Creative PC-CAM 550 User Manual
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Creative PC-CAM 550 User Manual

Creative PC-CAM 550 User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Creative PC-CAM 550

  • Page 2: User Manual

    Creative PC-CAM 550 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.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Minimum System Requirements ... vii Updating Drivers... viii Document Conventions... viii Installing PC-CAM 550 PC-CAM 550 ... 1-1 Buttons and LCD on PC-CAM 550... 1-3 Buttons ... 1-3 LCD... 1-4 Inserting or Changing Batteries ... 1-6 Installing Software ... 1-7 In Windows 98/98 SE/Me ...
  • Page 4 Viewing a Photo ... 2-4 Viewing a Video ... 2-4 Reactivating the Camera... 2-4 Starting PC-CAM Center Help... 2-5 Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera Turning on the Camera... 3-1 Battery Low... 3-1 Taking Pictures ... 3-2 Tips on Taking Good Pictures... 3-5 Downloading Images from the Camera...
  • Page 5 Undocked mode... A-3 Light Sensitivity ...A-3 Video Formats ...A-3 Exposure Control ...A-3 Color Balance ...A-3 Color Matrix...A-4 Port Compatibility ...A-4 Flash ...A-4 Troubleshooting Problem Installing Software...B-1 Problems Using PC-CAM 550 ...B-1 Problems in Windows XP ...B-4 Note on USB Compatibility...
  • Page 6 Introduction...
  • Page 7 Downloading images from PC-CAM 550 is a breeze with PC-CAM Center. Creative PC-CAM 550 is also compatible with Instant Messanger Software, such as MSN, AIM and Yahoo Messanger. Use the Creative PC-CAM 550 to add video to your favorite Instant Messaging software, such as MSN Messenger (included with your software package), Yahoo Messenger, or the Windows Messenger feature built in to Windows XP.

  • Page 8: Introduction

    Use this application to download pictures to your computer, when using Center PC-CAM 550 as a portable digital camera. 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.

  • Page 9: Before You Begin

    ❑ Adobe Acrobat Software ❑ Microsoft README File ❑ The README file on the PC-CAM 550 installation CD contains information not available at the time of printing. Read the file before connecting your PC-CAM to the computer. Minimum System ❑ Genuine Intel ❑...

  • Page 10: Updating Drivers

    ❑ Sound Blaster 16 or higher, or other Windows-compatible audio card with full- to the Internet. duplex support for simultaneous two-way conversations Updating Drivers To download the latest drivers and file updates for PC-CAM 550, visit http://www.creative.com. Document The following typographical conventions are used throughout this document:...

  • Page 11: Installing Pc-Cam 550

    Installing PC-CAM 550...

  • Page 12: Pc-Cam 550

    Figure 1-1 shows you the front and back views of the camera. PC-CAM 550 Focus-free lens Snapshot button Viewfinder Strobe-Flash Front view Camera-ready LED Back view Figure 1-1: Front and back views of PC-CAM 550. Front LED Lights up when the camera is connected to the computer. Viewfinder Installing PC-CAM 550...
  • Page 13 Battery level indicator Power button Operation Mode button Flash mode Icons Figure 1-2: Buttons and LCD on PC-CAM 550. Single snapshot (high resolution), Single snapshot (normal resolution) and Single snapshot (low resolution) modes icons Self-timer single snapshot (high resolution)

  • Page 14: Buttons And Lcd On Pc-Cam 550

    The following section explains the functions of the buttons and LCD on Buttons and your PC-CAM 550. Refer to Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2 for the location of these LCD on PC- buttons and LCDs on your camera. CAM 550...

  • Page 15: Lcd

    The following LCD icons and symbols are found on your PC-CAM 550: ❑ Single snapshot (high resolution) This icon indicates that you are in Single snapshot (high resolution) mode. In this mode, the camera captures images at 1280 x 960 pixels with software interpolation.

  • Page 16: Battery Level Indicator

    To enable your camera’s audio cues again, press the Operation Mode button for two seconds. ❑ Image Counter Depending on which mode you are in, this counter displays the total number of photos left. Installing PC-CAM 550...

  • Page 17: Inserting Or Changing Batteries

    For PC-CAM 550 to function as a portable digital camera when it is Inserting or disconnected from the computer, you need to insert four 1.5 V AAA alkaline Changing Batteries batteries into its battery compartment. To insert or replace batteries: 1.

  • Page 18: Installing Software

    For users of Windows XP, see “In Windows XP” on page 1-11. In Windows 98/98 1. Do not connect PC-CAM 550 to your computer before installing the drivers. If you accidentally begin installation with PC-CAM 550 connected, the Add New SE/Me Hardware Wizard dialog box appears.
  • Page 19 If you are prompted to insert the Windows 98 CD, replace the PC-CAM 550 Installation CD with the appropriate CD. Note: Windows 98 is available in various editions. Be sure to use the correct edition for your computer.

  • Page 20: In Windows 98/98 Se/Me

    5. Connect PC-CAM 550’s USB cable to an available USB port on your computer (Figure 1-5). Place PC-CAM 550 on top of your computer monitor or another flat surface.

  • Page 21: Verifying The Installation In Windows 2000

    4. Click the Device Manager button. A window appears. 5. Click the plus (+) sign next to the Imaging Device icon. The entries Creative PC-CAM 550 (Still Image) and Creative PC-CAM 550 (Video) should appear. Click the plus (+) sign next to the Universal Serial Bus controllers icon.

  • Page 22: In Windows Xp

    5. Connect PC-CAM 550’s USB cable to an available USB port on your computer (Figure 1-5). Place PC-CAM 550 on top of your computer monitor or another flat surface.

  • Page 23: Verifying The Installation In Windows Xp

    4. Click the Device Manager button. A window appears. 5. Click the plus (+) sign next to the Imaging Device icon. The entries Creative PC-CAM 550 (Still Image) and Creative PC-CAM 550 (Video) should appear. Click the plus (+) sign next to the Universal Serial Bus controllers icon.

  • Page 24: Using Pc-Cam 550 As A Web Camera

    Using PC-CAM 550 as a Web Camera...

  • Page 25: Starting Pc-Cam Center

    PC-CAM Center is an easy-to-use application that enables you to take pictures and Starting record short videos with the PC-CAM 550 camera. You can also view pictures and PC-CAM Center videos, create and manage albums, and download image files from your camera.

  • Page 26: Capturing Images And Videos

    For instructions on how to take a photo or record a video without a preview, refer to the PC-CAM Center Help file. To launch PC-CAM Center Help, see “Starting PC-CAM Center Help” on page 2-5. Using PC-CAM 550 as a Web Camera...

  • Page 27: Taking A Photo In Preview Mode

    7. To preview the video, click the Play button on the bottom-left corner of the Live Video window. After you have previewed the video, and have decided that you want to save the video, click the Save button. 8. The video capture is added to the destination album. Using PC-CAM 550 as a Web Camera...

  • Page 28: Viewing A Photo

    If your computer goes into standby mode, your camera will go into suspend mode. Reactivating the You can reactivate the camera and computer using the following methods: Camera ❑ Move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard. ❑ Press the camera’s Snapshot button. Using PC-CAM 550 as a Web Camera...

  • Page 29: Starting Pc-Cam Center Help

    Help To start the Help file: 1. Click the Creative logo at the top left corner of PC-CAM Center’s main window. 2. On the PC-CAM Center menu, click Help. Using PC-CAM 550 as a Web Camera...

  • Page 30: Using Pc-Cam 550 As A Digital Camera

    Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera...

  • Page 31: Turning On The Camera

    Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera You can also use PC-CAM 550 as a portable digital camera when it is not connected to your computer. Note: Remember to insert four 1.5 V AAA alkaline batteries into the camera’s battery compartment.

  • Page 32: Taking Pictures

    The front red LED blinks once and the camera-ready green LED minutes. blinks when the image is stored into memory, and turns on after the image is saved. Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera...
  • Page 33 Single snapshot mode. The delay time is ten seconds. Note: You can cancel the snapshot while the camera is counting down by pressing the Snapshot button again. Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera...
  • Page 34 8. To take another picture, repeat steps 4 through 6. 9. To turn off the camera, press and hold the Power button for two seconds. Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera...

  • Page 35: Tips On Taking Good Pictures

    So keep your hands steady at all times for sharp, clear pictures. To avoid shaking the camera, gently squeeze the Snapshot button. If necessary, use both hands to hold the camera while pressing the Snapshot button. Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera...

  • Page 36: Downloading Images From The Camera

    Camera 1. Connect PC-CAM Center to your computer and start PC-CAM Center. 2. Click the Digital Camera button. Temporary copies of the PC-CAM files are created automatically, and displayed as thumbnails in the thumbnails window. 3. Click the Select All button to select all the files.

  • Page 37: Deleting Images From The Camera

    Undocked Mode When PC-CAM 550 is connected to your computer and you are using it as a portable digital camera, do the following to delete all the files in your camera’s memory: 1. In any mode, press the Snapshot button and Operation Mode button simultaneously for more than two seconds to delete all the files from the camera.

  • Page 38: A Technical Specifications

    Technical Specifications...

  • Page 39: Features And Specifications

    Technical Specifications This section lists the specifications of your PC-CAM 550 camera. ❑ Color VGA (640 x 480 pixels) CMOS image sensor Features and ❑ 8 MB of on-board non-volatile memory for image storage Specifications ❑ LCD counter display to indicate number of pictures left and mode of stills captured ❑...

  • Page 40: Image Resolution

    without flash. • Auto shut-off after three minutes of idle time ❑ When attached: • Captures video at up to 30 frames per second at image resolutions of 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 and up to 15 frames per second at 640 x 480 •...

  • Page 41: Undocked Mode

    • 176 x 144 • 160 x 120 ❑ Video Mode • 640 x 480 • 352 x 288 • 320 x 240 • 176 x 144 • 160 x 120 Undocked mode ❑ 1280 x 960 (with software interpolation) ❑...

  • Page 42: Color Matrix

    Preset and integral to camera Color Matrix Universal Serial Bus port Port Compatibility Between 1.5 meters (5 feet) and 2.5 meters (8 feet) effectiveness Flash Technical Specifications...

  • Page 43: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting...

  • Page 44: Problem Installing Software

    Troubleshooting This appendix provides solutions to problems you may encounter during installation or normal use. The setup program for PC-CAM 550 does not run automatically after you insert the Problem Installation CD into the drive. Installing The AutoPlay feature in your Windows system may not be enabled.
  • Page 45 An application reports that the video driver is already in use, or that the camera cannot be found. Do the following: ❑ The camera is not properly connected. To resolve this problem, ensure that the camera’s USB connector is inserted, and that the USB host controller is enabled in your computer’s BIOS.
  • Page 46 2. Double-click the Scanners & Cameras icon. The Scanners & Cameras Properties dialog box appears. 3. Click the Devices tab. 4. Click Creative PC-CAM 550 (Video), and then click the Properties button. The Creative PC-CAM 550 (Video) Properties dialog box appears. 5. Click the Events tab.

  • Page 47: Problems In Windows Xp

    You may see this message when installing this driver. If you do, you may choose to click the Continue Anyway button. Creative has tested this driver on Windows XP, and it does not impair or destablize your computer.

  • Page 48: Usb Compatibility

    USB Compatibility...

  • Page 49: Note On Usb Compatibility

    If the setup program warns you that your motherboard’s USB port is incompatible with PC-CAM 550, or if the camera does not work on your system and you suspect that the problem may be related to your PC’s USB port, the following is a list of available options: 1.

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