Sony HDR-CX12E Specifications

3-876-055-11(1)Digital HD Video Camera RecorderHandycam HandbookHDR-CX11E/CX12E 2008 Sony CorporationGetting StartedEditingUtilizing recording mediaC

10Approximate recording time of moviese recordable time varies depending on the setting of [REC MODE] (p. 62) and the capacity of “Memory Stick PRO D

100 Near strong magnetic elds or mechanical vibration. e camcorder may malfunction. Near strong radio waves or radiation. e camcorder may not be

Additional Information101is is not a malfunction. While using your camcorder, the back of the LCD screen may heat up. is is not a malfunction.To cl

102On trademarks “Handycam” and are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. “AVCHD” and “AVCHD” logotype are trademarks of Matsushita Electric

Additional Information103Source code is provided on the web. Use the following URL to download it. When downloading the source code, select HDR-CX12 a

104Quick ReferenceIdentifying parts and controlse numbers in ( ) are reference pages. Power zoom lever (27, 34) PHOTO button (22, 26) POWER switch

Quick Reference105 Hooks for a shoulder beltAttach a shoulder belt (optional). Remote sensor/Infrared portPoint the Remote Commander (108) towards t

106 DISP/BATT INFO button (16, 20) NIGHTSHOT switch (28)  (back light) button (29) (HOME) button (12, 59) Zoom buttons (27, 34) START/STOP but

Quick Reference107 Lens (Carl Zeiss Lens) (4) Flash MANUAL button (30) CAMERA CONTROL dial (30) Tripod receptacleAttach the tripod (optional: the

108Remote Commander  DATA CODE button (70)Displays the date and time or camera setting data of the recorded images when you press this during playbac

Quick Reference109WARNINGBattery may explode if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble or dispose of in re. When the lithium battery becomes weak,

Enjoying your camcorder11“ HOME” and “ OPTION” - Taking advantage of two types of menus“ HOME MENU” - the starting point for operations with your

110Indicators displayed during recording/playbackRecording moviesRecording still imagesViewing moviesViewing still images HOME button (12, 59) Remai

Quick Reference111Indicators when you made changesFollowing indicators appear during recording/playback to indicate the settings of your camcorder.Upp

112Glossary5.1ch surround soundA system that plays back sound on 6 speakers, 3 at the front (le, right and center) and 2 at the rear (right and le)

Quick Reference113IndexNumeric1080i/576i ... 7316:9 ... 7316:9 WIDE ...

114HELP ... 12Holding the camcorder ... 20HOME MENU ... 11, 59IIcon ...

Quick Reference115SMILE PRIORITY ... 69SMILE SENSITIVITY ... 69SMILE SHUTTER ... 68SMTH SLW REC ...

12Using the HOME MENU1 While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow to turn on the power.2 Press (HOME) 

Enjoying your camcorder133 Touch the item you want to learn more about.When you touch an item, its explanation appears on the screen.To apply the opt

14Getting StartedStep 1: Checking supplied itemsMake sure that you have the following items supplied with your camcorder.e number in the parentheses

Getting Started15Step 2: Charging the battery packYou can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (H series) (p. 98) after attaching it to your camcorde

16To remove your camcorder from the Handycam StationTurn o the power, then remove the camcorder from the Handycam Station holding both your camcorder

Getting Started17Aer a while, the approximate recordable time and battery information appear for about 7 seconds. You can view the battery informatio

18On the charging/recording/playback time Times measured with the camcorder at 25°C (77 ˚F). 10°C to 30°C (50 ˚F to 86 ˚F) is recommended. e recor

Getting Started193 Select the desired geographical area with / , then touch [NEXT].4 Set [SUMMERTIME], then touch [NEXT].5 Set [Y] (year) with

2Read this before operating your camcorderBefore operating the unit, please read this Handbook thoroughly, and retain it for future reference.Notes on

20Step 4: Making setting adjustments before recordingAdjusting the LCD panelOpen the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (), then rotate it to the

Getting Started21Step 5: Inserting a “Memory Stick PRO Duo”For types of “Memory Stick” you can use in your camcorder, see page 2.Tips For the number/

22Recording/PlaybackRecording and playback with ease (Easy Handycam operation)Easy Handycam operation makes nearly all settings automatic so that you

Recording/Playback23Playing back recorded movies/still images1 Slide the POWER switch  to turn on your camcorder.2 Press (VIEW IMAGES)  (or ).

24Tips When playback from the selected movie reaches the last movie, the screen returns to the [VISUAL INDEX] screen. You can slow down the playback

Recording/Playback25RecordingNotes If the access lamp is lit or ashing aer recording is nished, it means data is still being written onto the “Mem

26Recording movies1 Slide the POWER switch  in the direction of the arrow until the (Movie) lamp lights up.2 Press START/STOP  (or ).To stop re

Recording/Playback27ZoomingYou can magnify images up to 12 times the original size with the power zoom lever or the zoom buttons on the LCD frame.Move

28Starting shooting quickly (QUICK ON)When you press QUICK ON, the camcorder goes to sleep mode (power saving mode) instead of turning o. e QUICK ON

Recording/Playback29Tips To record an image brighter, use the Super NightShot function (p. 81). To record an image more faithfully to the original co

3About menu items, LCD panel and lens A menu item that is grayed out is not available under the current recording or playback conditions. e LCD scr

30[RECORD SOUND]Select [ON] ( ) to superimpose sounds such as conversation on the slow motion pictures (e default setting is [OFF]). Your camcorder

Recording/Playback31Playback1 Slide the POWER switch  to turn on your camcorder.2 Press (VIEW IMAGES)  (or ).e [VISUAL INDEX] screen appears o

323 Start playing back.Playing moviesTouch the or tab, then select the desired movie to play back.Tips When playback from the selected movie rea

Recording/Playback33Searching for desired scene by pinpoint (Film Roll Index)Movies can be divided by a set time and the rst scene of each division i

34Tips You can display the [Face Index] screen by touching (HOME)  (VIEW IMAGES)  [INDEX].Searching for desired images by date (Date Index)You c

Recording/Playback35Playing back a series of still images (Slide show)Touch on the still image playback screen.e slide show begins from the selecte

36Playing the image on a TVConnection methods and quality of the image (HD (high denition)/SD (standard denition)) viewed on the TV screen dier dep

Recording/Playback37Selecting the most advantageous connection - TV CONNECT GuideYour camcorder will advise you of the most advantageous way of connec

38Connecting to a high denition TVImages recorded with HD (high denition) image quality are played back with HD (high denition) image quality. Imag

Recording/Playback39 : Signal owType Camcorder Cable TV HOME MENU settingNotes Use an HDMI cable with the HDMI logo. Use an HDMI mini Connector on

4 Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the Handycam Station holding both the Handycam Station and the DC plug. Be sure to turn the POWER switch to OFF (CH

40not compatible with the 16:9 signal, touch (HOME)  (SETTINGS)  [MOVIE SETTINGS]  [WIDE SELECT]  [4:3] on your camcorder when recording an im

Recording/Playback41When connecting to your TV via a VCRConnect your camcorder to the LINE IN input on the VCR using the A/V connecting cable. Set the

42up/down/le/right/enter buttons on the remote commander of your TVNotes To set your camcorder, touch (HOME)  (SETTINGS)  [GENERAL SET]  [CTRL

Recording/Playback43Saving imagese images are recorded on the “Memory Stick PRO Duo.” Due to the limited capacity of the “Memory Stick PRO Duo,” make

44Editing (OTHERS) categoryis category enables you to edit the images on the “Memory Stick PRO Duo.” Also, you can enjoy your camcorder by connecting

Editing45Deleting imagesYou can delete images recorded on the “Memory Stick PRO Duo” using your camcorder.Notes You cannot restore images once they a

46Deleting still images1 Touch (HOME)  (OTHERS)  [DELETE].2 Touch [ DELETE].3 Touch [ DELETE].4 Touch the still image to be deleted.e selec

Editing47Capturing a still image from a movie (HDR-CX12E) You can save a selected frame from a recorded movie as a still image.Set the image quality

48Dividing a movieSet the image quality of the movie you want to divide beforehand (p. 56).Tips e images recorded on your camcorder are called “orig

Editing49Creating the Playliste Playlist is a list showing thumbnails of the movies that you have selected. e original movies are not changed even i

5Table of contentsRead this before operating your camcorder ...2Subject examples and solutions ...

50Playing the PlaylistSet the image quality in which you want to create/play/edit a Playlist beforehand (p. 56).1 Touch (HOME)  (VIEW IMAGES) 

Editing51Dubbing to other devicesConnecting with the A/V connecting cableYou can dub images played back on your camcorder to other recording devices,

52and red plugs (le/right audio) and the S VIDEO plug (S VIDEO channel) of the A/V connecting cable with an S VIDEO cable (optional). e yellow plug

Editing532 Connect the  (USB) jack of your camcorder and a DVD writer, etc., with the supplied USB cable.e [USB SELECT] screen appears automaticall

54Printing recorded still images (PictBridge compliant printer)You can print out still images using a PictBridge compliant printer, without connecting

Editing55Notes We can guarantee the operation of only models that are PictBridge compatible. Refer also to the instruction manual of the printer to

56Utilizing recording media (MANAGE MEDIA) categoryis category enables you to use the “Memory Stick PRO Duo” for various purposes.Item list/ SETYou c

Utilizing recording media57Checking the “Memory Stick PRO Duo” informationYou can check the remaining recordable time for each [REC MODE] (p. 62), and

58Repairing the image database leis function checks the management information and the consistency of movies in the “Memory Stick PRO Duo” and repai

Customizing your camcorder59Customizing your camcorderWhat you can do with the (SETTINGS) category of the HOME MENUYou can change the recording fu

6Customizing your camcorderWhat you can do with the (SETTINGS) category of the HOME MENU... 59Using the HOME M

60List of the (SETTINGS) category itemsMOVIE SETTINGS (p. 62)Items PageREC MODE62AUDIO MODE62AE SHIFT62WB SHIFT62NIGHTSHOT LIGHT63WIDE SELECT63DIGIT

Customizing your camcorder61GENERAL SET (p. 75)Items PageDEMO MODE75REC LAMP75CALIBRATION101A.SHUT OFF75QUICK ON STBY75REMOTE CTRL75CTRL FOR HDMI75*1

62MOVIE SETTINGS(Items for recording movies)Touch , then .If the item is not on the screen, touch / to change the page.How to set (HOME) menu  p

Customizing your camcorder63Tips When the white balance is set to a lower value, images appear bluish, and when set to a higher value, images appear

64X.V.COLORWhen recording, set to [ON] to capture wider range of colors. Various colors such as the brilliant color of owers and turquoise blue of th

Customizing your camcorder65 [SUB-T DATE] cannot be set for SD (standard denition) image quality.FLASH MODEYou can select the ash setting when you

66PHOTO SETTINGS(Items for recording still images)Touch , then .If the item is not on the screen, touch / to change the page.How to set (HOME) me

Customizing your camcorder67AE SHIFTSee page 62.WB SHIFT (White Balance Shift)See page 62.NIGHTSHOT LIGHTSee page 63.STEADYSHOTSee page 63.GUIDEFRAME

68FACE FUNC. SET(Items to set face function)Touch , then .If the item is not on the screen, touch / to change the page.How to set (HOME) menu  pag

Customizing your camcorder69Notes Smiles may not be detected depending on the recording conditions, subject conditions and the settings of your camco

7Subject examples and solutionsChecking your golf swingGetting a good shot of a ski slope or beach SMTH SLW REC ...

70VIEW IMAGES SET(Items to customize the display)Touch , then .If the item is not on the screen, touch / to change the page.How to set (HOME) men

Customizing your camcorder71DISPLAYYou can select the number of thumbnails that appear on the [VISUAL INDEX] screen or the Playlist.umbnail  Glossar

72SOUND/DISP SET(Items to adjust the sound and the screen)Touch , then .If the item is not on the screen, touch / to change the page.How to set (

Customizing your camcorder73OUTPUT SETTINGS(Items for when connecting other devices)Touch , then .If the item is not on the screen, touch / to ch

74CLOCK/ LANG(Items to set clock and language)Touch , then .If the item is not on the screen, touch / to change the page.How to set (HOME) menu 

Customizing your camcorder75GENERAL SET(Other setup items)Touch , then .If the item is not on the screen, touch / to change the page.How to set (

76Activating functions using the OPTION MENUe (OPTION) menu appears just like the pop-up window that appears when you right-click the mouse on a

Customizing your camcorder77Recording items on the OPTION MENUItems*Page tabSPOT MTR/FCS78SPOT METER78SPOT FOCUS78TELE MACRO78EXPOSURE79FOCUS79A

78Functions set in the OPTION MENUItems you can set only on the (OPTION) menu will be described below.e default settings are marked with .SPOT M

Customizing your camcorder79To cancel, touch [OFF], or zoom to wide-angle (W side).Notes When recording a distant subject, focusing may be dicult an

8Enjoying your camcorderOperation ow Get ready (p. 14).For types of “Memory Stick PRO Duo” you can use in your camcorder, see page 2. Record with H

80 TWILIGHT PORT. ( )Select to take a subject in the foreground against a night view. CANDLE ( )Select to maintain the dim atmosphere of a candlel

Customizing your camcorder81WHITE BAL. (White balance)You can adjust the color balance to the brightness of the recording environment. AUTOe white b

82Notes Do not use [SUPER NIGHTSHOT] in bright places. is may cause a malfunction. Do not cover the infrared port with your ngers or other objects

Customizing your camcorder83SELF-TIMERWhen you set this to [ON], appears.Press PHOTO to start the count down, a still image is recorded aer about 1

84TroubleshootingTroubleshootingIf you run into any problems using your camcorder, use the following table to troubleshoot the problem. If the problem

Troubleshooting85 [COLOR SLOW SHTR] [SUPER NIGHTSHOT] [BLT-IN ZOOM MIC] [MICREF LEVEL]Your camcorder gets warm. Your camcorder may become warm du

86LCD screenMenu items are grayed out. You cannot select grayed items in the current recording/playback situation. ere are some functions you canno

Troubleshooting87The ash does not work. You cannot record with the ash while: Capturing still images while shooting a movie If a conversion lens

88Horizontal stripes appear on the image. is occurs when recording images under a uorescent lamp, sodium lamp, or mercury lamp. is is not a malfun

Troubleshooting89Editing images on your camcorderUnable to edit. Unable to edit because of the condition of the image.Images cannot be added in the P

Enjoying your camcorder9 Save recorded images.Dubbing to other devices (p. 51)e dubbing image quality (HD (high denition)/SD (standard denition))

90Functions that cannot be used simultaneouslye following list shows examples of unworkable combinations of functions and menu items.e buttons of un

Troubleshooting91Warning indicators and messagesSelf-diagnosis display/Warning indicatorsIf indicators appear on the LCD screen, check the following.I

92 (Warning indicator pertaining to the ash)Fast ashing ere is something wrong with the ash. (Warning indicator pertaining to camera-shake warnin

Troubleshooting93This Memory Stick may not be able to record or play movies. Use a “Memory Stick” recommended for your camcorder (p. 2).This Memory S

94Additional InformationUsing your camcorder abroadPower supplyYou can use your camcorder in any country/region using the AC Adaptor supplied with you

Additional Information95Setting to the local timeYou can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time dierence when using your camcorder

96File/folder structure on the “Memory Stick PRO Duo”e le/folder structure is shown below. You do not usually need to acknowledge the le/folder str

Additional Information97Maintenance and precautionsAbout the AVCHD formatWhat is the AVCHD format?e AVCHD format is a high denition digital video ca

98magnets or magnetic elds It is recommended you make a back-up of important data on the hard disk of a computer. Be careful not to apply excessive

Additional Information99To charge the battery pack Be sure to charge the battery pack before you start using your camcorder. We recommend charging t