HIGH-PERFORMANCE VGA RECORDING VIDEO BORESCOPE SYSTEM USER’S MANUAL DCS1700 Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 – 3 Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 What’s in the Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The DCS1700 has three operating modes: Preview, Playback and Menu: • In Preview mode, live video framed by the camera’s field of view is displayed on the console’s LCD. The VIPER 1700 automatically enters this mode when powered on. Separate front-panel buttons allow you to increase and decrease the brightness of the camera lighting LEDs. Another front-panel button allows you to enlarge (zoom in on) a target by 50% (a zoom level of 1.5X) or 100% (2.0X).
KEY FEATURES • Wand-type grip can be operated one-handed, freeing your other hand to use tools • 3.5 in. (89mm) diagonal LCD • 39 in. (1m) long, 0.22 in. (5.
WHAT’S IN THE CASE The DCS1700 comes in a custom hard plastic protective carrying case. Inside the case are: • The DCS1700 console. The console integrates an LCD, a connector for a highperformance camera-tipped probe from General, separate front-panel buttons for capturing videos and photos, and a keypad containing seven multi-function buttons. • The P16181HP VGA Resolution Probe and a 110° mirrored viewing tip • An object measuring tip that fits any of General's 5.
Table 1.
Table 1. The DCS1700’s multi-function buttons (continued) Button Label In Preview Mode In Playback Mode In Menu Mode Pressed once, enters Playback mode and displays newest video or photo Pressed again, returns to Preview mode Takes a picture (stores .jpg photo on SD card) Pressed once, starts recording an .
SETUP INSTRUCTIONS INSTALL BATTERIES The DCS1700’s battery compartment is accessible from the bottom of the grip. You can use the supplied four “AA” Alkaline batteries or install your own rechargeable “AA” batteries. Rechargeable batteries will likely save you money in the long run because the DCS1700 is a “high-drain” device that draws up to 2A from its ~5.5VDC battery stack when recording videos. You should not expect a set of non-rechargeable batteries to power more than 4 hours of operation.
To disconnect the probe from the console in the future, turn the collar counterclockwise and pull the probe straight out and away. INSERT SD CARD 1. Lift up the bottom of the rubber cover on the right side of the console (left figure). 2. Rotate the cover around its pivot point at the top to expose the SD card socket and LCD video out jack on the right side. 3. Remove the supplied SD card or another card of up to 32GB capacity from its packaging. Discard the packaging but save the plastic storage case. 4.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS VIEWING LIVE VIDEO ON THE LCD If you followed the procedure for resetting the Auto Power Off interval in the previous section, you have already experienced powering the DCS1700 on. Each time you power the unit on—or return to Preview (live video) mode from Playback or Menu mode—the screen below will appear on the LCD.
video appears right-side up. You can change the viewing angle of the probe (enabling it to see around corners) by attaching the included 110° mirror accessory to the tip. See p. 14 for attachment instructions. For precision inspection work, consider purchasing General’s PM003, a set of three mirrored tips with viewing angles of 70°, 90° and 110° that fit all of the company’s 5.5mm diameter high-performance probes.
OPERATING THE VGA RESOLUTION PROBE The P16181HP is a high-performance camera-tipped probe that captures video and still images at VGA (640 x 480 pixel) resolution. The probe’s six super-bright LEDs make it particularly suitable for inspecting dark environments and viewing parts and structures within them. Fig. 2 shows the controls and key structures of the P16181HP. Familiarize yourself with their positions and functions before using the probe. Fig. 2. The controls and key structures of the P16181HP 1.
This feature can help you cope with very low-light conditions. When recording with the boost feature activated, you must hold the probe very steady or your videos and images will be blurred. To rotate the probe’s field of view, use the button. Pressing the button once backlights the button red and rotates the frame clockwise by 90°. Pressing it a second time rotates the frame by an additional 90°, in effect turning the original view upsidedown.
Attaching the Mirrored Viewing Tip The only accessory included with the P16181HP is a 110° mirrored viewing tip. To attach it to the probe: 1. Pull off the rubber protective cap (Fig. 2, Callout 5). 2. Unscrew and remove the black metal thread protector ring (Callout 4), as shown below. 3. Turn the stainless steel accessory alignment ring (Callout 3) clockwise to move it away from the probe tip. Keep turning until the ring can travel no further. 4.
To stop recording, press the button again. This causes the red running clock to disappear and returns the DCS1700 to Preview mode. As the clip is ended, its file name is briefly displayed in red at the bottom of the screen to confirm that the clip was stored. Like photo files, video files begin with the letter PICT; unlike photo files, video files have User Guide the suffix “.AVI”. In the DCS1700, files are named consecutively, regardless of type.
Photos and videos stored on the SD card also can be viewed on a PC. If your computer has an SD card slot, you can remove the SD card from your DCS1700 and plug it directly into your PC. If your PC does not have an SD card slot, you can purchase a USB SD card reader (Part No. SDRD1) from General. Alternatively, you can use the included USB cable to transfer video clips and pictures stored on the SD card to a PC for viewing on the PC’s larger screen or exporting elsewhere.
• The ALBUM submenu lets you browse thumbnails of photo and video files stored on the SD card • The LANGUAGE submenu lets you choose one of 27 languages for on-screen notifications and menu items • The DATE/TIME submenu lets you set the current date and time (together known as system time) and the date format. It also lets you choose whether to superimpose the system time on live video.
Finally, remember that once you open any menu or submenu, you have 2 minutes and 30 seconds to select an option before the menu automatically closes, returning the DCS1700 to its default Preview operating mode.
The DATE/TIME submenu (continued) Submenu name Options Instructions/Comments FORMAT Y/M/D (default) M/D/Y D/M/Y DISPLAY YES (default) NO To change the date format: 1) Use the or button to cycle through the three options: Y/M/D (default), M/D/Y and D/M/Y. 2) With your preference highlighted, press the button to save the setting and return to the DATE/TIME submenu. Select YES to always show the system time (current date and time) on-screen in Preview (live video) mode.
The SETTINGS submenu Submenu name Options Instructions/Comments AUTO POWER OFF OFF (default) 5 10 Choose OFF to disable the Auto Power Off function (not recommended). Choose 5 or 10 to automatically power off the DCS1700 after 5 or 10 minutes of inactivity on the keypad. When your selection is highlighted, press the button to save the setting and return to the SETTINGS submenu. RECORDING TIMER 0 (default) 10 15 20 25 30 Choose 0 to never limit the duration of video recordings.
The other two options available through the Special Function menu do the following: 1) Switch the display to operate in black & white mode. To open this mode, enter the Special Function menu, scroll down to and highlight the line labeled “BW”, and press the button. The notification BW will appear at the bottom of the LCD. 2) Measure the size of any object or gap visible on-screen. To do so, open the Special Function menu, scroll down to and highlight the line labeled “MT” and press the button.
Specifications (continued) Video Out Formats NTSC and PAL Video Frame Rate 30 frames per second (fps) Compression Format Compatible with MPEG4 Recording Medium Standard-size SD card of up to 32GB capacity Menu Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Bulgarian, Turkish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Romanian, Greek Probe Opera
• If the console “freezes” (pushing buttons has no effect) like a computer, straighten out a paper clip and use one end to press the red Reset button on the back of the console. • Avoid using corrosive liquids such as alcohol to clean either the console or the probe. To clean the camera’s lens and LEDs, use one of the supplied cotton swabs and a small amount of the cleaning solution. To clean the LCD, use the supplied cloth, cotton swabs and liquid.
COMPATIBLE PROBES & ACCESSORIES The table below lists and describes all probes and accessories compatible with the DCS1700. Model No.
For more information or to order a part, begin by visiting www.generaltools.com and entering the Model No. in the SEARCH box at the top of the home page. WARRANTY INFORMATION General Tools & Instruments’ (General’s) DCS1700 (The VIPER 1700) High-Performance VGA Recording Video Borescope System is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year.
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GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS 80 White Street New York, NY 10013-3567 PHONE (212) 431-6100 FAX (212) 431-6499 TOLL FREE (800) 697-8665 e-mail: sales@generaltools.com www.generaltools.com DCS1700 User’s Manual Specifications subject to change without notice ©2012 GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS NOTICE - WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.
