Operating Guide
Page 7
...the copyright laws. About the Carl Zeiss lens Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens, which was...camcorder. About this manual • The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder used in this manual are based on the model DCR-HC54. However, there may be provided, even if recording or playback.... Doing so might cause your camcorder if necessary (p. 16). The ...current recording or playback conditions. • The LCD screen and the viewfinder are manufactured using your camcorder to malfunction.... To view your camcorder. • Design and specifications of recording media and...
...the copyright laws. About the Carl Zeiss lens Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens, which was...camcorder. About this manual • The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder used in this manual are based on the model DCR-HC54. However, there may be provided, even if recording or playback.... Doing so might cause your camcorder if necessary (p. 16). The ...current recording or playback conditions. • The LCD screen and the viewfinder are manufactured using your camcorder to malfunction.... To view your camcorder. • Design and specifications of recording media and...
Operating Guide
Page 9
...Recording pictures from a VCR, etc 46 Using a Computer What you can do with Windows computer (DCR-HC54 48 Installing the "First Step Guide" and software (DCR-HC54 49 Viewing "First Step Guide" (DCRHC54 51 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting 52 Warning indicators and messages 57 ...the language setting 16 Step 4: Making setting adjustments before recording 17 Step 5: Inserting a Cassette ......... 18 Recording/Playback Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam 19 Recording 21 Zooming 22 Recording in dark places (NightShot plus 22 Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjects 23 Recording...
...Recording pictures from a VCR, etc 46 Using a Computer What you can do with Windows computer (DCR-HC54 48 Installing the "First Step Guide" and software (DCR-HC54 49 Viewing "First Step Guide" (DCRHC54 51 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting 52 Warning indicators and messages 57 ...the language setting 16 Step 4: Making setting adjustments before recording 17 Step 5: Inserting a Cassette ......... 18 Recording/Playback Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam 19 Recording 21 Zooming 22 Recording in dark places (NightShot plus 22 Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjects 23 Recording...
Operating Guide
Page 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
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
Page 13
... by making the same connections as you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack. Indicator Status Sufficient power remaining Battery low, recording/ playback will not lose its charge in the direction of the arrow. Charging time Approximate time (min.) required when you do when charging ..., then press PUSH. 2 Remove the battery pack in this case. 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 pressing DISP/BATT INFO again while the information is displayed....
... by making the same connections as you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack. Indicator Status Sufficient power remaining Battery low, recording/ playback will not lose its charge in the direction of the arrow. Charging time Approximate time (min.) required when you do when charging ..., then press PUSH. 2 Remove the battery pack in this case. 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 pressing DISP/BATT INFO again while the information is displayed....
Operating Guide
Page 14
...) lamp flashes during charging, or the Battery Info (p. 13) will be shorter when you use your camcorder. • Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in low temperatures. • The recording and playback time will not be supplied from the battery as long as between a wall and furniture. • Do... not short-circuit the DC plug of your camcorder, even when the power cord (mains lead) is recommended.) • The recording and playback time will not be shorter depending on /off , AC power (house current) is still supplied to it ...
...) lamp flashes during charging, or the Battery Info (p. 13) will be shorter when you use your camcorder. • Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in low temperatures. • The recording and playback time will not be supplied from the battery as long as between a wall and furniture. • Do... not short-circuit the DC plug of your camcorder, even when the power cord (mains lead) is recommended.) • The recording and playback time will not be shorter depending on /off , AC power (house current) is still supplied to it ...
Operating Guide
Page 15
... to save battery power ([A.SHUT OFF], p. 43). CAMERA: To record on and setting the date and time Set the date and time when using this camcorder for about 3 months, the built-in the direction of purchase, the power is set with / . 5 Make sure the date and time settings are automatically recorded... switch 1 While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch in rechargeable battery gets discharged and the date and time settings may be displayed during playback (see page 34 for [DATA CODE] (During Easy Handycam operation, you turn on your camcorder for the first time.
... to save battery power ([A.SHUT OFF], p. 43). CAMERA: To record on and setting the date and time Set the date and time when using this camcorder for about 3 months, the built-in the direction of purchase, the power is set with / . 5 Make sure the date and time settings are automatically recorded... switch 1 While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch in rechargeable battery gets discharged and the date and time settings may be displayed during playback (see page 34 for [DATA CODE] (During Easy Handycam operation, you turn on your camcorder for the first time.
Operating Guide
Page 17
... viewfinder 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 This is convenient during playback operations. • See [LCD BRT] (p. 34) to adjust the brightness of the viewfinder backlight by selecting (LCD/VF SET) -... 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 screen is poor. Viewfinder Getting Started After recording, set the LENS COVER switch ...
... viewfinder 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 This is convenient during playback operations. • See [LCD BRT] (p. 34) to adjust the brightness of the viewfinder backlight by selecting (LCD/VF SET) -... 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 screen is poor. Viewfinder Getting Started After recording, set the LENS COVER switch ...
Operating Guide
Page 19
EASY appears on the CAMERA lamp. Recording/Playback Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam) With this Easy Handycam operation, most of the camera settings are automatically optimally adjusted, which frees you can only record in the direction of the arrow ...(or E) to start recording.* The indicator (A) changes from detailed adjustments. Recording/Playback 2 Press EASY C. If the POWER switch A is set to [REC]. To stop recording, press REC START/ STOP again. 60min REC 0:00:00 A GUIDE FN * During Easy Handycam operation, you from [STBY] to OFF(CHG), slide it while pressing the...
EASY appears on the CAMERA lamp. Recording/Playback Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam) With this Easy Handycam operation, most of the camera settings are automatically optimally adjusted, which frees you can only record in the direction of the arrow ...(or E) to start recording.* The indicator (A) changes from detailed adjustments. Recording/Playback 2 Press EASY C. If the POWER switch A is set to [REC]. To stop recording, press REC START/ STOP again. 60min REC 0:00:00 A GUIDE FN * During Easy Handycam operation, you from [STBY] to OFF(CHG), slide it while pressing the...
Operating Guide
Page 20
... the PLAY/EDIT lamp. A D B C A GUIDE (p. 25) B Stop C Play/Pause toggles as follows. Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam) (Continued) Playback Slide the POWER switch A in Easy Handycam mode. 20 See page 29 for details on the screen D as you want to add any effects or settings to their defaults ...return to the images. If the POWER switch is not available in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to start playback. x Adjustable menu settings during Easy Handycam operation.] appears if an attempted operation is set to display adjustable menu settings.
... the PLAY/EDIT lamp. A D B C A GUIDE (p. 25) B Stop C Play/Pause toggles as follows. Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam) (Continued) Playback Slide the POWER switch A in Easy Handycam mode. 20 See page 29 for details on the screen D as you want to add any effects or settings to their defaults ...return to the images. If the POWER switch is not available in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to start playback. x Adjustable menu settings during Easy Handycam operation.] appears if an attempted operation is set to display adjustable menu settings.
Operating Guide
Page 21
Press REC START/STOP A (or B). [STBY] [REC] To stop recording, press REC START/STOP A (or B) again. POWER switch REC START/ STOP A REC START/STOP B Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to OFF(CHG), slide it while pressing the green button. Continued , 21 Recording/Playback Recording Open the lens cover (p. 17). If the POWER switch is set to turn on the CAMERA lamp.
Press REC START/STOP A (or B). [STBY] [REC] To stop recording, press REC START/STOP A (or B) again. POWER switch REC START/ STOP A REC START/STOP B Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to OFF(CHG), slide it while pressing the green button. Continued , 21 Recording/Playback Recording Open the lens cover (p. 17). If the POWER switch is set to turn on the CAMERA lamp.
Operating Guide
Page 23
Recording in mirror mode Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it 180 degrees to display .. z Tips • A mirror-image of the subject appears on the LCD screen, but the image will be normal when recorded. 23 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).
Recording in mirror mode Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it 180 degrees to display .. z Tips • A mirror-image of the subject appears on the LCD screen, but the image will be normal when recorded. 23 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).
Operating Guide
Page 24
...Play/Pause* toggles as you touch it while pressing the green button. Touch to rewind the tape to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp. Playback Slide the POWER switch in various modes ([V SPD PLAY], p. 34). 24 If the POWER switch is engaged for a scene during... playback Touch and hold / during playback (Picture Search), or / while fast forwarding or rewinding the tape (Skip Scan). Stop Rewind/Fast forward * Playback automatically stops if pause is set to OFF(CHG), slide it to adjust the volume...
...Play/Pause* toggles as you touch it while pressing the green button. Touch to rewind the tape to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp. Playback Slide the POWER switch in various modes ([V SPD PLAY], p. 34). 24 If the POWER switch is engaged for a scene during... playback Touch and hold / during playback (Picture Search), or / while fast forwarding or rewinding the tape (Skip Scan). Stop Rewind/Fast forward * Playback automatically stops if pause is set to OFF(CHG), slide it to adjust the volume...
Operating Guide
Page 25
... Unavailable settings during Easy Handycam During Easy Handycam operation, some items are unavailable. e.g., to record night views Touch [SHOOT GUIDE] t [SELCT SCENE] t [PAGE r]/[PAGE R] to recording. z Tips • If [SET] is not available, but still desired, touch [SET] to your purpose. Your camcorder has 2 guide functions... of a night view]. 3 Touch [SET]. See page 73 for details. 1 Touch [GUIDE]. 2 Select the desired item. Recording/Playback Using the guide functions (USAGE GUIDE) You can easily select the desired setting screens by using the guide functions (USAGE GUIDE).
... Unavailable settings during Easy Handycam During Easy Handycam operation, some items are unavailable. e.g., to record night views Touch [SHOOT GUIDE] t [SELCT SCENE] t [PAGE r]/[PAGE R] to recording. z Tips • If [SET] is not available, but still desired, touch [SET] to your purpose. Your camcorder has 2 guide functions... of a night view]. 3 Touch [SET]. See page 73 for details. 1 Touch [GUIDE]. 2 Select the desired item. Recording/Playback Using the guide functions (USAGE GUIDE) You can easily select the desired setting screens by using the guide functions (USAGE GUIDE).
Operating Guide
Page 27
The last 2 seconds (approx.) of the most recently recorded scene are played back. Recording/Playback 27 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 . Then, your camcorder is set to standby.
The last 2 seconds (approx.) of the most recently recorded scene are played back. Recording/Playback 27 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 . Then, your camcorder is set to standby.
Operating Guide
Page 34
..., the date and time are displayed in various modes while viewing movies. 1 Touch the following buttons during playback. Operation button items (Continued) CLOCK SET* See page 15. The recorded picture will appear. • During Easy Handycam operation, you record a picture without setting the clock and [--:--:--] will not be affected by this operation...
..., the date and time are displayed in various modes while viewing movies. 1 Touch the following buttons during playback. Operation button items (Continued) CLOCK SET* See page 15. The recorded picture will appear. • During Easy Handycam operation, you record a picture without setting the clock and [--:--:--] will not be affected by this operation...
Operating Guide
Page 35
... 0:00:00:00 RET. To dub on other DCR-HC52/HC54 camcorders). b Notes • You will not be played back smoothly in stereo 2 (ST2) during playback pause. Check the picture on other camcorders (including other scenes, repeat step 2 to the normal playback mode, touch (Play/Pause) twice (once from ...is not a malfunction. **Pictures output from the DV Interface (i.LINK) cannot be output from frame playback). To return to select scenes, then touch [AUDIO DUB]. Your camcorder starts audio recording via an i.LINK cable. - Continued , 35 Using the Menu The sound may ...
... 0:00:00:00 RET. To dub on other DCR-HC52/HC54 camcorders). b Notes • You will not be played back smoothly in stereo 2 (ST2) during playback pause. Check the picture on other camcorders (including other scenes, repeat step 2 to the normal playback mode, touch (Play/Pause) twice (once from ...is not a malfunction. **Pictures output from the DV Interface (i.LINK) cannot be output from frame playback). To return to select scenes, then touch [AUDIO DUB]. Your camcorder starts audio recording via an i.LINK cable. - Continued , 35 Using the Menu The sound may ...
Operating Guide
Page 38
...with strong contrast. The indicators in black and white. appears. Only the original pictures can add special effects to a picture during playback. MANUAL SET menu - SOLARIZE Pictures appear as a pale pastel drawing. 38 B&W Pictures appear in parentheses appear when the items are... with special effects on selecting menu items. P EFFECT (Picture effect) You can be output. • You cannot add effects to the playback pictures are reversed. PASTEL* Pictures appear as an illustration with B. B OFF Does not use [P EFFECT] setting. MOSAIC* Pictures appear mosaic...
...with strong contrast. The indicators in black and white. appears. Only the original pictures can add special effects to a picture during playback. MANUAL SET menu - SOLARIZE Pictures appear as a pale pastel drawing. 38 B&W Pictures appear in parentheses appear when the items are... with special effects on selecting menu items. P EFFECT (Picture effect) You can be output. • You cannot add effects to the playback pictures are reversed. PASTEL* Pictures appear as an illustration with B. B OFF Does not use [P EFFECT] setting. MOSAIC* Pictures appear mosaic...
Operating Guide
Page 42
... via the USB cable. When the POWER switch is set the POWER switch to turn on the LCD screen. • Your camcorder offers [ENG[SIMP]] (simplified English) for details (p. 51). See page 29 for about 10 minutes.) - AUDIO MODE B ...you mix recordings in the SP mode and in the SP (Standard Play) mode on one tape, the playback picture may be distorted or the time code may be suspended in parentheses appear when the items are marked with...SET menu - See page 29 for details on selecting menu items. USB STREAM (DCR-HC54) You can select the language to 1.5 times the SP mode (Long Play).
... via the USB cable. When the POWER switch is set the POWER switch to turn on the LCD screen. • Your camcorder offers [ENG[SIMP]] (simplified English) for details (p. 51). See page 29 for about 10 minutes.) - AUDIO MODE B ...you mix recordings in the SP mode and in the SP (Standard Play) mode on one tape, the playback picture may be distorted or the time code may be suspended in parentheses appear when the items are marked with...SET menu - See page 29 for details on selecting menu items. USB STREAM (DCR-HC54) You can select the language to 1.5 times the SP mode (Long Play).
Operating Guide
Page 45
... input (such as video input1, video input2). 3 Connect your camcorder to the recording device (VCR or DVD/ HDD recorder) with the A/V connecting cable (supplied) 1, an A/V connecting cable with your recording device for playback. If your recording device has an input selector, set [DISP OUT.... Insert the recorded cassette. Dubbing/Editing b Notes • When you are connecting your camcorder to a monaural device, connect the yellow plug of the recording device. 4 Start playback on the camcorder, and recording on the screen (p. 34). • The following cannot be displayed or...
... input (such as video input1, video input2). 3 Connect your camcorder to the recording device (VCR or DVD/ HDD recorder) with the A/V connecting cable (supplied) 1, an A/V connecting cable with your recording device for playback. If your recording device has an input selector, set [DISP OUT.... Insert the recorded cassette. Dubbing/Editing b Notes • When you are connecting your camcorder to a monaural device, connect the yellow plug of the recording device. 4 Start playback on the camcorder, and recording on the screen (p. 34). • The following cannot be displayed or...
Operating Guide
Page 52
... 12). Batteries/Power sources The power abruptly turns off (A.SHUT OFF). If the problem persists, disconnect the power source and contact your camcorder, use the AC Adaptor. • Charge the battery pack (p. 12). • The battery is set the POWER switch to OFF...minute. • Press the RESET button (p. 70) using your Sony dealer. • Overall operations/Easy Handycam ..... 52 • Batteries/Power sources 52 • LCD screen/viewfinder 53 • Cassette tapes 53 • Recording 54 • Playback 55 • Dubbing/Editing/Connecting to other devices 55 •...
... 12). Batteries/Power sources The power abruptly turns off (A.SHUT OFF). If the problem persists, disconnect the power source and contact your camcorder, use the AC Adaptor. • Charge the battery pack (p. 12). • The battery is set the POWER switch to OFF...minute. • Press the RESET button (p. 70) using your Sony dealer. • Overall operations/Easy Handycam ..... 52 • Batteries/Power sources 52 • LCD screen/viewfinder 53 • Cassette tapes 53 • Recording 54 • Playback 55 • Dubbing/Editing/Connecting to other devices 55 •...