Sony Digital Camcorder DSR PD150 Operating Instructions

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Getting started
Step 2  Preparing the power supply
Charging the battery pack
Use the battery pack after charging it.
Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series).
(1)Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC power adaptor supplied with
your camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug’s v mark facing toward the
LCD panel side.
(2)Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3)Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
(4)Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). Charging begins.
The remaining battery time is indicated in minutes on the display window.
When the remaining battery indicator changes to u, normal charge is completed. To
fully charge the battery (full charge), leave the battery pack attached for about one hour
after normal charge is completed until FULL appears on the display window. Fully
charging the battery allows you to use the battery longer than usual.
After charging the battery pack
Disconnect the AC power adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.
Note on the remaining battery time indicator
The remaining battery time indicator on the LCD screen/display window or in the
viewfinder indicates the recording time using the viewfinder. The indicator may not be
correct, depending on the conditions in which you are recording. When you close the
LCD panel and open it again, it takes about one minute for the correct remaining
battery time to be displayed.
POWER
OFF
(CHG)CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR4
1 
						

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Step 2  Preparing the power supply
Notes
•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.
•Keep the battery pack dry.
•When the battery pack is not to be used for a long time, charge the battery pack once
fully, and then use it until it fully discharges again. Keep the battery pack in a cool place.
Until your camcorder calculates the actual remaining battery time
“- - - - min” appears in the display window.
While charging the battery pack, no indicator appears or the indicator flashes in
the display window in the following cases:
–The battery pack is not installed correctly.
–The AC power adaptor is disconnected.
–Something is wrong with the battery pack.
Charging time
Battery pack Full charge (Normal charge)
NP-F330 (supplied) 150 (90)
NP-F530/F550 210 (150)
NP-F730/F730H/F750 300 (240)
NP-F930/F950 390 (330)
NP-F960 420 (360)
Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack
Recording time
Recording with Recording with
Battery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen
Continuous* Typical** Continuous* Typical**
NP-F330 (supplied) 60 (55) 30 (30) 50 (45) 25 (25)
NP-F530 100 (90) 55 (50) 85 (75) 45 (40)
NP-F550 130 (115) 70 (60) 110 (100) 60 (55)
NP-F730 230 (205) 125 (110) 190 (170) 105 (95)
NP-F730H/F750 265 (235) 145 (130) 230 (200) 125 (110)
NP-F930 355 (320) 195 (175) 300 (270) 165 (150)
NP-F950 405 (360) 225 (200) 345 (310) 190 (170)
NP-F960 480 (430) 265 (240) 420 (375) 235 (210)
Approximate minutes of recording time when you use a fully charged battery 
						

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Getting started
Numbers in parentheses “(  )” indicate the time using a normally charged battery.
You cannot use the NP-500/510/710 battery pack on your camcorder.
* Approximate continuous recording time at 25 °C (77 °F). The battery life will be
shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.
** Approximate minutes when recording while 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 timeon LCD screen with LCD closed
NP-F330 (supplied) 75 (65) 85 (75)
NP-F530 120 (110) 145 (130)
NP-F550 150 (135) 180 (160)
NP-F730 265 (240) 295 (265)
NP-F730H/F750 315 (275) 365 (325)
NP-F930 410 (365) 460 (415)
NP-F950 475 (430) 550 (495)
NP-F960 575 (515) 660 (590)
Approximate minutes of playing time when you use a fully charged battery
Numbers in parentheses “(  )” indicate the time using a normally charged battery.
The battery life will be shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.
You cannot use the NP-500/510/710 battery pack on your camcorder.
Notes
•The supplied battery pack is charged a little.
•Some types of battery packs may not be sold in your region or country.
What is ”InfoLITHIUM?”
The “InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange data such as
battery consumption with compatible video equipment. This unit is compatible with the
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series). Your camcorder operates only with the
“InfoLITHIUM” battery. “InfoLITHIUM” battery packs (L series) have the 
mark.
“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
If the camcorder is immediately turned off
Even if the remaining battery time is enough to operate, charge the battery pack fully
again. The correct remaining time is displayed.
Step 2  Preparing the power supply 
						

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Step 2  Preparing the power supply
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 AC power adaptor to the DC IN
jack on your camcorder with the plug’s v mark facing toward the LCD panel
side.
(2)Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor.
(3)Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
Precaution
The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (house current) as long as it is
connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off.
Notes
•The power cord must only be changed at an authorized service shop.
•AC power adaptor can supply power even if the battery pack is attached to your
camcorder.
•The DC IN jack has source priority. This means that the battery pack cannot supply
any power if the power cord is connected to the DC IN jack, even when the power
cord is not plugged into a wall outlet.
Using a car battery
Use the Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (not supplied).
1 2,3 
						

							15
Getting started
Step 3  Inserting a cassette
(1)Install the power source (p. 10).
(2)While pressing the small blue button on the EJECT switch, slide it in the
direction of the arrow. After the cassette lid is opened, the cassette
compartment automatically opens.
(3)Push the middle portion of the back of the cassette to insert it.
Insert the cassette in a straight line deeply into the cassette compartment with
the window facing out and the write-protect tab facing upward.
(4)Close the cassette compartment by pressing the PUSH mark on it.
(5)Close the cassette lid until it clicks by pressing the PUSH button on the lid.
To eject a cassetteFollow the procedure above, and take out the cassette in step 3.
Note
The cassette lid will not be closed when you press any part of the lid other than the
PUSH button.
When you use cassettes with cassette memory
Read the instruction about cassette memory to use this function properly (p. 142).
To prevent accidental erasure
Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to the protect position.
If the grip strap prevents the cassette lid from opening fully
Adjust the length of the grip strap (p. 165).
If 
 flashes even if the cassette has been inserted
Press the PUSH button again to close the cover firmly.
23,45
PUSH
Write-protect tabWindow
PUSH 
						

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MEMORYCAMERA
VCR
OFF(CHG)
POWER
5240minREC 00:00:00:01
DVCAM
32KPOWER
OFF
(CHG)CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
3
1
4
OPEN
LOCK
Camera recording lampsMicrophone
REC START/STOP — Recording – Basics —
Recording a picture
Your camcorder automatically focuses for you.
(1)Remove the hood cap and pull the hood cap string to fix it.
(2)Install the power source and insert a cassette. See “Step 2” and “Step 3” for
more information (p. 10 to 15).
(3)Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button.
Your camcorder is set to the standby mode.
(4)Slide OPEN in the direction of the B mark to open the LCD panel.
The picture now being shot is displayed on the LCD screen, and it disappears
from the viewfinder screen.
(5)Press START/STOP. Your camcorder starts recording. The “REC” indicator
appears. The camera recording lamps located on the front and rear of your
camcorder light up. To stop recording, press START/STOP again.
You can use REC START/STOP located on the front instead of START/STOP
on the rear.
If the ND1 or ND2 indicator flashes on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder
The ND filter is necessary. Set the ND FILTER selector to 1 or 2. However, if you change
the position during recording, the brightness of the picture may change or audio noise
may occur. This is not a malfunction. We recommend that you check the position of the
ND FILTER selector before shooting. See “Using the ND filter” on page 46.
Note
Fasten the grip strap firmly. 
						

							Recording – Basics
17
Recording a picture
Note on the recording format
Your camcorder records and plays back both in the DVCAM format and in the DV
format SP mode. Select the format in the menu settings.
Note on the LOCK switch
When you slide the LOCK switch to the left, the POWER switch can no longer be set to
MEMORY accidentally. The LOCK switch is set to the right as a default setting. We
recommend that you set the LOCK switch to the left when you record on a cassette.
Note on the progressive mode
If you intend to use the images on your PC or play the images back as still images, we
recommend that you set PROG. SCAN to ON in the menu settings before shooting (p.
104). The picture quality may improve in this mode, but if you shoot a moving subject,
the image may shake when it is played back.
To enable smooth transition
Transition between the last scene you recorded and the next scene is smooth as long as
you do not eject the cassette even if you turn off your camcorder. When you use a tape
with cassette memory, however, you can make the transition smooth even after ejecting
the cassette if you use the end search function (p. 25).
However, check the following:
•When you change the battery pack, set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
•Do not mix recordings in the DVCAM format and the DV format on one tape.
The playback picture may be distorted or the time code may not be written properly
between scenes when you change the recording format.
If you leave your camcorder in standby mode for five minutes
The head drum of the camcorder automatically stops rotating. This is to prevent the
tape wear and save the battery power. To re-start recording, press the START/STOP
button. It may take more time to start recording. This is not a malfunction.
Usable cassettes
You can record both on mini DVCAM cassettes and on mini DV cassettes using your
camcorder. When you use a mini DV cassette, set REC MODE to DV SP in the menu
settings. You can record on a tape 1.5 times longer than the DVCAM format. When you
want to record in the DV format or to make longer recording, use the mini DV cassette.
Notes
•If you record in the DV format, the transition of a tape may not be smooth. We
recommend that you use mini DVCAM cassettes and set REC MODE to DVCAM in
the menu settings to obtain reliable clear pictures.
•You cannot record on a tape in LP mode in the DV format.
If you use a mini DV cassette without setting REC MODE to DV SP
The recordable time is 2/3 time that indicated on the cassette.
Cassettes that can be played back with your camcorder
You can play back both cassettes recorded in the DVCAM format or in the DV format,
however, you cannot play back cassettes that recorded in LP mode in the DV format. 
						

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180°
90° 180°
OPEN
Adjusting the LCD screen
The LCD panel is opened up to 90 degrees and it rotates about 90 degrees to the
viewfinder side and about 180 degrees to the lens side.
If you turn the LCD panel over so that it faces the other way in standby or recording
mode, the 
 indicator appears on the LCD screen and in the viewfinder (Mirror
mode).
To close the LCD panel, set it vertically and swing it into the camcorder body until it
clicks.
Note
When opening the LCD panel, the viewfinder is automatically turned off, however, it is
not turned off when the LCD panel is turned over or the camcorder is in mirror mode.
When you use the LCD screen outdoors in direct sunlight
The LCD screen may be difficult to see. If this happens, we recommend that you use the
viewfinder.
When you adjust the angle of the LCD panel
Make sure that the LCD panel is opened up to 90 degrees.
When using both the LCD screen and the viewfinder during shooting
The usable time of the battery pack when using both the LCD screen and the viewfinder
will be shorter a little than when using the viewfinder only.
Pictures in the mirror mode
The picture on the LCD screen is a mirror-image. However, the recording picture will
be normal.
Indicators in the mirror mode
The STBY indicator appears as zX and REC as z. Some of the other indicators appear
mirror-reversed and others are not displayed. However, if you close the LCD panel
with the LCD screen turned over, indicators appear normally.
Recording a picture 
						

							Recording – Basics
19
Recording a picture
Adjusting the brightness of the LCD screen
To adjust the brightness of the LCD screen, press LCD BRIGHT + or –.
The battery life is longer when the LCD panel is closed. Use the viewfinder instead of
the LCD screen to save the battery power.
On the LCD screen backlight
You can change the brightness of the backlight. Select LCD B.L. in the menu settings
(p. 104).
Even if you do the LCD screen adjustment using the LCD BRIGHT +/– buttons, or
using LCD B.L. and LCD COLOR items in the menu settings
The recorded picture will not be affected.
Recording in a low position
You can record in a low position to get an interesting recording angle. Lift up the
viewfinder or rotate the LCD panel with the screen facing up to record from a low
position. In this case, it is useful to use the REC START/STOP button located on the
front or the camcorder.
LCD BRIGHT
To brighten
To darken
RECSTART/
STOP 
						

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1
4
2
3
After recording
(1)Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
(2)Close the LCD panel.
(3)Eject the cassette.
(4)Remove the battery pack.
Adjusting the viewfinder
If you record pictures with the LCD panel closed, check the picture with the viewfinder.
Adjust the viewfinder lens to your eyesight so that the indicators in the viewfinder
come into sharp focus.
Lift up the viewfinder and move the viewfinder lens adjustment lever.
To adjust the brightness of the viewfinder screen, use the VF B.L. item in the menu
settings (p. 104).
Even if you adjust the viewfinder screen backlight
The recorded picture will not be affected.
When the shooting conditions are too bright
Use the supplied large eyecup. Fit it onto the camcorder by stretching the corners a
little. You can attach it with the large part of it located on both left and right.
Recording a picture