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Introduction

 

Thank you for purchasing this digital camcorder. Everything you need to take quality digital videos and 

photos is included with your digital camcorder. 

Vivitar makes capturing those special moments as easy as possible.   

 

Note:

 Your digital camcorder needs an SD Memory card (up to 32GB) for normal use. 

SD Memory cards are not included and need to be purchased separately. 

Important: 

It is recommended to use a Class 4 

  SD card or higher SD card. 

 

Please read this manual carefully first in order to get the most out of your digital camcorder. 

 

 

 

 

What’s Included 

 

1)  Digital Camcorder   

2)  AV Cable 

3)  USB Cable 

4)  Vivitar Experience Image Manager   

Software Installation CD   

5)  Built-in Hand Strap (not shown) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note

: SD Memory card and batteries not included. 

 

Summary of Contents for DVR 538NHD

Page 1: ...amcorder User Manual 2009 2012 Sakar International Inc All rights reserved Windows and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies ...

Page 2: ...ng the Menus 11 Video Capture Mode 12 Video Playback Mode 25 Photo Capture Mode 28 Photo Playback Mode 42 Connecting the Digital Camcorder to a TV 46 Installing the Software 47 Connecting the Camcorder to the Computer 48 Getting Photos and Videos from Your Camcorder to Your Computer 49 Getting Started 50 Transferring Images from Your Camcorder to Your Computer Manually 50 Camcorder Maintenance 52 ...

Page 3: ... Memory card up to 32GB for normal use SD Memory cards are not included and need to be purchased separately Important It is recommended to use a Class 4 SD card or higher SD card Please read this manual carefully first in order to get the most out of your digital camcorder What s Included 1 Digital Camcorder 2 AV Cable 3 USB Cable 4 Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software Installation CD 5 Built...

Page 4: ...17 Up LED On Off Button 5 AV Out Port 18 OK SET Button 6 USB Interface 19 Right Delete Button 7 Hand Strap Connector 20 Down ViviLink Button 8 Battery Compartment 21 Left Scene Button 9 Lens 22 Tripod Mount 10 Microphone 23 Display Button 11 LED Light 24 Mode Button 12 Self Timer LED Indicator Light 25 SD Memory Card Slot 13 Shutter Button 26 Menu Button ...

Page 5: ... Batteries Installing the Memory Card Slide open the battery compartment cover Insert 3 AAA 1 5V batteries Alkaline batteries recommended not included SD Memory card up to 16GB needed for normal use It is recommended to use a Class 4 SD card or higher SD card ...

Page 6: ... Low appears on the LCD screen The camcorder automatically turns off a few seconds later The energy status of the power is displayed on LCD as shown below Full battery power Medium battery power Low battery power 2 Installing the SD Memory Card Make sure the SD Memory card up to 32GB has been properly inserted into your digital camcorder SD card not included To properly insert the SD Card Push the...

Page 7: ...camcorder setup Setting the ViviLink Default Option Once the Date and Time have been set you will be asked to set the default ViviLink destination for photos and videos taken with your digital camcorder The ViviLink technology allows you to quickly and easily upload your camcorder s photos and videos to the social networks of your choice with the accompanying Vivitar Experience Image Manager appli...

Page 8: ...he MENU button while in the Video Capture mode Photo Capture Mode Use this mode to capture pictures with your digital camcorder After turning on your camcorder press the MODE button once to open the Photo Capture mode To take a picture aim your camcorder as desired and press the Shutter button The picture is automatically saved to your camera s memory card To access the various menus for the Photo...

Page 9: ...oudy Incandescent Fluorescent ISO Auto 100 200 400 Scene Auto Scenery Portrait Night Scenery Night Portrait High Sensitivity Sport Beach Party Language English French Spanish Portuguese German Italian Russian Greek Polish Flash 2 LED lamps Self Timer 2 5 or 10 second delay Anti Shake Yes Print Photos Yes Multi Snapshots Burst Yes Auto Power Off Yes 1 minute 3 minutes 5 minutes Disable Interface US...

Page 10: ... ROM Drive QuickTime 6 or higher Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or higher Windows Media Player 10 or higher DirectX 9 or higher Internet connection required MACINTOSH OS To be able to download photos and videos to your Macintosh you will need the following minimum configuration Intel processor running Mac OS X v10 5 x or later 1 GB of RAM 250 MB available hard disk space Display 1024 x 768 or highe...

Page 11: ...ower off completely Note Your digital camcorder also has an Auto Power Off feature that automatically turns off your camera after a specific period of time that your camcorder is left idle The Auto Power Off can be set from the Auto Power Off settings menu Changing Camcorder Mode Your camera has three main modes 1 Video Capture Mode Use this mode to capture videos with your camera 2 Photo Capture ...

Page 12: ...pecific to that mode To access the menus for each mode 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll between the various menus for the current mode 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu option 4 Press the OK button to select and confirm the highlighted menu option 5 If the selection can be remembered by the camera a ...

Page 13: ...r button on top of the camcorder to START the video capture A red blinking record indicator appears on the LCD screen while the recording is in progress The elapsed recording time is also seen on the LCD screen The LED indicator light by the Power button turns red during the recording 4 To STOP the video capture press the Shutter button again 5 The video is automatically saved to the camera s SD M...

Page 14: ...lete the last captured image video photo Down ViviLink Opens the ViviLink for Videos menu Other Shutter STARTS STOPS the video capture MENU Opens the menu options for Video Capture Mode OK Saves your selected menu option Note To navigate through the Menus use the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT buttons MODE Toggles between the Video Capture Photo Capture and Playback Modes Exits the menu screen Playback Opens ...

Page 15: ...14 Video Capture Mode Menus The following are the menus that appear in your camcorder s Video Capture Mode ...

Page 16: ...etting or restore the camcorder s default factory settings Resolution Menu The Resolution menu allows you to choose the desired size of the images taken by your camcorder Keep in mind that images with a higher resolution will also take up more of your camcorder s memory 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Resoluti...

Page 17: ...er that this setting will be saved by your camcorder until you manually change the setting or restore the camcorder s default factory settings Anti Shake Menu The Anti Shake feature reduces image corruption that can be caused by movement of the camcorder while capturing the image 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select th...

Page 18: ...n to exit the menu and return to your previous mode 8 An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen 9 Remember that this setting will be saved by your camcorder until you manually change the setting or restore the camcorder s default factory settings Color Effect Menu You can choose to add a color effect to the images taken with your camcorder 1 Press the MENU button to open the...

Page 19: ...t enters your camcorder s lens This setting should be adjusted when the environment is lighter or darker than normal When the environment has more light than is needed reduce the exposure setting by using the negative count to reduce the amount of light allowed into the lens by your camcorder If the environment has less light darker than is needed increase the exposure setting by using the positiv...

Page 20: ... button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode 8 An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen 9 Remember that this setting will be saved by your camcorder until you manually change the setting or restore the camcorder s default factory settings Metering Menu The Metering setting will affect how your camera focuses when capturing an image Depending on your selection t...

Page 21: ...FT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Language menu 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu option 4 Press the OK button to select and confirm the highlighted menu option 5 A selected option icon will appear on the selected item 6 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item 7 Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode 8 Remembe...

Page 22: ...o scroll and select the Date Time menu 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the Date Setup menu option and then press the OK button to open the menu 4 Scroll through the date and time menus with the RIGHT and LEFT direction buttons 5 For each field in the menu use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the specific date and time 6 When you have finished setting the date and time press the OK button ...

Page 23: ...1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Auto Power Off menu 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu option 4 Press the OK button to select and confirm the highlighted menu option 5 A selected option icon will appear on the selected item 6 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item ...

Page 24: ...tent on your camcorder s memory card This option will delete all of the content at one time If you would like to delete individual images use the delete menu in the camcorder s Playback mode 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Format Memory Card menu 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu opti...

Page 25: ...mware version on your camera or to reset your camera settings to the Factory Default Settings 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Firmware menu 3 The Restore Factory Settings is selected 4 Press the OK button to reset the camcorder to the factory default settings 5 You will be asked to confirm the resetting to the...

Page 26: ...on the top left of the LCD screen 2 Play your selected video Press the Shutter button to START playing the video Press the Shutter button again to PAUSE the video and to continue playing and pausing as needed To fully STOP the video and restore the icons to the LCD press the UP button While the Video is playing all the icons on the top section of the LCD disappear Thumbnail View Easily navigate an...

Page 27: ...u Other Shutter PLAYS and PAUSES a playing video Zoom Out Thumbnail Opens Thumbnail View To navigate in the Thumbnail View press the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT buttons To select an image in the Thumbnail View press the OK button MENU Opens the menu options for Video Playback Mode OK Saves your selected menu option Note To navigate through the Menus use the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT buttons MODE Toggles between t...

Page 28: ... the OK button to select and save the desired option 8 You will be asked to confirm your selection 9 The videos will be deleted as desired Protect Lock Menu Pictures and Videos taken with your camcorder can be protected or locked to prevent any deletion or alteration being made to the files 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll an...

Page 29: ... Zoom Out buttons located to the left of the LCD screen to better set the camera display if desired You can magnify your subject up to 4 times using the digital zoom 3 Press the Shutter button to take the picture 4 The picture is automatically saved to the camcorder s SD memory card LED Flash Option The LED Flash lights allow you to add lighting to the scene you would like to capture To increase t...

Page 30: ...view and delete the last captured image video photo Down ViviLink Opens the ViviLink for Photos menu Other Shutter Captures your photo MENU Opens the menu options for Photo Capture Mode OK Saves your selected menu option Note To navigate through the Menus use the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT buttons MODE Toggles between the Video Capture Photo Capture and Playback Modes Exits the menu screen Playback Opens ...

Page 31: ...30 Photo Capture Mode Menus The following are the menus that appear in your digital camcorder s Photo Capture Mode ...

Page 32: ...etting or restore the camcorder s default factory settings Resolution Menu The Resolution menu allows you to choose the desired size of the images taken by your camcorder Keep in mind that images with a higher resolution will also take up more of your camcorder s memory 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Resoluti...

Page 33: ... settings Self Timer Menu The Self Timer menu allows you to set a delay between the time that the camcorder s Shutter button is pressed and the actual capture of the picture This is an optimal feature if you don t just want to take the picture but would also like to be in the picture yourself Just set the desired Self Timer delay press the Shutter button on your camcorder and position yourself in ...

Page 34: ...ce Menu The White Balance feature allows your camcorder to adjust the coloring of the captured images depending on the type of light source in the current environment Properly adjusting the White Balance setting to match your current environment will allow the camcorder to properly balance the colors in the images that are taken with your camcorder 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the...

Page 35: ...n enabled the Multi SnapShots feature allows you to take three rapid snapshots in a row with a single click of the Shutter button This feature can be effective when trying to capture a particular moment in a sporting event or other scenes with quick movements 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Multi Snapshots men...

Page 36: ...t enters your camcorder s lens This setting should be adjusted when the environment is lighter or darker than normal When the environment has more light than is needed reduce the exposure setting by using the negative count to reduce the amount of light allowed into the lens by your camcorder If the environment has less light darker than is needed increase the exposure setting by using the positiv...

Page 37: ... button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode 8 An icon reflecting your selection will display on the LCD screen 9 Remember that this setting will be saved by your camcorder until you manually change the setting or restore the camcorder s default factory settings Metering Menu The Metering setting will affect how your camera focuses when capturing an image Depending on your selection t...

Page 38: ...FT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Language menu 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu option 4 Press the OK button to select and confirm the highlighted menu option 5 A selected option icon will appear on the selected item 6 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item 7 Press the MODE button to exit the menu and return to your previous mode 8 Remembe...

Page 39: ...ton to scroll and select the Date Time menu 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the Date Setup menu option and then press the OK button to open the menu 4 Scroll through the date and time menus with the RIGHT and LEFT buttons 5 For each field in the menu use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the specific date and time 6 When you have finished setting the date and time press the OK button to sa...

Page 40: ...1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Auto Power Off menu 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu option 4 Press the OK button to select and confirm the highlighted menu option 5 A selected option icon will appear on the selected item 6 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the next menu item ...

Page 41: ...tent on your camcorder s memory card This option will delete all of the content at one time If you would like to delete individual images use the delete menu in the camcorder s Playback mode 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Format Memory Card menu 3 Press the UP or DOWN button to highlight the desired menu opti...

Page 42: ...mware version on your camera or to reset your camera settings to the Factory Default Settings 1 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 2 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Firmware menu 3 The Restore Factory Settings is selected 4 Press the OK button to reset the camcorder to the factory default settings 5 You will be asked to confirm the resetting to the...

Page 43: ... Zooming In Out of your selected photo Press the Zoom In button to Zoom In and magnify the selected photo Use the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT buttons to navigate around the photo Note Press the Shutter button to return to viewing the photo without magnification Press the Zoom Out button to Zoom Out of the selected photo Use the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT buttons to navigate around the photo Thumbnail View Easily n...

Page 44: ... Displays the NEXT image Down ViviLink Opens the ViviLink for Photos menu Other Shutter Stops a playing Slide Show Zoom Out Thumbnail Opens Thumbnail View To navigate in the Thumbnail View press the UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT buttons To select an image in the Thumbnail View press the OK button MENU Opens the menu options for Photo Playback Mode OK Saves your selected menu option Note To navigate through t...

Page 45: ...s Photo 6 To delete all the images including all unlocked photos and videos on your camera s memory card select Delete All Images 7 Press the OK button to select and save the desired option 8 You will be asked to confirm your selection 9 The videos will be deleted as desired Rotate Menu Use this menu to rotate the pictures that you ve taken with your camcorder 1 Press the MENU button to open the m...

Page 46: ...he Print Photos menu to print the photos that are on your digital camcorder directly to a Pictbridge compatible printer 1 Scroll through your pictures and find the one you would like to print 2 Press the MENU button to open the menus for the current mode 3 Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to scroll and select the Print Photos menu 4 Press the UP or DOWN button to scroll through the menu options 5 To...

Page 47: ...s blank Use the camcorder as you would to capture and playback photos and videos The images appear on the TV instead of on the LCD screen Note The only limitation of using the TV screen is that the digital camcorder is now not portable 1 Connect the camcorder to a TV via the TV out cable supplied Connect the black jack into the camera s AV slot Connect the yellow jack into the TV Video port Connec...

Page 48: ...ller 3 On Macintosh Click the icon that appears on the desktop to install the Vivitar Experience Image Manager 4 If you do not have internet access at the time of inserting the CD ROM connect to the internet and then click the Install Vivitar Experience Image Manager button to begin the installation Note If you do not have internet access you can still download media from the camera Click the How ...

Page 49: ...eded please follow instructions to install the Adobe Flash Player 12 On PC Click the Close button when the installation is complete The application will automatically open 13 On Macintosh Click the Quit button when the installation is complete Click the Launch Vivitar Experience Image Manager to open the application 14 If you close the application you can run the Vivitar Experience Image Manager f...

Page 50: ... then it will be selected automatically 5 Select a location on the computer where to place the new photo and video files 6 Add the new photo and video files to albums if desired 7 Select to remove the media files from the selected device removable disk after the import 8 Click the Get Media button to transfer the photos and videos from your camera to your computer 9 A media download progress bar a...

Page 51: ...on s Home screen Transferring Images from Your Camcorder to Your Computer Manually Transferring Photos and Videos WINDOWS 1 Use the USB cable that came with your camera to connect your camera to your computer 2 MSDC appears on the LCD 3 A window appears with a list of options select Open folder to view files and click OK 4 Open the DCIM folder and the folder inside to view the media files 5 Select...

Page 52: ...ging for compatibility with the iPad Apple iPad Camera Connection For models that are compatible with the iPad photos and videos can be imported from your digital camcorder to your iPad by following either one of the options below 1 Connecting your digital camcorder to your iPad using an iPad Camera Connector Plug the Camera Connector into the dock connector port on your iPad then attach your digi...

Page 53: ...ot resulting from defects in material or workmanship and damages or malfunctions from other than normal use including but not limited to repair by unauthorized parties tampering modification or accident What To Do When Service Is Required When returning your defective product postage pre paid for service your package should include 1 Copy of original bill of sale 2 A detailed written description o...

Page 54: ...o take some sample photos and then try downloading them again With test photos if the camera powers off before you upload them to the computer the photos are not stored in the camera s memory These photos should be uploaded quickly before the camera powers off If the photos are saved to the SD memory card then all the photos should appear Q How do I make sure I don t lose important pictures This c...

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