Sony DSR PD170 - Camcorder - 380 KP User manual

Quick Start Guide
Quick Start Guide
This guide introduces you to the basic way of recording/playback.
AC Adaptor (supplied)
Connecting the power cord
Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors
Connect the plug with its vmark
facing toward the LCD panel side.
Open the DC IN jack
cover.
Inserting a cassette
1While pressing
the small blue
button on the
EJECT switch,
slide it in the direction
of the arrow.
2 Push the middle
portion of the back of
the cassette to insert it.
Insert the cassette into
the cassette
compartment with the
window facing out
and the write-protect
tab facing upward.
3Close the cassette
compartment by
pressing the PUSH
mark on it.
PUSH
Window
Installing the microphone
Install the supplied microphone with the model name (ECM-NV1) facing upward. Be sure
to connect the microphone plug to the INPUT1 connector.
4Close the cassette lid
by pressing the
PUSH button on the
cassette lid.
Write-protect tab
to INPUT1
<<3>>

Quick Start Guide
4Press START/
STOP. Your
camcorder starts
recording. To stop
recording, press
START/STOP
again.
Recording a picture
Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD
screen
1Set the POWER switch to
VCR while pressing the
small green button.
2Press mto rewind
the tape.
3Press Nto start
playback.
NOTE
Do not pick up your camcorder by
holding the viewfinder, the LCD panel,
the battery pack, or the microphone.
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
REW
PLAY
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
1Open the shutter of the
hood with a lens cap.
For more information
about attaching the
hood with a lens cap.
2Set the POWER switch to
CAMERA while pressing
the small green button.
If the ND1 or ND2
indicator flashes.
3Slide OPEN
back in the B
mark direction
to open the
LCD panel.
OPEN
Viewfinder
When the LCD panel is closed, use the
viewfinder placing your eye against its eyecup.
<<3>>

Installing the microphone
Install the supplied microphone. Be sure to connect the microphone plug to the INPUT1
connector.
(1)Attach the wind screen to the microphone.
(2)Loosen the microphone holder screw and open the cover.
(3)Place the microphone into the holder with the model name (ECM-NV1) facing
upward, close the cover, and tighten the screw.
(4)Connect the plug of the microphone to the INPUT 1 connector.
(5)Set the INPUT LEVEL selector to MIC or MIC ATT. When set to MIC ATT, you
can reduce the volume by about 20 dB. And set the +48 V switch to ON.
(6)Select the channel to be used, using the REC CH SELECT switch. When you
record a sound (signal), which comes from the microphone connected to the
INPUT 1 connector, only on the channel 1, set it to CH1. When you record both
on the channels 1 and 2, set it to CH1•CH2.
When the wind is blowing hard
Set CH1 or CH2 of WIND to ON in the menu settings according to the input (p. 105).
When you unplug the microphone plug
Unplug it while holding the PUSH button down.
123
456
CH1•CH2
REC CH
SELECT
INPUT
LEVEL +48V INPUT LEVEL +48V
CH1
LINE
MIC
ON
OFF
LINE
MIC
ATT MIC ATT
MIC
ON
OFF
INPUT1 INPUT2
REC CH
SELECT
INPUT
LEVEL +48V
INPUT2
CH1•CH2
REC CH
SELECT
INPUT
LEVEL +48V INPUT LEVEL +48V
CH1
LINE
MIC
ON
OFF
LINE
MIC
ATT MIC ATT
MIC
ON
OFF
INPUT1 INPUT2
REC CH
SELECT
INPUT
LEVEL +48V
INPUT2
1

Getting Started
Preparing the power supply
Installing the battery pack
Install the battery pack to use your camcorder outdoors.
(1)Lift up the viewfinder.
(2)Insert the battery pack in the direction of the Vmark on the battery pack. Slide
the battery pack until it clicks.
To remove the battery pack
Lift up the viewfinder.
Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing BATT RELEASE
down.
12
BATT
RELEASE
2

Preparing the power supply
Charging the battery pack
Use the battery pack after charging it.
Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series).
(1)Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC Adaptor supplied with your
camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug’s vmark facing toward the LCD
panel side.
(2)Connect the power cord to the AC Adaptor.
(3)Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
(4)Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). Charging begins.
The remaining battery time is indicated in minutes on the display window.
When the remaining battery indicator changes to u, normal charge is completed. To
fully charge the battery (full charge), leave the battery pack attached for about one hour
after normal charge is completed until FULL appears on the display window. Fully
charging the battery allows you to use the battery longer than usual.
After charging the battery pack
Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.
Note on the remaining battery time indicator
The remaining battery time indicator on the LCD screen/display window or in the
viewfinder indicates the recording time using the viewfinder. The indicator may not be
correct, depending on the conditions in which you are recording. When you close the
LCD panel and open it again, it takes about one minute for the correct remaining
battery time to be displayed.
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
4
1
3

Getting Started
Preparing the power supply
Connecting to a wall outlet
When you use your camcorder for a long time, we recommend that you power it from a
wall outlet using the AC Adaptor.
(1)Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC Adaptor to the DC IN jack on
your camcorder with the plug’s vmark facing toward the LCD panel side.
(2)Connect the power cord to the AC Adaptor.
(3)Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
Precaution
The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (house current) as long as it is
connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off.
Notes
•The power cord must only be changed at an authorized service shop.
•AC Adaptor can supply power even if the battery pack is attached to your camcorder.
•Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in a narrow space, such as between a wall and
furniture.
•The DC IN jack has source priority. This means that the battery pack cannot supply
any power if the power cord is connected to the DC IN jack, even when the power
cord is not plugged into a wall outlet.
Using a car battery
Use the Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (optional).
12,3
4

Getting Started
Inserting a cassette
(1) Install the power source.
(2) While pressing the small blue button on the EJECT switch, slide it in the
direction of the arrow. After the cassette lid is opened, the cassette
compartment automatically opens.
(3) Push the middle portion of the back of the cassette to insert it.
Insert the cassette in a straight line deeply into the cassette compartment with
the window facing out and the write-protect tab facing upward.
(4) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the PUSH mark on it.
(5) Close the cassette lid until it clicks by pressing the PUSH button on the lid.
To eject a cassette
Follow the procedure above, and take out the cassette in step 3.
Note
The cassette lid will not be closed when you press any part of the lid other than the
PUSH button.
When you use cassettes with cassette memory
Read the instruction about cassette memory to use this function properly.
To prevent accidental erasure
Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to SAVE.
If the grip strap prevents the cassette lid from opening fully
Adjust the length of the grip strap.
If flashes even if the cassette has been inserted
Press the PUSH button again to close the cover firmly.
23,4 5
PUSH
Write-protect tab
Window
PUSH
5

40min
REC 00:00:00:01
DVCAM
32K
4
OPEN
1
3
MEMORY
CAMERA
VCR
OFF
(CHG)
POWER
5
2
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
LOCK
Camera recording lamps Microphone
— Recording – Basics —
Recording a picture
Your camcorder automatically focuses for you.
(1) Open the shutter of the hood with a lens cap.
(2) Install the power source and insert a cassette. See “Step 2” to “Step 4” (p.11 to
17) for more information.
(3) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button.
Your camcorder is set to the standby mode.
(4) Slide OPEN in the direction of the Bmark to open the LCD panel.
The picture now being shot is displayed on the LCD screen, and it disappears
from the viewfinder screen.
(5) Press START/STOP. Your camcorder starts recording. The “REC” indicator
appears. The camera recording lamps located on the front and rear of your
camcorder light up. To stop recording, press START/STOP again.
You can use REC START/STOP located on the handle or front instead of
START/STOP on the rear.
If the ND1 or ND2 indicator flashes on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder
The ND filter is necessary. Set the ND FILTER selector to 1 or 2. However, if you change
the position during recording, the brightness of the picture may change or audio noise
may occur. This is not a malfunction. We recommend that you check the position of the
ND FILTER selector before shooting. See “Using the ND filter” on page 47.
Note
Fasten the grip strap firmly.
REC START/STOP
Handle REC START/STOP
6

Recording – Basics
Recording a picture
Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen
To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen, press LCD BRIGHT + or –.
The battery life is longer when the LCD panel is closed. Use the viewfinder instead of
the LCD screen to save the battery power.
On the LCD screen backlight
You can change the brightness of the backlight. Select LCD B.L. in the menu settings
(p. 105).
Even if you do the LCD screen adjustment using the LCD BRIGHT +/– buttons, or
using LCD B.L. and LCD COLOR items in the menu settings
The recorded picture will not be affected.
Recording in a low position
You can record in a low position to get an interesting recording angle. Lift up the
viewfinder or rotate the LCD panel with the screen facing up to record from a low
position. In this case, it is useful to use the REC START/STOP located on the handle or
front of the camcorder.
LCD BRIGHT
To brighten
To darken
REC
START/
STOP
START/
STOP
REC
7

After recording
(1)Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
(2)Close the LCD panel.
(3)Eject the cassette.
(4)Remove the battery pack.
Adjusting the viewfinder
If you record pictures with the LCD panel closed, check the picture with the viewfinder.
Adjust the viewfinder lens to your eyesight so that the images in the viewfinder come
into sharp focus.
Lift up the viewfinder and move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever.
Even if you adjust the viewfinder screen backlight
The recorded picture will not be affected.
The eyecup
You can attach the eyecup with the large part of it located on both left and right.
Recording a picture
Viewfinder adjustment lever
8