Vixia - Intro

Media Loan

• www.evergreen.edu/medialoan
• L2504. End of hallway past Libary and Computer Center Entrances.
• Test Equipment
• Late Fees

• Vixia Operating Guide
• Vixia Proficiency Test
• Vixia Checklist
• HF200
• HF M300
• HF M400
• HF M500

Cameras

There are three models of the Vixia available at Media Loan. The HF200 has a joystick interface and the HFM300, HFM400 and HFM500 have a touchscreen interface.

Set Up

1. Get out camera.
2. Attach to tripod.
3. Insert battery or connect AC power.
4. Turn camera power on.
5. Set the Mode switch to Manual in the camera home menu.
   • Home > Camera Mode > Manual

Menu Settings

The memory card should be initialized each time the camera is checked out from Media Loan.

Initialize Memory Card

1. Home > Other Settings > Wrench Icon > Initialize
2. Click the button on the right.
3. Click Initialize and then click Yes.
4. Click the X to leave the menu.

Record Settings

The recording mode and rate rate need to be set.

1. Home > Other Settings > Filmstrip Icon
2. Select Recording Mode and click the button on the right.
3. Set it to MXP which is the highest quality.
4. Click the back button (arrow on top left).
5. Select Frame Rate and click the button on the right.
6. Select 30P
7. Click the back button (arrow on top left).
8. Click the X to leave the menu.

Audio

Monitor the quality of the audio recording by using headphones and setting manual recording levels. Use the on-board microphone, or plug in an external one from Media Loan using a hi-lo audio adapter.

Headphones

1. Turn on the headphone jack.
   • Home > Other Settings > Wrench Icon > AV/Headphones > Headphones
2. Adjust the listening volume (this does not effect recording level).
   • Home > Other Settings > Wrench Icon > Volume > Headphones Set volume as needed.

Mic Level

1. Set manual level control: Function > Mic Level > Manual
2. Use the level controls to have the audio levels loud enough so that occasionally the levels will go to the right of the -12dB point.

Zoom

The Zoom lever is on the top of the camera. W is for wide or zoomed out. T is for telephoto or zoomed in.

Turn off the Digital Zoom.

1. Home > Other Settings >Camera Icon > Digital Zoom
2. Set to Off

Focus

In Auto Focus mode touch the screen to to select where to focus. The camera will try to track the object if it moves. In Manual focus the focus setting stay where they are set.

1. Function > Focus.
2. Press the MF to change to Manual Focus
3. Press with the rectangle to set the focus.
4. When the 4 triangles stop flashing the focus is set.
5. The two button on the left can be held down to adjust the focus as if you where turning a focus ring.

Manual Exposure

1. Function > Exposure.
2. Use the dial or arrows keys at the bottom to manually set the exposure.

White Balance

The white balance needs to be set for the lighting conditions. Auto white balance or a preset can be used but it is best to set a custom white balance.

1. Function > White Balance
2. Press Custom WB.
3. Zoom in on a white object.
4. Press Set WB. When the icon stops flashing the white balance is set.

Image Stabilizer

The Image Stabilizer can reduce motion in hand held use but can can problems when used with a tripod.

1. Home > Other Settings > Camera Icon > Image Stabilizer
   • Dynamic - compensates for a higher degree of shake, such as when shooting when walking.
   • Standard - Compensates for a lower degree of shake.
   • Off - use when mounted on tripod.

Recording

Press the record button on the back of the camera to start and stop recording. The record light and record counter will display on the LCD screen.

Playback

1. Press the Camera/Play button on the inside of the camera.
2. A grid will appear on the LCD screen.
3. Click an video to play it.

File Management

• AVCHD Video Files

Proficiency Test

Complete the operation test and the written test.

Get proficiency sign in sheet.