Vivitar DVR 918M User manual

DVR 908M
Digital Camcorder
User Manual
© 2009-2016 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................................................................................................................................3
What’s Included..........................................................................................................................3
Parts of the Digital Camcorder..................................................................................................4
Initial Setup.................................................................................................................................5
Powering the Camera ON................................................................................................................................... 6
Camcorder Initial Setup....................................................................................................................................... 7
Main Camcorder Modes.............................................................................................................9
Camcorder Technical Specifications......................................................................................10
Minimum System Requirements............................................................................................. 11
WINDOWS OS...................................................................................................................................................11
MACINTOSH OS ...............................................................................................................................................11
Powering Your Digital Camcorder ON/OFF............................................................................12
Powering the Digital Camcorder ON.................................................................................................................. 12
Powering the Digital Camcorder OFF................................................................................................................ 12
Auto Power OFF –Power Saving...................................................................................................................... 12
Changing Camcorder Mode ....................................................................................................13
Navigating the Menus..............................................................................................................14
Camera Features: ViviLink, LED Flash...................................................................................15
ViviLink Feature................................................................................................................................................ 15
LED Flash......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Video Capture Mode ................................................................................................................16
Taking a Video.................................................................................................................................................. 16
Video Capture Mode Quick Function Buttons .................................................................................................... 17
Video Capture Mode Menus.............................................................................................................................. 18
Video Playback Mode ..............................................................................................................29
Playing Videos on Your Camcorder................................................................................................................... 29
Thumbnail View ................................................................................................................................................ 30
Video Playback Mode Quick Function Buttons................................................................................................... 30
Video Playback Mode Menus............................................................................................................................ 31
Photo Capture Mode................................................................................................................34
Taking a Picture................................................................................................................................................ 34
Photo Capture Mode Quick Function Buttons.................................................................................................... 35
Photo Capture Mode Menus.............................................................................................................................. 36
Photo Playback Mode..............................................................................................................48
Viewing Photos on Your Camcorder.................................................................................................................. 48
Thumbnail View ................................................................................................................................................ 48

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Photo Playback Mode Quick Function Buttons .................................................................................................. 49
Photo Playback Mode Menus............................................................................................................................ 50
Connecting the Digital Camcorder to a TV ............................................................................55
How to Connect ................................................................................................................................................ 55
Installing the Software.............................................................................................................56
Installing the Software –Using the CD ROM..................................................................................................... 56
Installing the Software –Using the Online Link.................................................................................................. 58
Connecting the Camcorder to the Computer.........................................................................58
Getting Photos and Videos from the Camcorder to the Computer......................................59
Getting Started!........................................................................................................................60
Transferring Images from the Camcorder to the Computer Manually.................................60
Transferring Photos and Videos: WINDOWS..................................................................................................... 60
Transferring Photos and Videos: MACINTOSH.................................................................................................. 61
Transferring Photos and Videos: Apple iPad...................................................................................................... 61
Camcorder Maintenance .........................................................................................................62
Sakar Warranty Card................................................................................................................62
Technical Support....................................................................................................................63
Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................63

3
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.
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: Class 4 SDHC Memory card or higher is required.
This digital camcorder is a plug and play device. You can download the pictures and videos
captured by your digital 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) USB Cable
4) Vivitar Experience™ Image Manager
Software Installation CD
5) Built-in Hand Strap (not shown)
Note: SD Memory card and batteries not included.

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

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Initial Setup
Turning On & Using the Camera
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.
Class 4 or higher SD Memory
Card (up to 32 GB) needed for
normal use. SD Memory Card not
included.

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POWERING THE CAMERA 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.
3) Close the battery compartment cover securely.
Use 3 x AAA (1.5V) batteries. Alkaline batteries are recommended. Batteries not included.
Note:
Remove the batteries from the camera when not in use for an extended period.
Do not mix alkaline and non-alkaline batteries.
Some camera 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 MEMORY CARD
Make sure the SD Memory card (up to 32GB) has been properly inserted into your digital
camcorder. Class 4 SDHC Memory card or higher is required. SD card not included.
To properly insert the SD Card:
1) Push the SD card into the slot in the direction as shown on the SD card icon by the slot 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.

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Make sure the SD card is not locked (check the lock switch on the side
of the SD card). If the SD cardislocked this will preventthedigital
camcorder fromsavingcaptured photos to the SDcard.
POWERING ON THE DIGITAL CAMCORDER
Flip open the LCD screen and press the POWER button to turn on the digital camcorder.
CAMCORDER INITIAL SETUP
When powering the digital camcorder ON for the first time the camera will take you through the
initial setup.
SETTING THE LANGUAGE
You will first be prompted to select a language for the digital camcorder.
The Language selection menu appears.
1) Press the UP or DOWN button to select the language of your choice.
2) Press the OK/SET button to confirm the selection.
SETTING THE DATE AND TIME
The next step in the initial camcorder setup is to set the camcorder’s date and time.
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/SET button to confirm the date and time setting and to continue with the
camcorder setup.

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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 application.
1) First you will be asked to choose the default ViviLink social network for Videos. Use the UP
and DOWN buttons to highlight the desired default social network and press the OK/SET
button to confirm the selection.
2) Next you will be asked to choose the default ViviLink social network for Photos. Use the UP
and DOWN buttons to highlight the desired default social network and press the OK/SET
button to confirm the selection.
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 camera functions.
You can switch modes by pressing the MODE 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
recording, press the Shutter button again. The video is automatically saved to your
camera’s memory card.
To access the various menus for the Video Capture mode, press the OK/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 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 camera’s memory card.
To access the various menus for the Photo Capture mode, press the OK/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 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 ode for photos and videos, press the OK
button while in the Playback mode.

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Camcorder Technical Specifications
Image Sensor
CMOS Sensor
Image Resolution
9M (3456x2592), 5M (2592x1944), 3M (2048x1536),
1M (1280x960)
Video Resolution
HD (1280x720), VGA (640x480), QVGA (320x240)
File Format
JPEG/AVI
External Memory
Class 4 or higher SD Card (up to 32GB)
LCD Display
1.77”TFT, Flip LCD 90
Lens Focus Length
120CM-Infinity
Lens Type
Fixed
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, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese,
German, Italian, Greek, Polish
Flash
2 LED lamps
Self-Timer
2, 5 or 10 second delay
Anti-Shake
Yes
Photo Multi Snapshots (Burst)
Yes
Print Photos
Yes
Microphone
Yes
Speaker
Yes
Auto Power Off
Yes - 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, Disable
Interface
USB 2.0
System Requirements
WINDOWS® XP (SP3), Vista (SP1) and
WINDOWS® 7 and above; MACINTOSH OSX
v10.5.x and above
Battery
3x AAA (1.5V) batteries
Alkaline batteries recommended
Working Temperature
0~40C

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Minimum 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 Pack3,Windows Vista with ServicePack 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 Your Digital Camcorder ON/OFF
Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital camcorder. Batteries
not included.
Make sure a Class 4 SDHC or higher SD Memory Card (up to 32GB) has been inserted
into your digital camcorder. SD Memory Card not included.
Please see InitialSetup for more information.
POWERING THE DIGITAL CAMCORDER ON
Flip open the LCD screen and press the Power button to turn your digital camcorder ON.
The camcorder will be in Video Capture mode to start.
POWERING THE DIGITAL 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 includes 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’Photo Capture Mode or Video Capture Mode settings
menu.

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Changing Camcorder Mode
Your camera has three main modes:
1) Video Capture Mode - Use this mode to capture videos with your camera.
2) Photo Capture Mode - Use this mode to capture photos with your camera.
3) Playback Mode (for photos and videos) - Use this mode to view the photos and videos
you have already taken with your camera.
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 camera mode, make sure the camera is powered ON and press the
MODE button to toggle between the Video Capture Mode, Photo Capture Mode and Playback
Mode.
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
Each camcorder mode has a set of menus specific to that mode.
Each camera mode has a set of menus specific to that mode.
1) Press the OK/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/SET button to confirm and save the highlighted menu option.
5) If the selection can be remembered by the camera, a selection icon appears to the 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 camera 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 camera until you manually change the setting or
restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.

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Camera Features: ViviLink, LED Flash
VIVILINK FEATURE
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/SET 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 camera 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.
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 an image, press the DOWN Quick Function Button,
select the ViviLink destination and press the OK/SET button.
LED FLASH
The LED Flash lights allow you to add lighting to the scene you would like to capture.
LED 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 OFF: Press the UP button again to turn the LED Flash Lights off.

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Video Capture Mode
The Video Capture Mode allows you to capture videos with your digital camcorder.
When the camera is first powered ON, the camcorder will be in Video Capture Mode.
The Video Capture icon appears on the top left corner of the LCD.
TAKING A VIDEO
1) Selecting the Scene with the LCD Display:
While in Video Capture Mode use the LCD display to direct the camera at the scene you
would like to capture.
Note: The amount of time available for recording video appears on the top right of the LCD
screen. This amount of time depends on the selected video resolution and the size of the
SD Memory card. Videos captured with a higher resolution take up more space on the
memory card.
2) Zoom Options:
You can magnify your subject up to 4 times using the digital zoom while capturing your
photos and recording your videos. The zoom buttons are located by the LCD screen.
Press the ZOOM IN button to zoom in on the object and press the ZOOM OUT
button to zoom back out. The zoom magnification amount is displayed on the bottom right
of the LCD while zooming.
3) Capturing the Video:
START: Press the Shutter button to start the video capture.
A red, blinking record indicator appears on the LCD screen while the recording is in
progress. The elapsed record time is also seen on the LCD screen.
PAUSE: Press the LEFT button to pause the recording and press the LEFT button
again to continue recording.
STOP: To stop the video capture, press the Shutter button again.
The video is automatically saved to the camcorder’s SD Memory card.

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VIDEO CAPTURE MODE QUICK FUNCTION BUTTONS
Your digital camcorder has a four-directional control button that functions as Quick Function
buttons.
Quick Function Button
Function
LEFT
SCENE SELECTION –Opens the ‘Scene’ menu.
PAUSE –During video capture, pauses the recording and continues
the recording.
UP
LED LIGHTS –Turns the LED lights ON and OFF.
RIGHT
DELETE - Opens the ‘Delete This File’ option and allows you to view
and delete the last captured image (video/photo).
DOWN
VIVILINK - Opens the ‘ViviLink for Videos’ menu.
Other
Shutter
STARTS/STOPS –Starts and stops the video capture.
OK/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
MODE SELECTION - Toggles between the Video Capture, Photo
Capture, and Playback Modes.
EXIT MENU - Exits the menu screen.
ZOOM - Zooms In.
ZOOM - Zooms Out.

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VIDEO CAPTURE MODE MENUS
The following are the menus that appear in your camcorder’s Video Capture Mode.
The selection icon appears by the default settings.
Once you change a setting, the setting is saved until you manually change the setting or
restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.

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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 –Standby mode.
1) Press the OK/SET 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 the desired menu option.
4) Press the OK/SET button to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
A selected option icon will appear 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 will display on the LCD screen.
RESOLUTION MENU
The ‘Resolution’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.
1) Press the OK/SET button to open the menus for the current mode.
2) Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Resolution’menu.
3) Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu option.
4) Press the OK/SET button to select and confirm the highlighted menu option.
A selected option icon will appear 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 will display on the LCD screen.