Vivitar DVR 380v2 User Manual

DVR 380v2

Digital Camcorder

with Camera

User Manual

© 2009-2012 Sakar International, Inc. All rights reserved.

Windows and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

1

Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 2

What’s Included ............................................................................................................................ 2

Parts of the Camcorder ................................................................................................................ 3

Initial Camcorder Setup ................................................................................................................ 4

Main Camcorder Modes ............................................................................................................... 7

Camcorder Technical Specifications ............................................................................................. 8

Computer System Requirements ................................................................................................. 9

Powering ON/OFF Your Digital Video Recorder ......................................................................... 10

Changing Camcorder Mode ....................................................................................................... 10

Video Capture Mode ................................................................................................................... 11

Photo Capture Mode ................................................................................................................... 11

Playback Mode ........................................................................................................................... 12

Installing the Software ................................................................................................................ 14

Connecting the Camcorder to the Computer .............................................................................. 15

Getting Photos and Videos from the Camcorder to the Computer ............................................. 16

Get Started! ................................................................................................ ................................ 17

Transferring Images from the Camcorder to the Computer Manually ......................................... 18

Camcorder Maintenance ............................................................................................................ 19

Sakar Warranty Card .................................................................................................................. 20

Technical Support ....................................................................................................................... 21

Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................... 21

2

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this camcorder. Everything you need to take quality digital photos and
videos is included with your digital video recorder.
Vivitar makes capturing those special moments as easy as possible.

NOTE: Your camcorder needs an SD Memory card (up to 16GB) for normal use.
SD Memory cards are not included and need to be purchased separately.

Please read this manual carefully first in order to get the most out of your digital video recorder.

What’s Included

1. Digital Camcorder

2. Vivitar Experience Image Manager
software Installation CD

3. Built-in USB Connector
(not shown)

NOTE: SD memory card and batteries not included.

3

Parts of the Camcorder

1. Power Button

9. Lens

2. Shutter/OK Button

10. Microphone

3. MODE Button

11. USB Connector

4. Playback Button

12. USB Lever

5. Left / Zoom Out Button

13. Battery Compartment

6. Right / Zoom In Button

14. Wrist Strap Connector

7. Delete Button

15. SD Memory Card Slot

8. LCD Screen

4

Initial Camcorder Setup

Installing the Batteries

Installing the Memory Card

Turning On the Camcorder

Using the Camcorder

 Make sure the camcorder is

powered OFF.

 Insert SD Memory card

(up to 16GB) before use.

 Slide the battery cover off.
 Insert 3 X AAA (1.5V) batteries.

5

When powering the camcorder ON for the first time the camcorder will take you through the
initial setup.

Powering the Digital Video Recorder ON

1) Batteries
Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital video recorder.
Slide the battery cover on the back of the camera in a downward direction to open the cover.
Insert 3 x AAA (1.5V) batteries (not included) with the correct polarity, according to the
polarity illustrated inside the battery compartment.

NOTE:

 Alkaline batteries are recommended.
 Remove the batteries from the camera when not in use for an extended period.
 Do not mix alkaline and non-alkaline batteries.
 Some camera features will not work if the battery power level is low.
 When the battery power is low the battery icon turns red and the camcorder will

automatically turn off a few seconds later.

 The energy status of the power is displayed on LCD as shown below:

Full battery power Medium battery power Low battery power

2) SD Memory Card
Make sure the camcorder is powered OFF before inserting your SD Memory Card.
Make sure an SD card (up to16GB) has been inserted into your digital video recorder.
(SD Memory card not included.)
To properly insert the SD Card:

- Push the SD card into the slot in the direction shown on the camcorder (see SD icon by

the SD card slot).

- Push the SD card until you hear a slight clicking sound. This indicates the SD card has

been inserted correctly.
NOTE:
 After the camcorder is powered on, an SD icon will appear on the LCD display. If you do

not see the SD icon on the display, please check if the card was inserted properly.
 Make sure the SD card is not locked (check the lock switch on the side of the SD card). If the

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SD card is locked this will prevent the camcorder from saving captured photos to the SD

card.

3) Power On
Press the POWER button to turn on the camcorder.

7

Main Camcorder Modes

Video Capture Mode

Use this mode to capture videos with your digital video camera.
This is the default mode when the camcorder is powered ON.
To take a video, aim your camcorder as desired and press the Shutter/OK button to start
the record. To stop the record, press the Shutter/OK button again. The video will be
automatically saved to your camcorder’s memory card.

Photo Capture Mode

Use this mode to capture pictures with your digital video camera.
After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button once to open the Photo Capture
Mode. To take a picture, aim your camcorder as desired and press the Shutter/OK button.
The picture will be automatically saved to your camera’s memory card.

Playback Mode (Photos & Videos)

Use this mode to view and manage the videos and photos seen on your digital video
camera - saved to your SD memory card. After turning on your camcorder, press the
Playback button to open the Playback mode for photos and videos. You can scroll through
the photos and videos that you’ve previously taken to view or delete them as desired.

Your camcorder has different modes for the various camera functions.
You can switch modes by pressing the MODE button on your digital video camera after it has
been powered ON.

8

Camcorder Technical Specifications

Image Sensor

CMOS Sensor

Image Resolution

640x480 (VGA) 30fps

Video Resolution

320x240 (QVGA)

File Format

JPEG (Photo) / AVI (Video)

External Memory

SD Memory card (up to 16GB)

LCD Display

1.44 Inch Preview Screen

Lens

f=3.8mm ; F 2.8

Zoom

4X Digital Zoom

Light Exposure

Auto

White Balance

Auto

ISO

Auto

Scene

Auto

Language

English

Interface

USB 2.0 High Speed

System Requirements

Windows XP (SP 3), Vista (SP1) and Windows 7 ;
Mac OSX v10.5.x and above

Battery

3 x AAA (1.5V) batteries (not included)

Working Temperature

0~60C

9

Computer System Requirements

WINDOWS

To be able to download photos and videos to your PC, you will need the following minimum
configuration:
 MICROSOFT® Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 or Windows

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 Pentium® 4 processor (or above)

 1 GB of RAM, with 250 MB of free hard disk space

 16-bit Color monitor, 1024 X 768 recommended screen resolution
 CD-ROM Drive
 QuickTime® 6 or higher
 MICROSOFT ® Internet Explorer 7 or higher
 Windows Media Player 10 or higher
 DirectX 9 or higher

 Internet connection required

MACINTOSH

To be able to download photos and videos to your Macintosh, you will need the following
minimum configuration:

 Intel Processor running Mac OS X v10.5.x or later
 1 GB RAM, 250 MB free hard disk space
 Display: 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor
 CD-ROM Drive
 QuickTime® 6 or higher
 Internet connection required

10

Powering ON/OFF Your Digital Video Recorder

 Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital video recorder.
 Make sure an SD card has been inserted into your camcorder.

(SD card up to 16GB - SD Card not included)

Powering the camcorder ON

Press the Power button to turn your camcorder ON.
The camcorder will be in Video Capture mode to start.

Powering the camcorder OFF

While the camcorder is on, you can press the Power button again at any point to turn your
camcorder OFF. A “Goodbye” screen appears and then the camcorder will power off completely.

NOTE: When there is insufficient battery power, a “Low Battery” message will appear on the LCD
screen. The digital video recorder will automatically power off a few moments later.

Auto Power Saving

Your digital video recorder has an Auto Power Off feature that will automatically turn off the
camcorder if it has not been in use after 2 minutes.

Changing Camcorder Mode

Your digital video recorder has three main modes:

1) Video Capture Mode - Use this mode to capture videos with your camcorder.

2) Photo Capture Mode - Use this mode to capture photos with your camcorder.

3) Playback Mode (for photos and videos) - Use this mode to view the photos and videos
you have already taken with your camcorder.

When the digital video camera is first powered ON, the Video Capture Mode will be active.
To change the active digital video camera mode press the MODE button.

When in Video Capture Mode, this icon will display on the top-left corner of the LCD display

When in Photo Capture Mode, this icon will display on the top-left corner of the LCD display

When in Playback Mode, this icon will display on the top-left corner of the LCD display

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Video Capture Mode

The Video Capture Mode allows you to capture videos with your digital video camera.

When the camera is first powered ON, the camera will be in Video Capture Mode.

Taking a Video

1) While in Video Capture Mode use the LCD display to direct the camcorder at the scene you

would like to capture.

2) You can magnify your subject up to 4 times using the digital zoom while capturing your photos

and recording your videos to better set the camera display if desired.

 Press the RIGHT button to Zoom In.
 Press the LEFT button to Zoom Out.

3) Press the Shutter/OK button to START the video capture.

4) The recording time appears on the top right of the LCD screen indicating that the record is in

progress and showing the amount of elapsed time as the video is being captured.

5) To STOP the video record, press the Shutter/OK button again.

6) The video is automatically saved to the camera’s SD memory card.

Photo Capture Mode

The Photo Capture Mode allows you to capture pictures with your digital video camera.

After powering on your digital video camera, by default the Video Capture Mode displays.
To enter Photo Capture Mode, press the MODE button once.

Taking a Picture

1) While in Photo Capture Mode use the LCD display to direct the camcorder at the scene you
would like to capture.

2) You can magnify your subject up to 4 times using the digital zoom while capturing your photos
and recording your videos to better set the camcorder display if desired.

 Press the RIGHT button to Zoom In.
 Press the LEFT button to Zoom Out.

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3) Press the Shutter/OK button to take the picture.

4) The picture is automatically saved to the camera’s SD memory card.

Playback Mode

The Playback Mode allows you to review and delete photos and videos that you’ve already

taken with you camcorder.
When you first turn on the camcorder, it will be in Video Capture Mode by default.
Press the Playback button to open the Playback Mode.
To exit the Playback Mode, press the Playback or MODE button.

 The latest captured image appears on the LCD screen.
 If there are no images stored, a message (No File) appears.

Playing Videos on Your Camera

1) Select your Video:

 Once in Playback mode, press LEFT (previous image) or RIGHT (next

image) button to scroll through the images on your digital video recorder’s memory card

until you find the video you would like to view.

 Each captured image (videos and photos) will display on the LCD screen.
 Videos appear with a video icon on the bottom left of the LCD screen.

2) Play your selected video:

 Press the Shutter/OK button to start playing the video.
 Press the Shutter/OK button again to pause the video and to continue playing and

pausing as needed.

 Press the LEFT button to rewind the playing video.
 Press the RIGHT button to fast forward the playing video.

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Viewing Photos on Your Camera

Select your Photo:
 Once in Playback mode, press LEFT (previous image) or RIGHT (next image)

button to scroll through the images on your digital video recorder’s memory card until you find
the image you would like to view.

 Each captured image (videos and photos) will display on the LCD screen.

Deleting Videos and Photos

While in the Playback Mode, you can delete images (both videos and photos) from your
camcorder through the Delete menu.

1) View the image you would like to delete.

2) Press the DELETE (Down) button to open the Delete File Menu.

3) To delete an image: Select ‘Yes’ by pressing the LEFT button.
The image is automatically deleted.

4) To exit without deleting the image: Select ‘No’ by pressing the RIGHT button. Your
image remains on the SD card and the camcorder returns to Playback Mode.

14

Installing the Software

You must be connected to the internet to install and run the Vivitar Experience Image
Manager software.

1) Insert the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. The installation screen should
automatically open.

2) On PC: The Vivitar Experience Image Manager Installer window appears. If the window
does not appear, open the application’s CD/DVD drive and click on “Setup.exe” to launch
the installer.

3) On Macintosh: Click the icon that appears on the desktop to install the Vivitar Experience
Image Manager.

4) If you do not have internet access at the time of inserting the CD-ROM, connect to the

internet and then click the “Install Vivitar Experience Image Manager” button to begin the

installation.

NOTE: If you do not have internet access, you can still download media from the camcorder.
Click the “How to transfer photos and videos from my camcorder to my computer” button for
instructions.

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5) If you have internet access, the “Choose your language” window opens, choose your
language and click “Next” to open the next window.

6) Select your camera model from the list and click “Next” to open the next window.

7) Click “Next” to confirm your camera model selection and to install the application.

8) Please wait while the application is being installed on your computer.

9) Please review the license terms.
On PC and Macintosh: Click the “I accept the terms of this license agreement” and then click
“Next” to continue.

10) On PC only: Let the “Vivitar Experience Image Manager” installer create the folder to where
the program will be installed, and then click “Install”.

11) Please wait while the application continues the installation process on your computer.

12) On PC: Click the “Close” button when the installation is complete.
Click the “Launch Vivitar Experience Image Manager” to open the application.

13) On Macintosh: Click the “Quit” button when the installation is complete.
Click the “Launch Vivitar Experience Image Manager” to open the application.

14) If you close the application you can run the Vivitar Experience Image Manager from the
Programs (PC) or Applications (Mac) menu on your computer.

Connecting the Camcorder to the Computer

1) Slide down the USB lever on the side of the digital video recorder to reveal the retractable
built -in USB connector.

2) Insert the USB connector into an available USB port on your computer.

3) Power the camcorder ON.

4) The first time you connect the device to the computer you will have to wait a few seconds
until the computer recognizes the device.

5) As your camcorder is a mass storage device “MSDC” will appear on the LCD, indicating that
your camcorder is in Mass Storage Mode.

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Getting Photos and Videos from the Camcorder to the Computer

NOTE: An SD card needs to be inserted. Do not disconnect the USB connector during transfer.

Doing so will cancel the transfer of any files on their way to your computer.

1) Select the “Get Images” button from the Main menu.

2) The “Get Images from device” window opens.

3) You can select to download photos, videos or both.

4) Select your camera (removable disk) from the device window. If your camera is the only
USB device connected then it will be selected automatically.

5) Select a location on the computer where to place the new photo and video files.

6) Add the new photo and video files to albums if desired.

7) Select to remove the media files from the selected device (removable disk) after the import.

8) Click the “Get Media” button to transfer the photos and videos from your camera to your
computer.

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9) A media download progress bar appears on the bottom left showing the number of media
files downloading to your computer. A message appears when the download is complete.

10) The photo and video files that you selected are now downloaded to your computer to the
selected folder and albums ready for your use.

Get Started!

Using the Vivitar Experience Image Manager, you can:
 Upload and manage photos and videos to and from the most popular photo sharing and social

networking sites - Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, MySpace, Photobucket, Twitpic, Twitgoo and
YouTube

 Seamlessly transfer photos and videos from one social network to another
 Organize your images by creating offline and online albums
 Edit images using automatic and manual tools
 Use automatic “Geotagging” with built in Google Maps

For more details on how to use the Vivitar Experience Image Manager open the Help file or
click the “Take a Tour” button on the application’s Home screen.

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Transferring Images from the Camcorder to the Computer Manually

WINDOWS

1) Slide down the lever on the side of the camcorder to reveal the built-in USB connector.
Use the USB built-in connector on your camcorder to connect your camcorder to the USB
port on your computer.

2) “MSDC” appears on the LCD – indicating that your camcorder is in Mass Storage Mode.

3) A window appears with a list of options, select “Open folder to view files” and click OK.

4) Open the DCIM folder and the folder inside to view the media files.

5) Select the media and copy the files from this folder into your computer. Optionally, select the
files and choose Copy from the Edit menu. Then select a folder and choose Paste from the
Edit menu.

6) We recommend that you copy the images into the Pictures/My Pictures folder and the
videos into the Videos/My Videos folder.

7) Do not disconnect the camcorder from the computer during transfer. Doing so will cancel the
transfer of any files on their way to your computer.

MACINTOSH

1) Slide down the lever on the side of the camcorder to reveal the built-in USB connector.
Use the USB built-in connector on your camcorder to connect your camcorder to the USB
port on your computer.

2) “MSDC” appears on the LCD – indicating that your camcorder is in Mass Storage Mode.

3) The camcorder’s device icon appears on the desktop.

4) Click on the device icon and open the DCIM folder and the folder inside to view the media
files.

5) Select the files and drag them into your computer. Optionally, select the files and choose

Copy from the Finder’s Edit menu. Then select a folder and choose Paste from the Edit

menu.

6) We recommend that you copy the images into the Pictures folder and the videos into the
Movies folder.

7) Do not disconnect the camcorder from the computer during transfer. Doing so will cancel the
transfer of any files on their way to your computer.

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APPLE iPAD

NOTE: Please check your device packaging for compatibility with the iPad.

Apple iPad Camera Connection:

For models that are compatible with the iPad, photos and videos can be imported from your
digital camera to your iPad by following either one of the options below:

1) Connecting your digital camera to your iPad using an iPad Camera Connector:
Plug the Camera Connector into the dock connector port on your iPad, and then attach your
digital camera using a USB cable (included) to the Camera Connector.
NOTE: The iPad Camera Connector is not included. This item may be purchased separately.

2) Using an iPad SD Card Reader:
Connect the SD Card Reader to your iPad, then insert your digital camera's SD Memory card
into the slot to import photos and videos directly from your camera's SD card.

NOTE: The iPad SD Card Reader is not included. This item may be purchased separately.

After you make the connection, your iPad automatically opens the ‘Photos’ application. This
allows you to choose which photos and videos to import and to organize them into albums.

Camcorder Maintenance

The digital video recorder is a delicate device.
Always wear the wrist strap to prevent the device from falling.
Please handle your camcorder with care to avoid damaging it.
Do not expose your digital video recorder to heat sources.
Do not use you digital video recorder in wet or moist conditions.
To clean the lens, first blow away the dust on the surface of the lens, then use a proper cloth or
tissue for optical devices to clean the lens. If necessary, use lens cleanser.
Never use organic cleanser to clean the digital video camera.
Never touch the lens with your fingers.
When left idle for an extended period of time, store the digital video recorder without the batteries,
in a dry and dark place.

20

Sakar Warranty Card

Sakar US
Sakar International
Attention: Service Department
195 Carter Drive
Edison, NJ
08817

Sakar UK/Europe
Attention: Service Department
2D, Siskin Parkway East
4020 Middlemarch Business Park
Coventry, CV3 4PE

Sakar Australia
Return faulty camera to the
Refund Counter at the store
where purchased

This warranty covers for the original consumer purchaser only and is not transferable. Products
that fail to function properly UNDER NORMAL USAGE, due to defects in material or
workmanship will be repaired at no charge for parts or labor for a period of one year from the time
of purchase.

What Is Not Covered By Warranty:

Damages or malfunctions not resulting from defects in material or workmanship and damages or
malfunctions from other than normal use, including but limited to, repair by unauthorized parties,
tampering, modification or accident.

What To Do When Service Is Required:

When returning your defective product (postage pre-paid) for service, your package should
include:

1) Copy of original bill of sale.

2) A detailed written description of the problem.

3) Your return address and telephone number (Daytime).

MAIL TO ADDRESS BELOW:

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Technical Support

For technical support issues please visit our website at www.vivitar.com. You can find manuals,

software and FAQ’s at the website. Can’t find what you are looking for? E-mail us at

[e-mail] and one of our technical support team members will answer your
questions. For phone support in the US please call 1-800-592-9541, in the UK call 0800 917 4831,
in Australia call 1800-006-614. If you would like to call from anywhere else, please visit

www.vivitar.com for your local toll free number.

Troubleshooting

Q: I have taken photos and selected the “Get Images” button. I get a message that the

images were successfully transferred but the photos do not appear on my computer.
What do I do?

Ensure that you have in fact taken photos. Press the Shutter button to take some sample photos
and then try downloading them again.
With test photos, if the camera powers off before you upload them to the computer the photos are
not stored in the camera’s memory. These photos should be uploaded quickly before the camera
powers off. If the photos are saved to the SD memory card then all the photos should appear.

Q: How do I make sure I don't lose important pictures?

This camera requires an SD card for normal use. If the camera powers off nothing will happen to
the images stored on the SD memory card. We recommend always downloading your photos to
your computer as soon as possible to prevent unintentional data loss.

Q: I deleted images using the Vivitar Experience Image Manager. The images were also
deleted from my computer. How do I recover images that I accidently deleted?

All images deleted using the Vivitar Experience Image Manager are sent to your computer`s
Recycle or Trash Bin and can be retrieved from there.

DVR380v2-061212-TA