VDC-300 USER’S MANUAL Getting Started Camera Operation Getting Connected Software Applications ViewFun Appendices 82-055-00010
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 Chapter 2: Camera Operation Supported Computer Systems ........................................... 7 Package Contents ............................................................. 7 Your Video Digital Camera ................................................. 7 Power Supply ................................................................... 9 Installing the Batteries ................................................. 9 Using an AC Adapter ...............................
Chapter 3: Getting Connected Chapter 5: ViewFun Connecting to the TV ..................................................... 19 Viewing Images ......................................................... 19 Real-time Display ...................................................... 19 Connecting to the VCR ................................................... 20 Recording Real-time Video ......................................... 20 Connecting to the PC ....................................................
Preface Thank you for your purchase of the VDC-300. 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.......................................... 9 Compact Flash Card ..........
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.
7 12 6 4 1 2 3 8 9 11 13 10 14 16 15 6. LCD Panel: The Liquid Crystal Display panel allows you to view real-time display, the menu functions, and image playback. 7. LCD On/Off: Turns the LCD on or off. 8. Menu Button: Displays the camera’s function menu in the LCD. 9. Select (Up): Scrolls up/backward through the function menu or captured images. 10.Select (Down): Scrolls down/forward through the function menu or captured images. 11.Enter Button: Selects the options from the function menu. 12.
Power Supply Low-Battery Indicator Installing the Batteries When the battery power becomes low, the battery icon will display and blink in your LCD. 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.
Compact Flash Card Installing the Compact Flash Card The camera is equipped with a built-in Compact Flash Memory Card port that allows you to use an optional, DOS compatible, compact flash card (CF card) to store images. Using a CF card overrides the internal memory of the camera enabling you to capture more images if the internal memory is full. You may use the optional CF card to store your images.
The LCD Menu- Camera Mode .............................. 12 Functions ........................................................ 12 Flash .......................................................... 13 Quality ....................................................... 13 White Balance ............................................ 13 Exposure .................................................... 13 Self-timer .................................................... 13 Auto-Off ............................................
Camera Operation This chapter explains the camera’s operation features and settings in detail. The camera has two modes, Camera and Playback. Both modes offer various functions specific to that particular mode. The LED on the top of the camera will display the current mode you are in (Green = Camera, Orange = Playback). In order to use the individual functions of each mode, you must first display and select them using the appropriate LCD menu. The LCD Menu- Camera Mode • Power on the camera.
(1) FLASH: (3) White Balance: The camera is equipped with five flash modes: ON: the flash will fire with every image capture. ON : the same as ON, preceded by a flash which reduces red-eye. AUTO: whenever there is insufficient light, the camera automatically detects and fires the flash. : the same as AUTO, preceded by a flash AUTO which reduces red-eye. OFF: no flash is fired. Note: The flash will need to be charged prior to, and right after being used.
How will I know when the image will be captured? The LED indicator at the front of the camera blinks, increasing in speed to alert you when the image will be captured. (Blinking rate = 7x @ 1 second + 6x @ 1/2 second) (6) Auto-Off: • Selecting No allows you to continuously use the camera without interruption of power. If you do not perform a camera operation for 10 minutes the LCD automatically shuts off, not the camera.
Note: When using the flash on an object at or closer than 1.2 meters 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 and ensure that you are in Camera mode (Green LED) by pressing the Mode button. 2.
The LCD Menu- Playback Mode Functions 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. (1) Four Picture Mode Selecting a Playback Function: 1. Press the Menu button. 2. Use the Up/Down buttons to scroll through the list of options. 3. Press Enter to select or toggle an option. 4.
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 On the Camera LCD 4 3 1. Power on the camera and press the mode button to select Playback (Orange LED). before 1 after Viewing Images 2 4 3 blank To delete a protected image: 1. Select the protected image that you wish to Delete. 2. From the Playback menu, select Protect and press Enter to unlock the image. 3.
Chapter Connecting to the TV ............................................ 19 Viewing Images ................................................ 19 Viewing Real-time Video.................................... 19 Connecting to the VCR ......................................... 19 Recording Real-time Video ................................ 20 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. Viewing Real-time Video 1 2 3 4 2. Open the cable panel and plug the other end of the cable into the camera’s VIDEO terminal.
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 In order to record video after connecting to the VCR, please refer to the following: 1. Power on the VCR, TV, and the camera.
Chapter Software Installation ............................................. 22 Windows 95/NT 4.0/98 ...................................... 22 Transferring Images to the PC (Importing) ........... 23 The Photo Album ................................................... 24 The Setting Functions ....................................... 25 Selecting Images ............................................... 25 Protecting Images ............................................. 26 Deleting Images ..........................
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. Click Install on the Tutorial screen and 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.
Transferring Images to the PC (Importing) Once you have installed all of the required software (described in the previous chapter) and have captured images, you will want to connect your camera to the PC so that you can transfer your images for editing or storing. Note: Connecting the camera to the computer renders the camera buttons inoperable. However, several functions can be controlled through the Control Panel as described later in this chapter.
The Photo Album Import: Allows you to move images from the CF card, card reader, or internal flash memory into the computer. Transfer: Allows you to transfer the selected image(s) to an application (e.g. iPhoto Plus 4). Preview: Allows you to view selected image(s) in the Photo Album. Select All: Allows you to select all of the images to delete, protect/unprotect or transfer. Unselect: Allows you to unselect the selected images. Menu Bar: Contains all of the functions of the software.
The Photo Album Selecting Images The Setting Functions Images must be selected prior to being transferred, downloaded, or deleted. This feature displays or allows you to adjust the settings used to communicate with the camera. Note: • Unselected images have no colored box around them. • Selected images have a green box around them. • Protected images have a lock icon below them.
Protecting Images Control Panel: Camera Mode To Protect/Unprotect an image in the Photo Album: • right-click on the image and a pop-up box will display. • select Protect/Unprotect to engage or disengage the lock function. LCD On/Off Deleting Images Display Picture Window To delete an image: • select an image by clicking on it. • ensure that it is unprotected (see above). • click the Delete icon or select Delete from the Camera menu.
Transferring Images Control Panel: Playback Mode LCD On/Off Display Picture Window Exit Single Picture Mode • To the PC (Import) This function allows you to import images into the PC from the camera’s internal memory, CF card, or a CF card reader. 4 Picture Mode To import images: 1. Click on the Import icon . The Select Image Source dialog box appears (shown earlier in this chapter). 2. Click on the source of the images. The selected images are imported into the Photo Album.
To upload an image: 1. Open the Photo Album. 2. From the Camera menu, select Upload. The Upload dialog box appears. 3. Select the image file to send to your camera. 4. Select the Upload destination. You have two choices: the camera’s internal memory or the CF card (if installed). 5. Select the image quality (Economic, Standard, or High) to determine the quality of the images after they are uploaded. 6. Click the Upload button to initiate the transfer.
Chapter Hardware Installation ......................................................... 30 Starting ViewFun ............................................................... 30 Functions .......................................................................... 31 View Window .................................................................... 31 The Video Album ............................................................... 31 The Photo Album ..............................................................
Starting ViewFun ViewFun for Windows 98 Ensure that you have installed the bundled software. ViewFun is specially designed software that makes the camera’s image and video capabilities simple to use. 1. Power on your computer and camera. 2. From the Windows 98 Start menu, choose Programs/VDCwhile in 300/ViewFun OR click the ViewFun icon Hardware Installation the Photo Album. ViewFun appears displaying the current camera view. • Connect the USB cable to the USB port at the back of the computer.
Functions View Window The most important part of ViewFun are the controls. These buttons allow you to control ViewFun’s functions. The View Window is capable of displaying the live video in a number of different ways. Record Video Clicking here starts the recording of a video clip (.AVI file). Stop Clicking this button stops the recording of a video clip and stores it in the Video Album as a numbered Thumbnail.
Video Thumbnail To Open (View), Save, E-mail, or Delete your captured video clips right-click the desired video thumbnail. A pop-up menu appears with the following options: Open: opens the selected video thumbnail into the video displaying software, Media Player. Save: opens a Save As dialog box allowing you to rename and save the video clip within your computer system. E-mail: opens the E-mail setting box and automatically attaches the selected video thumbnail (.AVI file) to the e-mail.
Contrast Photo Album Scroll Arrows These arrows allow you to scroll through all the Photo Thumbnails in the Photo Album. A lit arrow means that there are more Photo Thumbnails in the direction indicated. An unlit arrow means that there are no Photo Thumbnails in the direction indicated. This setting allows you to adjust the disparity in tone between the dark and light areas of an image.
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.
The Picture Folder Size This setting controls the frame size (160x120, 320x240, 640x480) 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 ever: 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. Aim the camera at the subject. 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. Click the Record button. 3. Click the Stop button when you want to finish recording, or it will automatically stop. A numbered Video Thumbnail will appear in the Video Album. NOTE: Longer recordings occupy more memory space. 1.
Appendices Appendices Trouble Shooting 38 Specifications 40 Glossary 41 Technical Support 43
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. Operation Mode Selector set to Playback mode. 2. Memory is full. 1. Set Operation Mode Selector to Camera mode. 2. Delete images.
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 1/4 inch 350K pixels progressive color LCD 1.
Glossary The following represents terms used throughout the manual, and are defined here for your convenience. Icon: Is a graphic (picture form) representation of a particular feature/function or program/file. 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.
PAL: A Phase Alternative Line television is one that uses 625-line frames and displays full frames at 25 frames/second. PAL is the common system used in most European countries. Pixels: The smallest element that a device can display on-screen or out of which the displayed image is constructed. RS232: Is the terminal port inside the camera that is used to connect the camera to the computer.
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.
