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

Getting started
Getting started
11
Step 2: Charging the 
battery pack 
You can charge the battery by attaching the 
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series) to 
the AC Adaptor/charger.
bNote
 You cannot use batteries other than the 
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (L series) (p. 117).
 Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adaptor/
charger with any metallic objects. This may cause a 
malfunction.
 Use a nearby wall outlet when using the AC 
Adaptor/charger. Disconnect the AC Adaptor/
charger from the...

Getting started12
2Press BATT RELEASE and slide the 
battery pack up.
To check the remaining battery – Battery 
Info
You can check the battery’s current charge level 
and its current remaining recording time when 
the power is turned off. The remaining 
recording time in the selected recording format 
appears.
1Set the POWER switch to OFF.
2Open the LCD panel and adjust the 
angle.
3Press DISPLAY/BATT INFO.
The battery information appears for about 
7 seconds.
Keep the button pressed to view it for about...

Getting started
Getting started
13
 The top figures show an approximate number of 
minutes when the LCD BACKLIGHT switch is set 
to ON, and [VF POWER] is set to [OFF].
 The middle figures show an approximate number of 
minutes when the LCD BACKLIGHT switch is set 
to OFF, and [VF POWER] is set to [OFF].
 The bottom figures show an approximate number of 
minutes when recording with the viewfinder.
 “Typical recording time” means an approximate 
number of minutes that you can record using 
external...

Getting started14
1Set the mode switch to VCR/
CAMERA.
No power will be supplied if the mode 
switch is set to CHARGE.
2Attach the connecting cord (DK-415) 
to the camcorder.
Press the attaching part of the connecting 
cord (DK-415), and slide it down.
3Connect the connecting cord (DK-415) 
to the AC Adaptor/charger.
4Connect the power cord to the AC 
Adaptor/charger.
5Connect the power cord to the wall 
outlet.
Step 3: Turning the 
power on
You need to set the POWER switch to the 
respective power mode...

Getting started
Getting started
15
Step 4: Adjusting the 
LCD panel and 
viewfinder
Adjusting the LCD panel
You can adjust the angle and brightness of 
the LCD panel to meet various recording 
situations. 
Even when there are obstructions between 
you and the subject, you can check the 
subject on the LCD screen during recording 
by adjusting the angle of the LCD panel. 
Open the LCD panel 180 degrees, then 
rotate it to the desired position.
To adjust the brightness of the LCD 
screen
Adjust the...

Getting started16
When the picture in the viewfinder is 
hard to see
If you cannot see the picture in the viewfinder 
clearly under bright circumstances, use the 
supplied large eyecup.
To attach the large eyecup, stretch it a little and 
align it with the groove of the viewfinder, then 
slide it up to the end. You can attach the large 
eyecup facing either the right or left side.
zTip
 To select the brightness of the viewfinder backlight 
when you are using the battery pack, select the   
(LCD/VF SET)...

Getting started
Getting started
17
3Press MENU.
4Select the   (OTHERS) menu by 
turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
5Select [CLOCK SET] by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
6Set [Y] (year) by turning the SEL/
PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial.
You can set any year up to the year 2079.
7Set [M] (month), [D] (day), hour and 
minute in the same way as was done in 
step 6, then press the dial.
When [50i/60i SEL] on the   (OTHERS) 
menu is set to 60i, the clock is...

Getting started18
Step 6: Inserting a 
cassette tape
For the information about the type of cassette 
you can use with your camcorder, and details 
on these cassettes (such as write-protection, 
etc.), see page 114.
bNote
 Do not force the cassette into the compartment. This 
may cause a malfunction of your camcorder.
1Slide the OPEN/EJECT  lever in 
the direction of the arrow and open the 
lid.
The cassette compartment automatically 
comes out and opens up.
2Insert a cassette with its window-side...

Getting started
Getting started
19
Step 7: Setting the 
screen language
You can select the language to be used on the 
LCD screen.
1Turn on your camcorder.
2Open the LCD panel and adjust the 
angle.
3Press MENU.
4Select the   (OTHERS) menu by 
turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, 
then press the dial.
5Select [LANGUAGE] by turning the 
SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the 
dial.
6Select the desired language by turning 
the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press 
the dial.
7Press MENU to hide the menu screen.
zTip
...

Recording20
Recording
Recording movies
You can record movies in HDV, DVCAM, 
and DV formats, in addition to either 50i or 
60i system.
Before recording, follow steps 1 to 7 in 
“Getting started” (p. 10 - p. 19).
Movies will be recorded along with stereo 
sound.
1Open the shutter of the lens hood.
2Open the LCD panel and adjust the 
angle.
3While pressing the green button, set 
the POWER switch to CAMERA.
 appears on the LCD screen.
The HDV format lamp lights up and your 
camcorder is set to recording...