Canon Hf G20 Owners Manual

							First Time Settings
31
First Time Settings
Setting the Date and Time
You will need to set the date and time of the camcorder before 
you can start using it. The [Date/Time] screen will appear 
automatically when the camcorder’s clock is not set.
1 Press P to turn on the camcorder.
• The [Date/Time] screen appears and the year will be 
selected.
2 Touch a field you want to change (year, month, day, hours or minutes).
3Touch [ Í] or [ Î] to change the field as necessary.
4 Set the correct date and time by changing all the fields in the same way.
5 Touch [Y.M.D], [M.D,Y] or [D.M.Y] to select the date format you prefer.
• In some screens, the date will be displayed in short form (numbers instead of month names or  only the day and month), but it will still follow the order you selected. 
6 Touch [24H] to use 24-hour clock or leave it unselected to use 12-hour clock (AM/PM).
7 Touch [OK] to start the clock and close the setup screen.
NOTES
• You can adjust the date and time later on with the  q >  [Date/Time] setting.
• When you do not use the camcorder for about 3 mo nths, the built-in rechargeable lithium battery 
may discharge completely and the date and time setting may be lost. In such case, recharge the 
built-in lithium battery ( A167) and set the time zone, date and time again.
Changing the Language
The default language of the camcorder is English. You can set 
it to one of 27 languages.
1 Open the [Language !] screen.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU]  > q  >  [Language !]
• Touching [FUNC.] is necessary only when performing the procedure in a recording mode.
2 Touch the desired language and then touch [ X].
NOTES
• Some control buttons, such as [ZOOM], [FUNC.] and [MENU], will appear in English regardless of  the language selected.
Operating modes:
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							First Time Settings
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Changing the Time Zone
Change the time zone to match your location. The default setting is New York. In addition, the 
camcorder is able to retain the date and time of an additional location. This is convenient when you 
travel so that you can set the camcorder to match the time of your home location or that of your travel 
destination.
1 Open the [Time Zone/DST] screen.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU] >  q  >  [Time Zone/DST]
• Touching [FUNC.] is necessary only when performing the procedure in a recording mode.
2Touch [ ] to set the home time zone, or [ #] to set the time zone of your destination 
when you are traveling.
3Touch [ Í] or [ Î] to set the desired time zone. If necessary, touch [ $] to adjust for 
daylight saving time.
4Touch [ X] to close the menu.
Operating modes:
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							Using a Memory Card
33
Using a Memory Card
Memory Cards Compatible for Use with the Camcorder
You can use the following types of commercially available Secure Digital (SD) cards with this 
camcorder. 
As of December 2012, the movie recording function has been tested using SD/SDHC/SDXC memory 
cards made by Panasonic, Toshiba and SanDisk. For the latest information on cards that can be used, 
visit your local Canon Web site.
* When using an SD memory card without a speed class rating or one rated SD Speed Class 2, you may not be able to record movies, depending on the memory card used.
**SD memory cards with a capacity of 64 MB or smaller cannot be used to record movies.
NOTES
• About the Speed Class:  Speed Class is a standard that indicates the minimum guaranteed data 
transfer speed of memory cards. When you buy a new memory card, look for the Speed Class logo 
on the package.
We recommend using memory cards rated SD Speed Class 4, 6 or 10.
SDXC Memory Cards
You can use SDXC memory cards with this camcorder. When using memory cards with other devices, 
such as digital recorders, computers and card readers,  make sure that the external device is 
compatible with SDXC cards . For information about the compatibility of SDXC cards, contact the 
computer, operating system or memory card manufacturer.
IMPORTANT
• If you use an SDXC memory card with a computer OS that is not SDXC-compatible, you may be  prompted to format the memory card. In such case,  cancel the operation to prevent data loss.
• After repeatedly recording, deleting and editing scenes (fragmented memory), it will take longer to  write data on the memory and recording may stop. Save your recordings and initialize the memory 
using the camcorder.
Eye-Fi Cards
This product is not guaranteed to support Eye-Fi card functions (including wireless transfer). In case of 
an issue with an Eye-Fi card, please check with the card manufacturer.
Also note that an approval is required to use Eye-Fi cards in many countries or regions. Without 
approval, use of the card is not permitted. If it is unclear whether the card has been approved for use 
in the area, please check with the card manufacturer.
Memory card type: . SD memory card,  / SDHC memory card, 0  SDXC memory card
SD Speed Class*:         
Capacity: 128 MB or larger**.
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							Using a Memory Card
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Inserting and Removing a Memory Card
Make sure to initialize (A36) all memory cards before using them with this camcorder.
1 Turn off the camcorder.
• Make sure the ON/OFF (CHG) indicator is off.
2 Open the double memory card slot cover.
3 Insert the memory card straight, with the label facing the 
front of the camcorder, all the way into one of the 
memory card slots until it clicks.
• You can also use two memory cards, one in each memory 
card slot.
• To use the wireless communication features of an Eye-Fi  card, insert it into memory card slot  3. Be sure you 
understand the information provided in  Eye-Fi Cards 
( A 33) before using an Eye-Fi card. 
4 Close the double memory card slot cover.
• Do not force the cover closed if the memory card is not 
correctly inserted.
To remove the memory card
Push the memory card once to release it. When the memory card springs out, pull it all the way out.
IMPORTANT
• Observe the following precautions while the ACCESS indicator is flashing. Failure to do so may  result in permanent data loss.
- Do not disconnect the power source or turn off the camcorder.
- Do not remove the memory card.
• Turn off the camcorder before inserting or removing a memory card. Inserting or removing the  memory card with the camcorder on may result in permanent data loss.
• 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. Be sure to insert the memory 
card as described in step 3.
Selecting the Memory for the Recordings
You can select to record your movies and photos in the built-in memory or on a memory card. The 
default memory for recording both is the built-in memory.
* Only [Rec Media for Photos] is available from the date index screen or gallery.
POINTS TO CHECK
• Be sure you understand the information provided in  Eye-Fi Cards (A 33) before using an Eye-Fi 
card.
Operating modes:
*
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							Using a Memory Card
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1 Open the [Rec Media for Movies] or [Rec Media for Photos] screen.
[FUNC.] > [MENU]  > r  >  [Rec Media for Movies] or [Rec Media for Photos]
• Touching [FUNC.] is necessary only when performing the procedure in a recording mode.
2Touch [ &] (built-in memory), [ 6] (memory card  2) or [7 ] (memory card  3) and then 
touch [ X].
• When selecting the memory, you can check the approximate available recording time/number of 
photos, based on currently used settings.
• In recording mode, after closing the menu, the icon of the selected memory will appear on the  screen.
NOTES
• Select to record movies in the built-in memory or memory card 
2 if you later want to convert the 
movies to standard definition in order to upload them to the Web.
Relay Recording
You can activate relay recording so if the memory you are using becomes full while recording movies, 
the recording will continue uninterrupted on a memory card.
When recording on memory card 2 , you can use memory card 3 for relay recording ( 67). When 
recording in the built-in memory, you can choose to use only memory card  2 for relay recording 
( &6 ), or use both memory cards ( &67).
1 Insert a memory card that contains no video recordings into the card slot of the memory 
card you want to use for relay recording.
• When relay recording from the built-in memory: memory card slot  2 or both memory card slots. 
• When relay recording from memory card  2: memory card slot  3only.
2 Open the [Relay Recording] screen.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU]  > r  >  [Rec Media for Movies]  > [& ] or [6 ] >  [Relay Recording]
3 Touch the desired option and then touch [ X].
•(  or )  will appear on the screen and the approximate available recording time will now reflect 
the combined space in the memories used for relay recording.
NOTES
• You cannot use relay recording from the built-in memory to memory card  3. When using a single 
memory card, be sure to insert it into memory card slot  2.
• There will be a momentary stop in the scene at the point where the camcorder switches from one  memory to another.
• Any of the following actions will deactivate the relay recording function:  - Turning off the camcorder.
- Opening the double memory card slot cover.
- Changing the camcorder’s operating mode.
- Changing the memory used for recording movies.
Operating modes:
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							Using a Memory Card
36
Double Slot Recording
Double slot recording allows you to record the same scene simultaneously to both memory cards. This 
is a convenient way to make a backup copy of your recording while you record.
1 Insert memory cards into memory card slot 2 and memory card slot  3.
2 Open the [Rec Media for Movies] screen.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU] >  r  >  [Rec Media for Movies]
3 Activate double slot recording.
[6 ] >  [Double Slot Rec]  > [i ]
4Touch [ X].
•4  will appear on the screen.
NOTES
• If a memory card becomes full during double slot recording, recording on both cards will stop. 
• If an error occurs with one of the memory cards, recording will continue on the other card.
Initializing the Memory
Initialize memory cards when you use them with this camcorder for the first time. You can also initialize 
a memory card or the built-in memory to permanently delete all the recordings it contains. 
At the time of purchase, the built-in memory comes pre-initialized and contains music files for use as 
background music and images for use with the image mix function (image mix frames).
1 Power the camcorder using the compact power adapter.
• Do not disconnect the power source or turn off the camcorder until the initialization is completed.
2 Open the initialization screen for the desired memory.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU] >  q  >  [Initialize &/* ] >  [& Built-in Mem.], [ 6Mem. Card A] or 
[ 7 Mem. Card B] >  [Initialize]
• Touching [FUNC.] is necessary only when performing the procedure in a recording mode.
• In the initialization screen, touch [Complete Initialization] to physically erase all the data rather than  just clear the file allocation table of the memory.
3 Touch [Yes].
• If you selected the [Complete Initialization] option, you can touch [Cancel] to cancel the 
initialization while it is in progress. All recordings will be erased and the memory can be used 
without any problem.
4 Touch [OK] and then touch [ X].
Operating modes:
Operating modes:
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							Using a Memory Card
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IMPORTANT
• Initializing the memory will permanently erase all recordings. Lost original recordings cannot be  recovered. Make sure you save important recordings in advance using an external device ( A124).
• Initializing a memory card will permanently erase any music files and images you may have  transferred to the card. (The music files and image mix frames that come pre-installed in the built-in 
memory will be restored after it is initialized.) To transfer music files from the supplied VIXIA CD-ROM 
to the memory card:
- Windows users: Use the supplied software  VideoBrowser. For details, refer to the Software 
Guide (PDF file) of the supplied PIXELA’s software.
- Mac OS users: Use Finder to transfer music files from the "MUSIC" folder on the supplied VIXIA  CD-ROM to the memory card. Refer to  About the music files (A 178) for the folder structure of 
the memory card.
• At the time of purchase, Eye-Fi cards contain the necessary network configuration software. Be  sure to install the software and complete the required configuration setup before you initialize the 
Eye-Fi card prior to using it with this camcorder.
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							Recording Movies and Photos
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Recording
Recording Movies and Photos
By default, movies and photos are recorded in the built-in memory. You can select the memory that will 
be used to record movies and photos (A34).
Please read the IMPORTANT section ( A43) before using an Eye-Fi card.
POINTS TO CHECK
• Before you begin recording,  make a test recording first to check that the camcorder is operating 
correctly.
Preparing to Record
1 Attach a charged battery pack to the camcorder  (A 20).
2 Turn on the camcorder.
3 Select the memory for recording ( A34).
• To use relay recording ( A35), insert a memory card into 
memory card slot  2 or both memory card slots.
• To use double slot recording ( A36), insert memory cards 
into both memory card slots.
4 Open the lens barrier.
• Set the lens barrier switch to OPEN.
5 If you need to use the viewfinder, pull it out and, if  necessary, adjust it using the dioptric adjustment lever.
Lens barrier switch
Viewfinder
3
Recording
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							Recording Movies and Photos
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Recording in AUTO Mode
When you use   mode to shoot video and take photos, the camcorder will automatically adjust 
various settings for you.
1 Set the mode switch to N.
2 Turn on the camcorder.
To record video
Press  Y  to begin recording.
• During recording,  Ü will appear on the screen.
• The ACCESS indicator will flash from time to time while the  scene is being recorded.
• Press  Y  again to pause the recording.
• You can also press Y  on the wireless controller.
• You can turn on the scene rating option in recording mode  (A 109).
To take photos
Touch [PHOTO].
• A green icon ( g) will appear momentarily on the screen and the ACCESS indicator will flash as the 
photo is recorded.
• You can record photos simultaneously while recording a movie. In that case, the green icon will not  appear. Instead, the  Ð icon will appear momentarily in the upper right of the screen.
• You can also press Z  on the wireless controller.
When you have finished recording
1 Set the lens barrier switch to CLOSED to close the lens barrier.
2 Make sure that the ACCESS indicator is off.
3 Turn off the camcorder.
4 Close the LCD panel and return the viewfinder to its retracted position. Operating modes:
[PHOTO]
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							Recording Movies and Photos
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About AUTO mode
• Only the following functions are available in   mode.- Quick Start ( A44).
- Zoom ( A52).
- Audio scenes other than [ „ Custom Setting] ( A68).
- Video snapshot ( A80).
-Smart AUTO (see below)
- Intelligent IS (see below)
- Face detection ( A49) to get beautiful shots of people every time, tracking the subject even 
if the person moves.
- Touch & Track ( A51) to track other moving subjects, keeping them in focus and using the 
best settings to record them.
- Story Creator ( A99) to transform your movies into compelling video stories by following 
simple scripts for various scenarios.
- Decoration ( A103) to add a fun personal touch using stamps, drawings, image mix and 
more.
Smart AUTOIn   mode, the camcorder will automatically detect certain characteristics of the subject, 
background, lighting conditions, etc. It will then adjust various settings (focus, exposure, color, 
image stabilization, image quality, among others), selecting the best settings for the scene you 
want to shoot. The Smart AUTO icon will change to one of the icons in the  Smart AUTO icons 
table ( A41).
Intelligent ISIntelligent IS allows the camcorder to select the best image stabilization option based on your 
shooting method. The Intelligent IS icon will chan ge to one of the following icons. In   and 
 modes, you can set the image stabilization mode manually ( A55).
* With the [FUNC.]  > [  Intelligent IS] setting, you can select whether Powered IS can be set 
automatically as one of the Intelligent IS modes ([ È With  È] or [  W ithout È ]).
Shooting methodIcon
Most general situations; Zooming out (zooming toward  T); Following 
subjects at a distance moving left or rightÄ  (Dynamic IS)
Zooming in (zooming toward  S)È  (Powered IS)*
Close-up of a subject  (Macro IS)
Remaining stationary, such as when using a tripodà (Tripod mode)
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