Sony Handycam DCR SX65 User Manual

Click  
“HandycamHandbook  
DCR-SX45/SX65/SX85  
2011 Sony Corporation  
4-264-741-11(1)  
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Built-in USB Cable  
Read this first  
Supplied items  
The numbers in ( ) are the supplied  
quantity.  
AC Adaptor (1)  
Power cord (Mains lead) (1)  
A/V connecting cable (1)  
The camcorder is not dustproofed, dripproofed  
USB connection support cable (1)   
Attach this to the Built-in USB Cable (p. 13), if  
the Built-in USB Cable is not long enough.  
Rechargeable battery pack NP-FV30 (1)  
CD-ROM “Handycam” Application  
Software (1)  
“PMB” (software, including “PMB Help”)  
“Handycam” Handbook (PDF)  
Menu items, LCD panel, and lens  
A menu item that is grayed out is not available  
under the current recording or playback  
conditions.  
The LCD screen is manufactured using  
extremely high-precision technology, so over  
99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective  
use. However, there may be some tiny black  
points and/or bright points (white, red, blue,  
or green in color) that appear constantly on the  
LCD screen. These points are normal results of  
the manufacturing process and do not affect the  
recording in any way.  
“Operating Guide” (1)  
“PMB Portable” software is pre-loaded on the  
camcorder (p. 47).  
See page 18 for the memory card you can use  
with this camcorder.  
Using the camcorder  
Do not hold the camcorder by the following  
parts, and also do not hold the camcorder by  
the jack covers.  
Black points  
White, red, blue or green points  
LCD screen  
Exposing the LCD screen or the lens to direct  
sunlight for long periods of time may cause  
malfunctions.  
Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might cause  
your camcorder to malfunction. Take images  
of the sun only in low light conditions, such as  
at dusk.  
Battery pack  
About changing the language setting  
The on-screen displays in each local language  
are used for illustrating the operating  
procedures. Change the screen language before  
using your camcorder if necessary (p. 16).  
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Recording  
Note on the camcorder/battery pack  
temperature  
When you use a memory card with your  
camcorder for the first time, formatting the  
memory card with your camcorder (p. 71) is  
recommended for stable operation.  
All data recorded on the memory card will  
be deleted when it is formatted, and cannot  
be recovered. Save important data to your  
computer, etc., beforehand.  
When the temperature of the camcorder  
or battery pack becomes extremely high or  
extremely low, you may not be able to record  
or play back on the camcorder, due to the  
protection features of the camcorder being  
activated in such situations. In this case, an  
indicator appears on the LCD screen (p. 80).  
Before starting to record, test the recording  
function to make sure that the image and sound  
are recorded without any problems.  
When the camcorder is connected to a  
computer or accessories  
Compensation for the contents of recordings  
cannot be provided, even if recording or  
playback is not possible due to a malfunction of  
the camcorder, storage media, etc.  
TV color systems differ depending on the  
country/region. To view your recordings on a  
TV, you need an NTSC system-based TV.  
Television programs, films, video tapes,  
and other materials may be copyrighted.  
Unauthorized recording of such materials may  
be contrary to copyright laws.  
Do not try to format the recording media of the  
camcorder using a computer. If you do so, your  
camcorder may not operate correctly.  
When connecting your camcorder to another  
device with a cable, be sure to insert the  
connector plug in the correct way. Pushing the  
plug forcibly into the terminal will damage the  
terminal and may result in a malfunction of  
your camcorder.  
Do not close the LCD screen while your  
camcorder is turned and connected to USB. The  
recorded movies or photos may be lost.  
Note on playback  
Images recorded on your camcorder may not  
play correctly on other devices.  
If you cannot record/play back images,  
perform [MEDIA FORMAT]  
Conversely, images recorded on other devices  
may not play correctly on this camcorder.  
Movies recorded on SD memory cards  
cannot be played on AV equipment of other  
manufacturers.  
If you repeat recording/deleting images for  
a long time, fragmentation of data occurs on  
the recording media. Images cannot be saved  
or recorded. In such a case, save your images  
on some type of external media first, and then  
perform [MEDIA FORMAT] by touching  
(MENU) [Show others] [MEDIA  
Save all your recorded image data  
To prevent your image data from being lost,  
save all your recorded images on external media  
periodically. It is recommended that you save  
the image data on a disc such as a DVD-R using  
your computer. Also, you can save your image  
data using a VCR or a DVD/HDD recorder,  
etc. (p. 52).  
FORMAT] (under  
category) the desired medium (DCR-SX65/  
[MANAGE MEDIA]  
SX85) [YES] [YES]   
.
Carl Zeiss lens  
Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl Zeiss  
lens, which was developed jointly by Carl  
Zeiss, in Germany, and Sony Corporation, and  
produces superior images. It adopts the MTF  
measurement system for video cameras and  
offers a quality typical of a Carl Zeiss lens.  
MTF= Modulation Transfer Function. The  
number value indicates the amount of light  
from a subject coming into the lens.  
Notes on battery pack/AC Adaptor  
Be sure to remove the battery pack or the AC  
Adaptor after turning off the camcorder.  
Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the  
camcorder, holding both the camcorder and the  
DC plug.  
Notes on optional accessories  
We recommend using genuine Sony accessories.  
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Availability of such products is subject to  
country/region.  
shock or vibration when the  
(Photo) lamps (p. 15) or the access lamp  
(p. 19) are lit or flashing  
(Movie)/  
About images, illustrations, and screen  
displays of this manual  
When using a shoulder belt (sold separately), do  
not crash the camcorder against an object.  
The example images used in this manual for  
illustration purposes are captured using a  
digital still camera, and therefore may appear  
different from images and screen indicators that  
actually appear on your camcorder. And, the  
illustrations of your camcorder and its screen  
indication are exaggerated or simplified for  
understandability.  
In this manual, the internal memory (DCR-  
SX65/SX85) of your camcorder and memory  
card are called “recording media.”  
Design and specifications of your camcorder  
and accessories are subject to change without  
notice.  
Confirm the model name of your  
camcorder  
The model name is shown in this manual when  
there is a difference in specification between  
models. Confirm the model name on the  
bottom of your camcorder.  
The main differences in specification of this  
series are as follows.  
Recording Capacity USB jack  
media  
of internal  
recording  
media  
DCR-  
SX45  
Memory  
card  
DCR-  
SX65  
DCR-  
SX85  
Internal  
memory  
+
memory  
card  
4 GB  
Input/  
output  
16 GB  
Notes on use  
Do not do any of the following, otherwise, the  
recording media may be damaged, recorded  
images may be impossible to play back or may  
be lost, or other malfunctions could occur.  
Eject the memory card when the access lamp  
(p. 19) is lit or flashing  
Remove the battery pack or AC Adaptor from  
the camcorder, or subject the camcorder to  
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Operation flow  
Getting started (p. 12)  
Prepare the power source and recording media.  
Recording movies and photos (p. 20)  
Recording movies p. 21  
Changing the recording mode (p. 25)  
Expected recording time (MEDIA INFO, p. 71)  
Shooting photos p. 22  
Playing movies and photos  
Playback on the camcorder p. 27  
Playing images on a TV p. 33  
Saving images  
Saving movies and photos with a computer  
Saving movies and photos in external media p. 49  
Saving images with a DVD writer/recorder p. 52  
Deleting movies and photos (p. 35)  
If you delete the image data that has been saved on your computer  
or a disc, you can record new images on the free media space  
again.  
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Advice for successful recording  
To get good results in recording  
Stabilizing your camcorder  
When you hold the camcorder, keep your upper body upright,  
and hold your arms close to your body.  
The SteadyShot function is effective against camera-shake,  
however, it is essential that you not move the camcorder.  
Zooming smoothly  
Zoom in and out slowly and smoothly. And, use zooming  
sparingly. Excessive zooming will make movies that may make  
the viewer feel tired when viewing them.  
Evoking a feeling of spaciousness  
Use the panning technique. Stabilize yourself, move your  
camcorder horizontally as you turn your upper body slowly. Stay  
still at the end of panning for a while to make the scene look  
stable.  
Accentuating movies with narration  
Consider the sound to be recorded with your movies. Narrate  
the subject, or talk to the subject during shooting.  
Aim for a balanced volume of voices, since the recording person  
is closer to the microphone than the recorded person.  
Using accessories  
Make good use of camcorder accessories.  
For example, using a tripod, you can make a time-lapse  
recording or record subjects in dim light, such as scenes of  
fireworks, or night views. By always carrying spare batteries, you  
can continue recording without worrying about battery power  
shortages.  
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Useful recording techniques  
Capturing images beautifully without  
Recording in a dimly-lit room  
VIDEO LIGHT (26)  
troublesome setting  
INTELLIGENT AUTO (24)  
Flowers in close-up  
TELE MACRO(65)  
Capturing fireworks, or a sunset in all  
its splendor  
SUNRISE&SUNSET (62)  
Checking your golf swing  
Focusing on the child on the left side of  
the screen  
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Table of contents  
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10  
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11  
Getting started  
Step 1: Charging the battery pack  
CHG (charge) lamp  
Battery pack  
Power cord  
(Mains lead)  
DC IN jack  
DC plug  
To the wall outlet  
(wall socket)  
AC Adaptor  
You can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (V series) after attaching it to your  
camcorder.  
Notes  
You cannot attach any “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack other than the V series to your camcorder.  
Turn off your camcorder by closing the LCD screen.  
1
Attach the battery pack by sliding it in the direction of the arrow until it  
clicks.  
2
Connect the AC Adaptor and the power cord (mains lead) to your  
camcorder and the wall outlet (wall socket).  
Align the mark on the DC plug with that on the DC IN jack.  
The CHG (charge) lamp lights up and charging starts. The CHG (charge) lamp turns off  
when the battery pack is fully charged.  
3
When the battery is charged, disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN  
jack of your camcorder.  
4
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To charge with a computer  
This function is useful if the AC Adaptor is not at hand.  
Turn off the power of your camcorder, then attach the battery.  
Connect your camcorder to the computer that is turned on with the Built-in USB Cable.  
When charging is finished, terminate the USB connection between your camcorder and  
computer.  
Notes  
Correct operation with all computers is not guaranteed.  
Charging the battery or the connection with customized or hand-built computers is not guaranteed.  
Depending on the type of USB device used, charging may not function properly.  
If you connect the camcorder to a notebook computer that is not connected to an AC power source, the  
battery of the notebook computer may be depleted rapidly. In this case, do not leave your camcorder  
connected for a long time.  
Tips  
You can charge your camcorder by using the Built-in USB Cable from the wall outlet (wall socket) with  
the USB charging AC adaptor AC-U501AD/AC-U50AG (sold separately). You cannot use Sony portable  
power unit CP-AH2R/CP-AL (sold separately).  
The USB charging AC adaptor may not be available in some countries/regions.  
The CHG (charge) lamp may not light when the battery is low. Charge with the AC adapter in such  
situation.  
Charging time  
Approximate time (min.) required when you fully charge a fully discharged battery pack.  
Battery pack  
AC Adaptor  
NP-FV30 (supplied) 115  
NP-FV50  
NP-FV70  
NP-FV100  
Charging time  
Built-in USB Cable*  
155  
315  
600  
1050  
155  
195  
390  
Times measured with the camcorder at 25 C (77 °F).  
10 C to 30 C (50 °F to 86 °F) is recommended.  
* When not using the USB connection support cable  
Tips  
See page 83 on recording and playing time.  
When your camcorder is on, you can check the approximate amount of remaining battery power with the  
remaining battery indicator at the upper left on the LCD screen.  
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To remove the battery pack  
Close the LCD screen. Slide the BATT (battery) release lever () and remove the battery  
pack ().  
To use a wall outlet (wall socket) as a power source  
Make the same connections as “Step 1: Charging the battery pack.” Even if the battery pack is  
attached, the battery pack is not discharged.  
Charging the battery pack abroad  
You can charge the battery pack in any countries/regions using the AC Adaptor supplied with  
your camcorder within the AC 100 V - 240 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz range.  
Notes  
Do not use an electronic voltage transformer.  
Notes on the battery pack  
When you remove the battery pack or disconnect the AC Adaptor, close the LCD screen and make sure  
that the  
(Movie)/ (Photo) lamps (p. 15), the access lamp (p. 19) are turned off.  
The CHG (charge) lamp flashes during charging under the following conditions:  
The battery pack is not attached correctly.  
The battery pack is damaged.  
The temperature of the battery pack is low.  
Remove the battery pack from your camcorder and put it in a warm place.  
The temperature of the battery pack is high.  
Remove the battery pack from your camcorder and put it in a cool place.  
In the default setting, the power turns off automatically if you leave your camcorder without any  
operation for about 5 minutes, to save battery power ([A.SHUT OFF], p. 73).  
Notes on the AC Adaptor  
Use the nearby wall outlet (wall socket) when using the AC Adaptor. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from  
the wall outlet (wall socket) immediately if any malfunction occurs while using your camcorder.  
Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in a narrow space, such as between a wall and furniture.  
Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor or battery terminal with any metallic objects. This  
may cause a malfunction.  
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Step 2: Turning the power on, and setting the  
date and time  
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.  
1
Your camcorder is turned on and the lens cover is opened.  
To turn on your camcorder when the LCD screen is open, press POWER.  
POWER button  
MODE lamp  
Select the desired geographical area with  
/
, then touch [NEXT].  
2
3
Touch the button on  
the LCD screen.  
To set the date and time again, touch  
(MENU) [Show others] [CLOCK/ LANG]  
(under  
/
[GENERAL SET] category) [CLOCK SET]. When an item is not on the screen, touch  
until the item appears.  
Set [DST SET] or [SUMMERTIME], date and time, then touch  
.
The clock starts.  
If you set [DST SET] or [SUMMERTIME] to [ON], the clock advances 1 hour.  
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Notes  
The date and time do not appear during recording, but they are automatically recorded on the recording  
media, and can be displayed during playback. To display the date and time, touch  
(MENU)   
[Show others] [PLAYBACK SET] (under  
TIME]   
You can turn off the operation beeps by touching  
SET] (under  
[PLAYBACK] category) [DATA CODE] [DATE/  
.
(MENU) [Show others] [SOUND/DISP  
[GENERAL SET] category) [BEEP] [OFF]   
.
If the button you touch does not react correctly, calibrate the touch panel (p. 90).  
To turn off the power  
Close the LCD screen. The (Movie) lamp flashes for a few seconds and the power is turned  
off.  
Tips  
You can turn off your camcorder also by pressing POWER.  
When [POWER ON BY LCD] (p. 73) is set to [OFF], turn off your camcorder by pressing POWER.  
Changing the language setting  
You can change the on-screen displays to show messages in a specified language.  
Touch  
(MENU) [Show others] [CLOCK/ LANG] (under [GENERAL SET]  
category) [ LANGUAGE SET] a desired language   
.
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Step 3: Preparing the recording media  
The recording media that can be used differs depending on your camcorder. The following  
icons are displayed on the screen of your camcorder.  
DCR-SXꢂꢃ:  
Memory card  
DCR-SXꢄꢃ/SXꢆꢃ:  
*
Internal memory  
Memory card  
* In the default setting, both movies and photos are recorded on this recording media. You can perform  
recording, playback and editing operations on the selected medium.  
Tips  
See page 83 for the recordable time of movies.  
See page 84 for the number of recordable photos.  
Selecting the recording media for movies (DCR-SX65/SX85)  
Touch  
(MENU) [Show others] [MEDIA SETTINGS] (under  
[MANAGE MEDIA] category) [MOVIE MEDIA SET].  
The [MOVIE MEDIA SET] screen appears.  
Touch the desired recording media.  
Touch [YES]   
.
The recording medium is changed.  
Selecting the recording media for photos (DCR-SX65/SX85)  
Touch  
(MENU) [Show others] [MEDIA SETTINGS] (under  
[MANAGE MEDIA] category) [PHOTO MEDIA SET].  
The [PHOTO MEDIA SET] screen appears.  
Touch the desired recording media.  
Touch [YES]   
.
The recording medium is changed.  
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To check the recording media settings  
When recording in movie recording mode or photo recording mode, the recording media  
icon is displayed in the top right corner of the screen.  
Recording media icon  
The icon displayed on the LCD screen varies depending on the camcorder you use.  
Inserting a memory card  
Notes  
Set the recording medium to [MEMORY CARD] to record movies and/or photos on memory card  
(DCR-SX65/SX85).  
Types of memory card that can be used with your camcorder  
Only “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” media, SD memory cards (Class  
2 or faster), SDHC memory cards (Class 2 or faster) and SDXC memory cards (Class 2 or faster) can be  
used with this camcorder. Operation with all memory cards is not assured.  
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media of up to 32 GB and SD memory cards of up to 64 GB have been tested  
and proven to operate with your camcorder.  
For recording movies on “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, it is recommended that you use “Memory  
Stick PRO Duo” media of 512 MB or larger.  
In this manual, “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media and “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” media are called  
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media and SD memory cards, SDHC memory cards and SDXC memory cards  
are called SD memory cards.  
Notes  
MultiMediaCard cannot be used.  
Images recorded on SDXC memory cards cannot be played back or imported on non-exFAT*-compatible  
computers, AV components, etc., connected to this camcorder by USB cable. Check that the connected  
devices are compatible with exFAT beforehand. If you connect a device that is not compatible with exFAT,  
the screen for initialization may appear. Never execute initialization, otherwise all recorded contents will  
be lost.  
* exFAT is the file system used in SDXC memory cards.  
Size of memory cards that can be used with your camcorder  
Only “Memory Stick Duo” media that is about a half the size of the standard “Memory Stick” media, and  
standard-sized SD memory cards can be used.  
Do not attach a label, etc., to a memory card or memory card adaptor. Doing so may cause a malfunction.  
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Open the cover, orient the memory card’s notched corner as shown in the  
illustration, and insert into the memory card slot until it clicks.  
Close the cover after inserting the memory card.  
Access lamp  
Note direction of notched corner.  
The [Create a new Image Database File.] screen may appear if you insert a new memory  
card. In that case, touch [YES]. If you record only photos on the memory card, touch  
[NO].  
Confirm the direction of the memory card. If you forcibly insert the memory card in the wrong  
direction, the memory card, memory card slot, or image data may be damaged.  
Notes  
If [Failed to create a new Image Database File. It may be possible that there is not enough free space.]  
is displayed, initialize the memory card by touching  
(MENU) [Show others] [MEDIA  
FORMAT] (under  
[YES] [YES]   
[MANAGE MEDIA] category) [MEMORY CARD] (DCR-SX65/SX85)   
.
To eject the memory card  
Open the cover and lightly push the memory card in once.  
Do not open the cover during recording.  
When inserting or ejecting the memory card, be careful so that the memory card does not pop out and  
drop.  
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Recording/Playback  
Recording  
In the default setting, movies are recorded on the following recording media.  
DCR-SX45: Memory card  
DCR-SX65/SX85: Internal memory  
Tips  
See page 17 on changing the recording media (DCR-SX65/SX85).  
Fasten the grip belt.  
1
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.  
2
Your camcorder is turned on and the lens cover is opened.  
To turn on your camcorder when the LCD screen is already open, press POWER (p. 15).  
You can switch recording modes by pressing MODE. Press MODE to light up the desired recording  
mode lamp.  
MODE button  
(Movie): When  
recording a movie  
(Photo): When  
shooting a photo  
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Recording movies  
Press START/STOP to start recording.  
You can start recording also by touching in the bottom left of the LCD screen.  
START/STOP button  
[STBY] [REC]  
To stop recording, press START/STOP again.  
You can stop recording also by touching in the bottom left of LCD screen.  
The icons and indicators on the LCD panel will be displayed for about 3 seconds, then disappear after  
turning on your camcorder or switching the recording (movie/photo)/playback modes. To display the  
icons and indicators again, touch anywhere on the screen except the rec & zoom buttons on the LCD.  
Rec & zoom buttons on LCD  
about 3sec  
after  
Notes  
If you close the LCD screen while recording movies, the camcorder stops recording.  
The maximum continuous recordable time of movies is about 13 hours.  
When a movie file exceeds 2 GB, the next movie file is created automatically.  
It will take several seconds until you can start recording after you turn on the camcorder. You cannot  
operate your camcorder during this time.  
The following states will be indicated if data is still being written onto the recording media after recording  
has finished. During this time, do not apply shock or vibration to the camcorder, or remove the battery or  
AC Adaptor.  
Access lamp (p. 19) is lit or flashing  
The media icon in the upper right of the LCD screen is flashing  
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Tips  
You can capture photos from recorded movies (p. 39).  
See page 83 on the recordable time of movies.  
You can check the recordable time, estimated remaining capacity, etc., by touching  
(MENU)   
[Show others] [MEDIA INFO] (under  
[MANAGE MEDIA] category).  
The LCD screen of your camcorder can display recording images across the entire screen (full pixel  
display). However, this may cause slight trimming of the top, bottom, right and left edges of images when  
played back on a TV which is not compatible with full pixel display. In this case, set [GUIDEFRAME] to  
[ON] (p. 66), and record images using the outer frame displayed on the screen as a guide.  
[ STEADYSHOT] is set to [STANDARD] in the default setting.  
To adjust the angle of the LCD panel, first open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (), and  
then adjust the angle ().  
90 degrees (max.)  
90 degrees to  
the camcorder  
180 degrees (max.)  
Data code during recording  
The recording date, time and condition are recorded automatically on the recording media.  
They are not displayed during recording. However, you can check them as [DATA CODE]  
during playback. To display them, touch  
(MENU) [Show others] [PLAYBACK  
SET] (under  
[PLAYBACK] category) a desired setting   
.
Shooting photos  
In the default setting, photos are recorded on the following recording media.  
DCR-SX45: Memory card  
DCR-SX65/SX85: Internal memory  
Tips  
See page 17 on changing the recording media (DCR-SX65/SX85).  
Press MODE to turn on the (Photo) lamp.  
The LCD screen display switches for photo recording mode, and the screen aspect ratio  
becomes 4:3.  
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Press PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus, then press it fully.  
You can record photos also by touching  
on the LCD screen.  
Flashes Lights up  
When  
disappears, the photo is recorded.  
Tips  
See page 84 on the recordable number of photos.  
To change the image size, touch  
(MENU) [Show others] [ IMAGE SIZE] (under  
[PHOTO SETTINGS] category) a desired setting   
.
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ꢀꢁ  
 
angle and about 150 cm (about 59 1/8 in.) for  
telephoto.  
You can magnify images up to 60 times optically  
when [ STEADYSHOT] is set to [ACTIVE].  
Useful functions for  
recording movies and  
photos  
Tips  
You can set [ DIGITAL ZOOM] (p. 67) if you  
want to zoom to a greater level.  
Zooming  
Recording better images  
automatically (INTELLIGENT AUTO)  
You can magnify images up to 70 times the  
original size with the power zoom lever.  
You can magnify images also with the  
on the LCD screen.  
/
By pressing  
, you can record images  
using the INTELLIGENT AUTO function.  
When you turn the camcorder toward  
the subject, the camcorder records using  
the optimum combination of the three  
detection modes: Face detection, Scene  
detection and Camera-shake detection.  
When the camcorder detects the subject,  
the icons that correspond to the detected  
condition are displayed.  
Wider range of view  
(Wide angle)  
Close view  
(Telephoto)  
Face detection  
(Portrait)  
Move the power zoom lever slightly for a  
slower zoom. Move it further for a faster  
zoom.  
The camcorder detects faces, and adjusts  
the focus, color, and exposure.  
Scene detection  
(Back light),  
(Twilight), (Spotlight), (Macro)  
The camcorder selects the most effective  
setting automatically, depending on the  
scene.  
Notes  
(Landscape),  
SteadyShot may not reduce image blurring as  
desired when the power zoom lever is set to the  
T (Telephoto) side.  
Be sure to keep your finger on the power zoom  
lever. If you move your finger off the power  
zoom lever, the operation sound of the power  
zoom lever may also be recorded.  
Camera-shake detection  
(Tripod)  
The camcorder detects that camera-shake  
does not occur, and makes the optimum  
setting for tripod.  
You cannot change the zoom speed with the  
/
button on the LCD screen.  
The minimum possible distance between  
camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp  
focus is about 1 cm (about 13/32 in.) for wide  
US  
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Note  
The camcorder may not detect the expected  
scene or subject, depending on the recording  
conditions.  
You cannot use the flash depending on the  
scenes detected.  
Touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [ REC MODE] (under  
[SHOOTING SET] category).  
Touch a desired setting.  
To cancel INTELLIGENT AUTO  
Press  
.
If you want to record high quality  
images, select the HQ mode, or if you  
want to record longer movies, select  
the LP mode.  
or the detection mode icons disappear,  
and you can record with the preferred  
settings.  
Also, the INTELLIGENT AUTO setting  
is canceled if you change the following  
settings:  
Touch  
.
[SCENE SELECTION]  
[WHITE BAL.]  
[SPOT MTR/FCS]  
Notes  
Movies are recorded with MPEG-2 format.  
You can select from the following image  
qualities. Value such as “9M” is an average bit-  
rate, and “M” means “Mbps.”  
[HQ] (9M (HQ))  
[SP] (6M (SP))(the default setting)  
[LP](3M (LP))  
If you record in the LP mode, the quality of  
movies may be degraded, or scenes with quick  
movements may appear with block noise when  
you play back the image.  
[SPOT METER]  
[SPOT FOCUS]  
[EXPOSURE]  
[FOCUS]  
[TELE MACRO]  
[ STEADYSHOT]  
[BACK LIGHT]  
[FACE DETECTION]  
Notes  
[ STEADYSHOT] is set to [ACTIVE] when  
you set INTELLIGENT AUTO to [ON]. Other  
items listed above are reset to their defaults.  
Tips  
You can select the [ REC MODE] for each  
recording media separately (DCR-SX65/SX85).  
Selecting the recording mode  
You can select a recording mode to record  
movies from 3 levels. The recording time of  
the media may change, depending on the  
recording mode. In the default setting,  
[
REC MODE] is set to [SP].  
Long time recording  
High quality  
recording  
US  
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Using the VIDEO LIGHT  
Recording in mirror mode  
You can use the VIDEO LIGHT  
according to the recording conditions. It  
is recommended that you use the VIDEO  
LIGHT at a distance of about 30 cm to  
150 cm (11 7/8 in. to 59 1/8 in.) from the  
subject.  
Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the  
camcorder (), then rotate it 180 degrees  
to the lens side ().  
Tips  
A mirror-image of the subject appears on the  
LCD screen, but the image will be normal when  
recorded.  
LED VIDEO LIGHT  
Each time you press LIGHT, the indicator  
changes as follows.  
No indicator (Off)  
(Auto)   
(On) ...  
Press LIGHT repeatedly to cancel the  
VIDEO LIGHT.  
Notes  
The VIDEO LIGHT generates strong light. Do  
not use the VIDEO LIGHT directly in front of  
the eyes at close range.  
The length of time you can use the battery pack  
is shorter when you use the VIDEO LIGHT.  
When you record movies with the VIDEO  
LIGHT set to  
on and off. In this case, press LIGHT repeatedly  
to select  
, the video light may turn  
.
US  
ꢀꢄ  
     
Playback  
on the camcorder  
In the default setting, movies and photos that are recorded on the following recording media  
are played.  
DCR-SX45: Memory card  
DCR-SX65/SX85: Internal memory  
Tips  
See page 17 on changing the recording media (DCR-SX65/SX85).  
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.  
1
Your camcorder turns on.  
To turn on your camcorder when the LCD screen is already open, press POWER (p. 15).  
Press  
(VIEW IMAGES).  
2
The VISUAL INDEX screen appears after some seconds.  
You can display the VISUAL INDEX screen also by touching  
screen.  
(VIEW IMAGES) on the LCD  
Touch (Movie) () a desired movie () to play back a movie.  
Touch the (Photo) () a desired photo () to view a photo.  
3
Movies are displayed and sorted by recording date.  
Switches operating button display.  
To MENU screen  
US  
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Displays the screen to select the index type ([DATE INDEX]/[ FILM ROLL]/  
FACE]) (p. 30, 30, 31).  
[
/
/
: Displays movies recorded on the previous/next date.*  
: Displays the previous/next movie.  
Returns to the recording screen.  
* is displayed when is touched.  
You can scroll the display by touching and dragging , or .  
appears with the movie or photo that was most recently played or recorded. If you touch the  
movie or photo with , you can continue playback from the previous time. (appears on the  
photo recorded on a memory card.)  
Playing movies  
Your camcorder starts playing the selected movie.  
Volume adjustment  
Previous  
Next  
OPTION  
To stop  
To fast-forward  
To pause/play  
To fast-reverse  
Tips  
When playback from the selected movie reaches the last movie, the screen returns to the VISUAL INDEX  
screen.  
Touch  
As you repeat touching  
/
during pause to play back movies slowly.  
during playback, movies are played as fast as about 5 times   
/
about 10 times about 30 times about 60 times.  
You can display the VISUAL INDEX by touching  
(MENU) [Show others] [VISUAL  
INDEX] (under  
[PLAYBACK] category).  
The recording date, time, and shooting conditions are recorded automatically during recording. This  
information is not displayed during recording, but you can display it during playback by touching  
(MENU) [Show others] [PLAYBACK SET] (under  
[PLAYBACK] category)   
[DATA CODE] a desired setting   
.
To adjust the sound volume of movies  
While playing back movies, touch  
adjust with  
/
.
You can also adjust the sound volume by using  
/
in the OPTION MENU.  
US  
ꢀꢆ  
       
Viewing photos  
Your camcorder displays the selected photo.  
Previous  
To start/stop slide show  
Next  
OPTION  
To the VISUAL  
INDEX screen  
Tips  
When viewing photos recorded on a memory card,  
(playback folder) appears on the screen.  
US  
ꢀꢇ  
   
IMAGES] (under  
[DATE INDEX].  
On the [Film Roll Index]/[Face Index] screen,  
you can display the Date Index by touching the  
date in the upper right corner of the screen.  
[PLAYBACK] category)  
Useful functions for  
playing movies and  
photos  
Searching for desired scene by  
pinpoint (Film Roll Index)  
Searching for desired images by  
date (Date Index)  
Movies can be divided by a set time and the  
first scene of each division is displayed on  
the INDEX screen. You can start playing  
back a movie from the selected thumbnail.  
You can search for desired images by date  
efficiently.  
Notes  
You cannot use the Date Index function for  
photos on the memory card.  
Press  
(VIEW IMAGES).  
The VISUAL INDEX screen appears.  
Press  
(VIEW IMAGES).  
The VISUAL INDEX screen appears.  
Touch [ FILM ROLL].  
Returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen  
Touch [DATE INDEX].  
Returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen  
Sets the interval at which to create thumbnails  
of scenes in a movie.  
Touch  
/
to select the date  
of the desired image, then touch  
.
Touch  
desired movie.  
/
to select the  
Touch  
/
to search for the  
desired scene, then touch the  
scene you want to play back.  
The images of the selected date are  
displayed on the VISUAL INDEX  
screen.  
Playback starts from the selected scene.  
Tips  
You can also display the Film Roll Index by  
Tips  
touching  
[VIEW IMAGES] (under  
category) [ FILM ROLL].  
(MENU) [Show others]   
You can also display Date Index by touching  
(MENU) [Show others] [VIEW  
[PLAYBACK]  
US  
ꢁ0  
     
Tips  
Searching for desired scene by face  
(Face Index)  
You can also display the Face Index by touching  
(MENU) [Show others] [VIEW  
IMAGES] (under  
[ FACE].  
[PLAYBACK] category)  
The face images detected during movie  
recording are displayed on the INDEX  
screen.  
You can play back the movie from the  
selected face image.  
Using PB zoom with photos  
You can magnify photos from about 1.1 to 5  
times the original size.  
Magnification can be adjusted with the  
power zoom lever.  
Press  
(VIEW IMAGES).  
The VISUAL INDEX screen appears.  
Touch [ FACE].  
Returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen  
Play back the photo you want to  
magnify.  
Magnify the photo with T  
(Telephoto).  
Touch  
desired movie.  
/
to select the  
The screen is framed.  
Touch  
/
to search for the  
Touch the screen at the point you  
want to display in the center of  
the displayed frame.  
desired face image, then touch  
the desired face image to view  
the scene.  
The point where you touched on the  
screen is moved to the center of the  
display frame.  
Playback starts from the beginning of  
the scene with the selected face image.  
Notes  
Faces may not be detected depending on  
recording conditions.  
Example: People wearing glasses or hats, or who  
do not face towards the camera.  
Make sure that you set [FACE DETECTION]  
to [ON] (p. 66) (the default setting) prior to  
recording, to search movies on the Face Index.  
Adjust the magnification with W  
(Wide angle)/T (Telephoto).  
To cancel, touch  
.
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Playing back a series of photos  
(Slide show)  
Touch  
on the photo playback  
screen.  
The slide show begins from the selected  
photo.  
To stop the slide show  
Touch  
.
To restart the slide show  
Touch  
again.  
Notes  
You cannot operate playback zoom during slide  
show.  
Tips  
You can set continuous slide show playback  
by selecting  
(OPTION)   
tab   
[SLIDE SHOW SET] while playing photos. The  
default setting is [ON] (continuous playback).  
US  
ꢁꢀ  
   
Playing images on a TV  
Connect your camcorder to the input jack of a TV or VCR using the A/V connecting cable  
or an A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO . Connect your camcorder to the wall  
outlet (wall socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation (p. 14). Refer also to the  
instruction manuals supplied with the devices to be connected.  
A/V connecting cable (supplied)  
Connecting to another device via the A/V Remote Connector using an A/V connecting cable.  
A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (sold separately)  
When connecting to another device via the S VIDEO jack, by using an A/V connecting cable  
with an S VIDEO cable (sold separately), higher quality images can be produced than with an  
A/V connecting cable. Connect the white and red plugs (left/right audio) and the S VIDEO plug  
(S VIDEO channel) of the A/V connecting cable with an S VIDEO cable (sold separately). The  
yellow plug connection is not necessary. Connecting only the S VIDEO plug will not output  
audio.  
IN  
VIDEO  
(Yellow)  
AUDIO  
(White)  
TVs  
(Red)  
S VIDEO  
VCRs  
(Yellow)  
Signal flow  
A/V Remote Connector  
Set the input selector of the TV to the input your camcorder will be  
connected to.  
For details, refer to the instruction manuals supplied with the TV.  
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Connect your camcorder to a TV with the A/V connecting cable (,  
supplied) or an A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO (, sold separately).  
Connect your camcorder to the input jack of the TV.  
Play back movies and photos on your camcorder (p. 27).  
To set the aspect ratio according to the connected TV (16:9/4:3)  
Touch (MENU) [Show others] [OUTPUT SETTINGS] (under [GENERAL  
SET] category) [TV TYPE] [16:9] or [4:3]   
.
Notes  
When you connect your camcorder to a TV compatible with the ID-1/ID-2 system, set [TV TYPE] to  
[16:9]. The TV switches to full mode automatically. Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with  
your TV.  
When you set [TV TYPE] to [4:3], the image quality may deteriorate. Also, when the recorded images  
aspect ratio switches between 16:9 (wide) and 4:3, the image may jitter.  
On some 4:3 TVs, the photos recorded in 4:3 aspect ratio may not be displayed full screen. This is not a  
malfunction.  
When you play back an image recorded in 16:9 (wide) aspect ratio on a 4:3 TV not compatible with the  
16:9 (wide) signal, set [TV TYPE] to [4:3].  
Tips  
To check information (counter, etc.) on the screen of the monitor, touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [OUTPUT SETTINGS] (under  
OUT/PANEL]   
[GENERAL SET] category) [DISP OUTPUT] [V-  
.
US  
ꢁꢂ  
 
Making good use of your camcorder  
Deleting movies and  
photos  
You can free media space by deleting  
movies and photos from recording media.  
3
4
Touch and display the mark  
on the movies or photos to be  
deleted.  
Notes  
You cannot restore images once they are  
deleted. Save important movies and photos in  
advance.  
Do not remove the battery pack or the AC  
Adaptor from your camcorder while deleting  
the images. It may damage the recording media.  
Do not eject memory card while deleting  
images from the memory card.  
You cannot delete protected movies and photos.  
Undo the protection of the movies and photos  
to delete them, before you try to delete them  
If the deleted movie is included in the Playlist  
(p. 42), the movie added to the Playlist is  
deleted also from the Playlist.  
Press and hold the image down on the  
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch  
to return to the previous screen.  
Touch  
[YES]   
.
To delete all movies/photos at one time  
In step 2, touch [ DELETE]   
[
DELETE ALL] [YES] [YES]   
.
Tips  
To delete all photos at one time, touch  
DELETE] [ DELETE ALL] [YES]  
[YES]   
You can delete an image on the playback screen  
[
from  
OPTION MENU.  
.
To delete all images recorded in the recording  
media, and recover all the recordable space of  
the media, format the media (p. 71).  
Reduced-size images which enable you to view  
many images at the same time on an index  
screen are called “thumbnails.”  
To delete all the movies/photos  
recorded on the same day at one time  
Notes  
You cannot delete photos on memory card by  
recording date.  
In step 2, touch [ DELETE]   
1
2
Touch  
(MENU) [Show  
[
DELETE by date].  
others] [DELETE] (under  
To delete all photos on the same day at one  
time, touch [ DELETE] [ DELETE  
by date].  
[EDIT] category).  
To delete movies, touch  
[
DELETE] [ DELETE].  
To delete photos, touch [ DELETE]   
DELETE].  
[
Touch  
date of the desired movies/photos, then  
touch  
/
to select the recording  
.
US  
ꢁꢃ  
   
Touch the image down on the LCD screen  
to confirm the image. Touch  
return to the previous screen.  
to  
Touch [YES]   
.
US  
ꢁꢄ  
To protect all the movies and photos  
recorded on the same day at one time  
Protecting recorded  
movies and photos  
(Protect)  
Note  
You cannot select [ PRT. by date] for the  
recorded data on the memory card.  
Protect movies and photos to avoid deleting  
them by mistake.  
In step 2, touch [ PROTECT]   
[
PRT. by date].  
To protect all photos on the same day at  
one time, touch [ PROTECT]   
Tips  
You can protect movies and photos on the  
playback screen from  
OPTION MENU.  
[
PRT. by date].  
1
Touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [PROTECT] (under  
[EDIT] category).  
Touch  
date of the desired movies/photos, then  
touch  
/
to select the recording  
2
3
To protect movies, touch  
[
PROTECT] [ PROTECT].  
.
To protect photos, touch [ PROTECT]  
[ PROTECT].  
Touch the image down on the LCD screen  
to confirm the image. Touch  
return to the previous screen.  
to  
Touch [PROTECT]   
.
Touch the movies and photos to  
be protected.  
To undo the protection of movies and  
photos recorded on the same day at  
one time  
is displayed on the selected images.  
In step above, select the recording date  
of the desired movies/photos, then touch  
[UNPROTECT]   
.
Press and hold the image down on the  
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch  
to return to the previous screen.  
4
Touch  
[YES]   
.
To undo the protection of movies and  
photos  
Touch the movie or photo marked with   
in step 3.  
disappears.  
US  
ꢁꢅ  
   
Also, do not eject the memory card while  
dividing movies on the memory card.  
A slight difference may occur from the point  
Dividing a movie  
where you touch  
and the actual dividing  
point, as your camcorder selects the dividing  
point based on about half-second increments.  
If you divide the original movie, the movie  
added to the Playlist will also be divided.  
Only simple editing is available on the  
camcorder. Use the supplied software “PMB”  
for more advanced editing.  
1
Touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [ DIVIDE] (under  
[EDIT] category).  
2
3
Touch the movie to be divided.  
Tips  
You can divide a movie on the playback screen  
The selected movie starts playback.  
from  
OPTION MENU.  
Touch  
at the point where  
you want to divide the movie into  
scenes.  
The movie pauses. Play and pause  
toggles as you press  
.
Adjusts the dividing point with more  
precision after you selected the dividing  
point with  
.
Returns to the beginning of the selected  
movie  
4
Touch  
[YES]   
.
Notes  
You cannot restore movies once they are  
divided.  
You cannot divide the protected movie. Remove  
the protection to divide (p. 37).  
Do not remove the battery pack or the AC  
Adaptor from your camcorder while dividing  
the movie. It may damage the recording media.  
US  
ꢁꢆ  
   
Capturing a photo  
from a movie  
5
Touch  
.
Notes  
1
Touch  
others] [PHOTO CAPTURE]  
(under [EDIT] category).  
(MENU) [Show  
The image size is fixed depending on the aspect  
ratio of the movie:  
[  
0.2M] in 16:9 (wide)  
[VGA(0.3M)] in 4:3  
The [PHOTO CAPTURE] screen  
appears.  
The recording medium where you want to save  
photos should have enough free space.  
The recording date and time of captured photos  
is the same as the recording date and time of  
the movies.  
If the movie you are capturing from has no data  
code, the recording date and time of the photo  
will be the date and time you captured from  
the movie.  
2
3
Touch the movie to be captured.  
The selected movie starts playback.  
Touch  
at the point where  
you want to capture.  
The movie pauses. Play and pause  
toggles as you press  
.
Adjust the capturing point with more  
precision after you selected the point with  
.
Returns to the beginning of the selected  
movie  
4
Touch  
.
When capturing is finished, the screen  
returns to pause.  
The captured photo is saved on the  
recording media selected in [PHOTO  
MEDIA SET] (DCR-SX65/SX85) (p. 17).  
To continue capturing, touch  
repeat steps from step 3.  
, then  
To capture a photo from another movie,  
touch , then repeat steps from step 2.  
US  
ꢁꢇ  
   
Dubbing/copying  
movies and photos  
from the internal  
recording media to  
memory card  
Touch the type of dubbing.  
[DUB by select]: To select movies and  
dub  
[DUB by date]: To dub all movies of a  
specified date  
[
DUB ALL]: To dub the Playlist  
When you select the Playlist as the  
source of dubbing, follow the on-screen  
instructions to dub the Playlist.  
(DCR-SX65/SX85)  
Dubbing movies  
You can dub movies recorded on the  
internal recording media of your camcorder  
to memory card.  
Insert memory card into your camcorder  
before the operation.  
Select the movie to be dubbed.  
[DUB by select]: Touch the movie to be  
dubbed, and mark it with . You can  
select multiple movies.  
Notes  
When you record a movie on the memory card  
for the first time, create the image database file  
by touching  
[REPAIR IMG.DB F.] (under  
(MENU) [Show others]  
[MANAGE  
Remaining capacity of the memory  
card  
MEDIA] category) [MEMORY CARD].  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet  
(wall socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor to  
prevent your camcorder from running out of  
power during dubbing.  
Press and hold the image down on the  
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch  
to return to the previous screen.  
Tips  
[DUB by date]: Select the recording  
date of the movie to be dubbed, then  
The original movie will not be deleted after  
dubbing.  
All included images in a Playlist will be dubbed.  
The images recorded by this camcorder and  
stored onto the recording media are called  
“original.”  
touch  
dates.  
. You cannot select multiple  
Touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [MOVIE DUB] (under  
[EDIT] category).  
The [MOVIE DUB] screen appears.  
Touch  
[YES]   
.
US  
ꢂ0  
         
Press and hold the image down on the  
screen to confirm the image. Touch  
to return to the previous screen.  
Tips  
To check the dubbed movies after dubbing is  
finished, select [MEMORY CARD] on [MOVIE  
MEDIA SET] and play them back (p. 17).  
[COPY by date]: Select the recording  
date of the photo to be copied, then  
Copying photos  
touch  
dates.  
. You cannot select multiple  
You can copy photos from the internal  
recording media of the camcorder to  
memory card.  
Insert a memory card into your camcorder  
before the operation.  
Notes  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet  
(wall socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor to  
prevent your camcorder from running out of  
power during copying.  
Touch  
[YES]   
.
Touch  
(MENU) [Show  
Tips  
others] [PHOTO COPY] (under  
To check the copied photos after copying  
is finished, select [MEMORY CARD] on  
[PHOTO MEDIA SET] and play them back  
[EDIT] category).  
The [PHOTO COPY] screen appears.  
Touch the type of copying.  
[COPY by select]: To copy selected  
photos  
[COPY by date]: To copy all photos of  
a specified date  
Select the photo to be copied.  
[COPY by select]: Touch the photo to  
be copied, and mark with . You can  
select multiple photos.  
US  
ꢂ1  
       
To add all the movies recorded on the  
same day at one time  
In step 2, touch [ ADD by date].  
The recording dates of movies are  
displayed on the screen.  
Using the Playlist of  
movies  
The Playlist is a list showing thumbnails of  
the movies that you have selected.  
The original movies are not changed even  
if you edit or erase the movies added to the  
Playlist.  
Creating the Playlist  
Touch  
/
to select the recording  
date of the desired movie, then touch  
Touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [PLAYLIST EDIT]  
(under [EDIT] category).  
.
Touch the image on the LCD screen to  
confirm the image. Touch  
to the previous screen.  
to return  
Touch [YES]   
.
Touch [ ADD].  
Notes  
Do not remove the battery pack or the AC  
Adaptor from your camcorder while adding  
movies to the Playlist. It may damage the  
recording media. Also, do not eject the memory  
card while editing movies on the memory card.  
You cannot add photos to the Playlist.  
Touch the movie to be added to  
the Playlist.  
Tips  
You can add a maximum of 99 movies to the  
Playlist.  
You can add a movie on the Playlist by touching  
(OPTION).  
The selected movie is marked with  
Press and hold the image down on the  
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch  
to return to the previous screen.  
.
Touch  
[YES]   
.
US  
ꢂꢀ  
       
To change the order within the Playlist  
Touch (MENU) [Show others]  
[PLAYLIST EDIT] (under  
[EDIT] category).  
Touch [ MOVE].  
Playing the Playlist  
Touch (MENU) [Show  
others] [PLAYLIST] (under  
[PLAYBACK] category).  
Select the movie to be moved.  
Movies added to the Playlist appear.  
The selected movie is marked with  
Touch the image on the LCD screen to  
.
Touch the movie you want to  
play back.  
confirm the image. Touch  
to the previous screen.  
to return  
Touch  
.
The Playlist is played back from the  
selected movie to the end, then the  
screen returns to the Playlist screen.  
Select the destination with  
/
.
To erase unnecessary movies from the  
Playlist  
Touch  
[PLAYLIST EDIT] (under  
[EDIT] category).  
Touch [ ERASE].  
(MENU) [Show others]  
Destination bar  
Touch  
[YES]   
.
To erase all the movies from the Playlist,  
touch [ ERASE ALL] [YES]   
Tips  
When you select multiple movies, the movies  
are moved following the order appearing in the  
Playlist.  
[YES]   
.
Select the movie to be erased from the  
list.  
The selected movie is marked with  
Press and hold the image down on the  
.
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch  
to return to the previous screen.  
Touch  
[YES]   
.
Tips  
Even if you erase a movie from a Playlist, the  
original movie is not deleted.  
US  
ꢂꢁ  
       
Saving movies and photos with a computer  
Notes  
Creating a disc with  
Movies and photos are not saved on the  
computer when you perform One Touch Disc  
Burn.  
one touch  
(One Touch Disc Burn)  
Movies and photos recorded on your  
camcorder that have not yet been saved  
with One Touch Disc Burn function can be  
saved on a disc automatically.  
Install “PMB” beforehand, however, do not start  
“PMB.”  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall  
socket) using the AC Adaptor supplied for this  
operation (p. 14).  
With One Touch Disc Burn function on your  
camcorder, you can save movies and photos  
recorded on the internal recording media only  
(DCR-SX65/SX85).  
1
2
Turn on your computer, and place  
an unused disc on the DVD drive.  
If any other software than “PMB” starts  
automatically, shut it down.  
Turn on your camcorder, then  
connect the camcorder to the  
computer using the Built-in USB  
Cable.  
3
4
Touch [DISC BURN] on your  
camcorder.  
Follow the instructions on the  
computer screen.  
US  
ꢂꢂ  
   
Importing movies and  
photos to a computer  
Movies and photos recorded on your  
camcorder can be imported to a computer.  
Turn on the computer beforehand.  
3
Click [Import].  
Notes  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall  
socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this  
operation (p. 14).  
Refer to “PMB Help” for details.  
Movies and photos are imported to  
your computer.  
When the operation is completed, the  
“PMB” screen appears.  
1
Turn on your camcorder, then  
connect the camcorder to the  
computer using the Built-in USB  
Cable.  
The [USB SELECT] screen appears on  
the camcorder screen.  
2
Touch the recording media that  
contains the images you want to  
save on the camcorder screen.  
[
USB CONNECT]: Internal  
memory (DCR-SX65/SX85)  
[
USB CONNECT]: Memory card  
The displayed recording media differ  
depending on the model.  
If the [USB SELECT] screen does not  
appear, touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [USB CONNECT] (under  
[OTHERS] category).  
The [Import] window appears on the  
computer screen.  
US  
ꢂꢃ  
     
Copying a disc  
You can copy a recorded disc to another  
disc using “Video Disc Copier.”  
Creating a disc  
Click [Start] [All Programs] [PMB]  
[PMB Launcher] [Disc creation]   
[Video Disc Copier] to start the software.  
See “Video Disc Copier” help on the  
operation.  
You can create a disc by selecting movies  
previously imported to your computer  
1
Turn on your computer, and place  
an unused disc on the DVD drive.  
If any other software than “PMB” starts  
Editing movies  
You can cut out only necessary parts from a  
movie and save it as another file.  
automatically, shut it down.  
Double-click the movie to be edited on  
“PMB,” then click [Show Edit Palette]  
on the right side of the screen [Trim  
Video], or select the [Manipulate] menu   
[Edit] [Trim Video]. See “PMB Help”  
for details.  
2
3
Start “PMB.  
Click [Calendar] or [Index] on  
the left side in the window, and  
select the folder or date, then  
select the movies.  
To select plural movies, hold the Ctrl key  
down and click thumbnails.  
Capturing photos from a movie  
You can save a frame of a movie as a photo  
file.  
Double-click the movie to be edited on  
“PMB,” then click [Show Edit Palette]  
on the right side of the screen [Save  
Frame]. See “PMB Help” for details.  
4
At the top of the window,  
click  
[DVD-Video (STD)  
Creation].  
The window used to select movies  
appears.  
To add movies to the previously selected  
ones, select the movies in the main  
window and drag and drop onto the  
window for selecting movies.  
5
Follow the instructions on the  
screen to create a disc.  
It may take a long time to create a disc.  
US  
ꢂꢄ  
 
Uploading images to a  
media service  
The application “PMB Portable” is pre-  
loaded in this camcorder.  
Select the desired language, then  
click [OK].  
The Region Selection screen appears.  
You can use the “PMB Portable” to do the  
Select the appropriate [Region]  
and [Country/Area], and then  
click [OK].  
following:  
You can easily upload images to a blog or other  
media service.  
The User Agreement screen appears.  
You can upload images from a computer  
connected to the Internet even when you are  
away from home or the office.  
You can easily register the media services (such  
as blogs) you use frequently.  
You can see the detailed usage when you  
click the help button in the upper right after  
starting “PMB Portable.  
Read the agreement carefully.  
If you accept the terms of the  
agreement, click [I Agree].  
“PMB Portable” starts up.  
Starting up “PMB Portable”  
Notes  
Always connect to a network when uploading  
Turn on your camcorder, then  
connect it to a computer with the  
Built-in USB cable.  
images using “PMB Portable.  
If [PMB Portable] is not displayed within  
the AutoPlay Wizard, click [Computer]  
[PMBPORTABLE], then double-click  
[PMBP_Win.exe].  
If a bug occurs in “PMB Portable,” or you delete  
“PMB Portable” by mistake, you can correct  
this by downloading the PMB Portable installer  
from the web site.  
The [USB SELECT] screen appears on  
the LCD of your camcorder.  
Touch to select the recording  
media for which you wish to use  
“PMB Portable.”  
Notes on “PMB Portable”  
[
USB CONNECT]: Internal  
memory (DCR-SX65/SX85)  
USB CONNECT]: Memory card  
“PMB Portable” makes it possible to  
download various URLs of websites from  
the server administered by Sony (“Sony  
server”).  
In order to use “PMB Portable” to enjoy the  
benefits of the image uploading service, or  
other services provided by these and other  
[
If the [USB SELECT] screen does not  
appear, touch (MENU) [Show  
others] [USB CONNECT] (under  
[OTHERS] category).  
websites, you must consent to the following.  
Some websites require registration procedures  
and/or fees to use their services. In using such  
services, you must comply with the terms  
and conditions established by the websites  
concerned.  
Click “PMB Portable.  
The User Agreement screen appears.  
US  
ꢂꢅ  
   
Services may be terminated or changed at the  
will of the website operators. Sony cannot be  
held responsible for problems arising between  
users and third parties, including inconvenience  
caused to users during use of related services,  
inclusive of termination of (or changes to) such  
services.  
To view a website, you will be redirected to it by  
the Sony server. Access to certain websites may  
not be possible due to server maintenance, etc.  
In the event that a Sony server is to be  
terminated, notification ahead of time will be  
placed on the Sony website, etc.  
URLs to which you are redirected by the Sony  
server and other information may be recorded  
for the purposes of improving Sony future  
products and services. However, no personal  
data will be recorded on such occasions.  
US  
ꢂꢆ  
Saving images with an external device  
Saving images in  
external media  
(DIRECT COPY)  
1
Connect the AC Adaptor and the  
power cord (mains lead) to the  
DC IN jack of your camcorder and  
the wall outlet (wall socket).  
You can save movies and photos on external  
media (USB storage device), such as an  
external hard disk drive. You can also play  
back images on the camcorder or another  
playback device.  
2
If the external media has the AC  
power cable, connect it to the  
wall outlet (wall socket).  
Notes  
For this operation, you need the USB Adaptor  
Cable VMC-UAM1 (sold separately).  
The USB Adaptor Cable VMC-UAM1 may not  
be available in some countries/regions.  
You cannot use the following devices as an  
external media.  
media with a capacity exceeding 2 TB  
ordinary disc drive such as CD or DVD drive  
media connected via USB hub  
media with built-in USB hub  
card reader  
You may not be able to use external media with  
a code function.  
3
4
Connect the USB Adaptor Cable  
to the external media.  
Connect the USB Adaptor Cable  
to the (USB) jack of your  
camcorder.  
When the [Create a new Image  
Database File.] screen appears, touch  
[YES].  
FAT file system is available for your camcorder.  
If the external media was formatted to NTFS  
file system, etc., format the external media on  
your camcorder before use. The format screen  
appears when the external media is connected  
to your camcorder. The format screen may  
appear even in the case of media utilizing the  
FAT file system.  
USB Adaptor Cable  
VMC-UAM1  
(sold separately)  
Operation is not assured with every connectable  
device.  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall  
socket) using the supplied AC adaptor (p. 14).  
Refer to the instruction manual supplied with  
the external media.  
You cannot connect to the Built-in USB Cable.  
Refer to the Sony support page for your  
country/region for details on external media  
that can be used.  
5
Touch [Copy.] on the camcorder  
screen.  
Tips  
DCR-SX65/SX85:  
You can also import images recorded on  
external media using the supplied software  
“PMB.  
Movies and photos in the internal  
recording media of the camcorder that  
have not yet been saved on to external  
media can be saved.  
US  
ꢂꢇ  
     
DCR-SX45:  
Movies and photos that have not yet  
been saved on to external media can  
Touch  
(MENU) [Show others]  
[MOVIE DUB] (when selecting  
movies)/[PHOTO COPY] (when  
selecting photos).  
Follow the on-screen instructions to  
select the recording media (DCR-SX65/  
SX85) and image selection methods.  
When you selected [DUB by select],  
touch the image to be saved.  
be saved.  
This screen will appear only when there  
are newly recorded images.  
6
After the operation is completed,  
touch  
on the camcorder  
appears.  
screen.  
When you selected [DUB by date], select  
the date of the images to be dubbed with  
/
, then touch  
and go  
Notes  
to step .  
The number of scenes you can save on the  
external media are as follows.  
Movies: 9,999 movies  
Photos: 9,999 frames × 899 folders  
The number of scenes may be smaller  
depending on the type of images recorded.  
Remaining external media capacity  
When connecting an external media  
The images saved in the external media  
are displayed on the LCD screen. The  
movie display and photo display buttons  
on the VISUAL INDEX screen change as  
illustrated below.  
Press and hold the image down on the  
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch  
to return to the previous screen.  
By touching date, you can search for  
images by date.  
Touch  
[YES]   
on the  
camcorder screen.  
To play back images in the external  
media on the camcorder  
Touch [Play without copying.] in step 5  
above.  
The VISUAL INDEX screen of the  
external media is displayed.  
Play back the image (p. 27).  
You can also view images on a TV  
connected to your camcorder (p. 33).  
You can make menu settings of the external  
media such as deleting images. Touch  
(MENU) [Show others] on the VISUAL  
INDEX screen.  
To save desired movies and photos  
You can also save images recorded on  
memory cards.  
Notes  
The Date Index of photos cannot be displayed.  
If your camcorder does not recognize the  
external media, try the following operations.  
Reconnect the USB Adaptor Cable to your  
camcorder  
If the external media has the AC power cable,  
connect it to the wall outlet (wall socket)  
Notes  
You cannot search or copy photos recorded on  
memory card by recording date.  
Touch [Play without copying.] in step 5  
above.  
The VISUAL INDEX screen of the  
external media is displayed.  
US  
ꢃ0  
To finish the external media connection  
Touch on the VISUAL INDEX  
screen of the external media.  
Disconnect the USB Adaptor Cable.  
US  
ꢃ1  
Creating a disc with a  
DVD writer, recorder  
Insert an unused disc into the  
DVD writer, and close the disc  
tray.  
Creating a disc with the dedicated  
DVD writer, DVDirect Express  
The [DISC BURN] screen appears on  
the camcorder screen.  
You can create a disc or play back the  
images on a created disc by using the  
dedicated DVD writer, DVDirect Express  
(sold separately).  
Refer also to the instruction manual  
supplied with the DVD writer.  
Press  
(DISC BURN) on the DVD  
writer.  
Movies recorded on the internal  
recording media that have not been  
saved on any discs will be recorded  
onto the disc (DCR-SX65/SX85).  
Movies that have not been saved on  
any discs will be recorded onto the disc  
(DCR-SX45).  
Notes  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall  
socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this  
operation (p. 14).  
Only unused discs of the following types can  
be used:  
12cm DVD-R  
12cm DVD+R  
The device does not support two-layered discs.  
DVDirect Express is referred to as “DVD  
writer” in this section.  
Repeat steps 3 and 4 when the  
total memory size of movies to  
be burnt exceeds that of the disc.  
Touch  
[END] [EJECT  
Connect the AC Adaptor and the  
power cord (mains lead) to the  
DC IN jack of your camcorder  
and the wall outlet (wall socket)  
DISC] on the camcorder screen.  
Remove the disc after the operation is  
completed.  
Touch  
, then disconnect the  
USB cable.  
Turn on your camcorder, and  
connect the DVD writer to the   
(USB) jack of your camcorder with  
the USB cable of the DVD writer.  
To customize a disc with DISC BURN  
OPTION  
Perform this operation in the following  
cases:  
When dubbing a desired image  
When creating multiple copies of the same  
disc  
When dubbing images in the memory card  
(DCR-SX65/SX85)  
You cannot connect to the Built-in USB Cable.  
Touch [DISC BURN OPTION] in step 4.  
US  
ꢃꢀ  
   
You can play back movies on the TV  
screen by connecting the camcorder to a  
TV (p. 33).  
Select the recording media containing  
the movie(s) you want to save (DCR-  
SX65/SX85).  
Touch the movie you want to burn on  
the disc.  
Insert a created disc into the DVD  
writer.  
The movies on the disc appear as  
VISUAL INDEX on the camcorder  
screen.  
appears.  
Press the play button on the DVD writer.  
You can also operate by the camcorder  
screen.  
Touch [END] [EJECT DISC] on the  
camcorder screen and remove the disc  
after the operation is completed.  
Remaining Disc capacity  
Press and hold the image down on the  
LCD screen to confirm the image. Touch  
to return to the previous screen.  
By touching date, you can search for  
images by date.  
Touch  
and disconnect the USB  
cable.  
Notes  
Do not do any of the following when creating  
a disc.  
Turn off the camcorder  
Disconnect the USB cable or the AC adaptor  
Subject the camcorder to mechanical shock  
or vibration  
Eject the memory card from the camcorder  
Play the created disc to make sure dubbing was  
performed correctly before deleting the movies  
on your camcorder.  
Touch  
screen.  
[YES] on the camcorder  
To create another disc of the same  
contents, insert a new disc and touch  
[CREATE SAME DISC].  
After the operation is completed, touch  
[EXIT] [END] on the camcorder  
screen.  
Disconnect the USB cable from your  
camcorder.  
If [Failed.] or [DISC BURN failed.] appears on  
the screen, insert another disc into the DVD  
writer and perform the DISC BURN operation  
again.  
To play back a disc on the DVD writer  
Tips  
If the total memory size of movies to be burnt  
by the DISC BURN operation exceeds that of  
the disc, disc creation stops when the limit is  
reached. The last movie on the disc may be  
cut off.  
Disc creation time to dub movies to the limit  
of the disc is about 20 minutes to 60 minutes.  
It may take more time depending on the  
recording mode or the number of scenes.  
If you cannot play back created discs on any  
DVD player, connect the camcorder to the  
DVD writer, and then play back.  
Connect the AC Adaptor and the power  
cord (mains lead) to the DC IN jack of  
your camcorder and the wall outlet (wall  
socket) (p. 14).  
Turn on your camcorder, and connect  
the DVD writer to the (USB) jack of  
your camcorder with the USB cable of  
the DVD writer.  
US  
ꢃꢁ  
Creating a disc with a DVD writer,  
etc., other than DVDirect Express  
Touch the recording media that  
contains the images on the  
camcorder screen.  
You can save movies on a disc by  
connecting your camcorder to disc creation  
devices, such as a Sony DVD writer other  
than DVDirect Express, with the USB  
cable. Refer also to the instruction manuals  
supplied with the devices to be connected.  
[
USB CONNECT]: Internal  
memory (DCR-SX65/SX85)  
[
USB CONNECT]: Memory card  
The displayed recording media differ  
depending on the model.  
Notes  
Sony DVD writer may not be available in some  
countries/regions.  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall  
socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this  
operation (p. 14).  
Record movies on the connected  
device.  
For details, refer to the instruction  
manuals supplied with the device to be  
connected.  
Connect the AC Adaptor and the  
power cord (mains lead) to the  
DC IN jack of your camcorder  
and the wall outlet (wall socket)  
After the operation is completed,  
touch [END] [YES] on the  
camcorder screen.  
Disconnect the USB cable.  
Turn on your camcorder, and  
connect a DVD writer, etc. to the  
(USB) jack of your camcorder  
with the Built-in USB Cable.  
Creating a disc with a recorder, etc.  
You can dub images played back on your  
camcorder on a disc or video cassette,  
by connecting your camcorder to a disc  
recorder, a Sony DVD writer, etc., other  
than DVDirect Express, with the A/V  
connecting cable. Connect the device in  
either way of or . Refer also to the  
instruction manuals supplied with the  
devices to be connected.  
The [USB SELECT] screen appears on  
the camcorder screen.  
If the [USB SELECT] screen does not  
Notes  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall  
socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this  
operation (p. 14).  
appear, touch  
(MENU) [Show  
Sony DVD writer may not be available in some  
countries/regions.  
others] [USB CONNECT] (under  
[OTHERS] category).  
US  
ꢃꢂ  
     
A/V connecting cable (supplied)  
Connect the A/V connecting cable to the  
input jack of another device.  
Insert the recording media in the  
recording device.  
If your recording device has an input  
A/V connecting cable with S VIDEO  
(sold separately)  
selector, set it to the input mode.  
When connecting to another device  
via the S VIDEO jack, by using an A/V  
connecting cable with an S VIDEO cable  
(sold separately), higher quality images can  
be produced than with an A/V connecting  
cable. Connect the white and red plug  
(left/right audio) and the S VIDEO plug  
(S VIDEO channel) of the A/V connecting  
cable with an S VIDEO cable. If you  
connect the S VIDEO plug only, you will  
hear no sound. The yellow plug (video)  
connection is not necessary.  
Connect your camcorder to the  
recording device (a disc recorder,  
etc.) with the A/V connecting  
cable (supplied) or an A/V  
connecting cable with S VIDEO  
(sold separately).  
Connect your camcorder to the input jacks  
of the recording device.  
Start playback on your  
camcorder, and record it on the  
recording device.  
Refer to the instruction manuals supplied  
with your recording device for details.  
When dubbing is finished, stop  
the recording device, and then  
your camcorder.  
A/V Remote Connector  
Input  
S VIDEO  
Notes  
Since dubbing is performed via analog data  
transfer, the image quality may deteriorate.  
To hide the screen indicators (such as a counter,  
etc.) on the screen of the monitor device  
VIDEO  
(Yellow)  
(White)  
connected, touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [OUTPUT SETTINGS] (under  
[GENERAL SET] category) [DISP  
OUTPUT] [LCD PANEL] (the default  
AUDIO  
setting)   
To record the date/time or camera settings data,  
touch (MENU) [Show others]   
[PLAYBACK SET] (under [PLAYBACK]  
category) [DATA CODE] a desired  
.
(Red)  
(Yellow)  
Signal flow  
setting   
. In  
addition, touch  
(MENU) [Show  
others] [OUTPUT SETTINGS] (under  
[GENERAL SET] category) [DISP  
US  
ꢃꢃ  
 
OUTPUT] [V-OUT/PANEL]   
.
When the screen size of display devices (TV,  
etc.) is 4:3, touch (MENU) [Show  
others] [OUTPUT SETTINGS] (under  
[GENERAL SET] category) [TV TYPE]  
[4:3]   
.
When you connect a monaural device, connect  
the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable  
to the video input jack, and the white (left  
channel) or the red (right channel) plug to the  
audio input jack on the device.  
US  
ꢃꢄ  
Customizing your camcorder  
Using menus  
Using the menus, you can perform useful functions and change various settings. If you make  
good use of menu operations, you can enjoy using your camcorder.  
The camcorder has various menu items under each of eight menu categories.  
MANUAL SETTINGS (Items to adjust for scene condition) p. 62  
SHOOTING SET (Items for customized shooting) p. 66  
PHOTO SETTINGS (Items for recording photos) p. 68  
PLAYBACK (Items for playback) p. 69  
EDIT (Items for editing) p. 70  
OTHERS (Items for other settings) p. 70  
MANAGE MEDIA (Items for recording media) p. 71  
GENERAL SET (Other setup items) p. 72  
Operating menus  
/
/
: The menu list moves from category to category.  
: The menu list moves through 4 items at once.  
You can touch buttons and drag the screen to scroll the list of the menu.  
The selected category icon is displayed in orange.  
You can return to the MY MENU screen by touching  
when displayed.  
Touch  
.
Touch [Show others] on the MY MENU screen.  
See the next page for details on MY MENU.  
Touch the central part of the left side of screen to change the display.  
Touch the menu item to be changed.  
After changing the setting, touch  
.
To finish setting the menu, touch  
.
To return to the previous menu screen, touch  
.
may not be displayed depending on the menu item.  
US  
ꢃꢅ  
   
Notes  
You may not be able to set some menu items, depending on the recording or playback conditions.  
Grayed out menu items or settings are not available.  
Tips  
Depending on the menu items being changed, your camcorder switches between playback mode and  
recording mode (movie/photo).  
Using MY MENU  
You can use the menu items more easily by registering the menu items you use most often on  
MY MENU. You can register 6 menu items on each MY MENU of the MOVIE, PHOTO, and  
PLAYBACK.  
Example: deleting [SPOT MTR/FCS] and registering [ FADER]  
Touch  
.
Touch [MY MENU SETTING].  
Touch [MOVIE].  
Touch [SPOT MTR/FCS].  
Touch  
Touch [ FADER] (under  
When MY MENU is displayed, touch  
.
[MANUAL SETTINGS] category).  
.
Repeat the same steps above to register menu items on MY MENU, and enjoy using your  
“Handycam.”  
Tips  
When an external storage device is connected, the exclusive MY MENU appears.  
US  
ꢃꢆ  
 
Using the OPTION MENU  
The OPTION MENU appears just like the pop-up window that appears when you right-click  
the mouse on a computer. When  
the OPTION MENU. You touch  
appear.  
is displayed at bottom-right of the screen, you can use  
, and the menu items you can change in the context  
Menu item  
Tab  
Touch  
(OPTION).  
Touch the desired tab the item to change the setting.  
After completing the setting, touch  
.
Notes  
Grayed out menu items or settings are not available.  
When the item you want is not on the screen, touch another tab. (There may be no tab.)  
The tabs and items that appear on the screen depend on the recording/playback status of your camcorder  
at the time.  
US  
ꢃꢇ  
   
DELETE  
PROTECT  
Menu lists  
PROTECT  
PROTECT  
(MANUAL SETTINGS) category  
SCENE SELECTION  
FADER  
WHITE BAL.  
SPOT MTR/FCS  
SPOT METER  
SPOT FOCUS  
EXPOSURE  
DIVIDE  
PHOTO CAPTURE  
MOVIE DUB*  
DUB by select  
DUB by date  
DUB ALL  
PHOTO COPY*  
COPY by select  
COPY by date  
PLAYLIST EDIT  
ADD  
FOCUS  
TELE MACRO  
(SHOOTING SET) category  
REC MODE  
GUIDEFRAME  
ADD by date  
ERASE  
STEADYSHOT  
ERASE ALL  
MOVE  
AUTO SLW SHUTTR  
FACE DETECTION  
AUDIO REC SET  
BLT-IN ZOOM MIC  
MICREF LEVEL  
(OTHERS) category  
USB CONNECT  
USB CONNECT*  
USB CONNECT  
DISC BURN  
OTHER REC SET  
DIGITAL ZOOM  
BACK LIGHT  
BATTERY INFO  
WIDE SELECT  
(MANAGE MEDIA) category  
MEDIA SETTINGS*  
MOVIE MEDIA SET  
PHOTO MEDIA SET  
MEDIA INFO  
(PHOTO SETTINGS) category  
SELF-TIMER  
IMAGE SIZE  
FILE NO.  
MEDIA FORMAT  
(PLAYBACK) category  
VISUAL INDEX  
VIEW IMAGES  
DATE INDEX  
FILM ROLL  
INT. MEMORY*  
MEMORY CARD  
REPAIR IMG.DB F.  
INT. MEMORY*  
MEMORY CARD  
FACE  
PLAYLIST  
PLAYBACK SET  
DATA CODE  
(GENERAL SET) category  
SOUND/DISP SET  
VOLUME  
BEEP  
(EDIT) category  
DELETE  
LCD BRIGHT  
LCD BL LEVEL  
LCD COLOR  
DELETE  
US  
ꢄ0  
 
DISPLAY SET  
OUTPUT SETTINGS  
TV TYPE  
DISP OUTPUT  
CLOCK/ LANG  
CLOCK SET  
AREA SET  
DST SET/SUMMERTIME  
LANGUAGE SET  
POWER SETTINGS  
A.SHUT OFF  
POWER ON BY LCD  
OTHER SETTINGS  
DEMO MODE  
CALIBRATION  
USB LUN SETTING  
* DCR-SX65/SX85  
US  
ꢄ1  
PORTRAIT (Soft portrait)  
MANUAL  
(
)
Brings out the subject such  
as people or flowers while  
creating a soft background.  
SETTINGS  
(Items to adjust for scene  
condition)  
SPOTLIGHT**(  
)
Prevents people’s faces from  
appearing excessively white  
when subjects are lit by  
strong light.  
See “Using menus” (p. 57) on the operation.  
The default settings are marked with .  
SCENE SELECTION  
SPORTS** (  
)
Select to minimize shake  
when shooting fast moving  
subjects.  
You can record images effectively in various  
situations.  
AUTO  
BEACH** (  
Takes the vivid blue of the  
ocean or a lake.  
)
Records images in average image quality  
without the [SCENE SELECTION] function.  
TWILIGHT* (  
)
SNOW** (  
Takes bright pictures of a  
white landscape.  
)
Maintains the darkening  
atmosphere of the distant  
surroundings in twilight  
scenes.  
*
Adjusted to focus on subjects farther away  
only.  
** Adjusted not to focus on subjects a short  
CANDLE ( )  
Maintains the dim  
atmosphere of a candlelit  
scene.  
distance away.  
Notes  
If you set [SCENE SELECTION], [WHITE  
BAL.] setting is canceled.  
SUNRISE&SUNSET* (  
Reproduces the atmosphere  
of scenes such as sunsets or  
sunrises.  
)
FADER  
FIREWORKS* (  
Takes spectacular shots of  
fireworks.  
)
You can record a transition with the  
following effects adding to the interval  
between scenes.  
Select the desired effect in [STBY] (to  
fading in) or [REC] (to fading out) mode.  
LANDSCAPE*(  
)
Shoots distant subjects  
clearly. This setting also  
prevents your camcorder  
from focusing on glass or  
metal mesh in windows  
between the camcorder and  
the subject.  
OFF  
Does not use an effect.  
WHITE FADER  
Fades in/out with the white effect.  
Out  
In  
US  
ꢄꢀ  
             
BLACK FADER  
Fades in/out with the black effect.  
Out  
ONE PUSH (  
The white balance will be adjusted  
according to the ambient light.  
)
In  
Touch [ONE PUSH].  
Frame a white object such as a piece of  
paper, to fill the screen under the same  
lighting conditions as you will shoot the  
subject.  
To cancel the fader before starting the  
operation, touch [OFF].  
Touch [  
].  
flashes quickly. When the white  
balance has been adjusted and stored in the  
memory, the indicator stops flashing.  
Tips  
When you press START/STOP, the setting is  
cleared.  
A movie recorded using [BLACK FADER] may  
be difficult to see in the VISUAL INDEX screen.  
Notes  
Set [WHITE BAL.] to [AUTO] or adjust the  
color in [ONE PUSH] under white or cool  
white fluorescent lamps.  
WHITE BAL. (White balance)  
When you select [ONE PUSH], keep framing  
You can adjust the color balance to the  
brightness of the recording environment.  
white objects while  
flashes slowly if [ONE PUSH] could not  
be set.  
When [ONE PUSH] was selected, if  
is flashing quickly.  
keeps  
, set [WHITE  
flashing after touching  
BAL.] to [AUTO].  
If you set [WHITE BAL.], [SCENE  
SELECTION] is set to [AUTO].  
Tips  
AUTO  
If you have changed the battery pack while  
[AUTO] was selected, or taken your camcorder  
outdoors after inside use (or vice versa), aim  
your camcorder at a nearby white object for  
about 10 seconds for better color balance  
adjustment.  
When the white balance has been set with  
[ONE PUSH], if the lighting conditions  
changed by bringing your camcorder outdoors  
from inside the house, or vice versa, you need  
to redo the [ONE PUSH] procedure to readjust  
the white balance.  
The white balance is adjusted automatically.  
OUTDOOR (  
The white balance is appropriately adjusted  
for the following recording conditions:  
)
Outdoors  
Night views, neon signs and fireworks  
Sunrise or sunset  
Under daylight fluorescent lamps  
INDOOR ()  
The white balance is appropriately adjusted  
for the following recording conditions:  
Indoors  
At party scenes or studios where the  
lighting conditions change quickly  
Under video lamps in a studio, or under  
sodium lamps or incandescent-like color  
lamps  
US  
ꢄꢁ  
   
SPOT MTR/FCS (Spot meter/  
focus)  
SPOT FOCUS  
You can select and adjust the focal point to  
aim it at a subject not located at the center  
of the screen.  
You can adjust the brightness and focus  
for the selected subject simultaneously.  
This function enables you to use [SPOT  
METER] (p. 64) and [SPOT FOCUS]  
(p. 64) at the same time.  
STBY  
STBY  
SPOT FOCUS  
SPOT FOCUS  
AUTO  
AUTO  
Touch the subject in the frame of which you  
want to adjust the focus.  
To adjust the focus automatically, touch  
[AUTO].  
Touch the subject in the frame of which you  
want to adjust the brightness and focus.  
To adjust the brightness and focus  
automatically, touch [AUTO].  
Notes  
[FOCUS] is automatically set to [MANUAL].  
EXPOSURE  
Notes  
[EXPOSURE] and [FOCUS] are automatically  
set to [MANUAL].  
You can fix the brightness of a picture  
manually. Adjust the brightness when the  
subject is too bright or too dark.  
SPOT METER (Flexible spot  
meter)  
You can adjust and fix the exposure  
to the subject, so that it is recorded in  
suitable brightness even when there is  
strong contrast between the subject and  
the background, such as subjects in the  
spotlight on stage.  
Touch  
/
to adjust the brightness.  
To adjust the exposure automatically, touch  
[AUTO].  
N
END  
STBY  
STBY  
SPOT METER  
SPOT METER  
FOCUS  
You can adjust the focus manually. You can  
select this function also when you want to  
focus on a certain subject intentionally.  
AUTO  
AUTO  
Touch the subject in the frame of which you  
want to adjust the exposure.  
To return the setting to automatic exposure,  
touch [AUTO].  
Notes  
[EXPOSURE] is automatically set to  
[MANUAL].  
Touch  
(nearby subject)/  
(distant  
subject) to adjust the focus.  
To adjust the focus automatically, touch  
[AUTO].  
US  
ꢄꢂ  
           
Notes  
Notes  
When you set [FOCUS] to [MANUAL],   
appears.  
The minimum possible distance between  
camcorder and subject while maintaining sharp  
focus is about 1 cm (about 13/32 in.) for wide  
angle and about 150 cm (about 59 1/8 in.) for  
telephoto.  
When recording a distant subject, focusing may  
be difficult and can take some time.  
Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p. 64)  
when it is hard to focus automatically.  
Tips  
appears when the focus cannot be adjusted  
any closer, and appears when the focus  
cannot be adjusted farther away.  
It is easier to focus on the subject by moving  
the power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) to  
adjust the focus, then towards W (wide angle)  
to adjust the zoom for recording. When you  
want to record a subject at close range, move  
the power zoom lever to W (wide angle), then  
adjust the focus.  
The focal distance information (distance at  
which the subject is focused on; used as a guide  
if it is dark and focus adjustment is difficult)  
appears for a few seconds in the following cases.  
When the focus mode is switched from  
automatic to manual  
When you set focus manually  
TELE MACRO  
This is useful to shoot small subjects, such  
as flowers or insects. You can blur out  
backgrounds and the subject stands out  
clearer.  
OFF  
Cancels TELE MACRO. (TELE MACRO is  
also canceled when you move the zoom lever  
to the W side.)  
ON (  
)
The zoom (p. 24) moves to the top of the T  
(telephoto) side automatically and allows  
recording subjects at a close distance down to  
about 38 cm (15 in.).  
US  
ꢄꢃ  
   
STANDARD  
Provides the SteadyShot effect under relatively  
stable recording conditions.  
SHOOTING SET  
(Items for customized  
OFF (  
)
shooting)  
The SteadyShot function is not used.  
See “Using menus” (p. 57) on the operation.  
The default settings are marked with .  
Notes  
When you change the setting of  
[
STEADYSHOT], the imaging field will also  
REC MODE (Recording  
mode)  
change accordingly.  
AUTO SLW SHUTTR (Auto Slow  
Shutter)  
See page 25.  
GUIDEFRAME  
When recording in dark places, the shutter  
speed is automatically reduced to 1/30  
second.  
You can display the frame and check that  
the subject is horizontal or vertical.  
The frame is not recorded.  
OFF  
The Auto Slow Shutter function is not used.  
OFF  
ON  
Does not display the guide frame.  
The Auto Slow Shutter function is used.  
ON  
Displays the guide frame.  
FACE DETECTION  
Detects the faces of your subjects and  
adjusts the exposure automatically.  
ON  
Detects faces.  
OFF (  
)
Tips  
Does not detect faces.  
Positioning the subject at the cross point of the  
guide frame makes a balanced composition.  
The outer frame of [GUIDEFRAME] shows the  
display area of a TV which is not compatible  
with full pixel display.  
Notes  
Faces may not be detected depending on  
recording conditions, subject conditions, and  
the setting of your camcorder.  
[FACE DETECTION] may not function  
properly depending on recording conditions.  
Set [FACE DETECTION] to [OFF] in this case.  
STEADYSHOT  
You can compensate for camera shake.  
Set [ STEADYSHOT] to [OFF] (  
when using a tripod (sold separately), then  
the image becomes natural.  
)
Tips  
For better face detection performance, shoot the  
subject(s) under the following conditions:  
Shoot in a sufficiently bright place  
The subject(s) does not wear glasses, a hat  
or mask  
ACTIVE  
Provides a more powerful SteadyShot effect.  
US  
ꢄꢄ  
             
The subject(s) faces directly towards the  
camera  
The detected faces are recorded in Face Index,  
however, some faces may not be. Also, there  
is a limit to the number of faces that can be  
recorded in Face Index. To play back from the  
Face Index, see page 31.  
The zooming zone appears when you select  
2000×.  
OFF  
AUDIO REC SET  
Up to 70× zoom is performed.  
2000×  
BLT-IN ZOOM MIC (Built-in zoom  
Up to 70× zoom is performed, and after that,  
up to 2000× zoom is performed digitally.  
microphone)  
You can record a movie with vivid sound  
appropriate to the zoom position.  
Notes  
You can magnify images up to 60 times optically  
when [ STEADYSHOT] is set to [ACTIVE].  
OFF  
The microphone does not record sound  
following zooming in or out.  
BACK LIGHT  
Your camcorder adjusts the exposure for  
backlit subjects.  
ON (  
)
The microphone records sound following  
zooming in or out.  
OFF  
Does not adjust the exposure for backlight  
subjects.  
MICREF LEVEL (Microphone  
reference level)  
ON  
You can select the microphone level for  
recording sound.  
Adjusts the exposure for backlit subjects.  
NORMAL  
WIDE SELECT  
Records various ambient sounds, converting  
them into the appropriate level.  
You can select the horizontal to vertical  
ratio according to the TV connected. Refer  
also to the instruction manuals supplied  
with your TV.  
LOW (  
)
Records ambient sound faithfully. Select  
[LOW] when you want to record an exciting  
and powerful sound in a concert hall, etc.  
(This setting is not suitable for recording  
conversations.)  
16:9 WIDE  
Records movies to the full screen on a 16:9  
(wide) TV screen.  
4:3 (  
)
OTHER REC SET  
Records movies to the full screen on a 4:3  
TV screen.  
DIGITAL ZOOM  
Notes  
You can select the maximum zoom level.  
Note that the image quality decreases when  
you use the digital zoom.  
Set [TV TYPE] correctly according to the TV  
connected for playback (p. 72).  
US  
ꢄꢅ  
           
RESET  
PHOTO SETTINGS  
(Items for recording photos)  
Assigns file numbers in sequence, following  
the largest file number existing on the  
recording medium.  
When the memory card is replaced with  
another one, the file number is assigned for  
each memory card.  
See “Using menus” (p. 57) on the operation.  
The default settings are marked with .  
SELF-TIMER  
Press PHOTO to start the count down. A  
photo is recorded after about 10 seconds.  
OFF  
Cancels the self-timer.  
ON (  
)
Starts the self-timer recording. To cancel the  
recording, touch [RESET].  
IMAGE SIZE  
You can select a photo size to be shot.  
VGA(0.3M) (  
)
Records photos in the 4:3 aspect ratio (640  
× 480).  
0.2M (  
)
Records photos in the 16:9 (wide) aspect ratio  
(640 × 360).  
Notes  
The selected image size is effective when the  
(Photo) lamp is lit.  
See page 84 for the number of recordable  
photos.  
FILE NO. (File number)  
You can select the way to assign file number  
of photos.  
SERIES  
Assigns file numbers of photos in sequence.  
The file number becomes larger each time  
you record a photo.  
Even if the memory card is replaced with  
another one, the file number is assigned in  
sequence.  
US  
ꢄꢆ  
         
DATE/TIME  
PLAYBACK  
(Items for playback)  
See “Using menus” (p. 57) on the operation.  
VISUAL INDEX  
Date  
Time  
See page 27.  
CAMERA DATA  
Movie  
VIEW IMAGES  
DATE INDEX  
See page 30.  
FILM ROLL  
See page 30.  
FACE  
Photo  
See page 31.  
PLAYLIST  
See page 42.  
PLAYBACK SET  
SteadyShot off  
Brightness  
White balance  
Gain  
Shutter speed  
Aperture value  
Exposure  
DATA CODE  
During playback, your camcorder displays  
the information (Date/time, Camera data)  
recorded automatically at the time of  
recording.  
OFF  
Tips  
Data code is not displayed.  
The data code is displayed on the TV screen if  
you connect your camcorder to a TV.  
Depending on the recording media condition,  
bars [--:--:--] appear.  
DATE/TIME  
Displays the date and time.  
CAMERA DATA  
Displays camera setting data.  
US  
ꢄꢇ  
     
OTHERS  
(Items for other settings)  
EDIT  
(Items for editing)  
See “Using menus” (p. 57) on the operation.  
See “Using menus” (p. 57) on the operation.  
The default settings are marked with .  
DELETE  
USB CONNECT  
See page 35.  
See page 54.  
PROTECT  
BATTERY INFO  
See page 37.  
You can check the estimated remaining  
capacity of the battery.  
DIVIDE  
See page 38.  
PHOTO CAPTURE  
See page 39.  
To close the battery information screen  
MOVIE DUB (DCR-SX65/SX85)  
Touch  
.
See page 40.  
PHOTO COPY (DCR-SX65/  
SX85)  
See page 41.  
PLAYLIST EDIT  
See page 42.  
US  
ꢅ0  
       
While [Executing…] is displayed, do not close  
the LCD screen, operate the buttons on the  
camcorder, disconnect the AC Adaptor, or eject  
the memory card from your camcorder (The  
access lamp is lit or flashing while formatting  
memory card.).  
MANAGE MEDIA  
(Items for recording media)  
See “Using menus” (p. 57) on the operation.  
To prevent data on the internal  
recording media from being recovered  
(DCR-SX65/SX85)  
MEDIA SETTINGS (DCR-SX65/  
SX85)  
[EMPTY] allows you to write unintelligible  
data onto the internal recording media of  
the camcorder. In this way it may become  
more difficult to recover any original  
data. When you dispose of or transfer the  
camcorder, it is recommended that you  
perform [EMPTY].  
See page 17.  
MEDIA INFO  
You can check the remaining recordable  
time for each recording mode of the  
recording media for movies and the  
approximate free and used media space of  
the recording media.  
When the internal recording media is  
selected on the [MEDIA FORMAT] screen,  
touch [EMPTY].  
To turn off the display  
Touch  
.
Notes  
Since there is a management file area, the  
used space is not displayed as 0 % even if you  
perform [MEDIA FORMAT] (p. 71).  
Notes  
Tips  
Connect the AC Adaptor to the wall outlet (wall  
socket). You cannot perform [EMPTY] unless  
you connect the AC Adaptor to the wall outlet  
(wall socket).  
To avoid the loss of important images, they  
should be saved on a computer or other devices  
before performing [EMPTY].  
Only the information of the medium selected  
on [MOVIE MEDIA SET] (p. 17) is displayed.  
Change the medium setting if necessary  
(DCR-SX65/SX85).  
MEDIA FORMAT  
Disconnect all cables except the AC Adaptor.  
Do not disconnect the AC Adaptor during the  
operation.  
While deleting data, do not apply any vibrations  
or shocks to your camcorder.  
Confirm the actual time required to delete data  
on the LCD screen.  
Formatting deletes all the movies and  
photos to recover recordable free space.  
Touch [YES] [YES]   
.
DCR-SX65/SX85:  
Select the recording media to be formatted.  
If you stop performing [EMPTY] while  
[Executing…] appears, be sure to complete the  
operation by performing [MEDIA FORMAT]  
or [EMPTY] when you use the camcorder next  
time.  
Notes  
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall  
socket) using AC Adaptor supplied for this  
operation (p. 14).  
To avoid the loss of important images, you  
should save them before formatting the  
recording media.  
REPAIR IMG.DB F.  
Protected movies and photos will also be  
deleted.  
US  
ꢅ1  
         
to the camcorder body, the setting becomes  
[NORMAL] automatically.  
GENERAL SET  
Tips  
(Other setup items)  
This adjustment does not affect the recorded  
images in any way.  
See “Using menus” (p. 57) on the operation.  
The default settings are marked with .  
LCD COLOR  
You can adjust the color of the LCD screen  
SOUND/DISP SET  
by touching  
/
.
VOLUME  
You can adjust the volume of playback  
sound by touching  
Tips  
This adjustment does not affect the recorded  
images in any way.  
/
.
DISPLAY SET  
BEEP  
You can set the duration of displaying the  
icons or indicators on the LCD screen.  
ON  
A melody sounds when you start/stop  
recording, or operate the touch panel.  
AUTO1  
Displays for about 3 seconds. The rec & zoom  
buttons on the LCD is displayed.  
OFF  
Cancels the melody.  
AUTO2  
Displays for about 3 seconds. The rec & zoom  
buttons on the LCD is not displayed.  
LCD BRIGHT  
You can adjust the brightness of the LCD  
ON  
screen by touching  
/
.
Always displays. The rec & zoom buttons on  
the LCD is not displayed.  
Tips  
This adjustment does not affect the recorded  
images in any way.  
Tips  
The icons or indicators are displayed in the  
following cases.  
LCD BL LEVEL (LCD backlight level)  
When you turn on your camcorder.  
The LCD screen is touched (Except rec &  
zoom buttons on LCD).  
When you switch your camcorder to the  
movie recording, photo recording, or  
playback modes.  
You can select the brightness of the LCD  
screen’s backlight.  
NORMAL  
Standard brightness.  
BRIGHT  
Brightens the LCD screen.  
OUTPUT SETTINGS  
Notes  
TV TYPE  
See page 33.  
When you connect your camcorder to the wall  
outlet (wall socket) using the supplied AC  
Adaptor, [BRIGHT] is automatically selected  
for the setting.  
When you select [BRIGHT], battery life is  
slightly reduced during recording.  
If you open the LCD panel 180 degrees to face  
the screen outside and close the LCD panel  
DISP OUTPUT (Display output)  
You can set where the screen displays are to  
be output.  
US  
ꢅꢀ  
                   
LCD PANEL  
Shows displays such as the time code on the  
LCD screen.  
5min  
The camcorder turns off automatically.  
NEVER  
V-OUT/PANEL  
Shows displays such as the time code on the  
LCD screen, and on the TV screen.  
The camcorder does not turn off  
automatically.  
Notes  
When you connect your camcorder to a  
wall outlet (wall socket), [A.SHUT OFF] is  
automatically set to [NEVER].  
CLOCK/ LANG  
CLOCK SET  
See page 15.  
POWER ON BY LCD  
You can set your camcorder to turn on  
and off when you open and close the LCD  
screen.  
AREA SET  
You can adjust a time difference without  
stopping the clock. Set your local area when  
using your camcorder in other time zones.  
Refer to the world time difference on page  
ON  
The camcorder turns on and off when the  
LCD screen opens and closes.  
OFF  
DST SET/SUMMERTIME  
The camcorder does not turn on and off when  
the LCD screen opens and closes.  
You can change this setting without  
stopping the clock. Set to [ON] to move the  
time forward 1 hour.  
OTHER SETTINGS  
OFF  
Does not set the summertime.  
DEMO MODE  
ON  
When your camcorder is connected to a  
wall outlet (wall socket), a demonstration  
movie appear about 10 minutes after you  
turn on the (Movie) lamp by pressing  
MODE.  
Sets the summertime.  
LANGUAGE SET  
You can select the language to be used on  
the LCD screen.  
ON  
Tips  
The demonstration appears.  
Your camcorder offers [ENG[SIMP]]  
(simplified English) for when you cannot find  
your native tongue among the options.  
OFF  
The demonstration does not appear.  
Tips  
POWER SETTINGS  
When you set this item to [ON] and touch  
, the demonstration starts playing.  
The demonstration will be suspended:  
When you press START/STOP  
When you touch the screen during the  
demonstration (The demonstration starts  
again after about 10 minutes)  
A.SHUT OFF (Auto shut off)  
You can set your camcorder to turn off  
automatically when you do not operate  
your camcorder for more than about 5  
minutes.  
When you turn on the  
(Photo) lamp  
US  
ꢅꢁ  
               
When you press  
(VIEW IMAGES)  
CALIBRATION  
See page 90.  
USB LUN SETTING  
You can set the compatibility of your  
camcorder when using a USB connection  
MULTI  
Default setting.  
SINGLE  
Set this if you cannot connect.  
Notes  
Set to [MULTI] when using the PMB Portable.  
US  
ꢅꢂ  
   
Additional information  
simultaneously.................................................p. 79  
Troubleshooting  
If you run into any problems using your  
camcorder, follow the steps below.  
Overall operations  
Check the list (p. 75 to 82), and  
The power does not turn on.  
inspect your camcorder.  
Attach a charged battery pack to the  
camcorder (p. 12).  
The plug of the AC Adaptor has been  
disconnected from the wall outlet (wall  
socket). Connect it to the wall outlet (wall  
socket) (p. 12).  
Disconnect the power source, attach  
the power source again after about 1  
minute, and turn the camcorder on.  
Press RESET (p. 94) using a pointed  
object, and turn the camcorder on.  
If you press RESET, all settings,  
The camcorder does not operate even  
when the power is set to on.  
It takes a few seconds for your camcorder to  
be ready to shoot after the power is turned on.  
This is not a malfunction.  
including the clock setting, are reset.  
Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall  
outlet (wall socket) or remove the battery  
pack, then reconnect it after about 1 minute.  
If the functions still do not work, press RESET  
(p. 94) using a pointed object. (If you press  
RESET, all settings, including the clock setting,  
are reset.)  
The temperature of your camcorder is  
extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and  
leave it for a while in a cool place.  
The temperature of your camcorder is  
extremely low. Leave your camcorder with the  
power of your camcorder on. Turn off your  
camcorder and take it to a warm place. Leave  
the camcorder there for a while, then turn on  
your camcorder.  
Contact your Sony dealer or local  
authorized Sony service facility.  
Your camcorder may be required to initialize or  
change the current internal recording media of  
your camcorder, depending on the problem. In  
the event of this, the data stored on the internal  
recording media will be deleted. Be sure to  
save the data on the internal recording media  
on other media (backup) before sending your  
camcorder for repair. We will not compensate  
you for any loss of internal recording media  
data.  
During repair, we may check a minimum  
amount of data stored on the internal recording  
media in order to investigate the problem.  
However, your Sony dealer will neither copy  
nor retain your data.  
The menu settings have changed  
automatically.  
Overall operations ..........................................p. 75  
Batteries/power sources ................................p. 76  
LCD screen ......................................................p. 76  
Memory card ...................................................p. 77  
Recording.........................................................p. 77  
Playback ...........................................................p. 78  
Playing back images stored on memory card on  
other devices....................................................p. 78  
Editing movies/photos on your camcorder.p. 79  
Dubbing/Connecting to other devices.........p. 79  
Connecting to a Computer............................p. 79  
The following items return to the default  
settings in more than 12 hours after you close  
the LCD screen.  
[SCENE SELECTION]  
[WHITE BAL.]  
[SPOT MTR/FCS]  
[SPOT METER]  
[SPOT FOCUS]  
[EXPOSURE]  
[FOCUS]  
US  
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[BLT-IN ZOOM MIC]  
[MICREF LEVEL]  
[BACK LIGHT]  
The remaining battery time indicator does  
not indicate the correct time.  
The following menu items return to the  
default settings when you switch between  
movie recording and photo recording and  
playback modes.  
The ambient temperature is too high or too  
low. This is not a malfunction.  
The battery pack has not been charged  
enough. Fully charge the battery again. If the  
problem persists, replace the battery pack with  
a new one (p. 89).  
[ FADER]  
[TELE MACRO]  
[ SELF-TIMER]  
The indicated time may not be correct  
depending on the environment of use.  
Your camcorder gets warm.  
The battery pack is quickly discharged.  
Your camcorder may become warm during  
operation. This is not a malfunction.  
The ambient temperature is too high or low.  
This is not a malfunction.  
The battery pack has not been charged  
enough. Fully charge the battery again. If the  
problem persists, replace the battery pack with  
a new one (p. 89).  
Batteries/power sources  
The power abruptly turns off.  
Use the AC Adaptor.  
In the default setting, when about 5 minutes  
have elapsed while you do not operate your  
camcorder, the camcorder is automatically  
turned off (A.SHUT OFF). Change the setting  
of [A.SHUT OFF] (p. 73), or turn on the  
power again.  
LCD screen  
Menu items are grayed out.  
You cannot select grayed items in the current  
recording/playback situation.  
There are some functions you cannot activate  
simultaneously (p. 79).  
Charge the battery pack (p. 12).  
The CHG (charge) lamp does not light  
while the battery pack is being charged.  
The buttons do not appear on the touch  
panel.  
Close the LCD screen (p. 12).  
Attach the battery pack to the camcorder  
correctly (p. 12).  
Touch the LCD screen lightly.  
Connect the power cord (mains lead) to the  
wall outlet (wall socket) properly.  
The battery charge is completed (p. 12).  
The buttons on the touch panel do not  
work correctly or do not work at all.  
Adjust the touch panel ([CALIBRATION])  
The CHG (charge) lamp flashes while the  
battery pack is being charged.  
The buttons on the touch panel quickly  
disappear.  
If the temperature of the battery pack is too  
high or too low, you may not be able to charge  
it (p. 88).  
Set [DISPLAY SET] to [ON] (p. 72).  
Attach the battery pack to the camcorder  
correctly (p. 12). If the problem persists,  
disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall  
outlet (wall socket) and contact your Sony  
dealer. The battery pack may be damaged.  
Dots in lines appear on the LCD screen.  
This is not a malfunction. These dots are not  
recorded.  
US  
ꢅꢄ  
   
Memory card  
The access lamp remains lit or flashing  
even if recording was stopped.  
Your camcorder is recording the scene you  
have just shot on the memory card.  
Operations using the memory card  
cannot be performed.  
If you use the memory card formatted on a  
computer, format it again on your camcorder  
The imaging field looks different.  
The imaging field may look different  
depending on the condition of your  
camcorder. This is not a malfunction.  
Images stored on the memory card  
cannot be deleted.  
The actual recording time for movies is  
less than the expected recording time of  
the recording media.  
The maximum number of images that you can  
delete on the index screen at one time is 100.  
You cannot delete the protected images.  
Depending on the recording conditions, the  
time available for recording may be shorter, for  
example when recording a fast moving object,  
etc. (p. 83).  
The data file name is not indicated  
correctly or flashes.  
The file is damaged.  
The file format is not supported by your  
camcorder (p. 87).  
The camcorder stops operating.  
The temperature of your camcorder is  
extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and  
leave it for a while in a cool place.  
Recording  
The temperature of your camcorder is  
extremely low. Turn off your camcorder and  
take it to a warm place. Leave the camcorder  
there for a while, then turn on the camcorder.  
If you keep applying vibration on the  
camcorder, recording may stop.  
Refer also to “Memory card” (p. 77).  
Pressing START/STOP or PHOTO does not  
record images.  
The playback screen is displayed. Press MODE  
to turn on the  
(Movie) or (Photo) lamp  
There is a time difference between the  
point when START/STOP is pressed and  
the point that the recording movie is  
started or stopped actually.  
Your camcorder is recording the image you  
have just shot on the recording media. You  
cannot make new recording during this  
period.  
The recording media is full. Delete  
unnecessary images (p. 35).  
Total number of movie scenes or photos  
exceeds the recordable capacity of your  
camcorder (p. 83, 84). Delete unnecessary  
images (p. 35).  
The temperature of your camcorder is  
extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and  
leave it for a while in a cool place.  
On your camcorder, there may be a slight  
time difference between the point where you  
press START/STOP and the actual point that  
recording movie starts/stops. This is not a  
malfunction.  
The auto focus does not function.  
Set [FOCUS] to [AUTO] (p. 64).  
The recording conditions are not suitable for  
auto focus. Adjust the focus manually (p. 64).  
The temperature of your camcorder is  
extremely low. Turn off your camcorder and  
take it to a warm place. Leave the camcorder  
there for a while, then turn on the camcorder.  
SteadyShot does not function.  
Set [ STEADYSHOT] to [ACTIVE] or  
[STANDARD] (p. 66).  
US  
ꢅꢅ  
   
Even if [ STEADYSHOT] is set to  
[ACTIVE] or [STANDARD], your camcorder  
may not be able to compensate for excessive  
vibrations.  
Photos cannot be played back.  
Photos cannot be played back if you have  
modified files or folders, or have edited the  
data on a computer. (The file name flashes in  
that case.) This is not a malfunction.  
A vertical band appears when recording  
candlelight or electric light in the dark.  
is indicated on an image on the  
VISUAL INDEX screen.  
This occurs when the contrast between the  
subject and the background is too high. This is  
not a malfunction.  
This may appear on an image recorded on  
other devices, edited on a computer, etc.  
You removed the AC Adaptor or the battery  
pack while the recording media icon at the top  
right corner of the screen flashes, or before  
the access lamp is turned off after recording.  
A vertical white line may appear on an  
image taken in bright light.  
This phenomenon is called the smear effect.  
This is not a malfunction.  
This may damage your image data and  
displayed.  
is  
Black bands appear when you record a TV  
screen or computer screen.  
is indicated on an image on the  
VISUAL INDEX screen.  
Set [ STEADYSHOT] to [OFF] (p. 66).  
The image data base file may be damaged.  
Check the data base file by touching  
(MENU) [Show others]   
Undesirable flicker occurs.  
This occurs when recording images under a  
fluorescent lamp, sodium lamp, or mercury  
lamp. This is not a malfunction.  
[REPAIR IMG.DB F.] (under  
[MANAGE MEDIA] category)   
the recording medium (DCR-SX65/SX85). If it  
still appears, delete the image with (p. 35).  
[LCD BL LEVEL] cannot be adjusted.  
You cannot adjust [LCD BL LEVEL] when:  
The LCD panel is closed on your camcorder  
with the LCD screen facing out.  
No sound or only a quiet sound is heard  
during playback.  
The power is supplied from the AC Adaptor.  
Turn up the volume (p. 28).  
When you record sound with [MICREF  
LEVEL] (p. 67) set to [LOW], the recorded  
sound may be difficult to hear.  
Magnification changes when the  
recording mode is switched.  
You cannot use digital zoom when your  
camcorder is in the photo recording mode.  
Playing back images stored on  
memory card on other devices  
Playback  
Images cannot be played back or the  
memory card is not recognized.  
Images cannot be played back.  
Select the type of recording media you want to  
play back (p. 17) (DCR-SX65/SX85).  
The device may not support memory card.  
Images recorded on other devices may not be  
played back. This is not a malfunction.  
US  
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a TV which is not compatible with full pixel  
display.  
It is recommended you record images using  
the outer frame of [GUIDEFRAME] (p. 66)  
as a guide.  
Editing movies/photos on your  
camcorder  
Unable to edit.  
Unable to edit because of the condition of the  
image.  
Images are not dubbed correctly.  
The A/V connecting cable is not connected  
properly. Make sure to connect the cable to the  
input jack of another device (p. 54).  
Movies cannot be added in the Playlist.  
There is no free space in the recording media.  
You can add no more than 99 movies to a  
Playlist. Erase unnecessary movies from the  
Playlist (p. 43).  
Connecting to a Computer  
You cannot add photos in the Playlist.  
“PMBcannot be installed.  
Check the computer environment or  
installation procedure required to install  
“PMB.”  
A movie cannot be divided.  
A movie that is too short cannot be divided.  
A protected movie cannot be divided.  
“PMBdoes not work correctly.  
A photo cannot be captured from a  
movie.  
Quit “PMB” and restart your computer.  
The recording media where you want to save  
photos is full.  
The camcorder is not recognized by the  
computer.  
Disconnect devices from the USB jack of the  
computer other than the keyboard, mouse,  
and your camcorder.  
Dubbing/Connecting to other  
devices  
Disconnect the USB cable from the computer  
and your camcorder, and restart the computer,  
then connect the computer and your  
camcorder again in the correct order.  
You cannot hear the sound on the TV  
connected to your camcorder.  
When you are using the S VIDEO plug,  
make sure the red and white plugs of the A/V  
connecting cable are connected (p. 54).  
Examples of functions that cannot  
be used simultaneously  
The aspect ratio of the playback is not  
correct when connecting your camcorder  
to the TV.  
The following list shows examples of  
unworkable combinations of functions and  
menu items.  
Set [TV TYPE] according to your TV (p. 72).  
Cannot use  
Because of following settings  
The top, bottom, right, and left edges  
of images are trimmed slightly on a  
connected TV.  
BACK LIGHT  
[SPOT MTR/FCS], [SPOT  
METER], [MANUAL]  
in [EXPOSURE],  
[FIREWORKS]  
The LCD screen of your camcorder can  
display recording images across the entire  
screen (full pixel display). However, this may  
cause slight trimming of the top, bottom, right,  
and left edges of images when played back on  
US  
ꢅꢇ  
         
Cannot use  
Because of following settings  
DIGITAL ZOOM],  
[SPOT MTR/FCS], [SPOT  
METER], [EXPOSURE],  
[TWILIGHT], [CANDLE],  
[SUNRISE&SUNSET],  
[FIREWORKS],  
[LANDSCAPE],  
[SPOTLIGHT], [BEACH],  
[SNOW]  
(Battery level warning)  
[FACE  
DETECTION]  
[
Slow flashing  
The battery pack is nearly used up.  
Depending on the operating environment or  
battery conditions,  
may flash, even if there  
are about 20 minutes remaining.  
(Warning indicator pertaining to  
battery pack temperature)  
[SCENE  
SELECTION]  
[
FADER], [TELE  
The battery pack temperature is high. Change  
the battery pack or place it in a cool place.  
MACRO]  
Self-diagnosis display/Warning  
indicators  
(High temperature warning)  
Slow flashing  
The temperature of your camcorder is getting  
higher. Turn off your camcorder and leave it  
for a while in a cool place.  
If indicators appear on the LCD screen,  
check the following.  
If the problem persists even after you  
have tried to fix a couple of times, contact  
your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony  
service facility. In this case, when you  
contact them, give them all the numbers of  
the error code beginning with C or E.  
Fast flashing  
The temperature of your camcorder is  
extremely high. Turn off your camcorder and  
leave it for a while in a cool place.  
(Low temperature warning)  
Fast flashing  
The temperature of your camcorder is  
extremely low. Make the camcorder warm.  
(Warning indicator pertaining to  
memory card)  
C:(or E:) : (Self-diagnosis display)  
Slow flashing  
C:04:  
  
Free spaces for recording images are running  
out. For the type of memory card you can use  
with your camcorder, see page 18.  
No memory card is inserted (p. 18).  
The battery pack is not an “InfoLITHIUM”  
battery pack (V series). Use an  
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (V series).  
Connect the DC plug of the AC Adaptor to the  
DC IN jack of your camcorder securely (p. 12).  
Fast flashing  
There are not enough free spaces for recording  
images. After storing the images on other  
media (p. 49), delete unnecessary images, or  
format the memory card (p. 71).  
The image data base file may be damaged.  
Check the data base file by touching  
(MENU) [Show others]   
C:06:  
  
The battery pack temperature is high. Change  
the battery pack or place it in a cool place.  
C:13:  
/ C:32:  
  
  
Remove the power source. Reconnect it and  
operate your camcorder again.  
[REPAIR IMG.DB F.] (under  
[MANAGE MEDIA] category)   
the recording medium (DCR-SX65/SX85).  
The memory card is damaged.  
E:  
:
   
Follow the steps from to on page 75.  
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Data error.  
(Warning indicators pertaining to  
memory card formatting)  
An error occurred during reading or writing  
the internal recording media of the camcorder.  
This may occur when you keep applying shock  
on the camcorder.  
The memory card is damaged.  
The memory card is not formatted correctly  
Movies recorded on other devices may not be  
played back.  
(Warning indicator pertaining to  
incompatible memory card)  
The Image Database File is damaged. Do  
you want to create a new file?  
Incompatible memory card is inserted (p. 18).  
The management file is damaged. When  
you touch [YES], a new management file  
is created. The old recorded images on the  
media cannot be played back (Image files are  
not damaged). If you execute [REPAIR IMG.  
DB F.] after creating new information, playing  
back the old recorded images may become  
possible. If it does not work, copy the image  
using the supplied software.  
(Warning indicator pertaining to  
the write-protect of the memory card)  
Access to the memory card was restricted on  
another device.  
(Warning indicator pertaining to  
camera-shake warning)  
The camcorder is unsteady, so camera-shake  
easily occurs. Hold the camcorder steady with  
both hands and record the image. However,  
note that the camera-shake warning indicator  
does not disappear.  
There is no Image Database File. Movies  
cannot be recorded or played. Create a  
new file?  
You cannot record or play back movies  
because no movie management information  
exists. If you touch [YES], new management  
information is created and you can record or  
play back movies.  
(Warning indicator pertaining to  
photo recording)  
The recording media is full.  
You can record photos.  
Tips  
You may hear a melody when some warning  
indicators appear on the screen.  
Inconsistencies found in Image Database  
File. Do you want to repair the Image  
Database File?  
Description of warning messages  
The Image Database File is damaged. Do  
you want to repair the Image Database  
File?  
If messages appear on the screen, follow the  
instructions.  
The management file is damaged, and you  
cannot record movies or photos. Touch [YES]  
to repair.  
Recording media  
You can record photos on a memory card.  
Internal memory format error.  
The internal recording media of the  
camcorder is set differently from the default  
format. Performing [MEDIA FORMAT]  
(p. 71) may enable you to use your camcorder.  
This will delete all data in the internal  
recording media.  
Buffer overflow  
A memory card on which recording and  
deleting has been repeated or formatted on  
other devices is used. Format the memory card  
on your camcorder after backing up the data  
to the hard disk of a computer, etc. (p. 71).  
US  
ꢆ1  
 
Write performance of the memory card  
you are using is insufficient for the movie  
recording speed of your camcorder. Use  
a memory card recommended for your  
camcorder (p. 18).  
Do not eject the memory card during  
writing. Data may be damaged.  
Reinsert the memory card, and follow the  
instructions on the LCD screen.  
Recovering data.  
Your camcorder tries to recover data  
automatically if the data writing was not  
performed properly.  
Other  
No further selection is possible.  
Cannot recover data.  
You can add no more than 99 movies to a  
Playlist.  
You can select only 100 images at one time for:  
Deleting movies/photos  
Protecting movies/photos, or releasing the  
protection  
Dubbing movies  
Copying photos  
Editing the Playlist  
Writing data onto the media of the camcorder  
has failed. Attempts were made to recover the  
data, but they were unsuccessful.  
Reinsert the memory card.  
Reinsert the memory card a few times. If even  
then the indicator flashes, the memory card  
could be damaged. Try with another memory  
card.  
Data protected.  
You tried to delete protected data. Release the  
protection of the data.  
This memory card is not formatted  
correctly.  
Format the memory card (p. 71). Note that if  
you format the memory card, all the recorded  
movies and photos are deleted.  
Still picture folder is full. Cannot record  
still pictures.  
You cannot create folders exceeding  
999MSDCF. You cannot create or delete  
created folders using your camcorder.  
Format the memory card (p. 71), or delete  
folders using your computer.  
This memory card may not be able to  
record or play movies.  
Use a memory card recommended for your  
camcorder (p. 18).  
This memory card may not be able to  
record or play images correctly.  
Use a memory card recommended for your  
camcorder (p. 18).  
US  
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Playing time  
Approximate time available when you use a  
fully charged battery pack.  
Recording time of  
movies/number of  
recordable photos  
Internal memory  
DCR-SX65/SX85  
(unit: minute)  
Expected time of recording and  
playback with each battery pack  
Battery pack  
NP-FV30  
(supplied)  
145  
Recording time  
Approximate time available when you use a  
fully charged battery pack.  
NP-FV50  
NP-FV70  
NP-FV100  
280  
565  
1120  
Internal memory  
DCR-SX65/SX85  
(unit: minute)  
Memory card  
(unit: minute)  
160  
Battery pack  
Continuous  
recording time  
Typical recording  
time  
Battery pack  
NP-FV30  
(supplied)  
NP-FV50  
NP-FV70  
NP-FV100  
NP-FV30  
(supplied)  
105  
60  
300  
610  
1205  
NP-FV50  
NP-FV70  
NP-FV100  
200  
415  
830  
110  
210  
375  
Memory card  
Expected recording time of movies  
(unit: minute)  
Battery pack  
Continuous  
recording time  
Typical recording  
time  
Internal memory  
DCR-SX65  
NP-FV30  
(supplied)  
110  
60  
(unit: minute)  
NP-FV50  
NP-FV70  
NP-FV100  
215  
440  
870  
120  
220  
390  
Recording mode  
[HQ]  
Recording time  
55  
(50)  
80  
(50)  
175  
(110)  
[SP]  
[LP]  
Each recording time is measured when the  
REC MODE] is set to SP.  
[
Typical recording time shows the time when  
you repeat recording start/stop, switching the  
MODE lamp, and zooming.  
Times measured when using the camcorder at  
25 C (77 °F). 10 C to 30 C (50 °F to 86 °F) is  
recommended.  
DCR-SX85  
(unit: minute)  
Recording time  
Recording mode  
The recording and playback time will be  
shorter when you use your camcorder in low  
temperatures.  
The recording and playback time will be shorter  
depending on the conditions under which you  
use your camcorder.  
[HQ]  
235  
(210)  
[SP]  
[LP]  
340  
(210)  
715  
(465)  
US  
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Tips  
Expected number of recordable  
photos  
You can record movies of a maximum of 9,999  
scenes.  
The maximum continuous recording time of  
movies is approximately 13 hours.  
Your camcorder uses the VBR (Variable Bit  
Rate) format to automatically adjust image  
quality to suit the recording scene. This  
technology causes fluctuations in the recording  
time of the media. Movies containing quickly  
moving and complex images are recorded at  
a higher bit-rate, and this reduces the overall  
recording time.  
Internal recording media (DCR-SX65/  
SX85)  
You can record the maximum 9,999 photos.  
Memory card  
VGA(0.3M)  
512MB  
1GB  
2800  
5700  
Memory card  
2GB  
4GB  
8GB  
16GB  
32GB  
11500  
22500  
46500  
91000  
185000  
(unit: minute)  
HQ  
SP  
LP  
512MB  
1GB  
6
(5)  
10  
(10)  
25  
(25)  
55  
(50)  
115  
(100)  
230  
(205)  
465  
(415)  
9
(5)  
20  
(10)  
20  
(10)  
40  
(25)  
The indicated number of recordable photos on  
a memory card is based on the maximum image  
size of your camcorder. The actual number  
of recordable photos is displayed on the LCD  
screen during recording (p. 93).  
The maximum number of recordable photos  
on a memory card may vary depending on the  
recording conditions.  
2GB  
40  
(25)  
85  
(55)  
4GB  
80  
(50)  
170  
(110)  
8GB  
165  
(100)  
350  
(225)  
16GB  
32GB  
330  
(205)  
690  
(445)  
Tips  
You can also use memory card with a capacity  
of under 512 MB for recording photos.  
The following list shows the average bit-rate, the  
recording pixels, and the aspect ratio of each  
movie recording mode.  
670  
(415)  
1405  
(910)  
Notes  
The recordable time may vary depending on  
the recording and subject conditions, [ REC  
MODE] (p. 66).  
The number in ( ) is the minimum recordable  
time.  
HQ: Approx. 9Mbps 720 pixels ×  
480 pixels/16:9, 4:3  
SP: Approx. 6Mbps 720 pixels ×  
480 pixels/16:9, 4:3  
LP: Approx. 3Mbps 720 pixels ×  
480 pixels/16:9, 4:3  
The photo recording pixels and the aspect ratio.  
Photo recording mode:  
640 dots × 480 dots/4:3  
640 dots × 360 dots/16:9  
Capturing a photo from a movie:  
640 dots × 360 dots/16:9  
640 dots × 480 dots/4:3  
US  
ꢆꢂ  
   
Using your camcorder  
abroad  
Power supply  
You can use your camcorder in any  
countries/regions using the AC Adaptor  
supplied with your camcorder within the  
AC 100 V to 240 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz range.  
On TV color systems  
Your camcorder is a NTSC-system-based  
camcorder. If you want to view the playback  
image on a TV, it must be a NTSC-system-  
based TV with an AUDIO/VIDEO input  
jack.  
System  
Used in  
NTSC  
Bahama Islands, Bolivia,  
Canada, Central America,  
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,  
Guyana, Jamaica, Japan,  
Korea, Mexico, Peru, Surinam,  
Taiwan, the Philippines, the  
USA, Venezuela, etc.  
PAL  
Australia, Austria, Belgium,  
China, Czech Republic,  
Denmark, Finland, Germany,  
Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary,  
Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New  
Zealand, Norway, Poland,  
Portugal, Singapore, Slovak  
Republic, Spain, Sweden,  
Switzerland, Thailand, United  
Kingdom, etc.  
PAL-M  
PAL-N  
SECAM  
Brazil  
Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay  
Bulgaria, France, Guiana, Iran,  
Iraq, Monaco, Russia, Ukraine,  
etc.  
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Setting to the local time  
You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference when using your  
camcorder abroad. Touch  
(MENU) [Show others] [CLOCK/ LANG] (under  
[GENERAL SET] category) [AREA SET] and [DST SET]/[SUMMERTIME] (p. 73).  
World time difference  
Time-zone  
differences  
Area setting  
Time-zone  
differences  
Area setting  
+12:00  
Fiji, Wellington, Eniwetok,  
Kwajalein  
Samoa  
Hawaii  
Alaska  
Los Angeles, Tijuana  
Denver, Arizona  
Chicago, Mexico City  
New York, Bogota  
Santiago  
GMT  
Lisbon, London  
Berlin, Paris  
Helsinki, Cairo, Istanbul  
Moscow, Nairobi  
Tehran  
Abu Dhabi, Baku  
Kabul  
Karachi, Islamabad  
Calcutta, New Delhi  
Almaty, Dhaka  
Yangon  
+01:00  
+02:00  
+03:00  
+03:30  
+04:00  
+04:30  
+05:00  
+05:30  
+06:00  
+06:30  
+07:00  
+08:00  
–11:00  
–10:00  
–09:00  
–08:00  
–07:00  
–06:00  
–05:00  
–04:00  
–03:30  
–03:00  
–02:00  
–01:00  
St.John’s  
Brasilia, Montevideo  
Fernando de Noronha  
Azores, Cape Verde Is.  
Bangkok, Jakarta  
Hong Kong, Singapore,  
Beijing  
+09:00  
+09:30  
+10:00  
+11:00  
Seoul, Tokyo  
Adelaide, Darwin  
Melbourne, Sydney  
Solomon Is  
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memory card is inserted facing in the correct  
direction. Note that improper use may cause a  
malfunction.  
Maintenance and  
precautions  
On image data compatibility  
Image data files recorded on memory card by  
your camcorder conform to the “Design rule  
for Camera File system” universal standard  
established by the JEITA (Japan Electronics  
and Information Technology Industries  
Association).  
On your camcorder, you cannot play back  
photos recorded on other devices (DCR-  
TRV900 or DSC-D700/D770) that do not  
conform to the universal standard. (These  
models are not sold in some regions.)  
If you cannot use memory card that have been  
used with another device, format it with your  
camcorder (p. 71). Note that formatting erases  
all information on the memory card.  
You may not be able to play back images with  
your camcorder:  
About the memory card  
Memory card formatted by a computer  
(Windows OS/Mac OS) does not have  
guaranteed compatibility with your camcorder.  
Data read/write speed may vary depending  
on the combination of the memory card and  
memory card compliant product you use.  
Damaged or lost data may occur in the  
following cases (the data will not be  
compensated for):  
If you eject the memory card, or turn off your  
camcorder while your camcorder is reading  
or writing image files on the memory card  
(while the access lamp is lit or flashing)  
If you use the memory card near magnets or  
magnetic fields  
When playing back image data modified on  
your computer  
When playing back image data recorded with  
other devices  
It is recommended that you make a back-up of  
important data on the hard disk of a computer.  
Do not attach a label or the like on memory  
card or memory card adaptor.  
Do not touch, or allow metallic objects to come  
into contact with the terminals.  
About the “Memory Stickmedia  
Do not bend, drop or apply strong force to the  
memory card.  
Do not disassemble or modify the memory  
card.  
Do not let the memory card get wet.  
Keep the memory card out of the reach of small  
children. There is danger that a child might  
swallow it.  
Types of“Memory Stick”media  
Recording/Playback  
“Memory Stick Duo”  
media (with MagicGate)  
“Memory Stick PRO  
Duo” media  
“Memory Stick PRO-HG  
Duo” media  
*  
Do not insert anything other than a memory  
card of the compatible size into the memory  
card slot, as doing so may cause a malfunction.  
Do not use or keep the memory card in the  
following locations:  
Places subject to extremely high temperature,  
such as a car parked outside in the summer  
Places under direct sunlight  
* This product does not support 8-bit parallel  
data transfer but it supports 4-bit parallel data  
transfer the same as with “Memory Stick PRO  
Duo” media.  
This product cannot record or play data that  
uses “MagicGate” technology. “MagicGate” is  
a copyright protection technology that records  
and transfers the contents in an encrypted  
format.  
Places with extremely high humidity or  
subject to corrosive gases  
This product is compatible with “Memory Stick  
Micro” media (“M2”). “M2” is the abbreviation  
for the “Memory Stick Micro” media.  
On the memory card adaptor  
When using memory card with memory card  
compliant device inserting memory card  
into memory card adaptor, make sure the  
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of the following to use the battery pack for a  
longer time.  
Put the battery pack in a pocket to warm it  
up, and install it on your camcorder right  
before you start taking shots.  
Use a large capacity battery pack: NP-FV70/  
NP-FV100 (sold separately).  
Frequent use of the LCD screen or a frequent  
playback, fast forward or reverse operation  
wears out the battery pack faster. We  
recommend using a large capacity battery pack:  
NP-FV70/NP-FV100 (sold separately).  
Be sure to close the LCD screen when not  
recording or playing back on your camcorder.  
The battery pack is also consumed when your  
camcorder is in recording standby or playback  
pause.  
Have spare battery packs ready for 2 times  
or 3 times the expected recording time, and  
make trial recordings before making the actual  
recording.  
Notes on using the “Memory Stick  
Micromedia  
To use “Memory Stick Micro” media with your  
camcorder, you need a Duo-sized M2 adaptor.  
Insert the “Memory Stick Micro” media into  
the Duo-sized M2 adaptor, and then insert the  
adaptor into the “Memory Stick Duo” media  
slot.  
If you insert a “Memory Stick Micro” media  
into your camcorder without using the Duo-  
sized M2 adaptor, you might not be able to  
remove it from your camcorder.  
Do not leave the “Memory Stick Micro” media  
within the reach of small children. They might  
accidentally swallow it.  
About the “InfoLITHIUMbattery  
pack  
Your camcorder operates only with an  
“InfoLITHIUM” V series battery packs.  
“InfoLITHIUM” V series battery packs  
Do not expose the battery pack to water. The  
battery pack is not water resistant.  
have the  
mark.  
About the remaining battery time  
indicator  
What is an “InfoLITHIUMbattery pack?  
When the power goes off even though the  
remaining battery time indicator indicates that  
the battery pack has enough power to operate,  
charge the battery pack fully again. Remaining  
battery time will be indicated correctly. Note,  
however, that the battery indication will not be  
restored if it is used in high temperatures for  
a long time, or if left in a fully charged state,  
or when the battery pack is frequently used.  
Use the remaining battery time indication as a  
rough guide only.  
An “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack is a  
lithium-ion battery pack that has functions  
for communicating information related to  
operating conditions between your camcorder  
and an AC Adaptor/charger (sold separately).  
The “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack calculates the  
power consumption according to the operating  
conditions of your camcorder, and displays the  
remaining battery time in minutes.  
To charge the battery pack  
The mark that indicates low battery flashes  
even if there are still 20 minutes of battery  
time remaining, depending on the operating  
conditions or ambient temperature.  
Be sure to charge the battery pack before you  
start using your camcorder.  
We recommend charging the battery pack in an  
ambient temperature of between 10 C to 30 C  
(50 °F to 86 °F) until the CHG (charge) lamp  
turns off. If you charge the battery pack outside  
of this temperature range, you may not be able  
to charge it efficiently.  
About storage of the battery pack  
If the battery pack is not used for a long time,  
fully charge the battery pack and use it up on  
your camcorder once a year to maintain proper  
function. To store the battery pack, remove it  
from your camcorder and put it in a dry, cool  
place.  
To use the battery pack effectively  
Battery pack performance decreases when the  
ambient temperature is 10 C (50 °F) or below,  
and the length of time you can use the battery  
pack becomes shorter. In that case, do one  
To discharge the battery pack on your  
camcorder completely, touch  
(MENU)  
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Avoid rough handling, disassembling,  
modifying, physical shock, or impact such  
as hammering, dropping or stepping on the  
product. Be particularly careful of the lens.  
Keep the LCD screen closed when you are not  
using your camcorder.  
[Show others] [POWER SETTINGS]  
(under [GENERAL SET] category)   
[A.SHUT OFF] [NEVER], and leave your  
camcorder in recording standby until the power  
goes off (p. 73).  
Do not wrap your camcorder with a towel, for  
example, and operate it. Doing so might cause  
heat to build up inside.  
When disconnecting the power cord (mains  
lead), pull it by the plug and not the cord.  
Do not damage the power cord (mains lead)  
such as by placing anything heavy on it.  
Do not use a deformed or damaged battery  
pack.  
About battery life  
Battery capacity decreases over time and  
through repeated use. If decreased usage time  
between charges becomes significant, it is  
probably time to replace it with a new one.  
Each batterys life is governed by storage,  
operating and environmental conditions.  
About handling of your camcorder  
On use and care  
Keep metal contacts clean.  
If the battery electrolytic liquid has leaked:  
Consult your local authorized Sony service  
facility.  
Wash off any liquid that may have contacted  
your skin.  
If any liquid gets in your eyes, wash with  
plenty of water and consult a doctor.  
Do not use or store the camcorder and  
accessories in the following locations:  
Anywhere extremely hot, cold or humid.  
Never leave them exposed to temperatures  
above 60 C (140 °F), such as under direct  
sunlight, near heaters or in a car parked in  
the sun. They may malfunction or become  
deformed.  
Near strong magnetic fields or mechanical  
vibration. The camcorder may malfunction.  
Near strong radio waves or radiation. The  
camcorder may not be able to record properly.  
Near AM receivers and video equipment.  
Noise may occur.  
When not using your camcorder for a  
long time  
To keep your camcorder in optimum state for a  
long time, turn it on and let it run by recording  
and playing back images about once a month.  
Use up the battery pack completely before  
storing it.  
On a sandy beach or anywhere dusty. If  
sand or dust gets in your camcorder, it may  
malfunction. Sometimes this malfunction  
cannot be repaired.  
Moisture condensation  
If your camcorder is brought directly from a cold  
place to a warm place, moisture may condense  
inside your camcorder. This may cause a  
malfunction to your camcorder.  
If moisture condensation has occurred  
Leave your camcorder for about 1 hour without  
turning it on.  
Near windows or outdoors, where the LCD  
screen, or the lens may be exposed to direct  
sunlight. This damages the LCD screen.  
Operate your camcorder on DC 6.8 V/7.2 V  
(battery pack) or DC 8.4 V (AC Adaptor).  
For DC or AC operation, use the accessories  
recommended in these operating instructions.  
Do not let your camcorder get wet, for example,  
from rain or sea water. If your camcorder  
gets wet, it may malfunction. Sometimes this  
malfunction cannot be repaired.  
Note on moisture condensation  
Moisture may condense when you bring your  
camcorder from a cold place into a warm place  
(or vice versa) or when you use your camcorder  
in a humid place as follows:  
You bring your camcorder from a ski slope  
into a place warmed up by a heating device.  
You bring your camcorder from an air  
conditioned car or room into a hot place  
outside.  
If any solid object or liquid gets inside the  
casing, unplug your camcorder and have it  
checked by a Sony dealer before operating it  
any further.  
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You use your camcorder after a squall or a  
shower.  
You use your camcorder in a hot and humid  
place.  
How to prevent moisture condensation  
When you bring your camcorder from a cold  
place into a warm place, put your camcorder in  
a plastic bag and seal it tightly. Remove the bag  
when the air temperature inside the plastic bag  
has reached the surrounding temperature (after  
about 1 hour).  
Notes  
If you did not press the right spot, try the  
calibration again.  
Do not use a sharp-pointed object for  
calibration. Doing so may damage the LCD  
screen.  
You cannot calibrate the LCD screen if it is  
rotated, or closed with the screen facing out.  
On handling the casing  
If the casing is soiled, clean the camcorder body  
with a soft cloth lightly moistened with water,  
and then wipe the casing with a dry soft cloth.  
Avoid the following to avoid damage to the  
finish:  
Using chemicals such as thinner, benzine,  
alcohol, chemical cloths, repellent, insecticide  
and sunscreen  
Handling the camcorder with above  
substances on your hands  
Leaving the casing in contact with rubber or  
vinyl objects for a long period of time  
LCD screen  
Do not exert excessive pressure on the LCD  
screen, as it may cause uneven color and other  
damage.  
If your camcorder is used in a cold place, a  
residual image may appear on the LCD screen.  
This is not a malfunction.  
While using your camcorder, the back of  
the LCD screen may heat up. This is not a  
malfunction.  
To clean the LCD screen  
About care and storage of the lens  
If fingerprints or dust make the LCD screen  
dirty, it is recommended that you use a soft  
cloth to clean it.  
Wipe the surface of the lens clean with a soft  
cloth in the following instances:  
When there are fingerprints on the lens  
surface  
In hot or humid locations  
When the lens is exposed to salty air such as  
at the seaside  
Store in a well-ventilated location subject to  
little dirt or dust.  
To prevent mold, periodically clean the lens as  
described above.  
On adjustment of the touch panel  
(CALIBRATION)  
The buttons on the touch panel may not work  
correctly. If this happens, follow the procedure  
below. It is recommended that you connect your  
camcorder to the wall outlet (wall socket) using  
the supplied AC Adaptor during the operation.  
(MENU) [Show others]   
On charging the pre-installed  
rechargeable battery  
[OTHER SETTINGS] (under  
[GENERAL  
SET] category) [CALIBRATION].  
Your camcorder has a pre-installed rechargeable  
battery to retain the date, time, and other settings  
even when the LCD screen is closed. The pre-  
installed rechargeable battery is always charged  
while your camcorder is connected to the wall  
outlet (wall socket) via the AC Adaptor or while  
the battery pack is attached. The rechargeable  
battery will be fully discharged in about 3 months  
if you do not use your camcorder at all. Use  
your camcorder after charging the pre-installed  
rechargeable battery.  
Touch “” displayed on the screen with the  
corner of memory card or the like 3 times.  
Touch [CANCEL] to cancel calibration.  
However, even if the pre-installed rechargeable  
battery is not charged, the camcorder operation  
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will not be affected as long as you are not  
recording the date.  
On trademarks  
“Handycam” and  
are  
registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.  
How to charge the pre-installed  
rechargeable battery  
Connect your camcorder to a wall outlet (wall  
socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor, and leave  
it with the LCD screen closed for more than 24  
hours.  
“Memory Stick,” “  
,” “Memory Stick Duo,”  
,” “Memory Stick PRO  
,” “Memory  
Duo,” “  
Stick PRO-HG Duo,”  
,” “Memory Stick  
Micro,” “MagicGate,” “  
,”  
“MagicGate Memory Stick” and “MagicGate  
Memory Stick Duo” are trademarks or  
registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.  
“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony  
Corporation.  
Note on disposal/transfer  
(DCR-SX65/SX85)  
Even if you perform [ DELETE ALL],  
[
DELETE ALL] or [MEDIA FORMAT] (p. 71)  
“DVDirect” is a trademark of Sony  
Corporation.  
Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks  
of Dolby Laboratories.  
or formatting the media of the camcorder, you  
may not delete data from the media completely.  
When you transfer the camcorder, it is  
Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, and  
DirectX are either registered trademarks or  
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the  
United States and/or other countries.  
Macintosh and Mac OS are registered  
trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and other  
countries.  
Intel, Intel Core, and Pentium are trademarks  
or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation  
or its subsidiaries in the United States and other  
countries.  
Adobe, the Adobe logo, and Adobe Acrobat  
are either registered trademarks or trademarks  
of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United  
States and/or other countries.  
SDXC logo is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC.  
MultiMediaCard is a trademark of  
MultiMediaCard Association.  
recommended that you perform [EMPTY] (p. 71)  
to prevent the recovery of your data. Also, when  
you dispose of the camcorder, it is recommended  
that you destroy the actual body of the camcorder.  
Note on disposal/transfer of the  
memory card  
Even if you delete data in the memory card or  
format the memory card on your camcorder or  
a computer, you may not delete data from the  
memory card completely. When you give the  
memory card to somebody, it is recommended  
that you delete date completely using data  
deletion software on a computer. Also, when you  
dispose of the memory card, it is recommended  
that you destroy the actual body of the memory  
card.  
All other product names mentioned herein may  
be the trademarks or registered trademarks of  
their respective companies. Furthermore,   
and are not mentioned in each case in this  
Handbook.  
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Notes on the License  
ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT OTHER  
THAN CONSUMER PERSONAL USE IN ANY  
MANNER THAT COMPLIES WITH THE  
MPEG-2 STANDARD FOR ENCODING VIDEO  
INFORMATION FOR PACKAGED MEDIA  
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT A  
LICENSE UNDER APPLICABLE PATENTS IN  
THE MPEG-2 PATENT PORTFOLIO, WHICH  
LICENSE IS AVAILABLE FROM MPEG LA,  
L.L.C., 250 STEELE STREET, SUITE 300,  
DENVER, COLORADO 80206.  
“C Library,” “Expat,” “zlib,” “libjpeg,” “dtoa,” and  
“pcre” software are provided in your camcorder.  
We provide this software based on license  
agreements with their owners of copyright. Based  
on requests by the owners of copyright of these  
software applications, we have an obligation  
to inform you of the following. Please read the  
following sections.  
Read “license1.pdf ” in the “License” folder on the  
CD-ROM. You will find licenses (in English) of  
“C Library,” “Expat,” “zlib,” “libjpeg,” “dtoa,” and  
“pcre” software.  
On GNU GPL/LGPL applied software  
The software that is eligible for the following  
GNU General Public License (hereinafter referred  
to as “GPL) or GNU Lesser General Public  
License (hereinafter referred to as “LGPL) are  
included in the camcorder.  
This informs you that you have a right to have  
access to, modify, and redistribute source code for  
these software programs under the conditions of  
the supplied GPL/LGPL.  
Source code is provided on the web. Use  
the following URL to download it. When  
downloading the source code, select DCR-SX20  
as the model for your camcorder.  
We would prefer you do not contact us about the  
contents of source code.  
Read “license2.pdfin the “License” folder on the  
CD-ROM. You will find licenses (in English) of  
“GPL,” and “LGPLsoftware.  
To view the PDF, Adobe Reader is needed. If  
it is not installed on your computer, you can  
download it from the Adobe Systems web page:  
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Quick reference  
Indicator  
Meaning  
Screen indicators  
Estimated recording  
remaining time (21)  
[00min]  
Upper left  
Center  
Upper right  
Approximate number of  
recordable photos and  
recording media (22, 84)  
9999  
9999  
Playback folder of  
memory card (29)  
Current playing movie or  
photo/Number of total  
recorded movies or photos  
100/112  
Bottom  
Upper left  
Bottom  
Indicator  
Meaning  
Indicator  
Meaning  
MENU button (57)  
[FACE DETECTION] set  
Manual focus (64)  
Self-timer recording (68)  
MICREF LEVEL low (67)  
BLT-IN ZOOM MIC (67)  
Remaining battery  
SCENE SELECTION (62)  
60 min  
Recording folder of  
memory card  
VIDEO LIGHT (26)  
Return button (57)  
White balance (63)  
SteadyShot off (66)  
Center  
Indicator  
TELE MACRO (65)  
Meaning  
[STBY]/[REC]  
Recording status (21)  
Slide show set (32)  
INTELLIGENT AUTO  
OPTION button (59)  
VIEW IMAGES button  
Warning (80)  
Slide show button (32)  
Data file name (29)  
Protected image (37)  
Index button (29)  
Playback mode (28)  
101-0005  
Upper right  
Indicator  
Meaning  
Recording mode (HQ/SP/  
Recording/playback/  
editing media (17)  
Indicators and their positions are approximate  
and may differ from what you actually see.  
Some indicators may not appear, depending on  
your camcorder model.  
Counter (hour:minute:  
0:00:00  
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(VIEW IMAGES) button (27)  
POWER button (15)  
Parts and controls  
LIGHT button (26)  
Press to light up the LIGHT.  
Figures in ( ) are reference pages.  
iAUTO button (24)  
Speaker  
Power zoom lever (24, 31)  
PHOTO button (23)  
MODE button (20)  
(movie)/ (photo) lamp (20)  
RESET button  
Press RESET using a pointed object.  
Press RESET to initialize all the settings  
including the clock setting.  
Lens (Carl Zeiss lens)  
Built-in microphone  
If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees, you  
can close the LCD panel with the LCD screen  
facing out. This is convenient during playback  
operations.  
START/STOP button (21)  
A/V Remote Connector (33)  
Access lamp (memory card) (18)  
While the lamp is lit or flashing, the  
camcorder is reading or writing data.  
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Memory card slot (18)  
Built-in USB Cable  
Tripod receptacle  
Attach a tripod (sold separately) to the  
tripod receptacle using a tripod screw (sold  
separately: the length of the screw must be less  
than 5.5 mm (7/32 in.)).  
BATT (battery) release lever (14)  
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ꢇꢃ  
 
Index  
DIGITAL ZOOM .......................67  
Disc recorder...............................54  
DISPLAY SET .............................72  
DISP OUTPUT...........................72  
DIVIDE........................................38  
Dubbing.......................................40  
DVDirect Express.......................52  
DVD writer............................52, 54  
LP..................................................25  
Symbols  
16:9 ...............................................34  
4:3 .................................................34  
M
Maintenance................................87  
MANAGE MEDIA.....................71  
MANUAL SETTINGS...............62  
MEDIA FORMAT......................71  
MEDIA INFO .............................71  
MEDIA SETTINGS....................17  
Memory card...............................18  
“Memory Stick” media...............87  
“Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo”  
media............................................87  
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” media  
.................................................18, 87  
Menus.....................................57, 60  
MICREF LEVEL.........................67  
Mirror mode ...............................26  
Moisture condensation ..............89  
MOVIE DUB ..............................40  
MOVIE MEDIA SET .................17  
Movies....................................21, 27  
MY MENU..................................57  
MY MENU SETTING...............57  
A
A.SHUT OFF ..............................73  
A/V connecting cable...........33, 55  
Abroad .........................................85  
AREA SET...................................73  
AUDIO REC SET .......................67  
AUTO BACK LIGHT ................67  
AUTO SLW SHUTTR ...............66  
E
Editing movies ............................46  
EMPTY........................................71  
EXPOSURE.................................64  
External media............................49  
B
BACK LIGHT .......................67, 79  
BATTERY INFO.........................70  
Battery pack.................................12  
BEACH ........................................62  
BEEP.............................................72  
BLACK FADER ..........................63  
BLT-IN ZOOM MIC..................67  
Built-in USB Cable.................3, 13  
F
FACE DETECTION.............66, 80  
Face Index....................................31  
FADER.........................................62  
FILE NO.......................................68  
Film Roll Index ...........................30  
FIREWORKS ..............................62  
FOCUS.........................................64  
Format..........................................71  
Fully charged...............................12  
C
CALIBRATION..........................90  
CAMERA DATA ........................69  
CANDLE .....................................62  
N
G
NTSC............................................85  
GENERAL SET...........................72  
GUIDEFRAME...........................66  
Capturing a photo from a movie  
.......................................................39  
Capturing photos from a movie  
.......................................................46  
Charging the battery pack.........12  
Charging the battery pack abroad  
.................................................14, 85  
CLOCK/LANG...........................73  
CLOCK SET................................15  
Copy.............................................41  
Copying a disc.............................46  
Creating a disc ......................46, 52  
O
ONE PUSH .................................63  
One Touch Disc Burn ................44  
Operation beeps..........................16  
Operation flow..............................6  
OPTION MENU ........................59  
Original........................................40  
OTHER REC SET.......................67  
OTHERS......................................70  
OTHER SETTINGS...................73  
OUTDOOR.................................63  
OUTPUT SETTINGS................72  
H
HQ................................................25  
I
IMAGE SIZE...............................68  
INDOOR .....................................63  
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack...88  
INTELLIGENT AUTO..............24  
Internal memory.........................17  
L
D
LANDSCAPE..............................62  
LANGUAGE SET.................16, 73  
LCD BL LEVEL ..........................72  
LCD BRIGHT .............................72  
LCD COLOR...............................72  
P
DATA CODE ........................16, 69  
DATE/TIME..........................16, 69  
Date Index ...................................30  
DELETE.......................................35  
DEMO MODE............................73  
PB zoom.......................................31  
PHOTO CAPTURE...................39  
PHOTO COPY ...........................41  
PHOTO MEDIA SET ................17  
US  
ꢇꢄ  
 
Photos ....................................22, 27  
PHOTO SETTINGS...................68  
PLAYBACK.................................69  
Playback.......................................27  
PLAYBACK SET.........................69  
Playlist..........................................42  
PLAYLIST EDIT.........................70  
PORTRAIT..................................62  
Power on......................................15  
POWER ON BY LCD................73  
POWER SETTINGS ..................73  
Precautions..................................87  
PROTECT ...................................37  
STEADYSHOT ...........................66  
SUMMERTIME..........................73  
SUNRISE&SUNSET...................62  
Supplied items...............................3  
T
TELE MACRO............................65  
Telephoto.....................................24  
Thumbnail...................................35  
Tripod...........................................95  
Troubleshooting..........................75  
Turning the power on ................15  
TV.................................................33  
TV color systems........................85  
TV TYPE.....................................33  
TWILIGHT.................................62  
R
Rec & zoom buttons on LCD....21  
REC MODE.................................25  
Recording ....................................21  
Recording media.........................17  
Recording time of movies/  
number of recordable photos....83  
U
USB cable...............................52, 54  
USB CONNECT...................52, 54  
USB LUN SETTING ..................74  
Repair...........................................75  
REPAIR IMG.DB F.....................81  
RESET..........................................94  
V
VBR ..............................................83  
VIDEO LIGHT...........................26  
VIEW IMAGES ....................27, 30  
VISUAL INDEX .........................27  
Volume...................................28, 72  
S
Saving images in external media  
.......................................................49  
SCENE SELECTION ...........62, 80  
Screen indicators ........................93  
Self-diagnosis display/Warning  
indicators.....................................80  
W
Wall outlet (wall socket)............12  
Warning messages......................81  
WHITE BAL. ..............................63  
WHITE FADER..........................62  
Wide angle...................................24  
WIDE SELECT...........................67  
SELF-TIMER...............................68  
Setting the date and time...........15  
SHOOTING SET........................66  
Slide show....................................32  
SLIDE SHOW SET.....................32  
SNOW..........................................62  
SOUND/DISP SET.....................72  
SP..................................................25  
SPORTS .......................................62  
SPOT FOCUS .............................64  
SPOTLIGHT...............................62  
SPOT METER.............................64  
SPOT MTR/FCS.........................64  
Z
Zoom............................... 21, 24, 31  
US  
ꢇꢅ  
Additional information on this product and  
answers to frequently asked questions can  
be found at our Customer Support Website.  

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