Sony Digital HD Video Camera Recorder HVR-Z1U/Z1N Operating Instructions

							Dubbing/Editing
Dubbing/Editing101
Setting time values
Your camcorder uses 2 types of time values: 
time code values and user bits.
Setting the time code value
1Set the POWER switch to VCR or 
CAMERA.
2Press MENU.
3Select the   (TC/UB SET) menu 
by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
4Select [TC MAKE] by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
5Select [PRESET] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
6Set the time code value.
1Select [TC PRESET] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
2Select [PRESET] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
3Select the first 2 digits by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
Set a time code between 00:00:00:00 and 
23:59:59:29.
4Repeat step 3 to set up the other digits.
5Select [OK] by turning the SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial, then press the dial.
7Select the frame mode. 
1Select [TC FORMAT] by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
2Select the frame mode by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
8Select the running mode.
1Select [TC RUN] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
2Select the running mode by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
POWER switchSettingTo
AUTO set the mode automatically in 
accordance with the inserted 
cassette
DF select the drop frame mode
NDF select the non-drop frame mode
SettingTo
REC RUN advance the time code value 
only while recording. Select 
this when making the time cord 
continuous at backspace 
editing.
,continued 
						

							Dubbing/Editing102
9Press MENU to hide the menu screen.
To cancel the time code setting
Select [CANCEL] in step 5 in step 6, or press 
TC RESET on the Remote Commander.
In case of operating the Remote Commander, 
make sure that the time code is 00:00:00:00, and 
then set [REMOTE CTRL] to [OFF].
To reset the time code
Select [RESET] in step 2 in step 6.
Drop frame mode
In the NTSC standard, the time code value is 
based on 30 frames per second, but the exact 
video frame frequency is in fact 29.97 frames 
per second. Consequently the time code value 
will deviate from the real time when recording 
for long time.
Drop frame mode corrects for this by skipping 2 
frame counts at the beginning of every minute 
which is not a multiple of 10.
In non-drop frame mode, however, no frame 
counts are omitted, and there is a gradual 
deviation of the time code from the real time.
bNote
 In case of the i.LINK connection, if you start 
recording when there is no video input signal, the 
time code may not continue correctly.
 If you record HDV and DVCAM (DV) mixed, the 
time code may be initialized at the backspace 
editing.
 If you play back the tape recorded in HDV and 
DVCAM (DV) mixed, the time code may not match 
the picture at the backspace editing.
 If you set [TC MAKE] to [REGENERATE] in the 
menu, [TC RUN] is automatically set to [REC 
RUN].
 When [50i/60i SEL] on the   (OTHERS) menu is 
set to 50i, the non-drop frame mode is selected 
automatically. You cannot change the frame mode.
 When recording in the HDV format, discrepancy of 
3 frames at the maximum may occur. If you set [TC MAKE] to [REGENERATE], TC 
PRESET on the Remote Commander does not work.
Setting the user bits value
Shooting information (date, time, scene 
number, etc.) can be superimposed on a tape 
using up to 8 hexadecimal digit.
1Set the POWER switch to VCR or 
CAMERA.
2Press MENU.
3Select the   (TC/UB SET) menu 
by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
4Select [UB PRESET] by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
FREE RUN advance the time code freely 
regardless of the camcorder’s 
current operation mode.
The time code starts running 
once this setting is selected.
SettingTo
POWER switch 
						

							Dubbing/Editing
Dubbing/Editing103
5Select [PRESET] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
6Select the first 2 digits by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
7Repeat step 6 to set up the other digits.
8Select [OK] by turning the SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial, then press the dial.
9Press MENU to hide the menu screen.
To cancel the user bits setting
Select [CANCEL] in step 8.
To reset the user bits
Select [RESET] in step 5.
To set the user bits to the real time clock
Select the   (TC/UB SET) menu, [UB 
TIME REC], then [ON].
bNote
 User-bit values appear at every 3 frames for the tape 
recorded in the HDV format.
 When you input HDV format signal via i.LINK 
connection, the user-bits are copied, however, they 
are not regenerated.
Switching the time value
Press TC/U-BIT.
Each time you press the button, the time value 
changes between the time code and user bits.
TC: 00:00:00:00 or 00:00.00:00
U-BIT: 00 00 00 00
bNote
 The time code and user bits cannot be displayed 
properly if the tape does not have time code and/or 
user bits recordings or if the time code was recorded 
using a non-compatible method.
 When you input HDV format signal via i.LINK 
connection, the user-bits of the input video are 
written on this camera, however, they are not 
displayed during dubbing. 
						

							Dubbing/Editing104
Connecting an analog 
VCR to the computer 
via your camcorder 
 
– Signal conversion function
Connect an analog video device to your 
camcorder using the A/V connecting cable (supplied), and a digital device such as a 
computer to your camcorder using an i.LINK 
cable (optional). Your camcorder converts 
the analog video signal from the VCR to a 
digital signal and transmits it to the computer 
to be dubbed.
To use the signal conversion function, 
application software to import video signals 
must be installed on the computer.
Connecting a computer
Refer to the manual supplied with the 
application software for the system 
requirements of the computer.
bNote
 Select the   (OTHERS) menu, [DISP OUTPUT], 
then [LCD PANEL] (the default setting) (p. 80). Before connecting the i.LINK cable, select the  
(IN/OUT REC) menu, [VCR HDV/DV], then [DV] 
(p. 70). If you do this operation with the i.LINK 
cable connected, the computer may hang up or may  not recognize this camcorder.
Signal flowHDV/DV jack
i.LINK cable (optional)A/V connecting 
cable (supplied) AUDIO/VIDEO jackWhen you have an S video jack 
on your VCR
S video cable 
(optional)
Yellow
Red White 
						

							Dubbing/Editing
Dubbing/Editing105
Importing a picture to the 
computer
1Turn on the analog device.
2Set the POWER switch to VCR.
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet 
using the supplied connecting cable (DK-
415) and AC Adaptor/charger for the power 
supply. 
3Press MENU.
4Select the   (IN/OUT REC) menu 
by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
5Select [A/V t DV OUT] by turning 
the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press 
the dial.
6Select [ON] by turning the SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial, then press the dial.
7Press MENU to hide the menu screen.
8Start playback on the analog device.
9Start importing on the computer.
Refer to the manual supplied with the 
program software or its on-line help for 
details.
After importing the picture and sound
Stop importing on the computer, and stop 
playback on the analog device.
bNote
 Your camcorder may not be able to output the signal 
to the computer correctly depending on the video 
signal input to your camcorder. You cannot import pictures that have been recorded 
using a copyright protection signal to a computer via 
your camcorder.
 Analog signals are not output from the 
COMPONENT OUTPUT jack. 
						

							Troubleshooting106
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting 
If you run into any problem using your 
camcorder, use the following table to 
troubleshoot the problem. If the problem persists, remove the power source and 
contact your Sony dealer. 
If “C:ss:ss” is displayed on the LCD 
screen or the viewfinder, the self-diagnosis 
display function is activated. See page 111 
for details.
Overall operations
Batteries/Power sources
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
The power does not turn on.  The battery pack is discharged, running low, or not attached to the 
camcorder.
cAttach a charged battery pack to the camcorder (p. 11).
cPlug the AC Adaptor /charger to the wall outlet (p. 13).
 The mode switch on the AC Adaptor/charger is set to CHARGE.
cSet it to VCR/CAMERA (p. 13).
The camcorder does not operate even 
when the power is set to on.cDisconnect the AC Adaptor/charger from the wall outlet or remove the 
battery pack, then reconnect it after about 1 minute. If the functions still 
do not work, press the RESET button using a sharp-pointed object. If you 
press the RESET button, all settings including the clock setting (except 
the Personal Menu and Picture Profile settings) are reset.
A clattering noise is heard when the 
camcorder is handled with the 
POWER switch set to OFF or VCR. This is because some lens functions on the camcorder use a linear 
mechanism. This is not a malfunction.
The supplied Remote Commander 
does not function.cSet [REMOTE CTRL] on the   (OTHERS) menu to [ON] (p. 81).
cInsert batteries into the battery compartment with the + – polarities 
correctly matching the + – marks. If this still does not solve the problem, 
insert new batteries since the batteries are dead (p. 131).
cRemove any obstructions between the Remote Commander and the 
remote sensor.
The camcorder gets warm.  This is because the power has been turned on for a long time. This is not 
a malfunction.
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
The battery pack is quickly 
discharged. The temperature of the environment is too low, or the battery pack has 
not been charged enough. This is not a malfunction.
cFully charge the battery again. If the problem persists, replace the 
battery pack with a new one. It may be damaged (p. 11, 118). 
						

							Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting107
Cassette tapes
LCD screen/viewfinder
The remaining battery time indicator 
does not indicate the correct time. The temperature of the environment is too high or too low, or the battery 
pack has not been charged enough. This is not a malfunction.
cFully charge the battery again. If the problem persists, replace the 
battery pack with a new one. It may be damaged (p. 11, 118).
The power turns off frequently 
although the remaining battery 
indicator indicates that the battery 
pack has enough power to operate. A problem has occurred in the remaining battery time indicator, or the 
battery pack has not been charged enough. 
cFully charge the battery again to correct the indication (p. 11).
A problem occurs when the 
camcorder is connected to the AC 
Adaptor/charger.cTurn off the power, and disconnect the AC Adaptor/charger from the 
wall outlet. Then, connect it again.
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
Cassette cannot be ejected from the 
compartment.cMake sure the power source (battery pack or AC Adaptor/charger) is 
connected correctly (p. 11).
cRemove the battery pack from the camcorder, then attach it again (p. 11).
cAttach a charged battery pack to the camcorder (p. 11).
Cassette is not ejected even when the 
cassette lid is open.cMoisture condensation is starting in your camcorder (p. 120).
The Cassette Memory indicator does 
not appear while using a cassette with 
Cassette Memory.cSince your camcorder is not compatible with the Cassette Memory, no 
indicator appears. 
The remaining tape indicator is not 
displayed.cSet [ REMAINING] to [ON] on the   (OTHERS) menu to always 
display the remaining tape indicator (p. 80).
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
An unknown language appears on the 
screen.cSee page 19.
An unknown indicator appears on the 
screen.cRefer to the indicator list (p. 132).
The picture in the viewfinder is not 
clear.cUse the viewfinder lens adjustment lever to adjust the lens (p. 15).
The picture in the viewfinder has 
disappeared.cClose the LCD panel. The picture is not displayed in the viewfinder 
when the LCD panel is open (p. 15). When [VF POWER] is set to [ON], 
pictures appear on both the LCD panel and the viewfinder (p. 69).
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions 
						

							Troubleshooting108
Recording
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
The tape does not start when you 
press REC START/STOP.cSet the POWER switch to CAMERA (p. 14).
cThe tape has reached the end. Rewind it, or insert a new cassette.
cSet the write-protect tab to REC or insert a new cassette (p. 114).
cThe tape is stuck to the drum due to moisture condensation. Remove the 
cassette and leave your camcorder for at least 1 hour, then re-insert the 
cassette (p. 120).
The tape does not start when you 
press REC START/STOP on the 
handle.cRelease the HOLD lever (p. 21).
The power abruptly turns off.cCharge the battery pack (p. 11).
The zoom does not function.cSet the ZOOM switch correctly (p. 22).
cWhen using the zoom lever on the Remote Commander, set the ZOOM 
switch to LEVER/REMOTE (p. 23).
The handle zoom does not work.cSet the handle zoom switch to H or L (p. 23).
The SteadyShot does not function.cPress the ASSIGN button assigned to the SteadyShot (p. 86).
cSet [STEADYSHOT] to [ON] on the   (CAMERA SET) menu 
(p. 60).
The auto focus does not function.cSet the FOCUS switch to AUTO to enable auto focus (p. 32).
cThe recording conditions are not suitable for auto focus. Adjust the focus 
manually (p. 32).
The focus is set to auto, but the focus 
shifts as the focus ring rotates. Even during auto focusing, you can focus manually by rotating the focus 
ring (p. 33).
A vertical band appears when 
recording candlelight or electric light 
in the dark. This occurs when the contrast between the subject and the background is 
too high. This is not a malfunction.
A vertical band appears when 
recording a bright subject. This phenomenon is called the smear effect. This is not a malfunction.
Tiny spots in white appear on the 
screen. The spots appear at a slower shutter speed. This is not a malfunction.
Oblique stripes appear on the screen.cSet the ZEBRA/PEAKING switch to OFF (p. 31).
Picture appears too bright on the 
screen, and the subject does not 
appear on the screen.cCancel the back light function (p. 25). 
						

							Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting109
Playback
Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions
Cannot play back.cIf the tape has reached the end, rewind the tape (p. 48).
Cannot play back in reverse direction.cReverse playback is not possible with the tape recorded in the HDV 
format.
Horizontal lines appear on the 
picture. The displayed pictures are 
not clear or do not appear.cClean the head using the cleaning cassette (p. 121). 
Fine patterns flicker, diagonal lines 
look jagged.cAdjust [SHARPNESS] to the – (soften) side in the PICTURE PROFILE 
function (p. 34).
No sound or only a low sound is 
heard.cTurn up the volume (p. 48).
cOn the   (AUDIO SET) menu, set [AUDIO MIX] to [MIX] (p. 64).
cWhen you are using an S VIDEO cable or a component video cable, 
make sure the red and white plugs of the A/V connecting cable are 
connected as well (p. 52).
The sound breaks off.cClean the head using the cleaning cassette (p. 121).
The date search and index search do 
not work. There is a blank section at the beginning or in the middle of the tape. This 
is not a malfunction. 
The time code does not return to 
00:00:00:00 even if the tape was 
rewound to the beginning of 
recording. The time code at the beginning of recording may not appear correctly, 
however, this is not a malfunction. If you start playback, both time code 
and picture are displayed correctly from the beginning.
User-bits are not displayed correctly 
during fast-forward and rewinding. User-bits are not displayed correctly if the video signal is HDV without 
user-bits recorded and dubbed via i.LINK connection. [-- -- -- --] appears 
during playback, and [00 00 00 00] during fast-forward/rewinding.
“---” is displayed on the screen.  The tape you are playing was recorded without setting the date and time. 
 A blank section on the tape is being played.
 The data code on a tape with a scratch or noise cannot be read.
END SEARCH does not work.  The POWER switch is set to CAMERA.
 The cassette was ejected after recording (p. 50).
 The cassette is new and has nothing recorded.
END SEARCH does not work 
correctly. There is a blank section at the beginning or in the middle of the tape. This 
is not a malfunction. 
No picture appears during END 
SEARCH or Rec Review. The tape was recorded in both HDV and DVCAM (DV) formats. This is 
not a malfunction.
Cannot view the picture or hear the 
sound on the TV connected with the 
component video cable.cSet [COMPONENT] on the   (IN/OUT REC) menu according to the 
requirements of the connected device (p. 73).
cWhen you are using the component video cable, make sure the red and 
white plugs of the A/V connecting cable are connected (p. 52). 
						

							Troubleshooting110
Dubbing
The picture appears distorted on the 
4:3 TV. This happens when viewing a picture recorded in the 16:9 wide mode on 
a 4:3 TV.
cTo play back the picture, set [DOWN CONVERT] on the   (IN/
OUT REC) menu (p. 74).
cBefore recording, set [DV WIDE REC] on the   (IN/OUT REC) 
menu to [OFF] (p. 72).
Noises appear and  is displayed 
on the screen. On the   (OTHERS) menu, change the [50i/60i SEL] setting to 50i 
and playback the tape (p. 82).
 appears on the LCD screen.  This appears when you play back a tape recorded on other recording 
devices using a 4-channel microphone. This camcorder does not comply 
with the 4-channel microphone recording standard.
SymptomCause and/or Corrective Actions
Pictures from connected devices are 
not displayed on the LCD screen or 
the viewfinder.cSet [DISP OUTPUT] to [LCD PANEL] on the   (OTHERS) menu 
(p. 80).
Cannot dub correctly using the A/V 
connecting cable. cSet [DISP OUTPUT] to [LCD PANEL] on the   (OTHERS) menu 
(p. 80).
When connected using an i.LINK 
cable, no picture appears on the 
monitor screen during dubbing.cSet [VCR HDV/DV] on the   (IN/OUT REC) menu according to the 
requirements of the connected device (p. 70).
New sound added to a recorded tape 
is not heard. cIn the   (AUDIO SET) menu, set [AUDIO MIX] to [MIX] or 
[CH3,CH4] (p. 100).
Pictures disappears for a moment 
when you press EXPANDED 
FOCUS. If you press EXPANDED FOCUS during recording in the DVCAM 
(DV) format while transferring pictures to the connected device, pictures 
disappear when switching from the normal size to the expanded size.
Symptom Cause and/or Corrective Actions