Pocket DV AHD C 100 - Camcorder AIPTEK - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Camcorder
Brand	Aiptek
Model	Pocket DV AHD C 100
Video Resolution	720p HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Still Photo Resolution	5 MP (interpolated)
Storage Media	SD/SDHC card (up to 32 GB)
Display	2.0 inch TFT LCD
Lens	Fixed focus, f/3.0
Zoom	4x digital zoom
Battery	Rechargeable Li-ion 3.7V, 700 mAh
Charging	Via USB port
Connectivity	USB 2.0, AV out
Dimensions	115 x 55 x 20 mm (4.5 x 2.2 x 0.8 in)
Weight	Approx. 100 g (3.5 oz) with battery
Power Supply	Built-in rechargeable battery, USB charging
Video Format	AVI (MJPEG)
Photo Format	JPEG
Microphone	Built-in
Speaker	Built-in
Tripod Mount	Yes (1/4 inch)
Languages	English, French, German, Spanish, etc.
Maintenance and Cleaning	Wipe exterior with dry cloth; clean lens with lens tissue; avoid moisture and direct sunlight.
Safety Precautions	Do not expose to water or extreme temperatures; keep away from magnets; use only approved charger.
Spare Parts and Repairability	Battery and charger available from Aiptek; device not user-serviceable; contact support for repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions - Pocket DV AHD C 100 AIPTEK

How do I transfer videos to my computer?

Connect the camcorder to your computer using the USB cable. The device will appear as a removable drive. Copy the video files (AVI format) from the SD card to your computer.

What is the maximum SD card capacity supported?

The Aiptek Pocket DV AHD C 100 supports SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB. For best performance, use a Class 4 or higher card.

How long does the battery last?

The built-in Li-ion battery (700 mAh) provides approximately 60 minutes of continuous recording or 90 minutes of playback. Charging time via USB is about 2 hours.

Can I use it as a webcam?

Yes, the camcorder can be used as a webcam. Set the mode to 'PC Camera' via the menu, then connect via USB. Install the included driver if prompted.

What video resolution can I record?

The camcorder records video at 720p HD (1280 x 720) at 30 fps in AVI format. Lower resolutions are also available for longer recording times.

How do I reset the camcorder?

If the device freezes, remove and reinsert the battery. Alternatively, use a paperclip to press the reset button located inside the battery compartment.

What is the still image resolution?

The camcorder takes photos at an interpolated resolution of 5 MP (2592 x 1944). Actual sensor resolution may be lower.

Is there a microphone input?

No, the camcorder does not have an external microphone input. It only has a built-in microphone.

How do I charge the battery?

Connect the camcorder to a computer via USB or use the USB wall charger (5V, 1A). The charging indicator turns off when fully charged.

Can I use the camcorder while charging?

Yes, you can use the camcorder while it is connected to power via USB, but this may increase charging time.

USER MANUAL Pocket DV AHD C 100 AIPTEK

Digital Camcorder

User's Manual

Welcome:

Dear user, thanks for purchasing this product.

Much investment in time and effort has gone into its development, and it is our hope that it will give you many years of trouble-free service.

Safety Notice:

1. Do not drop, puncture or disassemble the camcorder; otherwise the warranty will be voided.
2. Avoid all contact with water, and dry hands before using.
3. Do not expose the camcorder to high temperature or leave it in direct sunlight. Doing so may damage the camcorder.
4. Use the camcorder with care. Avoid pressing hard on the camcorder body.
5. For your own safety, avoid using the camcorder when there is a storm or lightning.
6. Do not use batteries of different specifications. Doing so may lead to the potential for serious damage.
7. Remove the battery during long periods between usage, as a deteriorated battery may affect the functionality of the camcorder.
8. Remove the battery if it shows signs of leaking or distortion.
9. Use only the accessories supplied by the manufacturer.
10. Keep the camcorder out of the reach of infants.
11. Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an incorrect type.
12. Dispose of used batteries according to the instructions.

FCC Compliance Statement:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits

are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television equipment reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. - Move the equipment away from the receiver. - Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. - Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

If the time arises to throw away your product, please recycle all the components possible. Batteries and rechargeable batteries are not to be disposed of in your domestic waste! Please recycle them at your local recycling point.

Together we can help to protect the environment.

Parts of the camcorder

1 Microphone 2 Record button (💡) 3 Up & Down / Zoom buttons ( 1/w ) 4 Menu/OK button 5 Mode/Return button 6 HDMI port 7 USB port 8 TV-out connector 9 Power button (under LCD panel) 10 LCD panel 11 Focus switch 12 Shutter button (φ) 13 Lens 14 Flash strobe 15 Tripod socket 16 Battery compartment / SD/MMC card slot 17 Speaker 18 LED indicator

- Loading the battery

Note: Upon using the battery for the first time, you are recommended to fully discharge and then charge the battery for 8 hours to ensure its lifecycle.

1. Slide open the battery compartment cover as indicated.
2. Place the accessory Li-ion battery into the compartment. Note that the metallic contacts must be aligned with the contacts in the compartment.
3. Replace the cover.

Charging battery

1. Connect one end of the cable to the USB port of the camcorder.
2. Plug the AC adapter to a wall outlet, or connect the other end of the USB cable to the PC that has been powered on.
3. The charge starts. The LED indicates red light during charging. When the battery is fully charged, the LED light will go out.

Note: When using a PC to charge the battery, do not power on the camcorder or the charge will stop.

- Inserting the SD/SDHC/MMC card (optional)

1. Slide open the battery compartment cover.
2. Insert the card in the direction of indication until it reaches the end of the slot.
3. When using a SD card, the built-in memory will become inaccessible.
4. To remove the SD card, gently push the card until it pops up.

- Turning on/off the camcorder

Open/Close the LCD panel to turn on/off; or press and hold down the Power button for 3 seconds.

Mode selection

1. Turn on the camcorder.
2. Press the Mode button.
3. Use the Zoom buttons to select the desired item.
4. Press the Menu/OK button to confirm.
5. By pressing the Mode button you can switch mode:

Setting ( ) ; Camera ( ) ; My Works ( ) ; Voice Recorder ( ) ; Music Player ( ).

★ For select model only. Please refer to the package printing for detailed specification.

Setting language

Power-on → Press the Mode button → Enter the Setting mode → Use the Zoom buttons to select the Language item → Use the Zoom buttons to select a suitable language and press the Menu/OK button to confirm.

Battery life indicator

Icon Description
	Full battery life
	Moderate battery life
	Low battery life
	Empty battery life
	Charging battery

Note: To avoid sudden outage of power supply, you are recommended to replace the battery when the icon indicates low battery life.

- Reading LCD indicators

Camera mode:

My Works mode:

Voice Recorder mode:

Recording a video clip

1. Set the focus to an appropriate setting. Normally, you may set the focus to (🔊) for most filming conditions. Select (🔒) only for close-ups.
2. Press the Record button to start recording.
3. Use the Zoom buttons to zoom in or zoom out the screen.
4. Press the Record button again to stop recording.

Taking a still picture

1. Set the focus to an appropriate setting. Normally, you may set the focus to ( ) for most filming conditions. Select ( ) only for close-ups.
2. Use the Zoom buttons to zoom in or zoom out the screen.
3. Press the Shutter button to take a still picture.

	50cm ~∞
	30cm ~ 50cm

Recording a voice clip

1. Press the Modton.
2. Use the Zoom buttons to select Voice Recorder mode.
3. Press the Menu/OK button to confirm.
4. Press the Record button to start recording.
5. When you are done, press the Record button again to stop recording.

Playing back your recordings

1. Press the Modton.
2. Use the Zoom buttons to select My Works mode. Select the type of file you want to view in the sub items.
3. Press the Menu/OK button to enter.
4. Use the Zoom buttons to shift between files.
5. Press the Menu/OK button to review/play the file.

Press the Shutter button to delete files.

- Playing back your recordings on PC

Please notice that the video clips are recorded in MP4 format. To view these videos on your PC, you may need to install some special programs. For first time use, please install the software on the bundled CD.

Connecting the camcorder to HDTV

Connect your camcorder and TV via the accessory AV cable for real-time display. You can display your video clips, still pictures, and audio recordings directly on your TV, sharing them with your friends and family.

TV: HDTV with HDMI input port

1. Turn on your HDTV.
2. Connect the HDMI-in connector (the larger end) of the HDMI cable to the HDTV.
3. Turn on the camcorder.
4. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to your camcorder.
5. Switch the HDTV to the "HDMI input" mode.

Connecting the camcorder to a standard TV

TV: Traditional CRT TV

The TV system varies by region. If you need to adjust the TV-out setting, refer to the "Advanced Operations" section for more information. (Taiwan: NTSC; America: NTSC; Europe: PAL; China: PAL)

1. Turn on your TV and switch it to AV mode.
2. Connect the audio and video ends of the AV cable to the TV.
3. Turn on the camcorder.
4. Connect the other end of the AV cable to your camcorder.

Connecting the camcorder to your PC

1. Turn on the camcorder.
2. Connect the camcorder to your computer by the USB cable.

The default is set to "Disk" mode. When connected to a PC, the camcorder will automatically enter Disk (Removable disk) mode. If you set the USB Mode to "Menu" mode, the following items will appear.

Please select the desired connection mode.

If you would like to change the setting, please refer to the "Advanced Operations" section for more information.

Playing MP3 music

For select model only. Please refer to the package printing for detailed specification.

Copy MP3 files to the camcorder

Note: Before you can play MP3 music, you need to copy MP3 files to the camcorder first.

1. Turn on the camcorder, and connect the camcorder to a PC using the USB cable.
2. After the camcorder is connected to the PC, double-click on My Computer and you will find a removable disk. Create a "MUSIC" folder in the disk and then copy MP3 files into the "MUSIC" folder for playing.

Playing music in Music Player mode

1. Press the button.
2. Use the Zoom buttons to select Music Player mode.
3. Press the button to confirm.

Operations in Music Player mode:

How to... Action

Shift between tracks: Use the Zoom buttons to move up or down.

Start playing

Press the

button.

Pause/Resume playing

During playing/While paused, press the

button.

Adjust sound volume: Use the Zoom buttons to move up or down while playing.

Stop playing

During playing, press the Mode / button.

Delete files: Press the Shutter button.

Displaying lyrics

You can play MP3 songs with lyrics displayed. To enable the function, you need to copy LRC format files into the "MUSIC" folder, and name the LRC files after their matched songs. For example, if a song is named A.MP3, then the LRC file should be named A.LRC. You can search the Internet for your desired lyrics files. The LRC file contains both lyrics as text and time tags, so that the music and lyrics can be synchronized. This camcorder supports LRC files with "line time tags".

Note: The format of time tag denotes [minutes]:[seconds]:[milliseconds].

Using menu

The menu items provide several options for you to fine-tune your camcorder functions. The following table gives details on menu operations:

How to... Action
Bring up the menu in each mode	Press theMenu/OKbutton. Note that this step is not necessary in theSettingmode.
Move the highlight bar Use theZoombuttons to move up or down.
Confirm an item	Press theMenu/OKbutton.
Exit menu/Go back to upper menu	Press theMode / button (when in sub-menu).

Menu items in Camcorder mode (1)

Power-on → Press the Menu button.

Item Option Description
* Video Resolution	Please refer to the package printing for resolution specification.
* Picture Resolution	Please refer to the package printing for resolution specification.
Flash Strobe	Auto The flash automatically fires when the lighting is insufficient.
	On The flash is forced to fire in every shot.
	Off The flash is disabled.
NightShot On/Off		This setting allows you to take a photograph with a dark background. Since the shutter speed will slow down when taking photographs at a dark place, we recommend using a tripod to eliminate blurring from hand shake.
Stabilizer On/Off Minimize blur caused by hand shake.
EV -2~+2		Manually adjust the exposure to gain better effect when the preview image appears too bright or too dark. A positive value indicates the image will be brighter than usual; while a negative value makes the image dimmer.
Selftimer	On/Off	Enable the selftimer. After the selftimer is turned on, the camcorder will have ten seconds delay before recording when the Shutter button is pressed.

Menu items in Camcorder mode (2)

Item Option Description
White Balance	Auto The camcorder automatically adjusts white balance.
	Sunny This setting is suitable for outdoor recording in sunny weather.
	Cloudy	This setting is suitable for recording in cloudy weather or shady environments.
	Fluorescent	This setting is suitable for indoor recording with fluorescent lamp lighting, or environments with high color temperature.
	Tungsten	This setting is suitable for indoor recording with incandescent lamp lighting, or environments with low color temperature.
Effect	Normal Make recordings in natural color.
	Black&White Make recordings in black and white.
	Classic Make recordings in sepia-toned color.
Photo Frame 0 - 10		This setting allows you to add customized frames to photos. 10 background frames (1-10) are available on the LCD monitor. Set 0 to disable this function.

The "Photo Frame" option and zoom function will be disabled when the picture resolution is set to 12M. The "Video resolution" and "Picture resolution" menu items are model-dependent. Please refer to the package printing for detailed specifications.

Menu items in My Works mode

Power-on → Press the Mode button → Enter My Works mode → Press the Shutter button.

Item Option	Description
Delete One Yes/No Delete current file.
Delete All Yes/No Delete all files of the same type stored in the memory.
Lock On/Off Enable/Disable protection of the selected file.
* Repeat all - Start picture slideshow. / Repeat playing all video clips.
** Background Music	On/Off Enable/Disable playing MP3 music while viewing pictures.
** Set Start-up Picture	-	Use the selected picture as the start-up screen (when the camcorder is powered on).
*** Repeat Off/Single/All Enable/Disable repeat play of current file/all files.

* For videos and pictures. ** For pictures only. *** For voice files only.

Menu items in Setting mode (1)

Power-on → Press the Mode button → Enter Setting mode.

Item	Option	Description
Clock	-	Set date and time.
Date Stamp	On/Off	Enable this feature to print a date mark on each picture.
Language -	Lets you select the language used for OSD.
Beep	On/Off	Enable beep sound on/off.
Start Movie	Off	Toggle start screen off.
	On	Use the default start screen.
	* Custom	Use a custom picture as the start screen. This item does not show up until you have set up the start-up picture.
Icon	On/Off	Enable/disable OSD icons to display on the screen.
LCD Brightness	0 ~ 4	Set LCD brightness. A greater value makes the LCD brighter; while a smaller value makes the LCD dimmer.

Menu items in Setting mode (2)

Item Option Description
TV System	NTSC	Set TV system compatibility to NTSC. This option is suitable for America, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea areas.
	PAL	Set TV system compatibility to PAL. This option is suitable for Germany, England, Italy, Netherlands, China, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Flicker 50Hz/60Hz		Set flicker frequency to 50Hz or 60Hz. For more information, please refer to the “Flicker Settings” table.
Auto Off	Off1min/3min/5min	Set how long the camcorder will automatically shut down when staying inactive. Setting to [Off] will make the camcorder stay powered on until it runs out of power.
USB Mode	Menu	When connected to a PC, the camcorder displays a menu for you to choose a desired connection mode.
	PC Cam	When connected to a PC, the camcorder automatically enters Camera (PC camera) mode.
	Disk	When connected to a PC, the camcorder automatically enters Disk (removable disk) mode.
	Printer	When connected to a PC, the camcorder automatically enters printer connection mode.
Format Yes/No		Format the storage medium. Note that all files stored in the medium will be gone.
Reset Default Yes/No		Restore factory defaults. Note that your current settings will be overridden.

! Flicker Settings

Area England	Germany	France Italy	Spain Russia
Setting	50Hz	50Hz	50Hz	50Hz	50Hz	50Hz
Area	Portugal	America	Taiwan	China	Japan	Korea
Setting	50Hz	60Hz	60Hz	50Hz	50/60Hz	60Hz

Note: The flicker setting is based on the frequency standard of your local power supply.

Advanced Instructions

Digital Camcorder

English

Connecting to PC

Connecting the camcorder to your PC

1. Turn on the camcorder.
2. Connect the USB cable to your computer.

Turn on your computer, and then connect the accessory USB cable to the USB port of your computer. Make sure the cable and the port are correctly aligned.

1. Connect the USB cable to your camcorder.

Connect the other end of the USB cable to your camcorder.

The default is set to "Disk" mode. If you would like to set other modes as default, please refer to the "USB Mode" section for more information.

! USB mode:

Power-on → Press the Mode button → Enter Setting mode.

USB Mode	Menu	The camcorder displays a menu.
	PC Cam	The camcorder automatically enters PC camera mode.
	Disk	The camcorder automatically enters Disk (removable disk) mode.
	Printer The	The camcorder automatically enters printer connection mode.

Notice for Windows XP/Vista users:

If you want to disconnect the camcorder from your computer, please follow these steps:

1. Double-click the USB connection icon in the system tray.
2. Click on the USB Disk item, and then click Stop.
3. Select the camcorder when the confirmation screen appears and click OK.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to safely disconnect the camcorder from your computer.

File location

After connecting the camcorder to your computer, a removable disk will appear in your computer. The removable disk actually represents the storage medium of your camcorder. In the disk you can find all of your recordings. Refer to the figure below to see where the files are stored.

Using PC Camera

Installing the software

The PC camera driver is included in the accessory CD, and therefore you should install the driver before using the PC camera function.

Starting the application

1. Connect the camcorder to your computer.

Turn on your computer, and then connect the accessory USB cable to the USB port of your computer. Make sure the connector and the port are correctly aligned.

2. Switch to the Camera mode.

Connect the other end of the USB cable to your camcorder. Power on the camcorder, and the following items will appear on the screen:

Select [PC Cam] and press the OK button to confirm.

3. Launch PC camera program.

After the camcorder is correctly connected to and detected by your PC, you are ready to launch your own favorite software (e.g., MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, etc.) to use the PC camera function.

Appendix

Troubleshooting

When using the camcorder:
Problem Cause Solution
The camcorder can not be powered on normally.	The battery is out of power. Replace the battery.
	The battery is incorrectly installed.	Re-install the battery.
Can not take pictures or video clips when pressing the Shutter or Record button.	Out of memory.	Free some space from the SD/MMC card or the internal memory.
	The camcorder is recharging the flash strobe.	Wait until the flash strobe is fully charged.
	Using a “protected” SD card.	Set the SD card to be writable.
The LCD screen displays “MEMORY ERROR” or “CARD ERROR” message. Or the camcorder cannot read the memory card.	The format of the memory card is not compatible with the camcorder.	Use the camcorder “Format” function to format the card.
	The memory card is corrupted.	Replace the memory card with a new one.
I did not delete the pictures and video clips, but can not find them in the memory card.	The lost recordings are saved in the internal memory.	It happens when you insert a memory card after taking a few pictures or video clips. You can access those files after removing the memory card.

Appendix

When using the camcorder:
Problem Cause Solution
Cannot use the flash strobe.	If the battery icon indicates low battery, the flash strobe may be disabled due to insufficient voltage.	Replace the battery.
The camcorder does not respond to any action during operation.	The camcorder encounters software failure.	Remove the battery pack and replace it into the compartment. Then power on the camcorder.
The recorded pictures appear too blurred.	The focus is not correctly set.	Adjust the focus to an appropriate position.
The recorded pictures or video clips appear too dark.	The environment of shooting or recording does not have adequate light.	Use flash strobe when taking pictures. Add extra light sources when recording video clips.
Noises occur when viewing images on the LCD screen or on the computer.	The flicker setting does not match the standard of the country you are staying.	Adjust the flicker setting. For more information, please refer to the “Flicker Settings” table.
I want to restart the serial number of the file name (PICTxxxx).	The counting of the serial number is handled by the camcorder firmware.	Use the camcorder “Format” function to format the card.
I convert a media file and name it as PICTxxxx.* (xxxx indicates number). Then I copy the file to the camcorder but cannot find it on the camcorder.	There is another file with duplicate serial number (e.g. PICT0001.MP4 and PICT0001.JPG), or the file type is not supported.	Give the file a distinctive serial number and make sure the file type is supported by the camcorder.

Appendix

When connecting the camcorder to the computer or TV:
Problem Cause Solution
I cannot view the video clips on my computer.	Driver or software is not installed on the computer.	Install Direct X 9.0c or above and Windows Media 9.0 Codecs to solve this problem. Install the software and driver in the bundled CD, or go to http://www.microsoft.com to download the required files.
Driver installation failed.	The installation is terminated abnormally.	Remove the driver and other related programs. Follow the installation steps in the manual to re-install the driver.
	The camcorder has been connected to the PC via the USB cable before installing the driver.	Install the driver before plugging in the USB cable.
The TV screen does not display after connecting the camcorder to the TV.	The camcorder is not correctly connected to the TV.	Reconnect the camcorder to TV correctly.
A conflict with other installed camcorder or capture device occurred.	The device is not compatible with the camcorder.	If you have any other camcorder or capture device installed in your computer, please completely remove the camcorder and its driver from the computer to avoid the conflict.
Noises occur on my computer screen when using Video Conferencing.	The flicker setting does not match the standard of the country you are staying.	Adjust the flicker setting. For more information, please refer to the “Flicker Settings” table.

Appendix

Battery Life

Still picture Video clip
Number of shots Recording time (minute)
240 100
* shoot every 30 seconds** flash is on*** resolution is set to 5M	* resolution is set to VGA (640x480 pixels)

Note: This table is for your reference only. The actual battery life depends on your battery type and recharge level.

Storage Capacity

* Please refer to the package printing for the specification of your model.

Memory	Video (min.) Audio (min.)
	HD DVD VGA QV	GA Maximum
SD/MMC card (512MB) 9 12 28 102	340
SD/MMC card (1GB) 18 25 55 200	666
SD/MMC card (2GB) 36 50 110	400	1332

Memory	Still picture
	3M	5M 12M
SD/MMC card (512MB)	640 426	176
SD/MMC card (1GB)	1250	833 344
SD/MMC card (2GB)	2500	1666	688

Note: The actual value of capacity may vary (up to ±30%) depending on the color saturation and complexity of your subject and surroundings.

The contents in this manual are subject to change without prior notification.

Appendix

System Requirements

Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Vista

512MB of system memory, 1GB is recommended

Nvidia GeForce 7600 / ATI X1600 or above with 256MB of RAM

2.8 GHz Pentium 4 or faster processor

HDCP compliant display devices

CD-ROM SPEED: 4X or above

Other: USB connector