Sales Information M-5 FAQ Sales Information Rev B March 1,2004 PLUS Vision Corporation Board Division FAQ for the M-5 INDEX 1. General question (1) How small is the M-5? What is the size and weight compared with the conventional model? (2) Can an end-user set it up by oneself? (3) Can I send the M-5 using a parcel service? (4) Does PLUS have a stand for the M-5? (5) What are the minimum requirements with the PC system to use the M-5? (6) Do I need to prepare anything to use the M-5? (7) What is the maximum length of the USB cable? (8) Do I need to install programs that are contained in the CD-ROM disc? 2. Print-out function (1) Does the M-5 have a printer function with it? (2) How can I print out the image drawn on the M-5? (3) Can I connect a USB printer directly to the M-5? (4) Do I need to use any compatible printer? 3. Memory function (1) What is the difference between the built-in memory and a CF card? (2) How can I save the copy into the memory? (3) What is happened if there is any problem with the memory? (4) What can I do if there is no data space in the built-in memory? (5) What can I do if there is no data space in a CF card? (6) How can I transfer the data inside of the memory to my PC system? (7) How many copies can I save in the built-in memory? 4. Software related question (1) What file format is used for the M-5? (2) What folder & file names are used? (3) Which software supports TIFF format? (4) What is PLUS Image Viewer? (5) What is M-5 Setup Utility? (6) Windows 2000 particular technical issues 5. M-5 installation (1) Choice of the configuration (2) Mounting position 6. Maintenance (1) What is CCFL? 7. Competitive products in the market (1) Which is better, Mimio Xi and the M-5? (2) Is there any personal copyboard other than Mimio Xi? PLUS Vision Board Division Sales Information M-5 FAQ 1. General Questions (1) How small is the M-5? What is the size and weight compared with the conventional model? The size and weight of the M-5 is approximately half (50%) of the M-10S. It is the perfect blend between compact size and weight while offering the user a fully functional and usable writing surface. The combination of smaller size and lighter weight of the M-5 allows it to fit in locations where the conventional models cannot. This greatly expands the selling opportunities. Dimensions The dimensions of the M-5 is 708mm(H) x 1175(L), and the panel size is 0.83 square meter. In case of the M-10S, the dimensions is 1060mm(H) x 1470mm, and the size is 1.56 square meter. The panel size of the M-5 is over half (53.2%) of that of the M-10S. Weights The weight of the M-5 is 12.5kg while that of the M-10S is 26.0kg (excluding the stand and the printer). It means the weight of the M-5 is less than half (48.1%) of that of the M-10S. (2) Can an end-user set it up by oneself? Because no special technique is required to set up the M-5, it is possible for a user to set it up by oneself. As with any installation, it is important to advise the customer to insure that the mounting surface and attachment mechanism is strong enough to support the 12.5kg weight of the M-5. Good installation will prevent possible damage to the copyboard and prevent injury. (3) Can I send the M-5 using a parcel service? Yes, you can. The dimensions of the M-5 packaging is 815(W) x 1270(L) x 190(H). This is small enough to be shipped by most parcel service companies. For example: FedEx(Ground) 108" length 130" in combined length plus girth UPS(Ground) Oversize 2 (OS2) The combined length and girth exceeds 108 in. (270 cm.) The actual weight is less than 70 lbs. (31.5 kgs.) (4) Does PLUS have a stand for the M-5? Yes, the dedicated stand kit is available as an optional accessory. The stand has casters so that you can move it easily. (5) What are the minimum requirements with my PC system to use the M-5? O/S Windows98SE, Me, 2000 or XP(Home edition and Professional edition) Hardware CPU: HDD Interface connector: Display: (The M-5 is not compatible with older operating systems such as Windows95, 98(non 98SE) and NT. Also, the M-5 is designed to be used only with Windows PC systems.) enough speed for the O/S you are using (dependent on O/S) 32MB of free data space is required. USB (USB 1.1 or USB 2.0) 800 x 600 pixel or more PLUS Vision Board Division Sales Information M-5 FAQ (6) Do I need to prepare anything to use the M-5? The M-5 is ready-to-use and comes complete with all the necessary standard accessories; therefore, you will not need to prepare anything special. a. Two markers (a black one and a red one) b. Eraser c. AC adapter (Universal type(100V-240V) with a 3m AC power cable) d. USB cable(3m) e. CD-ROM disc(Window98SE driver, Plus Image Viewer, M-5 Setup Utility, etc.) f. Wall-mount adapter g. User manual (Simplified edition in 6 languages) (7) What is the maximum length of the USB cable? A USB cable up to 5m can be used. (The USB cable included is 3 meters.) A longer USB cable and/or including a USB hub may cause problems with signal integrity. (8) Do I need to install programs that are contained in the CD-ROM disc? If your PC system has Windows Me, 2000 or XP, you can use the M-5 without installing a driver software. For Windows 98SE users, the CD-ROM includes the necessary driver. Other programs are utility software to make the M-5 operation much more conveniently and easily. a. Windows98SE driver Windows98SE does not support fully USB devices. Therefore, install the driver before you connect the M-5 to your PC. b. PLUS Image Viewer This free utility software gives you much easier and convenient operation of the M-5. For further details, please refer 4-(4) "What is PLUS Image Viewer". c. M-5 Setup Utility It is useful software that allows the user to easily customize the M-5 to his (or her) environment. For further details, please refer 4-(5) "M-5 Setup Utility". d. Electronic User Manual The user manual is provided in PDF format. If your PC system does not have the Acrobat Reader to open the file, please install the software which is contained in the same CD-ROM disc. f. Acrobat Reader To read the Electronic User Manual, Acrobat Reader Ver.6 is contained. PLUS Vision Board Division Sales Information M-5 FAQ 2. Printing function (1) Does the M-5 have a printer function with it? No, the M-5 does not have a printer mechanism with it. But you can print out the images drawn on the M-5 by either connecting it directly to a PC or using a CF card. Keep it mind, the M-5 personal sized copyboard will be very popular in smaller offices and cubicles. These spaces seem already have nearby access to a PC and printer. The M-5 does not require a separate printer and therefore it saves precious space. (2) How do I print out the images drawn on the M-5? Use the nearby PC system and printer which is connected to it. a. Connecting a USB cable between the M-5 and a PC system First power on the PC. When you connect the M-5 to your PC system using the dedicated USB cable, the copyboard is recognized automatically by the PC system. Then, when you push the MEMORY button, the scanning operation starts for a one-sheet portion. The information drawn on the copyboard surface is saved into the M-5 built-in memory as digital data. (Note: If a CF card is inserted into the card slot, the file is saved in the CF card. If no CF card is inserted, the file is saved into the built-in memory.) The file can be opened using a PC system. If dedicated PLUS Image Viewer is already installed and run in a PC system, the file will be shown automatically and you can print it directly from the program. If it is not installed, you can open it using an imaging software which is included in Windows. The file can then be printed using the command from either the software. When printing from these applications, the user may need to adjust the print scale. The PLUS Image Viewer software supplied free-of-charge will automatically adjust the print scale. b. Using a CF card (in case there is no PC system beside the M-5) When a CF card is inserted into the card slot and the MEMORY button is pushed, the files are saved into the CF card. The CF card can be taken, sent or stored anywhere you wish. To open the file with your PC, connect a CF card reader & writer to the PC and insert the card. The card is recognized as a removable device in My Computer. Following procedures are same as that of cable connection mentioned above. (3) Can I connect a USB printer directly to the M-5? No. The printer does not work if you connect it directly to the USB connector of the M-5. Please connect it to a PC system, and connect the system to the M-5 respectively. (4) Do I need to use any compatible printer? No you don't need to worry about the compatibility. If you have a printer that works with a certain PC system correctly, you can use it with the PC system. PLUS Vision Board Division Sales Information M-5 FAQ 3. Memory function (1) What is the difference between the built-in memory and a CF card? a. Built-in memory It is the easiest and the simplest solution. The data capacity of the built-in memory is 1.8MB, and you can save approx. 15-20 copies in it. (The number of copy is dependent on the drawings on the copyboard.) b. CF card memory The CompactFlash card (CF card) is one of the most popular memory devices used as the storage solution for digital cameras and PC related products. This gives the customers as much storage as they need using an inexpensive and easily available technology. When you insert a CF card into the card slot of the M-5, the target memory device is switched from the built-in memory to a CF card automatically. Because it is a removable solution, there are two big advantages. Data capacity You can choose and expand the data capacity (memory size) CF cards are available in capacities from 16MB to 1GB. (16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB) These cards are easily available and low cost. Data security You can keep important information in secure place separately from the M-5. (2) How can I save the copy into the memory? Just push the MEMORY button. The scanning operation starts for a one-sheet portion, and then the drawings on it are saved into the memory as a digital file. (In the case a CF card is inserted into the card slot, the file is saved in a CF card. If no CF card is inserted into the slot, the file is saved into the built-in memory.) During the transaction, the LED near the MEMORY button is blinking. Do not remove a CF card when the LED is blinking. (3) What is happened if there is any problem with the memory? The M-5 will tell the user if there is a problem with the memory such as no data space or incorrect insertion of a CF card. In this case, the LED blinks quickly and shows the error. (4) What can I do if there is no data space in the built-in memory? There are two methods to clear the data that is no longer needed in the M-5 built-in memory. You can erase the files by pushing CLEAR button for more 3 seconds, and then you can save a new image file. (This operation erases all data. Using this method, you cannot erase the data for one selected image.) In addition to it, you can erase data inside the built-in memory from your PC system that is connected to the copyboard using an USB cable. On My Computer, you can erase all files at once or one by one. (5) What can I do if there is no data space in a CF card? You can erase data inside a CF card from your PC system that is connected to the copyboard using an USB cable. At first, insert the CF card into the card slot, and then you can erase the unnecessary file(s) using My Computer. In the same way, you can erase files using a CF card reader & writer. PLUS Vision Board Division Sales Information M-5 FAQ (6) How can I transfer the data inside of the memory to my PC system? a. Using an USB cable When you connect your PC system and the M-5 using a USB cable, two new removable disk icons appear on My Computer. One with the younger drive letter (for example Removal Disk E) represents the built-in memory and another (for example Removal Disk F) represents the CF card slot of the M-5. Double click the drive icon for the M-5 built-in memory or the CF card slot to show the PVM folder. The image files are stores in the folder. You can transfer the target file from the M-5 to your PC by drag & drop. b. How can I transfer the data inside of a CF card to my PC system? At first, you need to connect a CF card reader & writer or a PCMCIA-CF card adapter to your PC system. When you insert a CF card into the reader & writer or an adapter, the card is shown as a removable disk on My Computer. Double click the icon to show the PVM folder. You can find the target file in the folder, and transfer it from the CF card to your PC by drag & drop. (7) How many copies can I save in the built-in memory? The typical file size for one copy is approx.100kB. Because the data capacity of the built-in memory is 1.8MB, you can save approx 15-20 copies in it. In case you use ...