Vivitar DVR 518 User Manual

DVR 518

Digital Video Camcorder

User’s Manual

© 2009 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.

Table of Contents

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

Key Features ................................................................................................2

What your digital video camcorder includes ..................................................3

Computer System Requirements for Windows XP........................................4

Computer System Requirement for Windows Vista ......................................5

Computer System Requirements for Macintosh ...........................................5

A Quick Look at your Digital Video Camcorder .............................................7

Preparing Your Camcorder for Use...............................................................8

Inserting an SD Memory Card ......................................................................9

Maintenance and Care ................................................................................ 11

DVR Function Control ................................................................................. 12

Capturing Videos ........................................................................................ 15

Taking Photos ............................................................................................. 21

Audio Mode ................................................................................................. 34

Playback mode ........................................................................................... 35

Setup Mode ................................................................................................ 50

Connecting the Camcorder to a TV............................................................. 59

Install the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software .............................. 59

Connect your camcorder to the computer ................................................... 63

Get photos and videos from your camcorder to your computer .................. 63

Get started! ................................................................................................. 65

Transfer media from my camcorder to my computer manually (Using

Windows) .................................................................................................... 66

Transfer media from my camcorder to my computer manually (Using

Macintosh) .................................................................................................. 67

Using your camcorder as a PC Camera (on Windows) ............................... 68

Sakar Warranty Card .................................................................................. 69

Technical Specifications ............................................................................. 70

Trouble Shooting......................................................................................... 72

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the DVR 518 Digital Video Camcorder. With your camcorder you can shoot video clips, take individual photos and record audio files. In addition, a SD compatible memory card of up to 8GB can be inserted in order to expand the memory of your DVR camcorder. Your camcorder also has a PC Camera function for web conferencing.

Key Features

 5 modes – Video, Audio, Camera, Playback and Set Up.  Digital Video resolutions – 640x480 (VGA), 320x240 (QVGA).

 5 digital camera resolutions - 8M(3264X2448); 5M(2592X1944);

3M(2048X1536); 1M(1024X768); VGA(640X480)

 1.96" TFT LCD  8 X Digital Zoom  Limited Internal Memory  Supports external SD memory card up to 8GB  Built-in Microphone  Takes digital photos, videos and record audio files  Delete, rotate, protect, crop and print photos directly on and from your

camcorder

 Vivitar Experience Image Manager software for uploading and managing

photos and videos to or from the most popular photo sharing and social network websites.

What your digital video camcorder includes

 Digital Video Camcorder  USB cable

 TV-out cable  Vivitar Experience Image Manager software Installation CD  Quick Start Guide  Pouch  Hand strap

Computer System Requirements for Windows XP

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

 Pentium 4 processor or above with Windows XP service pack 2  512 MB RAM, with 100MB of free disk space  1024 x 768 Recommended screen resolution  16-bit color or higher display adaptor  CD-ROM Drive  QuickTime 6 or higher  Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or higher  Windows Media Player 10 or higher

 Internet connection required

Computer System Requirement for Windows Vista

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

 Windows Vista  800MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory  20GB hard drive with at least 15GB of available space  Support for Super VGA graphics  Available USB Interface  CD-ROM drive  QuickTime 6 or higher  Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or higher  Internet connection required

Computer System Requirements for Macintosh

 Macintosh with Intel processor running Mac OS X v10.4.6 or later

 256 MB RAM, 100 MB free disk space  Display: 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor  QuickTime 6 or higher  Internet connection required

A Quick Look at your Digital Video Camcorder

Display button

LED On / Off

Mode button

Shutter button

Up button

OK button

AV / USB jack

Right/Self-timer

MENU button

Down button

Power button

Left button

LCD screen

Tripod socket

SD card slot

Wrist strap

Battery cover

Lens

Preparing Your Camcorder for Use

Battery Installation Your DVR camcorder requires 3 “AAA” batteries (not included). It is recommended that alkaline batteries be used.

1. Lift and open the battery compartment on the side of the camcorder.

2. Insert the batteries in accordance with the polarity indicated in the battery compartment.

3. Return and close the battery cover.

Note:

 Limited internal memory is provided in order to take photos, videos and audio.  A SD Memory card is required to expand the memory in order to capture and

record many more media items. All the media in the built-in memory will not be lost if no SD Memory Card has been inserted in the DVR or when you change your batteries.  We strongly recommend downloading your photos and videos regularly to your computer.  Remove the batteries from the DVR camcorder when not in use for an extended period.

Inserting an SD Memory Card

An SD compatible memory card of up to 8GB (not included) should be inserted into your DVR camcorder. SD Memory cards expand the amount of memory thus allowing an increase in the number of movies, photos and audio that can be captured before transferring them to a computer. Media sitting on the memory card is not lost when your camcorder’s power runs low or on replacing the batteries.

1. Locate the SD card slot on the bottom of the camcorder.

2. Insert an SD memory card correctly in the direction shown.

3. Press the memory card until you hear a “Click” sound. The memory card when properly inserted will sit flush with the camcorder.

Note: After you insert an SD memory card, the SD card icon will appear on the right side of the LCD, indicating that your SD memory card has been installed successfully. The media you capture will now be stored on the card and not in the internal memory.

 This product supports SD cards of up to 8GB.

 Formatting will delete all data on the SD Memory Card including protected data.  Do not remove the SD memory Card during formatting as this may damage the

card and render it unusable.  Before using the camcorder, be sure to format the card with the camcorder (see the Setup section further on in the manual for instruction on how to format the card).

Maintenance and Care

Before using the video camcorder, please ensure that you read and understand the safety precautions described below:

• Do not try to open the case of the video camcorder or attempt to modify this video camcorder in any way. Maintenance and repairs should be carried out only by authorized service providers.

• Keep the video camcorder away from water and other liquids. Do not use the video camcorder with wet hands. Never use the video camcorder in the rain or snow. Moisture creates the danger of electric shock.

• Use only the recommended power accessories. Use of power sources not expressly recommended for this equipment may lead to overheating, distortion of the equipment, fire, electrical shock or other hazards.

DVR Function Control

To power on the camcorder you need to flip open the LCD Screen. The Power button is situated on the inside of the camcorder.

Power on

Press the Power button to turn on your DVR. The LCD monitor will light up indicating that your DVR is ready for use.

Power off

Press the Power button to turn your DVR camcorder off. The DVR camcorder will switch off. If the DVR camcorder is not in use or in an operation mode for 60 seconds it will switch off automatically.

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

Setting the Language

When using the video camcorder for the first time after purchasing it, be sure to choose a language and set the date & time before using the video camcorder.

1. Turn the Power on.

2. Press the MENU button.

3. Press the Right button on the OK dial to open the Setup menu.

4. Press the Up/Down button on the OK dial and select the Language option.

5. Press the Right button to enter the Language submenu.

6. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the language you desire.

7. Press the OK button to save your choice and for the language interface of the camcorder to change to the language you selected.

8. Press the MENU button to close the menu and exit the Setup function.

Setting the Date and Time

This will be the time and date that will appear on the photos you capture.

1. Turn the Power on.

2. Press the MENU button.

3. Press the Right button on the OK dial to open

the Setup menu.

4. Press the Up/Down button on the OK dial and

select the Date & Time option.

5. Press the OK button to open the date and time settings.

Display

Title

Description

Capture mode

For taking still photos.

Video mode

For recording movie clips.

Audio mode

For recording audio files.

Playback mode

Preview the record files.

6. Press the Left/Right button to select the Year, Month, Day, Hour, Minute and

Date Format (YYYY/MM/DD , DD/MM/YYYY , MM/DD/YYYY) options.

7. Press the Up/Down button to change the digits on each of the settings you

wish to update.

8. Press the OK button to save your choice.

9. Press the MENU button to close the menu and exit the Setup function

Change the camcorder`s mode

There are four modes in this DVR camcorder.

1. Press the POWER button to turn on the camcorder.

2. The video default capture mode appears on the LCD.

3. Press the DV/DSC mode button to the bottom left of the LCD screen to change the mode.

4. Each time the DV/DSC mode button is pressed the mode icon is changed.

Capturing Videos

In order to capture videos (with audio) using your camcorder you need to select the Video mode. On turning on your camcorder the first mode to appear is the Video mode. To change between the function modes on your DVR, press the DV/DSC button on the bottom left of the LCD screen. Use a compatible SD card of up to 8 GB to expand the memory capacity to capture even more and longer videos than can be captured using internal memory only.

The video icon will now appear on the top left corner of the LCD.

1. The amount of time left at that resolution and memory appears on the top

2. Aim the camcorder at the subject or object you wish to capture.

3. Press the Shutter button on the top of the camcorder to start shooting.

4. The elapsed time of the video will appear on the top right on the LCD.

right of the LCD.

5. Press the Right button if you wish to Pause the recording in the middle and again to resume recording.

6. Press the Shutter button again to stop the recording.

7. The recorded file will be saved in AVI format.

Note:

1. Press the Up button to Zoom In or the Down button to Zoom Out of the

2. You can view the AVI files in playback mode.

3. Once they are downloaded to the PC view them using QuickTime and

4. As the internal memory of the camcorder is limited it should be used for

5. Please insert an SD memory card of up to 8 GB to capture longer videos.

6. When the internal memory is full, a “Memory Full” message will flash on

Video Setting options

In Video mode there are two video resolutions for you to choose from (VGA – 640x480, QVGA – 320x240 pixels) before capturing your video. The higher the resolution selected the better the quality of the video, however higher quality

subject during the shooting to focus in on your subject.

Windows Media Player. test files only.

the LCD screen when you attempt to shoot further videos.

videos use up more memory. You can also change the Frame Rate, Metering and White Balance.

To enter the Settings options for the Video mode:

1. Press the MENU button.

2. Press the Up/Down button to select the Setting you wish to change from the menu that appears.

Movie Size

You can select different Video resolutions - VGA 640x480 pixels / QVGA 320x240 pixels

1. Press the Up/Down button to select the Movie Size menu.

2. Press the OK button to open the Movie Size submenu.

3. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the resolution option:

VGA 640x480, QVGA 320x240

4. Press the OK button to confirm, save your choice and exit to the Setting menu.

5. Press the MENU button to revert back to the Video capture mode to start capturing videos with the new resolution selected.

Note:

After selecting your resolution, the corresponding icon will appear on the top of the LCD.

Frame Rate

This setting allows you to control the frame rate for video capture.

1. Press the Up/Down button to select the Frame Rate menu.

2. Press the OK button to open the Frame Rate submenu.

3. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the rate option:

30fps High, 15fps Low

4. Press the OK button to confirm, save your choice and exit to the Setting menu.

5. Press the MENU button to revert back to the Video capture mode to start capturing videos with the new frame rate selected.

Metering

This setting allows you to change the brightness of the video.

1. Press the Up/Down button to select the Metering menu.

2. Press the OK button to open the Metering submenu.

3. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the metering option:

[Center]: The exposure will be calculated based on light in the center area and this is suitable for general use. [Multi]: The exposure will be calculated based on the average light. [Spot]: Only the spot in the center of the LCD screen will be metered for light.

4. Press the OK button to confirm, save your choice and exit to the Setting menu.

5. Press the MENU button to revert back to the Video capture mode to start capturing videos with the metering selected.

Note:

After selecting your metering choice, the corresponding icon will appear on the top of the LCD.

White Balance

This setting is used to adjust the color of your videos as per your light source.

1. Press the Up/Down button to select the White Balance menu.

2. Press the OK button to open the White Balance submenu.

3. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the White Balance option:

Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Fluorescent / Incandescent.

4. The White Balance choice selected automatically appears on the LCD.

5. Press the OK button to confirm, save your choice and exit to the Setting

Taking Photos

Use the image that appears in the LCD to compose your shot.

menu.

6. Press the MENU button to revert back to the Video capture mode to start capturing videos with the new white balance selected.

Note:

After selecting your White Balance choice, the corresponding icon will appear on the top of the LCD.

After you power on your camcorder, press the DV/DSC mode button on the bottom left of the LCD screen.

The camera icon appears in the top left corner of the screen. The camcorder`s internal memory is limited per each resolution so it is recommended to insert a compatible SD card of up to 8GB in order to expand the memory and capture many more memorable photos.

1. Hold the camcorder steady and press the Shutter button on the top of the camcorder.

2. The camcorder will beep and the picture taken as jpeg and saved to the

memory.

3. The number of photos that can be taken for each resolution and per the

memory card inserted appears on the top right of the LCD screen.

4. After the shot is taken the number is reduced by one.

5. When the camcorder's internal memory is full, “Memory Full” will appear on

the LCD screen when you attempt to press the Shutter button to take a photo. Either download the photos to your computer using the Vivitar Experience

Image Manager software as described below in the section “Transfer photos and videos to your computer” or insert an SD card to continue taking more

photos and videos.

6. The number of photos that can be captured not only depends on the internal

memory or the SD card’s capacity but also on the resolution selected. Better quality photos are taken at higher resolutions but these will also take up more memory on the card.

LED Lamp

When light conditions are poor, press the LED ON/OFF button on the middle left of the LCD Screen. Two LED white lamp lights will light up (like a torch) to offer better lighting. To turn off the LED light, press the LED ON/OFF button again.

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