Sony Handycam DCR-PC9 User manual

SON_ 306833!,1_1_
Digital
Video Camera
Recorder Cassette
Operating Instructions
Before operating tire unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain
it for future reference.
Owner's Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the
serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers
whenever vou call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. DCR-PC9 Model No. AC
Serial No. Serial No.
I_i®i_®_Handgcam
C_ ,nfoLITHIUM
CIll Cassette
!'! Memory
MEMORY 5TI[K TM
SERIES
DCR-PC9
@2001 Sony Corporation

2
Welcome!
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Digital Handyca m camcor&,r. With your Digital
Ha ndycam, you can capture life's precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Digital
Ha ndycam is loaded with advanced features, but at the same time it is very easy to use. You will soon be
producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do
not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
CAUHON: O REDUCE THE RISK OF ELEC1RIC SHOOK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR £ACK)
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PAR_S INSIDE
REFER SERVICING TO QOALIFIED SERVICE PEF_8ONNEL
This symbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
uninsulated "dangerous voltage"
within the product's enclosure
that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
/_ This syrabol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
important operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
Never expose the battery pack to temperatures
above 60C (140°F) such as in a car parked in
the sun or under direct sunlight.
DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.
You can return your un wanted lithium ion batteries
to your nearest S,ony Service Center or Factory
Service Center.
Note: [n some areas the disposal of lithium ion
batteries in household or business trash may
be prohibited.
For the Sony Service Center nearest you ca]]
1-800-222-SONY (United States only).
For the Son), Factory Service Center nearest you ca]]
416-499-SONY (('anada only).
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking lit]hium
ion battery.
If you have any questions about this product, you
may call :
Sony Customer Information Center 1-800-222-S, ONY
(7669)
The number below is for the FCC related matters
only.
Regulatory Information
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: DCR-PC9
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 680 Kinderkamack Road,
Oradell, NJ 07649 U.S.A.
Telephone No.: 201-930-6972
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions.: (1) This device
*nay not cause harmful interference, and
(2)this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
"Memory Stick"
This device complies with ['art 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not ca use harmful interference
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, incl uding interference that may cause
undesired operation.
CAUTION
You are cautionc_d that any changers or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate
this equipment.

Note:
This equipment has boon tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interf_rence to radio
communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interf_,rence to radio or
television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
-- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
-- Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver.
-- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a
circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
-- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/
TV technician for help.
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHCX'K, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
"Memory Stick"
This Class B digital apparatus compli_,s with
Canadian ICES-003.

Main Features
Taking moving or still images, and playing them back
• Recording a picture on a tape (p. 22)
• Recording a still image on a tape (p. 41)
• Playing back a tape (p. 34)
• Recording still in*ages on "Memory Stick's (p. 122)
• Recording moving pictures on "Memory Stick's (p. 129)
• Viewing a still image recorded on "Memory Stick's (p. 142)
• Viewing a moving picture on "Memory Stick's (p. 145)
÷
4
Capturing images on your computer
• Using with an analog video unit and }'our computer (p. 88)
• Vie,wing inrages recorded on "Memory Stick's using the USB cable (p. 147)
Other uses
Functions to adjust exposure in the recording mode
• Back light (p. 29)
• NightShot/Super NightShot (p. 29)
• PROGRAM AE (p. 52)
• White balance (p. 55)
• Adjusting the exposure manually (p. 57)
• Flexible Spot Meter (p. 58)
Functions to give images more impact
• Digital zoom [MENU] (p. 105) The default setting is set to OFF. (To zoom greater than
10x, select the digital zoom power in D ZOOM in the menu settings.)
• Fader (p. 45)
• Picture effect (p. 48)
• Digital effect (p. 49)
• Digital program editing (p. 77)
• Title (p. 98, 101)
• MEMORY MIX (p. 135)
Functionsto give a natural appearance to your recordings
• Manual focus (p. 59)
• Sports lesson *node (p. 52)
• Landscape mode (p. 52)
Functions to use after recording
• END SEARCH/EDITSEARCH/Rec Review (p. 32)
• DATA CODE (p. 36)
• Photo search (p. 72)
• Photo scan (p. 74)
• Tape PB ZOOM (p. 67)/Memory PB ZOOM (p. 153)
• Zero set memory (p. 68)
• Title search (p. 69)

Checking supplied accessories
Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.
[] [][]
[]
[]
[] []
[] }
[]
t
?
[]
[] Wireless Remote Commander (1)
(p. 188)
[] AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power
adaptor (1), the power cord (1) (p. 13)
[] NP-FM30 battery pack (1) (p. 12, 13)
[] Size AA (R6) battery for Remote
Commander (2) (p. 188)
[] USB cable (1) (p. 148)
[] "Memory Stick" (i) (p. 112)
[] A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 40)
[] Lens cap (1) (p. 22)
[] CD-ROM (SPVD-004 USB Driver) (1)
(p. 148)
[] Battery terminal cover (1) (p. 12)
[] Cleaning cloth (1) (p. 176)
Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a
malfunction of the camcorder, storage media, etc.

Table of contents
Main Features ................................................ 4
Checking supplied accessories ................... 5
Quick Start Guide ................................s
Getting started
Using this manual ...................................... 10
Step 1 Preparing the power supply ........ 12
Installing the battery pack .................. 12
Charging the battery pack .................. 13
Connecting to a wall outlet ................ 16
Step 2 Setting the date and time .............. 17
Step 3 Inserting a cassette ......................... 19
Step 4 Using the touch panel ................... 20
Recording - Basics
Recording a picture .................................... 22
Shooting backlit subjects
- BACK LIGHT ............................ 29
Shootingin the dark Nightshot/
Super Nightshot ........................... 29
Self-timer recording ........................... 31
Checking the recording
END SEARCH /EDITSEARCH /
Rec Review. .......................................... 32
Playback - Basics
Playing back a tape ..................................... 34
Viewing the recording on TV ................... 40
Advanced Recording
Operations
Recording a still image on a tape
- Tape Photo recording ...................... 41
Using the wide mode ................................. 44
Using the fader function ............................ 45
Using special effects - Picture effect ........ 48
Using special effects Digital effect ........ 49
Using the PROGRAM AE function .......... 52
Adjusting the white balance manually ... 55
Adjusting the exposure manually ............ 57
Using the spot light-metering mode
- Flexible Spot Meter ........................... 58
Focusing manually ..................................... 59
Interval recording ....................................... 60
Frame by frame recording
- Cut recording .................................... 62
Using the viewfinder ................................. 63
Advanced Playback
Operations
Playing back a tape with picture ef_cts .. 65
Playing back a tape with digital effects ... 66
Enlarging images recorded on tapes
- Tape PB ZOOM ................................ 67
Quickly locating a scene using the zero set
memory function ................................. 68
Searching the boundaries of recorded tape
by title - Title search ........................... 69
Searching a recording by date
- Date search ........................................ 70
Searching for a photo
-Photo search/Photo scan ................ 72
Editing
Dubbing a tape ............................................ 75
Dubbing only desired scenes
Digital program editing ................... 77
Using with an analog video unit and your
computer Signal convert function..88
Recording video or TV programs ............ 89
Inserting a scene from a VCR
- Insert editing ..................................... 92
Audio dubbing ............................................ 94
Superinrposing a title ................................. 98
Making your own titles ........................... 101
Labeling a cassette .................................... 103
Customizing Your Camcorder
Changing the menu settings ................... 105
"Memory Stick" Operations
Using a "Memory Stick"
introduction ..................................... 112
Recording still images on "Memory Stick"
Memory Photo recording .............. 122
Recording an image from a tape as a still
image ................................................... 126
Recording moving pictures on "Memory
Stick's MPEG movie recording.... 129
Recording a picture from a tape as a
moving picture ................................... 131
Superinrposing a still image in a "Memory
Stick" on a moving picture
- MEMORY MIX ................................ 135
Copying still images from a tape
- Photo save ........................................ 140
6

Table of contents
Viewing a still image
Memory photo playback ............... 142
Viewing a moving picture
MPEG movie playback .................. 145
Viewing images using your computer .. 147
Enlarging still images recorded on
"Memory Stick's
Memory PB ZOOM ........................ 153
Playing back images in a continuous loop
SLIDE SHOW .................................. 154
Preventing accidental erasure
Image protection ............................. 155
Deleting images ........................................ 156
Writing a print mark PRINT MARK .. 159
Troubleshooting
Types of trouble and their solutions ...... 160
Self-diagnosis display .............................. 166
Warning indicators and messages .........167
Additional Information
Usable cassettes ......................................... 169
About the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack
.............................................................. 171
About i.LINK ............................................. 172
Using your camcorder abroad ................ 174
Maintenance information and precautions
.............................................................. 175
Specifications ............................................. 181
Quick Reference
Identifying the parts and controls .......... 183
Index ........................................................... 190

Quick Start Guide
Holding Grip
This chapter introduces you to the basic
features of your canrcorder. See the page in
parentheses "( )" for more information.
Pull down the Holding Grip to hold your
camcorder as illustrated.
Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 12).
Open the DC IN
jack cover.
AC power adaptor (supplied)
Connect the plug with its •
mark facing the Holding Grip.
O Slide OPEN/
_--EJECT in the
direction of the
arrow and open the
lid.
APush the middle
portion of the back
of the cassette to
insert. Insert the
cassette in a straight
line deeply into the
cassette
compartment with
the window facing
out.
O Close the cassette
compartment by
pressing the
mark on the cassette
compartment.
After the cassette
compartment goes
down completely,
close the lid until it
clicks.

10 Renrovethelens
cap.
0 Pr_.ss
open the LCD
panel.
Viewfindel
When the LCD panel
is closed, pull out the
viewfinder untill its
click to focus on the
subject
€
When you purchase your camcorder, the clock
setting is set to off. If you want to record the date
and time for a picture, set the clock setting before
recording (p. 17).
O Set the POWER switch to CAMERA
while pressing the small green
button.
Press START/STOP. Your camcorder
starts recording. To stop recording,
press START/STOP again.
_Set the POWER switch to VCR while
pressing the small green button. _ Press _ of the touch panel to rewind the tape.
_ Press _ of the touch panel to
start playback.
NOTE
When using the touch panel, press
operation buttons lightly with your
thumb supporting the LCD screen from
the backside of it. Do not press the LCD
screen with sharp-pointed objects such
as p€_i'ts.
NOTE
Do not pick up your
canrcorder by holding the
viewfinder, the LCD panel,
the battery pack or the jack
cover.
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-- Getting started --
Using this manual
As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on your camcorder are shown in
capital letters.
e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
When you carry out an operation, you can hear a beep sound to indicate that the
operation is being carried out.
Your canrcorder is based on the DV format. You can only use mini DV cassettes with
your canrcorder. We recommend that you use a tape with cassette memory CIq.
The functions which require different operations depending on whether the tape has
the cassette memory or not are:
-End search (p. 32)
Date search (p. 70)
- Photo search (p. 72)
The functions you can operate only with the cassette memory are:
-Title search (p. 69)
Superimposing a title (p. 98)
-Labeling a cassette (p. 103)
For details, see page 169.
You see this mark in the introduction of the features that operate only with
cassette memory.
Tapes with cassette memory are marked by Clll (Cassette Memory).
TV color systems differ from country to country. To view your recordings on a TV, you
need an NTSC system-based TV.
Television programs, fihns, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the
copyright laws.
10

Using this manual
Lens and LCD screen/finder (on mounted models only)
• The LCD screen and the finder are 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 constantly appear on the LCD screen and the finder.
These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the
recording in any way.
• Do not lot your camcordor got wot Koep your canrcordor away from rain and soa
water. Letting your camcorder get wet may cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [a].
• Never leave your camcorder exposed to temperatures above 60 'C (140 °F), such as in
a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [b].
• Be careful when placing the camera near a window or outdoors. Exposing the LCD
screen, the finder or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods may cause
malfunctions [c].
• Do not directly shoot the sun. Doing so might cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Take pictures of the sun in low light conditions such as dusk [d].
8_
[a] [bl
[c] [d]
/]
11

Step 1 Preparing the power supply
We recommend that you use the battery pack when you use your camcorder outdoors.
(1) While sliding BATT (battery) release lever in the direction of the arrow O,
slide the battery terminal cover in the direction of the arrow O.
(2) Insert the battery pack in the direction of the arrow m_til it clicks.
2
To remove the battery pack
The battery pack is remo_ _,d in tlr_,same, way as the battery tc_rminal co__r.
Note on the battery terminal cover
To protect the battery terminals, install the battery terminal cover after the battery pack
is remox ed.
12

Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Use the battery pack after charging it for your camcorder.
Your camcorder operates only with the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack (M series).
See page 171 for details of "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack.
(1) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC power adaptor supplied with
your calncorder to the DC IN jack with the plug's • mark facing the Holding
Grip.
(2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
(4) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHARGE).
The CHARGE lamp lights up when the charge begins. After the charge is
completed, the CHARGE lamp goes out. (full charge)
2
1lanrp
After charging the battery pack
Disconnect the AC power adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.
Note
Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts of the DC plug of
the AC power adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC power
adaptor.
While charging the battery pack, the CHARGE lamp flashes in the following cases:
The battery pack is not installed correctly.
-Something is wrong with the battery pack.
When you use the AC power adaptor
Place the AC power adaptor near a wall outlet. If any trouble occurs with this unit,
disconnect the plug from a wall outlet as soon as possible to cut off the power.
13

Step 1 Preparing the power supply
Charging time
Battery pack Full charge
NP-FM30 (suppli_'d) 145
NP-FM50 150
NP-FM70 240
NP-FMg0 330
NP-FM91 360
The charging time may increase if the battery's temperature is extremely high or low
because of the ambient temperature.
• qo
Approximate minutes at 2. C (77 :'F) to charge an empty battery pack
Recording time
Recording with Recording with
Battery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen
Continuous* Typical** Continuous* Typical**
NP-FM30 (suppli('d) 115 60 85 45
NP-FM50 185 100 140 75
NP-FM70 385 210 295 ]60
NP-FMg0 580 315 450 245
NP-FM91 670 365 520 285
Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery
* Approximate continuous recording time at 25 'C (77 'F). The battery life will be
shorter if you use your caincorder in a cold environment.
** Approximate number of minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/
stop, zooming and turning the power on/off• The actual battery life may be shorter•
Playing time
Battery pack Playing time Playing time
on LCD screen with LCDclosed
NP-FM30 (suppli_'d) 90 125
NP-FM50 150 200
NP-FM70 310 415
NP-FMg0 475 630
NP-FM91 550 725
Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery
Approximate continuous playing time at 25 :'C (77 °F). The battery life will be shorter if
VOU LIS_-_vour calTlcorder in a cold _,nx ironment.
14

Step 1 Preparing the power supply
If the power goes off although the battery remaining indicator indicates that the
battery pack has enough power to operate
Charge the battery pack fully again so that the indication on the battery remaining
indicator is correct.
Recommended charging temperature
We recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of between 10 'C
to 30 '_C (50 °F to 86 '_F).
What is "InfoLITHIUM"?
The "InfoLITHIUM" is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange data such as
battery consumption with conrpatible electronic equipnrent. This unit is conrpatible
with the "InfoLITHIUM" battery pack (M series). Your canrcorder operates only with
the "InfoLITHIUM" battery. "InfoLITHIUM" M series battery packs have the
_'1_I.roUTHIUMQ mark.
"InfoLITHIUM" is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
15

Step 1 Preparing the power supply
When you use your camcorder for a long time, we recommend that you power it from a
wall outlet using the AC power adaptor.
(1) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC power adaptor supplied with
your camcorder to the DC IN jack on your camcorder with the plug's • mark
facing the Holding Grip.
(2) Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
2,3
PRECAUTION
The s_,tis not disconnectc, d from the AC power sourc_ (house current) as long as it is
conn_,cted to a wall outk4, _ven if thc_s_t itself has b_en turned off.
Notes
• The AC power adaptor can supply power even if the battery pack is attached to your
carncordor.
• 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 Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (optional).
16

Step 2 Setting the date and time
Set the date and time settings when you use your camcorder for the first time. "CLOCK
SET" will be displayed each time that you set the POWER switch to CAMERA or
MEMORY unless you set the date and time settings.
If you do not use your camcorder for about three months, the date and time settings
may be released (bars may appear) because the built-in rechargoable battery installed in
your camcorder will have been discharged (p. 177).
First, set the year, then the month, the day, the hour and then the minute.
(1) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA or MEMORY.
(2) Press FN to display PAGE1 (p. 20).
(3) Press MENU to display the metal.
(4) Select with _/T, and press EXEC.
(5) Select CLOCK SET with _/T, and press EXEC.
(6) Adjust the desired year with _/_, and press EXEC.
(7) Set the month, day and hour with the same procedure as step 6.
(8) Set the minute with _/_, and press EXEC by the time signal. The clock starts to
Inove.
K
8
17

Step 2 Setting the date and time
The year changes as follows:
1995 _ 2001 *-- .... --_ 2079
T T
To return to FN
Press EXIT.
If you do not set the date and time
" " and ...... are recorded on the data code of the tape and the
"Memory Stick".
Note on the time indicator
The internal clock of your camcorder operates on a 12-hour cycle.
12:00 AM stands for midnight.
12:00 PM stands for noon.
18

Step 3 Inserting a cassette
(1) Install the battery pack, or connect the AC power adaptor for the power supply
(p. 12 to i6).
(2) Slide OPEN/_EJECT in the direction of the arrow and open the lid. The
cassette compartment automatically lifts up and opens.
(3) Push the iniddle portion of the back of the cassette to insert.
Insert the cassette in a straight line deeply into the cassette compartment with -'J.
the window facing out.
(4) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the _ mark on the cassette
compartment. The cassette compartment automatically goes down. __
(5) After the cassette compartment goes down completely, close the lid matil it
clicks.
OPEN/_EJECT 5
To eject a cassette
Follow the procedure above, and take out the cassette in step 3.
Notes
• Do not press the cassette compartment down. Doing so may cause malfunction.
• The cassette compartment may not be closed when you press any part of the lid other
than the _ mark.
When you use mini DV cassette with cassette memory
Read the instruction about cassette memory to use this function properly (p. 169).
To prevent accidental erasure
Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to expose the red mark.
19

Step 4 Using the touch panel
Your camcorder has operation buttons on the LCD screen. Touch the LCD panel
directly to operate each function.
In CAMERA or VCR mode
(1) Install the battery pack, or connect the AC power adaptor for the power supply
(p. 12, 16).
(2) Press OPEN to open the LCD panel.
(3) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA (in the standby/recording mode) or VCR
(in the playback mode) while pressing the small green button.
(4) Press FN. Operation buttons appear on the LCD screen.
(5) Press PAGE2 to go to PAGE2. Operation buttons appear on the LCD screen.
(6) Press PAGE3 to go to PAGE3. Operation buttons appear on the LCD screen.
(7) Press a desired operation item. Refer to relevant pages for each fm_ction.
5,6 In CAMERAmode 4 3
To return to FN
Pross EXIT.
To execute settings
Pross EXEC or _ OK. The display returns to PAGE1/PAGE2/PAGE3.
To cancel settings
Press _ OFF to return to PAGE1/PAGE2/PAGE3.
2O