Canon VIXIA HF M30 User manual

02
The serial number is printed on the camcorder in a four-digit by three-
line format. The location of the serial number will vary depending on
the model, so find it by referring to the illustrations below.
●Location of the serial number on the VIXIA HF M31 / HF M30 / HF
M300
The serial number is
necessary to install
ImageMixer 3
When ImageMixer 3 is in-
stalled, it will ask for the
serial number. Input the
12-digit serial number with-
out any spaces.
* Refer to the separate in-
stallation guide for details.
ImageMixer 3 must be installed in a personal computer in order to edit video, and record video on
DVDs and Blu-ray discs. Find the serial number of the camcorder and install ImageMixer 3
according to the separate installation guide.
Precautions When Installing
ImageMixer 3 SE (ImageMixer)
Finding the Camcorder Serial Number
Finding the Serial Number
Locations of Serial Numbers by Model
Where is the serial
number on the VIXIA
HF M31 / HF M30 /
HF M300
It is on the bottom of the
camcorder body. Refer to
the illustration on the right
to find the serial number.
This is the serial number. The 12-digit number is
printed in three four-digit lines. In this example the
serial number is 517006893241.
Serial number

03
Precautions When Installing ImageMixer 3 SE (ImageMixer)
●Location of the serial number on the VIXIA HF R11 / HF R10 / HF
R100
●Location of the serial number on the VIXIA HF S21 / HF S20 / HF
S200 Where is the serial
number on the VIXIA
HF S21 / HF S20 / HF
S200
It is below the viewfinder.
Refer to the illustration on
the left and remove the
batter y to find the serial
number.
Where is the serial
number on the VIXIA
HF R11 / HF R10 / HF
R100
It is on the bottom of the
camcorder body. Refer to
the illustration on the left
to find the serial number.
Serial number
Remove the battery.
Serial number

04
VIDI O
SNAP WEB
AUTO
DISP.
INDEX SEL.
/
ON/OFF(CHG)
Install ImageMixer 3
Refer to the separately in-
cluded instructions and in-
stall ImageMixer 3. See
pages 2 and 3 of this man-
ual on how to find the seri-
al number.
The location of the DC
IN terminal differs ac-
cording to the cam-
corder model
The location of the DC IN
terminal differs according
to the camcorder model.
Refer to the illustrations on
the right to find where to
connect the compact pow-
er adapter.
In order to edit video, it must first be imported into the computer. ImageMixer 3 will start automati-
cally when the camcorder and computer are connected with a USB cable. Follow the steps below
to import the video into the personal computer.
Importing Video
from the Camcorder
Lesson ●01 Launching ImageMixer 3 and Importing Video
Connect the Camcorder to a Wall Outlet
●Connecting the VIXIA HF M31 / HF M30 / HF M300 to a wall outlet
●Connecting the VIXIA HF R11 / HF R10 / HF R100 to a wall outlet
●Connecting the VIXIA HF S21 / HF S20 / HF S200 to a wall outlet
❶Connect the
power cord and
compact power
adapter.
❷Plug the power
cord into a wall
outlet.
VI DIO
SNAP WEB
AUTO
DISP.
INDEX SEL.
/
ON/OFF(CHG)
❸Connect the
compact power
adapter to the DC
IN connection on
the camcorder.
❸Connect the
compact power
adapter to the DC
IN connection on
the camcorder.
❸Connect the
compact power
adapter to the DC
IN connection on
the camcorder.

05
Importing Video from iVIS Camcorders
Connect the Camcorder to the Computer
Importing from SD
Memory Cards
It is also possible to import
video from SD memory
cards by using a card read-
er/writer with a USB con-
nection. In this case, the
card reader/writer is con-
nected to the computer and
the media on which the vid-
eo is recorded is inserted
into the reader/writer.
* ImageMixer 3 can only
import video from the cam-
corder with which it was
bundled.
The location of the
USB port differs ac-
cording to the cam-
corder model
The location of the USB
port also differs according
to the camcorder model.
Refer to the illustrations on
the left to find the location
of the USB port.
●Connecting the VIXIA HF M31 / HF M30 / HF M300 and the USB
cable
❷Turn on the
camcorder and set
it to video
playback mode.
❸Connect the
USB cable to the
USB port on the
computer.
❶Connect the
USB cable to the
USB port on the
camcorder.
●Connecting the VIXIA HF S21 / HF S20 / HF S200 and the USB
cable
❶Connect the
USB cable to the
USB port on the
camcorder.
Refer to the instructions for the VIXIA HF M31 / HF M30 / HF M300
and connect the camcorder to the computer.
●Connecting the VIXIA HF R11 / HF R10 / HF R100 and the USB ca-
ble
VIDI O
SNAP WEB
AUTO
DISP.
INDEX SEL.
/
ON/OFF(CHG)
Refer to the instructions for the VIXIA HF M31 / HF M30 / HF M300
and connect the camcorder to the computer.
VI DIO
SNAP WEB
AUTO
DISP.
INDEX SEL.
/
ON/OFF(CHG)
❶Connect the
USB cable to the
USB port on the
camcorder.

06
ImageMixer 3 System
Requirements
ImageMixer 3 operating
environment
OS: Windows XP/ Vista/7
*1
CPU: Intel Pentium D 3.0
GHz or faster
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13
GHz or faster
RAM: 1 GB or more for XP,
2 GB or more for Vista
or 7
Hard disk : More than 300 MB
of free capacity
Display : 1280 x 1024 pixels
or more, 32-bit color
or higher
Intel G965 (on-board
VGA) or higher
Sound: Mi c ro s of t D ir e ct
Sound compatible
sound card
Drive: DVD-writable drive
Others: USB 2.0, Direct X
9.0c, and an Internet
connection
*1 When using Windows
XP, only compatible with
Service Pack 2 or Service
Pack 3.
*2 When creating a disc,
free capacity that is equiv-
alent to two times the ca-
pacity of the disc is neces-
sary.
What about other ways
to start ImageMixer
3?
If ImageMixer 3 doesn't
start automatically, then
start it with either of the
two methods below.
- Double click the "Image
Mixer 3 SE Ver. 6" short-
cut icon on the desktop.
- Fr o m the [Sta r t] menu
click [All Programs] -
[PIXELA] - [ImageMixer 3
SE Ver. 6] - [ImageMixer
3 SE Ver. 6].
Importing Video
A screen similar to this will be displayed on the camcorder LCD.
The ImageMixer 3 launcher will start.
❶Select [Compurer/
Printer].
❷Click [Video file import].
The operation will differ according
to the camcorder model.

07
Importing Video from iVIS Camcorders
What is the difference
between "video not
saved in the computer"
and "all video"?
When "Import the video
files which have not been
saved in the computer" is
selected, only video that
has not been saved will be
imported. When "Import all
videos" is selected, all the
video files in the " S o u rce"
are imported. In the latter
case, all video will be im-
ported, including video that
is already in the computer.
Which media to select?
The icons displayed as the
"Sources" correspond to
the following media:
…SD memory card in-
serted in the cam-
corder
…Built-in camcorder
memory
…SD memory card in-
serted in the cam-
corder and built-in
memory
…SD memory card in-
serted in a card read-
er/writer
The [Video
file import]
dialog is
displayed.
❸Select the
source.
❹Select the
import
method
❺Click [OK].
❻Click [OK].
The [Video
file import]
dialog is
displayed.

08
What is a project?
When editing video, one
production can be made
up of multiple video files,
and text and music can be
added. A project is a record
of all of these steps. The
se lected video files and
edited information can be
saved as a project. When
you start editing video,
think of it as, "Starting to
create a project."
How to select multiple
video files
After selecting one video,
hold down the [Shift] key
and select another. All of
the video files in between
will also be selected. Hold-
ing down the [Ctrl] key and
clicking video files will select
all the files that were click-
ed.
You can edit the video after it has been imported into the computer. First, select the video to edit
from among the imported files and then save the information as a project.
Preparing to Edit Video
Lesson ●02 Selecting Video
Selecting the Video File to Edit
Start ImageMixer
3 as described in
Lesson 1.
❶Click [Video file
management &
edit].
❷Select the
video file to be
edited.
❸Click [Movie
Edit].
Double click a
video file to start
playing it to
check its
contents.

09
Preparing to Edit Video
❹Click [Edit new
movie].
How to select the
resolution
This is where you select
"Full Hi-vision" or "Hi-vision"
resolution for the edited vid-
eo file.
❺Click the
resolution.
❻Click [OK].
Select a video file
and click this
button to delete it.
Drag and drop a
video file to
change the
sequence.
How to add, delete and
change the order of
video files
Videos can be added to
the project by dragging the
files from the library to the
storyboard. A video can be
deleted from a project by
selecting the video in the
storyboard and clicking on
the "wastebasket" icon.
Dragging and dropping a
video file to the left or right
in the storyboard will change
the order of the videos.
Saving the Project
Input the file name in the
displayed screen, and then click
[Save] to save the project.
❶Click [File].
❷Click [Save project].
Add a video file
by dragging it to
the storyboard.
When to save a proj-
ect
The project should be saved
after deleting unneeded
videos, adding text, adding
music or doing any other
editing.

10
Recorded video sometimes includes unwanted scenes. In such cases, you can cut the unneces-
sary scenes and keep only the scenes you want. This process is called trimming. ImageMixer 3
allows trimming of multiple scenes from one video.
Cutting Unwanted Video
Lesson ●03 Trimming Multiple Scenes
Trimming One Scene
Selecting and Trimming Multiple Scenes
Select the video
file as described
in Lesson 2.
❶Right click the
video file to be
trimmed.
❷Click [Trim
multiple ranges].
What are the IN-point
slider and OUT-point
slider?
"The range of the video to
be kept" is specified with
two points. The IN-point
slider is used to specify
the star ting point of "the
range of the video to be
kept," then the OUT-point
slider is used to specify
the end point.
Select the video
file as described
in Lesson 2.
Select the
starting point of
the scene to be
kept.
Select the end
point of the
scene to be kept.
❶Drag the
[IN-point slider] to
the desired
location.
❷Drag the [OUT-
point slider] to the
desired location.

11
Cutting Unwanted Video
Select the ending
point of the
scene to be kept.
❸Drag the [OUT-
point slider] to the
desired location.
Select the
starting point of
the scene to be
kept.
❹Drag the
[IN-point slider]
to the desired
location.
What if a clip is de-
leted by mistake?
Drag the IN-point and/or
OUT-point slider to re-
designate "the range of
the video to be kept." This
method can also be used
to recover scenes that
have already been cut.
The starting point
and ending point
have been
selected.
❺Click this
button.
The scene to be
kept has been
selected.
❻Repeat the
steps above to
trim multiple clips
❼Click [OK].

12
How to switch bet-
ween the storyboard
and timeline
The "storyboard" that shows
the playback order of the
video files and the "time-
line" that shows the elapsed
time for text, clips and mu-
sic are displayed at the
bottom of the screen. These
can be switched by click-
ing the appropriate tab.
What colors to use?
The fundamental is to use
"light colors" for dark vid-
eo clips and "dark colors"
for light clips. It is also
possible to use colors ef-
fectively to show emo-
tions; for example, use red
for happy scenes and blue
for sad ones.
ImageMixer 3 includes a "Titler" that allows you to add text to videos. Text can be added in the
desired color, font and size to any scene. In addition, the text can be animated, so that superim-
posed text such as that used in television programs can be made.
Adding Text to Videos
Lesson ●04 Titler
Select the Scene and Input the Text
Select the video
file as described
in Lesson 2.
Select the point
at which to start
displaying the
text.
❶Click [Titler].
❺Set the text
display duration
in [Display time].
❹Input the text.
❸Select the font
color and size.
❷Drag the ▼

13
Adding Text to Videos
Where can text be
used effectively?
Text is effective when used
in scenes where the location
or time/date changes. The
Titler can also be used to
emphasize the script or to
create ending credits for
the production staff.
Checking the Video with the Added Text
How to change text
after seeing the pre-
view
If [Apply] has not been
clicked yet, then the same
procedure as that described
above can be used to make
changes. If [Apply] has
been clicked, right-click the
Titler (T icon) to delete it,
then restart the process
from the beginning.
What kinds of display
are available?
[Fade] - Text is faded in.
[Slide-Left to right] - Text
slides from left to right.
[Zoom in] - Text is gradual-
ly made bigger.
[Credit roll] - Text moves from
the bottom of the screen to
the top.
[Display(Stop)] - Text is dis-
played as is. (No enhance-
ment)
❶Click [ALL].
❷Click the Play
button.
A preview is
displayed.
❻Click [Fade].
❼Click [Apply].

14
ImageMixer 3 has a function to add music to videos. You can make a more professional-looking
video by adding sound effects to increase tension or by adding background music to create a cer-
tain type of atmosphere. Give it a try.
Adding Music to Videos
Lesson ●05 Adding Music and Adjusting Volume
Selecting the Music File to Add
Adjusting the Volume of the Added Music File
The starting point of
the music file can be
selected
Dragging the music file to
the left or right in the time-
line (audio) at the bottom
of the screen will allow the
music to star t at the de-
sired point.
❶Click [Adjust
volume].
Video file volume
can also be adjusted
The sound volume of a
video can be adjusted by
right-clicking a video on
the timeline and selecting
[Adjust volume]. The vol-
ume is adjusted in the same
way as adjusting music file
volume.
Select the video
file as described
in Lesson 2.
❶Click [Audio
file].
What kinds of music
files can be used?
The music files must meet
the following requirements:
- File format: Linear PCM
WAVE files (.wav/.wave)
- File size: Less than 1 GB
- Length: 0.5 second or lon-
ger
- Quantized bit rate: 16-bit
- Sampling frequency: 48
kHz or 44.1 kHz
- Channels: 2 channels
❸Drag and drop
the music file.
❷Select the
folder in which
music files are
saved.

Adding Music to Videos
15
Using only background
music
A scene in which the video
audio is muted and only
the background music is
audible can be made by
reducing the volume of the
video to zero for sections
where music files have been
added. This type of editing is
effective for scenes where a
character is remembering a
past event or similar scenes.
Saving Edited Files
❶Click [Save].
❷Click [Save].
❸Input the file
name.
❷Drag the up/
down slider to
adjust the
volume.
The [Adjust
volume] screen is
displayed.
❸Drag the left/
right slider to
adjust fade-in
and fade-out.
❹Click [Apply].
What are fade-in and
fade-out?
Fade-in is when there is no
sound and volume is gradu-
ally increased. Conversely,
fade-out is when volume is
gradually reduced to silence.
Why save as an edit-
ed file?
Use this function to save
files after editing a video
file by trimming unneces-
sary scenes, adding text,
or adding music. Unless a
file is saved, the edited re-
sults will be lost.
❹Click [Save].
Click [OK] in the
displayed screen.

16
What is AVCHD?
AVCHD is a video file for-
mat that allows recording
in high definition. The main
feature of this format is
that by using the high com-
pression rate H.264 stan-
dard high quality video
can be recorded even with
small capacity media.
There are times when you want to write images to a DVD; for example, when you want to show a
friend your video. This section describes how to write video to DVDs. First a "DVD List" (or
"AVCHD List") must be prepared to write videos to DVD with ImageMixer 3.
Preparing to Write to DVDs
Lesson ●06 Disc List (DVD)
Select the Video Files to be Written
Start ImageMixer
3 as described in
Lesson 1.
❶Click [Video
file management
& edit].
❹Input the list
name.
❺Click [OK].
Recently edited files
can be selected
A list of only recently edit-
ed files can be displayed
by selecting [Smart Album]
- [Recently Edited Files]
from the menu on the left.
This is a useful tool when
you have many videos and
it is difficult to find the
ones you want.
❷Click [Disc
List].
❸Click [New
DVD List].

Preparing to Write to DVDs
17
What is the difference
between clicking [Yes]
and [No] when com-
bining files?
When [Yes] is clicked, the
videos in the list are com-
bined into a single title and
written. Click [No] to write
the videos as separate ti-
tles and allow them to be
handled as chapters.
Files can be added to
lists at a later time
To add videos to a list at a
later time, click [Library] and
use the steps descr ibed
above. Conversely, to de-
lete videos from a list,
right-click a video on the
list confirmation screen
and select [Delete].
What about the qual-
ity of the files written
to DVD?
In the case of "DVD Lists,"
the video will be converted
to standard definition and
then written. In the case
of "AVCHD Lists," the vid-
eos can be recorded in high
definition. However, DVDs
that are recorded with the
latter method will require
an AVCHD-compatible DVD
player to play them.
❻Click [Library].
The steps above
can be repeated
to add more video
files.
❾Click the
created list to
check the
contents.
❽Click [Yes].
❼Drag the video
files to be written
to the list.

18
What is needed to
write?
Three types of discs can
be used: DVD-R, DVD-RW
and DVD-R DL. Because
DVD-R and DVD-R DL discs
can only be written to once,
be sure to use unrecorded
discs. Also, make sure
that the drive in the com-
puter can write to DVDs.
The menu screen can
be selected
ImageMixer 3 has six menu
screens that can be used.
They have different back-
grounds and designs, so
select the one that is most
suitable.
What is the "DL" in
"12cm DL"?
There are two types of DVDs:
Single layer (about 4.7 GB)
and dual layer (ab out 8.5
GB). "DL" refers to dual lay-
er DVDs. This is where you
specify one of these types.
When using a single layer
DVD-R or DVD-RW, then
select "12cm." When us-
ing a dual layer DVD-R DL,
then select "12cm DL."
After a list has been created, it is time to write the videos to a DVD. However, because DVD-R and
DVD-R DL discs can only be written to once, make sure that there are no mistakes in the list before
starting the process. It is also necessary to make sure that the CD/DVD drive in the computer is
compatible with the discs.
Writing to DVDs
Lesson ●07 Writing to DVDs
Select the List to Write
Create a list as
described in
lesson 6.
❸Select a menu.
❹Select the size
of the disc.
❺Click [OK].
❶Right click the
list to write to
DVD.
❷Click [Edit DVD
List].

Writing to DVDs
19
Writing to Discs
❷Click [Write].
How to create more
than one copy of the
same disc
It is possible to create many
copies of the same DVD. In
this case, click [OK ], and
mount a new DVD in the
computer to continue the
writing process.
Writing to the
disc is
completed.
❺Click [Cancel].
❸Click [OK].
❶Load a DVD in
the computer's
drive.
This describes
writing to a
DVD-R.
What is disc erase?
When using a DVD-RW any
data on the disc must be
erased before the video
can be written. Although
"quick erase" erases the
data faster, in rare cases it
can fail to erase the data.
"Complete erase" is more
certain, but takes more time
to erase the data.
❹Click [Create].
When using a
DVD-RW, select
Disc Erase.

20
What is AVCHD?
AVCHD is a video file for-
mat that allows recording
in high definition. The main
feature of this format is
that by using the high com-
pression rate H.264 stan-
dard high quality video
can be recorded even with
small capacity media.
What are Blu-ray discs?
These are discs that were
developed mainly to re-
cord high definition video.
They a r e a b le to record
more than five times the
capacity of DVDs. The discs
are the same 12 cm diam-
eter as CDs and DVDs.
Blu-ray discs are used to write long videos in high definition. This section describes the prepara-
tions to write video to Blu-ray discs. Follow the steps described below.
Preparing to Write to Blu-ray
Discs
Lesson ●08 Disc List (Blu-ray Discs)
Select the Video File to Write
Start ImageMixer
3 as described in
Lesson 1.
❶Click [Video file
management &
edit].
❹Input the list
name.
❺Click [OK].
Recently edited files
can be selected
A list of only recently edit-
ed files can be displayed
by selecting [Smart Album]
- [Recently Edited Files]
from the menu on the left.
This is a useful tool when
you have many videos and
it is difficult to find the ones
you want.
❷Click [Disc
List].
❸Click [New Blu-
ray List].