background image

1

GB

G

etting star

ted

Step 3: Preparing the recording media

The recording media that can be used differs depending on your camcorder. The following 

icons are displayed on the screen of your camcorder.

HDR-CX130E

Memory card

HDR-CX160E/CX180E

  

*

Internal memory

Memory card

*

  In the default setting, both movies and photos are recorded on this recording media. You can perform 

recording, playback and editing operations on the selected medium.

Tips

See page 59 for the recordable time of movies.

See page 60 for the number of recordable photos.

Selecting recording media (HDR-CX160E/CX180E)

  Touch 

 (MENU) 

 [Setup] 

 [  (Media Settings)] 

 [Media Select].

The [Media Select] screen appears.

   

Touch the desired recording medium, then touch 

 

 

.

Both movies and photos are recorded on the selected medium.

To check the recording media settings

In either movie recording mode or photo recording mode, the media icon of the selected 

recording media is displayed at the top right corner of the screen.

The icon displayed may vary depending on your model.


Recording media icon

Summary of Contents for CX160E

Page 1: ...order Operating Guide 4 271 483 12 1 Table of contents Getting started Recording Playback Advanced operations Saving movies and photos with a computer Saving images with an external device Customizing your camcorder Additional information Quick reference ...

Page 2: ...se of used battery packs promptly as described in the instructions Replace the battery with the specified type only Otherwise fire or injury may result AC Adaptor Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in a narrow space such as between a wall and furniture Use the nearby wall outlet wall socket when using the AC Adaptor Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet wall socket immediately if any malfun...

Page 3: ...e waste handling of this product The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources For more detailed information about recycling of this product please contact your local Civic Office your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product Disposal of waste batteries applicable in the European Union and other European countries with separate collection sy...

Page 4: ...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...

Page 5: ...ons The LCD screen is 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 These points are normal results of the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way Exposing the LCD s...

Page 6: ...e data To prevent your image data from being lost save all your recorded images on external media periodically To save images on your computer see page 33 and to save images on external devices see page 40 The type of discs or media on which the images can be saved depend on the REC Mode selected when the images were recorded Movies recorded with 50p Quality can be saved using external media p 42 ...

Page 7: ...ory card are called recording media In this manual the DVD disc recorded with high definition image quality HD is called AVCHD recording disc Design and specifications of your camcorder and accessories are subject to change without notice Confirm the model name of your camcorder The model name is shown in this manual when there is a difference in specification between models Confirm the model name...

Page 8: ...gs 17 Copying movies and photos HDR CX160E CX180E 19 Recording Playback Recording 20 Selecting the recording mode 24 Playback on the camcorder 25 Performing Highlight Playback 28 Playing images on a TV 29 Advanced operations Deleting movies and photos 32 Saving movies and photos with a computer Useful functions available if you connect the camcorder to a computer 33 Preparing a computer 34 When us...

Page 9: ... image quality HD disc with a DVD writer etc other than DVDirect Express 48 Creating a standard definition image quality STD disc with a recorder etc 49 Customizing your camcorder Using menus 51 Getting detailed information from the Handycam Handbook 55 Additional information Troubleshooting 56 Recording time of movies number of recordable photos 58 Precautions 61 Specifications 63 Quick reference...

Page 10: ...screen 2 Attach the battery pack by sliding it in the direction of the arrow until it clicks 3 Connect the AC Adaptor and the power cord mains lead to your camcorder and the wall outlet wall socket The CHG charge lamp lights up and charging starts The CHG charge lamp turns off when the battery pack is fully charged Battery pack CHG charge lamp DC IN jack To the wall outlet wall socket AC Adaptor D...

Page 11: ...nue to use up its charge Do not leave the camcorder connected to a computer in this manner Charging with a personally assembled computer with a converted computer or through a USB hub are not guaranteed The camcorder may not function correctly depending on the USB device which is used with the computer Tips You can charge the battery by connecting the Built in USB Cable to a wall outlet wall socke...

Page 12: ...to 30 C 50 F to 86 F The charging times are measured without using the USB Connection support cable Tips See page 58 on recording and playing time When your camcorder is on you can check the approximate amount of remaining battery power with the remaining battery indicator at the upper right on the LCD screen To remove the battery pack Close the LCD screen Slide the BATT battery release lever and ...

Page 13: ...ing and playback times with your camcorder In the default setting the power turns off automatically if you leave your camcorder without any operation for about 5 minutes to save battery power A Shut Off Notes on the AC Adaptor Use the nearby wall outlet wall socket when using the AC Adaptor Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet wall socket immediately if any malfunction occurs while using...

Page 14: ... when the LCD screen is open press POWER 2 Select the desired language then touch Next 3 Select the desired geographical area with then touch Next To set the date and time again touch MENU Setup Clock Settings Date Time Setting Date Time When an item is not on the screen touch until the item appears MODE lamp POWER button Touch the button on the LCD screen ...

Page 15: ...xt The clock starts Notes The date and time does not appear during recording but they are automatically recorded on the recording media and can be displayed during playback To display the date and time touch MENU Setup Playback Settings Data Code Date Time You can turn off the operation beeps by touching MENU Setup General Settings Beep Off If the button you touch does not react correctly calibrat...

Page 16: ... off Tips You can turn off the camcorder also by pressing POWER When Power On By LCD is set to Off turn off your camcorder by pressing POWER Changing the language setting You can change the on screen displays to show messages in a specified language Touch MENU Setup General Settings Language Setting a desired language ...

Page 17: ...n the selected medium Tips See page 59 for the recordable time of movies See page 60 for the number of recordable photos Selecting recording media HDR CX160E CX180E Touch MENU Setup Media Settings Media Select The Media Select screen appears Touch the desired recording medium then touch Both movies and photos are recorded on the selected medium To check the recording media settings In either movie...

Page 18: ...attach a label or the like on memory card or memory card adaptor Doing so may cause a malfunction Memory Stick PRO Duo media of up to 32 GB and SD cards of up to 64 GB have been verified to operate with your camcorder Notes A MultiMediaCard cannot be used with this camcorder Movies recorded on SDXC memory cards cannot be imported to or played back on computers or AV devices not supporting the exFA...

Page 19: ...emory card Confirm the direction of the memory card If you forcibly insert the memory card in the wrong direction the memory card memory card slot or image data may be damaged Do not open the cover during recording When inserting or ejecting the memory card be careful so that the memory card does not pop out and drop To eject the memory card Open the cover and lightly push the memory card in once ...

Page 20: ...ia Movies are recorded with high definition image quality HD HDR CX130E Memory card HDR CX160E CX180E Internal recording media Tips To change the recording media see page 17 HDR CX160E CX180E 1 Fasten the grip belt 2 Open the LCD screen of your camcorder Your camcorder is turned on and the lens cover is opened ...

Page 21: ... the settings using the Display Setting menu To capture smiles In the default setting a photo is automatically recorded when the camcorder detects the smile of a person during movie recording Smile Shutter When the camcorder detects faces during movie recording image quality is automatically adjusted Face Detection MODE button Movie When recording a movie Photo When recording a photo STBY REC STAR...

Page 22: ... default setting You can specify the priority face by touching it You can capture photos from recorded movies You can check the recordable time estimated remaining capacity etc by touching MENU Setup Media Settings Media Info The LCD screen of your camcorder can display recording images across the entire screen full pixel display However this may cause slight trimming of the top bottom right and l...

Page 23: ... the screen aspect ratio becomes 4 3 Press PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus then press it fully Tips See page 60 on the recordable number of photos To change the image size touch MENU Image Quality Size Image Size a desired setting You cannot record photos while is displayed MODE button Movie When recording a movie Photo When recording a photo Flashes Lights up PHOTO button ...

Page 24: ...can be saved on will depend on the recording mode selected For details on a save operation using the external devices see page 40 Types of media Recording mode PS FX FH HQ LP On this camcorder Internal recording media Memory card On external devices External media USB storage devices Blu ray discs AVCHD recording discs PS can be set only when Frame Rate is set to 50p ...

Page 25: ...DR CX160E CX180E Internal recording media Tips To change the recording media see page 17 HDR CX160E CX180E The camcorder displays recorded images as an event automatically based on the date and time 1 Open the LCD screen of your camcorder Your camcorder is turned on and the lens cover is opened 2 Press View Images The Event View screen appears after some seconds 3 Touch to select the desired event...

Page 26: ...the number of the events that can be displayed on the time line bar 4 Touch an image you want to view Touch to select the image type to be displayed in the index from MOVIE movies only PHOTO photos only or MOVIE PHOTO movies and photos mixed To go back to the Event View screen Displays the previous next page Touching and holding the button scrolls the index screen Change to the movie photo recordi...

Page 27: ... easily When playback from the selected image reaches the last image the screen returns to the INDEX screen Touch during pause to play back movies slowly As you repeat touching during playback movies are played as fast as about 5 times about 10 times about 30 times about 60 times The recording date time and shooting conditions are recorded automatically during recording This information is not dis...

Page 28: ...the Switch Image Type button on the Event Index screen Tips To repeat Slideshow touch Slideshow Set Performing Highlight Playback Press Touch to select the desired event then touch Highlight Touch Scenario Save on the screen after the Highlight Playback is finished so that you can save the Highlight Playback scenario To start stop slide show Next Previous Delete Context ...

Page 29: ...Connect the camcorder to a TV Use the supplied AC Adaptor as the power source p 12 3 Play a movie or a photo on the camcorder p 25 List of connection Connecting to a high definition TV When the recording quality is high definition image quality HD the movies are played back in high definition image quality HD When the recoding quality is standard image quality STD the movies are played back in sta...

Page 30: ...OUT jack of your camcorder Some TVs may not function correctly e g no sound or image with this connection Do not connect the camcorder HDMI OUT jack to an external device HDMI OUT jack as malfunction may result To set the aspect ratio according to the connected TV 16 9 4 3 Set TV Type to 16 9 or 4 3 according to your TV When you connect with A V connecting cable with S Video When the S VIDEO plug ...

Page 31: ...der to the TV using more than one type of cable to output images the order of priority of the TV input jacks is as follows HDMI component S VIDEO video HDMI High Definition Multimedia Interface is an interface to send both video audio signals The HDMI OUT jack outputs high quality images and digital audio On Photo TV HD This camcorder is compatible with the Photo TV HD standard Photo TV HD allows ...

Page 32: ...ng back an image by selecting it from the Event Index screen you can delete the image using on the playback screen To delete all images recorded in the recording media and recover all the recordable space of the media format the media Reduced size images which enable you to view many images at the same time on an index screen are called thumbnails 1 Press View Images p 25 2 Touch MENU Edit Copy De...

Page 33: ...stored in the CD ROM supplied includes functions that enable you to do more with the images recorded with the camcorder Easy uploading when away from home Windows Macintosh With PMB Portable which is pre installed on the camcorder you can play back or upload your images to the Web by connecting your camcorder to a computer away from home View Edit Save on a disc Upload Calendar DVD Blu ray Joining...

Page 34: ...ume required for installation Approximately 500 MB 10 GB or more may be necessary when creating AVCHD recording discs 50 GB maximum may be necessary when creating Blu ray discs Display Minimum 1 024 768 dots Others USB port this must be provided as standard Hi Speed USB USB 2 0 compatible Blu ray disc DVD burner CD ROM drive is necessary for installation Either NTFS or exFAT file system is recomme...

Page 35: ...ng on the computer Click Install Select the country or region Select the language for the application to be installed then proceed to the next screen Read the terms of the license agreement carefully If you agree to the terms change to and then click Next Install Follow the instructions that appear on the computer screen to continue the installation You may be required to install some other applic...

Page 36: ...reated using the PMB software to DVD players or recorders as these devices do not support the AVCHD standard If you do you may not be able to remove the disc from these devices This camcorder captures high definition footage in the AVCHD format Using the enclosed PC software high definition footage can be copied onto DVD media However DVD media containing AVCHD footage should not be used with DVD ...

Page 37: ... PMB functions Uploading images to a network service The application software PMB Portable is pre installed in the camcorder You can enjoy the following functions using the PMB Portable Uploading images to network services such as blogs with ease Uploading by a network connected computer while away from home Register network services such as blogs to use frequently Click the Help button on the upp...

Page 38: ...reement well and click I Agree PMB Portable starts up Touch USB Connect on the camcorder screen When using Windows 7 The Device Stage window opens When using Windows XP Windows Vista The AutoPlay wizard is displayed If the USB Select screen does not appear touch MENU Setup Connection USB Connect Device Stage is a menu of Windows 7 that is used to manage devices camcorder camera etc that are connec...

Page 39: ...g on the service provider to upload the image to If a problem occurs to PMB Portable or if you wrongly delete the software you can download the PMB Portable installer from the Web to repair Notes on PMB Portable You can download the URLs of some websites from a server administered by Sony hereinafter referred to as the Sony server using PMB Portable You must agree to the following in order to util...

Page 40: ...r with standard definition image quality STD Built in USB Cable 48 Hard disk recorder etc Saving images on a DVD disc with standard definition image quality STD A V connecting cable supplied 49 Movies that are recorded with standard definition image quality STD Use the A V connecting cable to connect the camcorder to an external device in which images are saved Notes The AVCHD recording disc can b...

Page 41: ... disc with high definition image quality HD AVCHD format playback devices such as a Sony Blu ray disc player or a PlayStation 3 DVD disc with standard definition image quality STD Ordinary DVD playback devices such as a DVD player Notes Always maintain your PlayStation 3 to use the latest version of the PlayStation 3 system software The PlayStation 3 may not be available in some countries regions ...

Page 42: ...media devices with built in USB hub card reader Notes You may not be able to use external media devices with a code function The FAT file system is available for your camcorder If the storage medium of the external device was formatted for the NTFS file system etc format the external media device using the camcorder before use The format screen appears when an external media device is connected to...

Page 43: ...connecting an external media device The images saved in the external media device are displayed on the LCD screen When an external media device is connected the USB icon will appear on the Event View screen etc You can make menu settings of the external media device such as deleting images Touch MENU Edit Copy on Event View To disconnect the external media device Touch while the camcorder is in th...

Page 44: ...All In Event select the event to copy with You cannot select multiple events Touch on the camcorder screen Playing back images in the external media device on the camcorder Connect the camcorder to the external media device and touch Play without copying Event View of the external media device is displayed Select the image you want to view and play back the image p 25 You can also view images on a...

Page 45: ...eparately Refer also to the instruction manual supplied with the DVD writer Notes Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet wall socket using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation p 12 DVDirect Express is referred to as DVD writer in this section Discs that can be used 12 cm DVD R 12 cm DVD R The device does not support two layered discs 1 Connect the AC Adaptor and the power cord mains lead ...

Page 46: ... to the image quality If the files you want to copy do not fit onto one disc replace the disc in the DVD writer with an unused one and repeat the operation 5 After the operation is completed touch the tray opens remove the disc touch on the camcorder screen 6 Touch then disconnect the USB cable Tips If the total memory size of movies to be burnt by the DISC BURN operation exceeds that of the disc ...

Page 47: ...ory card from the camcorder Play the created disc to make sure copying was performed correctly before deleting the movies on your camcorder If Failed or DISC BURN failed appears on the screen insert another disc into the DVD writer and perform the DISC BURN operation again Tips Disc creation time to copy movies to the limit of the disc is about 20 to 60 minutes It may take more time depending on t...

Page 48: ...e the USB cable to connect your camcorder to a disc creation device which is compatible with high definition image quality HD movies such as a Sony DVD writer Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the device to be connected Notes Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet wall socket using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation p 12 Sony DVD writer may not be available in some cou...

Page 49: ... the USB cable Creating a standard definition image quality STD disc with a recorder etc You can copy images played back on your camcorder on a disc or video cassette by connecting your camcorder to a disc recorder a Sony DVD writer etc other than DVDirect Express with the A V connecting cable Connect the device in either way of or Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the devices to...

Page 50: ...corder to the input jacks of the recording device 3 Start playback on your camcorder and record it on the recording device Refer to the instruction manuals supplied with your recording device for details 4 When dubbing is finished stop the recording device and then your camcorder Notes Since copying is performed via analog data transfer the image quality may deteriorate You cannot copy images to r...

Page 51: ...image quality or size p 53 Playback Function Items for playback p 53 Edit Copy Items for editing p 53 Setup Other setup items p 53 Operating menus Follow the procedures explained below to set the menu items The Camera Mic and Setup menus have sub categories Touch the sub category icon and the screen changes to other sub category menus Grayed out menu items or settings are not available Notes You m...

Page 52: ...recording mode Tele Macro Shoots a subject in focus with the background out of focus SteadyShot Sets the SteadyShot function when recording movies SteadyShot Sets the SteadyShot function when shooting photos Digital Zoom Sets the maximum zoom level of the digital zoom that exceeds the zoom level of the zoom Conversion Lens Sets the type of an attached conversion lens sold separately Optimizes the ...

Page 53: ...nal media Setup Media Settings Media Select Sets the type of media to be used for recording movies or photos p 17 Media Info Displays information on the recording media such as free space Format Deletes all data on the internal recording media or a memory card Repair Img DB F Repairs the image database file on the internal recording media or a memory card p 57 File Number Sets how to assign the fi...

Page 54: ...ot LCD Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the LCD screen A Shut Off Changes the A Shut Off setting p 13 Power On By LCD Sets whether or not the camcorder is turned on and off when you open and close the LCD screen Language Setting Sets the display language p 16 Calibration Calibrates the touch panel Battery Info Displays the battery information Demo Mode Sets whether the demonstration appears or...

Page 55: ...click SONYPMB E CD ROM install exe Drive names such as E may vary depinding on the computer 2 Click Handbook 3 Click the desired language and the model name of your camcorder Install and follow the on screen instructions to install Handycam Handbook The model name of your camcorder is printed on the bottom surface To view the Handycam Handbook double click the short cut icon on the computer screen...

Page 56: ... Adaptor to the wall outlet wall socket p 12 The camcorder does not operate even when the power is set to on It takes a few seconds for your camcorder to be ready to shoot after the power is turned on This is not a malfunction Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall outlet wall socket or remove the battery pack then reconnect it after about 1 minute If your camcorder still does not work press RESE...

Page 57: ...e problem persists even after you have tried to fix a couple of times contact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility In this case when you contact them give them all the numbers of the error code beginning with C or E C 04 The battery pack is not an InfoLITHIUM battery pack V series Use an InfoLITHIUM battery pack V series p 10 Connect the DC plug of the AC Adaptor to your camc...

Page 58: ... time of recording and playback with each battery pack Recording time Approximate time available when you use a fully charged battery pack unit minute Battery pack Continuous recording time Typical recording time Image quality HD STD HD STD NP FV50 supplied 150 165 75 80 NP FV70 315 345 155 170 NP FV100 625 680 310 340 Each recording time is measured when the camcorder is recording high definition...

Page 59: ...16 GB 32 GB 9 9 15 15 35 35 75 75 150 150 10 10 20 20 40 40 90 90 180 180 10 10 30 30 60 60 120 120 245 245 25 15 50 40 105 80 215 165 440 330 45 35 90 75 190 155 380 310 770 630 Standard definition image quality STD unit minute 2 GB 4 GB 8 GB 16 GB 32 GB 25 25 55 50 110 100 225 210 460 420 Playing time Approximate time available when you use a fully charged battery pack unit minute Battery pack I...

Page 60: ... Sony s ClearVid and the image processing system BIONZ allow still image resolution equivalent to the sizes described Tips You can also use memory card with a capacity of under 1 GB for recording photos The following list shows the bit rate pixels and aspect ratio of each recording mode movie audio etc High definition image quality HD PS Max 28 Mbps 1 920 1 080 pixels 16 9 FX Max 24 Mbps 1 920 1 0...

Page 61: ...ple and operate it Doing so might cause heat to build up inside When disconnecting the power cord mains lead pull it by the plug and not the cord lead Do not damage the power cord mains lead such as by placing anything heavy on it Do not use a deformed or damaged battery pack Keep metal contacts clean If the battery electrolytic liquid has leaked Consult your local authorized Sony service facility...

Page 62: ...tery is not charged the camcorder operation will not be affected as long as you are not recording the date Procedures Connect your camcorder to a wall outlet wall socket using the supplied AC Adaptor and leave it with the LCD screen closed for more than 24 hours Note on disposal transfer of the camcorder HDR CX160E CX180E Even if you delete all movies and still images or perform Format data on the...

Page 63: ...5 1 4 in 16 9 For photos 29 8 mm 894 mm 1 3 16 in 35 1 4 in 4 3 Color temperature Auto One Push Indoor 3 200 K Outdoor 5 800 K Minimum illumination 11 lx lux in default setting shutter speed 1 50 second 3 lx lux Low Lux is set to On shutter speed 1 25 second 1 The unique pixel array of Sony s ClearVid and the image processing system BIONZ allow still image resolution equivalent to the sizes descri...

Page 64: ... Memory Stick Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick PRO Duo Memory Stick PRO HG Duo MagicGate MagicGate Memory Stick and MagicGate Memory Stick Duo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation InfoLITHIUM is a trademark of Sony Corporation x v Colour is a trademark of Sony Corporation BIONZ is a trademark of Sony Corporation BRAVIA is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation DVDirect is a...

Page 65: ... their respective companies Furthermore and are not mentioned in each case in this manual Add further enjoyment with your PlayStation 3 by downloading the application for PlayStation 3 from PlayStation Store where available The application for PlayStation 3 requires PlayStation Network account and application download Accessible in areas where the PlayStation Store is available ...

Page 66: ...ng mode PS FX FH HQ LP 60min Remaining battery Recording playback editing media 0 00 00 Counter hour minute second 00Min Estimated recording remaining time Photo size 9999 9999 Approximate number of recordable photos and photo size Playback folder 100 112 Current playing movie or photo Number of total recorded movies or photo Bottom Indicator Meaning View Images button Micref Level low Wind Noise ...

Page 67: ...an close the LCD panel with the LCD screen facing out This is convenient during playback operations View Images button 25 POWER button 14 Speaker RESET button Press RESET using a pointed object Press RESET to initialize all the settings including the clock setting MODE button 21 Movie Photo lamps 21 MIC PLUG IN POWER jack HDR CX160E CX180E HDMI OUT jack 29 USB jack 42 45 ...

Page 68: ...ck 10 START STOP button 21 DC IN jack 10 A V Remote Connector 29 Grip belt 20 Built in USB Cable 11 Memory card access lamp 19 While the lamp is lit or flashing the camcorder is reading or writing data Tripod receptacle Memory card slot 19 BATT battery release lever 12 ...

Page 69: ...iagnosis display 57 Setting the date and time 14 Software 34 Specifications 63 Supplied items 5 T Thumbnail 32 Tripod 68 Troubleshooting 56 Turning the power on 14 TV 29 U USB cable 45 48 V VBR 59 W Wall outlet wall socket 10 Warning indicators 57 Windows 34 A A V connecting cable 30 50 B Battery pack 10 Built in USB Cable 5 11 C Care 61 Charging the battery pack 10 Charging the battery pack abroa...

Page 70: ...70 GB ...

Page 71: ......

Page 72: ... in China 2011 Sony Corporation Additional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Support Website http www sony net Printed on 70 or more recycled paper ...

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