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Table of Contents Webcam overview ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Software overview ................................................................................................................................................................... 2 System requirements............................................................................................................
Webcam overview Congratulations on purchasing an HP Webcam. Your webcam includes the following features: 1 Power-on LED 5 Integrated microphone 2 Snapshot button 6 USB connector 3 HP Instant Chat button 7 Adjustable clip/stand 4 Video Record button Please refer to the product label for the HP product number and serial number. For more detailed information about the HP Webcam, see the online Help.
Software overview The disc that comes with your webcam includes the following software: Webcam drivers – enable your webcam to operate with optimum performance. Video calling – enables you to engage in a video call with multiple contacts. ArcSoft Magic-i Visual Effects – enables you to apply special effects to your video chats when used in conjunction with your instant messaging (IM) program.
Quality and performance Image quality and video performance are impacted by the following factors: The amount of light on the subject The webcam resolution setting The performance of the computer The bandwidth of the Internet connection, especially for chat If you are experiencing slow or choppy video or washed out color, try adding a small lamp to the area that will not be visible in the frame.
Multiple User Video Call – allows you to include up to three participants in a multi-user video call that works across your Skype, Facebook, or Google Talk contact lists. It also shows you “live” online information, so you only see contacts who are actually online. Mobile support for iOS and Android is available. Start a Video Call – allows you to engage in a video chat across popular instant messaging programs.
4 Follow the video chat steps in the IM program documentation. NOTE: The Video Chat Quick Launch utility appears only during initial setup. The next time you press the HP Instant Chat button on the webcam, the selected IM program will open automatically. To select a different IM program after initial setup, double-click the HP Webcam Control Center 5 icon on your desktop, and then click Start a Video Call . (Optional) Select the effects you want to apply: Turn face tracking on and off.
Starting a multiple user video call 1 To start a multiple user video call, double-click the HP Webcam Control Center on the Windows desktop, and then click Multiple User Video Call 2 icon . Log in to VuRoom for HP using your user name and password. NOTE: If this is your first time using the program, you need to create an account. Your account is associated with your e-mail address. 3 The first time you log in, you can add contacts from the supported services.
4 Highlight the contact to call, and then click Start Call. When you initiate a call, the contact receives a notification to join your call. Once you initiate a call, you can perform additional functions. Maximize window Share screen/desktop Display a group instant message chat panel Record the video session Reference detailed online help For more detailed information on the features and functions on multiple user video calling, go to the online help.
Recording a video 1 Do either of the following to open ArcSoft WebCam Companion and enter capture mode: Press the Video Record Double-click the HP Webcam Control Center button on your webcam. then click Take Video or Photo icon on the Windows desktop, and . 2 (Optional) Click Full Screen to record in full-screen mode. 3 (Optional) Click the resolution list below the icons in the upper-right corner, and select the resolution setting you want to use for the recording.
Taking a picture 1 Do either of the following to open ArcSoft WebCam Companion and enter capture mode: Press the Snapshot -or- Double-click HP Webcam Control Center button on your webcam. click Take Video or Photos 2 . Use capture mode to take either a single picture or a series of pictures: To take a single picture, press the Snapshot Take Picture 3 on the Windows desktop, and then button again or click . To take a series of pictures, click Burst .
Managing videos and pictures After you capture a video or take a picture, you can use the icons in the lower-left corner of the Capture screen to manage your pictures and videos. Click any of the following icons: Preview a picture or video. Locate a picture or video on your computer hard drive. Send a picture or video as an email attachment. Upload a picture or video to YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Picasa, or Facebook. Print the pictures you selected. Delete the selected picture or video.
Uploading a picture or a video After you take a picture or record a video, follow these steps to post it on YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Picasa, or Facebook: 1 2 If you are in capture mode in ArcSoft WebCam Companion: Click the Captures Click the picture or video you want to upload. Click the Upload icon to display your pictures and videos. icon, and select YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Picasa, or Facebook.
Applying effects to a video or picture Many of the ArcSoft Magic-i Visual Effects features are integrated into ArcSoft WebCam Companion, so that you can continue to enjoy the effects you use in your video chats while you capture videos and take pictures. 1 Double-click the HP Webcam Control Center icon on the Windows desktop. 2 Click Take Video or Photos 3 Click the Effects 4 Click any of the icons in the lower-left corner to apply an effect. 5 To turn off all effects, click No Effect . tab. .
Using masques 1 Double-click the HP Webcam Control Center click Take Video or Photos icon on the Windows desktop, and then . 2 Hover over the Capture icon to expand the menu, and click the Masque 3 Select the masque you want to use. 4 (Optional) Click the icons above the preview image to adjust the image. 5 Press the Snapshot button again or click Take Picture icon. to take the picture. To learn more about using masques, click Extras and select Application Help.
Using fun frame 1 Double-click the HP Webcam Control Center click Take Video or Photos 14 icon on the Windows desktop, and then . 2 Hover over the Capture icon. 3 (Optional) Click Customize, click Select Layout and select a layout, select the frames you want to use, and then click OK.
Editing a video 1 Double-click the HP Webcam Control Center click Webcam Gallery 2 icon on the Windows desktop, and then . Click the video you want to edit. To learn about specific editing functions, click Extras and select Application Help. Advanced editing Hover over the Capture Editing icon to expand the menu, and then click the Advanced icon. To learn about specific editing functions in ArcSoft ShowBiz, click Options and select Help.
Using your webcam as a video monitor With the Monitor feature, you can use your webcam as a security camera. If the webcam detects motion or a face, it records the activity on your hard drive. Additionally, you can set the Monitor feature to send a snapshot by e-mail or post a snapshot on an FTP site if it detects activity. 1 Double-click the HP Webcam Control Center icon on the Windows desktop. 2 Click Monitor 3 Click Start Monitor to begin monitoring.
Adjusting webcam settings You can adjust most webcam settings in ArcSoft WebCam Companion. 1 Double-click the HP Webcam Control Center icon on the Windows desktop, and then click Webcam Settings . 2 Click the WebCam Settings icon near the top right corner of the screen, and then click Advanced. 3 Select the Video Proc Amp tab to perform the following functions: 4 5 To manually adjust a setting, drag the slider for the setting.
Adjusting additional webcam settings You can change additional webcam settings in ArcSoft Magic-i Visual Effects. 1 If it is open, close the ArcSoft WebCam Companion window. 2 Double-click ArcSoft Magic-i Visual Effects the task bar. 3 On the Webcam Settings tab, do any of the following: , click the Private tab, click Click System Setting in the notification area, at the far right of Load Image , and then select an image to replace the webcam video when you want privacy during a chat.
Troubleshooting Problem Solution The video is jerky. Many factors affect video quality, including lighting, processor speed and memory, and Internet connection speed. If the video is jerky, you need to choose a lower resolution setting. There are lines interfering with the image. 1 Double-click the HP Webcam Control Center desktop. 2 Click Take Video or Photos 3 Click the resolution list below the icons in the upper-right corner, and select a lower resolution setting.
Problem The webcam buttons are not working properly. Solution Look in the notification area at the far right of the task bar for the HP Button Manager icon. If you do not see the HP Button Manager the Start menu and click HP Button Manager I hear an echo or feedback in the speakers. icon, then open to restart the program. On Windows XP computers, check to see if the USB Video Device program and ArcSoft WebCam Companion are both running.
Problem The webcam microphone does not work with Skype. I have more than one USB Video Device option. Which one should I use? Solution 1 On the Skype menu bar, select Call > Audio Settings. 2 Make sure the microphone device is set to USB Video Device (Windows XP) or HP Webcam (Windows Vista or Windows 7). 3 Drag the Microphone Volume slider toward High to increase the volume level. 4 Click Save. 5 Retry the call. You have more than one video device connected to your computer.
