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

							Recording
Recording31
If [ND1] flashes
Set the ND FILTER switch to 1 to turn on 
[ND1].
If [ND2] flashes
Set the ND FILTER switch to 2 to turn on 
[ND2].
If [ND OFF] flashes
Set the ND FILTER switch to OFF to turn off 
the indicator.
bNote
 If you move the ND FILTER switch during 
recording, the picture and sound may be distorted.
 If you adjust the iris manually, no ND filter indicator 
will appear even if the ND filter should be activated.
zTip
 If you close the iris extensively when recording a 
bright subject, diffraction may occur, resulting in a 
fuzzy focus. (This is a common phenomenon with 
video cameras.) The ND filter suppresses this 
phenomenon and gives better recording results.
Displaying the zebra pattern to 
adjust the brightness
If there is a part of the screen where 
brightness is over a certain level, the part may 
appear excessively white when played back. 
By displaying the zebra pattern on such a 
part, you can be reminded to adjust the 
brightness before recording.
Select the brightness level to display the 
zebra pattern in the menu setting.
1During recording or in the standby 
mode, press MENU.
2Select the   (CAMERA SET) menu 
by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
3Select [ZEBRA LEVEL] by turning 
the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press 
the dial.
,continued 
						

							Recording32
4Select the desired level by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
Select a value from [70] to [100] or [100+]. 
If you select [70], the zebra pattern appears 
at the part of 70±5 % of the brilliance 
signal.
If you select [100+], the zebra pattern 
appears at all areas of the brilliance signal 
over 100 %.
The default setting is [100+].
5Press MENU to hide the menu screen.
6Set the ZEBRA/PEAKING switch to 
ZEBRA.
The zebra pattern will appear.
To hide the zebra pattern
Set the ZEBRA/PEAKING switch to OFF.
bNote
 The zebra pattern is not recorded on the tape.
 You cannot use the zebra pattern when the peaking 
function is activated (p. 34).
Adjusting the focus
The focus is adjusted automatically in the 
default setting.
Adjusting the focus manually
You can adjust the focus manually according 
to the recording conditions. 
Use this function in the following cases.
– To record a subject behind a window covered 
with raindrops.
– To record horizontal stripes.
– To record a subject with little contrast 
between the subject and its background.
– When you want to focus on a subject in the 
background.
– To record a stationary subject using a tripod.
Focus ring 
						

							Recording
Recording33
1During recording or in the standby 
mode, set the FOCUS switch to MAN 
(manual).
9 appears.
2Rotate the focus ring and adjust the 
focus.
9 changes to   when the focus cannot be 
adjusted any farther. 9 changes to   
when the focus cannot be adjusted any 
closer.
Tips for focusing manually
 It is easier to focus on the subject when 
you use the zoom function. Move the 
power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) 
to adjust the focus, and then, towards W 
(wide angle) to adjust the zoom for 
recording.
 When you want to record a close-up 
image of a subject, move the power zoom 
lever towards W (wide angle) to fully 
magnify the image, then adjust the focus.
To focus on a distant subject
Record the subject with the FOCUS switch slid 
down to INFINITY.
 appears.
If you release the switch, it returns to automatic 
focusing.
Use this function to record a distant subject 
when a close subject is focused using automatic 
focusing.
To use the expanded focus
Press EXPANDED FOCUS.
[EXPANDED FOCUS] appears and the center 
of the screen is magnified by about 2 times. It 
will be easier to confirm the focus setting during 
manual focusing. The screen returns to the 
original size after about 5 seconds.
As long as the focus ring is rotated, the image 
remains magnified. The image returns to the 
original size in about 2 seconds after you release 
the ring, or when you press REC START/
STOP.
To adjust the focus automatically
Set the FOCUS switch to AUTO.
To focus automatically temporarily
Record the subject with PUSH AUTO pressed.
If you release the button, the setting returns to 
manual focusing.
Use this function to shift the focus from one 
subject to another. The scenes will transition 
smoothly.
zTip
 The focal distance information (for when it is dark 
and hard to adjust the focus) appears for about 3 
seconds in the following cases. (It will not be 
displayed correctly if you are using a conversion 
lens (optional).)
– When the focus mode is switched from automatic 
to manual.
– When you rotate the focus ring.
 If [EXP. FOCUS] on the   (OTHERS) menu is set 
to [MANUAL OFF], the screen will remain 
expanded even a certain time have passed after you 
press EXPANDED FOCUS. The image returns to 
the original size when you press REC START/
STOP.
 When [AF ASSIST] on the   (CAMERA) 
menu is set to [ON], you can focus manually by 
rotating the focus ring during auto focusing (p. 61). 
						

							Recording34
Enhancing the outline to focus 
– PEAKING
You can enhance the outline of the image on 
the screen for easier focusing.
During recording or in standby mode, set 
the ZEBRA/PEAKING switch to 
PEAKING.
To cancel peaking
Set the ZEBRA/PEAKING switch to OFF.
bNote
 The peaking is not recorded on the tape.
 You cannot use the peaking function when the zebra 
pattern is activated (p. 31).
zTip
 For easier focusing, use peaking together with the 
expanded focus.
 You can change peaking color and level in 
[PEAKING] on the   (CAMERA SET) menu 
(p. 60).
Customizing the 
picture quality 
– PICTURE PROFILE
You can customize the picture quality by 
adjusting the color intensity, brightness, 
white balance, etc. You can set 6 different 
picture quality settings depending on the 
recording time of day, the weather, or the 
camera person, and store them in the 
memory.
Connect your camcorder to a TV or monitor, 
and adjust the picture quality while observing 
the picture on the TV or monitor screen.
At the default setting, [PP1] through [PP6] 
are registered with picture quality settings for 
the following recording conditions.
You can change the above default settings at 
your convenience.
Picture profile 
numberRecording condition
PP1 Appropriate setting to record in 
the HDV format
PP2 Appropriate setting to record in 
the DVCAM (DV) format
PP3 Appropriate setting to record 
people
PP4 Appropriate setting to record 
film-like pictures
PP5 Appropriate setting to record 
sunset
PP6 Appropriate setting to record in 
black and white 
						

							Recording
Recording35
 
1In the standby mode, press PICTURE 
PROFILE.
2Select a picture profile number by 
turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
[PP1] through [PP6] are available.
3Select [SETTING] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
4Select an item to be adjusted by 
turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
5Adjust the picture quality by turning 
the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press 
the dial.
ItemAdjustment
[COLOR 
LEVEL]–7 (low) to +7 (high)
–8: black and white
[COLOR 
PHASE]–7 (greenish) to +7 (reddish)
[SHARP-
NESS]0 (softer) to 15 (clearer)
[SKINTONE 
DTL]To make wrinkles less 
noticeable by suppressing the 
outlines on the part in skin color 
to be enhanced.
[OFF]: No adjustment
[TYPE1] (the color range 
recognized as a skin color is 
narrow) to [TYPE3] (the color 
range recognized as a skin color 
is wide)
[SKINTONE 
LVL]Sets the enhancement level of 
the edge of the part in skin color 
for setting [SKINTONE DTL].
[HIGH] (to enhance strongly) to 
[LOW] (to enhance weakly)
[AE SHIFT] –7 (darker) to +7 (lighter)
[AGC 
LIMIT]Select the upper limit for the 
auto gain control (AGC) 
([OFF], 12dB, 6dB, 0dB).
[OFF] is 18dB.
[AT IRIS 
LMT]Select the highest aperture 
value for the automatic 
adjustment (F11, F6.8, F4).
[WB SHIFT] –7 (to make white parts bluish) 
to +7 (to make white parts 
reddish)
[ATW 
SENS]To set the auto white balance 
operation under a reddish light 
source such as an incandescent 
lamp or candle, or under a 
blueish light source such as in 
outdoor shade.
[HIGH] (reddishness or 
blueishness is reduced) to 
[LOW] (reddishness or 
blueishness is increased)
[ATW SENS] is not effective 
under a clear sky or the sun.
[BLACK 
STRTCH][ON]: To raise the γ curve 
characteristics of the dark part 
so that the gradation of the dark 
part is reproduced better. 
ItemAdjustment
,continued 
						

							Recording36
6Repeat steps 4 and 5 to adjust other 
items.
7Select [ RETURN] by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
8Select [OK] by turning the SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial, then press the dial.
A picture profile indicator appears.
To cancel the picture profile recording
Select [OFF] in step 2, then press the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial.
To check the picture profile settings
During recording or in the standby mode, press 
STATUS CHECK (p. 24).
To copy the picture profile setting to 
other picture profiles
1
Press PICTURE PROFILE.
2Select the number of the picture profile 
to be copied from by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
3Select [SETTING] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
4Select [COPY] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
5Select the number of the picture profile 
to be copied to by turning the SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial, then press the dial.
6Select [YES] by turning the SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial, then press the dial.
If you decide not to copy the settings, select 
[NO].
7Press PICTURE PROFILE.
To reset the picture profile settings
You can reset the picture profile settings by 
picture profile number. You cannot reset all 
picture profile settings at once.
1Press PICTURE PROFILE.
2Select the number of the picture profile 
to be reset by turning the SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial, then press the dial.
3Select [SETTING] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
4Select [RESET] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
5Select [YES] by turning the SEL/PUSH 
EXEC dial, then press the dial.
[CINEMA-
TONE γ][OFF]: Normal recording
[TYPE1]: A better tone scale 
than the standard video gamma 
reproduces natural intermediate 
colors between a skin color and 
neutral colors. A skin color will 
look lively when recorded with 
this setting. Further, the 
reproduction of extremely 
precise description of 
highlighted parts provides 
depth in pictures.
[TYPE2]: In addition to the 
features of [TYPE1], this 
setting is capable of extremely 
precise description of the entire 
exposure zone from shadowed 
parts to highlighted parts, which 
enables reproduction of a 
deeper black.
[CINE-
FRAME]When [50i/60i SEL] is set to 60i
[OFF]: Normal recording
[CINEFRAME 30]:
Pictures are recorded with a 
cinema-like atmosphere. This 
produces the feeling of 
smoothness better than 
[CINEFRAME 24].
[CINEFRAME 24]:
Pictures are recorded with the 
atmosphere of 24 frames per 
second adopted by film 
recording.
When [50i/60i SEL] is set to 50i
[OFF]: Normal recording
[CINEFRAME 25]:
Pictures are recorded with a 
cinema-like atmosphere. 
[COPY] To copy a picture profile setting 
to other picture profiles.
[RESET] To restore the default setting of 
the picture profile.
ItemAdjustment 
						

							Recording
Recording37
If you decide not to reset the picture profile, 
select [NO].
6Press PICTURE PROFILE.
bNote
 If you select [TYPE3] in [SKINTONE DTL], the 
effect may also be applied to a color that is not a skin 
color.
 When [SKINTONE DTL] is set to [OFF], 
[SKINTONE LVL] setting will not be effective, and 
the edge of the part of skin color will be enhanced at 
the strongest level.
 If you adjust all of the iris, shutter speed and gain 
manually, you cannot obtain the effect of [AE 
SHIFT]. 
 If you adjust the iris manually, you cannot obtain the 
effect of [AT IRIS LMT].
 If the object is so bright that the aperture value set in 
[AT IRIS LMT] is not appropriate, the shutter speed 
may reach:
– up to 1/2000 when [50i/60i SEL] on the   
(OTHERS) menu is set to 60i.
– up to 1/1750 when [50i/60i SEL] on the   
(OTHERS) menu is set to 50i.
 If you adjust the gain manually, you cannot obtain 
the effect of [AGC LIMIT].
 If you select [CINEFRAME 24] when the shutter 
speed is slower than 1/30, the shutter speed is 
automatically set to 1/60. 
 If you select [CINEFRAME 30] when the shutter 
speed is slower than 1/15, the shutter speed is 
automatically set to 1/30. 
 If you select [CINEFRAME 25] when the shutter 
speed is slower than 1/12, the shutter speed is 
automatically set to 1/25. 
 If you change the setting of [50i/60i SEL] on the   
(OTHERS) menu, [CINEFRAME] is set to [OFF] 
for PP1 through PP6.
Customizing the 
sound
Adjusting the audio recording 
level – Microphone volume level
You can adjust the microphone volume while 
recording. Checking the volume with 
headphones is recommended.
If you input external audio sources, you can 
adjust the recording level of channel 1 and 
channel 2 separately.
(To adjust the volume of the internal 
microphone, operate the AUDIO SELECT 
CH1 switch and the CH1 dial. The recording 
level of channel 1 and channel 2 are adjusted 
in unison.)
1Set the AUDIO SELECT switch of the 
channel to be adjusted (CH1 or CH2) 
to MAN.
To adjust the internal microphone, set the 
CH1 switch to MAN.
,continued 
						

							Recording38
The audio level meter appears.
2During recording or in the standby 
mode, adjust the volume of the 
microphone by turning the AUDIO 
LEVEL dial.
Adjust the microphone level of channel 1 
by turning the CH1 dial, and that of channel 
2 by turning the CH2 dial.
Adjust the internal microphone volume by 
turning the CH1 dial.
To restore automatic adjustment
Set the AUDIO SELECT switch of the 
manually adjusted channels to AUTO.
bNote
 You cannot adjust the volume of audio input via the 
AUDIO/VIDEO jack or the  HDV/DV jack.
zTip
 To check the audio setting information in greater 
detail, press STATUS CHECK (p. 24). You can also 
check the microphone volume during automatic 
adjustment.
 When using an external microphone, set [MIC 
SELECT] on the   (AUDIO SET) menu to [XLR] 
(p. 65).
 To link the audio level of channel 1 and channel 2 
when using external microphones, select the   
(AUDIO SET) menu, [XLR SET], [XLR AGC 
LINK], then [LINKED] (p. 66). Make sure that the 
AUDIO SELECT switches, CH1 and CH2, are both 
set to AUTO.
Connecting external audio 
sources
Connect an external microphone and/or 
audio device to the INPUT1/INPUT2 
connectors.
To attach an external microphone
Only a microphone of 21 mm in diameter can be 
attached.
1Loosen the microphone holder screw, 
and open the cover.
2Place the microphone in the microphone 
holder, close the cover, and tighten the 
screw.
Hook the microphone cable on the cable 
holder.
bNote
 If the microphone part of the attached external 
microphone is long, it may obstruct the light of a 
video light, etc. attached to the shoe adaptor.
External microphone 
(optional)
Cable holder 
						

							Recording
Recording39
To connect the cable of the microphone 
or audio device
Align the pins of the plug to the INPUT1 or 
INPUT2 connectors, and connect them 
securely.
Selecting the recording channel
The following settings are required to record 
the audio source connected to the INPUT1 or 
INPUT2 connector.
1In the standby mode, press MENU.
2Select the   (AUDIO SET) menu by 
turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
3Select [MIC SELECT] by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
4Select [XLR] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
5Select [XLR SET] by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
6Select [XLR CH SET] by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
7Select a channel by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
8Set [INPUT1 LEVEL] or [INPUT2 
LEVEL], and the PHANTOM switch 
for each connector.
XLR connector (male)
ConnectorXLR CH 
SETRecorded 
channel
INPUT1 CH1 Channel 1
CH1, CH2 Channel 1
Channel 2
INPUT2 CH1 Channel 2
CH1, CH2 None 
SourceCon-
nectorMenuPHAN-
TOM 
switch
Micro-
phoneINPUT1 [INPUT1 
LEVEL] – 
[MIC]ON
INPUT2 [INPUT2 
LEVEL] – 
[MIC]ON
,continued 
						

							Recording40
9Press MENU to hide the menu screen.
bNote
 When you use an external microphone, make sure 
that the wind screen will not be included in the 
picture using [ALLSCAN MODE] (p. 87).
 If you connect a device other than PHANTOM 
compatible devices, set the PHANTOM switch to 
OFF. Otherwise, the connected device may be 
damaged.
zTip
 To avoid the noise caused by strong wind, set 
[INPUT1 WIND] or [INPUT2 WIND] to [ON], 
according to the connector the external device is 
connected to (p. 67). 
 It is recommended that you set [MIC NR] to [OFF] 
(p. 65) when:
– you use the microphone at a distance from the 
camcorder.
– you set [XLR CH SEL] to [CH1], and input sound 
only from the INPUT1 connector.
– you set [INPUT1 LEVEL]/[INPUT2 LEVEL] to 
[LINE].
Recording a picture 
using various 
features
Developing scenes smoothly 
– Shot transition
You can register the settings of focus, zoom, 
iris, gain, shutter speed, and white balance, 
and then change the recording setting from 
the current one to the registered one, resulting 
in a smooth transition of scenes (Shot 
transition). 
For example, you can shift the focus from 
closer objects to farther objects, or change the 
depth of field by adjusting the iris. In 
addition, you can develop scenes under 
different recording conditions smoothly. If 
you register the manual adjustment function 
of the white balance, the scenes will develop 
smoothly between objects indoor and those 
outdoor.
Use a tripod to avoid camera-shake.
Set the transition curve and duration using 
[SHOT TRANS] on the   (CAMERA 
SET) menu. You can use a timer to start the 
shot transition (p. 59). 
Audio 
deviceINPUT1 [INPUT1 
LEVEL] – 
[LINE]OFF
INPUT2 [INPUT2 
LEVEL] – 
[LINE]OFF
SourceCon-
nectorMenuPHAN-
TOM 
switch
SHOT A
SHOT B