Sony USQ Library Manual

USQ Library Sony DCR-SX40E Instructions Page 1
https://intranet.usq.edu.au/dais/library/projects/Shared Documents/Video Camera and equipment/Using Sony DCR Video Camera.doc
Instructions for using
the USQ Library Sony Video Cameras

USQ Library Sony DCR-SX40E Instructions Page 2
https://intranet.usq.edu.au/dais/library/projects/Shared Documents/Video Camera and equipment/Using Sony DCR Video Camera.doc
Table of Contents
Using Sony DCR-SX40E Video Camera ....................................................................................................3
Conditions of use ................................................................................................................................ 3
Recording Video..................................................................................................................................3
Taking Still Photos...............................................................................................................................3
Playback of Photos and Video.............................................................................................................4
Copying Video to DVD............................................................................................................................. 4
Using a PC to Edit Movies .......................................................................................................................4
PMB (Picture Motion Browser) Software ...........................................................................................4
Using PMB Software ...........................................................................................................................5
Importing Video into PBM ..................................................................................................................5
Help on using PMB software...............................................................................................................5
Converting video files to use in Windows XP MovieMaker................................................................6
Using a Mac to Edit your Movies ............................................................................................................6
Download Photos and Video to Mac ..................................................................................................6
For more information on Mac importing and editing: .......................................................................6
Erasing camera........................................................................................................................................6
Online support and useful links ..............................................................................................................7
Editing videos at USQ..............................................................................................................................7

USQ Library Sony DCR-SX40E Instructions Page 3
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Using Sony DCR-SX40E Video Camera
The 3 campuses have purchased a number of these Digital Video cameras for loan to
staff and students. These video cameras save to internal memory in the camera and the
recordings require conversion from the native camera format to a format that can be
edited on a computer, unless a direct DVD copy is all that is required.
Detailed instructions are available in the Sony DCR SX-40E Manual supplied with the
camera or a PDF version is available in each campus At the Library sections of the
Library website.
Conditions of use
It is important to take proper care of the Video cameras on loan from any of the USQ campuses as
you are responsible for replacement for loss or damage.
Ensure you perform the following on return of the cameras:
The camera is fully charged (See page 9 of user manual for instructions)
All cables etc are returned
o1 x USB cable
o1 x Battery charger and power lead
o1 x RGB –video/audio cable
o1 x CD
o1x manual
Erase the video and photos on the camera
Recording Video
The camera is primarily used to record video to a flash drive for storage. The video can
be played back on the camera display, via a cable to a TV or video or convert PC format
for editing.
Steps to perform a video recording (more details see manual page 13-14):
Put hand in strap (to ensure that you do not drop the camera)
Open the side viewer of the camera (left side of camera)
The camera powers on automatically if charged
Open the lens cover (front right side of camera)
Zoom to desired (W/T control on top of camera)
Press the record button once to begin recording (press with thumb on right side
of camera)
Press record button to stop the recording to return to Standby
When finished close the lens cover
Close the side viewer to power the camera off
Store the camera in the carry bag for protection.
Taking Still Photos
The camera can take still digital photos as well as video, though only 640x480 pixel quality.
Steps to take still photos (more details see manual page 15-16):
Put hand in strap (to ensure that you do not drop the camera)
Open the side viewer of the camera (left side of camera)
The camera powers on automatically if charged
Open the lens cover (front right side of camera)
Zoom to desired (W/T control on top of camera)
Press the mode button on the top of the camera
The camera symbol should light up on the back of the camera

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Press the Photo button on the top of the camera to take each photo
When finished close the lens cover
Close the side viewer to power the camera off
Store the camera in the carry bag for protection.
Playback of Photos and Video
The digital images and video can be played back by several methods:
On the video camera (see pages 17 –19 of instruction manual)
On a TV (see page 19 of instruction manual)
Copying Video to DVD
All movies and pictures taken on the camera can be copied directly to a single DVD, with
a menu system, that is playable on a normal DVD player. This is a quick and simple way
to share with others on the spot.
The DVD drive to burn the DVD is held at the USQ Library loans desks for limited loan.
Ask at your campus Loans or Info Desk for more information.
See page 27 of the instruction manual for more information.
See page 23 of the instruction manual for information on copying to a DVD using PMB
software.
(Note: this is not a backup of the files that can be used in editing programs such as
Windows XP MovieMaker. See “Using a PC to Edit Movies”or “Using a Mac to Edit your
Movies”for information on copying and editing movies.)
Using a PC to Edit Movies
Movies recorded on the Sony Video cameras need to be decoded using a codex to be
edited on editing programs. Install the codex and editing software using the CD supplied
or download the latest version. Once the videos have been imported into a PC using PMB
software it is possible to use Windows MovieMaker or other editing tools to edit and
produce DVD’s.
PMB (Picture Motion Browser) Software
The PMB software is required to convert the recorded video into a format that can be used on a
Windows operating system. The software has been installed on some student computers on each
USQ Campus (ask the Info or Loans Desks to reserve one of the PC’s) or install the software on your
PC from the CD supplied or from the Sony download link:
http://www.sony.com.au/support/download/316124/product/dcr-sx40e/modelfirst
Additional information and instructions can be found on the Sony site:
http://www.sony.com.au/support/product/dcr-sx40e
More information on installation of PMB is available on pages 21-23 of instruction
manual.

USQ Library Sony DCR-SX40E Instructions Page 5
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Using PMB Software
The PMB software can be used to:
Import video and photos onto a PC
Edit and trim video
View video and photos
Locate faces and more
Importing Video into PBM
To import videos from the Sony camera (see pages 24-25 of instruction manual):
Turn on the computer to connect to that has PBM software installed
Open the side viewer of the camera (left side of camera)
The camera powers on automatically if charged
Connect the USB cable from the camera to a USB connection on PC
On the camera display press the USB Connect button in the top left of the
screen
Handycam Utility application opens offering choices to
oBackup to PV all movies and/or photos and to where
oImport File media –selected videos or photos
oCreate a One Touch DVD
oCreate a playlist
oDelete selected media
Choose the option and what to copy
Perform the process
When complete close the Handycam Utility application
Perform a safe remove of the USB device using the Windows Safe remove feature
othis is the same process that should be used for all USB devices on a PC
such as Flash drives, phones and cameras etc
Press End in the top left of the video camera screen to disconnect and eject
the device properly
Press YES button to complete the task
Unplug the camera
Close the camera to power down.
Help on using PMB software
Use the help provided to more information and tutorials for producing videos and DVD’s:
Start, Programs, Sony Picture Utility, Help, PMB Guide
http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/disoft/int/pmb/feature/index.html PBM
user guides

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Converting video files to use in Windows XP MovieMaker
PMB software provides the ability to convert imported videos to WMV format. If videos are used in
the native mpg format Windows XP MovieMaker does not work properly and may lock up.
To convert movies to wmv format:
Open PMB program (Start, Programs, Sony Picture Utility, PBM Launcher)
Navigate to the imported PMB movies
Right click on the movie
Choose Convert to WMV and Save from the menu
Choose the size, quality and location
Click Start button
Click OK
Once converted the file is able to be imported into MovieMaker or other programs
for editing.
Note that PBM software can be used for editing, trimming and DVD creation. See
Help on using PBM software for more information and links to tutorials.
Using a Mac to Edit your Movies
Movies can be imported from the camera into an iMac and be edited in iMovie directly
without any conversion process. Photos can be imported into iPhoto.
Download Photos and Video to Mac
Open camera view screen to turn on camera
Connect USB cable between camera and Mac
Press USB Connect on the top left of the camera screen
If you are downloading photos use iPhoto to select images (if it opens by default)
and Click Import Selected button
Close iPhoto to import movies and open iMovie
Choose File Import from Camera from the menu
Let the Mac detect the camera and choose Sony DCR-SX40E from the camera list in the
Import window
Select the videos to be imported
oLeave on Automatic and click Import All button
oor choose Manual to check a selection and click Import Checked button
Videos are imported into iMovie for editing
For more information on Mac importing and editing:
http://guide.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/mac/ms/us/ - Handycam Support / Connecting to a
Macintosh computer
http://www.sony-asia.com/support/faq/364738 - How to import videos recorded on
Memory Stick Duo or internal memory to iMovie '08?
Erasing camera
See page 33 of user manual
From Handycam Utility application.

USQ Library Sony DCR-SX40E Instructions Page 7
https://intranet.usq.edu.au/dais/library/projects/Shared Documents/Video Camera and equipment/Using Sony DCR Video Camera.doc
Online support and useful links
http://www.sony.com.au/support/product/dcr-sx40e (Manuals, software and
tutorials)
http://www.sony.com.au/support/download/316124/product/dcr-sx40e/modelfirst
(Download for PMB software used for importing and editing video on a PC)
http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/disoft/int/pmb/feature/index.html
(PBM user guides)
Editing videos at USQ
Users of USQ Library loan cameras are encouraged to edit their own work using either Windows
MovieMaker (PC) or iMovie (Apple). Both programs are free, install with the operating system, and are
powerful tools.
For staff, more advanced editing of course-related materials can be done on a Media Services video-
edit suite, under the instruction and guidance of Media Services (Video) staff.
Integration of material shot by staff with material shot by Media Services is also possible. Please
check with Media Services staff before filming commences.
Advice on the compression of video material into USQ compliant formats can also be provided by
Media Services (Video) staff.