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High Definition
Video Recorder with Camera
HDV146
User Manual
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FCC statement
This device complies with part 15 of 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.
Caution: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a 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 used 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.
Pertinent testing documentation is available for verification.
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CONTENTS
1. Parts of the video recorder..................................................................5
2. Preparing for using ..............................................................................6
Installing the Battery............................................................................6
Inserting the Memory Card..................................................................7
Format the memory card .....................................................................8
Setting the Language...........................................................................9
Setting the date and time...................................................................10
Screen display.................................................................................... 11
3. Using your video recorder.................................................................14
Turning the recorder ON and OFF ....................................................14
Change the MODE of the recorder....................................................14
Recording video clip..........................................................................15
Taking still images .............................................................................16
Using the Self-timer and Burst snapshot.........................................17
Using the Zoom Function..................................................................18
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4. Using the Menu in recording mode...................................................18
Menu in Video mode ..........................................................................18
Menu in capture mode .......................................................................19
Setup menu / Internal setting ............................................................21
5. Playback..............................................................................................24
Playing back still images...................................................................24
Playing back movie clips...................................................................24
Other functions in Playback mode ...................................................25
6. Making connections...........................................................................30
Connecting the Video Recorder to a TV...........................................30
Connecting the Video Recorder to a PC using USB cable .............31
7. Software Installation ..........................................................................33
Installing the Software .......................................................................33
How to use the PC Camera function.................................................34
8. Troubleshooting .................................................................................36
9. Technical Specifications....................................................................37
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Thank you for purchasing this video recorder with camera. Please read
these operating instructions carefully in order to know your camera and
verify the performance. Keep this Manual booklet handy for later when you
may need to review the instructions if necessary.
Precautions
Before using the video camera, please ensure that you carefully read and
understand the safety precautions described below.
• Do not try to open the case of the video camera or attempt to modify this
video camera in any way. If required, maintenance and repairs should be
carried out only by authorized service providers.
• Keep the video camera away from water and other liquids. Do not use the
video recorder if your hands are wet; keep your camera dry and clean.
• Use only recommended AAA alkaline batteries.
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1. Parts of the video recorder
1. Lens
2. Microphone
3. LED Light
4. Self-Timer LED
5. Speaker
6. Power button
7. T/Zoom in button
8. W/Zoom out button
9. Left button/Self-timer
10. Shutter button
11. Up button/Display
12. USB jack
13. AV out jack
14. Right button/LED ON/OFF
15. Down button
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16. MENU button
17. OK button
18. Mode button
19. LCD screen
20. Tripod socket
21. SD card slot
22. Battery cover
2. Preparing for using
Installing the Battery
1: Open latch and remove the battery door.
2: Insert three fresh AAA-size batteries with the positive (+) and negative
(-) terminals matching the indicators inside the battery compartment.
3: Slide in and latch the battery door closed. Open LCD cover , press the
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POWER button for 2 to 3 seconds to turn ON video recorder.
Inserting the Memory Card
Camera requires SD Memory Card inserted to record & store video clips or images.
1. Turn OFF recorder (if recorder is activated) by pressing Power button before
inserting or removing SD card.
2. Locate the card slot on camera base. Grip with fingernail to lift and swing open the
SD card slot rubber cover and insert the SD card as illustrated. Orient the card
according to identification mark and insert.
3. Press the card down until the card is fully inserted and latched.
The SD memory card has a LOCK protect switch which protects stored data from
being accidentally deleted - set the protect switch to the not - LOCKed position for
taking and store any new records.
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4. To remove; press SD card down, then it
will pop up and can be easily removed.
• Do not insert any other object except
the SD/SDHC memory card into the
camera SD card slot.
• Keep the camera turned OFF while inserting or removing the SD card.
• In case a defective SD card is inserted into the camera, the camera reads the
card and then ‘Card Error’ message is displayed on LCD for a few seconds.
Then the camera shuts down automatically. Replace SD card.
Format the memory card
Please format the SD card if it is new or if it was used with another device.
Download important files to your computer before formatting as the
formatting will erase all data from the SD Card.
1: Turn the power ON (when SD card is inserted), press the MENU button
to display the menu, and then press the RIGHT button to select
[Setup] menu.
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2: Press the UP or DOWN button to locate [Format.] then press the OK
or RIGHT button to launch the submenu.
3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [YES] and then press
the OK button to execute formatting the card.
Setting the Language
You have an option to select from choice of seven the Language used for
displayed commands and information; follow below steps if required:
1: Turn the power ON, press the MENU button to display the menu, and
press the RIGHT button to select
[Setup] menu.
2: Press the UP or DOWN button to locate [Language] then press the
OK or RIGHT button to launch the submenu.
3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the desired language and then
press the OK button to confirm the setting.
4: Press the MENU button to close the menu.
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Setting the date and time
1: Turn the power ON, press the MENU button to display the menu, and
press the RIGHT button to select [Setup] menu.
2: Press the UP or DOWN button to locate [Date & Time…] then press
the OK or RIGHT button to launch the submenu.
3: Press the UP or DOWN button to
change the highlighted value. Press
the LEFT or RIGHT button to move
the cursor between settings.
4: Press the OK button to confirm
the setting.
5: Press the MENU button to close the menu.
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Screen display
Video mode
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Capture mode
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Playback mode
Up Button/Display (part 11) – Press this display button once in video
mode or Capture mode to display live image (no icons will be visible), press
button again to blank the screen and then press again to restore original
bright screen with icons.
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3. Using your video recorder
Turning the recorder ON and OFF
1. Press the POWER button for 2 to 3 seconds to turn ON video
recorder.
2.
Press the POWER button again to turn OFF the recorder.
To save battery power, the recorder automatically turns off after a short
period of time if no button has been activated. Press the POWER button to
power the camera back ON. You can change the power-OFF time by
setting the function [Power Save] in the Setup menu.
Change the MODE of the recorder
Your video camera has three selectable modes: Video, Capture and
Playback mode.
1. Press the POWER button and the camera will become active and set
in Video Recording Mode (default mode).
2. Press the MODE button once to select the Capture mode for taking
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still pictures.
3. Press it again to select the Playback Mode.
The icons – displayed on the LCD screen – will identify selected Mode.
Recording video clip
1: Turn on the video recorder and set it to Video recording mode. Use the
LCD screen to frame the recorded scene.
2: Press the SHUTTER button to start recording. Press the UP button to
Pause and press it again to continue. Press right button to turn ON
LED light to brighten subject if needed. Press again to turn OFF
3: Press the SHUTTER button again to stop recording. If the memory is
full the video camera will stop recording automatically.
Display Title Description
Video mode Recording video clips.
Capture mode Taking still photos.
Playback mode Preview photos and video clips.
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• The LCD monitor will display the elapsed time of recorded video.
Taking still images
1: Turn ON the video recorder.
2: Set the video recorder to capture mode, the icon
appears on the
LCD screen.
3: Use the LCD screen to frame your subject.
4: Hold the video recorder steady and press the SHUTTER button to take
a picture. Press right button to turn ON LED light to brighten subject if
needed. Press again to turn OFF
• The number displayed on the LCD screen will decrease with each
picture taken.
• When the “Memory Full” message appears on the LCD screen no
more pictures can be taken– replace the SD card or download
stored images into the computer.
• Make sure that your fingers do not cover the lens while recording
video or taking still images.
• Do not remove the memory card or batteries when camera is
saving the image, otherwise the data will be damaged.
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Using the Self-timer and Burst snapshot
When the Self-timer is set and activated, the camera will auto-take a
picture after the selected delay time. Use the burst snapshot to take
pictures continuously.
1: Turn the power ON, and set the video camera to the Capture mode.
2: Press the LEFT button to select sequentially Self-Timer options; see
icons and information displayed on left upper corner on LCD screen.
2 seconds: The recorder will take picture with 2 seconds delay
10 Seconds: The recorder will take picture with 10 seconds delay
Continuous: Press the SHUTTER button once to take three
consecutive pictures.
3: Press the SHUTTER button to take picture.
• You can also set the self-timer and continuous (burst) snapshot from
the Capture Menu. See the details on page 21.
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Using the Zoom Function
This camera has a Digital Zoom function that allows you to zoom in (Tele)
or zoom out (Wide) subjects or recorded scene.
1: Turn the camera ON and set it to Video Recording or Capture mode.
2: Press the T or W buttons to compose the scene as required.
T: zoom in for a telephoto shot.
W : zoom out for a wide-angle shot.
4. Using the Menu in recording mode
Menu in Video mode
Turn ON the video recorder and set
it to Video Recording mode.
1: Press the MENU button to
display the menu.
2: Use the UP or DOWN button
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to choice desired menu item.
3: Press the OK or RIGHT button to enter the sub-menu.
4: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the desired setting.
5: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.
6: Press the MENU button to close the menu.
Menu item Function
Movie
Size
Select smaller movie size (lower resolution) to record
for longer time. There are three settings to choose:
1280x720/640x480/320X240.
Frame Rate Select low frame rate to record longer time. There are
two settings to choose: High/ Low.
Metering See the details on page 20.
White Balance See the details on page 21.
Menu in capture mode
1: Turn ON the video recorder and set
it to Capture mode.
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2: Press the MENU button to display the menu.
3: Use the UP or DOWN button to choose desired menu item.
4: Press the OK or RIGHT button to enter the submenu.
5: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the desired item.
6: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.
7: Press the MENU button to close the menu.
Capture menu list
Menu item Function
Resolution There are five options to choose:
[3264X2448]/[2592X1944]/[2048X1536]/[1280x960]/[640X480]
Quality Select a lower image quality to decrease the image size and
thereby capture more images. There are three options to
choose:[Super Fine] /[Fine] /[Normal].
Metering Amend the metering method to change the brightness of the
picture.
[Center]: The exposure will be based on light in the central
area.
[Multi]: The exposure will be based on the average light.
This setting is suitable for general use.
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[Spot]: The exposure will be metered based only on the spot in
the center of the scene
White
Balance
Adjust the white balance to suit different light sources.
There are five items to choose:
[Auto] / [Daylight] / [Cloudy] / [Fluorescent] / [Bulb].
Exposure In unusual ambient conditions such as indirect indoor lighting,
dark backgrounds, and strong backlighting you can set the
exposure value manually. The exposure value
may be set in range from –2.0 to +2.0.
Capture
Mode
Select this and set the recorder to different modes:
Off/ Self-timer 2S/ Self-timer 10S/ Continuous (burst)
Effect Select this to change the color tone of images:
Normal/ B&W/ Sepia / Negative/ Red/ Green/ Blue.
Setup menu / Internal setting
Adjust system settings in setup menu.
1: Turn the power ON and press the
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MENU button to display the menu.
2: Press the RIGHT button to select
[Setup].
3: Use the UP or DOWN button to locate an item.
4: Press the OK or RIGHT button to enter the submenu.
5: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the desired item.
6: Press the right button to choose On or Off and OK button to confirm
the setting.
7: Press the MENU button to close the menu.
Menu item Function
Sounds There are four settings to choose:
[Shutter]: Set the shutter sound on or off by pressing
the RIGHT button.
[Start-up]: Set the start-up sound on or off by pressing
the RIGHT button.
[Beep]: Set the operation sound on or off by pressing
the RIGHT button.
[Volume]: Adjust the sound volume by pressing the
RIGHT button.
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Power
Frequency
Power (also Light) Frequency should be set to 60Hz or
50Hz to match local power supply. [50Hz] / [60Hz].
Power Save To save power the recorder turns off automatically after
selected time period: [1min.] / [3min.] / [5min.].
Date & Time Refer to page 10.
Language Refer to page 9.
TV Out TV Out should be set either to NTSC or PAL to match
regional broadcast signal: [NTSC] /[PAL].
USB You may use recorder as a PC camera or removable
disk. Select [MSDC]: to use as removable disk.
Select [PCCAM]: to use as PC camera;
Format Refer to page 8 for details.
Reset All Reset the entire menu and button operation settings to
initial default. [Yes]/ [No].
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5. Playback
Playing back still images
1: Turn ON the recorder and set to playback mode. The latest recorded
file will show on LCD screen. If there are no images stored, a message
[No File] appears.
2: Press the LEFT or RIGHT buttons to browse the previous or next
images.
Playing back movie clips
In the Playback mode, when browsing through stored records, you may
find your recorded video clips; they are marked with the icon
indicated in the bottom- left corner of LCD.
1: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the movie clips you wish to
play back.
2: Press the OK or SHUTTER button to start playing. Press the
SHUTTER or MENU button to stop playing. Press the UP button to
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pause and press again to continue. Press the RIGHT button to fast
forward and press the LEFT button to rewind.
Other functions in Playback mode
Viewing Thumbnail size files
Press the W/Zoom out button to view the file in thumbnail mode. Use the
UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT button to select a file. Press the OK button to
view the file in full screen.
Locking files
1: Press the MENU button in playback mode.
2: Press the UP or DOWN button to locate the item [Lock].
3: Press the OK or RIGHT button to enter the submenu.
4: Use the UP or DOWN button to select option: [Lock/Unlock One]: Lock
/Unlock current file. [Lock All]: Lock all files. [Unlock all]: Unlock
all files.
5: Press the OK button to confirm the setting. A dialog box will appear.
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Using UP or DOWN button to select the item [Yes].
6: Press the OK button to lock/ unlock the current file or all files.
7: Press the MENU button as necessary to exit.
• The “key” icon
will display on the LCD screen if the file has
been locked. The locked file can not be deleted – unless “un-locked.”
Delete files
1: Press the MENU button in playback mode.
2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Delete].
3: Press the OK or RIGHT button to enter the submenu. [One]: Delete
current file. [All]: Delete all files except locked files.
4: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the item.
5: Press the OK button to confirm the setting. A dialog box will appear.
Using UP or DOWN button to select the item [Yes].
6: Press the OK button to delete the current file or all files.
7: Press the MENU button as necessary to exit
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Playing Slide Show of still images
1: Press the MENU button in playback mode.
2: Press the UP or DOWN button to locate the item [Slide Show].
3: Press the OK or RIGHT button to enter the submenu.
[Start]: Select this item to start slide show mode.
[Interval]: Set the interval time by pressing the LEFT or RIGHT button.
The interval time could be set from 1 second to 10 seconds.
[Repeat]: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to set the continuous slide
show function ON or OFF.
4: Use the UP or DOWN button to select [Start].
5: Press the OK button start slide show.
6: Press the MENU button to end slide show.
• Only still images can be shown as the slide show.
Effect
1: In Playback mode, select and display the photo you want to change
color tone. Press the MENU button.
2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the [Effect].
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3: Press the OK or RIGHT button to enter the submenu: [B&W], [Sepia],
[Negative], [Red], [Green], [Blue], [Binarize], [Sunset], [Warm], [Cold],
[Contrast].
4: Press the UP or DOWN button to select an effect changing color tone
of the image.
5: Press the OK button to confirm the setting. A duplicate photo with the
desired color tone will be created and stored in SD card.
6: Press the MENU button as necessary to exit
Rotate the image
1: Select an image you want to rotate in playback mode.
2: Press the MENU button to display the menu.
3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Rotate].
4: Press the OK or RIGHT button to launch the submenu:
Rotate: Each time the OK button is pressed the image will rotate 90°.
Save: Select this item to save the rotated image.
Back: Select this item to close the submenu.
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Resize
1: Select an image you want to resize in playback mode.
2: Press the MENU button to display the menu.
3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Resize].
4: Press the OK or RIGHT button to launch the submenu: 2048x1536/
1280x960/ 640x480.
5: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item.
6: Press the OK button to save the resized image.
• The image can only be resized only to the smaller size.
Add Voice Memo to image
1: In playback mode select an image to which you wish add Voice Memo.
2: Press the MENU button to display the menu.
3: Press the UP or DOWN button to
select the item [Voice Memo…].
4: Press the OK or RIGHT button to
display the dialog box as illustration.
5: Select the item [Add] and then press
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the OK or SHUTTER button to start recording voice memo.
6: Press the SHUTTER button to end the recording.
7: To playback voice memory please first select desired photo with
microphone icon and then press the OK/SHUTTER button.
• To delete the Voice Memo please follow above steps 2, 3, 4 and when
the dialog box appears select “Delete” and then press the OK or
SHUTTER button to delete (remove) the memo from the image.
6. Making connections
Connecting the Video Recorder to a TV
You may connect camera to TV, then display all images and recorded video
on large TV screen!
1. Connect the recorder to a TV using supplied AV/TV cable.
2. Turn ON the TV and the camera; set the TV to AV INPUT mode,
review the manual of your TV if necessary.
3. When recorder is set to recording mode, you can preview the subjects
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you wish to record on the TV screen.
4. In Playback mode, all the pictures and video clips stored in the
camera can be reviewed and played back on the TV screen.
When the TV is connected, the cameras LCD screen becomes blank and
TV screen becomes the monitor for your camera.
Connecting the Video Recorder to a PC using USB cable
1: Select the USB option in Setup Menu and then select MSDC setting
mode. Turn OFF the camera.
2: Open the USB cover on the back of the recorder. Insert supplied USB
cable into USB jack and connect other end to computer USB port.
3: Turn ON the recorder. The “MSDC” message appears on the LCD
screen when connection to the computer has been completed.
4: Open “My Computer” and select the "Removable Disk" which
represents your camera. Double-click the "Removable Disk" icon to
view its contents, then open the "DCIM" folder which contains your all
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stored video and still images files.
5: Review and copy photos or video files into your computer. Download
video and still images to your computer before playing back.
Alternatively insert the memory card into a card reader to download files.
Using a Card Reader
1: Eject the memory card from the recorder
and insert into a card reader connected to a
computer.
2: Open [My Computer] or [Windows Explorer]
and double-click the Removable Disk icon which represents the
memory card.
3: Copy images from the card into selected directory / storage inside your
computer.
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7. Software Installation
Installing the Software
Supplied installation CD contains bundled Arcsoft MediaImpression
program and the Driver for the camera.
• Installed Driver is necessary to use your camera as PC/ webcam.
• Installed Arcsoft Mediaimpression program is useful for editing pictures
and recorded video clips.
Arcsoft MediaImpression works with Windows XP, Vista &
Windows 7 platforms.
Install ALL programs BEFORE connecting camera to computer.
-Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.
-The auto-run menu appears:
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Click the selected items in the autorun menu to install the software.
If the autorun menu does not appear automatically, open the CD-ROM in
[My Computer] or [Windows Explorer] and double-click the file named
[autorun.exe] to start the program. You can also click [Run] in the Windows
Startup menu, enter "D:\autorun.exe" (where D is your CD-ROM drive letter)
in the text box, and click [OK].
Install Driver
1: Click [Install Driver] button on autorun menu.
2:
Follow the on-screen instructions to install driver.
How to use the PC Camera function
1: Please install the PC camera Driver first.
Installed Driver will create the Amcap
program icon on computer’s Desktop
2: Turn recorder and select the Item [USB]
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in Setup Menu and then select [PCCAM] option to set the camera to PC
CAM mode. Connect the recorder to the computer with the USB connector.
Run the program Amcap on the desktop. When using this function for the
first time please select <Preview> as shown on illustration. Now you can
use your recorder as the PC camera function.
If you want to change the imaging size, select <Video Capture Pin> to
change the Output Size.
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8. Troubleshooting
Power does not turn ON.
1.Batteries are inserted in wrong
direction.
★Reinstall batteries in the correct
direction.
2.Battery power insufficient
★Reinstall new batteries.
Camera does not take pictures.
1. Memory is full.
★Insert a new memory card.
2. Memory card is not formatted.
★Format card or use new card.
Image is blurry or out of focus.
1. Video recorder was moving
when image was captured.
★Hold the video recorder steady
when shooting picture.
Image is not displayed on the LCD monitor.
1. A memory card with images
taken on another camera is
loaded.
★ This video camera cannot
display images taken on another
camera.
Recorded images are not saved in memory.
1. Video recorder was turned off
before images were saved.
★If battery low indicator appears
replace batteries immediately.
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9. Technical Specifications
Video Res HD 1280x720, VGA 640x480, QVGA 320x240 pixels
Still pictures
8MP(3264x2448);5MP(2592x1944);3MP(2048x1536);
1.3MP(1280x960);VGA(640x480);pixels
Display 2.0" TFT Color LCD, 270° twist & flip screen
Focus range 5 feet (1.5M)~ infinity
Aperture F3.0, f=7.0mm. Fixed Focus
Shutter
Auto Electronic Shutter: 1/2000 ~ 1/2sec.
White balance
Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Fluorescent / Bulb
Digital zoom
4x
Exposure control Auto and Manual: -2EV to +2EV in 0.3 steps
Burst mode 3 consecutive shots captured
Photo effect Normal/ B&W/ Sepia / Negative/ Red/ Green/ Blue
Self-timer 2 or 10 second time delay options
Storage
External memory card slot: Accepts up to 8GB SD /
SDHC card (not supplied)
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TV system NTSC / PAL selectable
Power Supply Three (3) AAA alkaline 1.5V batteries (not supplied)
Ambient
temperature
Operating: 0° C to 40° C
Storage: -20 to 60° C
Microphone Built-in
Speaker Built-in
Dimensions 4.0 x 1.8 x 2.3 inches (102 x 46 x 58mm)
Weight Approx. 3.7oz (105gms) Recorder without battery
Note: The product design and the specifications are subject to change
without notice.
2. System requirements：
Windows XP/ Vista/ 7
CPU: Pentium III 800MHz and above
Memory：512 MB and upper memory
Disk space：At least 128 MB free space
110608 E
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