User’s Guide
User’s Guide Creative PC-CAM 900 Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd.
Contents
Contents 1 Introduction Before You Begin ...................................................................................................................................... Package Contents ........................................................................................................................... README file ..................................................................................................................................... Minimum System Requirements .....................
Deleting a Photo or Recording ......................................................................................................... Protecting a photo or recording ........................................................................................................ Configuring Your Camera ..................................................................................................................... Exposure Compensation Settings ..................................................................
ArcSoft PhotoImpression ...................................................................................................................... ArcSoft VideoImpression ....................................................................................................................... ArcSoft Panorama Maker ....................................................................................................................... ArcSoft Multimedia Email .........................................................
Software compatibility ........................................................................................................ A-3 B Troubleshooting Problem Installing Software ................................................................................................................... B-1 Problems Using Creative PC-CAM 900 ............................................................................................ B-1 Problems in Windows XP ..........................................................
Introduction
Introduction Applications included on your Installation CD may vary depending on camera model and region of purchase. Creative PC-CAM 900 is a digital video camera that gives you everything you need to capture 24-bit still images and video in 16.7 million colors.
README file The README file on the CD-ROM contains information not available at the time of printing. Read the file before you begin installing Creative PC-CAM 900.
Document Conventions Tip. This tells you about short cuts or hints relating to a feature. Note. This highlights additional or important information about a feature. Caution! This highlights proper usage of your product. Use this information to avoid risky situations. Warning! This warns you of possible hazards to yourself or your product, that may result in injury or damage.
Handling Your Camera ❍ Do not subject to excessive force or impact. ❍ Do not incinerate or expose to excessive heat. ❍ Keep away from strong magnetic fields. ❍ Keep away from excessive moisture. ❍ Do not store or use in areas exceeding 45° C or 113° F.
About Your Camera
About Your Camera About Creative PC-CAM 900 Figure 2-1 and Figure 2-2 highlight the features of Creative PC-CAM 900.
TV out and USB connector protector Battery compartment Camera-stand socket Bottom View LED indicator Power button Mode Selector dial Optical viewfinder MultiSelector button Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Integrated speaker Display button Set/Flash/ Thumbnail button Menu button Back View Figure 2-2: Creative PC-CAM 900 bottom and back views About Your Camera 2-2
About the Mode Selector dial With your camera’s Mode Selector dial, you can access many features of your Creative PC-CAM 900: • Web Cam mode — transfer photos and audio/video recordings with PC-CAM Center, or use your camera as a webcam. • To select a mode, turn the Mode Selector dial so that the mode icon is aligned with the red dot next to the dial. • In any mode except Web Cam mode, and when connected to your computer, the camera functions as a mass storage device.
Using the Multi-Selector button The Multi-selector button is one of the most important features of your camera. Use the directional keys to locate options on your Onscreen Display (OSD) menu, and press the Set/Flash/Thumbnail button to select an option. Up Key For more details on using the Multi-Selector button with your Onscreen Display menu, see "Using Creative PCCAM 900 as a Digital Camera" on page 3-1.
Key Left Multi Snap and Self-Timer modes cannot be enabled at the same time. Selecting either mode will disable the other.
Inserting an SD Memory Card (optional) • Your camera will turn itself off automatically, if the SD removable card slot cover is opened. • The SD memory card has a writeprotect switch to prevent the accidental deletion of valuable data. This switch is disabled by default. • When the SD card is protected, images cannot be recorded. If an attempt is made to record or delete an image with the camera, the "Card Protect" message will appear in the LCD screen.
Turning on Your Camera • Be sure to insert the batteries in the correct direction. If not, they may leak and damage your camera. 1. Push and slide open the battery compartment door. 2. Insert the batteries according to the battery polarity (+ and -) symbols indicated (see Figure 2-6). 3. Close the battery compartment door. Battery compartment door Battery polarity symbols • Do not mix old and new batteries together.
Usage Precautions Before switching modes, disconnecting your camera from your computer or turning your camera off, note the color of the LED indicator. Wait until the LED indicator turns green before attempting any other action with the camera. Disconnecting your camera properly Before disconnecting your camera from your computer, use the Windows Eject or Safely Remove Hardware icon on the Taskbar to safely disconnect your camera. If not, your camera may not be able to function normally.
Windows 98 SE 1. Wait at least 10 seconds after all file transfers are completed, or until the LED indicator turns green. 2. In Windows Explorer, right-click the Removable Disk icon and click Eject. 3. Unplug your camera after 10 seconds.
Using Creative PC-CAM 900 as a Digital Camera
Using Creative PC-CAM 900 as a Digital Camera To use Creative PC-CAM 900 as a portable digital camera, simply disconnect it from to take the computer. Use your camera’s default settings in Auto Photo mode photos. For finer control, adjust exposure and white balance settings in Manual Photo mode, see "Configuring Your Camera" on page 3-5 for more information. Note: Remember to insert four fresh 1.5 V AAA alkaline batteries into the camera’s battery compartment.
Previewing a Photo • Press the Set/ Flash/Thumbnail button to switch between full view and thumbnail view. 1. Turn the Mode Selector dial to Playback mode LCD. to view your picture on the 2. Press the Left and Right keys on your Multi Selector button and locate your photo on the LCD. If you have a large number of photos or videos, press the Set/Flash/Thumbnail button to display a Set/Flash/Thumbnail of nine thumbnails on the LCD. Use the Multi Selector button to locate the photo.
Recording Audio or Video 1. Be sure that your camera is not connected to your computer. 2. Turn the Mode Selector dial to Audio 3. For videos, compose your picture and press the Snap button to begin recording. For audio recordings, place the camera close to the audio source and press the Snap button. You can see both the elapsed and remaining recording times, shown in seconds, at the upper right corner of the LCD. Press the Snap button again to stop recording. 1.
Deleting a Photo or Recording 1. Be sure that your camera is not connected to your computer. 2. Turn the Mode Selector dial to Playback mode 3. Locate the photo or recording you want to delete. . 4. Press the Menu button. 5. Use the Down key on your Multi Selector button to highlight the press the Set/Flash/Thumbnail button. The picture or recording is deleted. 1. Be sure that your camera is not connected to your computer. 2. Turn the Mode Selector dial to Playback mode 3.
Configuring Your Camera You can change Exposure and White Balance settings only in Manual Photo mode. Exposure Compensation Settings Adjust exposure compensation settings so that the subject is lit correctly against a bright background. Over exposure can lead to photos that are too bright, or whiteout objects in your photo, while under exposure can lead to photos that are too dark. 1. Be sure that your camera is not connected to your computer. White Balance Settings 2.
General Camera Settings You can configure how your camera provides audio feedback, image quality and , Video size, plus other useful settings. You can access these settings in Audio , Auto Photo or Manual Photo mode. 1. Be sure that your camera is not connected to your computer. 2. Turn the Mode Selector dial to any of the modes listed above. 3. Press the Menu button. 4. Press the Right key on your Multi Selector button until the Settings icon highlighted. 5.
Setting Description Control to use Media Set your camera’s internal storage or an SD memory card to be the default storage media for photos or recordings. Set the default idle time before your camera automatically turns off the LCD. Choose a time interval or disable power saving. Power Saving For all settings except Off, the camera automatically switches itself off one minute after turning off the LCD. ❍ Up or Down keys ❍ Up or Down keys Quality Select the default quality for phototaking.
Format This method of formatting erases protected photos or recordings. With the Format function, you can quickly erase all photos and recordings from the camera’s internal memory or SD memory card. Be sure to choose the default media before using this function. See "Media" on page 3-7 for more information on choosing a default media. 1. Press the Right key on your Multi Selector button until the Format icon is highlighted. 2. Select NO to cancel the formatting. Otherwise, select YES.
Installing Creative PC-CAM 900
Installing Creative PC-CAM 900 This chapter tells you how to quickly install Creative PC-CAM 900 and the software that comes with it. Installing Creative PCCAM 900 Use the installation procedures for your operating system. In Windows XP / 2000 / Me / 98 SE / 98 1. Do not connect Creative PC-CAM 900 to your computer before installing the drivers. If you accidentally begin installation with Creative PC-CAM 900 connected, the Add New Hardware Wizard or Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box may appear.
5. If a Software Installation dialog box appears (Figure 4-1), click the Continue Anyway button. For more details on this warning message, see "Problems in Windows XP" on page B-3. 6. Turn your camera’s Mode Selector dial to Manual Figure 4-1: Software Installation dialog box Photo 7. mode. Mode Selector dial With a USB cable, connect Creative PC-CAM 900 to an available USB port on your computer (Figure 4-2). Follow the steps below that are for your operating system. For Windows XP only 8.
9. After Windows finishes loading USB Mass Storage Device drivers for your camera, close any Removable Disk, Scanner and Camera, Photo Printing or folder view dialog boxes that appear. If a slide show appears, press the Esc key on your keyboard to close the slide show. 10. When a message box appears, displaying the message “Your new hardware is installed and ready to use.”, wait approximately 5 seconds and then turn mode.
10. If an Unsafe Removal of Device dialog box appears, click the OK button. 11. When Digital Signature Not Found dialog boxes (Figure 4-3) appear, telling you that Creative PC-CAM 900 has been detected, click the Yes button. 12. Click the Finish button and restart your computer if you are prompted to do so. Figure 4-3: Digital Signature Not Found dialog box For Windows 98/98 SE and Windows Me only 8.
12. Click the Finish button and restart your computer if you are prompted to do so. Verifying the installation in Windows XP and 2000 Verifying the installation in Windows Me and 98/98 SE 1. Be sure that your camera’s Mode Selector dial is turned to Web Cam mode. 2. Right-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. 3. On the menu that appears, click Properties. 4. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Hardware tab. 5. Click the Device Manager button. A window appears. 6.
Using Creative PC-CAM 900 as a Web Camera
Using Creative PC-CAM 900 as a Web Camera This chapter tells you how to quickly set up Creative PC-CAM 900 as a Web Camera using the PC-CAM Center software. For detailed information about the application’s features and settings, refer to its Help file. (See “Starting PC-CAM Center Help” on page 5-5.) Starting PC-CAM Center • If PC-CAM Center does not recognize the camera correctly, see Appendix B, Troubleshooting.
Capturing Images and Video With PC-CAM Center, you can take photos and record videos. For more instructions on how to take a photo or record a video, refer to the PC-CAM Center Help file. To launch PC-CAM Center Help, see"Starting PC-CAM Center Help" on page 5-5. Taking a Photo To take a photo: 1. In the PC-CAM Center window, click the Live Video button camera view is displayed in the Viewing window. . The current 2. In the Save photo in box, select the destination album for your photo. 3.
5. To stop the recording, click the button again. The button stops blinking. By default, the video is saved automatically and added to the destination album. To preview a video: 1. Click the Save automatically check box to clear it, if you want to preview each video before deciding whether to save it to the destination album. Viewing a Photo 2. Click the Record video button to start recording. 3. After you stop recording, click the Play button Live Video window. 4.
Viewing a Video Transferring files from your camera 1. Click the My Album button . PC-CAM Center is now in My Album mode. 2. In the My Album box, click the My Video folder and then click the album that contains the video that you want to view. Thumbnails of videos in the album are displayed in the Thumbnails window. 3. Double-click the thumbnail of the video you want to view. The video plays in the Viewing window.
Reactivating the Camera If your computer goes into standby mode, your camera will go into suspend mode. You can reactivate the camera and computer by moving the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard. Starting PC-CAM Center Help This Help file contains instructions on how to use PC-CAM Center to take photos and record videos. It also teaches you how to optimize settings to take high quality photos and videos. To start the Help file: 1.
Creative PC-CAM 900 Applications
Creative PC-CAM 900 Applications PC-CAM Center This powerful application lets you take pictures or record videos and store them in albums. You can also export pictures or videos to other programs, or send them as attachments in your e-mail message. There are various settings for you to adjust, allowing you to optimize the quality of your pictures and videos. For usage instructions, see "Using Creative PC-CAM 900 as a Web Camera" on page 5-1.
ArcSoft Multimedia Email ArcSoft Multimedia Email is a unique program that enables home and business Windows users to create and send digital postcards featuring their own photos, audio messages, text, music and digital video clips.
Appendixes
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications Dimensions 97 mm (W) x 63 mm (H) x 28 mm (D) Weight Approx. 110g (without batteries) Power AAA size x 4 batteries (alkaline or NiMH) or USB (connected to PC) Sensor Progressive Scan 2.1 Megapixels CMOS LCD Display 1.
Focus range ❑ Normal (100 cm to inifinity) ❑ Macro (20 cm) Focal length f = 8.47 mm Aperture F/2.8 Self-timer Adjustable 2 to 10 second delay Video formats ❑ RGB24 ❑ I420 File formats ❑ JPEG (DPOF compliant) ❑ AVI Exposure control ❑ Automatic ❑ Manual (-2EV to +2EV in 1/3 steps) White balance ❑ Automatic ❑ Manual (daylight/shade/tungsten/fluorescent) Audio Recording Voice Recording (IMA-ADPCM) Multi Snap Mode 5 images at 800 x 600 Port compatibility ❑ Universal Serial Bus port v1.
Software compatibility TWAIN, Video for Windows, WDM Mini Driver for DirectShow and STI (Still Image) driver that runs in Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows Me and Windows XP Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) driver runs in Windows XP and Windows Me only.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting If you have a technical problem with this product, you may wish to consult our selfhelp tool “Knowledgebase” for online troubleshooting and solutions. Go to www.creative.com and select your region. Problem Installing Software Problems Using Creative PC-CAM 900 The setup program for Creative PC-CAM 900 does not run automatically after you insert the installation CD into the drive. The AutoPlay feature in your Windows system may not be enabled. To install the software from the CD: 1.
The image is too bright. The amount of light entering the camera has exceeded the exposure control limit. There may be a very bright object in the camera’s view. Avoid pointing the camera at very bright objects (for example, sunlight, lights, or highly reflective surfaces). Insufficient system resources reserved for the USB port, causing the system to be unable to function. There are too many devices in the system, causing IRQ problems with the system’s USB controller. Do the following: 1.
Problems in Windows XP A Hardware Installation error message appears on a Windows XP operating system when applications are being installed. At the time of this product's release, Microsoft strongly encouraged companies to submit their hardware solutions for certification. If a hardware device driver is not submitted, or does not qualify, for Microsoft certification, a warning message similar to the one below appears. You may see this message when installing a driver.
Note on USB Compatibility
Note on USB Compatibility To look for a USB compatible product, you can visit the product search page at the official USB Web site: http:// www.usb.org/app/ search/products. While testing Creative PC-CAM 900 on PC motherboards with integrated Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, we encountered a small number of motherboards that do not meet the USB specification exactly. These and other non-USB-compliant motherboards may not operate correctly with Creative PC-CAM 900.
