APS Sony HXR HD Camcorder Operating Guide

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Sony HXR Operating Guide - PDF
Sony HXR Complete Manual - PDF

Video Tutorials

INTRODUCTION

The Sony HXR-NX5U is a prosumer HD camcorder that records to memory cards utilizing the AVCHD format. This camcorder provides high quality, long duration recording with dual memory card slots, state-of-the-art G lens and 3 CMOS sensors. As with all Media Loan Equipment, YOU ARE 100% FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE for the HXR and all accessories when you check this camera out from APS.

PRECAUTIONS

  • DO NOT HOLD THE CAMCORDER BY THE:
LENS HOOD
LCD PANEL
INTERNAL MICROPHONE
MICROPHONE OR MICROPHONE HOLDER
VIEWFINDER
  • PROTECT THE HXR FROM WATER AND SOURCES OF MOISTURE OR SALT WATER/SPRAY. THE CAMERA IS NOT WATER RESISTANT


  • DO NOT EXPOSE THE BATTERY PACK TO WATER. THE BATTERY PACK IS NOT WATER RESISTANT


  • DO NOT SHAKE, KNOCK, DROP OR SUBJECT THE HXR TO EXCESSICE SHOCK. (NO BIKE DOLLIES!)


  • CONNECT CANLES TO THE CAMCORDER WITH THEIR TERMINALS PLACED THE CORRECT WAY. SQUEEZING THE TERMINALS INTO THE HXR JACKS MAY DAMAGE THEM OR RESULT IN A MALFUNCTION OF THE CAMCORDER


  • DO NOT EXPOSE THE CAMCORDER'S VIEWFINDER, LENS, LCD SCREEN TO THE SUN OR STRONG LIGHT SOURCE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. INTENSE LIGHT SOURCES, ESPECIALLY THE SUN, WILL CONVERGE ON THE VIEWFINDER OR LENS AND DAMAGE THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE CAMCORDER.


  • ALWAYS CLOSE THE LENS COVER AND STORE IN CASE WHEN NOT IN USE


  • DO NOT APPLY ANY LIQUID (CLEANING OR OTHERWISE) DIRECTLY TO THE LCD SCREEN


  • IF THE CAMCORDER IS BROUGHT FROM A COLD PLACE TO A WARM PLACE, MOISTURE MAY CONDENSE INSIDE THE CAMCORDER AND CAUSE A MALFUNCTION. WHEN YOU BRING THE HXR FROM A COLD PLACE TO A WARM PLACE, PUT CAMCORDER IN A PLASTIC BAG AND SEAL IT TIGHTLY. REMOVE THE BAD WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE PLASTIC BAG HAS REACHED AMBIENT TEMPERATURE(AFTER 1 HOUR)

SUPPLYING POWER TO THE HXR

CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK

APS provides two Lithium battery packs when you check out the HXR. Use the supplied AC Adapter/Charger to charge these batteries before use.

  1. Set the mode switch to charge
  2. Connect the power cord to the AC Adapter/Charger
  3. Connect the power cord to the wall outlet.
  4. Place the battery pack in the slot of the AC Adapter/Charger, press down, and slide battery until the charge lamp turns on and charging starts.

When the battery pack reaches a normal charge, the charge lamp turns off. You can continue to charge the battery pack for an additional hour for a full charge, which lets you use the battery a little longer. Remove the battery pack from the AC Adapter/Charger when the charge is completed.

ATTACHING/REMOVING THE BATTERY PACK

To attach the battery pack, press the battery against the back of the camcorder and slide it down.
To remove the battery pack, slide the POWER switch to OFF. Push the BAT RELEASE button and remove the battery pack.

AC ADAPTER/CHARGER

  1. Connect the power cord to the AC Adapter/Charger
  2. Connect the power cord to the wall outlet
  3. Connect the connecting cord to the AC Adapter/Charger
  4. Set mode switch of the AC Adapter/Charger to VCR/CAMERA
  5. Press the connecting part of the connecting cord against the back of the HXR in the Battery slot and slide it down
  • Use a nearby wall outlet when using the AC Adapter/Charger. Disconnect the AC Adapter/Charger from the wall outlet immediately if any malfunction occurs while using the camcorder.
  • DO NOT use the AC Adapter/Charger placed in a narrow space, such as between a wall and furniture.
  • DO NOT short-circuit the DC plug of the AC Adapter/Charger or battery terminal with any metallic objects. This may cause a malfunction.
  • UNPLUG THE AC ADAPTER from the camcorder and wall socket when camcorder is not in use. Even if your camcorder is turned off, AC power is still supplied to it while connected to the wall outlet via the AC Adapter/Charger.

OPERATING THE MENU

  1. Set the POWER switch to ON
  2. Press the MENU button
  3. Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial until the icon of the desired menu is highlighted, then press the dial to select the menu.
  4. Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial until the desired menu item is highlighted, then press the dial to select the item.
  5. Turn the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial until the desired setting is highlighted, the press the dial to select.
  6. Press the MENU button to hide the menu screen. To return to the previous screen, select RETURN.
  • TIP: You may select menu items with the </> buttons.
    • NOTE: The available menu items vary depending on the context of your camcorder during recording or playback.

MEMORY CARDS

APS supplies two, 32GB memory cards (installed) when you check out the HXR camcorder. This should provide you with ample recording time, even at the highest quality settings. Should you require additional memory cards for your production, you can use "Memory Stick PRO Duo" media, "Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo" media, SD memory cards and, SDHC memory cards.

  • Remeber to re-install the memory cards supplied by APS before returning the camera should you choose to use your own media to avoid charges.

Before recording, format the memory card(s).

  1. With the camcorder powered on, press the MODE button.
  2. Touch MANAGE MEDIA setting MEDIA FORMAT
  3. Select the recording media to be formatted
  4. Select YES. The HXR will ask you to verify your selection.
  • TIP: The easiest wat to retrieve your files is to make a disk image of the memory card. You can check out a card reader from Media Loan and use the MML or Non-Linear Editing Suites to make your disk image(s). You can then use Final Cut Pro/Adobe Premiere to log and transfer your video for editing.
    • NOTE: While [Executing...] is displayed, do not operate the buttons on the camcorder, disconnect the AC Adapter/Charger, or removing recording media from the camcorder. (The access lamp is light or flashing while formatting recording media.)

NOTES ON RECORDING

Estimated Recording Time on one 32 GB card in minutes with HD Audio Format set to Linear PCM/Dolby Digital:

AVCHD 24M (FX) AVCHD 17M (FH) AVCHD 9M (HQ) AVCHD 5M (LP)
170/180 225/235 385/435 605/750
  • When the access lamp is lit or flashing red, the camcorder is writing data on the recording media. Do not remove the battery pack or the AC Adapter/Charger.
  • If a movie file exceeds 2GB during recording, the camcorder divides the file and create a new file automatically.
  • The menu settings are stored in your camcorder when you turn the POWER switch to OFF. Do not remove battery pack or AC Adapter/Charger.

RECORDING

  1. Open the shutter of the lens hood.
  2. Slide the POWER switch to ON while pressing the green button.

The recording lamp lights up during recording. To STOP recording, press the record button or the handle record button again.

  • TIP: When recording in high definition image quality (HD), the aspect ratio is fixed to 16:9. When recording in standard definition image quality (SD), you can switch the aspect ratio to 4:3.
  • TIP: For low angle recording, the handle record button is convenient. Release the HOLD lever to enable the handle record button. It might be helpful if you set the LCD panel face up or close it after turning it face down, or life the viewfinder up during the low angle recording.
    • NOTE: the camcorder will switch from Memory Card A to Memory Card B just before space runs out on Card A (and vice versa). Do not eject memory card that is currently being used for recording. Replace only the memory card whose slot lamp is off.

SELECTING RECORDING QUALITY

You can set the recording image quality to high definition image quality (HD) or standard definition image quality (SD). To change the setting:

  1. Press MENU
  2. Select REC/OUT settings
  3. Select REC SET
  4. Select HD/SD SET

SELECTING THE RECORDING FORMAT

You can select the recording format (bit-rate, image size, frame rate, scanning system). The default setting is HD 1080/60i FX/SD 480/60i HQ. To change the setting value:

  1. Press MENU
  2. Select REC/OUT settings
  3. Select REC SET
  4. Select REC FORMAT

If you select HD 1080/60i FX (the default), movies are recorded with the following format:

  • HD - High Definition image quality
  • 1080 - Effective scanning lines
  • 60 - Frame Rate
  • i - Scanning system
  • FX - Recording mode

SETTING DESCRIPTION

Bit Rate:

FX FH HQ LP
Max 24 Mbps Approx 17 Mbps Approx 9 Mbps Approx 5 Mbps

Image Size:

FX FH HQ SP
1920x1080/1280x720 1920x1080/1280x720 HD recording 1440x1080 SD recording 720x480 1440x1080

Frame rate: 24,30 or 60 Scanning system:

i p pSCAN
Interlaced Progressive Recording images of progressive scanning as interlace signal (60i)
  • For a complete list of setting values, see the complete manual, available on here.
    • NOTE: The recording mode is fixed to FX or FH with the progressive scanning system.
    • NOTE: When the recording format is changed to or from 720/60p, you will be prompted to reboot the camcorder. Select YES. Otherwise, you cannot switch the recording format.

ADJUSTING THE ZOOM

USING THE POWER ZOOM

The power zoom lever is pressure sensitive. For a slower zoom use less pressure and for a faster zoom use more pressure.

  • NOTE: Be sure to keep your finger on the power zoom lever. If you move your finger off the power zoom lever, the operation sound of the power zoom lever mat also be recorded.

USING THE HANDLE ZOOM

  • Set the handle zoom switch to VAR or FIX
  • Press the handle zoom lever to zoom in or out

When you set the handle zoom switch to VAR, you can zoom in or out at variable speed. When you set the handle zoom switch to FIX, you can zoom in or out at fixed speed set in HANDLE ZOOM. You cannot use the handle zoom lever when the handle zoom switch is set to OFF.

USING THE ZOOM RING

You can zoom at the desired speed by turning the zoom ring. Fine adjustment is also possible. Turn the zoom ring at moderate speed. If you turn it too fast, the zoom speed may lag behind the zoom ring rotation speed, or the operation sound of the zoom may also be recorded.

ADJUSTING THE FOCUS MANUALLY

  1. Set the FOCUS switch to MAN
  2. Rotate the focus ring and adjust the focus.
  • TIP: It is easier to focus on the subject when you use the zoom function. Move the power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) to adjust the focus, and then towards W (wide angle) to adjust the zoom/compose your shot recording.

PUSH AUTO FOCUS

Record the subject while pressing and holding the PUSH AUTO button. If you release the button, the setting returns to manual focusing. Use this function to shift the focus on one subject to another (Rack Focus). The scenes will shift smoothly.

ADJUSTING THE IMAGE BRIGHTNESS

You can adjust the image brightness by adjusting the iris, gain, shutter speed or by reducing the light volume with the ND Filter.

  • NOTE: You cannot use the back light function and the spotlight when iris, gain and shutter speed are adjusted manually.
  • NOTE: AE SHIFT is not effective temporarily while you adjust the iris, gain, and shutter speed manually.

ADJUSTING THE IRIS

You can manually adjust the iris to control the volume of the light entering the lens. By adjusting the iris, you can change or close the aperture of the lens, which is expressed as an F value between F1.6 and F11. The volume of the light increases the more you open the aperture (decreasing F value). The volume of light decreases the more that you close the aperture (increasing F value). The current F value appears on the screen.

  1. During recording or standby, set the AUTO/MANUAL switch to MANUAL.
  2. Press the IRIS button if "A" is displayed next to current iris value.
  3. Adjust the iris with the iris ring.
  • TIP: The F value becomes close to F3.4 as the zoom position changes from W to T even when you open the aperture by setting the F value low then F3.4, such as F1.6.
  • TIP: The range of focus, an important effect of the aperture, is called depth of field. The depth of field gets shallower as the aperture is opened and deeper as the aperture is closed.

ADJUSTING THE GAIN

You can adjust the gain manually when you do not want to use the AGC (Automatic Gain Control).

  1. During recording or standby, set the AUTO/MANUALswitch to MANUAL.
  2. Press the GAIN button if "A" is displayed next to current gain value.
  3. Set the gain switch to H,M or L. The gain value set for the selected fain switch position appears on the screen. You can set the gain value for each gain switch from [GAIN SET] of the (CAMERA SET) menu.

ADJUSTING THE SHUTTER SPEED

You can manually adjust and fix the shutter speed. You can make a moving object look still or emphasize the movement of a moving subject by adjusting the shutter speed.

  1. During recording or standby, set the AUTO/MANUAL switch
  2. Press the SHUTTER SPEED button until the shutter speed value is highlighted.
  3. Change the shutter speed displayed on the screen by turning the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. You can adjust the shutter speed in a range 1/4 second through 1/10000 second. The denominator of the set shutter speed appears on the screen when you set the shutter speed to 1/100 second. The larger the value on the screen, the faster the shutter speed.
  4. Press the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to lock the shutter speed. To readjust the shutter speed, do steps 2 to 4 again.

ADJUSTING THE ND FILTER

You can record the subject clearly by using the ND filter when the recording environment is too bright. The ND filters 1, 2, and 3 reduce the volume of light to about 1/4, 1/16 and 1/64 respectively. If ND1 flashes during the iris automatic adjustment, set the ND filter to 1. If ND2 flashes during the iris automatic adjustment, set the ND filter to 2. If ND3 flashes during the iris automatic adjustment, set the ND filter to 3. The ND filter indicator will stop flashing and remain on the screen. If NDOFF flashes set the ND filter to off. The ND filter icon will disappear from the screen.

  • NOTE: If you change the ND filter to OFF, the ND filter icon will disappear from the screen.
  • NOTE: When adjusting the iris manually, the ND filter icon does not flash even if the light volume should be adjusted with the ND filter.
  • NOTE: If the camcorder cannot detect the ND filter position (OFF/1/2/3), ND flashes on the screen. Make sure that the ND filter is set correctly.
    • TIP: While recording a bright subject, diffraction may occur if you close the aperture further down, resulting in a fuzzy focus (this is a common phenomenon with video cameras). The ND filter suppresses this phenomenon and gives better recording results.

WHITE BALANCE

You can adjust and fix white balance according to the lighting conditions of recording environment. You can store white balance values in memory A and memory B. Unless a white balance is readjusted, values will remain even after the power has been turned off.

SETTING WHITE BALANCE

  1. During recording or standby, set the AUTO/MANUAL switch to MANUAL.
  2. Press the WHT BAL button.
  3. Set the white balance memory switch to A or B.
  4. Capture a white subject, such as white paper, full-screen in the same lighting condition as the subject.
  5. Press the WHT BAL button (one push) WHT BAL A or WHT BAL B starts flashing rapidly. It will stay on when the white balance adjustment is completed and the adjusted value is stored in WHT BAL A or WHT BAL B.
  • NOTE: When a white balance adjustment value has not been obtained successfully, WHT BAL A or WHT BAL B turns from rapid flashing to slow flashing. Adjust the subject appropriately and set the shutter speed to auto or around 1/60, the try adjusting white balance again.

GAIN SET

you can set gain values for H, M, and L positions of the GAIN switch. The default settings of [H], [M] and [L] are 18 dB, 9 dB, and 0 dB respectively.

  1. Press the MENU button, select CAMERA SET then GAIN SET.
  2. Select [H], [M] or [L] with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
  3. Set the gain value with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial, then press the dial. You can select the value between -6 dB and -21 dB by 3 dB. The larger the value, the higher the gain.
  4. Select [OK] with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
  5. Press the MENU button to hide the menu screen.

SMOOTH GAIN

You can set the transition speed at which the gain setting shifts from one value to another, set for the GAIN switch positions, when you switch the GAIN switch from a position to another. You can select the transition speed from [FAST], [MIDDLE] and [SLOW] or set to [OFF]. The default setting is [OFF].

ZEBRA STRIPING

You can display a zebra pattern as a guide for adjusting brightness. Zebra stripes are the only real indication of lighting levels. The Zebra pattern is a stripe pattern displayed where the image will be overexposed over a certain level and detail will be lost. You can select the brightness level between 70 and 100 or 100+. The default setting is [70]. 70 or 80 are good Luma values for Caucasian tones. 100 IRE is the upper limit of legal video and is the correct value of white.

  1. Press the MENU button.
  2. Select DISPLAY SET with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
  3. Select ZEBRA with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
  4. Select the appropriate level.
  • NOTE: When you select [ON], the Zebra icon (a square with diagonal lines) and the brightness level appear on the screen. The zebra pattern will not be recorded with the image. the default setting is [OFF].

AUDIO SETUP

CHANNEL SETTING

  1. Select input with the CH1 (INT MIC/INPUT 1) switch and the CH2 (INT MIC/INPUT1/INPUT2).
  2. Set INPUT1 to an appropriate position for the microphone connected to the INPUT1 jack.
  • LINE: For inputting sound from an audio device.
  • MIC: For inputting sound from an external microphone that does not support the +48V power source (phantom power).
  • MIC+48V: For inputting sound from a device that supports the +48v power source, including the supplied microphone.

When you connect a microphone to the INPUT2 jack, set the INPUT2 switch to an appropriate position for that microphone. WHEN THE CH1 SWITCH IS SET TO INT MIC

CH2 SWITCH POSITION INPUT CHANNEL SOURCE
INT MIC Internal microphone (L) CH1
INT MIC Internal microphone (R) CH2*)
INPUT1 Internal microphone (mono) CH1
INPUT1 XLR INPUT1 CH2**
INPUT2 Internal microphone (mono) CH1
INPUT2 Internal microphone (mono) CH2

WHEN THE CH1 SWITCH IS SET TO INPUT1

CH2 SWITCH INPUT CHANNEL SOURCE
INT MIC XLR INPUT1 CH1
INT MIC Internal microphone (mono) CH2**
INPUT1 XLR INPUT1 CH1
INPUT1 XLR INPUT1 CH2**
INPUT2 XLR INPUT1 CH1
INPUT2 XLR INPUT2 CH2** 
* The recording level of channel 2 is synchronized with that of channel 1 when only the internal microphone is used. The recording level of channel 2 is controlled with CH1 (AUDIO LEVEL) dial and the CH1 (AUTO/MAN) switch.
** You can adjust the recording levels of channel 1 and channel 2 separately.
  • NOTE: Do not operate the INPUT1/INPUT2 switches during recording to prevent noise from being recorded.
  • NOTE: When you connect a device that supports the +48V power source to the INPUT1 or INPUT2 jack, set the INPUT1/INPUT2 switches to MIC+48v prior to connecting the device. When you disconnect the device, set the INPUT1/INPUT2 switch to MIC first, then disconnect it.
  • NOTE: When you connect a microphone that does not support the +48V power source to the INPUT1 or INPUT2 jack, set the INPUT1/INPUT2 to MIC. If you use it with the INPUT1/INPUT2 switch set to MIC+48V, it may damage or the recorded sound be distorted.

ADJUSTING THE VOLUME

You can adjust the volume of an internal microphone or a microphone connected to the INPUT1/INPUT2 jack.

  1. Set AUTO/MAN (CH1/CH2) switch of the channel to be adjust to MAN.
  2. Turn the AUDIO LEVEL dial to adjust the volume during recording or standby.

SETTING THE HEADPHONE SOUND

You can select the channel, CH1 or Ch2, to output from the headphone. You can select the channel, Ch1 or CH2 or Stereo Mix, to output from the headphone.

TIME CODE and USER BIT

The camcorder records movies accompanied by time data, such as time code and user bit. Display the setting screen by pressing the MENU and select (TC/UB SET) with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. You can synchronize the time code of this camcorder with the time code of another camcorder. See pages 44-45 of the complete manual (available here) for instructions.

PRESETTING THE TIME CODE

  1. Select [TC PRESET] with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
  2. Select [PRESET] with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
  3. Select the first 2 digits with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. You can set the time code between 00:00:00:00 and 23:59:59:29.
  4. Set other digits by repeating step 3.
  5. Select [OK] with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.

TO RESET THE TIME CODE

You can reset the time code (00:00:00:00). Select [RESET] in step 2 of "PRESETTING THE TIME CODE."

PRESETTING THE USER BIT

  1. Select [UB PRESET] with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
  2. Select [PRESET] with the SE:/PRESET EXEC dial.
  3. Select the first 2 digits with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.
  4. Set other digits by repeating step 3.
  5. Select [OK] with the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial.

TO RESET THE USER BIT

You can reset the user bit (00 00 00 00) Select [RESET in step 2 of "PRESETTING THE USER BIT."

PLAYBACK

Press the VISUAL INDEX button or the MODE button followed by touching PLAY then [VISUAL INDEX] on the screen. To play back movies, touch recording media you want to play back. Touch the playback mode and select the desired image quality of movies. Touch the thumbnail of the movie you want to play twice.

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