Canon ZR20 Tips for Making Better Videos, Holding the camcorder, Using a tripod, Composition

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Tips for Making Better Videos

Holding the camcorder

For maximum stability, grip the camcorder in your right hand and keep your right elbow pressed against your body. If necessary support the camcorder with your left hand. With practice, you will be able to operate the controls by touch, without taking your eye off the action.

Using a tripod

To prevent any unwanted movement, you can mount the camcorder on a tripod, (or any flat surface at a suitable height) and operate it with the wireless controller.

When you are using a tripod, be careful not to leave the viewfinder exposed to bright sunlight or it may melt. (The light is concentrated by the viewfinder lens.)

Make sure that the fastening screw of the tripod is no longer than 1/4 inch (5.5 mm), or it will damage the camcorder.

Composition

The most important element in the scene does not have to be in the center. For a more interesting picture, try to position your subject so it is slightly to one side. Leave some space on the side of the frame that the subject is facing or moving towards.

Don’t cut off the top of the subject’s head, and don’t cut people off at the neck, hips or knees (move a little bit above or below).

Watch out for distracting objects in the background.

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Mastering the Basics

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Contents Mode d’emploi Important Usage Instructions Important Safety Instructions Lightning For added protection of this Contents Thank you for Choosing a Canon Getting startedFor quick reference Introducing the ZR20 Mastering the Basics Finding Your Way Around the ZR20M E R a Mastering the Basics Powering Your Camcorder Connecting the camcorder to an AC outletProvide power from an AC outlet or Charge a battery pack Attaching and charging the battery packs CA-560 Compact Power Adapter Using the Charge Adapter CR-560 Kit optional Operate the camcorder with power from your car battery Loading a Cassette Make sure that you have attached a power sourceLoading and unloading Load or unload the cassetteProtecting tapes from accidental erasure Handling cassettesCassette memory Before you start recording Basic RecordingTo record Load a cassetteSlide the program selector to When you have finished recordingChanging the recording mode SP/LP Confirmation/Warning beeps Widescreen TV recording10⋅ optical zoom ZoomingUsing the LCD Screen Opening and closing the LCD screenChanging the angle of the LCD screen About the LCD Screen Adjusting the LCD screenAllowing the subject to monitor recording Attach a power source and turn the Power switch to Play VCR Playing Back a CassetteLoad the cassette Press the e play button to start playback Special playback Other playback modesReverse Playback Slow Reverse PlaybackForward ⋅2 Playback Reverse ⋅2 PlaybackBuilt-in speaker Using the headphones Connections for Playback on a TV Screen Switching the AV/headphone terminalIf your TV or VCR has an S S1 -video input terminal Video If your TV or VCR has audio/video input terminalsTips for Making Better Videos Using a tripodHolding the camcorder CompositionCamcorder moves Picture angleTurning the Image Stabilizer Off Camera set up submenu Using the MenusVCR set up submenu List of MenusSystem submenu Display set up submenuSelecting from the Menus VCR MENU,Press the Menu button Inserting batteries Using the Wireless ControllerWhen Operating 2 Canon DV Camcorders Remote Sensor Mode If your wireless controller isn’t working Setting the time zone/daylight saving time Setting the Date and TimeOpen the menu and select System Select T.ZONE/DST Close the menu16 17 18 11 12 Setting the clock Open the menu and select System Select D/TIME SETDate and time display Press the Photo button halfway down and hold it Taking Still PicturesPress the Photo button fully down to take the still picture Using the Floppy Disk Still Image Recorder FR-100 optional Searching and Reviewing While Recording Record searchRecord review Availability of functions in each recording program Using the Various Recording ProgramsPress the start/stop button to begin recording Setting the program AE modeAuto Easy RecordingSports PortraitSpotlight Sand & SnowLow Light Using Digital Effects Availability of digital effects in Camera modeAvailability of digital effects in Playvcr playback modes Mosaic Fade M. Fade FadersEffects Operating faders Select the desired settingSelect Fader Press the Digital Effects button to close the menuSelect Effect Operating effectsSelecting the audio mode Audio RecordingExternal microphone Wind screen Setting the Self-Timer Press the start/stop buttonPress the start/stop button to end recording Using the Full Range of Features Turn the selector dial to choose your desired level Using AE ShiftConcerning shooting in fluorescent lighting Setting the Shutter SpeedRecommended shutter speeds when shooting Guidelines for shooting using high shutter speedsAdjusting Focus Manually Focus lockManual focus Setting the White Balance Using the Full Range of Features Selecting date/time Press the Data Code button on the wireless controllerDate/Time Camera data Setting the data codeSix-second auto date Searching the Tape Photo Search/Date Search Returning to a Pre-Marked Position Preparations Editing to a VCRConnect the camcorder to the VCR Prepare the TV and VCRConnect the camcorder and the other digital device Turn the camcorder’s Power switch to Play VCRPrepare the other device Load a blank cassetteCopyright signal DubbingStop playback on the other device Recording from a VCR, TV or Analog Camcorder Analog Line-in You can monitor the picture in the viewfinder or LCD Recording Over Existing Scenes AV Insert Editing Tape in the camcorder Playback tapeConnect the camcorder to the VCR Prepare the VCR and TV Press the AV Insert button To stop inserting, press the Stop button on the camcorderStop playback on the VCR Audio Dubbing To connect other audio equipmentTo connect an external microphone VCR SET UP Audio DUB.AUDIO Press Audio DUB Choose the output Setting the Audio MixSelecting audio output channels Connecting to a PC Preparing the Camcorder Adjust the viewfinderPrepare the lens cap Fasten the grip beltAttach the shoulder strap Charging and recording times How much power is left? When to rechargeTaking care of the battery pack Treat the battery pack with care Installing the backup batteryMaintenance Storage MaintenanceViewfinder Camcorder body and lensPower sources Using the camcorder abroadVideo heads TV playbackCondensation What happens when condensation is detectedProtecting the camcorder from condensation What you should doRecording/Playback TroubleshootingShiny car ? There’s no sound coming from the speaker during playback Miscellaneous100 BP-500 Series Battery Packs Optional AccessoriesCR-560 Charge Adapter/Car Battery Cable Kit TL-30.5 Tele-converterFS-30.5U Filter Set VL-10Li Battery Video LightSC-A50 Soft Carrying Case SC-1000 Soft Carrying CaseTurning off the LCD screen displays Screen Displays105 106 107 108 109 Specifications BP-512 Battery PackZR20 111 Index112 113 Canada