Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting for the RCA EZ201 Camcorder

Troubleshooting the RCA EZ201 Camcorder

Problem:

Solution:

Why can't I hear sound during the playback of videos on my EZ201?

1. Find the volume keys on the player.
2. Turn the volume all the way up.
3. You should see a speaker on the playback screen with a volume bar that moves up and down.
4. If this doesn't work, play the video on a PC to see if there is any sound.
5. Replace the player if the video has no sound from either test.

Why do my videos, captured with the EZ201, playback unclear or "blotchy" on the PC, or with sound only?

It’s possible that an incompatible MPEG4 decoder (i.e., DivX) has been previously installed on the PC and is being invoked as the default decoder.

To remedy this situation:

1. Turn off Support for Generic MPEG4 on DivX decoder by accessing the DivX Decoder Configuration Utility.
2. Go to: START ALL PROGRAMS DivX > DivX Codec > Decoder Configuration Utility

Why isn't anything happening when I plug my EZ201 into a PC?

When you plug the USB arm into an available USB slot on your computer, it should launch the standard autorun window.

If it doesn't, unplug the camcorder and plug it back in making sure the connection is firmly in place.

If making the connection again doesn't automatically launch the autorun window, unplug the camcorder, restart your computer, and then after startup is complete, reconnect your camcorder. At this point, if the autorun window still doesn't appear, you may also try navigating directly to the camcorder.

1. Go to Start > My Computer and look for the drive called “EZ201.”
2. Double-click this drive icon to open your camcorder.
3. Then click “RCAMemoryMgr.exe” to launch the Memory Manager software.

Should none of these steps work please contact customer service on the ASK A QUESTION tab above

Why isn't my EZ201 allowing me to record any more videos?

• First, check to make sure you have some available memory left. Make sure that you haven't loaded any non-video files onto the camcorder’s flash memory.
• Also, the camcorder has a limit of 98 video recordings on the internal flash memory or the optional memory card. If you reach this maximum file limit and try to record another video, the LCD screen will present the message, “Camcorder Full – Maximum Video Limit Reached.” To continue recording when this limit is reached you will have to either:
• • Save the videos to your PC using Memory Manager’s “Save All” function.
  • Insert a memory card and copy the camcorder’s contents onto it.
  • Insert a memory card and record directly to it.

Why does the EZ201 camcorder display "Memory Empty" even though the remaining time shows there is still space on the camcorder?

If you've loaded any incompatible files (i.e., documents, photos, music, etc.) onto your camcorder using standard Windows Explorer, they will use up available recording capacity, but may not be able to be played. To fix this possible situation, please remove these added files from the camcorder through Windows Explorer.

• DO NOT remove the “ DCIM ” folder. This is where your video files are stored. If you delete this folder you will not be able to recover any lost videos.
• DO NOT remove the “system” folder, “autorun.inf”, “ReadMe.txt”, or “RCAMemoryMgr.exe” files.

What is Box.net?

Box.net is a online storage service that RCA has partnered with to allow for EZ uploading and sharing of your memorable moments recorded with your Small Wonder camcorder. Your RCA Box account offers 1 of free online storage and a maximum upload size of 35 MB per file. You can learn more about your FREE Box account at http://www.box.net.

What do I do if I have forgotten my Box.net login information?

Your account username is the email address that you originally provided during Box.net^TM registration. If you need any additional assistance recalling the registered email address that you used, please contact Box.net^TM directly. To reset a password, go to http://www.box.net/reset.

How long will my Box account be available?

Your enhanced RCA Box account will be available for 9 months from the date of activation. During this time you will enjoy larger individual uploads and less restrictions as an RCA Small Wonder camcorder owner. After the 9 month period, you will then have the choice of switching to Box.net standard free account or upgrading to a premium account. (See www.box.net for actual terms of service, conditions, and offerings.)

Why are my friends, family members and colleagues not receiving the automatic notifications when I share video using Box.net?

The shared video notification email is automatically created using html formatting, which may be blocked by certain spam filters. Have the recipients look in their default spam folder for the notification emails and check their email provider’s policies for spam filter adjustment.

Why am I unable to share my videos?

• First, make sure your computer is connected to the Internet and your camcorder is properly connected to a PC USB port.
• A router, firewall, or corporate proxy server may prevent a successful outbound connection needed for sharing. Please see the computer and router's help documentation for further assistance or contact your system administrator.

Why am I able to record longer than the display shows on the EZ201?

The Small Wonder uses a variable bit rate recording method. The less complex the subject being recorded (i.e. less movement, less colors, less light) the less memory it takes to digitally represent it. (The recording time noted on printed materials is based on “average” recording conditions.)

Why can't I see my SD card as a video source while using the Memory Manager software even though it is inserted into my EZ201?

Be aware that you cannot access both the internal memory and the SD card simultaneously.

Memory cards inserted into the camcorder are not available as a Video Source or separate drive letter on the PC, therefore to access videos on a memory card please follow these steps:

1. Insert the memory card into the card slot on the side of the camcorder and then connect the camcorder to the PC using the retractable USB connector.
2. Launch the RCA Memory Manager software.
3. Press and hold the red record button on the camcorder until a small SD card icon appears on the camcorder’s view screen. The Memory Manager software will now recognize the inserted memory card as the main video storage volume to access.

Why can't I properly operate my EZ201 using Windows XP SP1?

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is the name of a critical update for Windows XP. SP2 contains several major security fixes and as a result, the Small Wonder was designed to make full use of these much needed security changes. To obtain more information about Windows XP SP2 (or to download it) please click here - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2.

Why did my EZ201 stop recording even though I had free space on my SD card?

The Small Wonder cannot automatically switch to the SD card during recording. However, there are two ways to expand your record time with an SD card:

1. When the internal memory is full, pressing the Record button will start recording to the SD card.
2. Power on the Small Wonder and then insert an SD card. You will be asked if you want to copy the video clips stored on the Small Wonder internal memory to the SD card.
3. If you choose to copy the video clips to the SD card by pressing UP you will be asked if you want to delete the videos from the Small Wonders internal memory once copying is complete.
4. Deleting the videos by pressing and holding delete will remove all videos from the Small Wonders internal memory and thus free up more space for you to record on.

Under the "Edit videos" tab in the Memory Manager Software, how many videos am I able to combine on "The Stage"?

• Currently, you may combine up to six video clips on “The Stage”. This limit may increase in future Memory Manager releases.

Why am I getting an error message when I try to update my EZ201 RCA Memory Manager software?

• If you are experiencing issues running the updater provided in the Memory Manager software, click here to directly download the latest version of Memory Manager.

How can I view WMV files that were created by the EZ201 Small Wonder's Memory Manager Application on a Mac OS X™?

Though the Small Wonder Memory Manager application is not compatible with Mac OS X™, it may still be possible to access and play videos that were converted by the Small Wonder’s Memory Manager Application when using OS X™. One approach is to use the Flip4Mac™ which can be downloaded from http://www.telestream.net. After you have successfully completed the installation, you will be able to play back the converted videos using QuickTime.

How do I play videos recorded with the RCA EZ201 Small Wonder on Mac OS X™?

Though the Small Wonder Memory Manager application is not compatible with Mac OS X™, it may still be possible to access and play videos stored on the EZ201 when using OS X™. One approach is to use the DivX™ for Mac™ package which can be downloaded from http://www.divx.com. After you have successfully completed the installation, you could use the free DivX™ Player to play back your videos. Another approach is to use Perian which can be downloaded from http://perian.org. Perian adds native support for many video formats so you will be able to play your Small Wonder videos in QuickTime™. Videos are located in the DCIM\100VIDEO folder on the EZ201.

Why does the EZ201 Memory Manager software convert the video format when I share?

When sharing via email or Box.net™, the video files are automatically converted into the Windows Media Video™ (.wmv) format. As a result, the converted videos are smaller in size, allowing you to share longer memorable moments.

Where are my video files stored when I save them to the computer using the EZ201 RCA Memory Manager Software?

• Video files saved through the View Tab are stored at:
  “My Documents/My Videos/RCA Small Wonder/ Saved Videos/Category”
  (Category refers to the category that you assign to the video in the Video Details screen.)
• Edited Videos are saved to:
  “My Documents/My Videos/RCA Small Wonder/Edited Videos.”
• EZ Grab images are saved to:
  “My Documents/My Pictures/RCA Small Wonder/EZ Grab Images”

For your convenience, the RCA Memory Manager software will also place a RCA Small Wonder shortcut on the computer’s desktop.

Can I email or upload the original, uncompressed .AVI video file using the EZ201 RCA Memory Manager Software?

No, you cannot currently email or upload the original .AVI video file using Memory Manager. If you wish to share the original files, simply save them to your computer and either attach them to an email (from your preferred email program) or login directly to www.box.net™ and upload them to your enhanced RCA Box account.

How long should it take to convert videos with the EZ201 RCA Memory Manager application when sharing videos via email, uploading to Box.net™ or editing clips?

Conversion time varies with each PC and is heavily dependent on the amount of available RAM. Generally, the faster the PC is the quicker conversion will take place. Please be patient when converting longer videos. When tested on a PC running Windows XP SP2™ with a 1.7 GHz Pentium 4 and 512 MB RAM the following results were obtained:

Recorded time (min)	LP conversion time (min)	HQ conversion time (min)
1	3	4
5	16	21
10	32	42
15	48	63
20	64	84
25	80	105
30	96	126

Why do I get a “Windows - No Disk” error message when trying to access my EZ201 using the RCA Memory Manager program on a PC with Windows Vista™?

A known Microsoft Vista™ operating system issue was detected and several reliability updates were released by Microsoft to resolve this issue.

Using Microsoft’s Updater:

1. From the Start Menu, Type “Windows Update” and press Enter.
2. Select View available updates link.
3. Select all of the available “Update for Microsoft Windows (…)” options by placing a checkmark next to them.
4. Select the Install button.

Please visit Microsoft’s website at www.microsoft.com if you have any additional questions or concerns about downloading and installing updates.

After the updates have been downloaded, installed and configured, please attempt to access your EZ201 using the RCA Memory Manager program.

What video resolutions does my EZ201 use?

Your camcorder records in two resolutions and. The Memory Manger software can also convert your videos into Windows Media Video^TM (.wmv) format for greater compatibility and ease of sharing. (See the table below for more details.)

	LP	HQ	E-mail	Upload
Resolution	448 x 336	640 x 480	240 x 180	320 x 240
Frames / second	30	30	30	24
Video codec	MPEG 4ASP	MPEG 4ASP	WMV-V9	WMV-V9
Audio codec	MPEG 1-L2	MPEG 1-L2	WMA-V9.1	WMA-V9.1
Video bit rate	1.4 MBPS	2.5	250 KBPS	250 KBPS
Average file size per minute	11 MB	20 MB	2.1 MB	2.1 MB

Is the EZ201 compatible with Windows Vista™?

Yes, your EZ201 RCA Small Wonder is compatible with Windows Vista™.

I get an error when I try to upgrade my camcorder firmware that says, "Corrupt firmware installer file!" What should I do?

This error can occur if you have an SD card installed in your camcorder, but the SD card is locked. Before proceeding with camcorder firmware updates, please ensure that the camcorder is connected and that your memory card is installed. NOTE: Memory card write protection should be off please make sure you have unlocked your memory card

Where can I find a Download of the Memory Manager software for the EZ201?

 Memory Manager Software

I deleted my Memory Manager Software for my EZ201 what can I do?

Reinstall the software - download it here