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4-170-534-11(1)
Table of contents 9
Getting started 12
21
Recording/Playback
Making good use of your 44
camcorder
Saving images with an 57
external device
HDR-CX550/CX550V/
Customizing your 66
XR550/XR550V
camcorder
Additional information 91
Digital HD Video Camera Recorder
“Handycam” Handbook
Quick reference 119
2010 Sony Corporation
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Read this first Battery pack Supplied items The numbers in ( ) are the supplied quantity. AC Adaptor (1) Power cord (Mains lead) (1) Component A/V cable (1)
=> The camcorder is not dustproofed, dripproofed A/V connecting cable (1) or waterproofed. See “About handling of your USB cable (1) camcorder” (p. 114). Wireless Remote Commander (1)
=> Even if the camcorder is turned off, the GPS A button-type lithium battery is already function is working as long as the GPS switch i
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=> Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause
=> You may not be able to play back normally your camcorder to malfunction. Take images images recorded on your camcorder with other of the sun only in low light conditions, such as devices. Also, you may not be able to play back at dusk. images recorded on other devices with your camcorder. About language setting Discs recorded with HD image quality
=> The on-screen displays in each local language (high definition) are used for illustrating the
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protection features of the camcorder being CX550/CX550V) and the hard disk (HDR- activated in such situations. In this case, an XR550/XR550V) of the camcorder and the indicator appears on the LCD screen and the memory card are called “recording media.” viewfinder (p. 98).
=> In this manual, the DVD disc recorded with high definition image quality (HD) is called When the camcoder is connected to a AVCHD disc. computer or accessories
=> Design and specifications of your camcorder and accessori
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Notes on use
=> Do not do any of the following. Otherwise, the recording media may be damaged, recorded images may be impossible to play back or may be lost, or other malfunctions could occur. ejecting the memory card when the access lamp (p. 20) is lit or flashing removing the battery pack or AC Adaptor from the camcorder, or applying mechanical shock or vibration to the camcorder when the (Movie)/ (Photo) lamps (p. 21) or the access lamp (p. 20) are lit or flashing
=> When using a s
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Operation flow Getting started (p. 12) Prepare the power source and memory card. Recording movies and photos (p. 21) Recording movies p. 22 Changing the recording mode (p. 28) Expected recording time (MEDIA INFO, p. 85) Shooting photos p. 24 Playing movies and photos Playback on the camcorder p. 33 Playing images on a TV p. 41 Saving images Saving movies and photos with a computer Saving movies and photos in external media p. 57 Saving images with a DVD writer/recorder p. 59 Dele
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Advice for successful recording To get good results in recording Stabilizing your camcorder When you hold the camcorder, keep your upper body upright, and hold your arms close to your body. The SteadyShot function is effective against camera-shake, however, it is essential that you not move the camcorder. Zooming smoothly Zoom in and out slowly and smoothly. And, use zooming sparingly. Excessive zooming will make movies that may make the viewer feel tired when viewing them. Evoking a f
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Useful recording techniques Capturing images beautifully without Focusing on the child on the left side of troublesome setting the screen INTELLIGENT AUTO(26) Prioritizing the subject(28) SPOT FOCUS(73) Capturing photos during movie Recording in a dimly-lit room recording Dual Rec(30) NightShot(30) Smile Shutter (29) LOW LUX(77) Capturing fireworks, or a sunset in all Checking your golf swing its splendor FIREWORKS(71) GOLF SHOT(75) SUNRISE&SUNSET(71) SMTH SLW REC(75) US
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Table of contents Table of contents Read this first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Notes on use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Operation flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Playing images on a TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Connecting a TV using [TV CONNECT Guide] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Using “BRAVIA” Sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Making good use of your camcorder Deletin
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Table of contents Menu lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 MANUAL SETTINGS (Items to adjust for scene condition) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 SHOOTING SET (Items for customized shooting) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 PHOTO SETT
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Getting started Step 1: Charging the battery pack HDR-CX550/CX550V Battery pack /CHG (flash/charge) lamp DC IN jack DC plug Power cord (Mains lead) AC Adaptor To the wall outlet (wall socket) HDR-XR550/XR550V Battery pack /CHG (flash/charge) lamp DC IN jack DC plug AC Power cord (Mains lead) Adaptor To the wall outlet (wall socket) US 12
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Getting started You can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (V series) after attaching it to your camcorder. Notes
=> You cannot attach any “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack other than the V series to your camcorder. Turn off your camcorder by closing the LCD screen after replacing the 1 viewfinder. Attach the battery pack by sliding it in the direction of the arrow until it 2 clicks. Connect the AC Adaptor and the power cord (mains lead) to your 3 camcorder and the wall outlet (wall so
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To remove the battery pack Close the LCD screen. Slide the BATT (battery) release lever () and remove the battery pack (). To use a wall outlet (wall socket) as a power source Make the same connections as “Step 1: Charging the battery pack.” Even if the battery pack is attached, the battery pack is not discharged. Charging the battery pack abroad You can charge the battery pack in any countries/regions using the AC Adaptor supplied with your camcorder within the AC 100 V - 240 V, 50 Hz/60 H
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Getting started Step 2: Turning the power on, and setting the date and time Open the LCD screen of your camcorder. 1 Your camcorder is turned on and the lens cover is opened.
=> To turn on your camcorder when the LCD screen is open, press POWER. MODE lamp POWER button Select the desired geographical area with / , then touch [NEXT]. 2 Touch the button on the LCD screen
=> To set the date and time again, touch (MENU) [Show others] [CLOCK/ LANG] (under [GENERAL SET] category) [CLOCK
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Notes
=> The date and time does not appear during recording, but they are automatically recorded on the recording media, and can be displayed during playback. To display the date and time, touch (MENU) [Show others] [PLAYBACK SET] (under [PLAYBACK] category) [DATA CODE] [DATE/TIME] .
=> You can turn off the operation beeps by touching (MENU) [Show others] [SOUND/DISP SET] (under [GENERAL SET] category) [BEEP] [OFF] .
=> If the button you touch does not reac
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Getting started Changing the language setting You can change the on-screen displays to show messages in a specified language. Touch (MENU) [Show others] [CLOCK/ LANG] (under [GENERAL SET] category) [ LANGUAGE SET] a desired language . US 17
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Step 3: Preparing the recording media The recording media that can be used differs depending on your camcorder. The following icons are displayed on the screen of your camcorder. HDR-CX550/CX550V * Internal Memory memory card HDR-XR550/XR550V * Internal hard Memory disk card * In the default setting, both movies and photos are recorded on this recording media. You can perform recording, playback and editing operations on the selected medium. Tips
=> See page 104 for the recordable time
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Getting started Touch [YES] . The recording medium is changed. To check the recording media settings In either movie recording mode or photo recording mode, the media icon of the selected recording media is displayed at the top right corner of the screen. Recording media icon
=> The icon displayed may vary depending on your model. Inserting a memory card Notes
=> Set the recording medium to [MEMORY CARD] to record movies and/or photos on a memory card. Types of memory card you can use wi
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Open the cover, and insert the memory card with the nothched edge in the direction as illustrated until it clicks.
=> Close the cover after inserting the memory card. Note direction of notched corner. Access lamp The [Create a new Image Database File.] screen may appear if you insert a new memory card. In that case, touch [YES]. If you record only photos on the memory card, touch [NO].
=> Confirm the direction of the memory card. If you forcibly insert the memory card in the wrong direction
