Getting Started
Recording
Playback
Using the Menu
Dubbing/Editing
Using a Computer
WARNING
To reduce fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture
Use
Power Sources
Polarization
Overloading
Object and Liquid Entry
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS (Continued)
Lightning
Safety Check
Service
Damage Requiring Service
Read this first
CAUTION
For customers in the U.S.A. and
CANADA
RECYCLING LITHIUM-IONBATTERIES
Read this first (Continued)
Notes
Owner’s Record
CAUTION
Note
Types of “Memory Stick” you can use in your camcorder
with or
(p. 124)
Using the camcorder
•Do not hold the camcorder by the following parts
On recording
About this manual
The
The illustrations used on this manual are based on the model
About the Carl Zeiss lens
Getting Started
Step 1: Checking supplied items
Step 2: Charging the battery pack
Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly
Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder
Using the Menu
Menu items
CAMERA SET menu
MEMORY SET menu
PICT.APPLI. menu
Using a Computer
Before referring to the “First Step Guide” on your computer
Installing the software and “First Step Guide” on a computer
Viewing “First Step Guide”
Creating a DVD (Direct Access to “Click to DVD”)
Step 1: Checking supplied items
Make sure that you have following items supplied with your camcorder
The number in the parentheses indicates the number of that item supplied
The cassette tape and “Memory Stick Duo” are not supplied. See
AC Adaptor (1) (p. 13)
Step 2: Charging the battery pack
Started Getting
Step2: Charging the battery pack (Continued)
For DCR-HC36:
With the v mark facing to the LCD screen
4 For DCR-HC46/HC96:
DCR-HC96:
To remove the battery pack
2Remove the battery in the direction of the arrow with the other hand
To remove your camcorder from the Handycam Station
To use an outside power source
When storing the battery pack
DCR-HC36
NP-FP30(supplied)
NP-FP50
DCR-HC46
NP-FP50(supplied)
opened
*When the LCD backlight turns on
On the battery pack
•Before changing the battery pack, slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)
The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging, or the Battery Info
Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly
When using it for the first time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears (p. 23)
For DCR-HC36/HC46:
Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on the sides of the cap
To record on a tape
To turn off the power
Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG)
Attach the lens cap after turning off the power
Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder
Step 5: Using the touch panel
You can play back recorded pictures
(p. 31), or change the settings (p. 44) using the touch panel
Changing the language setting
[LANGUAGE] on the (TIME/ LANGU.) menu (p. 44, 69)
Step 5: Using the touch panel (Continued)
3 Touch the area including the indicator that you want to check
When you touch , the screen returns to the area selecting display
To finish the operation
Touch [END]
CAMERA SET
Step 7: Inserting a tape or a “Memory Stick Duo”
Cassette tape
You can use mini DV cassettes only (p. 123)
OPEN/EJECT lever
Lid
You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo”
marked with or (p. 124)
1 Open the LCD panel
DCR-HC36/HC46:
Access lamp
WIDE SELECT button POWER switch
Selecting the aspect ratio for recording movies on a tape
Be sure to set the POWER switch to
CAMERA-TAPE
Press WIDE SELECT repeatedly to select the desired screen aspect ratio
Page
Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam)
Playing back movies/still images
Movies
Touch , then touch to start playback
AStop
BPlay/Pause toggles C Rewind/Fast forward
Recording
Lens cap (DCR-HC36/HC46)
Remove the lens cap by pressing both knobs on the sides of the cap
Lens cover (DCR-HC96)
Opens in accordance with the setting of the POWER switch
Playback
2 Start playing back
On a Tape:
Touch, then touchto start playback
The most recently recorded image is displayed
Functions used for recording/playback, etc
For DCR-HC46:
Recording
To use zoom
Wider range of view: (Wide angle)
•Attaching a conversion lens (optional) may create a shadow
To record in dark places (NightShot
plus) (DCR-HC36/HC46)
Set the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch 3 to ON. (and [“NIGHTSHOT PLUS”] appear.)
•To record an image brighter, use Super NightShot plus function (p. 52)
Functions used for recording/playback, etc. (Continued)
To record in mirror mode
To use a tripod
To use a Shoulder belt
Attach the Shoulder belt (optional) to its designated hook qs
Recording/playback
To check the remaining battery
(Battery Info)
beep (BEEP)
To use special effects
Indicators displayed during recording/playback
Recording:
Playback:
( ) is a reference page
The indicators during recording will not be recorded
Viewing movies
Viewing still images
On a tape
MTape transport indicator
NVideo operation buttons (31)
Indicators when you made changes
Upper left
Upper right
Center
Bottom
Searching for the starting point
Make sure that the CAMERA-TAPElamp lights up (p. 30)
Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording (END
SEARCH)
Touch t
Remote Commander
Remove the insulation sheet before using the Remote Commander
Insulation sheet
APHOTO*1 (p. 30)
BSEARCH M. (p. 41)*2
4 Press PLAY
Playback starts from the point designated “0:00:00” on the tape counter
To cancel the operation
Press ZERO SET MEMORY 5 again before rewinding
Searching for a scene by date of recording (Date search)
Playing the picture on a TV
A/V OUT jack
A/V OUT
(Yellow)
(White)
AA/V connecting cable (supplied)
BA/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (optional)
When connecting your camcorder to a TV through a VCR
Change the aspect ratio of the image according to the screen size of your TV
1Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp
Using the menu items
CAMERA-TAPElamp: settings on a tape
CAMERA-MEMORYlamp:settings on a “Memory Stick
Duo”
PLAY/EDIT lamp: settings for viewing/editing
xTo use menu items during Easy Handycam operation
is not displayed during Easy Handycam operation (p. 28)
Menu items
CAMERA SET menu (p. 49)
MEMORY SET menu (p. 55)
Easy Handycam
PICT.APPLI. menu (p. 59)
EDIT/PLAY menu (p. 64)
VAR. SPD PB
REC CTRL
AUD DUB CTRL
REC MOVIE
Menu items (Continued)
STANDARD SET menu
TIME/LANGU. menu (p. 69)
CAMERA SET menu
See page 44 for details on selecting menu items
PROGRAM AE
BAUTO
SPOTLIGHT*()
EXPOSURE
1Touch [MANUAL]
2 Adjust the exposure by touching
3 Touch
To return the setting to automatic exposure, touch [AUTO] t
SHARPNESS (DCR-HC96)
You can adjust the sharpness of the image
Soften Sharpen
AUTO SHUTTER
AE SHIFT (DCR-HC96)
TELE MACRO
When you set [TELE MACRO] to [ON]
For DCR-HC36:down to about 39 cm (15 3/8 in.)
For DCR-HC46:down to about 35 cm (13 7/8 in.)
For DCR-HC96:down to about 37 cm (14 5/8 in.)
NS LIGHT (NightShot Light)
–For DCR-HC36/HC46:
NightShot plus or [SUPER NSPLUS] (p. 33)
–For DCR-HC96:
NightShot or [SUPER NS] (p. 52)
DIGITAL ZOOM
Up to 20 × zoom is performed optically
40 ×
800 ×
For DCR-HC46:
MEMORY SET menu
Settings for the “Memory Stick Duo”
(BURST/QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE/ALL ERASE/ NEW FOLDER, etc.)
STILL SET
xBURST (DCR-HC46/HC96)
MEMORY SET menu (Continued)
x QUALITY
BFINE ()
Records still images at the fine image quality level
STANDARD ()
In 16:9 aspect ratio (DCR-HC46/HC96)
Approximate data size of a picture (kB)
4:3 picture
16:9 picture (DCR-HC46/HC96)
MOVIE SET
xIMAGE SIZE
B320 × 240 ()
Records movies in high resolution
160 × 112 ()
PICT.APPLI. menu
PICT.APPLI. menu (Continued)
OVERLAP (fade in only)
WIPE (fade in only)
DOT FADER (fade in only)
SLIDE SHOW
To cancel [SLIDE SHOW], touch [END]. To pause, touch [PAUSE]
D. EFFECT (Digital effect)
You can add digital effects to your recordings
LUMI. KEY
The color scheme of the
area in the still image
which is to be swapped
with a movie
PICT. EFFECT (Picture effect)
You can add special effects to a picture during recording or playback. appears
Does not use [PICT. EFFECT] setting
NEG.ART
The color and brightness are reversed
INT.REC-STL(Interval photo recording)
1Touch t a desired interval time (1
or 10 minutes) t t [ON] () t
2Press PHOTO fully
stops flashing and the interval still image recording starts
EDIT/PLAY menu
VAR.SPD PB (Various speed playback)
You can play back in various modes while viewing movies
1Touch the following buttons during playback
change the
STANDARD SET menu
REC MODE (Recording mode)
BSP (SP)
Records in the SP (Standard Play) mode on a cassette
LP (LP)
STANDARD SET menu (Continued)
BSTEREO
Plays back with main and sub sound (or stereo sound)
Plays back with main sound (or the left channel sound)
Plays back with sub sound (or the right channel sound)
A/V t DV OUT (DCR-HC96)
VIDEO INPUT (DCR-HC96)
BVIDEO
Connects via video plug of the A/V connecting cable
S VIDEO
REMAINING
Always displays the remaining tape indicator
REMOTE CTRL (Remote control)
The default setting is [ON], allowing you to use the supplied Remote Commander
(p. 40)
TIME/LANGU. menu
(CLOCK SET/WORLD TIME/LANGUAGE)
CLOCK SET
WORLD TIME
When using your camcorder abroad, you can set the time difference by touching
Arranging the order of menu
items displayed on Personal
Menu
t [P-MENUSET UP]
t [DELETE]
Dubbing to VCR/DVD device, etc
AUDIO
VIDEO jacks
VCR/DVD
device
Dubbing to VCR/DVD device, etc. (Continued)
AUDIO/VIDEO
jacks
To i.LINK
jack
1 Prepare your camcorder for playback
Insert the recorded cassette
Set [TV TYPE] according to the playback device (TV, etc.) (p. 43)
2 Prepare your VCR/DVD device for recording
When dubbing to the VCR, insert a cassette for recording
Recording pictures from a TV or VCR/DVD device, etc
TV or VCR/DVD device, etc
A/V jack (DCR-HC96)
TV or
AFor DCR-HC96:
BFor DCR-HC96:
•While your camcorder is receiving signals from
Recording pictures from a TV or VCR/DVD device, etc. (Continued)
Dubbing pictures from a tape to a “Memory Stick Duo”
2 Search and record the scene you want to record
When you dub pictures as a still image
When you dub pictures as a movie
Touch t [MENU] t (EDIT/PLAY) t [REC MOVIE]
Dubbing sound to a recorded tape
Connecting
You can input audio in the following ways:
The audio input to be recorded takes
precedence over others in the order of A t B t C
Recording sound
Insert a recorded cassette into your camcorder beforehand
3 Touch t [MENU] t
(EDIT/PLAY) t t [AUD DUB
CTRL] t t [AUDIO DUB]
Deleting recorded pictures from the “Memory Stick Duo”
2 Touch
3 Select a picture you want to
delete with
•To delete all pictures at once, select [ALL ERASE] (p. 58)
(Print mark/Image
protection)
Selecting still images for printing (Print mark)
2 Touch t t t
[PRINT MARK]
Printing recorded images (PictBridge compliant
printer)
Connect the AC Adaptor to obtain power from the wall outlet
Connecting your camcorder to the printer
2 Connect the (USB) jack of your
Page
Jacks to connect external devices
Camcorder
Handycam Station (DCR-HC46/HC96)
DCR-HC36
DCR-HC46
Page
Using a Computer
Before referring to the “First Step Guide” on your computer
•There are 2 ways to connect your camcorder to a computer
–USB cable
–i.LINK cable
For details on connection, see “First Step Guide.”
About “First Step Guide”
“First Step Guide” is an instruction manual you can refer to on your computer
About the help function of the software
System requirements
xFor Windows users
Before referring to the “First Step Guide” on your computer (Continued)
Others: USB port (This must be provided as standard), disc drive
Others:
xFor Macintosh users
When using ImageMixer VCD2 OS: Mac OS X (v10.1.5 or later)
Installing the software and “First Step Guide” on a computer
before connecting your camcorder
Installing on a Windows computer
If the screen does not appear
4 Click [Install]
Installing the software and “First Step Guide” on a computer (Continued)
1Read the License Agreement, then click [Next]
2Click [Next]
3Click [Finish]
14Remove the CD-ROMfrom the
disc drive of your computer
Installing on a Macintosh computer
4 Double-click CD-ROMicon
7 Double-click[IMXINST.SIT] in the folder it was copied to
8 Double-clickthe unzipped [ImageMixerVCD2_Install]
9 When the user acceptance screen is displayed, enter your name and password
Viewing “First Step Guide”
Displaying “First Step Guide”
Starting up on a Windows computer
Viewing with Microsoft Internet Explorer Ver.6.0 or later is recommended
Double-clickthe icon on the desktop
Creating a DVD (Direct Access to “Click to DVD”)
Using the Direct Access to “Click to DVD” function for the first time
•[Click to DVD Automatic Mode Launcher] is set up for each Windows XP user
1 Turn on the computer
Close all applications running with an i.LINK
4 Insert a recorded cassette into your camcorder
6 Touch t [MENU] t (EDIT/PLAY) t [BURN DVD] t
7 Place a writable DVD in the disc drive of the computer
8 Touch [EXEC] on the screen of your camcorder
[CAPTURING]: The picture recorded on the tape is being copied to the computer
Creating a DVD (Direct Access to “Click to DVD”) (Continued)
A/V jack
A/V
VCR
Computer
1 Turn on the analog video unit
3 On the LCD screen, touch
t[MENU] t (STANDARD SET) t [A/V t DV OUT] t [ON]
4 Start playback on the analog video unit
5 Start capturing procedures on your computer
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Overall operations/Easy Handycam
The power does not turn on
The camcorder does not operate even when the power is set to on
Buttons do not work
Troubleshooting (Continued)
Batteries/Power sources
The power abruptly turns off
•Charge the battery pack (p. 13)
The CHG (charge) lamp does not light while the battery pack is being charged
LCD screen/viewfinder
A rippling effect appears on the LCD screen when you touch it
An unknown picture appears on the LCD screen or viewfinder
An unknown indicator appears on the screen
The picture remains on the LCD screen
Cassette tapes
The cassette cannot be ejected from the compartment
The remaining tape indicator is not displayed
The cassette is noisier during rewinding or fast-forwarding
Page
Page
Adjusting the image during recording
Refer also to “Menu” (p. 108)
The auto focus does not function
[STEADYSHOT] does not function
The BACK LIGHT function does not function
Tiny spots in white, red, blue, or green appear on the screen
The color of the picture is not correctly displayed
The screen picture is bright, and the subject does not appear on the screen
Deactivate the NightShot plus
The picture appears too bright, or flickering or changes in color occurs
Image data stored on a “Memory Stick Duo” cannot be played back
• Clean the head using the cleaning cassette (optional) (p. 129)
Fine patterns flicker, diagonal lines look jagged (DCR-HC96)
• Adjust [SHARPNESS] to the (soften) side (p. 51)
No sound or only a low sound is heard
Remote Commander
The supplied Remote Commander does not function
Another VCR malfunctions when you use the supplied Remote Commander
Page
Page
Dubbing/Editing/Connecting to other devices
Pictures from connected devices cannot be zoomed
Time code and other information appear on the display of the connected device
You cannot dub correctly using the A/V connecting cable
New sound added to a recorded tape is not heard
Connecting to a computer
The computer does not recognize your camcorder
An error message appears when you place the supplied CD-ROMin your computer
You cannot view the pictures the camcorder is seeing on the computer
You cannot view the video recorded on a tape on the computer
You cannot view the video recorded on a tape on a Macintosh computer
The Removable Disk does not appear on the computer screen
xFor Windows Me
x For Windows
xFor Windows XP
You cannot copy video and still images to the Windows computer
The movie is not smooth during USB Streaming
Picture Package does not function correctly
An error message appears while operating Picture Package
“First Step Guide” is not displayed correctly
Warning indicators and messages
Self-diagnosisdisplay/Warning indicators
C:(or E:) ss:ss (Self-diagnosisdisplay)
C:04:ss
C:21:ss
(DCR-HC96)
xMoisture condensation
%Z Moisture condensation. Eject the cassette (p. 129)
%Moisture condensation. Turn off for 1H. (p. 129)
xCassette/Tape
QInsert a cassette. (p. 24)
xPictBridge compliant printer
Check the connected device
Connect the camcorder to a PictBridge compatible printer
Error. Cancel the task
Cannot print. Check the printer
(DCR-HC46
HC96)
Additional Information
Using your camcorder abroad
Power supply
On TV color systems
Simple setting of the clock by time difference
Usable cassette tapes
You can use mini DV format cassettes only
To prevent a blank section from being created on the tape
Copyright signal
xWhen you play back
About the “Memory Stick”
Types of “Memory Stick”
Recording
Playback
“Memory Stick”
•Do not disassemble or modify the “Memory Stick Duo.”
•Do not let the “Memory Stick Duo” get wet
xOn a location for use
Do not use or keep the “Memory Stick Duo” in the following locations
•Places under direct sunlight
About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
have the mark
What is an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack
To charge the battery pack
To use the battery pack effectively
About i.LINK
What is i.LINK
About the i.LINK Baud rate
i.LINK’s maximum baud rate varies according to the device. There are 3 types
S100 (approx. 100Mbps*)
About i.LINK (Continued)
is also indicated near the i.LINK interface on some devices
* What is Mbps
To use i.LINK functions on this unit
About the required i.LINK cable
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
•Periodically turn on the camcorder and play a cassette for about 3 minutes
Maintenance and precautions (Continued)
LCD screen
•Do not exert excessive pressure on the LCD screen, as it may cause damage
The position of the “×” changes
To cancel [CALIBRATION], touch [CANCEL] in step
On charging the pre-installedrechargeable battery
3 months
xProcedures
To change the battery of the Remote Commander
2Place a new battery with the + side facing up
Specifications
System
2 rotary heads, Helical scanning system
Exif Ver. 2.2*1
NTSC color, EIA standards
f=5.1 ~ 51 mm (7/32 ~ 2 1/8 in.) When converted to a 35 mm still camera
42.8~ 495 mm (1 11/16 ~ 19 1/2 in.) (16:9)*2
45 ~ 450 mm (1 13/16 ~ 17 3/4 in.) (4:3)
~ 406 mm (1 5/8 ~ 16 in.) (16:9) 37 ~ 370 mm (1 1/2 ~ 14 5/8 in.) (4:3) F1.8
Filter diameter: 30 mm (1 3/16 in.)
Specifications (Continued)
General
Handycam Station Input/Output connectors
DCRA-C151 (DCR-HC46)
DCRA-C152 (DCR-HC96)
AC Adaptor AC-L25A/L25B
Rechargeable battery pack
NP-FP30 (DCR-HC36)
NP-FP50 (DCR-HC46/HC96)
DCR-HC
A/V jack
DV Interface
Handycam Station
LANC jack
Index
Numeric/Symbol
Index (Continued)
Page
http://www.sony.net
Printed in Japan