Vivitar DVR 558HD-V1 User manual

DVR 558HD-V1
Digital Camcorder
User Manual
© 2009-2012 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
What’s Included ....................................................................................................................................2
Parts of the Camcorder.........................................................................................................................3
Initial Camcorder Setup ........................................................................................................................4
Main Camcorder Modes........................................................................................................................8
Camcorder Technical Specifications .....................................................................................................9
Computer System Requirements........................................................................................................10
Powering ON/OFF Your Digital Camcorder.........................................................................................11
Changing Camcorder Mode................................................................................................................12
Navigating the Menus .........................................................................................................................13
Camcorder Options: LED Light, Macro Switch....................................................................................16
Video Capture Mode...........................................................................................................................18
Video Playback Mode .........................................................................................................................28
Photo Capture Mode...........................................................................................................................33
Photo Playback Mode.........................................................................................................................47
Camcorder Setup................................................................................................................................53
Slide Show..........................................................................................................................................59
Power Off............................................................................................................................................59
Connecting the Digital Camcorder to the TV and HDTV.....................................................................60
Installing the Software.........................................................................................................................61
Connecting the Camcorder to the Computer.......................................................................................63
Getting Photos and Videos from Your Camcorder to Your Computer..................................................63
Get Started!.........................................................................................................................................64
Transferring Images from my Camcorder to my Computer Manually..................................................65
Camcorder Maintenance.....................................................................................................................66
Sakar Warranty Card ..........................................................................................................................67
Technical Support ...............................................................................................................................68
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................................68

2
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this digital camcorder. Everything you need to take quality digital photos and
videos is included with your digital camcorder.
Vivitar makes capturing those special moments as easy as possible.
NOTE: Your digital camcorder needs an SD Memory card (up to 32GB) for normal use.
SD Memory cards are not included and need to be purchased separately.
Important: You must use only a Class 4 SDHC Memory card or higher.
Please read this manual carefully first in order to get the most out of your digital camcorder.
What’s Included
1) Digital Camcorder
2) USB cable
3) TV Cable
4) Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software
Installation CD
5) Lens Cover Strap
6) Hand Strap (not shown)
NOTE: Class 4 (or higher) SDHC Memory card and batteries not included.

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Parts of the Camcorder
1. Power Button
10. USB Port
2. Home Button
11. HDMI Port
3. Digital Lens
12. Hand Strap
4. Lens Cover
13. Tripod Mount
5. Macro Switch
14. SD Memory Card Slot
6. Speaker
15. Battery Compartment
7. Shutter Button
16. LED Light
8. Zoom Out / Zoom In
17. Microphone
9. LED Light Indicator
18. LCD Touch Screen

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Initial Camcorder Setup
After flipping open the LCD Touch Screen and powering the camcorder ON for the first time, the
camcorder takes you through the Initial Camcorder Setup.
1) Installing the Batteries
Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital camcorder, according to the
polarity shown inside the battery compartment. (See photo above.)
Use 4 x AAA (1.5V) batteries. Alkaline batteries are recommended. (Batteries not included.)
NOTE:
Remove the batteries from the camcorder when not in use for an extended period.
Do not mix alkaline and non-alkaline batteries.
Some camcorder features will not work if the battery power level is low.
When the battery power is low the battery icon turns red and the camcorder automatically
turns 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

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2) Installing the SD Memory Card
IMPORTANT: You must use only a Class 4 SDHC Memory card or higher.
Make sure a Class 4 (or higher) SD card (up to 32GB) has been properly inserted into your
camcorder. SD card not included.
To properly insert the SD Card:
Push the SD card into the slot in the direction as shown SD card icon on the camcorder. (See
images below: 1 and 2.)
Push the SD card until you hear a slight clicking sound. This indicates the SD card has been
inserted correctly. (See images below: 3 and 4.)

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NOTE:
After the camcorder is powered on, the 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 not locked (check the 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) Powering ON the camcorder
Flip open the LCD screen. Press the POWER button to turn on the camcorder.
4) Setting the Camcorder Language
You will first be prompted to select a language for the camcorder.
The Language options appear. Drag up or down to scroll and view the menu options.
Select the language of your choice and tap SAVE & EXIT to confirm the selection.
After selecting a language, you will be asked if you would like to continue with the initial
camcorder setup. The following message appears: “Continue with Camcorder Setup?”
Tap “Yes” to continue or “No” to exit the setup.

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NOTE: If you select “No” and decide to leave the camcorder setup, the camcorder will be set to its
default settings. These settings can be adjusted at any time manually through the menus of the
camcorder.
5) Setting the Date and Time
The next step in the initial camcorder setup is to set the date and time on the camcorder.
Drag up or down to scroll and view the Date and Time options.
Set the Date and Time as desired and tap SAVE & EXIT to confirm the selection and move to
the next part of the camcorder setup.
6) Setting the ViviLink Default Option
Once the Date and Time have been set, you will be asked to set the default ViviLink destination for
photos and videos taken with your camcorder.
The ViviLink technology allows you to quickly and easily upload your camcorder’s photos and
videos to the social networks of your choice with the accompanying software application.
First you will be asked to choose the default ViviLink social network for Photos.
Drag up or down to scroll and view the ViviLink for Photos options and then tap SAVE & EXIT
to confirm your selection.
Next you will be asked to choose the default ViviLink social network for Videos. Drag up or
down to scroll and view the ViviLink for Videos options and then tap SAVE & EXIT to confirm
your selection.
Congratulations! Your camcorder is now ready to use.

8
Main Camcorder Modes
Your camcorder has different modes for the various camcorder functions.
You can switch modes by pressing the HOME button to the left of the LCD screen. The Home menu is
shown on the LCD. Tap Camera, Video, or Playback to change your camcorder mode.
Video Capture Mode
Use this mode to capture videos with your digital camcorder.
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, tap MENU 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 HOME button to open the Camcorder Mode
options. Tap Camera to enter 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, tap MENU while in the Photo
Capture Mode.
Playback Mode (Photos & Videos)
Use this mode to view and manage the videos and photos seen on your camcorder - saved
to your SD memory card. After turning on your camcorder, press the HOME button to open
the Camcorder Mode options. Tap Playback to enter the Playback Mode for photos and
videos. You can scroll through the photos and videos that you’ve previously taken to view,
edit or delete them as desired.
To access the various menus for the Playback Mode for photos and videos, tap MENU
while in the Playback Mode.

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Camcorder Technical Specifications
Image Sensor
CMOS Sensor
Image Resolution
2592x1944 (5M), 2048x1536 (3.1M),
1920x1080 (2MHD), 640x480(VGA)
Video Resolution
1920x1080 (FHD), 1280x720 (HD),
640x480 (VGA), 320x240 (QVGA)
File Format
JPEG (Photo), AVI (Video)
Internal Memory
16MB SDRAM (Buffer) - enough for 1 sample photo
External Memory
Class 4 (or higher) SDHC Memory card (up to 32GB)
LCD Display
2.4 Inch Touch TFT
Lens
f=6.8mm, F2.8
Zoom
4X Digital Zoom
Exposure
-3.0EV ~ +3.0EV
White Balance
Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent
ISO
Auto, 100, 200, 400
Scene
Auto, Scenery, Portrait, Night Scenery, Night Portrait, High
Sensitivity, Beach
Language
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian,
Polish, Greek
Flash
2 LED Flash lamps
Self-Timer
2, 5 or 10 second delay
Anti-Shake
Yes
Print Photos
Yes
Face Detect
Yes
Macro Switch
Yes
Interface
USB 2.0 High Speed
System Requirements
Windows XP (SP 3), Vista (SP1) and Windows 7 ;
Mac OSX v10.5.x and above
Battery
4 x AAA (1.5V) batteries (not included)
Working Temperature
0~40C

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Computer System Requirements
To be able to download photos and videos to your WINDOWS OS OR MACINTOSH OS computer
using the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software, you will need the following minimum
configuration:
WINDOWS OS
Microsoft® Windows XP with Service Pack 3,Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 or Windows 7
Pentium® 4 processor (or above)
1 GB RAM, 250 MB available 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
MACINTOSH OS
Intel processor running Mac OS X v10.5.x or later
1 GB RAM, 250 MB available hard disk space
Display: 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution monitor
QuickTime® 6 or higher
CD-ROM Drive
Internet connection required
NOTE: Make sure the latest compatible Adobe® Flash® Player is installed on your computer.

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Powering ON/OFF Your Digital Camcorder
Make sure the batteries have been installed properly into your digital camcorder.
Make sure an SD card has been installed properly into your camcorder.
(SDHC Class 4 card up to 32GB - SD Card not included)
Powering the Camcorder ON
Flip open the LCD display panel. 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.
Alternatively, you can press the HOME button and then tap the Power Off icon. Tap ‘Yes’ to select to
power off the digital camcorder.
Auto OFF –Power Saving
Your digital camcorder also has an Auto Power Off feature that automatically turns off your camcorder
after a specific period of time that your camcorder is left idle. The Auto Power Off time can be set from
the Settings/Auto Off menu settings.

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Changing Camcorder Mode
Your camcorder 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 digital 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 digital camcorder mode:
Make sure the digital camcorder is powered ON.
Press the HOME button on the left of the LCD Panel.
Tap one of the following icons to select the active camcorder mode:
Camera
Video
Playback
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

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Navigating the Menus
You camcorder includes the following menus:
Home Menus
Camcorder Mode Menus
Camcorder Setup Menus
You can access and change camcorder settings by the following methods:
1) Icons on the LCD Touch Screen:
While in the Photo, Video, Playback Modes in Preview/Standby: You can toggle between the
menu options each time you tap a menu icon that appears on the LCD screen until you see the
desired option.
2) Menu Screens:
Enter the menu screens and select the desired option.
Please see information below for more details regarding this method.
Home Menus
The Home screen menu allows you quick access to the camcorder modes and settings as well as to
the photo slideshow and the power off.
1) Press the HOME button located on the left side of the LCD touch screen.
2) The following menu options appear on the Home screen:
Camera
Tap to enter Photo Capture Mode
Video
Tap to enter Video Capture Mode
Playback
Tap to enter Playback Mode

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Setup
Tap to enter Camcorder General Settings
Slide Show
Tap to begin Photo Slide Show
Power Off
Tap to Power off your digital camcorder
Camcorder Mode Menus
Each camcorder mode has a set of menus specific to that mode.
1) Enter the Main Menu Screen from Video Capture, Photo Capture or Playback Mode:
Tap MENU as seen on the bottom left of the LCD touch screen to open the menus for the
current mode.
2) Select a Main Menu Option:
Drag up or down to scroll and view the main menus.
To select a menu, tap the desired menu icon to open the various options for that menu.
NOTE: To exit the menu screen without selecting a menu, tap Exit and return to the current mode.
3) Selected a Sub-Menu Option:
Drag up or down to scroll and highlight the desired menu option.
Tap SAVE & EXIT to confirm and select the highlighted menu option.
NOTE: Changes made to these options will remain as is until you decide to change them again at a
later time.
4) The selected option icon appears on the touch LCD screen.
NOTE: Some menu options are single-use functions that are not remembered by the camcorder
and do not display an icon on the LCD screen.
For more details regarding specific menus, please refer to the menu information listed for each mode.

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Camcorder Setup Menus
The general settings for your digital camcorder can easily be changed at any time.
1) Press the HOME button to the left of the LCD touch screen to open the Home screen options.
2) Tap the Setup icon to enter the menu options for your camcorder general settings.
3) Select a Setup Option:
Drag up or down to scroll and view the main Setup menus.
To select a Setup menu, tap the desired menu icon to open the various options for that menu.
NOTE: To exit the Setup screen without selecting a menu, tap Exit and return to the Home
Menu screen.
4) Select a Setup Sub-Menu Option:
Drag up or down to scroll and highlight the desired menu option.
Alternatively, simply tap and highlight the desired option.
Tap SAVE & EXIT to confirm and select the highlighted menu option.
NOTE: Changes made to these options will remain until you decide to change them again at a later
time.
5) The selected option icon appears on the touch LCD screen.
NOTE: Some menu options are single-use functions that are not remembered by the camcorder
and do not display an icon on the LCD screen.
For more details regarding specific Setup menus, please refer to the ‘Setup Menu’ section of this manual.

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Camcorder Options: LED Light, Macro Switch
LED Flash Light Option
To increase the lighting in dark situations while capturing videos and photos, use the 2 LED Flash
Lights on the front of the camcorder below the lens.
LED ON:
Tap the LED icon, located on the bottom left section (above the MENU) of the LCD touch screen.
This changes the icon and activates the LED Lights.
When the LED lights are on, the following icon appears on the LCD screen:
LED OFF:
Tap the LED icon on the LCD screen.
When the LED lights are off, the following icon appears on the LCD screen:
Macro Option
Your digital camcorder contains a Macro Switch that allows you to manually enable or disable the
Macro mode on your camcorder. While using the Macro mode, you can capture images at close range
(20 ~ 40 cm).
MACRO MODE ON:
To turn the Macro mode ON, slide the Macro Switch on the side of your camcorder DOWN to the
flower icon .
When enabled, the Macro mode allows your digital camcorder to focus on an object that is close to
the camcorder.
The flower icon will appear on the LCD and indicates that the Macro mode is ON.

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MACRO MODE OFF:
To turn the Macro mode OFF slide the Macro Switch on the side of the camcorder UP to the mountain
icon.
The mountain icon will appear on the LCD display.
When Macro mode is off, images can be captured from 1.5m - ∞(infinity).
NOTE: The Macro mode must be turned OFF when you want to use the following features:
Flash, and Face Detect.
Not all camcorders included these features. Refer to the ‘Camcorder Specifications’ section to view the
features included with this camcorder.

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Video Capture Mode
The Video Capture Mode allows you to capture videos with your digital camcorder.
When the camcorder is first powered ON, the camcorder will be in Video Capture Mode.
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) You can magnify your subject up to 4 times using the digital zoom while capturing your photos and
recording your videos.
Push the Zoom control button up, the T button, to zoom in on the object.
Push the Zoom control button down, the Wbutton, to zoom back out.
The following Digital Zoom Indicator appears on the right side of the LCD screen:
The zoom indicating bar moves up when you Zoom In (T) and moves down when you Zoom Out
(W).
3) Press the Shutter button on the top of the digital camcorder to START the video capture.
4) A red, blinking icon appears at the top of the LCD screen indicating that the record is in progress.
On the top right, the recording time appears, indicating the amount of elapsed time as the video is
being captured.
5) To STOP the video record, press the Shutter button again.
6) The video is automatically saved to the camcorder’s SD memory card.

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Video Capture Mode Menus
The following are the menus that appear in your camcorder’s Video Capture Mode:
Scenery
Color Effect
Resolution
Sharpness
Quality
Exposure
ViviLink
ISO
White Level
Metering
Reminder: While in Capture Mode, you can also change settings by tapping icons that appear on the
LCD touch screen to toggle between the menu options until you arrive at your desired setting.
Scenery Menu
The Scene Menu allows you to choose scene settings that let your camcorder to adapt properly to your
current environment.
The Scenery Menu Options include:
Auto
Night Portrait
Scenery
High Sensitivity
Portrait
Beach
Night Scenery
1) Tap MENU to open the Main Menu Screen for the current mode.
2) Tap the Scenery menu icon to open the menu options.
3) Drag up or down to scroll and highlight the desired menu option.
4) Tap SAVE & EXIT to select and confirm the highlighted menu option and then return to the Main
Menu Screen.
5) From the Main Menu Screen:
Tap another menu icon to select a different menu item.
Tap Exit to return to the Video Capture Mode.