Hewlett-Packard 215 User Guide

hp photosmart 215 knowledge

user's guide

Trademark and Copyright Information

translated to another language without the prior written consent of Hewlett-Packard Company.

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. HewlettPackard shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

HP, the HP logo, and PhotoSmart are property of Hewlett-Packard Company. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. CompactFlash, CF, and the CF logo are trademarks of the CompactFlash Association

(CFA). Other brands and their products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their

respective holders.

Contents

Chapter 1: Getting Started ...........................................................5

Product Overview ............................................................................... 5

Camera Description ............................................................................ 6

Quick Setup ....................................................................................... 7

Chapter 2: Taking Photos ..........................................................11

Using Instant Review ......................................................................... 12

Using the Image LCD as a Viewfinder ................................................. 14

Tips for Taking the Best Photos ............................................................ 15

Chapter 3: Adjusting the Camera Settings ..................................17

Changing the Photo Quality ...............................................................17

Using the Flash .................................................................................19

Using the Focus ................................................................................20

Using the Self-timer ...........................................................................21

Using the Digital Zoom ...................................................................... 22

Setting the Date and Time ..................................................................23

Changing the Language ....................................................................24

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Chapter 4: Reviewing Photos ....................................................25

Viewing Your Photos ......................................................................... 25

Deleting Your Photos ......................................................................... 26

Magnifying Your Photos .................................................................... 28

Locking and Unlocking Your Photos .................................................... 29

Personalizing Your Welcome Screen ................................................... 30

Chapter 5: Sharing and Printing Photos ..................................... 31

System Requirements ........................................................................ 31

Installing the Software .......................................................................32

Connecting the Camera to Your PC .................................................... 32

Downloading Photos to Your PC ......................................................... 34

Chapter 6: CompactFlash Memory Card .................................... 37

Installing and Removing Memory Cards .............................................. 37

Determining if a Memory Card is Full .................................................. 39

Formatting a Memory Card .............................................................. 40

2 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

Chapter 7: Powering Your Camera ............................................41

Determining if the Batteries Need to be Changed ................................. 41

Battery Life .......................................................................................42

Replacing the Batteries ......................................................................43

Using an AC Power Adapter (recommended) ....................................... 44

Chapter 8: Care, Maintenance and Safety ..................................47

Camera ...........................................................................................47

AC Power Adapter ........................................................................... 48

Batteries .......................................................................................... 48

Memory Cards ................................................................................. 48

Cleaning the Camera and Lens .......................................................... 49

Camera Specifications ...................................................................... 50

Chapter 9: Troubleshooting and Assistance ................................51

Problems and Solutions ......................................................................51

Getting Assistance ........................................................................... 57

ArcSoft Software Support .................................................................. 61

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Appendix A: Reference ............................................................. 63

Checking the Camera’s Status ............................................................ 63

Capture Mode Menu ........................................................................ 67

Playback Mode Menu ....................................................................... 68

Appendix B: Regulatory and Warranty Information .................. 69

Regulatory Notices ........................................................................... 69

Hewlett-Packard Limited Warranty Statement ........................................ 71

Hewlett-Packard Year 2000 Warranty for Consumer Products Distributed

Through Authorized Resellers ....................................................... 74

Index ........................................................................................ 75

4 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Product Overview

Your simple-to-use HP PhotoSmart 215 digital camera takes high-quality photos that you can print or share with family and friends on the Internet or via email. It comes with software for editing, storing, and printing your photos. Your camera includes the following features:

• 1.3 MP resolution

• Economical “digital film” (removable CompactFlash memory card)

•Automatic focus

• Point and shoot user interface

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• Image LCD for previewing and reviewing photos

• Automatic exposure

• Integrated flash with red-eye reduction

•Self-timer

• Digital zoom

Camera Description

The following illustrations show the front, back, and sides of the HP PhotoSmart 215 digital camera.

UBS connector

memory card slot

flash

self-timer light

viewfinder

viewfinder LED

status LCD

shutter button

mode switch

AC power adapter connector

6 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

battery compartment cover

lens

menu dial

image LCD

image LCD on/off switch

Quick Setup

Setting up the HP PhotoSmart 215 digital camera is quick and easy—follow these steps and you’ll be ready to take photos.

Step 1: Attach the Wrist Strap

1. Using the wrist strap included in the box with your camera, thread the short loop through the wrist strap attachment. You might need to use a paper clip to pull the end of the loop through.

2. Pull the strap through the loop, then pull the knot tight.

Note:

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Use the clip attached to the wrist strap to remove the memory card.

Step 2: Install the Batteries

1. Unlock and open the battery compartment.

2. Insert the 4 AA batteries (supplied), making sure the +/- electrodes match the indicators on the inside of the camera’s battery compartment.

For details on changing batteries and recommended battery types, see “Chapter 7: Powering Your Camera” on page 41.

Step 3: Choose the Camera Language

The Language menu automatically displays when the camera is turned on for the first time. For details on changing the language after the quick setup, see “Changing the Language” on page 24.

1. Slide the

switch up to the camera icon to turn the camera on.

mode

The Language menu displays.

2. Turn the menu

8 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

dial to select a language, then press the

dial.

Step 4: Set the Camera Date and Time

After setting the Language, the camera prompts you to enter the current date and time. For details on setting the date and time after the quick setup, see “Setting the Date and Time” on page 23.

1. Turn the

dial to select the date or the time, then press the

2. Change the month, date, year, hour and minute by turning the the

Note:

dial to move to a new field.

You can also change the date and time format. Select the current date

dial.

dial. Press

format located above the date to select the MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/ YYYY or YYYY/MM/DD format. Select the current time format to set the time on a 12 or 24 hour clock.

3. When you are finished, turn the

dial to select

, then press the

Exit

dial.

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10 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

Chapter 2: Taking Photos

1. Slide the

Note:

switch up to the camera icon to turn the camera on.

mode

After you turn the camera on, the Flash charges. Once the flash icon on the status LCD stops blinking, the camera is ready to take a photo.

2. Adjust the camera settings as needed.

• You can change the photo quality, flash or focus setting or use the self-timer

or digital zoom. See “Chapter 3: Adjusting the Camera Settings” on page 17 for details.

3. Frame your subject in the viewfinder.

4. Press the

shutter

button half way down to allow the camera to focus and adjust

the exposure.

5. When you see the green light next to the viewfinder, press the

shutter

button all

the way down to take the photo. Your photo appears on the image LCD while it is saved to the CompactFlash

memory card. If you want to immediately delete the photo while it is being saved, press the menu

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dial.

Using Instant Review

Your photo displays on the image LCD immediately after it is taken—this is called Instant Review. Instant Review is on by default. During Instant Review, you can choose to delete a photo before it saves to the memory card. If you do not wish to review your photos immediately after taking them, turn off Instant Review.

Note:

To use Instant Review:

1. Take a photo.

2. To delete the photo, press the

12 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

For details on reviewing your photos after they are stored, see “Chapter 4: Reviewing Photos” on page 25.

The photo displays automatically on the image LCD for your review.

dial.

If you do not delete the photo, the camera saves the photo to the memory card and turns off the image LCD.

To turn Instant Review off:

1. Slide the

2. Press the

3. Turn the

4. Turn the

5. Turn the

switch up to the camera icon.

mode

dial to display the Capture menu on the image LCD.

dial to highlight the

dial to select

Instant Review

, then press the

Off

icon, then press the

Set Up

, then press the

dial.

Your photos will be stored to the CompactFlash memory card without being shown on the image LCD.

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Using the Image LCD as a Viewfinder

Instead of framing your photo through the viewfinder, you can use the image LCD. To optimally frame your photo, use the image LCD when you are taking photos using Macro or Digital Zoom. For more information on Macro, see “Using the Focus” on page 20. For more information on Digital Zoom, see “Using the Digital Zoom” on page 22.

To frame your photo using the image LCD:

switch up to the camera icon.

1. Slide the

2. Slide the

3. Point the camera at your subject and preview the photo on the image LCD.

4. Press the exposure. When you see the green light next to the viewfinder, you are ready to take your photo.

5. When the subject is optimally framed, press the to take the photo.

Note:

14 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

mode

image LCD

shutter

switch up to turn the image LCD on.

button half way to allow the camera to focus and adjust the

shutter

button all the way down

For faster flash recharging time and extended battery life, use the viewfinder to frame your photos.

Tips for Taking the Best Photos

• Practice using the camera to get used to the timing before taking important photos. The camera takes about a second to focus when you press the button half way down. After the camera has focused, be sure to push the button all the way down until you hear the shutter click, indicating the photo has been taken.

• Avoid having the sun directly overhead or behind your subject. The best photos are taken with the sun to your back or side. If the sun is behind your subject, use the Fill Flash setting, see “Using the Flash” on page 19.

• Keep the subject within the flash range, 2 feet to 8 feet (.6m to 2.5m), if there is low light.

• Avoid taking flash photos in front of reflective objects like mirrors or glass to prevent hot spots in your photos.

• Clean the lens and LCD screens occasionally with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use cleaning solutions or chemically treated tissues.

• Although the HP PhotoSmart 215 digital camera has an electronic Auto Focus system, some conditions may cause the camera to focus improperly. Some examples are in the following table.

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shutter

Subject Examples

Black or very dark objects Dark clothing

Objects that have no distinct or consistent form

Glossy and reflective surfaces Glass, mirrors, automobiles

Multiple or flickering light sources Neon signs, fluorescent lamps, television

Rapidly moving objects Baseballs, hummingbirds, race cars

Non-solid objects Wire netting or fencing, latticework

Conditions involving low-light Sunsets, candlelight

Fountains, waterfalls, waves, smoke, flame, fireworks, a subject in mist or fog

images, sun rays through trees

To take a photo of these types of subjects, focus on something near your subject and press the aim your camera at your intended subject and press the

button half way down. When the green light appears, re-

shutter

button all the way down. You can also try a different angle or change the lighting on your subject.

16 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

Chapter 3: Adjusting the Camera Settings

The HP PhotoSmart 215 digital camera has default settings that take great photos in most indoor and outdoor locations. To adjust the camera settings, use the Capture menu on the image LCD.

Changing the Photo Quality

Adjusting the photo quality setting changes the quality of the photo and determines how many photos can be stored on the CompactFlash memory card. To store the most photos, set the photo quality to basic. You can use different photo quality settings for different photos on the same memory card.

The current photo quality setting is indicated by an icon on the status LCD.

Basic The most memory-efficient photo quality setting. Use this setting for photos you plan to send via email, place on the Internet, use for screen savers or wallpaper, or print up to 3x5 inches (7.6x12.7mm).

Fine Produces high-quality photos and requires less memory than Super Fine. Use this setting for photos you plan to store on your disk or in a database, or print up to 5x7 inch (12.7x17.8mm) prints. This is the default setting.

Super Fine Produces the highest-quality photos and uses the most memory per picture. Use this setting for taking photos you plan to enlarge.

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Note:

Because photo quality affects the number of photos that can be stored on a memory card, the number of available photos changes as you change the photo quality.

To change the photo quality:

1. Slide the

2. Press the

3. Turn the dial.

4. Turn the

switch up to the camera icon.

mode

dial to display the Capture menu on the image LCD.

dial to highlight the current

dial to highlight a

Photo Quality

setting, then press the

icon, then press the

dial.

Note:

The Photo Quality setting is retained until it is changed, even if the camera is turned off.

18 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

Using the Flash

When the camera is turned on, the flash setting defaults to setting is indicated by an icon on the status LCD:

Auto Flash.

The flash

Auto Flash The camera

determines the need for a flash based on lighting conditions.

Flash Off

when you want to be sure the flash is not used.

Set the flash to Off

Auto Flash with Red-eye reduction Minimizes the occurrence of

red-eye in photos of people or animals. The flash goes off twice—once to condition the subject’s eyes for the flash, and a second time to take the photo.

Fill Flash Set the flash to Fill when the

lighting for the entire photo is sufficient, but the lighting for the subject is not, as in a backlighting situation.

To adjust the flash:

1. Slide the

2. Press the

3. Turn the

4. Turn the

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switch up to the camera icon.

mode

dial to display the Capture menu on the image LCD.

dial to highlight the current

dial to highlight a

setting, then press the

Flash

icon, then press the

Flash

dial.

Using the Focus

The HP PhotoSmart 215 digital camera default setting is the camera setting to

for a subject that is very close to the camera. The focus

Macro

Auto Focus

. You can change

setting is indicated by an icon on the status LCD.

Auto Focus The camera will automatically focus on the subject in the center of the viewfinder from 2 feet (.6m) to infinity.

Macro For use on subjects that are within 4 inches to 3 feet (10cm to 1m) of the camera lens.

To change the focus setting:

1. Slide the

2. Press the

3. Turn the

4. Turn the dial.

Note:

20 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

The focus setting is retained until it is changed or the camera is turned off.

switch up to the camera icon.

mode

dial to display the Capture menu on the image LCD.

dial to highlight the current

dial to highlight the

Macro

icon, then press the

Focus

Auto Focus

dial.

icon, then press the

Using the Self-timer

Use the self-timer to photograph yourself or take a posed group photo. The default setting is

Self-timer OFF.

When on, the

Self-timer ON

To use the self-timer:

1. Slide the

switch up to the camera icon.

mode

2. Attach the camera to a tripod or place it on a firm surface at an appropriate distance and height from the subject.

3. Press the

4. Turn the

dial to display the Capture menu on the image LCD.

dial to highlight the

Self-timer OFF

dial.

5. Turn the

dial to highlight the

Self-timer ON

6. Frame your subject in the viewfinder.

7. Press and release the shutter

button. The self-timer light starts blinking. After 10

seconds, the photo is taken.

Note:

The self-timer turns off after the photo is taken. To turn it off before you press the

button, select the

shutter

menu.

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icon shows on the status LCD.

icon, then press the

Self-timer OFF

icon in the Capture

dial.

Using the Digital Zoom

The HP PhotoSmart 215 digital camera includes a digital zoom so you can make a subject appear closer. When the digital zoom is on, the image LCD turns on to help you frame your subject. When the digital zoom is on, photos are captured at 640x480 resolution.

To set the digital zoom:

1. Slide the

2. Press the

3. Turn the

4. Turn the dial.

To turn off the digital zoom:

1. Follow steps 1

2. Turn the dial.

22 hp photosmart 215 digital camera user’s guide

switch up to the camera icon.

mode

dial to display the Capture menu on the image LCD.

dial to highlight the

Digital Zoom

Digital Zoom ON

icon, then press the

–3 above.

dial to highlight the

Digital Zoom OFF

icon, then press the

dial.

Setting the Date and Time

You can change the date and time setting at any time through the Set Up menu. If the camera has not had battery power for more than five minutes, the Date & Time menu automatically displays the next time the camera is turned on.

To change the date and time:

switch up to the camera icon.

1. Slide the

2. Press the

3. Turn the

4. Turn the

5. Turn the

Note:

6. Change the month, date, year, hour and minute by turning the the

7. T ur n t h e

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mode

dial to display the Capture menu on the image LCD.

dial to highlight the

dial to select

dial to select the date or the time, then press the

Date & Time

icon, then press the

Set Up

, then press the

dial.

You can change the way the date and time are displayed by selecting the date and time format located above the current date and time. The date can display in a MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY or YYYY/MM/ DD format. The time can be set on a 12 or 24 hour clock.

dial to move to a new field.

dial to

, and press the

Exit

dial to return to the Set Up menu.

dial.

dial. Press

+ 56 hidden pages

Hewlett-Packard 215 User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Product Overview

Camera Description

Quick Setup

Chapter 2: Taking Photos

Using Instant Review

Using the Image LCD as a Viewfinder

Tips for Taking the Best Photos

Chapter 3: Adjusting the Camera Settings

Changing the Photo Quality

Using the Flash

Using the Focus

Using the Self-timer

Using the Digital Zoom

Setting the Date and Time