install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 1 PCA646VC USB PC Camera Installation manual
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 1 Pagina 1 Introduction Brilliant images and blazing colours.That’s what the Philips USB PC Camera PCA646VC gives you. Forget about installing grabber cards and separate power supplies.You don’t need them.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 2 Pagina 2 Preparation This manual describes how to install the hardware and software and how to create your first video recording. 2.1 Contents of the box Check to see if the following items are in the box: • • • • the Philips USB PC Camera PCA646VC; clover-leaf shaped base to support the camera; the CD-ROM containing the Philips installation software, application software package and electronic software manual; this installation manual. 2.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 3 Pagina 3 Camera and software installation 3.1 Installing the software for the Philips camera The Philips USB PC Camera works with any application that uses the Video for Windows format (AVI format).As an example of a powerful video software package, we have included the fully functional ‘Videogram Creator’ software on the CD-ROM. Please read Section 4 for a brief introduction to the use of this software.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 4 Pagina 4 The “Videogram Creator” software The Philips USB PC Camera PCA646VC can be used with many video software applications, for instance the ‘Videogram Creator’ software on the CD-ROM.This application allows you to compress captured video files, embed the Videogram Player inside the file, and play it back on any Windows 3.1x / 95 / 98 or Windows NT system as an .EXE file without having to install the Player on the target system.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 5 After starting the ‘Videogram Creator’ software, you will see the ‘live’ camera image. Move the camera about, adjust the lighting and turn the red lens ring to focus.You will immediately see the effect of this on your screen.Adjust the sound and image settings by clicking on ‘Edit’ in the menu bar and selecting the ‘Video Settings’ option. Consult the electronic manual on the CD-ROM for a detailed explanation of all the possible settings.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 • • Pagina 6 What is MAPI and do I need a MAPI compliant e-mail system? MAPI stands for Messaging Application Programming Interface.This interface allows different applications to interact using e-mail messaging. Microsoft Exchange, Eudora Pro, Pronto 97, and Z-mail Pro are all examples of MAPI Compliant e-mail systems. Netscape, Internet Explorer, Emissary and America Online (AOL) are all examples of nonMAPI-compliant e-mail systems.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 5 Pagina 7 Settings The camera properties (audio and video) can only be changed from within an application. 5.1 Sound properties Access to the sound properties is dependent on the application software. But usually it will look something like this when you open a ‘Sound Settings’ option. The camera microphone can only generate a mono audio signal.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 8 However, in other applications you may have to open the ‘Preferences’ menu or the ‘Video Options’ menu. Access the camera property page (its location in the menus differs per application) and you will see three tabs with user changeable settings. Most applications can show a ‘live’ video image on your monitor. Always use this option to see the effect of changed settings on your screen. 5.2.1 Camera Property Pages 5.2.1.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 1 2 3 Pagina 9 To obtain a perfect colour reproduction, act as follows: Choose auto mode; Hold a piece of white paper in front of the camera; After a few seconds, switch from auto to freeze mode. Now the colour setting remains constant.When light conditions change it is recommended that you put the white balance mode on auto again. In auto mode the control speed setting determines the speed of automatic adjustment to changing light conditions.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 10 5.2.1.2 Image Controls The second tab is marked ‘Image Controls’. It is divided into the subsections Framerate, Image Controls, and Defaults. Framerate The framerate setting determines the number of pictures per second in the video stream.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 11 Defaults If you like a particular setting for one application or light condition, and another setting for a different one, you can use the Restore and Save buttons to save and restore these preferred settings. Should you wish to restore all standard settings, click on the Restore button under Factory Defaults. 5.2.1.3 Capture Source The third tab is ‘Capture Source’.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 6 Pagina 12 TWAIN applications The Philips PCA646VC USB PC Camera is TWAIN compatible (like most scanners are), so you can use the camera as an input device for application software that uses TWAIN as a data source. (e.g. photo editing software). 6.1 Capturing images from within applications In TWAIN compatible applications you will see the Philips PC Camera listed as an available TWAIN data source among your other TWAIN sources (e.g. scanners).
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 • • • Pagina 13 Leave “Incremental File Save” unchecked if you want to overwrite the previous image when capturing a new one. If you check this box, the picture data is saved under the selected filename but extended with one or more digits.This digit is incremented for each new image so that the previous images will not be overwritten. After “Filename” you can type a name for the captured images, or browse until you find a suitable name to use.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 14 When the mode setting is in freeze mode, the automatic white balance control is switched off.The actual colour setting remains stable and is not influenced by the internal controls of the camera. Put the white balance in freeze mode when you have a colourful scene and stable lighting conditions.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 15 The Flickerless option must only be used under flickering 50 Hz light conditions (like fluorescent or neon lamps) to prevent flickering or strangely coloured video images. If this option is used under normal lighting conditions the video image will tend to be overexposed. 6.2.3 Image Controls The third tab is marked ‘Image Controls’. It is divided into the subsections Image Controls and Defaults.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 16 Defaults If you like a particular setting for one application or light condition and another setting for a different one, you can use the Restore and Save buttons to save and restore these preferred settings. Should you wish to restore all standard settings, click on the Restore button under Factory Defaults. 6.2.4 Capture Source / Format The fourth tab is called:‘Source / Format’.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 17 Framerate The framerate setting determines the number of pictures per second in the video stream. The set of framerates from which the user may choose depends on the currently selected video image format and the available bandwidth on the USB bus (the number of devices connected to your USB port and the amount of data they transport).The buttons for invalid framerates will be automatically greyed out and cannot be selected.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 7 Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Pagina 18 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) My system “hangs” during the reboot phase when Windows 98 tries to set up personalized settings for Multimedia. You probably plugged in your camera before running the install procedure. Unplug the camera, restart your computer and start the installation Wizard. My PC does not start any more when the camera is connected. It is very likely that your BIOS is not compatible with the USB standard.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 19 Q: A: No Video: My application doesn’t show any video. There are several reasons for not having video: 1. Check whether the USB PC camera is connected to a USB port 2. Check whether the ‘Microsoft WDM Image Capture’ is the current capture source. It is possible, in systems with other devices, that this other device is the selected capture source. 3.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 20 Q: A: No audio (USB timer outside specification). If you cannot hear any audio, and have tried every troubleshooting tip in the user guide and the on-line help to no avail, the USB hardware in your computer may be the cause of the problem. In most cases it will be the USB timer clock that is not stable enough for streaming audio applications. Q: System lockup: My camera stops responding (black or frozen picture or LED off) for no obvious reason.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 21 About Videograms A recorded Videogram sent by e-mail or on diskette can be played on any 486-computer or better, running Windows 3.x/95/98/NT or OS/2. The Videograms can be viewed on almost any computer system (except for the Apple Macintosh). However, due to the large quantity of image data that is passed to the computer by the camera while creating a video recording, higher requirements are placed on the computer recording the images.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 22 Driver software check 1 2 You can determine if the camera is installed correctly, and if it is being recognized by the operating system by checking the Device Manager menu in System Properties. Access this menu by clicking with the right mouse button on the icon ‘My Computer’ in the top left-hand corner on your desktop, then click on Properties.Alternatively, click on Start / Settings / Control Panel, then double-click on System to access this menu.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 8 Pagina 23 Technical specifications Optical Sensor 1/4” CCD Pixels 512 (H) x 582 (V) Illumination 30 - 50000 lux Integrated lens 3.0mm, F2.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 9 Pagina 24 Regulations,Warnings & Maintenance 9.1 FCC compliance 1 2 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: this device may not cause harmful interference, and this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
install_manual646_gb 19-03-1999 10:28 Pagina 25 9.2 Warnings & Maintenance If you observe the following guidelines, you will prevent defects and the camera will operate safely. • • • • • • • • Clean the outside of the camera with a soft cloth. Do NOT use cleaning fluids based on alcohol, methylated spirit, ammonia, etc.. Avoid direct contact between the camera and water. If the lens has to be cleaned, use a special lens-cleaning tissue, available at any camera store. You can only use the camera indoors.
