Canon Z20 Cameria Picture
 Basics for the Canon ZR20 Edited 9/16/01 Check out for Soc/Anth Camera
On/Off
On/Off [Camera & Play VCR]
  • The Camera/Off/Playback is a green switch on the right side rear of the camera.
  • Press in the green bar and push the switch up for camera mode
  • Press in the green bar and push the switch down to play back recorded material on the camera display or a connected VCR
NOTE: Always switch to Off when not filming to save the battery
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Loading/Unloading Tapes

Fig 1                                        Fig 2


Fig 3                                        Fig 4
Changing Tape Demo

WARNING!!! Push the tape into the tape cage but do not push the cage down, let the camera motor do this!
Loading/Unloading Tapes
Load new tapes or unload recorded tapes from the bottom of the camera
Loading Tapes
  • Turn the camera over so that you are looking at the bottom (Fig 1).
  • Push the OPEN/EJECT switch forward (Fig 2).
  • Pull the tape compartment cover completely open
  • Wait until the tape holder is completely pushed up and out by the camera motor
  • Place a new tape in the tape cage, the open part of the tape cartridge should be down and toward the camera body
  • Press the tape into the tape cage
  • Wait until the tape is pulled down into the camera by the camera motor
  • Close the compartment cover


Unloading Tapes

  • Turn the camera over so that you are looking at the bottom (Fig 1).
  • Push the OPEN/EJECT switch forward (Fig 1).
  • Pull the tape compartment cover completely out
  • Wait until the tape is pushed up and out by the camera motor
  • Remove the tape by pulling it up by the corners

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Viewing the Scene

Fig 1 


Fig 2

 Viewing the Scene
You can view the scene with either the eye viewer (Fig 1) or the LCD screen.
  • To view with the eye viewer, grasp and pull the eye viewer up and out.  NOTE: there is a focus correction on the top right of the eye viewer if needed.
  • To view with the LCD screen push the release button forward, red arrow in Fig 2, and open the LCD screen.
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  • Viewing your footage
    		•  Viewing your footage
    • To view your footage place the green On/Off/Play switch to Play (VCR)
    • Press the control buttons to: [Rewind], [Fast Forward], [Play], [Stop]
    Don't forget to forward to the end of your recorded footage before continueing recording
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    Battery attachment /removal

    Fig 1                                        Fig 2

    Fig 3
    		 Battery attachment /removal
    The battery is attached to the rear of the camera

    Removing the battery

    • Press and hold the battery removal button in (Fig 1)
    • Push the battery up until it is free from the retainers and remove (Fig 2)


    Attaching a battery

    • Make sure the battery has the electrical contact points down (Fig 3)
    • Press and hold the battery removal button in (Fig 1)
    • Place the battery against the top rear of the battery holder
    • Push the battery down

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    Recording
    		Recording
    • Press the large red button on the back right of the camera. 
    NOTE: When recording REC will be displayed on top right corner of the screen.  PAUSE will be displayed on top right corner of the screen when the camera is not recording.
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    Playing/Recording on a VCR
     
    Fig 1
    Fig 2
    		Playing/Recording on a VCR
    • Choose the camera VCR connecter.  It has 1 plug with on one end and a white, yellow and red plug on the other end
    • Uncover the connection on the camera (Right side, front, middle of the camera) and plug the single connector into the middle, plug on your camera (Fig 1)
    • Plug the white, yellow and red plugs into the appropriate place on your VCR (some VCRs have these connectors on the front and some have them on the back)
    • Turn on your VCR and your camera.
    • Press Play on your camera
    • You can view your movie or record it on an analog tape in your VCR

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    Connecting to a Macintosh

    From Apple's IMovie help
    		 Connecting to a Macintosh
    Connect the 6/4 pin firewire connector to your camera and your Macintosh.  The picture below is an iBook connected to the Canon Z20 but the connections are much the same for other DV cameras and Macintosh models:
    • carefully connect the 4 pin firewire connector to your camera
    • connect the 8 pin firewire connector to your PC

      • turn your camera on (see below)

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    Zooming
    		Zooming
    The W-T, wide-telepohoto, switch is on the top, back, right corner of the camera.
    • Push the switch up to move back from the subject and make a wider shot
    • Pull the switch down to move in closer to a subject
    NOTE: Only the optical zoom of your camera actually "moves" closer for a shot.  The additional "digital zoom" of your camera simple digitally enlarges the subject and degrades quality as size increases
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    External Power and Charging
    		External Power and Charging
    • The external power receptacle is located on the right side, bottom left of the camera.
    • Place the external power cord into the receptacle to charge the battery and/are run the camera
    • A green light beside the power receptacle will blink until the camera battery is completely charged.
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    Hints
    • Use external power when possible [saves battery life and the battery is charged for future use]
    • Zoom only between shots
    • Keep zoom level to optical and use digital level zooms only if necessary since digital zooms degrade picture quality
    • Don't pan unless you have something to stabilize the camera or will be prepared for regurgitation from movie viewers.
    • Don't zoom and pan!
    • Don't use the "photo" or other "special features" on the camera. You will edit your movie with iMovie which has much more powerful and easier to use features.
    Violate all the above if the situation requires it to get your best shots!
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