Preparing your Disc for Playing on a DVD Player

Finalizing the disc

Playing Back your Disc on a DVD Player or a Computer's DVD Drive

Compatibility

In order to play the disc you recorded on a DVD player, a computer's DVD drive or other digital device, you need to finalize it first. Refer also to the instruction manual of the DVD player/recorder or the computer's DVD drive.

Be sure to finalize the disc in normal room temperatures. If the procedure was not completed correctly due to high temperature, let the camcorder cool off before resuming operation. Place the camcorder on a table or other stable surface before starting the procedure. Subjecting the camcorder even to slight impacts (for example to place it on a table or to disconnect a cable) after the finalization process started may result in permanent data loss. Discs recorded in HD quality can be played back only with AVCHD compatible DVD players. Do not disconnect the compact power adapter while the operation is in progress. Doing so can interrupt the process and result in permanent data loss. Depending on the type of disc and the disc specification, after finalizing the disc you may not be able to initialize the disc, edit your recordings or add new recordings to the disc. Once finalized, you cannot add recordings to a DVD-R disc. Do not finalize with this camcorder discs that were not recorded using it.

Restrictions after Disc Finalization

*You will need to unfinalize the disc first

The time required to complete the disc finalization will vary depending on the scene recording conditions and the amount of free space remaining on the disc.

Finalizing the disc

1. Set the camcorder to play movies or view still images on the disc (or /).
   

2. Press the <FUNC.> button.
   

3. Select the [Setup Menu ] and press ().
   - Select [Disc Operations] and press ().
   - Select [Finalize] and press ().
   - Select [Yes] and press ().
   - The disc finalization progress bar and the remaining time are displayed.
   - Depending on the size of the non-recorded area of the disc, the finalization process may be lengthy.
   - Avoid moving the camcorder while the disc finalization is in progress.
   - When using a finalized disc, the finalization mark "F" will appear next to the disc type and disc specification displays.
   

4. Once the finalization process has completed press the <FUNC.> button to exit the menu.
   - During the disc finalization a progress bar is displayed. Close the menu only after the screen display returns to the [DISC OPERATIONS] menu.

Playing Back your Disc on a DVD Player or a Computer's DVD Drive

After you finalized your disc, you can play it on a DVD-R or DVD-RW compatible DVD player, DVD recorder or DVD drive on a computer. On most DVD players look for the DVD-R/RW compatibility logo . Refer also to the instruction manual of your DVD player or DVD recorder.

Playing the Disc on a DVD Player

1. Turn on the TV and DVD player.
   

2. Insert a finalized disc in the DVD player.
   

3. Select the scene you want to play from the index screen.
   

For specific information regarding operation of your DVD player and disc compatibility please refer to your DVD players users guide. Discs recorded in HD quality can be played back only with AVCHD-compatible DVD players. Do not insert a disc recorded in HD quality into a DVD player that is not compatible with AVCHD specifications as you may not be able to eject the disc.

Playing the Disc on a Computer's DVD Drive

1. Insert a finalized disc in the computer's DVD drive.
   

2. To play back movies:
   - If your DVD playback software does not lunch automatically when inserting a DVD, run the DVD playback software.
   - Refer also to the instruction manual and help modules of your DVD playback software.

You need to have DVD playback software installed in your computer to play the DVD. Discs recorded in HD quality can be played back only with AVCHD-compatible DVD playback software. DVD-RW discs recorded in VR mode can only be played on VR compatible DVD players. Depending on your DVD player/recorder you may not be able to play the disc.

Compatibility of External Devices

The type of disc used and the disc quality and specifications selected when recording it will determine the external DVD devices you can use to play back the disc.

Note that correct playback cannot be guaranteed for all DVD devices, even if they comply with the compatibility requirements listed above.