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VALCam USB with Flash 

 

Introduction 

Thank you for purchasing the 

VALCam USB

, the first 

image acquisition system designed specifically for photo-
ID and visual database applications.  All camera controls 
(pan, tilt, zoom and exposure level) are available from the 
mouse or keyboard.  Manual positioning of the camera is 
eliminated for increased operator efficiency.  
 
In addition to hands off control, the 

VALCam USB 

provides a synchronized photoflash for consistent high 
quality image acquisition in any environment. Software 
controls are provided for flash intensity and flesh tone 
adjustments making the acquisition of top quality images a 
snap.  High quality captures with perfect skin tones and 
exposure can be obtained effortlessly in any environment, 
even dark rooms!                                   
 

 

 
 

Video Associates Labs, Inc. 

11525A Stonehollow Dr., Suite 130 

Austin, TX  78758 

1-800-331-0547 

www.VAL.com 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Summary of Contents for VALCam Pro

Page 1: ...reased operator efficiency In addition to hands off control the VALCam USB provides a synchronized photoflash for consistent high quality image acquisition in any environment Software controls are provided for flash intensity and flesh tone adjustments making the acquisition of top quality images a snap High quality captures with perfect skin tones and exposure can be obtained effortlessly in any ...

Page 2: ...it Twain Driver Optional Software Developers Kit available Will work in all major Windows photo ID and imaging applications High resolution single chip CCD array 796x494 Auto Focus S video output Available in both NTSC and PAL video standards Quick start instructions for hardware and software installation are provided A trouble shooting guide will help resolve any installation and operational prob...

Page 3: ...erconnect Hi Intensity Photo Flash Universal mounting bracket for flash USB cable 4 Port USB Hub Brick power supply for USB interface box Instruction Manual Installation Disk 8000 628 VALCam Zoom with Flash High resolution USB Zoom camera Hi Intensity Photo Flash USB cable 4 Port USB Hub Brick power supply for camera Instruction Manual Installation Disk ...

Page 4: ...ct the USB cable to the computer Installing the VALCam USB Pan Tilt Zoom 1 Do not connect the camera to the computer until after software installation 2 Attach the flash mounting bracket to the bottom of the camera Use the knob on the bottom of the flash bracket to secure the attachment 3 Attach the complete unit to the tripod 4 Attach the photo flash to the hot shoe connector on the flash bracket...

Page 5: ... Do not connect the other end of the USB cable to the computer Final Installation for Win XP and Win 2000 1 Run Setup VALCam USB EXE located on the installation CD 2 Verify that the camera is configured as described above Make sure the power supply is connected and plugged in to a wall outlet 3 Verify that the USB cable from the Zoom camera or converter box are attached Plug the USB cable to your ...

Page 6: ...tion 3 The application will determine if the version of DirectX installed on the computer is capable of using the camera If the version needs to be upgraded an error message will be displayed The Microsoft DirectX upgrade is provided on the installation CD If necessary run the DirectX upgrade and restart the camera application 4 The VALCAM ID capture control box will appear If you receive an error...

Page 7: ...ction and release keys to stop action Pan Tilt Zoom Camera only 3 Place the mouse over the button and hold down the left mouse button The camera will zoom in When the mouse button is released zooming will stop The button works the same way to zoom out 4 Place the mouse over the button and hold down the left mouse button The camera will tilt up When the mouse button is released camera motion will s...

Page 8: ...button 2 Adjust the Brightness control buttons for proper image illumination This is the only control used to adjust image brightness 3 The last setting of the Brightness control are remembered between sessions 4 Click the Adjust button and click the Flesh Tone tab ...

Page 9: ...e enhancement The effects of this control are not visible until the capture is viewed The default is 2 3 The Frame Grabber sharpness adjustment affects real time out image sharpness The default is 3 4 Higher or lower values might be warranted in different circumstances If the values are too high the image will look edgy and noisy If the value is too low the image will look soft or out of focus Cap...

Page 10: ...ing the application Using the Photo Flash The photo flash allows optimal captures to be obtained in any environment with the highest quality You can even take captures in a completely dark room and varying subject distances with no degradation of image quality Once the flash intensity is set for a given subject distance all captures will be identical even with different amounts of room light The V...

Page 11: ...to Yes 5 Fine tune the Brighter and Darker adjustments for optimal capture exposure The live preview will not change because Use Flash is set to Flash On 6 Once the proper setting is found it will not need to be readjusted again more than 1 or 2 clicks up or down even if the room light changes Adjusting Flash Capture Quality 1 Click the Adjust button and select Flesh Tone tab on the Adjust dialog ...

Page 12: ...apture image will also conform to these dimensions These parameters can be set to match the picture box of the card design thereby eliminating the need for software cropping and speeding up the capture process The efficiency of the process will depend on how the photo id application handles image captures Another advantage of this feature is that the live preview will correspond to the actual port...

Page 13: ...how the capture also matches the new settings 5 Select Custom and adjust the Horizontal setting for any aspect for and custom aspect ratio 6 Its recommended to leave the Vertical setting at 468 for maximum resolution 7 Typically it s only necessary to match the Horizontal Vertical ratio to your picture box on your card design It s not necessary to match absolute pixel values Setting an Administrat...

Page 14: ...rivers for the VALCam USB are loaded during the software installation procedure Using your application select the VALCam system as your Twain source Alternatively you can run the VALCam executable as a standalone application and capture images directly to the Window s clipboard You can then paste these images into any applications that will support the Window s clipboard A future version of the ap...

Page 15: ...e image to your application or to the clipboard 7 For highest speed through put select the Use Preview No radio button and captures will immediately be sent to your application Trouble Shooting Trouble starting or running the application 1 Verify that the power supply is properly connected to the Zoom camera or converter box if using the Pan Tilt Zoom version 2 Verify that the VALCam USB appears i...

Page 16: ...16 Flash will not fire 1 Verify that the Flash switch is in the on position 2 Verify Flash connector is fully inserted 3 Verify that the amber led is on located on the back of the flash ...

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