How-To Guides:
Digital Moviemaking with iMovie
Part 2: Capturing Video

2. Capturing video on a digital camcorder

First, insert a charged battery into the camcorder:

Make sure the silver metal contact points are the bottom before inserting it. Push it down till it clicks in place.

If you need to eject the battery to charge it, press the eject battery button on the lower left side of the viewfinder:

Second, install your blank tape:

For the Canon camcorder, press the OPEN button on the left right side:

This will let you flip out the outer tape cover. Next, press the green EJECT button:

This will start the camera tape motor running (so a battery must be inserted or the unit must be plugged in) and the tape will move out of the unit. You can then pull out the tape:

CAREFULLY push the tape carrier back into the camera until it snaps into place:

Again the motor should start and seat the tape case back in the camera.

Finally, close the outer tape cover.

You are now ready to shoot your movie!

When you are ready to begin filming, turn the camera on by switching the main power selector to CAMERA:

The camera should come on in a PAUSED state.

Press the RED THUMB BUTTON to start and stop recording:

Turn the camera off by switching the main power selector from CAMERA to OFF.