Canon ZR950 Instruction Manual

Digital Video Camcorder

Instruction Manual

Caméscope numérique

Manuel d'instruction

Videocámara digital

Manual de Instrucciones

PUB. DIM-841

Please read also the Digital Video Software instruction manual (on PDF file). Refer to the installation guide for further details.

Veuillez lire aussi le manuel d'instruction Digital Video Software (sur fichier PDF). Pour d'autres détails, référez-vous au guide d'installation.

Lea también el manual de instrucciones Digital Video Software (en archivo PDF). Para mayores detalles, refiérase a la guía de instalación.

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Mini

Digital Video Cassette

English

Français

Español

NTSC

Introduction

Cleaning the Video Heads

Digital video camcorders record video signals onto the tape in very thin lines (as thin as 1/8 the width of a hair). The following anomalies may appear if the video heads become dirty even a little.

• Mosaic or other blocky video artifacts (Fig. 1) or banding (Fig. 2) appear on the picture during playback.

• Sound becomes distorted, or there is no sound during playback.

• The message “HEADS DIRTY, USE CLEANING CASSETTE” appears.

If such symptoms appear, clean the video heads with the Canon DVM-CL Digital Video Head Cleaning Cassette* or a commercially available dry cleaning cassette. If the symptoms reappear shortly after the cleaning, the videocassette may be defective. Stop using it.

* Availability differs from area to area.

Video heads may become dirty under the following conditions:

• When using the camcorder in humid or hot places.

• When using cassettes with damaged or dirty tapes.

• When using the camcorder in dusty places.

• When using the video heads for a long time without cleaning them.

NOTES

• Before you make important recordings, clean the video heads and make a test recording first. We also recommend cleaning the video heads after use, before storing the camcorder.

• Do not use wet type cleaning cassettes as this may damage the camcorder.

• Even after cleaning the video heads you may not be able to play back correctly tapes that were recorded with dirty video heads.

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Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Important Usage Instructions

WARNING!

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

Digital Video Camcorder, ZR950 A 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 compl y 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 communica tions. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur i n 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 compl y with class B limits in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules. Do not make any changes or modification s 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. (516)328-5600

mportant Warning

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

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

For Canada only:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO DRIPPING OR SPLASHING.

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

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The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

In these safety instructions the word “apparatus” or “product” refers to the Canon Digital Video Camcorder ZR950 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

9 Placing or Moving — Do not place on an

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shock — Do not use this product near water or in rainy/moist situations.

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-590 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 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.

12 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.

EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING AS PER

Fig. 1

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

ANTENNA LEAD IN WIRE

ANTENNA DISCHARGE UNIT (NEC SECTION 810-20)

GROUNDING CONDUCTORS (NEC SECTION 810-21)

GROUND CLAMPS POWER SERVICE GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM (NEC ART 250. PART H)

ELECTRIC SERVICE EQUIPMENT

NEC - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

GROUND CLAMP

13 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.

14 Overloading — Do not overload wall

outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

15 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.

16 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.

17 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.

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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.

18 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.

19 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 the power supply is required, please return it to the responsible nearest Canon Service Center and please replace it with the same type number CA-590.

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. The adapter is not intended to be serviced. Should the product cease to function in its intended manner, it should be returned to the manufacturer or be discarded.

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

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.

Table of contents

Introduction ______________________________

10 About this Manual

11 Getting to Know the Camcorder

11 Supplied Accessories 13 Components Guide 16 Screen Displays

Preparations _____________________________

19 Getting Started

19 Charging the Battery Pack 21 Installing the Backup Battery 21 Preparing the Wireless Controller and Accessories

23 Basic Operation of the Camcorder

23 Operating Modes 23 Joystick and Joystick Guide 24 Using the Menus

26 First Time Settings

26 Changing the Language

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26 Changing the Time Zone 27 Setting the Date and Time

27 Getting Ready to Start Recording

27 Opening the Lens Cover and Adjusting the LCD Screen 29 Inserting and Removing a Tape 30 Inserting and Removing a Memory Card

Table of contents

Video ____________________________________

31 Basic Recording

31 Shooting Video 33 Zooming: Optical, Advanced and Digital Zoom 34 Quick Start Function 35 Reviewing the Last Scene Recorded

36 Basic Playback

36 Playing Back Video 37 Returning to a Pre-marked Position 38 Locating the Beginning of a Recording Date 38 Locating the End of the Last Scene 39 On-Screen Displays (Data Code)

40 Advanced Function

40 : Special Scene Recording Programs 42 Flexible Recording: Changing the Shutter Speed 43 LCD Video Light 43 Self Timer 44 Audio Recording Mode 44 Audio Playback Modes 45 Manual Focus Adjustment 46 Manual Exposure Adjustment

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47 White Balance 48 Image Effects 48 Digital Effects

Photos __________________________________

50 Basic Recording

50 Taking Photos 51 Selecting Photo Size and Quality 52 Erasing or Protecting a Photo Right After Recording It

52 Basic Playback

52 Viewing Photos 53 Magnifying Photos during Playback 54 Erasing Photos

55 Additional Functions

55 Automatic Focus Priority 55 Protecting Photos 56 Initializing the Memory Card

57 Printing Photos

57 Printing Photos – Direct Print 57 Selecting the Print Settings 59 Print Orders

External Connections _______________________

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61 Connecting to a TV or VCR

62 Connection Diagrams 63 Playback on a TV Screen 63 Copying your Recordings to an External Video Recorder 64 Digital Video Dubbing 66 Audio Dubbing

67 Connecting to a Computer

67 PC Connection Diagrams 68 Transferring Video Recordings 69 Transferring Photos – Direct Transfer 71 Transfer Orders

Table of contents

Additional Information ______________________

72 Appendix: Menu Options Lists

72 FUNC. Menu 73 Setup menus 73 Camera Setup (Advanced Zoom, Image Stabilizer, etc.) 74 VCR Setup (Recording Mode, TV Type, etc.) 75 Audio Setup (Audio Mode, Wind Screen, etc.) 76 Card Operations (Card Initialization, etc.) 76 Display Setup (LCD Brightness, Language, etc.) 77 System Setup (Beep, Power Save, etc.) 78 Date/Time Setup

79 Trouble?

79 Troubleshooting 82 List of Messages

86 Do’s and Don’ts

86 Handling Precautions 89 Maintenance/Others 90 Using the Camcorder Abroad

91 General Information

91 System Diagram 92 Optional Accessories

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95 Product Codes 96 Specifications 99 Index

Introduction

About this Manual

Thank you for purchasing the Canon ZR950. 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 Tr ou bl es ho ot in g ( 79).

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.

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

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

Buttons and switches to be operated

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].

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

FUNC.

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Setting the Date and Time

FUNC.

( 30)

1 Open the date and time setup

screen.

FUNC.

[ MENU]

[ DATE/TIME SETUP] [DATE/TIME] Blinking arrows will be displayed around the first field of the date.

2 Change each field of the date and

time with the joystick ( ) and move ( ) to the next field.

3 Press ( ) to start the clock.

FUNC.

4 Press to close the menu.

NOTES

You can also change the date format ( 93).

Getting to Know the Camcorder

Supplied Accessories

CA-590 Compact Power

Adapter

Lithium Button Battery

(CR1616)

WL-D85 Wireless Controller

IFC-300PCU USB Cable

* Includes the electronic version of the Digital Video Software instruction manual on PDF file.

STV-250N Stereo Video

Cable

Software CD-ROM*

DIGITAL VIDEO

Solution Disk

BP-2L5 Battery Pack

Lithium Button Battery

(CR2025) for Wireless

Controller

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Introduction

Online product registration for U.S.A. Customers only.

9 Protect your product

We will keep the model number and date of purchase of your new Canon product on file to help you refer to this information in the event of an insurance claim such as loss or theft.

9 Receive information on new products and promotions

Upon your request, we will send you information on Canon new products and promotions.

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: ZR950 A Purchased From: Serial No.: Dealer Address: Dealer Phone No.:

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Components Guide

Left side view

Right side view

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Front view

Lens cover switch ( 31, 50) ( open, closed)

DV terminal ( 62, 67) USB terminal ( 67) AV terminal ( 62) CARD access indicator ( 50)/

CHARGE indicator ( 19) Speaker Mode switch ( 32)

Easy recording

Recording programs

(tape/card) switch ( 23) Grip belt ( 22) Strap mount Lock button

Stereo microphone

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

(93)

switch ( 23)

“button” frame

FUNC.

Introduction

Back view

Top v i e w

Bottom view

Joystick ( 23) FUNC. button ( 24, 72) D.EFFECTS button ( 48) Remote sensor ( 22) Viewfinder ( 32) Dioptric adjustment lever ( 32) QUICK START button ( 34) Start/Stop button ( 31, 50) DC IN terminal ( 19) Backup battery compartment ( 21) Serial number/

Battery attachment unit ( 19) LCD screen ( 27) Cassette compartment Cassette compartment cover Zoom lever ( 33) OPEN/EJECT switch Tripod socket Memory card slot ( 30) BATT. (battery release) switch ( 19)

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

FUNC.

( 29)

(29)

( 22)

“button” frame

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Wireless Controller WL-D85

START/

STOP

DATE SEARCH

REW

PAUSE

AUDIO DUB.

WIRELESS CONTROLLER WL-D85

CARD

PHOTO

PLAY

STOP

SLOW

ZERO SET MEMORY

ZOOM

TV SCREEN

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START/STOP button ( 31) CARD –/+ buttons ( 52) DATE SEARCH / buttons ( 38) REW button ( 36)

button ( 36) PAUSE button ( 36) SLOW button ( 36) AUDIO DUB. button ( 66) ZERO SET MEMORY button ( 37) PHOTO button ( 50) Zoom buttons ( 33) PLAY button ( 36) FF button ( 36) STOP button ( 36)

button ( 36)

TV SCREEN button ( 77)

Introduction

Screen Displays

Recording Movies

Playing Movies

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Zoom ( 33), Exposure ( 46) Recording program ( 40) White balance ( 47) Image effect ( 48) LCD video light ( 43) Digital effects ( 48) Condensation warning ( 89) Shutter speed ( 42) Self timer ( 43) Exposure adjustment ( 46) Manual focus ( 45) Image stabilizer ( 74) Recording mode ( 75) Tape operation ( 18) Time code (hours : minutes : seconds) Remaining tape ( 18) Remaining battery charge ( 18) Wind screen off ( 75) Audio recording mode ( 44) Remote sensor off ( 77) Backup battery warning ( 21) Level marker ( 77) Recording reminder ( 18) Operating mode ( 23) Audio playback mode ( 45) Speaker volume ( 36) Search function display

END SEARCH ( 38)/ DATE SEARCH ( 38)

Playback time (hours : minutes : seconds : frames)

Joystick guide ( 23) Data code ( 39)

Recording Still Images

Zoom ( 33), Exposure ( 46) Recording program ( 40) White balance ( 47) Image effect ( 48) LCD video light ( 43) Digital effects ( 48) Still image quality/size ( 51) Self timer ( 43) Number of still images available on the

memory card ( 18) AF frame ( 55) Joystick guide ( 23) Camcorder shake warning ( 74)

Viewing Still Images

Slideshow ( 53) Image protection mark ( 55)

Image number ( 18, 78) Current image /Total number of images Still image size Data code ( 39)

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Introduction

Tape operation

Note that some playback and search modes are only available when using the wireless controller.

Record, Record pause, Stop, Eject,

Fast forward, Rewind,

Playback, Playback pause,

Reverse playback pause,

x1 Playback (normal speed),

x1 Reverse playback (normal speed),

x2 Playback (double speed),

x2 Reverse playback (double speed),

Fast forward playback,

Rewind playback, Slow playback, Slow reverse playback,

Frame advance, Frame reverse,

/ Date search ( 38),

/ Zero set memory ( 37)

Remaining tape

Indicates the remaining time of the tape in minutes.

moves during recording. When the tape

reaches its end, the display changes to “ END”.

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

• Depending on the type of tape, the remaining time displayed may not be correct. In any case, you will be able to record on the tape the number of minutes that appears on the cassette’s label (for example, 85 minutes).

Remaining battery charge

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

Recording reminder

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

Number of still images available on the memory

card

flashing 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.

Card Access Display

is displayed next to the number of images available while the camcorder is writing on the memory card.

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”.

• When starts flashing 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 the icon.

Preparations

This chapter describes basic operations, such as navigating the menus, and first time settings to help you learn more about your camcorder.

Getting Started

Charging the Battery Pack

The camcorder can be powered with a battery pack or directly using the compact power adapter. Charge the battery pack before use. For approximate charging times and recording/playback times with a full battery pack, refer to the tables on page 93.

Remove the battery terminal cover before attaching the battery

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BATT. switch

1 Turn off the camcorder. 2 Attach the battery pack to the

camcorder.

Press the battery pack lightly and slide it up until it clicks.

CHARGE indicator

DC IN terminal

3 Plug the compact power adapter

into a power outlet.

4 Connect the compact power

adapter to the camcorder’s DC IN terminal.

• The CHARGE indicator starts flashing. The indicator will stay on when the charging is completed.

• You can also use the compact power adapter without attaching a battery pack.

• When the compact power adapter is connected, even if a battery is

Preparations

attached its power will not be consumed.

ONCE THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED

1 Disconnect the compact power

adapter from the camcorder.

2 Unplug the compact power

adapter from the power outlet.

TO REMOVE THE BATTERY PACK

Press to release the battery

BATT.

pack. Slide the battery pack down and then pull it out.

IMPORTANT

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

• We recommend charging the battery pack in temperatures between 10 °C and 30 °C (50 °F and 86 °F). Outside the temperature range of 0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F), charging will not start.

• Do not connect to the camcorder’s DC IN terminal or to the compact power adapter any electrical equipment that is not expressly recommended for use with this camcorder.

• To prevent equipment breakdowns and excessive heating, do not connect the supplied compact power adapter to voltage converters for overseas travels or special power sources such as those on aircraft and ships, DC-AC inverters, etc.

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NOTES

• The CHARGE indicator also serves as a rough estimate of the battery charge status. Continuously on: Battery pack fully charged. Two quick flashes at 1-second intervals: Battery pack at least 50% charged. If the indicator flashes quickly but not exactly in this pattern, refer to Troubleshooting (79). One flash at 1-second intervals: Battery pack less than 50% charged.

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

• U.S.A. and Canada only: The lithium ion/polymer battery that powers this product is recyclable. Please call 1-800-8-BATTERY for information on how to recycle this battery.

Installing the Backup Battery

The backup battery (lithium button battery CR1616) allows the camcorder to retain the date, time ( 27) and other camcorder settings while the power source is disconnected. Connect a power source to the camcorder when replacing the backup battery to retain the settings.

1 If a battery pack is attached,

remove it first.

2 Open the backup battery cover. 3 Insert the backup battery with the

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+ side facing out.

NOTES

The battery life of the backup battery is about one year. flashes in red when the lithium button battery is not installed, or when it needs to be replaced.

Preparing the Wireless Controller and Accessories

First, insert the supplied lithium button battery (CR2025) into the wireless controller.

Ta b

1 Press the tab in the direction of

the arrow and pull out the battery holder.

2 Place the lithium button battery

with the + side facing up.

3 Insert the battery holder.

4 Close the cover.

Preparations

TO USE THE WIRELESS CONTROLLER

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

You can rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees to use the wireless controller from the front of the camcorder.

NOTES

• The wireless controller may not work properly when the remote sensor is situated under strong light sources or direct sunlight.

• If the wireless controller does not work, check that [WL.REMOTE] is not set to [OFF ] ( 77). Otherwise, replace the battery.

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Accessories

Fasten the grip belt.

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

WHEN YOU MOUNT THE CAMCORDER ON A

TRIPOD

Doing so may damage the camcorder.

Start/Stop

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 5.5 mm (0.2 in.).

Basic Operation of the Camcorder

Operating Modes

The camcorder’s operating mode is determined by the positions of the switch and the / switch. In the manual, indicates that a function is available in the operating mode shown and indicates that the function is not available. When no operating mode icons are given, the function is available in all operating modes.

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Joystick and Joystick Guide

Use the joystick to operate the camcorder's menus.

Push the joystick up, down, left or right ( , ) to select an item or change settings.

Press the joystick itself ( ) to save the settings or confirm an action. On menu screens, this is indicated by the icon

The joystick can also be used in combination with the joystick guide to operate additional functions. Press ( ) to display/hide the joystick guide (when recording, the joystick guide will appear only when the mode switch is set to

). The functions that appear on the joystick guide will change depending on the operating mode.

Operating

mode

switch / switch Icon display Operation

(Tape)

(Card)

(Tape)

(Card)

Recording movies on a tape

Recording still images on a memory card

Playing movies from a tape

Playing back still images from a memory card

Preparations

Using the Menus

Many of the camcorder’s functions can be adjusted from the menus that open after pressing the FUNC. button

FUNC.

(). For details about the available menu

options and settings, refer to the appendix Menu Options Lists ( 72).

Selecting a FUNC. Menu Option

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3 Select ( ) the desired setting

from the available options at the bottom bar.

• The selected option will be highlighted in light blue. Menu items not available will appear grayed out.

• With some settings you will need to make further selections and/or press ( ). Follow the additional operation guides that will appear on the screen (such as the joystick icon , small arrows, etc.).

4 Press to save the settings

Selecting an Option from the Setup Menus

FUNC.

and close the menu.

You can press to close the menu at any time.

FUNC.

1 Press . 2 Select ( ) the icon of the

FUNC.

function you want to change from the left side column.

Menu items not available will appear grayed out.

1 Press .

FUNC.

In the still image index screen, the setup menus will open. Skip to step 3.

2 Select ( ) the icon and press

( ) to open the setup menus.

3 Select ( ) the desired menu from

the left side column and press ().

The title of the selected menu appears on top of the screen and under it the list of settings.

4 Select ( ) the setting you want

to change and press ( ).

• An orange frame will indicate the menu item currently selected. Menu items not available will appear grayed out.

• To return to the menu selection screen, select ( ) [ RETURN] and press

( ).

5 Select ( ) the desired option and

press ( ) to save the setting.

6 Press .

Instead of steps 1 and 2, you can also keep pressed down for more than 1 second to open the setup menus screen directly.

FUNC.

You can press to close the menu at any time.

NOTES

FUNC.

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Abbreviation of Menu Selections in this Manual

In this manual, the arrow is used to abbreviate menu selections. Below is an example of changing a setting using the setup menus.

FUNC.

[ MENU] [ DISPLAY SETUP/ ] [LANGUAGE] Desired language

FUNC.

For selections in the FUNC. menu, the abbreviated form will always show the initial default value. In recording mode, its icon will appear on the left side column when you first open the menu. If the setting was changed, the icon of the currently selected option will appear instead.

FUNC.

[ IMAGE EFFECT OFF] Desired image effect

FUNC.

Preparations

First Time Settings

Changing the Language

The language for on-screen and menu displays can be changed. The list of available languages depends on the region where you purchased the camcorder.

Language Set A

German, English Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese and Japanese.

Language Set B

English Chinese and Korean.

FUNC.

( 24)

FUNC.

[ MENU] [ DISPLAY SETUP/ ] [LANGUAGE] Desired language

FUNC.



, Spanish, French, Italian,



, Simplified Chinese, Traditional

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

Default value

Changing the Time Zone

Change the time zone to match your location. The default setting is New York or Singapore, depending on the region of purchase.

FUNC.

( 24)

FUNC.

[ MENU] [ DATE/TIME SETUP] [T.ZONE/DST] Desired time zone*

FUNC.

* To adjust for daylight saving time, select the

time zone with the mark next to the area.

World Time Zones

Once you have set the time zone, date and time, you do not need to reset the clock every time you travel to another time zone. Select the time zone to match the local time at your destination, referring to the date and time displayed on the screen.

NOTES

• If you changed the language by mistake, follow the mark next to the menu item to change the setting.

• The display that appears in some menu screens refers to the name of the button on the camcorder and will not change, regardless of the language selected.

Setting the Date and Time

Getting Ready to Start Recording

FUNC.

( 24)

1 Open the date and time setup

screen.

FUNC.

[ MENU]

[ DATE/TIME SETUP] [DATE/TIME] Blinking arrows will be displayed around the first field of the date.

2 Change each field of the date and

time with the joystick ( ) and move ( ) to the next field.

3 Press ( ) to start the clock. 4 Press to close the menu.

You can also change the date format (78).

FUNC.

NOTES

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Opening the Lens Cover and Adjusting the LCD Screen

Before you start recording, open the lens cover.

Move the lens cover switch down to

to open the lens cover.

Rotating the LCD Panel

Open the LCD panel 90 degrees.

You can rotate the panel 90 degrees downward.

180°

90°

You can rotate the panel 180 degrees toward the lens (allowing the subject to monitor the LCD screen while you use the viewfinder). This is the only case where you can use the viewfinder and

Preparations

the LCD screen simultaneously. Rotating the LCD panel 180 degrees can be useful in the following cases:

• When you wish to include yourself in the picture when recording with the self timer.

• To allow the camcorder to be operated with the wireless controller from the front.

Subject can monitor the LCD screen

NOTES

About the LCD and viewfinder screen: The

screens are produced using 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, red, blue or green dots. This has no effect on the recorded image and does not constitute a malfunction.

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LCD Backlight

You can set the brightness of the LCD screen to normal or bright.

FUNC.

( 24)

FUNC.

[ MENU] [ DISPLAY SETUP/ ] [BACKLIGHT] Desired option

FUNC.

NOTES

• This setting does not affect the brightness of the recording or the viewfinder screen.

• Using the [BRIGHT] setting will shorten the effective usage time of the battery pack.

Inserting and Removing a Tape

Use only videocassettes marked with the logo.

1 Slide fully in the

2 Insert the cassette.

3 Press the mark on the

OPEN/EJECT

direction of the arrow and open the cassette compartment cover.

The cassette compartment opens automatically.

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

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• To remove a cassette pull it straight out.

cassette compartment until it clicks.

4 Wait for the cassette compartment

to retract automatically and close the cassette compartment cover.

IMPORTANT

• 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.

NOTES

If the camcorder is connected to a power source, cassettes can be inserted/ removed even if the switch is set to .

Preparations

Inserting and Removing a Memory Card

You can use commercially available

cards, SD memory cards or MultiMedia cards (MMC) with this camcorder.

1 Turn off the camcorder. 2 Open the memory card slot cover. 3 Insert the memory card straight all

the way into the memory card slot.

4 Close the cover.

Do not force the cover closed if the memory card is not correctly inserted.

(SD High Capacity) memory

SDHC

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IMPORTANT

• Make sure to initialize all memory cards before using them with this camcorder (56).

• Memory cards have front and back sides that are not interchangeable. Inserting a memory card facing the wrong direction can cause a malfunction of the camcorder.

NOTES

• Compatibility with all SD, SDHC or MMC memory cards cannot be guaranteed.

• About SDHC Memory Cards: SDHC is the new type of SD memory card with capacities over 2 GB. Please note that the specifications of SDHC memory cards are different from those of regular SD memory cards and you will not be able to use memory cards of over 2 GB with devices that do not support SDHC. However, SDHC devices (including this camcorder) are backward compatible and support regular SD memory cards.

TO REMOVE THE MEMORY CARD

First push the memory card once to release it, and then pull the card out.

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