Vivitar Vivicam 3550 User Manual

CONTENTS

Your package.......................................................................................................................................2

Electromagnetic Compatibility Notice.................................................................................................3

Trademarks acknowledgement.................................................................................................4

Precautions..........................................................................................................................................5

Features of the camera..........................................................................................................6

Batteries used for Vivicam 3550 Digital Camera...........................................................................7

Input Compact Flash card..................................................................................................8-9

Nomenclature................................................................................................................................10

Buttons Description.........................................................................................................................11

LCD monitor menu.........................................................................................................11-12

Remarks.......................................................................................................................12-14

Status LCD Display....................................................................................................................15

Flash Strobe modes........................................................................................................................15

Playback on LCD monitor.............................................................................................16

Download to computer....................................................................................................16

View photos on TV......................................................................................................................16

CF memory card............................................................................................................17

Connect to TV.................................................................................................................17

Self timer/Digital Zoom / Shot to Shot time/ Rapid fire mode........................................18

Install the Arcsoft Programs and camera drivers in Windows 98/98SE/ME OS..........19-22

Install the Arcsoft Programs and camera drivers in Windows 2000/XP OS...................22-27

Download photos by using PhotoStudio........................................................................28-29

Use PhotoPrinter.........................................................................................................30-31

Use PhotoFantasy......................................................................................................31-33

Use your digital camera as a web camera.....................................................................33-34

Open User's Manual........................................................................................................34

Uninstall Arcsoft programs..........................................................................................................34

Troubleshooting................................................................................................................35

Product Specifications.......................................................................................................................36

Software and System Requirements.............................................................................36-37

1

The package contains the following items :

Vivicam 3550 Camera 1 unit
Program CD 1 piece
USB cable 1 piece
TV cable 1 piece
User's Manual 1 piece
Quick Start Guide 1 piece
Warranty Card 1 piece
Hand Strap 1 piece
Alkaline Batteries (AA size ) 4 pieces

Default settings (When you have just put in the batteries and powered up the camera)
Flash strobe: Off
Resolution: FULL*
LCD monitor: Off
Auto Power Off: 1 minute
Sound (beeper):Off
LCD monitor menu language: English
Quick View = Off
White Balance =Auto
Light Frequency = 60Hz
Video : NTSC
Slide show : 3-second delay
LCD Brightness / EV Compensate = 0

2

Electromagnetic Compatibility Notice

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the f ollowing two
conditions :
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Warning : Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly appro ved b y the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If the unit does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.

• Consult the dealer or any experienced TV/radio technician for help.

• Shielded cables are used with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class B FCC limits.

• Under high electrostatic discharge environment, it may cause malfunction of the camer a.

It needs to be reset by taking out the batteries.

3

Trademark acknowledgements

Vivicam is a trademark of Vivitar Corporation.
TWAIN driver is developed by Conexant Systems, Inc., USA.
Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000/XP are the registered tr ademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Arcsoft PhotoStudio, PhotoPrinter and PhotoFantasy are licensed to Arcsoft, USA.

All other product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.

4

5

Precautions :

Thank you for selecting Vivicam 3550 digital camera. Please read the instructions carefully
for a thorough understanding before taking pictures.

• This camera is not resistant to water and should not be used outdoors in snow or rain. If
accidentally dropped in water, please quickly pour out the water. Dry it with sunlight or
an air-blower.

• Protect it from excessive humidity. It will wet the lens and the pictures taken will be b lurred.

• Do not expose the camera to sand.

• Do not attempt to disassemble the camera yourself. Alw ays take it to an authorized service
facility for repair.

• Remove the batteries if you do not expect to use the camera for 1 month or longer.

• When storing the camera, wrap it in a piece of clean, soft cloth and place it in a cool, dry,
dust-free place. Also it should not be placed in very hot temperature conditions or under
direct sun-light.

• The batteries may explode or cause burns if disassembled, recharged, shorted, exposed
to high temperature, or disposed of in fire.

• AA-size alkaline or Ni-MH batteries can be used with this camera. It will damage the
camera if you use poor quality batteries.

• Make sure all four batteries are fresh, unused or fully charged.

• Ensure that battery polarities are correct when placing the batteries in the camera.

• Batteries may feel warm after being used for some time.

• Take care of the lens. Use special cloth to clean it.

• Do not scratch hard objects against the lens, LCD monitor screen or viewfinder.

• Condensation is a problem when bringing cold equipment into a warm room. Try to put
the camera in a plastic bag so condensation forms on the outside of the bag.

• If the status LCD or the TFT LCD display is damaged, do not touch it.

• Battery low detection:
When you see the battery icon blinking, you should replace the batteries with new alkaline
batteries or fully charged NiMH batteries.
If you hav e no such battery for replacement, y ou cannot use the flash strobe and you have
to turn off the LCD monitor in order to take more pictures.

• Battery life is shorter for poor quality alkaline batteries. If you always turn on the LCD
monitor and the flash strobe, you should use good quality batteries(eg. Energizer alkaline
batteries). High power NiMH rechargeable batteries (1300mAH or higher) are also

recommended.

6

Features of the camera :

1. High speed processor with full functions.

2. High quality images with SXGA resolution.

3. Large aperture glass lens (F2.8)

4. Low shot-to-shot time (~3s for Full * mode).

5. Two resolutions (SXGA and VGA) and three types of quality.

6. 1.8-inch color LCD monitor (280x220 dots)

7. 10 buttons and 1 Mode dial.

8. USB port for upload images and PC camera mode

9. Built-in flash strobe (4 modes)

10. Compact Flash memory card (type 1) compatibility

11. Tripod mount

12. Using 4 x AA Alkaline batteries

13. Exposure compensation (-1.5 to +1.5 eV)

14. White Balance (Auto and 4 other types)

15. 2X Digital Zoom (VGA resolution)

16. Quick View (confirm save or not for the last image)

17. TV video out (PAL or NTSC selectable)

18. Slide show on the LCD monitor or TV screen

19. Folder selection (DCF compatibility)

20. Protect Files (Current/All)

21. Date/Time setting

22. 7 types of LCD monitor menu languages (European & Japanese)

23. Auto Power off (1, 2 or 3 minutes selectable)

24. Current photo or All photos erase

Batteries used for Vivicam 3550 Digital Camera

Attention : The internal memory is only available f or about 6 photos (HALF *), you have
to use the CF memory card for most time.

• Insert 4 pcs of AA alkaline batteries into the battery compartment. Slide the power switch
to On position for 1s. It will turn on the camera and the status LCD is On.

• You cannot power up the camera without the batteries.

• If battery power is cut off, some of the settings are reset. Eg. The date and time
will be reset to 01/01/00 12:00.

• As the camera is powered on, the LCD monitor is off to save battery power. Press the
DISP button to turn it on if you need to see the live image.

• The battery icon will blink if battery power is too low (<4V).

Please replace with new alkaline batteries as soon as possible. The camera will not use the
USB cord power from the PC. So it is not recommended that you use it as a web cam.

Slide and lift open the battery compartment cover and insert 4XAA Alkaline batteries
with correct polarities. Then close the battery compartment cover.

7

8

Input the Compact Flash Card :

ce

CF

1. Open the CF card holder cover.

2. Insert the CF card as shown.

3. Lock the ejector.

4. Close the CF card holder cover.

5. Turn the Mode Dial to Record
mode. Power on the unit.

6. You can see the remaining
number of photos (FULL*) that
can be taken on the status LCD.

9

Take out the Compact Flash card :

ce

CF

1. Power off the unit.

2. Open the CF holder door.

3. Unlock the ejector.

4. Push down on the CF to release it.

5. Take the CF card out with your
fingers.

6. Close the CF holder door.

10

Nomenclature:

Tripod port

Shutter

Status LCD

Flash/
Timer/
Resolution

TV out

USB port

CF card
holder door

View Finder

1.8'' TFT Display

Power

Mode Dial

LCD monitor
control buttons

LED

Hand Strap
Mount

Strobe Flash

View Finder

Lens

11

Buttons Description :

1. RES : Change from Full* to Half***, Half**, Half*, Full***, Full**.

2. Timer : Turn on/off self-timer (10s delay)

3. Flash : Toggle between Auto, Red Eye, On and Off

4. Shutter : Measure and take exposure. Press to bottom to take photos.

5. POWER : Slide to right for 1s to turn on or turn off the camera

6. MENU : Display or hide the LCD monitor menu.

7. UP : Move up to upper item of the menu.

8. DOWN : Move down to lower item of the menu.

9. DISP :

• In Record mode : Turn on or off the LCD monitor.

• In Play mode : Toggle between full screen, full screen with image information, display
as 3 x 3 thumbnails.

10. ENTER : Confirm the item selection. Digital zoom (in Record mode)

Mode Dial (5 modes selection):

Rec (Record mode) For taking pictures.
Play (Play mode) For reviewing the stored images
Set (Setup mode) For displaying the Setup menu.
Erase (Erase mode) For displaying the Erase menu with a press on the MENU

botton

PC (PC mode) For uploading images / PC camera mode.

LCD Monitor Menu :

There are 5 different menus shown on the LCD monitor.

1. RECORD MENU

2. PLAY MENU

3. SETUP MENU

4. ERASE MENU

5. PC MODE

RECORD MENU (Turn to REC mode. Press the Menu button)

• LCD Brightness -5 to +5 , step 1

• Quick View ON/OFF

• White Balance Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent1, Fluroescent2

• EV Compensate -1.5 to +1.5 eV, step 0.3 eV

• Light Frequency 50Hz or 60Hz