Sony Hvr-z1u
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THDL Toolbox > Audio-video > Manuals for Specific Video Camcorders > Sony Hvr-z1u
Basic Camera Setup (Shooting in “AUTO” Mode)
Step by Step Guide
Powering Camera On
- Insert Battery
- Turn on Power switch to the ON setting. (The switch is located on the back of the camera to the right of the battery.) “CAMERA” should appear on the viewfinder screen.
- Switch AUTO LOCK to “On”. (The switch is located below the tape mechanism toward the back end of the camera.)
- Switch FOCUS to “AUTO”.
- Switch ND FILTER to “OFF”. If you are shooting in bright light, ND1 or ND2 may flash on the viewfinder screen, prompting you to switch the camera to the proper ND Filter setting.
- Insert a blank tape by pulling the EJECT switch, located on the top of the camera, above the tape mechanism.
- Set up your microphone(s) using either of the two Audio Set-ups described below.
- To begin recording, press the red Record button on the back of the camera located to the left of the Power switch.
Audio Set-Up 1 (Shotgun Microphone)
- Place Shotgun Microphone in Camera Mount (or attach to pistol grip) Note: If you are using the Sennheiser Microphone, be sure to turn the power on
- Connect XLR-Cable to Shotgun Microphone
- Connect XLR-Cable to Camera [Input 1]
- Turn off the MIC PHANTOM for Input 1 (located in front of the Input)
- Press the MENU button located on the back of the camera. Use the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to scroll down to the AUDIO SET menu (the Musical Note icon in the Main Menu). Press SEL/PUSH EXEC to enter the AUDIO SET menu.
- Use the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to scroll down to MIC SELECT. “XLR” should appear next to the highlighted text. If the camera is set to “INTERNAL MIC” change it by pressing the SEL/PUSH EXEC button and scrolling to “XLR” in the submenu. Press SEL/PUSH EXEC to finalize your selection and return to the AUDIO SET menu.
- Use the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to scroll down to the XLR SET, and press to enter the menu. XLR CH SEL should be highlighted with CH1,CH2 appearing next to it. If the camera is set to CH1, change it by pressing the SEL/PUSH EXEC button and scrolling to “CH1,CH2” in the submenu. Press SEL/PUSH EXEC to finalize your selection and return to the XLR SET menu.
- In the XLR SET menu, scroll down to INPUT1 LEVEL, and verify that it is set to MIC. If LINE appears, change it by pressing the SEL/PUSH EXEC button and scrolling to MIC in the submenu. Press SEL/PUSH EXEC to finalize your selection and return to the XLR SET menu.
- Press the MENU button to exit the menu.
- Verify that the AUDIO SELECT switches for CH1 and CH2 (located on the back of the camera) are both set to AUTO.
- Check Audio Levels
- Instruct someone to stand 1-2 meters in front of the camera and speak at a normal volume. You should hear his/her voice in both earpieces of the headphones. Note: With AUDIO SELECT set to AUTO, the volume should be at an appropriate level, so you should not have to make any adjustments.
Audio Set-Up 2 (Shotgun Microphone + Wireless Microphone)
- Place Shotgun Microphone in Camera Mount (or attach to pistol grip) Note: If you are using the Sennheiser Microphone, be sure to turn the power on
- Connect XLR-Cable to Shotgun Microphone and Camera (Input 1)
- Turn off the MIC PHANTOM for both Input 1 and Input 2 (located in front of each Input)
- Press the MENU button located on the back of the camera. Use the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to scroll down to the AUDIO SET menu (the Musical Note icon in the Main Menu). Press SEL/PUSH EXEC to enter the AUDIO SET menu.
- Use the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to scroll down to MIC SELECT. “XLR” should appear next to the highlighted text. If the camera is set to “INTERNAL MIC” change it by pressing the SEL/PUSH EXEC button and scrolling to “XLR” in the submenu. Press SEL/PUSH EXEC to finalize your selection and return to the AUDIO SET menu.
- Use the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial to scroll down to the XLR SET, and press to enter the menu. Change XLR CH SEL from CH1,CH2 to CH1 using the SEL/PUSH EXEC dial. Press SEL/PUSH EXEC to finalize your selection and return to the XLR SET menu.
- In the XLR SET menu, scroll down to INPUT1 LEVEL, and verify that it is set to MIC. If LINE appears, change it by pressing the SEL/PUSH EXEC button and scrolling to MIC in the submenu. Repeat this process to set INPUT2 LEVEL to MIC. Press SEL/PUSH EXEC to finalize your selection and return to the XLR SET menu.
- Press the MENU button to exit the menu.
- Verify that the AUDIO SELECT switches for CH1 and CH2 (located on the back of the camera) are both set to AUTO.
- Connect the Lavalier Microphone to the Wireless Transmitter (the unit with the “mute” switch on the top.
- Turn on the Wireless Transmitter by opening the front panel and holding down the ON/OFF button.
- Connect the XLR conversion cable to the Wireless Receiver (the unit without the “mute” switch on the top. Insert the XLR end of the cable into Camera Input 2.
- Turn on the Wireless Receiver by opening the front panel and holding down the ON/OFF button.
- Position the Wireless Transmitter on the subject and check the audio. It is best if the microphone cap is not touching the subject’s clothing.
- Troubleshooting:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| No Sound | * Make sure both the transmitter and receiver are turned on and properly connected. * Make sure there is ample battery power. * Check the Audio Settings on the camera. Verify that XLR CH SELECT = Ch1, INPUT2 LEVEL = MIC, and MIC PHANTOM is set to OFF. * Verify that the transmitter and receiver are on the same frequency. To change the frequency on either the transmitter or the receiver, press the SET button. Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu until TUNE flashes on the screen. Press SET again. The frequency (eg 518.500 Mhz) will flash on the screen. Use the arrow keys to adjust the frequency so it is the same on both units. Press SET to lock in the frequency. Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu until EXIT flashes on the screen. Press SET to exit the menu. |
| Static | * Check the connections on the transmitter and receiver. * Make sure there is ample battery power. * Make sure the microphone is properly positioned on the subject. If the microphone cap is touching his/her clothing, rubbing may be causing the static. Reposition the microphone so that the microphone cap is clear of clothing and skin. * If you are in an urban area, there may be radio interference. This can be corrected by switching the transmitter and receiver to a new frequency (see above for instructions). |
| Sound is Distorted(Loud or Soft) | * Check the headphone volume on the camera. * Check the Audio Settings on the camera. Verify that XLR CH SELECT = Ch1, INPUT2 LEVEL = MIC, and MIC PHANTOM is set to OFF. *If the internal volume on the transmitter or receiver is too high or low it may cause distortion. To fix this problem, adjust the volume on either unit. Transmitter: Press the SET button. Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu until SENSIT flashes on the screen. Press SET again. A number (eg -30dB, -20dB, -10dB, or -00dB) will flash on the screen. Use the arrow keys to adjust the dB level until the proper volume is achieved. Press SET to lock in the dB level. Use arrows to navigate the menu until EXIT flashes on the screen. Press SET to exit the menu. Receiver: Press the SET button. Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu until AF OUT flashes on the screen. Press SET again. LEV (a number, eg -30___,-24, -18,-12,-06, +0, +06, or +12) will flash on the screen. Use the arrow keys to adjust the level until the proper volume is achieved. Press SET to lock in the level. Use arrows to navigate the menu until EXIT flashes on the screen. Press SET to exit the menu. NOTE: In most instances, the Transmitter should be set to -00dB and the Receiver set to +0. |
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