Main
Using the Handycam Handbook
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Supplied items
Using the camcorder
Menu items, LCD panel, and lens
About language setting
On recording
Notes on playing back
DVD media recorded with HD image quality (high definition)
Save all your recorded image data
Notes on use
Beautiful & easy
anywhere & anytime
Recording
Enjoy useful functions
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Fun & simple
playback & edit
Using
Easy ways to store
good memories
Saving
Easy uploading
Table of contents
Getting started
Recording/Playback
Advanced operations
Saving movies and photos with a computer
Saving images with an external device
Customizing your camcorder
Additional information
Quick reference
Getting started
Step 1: Charging the battery pack
When the battery is charged, disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack of your camcorder.
To charge the battery using your computer
When the battery is fully charged, disconnect the camcorder from the computer.
To the wall outlet (wall socket)
Charging time
Approximate time (min.) required when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack.
To remove the battery pack
Close the LCD screen. Slide the BATT (battery) release lever () and remove the battery pack ().
To use a wall outlet (wall socket) as a power source
Notes on the battery pack
Notes on the AC Adaptor
Step 2: Turning the power on, and setting the date and time
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To turn off the power
Changing the language setting
Step 3: Preparing the recording media
Selecting recording media (HDR-CX160/CX180)
Touch the desired recording medium, then touch .
To check the recording media settings
Inserting a memory card
Types of memory card you can use with your camcorder
Close the cover.
To eject the memory card
Open the cover and lightly push the memory card in once.
Access lamp
Note the direction of notched corner.
Recording
Recording movies
To capture smiles
Face Detection frame (White)
Smile Detection frame (Orange)
Capturing a photo
90 degrees (max.) 180 degrees (max.) 90 degrees to the camcorder
Shooting photos
Press MODE to turn on the (Photo) lamp.
Press PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus, then press it fully.
Playback.
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.
Press (View Images).
Touch / to select the desired event ().
Touch an image you want to view.
Operating the camcorder while playing a movie
To adjust the sound volume of movies
While playing back movies, touch adjust with / .
Viewing photos
Playing images on a TV
Output connectors on the camcorder
Switch the input on the TV to the connected jack.
Connect the camcorder to a TV.
Play a movie or a photo on the camcorder (p. 27).
Connecting to a non-high-definition 16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV
When you connect with component A/V cable
When you connect with HDMI cable
To set the aspect ratio according to the connected TV (16:9/4:3)
When you connect with A/V connecting cable with S-Video
Using BRAVIA Sync
Advanced operations
Useful functions for recording movies and photos
Zooming
Recording better images automatically (Intelligent Auto)
Touch at the right bottom on the recording screen of movies or photos.
Selecting high definition image quality (HD) or standard image quality (STD)
Selecting the recording mode
Recording modes and the media
Using the Tracking focus function
Capturing smiles automatically (Smile Shutter)
Recording high quality photos during movie recording (Dual Rec)
You can record photos during movie recording by pressing PHOTO.
Recording in mirror mode
Enjoying a digest of your movies (Highlight Playback)
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.
Press (View Images).
Touch / () to select the desired Event, then touch [ Highlight] ().
The LCD screen during Highlight Playback
Changing the settings for Highlight Playback
You can make various settings for Highlight Playback.
Touch [Highlight Setting] during Highlight Playback.
You can set the following items.
Volume adjustment Context To stop Previous
Saving Highlight Playback (Scenario Save)
Touch [ Scenario Save] during Highlight Playback.
To play back a saved scenario
To erase a saved scenario
Converting and sharing Highlight Playback scenes or Highlight scenarios
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Making good use of your camcorder
Deleting movies and photos
Protecting recorded movies and photos (Protect)
Copying images (HDR-CX160/ CX180)
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Dividing a movie
Capturing a photo from a movie
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Saving movies and photos with a computer
Selecting the method for creating a disc (computer)
Discs you can use with PMB
You can use 12 cm discs of following type with PMB. For Blu-ray disc, see page 52.
Creating a disc with one touch
(Disc Burn)
Importing movies and photos to a computer
Turn on your camcorder, then connect the camcorder to the computer using the Built-in USB Cable.
Touch [USB Connect] on the camcorder screen.
Click [Import].
Saving images on a disc
Creating a Blu-ray disc
Copying a disc
Saving images with an external device
Selecting a method for saving images with an external device
External media device
DVDirect Express DVD writer
DVD writer other than DVDirect Express
Hard disk recorder, etc.
The devices on which the created disc can be played back
DVD disc with high definition image quality (HD)
AVCHD format playback devices, such as a Sony Blu-ray disc player or a PlayS tation
DVD disc with standard definition image quality (STD)
Ordinary DVD playback devices, such as a DVD player.
Saving images on an external media device
Functions available after saving images on an external media device
Devices that cannot be used as an external media device
If the external medium device has the AC power cable, connect it to the wall outlet (wall socket).
Connect the USB Adaptor Cable to the external media device.
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Saving desired movies and photos
Playing back images in the external media device on the camcorder
To perform [Direct Copy] manually
Creating a disc with the DVD writer, DVDirect Express
Discs that can be used
Performing [DISC BURN OPTION]
Playing back a disc on the DVD writer
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Creating a standard definition image quality (STD) disc with a recorder, etc.
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Customizing your camcorder
Using menus
Operating menus
Menu lists
Shooting Mode
Camera/Mic
Image Quality/Size
Playback Function
Shooting Mode
(Items for selecting a shooting mode)
Movie
Photo
Smth Slw REC (Smooth slow rec)
Golf Shot
Camera/Mic
(Items for customized shooting)
See Using menus (p. 64) on the operation. The default settings are marked with .
White Balance
You can adjust the color balance to the recording environment.
Spot Meter (Flexible spot meter)
Spot Focus
Exposure
Focus
Low Lux
Scene Selection
Fader
Self-Timer
Tele Macro
SteadyShot
Digital Zoom
Conversion Lens
Auto Back Light
Face Detection
Smile Shutter
Smile Sensitivity
Blt-in Zoom Mic
Wind Noise Reduct.
Micref Level (Microphone reference level)
Guide Frame
Display Setting
Image Quality/Size
(Items for setting up image quality or size)
REC Mode
Frame Rate
/ Setting
Playback Function
(Items for playback)
Event View
Highlight Movie
Scenario
Edit/Copy
(Items for editing)
Delete
Protect
Copy (HDR-CX160/CX180)
Repair Img. DB F.
File Number
Data Code
Date/Time
Camera Data
Volume
Download Music
Empty Music
TV Type
Component
HDMI Resolution
CTRL FOR HDMI (Control for HDMI)
USB Connect
USB Connect Setting
USB LUN Setting
Disc Burn
Beep
LCD Brightness
A. Shut Off (Auto shut off)
Power On By LCD
Language Setting
Demo Mode
Date & Time Setting
Date & Time
Daylight Savings/Summer Time
Date & Time Format
Troubleshooting
Overall operations
The power does not turn on.
The camcorder does not operate even when the power is set to on.
The menu settings have been changed automatically.
Batteries/power sources
The power abruptly turns off.
The CHG (charge) lamp does not light while the battery pack is being charged.
The CHG (charge) lamp flashes while the battery pack is being charged.
The remaining battery time indicator does not indicate the correct time.
LCD screen
Memory card
Recording
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Horizontal stripes appear on the images.
Black bands appear when you record a TV screen or computer screen.
[LCD Brightness ] cannot be adjusted.
Sound is not recorded correctly.
Playback
Images cannot be played back.
Photos cannot be played back.
is indicated on a thumbnail.
No sound or only a quiet sound is heard during playback.
Playing back images stored on memory card on other devices
Editing movies/photos on your camcorder
Playback on the TV
Copying/Connecting to other devices
Connecting to a computer
Self-diagnosis display/ Warning indicators
(Warning indicator pertaining to memory card)
(Warning indicators pertaining to memory card formatting)
(Warning indicator pertaining to incompatible memory card)
(Warning indicator pertaining to the write-protect of the memory card)
Description of warning messages
If messages appear on the screen, follow the instructions.
Recording media
Cannot recognize the internal memory. Format and use again.
Data error.
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Other
Using your camcorder abroad
Power supply
Viewing high definition image quality (HD) movies
Viewing standard definition image quality (STD) movies
On TV color systems
Setting to the local time
World time difference
Maintenance and precautions
About the AVCHD format
What is the AVCHD format?
Recording and playback on your camcorder
About the memory card
About the InfoLITHIUM battery pack
What is an InfoLITHIUM battery pack?
To charge the battery pack
To use the battery pack effectively
About the remaining battery time indicator
About x.v.Color
About handling of your camcorder
On use and care
When not using your camcorder for a long time
Moisture condensation
LCD screen
To clean the LCD screen
On adjustment of the touch panel ([Calibration])
On handling the casing
About care and storage of the lens
On charging the pre-installed rechargeable battery
How to charge the pre-installed rechargeable battery
Note on disposal/transfer of the memory card
On trademarks
Notes on the License
On GNU GPL/LGPL applied software
Quick reference
Screen indicators
60i
Left
Center
Right
Parts and controls
Figures in ( ) are reference pages.
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Index
Table of Contents Enjoy Useful Functions Index
A
B
C
Table of Contents Enjoy Useful Functions Index
P
R
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T