Canon HF11 User Manual

Instruction Manual

PUB. DIE-311A

Introduction

Important Usage Instructions

WARNING!

WARNING!

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

CAUTION:

DISCONNECT THE MAINS PLUG FROM THE SUPPLY SOCKET WHEN NOT IN USE.

The Mains plug is used as the disconnect device. The Mains plug shall remain readily operable to disconnect the
plug in case of an accident.

While using the compact power adapter, do not wrap it or cover it with a piece of cloth, and do not place it in
confined narrow spaces. Heat may build up, the plastic case may deform and it could result in electric shock or fire.

CA-570 identification plate is located on the bottom.

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

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELEC TRIC SHOCK, DO N OT EXPOSE THIS
PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

Using any device other than the Compact Power Adapter CA-570 may damage the camcorder.

2

European Union (and EEA) only.

recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and batteries and accumulators. Improper handling of
this type of waste could have a possible impact on the environment and human health due to potentially hazardous
substances that are generally associated with EEE.
Your cooperation in the correct disposal of this product will contribute to the effective usage of natural resources.
For more information about the recycling of this product, please contact your local city office, waste authority,
approved scheme or your household waste disposal service or visit www.canon-europe.com/environment
(EEA: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein)

These symbols indicate that this product is not to be disposed of with your household waste,
according to the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC), the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) and/or
your national laws implementing those Directives.
This product should be handed over to a designated collection point, e.g., on an authorized
one-for-one basis when you buy a new similar product or to an authorized collection site for

.

3

Enjoying High-Definition Video with Your

1

Camcorder

Preserve your most treasured memories, be it unforgettable scenery or cherished
moments spent with family and friends, with high-definition video recordings of a
quality second only to actually being there.

What is High-Definition Video?

1,080

lines

Capture the finest detail,
like the movement or shine
of a single strand of hair

Your camcorder features a full high-definition image sensor (Full HD CMOS) that captures
video at a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels1. This results in video recordings of
unparalleled high quality, fine detail and lifelike vivid colors.

How does full high definition compare with standard-definition TV broadcasts?

Approximately 5 times the number of pixels.

5

Almost 90% more scanning lines.

1.9

“Full HD 1080” refers to Canon camcorders compliant with high-definition
video composed of 1,080 vertical pixels (scanning lines).

Video is recorded at this resolution only in MXP or FXP mode. In other recording modes, the
picture is resized to 1,440 x 1,080 pixels before being recorded. Even in that case, the picture
captured is detailed enough to render richly detailed recordings.

4

What is so special about recording on flash memory?

Your videos and photos are recorded in the built-in memory or on a memory card (SD or
SDHC card2) using AVCHD specifications3. Recording on flash memory means that there
are no moving parts in the recorder unit of the camcorder. To you, it means a camcorder
that is smaller, lighter and faster. In fact, using the Quick Start function ( 34) you can
open the LCD panel and start recording within approximately one second.
If your high-definition TV features an SD memory card slot and supports AVCHD
specifications, you can easily play back your high-definition recordings directly from the
memory card ( 36). Refer to the TV's instruction manual for more details.

4

What is Cinema Mode?

Give your recordings a cinematic look by using the [ CINE MODE] recording program
( 42). Combine this recording program with the 25 fps progressive frame rate
[PF25] to get the enhanced effect of the 25p Cinema Mode.

2

For usable memory cards, see Recommended Memory Cards (29).

3

AVCHD is the new standard for recording high-definition video. With AVCHD specifications the
video signal is recorded using MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression and the audio signal is
recorded in Dolby Digital.

4

AVCHD discs containing scenes recorded in MXP mode cannot be created with the optional
DW-100 DVD burner. Use the supplied software ImageMixer 3 to back up such scenes.

5

Table of contents

Introduction ______________________________

4 Enjoying High-Definition Video with Your Camcorder

10 About this Manual

11 Getting to Know the Camcorder

11 Supplied Accessories
12 Components Guide
15 Screen Displays

Preparations _____________________________

18 Getting Started

18 Charging the Battery Pack
19 Preparing the Wireless Controller and Accessories
22 Adjusting the Position and Brightness of the LCD Screen

23 Basic Operation of the Camcorder

23 The Button: Mode or Flexible Recording
24 Operating Modes
24 Joystick and Joystick Guide
25 Using the Menus

27 First Time Settings

27 Setting the Date and Time
28 Changing the Language
28 Changing the Time Zone

29 Using a Memory Card

29 Recommended Memory Cards
30 Inserting and Removing a Memory Card
30 Selecting the Memory for the Recordings
31 Initializing the Built-In Memory or Memory Card

6

Table of contents

Video ____________________________________

32 Basic Recording

32 Shooting Video
33 Selecting the Video Quality (Recording Mode)
34 Zooming
34 Quick Start Function
35 Reviewing and Deleting the Last Scene Recorded

36 Basic Playback

36 Playing Back the Video
37 Special Playback Modes
38 Selecting Scenes by Recording Date
39 Selecting the Playback Starting Point from the Movie Timeline
40 Deleting Scenes

42 Advanced Functions

42 Cinema Mode: Giving a Cinematic Look to your Recordings
42 Special Scene Recording Programs
44 Changing the Shutter Speed and Aperture
45 Mini Video Light
46 Self Timer
47 Automatic Backlight Correction and Manual Exposure

Adjustment
48 Manual Focus Adjustment
48 White Balance
50 Image Effects
51 Digital Effects
52 On-Screen Displays and Data Code
52 Audio Recording Level
54 Using Headphones or an External Microphone

56 Managing Scenes and the Memory

56 Creating a Playlist
56 Deleting Scenes from the Playlist
57 Moving Scenes in the Playlist
57 Copying Scenes

7

Photos __________________________________

59 Basic Recording

59 Taking Photos
59 Selecting Photo Size and Quality
61 Erasing a Photo Right After Recording It

61 Basic Playback

61 Viewing Photos
63 Magnifying Photos during Playback
63 Erasing Photos

64 Additional Functions

64 Flash
65 Drive Mode: Continuous Shooting and Exposure Bracketing
66 Capturing a Still Image while Recording Movies

67 Light Metering Mode
67 Histogram Display
68 Capturing a Still Image from the Playback Scene
68 Protecting Photos
69 Copying Photos
70 Other Functions You Can Use when Taking Photos

70 Printing Photos

70 Printing Photos (Direct Print)
71 Selecting the Print Settings
74 Trimming Settings
74 Print Orders

(Simultaneous Recording)

External Connections _______________________

76 Terminals on the Camcorder

78 Connection Diagrams
80 Playback on a TV Screen

81 Saving and Backing Up Your Recordings

81 Backing Up Your Recordings on a Computer

8

Table of contents

81 Authoring High-Definition (AVCHD) Discs and Photo DVDs
84 Copying your Recordings to an External Video Recorder
85 Transferring Photos to a Computer (Direct Transfer)
88 Transfer Orders

Additional Information ______________________

89 Appendix: Menu Options Lists

89 FUNC. Menu
91 Setup Menus
91 Camera Setup (Digital Zoom, Image Stabilizer, etc.)
93 Memory Operations (Initialization, etc.)
94 Display Setup (LCD Brightness, Language, etc.)
95 System Setup (Speaker Volume, Beep, etc.)
97 Date/Time Setup

98 Trouble?

98 Troubleshooting
102 List of Messages

110 Do’s and Don’ts

110 Handling Precautions
113 Maintenance/Others
114 Using the Camcorder Abroad

115 General Information

115 System Diagram
116 Optional Accessories
120 Specifications
123 Index

9

Introduction

About this Manual

Thank you for purchasing the Canon HF11. Please read this manual carefully before
you use the camcorder and retain it for future reference. Should your camcorder fail
to operate correctly, refer to Tro ub le sh oo ti ng ( 98).

Conventions Used in this Manual

• IMPORTANT: Precautions related to the camcorder’s operation.

• NOTES: Additional topics that complement the basic operating procedures.

• POINTS TO CHECK: Restrictions or requirements regarding the function
described.

• : Reference page number within this manual.

To complete some operations you will need to refer also to other instruction
manuals. This will be indicated with the following icons and the name of the relevant
chapter or section.

Refer to the

DVSD

PDF file in the supplied DIGITAL VIDEO Solution Disk CD-ROM.

DW-100

Refer to the instruction manual of the optional DW-100 DVD Burner.

• The following terms are used in this manual:

When not specified as “memory card” or “built-in memory”, the term “memory” by
itself refers to both.
“Scene” refers to one movie unit from the point you press the START/STOP button
to start recording until you press again to pause the recording.
“Photo” and “still image” are used interchangeably with the same meaning.

• The photos included in this manual are simulated pictures taken with a still camera.

“Digital Video Software” instruction manual, included as a

Names of buttons and switches other than the
joystick are indicated within a
For example .

Brackets [ ] and capital letters are used to refer to
menu options as they are displayed on screen. In
tables in this manual the default value is shown in
boldface.
For example [ON], [OFF].

FUNC.

“button” frame.

10

FUNC.

(32)

FUNC.

[ M ]

ENU
[ DISPLAY SETUP]
[LANGUAGE ]
Desired language

FUNC.

Buttons and switches to be operated

Getting to Know the Camcorder

Supplied Accessories

CA-570 Compact Power

Adapter (incl. power cord)

Lithium Button Battery

WL-D88 Wireless Controller

CTC-100/S

Component Cable

Red • Green • Blue plugs

IFC-400PCU USB Cable

WS-30 Wrist Strap

1

Software for saving, managing , editing and playing back movies on your computer ( 81).
The CD-ROM includes the instruction manual of the software (electronic version on PDF file).

2

Software for saving, managing , retouching and printing photos ( 85). The CD-ROM includes
the instruction manual of the software (electronic version on PDF file).

CR2025 for Wireless

Controller

Software CD-ROM1

and Installation Guide

PIXELA ImageMixer 3 SE

BP-809 Battery Pack

STV-250N

Stereo Video Cable

Yellow • Red • White plugs

(incl. ferrite core)

Software CD-ROM

DIGITAL VIDEO

Solution Disk

2

11

Introduction

Components Guide

Left side view

Right side view

Front view

button ( 23)/

(print/share) button ( 71, 85)

DISP. (on-screen display) button
( 52, 39)/
BATT. INFO button ( 17)

Speaker ( 38)
CARD OPEN switch (open the memory

card slot cover) ( 30)
Memory card slot ( 30)
COMPONENT OUT terminal ( 78)
Mode dial ( 24)
HDMI OUT terminal ( 78, 80)
USB terminal ( 79)
Instant AF sensor ( 91)
Flash ( 64)
Stereo microphone
Mini video light ( 45)

Names of buttons and switches other than the
joystick are indicated within a
(for example ).

FUNC.

“button” frame

12

Back view

LCD panel

Top vie w

MIC terminal ( 55)
AV OUT/ terminal ( 78)
ACCESS (memory access) indicator

( 32, 59)/CHG (charge) indicator
(18)

Serial number
START/STOP button ( 32)
Strap mount ( 20)
DC IN terminal ( 18)
RESET button ( 100)
Remote sensor ( 20)
LCD screen ( 22)
Joystick ( 24)
FUNC. button ( 25, 89)

/ (play/pause) button ( 36)/

START/STOP button ( 32)

(fast reverse) button ( 36)/

Zoom out W (wide-angle) button ( 34)

(fast forward) button ( 36)/

Zoom in T (telephoto) button ( 34)

(stop) button ( 36)/

BLC (backlight correction) button ( 47)
Zoom lever ( 34)
PHOTO button ( 59)
Mini advanced shoe ( 55)

indicator

ON/OFF button

Names of buttons and switches other than the
joystick are indicated within a
(for example ).

FUNC.

“button” frame

13

Introduction

B

ottom view

Wireless Controller WL-D88

Tripod socket ( 110)
BATTERY RELEASE switch ( 19)
Grip belt

START/STOP button ( 32)
FUNC. button ( 25, 89)
MENU button ( 26, 91)
PLAYLIST button ( 36)
Navigation buttons ( / / / )

(frame reverse) button ( 37)

(fast reverse) button ( 37)
(play) button ( 36)
(pause) button ( 36)
(stop) button ( 36)

PHOTO button ( 59)
Zoom buttons ( 34)
SET button

(frame advance) button ( 37)

(fast forward) button ( 37)

DISP. (on-screen display) button
( 39, 52)

14

Screen Displays

Recording Movies

Playing Movies

(During Playback)

Operating mode ( 24)
Recording program ( 42, 44)
White balance ( 48)
Image effect ( 50)
Digital effects ( 51)
Recording mode ( 33)
Still image quality/size

(simultaneous recording) ( 66)
Remote sensor off ( 96)

Instant AF ( 91),

MF Manual focus ( 48)
25F progressive frame rate ( 17)
Memory operation ( 17)
Time code/Playback time

(hours : minutes : seconds)
Remaining recording time

On the memory card

In the built-in memory

Remaining battery time ( 17)
Image stabilizer ( 92)
Wind screen off ( 93)
Headphones output ( 54)
Microphone attenuator ( 52)
Audio level indicator ( 52)
Level marker ( 94)
Mini advanced shoe ( 55)
Backlight correction ( 47)
Scene number
Data code ( 52)

15

Introduction

Recording Still Images

Viewing Still Images

Zoom ( 34), Exposure ( 47)
Recording program ( 42, 44)
Light metering mode ( 67)
White balance ( 48)
Image effect ( 50)
Digital effects ( 51)
Drive mode ( 65)
Still image quality/size ( 59)

Instant AF ( 91),

MF Manual focus ( 48)
Remaining battery time ( 17)
Number of still images available

On the memory card

In the built-in memory
Self timer ( 46)
Image stabilizer ( 92)
AF frame ( 92)
Mini video light ( 45)
Camcorder shake warning ( 92)
Focus and exposure lock ( 59)
Flash ( 64)
Image number ( 96)
Current image / Total number of images
Histogram ( 67)
Image protection mark ( 68)
Date and time of recording
Manual focus ( 48)
Manual exposure ( 47)
Image size ( 59)
File size
Aperture value ( 44)
Shutter speed ( 44)

16

25F progressive frame rate

Select the 25F progressive frame rate ( 42) to
give your recordings a cinematic look. You can
combine this frame rate with the [ CINE
MODE] recording program to enhance the effect.

Memory operation

Record, Record pause,

Playback, Playback pause,

Fast playback,

Fast reverse playback,
Slow playback,
Slow reverse playback,
Frame advance,
Frame reverse

Remaining recording time

When there is no more free space on the
memory, “ END” (built-in memory) or
“ END” (memory card) will be displayed and
the recording will stop.

, Remaining battery time

100% 75% 50% 25% 0%

• The icon shows a rough estimate of the
remaining charge as a percentage of the full
charge of the battery pack. The remaining
recording/playback time of the battery pack is
displayed, in minutes, next to the icon.

• When is displayed in red, replace the
battery pack with a fully charged one.

• When you attach an empty battery pack, the
power may turn off without displaying .

• Depending on the conditions under which the
camcorder and the battery pack are used, the
actual battery charge may not be indicated
accurately.

• When the camcorder is off, press
to display the charge status of a battery pack.
The Intelligent System will display the charge
status (as a percentage) and the remaining
recording time (in minutes) for 5 seconds. If the
battery pack is exhausted, the battery
information may not be displayed.

Number of still images available

in red: No card
in green: 6 or more images
in yellow: 1 to 5 images
in red: No more images can be recorded

• When viewing the still images, the display will
always be in green.

• Depending on the recording conditions, the
number of available still images displayed may
not decrease even after a recording has been
made, or may decrease by 2 still images at
once.

Image number

The image number indicates the name and
location of the file on the memory card. For
example, the file name of image 101-0107 is
“IMG_0107.JPG”, stored under the folder
“DCIM\101CANON”.

BATT.INFO

17