Vivitar DVR 378 User manual

DVR 378
Digital Camcorder
with Camera
User Manual
© 2009-2011 Sakar International, Inc. All rights reserved.
Windows and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

1
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 2
What‟s Included............................................................................................................................ 2
Parts of the Camcorder ................................................................................................................ 3
Initial Camcorder Setup................................................................................................................ 4
Main Camcorder Modes............................................................................................................... 6
Camcorder Technical Specifications............................................................................................. 7
Computer System Requirements –Windows............................................................................... 8
Computer System Requirements –Macintosh............................................................................. 8
Powering ON/OFF Your Digital Video Recorder........................................................................... 9
Changing Camcorder Mode ....................................................................................................... 10
Navigating the Menus..................................................................................................................11
Video Capture Mode ...................................................................................................................11
Video Playback Mode................................................................................................................. 13
Photo Capture Mode.................................................................................................................. 16
Photo Playback Mode ................................................................................................................ 17
Camcorder Settings.................................................................................................................... 21
Installing the Software................................................................................................................ 27
Connecting the Camcorder to the Computer.............................................................................. 28
Getting Photos and Videos from your Camcorder to Your Computer......................................... 29
Get started!................................................................................................................................. 30
Transferring Images from my Camcorder to my Computer Manually......................................... 31
Camcorder Maintenance............................................................................................................ 32
Sakar Warranty Card.................................................................................................................. 33
Technical Support....................................................................................................................... 34
Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................... 34

2
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this camcorder. Everything you need to take quality digital photos and
videos is included with your digital video recorder.
Vivitar makes capturing those special moments as easy as possible.
Note: Your camcorder needs an SD Memory card (up to 16GB) for normal use.
SD Memory cards are not included and need to be purchased separately.
Please read this manual carefully first in order to get the most out of your digital video recorder.
What’s Included
1. Digital Camcorder
2. Wrist Strap
3. Vivitar Experience Image Manager
software Installation CD
4. Built-in USB Connector
(not shown)
Note: SD memory card and batteries not included.

3
Parts of the Camcorder
1. Power Button
10. LCD Screen
2. Shutter Button
11. Lens
3. MODE Button
12. SD Memory Card Slot
4. SET (Menu/Delete) Button
13. USB Lever
5. Up / Zoom In Button
14. USB Connector
6. Down / Zoom Out Button
15. Microphone
7. Right Button
16. Speaker
8. Left Button
17. Wrist Strap Connector
9. LED Indicator
18. Battery Compartment

4
Initial Camcorder Setup
Installing the Batteries
Installing the Memory Card
Turning On the Camcorder
Using the Camcorder
Make sure the camcorder is
powered OFF.
Insert SD Memory card
(up to 16GB) before use.
Slide the battery cover off.
Insert 3 X AAA (1.5V) batteries.

5
Powering the Digital Video Recorder ON
1) Batteries
Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital video recorder.
Slide the battery cover on the back of the camera in a downward direction to open the cover.
Insert 3 x AAA (1.5V) batteries (not included) with the correct polarity, according to the
polarity illustrated inside the battery compartment.
Note:
Alkaline batteries are recommended.
Remove the batteries from the camera when not in use for an extended period.
Do not mix alkaline and non-alkaline batteries.
Some camera features (Flash) will not work if the battery power level is low.
When the battery power is low the battery icon turns red and the camcorder will
automatically turn off a few seconds later.
The energy status of the power is displayed on LCD as shown below:
Full battery power Medium battery power Low battery power
2) SD Memory Card
Make sure the camcorder is powered OFFbefore inserting yourSD/MMC/SDHC Memory Card.
Make sure an SD card (up to16GB) has been inserted into your digital video recorder.
(SD Memory card not included.)
To properly insert the SD Card:
Push the SD card into the slot in the direction shown on the camcorder (see SD icon by the
SD card slot). Push the SD card until you hear a slight clicking sound. This indicates the SD
card has been inserted correctly.
Note:
After the camcorder is powered on, an SD icon will appear on the LCD display. If you do
not see the SD icon on the display, please check if the card was inserted properly.
Make sure the SD card is notlocked (checkthe lock switch on the side of the SD card). If the
SD card is locked this will prevent the camcorder from saving captured photos to the SD card.
3) Power On
Press the POWER button to turn on the camcorder.

6
Main Camcorder Modes
Your digital video recorder has different modes for the various camcorder functions.
You can switch modes by pressing the MODE button on your digital video recorder after the
camcorder has been powered ON.
Video Capture Mode
Use this mode to capture videos with your digital video recorder.
This is the default mode when the camcorder is powered ON.
To take a video, aim your camcorder as desired and press the Shutter button to start the
record. A red record indicator will appear on the LCD screen while record is in progress. To
stop the record, press the Shutter button again. The video will be automatically saved to
your camcorder‟s memory card.
To access the various menus for the Video Capture mode, press the SET button while in
the Video Capture mode.
Photo Capture Mode
Use this mode to capture pictures with your camcorder.
After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button once to open the Photo Capture
mode.
To take a picture, aim your camcorder as desired and press the Shutter button.
The picture will be automatically saved to your camcorder‟s memory card.
To access the various menus for the Photo Capture mode, press the SET button while in
the Photo Capture mode.
Playback Mode (Photos & Videos)
Use this mode to view and manage the photos and videos on your camcorder.
After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button twice to open the Playback mode
for photos and videos. You can scroll through the photos and videos that you‟ve previously
taken to view and delete them as desired.
To access the various menus for the Playback mode for photos and videos, press the SET
button while in the Playback mode.

7
Camcorder Technical Specifications
Image Sensor
CMOS Sensor
Image Resolution
1280x1024 pixels (1.3MP), 640x480 pixels (VGA)
Video Resolution
640X480pixels (VGA 30fps), 320X240pixels (QVGA 30 fps)
File Format
JPEG/AVI
External Memory
SD/MMC/SDHC(up to 16GB) –SD Card Memory Card not
included
LCD Display
1.77 Inch TFT
Lens
f=3.8mm F2.8
Zoom
4X Digital Zoom
Image Quality
Normal
White Balance
Auto
Color Effect
Standard
Light Exposure
Auto
ISO
Auto
Frequency
50 Hz, 60 Hz
Auto Power Off
1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes
Metering
Center
Language
English, French
Microphone
Yes
Speaker
Yes
Interface
USB 2.0 (HS)
System Requirements
Window XP SP3 / Vista SP1/ Windows 7
Mac OS X v10.5.x or higher
Battery
3 x AAA (1.5V) Alkaline batteries
Working Temperature
0~40 C

8
Computer System Requirements –Windows
To be able to download photos and videos to your PC, you will need the following minimum
configuration:
Microsoft®Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 or Windows 7
Pentium® 4 processor (or above)
512 MB of RAM, with 250 MB of free hard disk space
16-bit Color monitor, 1024 X 768 recommended screen resolution
CD-ROM Drive
QuickTime® 6 or higher
Microsoft® Internet Explorer 7 or higher
Windows Media Player 10 or higher
DirectX 9 or higher
Internet connection required
Computer System Requirements –Macintosh
To be able to download photos and videos to your Macintosh, you will need the following
minimum configuration:
Intel processor running Mac OS X v10.5.x or later
256 MB RAM, 250 MB free hard disk space
Display: 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor
CD-ROM Drive
QuickTime® 6 or higher
Internet connection required

9
Powering ON/OFF Your Digital Video Recorder
Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital video recorder.
If your camcorder comes with a rechargeable lithium battery, make sure it is fully charged
before the first use.
Make sure an SD card has been inserted into your camcorder.
(SD card up to 16GB - SD Card not included)
Powering the camcorder ON
Press the Power button to turn your camcorder ON.
The camcorder will be in Video Capture mode to start.
Powering the camcorder OFF
While the camcorder is on, you can press the Power button again at any point to turn your
camcorder OFF. You will see a “Goodbye” splash screen and then the camcorder will power off
completely.
Note: When there is insufficient battery power, a “Low Battery”message will appear on the LCD
screen. The digital video recorder will automatically power off a few moments later.
Auto Power Saving
Your digital video recorder also has an Auto Power Off feature that will automatically turn off your
camera after a specific period of time that your camera is left idle. The Auto Power Off settings
can be set from the „Power Save‟ settings menu (in either Photo Capture Mode or Video Capture
Mode).

10
Changing Camcorder Mode
Your digital video recorder has three main modes:
1) Video Capture Mode - Use this mode to capture videos with your camcorder.
2) Photo Capture Mode - Use this mode to capture photos with your camcorder.
3) Playback Mode (for photos and videos) - Use this mode to view the photos and videos
you have already taken with your camcorder.
When the camcorder is first powered ON, the Video Capture Mode will be active. The icons that
appear on the LCD screen are the best default settings so that you can begin to capture and
enjoy clear quality videos and photos.
To change the active camcorder mode, make sure the camcorder is powered ON and press the
MODE button.
When in Video Capture Mode, this icon will display on the top-left corner of the LCD display
When in Photo Capture Mode, this icon will display on the top-left corner of the LCD display
When in Playback Mode, this icon will display on the top-left corner of the LCD display

11
Navigating the Menus
1) From the Video or Photo Capture Mode, press the SET button to open the camcorder setting
menus.
1) Press the UP or DOWN direction control button to scroll and highlight the desired menu.
2) Press the Shutter/OK or RIGHT button to view the selected submenu options.
3) Press the UP or DOWN direction control button to highlight a specific submenu option, then
(if applicable) press the RIGHT or LEFT direction control button to toggle and select the
submenu setting.
4) Press the Shutter/OK button to confirm and save your selected setting.
5) Press the SET button at any time to exit the menu and submenu settings.
6) Remember that this setting will be saved by your camera until you manually change the
setting or restore the camera‟s default factory settings.
Video Capture Mode
The Video Capture Mode allows you to capture videos with your digital video recorder. When the
camcorder is first powered ON, the Video Capture Mode will display by default.

12
Taking a Video
1) While in Video Capture Mode use the LCD display to direct the camcorder at the scene you
would like to capture.
2) Press the UP - Zoom In and Down - Zoom Out buttons to better set the camcorder display
if desired.
3) Press the Shutter button to start the video capture.
4) The elapsed time will begin to appear in red on the top right corner of the LCD screen.
5) To stop the video record, press the Shutter button again.
6) The video will automatically be saved to the camcorder‟s SD memory card.
Note: The amount of recording time available for the resolution selected appears on the top of
LCD screen. The lower the resolution setting the more recording time is available. However,
videos recorded at lower resolution are of less quality than videos recorded at the higher
resolution.
Remember, the amount of time that you can capture videos also depends on the size of the SD
memory card inserted as well as the video resolution selected.
Video Capture Mode Quick Function Buttons
Your digital video recorder has a four-directional pad and additional buttons that functions as
Quick Function buttons.
Button
Function
LEFT
Video Resolution –Changes between VGA and QVGA Video Resolution
UP
Zooms in
RIGHT
Video Resolution –Changes between VGA and QVGA Video Resolution
DOWN
Zooms out
Other
Shutter/OK
Starts and stops your video capture
SET
Opens and exits the Camera Menu options
Note: To navigate through the Menus, use the Left, Up, Right, and Down
directions control buttons.
MODE
Toggles between the Video Capture Mode, Photo Capture Mode, and
Playback Mode

13
Video Playback Mode
The Playback mode allows you to review photos and videos that you‟ve already taken with your
digital video recorder.
When you first turn on the camcorder, the camcorder will be in Video Capture mode by
default.
Press the MODE button twice to open the Playback Mode.
The Playback screen appears with the Playback icon appearing on the top left corner of
the screen.
Playing Videos on Your Digital Video Recorder
1) Select your Video:
Once in Playback mode, press the LEFT or RIGHT direction buttons to scroll through the
images on your digital video recorder‟s memory card until you find the video you would
like to view.
Each captured image (both videos and photos) is displayed on the LCD screen.
2) Play your selected Video:
Press the Shutter/OK button to START playing the video.
- While the Video is playing all the icons on the top section of the LCD disappear.
- The video playing time is shown on the top right.
Press the Shutter/OK button again to STOP the video.

14
Video Playback Mode Quick Function Buttons
Your digital video recorder has a four-directional pad and additional buttons that functions as Quick
Function buttons.
Button
Function
LEFT
- Displays the PREVIOUS image
- Scrolls through your Thumbnail images
UP
- Scrolls through your Thumbnail images
RIGHT
- Displays the NEXT image
- Scrolls through your Thumbnail images
DOWN
- Opens the Thumbnail display
- Scrolls through your Thumbnail images
Other
Shutter/OK
- Plays the selected video file
- Stops the selected playing video
- Opens selected image from the Thumbnail display
SET /
DELETE
Opens the Delete options
Note: To navigate through the Delete options, use the Left and Right
directions control buttons.
MODE
Toggles between the Video Capture Mode, Photo Capture Mode, and
Playback Mode
Thumbnail View
Easily navigate and select the image you wish to view by using the Thumbnail View.
The images on your camcorder will be displayed in a 3 X 3 matrix where you can use the
direction buttons to scroll and select images from the thumbnails.
1) Press the DOWN button for the images to appear in Thumbnail View.
2) Use the UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT direction control buttons to navigate the thumbnails and
select the image you wish to view.
Videos appear with a „V‟ icon.
3) Press the Shutter/OK button for the selected image to appear in full screen.
Note: You can identify from the thumbnail the image type:
AVI files have a Vappear on the thumbnail image
JPEG files do not have any icons on the thumbnail image

15
Video Playback: DELETE
While in the Playback mode, you can delete videos from your camcorder through the Delete
menu.
Delete Video:
1) Select the image you wish to delete.
1) Press the SET button to open the „Delete File‟ menu.
2) Press the RIGHT or LEFT direction control button to highlight the desired option, and then
press the Shutter/OK button confirm and continue.
- Select „No‟ then press the Shutter/OK button to exit without deleting the selected video.
- Select „Yes‟ then press the Shutter/OK button to delete the selected video.
Delete All Images (all videos and photos):
1) Press the SET button to open the „Delete File‟ menu.
2) Press the RIGHT or LEFT direction control button to highlight the desired option, and then
press the Shutter/OK button confirm and continue.
- Select „All‟ then press the Shutter/OK button to delete all the videos and photos on your
SD card.
Caution: Please use this Delete feature with care. Once images are deleted they are
permanently removed from your SD memory card. Please make sure that you only use this
feature once you have downloaded and saved all the images you wish to your computer.

16
Photo Capture Mode
The Photo Capture mode allows you to capture pictures with your digital video recorder.
When the camcorder is first powered ON, the camcorder will be in Video Capture Mode by
default.
Press the MODE button once to enter the Photo Capture mode.
Taking a Picture
1) Turn on your digital video recorder.
2) Press the MODE button once to open the Photo Capture Mode.
3) The camera icon will appear on the top left corner of the LCD.
4) While in Photo Capture mode, use the LCD display to direct the camcorder at the scene you
would like to capture.
5) Press the UP - Zoom In and Down - Zoom Out buttons to better set the camcorder display
if desired.
6) Press the Shutter button to capture and save your photo to the memory card.
Note: The lower the resolution setting the more photos can be taken. However lower resolution
photos are of less quality than photos taken at higher resolution.

17
Photo Capture Mode Quick Function Buttons
Your digital video recorder has a four-directional pad and additional buttons that functions as
Quick Function buttons.
Button
Function
LEFT
Photo Resolution –Changes between 1M and VGA Photo Resolution
UP
Zooms in
RIGHT
Photo Resolution –Changes between 1M and VGA Photo Resolution
DOWN
Zooms out
Other
Shutter/OK
Captures your Photo
SET
Opens and exits the Photo Menu options
Note: To navigate through the Menus, use the Left, Up, Right, and Down
directions control buttons.
MODE
Toggles between the Video Capture Mode, Photo Capture Mode, and
Playback Mode
Photo Playback Mode
The Playback mode allows you to review photos and videos that you‟ve already taken with your
digital video recorder.
When you first turn on the camcorder, the camcorder will be in Video Capture mode by
default.
Press the MODE button twice to open the Playback Mode.
The Playback screen appears with the Playback icon appearing on the top left corner of
the screen.

18
Viewing Captured Photos on Your Camcorder
1) Select your Photo:
Once in Playback mode, press the LEFT or RIGHT direction control button to scroll
through the images on your digital video recorder‟s memory card until you find the image
you would like to view.
Each captured image (both videos and photos) is displayed on the LCD screen.
Photos appear with a „JPG‟icon on the top left of the LCD screen.
2) Zooming In/Out of your selected Photo:
Press the UP / Zoom In button to Zoom In and magnify the selected photo.
Press the Shutter/OK button then press the LEFT/RIGHT/UP/DOWN direction control
buttons to navigate around the zoomed photos.
Press the DOWN / Zoom Out button to Zoom Out of the selected photo or press the
Shutter/OK button to return back to the photo in full screen.
Photo Playback Mode Quick Function Buttons
Your digital video recorder has a four-directional pad and additional buttons that functions as Quick
Function buttons.
Button
Function
LEFT
- Displays the PREVIOUS image
- Scrolls through your Thumbnail images
UP
- Scrolls through your Thumbnail images
RIGHT
- Displays the NEXT image
- Scrolls through your Thumbnail images
DOWN
- Opens the Thumbnail display
- Scrolls through your Thumbnail display images
Other
Shutter/OK
- Opens selected image from the Thumbnail display
SET /
Opens and exits the Photo Playback Delete Menu options

19
DELETE
Note: To navigate through the Menus, use the Left, Up, Right, and Down
directions control buttons.
MODE
Toggles between the Video Capture Mode, Photo Capture Mode, and
Playback Mode
Thumbnail View
Easily navigate and select the image you wish to view by using the Thumbnail View.
The images on your camcorder will be displayed in a 3 X 3 matrix where you can use the
direction buttons to scroll and select images from the thumbnails.
1) Press the DOWN button for the images to appear in Thumbnail View.
2) Use the UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT direction control buttons to navigate the thumbnails and
select the image you wish to view.
Note: You can identify from the thumbnail the image type:
AVI files have a Vappear on the thumbnail image
JPEG files do not have any icons on the thumbnail image
3) Press the Shutter/OK button for the selected image to appear in full screen.
4) Zooming Into the Image:
Once in full screen display mode, you can press the UP or DOWN buttons to Zoom In
and Zoom Out of the photo.
Once Zoomed In, press the Shutter/OK button to allow navigation of the zoomed in
photo.
Photo Playback: DELETE
While in the Playback mode, you can delete photos from your camcorder through the Delete
menu.
Delete Video:
1) Select the image you wish to delete.
2) Press the SET button to open the „Delete File‟ menu.