Stylish compact hdd handycam camcorder featuring a 30gb high capacity hard disk drive for long recording times and a market leading 40x optical zoom (131 pages)
Page 1
4-209-885-11(1) Table of contents Getting started Recording/Playback Making good use of your camcorder Saving images with an external device DCR-SR20/SX20/SX20K Customizing your camcorder Additional information Digital Video Camera Recorder “Handycam” Handbook Quick reference 2010 Sony Corporation ...
Read this first Supplied items Battery pack The numbers in ( ) are the supplied quantity. AC Adaptor (1) Power cord (Mains lead) (1) A/V connecting cable (1) USB cable (1) The camcorder is not dustproofed, dripproofed ...
Notes on optional accessories the image data on a disc such as a DVD-R using your computer. Also, you can save your image We recommend using genuine Sony accessories. data using a VCR or a DVD/HDD recorder, Availability of such products is subject to ...
illustration purposes are captured using a When using a shoulder belt (sold separately), do digital still camera, and therefore may appear not crash the camcorder against an object. different from images and screen indicators that Do not use your camcorder in very loud areas ...
Operation flow Getting started (p. 11) Prepare the power source and recording media. Recording movies and photos (p. 20) Recording movies p. 21 Changing the recording mode (p. 25) Expected recording time (MEDIA INFO, p. 66) Shooting photos p. 23 Playing movies and photos Playback on the camcorder ...
Advice for successful recording To get good results in recording Stabilizing your camcorder When you hold the camcorder, keep your upper body upright, and hold your arms close to your body. The SteadyShot function is effective against camera-shake, however, it is essential that you not move the camcorder. Zooming smoothly Zoom in and out slowly and smoothly.
Useful recording techniques Flowers in close-up Recording in a dimly-lit room PORTRAIT (58) VIDEO LIGHT (26) TELE MACRO (60) Capturing fireworks, or a sunset in all Checking your golf swing SPORTS (58) its splendor FIREWORKS (58) SUNRISE&SUNSET (58)
Getting started Step 1: Charging the battery pack DCR-SR20 DC IN jack Battery pack CHG (charge) lamp Power cord (Mains lead) DC plug AC Adaptor To the wall outlet (wall socket) DCR-SX20 CHG (charge) lamp Battery pack DC IN jack Power cord DC plug (Mains lead)
Page 12
Notes You cannot attach any “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack other than the V series to your camcorder. Turn off your camcorder by closing the LCD screen. Attach the battery pack by sliding it in the direction of the arrow until it clicks.
To remove the battery pack Close the LCD screen. Slide the BATT (battery) release lever () and remove the battery pack (). To use a wall outlet (wall socket) as a power source Make the same connections as “Step 1: Charging the battery pack. ” Even if the battery pack is attached, the battery pack is not discharged.
Step 2: Turning the power on, and setting the date and time Open the LCD screen of your camcorder. Your camcorder turns on. POWER lamp with / of the Select the desired geographical area by selecting multi-selector, keep pressing the center of the multi-selector until the desired geographical area is turned on a light.
Page 15
If you set [DST SET] or [SUMMERTIME] to [ON], the clock advances 1 hour. Select [NEXT] with of the multi-selector, then press the center of the multi-selector. Set the date and time by repeating the procedure bellow. Highlight the desired item with / of the multi-selector. ...
Using the Multi-selector Multi-selector Turn the desired button on a light with /// of the multi-selector. Press the center of the multi-selector to confirm your selection. Changing the language setting You can change the on-screen displays to show messages in a specified language. (MENU) ...
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. DCR-SX20: Memory card DCR-SR20: Internal hard disk 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.
Selecting the recording media for photos (DCR-SR20) (MENU) [Show others] [MEDIA SETTINGS] (under Select [MANAGE MEDIA] category) [PHOTO MEDIA SET]. The [PHOTO MEDIA SET] screen appears. Select the desired recording media. Select [YES] The recording medium is changed.
Page 19
Size of memory cards that can be used with your camcorder Only “Memory Stick Duo” media that is about a half the size of the standard “Memory Stick” media, and standard-sized SD memory cards can be used. Do not attach a label, etc., to a memory card or memory card adaptor. Doing so may cause a malfunction. ...
Recording/Playback Recording In the default setting, movies are recorded on the following recording media. DCR-SX20: Memory card DCR-SR20: Internal hard disk Tips See page 17 on changing the recording media (DCR-SR20). To open the lens cover Slide the LENS COVER switch to open. Tips ...
Open the LCD screen of your camcorder. Your camcorder turns on. You can switch recording modes by pressing MODE. Press MODE until the desired mode icon appears. MODE button (Movie): When recording a movie Recording movies Press START/STOP to start recording. START/STOP button [STBY] ...
Page 22
The icons and indicators on the LCD panel will be displayed for about 3 seconds, then disappear after turning on your camcorder or switching the recording (movie/photo)/playback modes. To display the icons and indicators again, press the multi-selector. about 3sec after ...
Data code during recording The recording date, time and condition are recorded automatically on the recording media. They are not displayed during recording. However, you can check them as [DATA CODE] (MENU) [Show others] [PLAYBACK during playback. To display them, select [PLAYBACK] category) ...
Page 24
Press PHOTO lightly to adjust the focus, then press it fully. Flashes Lights up When disappears, the photo is recorded. Tips See page 80 on the recordable number of photos. (MENU) [Show others] [ To change the image size, select IMAGE SIZE] (under ...
Useful functions for recording movies and photos Selecting the recording mode You can select a recording mode to record Zooming movies from 3 levels. The recording time of the media may change, depending on the You can magnify images up to 50 times the recording mode.
If you record in the LP mode, the quality of Adjusting the exposure for backlit movies may be degraded, or scenes with quick subjects movements may appear with block noise when you play back the image. Tips You can select the [ REC MODE] for each ...
Playback on the camcorder In the default setting, movies and photos that are recorded on the following recording media are played. DCR-SX20: Memory card DCR-SR20: Internal hard disk Tips See page 17 on changing the recording media (DCR-SR20). Open the LCD screen of your camcorder.
appears with the movie or photo that was most recently played or recorded. If you select the movie or photo with , you can continue playback from the previous time. ( appears on the photo recorded on a memory card.) Playing movies Your camcorder starts playing the selected movie.
Viewing photos Your camcorder displays the selected photo. Previous To start/stop slide show Next OPTION To the VISUAL INDEX screen Tips When viewing photos recorded on a memory card, (playback folder) appears on the screen. ...
Useful functions for playing movies and photos The images of the selected date are displayed on the VISUAL INDEX screen. Searching for desired images by date (Date Index) You can search for desired images by date Tips You can also display Date Index by selecting ...
You can play back the movie from the [ Select FILM ROLL]. selected face image. Returns to the VISUAL INDEX screen Press (VIEW IMAGES). Sets the interval at which to create thumbnails of scenes in a movie. The VISUAL INDEX screen appears.
Make sure that you set [FACE DETECTION] to [ON] (p. 61) (the default setting) prior to recording, to search movies on the Face Index. Tips You can also display the Face Index by selecting (MENU) [Show others] [VIEW IMAGES] (under [PLAYBACK] category) ...
Playing images on a TV Connect your camcorder to the input jack of a TV or VCR using the A/V connecting cable (supplied). Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall socket) using the supplied AC Adaptor for this operation (p. 13). Refer also to the instruction manuals supplied with the devices to be connected.
Page 34
When your TV is monaural (When your TV has only one audio input jack) Connect the yellow plug of the A/V connecting cable to the video input jack and connect the white (left channel) or red (right channel) plug to the audio input jack of your TV or VCR. ...
Making good use of your camcorder Deleting movies and photos To delete movies, select You can free media space by deleting DELETE] [ DELETE]. movies and photos from recording media. DELETE] To delete photos, select [ DELETE]. Select and display the mark on the movies or photos to be...
Page 36
In step 2, select [ DELETE] DELETE by date]. To delete all photos on the same day at one DELETE] [ time, select [ DELETE by date]. Select to select the recording date of the desired movies/photos, then select Press LIGHT (p.
Protecting recorded movies and photos (Protect) To undo the protection of movies and photos Protect movies and photos to avoid deleting Select the movie or photo marked with them by mistake. in step 3. disappears. To protect all the movies and photos recorded on the same day at one time ...
Dividing a movie Notes You cannot restore movies once they are divided. You cannot divide the protected movie. Remove the protection to divide (p. 37). Do not remove the battery pack or the AC Adaptor from your camcorder while dividing the movie.
Capturing a photo from a movie Select When capturing is finished, the screen returns to pause. The captured photo is saved on the recording media selected in [PHOTO MEDIA SET] (DCR-SR20) (p. 18). To continue capturing, select , then ...
Dubbing/copying movies and photos from the internal recording media to (MENU) [Show Select others] [MOVIE DUB] (under memory card [EDIT] category). (DCR-SR20) The [MOVIE DUB] screen appears. Dubbing movies You can dub movies recorded on the internal recording media of your camcorder to memory card.
[DUB by date]: Select the recording (MENU) [Show date of the movie to be dubbed, then Select select . You cannot select multiple others] [PHOTO COPY] (under dates. [EDIT] category). The [PHOTO COPY] screen appears. [YES] ...
Page 42
[COPY by date]: Select the recording date of the photo to be copied, then select . You cannot select multiple dates. [YES] Select Tips To check the copied photos after copying is finished, select [MEMORY CARD] on [PHOTO MEDIA SET] and play them back (p.
Using the Playlist of movies The Playlist is a list showing thumbnails of To add all the movies recorded on the same day at one time the movies that you have selected. The original movies are not changed even In step 2, select [ ADD by date].
Page 44
Movies added to the Playlist appear. To change the order within the Playlist Select (MENU) [Show others] [PLAYLIST EDIT] (under [EDIT] category). Select [ MOVE]. Select the movie to be moved. Select the movie you want to play back.
Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall socket) using the supplied AC adaptor (p. 13). Refer to the instruction manual supplied with the external media. Refer to the Sony support page for your country/region for details on external media that can be used.
Page 46
(MENU) [Show others] on the Select [Copy.] on the camcorder VISUAL INDEX screen. screen. To save desired movies and photos DCR-SR20: You can also save images recorded on Movies and photos in the internal memory cards. recording media of the camcorder that have not yet been saved on to external ...
Page 47
To play back images in the external media on the camcorder Select [Play without copying.] in step 5 above. The VISUAL INDEX screen of the external media is displayed. Play back the image (p. 27). You can also view images on a TV ...
Creating a disc with a DVD writer, recorder Creating a disc with the dedicated Turn on your camcorder, and DVD writer, DVDirect Express connect the DVD writer to the (USB) jack of your camcorder with You can create a disc or play back the images on a created disc by using the the USB cable of the DVD writer.
Page 49
To play back a disc on the DVD writer Select on the screen, then disconnect the USB cable. To customize a disc with DISC BURN OPTION Perform this operation in the following Connect the AC Adaptor and the power cases: cord (mains lead) to the DC IN jack of When dubbing a desired image...
Notes If the [USB SELECT] screen does not (MENU) [Show Sony DVD writer may not be available in some appear, select countries/regions. others] [USB CONNECT] (under Connect your camcorder to the wall outlet (wall [OTHERS] category).
AC Adaptor for this operation (p. 13). Connect your camcorder to the Sony DVD writer may not be available in some countries/regions. recording device (a disc recorder, etc.) with the A/V connecting cable (supplied).
Start playback on your camcorder, and record it on the recording device. Refer to the instruction manuals supplied with your recording device for details. When dubbing is finished, stop the recording device, and then your camcorder. Notes Since dubbing is performed via analog data ...
Customizing your camcorder Using menus Using the menus, you can perform useful functions and change various settings. If you make good use of menu operations, you can enjoy using your camcorder. The camcorder has various menu items under each of eight menu categories. MANUAL SETTINGS (Items to adjust for scene condition) ...
Select Select [Show others] on the MY MENU screen. See the next page for details on MY MENU. Select the menu item to be changed. After changing the setting, select To finish setting the menu, select To return to the previous menu screen, select may not be displayed depending on the menu item.
Repeat the same steps above to register menu items on MY MENU, and enjoy using your “Handycam. ” Tips When an external storage device is connected, the exclusive MY MENU appears. Using the OPTION MENU The OPTION MENU appears just like the pop-up window that appears when you right-click the mouse on a computer.
Menu lists (MANUAL SETTINGS) category DIVIDE SCENE SELECTION PHOTO CAPTURE FADER MOVIE DUB* WHITE BAL. DUB by select EXPOSURE DUB by date FOCUS DUB ALL TELE MACRO PHOTO COPY* COPY by select (SHOOTING SET) category COPY by date REC MODE PLAYLIST EDIT GUIDEFRAME STEADYSHOT...
Page 57
DISPLAY SET OUTPUT SETTINGS TV TYPE DISP OUTPUT CLOCK/ LANG CLOCK SET AREA SET DST SET/SUMMERTIME LANGUAGE SET POWER SETTINGS A.SHUT OFF OTHER SETTINGS DEMO MODE DROP SENSOR* DCR-SR20...
MANUAL SETTINGS (Items to adjust for scene PORTRAIT (Soft portrait) condition) Brings out the subject such as people or flowers while See “Using menus” (p. 53) on the operation. creating a soft background. The default settings are marked with . SPOTLIGHT**( ) SCENE SELECTION Prevents people’s faces from...
WHITE FADER INDOOR () Fades in/out with the white effect. The white balance is appropriately adjusted for the following recording conditions: Indoors At party scenes or studios where the lighting conditions change quickly Under video lamps in a studio, or under sodium lamps or incandescent-like color BLACK FADER lamps...
from inside the house, or vice versa, you need cannot be adjusted farther away. to redo the [ONE PUSH] procedure to readjust It is easier to focus on the subject by moving the white balance. the power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) to adjust the focus, then towards W (wide angle) EXPOSURE to adjust the zoom for recording.
SHOOTING SET (Items for customized shooting) AUTO SLW SHUTTR (Auto Slow Shutter) See “Using menus” (p. 53) on the operation. The default settings are marked with . When recording in dark places, the shutter speed is automatically reduced to 1/30 REC MODE (Recording second.
Page 62
AUDIO REC SET OTHER REC SET BLT-IN ZOOM MIC (Built-in zoom DIGITAL ZOOM microphone) You can select the maximum zoom level up You can record a movie with vivid sound to 50× in case you want to zoom to a level appropriate to the zoom position.
PHOTO SETTINGS (Items for recording photos) RESET See “Using menus” (p. 53) on the operation. Assigns file numbers in sequence, following The default settings are marked with . the largest file number existing on the recording medium. SELF-TIMER When the memory card is replaced with another one, the file number is assigned for Press PHOTO to start the count down.
PLAYBACK (Items for playback) DATE/TIME See “Using menus” (p. 53) on the operation. VISUAL INDEX See page 27. VIEW IMAGES Date Time DATE INDEX CAMERA DATA See page 30. Movie FILM ROLL See page 30. FACE See page 31.
EDIT OTHERS (Items for other settings) (Items for editing) See “Using menus” (p. 53) on the operation. See “Using menus” (p. 53) on the operation. The default settings are marked with . DELETE USB CONNECT See page 35. See page 48. PROTECT BATTERY INFO See page 37.
MANAGE MEDIA (Items for recording media) While [Executing…] is displayed, do not close See “Using menus” (p. 53) on the operation. the LCD screen, operate the buttons on the camcorder, disconnect the AC Adaptor, or eject MEDIA SETTINGS (DCR-SR20) the memory card from your camcorder (The access lamp is lit or flashing while formatting See page 17.
GENERAL SET (Other setup items) next or [EMPTY] when you use the camcorder See “Using menus” (p. 53) on the operation. time. The default settings are marked with . REPAIR IMG.DB F. SOUND/DISP SET See page 73, 76. VOLUME You can adjust the volume of playback sound by selecting ...
the screen outside and close the LCD panel CLOCK/ LANG to the camcorder body, the setting becomes [NORMAL] automatically. CLOCK SET Tips See page 14. This adjustment does not affect the recorded images in any way. AREA SET ...
DROP SENSOR (DCR-SR20) NEVER The camcorder does not turn off Your camcorder detects that it is dropping, automatically. and protects the internal hard disk. ON Notes Activates the drop sensor. When it is detected When you connect your camcorder to a ...
It takes a few seconds for your camcorder to Contact your Sony dealer or local be ready to shoot after the power is turned on. authorized Sony service facility. This is not a malfunction.
Page 71
(p. 11). If the problem persists, [BLT-IN ZOOM MIC] disconnect the AC Adaptor from the wall [MICREF LEVEL] outlet (wall socket) and contact your Sony [DROP SENSOR] (DCR-SR20) dealer. The battery pack may be damaged. Backlight ...
Page 72
The temperature of your camcorder is Memory card extremely low. Turn off your camcorder and take it to a warm place. Leave the camcorder there for a while, then turn on the camcorder. Operations using the memory card cannot be performed. The access lamp remains lit or flashing If you use the memory card formatted on a ...
Page 73
Playback The auto focus does not function. Set [FOCUS] to [AUTO] (p. 60). The recording conditions are not suitable for Images cannot be played back. auto focus. Adjust the focus manually (p. 60). Select the type of recording media you want to ...
Page 74
Playing back images stored on The top, bottom, right, and left edges memory card on other devices of images are trimmed slightly on a connected TV. The LCD screen of your camcorder can Images cannot be played back or the display recording images across the entire memory card is not recognized.
If the problem persists even after you (Warning indicator pertaining to battery pack temperature) have tried to fix a couple of times, contact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony The battery pack temperature is high. Change service facility. In this case, when you the battery pack or place it in a cool place.
(Warning indicator pertaining to (Low temperature warning) camera-shake warning) Fast flashing The camcorder is unsteady, so camera-shake The temperature of your camcorder is easily occurs. Hold the camcorder steady with extremely low. Make the camcorder warm. both hands and record the image. However, note that the camera-shake warning indicator (Warning indicator pertaining to does not disappear.
Page 77
You cannot record because the drop sensor Data error. senses a drop of the camcorder repeatedly. An error occurred during reading or writing If you are at risk of dropping the camcorder the internal recording media of the camcorder. constantly, set [DROP SENSOR] to [OFF], This may occur when you keep applying shock and you may be able to record the image again...
Page 78
This memory card may not be able to record or play images correctly. Use a memory card recommended for your camcorder (p. 19). Do not eject the memory card during writing. Data may be damaged. Reinsert the memory card, and follow the ...
Recording time of movies/number of recordable photos Playing time Approximate time available when you use a fully charged battery pack. Expected time of recording and playback with each battery pack DCR-SR20 Recording time (unit: minute) Approximate time available when you use a Battery pack fully charged battery pack.
technology causes fluctuations in the recording Memory card time of the media. Movies containing quickly VGA(0.3M) moving and complex images are recorded at a higher bit-rate, and this reduces the overall 512MB 2800 recording time. 5700 Memory card 11500 (unit: minute) 23000 47000 512MB...
Using your camcorder abroad Power supply You can use your camcorder in any countries/regions using the AC Adaptor supplied with your camcorder within the AC 100 V to 240 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz range. On TV color systems Your camcorder is an NTSC-system-based camcorder.
Page 82
Setting to the local time You can easily set the clock to the local time by setting a time difference when using your (MENU) [Show others] [CLOCK/ camcorder abroad. Select LANG] (under [GENERAL SET] category) [AREA SET] and [DST SET]/[SUMMERTIME] (p. 68). World time difference Time-zone Area setting...
Maintenance and precautions direction. Note that improper use may cause a About the memory card malfunction. Memory card formatted by a computer On image data compatibility (Windows OS/Mac OS) does not have Image data files recorded on memory card by guaranteed compatibility with your camcorder.
Notes on using the “Memory Stick To use the battery pack effectively Micro” media Battery pack performance decreases when the ambient temperature is 10 C (50 °F) or below, To use “Memory Stick Micro” media with your and the length of time you can use the battery camcorder, you need a Duo-sized M2 adaptor.
[Show others] [POWER SETTINGS] casing, unplug your camcorder and have it [GENERAL SET] category) (under checked by a Sony dealer before operating it [A.SHUT OFF] [NEVER], and leave your any further. camcorder in recording standby until the power Avoid rough handling, disassembling, ...
Page 86
place to a warm place, moisture may condense On handling the casing inside your camcorder. This may cause a If the casing is soiled, clean the camcorder body malfunction to your camcorder. with a soft cloth lightly moistened with water, If moisture condensation has occurred ...
DELETE ALL], Memory Stick Duo” are trademarks or DELETE ALL] or [MEDIA FORMAT] (p. 66) registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. “InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony or formatting the media of the camcorder, you Corporation. may not delete data from the media completely.
Page 88
URL to download it. When downloading the source code, select DCR-SX43 as the model for your camcorder. http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/ We would prefer you do not contact us about the contents of source code. Read “license2.pdf ” in the “License” folder on the CD-ROM.
Quick reference Screen indicators Indicator Meaning Upper left Center Upper right Estimated recording [00min] remaining time FADER (58) Drop sensor off (69) Drop sensor activated (69) Approximate number of 9999 recordable photos and 9999 recording media (80) Bottom Playback folder of Upper left memory card (29) Indicator...
Parts and controls Figures in ( ) are reference pages. DCR-SR20 LCD screen (26, 53) If you rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees, you can close the LCD panel with the LCD screen facing out. This is convenient during playback operations.
Page 91
DCR-SX20 DCR-SR20 Speaker (USB) jack (48) A/V OUT jack (33) MODE button (21) (Backlight) button (26) RESET button Press RESET using a pointed object. Press RESET to initialize all the settings including the clock setting. ...
Page 92
DCR-SX20 Power zoom lever (25) PHOTO button (24) POWER lamp START/STOP button (21) Battery pack (11) CHG (charge) lamp (11) Grip belt (20) DC IN jack (11) Access lamp (memory card) (18) While the lamp is lit or flashing, the camcorder is reading or writing data.
Index DIVIDE ........38 MANAGE MEDIA .....66 Symbols DROP SENSOR ......69 MANUAL SETTINGS ....58 16:9 ..........33 DST SET ........68 MEDIA FORMAT ......66 4:3 ..........33 Dubbing ........40 MEDIA INFO ......66 DVDirect Express .......48 MEDIA SETTINGS ....17 A.SHUT OFF ......68 DVD writer......48, 50 Memory card .......18 A/V connecting cable...33, 51 “Memory Stick”...
Page 94
Playlist ..........43 Troubleshooting ......70 PLAYLIST EDIT ......65 Turning the power on ....14 PORTRAIT ........58 TV ..........33 Power on ........14 TV color systems ......81 POWER SETTINGS ....68 TV TYPE ........33 Precautions ........83 TWILIGHT .........58 PROTECT ........37 USB cable .......48, 50 REC MODE .........25 USB CONNECT ....48, 50 Recording ........21 Recording media......17...
Page 95
Additional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Support Website. http://www.sony.net/...