Vivitar DVR 508NHDv3 User manual

DVR 508NHDv3
Digital Camcorder
User Manual
© 2009-2014 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 the Camcorder On/Off.................................................................................................11
Changing Camcorder Mode ....................................................................................................... 12
Navigating the Menus................................................................................................................. 12
Camcorder Options: ViviLink, LED Flash, Display...................................................................... 13
Video Capture Mode .................................................................................................................. 15
Video Playback Mode................................................................................................................. 29
Photo Capture Mode.................................................................................................................. 35
Photo Playback Mode ................................................................................................................ 51
Installing the Software................................................................................................................ 60
Connecting the Camcorder to a TV............................................................................................ 62
Connecting the Camcorder to the Computer.............................................................................. 62
Getting Photos and Videos from the Camcorder to the Computer ............................................. 63
Getting Started! .......................................................................................................................... 64
Transferring Images from my Camcorder to my Computer Manually......................................... 64
Camcorder Maintenance............................................................................................................ 66
Sakar Warranty Card.................................................................................................................. 66
Technical Support....................................................................................................................... 67
Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................... 67

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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 digital camcorder.
Vivitar makes capturing those special moments as easy as possible.
Note:
Your digital camcorder requires a 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 SD Memory card or higher.
This camcorder is a Plug and Play device. You can download the pictures and videos
captured by your camcorder without the software by directly accessing the camcorder’s
memory card from your computer. It is recommended however that you install the Vivitar
Experience™ Image Manager Software to enjoy the full Vivitar experience.
Please read this manual carefully first in order to get the most out of your digital camcorder.
What’s Included
1) Digital Camcorder
2) AV Cable
3) Vivitar Experience Image Manager
Software Installation CD
4) USB Cable
5) Attached Hand Strap (not shown)
Note: SD Memory Card and batteries not included.

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Parts of the Camcorder
1. Power Button
12. AV Out Port
2. Shutter Button
13. USB Interface
3. T (Zoom In) Button
14. Speaker
4. W (Zoom Out) / Thumbnail View Button
15. Digital Lens
5. MODE (M) Button
16. Self-Timer LED Indicator Light
6. OK (MENU/SET) Button
17. Microphone
7. Left / Scene Button
18. LED Fill Light
8. Up / LED Fill Light On-Off Button
19. SD Memory Card Slot
9. Right / Delete Button
20. Tripod Mount
10. Down / ViviLink Button
21. Hand Strap
11. LCD Screen
22. Battery Compartment

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Initial Camcorder Setup
Installing the Batteries
Installing the Memory Card
Slide open the battery compartment
cover.
Insert 3 AAA (1.5V) batteries.
Alkaline batteries recommended.
Batteries not included.
SD Memory card (up to 32GB)
needed for normal use.
It is recommended to use a Class 4
SD card or higher SD card.
Please turn off the camcorder
before inserting the SD Memory
Card.
Turning On the Camcorder
Using the Camcorder

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POWERING THE CAMCORDER ON
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES
1) Remove the battery compartment cover.
2) Insert the batteries properly into your digital camcorder, according to the polarity shown
inside the battery compartment.
Use 3 x AAA (1.5V) batteries.Alkaline batteries are recommended. Batteries not included.
3) Close the battery compartment cover securely.
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 (i.e. Flash) will not work if the battery power level is low.
When the battery power is low, the battery icon appears empty and ‘Battery Low’
appears on the LCD screen. 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
INSTALLING THE SD CARD
Make sure the SD Memory card (up to 32GB) has been properly inserted into your digital
camcorder. SD Memory card not included. To properly insert the SD Card:
1) Push the SD card into the slot in the direction shown on the digital camcorder.
2) Push the SD card until you hear a slight clicking sound. This indicates the SD card has been
inserted correctly.
Note:
After the digital camcorder is powered on, an SD icon appears 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 digital
camcorder from saving captured photos to the SD card.

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POWERING ON THE DIGITAL CAMCORDER
Flip open the LCD screen and press the POWER button to turn on the digital camcorder.
CAMCORDER INITIAL SETUP
Flip open the LCD screen and press the POWER button to power. When powering the camcorder
on for the first time the camcorder will take you through the initial setup.
SETTING THE CAMCORDER LANGUAGE
1) You will first be prompted to select a language for the digital camcorder.
The Language selection menu appears.
2) Press the UP or DOWN button to select the language of your choice.
3) Press the OK button to confirm the selection.
4) 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 Camera Setup?”
Select “Yes” to continue or “No” to exit the setup.
Note: If you select “No” and decide to leave the 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.
SETTING THE DATE AND TIME
The next step in the initial camcorder setup is to set the date and time.

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1) Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to move between the date and time settings.
Press the UP or DOWN button to set the specific date and time.
2) Press the OK button to confirm the date and time setting and to continue with the camcorder
setup.
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 digital 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 Vivitar Experience Image
Manager software application.
1) First you will be asked to choose the default ViviLink social network for Photos and then for
Videos.
2) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to highlight the desired default social network and press the
OK button to confirm the selection for Photos and Videos.
Congratulations! Your digital camcorder is now ready to use!

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Main Camcorder Modes
Your digital camcorder has different modes for the various camcorder functions.
You can switch modes by pressing the MODE (M) button on your digital 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 Shutter button to start recording. A red, blinking record
indicator appears on the LCD screen while the recording is in progress. To stop the
recording, press the Shutter button again. The video is automatically saved to your
camcorder’s memory card.
To access the various menus for the Video Capture mode, press the OK (MENU/SET)
button while in the Video Capture mode.
PHOTO CAPTURE MODE
Use this mode to capture pictures with your digital camcorder.
After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE (M) button once to open the Photo
Capture mode.
To take a picture, aim your camcorder as desired and press the Shutter button.
The picture is automatically saved to your camcorder’s memory card.
To access the various menus for the Photo Capture mode, press the OK (MENU/SET)
button while in the Photo Capture mode.
PLAYBACK MODE (PHOTOS & VIDEOS)
Use this mode to view and manage the photos and videos on your digital camcorder.
After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE (M) button twice to open the Playback
mode for photos and videos. You can scroll through the photos and videos that you’ve
captured to view, edit or delete them as desired.
To access the various menus for the Playback mode for photos and videos, press the
OK (MENU/SET) button while in the Playback mode.

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Camcorder Technical Specifications
Image Sensor
CMOS Sensor
Video Resolution
(HD) 1280x720, (VGA) 640x480, (QVGA) 320x240
Image Resolution
(8M) 3264x 2448, (5M) 2592x1944, (3M) 2048x1536,
(1.3M) 1280x1024, VGA 640x480
File Format
JPEG/AVI
External Memory
SD Card (up to 32GB) –Class 4 or higher
LCD Display
1.8”TFT
Zoom
4X Digital Zoom
Exposure
-3.0EV ~ +3.0EV
White Balance
Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent
ISO
Auto, 100, 200, 400
Scene
Auto, Scenery, Portrait, Night Scenery, Night Portrait,
High Sensitivity, Sport, Beach, Party
Language
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch,
Italian, Russian, Turkish, Polish
Flash
2 LED lamps
Self-Timer
2, 5 or 10 second delay
Anti-Shake
Yes
Multi Snapshots (Burst)
Yes
Auto Power Off
1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, Disable
TV Out
PAL, NTSC
Interface
USB 2.0
System Requirements
Microsoft® Windows XP (SP 3), Vista (SP1) and
Windows 7 or higher ; Mac OSX v10.5.x or higher
Battery
3x AAA (1.5V) batteries –Alkaline batteries
recommended
Working Temperature
0~45C

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Computer System Requirements
To be able to download photos and videos to your 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
MICROSOFT® Windows 7 or above
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 MACINTOSH 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 the Camcorder On/Off
Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital camcorder.
Make sure an SD card (up to 32GB) has been inserted into your digital camcorder.
Note: SD Memory Card and batteries not included.
Please see ‘Initial Camcorder Setup’for more information.
POWERING THE CAMCORDER ON
Flip open the LCD panel and press the Power button to turn your camcorder ON.
After powering on, the camcorder emits a sound and the LCD screen turns 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.
AUTO POWER 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 can
be set from the Auto Power Off settings menu in either Photo Capture Mode or Video Capture
Mode.

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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 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 photos.
To change the active camcorder mode, make sure the camcorder is powered ON and press the
MODE (M) button to toggle between the Video Capture Mode, Photo Capture Mode and
Playback Mode.
When in Video Capture Mode, this icon displays on the top-left corner of the LCD display.
When in Photo Capture Mode, this icon displays on the top-left corner of the LCD display.
When in Playback Mode, this icon displays on the top-left corner of the LCD display.
Navigating the Menus
Each camcorder mode has a set of menus specific to that mode.
1) Press the OK (MENU/SET) button to open the menus for the current mode.
2) Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll between the various menus for the current mode.
3) Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu selection.
4) Press the OK (MENU/SET) button to confirm and save the highlighted menu option.
5) If the selection can be remembered by the camcorder, a selection icon appears to the

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right of the selected menu option. Changes made to these options remain until you decide to
change them again at a later time.
Some menu options are single-use functions that are not remembered by the camcorder
and do not display the selection icon.
6) At any time you can press the MODE button to exit the menus and return to the previous
screen.
Note:
For most menu settings, an icon reflecting your selection displays on the LCD screen.
The settings are saved by your digital camcorder until you manually change the setting or
restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
Camcorder Options: ViviLink, LED Flash, Display
VIVILINK OPTION
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 Vivitar Experience™ Image
Manager application. A ViviLink destination can be assigned to a photo or video in Capture mode
prior to capturing your image or in Playback Mode.
VIVILINK: VIDEO OR PHOTO CAPTURE MODE
Press the DOWN Quick Function Button to open the ViviLink options. Select a ViviLink option
and press OK to save your selection and return to Photo/Video Capture Mode. Your selected
ViviLink destination appears as an icon on the LCD screen and your camcera is now ready to
capture your photo or video with the selected ViviLink destination.
Note: The ViviLink feature is deactivated by default and needs to be activated prior to capturing
each photo or video.

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VIVILINK: PLAYBACK MODE
A ViviLink destination can be added to a captured image or changed by accessing the ViviLink
menu in Playback Mode. Simply select your image and press the OK button to view the Playback
menu options. Select the ‘ViviLink’menu and then use the UP or DOWN button to select the
ViviLink destination and press the OK button.
LED FLASH OPTION
The LED Flash lights allow you to add lighting to the scene you would like to capture.
The following icon appears on the bottom, left of the LCD when the Flash is on.
LED Light On:
To increase the lighting in dark situations, press the UP button to activate the 2 LED
Flash Lights on the front of the camcorder below the lens.
LED Light Off:
Press the UP button again to turn the LED Flash Lights off.
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 (M) button for 2 seconds to hide the display of the icons on the screen.
2) Press the MODE (M) button again to redisplay the icons on the screen.

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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, it will be in Video Capture Mode.
TAKING A VIDEO
1) Selecting the Scene Using the LCD Display:
While in Video Capture mode, use the LCD display to direct the camcorder at the scene you
would like to capture.
2) Zoom Options:
Use the T/ Zoom In and W / Zoom Out buttons located to the left of the LCD screen to
better set the camcorder display if desired. You can magnify your subject up to 4 times using
the digital zoom. A magnifying glass icon appears on the bottom right of the LCD screen
indicating the selected zoom.
3) Capturing the Video:
Press the Shutter button to START the video capture.
Ared, blinking icon appears at the top of the LCD screen indicating that the recording is in
progress.
To STOP the video recording, press the Shutter button again.
The video is automatically saved to the camcorder’s SD Memory card.
Note: The amount of recording time available for the resolution selected appears on the top
center of LCD screen while in ‘Standby’. The lower the resolution setting the more recording time
is available. However, videos recorded at lower resolution are of less quality than videos recorded
at the higher resolution.
Remember, the amount of time that you can capture videos also depends on the size of the SD
memory card inserted as well as the video resolution selected.

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VIDEO CAPTURE MODE QUICK FUNCTION BUTTONS
Your digital camcorder has a four-directional pad that functions as Quick Function buttons.
Quick Function Button
Function
Left
SCENE SELECTION –Opens the ‘Scene’ menu.
Up
LED LIGHTS –Turns on/off the LED lights.
Right
DELETE –Opens the ‘Delete This Video’ option and allows
you to view and delete current video.
Down
VIVILINK –Opens the ‘ViviLink for Videos’ menu.
Other
Shutter
STARTS/STOPS the video capture
OK (MENU/SET)
MENU - Opens the menu options for Video Capture Mode.
SAVE SELECTION - Saves your selected menu option.
To navigate through the Menus, use the UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT
direction control buttons.
MODE (M)
MODE SELECTION - Toggles between the Photo Capture Mode,
Video Capture Mode and Playback Mode.
Exits the menu screen.
T
Zooms In
W
Zooms Out

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VIDEO CAPTURE MODE MENUS
The following are the menus that appear in your camcorder’s Video Capture Mode:
Once you change a setting, the setting is saved by your camcorder until you manually change
the setting or restore the camcorder’s Factory Default Settings.
The selection icon displays the Factory Default Settings in the menus shown below.

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SCENE MENU
The ‘Scene’ menu allows you to choose scene settings that let your camcorder to adapt properly
to your current environment.
Note: Remember: The ‘Scene’ menu is also accessible by pressing the LEFT Quick Function
Button while in Capture Mode.
The ‘Scene’ options include:
Auto / Scenery / Portrait / Night Scenery / Night Portrait / High Sensitivity / Sport / Beach / Party
1) Press the OK button to open the menus for the current mode.
2) Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Scene’ menu.
3) Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight a specific option.
4) Press the OK button to confirm and select the highlighted menu option.
A selected option icon appears on the selected item.
5) To continue within the menus and select a different menu option:
Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item.
6) To exit the menu view:
Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
An icon reflecting your selection is displayed on the LCD screen.
IMAGE SIZE MENU
The ‘Image Size’ menu allows you to choose the desired size of the images taken by your
camcorder. Keep in mind that images with a higher resolution will also take up more of your
camcorder’s memory.
The ‘Image Size’ options include: HD 1280x720 HD / VGA 640x480 / QVGA 320x240
1) Press the OK button to open the menus for the current mode.
2) Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Image Size’ menu.
3) Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight a specific option.
4) Press the OK button to confirm and select the highlighted menu option.
A selected option icon appears on the selected item.

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5) To continue within the menus and select a different menu option:
Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item.
6) To exit the menu view:
Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
An icon reflecting your selection is displayed on the LCD screen.
IMAGE QUALITY MENU
The ‘Image 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.
The ‘Image Quality’ options include: Normal / Fine / Super Fine
1) Press the OK button to open the menus for the current mode.
2) Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Image Quality’ menu.
3) Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight a specific option.
4) Press the OK button to confirm and select the highlighted menu option.
A selected option icon appears on the selected item.
5) To continue within the menus and select a different menu option:
Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item.
6) To exit the menu view:
Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
An icon reflecting your selection is displayed on the LCD screen.
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.
The ‘White Balance’ options include: Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Incandescent / Fluorescent