Battery

Battery pack (Lithium ion battery pack) Use the specified unit to recharge the battery pack. Do not use the battery pack with equipment other than the specified unit. Do not get dirt, sand, liquids, or other foreign matter on the terminals. Do not touch the plug terminals (+ and ) with metal objects. Do not disassemble, remodel, heat or throw into fire. If any electrolyte should come into contact with your hands or clothes, wash it off thoroughly with water. If any electrolyte should come into contact with your eyes, never rub the eyes. Rinse eyes thoroughly with water, and then consult a doctor.

Warning

Risk of fire, explosion and burns. Do not disassemble, heat above 60 C (140 F) or incinerate.

AC adaptor

This AC adaptor operates on AC between 110 V and 240 V. But In the U.S.A. and Canada, the AC adaptor must be connected to a 120 V AC power supply only. When connecting to an AC supply outside of the U.S.A. or Canada, use a plug adaptor to suit the AC outlet configuration. When connecting to a supply of greater than AC 125 V, ensure the cord you use is suited to the voltage of the AC supply and the rated current of the AC adaptor. Contact an electrical parts distributor for assistance in selecting a suitable AC plug adaptor or AC cord set. The socket outlet shall be installed near the equipment and easily accessible. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable. To completely disconnect this apparatus from the AC Mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from AC receptacle.
U.S.A./CANADA CONSUMERS: ATTENTION:
A lithium ion/polymer battery that is recyclable powers the product you have purchased. Please call 1-800-8-BATTERY for information on how to recycle this battery.

PRECAUTIONS

USE & LOCATION
TO AVOID SHOCK HAZARD Your camera and power supply should not be exposed to rain or moisture. Your camera has been designed for outdoor use, however accessories are not designed to sustain direct exposure to water, rain, sleet, snow, sand, dust, or a direct splashing from a pool or even a cup of coffee. This action could permanently damage the internal parts. Do not attempt to disassemble this unit. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Unplug your camera from the power supply before cleaning.

Inserting/Removing SD cards (sold separately)
SD cards are sold separately. Preparations: Set the mode dial to [OFF]. (Check that the status indicator is out.) Inserting or removing an SD card with the power ON may damage the unit and destroy data on the card.
Insert/Remove the SD card.
To insert: Face the label upwards and slide the card in straight until hearing it catch. To remove: Press the center of the SD card and pull the card out straight.

Place label upwards.

Close the card/battery door and slide the card/battery door lever to the LOCK position. If the door does not close completely, remove the SD card, check its orientation and reinsert it into the slot.
While the card access lamp is lit, reading, recording, playback, deletion or other processing is being executed. Performing the following operations while the lamp is lit may damage the SD card and its content and the unit may not function properly. Switching off power Removing battery or AC adaptor Opening card/battery door and removing SD card Rotating the mode dial Shaking or impacting the unit

Card access lamp

Turning power ON/OFF (Selecting modes)
Rotate the mode dial slowly but surely to the desired position.
Set to icon of desired mode.
Power OFF Motion picture recording mode (P.32) Motion picture playback mode (P.52) Still picture recording mode (P.34) Still picture playback mode (P.55)
Status indicator When power is ON: Lit red (When selecting ) When power is OFF: Off
The very first time that power is turned ON, a message appears prompting you to set the date and time. (P.28)
Turning power ON/OFF from the LCD monitor
When [ ] or [ ] is selected, power turns ON when the LCD monitor is opened and OFF when it is closed. (During motion picture recording, power does not turn OFF when the LCD monitor is closed.) When [QUICK START] (next page) is [ON], the unit goes on quick start standby when the LCD monitor is closed. When not in use, set the mode dial to [OFF].

Rotate the mode dial to motion picture recording/playback, still picture recording/playback or power OFF.

Quick starts

Quick starts are available when the mode is set to [ ] and [ ]. When [QUICK START] is [ON], the unit responds as follows to LCD monitor operations: LCD monitor operation When opened When closed Status indicator Shooting can start in approx. 0.6 second. Lit red Flashing green The unit goes on quick start standby. Unit response
The unit consumes about half as much power as when recording is stopped.

Setting [QUICK START]

Make settings from the menus. (P.26)
[SETUP] [QUICK START][ON] (To turn OFF, select [OFF].)
[QUICK START] is [ON] at the time of purchase.
The quick start standby is canceled and power shuts OFF (status indicator out) in the following situations. When quick start standby mode continues for more than about 5 minutes When the mode dial is rotated ], quick starts require more time if the light When white balance is set to [ source differs from that prior to quick starting, because automatic adjustments are performed. (However, automatic adjustments are not performed when using the MagicPix function.) Starting may require more time than usual if the unit is impacted. Zoom magnification becomes 1x after quick starts. If [POWER SAVE] (P.84) is set to [5 MINUTES] and the unit automatically goes on quick start standby, close and reopen the LCD monitor.
Setting from the menu, changing the display language
The menu cannot be displayed during recording or playback. For menu items (P.82 Menu List)

Display the menu.

The menu displayed differs according to mode.
To return to the previous screen

Select the top menu.

(Top menu for [ modes)

] and [

To quit an operation halfway through

Enter the top menu.

Select a submenu.
Enter the selected submenu.
The cursor buttons are used to select functions, execute operations and make menu settings.

Select an item.

Close the menu.

Enter the selected item.

Using the cursor buttons
The cursor buttons are used to select and enter items on menus or thumbnail displays.

Upwards

To move the cursor The cursor moves in the direction of the respective cursor buttons when pressed.

Downwards

Pressing the center enters the selection.
Do not rotate the mode dial while menus appear on the LCD monitor. You cannot record or perform other operations while menus appear on the LCD monitor.

Changing the display language
The display and menu language can be changed. [LANGUAGE]
Before recording, check that the date and time have been set. The very first time that power is turned ON, a message appears prompting you to set the date and time. Select [YES], press the center of the cursor buttons and proceed to step 3.

To change an item

] or [

Select the desired menu.

[BASIC] [CLOCK SET][YES]
To change the date and time display
[SETUP] [DATE/TIME] [OFF] : Date and time are not displayed. [D/T] : Date and time are displayed. [DATE] : Only the date is displayed. To change the date format [SETUP] [DATE FORMAT] Format indication [Y/M/D] [M/D/Y] [D/M/Y] Appearance on LCD monitor 2008.DEC.15 DEC.15.2008 15.DEC.2008
The year is displayed up to 2099 and the 12-hour system is used to display the time.
The clock function starts at [00] seconds. After pressing the [MENU] button and closing the menu, check the date and time displays.
and adjusting the LCD monitor
After setting the date and time, summer time can be set as in Setting home city and region of the world time function (P.50). ] is displayed for the date and time, the built-in lithium battery has run If [ down. Charge the battery and set the time as follows. The built-in lithium battery is charged when the AC adaptor is connected to the unit or when a battery is inserted into the unit. If charged for about 24 hours, the date and time can be saved in memory for about 6 months. (The battery is charged even if the power is turned OFF.)
Adjusting the LCD monitor
LCD monitor color and brightness can be adjusted. (Settings do not affect recorded images.) For settings from the menu (P.26) The LCD monitor cannot be adjusted for self-portrait recording (P.43).

[SETUP] [LCD SET][YES]

If the LCD monitor is hard to see in bright places (POWER LCD)
Brighten the entire LCD monitor. [SETUP][POWER LCD] : Normal brightness : The LCD monitor brightens. : The LCD monitor brightens more. [ ] is automatically selected when the AC adaptor is used.

Selecting again cancels setting. Start recording. Stop recording.
Cannot be used during still picture recording. Thumbnail can be either black or white. Setting is canceled after recording is stopped or power is switched off.
To change the fade-in and fade-out image color to black or white
[ADVANCED][FADE COLOR][WHITE] / [BLACK]

(cont.)

Backlight compensation function
Brightens objects that appear dark against backlighting. Display operation icons. Select [ ].
Selecting again cancels setting. Shutting off the power or rotating the mode dial cancels the setting.

Self-timer

Still pictures may be taken using the self-timer. Display operation icons. Select [ ].
Selecting again cancels setting. Take picture.
Picture is taken approx. 10 seconds after [ ] begins to flash.

To quit halfway through

Cannot be used during motion recording. Setting is canceled once picture is taken or power is switched off.

Soft skin mode

Softens skin colors when peoples faces are prominent in picture. Display operation icons. Select [ ].
Selecting again cancels setting. Background colors that are close to skin colors may also be softened. Faces may be blurred if people in picture are distant. Function may not be effective in locations with insufficient brightness. The setting is not canceled even when power is shut OFF or the mode dial is rotated.

MagicPix function

Colors can be brought out even in dark locations (brightness of at least 2 lx). (Recorded scene is seen as if frames were missed.) Display operation icons. Select [ ].
Selecting again cancels setting. Cannot be used during still picture recording. Normally invisible spots of light may become visible. Using a tripod is recommended. If focus does not successfully align automatically, adjust using manual focus (P.44). The screen may appear white momentarily if using in bright locations. Shutting OFF the power or rotating the mode dial cancels the setting.

PRE-REC function

To ensure that you wont pass up any recording opportunities, the picture and sound are recorded starting about 3 seconds before the record button is pressed. Display operation icons. Select [ ].

PRE-REC is displayed on the LCD monitor screen. The picture and sound are recorded starting about 3 seconds before the record button is pressed. Aim this unit at the subject and position it securely. The power save function does not work. When the function is selected again while it has been set, it will be released. The function is released if recording is not started within 3 hours after the function was set. Start recording.
The beep sound does not sound. The PRE-REC function setting is released when recording is started. To use the function again, set it again. Cannot be used during still picture recording. The PRE-REC function setting is released in the following situations. When the mode dial is rotated When the power is turned off When the card/battery door is opened When the MENU button is pressed When the unit has been connected to another device using the USB connecting cable
It is not possible to set the PRE-REC function when less than one minute is left for recording pictures. When recording has been started within 3 seconds after the PRE-REC function was set, the scenes starting from the moment when this function was set will be recorded. The camera shake which occurs when the record button is pressed or the sound of the button being operated may be recorded. It is not possible to add any fade effects (P.39).
Self-portrait recording function
If you turn the LCD monitor toward the lens side, you can record pictures of yourself as you look at the LCD monitor. Set the mode dial to [ ] or [ ].
Turn the LCD monitor toward you (toward the lens side). The picture you will see displayed on the LCD monitor is an image of yourself with the left and right sides reversed just like when you look at your reflection in a mirror. (The image which is recorded is the normal image of yourself.) Only part of the screen display appears. When [ ] is displayed, turn the LCD monitor back in the direction of normal recording, and check what the message says. Start recording.
No operation icons are displayed during self-portrait recording even when the cursor buttons are pressed.
Recording manually (motion/still pictures)
To return to automatic recording

Select manual recording.

MNL displayed
Adjusting focus manually (manual focus adjustment)
Manually focus the subject if it cannot be brought into focus by automatic focus. For example, focusing is hard in the following situations: Mixture of close and distant objects Objects beyond unclear glass Bright peripheral lights Dark locations Fast-moving objects Objects with little contrast After steps 1 and 2 Display MF. Adjust focus.

A yellow frame appears around the selected scene. Slideshow start/pause To previous scene To next scene
Return to thumbnail Scene No.
This unit complies with the unified standard DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) established by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association) and can play back JPEG pictures. (Some JPEG pictures cannot be played back.) Some still pictures recorded on other devices may not play back correctly. Similarly, still pictures recorded on this unit may not play back correctly on other devices. Thumbnails in which [ ] appears cannot be played back. Time may be required to play back some still pictures depending on the number of recorded pixels. If the unit is running on battery power, [POWER SAVE] (P.84) is set to [5 MINUTES] and play pause is continued for 5 minutes, the power shuts off. The power does not shut off when the LCD monitor is closed. Do not rotate the mode dial during slideshows.
Deleting motion/still pictures
Use a sufficiently charged battery or the AC adaptor. Do not shut off power or open the card/battery door while the unit is deleting pictures.
Deleting one picture at a time
While playing back the picture to be deleted
To cancel deletion halfway through
Pictures that were already deleted before the deletion operation was canceled cannot be restored.
Only motion pictures can be deleted from the menu. ([DELETE] under [EDIT SCENE] P.82) Pictures that cannot be played back such as thumbnails appearing with a [ ], cannot be deleted. (Non-JPEG still pictures recorded with other devices may be deleted.) When pictures recorded on other devices are deleted, related information, such as management information, may be deleted as well. When DCF pictures are deleted, all related information, such as management information, is deleted as well.
Deleted pictures cannot be restored. Locking pictures (P.58) you do not want to delete prevents them from being deleted accidentally.

Deleting all pictures

With thumbnails displayed
Selecting and deleting multiple pictures

Select [ALL].

Select [SELECT].
Select the pictures to delete.
A red frame appears around the selected pictures.
Selecting a picture a second time deselects it from deletion. Up to 50 pictures can be selected at a time. Delete the selected pictures. End deleting. When the message appears, select [YES].
Deletion may take time depending on the number of pictures to delete.

To delete other pictures, repeat steps -. End deleting.
Preventing accidental deletion of motion/still pictures Formatting cards

Formatting cards

All data, including locked pictures, are deleted and cannot be restored when SD cards are formatted. Save important data on a PC ahead of time using the MotionSD STUDIO, etc. Make settings from the menus. (P.26) [SETUP] [FORMAT CARD][YES] When the message appears, select [YES].
Preventing accidental deletion
Locking important pictures prevents them from being deleted accidentally. Even locked pictures are deleted when SD cards are formatted. Set the mode dial to [ ] or [ ]. Make settings from the menus. (P.26) [EDIT SCENE] (For still pictures, [PICT. SETUP])[LOCK SET] [YES] Select the picture to lock.

End formatting.

A[ ] appears on selected pictures.
Selecting a picture a second time deselects it from locking. Multiple pictures can be selected at a time. End locking. Use a sufficiently charged battery or the AC adaptor. Do not shut off power or open the card/battery door while formatting cards. Format SD cards with this unit. If cards are formatted on a PC or other device, recording may take time and the cards may be unusable with the unit. Some SD cards require time to format.
Setting DPOF for still pictures
DPOF is the acronym for Digital Print Order Format and designates which still pictures are to be printed and how many copies are to be made on SD cards. This information can be used by DPOF printers and stores. Set to [ ].
[PICT. SETUP] [DPOF SET][CANCEL ALL] When the message appears, select [YES].
Make settings from the menus. (P.26) [PICT. SETUP] [DPOF SET][SET] Select the still pictures to print.
Set the number of copies.
Number of copies (Up to 999)
Set 0 to not print the picture. End setting.
Up to 999 still pictures can be selected by repeating steps and. You cannot add the recording date to pictures for printing. DPOF settings made on other devices may not be recognized. Make settings with this unit.

Playback on TV

Motion pictures and still pictures recorded with this unit can be viewed on TV. For TV settings, see the operating instructions of the TV. Connect the unit and AC adaptor (P.20) and set the mode dial to [ Connect the unit and TV with the AV cable (supplied).

VIDEO IN

Insert the plugs as far as they will go.

AUDIO IN

Change the input mode on the TV. Play back motion pictures or still pictures from the unit. (P.52, 55)

Still pictures recorded with this unit can be printed by connecting the unit directly to a printer that supports PictBridge.
Display the PictBridge menu. Make print settings.

Print settings

Item DATE PRINT PAPER SIZE OFF/ON STANDARD: 45 INCH: 57 INCH: 46 INCH: A4: STANDARD: [ ]: [ ]: Available settings Prioritize printer setting. L size 2L size Postcard size A4 size Prioritize printer setting. No frame print Frame print

PAGE LAYOUT

Settings not supported by the printer cannot be selected. [PRINT][YES] When printing is complete, disconnect the USB cable (supplied) and exit [PictBridge].

To cancel printing

A confirmation message appears. [YES]: Cancels print settings and returns to step. [NO]: Saves print settings made in steps and returns to step
Still pictures recorded with other devices may not be printed. DPOF settings (P.59) cannot be used while this unit is directly connected to a PictBridge printer.

Using DVD burners

(sold separately)
Required equipment (as of February 2008)
DVD burner (VW-BN1 ) Mini AB USB connection cable (included with DVD burner)
Use with the VW-BN1 DVD burner is recommended. No guarantees are given for operations involving the use of any other DVD burner.
Supported discs: 12 cm disc
New or previously used discs Motion pictures and DVD-RAM still pictures DVD-R, DVD-R DL New discs only New or previously used discs Motion pictures only DVD-RW CD-RW New or previously used discs Still pictures only CD-R New discs only The recording mode used for the DVD-RW is video mode.
+RW/+R/+R DL discs or 8 cm discs cannot be used for copying. All content written on discs is erased before coping begins. Check whether data is needed or not before using the disc. When copying is finished, finalizing is initiated automatically. Finalized discs can be played back only. No further motion pictures or still pictures can then be added to these discs. For the following, see the operating instructions of the DVD burner: Recommended discs and disc handling Connections to DVD burners using the mini AB USB connection cable Operation of the DVD burner itself
Time required for copying (Reference)
(When a 4 GB motion picture has been copied to a disc using the VW-BN1 drive)
Disc type DVD-RAM Copying time Approx. 40 to 90 min DVD-RW Approx. 30 to 60 min DVD-R Approx. 15 to 60 min
The time taken to copy a disc differs depending on the number of scenes recorded, the types of discs used, the number of discs needed for copying and the ambient temperature. Copying to DVD-R DL discs may take 1.5 to 2 times longer than for DVD-R discs. In order for the copied data to be verified, the copying process may take longer than the recording time. Wait until the data copied message appears.

Do not use any other USB connection cables except the supplied one. (Operation is not guaranteed with any other USB cables.) Do not disconnect the USB cable or shut off the power while the card access lamp is lit. The first time the unit is connected to the computer, the computer may have to be restarted. To output motion pictures edited with MotionSD STUDIO to SD cards, use an applicable SD card. (P.18) When outputting a large number of scenes to an SD card, DVD-R/RW or DVD-RAM, it may take time to display thumbnails or to output.
For a detailed explanation on how to use the software, see the MotionSD STUDIO operating instructions (PDF file). (P.75)
Editing motion pictures and still pictures
Double-click the icon on the desktop. The window at left appears. If the icon does not appear on the desktop, select [All Programs (or [Programs])] [Panasonic] [MotionSD STUDIO 1.3E] [MotionSD STUDIO] from the start menu. Click [EXIT this screen]. The startup window appears.

Closing MotionSD STUDIO

From the [SD Browser] screen
Click in the lower righthand corner of the screen.
From the [Edit Screen] screen
Click in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Or, select [Exit] from the [File] menu.
Using this unit as an external drive (Mass storage)
Connecting the unit to a computer
Use the AC adaptor to supply power to this unit and connected devices. Connect the unit and AC adaptor (P.20) and set the mode dial to a position other than [OFF]. Connect this unit and a computer with the USB cable (supplied). (P.76) Select [PC CONNECT]. The SD card in the unit appears on the computer as an external drive.
When this unit is connected to the computer, [Removable Disk] appears in [My Computer]. The SD card appears as an external drive (E drive, etc.) in Windows Explorer. While the computer is accessing the SD card of this unit, [ ] appears at the bottom right of the units LCD monitor.

Disconnecting the unit

Click the [ ] or [ ] icon on the task bar. Click Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device. When the disconnection confirmation message appears, click [OK]. Disconnect the USB cable (supplied) from the computer.
This unit can be used as an external drive.

SD card folder structure

The content of the SD card in the unit can be checked from the computer. Motion pictures and still pictures recorded with the unit are saved in the folder tree below.
SD card with data recorded on this unit Still pictures (Max. 999) taken in [ ] mode DPOF setting information on still pictures

Motion pictures (Max. 99) taken in [

] mode

Do not move, rename, delete, compress, format or perform other operations to the motion pictures or folders using Windows Explorer or the Macintosh Finder. Motion pictures will no longer play back. To edit motion pictures, use software capable of editing SD-Video files, such as MotionSD STUDIO.
Data not supported by this unit cannot be played back on this unit even if copied onto an SD card.

Checking the connections

Connect this unit and a computer with the USB cable (supplied). (P.76) Display the Device Manager. For Windows 2000 Click [Start] [Settings] [Control Panel] [System] [Hardware] tab [Device Manager] button. For Windows XP Click [Start] [Control Panel] [Performance and Maintenance] [System] [Hardware] tab in the [System Properties] window [Device Manager] button. For Windows Vista From the Start menu, select [Control Panel] [System and Maintenance] [System] [Device Manager] (from the [Task] window). If a confirmation window appears halfway through, click the [Continue] button.
When the driver is recognized
[USB Mass Storage Device] appears in [Universal Serial Bus controllers]. (The display differs according to the type of computer.)
When the driver is not recognized
[!] or [Unknown device] appears in [Universal Serial Bus controllers] or [Other devices]. Try the following. Method [1] : Turn off the unit and your computer once and turn on again to reconnect. Method [2] : Remove the SD card from the unit and insert it back into the unit. Method [3] : Connect the USB cable to another USB port on the computer. If the driver cannot be recognized by any of the methods above, contact the computer manufacturer.
Connecting to a Macintosh computer
Operating environment required for external drives
Supported computers OS CPU RAM Interface Macintosh Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (Dont have to install USB Driver.) PowerPC G5 1.8 GHz or higher Intel Core Duo, Intel Core Solo 64 MB or more USB port
Even if the system requirements mentioned in these operating instructions are fulfilled, some personal computers cannot be used.
Connecting the unit to a computer Connect this unit and a computer with the USB cable (supplied). (P.76)
An icon labeled [NO_NAME] or [Untitled] appears on the desktop.
Copying still pictures to computers
Double click the [NO_NAME] or [Untitled] icon on the desktop. The still pictures are in the [100CDPFP] folder inside the [DCIM] folder. Drag and drop the still pictures to copy onto the computer.

PARTS AND SERVICE (INCLUDING COST OF AN IN-HOME SERVICE CALL, WHERE APPLICABLE) WHICH ARE NOT COVERED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Warranty (For Canadian Customers)

Panasonic Canada Inc.

5770 Ambler Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 2T3
PANASONIC PRODUCT LIMITED WARRANTY
Panasonic Canada Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship and agrees to remedy any such defect for a period as stated below from the date of original purchase.
Camcorder Product One (1) year, parts and labour LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS This warranty does not apply to products purchased outside Canada or to any product which has been improperly installed, subjected to usage for which the product was not designed, misused or abused, damaged during shipping, or which has been altered or repaired in any way that affects the reliability or detracts from the performance, nor does it cover any product which is used commercially. Dry cell batteries are also excluded from coverage under this warranty. This warranty is extended to the original end user purchaser only. A purchase receipt or other proof of date of original purchase is required before warranty service is performed. THIS EXPRESS, LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL PANASONIC CANADA INC. BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. In certain instances, some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, or the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above limitations and exclusions may not be applicable. WARRANTY SERVICE FOR PRODUCT OPERATION ASSISTANCE, please contact: Our Customer Care Centre: Telephone #: 1-800 #: Fax #: Email link: (905) 624-5505 1-800-561-5505 (905) 238-2360 Customer support on www.panasonic.ca
FOR PRODUCT REPAIRS, please locate your nearest Authorized Servicentre at www.panasonic.ca : Link: Servicentres locator under Customer support
IF YOU SHIP THE PRODUCT TO A SERVICENTRE