Canon Vistura- User Manual

Intr oduction 7 E VISTURA features thelatest in portable powertechnology. Offers you stunningdigital sound — 16 bitfor greater than CD-quality sound, and 12bit for the playback ofaudio-dubbed cassettes. From wide-angle to 16 × telephoto — withunparalleled opticalquality. The digitalzoom more than do...

Powering Your Camcorder 8 E Mastering the Basics Before operating your camera, you will need to use the power adapter to: Provide power from an AC outletorCharge a battery pack Notes:• The power adapter converts current from a household power socket (100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz) to the DC current used by...

9 E Mastering the Basics Charging and attaching the battery pack Your battery pack was partially charged before it left the factory. It should haveenough power for you to check that your camera is working properly. However,you must charge the battery pack fully if you want it to power the camera for...

Loading a Cassette Mastering the Basics 10 E 1. Make sure that you have inserted a power source. 2. Slide the OPEN button to release the cover (the camera’s grip). • Pull the cover fully open. 3. Press the EJECT I button and wait for the cassette compartment to open. 4. Load or unload the cassette. ...

11 E Mastering the Basics Protecting tapes from accidental erasure To protect your recording from accidental erasure, slide the tab on the cassette sothat it exposes the hole and the red mark. (This switch position is usually labeledSAVE or ERASE OFF).If you load this cassette and put the camera in ...

Basic Recording Mastering the Basics 12 E Have you completed the following steps?• Attached a power source (p. 8).• Loaded a cassette (p. 10).• Removed the lens cap and fastened the grip belt (p. 72).• Chosen the display: viewfinder or LCD screen (p. 16)• Adjusted the viewfinder (as applicable, p. 7...

Mastering the Basics 13 E 4. 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. 5. Turn the standby lever to LOCK. • As long a...

Mastering the Basics 14 E 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, selectLP and then close the menu (for instructions on how to use the menus, refer topage ...

Mastering the Basics 15 E 64 × digital zoom Turn the digital zoom on by choosing D. ZOOM from the camera menu, to morethan double the camera’s zoom range. Zooming The camera’s 16 × zoom lens allows you to choose the best picture angle for each scene:• Press the zoom control towards WIDE to zoom out ...

16 E Mastering the Basics MIRROR••••••ON (For an explanation of how to use thecamera menu see page 27) (see p. 27) Allowing the subject to monitor recording Using the LCD Screen When you open the LCD screen, it turns on. When you close it, the viewfinderturns on instead. When the LCD screen is close...

Mastering the Basics 17 E Built-in speaker The camcorder has a built-in speaker so you can review the sound track alongsidethe picture during playback. Adjust the speaker volume by pressing the volume control buttons.• A VOLUME bar appears in the display to indicate the current volume.• You can turn...

Mastering the Basics 18 E Playing back a Cassette You can use the LCD screen for instant, on-the-spot playback. The camera alsoplays back the sound track via the built-in speaker (p. 15).• When you play back a tape, it is convenient to close the LCD screen with its screen side facing up. • When the ...

Mastering the Basics 19 E Playback pause Press the PAUSE a button. To resume normal playback, press it again, or press the PLAY e button. The camera automatically goes into stop mode after about five minutes’ playback pause. Fast forward playback To play back the recording at about 9.5 times normal ...

Mastering the Basics 20 E These can only be operated from the wireless controller (p. 30) Frame Advance To play back frame by frame, press the +/ ae button or turn the command dial clockwise repeatedly during playback pause.Press and hold +/ ae to play back frame by frame continuously. Frame Reverse...

Mastering the Basics 21 E Connections for Playback on a TV Screen You can connect the camera to a TV or VCR in order to play back yourrecordings. You will need to attach a power source to the camera (see p. 8). See your TV or VCR instruction manual for further details. • Use the S-150 S-video Cable ...

Mastering the Basics 22 E TV with coaxial antenna cable TV with flat twin-lead antenna cable DV IN/OUT AV OUT S DC.IN 9.5V Coaxial cable with F-connection RC-150 RFAdapter Cables RU-100 RF Unit VHF 4CH 3CH FROM ANT TO TV 1 2 3 DV IN/OUT AV OUT S DC.IN 9.5V RC-150 RFAdapter Cables Coaxial cable with ...

Mastering the Basics 23 E Loosen the screws on the adapter and insert the antennacable. Tighten the screws again. 1. Connect the RF unit to the camera, using the RC-150 RF adapter cables. • The RF unit and RF adapter cables are available separately. 2. Connect the antenna cable to the FROM ANT. term...

24 E Mastering the Basics Tips for Making Better Videos Composition The most important element in the scene does not have to bein the center. For a more interesting picture, try to positionyour subject so it is slightly to one side. Leave some space onthe side of the frame that the subject is facing...

25 E Mastering the Basics Picture angle Camera moves Long shot Medium shot Close-up Instead of zooming while recording, tryto choose your picture angle before youbegin. A good way to tell a story withvideo is to begin with a long shot thatestablishes the situation, and then movein with medium shots ...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 26 E Turning the Optical Image Stabilizer On/Off With most camcorders, even the slightest hand movements will be noticeableduring telephoto recording. However, the VISTURA’s Optical Image Stabilizerallows you to obtain steady recordings even at 16 × or 64 × magnific...

27 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Selecting from the Menus Many of the camera’s advanced functions are selected from menus which appearin the display. There are four main menus: 1. Camera menu (when the camera is in record pause mode: the POWER switch set to [ or P and the standby lever set to ...

29 E Using the Full Rang e of Features It is convenient to close the LCD screen with its screen side facing up when youselect items from the menus. Press the screen until it clicks into place. 1. Press the MENU button to open the menu. 2. Turn the command dial to move the arrow up or down the displa...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 30 E Using the Wireless Controller/Tally Lamp The supplied wireless controller canoperate the camera from a distance ofup to 16 feet (5 m). Point it at thecamera’s remote sensor while you pressthe buttons. The tally lamp lights up to let youknow that the camera is i...

31 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Turning off the tally lamp The tally lamp lets you know that thecamera is recording. However, itsflashing may be reflected into the lensduring close-up recording, or whenrecording through glass. You may therefore decide to turn it off. TALLY LAMP••OFF 1. Open t...

Setting the time zone/daylight saving time 1. Set the camera to record pause mode. • PAUSE appears in the display (see p. 12). 2. Open the menu and select T. ZONE/DST. 3. Press the execute button. • The time zone display appears on the screen.• Your camcorder’s time zone is factory-preset to New Yor...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 34 E 1. Press down and slide the POWER switch to VCR. 2. Open the VCR menu and select D/TIME SEL. 3. Choose between DATE, TIME and DATE & TIME. 4. Press the MENU button to close the menu. Setting the display style D/TIME SEL.•DATE & TIME (see p. 27) 1. Set t...

35 E Using the Full Rang e of Features A data code, containing the date and time the recording was made and othercamera data (shutter speed and exposure settings) is automatically recorded on aspecial data section of the tape. During VCR mode, the date code can be displayed or hidden while the camer...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 36 E Taking Still Pictures (Photo Mode) You can record still pictures like a photograph. The camera records the picture totape for approximately 6 seconds. The exposure is automatically adjusted.You can capture the still images on your computer, enhance or retouch t...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 38 E Searching and Reviewing While Recording When the camera is in record pause mode, you can use record review to play backthe last few seconds of your recording and then return automatically to recordpause mode. You can quickly make sure that a scene has recorded ...

39 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Using the Various Recording Programs The camera provides you with a choice of eight recording programs. They usedifferent combinations of camera settings in order to adjust the exposure and otherfunctions to match the recording situation.• For simple point-and-...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 40 E Selecting from the program menu 1. Set the camera to record pause mode, with the POWER switch set the to the P position. 2. Press the execute button to open the program menu. 3. Turn the command dial to move the arrow up or down the display. 4. Press the execut...

41 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Auto The FlexiZone is the same as the Auto modeexcept that you can use FlexiZone AF andFlexiZone AE. You can also adjust shutterspeeds in this program.• You cannot use FlexiZone in photo mode. FlexiZone Sports Portrait In normal recording conditions, set thePOW...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 42 E Sand & Snow Spotlight This program is designed for recordingspotlit scenes, such as on a stage. Theexposure is automatically adjusted for glare-free recordings of subjects lit by aconcentrated light source. SAND&SNOW SPOTLIGHT Low Light Use this program...

43 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Using Digital Effects Black and White Adds a paint-like effect, calledsolarization, to the image. Art Records the image in black and white. Fade Trigger Wipe When you start recording, the picturebegins as a thin vertical line in thecenter of the screen which gr...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 44 E Sepia Strobe Records a monochrome image with asepia tint. This effect converts on-screen action toa series of still images, giving an effectsimilar to slow-motion. 1. Set the camera to record pause mode, with the POWER switch set to the P position. 2. Press the...

45 E Using the Full Rang e of Features 16:9 mode (Widescreen TV recording) Produces images in the 16:9 format forplayback on widescreen TVs. 16:9••••••••ON (see p. 27) Reactivating the Fade, Scroll and Wipe Effects You need to activate the fade trigger, scroll and wipe effects each time you wishto u...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 46 E Audio Recording VISTURA can record sound in two audio modes — 16 bit (48kHz, 2 channel)and 12 bit (32 kHz, 4 channel). The 16 bit mode produces the higher soundquality (slightly superior to CD) while the 12 bit mode records on two channels(stereo 1), leaving tw...

47 E Using the Full Rang e of Features WIND SCREEN•AUTO The camera has an automatic wind screen to prevent wind noise from interferingwith the sound track. (It does not operate with an external microphone: WS | is displayed). Turn it off when you want the microphone to be as sensitive aspossible. 1....

Using the Full Rang e of Features 48 E Setting the Self-Timer This is useful when you want to include yourself in the picture when recording. 1. Press the self-timer button. • SELF T. appears in the display. 2. Press the start/stop button. • The camera starts to record after a 10 second countdown pe...

49 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Using a Canon Speedlite for Flash Photography (optional) For SLR-style flash photography, use aCanon Speedlite 220EX or 380EXwith the camera. Use the camera inexactly the same way as you wouldnormally in photo mode (p. 36). Turnon the Speedlite using its main s...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 50 E Adjusting Focus Manually FlexiZone AF makes autofocus much more powerful. Using the FlexiZonecontroller, you can select any object that appears in the display, and the camerawill bring it into focus. FlexiZone AF is useful in the following situations: When your...

51 E Using the Full Rang e of Features PUSH FOCUS Manual focus Use the FOCUS wheel to set the focus.• Turn it downwards (towards ∞ ) to move the focus further away. • Turn it upwards to bring the focus nearer. • If you zoom in on your subject after turning off autofocus, it may not stayin focus. It ...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 52 E Adjusting Exposure Manually The camera adjusts the exposureautomatically, making sure that yourpictures are neither too dark nor toolight. There is a choice of eightrecording programs to deal withdifferent recording conditions (see p. 40). This section explains...

53 E Using the Full Rang e of Features To make the recorded image brighter,turn the command dial clockwise (to amaximum of +11). This may benecessary if the background is verybright, or if the subject is lit frombehind. To make the recorded image darker,turn the command dial counter-clockwise (to a ...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 54 E You can increase or decrease the shutter speed before you record a scene. 1. Make sure the camera is set to record pause mode, in the Auto or FlexiZone program. 2. Turn the command dial to select the shutter speed. • The selected shutter speed flashes in the di...

55 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Setting the White Balance 1. Open the camera menu and point the arrow at WHITE BAL. 2. a) For the indoor, outdoor or auto settings simply choose the setting. • T / U appears in the display when you set the white balance to indoor/outdoor mode. b) To set the whi...

57 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Returning to a Pre-Marked Position Use the wireless controller to go back to a pre-determined point on a tapefollowing playback. 1. Press the ZERO SET MEMORY button during playback at a point you want to return to later. • The time code is replaced by a tape co...

Editing 58 E The Auto Editing Function Using the Auto Editing Function is simple. Just watch your original tape and pressthe execute button at the beginning and the end of each scene you want to record.This creates an editing program. Start the program, and the camcorderautomatically records the sce...

59 E Editing The VISTURA’s Auto Editing Funcitonenables you to smoothly rerecord scenesfrom an original tape in any order. You canthen view the entire finished product andmake all the fine adjustments you wantbefore the final recording. It is easy toreorder, to make your videos perfect. 1. Connect t...

Editing 60 E When you use the editing function forthe first time, or with a different VCR,you should set your camcorder to sendthe correct remote control signals toyour VCR. The camera will not forget this settingunless you change it. Do not alter itagain unless you change VCR. Using the Editing Fun...

61 E Editing Brand Settings Canon 1-A to 1-B Aiwa 2-A to 2-C Akai 3-A to 3-C Fujitsu 4 Funai 5 Hitachi 6-A to 6-B JVC 7-A to 7-C Mitsubishi 8-A to 8-D NEC 9-A to 9-D Panasonic 10-A to10-G BlaupunktQuasar Brand Settings Pioneer 11 Sanyo 12-A to12-C FisherSharp 13-A to 13-C Sony 14-A to 14-F Toshiba 1...

Editing 62 E 1. Make sure you are opening the edit menu. 2. Choose SET from the edit menu. 3. Start the tape with the “PLAY” button: e . • You can use the e , ` , 1 , a , and 3 buttons or special playbacks in the same way as inplayback mode. P OFFVCR POWER E D I E T O T L A S MO D E T : 0 0 6 0 : 0 ...

63 E Editing P OFFVCR POWER EXECUTE E D I MO D E T R P E I V E W [ M E N U ] R T N You can preview the editing program. ThePREVIEW function plays the whole program,automatically pausing at the “cut-in” and “cut-out”of each scene to help editing. 1. Choose the PREVIEW from the edit menu and select th...

Editing 64 E E D I MO D E T T S A T R [ M E N U ] R T N 1. Make sure the VCR is ready to record and on pause. 2. Choose START from the edit menu and select the program number from whichyou want to start the editing program byturning the command dial. Running the editing program (START function) 3. T...

65 E Editing Cut-In and Cut-Out Adjustments Setting the Cut-In and Cut-Out Adjustments The point where a scene starts is called the “cut-in” point, and the point where itends is called the “cut-out” point. Some VCR models take a second or more to actually start recording after theyreceive the comman...

Editing 66 E How to calculate the best adjustment for the “cut-in” and “cut-out” points The tape you recorded the digital timer in “Setting RECORDER” is used forcalculating the adjustment value. 1. Rewind the tape and play back the recorded digital timer. • Look at the time the CUT-OUT timer stops a...

67 E Editing P OFFVCR POWER EXECUTE This deletes the whole program. 1. Choose the CLEAR ALL from the edit menu. 2. Press the execute button. • All the program number indications will return to normal. All data is deleted. • Please do not do this by mistake, or you will have to start again from the b...

Editing 68 E Reordering Scenes You can move the scenes around and reorderthem. 1. Choose RELOCATE from the edit menu and select the program numberwhich you want to relocate by turningthe command dial. • The selected program number flashes. 2. Press the execute button. • The selected program number m...

69 E Editing 1. Find a point on your recorded cassette slightly ahead of the section you want to copy. 2. Start to play it back while you monitor the picture on the TV. 3. Start recording on the VCR as soon as the section you want to copy appears on the screen. 4. Pause the VCR at the end of the sec...

Editing 70 E REC PAUSE PLAY REW FF 2 STOP PAUSE SLOW ZERO SET MEMORY SEARCH SELECT Digital video equipment fitted with this terminal lets you edit, copy and transferdata digitally, with imperceptible loss in image and sound quality. The DVterminal is for both line-in and line-out, since a single DV ...

71 E Editing Copyright signal Certain pre-recorded software tapes are copyright protected. If you try to playback such a cassette, “COPYRIGHT PROTECTED PLAYBACK ISRESTRICTED” appears in the display for a few seconds and then the cameradisplays a blank blue screen; you cannot view the contents of the...

72 E Ad ditional Inf ormation Preparing the Camera q w • In record pause mode, turn the viewfinder focusing wheel (focusingthe display) to suit your eyesight. • The viewfinder rotates to give a choice of shooting positions. • When you use the viewfinder, pull the viewfinder out straight until it sto...

73 E Additional Information Notes on Using the Batteries Charging and recording times Battery pack BP-915 Time needed for full recharge 2 hr. 40 mins Maximum recording time Using the viewfinder: 1 hr. 35 mins Using the LCD screen: 1 hr. 20 mins • These times vary — the safest policy is always to hav...

74 E Ad ditional Inf ormation Taking care of the battery pack Always attach the terminal cover.• Do not allow any metal objects to touch the terminals, as this can causea short circuit and damage the batterypack. Attach the terminal coverwhenever the battery pack is notbeing used. Installing the bac...

Additional Information 75 E Cautions:• Do not pick up the battery using tweezers or other metal tools — this will cause a short circuit. • Wipe the battery with a clean, dry cloth to ensure proper contact.• Keep the battery pack out of reach of children — if it is swallowed, contact a physician imme...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 76 E A.MONITOR•••MIX/VARI. When you play back a tape that was recorded in 12 bit mode, you can set theaudio output: stereo 1 (the original sound), stereo 2 (any new sound, dubbed tothe tape after recording), or a mixture of the two. • Audio from the 16 bit mode only contains...

Additional Information 77 E Maintenance Avoid high temperatures and high humidity.• Do not leave the camera inside a car in hot weather, for example.• Be careful of heat radiating from video lighting equipment.• Do not take the camera into a humid room. Avoid sudden changes in temperature.• If you t...

Additional Information 79 E Power sources• You can use the compact power adapter to operate your camera and charge battery packs in any country where the electricity supply is between 100 and240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. Contact your Canon dealer for information about plugadapters for overseas use. TV playbac...

80 E Ad ditional Inf ormation Condensation Condensation may form on the camera when it is moved from a cold place to awarm place. Using the camera while condensation is present can damage both thetape and the camera. Condensation may become a problem: When the camera is taken from an air-conditioned...

81 E Additional Information Troubleshooting Cause and/or what to do about it • The camera is not switched on (p. 12, 18). • The cassette is not loaded or is set for erasure prevention (p. 10-11). • The tape has reached the end.• The battery pack is exhausted or not properly attached (p. 8, 9, 73). •...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 82 E ? The camera won’t focus. Note:Some subjects are not suitable for autofocus. In these situations, you will often getbetter results using manual focus (see p. 50). Focus on something which is aboutthe same distance away, lock the focus, and then point the camera at your ...

Additional Information 83 E Miscellaneous Cause and/or what to do about it • When recording in dark places a bright light in the scene may cause a verticallight bar (“smear”) to appear. This is anormal feature of camcorders. • The video heads need cleaning (p. 78). • The video heads need cleaning (p...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 84 E The VISTURA System Diagram (Availability differs from area to area) BP-900 Series Lithium-ion Battery Pack WL-D70Wireless Controller MiniDVVideo Cassette CB-900 Car BatteryAdapter CA-500 Compact Power Adapter CG-500 Charge Adapter CH-900 Dual Battery Charger/Holder TV V...

85 E Additional Information Optional Accessories Battery packExtra battery for use with theVISTURA. CB-900 Car Battery AdapterPower your camera, or recharge batterypacks on the move. The car batteryadapter plugs into your car’s cigarettelighter socket and runs off a 12-24 VDC negative ground battery...

86 E Ad ditional Inf ormation VL-10Li Battery Video Light This compact yet powerful video lightcan be used for both indoor and outdoorshooting.• Lithium ion battery packs can be used to power the light. Approximate usagetimes are as follows:BP-914 50 min BP-927 100 min BP-915 60 min BP-930 120 min B...

Additional Information 89 E Finding Your Way Around VISTURA Zoom control (P. 15) MIC terminal (P. 46) Stereo microphone Start/stop button FOCUS wheel (P. 51) Accessory shoe (P. 49) Tally lamp (P. 31) Remote sensor (P. 31) DIGITAL EFFECTS button(P. 44) Grip belt (P. 72) Tripod socket (P. 24) Battery ...

92 E Ad ditional Inf ormation Screen Displays To display the date and time on aconnected TV, press the wirelesscontroller’s DATA CODE button. Press the wireless controller’s TVSCREEN button to see the otherdisplays on the TV screen. (Thedisplays appear white on-screen.) Theywill not be added to any ...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 96 E Specifications VISTURA Power Supply (rated): 7.2 V DCPower Consumption (while recording with the AF turned on):5.4 W (Using view-finder), 6.2 W(Using LCD screen) Television system: EIS standard (525 lines, 60 fields)NTSC color signal Video recording system: 2 rotary hea...

97 E Additional Information Index Å Abroad, Using the Camera, 79Accessories, 6, 85Adapter, AC, 8AE Programs, 40Art, 43Audio Output, 76Audio Recording and Playback, 46Audio/Video Terminals, 21Auto, 41Auto Editig, 58Autofocus, 50 ı Backup Battery, 74Basic Recording, 12Battery Pack, 9Black and White, 4...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 100 E CANADA CANON CONSUMER DIGITAL VIDEO EQUIPMENT LIMITEDWARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by Canon Canada Inc. (“Canon Canada”) with respect to Canon digital video equipmentpurchased in Canada. This limited warranty is only effective upon presentation...