Maintenance and precautions (Continued)
•If the battery pack is not used for a long time, fully charge the battery pack and use it up on your camcorder once a year to maintain proper function. To store the battery pack, remove it from your camcorder and put it in a dry, cool place.
•To discharge the battery pack on your
camcorder completely, touch 
(SETTINGS) t [GENERAL SET] t [A.SHUT OFF] t [NEVER] on the HOME MENU and leave your camcorder in recording standby until the power goes off (p. 72).
•Battery capacity decreases over time and through repeated use. If decreased usage time between charges becomes significant, it is probably time to replace it with a new one.
•Each battery’s life is governed by storage, operating and environmental conditions.
About handling of your camcorderOn use and care•Do not use or store the camcorder and accessories in the following locations:
–Anywhere extremely hot or cold. Never leave them exposed to temperatures above 60 °C (140 °F), such as under direct sunlight, near heaters or in a car parked in the sun. They may malfunction or become deformed.
–Near strong magnetic fields or mechanical vibration. The camcorder may malfunction.
–Near strong radio waves or radiation. The camcorder may not be able to record properly.
–Near AM receivers and video equipment. Noise may occur.
–On a sandy beach or anywhere dusty. If sand or dust gets in your camcorder, it may malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired.
–Near windows or outdoors, where the LCD screen, the viewfinder, or the lens may be exposed to direct sunlight. This damages the inside of the viewfinder or the LCD screen.
–Anywhere very humid.
•For DC or AC operation, use the accessories recommended in these operating instructions.
•Do not let your camcorder get wet, for example, from rain or sea water. If your camcorder gets wet, it may malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired.
•If any solid object or liquid gets inside the casing, unplug your camcorder and have it checked by a Sony dealer before operating it any further.
•Avoid rough handling, disassembling, modifying, physical shock, or impact such as hammering, dropping or stepping on the product. Be particularly careful of the lens.
•Keep the POWER switch setting to OFF (CHG) when you are not using your camcorder.
•Do not wrap your camcorder with a towel, for example, and operate it. Doing so might cause heat to build up inside.
•When disconnecting the power cord, pull it by the plug and not the cord.
•Do not damage the power cord such as by placing anything heavy on it.
•Keep metal contacts clean.
•Keep the Remote Commander and
•If the battery electrolytic liquid has leaked:
–consult your local authorized Sony service facility.
–wash off any liquid that may have contacted your skin.
–if any liquid gets in your eyes, wash with plenty of water and consult a doctor.
xWhen not using your camcorder for a long time
•Periodically turn it on and let it run such as by playing back discs or recording for about 3 minutes.
•Remove a disc from your camcorder.
•Use up the battery pack completely before storing it.
•Operate your camcorder on DC 6.8 V/7.2 V (battery pack) or DC 8.4 V (AC Adaptor).
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