3-087-414-11 (1)
Digital
Video Camera
Recorder
Operating Instructions
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly,
and retain it for future reference.
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-VX2100
Model No. AC-
Serial No.
Serial No.
DCR-VX2100
©2003 Sony Corporation
2
Welcome!
Congratulations on your purchase of this Sony Digital Handycam camcorder. With your Digital
Handycam, you can capture life's precious moments with superior picture and sound quality. Your Digital
Handycam is loaded with advanced features, but at the same time it is very easy to use. You will soon be
producing home video that you can enjoy for years to come.
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 i.LINK cable again.
For customers in the U.S.A. and
CANADA
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
For the 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-VX2100
Responsible Party:
Sony Electronics Inc.
Address:
680 Kinderkamack
Road, Oradell,
NJ07649 U.S.A
Telephone No.:
201-930-6972
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.
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.
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do
not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
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.
3
Table of contents
Quick Start Guide ............................................... 4
Getting Started
Using this manual ............................................... 6
Checking supplied accessories ......................... 8
Step 1 Preparing the power supply ................ 9
Step 2 Setting the date and time .................... 14
Step 3 Inserting a cassette ............................... 15
Recording Basics
Recording a picture .......................................... 16
Shooting backlit subjects
(BACK LIGHT) ................................ 23
Using the spot light function ............ 24
Self-timer recording ........................... 25
Checking the recording END SEARCH /
EDITSEARCH / Rec Review ....................... 26
Playback Basics
Playing back a tape ........................................... 27
Viewing the recording on TV ......................... 31
Advanced Recording Operations
Recording a still image on a tape
Tape Photo recording ................................ 32
Shooting with all the pixels
PROG. SCAN ............................................... 34
Using the guide frame ..................................... 35
Using the wide mode ....................................... 36
Using the fader function .................................. 38
Using special effects Picture effect .............. 40
Using special effects Digital effect .............. 41
Shooting with manual adjustment ................. 44
Adjusting the white balance ........................... 50
Adjusting recording level manually
Sound recording level ................................ 52
Presetting the adjustment for picture quality
Custom preset ............................................. 54
Using the PROGRAM AE function ................ 56
Focusing manually ........................................... 59
Interval recording ............................................. 60
Frame by frame recording Cut recording .. 62
Marking an Index ............................................. 63
Advanced Playback Operations
Quickly locating a scene using the zero set
memory function ........................................... 64
Searching for a recording by index
Index search ................................................. 65
Searching the boundaries of recorded tape by
title Title search ........................................... 67
Searching a recording by date
Date search ................................................... 68
Searching for a photo
Photo search/Photo scan ........................... 70
Playing back a tape with picture effects ........ 72
Playing back a tape with digital effects ......... 73
Editing
Dubbing a tape .................................................. 74
Dubbing only desired scenes
Digital program editing ............................. 76
Using with an analog video unit and a PC
Signal convert function .............................. 88
Recording video or TV programs .................. 89
Inserting a scene from a VCR
Insert editing ............................................... 93
Audio dubbing .................................................. 95
Superimposing a title ....................................... 99
Making your own titles .................................. 103
Labeling a cassette .......................................... 105
Erasing the cassette memory data ................ 107
Customizing Your Camcorder
Changing the menu settings ......................... 109
"Memory Stick" Operations
Using a "Memory Stick" introduction ...... 116
Recording still images on a "Memory Stick"
Memory Photo recording ........................ 121
Superimposing a still image in a "Memory
Stick" on a moving picture
MEMORY MIX .......................................... 125
Recording an image from a tape as a still
image ............................................................. 128
Copying still images from a tape
Photo save .................................................. 131
Viewing a still picture
Memory Photo playback .......................... 133
Copying an image recorded on a "Memory
Stick" to tapes ............................................... 136
Playing back images continuously
SLIDE SHOW ............................................ 138
Preventing accidental erasure
Image protection ....................................... 139
Deleting images .............................................. 140
Writing a print mark Print mark ............... 143
Additional Information
Usable cassettes ............................................... 144
About i.LINK ................................................... 146
Troubleshooting .............................................. 148
Self-diagnosis display .................................... 154
Warning indicators and messages ............... 155
Using your camcorder abroad ...................... 157
Maintenance information and
precautions ................................................... 158
Specifications ................................................... 163
Quick Reference
Identifying the parts and controls ................ 164
Quick Function Guide .................................... 173
Index ................................................................. 174
4
Quick
Start
Guide
Quick Start Guide
This guide introduces you to the basic way of recording/
playback. See the pages in parentheses "( )" for more
information.
Connecting the power cord (p. 13)
Use the battery pack when using your camcorder outdoors (p. 9).
AC Adaptor
(supplied)
Connect the plug with its
v
mark facing toward the
LCD panel side.
Open the DC IN jack
cover.
Inserting a cassette (p. 15)
1 While pressing the
small blue button on
the EJECT switch,
slide it in the direction
of the arrow.
2 Push the middle
portion of the back of
the cassette to insert it.
Insert the cassette into
the cassette
compartment with the
window facing out
and the write-protect
tab facing upward.
4 Close the cassette lid
by pressing the
PUSH button on the
cassette lid.
PUSH
Window
3 Close the cassette
compartment by
pressing the PUSH
mark on it.
Write-protect tab
5
Quick
Start
Guide
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
Recording a picture (p. 16)
Viewfinder
When the LCD panel
is closed, use the
viewfinder placing
your eye against its
eyecup.
1 Open the shutter of the
hood with a lens cap. For
more information about
attaching the hood with a
lens cap, see page 167.
2 Set the POWER switch to
CAMERA while pressing the
small green button.
If the ND1 or ND2 indicator
flashes, see page 47.
3 Slide OPEN
back in the
B
mark
direction to
open the
LCD panel.
Monitoring the playback picture on the LCD
screen (p. 27)
1 Set the POWER
switch to VCR while
pressing the small
green button.
2 Press m to rewind the
tape.
3 Press N to start
playback.
NOTE
Do not pick up your camcorder by holding
the viewfinder, the LCD panel, the battery
pack, or the microphone.
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
4 Press START/
STOP. Your
camcorder
starts
recording. To
stop recording,
press START/
STOP again.
POWER
OFF
(CHG)
CAMERA
MEMORY
VCR
REW
PLAY
OPEN