Sony Handycam DCR-DVD7 User manual

,'SON_ 2-_97-462-,,_t_
Digital Video Camera Recorder
Operating Guide
Getting Started
Playbackon DVDdevices
Using the recorded disc
DCR-DVD7
Using the Setup items
Editing on DVD Handycam
Dubbing
Using a Computer
Troubleshooting
Additional Information
c,_,o,o-,_,_IBI_:_
© 2005 Sony Corporation

Readthis first
Belore operatiug the uttit, please read this
manual thoruughly, and retain it l\tr luture
reference.
To prevent fire or shock hazard,
do not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
CAUTION¸rO _EOUCErH_ _IS_O_:ELECTriCSH_K
OO_O1¸ _EMOW COVER_ _CK)
_) US_S_nVlC_ABL E_A_TS INSlPF
This symbol is intended 1o
alert the ilser 1o Ihe presence
of uninsulatcd 'dangerous
voltage" within the product's
enclosure that nlay be of
sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric
shock to persolls.
This synlbol is intended 1o
alert the user 1otile presence
of inlportant operating and
mainlenance/servicing)
instructions in the lilerature
accompanying the appliance.
CAUTION
The use of optical instruments with this
product will increase eye hazard. Use of
coutrols or at[justmeuts ur performance
of procedures other than thuse specified
herein may result in hazarduus radiatiou
exposure.
RECYCLINGLITHIUM-10NBATTERIES
Lithium-Ion batteries are
recyclable. You can help preserve
ollr environlnenl by returning
your used rechargeable balteries
to file collection and recycling
location nealvsl yoll.
For more in6_trmafion regarding recycling of
rechargeable batleries, call toll lree 1-800-822-
8837, or visil hup://www.rbrc.org/
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking
Lilhium-lon baueries.
Owner'sRecord
Tile nlodel and serial nunlbers are localed on file
bottonl. Record the serial number in the space
provided below. Reti:r to these nunlbers whenever
you call upon your Sony dealer regarding lhis
product.
Model No. DCR-DVD7
Serial No.
Model No. AC-
Serial No.
If you have any questions aboul ltlis product, you
nlay call:
Sony Customer lnlkmnafion (enler
1-8(10-222-SONY (7669).
Tile ntlmber below is lbr lhe FCC rclaled nlallcrs
only.

RegulatoryInformation
Declaration of Conformity
Dechuation of ( onlbrmit}
Tiade Name: SONY
Model No.: D( R-DVD7
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 16450 W Bernardo Dr, San Diego, (A
92127 U.S.A.
Telephone No.: 858-942-2230
This device complies willl Part 15 of the IF((
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmtul interlemnce, and (2) this device must
accept any intellerence receive& including
intelierence thai may cause undesired opelilion.
CAUTION
You are cautioned that ally changes or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could vokl your authority to operalc this
equipment.
Note
This equipment has been lcsled and lound to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15of the FCC Rules.
These limits am designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmflfl interference ill a
residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio t?equency energy and. if not installed
and u_d in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful intcrlcmnce to radio
communications. Howexer, there is no guarantee
thai inlert_:rence will not occur ill a parlicular
inslallation. If this equipmenl does cause harmful
intcriercnce m radio or ,elevision reception,
which can be determined by turning tile
equipment oil and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correcl the interim'fence by one or lllOrCof
the k)llowing measures:
Reorienl or relocate lhe receiving antenna.
Increase the separaHon between the equipmenl
and receiver.
-Connecl tile equipment inlo an outlet on a
circuit ditl_renl t?om lhat to which lhe receiver
is connected.
-Consuh the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician h)r help.
Tile supplied inlcrtace cable must be used with
the equipment in order to comply with the limits
tot a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part
15 of FCC Rules.
Yourcamcorderissuppliedwith2
kindsof operationsguides.
_Operating guide' (This manual)
- "First Step Guide" tot using the supplied
sofl'_varc (stored on the supplied CD-ROM)
Onusingthecamcorder
•Do not hold the camcurder h> the
lollowiug parts.
•When you operate your camcorder placed
on a table or so, make sure it is so stahle
that there is nu risk that the camcorder
may fall down. Using the supplied stand
(p. 16) is recommended.
• To prevent discs fi'om being broken or
recorded pictures from being lost, do
not do the lbllowiug when either of the
respective lamps of the POWER switch
(p. 20) or the ACCESS lamp (p. 23) is un:
-to remove the batte Upack or AC
Adaptor from the camcorder.
-tu apply mechauical shock or vibration
tu the camcorder.

•Belore cnnuectiug your camcorder to
another device with a USB cable etc.,
be sure to insert the cnuuectnr plug in
the proper direction. If you insert the
connector plug lk_rcibly in the wrong
directinn, the terminal may be damaged.
or this may cause a mallm_ction of your
camcnrder.
Notes on the Setup items, LCD screen
and lens
• A setup 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 99.99c7_ of the pixels are operatinnal
for effective use. Hnwever, there may
be some tiny black points aud/or bright
points (white, red, bhm, nr green in color)
that appear constantly nn the LCD screen.
These points are normah
• Expnsing the LCD screen or the lens to
direct sunlight for lnug perinds of time
may cause mallunctious. Be careful when
plucing the camera near a window nr
outdoors.
• lfyou apply mechanical shock to around
the lens nr shake the camcorder buck and
forth, the picture may be distorted lot a
moment.
•Do nnt aim at the sun. Doing sn might
cause your camcorder to malli_nctiou.
"Pukepictures of the sun only in low light
conditions, such as at dusk.
Onrecording
• Belk)re starting tn record, test the
recording Luuction to make sure the
picture and sound are recorded without
any problems. You cannot delete images
once you recnrd them on a DVD-R. Use
a DVD-RW/DVD+RW (nnt supplied) fnr
trial recording (p. 13).
• Cnmpmlsation lor the contents of
recordings cannot be provided, even if
recording or playback is not pnssible
due tn a malfunction of the camcorder.
storage media, etc.
• TV color systems dillhr dependiug on
the countries/regions. To view your
recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC
systmn-based TV.
•Television programs, fihns, video tapes,
and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials
may be contrary to the copyright laws.
You cmmot dub copyright protected
software on your camcorder.
Onthismanual
• The images of the LCD screen used on this
manual are captured using a digital still
camera, and thus may appear different from
what you see.
• The on-screen displays in each local
language are used for illustrating the
operating procedures. Change the screen
language befure using your camcorder if
necessa U(p.63).
AbouttheCarlZeisslens
'Y\mrcumcorder is equipped with a Curl
Zeiss lens, which was developed jointly
by Carl Zeiss, in Germany. and Snny
Cnrporatinn, and prnduces superior images.
It adnpts the MTF' measurmnent systmn
lnr video cameras and ofli:rs aquality
typical of a Carl Zeiss lens.
MTF stands l\)r Modulation Trauslhr
Function. The number value indicates the
amount of light from a sut_ject coming
into the lens.

Aboutthe disc
• You can use 8cm DVD-Rs, 8cm DVD-
RWs and 8cm DVD+RWs only. Use the
discs with marks listed below.
o_w
•For reliability and durability of recording
/playback, we recommend that you use
the _:'_f_VIDEO*
Sony discs or discs with _Z'CAM_,_
"lot VIDEO CAMERA" mark for your
DVD HandycanL Using a disc other
than above may cause unsatisfactory
recording/playback or you may not be
able to remove the disc fl'om your DVD
Handycmn.
• Depending on the place you bought, the disc
,roVlDEOCAME_ ,
has lhe _oumaM_sso_ .1/1Irk.
Notes oR use
• Hold the disc by its edge while supporting
the center hole lightly. Do not touch the
recording side (the opposite of the printed
side when using a single sided disc).
• Belk)re shooting, be sure to rmnove
dust and fingerprints from the disc with
the cleaning cloth supplied with your
camcorder.
Otherwise you may not be able to record
or play normally in some situations using
that disc.
• When you set the disc in your camcorder.
press firmly until it clicks. When the
message [C:I3:C_D] appears on the LCD
screen, open the disc cover and set the
disc again.
• Do not attach any adhesive material such
as a sticker on the surlace of a disc. If you
do so, the disc may become unbalanced.
and this may cause a malfunction of the
disc or your camcorder.
Care and storage of the discs
• Keep the disc clean, or the qmdity of the
audio and video output may deteriorate.
• Clean the disc with the supplied cleaning
cloth.
Wipe the disc from the center out. For
dirt, clean the disc with a soft cloth
slightly moistmmd in water, then remove
the moisture with a soft, dry cloth. Do
not use solvents such as benzine, cleaners
intended lk)rvinyl LPs or antistatic splay,
as they may cause a malftmction to the
disc.
• Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight
or leave it in a humid place.
• When you carry or store the disc, put it in
its case.
• When you want to write letters or marks,
etc. on a single sided disc, write only on
the printed side using an oil-based marker
with a lclt-tip, aud do not touch the ink
until it dries. Do not heat the disc or use a
sharp-pointed tool. such as ball point pen.
Do not dry the surfi_ce by heating. You
cmmot write on, or mark, on the double-
sided discs.

Tableof Contents
What you can do with your DVD Handycam ............................................ 10
Choosing a disc ....................................................................................... 13
Step 1: Checking supplied items ............................................................. 16
Step 2: Charging the battery pack ........................................................... 17
Step 3: Turning the power on, and holding your camcorder .................... 20
Step 4: Using the touch panel ................................................................. 21
Step 5: Setting the date and time ............................................................ 22
Step 6: Inserting a disc ............................................................................ 23
Operate your camcorder with ease ......................................................... 25
Recording with ease ................................................................................ 26
Playing back with ease ............................................................................ 27
Preparation for playing back on a DVD player (Finalizing) ...................... 28
Recording ................................................................................................ 30
Playback .................................................................................................. 31
Functions used for recording/playback, etc ............................................. 32
Recording
To zoom
To adjust the exposure for backlit subjects
To adjust the focus for an off center subject
To fix the exposure for the selected subject
To add special effects
To use a tripod
Playback
To play back the images insequence
To use PB ZOOM

Recording/playback
Tocheck the remaining battery
Toturn off the operation confirmation beep
To initialize the settings
Other part names and functions
Checking/Deleting the last scene
(Review/Review deleting) ........................................................................ 34
Indicators displayed during recording/playback ....................................... 35
Remote Commander ............................................................................... 37
Playing the picture on a TV ..................................................................... 38
Making the disc compatible with DVD players or DVD drives
(Finalizing) ............................................................................................... 40
Playing back a disc on DVD players, etc ................................................. 44
Playing back a disc on a computer with a DVD drive installed ................ 44
Recording additional scenes after finalizing ............................................ 46
Deleting all of the scenes on the disc (Formatting) ................................. 47
Using the Setup items .................................................................... 48
Setup items ............................................................................................. 50
_ CAMERA SET ................................................................................... 52
Settings to adjust your camcorder to the recording conditions
(EXPOSURE/WHITE BAL./STEADYSHOT, etc.)
[] STILL SET ........................................................................................ 56
Settings for still images
(QUALITY/FILE NO.)
PICT.APPLI ....................................................................................... 57
Special effects on pictures or additional functions on recording
playback (D.EFFECT/PICT.EFFECT/SLIDE SHOW, etc.)
DISC SET .......................................................................................... 59
Settings for discs
(FORMAT/FINALIZE/UNFINALIZE, etc.)

STANDARDSET...............................................................................59
Settingswhilerecordingonadiscorotherbasicsettings
(RECMODE/LCDSET/USBSPEED,etc.)
_TIME/LANGU...................................................................................63
(CLOCKSET/AREASET/LANGUAGE,etc.)
CustomizingPersonalMenu....................................................................64
Editingtheoriginaldata...........................................................................66
CreatingthePlaylist................................................................................68
PlayingthePlaylist..................................................................................71
ConnectingtoaVCRorTV.....................................................................72
Jackstoconnectexternaldevices
DubbingtoVCR/DVDdevices.................................................................73
RecordingimagesfromaTVorVCR/DVDdevice.................................74
Beforereferringtothe"FirstStepGuide"onyourcomputer...................75
Installingthesoftware..............................................................................76
Viewing"FirstStepGuide".......................................................................79

Troubleshooting.......................................................................................80
Warningindicatorsandmessages..........................................................93
Usingyourcamcorderabroad.................................................................97
Aboutthe"lnfoLITHIUM"batterypack.....................................................99
Maintenanceandprecautions...............................................................101
Specifications........................................................................................105
Index......................................................................................................107

Enjoyingyour DVDHandycam
Whatyoucandowith yourDVDHandycam
Yaur DVD Handycam recerds images en an 8cm DVD* disc, which makes it easier te record
and view images.
'Y\m can en.jey yeur DVD Handycam in ways that are different from those of other media.
UsingyourDVDHandycam Playing back Playing back on
Preparing Recording on the DVD DVD players
Handycam (Finalize** thedisc)
10 (,, 16) (p. 26, 30) (p. 27, 31 ) (p. 28, 40)

*DVD(DigitalVi:rsatileDisc)isahighcapacityopticaldiscwhichenablesyoutorecordimages.Inthis
manual,an8cmDVDdiscisdescribedasa'disc?'
**Finalizingmeansconvertingarecordeddiscsothatitcanbeplayedbackonod_erDVDplayback
equipment(p.28, 41)). Al_,:r finalizing a disc, you may not be able to record on it again on your DVD
Handycam, depending on the disc type and the recording b_)rmat (p. 13). 11

W_ _ _a,,__ _#i_lll__lf_ _D_ N_,'_lm I_,_i,_}
DVDfunctionsdifferentfromthose of tape media
You catt start recording and check the recorded
images without rewittding ur lk_stff)rwarding.
hnages are stored on the free space utt the disc
atttomatically. Therelk_re. you will not delete
intportattt images accidentally.
You catt intport data to your computer lit less time
than the actual recording time. If your computer
suppurts Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0). you cat] transfer
data at a faster rate.
"t\m cat] record images on a disc utilizing the disc
capacity more effectively thanks to the VBR '_
encoding systmn that a@]sts image quality
automatically accurding to the scram being recurded.
Recurding an ol_iect that moves fast requires more
space to record clear images on a disc. Therelk_re,
the available recording time may be shorter that]
norulah
: VBR stands ti>rVariable Bit Rate. This t_:aturc enables your DVD Handycam to m[iust the bit rate
12 (recording capacity per a certain time) automatically in accordance with each ol the recorded scenes.

EnjoyingyourDVDHandycam
Choosinga disc
What kindsof disccanI use?
The kinds ol disc' Ihat you can/lse in yo/lr E)VD Haodycan/are as li)llows. When you use a
E)VD-RW, you can choose the recording format ffem VIDEO mode or VR mode.
8cmDVD-R
This kind
of disc can
be recoMed
only once.
8cm DVD-RW 8cm DVD+RW
VIDEO mode VR mode
This kind of disc can be overwrilten repealedly,
even when the disc is fulh if you fornmt* it.
• forVlt:_O
•Use Sony disc or discs with the _c*,=_,_ _ mark. E)epending on the place you bought it, the
disc has the _o%_gg_ _ mark.
Differencesintherecording
formatonDVD-RWs
has wide compatibility with other
players.
_ (Video Recording mode) enables
you to edit, such as deleting or dividing
scenes, the material you have recorded on
your E)VD Handycam. Once you finalize
the disc. you can play back the disc with a
E)VD player that supports VR mode.
•RelEr to the specificatkms of your playback
equipnlent lor addiliona] compatibilily
inlormalion.
Note on DVD+RW
II you playback tl_eDVD+RW recorded in
[16:9WIDEI/p. 55) on a DVD player conneclcd
to a 4:3 TV which does not support 16:9 pictures,
the picture will appear compressed lengthwise. If
the DVD+RW is recorded in the del.mh setting,
the picture will appear in 4:3 ralio when il is
played back under lhe above condition.
•ReiEr to the instruction manuals supplied with
your TV.
Examplesof incompatible
discs
12cm DVD-R • CD
12cm DVD-RW • CD-R
12cm DVD+RW • CD-ROM
DVD+R • CD-RW
DVD-RAM
DVD-ROM
* Formatting makes a disc ready lor recording. Also, lormaoing removes all images data hom a previously
recoMed disc, allowing you to recover the full capacity ol that disc. Therelore, you can use the disc
repeatedly (p. 47). 13

Do the features differ according to the disc?
What you can do with your disc di_rs, depending on the disc type and the recording fl_rmat
used.
The number in the parentheses indicates the reference page.
___02>
-03/ • 04 )
_)DVD discs recorded by So W DVD Handycam are designed to be played back on home DVD players,
DVD recorders, and compulcr DVD drives. DVD-RWs recorded in the VR mode nlusl be played back
on DVD playback equipment that supports the VR mode. Note thai playback on all home DVD players.
DVD recorders, and computer DVD drives may nol be guaranleed. Relcr to the specificatkms of your
playback equipment lot additional compalibilily inlormalion.
a)Do nol try 1o play back these discs in the DVD-ROM drive on your computer. This may cause a
mallhnction.
a)Unfinalizing is required (p. 46).
a) A confirmation dialog asking you if you want to record additional malcrial appears (p. 46).
14

Howto choosea disc
The figurebelow helpsyou Iochoose Ihe best disc lot your?nrpose.
And, I want to
play back the disc
on various DVD
playback devices.
V
devices.
And, I want to
play back the disc
without finalizing
it.
8
Did you find the disc type that suits your purpose?
Now, enjoy your DVD Handycam.
15

Step1: Checkingsupplieditems
Make sure that you have tk)lluwiug items
supplied with yuur camcorder.
The number in the parentheses indicates the
number of that item supplied.
8cm DVD-R DMR30 (1) (p. 13)
Wrist strap (1)
AC Adaptor (1) (p. 17) Stand (1)
How to place your
camcorder on the stand
Power cord (1) (p. 17)
A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 38, 72)
USB cable (1) (p. 75)
Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. 37)
A button-type lithium battm T is ah+cady installed.
Cleaning cloth (1)
LCD protective sheet (2) (p. 102)
Rechargeable battery pack NP-FA50 (1)
(p. 17)
CD-ROM "Picture Package Ver.1.8" (1)
(p. 75)
Operating Guide (This manual) (1)
16

Step2: Chargingthe batterypack
You can charge the batter}' afler in',erting
Ihe "InfoLITHIUM" ballery pack (A
series) (p. 99) inle your camcorder.
DC IN jack
cover
DC IN
jack
DC POWER
switch
Adaptor
Power cord
To the wall outlet
2Insert a battery pack to the end
with the •mark facing out.
Close the battery cover.
Be sure to close the cover completely.
4Slide the POWER switch in the
direction of the arrow to set it to
OFF (CHG) (The default setting).
€'D
m,
€'D
1While sliding the battery cover
OPEN switch in the direction of
the arrow @, move the battery
cover toward the direction of the
arrow @. Then open the cover @.
5 Connect the AC Adaptor to the
DC IN jack on your camcorder.
Open the DC IN jack cover to connect
the AC Adapter.
Battery
cover
Match the • mark
on the DC plug with DC IN jack
• n/ark on your cover
camcorder.
17

6Connect the AC Adaptor to the
wall outlet using the power cord.
Tile CHG (charge) lamp lights up and
charging starts.
"7
!The CHG (charge) lamp turns off
when the battery is fully charged.
Disconnect the AC Adaptor
from the DC IN jack on your
camcorder,
Disconnect the AC Adaptor hoMing
bulh yuur camcorder and tile DC plug.
Touseanoutsidepowersource
Make tile sante connections as ._ou do when
charging the hattery pack. The battery pack
will not lose its charge in this case.
Chargingtime(fullcharge)
Approximate chm'ging time (rain.) required
when you fully charge an empty battery
pack.
NP-FA50 (supplied) 125
NP-FA70 155
Recordingtime
Approximate time (nlin.) available when
you use a fully charged battery pack.
NP-FA50 90 40
(supplied) 100 45
170 80
NP-FA70 190 90
Toremovea batterypack
Slide tile battery cover OPEN switch ill tile
same way as when installing a battery pack.
After opening the battery cover, pull the
battery pack out.
• When you remove lhe baucry pack, nmke
sure that none of the respective lamps of the
POWER swfich is on.
Whenstoringthe batterypack
Use up tile battery pack completely if you
do not intend to use itlk_ralong time (p.
9_))
It you recoM under tile follo,Mng conditions:
Top: When the LCD backlighl is on
goltom: When tile LCD backlighl is off
Playbacktime
Approximate time (nlin.) available when
you use a fitlly charged battery pack.
NP-FA50 100 115
(supplied)
NP-FA70 190 215
18

On the battery pack
• Beiore ch;mging the batter 3 pack, slide the
POWER switch to OFF ((HG).
• The CHG (charge) lamp may flash during
charging, or BATTERY [NFO (p. 33) may nol
be correctly displayed under the lollowing
condilions:
- Tbe balte Wpack is nol inserlcd correctly.
Tbe baltc Wpack is damaged.
- The battcly pack is lhlly discharged.
/For BATTERY INFO only.)
• The power will not be supplied fiom the batlelw
as long as the AC Adaplor is connecled to the
DC [N jack of your camcorder, even when the
power cord is disconnecled fiom lhe wall oullet.
On the charging/recording/playback time
•Times arc measurcd at 25 °C (77°F). (10-30°C
(5(1-86°F) is recommended.)
• Available recording and playback time will be
shorler when you iise yollr camcorder ill low
temperatures.
• The available recording and playback time will
be shorler depending on the condilions under
which yoll Ilse yollr camcorder.
On the AC Adaptor
•Use tile nearby wall outlet when using tile AC
Adaptor. Disconnecl the AC Adaptor l_'om tile
wall outlet immediately it rely malhmction
occurs while using your camcorder.
• Do not use the A( Adaplor placed in a narrow
space, such as between a wall and fllrniture.
• Do not short-circuil tile DC plug of lhe AC
Adaptor or baltery lerminal wilh any metallic
ot_iecls. This may cause a mallhnction.
PRECAUTION
• E_en it )our camcorder is turned off, AC power
(house current) is slill supplied to it while
connecled 1othe wall oullel via the AC Adaplol:
ffa
€,1a
lg

Step3: Turningthe poweron, andholdingyour
camcorder
To record or play back, slide the POWER
switch to turn on the respective lamp.
When using your camcorder lor the first
tinte, the [CLOCK SETI screen appears
(p. 22).
_N (Movie): To record movies
It_ (Still): To rccord still ilnages
[] (Play/Edit): To play back pictures on
your camcorder, or to edil lhem (DVD-RW:
VR mode only)
• When you mrn on tile power of your
canlcorder allcr setting tile dale and time
([CLOCK SETI, p. 22h the current date and
time will be displayed on the LCD screen
Ior a low seconds.
POWER
switch 3Hold your camcorder correctly.
1Open the lens cover.
Slide in the
direction ol
the arrov_.
-" Turn on the power by sliding the
POWER switch in the direction
of the arrow while pressing the
green button in the center.
When you record or play back, switch
the power mode by sliding the POWER
switch in the direction of the arrow until
the respective lamp lights up.
Totorn offthe power
Slide tt'_ePOWER switch to OFF (CHG).
• AI the time of purchase, tile power will be
sel m ltlrn oil aulomatically if you leave your
camcorder wilhoul any operation atlemptcd Kir
approximalely 5 minutes to save ballery power
([A.SHUT OFFI, p. 62).
2O
Green button