Vivitar DVR-518 User manual

DVR 518
Digital Video Camcorder
User’s Manual
© 2009 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.

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Table of Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................2
Key Features ................................................................................................2
What your digital video camcorder includes..................................................3
Computer System Requirements for Windows XP........................................4
Computer System Requirement for Windows Vista......................................5
Computer System Requirements for Macintosh ...........................................5
A Quick Look at your Digital Video Camcorder.............................................7
Preparing Your Camcorder for Use...............................................................8
Inserting an SD Memory Card ......................................................................9
Maintenance and Care................................................................................11
DVR Function Control.................................................................................12
Capturing Videos ........................................................................................15
Taking Photos.............................................................................................21
Audio Mode.................................................................................................34
Playback mode ...........................................................................................35
Setup Mode ................................................................................................50
Connecting the Camcorder to a TV.............................................................59
Install the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software..............................59
Connect your camcorder to the computer...................................................63
Get photos and videos from your camcorder to your computer ..................63
Get started!.................................................................................................65

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Transfer media from my camcorder to my computer manually (Using
Windows)....................................................................................................66
Transfer media from my camcorder to my computer manually (Using
Macintosh)..................................................................................................67
Using your camcorder as a PC Camera (on Windows)...............................68
Sakar Warranty Card..................................................................................69
Technical Specifications .............................................................................70
Trouble Shooting.........................................................................................72
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the DVR 518 Digital Video Camcorder. With your
camcorder you can shoot video clips, take individual photos and record audio
files. In addition, a SD compatible memory card of up to 8GB can be inserted in
order to expand the memory of your DVR camcorder.
Your camcorder also has a PC Camera function for web conferencing.
Key Features
5 modes –Video, Audio, Camera, Playback and Set Up.
Digital Video resolutions –640x480 (VGA), 320x240 (QVGA).

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5 digital camera resolutions - 8M(3264X2448); 5M(2592X1944);
3M(2048X1536); 1M(1024X768); VGA(640X480)
1.96" TFT LCD
8 X Digital Zoom
Limited Internal Memory
Supports external SD memory card up to 8GB
Built-in Microphone
Takes digital photos, videos and record audio files
Delete, rotate, protect, crop and print photos directly on and from your
camcorder
Vivitar Experience Image Manager software for uploading and managing
photos and videos to or from the most popular photo sharing and social
network websites.
What your digital video camcorder includes
Digital Video Camcorder
USB cable

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TV-out cable
Vivitar Experience Image Manager software Installation CD
Quick Start Guide
Pouch
Hand strap
Computer System Requirements for Windows XP
To be able to download photos and videos to your PC, you will need the following
minimum configuration:
Pentium 4 processor or above with Windows XP service pack 2
512 MB RAM, with 100MB of free disk space
1024 x 768 Recommended screen resolution
16-bit color or higher display adaptor
CD-ROM Drive
QuickTime 6 or higher
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or higher
Windows Media Player 10 or higher

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Internet connection required
Computer System Requirement for Windows Vista
To be able to download photos and videos to your PC your will need the following
minimum configuration:
Windows Vista
800MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory
20GB hard drive with at least 15GB of available space
Support for Super VGA graphics
Available USB Interface
CD-ROM drive
QuickTime 6 or higher
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or higher
Internet connection required
Computer System Requirements for Macintosh
Macintosh with Intel processor running Mac OS X v10.4.6 or later

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256 MB RAM, 100 MB free disk space
Display: 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor
QuickTime 6 or higher
Internet connection required

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A Quick Look at your Digital Video Camcorder
1
Display button
2
LED On / Off
button
3
Mode button
4
Shutter button
5
Up button
6
OK button
7
AV / USB jack
8
Right/Self-timer
button
9
MENU button
10
Down button
11
Power button
12
Left button
13
LCD screen
14
Tripod socket
15
SD card slot
16
Wrist strap
17
Battery cover
18
Lens

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Preparing Your Camcorder for Use
Battery Installation
Your DVR camcorder requires 3 “AAA” batteries (not included). It is recommended that
alkaline batteries be used.
1. Lift and open the battery compartment on the side of the camcorder.
2. Insert the batteries in accordance with the polarity indicated in the battery
compartment.
3. Return and close the battery cover.
Note:

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Limited internal memory is provided in order to take photos, videos and audio.
A SD Memory card is required to expand the memory in order to capture and
record many more media items. All the media in the built-in memory will not be lost if
no SD Memory Card has been inserted in the DVR or when you change your
batteries.
We strongly recommend downloading your photos and videos regularly to your
computer.
Remove the batteries from the DVR camcorder when not in use for an extended
period.
Inserting an SD Memory Card
An SD compatible memory card of up to 8GB (not included) should be inserted into
your DVR camcorder. SD Memory cards expand the amount of memory thus allowing
an increase in the number of movies, photos and audio that can be captured before
transferring them to a computer.
Media sitting on the memory card is not lost when your camcorder’s power runs low or
on replacing the batteries.

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1. Locate the SD card slot on the bottom of the camcorder.
2. Insert an SD memory card correctly in the direction shown.
3. Press the memory card until you hear a “Click”sound. The memory card when
properly inserted will sit flush with the camcorder.
Note: After you insert an SD memory card, the SD card icon will appear on the right
side of the LCD, indicating that your SD memory card has been installed successfully.
The media you capture will now be stored on the card and not in the internal memory.
This product supports SD cards of up to 8GB.

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Formatting will delete all data on the SD Memory Card including protected data.
Do not remove the SD memory Card during formatting as this may damage the
card and render it unusable.
Before using the camcorder, be sure to format the card with the camcorder (see
the Setup section further on in the manual for instruction on how to format the card).
Maintenance and Care
Before using the video camcorder, please ensure that you read and understand the
safety precautions described below:
•Do not try to open the case of the video camcorder or attempt to modify this video
camcorder in any way. Maintenance and repairs should be carried out only by
authorized service providers.
•Keep the video camcorder away from water and other liquids. Do not use the video
camcorder with wet hands. Never use the video camcorder in the rain or snow.
Moisture creates the danger of electric shock.
•Use only the recommended power accessories. Use of power sources not expressly
recommended for this equipment may lead to overheating, distortion of the
equipment, fire, electrical shock or other hazards.

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DVR Function Control
To power on the camcorder you need to flip open the LCD Screen. The
Power button is situated on the inside of the camcorder.
Power on
Press the Power button to turn on your DVR.
The LCD monitor will light up indicating that your DVR is ready for use.
Power off
Press the Power button to turn your DVR camcorder off. The DVR camcorder will
switch off.
If the DVR camcorder is not in use or in an operation mode for 60 seconds it will
switch off automatically.
When there is insufficient battery power, a “Low Battery”message will appear on the
LCD screen. The camcorder will automatically power off a few moments later.

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Setting the Language
When using the video camcorder for the first time after purchasing it, be sure to
choose a language and set the date & time before using the video camcorder.
1. Turn the Power on.
2. Press the MENU button.
3. Press the Right button on the OK dial to open the Setup menu.
4. Press the Up/Down button on the OK dial and select the Language option.
5. Press the Right button to enter the Language submenu.
6. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the language you desire.
7. Press the OK button to save your choice and for the language interface of the
camcorder to change to the language you selected.
8. Press the MENU button to close the menu and exit the Setup function.
Setting the Date and Time
This will be the time and date that will appear on the photos you capture.
1. Turn the Power on.
2. Press the MENU button.
3. Press the Right button on the OK dial to open
the Setup menu.
4. Press the Up/Down button on the OK dial and
select the Date & Time option.

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5. Press the OK button to open the date and time settings.
6. Press the Left/Right button to select the Year, Month, Day, Hour, Minute and
Date Format (YYYY/MM/DD , DD/MM/YYYY , MM/DD/YYYY) options.
7. Press the Up/Down button to change the digits on each of the settings you
wish to update.
8. Press the OK button to save your choice.
9. Press the MENU button to close the menu and exit the Setup function
Change the camcorder`s mode
There are four modes in this DVR camcorder.
1. Press the POWER button to turn on the camcorder.
2. The video default capture mode appears on the LCD.
3. Press the DV/DSC mode button to the bottom left of the LCD screen to change
the mode.
4. Each time the DV/DSC mode button is pressed the mode icon is changed.
Display
Title
Description
Capture mode
For taking still photos.
Video mode
For recording movie clips.
Audio mode
For recording audio files.
Playback mode
Preview the record files.

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Capturing Videos
In order to capture videos (with audio) using your camcorder you need to select
the Video mode. On turning on your camcorder the first mode to appear is the
Video mode. To change between the function modes on your DVR, press the
DV/DSC button on the bottom left of the LCD screen.
Use a compatible SD card of up to 8 GB to expand the memory capacity to
capture even more and longer videos than can be captured using internal
memory only.
The video icon will now appear on the top left corner of the LCD.
1. The amount of time left at that resolution and memory appears on the top
right of the LCD.
2. Aim the camcorder at the subject or object you wish to capture.
3. Press the Shutter button on the top of the camcorder to start shooting.
4. The elapsed time of the video will appear on the top right on the LCD.

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5. Press the Right button if you wish to Pause the recording in the middle and
again to resume recording.
6. Press the Shutter button again to stop the recording.
7. The recorded file will be saved in AVI format.
Note:
1. Press the Up button to Zoom In or the Down button to Zoom Out of the
subject during the shooting to focus in on your subject.
2. You can view the AVI files in playback mode.
3. Once they are downloaded to the PC view them using QuickTime and
Windows Media Player.
4. As the internal memory of the camcorder is limited it should be used for
test files only.
5. Please insert an SD memory card of up to 8 GB to capture longer videos.
6. When the internal memory is full, a “Memory Full”message will flash on
the LCD screen when you attempt to shoot further videos.
Video Setting options
In Video mode there are two video resolutions for you to choose from (VGA –
640x480, QVGA –320x240 pixels) before capturing your video. The higher the
resolution selected the better the quality of the video, however higher quality

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videos use up more memory. You can also change the Frame Rate, Metering
and White Balance.
To enter the Settings options for the Video mode:
1. Press the MENU button.
2. Press the Up/Down button to select the Setting you wish to change from
the menu that appears.

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Movie Size
You can select different Video resolutions - VGA 640x480 pixels / QVGA
320x240 pixels
1. Press the Up/Down button to select the Movie Size menu.
2. Press the OK button to open the Movie Size submenu.
3. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the resolution option:
VGA 640x480, QVGA 320x240
4. Press the OK button to confirm, save your choice and exit to the Setting
menu.
5. Press the MENU button to revert back to the Video capture mode to start
capturing videos with the new resolution selected.

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Note:
After selecting your resolution, the corresponding icon will appear on the top of
the LCD.
Frame Rate
This setting allows you to control the frame rate for video capture.
1. Press the Up/Down button to select the Frame Rate menu.
2. Press the OK button to open the Frame Rate submenu.
3. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the rate option:
30fps High, 15fps Low
4. Press the OK button to confirm, save your choice and exit to the Setting
menu.
5. Press the MENU button to revert back to the Video capture mode to start
capturing videos with the new frame rate selected.
Metering
This setting allows you to change the brightness of the video.
1. Press the Up/Down button to select the Metering menu.
2. Press the OK button to open the Metering submenu.
3. Press the Up/Down button to highlight and select the metering option: