Argus Camera DC1500N User Manual

Video &

DC1500N

Photo Software

Electromagnetic Compatibility Notice....................................................................2

Caution .................................................................................................................2

Precautions...........................................................................................................3

About batteries ..................................................................................................3

Features of camera...............................................................................................4

System Requirements...........................................................................................4

Contents of package .............................................................................................4

Nomenclature .......................................................................................................5

Installing batteries.................................................................................................5

Low Battery .......................................................................................................6

Preparing to take photos.......................................................................................6

Turning camera on / off .....................................................................................6

Auto Power Off ..............................................................................................6

Selecting resolution ...........................................................................................6

Selecting AC mains frequency ..........................................................................7

Taking a photo ......................................................................................................7

Other Capture Modes ...........................................................................................8

Taking photos in Continuous mode ...................................................................8

Taking photos with self-timer.............................................................................8

Erasing photos......................................................................................................8

Erasing all photos at once .................................................................................8

Erasing the last taken photo..............................................................................8

Connecting camera to PC.....................................................................................9

Installing Arcsoft programs and camera drivers in Windows 98SE/Me .............9

Installing camera drivers ...............................................................................9

Installing Arcsoft programs and camera drivers in Windows 2000/XP ..............9

Installing camera drivers .............................................................................10

Downloading photos by using PhotoStudio .....................................................11

Downloading photos taken in Continuous Mode as a video ............................14

Recording videos directly to your computer by using PCCam......................... 17

Using PhotoPrinter ..........................................................................................18

Using PhotoFantasy ........................................................................................ 20

Additional Information .........................................................................................22

Opening the User’s Manual on program CD ...................................................22

Installing Acrobat Reader ............................................................................22

Uninstalling Arcsoft programs .........................................................................22

Product Specifications.....................................................................................22

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)...............................................................23

Trademark acknowledgements .......................................................................25

Responsible party............................................................................................25

Electromagnetic Compatibility Notice

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference

that may cause undesired operation.

Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If the unit does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try correcting the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to

which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or any experienced TV/radio technician for help.

NOTE:

• Shielded cables are used with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class B FCC limits.

• A high electrostatic discharge environment may cause the camera to malfunction. Reset the camera by taking out the batteries and re-inserting them.

Caution

In order to maintain compliance with FCC regulations, shielded cables must be used with this equipment. Operation with non-approved equipment or unshielded cables is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception. To comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules, this device must only be installed on computer equipment certified to comply with the Class B limits. In addition, only the supplied USB cable should be used with the product. Operation with non-certified computers, use of a cable other than that supplied,

or modification of the device may result in interference to radio or television reception and could void the user’s authority to operate this device.

Precautions

Thank you for purchasing DC1500 Digital Camera. Please read the following precautions carefully before using the product.  This camera is not resistant to water and should not be used outdoors in

snow or rain. If accidentally dropped in water, please quickly pour out the water. Dry it with sunlight or an air-blower.

 Protect it from excessive humidity. It will wet the lens and the pictures

taken will be blurred.

 Do not expose the camera to sand  Do not attempt to disassemble the camera yourself. Always take it to an

authorized service facility for repair.

 To store the camera, wrap it in a piece of clean, soft cloth and place it in a

cool, dry, dust-free place. Do not place the camera directly under the sun or in any hot circumstances.

 Take care of the lens. Use special cloth to clean it.  Do not scratch hard objects against the Lens, Status LCD Panel, or

Viewfinder.

 If the Status LCD Panel is damaged, do not touch it.  Condensation is a problem when bringing cold equipment into a warm

room. Try to put the camera in a plastic bag so condensation forms on the outside of the bag.

About batteries

 Battery life is shorter for poor quality batteries.  If nothing at all appears on the Status LCD panel, the batteries may be

inserted in wrong orientation.

 The batteries may explode or cause burns if disassembled, recharged,

shorted, exposed to high temperature, or disposed of in fire.

 Alkaline or Ni-MH batteries can be used with this camera. The camera

may not function properly if you use poor quality batteries.

 Make sure all batteries are fresh, unused or fully charged.  Ensure that batteries’ orientation is correct when placing them in the

camera

 Remove the batteries if you do not expect to use the camera for 1 month

or longer.

Important: Do not connect camera to PC before drivers are installed.

Features of camera

1. Image Resolution: High resolution: 352x288 pixels (CIF), Low resolution 176x144 (QCIF)

2. 2MB SDRAM internal memory for holding 20 photos at CIF and 80 photos at QCIF

3. Front LED indicator (Illuminates when camera is on, flashes when using timer)

4. Status LCD panel with 2-digit-7-segment display.

5. Buzzer sounds differently to indicate different operation modes

6. Picture Retention (while battery power is supplied)

7. Battery Power (3 pieces of AAA alkaline batteries recommended (4.5V))

8. Auto Power Off when no operation for 30 seconds

9. TWAIN driver “My DSC” provided for downloading photos and AVI videos recorded with the camera

10. “PCCam” provided for recording AVI videos of size as large as your computer hard disk can hold

11. USB port for PC connection

System Requirements

 Personal computer with a Pentium 300MHz microprocessor (minimum)

and a CD-ROM drive

 Windows 98SE / Me / 2000 / XP  32MB RAM for Windows 98SE, 64MB RAM for Windows Me/2000, 128MB

RAM for Windows XP

 500MB of available hard disk space for Windows 98SE/Me/2000, 1GB for

Windows XP

 Color display monitor with 16 bit color or above  Available USB port

Contents of package

• DC1500 Digital Camera x 1

• Program CD (containing PhotoPrinter, x 1

PhotoFantasy, PhotoStudio, User’s Manual and camera drivers)

• USB cable x 1

• Quick Start Guide x 1

• Warranty Card x 1

NOTE: 3 pieces of AAA alkaline batteries needed for the Digital Camera are NOT included in this package.

Nomenclature

Installing batteries

1. Slide open battery compartment cover at the bottom of your camera.

2. Install 3 pieces of AAA size alkaline batteries into battery compartment as shown.

3. Make sure battery polarities are oriented exactly as shown.

4. Close battery compartment cover.

CAUTION – To avoid battery leakage

• Non-rechargeable batteries are not to be recharged

• Be sure to insert batteries in correct orientation

• Remove batteries from the camera before extended storage

• Always remove old or dead batteries from the camera

• Do not short-circuit the power supply terminals

• Check that the contact surfaces are clean and bright before installing

batteries

Low Battery

If at anytime the frame counter information begins to flash in the LCD panel, the battery level is low. Download your photos to the computer and replace the batteries immediately.

Preparing to take photos

Turning camera on / off

Press Mode button to power on the camera. Two short beeps will sound.

(meaning High Resolution) will appear momentarily before is shown on the LCD panel, indicating that a maximum of 20 photos can be taken with high resolution.

To power off the camera, press Mode button repeatedly until “oF” displays on the LCD panel. Then press Shutter button.

Auto Power Off

With the camera on, if there is no operation for 30 seconds, the camera will automatically be turned off.

(frame counter)

Selecting resolution

The camera is defaulted to High Resolution (CIF) mode . To select low resolution (QCIF):

1. Press Mode button repeatedly until is shown on the LCD panel.

2. Press Shutter button to confirm your selection and “80” will appear on the LCD panel, indicating that a maximum of 80 photos can be taken with low resolution.

NOTE: After taking a few photos of low resolution, if you want to switch back to

high resolution: (1) Press Mode button until

appears on the LCD panel (2)

Press Shutter button to confirm your selection and the remaining number of photos that can be taken will be shown on the LCD panel.

Selecting AC mains frequency

This camera is set to your country’s AC mains frequency (e.g. 60Hz for US). If you take photos under an electric light source in another country with a different frequency (e.g. 50Hz for Europe), you have to set the frequency to 50Hz or horizontal, black stripes will be found on the photos, due to incorrect mains frequency. There will be no problems when taking photos under sunlight.

To change the frequency:

1. Press Mode button repeatedly until “60 (Hz)” or “50 (Hz)” is shown on the LCD panel

2. Press Shutter button to change from “60 (Hz)” to “50 (Hz)” (or from “50 (Hz)” to “60 (Hz)” to match that country’s AC mains frequency.

Taking a photo

Hold your camera in the way as shown below when taking photos.

1. Look through the viewfinder.

NOTE: The focus is set to work best when taking photos of an object that is at least 2 feet away from the camera.

2. Press Shutter button.

You will hear a “beep” and the frame counter will count down 1 frame, indicating that an image has been taken.

NOTE: If you do not hear the “beep” and/or the frame counter does not count down 1 frame, the photo has not yet been taken. Press Shutter button again to take the picture.

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