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© 2005 Sony Corporation
Digital Video Camera Recorder
Operating Guide
DCR-HC90
2-548-307-
11 (1)
Using the Menu
Dubbing/Editing
Using a Computer
Troubleshooting
Additional Information
36
60
72
82
104
Getting Started
Recording/
Playback
9
20
2
DCR-HC90 2-548-307-11(1)
Read this first
Before operating the unit, please read this
manual thoroughly, and retain it for future
reference.
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.
Notice
If static electricity or electromagnetism causes
data transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart
the application or disconnect and connect the
communication cable (USB, etc.) again.
For customers in the U.S.A. and
CANADA
RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Lithium-Ion batteries are
recyclable. You can help preserve
our environment by returning
your used rechargeable batteries
to the collection and recycling
location nearest you.
For more information regarding recycling of
rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-822-
8837, or visit http://www.rbrc.org/
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking
Lithium-Ion batteries.
"Memory Stick"
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.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with
Canadian ICES-003.
For 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).
The number below is for the FCC related matters
only.
Regulatory Information
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: DCR-HC90
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 16450 W. Bernardo Dr, San Diego, CA
92127 U.S.A.
Telephone No.: 858-942-2230
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.
3
DCR-HC90 2-548-307-11(1)
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-HC90
Serial No.
Model No. AC-
Serial No.
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 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.
The supplied interface cable must be used with
the equipment in order to comply with the limits
for a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part
15 of FCC Rules.
Notes on use
Your camcorder is supplied with two
kinds of operations guides.
"Operating Guide" (This manual)
"First Step Guide" for using the supplied
software (stored on the supplied CD-
ROM)
On the types of recording media you
can use in your camcorder
· A mini DV cassette marked with
(mini DV cassettes with Cassette Memory
are incompatible) (p. 105).
· "Memory Stick Duo" marked with
,
(p. 106).
On using the camcorder
· Do not hold the camcorder by the
following parts.
LCD panel
Battery/"Memory
Stick Duo" cover
Shoe cover
· Before connecting your camcorder to
another device with a USB or i.LINK
cable, be sure to insert the connector
plug in the proper direction. If you insert
the connector plug forcibly in the wrong
direction, the terminal may be damaged,
or this may cause a malfunction of your
camcorder.
Continued
4
DCR-HC90 2-548-307-11(1)
On the menu items, LCD panel,
viewfinder, and lens
· A menu item that is grayed out is not
available under the current recording or
playback conditions.
· The LCD screen 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 screen and the
viewfinder. These points are normal
results of the manufacturing process and
do not affect the recording in any way.
· Exposing the LCD screen, the viewfinder,
or the lens to direct sunlight for long
periods of time may cause malfunctions.
· Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might
cause your camcorder to malfunction.
Take pictures of the sun only in low light
conditions, such as at dusk.
On recording
· Before starting to record, test the
recording function to make sure the
picture and sound are recorded without
any problems.
· Compensation for the contents of
recordings cannot be provided, even if
recording or playback is not possible
due to a malfunction of the camcorder,
storage media, etc.
· TV color systems differ depending on
the countries/regions. To view your
recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC
system-based TV.
· Television programs, films, video tapes,
and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials
may be contrary to the copyright laws.
On this manual
· The images of the LCD screen and
the viewfinder used in this manual for
illustration purposes are captured using
a digital still camera, and therefore may
appear different.
· The on-screen displays in each local
language are used for illustrating the
operating procedures. Change the screen
language before using your camcorder if
necessary (p. 15).
About the Carl Zeiss lens
Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl
Zeiss lens, which was developed jointly
by Carl Zeiss, in Germany, and Sony
Corporation, and produces superior images.
It adopts the MTF measurement system for
video cameras and offers a quality typical
of a Carl Zeiss lens. Also, the lens for
your camcorder is T*-coated to suppress
unwanted reflections and faithfully
reproduce colors.
MTF= Modulation Transfer Function. The
number value indicates the amount of light
from a subject coming into the lens.
Read this first (continued)
5
DCR-HC90 2-548-307-11(1)