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2-319-523-11(1)
Digital Video Camera Recorder
Getting Started 10
Recording/
17
Playback
Operating Guide
Using the Menu 27
Dubbing/Editing 42
DCR-HC38
Using a Computer 46
Troubleshooting 50
Additional Information 57
Quick Reference 67
Spanish Quick Guide/
74
Guía rápida en español
© 2007 Sony Corporation
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WARNING To reduce fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. 2
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IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS For your protection, please read these safety Cleaning instructions completely before operating Unplug the set from the wall outlet before the appliance, and keep this manual for cleaning or polishing it. Do not use liquid cleaners future reference. or aerosol cleaners. Use a cloth lightly dampened Carefully observe all warnings, precautions with water for cleaning the exterior of the set. and instructions on the appliance, or the one described in the operating instruc
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IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS (Continued) Lightning Safety Check For added protection for this set during a lightning Upon completion of any service or repairs to the storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for set, ask the service technician to perform routine long periods of time, unplug it from the wall safety checks (as specified by the manufacturer) outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. to determine that the set is in safe operating This will prevent damage to the set due to
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Read this first Before operating the unit, please read this For customers in the U.S.A. manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference. If you have any questions about this product, you may call: CAUTION Sony Customer Information Center 1-800- 222-SONY (7669). Replace the battery with the The number below is for the FCC related specified type only. Otherwise, fire matters only. or injury may result. Regulatory Information For customers in the U.S.A. and Declaration of Conformity CAN
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Read this first (Continued) the user is encouraged to try to correct the compatible with the Cassette Memory interference by one or more of the following function (p. 58). measures: – Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Using the camcorder – Increase the separation between the equipment � Do not hold the camcorder by the and receiver. following parts. – Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. – Consult the dealer or
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results of the manufacturing process and � Television programs, films, video tapes, do not affect the recording in any way. and other materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the copyright laws. About this manual � The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder used in this manual for illustration purposes are captured using a digital still camera, and therefore may appear different. � Design and specifications of recording Black point me
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Table of Contents Using the Menu Using the menu items ..........27 IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS ......... 3 Operation button items ................. 28 Read this first ................................. 5 Menu items ................................... 35 MANUAL SET menu ............ 36 Getting Started – P EFFECT Step 1: Checking supplied items CAMERA SET menu ............ 37 .................................................... 10 – D ZOOM/WIDE SEL/ STEADYSHOT, etc. Step 2: Charging the battery pack ..
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Additional Information Using your camcorder abroad ......57 Maintenance and precautions ......58 Usable cassette tapes ................ 58 About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack .......................................... 59 About i.LINK ................................ 60 On using your camcorder ........... 61 Specifications ...............................64 Quick Reference Identifying parts and controls ........67 Indicators displayed during recording/playback ......................70 Index ...
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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. 11) Power cord (1) (p. 11) A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 26, 42) Rechargeable battery pack NP-FH30 (1) (p. 11, 59) CD-ROM “Handycam Application Software” (1) (p. 46) Operating Guide (This manual) (1) 10
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Getting Started Step 2: Charging the battery pack 2 1 2 3 1 With the v mark facing down Battery pack POWER switch DC IN jack 4 To the wall outlet AC Adaptor Power cord You can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (H series) (p. 59) after 4 Connect the power cord to the AC Adaptor and the wall outlet. attaching it to your camcorder. CHG (charge) lamp b Notes � You cannot attach any “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack other than the H series to your camcorder. 1 Align the terminals of the battery pac
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Step2: Charging the battery pack (Continued) 5 The CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the battery is fully charged. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack holding both the camcorder and the DC plug. After a while, the approximate recordable time and battery information appear for about 7 seconds. You can view the battery To use an outside power source information for up to 20 seconds by pressing DISP/BATT INFO again while the You can
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Getting Started – The battery pack is worn-out (for Battery Info Recording time only). Approximate time (min.) available when � The power will not be supplied from the battery you use a fully charged battery pack. as long as the AC Adaptor is connected to the DC IN jack of your camcorder, even when the Continuous Typical power cord is disconnected from the wall outlet. Battery pack recording recording time time* On the charging/recording/playback time NP-FH30 95 45 � Times measured with t
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Step 3: Turning the power on and setting the date and time Set the date and time when using this For midnight, set it to 12:00 AM. camcorder for the first time. If you do not For midday, set it to 12:00 PM. set the date and time, the [CLOCK SET] The clock starts. screen appears every time you turn on your camcorder or change the POWER switch position. To turn off the power Slide the POWER switch to OFF(CHG). To reset the date and time You can set the desired date and time by touching t [P
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Getting Started Step 4: Making setting adjustments before recording Opening the lens cover The viewfinder Slide the LENS COVER switch to OPEN. You can view pictures using the viewfinder to avoid wearing down the battery, or when the picture seen on the LCD screen is poor. Viewfinder After recording, set the LENS COVER switch to CLOSE, to close the lens cover. The LCD panel Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it to the best Viewfinder lens angle to record or pla
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Step 5: Inserting a Cassette portion marked {DO NOT PUSH} while You can use mini DV cassettes only it is sliding in. It may cause a (p. 58). malfunction. 1 Slide and hold the OPEN/ 3 Close the lid. EJECT lever in the direction of the arrow and open the lid. OPEN/EJECT lever To eject the cassette Open the lid following the same procedure as described in step 1 and remove the cassette. z Tips � The recordable time varies depending on [REC MODE] (p. 40). Lid The cassette compartment autom
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Recording/Playback Recording/Playback Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam) With this Easy Handycam operation, most of the camera settings are automatically optimally adjusted, which frees you from detailed adjustments. The screen font size increases for easy viewing. Open the lens cover (p. 15) A B E DC Recording 1 Slide the POWER switch A in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the CAMERA lamp. If the POWER switch A is set to OFF(CHG), slide it while pressing the green button
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Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam) (Continued) Playback Slide the POWER switch A in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp. Touch the buttons on the screen D as follows. If the POWER switch is Touch , then touch to set to OFF(CHG), slide it start playback. while pressing the green A button. D B C A GUIDE (p. 23) B Stop C Play/Pause toggles as you touch it D Rewind/Fast forward x To cancel Easy Handycam operation Press EASY C again. disappears from the scre
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Recording/Playback Recording Open the lens cover (p. 15). POWER switch REC START/ STOP A REC START/STOP B Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the CAMERA lamp. If the POWER switch is set to OFF(CHG), slide it while pressing the green button. Press REC START/STOP A (or B). [STBY] [REC] To stop recording, press REC START/STOP again. Continued , 19
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Recording (Continued) z Tips Zooming � You can set [D ZOOM] (p. 37) if you want to zoom to a level greater than 40 ×. You can magnify images up to 40 times the original size with the power zoom lever or the zoom buttons on the LCD frame. Recording in dark places (NightShot plus) Wider range of view: (Wide angle) Infrared port Set the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch to ON. ( and [“NIGHTSHOT PLUS”] appear.) b Notes Close view: (Telephoto) � The NightShot plus function uses infrared light. Therefore,
