Canon Hv20 A Manual

 Getting Started
Preparations
21
IMPORTANT

  Make sure to initialize all memory cards 
before using them with this camcorder for the 
first time ( 65).

  Memory cards have front and back sides that 
are not interchangeable. Inserting a memory 
card facing the wrong direction can cause a 
malfunction of the camcorder.
NOTES
Proper operation cannot be guaranteed for all 
miniSD cards.
Preparing the Camcorder
1Turn on the camcorder. The lens cover will open automatically.
2Adjust the viewfinder.
Keep...

Getting Started 22
Adjusting the LCD Screen
Rotating the LCD Panel
Open the LCD panel 90 degrees.
You can rotate the panel 90 degrees 
downward.
You can rotate the panel 180 degrees 
toward the lens (allowing the subject to 
monitor the LCD screen while you use the 
viewfinder). Rotating the panel 180 
degrees is also useful if you wish to 
include yourself when recording with the 
self timer.
LCD Backlight
You can set the brightness of the LCD 
screen to normal or bright.
Hold   pressed down for more...

 Using the Menus
Preparations
23
Using the Menus
Many of the camcorder’s functions can be 
adjusted from the menus that open after 
pressing the FUNC. button ( ). 
For details about the available menu 
options and settings, refer to Menu 
Options Lists  (35).
Selecting an Option from the FUNC. 
Menu
1Press .
2Select ( ) the icon of the function 
you want change from the left side 
column.
3Select ( ) the desired setting 
from the available options at the 
bottom bar.
The selected option will be...

First Time Settings 24
First Time Settings
Changing the Language
Options
 Default value
1Press .
2Select ( ) the   icon and press 
( ) to open the setup menus. 
3Select ( ) [DISPLAY SETUP/ ] 
and press ( ).
4Select ( ) [LANGUAGE] and press 
().
5Select ( ,  ) the desired option 
and press ( ).
6Press   to close the menu.
NOTES

  If you changed the language by mistake, 
follow the   mark next to the menu item to 
change the setting.

  The displays and   that appear in 
some menu screens refer to the...

 First Time Settings
Preparations
25
Setting the Date and Time
1Press .
2Select ( ) the   icon and press 
( ) to open the setup menus. 
3Select ( ) [DATE/TIME SETUP] 
and press ( ).
4Select ( ) [DATE/TIME] and press 
().The first field of the date will be 
indicated with blinking up/down 
arrows. 
5Change ( ) each field of the date 
and time and move ( ) to the next 
field.
6Press ( ) to start the clock.
7Press   to close the menu.
IMPORTANT

  If you do not use the camcorder for about 3 
months, the...

Recording 26
Basic Functions
Recording
Recording Movies
1Holding the lock button pressed 
down, set the   switch to 
CAMERA.
2Move the / switch to   
(tape). If necessary, you can change the 
recording standard (HDV or DV) 
( 38).
3Press   to begin 
recording.Press   again to pause the 
recording.
TO REVIEW THE LAST SCENE RECORDED
1Set the mode switch to  .
2If the joystick guide does not appear 
on screen, press ( ) to display it.
3Push the joystick ( ) toward  . 
• If   does not appear on the joystick...

 Recording
Basic Functions
27
become distorted or it may not be recorded at 
the actual levels. This is not a malfunction.

 
About the Power Save mode: To save power 
when the camcorder is powered by a battery 
pack, the camcorder will automatically shut off if 
left without any operations for 5 minutes 
( 44). To restore the power, turn the 
camcorder off and then on again.

 
About the LCD and viewfinder screen: The 
screens are produced using extremely high-
precision manufacturing techniques,...

Recording 28
IMPORTANT
Avoid the following actions while the card 
access display ( ) appears on screen and 
when the CARD access indicator is on or 
flashing. Failing to do so may result in 
permanent data loss.
- Do not open the memory card slot cover and 
do not remove the memory card.
- Do not disconnect the power source or turn off 
the camcorder.
- Do not change the position of the 
/switch or the operating mode.
NOTES

  If the subject is not suitable for autofocus,   
turns yellow. Adjust the...

 Playback
Basic Functions
29
Playback
Playing Back Movies
Play back the tape on the LCD display or 
close the LCD panel to use the 
viewfinder.
1Holding the lock button pressed 
down, set the   switch to 
PLAY.
2Move the / switch to   
(tape).
3Locate the point where you want to 
begin the playback.  Press   to rewind or   to fast 
forward the tape.
4Press   to begin the playback.
DURING PLAYBACK
5Press   again to pause the 
playback.
6Press   to stop the playback.
NOTES

  You can display the date and...

Playback 30

 During the playback of HDV recordings: Even 
though their icons will appear on screen, the 
following special playback modes are not 
available.
- Reverse slow playback
- Frame reverse
- Double speed playback (forward or reverse)

  To protect the tape and video heads, the 
camcorder will enter the stop mode ( ) if left in 
playback pause ( ) mode for 4 minutes 30 
seconds. To resume the playback press  .
Adjusting the Volume: Speaker and 
Headphones
The camcorder plays the sound with...