Sony PMW-200 Operating Instructions Manual page 112

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.
112 Important Notes on Operation
In such cases, set the Flicker-Reduction function
to Auto mode (page 43).
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 EVF display
• Pictures on the LCD monitor and EVF screen
may be distorted by the following operations:
—Changing the video format
—Rec Review
—Starting playback from the Thumbnail
screen
—Reversing the LCD monitor
—Switching the Expanded Focus display
• When you change the eye direction in the EVF,
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.
Fragmentation
If pictures cannot be recorded/reproduced
properly, try formatting the recording medium.
While repeating picture recording/playback with
a certain recording medium for an extended
period, files in the medium may be fragmented,
disabling proper recording/storage. In such a
case, make a backup of clips in the medium then
perform formatting of the medium using "Format
Media" (page 100) in the OTHERS menu.