Philips PCVC750K User Manual

Contents

1 Introduction................................................................................................................... 2

2 Preparation .................................................................................................................... 3

3 Camera and software installation.............................................................................. 8

4 Using the applications............................................................................................... 10

5 Settings......................................................................................................................... 11

6 TWAIN applications ................................................................................................. 17

7 Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .................................................... 20

8 Technical specifications............................................................................................ 22

9 Regulations, Warnings & Maintenance................................................................. 24

10 Glossary..................................................................................................................... 25

for new or updated information.

All data subject to change without notice.

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!

The 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

• A combined high base / mouse pad for easy scanning applications

• 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, and gives high sensitivity in low lighting conditions, thanks to advanced picture noise reduction

• Option for high quality full motion video at very high frame rates, up to 60 fps for 320x240 and smaller image sizes

• Full Plug & Play use of the USB port

• Video images in true VGA resolution of 640x480 pixels

• Detailed still images in resolutions of up to 1280x960 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:

• Optical Character Recognition of short texts: Convert text and numbers from hard copy into electronic documents and spreadsheets, using your PC camera.

• Scan Digimarc-enabled images for direct access to any website: No more typing in tediously long Internet URLs. Just aim your camera at any Digimarc-enabled publication and your Internet browser will launch the web page.

• 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 everyone to see...

• Snapshot images: Use images in presentations, create postcards, or send them via e-

mail or on diskette. The camera works with any application that uses the TWAIN or WIA interface to capture images.

• 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 with the Philips USB PC Camera, they can easily be edited using image or video editing programs.

The following sections of this manual give a step-by-step description of the installation process and explain how to use the USB PC Camera.

2 Preparation

This section describes how to install the hardware and software and how to get started in a few easy steps.

2.1 Getting started in five easy steps

The best way to quick results is as follows:

1. Unpack the box.

2. Unplug all your USB devices (except USB keyboard and USB mouse) before you start.

3. Place the Philips installation CD-ROM in your CD-ROM player, let the Philips installation

4. Start the central camera application VLounge using its icon on your desktop.

2.2 Contents of the box

Check that the box contains the following items:

program install the driver software and the application software, and connect the camera

to the USB port (marked with the USB-logo: program.

Have fun!

) when requested by the installation

• The Philips USB PC Camera;

• The combined high base / mouse pad in two parts: the base plate and the parallel

antennas;

• Base to support the camera on (including monitor perch);

• A pouch for easy transportation of the camera and its base;

• A CD-ROM containing the Philips installation software, application software packages

and electronic software manuals;

• A 'quick reference manual' for the PageCam software.

Contact your supplier immediately if any item is missing.

2.3 Parts of the camera

1. Camera

Perch (See below for instructions)

Base

4. Lens ring (turn to focus image)

5. Indicator LED (on, off, flashing)

6. Microphone

7. USB cable

Snapshot button

2.4 Use of the camera high base

The high base / mouse pad combines everyday camera use with convenient scanning purposes.

Mounting the parallel antennas:

Slide the base of the parallel antennas into the

mouse pad supporting the high base. Top left if

you are right-handed, top right if you are left-

handed.

Mounting / Removing the camera:

Mounting: Hold the camera pointing 90 degrees sideways and

push it down onto the support pin, then twist it 90 degrees back so it faces you. Removing (in reverse order): First, twist the camera 90 degrees sideways and then pull it up off of the support pin.

Everyday use:

1. Keep the camera cable slack and push it into the clips on the outer antenna so it does not pull on the

camera.

For scanning: rotate the camera 90 degrees forward with the lens pointing downward. You may adjust its

height by shortening or lengthening the parallel antennas (unclip the cable if necessary).

2.5 Use of the camera base and the perch

Place the camera on top of the monitor, or on a desk...

or suspend the camera from your laptop

screen!

« How to mount the

perch:

(Ensure that the

supporting surface is

free of grease and

Remove

backing from adhesive tape.

dirt.)

* = Sticky tape

2. Place perch on

top of monitor.

3. Push disc with

adhesive tape down through central perch hole.

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.

2.6 Use of the camera pouch

You will also find a convenient carrying pouch in the packaging. This is used as follows:

1. Fold camera base by rotating it along its length.

2. Run USB cable along camera, then wind cable around the camera.

Place camera in pouch sideways to ensure best fit.

Using the pouch

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 the 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 and USB mouse) before you

start. ! Do not plug in your USB camera yet. ! Please follow the instructions as they appear on the screen. ! You will have to restart your computer after installing new components.

2. Insert the Philips installation CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.

Setup should start automatically. If this does not happen: double-click the 'My Computer' icon

in the top left corner of the screen (for Windows®XP: in the Start menu), then double-click the 'PCVC750K' icon and double-click 'Setup.exe' to start installation.

4. Let the Philips installation program guide you through the setup procedure. Mark the different

components you want to install (including the applications). You can always re-run this setup at a later time to add components to your installation or to re-install the camera drivers.

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

installation program will install the selected applications and then launch the camera configuration program VCheck to install the camera drivers.

VCheck will ask you to connect the camera to the USB port at the appropriate time.

A test will then be performed. This test window confirms correct installation by showing you the first 'live' pictures and audio from your USB PC Camera. Adjust the microphone volume by moving the slider.

VCheck also gives tips for maximizing the camera's performance.

7. Exit VCheck. Restart your computer. You should now have:

- Program Group called 'Philips PCVC750K Camera' in the Windows Start menu.

- A camera settings icon

- A VLounge icon on the Windows QuickLaunch menu on the taskbar. (Not on Windows

2000 and XP.)

- A VLounge icon

- Installed applications, as selected by the user during the installation procedure.

on the taskbar. (VProperty)

on the desktop.

8. Plug in any USB devices that were disconnected during the first step of the installation.

You are now ready to start working with your Philips USB Camera. Go to the central camera

application VLounge

and... Have fun!

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