Stylish compact hdd handycam camcorder featuring a 30gb high capacity hard disk drive for long recording times and a market leading 40x optical zoom (131 pages)
Never use the plug without the fuse cover. If you should lose the fuse cover, please contact your nearest Sony service station. FOR CUSTOMERS IN EUROPE ATTENTION The electromagnetic fields at the specific frequencies may influence the picture and sound of this camcorder.
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– “Camera Operating Guide” (This manual) – “Computer Application Guide” On using the camcorder • Do not hold the camcorder by the following parts. Viewfinder LCD screen Battery • The camcorder is not dust proofed, drip proofed or waterproofed.
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About the Carl Zeiss lens Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens, which was developed jointly by Carl Zeiss, in Germany, and Sony Corporation, and produces superior images. It adopts the MTF* measurement system for video cameras and offers a quality typical of a Carl Zeiss lens.
• It is recommended that you save your image data periodically after recording. Do not apply shock or vibration to your camcorder • The hard disk of the camcorder may not be recognized, or recording or playback may not be possible. • Especially, during recording/playback, do not apply shock.
Step 1: Checking supplied items... 13 Step 2: Charging the battery pack ... 14 Step 3: Turning the power on, and holding your camcorder ... 17 Step 4: Adjusting the LCD screen and viewfinder... 18 Step 5: Using the touch panel... 19 Step 6: Setting the date and time...
Deleting images...43 Using the Setup items Using the Setup items ...46 Setup items ...48 CAMERA SET...50 Settings to adjust your camcorder to the recording conditions (EXPOSURE/WHITE BAL./STEADYSHOT, etc.) STILL SET ...54 Settings for still images (BURST/QUALITY/IMAGE SIZE, etc.) PICT. APPLI...55 Special effects on images or additional functions on recording/playback (PICT.
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Troubleshooting Troubleshooting ... 76 Warning indicators and messages... 86 Additional Information Using your camcorder abroad... 90 Files on the camcorder hard disk/folder structure... 92 About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack ... 93 Maintenance and precautions... 94 Specifications... 96 Glossary, Index Glossary... 99...
What you can do with your Hard Disk Drive Handycam You can record images to the hard disk of the camcorder. Hard Disk Drive Handycam offers more options than the tape or the DVD camcorder for your convenience and entertainment.
Realistic sounds can be recorded (5.1ch surround sound) (p.33) You can record the movie with 5.1ch surround sound. You can create a DVD containing your movies with 5.1ch surround sound with supplied computer software. This provides full sound on a home theater.
• Copying images to a computer (“Computer Application Guide”). • Dubbing on VCR/DVD devices (p.69). Deleting images Delete the image data that has been saved on your camcorder. If you delete the images, you can record new images on the free hard disk space again.
Getting Started 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. AC Adaptor (1) (p.14) Mains lead (1) (p.14) A/V connecting cable (1) (p.40, 69, 71) USB cable (1) (p.73, 75)
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (P series) (p.93) to your camcorder. • You cannot use an NP-FP30 battery pack with your camcorder. (See the reverse side of the battery pack for the model number.) Installing the battery pack with excess force may lead to...
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The CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the battery is fully charged. Remove the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder. • Remove the AC Adaptor holding both your camcorder and the DC plug. To remove the battery pack Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
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Adaptor or battery terminal with any metallic objects. This may cause a malfunction. PRECAUTION • Even if your camcorder is turned off, AC power (mains) is still supplied to it while connected to the wall socket via the AC Adaptor.
• After you have set the date and time ([CLOCK SET], p.20), the next time you turn on the power of your camcorder, the current date and time will be displayed on the LCD screen for a few seconds. Lens cover Hold your camcorder correctly.
Step 4: Adjusting the LCD screen and viewfinder The LCD screen Open the LCD screen 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it to the best angle to record or play (2). 2 180 DISP/BATT INFO degrees (max.) 1 90 degrees to the 2 90 degrees (max.)
Step 5: Using the touch panel You can play back recorded images (p.26, 29), or change the settings (p.46) using the touch panel. Touch the buttons displayed on the screen. Support the rear of the LCD panel with your finger. Then, touch the buttons displayed on the screen.
[CLOCK SET] screen appears every time you turn on your camcorder or slide the POWER switch. • If you do not use your camcorder for about 3 months, the built-in rechargeable battery gets discharged and the date and time settings may be cleared from the memory.
16:9(wide) and 4:3 vary depending on the zoom position. To play back images after connecting your camcorder to a TV Set [TV TYPE] to [16:9] or [4:3] according to your TV (16:9/4:3) (p.40). • When viewing 16:9 (wide) images with [TV TYPE] set to [4:3], images may appear rough depending on subjects.
Easy Handycam - using your camcorder with automatic settings Using Easy Handycam operation Easy Handycam operation is a function for making nearly all settings automatic with just one press of the EASY button. Since only basic functions become available and screen font size increases for easy viewing, even first time users can enjoy easy operation.
Recording with ease Movies Slide the POWER switch A in the direction of the arrow to light up the (Movie) lamp. Press EASY. [Easy Handycam operation ON.] appears, then Press START/STOP B (or C). To stop recording, press START/STOP again. •...
Still images Slide the POWER switch A in the direction of the arrow to light up the lamp. Press EASY. [Easy Handycam operation ON.] appears, then Press PHOTO D lightly to adjust the focus A, then press it fully B. Beep mi n EASY...
Playback with ease Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to light up (PLAY/EDIT) lamp. The VISUAL INDEX screen appears on the LCD screen. Press EASY. [Easy Handycam operation ON.] appears, then Recording date Previous 6 images Next 6 images (Movie) tab...
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Start playback. Movies Touch (Movie) tab, then touch the thumbnail of the movie to be played back. Beginning of the scene/ previous scene Stop (go to the VISUAL INDEX screen) When the selected movie has played back to the end, the screen returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen.
• If the ACCESS lamp is on after recording is finished, it means data is still being written onto the hard disk. Do not apply shock or vibration to your camcorder, and do not remove the battery pack or AC Adaptor.
Playback Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to light up the The VISUAL INDEX screen appears on the LCD screen. Recording 60min 60min date 21 12 2006 Previous 6 images Next 6 images (Movie) tab • Moving the zoom lever changes the VISUAL INDEX screen indication from 6 to 12 and more images can be displayed at the same time.
Playback (continued) Searching for the desired images by date (Date Index) You can search for desired images by date efficiently. Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to light up the (PLAY/EDIT) lamp. The VISUAL INDEX screen appears on the LCD screen. 60min 21 12 2006 To search for movies, touch...
7 on the LCD frame. • The minimum distance required between your camcorder and the subject to get a sharp focus is about 1 cm (about 1/2 inch) for wide angle and about 80 cm (about 2 5/8 feet) for telephoto.
BACK LIGHT again. To record sound with more presence (5.1ch surround recording) ... 23 Your camcorder has Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator installed for recording 5.1ch surround sound. Using the supplied computer applications, you can create a DVD containing movies with the 5.1ch surround...
Functions used for recording/playback, etc. (continued) To record in mirror mode... qs Open the LCD screen qs 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it 180 degrees to the lens side (2). • A mirror-image of the subject appears on the LCD screen, but the image will be normal when recorded.
4 Recording lamp The recording lamp lights up in red during recording (p.61). The lamp flashes when the remaining capacity for the battery or the hard disk of the camcorder is running low. qd Speaker Sounds come out from the speaker while playing back.
Checking/Deleting the last scene (Review/Review deleting) You can check the last recorded movies/still images. Also, you can delete the checked images. Checking the last scene (Review) Slide the POWER switch to light up (Movie) or then touch The playback of the latest scene starts. Movie 60min REVIEW...
Indicators displayed during recording/playback Recording movies 60min 00:01:00 [ 60min ] P-MENU 1 Remaining battery (approx.) (35) 2 Recording mode (HQ / SP / LP) (59) 3 Recording status ([STBY] (standby) / [REC] (recording)) 4 Counter (hour: minute: second) 5 Remaining recordable time of movies 6 5.1ch surround recording (33) 7 Review button (36) 8 Personal Menu button (46)
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Indicators displayed during recording/playback (continued) Indicators on the LCD screen and viewfinder When you can change the setup items, or during recording or playback, following indicators are displayed. Upper left Upper Center 60min STBY Bottom Upper left Indicator Meaning 5.1ch surround recording (33) Self-timer recording (53) Continuous photo...
/ B / v / V, then press ENTER to enter. • Point the Remote Commander towards the remote sensor to operate your camcorder (p.35). • When no commands have been sent from the Remote Commander in a certain period, the orange frame disappears.
Playing the image on a TV Connect your camcorder to the input jack of TV or VCR using A/V connecting cable 1 or A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO 2. Connect your camcorder to the wall socket using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation (p.14). Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the devices to be connected.
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• On some 4:3 TVs, the still images recorded in 4:3 aspect ratio may not be displayed full screen. This is not a malfunction. • When you play back an image recorded in 16:9 (wide) aspect ratio on a 4:3 TV not compatible with the 16:9 (wide) signal, set [TV TYPE] to [4:3].
Saving images Recorded images are stored on the internal hard disk of the camcorder. Due to some limitations on the internal hard disk, make sure that you save the image data to the external media. You can save the images recorded on the camcorder as described below.
Deleting images You can provide free hard disk space by deleting image data on the camcorder. • You can check the free hard disk space of the camcorder on [HDD INFO] (p.57). • Protected images cannot be deleted. To delete the images, cancel the protection (p.68).
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Deleting images (continued) Deleting images by date You can delete movies or still images by date at once. Slide the POWER switch to light up (PLAY/EDIT) lamp. The VISUAL INDEX screen appears on the LCD screen. 60min 21 12 2006 To delete movies, touch (Movie) tab.
Using the Setup items Using the Setup items Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to light up the respective lamp. Touch the LCD screen to select the setup item. Unavailable items will be grayed out. x To use the short-cuts of Personal Menu On Personal Menu, short-cuts for frequently used setup items are added.
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t[SETUP]. 1 Touch 2 Select the desired setup item. Touch to select the item, then touch in step 2.) 3 Select the desired item. • You can also touch the item directly to select it. 4 Customize the item. After finishing the settings, touch If you decide not to change the setting, touch x To change the setup items during Easy Handycam operation does not appear during Easy Handycam operation (p.22).
Setup items CAMERA SET PROGRAM AE SPOT METER EXPOSURE WHITE BAL. AUTO SHUTTER SPOT FOCUS FOCUS FLASH SET SUPER NS NS LIGHT COLOR SLOW S SELF-TIMER SELF-TIMER DIGITAL ZOOM STEADYSHOT STILL SET (p.54) BURST QUALITY IMAGE SIZE PICT. APPLI. FADER D.
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CLOCK SET AREA SET SUMMERTIME LANGUAGE The setting values before Easy Handycam operation are maintained. [USB SELECT] appears automatically when your camcorder is connected to a computer or other device with the USB cable. For DCR-SR100E only. Movie Still PLAY/EDIT –...
CAMERA SET Settings to adjust your camcorder to the recording conditions (EXPOSURE/WHITE BAL./ STEADYSHOT, etc.) The default settings are marked with B. The indicators in parentheses appear when the items are selected. See page 46 for details on selecting setup items.
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[AUTO]. • When you have changed the battery pack while [AUTO] is selected, or you bring your camcorder outdoors from inside the house while using fixed exposure, select [AUTO] and aim your camcorder at a nearby white object for about 10 seconds for better color balance adjustment.
W (wide angle), then adjust the focus. • The minimum distance required between your camcorder and the subject to get a sharp focus is about 1 cm (about 1/2 inch) for wide angle and about 80 cm (about 2 5/8 feet) for telephoto.
• Remove the conversion lens (optional). • Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p.52) when it is hard to focus automatically. • The shutter speed of your camcorder changes depending on the brightness. The motion of the image may slow down at this time.
• You may not be able to record continuous images up to the maximum number depending on the image size and the remaining hard disk space of the camcorder. • [EXP. BRKTG] does not function, if the hard disk space is only available for less than three still images.
QUALITY B FINE ( Records still images at the fine image quality level. STANDARD ( Records still images at the standard image quality level. The size of still images (Approx. kB) 3.0M 1.9M 2.3M FINE 1540 1150 (FINE) STANDARD (STD) IMAGE SIZE B 3.0M ( Records still images clearly.
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Picture appears in sepia. B&W Picture appears in black and white. PASTEL Picture appears like a pale pastel drawing. MOSAIC Picture appears mosaic-patterned. DVD BURN The item has the same function as DVD BURN button on the camcorder body. See “Computer Application Guide”.
By connecting the USB cable between the camcorder and a computer, you can access from the computer to the hard disk of the camcorder. PictBridge PRINT See page 73. • For details on a computer connection, see “Computer Application Guide”.
• Set the drop sensor to [ON] (default setting) when you use the camcorder. Otherwise when you drop the camcorder, you may damage the hard disk of the camcorder. • In a non-gravity situation, the drop sensor activates.
STANDARD SET Settings while recording or other basic settings (REC MODE/LCD/VF SET/USB SPEED, etc.) The default settings are marked with B. The indicators in parentheses appear when the item is selected. See page 46 for details on selecting setup items. REC MODE (Recording mode) You can select an image quality of the movie from three levels.
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B NORMAL Standard brightness. BRIGHT Brightens the viewfinder screen. • When you connect your camcorder to AC Adaptor, [BRIGHT] is automatically selected for the setting. • When you select [BRIGHT], battery life is slightly reduced during recording. VF WIDE DISP You can select how a 16:9 (wide) aspect ratio image appears in the viewfinder.
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REMOTE CTRL (Remote control) The default setting is [ON] so that you can use the supplied Remote Commander (p.39). • Set to [OFF] to prevent your camcorder from responding to a command sent by other device’s remote control. • The setting returns to [ON] after you remove the power source for more than five minutes.
5 minutes. NEVER The camcorder is not automatically turned off. • When you connect your camcorder to a wall socket, [A.SHUT OFF] is automatically set to [NEVER]. CALIBRATION See page 95.
Customizing Personal Menu You can add desired setup items to Personal Menu, and customize Personal Menu settings. This is convenient if you add frequently used setup items to Personal Menu. Adding a setup item You can add up to 27 setup items for (Movie), (Still) or (PLAY/EDIT).
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Customizing Personal Menu (continued) Arranging the order of setup items displayed on Personal Menu t [P-MENU SET UP] Touch t [SORT]. If the desired setup item is not displayed, touch Touch the setup item you want to move. Touch to move the setup item to the desired place.
Glossary (p.99) • Do not remove the battery pack or the AC Adaptor from you camcorder while editing the Playlist. It may damage the hard disk of the camcorder. • You can add up to 99 scenes in the Playlist.
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Creating the Playlist (continued) Touch t [YES]. To erase all the scenes at the same time Touch [ERASE ALL] in step 2 t [YES]. • The original images are not changed even if you erase the images from the Playlist. Changing the order within the Playlist Slide the POWER switch to light up...
Playing the Playlist You can play the Playlist. Slide the POWER switch to light up (PLAY/EDIT) lamp. The VISUAL INDEX screen appears on the LCD screen. Touch (Playlist) tab. A list of the scenes added in the Playlist appears. 60min EDIT 1:23:01 P-MENU...
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Setting image protection (Protection) (continued) To cancel protection from the desired image Touch the image marked with - in step 3. - mark disappears. Protecting images by date You can set protection for selected images by recording date. Slide the POWER switch to light up (PLAY/EDIT) lamp.
You can save images on your camcorder to VCRs or DVD recorders. Connect your camcorder to the wall socket using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation (p.14). Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the devices to be connected.
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VCR/DVD device with the A/V connecting cable (supplied) 1 or the A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (optional) 2. • Connect your camcorder to the input jacks of a VCR or DVD device. Start the playback on your camcorder, and record it on the recording device.
You can record images or TV programs from a VCR, TV or DVD device onto the hard disk of camcorder. Connect your camcorder to the wall socket using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation (p.14). Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the devices to be connected.
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(supplied) 1 or the A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (optional) 2. • Connect your camcorder to the output jacks of a TV or VCR/DVD device. If you are recording from a VCR/ DVD device, insert the video tape or the DVD into the playback device.
You can print out still images using a PictBridge compliant printer without connecting the camcorder to a computer. Connect your camcorder to the wall socket using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation. Turn on the power of the printer.
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To remove the USB cable from the camcorder and the printer 1 Touch [END]. 2 Remove the USB cable from the camcorder and the printer.
The accessory can be turned on or off as you operate the POWER switch on your camcorder. Refer also to the instruction manual supplied with your accessory for details. • The Active Interface Shoe has a safety device for fixing the installed accessory securely.
• When repairing the camcorder, we may check a minimum amount of data stored on the hard disk in order to improve the condition. However, Sony dealer will neither copy nor save your data.
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The CHG (charge) lamp flashes while the battery pack is being charged. • Attach the battery pack to the camcorder correctly (p.14). If the problem persists, remove the AC Adaptor from the wall socket and contact your Sony dealer. The battery pack may be damaged.
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The buttons do not appear on the touch panel. • Touch the LCD screen lightly. • Press DISP/BATT INFO on your camcorder (or DISPLAY on the Remote Commander) (p.19, 39). The buttons on the touch panel do not work correctly or do not work at all.
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Pressing START/STOP or PHOTO does not record movies/still images. • Slide the POWER switch to light up the • Your camcorder is recording the image you have just shot on the hard disk of the camcorder. You cannot press PHOTO while [CAPTURE] or •...
• The temperature of your camcorder is extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and leave it for a while in a cool place. • The temperature of your camcorder is extremely low. Turn on your camcorder and leave it for a while. If you still cannot record, take the camcorder to a warm place.
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Tiny spots in white, red, blue, or green appear on the screen. • The spots appear when you are recording in [SUPER NS] or [COLOR SLOW S]. This is not a malfunction. The color of the image is not correctly displayed. •...
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• Protected images cannot be deleted. Cancel the image protection (p.68). The data file name is not indicated correctly. • Only the file name is displayed if the directory structure does not conform to the camcorder standard. • The file is damaged.
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You cannot use [PROGRAM AE]. • You cannot use [PROGRAM AE] together with: – NightShot – [SUPER NS] – [COLOR SLOW S] – [OLD MOVIE] • [SPORTS] will not work when the POWER switch is set to You cannot use [SPOT METER]. •...
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You cannot adjust [LCD BL LEVEL]. • You cannot adjust [LCD BL LEVEL] when power is supplied from the AC Adaptor, or when you turn the LCD panel facing out on your camcorder when the POWER switch is set to (movie) or (Still).
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• The A/V connecting cable is not connected properly. Make sure that the A/V connecting cable is connected to the proper jack, i.e. to the output jack of a device you are dubbing a image from, or to the input jack of another device for dubbing a image from your camcorder (p.69, 71). Others The beep sounds for five seconds.
Some symptoms you can fix by yourself. If the problem persists even after you have tried a couple of times, contact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility. C:(or E:) ss:ss (Self-diagnosis display) C:04:ss •...
No applicable files available. • Image files have been deleted. Format error. Please format. • The hard disk of the camcorder is set differently from the default format. Performing [HDD FORMAT] (p.57) may enable you to use your camcorder.
Warning indicators and messages (continued) Access error. • An error occurred during reading or writing the hard disk of the camcorder. Management file damaged. Create new file? • The image management file is damaged. When you touch [YES], a new image management file is created.
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Invalid during Easy Handycam operation (p.22) x Other E Please connect AC Adaptor. • You are trying to format the camcorder hard disk, while the battery capacity is low. Use the AC Adaptor as the power source to prevent the battery from wearing out in the middle of this operation.
Power supply You can use your camcorder in any countries/ regions using the AC Adaptor supplied with your camcorder within the AC 100 V to 240 V, 50/60 Hz range. On TV color systems Your camcorder is a PAL system-based camcorder.
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Setting to the local time You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference when using your camcorder abroad. Set [AREA SET] and [SUMMERTIME] in the World time difference 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31...
The files/folder structure are shown below. You do not usually need to acknowledge the files/ folder structure, when recording/playing back images on a camcorder. To enjoy still images or movies by connecting to a computer, refer to “Computer Application Guide,” then use the supplied application.
• After charging is complete, either remove the cable from the DC IN jack on your camcorder or remove the battery pack. Effective use of the battery pack •...
• 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.
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• Do not exert excessive pressure on the LCD screen. Blurs appear and it may cause a malfunction of your camcorder. • If your camcorder is used in a cold place, a residual image may appear on the LCD screen. This is not a malfunction.
Remote Commander may shorten, or the Remote Commander may not function properly. In this case, replace the battery with a Sony CR2025 lithium battery. Use of another battery may present a risk of fire or explosion.
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JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association). Files in this format can have additional information such as your camcorder’s setting information at the time of recording. In 16:9 mode, the focal length figures are actual figures resulting from wide angle pixel readout.
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• “Handycam” and registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. • “InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation. • “Memory Stick Duo” is a trademark of Sony Corporation. • “ImageMixer for HDD Camcorder” is a trademark of Pixela Corporation. • Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
“Computer Application Guide”. Formatting The process of deleting all recorded image data from the hard disk of the camcorder and restoring its original storage capacity. You can initialize the hard disk of the camcorder using [HDD FORMAT] (p.57).
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Glossary (continued) Protection The setting for preventing you from deleting image data. Recording mode By setting the recording mode before recording, you can select the image quality. There are 3 modes: HQ (high quality), SP (standard play) and LP (long play). The higher the recording quality, the shorter the recording time.