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Maintenance and precautions
What is the AVCHD format?
The AVCHD format is a high definition
digital video camera format used to record
an HD (high definition) signal of either the
1080i specification*
1
or the 720p
specification*
2
on internal hard disk drive,
using efficient data compression coding
technology. The MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
format is adopted to compress video data,
and the Dolby Digital or Linear PCM
system is used to compress audio data.
The MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format is capable
of compressing images at higher efficiency
than that of the conventional image
compressing format. The MPEG-4 AVC/
H.264 format enables a high definition
video signal shot on a digital video camera
recorder to be recorded on 8 cm DVD discs,
internal hard disk drive, flash memory,
“Memory Stick PRO Duo,” etc.
Recording and playback on your
camcorder
Based on the AVCHD format, your
camcorder records with the HD (high
definition) image quality mentioned below.
In addition to HD (high definition) image
quality, your camcorder is capable of
recording an SD (standard definition) signal
in the conventional MPEG2 format.
Video signal*
3
:
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 1920 × 1080/50i,
1440 × 1080/50i
Audio signal:
Dolby Digital 5.1/2ch
Recording media:
Internal hard disk drive, “Memory Stick
PRO Duo”
*1: 1080i specification
A high definition specification which utilizes
1,080 effective scanning lines and the interlace
system.
*2: 720p specification
A high definition specification which utilizes 720
effective scanning lines and the progressive
system.
*3: Data recorded in AVCHD format other than
the above mentioned cannot be played on your
camcorder.
A “Memory Stick” is a compact, portable
IC recording medium with a large data
capacity.
You can use only a “Memory Stick Duo,”
which is about the half size of a standard
“Memory Stick,” with your camcorder.
However, we do not guarantee the
operation of all types of “Memory Stick
Duo” on your camcorder.
• This product cannot record or play data that uses
“MagicGate” technology. “MagicGate” is a
copyright protection technology that records and
transfers the contents in an encrypted format.
• A “Memory Stick PRO Duo” formatted by a
computer (Windows OS/Mac OS) does not have
guaranteed compatibility with your camcorder.
• Data read/write speed may vary depending on
the combination of the “Memory Stick PRO
Duo” and “Memory Stick PRO Duo” compliant
product you use.
• Damaged or lost data may occur in the
following cases (the data will not be
compensated for):
– If you eject the “Memory Stick PRO Duo,” or
turn off your camcorder while your camcorder
is reading or writing image files on the
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” (while the
ACCESS lamp is lit or flashing)
About the AVCHD format
About the “Memory Stick”
Types of “Memory Stick”
Recording/
Playback
“Memory Stick Duo”
(with MagicGate)
–
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” a
“Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” a*
* This product does not support 8-bit parallel data
transfer but it supports 4-bit parallel data
transfer the same as with “Memory Stick PRO
Duo.”