Sony Digital Camcorder DSR PD170 Operating Instructions

							Additional Information
151
Troubleshooting
Symptom
The Remote Commander
supplied with your
camcorder does not work.
The input picture does not
appear on the LCD screen or
in the viewfinder when your
camcorder is connected to
outputs on the TV or VCR.
The melody or beep sounds
for five seconds.
When charging the battery
pack, no indicator appears
or the indicator flashes in
the display window.
You cannot charge thebattery pack.
The camcorder is
immediately turned off even
if the amount of the battery
remaining time is enough to
operate.
No function works though
the power is on.
Cause and/or Corrective Actions
•COMMANDER is set to OFF in the menu settings.
c Set it to ON. (p. 105)
• Something is blocking the infrared rays.
c Remove the obstacle.
• The batteries are inserted in the battery holder with the + –
polarities incorrectly.
c Insert the batteries with the correct polarity. (p. 171)
• The batteries are dead.
c Insert new ones. (p. 171)
• DISPLAY is set to V-OUT/LCD in the menu settings.
c Set it to LCD. (p. 105)
• Moisture condensation has occurred.
c Remove the cassette and leave your camcorder for at least
one hour to acclimatize. (p. 156)
• Some troubles have occurred in your camcorder.
c Remove the cassette and insert it again, then operate your
camcorder.
• The AC Adaptor is disconnected.
c Connect it properly.
• The battery pack malfunctions.
c Contact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service
facility.
• The POWER switch is not set to OFF (CHG).
c Set it to OFF (CHG).
c Charge the battery pack fully again.
The correct remaining time is displayed.
c Disconnect the power cord of the AC Adaptor or remove
the battery, then reconnect it after about one minute. Turn
the power on. If the functions still do not work, press the
RESET button located at the lower-right of the ZEBRA
selector using a sharp-pointed object. (If you press the
RESET button, all the settings including the date and time
return to the default.) (p. 15, 163) 
						

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C:21:00
Self-diagnosis display
Your camcorder has a self-diagnosis display
function.
This function displays the current condition of
your camcorder as a 5-digit code (a
combination of a letter and figures) on the
LCD screen, display window, or in the
viewfinder. If a 5-digit code is displayed, check
the following code chart. The last two digits
(indicated by ss) will differ depending on
the state of your camcorder.On the LCD screen or in the
viewfinder, on the display
window
Self-diagnosis display
•C: ss :ss
You can service your camcorder
yourself.
•E: ss :ss
Contact your Sony dealer or
nearest local authorized Sony
service facility.
Five-digit display
C:04: ss
C:21:ss
C:22:ss
C:31:ss
C:32: ss
E:61:ss
E:62: ss
If you are unable to rectify the problem even if you try corrective acti\
ons a few times,
contact your Sony dealer or nearest local authorized Sony service facili\
ty. Cause and/or Corrective Actions
•
You are using a battery pack that is not an “InfoLITHIUM” battery \
pack.
c Use an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack. (p. 12)
• Moisture condensation has occurred.
c Remove the cassette and leave your camcorder for at least one hour to
acclimatize. (p. 156)
• The video heads are dirty.
c Clean the heads using the Sony DVM12CL cleaning cassette
(optional). (p. 157)
•A  malfunction other than the above.
c Remove the cassette and insert it again, then operate your camcorder.
c Disconnect the power cord of the AC Adaptor or remove the battery
pack. After reconnecting the power source, operate your camcorder.
•A  malfunction that you cannot service has occurred.
c Contact your Sony dealer and inform them of the 5-digit code.
(example: E:61:10) 
						

							Additional Information
153
Warning indicators and messages
If indicators and messages appear on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder\
, check the
following:
See the page in parentheses “(  )” for more information.
Warning indicators
E  The battery is dead or nearly dead
Slow flashing:
• The battery is nearly dead.
Depending on conditions, the  E indicator may flash, even if there are five to 10
minutes remaining.
Fast flashing:
• The battery is dead (p. 12).
• The battery is completely dead.
 Warning indicator as to tape
Slow flashing:
• The tape is near the end.
• No tape is inserted (p. 17).*
• The write-protect tab on the cassette is out (p. 17).*
Fast flashing:
• The tape has run out.*
Z  You need to eject the cassette
Slow flashing:
•The write-protect tab on the cassette is out (p. 17).*
Fast flashing:
• Moisture condensation has occurred (p. 156).*
• The tape has run out.*
• The self-diagnosis display function is activated (p. 152).*
%  Moisture condensation has occurred*
Fast flashing:
• Eject the cassette, turn off your camcorder, and leave it for about one \
hour with the
cassette compartment open (p. 156).
 Warning indicator as to cassette memory
Slow flashing:
• No tape with cassette memory is inserted (p. 142).*
Self-diagnosis display (p. 152)
-  The still image is protected
Slow flashing:
• The still image is protected (p. 135).*
 Warning indicator as to “Memory Stick”*
Slow flashing:
• No “Memory Stick” is inserted (p. 115).
Fast flashing:
• Unreadable “Memory Stick” is inserted (p. 115). 
						

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Warning indicators and messages
100-0001 “(Warning indicators) Memory Stick” file error*
Slow flashing:
•File is broken.
• File has no compatibility.
 “Memory Stick” format error*
Fast flashing:
• There are two directories or more.
• Data is broken.
• “Memory Stick” is not formatted correctly (p. 109).
Warning messages
•CLOCK SET Set the date and time (p. 16).
• FOR “InfoLITHIUM” Use an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (p. 12).
BATTERY ONLY
• MEMORY FULL The “Memory Stick” is full in photo save function (p. 128).
•
  CLEANING CASSETTE The video heads are dirty (p. 157).**
•
 FULL The tape cassette memory is full (p. 97).*
•
 48KAUDIO MODE is set to 48K.* You cannot dub new sound (p. 110).
• REC MODEREC MODE is set to DV SP.* You cannot dub new sound (p. 110).
• TAPE There is no recorded portion on the tape.* You cannot dub new sound (p. 88).
•
 “i.LINK” CABLEi.LINK cable is connected (p. 89).* You cannot dub new sound.
• FULL The “Memory Stick” is full (p. 120).*
•
  - The write-protect tab on the “Memory Stick” is set to LOCK
(p. 113).*
•
 NO FILE No still image is recorded on the “Memory Stick”.*
•
 NO MEMORY STICK No “Memory Stick” is inserted (p. 115).*
• 
 MEMORY STICK ERROR The “Memory Stick“ data is corrupted or the “Memory Stick“th\
at
you are using is not compatible with your camcorder   (p. 115).*
• 
 FORMAT ERROR (p. 109)*
• 
  -  DIRECTORY ERROR
(p. 130)*
• COPY INHIBIT The tape contains copyright control signals for copyright
protection of software (p. 142).*
• Q  Z  TAPE END The tape has reached the end of the tape (p. 31).*
• Q  NO TAPE Insert a cassette tape (p. 17).*
• Q  LOGO NOT INSERTED
The logo is not inserted properly, or the “Memory Stick” is
not inserted that has the logo data.
Check if the “Memory Stick” is inserted properly, or insert the
“Memory Stick” with logo data.
• Q  LOGO SYSTEM ERROR
The data setting of the logo insert system is corrupted.
Consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
*You hear the melody or beep sound.
** x  and the message appear alternately. 
						

							Additional Information
155
Using your camcorder abroad
Using your camcorder abroad
You can use your camcorder in any country or region with the AC Adaptor \
supplied
with your camcorder within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.
Use a commercially available AC plug adaptor [a ], if necessary, depending on the
design of a wall outlet  [b ].
Your camcorder is an NTSC system-based camcorder. If you want to view th\
e playback
picture on a TV, it must be an NTSC system-based TV equipped with audio/\
video
input jacks.
Check the following list.
NTSC system
Bahama Islands, Bolivia, Canada, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuad\
or, Jamaica,
Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Surinam, Taiwan, the Philippines, the U.S.A.\
, Venezuela,
etc.
PAL system
Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Ge\
rmany, Great
Britain, Holland, Hong Kong, Italy, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norwa\
y, Portugal,
Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, etc.
PAL-M system
Brazil
PAL-N system
Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
SECAM system
Bulgaria, France, Guyana, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Monaco, Poland, Russia, U\
kraine, etc.
Simple setting of clock by time difference
You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time differe\
nce. Select WORLD
TIME in the menu settings. See page 105 for more information.
[a][b]
AC-L15A/L15B 
						

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Maintenance information and
precautions
Moisture condensation
If your camcorder is brought directly from a cold place to a warm place,\
 moisture may
condense inside your camcorder, on the surface of the tape, or on the le\
ns. In this
condition, the tape may stick to the head drum and be damaged or your ca\
mcorder may
not operate correctly. If there is moisture inside your camcorder, the b\
eep sounds and
the % indicator flashes. When the  Z indicator flashes at the same time, the cassette is
inserted in your camcorder. If moisture condenses on the lens, the indic\
ator will not
appear.
If moisture condensation occurredNone of the functions except cassette ejection will work. Eject the cass\
ette, turn off your
camcorder, and leave it for about one hour with the cassette compartment\
 open. Your
camcorder can be used again if the  % indicator does not appear when the power is
turned on again.
Note on moisture condensation
Moisture may condense when you bring your camcorder from a cold place in\
to a warm
place (or vice versa) or when you use your camcorder in a hot place as\
 follows:
• You bring your camcorder from a ski slope into a place warmed up by a he\
ating
device.
• You bring your camcorder from an air-conditioned car or room into a hot \
place
outside.
• You use your camcorder after a squall or a shower.
• You use your camcorder in a high temperature and humidity place.
How to prevent moisture condensation
When you bring your camcorder from a cold place into a warm place, put y\
our
camcorder in a plastic bag and tightly seal it. Remove the bag when the \
air temperature
inside the plastic bag has reached the surrounding temperature (after a\
bout one hour). 
						

							Additional Information
157
Maintenance information and precautions
Removing Dust from Inside the Viewfinder
(1 ) While holding down the hook  1, slide the viewfinder in the direction of the
arrow and remove it out  2.
( 2 ) Clean the surface with a commercially available blower.
To reattach the viewfinderDo step 1 above sliding the viewfinder in the reverse direction of the a\
rrow.
Maintenance information
Cleaning the video headTo ensure normal recording and clear pictures, clean the video heads. Th\
e video head
may be dirty when:
•mosaic-pattern noise appears on the playback picture.
• playback pictures do not move.
• playback pictures do not appear.
• the  x indicator and “
 CLEANING CASSETTE” message appear one after another
on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
If the above problem,  [a ] or  [b ] occurs, clean the video heads for 10 seconds with the
Sony DVM12CL cleaning cassette (optional). Check the picture and if th\
e above
problem persists, repeat cleaning.
Cleaning the LCD screenIf fingerprints or dust make the LCD screen dirty, we recommend using a \
LCD
Cleaning Cloth (optional) to clean the LCD screen.
[a] [b]
or
12 
						

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Maintenance information and precautions
Cleaning the wide conversion lensRemove dust from the lens surface using a blower or a soft brush.
Remove finger print or other stains using a soft cloth slightly moistene\
d with a neutral
detergent.
Charging the built-in rechargeable battery
Your camcorder has a built-in rechargeable battery so that the date, tim\
e and other
settings are retained even when the POWER switch is set to OFF (CHG). \
The built-in
rechargeable battery is always charged as long as you are using your cam\
corder. The
battery, however, will get discharged gradually if you do not use your c\
amcorder. It
will be completely discharged in about four months if you do not use your camcorder
at all. Even if the built-in rechargeable battery is not charged, it wil\
l not affect your
camcorder operation. To retain the date and time, etc., charge the batte\
ry if the battery
is discharged.
Charging the built-in rechargeable battery
• Connect your camcorder to the house current using the AC Adaptor supplie\
d with
your camcorder, and leave your camcorder with the POWER switch set to OF\
F (CHG)
for more than 24 hours.
• Or install the fully charged rechargeable battery pack on your camcorder\
, and leave
your camcorder with the POWER switch set to OFF (CHG) for more than 24\
 hours.
Precautions
Camcorder operation•Operate your camcorder on 7.2 V (battery pack) or 8.4 V (AC Adaptor)\
.
• For DC or AC operation, use the accessories recommended in this operatin\
g
instructions.
• If any solid object or liquid get inside the casing, unplug your camcord\
er and have it
checked by a Sony dealer before operating it any further.
• Avoid rough handling or mechanical shock. Be particularly careful of the\
 lens.
• Keep the POWER switch set to OFF (CHG) when you are not using your cam\
corder.
• Do not wrap your camcorder with a towel, for example, and operate it. Do\
ing so
might cause heat to build up inside.
• Keep your camcorder away from strong magnetic fields or mechanical vibra\
tion.
Noise may appear on the image.
• Do not touch the LCD screen with a sharp-pointed object.
• If your camcorder is used in a cold place, a residual image may appear o\
n the LCD
screen. This is not a malfunction.
• While using your camcorder, the back of the LCD screen may heat up. This\
 is not a
malfunction.
On handling tapes•Do not insert anything into the small holes on the rear of the cassette.\
 These holes are
used to sense the type and thickness of the tape and if the recording ta\
b is in or out.
• Do not open the tape protect cover or touch the tape.
• Avoid touching or damaging the terminals. To remove dust, clean the term\
inals with
a soft cloth. 
						

							Additional Information
159
Maintenance information and precautions
Camcorder care•Remove the tape, and periodically turn on the power, operate the CAMERA \
and VCR
sections and play back a tape for about three minutes when your camcorde\
r is not to
be used for a long time.
• Clean the lens with a soft brush to remove dust. If there are fingerprin\
ts on the lens,
remove them with a soft cloth.
• Clean the camcorder body with a dry soft cloth, or a soft cloth lightly \
moistened with
a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of solvent which may dama\
ge the
finish.
• Do not let sand get into your camcorder. When you use your camcorder on \
a sandy
beach or in a dusty place, protect it from the sand or dust.  Sand or du\
st may cause
your camcorder to malfunction, and sometimes this malfunction cannot be \
repaired.
AC Adaptor•Unplug the unit from the wall outlet when you are not using the unit for\
 a long time.
To disconnect the power cord, pull it out by the plug. Never pull the po\
wer cord itself.
• Do not operate the unit with a damaged cord or if the unit has been drop\
ped or
damaged.
• Do not bend the power cord forcibly, or place a heavy object on it. This\
 will damage
the cord and may cause fire or electrical shock.
• Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts o\
f the
connecting section. If this happens, a short may occur and the unit may \
be damaged.
• Always keep metal contacts clean.
• Do not disassemble the unit.
• Do not apply mechanical shock or drop the unit.
• While the unit is in use, particularly during charging, keep it away fro\
m AM receivers
and video equipment. AM receivers and video equipment disturb AM recepti\
on and
video operation.
• The unit becomes warm during use. This is not a malfunction.
• Do not place the unit in locations that are:
– Extremely hot or cold
– Dusty or dirty
– Very humid
– Vibrating
Rechargeable battery pack•Use only the specified charger or video equipment with the charging func\
tion.
• To prevent accident from a short circuit, do not allow metal objects to \
come into
contact with the battery terminals.
• Keep the rechargeable battery pack away from fire.
• Never expose the rechargeable battery pack to temperatures above 60 °\
C (140 °F), such
as in a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight.
• Keep the rechargeable battery pack dry.
• Do not expose the rechargeable battery pack to any mechanical shock.
• Do not disassemble nor modify the rechargeable battery pack.
• Attach the rechargeable battery pack to video equipment securely.
• Charging while some capacity remains does not affect the original b\
attery capacity.
• The rechargeable battery pack is not resistant to water. Do not wet\
 the rechargeable battery pack.
• Unless you use the rechargeable battery pack for a long period, store th\
e battery pack
after you charge it fully and use it completely once a year.
• Store the rechargeable battery pack in a cool, dry place. 
						

							160
Notes on dry batteriesTo avoid possible damage from battery leakage or corrosion, observe the \
following:
•Be sure to insert the batteries with the + – polarities matched to th\
e + – marks.
• Dry batteries are not rechargeable.
• Do not use a combination of new and old batteries.
• Do not use different types of batteries.
• Current flows from batteries when you are not using them for a long time\
.
• Do not use leaking batteries.
If batteries are leaking
• Wipe off the liquid in the battery compartment carefully before replacin\
g the batteries.
• If you touch the liquid, wash it off with water.
• If the liquid get into your eyes, wash your eyes with a lot of water and\
 then consult a
doctor.
If any problem occurs, unplug your camcorder and contact your nearest So\
ny dealer.
Maintenance information and precautions