Sony Hdr-Cx405: Exploring The Shooting Modes

The Sony HDR-CX405 is a basic camera that shoots both video and photos. To select the shooting mode, press the joystick to the left of the flip screen, scroll to shooting mode, and then press the joystick again to select movie or photo. The camera's auto settings are usually sufficient for most projects, but you can also manually adjust the white balance, exposure, focus, and microphone/audio level and settings.

White Balance

The Sony HDR-CX405 camera has both manual and auto white balance settings. The white balance can be adjusted to the recording environment, and the camera will automatically adjust the white balance depending on the lighting conditions.

The auto white balance setting is the default setting, and it will adjust the white balance depending on the ambient light. For example, if you are recording at night, or under fluorescent lamps, the camera will adjust the white balance accordingly.

If you are recording in an environment with changing lighting conditions, such as a party or studio, the auto white balance setting may not be as accurate as the manual setting. With the manual white balance setting, you can choose the most accurate setting and avoid the green, blue, or red hue that can occur in auto mode. You can also change the setting for artistic effect.

To adjust the white balance manually, go to:

• Camera/Mic
• Manual Settings
• White Balance
• Desired setting

Exposure

The Sony HDR-CX405 camcorder has a Manual Settings menu that allows you to adjust the exposure of your images. To do this, go to [Camera/Mic] > [Manual Settings] > [Exposure] and choose from the following options:

• Auto (default setting): The exposure is adjusted automatically.
• +/-: Adjust the exposure manually if your subject is white or the backlight is bright, or if your subject is black or the lighting is dim.

The Sony HDR-CX405 also has an Auto Backlight feature, which can be turned on or off. When this feature is on, the exposure for backlit subjects is adjusted automatically.

Focus

The Sony HDR-CX405 camera has a focus range of approximately 1cm (about 13/32 inches) for wide-angle shots and approximately 80cm (about 31 1/2 inches) for telephoto shots. The focus can be set to 'Auto' or 'Manual'.

To adjust the focus manually, press the joystick to the left of the flip screen to access the camera settings, then scroll to 'Camera/Mic' and select 'Manual Settings'. From here, scroll to 'Focus' and select either 'Auto' or 'Manual'. In manual mode, the head and mountain icons can be used to adjust the focus.

It is easier to focus on the subject by first moving the power zoom lever towards T (telephoto) to adjust the focus, and then towards W (wide angle) to adjust the zoom for recording. When recording a subject at close range, move the power zoom lever to W (wide angle) and then adjust the focus.

The camera displays focal distance information for a few seconds when the focus is set to 'Manual' or when the focus is adjusted manually. This information can be used as a guide when the subject is dark and focus adjustment is difficult.

Microphone/ Audio Level and Settings

To adjust the microphone and audio settings of your Sony HDR-CX405 camera, follow these steps:

• Press the joystick to the left of the flip screen to access the camera settings.
• Scroll to "camera/mic" using the joystick.
• Select the microphone icon.
• Adjust the microphone and audio settings according to your preferences.

The Sony HDR-CX405 offers three microphone and audio settings:

• "Blt in Zoom Mic": This setting allows the microphone to follow the zoom lens, capturing audio that is focused on the same area as the video.
• "Wind Noise Reduction": This setting attenuates wind interference, reducing wind noise in your recordings.
• "MicRef Level": This setting allows you to choose between "normal" and "low" microphone sensitivity. "Normal" is suitable for most situations, while "low" can be useful in loud environments like concerts, where you want to capture powerful sound without distortion.

Additionally, here are some general tips for improving audio quality:

• Ensure the microphone is not obstructed: Check that there are no objects blocking the microphone, such as your finger or the camera strap.
• Reduce background noise: Try to minimise background noise by moving to a quieter location or turning off any nearby devices that may be creating interference.
• Use an external microphone: If you require higher audio quality or more control over your sound, consider investing in an external microphone that can be attached to the camera.

Recording Format

The Sony HDR-CX405 camera has a video recording format of AVCHD format ver. 2.0-compatible MPEG4-AVC/H.264, MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, and XAVC S format MPEG4-AVC/H264. The frame rate is 60p/50p in progressive recording mode, and the images are as smooth as those shot at 60/50 frames per second. The still image recording format is JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.3, MPF Baseline-compliant).

The AVCHD format is a file-based format that uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 for video compression and Dolby Digital (AC-3) or linear PCM for audio compression. It is suitable for recording and playing high-definition video and is widely used in consumer camcorders and cameras. The MP4 format is a standard specification for multimedia containers that allows video, audio, and other data to be stored in a single file. It is widely used for online video streaming and distribution and is supported by a variety of software and hardware platforms. The XAVC S format is designed for professional video recording and production and provides high-quality, high-bitrate recording with efficient compression. It is based on the XAVC format, which is used in broadcast and cinema production, and supports 4K and HD resolutions.

The choice of recording format depends on the specific requirements of the user and the intended use of the recorded content. The AVCHD format is suitable for general-purpose video recording and provides good compatibility with other devices. The MP4 format is suitable for online distribution and sharing, while the XAVC S format is designed for professional use and provides the highest quality and flexibility.

Frequently asked questions