Sony FDR-AX40 Operating instructions

Digital 4K Video Camera Recorder FDR-AX40/AX53/AX55/AXP55
How to Use
Before use
Model Information
Model Information [1]
Parts and controls
Parts and controls (front/top) [2]
Parts and controls (LCD monitor) [3]
Parts and controls (side) [4]
Parts and controls (back/bottom) [5]
Screen indicators
Screen indicators [6]
Movie recording format
Recording formats available with this product and their features [7]
Getting started
Checking the supplied items
Supplied items [8]

Power source preparations
Attaching the battery pack [9]
Charging the battery pack using the AC Adaptor [10]
Charging the battery pack using your computer [11]
Turning the power on [12]
Using this product supplying power from a wall outlet (wall socket) [13]
Initial setup
Initial setting [14]
Preparing a memory card
Inserting a memory card [15]
Types of memory card you can use with this product [16]
Recording
Recording movies/photos
Adjusting the angle of the viewfinder for easier viewing (models with the viewfinder) [17]
Recording movies [18]
Shooting photos [19]
Changing the brightness manually for recording
Controlling the image settings manually with the MANUAL ring (models with the
viewfinder) [20]
Assigning frequently-used functions to the MANUAL button or MANUAL ring (models with
the viewfinder) [21]
Useful functions for recording
Zooming [22]
Capturing photos during movie recording (Dual Capture) [23]
Recording in mirror mode [24]
Intelligent Auto [25]

Decreasing the voice volume of the person recording the movie (My Voice Canceling)
[26]
Recording the selected subject clearly (Lock-on AF) [27]
Using the Time-lapse Capture function [28]
Playback
Playing images using Event View
Playing movies and photos from the Event View screen [29]
Screen display on the Event View screen [30]
Creating a highlight movie
About Highlight Movie Maker [31]
Creating a highlight movie (MP4 format) with Highlight Movie Maker [32]
Adding a highlight point during recording [33]
Playing highlight movies [34]
Playing MP4 movies (HD movie) (switching the movie format)
Playing MP4 movies (HD movie) (switching the movie format) [35]
Editing images from the playback screen
Notes on editing [36]
Deleting the selected images [37]
Deleting by date [38]
Dividing a movie [39]
Capturing a photo from a movie (models with the internal memory or models with the USB
IN/OUT jacks) [40]
Viewing trajectory of a moving object (Motion Shot Video) [41]
Using the built-in projector
Notes on using the projector (models with the projector) [42]
Using the built-in projector (models with the projector) [43]

Using the projector for your computer or other devices(models with the projector) [44]
Playing images on a 4K TV
Viewing images on a 4K TV [45]
Enlarging a part of an XAVC S 4K movie on the screen during playback on TV (Trimming
Playback) [46]
Playing images on a high definition TV
Connecting this product to a high definition TV [47]
Enjoying 5.1ch surround sound [48]
Using BRAVIA Sync [49]
On Photo TV HD [50]
On the HDMI cable [51]
Enlarging a part of an XAVC S 4K movie on the screen during playback on TV (Trimming
Playback) [52]
Playing images on a non-high-definition TV
Connecting this product to a non-high-definition TV [53]
Saving images
How to save movies
Saving movies [54]
Using the PlayMemories Home software
Import and utilize images on your computer (PlayMemories Home) [55]
Checking the computer system [56]
Installing the PlayMemories Home software in your computer [57]
Disconnecting this product from the computer [58]
About the dedicated software for this product [59]
Creating a Blu-ray disc [60]

Saving images on an external media device
Notes on use of the USB external hard disk [61]
Saving images on an USB external hard disk device [62]
Saving the desired images in this product to the external media device [63]
Playing back images in the USB external hard disk device on this product [64]
Deleting images in the USB external hard disk device [65]
Creating a disc with a recorder
Creating a disc with a recorder [66]
Using the Wi-Fi function
What you can do with the Wi-Fi function
What you can do with the Wi-Fi function [67]
Installing PlayMemories Mobile
About the PlayMemories Mobile software [68]
Connecting a smartphone
Connecting to your NFC-enabled smartphone or tablet [69]
Connecting to your smartphone or tablet using the QR Code [70]
Connecting to your Android smartphone or tablet (by entering an SSID and password)
[71]
Connecting to your iPhone or iPad (by entering an SSID and password) [72]
Controlling via a smartphone
Using your smartphone or tablet as a wireless remote commander [73]
Using your smartphone or tablet as a wireless remote commander using the NFC function
(NFC one-touch remote) [74]
Transferring images to a smartphone

Transferring movies (MP4) and photos to your smartphone or tablet [75]
Transferring movies (MP4) and photos to your smartphone or tablet using the NFC
function (NFC one-touch sharing) [76]
Transferring images to a computer
Send to Computer [77]
Transferring images to a TV
Playing images on a TV (View on TV) [78]
Live Streaming
About Live Streaming [79]
Preparing Live Streaming [80]
Performing Live Streaming [81]
Restrictions for Live Streaming [82]
Controlling other cameras through this product
Shooting with this product and other cameras with Multi Camera Control [83]
Connecting this product to one camera with Multi Camera Control (Single Connection)
[84]
Connecting this product to more than one camera with Multi Camera Control (Multi
Connection) [85]
Editing images recorded with several cameras [86]
Menu operations
Using menu items
Setting up menu items [87]
How to use the keyboard [88]
Shooting Mode
Movie [89]

Photo [90]
Time-lapse Capture [91]
Smth Slw REC [92]
Golf Shot [93]
High Speed REC [94]
Camera/Mic
White Balance [95]
Spot Meter/Fcs [96]
Spot Meter [97]
Spot Focus [98]
Exposure [99]
Focus [100]
IRIS [101]
Shutter Speed [102]
AGC Limit [103]
AE Shift [104]
White Balance Shift [105]
Low Lux [106]
Scene Selection [107]
Picture Effect [108]
Cinematone [109]
Fader [110]
Self-Timer [111]
SteadyShot (Movie) [112]
SteadyShot (Photo) [113]
Digital Zoom [114]
Filter/Protector [115]
Auto Back Light [116]
Manual Ring Setting (models with the viewfinder) [117]
NIGHTSHOT Light (models with viewfinder) [118]
Face Detection [119]
Smile Shutter [120]

Smile Sensitivity [121]
Flash (Only when connecting an external flash) [122]
Flash Level (Only when connecting an external flash) [123]
Red Eye Reduction (Only when connecting an external flash) [124]
My Voice Canceling [125]
Blt-in Zoom Mic [126]
Auto Wind NR [127]
Audio Mode [128]
Audio Rec Level [129]
My Button [130]
Focus Magnifier (models with the viewfinder) [131]
Grid Line [132]
Display Setting [133]
Zebra [134]
Peaking [135]
Audio Level Display [136]
Image Quality/Size
REC Mode [137]
Frame Rate [138]
Dual Video REC [139]
File Format [140]
Image Size [141]
Wireless
Ctrl with Smartphone [142]
Multi Camera Control [143]
Live Streaming [144]
Send to Smartphone [145]
Send to Computer [146]
View on TV [147]
Airplane Mode [148]

Multi Camera Ctrl Set [149]
Vid REC during strm. [150]
WPS Push [151]
Access point settings [152]
Edit Device Name [153]
Disp MAC Address [154]
SSID/PW Reset [155]
Network Info Reset [156]
Playback Function
Event View [157]
Edit/Copy
Delete [158]
Protect [159]
Copy (models with the internal memory) [160]
Direct Copy [161]
Setup
Media Select (Models with the internal memory) [162]
Media Info [163]
Format [164]
Empty (Models with the internal memory) [165]
Repair Img. DB F. [166]
File Number [167]
Data Code [168]
Volume [169]
Motion Interval ADJ [170]
Download Music (Models with the USB IN/OUT jacks) [171]
Empty Music (Models with the USB IN/OUT jacks) [172]
TC/UB (Time code/User bit) [173]
TV Type [174]

HDMI Resolution [175]
CTRL FOR HDMI [176]
USB Connect [177]
USB Connect Setting [178]
USB LUN Setting [179]
Beep [180]
Monitor Brightness [181]
Auto Keystone ADJ (Models with the projector) [182]
REC Lamp [183]
Remote Ctrl [184]
Power ON w/monitor (FDR-AX40) [185]
Language Setting [186]
24p Mode (1080 50i-compatible device) [187]
Cancel 24p Mode (1080 50i-compatible device) [188]
Battery Info [189]
Power Save [190]
Initialize [191]
Demo Mode [192]
Version [193]
Date & Time Setting [194]
Area Setting [195]
Charging time/recording time of movies/number of recordable
photos
Check the charging time
Charging time [196]
Expected recording and playback times for individual batteries
Expected recording time with each battery pack [197]
Expected playback time with each battery pack [198]

Expected movie recording time and number of recordable photos for the
internal memory
Notes on recording movies [199]
Expected recording time of movies (models with the internal memory) [200]
Expected number of recordable photos (models with the internal memory) [201]
Expected movie recording time and number of recordable photos for
memory cards
Notes on recording movies [202]
Expected recording time of movies [203]
Expected number of recordable photos [204]
Bit-rate for each recording mode
Bit-rate and recording pixels [205]
Pixels recorded at each image size of photos
Recording pixels and aspect ratio [206]
Additional information
Precautions
About the AVCHD format [207]
About the memory card [208]
About the InfoLITHIUM battery pack [209]
Handling of this product
On use and care [210]
On connecting to a computer or accessory etc. [211]
Notes on optional accessories [212]
On moisture condensation [213]
Notes on disposal/transfer the ownership of this product (models equipped with the
internal memory) [214]

Note on disposal/transfer of the memory card [215]
Maintenance
On handling the LCD monitor [216]
To clean the casing and the projector lens surface (models with the projector) [217]
About care and storage of the lens [218]
Using this product abroad
Using this product abroad [219]
Trademarks
On trademarks [220]
License
Notes on the License [221]
Zoom magnifications
Zoom magnifications [222]
Using this product after a long time
Using this product after a long time [223]
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
If you have problems
If you have problems [224]

Overall operations
The power does not turn on. [225]
This product does not operate even when the power is set to on. [226]
The menu settings have been changed automatically. [227]
This product gets warm. [228]
A rattling noise is heard when this product is shaken. [229]
Intelligent Auto is canceled. [230]
Batteries/power sources
The power abruptly turns off. [231]
The POWER/CHG (charge) lamp does not light while the battery pack is being charged.
[232]
The POWER/CHG (charge) lamp flashes while the battery pack is being charged. [233]
The remaining battery power is not displayed correctly. [234]
The battery pack is quickly discharged. [235]
Monitor
Menu items are grayed out. [236]
The buttons do not appear on the LCD monitor. [237]
The buttons on the LCD monitor quickly disappear. [238]
There are dots in the shape of a grid on the monitor. [239]
The backlight of the LCD monitor turns off if you do not attempt to operate this product for
a while. [240]
The image in the LCD monitor is not clear. [241]
Viewfinder
The image in the viewfinder is not clear (models with the viewfinder). [242]
The image in the viewfinder is no-longer displayed (models with the viewfinder). [243]
Memory card
Operations using the memory card cannot be performed. [244]
Images stored on the memory card cannot be deleted. [245]

The data file name is not indicated correctly or flashes. [246]
Images cannot be played back or the memory card is not recognized. [247]
The data file cannot be copied from internal memory (models with the internal memory).
[248]
Recording
Pressing START/STOP or PHOTO does not record images. [249]
Photos cannot be recorded. [250]
The access lamp remains lit or flashing even if recording has stopped. [251]
The imaging field looks different. [252]
The actual recording time for movies is less than the expected recording time of the
recording media. [253]
This product stops recording. [254]
There is a slight time lag between the moment when START/STOP is pressed and the
actual movie recording starts or stops. [255]
The auto focus does not function. [256]
SteadyShot does not function. [257]
Images cannot be recorded or played back correctly. [258]
The subjects passing across this product very fast appear crooked. [259]
Horizontal stripes appear on the images. [260]
[Monitor Brightness] cannot be set. [261]
Sound is not recorded correctly. [262]
Photos are recorded automatically. [263]
Playback
Images cannot be played back. [264]
Photos cannot be played back. [265]
The movie freezes. [266]
An icon appears on a thumbnail. [267]
No sound or only a quiet sound is heard during playback. [268]
Left and right sound is heard unbalanced when playing back movies on computers or
other devices. [269]
Wi-Fi

The wireless access point you want to connect to does not appear. [270]
[WPS Push] does not work. [271]
[Ctrl with Smartphone], [Send to Smartphone], [Send to Computer] or [View on TV]
terminates prematurely. [272]
Cannot transfer movies to your smartphone. [273]
The shooting screen does not display smoothly. The connection is cut off. [274]
The shooting screen during Multi Camera Control does not display smoothly. The
connection is cut off. [275]
The NFC connection does not work. [276]
Editing movies/photos on this product
A movie cannot be divided. [277]
The demonstration movies cannot be deleted . (models with the internal memory) [278]
Playback on a TV
Neither image nor sound is played on the connected TV. [279]
The top, bottom, right, and left edges of images are trimmed slightly on a connected TV.
[280]
The image appears distorted on the 4:3 TV. [281]
Black bands appear at the top and bottom of the LCD monitor of the 4:3 TV. [282]
Copying/Connecting to other devices
Images are not copied correctly. [283]
Connecting to a computer
PlayMemories Home cannot be installed. [284]
PlayMemories Home does not work correctly. [285]
This product is not recognized by the computer. [286]
Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators
Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators

Self-diagnosis display [287]
Error messages during Live Streaming
Error messages during Live Streaming [288]
Warning messages
Warning messages
Warning Indicators [289]
[1] How to Use Before use Model Information
Model Information
In this Help Guide, the differences in the specifications for each model are described
together.
If you find the description like “Models with ... ” as below, confirm in this chapter whether the
description applies to this product.
(models with the internal memory)
(1080 60i-compatible device)
(1080 50i-compatible device)
To confirm the model name of this product
See the bottom of this product.
A: Model name (FDR-AX40/AX53/AX55/AXP55)
Differences in functions
Models with the internal memory: FDR-AX40/AX55/AXP55

Models with the projector: FDR-AXP55
Models with the Viewfinder: FDR-AX53/AX55/AXP55
Models with the Manual ring: FDR-AX53/AX55/AXP55
1080 60i-compatible device: See the bottom of this product.
1080 50i-compatible device: See the bottom of this product.
Models with the USB IN/OUT jacks: Except models for Europe.
Models with the USB Output only jack: Models for Europe only.
Note
For the following items, the descriptions are explained with the model name.
Parts and controls
Menu items
Expected recording time of movies
Expected number of recordable photos
[2] How to Use Before use Parts and controls
Parts and controls (front/top)
1. PHOTO button
2. Power zoom lever
3. Multi/Micro USB Terminal
Supports Micro USB compatible devices.
This terminal does not support VMC-AVM1 Adaptor Cable (sold separately). You

cannot use accessories via an A/V remote connector.
4. (microphone) jack (PLUG IN POWER)
5. Loop for a shoulder belt
6. Grip belt
7. (headphones) jack
8. Multi interface shoe
For details on compatible accessories of the Multi interface shoe, visit the Sony website
in your area, or consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
Operations with other manufacture’s accessories are not guaranteed.
If you use a shoe adaptor (sold separately), you can also use accessories compatible
with an Active Interface Shoe.
To prevent failure, do not use a commercially available flash with high-voltage synchro
terminals or with reverse polarity.
9. N mark
NFC: Near Field Communication
10. Camera recording lamp
11. Remote sensor
12. NIGHTSHOT light (models with the Viewfinder)
13. Built-in microphone
14. MANUAL ring (models with the Viewfinder)
Manual functions can be assigned to the button and the ring.
15. Lens (ZEISS lens)
16. MANUAL button (models with the Viewfinder)
[3] How to Use Before use Parts and controls
Parts and controls (LCD monitor)

1. PROJECTOR FOCUS lever (models with the projector)
2. LCD monitor/Touch panel
If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees, you can close the LCD monitor with the
screen facing out. This is convenient during playback operations.
3. Projector lens (models with the projector)
[4] How to Use Before use Parts and controls
Parts and controls (side)

1. Memory card access lamp
While the lamp is lit or flashing, this product is reading or writing data.
2. Memory card slot
3. HDMI OUT jack
4. PROJECTOR IN jack (models with the projector)
5. Speaker
6. /(Shooting Mode) button (models with the Viewfinder)
7. (My Voice Canceling) button
Suppresses the voice of the person recording the movie.
8. PROJECTOR button (models with the projector)
9. (View Images) button
10. NIGHTSHOT button (models with the Viewfinder)
11. (ON/STANDBY) button
[5] How to Use Before use Parts and controls
Parts and controls (back/bottom)
1. Viewfinder (models with the Viewfinder)
This product is turned on when the viewfinder is pulled out.
2. Viewfinder lens adjustment dial (models with the Viewfinder)
If the indications in the viewfinder appear blurred, adjust the viewfinder lens adjustment
dial.
3. START/STOP button
4. POWER/CHG (charge) lamp
5. DC IN jack
6. Tripod receptacle