Panasonic VIDEOCAM SUITE 2.0 Operating Instructions

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Operating Instructions

Image management/DVD production software

VideoCam Suite 2.0

Thank you for using VideoCam Suite. Before use, please read these instructions completely.

Introduction

What you can do with this software (basic operations) …………………………………

What you can do with this software (advanced features) ………………………………

Read before starting operation ………………… 6 General precautions ……………………………… 7 Operating environments ………………………… 9 Optical discs and SD cards supported

for recording …………………………………… Recording length of SD cards ……………… 12

Preparation

Connect the video camera to a computer … 13

Disconnecting the video camera from the computer ……… 14

Starting the software …………………………… 15

Exiting the software ………………………………………… 15

Basic operations

Feature overview ……………………………… 16

Importing content to a computer ([Simply Import to PC]) …………………………

Recording on discs in DVD-Video format (Simply Create DVD-Video Disc) ……………

Viewing content on a computer ……………… 22

Playing video content ………………………………………… 23 Viewing photos ……………………………………………… 24

Contents

Advanced Features

Feature overview ……………………………… 25

Main window ………………………………………26

Content preview area ………………………………………… 27

Importing content to a computer ([Import to PC]) …………………………………

Registering or deregistering destination folders ………… 31

Playing content ………………………………… 32 Delete content …………………………………… 34 Editing content on your computer ………… 35

Editing video content (basic operations) ……… 36

Selecting scenes to edit ……………………………………… 36 Saving edited videos ………………………………………… 36

Editing video content (Delete partially) ………38

Deleting selected portions of content ……………………… 38

Editing video content (Dividing scenes) ……… 41 Assigning the playback order/

adding opening titles/adding effects …………42

Assigning the playback order ……………………………… 42 Adding opening titles ………………………………………… 44 Adding scene transitions …………………………………… 46

Editing digital photos ……………………………48 Protecting and renaming content ………………49

Recording on optical discs and SD cards … 50

Recording ……………………………………………50

Recording formats …………………………………………… 50 Top menus …………………………………………………… 51 Automatic multi-disc recording ……………………………… 51 Additional recording on media with existing content ……… 52

[Create Media] menu ……………………………… 53 Recording video content ………………………… 54

Selecting video content to record …………………………… 55 Recording selected video content (Create DVD-Video disc) …………………………………… 58 Recording selected video content (DVD-RAM (DVD-VR format) or SD cards (SD-Video format)) …………………… 62 Creating discs from saved disc images …………………… 64

Recording photos ………………………………… 65 Recording with the DVD COPY function ……… 68

Using convenient features …………………… 70

Creating still pictures from video ………………70 Searching for desired content……………………71 Uploading content to YouTube …………………73

Other

Formatting discs ……………………………… 76 Advanced settings ……………………………… 79 Windows in this software ……………………… 83 Shortcut menus ………………………………… 93 Troubleshooting ………………………………… 96 Trademark and Licence Information ………… 103

Introduction

What you can do with this software (basic operations)

Connect a video camera with recorded content to your computer

Recording

Import (save) content to

your computer (→17–19)

Recording on discs in

DVD-Video format (→20–21)

Create discs that can be played on most DVD players.

Playback

Play back content on your

Advanced features (→5, 25)

computer (→22–24)

What you can do with this software (advanced features)

Connect a video camera with recorded content to your computer

Introduction

Edit and

Record

Importing to a Computer (→28)

Editing

• Deleting selected portions of a scene (→38)

• Dividing scenes (→41)

• Assigning the playback order of scenes (→42)

• Adding opening titles (→44)

• Adding scene transitions (→46)

Creating Discs (→50)

Share on

YouTube

You can upload videos to YouTube∗. (→73)

Your video can be accessed and watched on the Internet.

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YouTube is a website for sharing video content on the Internet

Read before starting operation

Introduction

Contents of these operating instructions

The description of Windows® in these operating instructions is

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based on the Windows Vista

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Please note that the explanations and screen images in these operating instructions may differ from the actual explanations and screen images due to version upgrades of the software and the use environments of PCs.

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For instructions on using your computer, optical disc drive, or video camera, or instructions on the Windows operating system, refer to the respective Operating Instructions.

screen.

Steps to protect important image data

To be prepared in case of accidents or technical problems,

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back up captured data that is important to you by importing it to your computer and creating a disc or taking other measures.

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Before deleting the original image data, confirm that it was recorded correctly to your computer, to disc or to SD memory card.

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Do not modify or delete files or folders ([DCIM], [DVD_RTAV], or others) used by this software.

Important

The recorded and/or edited content is for personal use only and may

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not be reproduced or exported without permission from the copyright holder.

Terms

DVD-Video

A format that can be played on most DVD players.

Scene

This means the image recorded during one recording (after starting recording until it is stopped).

Video

In this software, “scenes” (video content with the same recording date, for example) in the same folder are collectively referred to as “videos.”

Top menu

A feature for displaying an interface similar to a table of contents when a disc is played. (Top menu is not displayed on video cameras. Top menus are only displayed on devices that support this feature.)

SD cards

In these instructions, SD memory cards and SDHC memory cards are collectively referred to as SD cards.

Video Video

1st Day 2nd Day

1st Scene Captured 2nd Scene Captured 3rd Scene Captured 1st Scene Captured 2nd Scene Captured

Scene Scene Scene Scene Scene

General precautions

Introduction

Not compatible with the following video formats and

content

Video recorded on video cameras that are not compatible with

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this software

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Video created or edited with other software

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Commercial DVD or Blu-ray video content

General information about using the software

Do not execute the following operations while the software is running. Doing so may cause defects (damage to media, etc.).

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Turn off the PC or video camera, or restart the PC.

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Switch the user or log off.

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Change the screen settings.

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Use the screen saver or the power-saving functions (makes the PC enter the standby or sleep modes after a certain time has elapsed without any operation on the PC).

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Use other software (especially software for writing to DVDs or CDs, or recording/encoding software with a high CPU utilization and large memory requirements).

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Use the shared drive of another PC connected to the network.

Discs and drive

If the drive is being used by another software (Explorer, etc.),

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the drive cannot be used with this software. Close the software before using the drive with this software. (If the drive is being used by this software, the drive cannot be used with other software.)

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Before using this software, ensure that the transfer mode of the drive is set to [DMA]. If it is not set to [DMA], set it to [DMA] by referring to the operating instructions of your drive. (It may be impossible to set it to [DMA] depending on your PC.)

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Use the type of discs recommended for your disc drive, and avoid soiling or scratching them. Reading and recording may not be possible with dirty or scratched discs. Discs that are incompatible with the disc drive may not be recognised, or recording may not be possible.

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The recording speeds (2x, 4x, etc.) for drives and discs indicate the maximum speed and not the actual recording speed. (Speeds may vary depending on the combination of drive and disc or the use conditions.)

Operations during disc recording

If the following actions are executed while the data is being recorded onto a disc, recording may not complete properly, and the disc, device, or data may be damaged.

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Operations for user switching or logging off from Windows

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Operation of other recording software.

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Connection cables for a PC or a DVD device (an external DVD drive) are inserted or removed, or the power is turned on or off.

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Other USB devices such as SD card reader are installed or removed.

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This software is forcibly closed.

General precautions

Introduction

Disc creation

You cannot record a video less than 2 seconds long.

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(Video recorded in DVD-VR format must be at least 3 seconds long.)

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Conversion may be required when recording, depending on the images. In this case, because the image has to be encoded again, recording takes longer and image quality may also be degraded.

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When recorded in DVD-Video format, the end section of the image may be shortened for about 0.5 seconds.

Playback and use of produced discs

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Pictures on a disc cannot be imported. This software is not capable of importing pictures from a disc recorded with the DVD burner and a video camera connected.

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For DVD-R discs with dual layer on single side, images may be frozen or sounds may be inaudible for a moment when shifting from the first layer to the second layer, depending on the player.

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Normal playback may not be possible (a narrow, small, or incomplete playback window may be displayed) when using some models of older equipment (even if the equipment is compatible with the disc) or with some types of recorded data.

SD cards

Recording on used SD cards may require formatting

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(initialisation). SD cards must be formatted by using video cameras compatible with this software.

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Do not insert or remove SD cards when importing data from SD cards or recording data on discs. Removing SD cards then may cause data corruption or SD card damage.

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Use of SDHC memory cards requires SDHC-compatible equipment.

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If the write-protect switch has been set to [LOCK], recording is not possible.

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Initialising SD cards or deleting card data only modifies file management information. Data on SD cards is not completely deleted. We recommend physically destroying SD cards or thoroughly deleting all data on SD cards when disposing of SD cards or transferring ownership. Use discretion in managing data on SD cards.

Functions using online services

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Because YouTube™ services and specifications are subject to change, operation of online services cannot be guaranteed in the future. Available services and screens are subject to change without notice. (These services are valid as of December 1, 2008.)

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Unless you are the copyright holder or you have obtained permission from the copyright holder, do not upload videos protected under copyright.

Operating environments

System requirements

Introduction

RAM Display

Hard disk

Necessary software

Sound Drive

Interface

IBM® PC/AT compatible personal computer with an Intel® Pentium® 1.0 GHz or higher CPU (including compatible CPU) (When using Playback function, Intel® Pentium® 4 1.8 GHz or higher is recommended.)

Preinstalled Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Basic or Service Pack 1 Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium or Service Pack 1 Microsoft® Windows Vista® Ultimate or Service Pack 1 Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business or Service Pack 1 Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Service Pack 2/Service Pack 3 Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Service Pack 2/Service Pack 3 Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional Service Pack 4

512 MB or more (1 GB or more recommended)

High Colour (16 bit) or more (32 bit or more recommended) Desktop resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels or more (1280 x 1024 pixels or more recommended) Video card complying with DirectX® 9.0c DirectDraw® overlay support PCI Express™ x 16 is recommended

Ultra DMA-33 or higher 450 MB or more free space for installing software

Recording to optical discs or SD cards requires twice the amount of free space as the size of the disc or SD card to be

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created. When automatically splitting data over multiple DVDs, 17 GB of free space are required. If the compression setting is enabled, errors will occur during recording. Clear the check for [Compress this drive to

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save disk space] in [Properties] for the hard disk drive.

Windows Vista®: Microsoft® DirectX® 10 (preinstalled in Windows Vista®)

Windows® XP/2000: Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0c (preinstalled in Windows® XP SP2)

Installing the software on a computer that is not compatible with these versions DirectX® may cause the computer to

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stop operating normally. If you are unsure if your PC is compatible, contact the manufacturer. DirectSound® support

CD-ROM drive (for installation) (When writing to DVD, a compatible drive and media are necessary.)

USB port (Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0))

Microsoft® DirectX® 10.1 (preinstalled in Windows Vista® SP1)

Operating environments

Introduction

Video cameras connected via USB

Content Other requirements

Even if the system requirements mentioned in these operating

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instructions are fulfilled, some personal computers cannot be used. Supplied CD-ROM is available for Windows only.

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This software is not compatible with Microsoft

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Windows® 95, Windows® 98, Windows® 98 SE, Windows® Me, and Windows NT Operation is not guaranteed on Microsoft

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Windows® XP Media Center Edition, Tablet PC Edition and not compatible with 64 bit operation systems. When 2 or more USB devices are connected to a PC, or when

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devices are connected through USB hubs or by using extension cables, proper operation is not guaranteed. Operation on an upgraded OS is not guaranteed.

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Operation on an OS other than the one pre-installed is not

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guaranteed. This software does not support the multi-boot environments.

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Windows Vista®: Log on with an administrator account or a standard

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user account before using this software. The software will not function with a Guest account. Windows® XP/2000: Log on with an administrator account before using this software. (Installation and uninstallation of the software requires an administrator account.) This software does not support the multi-monitor environments.

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For fonts and screen settings, use the standard Windows® settings.

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Characters may not display properly depending on the settings. This software cannot be used simultaneously with other time-shifting

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image editing software or video capture products. Note that other software running background processes, timer recording in particular, may cause this software to malfunction.

Panasonic digital video cameras this software is provided with (SD card/Hard disk)

Content captured using Panasonic digital video cameras this software is provided with (SD card/Hard disk)

Mouse or equivalent pointing device, SD card reader/writer (required for reading and writing to SD cards; performing these operations with SD cards 4 GB or larger requires an SDHC-compatible SD card reader/writer), and an environment with Internet access (required for online functions “YouTube Uploader”)

Windows® 3.1,

Windows Vista® Enterprise,

This software operates only when the built-in clock on the PC is set to

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a value within the following range. From 0:00 on January 1, 1970, to 23:59 on December 31, 2037. If the built-in clock is set to a value outside this range, this software may not be activated or operated properly. This software can only handle images recorded with this software or

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a Panasonic video camera that this software accompanied. Images created with other video cameras, DVD recorders, software and commercial DVD videos are not supported.

Optical discs and SD cards supported for recording

DVD discs SD cards

12 cm

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DVD-R DVD-RW SD

12 cm

Single sided/

12 cm

Single sided

256 MB - 2 GB 4 GB - 32 GB

Dual layer on

single side

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――

2∗4

――

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2.6 GB and 5.2 GB double-sided DVD-RAM discs are not supported.

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Can be formatted by using this software.

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DVD-Video can be played on most DVD players.

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Used DVD-RW discs can be used again for recording after

formatting.

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Includes miniSD cards (up to 2 GB), microSD cards (up to 2 GB)

and microSDHC cards (up to 8 GB). (As of November 2008.)

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Video recorded to SD cards must be at least 2 seconds long.

SD cards must have a capacity of at least 32 MB for video recording. Additionally, operation is not guaranteed when recording video to 32 MB – 128 MB SD cards. SD cards of 8 MB – 128 MB can be used to store photos.

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SD cards must be formatted by using video cameras compatible

with this software.

memory card

Required

DVD-RAM

Single sided/ Double sided

Recording Format DVD-VR DVD-Video

Appending

Format Required Picture ――― JPEG(DCF)

Playback of DVD-Video, DVD-VR and SD-Video content requires

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equipment compatible with the respective formats. 8 cm discs are not supported.

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Recording errors may occur, depending on the disc quality.

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SD-Video

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5∗6

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SDHC

memory card

Required

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Introduction

Recording length of SD cards

For SD-Video format

Approximate Recording Length Per Card

Recording mode

SD card capacity

(Highest picture quality)

4 GB 50 min 1 h 40 min 3 h 20 min 8 GB 1 h 40 min 3 h 20 min 6 h 40 min

16 GB 3 h 20 min 6 h 40 min 13 h 20 min 32 GB 6 h 40 min 13 h 20 min 26 h 40 min

(Standard)

(Longest recording time)

Introduction

Preparation

Connect the video camera to a computer

By connecting a compatible video camera to your computer with the included cable, you can import content on the internal recording media of the video camera or on the SD card installed in the video camera to your computer or create discs.

Important

To avoid draining the battery of notebook computers or video cameras, use an AC adapter with these devices.

Start the computer.

Turn on the video camera.

Connect the video camera to a computer.

SELECT USB FUNCTION

WEB MODE

DVD COPY

PC/RECORDER

PictBridge

ENTERSELECT

(Example of display on the video camera)

If this type of message is displayed, close the window.

Insert the USB cable included with the video camera firmly into the USB port.

On the video camera, select [PC/

RECORDER].

This message varies depending on the video camera. (Follow instructions in the video camera manual to complete the settings for connection to a computer.)

Confirm that the video camera is

recognised by the computer.

The video camera is correctly recognised by the computer if the video camera is added as a drive in [Computer] (or [My Computer]).

(Example of display)

Connect the video camera to a computer

Preparation

Tip

For further details, also refer to the video camera manual.

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WEB MODE-compatible video cameras may display the YouTube

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Uploader window. (Close the window when not using this function.) To record to optical discs or SD cards, use a disc drive or SD card

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reader/writer. (Some video cameras support recording to the SD card in the video camera.)

Do not operate the video camera or disconnect the USB cable

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during the transfer of video camera data. The software may malfunction, and data may be lost.

SD card connection

When using an SD card slot or reader/writer, connect the device before starting this software. (For connection instructions, refer to the Operating Instructions of the computer or SD card.)

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If you connect the device after startup, select the drive on the [SD] tab of the [Settings] window, and then click [OK].

(→82)

Disconnecting the video camera from the computer

Confirm that the video camera is not

recording or being accessed in some way.

Double-click or in the task tray.

Example of the

task tray icon

Select [USB Mass Storage Device] and

click [Stop].

If multiple USB devices are displayed, you can double-click each to check the video camera.

Disconnect the USB cable from the

computer.

Turn off the video camera.

Starting the software

Important

Do the following before starting the software.

– Close other software and resident programs.

– Disable the screen saver or power-saving functions (functions to

make the computer enter standby or sleep mode when a specified time has elapsed without any operations on the PC).

Preparation

Double-click on the desktop to

start the program.

Startup is also possible by selecting [Start]→[All Programs]→ [Panasonic]→[VideoCam Suite 2.0]→[VideoCam Suite].

Tip

First startup

A window is displayed regarding the licence agreement. Read the

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agreement carefully before continuing. From the Start menu, select [All Programs]→[Panasonic]→

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[VideoCam Suite 2.0]→[Read this before starting], and then read the supplemental explanations and late-breaking information.

Exiting the software

Click or .

The “Simple Menu” is closed.

Click or .

Basic operations

Feature overview

This section summarizes basic software operations. The following operations are possible using the [Simple Menu].

If the main window

(→26) is displayed instead of this one, click [Simple Menu] in the upper-right corner to display the [Simple Menu]. ●

Simple Menu

Viewing content you have imported

to your computer (→22–24)

Preparation:

Connect the video camera to the computer (→13)

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If you have used the video camera to record content on an SD

card, insert that card in the video camera.

Video content or digital photos on your video camera

Import (save) content to

your computer (→17–19)

Recording on discs in

DVD-Video format (→20–21)

Advanced features (→25)

Double-click on the desktop to start the program. ●

(Startup is also possible by selecting [Start]→[All Programs]→

[Panasonic]→[VideoCam Suite 2.0]→[VideoCam Suite].)

The [Simple Menu] is displayed.

Basic operations

Importing content to a computer ([Simply Import to PC])

Video content or digital photos on your video camera can be imported to your computer, where it will be grouped by recording date.

Preparation:

Connect the video camera to the computer (→13)

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If you have used the video camera to record content on an SD card, insert that card in the video camera.

Click [Import to PC].

The [Import to PC] window is displayed.

Simple Menu

Click and select the video camera.

If the video camera is not listed, click [Refresh] (A). ●

Select items to import.

To check the content, as shown below, double-click a thumbnail

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(small image). (Up to 24 thumbnails.)

Close confirmation window

Each time you click, items are selected or cleared.

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You can select content based on the recording date. For

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selection at a more detailed level (scenes) (→28)

Importing content to a computer ([Simply Import to PC])

B C

Basic operations

Click and select an importing

destination (a folder on your computer).

Subfolders for each recording date are created in the selected folder, and the content is imported there. Recording dates are used for the subfolder names.

To import all content to a single folder, select [Specified folder]

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(B) and enter the name in the text box next to this option. Note that these characters are not supported: \ / : * ? " < > |

Click [Start copying].

This button is not available unless you have selected at least

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one video or photo.

Click [OK] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

If you click [Cancel], the previous window is displayed.

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If importing is not possible

If the information area (C) displays yellow letters, nothing is

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selected for importing, no media is loaded, or there is a similar problem.

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If the information area ( enough free space in the importing destination, or there is another similar problem.

) displays red letters, there is not

Importing now begins, and the status is shown in the progress indicator.

Importing the data takes time. Do not operate the computer until

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importing is finished. To cancel importing in progress, click [Cancel].

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Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating importing is finished.

Importing content to a computer ([Simply Import to PC])

Storage locations of imported content

Content is imported to subfolders (named with dates) in the folder selected in step

To rename these date folders or your specified folder after

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importing, right-click the folder and select [Properties], and then change the name in [Title]. (Names are a maximum of 64 singlebyte characters.)

Content on optical discs or SD cards can also be

imported to your computer

In step 2, select the disc or an inserted SD card instead of your video camera.

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Top menus are not imported if you select only some items with a top menu for importing.

Tip

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folders displayed in step 4. (“Registering new folders” →31) For further details on methods of importing (→28)

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4, or to your specified folder.

Folder selected in step 4

Content imported here (example: date folder)

Basic operations

Recording on discs in DVD-Video format (Simply Create DVD-Video Disc)

Video content captured with a video camera can be recorded on DVD discs. DVD discs recorded this way can be played on most DVD players.

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For a list of supported discs

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Content that does not fit on a single disc will be automatically split and recorded over multiple discs. However, this function is not available if the work area file system is FAT32. ([Work area setting]

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Top menus (an interface for discs similar to a table of contents menu design

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If your video camera supports the “DVD COPY function”, you can automatically record the video content by performing some simple operations.

Simple Menu

(→80)

(→68)

(→11)

→79)

→51) are also created automatically. For instructions on changing the top

Preparation:

Connect the video camera to the computer (→13).

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If you have used the video camera to record content to an SD

card, insert that card in the video camera.

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Load the DVD-R/RW disc to record to.

Click [Create a DVD].

The [Create a DVD] window is displayed.

Click and select the video camera.

If the video camera is not listed, try clicking [Refresh] (A). ●

Select the items to record.

Each time you click, items are selected or cleared.

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You can select content based on the recording date. For

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selection at a more detailed level (scenes) (→28)

Recording on discs in DVD-Video format (Simply Create DVD-Video Disc)

Click and select the DVD disc to

record to.

Click [Start writing].

This button is not available unless you have selected at least

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one item.

Click [OK] when the confirmation

Content on SD cards or on your computer can also be

recorded to a DVD disc

In step 2, select an inserted SD card or a folder on your computer instead of your video camera.

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Data cannot be imported between the same kinds of media, such as from one DVD disc to another or from one SD card to another.

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Different media cannot be used to record to a single media.

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When the data size of one scene exceeds that of a single disc after editing discs. First, split the scene using “Dividing scenes” edit function to reduce the size so that it can fit on a single disc, and then record the data.

Tip

Discs created this way are for playback only. Additional content

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cannot be recorded on them. Lower-performance computers may require a significantly longer time

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for disc recording. Digital photos cannot be recorded with this function. To record photos

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(“Recording photos” For further details on recording on various media (→50)

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(→35), the scene cannot be recorded on multiple

(→41) of the

→65)

message is displayed.

If you click [Cancel], the previous window is displayed.

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Recording now begins, and the status is shown in the progress indicator.

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It takes time to record all the data. Do not operate the computer until recording is finished.

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Clicking [Cancel] when changing discs or during data conversion will stop recording in progress. However, recording cannot be stopped when data is being written.

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Content that does not fit on a single disc during DVD recording will be split and recorded over multiple discs. The approximate number of discs needed is indicated (B). Follow the instructions displayed to switch to a new disc.

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During multi-disc recording, you can stop recording when it is time to load the second or subsequent disc. Information about the remaining content will be displayed then. To record the remaining content later, refer to this information and select the content again, and then resume recording.

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating importing is finished.

Basic operations

Viewing content on a computer

Video content and photos you have imported to your computer can be viewed on your monitor.

Click [Playback on a PC].

Simple Menu

Basic operations

After the window for assistance is displayed, check the information and click [Close] to close it.

Main Window

Tip

Alternatively, in step 2 you can select a connected video camera or

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inserted media. Content shown as thumbnails can be played. For further details on playback (→32)

Click the folder where you imported the

content to.

If the folder is not listed, try clicking [Refresh] (A). ●

Click [Video] or [Picture].

Click the folder or thumbnail for playback.

Content can also be played by right-clicking and selecting

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[Playback] in the menu displayed, or by double-clicking thumbnails.

Click [Play].

The selected video or photo is now played in the preview window.

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(→23–24)

For videos, selecting a folder will play all clips in the folder. Selecting a thumbnail will play all scenes in the folder after that scene, one after another.

Viewing content on a computer

Playing video content

Basic operations

Current video title

Stop playback, return to start of video

Playback slider Move the slider to change the playback position

Current playback time

Total video playback time

Mute

Volume up/down

Previous video Return to the beginning of the current video

If you click within 1 sec. of start,

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playback returns to beginning of the previous video.

Tip

If no action is taken for about 3 seconds in full screen mode, the

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controls are hidden. Move the mouse to display them again. Double-click the screen to view content in full-screen mode. Double-

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click again to view at the original size. The [Capture] button is not shown during playback of video in DVD-

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VR format. Preview window for DVD-VR format

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(→87)

View in full-screen mode

Play/Pause

Create still pictures from the paused

(→70)

video

Scene marker

Close window

Next video

Reverse/forward frame by frame (when paused)

Viewing content on a computer

Viewing photos

Previous/next photo

Basic operations

View in full-screen mode

Close window

Viewing photos by recording date

You can view photos saved on your computer by recording date. In the media/folder selection area, click under [PC Hard drive]. Select a desired date to display all photos captured on that date in the content viewing area.

by [Recording date],

Tip

Double-click the screen to view content in full-screen mode. Double-

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click again to view at the original size.

Advanced Features

Feature overview

This section describes more advanced software operations. The following operations are possible.

Import content to your

computer (→28–31)

Edit content on your

computer (→35–49)

Record on optical discs and

SD cards (→50–69)

Use convenient features

(→70–75)

• Create still pictures from video

• Combine scenes

• Search for desired content

Play content (→32–33)

Delete content (→34)

Use the main window (→next page) for general operations such as importing, playback, and editing. This window is displayed when you close the Simple Menu that appears immediately after the software starts up.

Tip

To prevent the [Simple Menu] from being

●

displayed at startup, clear the check mark by [Display this screen at startup] in the lower-left corner of the [Simple Menu].

• Deleting unnecessary portions of content

• Dividing scenes

• Assign the playback order

• Adding opening titles

• Adding scene transitions

• Edit digital photos

• Protect content/rename content

• Upload content to YouTube

Feature overview

Main window

Advanced Features

Control buttons

Type of content

Video: video content

●

Picture: photo or other still picture

●

Playlist (shown only on video cameras

●

that support playlists)

Rearrange display order

Click to sort in ascending (▲) or

●

descending (▼) order. The order changes each time you click. For playlists, [By Date recorded] indicates

●

the order in which playlists were created or updated.

Change display format

Information shown when viewing content

●

by [Details] varies depending on the type of content.

Media/folder selection area

[Panasonic Video Camera]: Detected video cameras

[PC Hard drive]: Content imported to the computer using this software

[PC Hard drive] (Displayed when the [Picture] tab is selected):

Digital photos imported to the computer using this software

[SD]: Detected SD card drives

[DVD]: Detected DVD drives

Access the [Simple Menu] (→16)

Display the [Settings] panel (→79–82)

Update information in the areas for media or folder selection and content previewing

Content preview area

Content of media or folders selected in

●

the media/folder selection area is shown here.

Resize thumbnails

By default, small thumbnails are

●

displayed.

Click to expand listed items. (Click again to close the

●

information.)

To examine media or folders:

This example illustrates how to examine video camera content.

Click directly under [Panasonic Video Camera]. (The file path, indicated here by G:\, varies depending on the computer used.)

If nothing is listed under [Panasonic Video Camera], click ,

●

which will change to .

●

If [Panasonic Video Camera] is not listed, try clicking [Refresh].

Advanced Features

Feature overview

Content preview area

Content in the preview area is displayed as folders or thumbnails.

Folders

When importing to a date folder, videos with the same recording date are saved in the same folder.

Type of content

: Video

Main window

Thumbnails

Thumbnails are small images representing video content or photos.

Type of content

: Video

: Photo or other still picture

: Playlist

(shown only on video cameras that support playlists)

Protection setting

: Protected content

Importing status

: Imported to the computer

(Shown only for content on the internal recording media of the video camera or on the SD card installed in the video camera. Not shown for SD card devices.)

: Recorded on DVD-R/RW disc

Tip

Up to 9,999 scene and photo thumbnails can be displayed.

●

For large amounts of content, it may take some time to display

●

thumbnails.

: Recorded on DVD-RAM disc

: Recorded on SD card

: Recorded using the DVD COPY function (→68)

Advanced Features

Importing content to a computer ([Import to PC])

Videos and photos on the internal recording media of the video camera, an SD card installed in the video camera, an SD card which has been connected using an SD card slot or a device such as an SD card reader/writer, or optical discs created with this software can be imported to your computer. This content can also be edited after it is imported to the computer.

On the main window, click to display the [Import to PC] menu.

Used when importing all content to the

Simply import to PC

(For details →17)

Import to PC

(See information starting on the next page)

Important

Only video content or photos can be imported to your computer

●

using this software. Other data cannot be imported. Importing requires 1.3 times more free space than the size of the

●

content. Top menus are not imported.

●

Do not use Windows Explorer or other software to delete, modify,

●

or move content (folders or files) imported to the computer using this software. This prevents the content from being managed by this software.

computer.

●

Able to select images based on the recording dates

Used when importing specific content.

●

Individual scenes can be selected.

Preparation:

Load the media to import from (connect the video camera and

●

computer, for example (→13)) When using SD cards, see “SD card connection” (→14).

(→35)

Tip

Note that content captured while using the world time function of

●

video cameras is imported to a separate folder even if it has the same recording date. DVD-Video or DVD-VR format content must be smaller than 4 GB

●

when it is imported to a computer hard disk in FAT or FAT32 format. Importing playlists will produce content split into multiple scenes. To

●

view scenes of imported playlists, click the [Video] tab. Up to 9,999 videos and photos can be stored in

●

and [PC Hard drive], respectively. (The maximum capacity may be less than this, in some cases.)

[PC Hard drive]

Importing content to a computer ([Import to PC])

Advanced Features

Click the drive or folder to import from.

If the drive or folder is not listed, try clicking [Refresh] (A). ●

Click [Video], [Playlist], or [Picture].

Click the content to select it for

importing.

Selected items are outlined in yellow.

To select multiple items, hold the [Ctrl] key while clicking the

●

thumbnails. When a drive or folder is selected, all content in it is selected for

●

importing.

Click [Import to PC], and then select

[Import to PC].

The importing window (→next page) is displayed.

Importing is also possible by right-clicking items in step 3 and

●

selecting [Import to PC].

Importing content to a computer ([Import to PC])

Current item/total items

Thumbnail of content to import

Name, length, and size of content

Resolution and audio format

Advanced Features

Click and select an import destination

(a folder on your computer).

You can register other folders on your computer, if desired.

●

(“Registering new folders”

Subfolders for each recording date are created in the selected folder, and the content is imported there. Recording dates are used for the subfolder names.

●

By default, folders are named with the most recent recording date of content, in the order [month-day-year].

●

To import all content to a single folder, select [Specified folder] (A) and enter the name in the text box next to this option. Note that these characters are not supported: \ / : * ? " < > |

Click [Start].

→next page)

Close window

Previous/next

Storage locations of imported content

Content is imported to subfolders (named with dates or as specified) in the folder selected in step

Folder selected in step 5

Content imported here (example: date folder)

●

To rename these date folders or your specified folder after importing, right-click the folder and select [Properties], and then change the name in [Title]. (Names are a maximum of 64 singlebyte characters.)

Click [Yes] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

To cancel this process, click [No].

●

Importing now begins, and the status is shown in the progress indicator.

To cancel importing in progress, click [Cancel].

●

Importing the data takes time. Do not operate the computer until

●

recording is finished.

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating importing is finished.

Importing content to a computer ([Import to PC])

Registering or deregistering destination folders

Registering new folders

Click [Settings] on the main window.

(Otherwise, right-click [PC Hard drive] in the media/folder selection area and select [Set Target folder].) The settings panel is displayed.

Click the [PC HDD] tab.

Click [Add].

Select a folder to register and click [OK].

Click [OK] to close the [Settings] panel.

Folders you register are listed under [PC Hard drive] in the media/ folder selection area.

Advanced Features

Deregistering folders

Select the folder in [Registration folder] and click [Delete].

Click [OK] when the confirmation message is displayed.

Click [OK] to close the [Settings] panel.

Folders are only deregistered. The content itself is not deleted. ●

Advanced Features

Playing content

You can play back the video content and photos stored on the internal recording media in the video camera, playlists on the video camera, an SD card installed in the video camera, an SD card which has been connected using an SD card slot or a device such as an SD card reader/ writer, or on a disc created with this software.

●

Playback is possible only for content imported to the computer using this software. Content imported using Windows Explorer or similar software cannot be played.

Preparation:

Load the media (insert media in the video camera and connect the

●

camera, for example (→13)) When using SD cards, see “SD card connection” (→14).

Click the drive or folder where content

for playback is stored.

If the drive or folder is not listed, try clicking [Refresh] (A). ●

Click [Video], [Playlist], or [Picture].

Click the folder or thumbnail for

playback.

For videos, selecting a folder will play all videos in the folder.

●

Selecting a thumbnail folder will play all scenes in the folder after that scene, one after another. Content can also be played by right-clicking and selecting

●

[Playback] in the menu displayed, or by double-clicking thumbnails. If you do not see the folder where desired content is stored,

●

select [Settings]→[PC HDD]→[Registration folder] (→80) and switch to the drive where the desired content is.

Click [Play].

The content selected is now played in the preview window. Sound is played in 2-channel mode.

For details about the preview window (→23–24)●

Playing content

Tip

Top menus are not played. To play the top menu, use equipment that

●

supports top menu playback. Depending on graphics features (such as [Windows Aero] in Windows

●

), your computer environment, and the content being played,

Vista frames may be dropped and colour loss may occur during playback, and playback may not be smooth. These problems are more likely to occur in full-screen mode. Additionally, in sections where the resolution or audio format changes, noise may be produced, and playback may not be smooth. For playlists, playback may stop momentarily when switching to the

●

next item, and the screen may go black. If errors in reading a disc occur, playback may resume from the next

●

item after the affected position.

Advanced Features

Delete content

You can delete content imported to the computer using this software or content on SD cards in SD card slots or SD reader/writers. (Protection of write-protected SD cards must be cleared first.) When using SD cards, see “SD card connection”

Click the folder where content for

deletion is stored.

Click the folder or thumbnail for deletion.

To select multiple thumbnails, hold the [Ctrl] key while clicking

●

the thumbnails. Only one folder can be selected.

●

Click [Delete].

Click [OK] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

To cancel this process, click [Cancel]. ●

(→14).

Important

Once content has been deleted, it cannot be restored. Always check content carefully before deletion.

When folders are deleted, all data in the folder is deleted, including

●

data other than the content. Scenes that have been protected cannot be deleted. Additionally,

●

videos containing protected scenes cannot be deleted. First, clear the protection. (→49)

Tip

Content can also be deleted by right-clicking thumbnails and selecting

●

[Delete] in the menu displayed. When you delete all content in a folder, the folder itself is also deleted.

●

Deletion may take a long time, depending on the content.

●

Editing content on your computer

Content imported to your computer can be edited. The following operations are possible.

Edit video content

(→36–47)

Deleting selected portions of a scene (→38)

●

Dividing scenes (→41)

●

Assigning the playback order of scenes (→42)

●

Adding opening titles (→44)

●

Adding scene transitions (→46)

Edit digital photos

(→48)

Protect content/rename

content (→49)

Advanced Features

Tip

Only video content and photos you have imported to your computer

●

can be edited. For information on importing (→17–19, 28–31) Although files and folders for content imported to the computer using

●

other software may be displayed, they cannot be managed with this software. Always use this software to import content to the computer. New files are created after you edit content, leaving the original files

●

in the state before editing. Editing requires an amount of free work space on the computer at

●

least equivalent to the size of the content for editing.

Editing content on your computer

Editing video content (basic operations)

Video editing area

Advanced Features

Selecting scenes to edit

Click [Edit] and select [Video editing].

The video editing area is displayed.

Drag a scene to edit to the video editing

area.

Edit video content

Deleting selected portions of a scene (→38)

●

Dividing scenes (→41)

●

Assigning the playback order of scenes (→42)

●

Adding opening titles (→44)

●

Adding scene transitions (→46)

Saving edited videos

Click [Save].

Click and select a destination for saving

the file.

Edited scenes are saved in separate folders from the original

●

data. When the destination hard disk is in FAT or FAT32 format,

●

MPEG2 files exceeding 4 GB cannot be produced.

Name of storage folder (Can be changed as needed)

Advanced Features

Editing content on your computer Editing video content (basic operations)

Click [OK].

Processing status is shown in the progress indicator.

When there are multiple scenes in the video editing area

●

Save each scene as an individual MPEG-2 file. Combine scenes and save as a single MPEG-2 file.

To cancel editing, click [Cancel].

●

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating that processing is finished.

Edited content is saved as a new file. The file name is identified in the message indicating completion.

Click [Close] to close this window.

Tip

Recording date information will correspond to information of the

●

opening scene. Up to approximately 12 hours of video content can be saved.

●

This software is only compatible with MPEG2 files with accompanying

●

information files. Renaming files using Windows Explorer or similar software will

●

prevent the files from being managed by this software. Conversion of some content may result in out-of-sync or dropped

●

frames, or conversion may fail. Chapter points will not be maintained when creating DVD discs from

●

MPEG2 files produced with the [Merging into one scene] function.

(→56)

Editing content on your computer

Editing video content (Delete partially)

Advanced Features

Deleting selected portions of content

Delete unneeded portions of video content or portions with shooting errors as follows. Only video content imported to your computer can be edited. First, import the content to your computer.

Video content to be edited must be at least two seconds long. ●

Video editing area

(→17–19, 28–31)

Selected portion

Follow the steps in “Selecting scenes to

edit” (→36).

Click a scene.

Select only one scene. ●

Click [Edit] and select [Delete partially].

The [Delete partially] window is displayed.

Click to play the scene. Click to

pause playback at the starting position for deletion.

Click to fine-tune the position. (→40)

Click [Set start point] to identify the

starting point.

Otherwise, you can drag ▼ to identify the starting point.

Advanced Features

Editing content on your computer Editing video content (Delete partially)

Click again to resume playback.

Click to pause playback at the ending position for deletion.

Click [Set end point] to identify the

ending point.

Otherwise, you can drag ▲ to identify the ending point.

Click [Select] to confirm this selection.

The portion that will be deleted is indicated in grey

●

Thumbnails of the starting and ending points are displayed.

●

To select multiple portions, repeat steps 3–7.

●

To clear the selection, click the corresponding thumbnail and

●

click [Release].

Play the video content to check the

For details about this window

(→next page)

Cancel editing

portion that will remain after deletion.

Click [Partially delete].

Results of editing are applied to the video editing area.

To save as a video

Follow the steps in “Saving edited videos” (→36). ●

Advanced Features

Editing content on your computer Editing video content (Delete partially)

Image at the starting point

Selected portion The portion that will be deleted is indicated in grey

The ending edge of the selected

●

portion may not match the end point, but the selection in grey is the portion that will be deleted.

Length of content, from the starting to ending point

Length of content retained

Length of content deleted

h: hours m: minutes s: seconds f: number of frames

Section marker

Scenes are divided based on selected portions.●

Portion represented by the thumbnail

Image at the ending point

: Skip approx. 0.5 sec.

: Previous/next frame

Thumbnails at the beginning of each section

Cancel editing

Editing content on your computer

Editing video content (dividing scenes)

Scenes can be divided at desired positions. Only content imported to your computer can be edited. First, import the content to your computer. Video content to be divided must be at least four seconds long.

Follow the steps in “Selecting scenes to

edit”

Click a scene to edit.

Click [Edit] and select [Divide Scene].

The [Divide Scene] window is displayed.

Click to play the content.

Click to pause playback at the position

(→36).

Select only one scene.●

to divide scenes.

After pausing playback, you can adjust the position for division

●

by using the playback slider or previous/next frame buttons. Content cannot be divided at a position where resulting scenes

●

would be less than two seconds.

Advanced Features

(→17–19, 28–31)

Playback slider

h: hours m: minutes s: seconds f: number of frames

Previous/next frame buttons

Skip approx. 0.5 sec.

Click [Execute divide].

Results of editing are applied to the video editing area.

To save as a video

Follow the steps in “Saving edited videos” (→36). ●

Editing content on your computer

Assigning the playback order/adding opening titles/adding effects

You can group content imported to your computer that was recorded on various dates and assign the playback order. You can also add opening titles and scene transitions, such as fading.

Assigning the playback order

Click [Edit] and select [Video editing].

The video editing area is displayed.

Drag a scene to edit to the video editing

area.

Repeat this process to collect desired scenes.

●

To add video content or scenes from another folder, select the

●

folder and go to step 2. Videos are expanded into scenes when added to the video

●

editing area. To cancel this process, click [Close] (A).

●

Advanced Features

Video editing area

Tip

Changing the playback order of scenes/Deleting scenes in the video

●

editing area (→next page)

Editing content on your computer

Advanced Features

Assigning the playback order/adding opening titles/

adding effects

Changing the order of scenes

Drag scenes to the desired position.

Deleting scenes in the video editing area

Click a scene to remove.

To select multiple scenes, hold the [Ctrl] key while clicking the

●

thumbnails.

Click [Delete].

1 2

Scenes are only removed from the video editing area. The content

●

itself is not deleted. Deletion is also possible by right-clicking scenes and selecting

●

[Delete] in the menu displayed.

To save as a video

Follow the steps in “Saving edited videos” (→36). ●

Editing content on your computer

Advanced Features

Assigning the playback order/adding opening titles/

adding effects

Adding opening titles

Titles can only be added to the opening scenes.

Preparation:

Arranging scenes and videos in the video editing area (→42)●

Click [Title].

The [Insert Title] window is displayed.

Enter the title and specify effects.

(For details about this window →next page)

If not all text is displayed, or if text covers images in the content,

●

change the font or reduce the size.

Click [OK].

A new opening title scene will be added. (This is indicated by

●

on the thumbnail.) To change the titles, first delete the opening title scene, and

●

create a new title scene again. To delete titled scenes in the video editing area, first delete the

●

adjacent scene labeled with an icon ( ). Titles cannot be added to scenes labeled ( ).

●

Editing content on your computer

[Insert Title] window

Advanced Features

Assigning the playback order/adding opening titles/

adding effects

Font

Font size

Text style

: Bold

: Italic

: Drop shadow

Title preview

Enter the title (Up to 128 single-byte characters on two lines.)

Title display duration

Click ▼ to specify how long

●

the title is displayed. (3, 5, or 10 seconds.) Titles cannot be added to

●

scenes which lengths are less than specified duration plus 2 seconds.

Add fade-in effects

Preview the title and effects in the preview window

: Outline

Colour of outline [

Drop shadow colour [

Darken text background

Text colour

Click to select a colour. (→89)●

Text position

Cancel the title and effects

]

Editing content on your computer

Effects are added here

Advanced Features

Assigning the playback order/adding opening titles/

adding effects

Adding scene transitions

Preparation:

Arranging scenes and videos in the video editing area (→42)●

Click the scene before the scene for

effects.

Click [Transition].

The [Insert Transition] window is displayed.

Specify the desired effect.

(For details about this window →next page)

Click [OK].

The effect is now added to the scene. (This is indicated by on

●

the thumbnail.) To change the effect, delete the scene with the effect and create

●

a new one. To delete scenes with effects in the video editing area, first

●

delete the adjacent scene labeled with an icon ( ). Scenes with effects cannot be rearranged.

●

Tip

Effects cannot be added as the transition between scenes of different

●

aspect ratios.

Editing content on your computer

[Insert Transition] window

Preview window

Effect duration

Click to specify how long

●

the effect is displayed. (3, 4, or 5 seconds.) Transitions cannot be added

●

to scenes which lengths are less than specified duration plus 2 seconds.

Effect preview

Assigning the playback order/adding opening titles/

adding effects

Cancel the transition effects

Advanced Features

Effect

[Fade (Black)]/[Fade (White)]

The previous scene fades out to black or white, and the next screen gradually fades in.

[Mix]

Scenes are momentarily superimposed as the next scene fades in.

[Wipe]

The next scene is revealed as if a curtain is drawn back.

[Slide]

The previous scene slides right, revealing the next scene.

[Zoom-in]

The next scene appears in the centre of the previous scene and gradually expands.

[Zoom-out]

The previous scene gradually shrinks, and the next scene appears in the background.

[Stretch]

The previous scene shrinks, transforming into the next scene.

[Corner wipe]

The next scene emerges from the upper-left corner, moving toward the other corners.

[Corner slide]

The next scene slides diagonally down and to the right from the upper-left corner.

[Corner zoom]

The next scene expands diagonally down and to the right from the upper-left corner.

Playback position

Move the playback slider to change the playback position.

Editing content on your computer

Editing digital photos

Photos can be retouched or rotated.

Tip

Only photos imported to your computer can be edited. First, import the photos to your computer. (→17–19, 28–31)●

Photo after editing

Advanced Features

Click [Picture].

Click the thumbnail.

Click [Edit] and select [Edit Picture].

The window for photo editing is displayed.

Editing is also possible by right-clicking the thumbnail and

●

selecting [Edit Picture].

Edit the photo.

Click [Save].

Undo

Rotate right 90º Retouch

Rotate left 90º

Click [OK] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

When the message is displayed, click [Yes] to retain the photo before editing or [No] to delete it.

The saved photo will be named as follows.

●

“Edit Picture (serial number) of original file name”

Editing content on your computer

Protecting and renaming content

Advanced Features

In the properties window, content can be renamed or protected from accidental deletion.

●

Video, scenes, pictures, and folders can be renamed.

●

Only scenes and photos can be protected.

(Example of scene properties window)

In the content viewing or media/folder selection area of the

main window

Right-click a thumbnail or folder and select [Properties].

The properties window is displayed.

To rename content

Change the name in [Title].

●

Names are a maximum of 64 single-byte characters.

To protect content or clear protection

Click [ON] or [OFF] in [Protect Setting].

Click [Close].

Tip

[Title] is the name as displayed in this software. The file name itself

●

cannot be changed by renaming the title. Thumbnails of protected scenes and photos are labeled with this icon:

●

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Image captured with video cameras or imported to computers can be recorded on optical discs and SD cards in a variety of formats. This section describes some considerations and precautions to understand before recording.

●

Also refer to the description of drive settings

●

If your video camera supports the “DVD COPY function”, you can automatically record the video content by performing some simple operations.

(→68)

Recording

Recording formats

Several recording formats are available for video content and photos, and each format has particular characteristics. Choose the optimal recording format for your needs.

Recording Format Characteristics Available Media Playback Equipment

(→7) and information on media supported for recording (→11).

DVD-Video format Additional recording is not possible for discs

DVD-VR format Additional recording is possible on discs

SD card (SD-Video) format

DCF format (Picture)

●

recorded with this software. Top menus can be created.

●

recorded with this software. Top menus cannot be created.

●

Recording format designed for recording video

●

content on SD cards. Additional recording is possible on SD cards

●

recorded with this software. Top menus cannot be created.

●

Format designed for recording photos on SD

● SD cards Playback or printing

cards.

DVD-R (12 cm, single-sided, single-sided/dual layer) DVD-RW (12 cm, single-sided)

Recording is not possible on prerecorded

●

discs. However, DVD-RW discs can be used for recording after being formatted. (→76)

DVD-RAM (12 cm, single-sided, double-sided)

SD cards SD-Video–compatible

Typical DVD players

DVD-VR-compatible equipment and software

equipment (TVs, etc.)

is possible with DCFcompatible equipment (digital cameras, TVs, and printers. etc.)

Recording on optical discs and SD cards Recording

Advanced Features

Top menus

Creating media with this software will create a “top menu” interface that serves as a table of contents. To view content, select thumbnails in the top menu. Customize the design of top menus as desired when creating them.

●

Top menus cannot be created when recording to SD cards or recording in DVD-VR format.

●

Top menus are displayed only on equipment that supports this feature. They cannot be played on video cameras or in this software.

●

Top menus are automatically created in the default design when you use [Simply Create DVD-Video disc] COPY Function]

(→68). To change the top menu design (→80)

(→20–21) or [DVD

Automatic multi-disc recording

Content will be automatically divided for recording over multiple discs only under these conditions.

●

The content exceeds the capacity of one disc when you are using [Simply Create DVD-Video disc] Function]

●

More than 99 items of content are recorded to a disc using [Simply Create DVD-Video disc] Function]

Tip

Content is automatically divided so that the final scene fits on the disc.

●

When the data size of one scene exceeds that of a single disc after

●

editing (→35), the scene cannot be recorded on multiple discs. First, split the scene using “Dividing scenes” (→41) of the edit function to reduce the size so that it can fit on a single disc, and then record the data. The approximate number of discs needed is displayed, but recording

●

may require fewer or more discs. Discs recorded this way are for playback only. Additional content

●

cannot be recorded on them. During multi-disc recording, information about the remaining content

●

is displayed when recording stops to load the second and subsequent disc. To record the remaining content later, refer to this information and select the content again, and then resume recording.

(→68) to create media

(→68)

(→20–21) or [DVD COPY

Recording on optical discs and SD cards Recording

Additional recording on media with existing content

Formats supporting additional recording: DVD-RAM (DVD-VR) and SD cards (SD-Video)

When recording additional content, you can add content to media recorded with this software by using the same recording format as the existing content.

Tip

Content cannot be added to protected DVD-RAM discs. Clear

●

protection settings with the equipment originally used to protect the disc. Additional content can also be recorded to SD cards when photos

●

have been recorded to the cards.

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

[Create Media] menu

The [Create Media] menu is used when recording to optical discs and memory cards.

In the main window, click this button to access the menu:

Advanced Features

Authoring menu

∗

Content is automatically divided for recording over multiple discs if it

does not fit on one.

∗

Top menus are not created.

Media

Recording

Format

DVD-R/RW DVD-Video

DVD-RAM DVD-VR

∗

SD cards SD-Video

SD cards DCF

Subject to recording

Content on the internal

●

recording media of the video camera or on the SD card installed in the video camera Content imported to the

●

computer

Content imported to the

●

computer

Content imported to the

●

∗

computer

Recording

Order

By recording date

Any order

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording video content

Video content and scenes can be selected from a variety of folders of content imported to the computer with this software to record in any order on optical discs and SD cards. Video and scenes can be combined on a single disc or SD card.

Video content of less than two seconds cannot be recorded. (Content for recording in DVD-VR format must be at least three seconds long.)

●

Preparation:

Import the video content to the computer

●

Exit all other software

●

Be sure to exit other software that may access the optical drive,

●

such as Windows Explorer. Load the media for recording

●

When using SD cards, see “SD card connection” (→14).

●

When recording video content to SD cards, use a compatible video

●

camera to initialise the cards. When adding content to DVD-RAM discs, clear any protection by

●

using the equipment originally used to protect the disc. Recording requires twice the amount of free space (for a work

●

folder) as the capacity of the disc or SD card you are creating. To change the work folder (→80)

Important

Do not do the following during recording. These operations may prevent successful recording and damage discs or equipment.

- Disconnect cables or cords of computer or DVD equipment or turn equipment on or off

- Log off in Windows (as by switching users)

- Force this software to close

- Install or remove an SD card

Time required for recording

Recording will take some time. The amount of time required for

●

recording varies depending on disc specifications and optical drive performance. For details, refer to the Operating Instructions of the disc and drive. Recording may take several hours especially in the following cases.

●

- Recording small video content in DVD-Video format (because specifications require that dummy data be appended even to files less than about 1 GB to make them about 1 GB)

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Selecting video content to record

In the authoring area, add video content to record.

Authoring area

Recording video content

Click a folder on your computer.

Select [Video].

Click [Create Media] and select the type

of media to create.

For instructions with this option

(→20–21)

For instructions with this option

(→65–67)

This example illustrates the procedure when you select one of the options labeled The media authoring area is displayed.

For details about the [Create Media] menu (→53)●

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Authoring area

Tip

Optical drives in use by this software cannot be used by other

●

software. Content editing is not possible while the authoring area is displayed.

●

Complete any required editing (such as dividing scenes) in advance.

●

The scene point information is retained as chapter points even after recording, except in the following cases.

- In DVD-Video format, the scene is after the 100th scene

- If selecting [Merging into one scene] when editing and saving video

(→37)

A B

Recording video content

Drag video content to the authoring area.

You can add scenes and videos. However, photos cannot be

●

added. Repeat this process to choose the video content (up to 99

●

items). To select multiple items, hold the [Ctrl] key while clicking the thumbnails. To add video content from another folder, select the folder and

●

then perform step cancelled if you select content in folders not on the computer.

●

Referring to [Capacity] (A) as a guideline, select an amount of content that will fit on the disc or SD card. Note that the actual amount of data recorded may be different.

●

Content will be recorded in the order you drag it to the authoring area, one thumbnail after another. However, content can be recorded as a single file when you record in DVD-VR format.

(→82)

●

When video content has been registered, the scenes in that content will be automatically recorded in the order in which they were shot.

●

To cancel authoring, click (B).

Removing content from the authoring area

Click a scene to remove.

To select multiple items, hold the [Ctrl] key while clicking the

●

thumbnails.

Click [Delete].

4. However, the current selection will be

Thumbnails are only removed from the authoring area. The

●

content itself is not deleted. Removal is also possible by right-clicking thumbnails and

●

selecting [Delete] in the menu displayed.

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording video content

Changing the order of content

Drag thumbnails to the desired position.

Click [Save].

For DVD-R/RW:

A window is displayed for creating the top menu.

(→next page)

For DVD-RAM (DVD-VR format) or SD cards (SD-Video format):

A window is displayed for creating the disc or SD card.

(→62)

For continuous playback without interruption between individual scenes, select the scenes you wish to play continuously and combine them into a single MPEG2 file.

To combine scenes into single MPEG2 files

Use the “Editing content on your computer” ([Merging into one scene]) operation

(→37).

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording selected video content (Create DVD-Video disc)

Follow these steps when recording on DVD-R/RW discs.

1 2

Recording video content

When you click [Save] in step

A window is displayed for creating the

5 (→previous page)

top menu.

Click and select the media to record

on.

●

Video cameras cannot be selected as the destination.

Saving content in the authoring area as a disc image

By saving a disc image, you can use the image to record discs later as needed.

Select [The folder to save DVD-Video image to] as

the recording destination.

Click and specify the folder where to save the disc image.

(After step 1, the icon changes from to .)

By default, this folder is C:\MC_TMP\DVD_IMAGE\ VIDEO_TS. (Assuming Windows is installed on the C drive.)

Any existing disc image is overwritten.

●

To create discs with a saved disc image (→64)

●

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Previous/next page (if there are multiple pages)

Recording video content

Check the space available for recording

on the media.

Content exceeding the available space is indicated in red. In this

●

case, click [Close] and remove video content from the authoring area.

Determine a top menu design.

Click [Background/Layout].

Select your preferred design.

To use a particular image file as the background:

●

Select [User’s picture], specify a JPEG file on the computer, and click [Open]. (Images with an aspect ratio of 4:3 are displayed with black bars at right and left.)

Click to select the thumbnail layout.

If there are many thumbnails, they will be distributed on

●

multiple pages.

To choose different content, click [Close] and change your

●

selection in the authoring area.

Tip

Discs recorded this way are for playback only. Additional content

●

cannot be recorded on them. When you record video that includes content in both aspect ratio of

●

16:9 and 4:3, aspect ratio of 16:9 is used. Content with a modified aspect ratio is labeled displayed with black bars at right and left. Content with divided scenes is labeled .

●

(encoded). Content in aspect ratio of 4:3 is

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording video content

Enter the title.

Click the title to enable input.

●

Enter the page title.

(Up to 64 single-byte characters.)

The same page title is displayed on all pages. For a titleless

●

top menu, leave the title information blank.

Enter thumbnail titles.

(Up to 24 single-byte characters.)

By default, thumbnails are labeled with the name of the video

●

or scene.

Click [Font/Title] and complete the font settings.

(For details

If not all text is displayed, or if text covers other images,

●

change the font or reduce the size.

To check information about each content ([Video information]

●

→90)

To change thumbnails ([Change thumbnail] For details →90)

●

Click [Burn].

If the message “Insert a new disc” is displayed, recording on the

●

current disc is not possible. The disc may already have been recorded. Insert a blank or formatted disc. If the computer hard disk is compressed, a message regarding

●

drive compression may be displayed and recording may not be possible. Clear the check for [Compress this drive to save disk space] in [Properties] for the hard disk drive.

→89)

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Click [OK] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

To cancel this process, click [Cancel].

●

Recording now begins, and the status is shown in the progress indicator.

Recording will take some time. Do not operate the computer

●

until recording is finished. Recording can be stopped by clicking [Cancel] when changing

●

discs or during data conversion. Recording cannot be stopped when data is being written.

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating that recording is complete.

Some optical drives may switch to a new disc automatically

●

before this final step in recording.

Recording video content

Tip

Advanced settings for the recording speed and other details are

●

available in the [Settings] window. (→80)

Notes on recording

When you record video that includes content in both aspect

●

ratio of 16:9 and 4:3, aspect ratio of 16:9 is used. Content in aspect ratio of 4:3 is displayed with black bars at right and left.

●

When the hard disk where the work folder is stored is in FAT or FAT32 format, video content exceeding 4 GB cannot be recorded.

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording selected video content (DVD-RAM (DVD-VR format) or SD cards (SD-Video format))

Follow these steps when recording on DVD-RAM discs in DVD-VR format, or when recording on SD cards.

Video recorded in DVD-VR format must be at least 3 seconds long.

●

Video recorded to SD cards must be at least 2 seconds long.

Additional portion to record

Recorded

Recording video content

When you click [Save] in step 5 (→57)

A window is displayed for creating the

media.

Click and select the media to record

on.

Any existing video on the media is also displayed.

●

To choose different content, click [Close] and change your

●

selection in the authoring area.

Example when recording in DVD-VR format

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Example when recording in DVD-VR format

Tip

If there is unwanted content recorded on a DVD-RAM disc, formatting

●

the disc will delete all content (→76). Content cannot be removed individually. The audio track of content in DVD-VR format is recorded in Dolby

●

Digital format. MPEG2 (SD-Video) refers to files conforming to SD-Video

●

specifications that are encoded in MPEG2 format. MPEG-1 Layer2 is the only audio format available for SD-Video.

●

When you record video that includes content in both aspect ratio

●

of 16:9 and 4:3, aspect ratio of 16:9 is used. Content in aspect ratio of 4:3 is displayed with black bars at right and left.

The image quality of video content recorded in SD-Video format may

●

be inferior to that of the original content. Additionally, depending on the playback equipment, the image quality may be inferior to playback on a computer, the audio track may skip, frames may be dropped, or other problems may occur.

Recording video content

Check the space available on the media.

Content exceeding the available space is indicated in red. In this

●

case, click [Close] and remove video content from the authoring area.

Click [Record].

Click [Yes] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

To cancel this process, click [No].

●

Recording now begins, and the status is shown in the progress indicator.

Recording will take some time. Do not operate the computer

●

until recording is finished. Recording cannot be stopped when data is being written.

●

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating that recording is complete.

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Creating discs from saved disc images

Disc images saved on the computer can be used to record discs as needed.

Preparation:

Save the disc image (→58)●

Tip

This function can only be used with disc images saved with this

●

software. Do not modify the [VIDEO_TS] folder created to store disc image

●

data. This may prevent the disc image from being used in recording. Disc images saved on your computer can be played using software

●

for DVD playback. For details, refer to the DVD software Operating Instructions.

Recording video content

In the [Simple Menu], click [Create a

DVD]. (→20)

The [Create a DVD] window is displayed.

Click and select [DVD image selection].

Select the folder where the disc image is stored, and then click

You cannot change the selection of the video content.

[OK].

By default, this folder is C:\MC_TMP\DVD_IMAGE\VIDEO_TS.

●

(Assuming Windows is installed on the C drive.)

Click and select the DVD disc to

record on.

Click [Start writing].

Click [OK] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

Recording now begins, and the status is shown in the progress indicator.

Recording will take some time. Do not operate the computer

●

until recording is finished. Recording can be stopped by clicking [Cancel] when changing

●

discs or during data conversion. Recording cannot be stopped when data is being written. Content that does not fit on a single disc will be split and recorded

●

over multiple discs. Follow the instructions displayed to change discs.

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating that recording is complete.

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording photos

Digital photos and other still pictures on your computer can be recorded on SD cards. These images are recorded in a format that can be viewed on digital cameras and similar devices (DCF format). Images in BMP or PNG format are converted to JPEG format before saving.

For a list of supported SD cards

Preparation:

Insert the SD card. (See “SD card connection” →14)●

(→11)●

Click [Picture].

Click [Create Media] and select [Create

SD Card (Pictures)].

The media authoring area is displayed.

Authoring area

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Authoring area

Recording photos

Drag photos for recording to the

authoring area.

●

Repeat this process to choose desired photos (up to 99 photos). To select multiple items, hold the [Ctrl] key while clicking the thumbnails.

●

The current selection will be cancelled if you select content in folders not on the computer.

Removing photos from the authoring area

Click a photo to remove.

To select multiple items, hold the [Ctrl] key while clicking the

●

thumbnails.

Click [Delete].

1 2

Thumbnails are only removed from the authoring area. The

●

content itself is not deleted. Removal is also possible by right-clicking thumbnails and

●

selecting [Delete] in the menu displayed.

Tip

DCF: Design rule for Camera File system. This recording format

●

conforms to file system specifications of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). Photos in DCF format cannot be converted to video content.

●

Click [Save].

The window for creating DCF content for SD cards is displayed.

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Additional portion to record

Recorded

Folder structure and names of files created

DCIM

100_PMCL (Up to 9,999 photos per folder)

P1000001.JPG …

P1000999.JPG

101_PMCL

…

999_PMCL

If there are multiple storage folders, photos are saved in the

●

highest-numbered folder. If there are no storage folders, a folder named [100_PMCL] is

●

created. As the file name, the final number in the folder is assigned.

●

Saved photos

Recording photos

Click and select the destination SD

card.

If the SD card already contains photos, the photos are displayed.

To choose different content, click [Close] and change your

●

selection in the authoring area.

Check the space available on the card.

Content exceeding the available space on the SD card

●

is indicated in red. In this case, click [Close] and remove thumbnails from the authoring area.

Click [Record].

Click [Yes] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

To cancel this process, click [No].

●

Recording now begins, and the status is shown in the progress indicator.

Recording cannot be stopped when data is being written.

●

Do not operate the computer until recording is finished.

●

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating that recording is complete.

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording with the DVD COPY function

If the “DVD COPY function” is used with a video camera which supports this function, the software will start up automatically, and you can record the video content on the internal HDD of the video camera onto a DVD disc. The second time this function is used, only the new content is selected automatically for recording. This is convenient when backing up content captured with the video camera.

Available when using video cameras equipped with the DVD COPY function. For details, refer to the Operating Instructions of the video camera.

●

DVD COPY works with video content captured on video camera hard disks. SD card content is not supported for backup, and neither are photos.

●

Content is recorded in DVD-Video format on DVD-R/RW discs.

●

Content that does not fit on a single disc is automatically split and recorded over multiple discs.

Important

During recording, do not operate the computer or video camera or

●

disconnect the USB or power cables. Before deleting video content from video cameras, always confirm

●

that all content was recorded correctly on the DVD disc.

Connect the video camera to the

computer. (→13)

Preparation:

On the [General] tab of the [Settings] window, select [Enables the

●

auto startup of the VideoCam Suite] (→79) Exit the software if the software is activated.

●

Load a DVD-R/RW disc for recording

●

(For a list of supported discs →11)

Tip

Recording requires twice the amount of free space (for a work folder)

●

equivalent to the capacity of the disc. To change the work folder

(→80)

Discs recorded this way are for playback only. Additional content

●

cannot be recorded on them. Video content recorded on the DVD disc cannot be returned to the

●

video camera. Video content already recorded on disc with the DVD COPY function

●

is recognised as recorded. For this reason, the content cannot be recorded again using the DVD COPY function. For instructions on specifying details such as the recording speed and

●

playback method

(→79–80)

Select [DVD COPY] on the video camera.

This software now automatically starts up, new video content on the video camera hard disk is selected, and the [DVD COPY] window is displayed.

Advanced Features

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording with the DVD COPY function

Click and select the DVD disc to

record on.

The DVD COPY function automatically selects the video content

●

which has not yet been recorded and records it so you cannot change the selection of the video content.

Click [Start writing].

Click [OK] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

Recording now begins, and the status is shown in the progress indicator.

Recording will take some time. Do not operate the computer

●

until recording is finished. Recording can be stopped by clicking [Cancel] when changing

●

discs or during data conversion. Recording cannot be stopped when data is being written. Content that does not fit on a single disc will be split and recorded

●

over multiple discs. Follow the instructions displayed to change discs.

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating that recording is complete.

This software is automatically closed, and the video camera enters [PC/RECORDER] mode, when it is still connected to the computer. (The display varies depending on the model.)

Advanced Features

Using convenient features

Creating still pictures from video

You can save individual frames of video content as still image files. These images are saved in JPEG format. This feature is available only with video content imported to the computer or on the internal recording media of the video camera or on the SD card installed in the video camera.

In the preview window (→23), pause

the video at the position to save a still image.

Click [Capture].

In the save dialog box displayed, specify

where to save the image ( [OK] (

) and click

Tip

This operation is also possible by using [Capture] button.

●

The [Capture] button is not shown during playback of video in DVD-

●

VR format.

Name of storage folder (Can be changed as needed)

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating that the image has been created.

Using convenient features

Searching for desired content

You can search video content and photos by name, recording date, or comments entered in the properties window (→92). This feature applies to content in folders you have registered as destinations for saving content on the computer.

Click a folder to search.

When [PC Hard drive] has been clicked, the video content in it

●

is searched.

Click [Video] or [Picture].

Click [Search].

The window for entering search conditions is displayed. ●

Enter the search conditions.

Clicking [Search by Keyword] enables this option.

Enter the keyword.

Enter up to three keywords, separated by a space. ●

Select the information [Search by Keyword] applies to.

[Comments (Memo)] refers to notes entered in [Comments

●

(Memo)] in the properties window.

Clicking [Search by Recording date] enables this

option. Specify a range of recording dates.

Click [Close] to cancel searching.

(→80)

Advanced Features

4 5

Advanced Features

Using convenient features

Searching for desired content

Click [Search].

Search results are displayed

Click [Close].

The search conditions window is closed. Search results are retained even after this window is closed.

Click .

The search results are now discarded.

Search results can also be cleared by clicking [Close] in the

●

upper-right corner of the screen.

Advanced Features

Using convenient features

Uploading content to YouTube

Content imported to your computer can easily be uploaded to YouTube.

●

Unless you are the copyright holder or you have obtained permission from the copyright holder, do not upload videos protected under copyright.

Preparation:

Create an account on the YouTube website in advance, and

●

have your user name and password ready

●

When directly uploading video content recorded in the WEB MODE from the video camera, check [Enables the auto startup of the VideoCam Suite] on the [General] tab of the [Settings] window.

(→79)

If your video camera does not support the WEB MODE:

Proceed from step 1.

If your video camera supports the WEB MODE:

Exit the software if it is running.

Connect the video camera containing the video content

recorded in the WEB MODE to the computer. On the menu which appears when the video camera has

been connected to the computer, select [WEB MODE].

The YouTube uploader starts automatically, and thumbnails of the video content shot in the WEB MODE are displayed. Then

proceed from step 3.

Alternatively, you can proceed from step 1.●

Click a scene to upload.

To select multiple scenes, hold the [Ctrl] key while clicking the

●

thumbnails. Up to 10 scenes can be uploaded at once.

Click [Network].

[YouTube Uploader] is displayed.

Advanced Features

Using convenient features

(For details about this window →next page)

Uploading content to YouTube

Enter titles and other information shown

on YouTube for each scene.

Enter your YouTube user name and

password.

The user name is stored once you have entered them. ●

Click [Upload].

After reading the copyright verification

message, click to indicate acceptance, and then click [OK].

Tip

Video content is uploaded after being compressed to a size suitable

●

for uploading. Compression may take some time, depending on the performance of your computer.

Advanced Features

Using convenient features

[YouTube Uploader] window

Selected scenes will be uploaded. (Up to 10 scenes) (Click the check boxes to select or clear scenes, as desired)

Total scenes to upload

Information about the current scene

User name and password for the YouTube account

Used when reducing scenes to 10 minutes or less

(→38–40)

The [Delete partially] window is displayed.

●

If you edit content, the results of editing are not

●

saved. Also note that the file size after editing is not shown. When video content recorded in the WEB MODE

●

is to be directly uploaded from the video camera, the [Delete partially] button is not displayed.

Uploading content to YouTube

Thumbnails of scenes to upload

Double-click a scene to play it.

●

File names of scenes to upload

Enter scene information to show on YouTube

Copy the information to all scenes displayed

Start uploading

Close window

Display the proxy settings window

For proxy server settings,

●

use the settings in your web browser (such as Internet Explorer) or contact your Internet service provider for configuration instructions.

Other

Formatting discs

Format discs in the following situations. Use this software to format discs that you will use with this software.

●

When reusing DVD-RW discs

●

When using DVD-RAM discs that you have used in other equipment (Formatting is not required when adding content to DVD-RAM discs recorded with this software.) When deleting all data on DVD-RAM or DVD-RW discs

●

Important

Formatting deletes all data on a disc. This data cannot be restored. Check the content carefully before formatting.

Before formatting, clear any protection for discs by using the

●

equipment originally used to protect the disc.

Tip

DVD-R discs can be used without formatting them. (Formatting is not

●

possible for these discs.) Format both sides of double-sided discs, one side after another.

●

When recording video content to SD cards, use a compatible video

●

camera (→10) to format the cards.

Formatting discs

In the [Simple Menu], click [Format disc].

Select the optical drive.

If the optical drive is not listed, click [Refresh] (A). ●

Select the type and method of

initialising.

DVD-RAM discs are initialised in UDF 2.0.

●

Simple erasure:

Simple erasure is performed. In a brief period of about one minute, logical formatting is performed. If data is recorded on a disc, only information in the table of contents is deleted.

Complete erasure:

Complete erasure is performed. Discs are physically formatted. Formatting may take a long time, depending on the speed of the drive and type of disc. Any data on a disc is deleted.

Click [Start].

Other

Formatting discs

Click [Yes] when the confirmation

message is displayed.

If you click [No], the previous window is displayed.

●

A message is displayed indicating that complete erasure may

●

take some time. Click [Yes] to continue.

Click [OK] when a message is displayed

indicating that initialising is complete.

Click [Close].

Other

Tip

Formatting is also possible by clicking the [Format disc] button in

●

the window for creating top menus displayed during authoring, for example.

Advanced settings

In the [Settings] window, you can complete advanced settings for various functions.

●

To display all setting panels, click [Settings] in the [Simple Menu] window. To display only the setting panel for a particular operation window, click [Settings] in that window.

Other

General settings panel

For general software settings.

[Work area setting]

Click ▼ and specify where the work area is located. (This area is used temporarily during software operations.) A folder named [MC_TMP] is created on the selected hard disk, and this folder is used as the work area.

Refer to [Free space] and select a drive with sufficient space. The

●

amount of free space affects software operation in the following ways.

- Less than 5 GB: Some functions may not work correctly

- Less than 300 MB: Some editing functions are not available

[Playback method]

Specify how videos are played.

[Playback from the start]: Always play videos from the start [Playback from a previous point]: Resume playback from the

[Auto run Setting]

Automatically start this software when a video camera is connected to the computer. By default, this option is selected.

Auto run can also be activated or deactivated by right-clicking this

●

icon in the task tray: Auto run must be checked when using the DVD COPY function or

●

WEB MODE function of the video camera.

previous position

Advanced settings

PC HDD panel

Settings for registration of content folders on the computer and display of file names.

[Registration folder]

Register folders to use when importing content to the computer. Folders registered here are listed under [PC Hard drive] in the media/folder selection area of the main window. (→26)

Registering folders

1. Click [Add].

2. Select a folder to register and click [OK].

3. Click [OK] to close the settings panel.

Registered folders are listed under [PC Hard drive] in the media/

folder selection area.

Up to 10 folders can be registered.

●

Removable drives and network folders cannot be registered.

●

Deregistering folders

Select the folder in [Registration folder] and click [Delete].

2. Click [OK] when the confirmation message is displayed.

3. Click [OK] to close the settings panel.

Folders are only deregistered. The folder and the content itself is

●

not deleted.

[Display file extension]

Include file extensions such as mpg in the file names displayed.

By default, this option is [OFF]. ●

Disc creation panel

For DVD-Video recording settings. (→20, 58)

1 2

[Disc write speed setting]

Specify the disc write speed.

By default, this option is [Max. speed]. Normally, keep the setting

●

at [Max. speed]. If recording fails, specifying [Normal] may be effective.

[Top menu setting]

You can change the top menu background automatically created when you use [Simply Create DVD-Video disc] (→20–21) or [DVD COPY Function] (→68) to create media.

Other

Advanced settings

DVD-Video panel

For settings used in DVD-Video playback.

1 2

[Playback method]

Select how content is played back on DVD players and similar equipment. [Auto playback]: Start playback without showing the top menu

[Chapter Menu Setting]

Create a chapter menu (root menu) for direct access to scenes.

By default, this option is cleared.

●

[Menu Setting]

Animate top menu thumbnails. [Use the motion menu]: Animate thumbnails Selecting this option enables you to specify subsequent options. [Play time (sec.)] (10, 20, or 30 seconds)

After starting from the beginning of the scene, repeat the animation

●

after the specified period.

[BGM is set to the motion menu]

Add background music to top menus. Click [Browse…] and select

●

audio files on the computer in WAVE format. After starting from the beginning of the music, the track is repeated

●

after the period specified in [Play time (sec.)]. Note that background music and motion menu settings cannot be

●

checked in the window for creating top menus.

Other

Advanced settings

Other

DVD-VR panel

For DVD-VR recording settings. (→62)

[Settings for writing to media]

[Merge multiple videos (files) into a single video.]

Record all content dragged to the authoring area as a single file.

(→56)

SD panel

For specifying the SD card drive.

[Target drive selection]

Select SD card drives shown in the media/folder selection area.

If selected drives are not recognised (as when you connect an SD

●

card drive after this software starts up), select the drive again and click [OK].

Windows in this software

Other

Simple Menu (→16)

1 2

4 5

9 6 7 8

[Import to PC]

Import content on the internal recording media of the video camera or on the SD card installed in the video camera or on optical discs or SD cards to your computer.

[Create a DVD]

Record video content on the computer, on the internal recording media of the video camera, the SD card installed in the video camera, the SD card which has been connected using an SD card slot or a device such as an SD card reader/writer to DVDR/RW discs in DVD-Video format.

[Edit images]

Editing on the main window

[Playback on a PC]

Play content on the computer, the internal recording media of the video camera, an SD card installed in the video camera, optical discs, or SD cards.

[Settings]

Display the settings window

[Format disc]

Format discs

[Operating Instructions]

Display the operating instructions (this manual)

[Close Simple Menu]

[Display this screen at startup]

Clearing this option prevents the Simple Menu from being displayed at startup, from the next startup.

(→22)

(→76)

(→20)

(→35)

(→79)

(→17)

(→25)

Windows in this software

Other

Main window (→26)

2 3 4 5

Media/folder selection area

[Video]/[Playlist] (shown only on video cameras that support

playlists)/[Picture] Types of content shown in the content viewing area

[Picture] is not shown during video editing or when creating video

●

content for recording to media.

[Refresh]

Update information in the media/folder selection area and content viewing area

[Settings]

Display the settings window

[Operating Instructions]

Display the operating instructions (this manual)

[Simple Menu]

Display the Simple Menu

(→79)

[Import to PC] (→17–19, 28–31) [Play] (→32–33) [Edit] (→36–48) [Create Media] (→53–67) [Network] (→73–75) [Capture] (→70) [Search] (→71–72) [Delete] (→34)

Indicates the selected media

[By Name]/[By Date recorded]/[By size]/[By Date modified]

For changing the display order

[Thumbnail]/[Details]/[List]

For changing the display format

For changing the thumbnail size

[Exit]

Exit this software

Content viewing area

The content of selected discs, SD cards, or folders in the media/ folder selection area

Help button/Minimize button/Maximize button/Exit button

●

Video editing area

Displayed at the bottom of the window when [Video editing] is selected.

●

Authoring area (→55)

Displayed at the bottom of the window when [Create Media] is selected.

(→38)

Windows in this software

Other

[Import to PC] (→17)/[Create a DVD] (→20) window

Source for importing

Drives with loaded media are labeled with this icon:

●

[Import to PC] window: Shows the internal recording media of the

●

video camera, the SD card installed in the video camera, optical discs, and SD cards. [Create a DVD] window: Shows video cameras, SD cards, and

●

storage folders on the computer (→80). Disc cannot be selected as sources for importing.

Eject media

(Example of [Create a DVD] window)

Content for importing

Thumbnails cannot be moved by dragging and dropping them.

●

[Select All]/[Clear All]

Select or clear all items for importing

Information about items selected for importing, such as total size

●

Shown in yellow if no media is loaded, no content is selected, or there is another problem.

Destination for importing

●

Drives with inserted media are labeled with this icon:

Information about the destination selected for importing

●

Problems (items for which there is insufficient free space or the file system is different, for example) are shown in red.

[Operating Instructions]

Display the operating instructions (this manual)

[Refresh]

Refresh the information shown

●

Click if a drive is not listed.

●

The content selection status returns to the default status.

[Settings]

Display the settings window

(→79)

Windows in this software

Other

11 12

(Example of [Create a DVD] window)

[Start copying] (or [Start writing])

Start importing or writing the content.

The button displayed varies depending on the window.

●

If buttons cannot be clicked, check 5 and 7.

●

[End]

Close window

[Date folder]: Import to subfolders for each recording date

However, when importing video content in the DVD-Video format, the scenes will be

[Specified folder]: Import all content to a single folder

imported altogether in one date folder.

(Example of [Import to PC] window)

Windows in this software

Other

Window for importing to the computer

For details about this window (→30)

Preview window (video content)

For details about this window (→23)

For DVD-VR format

Some buttons are different in the case of video content in DVD-VR format.

During playback: Reverse/forward playback at 2 x speed, with

no sound

Preview window (photos)

For details about this window (→24)

Editing video: window for creating titles

For details about this window (→45)

Editing video: window for inserting transitions

For details about this window (→47)

Editing video: Partially deleting window

For details about this window (→40)

Windows in this software

Other

Window for creating top menus (→58–60)

Recording destination

During disc recording : Open/close drive tray

(Some drives may not close the tray automatically.)

When saving disc images : Display the folder selection

Top menu being edited

Change to the previous or next page

Indicates how much space is used

The ratio of space used to recording capacity is indicated as a bar.

●

Any portion of content exceeding the recording capacity is shown in red. If the disc already contains data, the total is indicated.

●

If no media is loaded, the recording capacity is set at 12 cm DVD

●

disc.

Recording progress

Capacity in use/recording capacity

[Settings]

Display the settings window

(→79)

screen

7 8 9

[Burn]

Start recording

[Close]

Close window

[Background/Layout] area (→59)

For selecting a background design

For selecting a thumbnail layout

Windows in this software

Other

[Font/Title] area (→60)

7 9

[Disc title]

Text settings for page titles

[Video title]

Text settings for content titles

[Font]

For selecting the font

[Size]

For selecting the font size

[Style]

Click to add text styles (Click again to remove text styles)

(Bold)/ (Italic)/ (Underlined)/ (Drop shadow)

7 9

[Color]

For selecting the text colour

To create colours:

●

Click [Define Custom Colors]

Click a desired colour

Click [Add to Custom Colors]

The colour is added to [Custom colors].

[Shadow]

When you have applied a drop shadow by clicking select the drop shadow colour (see

[Align]

For selecting the text position

[Darken background around text]

Make text stand out against a darker background

[Change all video titles]

Selecting this option before completing text settings will apply the settings to all content titles.

1 3

Adjust brightness

Colour you have created

for colour settings)

in 5,

Windows in this software

Other

[Video information] area

1 2

3 4

Video content selected on top menus

Current playback position

Move the playback slider to change the playback position.

●

Stop and return to beginning

Pause (click 5 to resume playback)

Play

Reverse/forward frame by frame (when paused)

[Change thumbnail]

Change the thumbnail

1. Click

2. Click

3. Click [Change thumbnail]

●

[Converting information]

Shows information about the selected content

●

for playback

to pause playback at the position to use as the

thumbnail

Fine-tune the playback position by moving 2 or using 6, as

●

needed.

In some cases, the thumbnail may be created from an image a few frames after the specified image.

For content converted at the time of recording, information after conversion is indicated in green.

Windows in this software

Other

Authoring window for DVD-VR format/

SD cards (SD-Video format)

Example when recording in DVD-VR format

(→62)

7 3 4 5

Recording destination

[Settings]

Display the settings window

Capacity in use/recording capacity

[Record]

Start recording

[Close]

Close the window (cancel this operation)

Indicates how much space is used

The ratio of space used to recording capacity is indicated as a bar.

●

Any portion of content exceeding the recording capacity is shown in red. If the media already contains data, the total is indicated.

●

Recording progress

(→79)

During recording in DVD-VR format ( ): Open/close DVD

drive tray

(Some drives may not close the tray automatically.)

Content already recorded: (DVD-VR)/ (SD cards)

Content to record:

(DVD-VR)/ (SD cards)

Windows in this software

Other

[YouTube Uploader] window

For details about this window (→75)

Properties window (→49)

Right-clicking video content, picture, a folder, or disc or SD card and selecting [Properties] displays the [Properties] window, enabling you to check relevant details. You can also rename these items or add comments.

●

Some information may not be shown, depending on the type of content or media.

Scene

1 7

Photo

1 7

DVD-RAM discs (DVD-VR format)

4 5 6

[Title]

Title of content

Video files, scenes, pictures and folders on the computer can be

●

renamed. (Up to 64 single-byte characters.)

[Protect Setting] (→49)

2 3

[Comments (Memo)]

Enter comments (up to 64 single-byte characters)

This information can be used when searching for content. (→71)

●

If this software crashes or is forced closed, entered comments

●

may be deleted.

[Disc Title]

Titles can be added to DVD-RAM discs.

[Playback time of Picture]

The playback time for photos recorded in DVD-VR format to DVD-RAM discs can be specified, in a range of 1 - 10 seconds.

[Close]/[OK]

Apply any changes and close the window

[Recording date and time]

3 6

Shortcut menus

Shortcut menus are displayed by right-clicking folders, media, content, and other screen elements.

Menu in the media/folder selection area

[Set Target folder] (When [PC Hard drive] or a folder is selected)

Add a new folder. [Import to PC] (When media is selected)

Import all content on the media, or folder to the computer. [Eject] (When an optical drive is selected)

Open the drive tray.

[Properties]

Enables you to check details about the folder or media.

(→31)

Other

(→17)

(→92)

Shortcut menus

Menu in the content viewing area

Other

Example: when a video is selected

Video

Photo

[Playback]

Play the content. [Import to PC] (When media is selected)

Import the selected content to the computer. [Edit picture] (When a photo is selected)

For editing the selected photo.

[Delete Videos]/[Delete scenes]/[Delete Pictures]

Delete the selected content.

[Properties]

Enables you to check details about the content.

(→22–24)

(→17–19)

(→48)

(→34)

(→92)

Shortcut menus

Video editing area menu Authoring area menu

Other

[Playback]

Verify editing results. Scenes within the video editing area will be played back in order.

[Insert Title]

For adding a title to the first scene.

[Insert Transition]

For adding an effect as the transition between scenes.

[Delete partially] (When video content is selected)

Delete a portion of the selected video.

[Divide scene] (When video content is selected)

Divide the selected video.

[Delete]

Remove the selected content from video editing area.

[Properties]

Check details about the content, as needed.

(→41)

(→44–45)

(→46–47)

(→38–40)

(→43)

(→92)

[Delete]

Remove the selected content from the authoring area.

[Properties]

Check details about the content, as needed.

(→92)

(→56)

Troubleshooting

Startup

Symptom Corrective Action

The software does not start.

The screen saver or the power-saving functions do not operate.

Display/playback

Symptom Corrective Action

Video cannot be displayed.

Images do not play back properly.

Other

Windows Vista

Log on with an administrator account or a standard user account before using this software. The software will not function with a Guest account.

Windows

Log on with an administrator account before using this software.

●

Multiple users cannot start the software at the same time. Make sure another user has not started the software.

●

It takes time for the software to start, or the software may not start, if there are any damaged or corrupted images.

While this software is started, the screen saver or the power-saving functions (function to make the PC enter the standby or sleep modes after a certain time has elapsed without any operation on the PC) are disabled. Since this software may not operate properly, the screen saver and the power-saving functions must be disabled before starting this software.

You can display only videos recorded with this software or a video camera that this software

●

accompanied. This software cannot process videos created with other devices or software.

●

This software cannot process a video recorded with the video camera this software accompanied if it was edited with other devices or software.

●

Close any other software that is running.

●

Update the device driver for the sound card or video card.

●

Images played may have frame drops, colour-dulling or a jerky effect depending on the [Windows Aero] functions of Windows Vista themselves. Also, there may be noise in the sound or images may not be played back smoothly at the point where the resolution of the image and the sound are switched.

XP/2000:

, the environment of the PC in use or the images

Troubleshooting

Symptom Corrective Action

Voice is not audible.

Media produced in the DVD-Video format cannot be played back using Windows Media

Video with an aspect ratio of 16:9 is displayed at 4:3.

Even though the data is played back on the video camera, top menu is not played back.

When the produced disc is played back on another device, zones surrounding the image are not displayed.

Cannot play discs created with this software.

When the produced disc is played back, the end of the image is slightly truncated.

When the produced disc is played back with another device, it is not known how to display the chapter menu.

Player.

Other

●

For Windows Vista

: From the start menu, select [Control Panel] → [Hardware and Sound] → [Sound] → [Speakers], and then click [Properties]. Confirm that [Use this device (enable)] is selected in [Device usage] on the [General] tab or that [Speakers] and [Line input] are not muted on the [Levels] tab.

●

For Windows

XP/2000: Confirm that [Volume Control] and [Line input] are not muted in

[Volume Control] window of the PC.

●

Voice will not play back while the image is paused.

The sound of MPEG2 files recorded on the media is in Dolby Digital format. This sound will not be played back on PCs which do not have Dolby Digital Codec installed.

MPEG2 video with an aspect ratio of 16:9 may be played back at 4:3 in Windows Media Player and similar software.

The top menu will be displayed on a player capable of playing back the top menu. The top menu will not display on a video camera.

Portions of the area around the image may not be displayed on some playback equipment such as televisions.

Play the disc in equipment compatible with the type of disc you have created.

When recorded in DVD-Video format, the end of an image may be truncated by about 0.5 seconds.

It is possible to move to the chapter menu by pressing the [MENU] button on the remote controller while playing videos of the title on the chapter menu you want to display. (The name of the button varies with the model of the device.)

Troubleshooting

Connection/Import

Symptom Corrective Action

Automatic start-up (WEB MODE, DVD COPY function, software start-up) does not operate when the video camera is connected if other software is already open.

The video camera is connected but not displayed on the window or recording fails.

When an SD card is inserted, the card is not displayed in the media/folder selection area.

Thumbnails are not correctly displayed on the importing window.

Other

Other software may cause this software’s automatic start-up function (WEB MODE, DVD COPY function, software start-up) to fail to operate correctly when the video camera is connected to your computer. Change the settings on the other software or uninstall it completely.

●

Click [Refresh] in the main window or other windows. This will update the drive information, which may enable display.

●

If the video camera has not been set for connection with the PC, it will not be displayed. (For details, refer to the operating instructions for the video camera.)

●

Some video cameras are not supported by Windows

●

Video cameras cannot be used as the destination for recording video.

●

SD cards are not displayed unless they are connected before this software is started. If you connect the SD device or insert an SD card after startup, select the drive on the [SD] tab of [Settings], and then click [OK].

●

An SDHC memory card (4 GB to 32 GB) will not be displayed unless using a reader/writer that supports SDHC.

●

Since image data produced with video cameras other than compatible video cameras or other software does not have thumbnail folders, they are not displayed.

●

The wrong TV system, NTSC or PAL, may have been selected when the software was originally installed. Select “About VideoCam Suite 2.0” from “ window, and check the TV system. If the wrong system was selected, you will need to reinstall the software.

(→82)

2000.

(→10)

” at the top right of the main

Editing

Symptom Corrective Action

Images cannot be edited.

Results of editing do not match the frames I selected.

Only content (video or photos) stored on the computer can be edited or used in media creation. Import content stored on other media to your computer before use.

With some types of video content, frames may not match the frames selected during editing.

(→17, 28)

Troubleshooting

Recording

Symptom Corrective Action

Data cannot be recorded.

Other

You cannot record a video less than two seconds long. (Video recorded in DVD-VR format must be at least 3 seconds long.)

Cannot record photos to an optical disc. Photos cannot be recorded on an optical disc. Record photos to SD cards.

●

Close any other software using the drive.

An error message is displayed when I select the drive to record to.

The image is distorted during burning and is not burned properly.

Video with an aspect ratio of 16:9 is recorded in 4:3.

Cannot record on the card or disc after formatting it using Windows

Cannot add content to a DVD-RAM disc.

Cannot stop recording midway through.

A disc error message is displayed.

Explorer.

●

An error message may be displayed when media is replaced. Reselect the drive.

●

Other recording software may be interfering with operation. In this case, uninstall the other recording software.

Close this software and restart the PC.

When you record video content with both aspect ratio of 16:9 and 4:3 to storage media, aspect ratio of 16:9 is used. Content in aspect ratio of 4:3 is displayed with black bars at right and left.

When using this software to record on optical discs, use this software to format the discs

(→76). SD cards must be formatted by using video cameras compatible with this software (→10).

Optical discs formatted by using applications other than this software (such as Windows Explorer) are not supported.

●

Recording is not possible if a disc is protected. Clear the protection settings using the device that was used to write-protect the disc.

●

You cannot record a video less than 3 seconds long in DVD-VR format.

●

With DVD-R/RW discs, recording can only be stopped by clicking [Cancel] when changing discs or during data conversion, not when data is being written.

Recording is not possible using unsupported types of discs or discs in unsupported formats. (For a list of supported discs:

→11)

(→65)

Troubleshooting

Symptom Corrective Action

Error occurs while data are being recorded.

Other

Consider the following as factors for this problem.

●

The media is not supported. (For a list of supported media:

●

When recording on SD cards, the cards must be formatted with a file system compatible with this software.

Use compatible video cameras (→10) to format SD cards. (Recorded data will be deleted.)

●

There may be a compatibility problem between the drive and disc.

Use discs recommended for the drive. (With some discs, playback may not be

possible even if recording is completed normally. Check playback after recording.)

●

Recording may be affected by the state of the hard disk drive where the operating system is installed or the drive used for working space.

Optimize the hard disk if necessary. From the Start menu, select [Computer] ([My Computer]), right-click the hard disk icon and select [Properties]→[Tools]→[Defragment Now]→[Continue]→[Defragment now] ([Properties]→[Tools]→[Defragment Now]→ [Defragment]). However, do not optimize the hard disk while this software is running.

●

Other software may be running.

Exit other applications. Using other software at the same time may cause recording to

fail, or it may damage discs. (In particular, do not use DVD or CD recording software or other recording or encoding software that requires a large amount of memory.)

●

Other DVD writing software, packet writing software, or similar software that uses the optical drive may be installed, or an ASPI driver may be installed.

Uninstall the other software and drivers and then reinstall this software.

●

Other software with features for reading UDF discs may be installed.

In this case, temporarily stop the software or uninstall it.

●

Multiple peripherals may be connected to the computer.

Particularly if you are using an external optical drive for recording, disconnect SD

card readers or other USB devices and check software operation. However, do not connect or disconnect these devices during recording.

●

Video cameras, optical drives, hard disk drives, or SD card adapters may be connected via USB.

Use a different USB port (for example, a USB port on the back of the computer).

●

Operation may be affected by the firmware (a control program stored on the equipment) of your optical drive.

Update the firmware of your computer or optical drive. (Firmware updates may be

available on the manufacturer’s website.)

●

Operation may be affected by CD recording functions provided by the operating system as a standard feature.

Disable these functions.

→11)

100

Panasonic VIDEOCAM SUITE 2.0 Operating Instructions

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Introduction

What you can do with this software (basic operations)

What you can do with this software (advanced features)

Read before starting operation

General precautions

Operating environments

Optical discs and SD cards supported for recording

Recording length of SD cards

Preparation

Connect the video camera to a computer

Disconnecting the video camera from the computer

Starting the software

Exiting the software

Basic operations

Feature overview

Importing content to a computer ([Simply Import to PC])

Recording on discs in DVD-Video format (Simply Create DVD-Video Disc)

Viewing content on a computer

Playing video content

Viewing photos

Advanced Features

Feature overview

Main window

Content preview area

Importing content to a computer ([Import to PC])

Registering or deregistering destination folders

Playing content

Delete content

Editing content on your computer

Editing video content (basic operations)

Selecting scenes to edit

Saving edited videos

Editing video content (Delete partially)

Deleting selected portions of content

Editing video content (dividing scenes)

Assigning the playback order/adding opening titles/adding effects

Assigning the playback order

Adding opening titles

Adding scene transitions

Editing digital photos

Protecting and renaming content

Recording on optical discs and SD cards

Recording

Recording formats

Top menus

Automatic multi-disc recording

Additional recording on media with existing content

[Create Media] menu

Recording video content

Selecting video content to record

Recording selected video content (Create DVD-Video disc)

Recording selected video content (DVD-RAM (DVD-VR format) or SD cards (SD-Video format))

Creating discs from saved disc images

Recording photos

Recording with the DVD COPY function

Using convenient features

Creating still pictures from video

Searching for desired content

Uploading content to YouTube

Other

Formatting discs

Advanced settings

Windows in this software

Shortcut menus

Troubleshooting