How are pictures stored in memory cards of Canon camcorders?

Canon Digital Camcorders use a standard computer file structure system technically known as FAT (file allocation table) for storing pictures into memory cards such as MultiMediaCard (MMC) or Secure Digital Cards (SD).

Some Windows Operating Systems allow the formatting of memory cards in the FAT system as well as other file systems such as FAT32 and NTFS. MMC and SD cards formatted in other file systems such as FAT32 or NTFS will not be recognized by digital camcorders.

MMC/SD File System Compatibility

Although memory cards formatted in FAT by some Operating Systems are compatible with Digital Camcorders, you may experience a longer access time when reading and writing to the card. Canon recommends the formatting of memory cards on the digital camcorder for optimum card performance and compatibility with personal computers.

For Windows XP® Home Edition / Professional Users

Image Display Error

Symptoms
1. When image is rotated 90 degrees or 270 degrees
Full screen -- no picture
Index mode -- no picture
When image is rotated 180 degrees or 360 degrees
Full screen -- OK
Index mode -- no picture

2. When image properties summary is selected
Full screen -- OK
Index mode -- no picture

Explanation
Images recorded on an MMC or SD card in a Canon Digital Camcorder may be viewed using the camcorder one at a time or, using the index mode, several thumbnail images may be viewed on screen together. The thumbnail image and other information are located in the hidden data section of each image.

Windows XP (Home and Professional Edition) can alter the data section of these images without any warning to the user. Once this data section has been altered, it will not be possible to view images when the memory card is re-inserted into the camcorder.

There are 2 actions that will change image data using Windows XP.
Caution: These actions are irreversible.
1. Image is rotated (CW or CCW) using the menu or rotate button.
2. Image "properties" is selected, the "summary" tab is clicked, and either "OK" or "Apply" button is clicked.
If you perform either action, the images will no longer be displayed in the camcorder even though you will see them on your computer's screen.

Memory Card (MMC/SD) Formatting Error

When a Memory card with a capacity of greater than 32MB is formatted in Windows XP, "FAT32" will be selected as the default file system setting.

Canon digital camcorders do not support the "FAT32" format.

If you then use the "FAT32"-formatted Memory card in a Canon digital video camcorder, the following error message will appear on the camcorder's LCD screen and you will be unable to shoot any pictures.

(CARD ERROR)

When you format the Memory Card by computer, format it again using the Canon digital video camcorder.

If you have any questions, inquiries, etc., contact Canon at 1-800-828-4040.

Format:
To enable an operating system to access storage media, the storage media has to be formatted. This format can differ for different operating systems. A format is basically a division of the storage media into areas that are recognizable to the operating system. This format then enables the operating system to write and read data to and from it.

FAT32:
FAT stands for File Allocation Table, and 32 for 32bit. The File allocation table is an area on storage media that contains such information as the location of files, their names, size, etc. The initial file allocation table was called FAT16 and commonly referred to as FAT. This was a 16bit table, which had an access limitation of 2GB. FAT32 was introduced to circumvent this limit with Windows 95 and allows access to storage media up to several Terabytes.