109
Additional inf
or
ma
tion
US
Maintenance and
precautions
About the AVCHD format
What is the AVCHD format?
The AVCHD format is a high definition
digital video camera format used to
record a high definition (HD) signal of
either the 1080i specification
*
1
or the
720p specification
*
2
using efficient data
compression coding technology. The
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format is adopted to
compress video data, and the Dolby Digital
or Linear PCM system is used to compress
audio data.
The MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format is capable
of compressing images at higher efficiency
than that of the conventional image
compressing format. The MPEG-4 AVC/
H.264 format enables a high definition
video signal shot on a digital video camera
recorder to be recorded on 8 cm DVD
discs, hard disk drive, flash memory,
memory card, etc.
Recording and playback on your
camcorder
Based on the AVCHD format, your
camcorder records with the high definition
image quality (HD) mentioned below.
In addition to high definition image
quality (HD), your camcorder is capable
of recording a standard definition (STD)
signal in the conventional MPEG-2 format.
Video signal
*
3
: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 1920
1080/60i, 1440
1080/60i
Audio signal: Dolby Digital 2ch/5.1ch
Recording media:
HDR-CX550/CX550V: Internal memory,
memory card
HDR-XR550/XR550V: Internal hard disk,
memory card
*
1
1080i specification
A high definition specification which utilizes
1,080 effective scanning lines and the interlace
system.
*
2
720p specification
A high definition specification which utilizes
720 effective scanning lines and the progressive
system.
*
3
Data recorded in AVCHD format other than
the above mentioned cannot be played on your
camcorder.
About GPS (HDR-CX550V/XR550V)
The GPS (Global Positioning System) is a
system that calculates geographical location
from highly accurate US space satellites.
This system allows you to pinpoint your
exact location on the earth. The GPS
satellites are located in 6 orbits, 20,000 km
above the earth. The GPS system consists of
24 or more GPS satellites. A GPS receiver
receives radio signals from the satellites,
and calculates the current location of the
receiver based on the orbital information
(almanac data) and travel time of the
signals, etc.
Determining a location is called
“triangulating.” A GPS receiver can
determine the location’s latitude and
longitude by receiving signals from 3 or
more satellites.
As the positions of GPS satellites vary
constantly, it may take longer to determine
the location or the receiver may not be able to
determine the location at all, depending on the
location and time you use the camcorder.
“GPS” is a system for determining geographic
location by triangulating radio signals from
GPS satellites. Avoid using the camcorder
in places where radio signals are blocked or
reflected, such as a shadowy place surrounded
by buildings or trees, etc. Use the camcorder in
open sky environments.
