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. © Panasonic Corporation 2008

Contents

Introduction

What you can do with this software

(basic operations) ………………………………… 4 What you can do with this software

(advanced features) ……………………………… 5 Read before starting operation ………………… 6 General precautions ……………………………… 7 Operating environments ………………………… 9 Optical discs and SD cards supported

for recording …………………………………… 11 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])………………………… 17 Recording on discs in DVD-Video format (Simply Create DVD-Video Disc) …………… 20 Viewing content on a computer ……………… 22

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

2

Contents

Advanced Features

Feature overview ……………………………… 25

Main window ………………………………………26

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

Importing content to a computer

([Import to PC]) ………………………………… 28

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

3

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 (→1719)

Recording on discs in

DVD-Video format (→2021)

Create discs that can be played on most DVD players.

Advanced features (→5, 25)

Playback

Play back content on your computer (→2224)

4

Introduction

What you can do with this software (advanced features)

Connect a video camera with recorded content to your computer

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)

Share on

YouTube

You can upload videos to

YouTube . (→73)

Your video can be accessed and watched on the Internet.

YouTube is a website for sharing video content on the Internet

Creating Discs (→50)

5

Read before starting operation

Contents of these operating instructions

The description of Windows® in these operating instructions is based on the Windows Vista® screen.

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.

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.

Steps to protect important image data

To be prepared in case of accidents or technical problems, back up captured data that is important to you by importing it to

your computer and creating a disc or taking other measures. Before deleting the original image data, confirm that it was

recorded correctly to your computer, to disc or to SD memory card.

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

Introduction

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

6

General precautions

Not compatible with the following video formats and content

Video recorded on video cameras that are not compatible with

this software

Video created or edited with other software

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.).

Turn off the PC or video camera, or restart the PC. Switch the user or log off.

Change the screen settings.

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).

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

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

Introduction

Discs and drive

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

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.) 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.

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.

Operations for user switching or logging off from Windows®. Operation of other recording software.

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

removed.

This software is forcibly closed.

7

General precautions

Disc creation

You cannot record a video less than 2 seconds long.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Introduction

SD cards

Recording on used SD cards may require formatting (initialisation).

SD cards must be formatted by using video cameras

compatible with this software.

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.

Use of SDHC memory cards requires SDHC-compatible equipment.

If the write-protect switch has been set to [LOCK], recording is

not possible.

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

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.)

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

8

 

Introduction

Operating environments

System requirements

 

 

 

PC

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.)

OS

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

RAM

512 MB or more (1 GB or more recommended)

Display

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

Hard disk

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

Sound

DirectSound® support

Drive

CD-ROM drive (for installation)

 

(When writing to DVD, a compatible drive and media are necessary.)

Interface

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

9

Introduction

Operating environments

Video cameras connected via USB

Content

Other requirements

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”)

Even if the system requirements mentioned in these operating instructions are fulfilled, some personal computers cannot be used.

Supplied CD-ROM is available for Windows only.

This software is not compatible with Microsoft® Windows® 3.1, Windows® 95, Windows® 98, Windows® 98 SE, Windows® Me, and Windows NT®.

Operation is not guaranteed on Microsoft® Windows Vista® Enterprise, 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 devices are connected through USB hubs or by using extension cables, proper operation is not guaranteed.

Operation on an upgraded OS is not guaranteed.

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

This software does not support the multi-boot environments.

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® 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.

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

Characters may not display properly depending on the settings.

This software cannot be used simultaneously with other time-shifting image editing software or video capture products. Note that other software running background processes, timer recording in particular, may cause this software to malfunction.

This software operates only when the built-in clock on the PC is set to 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 a Panasonic video camera that this software accompanied. Images created with other video cameras, DVD recorders, software and commercial DVD videos are not supported.

10

Introduction

Optical discs and SD cards supported for recording

DVD discs

SD cards 5 6

 

DVD-RAM 1

DVD-R

DVD-RW

SD

SDHC

 

 

 

 

memory card

memory card

 

12 cm

12 cm

12 cm

256 MB - 2 GB

4 GB - 32 GB

 

Single sided/

Single sided/

Single sided

 

 

 

Double sided

Dual layer on

 

 

 

 

 

single side

 

 

 

Recording Format

DVD-VR

DVD-

Video 3

SD-Video

Appending

 

 

 

Format

Required 2

2 4

Required 7

Required 7

Picture

JPEG(DCF)

Playback of DVD-Video, DVD-VR and SD-Video content requires equipment compatible with the respective formats.

8 cm discs are not supported.

Recording errors may occur, depending on the disc quality.

1 2.6 GB and 5.2 GB double-sided DVD-RAM discs are not supported.

2 Can be formatted by using this software.

3 DVD-Video can be played on most DVD players.

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

5 Includes miniSD cards (up to 2 GB), microSD cards (up to 2 GB) and microSDHC cards (up to 8 GB). (As of November 2008.)

6 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.

7 SD cards must be formatted by using video cameras compatible with this software.

11

Introduction

Recording length of SD cards

For SD-Video format

Approximate Recording Length Per Card

SD card capacity

 

Recording mode

 

XP

SP

LP

 

(Highest picture quality)

(Standard)

(Longest recording time)

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

12

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.

SELECT USB FUNCTION

WEB MODE

DVD COPY

PC/RECORDER

PictBridge

SELECT ENTER

(Example of display on the video camera)

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

(Example of display)

1 Start the computer.

2 Turn on the video camera.

3 Connect the video camera to a computer.

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

4 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.)

5 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]).

13

Connect the video camera to a computer

Tip

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

WEB MODE-compatible video cameras may display the YouTube 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 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 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.)

If you connect the device after startup, select the drive on the [SD] tab of the [Settings] window, and then click [OK]. (→82)

Preparation

Disconnecting the video camera from the computer

1 Confirm that the video camera is not recording or being accessed in some way.

2 Double-click or in the task tray.

Example of the

task tray icon

3 Select [USB Mass Storage Device] and click [Stop].

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

4 Disconnectcomputer. the USB cable from the

5 Turn off the video camera.

14

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

1 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 agreement carefully before continuing.

From the Start menu, select [All Programs]→[Panasonic]→ [VideoCam Suite 2.0]→[Read this before starting], and then read the supplemental explanations and late-breaking information.

Exiting the software

1 Click or .

The “Simple Menu” is closed.

2 Click or .

15

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)

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.

16

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)

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

 

1 Click [Import to PC].

 

The [Import to PC] window is displayed.

Simple Menu

 

2 Click and select the video camera.

 

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

3 Select items to import.

To check the content, as shown below, double-click a thumbnail (small image). (Up to 24 thumbnails.)

Close confirmation window

Each time you click, items are selected or cleared.

You can select content based on the recording date. For selection at a more detailed level (scenes) (→28)

A

17

Basic operations

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

B C

If importing is not possible

If the information area ( C ) displays yellow letters, nothing is selected for importing, no media is loaded, or there is a similar

problem.

If the information area ( C ) displays red letters, there is not enough free space in the importing destination, or there is another similar problem.

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

5 Click [Start copying].

This button is not available unless you have selected at least one video or photo.

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

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

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

Importing the data takes time. Do not operate the computer until importing is finished.

To cancel importing in progress, click [Cancel].

7 Click [OK] when a message is displayed indicating importing is finished.

18

Basic operations

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 4, or to your specified folder.

Folder selected in step 4

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.)

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.

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

Tip

Register a new folder to import content to a destination other than folders displayed in step 4. (“Registering new folders” →31)

For further details on methods of importing (→28)

19

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.

For a list of supported discs (→11)

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] →79)

Top menus (an interface for discs similar to a table of contents →51) are also created automatically. For instructions on changing the top menu design (→80)

If your video camera supports the “DVD COPY function”, you can automatically record the video content by performing some simple operations. (→68)

Preparation:

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

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

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

1 Click [Create a DVD].

The [Create a DVD] window is displayed.

Simple Menu

2 Click and select the video camera.

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

3 Select the items to record.

Each time you click, items are selected or cleared.

You can select content based on the recording date. For selection at a more detailed level (scenes) (→28)

A

20

Basic operations

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

B

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.

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.

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

Tip

Discs created this way are for playback only. Additional content cannot be recorded on them.

Lower-performance computers may require a significantly longer time for disc recording.

Digital photos cannot be recorded with this function. To record photos

(“Recording photos” →65)

For further details on recording on various media (→50)

4 Click and select the DVD disc to record to.

5 Click [Start writing].

This button is not available unless you have selected at least one item.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

7 Click [OK] when a message is displayed indicating importing is finished.

21

Basic operations

Viewing content on a computer

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

1 Click [Playback on a PC].

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

Simple Menu

A

Main Window

Tip

Alternatively, in step 2 you can select a connected video camera or inserted media. Content shown as thumbnails can be played. For further details on playback (→32)

2 Click the folder where you imported the content to.

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

3 Click [Video] or [Picture].

4 Click the folder or thumbnail for playback.

Content can also be played by right-clicking and selecting [Playback] in the menu displayed, or by double-clicking thumbnails.

5 Click [Play].

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

22

Panasonic VIDEOCAM SUITE 2.0 Operating Instructions

Basic operations

Viewing content on a computer

Playing video content

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, playback returns to beginning of the previous video.

Tip

If no action is taken for about 3 seconds in full screen mode, the controls are hidden. Move the mouse to display them again.

Double-click the screen to view content in full-screen mode. Doubleclick again to view at the original size.

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

VR format.

Preview window for DVD-VR format (→87)

View in full-screen mode

Play/Pause

Create still pictures from the paused video (→70)

Scene marker

Close window

Next video

Reverse/forward frame by frame (when paused)

23

Basic operations

Viewing content on a computer

Viewing photos

View in full-screen mode

Close window

Previous/next photo

Viewing photos by recording date

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

Tip

Double-click the screen to view content in full-screen mode. Doubleclick again to view at the original size.

24

Advanced Features

Feature overview

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

Import content to your computer (→28–31)

Play content (→32–33)

Delete content (→34)

Edit content on your

Record on optical discs and

computer (35–49)

SD cards (→50–69)

 

Use convenient features

 

(→70–75)

 

• Create still pictures from video

 

• Combine scenes

 

• Search for desired content

• Deleting unnecessary portions of content

• Upload content to YouTube

 

Dividing scenes

Assign the playback order

Adding opening titles

Adding scene transitions

Edit digital photos

Protect content/rename content

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].

25

Feature overview Main window

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

Advanced Features

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].

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Advanced Features

Feature overview

Main window

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.

1 Type of content : Video

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.

Thumbnails

Thumbnails are small images representing video content or photos.

1Type of content : Video

: Photo or other still picture

:Playlist

(shown only on video cameras that support playlists)

2Protection setting

: Protected content

3Importing 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

: Recorded on DVD-RAM disc

: Recorded on SD card

: Recorded using the DVD COPY function (→68)

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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. (→35)

On the main window, click

to display the [Import to PC] menu.

Simply import to PC

(For details →17)

Import to PC

(See information starting on the next page)

Used when importing all content to the computer.

Able to select images based on the recording dates

Used when importing specific content. Individual scenes can be selected.

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.

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).

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 [PC Hard drive]

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

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

A

Advanced Features

1 Click the drive or folder to import from.

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

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

3 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.

4 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].

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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

Close window

A

Previous/next

Storage locations of imported content

Content is imported to subfolders (named with dates or as specified) in the folder selected in step 5.

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.)

Advanced Features

5 Click and select an import destination (a folder on your computer).

You can register other folders on your computer, if desired. (“Registering new folders” →next page)

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: \ / : * ? " < > |

6 Click [Start].

7 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.

8 Click [OK] when a message is displayed indicating importing is finished.

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