Pixela Corporation DCR-TRV22 PIXELA ImageMixer v1.5 User manual

Introduction
About This Manual
General notes
Using this manual
Read Carefully
About trademarks
Warning
About pictures and images
Software Usage Contract
Chapter 1 Before Use
Chapter 2 Capture Environment
Chapter 3 Album Environment
Chapter 4 Movie Editing Environment
Chapter 5 Layout Environment
Chapter 6 Image Editor
Chapter 7 Video Disc Environment
Chapter 8 ImageMixer Easy Video
CD (Win)
Introduction About This Manual
General notes
●This manual is an HTML document which explains the functions of ImageMixer Ver.1.5 for
Sony (henceforth, 'ImageMixer').
This manual does not explain the basics of Windows or Macintosh operating systems. Basic
operations, such as working with individual windows, are based on general usage of Windows
and Macintosh.
●Screenshots may differ slightly depending on each company's bundling of this product.
●Most screenshots currently used in this manual relate to the Windows version. The screenshots
for Windows and Macintosh differ slightly. Moreover, images may vary according to monitor
specifications.
●Due to the fact that the most recent information related to this software has not been added to the
manual, please consult the Read Me file, included on the CD-ROM.
Using this manual
This manual explains all ImageMixer's many functions.Any item can be referenced by clicking the menu
(table of contents) displayed on left-hand side of the screen.
●Blue text indicates a link. Clicking it will display the relevant item.Once that item has been
displayed, the link will appear in purple text.
●The end of the page can be referenced by clicking .
●The beginning of the page can be referenced by clicking .
●The preceding page (or preceding item) can be referenced by clicking .
●The following page (or following item) can be referenced by clicking .
●Issues of particular importance are indicated in red text. Please read them carefully.
Homepage
The latest information on ImageMixer can be found on our home page:
http://www.ImageMixer.com/
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

Introduction Read Carefully
About trademarks
●'Windows ®' is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
The official name of Windows is Microsoft ® Windows ® Operating System.
●Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
●In addition, the company names and brand names referenced in this manual are themselves the
trademarks, registered trademarks, and products of the respective companies.
Warning
1. All rights related to the user manual and software produced by our company (henceforth,
'product'), both of which are stored on the installation CD-ROM, belong solely to PIXELA
Corporation.
2. Unauthorized reproduction or reprinting of the contents of the product, or any portion thereof, is
strictly prohibited.
3. The contents of this product are subject to change without notice.
4. PIXELA Corp. offers no guarantees for this product. Moreover, PIXELA Corp. assumes no
responsibility for damage caused as the result of defects in this product (directly, indirectly, as a
special case or in inevitable cases) even once an announcement has been made that such damage
may occur. By the same token, PIXELA Corp. assumes no responsibility for costs incurred in the
reproduction or recovery of any lost computer programs or data, when such loss is associated
with the use of this computer program when included in another application.
All the rights to the picture data (including text characters) included in the product CD-ROM are
protected by accompanying copyrights based on the Copyright Act.
No persons other than the copyright holder may engage in the sale, rental, transfer, or
reproduction of this material without the consent of the copyright holder. Violations to the
Copyright Act are subject to criminal punishment. Use of the picture data on this CD-ROM is
permitted for individual use only.
The image data on this CD-ROM may not be duplicated for business purposes. Moreover, neither
corrected nor altered parts of the data may be used for business purposes.
About pictures and images

●Keep in mind that pictures and images which may used with ImageMixer may be protected or
otherwise forbidden, irrespective of their purpose or use.
●As for general literary property, the approval of the rightful claimant of the work is required
except in the case of personal use.
●Duplicating any type of currency, negotiable instruments, securities, etc., is illegal and punishable
by law.
●Duplicating licenses, passports, various kinds of certificates, official documents, private
documents, etc., is illegal and punishable by law.
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

Introduction Software Product Use Consent Contract
You are permitted by PIXELA, Corp., according to the following use consent conditions of this use
consent contract (henceforth, "this contract") to the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to use the
software program (henceforth, "this program") and its add-ons, such as the user guide.
Consented matter
You are granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to install and use one copy of this program on a
single computer.
The primary user of this program may copy parts thereof for backup purposes, with all usage rights, as
set forth in this contract, remaining exclusive to the primary user.
Prohibited matter
This program cannot be used on a network. When it is used by two or more computers on a network, a
royalty is required to be paid to PIXELA, Corp. for each additional computer.
Third person use or the use of this program by the method of re-use consent, transfer, distribution, loan,
or others, is not allowed.
You may not correct, alter, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble all or part of this program. You
may not allow a third person to perform such an act.
Termination of contract
When a customer reproduces this program or its add-ons without permission or breaks the above-
mentioned consent conditions, this contract is automatically terminated, and other legal action may be
taken by PIXELA, Corp. Upon termination of this contract, this program, its add-ons, and all duplicates
thereof, shall be returned to PIXELA, Corp., or abandoned.

Guarantee and exemption from responsibility
This program, its add-ons, and the productions thereof, may not conform to your specific purpose,
notwithstanding any representations, express or tacit. Moreover, PIXELA, Corp. does not guarantee that
the functions of this program will agree with your needs, or that there are neither discontinuities nor
errors in the functions of this program.
PIXELA, Corp. does not take any responsibility for direct or indirect loss or damage accompanying or
related to the use of this program, nor for any disputes arising between the customer and any third party
related to use of this program or caused by this program.
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

Introduction
Chapter 1 Before Use
System Requirements
Windows
Macintosh
Uninstalling
Basic Operations
Starting ImageMixer
ImageMixer startup screen
Outline of tasks
Selector Bar
Status Bar
Exiting ImageMixer
Basic operations
Basic Terms
Chapter 2 Capture Environment
Chapter 3 Album Environment
Chapter 4 Movie Editing Environment
Chapter 5 Layout Environment
Chapter 6 Image Editor
Chapter 7 Video Disc Environment
Chapter 8 ImageMixer Easy Video
CD (Win)
1-1 System Requirements
In order for ImageMixer to work correctly, your computer must meet the following minimum system
requirements. Please confirm that your computer system meets these requirements before installing
ImageMixer.
Windows
OS
Microsoft ® Windows ® 98/Windows ® 98 Second
Edition/Windows ® Millennium Edition/Windows ® 2000
Professional/Windows ® XP Home Edition/Windows ® XP
Professional (IBM PC/AT compatible)
(In Windows ® 98 and Windows ® 98 Second Edition, DV
(IEEE1394) capturing is not supported. In Windows ® 98, USB
capturing is not supported)
CPU Intel MMX ® Pentium ® 200MHz or faster. (Pentium ® III 500MHz or faster for capturing a movie via USB or IEEE1394.
Pentium ® III 800MHz or faster is recommended.)
Software DirectX 8.0a or later
Sound 16-bit stereo sound card with stereo speakers
Memory 64MB or more (128MB or more is recommended)
Hard Disk
Approx. 250MB for program, 1GB or more of free space
recommended for work space
However, when creating discs or disc images in video disc creation
mode, you must have available space 3 times or more that of the
disc to be created.
Graphics
4MB or more of VRAM, minimum of 800x600 at 16-bit hi-color
(65,000 colors); Direct Draw driver compatible
ImageMixer will not run correctly in a screen area of less than 800 x 600, or in
less than 256 colors.
Other
DirectX must be installed.
If the standard Windows fonts are not installed on the system,
characters will not be displayed correctly.
To install and use this software in Windows ® 2000 you must be
authorized as a Power User or Administrator; for Windows ® XP
you must be authorized as an Administrator.
Macintosh

OS
Mac OS 8.5.1 or later (Mac OS X is not compatible)
Mac OS 8.6 or above is required for creating a disc image in the
Video Disc Environment.
CPU iMac, eMac, iBook, PowerBookG3/G4, PowerMacG4 series
(G3 233MHz or better)
Memory 96MB or more (128MB or more is recommended)
Hard Disk
Approx. 200MB for program, 1GB or more of free space
recommended for work space.
However, when creating disc images in video disc creation mode,
you must have available space 3 times or more that of the disc to be
created.
Graphics Minimum of 800x600 (32,000 colors)
ImageMixer will not run correctly in a screen area of less than 800 x 600, or in
less than 256 colors.
Other
Pre-installed QuickTime 4 or later.
To create a video disc, you will also need to have an environment
that can run a recording device and the writing software Roxio's
Toast.
USB or IEEE1394 capturing is not available with Macintosh.
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

1-2 Uninstalling
Windows
1. From the Start menu, point to settings 'Settings' and open the 'Control Panel.'
2. Double-click the [Add/Remove Programs] icon.
The Add/Remove Programs property dialog box is displayed.
3. Select ImageMixer from the list of programs and click the [Add/Remove] button.
4. Select the language of the currently installed version of ImageMixer and click [OK].
The uninstall process begins.
5. When the dialog box says 'uninstall successfully completed,' click the [OK] button.
In some cases captured files may remain after the uninstall process is completed. To delete all ImageMixer
information, delete the Program Files >Pixela > ImageMixer folder.
Macintosh
1. Drag the following folder to the Trash: 'System Folder: Preferences: IM Default Settings,
ImageMixerPreferencesFile, IMx_VCDSPreferenceFolder, IMx_VCDS.prf '.
2. Drag the 'ImageMixer' folder from the HDD to the Trash.
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

1-3-1 Basic Operations
Starting ImageMixer
Windows
ImageMixer can be started by clicking on the Start Menu and pointing to
Programs>Pixela>ImageMixer>ImageMixer Ver.1.5. for Sony
If a shortcut icon for ImageMixer was created at installation, an icon will be displayed on the desktop
(see the example at right). Double-clicking this icon will also start ImageMixer.
Additionally, you can refer to this manual by selecting Start>Programs>Pixela>ImageMixer>Help.
Macintosh
ImageMixer is started by double-clicking the ImageMixer icon (created during
installation) in the ImageMixer folder on the HDD.
ImageMixer startup screen (The Main Selector)
The first window displayed when ImageMixer is started is called the Main Selector.

Capture Environment
button Click to begin tasks related to capturing media files.
Album Environment button Click to begin tasks related to albums.
Movie Editing Environment
button Click to begin tasks related to editing movie files.
Layout Environment button Click to begin tasks related to graphic layouts.
Video Disc Environment
button Click to begin tasks related to video disc.
Easy Video CD start button Click to begin tasks related to the ImageMixer Easy Video CD.
Exit button Click to exit ImageMixer.
Outline of tasks

Tasks related to capturing media files (Capture Environment)
ImageMixer allows you to select which existing media you want to work with and import files from a
memory card, such as one which is inserted in a digital camera connected to your computer. You can
also record sound from audio CDs or by using a microphone. Capturing still shots or entire scenes from a
digital movie camera is also easy with ImageMixer. You can then use the main screen to confirm these
operations by double clicking the appropriate thumbnail and easily add media files to existing albums.
Tasks related to albums (Album Environment)
Albums help you organize media files to be used with ImageMixer. Available tasks include viewing still
images and movies, running slide shows, displaying information related to individual files, performing
file searches, and sorting files according to specific criteria. Using albums also means that you only need
manage those files that serve the purposes you define.
Tasks related to editing movie files (Movie Editing Environment)
ImageMixer is a powerful application when it comes to editing movie files. To create professional
quality movies, you can cut scenes, superimpose sound, add transition effects, and make custom tiles
appear in specific places in the media stream. Also, since ImageMixer saves movie files in MPEG1
format, there is no degradation of image quality, since unedited portions do not need to be rewritten to
disk.
Tasks related to graphic layouts (Layout Environment)
Creating customized labels for video cassettes, floppy disks, and other items is a snap with ImageMixer,
as is designing other two-dimensional images. You can also choose from a wide variety of designing
tools, such as those related to colors, text manipulation, shapes and textures.
Tasks related to editing still pictures (Image Editor)
Unlike conventional photographs, digital images can be altered in a variety of ways with ImageMixer,
including applying masks to certain sections of an image, adding filters, changing background
composition, etc.
Tasks related to video disk (Video Disc Environment)
You can create Video CDs with a slideshow format conforming to Video CD Ver 2.0 standards. The
system has playback control functions that allow you to change the playback order using the menu, and
supports playback of still images.
ImageMixer Easy Video CD (Windows only)
You can create Video CDs directly from digital movie camera images. The wizard format makes it easy
to operate.
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

1-3-2 Basic Operations
Selector Bar
The buttons located on this bar control the desired working environment and general actions associated
with the current environment.
Capture Environment
button Click to begin tasks related to capturing media files.
Album Environment button Click to begin tasks related to albums.
Movie Environment button Click to begin tasks related to editing movie files.
Layout Environment button Click to begin tasks related to graphic layouts.
Video Disc Creation button Click to begin tasks related to video disc.
Minimize button Click to minimize the ImageMixer application window and
display it in the task bar. (Windows only)
Help button Click to bring up this manual and get help using ImageMixer.
(Windows only)
Preferences button Click to confirm or make changes to settings related to the
currently selected mode.
Exit button Click to exit ImageMixer.

Status Bar
The bottom part of ImageMixer's application window is called the 'Status Bar.' When the mouse pointer
is placed over an object, an explanation of its function is displayed in the Status Bar.
Exiting ImageMixer
Clicking the Exit button on either the [Main Selector] or the [Selector Bar] will close the
ImageMixer application.
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

1-3-3 Basic Operations
Basic operations in ImageMixer
Selecting an album
Once you select the album you want to work with, its icon turns bright yellow, so you are able to easily
distinguish which album is currently active.
Selecting thumbnails
Thumbnails may be selected in a variety of ways.
●Selecting one thumbnail
Click to select.
●Selecting a series of thumbnails
Click the first thumbnail in the series, hold down the 'Shift' key, and then click the last thumbnail
of the series.
●Selecting only individual thumbnails
In Windows, click the thumbnails of your choice while holding down the 'Ctrl' key. In Macintosh,
use the 'Command' key.
●Selecting all thumbnails currently displayed
In Windows, hold down the 'Ctrl' key and press 'A.' In Macintosh, hold down the 'Command' key
and press 'A.'
Selecting objects
Objects in a certain layout may be selected in a variety of ways.
●Selecting one object
Click to select.
●Selecting only individual objects
In Windows, click the objects of your choice while holding down the 'Ctrl' key. In Macintosh, use
the 'Command' key.
●Selecting all objects in the layout
In Windows, hold down the 'Ctrl' key and press 'A.' In Macintosh, hold down the 'Command' key
and press 'A.'
●Canceling object selection
Click anywhere in the layout there is no object.
Selecting a color in Windows (See below for Macintosh.)
When selecting a color, the following dialog boxes are displayed.

Click the color you wish to work with.
User-defined colors are displayed in . Click the color you wish to work with.
Click to display and .
A user-defined color can be created by clicking an area in the color spectrum or by
inputting digits.
The color currently specified in or is displayed here.
Click this button to add the color currently specified in to . Once any color on
the basic color palette or the custom color palette has been selected, the selected color
will be displayed in .
Selecting a color in Macintosh
The following color select dialog boxes are displayed by double-
clicking . A color can be selected in the currently displayed color
palette by clicking .

Click the color palette type you wish to work with.
Click an area in the color spectrum to specify a color.
Input digits to specify a color.
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

1-4 Basic Terms
Basic terms used in ImageMixer
IEEE1394
Also called 'I Triple E 1394,' this interface is best known for facilitating very fast data transfer speeds
(up to 400Mbps). It is used primarily as an output interface (DV connector) for digital video cameras or
hard disk drives. Other names for this interface include i.LINK (in Windows), and FireWire (in
Macintosh).
MPEG
MPEG stands for Moving Picture Experts Group. MPEG is an international data compression format for
digital movies and Hi-Fi audio. MPEG-1 is the approved format for Video CDs, and its brilliant
audio/video quality is comparable to that of VHS videotape. MPEG movies are stored as smaller files
than DV (digital video) movies of the same length, making it the standard movie format for Internet-
related activities. The MPEG-2 format also creates high quality images, but is used primarily for DVDs
and Digital Satellite Broadcasting.
Exif
Based originally on JPEG and TIFF file types, this format is used for still pictures taken with digital
cameras. Exif files contain detailed information (such as the date/time the photo was taken, image size,
shutter speed, etc.) on individual pictures.
MAPI
This is an acronym for "Messaging Application Programming Interface." It is the standard API
(application programming interface) specification recommended by Microsoft for e-mail related
activities. Usually, without MAPI, application software is unable to share data with other applications.
(This would mean, for example, that ImageMixer would only be able to exchange data within itself.) In
ImageMixer, MAPI acts as a sort of bridge between the ImageMixer application and your e-mail
software. When MAPI compatible e-mail software is used, layouts created in ImageMixer can be sent
via e-mail directly from the ImageMixer user interface.
MAPI compatible e-mail software includes Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft
Outlook 97/2000, Eudora Pro, and others. Questions regarding the MAPI compatibility of your e-mail
software should be addressed to the manufacturer.
When using Outlook Express
Depending on the version, you may need to set Outlook Express as the standard MAPI client.
Consult the Outlook Express user manual for instructions on MAPI client settings.
Capture
This refers to activities related to bringing in still pictures and movie files from sources such as disks,
cameras connected directly to your computer, and existing media, as would be the case in selecting and

saving a single frame from a movie file. Capturing is also a term used in ImageMixer to refer to the
recording of sound, from audio CDs or through a microphone, as well as moving images via a video
camera connected directly to your computer.
Thumbnails
Thumbnails are small graphic representations of files which have been added to a
particular album. They are linked not only to the file on your computer, but also to
information pertaining to that file, such as name, size, save directory, etc. Windows
users might think of a thumbnail as a 'shortcut,' and Mac users may make a
relationship to the term 'alias.'
Source files
Once movies, still pictures and sounds are added to the yellow albums, they become album files. All the
information pertaining to album files is linked to their thumbnails.
Album files
Source files refer to the media stored on your computer. As opposed to album files or thumbnails, they
can be considered the 'original' data files.
Trimming
This task refers to getting rid of unnecessary portions of an object.
Transition
The point at which one movie scene ends and another one begins is called a transition.
Templates
Upon installing ImageMixer, you will have a number of pre-designed pictures which you may like to use
as backgrounds for your own layouts. These are called templates, and they may be accessed by clicking
the [Templates] button.
Templates can neither be changed in size, nor edited.
Custom templates
ImageMixer lets you save your own designs for use as backgrounds in future layouts. They may be
accessed by clicking the [Custom Templates] button.
Object
Figures, images, and text arranged in layouts are called objects.
Control point
Once an object in a particular layout is selected, the four corners surrounding the object are displayed as
control points. They can be dragged to change the size the object.

Control points are displayed slightly differently in Windows and Macintosh.
Blocks
Blocks are the square areas which surround the control points.
Copyright © 2001-2002 PIXELA Corp. All rights reserved.

Introduction
Chapter 1 Before Use
Chapter 2 Capture Environment
Capture Environment
Opening Capture Environment
Capture window
Capture Tasks
Import file mode display
Importing files
Preferences
Digital Camera Import Mode
Digital camera import display
Importing files from a digital
camera
Preferences
Audio CD Recording Mode
Control panel
Caution
Recording music files
Troubleshooting
Preferences
Sound Recording Mode
Control panel
Recording sound files
Recording sound files while
previewing movie images
Troubleshooting
Preferences
USB Device Capture Mode (Win)
Control panel
Connection status
Capturing movie scenes
Capturing still pictures
Preferences
DV Camcorder Capture Mode
(Win)
Control panel
Changing the display size
Connection status
DV cassette indication
Capturing movie scenes
Capturing still picture files
Preferences
Chapter 3 Album Environment
Chapter 4 Movie Editing Environment
Chapter 5 Layout Environment
Chapter 6 Image Editor
Chapter 7 Video Disc Environment
Chapter 8 ImageMixer Easy Video
CD (Win)
2-1 Capture Environment
ImageMixer allows you to select which existing media you want to work with and import files from a
memory card, such as one which is inserted in a digital camera connected to your computer. You can
also record sound from audio CDs or by using a microphone. Capturing still shots or entire scenes from a
digital movie camera is also easy with ImageMixer. You can then use the main screen to confirm these
operations by double clicking the appropriate thumbnail and easily add media files to existing albums.
Opening Capture Environment
1. Open ImageMixer.
2. Click the [Capture Environment] button on the Main Selector.
3. Click the Capture Mode Selector button which corresponds to the task you wish to perform.
The selected mode is displayed.
Capture window
Capture mode selector Click either or , depending on the
method by which you wish to bring in media.
Control panel This section changes depending on the mode selected.
Album list window Albums are displayed in a list.
Thumbnail list window Depending on the capture mode selected, album file thumbnails
are displayed in a list.