Canon Vistura User manual

DIGITAL VIDEO CAMCORDER
Instruction Manual
CAMÉSCOPE ET LECTEUR VIDEO NUMÉRIQUES
Mode d’emploi
VIDEOCÁMARAY GRABADORA DIGITAL
Manual de Instrucciones
ENGLISH
FRANÇAIS
ESPAÑOL
A (NTSC)
E
F
Es
Mini Digital
Video
Cassette

2
Introduction
E
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment unless otherwise specified in the manual.
If such changes or modifications should be made, you could be required to stop operation of the
equipment.
Important Usage Instructions
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK AND TO REDUCE
ANNOYING INTERFERENCE, USE THE RECOMMENDED
COPYRIGHT WARNING:
Unauthorized recording of copyrighted materials may infringe on
the rights of copyright owners and be contrary to copyright laws.
Important Warning
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELEC-TRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER
(OR BACK). NO USER SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The lightning flash with arrowhead
symbol, within an equilateral triangle,
is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated “dangerous
voltage” within the product’s
enclosure, that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point, within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to
alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the
The serial number of this product may be found on
the bottom of the camera. No others have the
same serial number as yours. You should record
the number and other vital information here and
retain this book as a permanent record of your
purchase to aid identification in case of theft.
Date of Purchase
Dealer Purchased From
Dealer Address
Dealer Phone No.
Model No. ES280A/ES180A
Serial No.

In these safety instructions the word “product” refers
to the Canon 8mm Video Camcorder
ES280A/ES180A and all its accessories.
1. Read Instructions — All the safety and
operating instructions should be read before the
product is operated.
2. Retain Instructions — The safety and operating
instructions should be retained for future
reference.
3. Heed Warnings — All warnings on the product
and in the operating instructions should be
adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions — All operating and
maintenance instructions should be followed.
5. Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall
outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid or
aerosol cleaners. The product should be
cleaned only as recommended in this manual.
6. Accessories — Do not use accessories not
recommended in this manual as they may be
hazardous.
7. Avoid magnetic or electric fields — Do not use
the camera close to TV transmitters, portable
communication devices or other sources of
electric or magnetic radiation. They may cause
picture interference, or permanently damage
the camera.
8. Water and Moisture — Hazard of electric shock
— Do not use this product near water or in
rainy/moist situations.
9. Placing or Moving — Do not place on an
unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table.
The product may fall, causing serious injury to
a child or adult, and serious damage to the
product.
A product and cart combination
should be moved with care. Quick
stops, excessive force, and
uneven surfaces may cause the
product and cart combination to
overturn.
10. Power Sources — The CA-R300A Compact
Power Adapter should be operated only from
the type of power source indicated on the
marking label. If you are not sure of the type of
power supply to your home, consult your
product dealer or local power company.
Regarding other power sources such as battery
power, refer to instructions in this manual.
11. Polarization — The CA-R300A Compact Power
Adapter is equipped with a polarized 2-prong
plug (a plug having one blade wider than the
other).
The 2-prong polarized plug will fit into the power
outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If
you are unable to insert the plug fully into the
outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug still fails
to fit, contact your electrician to replace your
obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety
purpose of the polarized plug.
12. Power Cord Protection — Power cords should
be routed so that they are not likely to be
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or
against them. Pay particular attention to plugs
and the point from which the cords exit the
product.
13. Outdoor Antenna Grounding — If an outside
antenna is connected to the product, be sure
the antenna is grounded so as to provide some
protection against voltage surges and built-up
static charges. Section 810 of the National
Electrical Code, ANSI / NFPA No. 70—1984,
provides information with respect to proper
grounding of the mast and supporting structure,
grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna
discharge unit, size of grounding conductors,
location of antenna discharge unit, connection
to grounding electrodes, and requirements for
the grounding electrode. See figure 1.
14. Lightning — For added protection of this
product during a lightning storm, or when it is
left unattended and unused for long periods of
time, disconnect it from the wall outlet and
disconnect the antenna. This will prevent
damage to the product due to lightning and
power-line surges.
3
Introduction
E
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING AS
PER NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ANTENNA
LEAD IN
WIRE
ANTENNA
DISCHARGE
UNIT
(NEC SECTION
810-20)
GROUNDING CONDUCTORS
(NEC SECTION 810-21)
GROUND CLAMPS
POWER SERVICE
GROUNDING ELECTRODE
SYSTEM
(NEC ART 250.PART H)
NEC - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ELECTRIC
SERVICE
EQUIPMENT
GROUND
CLAMP
Fig. 1

4
Introduction
E15. Power Lines — An outside antenna system
should not be located in the vicinity of overhead
power lines or other electric light or power
circuits, or where it can fall into such power
lines or circuits. When installing an outside
antenna system, extreme care should be taken
to keep from touching such power lines or
circuits as contact with them might be fatal.
16. Overloading—Do not overload wall outlets and
extension cords as this can result in a risk of
fire or electric shock.
17. Objects and Liquid Entry — Never push objects
of any kind into this product through openings
as they may touch dangerous voltage points or
short out parts that could result in a fire or
electric shock. Be careful not to spill liquid of
any kind onto the product.
18. Servicing — Do not attempt to service this
product yourself as opening or removing covers
may expose you to dangerous voltage or other
hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service
personnel.
19. Damage Requiring Service — Disconnect this
product from the wall outlet and all power
sources including battery, and refer servicing to
qualified service personnel under the following
conditions:
a. When the power-supply cord or plug is
damaged.
b. If any liquid has been spilled onto, or objects
have fallen into, the product.
c. If the product has been exposed to rain or
water.
d. If the product does not operate normally
even if you follow the operating instructions.
Adjust only those controls that are covered
by the operation instructions. Improper
adjustment of other controls may result in
damage and will often require extensive work
by a qualified technician to restore the
product to its normal operation.
e. If the product has been dropped or the
cabinet has been damaged.
f. When the product exhibits a distinct change
in performance. This indicates a need for
service.
20. Replacement Parts — When replacement parts
are required, be sure the service technician has
used replacement parts that are specified by
Canon or that have the same characteristics as
the original part. Unauthorized substitutions
may result in fire, electric shock or other
hazards.
21. Safety Check — Upon completion of any
service or repairs to this product, ask the
service technician to perform safety checks to
determine that the product is in safe operating
order.

5
Introduction
E
First, we’d like to thank you for buying this Canon camcorder. Its advanced technology makes it very easy
to use — you will soon be making high-quality home videos which will give you pleasure for years to come.
To get the most out of your new camcorder, you should read this manual thoroughly — there are many
sophisticated features which will add to your recording enjoyment.
To get started, you will need to read these sections:
“Basic Recording”
“Power Sources”
“Cassettes”
“Preparing the Camera”
Then you can go on to find out about the more advanced features.
As well as using the alphabetical index, you can look up the different parts and functions in the sections
called “Nomenclature” and “Viewfinder Displays.” There’s also a “Troubleshooting” section in case you run
into any problems.
Check that this package contains the following accessories:
CA-R300 Compact Power Adapter DC-100 DC Coupler
WL-69 Wireless Controller
SS-500 Shoulder Strap C-250 AV Cable
Two R6 AA batteries
Lithium button battery (CR2025)
And while you are finding out how your camcorder works, remember:
The battery pack must be charged before it can
power the camcorder. If you leave the camera in record pause mode for more than about five minutes, it will turn itself off
to prevent the video heads being damaged.
BP-711 Battery Pack
Thank you for choosing a Canon

6
Introduction
E
Introducing the ES280/ES180
Image stabilizer (ES280)
From wide-angle to 16×
telephoto — with
unparalleled optical quality.
The digital zoom doubles this
magnification for even more
dramatic results.
Stabilizes your recordings,
even at the furthest reaches
of the zoom range.
Digital effects
Advanced digital technology
allows you to add special
effects and varied scene
transitions to your
recordings.
Powerful recording programs
Custom Keys
Fade
Titles
Five recording programs deal
with everything from simple
point-and-shoot operation to
the most challenging
recording conditions.
With the unique Custom
Keys, you can decide which
functions you want at your
fingertips. Assign frequently
used functions to the keys on
the camera body.
Add an atmospheric touch to
your video productions with
smooth fades, synchronised
with the sound track.
You don’t need any extra
equipment to add titles to
your home videos — the
camera does it all.
Color viewfinder
Remote control
The supplied wireless
controller operates both
recording and playback from
as far away as 16 feet (5 m).
You don’t have to wait until
playback to see your shots in
color. Thanks to the high-
resolution LCD viewfinder,
you can see just what you’re
getting on tape, making it
easy to shoot colorful, well-
composed video.
2
1
BON VOYAGE
16×lens and 32× digital zoom

7
Introduction
E
Contents
Important Usage Instructions .............................................................................................................2
Important Safety Instructions.............................................................................................................3
Thank you for choosing a Canon.......................................................................................................5
Introducing the ES280/ES180 ...........................................................................................................6
Basic Recording..................................................................................................................................8
Power Sources ....................................................................................................................................9
Cassettes ...........................................................................................................................................14
Preparing the Camera.......................................................................................................................15
Playback............................................................................................................................................16
Playback Connection........................................................................................................................18
Zooming............................................................................................................................................19
Using the Menus...............................................................................................................................20
Custom Keys.....................................................................................................................................22
Image Stabilizer (ES280) .................................................................................................................23
Wireless Controller...........................................................................................................................24
Date and Time ..................................................................................................................................26
Titles .................................................................................................................................................28
Fade...................................................................................................................................................31
Choosing a Recording Program .......................................................................................................32
Focusing............................................................................................................................................34
Record Search and Record Review..................................................................................................35
Digital Effects...................................................................................................................................36
Editing to a VCR ..............................................................................................................................38
Making Better Videos.......................................................................................................................39
ES280/ES180 Video System ............................................................................................................41
Optional Accessories ........................................................................................................................42
Cautions and Maintenance ...............................................................................................................45
Troubleshooting................................................................................................................................48
Viewfinder Displays .........................................................................................................................50
Nomenclature....................................................................................................................................52
Specifications....................................................................................................................................54
Index.................................................................................................................................................55
Introduction
Basic Operation
Advanced Functions
Additional Information

8
Basic Operation
E
Basic Recording
12
3, 4
OFF
POWER
C
A
M
E
R
A
P
L
A
Y
OFF
POWER
C
A
M
E
R
A
P
L
A
Y
A
Before you start recording
Complete the following steps:
• Attach a power source (p. 9).
• Load a cassette (p. 14).
• Adjust the viewfinder and fasten the grip belt (p. 15).
• Remove the lens cap.
You may also want to install the backup battery (p. 13) in order to set date and time display (p. 26).
To record
When you have finished recording
• Unload the cassette.
• Turn the POWER switch to OFF.
• Replace the lens cap.
• Disconnect the power source.
Notes:
• To check that the camera is recording correctly, be sure to make a test recording first.
• Before making important recordings, clean the video heads using Canon CC-8 Video Head Cleaning
Cassette or a commercially available dry-type head cleaning cassette.
1. Press down the lock button and turn the POWER switch to CAMERA.
2. Turn the program selector to n.
• This selects the camera’s Automatic recording program. It allows you to simply point and shoot
without making any manual adjustments.
• The camera power indicator lights up red, and PAUSE appears in the viewfinder — the camera is now
in “record pause mode”.
3. Press the start/stop button to begin recording.
• The tally lamp flashes rapidly and REC appears in the viewfinder.
4 Press the start/stop button again to pause recording.
• The camera returns to record pause mode and PAUSE reappears in the viewfinder.
• 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, turn the POWER switch to OFF and then back to CAMERA.

9
Basic Operation
E
Power Sources
Before operating your camera, you will need to use the power adapter to:
provide power from an AC outlet
or
charge a battery pack
Notes:
• The power adapter converts current from a household power outlet (100–240 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 antenna cable.
Connecting the camera to an AC outlet
Use the power adapter and the DC coupler to provide your camera with instant power from an AC outlet.
1. Insert the DC coupler in the camera’s power source compartment.
• Insert the front end first, then press in the DC coupler until it clicks and locks into place.
2. Connect the DC coupler to the adapter.
3. Plug the adapter into an AC outlet.
4. Detach the DC coupler after use.
• Press and hold the BATTERY EJECT button while you pull the DC coupler outwards from the rear.
• Always turn the camera off before removing the power source.
2
3
1
4

10
Basic Operation
ECharging and attaching the battery pack
You will have to charge the battery pack before you can use it. A brand new battery pack must be charged
twice before use.
1. Slide the battery pack onto the adapter as shown.
• Make sure the DC coupler is not connected.
2. Plug the adapter into an AC outlet.
• The CHARGE/REFRESH indicator flashes red to show that charging is in progress.
3. Wait until the battery pack is fully charged.
• The indicator glows steadily red when the battery pack is fully charged.
4. If the battery pack is brand new, take it off the adapter, then slide it on again and charge
it one more time.
5. Take the battery pack off the adapter and attach it to the camera.
• Insert the end marked with a triangle first, then press in the battery pack until it clicks and locks into
place.
6. Detach the battery pack after use.
• Press and hold the BATTERY EJECT button while you pull the battery pack outwards from the rear.
• Always turn the camera off before removing the power source.
Charging and recording times
BP-711 Battery Pack
Charging time 70 minutes
Continuous recording time 60 minutes
• These times vary — the safest policy is
always to have two or three times as many
battery packs as you think you will need.
NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY.
MUST BE RECYCLED OR
DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL
ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY.
RBRC RECYCLING SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE IN
THE USAAND CANADA.
NOTE FOR CUSTOMERS IN THE USAAND
56
1
2

DANGER!
Always attach the terminal cover.
• Do not allow any metal objects to touch the
terminals. The battery pack contains a great deal of
energy and short-circuiting it may cause a fire.
Attach the terminal cover whenever you are not
using the battery pack.
Treat the battery pack with care.
• Keep it away from fire (or it might explode).
• Do not try to disassemble or modify it.
• Do not drop or knock it.
• Do not get it wet.
11
Basic Operation
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Battery pack notes
Charge the battery pack before you use it…
• You should charge a brand new battery pack
twice before using it for the first time — a single
charge may not be enough. Charge it completely
(until the adapter’s charge indicator glows
steadily), then disconnect it and charge it again.
Normally, you should not “double charge” the
battery pack in this way.
• The battery pack will naturally discharge itself
over time. You should charge it the same day you
plan to use it, or the day before.
• The battery pack becomes warm during use (and
during charging). Wait for it cool before charging
or using it again. It may not reach full charge if
warm.
• See the adapter instructions for details.
…save power while you are recording…
• You will get more recording time from your battery pack if you turn the camera off between shots, instead
of leaving it in record pause mode.
• Recording time will be shorter than usual at low temperatures. You can use the battery pack between
32° and 104°F (0°–40°C), but it works best between 50° and 86°F (10°–30°C).
…and don’t recharge it until it is exhausted.
• The camera flashes a kwarning when the charge has almost run out. After a few more minutes’ use, the
camera turns off automatically. You can now either recharge or store the battery pack.
Disconnect the battery pack when you are not using it.
• Even when it is turned off, camera will continue to slowly drain power from the battery pack. This means
the battery pack will be discharged beyond the normal level if you leave it attached for a long time.
Keep the terminals clean.
• The camera, adapter or battery pack will not work properly if the terminals are dirty. Check them before
use, and wipe them with a dry cloth or tissue if necessary.
charge... ...then record... ...until discharged

12
Basic Operation
ERemember, it may start to give you less recording time…
• If you recharge it without first completely discharging it.
• If you leave it attached to the camera (or a video light) for more than a week.
• If you don’t use it for three months or more.
…but you should be able to “refresh” it.
• The power adapter has a refresher function which restores battery packs to full capacity (see below).
• If this does not improve the battery pack’s performance, it has reached the end of its life and must be
replaced.
The lifetime of nickel-cadmium battery packs
• Nickel-cadmium battery packs produce electrical energy from a chemical reaction, so although they can
be recharged, they do not last forever. Even if they are not used, their performance still degrades over
time. If the battery pack runs out quickly even after you have “refreshed” it, it has come to the end of its
useful and should be replaced.
• Be sure to fully charge and discharge the battery pack every three months even if you do not otherwise
use it.
Refreshing the battery pack
If the battery pack starts to give less recording time,
use the adapter’s refresher function to restore it to
full capacity. The adapter will first discharge the
battery pack, and then recharge it.
1. Attach the battery pack to the adapter
and plug it into an AC outlet.
• See p. 10.
2. Press the REFRESH button.
• The CHARGE/REFRESH indicator flashes
green to show that discharging is in progress.
When the battery pack is discharged, the
indicator begins to flash red any recharging
begins.
Discharge and recharge times
CHARGE/REFRESH indicator
REFRESH button
3. Remove the battery pack when discharging/recharging has finished.
• The indicator glows steadily red when recharging is completed.
• If you only want to discharge the battery pack, there is no need to plug in the adapter. In this case, you
can remove the battery pack when the CHARGE/REFRESH indicator stops flashing green.
Battery pack BP-711 BP-729
Discharge 4 hr. 10 hr.
Recharge 1 hr. 10 min. 2 hr. 30 min.
Total refreshing charge 5 hr. 10 min. 12 hr. 30 min.
• These times are approximate.

13
Basic Operation
E
Installing the backup battery
You need to install the backup battery so the
camera can remember the date and time. Its
memory is powered by a CR2025 lithium battery
with a life span of about a year.
WARNING!
The battery used in this device may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if mistreated. Do not recharge,
disassemble, heat above 212°F (100°C) or incinerate. Replace the battery with a Sony, Sanyo or
Panasonic CR2025, or Duracell DL2025. Use of another battery may present a risk of fire or explosion.
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 backup battery out of reach of children — if it is swallowed, contact a physician immediately, as
the battery case may break down and the battery fluids damage the stomach and intestines.
• Do not disassemble, heat, or immerse the battery in water, to avoid the risk of explosion.
1. Open the cover of the backup battery compartment.
2. Place the new battery in the compartment with the + side facing outwards.
3. Click the cover back into place.
4. Reset the date and time.
• See p. 26.

14
Basic Operation
E
Cassettes
3
2
PUSH
PUSH
1
PUSH
EJECT
Use videocassettes marked with an f.
Loading and unloading
Cassettes can be loaded and unloaded with the camera turned off, as long as a power source is attached.
1. Press the EJECT 5button and wait for the cassette compartment to open.
2. Load/unload the cassette.
• Insert the cassette gently with the window facing out.
• Remove the cassette by pulling it straight out.
3. Press the mark on the compartment until it clicks, and wait for it to close.
• Never push down the top of the compartment.
PUSH
Preventing accidental erasure
REC
SAVE
REC
SAVE
ERASE
OFF ON
ERASE
OFF ON
Notes:
• Do not interfere with the compartment while it is opening or closing automatically.
• After loading a cassette, use record search (p. 35) to find the point where you want to start recording.
• Do not leave the cassette in the camera after use — return it to its case and store it in a cool, clean, dry
place.
• The holes in the back of the cassette are used for transferring information — do not cover them.
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 labeled
SAVE or ERASE OFF). When this cassette is
loaded, the vmark will flash in the viewfinder if
you turn the POWER switch to CAMERA.
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.)

15
Basic Operation
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Preparing the Camera
You should already have attached a power source to the camera and loaded a cassette. When you have
completed the following steps, you will be ready to start recording.
Fasten the grip belt
• Release the Velcro fastening and hold the camera
with your right hand while you adjust the belt
with your left.
Adjust the viewfinder
• You can adjust the viewfinder to suit your
eyesight. First put the camera in record pause
mode (press down the lock button and turn the
POWER switch to CAMERA).
• Adjust the viewfinder by sliding the viewfinder
focusing switch to the left or right to bring the
viewfinder displays clearly into focus.
• The viewfinder also rotates through 90° to give a
choice of shooting positions.
Attach the shoulder strap
• For extra security and portability, attach the
shoulder strap before using the camera.
• Pass the ends through the attachment bars and
adjust the length as shown.
Note:
• Be careful not to leave the viewfinder exposed to bright sunlight, or it will melt. (The light is concentrated
by the viewfinder lens.)You may be able to move the viewfinder out of direct sunlight by pushing it
upright, or by moving it back down to horizontal.
Prepare the lens cap
• Attach/remove the lens cap as shown.
• Hook the lens cap on to the grip belt while you
are recording, and place it over the lens when you
have finished.

16
Basic Operation
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Playback
Special playback
START/STOP
ON SCREEN
PAUSE
COUNTER
RESET
TAPE
RETURN
WIDE TELE
START/STOP
ON SCREEN
PAUSE
COUNTER
RESET
TAPE
RETURN
WIDE TELE
OFF
POWER
C
A
M
E
R
A
P
L
A
Y
FADE BLC AF/MF REC SEARCH
You can use the viewfinder screen for instant, on-the-spot playback.
To play back your recordings on a TV, see p. 18.
To use the wireless controller, see p. 24.
1. Attach a power source and press down the lock button and turn the POWER switch to
PLAY.
• The power indicator lights up.
2. Load the cassette.
3. Press the ebutton to start playback.
• To end playback, press the 3button.
• To wind the tape forwards, stop playback and press the 1(fast forward) button.
• To wind the tape backwards, stop playback and press 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 dry-type head cleaning cassette.
Playback pause
To view the video as a still picture press the abutton. To resume normal playback, press it again, or press
the ebutton. The camera automatically goes into stop mode after about five minutes’ playback pause.
Fast forward playback
To play back the recording at about 9 times normal speed, press and hold the 1button during normal
playback.
Rewind playback
For reverse playback at about 7 times normal speed, press and hold the `button during normal playback.
High-speed search
To play back the recording at about 19 times normal speed, press and hold the 1button during normal
fast forward. For reverse playback at about 19 times normal speed, press and hold the `button during
normal rewind.

17
Basic Operation
E
Tape return
Use the wireless controller’s TAPE RETURN button to quickly return to a scene you want to see again:
1. Press the COUNTER RESET button during playback if you come across a scene you
want to watch again later.
• The tape counter is reset to 0:00:00.
2. When you have ended playback, press the TAPE RETURN button.
• The tape rewinds and stops when the counter nears 0:00:00.
• You can cancel tape return by pressing the 3button.
3. Start playback.
Notes:
• When the tape reaches the end during normal playback it rewinds automatically.
• Noise bars appear on the screen during special playback and the sound track cannot be heard. On certain
TVs the picture may roll and divide, or appear in black and white, and the high-speed search picture may
not be visible.
• During playback pause, the picture flickers, and fast action scenes may appear blurred.
• The tape counter is reset when a cassette is loaded.

18
Basic Operation
E
Playback Connection
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. 9).
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 camera’s AUDIO terminal is connected. If the sound from the TV speaker is
picked up by the microphone, an unpleasant high-pitched squeal, called feedback, may be produced.
If your TV (or VCR) has audio/video input terminals
1. Connect the camera to the TV (or VCR).
• Use the C-250 AV Cable. Connect the white plug to the white audio terminal. Connect the yellow plug
to the yellow video terminal.
2. Set the TV/VIDEO selector on the television to VIDEO.
3. If you are connecting the camera to a VCR, set the input selector on the VCR to LINE.
• See your VCR instruction manual for details.
VIDEO
AUDIO
AUDIO/
VIDEO
OUT C-250 AV Cable

19
Advanced Functions
E
Zooming
32×digital zoom
Zoom in
Zoom out
T
W
W
T
The camera’s 16×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.
You can also control the speed of zooming:
• Move the control slightly to zoom slowly.
• Turn it further to zoom more quickly. (The further 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:
• Press W to zoom out to wide-angle.
• Press T to zoom in to telephoto.
• In addition, for the ES280 you can assign CUSTOM KEY 1 to turn the digital zoom on/off (see page 22).
The zoom control continues to work as usual.You can freely zoom in and out between 1×and 32×
magnification — the camera automatically switches between optical zooming (up to 16×) and digital
zooming (16×to 32×).
Turn the digital zoom on by choosing DIGITAL ZOOM at the camera menu, to double the camera’s zoom range.
DIGITAL ZOOM••••ON
Notes:
• The viewfinder display stays lit for approximately 4 seconds following an adjustment to the picture angle.
• Overuse of the zoom may make recordings seem too busy. It is generally better to use it sparingly, or in
order to reframe between shots.
• 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 3/8 in (1 cm).
• When you turn the digital zoom on at the menu, “32×” appears in the viewfinder.
Viewfinder displays
Zoom in
Zoom out
Stationary
T W
T W
T W
(see p. 20)

20
Advanced
Functions
E
Using the Menus
The menus let you choose settings for a wide range of functions. There are two separate menus, for
recording (camera menu) and playback (play menu).
Camera menu
While the camera is in record pause mode, press the MENU button.
Screen 1
1Custom key information...............................p. 23
2Tally lamp.....................................................p. 25
3Remote sensor ..............................................p. 24
4Digital zoom.................................................p. 19
5Image stabilizer (ES280)..............................p. 23
6Date select ....................................................p. 27
7Date display..................................................p. 26
8Title...............................................................p. 28
Screen 2
1Date set.........................................................p. 26
2Title set .........................................................p. 29
3Title select.....................................................p. 30
4Custom key set .............................................p. 22
MENU
CUSTOM KEY I
DIG
I
DATE SELECT.
TITLE
IMAG STAB
E
SENSO ...
TALLLAMPNF
1
2
34
5
6
78
.
OON
Y...... ON
R... .... ON
TALZOOM.
....
ON
ON
I L...
DA
.
DATE D ISPLA Y.TE&T IME
..
CONT .
...
.. ...
AUTO 10S
–
MENU
CUSTOM
DATE ET
KE
S
TITLE ET
S
TITLE EL
SCT E
YET
S
1
3
2
4
Play menu
With the POWER switch set to PLAY, press the MENU button.
MENU
1
SENSO ...
R... .... ON
1Remote sensor ..............................................p. 24
Turn to the appropriate page for a detailed explanation of each function.