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Vivitar DVR 946HD User Manual

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DVR 946HD
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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Summary of Contents for Vivitar DVR 946HD

  • Page 1: User Manual

    DVR 946HD 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.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS Introduction ............................2 What’s Included ............................ 2 Parts of the Camcorder ......................... 3 Initial Camcorder Setup ........................4 Main Camcorder Modes ........................8 Camcorder Technical Specifications ..................... 9 Computer System Requirements ......................10 Powering ON/OFF Your Digital Camcorder ..................11 Changing Camcorder Mode ........................

  • Page 3: Introduction

    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.

  • Page 4: Parts Of The Camcorder

    Parts of the Camcorder 1. Power Button 13. Speaker 2. EV+ / Up / Slide Show Button 14. Shutter Button 3. EV- / Down Button 15. Zoom Out / Zoom In 4. Self-Timer / Left Button 16. LED Indicator Light 5.

  • Page 5: Initial Camcorder Setup

    Initial Camcorder Setup Flip open the LCD screen. When powering the camcorder ON for the first time the camcorder will take you through the initial camcorder setup. POWERING THE CAMCORDER ON Installing the Batteries Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital camcorder, according to the polarity shown inside the battery compartment.
  • Page 6 IMPORTANT: You must use only a Class 4 SDHC Memory card or higher. Make sure a Class 4 (or higher) SD Memory Card (up to 32GB) has been properly inserted into your camcorder. SD card not included. To properly insert the SD Memory Card: ...
  • Page 7 Note:  After the camcorder is powered on, the SD icon will appear on the LCD display. If you do not see the SD icon on the display, please check if the card was inserted properly.  Make sure the SD card is not locked (check the lock switch on the side of the SD card). If the SD card is locked this will prevent the camcorder from saving captured photos to the SD card.
  • Page 8 Note: If you select “No” and decide to leave the camcorder setup, the camcorder will be set to its default settings. These settings can be adjusted at any time manually through the menus 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.

  • Page 9: Main Camcorder Modes

    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.

  • Page 10: Camcorder Technical Specifications

    Camcorder Technical Specifications Image Sensor CMOS Sensor 3648x2736(10M) / 3648x2048(7MHD) / 2592x1944(5M) / Image Resolution 2048x1536(3M) / 1920x1080(2MHD) / 640x480(VGA) Video Resolution 1280X720 (HD), 640X480 (VGA), 320X240 (QVGA) File Format JPEG/AVI SD Memory Card (up to 32GB) – Class 4 or higher External Memory LCD Display 2.7 Inch TFT , opens 90...

  • Page 11: Computer System Requirements

    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 Windows 7 ...

  • Page 12: Powering On/Off Your Digital Camcorder

    Powering ON/OFF Your Digital Camcorder  Make sure the batteries have been inserted properly into your digital camcorder.  Make sure an SD Memory Card, up to 32GB Class 4 or higher, has been installed into your camcorder. SD Memory Card and batteries not included. ...

  • Page 13: Navigating The Menus

    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.

  • Page 14: Camcorder Options: Vivilink, Led Flash, Macro, Zoom, Display

    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.
  • Page 15 MACRO OPTIONS Your camcorder contains a Macro Switch that allows you to manually enable or disable the Macro mode on your camcorder. While using the Macro mode, you can capture images at close range, 30 ~ 40 cm. MACRO ON: To turn the Macro mode ON, slide the Macro Switch on the side of your camcorder DOWN to the flower icon ...
  • Page 16 DIGITAL ZOOM OPTION You can magnify your subject up to 4 times using the digital zoom while capturing your photos and recording your videos.  Push the Zoom lever up, T , to zoom in on the object.  Push the Zoom lever down, W , to zoom back out.

  • Page 17: Video Capture Mode

    Video Capture Mode The Video Capture Mode allows you to capture videos with your camcorder. When the camcorder is first powered on, it will be in Video Capture Mode. TAKING A VIDEO While in Video Capture Mode use the LCD display to direct the camcorder at the scene you would like to capture.
  • Page 18 VIDEO CAPTURE MODE QUICK FUNCTION BUTTONS Your digital camcorder has control buttons that functions as Quick Function buttons. Quick Function Button Function Light Exposure – Changes the Light Exposure Setting.  UP: EV + Press to increase the Light Exposure. Light Exposure –...
  • Page 19 VIDEO CAPTURE MODE MENUS The following are the menus that appear in your camcorder’s Video Capture Mode. Note: The default settings are those marked with the selection icon...
  • Page 20 SCENE MENU The Scene Menu allows you to choose scene settings that allow your camcorder to adapt properly to your current environment. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode. Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Scene’ menu. Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight a specific option.
  • Page 21 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. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
  • Page 22 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.
  • Page 23 IMAGE SHARPNESS MENU You can set the level of sharpness in the images taken with your camcorder. The sharpness level dictates if the edges of objects in the image are more or less distinct. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode. Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Image Sharpness’...
  • Page 24 To continue within the menus: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item. To exit the menu view: Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode. Note: An icon reflecting your selection is displayed on the LCD screen. This setting is saved by your camcorder until you manually change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
  • Page 25 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 –...
  • Page 26 Press the SET button to confirm and select the highlighted menu option. selected option icon will appear on the selected item. To continue within the menus: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item. To exit the menu view: Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode.
  • Page 27 To Set the Date and Time: Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode. Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Date/Time’ menu. Press the UP or DOWN button, or push the Zoom lever UP or DOWN, to highlight the ‘Date Setup’...
  • Page 28 FREQUENCY MENU The options in the Frequency menu represent the frequency of the electrical current in fluorescent lighting sources in your locale. If your camcorder is set to a frequency that does not match your country’s electric current, you may see flickering or waves on the images taken by your camcorder. 50Hz –...
  • Page 29 selected option icon will appear on the selected item. To continue within the menus: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item. To exit the menu view: Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode. Note: This setting is saved by your camcorder until you manually change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
  • Page 30 FIRMWARE (FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS) MENU Use this menu to view the Firmware version on your camcorder or to reset your camcorder settings to the Factory Default Settings. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode. Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Firmware’ menu. Press the SET button to select the highlighted option ‘RESTORE Factory Settings’.

  • Page 31: Video Playback Mode

    Video Playback Mode The Playback Mode allows you to review and edit photos and videos that you’ve already taken with you camcorder.  When you first turn on the camcorder, the camcorder will be in Video Capture mode by default. ...
  • Page 32 Press the UP, DOWN, LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the image you wish to view. Press the SET button to enlarge the image full size. Once the selected video is full size you can play and view the video. VIDEO PLAYBACK MODE QUICK FUNCTION BUTTONS Your digital camcorder has control buttons that functions as Quick Function buttons.
  • Page 33 VIDEO PLAYBACK MODE MENUS The following are the menus that appear in your digital video camcorder’s Video Playback Mode: DELETE MENU While in the Playback mode, you can delete videos and photos from your digital camcorder through the Delete menu. After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button twice to enter the Playback Mode.
  • Page 34 VIVILINK MENU 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. After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button twice to enter the Playback Mode.
  • Page 35 PROTECT/LOCK MENU Pictures and Videos taken with your camcorder can be protected or “locked” to prevent any deletion or alteration being made to the files. After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button twice to enter the Playback Mode. Use the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select an image to lock.

  • Page 36: Photo Capture Mode

    Photo Capture Mode The Photo Capture mode allows you to capture pictures with your digital camcorder. Once the camcorder has been powered on, press the MODE button once to open the Photo Capture Mode. TAKING A PICTURE While in Photo Capture Mode use the LCD display to direct the camcorder at the scene you would like to capture.
  • Page 37 PHOTO CAPTURE MODE QUICK FUNCTION BUTTONS Your digital camcorder has control buttons that functions as Quick Function buttons. Quick Function Button Function Light Exposure – Changes the Light Exposure Setting.  UP: EV + Press to increase the Light Exposure. Light Exposure –...
  • Page 38 PHOTO CAPTURE MODE MENUS The following are the menus that appear in your camcorder’s Photo Capture Mode. Note: The default settings are those marked with the selection icon...
  • Page 39 SCENE MENU The Scene Menu allows you to choose scene settings that allow your camcorder to adapt properly to your current environment. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode. Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Scene’ menu. Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight a specific option.
  • Page 40 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. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
  • Page 41 To exit the menu view: Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode. Note: An icon reflecting your selection is displayed on the LCD screen. This setting is saved by your 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.
  • Page 42 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight a specific option. Alternatively, push the Zoom lever UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option. Press the SET button to confirm and select the highlighted menu option. selected option icon will appear on the selected item. To continue within the menus: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item.
  • Page 43 This feature can be effective when trying to capture a particular moment in a sporting event or other scenes with quick movements. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode. Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Multi Snapshots’ menu. Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight a specific option.
  • Page 44 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.
  • Page 45 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight a specific option. Alternatively, push the Zoom lever UP or DOWN to highlight the desired menu option. Press the SET button to confirm and select the highlighted menu option. selected option icon will appear on the selected item. To continue within the menus: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item.
  • Page 46 To exit the menu view: Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode. Note: An icon reflecting your selection is displayed on the LCD screen. This setting is saved by your camcorder until you manually change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings. LANGUAGE MENU You can select your camcorder’s language setting by selecting the desired language from the Language menu.
  • Page 47 To Enable/Disable the Timestamp: Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode. Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the ‘Date/Time’ menu. Press the UP or DOWN button, or push the Zoom lever UP or DOWN, to highlight the desired menu selection.
  • Page 48 SILENT MODE MENU You have the option of activating the camcorder’s Silent mode to disable all of the sound effects (except for beeps heard during the Self-Timer countdown) that the camcorder emits when performing camcorder functions. Note: This does not affect the sound during video recording. Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode.
  • Page 49 To continue within the menus: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item. To exit the menu view: Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode. Note: This setting is saved by your camcorder until you manually change the setting or restore the camcorder’s default factory settings.
  • Page 50 TV OUT MENU TV Out allows you to select the TV option appropriate for you to view your captured images on your “Connecting the Camcorder to a television. See TV” for further information on how to connect your digital camcorder to your television. NTSC –...
  • Page 51 To Exit without Formatting the SD Card: To exit without formatting the card, select ‘Cancel’ and press the SET button. To Format the SD Card: To proceed with the format, select “Yes” and press the SET button. The SD Memory Card will be automatically formatted. FIRMWARE (FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS) MENU Use this menu to view the Firmware version on your camcorder or to reset your camcorder settings to the Factory Default Settings.

  • Page 52: Photo Playback Mode

    Photo Playback Mode The Playback Mode allows you to review and edit photos and videos that you’ve already taken with you camcorder.  When you first turn on the camcorder, the camcorder will be in Video Capture mode by default. ...
  • Page 53 To access the Thumbnail View: Push the Zoom lever down, W All the images on your camcorder appear in the Thumbnail View. Press the UP, DOWN, LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the image you wish to view. Press the SET button to enlarge the image full size.
  • Page 54 PHOTO PLAYBACK MODE MENUS The following are the menus that appear in your digital video camcorder’s Photo Playback Mode: DELETE MENU While in the Playback mode, you can delete videos and photos from your digital camcorder through the Delete menu. After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button twice to enter the Playback Mode.
  • Page 55 VIVILINK MENU 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. After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button twice to enter the Playback Mode.
  • Page 56  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 through this menu. ROTATE MENU Use this menu to rotate the pictures that you’ve taken with your camcorder. After turning on your camcorder, press the MODE button twice to enter the Playback Mode.
  • Page 57 - When you are ready to crop, press the Shutter button. When you see the cropped picture appear, press the Shutter button again to save or press the SET button to cancel and return to the previous menu. - If you selected to save, the cropped picture is now saved as a new picture to your memory card.
  • Page 58 Images’ and then press the SET button. The images now appear in Playback Mode without the lock icon. 10. Press the MODE button at any time to exit the menu and return to your previous mode. Note:  Any image that is locked will display a lock symbol on the LCD screen when viewing that image in the Playback mode.
  • Page 59 SLIDE SHOW MENU You can view a Slide Show of all the pictures taken with your camcorder by pressing the UP Quick Function button while in Playback mode. The Slide Show menu allows you to set the interval length of time that each picture will display during the Slide Show.

  • Page 60: Connecting The Camcorder To A Tv

    Connecting the Camcorder to a TV The camcorder has an AV port to use your larger TV screen in place of the camcorder’s LCD screen. On plugging the supplied TV-out cable to the camcorder’s AV out jack, the LCD screen turns blank. Use the camcorder as you would normally to capture and playback photos and videos.

  • Page 61: Installing The Software

    Installing the Software You must be connected to the Internet to install and run the Vivitar Experience™ Image Manager Software. Insert the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. The installation screen should automatically open. WINDOWS OS: The Vivitar Experience Image Manager Installer window appears. If the window does not appear, open the application’s CD/DVD drive and click on “Setup.exe”...

  • Page 62: Connecting The Camcorder To The Computer

    MACINTOSH OS: Click the “Quit” button when the installation is complete. Click the “Launch Vivitar Experience Image Manager” to open the application. 13. If you close the application you can run the Vivitar Experience™ Image Manager from the Programs (PC) or Application (Mac) menu on your computer.

  • Page 63: Getting Photos And Videos From The Camcorder To The Computer

    Getting Photos and Videos from the Camcorder to the Computer An SD card needs to be inserted. Do not disconnect the cable during transfer. Doing so will cancel the transfer of any files on their way to your computer. Select the “Get Images” button from the Main menu. The “Get media from device”...

  • Page 64: Getting Started

    Use automatic “Geotagging” with built in Google Maps For more details on how to use the Vivitar Experience™ Image Manager open the ‘Help Guide’ from the Help menu or click the “Take a Tour” button on the application’s Home screen.
  • Page 65 TRANSFERRING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS: MACINTOSH OS Use the supplied USB cable to connect your camcorder to your computer. MSDC appears on the LCD. The camera’s device icon appears on the desktop. Click on the device icon and open the DCIM folder and the folder inside to view the media files. Select the files and drag them into your computer.

  • Page 66: Camcorder Maintenance

    Camcorder Maintenance The digital camcorder is a delicate device. Please handle your camcorder with care to avoid damaging it. Do not expose your camcorder to heat sources. Do not use your camcorder in wet or moist conditions. Sakar Warranty Card This warranty covers for the original consumer purchaser only and is not transferable.

  • Page 67: Technical Support

    For phone support in the US please call 1-800-592-9541, in the UK call 0800 917 4831, in Australia call 1800-006-614. If you would like to call from anywhere else, please visit www.vivitar.com for your local toll free number.

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