MDC-800 USER’S MANUAL Getting Started Camera Operation Getting Connected Software Applications ViewFun Appendices
CONTENTS 2 Copyright Information All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means, mechanical, optical, electronic, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the Manufacturer. The Manufacturer reserves the right to revise this manual and to make changes to any or all parts at any time, without obligation to notify any person or entity of such revisions and changes.
Contents Chapter 1: Getting Started Supported Computer Systems .................................................. 7 Package Contents ....................................................................... 7 Your Video Digital Camera ......................................................... 7 Power Supply .............................................................................. 9 Installing the Batteries ......................................................... 9 Using an AC Adapter .................
CONTENTS 4 Chapter 3: Getting Connected Connecting to the TV ..............................................................21 Viewing Images ................................................................... 21 Viewing Real-time Video .................................................... 21 Connecting to the VCR ...........................................................22 Recording Real-time Video ................................................ 22 Connecting to the PC ....................................
Preface Thank you for your purchase of the MDC-800. This guide covers all of the features and functions of the camera. In this user guide you will find the following topics: Chapter 1: Getting Started This chapter explains how to make your camera operational. Chapter 2: Camera Operation This chapter gives you step-by-step instructions on how to operate the various functions of the camera.
Chapter Supported Computer Systems ........................................7 Package Contents .............................................................7 Your Video Digital Camera .............................................7 Power Supply .....................................................................9 Installing the Batteries ................................................ 9 Using an AC Adapter ................................................. 9 Low-Battery Indicator ...........................
Supported Computer Systems Your Video Digital Camera This camera complies with the TWAIN standards, the industry standard for imaging hardware and software. TWAIN eliminates compatibility problems with software and input devices from different vendors. The following are the minimum system requirements for optimum performance with color images: The camera is equipped with a number of different features and functions.
CONTENTS 8 1. Viewfinder: Allows you to position the subject in the image that will be captured. 2. Lens: Allows the camera to focus on the subject and to capture the image once the shutter button has been pressed. 3. LED Indicator: Alerts you when the self-timer is about to take the picture. 4. Flash: Flashes light on the subject. 1 4 3 2 6 11 5 7 5. LCD Panel: The Liquid Crystal Display Panel allows you to view real-time display, the menu functions, and image playback. 6.
Power Supply Low-Battery Indicator Installing the Batteries When the battery power becomes low, the battery icon will display in the Segment LCD Display Panel. To continue to use the camera, either replace the batteries or connect the AC power adapter. The images will remain in the camera’s memory for an indefinite period of time. The camera comes with 4 AA alkaline batteries. Please refer to the inside of the battery compartment lid or the following illustration to properly install the batteries.
CONTENTS 10 Compact Flash Card The camera is equipped with a built-in Compact Flash Memory Card port that allows you to use any optional DOS compatible, compact flash card (CF card) to store images. This camera is compatible with all CF card sizes (no MB limit). Note: Installing a CF card replaces the camera’s internal memory and all camera/playback functions access the CF card. To return using the camera’s internal memory, remove the CF card.
Chapter 2 Camera Operation The LCD Menu- Camera Mode ..............................................12 Functions .............................................................................12 Flash ............................................................................... 13 Quality ........................................................................... 13 Self-timer ........................................................................ 13 Exposure Mode .........................................
CONTENTS 12 Camera Operation This chapter explains how to use the camera and its operational features and settings The camera has two modes, Camera and Playback. Both modes offer various functions specific to that particular mode. The LCD Menu- Camera Mode • Power on the camera. • Make sure the Camera is in Camera Mode (Mode button UP). • Press the LCD button then the Menu button or just press the Menu button. The camera mode functions are displayed on the LCD. Selecting a Camera Function: 1.
(1) FLASH: (3) Self-timer: The camera is equipped with five flash modes: ON: the flash will fire with every image capture. ON-R: the same as ON, preceded by a flash which reduces redeye. AUTO: whenever there is insufficient light, the camera automatically detects and fires the flash. AUTO-R: the same as AUTO, preceded by a flash which reduces red-eye. OFF: no flash is fired. Note: The flash will need to be charged prior to, and right after being used.
CONTENTS 14 Note: If the image color is not accurate when using the Auto mode, try moving the camera to acclimate the Auto white balance sensor. Note: Resetting the Power during image capture will stop CONT SHOT and return the camera to regular mode. (6) Filters: (9) Auto-Off: This feature allows you to add color imaging filters that are applied to your images after capturing them. There are six (6) filter modes to choose from and they appear in the following order: 1. NORMAL: Applies no filter. 2.
(12) Information Display: (14) Video Out: (Auto/On/Off) This feature uses icons (e.g. flash, counter, etc.) to display camera information and settings on the camera LCD. The information displayed is from one of two sources. This feature allows you to decide whether to keep the Video display active when the camera is connected to a video source (e.g. TV). AUTO: Automatically detects if camera is hooked up to video equipment (e.g.
CONTENTS 16 Capturing Images There are several factors that should be considered when capturing quality images. Proper positioning, distance, lighting, even holding the camera in just the right way can make all of the difference when capturing quality images. To capture an image: 1. Power on the camera. 2. Make sure the Mode button is in Camera Mode (Up). 3. From the LCD Menu, select the White Balance, Quality, etc. as described earlier in this section. 4.
The LCD Menu- Playback Mode This mode offers functions specific to captured images and allows you to view your captured images on the LCD or TV. When you switch to this mode, the LCD automatically turns on in single picture mode and the last image captured appears. Selecting a Playback Function: 1. Make sure the camera is in Playback Mode (Mode button Down). 2. LCD display automatically turns ON then press the Menu button. 3. Use the Up/Down buttons to scroll through the list of options. 4.
CONTENTS 18 Note: When you delete an image, if there are any other images that are in the camera’s memory after that image, they will move up in place. 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 before after blank (5) Video Play Menu This feature allows you to playback previously recorded videos from the camera. 1. From the Playback menu, select Video Menu. 2. From the Video Play Menu, use the Next icon (select Down) to scroll through the list of saved videos. 3.
(7) Digital Zoom: (On/Off) Viewing Images This feature enables you to enlarge an image for viewing up to 4X its original size. • Menu button: Returns you to the playback main menu. On the Camera LCD • • • Select Up button: Allows you to move horizontally across the picture. Select Down button: Allows you to move vertically through the picture.
Chapter Connecting to the TV ....................................................21 Viewing Images ......................................................... 21 Viewing Real-time Video .......................................... 21 Connecting to the VCR .................................................22 Recording Real-time Video ...................................... 22 Connecting to the PC ....................................................
Connecting to the TV Viewing images with the Down Button The viewing order of the images will count up through the list to the last image then return to the first image and count up through the list again. 1. Plug one end of the included video cable into the VIDEO IN terminal of your television. 1 2. Open the cable panel and plug the other end of the cable into the camera’s VIDEO terminal.
CONTENTS 22 Connecting to the VCR Connecting to the PC 1. Plug one end of the included video cable into the VIDEO IN terminal at the back of your VCR. 2. Plug the other end of the cable into the camera’s VIDEO terminal. 1. Plug one end of the cable into the RS232 or USB port at the back of your computer. Note: Ensure that your TV and VCR are properly connected. Recording Real-time Video 1. Power on the VCR, TV, and the camera. 2. Change the TV to the Video mode.
Software Installation ...............................................................24 Windows 95/NT 4.0/98 ...................................................... 24 Transferring Images to the PC .............................................24 Acquiring the Camera Software ...........................................25 Previewing Images ...................................................................25 The Photo Album ......................................................................
CONTENTS 24 Software Installation Windows 95/NT 4.0/98 1. Insert the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. 2. Click on Start and select Run. 3. In the Run dialog box, type “drive:\run.exe” where drive is your CDROM drive and click OK. 4. Follow the on-screen instructions. Windows 98 User’s Note: For Plug n’ Play installation, please refer to the following: 1. After connecting the camera to the PC using the USB cable, a warning will appear. 2.
Acquiring the Camera Software (Photo Album): 1. Open an image-editing application. We will use Photo Express as an example. 2. From the File menu, choose Acquire and select Digital Camera, OR Click the Camera icon. Previewing Images Once the Photo Album is active: • Click on the image(s) you want to preview, then click the Preview icon. OR • Click the Select All icon, then click the Preview icon. The images will then appear as their numbered thumbnails.
CONTENTS 26 The Photo Album Marked Image: Has a flag symbol displayed. Displayed Image: An image transferred to the Photo Album displayed with it’s image number and resolution. Photo-Page: Displays the captured images. Mark Scroll Fwd/Bk: Puts marked images at the top of the photo page. Mark: Puts a flag on selected images. Help: Enters the camera’s on-line help system. Select All: Selects all of the images. Protected Image: Has a locked symbol displayed. Selected Image: A displayed image in a blue box.
The Photo Album (v) Preview on Startup (1) The Setting Functions This feature allows images to automatically appear as thumbnails everytime you open the Photo Album. To access this information, click the Settings icon, and select Information. This feature displays or allows you to adjust the settings used to communicate with the camera. (2) Selecting Images (i) Baud Rate This is the rate at which the camera and computer communicate with each other through the serial port.
CONTENTS 28 (3) Protecting Images (6) Marking Images To Protect/Unprotect an image in the Photo Album: • Right-click on the image and a pop-up box will display. • Click the Protect/Unprotect icon to engage or disengage the lock function. Marking images puts a little flag icon on the image thumbnail allowing you to keep track of important images. 1. Select the image(s) you want to mark. 2. Click on the Mark icon. 3. A colored flag appears under the image thumbnail.
(9) Using the Status Bar Button (11) Transferring Images The Status Bar Button allows you to change the color of the text that appears in the Status Bar window. To change the text color: 1. Click the Status Bar Button. 2. Click one of the colored icons that appears in Status Bar window, and the status text will appear in that color. • To an image editing application (Transfer) This function allows you to transfer selected images to an image editing application. (10) Playing Videos To play a video: 1.
CONTENTS 30 Using The Control Panel Using the Control Panel features: This panel allows you to control certain camera functions while the camera is hooked up to the computer. Most of the functions found here are identical to functions found when using the camera without the computer. Simply select the appropriate settings (as described in more detail in the Camera Operation chapter), and follow the instructions below to capture images.
(ii) Playback Mode: This mode allows you to preview your images in either single or 4 picture mode before transferring them to the computer. 1. Select the display type (single or 4 picture mode). 2. Use the Up/Down buttons to scroll through the pictures. 3. Using the GoTo button allows you to immediately view a specified image by typing in its image number and clicking Enter.
Chapter Hardware Installation ................................................................... 33 Starting ViewFun ........................................................................... 33 Functions ....................................................................................... 34 View Window and Display .......................................................... 34 The Video Album .......................................................................... 35 The Photo Album ..................
ViewFun for Windows 98 Starting ViewFun ViewFun is specially designed software that makes the camera’s image and video capabilities simple to use. Hardware Installation • Connect the USB cable to the USB port at the back of the computer. • Connect the USB cable to the camera’s USB terminal. Ensure that you have installed the bundled (included) software. 1. Power on your computer and camera. 2.
CONTENTS 34 Functions The most important part of ViewFun are the controls. These buttons allow you to control ViewFun’s functions. Record Video In Video Mode, clicking here starts the recording of a video clip (.AVI file) and sends it to the Video Album as a numbered Thumbnail. Stop The Record button turns to the Stop button once recording has begun, allowing you to stop the recording of a video clip and store it in the Video Album as a numbered Thumbnail.
The Video Album The Photo Album Once you have located the Video Thumbnail that you would like to view, simply double-click it and it will automatically open in the video displaying software, Media Player. Once you have located the Photo Thumbnail that you would like to view or edit, double-click it and it will open in the image editing software, e.g. Photo Express.
CONTENTS 36 Settings The settings are accessed by clicking the tab on the left side of the Settings panel. These settings are used to alter the images or the video that you capture. They must be set before capturing an image or video to have an effect. Exposure Value This setting allows you to control the amount of light captured with images. In bright conditions it is preferable to capture less light (-), whereas, in darker conditions it is preferable to capture more light (+).
The Advanced Settings Time Lapse The Advanced Settings contains four folders: Video, Picture, Email, and Language. To return to the main screen after making changes to a particular folder, click OK to accept the changes, or Cancel to ignore the changes. This feature controls the image capturing rate (per second or minute) of the camera.
CONTENTS 38 The Picture Folder Size This setting controls the frame size (320x240, 640x480, 1024x768) of the image you are going to capture. Smaller image frame sizes require less memory space to store the image. Auto Snap Checking this box enables the user to automatically capture images at regular intervals (e.g. Auto snap every: 5 seconds) over a specified period of time (e.g. Total time: 20 seconds).
Recording a Video Clip E-mailing a Video Clip or Picture 1. Open the Video Album by clicking the Video Mode Icon, and set the recording type, duration etc. Note: In order to enable this function it is first necessary to setup your e-mailing parameters in the Advanced Settings, E-mail Folder, found earlier in this chapter. 2. Aim the camera at the subject. 3. Click the Record button. 4. Click the Stop button when you want to finish recording, or it will automatically stop (if set in step 1).
CONTENTS 40 Appendices Appendices Trouble Shooting 41 Specifications 43 Glossary 44 Technical Support 46
Power Supply Symptom Cause Solution No Power 1. Batteries not loaded correctly 2. Dead batteries 3. Wrong AC adapter 1. Reinstall batteries 2. Replace batteries 3. Use only recommended AC adapter Sudden power failure 1. Low battery power 2. Auto Power Off function engaged 1. Replace batteries 2. Turn power back on No capture when shutter is pressed 1. Memory is full. Inaccurate color capture 1. Indoor fluorescent lighting 2. Indoor incandescent lighting 3.
CONTENTS 42 Transfer Playback Symptom Cause Solution No Image is present 1. Operation Mode Selector is set to camera mode 2. If using a TV, wrong channel is selected 3. Not connected properly 4. Wrong TV system 1. Set selector to Playback mode 2. Set TV to correct channel for video playback 3. Reconnect the cables 4. Use NTSC or PAL TV system only. Cannot open the Photo Album 1. Software is not installed 2. Not using Windows 98 with USB connection 1. Install the software (see chapter 4) 2-1.
Specifications CCD Multi-function Digital camera/USB PC-camera/Video camera 1.8” color TFD video Picture Interpolated to 1024 x 768 (XGA) Memory Optional CF memory card interface Digital Ports 12 M bps (2) RS-232-baud rate USB PC-camera Continuous video capturing: max.
CONTENTS 44 Glossary The following represents terms used throughout the manual, and are defined here for your convenience. Baud rate: Is the speed at which the computer and camera communicate with each other. It is sometimes necessary to decrease the baud rate because the computer cannot process image information at high speed. Com port: Is the physical port in the back of the computer where you can connect external devices such as digital cameras and modems.
PAL: A Phase Alternative Line television is one that uses 625-line common system used in most European countries. Pixels: or out of which the displayed image is constructed. RS232: connect the camera to the computer. TWAIN: try standard protocol that allows external devices to communicate with your computer. Is the transfer of information from your computer to an outside source, such as your camera.
CONTENTS 46 Technical Support If you need help installing or using the digital camera, please call Technical Support. Product Repairs For Product repairs please follow these steps: Mustek, Inc. 121 Waterworks Way, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618, USA TEL: 1-949-788-3600 FAX: 1-949-788-3670 http://www.mustek.com 1. Call the technical support department for a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number and refer to this number in all future calls. Mustek Computer GMBH Hellersbergstr.
