Sony DCR-SX15E manual

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95

Go to page of

A good user manual

The rules should oblige the seller to give the purchaser an operating instrucion of Sony DCR-SX15E, along with an item. The lack of an instruction or false information given to customer shall constitute grounds to apply for a complaint because of nonconformity of goods with the contract. In accordance with the law, a customer can receive an instruction in non-paper form; lately graphic and electronic forms of the manuals, as well as instructional videos have been majorly used. A necessary precondition for this is the unmistakable, legible character of an instruction.

What is an instruction?

The term originates from the Latin word „instructio”, which means organizing. Therefore, in an instruction of Sony DCR-SX15E one could find a process description. An instruction's purpose is to teach, to ease the start-up and an item's use or performance of certain activities. An instruction is a compilation of information about an item/a service, it is a clue.

Unfortunately, only a few customers devote their time to read an instruction of Sony DCR-SX15E. A good user manual introduces us to a number of additional functionalities of the purchased item, and also helps us to avoid the formation of most of the defects.

What should a perfect user manual contain?

First and foremost, an user manual of Sony DCR-SX15E should contain:
- informations concerning technical data of Sony DCR-SX15E
- name of the manufacturer and a year of construction of the Sony DCR-SX15E item
- rules of operation, control and maintenance of the Sony DCR-SX15E item
- safety signs and mark certificates which confirm compatibility with appropriate standards

Why don't we read the manuals?

Usually it results from the lack of time and certainty about functionalities of purchased items. Unfortunately, networking and start-up of Sony DCR-SX15E alone are not enough. An instruction contains a number of clues concerning respective functionalities, safety rules, maintenance methods (what means should be used), eventual defects of Sony DCR-SX15E, and methods of problem resolution. Eventually, when one still can't find the answer to his problems, he will be directed to the Sony service. Lately animated manuals and instructional videos are quite popular among customers. These kinds of user manuals are effective; they assure that a customer will familiarize himself with the whole material, and won't skip complicated, technical information of Sony DCR-SX15E.

Why one should read the manuals?

It is mostly in the manuals where we will find the details concerning construction and possibility of the Sony DCR-SX15E item, and its use of respective accessory, as well as information concerning all the functions and facilities.

After a successful purchase of an item one should find a moment and get to know with every part of an instruction. Currently the manuals are carefully prearranged and translated, so they could be fully understood by its users. The manuals will serve as an informational aid.

Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

     2010 Sony Corporation 4-209-887- 11 (1) Digital Video Camera Recor der “Handycam ” Handbook DCR-SR15E/SR20E/SX15E/ SX20E/SX20EK T able of contents 8 Getting started 11 Recording/Playback 20 Making good use of your camcorder 35 Saving images with an external device 45 Customizing your camcorder 53 Additional information 70 Quick referenc e 8[...]

  • Page 2

    2 GB Read this first Supplied items The num bers in ( ) are the sup plied quan tity .  AC A daptor (1)  P ower co rd (Ma ins lead) (1)  A/V connecting cable (1)   USB cable (1)   Rechargeab le battery pack NP -FV30 (1)  CD-ROM “ Ha ndycam ” A pplicatio n Software (1) “PMB ” (software, inc luding “PMB H elp ”) “[...]

  • Page 3

    3 GB using your ca mcorder if necessary (p. 16). Recording When you u se a memory card with your camcorder f or the first time, fo rmatting the mem ory card with your ca mcorder (p . 66) is recommended fo r stable opera tion. All data recorded o n the memory card will be deleted when it is forma tted, and ca nnot be recover ed. Save im portant data[...]

  • Page 4

    4 GB illustration p urposes are captur ed using a digital still camera, and therefo re may a ppe ar different fro m images and scr een indicators tha t actually appear on y our camcor der . And, the illustration s of your cam corder and i ts screen indication a re exaggerat ed or simplified fo r understandab ility . In this man ual, the internal ha[...]

  • Page 5

    5 GB Operation flow Getting star ted (p. 11) Prepar e the power sour ce and recor ding media. Recording movies and photos (p . 20) Recording mo vies  p . 21  Changing the reco rding mode (p . 25)  Expected recording time (MEDI A INFO, p . 66) Shooting pho tos  p . 23 Playing movies and phot os Playback on the camco rder  p . 27 Playi[...]

  • Page 6

    6 GB Advic e for succ essful rec ording  T o get good results in recording Stabilizing your camcorder When yo u hold the camcor der , keep your upper body uprigh t, and hold yo ur arms close to yo ur body . The SteadySh ot function is effective against ca mera-shake, however , it is essen tial that you no t move the cam corder . Zooming smoothly[...]

  • Page 7

    7 GB  Useful recor ding techniques Flow ers in close-up POR TRAIT (58) TELE MACR O (60) Recording in a dimly-lit room VIDEO LIGHT (26) Capturing fireworks , or a sunset in all its splendor FIREW ORKS (58) SUNRISE&S UNSET (58) Checking your golf swing SPOR T S (58)[...]

  • Page 8

    8 GB T able of conten ts Read this first ......................................................................................... 2 Notes on use . . ............................................................................... 4 Operation flow . . ..................................................................................... 5 Advice for [...]

  • Page 9

    9 T able of contents GB Mak ing good use of your camcor der Deleting movies and photos .................................................................... 35 Prot ecting recorded movies and photos (P rotect) .. ....................................... 37 Dividing a movie .. ...........................................................................[...]

  • Page 10

    10 GB Additional inf ormation T roubleshooting ............................................................................... 70 Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators ........................................... 75 Recording time of movies/number of rec ordable photos . . .............................. 79 Expected time of recording and playback[...]

  • Page 11

    Getting started 11 GB Getting star ted Step 1: Charg ing the battery pack Y ou can charge the “ InfoLITHIU M” ba ttery pack (V series) after attaching it t o your camcor der . Battery pack DC IN jack CHG (charge) lamp DC plug AC Adaptor T o the wall outlet (wall socket) Pow er cord (Mains lead) DCR-S R15E/SR20E DCR-SX15E/SX20E Battery pack DC I[...]

  • Page 12

    12 GB Notes Y ou cannot a ttach an y “Inf oLITHIUM” ba ttery pack other than the V series to your camco rder . 1 T urn off your camcorder by closing the L CD screen. 2 Attach the battery pack by sliding it in the direction of the arrow until it clicks. 3 Connect the AC Adapt or and the power cor d (mains lead) to your camcorder and the wall out[...]

  • Page 13

    13 Getting started GB T o remove the ba ttery pack Close the LCD screen. Slide the BA T T (battery) release lever (  ) and remov e the battery pack (  ). T o use a wall outlet (wall socket) as a power sour ce Make the same co nnections as “ Step 1: Char ging the battery pack. ” Even if the bat tery pack is attach ed, the battery pack is n[...]

  • Page 14

    14 GB Step 2: T urning the power on, and setting the date and time 1 Open the L CD screen of your camcorder . Y our camcorder turns o n. 2 Select the desired geographical area by selecting / with  /  of the multi-selector , keep pressing the center of the multi-selector until the desired geographical ar ea is turned on a light. See page 16 fo[...]

  • Page 15

    15 Getting started GB If yo u set [SUMMER TIME] to [ON], the clock advances 1 hour . 5 Select [NEXT ] with  of the multi-selector , then press the center of the multi-selector . 6 Set the date and time by repeating the pr ocedure bellow .  Highlight the desired it em with  /  of the mul ti-selector .  Select t he setting value with ?[...]

  • Page 16

    16 GB Using the Multi-selector  T urn the desired button on a light with  /  /  /  of the multi-selector .  Press the c enter of the multi-selector to confirm your selection. Changing the language setting Y ou can change the on-scr een displays to s how messag es in a specified language. Select (MENU)  [Show others]  [CL OCK[...]

  • Page 17

    17 Getting started GB Step 3: P reparing the recording media The recor ding media that can be used differs depending on y our camco rder . The following icons ar e displa yed on the screen of y our camcor der . DCR-SX15E/SX20E: Memo ry card DCR-SR15E/SR20E: * In ternal hard disk Memo ry card * In the defaul t setting, both movies and ph otos are r [...]

  • Page 18

    18 GB Selecting the recording media for photos (DCR-SR15E/SR20E)  Select (MENU)  [Show others]  [MEDIA SET TINGS] (under [MANAGE MEDIA ] category)  [PHOT O MEDIA SET ]. The [PHOT O MEDI A SET] screen a ppears.  Select the desired recording media.  Select [ YES]  . The recor ding medium is cha nged. T o check the recording media[...]

  • Page 19

    19 Getting started GB Size of memory cards that can be used with your camcorder Only “M emor y Stick Duo ” media that is about a half the size of the sta ndard “ Memo ry Stick” media, an d standard-sized S D memory cards can be used. Do not at tach a label, etc., to a memory card o r memory card adapt or . Doing so may cause a malfunction. [...]

  • Page 20

    20 GB Recording/Playback Recording In the defa ult setting, movies a re recor ded on the follo wing recor ding media. DCR-SX15E/SX20E: M emor y card DCR-S R15E/SR20E: In ternal hard disk Tips See page 17 on changing the r ecording media (DCR -SR15E/SR20E). T o open the lens cover Slide the LENS COVER switc h to open. Tips When you finish r ecording[...]

  • Page 21

    21 Recording/Playback GB 2 Open the L CD screen of your camcorder . Y our camcorder turns o n. Y ou can switch r ecording modes b y pressing M ODE. Pr ess MODE un til the desired mode icon appears. Recording movies Press ST ART/STOP to start recording . T o stop recor ding, pres s ST AR T/STOP a gain.  MODE button (Mo vie): When recordin g a mov[...]

  • Page 22

    22 GB The icons an d indicator s on the LCD panel will be display ed for abou t 3 seconds, then disappear after turning on yo ur camcor der or switching the r ecording (m ovie/photo)/p layback modes. T o display the icons and in dicators a gain, pres s the multi-selector . Notes If you c lose the LCD screen while recording mo vies, the camcorder s [...]

  • Page 23

    23 Recording/Playback GB Data code during recor ding The recor ding date , time and condi tion ar e recorded a uto matically on the r ecording media. They are no t display ed during recor ding. H owever , you ca n check them as [D A T A CODE] during pla yback. T o display them, select (MENU)  [Show others]  [P LA YBA CK SET] (under [PLA YBA C[...]

  • Page 24

    24 GB  Press PHO TO lightly to adjust the f ocus, then press it fully . When disappears, the phot o is recorded . Tips See page 80 on the recorda ble number of p hotos. T o change the image size, select (MENU)  [Show o thers]  [ IMAGE S IZE] (under [PHOTO S ETTINGS] category)  a desired setting   .    Flashes  Lights u[...]

  • Page 25

    25 Recording/Playback GB Useful functions for recor ding movies and photos Zooming Y ou can magnify images up to 50 times the original size with the power zoom lever . Mo ve the power zoom lever s lightly for a slower zoom. M ove it further for a fast er zoom. Notes SteadySho t may no t reduce image b lurring as desired when the power zoom lever is[...]

  • Page 26

    26 GB If you r ecord in the LP mode, the quali ty of movies ma y be degraded, or scenes with quick movemen ts may a ppear with block noi se when you pla y back the image. Tips Y ou can select the [ REC MOD E] for each reco rding media separat ely (DCR-S R15E/SR20E). Using the VIDEO LIGHT Y ou can use the VIDEO LIGHT accordin g to the recor ding con[...]

  • Page 27

    27 Recording/Playback GB Pla yback on the camcorder In the defa ult setting, movies a nd photos tha t are r ecorded on the f ollowing r ecording m edia are pla yed. DCR-SX15E/SX20E: M emor y card DCR-S R15E/SR20E: In ternal hard disk Tips See page 17 on changing the r ecording media (DCR -SR15E/SR20E). 1 Open the L CD screen of your camcorder . Y o[...]

  • Page 28

    28 GB  appears wi th the movie or pho to that was most r ecently pla yed or recor ded. If yo u select the movie or p hoto with  , yo u can contin ue playback from the p revious time. (  a ppears on the photo r ecorded on a memo ry card.) Playing movies Y our camcorder starts pla ying the selected movie. Tips When pla yback from the selecte[...]

  • Page 29

    29 Recording/Playback GB Viewing photos Y our camcorder displa ys t he selected photo . Tips When viewing phot os recorded o n a memory card, (playback folder) a ppears on the screen.   Previous T o the VISU AL INDEX screen T o start/stop slide show Next OPTION[...]

  • Page 30

    30 GB Useful functions for playing movies and photos Searching for desir ed images by date (Date Index) Y ou can search for desir ed images by da te efficiently . Notes Y ou cannot use the Date I ndex function for photos o n the memory card.  Press ( VIE W IMAGES). The VISU AL INDEX screen appears.  Select  [DA TE INDEX].  Select / to s[...]

  • Page 31

    31 Recording/Playback GB  Select  [ FILM ROLL].  Select / to select the desired movie .  Select / to sear ch for the desired scene , then select the scene you want t o play back. Playback starts from the selected scene. Tips Y ou can also display the F ilm Roll Index by selecting (MENU)  [Show others]  [VIEW IMA GES] (under [PLA Y[...]

  • Page 32

    32 GB Make sur e that you set [F ACE DETECTION] to [ON] (p . 61) (t he default setting) p rior to recordin g, to search mo vies on the Face I ndex. Tips Y ou can also display the F ace Index b y selecting (MENU)  [Show o thers]  [VIEW IMAGES] (under [PLA YBA CK] category)  [ F ACE]. Playing back a series of photos (Slide show) Select on th[...]

  • Page 33

    33 Recording/Playback GB Playing images on a T V Connect your camcor der to the inp ut jack of a TV or V CR using the A/V connecting cable (supp lied). Connect your camcor der to the wall outlet (wall socket) using the sup plied AC Ad a pto r for this opera tion (p . 13). Refer also to the instruction manuals su pplied with the devices to be connec[...]

  • Page 34

    34 GB When your T V is monaural ( When your T V has only one audio input jack) Connect the yellow plug o f the A/V connecting cable to the video in put jack a nd connect the white (left channel) o r red (right cha nnel) plug t o the audio in put jack o f your TV or V CR. If your T V/VCR has a 21-pin adaptor (EUROCONNECTOR) U s e a 21-pin adap tor ([...]

  • Page 35

    Making good use of your camcorder 35 GB Making good use of your camcorder Deleting movies and photos Y ou can free media space by deleting movies and p hotos fro m recor ding media. Notes Y ou cannot res tore ima ges once they are deleted. Sav e important mo vies and pho tos in advance. Do not remo ve the batt ery p ack or the A C Ada ptor fro m yo[...]

  • Page 36

    36 GB  In step 2, select [ DELETE]  [ DELETE by da te]. T o delete all photos on the same day a t one time, select [ DELETE]  [ DELETE by dat e].  Select / to s elect the recordin g date o f the desired movies/ph otos, then select . Press LI GHT (p. 26) when th umbnail is selected to confirm the image. Select to return to the p revious [...]

  • Page 37

    37 Making good use of your camcorder GB Pr otec ting recor ded movies and photos (Pr otec t) Pro tect movies and ph otos to a void deleting them by mistake. Tips Y ou can pro tect movies and pho tos on the playback screen from O PTION MENU . 1 Select (MENU)  [Show others]  [PROTECT ] (under [EDIT ] category). 2 T o protect movies, select [ PR[...]

  • Page 38

    38 GB Dividing a movie 1 Select (MENU)  [Show others]  [ DIVIDE] (under [EDIT ] category). 2 Select the movie to be divided. The selected movie starts playback. 3 Select at the point where you want to divide the movie into scenes. The movie pa uses. Play and pa use toggles as you pr ess . 4 Select  [ YES]  . Notes Y ou cannot res tore m[...]

  • Page 39

    39 Making good use of your camcorder GB Capturing a photo from a movie (DCR- SR15E/SR20E/SX20E) 1 Select (MENU)  [Show others]  [PHOT O CAPTURE] (under [EDIT ] categor y). The [PHOT O CAPTURE] screen appears. 2 Select the movie to be captured. The selected movie starts playback. 3 Select at the point where you want to captur e. The movie pa u[...]

  • Page 40

    40 GB Dubbing/copying movies and photos from the int ernal recor ding media to memor y card (DCR-SR15E/SR20E) Dubbing movies Y ou can dub movies r ecorded on the internal reco rding media o f your camco rder to memory card. Insert memory card in to your cam corder before the o peration. Notes When you r ecord a mo vie on the memory card for the fir[...]

  • Page 41

    41 Making good use of your camcorder GB [DUB by da te]: Select the recording date o f the movie to be dubbed, then select . Y ou cannot select multiple dates.  Select  [ YES]   . Tips T o check the dubbed movies after dubb ing is finished, select [MEMOR Y CARD] on [MO VIE MEDI A SET] a n d p lay them back (p . 17). Copying photos Y ou c[...]

  • Page 42

    42 GB [COPY by da te]: Select the recording date o f the photo to be co pied, then select . Y ou cannot select multiple dates.  Select  [ YES]   . Tips T o check the copied photos after co pying is finished, select [MEMOR Y CARD] on [PHOTO MED IA S ET] and pla y them back (p . 18).  [...]

  • Page 43

    43 Making good use of your camcorder GB Using the Pla ylist of movies The Playlist is a lis t showing th umbna ils of the movies that y ou ha ve selected. The original movies ar e not cha nged even if you edit o r erase the movies added to the Playlist. Creating the Pla ylist  Select (MENU)  [Show others]  [PLA YLIST EDIT ] (under [EDIT ] [...]

  • Page 44

    44 GB Mo vies added to the Playlist a ppear .  Select the movie you want to play back. The Playlist is p layed back fro m the selected movie to the end, then the screen returns to the P laylist screen. T o erase unnecessary movies from the Playlist  Select (MENU)  [Show others]  [PLA YLIST EDIT] (under [EDIT] categ ory).  S elect [ E[...]

  • Page 45

    Saving images with an external device 45 GB Saving images with an external device Saving images in external media (DIREC T COP Y ) Y ou can save mo vies and pho tos on external media (USB stora ge device), such as an external hard disk driv e. Y ou can also play back images on the ca mcorder o r another playback device. Notes For this o peration, y[...]

  • Page 46

    46 GB 5 Select [Copy .] on the camcorder screen. DCR-S R15E/SR20E: Mo vies and pho tos in the internal recor ding media of the camco rder that have n ot yet been saved on t o external media can be saved. DCR-SX15E/SX20E: Mo vies and pho tos that ha ve not y et been saved on to external media can be saved. This screen will appear only when ther e ar[...]

  • Page 47

    47 Saving images with an external device GB T o play back images in the external media on the camcorder  Select [Play without co pying.] in step 5 above. The VISU AL INDEX screen of the external media is display ed.  P lay back the image (p . 27). Y ou can also view images on a TV connected to your ca mcorder (p . 33). Notes The Date I ndex o[...]

  • Page 48

    48 GB Creating a disc with a DVD writer , recorder Creating a disc with the dedicat ed DVD writer , DVDirect Express Y ou can create a disc or p lay back the images on a cr eated disc by u sing the dedicated DVD wri ter , DVDirect Express (sold separately). Refer also to the instruction manual supp lied with the DVD writer . Notes Connect your camc[...]

  • Page 49

    49 Saving images with an external device GB  Select on the screen, then disconnect the USB cable. T o customize a disc with DISC BURN OPTION P erform this operation in the f ollowing cases: When dub bing a desired imag e When crea ting multi ple copies o f the same disc When dub bing images in the mem ory card (DCR-S R15E/SR20E)  Select [DISC[...]

  • Page 50

    50 GB If [F ailed.] or [DISC B URN failed.] appears o n the screen, insert another disc into the D VD writer and perform the DISC B URN operation again. Tips If the total memo ry size of movies to be burnt by the DISC B URN operation exceeds tha t of the disc, disc creation sto ps when the limit is reached. The last mo vie on the disc may be cut of[...]

  • Page 51

    51 Saving images with an external device GB  Record movies on the connected device. For details, r efer to the instruction manuals su pplied with the device to be connected.  After the operation is completed , select [END]  [ YES] on the camcorder screen.  Disconnect the USB cable. Creating a disc with a r ecorder , etc. Y ou can dub im[...]

  • Page 52

    52 GB  Start playback on your camcorder , and record it on the recording devic e. Refer to the instruction man uals supplied with your reco rding device for details.  When dubbing is finished, stop the recording devic e, and then your camcorder . Notes Since dubb ing is performed via analog data transfer , the image quality ma y deteriorat e.[...]

  • Page 53

    Customizing your camc order 53 GB Customizing y our camcorder Using menus U sing the menus, you ca n perform useful funct ions an d change va rious settings. If y ou make good use of menu opera tions, yo u can enjo y using your ca mcorder . The camcor der has various men u items under each of eight men u categories. MANU AL SETTINGS (I tems to adju[...]

  • Page 54

    54 GB  Select .  Select [Show others] on the MY MENU screen. See the next page for details on MY MENU .  Select t he menu i tem to be chang ed.  After changing the setting, select . T o finish setting the menu, select . T o return to the previous m enu screen, select . may no t be displayed depending on the men u item. Notes Y ou may no[...]

  • Page 55

    55 Customizing your camc order GB Repeat the same steps abo ve to register m enu it ems on MY MENU , and enjoy usin g your “H andyca m. ” Tips When an external sto rage device is connected, the excl usive MY MENU a ppears. Using the OPTION MENU The OPTIO N MENU appears j ust like the pop-up windo w that a ppears when you righ t-click the mouse [...]

  • Page 56

    56 GB Menu lists (MANU AL SET TINGS) category SCENE SELECTION 58 F ADER 58 WHITE BAL. 59 EXPOSURE 60 FOCUS 60 TELE MACRO 60 (SHOOTING SET ) categor y REC MODE 25 GUIDEFRAME 61 STEADY SHOT 61 AUT O SLW SHUTTR 61 F ACE DETEC TION 61 AUDIO REC SET BL T -IN ZOOM MIC 62 MICREF LEVEL 62 OTHER REC SET DIGIT AL ZOOM 62 WIDE SELECT 62 (PHOT O SE T TINGS) ca[...]

  • Page 57

    57 Customizing your camc order GB DISPLA Y SET 68 OUTPUT SET TINGS T V TYPE 33 DISP OUTPUT 68 CL OCK/ LANG CL OCK SET 14 AREA SET 68 SUMMERTIME 68 LANGUA GE SET 68 POWER SET TINGS A.SHUT OFF 68 OTHER SETTINGS DEMO MODE 69 DROP SENSOR* 1 69 * 1 DCR-SR15E/S R20E * 2 DCR-SX20E[...]

  • Page 58

    58 GB MANU AL SET TINGS (Items to adjust for scene condition) See “U sing men us ” (p. 53) on the operatio n. The default set tings are ma rked with  . SCENE SELEC TION Y ou can record imag es effectively in various situa tions.  AUT O Records imag es in average im age quality without the [SCENE S ELECTION] function. T WILIGHT* ( ) Main t[...]

  • Page 59

    59 Customizing your camc order GB WHITE F ADER Fades in/ou t with the white effect. Out In BLACK F ADER Fades in/ou t with the black effect. Out In T o cancel the fader before starting the operation, select [OFF]. Tips When you p ress ST ART/STOP , the setting is cleared. A movie reco rded using [BLA CK F ADER] may be difficu lt to see in the VIS U[...]

  • Page 60

    60 GB from inside the ho use, or vice versa, you need to redo the [ONE PUSH] p rocedure to r eadjust the white balance. EXPOSURE Y ou can fix the brightness of a pictur e manually . Adju st the brightness when the subject is too bright o r too dark. Select / to adjust the b rightness. T o adjust the exposure a utom atically , select [A UTO]. FOCUS [...]

  • Page 61

    61 Customizing your camc order GB SHOO TING SE T (Items for customized shooting) See “U sing men us ” (p. 53) on the operatio n. The default set tings are ma rked with  . REC MODE (Recording mode) See page 25. GUIDEFRAME Y ou can display the frame and c heck that the subject is horizon tal or vertical. The frame is not r ecorded.  OFF Doe[...]

  • Page 62

    62 GB A UDIO REC SET  BL T -IN ZOOM MIC (Built-in zoom microphone) Y ou can record a mo vie with vivid sound app rop riate to the zoom positio n.  OFF The microph one does not reco rd sound following zoomin g in or ou t. ON ( ) The microph one recor ds sound follo wing zooming in or ou t.  MICREF LEVEL (Microphone refer ence level) Y ou ca[...]

  • Page 63

    63 Customizing your camc order GB PHO TO SET TINGS (Items for recor ding photos) See “U sing men us ” (p. 53) on the operatio n. The default set tings are ma rked with  . SELF- TIMER Press P HOTO to s tart the count do wn. A photo is r ecorded a fter about 10 seconds.  OFF Cancels the self-timer . ON ( ) Starts the self-timer recordin g. [...]

  • Page 64

    64 GB PLA YBACK (Items for playback) See “U sing men us ” (p. 53) on the operatio n. VISU AL INDEX See page 27. VIEW IMAGES  DA TE INDEX See page 30.  FILM ROLL See page 30.  F ACE See page 31. PLA YLIST See page 43. PLA YBACK SET  DA T A CODE During playback, your ca mcorder dis plays the informa tion (Date/time, Cam era data) reco[...]

  • Page 65

    65 Customizing your camc order GB EDIT (Items for editing) See “U sing men us ” (p. 53) on the operatio n. DELETE See page 35. PROTECT See page 37. DIVIDE See page 38. PHOT O CAPTURE (DCR-SR15E/ SR20E/SX20E) See page 39. MOVIE DUB (DCR-SR15E/ SR20E) See page 40. PHOT O COPY (DCR-SR15E/ SR20E) See page 41. PLA YLIST EDIT See page 43. O THERS (It[...]

  • Page 66

    66 GB MANA GE MEDIA (Items for recor ding media) See “U sing men us ” (p. 53) on the operatio n. MEDIA SET TINGS (DCR-SR15E/ SR20E) See page 17. MEDIA INFO Y ou can check the remaining r ecordab le time for each r ecording mode of the recor ding media for mo vies and the app ro ximate free a nd used media space of the recordin g media. T o turn[...]

  • Page 67

    67 Customizing your camc order GB or [EMPTY] when you use the camcorder next time. REP AIR IMG.DB F . See page 73, 76. GENERAL SE T (Other setup items) See “U sing men us ” (p. 53) on the operatio n. The default set tings are ma rked with  . SOUND/DISP SET  VOL UME Y ou can adjust the vol ume of pla yback sound by selecting / .  BEEP ?[...]

  • Page 68

    68 GB the screen outside and c lose the LCD panel to the camcor der body , the s etting becomes [NORMAL] au toma tically . Tips This adjustmen t does not affect the recor ded images in an y way .  L CD COL OR Y ou can adjust the colo r of the LCD screen by selecting / . Tips This adjustmen t does not affect the recor ded images in an y way . [...]

  • Page 69

    69 Customizing your camc order GB NEVER The camcor der does not turn off aut omatically . Notes When you co nnect your camco rder to a wall outlet (wall socket), [A.SHUT OFF] is aut omatically set to [NEVER]. OTHER SET TINGS  DEMO MODE When yo ur camcor der is connected to a wall outlet (wall socket), a demonstra tion movie a ppear about 10 min [...]

  • Page 70

    70 GB Additional inf ormation T roubleshooting If yo u run into an y problems using y our camcor der , follow the steps belo w .  Check the list (p. 70 to 78), and inspect your camcorder .  Disconnect the power source, attach the power sourc e again after about 1 minute, and turn the camcorder on.  Press RESET (p. 90, 91) using a pointed o[...]

  • Page 71

    71 Additional information GB [FOCUS] [BL T -IN ZOOM MIC] [MICREF LEVEL] [DROP S ENSOR] (DCR-S R15E/SR20E) Backlight The followin g menu it ems return to the default settings when y ou switch between movie reco rding and p hoto reco rding and playback modes. [ F ADER] [TELE MACR O] [ SELF-TIMER] Y our camcorder gets warm. Y our camcor der may become[...]

  • Page 72

    72 GB Memor y card Operations using the memory card cannot be performed. If yo u use the memory card format ted on a comp uter , format i t again on y our camcor der (p. 66). Images stored on the memory card cannot be deleted. The maximum n umber of images tha t you can delete on the index screen a t one time is 100. Y ou cannot delet e the protect[...]

  • Page 73

    73 Additional information GB The auto focus does not function. Set [FOCUS] to [AUT O] (p. 60). The recor ding conditio ns are no t suitable f or au t o focus. Adj ust the focus manually (p . 60). SteadyShot does not function. Set [ STEADY SHOT] t o [ON] (p . 61). Even if [ STEAD YSHOT] i s set to [ON], your cam corder ma y not be able to compensa t[...]

  • Page 74

    74 GB Playing back images stor ed on memory card on other devices Images cannot be played back or the memory card is not recognized. The device may not su pport memory card. Editing movies/photos on y our camcorder Unable to edit. U nable to edit beca use of the condition o f the image. Movies cannot be added in the Playlist. There is no free space[...]

  • Page 75

    75 Additional information GB Examples of functions that cannot be used simultaneously The followin g list shows exa mples o f unwo rkable co mbina tions o f functions and menu i tems. Cannot use Because of following settings Backlight [MANU AL] in [EXPOSURE], [FIREW ORKS] [F ACE DETECTION] [ DIGIT AL ZOOM], [EXPOSURE], [TWILIGHT], [CANDLE], [SUNRIS[...]

  • Page 76

    76 GB (Low temper ature warning) F ast flashing The tempera ture of y our camcor der is extremely lo w . Make the camcor der warm. ( Warning indicator pertaining to memory card) Slow flashing Free spaces fo r recor ding images ar e running out. F or the type of memory card yo u can use with your camco rder , see page 19. N o memo ry card is inserte[...]

  • Page 77

    77 Additional information GB Data error . An error occurred during r eading or writing the internal reco rding media of the camco rder . This may occur when you keep a pplyin g shock on the camcor der . Mo vies recorded o n other devices may not be played back. The Image Database File is damaged . Do you want to cr eate a new file? The managem ent [...]

  • Page 78

    78 GB This memory card may not be able to record or pla y images correctly . U s e a memory card recommended f or your camcor der (p. 19). Do not eject the memor y card during writing. Data may be damaged . Reinsert the memory card, and follo w the instructions on the LCD screen. Other No further selec tion is possible. Y ou can add no mor e than 9[...]

  • Page 79

    79 Additional information GB Recording time of movies/number of recor dable photos Expected time of recording and playback with each battery pack Recording time A ppr oxima te time ava ilable when you use a fully charged ba ttery pack. DCR-SR15E/SR20E (unit: minu te) Battery pack Con tinuous recor ding time T ypical recor ding time NP -FV30 (supp l[...]

  • Page 80

    80 GB technology causes fluctuations in the r ecording time of the media. Mo vies conta ining quickly moving an d complex im ages are r ecorded at a higher bit-ra te, and this red uces the overall recordin g time. Memor y card (unit: minu te) HQ SP LP 512MB 6 (5) 9 (5) 20 (10) 1GB 10 (10) 20 (10) 40 (25) 2GB 25 (25) 40 (25) 85 (55) 4GB 55 (50) 80 ([...]

  • Page 81

    81 Additional information GB Using your camc order abroad Po wer supply Y ou can use your camcor der in any countries/r egions using the A C Adapto r supp lied with your camco rder within the AC 100 V t o 240 V , 50 Hz/60 Hz rang e. On T V color systems Y our camcorder is a P AL-system-based camcor der . If you wan t to vie w the playback image on [...]

  • Page 82

    82 GB Setting to the local time Y ou can easily set the clock to the loca l time by setting a time differen ce when using your camcor der abr oad. Select (MENU)  [Show others]  [CLOCK/ LANG] (under [GENERAL SET] cat egory)  [AREA SET] and [S UMMER TIME] (p. 68). W orld time difference Time-zone differences Area setting GMT Lisbon, London +[...]

  • Page 83

    83 Additional information GB Maintenance and precautions About the memory card Memo ry card format ted by a com puter (W indows OS/Mac OS) does no t have guarant eed compatib ility with your cam corder . Data read/write speed may va ry dep ending on the comb ination o f the memory card and memory card com pliant p roduct you use. Damaged or lost da[...]

  • Page 84

    84 GB Notes on using the “Memor y Stick Micro ” media T o us e “M emory Stick Micro ” media w ith your camcorder , you need a Duo-sized M2 adaptor . Insert the “M emor y Stick Micro ” medi a into the Duo-sized M2 adaptor , and then insert the adapto r into the “ Mem ory Stick Duo ” media slot. If you in sert a “Mem ory Stick Micro[...]

  • Page 85

    85 Additional information GB About storage of the battery pack If the bat tery pack is not used for a long time, fully charge the ba ttery pack and use it up on your camco rder once a y ear to mainta in proper function. T o stor e the battery pack, remo ve it from your ca mcorder a nd put it in a dry , cool place. T o dis charge the ba ttery pack o[...]

  • Page 86

    86 GB place to a warm place, mo isture ma y condense inside your cam corder . This may ca use a malfunction to your camco rder . If mois ture con densation has occurred Leave your ca mcorder fo r about 1 ho ur without turning it o n. No te on mois ture conden sation Mo isture ma y condense when yo u bring your camcorder fr om a cold place in to a w[...]

  • Page 87

    87 Additional information GB How to charge the pr e -installed rechargeable battery Connect your camcor der to a wall outlet (wall socket) using the supp lied AC A dapt or , and leave it with the LCD screen closed for m ore than 24 hours. Note on disposal/transfer (DCR-SR15E/SR20E) Even if y ou perform [ D ELETE ALL], [ DELETE ALL] or [MEDI A FORMA[...]

  • Page 88

    88 GB Notes on the License ANY USE OF THIS PRO DUCT OTHER TH AN CONSUMER PERSO N AL USE IN ANY MANNER TH A T COMPLIES WITH THE MPEG-2 ST AND ARD FOR ENCODING VID EO INFORMA TION FOR P ACKA GED MEDI A IS EXPRESSL Y PROHIBITED WITHO UT A LICENSE UNDER AP PLICABLE P ATENTS IN THE MPEG-2 P A TENT PORTFOLI O , WHICH LICENSE IS A V AILABLE FROM MPEG LA, [...]

  • Page 89

    Quick referenc e 89 GB Quick refer ence Screen indicators Upper left Indicator Meaning MENU butt on (53) Self-timer recording (63) MICREF LEVEL lo w (62) WIDE SELECT (62) BL T -IN ZOOM MIC (62) 60 min Remaining bat tery Recording f older of memory card VIDEO LIGHT (26) Return but ton (53) Center Indicator Meaning [STBY]/[REC] Re cording s tatus (21[...]

  • Page 90

    90 GB P ar ts and contr ols Figures in ( ) a re ref erence pages. DCR-S R15E/SR20E  Lens  LENS COVER switch  Built-in microphone  LED VIDEO LIGHT (26) DCR-SX15E/SX20E  Lens  LENS COVER switch  Built-in microphone  LED VIDEO LIGHT (26)  L CD screen (26, 53) If you r otat e the LCD panel 180 degrees, you can close the LCD p[...]

  • Page 91

    91 Quick referenc e GB DCR-SX15E/SX20E  Speaker   (USB) jack (48) DCR-SX15E: o utpu t only  A/V OUT jack (33)  MODE button (21)   (Backlight) button (26)  RESET button Press RES ET using a point ed object. Press RES ET to initialize all the settings including the clock settin g. DCR-S R15E/SR20E  Po wer zoom lever (25) ?[...]

  • Page 92

    92 GB DCR-SX15E/SX20E  Po wer zoom lever (25)  PHOT O button (24)  POWER lamp  ST ART/STOP button (21)  Battery pack (11)  CHG (charge) lamp (11)  Grip belt (20)  DC IN jack (11)  Access lamp (memory card) (18) While the lamp is li t or flashing, the camcorder i s reading or writing da ta.  BA T T (battery) release lev[...]

  • Page 93

    93 GB Quick referenc e Index DIVIDE ........................................ 38 DROP S ENSOR .......................... 69 Dubbing .......................................40 DVDirect Expr ess ....................... 48 DVD writer............................ 48, 50 E EMPTY ........................................ 66 EXPOSURE .........................[...]

  • Page 94

    94 GB Po wer on ...................................... 14 POWER SETTINGS ..................68 Precau tions ..................................83 PROTECT ................................... 37 R REC MODE ................................. 25 Recording .................................... 21 Recording media.........................17 Recording time of [...]

  • Page 95

    Addi tional informa tion on this p roduct and answers t o frequently a sked question s can be found a t our Cus tomer Su pport W ebsite. http://www.son y .net/[...]