Summary of the content on the page No. 1
Operating Instructions [US]
2-186-668-11 (1)
Digital
Video Camera
Recorder
Operating Instructions
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly,
and retain it for future reference.
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the
serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers
whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. DCR-DVD301 Model No. AC-
Serial No. Serial No.
TM
SERIES
DCR-DVD301
©2004 Sony C
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Welcome! Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Handycam. With your Handycam, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Handycam is loaded with advanced features, but at the same time it is very easy to use. You will soon be producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come. For customers in the U.S.A. WARNING and CANADA To prevent fire or shock hazard, do RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES not expose the unit to rain or Lithium-Ion batteri
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
Getting Started CAUTION You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy an
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
Read this first What you can do with your DVD Handycam Your DVD Handycam uses DVD-R and DVD-RW as a recording media. You can enjoy your DVD Handycam in ways that are new and different from those of a tape media-based camcorder. Read the next few pages to find out how. You can find a scene quickly using a Visual Index display. The Visual Index display shows thumbnails of movies and still images recorded on the disc in your DVD Handycam. You can find the desired scene quickly using this convenient
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
Read this first You can play back a disc recorded with your DVD Handycam on your DVD player. You can play back a disc recorded with your DVD Handycam on DVD players that can play back DVD-R/DVD-RW. You can edit and copy a disc easily by connecting your DVD Handycam to your computer. You can edit and copy a disc easily on your computer using the supplied ImageMixer Ver.1.5 for Sony DVD Handycam software. It also enables you to produce your own original DVD disc. 5
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
What is the difference between DVD-R and DVD-RW? Two types of discs are available and they are different in the following ways. Which disc How can I choose can I use? between these 8cm DVD-Rs and 8cm DVD-RWs two discs? are available. The number of recordable times is different for the two discs. Choose the one that meets your needs. DVD-Rs can be recorded 8cm DVD-R only once. They are suitable for long-term records and for making backup You can use the following discs: copies. • DMR30 (single-si
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
Read this first What kind of player can I use for playback? You can play back a disc you have recorded on your DVD Handycam on other players by finalizing the disc (see page 64). The following list shows examples of players that can play back a disc recorded by your DVD Handycam. However, playback compatibility is not 1 guaranteed with all players.* DVD-R (VIDEO mode only) Players compatible with the DVD Video format. DVD player/ Computer with a DVD recorder DVD drive installed DVD-RW DVD-RW (in
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
How to prepare and use your DVD Handycam Preparing Prepare a new disc. • You can start recording promptly with a DVD-R. • You need to format a DVD-RW before recording. Formatting is also required when using a once recorded DVD-RW again. Select a recording format (either VIDEO mode or VR mode) when using DVD-RW. Shooting Both movies and still images can be recorded on a single disc. Because your movies and still images are recorded in free areas on the disc automatically, important recordings are
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Read this first Editing You can make a copy of a disc you have recorded by connecting your DVD Handycam to your computer with the supplied software. For the recommended computer system environment, see page 91. You can produce an original DVD by editing your movies/still images on your computer. Finalizing Finalize the disc so that it becomes compatible with other DVD players. You may not be able to record additional material, edit, or format a disc after finalizing it, depending on the kind of
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
Table of contents Using Super NightShot plus ......... 45 Read this first Using the NightShot Light ............ 46 What you can do with your Using Color Slow Shutter.............. 46 DVD Handycam ............................... 4 Self-timer recording .............................. 47 What is the difference between On shooting movies ....................... 47 DVD-R and DVD-RW? .................... 6 On shooting still images ................ 47 How to prepare and use your DVD Shooting for the wi
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
Getting Started Using a disc in VR mode Connecting your camcorder to (DVD-RWs only) a TV and a VCR Selecting the playing order on your Dubbing a disc to a tape..................... 106 camcorder – Playlist ....................... 76 Connecting your camcorder to a Registering movies or still images in VCR .......................................... 106 the Playlist ................................ 76 Dubbing to a tape ......................... 107 Converting all the still images on a Dubbing a TV
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
— Getting Started — Using this manual The images of the LCD display and the viewfinder used in this manual are captured using a digital still camera. These images may appear different from what you see with your camcorder. Note on TV color systems TV color systems differ depending on the country or region. To view your recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC system-based TV. Copyright precautions Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized recording
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
Getting Started Using this manual Camcorder care LCD display/viewfinder The LCD display and the viewfinder are manufactured using extremely high- precision technology, so over 99.99 % of the pixels are operational for effective use. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (white, red, blue or green in color) that appear constantly on the LCD display and the viewfinder. These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way. Disc
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
Checking the supplied accessories Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder. 2 3 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 Wireless Remote Commander (1) 5 Shoulder strap (1) (page 142) 6 Lens cap (1) (page 28) 2 AC-L15A/L15B AC adaptor (1), 7 USB cable (Hi-SPEED USB compatible) Power cord (1) (page 16) (1) (page 92) 3 NP-FM50 rechargeable battery pack 8 DVD-R (DMR30) (1) (1) (page 15) 9 CD-ROM (SPVD-011 USB Driver) (1) 4 A/V connecting cable (1) q; Cleaning cloth (1) 14
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
Getting Started Step 1 Preparing the power source Installing/removing the battery pack To install the battery pack, slide it in and up in the direction of the arrow until it clicks. To remove the battery pack 1 Slide the battery pack in the direction of arrow while pressing the battery release button. 2 Slide the battery pack down. 1 2 BATT release button 15
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
Step 1 Preparing the power source Charging the installed battery pack Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (M series). See page 130 for more information on the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack. Open the DC IN jack cover. With the v mark on POWER/CHG the DC plug facing up lamp 2 4 Power cord AC adaptor 1 3 1 Make sure that the battery pack is installed on the camcorder. 2 Open the DC IN jack cover, then connect the AC adaptor supplied with your camcorder to the DC IN jack
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
Getting Started Step 1 Preparing the power source 1 Charging time (full charge)* Battery pack NP-FM50 (supplied) 150 NP-QM71/QM71D 260 NP-QM91/QM91D 360 2 Recording time with the viewfinder* 3 Battery pack Continuous Typical* NP-FM50 (supplied) 115 55 NP-QM71/QM71D 285 140 NP-QM91/QM91D 430 215 2 Recording time with the LCD display* LCD BACKLIGHT is set to ON 3 Battery pack Continuous Typical* NP-FM50 (supplied) 105 50 NP-QM71/QM71D 265 130 NP-QM91/QM91D 400 200 LCD BACKLIGHT is set to OFF 3
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
Step 1 Preparing the power source Showing the remaining battery time – BATTERY INFO 1 Open the LCD screen while pressing OPEN. 2 Press DISPLAY/BATT INFO. The remaining battery time appears for a while on the LCD display. BATTERY INFO BATTERY INFO BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL BATTERY CHARGE LEVEL 0% 50% 100% 0% 50% 100% REC TIME AVAILABLE REC TIME AVAILABLE LCD SCREEN : 84 min LCD SCREEN : 105 min VIEWFINDER : 92 min VIEWFINDER : 115 min During charging Fully charged Notes •BATTERY INFO does not appear
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
Getting Started Step 2 Turning on the power Press the POWER button for a few seconds. Your camcorder turns on and the POWER/ CHG lamp lights up in green. When you turn on your camcorder for the first time, the CLOCK SET display appears. POWER/CHG lamp POWER button To turn the power off Press the POWER button for a few seconds again. When the POWER/CHG lamp turns off, the power cuts off. To set the mode dial Rotate and set the mode dial to the operation you want to perform, such as shooting o
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
Step 3 Adjusting the LCD screen and the viewfinder Adjusting the angle and the brightness of the LCD screen Adjust the brightness and the angle of the LCD screen properly in your sight. 2 180° 90° LCD BACKLIGHT button SETUP button OPEN button 90° 1 1 Open the LCD screen while pressing OPEN. 2 Adjust the direction of the LCD screen to the desired position. When you adjust the angle of the LCD screen, make sure if the LCD screen is opened up to a full 90 degrees. You can turn the LCD screen over
