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Using the Handycam Handbook
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About this Handycam Handbook
Table of contents
Getting started
Recording/Playback
Editing
Utilizing recording media
Customizing your camcorder
Troubleshooting
Additional information
Useful recording techniques
Parts and controls
Figures in ( ) are reference pages.
Active Interface Shoe
Built-in microphone (30) Flash
Lens (Sony G lens) Camera recording lamp (100)
Wireless Remote Commander
To change the battery of the Wireless Remote Commander
WARNING
Screen indicators
Upper left
Center
Upper right
Bottom
Using menus
Using MY MENU
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.
Touch (MENU).
Touch the menu item to be changed.
To change settings by using MENU
Using the OPTION MENU
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Menu lists
(MANUAL SETTINGS) category
(SHOOTING SET) category
(PHOTO SETTINGS) category
(PLAYBACK) category
(MANAGE MEDIA) category
(GENERAL SET) category
Read this before operating your camcorder
Supplied items
LCD screen
The numbers in ( ) are the supplied quantity.
Software (1)
About changing the language setting
Recording
Playing back recorded images on other devices
Discs recorded with HD image quality (high definition)
Save all your recorded image data
If you cannot record/play back images, perform [MEDIA FORMAT]
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.
Charging time
Approximate time (min.) required when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack.
Battery pack Charging time NP-FH50 135 NP-FH60 (supplied) 135 NP-FH70 170 NP-FH100 390
To remove the battery pack
Notes on the AC Adaptor
Step 2: Turning the power on, and setting the date and time
To turn off the power
Changing the language setting
Recording/Playback
Five pieces of advice for successful recording
.Stabilizing.your.camcorder
.Zooming.smoothly
.Evoking.a.feeling.of.spaciousness
.Accentuating.movies.with.narration
Recording
Recording movies
To stop recording, press START/STOP again.
[STBY] [REC]
Rec & zoom buttons on LCD about 3sec after
Data code during recording
Shooting photos
In the default setting, photos are recorded on the internal memory (p. 67).
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.
The lens cover is opened and your camcorder is turned on.
Press MODE to turn on the (Photo) lamp.
Press PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus, then press it fully.
If white circular spots appear on photos
Useful functions for recording movies and photos
Zooming
Prioritizing the subject
Capturing smiles automatically (Smile Shutter)
Built-in microphone
Recording sound with more presence (5.1ch surround recording)
Recording high quality photos during movie recording (Dual Rec)
You can record photos during movie recording by pressing PHOTO.
Infrared port
Recording in dark places (NightShot)
When you press NIGHTSHOT, appears, and you can record images even in total darkness.
Recording in mirror mode
Recording fast action in slow-motion (SMTH SLW REC)
Controlling the image settings manually with the MANUAL dial
MANUAL dial
Press MANUAL to activate the manual adjustment mode.
Pressing MANUAL switches the setting mode between automatic and manual.
Rotate the MANUAL dial to adjust the focus.
Acquiring location information (GPS) (HDR-CX500V/CX520V)
Processing
Triangulating status GPS indicators GPS reception status Function off No indicator
Difficult
Triangulating
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Playback.
Playing movies
Press (VIEW IMAGES).
Touch (or ) () a desired movie ().
Your camcorder starts playing the selected movie.
Viewing photos
Touch the (Photo) () a desired photo () on the VISUAL INDEX screen.
Volume adjustment To stop To fast-reverse
Next OPTION To fast-forward To pause/play
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Useful functions for playing movies and photos
Searching for desired images by date (Date Index)
Searching for a desired scene by recording location (Map Index) (HDR- CX500V/CX520V)
Touch the desired movie or photo.
Searching for desired scene by pinpoint (Film Roll Index)
Touch ( VIEW IMAGES) [ FILM ROLL].
Press (VIEW IMAGES).
Searching for desired scene by face (Face Index)
Playing back a digest of your movies (Highlight Playback)
Touch (MENU) [ HIGHLIGHT] (under [PLAYBACK] category)
To stop Highlight Playback
To change the settings for Highlight Playback
To save a scenario for Highlight Playback
Touch (OPTION) [ SCENARIO SAVE] [YES] during Highlight Playback.
To play back a saved Highlight Playback scenario
To erase the saved Highlight Playback scenario
To change music files
Using PB zoom with photos
Playing back a series of photos (Slide show)
Touch on the photo playback screen.
To stop the slide show
To restart the slide show
Playing images on a TV
Connecting a TV using [TV CONNECT Guide]
Connecting to a high definition TV
Connecting to a non-high-definition 16:9 (wide) or 4:3 TV
To set the aspect ratio according to the connected TV (16:9/4:3)
When connecting to your TV via a VCR
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.
Using BRAVIA Sync
Connect your camcorder and a BRAVIA Sync compatible TV with the HDMI cable (sold separately).
Turn on your camcorder.
The TV input is switched automatically, and the image of your camcorder is displayed on the TV.
Operate it with the remote commander of the TV.
Deleting movies and photos
Touch (MENU) [DELETE] (under [EDIT]
To delete movies, touch [ DELETE] [ DELETE] or [ DELETE].
Touch and display the mark on the movies or photos to be deleted.
Touch [YES]
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Acquiring the current location information (HDR-CX500V/CX520V)
Touch ( YOUR LOCATION) on the recording screen.
To close the map screen
Capturing a photo from a movie
Touch (MENU) [PHOTO CAPTURE] (under [EDIT] category).
Touch the movie to be captured.
Touch at the point where you want to capture.
Touch .
Dubbing/copying movies and photos from the internal memory to Memory Stick PRO Duo media
Dubbing movies
Touch (MENU) [MOVIE DUB] (under [EDIT]
Touch the type of dubbing.
Select the movie to be dubbed.
Copying photos
Protecting recorded movies and photos (Protect)
Touch (MENU) [PROTECT] (under [EDIT]
To protect movies, touch [ PROTECT] [ PROTECT]/[ PROTECT].
Touch the movies and photos to be protected.
Touch [YES]
Dividing a movie
Using the Playlist of movies
Creating the Playlist
Playing the Playlist
[PLAYBACK] category).
Touch the movie you want to play back.
To erase unnecessary movies from the Playlist
To change the order within the Playlist
Creating a disc with a DVD writer, recorder
Creating a disc with the dedicated DVD writer, DVDirect Express
To customize a disc with DISC BURN OPTION
To play back a disc on the DVD writer
The movie plays back on the camcorder screen.
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Page
Utilizing recording media
Changing the recording media
Selecting the recording media for movies
Selecting the recording media for photos
Inserting Memory Stick PRO Duo media
Memory Stick Duo media/jack cover
Touch [YES].
To eject the Memory Stick PRO Duo media
Preventing data on the internal memory from being recovered
Customizing your camcorder
MANUAL SETTINGS
condition)
SCENE SELECTION
You can record images effectively in various situations.
(MENU) [SCENE SELECTION] (under [MANUAL SETTINGS] category) a desired setting
FADER
(MENU) [ FADER] (under [MANUAL SET TINGS] category) a desired setting
To cancel the fader before starting the operation, touch [OFF].
WHITE BAL. (White balance)
You can adjust the color balance to the brightness of the recording environment.
SPOT MTR/FCS (Spot meter/focus)
(MENU) [SPOT MTR/FCS] (under [MANUAL SETTINGS] category)
SPOT METER
SPOT FOCUS
To adjust the focus automatically, touch [AUTO].
EXPOSURE
To adjust the exposure automatically, touch [AUTO].
FOCUS
To adjust the focus automatically, touch [AUTO].
TELE MACRO
(MENU) [TELE MACRO] (under [MANUAL SETTINGS] category) a desired setting
AE SHIFT
You can adjust the exposure manually.
(MENU) [AE SHIFT] (under [MANUAL SETTINGS] category) a desired setting
WB SHIFT (White Balance Shift)
You can adjust the white balance manually.
(MENU) [WB SHIFT ] (under [MANUAL SETTINGS] category) a desired setting
SMTH SLW REC (Smooth slow rec)
See page 32.
SHOOTING SET
/ SET
(MENU) [ / SET] (under [SHOOTING SET] category) a desired setting [YES]
REC MODE (Recording mode)
(MENU) [ REC MODE] (under [SHOOTING SET] category) a desired setting
GUIDEFRAME
(MENU) [GUIDEFRAME] (under [SHOOTING SET] category) a desired setting
STEADYSHOT
(MENU) [ STEADYSHOT] (under [SHOOTING SET] category) a desired setting
CONVERSION LENS
LOW LUX
You can record bright color images, even in dim light.
(MENU) [LOW LUX] (under [SHOOTING SET] category) a desired setting
FACE DETECTION
(MENU) [FACE DETECTION] (under [SHOOTING SET] category) a desired setting
PRIORITY SETTING
SMILE DETECTION
SMILE SENSITIVITY
AUDIO REC SET
OTHER REC SET
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X.V.COLOR
WIDE SELECT
PHOTO SETTINGS
SELF-TIMER
Press PHOTO to start the count down. A photo is recorded after about 10 seconds.
(MENU) [ SELF-TIMER] (under [PHOTO SETTINGS] category) a desired setting
IMAGE SIZE
FLASH MODE
(MENU) [FLASH MODE] (under [PHOTO SETTINGS] category) a desired setting
FLASH LEVEL
(MENU) [FLASH LEVEL] (under [PHOTO SETTINGS] category) a desired setting
REDEYE REDUC (Redeye reduction)
FILE NO. (File number)
You can select the way to assign file number of photos.
(MENU) [FILE NO.] (under [PHOTO SETTINGS] category) a desired setting
PLAYBACK
VISUAL INDEX
VIEW IMAGES
PLAYLIST
HIGHLIGHT
DATA CODE
Movie Photo
DATE/TIME
CAMERA DATA
COORDINATES (HDR-CX500V/CX520V)
EDIT
OTHERS
MANAGE MEDIA
MEDIA SETTINGS
See page 67.
MEDIA INFO
(MENU) [MEDIA INFO] (under [MANAGE MEDIA] category) check . To turn off the display
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GENERAL SET
SOUND/DISP SET
LCD COLOR
You can adjust the color of the LCD screen.
DISPLAY SET
OUTPUT SETTINGS
TV TYPE
COMPONENT
Select [COMPONENT] when connecting your camcorder to a TV with the component input jack.
HDMI RESOLUTION
CLOCK/ LANG
Set the GPS switch to ON in advance.
AUTO AREA ADJ (Auto area adjustment) (HDR-CX500V/CX520V)
DST SET/SUMMERTIME
LANGUAGE SET
You can select the language to be used on the LCD screen.
POWER SETTINGS
OTHER SETTINGS
CALIBRATION
See page 123.
CTRL FOR HDMI (Control for HDMI)
REC LAMP (Recording lamp)
You can make the camera recording lamp on the front of your camcorder not to turn on.
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Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Notes before sending your camcorder for repair
Overall operations/Wireless Remote Commander
The power does not turn on.
The camcorder does not operate even when the power is set to on.
Batteries/power sources
LCD screen
Memory Stick PRO Duo media
Recording
Playback
VISUAL INDEX screen.
is indicated on an image on the VISUAL INDEX screen.
No sound or only a quiet sound is heard during playback.
A movie is played back automatically.
Playing back images stored on Memory Stick PRO Duo media on other devices
Images cannot be played back or the Memory Stick PRO Duo media is not recognized.
Editing movies/photos on your camcorder
Unable to edit.
Movies cannot be added in the Playlist.
Playback on the TV
Dubbing/Connecting to other devices
GPS (HDR-CX500V/CX520V)
Examples of functions that cannot be used simultaneously
Cannot use Because of following settings
Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators
C:(or E:) : (Self-diagnosis display)
101-0001 (Warning indicator pertaining to files)
(Battery level warning)
(Warning indicator pertaining to battery pack temperature)
Description of warning messages
Recording media
Other
Additional information
Recording time of movies/number of recordable photos
HD stands for high definition image quality, and SD stands for standard image quality.
Expected time of recording and playback with each battery pack
Recording time
Approximate time available when you use a fully charged battery pack.
Standard definition image quality (SD) in h (hour) and m (minute)
High definition image quality (HD)
Standard definition image quality (SD)
Expected number of recordable photos
Internal memory
You can record the maximum 9,999 photos.
12.0M 1GB 165 2GB 345 4GB 680 8GB 1350 16GB 2750 32GB 5500
Using your camcorder abroad
Power supply
Viewing high definition image quality (HD) movies
Viewing standard definition image quality (SD) movies
On TV color systems
Setting to the local time
HDR-CX500V/CX520V
World time difference
File/folder structure on the internal memory and Memory Stick PRO Duo media
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Maintenance and precautions
About the AVCHD format
What is the AVCHD format?
Recording and playback on your camcorder
About GPS (HDR-CX500V/CX520V)
On triangulating errors
On the restriction of use of GPS on an airplane
On the map data
On the geographic coordinate system
On copyright
About the Memory Stick media
On the Memory Stick Duo media adaptor
On Memory Stick PRO Duo media
On image data compatibility
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
On trademarks
Notes on the License
On GNU GPL/LGPL applied software
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Index
Table of Contents Useful Recording Techniques Index
A
B
C
Table of Contents Useful Recording Techniques Index
N
O
P
R