JVC Everio GZ-HM550BEK Operating and maintenance manual

GZ-HM550BEK
CAMCORDER
Detailed User Guide
LYT2119-005A

Table of Contents
Beginner's Guide ............................................................ 4
Charging .................................................................................. 4
Recording ................................................................................ 4
Playback .................................................................................. 4
Shooting Tips .......................................................................... 4
Useful Shooting Techniques
Holiday Season/Christmas ...................................................... 5
Wedding .................................................................................. 6
Travel ...................................................................................... 7
Amusement Park ..................................................................... 9
Getting Started
Verifying the Accessories ...................................................... 11
Charging the Battery Pack .................................................... 13
Grip Adjustment .................................................................... 14
Using the Hand Strap ........................................................ 14
Inserting an SD Card ............................................................. 14
Types of Usable SD Card .................................................. 15
Clock Setting ......................................................................... 15
Resetting the Clock ........................................................... 16
Changing the Display Language ........................................... 16
Using the Operation Buttons ................................................. 17
Using the Slider ..................................................................... 17
Holding this Unit .................................................................... 17
Tripod Mounting .................................................................... 17
Using the Remote Control ..................................................... 18
Using Bluetooth-compliant Devices ...................................... 19
Registering a Bluetooth-compliant Device ......................... 20
Connecting to a Registered Device ................................... 21
Transferring Still Images to Bluetooth-compliant Devices
........................................................................................ 23
Operation Using a Smartphone ......................................... 24
Radio Waves Used by this Product ................................... 24
Using this Unit Overseas ....................................................... 25
Charging the Battery Pack Overseas ................................ 25
Setting the Clock to Local Time when Traveling ............... 26
Setting Daylight Saving Time ............................................ 26
Optional Accessories ............................................................ 27
Recording
Taking Videos in Auto Mode ................................................. 28
Zooming ............................................................................. 30
Capturing Still Images During Video Recording ................ 30
Reducing Camera Shake .................................................. 30
Checking the Captured Image Immediately ...................... 30
Taking Still Images in Auto Mode .......................................... 31
Zooming ............................................................................. 32
Checking the Captured Image Immediately ...................... 32
Manual Recording ................................................................. 33
Scene Selection ................................................................. 34
Adjusting Focus Manually .................................................. 35
Using Focus Assist ............................................................ 35
Adjusting Brightness .......................................................... 36
Setting Shutter Speed ....................................................... 36
Setting White Balance ....................................................... 37
Setting Backlight Compensation ........................................ 37
Setting Metering Area ........................................................ 38
Recording with Effects ....................................................... 38
Taking Close-up Shots ...................................................... 39
Capturing Human Subjects Clearly (Face Detection AE/AF)
............................................................................................ 39
Taking Group Shots (Self-timer) ........................................... 40
Registering Files to Events Before Recording ...................... 42
Taking Videos in YouTube Format ........................................ 42
Taking Videos in iTunes Format ........................................... 43
Slow-motion (High-speed) Recording ................................... 44
Recording at Intervals (TIME-LAPSE RECORDING) ........... 45
Recording Automatically by Sensing Movements (AUTO REC)
............................................................................................ 47
Remaining Recording Time/Battery Power ........................... 48
Playback
Playing Back Videos ............................................................. 50
Checking the Content of Videos Quickly ........................... 51
Playing a Video with Defective Management Information
........................................................................................ 51
Playback with Special Effects ............................................ 52
Playing Back Still Images ...................................................... 53
Slideshow Playback ........................................................... 54
Face Detection Zoom ........................................................ 54
Searching for a Specific Video/Still Image ............................ 55
Group Search .................................................................... 55
Date Search ....................................................................... 56
Event and Date Search ..................................................... 56
Connecting to and Viewing on TV ......................................... 57
Connecting via the HDMI Mini Connector ......................... 57
Connecting via the Component Connector ........................ 58
Connecting via the AV Connector ..................................... 59
Playing Back Playlists ........................................................... 59
Playing Back a BD/DVD Created on this Unit ....................... 60
Digest Playback on a DVD Player ..................................... 61
Editing
Deleting Unwanted Files ....................................................... 62
Deleting the Currently Displayed File ................................ 62
Deleting Selected Files ...................................................... 62
Deleting All Files ................................................................ 63
Protecting Files ..................................................................... 64
Protecting the Currently Displayed File ............................. 64
Protecting Selected Files ................................................... 64
Protecting All Files ............................................................. 65
Releasing Protection of All Files ........................................ 66
Changing Event Registration of Videos ................................ 66
Changing the Event of the Currently Displayed File .......... 66
Changing the Event of the Selected Files ......................... 67
Capturing a Still Image in the Video during Playback ........... 68
Dividing Files ......................................................................... 69
Combining Videos Recorded by Seamless Recording ......... 70
Capturing a Required Part in the Video ................................ 71
Capturing Videos for Uploading to YouTube ......................... 72
Preparing Videos to Transfer to iTunes ................................ 73
Creating Playlists from the Recorded Videos ........................ 74
Creating Playlists with Selected Files ................................ 74
Creating Playlists by Group ............................................... 75
Creating Playlists by Date ................................................. 76
Creating Playlists by Event ................................................ 77
Editing Playlists ................................................................. 78
Deleting Playlists ............................................................... 79
Adding Title Screens to Playlists ....................................... 80
Creating a Playlist with Title .................................................. 80
Copying
Copying Files to Card ............................................................ 81
Copying All Files ................................................................ 81
Copying Selected Files ...................................................... 82
Moving Files .......................................................................... 83
Moving All Files ................................................................. 83
Moving Selected Files ....................................................... 84
Creating Discs with a DVD Writer or External Blu-ray Drive
............................................................................................ 85
Preparing a DVD Writer (CU-VD50) .................................. 85
Preparing a DVD Writer (CU-VD3) .................................... 86
Preparing an External Blu-ray Drive .................................. 86
Changing Recording Media (video mode only) ................. 87
Copying All Files ................................................................ 87
Copying Files by Date ....................................................... 88
2

Copying Files by Event ...................................................... 89
Copying Selected Playlists ................................................ 90
Copying Selected Files ...................................................... 92
Finalizing Discs After Copying ........................................... 93
Using a USB External Hard Disk Drive ................................. 93
Preparing a USB External Hard Disk Drive ....................... 94
Copying All Files ................................................................ 94
Playing Back Files in the USB External Hard Disk Drive
........................................................................................ 95
Deleting Folders in the USB External Hard Disk Drive
........................................................................................ 95
Formatting the USB External Hard Disk Drive ................... 96
Creating a Disc Using a Connected Blu-ray Recorder .......... 96
Dubbing Files to a DVD Recorder or VCR ............................ 97
Copying to Windows PC ....................................................... 98
Verifying System Requirements (Guideline) ...................... 99
Installing the Provided Software ........................................ 99
Backing Up All Files ......................................................... 100
Organizing Files ............................................................... 101
Recording Videos to Discs .............................................. 102
JVC Software Licence Agreement ................................... 103
Backing Up Files Without Using Provided Software ........ 104
List of Files and Folders .................................................. 104
Copying to Mac Computer .................................................. 105
Menu Settings
Operating the Menu ............................................................ 106
Recording Menu (Video) ..................................................... 107
FACE PRIORITY AE/AF .................................................. 108
LIGHT .............................................................................. 108
REGISTER EVENT ......................................................... 108
VIDEO QUALITY ............................................................. 108
ZOOM .............................................................................. 109
GAIN UP .......................................................................... 109
HIGH SPEED RECORDING ........................................... 110
TIME-LAPSE RECORDING ............................................ 110
AUTO REC ...................................................................... 110
SEAMLESS RECORDING .............................................. 110
SHUTTER MODE ............................................................ 111
x.v.Color .......................................................................... 111
WIND CUT ....................................................................... 112
Recording Menu (Still Image) .............................................. 113
FACE PRIORITY AE/AF .................................................. 114
FLASH ............................................................................. 114
SELF-TIMER ................................................................... 114
SHUTTER MODE ............................................................ 114
IMAGE SIZE .................................................................... 115
IMAGE QUALITY ............................................................. 115
GAIN UP .......................................................................... 116
AUTO REC ...................................................................... 116
Manual Settings Menu ........................................................ 117
SCENE SELECT ............................................................. 117
FOCUS ............................................................................ 117
FOCUS ASSIST .............................................................. 117
BRIGHTNESS ADJUST .................................................. 117
SHUTTER SPEED .......................................................... 117
WHITE BALANCE ........................................................... 117
BACKLIGHT COMP. ....................................................... 117
METERING AREA/TYPE ................................................ 117
EFFECT ........................................................................... 117
TELE MACRO ................................................................. 117
Playback Menu (Video) ....................................................... 118
DELETE ........................................................................... 119
PICTURE TITLE .............................................................. 119
SEARCH .......................................................................... 119
PLAYBACK PLAYLIST .................................................... 119
EDIT PLAYLIST ............................................................... 119
PLAYBACK OTHER FILE ............................................... 119
EDIT ................................................................................ 119
SEAMLESS RECORDING .............................................. 120
WIPE/FADER .................................................................. 120
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY ................................................... 120
Playback Menu (Still Image) ............................................... 121
DELETE ........................................................................... 121
SEARCH DATE ............................................................... 121
EDIT ................................................................................ 121
SLIDE SHOW EFFECTS ................................................. 122
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY ................................................... 122
STILL IMAGE TRANSFER .............................................. 122
Display Settings Menu ........................................................ 123
LANGUAGE ..................................................................... 123
DATE DISPLAY STYLE .................................................. 123
MONITOR BRIGHTNESS ............................................... 123
LCD BACKLIGHT ............................................................ 124
FOCUS ASSIST COLOR ................................................ 124
CLOCK ADJUST ................................................................. 124
Basic Settings Menu ........................................................... 125
CONT. SHOOTING SPEED ............................................ 126
DEMO MODE .................................................................. 126
AUTO POWER OFF ........................................................ 127
OPERATION SOUND ..................................................... 127
RECORD BUTTON ......................................................... 128
QUICK RESTART ........................................................... 128
REMOTE ......................................................................... 129
AUTO FINALIZE .............................................................. 129
UPDATE .......................................................................... 130
FACTORY PRESET ........................................................ 130
Connection Settings Menu .................................................. 131
Bluetooth ......................................................................... 132
Bluetooth MIC AUDIO ..................................................... 132
DISPLAY ON TV ............................................................. 132
VIDEO OUTPUT .............................................................. 133
COMPONENT OUTPUT ................................................. 133
HDMI OUTPUT ................................................................ 134
HDMI CONTROL ............................................................. 134
Media Settings Menu .......................................................... 135
REC MEDIA FOR VIDEO ................................................ 135
REC MEDIA FOR IMAGE ............................................... 135
FORMAT BUILT-IN MEM. ............................................... 136
FORMAT SD CARD ........................................................ 136
ERASE ALL DATA .......................................................... 137
Names of Parts
Front .................................................................................... 138
Rear .................................................................................... 138
Bottom ................................................................................. 139
Interior ................................................................................. 139
LCD Monitor ........................................................................ 140
Indications on the LCD monitor
Common Recording Indications .......................................... 141
Video Recording .................................................................. 141
Still Image Recording .......................................................... 142
Video Playback ................................................................... 142
Still Image Playback ............................................................ 143
Troubleshooting
Battery Pack ........................................................................ 144
Recording ............................................................................ 144
Card .................................................................................... 145
Playback .............................................................................. 145
Editing/Copying ................................................................... 146
PC ....................................................................................... 146
Screen/Image ...................................................................... 147
Other Problems ................................................................... 147
Error Message? ................................................................... 148
Maintenance ................................................................ 149
Specifications ............................................................. 150
3

Charging
●Refer to the operating instructions found in the animation on the De-
tailed User Guide.
Recording
●Refer to the operating instructions found in the animation on the De-
tailed User Guide.
Playback
●Refer to the operating instructions found in the animation on the De-
tailed User Guide.
Shooting Tips
Basic Way to Hold a Camcorder
~ Recording Stable Images ~
.
This is the standard way of shooting while standing up.
Be sure to master this basic technique in order to achieve stable images.
■[Getting Ready]
① Open your feet to the width of your shoulders.
② Keep the elbow of your right arm, which is holding the camcorder,
close to your side.
③ Hold the LCD monitor with your left hand and adjust the angle ac-
cordingly.
Extending Your Hands to Shoot
~ High-Angle Shooting ~
.
Extend your hand when your subject is being hidden behind a crowd of
people.
■[Getting Ready]
① Open your feet to the width of your shoulders.
② Extend your right hand and hold the camcorder over your head.
③ Hold the LCD monitor with your left hand and adjust the angle ac-
cordingly.
CAUTION:
●Use this way of shooting only as a last resort as it is difficult to achieve
stable images.
●Set to the wide angle as much as possible as the image will be prone
to camera shake.
●Be considerate. Do not inconvenience the people around you.
Squatting and Shooting at Eye Level
.
Staying low is a common position to take when shooting small children.
By recording from the eye level of the child, you can capture all his cute
expressions clearly.
■[Getting Ready]
① Kneel down with your left knee while keeping your right foot on the
ground.
② Place the elbow of your right arm, which is holding the camcorder,
on your right knee.
③ Hold the LCD monitor with your left hand and adjust the angle ac-
cordingly.
Panning
●Refer to the operating instructions found in the animation on the De-
tailed User Guide.
Use this method to shoot a wide angle of view.
■[Getting Ready]
Shoot by rotating your body instead of moving your arms while keeping
the basic way of holding a camcorder as stated above.
① Stand facing the direction where the rotation will stop.
② Twist your upper body to the direction where recording will start.
③ Press the start button and record for 2 seconds, then slowly twist
back your body to face the front.
Record for another 2 seconds while facing the front, then press the
stop button.
(The 90 degrees rotation should take about 5 seconds, giving the
feeling of a slow motion.)
Beginner's Guide
4

Holiday Season/Christmas
Record the happy Christmas celebration with your family!
.
Photo by 101st CAB, Wings of Destiny
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0
Decorating the Tree and Preparing the Dinner
The decoration of tree and preparation of dinner are part of the joy of
Christmas. Be sure to record these happy family times!
■Decorating the tree
.
A tree is the most important thing to bring out the mood of Christmas.
Simply the scene of all family members engaging in the decorating of a fir
tree with various colorful ornaments is full of the feeling of happiness.
■Preparing the Dinner
.
Photo by Manicosity
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0
Record the scenes as everyone helps to prepare the feast of the night.
You can film the mother who is cooking, the children who are helping,
and of course, the process of making a cake!
Recording the Christmas Party
.
Photo by InnerSpirit
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0
After all preparations, it is finally the Christmas party itself.
Not only should you record the candle-blowing scene, but also the smiles
of the family while being surrounded by good food, or even the father who
is slightly drunk from champagne!
Finding the Presents
.
For children, the greatest joy of Christmas is receiving presents the next
morning.
Their expression of delight when finding a present next to their pillow is a
recording opportunity not to be missed. Get ready to shoot before the
children wake up!
Useful Shooting Techniques
5

Wedding
Create an awesome wedding video for the bride and groom!
.
Discussing and Planning Before the Event
Before the day of the wedding reception, it is important to discuss with
the bride and groom about various details such as the order of the cere-
mony and whether there are any entertainment programs or change of
clothes.
By understanding the preferences of the bride and groom, you will be
able to shoot more appropriately.
Finding the Right Angle to Capture Both Bride and Groom
■Composing the picture with the guests in front and the
bride and groom at the back
.
The main characters of a wedding are of course the bride and groom. Re-
cord their expressions clearly during the toast, speech, entertainment
programs, and other scenes.
Another recommendation is to capture the face shots of the guests, then
pan towards the groom. Picture composition containing the crowd of
guests only lacks fun, so be sure to pay attention to the shooting angle
and size.
Recording the Expressions and Comments of Guests
■Setting the shot from eye level to chest level
.
You can record comments from the guest by going around asking,
"Please say a few words for the bride and groom".
This can be done at the guests' waiting room, when the bride and groom
are changing, or during the entertainment programs.
Closing Up on the Bride's Face During the Thank You
Speech
The climax of the event finally comes during the bride and groom's thank
you speech and presentation of flowers. The touching words of apprecia-
tion from the bride and tears of joy from the parents are scenes that must
not be missed.
Start by closing up on the bride's face using zoom. As the tears start to
form in the bride's eyes, continue shooting for a little longer. Then, slowly
zoom out to the wide angle to show the parents who are moved by the
speech.
Advanced Operation with Two Camcorders
■<Camcorder 1>
Closing up on the bride and groom all the time
■<Camcorder 2>
Recording the congratulatory messages from friends at
the same time
.
If video-editing is to be done, record using two camcorders so that a vid-
eo with varying scenes can be created. You can try asking a close friend
who has a camcorder at home.
Set the borrowed camcorder on a tripod to focus on taking close-up shots
of the bride and groom. In this way, the other camcorder can be moved
around to record other scenes, enabling an interesting video with chang-
ing scenes to be created through editing and compilation.
As most people own at least a digital camera nowadays, even if you are
really unable to find an extra camcorder, inserting still pictures to the vid-
eo at various points is also a good way to add variety. Do give it a try!
Useful Shooting Techniques
6

Travel
Capture all the good times of your domestic or overseas trips!
.
Bringing the Necessary Equipment
The necessary things to bring on a trip depends on your traveling pur-
pose and the destination.
For overseas trips in particular, you have to think about what to bring in
accordance to the local conditions.
Here are some suggestions for your consideration.
■Camcorder
Think about how many hours of shooting you will usually perform in a
day. Be sure to prepare enough recording medium especially for long
overseas trips.
If you are recording in SD cards, get ready the sufficient number of cards,
including some for backup.
■Battery Pack
Prepare a battery pack that is ready for double the expected recording
time in a day. For example, if you plan to record for 2 hours a day, pre-
pare a battery pack that is ready for 4 hours (actual recording time).
For a day trip, you can prepare a battery with low capacity but for a long
trip, do prepare a few batteries with high capacities.
■AC Adapter
The JVC AC adapter supports voltages from 100 V to 240 V, and hence
can be used anywhere in the world.
Bring along the adapter if you are traveling for a long time. Charge the
battery pack while sleeping so that you can record with full battery power
the next day.
■Power Plug Adapter
.
The shape of the power plug varies according to countries. Be sure to
check the shape of the power plug beforehand, and bring the appropriate
power plug adapter.
"Charging the Battery Pack Overseas" （A P.25）
■Battery Charger
.
Recording cannot be performed when an AC adapter is connected to the
camcorder for battery charging.
You can bring an additional battery charger to charge battery packs if you
plan to use the camcorder for recording at night. You can also charge
multiple battery packs by using both the battery charger and this camcor-
der at the same time.
■Tripod
.
A tripod is an essential item to take stable images. Select an appropriate
tripod in accordance to your purpose and style of traveling, such as a
compact one to be used on a table or one that is at least 1 m tall.
Recording the Excitement Before Departure
It may be a little abrupt to start your travel video at the destination sud-
denly.
Record also the preparations prior to departure if it is a family trip, or the
time when everyone is gathered at the meeting place if you are traveling
with your friends.
For overseas trips, taking a shot of the signs and displays at the airport of
the flight you are taking may be useful for future reference.
.
.
Useful Shooting Techniques
7

Using Pan at the Places of Interest
Tourists spots with beautiful scenery or historical sites are places that you
would certainly want to record.
To capture the magnificence of a scene which cannot be fitted into a sin-
gle frame, try the panning technique.
Refer to the "Shooting Tips" found in this website on how to use panning
effectively.
In addition, you may also like to take a shot of the signs or monuments
that can often be found at the tourist spots.
.
.
Showing Everyone Having a Good Time
When taking a video, it is rather dull to shoot only the scenery or histori-
cal sites.
Talk about your feelings while recording the breath-taking scenery of an
attraction so that it will be an interesting scene to view later.
Useful Shooting Techniques
8

Amusement Park
Take more shots of the smiling faces of everyone in the family!
.
Taking Videos or Still Images According to the Attraction
You may choose to take videos all the time. However, you may want to
take some still images too.
The following section explains the scenarios suitable for taking videos or
still images.
■Scenarios suitable for taking videos
.
Scenarios with changes in body movement are suitable for taking videos.
This includes situations where there are rapid changes in facial expres-
sions or voices of surprise and delight.
*Some amusement parks do not allow passengers to perform any record-
ing. Be sure to check beforehand.
[Examples]
●Merry-go-round, go kart, coffee cup, etc.
■Scenarios suitable for taking still images (photos)
.
Scenarios with little movement of the subject are suitable for taking still
images.
Try to take the still images from an angle such that the surroundings can
be seen clearly.
[Examples]
●Carousal, ferris wheel, fun bicycle rides, etc.
Inducing Responses by Calling Out
.
Videos with no waving of hands nor laughter are not only dull when you
view them later, but also put the capability of the audio-recording function
of the camcorder to a waste.
When recording, induce more reactions by enthusiastically waving your
hands or shouting out "Is it fun?" and the like.
Capturing the Best Moment in a Video as a Still Image
Shots with the eyes closed are often taken by accident. To reduce such
mistakes, make use of the function to capture still images from videos.
As videos are actually continuous recording of 60 still images within 1 mi-
nute, using this function allows you to select the best moment and save it
as a still image.
"Capturing a Still Image in the Video during Playback" （A P.68）
.
Photo by justthatgoodguyjim
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0
Video Playback in Progress
.
Photo by talkrhubarb
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0
Capturing a Still Image
.
Photo by justthatgoodguyjim
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0
Video Playback in Progress
Useful Shooting Techniques
9

Advanced Operation with Backlight Compensation
It is useful to make use of backlight compensation when the subject's
face is in backlight or when the expression cannot be seen clearly.
Increase the brightness of the whole image by setting “BACKLIGHT
COMP.” if the faces appear too dark. Even the expressions of faces un-
der shadows can be captured brightly and clearly.
"Setting Details" （A P.37）
■<Without backlight compensation>
.
■<With backlight compensation>
.
Useful Shooting Techniques
10

Verifying the Accessories
If any of the items are missing or defective, consult your JVC dealer or the nearest JVC service center.
Illustration Description
.
AC Adapter
AP-V30M
●Connects to this unit to charge the battery pack.
It can also be used when recording or playing back videos indoors.
.
Power Cord
.
Battery Pack
BN-VG114E
●Attaches to this unit to supply power.
.
Remote Control
RM-V760U
●Operates certain functions from a distance.
.
AV Cable
●Connects this unit to a TV to play back recorded images on the TV.
.
Component Cable
●Connects this unit to a TV to play back recorded images on the TV in a better quality.
.
USB Cable
(Type A - Mini Type B)
●Connects this unit to a PC.
.
CD-ROM
●For installing the provided software "Everio MediaBrowser" on a PC.
.
Basic User Guide
●Read well and keep in a safe place where it can be accessed easily when necessary.
Memo:
SD cards are sold separately.
"Types of Usable SD Card" （A P.15）
Getting Started
11

When using the AC adapter overseas, please prepare a commercially available converter plug for the country or region of visit.
"Charging the Battery Pack Overseas" （A P.25）
Getting Started
12

Charging the Battery Pack
Charge the battery pack immediately after purchase and when the re-
maining battery power is low.
The battery pack is not charged at the time of purchase.
1Attach the battery pack.
.
●Align the top of the battery with this unit, and slide in until the battery
clicks into place.
2Connect the AC adapter to the DC terminal.
.
3Plug in the power.
.
●The charging lamp blinks when charging is in progress.
It goes out when charging is finished.
CAUTION:
Be sure to use JVC battery packs.
●If you use any other battery packs besides JVC battery packs, safety
and performance can not be guaranteed.
●Charging time: approx. 2 h 30 m (using supplied battery pack)
The charging time is when the unit is used at 25°C . If the battery pack
is charged outside the room temperature range of 10°C to 35°C ,
charging may take a longer time or it may not start.
The recordable and playable time may also be shortened under some
usage conditions such as at low temperature.
Rechargeable Batteries：
●When using the battery in a low temperature environment (10°C or be-
low), the operating time may be shortened, or it may not function prop-
erly. When using this unit outdoors in the winter weather, warm the bat-
tery, such as by placing it in the pocket, before attaching it.
(Keep away from direct contact with a warm pack.)
●Do not expose the battery to excessive heat, such as direct sunlight or
fire.
●After removing the battery, store it in a dry place between 15°C to
25°C .
●If the battery pack is not to be used for a long time, use up the charge
completely and detach it from this unit to prevent deterioration.
Memo:
●You can connect this unit to the AC adapter to record for long hours in-
doors.
(Battery charging begins when the LCD monitor is closed.)
Detaching the Battery Pack
.
Slide the battery release lever to detach the battery from this unit.
Approximate Battery Charging Time
Battery Pack Charging Time
BN-VG114E
(Supplied)
2 h 30 m
BN-VG121E 3 h 30 m
●When the battery life is reached, the recording time becomes shorter
even if the battery pack is fully charged.
(Replace the battery pack with a new one.)
* The charging time is when the unit is used at 25°C . If the battery pack
is charged outside the room temperature range of 10°C to 35°C , charg-
ing may take a longer time or it may not start.The recordable and playa-
ble time may also be shortened under some usage conditions such as at
low temperature.
"Approximate Recording Time (Using Battery)" （A P.49）
Getting Started
13

Grip Adjustment
.
① Flip the grip belt over.
② Adjust the length of the belt.
③ Fasten the grip belt.
CAUTION:
●Be sure to fasten the grip belt properly.
If the belt is loose, this unit may drop and result in injuries or damages.
Using the Hand Strap
When using the hand strap, loop it around your wrist.
.
Removing the Strap
.
●While pressing A, pull B and remove the strap.
Attaching the Strap
.
Push in firmly until it clicks into place.
Inserting an SD Card
When a commercially available SD card is inserted, recordings can still
be made to the card without stopping when the remaining recording time
on the built-in memory runs out.
"Types of Usable SD Card" （A P.15）
"Approximate Video Recording Time" （A P.49）
1Close the LCD monitor.
.
2Open the slot cover.
.
3Insert an SD card.
.
●Insert with the label facing outward.
Warning
●Make sure not to insert the card in the wrong direction.
It may cause damage to the unit and card.
●Turn off the power of this unit before inserting or removing a card.
●Do not touch the metal contact area when inserting the card.
Memo:
●To record to the card, it is necessary to perform media settings.
When no card is available, set media settings to “BUILT-IN MEMORY”
for recording.
"REC MEDIA FOR VIDEO" （A P.135）
"REC MEDIA FOR IMAGE" （A P.135）
●To use cards that have been used on other devices, it is necessary to
format (initialize) the card using “FORMAT SD CARD” from media set-
tings.
"FORMAT SD CARD" （A P.136）
Getting Started
14

Removing the Card
Push the SD card inward once, then pull it out straight.
.
Types of Usable SD Card
The following SD cards can be used on this unit.
Operations are confirmed on the SD cards from the following manufactur-
ers.
●Panasonic
●TOSHIBA
●SanDisk
●ATP
SDHC Card
.
●Use a Class 4 or higher compatible SDHC card (4 GB to 32 GB) for
video recording.
●To record videos with “VIDEO QUALITY” set to “UXP”, use of a Class 6
compliant SDHC card is recommended.
●You can also use a Class 10 compliant SDHC card.
SD Card
.
●This unit supports 256 MB to 2 GB SD cards.
Memo:
●Using SD cards (including SDHC cards) other than those specified
above may result in recording failure or data loss.
●Class 4 and Class 6 are guaranteed to have a minimum transfer rate of
4 MB/s and 6 MB/s respectively during reading or writing of data.
Clock Setting
The “SET DATE/TIME!” screen appears when you turn on this unit for the
first time after purchase, when it has not been used for a long time, or
when the clock is not set yet.
Set the clock before recording.
1Open the LCD monitor.
.
●This unit turns on.
●When the LCD monitor is closed, this unit turns off.
2Select “YES” and touch C.
.
3Set the date and time.
.
●Use the slider to adjust the year, month, day, hour, and minute in order.
●Touch the operation buttons "E" / "F" to move the cursor.
●After setting the date and time, touch C.
4Select the region where you live and touch C.
.
●The city name and time difference are displayed.
●Touch C after the color of the selected region changes.
Memo:
●The clock can be reset again later.
"Resetting the Clock" （A P.16）
●When using this unit overseas, you can set it to the local time for re-
cording.
"Setting the Clock to Local Time when Traveling" （A P.26）
●“SET DATE/TIME!” is displayed when you turn on this unit after it has
not been used for a prolonged period.
Charge this unit for more than 24 hours before setting the clock.
"Charging the Battery Pack" （A P.13）
●You can turn on or off the clock display during playback mode.
"ON-SCREEN DISPLAY" （A P.120）
●Touch the slider and buttons around the screen with your fingers.
●The slider and buttons do not function if you touch them with your fin-
gernails or with gloves on.
●The displays on the screen do not work even if you touch them.
Getting Started
15

Resetting the Clock
Set the clock with “CLOCK ADJUST” from the menu.
1Touch D to display the menu.
.
2Select “CLOCK ADJUST” and touch C.
.
3Select “CLOCK SETTING” and touch C.
.
4Set the date and time.
.
●Use the slider to adjust the year, month, day, hour, and minute in order.
●Touch the operation buttons "E" / "F" to move the cursor.
●After setting the date and time, touch C.
5Select the region where you live and touch C.
.
●The city name and time difference are displayed.
●Touch C after the color of the selected region changes.
Changing the Display Language
The language on the display can be changed.
1Touch D to display the menu.
.
2Select “DISPLAY SETTINGS” and touch C.
.
3Select “LANGUAGE” and touch C.
.
4Select the desired language and touch C.
.
Getting Started
16

Using the Operation Buttons
Functions of the operation buttons may be displayed on the screen ac-
cording to the feature in use.
.
●To operate, touch the slider and buttons around the screen lightly with
your fingers.
Memo:
●"Touch" denotes the touching of the operation buttons lightly.
●The slider and buttons do not function if you touch them with your fin-
gernails or with gloves on.
●The displays on the screen do not work even if you touch them.
Using the Slider
Slide the ball of your finger along the slider for smooth operations.
While the slider is being pressed, the cursor moves automatically.
Fine operations such as moving the cursor one by one can be performed
by touching the slider.
●Refer to the operating instructions found in the animation on the De-
tailed User Guide.
Memo:
●The slider and buttons do not function if you touch them with your fin-
gernails or with gloves on.
●The displays on the screen do not work even if you touch them.
Holding this Unit
When holding this unit, keep your elbows close to your sides to prevent
camera shake.
.
CAUTION:
●Be careful not to drop this unit during transportation.
●Guardians should pay close attention when this unit is being used by
children.
Memo:
●If camera shake is excessive, use the digital image stabilizer.
"Reducing Camera Shake" （A P.30）
Tripod Mounting
This unit can be mounted on a tripod. This is useful for preventing cam-
era shake and recording from the same position.
.
●To prevent this unit from falling off, check the tripod mounting screw
holes and positioning holes on the unit carefully before mounting, and
turn the screws until they are fastened firmly.
CAUTION:
●To prevent injuries or damages which may result if this unit falls off,
read the instruction manual of the tripod to be used and make sure that
it is securely attached.
Memo:
●It is recommended to use the tripod when recording in conditions prone
to camera shake (such as in dark places or when zoomed to the tele-
photo end).
●Set "DIS" to Z (OFF) when using a tripod for recording.
"Reducing Camera Shake" （A P.30）
Getting Started
17

Using the Remote Control
You can operate this unit from a distance away using the supplied remote
control.
.
Memo:
●Point the remote control toward the sensor directly and use it within 5
m from this unit.
●The transmitted beam may not be effective or may cause incorrect op-
eration when the sensor is directly exposed to sunlight or powerful
lighting.
Preparing the Remote Control
.
Using the Remote Control for the First Time
.
●A button battery (CR2025) is included inside the remote control at the
time of purchase.
Remove the insulation sheet before use.
Reinserting the Battery
.
●Pull out the battery holder by pressing the lock tab.
●Insert the button battery with the + side facing upward.
Operation Buttons on Remote Control Unit
.
1Recording Start/Stop Button
●Starts/stops video recording.
2Still Image Button
●Takes a still image.
3Zoom Button
●T: Zooms in
●W: Zooms out
4Basic Playback Operations
Operation Button Description
Playback/Pause
Button
d / e
●Starts/pauses playback of videos or slide-
shows.
Left Button j●Moves the cursor to the left.
●Performs reverse search during playback.
Right Button i●Moves the cursor to the right.
●Performs forward search during playback.
T Button N●Zooms in. (during pause)
●Turns up (+) the volume during video play-
back.
W Button O●Zooms out. (during pause)
●Turns down (-) the volume during video play-
back.
5Index Button
●Stops playback and returns to thumbnail display.
6Info Button
●Recording: Displays the remaining time (for video only) and battery
power.
●Playback: Displays file information such as recording date.
Getting Started
18

Using Bluetooth-compliant Devices
This unit is equipped with Bluetooth function.
You can do the following using a Bluetooth-compliant device via wireless
connection.
Capabilities of Bluetooth-compliant Devices
Capability Bluetooth-compliant Device
Control the camcorder ●Smartphone
Monitor the image during record-
ing
●Smartphone
Import recorded still images ●Smartphone
●BIP/OPP-compliant device
(such as some mobile phones)
Record the location information *1 ●Smartphone
●GPS Receiver
Listen to audio sound/Record au-
dio sound
●Headset
*1 The recorded location information can be used on the software provi-
ded with this unit. For more information, refer to the help file of Everio
MediaBrowser.
Using a Bluetooth-compliant Device
1For smartphones, install its exclusive application.
2Register (pair) a device.
"Registering a Bluetooth-compliant Device" （A P.20）
3Connect the Bluetooth-compliant device to the camcorder.
"Connecting to a Registered Device" （A P.22）
4Perform some rehearsals (test recordings) before the actual shooting.
5Perform the actual shooting (operations).
Improving the Communication
① Some connected devices may not be able to support the capabilities
of this unit.
●Verify the compatibility before using.
② Make sure that there are no obstacles between the Bluetooth-com-
pliant device and the camcorder.
●Position the Bluetooth-compliant device such that it can be seen by
the camcorder.
.
●Any obstacles or human subjects between the Bluetooth-compliant
device and the camcorder will interrupt the communication.
.
●When using a headset, use it while facing this unit directly.
.
③ Make use of the Bluetooth-compliant device as near to the camcor-
der as possible.
●Although connections within a range of 10 m may be supported by
this unit, the nearer the device, the better the communication.
*If the communication is weak, data transfer may take a longer time or
there may be noise in the audio sound.
Getting Started
19

Compliant Bluetooth Devices
This unit can be connected to the following Bluetooth-compliant devices
for use.
Refer to the instruction manual of the device, except smartphones, to
check its Bluetooth profile.
Device Selection
(Bluetooth setting on
this unit)
Target Device/Compliant Profile
Smartphone RIM
●BlackBerry Bold 9000
●BlackBerry Curve 8900
●BlackBerry Curve 8310
HTC
●Touch Diamond
●Touch Pro
BIP/OPP BIP (Basic Imaging Profile, Imaging Re-
sponsor)
OPP (Object Push Profile, Push Server)
GPS Receiver SPP (Serial Port Profile, Device B)
Headset HSP (Headset Profile, HS)
CAUTION:
●When registering a device, be sure to select the correct target device in
Bluetooth settings.
If the target device is wrong, connection cannot be established even if
the device is registered.
●Although connections within a range of 10 m may be supported by this
unit, the nearer the device, the better the communication.
●Perform communication at a location that is at least 2 m away from oth-
er electrical products, such as AV or OA equipment. In particular, com-
munication by this product is susceptible to influences by microwave
ovens. In this case, allow a distance of at least 3 m. Failure to do so
may result in communication errors. Also, reception of a TV or radio set
may deteriorate if it is placed near this product.
●Communication may not be carried out properly near radio equipment
or broadcasting stations. In this case, change the location accordingly.
●Radio wave interference by wireless LAN equipment
Wireless LAN equipment makes use of the same frequency bandwidth
(2.4 GHz) as that of the Bluetooth devices. Using this product near
such equipment may cause radio wave interference, and result in a
drop in communication speed or connection failure. In this case, turn
off the power of devices that are not in use.
Registering a Bluetooth-compliant Device
In order to use a Bluetooth-compliant device with this unit, it is necessary
to perform registration (pairing) on this unit.
1Touch D to display the menu.
.
2Select “CONNECTION SETTINGS” and touch C.
.
3Select “Bluetooth” and touch C.
.
4Select the type of device to register and touch “REG.”
.
Headset You can use a headset (headphone that is integrated with
a microphone) to listen to the recorded audio sound dur-
ing shooting.
By configuring the “Bluetooth MIC AUDIO” setting in ad-
vance, you can insert narration into the movie while
shooting.
GPS Re-
ceiver
You can use the GPS receiver to record the location infor-
mation of a recorded movie or still image.
BIP/OPP Transfers still image data to a Bluetooth-compliant device.
Smart-
phone
You can use a registered mobile phone as a remote con-
trol for this unit using the pre-installed application on the
phone.
Getting Started
20