V15 Freelance
Digital Camera
Owner’s Manual
© 2009 Sakar International, Inc. All rights reserved.
Windows and the Windows logo are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their
respective companies.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents......................................................1
Introduction ...............................................................2
Key Features.............................................................2
What your camera includes ......................................3
Computer System Requirements for Windows.........3
A Quick Look at Your Camera ..................................4
Inserting Batteries.....................................................5
Software Installation..................................................5
Camera Modes ....................................................... 10
Capturing Photos ....................................................17
Capturing Video ......................................................21
Webcam Mode........................................................22
Everything you need to get the most from your photos
................................................................................23
Download photos to your PC ..................................26
Viewing Videos .......................................................30
Using your Camera as a Webcam..........................31
Maintenance of Your Digital Camera......................35
Sakar Warranty Card ..............................................36
Appendix A: Technical Specifications.....................37
Appendix B: Troubleshooting.................................38
1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the V15 Freelance Vivitar
Digital Camera. Everything you need to take quality
digital photos and videos is included with your device.
Please read this manual carefully FIRST in order to get
the most out of your digital camera.
Important Notice:
Please do not plug the camera into the USB port of
your computer until you have installed the Photags
Express software and the cameras driver (included
in the CD-ROM packaged with this camera).
Plugging in your camera at this stage will cause the
device to not be recognized by the computer.
Key Features
• 1.3 Mega-Pixel Dual Mode Digital and Video Camera
1280 x 1024
• 1.4 Inch Color LCD monitor
• PhoTags Express software for downloading photos
and videos from your Digital Camera, managing and
enhancing your photos, printing, sending photos by
e-mails and much more
• WebCam Express software to use your Digital
Camera as a webcam for live chat or creating videos
and taking snapshots.
2
What your camera includes
• Digital Camera
• PhoTags Express, WebCam Express and driver
installation CD
• USB cable
• User’s Manual in CD
• Neck strap
• Warranty card
• Quick User Guide
Computer System Requirements
for Windows
To be able to download photos and videos to your PC
you will need the following minimum configuration:
• Pentium III processor or above with Windows XP or
Vista
• 150 MB free disk space, 128 MB RAM
• Available USB Interface
• CD-ROM Drive
• Recommended screen resolution 1024 X 768 pixels
or higher
• 16-bit color or higher display adaptor
3
A Quick Look at Your Camera
4
Inserting Batteries
Open the camera’s battery compartment cover (if the
screw on the compartment has been fixed, please use a
small screwdriver to loose the screw, then open the
battery compartment cover) and insert 2 new AAA
alkaline batteries according to the polarity shown.
Close the cover and press the Power/Menu button to
power on the camera.
After powered on, if you want to make changes to the
camera’s default settings, please read the instructions of
this manual.
Warning: Do not remove the batteries before
downloading the photos and videos from the
camera. Doing so will erase everything in the
camera`s memory.
Note: We recommend to download and save your
photos and videos often so as not to lose them if
the battery power becomes too low.
Software Installation
NOTE: Before attempting to install the software,
make sure that you do not have the camera’s USB
cable attached to your computer. This will affect the
install process and can cause a failed installation of
5
the camera software and drivers.
In order to install the Software and drivers to download
and edit the photos and videos captured using this
camera, you need to install the CD installation disk.
Insert the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. A
Menu screen will automatically appear.
Warning:
USB PORT UNTIL THE SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
HAS BEEN COMPLETELY INSTALLED.
Software & Camera Driver Installation
On the “Install your camera software” screen, select
your camera model from the drop down list and click the
“Install” button to install PhoTags Express followed by
the installation of PhoTags WebCam Express and your
camera driver.
For more installation information click the “Read Me
First!” button.
On the “PhoTags Express" screen, click the “Next”
DO NOT PLUG YOUR CAMERA INTO THE
6
button.
Please review the license terms and click the “I Agree”
button to continue.
Let the “PhoTags Express” installer create the folder
where the program will be installed to, and then click
“Install”.
7
Please wait while the application is being installed on
your computer.
Once the application has been installed on your
computer, click the “Finish” button to let the “PhoTags
Express” installer finish the installation program.
8
This will automatically launch the Install shield for the
camera driver. Click “Next” to continue.
Follow the Setup screens that appear to install the
driver for this camera.
Once the program has finished installing you will be
asked to restart your computer. Please do so.
9
Congratulations!! You have successfully installed the
“PhoTags Express”, “WebCam Express” software and
the Camera Driver.
Camera Modes
Note: In order to download the photos and videos
captured with this camera you need to install the
PhoTags Express, WebCam Express and camera
specific driver for this device as described in the
previous section
Press the Power/Menu button to power on the camera.
Press the Power/Menu button again to view the Main
Menu screen.
Use the Up button to toggle between the menu icons on
the screen.
Use the Shutter button to select the different submenu
features within each icon.
10
Press the Power /Menu button to save your choice.
Below is an explanation for each of the Submenus on
the Main Menu.
Camera Submenu
Press the Power/Menu button to enter the Main Menu.
By default the camera icon is automatically selected.
Press the Shutter button to toggle through the following
various options within the camera submenu.
Take Photo
11
Self-Timer
AVI（Video）
Press the Power/Menu button to select and save the
mode of your choice. The LCD screen will show your
choice with a symbol in the upper left corner.
Continuous Capture
12
Resolution Modification
Submenu
Press the Power/Menu button to enter the Main Menu.
Press the Up button until the Resolution Modification
icon is selected and then press the Shutter button to
toggle between the different resolution options. Press
the Power/Menu button again to select and save the
desired resolution. Options within the Resolution
Modification Submenu are as follows:
Note: At higher resolutions the pictures captured will be
clearer but will take up more of the camera`s memory.
You will therefore be able to take less photos at higher
resolution than at lower resolution.
An indication of the number of photos that can still be
captured for each resolution appears on the bottom left
of the LCD screen once the picture is taken.
SXGA (1280x1024)
VGA (640x480)
QVGA (320x240)
13
Press the Power/Menu button to enter the Main Menu,
press the Up button until the Compression Rate icon is
selected and then press the Shutter button to toggle
between the different compression rate options, and
then press the Power/Menu button again to select and
save the desired compression. Options within the
Compression Rate Submenu are as follows:
Compression Rate Submenu
Non-Compression Mode
Compression Mode
Press the Power/Menu button to enter the Main Menu,
press the Up button until the Frequency icon is selected
and then press the Shutter button to toggle between the
frequency options, and then press the Power/Menu
button to select and save the desired frequency.
Options within the Frequency Submenu are as follows:
Frequency (Anti-Flicker) Submenu
14
Note: 60Hz is suitable for the U.S. and Japan, and
50Hz for Europe and Asia. Select the correct frequency
for the present conditions you find yourself.
50Hz
60Hz
Press the Power/Menu button to enter the Main Menu,
press the Up button until the Delete All icon is selected
and then press the Shutter button to select this
submenu. Upon entering this submenu, you will be
shown the following screen, asking if you wish to Delete
All of the photos in the camera. Press the Up button to
move between options, select Yes to Delete All, or No
to Cancel. Press the Shutter button to confirm your
choice.
Note:
downloaded all the images to your computer. Once
deleted the images are lost forever and cannot be
retrieved.
Delete All Submenu
Please use this feature only after you have
15
Battery Capacity Icons:
An icon will appear on the top right corner of your LCD
screen, showing the amount of battery power available.
Once the battery indicator falls below 35% it is
advisable to download the images to your computer as
quickly as possible so as not to lose them.
Once the batteries run low and the camera turns off, the
images may be erased from the camera`s memory.
Removing the batteries and replacing them with new
ones also erases the images from the camera`s
memory.
more than
70% power
16
35%-70%
power
5%-35%
power
Capturing Photos
TAKING INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS
less than
5% power
You can compose your shot using the LCD screen.
Hold the camera steady and press the shutter button. A
beep will sound and the red LED indicator on the front
of the camera will light up, indicating that the photo has
been taken. Do not move the camera until you hear the
beep. Moving the camera while taking the picture will
cause the photo to blur.
After each photo is taken the number of photos left to
shoot at this resolution is displayed at the bottom left of
the LCD screen.
If the level of brightness is too low, two quick beeps will
sound, indicating that the photo cannot be taken.
17
If there is not enough battery power, two quick beeps
will sound, indicating that the photo cannot be taken.
If the camera’s memory is full, two quick beeps will
sound, indicating that photos cannot be taken. In order
to continue taking photos you will need to download the
photos on the camera to the computer and then delete
them from the camera.
CONTINUOUS SHOT
Your camera can be set up to take 3 photos in one
continuous shot.
Select the Continuous shot mode from the camera
menu options on the LCD screen.
Press the Power/Menu button. Toggle between the
camera modes by pressing the Shutter button until the
continuous shot icon appears in the top left corner.
Press the Power/Menu button to save your choice. The
camera will show the continuous shot icon in the top left
corner - you can now take your shots.
Press the Shutter button once and the camera will take
3 consecutive shots saved in jpeg format. The red LED
indicator on the front of the camera will light up three
times and you will hear three beeps.
18
TIMER
Your camera can be set up with the timer mode to take
a photo after 10 seconds.
Select the Timer shot mode from the camera menu
options on the LCD screen.
Press the Power/Menu button. Toggle between the
camera modes by pressing the Shutter button until the
Timer icon appears in the top left corner. Press the
Power/Menu button to save your choice. When the
Timer icon appears in the top left corner you can now
prepare your shot.
Press the Shutter button once and the timer will be
activated to take the photo after 10 seconds. The red
LED indicator on the front of the camera will light up
and a beep will sound every second.
PLAYBACK MODE
Press the Power/Menu button to power on the camera.
Press the Playback button on your camera in order to
view all the photos that are presently on your camera.
Press the Up button to navigate between the photos.
19
You may also delete single photos in the Playback
mode.
Select the present photo you wish to delete.
Press the Power/Menu button.
A Delete single photo icon will appear on the LCD
screen with 2 options.
Press the Up button to move between the options,
“Yes” to Delete the present photo, or “No” to Cancel.
Press the Shutter button to confirm your choice.
The photo is deleted from your camera’s memory.
If you delete photos from your camera before
Note:
downloading them to your computer the photo is
completely erased from your camera’s memory and will
be lost with no recovery.
SLEEP MODE
(Automatic Power-Saving)
The digital device will go into Sleep Mode automatically
after approximately 30 seconds of inactivity. This mode
uses low energy consumption in order to prolong the
device’s battery life. To reactivate the device, simply
20
press the Power/Menu button
(Manual Power-Saving)
Press and hold the Power/Menu button for 3 seconds.
After hearing two beeps the camera will go into a sleep
mode manually.
In sleep mode, energy consumption is very low and the
battery life is prolonged. Your camera can remain in
sleep mode to save power. To use your camera again
just simply press the Power/Menu button.
For information on how to work with your photos, please
see the Software Installation section in this manual.
.
Capturing Video
In order to capture Videos with this Camera the camera
has to be set to the Video mode. Select the Video mode
from the camera menu options on the LCD screen.
Press the Power/Menu button. Toggle between the
21
camera modes by pressing the Shutter button until the
video icon appears in the top left corner. Press the
Power /Menu button to save your choice. When the
video icon appears in the top left corner you can now
prepare your shot.
Once in the Video mode, press the shutter button for
the camera to start capturing an AVI video.
A clock counter on the bottom right corner of the LCD
screen will begin to count. The video is now being
captured.
To end the video capture, press the Shutter button
again.
The Video has now been captured and is ready to be
downloaded from the camera to your computer.
Warning: In AVI mode, the camera checks the
brightness before capturing the video. If the light
conditions change and becomes darker after the
capture has begun, the resulting AVI file when played
back on your computer will play back very fast.
See the “Get Photos” section of the software installation
for using your Photags Express software application to
download photos in JPEG format and videos in AVI
format from your camera to your PC.
Webcam Mode
Photags WebCam Express software allows you to use
your camera as a webcam.
This application is installed together with the Photags
Express software.
22
To use the WebCam Express software see the “Using
your Camera as a Webcam” section further on in this
guide.
Everything you need to get the
most from your photos
The “PhoTags Express” software that is installed on
your computer allows you to edit existing photos that
you have on your computer as well as the photos that
you have captured and downloaded with your camera.
Plug one end of the USB cable into the USB port of the
camera.
Plug the other end of the USB cable into a USB port on
your computer.
Important:
see the “Your new hardware is installed and
ready to use” pop-up box on the taskbar. If you
do not see this message before you open the
software, the camera will not function properly.
Do not open the software until you
23
If the Camera is off it will automatically be turned on
when the USB cable is properly connected.
Click the “PhoTags Express” icon that appears on your
desktop to open the “PhoTags Express” Software.
From the Main Menu screen that appears, select the
“Select Photos”, “Enhance Photos” or “Add
Captions” buttons. You can use these features to edit
your photos:
24
Manage your photos by creating countless unique
photo collections without duplicating any photos.
Burn CD’s of any folders for backup and storage.
Enhance your photos; Auto Enhance, Crop, Correct
Red Eye, Manually Adjust and add Special Effects.
Add Active Captions- add Text Captions, Frames,
Shapes, Keywords… and more that can be viewed or
hidden any time.
Locate and Organize your photos and collectionsSearch by Captions, Category, Keyword or Date directly from the operating system of your computer.
Share your photos via E-mail, Local Printing and
Create HTML web pages for uploading online.
Create Calendars, two-sided Greeting Cards and
Postcards on standard photo paper... You can
purchase Albums and Video CD, two additional
workshop projects online at anytime.
Create Photo Albums and Slide Shows on CDs
that can be viewed on your PC and VCD’s for
viewing on your TV using your DVD player. Add
background music to your slideshow.
25
How to purchase additional “Workshop” projects
In addition to the free Calendars, two-sided
Greeting Cards and Postcards Workshop projects,
you have the ability to purchase two additional
Workshop projects: "Albums" and "Video CD"
online, at anytime.
1. To purchase the “Workshop Project”
simply click the one you want and you will
be referred to an online website where you
can purchase them.
2. Once you purchase the “Workshop
projects” you will receive an email verifying
your purchase and explaining how to easily
activate them in the software.
Download photos to your PC
Transfer Photo and Video images from your camera
26
to your PC using PhoTags Express.
Select the “Get Photos” button from the top of the
PhoTags Express Main Menu screen.
The Get Photos Wizard opens.
Step 1 - Select the “Dual Mode Camera” option in the
Active Devices window on the left and then select either
the “Custom” or “Express” copy radial button in the
Copy methods box.
CUSTOM COPY METHOD
Step 2 - Select the “Custom” copy radial button. Click
the “Next” button.
27
Add Active Captions to your pictures. You can add a
date, keywords, categories and more. Click “Next” to
continue.
Step 3 - Choose where to place your photos and videos.
The default is to place all photos and videos into a
folder under the C:\My Documents\ My Pictures folder
with the date when the photos were taken as the folder
28
name.
Click the “Finish” button to start the download process.
A photos download progress bar appears showing the
number of media (videos included) downloading from
you camera to your computer.
All the media – Photos and Videos on your camera are
now downloaded to your computer.
Open the “Select Photos” mode of Photags Express to
view the thumbnails for all the media.
You may now use PhoTags Express to edit your photos,
create collections and Burn CD`s.
To learn more of how to get the most out of your
29
PhoTags application select the “Show Me How” or the
“?” Help Guide button found on the top right of the
screen.
Express Copy Method
Select the “Express” copy radial button if you want to
have all the images transferred to the PC without the
option to select which photos you want to transfer.
In this mode you will not see a preview of the images
transferred. For more information please refer to the
Help Guide in PhoTags Express.
Viewing Videos
Make sure that your camera is connected to your
computer with the USB cable. Open any application
that will enable you to view video files (for example
Windows Media Player).
Videos created and downloaded should be sitting in
the C:\My Documents\My Pictures\{date} folder.
Videos are saved in AVI format. Double click on a
video with the avi extension.
The video will begin to play automatically. To replay
the video, use the media controls.
Once all the Photos and Videos have been
downloaded to the computer it is recommended that
you delete them from the camera thereby preparing
your camera to take more photos and videos.
30
Using your Camera as a Webcam
Connect your camera to your computer using the
USB cable attached.
Capturing AVI with WebCam Express
Now that you have WebCam Express software
installed, you can use it to capture short movies
called AVI video files or take JPEG snapshots. The
length of time you can record an AVI while the
camera is connected to your computer will vary,
depending on how much hard drive space you will
use to save the file. This is done through the
PhoTags WebCam Express program. Please note
that these AVI video files take up a lot of hard drive
space. This next section will walk you though
capturing an AVI file.
1. Double-click the “WebCam Express” icon that is
on your desktop to launch the “WebCam
Express” program. A webcam icon will appear
on the LCD screen of your camera.
2. Your camera now begins to function as a
webcam
3. Adjust your Camera/Webcam to the desired
position. The computer screen will display what
the Webcam “sees”.
4. To add audio to your video, plug a microphone
into your computer.
31
5. Click the “Capture” button to start recording the
video. The recording elapse time will appear
under the video.
6. Click the “Pause” button to hold the recording.
To continue recording click the “Capture” button
again.
7. To finish recording click the “Stop” button.
8. The videos will be automatically saved into a
default directory (My Documents/ My Pictures/
My WebCam).
32
Capturing Photos:
You can also take snapshots with your Webcam.
Your Webcam NEEDS to be connected at all times to
the computer in order to capture the photos.
There are 2 methods to capture and save photos
taken with your WebCam Express software.
Method 1 – Capture Mode:
1. Position the Webcam so that it is pointing in the
direction of the object you wish to photograph.
2. The “image” appears in the application’s view
screen.
3. Select the “Capture” mode button at the top of
the application screen
4. Click the “Snapshot” button on the top left of
the view screen.
5. The photo will be saved automatically as a jpeg
picture in the My Documents/ My Pictures/ My
WebCam folder on your computer.
6. You may now edit this photo by opening the
Photags Express application.
From the Main Menu, select the “Select Photos”
mode, and from the directory tree on the left of
the thumbnails screen, select the My WebCam
folder where the photo has been saved.
33
Method 2 – Playback Mode:
1. After capturing an AVI video with your Webcam
as explained above, select the “Playback” mode
button at the top of the application screen.
2. Select the AVI video you wish to view from the
view screen on the left.
3. Run the video by pressing the “Play Video”
button.
4. While the video is running select the
“Snapshot” button to take photo snapshots that
are now saved as jpeg pictures.
5. The photo will be saved automatically as a jpeg
picture in the My Documents/ My Pictures/ My
WebCam folder on your computer.
6. You may now edit your photos with the
“Photags Express” software application by
selecting the Photags Express icon on the
desktop, and from Main Menu that appears
select the “Select Photos” mode.
7. From the directory tree on the left of the
thumbnails screen open the “My WebCam”
34
folder and select the photos you wish to edit
using the software.
To learn more on how to capture JPEG snapshots
from your Webcam or from your existing AVI movies,
go to the “Take Snapshots” section in the Help Guide
in the application.
To learn how to change the User Settings, go to the
“Set User Preferences” section in the Help Guide.
PC Webcam:
You can use this Webcam to chat with friends and
family, sending live video feeds straight to them.
Maintenance of Your Digital
Camera
Digital Camera is a delicate instrument- please
handle it with care.
35
Sakar Warranty Card
This warranty covers for the original consumer
purchaser only and is not transferable. Products that fail
to function properly UNDER NORMAL USAGE, due to
defects in material or workmanship. Your product will be
repaired at no charge for parts or labor for a period of
one year.
What Is Not Covered By Warranty:
Damages or malfunctions not resulting from defects in
material or workmanship and damages or malfunctions
from other than normal use, including but limited to,
repair by unauthorized parties, tampering, modification
or accident.
What To Do When Service Is Required:
When returning your defective product (postage prepaid) for service, your package should include:
Copy of original bill of sale
A detailed written description of the problem.
Your return address and telephone number (Daytime)
MAIL TO ADDRESS BELOW:
Sakar International
Attention: Service Department
195 Carter Drive
Edison, NJ 08817
You may also visit www.sakarhelp.com
assistance if necessary or call our tech support
department toll free at (877) 397-8200.
for further
36
Appendix A: Technical
Specifications
Image Sensor
Image Resolution
Focus f=8.3mm
Image Variation 0.5m - Infinity
Lens
Aperture 1: 3.0
Illumination 100 – 16000 (lux)
File Format JPEG / AVI
File Storage 8 MB
Storage capability
Interface USB 1.1
Power Supply 2 AAA Battery or USB cable
Operating
Systems
1.3M Pixels (1280X1024)
SXGA
1280x1024, 640x480,
320x240
Non-spherical Lens
Resolution Hi Lo
(1280x1024) 15 30
(640x480) 46 70
(320x240) 100 138
Windows XP and Vista
37
Appendix B: Troubleshooting
Q: I have taken photos, but my computer says "No
photos in camera." What do I do?
First, ensure that you have taken photos with your
camera. Press the shutter button a few times to take
some sample photos and try again. If you still get a no
photos error, this indicates that the software was not
installed correctly or your computer may not meet the
minimum system requirements.
System Requirements:
First, ensure that you have at least a Pentium III 300
MHz, AMD Athlon 300 MHz, or a Celeron 400 MHz or
higher as well as at least 128MB of RAM. Please note
that the older AMD K6 processors will not work. More
information about determining your computer's
specifications can be found in the General Computer
Information section. If you have determined that you
have pictures in your camera and you meet the system
requirements, follow the steps below to reinstall the
software.
Software Re-installation
First install the software. Click on Start, Settings,
Control Panel and Add/Remove programs.
You will need to remove PhoTags Express. After
removing it, restart your computer. If your camera is
connected, disconnect it.
38
Now reinstall the software. Insert the CD that came with
your camera. It should automatically run the installation.
Restart the computer.
Once your computer is back up, plug the camera into
your computer's USB port.
Right-click on the "My Computer" icon. Select
Properties.
Click on hardware and then Device Manager.
If the camera is installed correctly, there will be a
category listed for "Imaging Devices" and clicking on
the "+" next to it should reveal your camera. If not, you
will likely see "Digital Still Camera" under "Other
Devices" with a brightly colored marking next to it
indicating it is not functioning correctly.
If you are running Windows XP: Right click on the nonfunctioning device and select uninstall. If a warning
pops up, press OK.
Restart your computer again. Your camera is now
successfully installed.
Q: How do I make sure I don't lose important
pictures?
Your camera uses SDRAM memory, which
requires a constant electric current to store your
photos.
Should your camera lose power (for instance if
the battery dies or run out of power) all stored
pictures will be lost. We recommend always
downloading your photos to your computer as
soon as possible to prevent unintentional data
39
loss.
Q: If I have a MAC, will the device work?
Unfortunately, the system requirements for our
digital cameras and webcams require a
Windows operating system. There is no Mac
driver available and no current plan to develop.
Q: If the webcam does not work:
Make sure you have connected the webcam
correctly into an available USB port or hub.
40
Loading...