Sony NX5u User manual
Sony NX5u Guide
This manual will explain how to use the main functions of the Sony NX5u Camcorder. It will be assumed
that the camera is in the default settings. We will co er the most likely situations that you will encounter,
howe er there are situations that may occur that are not co ered by this manual. In that case we
encourage you to use your head, think through the problem slowly and reference the cameras manual
included with the rental.
The basic camcorder package will contain the following items:
Sony NX5u Camcorder
Porta Brace Bag
Sony ECM-XM1 Shotgun Mic
Assorted Cables
RCA Cable
SB Cable
Component
DC Power Cable (charger to Camera)
AC Power Cable (Wall to Charger)
Sony AC-VL1 Battery Charger
White Card
Manual
CD Manual
CD Content Management tility
Eye Cup
SB Card Reader
Remote Control
SD Card 16GB Panasonic w/ case
Reference Image #1
Reference Image #2
Reference Image #3
Reference Image #4
Reference Image #5
Turning the camera on
The camera can take power from either a wall outlet or a battery. The battery should be obvious so I will
only describe the wall outlet option. Pgs. 12-16 in the manual
1. Remove the battery charger, DC Power Cable (charger to Camera), and AC Power Cable (Wall to
Charger) from the bag.
2. Connect the power cord to the wall outlet
3. Connect the DC coupler cord to the AC Adapter/Charger
4. Set the mode switch of the AC Adapter/Charger to VCR/CAMERA.
5. Attach the DC coupler to the Cameras battery slot.
6. Turn on the Camera. Rotate the On/Off switch from off to on.
Setting up the Memory Cards
The camera will record onto SD media cards with a Class 6 or higher rating. The station supplies a single
16GB Class 10 SD card for your use. Be sure to format or erase all data on the cards you intend to use
prior to shooting as the camera cannot erase the cards during recording. Pgs. 19, 24-26 in the Manual.
1. Insert your media card into the camera card slots located next to the battery.
a. The protective cover opens from right to left.
b. The angled corner on the SD card faces down.
2. With the camera turned on, press MODE.
3. Press MODE again and choose MANAGE MEDIA.
4. Select MEDIA FORMAT and then the card you wish to format.
5. Confirm twice and the selected media will be formatted.
Changing the Record Format
In this step you will be changing the record settings. This includes switching between SD/HD and
changing the recording quality.
1. Press the MODE button, Select CAMERA, and then MOVIE.
2. Press MEN and navigate to REC/O T SET and then REC SET.
a. Choose the HD/SD mode that works for you
b. The left column determines what will be recorded on the SD cards and the right column
determines what will be recorded on the external hard drive (not included).
3. Selection of an option returns you to the previous screen.
4. Next open REC FORMAT.
a. The left column is HD and the right column is SD.
b. Only one column will be available. Which one depends on your choice in step 2.
c. FX,FH,HQ,LP are quality settings. FX has the best recording quality and LP has the
longest runtime.
d. I recommend shooting in 1080/30p FX or 720/60p FX.
5. After making your selection, accept the change and press MEN to exit.
6. You are ready to record.
djusting for the shot
These are the settings that you need to change to adjust exposure and color balance for each shot.
1. With the camera Turned on and the lens cap open, point the camera at your subject.
2. Default the settings as follows.
a. Set the A TO-MA N AL button to MAN AL
b. Set the IRIS to F4
c. Set the GAIN to L or 0DB
d. Set the ND FILTER to OFF
e. Set the SH TTER to twice your frame rate.
f. Set FOC S to MAN
3. Adjust the image so that it is properly exposed.
a. Try to keep the F-Stop between F3.7-F5.6
b. se the ND FILTER to reduce the light.
c. se the GAIN to boost the light
i. Avoid using GAIN if at all possible
d. sing the shutter to boost or reduce light also works
i. Be aware that the SH TTER controls motion blur.
4. White Balance the Camera
a. Place the white card nearest to the object you want to be the most correct in the shot.
b. Zoom in as close as you can to the card and adjust the white balance appropriately.
c. Refer to the camera manual for details on how to white balance.
5. Your video should now be ready to record.
Don’t forget the udio
Audio is an all too often overlooked aspect of video production. I will describe the process of routing and
balancing your audio levels in the camera.
1. Plug your microphone into INP T 1 and/or INP T 2.
2. sing the Input type panel located behind the XLR inputs, designate the appropriate mic type
for each input.
a. Line for audio from devices, mic for dynamic microphones and mic+48V for
microphones that require phantom power
3. Now look at the audio panel on the left side of the camera.
a. This panel affects the recorded audio channels
4. The left two switches are channel inputs.
a. You are recording two audio channels at any point in time, these switches determine
from where each channel receives its audio.
b. Channel 1 can receive audio from either XLR Input 1 or the internal mic.
c. Channel 2 can receive its audio from XLR Input 1, XLR Input 2, or the internal mic.
5. The two switches in the middle change the gain controls from A TO to MAN AL.
a. Auto Gain Control or AGC is fairly accurate but cannot differentiate between
background and foreground noise and will adjust itself.
b. Manual mode will get the best results if you monitor and adjust the gain as needed.
You are now ready to record your interview
One of the great things about these cameras is the ease of reviewing the footage you just shot. Take
your time with the setup and check your results and be sure to have fun.
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