Sony DCR-HC20 User Manual

3-088-336-11(1)© 2004 Sony CorporationCamera Operations GuideRead this firstDigital Video Camera RecorderDCR-HC20

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

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 (P series) to your camcorder

Getting startedGetting started13To remove the battery pack1Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).2 Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arro

Getting started14When LCD BACKLIGHT is set to OFFRecording time when recording with the viewfinder Approximate number of minutes available when you us

Getting startedGetting started15Step 3: Turning the power onYou need to slide the POWER switch repeatedly to select the desired power mode to record o

Getting started16Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinderAdjusting the LCD panelYou can adjust the angle and brightness of the LCD panel to meet

Getting startedGetting started17To use the viewfinder during operationWhen you are recording, you can adjust the exposure (p. 28) and fader (p. 31) wh

Getting started183 Touch to display PAGE1.4 Touch MENU.5 Select (SETUP MENU) with / , then touch EXEC.6 Select CLOCK SET with / , then touch EXEC

Getting startedGetting started19Step 6: Inserting a cassette tapeYou can use mini DV cassettes only. For details on these cassettes (such as write-p

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

RecordingRecording21RecordingRecording moviesBefore recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in “Getting started” (p. 11 - p. 20).When you are recording, movies

Recording22E Tape photo recording/Time code or tape counter (hour: minute: second)F Recording capacity of the tape (p. 55)G Function buttonb Notes• Be

RecordingRecording23Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder, then rotate it 180 degrees towards the subject.A mirror-image of the subject appea

Recording24Recording still images – Tape photo recordingYou can record still images. Before recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in “Getting started” (p. 11

RecordingRecording25Recording with ease – Easy HandycamWith this Easy Handycam operation, most of the camera settings are set to the automatic mode, o

Recording26Adjusting the exposureThe exposure is adjusted automatically in the default setting.Adjusting the exposure for backlit subjectsWhen your su

RecordingRecording27To return the setting to automatic exposureFollow steps 1 to 3, then touch [ AUTO] in step 4. Or set [EXPOSURE] to [ AUTO] (p. 28)

Recording28Adjusting the exposure manuallyYou can fix the brightness of a picture at the best exposure. When recording indoors on a clear day, for ins

RecordingRecording29Recording in dark places – NightShot plusYou can record subjects in dark places (such as when capturing the face of your baby slee

3Owner’s RecordThe model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers wh

Recording30To adjust the focus automaticallyFollow steps 1 to 3, then touch [ AUTO] in step 4. Or, set [FOCUS] to [ AUTO] (p. 30).b Note• You cannot u

RecordingRecording31Recording a picture using various effects Fading in and out of a scene – FADERYou can add the following effects to currently recor

Recording32Searching for the starting pointSearching for the last scene of the most recent recording – END SEARCHThis function is handy when you have

RecordingRecording33Reviewing the most recently recorded scenes – Rec reviewYou can view a few seconds of the scene recorded just before you stopped t

Playback34PlaybackViewing pictures recorded on a tapeMake sure you have a recorded tape inserted into your camcorder. Some of the operations are possi

PlaybackPlayback35Indicators displayed during playbackA Remaining battery timeB Recording mode (SP or LP)C Tape transport indicatorD Time code (hour:

Playback36Playing back with ease – Easy HandycamEasy Handycam operation allows easy playback for even first time users by providing only the basic fun

PlaybackPlayback37Various playback functionsYou can display the recorded date and camera setting data.Displaying the screen indicatorsYou can choose t

Playback38If you record the picture without setting the clock, [--- -- ----] and [--:--:--] will appear.A SteadyShot offB ExposureC White balanceD Gai

PlaybackPlayback39Playing the picture on a TVConnect your camcorder to a TV using the supplied A/V connecting cable as shown in the following illustra

4Notes on using the camcorder• Hold your camcorder correctly.• If the Strap Belt is too long, fasten the Strap Belt as shown in the following illustra

Playback40Locating a scene on a tape for playbackSearching quickly for a desired scene – Zero set memory1 During playback, press ZERO SET MEMORY on th

PlaybackPlayback41Playback starts automatically from the selected title.To cancel the operationPress STOP on the Remote Commander.b Notes• You cannot

Playback42choosing the recording date on the screen. ([CM SEARCH] is set to [ON] by default).When you are using a cassette that does not have Cassette

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder43BAdvanced operationsCustomizing Your CamcorderChanging the menu settingsYou can change various s

Customizing Your Camcorder44Using the (MANUAL SET) menu – PROGRAM AE/P EFFECT, etc.You can select items listed below on the MANUAL SET menu. To sele

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder45**Your camcorder is adjusted to focus only on distant subjects.b Note• When you set the NIGHTSHO

Customizing Your Camcorder46FLASH LVLNote that these settings will not function with external flashes that do not support the following settings.b Not

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder47Using the (CAMERA SET) menu – D ZOOM/16:9WIDE, etc.You can select items listed below on the CA

Customizing Your Camcorder48* The picture appears in full screen when the wide-screen TV switches to full mode.**Played in 4:3 mode. When you play a p

Customizing Your CamcorderCustomizing Your Camcorder49N.S.LIGHTWhen using the NightShot plus function to record, you can record clearer pictures by us

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

Customizing Your Camcorder50Using the (VCR SET) menu – HiFi SOUND/AUDIO MIXYou can select items listed below on the VCR SET menu. To select these it

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• If [A.SHUT OFF] is set to [5min] when the camcorder is used on the battery pack, the power wil

6Recording a picture using various effects ... 31Fading 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 record the picture from a VCR to a tape inserted into your camcorder (p. 63). You can

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing63Dubbing to another tapeYou can copy and edit the picture played back on your camcorder to other recording devices (suc

Dubbing/Editing64Dubbing selected scenes from a tape – Digital program editingYou can select up to 20 scenes (programs) and record them in the desired

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing65Select [IR] with / , then [EXEC]. Follow the procedure described in “To set the [IR SETUP] code” (p. 65).To set the [

Dubbing/Editing66* TV/VCR componentStep 2: Adjusting the synchronization of the VCRFollow the steps below when you are performing Digital program edit

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing67synchronization is recorded. [COMPLETE] appears when the recording is finished.5 Rewind the tape on your VCR, then pla

Dubbing/Editing68The starting point of the first program is set, and the upper part of the program mark changes to light blue.7 Search for the end of

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing69Dubbing sound to a recorded tapeYou can record additional audio to the original sound on the tape. You can add sound t

7Advanced operationsCustomizing Your Cam-corderChanging the menu settings ...43Using the (MANUAL SET) menu – PROGRAM AE/P EFFECT, etc. ..

Dubbing/Editing704 Touch (pause) again at the point where you want to start recording the sound.The playback pauses.5 Touch and select [PAGE3].6 T

Dubbing/EditingDubbing/Editing71Creating DVDs or VCDsWhen your camcorder is connected to a Sony VAIO series personal computer, you can easily burn the

Troubleshooting72TroubleshootingTroubleshooting If you run into any problem using your camcorder, use the following table to troubleshoot the problem.

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting73Cassette tapesLCD screen/viewfinderThe remaining battery time indicator does not indicate the correct time.• The tempe

Troubleshooting74RecordingAn unknown picture appears on the screen.• The camcorder is in [DEMO MODE]. ([DEMO MODE] is automatically displayed when you

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting75PlaybackA vertical band appears when recording a bright subject.• This phenomenon is called the smear effect. This is

Troubleshooting76Dubbing/EditingCannot perform Date search with the recording date displayed on the screen.cUse a cassette with Cassette Memory. (p. 8

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting77Digital program editing does not function.cSet the input selector on the VCR correctly, then check the connection betw

Troubleshooting78Warning indicators and messagesSelf-diagnosis display/Warning indicatorsIf indicators appear on the screen or in the viewfinder, chec

TroubleshootingTroubleshooting79* You hear a melody or beep sound when the warning indicators appear on the screen. (Warning indicator pertaining to t

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

Troubleshooting80Warning messagesIf messages appear on the screen, check the following. See the page in parentheses for details.Subjects Indications C

Additional InformationAdditional Information81Additional InformationUsing your camcorder abroadPower supplyYou can use your camcorder in any countries

Additional Information82Usable cassette tapesYou can use the mini DV format cassette only. Use a cassette with the mark. is a trademark.Cassette Mem

Additional InformationAdditional Information83When labeling the cassetteBe sure to place the label only on the locations as shown in the following ill

Additional Information84To use the battery pack effectively• Battery pack performance decreases when the surrounding temperature is 10°C (50°F) or bel

Additional InformationAdditional Information85About i.LINKThe DV Interface on this unit is an i.LINK-compliant DV Interface. This section describes th

Additional Information86Maintenance and precautionsOn use and care• Do not use or store the camcorder and accessories in the following locations.– Any

Additional InformationAdditional Information87Note on moisture condensationMoisture may condense when you bring your camcorder from a cold place into

Additional Information88b Note• You cannot calibrate the LCD screen if you have rotated the LCD panel and set it with the LCD screen facing out.Cleani

Additional InformationAdditional Information89SpecificationVideo camera recorderSystemVideo recording system2 rotary heads, Helical scanning systemAud

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 Information90Mass (approx.)380 g (13 oz) main unit only440 g (15 oz) including the NP-FP50 rechargeable battery pack and DVM60 cassette.Sup

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference91Quick ReferenceIdentifying parts and controlsCamcorderA LCD/Touch panel screen (p. 3, 16)B LCD BACKLIGHT button* (p. 1

Quick Reference92A Accessory shoe/Shoe cover (p. 69)Remove the shoe cover and extend the viewfinder when attaching/detaching the accessory to/from you

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference93A PHOTO button (p. 24)B Viewfinder lens adjustment lever (p. 16)C BATT (battery) release button (p. 13)D CHG (charge)

Quick Reference94A OPEN/ZEJECT lever (p. 19)B Strap BeltC Cassette lid (p. 19)D Tripod receptacleMake sure that the length of the tripod screw is les

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference95Remote CommanderRemove the insulation sheet before using the Remote Commander.A PHOTO button (p. 24)B SEARCH M. button

Quick Reference96WARNINGBattery may explode if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble or dispose of in fire.b Notes on the Remote Commander• A butto

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference97Indicators for the LCD screen and viewfinderFollowing indicators will appear on the LCD screen and viewfinder to indic

Quick Reference98IndexNumerics16:9WIDE mode ... 47AA/V connecting cable.. 39, 62AC Adaptor ... 14Adjusting the viewfin

Quick ReferenceQuick Reference99OOperation confirmation beepSee BEEPPPAL.........81Photo scan .......42P