Sony DCR-PC106E Operations Instructions

3-089-179-11(1)© 2004 Sony CorporationCamera Operations GuideRead this firstDigital Video Camera RecorderDCR-PC106E/PC107E

Quick Start Guide10Recording/Playing back with easeBy switching to Easy Handycam operation, recording/playback operation becomes even easier.Easy Hand

Quick Reference100WARNINGBattery may explode if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble or dispose of in fire.b Notes on the Remote Commander• A butt

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference101Indicators for the LCD screen and viewfinderFollowing indicators will appear on the LCD screen and viewfinder to indi

Quick Reference102IndexNumerics16:9WIDE mode ... 4821-pin adaptor ... 40AA/V connecting cable .. 40, 62AC Adaptor ...

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference103OOperation confirmation beepSee BEEPPPAL ...83Photo scan ...4

Printed in JapanPrinted on 100% recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink.

Getting startedGetting started11Getting startedStep 1: Checking supplied itemsMake sure you have following items supplied with your camcorder.The numb

Getting started12Step 2: Charging the battery pack You can charge the battery by attaching the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (F series) to your camcorder

Getting startedGetting started136 Insert your camcorder into the Handycam Station.7 Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).The CHARGE lamp lights up and ch

Getting started14To check the remaining battery – Battery InfoYou can check the battery’s current charge level and its current remaining recording tim

Getting startedGetting started15* Approximate number of minutes when recording while you repeatedly record, start/stop, slide the POWER switch to chan

Getting started16Step 3: Turning the power onYou need to slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the desired power mode to record or play.When usi

Getting startedGetting started17Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinderAdjusting the LCD panelYou can adjust the angle and brightness of the LC

Getting started18LCD panel rotated 180 degrees and closed with the screen facing out.1 Slide the POWER switch to select the CAMERA mode. (p. 16)2 Exte

Getting startedGetting started193 Touch to display PAGE1.4 Touch MENU.5 Select (SETUP MENU) with / , then touch EXEC.6 Select CLOCK SET with / ,

2Read this firstBefore operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference.WARNINGTo prevent fire or shock haza

Getting started20Step 6: Inserting a cassette tapeYou can use mini DV cassettes only. For details on these cassettes (such as write-protection), see

Getting startedGetting started21Step 7: Setting the screen languageYou can select the language to be used on the LCD screen.1 Turn on your camcorder.2

Recording22RecordingRecording moviesBefore recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in “Getting started” (p. 11 - p. 21).When you are recording, movies will be

RecordingRecording23the POWER switch until the CAMERA lamp lights up, and then press REC START/STOP.z Tips• If you do not use your camcorder for a lon

Recording24Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder, then rotate it 180 degrees towards the subject.A mirror-image of the subject appears on the

RecordingRecording25Recording still images – Tape photo recordingYou can record still images. Before recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in “Getting starte

Recording26Recording with ease – Easy HandycamWith this Easy Handycam operation, most of the camera settings are set to the automatic mode, only basic

RecordingRecording27Adjusting the exposureThe exposure is adjusted automatically in the default setting.Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjectsWhe

Recording28To return the setting to automatic exposureFollow steps 1 to 3, then touch [ AUTO] in step 4. Or set [EXPOSURE] to [ AUTO] (p. 29).b Notes•

RecordingRecording29Adjusting the exposure manuallyYou can fix the brightness of a picture at the best exposure. When recording indoors on a clear day

3Notes on using this manual• The images of the LCD screen and the viewfinder used on this manual are captured using a digital still camera, and thus m

Recording30Recording in dark places – NightShot plusYou can record subjects in dark places (such as when capturing the face of your baby sleeping) wit

RecordingRecording31Adjusting the focusThe focus is adjusted automatically in the default setting.Adjusting the focus for an off-center subject – SPOT

Recording324 Touch [MANUAL].9 appears.5 Touch or to adjust the focus.: To focus on close subjects.: To focus on distant subjects.9 changes to wh

RecordingRecording33[MONOTONE]When fading in, the picture gradually changes from black-and-white to color.When fading out, the picture gradually chang

Recording344 Touch .To cancel the operationTouch [END SCH] again.b Note• The END SEARCH function will not work correctly when there is a blank section

PlaybackPlayback35PlaybackViewing pictures recorded on a tapeMake sure you have a recorded tape inserted into your camcorder.When you want to play bac

Playback36Indicators displayed during playbackA Remaining battery timeB Recording mode (SP or LP)C Tape transport indicatorD Time code (hour: minute:

PlaybackPlayback37Playing back with ease – Easy HandycamEasy Handycam operation allows easy playback for even first time users by providing only the b

Playback38Various playback functionsYou can display the recorded date and camera setting data.Displaying the screen indicatorsYou can choose to displa

PlaybackPlayback39If you record the picture without setting the clock, [-- -- ----] and [--:--:--] will appear.A SteadyShot offB ExposureC White balan

4• When removing your camcorder from the Handycam Station, hold both your camcorder and the Handycam Station as shown in the following illustration, a

Playback40Playing the picture on a TVConnect your camcorder via the Handycam Station or the A/V OUT jack of your camcorder to a TV using the supplied

PlaybackPlayback41Locating a scene on a tape for playbackSearching quickly for a desired scene – Zero set memory1 During playback, press ZERO SET MEMO

Playback42Playback starts automatically from the selected title.To cancel the operationPress STOP on the Remote Commander.b Notes• You cannot use Titl

PlaybackPlayback43choosing the recording date on the screen. ([CM SEARCH] is set to [ON] by default).When you are using a cassette that does not have

Customizing Your Camcorder44BAdvanced operationsCustomizing Your CamcorderChanging the menu settingsYou can change various settings or make detailed a

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder45Using the (MANUAL SET) menu – PROGRAM AE/P EFFECT, etc.You can select items listed below on th

Customizing Your Camcorder46**Your camcorder is adjusted to focus only on distant subjects.bNote• When you set the NIGHTSHOT PLUS switch to ON, [PROGR

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder47FLASH LVLNote that these settings will not function with external flashes that do not support th

Customizing Your Camcorder48Using the (CAMERA SET) menu – D ZOOM/16:9WIDE, etc.You can select items listed below on the CAMERA SET menu. To select i

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder49* The picture appears in full screen when the wide-screen TV switches to full mode.**Played in 4

5Read this first ... 2Quick Start GuideRecording movies ...

Customizing Your Camcorder50Using the (PLAYER SET)/ (VCR SET) menu – HiFi SOUND/AUDIO MIXYou can select items listed below in the menu (the PLAYER

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder51Using the (LCD/VF SET) menu – LCD B.L./LCD COLOR/VF B.L.You can select items listed below on t

Customizing Your Camcorder52Using the (CM SET) menu – TITLE/TAPE TITLE/ERASE ALL, etc.You can select items listed below on the CM SET menu. To selec

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder53Colorwhite t yellow t violet t red t cyan t green t blue Sizesmall y large (You can only select

Customizing Your Camcorder54CM SEARCHTAPE TITLEYou can label a cassette with Cassette Memory (up to 10 letters).The label will be displayed for approx

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder55Using the (TAPE SET) menu – REC MODE/FRAME REC/INT.REC, etc.You can select items listed below

Customizing Your Camcorder56b Notes• When you use frame recording continuously, the remaining tape time will not be indicated correctly.• The last sce

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder57z Tips• If you adjust the focus manually, you may be able to record clear pictures even if the l

Customizing Your Camcorder58Using the (SETUP MENU) menu – CLOCK SET/USB STREAM/LANGUAGE, etc.You can select items listed below on the SETUP MENU men

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder59– When a mode other than CAMERA is selected.• If [A.SHUT OFF] is set to [5min] when the camcorde

6Recording a picture using various effects ... 32Fading in and out of a scene – FADER ...

Customizing Your Camcorder60Using the (OTHERS) menu – WORLD TIME, etc.You can select items listed below on the OTHERS menu. To select these items, s

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder61b Note• The setting returns to [ON] when you have the power source disconnected from your camcor

Dubbing/Editing62Dubbing/EditingConnecting to a VCR or TVYou can create a copy of the picture recorded on your camcorder on other recording device (p.

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing63To use an i.LINK cable for connectionUse an i.LINK cable (optional) to connect your camcorder to the other device via

Dubbing/Editing64Recording pictures from a VCR (DCR-PC107E)You can record and edit pictures from a VCR on a tape inserted in your camcorder via an i.L

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing65• Insert a cassette for recording.• Set the input selector to input mode if your VCR has one.3 Prepare your camcorder

Dubbing/Editing668 Select [EXECUTE] with / , then touch [EXEC].The recording starts on your VCR when the setting is correct. [COMPLETE] appears when

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing67You can adjust the synchronization of your camcorder and the VCR to avoid not recording the starting scene.1 Remove th

Dubbing/Editing68When you are performing Digital program editing for the first time to a tape in a VCR, go through the procedures described in Steps 1

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing69To save a program without using it to record Touch [ END] in step 9.The program is stored in memory until the cassette

7Advanced operationsCustomizing Your Cam-corderChanging the menu settings ...44Using the (MANUAL SET) menu – PROGRAM AE/P EFFECT, etc. .

Dubbing/Editing70Dubbing sound to a recorded tapeYou can record additional audio to the original sound on the tape. You can add sound to a tape alread

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing714 Touch (pause) again at the point where you want to start recording the sound.The playback pauses.5 Touch and sel

Dubbing/Editing72Creating DVDs or VCDsWhen your camcorder is connected to a Sony VAIO series personal computer, you can easily burn the picture record

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting73TroubleshootingTroubleshooting If you run into any problem using your camcorder, use the following table to troublesho

Troubleshooting74Cassette tapesThe battery pack is quickly discharged.• The temperature of the environment is too low, or the battery pack has not bee

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting75LCD screen/viewfinderRecordingSymptom Cause and/or Corrective ActionsAn unknown language appears on the screen.cSee pa

Troubleshooting76PlaybackThe SteadyShot function does not function.cSet STEADYSHOT to [ON] in the (CAMERA SET) menu. (p. 49)Auto focus does not func

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting77Dubbing/EditingNo sound or only a low sound is heard.cSet [HiFi SOUND] to [STEREO] in the (PLAYER SET) menu for DCR-

Troubleshooting78The title cannot be deleted. cSet the write-protect tab to REC. (p. 84)Title search does not work. cEnter a title if there is no titl

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting79Warning indicators and messagesSelf-diagnosis display/Warning indicatorsIf indicators appear on the screen or in the v

Quick Start Guide8Quick Start GuideRecording movies1 Attach the charged battery pack to the camcorder.To charge the battery, see page 12.2 Insert a ca

Troubleshooting80* You hear a melody or beep sound when the warning indicators appear on the screen.Z (Eject cassette warning)* Slow flashing:• The wr

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting81Warning messagesIf messages appear on the screen, check the following. See the page in parentheses for details.Subject

Troubleshooting82* For DCR-PC107EOthers Cannot record due to copyright protection.* –Cannot add audio. Disconnect the i.LINK cable. cSee page 70.Not r

Additional InformationAdditional Information83Additional InformationUsing your camcorder abroadPower supplyYou can use your camcorder in any countries

Additional Information84z Tip• The memory capacity of the cassette marked with is 4k bits. Your camcorder can accommodate cassettes having a memory c

Additional InformationAdditional Information85About the “InfoLITHIUM” battery packThis unit is compatible with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (F serie

Additional Information86About storage of the battery pack• If the battery pack is not used for a long time, fully charge the battery pack and use it o

Additional InformationAdditional Information87device. It is also indicated near the i.LINK interface on some devices.The maximum baud rate for device

Additional Information88• Do not wrap your camcorder with a towel, for example, and operate it. Doing so might cause heat to build up inside.• When di

Additional InformationAdditional Information89LCD screen• Do not add excessive pressure on the LCD screen, as it may cause damage. • If your camcorder

Quick Start GuideQuick Start Guide93 Start recording while checking the subject on the LCD screen.The date and time is not set up in the default setti

Additional Information90ProceduresConnect your camcorder to a wall socket using the supplied AC Adaptor, and leave it with the POWER switch set to OFF

Additional InformationAdditional Information91Minimum illumination5 lx (lux) (F 1.7)0 lx (lux) (during the NightShot plus function)** Objects unable t

Additional Information9245 g (1.6 oz)Operating temperature0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)TypeLithium ionDesign and specifications are subject to change wi

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference93Quick ReferenceIdentifying parts and controlsCamcorderA LCD/Touch panel screen (p. 2, 17)B LCD BACKLIGHT button* (p. 1

Quick Reference94A (LANC) jack (blue)The LANC control jack is used for controlling the tape transport of video device and peripherals connected to

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference95A Microphone (p. 70)B Lens (Carl Zeiss Lens)/Lens coverYour camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens which can rep

Quick Reference96A Viewfinder lens adjustment lever (p. 17)B OPEN/ZEJECT lever (p. 20)C Tripod receptacleMake sure that the length of the tripod scre

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference972 Detach the Strap Belt attachment from your camcorder.3 Use the Strap Belt as a wrist strap as illustrated.To attach

Quick Reference98Handycam StationA Interface connectorB (USB) ON/OFF switchSet the (USB) ON/OFF switch to ON while using the USB connection.C A/V O

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference99Remote CommanderRemove the insulation sheet before using the Remote Commander.A PHOTO button (p. 25)B SEARCH M. button