2-891-370-11(1)
Getting Started
11
Recording/
Playback
22
Using the Menu
Dubbing/Editing
Troubleshooting
Additional Information
Spanish Quick Guide/
Guía rápida en español
34
48
54
64
77
Digital Video Camera Recorder
Operating Guide
DCR-HC28
© 2006 Sony Corporation
WARNING
To reduce fire or shock hazard, do 
not expose the unit to rain or 
moisture.
This symbol is intended to alert 
the user to the presence of 
uninsulated “dangerous 
voltage” within the product’s 
enclosure that may be of 
sufficient magnitude to 
constitute a risk of electric 
shock to persons.
This symbol is intended to alert 
the user to the presence of 
important operating and 
maintenance (servicing) 
instructions in the literature 
accompanying the appliance.
2
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
For your protection, please read these safety 
instructions completely before operating 
the appliance, and keep this manual for 
future reference.
Carefully observe all warnings, precautions 
and instructions on the appliance, or the one 
described in the operating instructions and 
adhere to them.
Use
Power Sources
This set should be operated only from the type of 
power source indicated on the marking label. If 
you are not sure of the type of electrical power 
supplied to your home, consult your dealer or 
local power company. For those sets designed to 
operate from battery power, or other sources, refer 
to the operating instructions.
Polarization
This set may be equipped with a polarized ac 
power cord plug  (a plug having one blade wider 
than the other).
This plug will fit into the power outlet only one 
way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to 
insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing 
the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact 
your electrician to have a suitable outlet installed. 
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized 
plug by forcing it in.
Overloading
Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or 
convenience receptacles beyond their capacity, 
since this can result in fire or electric shock.
Object and Liquid Entry
Never push objects of any kind into the set 
through openings as they may touch dangerous 
voltage points or short out parts that could result 
in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any 
kind on the set.
Attachments
Do not use attachments not recommended by the 
manufacturer, as they may cause hazards.
Cleaning
Unplug the set from the wall outlet before 
cleaning or polishing it. Do not use liquid cleaners 
or aerosol cleaners. Use a cloth lightly dampened 
with water for cleaning the exterior of the set.
Installation
Water and Moisture
Do not use power-line operated sets near water – 
for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen 
sink, or laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a 
swimming pool, etc.
Power-Cord Protection
Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be 
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or 
against them, paying particular attention to the 
plugs, receptacles, and the point where the cord 
exits from the appliance.
Accessories
Do not place the set on an unstable cart, stand, 
tripod, bracket, or table. The set may fall, causing 
serious injury to a child or an adult, and serious 
damage to the set. Use only a cart, stand, tripod, 
bracket, or table recommended by the 
manufacturer.
Ventilation
The slots and openings in the cabinet are provided 
for necessary ventilation. To ensure reliable 
operation of the set, and to protect it from 
overheating, these slots and openings must never 
be blocked or covered.
– Never cover the slots and openings with a cloth 
or other materials.
– Never block the slots and openings by placing 
the set on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar 
surface.
– Never place the set in a confined space, such as 
a bookcase, or built-in cabinet, unless proper 
ventilation is provided.
– Do not place the set near or over a radiator or 
heat register, or where it is exposed to direct 
sunlight.
Continued ,
3
Safety Check
Upon completion of any service or repairs to the 
set, ask the service technician to perform routine 
safety checks (as specified by the manufacturer) 
to determine that the set is in safe operating 
condition.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS (Continued)
Lightning
For added protection for this set during a lightning 
storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for 
long periods of time, unplug it from the wall 
outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. 
This will prevent damage to the set due to 
lightning and power-line surges.
Service
Damage Requiring Service
Unplug the set from the wall outlet and refer 
servicing to qualified service personnel under the 
following conditions:
– When the power cord or plug is damaged or 
frayed.
– If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen 
into the set.
– If the set has been exposed to rain or water.
– If the set has been subject to excessive shock by 
being dropped, or the cabinet has been 
damaged.
– If the set does not operate normally when 
following the operating instructions. Adjust 
only those controls that are specified in the 
operating instructions. Improper adjustment of 
other controls may result in damage and will 
often require extensive work by a qualified 
technician to restore the set to normal operation.
– When the set exhibits a distinct change in 
performance – this indicates a need for service.
Servicing
Do not attempt to service the set yourself as 
opening or removing covers may expose you to 
dangerous voltage or other hazards.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Replacement parts
When replacement parts are required, be sure the 
service technician has used replacement parts 
specified by the manufacturer that have the same 
characteristics as the original parts.
Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, 
electric shock, or other hazards.
4
Read this first
Before operating the unit, please read this 
manual thoroughly, and retain it for future 
reference.
CAUTION
Replace the battery with the 
specified type only. Otherwise, fire 
or injury may result.
For customers in the U.S.A. and 
CANADA
RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Lithium-Ion batteries are 
recyclable. You can help preserve 
our environment by returning 
your used rechargeable batteries 
to the collection and recycling 
location nearest you.
For more information regarding recycling of 
rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-822- 
8837, or visit http://www.rbrc.org/
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking 
Lithium-Ion batteries.
Battery pack
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and (2) this device must accept any 
interference received, including interference that 
may cause undesired operation.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with 
Canadian ICES-003.
For customers in the U.S.A.
If you have any questions about this 
product, you may call:
Sony Customer Information Center 1-800-
222-SONY (7669).
The number below is for the FCC related 
matters only.
Regulatory Information
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: DCR-HC28
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 16530 Via Esprillo, San Diego, CA 
92127 U.S.A.
Telephone Number: 858-942-2230
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC 
Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and (2) this device must accept any 
interference received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes or 
modifications not expressly approved in this 
manual could void your authority to operate this 
equipment.
Note
This equipment has been tested and found to 
comply with the limits for a Class B digital 
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable 
protection against harmful interference in a 
residential installation. This equipment generates, 
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, 
if not installed and used in accordance with the 
instructions, may cause harmful interference to 
radio communications.
Continued ,
5
Using the camcorder
 Do not hold the camcorder by the 
following parts.
Viewfinder
Battery pack
LCD panel
 The camcorder is not dustproof, dripproof 
or waterproof.
See “Maintenance and precautions” 
(p. 68).
 Before connecting your camcorder to 
another device with an i.LINK cable, be 
sure to insert the connector plug the 
correct way, and not forcibly to avoid 
damaging the terminal, or cause a 
malfunction of your camcorder.
About menu items, LCD panel, 
viewfinder, and lens
 A menu item that is grayed out is not 
available under the current recording or 
playback conditions.
Read this first (Continued)
However, there is no guarantee that interference 
will not occur in a particular installation. If this 
equipment does cause harmful interference to 
radio or television reception, which can be 
determined by turning the equipment off and on, 
the user is encouraged to try to correct the 
interference by one or more of the following 
measures:
– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment 
and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a 
circuit different from that to which the receiver 
is connected.
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV 
technician for help.
The supplied interface cable must be used with the 
equipment in order to comply with the limits for a 
digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of 
FCC Rules.
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the 
bottom. Record the serial number in the space 
provided below. Refer to these numbers whenever 
you call your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. DCR-HC28
Serial No.
Model No. AC-
Serial No.
For the State of California, USA only
Perchlorate Material - special handling may 
apply, See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
Perchlorate Material: Lithium battery contains 
perchlorate.
Notes on use
Types of cassette you can use in your 
camcorder
 You can use mini DV cassettes marked 
. Your camcorder is not 
with 
compatible with the Cassette Memory 
function (p. 65).
6
 The LCD screen and the viewfinder are 
manufactured using extremely high-
precision technology, so over 99.99% of 
the pixels are operational for effective 
use. However, there may be some tiny 
black points and/or bright points (white, 
red, blue, or green in color) that appear 
constantly on the LCD screen and the 
viewfinder. These points are normal 
results of the manufacturing process and 
do not affect the recording in any way.
Black point
White, red, blue 
or green point
 Exposing the LCD screen, the viewfinder, 
or the lens to direct sunlight for long 
periods of time may cause malfunctions.
 Do not aim at the sun. Doing so might 
cause your camcorder to malfunction. 
Take pictures of the sun only in low light 
conditions, such as at dusk.
On recording
 Before starting to record, test the 
recording function to make sure the 
picture and sound are recorded without 
any problems.
 Compensation for the contents of 
recordings cannot be provided, even if 
recording or playback is not possible due 
to a malfunction of the camcorder, storage 
media, etc.
 TV color systems differ depending on the 
countries/regions. To view your 
recordings on a TV, you need an NTSC 
system-based TV.
 Television programs, films, video tapes, 
and other materials may be copyrighted. 
Unauthorized recording of such materials 
may be contrary to the copyright laws.
About this manual
 The images of the LCD screen and the 
viewfinder used in this manual for 
illustration purposes are captured using a 
digital still camera, and therefore may 
appear different.
 The on-screen displays in each local 
language are used for illustrating the 
operating procedures. Change the screen 
language before using your camcorder if 
necessary (p. 17).
 Design and specifications of recording 
media and accessories are subject to 
change without notice.
About the Carl Zeiss lens
Your camcorder is equipped with a Carl 
Zeiss lens, which was developed jointly by 
Carl Zeiss, in Germany, and Sony 
Corporation, and produces superior images. 
It adopts the MTF* measurement system for 
video cameras and offers a quality typical 
of a Carl Zeiss lens.
* MTF stands for Modulation Transfer 
Function. The number value indicates the 
amount of light from a subject coming into 
the lens.
7
Table of Contents
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS  .................................................................. 3
Read this first  ........................................................................................... 5
Getting Started
Step 1: Checking supplied items ............................................................ 11
Step 2: Charging the battery pack  ......................................................... 12
Step 3: Turning the power on and holding your camcorder firmly  ......... 15
Step 4: Adjusting the LCD panel and viewfinder .................................... 16
Step 5: Using the touch panel ................................................................ 17
Changing the language setting  .................................................................... 17
Checking the screen indicators (Display guide)  .......................................... 17
Step 6: Setting the date and time ........................................................... 19
Step 7: Inserting a Cassette ................................................................... 20
 Recording/Playback
Easy Recording/Playback (Easy Handycam)  ........................................ 22
Recording ............................................................................................... 24
Playback  ................................................................................................ 25
Functions used for recording/playback, etc.  .......................................... 26
Recording
To use zoom
To record in dark places (NightShot plus)
To adjust the exposure for backlit subjects (BACK LIGHT)
To adjust the focus for an off center subject (SPOT FOCUS)
To fix the exposure for the selected subject (Flexible spot meter)
To record in mirror mode
To use a tripod
To use a Shoulder Belt
Playback
To play back the images with added special effects (Picture effect)
Recording/playback
To check the remaining battery (Battery Info)
To turn off the operation confirmation beep (BEEP)
To initialize the settings (RESET)
Other part names and functions
Indicators displayed during recording/playback  ..................................... 28
Searching for the starting point  .............................................................. 30
Searching for the last scene of the most recent recording 
(END SEARCH)  .................................................................................. 30
Searching manually (EDIT SEARCH)  ........................................................... 30
8