User manual VIVITAR VIVICAM 35

Vivicam 35 User Manual English 040208tp Contents 1. Introduction 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. 1.5. 2. 3. Overview Warnings and Precautions Package Contents System Requirements Vivicam 35 Features 1 1 1 4 4 5 6 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 14 Installing the Batteries Installing the Software 3.1. 3.2. Twain Driver for Windows-based PCs ArcSoft Suite 3.2.1. PhotoImpression 3.2.2. VideoImpression 3.3. 3.4. NetGUI In-A-Flash Photo User Manual Power On the Camera Capture an Image Camera Status Icons Power-Off the Camera Flash Charging 4. Capturing Images 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Self-Timer AVI Capture Continuous Capture Deleting Images 15 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 22 23 23 24 24 25 4.10 Image Resolution 4.11 High/Low Image Compression 4.12 Lighting Frequency 4.13 Using the Flash ­ Automatic, or On/fill 5. 4.14 Techniques for Capturing the Best Images Downloading Images to Your PC 5.1. 5.2 6. 6.1. 6.2. 6.3. 6.4. Transfer Images to your PC Transferring Images to the application software Using the ViviCam 35 in Video Mode Using the ViviCam 35 with PCCam Using the ViviCam 35 with NetMeeting Using the ViviCam 35 with Movie Maker (Windows XP) PC/Web Camera Video Function 7. Specifications 26 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Overview Thank you for purchasing the Vivicam 35 digital camera. It can capture digital images, short video-clips (continuous shooting mode), and it can also serve as a PC/Web camera. The V35 is equipped with 8 MB of memory to store your images and movie clips. You may download your images and movie clips to your computer using the USB cable and included software. 1.2 Warnings and Precautions 1.2.1 FCC 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. Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the -1- 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 harmful interference to radio or television 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: 1. 2. 3. 4. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help Use of shielded cable is required to comply with Class B limits in Subpart B of Part 15 of the FCC rules. Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment unless otherwise specified in the manual. If such changes or modifications should be made, you could be required to stop operation of the equipment. 1.2.2 GENERAL WARNINGS ­ Do not use batteries other than those specified for use with the camera. The use of unsuitable batteries may result in the batteries splitting or leaking and causing a fire, injury, or soiling of the battery compartment. -2- When placing batteries in the camera, check the polarity of the batteries (- and +) to ensure proper orientation. Incorrect polarity may result in the batteries splitting or leaking and causing a fire, injury, or soiling of the battery compartment. Remove the batteries if the camera will not be used for an extended period of time. The batteries may leak and cause a fire, injury or soiling of the battery compartment. If the batteries leak clean and wipe the battery compartment carefully and install new batteries. Wash your hands carefully if you touch the battery fluid. Please note that when you remove the batteries your images will be lost from the camera memory. WARNING: Handling the USB cable on this product may expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash your hands after handling. 1.2.3 TRADEMARK INFORMATION Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Pentium® is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Other names and products may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owner. -3- 1.3 Package Contents The Vivicam 35 package typically includes: 1. Camera 2. USB cable 3. CD ROM with Twain Driver and Application Software 4. User Manual 5. Three (3) AAA batteries 6. Hand strap Note: Included components may vary, as specified by local retailers and locations. Check with your retailer for specifics. 1.4 System Requirements You must use a computer to download the images from your Vivicam 35. The computer that you use must meet the following minimum requirements: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Windows Me/2000/XP Direct X 8.0, or higher 128 MB RAM 60 MB hard disk space available Available USB port CD-ROM drive -4- 1.5 Vivicam 35 Features Front Side: Back Side: -5- 2.0 Installing the Batteries Step 1: Open the battery door by lifting the tab on the door. Step 2: Insert three AAA batteries with the polarity as shown: Step 3: Close the battery cover. Warning: Do not open the battery door when the camera is powered ON. This will cause all images in memory to be lost immediately. If you open the battery door when the camera is OFF (when changing the batteries) you must close the door within thirty (30) seconds or your images will be erased from memory. Notes: 1. Always download your images to your computer soon after you have captured them. Never assume your images will be retained for more than three or four days. If the batteries are depleted, your images will be lost. If you must change the batteries, makes sure the camera is OFF -6- 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. and then change the batteries in less than thirty (30) seconds. If you will not use the camera for a long time (several days, or more) remove the batteries. The batteries will discharge slowly if left in the camera. This may cause complete battery discharge as well as loss of images. The batteries may corrode if left in the camera for extended periods of time. Dispose of batteries properly in accordance with local laws and regulations. Do not place them in fire. The Vivicam 35 has an automatic power-saving feature. The camera will turn off automatically if it has not been used after approximately thirty (30) seconds. When the camera is connected to a computer using a USB cable, it is not necessary to use batteries because the camera uses the power provided by the computer through the USB interface. -7- 3.0 Installing the Software Install the camera driver before connecting the camera to your computer for the first time. Insert the Vivicam 35 CD ROM into your CD-ROM drive. The CD will run automatically and present this welcome screen: On the CD ROM you will find: 1. Twain Driver Install this before connecting to your PC 2. Arcsoft Suite PhotoImpression and VideoImpression 3. NetGUI In-A-Flash Photo 4. User Manual 5. Adobe Reader 3.1 Twain Driver To use your Vivicam 35 camera on your PC you must first install this software beforehand, known as the "driver." Install this driver software before connecting your camera to your PC for the first time. You will only need to install the driver once to setup your PC to work with the V35 camera. -8- 3.2 ArcSoft Suite ­ 3.2.1 ArcSoft PhotoImpression is a complete digital image editing application designed with real people in mind. Easy-to-use "Getting Start" guides, user-friendly UI, complete image editing functionality, give users wonderful experience to organizing, viewing, enhancing, editing, printing and sharing photos. 3.2.2 ArcSoft VideoImpression creates home movies and slide shows by combining existing videos, still images, exciting scene transitions, and multiple audio tracks. Though simple to use, the program provides intense and broad video editing and export options perfect for owners of digital still cameras, desktop and digital video cameras, and camcorders. 3.3 NETGUI In A Flash Photo ­ 3.3.1 In A Flash Photo is all you need to bring your digital photos to life! Easily take images directly from your camera and put them into a dynamic animated photo album without requiring extensive computer knowledge. With In A Flash Photo you can also easily print images or send your animated photo albums to family and friends by email with a simple URL link when published to our servers on the worldwide web. First time computer users -9- can create professional photo albums easily due to the simplified Wizard interface; add pictures, choose a theme, add a title, music and you are done. It's that simple! Once you have finished, you then can email or save to your computers hard drive. In A Flash Photo places the power of animation in the hands of anyone who can take a picture and brings your photos to life! 3.4 User Manual Click on the "User Manual" button to go to the index of ViviCam 35 User Manuals. The Vivicam 35 User Manual is included on the CD ROM in PDF format. Note that you will need to install Adobe® Reader® on your PC to read the User Manual. After you have installed the Vivicam 35 driver and application software titles you are now ready to use your camera to capture digital images. The next section will tell you about the operation of your new digital camera. -10- 4.0 Capturing Images Using your new Vivicam 35 is fun and easy. There are two basic steps to capturing your first image. 2 1 Step 1: Turn on the camera by holding down the Power Button for two seconds. Step 2: Press the shutter button to capture an image. It is really that easy! The following sections will tell you about more features that are available on your camera. 4.1 Power On the Camera To power on the camera hold down the Power ON/OFF button for two seconds as shown above. The camera will beep once, indicating that it is ready. The Status LCD display will turn on like this: In this example the camera is ready to capture image in Hi resolution mode. (Function icons are explained in section 4.3.) Note that the camera will automatically power-off after 30 seconds inactivity to -11- save battery power. To turn the camera on again, press the Power button. 4.2 Capture an Image In film-photography we say: "Take a Photo." In digital-photography we say: "Capture an Image." Capturing an image with the Vivicam 35 is easy. Step 1: Power on the camera and look through the viewfinder to frame your subject. Make sure your subject is no closer than three or four feet (one meter) or else it will not be in good focus. Step 2: Press the Shutter button to capture an image. The camera will beep once and the image counter will increase by one count. For example the counter may change from 000 to 001. The display counter shows the number of images to be taken. When the "FL" warning message appears on the Info/Status LCD it means the memory is full and you must download your images or delete them to make more space available. Note: Please note that when batteries disconnected or discharged, the memory, and all taken pictures will be erased. -12- 4.3 Camera Status Icons Beyond the basics of capturing an image, the Vivicam 35 has many other features. Turn on the camera and notice the many icons and symbols on the status LCD: As you press the Mode button the LCD display will change in the following order. To learn more about each function refer to the referenced section in this User Manual. Display icon Function Refer to Off So Power off Flash charging Self-Timer AVI capture Continuous capture Delete all images from memory. Delete the last image from memory. Hi/LO HD/LD 60/50 SA/SF Image resolution Higher or lower image quality (compression) Indoor lighting frequency (Hz) Strobe (flash) Automatic/Strobe Forced (on) -13- 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9.1 4.9.2 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 Other icons on the LCD: Display Icon Function Whenever the camera communicates with a PC, the USB icon will be shown on the LCD. Battery status 4.4 Power-Off the Camera Hold down the Power ON/OFF button for 2 second to turn-off the camera immediately. You can also press Mode button until " Off " appears on the LCD then press the Shutter button within three seconds to power off the camera. Note: The camera will automatically power-off after 30 seconds of inactivity. 4.5 Flash Charging Press Mode button until " So " appears on the LCD display then press the Shutter button within three seconds to start charging the flash. The lightening icon " " will blink continuously until it is fully charged. -14- 4.6 Self-Timer If you would like to get into the image you may use the self-timer feature to delay image capture by ten (10) seconds. Place the camera on a tripod or a flat, stable surface. Turn on the camera. Press the Mode button until the " " icon appears on the LCD display. Press the Shutter button the camera will beep as it counts down. The camera will capture an image automatically after 10 seconds. 4.7 AVI Capture You can capture motion-video clips using the AVI capture feature. The image is stored in AVI format. The image counter increments by one after movie clips are stored. Video clips are captured at a resolution of 320 x 240. The movie-clip frame rate will be approximately six frames per second. Movie clips are silent. (No audio.) To use the AVI capture mode follow these steps: Step 1: Power on the camera. Press the Mode button until the " appears on the LCD display. " icon Step 2: Once the Shutter button is pressed, the camera will beep and the camera starts recording videos continuously until the button is released. Step 3: Release the Shutter button to stop recording. The camera will stop -15- recording automatically when the built-in memory is full. When the built-in memory is full, the word " FL " will be shown on the LCD display. Note: When you download a movie-clip it will be in the popular AVI format. Use Windows Media Player or Apple Quick Time Player to view movies. 4.8 Continuous Capture You can capture three images using the continuous capture feature. When you use this mode the image resolution will be 640 x 480. To use the Continuous Capture mode follow these steps: Step 1: Power on the camera. Press the Mode button until the " appears on the LCD display. " icon Step 2: Press the Shutter button the camera will capture three images continuously. 4.9 Deleting Images You can delete the last image captured, or you may delete all images in memory. 4.9.1 Delete the Last Image Step 1: Power on camera. Press the Mode button until the " appears on the LCD display. -16- " icon Step 2: Press the shutter button to delete the last picture. The image will be deleted and the image counter will decrease by one. (Example: 020 will change to 019.) 4.9.2 Delete All Images Step 1: Power on the camera. Press the Mode button until the " appears on the LCD display. " icon Step 2: Press the Shutter button The image counter will flash on & off. Press the Shutter button again to delete all images. Step 3: All Images will be deleted and the image counter will display 000. 4.10 Image Resolution Resolution is the size of a digital image measured in pixels (dots), expressed as horizontal number of pixels x vertical number of pixels. The ViviCam 35 offers two resolution modes. The highest (best) resolution is 640 x 480. This is called VGA resolution. The second choice of resolution is 320 x 240. This is called QVGA resolution. VGA resolution images will be the best possible images from your camera. QVGA resolution images are noticeably smaller when you view them on your computer. QVGA resolution is not recommended for individual digital images. The primary advantage to QVGA resolution is that you may store -17- more images (four times more) than VGA resolution. If you would like to get into the QVGA resolution, turn on the camera. Press the Mode button until " " appears on the LCD display and "Hi" start flashing on & off. Press the Shutter button to change "Hi" to "LO." (QVGA mode) If you would like to change resolution from QVGA to VGA, press the Mode button until " " appears on the LCD display and "LO" start flashing on & off. Press the Shutter button to change "LO" to "Hi." (VGA mode) 4.11 High/Low Image Compression Press the Mode button until HD/LD appears on the LCD display. Press the Shutter button to set the picture to " HD " (highest image quality, using the least compression) or " LD "(lower image quality, using more compression). High picture quality pictures will take bigger space. LD allows you to store more images, but of a lesser quality. 4.12 Light Frequency When capturing images or movie clips under indoor lighting the image quality will be best if you set the camera to match the frequency of the room-lighting. In general 60 Hz frequency is used in US and Asia whereas 50Hz is most common in UK, Japan, and Europe. To change the frequency, turn on the camera. Press the Mode button until " 50 " or " 60 " appears on the LCD -18- display. This is the other frequency setting. Press the Shutter button to change to this setting. 4.13 Using the Flash ­ Automatic (SA), or On (SF) Press the Mode button until SA/SF appears on the LCD display. Press the Shutter button to set the flash to automatic flash (Strobe Automatic) or forced flash (Strobe Forced). In automatic mode, the camera will determine if the flash is needed, or not. In forced mode (also known as "fill" flash) the flash will always fire, regardless of lighting conditions. 4.14 Techniques for Capturing the Best Images The ViviCam 35 can capture good images. Here are a few tips for getting the best possible images from your camera. 1. Use good lighting. The ViviCam 35 works best with adequate lighting. 2. Avoid uneven lighting and high contrast. Compose your scenes so that there are no deep shadows or bright backgrounds. The key to good images is balanced (even) scene lighting. Use the fill - flash for scenes where high contrast and dark shadows are unavoidable. 3. Minimum focus distance. Make sure your subject is not too close. The minimum focus distance is three to four feet (one meter.) 4. Position your primary subject in the center of the image. The ViviCam 35 focuses best in the center of the image. The edges of your images are softly focused, giving a nice soft perimeter effect to each image. -19- 5.0 Download Images to your Computer Note: Before connecting your ViviCam 35 to your PC for the first time you must first install the camera driver first (see section 3.1). After the driver software has been installed, your still images and movie clips can be transferred to your PC using the USB cable. Connect your camera to your PC using the USB cable. The camera will beep once, indicating the connection is established. The camera installation process will be completed at the first time when the camera is connected to your PC. 5.1 Transfer Images to your PC To transfer images to your PC: Connect the camera to your PC using the USB cable Click on Start Programs V35 V35 This screen (called the Graphical User Interface, or GUI) will appear. Note that the twelve rectangles are empty. Click the "Download" button to start downloading your images into the GUI -20- The images in your camera will appear as thumbnail sized images as shown: Using your mouse click on images to selct them. (Right click on an image to enlarge it.) You may click on the "Select All" button to select every image. If there are more than twelves images in camera memory click on "Next Page." Click on the "Save to Disk" button to save the selected images to your PC. A "Save As" dialog box will appear to allow you to save your images. You may specifiy a location on your PC to store your images. The default directory will be "My Documents" All selected images will be saved sequentially beginning with the name Photo001. You may specify a different prefix by typing the desired name in the "File name" space. Click on the "Save" button to save the selected images. Note: After your images are downloaded to your PC, disconnect the camera. Your images remain in camera memory. -21- Delete the images from camera memory so you can capture more. 5.2 Transferring your Images to PhotoImpression ­ To transfer images to PhotoImpression following these steps: Connect your camera. Launch PhotoImpression. In the " Get photo from.... " dialog box (shown to the right) choose the source of your images. Click on " Camera/Scanner." A new window as below will appear. Double click on "Vivicam 35", or "DualCamera." The Vivicam 35 GUI control panel appears on the screen. Follow the steps in the prior section. Note that a fourth button appears in the V35 GUI ­ "Transfer to AP". Instead of immediately saving your images to disk you may first transfer them to PhotoImpression to edit them prior to saving them. -22- 6.0 PC/Web Camera Video Function 6.1 Using the ViviCam 35 in Video Mode ­ PC users may use their Vivicam 35 as a PC/Web cam. Note that the ViviCam 35 is a dual mode camera. It is both a digital-still camera and a PC camera. In the video mode the ViviCam 35 is known as the "ViviCam 35" camera. To use your camera as a PC/web cam you must first install the driver from the Vivicam 35 CD ROM. After the driver is installed and the camera is connected to your PC you may view live video several ways: 1. 2. 3. 4. Use the PCCam video utility included with the camera. (Refer to section 6.2.) Use your favorite third-party video program. Use Microsoft NetMeeting (see section 6.3) Use Windows Movie Maker for Windows XP (see section 6.4) Note: The Vivicam 35 is a dual mode camera. You may use either mode, but you cannot use both modes at the same time. Close the ViviCam 35 GUI before starting the ViviCam 35 video mode. -23- 6.2 Using the ViviCam 35 with PCCam ­ 1. 2. Click on Start, Programs, Vivicam 35, PCCam - to start the PCCam program: The camera will start functioning as a PC camera. Or you may select "Options" -> "Preview" to begin the video function. 6.3 Using the ViviCam 35 with NetMeeting ­ You may wish to use MS NetMeeting. Follow the steps below to set up your camera as the video capture device. 1. Start NetMeeting. 2. After NetMeeting starts, click on Tools, Options. 3. From the Options dialog box, select the Video tab. 4. Refer to the Video camera properties section. 5. Select "ViviCam 35" as the video capture device. 6. Refer to the NetMeeting help file for additional information. -24- 6.4 Using the V35 with Movie Maker on Windows XP ­ Windows XP users can use Windows Movie Maker. Click on Start, Programs, Accessories, Windows Movie Maker to start Movie Maker: After Movie Maker starts a. Click on: "Capture from a Video Device" b. Select "ViviCam 35" in the available devices section. c. Follow on-screen instructions until live-video is displayed. -25- 7.0 Specifications Image Resolution: 640 x 480 Pixels (VGA), or 320 x 240 Pixels (QVGA) Built-in memory: 8 MB (SDRAM) Image Storage Capacity (approximate): Resolution 640 x 480 (VGA)/HD 640 x 480 (VGA)/LD 320 x 240 (QVGA)/HD 320 x 240 (QVGA)/LD Movie = 320 x 240 (QVGA) Number of Images 25 119 100 463 120 seconds Self-Timer: 10 seconds Capture Modes: Single, Continuous, AVI Capture (movie clips) Automatic Energy Saving: automatically shut-down after 30 seconds Exposure and White Balance: Automatic Power: Three AAA (1.5 VDC) batteries PC Interface: USB 1.1 Working Temperature: 0 to 40 degrees C (32 to 90 F) -26-