User manual SONY DCR-PC55E

2-548-726-12 (1) Digital Video Camera Recorder Getting Started 7 Operating Guide Recording/ 18 Playback Using the Menu Dubbing/Editing Using a Computer Troubleshooting Additional Information 34 54 64 76 96 DCR-PC53E/PC55E Printed on 100% recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink. Printed in Japan © 2005 Sony Corporation Read this first Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference. Notice If static electricity or electromagnetism causes data transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart the application or disconnect and connect the communication cable (USB, etc.) again. WARNING To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. "Memory Stick" N50 Notes on use Your camcorder is supplied with two kinds of operations guides. ­ "Operating Guide" (This manual) ­ "First Step Guide" for using the supplied software (stored on the supplied CDROM) FOR CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM NOTICE ON THE SUPPLIED AC ADAPTOR A moulded plug complying with BS1363 is fitted to this equipment for your safety and convenience. Should the fuse in the plug supplied need to be replaced, a fuse of the same rating as the supplied one and approved by ASTA or BSI to BS1362 (i.e., marked with or mark) must be used. If the plug supplied with this equipment has a detachable fuse cover, be sure to attach the fuse cover after you change the fuse. Never use the plug without the fuse cover. If you should lose the fuse cover, please contact your nearest Sony service station. On the types of recording media you can use in your camcorder · A mini DV cassette marked with (mini DV cassettes with Cassette Memory are incompatible) (p. 97). · "Memory Stick Duo" marked with , (p. 98). On using the camcorder · Do not hold the camcorder by the following parts. LCD panel Battery cover FOR CUSTOMERS IN EUROPE ATTENTION The electromagnetic fields at the specific frequencies may influence the picture and sound of this camcorder. This product has been tested and found compliant with the limits set out in the EMC Directive for using connection cables shorter than 3 meters (9.8 feet). Shoe cover 2 · Before connecting your camcorder to another device 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. · When disconnecting the AC Adaptor from the Handycam Station, hold both the DC plug and the Handycam Station and disconnect the AC Adaptor. · Be sure to turn the power of your camcorder off before inserting it into or removing it from the Handycam Station. · TV color systems differ depending on the countries/regions. To view your recordings on a TV, you need a PAL system-based TV. · Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the copyright laws. On this manual · The images of the LCD screen used in this manual for illustration purposes are captured using a digital still camera, and therefore may appear different. · The on-screen displays in each local language are used for illustrating the operating procedures. Change the screen language before using your camcorder if necessary (p. 14). · The illustrations used on this manual are based on the model DCR-PC55E. On the menu items, LCD panel, and lens · A menu item that is grayed out is not available under the current recording or playback conditions. · The LCD screen is 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. These points are normal results of the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way. · Exposing the LCD screen or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods of time may cause malfunctions. · Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause your camcorder to malfunction. Take pictures of the sun only in low light conditions, such as at dusk. About the Carl Zeiss lens Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens, which was developed jointly by Carl Zeiss, in Germany, and Sony Corporation, and produces superior images. It adopts the MTF* measurement system for video cameras and offers a quality typical of a Carl Zeiss lens. * MTF stands for Modulation Transfer Function. The number value indicates the amount of light from a subject coming into the lens. 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. 3 Table of Contents Getting Started Step 1: Checking supplied items ...............................................................7 Step 2: Charging the battery pack .............................................................8 Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly ...........12 Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel .............................................................13 Step 5: Using the touch panel .................................................................14 Changing the language setting .....................................................................14 Checking the screen indicators (Display guide) ...........................................14 Step 6: Setting the date and time ............................................................15 Step 7: Inserting a tape or a "Memory Stick Duo"....................................16 Recording/Playback Recording/Playback with ease (Easy Handycam) ...................................18 Recording ................................................................................................20 Playback ..................................................................................................21 Functions used for recording/playback, etc. ............................................22 Recording To use zoom To adjust the exposure for backlit subjects To adjust the focus for an off center subject (SPOT FOCUS) To fix the exposure for the selected subject (Flexible spot meter) To record in mirror mode To use a tripod Playback Viewing pictures with motion effects (SLIDE SHOW PLUS) To use PB zoom Recording/playback To check the remaining battery (Battery Info) To turn off the operation confirmation beep (BEEP) To use special effects To initialize the settings (RESET) Other part names and functions Indicators displayed during recording/playback .......................................26 Searching for the starting point ...............................................................29 Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording (END SEARCH) ..............................................................................................29 Searching manually (EDIT SEARCH) .............................................................29 Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes (Rec review) .........................29 4 Remote Commander ...............................................................................30 Searching quickly for a desired scene (Zero set memory) ............................30 Searching for a scene by date of recording (Date search) ...........................31 Playing the picture on a TV .....................................................................32 Using the Menu Using the menu items ............................................................34 Menu items ..............................................................................................36 CAMERA SET menu ..........................................................................38 Settings to adjust your camcorder to the recording conditions (EXPOSURE/ WHITE BAL./STEADYSHOT, etc.) MEMORY SET menu .........................................................................42 Settings for the "Memory Stick Duo" (QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/ALL ERASE/ NEW FOLDER, etc.) PICT.APPLI. menu ............................................................................44 Special effects on pictures or additional functions on recording/playback (FADER/PICT. EFFECT, etc.) EDIT/PLAY menu .............................................................................47 Settings for editing or playing back in various modes (VAR.SPD PB/END SEARCH, etc.) STANDARD SET menu ....................................................................48 Settings while recording on a tape or other basic settings (REC MODE/ MULTI-SOUND/LCD SET/DISP OUTPUT/USB, etc.) TIME/LANGU. menu .........................................................................51 (CLOCK SET/WORLD TIME/LANGUAGE) Customizing Personal Menu....................................................................52 Dubbing/Editing Connecting to a VCR or TV .....................................................................54 Dubbing to another device such as a VCR, DVD recorder, etc................55 Recording pictures from a VCR or TV (DCR-PC55E) .............................56 Dubbing pictures from a tape to a "Memory Stick Duo"...........................57 Dubbing sound to a recorded tape ..........................................................58 Deleting recorded pictures from the "Memory Stick Duo"........................60 Marking images on the "Memory Stick Duo" with specific information (Image protection/Print mark) ........................................................60 Continued 5 Printing recorded images (PictBridge compliant printer) .........................61 Jacks to connect external devices ...........................................................63 Using a Computer Before referring to the "First Step Guide" on your computer ...................64 Installing the software and "First Step Guide" on a computer .................66 Viewing "First Step Guide".......................................................................70 Creating a DVD (Direct Access to "Click to DVD") ...................................71 Connecting an analog VCR to the computer via your camcorder (Signal convert function) (DCR-PC55E) ....................................................74 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting .......................................................................................76 Warning indicators and messages ..........................................................92 Additional Information Using your camcorder abroad .................................................................96 Usable cassette tapes .............................................................................97 About the "Memory Stick" ........................................................................98 About the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack ...................................................100 About i.LINK ..........................................................................................101 Maintenance and precautions ...............................................................102 Specifications ........................................................................................106 Index .....................................................................................................108 6 Step 1: Checking supplied items Make sure that you have following items supplied with your camcorder. The number in the parentheses indicates the number of that item supplied. "Memory Stick Duo" 16MB (1) (p. 16, 98) (DCR-PC55E) A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 32, 54) USB cable (1) (p. 64) Getting Started Wrist strap (1) Memory Stick Duo adaptor (1) (p. 98) (DCR-PC55E) · To attach the Wrist strap AC Adaptor (1) (p. 8) Folding the tip of the string makes it easier to run the string through the hook for the strap. Rechargeable battery pack NP-FA50 (1) (p. 8, 100) CD-ROM "Picture Package Ver.1.5" (1) (p. 66) 21-pin adaptor (1) For the models with the bottom surfaces only. mark printed on their Mains lead (1) (p. 8) Operating Guide (This manual) (1) Handycam Station (1) (p. 8) Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 30) A button-type lithium battery is already installed. 7 Step 2: Charging the battery pack You can charge the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack (A series) (p. 100) after attaching it to your camcorder. · Only the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack (NPFA50) can be used. 3 Close the battery cover. POWER switch Be sure to close the cover completely. DC IN jack 4 Slide the POWER switch up to OFF (CHG). (The default setting.) Handycam Station Mains lead DC plug To the wall socket AC Adaptor 1 Slide the battery cover in the 5 Connect the AC Adaptor to the DC IN jack on the Handycam Station. With the mark facing up DC IN jack direction of the arrow to open it. 2 Insert the battery pack, aligning 6 Connect the mains lead to the AC Adaptor and the wall socket. the top of the mark on the side with the top of the mark on your camcorder until it clicks. 8 7 Install the camcorder onto the Handycam Station. Open the interface connector cover. To charge the battery pack using only the AC Adaptor Turn off the power, then connect the AC Adaptor to the DC IN jack on your camcorder. · You can operate your camcorder connected to a power source such as a wall socket as shown in the illustration. The battery pack will not lose its charge in this case. DC IN jack Getting Started Place the camcorder on the Handycam Station properly aligned as shown in the illustration and gently push down at the point indicated by the arrow to fully install. DC plug POWER Switch Mains lead AC Adaptor CHG (charge) lamp To the wall socket The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and charging starts.The CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the battery is fully charged. Continued 9 Step 2: Charging the battery pack (continued) To remove your camcorder from the Handycam Station Turn the power of your camcorder off and then press the RELEASE button and remove the camcorder from the Handycam Station. Charging time Approximate time (min.) required when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack. Battery pack Charging time NP-FA50 (supplied) 125 Recording time Approximate time (min.) available when you use a fully charged battery pack. Battery pack Continuous recording time* Typical recording time* RELEASE button Close the interface connector cover. NP-FA50 (supplied) 95 110 55 65 * Top: When the LCD backlight turns on. Bottom: When the LCD backlight turns off. · Typical recording time shows the time when you repeat recording start/stop, turning the power on/off and zooming. To remove the battery pack Turn off the power. Open the battery cover and slide the battery out with your finger at the point indicated by the circle in the illustration. Playing time Approximate time (min.) available when you use a fully charged battery pack. Battery pack LCD panel opened* NP-FA50 (supplied) * When the LCD backlight turns on. 105 When storing the battery pack Fully discharge the battery before storing it for an extended period (p. 100). On the battery pack · Before changing the battery pack, slide the POWER switch up to OFF (CHG). · The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging, or the battery information (p. 24) will not be correctly displayed under the following conditions. ­ The battery pack is not attached correctly. ­ The battery pack is damaged. ­ The battery pack is fully discharged. (For Battery Info only.) 10 · The power will not be supplied from the battery as long as the AC Adaptor is connected to the DC IN jack of your camcorder or the Handycam Station, even when the mains lead is disconnected from the wall socket. On the charging/recording/playback time · Times measured with the camcorder at 25 °C (77 °F). (10 to 30 °C (50 °F to 86 °F) is recommended.) · The recording and playback time will be shorter when you use your camcorder in low temperatures. · The recording and playback time will be shorter depending on the conditions under which you use your camcorder. On the AC Adaptor · Use the nearby wall socket when using the AC Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall socket immediately if any malfunction occurs while using your camcorder. · Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in a narrow space, such as between a wall and furniture. · Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor or battery terminal with any metallic objects. This may cause a malfunction. PRECAUTION · Even if your camcorder is turned off, AC power (mains) is still supplied to it while connected to the wall socket via the AC Adaptor. 11 Getting Started Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly To record or play back, slide the POWER switch repeatedly to turn on the respective lamp. When using it for the first time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears (p. 15). 2 Hold the camcorder correctly. POWER switch To turn off the power Slide the POWER switch up to OFF (CHG) while pressing the green button. · At the time of purchase, the power will be set to turn off automatically if you leave your camcorder without any operation attempted for approximately 5 minutes, to save battery power. ([A.SHUT OFF], p. 51). 1 Slide the POWER switch repeatedly in the direction of the arrow to turn on the respective lamp. The lens cover opens automatically when the POWER switch is set to CAMERA-TAPE or CAMERA-MEM. If the POWER switch is set to OFF, slide it down while pressing the green button. Lamps that light up CAMERA-TAPE: To record on a tape. CAMERA-MEM: To record on a "Memory Stick Duo." PLAY/EDIT: To play or edit pictures. · When you slide the POWER switch from OFF (CHG) to CAMERA-TAPE or CAMERAMEM, the current date and time will be displayed on the LCD screen for about 5 seconds. 12 Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel The LCD panel Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (), then rotate it to the best angle to record or play (). 180 degrees 90 degrees (max.) (max.) 2 Getting Started 1 DISP/BATT INFO 90 Degrees to the camcorder · Do not press the buttons on the LCD frame accidentally when you open or adjust the LCD panel. · If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees to the lens side, you can close the LCD panel with the LCD screen facing out. This is convenient during playback operations. To darken the LCD screen Press and hold DISP/BATT INFO for a few seconds until appears. This setting is practical when you use your camcorder in bright conditions or where you want to save battery power. The recorded picture will not be affected by the setting. To turn on the LCD backlight, press and hold DISP/BATT INFO for a few seconds until disappears. · See [LCD BRIGHT] (p. 48) to adjust the brightness of the LCD screen. 13 Step 5: Using the touch panel You can play back recorded pictures (p. 21), or change the settings (p. 34) using the touch panel. Place your hand on the rear side of the LCD panel to support it. Then, touch the buttons displayed on the screen. Touch the button on the LCD screen. 1 Touch 60min . Touch [MENU] during Easy Handycam operation (p. 18). 0:00:00 DISP GUIDE EXPOSURE FADER MENU TELE MACRO SPOT FOCUS 1/3 2 Touch [DISP GUIDE]. The indicators vary depending on the settings. Select area for guide. DISP/BATT INFO · Perform the same actions as explained above when you press the buttons on the LCD frame. · Be careful not to press buttons on the LCD frame accidentally while using the touch panel. DISP GUIDE END 3 Touch the area including the indicator that you want to check. The meanings of the indicators in the area are listed on the screen. If you cannot find the indicator you want to check, touch / to toggle. When you touch , the screen returns to the area selecting display. DISP GUIDE END 1/2 FOCUS: MANUAL PROGRAM AE: SPOTLIGHT STEADY SHOT: OFF To hide the screen indicators Press DISP/BATT INFO to toggle the screen indicators (such as time code, etc.) on or off. Changing the language setting You can change the on-screen displays to show messages in a specified language. Select the screen language in [LANGUAGE] on the (TIME/ LANGU.) menu (p. 34, 51). Checking the screen indicators (Display guide) You can easily check the meaning of each indicator that appears on the LCD screen. 4 Touch [END]. 14 Step 6: Setting the date and time Set the date and time when using this camcorder for the first time. If you do not set the date and time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears every time you turn on your camcorder or change the POWER switch position. · If you do not use your camcorder for about 2 months, the built-in rechargeable battery gets discharged and the date and time settings may be cleared from the memory. In that case, charge the rechargeable battery and then set the date and time again (p. 105). 3 Select [CLOCK SET] with then touch . CLOCK SET ­:­­:­­ / , DATE 2005 Y 1M 1D 0: 00 Getting Started OK 4 Set [Y] (year) with touch . / , then You can set any year up to the year 2079. CLOCK SET ­:­­:­­ DATE 2005Y 1 M 1D 0: 00 OK POWER switch Skip to step 4 when you set the clock for the first time. 5 Set [M] (month), [D] (day), hour and minute, then touch The clock starts. . 1 Touch 60min [MENU]. ­:­­:­­ CAMERA SET PROGRAM AE SPOT METER EXPOSURE OK 2 Select with / 60min (TIME/LANGU.) menu , then touch . ­:­­:­­ MENU ROTATE DISPLA Y A.SHUT OFF CLOCK SET WORLD LANGUAGE ­­:­­:­­ PROGRAM AE OK 15 Step 7: Inserting a tape or a "Memory Stick Duo" Cassette tape You can use mini DV (p. 97). cassettes only · The recordable time varies depending on [REC MODE] (p. 48). 3 Close the lid. To eject the cassette Proceed with the same steps as you would when inserting a cassette tape. 1 Slide and hold the OPEN/ EJECT lever in the direction of the arrow and open the lid. OPEN/EJECT lever "Memory Stick Duo" You can use only a "Memory Stick Duo" marked with or (p. 98). · The number and time of recordable pictures varies depending on the image quality or the image size. For details, see page 42. Lid Insert the "Memory Stick Duo" into the "Memory Stick Duo" slot in the right direction until it clicks. Access lamp The cassette compartment automatically comes out and opens up. 2 Insert a cassette with its window facing up, then press . Window With the mark facing up Push the center of the back of the cassette lightly. The cassette compartment automatically slides back in. Do not force the cassette into the compartment. This may cause a malfunction. · If you force the "Memory Stick Duo" into the slot in the wrong direction, the "Memory Stick Duo," the "Memory Stick Duo" slot, or image data may be damaged. 16 To eject a "Memory Stick Duo" Lightly push the "Memory Stick Duo" in once. · When the access lamp is lit or flashing, your camcorder is reading/writing data. Do not shake or knock your camcorder, turn the power off, eject the "Memory Stick Duo," or remove the battery pack. Otherwise, image data may be damaged. 17 Getting Started Recording/Playback with ease (Easy Handycam) With this Easy Handycam operation, most of the camera settings are automatically adjusted optimally, which frees you from detailed adjustment. Since only basic functions become available and screen font size increases for easy viewing, even first time users can enjoy easy operation. Go through the procedures described in steps 1 to 7 (p. 7 to 16) before operation. D B E C A Recording with ease 1 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the respective lamp to select a recording medium. Recording movies : Light up the CAMERA-TAPE lamp. Recording still images CAMERA-MEM lamp. : Light up the If the POWER switch is set to OFF, slide it down while pressing the green button. 2 Press EASY . The EASY lamp lights up in blue. Easy Handycam operation ON 3 Start recording. Movies Press REC START/STOP (or ). A MENU Still images Press PHOTO . The indicator () changes [STBY] to [REC]. To stop recording, press (or ) again. MENU Flashing Lights up Press and hold lightly to adjust the focus. Press fully to record. 18 Playing back with ease 1 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp. 2 Press EASY . The EASY lamp lights up in blue. Easy Handycam operation ON Recording/Playback 3 Start playing back. Movies Touch , then touch to start playback. Slow playback is available on the Remote Commander. A C MENU Still images Touch a picture. A B MENU / to select C B Tape playback Previous/Next Delete (p. 60) Stop Play/Pause toggles as you touch it Rewind/Fast forward To cancel Easy Handycam operation Press EASY again. The EASY lamp turns off and all the settings are returned to the previous situation. · The recording mode for tape and the image quality for "Memory Stick Duo" return to the default settings. · What you can do during Easy Handycam operation ­ Adjust some menu settings (p. 36) If you touch [MENU], adjustable items will be displayed. Items not displayed return to the default settings. Zoom (during recording) (p. 22) Turn the screen indicators on/off (p. 14) "Playing the picture on a TV" (p. 32) "Dubbing to another device such as a VCR, DVD recorder, etc." (p. 55) · [Invalid during Easy Handycam operation] appears if operations not available during Easy Handycam are attempted. ­ ­ ­ ­ 19 Recording Lens cover Opens in accordance with the setting of the POWER switch. PHOTO REC START/STOP REC START/ STOP POWER switch 1 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the respective lamp to select a recording medium. On a tape, light up the CAMERA-TAPE lamp. On a "Memory Stick Duo," light up the CAMERA-MEM lamp. If the POWER switch is set to OFF, slide it down while pressing the green button. 2 Start recording. Movies Press REC START/STOP (or ). A Still images Press and hold PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus (), then press it fully (). The indicator () changes [STBY] (tape only) to [REC]. · The sound of a movie (MPEG MOVIE EX) A B recorded on a "Memory Stick Duo" will be monaural. Flashing Lights up A shutter sound is heard. When disappears, the image has been recorded. To stop movie recording Press REC START/STOP again. · You can record a still image on a "Memory Stick Duo" while recording movies on a tape or in standby mode. To check the latest recording on a "Memory Stick Duo" . To delete the picture, touch [YES]. Touch to return to the standby mode. Touch 20