Canon camcorder DC50 User Manual

							 Getting to Know the Camcorder21
Introduction
 Disc operationRecord,  Record pause, 
Playback,  Playback pause, 
Fast playback, 
Fast reverse playback,
Slow playback, 
Slow reverse playback
 Remaining recording timeWhen there is no more disc space 
available, “ END” will be displayed and 
the recording will stop.
 Recording reminderThe camcorder counts from 1 to 10 
seconds when you start recording. This is 
helpful to avoid scenes that are too short.
  Number of still images available on the 
card/disc
 flashing in red: No card
in green: 6 or more images
in yellow: 1 to 5 images
in red: No more images can be 
recorded
• When viewing the still images, the 
display will always be in green.
• will be displayed instead of   for 
still images on the disc.
• Depending on the recording conditions, 
the number of available still images 
displayed may not decrease even after a 
recording has been made, or may 
decrease by 2 still images at once.
Card/Disc access display“ ” is displayed next to the number of 
images available while the camcorder is 
writing on the memory card or disc.
 Remaining batter y charge estimate
• When “ ” starts flashing in red replace 
the battery pack with a fully charged one.
• When you attach an empty battery pack, 
the power may turn off without displaying 
“”.
• Depending on the conditions under 
which the camcorder and the battery pack 
are used, the actual battery charge may 
not be indicated accurately.
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							22Getting to Know the Camcorder 
 Playing Movies (During Playback)
Disc operation
Playback time (hours : minutes : seconds)
Scene number
Data code ( 64)
 Viewing Still Images
Image number ( 50)
Current image / Total number of images 
 recorded on the card, 
 recorded on the disc
Histogram ( 64)
Image protection mark ( 75)
Still image quality/size ( 59)
Date and time of recording
Recording program ( 52)
Manual focus ( 56)
Light metering mode* ( 61)
Manual exposure ( 55)
Image effect ( 58)
Image size ( 59)
File size
Aperture value ( 53)
Shutter speed ( 53)
White balance ( 57)
Flash* ( 64)
*  only.
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							 Getting Started
Preparations
23
Preparations
Getting Started
Charging the Batter y Pack
The camcorder can be powered with a 
battery pack or directly using the compact 
power adapter. Charge the battery pack 
before use.
1Turn off the camcorder.
2Attach the battery pack to the 
camcorder.
• Open the LCD panel.
• Slide in the connector end of the 
battery in the direction of the arrow and 
press it gently until it clicks.
3Connect the power cord to the 
compact power adapter.
4Plug the power cord into a power 
outlet.
5Connect the compact power adapter 
to the camcorder’s DC IN terminal.
• The CHG (charge) indicator starts 
flashing. The indicator will stay on 
when the charging is completed.
• You can also use the compact power 
adapter without attaching a battery 
pack.
• When the compact power adapter is 
connected, even if a battery is 
attached its power will not be 
consumed.
ONCE THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED 
1Disconnect the compact power 
adapter from the camcorder.
2Unplug the power cord from the 
power outlet and the compact 
power adapter.
Getting Star ted
BATT. switch
BATT. switch
DC IN terminal
CHG 
(charge)
indicator
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							Getting Started 24
TO REMOVE THE BATTERY PACK 
Slide down   to release the 
battery pack, and pull out the battery 
pack holding it from the ridge on its 
bottom part.
IMPORTANT
   Turn off the camcorder before connecting or 
disconnecting the compact power adapter. After 
you turn off the power switch to  , important 
file allocation data is updated on the disc. Be 
sure to wait until the LCD display is completely 
off.
   You may hear some noise from the compact 
power adapter during use. This is not a 
malfunction.
   We recommend charging the battery pack in 
temperatures between 10 °C and 30 °C (50 °F 
and 86 °F). Outside the temperature range of 
0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F), the charging will 
not start.
   Do not connect to the camcorder’s DC IN 
terminal or to the compact power adapter any 
electrical equipment that is not expressly 
recommended for use with this camcorder.
   To prevent equipment breakdowns and 
excessive heating, do not connect the supplied compact power adapter to voltage converters for 
overseas travels or special power sources such 
as those on aircraft and ships, DC-AC inverters, 
etc.
NOTES
   The CHG (charge) indicator also serves as a 
rough estimate of the battery charge status.
Continuously on: Battery fully charged.
Flashes approx. twice per second: Battery over 
50% charged.
Flashes approx. once per second: Battery less 
than 50% charged.
   The charging time will vary depending on the 
surrounding temperature and the battery pack’s 
initial charge condition. In cold places, the 
effective usage time of the battery will 
decrease.
   We recommend that you prepare battery 
packs 2 to 3 times longer than you think you 
might need.
   
U.S.A. and Canada only: The lithium 
ion/polymer battery that powers this 
product is recyclable. Please call 
1-800-8-BATTERY for information 
on how to recycle this battery.
BATT.
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							 Getting Started
Preparations
25
Charging, Recording and Playback Times with the BP-208 Batter y Pack
The recording and playback times given in following tables are approximate and vary 
according to the charging, recording or playback conditions.
* Approximate times for recording with repeated operations such as start/stop, zooming, 
power on/off.
Batter y PackBP-208BP-214
Charging Time160 min. 245 min.
Maximum Recording 
TimesRecording Mode
XPSPLPXPSPLP
Viewfinder  80 min. 95 min. 100 min. 135 min. 160 min. 165 min.
LCD [NORMAL] 80 min. 90 min. 95 min. 135 min. 155 min. 160 min.
LCD [BRIGHT] 75 min. 90 min. 95 min. 130 min. 150 min. 155 min.
Typical Recording 
Times*Recording Mode
XPSPLPXPSPLP
Viewfinder  50 min. 50 min. 50 min. 85 min. 90 min. 90 min.
LCD [NORMAL] 45 min. 50 min. 50 min. 80 min. 85 min. 90 min.
LCD [BRIGHT] 45 min. 50 min. 50 min. 80 min. 80 min. 85 min.
Playback Times100 min. 115 min. 125 min. 170 min. 190 min. 210 min.
Batter y PackBP-208
Recording ModeXPSPLP
Recording TimesMaximum Typical* Maximum Typical* Maximum Typical*
Viewfinder  105 min. 60 min. 125 min. 60 min. 135 min. 65 min.
LCD [NORMAL] 105 min. 60 min. 120 min. 60 min. 130 min. 65 min.
LCD [BRIGHT] 100 min. 55 min. 115 min. 60 min. 125 min. 60 min.
Playback Time135 min. 150 min. 165 min.
Charging Time160 min.
Batter y PackBP-208
Recording ModeXPSPLP
Recording TimesMaximum Typical* Maximum Typical* Maximum Typical*
Viewfinder  115 min. 60 min. 135 min. 65 min. 145 min. 70 min.
LCD [NORMAL] 110 min. 60 min. 125 min. 65 min. 140 min. 65 min.
LCD [BRIGHT] 105 min. 60 min. 120 min. 60 min. 130 min. 65 min.
Playback Time140 min. 165 min. 175 min.
Charging Time160 min.
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							Getting Started 26
Inser ting and Removing a Disc
Inserting the Disc
POINTS TO CHECK
1Move the power switch to ON to set 
the camcorder in   mode.
2Slide   fully in the direction of 
the arrow and gently open the disc 
cover completely until it stops.
Retract the grip belt under the 
camcorder so it will not get in the way 
of the disc cover.
3Insert the disc and press its center 
firmly until it clicks in place.
• Insert the disc with the recording side 
facing down (single sided discs – label 
side facing out).
• Be careful not to touch the recording 
surface of the disc or the pick up lens.
4Close 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/DVD-R DL DISCS 
You can start recording movies once the 
record pause   indication appears.
WHEN USING A DVD-RW 
You need to initialize new discs before 
you can start recording. The disc 
initialization screen will appear when a 
new DVD-RW is first inserted if the  /  
switch is set to  . The disc initialization 
screen will not appear when inserting a 
disc already initialized. In that case, you 
can start recording once the record pause 
 indication appears.
Select ( ) the desired disc 
specification and press ( ). For a 
comparison between the [VIDEO] and 
[VR] specifications, see How to select 
a DVD disc (5).
You will be asked to confirm the disc 
specification you selected. 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. Select ( ) [YES] and 
press ( ) to start the disc 
initialization.
Use only 8 cm (3 in.) mini DVD discs 
marked with the DVD-R   logo 
(including DVD-R DL) or the DVD-RW 
 logo. Refer also to Recommended 
Discs (6).
Before inserting the disc be sure to check 
that the recording surface is clean. If 
necessary, use a soft lens-cleaning cloth to 
remove any fingerprints, dirt buildup or 
smudges from the disc surface.
(12)
 Pick up lens
OPEN
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							 Getting Started
Preparations
27
• The disc initialization will take 
approximately one minute. Avoid 
moving the camcorder while the 
operation is in progress.
• You can start recording movies once 
the record pause   indication 
appears.
NOTES
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.
Removing the Disc
1Slide   fully in the direction of 
the arrow and gently open the disc 
cover completely until it stops.
• Do not subject the camcorder to 
strong impacts while the DISC access 
indicator is on or flashing.
• Retract the grip belt under the 
camcorder so it will not get in the way 
of the disc cover.
• It may take a moment after sliding 
 for the disc cover to open.
2Grab the edge of the disc and gently 
pull it out. 
Be careful not to touch the recording 
surface of the disc or the pick up lens.
3Close the disc cover.
IMPORTANT
When you slide   after making a 
recording, important file allocation data is 
updated on the disc before the disc cover 
opens. While the DISC access indicator is on or 
flashing do not subject the camcorder to shocks 
such as forcefully laying it on a table.
OPEN
OPEN
OPEN
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							Getting Started 28
Inser ting and Removing a Memor y Card
Only miniSD cards can be used with this 
camcorder.
1Turn off the camcorder.
2Open the memory card slot cover.
3Insert the memory card straight all 
the way into the memory card slot.
4Close the cover.Do not force the cover closed if the 
memory card is not correctly inserted.
TO REMOVE THE MEMORY CARD 
First push the memory card once to 
release it, and then pull the card out.
IMPORTANT
   Make sure to initialize all memory cards 
before using them with this camcorder ( 76).
   Memory cards have front and back sides that 
are not interchangeable. Inserting a memory 
card facing the wrong direction can cause a 
malfunction of the camcorder.
NOTES
You may not be able to use certain types of 
miniSD cards.
Preparing the Camcorder
1Turn on the camcorder.
 The lens cover will open 
automatically.
2 Move the lens cover 
switch down to   to open the lens 
cover.
3Adjust the viewfinder.
Keep the LCD panel closed to use the 
viewfinder and adjust the dioptric 
adjustment lever as necessary.
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							 Getting Started
Preparations
29
4Fasten the grip belt.
Adjust the grip belt so that you can 
reach the zoom lever with your index 
finger, and the start/stop button with 
your thumb.
The Wireless Controller
Inserting the Batter y
(Lithium Button Batter y CR2025)
1Press the tab in the direction of the 
arrow and pull out the battery 
holder.
2Place the lithium button battery with 
the + side facing up.
3Insert the battery holder.
Using the Wireless Controller
Point the controller at the camcorder’s 
remote sensor when you press the 
buttons.
NOTES
   The wireless controller may not work properly 
when the remote sensor is situated under 
strong light sources or direct sunlight.
   If the wireless controller does not work, check 
that [WL.REMOTE] is not set to [OFF  ] 
( 50). Otherwise, replace the battery.
Ta b
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							Getting Started 30
Adjusting the LCD Screen
Rotating the LCD Panel
Open the LCD panel 90 degrees.
• You can rotate the panel 90 degrees 
downward.
• You can rotate the panel 180 degrees toward 
the lens (allowing the subject to monitor the 
LCD screen while you use the viewfinder). 
Rotating the panel 180 degrees is also useful 
if you wish to include yourself when recording 
with the self timer. This is the only case where 
you can use the viewfinder and the LCD 
screen simultaneously.
LCD Backlight
You can adjust the brightness of the LCD 
screen to one of two levels.
Keep   pressed down for more 
than 2 seconds.
Repeat this action to toggle between the 
normal and bright settings.
NOTES
   This setting does not affect the brightness of 
the recording or the viewfinder screen.
   Using the bright setting will shorten the 
effective usage time of the battery.
180°
90°
180°
Subject can monitor the LCD screen
180°
90°
Subject can monitor the LCD screen 180°
DISP.
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