CANON VIXIA HFM30 (01) PDF Document

To ensure safe operation of your CANON VIXIA HFM30, please adhere to the following instructions:

Warnings:

• To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture.

• To reduce the risk of electric shock and to reduce annoying interference, use the recommended accessories only.

• To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not expose this product to dripping or splashing.

• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician.

• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched.

• Unplug the apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods.

Cautions:

• The Mains plug is the disconnect device and should remain readily operable.

• There is a danger of explosion if the wrong type of batteries are attached. Use only the same type of batteries.

• Do not expose batteries or the product to excessive heat such as inside a car under direct sunlight, fire, etc.

• To prevent electric shock, match the wide blade of the plug to the wide slot and fully insert it.

• Do not remove the cover (or back) as there are no user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

General Usage:

• Read and keep all instructions.

• Clean only with a dry cloth.

• Do not install near heat sources like radiators or stoves.

• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

• Avoid magnetic or electric fields, such as those from TV transmitters or portable communication devices.

• Do not place the product on an unstable cart, stand, or tripod as it may fall.

The CANON VIXIA HFM30 comes with several exciting features and new functions to enhance your recording experience:

• High-Definition Video: The camcorder’s Full HD CMOS sensor captures video at a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, recorded in high definition using AVCHD specifications.

• Dual Flash Memory: You can record video and photos to either the built-in memory or to commercially available memory cards.

• Relay Recording: If the built-in memory becomes full while recording, the camcorder can automatically switch to the memory card to continue recording without interruption.

• Smart AUTO: This feature automatically selects the best scene mode for your shooting environment, allowing you to get spectacular recordings without worrying about settings.

• Video Snapshot: Shoot or capture short scenes and arrange them into a video clip set to your favorite background music.

• Face Detection: The camcorder automatically detects people’s faces and adjusts the focus and other settings for beautiful results.

• Image Stabilization: Dynamic IS compensates for camcorder shake while walking, and Powered IS produces stable shots when you zoom in on distant subjects.

You can enjoy the movies and photos you’ve taken with your CANON VIXIA HFM30 in several ways:

• Connect to an HDTV: Use an HDMI or component cable to connect the camcorder directly to your High-Definition TV for high-quality playback.

• Play from a Memory Card: Insert the SD memory card from your camcorder into an AVCHD-compatible HDTV or digital recorder that has an SD memory card slot.

• Save or Upload to the Web: Use the supplied ImageMixer 3 SE software to save your recordings to a computer. You can also convert your HD movies to standard definition files to upload to video-sharing websites.

• Create Standard DVDs: Convert your HD movies to standard definition files within the camcorder itself, then use the supplied software to burn them onto standard DVDs.

• Wireless Upload: Use an Eye-Fi card (sold separately) to wirelessly upload your recordings to a computer or a video sharing website.

The following accessories and CD-ROMs are supplied with the CANON VIXIA HFM30 camcorder:

Accessories:

• CA-570 Compact Power Adapter (including power cord)

• BP-808 Battery Pack

• WL-D89 Wireless Controller (including CR2025 lithium button battery)

• STV-250N Stereo Video Cable (Yellow, Red, White plugs)

• CTC-100/S Component Cable (Red, Green, Blue plugs)

• IFC-300PCU USB Cable

• Quick Guide

CD-ROMs:

• PIXELA Application – Disc 1 CD-ROM: Contains ImageMixer 3 SE Transfer Utilities.

• PIXELA Application – Disc 2 CD-ROM: Contains ImageMixer 3 SE Video Tools for managing, editing, and playing back movies.

• Instruction Manual/Photo Applications Ver.34/Music Data Disc CD-ROM: Contains the full instruction manual (PDF), Photo Application software, and music files for background music.

To charge the battery pack for your CANON VIXIA HFM30, follow these steps:

1. Connect the power cord to the compact power adapter.

2. Plug the power cord into a power outlet.

3. Connect the compact power adapter to the camcorder’s DC IN terminal.

4. Attach the battery pack to the camcorder by pressing it softly into the battery attachment unit and sliding it up until it clicks in place.

5. Ensure the camcorder is turned off. The ON/OFF (CHG) indicator will start flashing in red to indicate that the battery pack is charging. The indicator will turn off when the battery pack is fully charged.

To remove the battery pack, slide the BATTERY RELEASE switch in the direction of the arrow, hold it down, and slide the battery pack down to pull it out.

Important Notes:

• The battery pack will only charge when the camcorder is turned off.

• Turn off the camcorder before connecting or disconnecting the power adapter.

• It is recommended to charge the battery in temperatures between 10 °C and 30 °C (50 °F and 86 °F).

To set up the wireless controller for your CANON VIXIA HFM30, you must first insert the battery:

1. Press the tab on the controller in the direction of the arrow and pull out the battery holder.

2. Place the supplied CR2025 lithium button battery into the holder with the + side facing up.

3. Insert the battery holder back into the controller.

To use the wireless controller, point it at the camcorder’s remote sensor when you press the buttons. You can also rotate the LCD panel 180 degrees to use the controller from the front of the camcorder. Note that the controller may not work properly under strong light sources or direct sunlight.

To fasten the grip belt, adjust it so that you can comfortably reach the zoom lever with your index finger and the START/STOP button with your thumb.

To remove the grip belt:

1. Lift the padded handgrip’s flap and detach the strap from the Velcro pad.

2. Pull the strap to remove it first from the front bracket on the camcorder.

3. Unthread the strap from the handgrip.

4. Finally, remove the strap from the rear bracket on the camcorder.

You can adjust the position and brightness of the LCD screen on your CANON VIXIA HFM30.

Rotating the LCD Panel:

• Open the LCD panel 90 degrees from the camcorder body.

• You can rotate the panel 90 degrees downward.

• You can rotate the panel 180 degrees toward the lens. This is useful for including yourself in a recording (for example, with the self-timer) or for operating the camcorder with the wireless controller from the front.

Adjusting LCD Brightness (Backlight):

If the screen is difficult to see in bright places, you can make it brighter.

1. With the camcorder on, press and hold the DISP. button for more than 2 seconds.

2. This action will switch the LCD backlight between the normal and bright setting.

Note that using the bright setting will shorten the effective usage time of the battery pack. You can also make further adjustments using the [LCD Brightness] and [LCD Screen Dimmer] settings in the menu.

The CANON VIXIA HFM30 features an intuitive touch screen interface for controlling its functions. There are two main actions:

• Touch: Gently touch a menu item or control button on the screen to select it or perform the corresponding action. For functions like Touch & Track or face detection, you can touch a subject on the screen to have the camcorder optimize settings for it.

• Drag: Swipe your finger up, down, left, or right across the screen. Use this action to scroll through menus, browse index screen pages, or adjust slider controls like volume.

Important: The camcorder uses a pressure-sensitive touch screen, so press firmly. Avoid using fingernails, hard-tipped objects, or operating with wet hands, as this may prevent correct operation.

The CANON VIXIA HFM30 has several operating modes for recording and playback, determined by the mode switch and on-screen controls.

Recording Modes:

• Dual Shot: An easy-to-use mode for recording video and taking photos where the camcorder handles all the settings automatically. Ideal for beginners.

• Flexible recording (Manual Mode): This mode gives you full access to menus and advanced functions. You can record movies or photos and manually adjust settings to your preference.

Playback Mode:

• Press the camera/play button to switch between camera (recording) mode and playback mode. You can also press this button when the camcorder is off to turn it on directly in playback mode.

You can adjust many of the camcorder’s functions through the FUNC. panel and the setup menus. Note that in Dual Shot mode, menus are not accessible.

Using the FUNC. Panel:

1. In a flexible recording mode, touch [FUNC.] on the screen to access the FUNC. panel.

2. This panel shows an overview of frequently used shooting functions.

3. Touch the function you want to set or adjust. You may need to drag your finger along the scroll bar to find the desired function.

Using the Setup Menus:

1. From a flexible recording mode, touch [FUNC.] and then touch [MENU] to open the setup menus.

2. Touch the tab of the desired menu category (e.g., Camera Setup, Recording Setup).

3. Drag your finger up and down the scroll bar to bring the setting you want to change into the orange selection bar.

4. When the desired item is highlighted, touch inside the frame on the right to see its options.

5. Touch the desired option and then touch [X] to confirm and close the menu.

When you first use the CANON VIXIA HFM30, the [Date/Time] screen will appear automatically. Follow these steps to set it:

1. The year field will be selected initially. Touch any field you want to change (year, month, day, hour, or minute).

2. Touch the up or down arrows to change the value of the selected field.

3. Repeat this process for all fields to set the correct date and time.

4. Touch [Y.M.D], [M.D,Y], or [D.M.Y] to select your preferred date format.

5. Touch [24H] to use a 24-hour clock. Leave it unchecked to use a 12-hour clock (AM/PM).

6. Touch [OK] to start the clock and close the screen.

If you need to change the date and time later, you can access this screen from the setup menu.

The CANON VIXIA HFM30 supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. However, compatibility for recording movies depends on the card’s capacity and Speed Class. We recommend using cards rated Speed Class 4, 6, or 10 for reliable movie recording.

*Depending on the memory card used, it may not be possible to record movies.

Before using a new memory card, make sure to initialize it in the camcorder.

To insert a memory card:

1. Turn off the camcorder. Ensure the ON/OFF (CHG) indicator is off.

2. Open the memory card slot cover.

3. Insert the memory card straight into the slot with the label facing up, pushing it all the way in until it clicks.

4. Close the memory card slot cover.

To remove the memory card:

Push the memory card in once to release it. When it springs out, pull it all the way out of the slot.

Relay Recording allows for uninterrupted movie recording. If the built-in memory becomes full while you are recording, the CANON VIXIA HFM30 will automatically switch to the memory card and continue recording seamlessly.

To activate Relay Recording:

1. Insert a memory card that contains no previous video recordings into the camcorder.

2. Navigate through the menu: [FUNC.] > [MENU] > [Rec Media for Movies] > [Built-in Memory] > [Relay Recording].

3. Select the relay recording option and confirm.

The available recording time will now show the combined free space of both the built-in memory and the memory card. Note that certain actions, like opening the memory card slot cover or turning off the camcorder, will deactivate relay recording.

You should initialize all new memory cards before using them with your CANON VIXIA HFM30 to ensure proper performance. Initializing also permanently deletes all recordings from the built-in memory or a memory card.

IMPORTANT: Initializing will permanently erase all data. Save important recordings to an external device before proceeding.

To initialize the memory:

1. Power the camcorder using the compact power adapter. Do not disconnect power during the process.

2. Navigate to the initialization menu:

• For VIXIA HF M31/M30: [FUNC.] > [MENU] > [Initialize] > Select [Built-in Mem.] or [Mem. Card] > [Initialize].

• For VIXIA HF M301: [FUNC.] > [MENU] > [Initialize] > [Initialize].

3. Choose [Complete Initialization] if you want to physically erase all data (this takes longer), otherwise a standard initialization will clear the file allocation table.

4. Select [Yes] and then [OK] to start the process.

Dual Shot Mode is an all-automatic mode perfect for easy recording.

1. Set the mode switch on the camcorder to the Dual Shot icon.

2. Turn on the camcorder.

To record video:

• Press the START/STOP button to begin recording.

• Press the START/STOP button again to pause the recording.

To take photos:

1. Press the PHOTO button halfway down. The camcorder will automatically adjust the focus, and a green AF frame will appear.

2. Press the PHOTO button fully. The ACCESS indicator will flash as the photo is recorded.

When you have finished, make sure the ACCESS indicator is off, then turn off the camcorder.

When shooting in Dual Shot mode, the CANON VIXIA HFM30 uses the Smart AUTO function. This intelligent feature automatically detects characteristics of the subject, background, and lighting conditions. It then adjusts various settings like focus, exposure, color, and image stabilization to select the best possible settings for the scene. The Smart AUTO mode icon on the screen will change to reflect the scene it has detected, such as Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, or Macro.

The following table shows some of the icons that may appear:

Icons in parentheses indicate backlight conditions. Additional icons exist for dark conditions, spotlights, and night scenes.

You can zoom in and out on your CANON VIXIA HFM30 in three different ways:

Using the Zoom Lever or Wireless Controller:

• Move the zoom lever toward **W** (wide angle) to zoom out.

• Move it toward **T** (telephoto) to zoom in.

• The zoom lever has a variable speed; press gently for a slow zoom and harder for a faster zoom. The zoom buttons on the wireless controller operate at a constant speed.

Using the Touch Screen:

1. In shooting mode, touch [FUNC.] and then [ZOOM] to display the zoom controls on the screen.

2. Touch anywhere within the **W** area on the screen to zoom out, or the **T** area to zoom in.

3. Touch closer to the center of the bar for a slower zoom (Speed 1) and closer to the outer icons for a faster zoom (Speed 3).

4. Touch [X] to hide the zoom controls.

The camcorder has a 15x optical zoom. You can also enable a 300x digital zoom in the menu for greater magnification, though image quality will decrease.

The Quick Start function allows you to quickly resume recording from a power-saving standby mode. In standby, the camcorder consumes about 1/3 of the power used during normal recording, saving battery life. When you activate it, the camcorder is ready to record in approximately 1 second.

To use the Quick Start function:

1. With the camcorder on and in a recording mode, close the LCD panel.

2. A beep will sound, and the green ON/OFF (CHG) indicator will turn orange, indicating the camcorder has entered standby mode.

3. To resume recording, simply open the LCD panel. The indicator will turn green, and the camcorder will be ready to record.

Note: The camcorder will power off automatically if left in standby mode for 10 minutes. It will not enter standby if the ACCESS indicator is flashing, a menu is displayed, or the memory card cover is open.

To play back your recorded movies, follow these steps:

1. Press the camera/play button to switch to playback mode. The [Original] index screen will appear, showing thumbnails of your recorded scenes.

2. Use the zoom lever to change the number of thumbnails displayed per page (6 or 15). Drag your finger left or right on the screen to navigate between pages.

3. Touch the thumbnail of the scene you want to play.

4. Playback will start from the selected scene and continue to the end of the last scene in the index.

5. During playback, touch the screen to display the playback controls. You can use these on-screen buttons to:

• Stop playback.

• Pause/resume playback.

• Jump to the next or previous scene.

• Fast forward or fast reverse.

• Adjust the volume.

From any index screen on your CANON VIXIA HFM30, you can touch the top bar (where it says “Original”, “Playlist”, etc.) to open the Index Selection Screen. This allows you to choose what content to view.

The options are:

• [Original]: View the original movies as you recorded them.

• [Playlist]: View scenes that you have added to a playlist, possibly in a rearranged order.

• [3D Flip View]: A fun way to display your videos in a 3D layout, organized by recording date.

• [Photos]: Switch to the photo index screen to view your photos.

• [SD Scenes] (VIXIA HF M31/M30 only): View scenes that were converted to standard definition for creating DVDs or uploading to the web.

• [Video Snapshot]: Display only your recorded video snapshot scenes.

Additionally, on models with built-in memory, you can touch the tab at the top to switch between viewing content on the built-in memory or the memory card.

You can delete unwanted scenes to free up space on the memory. Be careful, as deleting original recordings is permanent.

1. Open the index screen that contains the scenes you want to delete (e.g., [Original] or [Video Snapshot]).

2. Touch the checkmark icon to open the scene selection screen.

3. Touch each individual scene you want to delete. A checkmark will appear on selected scenes. To select all scenes at once, touch [Select All].

4. Once you have selected the scenes, touch [Edit].

5. Touch [Delete].

6. Touch [Yes] and then [OK] to confirm and permanently delete the selected scenes.

The CANON VIXIA HFM30 offers five recording modes that determine the video quality and recording time. Higher quality modes (MXP, FXP) result in better video but shorter recording times, while lower quality modes (LP) allow for longer recording times.

To change the recording mode:

1. Set the camcorder to a flexible recording mode.

2. Navigate the menu: [FUNC.] > [MENU] > [Recording Mode].

3. Select your desired recording mode and touch [X] to confirm.

The approximate recording times for different memory sizes are as follows:

The CANON VIXIA HFM30 has special scene programs to help you easily capture great video in specific situations like bright ski resorts or fireworks displays.

1. Set the camcorder to a flexible recording mode.

2. Touch [FUNC.] on the screen.

3. Touch [Rec. Programs].

4. Select the desired recording program from the list and touch [X] to close the menu.

Available programs include:

• Portrait: Uses a large aperture to keep the subject in sharp focus while blurring the background.

• Sports: For recording fast-moving scenes like tennis or golf.

• Night Scene: For recording nightscapes with lower noise.

• Snow: To record in bright ski resorts without the subject being underexposed.

• Beach: For recording on a sunny beach without the subject being underexposed.

• Sunset: To record sunsets in vibrant colors.

• Low Light: For recording in low-light situations.

• Spotlight: For recording spotlit scenes.

• Fireworks: For recording fireworks.

To manually control exposure, you can set either the shutter speed (Shutter-Priority AE) or the aperture (Aperture-Priority AE).

1. In a flexible recording mode, touch [FUNC.] on the screen.

2. Touch [Rec. Programs].

3. Select either [Tv Shutter-Pri. AE] or [Av Aperture-Pri. AE].

4. A dial will appear on the screen. Drag your finger left and right along the dial to set the desired shutter speed (Tv) or aperture value (Av).

5. Touch [X] to confirm your setting.

Guidelines:

• Shutter Speed: Use slower speeds (e.g., 1/30) for motion blur effects in low light. Use faster speeds (e.g., 1/1000) to “freeze” fast-moving subjects.

• Aperture: Use small aperture values (e.g., F1.8) to make the subject sharp and the background blurry (shallow depth of field), which is great for portraits. Use large aperture values (e.g., F8.0) to keep both the foreground and background in focus, which is good for landscapes.

If your CANON VIXIA HFM30 camcorder will not turn on or turns off by itself, please check the following:

• Battery Pack: The battery pack may be exhausted. Replace it with a fully charged one or charge the current battery pack.

• Battery Connection: The battery pack may not be attached correctly. Remove the battery pack and reattach it firmly.

• Overheating: If you are using the [Underwater] or [Surface] recording program, the camcorder may turn off automatically if it becomes too hot. Turn the camcorder off and allow it to cool down before using it again.

If you are unable to charge the battery pack for your CANON VIXIA HFM30, here are some possible causes and solutions:

• Camcorder is On: The battery pack will only charge when the camcorder is turned off. Make sure the camcorder is powered down before attempting to charge.

• Temperature Range: The battery pack’s temperature may be outside the optimal charging range (0 °C to 40 °C or 32 °F to 104 °F). If the battery is too cold, warm it before charging. If it is too hot, let it cool down.

• Faulty Battery: The battery pack may be faulty or have reached the end of its life. Try using a different battery pack.

• Incompatible Battery: The camcorder may not be able to communicate with the attached battery pack, especially if it is not a recommended model. Such packs cannot be charged using this camcorder.

If your CANON VIXIA HFM30 does not start recording when you press the START/STOP button, check for these two common reasons:

1. The camcorder is busy: You cannot start a new recording while the camcorder is writing previous recordings to the memory (this is indicated by the ACCESS indicator being on or flashing). Wait until the camcorder has finished this process before trying to record again.

2. The memory is full: The built-in memory or the memory card may be full, or it may already contain the maximum number of scenes (3,999). You will need to delete some existing recordings or initialize the memory to free up space.

If the autofocus on your CANON VIXIA HFM30 is not focusing correctly, try the following solutions:

• Manual Focus: The subject may be difficult for the autofocus system to lock onto (e.g., low contrast, reflective surfaces, or fast-moving subjects). Switch to manual focus to adjust the focus yourself.

• Clean the Lens and Sensor: The lens or the external Instant AF sensor may be dirty. Clean both with a soft, dry lens-cleaning cloth. Never use tissue paper.

If you are unable to add scenes to the playlist on your CANON VIXIA HFM30, it could be due to one of the following reasons:

• Playlist is Full: The playlist has a maximum capacity of 999 scenes. If the playlist includes scenes recorded in high-quality MXP or FXP mode, the maximum number of scenes may be less than 999.

• Memory is Full: There may not be enough free space in the memory to add more scenes to the playlist data. Delete some recordings to free up space.

• Incompatible Scenes: You may not be able to add scenes that were recorded or edited using a different device.

The ON/OFF (CHG) indicator on your CANON VIXIA HFM30 displays the status of the camcorder:

• Green: The camcorder is on.

• Orange: The camcorder is in Quick Start standby mode.

• Red (Flashing): The battery pack is charging.

• Red (Rapidly flashing – 0.5-second intervals): There is a charging error. Charging has stopped because the compact power adapter or the battery pack is faulty. Consult a Canon Service Center.

• Red (Very slowly flashing – 2-second intervals): The battery pack’s temperature is outside the charging range, or the battery pack is damaged.

If you are experiencing issues with the LCD screen on your CANON VIXIA HFM30, here are some potential causes and solutions:

Screen appears too dark:

The LCD screen may have been dimmed. Press and hold the **DISP.** button for 2 seconds to restore the screen to its previous brightness setting.

Screen displays turn on and off repeatedly:

• The battery pack is exhausted. Replace or charge the battery pack.

• The battery pack may not be attached correctly. Remove and reattach it.