Canon GL1 Instruction Manual

							21
E
Quick Overview
Before you start recording
To record
Basic Recording
1
324
POWER
OFF
VCRCAMERASTANDBY LOCKSTANDBY LOCKSTART
/STOP
¥ Attach a power source (p. 16).
¥ Load a cassette (p. 19).
¥ Fasten the grip belt (p. 82).
¥ Attach the lens hood (p. 15).
¥ Choose the display: viewfinder (p. 82) or LCD screen (p. 25).
¥ Adjust the viewfinder or the LCD screen.
You may also want to charge the backup battery (p. 84) in order to set the date and time display (p. 39).
To set the movie mode, refer to p. 46.
1. Press down and slide the POWER switch to CAMERA.
2. Turn the standby lever to STANDBY.
¥ The confirmation beep sounds.
¥ The camera power indicator lights up red and PAUSE appears in the display Ñ the camera is now in
Òrecord pause modeÓ.
¥ The camera will turn itself off if you leave it in record pause mode for more than about five minutes.
To return to record pause mode, turn the standby lever to LOCK and back to STANDBY, or slide the
POWER switch off and back on.
3. Turn the program selector to [Easy Recording mode.
¥ This selects the cameraÕs Easy Recording program. It allows you to simply point and shoot without
making any manual adjustments (see p. 48).
4. Press the start/stop button to begin recording.
¥ There are two start/stop buttons, to give you control from both gripping positions.
¥ The tally lamp flashes rapidly and REC appears in the display.
5. Press the start/stop button again to pause recording.
¥ The camera returns to record pause mode and PAUSE reappears in the display.
¥ You can stop and restart recording as often as you like by pressing the start/stop button.
Using the STANDBY lever
As long as the POWER switch is set to CAMERA, you can use the STANDBY lever to turn the camera
on and off. This makes it easy to save battery power, and prevents accidental operation of the start/stop
button.
Turn the STANDBY lever to LOCK and back to STANDBY to enter/leave standby mode.  
						

							22
E
Quick Overview
You can record and play back a tape in SP (standard play) and LP (long play) modes. LP extends tape
usage by 1.5 times.
To switch to LP mode, select REC MODE from the camera or VCR menu, select LP and then close the
menu (for instructions on how to use the menus, refer to page 35).
When you have finished recording
Changing the recording mode (SP/LP)
¥ Close the LCD panel.
¥ Unload the cassette.
¥ Turn the standby lever to LOCK.
¥ Slide the POWER switch to OFF.
¥ Disconnect the power source.
(If you have used the viewfinder, return it to its lowered and retracted position.)
Notes:
¥ To check that the camera is recording correctly, make a test recording first.
¥ Before making important recordings, clean the video heads using a Canon DVM-CL Digital Video Head
Cleaning Cassette or a commercially available digital video head cleaning cassette.
¥ To close the LCD panel, rotate it vertically until the screen faces you, then push it in flat against the side
of the camera.
¥ You cannot monitor the sound from the speaker when recording.
¥ For tips on how to make better videos, see page 31.
¥ For extra recording time, set REC MODE in the camera menu to LP.
¥ The flashing of the tally lamp may be reflected into the lens during close-up recording, or when
recording through glass. You may therefore decide to turn it off (p. 38).
REC MODE¥¥¥¥SP(see p. 34)
Notes:
¥ When recording and playing back tapes in LP mode, the nature of the tape and usage conditions may
affect recording, mosaic-like noise may appear in the image and the sound may be distorted during
playback of tapes recorded in LP mode. For important recordings, therefore, set the camera to SP mode.
¥ If you record in both modes on the same tape, the picture may become distorted during playback and
the time code may not be written correctly.
¥ When the camera is set to LP mode, pausing between recordings may produce mosaic-like noise.
¥ A tape recorded in LP mode on another camcorder may produce mosaic-like noise when played back on
this camcorder, and vice versa. You canÕt add sound (audio dubbing) or images (A/V insert) to a tape that has been recorded in LP mode.
If you plan to use either of these functions later, record in SP mode. 
						

							You can show/hide non-essential camera recording
displays by pressing the DISPLAY/DATA CODE
button.
You cannot hide the following:
¥ Recording displays (REC, PAUSE etc.)
¥ Remaining battery power, flash information
display 
¥ Caution phrases (ÒCONDENSATION HAS
BEEN DETECTED,Ó etc.)
To see a demonstration of the cameraÕs main features, before loading the cassette, go to the DEMO
MODE option in the camera menu. Select the ON setting and close the menu. The demo also starts
automatically if the power has been on for 5 minutes without a cassette loaded into the cassette
compartment. (You can avoid this by turning the DEMO MODE to OFF through the camera menu.) To
cancel the demo mode once it has begun: press a camera operation button such as the menu button or the
zoom control, turn off the power, or load a cassette.
23
E
Quick Overview
Confirmation/Warning beeps
The cameraÕs short operation confirmation beeps are indicated by `in the illustrations. One beep sounds
when you turn the power on. A series of beeps also sound during the self-timer countdown, right before
the cameraÕs automatic shut-off and upon any unusual condition of the camera. Beeps are not recorded on
the tape. You can turn them OFF through the menu.
BEEP¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ON(see p. 34)
Microphone attenuator
Use the microphone attenuator if during recording or audio dubbing you need to lower the volume level or
correct audio distortion of the input audio. Monitor the level of the input sound with headphones and if
necessary, turn the attenuator on through the camera or VCR menu by selecting MIC ATT and setting it to
ON.
Turning the camera recording displays ON/OFF
DISPLAY
/DATA CODE
Demonstration mode
DEMO MODE¥¥¥ON(see p. 34)
Even if you have the displays hidden, all displays will appear for 4 seconds if you operate any of the
recording functions.
All displays will appear for 8 seconds if ND ON, ND OFF, the Tv mode shutter speed value or the Av
mode aperture value starts to flash.
Notes:
¥ You cannot hide the displays when in [Easy Recording mode.
¥ If you slide the POWER switch to OFF, the displays will be reset to appear. 
						

							24
E
Quick Overview
Turn the digital zoom on by choosing D.ZOOM from the camera menu, to magnify the cameraÕs zoom
range by up to 5
´.
Zooming
Zoom in
Zoom out
T W
ZOOMWT
40´/100´digital zoom
Operate the zoom controls from either the side grip, the camera handle or the wireless controller.
The cameraÕs 20
´zoom lens allows you to choose the best picture angle for each scene:
¥ Press the zoom control towards W to zoom out to wide-angle.
¥ Press it towards T to zoom in to telephoto.
You can control the speed of zooming from the side grip:
¥ Press the control slightly to zoom slowly.
¥ Press it farther to zoom more quickly. (The farther you press the zoom control, the faster the zoom
speed.)
The T and W buttons on the wireless controller and the camera handle adjust the picture angle, but not the
zoom speed. Set the handle-top zoom control to one of three speeds. Open the camera menu and select
ZOOM HANDLE , then set it to LOW, MEDIUM or FAST. The speed of the zoom control on the
wireless controller cannot be adjusted.
20´optical zoom
The zoom control continues to work as usual. You can freely zoom in and out between 1´and 40´or 
1
´and 100´magnification Ñ the camera automatically switches between optical zooming (up to 20´)
and digital zooming (20
´to 100´).
Notes:
¥ When zooming, as a rule, keep at least one meter between you and your subject. However when the
zoom is at the wide-angle position, you can focus on a subject as close as 3/8 in (1 cm).
¥ Image resolution decreases the further you zoom towards 100
´ in digital zoom range.
¥ When the digital zoom is set to 40
´, the zoom indicator extends (light blue). 
When the digital zoom is set to 100
´ zoom, the zoom indicator extends again (a darker blue).
D.ZOOM¥¥¥¥¥¥40´(see p. 34) 
						

							25
E
Quick Overview
Using the LCD Screen
Push the LCD panel open button and open the
panel by pulling it away from the camera. This
automatically switches the LCD screen on and the
viewfinder off. When you close the LCD panel,
the LCD screen automatically switches off and the
viewfinder switches back on.
Open the LCD screen
First open out the LCD panel at a right angle (90¡)
to the camera.
Changing the angle of the LCD screen
You can now choose the angle of the panel that
suits you best by rotating it backwards (up to
180¡) and forwards (up to 90¡) about this axis.
If you rotate the panel backwards around to 180¡
you can allow the subject to monitor the shot in
the LCD screen or you can include yourself in the
picture. The viewfinder is also activated when the
panel is in this position.
From this position you may also push the panel
flat against the camera, with the screen facing
outwards. 
90K
Notes:
¥ Avoid touching the LCD screen when moving the LCD panel.
¥ Do not hold the camera by the LCD panel or the viewfinder.
¥ Make sure you open the LCD panel at 90¡, before attempting to rotate it backwards or forwards.
¥ Always rotate the LCD panel vertically into place, before closing it or pushing it flat against the side of
the camera.
¥ Always fully close the LCD panel when itÕs not in use.
¥ Be careful not to leave the LCD, viewfinder or lens exposed to direct sunlight outdoors or in a window.
Doing so could cause damage.
¥ Bright light falling on the LCD screen may cause glare that makes it difficult for you to view the image.
In this case, switch to using the viewfinder. You are also able to adjust the brightness of the screen (see
ÒAdjusting the LCD screenÓ p. 26). 
						

							26
E
Quick Overview
Adjusting the LCD screen
Notes:
¥ The camera will remember your brightness setting even if you slide the POWER switch to OFF.
¥ The brightness of the LCD does not effect that of the recorded images or the viewfinder.
About the LCD Screen
The LCD screen built into this camcorder is a high precision product.
However, small black dots or bright points of light (red, blue or green) may appear constantly on the LCD
screen. This is not a malfunction of the LCD screen and they are not recorded on the tape. (Effective dots:
more than 99.99%)
Allowing the subject to monitor recording
When you turn the LCD panel so that it faces the
opposite direction (see diagram opposite), you can
let your subject monitor recording, or you can
include yourself in the picture. 
¥ You can choose the display style, reversed
(mirror on) or not (mirror off) from the camera
menu.
MIRROR¥¥¥¥¥¥ON(see p. 34)
Note:
¥ If you choose the mirror-on, the recording itself is unaffected. You can adjust the brightness of the LCD screen. Adjust the level with the +/Ð LCD BRIGHT buttons.
A bar showing the level appears in the display and disappears after 4 seconds.
¥ Press the + button to make the display brighter.
¥ Press the Ð button to make the display darker.
LCD
BRIGHT 
						

							The camcorder has a built-in speaker and a headphone terminal so you can review the sound track
alongside the picture during playback. Use the speaker or headphones when viewing playback with the
LCD screen, and use headphones when viewing with the viewfinder. The built-in speaker is monaural; use
headphones for stereo sound.
27
E
Quick Overview
Built-in speaker and headphone terminal
REC
REC PAUSE
EJECT
Indicators that appear in the LCD display when ÒmirrorÓ is selected:
Adjust the speaker and headphone volume with the +/Ð VOLUME buttons.
¥ Press the + button to increase the volume, and the Ð button to lower the volume.
¥ A VOLUME bar appears in the display to indicate the current volume. It disappears in four seconds.
¥ You can turn off the volume completely by pressing the Ð button until OFF appears.
¥ You can also adjust the headphone volume separately from the built-in speaker, either during VCR
mode or camera mode. The volume level is the same regardless of mode.
¥ The levels you adjust for the built-in speaker and headphones are memorized separately. The camera
remembers your levels even if you slide the POWER switch to OFF.
Notes:
¥ The speaker turns off when the camera is set to camera mode or when you use headphones.
¥ Sometimes the playback picture becomes rough with ÒnoiseÓ, when the volume is turned up high. If this
happens, turn down the volume. ¥ All indicators appear normally in the viewfinder.
VOLUME 
						

							28
E
Quick Overview
Playing Back a Cassette
POWER
OFF
VCRCAMERA
You can use the LCD screen or the viewfinder for instant, on-the-spot playback. The camera also plays
back the sound track via the built-in speaker (p. 27).
¥ When you play back a tape, you can close the LCD panel with its screen side facing up.
¥ When the LCD panel is closed, you can monitor the playback using the viewfinder.
To play back your recordings on a TV, see p. 30. 
To use the wireless controller, see p. 36. 
Note:
¥ To avoid accidental recording, make sure that you slide the tab on the cassette so that it exposes the hole
(the switch position is usually labeled SAVE or ERASE OFF).
1. Attach a power source and slide the POWER switch to VCR.
¥ The power indicator lights up green.
¥ The confirmation beep sounds.
2. Load the cassette.
3. Press the PLAY
ebutton to start playback.
¥ Open the cover to use the handle-top buttons.
¥ To end playback, press the STOP
3button.
¥ To wind the tape forwards, stop playback and press the FF 
1button.
¥ To wind the tape backwards, stop playback and press the REW
`button.
¥ If the playback picture is rough (mosaic-like noise), clean the video heads using a Canon DVM-CL
Digital Video Head Cleaning Cassette or a commercially available digital video head cleaning
cassette.
Other playback modes
Playback Pause 
To view the video as a still picture press the PAUSE abutton. To resume normal playback, press it again,
or press the PLAY
ebutton. The camera automatically goes into stop mode after about five minutesÕ
playback pause.
Fast Forward Playback
To play back the recording at about 9.5 times normal speed, press and hold the FF 1button during
normal playback or press and hold the FF 
1button during normal fast forward.
Rewind Playback
For reverse playback at about 9.5 times normal speed, press and hold the REW`button during normal
playback or press and hold the REW
`button during normal rewind.  
						

							29
E
Quick Overview
Special playback
These can only be operated from the wireless
controller (p. 36).
Frame Advance
To play back frame by frame, press the +/ae
button repeatedly during playback pause.
Press and hold to play back continuous frame
advance.
Frame Reverse
To play back in reverse frame by frame, press the
Ð/
4abutton repeatedly during playback pause.
Press and hold to play back continuous frame reverse.
Slow Forward Playback 
To play back at about 1/5 normal speed, press the SLOWMbutton during normal playback.
Press the PLAY
ebutton to return to normal playback.
¥ The camera automatically returns to playback after about 30 seconds of slow playback.
Slow Reverse Playback
To play back in reverse at about 1/5 normal speed, press the Ð/4abutton and then the SLOWMbutton
during normal playback. 
Press PLAY
eto return to normal playback.
¥ The camera automatically returns to 
´1 reverse playback after about 30 seconds of slow playback.
Reverse Playback
To play back in reverse at normal speed, press the Ð/4abutton during normal forward playback. 
Press the PLAY
ebutton to return to normal forward playback.
Forward ´2 Playback
Press the ´2 button during normal playback.
Press the PLAY
ebutton to return to normal playback.
Reverse ´2 Playback
Press the Ð/4abutton and then the ´2 button during normal playback.
Press the PLAY
ebutton to return to normal playback.
Notes:
¥ Mosaic-like noise appears on the screen during some of the VCR modes.
¥ ThereÕs no audio during special playback.
REW
PLAYFF
REC
PAUSESEARCH
SELECT
ZERO SET
MEMORY
STOP
PAUSE
SLOW2 
						

							30
E
Quick Overview
If your TV (or VCR) has an S-video input terminal
Connections for Playback on a TV Screen
You can connect the camera to a TV or VCR in order to play back your recordings. You will need to
attach a power source to the camera (see p. 16).
See your TV or VCR instruction manual for further details.
A/V
VIDEO  S-VIDEO
INPUT
AUDIO
L
R
S-150 S-video Cable
STV-250N Stereo Video Cable
DVIN/OUT
IN/
OUT
¥ Use the S-150 S-video Cable to connect the S-video terminal d. Use the STV-250N Stereo Video
Cable, to connect the AUDIO terminals. Connect the white plug to the white AUDIO terminal 
L(left).
Connect the red plug to the red AUDIO terminal 
R(right). Do not connect the yellow plug.
¥ Set the TV/VIDEO selector on the television to VIDEO. 
¥ If you are connecting the camera to a VCR, set the input selector on the VCR to LINE. 
If your TV (or VCR) has audio/video input terminals
A/V
VIDEO INPUT
AUDIO
L
R
STV-250N Stereo Video Cable
DVIN/OUT
IN/
OUT
¥ Connect the camera using the STV-250N Stereo Video Cable. Connect the white plug to the white audio
terminal 
L(left). Connect the red plug to the red audio terminal R(right). Connect the yellow plug to
the yellow video terminal 
V.
¥ Set the TV/VIDEO selector on the television to VIDEO. 
¥ If you are connecting the camera to a VCR, set the input selector on the VCR to LINE. 
Note:
¥ If you are going to use the TV as a monitor while you are shooting, remember to keep the TV volume
turned down as long as the cameraÕs audio terminals are connected. If the sound from the TV speakers
is picked up by the microphone, an unpleasant high-pitched squeal, called feedback may be produced.
If your TV is already hooked up to a VCR, you can connect the camera to the VCR instead of the TV.
Follow the instructions above.