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 Handyc ...