Adjusting The Black Balance/White Balance - Sony DSR-400L Operating Instructions Manual

Adjusting the black balance/white
balance
To ensure excellent image quality when using this
camcorder, conditions may require that both the black
balance and the white balance be adjusted.
If the black balance or white balance adjustment is started,
messages that report on the progress and results are
displayed on the viewfinder screen when the VF DISP
MODE item is set to 2 or 3 on the VF DISP 1 page of the
OPERATION menu.
Note
Black balance and white balance adjustment values that
are automatically set by the camcorder and the various
settings are stored in the camcorder memory and retained
even when the power is turned off.
To adjust the black balance
The black balance will require adjustment in the following
cases.
• When the camcorder is used for the first time
• When the camcorder has not been used for a long time
• When the camcorder is used under conditions in which
the surrounding temperature has changed greatly
• When the GAIN switch (L/M/H) values have been
changed by using the OPERATION menu
It is not usually necessary to adjust the black balance when
using the camcorder after it has been off.
In automatic black balance mode, adjustments are
performed in the following order: clamp level, black set,
and black balance.
Note that the automatic black balance adjustment
includes a function to correct minor bright or dark
points of light (red, blue, or green) that appear on the
CCDs, in addition to the normal black balance
operation.
1
Power the camcorder on, and set the OUTPUT/DCC
switch to CAM.
50
Recording
2
1
2
Push the AUTO W/B BAL switch to BLACK and
release the switch.
The switch returns to the center position, and the
adjustment is executed.
During adjustment, the following message is displayed
on the viewfinder screen.
ABB:EXECUTING
-BLACK SET-
The black balance adjustment ends in a few seconds
with the message "ABB: OK" and the adjustment
value is automatically stored in memory.
Notes
• During the black balance adjustment, the iris is
automatically closed.
• During the black balance adjustment, the gain selection
circuit is automatically activated so you may see
flickering on the viewfinder screen, but this is not a
malfunction.
If automatic black balance adjustment cannot be
made
If the black balance adjustment cannot be completed
normally, an error message will appear for about 3 seconds
on the viewfinder screen.
Error message Meaning
ABB: NG The lens iris did not close. Check if
IRIS NOT CLOSED the lens cable is connected properly.
ABB: NG Adjustment could not be completed
TIME LIMIT within the standard number of
attempts.
ABB: NG The difference between the
R (or G or B): reference value and the current
OVERFLOW value is so great that it exceeds the
range.
If any of the above error messages is displayed, retry the
black balance adjustment. Keep pushing the AUTO W/B
BAL switch to BLACK until "-BLACK SET-" appears
after "-BLACK BALANCE-" appears. If the error
message occurs repeatedly, contact your Sony service
representatives.
The messages change in
sequence:
-BLACK SET-
r
-BLACK BALANCE-