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Selecting the Signal Standard and Aspect
Ratio
You can select the signal standard of your recording (high definition or standard definition) and, for
standard definition recordings, also the aspect ratio of the recording. Since the camcorder’s screen has
an aspect ratio of 16:9, when you set the MODE SELECT switch to SD 4:3 the picture will appear in the
center of the screen with black sidebars.
Change the position of the MODE SELECT
switch.
• HD: To record on the tape in HDV standard or to use
the camcorder as a high-definition (HD) camera.
• SD 16:9, SD 4:3: To record on the tape in DV standard
or to use the camcorder as a standard-definition (SD)
camera. Select the aspect ratio as desired.
If the custom function [LED] is not set to [OFF], the MODE SELECT switch will light up in blue
when set to HD.
If the position of the MODE SELECT switch is changed while recording, the standard/aspect ratio
will not change immediately; it will change once you pause the recording.
When you play back 16:9 recordings, the TV set will switch automatically to widescreen mode if it
is compatible with the Video ID-1 system. Otherwise, change the aspect ratio of the TV manually.
To play back on a standard TV set with 4:3 aspect ratio, set [SIGNAL SETUP] [LETTERBOX] to
[ON] ( 133).
When recording in 4:3, you can attach the optional RC-72 Ratio Converter (0.8x) to get the same
angle of view of the 16:9 aspect ratio. (Note that not all XL lenses are compatible with the RC-72.)