Sony MSW-900 User manual

DIGITAL CAMCORDER
MSW-900/900P
OPERATION MANUAL [English]
1st Edition (Revised 1)

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 the FCC 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 Europe
This product with the CE marking complies with the EMC
Directive (89/336/EEC) issued by the Commission of the
European Community.
Compliance with this directive implies conformity to the
following European standards:
• EN55103-1: Electromagnetic Interference (Emission)
• EN55103-2: Electromagnetic Susceptibility (Immunity)
This product is intended for use in the following
Electromagnetic Environment(s):
E1 (residential), E2 (commercial and light industrial), E3
(urban outdoors) and E4 (controlled EMC environment, ex.
TV studio).

Table of Contents 1
(Continued)
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
1-1 Features ..................................................................................... 1-1
1-1-1 Camera Features ............................................................... 1-1
1-1-2 VTR Features ....................................................................1-4
1-2 Example of System Configuration .......................................... 1-6
1-3 Precautions ................................................................................ 1-8
Chapter 2 Locations and Functions of Parts and
Controls
2-1 Power Supply ............................................................................ 2-1
2-2 Accessory Attachments ............................................................ 2-3
2-3 Audio Functions ........................................................................ 2-5
2-4 Shooting and Recording/Playback Functions ...................... 2-15
2-5 Menu Operating Section ........................................................ 2-29
2-6 Time Code System .................................................................. 2-33
2-7 Warnings and Indications ...................................................... 2-39
2-8 Warnings and Indications on the Display Panel .................. 2-42
2-9 Indicators on the Viewfinder ................................................. 2-46
Chapter 3 Recording and Playback
3-1 About Cassettes ......................................................................... 3-1
3-1-1 Loading and Unloading a Cassette .................................. 3-1
3-1-2 Preventing Accidental Erasure ........................................3-5
3-2 Recording .................................................................................. 3-6
3-2-1 Basic Procedure ............................................................... 3-6
3-2-2 Continuous Recording ................................................... 3-12
3-2-3 Recording Good Shot Markers ...................................... 3-15
3-2-4 Recording a Recording Start Marker ............................ 3-19
3-2-5 Starting a Shoot with a Few Seconds of Pre-Stored Picture
Data (Loop Rec Function) (When Using an MSDW-903
Extension Board) ........................................................... 3-19

Table of Contents2
3-2-6 Shooting Pictures at Intervals (Interval Rec Function)
(When Using the MSDW-903) ..................................... 3-27
3-2-7 Continuous Recording on Previous Cut ........................3-44
3-2-8 Searching for the Last Recorded Portion and Turning
in the Recording Pause Mode (End Search Function) .. 3-45
3-2-9 Reversing the Picture Orientation (Vertically and
Horizontally) ................................................................. 3-46
3-3 Checking the Recording — Playback ................................... 3-48
3-3-1 Checking the Last Two Seconds of the Recording —
Recording Review ......................................................... 3-48
3-3-2 Checking the Recording on the Color Video Monitor —
Playback in Color .......................................................... 3-49
3-4 Recording the Recording Start Time Code onto the Memory
Label - Tele-File ...................................................................... 3-50
3-5 Recording Video Signals from External Equipment
(When Using the MSDW-904) ............................................... 3-55
Chapter 4 Adjustments and Settings for
Recording
4-1 Adjusting the Black Balance and the White Balance ............ 4-1
4-1-1 Adjusting the Black Balance ...........................................4-2
4-1-2 Adjusting the White Balance .......................................... 4-6
4-2 Setting the Electronic Shutter ............................................... 4-12
4-2-1 Shutter Modes ............................................................... 4-12
4-2-2 Selecting the Shutter Mode and Speed .......................... 4-13
4-3 Changing the Reference Value for Automatic
Iris Adjustment ....................................................................... 4-20
4-4 Adjusting the Audio Level ..................................................... 4-27
4-5 Setting the Time Data ............................................................. 4-34
4-5-1 Setting the Time Code ................................................... 4-34
4-5-2 Saving the Real Time in the Time Code .......................4-36
4-5-3 Setting the User Bits...................................................... 4-37
4-5-4 Synchronizing the Time Code ....................................... 4-39
4-5-5 Setting the Cassette Numbers and Shot Numbers ......... 4-44

Table of Contents 3
(Continued)
4-6 Menu Display on the Viewfinder Screen .............................. 4-46
4-6-1 Menu Configuration ...................................................... 4-46
4-6-2 Basic Use of the Menu ..................................................4-49
4-6-3 Editing the USER Menu................................................ 4-54
4-7 Status Display on the Viewfinder Screen ............................. 4-64
4-7-1 Layout of the Status Display on the Viewfinder
Screen ............................................................................ 4-64
4-7-2 Selecting the Display Items ........................................... 4-69
4-7-3 Display Mode and Setting Change and Adjustment
Progress Messages ........................................................ 4-72
4-7-4 Setting the Marker Display ...........................................4-74
4-7-5 Setting the Viewfinder ..................................................4-77
4-7-6 Recording Superimposed Shot Data in Color Bars ....... 4-80
4-7-7 Setting the Shot ID ........................................................ 4-83
4-7-8 Displaying the Status Confirmation Windows .............. 4-89
4-7-9 Confirming the Image of the Return Video Signal
on the Viewfinder .......................................................... 4-93
4-8 Adjustments and Settings from Menus ................................ 4-97
4-8-1 Setting the GAIN Selector Values ................................4-97
4-8-2 Selecting the Output Signals .......................................4-100
4-8-3 Setting the Color Temperature Manually .................... 4-102
4-8-4 Specifying an Offset for the Auto White Balance
Setting ......................................................................... 4-104
4-8-5 Assigning Functions to ASSIGN 1/2 Switches ........... 4-107
4-8-6 Setting the Date/Time of the Internal Clock ............... 4-112
4-8-7 Selecting the Lens File ................................................ 4-115
4-8-8 Selecting the Aspect Ratio .......................................... 4-116
4-8-9 Setting the CCD Scan Mode ....................................... 4-119
4-9 Saving/Loading User Menu Data to/from
Memory Stick ........................................................................ 4-122
4-9-1 Handling the Memory Stick ........................................ 4-122
4-9-2 Saving/Loading User Menu Data to/from
Memory Stick .............................................................. 4-126

Table of Contents4
4-10 Resetting USER Menu Settings to the Standard
Settings ................................................................................... 4-137
4-11 Using the Scene Files ............................................................ 4-139
4-11-1 Storing Data in the Scene File..................................... 4-139
4-11-2 Loading Scene Files .................................................... 4-149
4-11-3 Resetting the Settings of the Camcorder to the Standard
Settings Saved in the Reference File ........................... 4-154
Chapter 5 Setting Up the Camcorder
5-1 Power Supply ............................................................................ 5-1
5-1-1 Using a BP-L60A Battery Pack ......................................5-1
5-1-2 Avoiding Breaks in Operation Due to Dead Batteries .... 5-4
5-1-3 Using an AC Adaptor ......................................................5-5
5-1-4 Using the Anton Bauer Ultralight System ...................... 5-6
5-2 Adjusting the Viewfinder ......................................................... 5-7
5-2-1 Adjusting the Viewfinder Position ..................................5-7
5-2-2 Adjusting the Viewfinder Focus and Screen ................... 5-9
5-2-3 Detaching the Viewfinder ............................................. 5-10
5-2-4 Detaching the Eyepiece ................................................. 5-12
5-3 Mounting the Lens .................................................................. 5-14
5-4 Adjusting the Flange Focal Length ....................................... 5-15
5-5 Audio Input System ................................................................ 5-17
5-5-1 Using the Supplied Microphone .................................... 5-17
5-5-2 Using an External Microphone .....................................5-20
5-5-3 Attaching a UHF Portable Tuner (for a UHF Wireless
Microphone System) ..................................................... 5-25
5-5-4 Connecting Line Input Audio Equipment ..................... 5-29
5-6 Tripod Mounting .................................................................... 5-30
5-7 Attaching the Shoulder Strap ................................................ 5-32
5-8 Adjusting the Shoulder Pad Position .................................... 5-34
5-9 Putting On the Rain Cover .................................................... 5-35
5-10 Connecting the Remote Control Unit ................................... 5-37

Table of Contents 5
Chapter 6 Maintenance
6-1 Testing the Camcorder Before Shooting ................................ 6-1
6-1-1 Preparations for Testing .................................................. 6-1
6-1-2 Testing the Camera ......................................................... 6-2
6-1-3 Testing the VTR ..............................................................6-6
6-2 Maintenance ............................................................................ 6-11
6-2-1 Cleaning the Video Heads ............................................. 6-11
6-2-2 Cleaning the Viewfinder ............................................... 6-12
6-3 Operation Warnings ............................................................... 6-14
Appendix
Specifications ..................................................................................... A-1
Video Camera Section ............................................................... A-2
VTR Section .............................................................................. A-4
Supplied Accessories ................................................................. A-7
Recommended Additional Equipment ...................................... A-7
Menu List ......................................................................................... A-10
OPERATION Menu List ......................................................... A-10
PAINT Menu List .................................................................... A-20
MAINTENANCE Menu List .................................................. A-33
FILE Menu List ....................................................................... A-38
DIAGNOSIS Menu List .......................................................... A-41
Index .................................................................................................... I-1

1
Chapter 1 Overview 1-1
Overview
1-1 Features
The MSW-900/900P series 1) Digital Camcorder combines a color video
camera, of which the effective picture elements of the 16:9 aspect ratio
are 980 (H) x 988 (V) for the MSW-900 and 980 (H) x 1164 (V) for the
MSW-900P. The MSW-900/900P uses 2/3-type Power HAD 2) EX
sensor CCD 3) imagers with 1,000,000 picture elements, with an IMX
portable videocassette recorder. Its excellent image quality, sensitivity,
portability, and dust- and water-proof construction make it ideal as a
camcorder for ENG 4) and EFP 5) like it predecessor the BVW-400A. The
introduction of a new integrated circuit technology (LSI) for processing
digital signals improves the image quality even further and simplifies
setup (initialization) operations.
1-1-1 Camera Features
The features of the MSW-900/900P series camera are described below.
•Power HAD EX sensor CCDs ensure high sensitivity and high image
quality.
•The progressive scan mode is also available as the CCD scan mode, in
addition to the conventional interlace scan mode.
•The camcorder has the ability to switch between the conventional
aspect ratio of 4 : 3 and a wide screen aspect ratio of 16 : 9.
•A 12 bit AD converter has improved picture quality, stability, and
reliability.
•A setup menu enables you to control features such as status displays,
messages, and markers; to select values or functions; and to operate a
Memory Stick 6).
....................................................................................................................................
1) The MSW-900 is for the NTSC broadcast system. The MSW-900P is for the
PAL broadcast system. The description given in this manual applies to both
models, any differences being clearly noted in the text.
2) Power HAD: Power Hole-Accumulated Diode
“Power HAD”is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
3) CCD: Charge-Coupled Device
4) ENG: Electronic News Gathering
5) EFP: Electronic Field Production
6) “Memory Stick”is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

1
Chapter 1 Overview1-2
•The USER MENU CUSTOMIZE menu allows you to create your own
custom menu.
•A Memory Stick (not supplied) makes it easy to replicate recorder
setup data appropriate to different shooting conditions, and ensures
uniform shooting 1).
•Use of a built-in sophisticated electronic shutter, which has selectable
modes, Extended Clear Scan (ECS) and Enhanced Vertical Definition
(EVS), ensures shooting with little or no blurring.
•Selectable video gain ensures a noise-free image.
•A simple switch operation enables automatic adjustment of the black
set, black balance, and white balance. Memory functions make it easy
to replicate the settings appropriate for various lighting conditions.
•The ATW 2) function automatically adjusts the white balance for
varying lighting conditions during shooting.
•The “TruEyeTM”3) process is used to ensure naturally colored pictures
even when shooting very bright subjects.
•The video gain can be boosted to 48 dB instantly, using the TURBO
GAIN button. (42 dB is the factory setting)
•A high-performance viewfinder is adjustable forward, backward and
sideways, and has a full range of auxiliary equipment.
•Character display functions on the viewfinder indicate switch settings,
black and white balance adjustment, and warning messages.
•Warning indicators and sounds inform you of VTR faults, end of tape,
low battery, etc.
•The camcorder is provided with a filter disk for adjusting the filter
setting to the shooting conditions.
....................................................................................................................................
1) The data saved in the type of Memory Stick used for the MSW-900/900P is not
interchangeable with the data saved in the type of Memory Stick used for other
camcorders.
2) ATW: Auto Tracing White balance
3) TruEye:
“TruEye”is a trademark of Sony Corporation.