Canon UC-V30 Hi8 User manual

8mm VIDEO CAMCORDER
Instruction Manual
Canon
UC-V30 \\m!UC-V20 mm
UC-V300 i d IUC-V200 w
DA I This manua ^ explains how to use the UC~V30Hi, UC-V20Hi,
• ML UC-V300 and UC-V200 camcorders. In certain areas, some of
these four models may not be available.
H
Mastering
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Using
the
Full
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Additional
the
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Range
of
Features
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Editing
Information

Introduction
Important Usage Instructions

f Introduction
y --- J ~ When Making Manual Adjustments ...~
Important Usage Instructions .2 Focusing.45
Thank You for Choosing a Canon.4 Exposure .47
Introducing the Camcorder.5
| Mastering the Basics |
Powering Your Camcorder .6
- Connecting the camera
to a mains outlet.6
- Attaching and charging
a battery pack.7
Loading a Cassette.9
Basic Recording .11
Zooming .13
Using the LCD Screen.15
Playing Back a Cassette .18
Connections for Playback on a TV
Screen .22
Tips for Making Better Videos .27
Using the Full Range of
Features
- General — ~
Turning the Image Stabilizer On/Off
(UC-V30Hi/UC-V20Hi/UC-V300) ..29
Using the Wireless Controller.30
~ For Recording ...~
Setting the Date and Time.31
Titles .33
Searching and Reviewing While
Recording.36
Using the Various Recording
Programs.38
Using the Digital Effects.40
Using the Digital Faders.42
Audio Recording.44
~ For Playback ...~
Searching the Tape (Date Search).49
Using the PAL 60 System.50
The Auto Editing Function.51
Preparing for Editing .52
Using the Editing Function
for the First Time.53
Choosing a Scene.55
Preview and Recording .56
Cut-In and Cut-Out Adjustments.57
Deleting Scenes and Clearing
the Program.59
Reordering Scenes .60
Editing Scenes .61
Simple Editing to a VCR.62
Additional Information
Preparing the Camera .63
Notes on Using the Batteries.65
Maintenance.69
Troubleshooting.73
The Video System Diagram.77
Optional Accessories.78
Finding Your Way Around the
Camcorder.81
Screen Displays.84
Specifications.87
Index .88
3
Introduction

Introduction
Thank You for Choosing a Canon
First, we’d like to thank you for
purchasing this Canon camcorder. Its
advanced technology makes it very
easy to use — you will soon be making
high-quality videos which will give you
pleasure for years to come.
To get the most out of your new
camcorder, we recommend that you
read this manual thoroughly — there
are many sophisticated features which
will add to your recording enjoyment.
[ Getting started
To get started we suggest that you
master the basic operations of the
camcorder first, before moving on to
use its full range of features.
For quick reference (in addition to the
contents and index) please refer to:
• Finding Your Way Around the
Camcorder (p. 81)
• Screen displays (p. 84)
• Troubleshooting — in case you run
into any problems (p. 73)
Note that capital letters are used to
refer to settings that appear in the
display and buttons labelled on the
camcorder itself e.g. Press the EJECT
A button.
Your camcorder is supplied with the
following accessories:
4

Introducing the Camcorder
LCD Screen
An LCD screen makes it
easy for you to shoot
colourful, well composed
video. You can even put
yourself in the frame and
check the picture as you
shoot. It is also great for
playback.
Auto Editing Function
A complete set of editing
functions is built-in —
turn your recordings into
finished productions, with
no extra equipment
required.
Flexi Zone Control
Easier than manual
operation and more
flexible than automatic
functions, Canon’s
FlexiZone Control is a
completely new way to
use a video camera.
Image Stabilizer
(UC-V30Hi/llC-V20Hi/UC-V300)
Images are stabilized
even in long telephoto
shots.
22x lens and 100x/290x
digital zoom
From wide-angle to 22x
telephoto — with
unparalleled optical
quality. The digital zoom
magnifies this up to lOOx
for even more dramatic
results. Also, the picture
magnifies up to 290x
with Digital Effects.
Close-Up
The subject can be further
digitally enlarged by 1.5x,
for a maximum of 440x
magnification.
Hi8 (UC-V30Hi/UC-V20Hi)
Hi8 is the format that
“Xzjgv V- most video professionals
rely on for high quality
1 • and long recording times.
Digital Effects and Faders
# 3 ®
Advanced digital
technology allows you to
add special effects and
scene transitions to your
recordings.
Titles
You don’t need any
extra equipment to add
titles to your home
videos — the camera
r
rOYME ^
does it all.
Hi-fi stereo sound
(UC-V30Hi/UC-V20Hi)
The compact integral
i microphone offers the
depth and realism of AFM
in full dynamic stereo.
Long Time Recording
You can record up to 11
hours (12 hours for
UC-V200) continuously
with two BP-941 Battery
Packs (optional) on the
CH-900 Dual Battery
Charger/Holder
(optional) .
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Introduction

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Powering Your Camcorder
Before operating your camera, you will need to use the power adapter to:
provide power from a mains outlet or charge a battery pack
Notes:
• The power adapter converts current from a household power outlet (110-240 V
AC, 50/60 Hz) to the DC current used by your camera.
• If the adapter is used next to a TV, it may cause the TV to emit noise — move
the adapter away from the TV or the aerial cable.
Use the power adapter to provide your camera with instant power from a mains
outlet.
1. Connect the power adapter to the camera.
2. Plug the adapter into a mains outlet.
3. Remove the power adapter after use.
• Always turn the camera off before removing the power source.
CA-550 Compact Power Adapter
Specifications
Power supply
110-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption
20 W
Rated output
8.4 V. 1.5 A DC
Operating temperature range
0° - 40°C (32 - 104°F)
Dimensions
64 x 130 x 43.5 mm (2 '/2 x 5 ] /8 x 1 3 /4 in)
Weight
305 g (10 3 /4 oz)
UK model: 370 g (13 oz)
Australia model: 310 g (10 7 /s oz)
Weight and dimensions are approximate. Errors and omissions excepted. Subject to
change without notice.
CA-550 identification plate is located on the bottom.
6

Your battery pack was partially charged before it left the factory. It should have
enough 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
more than a few minutes.
It is recommended to set the POWER switch to OFF when charging a battery
pack. However, if the POWER switch is set to CAMERA and the camcorder stays
in record pause mode for over five minutes, it will automatically turn itself off and
start charging the battery pack.
If a fully charged battery pack is removed and then re-attached, it will need
another few minutes of charging to reach fully charged status again.
Use only the CA-550 Compact Power Adapter to charge battery packs.
1. Attach the battery pack to the camera.
• Align the triangle on the battery pack with the guide line on the camera.
• Slide it in the direction of the arrow until it clicks into place.
• Be sure to test the battery pack to check that it is properly attached.
2. Connect the power adapter to the camera.
3. Plug the power adapter into a mains outlet.
• The CHARGE indicator flashes to show that charging is in progress. Single
flashes mean that the battery pack is less than 50% charged. Double flashes
mean that it is between 50% and 75% charged. Triple flashes mean that it is
more than 75% charged.
• The indicator glows steadily when the battery pack is fully charged. Battery
pack usage time will be further extended if you continue charging for an
hour after the indicator starts glowing steadily.
• If the indicator flashes once every two seconds, the battery pack could be
defective.
• The indicator will not light at all when the power adapter is defective.
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4.
Remove the battery pack after use.
• Press and hold the BATTERY RELEASE button.
• Always tum the camera off before removing the power source.
Notes:
• Charge the battery pack in an ambient temperature of 10°C to 30°C. If the
battery pack is charged at low or high temperatures, charging takes longer. If
the ambient temperature is 0°C or lower or 40°C or higher, the battery pack
sometimes cannot be charged. Also, the time that it can be used is drastically
shortened.
• The battery pack warms up after it has been used or charged. The battery pack
sometimes cannot be charged if it is warm.
• You can find detailed notes for using the batteries in the “Notes on Using the
Batteries” on p. 65. These notes include charging and recording times and how
to install the backup battery.
8

Loading a Cassette
Only use videocassettes marked with an 0 (or Hi0 for UC-V30Hi/
UC-V20Hi).
3. Load or unload the cassette.
• Insert the cassette gently with the window facing out and the erasure
prevention tab to the top left.
• Remove the cassette by pulling it straight out.
4. Press the [push) mark on the compartment until it clicks, and wait
for it to close.
• Press the IpushI mark horizontally.
Loading and unloading _
1. Make sure that you have attached or connected a power source.
2. Press the EJECT ± button and wait for the cassette compartment
to open.
Notes:
• See p. 10 for information on protecting your recordings from accidental
erasure.
• If you turn the camera on with no cassette loaded, flashes in the display.
• After loading a cassette, use record search (p. 36) to find the point where you
want to start recording.
• Do not interfere with the cassette compartment while it is opening or closing
automatically.
• Do not leave the cassette in the camera after use — return it to its case and
store it in a cool, clean, dry place.
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Protecting tapes from accidental erasure
To protect your recordings from accidental erasure, slide the red switch on the
cassette so that it covers the hole. (This switch position is usually labelled SAVE
or ERASE OFF.) If you load this cassette and power on the camera, “I^1” flashes
in the display.
If you want to record on the cassette again, slide the red switch back so the hole is
open. (This position is usually labeled REC or ERASE ON.)
Handling cassettes
• To protect the tape heads, transfer cassettes directly from the tape case to the
camcorder - do not open the tape protect cover or touch the tape itself.
• Do not use cassettes where the tape has been damaged or rejoined - they may
damage the camcorder.
• Do not insert anything into the small holes on the cassette or cover them with
cellophane tape.
• Handle cassettes with care - dropping them or exposing them to external shocks
may cause internal damage.
• Store cassettes in the provided case, rewinding them to the start of the tape first,
and then storing them upright.
\ About Hi8 (for UC-V30Hi/UC-V20Hi)
To record or play back in the Hi8 format, you need both a Hi8 camcorder and a
Hi8 cassette (you can use either Metal-P or Metal-E Hi8 cassettes).
A Hi8 camcorder can record or play back in either the Hi8 format or standard
8mm format, depending on the tape used.
The superior quality of Hi8 can best be appreciated on a TV which has an S-video
input terminal.
10

Before you start recording
ZD
Have you completed the following steps?
• Attached a power source (p. 6).
• Loaded a cassette (p. 9).
• Adjusted the LCD screen (p. 15) or viewfinder, fastened the grip belt and taken
off the lens cap (p. 63).
You may also want to install the backup battery (p. 67) in order to set the date and
time display (p. 31).
To record
1. Press down and turn the POWER switch to CAMERA.
• PAUSE appears in the display — the camera is now in “record pause
mode.”
2. Press the red start/stop button to begin recording.
• The tally lamp flashes and REC appears in the display.
3. 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.
• 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, repush the
start/stop button, or set the power switch to OFF and then back to
CAMERA.
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When you have finished recording
• Replace the lens cap.
• Return the viewfinder to its retracted and lowered position.
• Close the LCD panel.
• Unload the cassette.
• Set the POWER switch to OFF.
• Disconnect the power source.
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 CC-8
Video Head Cleaning Cassette or a commercially available 8mm video head
cleaning cassette.
• You cannot monitor the sound from the speaker when recording.
• For tips on how to make better videos, see page 27.
I Recording with the LCD screen
In place of using the viewfinder, you can also monitor recording using the LCD
screen.
When you open the LCD panel, the viewfinder turns off automatically.
For more details please refer to “Using the LCD Screen” (p. 15).
Notes:
• You cannot monitor the sound from the speaker during recording.
• The LCD screen uses a lot of power, so possible recording time will be less than
if you were to use the viewfinder.
• Be sure to close the LCD panel flush to the camera body when you have
finished recording with the LCD screen.
12

Zooming
The camera’s 22x zoom lens allows you to choose the best picture angle for each scene:
• Turn the zoom control towards W to zoom out to wide-angle.
• Turn it towards T to zoom in to telephoto.
22x optical zoom
You can also control the speed of zooming:
• Move the control slightly to zoom slowly.
• Turn it farther to zoom more quickly. (The farther you turn the zoom control, the
faster the zoom speed.)
The T and W buttons on the wireless controller adjust the picture angle, but not the
zoom speed.
When you operate the zoom control, the zoom bar indicating the zooming position
appears in the display, and after about five seconds, the display disappears.
lOOx digital zoom
Turn the zoom control towards T until D.ZOOM appears in the display, to
magnify the camera’s zoom range by 4.5x.
The zoom control continues to work as usual. You can freely
zoom in and out between lx and lOOx magnification — the
camera automatically switches between optical zooming (up
to 22x) and digital zooming (22x to lOOx).
D.ZOOM disappears from the display when you return to
optical zooming.
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Close-up
cio*e-u»»
If you press the CLOSE-UP button, CLOSE-UP appears in
the display and the subject is enlarged by 1.5x.
It digitally enlarges the central portion of the image.
Pressing the CLOSE-UP button again returns the subject to
its original size.
CLOSE-UP can be combined with the Extra Long Digital
Zoom (p. 40) to produce a magnification of 440x.
Notes:
• When you want to get as close as possible to your subject, keep the zoom at the
wide-angle position. You can focus on a subject as close as 1 cm (3/8 in).
• Image resolution is lower when the magnification is greater than 22x.
• Optical Zooming and Digital Zooming can also be operated from the wireless
controller. However, CLOSE-UP and Extra Long Digital Zoom (p. 40) must
first be selected from the camcorder body.
14

Using the LCD Screen
Open the LCD screen
Push the 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.
Changing the angle of the LCD screen
First open out the LCD panel at a right
angle (90°) to the camera.
You can now choose the angle of the
panel that suits you best by rotating it
about this axis.
If you rotate the panel around to 180°
so that it faces the direction of the lens
you can include yourself in the picture,
while monitoring the shot on the LCD
screen (p. 17). 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 until
it is flush with the side, with the screen
facing outwards.
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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.
• 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 to
view the image. In this case, switch to using the viewfinder. You are also able
to adjust the brightness of the screen (see “Adjusting the LCD screen” below).
The camera automatically brightens the backlight of the screen when recording
outdoors.
j Adjusting the LCD screen
You can adjust the brightness of the LCD screen. Adjust the level using the
BRIGHT buttons on the end of the LCD panel.
A bar showing the level appears in the display.
• Press the + button to make the display brighter.
• Press the - button to make the display darker.
Notes:
• The bar showing the brightness disappears from the display in a few seconds.
• The brightness of the LCD screen does not affect 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%)
16

[ Allowing the subject to monitor recording
When you turn the LCD panel so that it faces the opposite direction (see diagram
below), you can watch yourself during recording or let your subject monitor
recording.
1. Open the LCD panel (p. 15).
2. Rotate the LCD panel 180°
until the screen faces the same
direction as the lens.
• Adjust the angle so that you can
view it easily.
* The viewfinder is also activated
when the LCD is in this position.
3. Use the wireless controller to
start and stop recording
(p. 30).
Notes:
• When you flip over the LCD panel, the display automatically changes to a
mirror-image.
• Screen displays are reversed, but titles/dates are correctly recorded without
affecting the recording.
• It is also possible to monitor the shot through the viewfinder while the subject
monitors the shot in the LCD screen.
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Playing Back a Cassette
plays back the soundtrack via the built-in speaker (p. 20).
To play back your recordings on a TV, see p. 22.
To use the wireless controller, see p. 30.
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 labelled SAVE or
ERASE OFF).
1. Attach a power source, press down and turn the POWER switch to
PLAY.
2. Load the cassette.
3. Press the ► (play) button to start playback.
• To end playback, press down the ■ (stop) button.
• To wind the tape forwards, stop playback and press down the ►► (fast
forward) button.
• To wind the tape backwards, stop playback and press down the ◄◄ (rewind)
button.
• If the playback picture is rough, clean the video heads using a Canon CC-8
Video Head Cleaning Cassette or a commercially available 8mm video head
cleaning cassette.
18

[ Special playback
Still playback
To view the video as a still picture, press the start/stop button on the body of the
camera during normal playback (or press the II (pause) button on the wireless
controller). Press the same button again to resume normal playback. The camera
automatically goes into stop mode after about five minutes’ still playback.
Fast forward playback
To play back the recording at 9 times the normal speed (6 times normal speed
when the LCD panel is opened), press and hold the ►► (fast forward) button
during normal playback.
Rewind playback
To play back in reverse at 7 times the normal speed (4 times normal speed when
the LCD panel is opened), press and hold the (rewind) button during normal
playback.
High-speed search
To play back the recording at about 9 times normal speed, press and hold the ►►
(fast forward) button during normal fast forward. For reverse playback at about 7
times normal speed, press and hold the (rewind) button during normal rewind.
Notes:
• The LCD screen is free from noise bars during still playback, fast forward
playback and rewind playback (Clear Search).
Some flicker or distortion may appear on the screen of the viewfinder or a
connected television.
With the LCD closed during special playback, some flicker or distortion may
appear on the screen if the LCD is then opened.
The soundtrack cannot be heard during special playback.
• During still playback, fast action scenes may appear blurred.
• You can use the wireless controller’s ON SCREEN button to turn the on-screen
displays on/off (p. 84).
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Built-in speaker
The camera has a built-in speaker so you can review the soundtrack alongside the
picture during playback.
Adjust the speaker volume by pressing the FlexiZone
controller.
• A bar appears in the display temporarily to indicate the
current volume.
• Press upwards to increase the volume. Press downwards to V0L
decrease the volume.
• You can also use the A/T keys on the wireless controller to adjust speaker
volume.
Note:
• When the LCD panel is closed, the speaker does not work.
20