Sony Handycam HDRCX12 User Manual

							Customizing your camcorder
81
WHITE BAL. (White balance)
You can adjust the color balance to the 
brightness of the recording environment.  AUTO
The white balance is adjusted 
automatically.
	OUTDOOR (  )The white balance is appropriately 
adjusted for the following recording 
conditions:
 Outdoors Night views, neon signs and fireworks Sunrise or sunset Under daylight fluorescent lamps
	 INDOOR ()The white balance is appropriately 
adjusted for the following recording 
conditions:
 Indoors At party scenes or studios where the 
lighting conditions change quickly
  Under video lamps in a studio, or under 
sodium lamps or incandescent-like color 
lamps
	 ONE PUSH (  )The white balance will be adjusted 
according to the ambient light.
  Touch [ONE PUSH].
  Frame a white object such as a piece of 
paper, to fill the screen under the same 
lighting conditions as you will shoot 
the subject.
  Touch [
].   flashes quickly. When the white 
balance has been adjusted and stored 
in the memory, the indicator stops 
flashing.
Notes
  Set [WHITE BAL.] to [AUTO] or adjust the 
color in [ONE PUSH] under white or cool 
white fluorescent lamps.
  When you select [ONE PUSH], keep framing 
white object while  is flashing quickly.

  flashes slowly if [ONE PUSH] could not be 
set.
  When [ONE PUSH] was selected, if  keeps 
flashing after touching , set [WHITE BAL.] 
to [AUTO].
  When you set [WHITE BAL.], [SCENE 
SELECTION] is set to [AUTO].
Tips  If you have changed the battery pack while 
[AUTO] was selected, or taken your camcorder 
outdoors after inside use (or vice versa), select 
[AUTO] and aim your camcorder at a nearby 
white object for about 10 seconds for better 
color balance adjustment.
  When the white balance has been set with 
[ONE PUSH], if you change the [SCENE 
SELECTION] settings, or bring your camcorder 
outdoors from inside the house, or vice versa, 
you need to redo the [ONE PUSH] procedure 
to readjust the white balance.
COLOR SLOW SHTR  
(Color Slow Shutter)
When you set [COLOR SLOW SHTR] to 
[ON],  appears, and you can record an 
image brighter in color even in dark places.
To cancel, touch [OFF].
Notes  Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p.  79) 
when it is hard to focus automatically.
  The shutter speed of your camcorder changes 
depending on the brightness, which may result 
in a slowdown of the motion of the image.
SUPER NIGHTSHOT 
The image will be recorded at a 
maximum of 16 times the sensitivity of 
NightShot recording if you set [SUPER 
NIGHTSHOT] to [ON] while the 
NIGHTSHOT switch (p.
  28) is also set to 
ON.
 appears on the screen.
To cancel, touch [OFF].

  
						

							82
Notes Do not use [SUPER NIGHTSHOT] in bright 
places. This may cause a malfunction.
  Do not cover the infrared port with your fingers 
or other objects (p.  28).
 Remove the conversion lens (optional). Adjust the focus manually ([FOCUS], p.  79) 
when it is hard to focus automatically.
  The shutter speed of your camcorder changes 
depending on the brightness, which may result 
in a slowdown of the motion of the image.
FADER
You can record a transition with the 
following effects adding to the interval 
between scenes.
  Select the desired effect in [STBY] (to fade in) 
or [REC] (to fade out) mode, then touch .
  Press START/STOP.  
The fader indicator stops flashing and 
disappears when the fade is complete.
To cancel the fader before starting the 
operation, touch [OFF] in step .
If you press START/STOP, the setting is 
canceled.
	 WHITE FADER
	BLACK FADER
D.EFFECT (Digital effect)
When you select [OLD MOVIE],  
appears and you can add an old movie 
effect to images.
To cancel [D.EFFECT], touch [OFF].
PICT.EFFECT (Picture effect)
You can add special effects to an image 
during recording.  appears.
  OFF
Does not use [PICT.EFFECT] function.
	SEPIAImages appear in sepia.
	B&W (Black and white)Images appear in black and white.
	PASTEL
Images appear as a pale pastel drawing.
BLT-IN ZOOM MIC (Built-in 
zoom microphone)
When you set [BLT-IN ZOOM MIC] to 
[ON] (), you can record a movie with 
directional sound as you move the power 
zoom lever or press the zoom buttons 
on the LCD frame (The default setting is 
[OFF]).
MICREF LEVEL (Microphone 
reference level)
You can select the microphone level for 
recording sound. 
Select [LOW] when you want to record an 
exciting and powerful sound in a concert 
hall, etc.
  NORMAL
Records various surround sounds, 
converting them into the appropriate level.
	LOW (  )Records surround sound faithfully. 
This setting is not suitable for recording 
conversations.
Fading out Fading in  
						

							Customizing your camcorder
8
SELF-TIMER
When you set this to [ON],  appears.
Press PHOTO to start the count down, 
a still image is recorded after about 10 
seconds.  
To cancel the count down, touch [RESET].
To cancel the self-timer, select [OFF].
 Tips  You can also operate by pressing PHOTO on 
the Remote Commander (p.
  108).
 
						

							84
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
If you run into any problems using your 
camcorder, use the following table to 
troubleshoot the problem. If the problem 
persists, disconnect the power source and 
contact your Sony dealer.
 Overall operations/Easy Handycam 
operation/Remote Commander  ............. 84
 Batteries/Power sources  ........................... 85
 LCD screen  ................................................ 86
 “Memory Stick PRO Duo”  ...................... 86
 Recording................................................... 86
 Playing back  .............................................. 88
 Editing images on your camcorder  ........ 89
 Viewing on the TV  ................................... 89
 Playing back images stored on a “Memory 
Stick PRO Duo” on other devices  .......... 89
 Dubbing/Connecting to other  
devices  ........................................................ 89
 Functions that cannot be used 
simultaneously  .......................................... 90
Overall operations/Easy Handycam 
operation/Remote Commander
The power does not turn on.
 Attach a charged battery pack to the 
camcorder (p.  15).
 The plug of the AC Adaptor has been 
disconnected from the wall outlet (wall 
socket). Connect it to the wall outlet (wall 
socket) (p.
  15). Set the camcorder onto the Handycam 
Station securely (p.  15).
The camcorder does not operate even 
when the power is set to on.
 It takes a few seconds for your camcorder 
to be ready to shoot after the power is 
turned on. This is not a malfunction.
  Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall 
outlet (wall socket) or remove the battery 
pack, then reconnect it after about 1 
minute. If the functions still do not work, 
press RESET (p.
  106) using a pointed 
object (If you press RESET, all settings, 
including the clock setting, are reset.).
Buttons do not work.
  During Easy Handycam operation (p.  22), 
the following buttons/functions are not 
available.
   (back light) button (p.  29) CAMERA CONTROL dial (p.  30) Playback zoom (p. 34) To turn on and off the LCD backlight 
(Pressing and holding DISP/BATT INFO 
for a few seconds) (p.
  20)
The  (OPTION) is not displayed.
  The OPTION MENU cannot be used 
during Easy Handycam operation.
The menu settings have changed 
automatically.
  During Easy Handycam operation, nearly 
all the menu items will be automatically set 
to the default settings.
  For some menu items such as [IMAGE 
SIZE], the setting before entering the Easy 
Handycam operation is maintained during 
the Easy Handycam operation.
  During Easy Handycam operation, some 
menu items are fixed as follows.
  [REC MODE] : [HD SP] or [SD SP] [FRAME SETTING] : [ON] [DATA CODE] : [DATE/TIME] Some Easy Handycam settings are 
maintained after Easy Handycam operation 
is canceled.
  The following menu items return to the 
default settings when you set the POWER 
switch to OFF (CHG) for more than 12 
hours.
  [FLASH MODE] [SPOT MTR/FCS] [SPOT METER] [SPOT FOCUS] [EXPOSURE] [FOCUS] [SCENE SELECTION] [WHITE BAL.] 
						

							Troubleshooting
85
 [COLOR SLOW SHTR] [SUPER NIGHTSHOT] [BLT-IN ZOOM MIC] [MICREF LEVEL]
Your camcorder gets warm.
 Your camcorder may become warm during 
operation. This is not a malfunction.
The supplied Remote Commander does 
not function.
  Set [REMOTE CTRL] to [ON] (p.  75). Insert a battery into the battery holder with 
the +/– polarities correctly matching the 
+/– marks (p.  108).
  Remove any obstructions between the 
Remote Commander and the remote 
sensor.
  Point the remote sensor away from strong 
light sources such as direct sunlight or 
overhead lighting. Otherwise, the Remote 
Commander may not function properly.
Another DVD device malfunctions 
when you use the supplied Remote 
Commander.
  Select a commander mode other than DVD 
2 for your DVD device, or cover the sensor 
of your DVD device with black paper.
Batteries/Power sources
The power abruptly turns off.
  Use the AC Adaptor. In the default setting, when approximately 
5 minutes have elapsed while you do not 
operate your camcorder, the camcorder is 
automatically turned off (A.SHUT OFF). 
Change the setting of [A.SHUT OFF] 
(p.

  75), or turn on the power again.
  When the time selected in [QUICK ON 
STBY] has elapsed during sleep mode, 
the camcorder is automatically turned off 
(p.
  75). Turn on the power again.
  Charge the battery pack (p.  15).
The /CHG (charge) lamp does not 
light while the battery pack is being 
charged.
  Turn the POWER switch to OFF (CHG) 
(p.
  15).
  Attach the battery pack to the camcorder 
correctly (p.  15).
 Connect the power cord (mains lead) to 
the wall outlet (wall socket) properly.
  The battery charge is completed (p.  15). Set the camcorder onto the Handycam 
Station securely (p.  15).
The /CHG (charge) lamp flashes while 
the battery pack is being charged.
  Attach the battery pack to the camcorder 
correctly (p.  15). If the problem persists, 
disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall 
outlet (wall socket) and contact your Sony 
dealer. The battery pack may be damaged.
The remaining battery time indicator 
does not indicate the correct time.
  The temperature of the environment is too 
high or too low. This is not a malfunction.
  The battery pack has not been charged 
enough. Fully charge the battery again. If 
the problem persists, replace the battery 
pack with a new one (p.
  15).
  The indicated time may not be correct 
depending on the environment of use.
The battery pack is quickly discharged.
  The temperature of the environment is too 
high or low. This is not a malfunction.
  The battery pack has not been charged 
enough. Fully charge the battery again. If 
the problem persists, replace the battery 
pack with a new one (p.
  15). 
						

							86
LCD screen
Menu items are grayed out.
 You cannot select grayed items in the 
current recording/playback situation.
  There are some functions you cannot 
activate simultaneously (p.  90).
The buttons do not appear on the 
touch panel.
 Press DISP/BATT INFO on your 
camcorder (or DISPLAY on the Remote 
Commander) (p.
  20, 108).
The buttons on the touch panel do not 
work correctly or do not work at all.
  Adjust the touch panel ([CALIBRATION]) 
(p.
  101).
“Memory Stick PRO Duo”
You cannot operate functions using the 
“Memory Stick PRO Duo.”
  If you use a “Memory Stick PRO Duo” 
formatted on a computer, format it again 
on your camcorder (p.  57).
You cannot delete images stored on or 
format the “Memory Stick PRO Duo.”
  The maximum number of still images that 
you can delete on the index screen at one 
time is 100.
  You cannot delete the still images protected 
on another device.
The data file name is not indicated 
correctly or flashes.
  The file is damaged. The file format is not supported by your 
camcorder (p.  97).
Recording
Refer also to “Memory Stick PRO Duo” 
(p.
 86).
Pressing START/STOP or PHOTO does 
not record images.
  The playback screen is displayed. Set the 
POWER switch to  (Movie) or  (Still) 
(p. 26).
  You cannot record images in sleep mode. 
Press the QUICK ON button (p.  28). Your camcorder is recording the image 
you have just shot onto the “Memory 
Stick PRO Duo.” You cannot make a new 
recording during this period.
  The “Memory Stick PRO Duo” is full. 
Insert a new “Memory Stick PRO Duo” 
or format it (p.
  57). You may delete 
unnecessary images as well (p.  45).
  Total number of movie scenes or still 
images exceeds the recordable capacity 
on your camcorder (p.  10, 66). Delete 
unnecessary images (p.
  45). 
You cannot record a still image. 
  You cannot record a still image together 
with:
  [SMTH SLW REC]  [FADER] [D.EFFECT] [PICT.EFFECT]
The access lamp remains lit or flashing 
even when you stop recording.
 Your camcorder is recording the scene you 
have just shot on the “Memory Stick PRO 
Duo.”
The recording angle looks different.
  The recording angle may look different 
depending on the condition of your 
camcorder. This is not a malfunction. 
						

							Troubleshooting
8
The flash does not work.
 You cannot record with the flash while:  Capturing still images while shooting a 
movie
 If a conversion lens (optional) is attached Even if auto flash or  (Auto redeye 
reduction) is selected, you cannot use the 
flash with:
  NightShot [SPOT MTR/FCS] [SPOT METER] [MANUAL] in [EXPOSURE] [TWILIGHT], [CANDLE], 
[SUNRISE&SUNSET], [FIREWORKS], 
[LANDSCAPE], [SPOTLIGHT], 
[BEACH] or [SNOW] in [SCENE 
SELECTION]
 [SUPER NIGHTSHOT]
The actual recording time for movie is 
less than the expected approximate 
recording time of the “Memory Stick 
PRO Duo.”
 Depending on the recoding conditions or 
the subject of the image, the time available 
for recording may be shorter, for example 
when recording a fast moving object, etc. 
(p.
  10).
There is a time difference between the 
point where you press START/STOP 
and the point that the recorded movie 
starts/stops.
  On your camcorder, there may be a slight 
time difference between the point where 
you press START/STOP and the actual 
point that recording movie starts/stops. 
This is not a malfunction.
The aspect ratio of the movie (16:9 
(wide)/4:3) cannot be changed.
 The aspect ratio of the movie recorded with  HD (high definition) image quality is 16:9 
(wide).
The auto focus does not function.
 Set [FOCUS] to [AUTO] (p.  79). The recording conditions are not suitable 
for auto focus. Adjust the focus manually 
(p.  79).
[STEADYSHOT] does not function.
  Set [STEADYSHOT] to [ON] (p.  63). [STEADYSHOT] may not be able to 
compensate for excessive vibrations.
The subjects passing by the screen very 
fast appear crooked.
  This is called the focal plane phenomenon. 
This is not a malfunction. Because of the 
way the image device (CMOS sensor) reads 
out image signals, the subjects passing 
by the lens rapidly might appear crooked 
depending on the recording conditions.
Tiny spots in white, red, blue, or green 
appear on the screen.
  The spots appear when you are recording 
with [SUPER NIGHTSHOT] or [COLOR 
SLOW SHTR]. This is not a malfunction.
The color of the image is not correctly 
displayed.
  Set the NIGHTSHOT switch to OFF 
(p.
  28).
The screen image is bright, and the 
subject does not appear on the screen.
  Set the NIGHTSHOT switch to OFF 
(p.
  28).
The screen image is dark, and the 
subject does not appear on the screen.
  Press and hold DISP/BATT INFO for a few 
seconds to turn on the backlight (p.  20). 
						

							88
Horizontal stripes appear on the 
image.
 This occurs when recording images under a 
fluorescent lamp, sodium lamp, or mercury 
lamp. This is not a malfunction.
[SUPER NIGHTSHOT] cannot be 
operated.
  Set the NIGHTSHOT switch to ON.
[COLOR SLOW SHTR] does not operate 
correctly.
 [COLOR SLOW SHTR] may not operate 
correctly in total darkness. Use NightShot 
or [SUPER NIGHTSHOT].
You cannot adjust [LCD BL LEVEL].
  You cannot adjust [LCD BL LEVEL] when:  The LCD panel is closed on your 
camcorder with the LCD screen facing 
out.
  The power is supplied from the AC 
Adaptor.
Playing back
Movies cannot be played back.
  Touch  (HOME)   (MANAGE 
MEDIA)  [/SET] to select the 
image quality of the movie you want to 
play back (p.  56).
Still images cannot be played back.
  Still images cannot be played back if you 
have modified files or folders, or have 
edited the data on a computer. (The file 
name flashes in that case.) This is not a 
malfunction (p.
  98).
  Still images recorded on other devices 
may not be played back. This is not a 
malfunction (p.  98).
“  ” is indicated on a still image in the 
[VISUAL INDEX] screen.
  This may appear on still images recorded 
on other devices, edited on a computer, etc.
  You removed the AC Adaptor or the 
battery pack before the access lamp 
was turned off after recording. This 
may damage your image data and 
 is 
displayed.
“” is indicated on an image in the 
[VISUAL INDEX] screen.
  Perform [REPAIR IMG.DB F.] (p.  58). If it 
still appears, delete the image marked with 
 (p. 45).
No sound or only a quiet sound is heard 
during playback.
  Turn up the volume (p.  24, 32). Sound is not output when the LCD panel is 
closed. Open the LCD panel.
  When you record sound with [MICREF 
LEVEL] (p.  82) set to [LOW], the recorded 
sound may be difficult to hear.
  Sounds cannot be recorded while shooting 
a 3-second movie (approx.) using [SMTH 
SLW REC].
Left and right sound will be heard 
unbalanced when playing back on 
computers or other devices.
  This happens when sound recorded in 
5.1ch surround is converted to 2ch (normal 
stereo sound) by a computer or other 
device (p.
  27). This is not a malfunction.
  Change the sound conversion type 
(downmix type) when playing back on 
2ch stereo devices. Refer to the instruction 
manual supplied with your playback device 
for details.
  Change the sound to 2ch when creating a 
disc using the supplied software “PMB.”
  Record sound with [AUDIO MODE] set to 
[2ch STEREO] (p.  62). 
						

							Troubleshooting
89
Editing images on your camcorder
Unable to edit.
 Unable to edit because of the condition of 
the image.
Images cannot be added in the Playlist.
  There is no free space in the “Memory Stick 
PRO Duo.”
  You can add no more than 999 movies 
with HD (high definition) image 
quality, or 99 movies with SD (standard 
definition) image quality, to a Playlist. 
Erase unnecessary movies from the Playlist 
(p.
  50).
  You cannot add still images in the Playlist.
A movie cannot be divided.
 A movie that is too short cannot be 
divided.
  A movie protected on another device 
cannot be divided.
A still image cannot be captured from 
a movie.
  The “Memory Stick PRO Duo” where you 
want to save still images is full.
Viewing on the TV
You cannot view the image or hear the 
sound on the TV.
  When you are using the component A/V 
cable, set [COMPONENT] according to 
the requirements of the connected device 
(p.
  73).
  When you are using the component video 
plug, make sure the red and white plugs of 
the component A/V cable are connected 
(p.

  38, 39).
  Images are not output from the HDMI 
OUT jack, if copyright protection signals 
are recorded in the images.
  When you are using the S VIDEO plug, 
make sure the red and white plugs of the A/
V connecting cable are connected (p.
  39).
The image appears distorted on the 
4:3 TV.
 This happens when viewing an image 
recorded in the 16:9 (wide) mode on a 4:3 
TV. Set [TV TYPE] correctly (p.
  73) and 
play back the image.
Black bands appear at the top and 
bottom of the screen of the 4:3 TV.
  This happens when viewing an image 
recorded in the 16:9 (wide) mode on a 4:3 
TV. This is not a malfunction.
Playing back images stored on a 
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” on other 
devices
Images cannot be played back or 
the “Memory Stick PRO Duo” is not 
recognized.
  You cannot play back a movie recorded 
with HD (high definition) image quality 
on a “Memory Stick PRO Duo” on a device 
that is not compatible with AVCHD 
format.
Dubbing/Connecting to other devices
You cannot dub correctly.
  You cannot dub images using the HDMI 
cable.
  The A/V connecting cable is not connected 
properly. Make sure to connect to the input 
jack of another device (p.  38, 39). 
						

							90
Functions that cannot be used 
simultaneously
The following list shows examples of 
unworkable combinations of functions and 
menu items.
The buttons of unavailable items are grayed 
out. A message may appear.
Cannot	useBecause	of	following	settings
BACK LIGHT [SPOT MTR/FCS], 
[SPOT METER], 
[FIREWORKS], 
[MANUAL] in 
[EXPOSURE]
[FACE 
DETECTION] NightShot, [SMTH 
SLW REC], [DIGITAL 
ZOOM], [SPOT MTR/
FCS], [SPOT METER], 
[SPOT FOCUS], 
[EXPOSURE], 
[FOCUS], [WHITE 
BAL.], [COLOR SLOW 
SHTR], [SUPER 
NIGHTSHOT], 
[D.EFFECT], 
[PICT.EFFECT], 
[TWILIGHT]/
[TWILIGHT 
PORT.]/[CANDLE]/
[SUNRISE&SUNSET]/
[FIREWORKS]/ 
[LANDSCAPE]/
[SPOTLIGHT]/
[BEACH]/[SNOW] in 
[SCENE SELECTION] 
[DETECTION 
SET], [SMILE 
SENSITIVITY], 
[SMILE 
PRIORITY] NightShot, [SMTH 
SLW REC], [DIGITAL 
ZOOM], [SUPER 
NIGHTSHOT], 
[FADER], 
[D.EFFECT], [PICT.
EFFECT], [SELF-
TIMER] 
[FRAME 
SETTING] [SMTH SLW REC]
Cannot	use
Because	of	following	settings
[SCENE 
SELECTION]NightShot, 
[TELE MACRO], 
[COLOR SLOW 
SHTR], [SUPER 
NIGHTSHOT], 
[FADER], [OLD 
MOVIE] 
[D.EFFECT] [SCENE SELECTION],  [COLOR SLOW 
SHTR], [SUPER 
NIGHTSHOT], 
[FADER], [PICT.
EFFECT]
[PICT.EFFECT] [OLD MOVIE]