Operating Guide
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... installation. Connect the equipment into the terminal Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. For DCR-HC54 "First Step Guide" for connecting the camcorder to a computer and using the supplied software (stored on use and care" (p. 63). • When connecting your...the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Your camcorder is not compatible with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Read thid first (Continued) Notes DCR-HC52 and DCR-HC54 are to be used with the limits for a ...
... installation. Connect the equipment into the terminal Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. For DCR-HC54 "First Step Guide" for connecting the camcorder to a computer and using the supplied software (stored on use and care" (p. 63). • When connecting your...the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Your camcorder is not compatible with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Read thid first (Continued) Notes DCR-HC52 and DCR-HC54 are to be used with the limits for a ...
Operating Guide
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...digital still camera, and therefore may appear different. • The illustrations used on the model DCR-HC54. Black point White, red, blue or green point • Exposing the LCD screen... and sound are recorded without notice. Unauthorized recording of the sun only in Germany, and Sony Corporation, and produces superior images. About menu items, LCD panel, viewfinder, and lens ...local language are manufactured using extremely highprecision technology, so over 99.99% of your camcorder. However, there may be copyrighted. These points are normal results of the manufacturing process...
...digital still camera, and therefore may appear different. • The illustrations used on the model DCR-HC54. Black point White, red, blue or green point • Exposing the LCD screen... and sound are recorded without notice. Unauthorized recording of the sun only in Germany, and Sony Corporation, and produces superior images. About menu items, LCD panel, viewfinder, and lens ...local language are manufactured using extremely highprecision technology, so over 99.99% of your camcorder. However, there may be copyrighted. These points are normal results of the manufacturing process...
Operating Guide
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Table of Contents (Continued) Additional Information Using your camcorder abroad ...... 59 Maintenance and precautions ...... 60 Usable cassette tapes 60 About the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack 61 About i.LINK 62 On using your camcorder 63 Specifications 66 Quick Reference Identifying parts and controls ....... 69 Indicators displayed during recording/playback 72 Index 75 Spanish Quick Guide/ Guía rápida en español 78 10
Table of Contents (Continued) Additional Information Using your camcorder abroad ...... 59 Maintenance and precautions ...... 60 Usable cassette tapes 60 About the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack 61 About i.LINK 62 On using your camcorder 63 Specifications 66 Quick Reference Identifying parts and controls ....... 69 Indicators displayed during recording/playback 72 Index 75 Spanish Quick Guide/ Guía rápida en español 78 10
Operating Guide
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The number in the parentheses indicates the number of that you have following items supplied with your camcorder. Getting Started Step 1: Checking supplied items Make sure that item supplied. AC Adaptor (1) (p. 12) USB cable (1) (DCR-HC54) (p. 70) Rechargeable battery pack NP-FH30 (1) (p. 12, 61) Power cord (Mains lead) (1) (p. 12) A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 28, 44) CD-ROM "Handycam Application Software" (1) (DCR-HC54)(p. 48) Operating Guide (This manual) (1) Getting Started 11
The number in the parentheses indicates the number of that you have following items supplied with your camcorder. Getting Started Step 1: Checking supplied items Make sure that item supplied. AC Adaptor (1) (p. 12) USB cable (1) (DCR-HC54) (p. 70) Rechargeable battery pack NP-FH30 (1) (p. 12, 61) Power cord (Mains lead) (1) (p. 12) A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 28, 44) CD-ROM "Handycam Application Software" (1) (DCR-HC54)(p. 48) Operating Guide (This manual) (1) Getting Started 11
Operating Guide
Page 12
...fully charged. b Notes • You cannot attach any "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack other than the H series to your camcorder. 1 Align the terminals of the battery pack and your camcorder 1, then attach the battery pack and click it into place 2. 2 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the... lead) POWER switch You can charge the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack (H series) (p. 61) after attaching it to your camcorder. 12 4 Connect the power cord (mains lead) to the DC IN jack on your camcorder. Step 2: Charging the battery pack 1 2 2 1 Battery pack 3 With the v mark facing down , connect ...
...fully charged. b Notes • You cannot attach any "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack other than the H series to your camcorder. 1 Align the terminals of the battery pack and your camcorder 1, then attach the battery pack and click it into place 2. 2 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the... lead) POWER switch You can charge the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack (H series) (p. 61) after attaching it to your camcorder. 12 4 Connect the power cord (mains lead) to the DC IN jack on your camcorder. Step 2: Charging the battery pack 1 2 2 1 Battery pack 3 With the v mark facing down , connect ...
Operating Guide
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... capacity (approx.) You can check the remaining battery charge on the LCD screen. Getting Started To use an outside power source You can operate your camcorder using the power from the wall outlet (wall socket) by Continued , 13 The battery pack will stop soon.
... capacity (approx.) You can check the remaining battery charge on the LCD screen. Getting Started To use an outside power source You can operate your camcorder using the power from the wall outlet (wall socket) by Continued , 13 The battery pack will stop soon.
Operating Guide
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...charged battery pack. Bottom: Recording with LCD screen. On the AC Adaptor • Use the nearby wall outlet (wall socket) when using your camcorder, even when the power cord (mains lead) is disconnected from the wall outlet (wall socket). The battery pack is connected to the DC IN...recording and playback time will be shorter when you use a fully charged battery pack. Playing time Approximate time (min.) available when you use your camcorder in low temperatures. • The recording and playback time will not be shorter depending on /off , AC power (house current) is still ...
...charged battery pack. Bottom: Recording with LCD screen. On the AC Adaptor • Use the nearby wall outlet (wall socket) when using your camcorder, even when the power cord (mains lead) is disconnected from the wall outlet (wall socket). The battery pack is connected to the DC IN...recording and playback time will be shorter when you use a fully charged battery pack. Playing time Approximate time (min.) available when you use your camcorder in low temperatures. • The recording and playback time will not be shorter depending on /off , AC power (house current) is still ...
Operating Guide
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... rechargeable battery and then set the date and time again (p. 66). • At the time of purchase, the power is set to turn on your camcorder or change the POWER switch position. 4 Move to [D] (day) with , then set with / and repeat for about 3 months, the built-in the direction ...with / . Getting Started Step 3: Turning the power on and setting the date and time Set the date and time when using this camcorder for [DATA CODE] (During Easy Handycam operation, you can set only [DATE/TIME])). • If the buttons on the touch panel do not work correctly, adjust the touch...
... rechargeable battery and then set the date and time again (p. 66). • At the time of purchase, the power is set to turn on your camcorder or change the POWER switch position. 4 Move to [D] (day) with , then set with / and repeat for about 3 months, the built-in the direction ...with / . Getting Started Step 3: Turning the power on and setting the date and time Set the date and time when using this camcorder for [DATA CODE] (During Easy Handycam operation, you can set only [DATE/TIME])). • If the buttons on the touch panel do not work correctly, adjust the touch...
Operating Guide
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...; Press DISP/BATT INFO to close the LCD panel with the LCD screen facing out. The grip belt Fasten the grip belt and hold your camcorder correctly. 4 1 2 3 17 Viewfinder Getting Started After recording, set the LENS COVER switch to CLOSE, to toggle the screen indicators (such as Battery Info) on ... lever Move it to the best angle to record or play (2). 180 degrees (max.) 2 DISP/BATT INFO 2 90 degrees (max.) 1 90 degrees to the camcorder b Notes • Do not press the buttons on the LCD frame accidentally when you can view pictures using the viewfinder to the...
...; Press DISP/BATT INFO to close the LCD panel with the LCD screen facing out. The grip belt Fasten the grip belt and hold your camcorder correctly. 4 1 2 3 17 Viewfinder Getting Started After recording, set the LENS COVER switch to CLOSE, to toggle the screen indicators (such as Battery Info) on ... lever Move it to the best angle to record or play (2). 180 degrees (max.) 2 DISP/BATT INFO 2 90 degrees (max.) 1 90 degrees to the camcorder b Notes • Do not press the buttons on the LCD frame accidentally when you can view pictures using the viewfinder to the...
Operating Guide
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...) Zooming You can set to the T (Telephoto) side. • Be sure to keep your finger on the LCD frame. • The minimum possible distance between camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp focus is about 1 cm (about 13/32 in.) for wide angle and about 80 cm (about 2 5/8 feet) for telephoto. 22...
...) Zooming You can set to the T (Telephoto) side. • Be sure to keep your finger on the LCD frame. • The minimum possible distance between camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp focus is about 1 cm (about 13/32 in.) for wide angle and about 80 cm (about 2 5/8 feet) for telephoto. 22...
Operating Guide
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Recording/Playback Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjects To adjust the exposure for backlit subjects, press . (back light) to the lens side (2). z Tips • A mirror-image of the subject appears on the LCD screen, but the image will be normal when recorded. 23 Recording in mirror mode Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it 180 degrees to display .. To cancel the backlight function, press . (back light) again.
Recording/Playback Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjects To adjust the exposure for backlit subjects, press . (back light) to the lens side (2). z Tips • A mirror-image of the subject appears on the LCD screen, but the image will be normal when recorded. 23 Recording in mirror mode Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it 180 degrees to display .. To cancel the backlight function, press . (back light) again.
Operating Guide
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...still desired, touch [SET] to recording. Your camcorder has 2 guide functions as shown below. See page 73 for details. 1 Touch [GUIDE]. 2 Select the desired item. Unavailable settings during Easy Handycam During Easy Handycam operation, some items are unavailable. Adjust the settings ...according to cancel Easy Handycam operation and then select the setting. Follow the instruction to your purpose. SHOOT...
...still desired, touch [SET] to recording. Your camcorder has 2 guide functions as shown below. See page 73 for details. 1 Touch [GUIDE]. 2 Select the desired item. Unavailable settings during Easy Handycam During Easy Handycam operation, some items are unavailable. Adjust the settings ...according to cancel Easy Handycam operation and then select the setting. Follow the instruction to your purpose. SHOOT...
Operating Guide
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... METER GUIDE MENU SCENE END EXPO- SCH SURE Touch here again to PLAY/EDIT. Searching manually (EDIT SEARCH) You can view about 5 seconds, and the camcorder enters the standby mode at the point where you have recorded on the screen. Searching for about 2 seconds of the most recently recorded scenes (Rec...
... METER GUIDE MENU SCENE END EXPO- SCH SURE Touch here again to PLAY/EDIT. Searching manually (EDIT SEARCH) You can view about 5 seconds, and the camcorder enters the standby mode at the point where you have recorded on the screen. Searching for about 2 seconds of the most recently recorded scenes (Rec...
Operating Guide
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3 Select [EDITSEARCH] with / , then touch [EXEC]. 4 Select [ON] with / , then touch [EXEC] t . 60min STBY 0:00:00 EDIT GUIDE FN 5 Touch . The last 2 seconds (approx.) of the most recently recorded scene are played back. Recording/Playback 27 Then, your camcorder is set to standby.
3 Select [EDITSEARCH] with / , then touch [EXEC]. 4 Select [ON] with / , then touch [EXEC] t . 60min STBY 0:00:00 EDIT GUIDE FN 5 Touch . The last 2 seconds (approx.) of the most recently recorded scene are played back. Recording/Playback 27 Then, your camcorder is set to standby.
Operating Guide
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Set the input selector on the VCR. When your TV is not necessary. Playing the picture on a TV You can connect your camcorder to the input jack of a TV or a VCR using the A/V connecting cable with an S VIDEO cable, pictures can display the time code on ... VIDEO plug (S VIDEO channel) of your TV or VCR. 28 B A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (2). VCRs or TVs When connecting your camcorder to a TV through a VCR Connect your camcorder to [V-OUT/LCD] (p. 43). z Tips • You can be connected. Connect your camcorder to the LINE IN input on the VCR to another device.
Set the input selector on the VCR. When your TV is not necessary. Playing the picture on a TV You can connect your camcorder to the input jack of a TV or a VCR using the A/V connecting cable with an S VIDEO cable, pictures can display the time code on ... VIDEO plug (S VIDEO channel) of your TV or VCR. 28 B A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (2). VCRs or TVs When connecting your camcorder to a TV through a VCR Connect your camcorder to [V-OUT/LCD] (p. 43). z Tips • You can be connected. Connect your camcorder to the LINE IN input on the VCR to another device.
Operating Guide
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... the focus, then towards W (wide angle) to adjust the zoom for telephoto. b Notes • The minimum possible distance between camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp focus is easier to focus on selecting button items. When the CAMERA lamp lights up [PAGE1] SPOT FOCUS...items Available operation buttons vary depending on distant subjects) to sharpen the focus. The default settings are marked with "*". The available functions during Easy Handycam operation are selected. b Notes • If you want to focus on a certain subject intentionally. 1 Touch [MANUAL]. 9 appears. 2...
... the focus, then towards W (wide angle) to adjust the zoom for telephoto. b Notes • The minimum possible distance between camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp focus is easier to focus on selecting button items. When the CAMERA lamp lights up [PAGE1] SPOT FOCUS...items Available operation buttons vary depending on distant subjects) to sharpen the focus. The default settings are marked with "*". The available functions during Easy Handycam operation are selected. b Notes • If you want to focus on a certain subject intentionally. 1 Touch [MANUAL]. 9 appears. 2...
Operating Guide
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appears. 2 Touch [END]. B AUTO Select to [AUTO]. This setting also prevents your camcorder from appearing excessively white when subjects are lit by strong light. PORTRAIT (Soft portrait) ( ) Select to bring out the subject such as sunsets and sunrises... 2 1 Touch the point where you set [SPOT METER], [EXPOSURE] is strong contrast between the subject and the background, such as subjects in windows between the camcorder and the subject. DISP GUIDE (Display Guide)* See page 73. function. SPOTLIGHT** ( ) Select to prevent people's faces from focusing on glass or metal mesh...
appears. 2 Touch [END]. B AUTO Select to [AUTO]. This setting also prevents your camcorder from appearing excessively white when subjects are lit by strong light. PORTRAIT (Soft portrait) ( ) Select to bring out the subject such as sunsets and sunrises... 2 1 Touch the point where you set [SPOT METER], [EXPOSURE] is strong contrast between the subject and the background, such as subjects in windows between the camcorder and the subject. DISP GUIDE (Display Guide)* See page 73. function. SPOTLIGHT** ( ) Select to prevent people's faces from focusing on glass or metal mesh...
Operating Guide
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... sodium lamps or incandescent-like color lamps ONE PUSH ( ) The white balance will be set. • When [ONE PUSH] was selected, or taken your camcorder outdoors after touching , set [WHT BAL] to [AUTO]. • If you set with [ONE PUSH], if you change quickly - OUTDOOR ( ) The...stops flashing. When fading out, it gradually changes from inside use with the [EXPOSURE] set (or vice versa), select [AUTO] and aim your camcorder at a nearby white object for about 10 seconds for the following recording conditions: - WHT BAL (White balance) You can adjust the color balance ...
... sodium lamps or incandescent-like color lamps ONE PUSH ( ) The white balance will be set. • When [ONE PUSH] was selected, or taken your camcorder outdoors after touching , set [WHT BAL] to [AUTO]. • If you set with [ONE PUSH], if you change quickly - OUTDOOR ( ) The...stops flashing. When fading out, it gradually changes from inside use with the [EXPOSURE] set (or vice versa), select [AUTO] and aim your camcorder at a nearby white object for about 10 seconds for the following recording conditions: - WHT BAL (White balance) You can adjust the color balance ...
Operating Guide
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...42). - Continued , 35 Using the Menu Recording sound Insert a recorded cassette into your camcorder (p. 59). - To dub on other camcorders. - When the tape has been recorded in 4CH MIC mode on other DCR-HC52/HC54 camcorders). Check the picture on the LCD screen or the viewfinder. • You can add ...sound to a tape already recorded in a TV color system other than that of your camcorder beforehand. 1 Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to...
...42). - Continued , 35 Using the Menu Recording sound Insert a recorded cassette into your camcorder (p. 59). - To dub on other camcorders. - When the tape has been recorded in 4CH MIC mode on other DCR-HC52/HC54 camcorders). Check the picture on the LCD screen or the viewfinder. • You can add ...sound to a tape already recorded in a TV color system other than that of your camcorder beforehand. 1 Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to...
Operating Guide
Page 41
b Notes • When you connect your camcorder to outside power sources, [BRIGHT] is slightly reduced during recording. WIDE DISP (Wide display) You can adjust the brightness of the viewfinder. BRIGHT Brightens the ... details on selecting menu items. LCD B.L. (LCD back light) You can adjust the color on the LCD screen with B. b Notes • When you connect your camcorder to [16:9 WIDE]. Low intensity High intensity VF B.L. (Viewfinder back light) You can select how a 16:9 aspect ratio picture appears in 16:9 aspect ratio are...
b Notes • When you connect your camcorder to outside power sources, [BRIGHT] is slightly reduced during recording. WIDE DISP (Wide display) You can adjust the brightness of the viewfinder. BRIGHT Brightens the ... details on selecting menu items. LCD B.L. (LCD back light) You can adjust the color on the LCD screen with B. b Notes • When you connect your camcorder to [16:9 WIDE]. Low intensity High intensity VF B.L. (Viewfinder back light) You can select how a 16:9 aspect ratio picture appears in 16:9 aspect ratio are...