The Memory Stick is locked - check the tab.

cSee page 128.

Cannot playback. Reinsert the Memory Stick.

–

Cannot record. Reinsert the Memory Stick.

No file.

NO FILE AVAILABLE.

–

• No file is recorded or there is no readable file on the “Memory Stick

Duo.”

• There is no file in the selected folder.

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continued

Troubleshooting

123

Subjects

“Memory Stick

Duo”

PictBridge compliant printer

FLASH

Others

Indications

USB streaming... This function is not available.

Memory Stick folders are full.


References

• You tried to play back or record on a

“Memory Stick Duo” during USB

Streaming.

• You cannot create folders exceeding

999MSDCF.

cYou cannot delete the created folders using your camcorder. You will have to format the “Memory

Stick Duo” (p. 73), or delete them

using your computer.

– Cannot record still images on Memory Stick.

Check the connected device.

Connect the camcorder to a PictBridge Compatible printer.

Check the printer.

cSwitch off the printer and switch it on again, then disconnect the USB cable and reconnect it.


cCheck the printer.

Error-Cancel the task.

Cannot print. Check the printer.

Charging… Cannot record still images.

Cannot record due to copyright protection.

cCheck the printer.


• You are trying to record a still image while charging the flash (optional).

–

Cannot add audio. Disconnect the i.LINK cable.

Not recorded in SP mode. Cannot add audio.

Not recorded in 12-bit audio. Cannot add audio.

Cannot add audio on the blank portion of a tape.

cSee page 105.

cSee page 105.

cSee page 105.

cSee page 105.

Cassette Memory is full.

cSee page 83.

Cannot record 44.1 kHz audio on a Memory Stick.

–

Already added to CAMERA-TAPE mode’s P-

MENU.

–

Already added to CAMERA-MEM mode’s P-

MENU.

–

Already added to PLAY/EDIT mode’s P-MENU.

– x Dirty video head. Use a cleaning cassette.

cSee page 134.

Cannot start Easy Handycam –

Cannot cancel Easy Handycam –

Cannot start Easy Handycam with USB connected –

Cannot cancel Easy Handycam with USB connected –

124

Troubleshooting

Subjects

Others

Indications

Invalid button with Easy Handycam operation


References

–

USB is invalid in this mode during Easy Handycam • You can select [STD-USB] in

PLAY/EDIT mode during Easy

Handycam operation, but you cannot select [PictBridge] or [USB

STREAM]. (The message disappears when you touch .)

HDV recorded tape. Cannot playback.

HDV recorded tape. Cannot add audio.

Cover is not open.

cYour camcorder cannot play back this format. Play back the tape with equipment that recorded it.

cYour camcorder cannot play back this format. Add audio with equipment that recorded it. cOpen the lens cover.

Disconnect one AV cable.

cDisconnect one of the A/V connecting cables from either your camcorder or the Handycam Station.

• When the A/V connecting cable is connected only to your camcorder, your camcorder is not attached to the

Handycam Station correctly.

cAttach the Handycam Station correctly.

Troubleshooting

125

Additional Information

Using your camcorder abroad

Power supply

You can use your camcorder in any countries/ regions using the AC Adaptor supplied with your camcorder within AC 100 V to 240 V,

50/60 Hz.

Use a commercially available AC plug adaptor [a], if necessary, depending on the design of the wall outlet [b].

Simple setting of clock by time difference

You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference when using your camcorder abroad. Select [WORLD TIME] in the (TIME/LANGU.) menu, then set the

time difference (p. 89).

AC-L25A/L25B [a]

[b]

On TV color systems

Your camcorder is an NTSC system-based camcorder. If you want to view the playback picture on a TV, it must be an NTSC systembased TV (see following list) with the AUDIO/

VIDEO input jack.

System

NTSC

PAL

PAL - M

PAL - N

SECAM

Used in

Bahama Islands, Bolivia, Canada,

Central America, Chile, Colombia,

Ecuador, Guyana, Jamaica, Japan,

Korea, Mexico, Peru, Surinam,

Taiwan, the Philippines, the

U.S.A., Venezuela, etc.

Australia, Austria, Belgium,

China, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Finland, Germany, Holland, Hong

Kong, Hungary, Italy, Kuwait,

Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway,

Poland, Portugal, Singapore,

Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland, Thailand, United

Kingdom, etc.

Brazil

Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

Bulgaria, France, Guiana, Iran,

Iraq, Monaco, Russia, Ukraine, etc.

126

Additional Information

Usable cassette tapes

You can use the mini DV format cassette only. Use a cassette with the mark.

is a trademark.

Cassette Memory

There are 2 types of mini DV cassettes: those with Cassette Memory and those without

Cassette Memory. Cassettes with Cassette

Memory have the (Cassette Memory) mark. A cassette with Cassette Memory is recommended for use on your camcorder.

is a trademark.

IC memory is mounted on this type of cassette.

Your camcorder can read and write data such as dates of recording or titles from/to this memory.

The functions using the Cassette Memory require successive signals recorded on the tape.

If the tape has a blank section at the beginning or between recorded sections, titles may not be displayed properly or the search functions may not work properly.

To prevent a blank section from being made on the tape

Touch to go to the end of the recorded section before you begin the next recording in the following cases:

– You have ejected the cassette during recording.

– You have played back the tape.

– You have used EDIT SEARCH.

If there is a blank section or discontinuous signals on your tape, re-record from the beginning to the end of the tape as described above.

b

Note

• The Cassette Memory may not function correctly when you record using a digital video camera recorder that does not support Cassette Memory, on a tape already recorded on using a Cassette Memorycompatible digital video camera recorder. z

Tip

• The memory capacity of the cassette marked with

is 4k bits. Your camcorder can accommodate cassettes having a memory capacity of up to 16k bits.

Copyright signal

When you play back

If the cassette you play back on your camcorder contains copyright signals, you cannot copy it to a tape in another video camera connected to your camcorder.

When you record

You cannot record software on your camcorder that contains copyright control signals for copyright protection of software.

[Cannot record due to copyright protection.] appears on the LCD screen, or on the TV screen if you try to record such software.

Your camcorder does not record copyright control signals on the tape when it records.

Notes on use

To prevent accidental erasure

Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to set to SAVE.

REC: The cassette can be recorded.

SAVE: The cassette cannot be recorded (writeprotected).

,

continued


127

When labeling the cassette

Be sure to place the label only on the locations as shown in the following illustration so as not to cause malfunction of your camcorder.

Do not put a label along this border.

Labeling position

After using the cassette

Rewind the tape to the beginning to avoid distortion of the picture or the sound. The cassette should then be put in its case, and stored in an upright position.

When the Cassette Memory function does not work

Re-insert the cassette. Cassette Memory may not work when the gold-plated connector is dirty or dusty.

When cleaning the gold-plated connector

Generally, clean the gold-plated connector on a cassette with a cotton-wool swab after every 10 times it has been ejected.

If the gold-plated connector on the cassette is dirty or dusty, the remaining tape indicator may not be indicated correctly, and you may not be able to operate functions using Cassette

Memory.

Gold-plated connector

About the “Memory

Stick”

The “Memory Stick” is a new light and small recording media which, despite its size, can store more data than a floppy disk.

You can use following types of “Memory

Stick” on your camcorder. However, appearance on the list does not guarantee the operation of all types of “Memory Stick Duo” on your camcorder.

Types of “Memory Stick” Recording/

Playback

“Memory Stick”

“Memory Stick Duo”

*1

– a

“MagicGate Memory Stick”


(MagicGate/Parallel Transfer)

*1

– a

*2*3 a

*3

“MagicGate Memory Stick

Duo”

*1

“Memory Stick PRO”

“Memory Stick PRO Duo”

*1

– a

*2*3

*1 The “Memory Stick Duo” is about half the size of a standard “Memory Stick.”

*2 The types of “Memory Stick” that support high speed data transfer. The speed of data transfer varies depending on the device to be used.

*3 “MagicGate” is a copyright protection technology that records and transfers the contents in an encrypted format. Note that data that uses

“MagicGate” technology cannot be recorded or played on your camcorder.

• Still image format: Your camcorder compresses and records image data in the

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format. The file extension is “.JPG.”

• Movie format: Your camcorder compresses and records picture data in the MPEG

(Moving Picture Experts Group) format. The file extension is “.MPG.”

• File names of still images:

– 101-0001: This file name appears on the screen of your camcorder.

– DSC00001.JPG: This file name appears on the display of a computer.

128


• File names of movies:

– MOV00001: This file name appears on the screen of your camcorder.

– MOV00001.MPG: This file name appears on the display of a computer.

• On a “Memory Stick Duo” formatted on a computer: A “Memory Stick Duo” formatted by the Windows OS or using Macintosh computers does not have guaranteed compatibility with your camcorder.

• Data read/write speed may vary depending on the combination of the “Memory Stick” and

“Memory Stick” compliant product you use.

To prevent accidental erasure of images

Slide the write-protect tab

*

on the “Memory

Stick Duo” with a small tapered object, to the write-protect position.

The position or the shape of the write-protect tab may differ depending on the “Memory Stick

Duo” you use.

* The “Memory Stick Duo” supplied with your camcorder is not equipped with the write-protect tab.

When using the supplied “Memory Stick Duo,” be careful not to edit or delete data by mistake.

Back of the “Memory Stick Duo”

Terminal

Write-protect tab *

Memo area

Notes on use

Image data may be damaged in the following cases. Compensation for damaged image data will not be made.

– If you eject the “Memory Stick Duo,” turn the power off on your camcorder, or remove the battery pack for replacement while your camcorder is reading or writing image files on the “Memory Stick Duo” (while the access lamp is lit or flashing).

– If you use the “Memory Stick Duo” near magnets or magnetic fields.

It is recommended you take a back-up of important data on the hard disk of a computer.

On handling

Keep the following notes in mind when handling a “Memory Stick Duo.”

• Be careful not to apply excessive force when writing on a memo area on a “Memory Stick

Duo.”

• Do not attach a label or the like on a “Memory

Stick Duo” or a Memory Stick Duo adaptor.

• When you carry or store a “Memory Stick

Duo,” put it in its case.

• Do not touch, or allow metallic objects to come into contact with the terminal.

• Do not bend, drop or apply strong force to the


• Do not disassemble or modify the “Memory

Stick Duo.”

• Do not let the “Memory Stick Duo” get wet.

• Be careful to keep “Memory Stick Duo” media out of the reach of small children. There is danger that a child might swallow it.

• Do not insert any objects other than a compliant “Memory Stick Duo” into the

“Memory Stick Duo” slot. It may cause a malfunction.

On location for use

Do not use or keep the “Memory Stick Duo” in the following locations.

– Places subject to extremely high temperature, such as a car parked outside in the summer.

– Places under direct sunlight.

– Places with extremely high humidity or subject to corrosive gases.

Notes on using a Memory Stick Duo adaptor (supplied)

• When using a “Memory Stick Duo” with a

“Memory Stick” compliant device, be sure to insert a “Memory Stick Duo” into a Memory

Stick Duo adaptor.

• When inserting a “Memory Stick Duo” into a

Memory Stick Duo adaptor, make sure the

“Memory Stick Duo” is inserted facing in the correct direction, then insert it all the way in.

Note that improper use may damage the device.

• Do not insert a Memory Stick Duo adaptor without a “Memory Stick Duo” attached.

Doing so may result in malfunctions of the unit.

,

continued


129

Notes on using the “Memory Stick PRO

Duo” and “Memory Stick Duo”

(MagicGate/Parallel Transfer)

• The maximum memory capacity of a

“Memory Stick PRO Duo” that can be used on your camcorder is up to 512 MB, and that of a

“Memory Stick Duo” (MagicGate/Parallel

Transfer) is up to 128 MB.

• This unit does not support high speed data transfer.

Notes on image data compatibility

• Image data files recorded on a “Memory Stick

Duo” by your camcorder conform to the

Design Rule for Camera File Systems universal standard established by the JEITA

(Japan Electronics and Information

Technology Industries Association).

• On your camcorder, you cannot play back still images recorded on other device (DCR-

TRV890E/TRV900/TRV900E or DSC-D700/

D770) that does not conform to the universal standard. (These models are not sold in some regions.)

• If you cannot use a “Memory Stick Duo” that has been used with other device, format it with

your camcorder (p. 73). Note that formatting

erases all information on the “Memory Stick

Duo.”

• You may not be able to play back images with your camcorder:

– When playing back image data modified on your computer.

– When playing back image data recorded with other device.

• “Memory Stick Duo” and “ are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

• “Memory Stick PRO Duo” and

“

Sony Corporation.

” are trademarks of

• “MagicGate Memory Stick Duo” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

• “Memory Stick,” and “MagicGate

Memory Stick” are trademarks of Sony

Corporation.

• “Memory Stick PRO” and “ are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

• “MagicGate” and “ ” are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

”

”

130


• All other product names mentioned herein may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Furthermore, “™” and “®” are not mentioned in each case in this manual.

About the

“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack

This unit is compatible with the

“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (F series). Your camcorder operates only with the

“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.

“InfoLITHIUM” F series battery packs have the

mark.

What is the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack?

The “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack is a lithiumion battery pack that has functions for communicating information related to operating conditions between your camcorder and an optional AC Adaptor/charger.

The “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack calculates the power consumption according to the operating conditions of your camcorder, and displays the remaining battery time in minutes.

To charge the battery pack

• Be sure to charge the battery pack before you start using your camcorder.

• We recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of between 10°C to

30°C (50°F to 86°F) until the CHARGE lamp turns off. If you charge the battery pack outside of this temperature range, you may not be able to charge it efficiently.

• After charging is complete, disconnect the cable from the DC IN jack on your camcorder, remove your camcorder from the Handycam

Station or remove the battery pack.

To use the battery pack effectively

• Battery pack performance decreases when the surrounding temperature is 10°C (50°F) or below, and the length of time you can use the battery pack becomes shorter. In that case, do one of the following to use the battery pack for a longer time.

– Put the battery pack in a pocket to warm it up, and insert it in your camcorder right before you start taking shots.

– Use a large capacity battery pack: NP-

FF70/FF71 (optional).

• Frequent use of the LCD screen or a frequent playback, fast forward or rewind operation wears out the battery pack faster. We recommend using a large capacity battery pack: NP-FF70/FF71 (optional).

• Be sure to set the POWER switch to OFF

(CHG) when not recording or playing back on your camcorder. The battery pack is also consumed when your camcorder is in recording standby or playback pause.

• Have spare battery packs ready for two or three times the expected recording time, and make trial recordings before making the actual recording.

• Do not expose the battery pack to water. The battery pack is not water resistant.

About remaining battery time indicator

• When the power goes off even though the remaining battery time indicator indicates that the battery pack has enough power to operate, charge the battery pack fully again. The indication on the remaining battery time will be indicated correctly. Note, however, that the battery indication will not be restored if it is used in high temperatures for a long time, or if left in a fully charged state, or when the battery pack is frequently used.

Use the remaining battery time indication as a guide to the approximate shooting time.

• The

E

mark that indicates low battery flashes even if there are still 5 to 10 minutes of battery time remaining, depending on the operating conditions or ambient temperature and environment.

About storage of the battery pack

• If the battery pack is not used for a long time, fully charge the battery pack and use it on your camcorder once a year to maintain the proper function.

To store the battery pack, remove it from your camcorder and put it in a dry, cool place.

• To discharge the battery pack on your camcorder completely, set [A.SHUT OFF] to

[NEVER] on the (STANDARD SET) menu and leave your camcorder in tape recording standby until the power goes off

(p. 88).

,

continued


131

About battery life

• The battery life is limited. Battery capacity drops little by little as you use it more and more, and as time passes. When the available battery time is shortened considerably, a probable cause is that the battery pack has reached the end of its life. Please buy a new battery pack.

• The battery life varies depending on how it is stored and the operating conditions and environment for each battery pack.

“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony

Corporation.

About i.LINK

The DV Interface on this unit is an i.LINKcompliant DV Interface. This section describes the i.LINK standard and its features.

What is i.LINK?

i.LINK is a digital serial interface for transferring digital video, digital audio, and other data to other i.LINK-compatible device.

You can also control other device using the i.LINK.

i.LINK-compatible device can be connected using an i.LINK cable. Possible applications are operations and data transactions with various digital AV devices.

When two or more i.LINK-compatible device are connected to this unit in a daisy chain, operations and data transactions are possible with not only the device that this unit is connected to but also with other devices via the directly connected device.

Note, however, that the method of operation sometimes varies according to the characteristics and specifications of the device to be connected. Also, operations and data transactions may not be possible on some connected device.

b

Note

• Normally, only one device can be connected to this unit with the i.LINK cable. When connecting this unit to i.LINK-compatible device having two or more DV Interfaces, refer to the operating instructions of the device to be connected.

z

Tips

• i.LINK is a more familiar term for the IEEE 1394 data transport bus proposed by Sony, and is a trademark approved by many corporations.

• IEEE 1394 is an international standard standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics

Engineers.

About i.LINK Baud rate

i.LINK’s maximum baud rate varies according to the device. There are three types.

S100 (approx. 100Mbps*)

S200 (approx. 200Mbps)

S400 (approx. 400Mbps)

The baud rate is listed under “Specifications” in the operating instructions of each piece of

132


device. It is also indicated near the i.LINK interface on some device.

The maximum baud rate for device that does not have any indication (such as this unit) is

“S100.”

The baud rate may differ from the indicated value when the unit is connected to device with a different maximum baud rate.

* What is Mbps?

Mbps stands for “megabits per second,” or the amount of data that can be sent or received in one second. For example, a baud rate of 100 Mbps means that 100 megabits of data can be sent in one second.

To use i.LINK functions on this unit

For details on how to dub when this unit is connected to other video device having a DV

Interface, see page 93, 94.

This unit can also be connected to other i.LINK

(DV Interface) compatible device made by

Sony (e.g. a VAIO series personal computer) as well as to video device.

Before connecting this unit to your computer, make sure that application software supported by this unit is already installed on your computer.

Some i.LINK compatible video device such as

Digital Televisions, DVD recorders/players, and MICROMV recorders/players are not compatible with DV device. Before connecting to other device, be sure to confirm whether the device is compatible with DV device or not.

For details on precautions and compatible application software, refer also to the operating instructions for the device to be connected.

About the required i.LINK cable

Use the Sony i.LINK 4-pin-to-4-pin cable

(during DV dubbing).

i.LINK and are trademarks of Sony

Corporation.

Maintenance and precautions

On use and care

• Do not use or store the camcorder and accessories in the following locations.

– Anywhere extremely hot or cold. Never leave them exposed to temperatures above

60°C (140°F), such as under direct sunlight, near heaters or in a car parked in the sun.

They may malfunction or become deformed.

– Near strong magnetic fields or mechanical vibration. The camcorder may malfunction.

– Near strong radio waves or radiation. The camcorder may not be able to record properly.

– Near AM receivers and video equipment.

Noise may occur.

– Sandy beach or anywhere dusty. If sand or dust gets in your camcorder, it may malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired.

– Near windows or outdoors, where the LCD screen, the viewfinder, or the lens may be exposed to direct sunlight. This damages the inside of the viewfinder or the LCD screen.

– Anywhere very humid.

• Operate your camcorder on DC 7.2 V (battery pack) or DC 8.4 V (AC Adaptor).

• For DC or AC operation, use the accessories recommended in these operating instructions.

• Do not let your camcorder get wet, for example, from rain or sea water. If your camcorder gets wet, it may malfunction.

Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired.

• If any solid object or liquid get inside the casing, unplug your camcorder and have it checked by a Sony dealer before operating it any further.

• Avoid rough handling, disassembling, modifying, or mechanical shock. Be particularly careful of the lens.

• Keep the POWER switch setting to OFF

(CHG) when you are not using your camcorder.

,

continued


133

• Do not wrap your camcorder with a towel, for example, and operate it. Doing so might cause heat to build up inside.

• When disconnecting the power cord, pull by the plug and not the cord.

• Do not damage the power cord such as by placing anything heavy on it.

• Keep metal contacts clean.

• Keep the Remote Commander and buttontype battery out of children’s reach. If the battery is accidentally swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.

• If the battery electrolytic liquid has leaked,

– consult your local authorized Sony service facility.

– wash off any liquid that may have contacted your skin.

– if any liquid gets in your eyes, wash with plenty of water and consult a doctor.

When not using your camcorder for a long time

Occasionally turn it on and let it run such as by playing back tapes for about 3 minutes.

Otherwise, unplug it from the wall outlet.

Moisture condensation

If your camcorder is brought directly from a cold place to a warm place, moisture may condense inside your camcorder, on the surface of the tape, or on the lens. In this state, the tape may stick to the head drum and be damaged or your camcorder may not operate correctly. If there is moisture inside your camcorder, [

%

Z

Moisture condensation. Eject the cassette] or [

%

Moisture condensation. Turn off for 1H.] appears. The indicator will not appear when the moisture condenses on the lens.

If moisture condensation has occurred

None of the functions except cassette ejection will work. Eject the cassette, turn off your camcorder, and leave it for about one hour with the cassette lid open. Your camcorder can be used again if

%

or Z does not appear when the power is turned on again.

If moisture starts to condense, your camcorder sometimes cannot detect condensation. If this happens, the cassette is sometimes not ejected for 10 seconds after the cassette lid is opened.

This is not a malfunction. Do not close the cassette lid until the cassette is ejected.

Note on moisture condensation

Moisture may condense when you bring your camcorder from a cold place into a warm place

(or vice versa) or when you use your camcorder in a humid place as shown below.

• When you bring your camcorder from a ski slope into a place warmed up by a heating device.

• When you bring your camcorder from an airconditioned car or room into a hot place outside.

• When you use your camcorder after a squall or a shower.

• When you use your camcorder in a hot and humid place.

How to prevent moisture condensation

When you bring your camcorder from a cold place into a warm place, put your camcorder in a plastic bag and seal it tightly. Remove the bag when the air temperature inside the plastic bag has reached the surrounding temperature (after about one hour).

Video head

• When the video head becomes dirty, you cannot record pictures normally, or distorted picture or sound is played back.

• If the following problem occurs, clean the video heads for 10 seconds with the Sony

DVM-12CLD cleaning cassette (optional).

– Mosaic-pattern noise appears on the playback picture or the screen is displayed in blue.

– Playback pictures do not move.

– Playback pictures do not appear or the sound breaks off.

– [ x

Dirty video head. Use a cleaning cassette.] appears on the screen during recording.

• The video head suffers from wear after long use. If you cannot obtain a clear image even after using a cleaning cassette, it might be because the video head is worn. Please contact

134


your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility to have the video head replaced.

LCD screen

• Do not add excessive pressure on the LCD screen, as it may cause damage.

• If your camcorder is used in a cold place, a residual image may appear on the LCD screen.

This is not a malfunction.

• While using your camcorder, the back of the

LCD screen may heat up. This is not a malfunction.

To clean the LCD screen

• If fingerprints or dust make the LCD screen dirty, it is recommended you use the cleaning cloth (supplied) to clean it. When you use the

LCD Cleaning Kit (optional), do not apply the cleaning liquid directly to the LCD screen.

Use cleaning paper moistened with the liquid.

On adjustment of the LCD screen

(CALIBRATION)

The buttons on the touch panel may not work correctly. If this happens, follow the procedure below. It is recommended you connect your camcorder to the wall outlet using the supplied

AC Adaptor during the operation.

1

Slide the POWER switch up to OFF

(CHG).

2

Remove your camcorder from the

Handycam Station, and disconnect cables other than that of the AC Adaptor from your camcorder, then eject the cassette and “Memory Stick Duo” from your camcorder.

3

Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the PLAY/EDIT mode while pressing DISPLAY/BATT INFO on your camcorder, then press and hold

DISPLAY/BATT INFO for about 5 seconds.

4

Touch the “×” displayed on the screen with the corner of the supplied “Memory

Stick Duo.”

The position of the “×” changes.

If you did not press the right spot, start from step 4 again.

b

Note

• You cannot calibrate the LCD screen if you have rotated the LCD panel and set it with the LCD screen facing out.

On handling the casing

• If the casing is soiled, clean the camcorder body with a soft cloth lightly moistened with water, and then wipe the casing with a dry soft cloth.

• Avoid the following to avoid damage to the finish.

– Using chemicals such as thinner, benzine, alcohol, chemical cloths, repellent and insecticide.

– Handling with above substances on your hands.

– Leaving the casing in contact with rubber or vinyl objects for a long period of time.

About care and storage of the lens

• Wipe the surface of the lens clean with a soft cloth in the following instances:

– When there are fingerprints on the lens surface.

– In hot or humid locations

– When the lens is exposed to salty air such as at the seaside.

• Store in a well-ventilated location subject to little dirt or dust.

• To prevent molds periodically clean the lens as described above.

It is recommended you operate your camcorder about once a month to keep it in an optimum state for a long time.

,

continued


135

To charge the pre-installed button-type battery

Your camcorder has a pre-installed button-type battery to retain the date, time, and other settings even when the POWER switch is set to

OFF (CHG). The pre-installed button-type battery is always charged while you are using your camcorder but it will get discharged gradually if you do not use your camcorder. The button-type battery will be fully discharged in about 3 months if you do not use your camcorder at all. However, even if the preinstalled button-type battery is not charged, the camcorder operation will not be affected as long as you are not recording the date.

Procedures

Connect your camcorder to a wall outlet using the supplied AC Adaptor or Handycam Station, and leave it with the POWER switch set to OFF

(CHG) for more than 24 hours.

Removing dust from inside the viewfinder

2

1

2

3

1

Remove the eyecup.

1 Pull out the viewfinder.

2 Remove the screw on each side of the eyecup and viewfinder using a screwdriver.

3 Remove the eyecup.

2

Remove dust from inside the eyecup and viewfinder with a blower.

3

Reverse steps 2 and 3 to re-attach the

eyecup and replace the screws.

b

Note

• Do not drop or bend the eyecup shaft. Be careful when handling the eyecup.

Specification

Video camera recorder

System

Video recording system

2 rotary heads, Helical scanning system

Still image recording system

Exif Ver. 2.2 *1

*1 “Exif” is a file format for still images, established by the JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries

Association). Files in this format can have additional information such as your camcorder’s setting information at the time of recording.

Audio recording system

Rotary heads, PCM system

Quantization: 12 bits (Fs 32 kHz, stereo 1, stereo 2), 16 bits (Fs 48 kHz, stereo)

Video signal

NTSC color, EIA standards

Usable cassette

Mini DV cassette with the printed

Tape speed

mark

SP: Approx. 18.81 mm/s

LP: Approx. 12.56 mm/s

Recording/playback time (using a DVM60 cassette)

SP: 60 min

LP: 90 min

Fast forward/rewind time (using a DVM60 cassette)

Approx. 2 min 40 s

Viewfinder

Electric viewfinder (color)

Image device

For DCR-PC109:

3.6 mm (1/5 type) CCD (Charge Coupled

Device)

Gross: Approx. 1 070 000 pixels

Effective (still): Approx. 1 000 000 pixels

Effective (movie): Approx. 690 000 pixels

For DCR-PC108:

3.0 mm (1/6 type) CCD (Charge Coupled

Device)

Gross: Approx. 680 000 pixels

136


Effective (still): Approx. 340 000 pixels

Effective (movie): Approx. 340 000 pixels

Lens

Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar

Combined power zoom lens

Filter diameter: 25 mm (1 1/2 in.)

10 × (Optical), 120 × (Digital)

For DCR-PC109:

F = 1.8 ~ 2.3

For DCR-PC108:

F = 1.7 ~ 2.3

Focal length

For DCR-PC109:

3.2 - 32 mm (5/32 - 1 5/16 in.)

When converted to a 35 mm still camera

In CAMERA-TAPE:

46 - 460 mm (1 13/16 - 18 1/8 in.)

In CAMERA-MEM:

38 - 380 mm (1 1/2 - 15 in.)

For DCR-PC108:

2.3 - 23 mm (3/32 - 29/32 in.)

When converted to a 35 mm still camera

In CAMERA-TAPE:

43 - 430 mm (1 3/4 - 17 in.)

In CAMERA-MEM:

43 - 430 mm (1 3/4 - 17 in.)

Color temperature

[AUTO], [ONE PUSH], [INDOOR] (3 200

K), [OUTDOOR] (5 800 K)

Minimum illumination

For DCR-PC109:

7 1x (lux) (F 1.8)

0 lx (lux) (during NightShot plus function)*

For DCR-PC108:

5 1x (lux) (F 1.7)

0 lx (lux) (during NightShot plus function)*

* Objects unable to be seen due to the dark can be shot with infrared lighting.

Input/Output connectors

Audio/Video input/output

AV MINIJACK

Video signal: 1 Vp-p, 75

Ω (ohms), unbalanced, sync negative

Audio signal: 327 mV (at output impedance more than 47 k

Ω (kilohms)), Input impedance more than 47 k

Ω (kilohms), Output impedance with less than 2.2 k

Ω (kilohms)

LANC jack

Stereo mini-minijack (Ø 2.5 mm)

MIC jack

Minijack, 0.388 mV low impedance with DC

2.5 to 3.0 V, output impedance 6.8 k

Ω

(kilohms) (Ø 3.5 mm), Stereo type

LCD screen

Picture

6.2 cm (2.5 type)

Total dot number

123 200 (560 × 220)

General

Power requirements

DC 7.2 V (battery pack)

DC 8.4 V (AC Adaptor)

Average power consumption (when using the battery pack)

For DCR-PC109:

During camera recording using the viewfinder

2.9 W

During camera recording using the LCD

3.2 W

For DCR-PC108:

During camera recording using the viewfinder

2.3 W

During camera recording using the LCD

2.6 W

Operating temperature

0

°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)

Storage temperature

-20

°C to + 60°C (-4°F to + 140°F)

Dimensions (approx.)

For DCR-PC109:

50 × 98 × 97 mm (2 × 3 7/8 × 3 7/8 in.)

(w/h/d)

FOR DCR-PC108:

50 × 95 × 97 mm (2 × 3 3/4 × 3 7/8 in.)

(w/h/d)

Mass (approx.)

For DCR-PC109:

385 g (13 oz) main unit only

450 g (15 oz) including the NP-FF51 rechargeable battery pack and DVM60 cassette.

For DCR-PC108:

380 g (13 oz) main unit only

445 g (15 oz) including the NP-FF51 rechargeable battery pack and DVM60 cassette.

Supplied accessories

See page 15.

,

continued


137

Handycam Station DCRA-C111

S video input/output

Luminance signal: 1 Vp-p, 75

Ω (ohms), unbalanced

Chrominance signal: 0.286 Vp-p, 75

Ω

(ohms), unbalanced

4-pin mini DIN

Audio/Video input/output

AV MINIJACK

Input/output auto switch

Video signal: 1 Vp-p, 75 Ω (ohms), unbalanced, sync negative

Audio signal: 327 mV, (at output impedance more than 47 k

Ω (kilohms))

Input impedance more than 47 k

Ω (kilohms)

Output impedance with less than 2.2 k

Ω

(kilohms)

USB jack

mini-B

DV input/output

4-pin connector

AC Adaptor AC-L25A/L25B

Power requirements

AC 100 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz

Current consumption

0.35 - 0.18 A

Power consumption

18 W

Output voltage

DC 8.4 V, 1.5 A


0

°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)

Storage temperature

-20

°C to + 60°C (-4°F to + 140°F)


56 × 31 × 100 mm (2 1/4 × 1 1/4 × 4 in.)

(w/h/d) excluding the projecting parts

Mass (approx.)

190 g (6.7 oz) excluding the power cord

Rechargeable battery pack (NP-FF51)

Maximum output voltage

DC 8.4 V

Output voltage

DC 7.2 V

Capacity

5.6 Wh (780 mAh)


40.8 × 12.5 × 49.1 mm

(1 5/8 × 1/2 × 1 15/16 in.) (w/h/d)

Mass (approx.)

45 g (1.6 oz)

138



0

°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)

Type

Lithium ion

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Quick Reference

Identifying parts and controls

Camcorder

1

2

3

4

A LCD/Touch panel screen (p. 4, 21)

B LCD BACKLIGHT button* (p. 21)

C REC START/STOP button (p. 27, 51)

D BATT

(battery release) lever (p. 16)

E Eyecup

F Viewfinder (p. 4, 21)

5

6

3

7

8

9 q; qa qs

G Access lamp (p. 24, 129)

H POWER switch (p. 20)

I “Memory Stick Duo” slot (p. 24)

J CAMERA-TAPE, CAMERA-MEM,

PLAY/EDIT mode lamps (p. 20)

K BACK LIGHT button* (p. 38)

L CHARGE lamp (p. 16)

* These buttons are not available during Easy

Handycam operation. (zmark)

,

continued

Quick Reference

139

4

5

1

2

3

A Lens (Carl Zeiss Lens)/Lens cover

Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl

Zeiss lens which can reproduce fine images.

The lens for your camcorder was developed jointly by Carl Zeiss, in Germany, and Sony

Corporation. It adopts the MTF measurement system for video cameras and offers a quality as fine as a Carl Zeiss lens.

MTF stands for Modulation Transfer

Function. The value number indicates the amount of light from a subject coming into the lens.

B Camera recording lamp (p. 27)

C Remote sensor

D Microphone (p. 105)

6

7

8

9 q;

E For DCR-PC109:

Intelligent accessory shoe

(p. 105)

For DCR-PC108:

Accessory shoe

The Intelligent accessory shoe for DCR-

PC109 and the accessory shoe for DCR-

PC108 have a safety device for fixing the installed accessory securely. To connect an accessory, press down and push it to the end, and then tighten the screw. To remove an accessory, loosen the screw, and then press down and pull out the accessory.

z

Tips on the Intelligent accessory shoe

• The Intelligent accessory shoe supplies power to optional accessories such as a video light, a flash or microphone.

• The accessory can be turned on or off as you operate the POWER switch on your camcorder. Refer to the operating instructions of the accessory for details.

F Battery pack/Battery terminal cover

(p. 16)

G EASY button (p. 35, 55)

H DC IN jack (p. 16)

I DC IN jack cover

J DISPLAY/BATT INFO button (p. 17)

140

Quick Reference

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 q; qa qs

A MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack (red)

(p. 105)

This jack works as an input jack for an external microphone as well as a powersupply jack for a plug-in-power microphone. When the external microphone is connected, it takes precedence.

B Jack cover

C

(LANC) jack (blue)

The LANC control jack is used for controlling the tape transport of video device and peripherals connected to it.

D A/V (audio/video) jack (p. 60, 93, 105)

E Belt lock release lever (p. 142)

F Speaker

G PHOTO button (p. 32)

H NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch (p. 40)

I Power zoom lever

J Infrared ray emitter (p. 100)

K LENS COVER switch (p. 27, 32)

L RESET button

If you press RESET, all the settings including the date and time, except the

Personal Menu items, return to the default.

,

continued

Quick Reference

141

1 2

3

4

5

A Viewfinder lens adjustment lever (p. 21)

B Cassette lid (p. 23)

C Strap Belt (p. 4)

D OPEN/ZEJECT lever (p. 23)

6

E Interface connector

F Tripod receptacle

Make sure that the length of the tripod screw is less than 5.5 mm (7/32 inch).

Otherwise, you cannot attach the tripod securely, and the screw may damage your camcorder.

Using the Strap Belt as a wrist strap

This is useful for carrying your camcorder.

1

Slide and hold the belt lock release lever

in the direction of the arrow 1, then

move the Strap Belt attachment in the

direction of the arrow 2.

2

Detach the Strap Belt attachment from your camcorder.

Belt lock release lever

3

Use the Strap Belt as a wrist strap as illustrated.

142

Quick Reference

To attach the Strap Belt

Insert the Strap Belt attachment to your camcorder and move it in the direction of the arrow until it clicks and is locked.

Handycam Station

1 b

Note

• The Strap Belt may detach accidentally if not attached properly.

z

Tip

• The length of the Strap Belt is adjustable. (p. 4)

2

A Interface connector

B

(USB) ON/OFF switch

Set the (USB) ON/OFF switch to ON to use the USB connection.

C A/V jack (p. 60, 93)

D S VIDEO jack

E DC IN jack (p. 16)

F

DV Interface jack (p. 93)

G

(USB) jack

3

4

5

6

7

,

continued

Quick Reference

143

Remote Commander

Remove the insulation sheet before using the

Remote Commander.

To remove the insulation sheet

Insulation sheet

To change the battery

1

While pressing on the tab, inset your fingernail into the slit to pull out the battery case.

Tab

A PHOTO button (p. 32)

B Memory control buttons (Index*, –/+,

Memory playback) (p. 53)

C SEARCH M. button* (p. 61, 62)

D ./> buttons* (p. 61, 62)

E Video control buttons (Rewind,

Playback, Fast-forward, Pause, Stop,

Slow) (p. 51)

F ZERO SET MEMORY button* (p. 61)

G Transmitter

After turning on your camcorder, point towards the remote sensor to control your camcorder.

H REC START/STOP button (p. 31)

I Power zoom button (p. 29)

J DISPLAY button (p. 61)

* These buttons are not available during Easy

Handycam operation.

2

Remove the button-type lithium battery.

3

Place a new button-type lithium battery with the + side facing up.

4

Insert the battery case back into the

Remote Commander until it clicks.

144

Quick Reference

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.

Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions. b

Notes on the Remote Commander

• A button-type lithium battery (CR2025) is used in the Remote Commander. Do not use batteries other than CR2025.

• Point the remote sensor away from strong light sources such as direct sunlight or overhead lighting.

Otherwise, the Remote Commander may not function properly.

• The Remote Commander may not function properly when the remote sensor is obstructed with a conversion lens (optional).

• When you are operating with the Remote

Commander supplied with your camcorder, your

VCR may also operate. In that case, select a commander mode other than VTR 2 for your VCR, or cover the sensor of your VCR with black paper.

,

continued

Quick Reference

145

Indicators for the LCD screen and viewfinder

Following indicators will appear on the LCD screen and viewfinder to indicate the state of your camcorder. Indicators vary depending on your camcorder model.

Example: Indicators in the CAMERA-TAPE mode

Time code (p. 58)/Tape counter (p. 58)/Self-

diagnosis (p. 121)/Picture number (p. 54)

60min STBY 0:00:00

60min

P-MENU

Exposure adjustment scale

Indicators

y

60min

SP , LP

STBY REC

Meanings

Remaining battery (p. 28)

Recording mode (p. 29)

Recording standby/ recording mode

Image quality (p. 33)

(p. 33)

60min q

folder (p. 74)

Cassette Memory (p. 127)

Audio mode (p. 84)

Remaining tape (p. 28)

Continuous photo

recording (Burst) (p. 71)

Self-timer recording (p. 31,

34)

Interval recording (p. 78)

Interval still image

recording (p. 79)

Indicators

Q Z

9

.

-

n

Meanings

This indicator appears when you use video flash light (optional).

Frame recording (p. 77)

Outputting analog images and sound in digital format

(p. 86)

DV input (p. 95)

Zero set memory (p. 61)

NightShot plus (p. 40)

Super NightShot plus

(p. 40)

Color Slow Shutter (p. 40)

Warning (p. 121)

Picture effect (p. 75)

Digital effect (p. 44)

MEMORY MIX (p. 46)

Manual focus (p. 41)

PROGRAM

(p. 65)

Backlight (p. 38)

White balance (p. 66)

16:9 WIDE (p. 69)

SteadyShot off (p. 70)

Protect (p. 108)

Print mark (p. 109)

Slide show(p. 76)

LCD backlight off (p. 21)

Image delete (p. 107)

PictBridge connecting

(p. 110)

146

Quick Reference

Index

Numeric

16:9 WIDE mode ...............69

A

A/V connecting cable

.............................93, 105

AC Adaptor........................16

Accessory shoe ................140

Adjusting the viewfinder

.....................................21

Audio dubbing

(AUD DUB CTRL) ...105

AUDIO MIX ..............85, 107

AUDIO MODE ..................84

Auto shut off function

(A. SHUT OFF) ..........88

AUTO SHUTTER .............67

B

BACK LIGHT (camera) ....38

Battery

Battery Info .................17

Battery pack ................16

Remaining battery

......................28, 131

BEEP............................21, 87

BLACK FADER ................43

BURN DVD.......................80

BURN VCD .......................81

Burst (BURST) ............32, 71

Button-type battery

Camcorder .................136

Remote Commander

............................144

C

CALIBRATION ..............135

Camera Chroma key

(CAM

T M CHROMA)

.....................................46

Camera settings data display

.....................................58

Cassette ..............................23

Cassette Memory .........3, 127

Cassette Memory Search

(SEARCH)

.................. 48, 61, 62, 81

Charging the battery

Battery pack ................ 16

Pre-installed button-type battery................. 136

Clock set

(CLOCK SET) ...... 22, 89

Color Slow Shutter

(COLOR SLOW S)..... 40

Customizing Personal Menu

.................................... 90

D

Data code

(DATA CODE)..... 58, 86

Date search ........................ 62

Date/time ........................... 58

Delete

Deleting pictures ....... 107

DEMO MODE .................. 79

Digital convert function

(A/V

c DV OUT) ....... 86

Digital effect

(D.EFFECT) ......... 44, 52

Digital program editing

(PROG.EDIT) ............. 98

DIGITAL ZOOM .............. 68

Direct Access to

“Click to DVD”

See BURN DVD

Direct Access to Video CD

Burn

See BURN VCD

Display

DISPLAY ................... 88

Display indicators ..... 146

DOT FADER..................... 43

Dual sound track tape ........ 84

Dubbing (REC CTRL) ...... 95

E

Easy Handycam ........... 35, 55

EDIT SEARCH ................. 48

END SEARCH ............ 48, 81

Erase

ALL ERASE

(Cassette Memory)

.............................. 83

ALL ERASE

(still image).......... 72

Exposure bracketing

(EXP. BRKTG)

See Burst (BURST)

F

FADER ............................. 43

FILE NO. .......................... 73

Fine (FINE)

See Image quality

(QUALITY)

FLASH LEVEL ................ 68

FLASH MODE ................. 67

Flash motion (FLASH) ..... 44

FLASH SET...................... 67

Flexible spot meter

(SPOT METER)......... 38

Focus ................................. 41

Folder

See NEW FOLDER

See PB FOLDER

See REC FOLDER

FORMAT .................. 73, 128

Frame playback ................. 51

Frame recording

(FRAME REC)........... 77

Full charge ........................ 16

G

Grip belt

See Strap Belt

H

Handycam Station ........... 143

I

i.LINK ............................. 132

i.LINK cable ............... 93, 98

ID-1/ID-2 system .............. 69

Image protection ............. 108

Image quality

(QUALITY) ......... 33, 72

Image size

(IMAGE SIZE)..... 33, 72

Index screen ...................... 54

“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack

.................................. 131

Infrared ray emitter ......... 100

,

continued

Quick Reference

147

Intelligent accessory shoe

.......................... 105, 140

Interval photo recording

(INT. REC-STL)......... 79

Interval recording

(INTERVAL REC)..... 78

J

JPEG................................ 128

L

LANC .............................. 141

LANGUAGE..................... 89

Language

(LANGUAGE) ........... 25

LCD back light

(LCD BL LEVEL)...... 85

LCD BACKLIGHT button

............................ 21, 139

LCD brightness

(LCD BRIGHT).......... 21

LCD COLOR .................... 85

LCD screen.......................... 4

LCD/VF SET .................... 85

LP (Long Play)

See Recording mode

(REC MODE)

Luminance key

(LUMI. KEY) ............. 44

M

Main sound

See MULTI-SOUND

Manual exposure

(EXPOSURE) ............. 39

Manual focus ..................... 42

Memory Chroma key

(M

T CAM CHROMA)

.................................... 46

Memory Luminance key

(M

T CAM LUMI.)

.................................... 46

MEMORY MIX ................ 46

Memory Overlap

(OVERLAP) ............... 44

Memory photo ............. 32, 53


General information.. 128

Inserting ...................... 24

Number of pictures

........................29, 33

Menu

CAMERA SET ...........65

EDIT/PLAY ................80

MEMORY SET...........71

MENU ROTATE ........88

PICT. APPLI. ..............75

Selecting items ............63

STANDARD SET.......84

TIME/LANGU............89

Mirror mode.......................30

Moisture condensation

...................................134

MONOTONE ....................43

MOSAIC FADER..............43

MOVIE SET ......................72

MPEG ..............................128

MULTI-SOUND................84

N

NEW FOLDER..................73

NightShot Light

(NS LIGHT) ..........40, 68

NightShot plus ...................40

NORMAL

See Burst

NTSC ...............................126

O

OLD MOVIE .....................45

Operation confirmation beep

See BEEP

P

PAL..................................126

PB FOLDER ......................74

Personal Menu

(P-MENU)...................63

PictBridge ........................110

Picture effect

(PICT. EFFECT) .........75

Picture search.....................51

Playback (VAR.SPD PB)

Double speed...............51

Frame ..........................51

Reverse........................51

Slow ............................51

Playback Zoom

(PB ZOOM) ................57

Playing time....................... 19

Power mode....................... 20

PRINT

See PictBridge

Print mark ........................ 109

PROGRAM AE................. 65

Program edit

(PROG. EDIT)............ 80

R

REC FOLDER................... 74

Rec review......................... 49

REC START/STOP..... 27, 51

Recording capacity

Display........................ 28

REMAINING ....... 72, 87

Recording lamp

(REC LED) ................. 87

Recording mode

(REC MODE) ....... 28, 84

Recording time ............ 18, 29

Remote Commander........ 144

REMOTE CTRL......... 87

Remote sensor ................. 140

RESET............................. 141

Review......................... 27, 32

S

S video............................... 93

Self-diagnosis display ..... 121

Self-timer recording

(SELF-TIMER) .... 31, 34

Skip scan ........................... 51

SLIDE SHOW................... 76

Slow shutter

(SLOW SHUTTR)...... 45

Smooth transition

See END SEARCH

SP (Standard Play)

See Recording mode

(REC MODE)

SPOT FOCUS ................... 41

Standard (STANDARD)

See Image quality

(QUALITY)

STEADYSHOT................. 70

Stereo/monaural ................ 84

STILL ................................ 44

Still image format............ 128

STILL SET ........................ 71

148

Quick Reference

Strap Belt .....................4, 142

Sub sound

See MULTI-SOUND

Super NightShot plus .........40

T

Tape counter ......................28

Telephoto

See Zoom

Time code ..........................28

Title (Cassette Memory)

TAPE TITLE...............83

TITL ERASE ..............82

TITLE..........................81

TITLE DISP ................82

Title search.........................61

TRAIL................................44

TV color systems .............126

U

USB jack ..........................143

USB ON/OFF switch .......143

USB Streaming ..................86

USB-CAMERA...........86

USB-PLY/EDT ...........86

Using abroad ....................126

V

Video head .......................134

Viewfinder .........................21

Brightness

(VF B.LIGHT)......85

Volume (VOLUME)....50, 53

W

Warning indicators...........121

Warning messages ...........121

White balance

(WHITE BAL.) ...........66

WHITE FADER ................43

Wide angle

See Zoom

WIPE..................................43

WORLD TIME ..................89

Wrist strap....................4, 142

Write-protect tab ......127, 129

Z

Zero set memory................ 61

Zoom ........................... 29, 57

Quick Reference

149

Printed on 100% recycled paper using

VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink.

Printed in Japan

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