Visual Communication Camera VGP-UVC100 Operating Instructions
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Introduction This camera is a USB 2.0 compatible visual communication camera. The camera enables you to use the TV telephone function on your computer. These are the following features. • 1.3 Mega-pixel CMOS sensor and microphone. • Shoot moving and still images, and transfer as video mail with the supplied “VAIO Camera Capture Utility” software. • Various camera settings, such as Backlight compensation adjustment and brightness, added effects, such as setting a frame, etc., with “VGPUVC100 device driver.
• If you display over a million-pixels, this camera is necessarily connected to the connector with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0). • It is necessary to install the software from the supplied installation disc, in order to use the camera. Names of Parts Lens Focus ring Microphone CAPTURE button Arm plate Arm Setting up Checking the supplied accessories Remove the camera from the box and make sure that the box contains the accessories listed below.
Installing the driver and the software Install the VGP-UVC100 device driver for using the camera on the computer. You can install “VAIO Camera Capture Utility” software for capturing still images and movies. Notes • Make sure that your disk drive, such as CD-ROM drive etc., is available for use on your computer. In this manual, the CD-ROM drives or multiple disk drives are referred to as “the CD-ROM drive.
Notes • Do not disconnect/reconnect the camera’s USB cable while your Windows operating system is starting up or shutting down; doing so may cause the camera or your computer to malfunction. • Carefully disconnect/reconnect the USB cable of the camera; doing it quickly might result in unstable operation of your computer. • This camera is designed to constantly secure a fixed amount of USB bandwidth for data transfer to display high-quality images.
Placing horizontally If the camera is to be put on a flat and stable place, such as on the CRT display, the computer, etc., do the following: 1 Turn the arm and arm plate towards you. 2 Put the camera on a stable surface. Removing the camera Note When your computer is off, you do not need to perform step 1 below. However, if you disconnect the USB cable while your computer is in power-saving mode, and then connect it again, the camera may not be detected. 1 2 Close the software used by the camera.
Using the Camera This section describes how to use the camera. Notes • When using the camera for the first time, make sure that you install the driver and the software before connecting the camera to your computer. For installation details, see “Installing the driver and the software” (page 5). • When using software that can be used with this camera, do not disconnect/reconnect the cameras USB cable while running the software or when starting up or quitting.
“VAIO Camera Capture Utility” software * The language which appears on the screen varies depending on the region. 1 Finder view 2 Mode selection buttons 3 CAPTURE button Changes function depending on the mode.
4 Focus the camera on an object and make any necessary adjustments, such as brightness. z Hints • The initial size of a still image is 1,280 × 1,024. Use the “VAIO Camera Capture Utility” software to change the size of a still or moving image. Note When the size of a still image is 1,280 × 1,024, some “Effects” functions and the “Zoom” function are not activated. If you want to use these functions, change the size of the still image. • We recommend using the “Mirror” function.
z Hints • The “VAIO Camera Capture Utility” software enables you to do the following. For details, refer to the help section of “VAIO Camera Capture Utility.” – To set up the image quality or mode – To send images by e-mail • When the “VAIO Camera Capture Utility” software is used, the still image format is JPEG. • It is possible to shoot moving images using the “Windows Movie Maker” software, which is packaged with Windows XP.
Closing the “VAIO Camera Capture Utility” software Click , which is on the top right of the “VAIO Camera Capture Utility” screen. Changing the camera setting To adjust the brightness, Backlight compensation, etc., go to “Property” of “VGP-UVC100 device driver.” In the “Property” screen, you can adjust the zoom or set up the frame. To display the “Property” screen Right-click the Settings.
x“Effects” setting screen In the “Effects” setting screen, change the following setting items: – Effect – Frame Note Functions of the “Zoom” setting screen and the “Effects” setting screen cannot be used simultaneously. If you cannot use the “Effects” setting screen, deactivate “Enable Zoom” box or “Face Tracking” box in the “Zoom” setting screen. x“Zoom” setting screen In the “Zoom” setting screen, change the following setting items: – Zoom adjustment To use the zoom function, check the “Enable Zoom” box.
Facing the camera on the opposite side The camera rotates as shown in the illustration below. You do not need to re-mount the camera to face the camera from the other direction. Adjusting the volume of the camera's built-in microphone Note Displayed names and screens vary depending on the model. 1 Double-click , which is on the task bar. “Volume control” appears. 2 Click the “Option” menu and select “Property.” “Property” appears.
4 Check if the microphone input is effectively set up. Make sure that checkbox for all mute is not checked. If it is checked, click the checkbox to uncheck it. 5 Adjust the microphone volume. Use the slider to adjust the volume. The setup is complete, after sound is heard on “VAIO Camera Capture Utility” software. When the built-in microphone does not work With certain types of software, you need to switch the audio input device manually to the camera’s built-in microphone.
Confirming Installing and Proceeding with Uninstalling Checking that the driver is installed 1 Mount the camera to your computer. For details, see “Mounting the camera” (page 6). 2 Click “Start”, right-click “My Computer”, and then click “Properties”. The “System Properties” dialog box appears. 3 Click the “Hardware” tab, and then click the “Device Manager” button. The “Device Manager” window appears. 4 Click the plus symbol (+) to the left of “Imaging Device” in the “Device Manager” window.
Uninstalling the driver If the driver is not installed correctly, follow the steps below to uninstall, and then reinstall the driver. Notes • Log on as Administrator before uninstalling the driver. • Remove the USB device except this camera’s device from your computer before uninstalling the driver. • Before uninstalling the driver, close the software applications used with the camera, such as the “Windows Movie Maker” software, etc. 1 Mount the camera to your computer.
Precautions Usage and storage locations Do not use or store this product in the following locations. Doing so may damage the camera. • Locations subject to abnormally high temperatures During periods of hot weather or the summer season, the temperature inside closed vehicles becomes especially high, and if the camera is left in such a location, it may warp or be damaged. • Locations subject to direct sunlight or next to heating appliances The camera may warp or be damaged.
• Do not touch the data side of the disc (opposite the label), and hold the disc as shown below. Cleaning the lens Remove any dust from the front of the lens using a blower brush or soft brush. Cleaning the disc • Do not scratch the disc. • Do not store the disc in locations subject to high humidity, high temperatures, direct sunlight, or high levels of dust. • Fingerprints and other contamination on the disc surface can lead to reading errors. Always keep the disc clean.
Getting Help This section provides information on how to get help and support from Sony, and on troubleshooting tips for your Visual Communication Camera. About Sony’s support options Sony provides several support options for your Visual Communication Camera. When you have questions about your camera or the software, refer to the following: ❑ This guide explains how to use your camera.
Power consumption Specifications Visual Communication Camera Image pickup 1/4” 1,330,000-pixel (1,310,000 effective pixels) color CMOS progressive scanning image sensor. Lens 2 groups, 2 lenses, F2.3 Focal length f=3.8 mm (0.1 inch) (equivalent to a 35 mm (1.4 inch) camera at f=31.3 mm (1.1 inch)) Focus range 30 mm to ∞ (1.2 inch to ∞) Angular field of view Horizontal approx. 56.8° Vertical approx. 42.6° White balance Indoors/Outdoors Shutter speed Approx. 1.0 W Dimensions Normal Approx. 2.4 × 2 × 1.
Troubleshooting If a problem occurs during operation of the unit, refer to the information provided in this section. If the problem persists, consult your nearest Sony dealer. For contact information, see “Getting Help” on page 20. Also refer to the manuals provided with your computer. 22 Symptom Cause/Remedy The camera is not recognized by your computer. • The USB cable is not connected properly. c Close the currently open software, and reconnect the cable. • The driver is not installed.
Symptom Cause/Remedy Still images and movie images downloaded from the camera appear grainy on the display. • Light may be reflected in images captured under fluorescent light. • If the downloaded image contains dark patches, red or green noise may appear. • The lens is dirty. c Clean the lens. • The image is out of focus. c Focus the image using the focus ring.
Symptom Cause/Remedy Sound is not recorded even though the microphone is connected. • Check whether the recording control (or audio recording control) is set properly (page 14). • If the device driver is not installed, sound may not be recorded even though the microphone is connected. Follow the procedure described in “Installing the driver and the software” (page 5) to install the driver. • Depending on your software, you may have to set the microphone as the audio input method manually.
Symptom Cause/Remedy Compared to the background, the subject is dark. When using the VIDEO chatting software, audio is choppy and difficult to hear. If lighting such as floor lamp is in the background, faces, etc. might appear dark. In that case, use the Backlight Comp function (page 12). • Depending on your network environment, the communication bandwidth may not be sufficient. Connect to a network with a higher bandwidth. • The sound in software is muted.
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