Vivitar DVR 820HD User manual

DVR 820HD
Digital Video Camcorder
Owner’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.......................................................................................................... 1
Key Features....................................................................................................... 2
What your digital video camcorder includes......................................................... 2
Computer System Requirements for Windows XP ............................................... 2
Computer System Requirement for Windows Vista.............................................. 3
Computer System Requirements for Macintosh................................................... 3
A Quick Look at your Digital Video Camcorder..................................................... 4
Preparing Your Camcorder for Use...................................................................... 5
Inserting a SD Memory Card................................................................................ 7
Powering on and setting DVR Function Control ................................................... 8
Capturing Videos............................................................................................... 11
Capturing Still Photos ........................................................................................ 20
Audio Recording................................................................................................ 28
Playback mode.................................................................................................. 30
AV mode –Using your TV to view images ......................................................... 34
Using your HDTV to view videos........................................................................ 36
Connect DVR with PC using USB cable provided.............................................. 36
Connect DVR with printer using USB cable provided......................................... 37
Install the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software ..................................... 39
Connect your camera to the computer ............................................................... 41
Get photos and videos from your camera to your computer............................... 41
Get started!........................................................................................................ 42
Transfer media from my camera to my computer manually (Using Windows) .... 42
Transfer media from my camera to my computer manually (Using Macintosh)... 43
Sakar Warranty Card......................................................................................... 44
Technical Specifications .................................................................................... 45
Trouble Shooting ............................................................................................... 46
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the DVR 820HD 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 to expand the memory of your DVR camcorder.

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Key Features
5 modes –Video, Camera, Audio, Playback and Set Up.
3 Digital Video resolutions –1280x720 HD, 640x480 (VGA), 320x240
(QVGA).
3 Digital Camera resolutions –8M (3400X2550); 5M(2592X1944);
2M(1600X1200)
2.7" TFT LCD
8 X Digital Zoom
Supports external SD memory card up to 8GB
Built-in Microphone
Takes digital photos, videos and audio files
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 and AV Dual Cable
Vivitar Experience Image Manager software Installation CD
Quick Start Guide
Hand strap
Lithium battery
AC charger
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

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QuickTime 6 or higher
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or higher
Windows Media Player 10 or higher
Internet connection required
Computer System Requirement for Windows Vista
To be able to download photos and videos to your PC you 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
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
Lens
2
Self-Timer Lamp
3
Flash Lamp
4
Microphone
5
Display Button
▲
Up
◄
Left
►
Right
▼
Down

OK
6
Joystick
7
T / Zoom in Button
8
MENU Button
9
Capture Button
10
W / Zoom out
Button
11
Speaker
12
Power Button
13
USB Jack
14
HDMI Jack
H
15
AV out
16
Strap Mount
17
MODE Button
18
LCD Monitor
19
Battery Holder
Clip
20
SD Card Slot
21
Battery & SD Door
22
Battery
Compartment

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Preparing Your Camcorder for Use
Install lithium battery
Your digital camcorder needs a lithium battery in order to operate. The battery is
found separately in the packaging. To install it correctly see the diagram below:
1. Slide the battery cover to the side for it to open.
2. Insert the battery in the battery compartment with the correct polarity facing
up.
3. Use the battery clip found in the battery compartment to make sure that the
battery is sitting firmly and secure.
4. Gently close and slide the battery cover back into place.
5. Once powering on your camcorder the battery icon will appear on the top left
of the LCD screen.
How to charge the battery
Please charge the battery when the indicator shows the Empty battery
icon.
Battery Indicator
Battery Status
Empty
battery
Half battery
Full battery

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1. Power your camcorder off.
2. Make sure the battery is inserted correctly and then connect your camcorder
either to:
A running PC with the USB cable provided, or
use the AC charger provided in the package. Plug the AC charger
cord into the USB jack of the camera.
3. The red LED will light up indicating that your camcorder is in charging mode.
The LED will switch off when your camcorder is fully charged after a few
hours (approx. 4 hours).
Note:
1. The camcorder should not be on while charging.
2. 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.
3. A red battery icon will flash on the LCD when the battery power is
insufficient. Shortly thereafter your camcorder will power off.
4. The battery can be re-charged even when it has some power left.
However we recommend re-charging it when it is empty.
5. When the operating time of the camcorder becomes extremely short
even after proper battery-charging, this indicates that the life of the
battery may be expired. You will need to buy a new battery.
6. Please remove your battery when you don’t intend to use your
camcorder for a long time.
7. Video camera becomes warm during charging –this is normal.
8. Limited internal memory is provided in order to take photos, videos and
audio files.
9. Use a SD Memory card to expand the memory in order to capture and
record many more images. All the media in the built-in memory will not
be lost if no SD Memory Card has been inserted in the DVR when

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battery power is low or when you change your battery.
10. Do not open the battery door to take out the battery or SD card while
media is being saved to the camcorder. Doing so may cause the photos,
video or audio files to be lost or damaged.
11. We strongly recommend downloading your media regularly to your
computer.
12. DO NOT leave any metal items (such as clips) near the contact areas of
the power plug. Otherwise a fire and/or electric shocks may be caused
by short-circuiting or the resulting heat generated.
Inserting a SD Memory Card
Your camcorder has limited internal memory. To expand the amount of memory,
a SD compatible memory card of up to 8GB (not included) should be inserted into
your DVR camcorder. SD Memory cards increase the number of videos, photos
and audio files that can be captured with the camcorder 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 battery.
1. Locate the SD card slot in the battery compartment.
2. Insert the SD memory card correctly in the direction shown.

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3. Press the memory card until you hear a “Click”sound.
Note: After you insert an SD memory card, the SD card icon will appear on the top
left 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.
Make sure that the card is not locked. Locked cards do not allow images to
transfer to the card.
Formatting will delete all data on the SD Memory Card.
Download all the media to your computer before you format the card.
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).
Powering on and setting DVR Function Control
To power on the camcorder, flip open the LCD Screen. The camcorder
automatically powers on. The Power button is situated on the inside of the
camcorder facing the LCD screen.
Power on
Press the Power button to turn on your DVR.
Power off
Press the Power button to turn your DVR camcorder off. The DVR
camcorder will switch off.
If you close the LCD screen, this will also turn the DVR camcorder off.

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By default if the DVR camcorder is not in use or in an operational mode for 3
minutes (180 seconds) it will automatically switch off.
When there is insufficient battery power, a red battery icon will appear on the
LCD screen. The camcorder will automatically power off a few moments later.
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 use.
1. Turn the Power on to enter the Video mode.
2. Press the MENU button.
3. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Left/Right/Up/Down to select the
Setup icon from the menu icons that appear.
4. Press the OK/Joystick button.
5. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Left/Right/Up/Down and select the
Language icon submenu option.
6. Press the OK/Joystick button.
7. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Left/Right/Up/Down button to
highlight and select the language you desire.
English /German / French / Spanish / Portuguese / Italian /Dutch /
Russian / Turkish
8. Press the OK/Joystick button to save your choice. The interface of the
camcorder will change to the language you selected.
9. Press the MENU button to close the language submenu and press it again
to exit the Setup mode function.

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Setting the Date and Time
To set the time and date that will appear on the photos you capture.
1. Turn the Power on to enter the DV mode.
2. Press the MENU button.
3. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Left/Right/Up/Down to select the
Setup icon from the menu icons that appear.
4. Press the OK/Joystick button.
5. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Left/Right/Up/Down and select the
Date/Time icon submenu option.
6. Press the OK/Joystick button.
7. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Left/Right button to highlight and
select the Year, Month, Day, 24H, Hour and Minutes options you desire
to change.
8. Push the OK/Joystick button Up/Down to change the digits for each of
the date or time options you desire to update.
9. Press the OK/Joystick button to save the date and time you selected.
10. Press the MENU button to close the Date/Time submenu and press it
again to exit the Setup mode function.
Changing the camcorder`s modes
There are four modes in this DVR camcorder.
1. Press the Power button to turn on the camcorder.
2. The Video default capture mode icon appears on the LCD .
3. Press the MODE button to change from the video to the Camera mode
.
4. Press the MODE button again to enter the Audio mode.
5. Press the MODE button again to enter the Playback mode to preview all
the images and audio files you captured.
6. Press the MENU button to open the main menu with Setting and Setup
modes appearing for each mode respectively.

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7. Select the mode you wish to enter by pushing the OK/Joystick button
Right/Left/Up/Down and pressing the OK/Joystick button to enter the
submenu.
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 MODE buttons.
The camcorder has limited built in memory. 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 right corner of the LCD.
1. The amount of time left at that resolution and memory appears on the
bottom right of the LCD.
2. Aim the camcorder at the subject or object you wish to capture. The
image appear in the LCD screen.
3. Press the Capture button (located between the MENU and MODE
buttons) to start recording your video.

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4. The elapsed time of the video will appear in red font on the bottom right
on the LCD.
5. Press the Capture button again to stop the recording.
6. The recorded file will be saved to your memory (internal or SD card) in
MP4 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. The Zoom icon appears on the bottom left of the LCD screen.
3. You can view the MP4 files in playback mode.
4. Once they are downloaded to the PC view them using QuickTime
and Windows Media Player.
5. As the internal memory of the camcorder is limited, the size of the
videos are limited if no external memory is used.
6. Please insert a SD memory card of up to 8 GB to capture longer
videos.
7. When the internal memory is full, a red “F”icon will appear in the
center of the LCD screen.
Video Setting options
In Video mode there are three video resolutions for you to choose from
before capturing your video (HD - 1280x720, VGA –640x480, QVGA –
320x240 pixels). The higher the resolution selected the better the quality of
the video, however higher quality videos use up more memory. You can
also enter and change the White Balance/Exposure/Setup Mode.
Movie Size (Resolution)
White Balance
EV Setup (Exposure)
Setup

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To enter the Settings submenu options for the Video mode:
1. Press the MENU button.
2. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left/Up/Down to select the
Setting you wish to change from the main menu that appears.
Resolution
You can select different Video resolutions –HD 1280x720 pixels / VGA
640x480 pixels / QVGA 320x240 pixels. Using the smaller resolution allows
you to take longer videos. Videos captured at higher resolution are of better
quality.
1. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left/Up/Down to select the
Resolution menu icon.
2. Press the OK/Joystick button to open the Resolution submenu.
3. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left to highlight and select the
resolution option:
320x240, 640x480, 1280x720
4. Press the OK/Joystick 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.
Note: After selecting your resolution, the corresponding icon
(HD/VGA/QVGA) will appear on the top right of the LCD.
White Balance
This setting is used to adjust the color of your videos as per your light source.
1. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left/Up/Down to select the
White Balance menu icon.

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2. Press the OK/Joystick button to open the White Balance submenu.
3. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left/Up/Down to highlight and
select the White Balance option icon you desire:
Auto /Daylight /Cloudy / Fluorescent /
Tungsten
4. Press the OK/Joystick 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 white balance setting selected.
Note:
After selecting your White Balance choice, the corresponding icon will
appear on the top of the LCD screen.
Exposure
This setting allows you to manually compensate for unusual lighting
conditions such as indirect indoor lighting, dark backgrounds, and strong
backlighting. The exposure value range is –2.0 (Dark) to 2.0 (Bright).
1. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left/Up/Down to select the
Exposure menu icon.
2. Press the OK/Joystick button to open the Exposure submenu.
3. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Left/Right to select the exposure
setting as per the present light condition:
EV-2.0 / EV-1.7 / EV-1.3 / EV-1.0 / EV-0.7 / EV-0.3 / EV+0.0 / EV+0.3 /
EV+0.7/ EV+1.0 / EV+1.3 / EV+1.7/ EV+2.0
4. The Exposure effect selected automatically appears on the LCD.
5. Press the OK/Joystick button to confirm, save your choice and exit to
the Setting menu.

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6. Press the MENU button to revert back to the Video capture mode to start
capturing videos with the new exposure setting selected.
Short-cut buttons
The following modes can be activated by pushing the OK/Joystick button
while in the Video mode:
White Balance –Pushing the OK/Joystick button to the left will
toggle between the different White Balance options. The options
will appear on the LCD screen and the screen will automatically
change per the option selected.
Resolution - Pushing the OK/Joystick button to the right will
toggle between the different Resolution options. The resolution
icon appears on the top right of the LCD screen. Videos captured
will be per the resolution selected.
Setup Mode
The setup mode appears and can be adjusted in both the Video as well as the
Camera setting menu.
In Setup mode you can adjust the way the camcorder is setup.
1. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left/Up/Down to select the
Setup Mode menu icon.
2. Press the OK/Joystick button to open the Setup Mode submenu.
3. Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left/Up/Down to highlight and
select the Setup Mode option icon you desire:

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Auto Power Off –this power saving mode allows you to select
the stand-by time that is activated automatically if the camcorder is left
inactive.
Press the OK/Joystick button.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left to highlight and
select one of the icons:
1 min / 3 min / Never
Press the OK/Joystick button to confirm, save your choice
and exit to the Setup mode submenu.
The camcorder will automatically power off if inactive for the
time selected.
Buzzer –activate or inactivate the beep sound that is emitted
when pressing a button
Press the OK/Joystick button.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left to highlight and
select one of the icons:
ON/ OFF
Press the OK/Joystick button to confirm, save your choice
and exit to the Setup mode submenu.
If OFF is selected the camcorder will be silent and not emit
beeps when buttons are pressed.
Brightness –adjust the brightness of the LCD screen
Press the OK/Joystick button.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left to select the
brightness option:
-2.0 (dark) / -1.0 / 0.0 / 1.0 / 2.0 (bright)

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The LCD screen will automatically adjust as the option is
selected.
Press the OK/Joystick button to confirm, save your choice
and exit to the Setup mode submenu.
Display –You can use your bigger TV screen to playback and
view the images and videos on the camcorder instead of using the LCD
screen. Before connecting the cable to your TV you need to select the TV
system for the TV you are connecting to.
Press the OK/Joystick button.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left to highlight and
select one of the icons:
NTSC / PAL
Press the OK/Joystick button to confirm, save your choice
and exit to the Setup mode submenu.
Format –Using this option you can format the built-in memory
and SD Card if inserted.
Caution: Formatting the memory will erase all the images. Please
download and save all the images to your computer before formatting.
Press the OK/Joystick button.
A “FORMAT WILL ERASE ALL DATA CONTINUE?” message
appears on the LCD screen with 2 options.
Press the Up/Down button to select the format option
NO / YES
If you select YES the memory will be formatted on pressing the
OK/Joystick button.
If you select NO the memory will not be formatted and the

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camcorder will revert to the Setup mode submenu on pressing
the OK/Joystick button.
Date / Time –To set the Date and Time that will appear on
images.
Press the OK/Joystick button.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left to select each
of the date and time options:
YEAR / MONTH / DAY / 24H / HOUR / MINUTE
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Up/Down to adjust the
digits per each date and time option selected.
Press the OK/Joystick button to confirm, save your choice
and exit to the Setup mode submenu.
Light Frequency –Fluorescent lighting flickers very quickly at
the same frequency as the mains supply. This can affect the quality of
your photos and videos. The anti-flicker frequency can be changed when
taking pictures in fluorescent light to correspond with the frequency of the
mains supply. 60Hz is used in USA. 50Hz is used in Europe.
Press the OK/Joystick button.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left to select one of
the icons:
50Hz / 60 Hz
Press the OK/Joystick button to confirm, save your choice
and exit to the Setup mode submenu.
Default Settings –You can restore you camcorder to the default
factory settings.
Press the OK/Joystick button.
A “RESTORE DEFAULT ARE YOU SURE?” message appears

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on the LCD with 2 options.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Up/Down to select the
default option:
NO / YES
If you select YES, the default factory setting will be reset on
pressing the OK/Joystick button.
If you select NO, the camcorder will revert to the Setup mode
submenu.
Language –adjust the camcorder`s language that appears for
the menus on the LCD screen
Press the OK/Joystick button.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Right/Left to select the
language option:
English / Traditional Chinese/ Simple Chinese / German / French /
Spanish / Portuguese / Italian / Japanese
Press the OK/Joystick button to confirm, save your choice
and exit to the Setup mode submenu.
The LCD menu screens will now appear in the language option
selected.
Version –read the version number of the firmware
Press the OK/Joystick button.
Push the OK/Joystick button to the Up/Down/Right/Left to
select the version option.
Press the OK/Joystick button.
The version number appears on the LCD screen.
Press the OK/Joystick button to exit to the Setup mode
submenu.