General DCS1800HP User Manual

z

HIGH-PERFORMANCE

WIRELESS RECORDING

VIDEO BORESCOPE SYSTEM

with VGA RESOLUTION PROBE

USER’S MANUAL

DCS1800HP

Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 –4

Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

What’s in the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 –6

Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 –8

Charge Console and Probe Handle/Controller Batteries . . 7 –8

Sync Console and Probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Insert SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 –9

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 – 16

Viewing Live Video on the Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 – 10

Using the Three Control Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Attaching the Mirrored Viewing Tip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Viewing Live Video on a TV Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 – 12

Taking Pictures and Recording Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Viewing Photos and Playing Back Videos . . . . . . . . . . . 12 – 13

Accessing SD Card Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Navigating the Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 – 15

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 – 16

Operating, Maintenance & Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Compatible Probes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

2

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’ (General’s) DCS1800HP High­Performance Wireless Recording Video Borescope System with VGA Resolution Probe.
Please read this user’s manual carefully and thoroughly before using the instrument.

The DCS1800HP has three main components: the DCS1800 Handheld Wireless
Recording Video Borescope Console, the P16181HP VGA Resolution Probe, and the
DCS1800-RT Wireless Probe Handle/Controller (that connects the console and probe).
The P16181HP is 1m (39 in.) long and has a diameter of 5.5mm (0.22 in.). In addition to
a VGA resolution camera, the probe has three buttons on its controller that enable you to
brighten, rotate and remove reflections from video and images to improve their clarity
and readability. The probe is compatible with the following systems and components
from General:

• The DCS1800, DCS1600, DCS1700, DCS800 and DCS2000 Recording Video
Borescope Inspection System consoles

• The H16, H17, and H8 Handheld Recording Consoles (the DCS1600, DCS1700 and

DCS800 systems without a probe).
The DCS1800-TR expands the universe of probes compatible with the DCS1800 console

to include dozens of General's high-performance wired probes. It provides both the
connector needed to interface with a high-performance wired probe, and the transmitter
needed to send the video it captures to the DCS1800 console.

Two tables describing all probes compatible with the
DCS1800 console can be found on p. 18.

A thumbwheel on the right side of the DCS1800-TR
allows you to adjust the brightness of the LEDs
illuminating the camera at the end of the probe.
Separately, the ability to detach the monitor from the
probe also increases application flexibility by, for
example, enabling two-handed operation, as shown in
the photo at right.

The DCS1800 console has three operating modes: Preview, Playback and Menu:

• In Preview mode, video framed by the camera’s field of view is displayed in real time
on the console’s LCD. The console automatically enters this mode when powered on.
A front-panel button allows you to double the size of a target (a zoom level of 2X). The
same button allows you to “mirror” video, making it possible to read serial numbers
seen and “reversed” by an attached probe with a mirrored viewing tip. In Preview
mode, real-time video also can be exported through an included video cable to any
NTSC- or PAL-format TV monitor with RCA input jacks.

Operating in Preview mode, the DCS1800 console also allows you to record inspection
video clips and photos at VGA (640 x 480 pixel) resolution on an included SD memory
card by pressing icon-labeled buttons on the console’s front panel. The remaining
front-panel buttons enable access to Playback and Menu modes.

• In Playback mode, you can browse the SD card for saved video and picture files and
view the media on the console’s LCD or a larger TV monitor. Video clips and photos

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also can be viewed on a PC by removing the SD card and plugging it into the
computer directly or through a card reader. Because videos are saved as .avi files and
photos as .jpg files, applications found on most PCs (Microsoft Windows Media Player
and Microsoft Office Picture Manager) can open the files. The 4GB SD memory card
included in the DCS1800HP case can store at least 4 hours of video, recorded at
15 Mbytes/minute, in addition to hundreds of photos.

• In Menu mode, you use familiar scrolling motions and responses to dialog boxes to
navigate a main menu with six submenus. When selected, submenu items execute
“housekeeping” functions such as deleting files, setting the date and time, enabling or
disabling date and time stamps, choosing any of 28 languages for display indications,
selecting a Video out format and adjusting the triggering time of the console’s Auto
Power Off (APO) function.

KEY FEATURES

• Slim (5.5mm diameter), IP67 waterproof probe with high-quality VGA resolution
(640 x 480 pixel) camera at its tip, and light boost, anti-reflection and 90° image
rotation buttons on its controller. Camera lighting is provided by six adjustable­brightness white LEDs—four facing front and two at an angle to reduce glare.

• Operating flexibility is maximized when console is detached from probe. In this
mode, video captured by probe can be sent wirelessly through probe handle/
controller to console from up to 33 ft. (10m) away on any of four channels.

•

Console has 3.5 in. diagonal color LCD for viewing probe video instantly and saved
video clips and pictures later

• Compatible with dozens of high-performance camera-tipped probes from General
(see p. 18)

• 28 available menu languages

• Familiar menu-driven user interface for viewing and recording photos and voice­annotated video clips on standard SD memory card (4GB card included) and playing
back media on console, TV or PC

• Console and probe handle/controller powered by separate rechargeable Lithium-ion
batteries with 4-hour capacity

• 1-year limited warranty

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION!

Never insert any probe attached to the DCS1800 console into any structure or

space known or suspected to contain live electric wiring

• The DCS1800 system is intended for industrial applications only. Do not use a
compatible probe for human or any other biological inspections.

• Never insert an attached probe into any flammable gas or liquid (including fuels in
an oil, gasoline or diesel tank)

• Do not disassemble the console. Doing so creates a potentially fatal electrical
hazard (and voids the warranty as well).

4

WHAT’S IN THE CASE

The DCS1800HP system comes in a custom hard plastic protective carrying case. Inside the
case are:

• The DCS1800 console. The console integrates an LCD monitor, circuitry for wirelessly
connecting to a high-performance camera-tipped probe from General, and front-panel
controls for enlarging and/or mirroring live video as well as recording and playing back
video clips and photos captured by an attached probe.

• The P16181HP VGA Resolution Probe, with a length of 1m (39 in.) and a diameter of

5.5mm (0.22 in.)

• The DCS1800-TR Probe Handle/Controller for transmitting probe video to the DCS1800
console

• A 110° mirrored viewing tip for the probe • A 4GB SD memory card

• An AC adapter/battery charger for a 110/220VAC supply. The adapter has a 5.5VDC,
center-positive output plug.

• An A/V cable for connecting the DCS1800 console to a TV monitor. The cable has RCA plugs
at one end and a mini-stereo plug at the other end.

• A small flat-blade screwdriver for changing the wireless channel of the console and probe

• This user’s manual

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Fig. 1 shows the names and locations of all of the controls, ports and jacks of the
DCS1800 console. Table 1 details how the function of each front-panel button changes
with the console’s operating mode. Fig. 2 shows the names and locations of the controls
and main physical features of the P16181HP VGA Resolution Probe. Familiarize yourself
with the labels, positions and functions of all buttons and connectors before moving on
to the Setup Instructions and Operating Instructions.

Fig. 1.
The controls,
ports and jacks
of the DCS1800
console

5

(1) (2)

(3)

(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

1 Start/Stop Video Recording

Button
2 Snapshot Button
3 Power On/Off Button
4 Previous Video/Photo Button
5 ▼ Next Video/Photo Button

6 OK/Menu Enter/Save/Enter

Menu mode Button

7 Esc Escape/Zoom/Mirror Button
8 SD Card Socket
9 A/V Out Jack

10 AC Adapter Jack

Table 1. The DCS1800 console’s multi-function buttons

Button Label In Preview Mode In Playback Mode In Menu Mode

▲ Switches to Playback mode Selects next-oldest video or photo. Moves up one line.

Also increases playback speed to When setting date/time,

1.5X, 2X or 4X. moves ahead one field.

▼ Switches to Playback mode Selects next-newest video or photo. Moves down one line.

Also decreases playback speed from When setting date/time,
4X, 2X or 1.5X. moves back one field.

OK/Menu Switches to Menu mode Plays/pauses video clip Executes highlighted

command

Esc Presssed briefly, doubles Switches to Preview mode Switches to Preview

size of target (zooms 2X) mode
Pressed and held, mirrors
video

Takes a picture No action When setting date/time,
(stores .jpg photo on SD card) increases field value by one

unit

Starts/stops recording an Offers option to delete selected When setting date/time,
.avi video on SD card video/photo file decreases field value by

one unit

Fig. 2. The controls and physical features

of the P16181HP VGA Resolution Probe

1. Probe

2. Stainless steel camera head
containing four forward-facing

LEDs and two side-facing LEDs

3. Stainless steel accessory

alignment ring

4. Black metal thread protector ring

5. Red rubber protective cap

6. Probe handle

7. Light boost button

8. 90° rotation button

9. Anti-reflection button

10. Probe connector

16. Channel selector switch (on back)

6

1

10

9

8

7

6

5

4
3

2

7

SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

CHARGE CONSOLE AND PROBE
HANDLE/CONTROLLER BATTERIES

To prepare to power the system on for the first time,
begin by attaching the P16181HP probe to the
DCS1800-TR probe handle/controller. To make the
connection, retract the metal collar of the probe
connector (Fig. 2, Callout 10) to expose the alignment
key with a dot. Keeping the collar pulled back, align this dot with the dot on the
connector of the probe handle/controller and push the two connectors together. To
secure the connection, push the collar forward and turn it clockwise until tight.

Next, securely attach the probe handle/controller to the back of the DCS1800 console
using the two motions shown above at right. Plug one end of the supplied AC adapter/
battery charger into a 110VAC receptacle. Then swing the black rubber protective flap
away from the right side of the DCS1800 console to expose the AC adapter jack (Fig. 1,
Callout 10). Insert the cylindrical plug at the end of the adapter/charger cable into the
AC adapter jack. This will begin charging the console’s battery and the probe handle/
controller’s battery at the same time. Next, power on the probe by rotating the probe
handle/controller’s thumbwheel downward until you feel and hear a click.

Table 2. Correlating the color of the LED on the probe handle/controller with its
battery charge

LED COLOR BATTERY STATUS COMMENT

Green ln use Working under full battery

Dark Red Low battery Recharge battery when

dark red light appears during usage

Oranqe Charging while in use Charging while in use

Red Charging with power off Charging with power off

None Full battery with power off Light dims when

battery is fully charged

Next, press the red the button on the console (Fig. 1, Callout 3) and hold it for at least
five seconds. The LCD will illuminate and briefly show a battery charge indicator and
two SD card status advisories (see page 9 for details) superimposed on video being
captured in real time by the camera at the end of the probe. After a few seconds, only
live video will remain.

Practice using the thumbwheel on the probe handle/controller to adjust the intensity of
the camera’s lighting. In a brightly lit room, moving the thumbwheel has a big effect on
the brightness of the LEDs at the tip of the probe, but a much smaller effect on the
brightness of video on the screen. The on-screen impact of changing brightness is more
pronounced in dark environments.

To power off the DCS1800 console, push the button and hold it for at least five
seconds.

It will take several hours to fully charge the console and probe handle/controller
batteries the first time. You cannot replace either battery, which can only be replaced
by General-authorized service personnel. Do not open the case of either component
in an attempt to change the battery yourself. Doing so creates a potentially fatal
electrical hazard (and voids the warranty as well) with the AC adapter plugged in.

With proper care (charging the batteries often, and never allowing them to completely
discharge), you can expect each battery to last four or five years. Fully charged batteries
should power at least four hours of operation.

SYNC CONSOLE AND PROBE

It’s important to realize that the DCS1800 console is now showing video only because
the probe is physically attached to it. For most inspection applications, you will want to
detach the probe handle/controller from the console and use its built-in transmitter to
send probe video to the console’s LCD wirelessly. Detaching the two components frees
up both of your hands. You can then use one hand to feed the probe into the area you
want to inspect, and the other hand to adjust video brightness using the probe
handle/controller's thumbwheel, and zoom and/or mirror video by using the console’s
Esc button.

The probe handle/controller and console can communicate wirelessly only if both
components are operating on the same channel. Four channels centered on 2.4GHz are
available. Both components may have already been set to the same channel at the
factory. To discover whether that is the case, detach the probe handle/controller from
the console. If the console’s LCD resumes showing probe video after a brief delay, the
two units are already operating on the same channel and there is no need to sync them.

If detaching the probe handle/controller from the console causes the video to disappear,
leaving static on the screen, you must sync the two components.

To synchronize the transmitting frequency of the probe handle/controller with the
receiving channel of the console, you can either change the channel of the probe or

the channel of the console. In either case, you will use the small flat-blade screwdriver
included in the case. The channel selector switch of the console is on the rear of the
unit, in the center near the top. The channel selector switch of the probe
handle/controller is also on the back of the unit.

Since there are only four available channels, the fastest way to sync the two
components is to use the screwdriver to move the channel selector switch of either
component through all four of its possible positions. When probe video appears on the
console, you have succeeded in syncing the two units.

INSERT SD CARD

This final setup step enables storage of video clips and photos. Remove the supplied
4GB SD memory card from its packaging. Discard the packaging, but save the plastic
storage case.

Push the SD card into the socket on the right side of the console (Fig. 1, Callout 8). Be
sure the card’s gold contacts are facing the rear and enter the socket first. Push in the
card until you feel it spring back and you hear a click.

Note that when you inserted the SD card, the advisory “SD CARD INSERTED” briefly
appeared on the bottom line of the LCD and a new icon with four bars appeared briefly
on the bottom right. This icon indicates the used capacity of the memory card. Four
green bars indicate a full SD card. No green bars indicate an empty card.

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To remove the card later, push it in gently until you hear a click and the card pops out far
enough for your fingers to grab.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

VIEWING LIVE VIDEO ON THE CONSOLE

Continue charging the console and probe batteries until both are fully charged. To
determine whether the console’s battery is fully charged, either power the console off
and then on again, or press the ▲ or ▼ button, followed by the Esc button. A battery
charge status icon will briefly appear at the lower left of the LCD, as explained and
shown below on this page.

The charge of the probe handle/controller’s battery is indicated by the color of the LED
on the side of the unit. Table 2 on p. 7 correlates the LED's color with the probe
handle/controller’s charge level.

While the batteries continue to charge, General recommends that you become familiar
with the DCS1800 console's controls, indicators and menu options before taking the unit
out into the field. The system operates the same way whether powered by batteries or
the AC adapter.

To begin, power off the unit by pressing and holding the button on the console. Then
press and hold the button again to power the console back on. Each time the console is
powered on, the screen shown below will appear briefly, superimposed on live video
captured by the camera probe. Together, the number of bars in each icon represent the
DCS1800 console’s two “vital signs”—battery charge and available memory capacity.

The number of filled-in bars at the bottom of the screen
reflects the amount of data currently stored on the SD
card. A full card would be indicated by four bars. The more
filled-in bars in the icon, the higher the current level
of battery charge. Four bars indicate a fully
charged battery.

Finally, note the dual function of the Esc button in Preview
(live video) mode:

• Press the Esc button briefly and the size of targets will be doubled as the
camera’s field of view is reduced by that amount. A magnifying glass icon and the
text +2.0x will appear on-screen and remain there after the available memory
capacity bars and the battery charge icon make a brief appearance.

• Press and hold the Esc button
and video will be mirrored
horizontally, as shown in the two
photos at right. The effect makes
it possible to read text or serial
numbers “reversed” by an
attached probe with a mirrored
viewing tip—by undoing the
reversal. A mirror icon will appear on-screen to indicate that video is being
mirrored.

9

You can mirror and zoom videos at the same time by pressing the Esc button briefly, and
then pressing and holding the button. In this case, a magnifying glass icon, the text
+2.0x and a mirror icon will appear on-screen together.

USING THE THREE CONTROL BUTTONS

To boost the intensity of the three LEDs normally providing camera lighting, press the

button. Doing so lights a red LED behind the button and improves the brightness of

video and images, as shown below.

BEFORE BOOST AFTER BOOST

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. Pressing the button a third time rotates the field of view yet another 90°.
Pressing the button a fourth time restores the original view and extinguishes the red
button backlight.

To remove glare, reflections or spots from the field of view,
use the button. Pressing the button adds a red backlight to
it, just like the other two buttons on the probe controller.

This anti-reflection feature of the P16181HP is most useful
for eliminating reflections of the three forward-facing LEDs
in the camera head from shiny surfaces. Note that pressing
the button extinguishes the three forward-facing LEDs
and shifts responsibility for camera lighting to the two side­facing LEDs. The net effect, as shown in the two photos
at right, is a clearer and more-readable image.

You can also use the anti-reflection function to remove glare
created by the P16181HP’s mirrored viewing tip (see the
next section of this manual for installation and alignment
instructions). The pair of images below illustrates the net
positive effect.

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WITH ANTI-REFLECTION

WITHOUT ANTI-REFLECTION

MIRRORED VIEW
WITHOUT
ANTI-REFLECTION

MIRRORED VIEW
WITH
ANTI-REFLECTION

ATTACHING THE MIRRORED VIEWING TIP (OPTIONAL)

The only accessory included with the P16181HP is a 110° mirrored viewing tip. To
attach it to the probe:

1. Pull off the red rubber lens cap (Fig. 2, Callout 5).

2. Unscrew and remove the black metal thread protector ring

(Callout 4), as shown at right.

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. Screw the mirrored viewing tip onto the camera head

(Callout 2) by turning it clockwise, as shown at right. Keep
turning until the viewing tip is as far from the probe tip as
possible. In this position, it can rotate freely.

5. Press the button to activate the two-side facing LEDs.

6. Slowly turn the mirrored viewing tip counterclockwise to move it toward the probe

tip. Once the threads of the tip grip the camera head, continue turning only until the
two LEDs are clearly visible through the gap in the tip’s housing.

7. Secure the tip with the thumb and forefinger of one hand and use your other hand

to turn the alignment ring clockwise. Keep turning the ring until its leading edge
contacts the mirrored viewing tip, locking it in place. The pair of figures below
illustrate the incorrect (left) and correct (right) orientation of the mirror with respect
to the LEDs.

Remove the blue circular protective film from the mirror by pulling on its tab with a
tweezers.

VIEWING LIVE VIDEO ON A TV MONITOR

Your DCS1800 system comes with a video cable for connecting the console to a TV or
TV monitor that uses either the NTSC or PAL analog broadcast standard. By making the
connection, you can view live video (or saved videos and pictures) on a screen larger
than the console’s.

To implement the connection in hardware, insert the stereo mini-plug of the provided
cable into the A/V Out jack of the console (Fig. 1, Callout 9). Then insert the yellow RCA
plug at the other end of the cable into the Video In jack of your TV or TV monitor, and the
white RCA plug into the left or right channel audio input jack of the TV. Be sure to set the
TV input to external video.

Live video shown on a TV monitor can be enlarged, mirrored, or enlarged and mirrored
at the same time, as it can when viewed on the console’s LCD.

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✓

To activate the connection in software and begin exporting console’s video to a TV, refer
to the instructions for the AV OUTPUT and TV SYSTEM lines in the “Navigating the Main
Menu” section of this manual, beginning on p. 14.

TAKING PICTURES AND RECORDING VIDEOS

To take a picture, make sure the console is in Preview mode (with live video appearing
on the LCD) and press the

button (Fig. 1, Callout 2)

. Doing so creates a .jpg file of
the frame being displayed at that moment and stores it on the SD card. The photo’s file
name and the current date and time appear briefly on the bottom line of the LCD to
confirm that a picture was taken. The console automatically returns to Preview mode
after taking a picture.

To record a video, make sure the console is in Preview mode and press the button
(Fig. 1, Callout 1). Doing so begins creating an .avi video file for storage on the SD card.
An orange running clock appears at the lower left of the screen to confirm that a
recording is in progress, and it remains there for the duration of the video. To stop
recording, press the button again. This makes the running clock disappear and
returns the console to Preview mode.

While a video is being recorded, all console buttons other than the and Esc buttons
are disabled. Pressing the button stops the recording and returns the console to
Preview mode. You cannot pause the recording of a video clip; you must stop the clip
and start recording a new one. Briefly pressing the Esc button activates the 2X zoom
function and applies it “on the fly” to the clip being recorded. Pressing and holding the
Esc button does not mirror the field of view of the clip being recorded.

The console will be unable to store videos and pictures if its SD memory card is full,
write-protected or damaged. When the instrument senses any of these conditions, it will
superimpose the advisory SD CARD FULL at the bottom of the screen in Preview mode.
To remedy the situation, either replace the full SD card by another card with spare
capacity, or delete files individually or in bulk. Instructions for deleting files can be found
later in this user’s manual.

VIEWING PHOTOS AND PLAYING BACK VIDEOS

To view a picture or play back a video clip (or more than one in order) on the console’s
LCD or a TV monitor, switch the unit out of Preview mode and into Playback mode by
pressing the ▲ or ▼ button (Fig. 1, Callouts 4 and 5, respectively). In Playback mode,
pressing the ▼ button repeatedly recalls all photos and videos from memory in reverse
chronological order (in other words, the newest first and the oldest last). Each press of
the ▲ button selects the next oldest picture or video.

Selected photos are displayed automatically, with their file name appearing briefly at
the bottom of the LCD and their position in the chronological order of all saved files
(7/10, for example) appearing briefly at upper right. After a few seconds, only the date
and time of the photo's capture remain superimposed on the image at the bottom
of the screen.

Like photos, selected video clips are indicated by the brief appearance of their file name
at the bottom of the screen and their chronological position at upper right. Selection of a
video clip is also indicated by the presence of a film strip icon and the clip’s duration on

12

the top line. Unlike photos, video clips are not displayed automatically. To start playing
a video clip, press the OK/Menu button. To pause playback, press the OK/Menu

button again. To resume playback, press the button again.
To increase the video playback speed to 1.5X, 2X or 4X normal, press the ▲ button

once, twice or three times. To decrease playback speed toward normal (1X), press the
▼ button once, twice or three times.

While each photo and video is on-screen, pressing the button gives you the option to
delete its file. Pressing the button calls up a dialog box with the word DELETE on the left
and the term [OK] on the right. To delete the file, press the OK/Menu button. To keep
the file and select the next-oldest file for display, press the Esc button.

ACCESSING SD CARD CONTENT

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 eject the memory card from the console and plug it directly
into a PC. If your PC does not have an SD card slot, you can purchase a USB SD card
reader (Part No. SDRD1) from General.

If you choose to remove the SD card from the console and plug it into a PC, either
directly or through a card reader, remember to eject the card from the PC once you are
done viewing (and/or copying) the files it contains. Depending on your PC’s startup
settings, your computer may fail to restart following its next shutdown if the SD card
remains inserted. The PC’s operating system may try to reboot from the SD card and be
unable to do so.

Details of the SD card’s file structure are worth mentioning because assigned file names
contain useful information. The figure below illustrates the hierarchy. It shows that the
SD card contains one folder named “DCIM” and one subfolder named “100_DCAM”. The
100_DCAM folder contains all stored photo and video files, identified by their .JPG and
.AVI extensions. You should not rename the DCIM or 100_DCAM folders while the

SD card is inside your PC. If you rename either folder, the console will fail to
recognize the SD card the next time you plug it in.

NAVIGATING THE MAIN MENU

The main menu of the DCS1800 console provides access to the following housekeeping
and operational functions:

• Bulk file erasure

• Video exporting

• Setting the date and time

• Choosing a display language

• Selecting a TV format

• Enabling/disabling and adjusting the triggering time of the Auto Power Off function

Menu mode has a hierarchical structure and uses prompts and dialog boxes familiar to

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100_DCAM

PICT00XX.JPG

PICT00XX.AVI

anyone who has used an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The only constraint on using
the menu is your own response speed. If no selection is made within 2-1/2 minutes
following entry into Menu mode, the console will automatically revert to Preview mode.
The same time constraint applies to selections within submenus. If you do not respond
to a prompt (indicated by a flashing word or line of text) within 2-1/2 minutes, the
console will switch back to Preview mode—its default operating state.

To access the main menu, press the OK/Menu button to enter
Menu mode. Doing so brings up the screen shown at right.

To navigate the main menu, use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to move
up and down until the parameter you wish to change is
highlighted and flashing in green. Then press the OK/Menu
button to select it and call up its submenu.

The DELETE ALL FILES line gives you two options (yes and no) that can be selected
using the ▲ and ▼ buttons. The sequence is similar to the previously described
procedure for deleting an individual photo or video.

The AV OUTPUT line allows you to send live video, or saved video clips and photos, out
through the unit’s A/V out jack to an NTSC or PAL TV monitor. Before selecting this
option, make the physical connection described in the “Viewing Live Video on a TV
Monitor” section. Once you have connected to an external display, the console’s LCD will
go black and remain that way until you unplug the A/V cable from the console's A/V Out
jack. If you attempt to activate A/V output mode without having plugged in an A/V cable,
the LCD will display the following advisory: NO AVOUT CABLE.

The DATE/TIME SETUP line allows you to set the console's calendar and clock. Doing so
is necessary only if you wish to keep track of your photo and video files by date and time.

When DATE/TIME SETUP is selected, the first screen to appear will have the year
highlighted in orange. To decrease the value, press the button. To increase the value,
press the button. Once you have set the year, save the setting and advance to the
next field—the month—by pressing the ▼ button. Set the month as you did the year, by
using the and buttons to increase or decrease the value by one unit per button
press, and pressing the ▼ button to save the change (if any) and move on to the next
field. Repeat this process until all six date and time components have been set. To back
up from any field to the previous field, press the ▲ button.

The DISPLAY line below the date and time fields allows you to choose whether or not to
superimpose the date and time on the display in Preview mode. To always superimpose
the date and time, press the button until YES appears at the right of DISPLAY. To
never superimpose the date and time, use the same button to select NO. To save your
selection, press the OK/Menu button. Finally, press the OK/Menu button again to save
all of your settings.

The LANGUAGE line of the main menu allows you to view the main menu, as well as the
DELETE screens for individual photos and videos, in any of 28 languages (see the
Specifications section on page 16 for the full list). Use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to navigate
to the language you wish to use and then press the OK/Menu button to save your
selection.

14

DELETE ALL FILES
AV OUTPUT
D

ATE/TIME
LANGUAGE
T

V SYSTEM

AUTO POWER OFF

MAIN MENU

The TV SYSTEM line enables you to choose either NTSC or PAL formatting of the videos
you export to a TV monitor. Press either the ▲ and ▼ button to make your choice and
then push the OK/Menu button to save the setting.

The AUTO POWER OFF line of the main menu is not visible on the screen that first
appears after you press the OK/Menu button to put the console into Menu mode. To
show the line, scroll down past the TV SYSTEM line. When the AUTO POWER OFF line
appears, press the OK/Menu button to open the APO sub-menu..

By default, the AUTO POWER OFF function of the console is disabled. To enable it, and
to choose how quickly to power off the instrument following a period of inactivity,
navigate to one of the four options (5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes) and press the OK/Menu
button. To re-disable the function later, enter Menu mode, scroll down to the AUTO
POWER OFF line, press the OK/Menu button, select OFF and press the OK/Menu button
again to save the setting.

SPECIFICATIONS

DCS1800 CONSOLE

Display Type Color TFT LCD

Display Size 3.5 in (89mm) diagonal

Display Resolution 320 by 240 pixels (QVGA)

Video Recording Resolution 640 x 480 pixels (VGA)

Video File Format .avi

Photo Recording Resolution 640 x 480 pixels (VGA)

Photo File Format .jpg

Video Out Formats NTSC, PAL

Video Frame Rate 30 frames per second (fps)

Receiving Frequencies 2.414GHz, 2.432GHz, 2.450GHz,

2.468GHz

Recording Medium Standard-size SD card

Interfaces A/V Out

Languages English, Spanish, Italian, French,

German, Portuguese, Traditional Chinese,
Simpified Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
Danish, Dutch, Polish, Russian,
Bulgarian, Turkish, Swedish, Finnish,
Norwegian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian,
Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian,
Romanian, Greek

15

Power Source Rechargeable 3.7V Li-ion battery

Power Consumption 1.8A @ 5.5VDC

Operating Temperature 32° to 140°F (0° to 60°C)

Storage Temperature -4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C)

Recharge Temperature 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C)

Console Dimensions 5.8 x 4.1 x 2.8 in. (147 x 105 x 71mm)

Console Weight 11.9 oz. (335g)

P16181HP PROBE

Length 1m (3.28 ft.)

Diameter 5.5mm (0.22 in.)

Depth of Field 0.25 to 12 in. (6.4 to 300mm)

Field of View 60° (diagonal)

Resistances To water, oil & dust per IP67 standard

Camera Lighting 4 forward-facing LEDs + 2 side-facing

LEDs

Operating Temperature -4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C)

Dimensions of Probe Controller 5.47 x 1.38 x 1.26 in. (139 x 35 x 32mm)

Weight of Probe and Controller 7.76 oz. (220g)

DCS1800-TR PROBE HANDLE/CONTROLLER

Transmitting Frequencies 2.414GHz, 2.432GHz, 2.450GHz,

2.468GHz

Wireless Range 33 ft. (10m)

16

OPERATING, MAINTENANCE &
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

• Never remove the SD card while taking a picture or recording a video. Doing so may
damage the card and erase or corrupt the photo or video.

• If the LCD remains or goes dark, make sure that the console and probe batteries are
adequately charged, and that both components are operating on the same channel.

• If live video begins to look spotty, streaky or intermittent, the likely reason is an under­charged battery. Plug in the AC adapter/battery charger immediately.

• Avoid using corrosive liquids such as alcohol to clean either the LCD or the camera
head. To clean the camera lens and LEDs, use a cotton swab and a few drops of
water. To clean the LCD, use a soft cloth, cotton swabs and water. To clean the plastic
housings of the console and probe controller, use a soft, dry cloth.

• The probe is flexible to make it easy for you to inspect hard-to-reach areas. Never
insert or bend it by force, and never over-bend any part of the probe. Specifically:

• Do not bend the last 1 to 2 inches
of the probe by more than 110°

• Do not bend the probe at any other point
by more than 90°

• To avoid permanently damaging the
delicate wires and fiber optic cables inside
the probe, never curl it into a circle with a
diameter of less than 6 in.

• The camera head, LEDs and thread protector
ring are waterproof, but not acid-proof or fire-proof. Do not touch acidic, corrosive or
hot materials (see table below) or they will ruin the head.

• Unless you wish to install the 110° mirrored viewing tip, do not remove the thread
protector ring (Fig. 2, Callout 4). Never use the probe without attaching either an
accessory or the thread protector ring to it.

• When inspecting a vehicle, shut off the engine. Metal and liquid under the hood may
be hot. Do not get oil or gas on the camera head.

• If condensation forms inside the camera lens, let it evaporate before using the probe.

P16181HP’s Tolerance of Various Liquids

17

1 to 2 in.

(25 to 50mm) from tip

2 in. (50mm)

or more from tip

Liquid Tolerant

Aviation fuel Yes
Hydraulic oil Yes
Turbine oil Yes
Antifreeze Yes
Toluene (C7H8) No
Ethyl acetate (C4H8O2) No
Methyl ethyl ketone

(butanone) (C4H8O) No

Liquid Tolerant

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) Yes
Brine Yes
Engine oil Yes
Brake fluid Yes
Gasoline Yes
Diesel fuel Yes
Transmission fluid Yes
Mr Muscle (for glass) Yes

Liquid Tolerant

Mr Muscle (for bathroom) No
Edible vegetable oil Yes
Urea (CH4N2O) Yes
Insulating oil Yes
SeaFoam No
Nitric Acid (NHO3) No
Ammonia (NH4OH) No
Oil booster Yes

PROBES MADE COMPATIBLE BY DCS1800-TR WIRELESS
PROBE HANDLE/CONTROLLER

Model No. (SKU) Probe Description Camera Head Diameter Probe Length Depth of Field

P16HPART Soft Metal 1m (3.28 ft.)

P16HP2ART 2m (6.6 ft.)

P16HP3ART 3m (9.8 ft.)

P16181HP 1m (3.28 ft.)

P16182HP 2m (6.6 ft.)

P16183HP 3m (9.8 ft.)

P1839-M 1m (3.28 ft.)

P16182-39 2m (6.6 ft.)

P16183-39 3m (9.8 ft.)

P1618FS-49 1m (3.28 ft.)

P16182-49 2m (6.6 ft.)

P16183-49 3m (9.8 ft.)

P16PIP Pipe & Duct Inspection 28mm (1.1 in.) 22m (72 ft.) 0.4 in. (10mm)

Probe & Reel Set to infinityzzzz

18

COMPATIBLE PROBES

The tables below describe and compare all probes compatible with the DCS1800
console.

COMPATIBLE PROBES

Model No. (SKU) Probe Description Camera Head Diameter Probe Length Depth of Field

P18HPART VGA Resolution Wireless 6mm (0.23 in.) 1m (3.28 ft.) 0.25 to 12 in.

P18HP2ART 6mm (0.23 in.) 2m (6.6 ft.) 0.4 to 12 in.

P18HP3ART 6mm (0.23 in.) 3m (9.8 ft.)

VGA Resolution Wireless
Articulating Probe

6mm (0.23 in.)

0.25 to 12 in.

(6.4 to 300mm)

VGA Resolution

Articulating Probe

6mm (0.23 in.)

0.25 to 12 in.

(6.4 to 300mm)

3.9mm (0.15 in.)

4.9mm (0.19 in.)

Ultra-Slim Flexible-

Obedient Probe

Switchable
Front/Side View
Flexible­Obedient Probe

VGA Resolution
Probe (P16181HP
included with
DCS1800HP system)

5.5mm (0.22 in.)

WARRANTY INFORMATION

General Tools & Instruments’ (General’s) DCS1800HP High-Performance Wireless
Recording Video Borescope System with VGA Resolution Probe is warranted to the
original purchaser to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of
one year. Subject to certain restrictions, General will repair or replace this instrument if,
after examination, the company determines it to be defective in material or
workmanship.

This warranty does not apply to damages that General determines to be from an
attempted repair by non-authorized personnel or misuse, alterations, normal wear and
tear, or accidental damage. The defective unit must be returned to General Tools &
Instruments or to a General-authorized service center, freight prepaid and insured.

Acceptance of the exclusive repair and replacement remedies described herein is a
condition of the contract for purchase of this product. In no event shall General be liable
for any incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or for any cost, attorneys’
fees, expenses, or losses alleged to be a consequence of damage due to failure of, or
defect in any product including, but not limited to, any claims for loss of profits.

RETURN FOR REPAIR POLICY

Every effort has been made to provide you with a reliable product of superior quality.
However, in the event your instrument requires repair, please contact our Customer
Service to obtain an RGA (Return Goods Authorization) number before forwarding the
unit via prepaid freight to the attention of our Service Center at this address:

General Tools & Instruments

80 White Street New York, NY 10013 212-431-6100

Remember to include a copy of your proof of purchase, your return address, and your
phone number and/or e-mail address.

19

GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS

80 White Street

New York, NY 10013-3567

PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]

TOLL FREE [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]

www.generaltools.com

DCS1800HP User’s Manual

Specifications subject to change without notice

©2015 GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS

NOTICE - WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.

MAN# DCS1800HP

3/19/15

General Tools & Instruments

GeneralToolsNYC