Canon camcorder DC310 User Manual

							
Video • 31
Selecting the Recording Mode
Changing the recording mode will 
change the recording time available on 
the disc. Select XP or SP mode for 
better movie quality;  select LP mode for 
longer recording times.
The following table gives approximate 
recording times with a brand new DVD 
disc (on a single recording side).
 Default value
 
[
 STANDARD PLAY] 
Desired recording mode 
NOTES
The camcorder uses  a variable bit rate 
(VBR) when encoding  the video data so the 
actual recording times  will vary depending 
on the content of the scenes.
Zooming: Optical, Advanced and Digital 
Zoom
The camcorder offers three types of 
zoom: optical, advanced and digital 
zoom when recording movies. (In   mode only the optical zoom 
is available.) You can also change the 
zoom speed.
Selecting the Zoom Type
Options
 Default value
 
[  MENU]   
[ CAMERA SETUP]   
[ZOOM TYPE]   Desired option 
Recording mode
Disc type
DVD-R, 
DVD-RWDVD-R DL
20 min. 36 min.
30 min. 54 min.
60 min. 108 min.
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[OPTICAL] (37x) 
The zoom range is limited to the optical 
magnification ratio of the lens.
[ADVANCED] (Advanced Zoom)
In addition to the optical zoom range, the 
camcorder processes th e image digitally to 
obtain a larger zoom  range without any 
deterioration in image quality. When recording 
movies with a 16:9 aspect ra tio, the field of view 
(picture angle) will cha nge. Refer to the table in 
the NOTES section.
[DIGITAL] (2000x)
When this option is selected, the camcorder will 
switch to digital zoom (l ight blue area on the 
zoom indicator) when  you zoom in beyond the 
optical zoom range (white area on the zoom 
indicator). With the digital zoom the image is 
processed digitally so  image quality will 
deteriorate the more you zoom in.
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32 • Video
NOTES
• The zoom range of the advanced zoom will change depending on the aspect 
ratio of the scene 
( 66).
• The advanced zoom cannot be 
selected if [WIDESCREEN] is set to 
[OFF]. 
Selecting the Zoom Speed
Options
 Default value
 
[  MENU]   
[ CAMERA SETUP]   
[ZOOM SPEED]   
Desired option 
NOTES
The fastest zoom speed can be achieved 
with the [  VARIABLE] setting.
Using the Zoom
Move the zoom lever toward  W  to 
zoom out (wide-angle). Move it 
toward  T to zoom in (telephoto).
NOTES
Keep at least 1 m (3.3 ft.) to the subject. At 
full wide-angle,  you can focus on a subject 
as close as 1 cm (0.39 in.).
Quick Start Function
When you press   the 
camcorder enters the   standby mode. 
In standby mode the camcorder 
consumes only abou t half the power 
used when recording, saving energy 
when you are using a battery pack. 
Additionally, when you press 
[WIDESCREEN] set to [  ON] (16:9) 
 48x*,   41x**
* The picture angle will be wider at both full telephoto and full wide-angle.
**The picture angle will be wider at full 
wide-angle.
[WIDESCREEN] set to [  OFF] (4:3)
 55x,   Not available
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[ VARIABLE]
The variable zoom spee d depends on how you 
operate the zoom lever: Press gently for slower 
zooms; press harder for faster zooms. With this 
option, the zoom speed will  be faster in record 
pause mode.
[  SPEED 1], [  SPEED 2], 
[ SPEED 3]
Constant zoom speeds. [  SPEED 3] is the 
fastest, and [  SPEED  1] is the slowest.
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W  Zoom out
Zoom in
T   
QUICK START
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Video • 33
 again the camcorder is 
ready to start recording within approx. 
1 second*, ensuring you do not miss 
important shooting  opportunities.
* The exact time required until the camcorder 
is ready to start recording may vary 
depending on the shooting conditions.
1Press  firmly.
The standby lamp flashes at first 
while the camcorder is preparing and 
then stays on when it enters the 
standby mode.
2When you wish to resume 
recording, press   
again.
Within approx. 1 second, the 
camcorder is ready to record.
NOTES
• When you wake up the camcorder from 
standby mode, the following settings will 
be changed automatically:
- Manual focus returns to automatic focus (AF).
- Manual exposure adj ustment returns to 
automatic exposure.
- Zoom position returns to full wide  angle  W.
• The camcorder will shut off if left in  standby mode for 10 minutes, regardless 
of the [POWER SAVE] setting ( 68). 
You can select the length of time until  shut-off with the [ STANDBY OFF] 
setting ( 68).
To restore the power if the camcorder 
shut off, turn the   switch toward 
MODE and release it, or turn the 
camcorder off and then on again.
• If you perform any of the following  actions while in stan dby mode (while the 
standby lamp is on), the camcorder will 
be woken up from standby mode.
- Open the disc compartment cover.
- Change the position of the  /   switch.
- Turn the   switch toward MODE.
Reviewing and Deleting the Last Scene 
Recorded
Even in   mode you can play 
back the last scene recorded in order to 
check it. If you are using a DVD-RW 
disc, you can also delete the scene 
while reviewing it.
1If the joystick guide does not 
appear on screen, press   to 
display it.
If   does not appear on the joystick 
guide, repeatedly push the joystick 
( ) toward [NEXT] to display it.
2Push the joystick ( ) toward  .
• The camcorder plays back the last  scene (but without sound) and 
returns to record pause mode.
• While reviewing the scene, select 
the   icon and press   to return 
to the recording mode.
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QUICK START
QUICK START
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34 • Video
Deleting a Scene After Recording It
POINTS TO CHECK
Disc type:  DVD-RW
After recording a scene:
1Review the scene as described in 
the previous section.
2While reviewing the scene, select 
( )   and press  .
3Select ( ) [YES] and press  .
NOTES
• Avoid any other operations on the  camcorder while th e scene is being 
deleted.
• You will not be able to delete the last  scene if after the scene was recorded 
you changed the operating mode, turned 
off the camcorder or  removed the disc.
Basic Playback
Playing Back the Video
1Move the  /  switch to   
(movies).
2Turn the   switch to ON, then 
turn it toward MODE and release it 
to set the camcorder in PLAY 
mode.
• The green PLAY indicator will turn 
on.
• The scene index screen appears.
3Move ( ,  ) the selection 
frame to the scene you want to 
play back. 
4Press   to begin the playback.
The playback will start from the scene 
selected and continue until the end of 
the last scene recorded.
Basic Playback
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Video • 35
5 If the joystick guide does not appear on screen, press   to 
display it.
6 Push the joystick ( ) toward  /  to pause the playback.
7 Push the joystick  ( ) toward   to 
stop the playback and return to the 
scene index screen.
NOTES
• Depending on the r ecording conditions, 
you may notice brief stops in video or 
sound playback bet ween scenes.
• This camcorder can  play back discs 
recorded with this camcorder. Discs 
recorded with other camcorders or discs 
created with a computer may not play 
back correctly. • Be sure to finalize discs to play them 
back on external DVD devices ( 48).
• When playing back a finalized disc,  depending on the numb er of scenes, it 
may take a moment before the index 
screen appears.
During the playback of a scene:
 
[
 SPEAKER VOL.] 
Adjust ( ) the volume 
• The sound from the  built-in speaker will 
be muted when you close the LCD panel 
or while the STV-25 0N Stereo Video 
Cable is connected to  the AV terminal.
• If you turn down the volume completely,  the icon will change to  .
TO PAUSE/STOP PLAYBACK
TO ADJUST THE VOLUME
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Special playback modes
Use the joystick guide to enter the special playback modes. There is no sound 
during the special playback modes.
During some special playback modes, you may notice some anomalies (blocky 
video artifacts, banding, etc.) in the playback picture.
Special playback modeInitial modeCamcorder operation
Fast playbackNormal playbackPush the joystick ( ) toward   or 
( ) toward  .
Perform operation again to increase playback 
speed 5x  → 15x the normal speed.
Slow playbackPlayback pausePush the joystick ( ) toward   or 
( ) toward  .
Perform operation again to increase playback 
speed 1/8x  → 1/4x the normal speed.
End special pl ayback modeSpecial playbackPush the joystick ( ) toward  / .
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Deleting Scenes
If you are using a DVD-RW disc, you can 
delete those scenes that you are not 
interested in keeping.
Deleting a Single Scene
POINTS TO CHECK
Disc type:   DVD-RW • VR mode
From the original index screen, select 
( ,  ) the scene to delete. To 
delete a scene only in the playlist, 
switch to the playli st first (  46), and 
then select the scene.
 
[ DELETE] 
 [YES]
Deleting All Scenes
POINTS TO CHECK
Disc type:   DVD-RW • VR mode
To delete all the scenes from the original 
index screen, perform the following 
procedure. This will delete also the 
whole playlist. If you want to delete only 
the playlist (without affecting the original 
recordings), switch to the playlist first 
(  46), and then continue as follows.  
[  MENU]
 
[  DISC OPERATIONS] 
[DEL.ALL MOVIES]* 
 [YES] 
* When you are deleting the playlist, this  menu option will be replaced by 
[DEL.PLAYLIST].
IMPORTANT
Be careful when deleting original 
recordings. Once delet ed, an original 
scene cannot be recovered.
NOTES
• You may not be able  to delete scenes 
shorter than 5 seconds. To delete such 
scenes you must in itialize the disc 
( 47), in the process deleting all the 
recordings on the disc.
• Do not change the  position of the   
switch or the  /  switch while the 
scene is being deleted (while the DISC 
access indicator is  on or flashing).
On-Screen Displays (Data Code)
The camcorder keeps a data code 
containing the date and time and other 
camera data (shutte r speed, aperture, 
etc.) registered at the time of recording. 
You can select the data  to be displayed. 
For details about on-screen displays for 
still images, refer to  Histogram and 
Other Screen Displays  (
58).
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Video • 37
Repeatedly press   to turn the 
on-screen displays on/off in the 
following sequence:
• All displays on
• All displays off
1
• All displays on
• Data code2 only
• All displays off
1However, the markers and the icons   and   will still appear  on the screen.
2Data code: Time, date  and camera data at 
the time of recording. The contents to be 
displayed can be selected with the [DATA 
CODE] setting ( 67).
Additional Functions
: Special Scene Recording Programs
Recording in a very bright ski resort or 
capturing the full colors of a sunset or a 
fireworks display becomes as easy as 
selecting a Special Scene recording 
program. For details about the available 
options, refer to th e sidebar on page 38.
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch:
 
[  PROGRAM AE] 
Desired recording program 
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DISP.
Additional Functions
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NOTES
• Do not set the mode switch to   during the actual reco rding of a scene; 
the brightness of th e picture may change 
abruptly.
• [ PORTRAIT]/[  SPORTS]/ [ BEACH]/[  SNOW]
- The picture may not appear smooth during playback.
• [ PORTRAIT] - The blur effect of the background increases the more you zoom in ( T).
• [  NIGHT] - Moving subjects may  leave a trailing 
afterimage.
- Picture quality may not be as good as  in other modes.
- White points may appear on the  screen. - Autofocus may not work as well as in 
other modes. In such case, adjust the 
focus manually.
• [ SNOW]/[ BEACH] - The subject may become overexposed on cloudy days or  in shaded places. 
Check the image on the screen.
• [ FIREWORKS] - To avoid camcorder shake, we recommend using a tripod. Make sure 
to use a tripod especially in   mode, as the shutter 
speed slows down.
[ PORTRAIT]
The camcorder 
uses a large 
aperture, achieving 
a focus on the 
subject while blurring other distracting 
details. [BEACH]
Use this mode to 
record on a sunny 
beach. It prevents 
the subject from 
being underexposed.
[ SPORTS]
Use this mode to 
record sports 
scenes such as 
tennis or golf. [SUNSET]
Use this mode to 
record sunsets in 
vibrant colors.
[ NIGHT]
Use this mode to 
record in dimly lit 
places. [ SPOTLIGHT]
Use this mode to 
record spotlit 
scenes.
[SNOW]
Use this mode to 
record in bright ski 
resorts. It prevents 
the subject from 
being underexposed. [FIREWORKS]
Use this mode to 
record fireworks.
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Video • 39
Flexible Recording: Changing the 
Shutter Speed 
Use the automatic exposure (AE) 
program to use functi ons like the white 
balance or image effects, or give priority 
to the shutter speed.
Use faster shutter speeds to record 
subjects moving qu ickly. Use slower 
shutter speeds to  add motion blur, 
emphasizing the feel of movement.
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch:
Options Default value
 
[  PROGRAM AE] 
Desired option 
When you select [ SHUTTER-
PRIO.AE], a numeric value will appear 
next to the recording program icon. 1 If the joystick guide appears on the 
screen, press   to hide it.
2 Adjust ( ) the shutter speed to  the desired value.
Shutter spee d guidelines
Note that on screen only the 
denominator is displayed – [ 250] 
indicates a shutter speed of 1/250 
second, etc.
* mode only.
**  mode only.
NOTES
• Do not set the mode switch to   
during the actual reco rding of a scene; 
the brightness of the  picture may change 
abruptly.
• [ SHUTTER-PRIO.AE] - When setting the shutter speed, the number display will flash if the value is 
not appropriate for the recording 
conditions. In such  case, select a 
different value.
- If you use a slow shutter speed in dark  places, you can obta in a brighter 
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[ PROGRAM AE]
The camcorder automatically adjusts the 
aperture and shutter speed to obtain the 
optimal exposure for the subject.
[  SHUTTER-PRIO.AE]
Set the shutter speed value. The camcorder 
automatically sets the appropriate aperture 
value.
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TO SET THE SHUTTER SPEED
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1/2*, 1/4*, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30
To record in dimly lit places.
1/60
To record under most ordinary conditions.
1/100
To record indoor sports scenes.
1/250, 1/500, 1/1000**
To record from within a moving car or train or to 
shoot fast-moving subjects such as roller 
coasters.
1/2000**
To record outdoor sports scenes on sunny days.
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40 • Video
image, but the image quality may be 
lower, and the autofocus may not work 
well.
- The image may flicker when recording  with fast shutter speeds.
- Recording movies un der fluorescent lights:  
If the screen starts to flicker, select 
[ SHUTTER-PRIO.AE] and set the 
shutter speed to 1/100.
LCD Video Light
You can use the LCD video light to 
record in completely dark places. For a 
brighter picture, we recommend 
keeping a distance of about 20 cm - 
60 cm (8 in. - 2 ft.) from the subject and/
or using the [
 NIGHT] recording 
program. When you  activate the LCD 
video light, rotate the LCD panel to face 
the subject and use the viewfinder 
instead ( 30).
 
[  LCD LIGHT OFF]   
[  LCD LIGHT ON]*   
Press  
* Using the viewfinder, select [  LCD LIGHT  OFF] instead to turn the LCD video light off. 
Closing the LCD panel will also turn the LCD 
video light off.
The LCD display turns entirely white 
when used as the video light. Use the 
viewfinder instead.
Self Timer
POINTS TO CHECK
: Set the camcorder to record 
pause mode.
1Activate the self timer.
  [  MENU]   
[ CAMERA SETUP]   
[SELF TIMER]   [  ON  ] 
2Press   to close the menu.
•  appears.
• Set [SELF TIMER] to [  OFF] to  cancel the self timer. 
3Press   on the camcorder to 
start recording.
The camcorder starts recording video 
(  mode) or takes a still 
image (  mode) after a 
10-second countdown. The 
countdown appears on the screen.
NOTES
Once the countdown has begun, you can 
press   again or turn off the 
camcorder to cancel the self timer.
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Start/Stop
Start/Stop
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