Sony DCR-IP45 - Micromv Digital Camcorder User manual

4
Table of contents
Main Features ............................................... 6
Introduction – Basic operations ................. 8
Quick Start Guide
– Recording on a tape ........................ 10
Quick Start Guide
– Recording on a “Memory Stick” ... 12
Getting started
Using this manual ..................................... 14
Checking supplied accessories ................ 16
Step 1 Preparing the power supply ........ 17
Installing the battery pack ................. 17
Charging the battery pack ................. 18
Connecting to a wall outlet ............... 20
Step 2 Setting the date and time .............. 22
Step 3 Inserting a cassette ......................... 25
Step 4 Using the touch panel ................... 27
Recording – Basics
Recording a picture ................................... 29
After recording ................................... 30
Adjusting the LCD screen ................. 31
Adjusting the brightness of the LCD
screen ............................................. 32
Adjusting the viewfinder .................. 33
Using the zoom feature ..................... 34
Shooting with the Mirror Mode ....... 35
Indicators displayed in the recording
mode .............................................. 36
Shooting a backlit subject
– BACK LIGHT ............................ 37
Shooting in the dark
– NightShot/Super NightShot/
Color Slow Shutter ...................... 38
Self-timer recording ........................... 40
Checking the recording
– END SEARCH ................................. 41
Playback – Basics
Playing back a tape .................................... 42
To display the screen indicators
– Display function ....................... 43
Various playback modes ................... 45
Viewing the recording on TV .................. 47
If your TV is already connected to
the VCR ......................................... 47
If your TV or VCR is a monaural
type ................................................ 48
Advanced Recording
Operations
Recording still images in the CAMERA
mode ..................................................... 49
Adjusting the white balance manually .. 54
Using the wide mode ................................ 56
Using the fader function ........................... 58
Using special effects – Picture effect ....... 61
Using special effects – Digital effect ....... 62
Using the PROGRAM AE ........................ 65
Adjusting the exposure manually ........... 68
Using the spot light-metering mode
– Flexible Spot Meter ......................... 69
Focusing manually .................................... 70
Using the spot focus mode
– Spot Focus......................................... 72
Using the viewfinder ................................ 73
Advanced Playback
Operations
Playing back a tape with picture effects . 75
Playing back a tape with digital effects .. 76
Enlarging images recorded on tapes
– Tape PB ZOOM ............................... 77
Searching for a scene
– Multi-picture search ........................ 79
Searching the boundaries of recorded tape
by title – Title search .......................... 83
Searching a recording by date
– Date search ....................................... 84
Editing
Dubbing a tape ........................................... 85
Recording video or TV programmes ...... 88
Superimposing a title ................................ 92
Making your own titles ............................ 97
The Micro Cassette Memory .................. 100
Labelling a cassette .................................. 101

5
Table of contents
“Memory Stick” operations
Using a “Memory Stick”
– introduction .................................... 103
Recording still images on a
“Memory Stick”
– Memory photo recording ............. 114
Recording an image from a tape
as a still image ................................... 122
Superimposing a still image in a
“Memory Stick” on a moving picture
– MEMORY MIX............................... 125
Recording moving pictures on
“Memory Stick”s
– MPEG movie recording ................ 129
Recording a picture from a tape as a
moving picture .................................. 132
Viewing a still image
– Memory photo playback .............. 135
Viewing a moving picture
– MPEG movie playback ................. 138
Copying still images recorded on
“Memory Stick”s to tape ................. 140
Enlarging still images recorded on
“Memory Stick”s
– Memory PB ZOOM ....................... 142
Playing back images continuously
– SLIDE SHOW ................................. 144
Preventing accidental erasure
– Image protection ............................ 146
Deleting images – DELETE .................... 147
Writing a print mark – PRINT MARK . 150
Viewing Images Using your
Computer
Viewing images on your computer
– Introduction ................................... 151
Connecting your camcorder to your
computer using the i.LINK jack ..... 154
Connecting your camcorder to your
computer using the USB cable
– For Windows users ....................... 155
Viewing images recorded on a
“Memory Stick” on your computer
– For Windows users ....................... 159
Connecting your camcorder to your
computer using the USB cable
– For Macintosh users ...................... 162
Using the Network function
Accessing the network
(DCR-IP55 only) ................................ 165
Customising Your Camcorder
Changing the menu settings .................. 167
Troubleshooting
Types of trouble and how to correct
trouble ................................................ 176
Self-diagnosis display ............................. 183
Warning indicators and messages ........ 184
Additional Information
Usable cassettes ....................................... 187
About the “InfoLITHIUM”
battery pack ....................................... 189
About i.LINK ........................................... 191
Using your camcorder abroad ............... 193
Maintenance information and
precautions ........................................ 194
Specifications ............................................ 199
Quick Reference
Identifying the parts and controls ......... 201
Index .......................................................... 208

6
Main Features
•Recording moving pictures on
tapes (p. xx)
•Playing back tapes (p. xx)
•Recording still images on “Memory
Stick”s (p. xx)
•Recording moving pictures on
“Memory Stick”s (p. xx)
•Viewing still images recorded on
“Memory Stick”s (p. xx)
•Viewing moving pictures on
“Memory Stick”s (p. xx)
Capturing images on your
computer
•Viewing moving pictures recorded
on tapes using the i.LINK cable
(p.xx)
•Viewing images recorded on
“Memory Stick”s using the USB
cable (p. xx)
•Viewing moving pictures recorded
on tapes using the USB cable (p. xx)
•Capturing images on your
computer from your camcorder
using the USB cable (p. xx)
6
Recording moving picture
or still images, and playing
them back

7
Accessing the Internet via a
Bluetooth equipped device
(DCR-IP55 only) Accessing the Internet, sending/
receiving your e-mail. For details,
refer to the Network Function
Operating Instructions supplied
with your camcorder. (DCR-IP55
only) (p. xx)
7
Other uses
Functions to adjust exposure in the recording mode
•Back light (p. xx)
•NightShot/Super NightShot/Color Slow Shutter (p. xx)
•Recording with the flash (p.xx)
•PROGRAM AE (p. xx)
•White balance (p. xx)
•Adjusting the exposure manually (p. xx)
•Flexible Spot Meter (p. xx)
•HOLOGRAM AF (p. xx)
Functions to give images more impact
•Digital zoom [MENU] (p. xx) The default setting is set to OFF. (To zoom greater than
10×, select the digital zoom power in D ZOOM in the menu settings.)
•Fader (p. xx)
•Picture effect (p. xx)
•Digital effect (p. xx)
•Title (p. xx, xx)
•MEMORY MIX (p. xx)
Functions to give a natural appearance to your recordings
•Sports lesson mode (p. xx)
•Landscape mode (p. xx)
•Manual focus (p. xx)
•Spot Focus
Functions to use after recording
•END SEARCH (p. xx)
•DATA CODE (p. xx)
•Multi-picture search (p.xx)
•Tape PB ZOOM (p. xx)
•TITLE SEARCH (p. xx)

8
Introduction – Basic operations
This section describes the basic operations to operate the camcorder.
How to turn on the power and select the mode
To supply power for the camcorder, see “Quick Start Guide” on page xx.
(1)Slide the POWER switch down while pressing the small green button, then release
your finger.
The camcorder is turned on, and then the camcorder turns to the CAMERA mode
so that the CAMERA lamp lights up.
(2)Slide the POWER switch down. Each time you slide it down, the mode changes as
follows and corresponding mode lamp also lights up.
CAMERA Use this mode when you record on a tape.
MEMORY/NETWORK (DCR-IP55)/MEMORY (DCR-IP45)
MEMORY: Use this mode when you record on a “Memory
Stick,” or play back or edit an image in a
“Memory Stick.”
NETWORK (DCR-IP55 only): Use this mode when you use the network
function. For details, refer to the supplied
network function operating instructions.
VCR Use this mode when you play back or edit an image recorded on a tape or
“Memory Stick”.
1,2
MEMORY
NET
WORK
VCR
CAMERA
(CHG)
POWER
OFF
ON
MODE

9
Getting started
Grip position
The grip on this camcorder can be moved to three positions. Turn the grip to the
desired position depending on your purpose. Move the grip while pressing PUSH.
Storing position
While pressing PUSH, turn the grip to this position when you store your camcorder.
Recording position
While pressing PUSH, turn the grip to this position, and hold your camcorder through
the wrist strap to prevent the camera from dropping.
Cassette inserting/ejecting position
While pressing PUSH, turn the grip to this position so that the cassette lid can be seen
completely.
Notes
•When inserting or ejecting the cassette, be sure to turn the grip to the cassette
inserting/ejecting position. Otherwise, the cassette cannot be inserted or ejected.
•Be careful not to catch your finger between the grip and the camcorder body.
Cassette inserting/
ejecting position
Storing position Recording position
Introduction – Basic operations
PUSH

Quick Start Guide
10
Quick Start Guide – Recording on a tape
This chapter introduces you to the basic
features to record pictures on tepes of your
camcorder. See the page in parentheses “( )”
for more information.
While pressing PUSH, turn the grip to the
recording position, and hold your camcorder
through the wrist strap to prevent the camera
from dropping as illustrated.
Inserting a cassette (p. XX)
Connecting the mains lead (p. XX)
Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. XX).
1While pressing
PUSH, turn the
grip to the
cassette
inserting/
ejecting
position.
Otherwise, the
cassette cannot
be inserted or
ejected.
3Push the middle
portion of the
back of the
cassette into the
cassette
compartment.
Insert the cassette
in a straight line
deeply into it with
the cassette
window facing
out.
4Press the cassette
compartment
lightly to close.
After the cassette
compartment
goes down
completely, close
the lid until it
clicks.
AC power adaptor (supplied)
Connect the plug with its vmark facing up.
Open the DC IN
jack cover.
2Slide OPEN/
ZEJECT in the
direction of the
arrow and open
the lid.
OPEN Cassette window
OPEN/ZEJECT

Quick Start Guide
11
Recording a picture (p. XX)
Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD
screen (p. XX)
NOTE
Do not pick up your
camcorder by the LCD
panel, the battery pack, the
flash or the jack cover.
2Press of the touch panel to
rewind the tape.
3Press of the touch panel to
start playback.
NOTE
When using the touch panel, press
operation buttons lightly with your
thumb or the supplied styrus
supporting the LCD screen from the
rear of it. Do not press the LCD screen
with sharp objects other than the
stylus supplied (DCR-IP55 only).
1Remove the lens cap.
4Slide OPEN in the
direction of the arrow
indicated on the
camcorder to open the
LCD panel. The picture
appears on the screen.
When you purchase your camcorder, the clock setting is not
set up yet. Set the clock setting before recording (p. XX).
Viewfinder
When the LCD panel is closed,
use the viewfinder.
Adjust the viewfinder lens to
your eyesight (p. xx).
2While pressing PUSH, turn the
grip to the recording position,
and hold your camcorder
through the wrist strap.
3Set the POWER
switch to
CAMERA. The
CAMERA lamp
lights up.
MEMORY
NET
WORK
VCR
CAMERA
(CHG)
POWER
OFF
ON
MODE
5Press START/STOP.
Your camcorder starts
recording. To stop
recording, press
START/STOP again.
START/STOP
1Set the POWER switch to
VCR.
The VCR lamp lights up.
MEMORY
NET
WORK
VCR
CAMERA
(CHG)
POWER
OFF
ON
MODE

Quick Start Guide
12
Quick Start Guide – Recording on a “Memory Stick”
Inserting a “Memory Stick” (p. xx)
Position the Bmark on the “Memory Stick” as illustrated and insert a “Memory Stick” in
the “Memory Stick” slot as far as it can go.
Connecting the mains lead (p. xx)
Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. xx).
Open the DC
IN jack cover.
Connect the plug with its vmark facing up.
AC power adaptor (supplied)
“Memory
Stick” access
lamp
“Memory Stick” slot
NOTE
Do not shake or strike your camcorder because your camcorder is reading
the data from the “Memory Stick” or recording the data on the “Memory
Stick.” Do not turn the power off, eject a “Memory Stick” or remove the
battery pack. Otherwise, the image data breakdown may occur.
This chapter introduces you to the basic
features to record on a “Memory Stick” of your
camcorder. See the page in parentheses “( )”
for more information.
While pressing PUSH, turn the grip to the
recording position, and hold your camcorder
through the wrist strap to prevent the camera
from dropping as illustrated.
Press the
“Memory Stick”
once lightly to
eject it.

Quick Start Guide
13
Recording a still image on a “Memory Stick” (p. xx)
When you purchase your camcorder, the clock setting is not
set up yet. If you want to record the date and time for a
picture, set the clock setting before recording (p. xx).
Viewfinder
When the LCD panel is closed,
use the viewfinder.
Adjust the viewfinder lens to
your eyesight (p. xx).
Monitoring the still image on the LCD screen
(p. xx)
1Set the POWER switch to MEMORY/NETWORK for DCR-IP55
(MEMORY for DCR-IP45).
The MEMORY/NETWORK or MEMORY lamp lights up.
2Press PLAY. The last recorded
image is displayed
NOTE
Do not pick up your
camcorder by the LCD
panel, the battery pack, the
flash or the jack cover.
1Remove the lens cap.
4Slide OPEN in the
direction of the arrow
indicated on the
camcorder to open the
LCD panel. The picture
appears on the screen.
FN
INDEXPLAY
2While pressing PUSH,
turn the grip to the
recording position, and
hold your camcorder
through the wrist strap.
3Set the POWER switch to
MEMORY/NETWORK for DCR-
IP55 (MEMORY for DCR-IP45).
The MEMORY/NETWORK or
MEMORY lamp lights up.
5Pressing
PHOTO
lightly.
6Press
PHOTO
deeper.
PHOTO
PHOTO
MEMORY
NET
WORK
VCR
CAMERA
(CHG)
POWER
OFF
ON
MODE

14
— Getting started —
Using this manual
The instructions in this manual are for the two models listed in the table below. Before
you start reading this manual and operating your camcorder, check the model number
by looking at the bottom of your camcorder. The DCR-IP55 is the model used for
illustration purposes. Otherwise, the model name is indicated in the illustrations. Any
differences in operation are clearly indicated in the text, for example, “DCR-IP55 only”.
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 to indicate that the operation is
being carried out.
Types of differences
DCR- IP45 IP55
MODE positions on the POWER switch CAMERA CAMERA
MEMORY MEMORY/NETWORK
VCR VCR
Network function — z
zProvided
—Not provided
Note on the MICROMV format
Your camcorder is based on the MICROMV format. You can only use MICROMV
cassettes with your camcorder.
•Records and plays back for about 60 minutes with equal quality when compared to
DV (digital video).
•The Micro Cassette Memory feature is provided with all MICROMV cassettes. The
camcorder can access any scene easily using the memory (Multi-picture search
function).
•Adopts the MPEG2 format as a data compression method. This format is the same as
the one for DVD (digital video disc).
Note on TV color systems
TV color systems differ from country to country. To view your recordings on a TV set,
you need a NTSC system-based TV.
Copyright precautions
Television programmes, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the
copyright laws.

15
Getting started
Precautions on camcorder care
Lens and LCD screen/finder
•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 let your camcorder get wet. Keep your camcorder away from rain and sea
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].
[a]
[d][c]
[b]

16
Checking supplied accessories
1AC-L20A AC power adaptor (1), the
power cord (1) (p. XX)
2NP-FF50 battery pack (1) (p. XX, XX)
3A/V connecting cable (1) (p. XX)
4i.LINK cable* (1) (p. XX)
5Wireless Remote Commander (1) (p. XX)
6Size AA (R6) batteries for Remote
Commander (2) (p. XX)
7Lens cap (1) (p. XX)
8“Memory Stick” (1) (p. XX)
Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.
Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a
malfunction of the camcorder, storage media, etc.
6
0
8
3
qd
qsqa
7
qg
21
5
9USB cable* (1) (p. XX)
q; CD-ROM (SPVD-008 USB Driver) (1) (p.
XX)
qa CD-ROM (Movie Shaker Ver.3.1 for
MICROMV) (1) (p. XX)
qs Battery terminal cover (1) (p. XX)
qd Cleaning cloth (1) (p. XX)
qf Styrus (DCR-IP55 only)
qg Wrist strap (1) (p. XX)
qh 2-pin adaptor** (1) (p. XX)
*Canada and Asia models only
**Asia model only
qh
9
4
qf

17
Getting started
Installing the battery pack
(1)While sliding ,in the direction of the arrow, lift BATT (battery) RELEASE to
release the battery terminal cover.
(2)Insert the battery pack in the direction of the arrow until it clicks.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
1 2
To remove the battery pack
The battery pack is removed in the same way as the battery terminal cover.
Note on the battery terminal cover
To protect the battery terminals, install the battery terminal cover after the battery pack
is removed.

18
2
31
4
MEMORY
NET
WORK
VCR
CAMERA
(CHG)
POWER
OFF
ON
MODE
Charging the battery pack
Charge the battery pack before using your camcorder.
Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (F series).
See page XX for details of the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack.
(1)Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the supplied AC power adapter to the DC
IN jack on your camcorder with the plug’s vmark facing up.
(2)Connect the power cord to the AC power adapter.
(3)Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
(4)Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
The CHG lamp lights up when the charge begins. After charging is completed, the
CHG lamp goes off (full charge).
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.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
CHG lamp
To a wall outlet

19
Getting started
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
While charging the battery pack, the CHG 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 the wall outlet. If any trouble occurs with this unit,
disconnect the plug from the wall outlet as soon as possible to cut off the power.
Charging time
Battery pack Full charge
NP-FF50 (supplied) 120
NP-FF70 150
Approximate minutes at 25°C (77°F) to charge an empty battery pack
The charging time may increase if the battery’s temperature is extremely high or low
because of the ambient temperature.
Recording time
Recording with Recording with
Battery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen
Backlighting on Backlighting off
Continuous Typical* Continuous Typical* Continuous Typical*
NP-FF50 80 45 65 35 80 45
(supplied)
NP-FF70 170 100 140 80 170 100
Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery
*Approximate recording time when 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 LCD closed
NP-FF50 (supplied) 65 80
NP-FF70 135 165
Approximate minutes when you use a fully charged battery

20
2,3
1
Note
Approximate recording time and continuous playing time at 25 °C (77 °F). The battery
life will be shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.
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 compatible electronic equipment. This unit is compatible
with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (F series). Your camcorder operates only with the
“InfoLITHIUM” battery. “InfoLITHIUM” F series battery packs have the
mark.
“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
Connecting to a wall outlet
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 supplied AC power adaptor to the DC
IN jack on your camcorder with the plug’s vmark facing up.
(2)Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3)Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
Step 1 Preparing the power supply
To a wall outlet