4-263-129-11(1)

Digital HD Video
Camera Recorder
HXR-MC2000U/MC2000N
Operating Guide
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly,
and retain it for future reference.

 2010 Sony Corporation

 Read this first

Supplied items Lens hood Panel EVF block

The numbers in ( ) are the supplied
quantity.
 AC Adaptor (1)
 Power cord (Mains lead) (1)
 A/V connecting cable (1) 
 USB cable (1) 
 USB Adaptor Cable (1)  LCD panel Battery pack
 Lens hood (1) 
 Eye cup (1) 
 Microphone (1) 
 Wind screen (1) 
 Lens cap (1) 
 Rechargeable battery pack NP-F570 (1)
Microphone Viewfinder
 CD-ROM “Video Camera Application
Software” (1)
 “PMB” (software, including “PMB Help”)
 CD-ROM “Manuals for Digital HD
Video Camera Recorder” (1)
 “Operating Guide” (2)
 The camcorder is not dustproofed, dripproofed
or waterproofed. See “About handling of your
camcorder” (p. 110).

Menu items, LCD panel, viewfinder, and

lens
 A menu item that is grayed out is not available
under the current recording or playback
conditions.

 See page 21 for the memory card you can use

with this camcorder.

Using the camcorder

 Do not hold the camcorder by the following
parts, and also do not hold the camcorder by
the jack covers.

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 The LCD screen and the viewfinder are the camcorder, recording media, etc.
manufactured using extremely high-precision  TV color systems differ depending on the
technology, so over 99.99% of the pixels are country/region. To view your recordings on a
operational for effective use. However, there TV, you need a NTSC system-based TV.
may be some tiny black points and/or bright  Television programs, films, video tapes,
points (white, red, blue, or green in color) that and other materials may be copyrighted.
appear constantly on the LCD screen. These Unauthorized recording of such materials may
points are normal results of the manufacturing be contrary to the copyright laws.
process and do not affect the recording in any  Because of the way that the image device
way. (CMOS sensor) reads out image signals, the
following phenomena may occur.
 The subjects passing by the frame rapidly

Black points might appear crooked depending on the

recording conditions. (This phenomenon may
White, red, blue or be notable in displays having high motion
green points resolution.)
 Horizontal lines appear on the screen during
recording under fluorescent lights. The
phenomena can be reduced by adjusting the
 Exposing the LCD screen, the viewfinder, or the shutter speed (p. 31).
lens to direct sunlight for long periods of time
may cause malfunctions. Notes on playing back
 Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause  The camcorder is compatible with MPEG-4
your camcorder to malfunction. Take images AVC/H.264 High Profile for high definition
of the sun only in low light conditions, such as image quality (HD) recording. Therefore, you
at dusk. cannot play back images recorded with high
definition image quality (HD) on the camcorder
About language setting with the following devices;
 The on-screen displays in each local language  Other AVCHD format compatible devices
are used for illustrating the operating which are not compatible with High Profile
procedures. Change the screen language before  Devices which are not compatible with the
using the camcorder if necessary (p. 17). AVCHD format
 You may not be able to play back normally
On recording images recorded on your camcorder with other
 To ensure stable operation of the memory card, devices. Also, you may not be able to play back
it is recommended to initialize the memory images recorded on other devices with your
card with your camcorder before the first use camcorder.
(p. 88). Initializing the memory card will erase  Standard (STD) image quality movies recorded
all the data stored on it and the data will be on SD memory cards cannot be played on AV
irrecoverable. Save your important data on your equipment of other manufacturers.
PC etc.
 Before starting to record, test the recording
function to make sure the image 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
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 Discs recorded with HD image quality When the camcorder is connected to a
(high definition) computer or accessories
 This camcorder captures high definition footage  Do not try to format the recording media of the
in the AVCHD format. DVD media containing camcorder using a computer. If you do so, your
AVCHD footage should not be used with DVD camcorder may not operate correctly.
based players or recorders, as the DVD player/  When connecting the camcorder to another
recorder may fail to eject the media and may device with communication cables, be sure to
erase its contents without warning. DVD media insert the connector plug in the correct way.
containing AVCHD footage may be played on Pushing the plug forcibly into the terminal
a compatible Blu-ray Disc player/recorder or will damage the terminal and may result in a
other compatible device. malfunction of the camcorder.
If you cannot record/play back images,
Save all your recorded image data
perform [MEDIA FORMAT]
 To prevent your image data from being lost,
 If you repeat recording/deleting images for
save all your recorded images on external media
a long time, fragmentation of data occurs on
periodically. It is recommended that you save
the recording media. Images cannot be saved
the image data on a disc such as DVD-R, etc.
or recorded. In such a case, save your images
using your computer. Also, you can save your
on some type of external media first, and then
image data using a VCR, or a DVD/HDD
perform [MEDIA FORMAT] by touching
recorder (p. 66).
(MENU)  [Show others]  [MEDIA
 You cannot make a AVCHD disc from the
FORMAT] (under [MANAGE MEDIA]
image data recorded with (MENU) 
category)  the desired medium  [YES] 
[Show others]  [ REC MODE] (under
[YES]  .
[SHOOTING SET] category) set to [HD
FX]. Save them on a Blu-ray Disc or using an Notes on optional accessories
external media (p. 62, 64).  We recommend using genuine Sony accessories.
 Genuine Sony accessories may not be available
Notes on battery pack/AC Adaptor
in some countries/regions.
 Be sure to remove the battery pack or the AC
Adaptor after turning off the camcorder. About this manual, illustrations and
 Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the on-screen displays
camcorder, holding both the camcorder and the  The example images used in this manual for
DC plug. illustration purposes are captured using a
digital still camera, and therefore may appear
Note on the camcorder/battery pack different from images and screen indicators that
temperature actually appear on your camcorder. And, the
 When the temperature of the camcorder illustrations of your camcorder and its screen
or battery pack becomes extremely high or indication are exaggerated or simplified for
extremely low, you may not be able to record understandability.
or play back on the camcorder, due to the  In this manual, the internal memory and the
protection features of the camcorder being memory card are called “recording media.”
activated in such situations. In this case, an  In this manual, the DVD disc recorded with
indicator appears on the LCD screen and the high definition image quality (HD) is called
viewfinder (p. 99). AVCHD disc.
 Design and specifications of your camcorder
and accessories are subject to change without
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notice.

Notes on use
 Do not do any of the following. Otherwise, the
recording media may be damaged, recorded
images may be impossible to play back or may
be lost, or other malfunctions could occur.
 ejecting the memory card when the access
lamp (p. 22) is lit or flashing
 removing the battery pack or AC Adaptor
from the camcorder, or applying mechanical
shock or vibration to the camcorder when the
(Movie)/ (Photo) lamps (p. 23) or the
access lamp (p. 22) are lit or flashing
 When using a shoulder belt (sold separately),
make sure not to crash the camcorder against
an object.

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 Table of contents

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

Notes on use.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Getting started
Step 1: Attaching the supplied microphone, eyecup and the lens hood.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Attaching the supplied microphone.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Attaching the eyecup.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Attaching the lens hood.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 2: Charging the battery pack.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Step 3: Turning the power on, and setting the date and time.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Changing the language setting.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Step 4: Making setting adjustments before recording.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The LCD panel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The viewfinder.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The shoulder pad.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Step 5: Preparing the recording media.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Selecting the recording media for movies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Selecting the recording media for photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Inserting a memory card.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Recording/Playback
Recording.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Recording movies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Shooting photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Useful functions for recording movies and photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Zooming.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Recording better images automatically (INTELLIGENT AUTO).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Selecting high definition image quality (HD)
or standard image quality (STD).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Selecting the recording mode.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Prioritizing the subject.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Capturing smiles automatically (Smile Shutter) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Recording high quality photos during movie recording (Dual Rec).. . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Controlling the image settings manually with the RING.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Playback on the camcorder.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

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 Useful functions for playing movies and photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Searching for desired images by date (Date Index).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Searching for desired scene by pinpoint (Film Roll Index).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Searching for desired scene by face (Face Index).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Playing back a digest of your movies (Highlight Playback).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Using PB zoom with photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Playing back a series of photos (Slide show).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Playing images on a TV.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Connecting to a high definition TV.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Connecting to a non-high-definition 16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Table of contents
Making good use of your camcorder
Deleting movies and photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Protecting recorded movies and photos (Protect).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Dividing a movie.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Capturing a photo from a movie.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Dubbing/copying movies and photos from the internal memory to
memory card.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Dubbing movies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Copying photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Using the Playlist of movies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Creating the Playlist .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Playing the Playlist.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Saving movies and photos with a computer

Preparing a computer (Windows).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Step 1 Checking the computer system.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Step 2 Installing the supplied software “PMB”.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Starting PMB (Picture Motion Browser).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Reading “PMB Help”.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Selecting the method for creating a disc (computer).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Creating a disc with one touch (One Touch Disc Burn).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Importing movies and photos to a computer.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Creating an AVCHD disc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Creating a standard definition image quality (STD) disc that can be played on
ordinary DVD players.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

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 Saving images with an external device
Saving images in external media (DIRECT COPY).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Creating a disc with a DVD writer, recorder.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Selecting the method for creating a disc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Creating a disc with the dedicated DVD writer, DVDirect Express.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Creating a high definition image quality (HD) disc with a DVD writer, etc.,
other than DVDirect Express.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Creating a standard definition image quality (STD) disc
with a recorder, etc... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Customizing your camcorder

Using menus.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Operating menus.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Using MY MENU.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Using the OPTION MENU.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Menu lists.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
MANUAL SETTINGS (Items to adjust for scene condition).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
SHOOTING SET (Items for customized shooting).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
PHOTO SETTINGS (Items for recording photos).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
PLAYBACK (Items for playback).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
EDIT (Items for editing).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
OTHERS (Items for other settings). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
MANAGE MEDIA (Items for recording media).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
GENERAL SET (Other setup items).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

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Additional information
Troubleshooting.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Recording time of movies/number of recordable photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Expected time of recording and playback with each battery pack.. . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Expected recording time of movies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Expected number of recordable photos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Using your camcorder abroad.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Maintenance and precautions.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
About the AVCHD format.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Table of contents
About the memory card.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
About x.v.Color.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
About handling of your camcorder.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Specifications.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Quick reference
Screen indicators.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Parts and controls.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Index.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

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 Getting started
Step 1: Attaching the supplied microphone,
eyecup and the lens hood
Attaching the supplied microphone

 Attach the wind screen  to the microphone .

 Unlock the stopper of the microphone holder  and open the cover.

 Align the convex part of the microphone with the concave part of the
holder, then place the microphone into the holder. Close the cover and lock
the stopper securely.
Be sure to align the  mark on the microphone and the  mark on the holder facing each
other.

 Turn the plug of the microphone counter-clockwise to 180 degrees in the
direction of the arrow , and connect it to the Mic jack .

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Attaching the eyecup
Attach the eyecup aligned with the eyecup groove in the viewfinder. You can attach the eyecup
facing either the right or left side.

Attach the
eyecup securely
until it fits the
corresponding

Getting started
part properly.

Attaching the lens hood

Align the marks on the lens hood to those on the camcorder, and turn the lens hood in the
direction of the arrow.

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11
 To remove the Lens hood
Turn the lens hood cover in the direction of the arrow as illustrated while pressing the lever
on the lens hood cover.

 Tips
 If you attach, remove or adjust an 37 mm (1 1/2 in.) PL filter or MC protector, remove the lens hood.

Attaching the lens cap

Attach the lens cap by pressing both knobs on its sides.

Remove the grip belt and attach the lens cap by leading the grip belt through the attachment
on the lens cap string. Then attach the grip belt to the camcorder again.

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Step 2: Charging the battery pack

Battery pack

POWER switch

DC plug
CHG (charge) lamp

Getting started
Align the  mark on the DC
To the wall outlet DC IN jack plug with that on the DC
(wall socket)
AC Adaptor IN jack.
Power cord
(Mains lead)
You can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series) after attaching it to your
camcorder.
 Notes
You cannot attach any “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack other than the L series to your camcorder.

1
Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) (the default setting).

2
Attach the battery pack to your camcorder.
Attach the battery pack by sliding it in the direction of the arrow while pressing it until
it clicks.

3
Connect the AC Adaptor to the DC IN jack of your camcorder. Be sure that
the  mark on the DC plug is facing to the  mark on your camcorder.

4
Connect the AC Adaptor and the power cord (mains lead) to your
camcorder and the wall outlet (wall socket).
The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and charging starts. The CHG (charge) lamp turns off
when the battery pack is fully charged.

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13
 5
When the battery is charged, disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN
jack of your camcorder.

 Tips
 See page 103 on recording and playing time.
 When your camcorder is on, you can check the approximate amount of remaining battery power with the
remaining battery indicator at the upper left on the LCD screen. When the battery power remains 999
minutes or more, [999min] is displayed on the LCD screen.

Charging time
Approximate time (min.) required when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack.
Battery pack Charging time
NP-F570 (supplied) 265
NP-F770 475
NP-F970 645

 Times measured with the camcorder at 25 C (77 °F).

10 C to 30 C (50 °F to 86 °F) is recommended.

To remove the battery pack

Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). Push the [BATT (battery) RELEASE] button ()
and remove the battery pack ().

BATT (battery) RELEASE button

To use a wall outlet (wall socket) as a power source

Make the same connections as “Step 2: Charging the battery pack.” Even if the battery pack is
attached, the battery pack is not discharged.

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Charging the battery pack abroad
You can charge the battery pack in any countries/regions using the AC Adaptor supplied with
your camcorder within the AC 100 V - 240 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz range.

 Notes
Do not use an electronic voltage transformer.

Notes on the battery pack

 When you remove the battery pack or disconnect the AC Adaptor, slide the POWER switch to OFF
(CHG) and make sure that the (Movie)/ (Photo) lamps (p. 23), the access lamp (p. 22) are turned
off.
 The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging under the following conditions:
 The battery pack is not attached correctly.
 The battery pack is damaged.
 The temperature of the battery pack is low.

Getting started
Remove the battery pack from your camcorder and put it in a warm place.
 The temperature of the battery pack is high.
Remove the battery pack from your camcorder and put it in a cool place.

Notes on the AC Adaptor

 Use the nearby wall outlet (wall socket) when using the AC Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from
the wall outlet (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.

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 Step 3: Turning the power on, and setting the
date and time

1
Slide the POWER switch to ON while pressing the green button.

2
Select the desired geographical area with / , then touch [NEXT].

Touch the button

on the LCD screen

 To set the date and time again, touch (MENU)  [Show others]  [CLOCK/ LANG]
(under [GENERAL SET] category)  [CLOCK SET]. When an item is not on the screen, touch
/ until the item appears.

3
Set [DST SET] or [SUMMERTIME], date and time, then touch
The clock starts.
.

 If you set [DST SET] or [SUMMERTIME] to [ON], the clock advances 1 hour.

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16
 Notes
 The date and time does not appear during recording, but they are automatically recorded on the
recording media, and can be displayed during playback. To display the date and time, touch
(MENU)  [Show others]  [PLAYBACK SET] (under [PLAYBACK] category)  [DATA
CODE]  [DATE/TIME]    .
 If the button you touch does not react correctly, calibrate the touch panel (p. 111).

To turn off the power

Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).

Changing the language setting

You can change the on-screen displays to show messages in a specified language.
Touch (MENU)  [Show others]  [CLOCK/ LANG] (under [GENERAL SET]
category)  [ LANGUAGE SET]  a desired language    .

Getting started

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 Step 4: Making setting adjustments before
recording
The LCD panel
Open the LCD panel (), then rotate it to the best angle to record or play ().
90 degrees (max.)

180 degrees (max.)

180 degrees (max.)

 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. This is convenient during playback operations.
 You can adjust [LCD BRIGHT], [LCD BL LEVEL], [LCD COLOR] by touching (MENU) 
[Show others]  [SOUND/DISP SET] (under [GENERAL SET] category) (p. 90).

The viewfinder
Pull out the LCD panel block to adjust the position (), and rotate the viewfinder to the best
angle ().

Viewfinder lens adjustment lever

US Move it until the picture is clear.
18
 Notes
You may see primary colors shimmering in the viewfinder when you move your line of sight. This is not a
malfunction. The shimmering colors will not be recorded on the recording media.

 Tips
 You can view pictures using the viewfinder to avoid wearing down the battery, or when the picture seen
on the LCD screen is poor.

Notes on the LCD/EVF-EVF switch

In the default setting, the switch is set to LCD/EVF.
When you set the switch to LCD/EVF, you can record using the LCD screen whereas you can
record using the viewfinder with the LCD screen closed.
When you set the switch to EVF, you can record using only the viewfinder.

Getting started
 Notes
 When the LCD/EVF-EVF switch is set to EVF, you cannot operate the touch panel.
 You cannot use LCD and EVF simultaneously.

The shoulder pad

You can adjust the position of the shoulder pad by loosening the screws illustrated below.
Tighten the screws again after adjustment.

Screws

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 Step 5: Preparing the recording media

The recording media of your camcorder are displayed on the screen as follows.

*
Internal memory Memory card
* In the default setting, both movies and photos are recorded on this recording media. You can perform
recording, playback and editing operations on the selected medium.

 Tips
 See page 103 for the recordable time of movies.
 See page 104 for the number of recordable photos.

Selecting the recording media for movies

 Touch (MENU)  [Show others]  [MEDIA SETTINGS] (under

[MANAGE MEDIA] category)  [MOVIE MEDIA SET].
The [MOVIE MEDIA SET] screen appears.

 Touch the desired recording media.

 Touch [YES]  .
The recording medium is changed.

Selecting the recording media for photos

 Touch (MENU)  [Show others]  [MEDIA SETTINGS] (under

[MANAGE MEDIA] category)  [PHOTO MEDIA SET].
The [PHOTO MEDIA SET] screen appears.

 Touch the desired recording media.

 Touch [YES]  .
The recording medium is changed.

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To check the recording media settings
In either movie recording mode or photo recording mode, the media icon of the selected
recording media is displayed at the top right corner of the screen.
Recording media icon

Inserting a memory card

 Notes
Set the recording medium to [MEMORY CARD] to record movies and/or photos on a memory card.

Types of memory card you can use with your camcorder

 Only “Memory Stick PRO Duo” (Mark2) media, “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” media, SD memory cards
(Class 4 or faster), SDHC memory cards (Class 4 or faster) and SDXC memory cards (Class 4 or faster)

Getting started
can be used with this camcorder. Operation with all memory cards is not assured.
 In this manual, “Memory Stick PRO Duo” (Mark2) media and “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” media are
called “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media and SD memory cards, SDHC memory cards and SDXC memory
cards are called SD cards.
 “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media of up to 32 GB and SD memory cards of up to 64 GB have been tested
and proven to operate with your camcorder.

 Notes
 MultiMediaCard cannot be used with this camcorder.
 Images recorded on SDXC memory cards cannot be played back or imported on non-exFAT*-compatible
computers, AV components, etc., connected to this camcorder by USB cable. Check that the connected
devices are compatible with exFAT beforehand. If you connect a device that is not compatible with exFAT,
the screen for initialization may appear. Never execute initialization, otherwise all recorded contents will
be lost.
* exFAT is the file system used in SDXC memory cards.

Size of memory card you can use with your camcorder

 Only “Memory Stick Duo” media that is about a half the size of the standard “Memory Stick” media, and
standard-sized SD memory cards can be used.
 Do not attach a label, etc., to a memory card or memory card adaptor. Doing so may cause a malfunction.

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Open the cover, and insert the memory card with the notched edge in the
direction as illustrated until it clicks.
 Close the cover after inserting the memory card.

Access lamp
Note direction of
notched corner.

The [Create a new Image Database File.] screen may appear if you insert a new memory
card. In that case, touch [YES]. If you record only photos on the memory card, touch
[NO].
 Confirm the direction of the memory card. If you forcibly insert the memory card in the wrong
direction, the memory card, memory card slot, or image data may be damaged.

 Notes
If [Failed to create a new Image Database File. It may be possible that there is not enough free space.]
is displayed, format the memory card by touching (MENU)  [Show others]  [MEDIA
FORMAT] (under [MANAGE MEDIA] category)  [MEMORY CARD]  [YES]  [YES] 
.

To eject the memory card

Open the cover and lightly push the memory card in once.
 Do not open the cover during recording.
 When inserting or ejecting the memory card, be careful so that the memory card does not pop out and
drop.

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Recording/Playback

Recording
In the default setting, movies and photos are recorded on the internal memory.
Movies are recorded with high definition image quality (HD).
 Tips
 To change the recording media, see page 20.
 See page 28 when you record images with the standard image quality (STD).

1
Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on its sides.

Recording/Playback

Slide the POWER switch to ON while pressing the green button.
 You can switch recording modes by pressing MODE. Press MODE to light up the desired recording
mode lamp.

MODE button

(Movie): When recording

a movie
(Photo): When recording
a photo

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 Recording movies

 Press MODE to light up the (Movie) lamp.
The LCD screen display switches for movie recording mode, and the screen aspect ratio
becomes 16:9.

 Press START/STOP  (or ).

START/STOP START/STOP button 

button 

[STBY]  [REC]

To stop recording, press START/STOP again.

 The icons and indicators on the LCD panel will be displayed for about 3 seconds, then disappear after
turning on your camcorder or switching the recording (movie/photo)/playback modes. To display the
icons and indicators again, touch anywhere on the screen.

about 3sec
after

 Notes
 The maximum continuous recordable time of movies is about 13 hours.
 When a movie file exceeds 2 GB, the next movie file is created automatically.
 It will take several seconds until you can start recording after you turn on the camcorder. You cannot
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 operate your camcorder during this time.
 The following states will be indicated if data is still being written onto the recording media after recording
has finished. During this time, do not apply shock or vibration to the camcorder, or remove the battery or
AC Adaptor.
 Access lamp (p. 22) is lit or flashing
 The media icon in the upper right of the LCD screen is flashing

 Tips
 See page 103 on the recordable time of movies.
 You can record photos during movie recording by pressing PHOTO fully (Dual Rec, p. 31).
 When a face is detected, a white frame appears and the image quality around the face is optimized
automatically ([FACE DETECTION], p. 82).
 You can specify the priority face by touching it (p. 30).
 You can capture photos from recorded movies (p. 47).
 You can check the recordable time, estimated remaining capacity, etc., by touching (MENU) 
[Show others]  [MEDIA INFO] (under [MANAGE MEDIA] category).
 The LCD screen of your camcorder can display recording images across the entire screen (full pixel
display). However, this may cause slight trimming of the top, bottom, right and left edges of images when
played back on a TV which is not compatible with full pixel display. In this case, set [GUIDEFRAME] to

Recording/Playback
[ON] (p. 81), and record images using the outer frame displayed on the screen as a guide.
 [ STEADYSHOT] is set to [ACTIVE] in the default setting.

Data code during recording

The recording date, time and condition are recorded automatically on the recording media.
They are not displayed during recording. However, you can check them as [DATA CODE]
during playback. To display them, touch (MENU)  [Show others]  [PLAYBACK
SET] (under [PLAYBACK] category)  [DATA CODE]  a desired setting  
 .

Shooting photos
In the default setting, photos are recorded on the internal memory.
 Tips
 To change the recording media, see page 20.

 Press MODE to turn on the (Photo) lamp.
The LCD screen display switches for photo recording mode, and the screen aspect ratio
becomes 4:3.

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 Press PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus, then press it fully.

Flashes  Lights up
When disappears, the photo is recorded.

 Tips
 See page 104 on the recordable number of photos.
 To change the image size, touch (MENU)  [Show others]  [ IMAGE SIZE] (under
[PHOTO SETTINGS] category)  a desired setting   .
 You cannot record photos while is displayed.

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Useful functions for
recording movies and
photos the LCD screen by setting [DISPLAY SET]
to [AUTO1]. Note, however, that you cannot
change the zoom speed with / .
Zooming
 Tips
You can magnify images up to 17 times the
 You can set [ DIGITAL ZOOM] (p. 83) if you
original size with the power zoom lever. want to zoom to a greater level.

Power zoom lever 

Recording better images
automatically (INTELLIGENT AUTO)
By pressing , you can record images
using the INTELLIGENT AUTO function.
When you turn the camcorder toward
the subject, the camcorder records using
Power zoom
lever  the optimum combination of the three
Close view: (Telephoto) detection modes: Face detection, Scene
detection and Camera-shake detection.

Recording/Playback
When the camcorder detects the subject,
the icons that correspond to the detected
condition are displayed.
 Tips
 In the default setting, INTELLIGENT AUTO
Wider range of view: is set to ON.
(Wide angle)
Move the power zoom lever  slightly for
a slower zoom. Move it further for a faster
zoom.
 Notes
 Be sure not to move your finger off the power
zoom lever suddenly. The operation sound of
the power zoom lever may also be recorded.
 You cannot change the zoom speed of the zoom
lever  on the handle.
 The minimum possible distance between
Face detection
camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp
focus is about 1 cm (about 13/32 in.) for wide (Portrait), (Baby)
angle and about 80 cm (about 31 1/2 in.) for The camcorder detects faces, and adjusts
telephoto. the focus, color, and exposure.
 You can magnify images up to 12 times using
optical zooming, unless [ STEADYSHOT] is
set to [ACTIVE].
 You can also magnify images with / on
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 Scene detection  [IRIS]
 (Backlight), (Landscape),  [SHUTTER SPEED]
(Twilight), (Spotlight), (Low light),  [PRIORITY SETTING]
(Macro)
 Notes
The camcorder selects the most effective Above settings are reset to the default settings
setting automatically, depending on the when INTELLIGENT AUTO is set to ON.
scene.
Selecting high definition image
Camera-shake detection
quality (HD) or standard image
(Walk), (Tripod)
quality (STD)
The camcorder detects whether camera-
shake occurs or not, and makes the You can select the desired image quality
optimum compensation. from the high definition image quality
(HD) that enables you to record fine
 Notes
The camcorder may not detect the expected images, or the standard definition image
scene or subject, depending on the recording quality (STD) that has more compatibility
conditions. with various playback devices. Change the
image quality according to the recording
To cancel INTELLIGENT AUTO situation or the playback device.
Press .

or the detection mode icons disappear,
and you can record with the preferred  Touch (MENU)  [Show
settings. others]  [ / SET] (under
Also, the INTELLIGENT AUTO setting [SHOOTING SET] category).
is canceled if you change the following
settings:
 Touch [ HD QUALITY] to
 [SCENE SELECTION]
record high definition image
 [WHITE BAL.]
quality (HD) images, or touch
 [SPOT MTR/FCS]
 [SPOT METER]
[ STD QUALITY] to record
 [SPOT FOCUS]
standard definition image quality
 [EXPOSURE] (STD) images.
 [FOCUS]

 [TELE MACRO]
 Touch [YES]  .
 [AE SHIFT]
 [WB SHIFT]
Recording image quality is changed.
 [SMTH SLW REC]
[ STEADYSHOT]
 Tips
 [LOW LUX]  You can record, play, or edit movies in the
 [FACE DETECTION] selected image quality only. To record, play, or
 [AUTO BACK LIGHT] edit movies in another image quality, change
[ STEADYSHOT] this setting.
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 of the high definition image quality (HD) is
Selecting the recording mode
selected. And when the HQ or LP mode of the
You can select a recording mode to record high definition image quality (HD) is selected,
movies are recorded with AVCHD 1440 
the high definition image quality (HD)
1080/60i format. Movies are recorded with
movies from 4 levels. The recording time MPEG-2 format when the standard image
of the media is changed depending on quality (STD) is selected.
recording mode. In the default setting,  You can select the following high definition
[ REC MODE] is set to [HD FH]. image quality (HD) recording mode. “24M”
of [HD FX] is the maximum bit-rate, and the
value other than of [HD FX], such as “17M,” is
an average bit-rate.
 [HD FX] (AVC HD 24M (FX))
Long time High quality  [HD FH] (AVC HD 17M (FH)) (the default
recording recording setting)
 [HD HQ] (AVC HD 9M (HQ))
 [HD LP] (AVC HD 5M (LP))
 Touch (MENU)  [Show
 The recording mode of the standard image
others]  [ REC MODE] (under quality (STD) is limited to the following value.

Recording/Playback
[SHOOTING SET] category). “9M” is an average bit-rate.
 [STD HQ] (STD 9M (HQ))
 “M,” such as in “24M,” means “Mbps.”
 Touch a desired setting.
If you want to record high quality
images with the high definition image
quality (HD), select the FX mode. If
you want to record longer movies,
select the HQ, LP mode.

 Touch  .

 Notes
 You cannot create an AVCHD disc from a
movie recorded with [HD FX] mode of
[ REC MODE]. Save a movie recorded with
[HD FX] mode onto Blu-ray Discs or external
storage devices (p. 62, 64).
 You cannot use Dual Rec or the Smile Shutter
function when you set [ REC MODE] to
[HD FX].

 Tips
 Movies are recorded with AVCHD 1920 
1080/60i format when the FX or FH mode
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 Shutter function, and your camcorder records a
Prioritizing the subject
photo automatically when it detects a smile on
When [FACE DETECTION] (p. 82) is set the prioritized face.
 The double-lined frame around a face targeted
to [ON] (the default setting), and several
for possible smile detection shot turns orange.
faces are detected, touch the face you want  If the face you touched disappears from the
to record as priority. Focus/color/exposure LCD screen, the subject selected in [PRIORITY
are adjusted automatically for the selected SETTING] (p. 83) has priority. If the face you
face. Since the face you touched has priority touched returns to the screen, the face has
also with the Smile Shutter function, your priority.
camcorder records a photo automatically
when it detects the smiling face. Capturing smiles automatically
(Smile Shutter)
A photo is recorded automatically when the
camcorder detects the smile of a person.
An orange frame appears around a face
targeted for a possible smile detection shot.
Touch the face you want to record as In the default setting, the Smile Shutter
priority. function is set to [OFF]. When you use
the function, change the setting of [SMILE
DETECTION] (p. 83).

The double-lined frame is displayed.

Touch the face with the double-lined frame

again to cancel. If you touch another face,  Notes
 Smiles may not be detected depending on
the face with the double-lined frame is
recording conditions, subject conditions, and
canceled and the double-lined frame is the setting of your camcorder.
displayed around the new face.  When [ REC MODE] is set to [HD FX], you
cannot use the Smile Shutter function.
 Notes
The face you touched may not be detected,  Tips
depending on the surrounding brightness or  You can select the subject that has priority
hairstyle of the subject. In this case, touch the for face detection and smile detection with
face again when you record. [PRIORITY SETTING] (p. 83). When you
specify the priority subject by touching the
 Tips
detection frame on the LCD screen, the face
 If you set [SMILE DETECTION] to [DUAL
with a double-lined frame has priority.
CAPTURE], or [ALWAYS ON] (p. 83), the
 If a smile is not detected, set the [SMILE
face you touch also has priority with the Smile
US SENSITIVITY] (p. 83).
30
Recording high quality photos automatic and manual every time you
press the MANUAL button.
during movie recording (Dual Rec)

You can record photos during movie
 Rotate the RING to adjust the
recording by pressing PHOTO.
focus manually.
 Notes
 may appear when the capacity of the
recording media is not enough or when you
record photos continuously. You cannot record Menu items that can be assigned
photos while is displayed.  [FOCUS] (p. 79)
 When [ REC MODE] is set to [HD FX], you  [EXPOSURE] (p. 79)
cannot use Dual Rec.
 [IRIS]
 Tips Shoots images with the IRIS priority
 When the MODE lamp is set to (Movie), the mode. If you adjust the IRIS, you can
size of photos becomes [ 5.3M] (16:9 wide) sharpen the subject with its background
or [4.0M] (4:3).
blurred or sharpen the whole image.

Recording/Playback
 You can record photos during recording
 [SHUTTER SPEED]
standby in the same way as when the (Photo)
lamp is turned on. Shoots images with the SHUTTER
SPEED priority mode. When you shoot a
Controlling the image settings moving subject at a higher shutter speed,
it appears as if frozen on the image. At a
manually with the RING
lower shutter speed, the subject appears
It is useful to assign a frequently used as if it flowing.
menu item to the RING. The following  [AE SHIFT] (p. 80)
is an example of the procedure when the  [WB SHIFT] (p. 80)
[FOCUS] setting is assigned (the default
setting).
To assign the menu items to the RING
RING  Press and hold the MANUAL button for
several seconds.
The [RING SETTING] screen appears.

MANUAL
button

 Rotate the RING and select a menu item
 Press the MANUAL button to
to be assigned.
activate the manual adjustment
 Press the MANUAL button.
mode.
The setting mode switches between
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  Notes  The displayed camera data differs depending on
 You cannot switch the setting of [IRIS] and the settings at the time of recording (p. 86). The
[SHUTTER SPEED] between automatic and icons are shown as follows.
manual by pressing MANUAL during movie …Automatic mode
recording. Set the automatic or manual mode …Image brightness manual setting
before starting movie recording. mode
 The menu item settings done before will be …IRIS priority mode
retained even if you set other menu item …SHUTTER SPEED priority mode
settings after that. If [EXPOSURE] is set after
[AE SHIFT] is set manually, [EXPOSURE] will
override [AE SHIFT].
 You cannot set [EXPOSURE], [IRIS], or
[SHUTTER SPEED] simultaneously. If you set
either one of them, the settings of other 2 items
are canceled.
 If you select [RESET] in step , all the settings
set manually return to the default setting.

 Tips
 You can also assign menu items to the RING by
touching (MENU)  [Show others] 
[OTHER REC SET] (under [SHOOTING
SET] category)  [RING SETTING].
 Even if you open the IRIS wider (a smaller
F-stop) than F3.4 when you set the zoom lever
to the W (Wide angle) side, the IRIS is reset
to F3.4 as you move the zoom lever to the T
(Telephoto) side.
 If you adjust the IRIS, the in-focus range in
front of and behind the focused subject is
changed. When you open the IRIS wider (a
smaller F-stop), the in-focus range becomes
narrower, and when you close the IRIS
narrower (a larger F-stop), the in-focus range
becomes wider. You can set the IRIS to a
preferred value depending on the shooting
scenes.
 It is difficult to focus automatically at a
lower shutter speed. Manual focusing with
your camcorder attached to a tripod is
recommended.
 When you record images under a fluorescent
lamp, sodium lamp, or mercury lamp,
horizontal stripes may appear, flicker may
occur, or color may change. In this case, change
the shutter speed according to the power supply
frequency in your region.
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Playback on the camcorder
In the default setting, movies and photos that are recorded on the internal memory are played.
 Tips
 To change the recording media, see page 20.

1
Slide the POWER switch to ON while pressing the green button.

2
Press (VIEW IMAGES).
The VISUAL INDEX screen appears after some seconds.

Recording/Playback
 You can display the VISUAL INDEX screen also by touching (VIEW IMAGES) on the LCD
screen.
 Images are displayed and sorted by recording date.

3
Touch or ()  a desired movie () to playback a movie.
Touch the (Photo) ()  a desired photo () to view a photo.

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  Switches operating button display.
 To MENU screen
 Displays the screen to select the index type ([DATE INDEX] (p. 36)/[ FILM ROLL]
(p. 36)/[ FACE] (p. 36)).
 / : Displays images recorded on the previous/next date.*
 / : Displays the previous/next image.
 Returns to the recording screen.
*  is displayed when  is touched.

 appears when the standard definition image quality (STD) movie is selected with [ /
SET] (p. 28).
 You can scroll the display by touching and dragging  or .
  appears with the movie or photo that was most recently played or recorded. If you touch the
movie or photo with , you can continue playback from the previous time. ( appears on the
photo recorded on the memory card.)

Playing movies

Your camcorder starts playing the selected movie.

Volume adjustment

Previous Next

OPTION
To stop
To fast-forward
To fast-reverse To pause/play

 Notes
You may not be able to play back the images with other devices than camcorder.

 Tips
 When playback from the selected movie reaches the last movie, the screen returns to the INDEX screen.
 Touch / during pause to play back movies slowly.
 As you repeat touching / during playback, movies are played as fast as about 5 times 
about 10 times  about 30 times  about 60 times.
 You can also display the VISUAL INDEX by touching (MENU)  [Show others]  [VISUAL
INDEX] (under [PLAYBACK] category).
 The recording date, time, and shooting conditions are recorded automatically during recording. This
information is not displayed during recording, but you can display it during playback by touching
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 (MENU)  [Show others]  [PLAYBACK SET] (under [PLAYBACK] category)  [DATA
CODE]  a desired setting    .

To adjust the sound volume of movies

While playing back movies, touch  adjust with /  .
 You can also adjust the sound volume by using / from (OPTION) MENU.

Viewing photos
Your camcorder displays the selected photo.

To start/stop slide
Previous show
To the VISUAL INDEX Next
screen OPTION MENU

Recording/Playback
 Tips
 When viewing photos recorded on the memory card, (playback folder) appears on the screen.

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 Useful functions for
playing movies and
photos
Searching for desired scene by
pinpoint (Film Roll Index)
Searching for desired images by
date (Date Index) Movies can be divided by a set time and the
first scene of each division is displayed on
You can search for desired images by date the INDEX screen. You can start playing
efficiently. back a movie from the selected thumbnail.
 Notes
You cannot use the Date Index function for
 Press (VIEW IMAGES).
photos on the memory card.
The VISUAL INDEX screen appears.

 Press (VIEW IMAGES).
 Touch [ FILM ROLL].
The VISUAL INDEX screen appears.
Returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen

 Touch  [DATE INDEX].
Returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen

Sets the interval at which to create

thumbnails of scenes in a movie.

 Touch / to select the date  Touch / to select the
of the desired image, then touch desired movie.
.

 Touch / to search for the
desired scene, then touch the
scene you want to play back.
Playback starts from the selected
The images of the selected date are
scene.
displayed on the VISUAL INDEX
screen. Searching for desired scene by face
(Face Index)
The face images detected or touched during
 Tips
movie recording are displayed on the
 On the Film Roll Index/Face Index screen, you
can display the Date Index by touching the date INDEX screen.
in the upper right corner of the screen. You can play back the movie from the
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selected face image.
36
 definition image quality (HD) movies
 Press (VIEW IMAGES). with music and visual effects. Scenes
for Highlight Playback differ each time
The VISUAL INDEX screen appears.
Highlight Playback is selected. You can save
the desired Highlight Playback scenario.
 Touch [ FACE].
Returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen Touch (MENU)  [Show
others]  [ HIGHLIGHT] (under
[PLAYBACK] category).
The settings for Highlight Playback appear.
The Highlight Playback starts after several
seconds.

Returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen

 Touch / to select the
desired movie.

Recording/Playback

 Touch / to search for the
desired face image, then touch
the desired face image to view
the scene. To stop Highlight Playback
To pause, touch .
Playback starts from the beginning of
To stop, touch or .
the scene with the selected face image.
To change the settings for Highlight
Playback
 Notes After touching [ HIGHLIGHT], touch
 Faces may not be detected depending on [HIGHLIGHT SET] before the Highlight
recording conditions. Playback starts. You can set following items.
Example: People wearing glasses or hats, or who  [PLAYBACK RANGE]
do not face towards the camera. Set the range of movies to be played by selecting
 Make sure that you set [FACE DETECTION]
the from and to date, then touch .
to [ON] (p. 82) (the default setting) prior to If no range is set, your camcorder plays the
recording, to search movies on the Face Index. movies starting from those of the date displayed
on the VISUAL INDEX screen until the most
Playing back a digest of your recently recorded movie.
movies (Highlight Playback)  [THEME]
Select one of the following: [SIMPLE],
Your camcorder selects Highlight Playback [NOSTALGIC], [STYLISH], [ACTIVE] (the
scenes at random, puts them together, and default setting)
The music category is selected automatically
plays them back as a digest of your high
according to the theme. US
37
  [MUSIC] To play back a saved Highlight Playback
From the music category, you can select one or scenario
more of the following: [MUSIC1] - [MUSIC4].
Touch (MENU)  [Show others] 
 [AUDIO MIX]
The original sound is played back with the [ SCENARIO] (under [PLAYBACK]
music. category) and select a scenario you want to
Touch / to adjust the balance between play back with / and touch .
the original sound and the music.
 [SHUFFLE]  Notes
To play back movies in random order, select If movies included in the Highlight Playback
[ON]. scenario you are going to play are deleted or
divided, the scenario is played back with those
 Notes movies skipped.
The [PLAYBACK RANGE] setting is cleared
when the Highlight Playback stops. To erase the saved Highlight Playback
scenario
 Tips
Touch (MENU)  [Show others] 
 You can change the settings for Highlight
Playback during Highlight Playback by [ SCENARIO ERASE] (under [EDIT]
touching (OPTION). category)  [ERASE] and select a scenario
 If you change the settings for Highlight you want to erase with / , then touch
Playback, Highlight Playback scenes are  [YES]   .
re-selected.  To erase all scenarios, touch (MENU)
 If you change [MUSIC] after you select  [Show others]  [ SCENARIO ERASE]
[THEME], the music will be selected (under [EDIT] category)  [ERASE ALL]
automatically for the theme from next time.  [YES]  [YES]   .
 You can erase also by touching
To save a scenario for Highlight (OPTION) during Highlight Scenario Playback
Playback or on the scenario selection screen.
Touch (OPTION)  [ SCENARIO
SAVE]  [YES] during Highlight Using PB zoom with photos
Playback.
You can magnify photos from about 1.1 to 5
times the original size.
Magnification can be adjusted with the
power zoom lever.

 You can save a maximum of 8 scenarios.

If 8 scenarios have already been saved,
[HIGHLIGHT SCENARIO full. HIGHLIGHT
SCENARIOS may be erased when the
SCENARIO ERASE button is pressed.]
appears on the LCD screen. Touch
[ SCENARIO ERASE] to delete unwanted
scenarios.
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38
 To restart the slide show
 Play back the photo you want to Touch again.
magnify.
 Notes
You cannot operate playback zoom during slide
show.
 Magnify the photo with T
(Telephoto).  Tips
 You can set continuous slide show playback
The screen is framed.
by selecting (OPTION)  tab 
[SLIDE SHOW SET] while playing photos. The
 Touch the screen at the point you default setting is [ON] (continuous playback).

want to display in the center of

the displayed frame.
The point where you touched on the
screen is moved to the center of the
display frame.

Recording/Playback

 Adjust the magnification with W
(Wide angle)/T (Telephoto).

To cancel, touch .

Playing back a series of photos

(Slide show)

Touch on the photo playback

screen.
The slide show begins from the selected
photo.

To stop the slide show

Touch .
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 Playing images on a TV

Playback image quality depends on the type of TV, or the jacks used to make the connection.
Use the supplied AC Adaptor to obtain AC power (p. 14).
Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the device to be connected.

Jacks on your camcorder

Open the jack cover and connect the cable.

HDMI OUT

R-AUDIO-L VIDEO Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr

Connecting to a high definition TV

High definition image quality (HD) movies are played back in
high definition image quality (HD).
Standard definition image quality (STD) movies are played back in
standard definition image quality (STD).

COMPONENT IN VIDEO

AUDIO HDMI IN

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 : Signal flow
Type Camcorder Cable TV Menu Setting
A/V connecting cable (supplied) [Show others] menu 
[OUTPUT SETTINGS]
(under [GENERAL
SET] category) 
(White) [COMPONENT] 
AUDIO [1080i/480i] (p. 91)
(Red)

Component video cable COMPONENT

(sold separately) IN
(Green) Y
(Blue) PB/CB VIDEO
(Red) PR/CR

 Notes

Recording/Playback
If you connect only component video cable (sold separately), audio signals are not output. Connect the
white and red plugs to output audio signals.

: Signal flow
Type Camcorder Cable TV Menu Setting
[Show others] menu 
HDMI IN [OUTPUT SETTINGS]
HDMI cable (sold separately) (under [GENERAL
SET] category) 
[HDMI RESOLUTION]
 [HD CONTENTS]/
[STD CONTENTS] 
[AUTO] (p. 91)

 Notes
 Use an HDMI cable with the HDMI logo.
 Images are not output from the HDMI OUT jack of your camcorder, if copyright protection signals are
recorded in the movies.
 Your TVs may not function correctly (for example, no sound or image).
 Select [HD CONTENTS] or [STD CONTENTS] according to on the recorded image quality (p. 91).
 Do not connect the HDMI OUT jack of your camcorder and HDMI OUT jack of the external device with
the HDMI cable. This may cause a malfunction.
 This camcorder is not compatible with “BRAVIA” sync.

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 Connecting to a non-high-definition 16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV
High definition image quality (HD) movies are played back in
standard definition image quality (STD).
Standard definition image quality (STD) movies are played back
in standard definition image quality (STD).

COMPONENT IN VIDEO

AUDIO VIDEO/AUDIO

: Signal flow
Type Camcorder Cable TV Menu Setting

A/V connecting cable (supplied) [Show others] menu 

[OUTPUT SETTINGS]
(under [GENERAL
SET] category) 
(White) [COMPONENT] 
(Red) AUDIO [1080i/480i] (p. 91)
[OUTPUT SETTINGS]
Component video cable COMPONENT  [TV TYPE] 
(sold separately) IN [16:9]/[4:3]* (p. 90)
(Green) Y
(Blue) PB/CB VIDEO
(Red) PR/CR

* Change the settings according to the TV connected.

 Notes
If you connect only component video cable (sold separately), audio signals are not output. Connect the
white and red plugs to output audio signals.

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 : Signal flow
Type Camcorder Cable TV Menu Setting
A/V connecting cable (supplied) [Show others] menu 
[OUTPUT SETTINGS]
(under [GENERAL
(Yellow) VIDEO SET] category)  [TV
TYPE]  [16:9]/[4:3]*
(White)
AUDIO (p. 90)
(Red)

* Change the settings according to the TV connected.

When connecting to your TV via 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 (VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, etc.).

To set the aspect ratio according to the connected TV (16:9/4:3)

Recording/Playback
 Set [TV TYPE] to [16:9] or [4:3] according to your TV (p. 90).

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 (left
channel) or red (right channel) plug to the audio input jack of your TV or VCR.

 Notes
When you play back standard definition image quality (STD) movies on a 4:3 TV that is not compatible
with the 16:9 signal, record movies with 4:3 aspect ratio. Touch (MENU)  [Show others] 
[OTHER REC SET] (under [SHOOTING SET] category)  [ WIDE SELECT]  [4:3] 
  (p. 84).

 Tips
 If you connect your camcorder to the TV using more than one type of cable to output images, the order
of priority of the TV input jacks is as follows:
HDMI  component  video
 HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is an interface to send both video/audio signals. The
HDMI OUT jack outputs high quality images and digital audio.

On “Photo TV HD”
This camcorder is compatible with the “Photo TV HD” standard. “Photo TV HD” allows for
highly-detailed, photo-like depiction of subtle textures and colors.
By connecting Sony’s Photo TV HD-compatible devices using an HDMI cable* or the
component video cable**, a whole new world of photos can be enjoyed in breathtaking full
HD quality.
* The TV will automatically switch to the appropriate mode when displaying photos.
** Setup of the TV will be necessary. Please refer to the instructions of your Photo TV HD-compatible TV
for details.
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 Making good use of your camcorder
Deleting movies and
photos
You can free media space by deleting
movies and photos from recording media.
3
Touch and display the mark
on the movies or photos to be
 Notes deleted.
 You cannot restore images once they are
deleted. Save important movies and photos in
advance.
 Do not remove the battery pack or the AC
Adaptor from your camcorder while deleting
the images. It may damage the recording media.
 Do not eject memory card while deleting  Press and hold the image down on the
images from the memory card. LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch
 You cannot delete protected movies and photos. to return to the previous screen.

4
Undo the protection of the movies and photos
to delete them, before you try to delete them

(p. 45). Touch  [YES] 
 If the deleted movie is included in the Playlist  .
(p. 50), the movie added to the Playlist is
deleted also from the Playlist.
 If the deleted movie is included in the saved To delete all movies/photos at one time
Highlight Playback scenario (p. 38), the movie
In step 2, touch [ DELETE] 
is also deleted from the scenario.
[ DELETE ALL]/[ DELETE ALL]
 Tips  [YES]  [YES]   .
 You can delete an image on the playback screen  To delete all photos at one time, touch
from OPTION MENU. [ DELETE]  [ DELETE ALL]  [YES]
 To delete all images recorded in the recording  [YES]   .
media, and recover all the recordable space of
the media, format the media (p. 88). To delete all the movies/photos
 Reduced-size images which enable you to view recorded on the same day at one time
many images at the same time on an index
screen are called “thumbnails.”  Notes

1
You cannot delete photos on memory card by
recording date.
Touch (MENU)  [Show  In step 2, touch [ DELETE] 
others]  [DELETE] (under [ DELETE by date]/[ DELETE
[EDIT] category). by date].
To delete all photos on the same day at one

2

time, touch [ DELETE]  [ DELETE
To delete movies, touch by date].
[ DELETE]  [ DELETE] or
[ DELETE].
 To delete photos, touch [ DELETE] 
[ DELETE].

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 Protecting recorded
movies and photos
 Touch / to select the recording
(Protect)
date of the desired movies/photos, then Protect movies and photos to avoid deleting
touch . them by mistake.
 Touch the image on the LCD screen to
 Tips
confirm the image. Touch to return
 You can protect movies and photos on the
to the previous screen.
playback screen from OPTION MENU.
 Touch [YES]   .

1
Touch (MENU)  [Show
others]  [PROTECT] (under
[EDIT] category).

2
To protect movies, touch
[ PROTECT]  [ PROTECT]/
[ PROTECT].
 To protect photos, touch [ PROTECT]
 [ PROTECT].

Making good use of your camcorder

Touch the movies and photos to
be protected.
 is displayed on the selected images.

 Press and hold the image down on the

LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch
to return to the previous screen.

4
Touch
 .
 [YES] 

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 Dividing a movie

1
To undo the protection of movies and
photos
Touch (MENU)  [Show
Touch the movie or photo marked with  others]  [ DIVIDE] (under
in step 3.
[EDIT] category).
 disappears.

To protect all the movies and photos

recorded on the same day at one time
2
Touch the movie to be divided.
The selected movie starts playback.
 Notes
 You cannot select [ PRT. by date] for still
images recorded on the memory card. 3
Touch at the point where
you want to divide the movie into
 In step 2, touch [ PROTECT] 
scenes.
[ PRT. by date]/[ PRT. by date].
 To protect all photos on the same day at The movie pauses. Play and pause
one time, touch [ PROTECT]  toggles as you press .
[ PRT. by date].
Adjusts the dividing point with more
precision after you selected the dividing
point with .

 Touch / to select the recording

date of the desired movies/photos, then
touch .
 Touch the image on the LCD screen to Returns to the beginning of the selected
movie
confirm the image. Touch to return
to the previous screen.
 Touch [PROTECT] 

To undo the protection of movies and

 .
4
Touch  [YES]  .

photos recorded on the same day at

one time
 Notes
In step  above, select the recording date  You cannot restore movies once they are
of the desired movies/photos, then touch divided.
 [UNPROTECT]    You cannot divide protected movie. Undo the
. protection of the movie to divide it, before you
try to divide it (p. 45).
 Do not remove the battery pack or the AC
Adaptor from your camcorder while dividing
the movie. It may damage the recording media.
Also, do not eject the memory card while
dividing movies on the memory card.
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 Capturing a photo
from a movie
 A slight difference may occur from the point You can capture photos from movies
where you touch and the actual dividing recorded on the internal memory of your
point, as your camcorder selects the dividing
camcorder. Set [MOVIE MEDIA SET] to
point based on about half-second increments.
[INT. MEMORY] beforehand (p. 20).
 If you divide the original movie, the movie


added to the Playlist will also be divided.
If the divided movie is included in the saved
Highlight Playback scenario (p. 38), the movie
1
Touch (MENU)  [Show
others]  [PHOTO CAPTURE]
is deleted from the scenario.
 Only simple editing is available on the (under [EDIT] category).
camcorder. Use the supplied software “PMB” The [PHOTO CAPTURE] screen
for more advanced editing.
appears.

2
 Tips
 You can divide a movie on the playback screen
Touch the movie to be captured.
from OPTION MENU.
The selected movie starts playback.

3
Touch at the point where
you want to capture.
The movie pauses. Play and pause

Making good use of your camcorder

toggles as you press .

Adjust the capturing point with more

precision after you selected the point with
.

Returns to the beginning of the selected

movie

4
Touch .
When capturing is finished, the screen
returns to pause.
 The captured photo is saved on the
recording media selected in [PHOTO
MEDIA SET] (p. 20).

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 Dubbing/copying
movies and photos
 To continue capturing, touch , then
from the internal
repeat steps from step 3. memory to memory
To capture a photo from another movie,
card

touch , then repeat steps from step 2.

5
Touch  . Dubbing movies
You can dub movies recorded on the
internal memory of your camcorder to
 Notes memory card.
 The image size is fixed depending on the image Insert memory card into your camcorder
quality of the movie: before the operation.
[ 2.1M] with high definition image quality
(HD)  Notes
[ 0.2M] in 16:9 (wide) with standard  When you record a movie on the memory card
definition image quality (STD) for the first time, create the image database file
 [VGA(0.3M)] in 4:3 with standard definition by touching (MENU)  [Show others]
image quality (STD)  [REPAIR IMG.DB F.] (under [MANAGE
 The recording medium where you want to save MEDIA] category)  [MEMORY CARD].
photos should have enough free space.  Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet
 The recording date and time of captured photos (wall socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor to
is the same as the recording date and time of prevent your camcorder from running out of
the movies. power during dubbing.
 If the movie you are capturing from has no data
code, the recording date and time of the photo  Tips
will be the date and time you captured from  The original movie will not be deleted after
the movie. dubbing.
 All included images in a Playlist will be dubbed.
 The images recorded by this camcorder and
stored onto the recording media are called
“original.”

 Touch (MENU)  [Show
others]  [MOVIE DUB] (under
[EDIT] category).
The [MOVIE DUB] screen appears.

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48

 Touch the type of dubbing.  Touch  [YES] 
[DUB by select]: To select movies and  .
dub
[DUB by date]: To dub all movies of a
specified date  Tips
[ DUB ALL]: To dub the high  To check the dubbed movies after dubbing is
definition image quality (HD) Playlist finished, select [MEMORY CARD] on [MOVIE
[ DUB ALL]: To dub the standard MEDIA SET] and play them back (p. 20).
definition image quality (STD) Playlist
When you select the Playlist as the Copying photos
source of dubbing, follow the on-screen
You can copy photos from the internal
instructions to dub the Playlist.
memory of the camcorder to memory card.
Insert a memory card into your camcorder
 Select the movie to be dubbed. before the operation.
[DUB by select]: Touch the movie to be  Notes
dubbed, and mark it with . You can Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet
select multiple movies. (wall socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor to

Making good use of your camcorder

prevent your camcorder from running out of
power during copying.

 Touch (MENU)  [Show
others]  [PHOTO COPY] (under
Remaining capacity of the [EDIT] category).
memory card
The [PHOTO COPY] screen appears.
 Press and hold the image down on the
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch
to return to the previous screen.

[DUB by date]: Select the recording

date of the movie to be dubbed, then
touch . You cannot select multiple
dates.
 Touch the type of copying.
[COPY by select]: To copy selected
photos
[COPY by date]: To copy all photos of
a specified date

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 Using the Playlist of
movies
The Playlist is a list showing thumbnails of
 Select the photo to be copied. the movies that you have selected.
[COPY by select]: Touch the photo to The original movies are not changed even
be copied, and mark with . You can if you edit or erase the movies added to the
select multiple photos. Playlist.

Creating the Playlist

 Notes
High definition image quality (HD) movies and
standard definition image quality (STD) movies
 Press and hold the image down on the
are added to an individual Playlist.
screen to confirm the image. Touch
to return to the previous screen.
[COPY by date]: Select the recording  Touch (MENU)  [Show
date of the photo to be copied, then others]  [PLAYLIST EDIT]
touch . You cannot select multiple (under [EDIT] category).
dates.
 Touch [ ADD] or [ ADD].

 Touch the movie to be added to
the Playlist.

 Touch  [YES] 
 .

The selected movie is marked with .

 Tips
 Press and hold the image down on the
 To check the copied photos after copying
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch
is finished, select [MEMORY CARD] on
to return to the previous screen.
[PHOTO MEDIA SET] and play them back
(p. 20).
 Touch  [YES] 
 .

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To add all the movies recorded on the Playing the Playlist
same day at one time
 In step 2, touch [ ADD by date]/  Touch (MENU)  [Show
[ ADD by date]. others]  [PLAYLIST] (under
The recording dates of movies are [PLAYBACK] category).
displayed on the screen.
Movies added to the Playlist appear.

 Touch / to select the recording

date of the desired movie, then touch
.  Touch the movie you want to
 Touch the image on the LCD screen to play back.
confirm the image. Touch to return
to the previous screen. The Playlist is played back from the
 Touch [YES]   . selected movie to the end, then the
screen returns to the Playlist screen.
 Notes

Making good use of your camcorder

 Do not remove the battery pack or the AC
Adaptor from your camcorder while adding To erase unnecessary movies from the
movies to the Playlist. It may damage the Playlist
recording media. Also, do not eject the memory
 Touch (MENU)  [Show others]
card while editing movies on the memory card.
 You cannot add photos to the Playlist.
 [PLAYLIST EDIT] (under
 You cannot create a Playlist which contains [EDIT] category).
both high definition image quality (HD) movies  Touch [ ERASE]/[ ERASE].
and standard definition image quality (STD) To erase all the movies from the Playlist,
movies. touch [ ERASE ALL]/[ ERASE
 Tips ALL]  [YES]  [YES]  
 You can add a maximum of 999 high definition .
image quality (HD) movies, or 99 standard  Select the movie to be erased from the
definition image quality (STD) movies to the list.
Playlist.
 You can add a movie on the playback screen or
the Playlist screen by touching
(OPTION).

The selected movie is marked with .

 Press and hold the image down on the
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch
to return to the previous screen.
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51
  Touch  [YES]  
.
 Tips
 Even if you erase a movie from a Playlist, the
original movie is not deleted.

To change the order within the Playlist

 Touch (MENU)  [Show others]
 [PLAYLIST EDIT] (under
[EDIT] category).
 Touch [ MOVE]/[ MOVE].
 Select the movie to be moved.

The selected movie is marked with .

 Touch the image on the LCD screen to
confirm the image. Touch to return
to the previous screen.
 Touch .
 Select the destination with / .

Destination bar
 Touch  [YES]  
.
 Tips
 When you select multiple movies, the movies
are moved following the order appearing in the
Playlist.

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Saving movies and photos with a computer
Preparing a computer
(Windows)
Step 1 Checking the computer
You can perform following operations using
“PMB (Picture Motion Browser).”
system
 Importing images to a computer OS*1
 Viewing and editing imported images
Microsoft Windows XP SP3*2/Windows Vista
 Creating a disc SP2*3/Windows 7
 Uploading movies and photos to websites CPU*4
To save movies and photos using a Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz or faster, or Intel
computer, install “PMB” from the supplied Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz or faster (Intel Core
CD-ROM beforehand. 2 Duo 2.26 GHz or faster is required when
processing HD FX/HD FH movies)
 Notes However, Intel Pentium III 1 GHz or faster is
 Do not format the media of your camcorder sufficient for the following operations:
from a computer. Your camcorder may not  Importing the movies and photos to the
operate correctly. computer
 One Touch Disc Burn
 This camcorder captures high definition footage
 Creating an Blu-ray Disc/AVCHD disc/
in the AVCHD format. Using the enclosed
DVD-video (Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz or
PC software, high definition footage can be
faster is required when creating a DVD
copied onto DVD media. However, DVD media video by converting high definition image
containing AVCHD footage should not be used quality (HD) to standard definition image
with DVD based players or recorders, as the quality (STD).)
DVD player/recorder may fail to eject the media  Copying a disc
and may erase its contents without warning.  Processing only the movies with standard
definition image quality (STD)

Saving movies and photos with a computer

Application
DirectX 9.0c or later (This product is based
on DirectX technology. It is necessary to have
DirectX installed.)
Memory
For Windows XP: 512 MB or more (1 GB or
more is recommended.)
However, 256 MB or more is sufficient for
processing only the movies with standard
definition image quality (STD).
For Windows Vista/Windows 7: 1 GB or
more
Hard disk
Disk volume required for installation:
Approximately 500 MB (10 GB or more may
be necessary when creating AVCHD discs.
50 GB maximum may be necessary when
creating Blu-ray Disc.)
Display
Minimum 1,024 × 768 dots

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53
 Others
USB port (this must be provided as standard,  Confirm that your camcorder is
Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compatible)), Blu- not connected to the computer.
ray Disc/DVD burner (CD-ROM drive is
necessary for installation) Either NTFS or
exFAT file system is recommended as the  Turn on the computer.
hard disk file system.
 Log on as an Administrator for
*1 Standard installation is required. Operation is
installation.
not assured if the OS has been upgraded or in a
 Close all applications running on the
multi-boot environment.
computer before installing the software.
*2 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not
supported. Windows Image Mastering API
(IMAPI) Ver.2.0 or newer is required to use disc  Place the supplied CD-ROM in
creation function, etc.
the disc drive of your computer.
*3 Starter (Edition) is not supported.
*4 Faster processor is recommended. The installation screen appears.
 If the screen does not appear, click
 Notes [Start]  [Computer] (in Windows
 Operation with all computer environments is XP, [My Computer]), then double-click
not assured. [SONYPMB (E:)] (CD-ROM)*.
* Drive names (such as (E:)) may vary
When using a Macintosh depending on the computer.
The supplied software “PMB” is not
supported by Macintosh computers. To  Click [Install].
import the movies and photos to the
computer, please contact Apple Inc..

Step 2 Installing the supplied

software “PMB”
Install “PMB” before connecting your
camcorder to a computer.  Select the country or region.
 Notes
If a version of “PMB” under 5.0.00 has been  Select the language for the
installed on your computer, you may be unable application to be installed, then
to use some functions of those “PMB” when
installing the “PMB” from the supplied CD-
proceed to the next screen.
ROM. Also, “PMB Launcher” is installed from

the supplied CD-ROM and you can start “PMB”
or other software by using the “PMB Launcher.”  Read the terms of the license
Double-click the “PMB Launcher” short-cut agreement carefully. If you agree
icon on the computer screen to start “PMB to the terms, change to , and
Launcher.” then click [Next]  [Install].
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54
  Restart the computer if required to
 Turn on your camcorder, then complete the installation.

connect the camcorder to the When the installation is completed,

following icons will appear.
computer using the supplied USB
Remove the CD-ROM from your
cable.
computer.

: Starts “PMB.”
: Displays “PMB Help.”
The [USB SELECT] screen appears on : Displays “PMB Launcher.”
the camcorder screen automatically. “PMB Launcher” enables you to start
“PMB” or other software, or to open

web sites.
 Touch the one of the media types  Other icons may appear.
displayed on the camcorder  No icon may appear depending on the
screen to make the computer installation procedure.
recognize your camcorder.
[ USB CONNECT]: (internal

Saving movies and photos with a computer

memory)  Notes
To create discs or use other functions on
[ USB CONNECT]: (memory card)
Windows XP, Image Mastering API v2.0 for
 If the [USB SELECT] screen does not
Windows XP should be installed. If Image
appear, touch (MENU)  [Show
Mastering API v2.0 for Windows XP has not
others]  [USB CONNECT] (under
been installed yet, select it from required
[OTHERS] category).
programs on the installation screen and install
it following the procedures displayed. (The
 Click [Continue] on the computer computer must be connected to the internet
for the installation.) You may install Image
screen.
Mastering API v2.0 for Windows XP in
response to the message displayed when you try
to start those functions.
 Follow the on-screen instructions
to install the software.
 Connect the camcorder to the computer
during the installation of “PMB.”
 Depending on the computer, you may
need to install third party software. If
the installation screen appears, follow
the instructions to install the required
software.
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55
 Starting PMB (Picture
Motion Browser)
To disconnect your camcorder from the Double-click the “PMB” short-cut icon on
computer the computer screen.
 Click the icon at the bottom right of the
desktop of the computer  [Safely remove
USB Mass Storage Device].

 Notes
 Touch [END]  [YES] on the camcorder If the icon is not displayed on the computer
screen. screen, click [Start]  [All Programs] 
 Disconnect the USB cable. [ PMB] to start “PMB.”
You can view, edit, or create discs of movies
 Notes
 Access from the computer using the supplied
and photos using “PMB.”
software “PMB.” Do not modify the files or
folders on the camcorder from the computer. Reading “PMB Help”
The image files may be destroyed or may not be
played back. For details on how to use “PMB,” read the
 When importing a long movie or edited image, “PMB Help.” Double-click the “PMB Help”
use the supplied software “PMB.” If you use any short-cut icon on the computer screen to
other software, images may not be imported open the “PMB Help.”
properly.
 If file size exceeds 2 GB during a long recording,
a new file is created automatically, resulting
in the movie being divided into multiple files
when you view the recording media directly
from your computer after recording.
 If you import images without using supplied
“PMB,” files automatically created (due to the  Notes
2 GB limit) may not be concatenated. Even if If the icon is not displayed on the computer
you usually use other editing software, use the screen, click [Start]  [All Programs] 
supplied software “PMB” to import images to [PMB]  [PMB Help]. You can also open the
the computer to ensure files are concatenated “PMB Help” from [Help] of “PMB.”
and imported to the computer.
 Operation is not guaranteed, if you perform the
above operation.
 When you delete image files, follow the steps
on page 44. Do not delete the image files on the
camcorder directly from the computer.
 Do not copy the files on the recording
media from the computer. Operation is not
guaranteed.
 You can create a Blu-ray Disc by using a
computer with a Blu-ray Disc burner. Install the
US BD Add-on Software for “PMB” (p. 62).
56
Selecting the method for creating a disc
(computer)
Several methods for creating a high definition image quality (HD) disc or a standard
definition image quality (STD) disc from high definition image quality (HD) movies or
photos recorded on your camcorder are described here. Select the method that suits your
disc player.

Player Choosing a method and disc type

Blu-ray Disc playback  Importing movies and photos to a

devices (a Blu-ray Disc player, computer (p. 60)
PlayStation3, etc.) 
 Creating a Blu-ray Disc* with high
definition image quality (HD) (p. 62)

AVCHD format playback devices

Creating a disc with one touch (One Touch
(a Sony Blu-ray Disc player,
Disc Burn) (p. 59)
PlayStation3, etc.)

 Importing movies and photos to a

computer (p. 60)

 Creating a AVCHD format disc with high
definition image quality (HD) (p. 61)

Ordinary DVD playback devices

Saving movies and photos with a computer

(a DVD player, a computer that  Importing movies and photos to a
can play DVDs, etc.) computer (p. 60)

 Creating a standard definition image
quality (STD) disc (p. 63)

* To create a Blu-ray Disc, the BD Add-on Software for “PMB” must be installed (p. 62).

 Notes
In this manual, the DVD disc recorded with high definition image quality (HD) is called AVCHD disc.

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 Characteristics of each type of disc
Using a Blu-ray Disc enables you to record high definition image quality (HD) movies of a longer
duration than DVD discs.

High definition image quality (HD) movie can be recorded on DVD media, such as DVD-R discs,
and a high definition image quality (HD) disc is created.
You can play a high definition image quality (HD) disc on AVCHD format playback devices, such as
a Sony Blu-ray Disc player and a PlayStation3. You cannot play the disc on ordinary DVD players.
Standard definition image quality (STD) movie converted from high definition image quality (HD)
movie can be recorded on DVD media, such as DVD-R discs, and a standard image quality (STD)
disc is created.

Discs you can use with “PMB”

You can use 12 cm discs of following type with “PMB.” For Blu-ray Disc, see page 62.
Disc type Features
DVD-R/DVD+R/DVD+R DL Unrewritable
DVD-RW/DVD+RW Rewritable

 Notes
 Always maintain your PlayStation3 to use the latest version of the PlayStation3 system software.
 The PlayStation3 may not be available in some countries/regions.

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Creating a disc with
one touch
(One Touch Disc Burn)
Movies and photos recorded on your
camcorder that have not yet been saved
2
Turn on your camcorder, then
connect the camcorder to the
with One Touch Disc Burn function can computer using the supplied USB
be saved on a disc automatically. Movies cable.
and photos are saved on a disc with their
recorded image quality.
 Notes
 High definition image quality (HD) movies (the
default setting) will make an AVCHD disc.
 You cannot create AVCHD discs from movies
recorded with [HD FX] mode of [ REC
MODE].
 Creating a Blu-ray disc is not available with One The [USB SELECT] screen appears on
Touch Disc Burn. the camcorder screen.
 To create a standard definition image quality
(STD) disc from high definition image quality
(HD) movies, import movies to a computer first
(p. 60), and then create a standard definition
3
Press [DISC BURN] on the LCD
screen.
image quality (STD) disc (p. 63).
 Install “PMB” beforehand (p. 54), however, do
not start “PMB.”
 Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall

Saving movies and photos with a computer

socket) using the AC Adaptor supplied for this
operation (p. 14).
 With One Touch Disc Burn function on your

4
camcorder, you can save movies and photos
recorded on the internal memory only.
Follow the instructions on the

1
Turn on your computer, and place
an unused disc on the DVD drive.
computer screen.

 See page 58 for the type of discs you can  Notes

use. Movies and photos are not saved on the
 If any other software than “PMB” starts computer when you perform One Touch Disc
automatically, shut it down. Burn.

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 Importing movies and
photos to a computer
Movies and photos recorded on your
camcorder can be imported to a computer.
Turn on the computer beforehand.
3
Click [Import].
 Refer to “PMB Help” (p. 56) for details.
 Notes
 Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall
socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this
operation (p. 14).

1
Turn on your camcorder, then
connect the camcorder to the
computer using the supplied USB
cable.
Movies and photos are imported to
your computer.
When the operation is completed, the
“PMB” screen appears.

Editing movies
The [USB SELECT] screen appears on
the camcorder screen. You can cut out only necessary parts
from a movie and save it as another file.

2
Touch the recording media that
contains the images you want to
Double-click the movie to be edited on
“PMB,” then click [Show Edit Palette]
on the right side of the screen  [Trim
save on the camcorder screen. Video], or select the [Manipulate] menu
[ USB CONNECT]: Internal  [Edit]  [Trim Video]. See “PMB
memory Help” (p. 56) for details.
[ USB CONNECT]: Memory card
 If the [USB SELECT] screen does not
appear, touch (MENU)  [Show
others]  [USB CONNECT] (under
[OTHERS] category).
The window for import appears on the
computer screen.

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 Creating an AVCHD
disc
You can create an AVCHD disc by putting
Capturing photos from a movie together high definition image quality
You can save a frame of a movie as a (HD) movies previously imported to your
photo file. computer (p. 60).
Double-click the movie to be edited on In this section, the procedure for recording
“PMB,” then click [Show Edit Palette] a high definition image quality (HD) movie
on the right side of the screen  [Save on a DVD disc is explained.

1
Frame]. See “PMB Help” (p. 56) for

details.
Turn on your computer, and place
an unused disc on the DVD drive.
 See page 57 for the type of discs you can
use.
 If any other software than “PMB” starts
automatically, shut it down.

2
Start “PMB” (p. 56).

3
Click [Calendar] or [Index] on
the left side in the window, and
select the date or folder, then

Saving movies and photos with a computer

select the high definition image
quality (HD) movies.
 High definition image quality (HD)
movies are marked with .
 You cannot save photos on a disc.
 To select plural movies, hold the Ctrl key
down and click thumbnails.

4
At the top of the window, click
 [Create AVCHD Format
Discs (HD)].

The window used to select movies US

61
 appears.
 To add movies to the previously selected Creating a Blu-ray Disc
ones, select the movies in the main You can create a Blu-ray Disc with a high
window and drag and drop onto the definition image quality (HD) movie
window for selecting movies.
previously imported to a computer

5
Follow the instructions on the
screen to create a disc.
(p. 60).
To create a Blu-ray Disc, the BD Add-on
Software for “PMB” must be installed.
 It may take a long time to create a disc. Click [BD Add-on Software] on the
installation screen of “PMB,” and install
this plug-in according to the on-screen
instructions.
Playing an AVCHD disc on a  Connect your computer to the internet
computer when you install [BD Add-on Software].
You can play back AVCHD discs using
“Player for AVCHD” that is installed
together with “PMB.”
To start “Player for AVCHD” Click
[Start]  [All Programs]  [PMB] 
[PMB Launcher]  [View]  [Player Place an unused Blu-ray Disc in the disc
for AVCHD]. drive, and click  [Create Blu-ray
See the “Player for AVCHD” help on the Disc (HD)] in step 4 of “Creating an
operation. AVCHD disc” (p. 61). Other procedures
 Movies may not be played smoothly
are the same as that for creating an
depending on the computer environment.
AVCHD disc.
 Your computer must support the creation of
Blu-ray Disc.
 BD-R (unrewritable) and BD-RE
(rewritable) media are available for creating
Blu-ray Disc. You cannot add contents to
either type of disc after creating the disc.

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Creating a standard
definition image
quality (STD) disc
that can be played on 4
At the top of the window, click
 [Create DVD-Video Format
ordinary DVD players Discs (STD)].
You can create a standard definition image The window used to select movies
quality (STD) disc by selecting movies appears.
previously imported to your computer  To add movies to the previously selected
(p. 60). ones, select the movies in the main
window and drag and drop onto the
 Notes window for selecting movies.
You may select high definition image quality
(HD) movies as sources. However, image
quality is converted from high definition (HD)
to standard definition (STD). It will take a
longer time for converting the image quality of
the movies than it took to actually record the
movies.

1
Turn on your computer, and place
an unused disc on the DVD drive. 5
Follow the instructions on the
 See page 58 for the type of discs you can screen to create a disc.
use.  It may take a long time to create a disc.

Saving movies and photos with a computer

 If any other software than “PMB” starts
automatically, shut it down.

2
Start “PMB” (p. 56). Copying a disc
You can copy a recorded disc to another

3
Click [Calendar] or [Index] on
the left side in the window, and
disc using “Video Disc Copier.”
Click [Start]  [All Programs] 
[PMB]  [PMB Launcher]  [Disc
select the date or folder, then creation]  [Video Disc Copier] to start
select the movies. the software. See “Video Disc Copier”
 High definition image quality (HD) help on the operation.
movies are marked with .  You cannot copy high definition image
 To select plural movies, hold the Ctrl key quality (HD) movies by converting them to
down and click thumbnails. standard definition image quality (STD).
 You cannot copy to a Blu-ray Disc.

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 Saving images with an external device
Saving images in
external media
(DIRECT COPY) 2
If the external media has the AC
power cable, connect it to the
You can save movies and photos on external
wall outlet (wall socket).
media (USB storage device), such as an
external hard disk drive. You can also play
back images on the camcorder or another
playback device.
3
Connect the USB Adaptor Cable
to the external media.

4
 Notes
 You cannot use the following devices as an
external media.
Connect the USB Adaptor Cable
 media with a capacity exceeding 2 TB to the  (USB) jack of your
 ordinary disc drive such as CD or DVD drive camcorder.
 media connected via USB hub
When the [Create a new Image
 media with built-in USB hub
 card reader
Database File.] screen appears, touch
 You may not be able to use external media with [YES].
a code function.
 FAT file system is available for your camcorder.
If the external media was formatted to NTFS
file system, etc., format the external media on
your camcorder before use. The format screen
USB Adaptor
appears when the external media is connected
Cable (supplied)
to your camcorder. However, the format screen
may appear even if you use the external media
of FAT file system.
 Operation is not assured with every device
satisfying requirements for operating.
 Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall
socket) using the supplied AC adaptor (p. 14).
 Refer to the instruction manual supplied with
the external media.

 Tips [EASY COPY] screen is displayed on the

 You can import images saved in the external LCD screen.

5
media by using the supplied software “PMB.”

1
Connect the AC Adaptor and the
power cord (mains lead) to the
Touch [Copy.] on the camcorder
screen.
Movies and photos in the internal
DC IN jack of your camcorder and memory of the camcorder that have
the wall outlet (wall socket). not yet been saved on to external
media can be saved.
 This screen will appear only when there
are newly recorded images.
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6
After the operation is completed,
touch on the camcorder
To save desired movies and photos
You can save images from the memory
cards to the external media.
screen.
 Notes
You cannot copy or search photos by date which
are recorded on the memory card.
 Notes
 Touch [Play without copying.] in step 5
 The number of scenes you can save on the
external media are as follows. However, even if
above.
the external media has free space, you cannot The VISUAL INDEX screen of the
save scenes exceeding the following number. external media is displayed.
High definition image quality (HD) movies:  Touch (MENU)  [Show others]
Max. 3,999  [MOVIE DUB] (when selecting
Standard definition image quality (STD)
movies)/[PHOTO COPY] (when
movies: 9,999
selecting photos).
Photos: 9,999 frames × 899 folders
The number of scenes may be smaller  Follow the on-screen instructions to
depending on the type of images recorded. select the recording media and image
 If [Cannot save all images to the connected selection methods.
external media. Copy as much as possible?] is  When you selected [DUB by select],
displayed, some of the images that have been touch the image to be saved.
selected to copy are not saved in external media.
appears.
Images not yet copied are copied when you
 When you selected [DUB by date], select
connect other external media.
the date of the images to be dubbed with
/ , then touch and go
When connecting an external media
to step .

Saving images with an external device

The images saved in the external media
are displayed on the LCD screen. The
movie display and photo display buttons
on the VISUAL INDEX screen change as
illustrated below.

Remaining external media capacity

 Press and hold the image down on the
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch
to return to the previous screen.
 By touching date, you can search for
You can make menu settings of the external images by date.
media such as deleting images. Touch  Touch  [YES]  on the
(MENU)  [Show others] on the camcorder screen.
VISUAL INDEX screen.

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 Creating a disc with a
DVD writer, recorder
To play back images in the external
media on the camcorder
Selecting the method for creating
a disc
 Touch [Play without copying.] in step 5
above. Several methods for creating an AVCHD
The VISUAL INDEX screen of the disc or a standard definition image quality
external media is displayed. (STD) disc from high definition image
 Play back the image (p. 33). quality (HD) movies or photos recorded on
 You can also view images on a TV your camcorder are described here. Select
connected to your camcorder (p. 40).
the method that suits your disc player.
 You can play back the high definition
image quality (HD) movies on your  Notes
computer using [Player for AVCHD]. Start  See page 57 for the type of discs you can use.
[Player for AVCHD], and select the drive  See page 62 to create a Blu-ray Disc.
where the external media is connected  Prepare a DVD disc such as a DVD-R, for
with [Settings]. creating a disc.
 See page 64 to save images in the external
 Notes media.
 The Date Index of photos cannot be displayed.
 If your camcorder does not recognize the AVCHD format compatible device
external media, try the following operations. Player
 Reconnect the USB Adaptor Cable to your  Sony Blu-ray Disc player
camcorder  PlayStation3, etc.
 If the external media has the AC power cable,
connect it to the wall outlet (wall socket)

To finish the external media connection

 Touch on the VISUAL INDEX
screen of the external media.
 Disconnect the USB Adaptor Cable. Creating device
 DVD writer, DVDirect Express (p. 67)
 DVD writer, etc., other than DVDirect
Express (p. 69)
Disc type
 AVCHD disc (high definition image quality
(HD))

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 Ordinary DVD device Creating a disc with the dedicated
Player DVD writer, DVDirect Express
 DVD player
 Computer that can play DVDs, etc. You can create a disc or play back the
images on a created disc by using the
dedicated DVD writer, DVDirect Express
(sold separately).
Refer also to the instruction manual
supplied with the DVD writer.

Creating device  Notes

 DVD writer, DVDirect Express (p. 67)  Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall
 DVD writer, other than DVDirect Express socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this
(p. 69) operation (p. 14).
 Disc recorder, etc. (p. 70)  Only unused discs of the following types can
be used:
Disc type  12cm DVD-R
 Standard definition image quality (STD) disc  12cm DVD+R
 The device does not support two-layered discs.
 DVDirect Express is referred to as “DVD
writer” in this section.

 Notes  Connect the AC Adaptor and the
 Always maintain your PlayStation3 to use
power cord (mains lead) to the
the latest version of the PlayStation3 system
software. DC IN jack of your camcorder
and the wall outlet (wall socket)

Saving images with an external device

 The PlayStation3 may not be available in some
countries/regions. (p. 14).
 The AVCHD disc can be played back only on
AVCHD format compatible devices.
 The AVCHD disc should not be used in DVD
 Turn on your camcorder, and
players/recorders. Because DVD players/
connect the DVD writer to the 
recorders are not compatible with the AVCHD
format, DVD players/recorders may fail to eject (USB) jack of your camcorder with
the disc. the USB cable of the DVD writer.
 You cannot create an AVCHD disc from a
movie recorded with [HD FX] mode of
[ REC MODE]. Save a movie recorded with
[HD FX] mode onto Blu-ray Disc or external
storage devices (p. 62, 64).

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 disc
 When converting high definition (HD)
 Insert an unused disc into the
movies to standard definition (STD) movies,
DVD writer, and close the disc and creating a disc
tray.  When dubbing images in the memory card

The [DISC BURN] screen appears on  Touch [DISC BURN OPTION] in step 4.
the camcorder screen.  Select the recording media containing
the movie(s) you want to save.

When you select movies with high
 Press (DISC BURN) on the DVD
definition image quality (HD), the
writer.
screen to select the image quality of the
Movies recorded on the internal disc to be created appears on the LCD
memory that have not been saved on screen. Select the desired image quality,
any discs will be recorded onto the and touch .
disc.  The image quality of the disc depends on
 When there are unsaved high definition the recording time of the selected movies
(HD) and standard definition (STD) when you create a disc converting them
image quality movies, they will be saved from high definition image quality (HD)
on individual discs according to the image to standard definition image quality
quality. (STD).
 Touch the movie you want to burn on
the disc.
 Repeat steps 3 and 4 when the
appears.
total memory size of movies to
be burnt exceeds that of the disc.

 Touch  [END]  [EJECT
DISC] on the camcorder screen.
Remove the disc after the operation is Remaining Disc capacity
completed.  Press and hold the image down on the
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch
to return to the previous screen.
 Touch , then disconnect the
 By touching date, you can search for
USB cable. images by date.
 Touch  [YES] on the camcorder
screen.
To customize a disc with DISC BURN  To create another disc of the same
contents, insert a new disc and touch
OPTION
[CREATE SAME DISC].
Perform this operation in the following
 After the operation is completed, touch
cases:
 When dubbing a desired image
[EXIT]  [END] on the camcorder
 When creating multiple copies of the same screen.
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 Disconnect the USB cable from your socket) (p. 14).
camcorder.  Turn on your camcorder, and connect
the DVD writer to the  (USB) jack of
 Notes
your camcorder with the USB cable of
 Do not do any of the following when creating
the DVD writer.
a disc.
 You can play back movies on the TV
 Turn off the camcorder
screen by connecting the camcorder to a
 Disconnect the USB cable or the AC adaptor
TV (p. 40).
 Subject the camcorder to mechanical shock
or vibration  Insert a created disc into the DVD
 Eject the memory card from the camcorder writer.
 Play the created disc to make sure dubbing was The movies on the disc appear as
performed correctly before deleting the movies VISUAL INDEX on the camcorder
on your camcorder. screen.
 If [Failed.] or [DISC BURN failed.] appears on
 Press the play button on the DVD writer.
the screen, insert another disc into the DVD
 You can also operate by the camcorder
writer and perform the DISC BURN operation
screen.
again.
 Touch [END]  [EJECT DISC] on the
 Tips camcorder screen and remove the disc
 If the total memory size of movies to be burnt after the operation is completed.
by the DISC BURN operation exceeds that of
 Touch and disconnect the USB
the disc, disc creation stops when the limit is
cable.
reached. The last movie on the disc may be
cut off.
To play back a disc on the ordinary DVD
 Disc creation time to dub movies to the limit
player
of the disc is about 20 to 60 minutes. It may
take more time depending on the recording Select the standard image quality (STD) on

Saving images with an external device

mode or the number of scenes. Also, if high the screen to select the image quality of the
definition image quality (HD) is converted to disc to be created in step 2 of “To customize
standard definition image quality (STD), image a disc with DISC BURN OPTION.”
quality conversion takes longer than the actual
recording.  Tips
 If you cannot play back created standard
To play back a disc on the DVD writer definition (STD) image quality discs on any
DVD player, connect the camcorder to the
DVD writer, and then play back.

Creating a high definition image

quality (HD) disc with a DVD writer,
etc., other than DVDirect Express
Use USB cable to connect your camcorder
 Connect the AC Adaptor and the power to a disc creation device, which is
cord (mains lead) to the DC IN jack of compatible with high definition image
your camcorder and the wall outlet (wall quality (HD) movies, such as a Sony DVD
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 writer. Refer also to the instruction manuals others]  [USB CONNECT] (under
supplied with the device to be connected. [OTHERS] category).

 Notes
 Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall  Touch the recording media that
socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this contains the images on the
operation (p. 14). camcorder screen.
 Sony DVD writer may not be available in some
countries/regions. [ USB CONNECT]: Internal
 Always maintain the firmware of the Sony memory
DVDirect (DVD writer) to its latest version. [ USB CONNECT]: Memory card
For details, see the following website.
http://sony.storagesupport.com/
 Record movies on the connected
device.
 Connect the AC Adaptor and the  For details, refer to the instruction
power cord (mains lead) to the manuals supplied with the device to be
DC IN jack of your camcorder connected.
and the wall outlet (wall socket)
(p. 14).  After the operation is completed,
touch [END]  [YES] on the
camcorder screen.
 Turn on your camcorder, and

connect a DVD writer, etc. to the
 (USB) jack of your camcorder  Disconnect the USB cable.
with the USB cable (supplied).
Creating a standard definition
image quality (STD) disc with a
recorder, etc.
You can dub images played back on your
camcorder on a disc or video cassette,
by connecting your camcorder to a disc
recorder, a Sony DVD writer, etc., other
than DVDirect Express, with the A/V
connecting cable. Connect the device
as follows. Refer also to the instruction
manuals supplied with the devices to be
connected.
The [USB SELECT] screen appears on
the camcorder screen.  Notes
 If the [USB SELECT] screen does not Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall
appear, touch (MENU)  [Show socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this
US operation (p. 14).
70
 Sony DVD writer may not be available in some
countries/regions.  Start playback on your
 High definition image quality (HD) movies
will be dubbed with standard definition image
camcorder, and record it on the
quality (STD). recording device.
 Refer to the instruction manuals supplied
A/V (audio/video) with your recording device for details.
OUT jack

 When dubbing is finished, stop
the recording device, and then
your camcorder.

 Notes
Input
VIDEO  Since dubbing is performed via analog data
transfer, the image quality may deteriorate.
(Yellow)  You cannot dub images to recorders connected
(White) with an HDMI cable.
 To hide the screen indicators (such as a counter,
A/V connecting
AUDIO etc.) on the screen of the monitor device
cable (supplied)
connected, touch (MENU)  [Show
(Red) others]  [OUTPUT SETTINGS] (under
[GENERAL SET] category)  [DISP
OUTPUT]  [LCD PANEL] (the default
setting)    .
 To record the date/time, or camera settings data,

Saving images with an external device

Signal flow
touch (MENU)  [Show others] 
[PLAYBACK SET] (under [PLAYBACK]
category)  [DATA CODE]  a desired
 Insert the recording media in the setting    .
recording device. In addition, touch (MENU)  [Show
others]  [OUTPUT SETTINGS] (under
 If your recording device has an input
[GENERAL SET] category)  [DISP
selector, set it to the input mode.
OUTPUT]  [V-OUT/PANEL]  
 .
 When the screen size of display devices (TV,
 Connect your camcorder to the
etc.) is 4:3, touch (MENU)  [Show
recording device (a disc recorder,
others]  [OUTPUT SETTINGS] (under
etc.) with the A/V connecting [GENERAL SET] category)  [TV TYPE]
cable (supplied).  [4:3]    .
 Connect your camcorder to the input jacks  When you connect a monaural device, connect

of the recording device. the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable
to the video input jack, and the white (left
channel) or the red (right channel) plug to the
audio input jack on the device.
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 Customizing your camcorder
Using menus
Using the menus, you can perform useful functions and change various settings. If you make
good use of menu operations, you can enjoy using your camcorder.
The camcorder has various menu items under each of eight menu categories.

MANUAL SETTINGS (Items to adjust for scene condition)  p. 77

SHOOTING SET (Items for customized shooting)  p. 81
PHOTO SETTINGS (Items for recording photos)  p. 85
PLAYBACK (Items for playback)  p. 86
EDIT (Items for editing)  p. 87
OTHERS (Items for other settings)  p. 88
MANAGE MEDIA (Items for recording media)  p. 88
GENERAL SET (Other setup items)  p. 90

Operating menus

/ : The menu list moves from category to category.

/ : The menu list moves through 4 items at once.
 You can touch buttons and drag the screen to scroll the list of the menu.
 The selected category icon is displayed in orange.
 When you touch , the screen returns to the MY MENU screen.

 Touch (MENU).
 Touch [Show others] on the MY MENU screen.
 See the next page for details on MY MENU.
 Touch the central part of the left side of screen to change the display.
 Touch the menu item to be changed.
 After changing the setting, touch .
To finish setting the menu, touch .
To return to the previous menu screen, touch .
 may not be displayed depending on the menu item.

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 Notes
 You may not be able to set some menu items, depending on the recording or playback conditions.
 Grayed out menu items or settings are not available.

 Tips
 Depending on the menu items being changed, your camcorder switches between playback mode and
recording mode (movie/photo).

Using MY MENU
You can use the menu items more easily by registering the menu items you use most often on
MY MENU. You can register 6 menu items on each MY MENU of the MOVIE, PHOTO, and
PLAYBACK.

Example: deleting [SPOT MTR/FCS] and registering [LOW LUX]

 Touch (MENU).
 Touch [MY MENU SETTING]. Customizing your camcorder
 Touch [MOVIE].
 Touch [SPOT MTR/FCS].
 Touch .
 Touch [LOW LUX] (under [SHOOTING SET] category).
 When MY MENU is displayed, touch .

 Tips
 When an external storage device is connected, the exclusive MY MENU appears.

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 Using the OPTION MENU
The OPTION MENU appears just like the pop-up window that appears when you right-click
the mouse on a computer. When is displayed at bottom-right of the screen, you can use
the OPTION MENU. You touch , and the menu items you can change in the context
appear.
Menu item

Tab
 Touch (OPTION).
 Touch the desired tab  the item to change the setting.
 After completing the setting, touch .
 Notes
 Grayed out menu items or settings are not available.
 When the item you want is not on the screen, touch another tab. (There may be no tab.)
 The tabs and items that appear on the screen depend on the recording/playback status of your camcorder
at the time.

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Menu lists

(MANUAL SETTINGS) category FACE 36

SCENE SELECTION 77 PLAYLIST 51
WHITE BAL. 77 HIGHLIGHT 37
SPOT MTR/FCS 78 SCENARIO 38
SPOT METER 78 PLAYBACK SET
SPOT FOCUS 79 / SET 28
EXPOSURE 79
DATA CODE 86
FOCUS 79
TELE MACRO 80 (EDIT) category
AE SHIFT 80 DELETE
WB SHIFT 80 DELETE 44
SMTH SLW REC 80
DELETE 44

(SHOOTING SET) category SCENARIO ERASE

ERASE 38
/ SET 28
REC MODE 29 ERASE ALL 38
GUIDEFRAME 81 PROTECT
STEADYSHOT 82 PROTECT 45
CONVERSION LENS 82 PROTECT 45
LOW LUX 82 DIVIDE 46
FACE DETECTION 82 PHOTO CAPTURE 47
PRIORITY SETTING 83 MOVIE DUB
SMILE DETECTION 83 DUB by select 49
SMILE SENSITIVITY 83 DUB by date 49
AUDIO REC SET DUB ALL/ DUB ALL 49
MICREF LEVEL 83 PHOTO COPY
OTHER REC SET COPY by select 49
DIGITAL ZOOM 83 COPY by date 49
AUTO BACK LIGHT 84
Customizing your camcorder
PLAYLIST EDIT
RING SETTING 84 ADD/ ADD 50
X.V.COLOR 84 ADD by date/ ADD by date 51
WIDE SELECT 84 ERASE/ ERASE 51
ERASE ALL/ ERASE ALL 51
(PHOTO SETTINGS) category
MOVE/ MOVE 52
SELF-TIMER 85
IMAGE SIZE 85 (OTHERS) category
STEADYSHOT 85
USB CONNECT
FILE NO. 85
USB CONNECT 69
USB CONNECT 69
(PLAYBACK) category
VISUAL INDEX 33 DISC BURN 59
VIEW IMAGES BATTERY INFO 88
DATE INDEX 36
FILM ROLL 36 US
75
 (MANAGE MEDIA) category
MEDIA SETTINGS
MOVIE MEDIA SET 20
PHOTO MEDIA SET 20
MEDIA INFO 88
MEDIA FORMAT
INT. MEMORY 88
MEMORY CARD 88
REPAIR IMG.DB F.
INT. MEMORY 97, 101
MEMORY CARD 97, 101

(GENERAL SET) category

SOUND/DISP SET
VOLUME 35, 90
BEEP 90
LCD BRIGHT 90
LCD BL LEVEL 90
LCD COLOR 90
DISPLAY SET 90
OUTPUT SETTINGS
TV TYPE 90
COMPONENT 91
HDMI RESOLUTION 91
DISP OUTPUT 91
CLOCK/ LANG
CLOCK SET 16
AREA SET 92
DST SET/SUMMERTIME 92
LANGUAGE SET 92
POWER SETTINGS
A.SHUT OFF 92
OTHER SETTINGS
CALIBRATION 111
REC LAMP 92

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 MANUAL
SETTINGS
(Items to adjust for scene SPOTLIGHT**( )
Prevents people’s faces from
condition) appearing excessively white
when subjects are lit by
See “Using menus” (p. 72) on the operation.
strong light.
The default settings are marked with .
BEACH** ( )
SCENE SELECTION Takes the vivid blue of the
ocean or a lake.
You can record images effectively in various
situations. SNOW** ( )
Takes bright pictures of a
 AUTO white landscape.
Records images in average image quality
without the [SCENE SELECTION] function. * Adjusted to focus on subjects farther away
only.
TWILIGHT* ( ) ** Adjusted not to focus on subjects a short
Maintains the darkening distance away.
atmosphere of the distant
surroundings in twilight  Notes
scenes.  If you set [SCENE SELECTION], [WHITE
BAL.] setting is canceled.
SUNRISE&SUNSET* ( )
Reproduces the atmosphere
WHITE BAL. (White balance)
of scenes such as sunsets or
sunrises. You can adjust the color balance to the
FIREWORKS* ( ) brightness of the recording environment.
Takes spectacular shots of
fireworks.

LANDSCAPE*( )
Customizing your camcorder
Shoots distant subjects
clearly. This setting also
prevents your camcorder
from focusing on glass or  AUTO
metal mesh in windows The white balance is adjusted automatically.
between the camcorder and
the subject. OUTDOOR ( )
The white balance is appropriately adjusted
PORTRAIT (Soft portrait) for the following recording conditions:
( )  Outdoors
Brings out the subject such  Night views, neon signs and fireworks
as people or flowers while  Sunrise or sunset
creating a soft background.  Under daylight fluorescent lamps

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 from inside the house, or vice versa, you need
INDOOR () to redo the [ONE PUSH] procedure to readjust
The white balance is appropriately adjusted
the white balance.
for the following recording conditions:
 Indoors
 At party scenes or studios where the SPOT MTR/FCS (Spot meter/
lighting conditions change quickly focus)
 Under video lamps in a studio, or under
sodium lamps or incandescent-like color You can adjust the brightness and focus
lamps for the selected subject simultaneously.
This function enables you to use [SPOT
ONE PUSH ( )
The white balance will be adjusted
METER] (p. 78) and [SPOT FOCUS]
according to the ambient light. (p. 79) at the same time.
 Touch [ONE PUSH].
 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.
 Touch [ ]. Touch the subject in the frame of which you
flashes quickly. When the white want to adjust the brightness and focus.
balance has been adjusted and stored in the
To adjust the brightness and focus
memory, the indicator stops flashing.
automatically, touch [AUTO].
 Notes  Notes
 Set [WHITE BAL.] to [AUTO] or adjust the [EXPOSURE] and [FOCUS] are automatically
color in [ONE PUSH] under white or cool set to [MANUAL].
white fluorescent lamps.
 When you select [ONE PUSH], keep framing
SPOT METER (Flexible spot
white objects while is flashing quickly.
 flashes slowly if [ONE PUSH] could not
meter)
be set. You can adjust and fix the exposure
 When [ONE PUSH] was selected, if keeps
to the subject, so that it is recorded in
flashing after touching , set [WHITE
BAL.] to [AUTO]. suitable brightness even when there is
 If you set [WHITE BAL.], [SCENE strong contrast between the subject and
SELECTION] is set to [AUTO]. the background, such as subjects in the
spotlight on stage.
 Tips
 If you have changed the battery pack while
[AUTO] was selected, or taken your camcorder
outdoors after inside use (or vice versa), aim
your camcorder at a nearby white object for
about 10 seconds for better color balance
adjustment. Touch the subject in the frame of which you
 When the white balance has been set with want to adjust the exposure.
[ONE PUSH], if the lighting conditions To return the setting to automatic exposure,
changed by bringing your camcorder outdoors touch [AUTO].
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 Notes
FOCUS
[EXPOSURE] is automatically set to
[MANUAL]. You can adjust the focus manually. You can
select this function also when you want to
SPOT FOCUS focus on a certain subject intentionally.
You can select and adjust the focal point to
aim it at a subject not located at the center
of the screen.

Touch (nearby subject)/ (distant

subject) to adjust the focus.
To adjust the focus automatically, touch
Touch the subject in the frame of which you [AUTO].
want to adjust the focus.  Notes
To adjust the focus automatically, touch  When you set [FOCUS] to [MANUAL], 
[AUTO]. appears.
 The minimum possible distance between
 Notes camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp
[FOCUS] is automatically set to [MANUAL]. focus is about 1 cm (about 13/32 in.) for wide
angle and about 80 cm (about 31 1/2 in.) for
EXPOSURE telephoto.

You can fix the brightness of a picture  Tips

manually. Adjust the brightness when the  appears when the focus cannot be adjusted
any closer, and appears when the focus
subject is too bright or too dark.
cannot be adjusted farther away.
 It is easier to focus on the subject by moving
the power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) to
adjust the focus, then towards W (wide angle) Customizing your camcorder
to adjust the zoom for recording. When you
want to record a subject at close range, move
Touch / to adjust the brightness. the power zoom lever to W (wide angle), then
adjust the focus.
To adjust the exposure automatically, touch
 The focal distance information (distance at
[AUTO].
which the subject is focused on; used as a guide
 Tips if it is dark and focus adjustment is difficult)
 You can also adjust the setting manually by appears for a few seconds in the following cases.
using the RING (p. 31). (This information will not display correctly if a
conversion lens (sold separately) is being used.)
 When the focus mode is switched from
automatic to manual
 When you set focus manually
 You can also adjust the setting manually by
using the RING (p. 31).
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 TELE MACRO WB SHIFT
This is useful to shoot small subjects, such You can adjust the white balance to the
as flowers or insects. You can blur out desired setting using / . and
backgrounds and the subject stands out the setting value appear when you use [WB
clearer. SHIFT].
 OFF  Tips
Cancels TELE MACRO. (TELE MACRO is  When the white balance is set to a lower value,
also canceled when you move the zoom lever pictures appear bluish, and when set to a higher
to the W side.) value, pictures appear reddish.
 You can also adjust the setting manually using
ON ( )
the RING (p. 31).
The zoom (p. 27) moves to the top of the T
(telephoto) side automatically and allows
recording subjects at a close distance down to SMTH SLW REC (Smooth slow
about 25 cm (9 7/8 in.). rec)
Fast moving subjects and actions, which
cannot be captured under the ordinary
shooting conditions, can be shot in smooth
moving slow-motion for about 3 seconds.
Press START/STOP on the [SMTH SLW
REC] screen.
 Notes An about-3-second movie is recorded
 When recording a distant subject, focusing may
as a 12-second-slow-motion movie.
be difficult and can take some time.
 Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p. 79)
[Recording…] disappears, when recording
when it is hard to focus automatically. is finished.

AE SHIFT Touch to cancel the smooth slow

recording.
You can adjust the exposure using
(dark)/ (bright). and the setting To change the setting
value appear when you use [AE SHIFT] . Touch (OPTION), then select the
setting you want to change.
 Tips
 Touch if the subject is white or the
[TIMING]
backlight is bright, or touch if the subject
is black or the light is dim. Select the recording start point after
 You can adjust the automatic exposure level to START/STOP is pressed. The default
brighter or darker when [EXPOSURE] is set to setting is [3sec AFTER].
[AUTO].
 You can also adjust the setting manually using
the RING (p. 31).

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 SHOOTING SET
(Items for customized
The point when START/STOP is pressed. shooting)
See “Using menus” (p. 72) on the operation.
The default settings are marked with .
[3sec AFTER]

/ SET
See page 28.
[3sec BEFORE]

 Notes REC MODE (Recording

 You cannot record sound. mode)
 Image quality is not as good as that of normal
recording. See page 29.

GUIDEFRAME
You can display the frame and check that
the subject is horizontal or vertical.
The frame is not recorded.
 OFF
Does not display the guide frame.

ON
Displays the guide frame.

Customizing your camcorder

 Tips
 Positioning the subject at the cross point of the
guide frame makes a balanced composition.
 The outer frame of [GUIDEFRAME] shows the
display area of a TV which is not compatible
with full pixel display.
 When recording with the viewfinder, the outer
frame of [GUIDEFRAME] is not displayed.

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 STEADYSHOT LOW LUX
You can compensate for camera shake. You can record bright color images, even in
Set [ STEADYSHOT] to [OFF] ( ) dim light.
when using a tripod (sold separately), then  OFF
the image becomes natural. The LOW LUX function is not used.

 ACTIVE ON ( )
Provides a more powerful SteadyShot effect. The LOW LUX function is used.
STANDARD
Provides the SteadyShot effect under relatively
stable recording conditions.
FACE DETECTION

OFF ( ) Detects the faces of your subjects

The SteadyShot function is not used. and adjusts the focus/color/exposure
automatically. Also, it adjusts the image
 Notes quality of face parts more finely, in the case
 If you change the setting of of the high definition image quality (HD)
[ STEADYSHOT], the imaging field will also movies.
change accordingly.
 You can magnify images up to 12 times using  ON
optical zooming, unless [ STEADYSHOT] is Detects faces.
set to [ACTIVE]. OFF ( )
Does not detect faces.
CONVERSION LENS
 Notes
When using a conversion lens (sold
 Faces may not be detected depending on
separately), use this function to record recording conditions, subject conditions, and
using the optimum compensation for the setting of your camcorder.
camera shake and focus for the lens.  [FACE DETECTION] may not function
properly depending on recording conditions.
 OFF Set [FACE DETECTION] to [OFF] in this case.
Select this when you do not use a conversion
lens.  Tips
 For better face detection performance, shoot the
WIDE CONVERSION ( )
subject(s) under the following conditions:
Select this when you use a wide-conversion
 Shoot in a sufficiently bright place
lens.
 The subject(s) does not wear glasses, a hat
TELE CONVERSION ( ) or mask
Select this when you use a tele-conversion  The subject(s) faces directly towards the
lens. camera
 The detected faces are recorded in Face Index,
however, some faces may not be. Also, there
is a limit to the number of faces that can be
recorded in Face Index. To play back from the
Face Index, see page 36.
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 PRIORITY SETTING SMILE SENSITIVITY
Selects the priority subject for the face Sets the smile detection sensitivity using the
detection or the smile shutter. Smile Shutter function.
Adjusts focus/color/exposure automatically HIGH
for the selected faces. Detects even a slight smile.
 AUTO  MEDIUM
Detects faces automatically. Detects a normal smile.
CHILD PRIORITY LOW
Detects with priority on a child’s face. Detects a big smile.
ADULT PRIORITY
Detects with priority on an adult’s face. AUDIO REC SET
 Tips
 MICREF LEVEL (Microphone
 When you specify the priority subject by
reference level)
touching the detection frame on the LCD
screen, the face with a double-lined frame has You can select the microphone level for
priority (p. 30). recording sound.

SMILE DETECTION  NORMAL

Records various ambient sounds, converting
The shutter is released when the camcorder them into the appropriate level.
detects a smile (Smile Shutter). LOW ( )
DUAL CAPTURE ( ) Records ambient sound faithfully. Select
Only during movie recording, the shutter is [LOW] when you want to record an exciting
released automatically, when the camcorder and powerful sound in a concert hall, etc.
detects a smile. (This setting is not suitable for recording
conversations.)
ALWAYS ON ( ) Customizing your camcorder
The shutter is released when the camcorder
detects a smile whenever the camcorder is in
OTHER REC SET
recording mode.
 DIGITAL ZOOM
 OFF
Smiles are not detected, so photos are not You can select the maximum zoom level.
recorded automatically. Note that the image quality decreases when
you use the digital zoom.
 Notes
 Smiles may not be detected depending on
recording conditions, subject conditions, and
the setting of your camcorder.
 When [DUAL CAPTURE] is selected,
appears on the screen in movie recording
standby, and changes into when movie The zooming zone appears when you select
[160×].
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 the color may not be reproduced correctly.
 OFF
 [ X.V.COLOR] cannot be set to [ON]:
Up to 17× zoom is performed.
 When recording standard definition image
160× quality (STD) movies
Up to 160× zoom is performed digitally.  While recording a movie

 Notes
 WIDE SELECT
 When [ STEADYSHOT] is set to other When recording standard definition image
than [ACTIVE], up to 12× zoom is performed quality (STD) movies, you can select the
optically. horizontal to vertical ratio according to the
TV connected.
 AUTO BACK LIGHT
Refer also to the instruction manuals
Your camcorder adjusts the exposure for
supplied with your TV.
backlit subjects automatically.
 16:9 WIDE
 ON
Adjusts the exposure for backlit subjects Records movies to the full screen on a 16:9
automatically. (wide) TV screen.

OFF
Does not adjust the exposure for backlit
4:3 ( )
subjects. Records movies to the full screen on a 4:3
TV screen.

 RING SETTING
 Notes
You can select a menu items to assign to the Set [TV TYPE] correctly according to the TV
RING. For details, see page 31. connected for playback (p. 90).

 X.V.COLOR
You can capture wider range of colors.
Various colors such as the brilliant color of
flowers and turquoise blue of the sea can
be more faithfully reproduced. Refer to the
instruction manuals of the TV.
 OFF
Records in ordinary color range.

ON ( )
Records in x.v.Color.

 Notes
 Set [ X.V.COLOR] to [ON] when the
recorded movie will be played back on an
x.v.Color-compliant TV.
 If the movie recorded with this function [ON] is
played back on a non-x.v.Color-compliant TV,
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 PHOTO SETTINGS
(Items for recording photos)
See “Using menus” (p. 72) on the operation.  ON
The SteadyShot function is used.
The default settings are marked with .
OFF ( )
SELF-TIMER The SteadyShot function is not used.

Press PHOTO to start the count down. A

photo is recorded after about 10 seconds. FILE NO. (File number)
 OFF You can select the way to assign file number
Cancels the self-timer. of photos.
ON ( )  SERIES
Starts the self-timer recording. To cancel the Assigns file numbers of photos in sequence.
recording, touch [RESET]. The file number becomes larger each time
you record a photo.
Even if the memory card is replaced with
IMAGE SIZE another one, the file number is assigned in
sequence.
You can select a photo size to be shot.
RESET
 7.1M ( ) Assigns file numbers in sequence, following
Records photos clearly (3,072 × 2,304). the largest file number existing on the
recording medium.
5.3M ( )
When the memory card is replaced with
Records photos clearly in the 16:9 (wide) ratio
another one, the file number is assigned for
(3,072 × 1,728).
each memory card.
1.9M ( )
Allows you to record more photos in
relatively clear quality (1,600 × 1,200).

VGA(0.3M) ( )
Allows the maximum number of photos to be Customizing your camcorder
recorded (640 × 480).

 Notes
 The selected image size is effective when the
(Photo) lamp is lit.
 See page 104 for the number of recordable
photos.

STEADYSHOT
You can compensate for camera shake.
Set [ STEADYSHOT] to [OFF] ( )
when using a tripod (sold separately), then
the image becomes natural.
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 PLAYBACK
(Items for playback)
See “Using menus” (p. 72) on the operation. DATE/TIME
Displays the date and time.
VISUAL INDEX CAMERA DATA
Displays camera setting data.
See page 33.

DATE/TIME
VIEW IMAGES

 DATE INDEX
See page 36.

 FILM ROLL
See page 36.  Date
 Time
 FACE
See page 36. CAMERA DATA
Movie
PLAYLIST
See page 51.

HIGHLIGHT
See page 37.
Photo
SCENARIO
See page 38.

PLAYBACK SET

 / SET
See page 28.  SteadyShot off
 Brightness
 DATA CODE  White balance
During playback, your camcorder displays  Gain
the information (Date/time, Camera data)  Shutter speed
recorded automatically at the time of  Aperture value
 Exposure
recording.
 OFF
Data code is not displayed.

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 EDIT
(Items for editing)
 Tips
 The data code is displayed on the TV screen if
See “Using menus” (p. 72) on the operation.
you connect your camcorder to a TV.
 Depending on the recording media condition, DELETE
bars [--:--:--] appear.
See page 44.

SCENARIO ERASE
See page 38.

PROTECT
See page 45.

DIVIDE
See page 46.

PHOTO CAPTURE
See page 47.

MOVIE DUB
See page 48.

PHOTO COPY
See page 49.
Customizing your camcorder
PLAYLIST EDIT
See page 50.

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 OTHERS MANAGE MEDIA
(Items for other settings) (Items for recording media)
See “Using menus” (p. 72) on the operation. See “Using menus” (p. 72) on the operation.

USB CONNECT MEDIA SETTINGS

See page 69. See page 20.

BATTERY INFO MEDIA INFO

You can check the estimated remaining You can check the remaining recordable
capacity of the battery. time for each recording mode of the
recording media for movies and the
approximate free and used media space of
the recording media.

To turn off the display

Touch .
 Notes
 If the remaining battery is 999 minutes or more,  Notes
[>999min] is displayed on the LCD screen. Since there is a management file area, the
used space is not displayed as 0 % even if you
To close the battery information screen perform [MEDIA FORMAT] (p. 88).
Touch .
 Tips
 Only the information of the medium selected
on [MOVIE MEDIA SET] (p. 20) is displayed.
Change the medium setting if necessary.

MEDIA FORMAT
Formatting deletes all the movies and
photos to recover recordable free space.
Select the recording media to be formatted,
touch [YES]  [YES]  .
 Notes
 Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall
socket) using AC Adaptor supplied for this
operation (p. 14).
 To avoid the loss of important images, you
should save them before formatting the
recording media.
 Protected movies and photos will also be
deleted.
 While [Executing…] is displayed, do not
operate the buttons on the camcorder,
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88
 memory card from your camcorder (The access
REPAIR IMG.DB F.
lamp is lit or flashing while formatting memory
card.). See page 97, 101.
To prevent data on the internal
memory from being recovered
[EMPTY] allows you to write unintelligible
data onto the internal memory of the
camcorder. In this way it may become more
difficult to recover any original data. When
you dispose of or transfer the camcorder,
it is recommended that you perform
[EMPTY].

When the internal memory is selected

on the [MEDIA FORMAT] screen, touch
[EMPTY].

 Notes
 Connect the AC Adaptor to the wall outlet (wall
socket). You cannot perform [EMPTY] unless
you connect the AC Adaptor to the wall outlet
(wall socket).
 To avoid the loss of important images, they
should be saved on a computer or other devices Customizing your camcorder
before performing [EMPTY].
 Disconnect all cables except the AC Adaptor.
Do not disconnect the AC Adaptor during the
operation.
 While deleting data, do not apply any vibrations
or shocks to your camcorder.
 The actual performing time for deleting data is
about 6 minutes.
 If you stop performing [EMPTY] while
[Executing…] appears, be sure to complete the
operation by performing [MEDIA FORMAT]
or [EMPTY] when you use the camcorder next
time.

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 GENERAL SET
(Other setup items)
 Tips
See “Using menus” (p. 72) on the operation.  This adjustment does not affect the recorded
The default settings are marked with . images in any way.

SOUND/DISP SET  LCD COLOR

You can adjust the color of the LCD screen
 VOLUME by touching / .
You can adjust the volume of playback
 Tips
sound by touching / .  This adjustment does not affect the recorded
images in any way.
 BEEP
 DISPLAY SET
ON
A melody sounds when you start/stop
You can set the duration of displaying the
recording, or operate the touch panel. icons or indicators on the LCD screen.

 OFF AUTO1
Cancels the melody. Displays for about 3 seconds. The rec & zoom
buttons on the LCD is displayed.

 LCD BRIGHT  AUTO2

Displays for about 3 seconds. The rec & zoom
You can adjust the brightness of the LCD
buttons on the LCD is not displayed.
screen by touching / .
ON
 Tips Always displays. The rec & zoom buttons on
 This adjustment does not affect the recorded the LCD is not displayed.
images in any way.

 LCD BL LEVEL (LCD backlight level)  Tips

 The icons or indicators are displayed in the
You can select the brightness of the LCD following cases.
screen’s backlight.  When you turn on your camcorder.
 The LCD screen is touched (Except rec &
 NORMAL
Standard brightness. zoom buttons on LCD).
 When you switch your camcorder to the
BRIGHT movie recording, photo recording, or
Brightens the LCD screen. playback modes.

 Notes OUTPUT SETTINGS

 When you connect your camcorder to the wall
outlet (wall socket) using the supplied AC
Adaptor, [BRIGHT] is automatically selected
 TV TYPE
for the setting. You need to convert the signal depending
 When you select [BRIGHT], battery life is on the TV connected when playing back
slightly reduced during recording. movies and photos. The recorded movies
and photos are played back as following
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90
  16:9  1080i/480i
Select this to view your movies on a 16:9 Select this when connecting your
(wide) TV. The recorded movies and photos camcorder to a TV that has the component
are played back as shown below. input jack and is capable of displaying the
1080i signal.
Movies and photos Movies and photos
recorded in 16:9 recorded in 4:3 mode
(wide) mode  HDMI RESOLUTION
Select the output image resolution when
connecting your camcorder to a TV with an
HDMI cable (sold separately).

4:3 HD CONTENTS
Set the output image resolution recorded with
Select this to view your movies and photos on
high definition image quality (HD).
a 4:3 standard TV. The recorded movies and
photos are played back as shown below.  AUTO
Movies and photos Movies and photos Normal setting (outputs the signal according
recorded in 16:9 recorded in 4:3 mode to the TV automatically).
(wide) mode 1080p
Outputs the 1080p signal.

1080i
Outputs the 1080i signal.

720p
 Notes Outputs the 720p signal.
 Horizontal to vertical ratio of high definition
480p
image quality (HD) movies is 16:9.
Outputs the 480p signal.
 When you connect your camcorder to a TV
compatible with the ID-1/ID-2 system, set [TV
Customizing your camcorder
TYPE] to [16:9]. The TV switches to full mode STD CONTENTS
automatically. Refer also to the instruction Set the output image resolution recorded with
manuals supplied with your TV. standard definition image quality (STD).

 COMPONENT  AUTO
Normal setting (outputs the signal according
Select [COMPONENT] when connecting to the TV automatically).
your camcorder to a TV with the
480p
component input jack.
Outputs the 480p signal.
480i
480i
Select this when connecting your
Outputs the 480i signal.
camcorder to a TV with the component
input jack.
 DISP OUTPUT (Display output)
You can set where the screen displays are to
be output.
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  LCD PANEL POWER SETTINGS
Shows displays such as the time code on the
LCD screen/viewfinder.
 A.SHUT OFF (Auto shut off )
V-OUT/PANEL You can set your camcorder to turn off
Shows displays such as the time code on
automatically when you do not operate
the LCD screen/viewfinder, and on the TV
screen.
your camcorder for more than about 30
minutes.
ON
CLOCK/ LANG The camcorder turns off automatically.

 OFF
 CLOCK SET The camcorder does not turn off
See page 16. automatically.

 AREA SET
 Notes
You can adjust a time difference without [A.SHUT OFF] is effective only in the playback
stopping the clock. Set your local area when standby screen such as the VISUAL INDEX
using your camcorder in other time zones. screen.
Refer to the world time difference on page
107. OTHER SETTINGS
 DST SET/SUMMERTIME
 CALIBRATION
You can change this setting without
See page 111.
stopping the clock. Set to [ON] to move the
time forward 1 hour.  REC LAMP (Recording lamp)
 OFF You can make the camera recording lamp
Does not set the summertime. on the front of your camcorder not to turn
on.
ON
Sets the summertime.  ON
The camera recording lamp lights up.
 LANGUAGE SET OFF
You can select the language to be used on The camera recording lamp does not light up.
the LCD screen.
 Tips
 Your camcorder offers [ENG[SIMP]]
(simplified English) for when you cannot find
your native tongue among the options.

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Additional information
Troubleshooting
If you run into any problems using your  Dubbing/Connecting to other devices.......... p. 98
camcorder, follow the steps below.  Connecting to a Computer............................. p. 98
 Examples of functions that cannot be used
 Check the list (p. 93 to 102), and simultaneously.................................................. p. 98
inspect your camcorder.
Overall operations
 Disconnect the power source, attach
the power source again after about 1 The power does not turn on.
minute, and turn the camcorder on.  Attach a charged battery pack to the
camcorder (p. 13).
 The plug of the AC Adaptor has been
 Press RESET (p. 119) using a pointed disconnected from the wall outlet (wall
socket). Connect it to the wall outlet (wall
object, and turn the camcorder on.
socket) (p. 13).
If you press RESET, all settings,
including the clock setting, are reset. The camcorder does not operate even
when the power is set to on.
 It takes a few seconds for your camcorder to
 Contact your Sony dealer or local be ready to shoot after the power is turned on.
authorized Sony service facility. This is not a malfunction.
 Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall
 Your camcorder may be required to initialize
outlet (wall socket) or remove the battery
or change the current internal memory of your
pack, then reconnect it after about 1 minute.
camcorder, depending on the problem. In the
If the functions still do not work, press RESET
event of this, the data stored on the internal
(p. 119) using a pointed object. (If you press
memory will be deleted. Be sure to save the
RESET, all settings, including the clock setting,
data on the internal memory on other media
are reset.)
(backup) before sending your camcorder for
 The temperature of your camcorder is
repair. We will not compensate you for any loss
of internal memory data.
extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and
 During repair, we may check a minimum leave it for a while in a cool place.
amount of data stored on the internal memory  The temperature of your camcorder is
extremely low. Leave your camcorder with the
Additional information

in order to investigate the problem. However,

your Sony dealer will neither copy nor retain power of your camcorder on. Turn off your
your data. camcorder and take it to a warm place. Leave
the camcorder there for a while, then turn on
 Overall operations........................................... p. 93 your camcorder.
 Batteries/power sources ................................. p. 94
 LCD screen/viewfinder................................... p. 94 The menu settings have changed
 Memory card.................................................... p. 95 automatically.
 Recording.......................................................... p. 95
 Playback............................................................ p. 96
 The following menu items return to the
 Playing back images stored on memory card on default settings when you switch between
other devices..................................................... p. 97 movie recording and photo recording and
 Editing movies/photos on your camcorder.. p. 97 playback modes.
 [TELE MACRO]
 Playback on the TV......................................... p. 97
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 [ SELF-TIMER]
The remaining battery time indicator does
not indicate the correct time.
Your camcorder gets warm.
 The ambient temperature is too high or too
 Your camcorder may become warm during
low. This is not a malfunction.
operation. This is not a malfunction.
 The battery pack has not been charged
enough. Fully charge the battery again. If the
Batteries/power sources problem persists, replace the battery pack with
a new one (p. 110).
 The indicated time may not be correct
The power abruptly turns off.
depending on the environment of use.
 Use the AC Adaptor.
 If [A.SHUT OFF] is set to [ON], after The battery pack is quickly discharged.
about 30 minutes of displaying an index in
 The ambient temperature is too high or low.
playback mode and no camcorder operation,
This is not a malfunction.
the camcorder will automatically turn off
 The battery pack has not been charged
(A.SHUT OFF). Change the setting of
enough. Fully charge the battery again. If the
[A.SHUT OFF] (p. 92), or turn on the power
problem persists, replace the battery pack with
again.
a new one (p. 110).
 Charge the battery pack (p. 13).

The CHG (charge) lamp does not light LCD screen/viewfinder

while the battery pack is being charged.
 Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) Menu items are grayed out.
(p. 13).
 You cannot select grayed items in the current
 Attach the battery pack to the camcorder
recording/playback situation.
correctly (p. 13).
 There are some functions you cannot activate
 Connect the power cord (mains lead) to the
simultaneously (p. 98).
wall outlet (wall socket) properly.
 The battery charge is completed (p. 13).
The buttons do not appear on the touch
panel.
The CHG (charge) lamp flashes while the
battery pack is being charged.  Touch the LCD screen lightly.
 If the temperature of the battery pack is too
The buttons on the touch panel do not
high or too low, you may not be able to charge
work correctly or do not work at all.
it (p. 109).
 Attach the battery pack to the camcorder  Adjust the touch panel ([CALIBRATION])
correctly (p. 13). If the problem persists, (p. 111).
disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall
outlet (wall socket) and contact your Sony The buttons on the touch panel quickly
dealer. The battery pack may be damaged. disappear.
 Set [DISPLAY SET] to [ON] (p. 90).

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 unnecessary images (p. 44).
The image in the viewfinder is not clear.  Total number of movie scenes or photos
 Move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever exceeds the recordable capacity of your
until the image appears clearly (p. 18). camcorder (p. 103, 104). Delete unnecessary
images (p. 44).
The LCD screen is not turned on.  The temperature of your camcorder is
 Slide the LCD/EVF-EVF switch to LCD/EVF extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and
(p. 19). leave it for a while in a cool place.
 The temperature of your camcorder is
extremely low. Turn off your camcorder and
Memory card take it to a warm place. Leave the camcorder
there for a while, then turn on the camcorder.
Operations using the memory card
cannot be performed. Photos cannot be recorded.
 If you use the memory card formatted on a  You cannot record photos together with
computer, format it again on your camcorder [SMTH SLW REC].
(p. 88).  When [ REC MODE] is set to [HD FX], you
cannot record photos while recording movies.
Images stored on the memory card
cannot be deleted. The access lamp remains lit or flashing
even if recording was stopped.
 The maximum number of images that you can
delete on the index screen at one time is 100.  Your camcorder is recording the scene you
 You cannot delete the protected images. have just shot on the memory card.

The data file name is not indicated The imaging field looks different.
correctly or flashes.  The imaging field may look different
 The file is damaged. depending on the condition of your
 The file format is not supported by your camcorder. This is not a malfunction.
camcorder (p. 109).
The actual recording time for movies is
less than the expected recording time of
Recording the recording media.
Additional information

Refer also to “Memory card” (p. 95).  Depending on the recording conditions, the
time available for recording may be shorter, for
Pressing START/STOP or PHOTO does not example when recording a fast moving object,
record images. etc. (p. 103).
 The playback screen is displayed. Press MODE
The camcorder stops operating.
to turn on the (Movie) or (Photo) lamp
(p. 23).  The temperature of your camcorder is
 Your camcorder is recording the image you extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and
have just shot on the recording media. You leave it for a while in a cool place.
cannot make new recording during this  The temperature of your camcorder is
period. extremely low. Turn off your camcorder and
 The recording media is full. Delete take it to a warm place. Leave the camcorder
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95
 there for a while, then turn on the camcorder.
 If you keep applying vibration on the Horizontal stripes appear on the images.
camcorder, recording may stop.  This occurs when recording images under a
fluorescent lamp, sodium lamp, or mercury
There is a time difference between the lamp. This is not a malfunction.
point when START/STOP is pressed and
the point that the recording movie is Black bands appear when you record a TV
started or stopped actually. screen or computer screen.
 On your camcorder, there may be a slight  Set [ STEADYSHOT] to an option except
time difference between the point where you for [ACTIVE] (p. 82).
press START/STOP and the actual point that
recording movie starts/stops. This is not a [LCD BL LEVEL] cannot be adjusted.
malfunction.  You cannot adjust [LCD BL LEVEL] when the
power is supplied from the AC Adaptor.
The horizontal to vertical ratio of the
movie (16:9 (wide)/4:3) cannot be Magnification changes when the
changed. recording mode is switched.
 The horizontal to vertical ratio of high  You cannot use digital zoom when your
definition image quality (HD) movies is 16:9 camcorder is in the photo recording mode.
(wide).
Sound is not recorded correctly.
The auto focus does not function.
 If you disconnect an external microphone, etc.
 Set [FOCUS] to [AUTO] (p. 79). during recording movies, sound may not be
 The recording conditions are not suitable for recorded correctly.
auto focus. Adjust the focus manually (p. 79).  Connect the microphone again in the same
way as when you start recording movies.
SteadyShot does not function.  If you connect a microphone with a monaural
 Set [ STEADYSHOT] to [ACTIVE] or plug, only the left channel sound is recorded.
[STANDARD], [ STEADYSHOT] to [ON]
(p. 82, 85). Playback
 Even if [ STEADYSHOT] is set to
[ACTIVE] or [STANDARD], Images cannot be played back.
[ STEADYSHOT] to [ON], your camcorder
 Select the type of recording media you want to
may not be able to compensate for excessive
play back (p. 20).
vibrations.
 Select the image quality of the movie you want
to play back (p. 28).
The subjects passing by the screen very  Images recorded on other devices may not be
fast appear crooked. played back. This is not a malfunction.
 This is called the focal plane phenomenon.
This is not a malfunction. Because of the way Photos cannot be played back.
the image device (CMOS sensor) reads out
 Photos cannot be played back if you have
image signals, the subjects passing by the lens
modified files or folders, or have edited the
rapidly might appear crooked depending on
data on a computer. (The file name flashes in
the recording conditions.
that case.) This is not a malfunction.
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96
 is indicated on an image on the Editing movies/photos on your
VISUAL INDEX screen. camcorder
 This may appear on an image recorded on
other devices, edited on a computer, etc. Unable to edit.
 You removed the AC Adaptor or the battery
 Unable to edit because of the condition of the
pack while the recording media icon at the top
image.
right corner of the screen flashes, or before
the access lamp is turned off after recording.
Movies cannot be added in the Playlist.
This may damage your image data and is
displayed.  There is no free space in the recording media.
 You can add no more than 999 high definition
is indicated on an image on the image quality (HD) movies, or 99 standard
VISUAL INDEX screen. definition image quality (STD) movies, to a
Playlist. Erase unnecessary movies from the
 The image data base file may be damaged.
Playlist (p. 51).
Check the data base file by touching
 You cannot add photos in the Playlist.
(MENU)  [Show others] 
[REPAIR IMG.DB F.] (under [MANAGE
A movie cannot be divided.
MEDIA] category)  the recording medium.
If it still appears, delete the image with  A movie that is too short cannot be divided.
(p. 44).  A protected movie cannot be divided.

No sound or only a quiet sound is heard A photo cannot be captured from a

during playback. movie.
 Turn up the volume (p. 35).  The recording media where you want to save
 When you record sound with [MICREF photos is full.
LEVEL] (p. 83) set to [LOW], the recorded
sound may be difficult to hear. Playback on the TV
 Sounds cannot be recorded while shooting
with [SMTH SLW REC].
Neither image nor sound is played on the
connected TV.
Playing back images stored on
Additional information

memory card on other devices  When you are using the component video
cable, set [COMPONENT] according to the
requirements of the connected device (p. 91).
Images cannot be played back or the  When you are using the component video
memory card is not recognized. cable, make sure the red and white plugs of the
 The playback device does not support playing A/V connecting cable are connected (p. 40).
back memory cards (p. 3).  Images are not output from the HDMI OUT
jack, if copyright protection signals are
recorded in the images.

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97
  The A/V connecting cable is not connected
Neither image nor sound is played back properly. Make sure to connect the cable to the
on the TV, projector, or AV amplifier input jack of another device (p. 70).
connected with the HDMI cable.
 If you cannot view images or hear sound on
Connecting to a Computer
the TV, projector, or AV amplifier connected
with the HDMI cable, or flicker occurs, try
disconnecting and connecting the HDMI “PMB” cannot be installed.
cable, or turn on your camcorder again.  Check the computer environment or
installation procedure required to install
The top, bottom, right, and left edges “PMB”.
of images are trimmed slightly on a
connected TV. “PMB” does not work correctly.
 The LCD screen of your camcorder can  Quit “PMB” and restart your computer.
display recording images across the entire
screen (full pixel display). However, this may
The camcorder is not recognized by the
cause slight trimming of the top, bottom, right,
computer.
and left edges of images when played back on
a TV which is not compatible with full pixel  Disconnect devices from the USB jack of the
display. computer other than the keyboard, mouse,
 It is recommended you record images using and your camcorder.
the outer frame of [GUIDEFRAME] (p. 81)  Disconnect the USB cable from the computer
as a guide. and your camcorder, and restart the computer,
then connect the computer and your
The image appears distorted on the 4:3 camcorder again in the correct order.
TV.
 This happens when viewing an image Examples of functions that cannot
recorded in the 16:9 (wide) mode on a 4:3 TV. be used simultaneously
Set [TV TYPE] correctly (p. 90) and play back
the image. The following list shows examples of
unworkable combinations of functions and
Black bands appear at the top and bottom menu items.
of the screen of the 4:3 TV.
Cannot use Because of following settings
 This happens when viewing an image recorded INTELLIGENT [SMTH SLW REC]
in the 16:9 (wide) mode on a 4:3 TV. This is AUTO
not a malfunction.

Dubbing/Connecting to other
devices

Images are not dubbed correctly.

 You cannot dub images using the HDMI cable
(sold separately).
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Cannot use Because of following settings
C:(or E:) : (Self-diagnosis display)
[FACE [SMTH SLW REC],
DETECTION] [ DIGITAL ZOOM], C:04:
[SPOT MTR/FCS],  The battery pack is not an “InfoLITHIUM”
[SPOT METER], [SPOT battery pack (L series). Use an
FOCUS], [EXPOSURE], “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series).
[FOCUS], [TWILIGHT],
(p. 109).
[SUNRISE&SUNSET],
 Connect the DC plug of the AC Adaptor to the
[FIREWORKS],
[LANDSCAPE], DC IN jack of your camcorder securely (p. 13).
[SPOTLIGHT], [BEACH], C:06:
[SNOW], [WHITE BAL.],  The battery pack temperature is high. Change
[ SELF-TIMER] the battery pack or place it in a cool place.
[PRIORITY [SMTH SLW REC],
C:13: / C:32:
SETTING]/ [ DIGITAL ZOOM],
[SMILE [SPOT MTR/FCS],  Remove the power source. Reconnect it and
DETECTION]/ [SPOT METER], [SPOT operate your camcorder again.
[SMILE FOCUS], [EXPOSURE], E::
SENSITIVITY] [FOCUS], [TWILIGHT],  Follow the steps from  on page 93.
[SUNRISE&SUNSET],
[FIREWORKS],
[LANDSCAPE],  (Battery level warning)
[SPOTLIGHT], [BEACH], Slow flashing
[SNOW], [WHITE BAL.],
 The battery pack is nearly used up.
[ SELF-TIMER]
 Depending on the operating environment or
[SCENE [SMTH SLW REC], [LOW
battery conditions,  may flash, even if there
SELECTION] LUX], [TELE MACRO]
are about 20 minutes remaining.

Self-diagnosis display/Warning (Warning indicator pertaining to

indicators battery pack temperature)
 The battery pack temperature is high. Change
If indicators appear on the LCD screen or the battery pack or place it in a cool place.
viewfinder, check the following.
If the problem persists even after you (High temperature warning)
Additional information

have tried to fix a couple of times, contact

Slow flashing
your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony  The temperature of your camcorder is getting
service facility. In this case, when you higher. Turn off your camcorder and leave it
contact them, give them all the numbers of for a while in a cool place.
the error code beginning with C or E. Fast flashing
 The temperature of your camcorder is
extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and
leave it for a while in a cool place.

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99
 does not disappear.
(Warning indicator pertaining to
memory card) (Warning indicator pertaining to
photo recording)
Slow flashing
 The recording media is full.
 Free spaces for recording images are running
 Photos cannot be recorded during processing.
out. For the type of memory card you can use
Wait for a while, then record.
with your camcorder, see page 21.
 When [ REC MODE] is set to [HD FX], you
 No memory card is inserted (p. 21).
cannot record photos while recording movies.
Fast flashing
 There are not enough free spaces for recording (Warning indicator pertaining to smile
images. After storing the images on other shutter)
media (p. 64), delete unnecessary images, or
format the memory card (p. 88).  The smile shutter cannot be used with the
 The image data base file may be damaged.
current setting of the camcorder.
Check the data base file by touching
(MENU)  [Show others] 
 Tips
[REPAIR IMG.DB F.] (under [MANAGE
 When [BEEP] is set to [ON] and the some
MEDIA] category)  the recording medium.
warning indicators appear, you hear beep sound
 The memory card is damaged.
(p. 90).

(Warning indicators pertaining to

memory card formatting) Description of warning messages
 The memory card is damaged. If messages appear on the screen, follow the
 The memory card is not formatted correctly
instructions.
(p. 88).
Recording media
(Warning indicator pertaining to
incompatible memory card)
Internal memory format error.
 Incompatible memory card is inserted (p. 21).
 The internal memory of the camcorder
is set differently from the default format.
 (Warning indicator pertaining to Performing [MEDIA FORMAT] (p. 88) may
the write-protect of the memory card) enable you to use your camcorder. This will
 Access to the memory card was restricted on delete all data in the internal memory.
another device.
 You are using the memory card with the write- Data error.
protect switch, and the switch is set to the
 An error occurred during reading or writing
LOCK position.
the internal memory of the camcorder.
 This may occur when you keep applying shock
(Warning indicator pertaining to on the camcorder.
camera-shake warning)  Movies recorded on other devices may not be
 The camcorder is unsteady, so camera-shake played back.
easily occurs. Hold the camcorder steady with
both hands and record the image. However,
US note that the camera-shake warning indicator
100
The Image Database File is damaged. Do Inconsistencies found in Image Database
you want to create a new file? File. Do you want to repair the Image
HD movie management information is Database File?
damaged. Create new information? The Image Database File is damaged. Do
 The management file is damaged. When you want to repair the Image Database
you touch [YES], a new management file File?
is created. The old recorded images on the Inconsistencies found in Image Database
media cannot be played back (Image files are File. Cannot record or play HD movies. Do
not damaged). If you execute [REPAIR IMG. you want to repair the Image Database
DB F.] after creating new information, playing File?
back the old recorded images may become  The management file is damaged, and you
possible. If it does not work, copy the image cannot record movies or photos. Touch [YES]
using the supplied software. to repair.
 You can record photos on a memory card.
There is no Image Database File. Movies
cannot be recorded or played. Create a Buffer overflow
new file?  A memory card on which recording and
 You cannot record or play back movies deleting has been repeated or formatted on
because no movie management information other devices is used. Format the memory card
exists. If you touch [YES], new management on your camcorder after backing up the data
information is created and you can record or to the hard disk of a computer, etc. (p. 88).
play back movies.  Write performance of the memory card
 You can record photos. you are using is insufficient for the movie
recording speed of your camcorder. Use
There is no HD movie management a memory card recommended for your
information. Create new information? camcorder (p. 21).
 You cannot record or play back movies
because no high definition image quality (HD) Recovering data.
movie management information exists. If you  Your camcorder tries to recover data
touch [YES], new management information automatically if the data writing was not
is created and you can record or play back performed properly.
movies with high definition image quality
Additional information

(HD). Cannot recover data.

 You can record standard definition image  Writing data onto the media of the camcorder
quality (STD) movies or photos. has failed. Attempts were made to recover the
data, but they were unsuccessful.

Reinsert the memory card.

 Reinsert the memory card a few times. If even
then the indicator flashes, the memory card
could be damaged. Try with another memory
card.

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  Copying photos
This memory card is not formatted  Editing the Playlist of high definition image
correctly. quality (HD) movies
 Format the memory card (p. 88). Note that if
you format the memory card, all the recorded Data protected.
movies and photos are deleted.  You tried to delete protected data. Release the
protection of the data.
Still picture folder is full. Cannot record
still pictures.
 You cannot create folders exceeding
999MSDCF. You cannot create or delete
created folders using your camcorder.
 Format the memory card (p. 88), or delete
folders using your computer.

This memory card may not be able to

record or play movies.
 Use a memory card recommended for your
camcorder (p. 21).

This memory card may not be able to

record or play images correctly.
 Use a memory card recommended for your
camcorder (p. 21).

Do not eject the memory card during

writing. Data may be damaged.
 Reinsert the memory card, and follow the
instructions on the LCD screen.

Other

No further selection is possible.

 You can add no more than 999 high definition
image quality (HD) movies, or 99 standard
definition image quality (STD) movies, to a
Playlist.
 You can select only 100 images at one time for:
 Deleting movies/photos
 Protecting movies/photos, or releasing the
protection
 Dubbing movies
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Recording time of
movies/number of
recordable photos Playing time
“HD” stands for high definition image Approximate time available when you use a
quality, and “STD” stands for standard fully charged battery pack.
image quality. (unit: minute)
Battery pack
Expected time of recording and Image quality HD STD
playback with each battery pack NP-F570 420 540
(supplied) 420 565
Recording time
Approximate time available when you use a NP-F770 850 1095
fully charged battery pack. 850 1155
(unit: minute) NP-F970 1295 1660
Battery pack Continuous Typical recording 1295 1750
recording time time
 Top: When the LCD turns on.
Image quality HD STD HD STD
Bottom: Recording with the viewfinder while
NP-F570 260 350 135 185 the LCD turns off.
(supplied)
NP-F770 540 720 285 380
Expected recording time of movies
NP-F970 805 1080 425 570

 Each recording time is measured in the Internal memory

following [ REC MODE] settings.
HD: HD FH
High definition image quality (HD) in h (hour) and m
STD: HQ
(minute)
 Typical recording time shows the time when Recording mode Recording time
you repeat recording start/stop, switching [HD FX] 6 h 5 m (6 h 5 m)
recording/playback, and zooming. [HD FH] 7 h 55 m (7 h 55 m)
 Times measured when using the camcorder at
[HD HQ] 15 h 50 m (11 h 25 m)
25 C (77 °F). 10 C to 30 C (50 °F to 86 °F) is
recommended. [HD LP] 26 h 55 m (21 h 30 m)
 The recording and playback time will be
shorter when you use your camcorder in low
Additional information

Standard definition image quality (STD) in h (hour) and

temperatures. m (minute)
 The recording and playback time will be shorter
Recording mode Recording time
depending on the conditions under which you
use your camcorder. [STD HQ] 16 h 15 m (14 h 30 m)

 Notes
The number in ( ) is the minimum recordable
time.

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  Tips Standard definition image quality (STD)
 You can record movies of a maximum of 3,999 (unit: minute)
scenes with high definition image quality (HD),
STD 9M (HQ)
and 9,999 scenes with standard definition image
quality (STD). 1GB 10
 The maximum continuous recording time of (10)
movies is approximately 13 hours. 2GB 25
 Your camcorder uses the VBR (Variable Bit (25)
Rate) format to automatically adjust image 4GB 55
quality to suit the recording scene. This (50)
technology causes fluctuations in the recording 8GB 115
time of the media. Movies containing quickly (100)
moving and complex images are recorded at
16GB 230
a higher bit-rate, and this reduces the overall (205)
recording time.
32GB 465
Memory card (415)

High definition image quality (HD)  Notes

(unit: minute)  The recordable time may vary depending on the
recording and subject conditions and [ REC
AVC HD AVC HD AVC HD 9M AVC HD 5M
MODE] (p. 29).
24M (FX) 17M (FH) (HQ) (LP)
 The number in ( ) is the minimum recordable
1GB 5 6 10 20 time.
(5) (6) (9) (15)
2GB 10 10 25 45
(10) (10) (20) (35) Expected number of recordable
4GB 20 25 55 90 photos
(20) (25) (40) (75)
Internal memory
8GB 40 55 110 190
(40) (55) (80) (150) You can record the maximum 9,999 photos.
16GB 85 110 220 380
Memory card
(85) (110) (160) (305)
32GB 175 225 455 770 7.1M
(175) (225) (325) (615)
1GB 255
2GB 520
4GB 1000
8GB 2050
16GB 4100
32GB 8300

 The selected image size is effective when the

(Photo) lamp is lit.
 The number of recordable photos of memory
card shown is for the maximum image size
US of your camcorder. The actual number of
104
 recordable photos is displayed on the LCD
screen during recording (p. 117).
 The number of recordable photos of memory
card may vary depending on the recording
conditions.

 Notes
The unique pixel array of Sony’s ClearVid and
the image processing system allow still image
resolution equivalent to the sizes described.

 Tips
 The following list shows the bit-rate, pixels and
aspect ratio of each recording mode (movie +
audio, etc.).
 High definition image quality (HD):
FX: Max. 24Mbps 1,920 pixels  1,080
pixels/16:9
FH: Approx. 17Mbps (average) 1,920 pixels 
1,080 pixels/16:9
HQ: Approx. 9Mbps (average) 1,440 pixels 
1,080 pixels/16:9
LP: Approx. 5Mbps (average) 1,440 pixels 
1,080 pixels/16:9
 Standard definition image quality (STD):
HQ: Approx. 9Mbps (average) 720 pixels 
480 pixels/16:9, 4:3
 The photo recording pixels and the aspect ratio.
 Photo recording mode:
3,072 dots  2,304 dots/4:3
3,072 dots  1,728 dots/16:9
1,600 dots  1,200 dots/4:3
640 dots  480 dots/4:3
 Dual recording:
3,072 dots  1,728 dots/16:9
Additional information

2,304 dots  1,728 dots/4:3

 Capturing a photo from a movie:
1,920 dots  1,080 dots/16:9
640 dots  360 dots/16:9
640 dots  480 dots/4:3

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 Using your camcorder
abroad
Power supply System Used in
You can use your camcorder in any PAL Australia, Austria, Belgium,
countries/regions using the AC Adaptor China, Czech Republic,
supplied with your camcorder within the Denmark, Finland, Germany,
Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary,
AC 100 V to 240 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz range.
Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New
Zealand, Norway, Poland,
Viewing high definition image quality Portugal, Singapore, Slovak
(HD) movies Republic, Spain, Sweden,
In countries/regions where 1080/60i is Switzerland, Thailand, United
supported, you can view the movies with Kingdom, etc.
the same high definition image quality PAL-M Brazil
(HD) as that of the recorded movies. PAL-N Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
You need an NTSC-system-based and SECAM Bulgaria, France, Guiana, Iran,
Iraq, Monaco, Russia, Ukraine,
1080/60i compatible TV (or monitor)
etc.
with component and AUDIO/VIDEO
input jacks. A component video cable or
an HDMI cable (sold separately) must be
connected.

Viewing standard definition image

quality (STD) movies
To view standard definition image quality
(STD) movies, you need a NTSC-system-
based TV with AUDIO/VIDEO input
jacks. An A/V connecting cable must be
connected.

On TV color systems
Your camcorder is a NTSC-system-based
camcorder. If you want to view the playback
image on a TV, it must be a NTSC-system-
based TV with an AUDIO/VIDEO input
jack.
System Used in
NTSC Bahama Islands, Bolivia,
Canada, Central America,
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,
Guyana, Jamaica, Japan,
Korea, Mexico, Peru, Surinam,
Taiwan, the Philippines, the
USA, Venezuela, etc.

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Setting to the local time
You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference when using your
camcorder abroad. Touch (MENU)  [Show others]  [CLOCK/ LANG] (under
[GENERAL SET] category)  [AREA SET] and [DST SET]/[SUMMERTIME] (p. 92).

World time difference

Time-zone Area setting Time-zone Area setting

differences differences
GMT Lisbon, London +12:00 Fiji, Wellington, Eniwetok,
+01:00 Berlin, Paris Kwajalein
+02:00 Helsinki, Cairo, Istanbul –11:00 Samoa
+03:00 Moscow, Nairobi –10:00 Hawaii
+03:30 Tehran –09:00 Alaska
+04:00 Abu Dhabi, Baku –08:00 Los Angeles, Tijuana
+04:30 Kabul –07:00 Denver, Arizona
+05:00 Karachi, Islamabad –06:00 Chicago, Mexico City
Additional information

+05:30 Calcutta, New Delhi –05:00 New York, Bogota

+06:00 Almaty, Dhaka –04:00 Santiago
+06:30 Yangon –03:30 St.John’s
+07:00 Bangkok, Jakarta –03:00 Brasilia, Montevideo
+08:00 Hong Kong, Singapore, –02:00 Fernando de Noronha
Beijing –01:00 Azores, Cape Verde Is.
+09:00 Seoul, Tokyo
+09:30 Adelaide, Darwin
+10:00 Melbourne, Sydney
+11:00 Solomon Is
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 Maintenance and
precautions
*2 720p specification
About the AVCHD format
A high definition specification which utilizes
What is the AVCHD format? 720 effective scanning lines and the progressive
system.
The AVCHD format is a high definition
*3 Data recorded in AVCHD format other than
digital video camera format used to the above mentioned cannot be played on your
record a high definition (HD) signal of camcorder.
either the 1080i specification*1 or the
About the memory card
720p specification*2 using efficient data
compression coding technology. The  A memory card formatted by a computer
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format is adopted to (Windows OS/Mac OS) does not have
compress video data, and the Dolby Digital guaranteed compatibility with your camcorder.
 Data read/write speed may vary depending
or Linear PCM system is used to compress
on the combination of the memory card and
audio data. memory card compliant product you use.
The MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format is capable  Damaged or lost data may occur in the
of compressing images at higher efficiency following cases (the data will not be
than that of the conventional image compensated for):
 If you eject the memory card, or turn off your
compressing format. The MPEG-4 AVC/
camcorder while your camcorder is reading
H.264 format enables a high definition
or writing image files on the memory card
video signal shot on a digital video camera (while the access lamp is lit or flashing)
recorder to be recorded on 8 cm DVD  If you use the memory card near magnets or
discs, hard disk drive, flash memory, magnetic fields
memory card, etc.  It is recommended that you make a back-up of
important data on the hard disk of a computer.
Recording and playback on your  Do not attach a label or the like on memory
camcorder card or memory card adaptor.
Based on the AVCHD format, your  Do not touch, or allow metallic objects to come
into contact with the terminals.
camcorder records with the high definition
 Do not bend, drop or apply strong force to the
image quality (HD) mentioned below. memory card.
In addition to high definition image  Do not disassemble or modify the memory
quality (HD), your camcorder is capable card.
of recording a standard definition (STD)  Do not let the memory card get wet.
signal in the conventional MPEG-2 format.  Keep the memory card out of the reach of small
children. There is danger that a child might
Video signal*3: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 1920 swallow it.
 1080/60i, 1440  1080/60i  Do not insert anything other than the compliant
Audio signal: Dolby Digital 2ch size of memory card into the memory card slot.
Doing so may cause a malfunction.
Recording media:
 Do not use or keep the memory card in the
Internal memory, memory card following locations:
*1 1080i specification  Places subject to extremely high temperature,
A high definition specification which utilizes such as a car parked outside in the summer
1,080 effective scanning lines and the interlace  Places under direct sunlight
 Places with extremely high humidity or
system.
subject to corrosive gases
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On the memory card adaptor a copyright protection technology that records
 When using memory card with memory card and transfers the contents in an encrypted
compliant device inserting memory card format.
into memory card adaptor, make sure the
memory card is inserted facing in the correct About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery
direction. Note that improper use may cause a pack
malfunction.
Your camcorder operates only with an
On image data compatibility
“InfoLITHIUM” L series battery packs.
 Image data files recorded on memory card by
“InfoLITHIUM” L series battery packs have
your camcorder conform to the “Design rule
for Camera File system” universal standard the mark.
established by the JEITA (Japan Electronics
What is an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack?
and Information Technology Industries
Association).  An “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack is a
 On your camcorder, you cannot play back lithium-ion battery pack that has functions
photos recorded on other devices (DCR- for communicating information related to
TRV900 or DSC-D700/D770) that do not operating conditions between your camcorder
conform to the universal standard. (These and an AC Adaptor/charger (sold separately).
models are not sold in some regions.)  The “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack calculates the
 If you cannot use memory cards that have been power consumption according to the operating
used with another device, format it with your conditions of your camcorder, and displays the
camcorder (p. 88). Note that formatting erases remaining battery time in minutes.
all information on the memory card.
To charge the battery pack
 You may not be able to play back images with
your camcorder:  Be sure to charge the battery pack before you
 When playing back image data modified on
start using your camcorder.
your computer  We recommend charging the battery pack in an
 When playing back image data recorded with
ambient temperature of between 10 C to 30 C
other devices (50 °F to 86 °F) until the CHG (charge) lamp
turns off. If you charge the battery pack outside
About the “Memory Stick” media of this temperature range, you may not be able
to charge it efficiently.
Types of “Memory Stick” media Recording/Playback
Additional information

“Memory Stick Duo” 

To use the battery pack effectively
media (with MagicGate)  Battery pack performance decreases when the
“Memory Stick PRO ambient temperature is 10 C (50 °F) or below,

Duo” (Mark2) media and the length of time you can use the battery
“Memory Stick PRO-HG pack becomes shorter. In that case, do one
*
Duo” media of the following to use the battery pack for a
longer time.
* This product does not support 8-bit parallel  Put the battery pack in a pocket to warm it
data transfer but it supports 4-bit parallel data up, and install it on your camcorder right
transfer the same as with “Memory Stick PRO before you start taking shots.
Duo” media.  Use a large capacity battery pack: NP-F770/
 This product cannot record or play data that NP-F970 (sold separately).
uses “MagicGate” technology. “MagicGate” is  Frequent use of the LCD screen or a frequent
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 playback, fast forward or reverse operation between charges becomes significant, it is
wears out the battery pack faster. We probably time to replace it with a new one.
recommend using a large capacity battery pack:  Each battery’s life is governed by storage,
NP-F770/NP-F970 (sold separately). operating and environmental conditions.
 Be sure to slide the POWER switch to OFF
(CHG), when not recording or playing back
About x.v.Color
on your camcorder. The battery pack is also
consumed when your camcorder is in recording  x.v.Color is a more familiar term for the xvYCC
standby or playback pause. standard proposed by Sony, and is a trademark
 Have spare battery packs ready for 2 or 3 times of Sony.
the expected recording time, and make trial  xvYCC is an international standard for color
recordings before making the actual recording. space in video. This standard can express a
 Do not expose the battery pack to water. The wider color range than the currently used
battery pack is not water resistant. broadcast standard.

About the remaining battery time

indicator About handling of your camcorder
 When the power goes off even though the On use and care
remaining battery time indicator indicates that  Do not use or store the camcorder and
the battery pack has enough power to operate, accessories in the following locations:
charge the battery pack fully again. Remaining  Anywhere extremely hot, cold or humid.
battery time will be indicated correctly. Note, Never leave them exposed to temperatures
however, that the battery indication will not be above 60 C (140 °F), such as under direct
restored if it is used in high temperatures for sunlight, near heaters or in a car parked in
a long time, or if left in a fully charged state, the sun. They may malfunction or become
or when the battery pack is frequently used. deformed.
Use the remaining battery time indication as a  Near strong magnetic fields or mechanical
rough guide only. vibration. The camcorder may malfunction.
 The  mark that indicates low battery flashes  Near strong radio waves or radiation. The
even if there are still 20 minutes of battery camcorder may not be able to record properly.
time remaining, depending on the operating  Near AM receivers and video equipment.
conditions or ambient temperature. Noise may occur.
 When the battery power remains 999 minutes  On a sandy beach or anywhere dusty. If
or more, [999min] is displayed on the LCD sand or dust gets in your camcorder, it may
screen. malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction
cannot be repaired.
About storage of the battery pack
 Near windows or outdoors, where the LCD
 If the battery pack is not used for a long time, screen, the viewfinder or the lens may be
fully charge the battery pack and use it up on exposed to direct sunlight. This damages the
your camcorder once a year to maintain proper LCD screen and the viewfinder.
function. To store the battery pack, remove it  Operate your camcorder on DC 7.2 V (battery
from your camcorder and put it in a dry, cool pack) or DC 8.4 V (AC Adaptor).
place.  For DC or AC operation, use the accessories
recommended in these operating instructions.
About battery life
 Do not let your camcorder get wet, for example,
 Battery capacity decreases over time and from rain or sea water. If your camcorder
through repeated use. If decreased usage time gets wet, it may malfunction. Sometimes this
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 malfunction cannot be repaired. camcorder from a cold place into a warm place
 If any solid object or liquid gets inside the (or vice versa) or when you use your camcorder
casing, unplug your camcorder and have it in a humid place as follows:
checked by a Sony dealer before operating it  You bring your camcorder from a ski slope
any further. into a place warmed up by a heating device.
 Avoid rough handling, disassembling,  You bring your camcorder from an air
modifying, physical shock, or impact such conditioned car or room into a hot place
as hammering, dropping or stepping on the outside.
product. Be particularly careful of the lens.  You use your camcorder after a squall or a
 Keep the LCD screen closed when you are not shower.
using your camcorder.  You use your camcorder in a hot and humid
 Do not wrap your camcorder with a towel, for place.
example, and operate it. Doing so might cause  How to prevent moisture condensation
heat to build up inside. When you bring your camcorder from a cold
 When disconnecting the power cord (mains place into a warm place, put your camcorder in
lead), pull it by the plug and not the cord. a plastic bag and seal it tightly. Remove the bag
 Do not damage the power cord (mains lead) when the air temperature inside the plastic bag
such as by placing anything heavy on it. has reached the surrounding temperature (after
 Do not use a deformed or damaged battery about 1 hour).
pack.
 Keep metal contacts clean. LCD screen
 If the battery electrolytic liquid has leaked:  Do not exert excessive pressure on the LCD
 Consult your local authorized Sony service screen, as it may cause uneven color and other
facility. damage.
 Wash off any liquid that may have contacted  If your camcorder is used in a cold place, a
your skin. residual image may appear on the LCD screen.
 If any liquid gets in your eyes, wash with This is not a malfunction.
plenty of water and consult a doctor.  While using your camcorder, the back of
the LCD screen may heat up. This is not a
When not using your camcorder for a malfunction.
long period
 To keep your camcorder in optimum state for a To clean the LCD screen
long time, turn it on and let it run by recording  If fingerprints or dust make the LCD screen
and playing back images about once a month. dirty, it is recommended that you use a soft
Additional information

 Use up the battery pack completely before cloth to clean it.

storing it.
On adjustment of the touch panel
Moisture condensation (CALIBRATION)
If your camcorder is brought directly from a cold The buttons on the touch panel may not work
place to a warm place, moisture may condense correctly. If this happens, follow the procedure
inside your camcorder. This may cause a below. It is recommended that you connect your
malfunction to your camcorder. camcorder to the wall outlet (wall socket) using
 If moisture condensation has occurred the supplied AC Adaptor during the operation.
Leave your camcorder for about 1 hour without
turning it on.
 Note on moisture condensation
Moisture may condense when you bring your
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  (MENU)  [Show others]   To prevent mold, periodically clean the lens as
[OTHER SETTINGS] (under [GENERAL described above.
SET] category)  [CALIBRATION].
On charging the pre-installed
rechargeable battery
Your camcorder has a pre-installed rechargeable
battery to retain the date, time, and other settings
even when the LCD screen is closed. The pre-
installed rechargeable battery is always charged
while your camcorder is connected to the wall
 Touch “” displayed on the screen with the
outlet (wall socket) via the AC Adaptor or while
the battery pack is attached. The rechargeable
corner of memory card or the like 3 times.
battery will be fully discharged in about 3 months
Touch [CANCEL] to cancel calibration.
if you do not use your camcorder at all. Use
 Notes your camcorder after charging the pre-installed
 If you did not press the right spot, try the rechargeable battery.
calibration again. However, even if the pre-installed rechargeable
 Do not use a sharp-pointed object for battery is not charged, the camcorder operation
calibration. Doing so may damage the LCD will not be affected as long as you are not
screen. recording the date.
 You cannot calibrate the LCD screen if it is
rotated, or closed with the screen facing out. How to charge the pre-installed
rechargeable battery
On handling the casing Connect your camcorder to a wall outlet (wall
 If the casing is soiled, clean the camcorder body socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor, and leave
with a soft cloth lightly moistened with water, it with the POWER switch OFF (CHG) for more
and then wipe the casing with a dry soft cloth. than 24 hours.
 Avoid the following to avoid damage to the
finish: Note on disposal/transfer
 Using chemicals such as thinner, benzine, Even if you delete all movies and still images,
alcohol, chemical cloths, repellent, insecticide or perform [MEDIA FORMAT] (p. 88), data
and sunscreen on the internal memory may not be completely
 Handling the camcorder with above erased. When you transfer the camcorder, it is
substances on your hands recommended that you perform [EMPTY] (p. 89)
 Leaving the casing in contact with rubber or to prevent the recovery of your data. Also, when
vinyl objects for a long period of time you dispose of the camcorder, it is recommended
that you destroy the actual body of the camcorder.
About care and storage of the lens
 Wipe the surface of the lens clean with a soft Note on disposal/transfer of the
cloth in the following instances: memory card
 When there are fingerprints on the lens Even if you delete data in the memory card or
surface format the memory card on your camcorder or
 In hot or humid locations a computer, you may not delete data from the
 When the lens is exposed to salty air such as memory card completely. When you give the
at the seaside memory card to somebody, it is recommended
 Store in a well-ventilated location subject to that you delete date completely using data
little dirt or dust. deletion software on a computer. Also, when you
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 Specifications

dispose of the memory card, it is recommended System

that you destroy the actual body of the memory Signal format: NTSC color, EIA standards HDTV
card. 1080/60i specification
Movie recording format:
HD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 AVCHD format
compatible
STD: MPEG-2 PS
Audio recording system:
Dolby Digital 2ch
Dolby Digital Stereo Creator
Photo file format
: DCF Ver.2.0 Compatible
: Exif Ver.2.21 Compatible
: MPF Baseline Compatible
Recording media (Movie/Photo)
Internal memory: 64 GB
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media
SD memory card (Class 4 or faster)
When measuring media capacity, 1 GB equals
1 billion bytes, a portion of which is used for
system management and/or application files.
The capacity that a user can use is
approximately 63.5 GB.
Viewfinder
Electronic viewfinder: color
Picture: 0.5 cm (0.2 type, aspect ratio 4:3)
Total dot number: 201 600 (Approx. 300 
224  3 [RGB])
Image device: 4.5 mm (1/4 type) CMOS sensor
Recording pixels (photo, 4:3):
Max. 7.1 mega (3 072 pixels  2 304 pixels)*1
Gross: Approx. 4 200 000 pixels
Effective (movie, 16:9):
Approx. 2 650 000 pixels*2
Effective (photo, 16:9):
Approx. 2 650 000 pixels
Effective (photo, 4:3):
Additional information

Approx. 3 540 000 pixels

Lens: G lens
12 (Optical)*2, 17*3, 160 (Digital)
Filter diameter: 37 mm (1 1/2 in.)
F1.8 ~ F3.4
Focal length:
f=2.9 mm ~ 34.8 mm (1/8 in. ~ 1 3/8 in.)
When converted to a 35 mm still camera
For movies*2: 29.8 mm ~ 357.6 mm (1 3/16
in. ~ 14 1/8 in.) (16:9)
For photos: 27.4 mm ~ 328.8 mm (1 1/8 in. ~
13 in.) (4:3)
Color temperature: [AUTO], [ONE PUSH],
[INDOOR] (3 200 K), [OUTDOOR]
(5 800 K) US
113
 Minimum illumination projecting parts, lens hood and eyecup
11 lx (lux) (in default setting, shutter speed 1/60 255 mm  234 mm  464 mm (10 1/8 in. ×
second) 9 1/4 in. × 18 3/8 in.)
3 lx (lux) (LOW LUX is set to [ON], shutter speed (w/h/d) including the projecting parts, battery
1/30 second) pack (NP-F570), lens hood, memory card,
eyecup and microphone (ECM-PS1)
*1 The unique pixel array of Sony’s ClearVid
Mass (approx.)
and the image processing system allow
2.7 kg (5 lb 15 oz) including the lens hood
still image resolution equivalent to the
and eyecup
sizes described.
2.9 kg (6 lb 6 oz) including the battery pack
*2 [ STEADYSHOT] is set to
(NP-F570), lens hood, memory card, eyecup
[STANDARD] or [OFF].
and microphone (ECM-PS1)
*3 [ STEADYSHOT] is set to [ACTIVE].
AC Adaptor AC-L100C
Input/Output connectors
Power requirements: AC 100 V - 240 V,
VIDEO OUT jack:
50 Hz/60 Hz
Pin jack
1 Vp-p, 75 Ω (ohms) Current consumption: 0.35 A - 0.18 A
AUDIO OUT jack: Power consumption: 18 W
Pin jack Output voltage: DC 8.4 V*
Audio signal: 327 mV (at load impedance 47 Operating temperature: 0 C to 40 C (32 °F to
kΩ (kilohms)), Output impedance with less 104 °F)
than 2.2 kΩ (kilohms) Storage temperature: –20 C to +60 C (-4 °F to
COMPONENT OUT jack: +140 °F)
Y: 1 Vp-p, 75 Ω (ohms) Dimensions (approx.): 48 mm  29 mm  81 mm
PB/PR, CB/CR: ± 350 mV, 75 Ω (ohms) (1 15/16 in.  1 3/16 in.  3 1/4 in.) (w/h/d)
REMOTE jack: excluding the projecting parts
Stereo mini-minijack (Ø 2.5 mm) Mass (approx.): 170 g (6.0 oz) excluding the
HDMI OUT jack: HDMI connector power cord (mains lead)
Headphone jack:
Stereo minijack (Ø 3.5 mm) * See the label on the AC Adaptor for other
MIC jack: specifications.
Stereo minijack (Ø 3.5 mm) Rechargeable battery pack NP-F570
USB jack: mini-AB (output only) Maximum output voltage: DC 8.4 V
LCD screen Output voltage: DC 7.2 V
Picture: 6.7 cm (2.7 type, aspect ratio 16:9) Maximum charge voltage: DC 8.4 V
Total number of pixels: 230 400 (960  240) Maximum charge current: 3.0 A
Capacity
General Typical: 15.8 Wh (2 200 mAh)
Power requirements: DC 7.2 V (battery pack) DC Minimum: 15.0 Wh (2 100 mAh)
8.4 V (AC Adaptor) Type: Li-ion
Average power consumption: During camera
recording, using viewfinder or LCD screen at
Design and specifications of your camcorder and
normal brightness:
HD: 3.6 W STD: 2.7 W accessories are subject to change without notice.
 Manufactured under license from Dolby
Operating temperature: 0 C to 40 C (32 °F to
104 °F) Laboratories.
Storage temperature: –20 C to +60 C (-4 °F to
+140 °F)
Dimensions (approx.):
255 mm  232 mm  456 mm (10 1/8 in.
× 9 1/4 in. × 18 in.) (w/h/d) including the
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On trademarks Notes on the License
 “AVCHD” and “AVCHD” logotype are ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT OTHER
trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony THAN CONSUMER PERSONAL USE IN ANY
Corporation. MANNER THAT COMPLIES WITH THE
 “Memory Stick,” “ ,” “Memory Stick Duo,” MPEG-2 STANDARD FOR ENCODING VIDEO
“ ,” “Memory Stick PRO
INFORMATION FOR PACKAGED MEDIA
Duo,” “ ,”
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT A
“Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo,”
LICENSE UNDER APPLICABLE PATENTS IN
“ ,” “MagicGate,”
“ ,” “MagicGate Memory THE MPEG-2 PATENT PORTFOLIO, WHICH
Stick” and “MagicGate Memory Stick Duo” are LICENSE IS AVAILABLE FROM MPEG LA,
trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony L.L.C., 250 STEELE STREET, SUITE 300,
Corporation. DENVER, COLORADO 80206.
 “InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony
Corporation. THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE
 “x.v.Color” is a trademark of Sony Corporation. AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSE FOR THE
 “BRAVIA” is a trademark of Sony Corporation. PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE
 “DVDirect” is a trademark of Sony OF A CONSUMER TO
Corporation. (i) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE
 “Blu-ray Disc” and the logo are trademarks. WITH THE AVC STANDARD (“AVC VIDEO”)
 Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks AND/OR
of Dolby Laboratories. (ii) DECODE AVC VIDEO THAT WAS
 HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition
ENCODED BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A
Multimedia Interface are trademarks or
PERSONAL AND
registered trademarks of HDMI Licencing LLC.
NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR
 Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and
DirectX are either registered trademarks or WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the LICENSED TO PROVIDE AVC VIDEO.
United States and/or other countries. NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE
 Macintosh and Mac OS are registered IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE.
trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and other ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE
countries. OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C.
 Intel, Intel Core, and Pentium are trademarks SEE <HTTP://WWW.MPEGLA.COM>
or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation
or its subsidiaries in the United States and other “C Library,” “Expat,” “zlib,” “libjpeg,” “dtoa,” and
countries. “pcre” software are provided in your camcorder.
Additional information

 “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony

We provide this software based on license
Computer Entertainment Inc..
agreements with their owners of copyright. Based
 Adobe, the Adobe logo, and Adobe Acrobat
are either registered trademarks or trademarks on requests by the owners of copyright of these
of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United software applications, we have an obligation
States and/or other countries. to inform you of the following. Please read the
 SDXC and SDHC logo are trademarks of SD- following sections.
3C, LLC. Read “license1.pdf ” in the “License” folder on the
 MultiMediaCard is a trademark of CD-ROM. You will find licenses (in English) of
MultiMediaCard Association. “C Library,” “Expat,” “zlib,” “libjpeg,” “dtoa,” and
All other product names mentioned herein may “pcre” software.
be the trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies. Furthermore,  and On GNU GPL/LGPL applied software
 are not mentioned in each case in this manual. The software that is eligible for the following
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 GNU General Public License (hereinafter referred
to as “GPL”) or GNU Lesser General Public
License (hereinafter referred to as “LGPL”) are
included in the camcorder.
This informs you that you have a right to have
access to, modify, and redistribute source code for
these software programs under the conditions of
the supplied GPL/LGPL.
Source code is provided on the web. Use
the following URL to download it. When
downloading the source code, select DCR-SX20
as the model for your camcorder.
http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/
We would prefer you do not contact us about the
contents of source code.
Read “license2.pdf ” in the “License” folder on the
CD-ROM. You will find licenses (in English) of
“GPL,” and “LGPL” software.

To view the PDF, Adobe Reader is needed. If

it is not installed on your computer, you can
download it from the Adobe Systems web page:
http://www.adobe.com/

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Quick reference
Screen indicators
Indicator Meaning
Upper left Center Upper right Estimated recording
[00min]
remaining time
Approximate number of
9999
recordable photos and
9999
recording media
Playback folder (35)
Current playing movie or
photo/Number of total
100/112
Bottom recorded movies or photos
(34)
Upper left
Indicator Meaning Bottom
MENU button (72) Indicator Meaning
Self-timer recording (85) [FACE DETECTION] set
MICREF LEVEL low (83) to [OFF] (82)
WIDE SELECT (84) SMILE DETECTION (83)
60 min Remaining battery LOW LUX (82)
Recording folder  Manual focus (79)
Return button (72)
SCENE SELECTION (77)
Center
 White balance (77)
Indicator Meaning
White balance (86)
[STBY]/[REC] Recording status (24)
SteadyShot off (82)
Photo size (85) SPOT MTR/FCS (78)/
SPOT METER (78)/
Slide show set (39) EXPOSURE (79)
 Warning (99) AE SHIFT (80)
WB SHIFT (80)
 Playback mode (34)
Automatic mode (32)
Upper right Image brightness manual
setting mode (32)
Indicator Meaning
Quick reference

IRIS priority mode (32)

Recording image quality
(HD/STD) (28) and SHUTTER SPEED
recording mode (FX/FH/ priority mode (32)
HQ/LP) (29) TELE MACRO (80)
Recording/playback/ X.V.COLOR (84)
editing media (20) Shutter speed (31)
Counter (hour:minute: IRIS (31)
0:00:00
second)
CONVERSION LENS (82)

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 Indicator Meaning
INTELLIGENT AUTO
 (27)
OPTION button (74)
VIEW IMAGES button
(33)
Slide show button (39)
101-0005 Data file name (35)
 Protected image (45)
Index button (35)
 Indicators and their positions are approximate
and may differ from what you actually see.

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Parts and controls

The numbers in ( ) are reference pages.

 Cold shoe  HDMI OUT jack (Output only) (40)

 REMOTE jack  The available video signals are read, and the

The REMOTE jack is used for controlling appropriate output format is selected and
the playback of video devices and peripherals output automatically.
connected to it.  (USB) jack (mini-AB) (Output only) (55)
 (Headphone) jack  RESET button
 Cable holder Initializes all the settings, including the setting
The cable holder is used for fixing the A/V of the date and time.
connecting cable, etc.  A/V (audio/video) OUT jack (40, 71)
 REC START/STOP button (24)  COMPONENT OUT jack (40)
Quick reference

 Power zoom lever (27, 38)

 PHOTO button (26)
 POWER switch (16)
 Memory card slot (22)
 Access lamp (22)

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  Eyecup  (Movie) lamp (23)
 Viewfinder (18)  (Photo) lamp (23)
 LCD screen/touch panel (2, 18)
 LCD/EVF-EVF switch (19)
 Lens hood release lever (12)
 Viewfinder lens adjustment lever (18)
 Hook for the Shoulder belt
Attach the Shoulder belt (sold separately).
 BATT (battery) RELEASE button (14)
 Speaker
 Battery pack (13)
 CHG (charge) lamp (13)
 DC IN jack (13)
 (INTELLIGENT AUTO) button (27)
 MANUAL button (31)
 MODE button (23)
 (VIEW IMAGES) button (33)
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 Microphone (10)  Tripod receptacle
 Slide cover (22)  Attach the tripod (sold separately: the length
of the screw must be less than 5.5 mm (7/32
 REC lamp (Camera recording lamp)
in.)) to the tripod receptacle using a tripod
 The REC lamp lights up in red during
Quick reference

screw.
recording.
 The REC lamp flashes if the recording
media or battery power is low.
 Lens (G Lens)
 Lens hood
 Grip belt
 RING (31)

US
121
 Index

Symbols D I
1080i/480i.....................................91 DATA CODE.........................17, 86 IMAGE SIZE................................85
16:9................................................91 DATE/TIME..........................17, 86 INDOOR......................................78
4:3..................................................91 Date Index....................................36 “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
480i................................................91 DELETE........................................44 .....................................................109
DIGITAL ZOOM........................83 Install.............................................54
A INTELLIGENT AUTO.........27, 98
Disc recorder................................70
A.SHUT OFF...............................92
DISPLAY SET..............................90
A/V connecting cable...........40, 71 L
DISP OUTPUT............................91
Abroad........................................106 LANDSCAPE...............................77
DIVIDE.........................................46
AE SHIFT.....................................80 LANGUAGE SET..................17, 92
Dual Rec.......................................31
AREA SET....................................92 LCD BL LEVEL...........................90
Dubbing........................................48
AUDIO REC SET........................83 LCD BRIGHT..............................90
DVDirect Express........................67
AUTO BACK LIGHT.................84 LCD COLOR................................90
DVD writer............................67, 69
AVCHD........................................57 LOW LUX....................................82
AVCHD format..........................108 E LP...................................................29
EDIT..............................................44
B M
Editing movies.............................60
BATTERY INFO..........................88 Macintosh.....................................54
EMPTY.........................................89
Battery pack..................................13 Maintenance...............................108
EXPOSURE..................................79
BEACH.........................................77 MANAGE MEDIA................20, 88
External media.............................64
BEEP.............................................90 MANUAL SETTINGS................77
Blu-ray Disc..................................62 F MEDIA FORMAT.......................88
FACE DETECTION..............82, 99 MEDIA INFO..............................88
C MEDIA SETTINGS.....................20
Face Index.....................................36
CALIBRATION.........................111 Memory card....................... 21, 108
FH..................................................29
CAMERA DATA.........................86 “Memory Stick” media................21
FILE NO........................................85
Capturing a photo from a movie “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo”
Film Roll Index............................36
.......................................................47 media.................................... 21, 109
FIREWORKS...............................77
Capturing photos from a movie “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media
.......................................................61 FOCUS..........................................79
.............................................. 21, 109
Charging the battery pack..........13 Format...........................................88
Menus......................................72, 75
Charging the battery pack abroad Fully charged................................13
MICREF LEVEL..........................83
.............................................. 15, 106 FX..................................................29
Microphone..................................10
CLOCK/LANG............................92
G Moisture condensation.............111
CLOCK SET.................................16
GENERAL SET............................90 MOVIE DUB...............................48
COMPONENT............................91
GUIDEFRAME...........................81 MOVIE MEDIA SET..................20
Computer.....................................53
Movies.....................................24, 34
Computer system.........................53 H MPEG-4 AVC/H.264................108
CONVERSION LENS.................82 HD/STD SET...............................28 MY MENU...................................73
Copy..............................................49 HDMI RESOLUTION................91 MY MENU SETTING................73
Copying a disc..............................63 HIGHLIGHT...............................37
Creating a disc.......................57, 66 N
Highlight Playback......................37
Creating a standard definition HQ.................................................29 NTSC..........................................106
image quality (STD) disc............63
US Creating AVCHD disc................61
122
 O REPAIR IMG.DB F............. 97, 101 U
ONE PUSH..................................78 RESET.........................................119 USB cable................................67, 69
One Touch Disc Burn.................59 RING SETTING..........................31 USB CONNECT............. 60, 67, 69
OPTION MENU.........................74
S V
Original.........................................48
Saving images in external media VBR.............................................103
OTHER REC SET........................83 .......................................................64
VIEW IMAGES.....................33, 36
OTHERS.......................................88 SCENARIO..................................38
VISUAL INDEX..........................33
OTHER SETTINGS....................92 SCENARIO ERASE.....................38
Volume....................................35, 90
OUTDOOR..................................77 SCENE SELECTION............77, 99
OUTPUT SETTINGS.................90 Screen indicators.......................117 W
P Self-diagnosis display/Warning Wall outlet (wall socket).............13
indicators......................................99 Warning messages.....................100
PB zoom........................................38
SELF-TIMER................................85 WB SHIFT....................................80
PHOTO CAPTURE....................47
SHOOTING SET.........................81 WHITE BAL................................77
PHOTO COPY............................49
Slide show.....................................39 Wide angle....................................27
PHOTO MEDIA SET.................20
SLIDE SHOW SET......................39 WIDE SELECT............................84
Photos.....................................25, 35
SMILE DETECTION............83, 99 Windows.......................................53
PHOTO SETTINGS....................85
SMILE SENSITIVITY...........83, 99
PLAYBACK..................................86 X
Smile Shutter................................30
PLAYBACK SET..........................86 x.v.Color............................... 84, 110
SMTH SLW REC.........................80
Playing..........................................33
SNOW...........................................77
Playing AVCHD disc..................62 Z
Software........................................54
Playlist...........................................50 Zoom.......................................27, 38
SOUND/DISP SET......................90
PLAYLIST EDIT..........................50
Specifications.............................113
PMB (Picture Motion Browser)
SPOT FOCUS..............................79
.................................................53, 56
SPOTLIGHT................................77
PMB Help.....................................56
SPOT METER..............................78
PORTRAIT...................................77
SPOT MTR/FCS..........................78
Power on.......................................16
STEADYSHOT......................82, 85
POWER SETTINGS...................92
SUMMERTIME...........................92
Precautions.................................108
SUNRISE&SUNSET...................77
PRIORITY SETTING...........83, 99
Supplied items................................2
PROTECT....................................45
T
R
TELE MACRO.............................80
Quick reference

REC LAMP...................................92
Telephoto......................................27
REC MODE..................................29
Thumbnail....................................44
Recording.....................................23
Troubleshooting...........................93
Recording and playback time
.....................................................103 TV..................................................40
Recording media.........................20 TV color systems.......................106
Recording time of movies/ TV TYPE......................................90
number of recordable photos TWILIGHT..................................77
.....................................................103
Repair............................................93
US
123
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