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Triplett
CobraCam
USB
Inspection Camera
with USB Interface
Instruction Manual
2
84-898
07/12
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CobraCam USB 2 Features
• Low Cost Digital Inspection Camera Solution for use with PC, Laptop, and MAC
• Handheld 34” exible ‘snake’ can be bent to numerous shapes
• SnapShot and Live Video function
• Snapshots and Video can be saved to memory on the PC or Laptop
• Quick Zoom Button (4 Settings) Does not work on MAC
• Full color image (settable to Black and White)
• Camera is only 7/16” (11.5mm) diameter, inserts in small places
• Camera has 2 adjustable white LEDs for illumination
• Camera is waterproof up to the handle
• Camera focuses at approx 2 1/2” (usable to innity)
• No batteries needed (powered by USB connection)
• 6ft cable from Camera to computer
• Hard-Sided Carrying Case included
• Magnetic Pickup, Hook, and Mirror accessories included
• Works with Windows XP, ME, 2000, Vista, 7 (32 bit), and MAC with “Photo Booth”
• One Year Warranty
PC Only: Provided software allows capture of still images (bitmap or JPEG) or video
(AVI). Image can be rotated and/or mirrored, and properties are adjustable (brightness,
contrast, hue, gamma, etc.) Various special eects included (Solarize, Mosaic, Invert,
Edge, Distort, etc.)
MAC: Please use pre-installed software “Photo Booth”. Do not use software provided and
do not insert Mini CD into Mac disc slot.
MAC software allows capture of still images (JPEG) or video (AAC H.264). Adjustments
are limited, but various eects are available.
Uses for the CobraCam USB 2
• See plumbing and electrical installations in inaccessible places (wall, ceiling, etc.)
• See behind or beneath objects that are dicult to move (bookcase, desk, refrigerator, etc)
• See inside furnace ductwork or in and around the heat exchanger or ‘A’ coil
• See inside pipes
• See how cables are connected to the back of equipment
• See hidden leaks
• See Insect or Rodent infestations
• See lost jewelry
• See the part you dropped
• See hidden sensors on car engine
• See around corners or through small holes
• Retrieve small magnetic objects (nuts, bolts, washers, screws, etc.)
• Many other uses too numerous to mention . . . in industry, around the house,
during surveillance, or just as a fun toy.
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Introduction
The Triplett CobraCam USB 2 Inspection Camera is a hi-tech tool that uses the latest
technology to see images of dicult to view locations. Its water resistant exible shaft
and miniature camera t into awkward spaces, tight locations or through small holes.
Bright LED headlights in the camera illuminate dark areas, allowing the camera to ‘see’ in
total darkness. A magnetic probe, hook, and mirror enhance the usefulness by allowing
the camera to pick up magnetic objects, hook onto small objects, or view objects located
at right angles to the camera body.
The USB interface provides a low cost solution for users who already have a computer
with a USB connection. The provided software allows the CobraCam USB 2 to display its
images on computers running Windows XP, ME, 2000, Vista, or 7 (32 bit). CobraCam USB 2
can be used with MAC, but only with the pre-installed software “Photo Booth”.
The CobraCam USB 2 requires no additional power source, and the software allows the
user to conveniently save photos or video of anything the CobraCam USB 2 sees. Adjustable software controls allow the images to be enhanced or modied in various ways.
Product Specications
Size: Flexible Snake: 3/8” dia x 34” long
Camera: 7/16” (11.5mm) dia x 2 1/4” long
USB Cable: 6ft
Camera: 640 x 480 (300K) pixels
1/6th VGA CMOS imager
Focal distance 2 1/2”. Usable to innity
54 degree viewing angle
F 2.8 lens
Auto exposure
Waterproof to 3ft
Snake: Polyethylene covered steel ex. Minimum radius bend, 1 1/2”
Illumination: 2 adjustable brightness white LEDs in camera head
Interface: USB, 1.1 or higher
Operating System: Windows XP, ME, 2000, Vista, 7 (32 bit), or MAC
Provided Software: AMCAP Super_Telescope.exe on CD PC Only
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Installing the Software (PC Only)
The details of software installation vary depending on the PC and Operating System used.
These instructions are for a generic installation on a computer running Windows XP.
Install the software before connecting the CobraCam USB 2 to the computer.
Insert CobraCam USB 2 CD into the computer.
Use only with ‘tray’ type CD drives. Do not use with ‘slot’ type. Mini CD may jam slot type
drives. The computer may automatically start the Install shield Wizard, it may open a dialog
box showing the location of the ‘Super_Telescope.exe’ software, or it may do nothing.
If the Wizard starts, follow the instructions to install the software. If a dialog box opens
showing the Super_Telescope.exe le, left click (or double click) on ‘Super_Telescope.exe’
to start the Installshield Wizard and follow its instructions. If nothing happens when the
CD is inserted, use ‘My Computer’ or ‘Windows Explorer’ to nd the le named ‘Super_Telescope.exe’ on the CD. When Super_Telescope.exe is found, left click (or double click) on
‘Super_Telescope.exe’ to start the Installshield Wizard. Follow the Wizard’s instructions
to complete the rst part of the software installation. A dialog box may appear with a
message about software compatibility (Windows Logo testing). If this message
appears, click ‘Continue Anyway’. Follow the Wizard’s instructions to complete this part of
the installation. The dialog box may disappear several times during the installation. Wait
until the box reappears and completes the installation. The last screen of the Wizard will
ask the user to click the Finish button. Click the Finish button and wait for the box to close.
Other Operating Systems
When the CobraCam USB 2 software is installed on a Windows Operating System (OS)
other than XP, dierent but similar dialog boxes will appear. There may be some additional
steps . . . or fewer steps. Generally, follow the instructions in the Wizard to complete
the software installation.
MAC Setup
Do Not Use Included CD with MAC. To use the CobraCam USB 2 rst open the software
“Photo Booth” . Second, plug in the CobraCam USB 2 into your computers USB port.
Third, Go to the menu at the top and click on the “Camera” drop down menu and select
“Digital Camera”. Once selected the CobraCam USB 2 will start working. Zoom feature
will be disabled.
First use of the CobraCam USB 2 (PC)
With the CobraCam USB 2 plugged into the computer’s USB port, click the Start / Snapshot
button on the handle of the CobraCam USB 2. This will open the application software
(called AMCAP) and the image from the CobraCam USB 2 will appear on the computer
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screen. (On some OS’s, the AMCAP window may not open, but its icon appears on the
Task Bar. If this happens, click on the icon to open the AMCAP application. If an image from
the camera is not seen, click on the Options tab and select Preview. Then click the Start /
Snapshot button on the CobraCam USB 2 to initialize the image capture. AMCAP may be
opened manually by selecting USB 2.0 PC Camera, then AMCAP from the Program menu.
The video image from the camera should now be displayed in the AMCAP main window.
The tabs at the top of the AMCAP window allow various settings and adjustments to
be altered. The user may change these experimentally and observe their e ect upon
the images.
(PC & MAC)
Many features of the CobraCam USB 2 are automatic. The camera adjusts itself to produce
the best image obtainable. As with all video cameras, the image becomes more noisy as
the light level is reduced. Since the CobraCam USB 2 is a digital camera, it produces digital
noise (instead of analog noise) that looks like random horizontal lines in the image. These
become less visible as the light level is increased.
The CobraCam USB 2 has relatively slow response time. If the camera is moved quickly, the
image seen on the computer will blur. To obtain the best images, move the camera slowly
and hold it steady.
The best image focus occurs several inches in front of the camera lens. Objects farther away
are slightly out of focus but still easily viewable.
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CobraCam USB 2 Controls
1) Headlite Control (MAC & PC)
2) Start / Snapshot Button (PC)
3) Zoom Button (PC)
Using the CobraCam USB 2 Controls
The proper use of the Headlite control (located on the handle of the CobraCam USB 2 ) is
not obvious and requires some experimentation. It has little e ect when there is adequate
light for the camera, but has a dramatic e ect when the light level is low or absent. The
Headlites are intended to illuminate objects near the camera lens. They will not light up
objects that are several feet or more away. The Headlite control is adjusted so that the best
view of the desired object is obtained. If the adjustment is too bright, the image will ‘glare’
and obscure visibility. Generally, the lowest brightness that produces a usable image is
best. It will often be found that a better image can be obtained by slightly repositioning
the camera and adjusting the Headlite brightness. (PC & MAC)
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The Start / Snapshot button on the CobraCam USB 2 serves two purposes. First, with
some OS’s, like XP, it will automatically open the application software and the image
window with its initial press. Subsequent presses with take a ‘snapshot’ of the image in
the window. If you do not save the images, the next press of the button will overwrite
the previous image. (PC Only)
The Zoom button is used to instantly select the desired zoom level. Press and release the
button to select a higher zoom. When the highest zoom level is reached, pressing the
button again resets the zoom to the lowest level. (PC Only)
Saving Pictures (PC Only)
After AMCAP is running, take a ‘snapshot’ by pressing the Start / Snapshot button on the
CobraCam USB 2. The snapshot will appear in a Snapshot Reader window. To save the snapshot, click on the File (F) tab, then click Save. The File Save Dialog window opens. Choose
a location to save the snapshot. Give a name to the le (the software defaults to ‘Image’).
Choose to save the le in Bitmap (bmp) or JPEG (jpg) format. Click Save.
MAC Saving Pictures
After “Photo Booth” is running, take a ‘snapshot’ by pressing the red /white camera icon
in the “Photo Booth” software. Pictures will be automatically be saved to “Photo Booth”,
but can be exported to other areas by left clicking and selecting “Export”. To view or play
the les, nd them in the locations that they were saved to, then click on them to open.
“Preview” will be used for images and “Quick Time” will be used for Video.
Saving Video (PC Only)
Start AMCAP. Click the File tab, select Set Capture File and the Set Capture File window will
open. Choose a location to save the video. Give a name to the le. Be sure to put ‘.avi’ on the
end of the name. Click Open. The Set File Size window will open. Enter a maximum le size
(Note: .avi les use about 10MB per second) Click OK. The window will close and the main
AMCAP window will be displayed. Click on the Capture tab then select Start Capture. The
Ready to Capture window will open. To start recording video, click OK. The Ready to
Capture window will close, displaying the main AMCAP window showing the video image
that is being recorded. The recording will stop when the le reaches the maximum size (or
maximum time). To stop recording video, click the Capture tab and select Stop Capture.
Note: Video les can be very large. To reduce the size of the le, capture it a low frame rates
and low resolution.
MAC Saving Video
After “Photo Booth” is running, take a ‘video’ by pressing the red /white lm icon on the
left in the “Photo Booth” software. The Icon should move to center, press again to start
recording. Videos will be automatically be saved to “Photo Booth”, but can be exported to
other areas by left clicking and selecting “Export”.
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To view or play the les, nd them in the locations that they were saved to, then click on
them to open. “Preview” will be used for images and “Quick Time” will be used for videos
Viewing Snapshots and Video
AMCAP does not contain viewers for the saved snapshots or video.
Windows contains various ‘viewers’ and ‘players’ for these les. To
view or play the les, nd them in the locations that they were saved
to, then click on them to open them with a Windows viewer
or player. The snapshots can usually be viewed in Windows Explorer,
and the video can usually be viewed in Windows Media Player.
CobraCam USB 2 Includes:
Magnetic Attachment
Hook Attachment
Mirror Attachment
Software CD (PC Only)
Instruction Manual
Carrying Case
Maintenance
No regular maintenance of the CobraCam USB 2 is required. In the
event the product is defective or is damaged, please contact Triplett
for repair information.
Customer Support
In the unlikely event that you experience problems with your Triplett
product, please contact us at sales@triplett.com.
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Triplett One Year Limited Warranty
Triplett / Jewell Instruments warrants instruments and test equipment manufactured by it to be free
from defective material or workmanship and agrees to repair or replace such products which, under
normal use and service, disclose the defect to be the fault of our manufacturing, with no charge within
one year of the date of original purchase for parts and labor. If we are unable to repair or replace the
product, we will make a refund of the purchase price. Consult the Instruction Manual for instructions
regarding the proper use and servicing of instruments and test equipment. Our obligation under this
warranty is limited to repairing, replacing, or making refund on any instrument or test equipment which
proves to be defective within one year from the date of original purchase.
This warranty does not apply to any of our products which have been repaired or altered by unauthorized
persons in any way so as, in our sole judgment, to injure their stability or reliability, or which have been
subject to misuse, abuse, misapplication, negligence, accident or which have had the serial numbers
altered, defaced, or removed. Accessories, including batteries and fuses, not of our manufacture used
with this product are not covered by this warranty.
To register a claim under the provisions of this warranty, contact Triplett / Jewell Instruments’ Customer
Service Department for a Return Authorization Number (RMA) and return instructions. No returned
product will be accepted without an RMA number. Upon our inspection of the product, we will advise
you as to the disposition of your claim.
ALL WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY LAW ARE HEREBY LIMITED TO A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM DATE
OF PURCHASE, AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE WARRANTY ARE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
The purchaser agrees to assume all liability for any damages and bodily injury which may result from
the use or misuse of the product by the purchaser, his employees, or others, and the remedies provided
for in this warranty are expressly in lieu of any other liability Triplett / Jewell Instruments may have,
including incidental or consequential damages.
Some states (USA ONLY) do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages,
so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. No representative of Triplett / Jewell
Instruments or any other person is authorized to extend the liability of Triplett / Jewell Instruments in
connection with the sale of its products beyond the terms hereof.
Triplett / Jewell Instruments reserves the right to discontinue models at any time, or change
specications, price or design, without notice and without incurring any obligation.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state
to state.
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NOTES
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