Hip Street TDC300 User Manual

TDC300 manual

1. Get to know your camera

1.1 Features

3.1 Mega pixels resolution sensor Video clips Web camera Built-in Microphone Voice recorder Built-in flash and red-eye reduction Built-in speaker TV output with audio

1.5" TFT real color display Internal 16MB flash memory and SD card slot support Driver free for Windows 2000/ME/XP and MAC 9.x and X.x Print out directly via picture bridge Macro mode

1.2 Specifications

Sensor

3.1 Mega pixel CMOS sensor

Image resolution

3.1 Mega pixels (2048x1536)

2560x1960, 2272x1704 (Hardware Interpolation)

Lens

F/2.8 f=8.7mm

Focus range

2.0 ft. ~ Infinity

Macro mode

0.7 ft. – 1.0 ft.

Digital zoom

Flash strobe

Built-in (Auto/force/off/Red-eye reduction)

LCD display

1.5" real color TFT

White balance

Auto/Sunny/cloudy/Tungsten/Fluorescent

Video mode

15fps@VGA (AVI)

Built-in memory

16MB Flash memory

Picture Capacity (The quantity of pictures varies and depends on the complexity of the scene)

5M: (2560 x 1920) -- 17 Pictures

4M: (2272 x 1704) --22 Pictures

3.1M: (2048 x 1536) -- 26 Pictures

2.0M: (1600 x 1200) -- 43 Pictures

800K: (1024 x 768) -- 107 Pictures

300K: (640 x 480) -- 215 Pictures

External memory card

SD card, supports up to 512MB

File format

Picture: JPEG, Video: AVI, Voice: WAV

Self timer

10 seconds

PC interface

USB 1.1

TV-out NTSC/PAL

Power source 2xAA alkaline batteries

Dimension (LxHxW)

3.6” x 2.1” x 1.2”

Weight

3.7 oz. (without battery)

1.3 System requirement

Operating System

Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP

Mac 9.x or X.x

CPU

Pentium II or above

RAM

At least 64MB

Interface

USB port

4x speed CD ROM or above

2. Functional parts:

Lens

Records the image taken.

Note: Keep the lens clean. Dirt and fingerprints affect the outcome of the picture.

2 Shutter

button

Press this button to take photographs or to start/stop recording a short video clip.

3 Self-timer

indicator

Flashes when the self-timer function is used.

Flash

Use the built-in flash to give the subject extra lighting if it is in dark surroundings (the best flash distance is recommended within 4.9 ft.).

5 Composite

A/V out

Connection for connecting the camera to a TV or video recorder in order to view the photographs, videos and voice on TV.

6 Macro

mode

The macro switch can be used to select macro mode. Set the switch to one of the two positions. Macro mode: select this mode to take close-up photographs (distance 0.7 ft. ~ 1 ft.). Normal mode: select this mode to take photographs of the surroundings or people (distance of approximately 1.6 ft. - infinity).

USB connection

Connection for connecting the camera to the USB port of a computer. Via this connection, you can save photographs and video clips on a computer or use the camera as a web cam to chat on the Internet.

1 Status

indicator

When the indicator is lit red, the camera is busy and cannot be used at that moment.

2 LCD screen

On the (TFT) LCD screen, you can do the following: view the image to be photographed (Preview), view photographs and video clips, view camera Settings, and use to set the camera menu.

Power on/off button

The camera is turned on by pressing it and is turned off by pressing it again.

Flash button

Delete button

This button can be used to select the flash.

This button is also used to delete photos in playback mode.

Display mode button

Multi photo button

This button can be used to select which options you wish to have visible on the LCD screen.

This button is also used to show the photo matrix in playback mode.

6 Speaker The camera can play the recorded voice directly using the speaker

Multi select button

The multi select button can be used to select various camera functions. Print mode: Directly print out selected pictures PC mode: Connect the camera to a computer as a web cam Voice recording mode: Recording voice Photo mode: you can take photographs when the switch is in this position. Playback mode: you can view the photographs and video clips on the display when the switch is in this position. Video mode: you can record video clips (with audio) when the switch is in this position. Setup mode: the camera can be configured as required (resolution, quality, white balance, etc.) when the switch is in this position.

8 Microphone To record voice.

9 Strap hook Hook for attaching the wrist strap to the camera. 10 Battery door 2xAA alkaline batteries 11 SD card slot SD slot is located behind the battery door. 12 OK button This button can be used to confirm changes.

4 way menu button

This button can be used to scroll through the camera’s menus

U K3. Explanation of the multi-select button and

the 4 way menu button

The multi-select button can be turned to the left and right. You can then access the different menus which are in the camera. The 4 way menu button can be used to scroll through the menus selected by pressing the up, down, left and right arrow buttons. Any settings made can be confirmed by pressing the OK button in the center of the 4 way menu button. By pressing the button, the camera setting will be changed.

Note: Stop rotating the multi-select button when you feel some resistance.

SET

Picture

Resolution

2560 x 1920

5.0M pixel resolution

2272 x 1704 4.0M pixel resolution 2048x1536 3.1M pixel hardware resolution 1600x1200 2.0M pixel hardware resolution 1024x768 800K pixel hardware resolution 640x480 300K pixel hardware resolution

Quality

Super Best quality Fine (Default) Fine quality normal Normal quality

White balance

auto (Default) Automatic light balance

sunny

Light balance selected for sunny surrounding

cloudy

Light balance selected for cloudy surrounding

tungsten

Light balance selected for tungsten lighting

fluorescent

Light balance selected for fluorescent

surrounding Exposure value

-2, -0.5, 0, 0.5, 2

Level of exposure

Color effect

Full color (Default) Take normal color images W/B Take white and black images SEPIA Take sepia images

Date stamp

Enable

Show the date on the pictures taken

Disable (Default) Don't show the date on the pictures

System Language

English (Default)

Camera display menu set in English

Chinese Camera display menu set in Chinese

Time / Date

DD.MM.YYYY / H.M

Year, Month, Day, Time setting

Video Out

NTSC (Default)

American and Japanese video format

PAL

European video format

Frequency

50Hz (Default) Main European electricity frequency 60Hz Main American electricity frequency

Beep

On (Default) Enables the key tone Off Disables the key tone

Format

Confirmation to fully format the memory

Cancel (Default) Cancel formatting

Auto power off

1 Min

Auto power off in 1 minute if not operating

2 Min (Default)

Auto power off in 2 minutes if not operating

Disable Disable the auto power off function

Reset

Load Restore default setting Cancel (Default) Cancel reset

Note: The settings will not change when the camera is turned off

4. Explanation of the status icons on the LCD screen

Item Function Description

1 Photo/video counter

In Photo mode, it displays the number of photographs which have already been taken. In the Video mode, it displays the time in seconds remaining for recording a video clip. In the Play mode, it displays the number of photographs which have already been taken and the number of video clips which have been recorded.

2 Image protect indicator Indicate the current picture is protected

3 Quality

Displays the quality of the recording.

= Normal quality

= Fine quality

= Super quality

4 Camera resolution

Displays the horizontal resolution. 2560=2560x1920; 2272=2272x1704; 2048 = 2048x1536; 1600= 1600x1200; 1024=1024x768; 640=640x480

5 Recording mode

The camera is set to take a photograph.

= Setting for taking photographs

= Setting for recording videos

= Appears when the self-timer function has been

turned on.

6 Flash indicator

Displays the camera’s flash setting.

: Auto Flash: the camera determines if the flash

must be used or not.

: Flash + red eye reduction: the camera determines whether the flash must be used and then uses the red-eye reduction function.

: No Flash: the flash is turned off.

: Flash every time

Note: The default setting is ‘No Flash’.

White balance indicator

Displays of white balance setting:

= Automatic White balance.

= White balance for fluorescent lighting.

= White balance for sunny weather.

= White balance for Cloudy weather

= White balance for Tungsten lighting.

8 Macro mode indicator Indicates the lens is set to Macro mode. 9 Memory card indicator Indicates the SD card is inserted.

10 Battery indicator When the batteries are full, it displays a full battery.

When the battery is empty, it displays an empty battery.

11 Date stamp Displays the date year/month/day 12 Zoom in and out

indicator

Displays the extent to which the zoom is used.

4.0 = maximum zoom

1.0= normal image

5. Quick menu

1. Set the multi-select button to Photo mode ( ).

2. Press the OK button.

3. The current resolution will be displayed in the middle of the LCD screen (Default resolution = 2048x1536).

4. If you wish to change one of the options, press one of the menu buttons up or down arrow

buttons.

5. You can scroll through the options using the 4 way menu button’s left and right arrow

buttons.

6. If you wish to keep the settings you have made, press the OK button.

6. Using the camera

6.1 Installing the batteries

1. Open the battery door.

2. Insert 2 AA alkaline batteries into the camera according to the correct polarity marked in the

battery compartment.

3. Turn on the camera.

Note: Please turn off the camera first by pressing the power on/off button before you open the battery door to change batteries.

6.2 Inserting a memory card (not included)

This camera has built-in internal memory. This memory can be extended with a SD memory card (not included). Follow the instructions given below to insert the optional SD memory card into the camera.

1. Open the camera’s battery door by sliding it downwards.

2. Insert the SD card into the slot as shown inside the camera’s battery compartment. The SD

card can only be inserted one way.

3. Press the SD card completely into the camera and then close the door. Open the door and

press on the memory card if you wish to remove it.

Note: There is only one way to insert the SD memory card into the slot. Do not force the card into the slot. This may damage both the camera and the SD memory card. Note: The SD memory card must be formatted before taking photographs. See the following sections for more information.

6.3 Formatting the memory

If you use a SD card, it must first be formatted before you can take photographs. Follow the instructions given below to do this.

1. Insert the memory card into your camera as described in chapter 6.1.

2. Turn the camera on by pressing the power button

3. Use the multi-select button to select the SET option.

4. Press the right arrow button to set System then press down key to select Format

5. The default option is ‘Format’. Select this option by pressing the OK button.

6. Select Yes to format the card.

6.4 Setting the resolution

The camera can be set to 6 different resolutions.

1. Turn the camera on by pressing the ON/OFF button.

2. Use the multi-select button to select SET option.

3. The Picture menu will appear on the LCD screen.

4. The first option is ‘Resolution’. Press the OK button.

5. Six different resolutions will be displayed. Select the desired resolution by using the up and down arrow buttons and then press the OK button to confirm the selection.

The resolution has now been set. U K

6.5 Taking photographs

1. Turn the camera on by pressing the ON/OFF button.

2. Set the camera to photo mode ( ).

3. Depending on the distance to the object being photographed, use Macro switch to adjust

the distance. Select the flower symbol ( ) if you wish to take a close-up photograph (0.7 1 ft.). If you wish to take photographs of surroundings or people (1.6 ft - infinity), set the

macro switch to Normal mode ( ).

4. If you are not sure if there is enough lighting, turn the automatic flash on by pressing the

flash button. Press this button again if you wish to use the red-eye reduction effect. Press the button again to turn the flash off.

(If the battery power is low, the flash won’t be activated).

5. Use the LCD screen to see the object you wish to photograph.

6. Press the shutter button to take a photograph. The busy indicator will be lit red. Hold the

camera as still as possible while the busy indicator is lit.

7. The LCD screen will then return to the normal display. You can now direct the camera at the

next subject and take more photographs.

Note: If you take photographs with the default camera settings, it is possible that the quality of

the photographs will not always be optimal. Different surroundings produce different results. Adjust the camera settings as required.

6.6 Zoom in and out

6.6.1 The camera can zoom in on the object to be

photographed up to 4 times the size in preview mode.

1. Use and repeat the same steps 1 to 5 in chapter 6.4.

2. Zoom in by pressing the up arrow button. A bar will appear on the right -hand side of the

display. 4.0 is maximum zoom. 1.0 is normal view.

3. You can zoom out by pressing the down arrow button.

4. Press the shutter button once you have found the desired setting.

6.6.2 The picture can zoom in and move in playback mode

1. Zoom in by pressing the up arrow button. A position window will appear on the top-left

corner of the display.

2. Press shutter button into moving mode, the picture can be moved 4 ways by pressing the 4

way menu buttons.

3. Press the shutter button to return to zoom in mode. By pressing the down arrow button, you

will return to normal mode.

6.7 Taking photographs using self-timer function

You can use the self-timer function when you wish to take a photograph of yourself or when you wish to photograph an object where the camera must be as still as possible, for example on the stand.

1. Turn the camera on by pressing the ON/OFF button.

2. Set the camera to photo mode ( ) using the multi-select button.

3. Press the OK button. The quick menu will appear.

4. Press the 4 way button’s right key until appears in the upper-middle section of the LCD.

5. Press the 4 way button’s up key to select .

6. Press the OK button to confirm. The self-timer function is now ready for use.

7. Use the LCD screen to direct the camera at the object you wish to photograph.

8. Press the shutter button to take a photograph.

9. The self-timer indicator in the front will blink.

10. The photograph will be taken after 10 seconds and the camera will beep once.

11. The LCD screen will then return to the normal display. You can now direct the camera at

the next object and take more photographs.

6.8 Recording video clips

1. Turn the camera on by pressing the ON/OFF button.

2. Set the camera to video mode ( ) using the multi-select button.

3. Press the shutter button to start recording a video clip. The video images that are being

recorded will be displayed on the LCD screen. The number of seconds recorded will appear on the right-hand side of the LCD screen. Press the shutter button again to stop recording the video clip. The video clip will now be saved as an AVI file in the camera’s memory.

6.9 Viewing photographs and video clips

Once you have taken some photographs or recorded video clips, you can view them on the LCD screen. Follow the instructions given below to do this.

1. Turn the camera on by pressing the ON/OFF button.

2. Set the camera to play mode ( ) by using the multi-select button.

3. Use the 4 way button’s up and down buttons to scroll through the photographs in the

memory and view them on the LCD screen.

4. If AVI appears on the top left-hand corner of the display, then the file is a video clip. You can

play the video clip by pressing the shutter button. You can stop playing the video clip by pressing the shutter button again.

6.10 Deleting photographs and video clips

You can choose to delete a single photograph, video clip or delete all the

photographs and video clips from the memory.

6.10.1 Deleting one photograph

Follow the instructions given below to delete one photograph.

1. Turn the camera on by pressing the ON/OFF button.

2. Set the camera to play mode ( ) by using the multi-select button.

3. Use the 4 way button’s up and down button to scroll through the photographs in the memory and to view them on the LCD screen.

4. When you have found the photograph you wish to delete, press the OK button.

5. The display will change. Select ‘Del. Curr.’

6. Press OK to confirm the deletion.

7. The file will be deleted.

6.10.2 Deleting all the photographs

Follow the instructions given below to delete all the photographs from the memory.

Note: Make sure you have saved all the photographs you wish to keep on your computer

before deleting all of the photographs from the memory.

1. Turn the camera on by pressing the ON/OFF button.

2. Set the camera to play mode ( ) by using the multi-select button.

3. Use the 4 way button’s up and down button to scroll through the photographs in the memory and to view them on the LCD screen.

4. When you have found the photograph you wish to delete, press the OK button.

5. The display will change. Select ‘Del. All’

6. Press OK to confirm the deletion.

7. All the files will be deleted.

7. Installing the camera driver

The camera driver is used for Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. The camera works without the driver on an Apple Macintosh OS 9.x or X.x. It shows up as ‘Mass Storage Device’

7.1 Uninstalling old drivers and devices

The most common problem occurring during installation is the presence of a driver for a similar, old device. The best solution is to first remove all the drivers related to the old devices before installing the new driver. Make sure you only delete programs for old, unused (similar) devices.

1. Enter Windows ‘Safe Mode’ (press F8 when starting Windows and then select ‘Safe Mode’

from the menu which will be displayed).

2. Click on ‘Start – Settings – Control Panel’ and double-click on ‘Add/Remove Programs’ icon.

3. Find all the programs for similar, old devices and remove these by clicking on the

‘Add/Remove’ button. When in ‘Safe Mode’, it is possible for some programs to appear twice. In that case, remove all the programs which appear twice.

4. Restart the computer.

7.2 Installing the driver for Windows 98 / Windows ME /

Windows 2000 / Windows XP

Note: Make sure all other programs are closed during the installation process. Note: During installation for Windows XP, you may receive a message saying that the driver

has not been signed. This does not cause a problem for the functionality of the program. Please click "Yes" to continue.

Note: For example, ‘D:\’ is used to indicate the CD-ROM drive. This may be different for your

computer.

1. Insert the CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. The installation program will start automatically. If it does not start automatically, please do the following:

a) Select 'Run' from Windows Start menu. b) Type [D:\SETUP.EXE] and click on 'OK' to start the Software Installer.

2. The Software Installer will appear.

3. Select the language you wish to use for the installation.

4. Click on ‘Install driver‘ to start the installation of the camera driver.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

7.3 Connecting the camera

The camera can be connected to a computer in two different ways: mass storage device and as a PC camera for video conferencing on the Internet.

7.3.1 Connecting as a mass storage device

This option makes it possible to download photographs and video clips onto your computer.

1. Turn the camera on by pressing the ON/OFF button.

2. Set the multi-select button to any position except PC, SET, and Print.

3. Connect the USB cable to the camera.

4. Connect the other end to your computer.

5. Windows will automatically detect the camera. You can use this camera as a removable disk.

7.3.2 Connecting as a PC camera

When you connect the camera as a PC camera, you can use the camera as a web cam for video conferencing on the Internet by using Windows NetMeeting or Windows Messenger.

1. Turn on the camera by pressing ON/OFF button.

2. Set the multi-select button to PC position. The will blink on the camera’s LCD screen.

3. Connect the USB cable to the camera.

4. Connect the other end to your computer.

5. Windows will automatically detect the camera. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation.

Note: The information above will vary when the installation has been altered by the user (for

example, not everything has been installed or locations other than the default locations have been selected).

8. Trouble shooting

Problem Cause Solution

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Hip Street TDC300 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual