HIGH-PERFORMANCE RECORDING
VIDEO BORESCOPE SYSTEM with
VGA RESOLUTION ARTICULATING
PROBE
USER’S MANUAL
99 Washington Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Phone 781-665-1400
Toll Free 1-800-517-8431
Visit us at www.TestEquipmentDepot.com
DCS16HPART
Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What’s in the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 –5
Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 –6
Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 –8
Attach Probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Charge Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Insert SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 – 14
Viewing Live Video on the Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Operating the Probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 – 11
Using the Three Control Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 –9
Attaching the Mirrored Viewing Tip (Optional) . . 10 – 11
Viewing Live Video on a TV Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Taking Pictures and Recording Videos . . . . . . . . . . . 11 – 12
Viewing Photos and Playing Back Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Accessing SD Card Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 – 13
Navigating the Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 – 14
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 – 16
Operating, Maintenance & Troubleshooting Tips—
H16 Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Operating & Maintenance Tips—P16HPART Probe . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Compatible Probes & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’ (General’s) DCS16HPART HighPerformance Recording Video Borescope System with VGA Resolution Articulating Probe.
Please read this user’s manual carefully and thoroughly before using the instrument.
The DCS16HPART is a complete system that combines an H16 Handheld Recording
Video Borescope Console with a P16HPART VGA Resolution Articulating Probe, which is
1m (39 in.) long and has a diameter of 6mm (0.23 in.). A list of all probes compatible
with the H16 console can be found on p. 18.
The H16 is a handheld computerized console with a 3.5-inch (diagonal) color LCD. A
thumbwheel on the left side of the H16 allows you to adjust the brightness of the LEDs
illuminating the camera at the end of an attached probe. A horizontal line of green bars
indicating the brightness level temporarily appears on-screen whenever the unit is
powered on or the brightness is changed.
The 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 H16 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.
The zoom and mirroring functions can be applied at the same time. In Preview
mode, real-time video also can be exported through an included video cable to
any NTSC- or PAL-format TV monitor with an RCA input jack.
Operating in Preview mode, the H16 also allows you to record inspection videos (at
320 x 240 pixel resolution) and photos (at 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 also can be viewed on a PC in either of two ways: 1) by removing the SD
card and plugging it into the computer directly or through a card reader; or 2) by
using a supplied cable to connect the H16 to the PC through one of its USB ports.
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 with the H16 can
store at least 10 hours of video, recorded at an average of 6 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 27 languages for display
indications and menu options, selecting a Video out format and disabling or
adjusting the console’s Auto Power Off trigger.
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KEY FEATURES
•
3.5 in. diagonal color LCD for viewing probe video in real time and saved video and
pictures later
• 1m (39 in.) long soft metal articulating probe with IP67 ingress protection rating and
range of ±150° and diameter of 6mm (0.23 in.). Probe has five super-bright white
LEDs (three forward-facing and two side-facing) to support capture of 640 x 480 pixel
(VGA) resolution video and still images. Probe controller has light boost, anti-reflection
and 90° image rotation buttons.
• Console is compatible with dozens of high-performance camera-tipped probes from
General (see p. 18)
• Thumbwheel for adjusting brightness of camera lighting
• Familiar menu-driven user interface for viewing and recording videos and photos on
standard SD memory card (4GB card included) and playing back media on console,
TV or PC
• Rechargeable battery with 4-hour capacity
• 1-year limited warranty
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION!
Never insert a probe attached to the H16 into a structure or space known
or suspected to contain live electric wiring
• The H16 is intended for industrial applications only. Do not use it 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 instrument. Doing so creates a potentially fatal electrical
hazard (and voids the warranty as well).
WHAT’S IN THE CASE
The DCS16HPART comes in a custom hard plastic protective carrying case. Inside the
case are:
• The H16 console. The console integrates an LCD monitor, a connector for a highperformance camera-tipped probe from General, and front-panel controls for
controlling the camera’s lights, adjusting system parameters, and recording and
playing back videos and photos captured by an attached probe.
• A P16HPART soft metal VGA Resolution Articulating Probe of 1m (39 in.) length and
6mm (0.23 in.) diameter
• A 4GB SD memory card
• An AC adaptor/battery charger for a 110/220VAC supply. The adapter has a 5.5VDC,
center-positive output plug.
• A video cable for connecting the H16 to a TV monitor. The cable has RCA plugs at one
end and a mini-stereo plug at the other end.
• A 70° mirrored probe viewing tip
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• A USB cable with a mini-USB plug on one end and a full-size USB plug on the other
end. It can be used to display the contents of the SD card on a computer directly,
without removing the card from the console.
• A microfiber screen cleaning cloth
• This user’s manual
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Fig. 1 shows the names and locations of all of the controls, ports and jacks of the H16.
Fig. 2 (on the next page) shows the controls and physical features of the P16HPART VGA
Resolution Articulating Probe. Table 1 (also on the next page) details how the function of
each front-panel button on the H16 changes with the console’s operating mode.
Familiarize yourself with the labels, positions and functions of all buttons and connectors
before moving on to the Setup Instructions and Operating Instructions.
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8
11
12
4
5
7
6
2
1
3
9
10
15
13
LEFT SIDE
FRONT BACK RIGHT SIDE
Fig. 1. The controls, ports and jacks of the H16
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 OK Button
7 ESC Escape/Zoom/Mirror Button
8 SD Card Socket
9 TV Out Jack
10 AC Adaptor Jack
11 Mini-USB Jack
12 Brightness Adjustment
Thumbwheel
13 Hanger Hole
14 Probe Connector
15 Reset Button
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Fig. 2. The controls and physical
1
1
4
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
features of the P16HPART
VGA Resolution Articulating
Probe
1. Probe
2. Flexible-obedient, remote-controlled neck
3. Stainless steel camera head containing three
forward-facing LEDs and two side-facing LEDs
4. Stainless steel accessory alignment ring
5. Black metal thread protector ring
6. Red rubber protective cap
7. Probe controller body
8. Articulation angle control wheel
with locking lever
9. Light boost button 10. 90° rotation button
11. Anti-reflection button 12. Button lock switch
13. Probe connector cable 14. Probe connector
Table 1. The H16’s multi-function buttons
Button Label In Preview Mode In Playback Mode In Menu Mode
▲ Switches to Selects next-oldest Moves up one line;
Playback mode video or photo when setting DATE/TIME,
moves back one field
▼ Switches to Selects next-newest Moves down one line;
Playback mode video or photo when setting DATE/TIME,
moves ahead one field
OK Switches to Menu mode Pauses/plays video clip Executes highlighted command
ESC Presssed briefly, enlarges Switches to Preview mode Switches to Preview mode
target by 100% (zooms 2X);
Pressed and held,
mirrors video
Takes a picture N/A When setting DATE/TIME,
(stores .jpg photo on SD card) increases value by one unit
Starts/stops recording an Enables deletion of any When setting DATE/TIME,
.avi video on SD card individual photo or video decreases value by one unit
per button press. Also used to
enable/disable superimposition
of date and time stamps on
photo/video displays.
per button press
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SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
ATTACH PROBE
To attach the P16HPART probe (or any other compatible probe) to the H16 console,
plug the probe connector (Fig. 2, Callout 14) into the connector at the top of the console
(Fig. 1, Callout 14). The connectors mate in only one way, when the two dots—one on
the console’s connector and the other under the collar at the end of the probe—are
aligned. After you have lined up the dots, push the two connectors together so the
alignment keys on opposite sides of the probe’s connector slide over the flats of the
console’s connector. Slide the collar on the probe’s connector forward and tighten the
collar by turning it clockwise.
You can now peel away the plastic film that protects the console’s LCD.
CHARGE BATTERY
To power on for the first time, plug one end of the supplied AC adaptor/battery charger
into a wall socket. Then swing the black rubber protective flap away from the right side
of the H16 to expose the AC adaptor jack (Fig. 1, Callout 10). Insert the cylindrical plug at
the end of the adaptor/charger cable into the AC adaptor jack. This will begin charging
the console’s battery.
Push the button and hold it for at least five seconds. The LCD will illuminate. It will first
show a color-bar test pattern, and then (briefly) a battery icon at lower left, superimposed
on video being captured in real time by the camera at the end of the probe.
Use the thumbwheel on the left side of the console (Fig. 1, Callout 12) 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 turn off the H16, push the button and hold it for at least five seconds.
It will take several hours to fully charge the H16’s Lithium-ion battery the first time. You
cannot replace the battery, which can only be replaced by General-authorized service
personnel. Do not open the case 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 battery often, and never allowing it to completely
discharge), you can expect the H16’s battery to last four or five years. A fully charged
battery should power at least four hours of operation.
INSERT SD CARD
This step enables the H16 to store 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 of the unit and enter the socket first.
Push in the card until you feel it spring back and you hear a click.
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.
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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
VIEWING LIVE VIDEO ON THE CONSOLE
While the battery charges, General recommends becoming familiar with the H16’s
controls, indicators and menu options in Preview mode, before taking the unit out into
the field. The H16 operates the same way whether powered by its battery or the AC
adapter.
To begin, power off the unit by pressing and holding the button. Then press and hold
the button again to power the console back on. Each time the console is powered on,
the screen shown below right will appear briefly. The battery icon at left will be in white
and the bars at right will be in green, superimposed on live video captured by the
camera probe. Together, the number of bars and the color of the icon represent the
H16’s two “vital signs”—available memory capacity and battery charge, respectively.
The number of filled-in bars at the right of the screen reflects the amount of data
currently stored on the SD card. A full card would produce four bars. The whiter the
icon at lower left, the higher the current level
of battery charge. A completely white icon indicates
a fully charged battery.
Next, practice manipulating the articulating probe.
Typically, borescope users insert their probe into an
orifice (a hole in a wall or an engine’s cylinder, for
example) or into an inaccessible or hazardous area
(the back or an equipment rack or an engine
compartment, for example) to view components or
environments that would otherwise be invisible. Compared to an obedient probe, your
soft metal articulating probe is more flexible, but it does not retain its shape. Its obvious
advantage is articulation. Using the articulation angle control wheel (Fig. 2, Callout 8),
you can turn the probe tip to inspect targets off the main axis of the probe while it is in a
tight space, without having to remove and re-insert the probe.
OPERATING THE PROBE
Before attempting to articulate the probe, make sure that the
lever below the articulation angle control wheel is pointing
downward. To bend the probe neck (Fig. 2, Callout 2) and tip
to the left, turn the wheel clockwise. To bend the probe neck
and tip to the right, turn the wheel counterclockwise.
To lock the wheel and the probe’s articulation angle, move
the lever below the wheel to the left (see figure at right).
Remember to remove the red rubber protective cap from the tip of the probe before
using it.
Using the Three Control Buttons
To boost the intensity of the three LEDs that normally provide camera lighting, press
the button. Doing so lights a red LED behind the button and improves the brightness
of video and images, as shown at the top of the next page.
8
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 VGA
Resolution Articulating Probe controller.
This anti-reflection feature of the P16HPART is most useful for eliminating reflections of
the three forward-facing LEDs in the camera head from shiny surfaces. Note that
pushing the button extinguishes the three forward-facing LEDs and shifts
responsibility for camera lighting to the two side-facing LEDs. The net effect, as shown
below, is a clearer and more-readable image.
WITHOUT ANTI-REFLECTION WITH ANTI-REFLECTION
You can also use the anti-reflection function to remove glare created by the P16HPART’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.
MIRRORED VIEW MIRRORED VIEW
WITHOUT ANTI-REFLECTION WITH ANTI-REFLECTION
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Attaching the Mirrored Viewing Tip (Optional)
✓
The P16HPART includes a 70° mirrored viewing tip. To attach the tip to the probe:
1. Pull off the red rubber protective cap (Fig. 2, Callout 6).
2. Unscrew and remove the black metal thread protector ring
(Callout 5), as shown at right.
3. Turn the stainless steel accessory alignment ring (Callout
4) 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 3) 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 at right 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.
In many cases—inspecting the interior of an engine cylinder,
for example (see photo at right)—adequate clearance will
not be an issue for the P16HPART probe. In fact, the ±150°
articulation range enables “look back” inspections of intake
and exhaust valves from within the cylinder.
Now that you have gained some experience operating the
probe with the console, note the dual function of the
console’s ESC button in Preview mode:
• Press the ESC button briefly and targets will be doubled
in size (a zoom level of 2X). The text +2.0x will appear at
the lower right of the LCD.
• Press and hold the ESC button and video will be mirrored
horizontally, as shown in the two photos at the top of the next
page. 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. An icon of a mirror will
appear at the lower right of the LCD to indicate that video is being mirrored.
10
You can mirror and zoom videos at the same time by pressing the ESC button briefly,
and then pressing and holding the button.
VIEWING LIVE VIDEO ON A TV MONITOR
The 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 H16’s.
To implement the connection in hardware, insert the stereo mini-plug of the provided
cable into the TV Out jack of the H16 (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. Be sure to
set the TV input to external video.
Real-time videos shown on an external monitor can be zoomed or mirrored by briefly
pressing or pressing and holding the ESC button, just as they can when viewed on the
H16’s LCD.
To activate the connection in software and begin exporting probe video to a TV, refer to
the instructions for the TV SYSTEM and AV OUTPUT lines in the “Navigating the Main
Menu” section of this manual, beginning on p. 12.
TAKING PICTURES AND RECORDING VIDEOS
To take a picture, make sure the H16 is in Preview mode (with live video appearing on
the LCD) and press the button. Doing so creates a .jpg file of the frame being
displayed at that moment and stores it on the SD card. The assigned file name
(PICT0001, for example), briefly appears in orange at the bottom of the screen to
confirm that a picture was taken. The H16 automatically returns to Preview mode after
taking a picture.
To record a video, make sure the H16 is in Preview mode and press the button.
Doing so begins creating an .avi video file (with MPEG-4 compression) for storage on the
SD card. A red dot and a red running clock appear at the lower left of the screen to
confirm that a recording is in progress, and they remain there for the duration of the
video. To stop recording, press the button again. This returns the H16 to Preview
mode.
While a video is being recorded, all console buttons other than the and ESC buttons
are disabled. Pressing the ESC button briefly activates the zoom function; pressing and
holding it activates the mirror function. The zoom and mirror effects are both shown on
the LCD and included in the recording of video clips.
The H16 will be unable to store videos and pictures if its SD memory card is full, writeprotected or damaged. When the instrument senses any of these conditions, it will
superimpose the word FULL on the screen in Preview mode. To remedy the situation,
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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 (or more than one picture or video) on the H16’s
LCD or a TV monitor, switch the unit out of Preview mode and into Playback mode by
pressing the ▲ or ▼ button. In Playback mode, pressing the ▼ button repeatedly recalls
all photos and videos from memory in the reverse order in which they were created and
stored (in other words, the newest first and the oldest last). Each press of the ▲ button
selects the next oldest picture or video. When a video clip is next in line (cued up), an icon
of a film strip and the duration of the clip appear at the upper left of the display. As each
picture is displayed and each video is cued up, its file name is shown at the bottom of the
screen and its position in the storage queue is shown at upper right. For example, the
10th file of the 35 currently stored on the SD card would be indicated by 10/35.
To play a video that has been cued up, press the OK button. A icon and a running
clock will appear on-screen below the playing video. To pause the video, press the OK
button. This replaces by . To resume playing the video clip, press the OK button
again.
While each photo and video is on-screen, pressing the button gives you the option to
delete its file. Pressing the button superimposes the word DELETE at the lower left of
the screen and [OK] at the lower right. Press OK to delete the file.
Whenever DELETE and [OK] are shown on-screen, you can use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to
navigate to other individual stored files for the purpose of deleting them. To exit the
DELETE screen, 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 remove the card from the H16 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.
Another option for viewing inspection video and photos on a PC is to use the supplied
USB cable to link to the computer. The first time you connect the H16 to a computer in
this way, the H16 screen will go dark (except for the white text MASS-STORAGE MODE)
and you will be prompted that “Driver Software is Being Installed.” The final Driver
Software Installation dialog box advises that “Your device is ready to use.” Your PC’s
AutoPlay function will then produce a screen pop to notify you that a removable disk has
been connected. Double-clicking “Open folder to view files” reveals the contents of that
disk to be a folder named “DCIM”. Double-clicking the DCIM folder icon reveals a
subfolder named “100MEDIA” that contains all the videos and pictures you have saved
on the SD card.
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While the USB cable is attached, however, you cannot view real-time videos on the
DELETE ALL FILES
AV OUTPUT
DATE/TIME
LANGUAGE
TV SYSTEM
AUTO POWER OFF
MAIN MENU
H16’s LCD, a TV monitor, or your computer. You cannot even record videos or take
photos and store them on the SD card. Disconnecting the cable returns the H16 to
Preview mode. The only benefit of using the USB cable is that you do not have to remove
the SD card to view its content on a PC.
NAVIGATING THE MAIN MENU
The main menu of the H16 provides access to the following housekeeping and
operational functions:
• Bulk and individual file erasure • Video exporting
• Setting the date and time • Choosing a display language
• Selecting a TV format
• Enabling/disabling and adjusting the Auto Power Off function
Menu mode has a hierarchical structure and uses prompts
and dialog boxes familiar to 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 Menu mode
startup, 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 H16 will switch back
to Preview mode—its default operating state.
To access the main menu, press the OK button to enter Menu mode. Doing so brings up
the screen shown above right.
To navigate the main menu, use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to move up and down until the
parameter you wish to change is highlighted in red. Then push the OK 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 the real-time video stream shown on the
display unit out through the unit’s TV out jack to an NTSC or PAL TV monitor. The H16’s
display will turn black until you select this option again. Before activating this function,
make the physical connection described in the “Viewing Live Video on a TV Monitor”
section. If you have forgotten to make the connection, you will be prompted “NO AVOUT
CABLE” when you attempt to activate this function.
The DATE/TIME line allows you to set the H16’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 is selected, the first screen that appears shows the year in red. To
decrease the value by one, press the button. To increase the value by one, press the
button. Once you have set the year, advance to the next field—the month—by
pressing the ▼ button. Set the month as you did the year, by using the ▲ and ▼
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buttons to increase or decrease the value by one unit per button press. Repeat this
process until all six date and time fields have been set. Then push the OK button to save
the settings. To back up from any field to the previous field, press the ▲ button.
The lower line of the DATE/TIME screen 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, navigate down to the lower line until the word YES to the right of the
word DISPLAY is shown in red. Press the OK button to save the setting. To NOT
superimpose the date and time, when YES is shown in red press the button to
change YES to NO. Then press the OK button to save the setting.
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 27 languages (see the
Specifications section on pp. 14–15 for a complete list). Use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to
navigate to the language you wish to use and then push the OK button.
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 button to save the setting.
The AUTO POWER OFF of the main menu is not visible on the screen that first appears
after you press the OK button to put the H16 into Menu mode. To show the line, scroll
down past the VIDEO FORMAT line. When the AUTO POWER OFF line appears, press the
OK button.
By default, the AUTO POWER OFF function of the H16 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 button when the
duration you prefer is highlighted in red. To re-disable the function later, enter Menu
mode, scroll down to the AUTO POWER OFF line, press the OK button, select OFF and
press the OK button again to save the setting.
14
SPECIFICATIONS
H16 CONSOLE
Display Type Color TFT LCD
Display Size 3.5 in (89mm) diagonal
Display Resolution 320 by 240 pixels (QVGA)
Video Recording Resolution 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA)
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 fps
Compression Format Compatible with MPEG4
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 42dB or greater
Recording Medium Standard-size SD card
Interfaces AV out, USB 2.0
Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish,
Portuguese, Japanese, Traditional Chinese,
Simplified Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Polish,
Russian, Bulgarian, Turkish, Swedish,
Finnish, Norwegian, Estonian, Lithuanian,
Latvian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak,
Slovenian, Romanian, Greek
Power Source Rechargeable 3.7V Li-ion battery
Power Consumption 1.8A @ 5.5VDC
Operating Temperature -4° to 140°F (-20° 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 8.5 x 4.7x 1.4 in. (215 x 120 x 36mm)
Console Weight 13.4 oz (380g)
15
SPECIFICATIONS
P16HPART VGA RESOLUTION ARTICULATING PROBE
Probe Length, Type 39 in. (1m), Soft metal
Articulation Angle ±155°
Camera Head Diameter, Type 0.23 in. (6mm), Stainless steel
Camera Head Diameter 0.26 in. (6.5mm)
with Thread Protector
Camera Head Length 0.9 in. (23mm)
Camera Resolution VGA (640 x 480 pixels)
Camera Depth of Field 0.4 to 12 in. (10 to 300mm)
Camera Field of View 87° (diagonal)
Camera Lighting 3 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 Controller 7.76 oz. (220g)
OPERATING, MAINTENANCE &
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS—H16 CONSOLE
• 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 suddenly goes dark, the first two things to check are the integrity of the
console’s connection to the probe and the charge of the console’s battery. The
reason for the failure also could be that you have forgotten to remove the red
rubber cap that protects the tip of non-articulating probes.
• If live video begins to look spotty, streaky or intermittent, the likely reason is an
under-charged battery. Plug in the AC adapter/battery charger immediately.
• Video recording requires an SD card with a fast writing speed. For maximum video
quality, General recommends SD cards with a writing speed of 80X or higher.
• If the console “freezes” (pushing buttons has no effect) like a computer, straighten
out a paper clip and use one end to press the Reset button on the back of the
console (Fig. 1, Callout 15).
• Avoid using corrosive liquids such as alcohol to clean either the LCD or the probe.
To clean the camera lens and LEDs, use a cotton swab and a small amount of
cleaning solution. To clean the LCD, use the provided cloth, cotton swabs and liquid.
To clean the housing of the console, use a soft, dry cloth.
• Operate and store the H16 only in a cool (under 140ºF or 60ºC), dry, well-ventilated
place. Avoid exposing the unit to sunlight for long periods of time.
• To avoid damaging the console, use only compatible probes and accessories.
16
OPERATING & MAINTENANCE TIPS—
1
to 2 in.
(
25 to 50mm) from tip
2 in. (50mm)
or more from tip
P16HPART PROBE
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 (25 to 50mm) of the
probe by more than 70°
• Do not bend the probe at any other point by more than
90°
• The probe’s neck is a particularly sensitive area. Never
apply heavy weights or forces to the neck. Never try to
bend the neck by hand; use only the control wheel.
Before storing the probe, straighten the neck.
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. (150mm).
Never use the probe or camera head to modify
surroundings or to clear pathways or clogged areas.
DO NOT try to rotate the articulation angle control wheel
beyond its limits.
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 or they will ruin
the head.
Cover the camera-tipped end of the probe with the protective red rubber cap when not
using it. Remember to remove the cap from the tip of the probe before using it again.
Unless you wish to install the 70° mirrored viewing tip, do not remove the thread
protector ring (Fig. 1, Callout 5). Never use the probe without attaching either an
accessory or the thread protector ring to it.
Never use the probe as a hammer or hook.
When inspecting a vehicle, shut off the engine. Metal and liquid under the hood may be
hot. Do not get hot oil or gas on the camera head.
If condensation forms inside the camera lens, let it evaporate before using the probe
again.
Because the VGA Resolution Probe has three extra-bright LEDs that require more power
than the LEDs of General’s QVGA (320 x 240 pixel) resolution probes, using the
P16HPART will drain the H16's battery more quickly. You will have to recharge your
borescope more often.
Do not try to disassemble any part of the probe. Doing so creates an electrical hazard,
could damage the probe, and voids the limited warranty.
Do not use any corrosive liquid—such as alcohol—to clean the probe body or camera
head. Use a cotton swab and a mild fluid detergent to clean the body and head.
17
COMPATIBLE PROBES & ACCESSORIES
The table below lists and describes all probes and accessories compatible with the H16 console
Model No. Description Camera Probe Length Depth of Field
(SKU) Head
P16HPART 1m (3.28 ft.)
P16HP2ART 2m (6.6 ft.)
P16HP3ART 3m (9.8 ft.)
P16181SR-M 1m (3.3 ft.)
P16182SR-M 2m (6.6 ft.)
P16183SR-M 3m (9.8 ft.)
P16181SM-M 1m (3.28 ft.)
P16183SM-M 3m (9.8 ft.)
P16185SM-M 5m (16 ft.)
P161810SM-M 10m (32 ft.)
P161830SM-M 30m (98 ft.)
P1839-M 0.75m (2.5 ft.)
P16182-39 2m (6.6 ft.)
P16183-39 3m (9.8 ft.)
P1618FS-49 1m (3.3 ft.)
P16182-49 2m (6.6 ft.)
P16183-49 3m (9.8 ft.)
P16181HP 1m (3.3 ft.)
P16182HP 2m (6.6 ft.)
P16183HP 3m (9.8 ft.)
P16PIP
RP1618
VGA Resolution Articulating
Probe (P16HPART included
with DCS16HPART system)
Flexible-Obedient Probe
Soft Metal Probe
Ultra-Slim Flexible-Obedient
Probe
Switchable Front/Side View
Flexible-Obedient Probe
VGA Resolution Probe
Pipe & Duct Inspection
Probe & Reel Set
Reel Stand for Long Soft
Metal Probes
Diameter
6mm
(0.23 in.)
5.5mm
(0.22 in.)
0.25 to 12 in.
(6.4 to 300mm)
3.9mm
(0.15 in.)
4.9mm
(0.19 in.)
5.5mm
(0.22 in.)
28mm 22m (72 ft.) 0.4 in. (10mm
(1.1 in.) to infinity
——— ——— ————
)
18
WARRANTY INFORMATION
General Tools & Instruments’ (General’s) DCS16HPART High-Performance Recording
Video Borescope System with VGA Resolution Articulating 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. The warranty period begins on the date of purchase. You are encouraged
to register your product online. General will extend your warranty an additional 60 days
if you register at www.generaltools.com/ProductRegistry.
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.
Register now at www.generaltools.com/ProductRegistry to receive a 60-day extension
to your warranty.
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:
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
GeneralToolsNYC
99 Washington Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Phone 781-665-1400
Toll Free 1-800-517-8431
Visit us at www.TestEquipmentDepot.com
Specifications subject to change without notice
©2014 GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS
NOTICE - WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.
MAN# DCS16HPART
10/09/14
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