Operating Instructions
Owner’s Record
Welcome
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture
CAUTION
For customers in the U.S.A
and CANADA
Declaration of Conformity
Note:
IMPORTANT NOTE
For customers in CANADA
Main Features
Recording moving pictures or still images, and playing them back
Capturing images on your computer
Main Features
Other uses
Functions to adjust exposure in the recording mode •BACK LIGHT (p. 37)
Functions to give images more impact
OFF
Table of contents
Main Features
Introduction
– Basic operations
Quick Start Guide
Table of contents
“Memory Stick” Operations
Viewing Images Using your
Computer
Using the Network function
Introduction – Basic operations
How to turn on the power and select the mode
CAMERA
MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-IP55)
VCR
Introduction – Basic operations
Grip position
Storing position
Recording position
ejecting position
Connecting the power cord (p. 20)
Inserting a cassette (p. 25)
Recording a picture (p. 29)
Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD screen (p. 42)
Inserting a “Memory Stick” (p. 104)
Recording a still image on a “Memory Stick” (p. 114)
Monitoring the still image on the LCD screen
— Getting started —
Using this manual
Types of differences
Note on the MICROMV format
Note on TV color systems
Copyright precautions
Precautions on camcorder care
Lens and LCD screen/finder
[a]
[b]
[c]
Checking supplied accessories
1AC-L20AAC power adaptor (1), the power cord (1) (p. 18)
2NP-FF50battery pack (1) (p. 17, 18)
3 A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 47, 85)
4 Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 212)
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Installing the battery pack
To remove the battery pack
Battery terminal cover
Installing the battery pack
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Charging the battery pack
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (F series)
After charging the battery pack
When you use the AC power adaptor
Charging time
Recording time
Playing time
Recommended charging temperature
What is ”InfoLITHIUM”
Connecting to a wall outlet
PRECAUTION
Notes
A car battery
MENU
Step 2 Setting the date and time
The year changes as follows:
To return to FN (Function)
When using your camcorder abroad
If you use the camcorder in a region where summer time is used
Simple setting of clock by time difference
See page 182 for more information
To set your local time
Step
Inserting a cassette
To eject a cassette
Step 3 Inserting a cassette
To prevent accidental erasure
Label
Step 4 Using the touch panel
To return to FN
To execute settings
To cancel settings
Step 4 Using the touch panel
When executing each item
If an item is not available
Touch panel
Press FN to display the following buttons:
Recording a picture
Recording a picture
After recording
To enable transition
The battery life when you record using the LCD screen
Adjusting the LCD screen
When you use the LCD screen outdoors in direct sunlight
When you adjust the angle of the LCD panel
LCD
BRT
Adjusting the viewfinder
Adjust with the viewfinder lens adjustment lever
Viewfinder backlight
Even if you adjust the viewfinder backlight
Using the zoom feature
To zoom greater than 10⋅
When you shoot close to a subject
Digital zoom
When the POWER switch is set to MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-IP55only)
Shooting with the mirror mode
Picture in the mirror mode
During recording in the mirror mode
When you press FN
Indicators displayed in the recording mode
Remaining battery time indicator during recording
Tape counter
Remaining tape indicator
Recording data
Shooting a backlit subject – BACK LIGHT
BACK LIGHT
During back light function
Shooting in the dark
–NightShot/Super NightShot/Color Slow Shutter
Using NightShot
Infrared rays (NightShot Light) emitter
Using Super NightShot
While using NightShot, you cannot use the following functions:
While using Super NightShot, you cannot use the following functions:
While using Super NightShot or Color Slow Shutter
NightShot Light
In dark places
Self-timerrecording
To stop the countdown
To cancel self-timerrecording
Checking the recording– END SEARCH
To stop searching
Even once you eject the cassette
— Playback – Basics —
Playing back a tape
To stop playback
Playing back a tape
When monitoring on the LCD screen
If you leave the power on for a long time
When you open or close the LCD panel
To display the screen indicators – Display function
Using the Remote Commander
Not to display various settings
Date/time
[e]
[f]
Various playback modes
To view a still image (playback pause)
To fastforward the tape
To rewind the tape
To locate a scene monitoring the picture (picture search)
Video control buttons on the LCD screen
When the playback pause mode lasts for five minutes
Viewing the recording on TV
A/V
If your TV is already connected to the VCR
Viewing the recording on TV
If your TV or VCR is a monaural type
If your TV has an S video jack
To display the screen indicators on TV
— Advanced Recording Operations —
Recording still images in CAMERA mode
Before operation
Recording still images in CAMERA mode
For details, see page 103 for more information
Image size of still images
Image size is automatically set to 640 ⋅
•You cannot record still images on a "Memory Stick" during following operations
Recording images with the flash
(flash)
t t
You cannot shoot images with the flash during the following operations:
During recording to the tape
Adjusting the white balance manually
HOLD :
(OUTDOOR) :
n(INDOOR) :
Adjusting the white balance manually
To return to the automatic white balance mode
If the picture is being taken in a studio lit by TV lighting
When you record under fluorescent lighting
In AUTO mode
Using the wide mode
[a]
[d]
[a][b]
[c][d]
Using the wide mode
In the wide mode, you cannot select the following functions:
During recording
Connection for a TV
ID-1system
Using the fader function
[a] STBY
NORM. FADER (fader)
MOSC.FADER
(mosaic)
FADER FADER
To cancel the fader function
While using the BOUNCE function, you cannot use the following functions:
Note on the BOUNCE function
Using special effects – Picture effect
NEG. ART [a]
SEPIA
B&W
SOLARIZE [b]
Using special effects – Digital effect
STILL
FLASH (FLASH MOTION)
LUMI. (LUMINANCEKEY)
TRAIL
EFFT
To cancel the Digital effect
When you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)
When recording in the slow shutter mode
Shutter speed
Using the PROGRAM AE
Spotlight
Soft portrait
Sports lesson
Beach & ski
Using the PROGRAM AE
To turn the PROGRAM AE off
While WHT BAL is set to AUTO in the menu settings
You can adjust the following functions while using the PROGRAM AE:
Adjusting the exposure manually
EXPO–
SURE
To return to the automatic exposure mode
Your camcorder automatically returns to the automatic exposure mode:
SPOT
Focusing manually
To return to the autofocus mode
To focus precisely
When you shoot close to the subject
Focusing manually
9changes as follows:
Focal distance information
Using the spot focus mode – Spot Focus
SPOT
FOCUS
Using the viewfinder
To make the buttons on the LCD screen disappear
Using the viewfinder
To operate the items that are not displayed
FN, OFF, PLAY, INDEX and NETWORK in the viewfinder
Available recording time
— Advanced Playback Operations —
Playing back a tape with picture effects
MENU
To cancel the picture effect function
Pictures processed by the picture effect function
When you set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) or stop playing back
EFFT
Enlarging images recorded on tapes
–Tape PB ZOOM
ZOOM
To cancel the PB ZOOM function
Enlarging images recorded on tapes – PB ZOOM
Images in the PB ZOOM
In the PB ZOOM mode
Edge of the enlarged image
Searching for a scene – MULTI-PICTURESEARCH
MULTI SRCH
X/x/C/c
MULTI
SCH
Searching for a scene – MULTI-PICTURESEARCH
When you want to change the thumbnail
X/x/C/c/EXECUTE buttons
To return to the MULTI SCH screen from playback
To end the multi-picturesearch function
When controlling the camcorder with the Remote Commander
You can use the MULTI SRCH and X/x/C/c/EXECUTE buttons
MULTI SRCH X/x/C/c/EXECUTE buttons
The multi-picturesearch function may not work correctly
The number of thumbnails stored in one cassette
To select the thumbnail with the Remote Commander
When you press DATE or qPOS
When you select < or , during scanning
Even if the first thumbnail is not displayed before the scanning is completed
Searching the boundaries of recorded tape by title
–TITLE SEARCH
To superimpose a title
Searching a recording by date – DATE SEARCH
(Date search)
Searching for the date by using cassette memory
Micro Cassette Memory
— Editing —
Dubbing a tape
Using the A/V connecting cable
When you have finished dubbing a tape
You can edit on VCRs that support the following systems
If your VCR is a monaural type
If your VCR has an S video jack
Using the i.LINK cable
i.LINK
Interface)
You can connect one VCR only using the i.LINK cable
The following functions do not work during digital editing:
Recording video or TV programs
When using the A/V connecting cable
1Switching the video input jack of the A/V connecting cable
Recording video or TV programs
2Making a recording
If your TV or VCR is a monaural type
If your TV or VCR has an S video jack
When using the i.LINK cable
PAGE3
Superimposing a title
VACATION
Superimposing a title on starting a recording
Superimposing a title
If you set the write-protecttab to lock
To use the custom title
If you want to use the custom title, select in step
On a blank portion of the tape
The titles superimposed with your camcorder
Not to display title during playback
Title setting
The number of titles recordable on one cassette
When 20 titles are already superimposed
To use a custom title
Erasing a title
(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or VCR
(5) Make sure the title is the one you want to erase, then press OK
To cancel erasing
Press CANCEL in step
Making your own titles
Making a title in CAMERA mode
Making your own titles
To change a title you have stored
To superimpose your own title on a tape
To erase the character
To enter a space
SET
The Micro Cassette Memory
The cassette information
[c]
[d]
[e]
The Micro Cassette Memory
Labeling a cassette
To erase the label you have made
To change the label you have made
If you set the write-protecttab of the tape to lock
Erasing all the data in Micro Cassette Memory
To cancel deleting
Note on the ID number
— “Memory Stick” Operations —
Using a “Memory Stick”– Introduction
File format
Still image (JPEG)
Moving picture (MPEG)
Typical image data file name
Using a “Memory Stick” – Introduction
“Memory Stick” formatted by a computer
Notes on image data compatibility
Inserting a “Memory Stick”
“Memory Stick” slot
Ejecting a “Memory Stick”
While the “Memory Stick” access lamp is lit or flashing
If MEMORYSTICK ERROR is displayed
Using a touch panel
Page
If the items are not available
Selecting still image quality mode
Image quality settings
Setting Meaning
Differences in image quality mode
1152 ⋅ 864 image size
640 ⋅ 480 image size
Image quality mode indicator
When you select image quality
Selecting moving picture quality mode
LIGHT
SUPER FINE:
FINE:
STANDARD:
LIGHTMODE:
Selecting the size of still image
Image size settings
Setting
Indicator
864 still images
480 still images
Recording still images on a “Memory Stick”
–Memory photo recording
You can record still images on “Memory Stick” in CAMERA mode
Recording still images on a “Memory Stick”
–Memory photo recording
While you are recording a still image
When you press PHOTO on the Remote Commander
When you press PHOTO lightly in step
Recording images continuously
NORMAL [a]
EXP BRKTG
MULTI SCRN [b]
If the “Memory Stick” becomes full
The number of still images in continuous shooting
During recording images continuously
When shooting with the self-timerfunction or the Remote Commander
When selecting NORMAL
Page
Shooting with an auxiliary light – HOLOGRAM AF
HOLOGRAM AF emitter
About HOLOGRAM AF
The HOLOGRAM AF does not emit when:
Self-timermemory photo recording
FN PAGE2
PHOTO
To check the image to be recorded
Recording an image from a tape as a still image
When the ”Memory Stick“ access lamp is lit or flashing
If MEMORY STICK FORMAT ERROR appears on the LCD screen
If you press PHOTO lightly in the playback mode
Sound recorded on a tape
Recording an image from a tape as a still image
Titles which have already been recorded on tapes
Recorcing date/time
When you press the PHOTO button on the Remote Commander
Recording a still image from other equipment
(MICROMV Interface)
Superimposing a still image in a “Memory Stick” on an image – MEMORY MIX
M. CHROM
C. CHROM
M. OVERLAP
Blue
Superimposing a still image in a “Memory Stick” on an image
Recording a superimposed image to tape
To change the still image to be superimposed
Press –/+on the right lower corner before step
To cancel MEMORY MIX
During recording you cannot reselect the mode setting. Press
When you select M. OVERLAP
MEM
M I
When recording images on a “Memory Stick” using MEMORY MIX
The “Memory Stick” supplied with your camcorder stores 20 images:
Sample images
Recording moving pictures on the “Memory Stick” – MPEG movie recording
To stop recording
Recording moving pictures on the “Memory Stick”
–MPEG movie recording
MPEG movie recorded with the camcorder:
When using an external flash (optional)
Recording date/time
Self-timerMPEG movie recording
To stop the count down
To cancel the self-timerrecording
Recording a picture from a tape as a moving picture
Recording a picture from a tape as a moving picture
Titles cannot be recorded
Various settings recorded on a tape
Recording a moving picture from other equipment
Page
Viewing a still image
–Memory photo playback
To stop memory photo playback
Playback still images recorded on the “Memory Stick”
File name
Viewing a still image – Memory photo playback
To play back recorded images on a TV screen
Screen indicators during still image playback
When no images are recorded on the “Memory Stick”
To make LCD screen indicators disappear
Playing back 6 recorded images at a time (index screen)
To return to the normal playback screen (single screen)
Image data modified with personal computers or shot with other equipment
Viewing a moving picture
–MPEG movie playback
To pause MPEG movie playback
When no moving picture is recorded on a “Memory Stick”
Viewing a moving picture – MPEG movie playback
To change the screen size
Note on the screen size
Screen indicators during moving picture playback
To make screen indicators disappear
Copying still images recorded on the “Memory Stick” to a tape
To stop copying in the middle
Copying images recorded on the “Memory Stick” to a tape
During copying
Image data modified on your computers or shot with other equipment
Enlarging still images recorded on the “Memory Stick” – Memory PB ZOOM
To cancel the Memory PB ZOOM function
Enlarging still images recorded on the “Memory Stick”
–Memory PB ZOOM
Pictures in the Memory PB ZOOM mode
In the Memory PB ZOOM mode
Edge of an enlarged image
Playing back images continuously
–SLIDE SHOW
To stop the slide show
To pause during a slide show
To start the slide show from a particular image
Playing back images continuously – SLIDE SHOW
To view the recorded images on TV
If you change the “Memory Stick” during operation
When there are no images on the “Memory Stick”
-MARK
Deleting images – DELETE
Deleting selected images
To cancel deleting an image
DEL
Deleting all the images
To cancel deleting all the images in the “Memory Stick”
While DELETING appears
MARK
— Viewing Images Using your Computer —
Viewing images on your computer
–Introduction
Reference pages
cable
environment
Recommended computer environment
Recommended Windows environment
When connecting to a computer via the USB jack
install a USB driver
Recommended computer usage environment when connecting
via USB cable and viewing tape images on the computer
OS:
Connecting your camcorder to your computer using the USB cable
–For Windows users
Installing the USB driver
Making the computer recognize the camcorder
Viewing images recorded on a tape on your computer
(11)
Viewing images recorded on a “Memory Stick”
If you cannot install the USB driver
Viewing images recorded on a tape
Step 1: Uninstall the incorrect USB driver
Windows XP:
Windows 2000 Professional:
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows XP
Step 2: Install the USB driver on the supplied CD-ROM
Step1: Uninstall the incorrect USB driver
Other OS:
Step2: Install the USB driver on the supplied CD-ROM
Viewing images recorded on a tape on your computer – For Windows users
Capturing images with “PIXELA ImageMixer Ver.1.0 for Sony”
Viewing images recorded on a tape on your computer
Viewing pictures live from your camcorder
Capturing still images
Capturing moving pictures
If image data cannot be transferred by the USB connection
If any trouble occurs
Carry out the following operations after quitting the application:
Seeing the on-linehelp (operating instructions) of “PIXELA
ImageMixer Ver.1.0 for Sony”
To close on-linehelp
If you have any questions about “PIXELA ImageMixer Ver.1.0 for Sony”
–For Windows users
Viewing images
Viewing images recorded on a “Memory Stick” on your computer
Desired file type
Double-clickin this order
Image file storage destinations and image files
ssss
Disconnect the USB cable and remove the “Memory Stick” or
setthe POWER switch to OFF(CHG)
–For Macintosh users
Recommended Macintosh environment
–For Macintosh users
For Mac OS 8.5.1/8.6/9.0 users
For Mac OS 9.1/9.2/Mac OS X (v10.0/v10.1)
Viewing images recorded on a “Memory
Stick” on your computer – For Macintosh users
Disconnect the USB cable and remove the “Memory Stick” or set
the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)
For Mac OS X (v10.0) users
NETWORK
Accessing the network
How to hold your camcorder when operating in NETWORK mode
After using the stylus
— Customising Your Camcorder —
Changing the menu settings
MENU
Changing the menu settings
Menu items are displayed as the following icons:
MANUAL SET
CAMERA SET
VCR SET
SteadyShot function
The SteadyShot function may not correct excessive
If you cancel the SteadyShot function
LCD B.L. and VF B.L
Even if you adjust LCD B.L., LCD COLOR and/or VF B.L
If you select QUALITY
Notes on formatting
Do not turn the POWER switch or press any button while FORMATTING is displayed
You cannot format the “Memory Stick” if the
•Format the “Memory Stick” if FORMAT ERROR appears
•Formatting erases protected image data on the “Memory Stick”
Page
Notes on DEMO MODE
**Instead of DST, SUMMERTIME is displayed on the screen for some models
When recording a close subject
In more than five minutes after removing the power source
Other menu items are held in memory even when the battery is removed
— Troubleshooting —
Types of trouble and how to correct trouble
In the recording mode
Symptom
Types of trouble and how to correct trouble
In the playback mode
In the recording and playback modes
When operating using the “Memory Stick”
Others
• Charging is completed
• The battery pack is not properly installed
• The POWER switch is not set to OFF (CHG)
c Set it to OFF (CHG)
• The AC power adaptor is not connected to a wall outlet
Self-diagnosisdisplay
LCD screen or Viewfinder
Five-digitdisplay
Warning indicators and messages
Warning indicators
100-0001 Warning indicator as to file Slow flashing:
C:21:00 Self-diagnosisdisplay (p. 190)
EThe battery is dead or nearly dead
Warning indicators and messages
Warning messages
Page
— Additional Information —
Usable cassettes
Selecting cassette types
Copyright signal
When you play back
When you record
Usable cassettes
Notes on the MICROMV cassette
When affixing a label on the MICROMV cassette
After using the MICROMV cassette
When the Micro Cassette Memory function does not work
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
What is the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
Charging the battery pack
Effective use of the battery pack
Remaining battery time indicator
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
How to store the battery pack
Battery life
About i.LINK
What is i.LINK
About the name “i.LINK”
i.LINK baud rate
*What is Mbps
About i.LINK
i.LINK functions on this unit
Required i.LINK cable
Using your camcorder abroad
Using your camcorder abroad
[a][b]
NTSC system
PAL system
Maintenance information and precautions
Moisture condensation
If moisture condensation occurred
Note on moisture condensation
How to prevent moisture condensation
Maintenance information and precautions
Using a cleaning cassette
To cancel cleaning
The video head
Cleaning the LCD screen
Charging the built-inrechargeable battery
Charging the built-inrechargeable battery
Ajusting the LCD screen (CALIBRATION)
Precautions
Camcorder operation
On handling tapes
Camcorder care
AC power adaptor
About care and storage of the lens
Battery pack
Notes on dry batteries
If batteries are leaking
Specifications
Video camera
recorder
Specifications
AC power adaptor
“Memory Stick”
Battery pack
— Quick Reference —
Identifying the parts and controls
Camcorder
1Lens cap (p. 29)
2LCD screen/Touch panel (p. 27, 31, 105)
3RESET button (p. 188)
Identifying the parts and controls
Flash
ws Remote sensor
qk Focus ring (p. 70)
wd OPEN button (p. 29)
wj wk wle;ea
wh COLOR SLOW S/SUPER NIGHTSHOT button (p. 38)
wj NIGHTSHOT switch (p. 38)
wk Battery or Flash CHG (Charge) lamp
ea CAMERA lamp (p. 8)
rgrl
Remote Commander
1PHOTO button (p. 49, 114)
2DISPLAY button (p. 43)
3MEMORY control buttons
4SEARCH MODE button (p. 83, 84)
To prepare the Remote Commander
The Remote Commander
Operation indicators
LCD screen and viewfinder
Index
A, B
I, J, K, L
C, D
M, N