Philips PCVC720K User Manual
1 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 2
2 Preparation ....................................................................................................................... 3
3 Camera and software installation..................................................................................... 5
4 Using the applications...................................................................................................... 7
5 Settings............................................................................................................................. 8
6 TWAIN applications...................................................................................................... 14
7 Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).............................................................. 17
8 Technical specifications................................................................................................. 22
9 Regulations, Warnings & Maintenance ......................................................................... 24
All brand names and trademarks acknowledged.
Copyright © 2001 Philips Components BV
All data subject to change without notice.
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1 Introduction
Brilliant images and blazing colours. That's what you get with the Philips USB PC Camera. Forget
about installing grabber cards and separate power supplies. You don't need them. Power is
supplied direct to the camera through the USB cable and the camera returns audio and video
straight to your PC!
This USB PC Camera has several unique features:
• The universal camera base supports both free-standing and hanging use (for laptops),
with perch included for stable footing on top of your monitor. It also features a 1/4" UNC
screw thread for tripod mounting
• Voice-controlled snapshot: Say 'Cheese!' into the built-in camera microphone or use the
snapshot button on top of the camera to take a picture
• Full Auto mode automatically optimizes your camera settings for you
• Option for high frame rates, up to 30 fps
• Full Plug & Play use of the USB port
• Video images in CIF resolution of 352x288 pixels, ideally suited for communication over
the Internet
• Detailed still images in resolutions of up to 640x480 pixels
• Several top-of-the-line software packages included on CD-ROM, so you can start using
the camera straightaway
Congratulations on purchasing the Philips USB PC Camera. This new digital camera is the most
advanced means of recording high quality movies or still pictures quickly and easily on your PC or
laptop computer. After installation, the new camera can be used for all sorts of applications, such
as:
• Video e-mail / Video capture: Create your own video presentations, video mail, product
demonstrations, training videos, Internet clips etc.
• Webcam / web album: Show yourself on the web. Be out there for everybody to enjoy...
• Snapshot images: Use images in presentations, create postcards, or send them via e-
mail or on diskette. The camera works with all applications that use the TWAIN interface
to acquire an image.
• Video Games: Amazing gaming interaction using your camera as a game controller.
• Video conferencing: Use the camera for network video conferencing or Internet video
conferencing.
• Editing and special effects: After recording the images you want with the Philips USB
PC Camera, the images can be easily edited using image or video editing programs.
The next sections of this manual give a step-by-step description of the installation process and
explain how to use the USB PC Camera.
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2 Preparation
This section describes how to install the hardware and software and how to get started in a few
easy steps.
2.1 Contents of the box
Check that the box contains the following items:
• The Philips USB PC Camera;
• Base to support the camera on (including monitor perch);
• A CD-ROM containing the Philips installation software, application software packages
The CD-ROM package contains a Quick Install Guide.
Contact your supplier immediately if any item is missing.
2.2 Getting started in five easy steps
The best way to quick results is as follows:
and electronic software manuals.
1. Unpack the box.
2. Unplug all your USB devices (except USB keyboard or USB mouse) before you start.
3. Place the Philips installation CD-ROM in your CD-ROM player, let the Philips installation
program install the driver software and the application software, and connect the camera
to the USB port (marked with the USB-logo:
program.
) when asked by the installation
4. Start the central camera application VLounge using its icon on your desktop.
Have fun !
5.
2.3 Camera parts, and use of the camera base, perch and pouch
1. Camera
2. Perch (See below for
instructions)
Base
3.
4.
Lens ring (turn to focus the
image)
Indicator LED (on, off, flashing)
5.
6.
Microphone
USB cable
7.
8. Snapshot button
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Put the camera on top of the monitor, or on a table or
desk...
«How to mount the
dirt.)
* = Sticky tape
perch:
(Ensure that the
supporting surface is
free of grease and
Remove
1.
backing from
adhesive tape.
2. Place perch on
top of monitor.
3. Push disc with
adhesive tape
down through
central perch
hole.
or suspend the camera from your laptop
screen !
The camera base can be removed by
turning it through 90 degrees (1) and
pulling it down out of the camera (2).
* The camera features a 1/4" UNC
screw thread for tripod mounting.
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3 Camera and software installation
In order to maximize the video and audio performance offered by your camera, we have included
a Philips installation program on CD-ROM. Please follow these directions for the camera
installation exactly, and make sure that you have your Windows CD-ROM to hand.
1. Unplug all your USB devices (except USB keyboard or USB mouse) before you
start. Do not plug in your USB camera yet. Please follow the instructions as they
appear on your screen. You will have to restart your computer after installing new
components.
2. Insert the Philips installation CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
3. The installation program should start automatically. If not, click the Windows 'Start'
button, then click 'Run', and type: 'X:\Setup.exe', where X stands for the drive name of
your CD-ROM drive.
Let the Philips installation program guide you through the setup procedure. Mark the
4.
different components you want to install (including the applications). You can always rerun this setup at a later time to add components to your installation or to re-install the
camera drivers.
5.
When asked for the Windows CD-ROM, insert it into the drive and click 'OK'. Exit the
Windows Setup screen if it appears.
After copying the camera software and the application software to your hard disk, the
6.
installation program will install the selected applications and then launch the camera
configuration program VCheck to install the camera drivers.
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VCheck will ask you to connect the camera to the USB port at the appropriate time.
A test will then beperformed. This test window confirms the correct installation by
showing you the first 'live' pictures and audio from your USB PC Camera. Adjust the
microphone volume by moving the slider. The camera settings can be shown by clicking
the 'Settings' button.
VCheck also gives tips for maximizing the camera's performance.
7. Exit VCheck. You should now have:
- Program Group called 'Philips ToUcam Camera' in your Windows Start menu.
- One camera settings icon on your taskbar. (VProperty)
- One VLounge icon
- One VLounge icon
- Installed applications, as selected by the user during this installation procedure.
Plug in any USB devices you might have disconnected at the first step of the installation.
8.
You are now ready to start working with your Philips USB Camera. Go to the central camera
application VLounge
on the Windows QuickLaunch menu on your taskbar.
on your desktop.
and... Have fun!
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4 Using the applications
This section gives a brief description of how to use the video software packages included
on CD-ROM. If you haven't installed these applications yet, please read 'Camera and
software installation' for installation instructions.
4.1 General
VLounge is the central application for easy access to your Philips USB PC Camera and all video
applications installed during setup, together with access to one application of your choice. You
can start VLounge using the Windows QuickLaunch menu on your taskbar, through the program
group 'Philips ToUcam Camera', or by double-clicking the VLounge icon
The buttons to the right in the VLounge windows will start the applications. If you did not install all
of the applications, some of these buttons will be greyed out and will not activate when the cursor
moves over them, indicating that the application is not available. Please re-run the Philips
installation program 'Setup' from the CD-ROM to install any missing applications.
The other buttons and the menus offer access to other useful camera options.
on the desktop.
Where to get help on the applications?
For detailed information about the use of these software packages, please read the information
accompanying the individual software packages. Each software package usually creates its own
program group in the Windows Start Menu which is activated by clicking on the Windows Start
button. These program groups contain the application program icon and other items (Help files,
Electronic Manuals, Uninstall Wizards, Readme files, etc.) for that specific software package. All
available information is usually accessible via the software's program group, or through the Help
options within the program.
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5 Settings
The camera properties (audio and video) can be changed from within an application, or
independently by clicking the VProperty icon
Windows taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Most applications can show a 'live preview' video
image on your monitor. Always use this option to see the effect of changed settings on your
screen.
5.1 Image Controls
The first property tab is marked 'Image Controls'.
which can be found in the right hand part of the
Performance
This text box is used to inform the user about camera settings, problems or special
circumstances. Important messages will show a flashing icon. The same icon also appears in the
'Camera controls' tab to indicate that an important message is displayed in the Performance text
box.
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Control: Full Auto on/off
This Full Auto mode provides a very easy way to get the best out of your camera. Or you can
choose to have maximum manual control over the camera settings by switching the Full Auto
mode off. Full Auto 'on' is the preferred setting for normal use.
Functions activated in Full Auto mode are:
- Automatic exposure control and automatic white balance control, to provide the best video
source signal possible.
- Dynamic Noise Reduction (DNR) and automatic frame rate selection for improved camera
sensitivity in low light conditions.
Frame rate
The frame rate setting determines the number of images per second in the video stream.
The set of frame rates from which the user can choose depends on the currently selected video
format (resolution) and the available bandwidth on the USB bus (the number of devices
connected to your USB port and the amount of data they transport). The buttons for invalid frame
rates will be greyed out automatically and cannot be selected. To enable higher frame rates
choose a smaller video image format in your application. Applications will usually offer resolution
switching (image format setting) under menu items within the applications themselves.
Image Controls
Here you will find the slider controls for brightness, contrast, gamma correction and saturation.
Note that the contrast control is only available when the Auto Exposure setting is enabled on the
other tab (marked Camera controls).
Modes
The checkbox 'Black and white' is used to switch from colour images to black & white and back.
By clicking the checkbox 'Mirror Image', the image flips horizontally. This feature can be applied
in order to use the camera and monitor as a mirror, or for taking pictures of mirrored images.
Turn on the backlight compensation to improve the image quality when you have a scene
where the background has a high illumination level (for instance when you are sitting in front of a
bright light). Note that the backlight compensation option is only available when the Auto
Exposure setting is enabled on the other tab.
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