Sony Camera Alpha Slt A57 Instruction Manual

							61
The functions selected with the MENU button
Functions list
Memory Card Tool menu
Clock setup menu
Setup menu
FormatFormats the memory card.
File NumberSets the method used to assign file numbers to still images 
and MP4 movies.
(Series/Reset)
Folder NameSets the folder format for still images.
(Standard Form/Date Form)
Select REC FolderChanges the selected folder for storing still images and MP4 
movies.
New FolderCreates a new folder for storing still images and MP4 movies.
Recover Image DBRecovers the image database file and enables recording and 
playback.
Display Card SpaceDisplays the remaining recording time of movies and the 
recordable number of still images on the memory card.
Date/Time SetupSets date and time, and daylight savings.
Area SettingSets the location of use.
Menu startSets the default position of the cursor on the menu to the top 
item or the last-selected item.
(Top/Previous)
LCD BrightnessSets the brightness of the LCD screen.
(Auto/Manual)
Viewfinder Bright.Sets the brightness of the viewfinder.
(Auto/Manual)
Eco ModeSets the level of the power saving feature.
(Standard/Max)
Power SaveSets the interval after which power save mode engages.
(30 Min/5 Min/1 Min/20 Sec/10 Sec) 
						

							62
The functions selected with the MENU button
* Appears when an Eye-Fi card (sold separately) is inserted in the camera.HDMI ResolutionSets the resolution when the camera is connected to an HDMI 
TV.
(Auto/1080p/1080i)
CTRL FOR HDMIOperates the camera from a TV that support “BRAVIA” 
Sync.
(On/Off)
Upload Settings*Sets the upload function of the camera when using an Eye-Fi 
card.
(On/Off)
USB ConnectionSets the USB connection method.
(Auto/Mass Storage/MTP)
Audio signalsSets whether or not to use the beep sound when the focus is 
achieved or the self-timer is working.
(On/Off)
Cleaning ModeStarts the cleaning mode to clean the image sensor.
VersionDisplays the camera software version.
 LanguageSelects the language.
Mode Dial GuideTurns on or off the mode dial guide (the explanation of each 
shooting mode).
(On/Off)
Demo ModeSets the demonstration playback of a movie to on or off.
(On/Off)
InitializeRestores the settings to their defaults.
(Reset Default/Rec mode reset/Custom reset) 
						

							63
Functions list
Using the guide function of the camera
The camera displays the shooting tips in accordance with the shooting 
mode selected.
To access all shooting tips
You can search through all the shooting tips from the menu.
Use this item when you want to read shooting tips you have seen before.
In-Camera Guide
When you press the   (In-Camera Guide) 
button on the Fn screen or menu screen, a 
guide in accordance with the currently 
selected function or setting appears 
automatically.
Select unavailable functions or settings 
on the Fn screen, then press the center of 
the control button, the appropriate setup 
is indicated in order to enable them.
 (In-Camera Guide) button
Shooting Tip
1Press the   (In-Camera Guide) 
button when the recording 
information display is displayed.
A shooting tip list in accordance with the 
current subject appears automatically. (In-Camera Guide) button
2Select the desired shooting tip with v/V on the control button, 
then press the center of the control button.
The shooting tip is displayed.
 You can scroll the screen with v/V.
 You can select the item with b/B. 
						

							64
Using the guide function of the camera
MENU button t  3 t [Shooting Tip List]t Select the desired 
shooting tip 
						

							65
Viewing images on a computer
Viewing images on a computer
Using with your computer
Following applications are contained on the CD-ROM (supplied) to allow 
more versatile use of images shot with your camera.
 “Image Data Converter”
You can open RAW format image files.
 “PlayMemories Home”
You can import still images or movies recorded with the camera to your 
computer so that you can view them, and use various convenient features 
to enhance the images you have shot.
For detailed notes on installation, also see page 67.
Notes Use “Image Data Converter” to play back RAW images.
 “PlayMemories Home” is not compatible with Mac computers. When you play back 
images on Mac computers, use the appropriate application software supplied with 
the Mac computer.
The following computer environment is recommended when using the 
supplied software and importing images via a USB connection.
* 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. Windows Image 
Mastering API (IMAPI) Ver.2.0 or later is required to use the function 
for creating discs.
Recommended computer environment (Windows)
OS (pre-installed)Microsoft Windows XP* SP3/Windows Vista** SP2/
Windows 7 SP1
“PlayMemories 
Home”CPU: Intel Pentium III 800 MHz or faster
(For playing/editing the High Definition movies: Intel Core 
Duo 1.66 GHz or faster/Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz or faster, 
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz or faster (AVC HD (FX/FH)), 
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.40 GHz or faster (AVC HD (PS)))
Memory: Windows XP 512MB or more (1 GB or more is 
recommended), Windows Vista/Windows 7 1 GB or more
Hard Disk: Disk space required for installation-
approximately 500 MB
Display: Screen resolution-1024 × 768 dots or more
“Image Data 
Converter Ver.4”CPU/Memory: Pentium 4 or faster/1 GB or more
Display: 1024 × 768 dots or more 
						

							66
Using with your computer
** Starter (Edition) is not supported.
The following computer environment is recommended when using the 
supplied software and importing images via a USB connection.
Notes Operation is not assured in an environment based on an upgrade of the operating 
systems described above or in a multi-boot environment.
 If you connect 2 or more USB devices to a single computer at the same time, some 
devices, including the camera, may not operate, depending on the types of USB 
devices you are using.
 Connecting the camera using a USB interface that is compatible with Hi-Speed USB 
(USB 2.0 compliant) allows advanced transfer (high speed transfer), as the camera is 
compatible with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compliant).
 When your computer resumes activity from suspend or sleep mode, communication 
between the camera and your computer may not recover at the same time.
Recommended computer environment (Mac)
OS (pre-installed)USB Connection: Mac OS X v10.3 – 10.7
“Image Data Converter Ver.4”: Mac OS X v10.5, 10.6 
(Snow Leopard), 10.7 (Lion)
“Image Data 
Converter Ver.4”CPU: Intel Core Solo/Core Duo/Core 2 Duo or faster
Memory: 1 GB or more is recommended.
Display: 1024 × 768 dots or more 
						

							67
Viewing images on a computer
Using the software
Log on as Administrator.
Note If “PMB” (Picture Motion Browser) supplied with a camera that was purchased 
before 2011 has already been installed on the computer, “PMB” is overwritten by 
“PlayMemories Home,” and you may be unable to use some functions of “PMB.”
Installing the software (Windows)
1Turn on your computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) into 
the CD-ROM drive.
The installation menu screen appears.
 If it does not appear, double-click [Computer] (For Windows XP: [My 
Computer]) t  (PMHOME) t [Install.exe].
 If the AutoPlay screen appears, select “Run Install.exe” and follow the 
instructions that appear on the screen to proceed with the installation.
2Click [Install].
Make sure that both “Image Data Converter” and “PlayMemories Home” are 
checked and follow the instructions on the screen.
 Connect the camera to the computer during the procedure following the 
instructions on the screen.
 When the restarting confirmation message appears, restart the computer 
following the instructions on the screen.
 DirectX may be installed depending on the system environment of your 
computer.
3Remove the CD-ROM after the installation is complete.
The following software is installed and shortcut icons appear on the desktop.
“Image Data Converter”
“PlayMemories Home”
“PlayMemories Home Help Guide” 
						

							68
Using the software
Log on as Administrator.
With “Image Data Converter” you can do the following, etc.:
 To edit images recorded in RAW format with various corrections, such as 
tone curve, and sharpness.
 To adjust images with white balance, exposure, and creative style, etc.
 To save the images displayed and edited on a computer.
You can either save the image as RAW format or save it in the general 
file format.
 To display and compare RAW/JPEG images recorded with this camera.
 To rate the images on a scale of five.
 To set color labels.
To use “Image Data Converter,” refer to Help.
Click [Start] t [All Programs] t [Image Data Converter] t [Help] t 
[Image Data Converter Ver.4].
With “PlayMemories Home” you can do the following, etc.:
 To set images shot with the camera and display them on the computer.
Installing the software (Mac)
1Turn on your Mac computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) 
into the CD-ROM drive.
2Double-click the CD-ROM icon.
3Copy the [IDC_INST.pkg] file in the [MAC] folder to the hard 
disk icon.
4Double-click the [IDC_INST.pkg] file in the copy-to folder.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Using “Image Data Converter”
Using “PlayMemories Home” 
						

							69
Using the software
Viewing images on a computer
 To organize images on the computer on a calendar by shooting date to 
view them.
 To retouch (red-eye reduction, etc.), print, send still images as e-mail 
attachments, and change the shooting date.
 To print or save still images with the date.
 To create Blu-ray discs or DVD discs from AVCHD movies imported to 
a computer. (An Internet connection environment is required when a Blu-
ray disc/DVD disc is created for the first time.)
Notes “PlayMemories Home” is not compatible with Mac computers. When you play back 
images on Mac computers, use the appropriate application software supplied with 
the Mac computer.
 Movies recorded with the [60p 28M(PS)]/[50p 28M(PS)], [60i 24M(FX)]/[50i 
24M(FX)] or [24p 24M(FX)]/[25p 24M(FX)] setting in [Record Setting] are 
converted by “PlayMemories Home” in order to create an AVCHD recording disc. 
This conversion can take a long time. Also, you cannot create a disc with the original 
image quality. If you want to keep the original image quality, you must store your 
movies on a Blu-ray disc.
To use “PlayMemories Home,” refer to “PlayMemories Home Help 
Guide.”
Double-click the shortcut of   (PlayMemories Home Help Guide) on the 
desktop. Or, click [Start] t [All Programs] t [PlayMemories Home] t 
[PlayMemories Home Help Guide].
“PlayMemories Home” support page (English only)
http://www.sony.co.jp/pmh-se/ 
						

							70
Selecting the method for creating a 
disc of movies
You can create a disc from AVCHD movies that have been recorded with 
this camera.
Depending on the disc type, playable devices may vary. Select the method 
that suits your disc player.
Here, 2 ways of creating a disc of movies are described; creating a disc with 
a computer using “PlayMemories Home” or creating a disc with devices 
other than a computer such as a DVD writer.
* When creating a disc using “PlayMemories Home,” changing the image quality to a 
lower setting allows you to create a disc.
You can import AVCHD movies to a computer using “PlayMemories 
Home” and create an AVCHD recording disc or a standard definition image 
quality (STD) disc. 
Disc type/usageRecord setting availablePlayerPSFXFH
To keep high-definition 
image quality (HD)Blu-ray disc playback 
devices
(Sony Blu-ray disc player, 
PlayStation®3, etc.)
To keep high-definition 
image quality (HD) 
(AVCHD recording 
disc)–* –*AVCHD format playback 
devices
(Sony Blu-ray disc player, 
PlayStation®3, etc.)
To keep standard 
definition image quality 
(STD)–* –* –*Ordinary DVD playback 
devices
(DVD player, computer 
that can play DVDs, etc.)
Creating a disc using a computer