Sanyo XACTI VPC-CA9, XACTI VPC-CA9EX, XACTI VPC-CA9GX User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

VPC-CA9EX
VPC-CA9

Dual Camera

Important note

This manual explains how to safely operate the VPC-CA9EX, VPC-CA9 and
VPC-CA9GX.
Any information regarding only one of these products will be labeled as such.

Please read these instructions carefully before using the camera.
Make sure to read and understand the separate booklet “SAFETY MANUAL”.
Keep this manual in a safe place for later reference.

VPC-CA9GX

Warning

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

FOR AMERICAN USERS

The following advisory is included in accordance with the laws of the State of
California (USA):

WARNING:

This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash

hands after handling.

i This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a

Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to tr y to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:

h Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
h Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
h Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to

which the receiver is connected.

h Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

i Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible

for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Declaration of Conformity

Model number: VPC-CA9
Trade Name: SANYO
Responsible party: SANYO FISHER COMPANY
Address: 21605 Plummer Street, Chatsworth, California 91311
Telephone No.: [phone]
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including

interference that may cause undesired operation.

i English

FOR CANADIAN USERS

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

FOR EU USERS

The symbol mark and recycling systems described below apply to EU
countries and do not apply to countries in other areas of the world.
Your SANYO product is designed and manufactured with high quality
materials and components which can be recycled and/or reused.
The symbol mark means that electrical and electronic equipment, batteries
and accumulators, at their end-of-life, should be disposed of separately from
your household waste.

Note:

If a chemical symbol is printed beneath the symbol mark, this chemical
symbol means that the battery or accumulator contains a heavy metal at a
certain concentration. This will be indicated as follows: Hg: mercury, Cd:
cadmium, Pb: lead
In the European Union there are separate collection systems for used
electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators.
Please, dispose of them correctly at your local community waste collection/
recycling centre.
Please, help us to conserve the environment we live in!

SANYO FISHER Sales (Europe) GmbH

Stahlgruberring 4, D-81829 München, Germany

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.

1-1, Sanyo-cho, Daito City, Osaka 574-8534, Japan

FOR RUSSIAN USERS

This product is certified by an official cer tification company
which is authorized by the Russian Federation.

English ii

HOW TO READ THIS MANUAL

For first-time users

Please read the sections on “SETUP” and “SIMPLE” in this manual,
as well as the included “QUICK GUIDE” to familiarize yourself with
your camera’s operation.

↓

To use the various camera features

Please read the sections on “NORMAL” and “OPTION SETTINGS” in
this manual. To view on a TV, please read the section on “OTHER
DEVICES AND CONNECTIONS” in this manual. To connect to a
computer, please see the “Xacti Software CD INSTRUCTION
MANUAL”.

↓

To use additional features

To use a computer to edit the recorded data or to save data to a DVD,
please read the “Xacti Software CD INSTRUCTION MANUAL”.

You may find the answers to questions or problems concerning camera
operation in the sections “COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS” (page 143)
and “TROUBLESHOOTING” (page 150).

Symbols used in this manual

HINT Points giving some extended instructions or special points to pay

CAUTION Points that require special attention.
(page xx) Refer to the page indicated for detailed information.

attention to.

iii English

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

Install the battery pack and card

1 Insert the battery pack.

Lever

1 Push

2 Open

Bottom side

Battery pack slot

1 Press the latch

2 Insert

2 Insert the SD Memory Card.

h An SD Memory Card is not included with your camera. Please

purchase a commercially sold card.

h In this manual, the SD Memory Card is referred to as the “card”.

Card slot

2 Insert

1 Open

English iv

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

Shooting

kVideo clip recording

1 Open the monitor unit, and

press the ON/OFF button
for at least 1 second.

h The camera turns on.

If the screen to set the date

h

and time appears, press
the MENU button 2 times
to cancel it.

For how to set the date
and time, see page 32.

2 Record.

To record a video clip:

h Press the [ ] button to

begin recording a video
clip.

h Press the [ ] button

again to end the
recording.

To take a photo:

h Press the [ ] button.
h A still image is captured.

[ ] button

ON/OFF button

Monitor unit

[ ] button

-

9

M

S

HD-SHQ

1031 00:55:58

v English

Before capturing those important shots, be sure to first take a
test shot to confirm that your camera is set up and ready to go

i Sanyo declines any claim for compensation for recorded contents etc. in

case of photographing or recording failure due to a chance camera or card
flaw.

Playback

1

Press the REC/PLAY button.

h

The display changes to
the Playback Screen.

REC/PLAY button

SET button

2 Select the image to play

back.

h Press the [G] or [H]

button to move the
orange frame to the
image you wish to play
back.

h The image information for

the framed image is
shown at the bottom of
the screen.

Arrow buttons

100-0006

10.2MB 00:00:08

HD-SHQ

OK

Orange frame

English vi

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

3 Press the SET button.

<Video clip playback>

h Playback begins.

<To return to the recording mode>

h Press the REC/PLAY button.

When you are finished using the camera...

Press the ON/OFF button for at least 1 second to turn the camera off.

To continue to the next operation...

Please confirm that your computer is connected to the Internet.

vii English

Burn your recorded video clips onto a DVD
(Windows Vista)

Using the supplied CD-ROM (Xacti Software CD), you can store your
captured images on a DVD. Detailed information about the Xacti
Software CD can be found on page 4 in the Xacti Software CD
INSTRUCTION MANUAL.

Install application program

1 Set the supplied CD-ROM in your computer’s DVD drive.

h The installation window opens.

2 Click on [TotalMedia Extreme for SANYO].

h After clicking on the application program, follow the instructions shown

on the monitor to install the program.

h When the window appears requesting to restart your computer, click

the [Finish] button to reboot.

3 Remove the CD-ROM from the computer’s DVD drive.

<About the Kodak online service>

h When the installation window closes, a dialog box to connect to the

website introducing Kodak’s online ser vice appears. Check the [No
thanks !] option button, and then click on the [OK] button.

English viii

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

Copy data from your camera to the computer

Connect your camera to a computer, and copy the desired data to the
computer.

1 Turn on the computer, and use the supplied dedicated USB interface

cable to connect your camera to the computer.

h Connect the cable between the camera’s USB/AV terminal and the

computer’s USB connector.

2 Turn on the camera (page 30).

h The USB Connection Screen appears on the camera’s monitor.

SET button

Supplied dedicated
USB interface cable

USB CONNECTION

COMPUTER
PRINTER
CANCEL

CANCEL OK

ix English

To USB connector

To USB/AV terminal
on the camera

on the computer

3 Select “COMPUTER”, and press the SET button.

h The screen to select the computer

connection mode appears.

USB CONNECTION

CARD READER
MTP
SCREEN CAPTURE
PC CAMERA
CANCEL

4 Select “CARD READER”, and press the SET button.

5 Copy data from your camera to a computer.

OK

English x

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

Burn video clips onto a DVD (For Windows Vista
users)

Here’s how to write your recorded data onto a DVD in the mpeg2 format. For
information on other operations, please see the Help file for TotalMedia
Extreme. To access the TotalMedia Extreme Help file, click the [?] Help button
on the TotalMedia Extreme start screen.

1 Insert a blank DVD in your computer’s DVD drive.

2 Double-click the [TotalMedia Extreme] icon on your desktop.

h The TotalMedia Extreme application star ts, and the star tup page

appears.

[Create video] icon

xi English

3 Click the [Create video] icon.

h The “Create DVD” window appears.

[Video] button

4 Click the [Video] button in the “Insert” field.

h The screen to select the video clip file to write to a DVD appears.
h Click the file you wish to write to a DVD.
h To select multiple files, keep the [Ctrl] key pressed while selecting

files.

English xii

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

5 Click on the [Open] button.

h The file(s) selected in step 4 and the DVD file capacity appear in the

“Create DVD” window.

[Design] tab

xiii English

6 Click the [Design] tab.

h The window appears to design the title menu for when the DVD is

played back.

h Select the desired design.

[Preview/Produce] tab

English xiv

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

7 Click the [Preview/Produce] tab.

h A warning regarding the image quality of the preview image appears.

8 Click the [OK] button.

h The screen to begin burning to disk appears.

[Burn] button

9 Double-click the [Burn] button.

h The “save project” confirmation window appears.

xv English

10 Click the [Yes] button.

h Enter a name for the project file.

11 Click the [Save] button.

h The “Burn disk” window appears.

[OK] button

12 Click the [OK] button.

h Burning begins.
h Depending on your computer’s capacity, it may take some time to burn

a large file.

h When burning is completed, the DVD is ejected from the DVD drive.

English xvi

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

13 Click the [OK] button.

14 Click the [×] button to close the “Create DVD” window.

h The TotalMedia Extreme top page appears.

15 Click the [×] button to close the startup page.

h TotalMedia Extreme is exited.

xvii English

CAUTION
Does the window requesting confirmation to enable the MPEG-2 Codec
appear?

When using TotalMedia Extreme for the first time, a window requesting you to
confirm activation of the MPEG-2 Codec appears during the procedure. The
MPEG-2 Codec must be activated in order to burn files to a DVD. Complete
the following procedure to activate the MPEG-2 Codec.

i Note that your computer must be connected to the Internet in order to

complete this procedure. Please confirm that your computer is connected
to the Internet.

1 When the window requesting confirmation to activate the MPEG-2

Codec appears, click the [Yes] button.

h The ArcSoft website appears.

2 Click on [Special downloads].

h The window appears for you to enter your email address, name, license

ID, etc.

h Enter the correct information.

3 Click the [Submit] button.

h Soon thereafter, the URL for the download to activate the MPEG-2

Codec will be sent to the email address you entered in step 2.

4 Click the download URL link.

h The program will be downloaded to your computer.

5 Double-click the icon for the downloaded program.

h Follow the instructions to activate the MPEG-2 Codec.
h DVD burning via the TotalMedia Extreme program is now enabled.
h When the procedure above has been completed, continue to the

procedure to burn to DVD.

United States/Canada

Tel: [phone]
Web: http://www.arcsoft.com/support/
E-mail Support: http://www.arcsoft.com/public/
content_page.asp?pageID=83
Hours: M-F from 9:00am - 5:00pm

(Pacific Standard Time, excluding holidays observed by ArcSoft)

Language: English

Englishxviii

SHOOT, PLAY BACK AND SAVE

Europe

Tel: [phone]
Web: http://www.arcsoft.com/en/support
Email Support: [e-mail]
Hours: M-Th from 8:30am - 5:30pm GMT

(excluding holidays observed by ArcSofts Affilitate)
F from 8:30am - 5:00pm GMT
(excluding holidays observed by ArcSoft’s Affilitate)
(Adjusted for daylight savings time when applicable)

Language: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Dutch

China

Tel: [phone]
Web: http://www.arcsoft.com.cn/support
E-Mail Support: [e-mail]
Hours: M-F 8:30am-5:30pm

(Beijing local time) (excluding holidays observed by ArcSoft)

Language: Chinese

xix English

How was that? The convenient accessories not only let you immediately view
images captured with the camera, but you can also upload images to your
computer and create your original DVDs. Read the following explanations to
find out how you can fully enjoy your camera’s digital video feature.

English xx

Important!

This camera complies with JIS IPX8 (formerly JIS protection grade 8)
waterproof standard and can be used in water. Note, however, that
failing to heed the following precautions may result in damage or injury
that is not covered by the warranty. Please take the time to carefully
read and heed the following cautions.

Concerning your camera’s
waterproof feature

NOTE

k Before using the camera

i

When closing the battery/card compartment cover,
make sure that no foreign object such as sand, hair,
dust, etc. is caught in the seal.

i

Make sure that the battery/card compartment cover is
completely and securely closed to prevent water from
getting inside the camera and damaging it.

i

Please note that the camera accessories are not
waterproof.

k Cautions concerning use in water

i

The waterproof properties of the camera apply to fresh
water and saltwater only; they do not apply to cleaning
substances, chemicals or water from spas, etc. In
case of a splash, immediately wipe off any moisture.

i

Do not immerse in water at a depth greater than 1.5 m
(4.92 ft.).

i

Do not subject the camera to high-pressure water.

i

Do not immerse in water for longer than 60 minutes.
After 60 minutes of use in water, allow it to dry for at
least 10 minutes.

i

Do not immerse in water that is warmer than 40°C
(104

°

F).

i

Do not open and close the battery/card compartment
cover when the camera is wet or while it is immersed
in water.

i

Do not open and close the battery/card compartment cover with wet hands.

i

Do not open the battery/card compartment cover on the beach or at the
poolside.

i

Do not jolt the camera while it is immersed in water. Doing so may cause the
battery/card compartment cover to open.

xxi English

NOTE

k Storing and maintaining your camera

i Do not leave the camera unwashed after it has been

immersed in salt water or if salt water is adhering to
it. Doing so may cause corrosion and discoloration of
the plating, as well as deterioration of the camera’s
waterproof capability.

i After the camera has been used in water, use fresh

water to wash it. Never use soap or detergent to
clean the camera, as doing so will cause deterioration
of the camera’s waterproof capability.

i After washing the camera, take care to completely

drain it, and use a dry cloth to wipe off any drops of
water adhering to it (page 67).

i Do not leave the camera in an environment colder than

0 °C (32°F) or warmer than 40 °C (104°F), as doing so
may cause deterioration of the camera’s waterproof
capability.

i Waterproof seals are used in this camera. It is

recommended that the waterproof seals be replaced
every year with new ones. For replacing the seals,
please consult your dealer.
* Please note that there is a fee for replacing the

waterproof seal.

k Other cautions

i Do not subject the camera to severe jolts, as doing so may deform the

battery/card compartment cover or camera body, thus compromising its
waterproof capability. If the camera has been subjected to a strong jolt,
please consult with your dealer.

HINT
What is “JIS IPX8” (formerly “JIS protection grade 8”)?

i “JIS IPX8” specifies that a device is protected against the effects of

continuous immersion in water.

English xxii

CONTENTS

QUICK SEARCH BY OPERATION ........................................................ 6

CHECKING THE INCLUDED ACCESSORIES .................................... 11

How to use the accessories .......................................................... 13

Media cards that can be used with this camera ............................ 15

What “card” means in this manual ................................................ 15

SPECIAL FEATURES .......................................................................... 16

Waterproof capability .................................................................... 16

Movable monitor for any shooting angle ....................................... 17

Capture still shots while recording a video clip ............................. 18

Lots of accessories for optimal use of your captured images ....... 19

SYSTEM MAP ..................................................................................... 20

 SETUP

PARTS NAMES ................................................................................... 21

CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK ..................................................... 23

Recharging the battery pack ......................................................... 24

INSTALLING THE BATTERY PACK AND CARD ................................ 25

Install the battery pack .................................................................. 25

Installing the DC adaptor (sold separately: VAR-A2U/A2EX) ....... 26

Install the card .............................................................................. 28

About the temperature alert icon \ .......................................... 29

TURNING THE CAMERA ON AND OFF ............................................. 30

Turning on the camera .................................................................. 30

Turning on the camera when the power save (sleep) function is

active ........................................................................................ 30

Turning off the camera .................................................................. 31

DATE AND TIME SETTING ................................................................. 32

SWITCHING BETWEEN THE RECORDING MODE AND

PLAYBACK MODE .......................................................................... 35

SWITCHING THE OPERATING MODE .............................................. 36

Switching between the SIMPLE and NORMAL modes ................ 36

Accessing/exiting the SIMPLE/NORMAL Mode Menu Screen ..... 37

Overview of the SIMPLE Mode Setting Screen ............................ 41

Overview of the NORMAL Mode Setting Screen .......................... 45

1 English

 SIMPLE

SHOOTING

BEFORE TAKING PICTURES .............................................................53

For best results ..............................................................................53

Using the autofocus .......................................................................54

Select the recording size ...............................................................56

Select the focus setting .................................................................57

Hints for taking pictures .................................................................58

VIDEO CLIP RECORDING ...................................................................59

SHOOTING SINGLE SHOTS ...............................................................60

Using the flash ...............................................................................62

SHOOT A STILL IMAGE WHILE RECORDING A VIDEO CLIP ..........64

MACRO-PHOTOGRAPHY (ZOOM) .....................................................66

AFTER USING THE CAMERA IN WATER ..........................................67

PLAYBACK

PLAYING BACK VIDEO CLIPS AND STILL IMAGES ..........................69

How to save one frame from a video clip as a still image .............71

SLIDESHOW PLAYBACK ....................................................................72

PLAYBACK VOLUME ...........................................................................73

DELETING FILES .................................................................................74

Delete single/delete all ..................................................................74

Delete selected ..............................................................................75

PLAYBACK MODES .............................................................................77

Multi-image display ........................................................................77

Selecting the playback folder ........................................................78

Magnifying (zooming in) the image ...............................................79

English 2

CONTENTS

 NORMAL

SHOOTING

RECORDING MENU 1 ......................................................................... 80

Video setting ................................................................................. 80

Still image setting .......................................................................... 83

Scene select setting ...................................................................... 84

Filter setting .................................................................................. 84

Self-timer setting ........................................................................... 85

RECORDING MENU 2 ......................................................................... 86

Video stabilizer setting .................................................................. 86

Focus range setting ...................................................................... 87

Focus mode setting ...................................................................... 88

Light-measuring mode setting ...................................................... 88

ISO sensitivity setting ................................................................... 89

RECORDING MENU 3 ......................................................................... 90

White balance setting ................................................................... 90

Exposure setting ........................................................................... 91

Face chaser setting ...................................................................... 92

High sensitivity mode setting ........................................................ 93

Exposure compensation ............................................................... 94

PLAYBACK

PLAYBACK MENU 1 ........................................................................... 96

Slideshow settings ........................................................................ 96

File protect setting ........................................................................ 97

Resize ........................................................................................... 99

Rotate ........................................................................................... 99

PLAYBACK MENU 2 ......................................................................... 100

Correcting the image .................................................................. 100

Editing video clips ....................................................................... 101

Printing instructions .................................................................... 112

FILE INFO DISPLAY .......................................................................... 115

3 English

 OPTION SETTINGS

DISPLAY THE OPTION SETTING MENU .........................................116

INTRODUCTION TO THE OPTION SETTING MENU .......................117

Setting up the shortcuts ...............................................................123

TV output setting .........................................................................125

File No. continued setting ............................................................129

Formatting (initializing) ................................................................131

CHECKING THE REMAINING CARD MEMORY ...............................132

Checking the remaining number of images and

video recording time ................................................................132

For audio recordings ...................................................................133

CHECKING THE REMAINING BATTERY PACK CHARGE ..............134

 OTHER DEVICES AND CONNECTIONS

CONNECTING TO A TV

CONNECTING TO A TV .....................................................................136

Connecting to a standard video input terminal ............................137

Connect to the 480p/720p terminal .............................................138

PLAYING BACK ON A TV ..................................................................139

CONNECTING TO A PRINTER

PRINTING ...........................................................................................140

Print preparations ........................................................................140

English 4

CONTENTS

 APPENDICES

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ................................................... 143

TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................................... 150

Camera ....................................................................................... 150

Notes regarding the Scene Select feature and filters ................. 158

SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................. 160

Camera ....................................................................................... 160

Camera connectors .................................................................... 164

Battery life ................................................................................... 164

Possible No. of Images/Possible Shooting Time/

Possible Recording Time ....................................................... 165

Concerning the multi-indicator .................................................... 166

Supplied battery pack charger .................................................... 167

Supplied Li-ion battery pack ....................................................... 167

Others ......................................................................................... 168

Before capturing those important shots, be sure to first

take a test shot to confirm that your camera is set up and

ready to go ............................................................................. 169

HINTS FOR TAKING PICTURES ...................................................... 170

5 English

QUICK SEARCH BY OPERATION

Your camera has an abundance of convenient features and functions. From
creating precisely the photo you want, to viewing images using various
techniques, you can locate the exact operation for your purposes in the
following table.

Shooting/recording

Basic operation Convenient functions Additional functions

Getting started
shooting/recording

• “VIDEO CLIP
RECORDING” on
page 59

• “SHOOTING SINGLE
SHOTS” on page 60

• “Sequential shots” on
page 83

• “Audio recording” on
page 80

Optimize the photo
quality

• “Select the recording
size” on pages 42 and

56.

• “Video setting” on
pages 46 and 80

• “Still image setting” on
pages 46 and 83

Capture fast-moving subjects

• “Scene select” (sports mode) on page 46

Suppress camera shake effect

• “Video stabilizer setting” on pages 48 and 86

Log the date and time
of your photos

• “DATE AND TIME
SETTING” on page 32

Zoom in on the
subject

•“MACRO­PHOTOGRAPHY
(ZOOM)” on page 66

Close-up
photography

• “Focus range” (super
macro mode) on
pages 42 and 48

• “Select the focus setting”
(super macro mode) on
page 57

For more accurate
focus

• “How to use the manual
focus” (manual focus) on
page 87

Set the focus to a
narrow range

• “Focus mode setting” on
page 88

Reduce noise when
recording

• “NOISE REDUCTION
setting” on page 120

Set the camera’s color/contrast
characteristics

• “Image quality setting” on page 120

English 6

QUICK SEARCH BY OPERATION

Shooting/recording

Basic operation Convenient functions Additional functions

Shoot in dark conditions

• “Exposure compensation” o n page 94

• “Using the flash” on page s 42, 46 and 62

• “Scene selec t setting” ( night view por trait mode /fireworks mode /lamp mode) on p ages 46
and 84

Increase the camera’s sensitivity

• “ISO sensitivit y setting” on pages 48 and 89

• “High sensiti vity mode sett ing” on pages 5 0 and 93

Photographing people

• “Scene selec t setting” (portrait mode/night view portrai t mode) on pag es 46 and 84

• “Filter setting” (cosmetic filter) on pages 46 and 84

Sharp face shots

• “Face chaser setting” on pages 50 and 92

Simplified operation for shooting/playback

• “SWITCHING BETWEEN THE RECORDING MODE AND PLAYBACK MODE” on page 35

Photographing landscapes

• “Scene selec t” (landscap e mode) on page 4 6

Take a self-photo

• “Self-timer setting” on pages 46 and 85

Make images lighter
or darker

• “Exposure compensation”
on page 94

• “High sensitivity mode
setting” pages 50 and 93

Change the color of
the images

• “Filter setting”
(monochrome filter/sepia
filter) on pages 46 and 84

Measure the
brightness of a
specific area

• “Light-measuring mode
setting” on pages 48 and
88

Adjust the camera’s
sensitivity

• “ISO sensitivity setting”
pages 48 and 89

For a more precise
exposure setting

• “Exposure setting”
(manual exposure control)
on pages 50 and 91

Make white appear
natural

• “White bal ance setting ” on
pages 50 and 90

7 English