Panasonic SDR-S15 camcorder Burning to DVD
Ralph Cullimore, January 2010

A. Introductory Notes

These instructions explain how to take videos from the SDR-S15 camcorder and put them on to DVD in a format that allows the DVD to be played in most DVD players. This makes use of the VideoCam Suite 2.0 software that came with the camcorders. The computer you are using needs to have a CD/DVD drive that can burn DVDs (most modern ones do). The software is for PC-type computers and not Apple Macs. The software requires Windows 2000, Vista, XP, or later. If you dont have the VideoCam Suite 2.0 software you can still copy video from the camcorder to the computer using eg My Computer in Windows, then burn it onto DVD (or CD) - but the resulting DVD will only play on a computer and not in normal DVD players. These instructions were written using the VideoCam Suite 2.0 software installed on one of the Camel laptops - an HP550 laptop with Windows Vista. But the software should work the same on most PC-type computers.
B. Before you begin, make sure:
You have a video on the camcorder! For instructions on using the camcorder, go to http://www.dacl.org and look in Equipment and related helpsheets The VideoCam Suite 2.0 software is installed on the computer you are using (see installation instructions at end of this document) The computer you are using has a CD/DVD drive that can burn DVDs (normal on most modern computers) You have a lead to connect the camcorder to a USB slot on the computer. There should be one in the camcorder box. If not, it is a standard type of lead so you may have one already or be able to borrow one from someone else. You have one or more blank DVDs
C. Starting VideoCam Suite 2.0 connecting up the camcorder
The software should start automatically when you follow the steps below: 1. Plug the camcorder AC adaptor into the camcorder and into the mains; turn on the mains; 2. Plug the USB lead into the camcorder then into a USB socket on the computer; 3. Open the LCD screen on the camcorder; 4. Rotate the dial to the first position (red movie camera symbol). You should see the Select USB Function list come up on the LCD; 5. Use the down button on the camcorder (from the left-right-up-down cluster) to select PC/Recorder; 6. Press the blue button (in the middle of the left-right-up-down cluster) 7. The VideoCam software on the computer should start up automatically at this point.
RCullimore - Panasonic SDR burnDVD instructions v4 - 24Dec09

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D. Once VideoCam Suite 2.0 has started selecting and burning 1. When the software starts, you should see the Simple Menu appear in the middle of the screen (If it does not appear, click Simple Menu at top right) 2. In the Simple Menu screen, click Create a DVD you should then see the Create DVD screen. After a few seconds, some thumbnail images should appear in the upper left half of the screen indicating the videos that have been found on the camcorder. The camcorder needs to be connected up, as per instructions in previous section, for this to happen. 3. To get an idea of what is in each video, double-click its thumbnail in the upper left half of the screen. This shows a few stills from the video to remind you of its contents. 4. In the upper left half of the screen, put a tick in each of the videos you want copied to DVD. 5. In the upper right half of the screen, check the size to make sure that the capacity figure does not exceed the size of your blank DVD (if it does, un-click one or more thumbnails). 6. Insert a blank DVD into the computers DVD read/write drive Wait whilst the software checks the DVD is OK etc 7. Once the checking is finished, click the Start writing button The writing process can take quite a while to complete so you may want to leave the computer working on it and find something else to do in the meantime. 8. Once the DVD has been written (burned) you will get a message to say so, in the middle of the screen. Click OK in this message box. You can now burn another DVD if you want, or close the Create DVD window (by clicking the X at top right). 9. When you have finished using the VideoCam software, close the any of its windows that are still open (eg by clicking the cross at top right) then close the VideoCam software itself (eg by clicking Exit at top right). 10. Click Safely Remove Hardware or similar icon on the computer (eg at bottom right of screen) and click to remove the camcorder. 11. Once safe to do so, unplug the USB lead from the camcorder and computer; 12. Turn the dial on the camcorder to OFF.

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E. Other things you can experiment with in the VideoCam software:
Viewing the videos on the computer screen (with the camcorder attached to the computer): Close the Simple Menu if this is onscreen then click the camcorder location on the left side (this may say F:\ for example). This should show thumbnails of the videos currently on the camcorder. Click the thumbnail you want then click the Play button at the very top. Uploading videos onto the hard drive so you can burn DVDs later when you no longer have the camcorder Editing, stitching together etc: For this you need to import the clips from the camera onto the computer (from within the VideoCam software) then carry out the various activities. However, these are beyond the scope of this document. Instructions are included within the software itself.
F. Installing the VideoCam Suite 2.0 software if not already done so
Note that you will need to have the correct permission to install software (admin rights). If you have the Camcorder operating instructions booklet available, see page 74-75. To install the software: 1. Insert the CD containing the software and wait for the Autoplay window to appear 2. Click Run setup.exe 3. If asked, click Continue to continue running the program 4. Keep clicking Yes, Next etc to progress through the installation (make sure the country setting is for the UK) 5. At one point you should see a serious-looking list of notes in a Readme file appear on your screen you can read through these if you wish or ignore them if you are not planning on doing anything complicated with the software. The information in the Readme file is also covered (in more depth) in the Operating Instructions once the program is installed. 6. Close the Readme window (eg by clicking the cross at top right). 7. Remove the installation CD (Important! otherwise you may forget until youve passed the camera or laptop on to someone else) 8. Accept the invitation to restart the computer once installation is complete 9. Once the computer has re-started, double-click the VideoCam Suite icon on the desktop (or go to Start, All Programs, Panasonic, VideoCam Suite) 10. Agree to the licensing terms and conditions 11. The software should then start up and display the Simple Menu window in the middle of your screen. 12. If you want to use the software, you can now do so (see instructions elsewhere in this document) otherwise click the button saying Close Simple Menu then click Exit and OK

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Notes on Panasonic Camcorder SDR-S15
Ralph Cullimore, Devon ACL, April 2009
Devon ACL bought 3 of these in March 2009. They are for recording micro-teach and other sessions on the Initial Teacher Training courses, and may also be useful elsewhere. These camcorders are small, light and record onto SD-HC memory cards. The camcorders come with a comprehensive manual. This sheet draws attention to a few of the more relevant or obscure items from the manual but is not intended as a substitute. The numbers in brackets below indicate page numbers in the manual. A. Charging the battery 1. Open the LCD screen and make sure the dial is set to OFF. Close the LCD again; 2. Put the battery into the camcorder (if it isnt already in there); 3. Flip open the little panel at the back of the camcorder and plug in one end of the AC adaptor lead; 4. Plug the other end of the AC adaptor into the mains and switch on the red light on the back of the camcorder should flash slowly; 5. Wait till the red light stops flashing the battery is now fully charged. NB. Charging time is approx 2hrs 15mins from flat to full. See p14-16 in the manual. B. Recording 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Open lens cover by sliding the switch at the front next to the lens; Open the LCD screen; Rotate the dial from OFF to the first position (red movie camera symbol); Wait for a few seconds for the LCD to come to life; Use the zoom buttons at the top of the camcorder to zoom in/out; Press the red record button at the back to start recording; Press the red record button again to stop recording; When finished, rotate the dial to OFF, close the LCD and close the lens cover.
Symbols in the LCD when recording The recommended settings to use are shown by the following symbols in the display: (For a helpful explanation of all possible LCD symbols see p88-89 in the manual.) iA = intelligent Auto (if it says AUTO, press the iA button to change it to iA) SP = Standard Play: this is the recommended recording quality (XP is higher quality but produces much larger files; LP is long play but is lower definition). See p27. A* = Automatic LCD brightness (see p23). Battery symbol: the more diagonal stripes, the more battery left. Notes about recording: You need a memory card in the camcorder in order for it to record. See p17. Hold the camera with two hands one on the camcorder body, one on the LCD. The LCD swivels up and down to allow viewing from different angles. See p10. If you swivel the LCD completely upside down you can see yourself whilst filming. As well as the record button at the back there is also one at the side, near the front. This can be useful if holding the camera at waist level, or if recording from the front. The camcorder can get hot underneath whilst filming; this is normal.
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If you are recording with the camcorder on a table, put something soft beneath it to avoid the microphone picking up unwanted vibrations, knocks etc but remember it can get hot underneath. There is a neat fade-in/fade-out facility to add a bit of professionalism see p37.
C. Playing back video recordings 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Open the LCD screen; Rotate the dial from OFF to the second position (green triangle in black oblong); Use the left-right-up-down buttons to choose a clip to view from the thumbnails; Press the blue button to run the clip; Use the left-right-up-down buttons for rewind, fast forward, pause, stop (these functions should be shown on-screen, if not press the blue button again); 6. When finished a clip, press the down button to stop and go back to the thumbnails; 7. At the end, rotate the dial to OFF or to the red movie camera to record.
Note you can also play video back on a TV using the lead supplied. You will need a TV with red-yellow-white sockets at the back or an adaptor to plug these 3 into a standard SCART. Deleting clips 1. Follow steps 1-2 above, then press the dustbin button; 2. Use the up-down buttons to choose Select you should now see the thumbnails; 3. Move around the thumbnails, pressing the blue button for any you want to delete; 4. Press the dustbin button a second time; 5. Select Yes; 6. Press MENU to get back to normal.

D. Power conservation The battery should last between 40mins and 1hr 15mins, depending on use of zoom, LCD, light etc. To make the most of the battery: Make sure the white headlight on the front of the camcorder is turned off (press the LIGHT button if necessary). See p35. If recording a number of short clips, close the LCD between each this puts the camcorder into standby and saves the battery. If you are recording a longer session (eg 10 mins or more) you can start recording then carefully close the LCD the recording will continue but this will save the power normally consumed by the LCD. If you are not using the camera for a few minutes, turn the dial to OFF. If you are not using the camera for a few weeks, remove the battery (otherwise it will slowly drain and eventually over-discharge - which damages the battery). Note that the camera will automatically turn of if left idle for a few minutes with the LCD open. To bring it back to life, either (a) close and re-open the LCD or (b) rotate the dial to OFF then back again. To avoid draining the battery at all, plug the camcorder into the mains when in use. Note, however, that this does not charge the battery that only happens in OFF mode. E. Other tips Format the memory card before first use and repeat if you use it often (but save the recordings first as formatting wipes them all). See p13. Zoom mic setting: this focuses the microphone as you zoom in. See p31. Still pictures: the camera can be used for taking these but only at low (0.3M) resolution. Web mode: this limits clips to 10 minutes the maximum allowed by some web sites.

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F. Transferring video clips to a computer The video files are in MPEG2 format which is standard for burning on to DVDs and can be played by newer versions of Windows Media Player (but not older versions) and other media player software. Method 1 drag and drop using My Computer or similar This method assumes that you are already familiar with using My Computer or similar software to move & copy files on a computer. 1. Plug the USB lead into the the camcorder then into a USB socket on the computer; 2. Open the LCD screen on the camcorder; 3. Rotate the dial to the first position (red movie camera symbol). You should see the Select USB Function list come up on the LCD; 4. Use the down button (from the left-right-up-down cluster) to select PC/Recorder; 5. Press the blue button; 6. Use My Computer or similar programme on the computer to drag files across from the camera to the hard drive of the computer; 7. When finished, click Safely Remove Hardware or similar icon on the computer (eg at bottom right of screen) and click to remove the camcorder; 8. Once safe to do so, unplug the USB lead from the camcorder and computer; 9. Turn the dial on the camcorder to OFF. Once on the computer you can use DVD burning software to burn the files onto a DVD. Note: The burning process may take longer than the length of the recording itself!

Method 2 using the VideoCam software supplied with the camcorder (This method also allows some editing of the video clips.) Before starting you need to install the software onto the computer which may only be possible if you have administrative rights. Assuming that you are able to install software, insert the VideoCam CD into the computer and follow the instructions that should appear. Once VideoCam has been installed, you need to: Plug the AC adaptor into the camcorder and into the mains; Plug the USB lead into the the camcorder then into a USB socket on the computer; Open the LCD screen on the camcorder; Rotate the dial to the first position (red movie camera symbol). You should see the Select USB Function list come up on the LCD; 5. Use the down button (from the left-right-up-down cluster) to select PC/Recorder; 6. Press the blue button. The VideoCam software should start up automatically at this point. 7. Use VideoCam to import video clips and edit/re-save etc as required; 8. When finished, close the VideoCam software on the computer; 9. Click Safely Remove Hardware or similar icon on the computer (eg at bottom right of screen) and click to remove the camcorder; 10. Once safe to do so, unplug the USB lead from the camcorder and computer; 11. Turn the dial on the camcorder to OFF. 1. 2. 3. 4.

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