Canon Hv20 A Manual

							
 Getting to Know the Camcorder11
Introduction
Getting to Know the Camcorder
* Includes the electronic version of the Digital Video Software instruction manual on PDF file.
Supplied Accessories
CA-570 Compact Power 
Adapter
(incl. power cord) BP-2L13 Battery Pack WL-D87 Wireless 
ControllerLithium Button Battery 
CR2025 for Wireless 
Controller
CTC-100/S Component 
Cable STV-250N Stereo Video 
Cable IFC-300PCU 
USB CableDIGITAL VIDEO 
SOLUTION DISK 
Software CD-ROM*
Red • Green • Blue plugsYellow • Red • White plugs
Online product registration
 for U.S.A. Customers only.
Register your product online at www.registercanon.com
9 Protect your productWe will keep the model number and date of purchase of your new Canon product on 
file to help you refer to this information in the event of an insurance claim such as loss 
or theft.
9 Receive information on new products and promotionsUpon your request, we will send you information on Canon new products and 
promotions.
The serial number of this product can be found at the battery attachment unit of the 
camcorder. Write down the number and other information here and retain this book as a 
permanent record of your purchase to aid identification in case of theft.
Date of Purchase: Model Name: HV20 A
Purchased From: Serial No.:
Dealer Address:
Dealer Phone No.:  
						

							
Getting to Know the Camcorder 12
Names of buttons and switches other than the 
joystick are indicated within a “button” frame (for 
example ).
Components Guide
Left side view
Front view
Right side view
FOCUS lever ( 49)
BLC (backlight correction) button ( 48)
FOCUS button ( 49, 50)
Speaker
DISP. (display) button ( 57)/
LCD backlight button (long press) ( 22)
LIGHT button ( 59)/  (print/share) button ( 77, 80)
USB terminal ( 75)
CARD access indicator (27)/
CHARGE indicator ( 18)
Memory card slot ( 20)
/(tape/card) switch ( 10)
Mode switch ( 45)
Terminal cover
MIC (microphone) terminal ( 61)
AV terminal ( 66)/  (headphones) terminal ( 30)
COMPONENT OUT terminal ( 66)
Grip belt ( 21)
Instant AF sensor ( 37)
Flash ( 58) Mini video light ( 59)
Remote sensor ( 21)
FUNC.  
						

							
13 Getting to Know the Camcorder
Introduction
Names of buttons and switches other than the 
joystick are indicated within a “button” frame (for 
example ).
Back view
To p  v i e w
Bottom view
LCD screen ( 22)
Dioptric adjustment lever ( 21)
Viewfinder ( 21)
Terminal cover
START/STOP button ( 26)
 switch ( 10)
Power indicator ( 10)
Joystick ( 10)
FUNC. button ( 23, 35)
RESET button ( 84)
Serial number/Battery attachment unit  ( 18)
DC IN terminal ( 18)
HDV/DV terminal ( 66, 75) (rewind) button ( 29)/
Zoom out  W (wide-angle) button ( 28)
 (fast forward) button ( 29)/
Zoom in  T (telephoto) button ( 28)
/  (play/pause) button ( 29)/
START/STOP button ( 26)  (stop) button ( 29)/
FOCUS ASSIST button ( 50)
HDMI OUT terminal ( 66, 69)
OPEN/EJECT  switch (20)
Stereo microphone
Cassette compartment
 ( 20)Cassette compartment cover ( 20)
Zoom lever ( 28)
PHOTO button ( 27)
Lock button  switch ( 10)
Advanced accessory shoe ( 59, 61)
Tripod socket ( 27)
BATTERY RELEASE switch ( 18)
Strap mount
FUNC.  
						

							
Getting to Know the Camcorder 14
Wireless Controller WL-D87
WIRELESS CONTROLLER WL-
D87
START/
 STOP PHOTO ZOOM
CARD
DATE SEARCH
REW PLAY FF
STOP
PAUSE SLOW
DISP. TV SCREENZERO SET
MEMORY
START/STOP button ( 26)
CARD –/+ buttons ( 33)
DATE SEARCH  /  buttons ( 32)
REW  button ( 29)
–/  button ( 29)
PAUSE   button ( 29)
SLOW  button ( 29)
ZERO SET MEMORY button ( 31)
DISP. (on-screen display) button ( 57)
PHOTO button ( 27)
Zoom buttons ( 28)
PLAY   button ( 29)
FF  button ( 29)
STOP   button ( 29)
+/  button ( 29)
 button ( 29)
TV SCREEN button ( 43)  
						

							
15 Getting to Know the Camcorder
Introduction
Screen Displays
 Recording MoviesRecording program ( 45)
White balance ( 50)
Image effect ( 51)
Digital effects ( 62)
Still image quality/size 
(simultaneous recording) ( 53)
Microphone attenuator ( 60)
Self timer ( 60)
Recording reminder
Instant AF ( 37)/Manual focus ( 49)
Recording standard (HDV or DV) ( 38)
DV recording mode ( 39)
Tape operation
Time code (hours : minutes : seconds)
Remaining tape
Remaining battery charge
Image stabilizer ( 38)
Level marker ( 43)
Backlight correction ( 48)
Headphones output ( 30)
Audio level indicator (microphone) ( 60)
Wind screen off ( 39)
Focus assist functions ( 50)
DV audio mode ( 39)
Condensation warning ( 94)
Mini video light ( 59)
Remote sensor off ( 44)
 Recording Still ImagesZoom ( 28), Exposure   ( 48)
Light metering mode ( 54)
Drive mode ( 56)
Still image quality/size ( 52)
Number of still images available on the 
memory card
AF frame ( 55)
Camcorder shake warning ( 37)
Advanced accessory shoe   ( 96)
Flash ( 58)
Autofocus (AF) and exposure (AE) locked 
( 27)  
						

							
Getting to Know the Camcorder 16
 Recording reminderThe camcorder counts from 1 to 10 
seconds when you start recording. This is 
helpful to avoid scenes that are too short.
 Tape operation Record,   Record pause,
 Stop,  Eject, Fast forward,  Rewind,
Playback,   Playback pause,  Reverse playback pause,
x1  Playback (normal speed),
x1 Reverse playback (normal speed),
x2  Playback (double speed), x2 Reverse playback (double speed),
 Fast forward playback,
 Rewind playback,
Slow playback, 
Slow reverse playback,   Frame advance, 
 Frame reverse, 
/  Date search ( 32), 
/  Zero set memory ( 31)
Remaining tapeIndicates the remaining time of the tape in 
minutes. “ ” moves during recording. 
When the tape reaches its end, the display 
changes to “ END”.
• When the time left is less than 15 
seconds, the remaining tape time may not 
appear.
• Depending on the type of the tape, the 
remaining time displayed may not be 
correct. In any case, you will be able to 
record on the tape the number of minutes 
that appears on the videocassette’s label 
(for example, 85 minutes).
 Remaining battery charge
• 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.
  Number of still images available on the memor y card
Depending on the recording conditions, the 
number of still images available displayed 
may not decrease even after a recording 
has been made, or may decrease by 2 still 
images at once.
Card Access Display“ ” is displayed next to the number of 
images available while the camcorder is 
writing on the memory card.  
						

							
 Getting to Know the Camcorder17
Introduction
 Playing Movies
Tape operation
Time code (hours : minutes : seconds : frames)
Remaining tape
Data code ( 57)
Search function display
END SEARCH ( 32)/
DATE SEARCH ( 32)
Quality/size for capturing still images ( 54)
Audio level indicator ( 60)
 Viewing Still Images
Image number ( 40)
Current image / Total number of images
Histogram ( 58)
Image protection mark ( 64)
Still image quality/size
Date and time of recording
Recording program ( 45)
Manual focus ( 49)
Light metering mode ( 54)
Manual exposure ( 48)
Image effect ( 51)
Image size ( 52)
File size
Aperture value ( 46)
Shutter speed ( 46)
White balance ( 50)
Flash ( 58)  
						

							
Getting Started 18
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.Press the battery pack softly into the 
battery attachment unit and slide it up 
until it clicks in place.
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 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 PACK IS FULLY CHARGED
1Disconnect the compact power 
adapter from the camcorder.
2Unplug the power cord from the 
power outlet and the compact 
power adapter.
TO REMOVE THE BATTERY PACK
Slide   in the 
direction of the arrow and hold it 
pressed down. Slide the battery pack 
down and then pull it out.
IMPORTANT

  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 
Getting Star ted
Remove the battery 
terminal cover 
before attaching the 
battery pack
BATT. RELEASE 
switch
CHARGE
indicator
BATTERY RELEASE  
						

							
 Getting Started
Preparations
19
overseas travels or special power sources such as 
those on aircraft and ships, DC-AC inverters, etc.
NOTES

  The 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.
Charging, Recording and Playback Times
The times given in the table below are approximate and vary depending on the actual 
charging, recording or playback conditions.
* Approximate times for recording with repeated operations such as start/stop, zooming, power on/off.
Batter y PackNB-2LHBP-2L13BP-2L14
Charging Time   130 min. 200 min. 225 min.
Maximum Recording Time
Viewfinder 70 min. 120 min. 150 min.
LCD [NORMAL] 65 min. 115 min. 140 min.
LCD [BRIGHT] 65 min. 110 min. 135 min.
Typical Recording Time*
Viewfinder 40 min. 75 min. 85 min.
LCD [NORMAL] 35 min. 70 min. 80 min.
LCD [BRIGHT] 35 min. 65 min. 80 min.
Playback Time 85 min. 145 min. 175 min.
Maximum Recording Time
Viewfinder 80 min. 140 min. 165 min.
LCD [NORMAL] 75 min. 135 min. 155 min.
LCD [BRIGHT] 75 min. 125 min. 150 min.
Typical Recording Time*
Viewfinder 45 min. 80 min. 95 min.
LCD [NORMAL] 45 min. 75 min. 90 min.
LCD [BRIGHT] 40 min. 75 min. 85 min.
Playback Time   95 min. 165 min. 195 min.
HDV
DV  
						

							
Getting Started 20
Inser ting and Removing a Tape
Use only videocassettes marked with the  logo. To record in HDV standard we 
recommend using tapes specifically 
designed for high definition.
1Slide   fully in the 
direction of the arrow and open the 
cassette compartment cover.
The cassette compartment opens 
automatically.
2Insert the cassette.• Insert the cassette with the window 
facing the grip belt.
• To remove the cassette pull it straight 
out.
3Press the   mark on the 
cassette compartment until it clicks.
4Wait for the cassette compartment 
to retract automatically and close 
the cassette compartment cover.
IMPORTANT

  Do not interfere  with the cassette 
compartment while it is opening or closing 
automatically, or attempt to close the cover 
before the cassette compartment has fully 
retracted.

  Be careful not to get your fingers caught in 
the cassette compartment cover.
NOTES
If the camcorder is connected to a power 
source, cassettes can be inserted/removed 
even if the   switch is set to .
Inser ting and Removing a Memor y Card
Use only commercially available miniSD 
cards.
1Turn off the camcorder.
2Open the LCD panel.
3Open the memory card slot cover.
4Insert the memory card straight with 
the “miniSD” label facing up, all the 
way into the memory card slot until 
it clicks.
5Close 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.
OPEN/EJECT