3-210-378-11(1) Digital HD Video Camera Recorder Operating Guide HDR-SR5/SR7/SR8 For details on the advanced operations, please refer to “Handycam Handbook” (PDF).
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS WARNING To reduce fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. For your protection, please read these safety instructions completely before operating the appliance, and keep this manual for future reference. Carefully observe all warnings, precautions and instructions on the appliance, or the one described in the operating instructions and adhere to them.
Cleaning Unplug the set from the wall outlet before cleaning or polishing it. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a cloth lightly dampened with water for cleaning the exterior of the set. Installation Water and Moisture long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent damage to the set due to lightning and power-line surges.
Read this first Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference. CAUTION Replace the battery with the specified type only. Otherwise, fire or injury may result. For customers in the U.S.A. If you have any questions about this product, you may call: Sony Customer Information Center 1-800222-SONY (7669). The number below is for the FCC related matters only. Regulatory Information For customers in the U.S.A.
Declaration of Conformity Trade Name: SONY Model No.: HDR-SR8 Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc. Address: 16530 Via Esprillo, San Diego, CA 92127 U.S.A Telephone number: 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.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the copyright laws. Save all your recorded image data • To prevent your image data from being lost, save all your recorded images on external media. It is recommended that you save the image data on a disc such as DVD-R using your computer*. Also, you can save your image data using a VCR, or a DVD/HDD recorder*. • It is recommended that you save your image data periodically, after recording.
Table of Contents IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS ..................................................................2 Read this first ...........................................................................................4 Notes on use .................................................................................................. 5 Getting Started Step 1: Checking supplied items ..............................................................8 Step 2: Charging the battery pack ...................................
Getting Started Step 1: Checking supplied items Make sure that you have the following items supplied with your camcorder. The number in the parentheses indicates the number of that item supplied. Wireless Remote Commander (1) AC Adaptor (1) (p. 9) A button-type lithium battery is already installed. Remove the insulation sheet before using the Remote Commander. Insulation sheet Power cord (1) (p. 9) Rechargeable battery pack NP-FH60 (1) (p. 9) Handycam Station (1) (p. 9) Component video cable (1) (p.
Step 2: Charging the battery pack 3 4 POWER switch 5 1 /CHG lamp DC IN jack 2 DC plug AC Adaptor Power cord You can charge the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (H series) after attaching it to your camcorder. b Notes • Your camcorder operates only with an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (H series). Getting Started 5 Battery pack To the wall outlet 5 Set the camcorder onto the Handycam Station securely. The /CHG (charge) lamp lights up and charging starts.
To charge the battery pack using only the AC Adaptor Slide the POWER switch to OFF (CHG), then connect the AC Adaptor directly to the DC IN jack on the camcorder. POWER switch With the v mark on the right DC IN jack Open the jack cover. DC plug Available running time for the supplied battery pack Charging time: Approximate time (min.) required when you fully charge a completely exhausted battery pack. Recording/Playback time: Approximate time (min.) available when you use a fully charged battery pack.
Step 3: Turning the power on, and setting the date and time 1 Touch the button on the LCD screen. POWER switch Getting Started When using the camcorder for the first time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears on the LCD screen. 1 While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch repeatedly in the direction of the arrow until the respective lamp lights up. (Movie): To record movies The clock starts.
Step 4: Preparing for recording Adjusting the LCD panel Open the LCD panel 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it to the best angle to record or play (2). 290 degrees (max.) 190 degrees to the camcorder DISP/BATT INFO 2180 degrees (max.) Adjusting the Viewfinder (HDRSR7/SR8) You can view images using the viewfinder to avoid wearing down the battery, or when the image seen on the LCD screen is poor. Viewfinder Viewfinder lens adjustment lever Move it until the image is clear.
Recording/Playback Recording START/STOP D POWER switch C START/STOP A [STBY] t [REC] (HOME) B (p. 22) PHOTO E Flashing t Lights up 1 Slide the POWER switch C until the respective lamp lights up. Recording/Playback EASY F Press the green button only when the POWER switch C is in the OFF (CHG) position. • • (Movie): To record movies (Still): To record still images 2 Start recording. Movies Press START/STOP A (or D). To stop recording, press START/STOP A (or D) again.
z Tips • You can check the free hard disk space by pressing (HOME) B t (MANAGE HDD/MEMORY) t [ INFO]. • You can capture up to 3 still images by pressing PHOTO E during movie recording. • The maximum continuous recordable time is approximately 13 hours. • When a movie file exceeds 2 GB, the next movie file is created automatically. • The maximum recordable time is as follows (with recording mode [HD SP]); HDR-SR5: approx. 11 hours and 50 minutes HDR-SR7: approx. 17 hours and 50 minutes HDR-SR8: approx.
Playback (VIEW IMAGES) A (Film Roll Index) B POWER switch D (VIEW IMAGES) C 6 Displays still images on the hard disk 7 Displays still images on a “Memory Stick Duo” 8 Searches for images by date 9 (OPTION) * appears for movies with SD (standard definition) image quality. 1 Slide the POWER switch D to turn on your camcorder.
To adjust the sound volume of movies When playing back a movie, touch (OPTION) t tab t [VOLUME], then adjust the volume with / . z Tips • When playback from the selected movie reaches the last movie, the screen returns to the INDEX screen. • i appears with the image on the tab that was most recently played back/recorded (B for the still image in the “Memory Stick Duo”). When you touch a movie marked with i, you can play it back from the point it was previously stopped.
Parts and functions used for the camcorder The numbers in ( ) are reference pages. Recording/Playback Handycam Station 1 Power zoom lever To use the zoom, move the power zoom lever. Move the power zoom lever slightly for a slower zoom. Move it further for a faster zoom. You can magnify still images from about 1.1 to 5 times the original size (Playback zoom). • When you touch the screen during playback zoom, the point you touched will be displayed in the center of the displayed frame.
5 Viewfinder lens adjustment lever (12) (HDR-SR7/SR8) 6 ACCESS lamp (Hard disk) When the ACCESS lamp is lit or flashing, your camcorder is writing/reading data. 7 (flash) button You can select the settings for the flash. wa Speaker Sound comes out from the speaker while playing back. ws LCD screen/touch panel To record in mirror mode, open the LCD screen 90 degrees to the camcorder (1), then rotate it 180 degrees to the lens side (2). 8 REMOTE jack Connect other optional accessories.
ef (Film Roll Index) button (15) eg DISP/BATT INFO button You can switch the screen display when you press while the power is set to on. When you press while the power is set to OFF (CHG), you can check the remaining battery. rh DISC BURN button Create a disc by connecting the camcorder to a computer. For details, see “Picture Motion Browser Guide.” rj Interface connector rk (USB) jack Connect with the USB cable.
Indicators displayed during recording/playback Recording movies A Recording quality (HD/SD) and Recording mode (XP/HQ/SP/LP) B HOME button C Remaining battery (approx.) D Recording status ([STBY] (standby) or [REC] (recording)) E Counter (hour/minute/second) F OPTION button G Dual Rec Recording still images H VIEW IMAGES button I Face Index set J 5.1ch surround recording K Quality ([FINE]/[STD]) L Image size M Appears while a still image is being saved.
X VISUAL INDEX button Upper right Indicators when you made changes Indicator Meaning FADER LCD backlight off Following indicators appear during recording/playback to indicate the settings of your camcorder. Upper left Center Upper right Drop sensor off Drop sensor activated Bottom Indicator Meaning Picture effect Digital effect Bottom SCENE SELECTION Upper left Indicator Meaning 5.1ch surround recording/playback Backlight .
Performing various functions - “ “ OPTION” HOME” and • You cannot simultaneously select or activate the grayed items in the current recording/playback situation. (HOME) B To see the explanation of the function of each item on the HOME MENU (HELP) (HOME) A (OPTION) 1 Press (HOME) A (or B). 2 Touch (HELP). The bottom of (HELP) turns orange. Using the HOME MENU You can change the recording functions and the operating settings for your convenience. For details, see “Handycam Handbook” (PDF).
b Notes COMPUTER • When the item you want is not on the screen, touch another tab. If you cannot find the item anywhere, the function is not available under the current situation. • The tabs and items that appear on the screen depend on the recording/playback status of your camcorder at the time. • Some items appear without a tab. • The (OPTION) MENU cannot be used during Easy Handycam operation (p. 14).
SOUND/DISP SET*2 [VOLUME]*1, [BEEP]*1, [LCD BRIGHT], [LCD BL LEVEL], [LCD COLOR], [VF B.LIGHT]*3 OUTPUT SETTINGS [TV TYPE], [DISP OUTPUT], [COMPONENT] CLOCK/ LANG [CLOCK SET]*1, [AREA SET], [DST SET], [SUMMERTIME], [ LANGUAGE SET]*1 GENERAL SET [DEMO MODE], [REC LAMP], [CALIBRATION], [A.SHUT OFF], [REMOTE CTRL], [DROP SENSOR] *1 You can set these items also during Easy Handycam operation (p. 14). *2 The menu name is changed to [SOUND SETTINGS] during Easy Handycam operation.
Saving images Due to the limited capacity of the internal hard disk, make sure that you save the image data to some type of external media such as a DVD-R or a computer. You can save the images recorded on the camcorder as described below. Saving images using a computer Creating a disc with One Touch (One Touch Disc Burn) You can save images recorded on the camcorder directly to a disc with ease. Saving images on a computer You can save images recorded on the camcorder on the hard disk of a computer.
Enjoying with a computer Viewing “Handycam Handbook” (PDF) For details on using your camcorder, see “Handycam Handbook” (PDF). To view “Handycam Handbook” (PDF), you need to install Adobe Reader on your computer. For Windows users 1 Turn on the computer. 2 Place the CD-ROM (supplied) in the disc drive of your computer. The select screen for installation appears. 4 Select the desired language and the model name of your Handycam, then click [Handycam Handbook (PDF)]. Installation starts.
What you can do with a Windows computer When you install the “Picture Motion Browser” on a Windows computer from the supplied CD-ROM, you can enjoy the following operations. x Creating a disc with images taken with your camcorder by one simple operation By pressing DISC BURN on the Handycam Station (p. 19), you can save images recorded on your camcorder to a disc on your computer.
DVD burner (CD-ROM drive is necessary for installation) b Notes • Even in a computer environment where the operations are guaranteed, frames may be dropped from movies with HD (high definition) image quality, resulting in uneven playback. However, imported images and images on discs created subsequently will not be affected. • Operations are not guaranteed, even on computers fulfilling the above system requirements.
2 Set the camcorder onto the Handycam Station, then slide the POWER switch to turn on. 3 Connect the (USB) jack of the Handycam Station to the (USB) jack of the computer using the supplied USB cable. 4 Touch [ COMPUTER] on the LCD screen of your camcorder. 10Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software. One of the following installation screens appears, depending on the computer environment. Check the screen and follow the instructions displayed to install the required software.
Operating “Picture Motion Browser” After you install the software, shortcut icons for “Picture Motion Browser” and “Picture Motion Browser Guide” are created on the desktop. For the basic operation of “Picture Motion Browser,” see “Picture Motion Browser Guide.” Double-click to start “Picture Motion Browser.” Double-click to start “Picture Motion Browser Guide.” Connecting your camcorder to a computer To import the images to the computer, etc.
2 Click [Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device]. 3 Click [OK] (Windows 2000 only). 4 Touch [END] on the screen of your camcorder. 5 Touch [YES] on the screen of your camcorder. 6 Disconnect the USB cable from the Handycam Station and the computer. b Notes Enjoying with a computer • Do not disconnect the USB cable while the ACCESS lamp is lit. • Before turning off your camcorder, disconnect the USB cable following the proper procedures described above.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting If you run into any problems using your camcorder, use the following table to troubleshoot the problem. If the problem persists, disconnect the power source and contact your Sony dealer. Notes before sending your camcorder for repair • Your camcorder may be required to initialize or change the current hard disk of the camcorder, depending on the problem. In the event of this, the data stored on the hard disk will be deleted.
You cannot make new recording during this period. • The hard disk of the camcorder is full. Delete unnecessary images (p. 25). • Total number of movie scenes or still images exceeds the recordable capacity of your camcorder. Delete unnecessary images (p. 25). The recording stops. • The temperature of your camcorder is extremely high/low. Turn off your camcorder and leave it for a while in a cool/warm place.
(Warning on the hard disk of the camcorder)* Fast flashing • An error may have occurred with the hard disk drive in your camcorder. (Warning on the hard disk of the camcorder)* Fast flashing • The hard disk of the camcorder is fully recorded. • An error may have occurred with the hard disk drive in your camcorder. E (Battery level warning) Slow flashing • The battery pack is nearly used up.
Additional Information Precautions On use and care • Keep the Remote Commander and button-type battery out of children’s reach. If the battery is accidentally swallowed, consult a doctor immediately. • If the battery electrolytic liquid has leaked: – consult your local authorized Sony service facility. – wash off any liquid that may have contacted your skin. – if any liquid gets in your eyes, wash with plenty of water and consult a doctor.
– Leaving the casing in contact with rubber or vinyl objects for a long period of time. About care and storage of the lens • Wipe the surface of the lens clean with a soft cloth in the following instances: – When there are fingerprints on the lens surface. – In hot or humid locations – When the lens is exposed to salty air such as at the seaside. • Store in a well-ventilated location subject to little dirt or dust. • To prevent mold, periodically clean the lens as described above.
Specifications System Video compression format AVCHD (HD)/MPEG2 (SD)/JPEG (Still images) Audio compression format Dolby Digital 2/5.1ch Dolby Digital 5.1 Creator Video signal NTSC color, EIA standards 1080/60i specification Hard disk HDR-SR5: 40 GB HDR-SR7: 60 GB HDR-SR8: 100 GB When measuring media capacity, 1 GB equals 1 billion bytes, a portion of which is used for data management.
Input/Output connectors Audio/Video output 10-pin connector Video signal: 1 Vp-p, 75 Ω (ohms) Luminance signal: 1 Vp-p, 75 Ω (ohms) Chrominance signal: 0.286 Vp-p, 75 Ω (ohms) Audio signal: 327 mV (at load impedance 47 kΩ (kilohms)), Output impedance with less than 2.2 kΩ (kilohms) COMPONENT OUT jack Y: 1 Vp-p, 75Ω (ohms) PB/PR, CB/CR: ± 350 mV, 75 Ω (ohms) HDMI OUT jack HDMI Type C mini connector Headphone jack (HDR-SR7/SR8) Stereo minijack (Ø 3.5 mm) MIC input jack (HDR-SR7/SR8) Stereo minijack (Ø 3.
Power consumption 18 W Output voltage DC 8.4 V* Operating temperature 0 °C to + 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F) Storage temperature -20 °C to + 60 °C (-4 °F to + 140 °F) Dimensions (approx.) 48 × 29 × 81 mm (1 15/16 × 1 3/16 × 3 1/4 in.) (w/h/d) excluding the projecting parts Mass (approx.) 170 g (6.0 oz) excluding the power cord * See the label on the AC Adaptor for other specifications. Rechargeable battery pack NP-FH60 Maximum output voltage DC 8.4 V Output voltage DC 7.2 V Capacity 7.
US Additional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Support Website. Printed on 70% or more recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)free vegetable oil based ink.
