Sony DCR-HC27E User Manual

2-891-371-11(1)© 2006 Sony CorporationDigital Video Camera RecorderOperating GuideDCR-HC27E/HC28EGetting Started 8Recording/Playback18Using the Menu 3

104 Connect the mains lead to the AC Adaptor and the wall socket.The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and charging starts.5 The CHG (charge) lamp turns off

11Getting StartedRecording timeApproximate time (min.) available when you use a fully charged battery pack.• All times measured under the following co

12Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly To record or play back, slide the POWER switch repeatedly to turn on the respective l

13Getting StartedStep 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinderOpen the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it to the best angle to

14Step 5: Using the touch panelYou can play back recorded pictures (p. 21), or change the settings (p. 30) using the touch panel.Place your hand on th

15Getting Started3 Touch the area including the indicator that you want to check.The meanings of the indicators in the area are listed on the screen.

16Step 6: Setting the date and timeSet the date and time when using this camcorder for the first time. If you do not set the date and time, the [CLOCK

17Getting StartedStep 7: Inserting a CassetteYou can use mini DV cassettes only (p. 61).• The recordable time varies depending on [REC MODE] (p. 42)

18Recording/PlaybackEasy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam)1 Slide the POWER switch A in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the CAMERA l

19Recording/PlaybackSlide the POWER switch A in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp. Touch the buttons on the screen D

2Read this firstBefore operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference.To reduce fire or shock hazard, do n

20Recording1 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the CAMERA lamp.2 Press REC START/STOP to start recording.To s

21Recording/PlaybackPlayback1 Slide the POWER switch in the direction of the arrow repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.2 Start playing back.Touch

22Functions used for recording/playback, etc.To use zoom... 1 Move the power zoom lever 1 slightly for a slower zoom. Move it

23Recording/PlaybackTo adjust the focus for an off center subject (SPOT FOCUS) ... q;See [SPOT FOCUS] on page 32.To fix the exposure for th

24Indicators displayed during recording/playbackA Remaining battery (approx.)B Recording mode (SP or LP) (42)C Recording status ([STBY] (standby) or [

25Recording/PlaybackYou can use [DISP GUIDE] (p. 14) to check the function of each indicator that appears on the LCD screen.• Some of the indicators m

26Searching for the starting pointMake sure that the CAMERA lamp lights up (p. 20).[END SCH] (END SEARCH) will not work once you eject the cassette af

27Recording/PlaybackYou can view a few seconds of the scene recorded just before you stopped the tape.1 Touch t [PAGE1] t [MENU].2 Select (CAMERA S

28Playing the picture on a TVYou can connect your camcorder to the input jack of a TV or a VCR using the A/V connecting cable (1) or the A/V connectin

29Recording/Playback

3Types of cassette you can use in your camcorder• You can use mini DV cassettes marked with . Mini DV cassettes with Cassette Memory are incompatible

30Using the MenuUsing the menu itemsFollow the instructions below to use each of the menu items listed after this page.1 Slide the POWER switch in the

31Using the Menux To use menu items during Easy Handycam operation1 Touch .2 Select the desired menu.Touch [MENU] then select the desired menu.3 Chang

32Operation button itemsAvailable operation buttons vary depending on the position of the lamp and the display (PAGE).The default settings are marked

33Using the MenuTo return the setting to automatic exposure, touch [ AUTO] or set [EXPOSURE] to [ AUTO].• If you set [SPOT METER], [EXPOSURE] is aut

34You can fix the brightness of a picture manually. When recording indoors on a clear day, for instance, you can avoid backlight shadows on people nex

35Using the MenuYou can adjust the brightness of the LCD screen. The recorded picture will not be affected by this operation.Adjust the brightness wit

36[PAGE3]You can play back in various modes while viewing movies.1 Touch the following buttons during playback.2 Touch [ RET.] t .To return to the no

37Using the Menu* The value set before Easy Handycam operation will be retained during Easy Handycam operation.Menu items• Available menu items (z) va

38MANUAL SET menu– PROGRAM AE/P EFFECT, etc.The default settings are marked with B.The indicators in parentheses appear when the items are selected.Se

39Using the MenuSEPIAPictures appear in sepia.B&WPictures appear in black and white.SOLARIZEPictures appear as an illustration with strong contras

4On recording• Before starting to record, test the recording function to make sure the picture and sound are recorded without any problems.• Compensat

40You can record a picture in a ratio suitable for the screen on which it will be displayed.Refer also to the operating instructions supplied with you

41Using the MenuPLAYER SET/VCR SET menu– AUDIO MIXThe PLAYER SET menu is for the DCR-HC27E, and the VCR SET menu is for the DCR-HC28E.See page 30 for

42You can adjust the brightness of the viewfinder. The recorded picture will not be affected by this operation.B BRT NORMALStandard brightness.BRIGHTB

43Using the MenuB AUTODisplays the remaining tape indicator for about 8 seconds in situations such as those described below.• When you set the POWER s

44OTHERS menu– WORLD TIME/BEEP, etc.The default settings are marked with B.See page 30 for details on selecting menu items.When using your camcorder a

45Dubbing/EditingDubbing/EditingDubbing to VCR/DVD device, etc.You can copy the picture played back on your camcorder to other recording devices (VCR/

461 Prepare your camcorder for playback.Insert the recorded cassette.Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.2 Prepare your VC

47Dubbing/EditingRecording pictures from a TV or VCR/DVD device, etc. (DCR-HC28E)You can record pictures or TV programs from a TV or VCR/DVD device, e

485 When recording pictures from a VCR/DVD device:Start playing the cassette or the disc on the VCR/DVD device.When recording pictures from a TV:Selec

49Dubbing/EditingInsert a recorded cassette into your camcorder beforehand.1 Slide the POWER switch repeatedly to turn on the PLAY/EDIT lamp.2 Touch

5Table of ContentsRead this first ...2Step 1: Checking suppli

50Jacks to connect external devicesOpen the jack cover.A For DCR-HC27E: DV OUT Interface (i.LINK) (p. 45)For DCR-HC28E: DV Interface (i.LINK) (p. 45

51TroubleshootingTroubleshootingTroubleshootingIf you run into any problems using your camcorder, use the following table to troubleshoot the problem.

52The CHG (charge) lamp flashes while the battery pack is being charged.• Attach the battery pack to the camcorder correctly (p. 9). If the problem pe

53TroubleshootingThe picture remains on the LCD screen.• This occurs if you disconnect the DC plug from your camcorder or remove the battery pack with

54Refer also to “Adjusting the image during recording” (p. 54).The tape does not start when you press REC START/STOP.• Slide the POWER switch repeated

55TroubleshootingA vertical band appears when recording candlelight or electric light in the dark.• This occurs when the contrast between the subject

56The sound breaks off.• Clean the head using the cleaning cassette (optional) (p. 66).“---” is displayed on the screen.• The tape you are playing was

57TroubleshootingTime code and other information appear on the display of the connected device.• Set [DISP OUT] to [LCD] while connected with an A/V c

58Warning indicators and messagesIf indicators appear on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder, check the following.Some symptoms you can fix by yoursel

59TroubleshootingIf messages appear on the screen, follow the instructions.x Battery/PowerUse the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack. (p. 62)Battery level is

6Playing the picture on a TV ...28Using the menu items ...

60Invalid during Easy Handycam operation. (p. 19)HDV recorded tape. Cannot playback.• Your camcorder cannot play back this format. Play back the tape

61Additional InformationAdditional InformationUsing your camcorder abroadPower supplyYou can use your camcorder in any country/region using the AC Ada

62x To prevent accidental erasureSlide the write-protect tab on the cassette to set it to SAVE.x When labeling the cassetteBe sure to place the label

63Additional Information• Frequent use of the LCD screen or a frequent playback, fast forward or rewind operation wears out the battery pack faster.We

64About i.LINKThe DV Interface on this unit is an i.LINK-compliant DV Interface. This section describes the i.LINK standard and its features.What is i

65Additional InformationMaintenance and precautionsOn use and care• Do not use or store the camcorder and accessories in the following locations.– Any

66• The warning message does not appear when the power is turned on.• Neither % or Z flash when a cassette is inserted and video operation buttons are

67Additional Informationx On adjustment of the LCD screen (CALIBRATION)The buttons on the touch panel may not work correctly. If this happens, follow

68On charging the pre-installed rechargeable batteryYour camcorder has a pre-installed rechargeable battery to retain the date, time, and other settin

69Additional InformationColor temperature[AUTO], [ONE PUSH], [INDOOR] (3 200 K), [OUTDOOR] (5 800 K)Minimum illumination5 lx (lux) (F 1.8)0 lx (lux) (

7Using your camcorder abroad ...61Usable cassette tapes ...

70Dimensions (approx.)56 × 31 × 100 mm (2 1/4 × 1 1/4 × 4 in.) (w/h/d) excluding the projecting partsMass (approx.)190 g (6.7 oz) excluding the mains

71Additional InformationIndexNumeric12BIT...4216BIT...4216:9 WIDE...

72LCD panel ...13LCD screen...13LCD/VF SET menu...41Lens cap...8, 12, 1

73Additional InformationVV SPD PLAY (Various speed playback) ...36VCR SET menu...41VF B.L. (Viewfinder back light)...42Video

http://www.sony.net/Printed in JapanAdditional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Supp

8Getting StartedStep 1: Checking supplied itemsMake sure that you have following items supplied with your camcorder.The number in the parentheses indi

9Getting StartedStep 2: Charging the battery packYou can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (P series) (p. 62) after attaching it to your camcorder