Solved Sony Handycam & NFC

[CosmicJest]

Hello,

I have a Sony HDR-CX330, a wi-fi network, and a laptop with Sony's PlayMemories software on it. What I don't have at the moment is a device that has Near Field Communication capability, and according to the user manual, NFC is required to use the camera's one-touch functions (assuming this means operating the camera's basic controls from a short distance).

What I need to do is to control the basic functions of the camera from a device - specifically, I need to start and stop the video function from a distance of about 15 feet.

Can I do this if I acquire a device that has NFC capability? If NFC allows devices to transfer files by touching, why would it be required to control the one-touch functions of the camera remotely?

The way I see it now, I'm dead in the water and unable to use this camera for its intended purpose, unless I buy a tablet or smartphone that has NFC capability. But I don't see how that will resolve the issue. I'm a bit flummoxed and frustrated that this requirement wasn't clearly stated in the camera's specs before it was purchased.

I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on this for me.

 

[CosmicJest]

UPDATE:

Here's what I did: I borrowed an NFC-enabled device and installed the Sony app on it, then tested the camera. It does what I need it to do, so that's great. And the question I posted is answered.

Here's the rest of the story for anybody who wants to know: Unfortunately, there are not many tablets that have NFC capability, and fewer that work with the Sony camera (Wikipedia & Sony app info). We don't need or want a smartphone in my office, so a tablet is what it had to be. I searched for each "verified by Sony" device to hopefully find a reasonably-priced 7" tablet with NFC. I ended up with a 10.1" Sony Xperia Z costing over $400! So this purchase of a wi-fi enabled camera for remote operation has turned out to be quite expensive, seeing as it doesn't ship with an old-fashioned remote control. (Note to the side: we did search rather extensively for a camcorder with remote before making the purchase, but found none.)

Rhetoric: Why have videocam manufacturers stopped making remote controls? :-(