Summary of the content on the page No. 1
Contents
1 Introduction................................................................................................................... 2
2 Preparation .................................................................................................................... 3
3 Camera and software installation.............................................................................. 6
4 Using the applications.................................................................................
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1 Introduction Brilliant images and blazing colours. That's what you get with the Philips USB PC Camera. Forget about installing grabber cards and separate power supplies. You don't need them. Power is supplied direct to the camera through the USB cable and the camera returns audio and video straight to your PC! The USB PC Camera has several unique features: • The universal camera base supports both free-standing and hanging use (for laptops), with perch included for stable footing
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2 Preparation This section describes how to install the hardware and software and how to get started in a few easy steps. 2.1 Getting started in five easy steps The best way to quick results is as follows: 1. Unpack the box. 2. Unplug all your USB devices (except USB keyboard and USB mouse) before you start. 3. Place the Philips installation CD-ROM in your CD-ROM player, let the Philips installation program install the driver software and the application software, and connect the
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2.3 Parts of the camera 1. Camera 2. Perch (See below for instructions) 3. Base 4. Lens ring (turn to focus image) 5. Indicator LED (on, off, flashing) 6. Microphone 7. USB cable 8. Snapshot button 2.4 Use of the camera base and the perch Place the camera on top of the monitor, or on a desk... or suspend the camera from your laptop screen! « How to mount the perch: (Ensure that the supporting surface is free of grease and dirt.) 1. Remove backing from adhe
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2.5 Use of the camera pouch If you have purchased the PCVC740K, you will find a convenient carrying pouch included with the packaging. This is used as follows: 1. Fold camera base by rotating it along its length. 2. Run USB cable along camera, then wind cable around the camera. 3. Place camera in pouch sideways to ensure best fit. Using the pouch 5
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3 Camera and software installation In order to maximize the video and audio performance offered by your camera, we have included a Philips installation program on CD-ROM. Please follow the directions for the camera installation exactly, and make sure that you have your Windows CD-ROM to hand. 1. ! Unplug all your USB devices (except USB keyboard and USB mouse) before you start. ! Do not plug in your USB camera yet. ! Please follow the instructions as they appear on the screen. ! Y
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VCheck will ask you to connect the camera to the USB port at the appropriate time. A test will then be performed. This test window confirms correct installation by showing you the first 'live' pictures and audio from your USB PC Camera. Adjust the microphone volume by moving the slider. VCheck also gives tips for maximizing the camera's performance. 7. Exit VCheck. Restart your computer. You should now have: - Program Group called 'Philips ToUcam Camera' in the Windows St
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4 Using the applications This section gives a brief description of how to use the video software packages included on the CD-ROM. If you have not yet installed these applications, please read 'Camera and software installation' for installation instructions. 4.1 General VLounge is the central application for easy access to your Philips USB PC Camera and the video applications installed during setup, together with access to one application of your choice. You can start VLounge using th
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5 Settings The camera properties (audio and video) can be changed from within an application, or independently by clicking the VProperty icon which can be found in the right hand part of the Windows taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Most applications can show a 'live preview' video image on your monitor. Always use this option to see the effect of changed settings on your screen. NOTE: Windows®XP may hide inactive icons. Hidden icons can be displayed by clicking the Unhide button on
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Control: Full Auto on/off This Full Auto mode provides a very easy way to get the best out of your camera. Or you can choose to have maximum manual control over the camera settings by switching the Full Auto mode off. Full Auto 'on' is the preferred setting for normal use. Functions activated in Full Auto mode are: - Automatic exposure control and automatic white balance control, to provide the best video source signal possible. - Dynamic Noise Reduction (DNR) and automatic frame rate
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5.2 Camera Controls The next tab is marked 'Camera Controls'. White Balance In Auto mode the camera automatically controls the different colour components in the picture to obtain the most natural colour reproduction. This setting is the preferred setting for normal use. The white balance settings cannot be changed without first switching off Full Auto in the 'Image controls' tab. Switch off the automatic white balance control to enable Manual control. The current colour setting
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Exposure The exposure setting determines the amount of light that will fall onto the video sensor chip by controlling the gain and shutter speed. In Auto exposure mode the camera automatically adjusts the gain and shutter speed. The exposure settings cannot be changed without first switching off Full Auto in the 'Image controls' tab. In manual mode (no check mark in the Auto checkbox) you can control the gain and shutter speed settings manually. The manual exposure mode disables the c
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5.3 Audio Controls The third tab is marked 'Audio Controls'. Volume slider This slider provides manual control over the microphone volume. The 'Volume Wizard' helps you to select the correct sound level setting for the slider control. Balance slider Not implemented since the camera microphone itself produces a mono audio signal. Mute Shuts off the microphone completely. This option will be greyed out and cannot be used if it is not available. Volume Wizard (Automatic
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Performance icon The Performance text box on the 'Image Controls' tab is used to inform the user about camera settings, problems or special circumstances. Important messages will show a flashing icon. The same icon also appears in the 'Audio Controls' tab to indicate that an important message is being displayed in the Performance text box on the 'Image Controls' tab. Set preferred recording device Clicking this button makes the Philips ToUcam camera the preferred recording device. This
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6 TWAIN applications Use the camera's voice control feature (say 'Cheese') to be sure to capture an image of you smiling. The Philips USB PC Camera is TWAIN-compatible (like a scanner), so you can use the camera as an input device for any application software that uses TWAIN as a data source (e.g. photo editing software). IMPORTANT NOTE: Windows®XP might start a generic WIA interface (Windows Image Acquisition) when you choose the camera device name with the WIA prefix as your source d
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6.2 Capture settings To the right of the 'Capture' button you will find the 'Adjustments...' button, which is used to change the settings. Clicking the 'Adjustments...' button will bring up the following window. Camera source Usually this setting features only one option when the USB PC Camera is the only video source connected to your computer. However, if more than one video source is connected to your system, this is where you switch between them. The 'Camera Controls' button wil
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Single Image Capture - 'Voice Controlled' snapshot (This option will be disabled (greyed out) when Auto Image Capturing is enabled) The 'Voice Controlled' check box disables/enables voice controlled capturing. If this function has been enabled the user can start capturing by saying 'Cheese' (or pushing the 'Capture' button in the Viewfinder or pressing the camera's Snapshot button). The countdown timer selection box sets the capture delay time between triggering the capture (pressing th
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7 Tips and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 7.1 Tips Installing/uninstalling the camera • Always use the Philips installation CD-ROM to install the correct camera drivers, as described below. Do not connect the camera to a USB port before installing the Philips drivers. If you do this, Windows will try to install its own drivers, which might be less compatible with the camera than the Philips drivers. You must have Windows running and have the Windows CD-ROM to hand. • Your USB co
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USB You can connect the camera to any USB port on your computer. The computer does not have to be switched off. USB ports are 'hot-swappable', which means that you do not have to restart Windows every time you connect a new USB device. The USB driver will detect the camera as new hardware. It can be used within a few seconds, without the need to restart the computer. If you unplug the camera while it is actively providing an audio or video stream to an application on your computer, the c
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7.2 FAQs Q: I can't control the volume of the camera audio device. There is no volume control visible in the Volume Control recording properties. A: Double-click the camera icon on the Windows taskbar. If there is no camera icon on the taskbar, start VLounge and select 'Configuration - Icons', and enable 'Driver icon on taskbar', then click the camera icon on the taskbar. NOTE: Windows®XP may hide inactive icons. Hidden icons can be made visible by clicking the Unhide button on the tas
