Sony Digital Camcorder DSR PD150 Operating Instructions

							3-060-817-13 (1)
Digital
Camcorder
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. DSR-PD150Model No. AC-
Serial No. Serial No.
DSR-PD150
©2000 Sony Corporation
DSR-PD150 
						

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WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do
not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
This symbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
uninsulated “dangerous voltage”
within the product’s enclosure
that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
This symbol is intended to alert
the user to the presence of
important operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
Never expose the battery pack to temperatures
above 140 °F (60 °C) such as in a car parked in
the sun or under direct sunlight.
For customers in the U.S.A. and
CANADA
DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY.LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.
You can return your unwanted lithium ion batteries
to your nearest Sony Service Center or Factory
Service Center.
Note:In some areas the disposal of lithium ion
batteries in household or business trash may
be prohibited.
For the Sony Service Center nearest you call
1-800-222-SONY (United States only).
For the Sony Factory Service Center nearest you call
416-499-SONY (Canada only).
Caution:Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium
ion battery.
For the customers in the U.S.A.If you have any questions about this product, you
may call: Sony Customer Information Center 1-
800-222-SONY (7669) or write to: Sony Customer
Information Center 1 Sony Drive, Mail Drop #T1-
11, Park Ridge, NJ 07656
Declaration of ConformityTrade Name: SONY
Model No.: DSR-PD150
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 1 Sony Drive, Park Ridge, NJ,
07656 USA
Telephone No.: 201-930-6972
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions.: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2)this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
CAUTIONYou 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
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
— Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
—
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
— Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
For customers in CANADA
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
“Memory Stick”
For customers in the U.S.A.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
For customers in CANADAThis Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian
ICES-003.
Welcome!Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Digital camcorder.
With your Digital camcorder, you can capture life’s precious moments with superior picture and
sound quality. Your Digital camcorder 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. 
						

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Table of contents
Quick Start Guide ............................................... 4
Getting started
Using this manual ............................................... 6
Checking supplied accessories ......................... 8
Step 1  Installing the microphone ..................... 9
Step 2  Preparing the power supply .............. 10
Step 3  Inserting a cassette ............................... 15
Recording – Basics
Recording a picture .......................................... 16
Shooting backlit subjects (BACK
LIGHT) .......................................... 23
Spot light .............................................. 24
Checking the recording – END SEARCH /
EDITSEARCH / Rec Review ....................... 25
Playback – Basics
Playing back a tape ........................................... 26
Viewing the recording on TV ......................... 31
Advanced Recording Operations
Recording a still image on a tape
– Tape Photo recording ................................. 32
Shooting with all the pixels
– PROG. SCAN ............................................... 34
Using the guide frame ..................................... 35
Using the wide mode ....................................... 36
Using the fader function .................................. 37
Using special effects – Digital effect .............. 39
Shooting with manual adjustment ................. 42
Adjusting the white balance ........................... 50
Adjusting the recording level manually
– Sound recording level ................................ 52
Connecting an optional external
microphone ..................................................... 54
Presetting the adjustment for picture quality
– Custom preset ............................................. 56
Focusing manually ........................................... 58
Interval recording ............................................. 59
Frame by frame recording – Cut recording .. 61
Superimposing the date and time on a
picture .............................................................. 62
Marking an Index ............................................. 63
Advanced Playback Operations
Searching for a recording by index – Index
search ............................................................... 64
Searching the boundaries of recorded tape
by title – Title search ...................................... 66
Searching a recording by date
– Date search ................................................... 67
Searching for a photo
– Photo search/Photo scan ........................... 69
Playing back a tape with digital effects ......... 71Editing
Dubbing a tape .................................................. 72
Dubbing only desired scenes
– Digital program editing ............................. 74
Using with an analog video unit and a PC
– Signal convert function .............................. 80
Recording video or TV programs .................. 81
Audio dubbing .................................................. 85
Setting time values ........................................... 89
Superimposing a title ....................................... 94
Making your own titles .................................... 98
Labeling a cassette .......................................... 100
Erasing the cassette memory data ................ 102
Customizing Your Camcorder
Changing the menu settings ......................... 104
Resetting the date and time ........................... 112
“Memory Stick” Operations
Using a “Memory Stick” – introduction ...... 113
Recording still images on a “Memory Stick”
– Memory Photo recording ........................ 118
Superimposing a still image in a “Memory
Stick” on a moving picture
– MEMORY MIX .......................................... 121
Recording an image from a tape as a still
image ............................................................. 124
Copying still images from a tape
– Photo save .................................................. 127
Viewing a still picture
– Memory Photo playback .......................... 129
Copying an image recorded on a “Memory
Stick” to tapes ............................................... 132
Playing back images continuously
– SLIDE SHOW ............................................ 134
Preventing accidental erasure
– Image protection ....................................... 135
Deleting images .............................................. 136
Writing a print mark – Print mark ............... 139
Additional Information
Compatibility of DVCAM and DV
formats ........................................................... 140
Usable cassettes ............................................... 142
About i.LINK ................................................... 144
Troubleshooting .............................................. 145
Self-diagnosis display .................................... 151
Warning indicators and messages ............... 152
Using your camcorder abroad ...................... 154
Maintenance information and precautions . 155
Specifications ................................................... 160
Quick Reference
Identifying the parts and controls ................ 161
Quick Function Guide .................................... 170
Index ................................................................. 171 
						

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Quick Start Guide
Quick Start Guide
This guide introduces you to the basic way of recording/playback. See the pages in parentheses
“(  )” for more information.
Connecting the power cord (p. 14)
Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 10).
AC power adaptor (supplied)Connect the plug with its v mark
facing toward the LCD panel side.
Open the DC IN jack
cover.
Inserting a cassette (p. 15)
1While pressing
the small blue
button on the
EJECT switch,
slide it in the direction
of the arrow.2Push the middle
portion of the back of
the cassette to insert it.
Insert the cassette into
the cassette
compartment with the
window facing out
and the write-protect
tab facing upward.
3Close the cassette
compartment by
pressing the PUSH
mark on it.
PUSH
Window
Installing the microphone (p. 9)
Install the supplied microphone with the model name (ECM-NV1) facing upward. Be sure
to connect the microphone plug to the INPUT1 connector.
4Close the cassette lid
by pressing the
PUSH button on the
cassette lid.
Write-protect tab
to INPUT1 
						

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Quick Start Guide
Recording a picture (p. 16)
Viewfinder
When the LCD panel
is closed, use the
viewfinder placing
your eye against its
eyecup.1Remove the hood cap.
2Set the POWER switch to
CAMERA while pressing the
small green button.
If the ND1 or ND2 indicator
flashes, see page 46.
3Slide OPEN
back in the  B
mark direction
to open the
LCD panel.
Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD
screen
 (p. 26)
1Set the POWER switch to
VCR while pressing the
small green button.
2Press m to rewind
the tape.
3Press N to start
playback.
NOTE
Do not pick up your camcorder by
holding the viewfinder, the LCD panel,
the battery pack, or the microphone.
POWER
OFF
(CHG)CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
4Press START/
STOP. Your
camcorder
starts
recording. To
stop recording,
press START/
STOP again.
POWER
OFF
(CHG)CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
REW
PLAY
POWER
OFF
(CHG)CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
OPEN 
						

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— Getting started —
Using this manual
As you read through this manual, buttons and settings on your camcorder are shown in
capital letters.
e.g. Set the POWER switch to CAMERA.
When you carry out an operation, you can hear a beep or a melody sound to indicate
that the operation is being carried out.
Note on cassette memory
Your camcorder is based on the DVCAM/DV format. We recommend that you use a
tape with cassette memory .
The functions which require different operations depending on whether or not the tape
has cassette memory are:
•Searching the end point of the recording – end search (p. 25, 29)
•Searching a recording by index – index search (p. 64)
•Searching a recording by date – date search (p. 67)
•Searching for a photo – photo search (p. 69).
The functions you can operate only with cassette memory are:
•Searching the boundaries of recorded tape by title – title search (p. 66)
•Superimposing a title (p. 94)
•Making your own titles (p. 98)
•Labeling a cassette (p. 100).
For details, see page 142.
You see this mark in the introduction of the features that are operated only with
cassette memory.
Tapes with cassette memory are marked with 
 (Cassette Memory). 
						

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Getting started
Using this manual
Note on TV color systems
TV color systems differ from country to country.
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 of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the
copyright laws.
Precautions on camcorder care
•The LCD screen and the viewfinder are manufactured using high-precision
technology. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points
(red, blue, green or white) that constantly appear on the LCD screen and in the
viewfinder. These points occur normally in the manufacturing process and do not
affect the recorded picture in any way. Effective ratio of pixels is 99.99% or
more.
•Do not let your camcorder get wet. Keep your camcorder away from rain and sea
water.  Letting your camcorder get wet may cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Sometimes this malfunction cannot be repaired [a].
•Never leave your camcorder exposed to temperatures above 60 °C (140 °F), such as in
a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight [b].
•Do not place your camcorder so as to point the viewfinder or the LCD screen or lens
toward the sun. The inside of the viewfinder, LCD screen, or lens may be damaged
[c].
Contents of the recording cannot be compensated if recording or playback is not made due to a
malfunction of the camcorder, video tape, etc. [a][b][c] 
						

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Checking supplied accessories
Make sure that the following accessories are supplied with your camcorder.
12 3
4
56
789
0
qa
1Wireless Remote Commander (1)
(p. 167)
2AC-L10A/L10B/L10C AC power
adaptor (1), Power cord (1) (p. 11)
3NP-F330 battery pack (1) (p. 10, 11)
4Size AA (R6) battery for Remote
Commander (2) (p. 168)
5Memory Stick Reader/Writer (1), USB
cable (1), Driver software (CD-ROM)
(1)
6“Memory Stick” (1) (p. 113)7A/V connecting cable (1) (p. 31, 72)
8Hood cap (1) (p. 16)
9Shoulder strap (1) (p. 165)
0Application software: PictureGear
4.1Lite (CD-ROM) (1) (p. 131)
qaLens hood (1) (p. 163)
qsEyecup (large) (1) (p. 20)
qdMicrophone (1) (p. 9), Wind screen (1)
(p. 9)
qfOperating instructions (2)
qsqd 
						

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Getting started
Step 1  Installing the microphone
Install the supplied microphone. Be sure to connect the microphone plug to the INPUT1
connector.
(1)Attach the wind screen to the microphone.
(2)Loosen the microphone holder screw and open the cover.
(3)Place the microphone into the holder with the model name (ECM-NV1) facing
upward, close the cover, and tighten the screw.
(4)Connect the plug of the microphone to the INPUT 1 connector.
(5)Set the INPUT LEVEL selector to MIC or MIC ATT. When set to MIC ATT, you
can reduce the volume by about 20 dB. And set the +48 V switch to ON.
(6)Select the channel to be used, using the REC CH SELECT switch. When
recording only on the channel 1, set it to CH1, and when recording both on the
channels 1 and 2, set it to CH1•CH2.
When the wind is blowing hard
Set CH1 or CH2 of WIND to ON in the menu settings according to the input (p. 104).
When you unplug the microphone plug
Unplug it while holding the PUSH button down.
1
23
456
CH1•CH2
REC CH
SELECTINPUT
LEVEL+48VINPUT
LEVEL+48V
CH1LINE
MICON
OFFLINE
MIC
ATTMIC
ATT MICON
OFF
INPUT1 INPUT2
REC CH
SELECTINPUT
LEVEL+48V
INPUT2
CH1•CH2
REC CH
SELECTINPUT
LEVEL+48VINPUT
LEVEL+48V
CH1LINE
MICON
OFFLINE
MIC
ATTMIC
ATT MICON
OFF
INPUT1 INPUT2
REC CH
SELECTINPUT
LEVEL+48V
INPUT2 
						

							10
Step 2  Preparing the power supply
Installing the battery pack
Install the battery pack to use your camcorder outdoors.
(1)Lift up the viewfinder.
(2)Insert the battery pack in the direction of the V mark on the battery pack. Slide
the battery pack until it is locked.
To remove the battery packLift up the viewfinder.
Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing BATT RELEASE
down.
12
BATT
RELEASE