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

							Playback
Playback51
Displaying the date/time and 
camera settings data – Data code
During playback, you can view the date/time 
data and the camera settings data that are 
automatically recorded while recording 
pictures on a tape.
1Set the POWER switch to VCR.
2Press DATA CODE on the camcorder 
or Remote Commander during 
playback or playback pause.
Each time you press the button, the 
indicators appear in turn as follows:
Date/time t Camera settings data t (no 
display)
Camera settings data display
In the date/time data display, the date and time 
is displayed in the same area.
If you record the picture without setting the 
clock, [--- -- ----] and [--:--:--] will appear.
ASteadyShot off
BExposure
CAperture value
If you manually adjust the aperture value to 
the maximum,   appears.
DGain
EShutter speed
FWhite balance
 appears when pictures recorded by 
using the shot transition function are played 
back.
To hide the camera settings data
Select the   (OTHERS) menu, [DATA 
CODE], then [DATE] (p. 80).
Each time you press DATA CODE, the date/
time indicator turns on and off.
Displaying the video information 
– Status check
You can check the setup value of the 
following items.
 Audio setup such as audio mix (p. 64)
 Output signal setup ([VCR HDV/DV], etc.) 
(p. 70)
 Functions assigned to the ASSIGN buttons 
(p. 86)
1Press STATUS CHECK.
2Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to 
display the desired item.
Each time you turn the dial, the items 
appear in the following order:
AUIDO t OUTPUT t ASSIGN
To turn off the video information
Press STATUS CHECK.
F1.7 1006dB
00:00:00:00
AUTO
60min60minHDV1080i 
						

							Playback52
Playing the picture on 
a TV
TV connections differ depending on the type 
of TV.Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet 
using the supplied connecting cable (DK-
415) and AC Adaptor/charger for the power 
supply (p. 13). 
Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied 
with the devices to be connected.
To copy to another tape, see page 89.
Viewing the picture on a high definition TV
Connect your camcorder and your TV 
using either cables described below.
To connect the TV using an i.LINK cable
This connection is recommended when your TV 
is compatible with HDV/DV and has an i.LINK 
jack.
 Before connecting the i.LINK cable, select the 
 (IN/OUT REC) menu, [VCR HDV/DV], 
then [AUTO] (the default setting). In case of this connection, the TV needs to be 
set so that it recognizes that the camcorder is 
connected. Refer to the operating manual 
supplied with the TV for the details.
To connect the TV using the component 
video cable
 To view the picture recorded in the HDV 
format, set [COMPONENT] on the   (IN/
OUT REC) menu according to your TV 
(p. 73). When the picture recorded in the 
Signal flowA/V connecting 
cable (supplied)Yellow
White
Red S video cable 
(optional)TV
Component video cable (supplied)
i.LINK cable (optional)When you have an S video jack 
on your TV or VCR
Red Blue Green 
						

							Playback
Playback53
DVCAM (DV) format is played back, an 
equivalent picture with DVCAM (DV) format 
is output regardless of [COMPONENT] 
setting.
 Only video signals are output from the 
COMPONENT OUTPUT jack. To output 
audio signals, connect the white and red plugs 
of the A/V connecting cable to the audio input 
jack of your TV.
To connect the TV using the A/V 
connecting cable
When there is an S video jack on the device to 
be connected, connect it with your camcorder 
by the S video jacks using an S video cable 
(optional) instead of the yellow video plug of 
the A/V connecting cable (supplied). This 
connection produces pictures more faithfully on 
the TV connected. The audio will not be output 
when you connect with the S video cable alone.
bNote
 Be sure that you set [VCR HDV/DV] before 
connecting the i.LINK cable. Otherwise, the TV 
might not be able to recognize the video signal 
correctly.
 Pictures in the DVCAM (DV) format are not output 
from the COMPONENT OUTPUT jack, if 
copyright protection signals are recorded in the 
pictures.
zTip
 If you connect your camcorder to your TV using 
more than one type of cables to output the pictures 
via analog jacks, the output signals have priority in 
the following order:
COMPONENT OUTPUT jack t S VIDEO jack 
t AUDIO/VIDEO jack
 See page 119 for details on i.LINK.
When your TV is connected to a VCR
Connect your camcorder to the LINE IN input 
on the VCR using the A/V connecting cable. Set 
the input selector on the VCR to LINE. 
						

							Playback54
Viewing the picture on a 16:9 TV or a 4:3 TV
Connect your camcorder and your TV or 
VCR using either cables described below.
To connect the TV using the component 
video cable
This connection is recommended when your TV 
has COMPONENT VIDEO jacks.
 To view the picture recorded in the HDV 
format, set [COMPONENT] on the   (IN/
OUT REC) menu according to your TV 
(p. 73). When a picture recorded in the 
DVCAM (DV) format is played back, an 
equivalent picture with DVCAM (DV) format 
is output regardless of [COMPONENT] 
setting.
 Only video signals are output from the 
COMPONENT OUTPUT jack. To output 
audio signals, connect the white and red plugs 
of the A/V connecting cable to the audio input 
jack of your TV or VCR.To connect the TV using the A/V 
connecting cable
When there is an S video jack on the device to 
be connected, connect it with your camcorder 
by the S video jacks using an S video cable 
(optional) instead of the yellow video plug of 
the A/V connecting cable (supplied). Use an S 
video cable to produce high resolution pictures. 
The audio will not be output when you connect 
with the S video cable alone.
To view the picture on a 4:3 TV
 To view the picture recorded in the HDV 
format, select the   (IN/OUT REC) menu, 
[DOWN CONVERT], then a desired mode 
(p. 74).
 To view the picture recorded in the DVCAM 
(DV) format, select the   (IN/OUT REC) 
Signal flowA/V connecting 
cable (supplied)Yellow
White
Red When you have an S video jack 
on your TV or VCR
S video cable 
(optional)TV or VCR
Component video cable (supplied)
Red Blue Green 
						

							Playback
Playback55
menu, [DV WIDE REC], then [OFF] before 
recording (p. 72).
When your TV is connected to a VCR
Connect your camcorder to the LINE IN input 
on the VCR using the A/V connecting cable. Set 
the input selector on the VCR to LINE.
When your TV is monaural (When your 
TV has only one audio input jack)
Connect the yellow plug of the A/V connecting 
cable to the video input jack and connect the 
white or the red plug to the audio input jack of 
your TV or VCR.
When you want to play the sound in monaural 
mode, use a connecting cable (optional) for that 
purpose.
bNote
 Pictures in the DVCAM (DV) format are not output 
from the COMPONENT OUTPUT jack, if 
copyright protection signals are recorded in the 
pictures.
Locating a scene on a 
tape for playback
Searching for a scene by date of 
recording – Date search
You can locate the point where the recording 
date changes.
1Set the POWER switch to VCR.
2Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote 
Commander repeatedly to select 
[DATE SEARCH].
3Press . (previous)/> (next) on 
the Remote Commander to select a 
recording date.
You can select the previous or the next date 
of the present point on the tape.
Playback starts automatically from the 
point where the date changes.
To cancel the operation
Press STOP on the Remote Commander.
bNote
 If 1 day’s recording is less than 2 minutes, your 
camcorder may not accurately find the point where 
the recording date changes.
 The Date search will not function correctly when 
there is a blank section between recorded sections on 
the tape.
. / > SEARCH MODE
STOP 
						

							Playback56
Searching for a recording start 
point – Index search
You can locate the point where an index 
signal is recorded (p. 44).
1Set the POWER switch to VCR.
2Press SEARCH MODE on the Remote 
Commander repeatedly to select 
[INDEX SEARCH].
3Press . (previous)/> (next) on 
the Remote Commander to select an 
index point.
You can select the previous or the next 
index signal of the present point on the tape.
Playback starts automatically from the 
point where the index signal is recorded.
To cancel the operation
Press STOP on the Remote Commander.
bNote
 If 1 day’s recording is less than 2 minutes, your 
camcorder may not accurately find the index point.
 The Index search will not function correctly when 
there is a blank section between recorded sections on 
the tape.
. / > SEARCH MODE
STOP 
						

							Using the Menu
Using the Menu57
BAdvanced operations
Using the Menu
Selecting menu items
You can change various settings or make 
detailed adjustments using the menu items 
displayed on the screen.
1Turn on the power (p. 14).
2Press MENU to display the menu 
index screen.
3Select the icon of the desired menu by 
turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
CAMERA SET (p. 58)
AUDIO SET (p. 64)LCD/VF SET (p. 68)
IN/OUT REC (p. 70)
TC/UB SET (p. 76)
OTHERS (p. 78)
4Select the desired item by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
The available menu items vary depending 
on the power mode of your camcorder. 
Unavailable items will be grayed out.
5Select the desired setting by turning 
the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press 
the dial.
6Press MENU to hide the menu screen.
To return to the previous screen, select 
[ RETURN].
POWER switch
 [MENU]: END
CAMERA  SETWB  PRESET
WB  OUTDR  LV L
GA I N  SETUP
SHOT  TRANS
COLOR CORRCT
STEADYSHOT
STDYSHO T  TYPSTBY
STBY
 [MENU]: END
OTHERS
  RETURN
ASS I GN  BTN
CLOCK  SET
WORLD  T I ME
LANGUAGE
QU I CK  REC
BEEP
REC  LAMP
00:00:00:00120min
REMOTE  CTRLSTBY
 [MENU]: END
ON
OFF
OTHERS STBY
    REMA I N I NG
D I SP  OUTPUT
ZOOM  D I SPLAY
EXP. FOCUS
HOURS  METER
DA TE  REC
REMOTE  CTRL
50 i / 60 i   SELOFF
 [MENU]: END 
						

							Using the Menu58
Using the   
(CAMERA SET) menu
 
– STDYSHOT TYP/FRAME REC, etc.
You can select the items listed below on the 
CAMERA SET menu. For details on how to 
select items, see “Selecting menu items” 
(p. 57).
The default settings are marked with G. The 
indicators in parentheses appear when the setting is selected. The settings you can adjust 
vary depending on the power mode of your 
camcorder. The screen shows the items you can 
operate at the moment. Unavailable items will 
be grayed out.
WB PRESET
Select to use the preset white balance. See page 27 for details.
WB OUTDR LVL
When [OUTDOOR] is selected for the preset white balance, you can select the 
white balance value for outdoor recording by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. 
Levels from –7 (bluish) through +7 (reddish) are available. It is set to 0 (standard) 
in the default setting.
GAIN SETUP
Select the adjustment value for each position (H, M, and L) of the GAIN switch 
(p. 29).
1Select [H], [M], or [L] by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press 
the dial.
2Select an adjustment value by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then 
press the dial.
0dB, 3dB, 6dB, 9dB, 12dB, 15dB, and 18dB are available. The larger the 
number, the greater the gain.
3Select [OK] by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
4Press MENU to hide the menu screen.
CAMERA  SET STBY
  RETURN
WB  PRESET
WB  OUTDR  LV L
GA I N  SETUP
SHOT  TRANS
COLOR CORRCT
STEADYSHOT
STDY SHOT  T Y P
 [MENU]: END
OUTDOOR 
						

							Using the Menu
Using the Menu59
SHOT TRANS
Select this setting to set the transition duration, time, and start timer. See page 40 
for details on using the shot transition function.
bNote Before setting [SHOT TRANS], turn off all of the STORE/CHECK/EXEC lamps by 
pressing the button repeatedly (p. 40).
TRANS TIME
Select the time that takes to make a transition from the current setting to the 
selected setting.
Duration from [2.0 sec] through [15.0 sec] are available. It is set to [4.0 sec] in the 
default setting.
TRANS CURVE
Select the transition curve.
The figures below show the transition curve of each mode.
*1: parameter level
*2: transition of time
START TIMER
LINEARSelect to make the transition linearly.
GSOFT STOPSelect to make the transition slowly at the end.
SOFT TRANSSelect to make the transition slowly at the 
beginning and end, and linearly in between.
GOFFSelect to start the shot transition immediately.
5 secSelect to start the shot transition after 5 seconds.
10 secSelect to start the shot transition after 10 seconds.
20 secSelect to start the shot transition after 20 seconds.*1
*2
*1
*2
*1
*2
,continued 
						

							Using the Menu60
COLOR CORRCT
Select this setting to revise a specific color to be recorded as you desire. See 
page 42 for details on using the Color Correction function.
STEADYSHOT
bNote The SteadyShot function does not work well when a wide conversion lens other than VCL-
HG0872 (optional) is attached to your camcorder.
 When using VCL-HG0872, select [WIDE CONV.] in [STDYSHOT TYP] below.
STDYSHOT TYP
You can select the type of the SteadyShot function that compensates for camera-
shake. To release the SteadyShot function, select [OFF] in [STEADYSHOT] or 
use the ASSIGN button assigned to the SteadyShot function (p. 86).
PEAKING
You can change the outline color and level for peaking.
GONSelect to activate the SteadyShot function. You can select the type of 
the SteadyShot function in [STDYSHOT TYP].
OFF ( )Select to deactivate the SteadyShot function. Select when recording 
using a tripod. More natural pictures are produced.
You can also deactivate the SteadyShot function by using the 
ASSIGN button assigned to the SteadyShot function (p. 86).
HARDSelect to activate the SteadyShot function with stronger effect. This 
mode is not recommended for recording with camera panning 
technique.
GSTANDARDSelect to activate the standard SteadyShot function.
SOFTSelect to activate the SteadyShot function so that it leaves a slight 
unsteadiness on the picture so the picture looks natural.
WIDE CONV.Select when a wide conversion lens (optional) is attached. This mode 
is the most effective with Sony VCL-HG0872 wide conversion lens.
COLOR[WHITE], [RED], [YELLOW] are available for the outline color. It is 
set to [WHITE] in the default setting.
LEVEL[HIGH], [MIDDLE], [LOW] are available for the outline level. It is 
set to [MIDDLE] in the default setting.