Vivitar DVR 942HD-V1 User manual

DVR 942HD-V1
Digital Camcorder
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.

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Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
What’s Included .........................................................................................................................3
Parts of the Camcorder..............................................................................................................4
Initial Camcorder Setup.............................................................................................................5
Main Camcorder Modes ............................................................................................................8
Camcorder Technical Specifications..........................................................................................9
Computer System Requirements.............................................................................................10
Using Your Digital Camcorder.................................................................................................. 11
Changing Camcorder Mode..................................................................................................... 11
Navigating the Menus..............................................................................................................12
Video Capture Mode................................................................................................................13
Video Playback Mode..............................................................................................................27
Photo Capture Mode................................................................................................................31
Photo Playback Mode..............................................................................................................48
Connecting the Digital Camcorder to a TV or HDTV................................................................54
Installing the Software .............................................................................................................56
Connecting the Camcorder to the Computer...........................................................................57
Getting Photos and Videos from your Camcorder to Your Computer.......................................58
Get started!..............................................................................................................................59
Transferring Images Manually .................................................................................................59
Camcorder Maintenance .........................................................................................................61
Sakar Warranty Card...............................................................................................................61
Technical Support....................................................................................................................62
Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................62

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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this digital camcorder. Everything you need to take quality digital photos
and videos is included with your camcorder.
Vivitar makes capturing those special moments as easy as possible.
Please read this manual carefully first in order to get the most out of your digital camcorder.
Note:
A Class 4 SD card or higher is required.
Most SD cards have a symbol with a “C” and a number within. Make sure the number
inside is a 4 or higher, .
Your digital camcorder supports a Class 4 SD Memory Card - up to 32GB.
In order to use your digital camcorder normally, it is strongly recommended to insert the
SD Memory card before use.
Class 4 SD Memory cards are not included and need to be purchased separately.
What’s Included
1. Digital Camcorder
with lens Cover
2. Lithium Battery
3. USB cable
4. TV Cable
5. Vivitar Experience Image Manager
Software Installation CD
6. AC Charger
7. Lens Cover Strap
8. Hand Strap (not shown)
Note: SD Memory Card not included.

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Parts of the Camcorder
1. Power Button
15. LCD Screen
2. Zoom Out / Zoom In
16. Optical Lens
3. Photo Shutter Button
17. LED Light
4. ViviLink Button
18. USB Port
5. Menu Button
19. AV-Out
6. MODE Button
20. HDMI Port
7. Up / EV+ Button / Slideshow
21. SD Memory Card Slot (Inside the Battery Compartment)
8. Video Shutter Button
22. Battery Compartment
9. Right Button / Delete Button
23. Tripod Socket
10.Joystick/ OK Button / LED Light On-Off
24. Hand Strap
11.Down / EV- Button
25. MODE Indicator Light
12.Left / Self-Timer Button
26. Lens Cover
13.Speaker
27. Lens Cover Strap
14.Microphone

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Initial Camcorder Setup
Installing and Charging the Battery
Installing the Memory Card
Charge before using your camcorder for the
first time
To Charge the Lithium Battery:
1. Power off the camcorder.
2. Make sure the battery is inserted correctly.
3. Connect the camcorder using the supplied
USB cable to the computer’s USB port or to
the AC Charger (which is then inserted into a
standard wall socket).
4. Allow the battery to charge for at least 3
hours before using the first time.
5. The charge light will turn off when the
battery is fully charged.
Insert SD Memory card (up to 32GB)
before use.
Important: You must use a Class 4 SD
card or higher SD card only.
Turning On the Camcorder
Using the Camcorder

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When powering the digital camcorder ON for the first time the digital camcorder will take you
through the initial setup.
Powering the Digital Camcorder ON
1. Make sure the lithium battery has been charged and inserted properly.
To charge the lithium battery:
- Connect the USB cable (supplied) to camcorder and the other end of the cable either to
your computer USB slot or to the supplied AC Adapter (which you then plug into an electrical
outlet).
- Charge light will turn off when battery is fully charged.
2. Make sure an SD card has been properly inserted into your digital camcorder (inserted until
a click sound is heard).
Note: After the digital 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.
Important - You must use a Class 4 SD card or higher SD card only. Insert SD
Memory Card (up to 32GB) before use.
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. Flip open the LCD screen and press the POWER button , located on the inside wall, to
turn on the digital camcorder.
Setting the Language
1. You will first be prompted to select a language for the camcorder. The Language selection
menu will appear. Select the language of your choice and press the OK button to confirm the
selection.
2. After selecting a language, you will be asked if you would like to continue with the initial

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camcorder setup. A message will appear: “Continue with Camcorder Setup?” Select “Yes” to
continue or “No” to exit the setup.
Note: If you select “Cancel” 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
using the menus in the camcorder.
Setting the Date and Time
The next step in the initial camcorder setup is to set the date and time on the camcorder.
Set the Date and Time as Desired and press the OK button to confirm the selection and move to the
next part of the camcorder setup.
Setting the ViviLink Default Option
Once the Language has been set, you will be asked to “Confirm ViviLink Photo and Video Social
Network site” 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.
1. First you will be asked to choose the default ViviLink social network for Photos.
2. Highlight the desired default social network and press the OK button to confirm the selection.
3. Next you will be asked to choose the default ViviLink social network for Videos.
4. Highlight the desired default social network and press the OK button to confirm the selection.
5. After the ViviLink Video option is confirmed the camcorder is now ready to use.

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Main Camcorder Modes
Your camcorder has different modes for the various camcorder functions.
You can switch modes by pressing the MODE button on your camcorder after the camcorder has
been powered ON.
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 Video 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 Video 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 MENU 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 Photo 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 MENU 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, edit or delete them as desired.
To access the various menus for the Playback mode for photos and videos, press the MENU
button while in the Playback mode.

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Camcorder Technical Specifications
Image Sensor
CMOS Sensor
Image Resolution
(12M) 4032 x 3024 pixels, (10M) 3648 x 2736 pixels,
(8MP) 3264 x 2448 pixels, (7MP HD) 3648 x 2048 pixels,
(5MP) 2592 x 1944 pixels, (3MP) 2048 x 1536 pixels,
(2MP HD) 1920 x 1080 pixels and (VGA) 640 x 480 pixels
Video Resolution
(FHD) 1440 x 1080, (HD) 1280 x 720 (default), (VGA) 640X480
pixels (30 fps), (QVGA) 320X240 pixels (30 fps)
File Format
JPEG/AVI
External Memory
SD Card (up to 32GB)
LCD Display
2.7 Inch TFT
Lens
f=5.5mm-66mm, F 1.8-3.1 (+/-5%)
Zoom
12X Optical Zoom
Exposure
-3.0EV ~ +3.0EV
White Balance
Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent
Scene
Auto, Scenery, Portrait, Night Scenery, Night Portrait, High
Sensitivity, Sport, Beach, Party
Color Effect
Standard, Sepia, Monochrome, Vivid
Anti-Shake
Yes
Face Detect (Photo only)
Yes
Smile Capture (Photo only)
Yes
Microphone
Yes
Speaker
Yes
Self-Timer
2, 5 or 10 second delay
Multi Snapshots (Burst)
Yes
Language
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Italian,
Russian, Turkish
Interface
USB 2.0 High Speed
System Requirements
Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1 or Windows 7/ Mac OSX 10.5.x and
above
Battery
NP40 Lithium (supplied)
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 ServicePack 3, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 orWindows 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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Using Your Digital Camcorder
Make sure the rechargeable lithium battery is fully charged before the first use.
Make sure a proper SD card has been inserted correctly into your camcorder.
Powering the camcorder ON
Press the Power button to turn your camcorder ON.
The camcorder will be in Video Capture mode to start.
Note: Once you flip open the LCD screen –your camcorder automatically turns on.
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: Your digital camcorder also has an Auto Power Off feature that will automatically turn
off your camcorder after a specific period of time that your camcorder is on and left
idle. The Auto Power Off settings can be set from the Auto Power Off settings menu.
Also, once you close the LCD screen, your camcorder automatically turns off.
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.

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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
Navigating the Menus
Each camcorder mode has menus that show the settings and options specific to that mode.
1. Press the MENU button, located on the LCD panel, to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll between the various menus for the current
mode.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. If the selection can be remembered by the digital video camcorder, a selection icon will
appear to the right of the selected menu option. Changes made to these options will remain until
you change them again at a later time.
6. Some menu options are single-use functions that are not remembered by the digital video
camcorder and do not display the selection icon when selected.
7. At any time you can press the MODE button to exit the menus and return to the previous screen.

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Video Capture Mode
The Video Capture Mode allows you to capture videos with your digital video camcorder. When the
digital video 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 digital video camcorder at the
scene you would like to capture.
2. Press the T/Zoom In and W/Zoom Out buttons (on the top section of the digital
video camcorder) to better set the camcorder display if desired.
Note: The actual shape of these buttons may vary per camcorder model.
3. Press the Video Shutter button to START the video capture.
4. You will see a red blinking icon at the top of the LCD indicating that the record is in progress.
The elapsed video record time is shown as you record at the top right corner on the LCD screen.
5. To STOP the video record, press the Video Shutter button again.
6. The video will automatically be saved to the SD Memory card.
Note: Once you have finished recording, the total time you have left for recording additional video
is shown at the top right corner on the LCD screen.
Video Capture Mode Quick Function Buttons
Your digital video camcorder has Quick Function buttons controlled by the OK joystick button.
Button
Function
Right
Delete
Opens the Delete menu to the ‘Delete This Video?’ option
Left
No Function in Video Mode
EV + Up
Light Exposure (-3.0EV ~ +3.0EV)
Increases the Light Exposure +
EV-Down
Light Exposure (-3.0EV ~ +3.0EV)
Reduces the Light Exposure -
OK
LED Light
Turns the LED Flash On / Off

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ViviLink Button
The ViviLink button (located on the inside wall of your digital video camcorder) allows you to easily
and quickly define which social network your captured video will be uploaded to when using the
software application.
1. While in Video Capture mode, press the ViviLink button.
2. The ViviLink for Videos Menu opens.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and save the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item and you will return to the previous
mode.
6. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.
7. Once you have selected the ViviLink destination site, the selection applies only to the current
video you are capturing.
Remember: The ViviLink feature is deactivated by default, therefore select the ViviLink
destination before capturing a video. A ViviLink destination will only be assigned to a photo or
video if you manually set it from the ViviLink menu.
Changing the ViviLink destination site will also make the selected site the new default ViviLink
option. A new default can be selected at any time using this menu.
After you have captured a video and would like to add the ViviLink (or change the ViviLink if it
already has one) you can do so by viewing the captured video(s) in the Video Playback Mode
and pressing the MENU button to access the ViviLink for Videos Menu.
Hide/Show the LCD Icons
The display of the icons on the LCD screen can be hidden or visible as desired.
1. Hold the MODE button for 2 seconds to hide the display of the icons on the screen.
2. Press the MODE button again to redisplay the icons on the screen.

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Video Capture Mode Menus
The following are the menus that appear in your digital video camcorder’s Video Capture Mode:

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Scene Menu
The Scene Menu allows you to choose scene settings that allow your camcorder to adapt properly
to your current environment.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the Scene menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.
9. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
Image Size Menu
The Image Size menu allows you to choose the desired size of the images taken by your digital
video camcorder. Keep in mind that images with a higher resolution will also take up more of your
camcorder’s memory.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the Image Size menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.
9. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.

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Quality Menu
The Quality menu allows you to select the desired quality level of the images taken by your
camcorder. Keep in mind that images with a higher image quality level will also take up more
memory on your camcorder.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the Quality menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.
9. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
Anti-Shake Menu
The Anti-Shake feature reduces image corruption that can be caused by movement of the
camcorder while capturing the image.
Note: The Anti-Shake menu may not be available in some versions of this camcorder.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the Anti-Shake menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.
9. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.

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White Balance Menu
The White Balance feature allows your camcorder to adjust the coloring of the captured images
depending on the type of light source in the current environment.
Properly adjusting the White Balance setting to match your current environment will allow the
camcorder to properly balance the colors in the images that are taken with your camcorder.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the White Balance menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.
9. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
Color Effect Menu
You can choose to add a color effect to the images taken with your camcorder.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the Color Effect menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.

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Image Sharpness Menu
Image Sharpness sets the level of sharpness in the images taken with your digital video camcorder.
The sharpness level dictates if the edges of objects in the image are more or less distinct.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the Image Sharpness menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.
9. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
Light Exposure Menu
The Light Exposure setting helps you control the amount of light that enters your camcorder’s lens.
This setting should be adjusted when the environment is lighter or darker than normal.
When the environment has more light than is needed, reduce the exposure setting (by using the
negative - count) to reduce the amount of light allowed into the lens by your camcorder.
If the environment has less light (darker) than is needed, increase the exposure setting (by using
the positive + count) to increase the amount of light allowed into the lens by your camcorder.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the Light Exposure menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.

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9. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
ISO Menu
The ISO menu allows you to set the level of sensitivity that your camcorder has to light in the
surrounding environment. When the ISO level is increased, the image sensor in your camcorder will
be more sensitive to light and allow you to capture images in lower-light situations. The higher
sensitivity to light however, may reduce the quality of the images that are taken.
When the ISO is reduced, the image sensor in your camcorder will be less sensitive to light and will
optimize the image quality in environments with bright lighting.
1. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
2. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to scroll and select the ISO menu.
3. Press the joystick button UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option.
4. Press the OK button on the joystick to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
5. A selected option icon will appear on the selected item.
6. Press the joystick button LEFT or RIGHT to select the next menu item.
7. Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
8. An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen.
9. Remember that this setting will be saved by your digital video camcorder until you manually
change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
Metering Menu
The Metering setting will affect how your camcorder focuses when capturing an image. Depending
on your selection, the camcorder will be more sensitive to focusing on particular areas in the display
and adjust the image color and lighting accordingly.
Center –Averages the light metered from the entire frame, but giving greater weight to the subject
in the center