Sony PMW-F3L Camcorder User Manual


 
Important Notes on Operation
144
Appendixes
In direct sunlight or close to heaters for
extended periods
To prevent electromagnetic interference from
portable communications devices
The use of portable telephones and other
communications devices near this unit can result
in malfunctions and interference with audio and
video signals.
It is recommended that the portable
communications devices near this unit be
powered off.
Note on laser beams
Laser beams may damage the CMOS image
sensors. If you shoot a scene that includes a laser
beam, be careful not to let the laser beam be
directed into the lens of the camcorder.
About the LCD panels
The LCD panels are manufactured with
extremely high-precision technology that yields
effective pixel rates of 99.99% or higher.
However, very rarely, one or more
pixels may be permanently dark or permanently
lit in white, red, blue, or green.
This phenomenon is not a malfunction. Such
pixels have no effect on the recorded data, and the
unit may be used with confidence even if they are
present.
Phenomena specific to CMOS image
sensors
The following phenomena that may appear in
images are specific to CMOS (Complementary
Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors.
They do not indicate malfunctions.
White flecks
Although the CMOS image sensors are produced
with high-precision technologies, fine white
flecks may be generated on the screen in rare
cases, caused by cosmic rays, etc.
This is related to the principle of CMOS image
sensors and is not a malfunction.
The white flecks especially tend to be seen in the
following cases:
when operating at a high environmental
temperature
when you have raised the master gain
(sensitivity)
when operating in Slow-Shutter mode
Aliasing
When fine patterns, stripes, or lines are shot, they
may appear jagged or flicker.
Flicker
If recording is made under lighting produced by
discharge tubes, such as fluorescent, sodium, or
mercury-vapor lamps, the screen may flicker,
colors may vary, or horizontal stripes may appear
distorted.
In such cases, set the Flicker-Reduction function
to Auto mode (see page 52).
In some cases, such phenomena may not be
improved with the Flicker-Reduction function.
It is recommend to set the electronic shutter speed
to
1
/
100
sec. in 50-Hz areas and to
1
/
60
in 60-Hz
areas.
Focal plane
Owing to the characteristics of the pickup
elements (CMOS sensors) for reading video
signals, subjects that quickly move across the
screen may appear slightly skewed.
Flash band
The luminance at the top and bottom of the screen
may change when shooting a flashlight beam or a
light source that quickly flashes.
Note on the viewfinder display
Pictures on the LCD monitor and viewfinder
screen may be distorted by the following
operations:
—Changing the video format
—Rec Review
—Starting playback from the Thumbnail
screen
—Reversing the LCD panel
—Switching the Expanded Focus display
When you change the eye direction in the
viewfinder, you may see primary colors red,
green, and blue, but this is not a defect of the
camcorder. These primary colors are not
recorded on any recording media.