Sony HDCAM HDW-700A User manual

SONY
HDCAMCORDER
HDW-700A
HDCAM
OPERATION MANUAL English
1st Edition
Serial No. 10001 and Higher

WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose the unit to rain or moisture.
To avoid electrical shock, do not open
the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel only.
For the customers in U.S.A
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of theFCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when
the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation
of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference in which case the user will be required
to correct the interference at his own expense.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not
expressly approved in this manual could void your
authority to operate this equipment.
The shielded interface cable recommended in this manual
must be used with this equipment in order to comply with
the limits for a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part
15 of FCC Rules.

For the customers in the USA and Canada
RECYCLING NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES
NICKEL-CADMIUMBATTERY.
BATTERY MUST BE RECYCLED OR
DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.
Nickel-Cadmiumbatteries arerecyclable.
You can help preserve our environment by
returning your unwanted batteries to your
nearest Sony Service Centre or Factory
Service Centre for collection, recycling or
properdisposal.
Note: In some areas the disposal of nickel-
cadmiumbatteries inhousehold orbusiness
trash may be prohibited.
For the Sony Service Centre nearest you call 1-800-222-
SONY(United Statesonly)
For the Sony Service Centre nearest you call 416-499-
SONY(Canadaonly)
Caution: Donothandle damagedorleaking nickel-cadmium
batteries.
Ni-Cd

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
1-1 Features....................................................................................... 1-1
1-1-1 CameraFeatures................................................................ 1-1
1-1-2 VTRFeatures..................................................................... 1-3
1-2 ExampleofSystemConfiguration........................................ 1-4
1-3 Precautions................................................................................ 1-6
Chapter 2 Locations and Functions of Parts and
Controls
2-1 PowerSupply............................................................................... 2-1
2-2 AccessoryAttachments.............................................................. 2-3
2-3 AudioFunctions.......................................................................... 2-5
2-4 Shooting andRecording/PlaybackFunctions........................2-13
2-5 SetupMenuOperatingSection................................................ 2-27
2-6 TimeCodeSystem......................................................................2-29
2-7 WarningsandIndications.......................................................... 2-35
2-8 WarningsandIndicationsontheDisplayPanel..................... 2-38
Chapter 3 Recording and Playback
3-1 AboutCassettes......................................................................... 3-1
3-1-1 LoadingandUnloadingaCassette................................ 3-1
3-1-2 PreventingAccidentalErasure...................................... 3-4
3-2 Recording................................................................................... 3-5
3-2-1 BasicProcedure.............................................................. 3-5
3-2-2 ContinuousRecording................................................... 3-9
3-3 CheckingtheRecording– Playback...................................... 3-12
3-3-1 Checking the last Three Seconds of the Recording –
Recording Review..................................................... 3-12
3-3-2 Checking the Recording on the ColorVideo Monitor –
Playbackin Color....................................................... 3-13
Table of Contents 1

Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for
Recording
4-1 Adjusting the Black Balance and the White Balance and
CorrectingtheWhiteSpots................................................... 4-1
4-1-1 Adjusting the Black Balance....................................... 4-2
4-1-2 Automatic Correction of White Spots in the Image.... 4-4
4-1-3 AdjustingtheWhiteBalance......................................... 4-5
4-2 SettingtheElectronicShutter............................................... 4-9
4-2-1 ShutterModes................................................................ 4-9
4-2-2 SelectingtheShutterModeandSpeed.......................... 4-10
4-3 AdjustingtheAudioLevel..................................................... 4-13
4-4 SettingtheTimeData........................................................... 4-17
4-4-1 Settingthe User Bits.................................................... 4-17
4-4-2 SettingtheTime Code.................................................. 4-19
4-4-3 Enteringthe RealTime intheVITC............................. 4-21
4-4-4 SynchronizingtheTime Code...................................... 4-23
4-5 SetupMenu DisplayontheViewfinderScreen................. 4-28
4-5-1 Basic Use of the Setup Menu..................................... 4-31
4-6 Status Display on the ViewfinderScreen 4-34
4-6-1 Layout of the Status Display on the Viewfinder Screen 4-34
4-7 Setup Using the OPERATION Menu.......................... 4-38
4-7-1 Findinga Page.............................................................. 4-39
4-7-2 Selecting the Items for Which the “!” LED is to Light. 4-40
4-7-3 SettingtheMarker Display.......................................... 4-42
4-7-4 Selectingthe Display Items.......................................... 4-43
4-7-5 SettingtheGAINSelectorValues................................. 4-45
4-7-6 SettingtheViewfinder................................................... 4-47
4-7-7 SettingtheAutomaticIris.............................................. 4-48
4-7-8 Settingthe Battery,D5600K Mode andSelecting the Lens
File................................................................................. 4-50
4-7-9 OperatorFile................................................................. 4-52
4-8 Paint Menu........................................................................... 4-54
2 Table of Contents

4-9 UsingtheSetupCard.............................................................. 4-64
4-9-1 Handlingthe Setup Card............................................. 4-64
4-9-2 Using Data on the Setup Card.................................... 4-66
Chapter 5 Setting Up The Camcorder
5-1 PowerSupply............................................................................ 5-1
5-1-1 Usinga BP-L60A/L90A Battery Pack.......................... 5-1
5-1-2 UsingaBP-90ABattery Pack........................................ 5-4
5-1-3 Avoiding BreaksinOperation Due to DeadBatteries... 5-5
5-1-4 UsinganACAdaptor..................................................... 5-6
5-1-5 Usingthe Anton Bauer UltralightSystem.................... 5-7
5-2 Adjusting theViewfinder......................................................... 5-8
5-2-1 Adjusting theViewfinder Position.............................. 5-8
5-2-2 DetachingtheViewfinder...............................................5-10
5-3 MountingtheLens..................................................................... 5-12
5-4 AdjustingtheFlangeFocal Length......................................... 5-13
5-5 AudioInputSystem .................................................................. 5-15
5-5-1 UsingtheSupplied Microphone.................................... 5-15
5-5-2 UsinganExternal Microphone...................................... 5-18
5-5-3 Attaching a UHF Portable Tuner (for a UHF Wireless
MicrophoneSystem)..................................................... 5-23
5-5-4 ConnectingLineInputAudio Equipment...................... 5-27
5-6 TripodMounting........................................................................ 5-28
5-7 AttachingtheShoulderStrap.................................................. 5-30
5-8 AdjustingtheShoulderPad Position...................................... 5-32
5-9 PuttingOntheRainCover...................................................... 5-33
5-10 Connectingthe RemoteControlUnit................................... 5-36
Table of Contents 3

4 Table of Contents
Chapter 6 Maintenance
6-1 Testing theCamcorderBeforeShooting............................. 6-1
6-1-1 Preparations forTesting............................................... 6-1
6-1-2 Testingthe Camera........................................................ 6-2
6-1-3 Testing theVTR............................................................. 6-6
6-2 Maintenance...........................................................................6-10
6-2-1 Cleaning theVideoHeads............................................6-10
6-2-2 CleaningtheViewfinder...............................................6-10
6-3 OperationWarnings..............................................................6-12
Appendix
Specifications........................................................................................A-1
VideoCamera Section...............................................................A-2
VTRSection..............................................................................A-3
SuppliedAccessories.................................................................A-6
RecommendedAdditionalEquipment.......................................A-6
Glossary..................................................................................................A-9
Index........................................................................................................1-1

1-1 Features
The HDW –700A HD Camcorder combines a HD color video camera, of
which effective picture elements is 1920(H) x 1080(V) and which uses
2/3 inch FIT1) CCD2) imagers with 2,000,000 picture elements, with an
HDCAMportable videocassette recorder. Its excellentportability and
dust- and water-proof construction make it ideal as a camcorder for
ENG3) and EFP4) in the same way as the earlier DVW-700, which is the
Digital BETACAM model. The introduction of a new method of
processingHD digital signalsimproves the imagequality even further
and simplifies setup (initialization) operations.
1-1-1 Camera Features
The features of the HDW-700Acamera are described below.
•2/3 inch FIT CCDs with 2,000,000 picture elements provide a compact
and lightweight unit with excellent image quality.
• Existing 2/3 inch lenses can be used.
• Digitalsignal processing has improved picture quality,stability, and
reliability.
• A setup menu enables you to control features such as status displays,
messages, and markers; to select various types of settings; to toggle
switches; and to operate a setup card.
• Blur-free shooting is ensured by a built-in, high-performance electronic
shutter that provides a variety of modes, such as ECS5) mode which
reduces flickering on the monitor screen and S-EVS6) mode which
improves vertical resolution.
• Selectablevideo gain ensuresa noise-free image.
• Asimpleswitchoperation enables automatic adjustment ofthe black set,
black balance, and white balance. Memory functions make it easy to
replicatethewhitebalancesettingappropriateforthelightingconditions.
1)FIT: Frame InterlineTransfer
2)CCD: Charge-Coupled Device
3)ENG: ElectronicNewsGathering
4)EFP: ElectronicFieldProduction
5)ECS: Extended ClearScan
6)S-EVS: SuperEnhancedVerticaldefinitionSystem Chapter 1 Overview 1-1
1
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• Characterdisplay functions onthe viewfinder indicateswitch settings,
automatic black and white balance adjustment, status indications, and
warnings.
• Thewarning system usesvarious types ofwarning indicators and
sounds to inform you ofVTR faults, end of tape, low battery, etc.
• The camcorder is equipped with a dual-wheel filter disk for adjusting
the filter setting to shooting and lighting conditions.
• Override function which makes fine adjustment of the reference value
for brightness of automatic iris control is provided.
• Abuilt-in circuit produces a color bar signal for easy adjustment of the
color monitor.
• The remote control unit controls camera functions and VTR functions.
• Setup data specified by the camera operator, including the various
marker settings, can be stored in the camcorder itself or on a setup
card as an operator file, and then can be recalled.
• Setupdata specified byvideo engineers, including the variousdetail
settings, can be stored in the camcorder itself and on a setup card as a
reference file, and then can be recalled. It is possible to shorten time for
setting with duplicating the stored reference file to the other cameras
through the setup card,
• Setupdata specified byvideo engineers, includingthevideo settings,
can be stored as a scene file. It is possible to recall the setup data
appropriate for the scene.
• Correction value to use a lens extender and for each lens can be stored
as a lens file, and then can be recalled. It is possible to shorten time for
adjustment when replacing the lens.
• Ahigh-performanceviewfinder isadjustableforward, backward, and
sideways, and has a full range of auxiliary equipment.
1-2 Chapter 1 Overview
1

1-1-2 VTR Features
TheVTR featuresof this camcorderare described below.
• Use of the HDCAM format allows high performance HD digital
recording and playback while preserving the same ease of use as
conventional camcorder equipment.
• The same cassette size (S size) as Digital BETACAM can be used to
achieve a long recording time of approximately 40 minutes.
• Therecording review function,whichautomatically rewinds andplays
back the last approximately 3 seconds of recording on the tape, enables
you to quickly confirm recorded contents.
• No playback adaptor is needed to see the color playback image on the
monitor screen.
• The 3 times normal speed search function provides quick positioning of
the tape.
• LTC1) andVITC2) recordingand LTC playbackcan be performed.
• Thebuilt-in time codegenerator can besynchronized with an external
generator.
• Alithium battery is the back-up power supply for the built-in time code
generator enabling the time code to be held for approximately 5 years
without charging the camcorder power supply.
• Optionallong-life battery packsare available.
• Pressing theVTR STARTbutton on the camcorder or the VTR button
on the lens ensures recording continuity from the very next frame.
• Two analog audio input channels can be recorded as 16-bit digital
signals.
1) LTC:LongitudinalTimeCode
2) VITC:Vertical IntervalTimeCode
Chapter 1 Overview 1-3
1
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1-2 Example of System
Configuration
The diagram below shows a typical configuration of the camcorder for
ENG and EFP.
For more information about the fittings, connections, or use of additional
equipment and accessories, see Chapter 5 as well as the operation manuals for the
connected equipment.
1- 4 Chapter 1 Overview
1

Chapter 1 Overview 1-5
1

1-3 Precautions
Use and Storage
Do not subject the camcorder to severe shocks
Theinternalmechanismmaybe damaged or the body warped.
Afteruse
Always turn off the power.
Beforestoring thecamcorder fora longperiod
Removethebatterypack.
Useand storagelocations
Store in a level, ventilated place. Avoid using or storing the camcorder
in the following places.
•Placessubject totemperature extremes
•Verydampplaces
•Places subject to severe vibration
•Nearstrong magnetic fields
•In direct sunlight or close to heaters for extended periods
1-6 Chapter 1 Overview
1

2-1 Power Supply
1 Batteryattachment
Attacha BP-L60A/L90Abattery pack. ADC-L90BatteryAdaptor for
loadinga BP-90A BatteryPack also canbe attached.
2 DCIN(externalpower input)connector(XLR type,4-pin,male)
To operate the HDW-700Ausing anAC power supply, connect anAC-
550ACAdaptor with the DC output cable supplied with the adaptor.
To use an external battery, connect its DC output cable to the DC IN
connector.
Chapter 2 Location and Functions of Parts and Controls 2-1
2
Power Supply

BREAKERbutton
If excessive current flows within the unit, the breaker is tripped
automatically to shut off the power supply and protect the equipment.
Afterperforming internalchecks or adjustments,use a pointed object
such as a pen to press down lightly on this button. If there is no problem,
the power will again be supplied.
. POWERswitch
This switch turns the main power supply on and off.
2-2 Chapter 2 Locations and Functions of Parts and Controls
2
3
4

2-2 Accessory Attachments
Accessory attachments
Shoulderstrapposts
Attach the supplied shoulder strap to these posts.
Light Shoe
Attach an optional accessory such as a video light to this shoe.
Lens mount (special bayonet mount)
Use this for mounting the lens.
Chapter 2 Locations and Functions of Parts and Controls 2-3
2
1
2
3

Lenslockinglever
After inserting the lens in the lens mount, rotate the lens mount ring with
this lever to lock the lens in position.
Lensmount cap
Remove this cap by pushing up on the lens locking lever. For protection
from dust, always insert this cap when no lens is mounted.
Tripodmount
When using the unit on a tripod, attach the supplied tripod adaptor.
LENSconnector (12-pin)
Fit the lens cable to this connector. Contact your Sony representative for
more information about the lens you are using.
Shoulderpad
You can move the shoulder pad forwards or backwards by loosening the
two screws. Do this to ensure the best balance when shooting with the
camcorderon yourshoulder.
2-4 Chapter 2 Location and Functions of Parts and Controls
4
5
6
7
8
2

2-3 Audio Functions
Audio functions (1)
Microphone
Thisis asuper-cardioid directional microphonewith an external power
supply (+48V) system. You can use it as an interview microphone by
connecting it to an extension cable (not supplied).
MICIN(microphoneinput) connector(XLRtype,3-pin,female)
The supplied microphone connects to this connector. You can connect a
microphone other than the supplied one as long as it corresponds to an
external power supply system. The connector supplies power (+48 V) to
themicrophone.
MIC/MENUknob
This knob adjusts the audio level of the front microphone. To adjust the
front microphone level, set the VF DISP switch to ON, then push the
MENU switch to CANCEL. The audio level indication will appear on
theviewfinder screen. Notethat you cando this only when theAUDIO
SELECTCH-1 / CH-2 switchesare set toMANUALand theAUDIOIN
switches are set to FRONT.
Chapter 2 Locations and Functions of Parts and Controls 2-5
2
1
2
3

2-6 Chapter 2 Locations and Functions of Parts and Controls
2
Audio functions (2)