manualshive.com logo in svg

Creative PC-CAM 900, User Manual, Page: 1 / 57

Share
Download
Creative PC-CAM 900 User Manual Download Page 1

User’s Guide

Summary of Contents for PC-CAM 900

Page 1: ...User s Guide ...

Page 2: ...ance with the terms of the license agreement It is against the law to copy the software on any other medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement The licensee may make one copy of the software for backup purposes The Software License Agreement is found in a separate folder on the Installation CD Copyright 1998 2003 Creative Technology Ltd All rights reserved Version 1 0 November ...

Page 3: ...Contents ...

Page 4: ... Selector dial 2 3 Using the Multi Selector button 2 4 Inserting an SD Memory Card optional 2 6 Turning on Your Camera 2 7 Usage Precautions 2 8 Disconnecting your camera properly 2 8 Windows XP Windows 2000 and Windows Me 2 8 Windows 98 SE 2 9 3 Using Creative PC CAM 900 as a Digital Camera Turning on your Camera 3 1 Taking a Photo 3 1 Previewing a Photo 3 2 Flash Modes 3 2 Recording Audio or Vid...

Page 5: ...000 Me 98 SE 98 4 1 Verifying the installation in Windows XP and 2000 4 5 Verifying the installation in Windows Me and 98 98 SE 4 5 5 Using Creative PC CAM 900 as a Web Camera Starting PC CAM Center 5 1 Capturing Images and Video 5 2 Taking a Photo 5 2 Recording a Video 5 2 Viewing a Photo 5 3 Viewing a Video 5 4 Transferring files from your camera 5 4 Reactivating the Camera 5 5 Starting PC CAM C...

Page 6: ... Power A 1 Sensor A 1 LCD Display A 1 Video Resolution A 1 Picture Resolution Still mode A 1 Picture Resolution PC Cam Center A 1 Video Resolution WebCam Monitor A 1 Focus range A 2 Focal length A 2 Aperture A 2 Self timer A 2 Video formats A 2 File formats A 2 Exposure control A 2 White balance A 2 Audio Recording A 2 Multi Snap Mode A 2 Port compatibility A 2 Storage Media A 2 ...

Page 7: ...iv Software compatibility A 3 B Troubleshooting Problem Installing Software B 1 Problems Using Creative PC CAM 900 B 1 Problems in Windows XP B 3 C Note on USB Compatibility ...

Page 8: ...Introduction ...

Page 9: ...bCam Monitor ArcSoft PhotoImpression ArcSoft VideoImpression ArcSoft Panorama Maker ArcSoft Multimedia Email For more information see Creative PC CAM 900 Applications on page 6 1 Before You Begin Package Contents Your Creative PC CAM 900 package contains the following items Creative PC CAM 900 USB cable Creative PC CAM 900 Installation CD Application CD Quick Start booklet Soft camera case PC CAM ...

Page 10: ...isk drive for installation of all software titles Available USB port or USB hub with an external power supply Microsoft Windows XP Windows 2000 Windows Me or Windows 98 98 SE AGP display adapter that supports 16 bit color at a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels CD ROM drive installed Sound Blaster or other Windows compatible audio card Sound Blaster 16 or higher required for simultaneous two way conv...

Page 11: ... to a feature Note This highlights additional or important information about a feature Caution This highlights proper usage of your product Use this information to avoid risky situations Warning This warns you of possible hazards to yourself or your product that may result in injury or damage ...

Page 12: ... Your Camera Do not subject to excessive force or impact Do not incinerate or expose to excessive heat Keep away from strong magnetic fields Keep away from excessive moisture Do not store or use in areas exceeding 45 C or 113 F ...

Page 13: ...About Your Camera ...

Page 14: ...re 2 2 highlight the features of Creative PC CAM 900 Figure 2 1 Creative PC CAM 900 front and side views Snap button Mode Selector dial Flash Normal Macro focus switch Camera lens Microphone Self Timer LED Front View Side View USB connector TV out connector Optical viewfinder Strap lug ...

Page 15: ...tom View Camera stand socket Battery compartment TV out and USB connector protector Optical viewfinder LED indicator Power button Multi Selector button Liquid Crystal Display LCD Display button Set Flash Thumbnail button Menu button Integrated speaker Back View Mode Selector dial ...

Page 16: ... view photos and videos and hear audio recordings Auto Photo mode take photos using the camera s automatic exposure and white balance settings Manual Photo mode take photos with your custom exposure and white balance settings To select a mode turn the Mode Selector dial so that the mode icon is aligned with the red dot next to the dial In any mode except Web Cam mode and when connected to your com...

Page 17: ...n For more details on using the Multi Selector button with your Onscreen Display menu see Using Creative PC CAM 900 as a Digital Camera on page 3 1 Key Description Up Playback mode zoom in on displayed photo or highlight menu options Auto or Manual Photo mode zoom in Down Playback mode zoom out of displayed photo or highlight menu options Auto or Manual Photo mode zoom out Up Key Down Key Left Key...

Page 18: ...ual Photo modes enable or disable Self Timer Right In all modes except Playback Menu move to Exposure White Balance Settings or Format options Auto or Manual Photo modes enable or disable Multi Snap mode Key Description Multi Snap and Self Timer modes cannot be enabled at the same time Selecting either mode will disable the other ...

Page 19: ...nt door Your camera will turn itself off automatically if the SD removable card slot cover is opened The SD memory card has a write protect switch to prevent the accidental deletion of valuable data This switch is disabled by default When the SD card is protected images cannot be recorded If an attempt is made to record or delete an image with the camera the Card Protect message will appear in the...

Page 20: ...amera The LED turns red and the LCD monitor is activated The LED turns green Be sure to insert the batteries in the correct direction If not they may leak and damage your camera Do not mix old and new batteries together To conserve battery power your camera turns the LCD off if no operation is made within 60 seconds See Power Saving on page 3 7 for more information Figure 2 6 Inserting batteries B...

Page 21: ...dware icon on the Taskbar to safely disconnect your camera If not your camera may not be able to function normally Follow these steps below to safely disconnect your camera Windows XP Windows 2000 and Windows Me 1 Click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the Taskbar and click Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device as shown 2 Unplug your player when you are prompted to do so This prompt appears on t...

Page 22: ...0 seconds after all file transfers are completed or until the LED indicator turns green 2 In Windows Explorer right click the Removable Disk icon and click Eject 3 Unplug your camera after 10 seconds Figure 2 10 Disconnecting your camera in Windows 98 SE ...

Page 23: ...Using Creative PC CAM 900 as a Digital Camera ...

Page 24: ... Selector dial to Auto Photo or Manual Photo mode For normal focus pictures ensure that the Normal Macro focus switch is moved toward 3 Compose your picture and press the Snap button You can also take multiple pictures in quick succession in Multi Snap mode In Multi Snap mode pictures are taken at 800 x 600 resolution overriding the default picture settings Taking a photo in Multi Snap mode 1 Be s...

Page 25: ...bnail of nine thumbnails on the LCD Use the Multi Selector button to locate the photo Flash Modes In Auto Photo or Manual Photo mode press the Set Flash Thumbnail button to choose a flash mode Auto flash the flash is used automatically when required Forced flash the flash is always used No flash the flash is disabled Press the Set Flash Thumbnail button to switch between full view and thumbnail vi...

Page 26: ...maining recording times shown in seconds at the upper right corner of the LCD Press the Snap button again to stop recording Replaying a Recording 1 Turn the Mode Selector dial to Playback mode 2 Use the Left and Right keys on your Multi Selector button and locate your recording on the LCD screen 3 Press the Snap button to start playback To stop playback press the Left key To pause playback press t...

Page 27: ...ur camera is not connected to your computer 2 Turn the Mode Selector dial to Playback mode 3 Use the Left and Right keys on your Multi Selector button and locate your photo or recording on the LCD screen 4 Press the Menu button 5 Use the Down key on your Multi Selector button to highlight the icon and press the Set Flash Thumbnail button The photo or recording is protected from accidental erasure ...

Page 28: ... button 4 Use the Up or Down keys on your Multi Selector to select a exposure setting 5 Press the Set Flash Thumbnail button to save the setting White Balance Settings Adjust white balance settings so that your camera reproduces colors more accurately Choose a white balance that closely matches the ambient lighting If you are taking a photo in a room with lots of fluorescent lighting choose the Fl...

Page 29: ...ettings icon is highlighted 5 Press the Up or Down key to select a setting and press the Set Flash Thumbnail button 6 Use the specified control to adjust a setting 7 Press the Set Flash Thumbnail button to save the setting Setting Description Control to use Beep Enable or disable audio feedback when using controls Up or Down keys Date and Time Set the date and time Multi Selector button Date Style...

Page 30: ...era automatically switches itself off one minute after turning off the LCD Up or Down keys Quality Select the default quality for photo taking Photos taken with the FINE setting take up more space in your camera Up or Down keys QuickView Enable or disable the automatic image preview after taking a photo Up or Down keys Self Timer Set the default time delay for the timer Choose a delay between 2 an...

Page 31: ...y or SD memory card Be sure to choose the default media before using this function See Media on page 3 7 for more information on choosing a default media 1 Press the Right key on your Multi Selector button until the Format icon is highlighted 2 Select NO to cancel the formatting Otherwise select YES This method of formatting erases protected photos or recordings ...

Page 32: ...Installing Creative PC CAM 900 ...

Page 33: ...w Hardware Wizard dialog box may appear Click the Cancel button and disconnect your camera from your computer 2 Insert the Creative PC CAM 900 Installation CD into your CD ROM drive If it does not run automatically click Start Run and type d ctrun ctrun exe replace d with the drive letter of your CD ROM drive 3 Click the options for installing drivers and applications 4 Follow the instructions on ...

Page 34: ...ode 7 With a USB cable connect Creative PC CAM 900 to an available USB port on your computer Figure 4 2 Follow the steps below that are for your operating system For Windows XP only 8 The Found New Hardware message box appears on your Windows taskbar telling you that Windows has detected your camera as a USB Mass Storage Device Figure 4 1 Software Installation dialog box Figure 4 2 Connecting Crea...

Page 35: ...Web Cam mode Windows loads camera and video drivers for your Creative PC CAM 900 11 When the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog boxes appear select the Install the software automatically Recommended option and click the Next button 12 If a Hardware Installation dialog box appears click the Continue Anyway button 13 Click the Finish button and restart your computer if you are prompted to do so For Wi...

Page 36: ...tion CD with the appropriate CD If you did not receive a Windows 98 SE installation CD with your computer but received a Recovery Disk the necessary Windows files may already be located at c windows options cabs replace c with the drive letter of your hard disk drive Note Windows 98 is available in various editions Be sure to use the correct edition for your system 9 In the Insert Disk dialog box ...

Page 37: ...ck the Device Manager button A window appears 6 Click the plus sign next to the Imaging Device icon The entries Creative PC CAM 900 Still and Creative PC CAM 900 Video should appear Verifying the installation in Windows Me and 98 98 SE 1 Be sure that your camera s Mode Selector dial is turned to Web Cam mode 2 Right click the My Computer icon on your desktop 3 On the menu that appears click Proper...

Page 38: ...Using Creative PC CAM 900 as a Web Camera ...

Page 39: ...age albums You can start PC CAM Center in any of the following ways Click Start Programs Creative Creative PC CAM Creative PC CAM Center Double click the Creative Cam Detector icon in your taskbar This icon appears if during installation you clicked the option for Creative Cam Detector to load automatically at Windows startup Turn your camera s Mode Selector dial to Web Cam mode and plug your came...

Page 40: ...lt the photo is saved automatically and added to the destination album To preview a photo 1 Click the Save automatically check box to clear it if you want to preview each photo before deciding whether to save it to the destination album 2 Click the Snap an image button to take a photo A preview of the photo is shown in the Preview pane of the Live Video window 3 Click the Save button if you wish t...

Page 41: ... in the Preview pane of the Live Video window 4 If you wish to store it in the destination album click the Save button after previewing the video Viewing a Photo 1 Click the My Album button PC CAM Center is now in My Album mode 2 In the My Album box click the My Photo folder and then click the album that contains the photos that you want to view Thumbnails of photos in the album are displayed in t...

Page 42: ... and videos you took while your camera was detached from your computer To transfer files to PC CAM Center 1 Connect your camera to your computer and start PC CAM Center 2 Turn your camera s Mode Selector dial to Web Cam mode 3 In PC CAM Center click the Digital Camera button PC CAM Center is now in Digital Camera mode Temporary copies of your camera s file are created automatically and displayed a...

Page 43: ... the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard Starting PC CAM Center Help This Help file contains instructions on how to use PC CAM Center to take photos and record videos It also teaches you how to optimize settings to take high quality photos and videos To start the Help file 1 Click the PC Cam Center logo at the top left corner of PC CAM Center s main window 2 On the PC CAM Center menu click Hel...

Page 44: ...Creative PC CAM 900 Applications ...

Page 45: ...Internet WebCam Monitor also acts as a motion detecting security system which automatically e mails you when somebody comes near your PC while you are not present ArcSoft PhotoImpression ArcSoft PhotoImpression offers a comprehensive range of photo editing tools for cropping retouching and adding special effects These fun and easy to use editing tools let you create dynamic images you ll be proud ...

Page 46: ... 6 2 ArcSoft Multimedia Email ArcSoft Multimedia Email is a unique program that enables home and business Windows users to create and send digital postcards featuring their own photos audio messages text music and digital video clips ...

Page 47: ...Appendixes ...

Page 48: ...Technical Specifications ...

Page 49: ...MOS LCD Display 1 5 Color LCD Video Resolution WebCam Mode Up to 24fps 320 x 240 resolution Video Capture DSC Mode Up to 15fps 320 x 240 resolution Picture Resolution Still mode Super Fine 2048 x 1536 software enhanced Fine 1600 x 1200 Normal 800 x 600 Picture Resolution PC Cam Center 2048 x 1536 software enhanced 1600 x 1200 1024 x 768 800 x 600 640 x 480 Video Resolution WebCam Monitor 640 x 480...

Page 50: ...0 File formats JPEG DPOF compliant AVI Exposure control Automatic Manual 2EV to 2EV in 1 3 steps White balance Automatic Manual daylight shade tungsten fluorescent Audio Recording Voice Recording IMA ADPCM Multi Snap Mode 5 images at 800 x 600 Port compatibility Universal Serial Bus port v1 1 TV Out NTSC PAL selectable Storage Media Built in 16MB Flash Memory SD Memory Card Interface ...

Page 51: ...atibility TWAIN Video for Windows WDM Mini Driver for DirectShow and STI Still Image driver that runs in Windows 98 Windows 98 SE Windows 2000 Windows Me and Windows XP Windows Image Acquisition WIA driver runs in Windows XP and Windows Me only ...

Page 52: ...Troubleshooting ...

Page 53: ...Run dialog box click d ctrun ctrun exe 4 Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation Problems Using Creative PC CAM 900 There is no USB port available to connect the USB cable Do one of the following Unplug the device currently connected Add a self powered USB hub Add a PCI USB card An application reports that the video driver is already in use or that the camera cannot be f...

Page 54: ... at very bright objects for example sunlight lights or highly reflective surfaces Insufficient system resources reserved for the USB port causing the system to be unable to function There are too many devices in the system causing IRQ problems with the system s USB controller Do the following 1 Remove some devices from the system 2 Restart the system The system will rearrange the resources automat...

Page 55: ...ouraged companies to submit their hardware solutions for certification If a hardware device driver is not submitted or does not qualify for Microsoft certification a warning message similar to the one below appears You may see this message when installing a driver If you do you may choose to click the Continue Anyway button Creative has tested the driver on Windows XP and it does not impair or des...

Page 56: ...Note on USB Compatibility ...

Page 57: ... problem may be related to your PC s USB port the following is a list of available options 1 Contact your PC vendor Your PC vendor may be able to upgrade your motherboard or its BIOS to a newer version that addresses USB incompatibilities 2 Use a PCI host adapter that provides USB connectors If you are not able to upgrade your motherboard or its BIOS we recommend this approach 3 Attach the Creativ...

Reviews:

No comments