Umax ASTRACAM User Manual

UMAX AstraCam

OWNER'S GUIDE

P/N:83100158-0000

08/99

TRADEMARKS

UMAX is a registered trademark of UMAX Technologies, Inc. AstraCam is a trademark of UMAX Data Systems. PhotoDeluxe is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PhotoCabinet is a trademark of NewSoft Technology Corporation. Other names and trademarks appearing herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

1999 UMAX Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of UMAX Technologies, Inc.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

Read all of the instructions:

• Save these instructions for later use.

• Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.

• When replacement parts are required, be sure that service technicians have used

replacement parts that conform to at least the same safety standards with regard to fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

• Do not use this product near water or in rainy/moist environment.

• The product should be operated using only the type of power source indicated on the

product label.

• Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or removing the enclosure may

expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards.

• This unit has input circuitry suitable for a 5V DC supply.

• The sound pressure level at the operators position according to IEC 7041:1982 should be

less than or equal to 70dB(A).

CAUTION

Improperly inserting the rechargeable batteries (wrong polarity) may cause damage to your camera and will void the warranty. See the guide symbols inside the battery case for proper installation of the batteries and read the section titled, Preparing the AstraCam for Use.

Use only the AC adapter that came with your AstraCam system to power the cradle. Danger of Explosion - Non-rechargeable AAA Batteries can be used temporarily to take

photos, however, the batteries must be removed prior to putting the camera on the cradle. Failure to remove all of the non-rechargeable batteries before placing the camera in the cradle may cause damage to the camera voiding the warranty and/or batteries to discharge or explode which may cause bodily injury.

Replace only with the AAA size, 1.2V, nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries. Check with

local codes for possible special disposal instructions.

AstraCam Owner's Guide

CONTENTS

Getting Started...............................................................................2

Introduction .............................................................................2

UMAX AstraCam Package Contents .....................................2

Setting Up Your New Digital Camera System..............................3

Installing the Batteries ........................................................... 3

Replacing Worn-Out Batteries .............................................. 3

PC System Requirements .............................................................4

Installing the Software ..................................................................4

Installing Adobe PhotoDeluxe ................................................4

Installing the AstraCam Software ...........................................4

Connecting the AstraCam Cradle..................................................5

Powering Up the Cradle ..........................................................5

Connecting the Cradle to Your Computer ..............................5

The AstraCam Digital Camera .....................................................6

Taking Your First Photo..........................................................7

Recording a Message for Your Photo .....................................8

Erasing Photos ........................................................................8

Camera Memory Full ..............................................................9

Recharging the AstraCam Batteries ........................................9

Using the AstraCam Program......................................................10

Downloading Photos..............................................................11

The AstraCam Software..............................................................12

Viewing Your Photos ............................................................13

Transferring the Photos.........................................................14

Saving a Photo a File.............................................................14

Megapixel...............................................................................15

Deleting Photos......................................................................15

Operating the AstraCam from the Program.................................16

Taking a Photo ..................................................................... 16

Making a Recording ............................................................ 16

Adjusting AstraCam Settings .............................................. 16

Checking the USB Port ........................................................ 17

Quitting the AstraCam Program .......................................... 17

Organizing Your Photo Data with PhotoCabinet ...................... 17

Retrieving Your Photos ....................................................... 18

Creating a Calendar with PhotoDeluxe.......................................19

Creating a Photo & Sound E-Mail ............................................. 20

Preparing a Photo & Sound E-Mail Greeting ...................... 20

Sending Your Photo & Sound E-Mail Greeting .................. 21

Sending a Photo & Sound File as an Attachment ................ 21

Caring for Your AstraCam..........................................................22

AstraCam Specifications.............................................................23

Contacting Technical Support.....................................................24

Product Registration....................................................................24

FCC Declaration of Conformity..................................................25

Warranty......................................................................................26

AstraCam Owner's Guide

GETTING STARTED

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the UMAX AstraCam digital camera system. Now you can take great digital photos, and capture up to 20 seconds of sound with each shot. Easily transfer your new photos to a computer and be enjoying them in just moments.

Your AstraCam comes with software to make your photo taking experience really creative. Use Adobe PhotoDeluxe for artistic manipulation of your photos or to just make them better. Organize your photos with PhotoCabinet and make Internet photo greeting cards with VistaShuttle. AstraCam with its lightweight point and shoot simplicity, and fast photo downloading is a great way to welcome you to the world of digital photography.

UMAX AstraCam PackagePackage Contents

Your AstraCam package contains everything you need to take digital photos, download them to your computer and make use of your photos. When unpacking your AstraCam, make sure you've received all the components:

• AstraCam Digital Camera

• Cradle with built in battery charger

• 2 AAA Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries

• Power adapter & power cable

• Camera Strap

• Quick Start Guide

• AstraCam software CD including:

- AstraCam Software (TWAIN Driver)

- PhotoCabinet

- VistaShuttle

• Adobe PhotoDeluxe software CD

AstraCam Owner's Guide

AstraCam

SETTING UP YOUR NEW DIGITAL CAMERA SYSTEM

Installing the Batteries

Important Battery Usage Guides: Read Before Using the AstraCam. WARNING: Improperly inserting the rechargeable batteries (wrong polarity)

may cause damage to your camera and will void the warranty. See the guide symbols inside the battery case for proper installation of the batteries.

WARNING: Non-rechargeable AAA batteries can be used temporarily to take photos. However, these batteries must be removed prior to putting the camera in the cradle. Failure to remove all non-rechargeable batteries before placing the camera in the cradle may cause damage to the camera, voiding the warranty and/or causing the batteries to discharge or explode, which may result in bodily injury.

To put the rechargeable batteries in the AstraCam:

1. Unwrap the 2 AAA rechargeable batteries. Note the polarity symbols near the ends of each battery.

2. Open the battery cover at the bottom of the camera by pushing the cover out with your thumb.

3. Note the +/- polarity symbols on the contacts attached to the inside of the cover. Insert each battery so that the polarity symbol of the exposed end of each battery matches the polarity symbols on the contacts inside the battery compartment.

4. Close the cover.

Note: Before charging the batteries, you must install the

AstraCam cradle. See page 5, "Connecting the AstraCam Cradle." When the cradle is connected, place the AstraCam in the cradle to charge the batteries. The charge time for the batteries is up to 2.6 hours.

Bottom View

Replacing Worn-Out Batteries

Replace the batteries only with AAA size, 1.2V, nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries.

PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

AstraCam Owner's Guide

• Pentium

• Microsoft Windows

• At least 32 MB RAM

• 90 MB available hard disk space

• CD-ROM drive

• VGA Color Monitor

• USB Port

• Sound Card (recommended)

processor or higher

INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE

Please quit all Windows programs before installing your new software. IMPORTANT: Install the software prior to installing the AstraCam Cradle.

Please install Adobe® PhotoDeluxe® first and then install the AstraCam software.

Installing Adobe PhotoDeluxe

1. Insert the Adobe PhotoDeluxe CD into your CD-ROM drive. (If the installation program starts automatically, skip to step 5.)

2. Double-click on the MY COMPUTER icon on your Windows desktop.

3. Double-click on the PHOTODELUXE icon (your CD-ROM drive icon).

4. Double-click on the AUTOPLAY icon.

5. Follow the onscreen instructions to continue the installation. This CD will install Adobe PhotoDeluxe, Adobe® Acrobat® Reader and Adobe® Type Manager®.

6. Once everything has been installed, click on the FINISH button to finish installation and begin the registration process.

7. After registration is complete, you will be prompted to restart the computer. Click on the OK button to restart Windows.

Installing the AstraCam Software

1. Insert the AstraCam Digital Camera CD into your CD-ROM drive. (If the installation program starts automatically, skip to step 5.)

2. Double-click on the MY COMPUTER icon on your Windows desktop.

3. Double-click on the UMAX AstraCam CD icon (your CD-ROM drive icon).

AstraCam Owner's Guide

4. Double-click on the SETUP icon.

5. Follow the onscreen instructions to continue the installation. On the Select Component screen, select the programs you want to install:

• PhotoCabinet

• VistaShuttle

• AstraCam Software (including the Twain driver)

The default setting is to install all three programs (highly recommended). You must install the AstraCam and PhotoCabinet software in order to download photos to your computer using the DOWNLOAD button.

CONNECTING THE ASTRACAM CRADLE

Powering Up the Cradle

The power adapter sends power to the cradle and recharges the AstraCam batteries when the camera is resting in the cradle.

1. Insert the power adapter plug into the base at the rear of the AstraCam Cradle.

2. Attach the AC power cord to the power adapter.

3. Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.

Connecting the Cradle to Your Computer

The AstraCam Cradle connects your camera to a computer using the attached USB cable. The USB system is "hot-swappable." You do not have

to turn your system off before inserting the USB cable into the port.

1. Look on the back of your computer for the USB port. The USB port is a small slot 1/2" long by 1/4" wide (see illustration on the right).

2. Gently push the USB cable connector from the cradle into the socket making sure that it is firmly inserted in the port. With the AstraCam power switch turned OFF, place the AstraCam in the cradle. Windows will display screens saying that it discovered your new hardware, is updating the driver database and is installing new software.

AstraCam Owner's Guide

White Balance

THE ASTRACAM DIGITAL CAMERA

Power Switch

Viewfinder

Record Button

Microphone

Mode

• Viewfinder Look through this to compose the photo.

• Action Light Flashes whenever camera or recorder operates and is

accompanied by an audible beep.

• Record Button Press and hold this button to make a recording.

• White Balance Mode Press to change the White balance settings.

• Erase Button Press to erase photos from the camera.

• Microphone Speak toward the microphone when making a recording.

• Settings Display Shows the current settings of the AstraCam with the

following symbols:

Shutter Button

Action Light

Settings Display Erase Button

(See page 7, "White Balance Settings for Better Photos.")

solid block when batteries have less than a 20 percent charge.

In Microphone mode, shows seconds remaining.

commands.

White Balance Icon Displays the selected White Balance Mode.

Battery Status Shows two solid blocks for full batteries and one

Camera Icon Indicates that the AstraCam is ready to take photos.

Microphone Icon Indicates that the AstraCam recorder is ready. Shots/Seconds Remaining In Camera mode, shows shots remaining.

Process When this symbol flashes, the camera is processing

AstraCam Owner's Guide

Taking Your First Photo

Taking photos with your AstraCam is easy:

1. Turn the power switch ON.

2. Compose your photo by looking through the viewfinder.

3. Slightly press and hold the SHUTTER button. You will hear a short beep as the AstraCam automatically sets exposure.

4. Continue pressing fully down on the SHUTTER button. You will hear a second short beep as the photo is taken. Release the shutter button.

Note: It is important to hold the camera very still when taking a picture.

Moving the camera when shooting will create blurry pictures.

White Balance Settings for Better Photos

AstraCam has four white balance settings that adjust the camera for specific lighting situations. These settings help you get normal looking photos in different kinds of light. One of the icons below will always appear in the settings display when the camera is turned on.

You can set the camera to take pictures in:

Sunny light

Cloudy light or shade

Tungsten light (Keep photos from looking too yellow when taken in tungsten light. This kind of light is common in homes.)

Fluorescent light (Keep your photos from looking too green when taken in fluorescent light. This kind of light is common in stores.)

To change the white balance setting before taking a photo:

1. Press the MODE button. The camera will make an audible tone. You will see the White Balance icon in the settings display change.

2. Press and release the button until the white balance setting you want appears in the settings display.

Note: You can also change the camera's white balance on the computer

using the AstraCam program. See page 16, "Operating the AstraCam from the Program."

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