Canon Hv20 A Manual

							
 Adjusting the Picture: Exposure, Focus and Color
Advanced Functions
51
* When you select [ SET], do not press  and continue instead with the 
procedure below.
TO SET THE CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE
1Point the camcorder at a white 
object, zoom in until it fills the 
whole screen and press ( ).
When the adjustment is completed   
stops flashing and stays on. The 
camcorder retains the custom setting 
even if you turn off the camcorder.
2Press   to save the setting and 
close the menu.
NOTES

  When you select the custom white balance 
[SET]:
- Make the white balance adjustment in a place 
with sufficient light.
- Set [D.ZOOM] to [  OFF] ( 37).
- Readjust the white balance if the lighting 
conditions change.
- Very rarely and depending on the light source,   may keep on flashing instead of staying on. 
Even in that case, the white balance would be 
properly adjusted and the results should be 
better than with [  AUTO].

  Custom white balance may provide better 
results in the following cases:
- Changing lighting conditions
- Close-ups
- Subjects in a single color (sky, sea or forest)
- Under mercury lamps and certain types of 
fluorescent lights

  Depending on the type of fluorescent light, 
optimal color balance may not be obtained with 
[ FLUORESCENT] or [ FLUORESCENT 
H]. If the color looks unnatural, adjust it using 
[ AUTO] or [ SET].
Image Effects
You can use the image effects to change 
the color saturation and contrast of your 
recordings.
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch:   (except for the Special 
Scene recording programs)
Options Default value
[ TUNGSTEN]
For recording under tungsten and tungsten 
type (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting.
[FLUORESCENT]
For recording under warm white, cool 
white or warm white type (3-wavelength) 
fluorescent lighting.
[ FLUORESCENT H]
For recording under daylight or daylight 
type (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting.
[ SET]
Use the custom white balance for special 
situations not covered by the other options. 
The custom white balance will ensure that 
white subjects appear white under various 
lighting conditions.
FUNC.
( 23)
Icon of the currently selected White Balance
Desired option*
FUNC.
FUNC.
FUNC.
FUNC.
( 10)
[ IMAGE EFFECT OFF]
Records with no image enhancing effects.
[ VIVID]
Emphasizes the contrast and color 
saturation.  
						

							
Still Image Recording Options 52
* When you select [ CUSTOM], do not press   and continue instead with the 
procedure below.
TO SET THE CUSTOM IMAGE EFFECT
1Press ( ).
2Select ( ) each of the custom 
setting options and adjust ( ) as 
desired.
3Press ( ) to save the custom 
image effect.
4Press   to close the menu.
Still Image Recording Options
Selecting the Size and Quality of Still 
Images
Still images are recorded on the memory 
card using the JPEG (Joint Photographic 
Experts Group) compression. As a 
general rule select a larger image size for 
higher quality.
Options
Approximate number of still images that 
can be recorded on different sizes of 
memory cards with the following quality 
settings:
: [SUPER FINE],  : [FINE], 
: [NORMAL].
On a 32 MB memor y card
On a 128 MB memor y card
[ NEUTRAL]
Tones down the contrast and color 
saturation.
[ LOW SHARPENING]
Records subjects with softened outlines.
[ SOFT SKIN DETAIL]
Softens the details in the skin tone area for 
a more complimentary appearance.
[ CUSTOM]
Allows you to adjust the brightness, 
contrast, sharpness, and color depth of the 
image.
[COL.DEPTH]:  (–) Shallower colors,  (+) Richer color tonality
[BRIGHTN.]: (–) Darker picture,  (+) Brighter picture
[CONTRAST]:  (–) Flatter picture,  (+) More defined light and 
shade
[SHARPNESS]:  (–) Vaguer outlines,  (+) Sharper outlines
FUNC.
( 23)
Icon of the currently selected 
Image Effect
Desired option*
FUNC.
FUNC.
FUNC.
FUNC.
Still Image Recording 
Options
( 10)
Image Size
LW 1920x1080 20 30 60
L 2048x1536 10 20 40
M 1440x1080 25 40 80
SW 848x480* 105 155 310
S 640x480 140 205 375
Image Size
LW 1920x1080 90 135 265
L 2048x1536 60 85 180
M 1440x1080 120 180 350
SW 848x480* 455 650 1,300
S 640x480 600 865 1,560  
						

							
 Still Image Recording Options
Advanced Functions
53
On a 512 MB memor y card
* This size is only available for recording simultaneously on the tape and memory card 
( 53) or for capturing a still image from the 
playback picture ( 54).
 Default value
* The number displayed on the right corner indicates the approximate number of images 
that can be recorded with the current quality/
size setting.
NOTES

  Depending on the number of images on the 
memory card (Windows: more than 1,800 
images; Macintosh: more than 1,000 images), 
you may not be able to download images to a 
computer. Try using a card reader.

  Connection to a PictBridge compatible printer 
will not work when the memory card contains 
more than 1,800 images. For best performance, 
we recommend keeping the number of images 
on the memory card under 100. 
  When printing still images, use the following 
guidelines as a reference for selecting the print 
size.
Capturing a Still Image while Recording 
Movies
You can record still images on the 
memory card even while the camcorder is 
set to   mode. You can also 
capture simultaneously, as a still image 
on the memory card, the same picture 
you are recording as video on the tape. 
The size and quality of the still image can 
be selected.
POINTS TO CHECK
Select the size and quality of the still 
image in record pause mode before you 
start recording.
 Default value
Image Size
LW 1920x1080 350 525 1,040
L 2048x1536 235 350 700
M 1440x1080 470 700 1,370
SW 848x480* 1,775 2,515 5,030
S 640x480 2,320 3,355 6,040
L2048x1536/FINE
FUNC.( 23)
Icon of the currently selected 
Image Quality/Size
Desired image size*
Press ( )
Desired image quality*
FUNC.
FUNC.
Image SizeRecommended Use
L 2048x1536 To print photos up to A4  size.
M 1440x1080 To print photos up to L size (9 x 13 cm, 3.5 x 
5 in.) or postcard size 
(10 x 14.8 cm, 4 x 6 in.).
S 640x480 To send images as  e-mail attachments or to 
post on the Web. Select 
this size also to be able 
to record more still 
images if memory card 
capacity is limited.
( 10)
STILL I.REC OFF  
						

							
Still Image Recording Options 54
* The number displayed on the right corner indicates the approximate number of images 
that can be recorded with the current quality/
size setting.
Press   to capture the still 
image on the memory card.
The still image is recorded on the memory 
card while the screen continues to show 
the video recording.
NOTES

  The still image cannot be recorded on the 
memory card while using the digital zoom or 
while a digital effect is activated.

  To record still images we recommend using 
the   mode, which offers the best 
quality for still images.
Capturing a Still Image from the 
Playback Picture
While you are playing back a tape you 
can capture the picture as a still image on 
the memory card. The quality of the 
captured still image can be selected but 
its size cannot be changed (it will depend 
on the recording standard of the tape 
being played back).
TO CAPTURE THE STILL IMAGE
1Pause the playback when the scene 
you want to capture as a still image 
appears. You can also use the frame-by-frame 
playback to find the exact picture you 
want to capture.
2Press .
NOTES

  The data code of the still image will reflect the 
date and time of the original recording on the 
tape.

  The still image cannot be captured on the 
memory card if [TV TYPE] is set to 
[ NORMAL TV]. Set it to [ WIDE TV] 
instead ( 40).

  A still image captured from a scene with lots 
of fast movement may be blurred.
Light Metering Mode
The camcorder measures the light 
reflected from the subject in order to 
calculate the optimal exposure settings. 
Depending on the subject, you may want 
to change the way the light is measured 
and evaluated.
FUNC.( 23)
Icon of the currently selected 
Still Image Simultaneous 
Recording 
option
Desired image size*
Press ( )
Desired image quality*
FUNC.
FUNC.
PHOTO
( 10)
FUNC.( 23)
Icon of the currently selected 
Still Image Capturing option
Desired image quality
FUNC.
FUNC.
PHOTO  
						

							
 Still Image Recording Options
Advanced Functions
55
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch:   (except for the Special 
Scene recording programs)
Options Default value
Automatic Focus Priority
When the focus priority is activated, the 
camcorder records a still image only after 
the focus has been adjusted 
automatically. 
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch at : The focus priority 
cannot be turned off.
Mode switch at 
: You can turn off the 
focus priority and you can also select the 
AF (autofocus) mode to be used.
Options Default value
* Except for the [ FIREWORKS] recording  program.
( 10)
[EVALUATIVE]
Appropriate for standard shooting 
conditions, including backlit scenes. The 
camcorder divides the picture into several 
areas and the light is measured in all of 
them to achieve the optimal exposure for 
the subject.
[ CENT.WEIGHT.AVERAGE]
Averages the light metered from the entire 
screen, giving more weight to the subject 
in the center.
[SPOT]
Meters only the area within the spot AE 
point frame. Use this setting to adjust the 
exposure to match the subject in the center 
of the screen.
FUNC.
( 23)
Icon of the currently selected 
Light Metering Mode
Desired option
FUNC.
FUNC.
( 10)
[ ON:AiAF]
(Mode switch:  *, )
Depending on the shooting conditions, one 
or more AF frames out of the nine frames 
available are automatically selected and 
the focus is fixed on them.
[ ON:CENTER]
(Mode switch:  *)
In this mode, a single focusing frame 
appears in the center of the screen and the 
focus is automatically fixed on it. This is 
convenient for making sure the focus is 
exactly where you want it.
[  OFF]
Select this option if you wish to record a 
still image as soon as you press  .
FUNC.
(23)
 MENU
CAMERA SETUP
FOCUS PRI.
Desired option
PHOTO
FUNC.
FUNC.  
						

							
Still Image Recording Options 56
NOTES
In the [  FIREWORKS] recording program the 
focus priority is automatically set to [  OFF].
Continuous Shooting and Exposure 
Bracketing
Take a series of pictures of a moving 
subject or record the same picture in 3 
levels of exposure in order to choose later 
the picture you like the best.
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch:   (except for the 
[ FIREWORKS] recording program).
Options Default value
CONTINUOUS SHOOTING/
H
IGH-SPEED CONTINUOUS SHOOTING
1Press   halfway to activate 
the autofocus.
2Press   fully and hold it 
pressed down. A series of still images will be 
recorded as long as you hold the 
button pressed down.
AUTO EXPOSURE BRACKETING
Press  , first halfway to activate 
the autofocus and then fully to record 
the still image.
Three still images in different exposures 
will be recorded on the memory card.
NOTES

  The speed and maximum number of 
continuous shots is as follows.
- [  CONT.SHOOT.]: Approx. 3 images/
second
- [  HISPEED CONT.SHOOT.]: Approx. 5 
images/second
- Continuous Shooting with flash: Approx. 2.1 
images/second
- Maximum number of shots: 60 still images

  These figures are approximate and vary with 
the recording conditions and subjects.

  The actual number of images per second will 
be lower when “ ” (camcorder shake 
warning) is displayed on the screen.
(10)
[SINGLE]
Records a single still image.
[ CONT.SHOOT. ]
(Continuous Shooting),
[ HISPEED CONT.SHOOT. ]
(High-Speed Continuous Shooting)
Captures a series of still images as long as 
you hold  pressed down. For the 
number of frames per second, refer to the 
table below.
[ AEB] (Auto Exposure Bracketing)
The camcorder records a still image in 
three different exposures (dark, normal, 
light in 1/2 EV steps), allowing you to 
choose the shot you like the best.
PHOTO
FUNC.( 23)
Icon of the currently selected 
Drive Mode
Desired optionFUNC.
FUNC.
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO  
						

							
 Other Functions
Advanced Functions
57
Other Functions
On-Screen Displays
The camcorder keeps a data code 
containing the date and time and other 
camera data (shutter speed, aperture, 
etc.) registered at the time of recording. 
You can select the data to be displayed.
Turning the On-Screen Displays On/Off
Repeatedly press   to turn the on-
screen displays on/off in the following 
sequence.,
All displays on  Æ Only tape-related 
displays
1
On-screen displays + Data code2 on  Æ
Only on-screen displays on  Æ
Only tape-related displays (in stop mode 
or playback pause) or All displays off 
(during playback)
On-screen displays + Histogram
3/Data 
code on  Æ Only on-screen displays on  Æ
All displays off
1  Tape related displays: Tape operation icon,  time code and remaining tape display.
2  Data code: Time, date and camera data at the 
time of recording. The contents to be 
displayed can be selected as explained in the 
following section.
3  Histogram display: For still images you can display the complete camera data registered 
at the time of recording. For details on how to 
read the histogram display, refer to the 
following section.
Selecting the Data Code
You can select the data code to be 
displayed when playing back movies.
Options Default value
Other Functions
DISP.
[ DATE], [ TIME]
Displays the date or time when the scene 
or still image was recorded.
[  DATE & TIME]
Displays both the date and time of the 
recording.
[  CAMERA DATA]
Displays the aperture (f-stop) and shutter 
speed used when recording the image.
FUNC.
(23)
 MENU
DISPLAY SETUP/
DATA CODE
Desired optionFUNC.
FUNC.  
						

							
Other Functions 58
Reading the Histogram Display
When viewing still images you can 
display the histogram and the icons of all 
the functions used at the time of 
recording. Use the histogram as a 
reference to verify the correct exposure of 
the still image.
The area to the right of the histogram 
represents highlights and the left side 
represents shadows. A still image whose 
histogram skews to the right is relatively 
bright; while one whose histogram peaks 
to the left, is relatively dark.
NOTES
The histogram display will appear also after 
recording a still image while reviewing it within 
the time set for the [REVIEW] option (or 
immediately after recording it, if [REVIEW] is set 
to [  OFF]).
Flash
You can use the built-in flash for 
recording still images in dark places. The 
flash features the red-eye reduction 
function.
POINTS TO CHECK
Select a recording program other than 
[ FIREWORKS].
Options Default value
1If the joystick guide does not appear 
on screen, press ( ) to display it.
2Push the joystick ( ) toward  .If   does not appear on the joystick 
guide, repeatedly push the joystick 
( ) toward [NEXT] to display the 
joystick guide in the illustration above. 
• Repeatedly push the joystick ( ) 
toward   to cycle between the flash 
modes.
• The display   disappears after 4 
seconds.
Shadows
Pixel Count
Highlights
( 10)
 (auto)
The flash fires automatically according to 
the brightness of the subject.
 (red-eye reduction, auto)
The assist lamp lights up to reduce the 
red-eye effect. The flash fires automatically 
according to the brightness of the subject. 
 (flash on)
The flash always fires.
 (flash off)
The flash does not fire.  
						

							
 Other Functions
Advanced Functions
59
3Press  , first halfway to 
activate the autofocus and then 
fully to record the still image.
TO USE THE OPTIONAL VFL-1 VIDEO FLASH LIGHT
You can attach the optional VFL-1 Video 
Flash Light to the advanced accessory 
shoe if you want a more powerful flash 
than the built-in flash. The procedure for 
setting the flash mode is the same as 
described above. For details about 
attaching and using the flash, refer to the 
instruction manual of the VFL-1. The 
VFL-1 can also be used as a video light.
When a video accessory is attached to 
the advanced accessory shoe,   will 
appear on the screen.
NOTES

  The practical range of the built-in flash is 
approx. 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft.). The practical 
range with the VFL-1 Video Flash Light 
attached is approx. 1 to 4 m (3.3 to 13.1 ft.). In 
any case, the actual range will depend on the 
recording conditions.

  The range of the flash decreases in 
continuous shooting mode.

  For the red-eye reduction function to be 
effective, the subject needs to look at the assist 
lamp. The degree of reduction depends on the 
distance and on each individual.

  The flash will not fire in the following cases:
- When you manually adjust the exposure in   
(auto) or   (red-eye reduction) mode.
- During auto exposure bracketing.

  The flash mode cannot be selected when the 
exposure is locked.

  We do not recommend using the flash when 
the optional Wide-converter or Tele-converter is 
attached; its shadow can appear on the screen.

 
About the AF-Assist Lamp: While you press 
 halfway, if the subject is too dark the 
assist lamp may light up briefly in order to 
enable the camcorder to focus more accurately 
(AF-assist lamp). You can also set [AF AST 
LAMP] to [ OFF] so the assist lamp does 
not light up.
- The camcorder may not be able to focus even 
if the AF-assist lamp is on. - The brightness of the AF-assist lamp could be 
an inconvenience. Consider turning it off in 
public places such as restaurants or theaters.
Mini Video Light
You can turn on the mini video light 
(assist lamp) at any time regardless of the 
recording program.
Press .
•  appears on the screen.
• Press   again to turn the mini 
video light off.
TO USE THE OPTIONAL VL-3 VIDEO LIGHT
You can attach the optional VL-3 Video 
Light to the advanced accessory shoe if 
you want a more powerful video light the 
built-in mini video light. For details about 
attaching and using the video light, refer 
to the instruction manual of the VL-3.
When a video accessory is attached to 
the advanced accessory shoe,   will 
appear on the screen.
NOTES

  We do not recommend using the mini video 
light while the optional Wide-converter is 
attached; its shadow can appear on the screen.

  The built-in mini video light will be disabled 
automatically when you attach the optional VL-3 
Video Light. To use the built-in mini video light, 
set the switch on the VL-3 to OFF and then 
press .
PHOTO
PHOTO
( 10)
LIGHT
LIGHT
LIGHT  
						

							
Other Functions 60
Self Timer
POINTS TO CHECK
: Set the camcorder in record 
pause mode.
 appears.
:
Press .
The camcorder starts recording after a 
10-second countdown*. The countdown 
appears on the screen.
:
Press  , first halfway to activate 
the autofocus and then fully to record 
the still image.
The camcorder will record the still image 
after a 10-second countdown*. The 
countdown appears on the screen.
* 2 seconds when using the wireless controller.
NOTES
Once the countdown has begun, you can 
cancel the self timer by turning off the 
camcorder.
Audio Recording Level
You can adjust the audio recording level 
for the built-in or for an external 
microphone. You can display the audio 
level indicator while recording or playing 
back the tape.
Manual Adjustment of the Audio Recording 
Level
POINTS TO CHECK
Mode switch: 
1If the joystick guide does not appear 
on screen, press ( ) to display it.
2Push the joystick ( ) toward 
[MIC].
• If [ MIC] does not appear on the 
joystick guide, repeatedly push the 
joystick ( ) toward [NEXT] to display 
the joystick guide in the illustration 
above.
• The manual adjustment icon   will 
appear to the left of the audio level 
indicator and the manual adjustment 
bar (green) will appear below it.
(10)
FUNC.( 23)
 MENU
CAMERA SETUP
SELF TIMER
ONFUNC.
FUNC.
START/STOP
PHOTO
( 10)
Audio level indicator
Audio level adjustment bar
Manual audio level adjustment