Sony Handycam DCR-PC100 User manual

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Introduction
The Sony DCR-PC100 is a user-friendly digital video camera that allows the user to record video
and take digital photos. The video and still images are stored on a mini DV tape. The purpose of
this document is to assist the novice user in using the Sony DCR-PC100 in under twenty minutes.
This document will cover the following areas:
Camera basics
Recording
Importing to external devices
Advanced settings
General overview of the Sony DCR-PC100:
Table of Contents
Section Page Number
I. Camera Basics 2
II. Recording 5
III. Importing to External Devices 6
IV. Advance Settings 7
User Guide - Digital Video Camera (Sony DCR-PC100)

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I. Camera Basics
The Sony DCR-PC100 is not a difficult camera to use, but the user will need to become familiar
with the majority of the operations and options of the camera in order to use it effectively. The
following images are major components to the DV camera. All of these features will be discussed in
this document.
Power Source
The camera uses a rechargeable battery
located on the side of the camera (See
the above images). A power cord is
used to charge the camera; therefore,
the battery does not need to be
removed.

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To turn On/Off the camera:
To turn on the camera, simply push the
small green button and slide the power
switch up. To turn off the camera,
slide the power switch to OFF
position. This switch is located
directly below the viewfinder.
To use the power cord:
The camera bag should contain a DC
power cord that connects the camera to
a power outlet.
Beneath the battery is a cover labeled
“DC IN.” Open the cover and insert
the end of the cord into the camera.
Plug the other end into a power source.
To recharge the battery:
To recharge the battery, follow the
same direction as “To use the power
cord.” When charging the battery, the
camera should be turned off. The
orange light will turn off when the
battery is fully charged.
Inserting a DV tape
The Sony DV camera uses standard
DV tapes.
a. Slide the OPEN EJECT switch
down and pull open the cover. The
tape compartment will
automatically open.
b. Insert the tape.

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c. After inserting the tape gently push
the tape compartment closed.
d. Close the cover.
Eject the DV tape:
To eject the tape simply repeat the steps
to “Inserting a DV tape.”
Lens Cover
To remove the lens cover:
On lens cover, press the finger tabs to
release the cover.
To replace the lens cover:
Press the finger tabs and release them
when the cover is on the lens.
Note: Always replace the lens cover when not in
use.
CAMERA/VTR/Memory Power
Switch
a. CAMERA: Records digital video.
b. VTR: This setting is for playback of
recorded video.
c. MEMORY: This setting is designed
to work with the memory stick to
take still photographs. Set switch to
MEMORY, select photo image,
press PHOTO until still photo is
taken.
Note: The Memory feature cannot be used
for video.
Note: The CAMERA/VTR/MEMORY Power
Switch includes a lock (See image) to ensure
that the setting will not move during
utilization.
Note: If the camera is not in use the camera
will automatically shut itself off after five
minutes.

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Focus
There are two methods to focus
the camera:
a. To auto focus push the FOCUS
button on the side of the camera.
b. The second method is manual focus.
The user needs to push the focus
select button to MANUAL. This is
the same button you would push to
select auto focus. On the LCD
screen manual focus is represented
by an icon of a hand with a “F”
inside it (See image).
Adjust the focus ring until the shot
comes into focus and then record.
Note: it is suggested that auto focus be used
until the user becomes comfortable with
manual focus option.
II. Recording
When recording video you can view the shot through the LCD screen or through the
viewfinder. The concept of the camera is to point and record. The camera needs to be in the
CAMERA mode to record video.
To Record
a. Simply aim the camera and press the
record button (See image).
If the image is too far away or too
close the user can use the zoom to

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bring the shot in closer (T) or move
out farther (W). These options are
located between the view and the
lens near the top of the camera.
Note: If the zoom option is not practical the
user should physically move in order to
capture the frame of the shot.
b. When the camera records a red REC
will appear in the middle of the LCD
screen (See image).
To Review the Recording
a. Move the
CAMERA/VTR/MEMORY selector
to the VTR setting.
b. In the VTR mode the camera
controls will appear (See image). To
review the recording, simply rewind
the tape and press PLAY.
III. Exporting to External Devices
To export the captured footage to an external device the user has a variety of options.
This is where the Sony DCR-PC100 becomes very verstile. The camera allows users to
output to a TV, a VCR, another DV Camera, or a PC. No additional software is required
when exporting to a TV, a VCR, or another DV Camera. However, when exporting to a
PC your computer will need an iLink cable, an IEEE-1394 card, and editing software.
The ITRC can supply all these needs when it comes to editing the footage.

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IV. Advanced Settings
There are additional features to the Sony DCR-PC100. In the rest of this document we
will briefly discuss the external components and summarize the primary functions in the
menu settings.
External Components
+SLOW SHTR Adjust the shutter speed to
give brightness to dark
settings. This is located
between the lens and the
view near the top of the
camera.
NIGHTSHOT Functions with or without
+SLOW SHTR to
accommodate for dark
settings. This is located
between the lens and the
view near the top of the
camera.
MIC An external plug-in for a
microphone. This is located
between the lens and the
view near the top of the
camera.
PHOTO Enables user to take still
photographs on DV tape or
Memory card. This is
located between the lens
and the view near the top of
the camera.
LASER LINK Not Available.
EXPOSURE Adjust the exposure
manually if the subject is
backlit, the subject is bright
with a dark background, or
the picture is dark. Press
EXPOSURE again to
return to automatic
exposure. This is located to
the bottom right of the
Power switch.

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BACK LIGHT This light will turn green
when the flash is open.
This is located to the
bottom right of the Power
switch.
FADER Use
FADER, OVERLAP,
or MONOTONE to fade in
or out of an image. Start on
STANDBY, record, press
FADER, return to
STANDBY. This is
located to the bottom left of
the Power switch
SEL/PUSH EXEC This dial enables the user to
navigate through the menu.
This is located to the right
of the Power switch.
Menu Settings
To access the camera MENU setting, move the CAMERA/VTR/MEMORY selector to
the CAMERA setting and push the MENU Button, which is located on the area where
the LCD Screen closes, next to the volume control. To navigate and select options use
the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
To access the VTR MENU setting, move the CAMERA/VTR/MEMORY selector to the
VTR setting and push the MENU Button. To navigate and select options use the
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, located to the right of the Power switch.
CAMERA MENU
SETTING:
OPTIONS AVAILABLE:
Manual Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on CAMERA)
Program AE: A multi-use
button that allows users to set
aperture, shutter speed, and
reduce color suppression in
certain settings.
P Effect: (Picture effect) To add
special effects to recorded film.
Choose between negative art,
sepia, black and white,
solarize, slim, stretch, pastel,
and mosaic.
WHT BAL: Makes white
subjects look white and allows
more natural color balance.
AUTO SHTR: Activates
electronic shutter when filming
in bright conditions.

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Camera Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on CAMERA)

D Zoom: Two options
(ON/OFF) to use digital zoom.
16:9 WIDE: to record in a 16:9
width.
Steadyshot: Compensates for
camera shake.
N.S. Light: NightShot light.
LCD/VF Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on CAMERA)

LCD Bright: Adjusts the LCD
screen.
LCD B.L.: Adjusts the LCD
screen.
LCD Bright: Adjusts the LCD
screen.
VF Bright: Viewfinder
brightness.
CM Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on CAMERA)

Title Erase: To erase the title
you have superimposed.
Tape Title: Date/Time set up
Erase All: To erase the recorded
data.
Tape Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on CAMERA)

Rec Mode: SP or LP recording
speed.
Audio Mode: 12-bit or 16-bit
audio recording.
Remain: The on-screen display
of remaining tape.
Setup Menu
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on CAMERA)

Clock Set:
Auto TV ON: To automatically
turn on a Sony TV with laser
link function.
TV Input: To switch the video
input.
LTR Size: To display selected
menu items at normal size or
twice the size.
Demo Mode: Demonstration
mode.

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Others
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on CAMERA)

World Time: Set the clock to
local time
Beep: Sounds to signify
stop/start recording.
Commander: To activate the
remote.
Display: To show the LCD
screen.
Rec Lamp: To turn ON/OFF the
light on front of the camera.
VTR MENU
SETTING:
OPTIONS AVAILABLE:
Manual Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on VTR)

P Effect: To add special
effects to recorded film.
Choose between negative
art, sepia, black and white,
solarize, slim, stretch,
pastel, and mosaic.
VTR Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on VTR)

HiFi Sound: Playback stereo
sound.
Audio Mix: Audio balance.
LCD/VF Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on VTR)

LCD Bright: Adjusts the LCD
screen.
LCD B.L.: Adjusts the LCD
screen.
LCD Bright: Adjusts the LCD
screen.
VF Bright: Viewfinder
brightness.
Memory Set
(Make sure the
selector switch is set
on VTR)

Quality: Quality of still
images.
Print Mark: To erase or not to
erase print marks on still
images.
Protect: Protects still images
from being deleted.
Photo Save: To duplicate still
images.