Canon Optura 40 User Manual

PUB.DIM-637

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Please read also the following instruction manuals.

Veuillez lire aussi les modes d’emploi suivants.

Lea también los manuales de instrucciones siguientes.

•Digital Video Software

•DV Network Software

		PUB. DIM-627
	Digital Video Software
		Version 12		E
	Instruction Manual
	Mode d’emploi
	Manual de Instrucciones			F
				Es

	PUB. DIM-629
DV Network Software
	Version 2	E
Instruction Manual (Installation and Preparation)
Mode d’emploi (Installation et préparation)		F
		Es

Manual de Instrucciones (Instalación y preparativos)

This software is for use with Windows® XP only.

Ce logiciel ne peut être employé que sous Windows® XP. Este software solamente es compatible con Windows® XP.

NTSC

Important Usage Instructions

			WARNING:
	E
			TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
			PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

WARNING:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK AND TO REDUCE ANNOYING INTERFERENCE, USE THE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES ONLY.

COPYRIGHT WARNING:

Unauthorized recording of copyrighted materials may infringe on the rights of copyright owners and be contrary to copyright laws.

Digital Video Camcorder, OPTURA40/OPTURA30 systems

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.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for 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 use in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. 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.

Use of shielded cable is required to comply with class B limits in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.

Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment unless otherwise specified in the manual.

If such changes or modifications should be made, you could be required to stop operation of the equipment.

Canon U.S.A. Inc.

One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042, U.S.A.

Tel No. [phone]

CAUTION:

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.

Important Warning

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, 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.

The exclamation point, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.

2

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

In these safety instructions the word “product” refers to the Canon Digital Video Camcorder OPTURA40/OPTURA30 A and all its accessories.

1.Read Instructions — All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated.

2.Retain Instructions — The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.

3.Heed Warnings — All warnings on the product and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.

4.Follow Instructions — All operating and maintenance instructions should be followed.

5.Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners. The product should be cleaned only as recommended in this manual.

6.Accessories — Do not use accessories not recommended in this manual as they may be hazardous.

7.Avoid magnetic or electric fields — Do not use the camera close to TV transmitters, portable communication devices or other sources of electric or magnetic radiation. They may cause picture interference, or permanently damage the camera.

8.Water and Moisture — Hazard of electric shock — Do not use this product near water or in rainy/moist situations.

9.Placing or Moving — Do not place on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table. The product may fall, causing serious

injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product.

A product and cart combination should be

moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may

cause the product and cart combination to overturn.

10.Power Sources — The CA-570 Compact Power Adapter should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company. Regarding other power sources such as battery power, refer to instructions in this manual.

11.Polarization — The CA-570 Compact Power Adapter is equipped with a polarized 2- prong plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other).

The 2-prong polarized 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 still fails to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.

12.Power Cord Protection — Power cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them. Pay particular attention to plugs and the point from which the cords exit the product.

13.Outdoor Antenna Grounding — If an outside antenna is connected to the product, be sure the antenna is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and built-up static charges. Section 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI / NFPA No. 70—1984, provides information with respect to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode. See figure 1.

E

Introduction

3

Fig. 1	EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING AS
	PER NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

ANTENNA

LEAD IN

WIRE

GROUND

CLAMP

ANTENNA DISCHARGE UNIT

(NEC SECTION 810-20)

ELECTRIC

SERVICE

EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTORS (NEC SECTION 810-21)

GROUND CLAMPS

POWER SERVICE

GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM

(NEC ART 250. PART H)

NEC - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

14.Lightning — For added protection of this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, disconnect it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power-line surges.

15.Overloading — Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

16.Objects and Liquid Entry — Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Be careful not to spill liquid of any kind onto the product.

17.Servicing — Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

18.Damage Requiring Service — Disconnect this product from the wall outlet and all power sources including battery, and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

a.When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.

b.If any liquid has been spilled onto, or objects have fallen into, the product.

c.If the product has been exposed to rain or water.

d.If the product does not operate normally even if you follow the operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operation instructions. Improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal operation.

e.If the product has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged.

f.When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance. This indicates a need for service.

19.Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts that are specified by Canon or that have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.

20.Safety Check — Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in safe operating order.

When replacement of power supply is required, please return it to the responsible nearest Canon Service Center and please replace it with the same type number CA-570.

The Adapter can be used with a power supply between 100 and 240 V AC. For areas where 120 V AC power is not used, you will need a special plug adapter. Contact your nearest Canon Service Center for further information.

Use only CSA/UL Certified power supply cord set, Polarized, Type SPT-2 or heavier, minimum No. 18 AWG copper, rated 125 or 250 V, minimum ‚P A, minimum 6 ft (1.8 m), maximum 10 ft (3 m) long.

4

Using this Manual

Thank you for purchasing the Canon OPTURA40/OPTURA30. Please read this manual carefully before you use the camcorder and retain it for future reference.

Change the display language before you begin ( 78).

Symbols and References Used in This Manual

: Precautions related to the camcorder operation.

: Additional topics that complement the basic operating procedures.

: Reference page number.

Capital letters are used to refer to buttons on the camcorder or the wireless controller.

[ ] are used to refer to menu items displayed on the screen.

“Screen” refers to the LCD and the viewfinder screen.

Please note that the illustrations mainly refer to the OPTURA40.

	Setting the Time Zone, Date and Time
	Set the time zone, date and time when you first start using your camcorder, or when					E
	you have replaced the backup battery.
Operating modes (see below)	Setting the Time Zone/Daylight Saving Time
	CAMERA		PLAY (VCR)	CARD CAMERA	CARD PLAY
Menu item and its default setting	( 37)			T.ZONE/DST•••N.Y.
	SYSTEM
	1. Press the MENU button to open the menu.
Button and switches to be operated	the SET dial.					-FunctionsBasic Preparations
	2. Turn the SET dial to select [SYSTEM] and press the
	SET dial.
	3. Turn the SET dial to select [T.ZONE/DST] and press
	Th ti	tti	( t bl	th t ) Th d f lt	tti i N

The operating modes are determined by the position of the POWER switch and the

TAPE/CARD switch.

Operating Mode	POWER Switch	TAPE/CARD Switch
CAMERA	CAMERA	b (TAPE)
PLAY (VCR)	PLAY (VCR)	b (TAPE)
CARD CAMERA	CAMERA	(CARD)
CARD PLAY	PLAY (VCR)	(CARD)

CAMERA : Function can be used in this mode.

CAMERA : Function cannot be used in this mode.

Trademark Acknowledgements

•Canon and Bubble Jet are registered trademarks of Canon Inc.

•D is a trademark.

• is a trademark.

•Windows® is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

•Macintosh and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.

•Other names and products not mentioned above may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.

E

Introduction

5

Table of Contents

Introduction

	Important Usage Instructions ........................................................................................	2
	Important Safety Instructions ........................................................................................	3
	Using this Manual ..........................................................................................................	5
	Checking Supplied Accessories ......................................................................................	8
	Components Guide ........................................................................................................	9
	Basic Functions
	Preparations
	Preparing the Power Supply........................................................................................	13
	Loading/Unloading a Cassette ....................................................................................	16
	Installing the Backup Battery ......................................................................................	17
	Preparing the Camcorder ............................................................................................	18
	Using the Wireless Controller......................................................................................	20
	Setting the Time Zone, Date and Time......................................................................	21
	Recording
	Recording Movies on a Tape ......................................................................................	24
	Zooming ........................................................................................................................	28
	Tips for Making Better Videos ....................................................................................	30
	Playback
	Playing Back a Tape ......................................................................................................	31
	Adjusting the Volume ..................................................................................................	33
	Playing Back on a TV Screen........................................................................................	34
	Advanced Functions
	Menus and Settings ......................................................................................................	37
	Recording
	Using the Recording Programs....................................................................................	45
	Using the Night Modes ................................................................................................	48
	Skin Detail Function......................................................................................................	50
	Adjusting Exposure Manually......................................................................................	51
	Adjusting the Focus Manually ....................................................................................	52
	Setting the White Balance ..........................................................................................	54
	Setting the Shutter Speed............................................................................................	56
	Using the Self-Timer......................................................................................................	58
	Changing the Recording Mode (SP/LP) ......................................................................	59
	Audio Recording ..........................................................................................................	60
	Using Digital Effects......................................................................................................	64
	Playback
	Magnifying the Image..................................................................................................	71
	Displaying the Data Code ............................................................................................	72
	End Search......................................................................................................................	74
	Returning to a Pre-marked Position ..........................................................................	75
	Date Search ....................................................................................................................	76
	Other Functions
6	Customizing the Camcorder ........................................................................................	77

Changing the Display Language ................................................................................	78
Changing the Remote Sensor Mode ..........................................................................	79
Other Camcorder Settings ..........................................................................................	80

Editing

Recording to a VCR or Digital Video Device ............................................................	83
Recording from Analog Video Devices (VCR, TV or Camcorder) ..........................	85
Recording from Digital Video Devices (DV Dubbing)..............................................	86
Converting Analog Signals into Digital Signals (Analog-Digital Converter) ........	87
Audio Dubbing..............................................................................................................	89
Connecting to a Computer Using a DV (IEEE1394) Cable ......................................	92

Using a Memory Card

Inserting and Removing a Memory Card ..................................................................	93
Selecting the Image Quality/Size ................................................................................	94
File Numbers ..................................................................................................................	96
Recording Still Images on a Memory Card ................................................................	97
Using the Flash ............................................................................................................	101
Reviewing a Still Image Right after Recording ......................................................	104
Recording Motion JPEG Movies on a Memory Card..............................................	105
Selecting the Focusing Point ....................................................................................	107
Selecting the Drive Mode ..........................................................................................	108
Recording Panoramic Images (Stitch Assist Mode) ................................................	110
Playing Back a Memory Card ....................................................................................	112
Protecting Images ......................................................................................................	115
Erasing Images ............................................................................................................	116
Combining Images (Card Mix) ..................................................................................	117
Formatting a Memory Card ......................................................................................	121
Creating a Start-up Image ........................................................................................	122

Direct Printing

Printing Still Images ....................................................................................................	123
Selecting the Print Settings........................................................................................	126
Trimming Settings ......................................................................................................	131
Printing with Print Order Settings ............................................................................	132

Transferring Images

Connecting to a Computer Using a USB Cable	......................................................134
Direct Transfer Windows OS Only ..............................................................................	135
Selecting Images for Transfer (Transfer Order) ......................................................	138

Additional Information

About the NETWORK Mode	....................................................................................139
Screen Displays ............................................................................................................	140
List of Messages ..........................................................................................................	143
Maintenance/Others ..................................................................................................	146
Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................................	152
System Diagram ........................................................................................................	156
Optional Accessories ..................................................................................................	157
Specifications ..............................................................................................................	160
Item Codes ..................................................................................................................	162
Index ............................................................................................................................	163

E

Introduction

7

Checking Supplied Accessories

CA-570 Compact	NB-2LH Battery Pack Lithium Button	WL-D83 Wireless
Power Adapter	Battery CR2025	Controller
(incl. power cord)

Two AA (R6) Batteries Lens Cap and Lens	SS-900 Shoulder Strap STV-250N Stereo
Cap Cord	Video Cable

IFC-300PCU USB Cable SDC-8M SD Memory	DIGITAL VIDEO
Card (containing	SOLUTION DISK
sample images)	For Windows
	For Macintosh

The serial number of this product can be found at the battery attachment unit of the camcorder. Write down the number and other information here and retain this book as a permanent record of your purchase to aid identification in case of theft.

Date of Purchase:	Model Name: OPTURA40/OPTURA30 A
Purchased From:	Serial No.:
Dealer Address:
Dealer Phone No.:

8

Components Guide

OPTURA40/OPTURA30	E

REC SEARCH + button (				27) /
(fast forward) button ( 32) /
CARD + button (		112)
REC SEARCH – button (			27) /
(record review) button (				27) /	DRIVE MODE button (				108) /
(rewind) button (			31) /
					(stop) button (		31)
CARD – button (		112)
					(flash) button (			101) /
						(play/pause)
					button ( 31)
					(self-timer) button (				58) /
					REC PAUSE button (			85)
AUDIO LEVEL button* (				60)
DIGITAL EFFECTS button (				64)
DIGITAL EFFECTS					CARD MIX button (			117) /
ON/OFF button (		64)
					SLIDE SHOW button (			113) /
					(stitch assist) button (				110)
NIGHT MODE
button (	48) /
(print/share)
button (	123, 135)				BATTERY RELEASE button
					(	13)
LCD screen
( 24)
					Battery attachment unit
					(	13) / Serial number
					EXP button (		51) /
					END SEARCH button (				74)
OPEN button( 24)					MENU button (			37)
					Memory card slot ( 93)
					SET dial ( 37)
					Card access indicator ( 93)

FOCUS button (52) / DATA CODE button (72)

* OPTURA40 only.

Introduction

9

Dioptric adjustment lever (18)

Viewfinder (18)

Strap mount (19)

CHARGE indicator (13)

Power indicator ( 13)

Start/stop button (24, 105)

Power switch (5)

CAMERA

OFF

PLAY(VCR)

NETWORK

TAPE/CARD switch (5)

b Using a tape

Using a memory card

PHOTO button (97)

Zoom lever (28)

Program selector (46)

Easy recording

Program AE

Speaker (33)

Grip belt (18)

Strap mount (19)

Cassette compartment (16)

OPEN/EJECT switch

Cassette compartment cover (16)

10

Terminal cover

DC IN terminal (13)

Backup battery compartment (17)

S

S-video terminal (35)

Terminal cover

MIC terminal (63)

AV terminal (34) / (phones) terminal (33, 62)

DV terminal (83, 92)

USB terminal (123, 134)

* OPTURA40 only.

E

	Advanced Accessory shoe	Introduction
	( 159)
	Flash ( 101)
	Focus ring ( 52)

Stereo microphone (89)

Remote sensor (20)

Assist lamp (White LED)* (48)

Tripod socket (30)

11

WL-D83 Wireless Controller

q w e r t y u

i o

!0

!1

!2

!3

!4

!5

START	PHOTO	ZOOM
/STOP		W	T
SELFT.	D.EFFECTS		MENU
TVSCREEN	ON/OFF		SET
DATA CODE	SLIDE SHOW	CARD
	DATESEARCH
ZERO SET	REW	PLAY	FF
MEMORY
12bit		STOP
AUDIO OUT
AUDIO DUB.	PAUSE	SLOW	2
		AV DV	REMOTESET
REC
PAUSE

WIRELESS CONTROLLER WL-D83

!6

!7

!8

!9

@0

@1

@2

@3

@4

@5

@6

@7

@8

@9

q Zoom buttons (28)

w Select buttons ( 37)

e PHOTO button (97)

r START/STOP button (24, 105)

t SELF T. button (58)

y D. EFFECTS button, ON/OFF button (64)

u TV SCREEN button (140)

i DATA CODE button (72)

o DATE SEARCH -/+ buttons (76)

!0ZERO SET MEMORY button ( 75)

!112bit AUDIO OUT button ( 91)

!2AUDIO DUB. button (89)

!3REC PAUSE button (85)

!4AV DV button (88)

!5REMOTE SET button (79)

!6Transmitter

!7MENU button (37)

!8SET button (37)

!9CARD buttons (112)

@0SLIDE SHOW button (113)

@1REW button (31)

@2PLAY button (31)

@3FF button (32)

@4 button (32)

@5STOP button (31)

@6 button (32)

@7PAUSE button ( 32)

@8SLOW button (32)

@9 2 button (32)

12

Preparing the Power Supply
Attaching the Battery Pack				E
1.	Turn the POWER switch to OFF.
			q
2.	Move the viewfinder upward.
			w
3.	Attach the battery pack to the
	camcorder.
	• Remove the terminal cover of the battery
	pack.
	• Press lightly and slide it in the direction of		e
	the arrow until it clicks.
					-FunctionsBasic
2.	Plug the power cord into a power			Preparations
Charging the Battery Pack
1.	Connect the power cord to the
	adapter.		DC IN terminal
	outlet.	CHARGE
3.	Connect the power adapter to the	indicator	e
	camcorder’s DC IN terminal.
	The CHARGE indicator starts flashing. It
	glows steadily when charging is complete.	q
4.	When charging is complete,
	disconnect the power adapter from	w
	the camcorder. Unplug the power
	cord from the power outlet and
	disconnect it from the adapter.
5.	Remove the battery pack after use.
	Press the BATTERY RELEASE button to remove the battery.

13

Using a Household Power Source

1.Turn the POWER switch to OFF.

2.Connect the power cord to the power adapter.

3.Plug the power cord into a power outlet.

4.Connect the power adapter to the camcorder’s DC IN terminal.

q
	r
e	w

Turn off the camcorder before connecting or disconnecting the power adapter.

If the adapter is used close to a TV, it may cause picture interference. Move the adapter away from the TV or the antenna cable.

Do not connect any products that are not expressly recommended to the camcorder’s DC IN terminal or to the power adapter.

You may hear some noise from the power adapter during use. This is not a malfunction.

Do not disconnect and reconnect the power cord while charging a battery pack. Charging may stop. The battery pack may not be charged correctly even if the CHARGE indicator glows steady. The battery pack may also not be charged correctly when a power outage occurs during charging. Remove the battery pack and attach it back to the camcorder.

When the power adapter or battery pack is defective, the CHARGE indicator

flashes rapidly (at about 2 flashes/second) and charging stops.The CHARGE indicator informs you about the charge status.

0-50%: Flashes once every second More than 50%: Flashes twice every second 100%: Glows steadily

Charging, Recording and Playback Times

Below times are approximate and vary according to the charging, recording or playback conditions.

		NB-2LH	NB-2L	BP-2L12	BP-2L14
Charging Time		115 min.	110 min.	180 min.	210 min.
Max. Recording	Viewfinder	90 min.	70 min.	145 min.	185 min.
Time	LCD	75 min.	55 min.	120 min.	155 min.
Typical Recording	Viewfinder	50 min.	40 min.	80 min.	100 min.
Time*	LCD	40 min.	30 min.	70 min.	85 min.
Playback Time		105 min.	85 min.	175 min.	220 min.

*Approximate times for recording with repeated operations such as start/stop, zooming, power on/off. Actual time may be shorter.

14

We recommend charging the battery pack in temperatures between 50 ˚F and 86 ˚F (10 ˚C and 30 ˚C). Outside the temperature range of 32 ˚F to 104 ˚F (0 ˚C to 40 ˚C), the CHARGE indicator flashes rapidly and charging stops.

A lithium ion battery pack can be charged at any charge state. Unlike conventional battery packs, you do not need to completely use or discharge it before charging.

We recommend that you prepare battery packs 2 to 3 times longer than you think you might need.

To conserve battery charge, turn off the camcorder instead of leaving it in record pause mode.

E

Preparations	Functions Basic
	-

15

Loading/Unloading a Cassette

Use only videocassettes marked with the D logo.

1.Slide the OPEN/EJECT switch and open the cassette compartment cover.

The cassette compartment opens automatically.

2.Load/unload the cassette.

•Load the cassette with the window facing the grip belt.

•Unload the cassette by pulling it straight out.

3.Press the P mark on the cassette compartment until it clicks.

4.Wait for the cassette compartment to retract automatically and close the cassette compartment cover.

	Tape	w
	protection tab
		q
	e

r

Do not interfere with the cassette compartment while it is opening or closing automatically, or attempt to close the cover before the cassette compartment has fully retracted.

Be careful not to get your fingers caught in the cassette compartment cover.

If the camcorder is connected to a power source, cassettes can be loaded/ unloaded even if the POWER switch is set to OFF.

16

Installing the Backup Battery

The backup battery allows the camcorder to retain date, time ( 21) and other camcorder settings while the power source is disconnected. Connect a power source to E the camcorder when replacing the backup battery to retain the settings.

1.	Open the terminal cover.	w	e	r
2.	Open the backup battery cover.
3.	Insert the lithium battery with the
	+ side facing outward.
4.	Close the backup battery cover.			Preparations	FunctionsBasic
5.	Close the terminal cover.
					-
				q t

WARNING!

•The battery used in this device may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble, heat above 212 °F (100 °C) or incinerate the battery.

•Replace the battery with a CR2025 made by Panasonic, Hitachi Maxell, Sony, Sanyo, or with Duracell2025. Use of other batteries may present a risk of fire or explosion.

Do not pick up the battery using tweezers or other metal tools as this will cause a short circuit.

Wipe the battery with a clean dry cloth to ensure proper contact.

Keep the battery out of reach of children. If it is swallowed, seek medical assistance immediately. The battery case may break and the battery fluids may damage stomach and intestines.

Do not disassemble, heat or immerse the battery in water to avoid the risk of explosion.

The backup battery has a life span of about a year. “j” flashes in red to inform you that it needs to be replaced.

17

Preparing the Camcorder

Adjusting the Viewfinder (Dioptric Adjustment)

1. Turn on the camcorder and keep the LCD panel closed.

2. Pull out the viewfinder.

3. Adjust the dioptric adjustment lever.

Attaching the Lens Cap

1. Attach the cord to the lens cap.

2. Pass the grip belt through the loop on the cord.

Press the buttons on the lens cap when attaching/removing it. Hook the lens cap on the grip belt while you are recording, and place it over the lens when you have finished.

Fastening the Grip Belt

Hold the camcorder with your right hand and adjust the belt with your left.

Adjust the grip belt so that you can reach the zoom lever with your index finger, and the start/stop button with your thumb.

18

Attaching the Shoulder Strap

Pass the ends through the strap mount and adjust the length of the strap.

SS-900 Shoulder strap

E

Preparations	Functions Basic
	-

19

Using the Wireless Controller

Point it at the camcorder’s remote sensor when you press the buttons.

Inserting Batteries

The wireless controller operates with two AA (R6) batteries.

1. Open the battery cover.

2. Insert the batteries following the + and – markings.

3. Close the battery cover.

Camcorder and wireless controller are equipped with 2 remote sensor modes ( 79). If the wireless controller does not work, check if camcorder and wireless controller are set to the same mode.

When the camcorder cannot be operated with the wireless controller, or when it can only be operated in very close range, replace the batteries. Make sure to replace both batteries at the same time.

The wireless controller may not work properly when the remote sensor is subjected to strong light sources or direct sunlight.

20

Setting the Time Zone, Date and Time

Set the time zone, date and time when you first start using your camcorder, or when

you have replaced the backup battery.

Setting the Time Zone/Daylight Saving Time

CAMERA		PLAY (VCR)			CARD CAMERA	CARD PLAY
	SYSTEM				T.ZONE/DST•••N.Y.

(

37)

1.Press the MENU button to open the menu.

2.Turn the SET dial to select [SYSTEM] and press the

SET dial.

3. Turn the SET dial to select [T.ZONE/DST] and press the SET dial.

The time zone setting appears (see table on the next page). The default setting is New

York.

4.Turn the SET dial to select the setting option that represents your time zone and press the SET dial.

To adjust for daylight saving time, select the time zone with the U next to the area.

Setting the Date and Time

		CAMERA		PLAY (VCR)			CARD CAMERA	CARD PLAY
			SYSTEM				D/TIME SET•••JAN. 1,2004
(		37)						12:00 PM

5. Turn the SET dial to select [D/TIME SET] and press the SET dial.

The year display starts to flash.

6. Turn the SET dial to select the year, and press the SET dial.

•The next part of the display starts flashing.

•Set the month, day, hours and minutes in the same way.

E

Preparations	Functions Basic
	-

21

7. Press the MENU button to close the menu and to start the clock.

16
					1		4
	19	20
	18			24	2
	17						3			6	7		9	10
15
												8
		21							5
14				23
															12
			22												11
															13
14 15	16 17 18 19	20 21	22	23 24	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11 12 13

No.	Time zone	No.	Time zone
	LONDON		WELLGTN (Wellington)
	PARIS		SAMOA
	CAIRO		HONOLU. (Honolulu)
	MOSCOW		ANCHOR. (Anchorage)
	DUBAI		L.A. (Los Angeles)
	KARACHI		DENVER
	DACCA		CHICAGO
	BANGKOK		N.Y. (New York)
	H. KONG (Hong Kong)		CARACAS
	TOKYO		RIO (Rio de Janeiro)
	SYDNEY		FERNAN. (Fernando de Noronha)
	SOLOMON		AZORES

Once you have set time zone, date and time, you do not need to reset the clock each time you travel to another time zone. Just set the time zone to the one of your destination, and the camcorder automatically adjusts the clock.

22

Displaying Date and Time during Recording

You can display the date and time in the lower left corner of the screen.

CAMERA	PLAY (VCR)	CARD CAMERA	CARD PLAY
DISPLAY SETUP/		D/T DISPLAY••OFF
( 37)

E

1.Press the MENU button to open the menu.

2.Turn the SET dial to select [DISPLAY SETUP/ ] and press the SET dial.

3.Turn the SET dial to select [D/T DISPLAY] and press the SET dial.

4.Turn the SET dial to select [ON].

5.Press the MENU button to close the menu.

Preparations	Functions Basic
	-

23

Recording Movies on a Tape

Before You Begin Recording

Make a test recording first to check if the camcorder operates correctly. Before you make important recordings, clean the video heads ( 147).

Recording

1.Remove the lens cap.

2.Set the camcorder to CAMERA mode.

Set the POWER switch to CAMERA and the TAPE/CARD switch to b.

3.Push the OPEN button at the LCD panel and open the LCD panel.

4.Press the start/stop button to begin recording.

Press the start/stop button again to pause recording.

q

w

r

e

When You Have Finished Recording

1.Turn the POWER switch to OFF.

2.Close the LCD panel and return the viewfinder into its initial position.

3.Replace the lens cap.

4.Unload the cassette.

5.Disconnect the power source.

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Wait until the tape counter stops completely before you start recording.

When you do not remove the cassette, you can record the next scene without producing any noise or blank sections between the recordings even if you turn

the camcorder off.	E
Bright light may make it difficult to use the LCD screen. In such case, use the
viewfinder instead.

You can rotate the LCD panel. Make sure to open the LCD panel at 90 degrees before rotating it.

	When recording near loud sounds (such as fireworks, drums or concerts),
	sound may become distorted or may be recorded not in the actual sound level.
	This is not a malfunction.
	OPTURA40: The audio recording level can also be adjusted manually (			60).
	The camcorder will shut off after 5 minutes when left in record pause				Recording	FunctionsBasic
	mode to protect tape and video heads. “ AUTO POWER OFF” appears
	20 seconds before shutoff. To continue recording, turn the POWER
	switch to OFF and then back to CAMERA.
	About the LCD and viewfinder screen: The screens are produced with
	extremely high-precision manufacturing techniques, with more than					-

99.99% of the pixels operating to specification. Less than 0.01% of the pixels may occasionally misfire or appear as black or green dots. This has no effect on the recorded image and does not constitute a malfunction.

Allowing the Subject to Monitor the LCD Screen

You can rotate the LCD panel so that the screen faces in the same direction as the lens. The viewfinder switches on allowing you to use the viewfinder while the subject can monitor the screen.

The image appears mirror reversed (LCD MIRROR ON). However, you can choose to display the image as it is being recorded (LCD MIRROR OFF).

CAMERA	PLAY (VCR)	CARD CAMERA	CARD PLAY
DISPLAY SETUP/		LCD MIRROR•••ON

(

37)

1. Press the MENU button to open the menu.

25

2. Turn the SET dial to select [DISPLAY SETUP/ ] and press the SET dial.

3. Turn the SET dial to select [LCD MIRROR] and press the SET dial.

4. Turn the SET dial to select [OFF].

5. Press the MENU button to close the menu.

When [LCD MIRROR] is set to [ON], only tape or card operation and self-timer displays appear on the LCD screen (all displays appear on the viewfinder screen).

Screen Displays during Recording

q w e r

t

q Time code

Indicates the recording time in hours, minutes and seconds.

w Remaining tape

Indicates the remaining time of the tape in minutes. “b“ moves during recording. “b END“ flashes when the tape reaches the end.

•When the time left is less than 15 seconds, the remaining tape time may not appear.

•Depending on the type of the tape, the indication may not be displayed correctly.

e Remaining battery charge

The battery symbol indicates the charge status of the battery pack.

•“k“ starts flashing in red when the battery pack is empty.

•When you attach an empty battery

pack, the power may turn off without displaying “k“.

•The actual battery charge may not be indicated accurately depending on the condition under which battery pack and camcorder are used.

r When “j” flashes

“j“ flashes in red when the lithium button battery is not installed, or when it runs out.

t Recording reminder

The camcorder counts from 1 to 10 seconds when you start recording. This is helpful to avoid scenes that are too short.

26

Reviewing and Searching when Recording

REC SEARCH – button/
v (record review) button		E
REC SEARCH + button

Record Review

CAMERA

PLAY (VCR)

CARD CAMERA

CARD PLAY

In record pause mode, this function allows you to review the last few seconds of your recording to check if it has been recorded properly.

Press and release the c (record review) button.

The camcorder rewinds the tape, plays back the last few seconds, and returns to record pause mode.

Record Search

CAMERA

PLAY (VCR)

CARD CAMERA

CARD PLAY

In record pause mode, this function allows you to play back the tape (forward or reverse) to locate the point where you wish to begin recording.

Press and hold the REC SEARCH + button (forward) or – button (reverse).

• Release the button at the point you wish to begin recording.

• The camcorder returns to record pause mode.

Recording	Functions Basic
	-

27

Zooming

The camcorder automatically switches between optical zooming and digital zooming.

Image resolution is slightly lower with the digital zoom.

Zoom in T

W Zoom out

Zoom lever

Optical Zoom

14× optical zoom			12× optical zoom
CAMERA	PLAY (VCR)		CARD CAMERA	CARD PLAY

Move the zoom lever toward W to zoom out (wideangle). Move it toward T to zoom in (telephoto).

Press the zoom lever slightly for a slow zoom. Press harder for a faster zoom.

You can also use the T and W buttons on the wireless controller. However, you cannot control the zoom speed.

28

Digital Zoom

			56×/280× digital zoom					48×/240× digital zoom
		(56× in CARD CAMERA mode)						(48× in CARD CAMERA mode)
		CAMERA			PLAY (VCR)			CARD CAMERA	CARD PLAY
(		37)		CAMERA SETUP				D.ZOOM•••••••56X

1.Press the MENU button to open the menu.

2.Turn the SET dial to select [CAMERA SETUP] and

press the SET dial.

3. Turn the SET dial to select [D.ZOOM] and press the SET dial.

4.Turn the SET dial to select a setting option.

5.Press the MENU button to close the menu.

Digital zoom cannot be used in the night modes.

Digital zoom cannot be used when the multi-image screen is selected.

A zoom indicator appears for 4 seconds. It extends in light blue when the digital zoom is set to 56x (OPTURA40) or 48x (OPTURA30), and extends further in dark blue when set to 280x (OPTURA40) or 240x (OPTURA30).

Keep at least 3.3 ft. (1 m) to the subject. At wide-angle, you can focus on a subject as close as 0.39 in. (1 cm).

E

Recording	Functions Basic
	-

29

Tips for Making Better Videos

Holding the Camcorder

For maximum stability, grip the camcorder in your right hand and keep your right elbow pressed against your body. If necessary, support the camcorder with your left hand. Be careful that your fingers do not touch the microphone or lens.

For More Stability

Lean against a wall

Put the camcorder on a table

Lie on your elbow	Use a tripod

Lighting

When recording outdoors, we recommend recording with the sun at your back.

When using a tripod, do not leave the viewfinder exposed to direct sunlight as it may melt (due to concentration of the light by the lens).

Do not use tripods with fastening screws longer than 0.2 inch (5.5 mm) as it may damage the camcorder.

30