Canon camcorder DC20 User Manual

							
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Preparations
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Step 8: Loading a Disc
1. Holding the lock button pressed down, move the power switch to 
CAMERA. 
2. Move the  /  switch to the    (MOVIES) position.
3. Push the OPEN button and gently  open the disc cover fully until it 
stops.
• Retract the grip belt under the 
camcorder so it will not get in the way of 
the disc cover.
• When there is already a disc in the  camcorder it may take a moment after 
you press the OPEN button for the disc 
cover to open. Do not force the cover 
open.
4. Insert the disc with the label side  facing out and press its center 
firmly until it clicks in place.
• When loading a double-sided disc, insert 
the disc with the side you want to record 
on facing down.
• Be careful not to touch the recording  surface of the disc or the pick up lens.
• To remove the disc, grab its edges with your fingers and gently pull the disc out.
5. Close the disc cover.
Do not force the cover closed if the disc is not correctly inserted and firmly set in place.
When using DVD-R discs (including the supplied blank disc):You can start recording movies once the record pause   indication appears. Preparations:
Use only 8 cm (3 in.) mini DVD discs marked with the DVD-R   or DVD-RW   
logo. Use a soft lens-cleaning cloth to remove any fingerprints, dirt buildup or smudges 
from the disc surface.  
						

							
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When using a DVD-RW:You need to initialize the disc before you can start recording. The Disc Initialization screen 
will appear when a DVD-RW is first inserted. It will not appear when inserting a disc 
already initialized. In that case, you can start recording once the record pause   
indication appears.Use the omni selector ( ) to select the disc specification desired and press ( ) to 
make the selection. For a comparison between the specifications “VIDEO” and “VR” 
see  An Introduction to DVDs  (5).
You will be asked to confirm the disc specification you selected. Use the omni selector 
( ) to select [YES] and press ( ) to continue, or select [NO] and press ( ) to 
return and select a different disc specification.
A confirmation message will appear on the screen. Use the omni selector ( ) to 
select [YES] and press ( ) to start the disc initialization.
The disc initialization will take approximately one minute. Avoid moving the camcorder 
while the operation is in progress.
When the disc initialization is completed the camcorder will automatically enter the   mode. You can start recording movies once the record pause   
indication appears.
 The Disc Initialization screen may not appear automatically if you operated the 
camcorder’s buttons while the disc recognition was in progress. In that case, 
initialize the disc using the MENU option ( 91).
 The process of recognizing a disc may take a moment. The   display will 
move while the disc is being read. Wait until the camcorder finishes recognizing 
the disc before you start recording.  
						

							
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Basic Functions
Recording
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Basic Functions
Recording
Recording Movies
1. Holding the lock button pressed down, move the power switch to 
CAMERA. 
2. Move the  /  switch to the    (MOVIES) position.
3. Open the LCD panel and the lens  cover (move the lens cover switch 
down to  ).
4. Press the start/stop button to  begin recording.
• Press the start/stop button again to 
pause recording.
• During the recording and immediately  after pausing it, the disc access indicator 
may go on while the scene is being 
written on the disc.
When You Have Finished Recording:
1. Remove the disc.
2.Close the LCD panel and the lens cover (move the lens cover switch to  ).
3. Turn off the camcorder.
4. Disconnect the power source.
Do not turn off the camcorder, change the position of the  /  switch, 
disconnect the power source, open the memory card/disc cover or remove the 
memory card/disc while the card access or the disc access indicator is flashing. 
Doing so could result in data damage.
 The process of recognizing a disc may take a moment. The   display will 
move while the disc is being read. Wait until the camcorder finishes recognizing 
the disc before you start recording.
 About the recording time:  The recording mode is set by default as SP 
(standard play). By changing the recording mode you can change the recording 
time available on the disc ( 60).
 When recording in bright places it may be difficult to use the LCD screen. In 
such case, use the viewfinder instead.
 When recording in very loud places (such as fireworks shows or concerts), 
sound may become distorted or it may not be recorded at the actual levels. This 
is not a malfunction.
Before You Begin Recording
Make a test recording first to check if the camcorder operates correctly.  Since 
recordings made on a DVD-R cannot be deleted, we recommend you use a DVD-RW 
disc (commercially available) to make the test recordings.  
						

							
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In order to save power when the camcorder is powered by a battery pack, 
the camcorder will automatically shut off if left without any operations for 
5 minutes ( 84). Approximately 30 seconds before the camcorder shuts 
off, “ AUTO POWER OFF” appears in the center of the screen. If the 
camcorder shuts off, move the power switch to OFF and then back to 
CAMERA or PLAY. 
 About the LCD and viewfinder screen: The screens are produced using 
extremely high-precision manufacturing techniques, with more than 
99.99% of the pixels operating to specification. Less than 0.01% of the 
pixels may occasionally misfire or appear as black or green dots. This has 
no effect on the recorded image and does not constitute a malfunction.
Reviewing the Last Scene Recorded
In record pause mode:
Press and release the   (record review) button.
• The camcorder plays back the last scene and returns to record 
pause mode.
• While reviewing the scene, use the omni selector ( ) to select  the   icon and press ( ) to return to the recording mode. You 
can also delete the scene by selecting ( ) the   icon ( 87).
The last scene review is only available if you have not changed operating modes 
or turned off the camcorder after making the recording.  
						

							
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Basic Functions
Recording
E
Recording Still Images
1. Holding the lock button pressed down, move the power switch to 
CAMERA. 
2. Move the  /  switch to the    (STILLS) position. 
3. Open the LCD panel and the lens  cover (move the lens cover switch 
down to  ).
4. If necessary, change the media for  recording the still images using 
the procedure described in the 
next page ( 36).
• You can record still images on the 
memory card or the disc. The default 
media for still images is the memory 
card.
• As long as you do not change the  recording destination, still images will be 
recorded to the last selected media. 
5. Press the PHOTO button halfway.
• Once the focus is automatically adjusted, the camcorder will beep, the   mark will turn green and one or more green AF frames appear.
• When you press the PHOTO button on the wireless controller, the still image is  recorded immediately.
6. Press the PHOTO button fully.
The   mark and the AF frame(s) disappear and you hear a shutter sound.
Do not turn off the camcorder, change the position of the  /  switch, 
disconnect the power source, open the memory card/disc cover or remove the 
memory card/disc while the card access or the disc access indicator is flashing. 
Doing so could result in data damage.
 About the focusing frame:
This camcorder uses the 9-point artificial intelligence autofocus (9-point AiAF) 
that will automatically select the best focusing frames out of nine available, 
allowing you to focus on subjects even if they are not in the center of the picture 
(53).
 If the subject is not suitable for autofocus,   turns yellow. Keep the PHOTO 
button pressed halfway and adjust the focus manually with the omni selector  
().
 In step 5 above, the image may appear out of focus for a moment while the 
camcorder is focusing.
Before using a memory card for the first time, be sure to initialize it with this camcorder 
(97).  
						

							
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When the subject is too bright, “OVEREXP.” starts flashing. In such case, use 
the optional FS-H27U ND filter. 
 In order to save power when the camcorder is powered by a battery pack, the 
camcorder will automatically shut off if left without any operations for 5 minutes 
( 84). “  AUTO POWER OFF” appears 30 seconds before shutoff. To 
continue recording, turn the power switch to OFF and then back to CAMERA.
Selecting the Media for the Still Images
You can record still images on the memory card or the disc. The default media for still 
images is the memory card.
1. Set the camcorder to record or view still images (  or 
).
2. Press the MENU button. Using the omni selector ( ) select the  [SYSTEM SETUP] menu and press ( ).
3. Select ( ) the [MEDIA SEL.  ] option and press ( ).
4. Change ( ) the setting to [DISC] or [CARD] and press ( ) to save  the selection and close the menu.
When recording, the operating mode symbol will change to   (DISC STILLS) or   
(CARD STILLS), depending on the media selected. In playback mode, the operating 
mode symbol will change to   (DISC STILLS) or   (CARD STILLS), respectively.  
						

							
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Basic Functions
Recording
E
Zooming
The zoom is available when recording movies or stills. When recording movies 
( ), in addition to the 10x optical zoom you can also use the 200x digital zoom 
( 80).
10x Optical Zoom
Move the zoom lever towardWto zoom out (wide-
angle). Move it toward  T to zoom in (telephoto).
Press the zoom lever slightly for a slow zoom. Press harder for a 
faster zoom.
 You can also use the  T and  W buttons on the wireless controller. However, in 
that case you cannot control the zoom speed.
 The zoom speed will be faster in record pause mode.
 Keep a distance of at least 1 m (3.3 ft.) to the subject. At wide-angle, you can 
focus on a subject as close as 1 cm (0.39 in.).
Zoom out
Zoom in  
						

							
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Tips for Better Recording
Holding the Camcorder
For maximum stability, hold the camcorder firmly with your right hand and 
keep your right elbow pressed against your body. If necessary, support the 
camcorder with your left hand. Be careful that your fingers do not touch the 
microphone or lens.
For More Stability
Lighting
When recording outdoors, we 
recommend recording with the sun at 
your back.
When using a tripod, do not leave the viewfinder exposed to direct sunlight as it 
may melt (due to concentration of the light by the lens).
 Do not use tripods with fastening screws longer than 
5.5 mm (0.2 inch). Doing so may damage the camcorder. 
The camcorder cannot be mounted on tripods with fixed 
(non-retractable) camera positioning pins.
Lean against a wall Place the camcorder on a table
 Lie on your elbow
 Kneel on one knee 
Use a tripod
Camera
positioning pin  
						

							
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Basic Functions
Playback
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PlaybackPlaying Back Movies
1. Open the LCD panel.
2. Holding the lock button pressed down move the power switch to 
PLAY and slide the  /  switch 
to the   (MOVIES) position.
The scene index screen appears with the 
selection frame on the first scene.
3. Use the omni selector ( ,  ) to move the selection frame to the 
scene you want to play back. 
Press the  /  button to begin 
the playback.
• Playback of the scenes recorded on the 
disc will start from the scene selected.
• When the end of the last movie recorded 
is reached, playback will stop and the 
camcorder will return to the scene index 
screen.
• Press the + or - button on the camcorder  or the NEXT/PREV. buttons on the wireless controller to move to the next or 
previous index page, respectively.
During Playback:
4. Press the  /  button again to pause the playback.
5. Press the   button to stop the playback and return to the scene index  screen.
To use the viewfinder, close the LCD panel.
 About the screen display: During playback, the recording’s time code will be 
displayed at the upper right corner of the screen in hours : minutes : seconds. 
You can also choose to display instead the date and time when the scene was 
recorded and additional recording data ( 45).
 Depending on the recording, you might occasionally notice a brief stop of the 
picture or sound at the point where the scene changes.  
						

							
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Special Playback Modes
/  (Playback Pause)During normal playback, press the  /  button on the camcorder or the PAUSE   on 
the wireless controller during normal playback.
Skipping ScenesDuring normal playback, push the omni selector ( ) to skip to the beginning of the next 
scene. Push ( ) to return to the beginning of the current scene. Push ( ) again to skip 
to the beginning of the previous scene.
 Fast Forward Playback /   Fast Reverse PlaybackDuring playback, press the   or   button on the camcorder or the SEARCH   or  SEARCH button on the wireless controller. Repeatedly press the button to increase 
the playback speed. Fast forward playback will start at 1.5x the normal playback speed 
and will increase to 5x, 15x and 25x normal speed with each press of the button. Fast 
reverse playback will start at 2.5x the normal playback speed and will increase to 5x, 15x 
and 25x normal playback speed with each press of the button. Press the  /  button to 
return to normal playback.
SLOW   Slow Forward Playback /   SLOW Slow Reverse PlaybackDuring playback pause, press the   or   button on the camcorder or the SLOW   
or   SLOW button on the wireless controller. Repeatedly press the button to increase 
the playback speed. Playback will start at 1/16 the normal playback speed and will 
increase to 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 the normal speed with each press of the button. Press the  /  button to return to playback pause.
Except for fast playback at 1.5x the normal speed, there is no sound during 
special playback modes.
 The picture may become distorted during some special playback modes.
 Slow playback is not available with discs recorded in VIDEO mode (DVD-R or 
DVD-RW).
 During the playback of a Photomovie scene, even though the display may 
change according to the fast forward/reverse playback, the actual playback 
speed will not change.