Sony Digital Camcorder DSR PD170 Operating Instructions

							11
Getting Started
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 clicks.
To remove the battery packLift up the viewfinder.
Slide the battery pack out in the direction of the arrow while pressing \
BATT RELEASE
down.
1 2
BATT
RELEASE 
						

							12
Step 2  Preparing the power supply
Charging the battery pack
Use the battery pack after charging it.
Your camcorder operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (\
L series).
(1 ) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC Adaptor supplied with your
camcorder to the DC IN jack with the plug’s  v mark facing toward the LCD
panel side.
( 2 ) Connect the power cord to the AC Adaptor.
( 3 ) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
( 4 ) Set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG). Charging begins.
The remaining battery time is indicated in minutes on the display window\
.
When the remaining battery indicator changes to  u, normal charge  is completed. To
fully charge the battery  (full charge), leave the battery pack attached for about one hour
after normal charge is completed until FULL appears on the display windo\
w. Fully
charging the battery allows you to use the battery longer than usual.
After charging the battery pack
Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack on your camcorder.
Note on the remaining battery time indicator
The remaining battery time indicator on the LCD screen/display window or\
 in the
viewfinder indicates the recording time using the viewfinder. The indica\
tor may not be
correct, depending on the conditions in which you are recording. When yo\
u close the
LCD panel and open it again, it takes about one minute for the correct r\
emaining
battery time to be displayed.
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERAMEMORY
VCR4
1 
						

							13
Getting Started
Step 2  Preparing the power supply
Notes
•Prevent metallic objects from coming into contact with the metal parts o\
f the DC plug of
the AC Adaptor. This may cause a short-circuit, damaging the AC Adaptor.\
•Keep the battery pack dry.
•When the battery pack is not to be used for a long time, charge the batt\
ery pack once
fully, and then use it until it fully discharges again. Keep the battery\
 pack in a cool place.
Until your camcorder calculates the actual remaining battery time
“- - - - min” appears in the display window.
While charging the battery pack, no indicator appears or the indicator f\
lashes in
the display window in the following cases:
– The battery pack is not installed correctly.
– The AC Adaptor is disconnected.
– Something is wrong with the battery pack.
When using the AC Adaptor
Be sure to use it near the wall outlet. If a malfunction occurs, disconn\
ect the plug from
the wall outlet.
Charging time
Battery pack Full charge (Normal charge)
NP-F550 210 (150)
NP-F570 (supplied) 260 (200)
NP-F730/F750 300 (240)
NP-F770 370 (310)
NP-F960 420 (360)
NP-F970 485 (425)
Approximate minutes to charge an empty battery pack
Recording time
Recording with Recording with
Battery pack the viewfinder the LCD screen
Continuous Typical* Continuous Typical*
NP-F550 130 (115) 70 (60) 110 (100) 60 (55)
NP-F570 (supplied) 195 (175) 105 (60) 165 (145) 90 (50)
NP-F730 230 (205) 125 (110) 190 (170) 105 (95)
NP-F750 265 (235) 145 (130) 230 (200) 125 (110)
NP-F770 400 (360) 215 (190) 345 (310) 185 (165)
NP-F960 480 (430) 265 (240) 420 (375) 235 (210)
NP-F970 600 (540) 330 (300) 515 (460) 285 (255)
Approximate minutes of recording time when you use a fully charged batte\
ry
Numbers in parentheses “(  )” indicate the time using a normally\
 charged battery.
You cannot use the NP-500/510/710 battery pack on your camcorder.
* Approximate minutes when recording while you repeat recording start/stop\
,
zooming and turning the power on/off. The actual battery life may be sho\
rter. 
						

							14
Playing time
Battery pack Playing time Playing timeon LCD screen with LCD closed
NP-F550 150 (135) 180 (160)
NP-F570 (supplied) 230 (205) 265 (235)
NP-F730 265 (240) 295 (265)
NP-F750 315 (275) 365 (325)
NP-F770 470 (420) 540 (485)
NP-F960 575 (515) 660 (590)
NP-F970 705 (630) 810 (725)
Approximate minutes of playing time when you use a fully charged battery\
Numbers in parentheses “(  )” indicate the time using a normally\
 charged battery.
You cannot use the NP-500/510/710 battery pack on your camcorder.
Notes
• The supplied battery pack is charged a little.
• Some types of battery packs may not be sold in your region or country.
• Approximate recording time and continuous playing time at 25°C (77°\
F). The battery
life will be shorter if you use your camcorder in a cold environment.
What is ”InfoLITHIUM?”
The “InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange\
 data such as
battery consumption with compatible video equipment. This unit is compat\
ible with the
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series). Your camcorder operates o\
nly with the
“InfoLITHIUM” battery. “InfoLITHIUM” battery packs (L serie\
s) have the 
mark.
“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
If the camcorder is immediately turned off
Even if the remaining battery time is enough to operate, charge the batt\
ery pack fully
again. The correct remaining time is displayed.
Step 2  Preparing the power supply 
						

							15
Getting Started
Step 2  Preparing the power supply
Connecting to a wall outlet
When you use your camcorder for a long time, we recommend that you power\
 it from a
wall outlet using the AC Adaptor.
(1 ) Open the DC IN jack cover and connect the AC Adaptor to the DC IN jack o\
n
your camcorder with the plug’s  v mark facing toward the LCD panel side.
( 2 ) Connect the power cord to the AC Adaptor.
( 3 ) Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
Precaution
The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (house current) a\
s long as it is
connected to the wall outlet, even if the set itself has been turned off\
.
Notes
•The power cord must only be changed at an authorized service shop.
• AC Adaptor can supply power even if the battery pack is attached to your\
 camcorder.
• Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in a narrow space, such as between a wa\
ll and
furniture.
• The DC IN jack has source priority. This means that the battery pack can\
not supply
any power if the power cord is connected to the DC IN jack, even when th\
e power
cord is not plugged into a wall outlet.
Using a car battery
Use the Sony DC Adaptor/Charger (optional).
1 2,3 
						

							16
Step 3  Setting the date and time
Set the date and time when you use your camcorder for the first time. “\
CLOCK SET”
will be displayed each time that you set the POWER switch to CAMERA or M\
EMORY
unless you set the date and time settings.
If you do not use your camcorder for about four months, the date and time may be
cleared from memory (bars may appear) because the built-in rechargeabl\
e battery
installed in your camcorder will have been discharged (p.158).
First, set the year, then the month, the day, the hour and then the minu\
te.
( 1 ) Press MENU to display the menu in the standby mode.
( 2 ) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select 
, then press the dial.
( 3 ) Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to select CLOCK SET, then press the dial.
( 4 )
Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to adjust to the desired year, then press th\
e
dial.
(5 ) Set the month, day and hour by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial and
pressing the dial.
(6) Set the minute by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial and pressing the dial b\
y
the time signal. The clock starts to move.
( 7 ) Press MENU to make the menu settings disappear.
The year changes as follows:
If you do not set the date and time
“- -:- -:- -” as time, and “- - -  - -   - - - -” as date wi\
ll be recorded.
Note on the time indicator
The internal clock of this camcorder operates on a 12-hour cycle.
•12:00 AM stands for midnight.
• 12:00 PM stands for noon.
SETUP MENU
CLOCK  SET
LTR S I ZE
   RETURN
2
4
1,73
SETUP MENUCLOCK  SET
LTR S I ZE
   RETURN
6
SETUP MENUCLOCK  SET
LTR S I ZE
   RETURNSETUP MENUCLOCK  SET
LTR S I ZE
   RETURN
––:––:––
2003  JAN   1
12  00  AM
JUL   4 2005
  5:30:00PM2005  JUL   4
5  30  PM2005  JAN   1
12  00  
AM
  [
MENU ]
 :
 END [
MENU ]
  :
 END
 [
MENU ]
 :
 END [
MENU ]
 :
 END
MENU
TC/UB  SET
TC  PRESET
UB  PRESET
TC  FORMAT
TC  RUN
TC  MAKE
UB  T
 I ME
 [
MENU ]
  :
 END
2005  JAN   1
12  00  
AM
1995 199620792003 
						

							17
Getting Started
Step 4  Inserting a cassette
(1 ) Install the power source (p. 11).
( 2 ) While pressing the small blue button on the EJECT switch, slide it in th\
e
direction of the arrow. After the cassette lid is opened, the cassette
compartment automatically opens.
( 3 ) Push the middle portion of the back of the cassette to insert it.
Insert the cassette in a straight line deeply into the cassette compartm\
ent with
the window facing out and the write-protect tab facing upward.
( 4 ) Close the cassette compartment by pressing the PUSH mark on it.
( 5 ) Close the cassette lid until it clicks by pressing the PUSH button on th\
e lid.
To eject a cassetteFollow the procedure above, and take out the cassette in step 3.
Note
The cassette lid will not be closed when you press any part of the lid o\
ther than the
PUSH button.
When you use cassettes with cassette memory
Read the instruction about cassette memory to use this function properly\
 (p. 142).
To prevent accidental erasure
Slide the write-protect tab on the cassette to SAVE.
If the grip strap prevents the cassette lid from opening fully
Adjust the length of the grip strap (p. 166).
If 
 flashes even if the cassette has been inserted
Press the PUSH button again to close the cover firmly.
2 3,4 5
PUSH
Write-protect tabWindow
PUSH 
						

							18
40minREC 00:00:00:01
DVCAM32K
4
OPEN
1
3
MEMORYCAMERA
VCR
OFF(CHG)
POWER5 2POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERAMEMORY
VCR
LOCK
Camera recording lampsMicrophone
— Recording – Basics —
Recording a picture
Your camcorder automatically focuses for you.
(
1 ) Open the shutter of the hood with a lens cap. For more information about\
attaching the hood with a lens cap, see page 165.
( 2 ) Install the power source and insert a cassette. See “Step 2” to “\
Step 4” (p.11 to
17) for more information.
( 3 ) Set the POWER switch to CAMERA while pressing the small green button.
Your camcorder is set to the standby mode.
( 4 ) Slide OPEN in the direction of the  B mark to open the LCD panel.
The picture now being shot is displayed on the LCD screen, and it disapp\
ears
from the viewfinder screen.
( 5 ) Press START/STOP. Your camcorder starts recording. The “REC” indic\
ator
appears. The camera recording lamps located on the front and rear of you\
r
camcorder light up. To stop recording, press START/STOP again.
You can use REC START/STOP located on the handle or front instead of
START/STOP on the rear.
If the ND1 or ND2 indicator flashes on the LCD screen or in the viewfind\
er
The ND filter is necessary. Set the ND FILTER selector to 1 or 2. Howeve\
r, if you change
the position during recording, the brightness of the picture may change \
or audio noise
may occur. This is not a malfunction. We recommend that you check the po\
sition of the
ND FILTER selector before shooting. See “Using the ND filter” on p\
age 47.
Note
Fasten the grip strap firmly.
REC START/STOP
Handle REC START/STOP 
						

							Recording – Basics
19
Recording a picture
Note on the recording format
Your camcorder records and plays back both in the DVCAM format and in th\
e DV
format SP mode. Select the format in the menu settings.
Note on the LOCK switch
When you slide the LOCK switch to the left, the POWER switch can no long\
er be set to
MEMORY accidentally. The LOCK switch is set to the right as a default se\
tting. We
recommend that you set the LOCK switch to the left when you record on a \
cassette.
Note on the progressive recording mode
If you intend to use the images on your PC or play the images back as st\
ill images, we
recommend that you set PROG. SCAN to ON in the menu settings before shoo\
ting (p.
105). The picture quality may improve in this mode, but if you shoot a \
moving subject,
the image may shake when it is played back.
To enable smooth transition
Transition between the last scene you recorded and the next scene is smo\
oth as long as
you do not eject the cassette even if you turn off your camcorder. When \
you use a tape
with cassette memory, however, you can make the transition smooth even a\
fter ejecting
the cassette if you use the end search function (p. 27).
However, check the following:
•When you change the battery pack, set the POWER switch to OFF (CHG).
• Do not mix recordings in the DVCAM format and the DV format on one tape.\
The playback picture may be distorted or the time code may not be writte\
n properly
between scenes when you change the recording format.
If you leave your camcorder in standby mode for five minutes
The head drum of the camcorder automatically stops rotating. This is to \
prevent the
tape wear and save the battery power. To re-start recording, press the S\
TART/STOP
button. It may take more time to start recording. This is not a malfunct\
ion.
Usable cassettes
You can record both on mini DVCAM cassettes and on mini DV cassettes usi\
ng your
camcorder. When you use a mini DV cassette, set REC MODE to DV SP in the\
 menu
settings. You can record on a tape 1.5 times longer than the DVCAM forma\
t. When you
want to record in the DV format or to make longer recording, use the min\
i DV cassette.
Notes
• If you record in the DV format, the transition of a tape may not be smoo\
th. We
recommend that you use mini DVCAM cassettes and set REC MODE to DVCAM in\
the menu settings to obtain reliable clear pictures.
• You cannot record on a tape in LP mode in the DV format.
If you use a mini DV cassette without setting REC MODE to DV SP
The recordable time is 2/3 time that indicated on the cassette.
Cassettes that can be played back with your camcorder
You can play back both cassettes recorded in the DVCAM format or in the \
DV format,
however, you cannot play back cassettes that recorded in LP mode in the \
DV format. 
						

							20
180180°
90 °
180
°
OPEN
Adjusting the LCD screen
The LCD panel is opened up to 90 degrees and it rotates about 90 degrees\
 to the
viewfinder side and about 180 degrees to the lens side.
If you turn the LCD panel over so that it faces the other way in standby\
 or recording
mode, the 
 indicator appears on the LCD screen and in the viewfinder  (Mirror
mode) .
To close the LCD panel, set it vertically and swing it into the camcorde\
r body until it
clicks.
Note
When the LCD panel is open, no picture will be displayed on the viewfind\
er. (Default
setting)
However, this does not hold true for the following cases:
• When shooting in the mirror mode
• When LCD panel is closed with the screen surface facing out
• When VF POWER is set to ON in the menu settings
When you adjust the angle of the LCD panel
Make sure that the LCD panel is opened up to 90 degrees.
When using both the LCD screen and the viewfinder during shooting
The usable time of the battery pack when using both the LCD screen and t\
he viewfinder
will be shorter a little than when using the viewfinder only.
Pictures in the mirror mode
The picture on the LCD screen is a mirror-image. However, the recording \
picture will
be normal.
Indicators in the mirror mode
The STBY indicator appears as  zX and REC as  z. Some of the other indicators appear
mirror-reversed and others are not displayed. However, if you close the \
LCD panel
with the LCD screen turned over, indicators appear normally.
Recording a picture