The DCS1700 has three operating modes: Preview, Playback and Menu:
•
In Preview mode
, live video framed by the camera’s field of view is displayed on
the console’s LCD. The VIPER 1700 automatically enters this mode when powered
on. Separate front-panel buttons allow you to increase and decrease the brightness
of the camera lighting LEDs. Another front-panel button allows you to enlarge (zoom
in on) a target by 50% (a zoom level of 1.5X) or 100% (2.0X). Yet another button
allows you to horizontally “mirror” video, making it possible to read serial numbers
seen and reversed by a probe with a mirrored viewing tip.
The DCS1700 also allows you to record VGA resolution inspection videos and
photos on a standard-size SD memory card with a single push of a button. While
you are recording a video or before you take a photo, you can adjust the brightness
and contrast of the display or zoom in on the target and these actions will be
reflected in the stored file—in other words, what you see is what you save. Analog
versions of stored files and raw and manipulated (zoomed or mirrored) real-time
probe video can be exported through an included video cable to any NTSC- or PAL-
format TV monitor with an RCA input jack.
•
In Playback mode
, you can browse the SD card for saved video and picture files
and view the media on the console’s LCD or a larger TV monitor. Video clips and
photos also can be viewed on a PC: 1) by removing the SD card and plugging it in
directly; 2) through a card reader; or 3) via the included USB cable. Photos are
saved as .jpg files, so most photo viewer applications can open them. However,
although videos are saved as .avi files, Microsoft Windows Media Player lacks the
codec neeed to open them. Video files can be opened by more-versatile media
players such as freeVLC (www.videolan.org). The 4GB SD memory card included
with the DCS1700 can store more than two hours of VGA resolution video, recorded
at an average of 26 Mbytes/minute, in addition to hundreds of photos.
•
In Menu mode
, you use familiar scrolling motions and responses to dialog boxes to
navigate a main menu with six submenus as well as a “special function” menu that
provides access to two display controls and two custom display modes. Collectively,
the menus and submenus let you:
• Browse video and photo files stored on the SD card
• Operate in black & white mode
• Precisely measure the size of any object in the camera’s field of view using an
included probe tip accessory
• Set baseline levels for display brightness and contrast
• Perform “housekeeping” functions such as 1) formatting and checking the
capacity of the SD card, 2) deleting files individually or in bulk, 3) setting the date
and time, 4) limiting the duration of video clips, 5) enabling or disabling display of
the date and time on the LCD, 6) choosing any of 27 languages for menu and
on-screen text, 7) selecting a Video Out format, and 8) adjusting the triggering
time of the console’s Auto Power Off function.
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