Argus DCM-098 User manual

DCM-098
USER MANUAL
Package Contents:
Argus DCM-098 Digital Camera
AAA Battery
USB Cable
Installation CD

Table of Contents
Safety And General Information .......................2
Getting To Know Your Camera .........................5
Before Using The Camera ................................7
Operating The Camera .....................................7
Installing The Software ....................................10
Downloading Pictures ..................................... 12
Frequently Asked Questions ...........................14
Specification ....................................................15
2

3
Safety and General Information
Thank you for purchasing the Argus DCM-098. We hope that you
enjoy this camera for years of trouble-free operation. Please read
this manual carefully before using the camera and follow the
instructions to avoid any damage that could be caused by improper
operation.
Caution
The software CD-ROM packaged with the camera is designed to be
used with a personal computer only. Do not attempt to play this
CD-ROM on a stereo or CD player as this may cause damage to
both the disc and the CD player.
Copyright information
Unless agreed by the rightful owner, pictures taken with this digital
camera cannot be used in violation of copyright law. Moreover, when
there is a “No Photography” restriction in place, you cannot record
any performance, improvisation, or exhibit even for personal use.
Any transfer of pictures or memory cards with data must be
conducted under the constraints of copyright law.

4
Caution when using the camera
This product consists of intricate electrical parts. To ensure the camera
photographs normally, do not drop or hit the camera when taking pictures. Avoid
using or placing the camera in the following locations:
1. Damp and dusty places.
2. Sealed vehicles or other places exposed to direct sunlight or subject to
extreme temperatures.
3. Turbulent environments.
Do not open the battery cover when the power is on as this may cause a loss of
images.
If the camera has gotten wet, immediately turn the power OFF and remove the
batteries. This camera is a precision electronic device. Do not attempt to
service this camera yourself. Opening or removing the cover may expose you to
dangerous voltages or other risks. Further, avoid exposing this camera to direct
sunlight as doing so could cause a fire. Do not attempt to dry it with an external
heat source.

5
How to maintain your camera
1. If the lens, LCD display, or viewfinder is dirty, please use the accompanying
cleaning cloth to wipe the surface clean. Avoid touching these areas with your
fingers.
2. When not in use, keep the camera in its carrying case, otherwise you risk
scratching the lens, LCD display or viewfinder.
3. Do not use soap, detergent or other solution to clean the camera. Use a
clean, soft cloth only.
Getting To know Your Camera
A. Shutter Button
B. Status LCD
C. Lens
D. View finder Button
E. USB Socket
F. Strap / Keychain Hole
G. Start /Function Key
H. Battery Compartment

6
LCD Screen
The LCD screen displays different symbols when you
press the MODE button.
Hi-resolution
pictures Timer mode AVI mode
Ready to close or
shutdown mode
Delete all Delete last Change to low
resolution
Change to 50 Hz
Change to normal
mode
Change to
compressed mode
Change to 60 Hz
Compression high
resolution pictures
Low resolution
pictures
Compression low
resolution pictures
Change to high
resolution

7
Before Using The Camera
Open the battery compartment in the back of the camera. Place
one AAA battery. Close the compartment and press the MODE
button. The number 20 will appear on the LCD screen indicating
that it is ready to take 20 "high-resolution" pictures . The LCD
screen will flash when the battery is low.
Note: Do not change the battery until after you connect the
camera to a computer. Otherwise the previously taken photo-
graphs will be erased.
Important Note: We strongly recommend that you do not use
rechargeable batteries in order
not to affect the performance of your camera.
Operating the Camera
Taking Photos
This is the default mode when you turn on the camera. Press the
shutter button.

8
You will hear a beep and camera takes a photo. The number
displayed on the LCD screen will decrease by one. If the bright-
ness is too low, the camera will beeps twice indicating insufficient
lighting.
Sleep Mode
The camera goes into sleep mode automatically after 30 seconds of
inactivity. If it is not connected to a computer via the USB cable, you can
manually turn it to sleep mode by pressing the MODE button until “ ” is
shown on the LCD screen. Press the shutter button to confirm.
Timer Mode
Press the MODE button until the LCD screen displays the “ ”.
Press the shutter button and the camera counts down for 10 sec.
followed by short beep then gives off a long beep before taking a
photo.
AVI Mode
Press the MODE button until the LCD display shows “ ”. Press
and hold the shutter button and the camera will continuously
capture for about 6 frames per second.

9
Deleting Images
To delete all, press the MODE button until the LCD screen displays
“ ” and then press the shutter button to confirm your choice.
The display will blink; press the shutter button again to confirm. All
the photos stored in the camera will be deleted but the previously
chosen resolution mode will not change.
To delete the last image taken, press the MODE button until the LCD
screen displays “ ” and then press the shutter button to confirm.
The last photo taken will be deleted.
Changing Resolution
You can toggle the resolution setting of the camera between “High
Resolution Mode” and “Low Resolution Mode”. The camera is set to
“High Resolution Mode” by default. To change to “Low Resolution
Mode”, press the MODE button until you see “ ” and press the
shutter button to confirm. To change back into "High Resolution", press
the MODE button until you see “ ” and press the shutter button to
confirm.

10
Changing Frequency
Modify the anti-flicker frequency if you decide to take photos in
rooms with fluorescent light bulbs. To switch to 50Hz, press the
MODE button until the LCD screen displays “ ” and then
shutter button to confirm. To switch back to 60Hz, press the
MODE button until the LCD screen displays “ ” and then
shutter button to confirm.
Changing the Compression Mode
To change to Hd compression, press the MODE button until the
LCD screen displays “ ” and then the button to confirm. To
switch back to Ld compression, press the MODE button until the
LCD screen displays “ ” and then the button to confirm.
Installing The Software
Insert the CD in you CD-ROM drive and the application runs
automatically. An interface will appear. On the right of the interface,
there are four buttons.

11
Installation of Arcsoft
Click “Install Arcsoft PhotoImpress 4.0”, and then follow the step-by-
step instructions to complete the installation.

12
Installation of Driver
After completing the Arcsoft installation, the interface will appear,
Click on “Install Driver” and follow the step-by-step instructions to
complete the installation. After successful installation of driver,
restart your computer.
Downloading Picture
Connect the camera to your computer using the supplied USB
cable. Double click “Dual Mode Camera” on the computer desktop
and the interface will appear on screen. Click on “My DSC” and
"Download Photos.” Click on “Select All” then “Save.” Save the
image files to My Document folder (or to wherever you want to save
the pictures).
After having saved the photos, you can empty the memory of you
camera (Delete all photos) and start taking pictures again.
Uploading a Photo with a Resolution of 400K Pixels
A: Before uploading photos, select “Edit image” button.

13
B: Select the “Increase Resolution” button (You can select “High
Quality Mode” to get better image), then select the “OK” button to
ESC.
Camera Storage Capacity
Hi
Resolution
Lo
Resolution
Ld
Compression
26
54
Hd
Compression
104
208

14
Frequently Asked Question
My camera does not turn on.
The battery is not properly installed. Remove and reinstall the batteries.
Insufficient battery voltage. Do not use old batteries or batteries with
mixed battery life.
Why would I get fuzzy, unclear photos?
There might be some movements of your body or hands when
taking photos. Hold the camera steady with both hands. Use the first
finger of your right hand to press the shutter. Stand on solid ground.
Do not move or run when pressing the shutter. Even tiny movements
will result in fuzzy photos.
The computer does not recognize camera.
The camera driver has to be installed before picture download.
Ensure that camera is connected the rear USB port of the computer.
Check in Device Manager, under Imaging Devices and see if the
computer is recognizing the camera.

15
Why would I get horizontal, black stripes in photos taken abroad?
The camera is set to your country's AC mains frequency (e.g. 60Hz for
US). If you take photos under an electric light source in another country
with a different frequency (e.g. European’s 50Hz), you will get horizontal,
black stripes in those photos, due to incorrect mains frequency. There
will be no problems when taking photos under sunlight.
How do I contact technical support?
Argus Technical Support:
[phone]
[email protected]
www.arguscamera.com
Technical Specification:
Resolution： 100K Pixels (352X288)
Colors： 24 bits
Lens： Non-spherical Lens
Aperture： 1: 2.6
Focus: f=5.4mm
Image variation: 0.5m infinity

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Illumination： 100 --16000 (lux)
Storage Capacity： 16 Mbits
Power supply： AAA Battery,(when use PC camera function, we
suggest to take out the battery, power will be supplied by PC
directly.)
Interface：USB port
System compatibility：
Pentium II and above Personal Computers
Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP Operating System
32 MB or above Memory (64 MB or above Recommended)
60 MB Hard Disk Capacity
CD-ROM Drive
Color Monitor (Not Lower than 800*600, 24 Bit)
USB interface Balance
Working voltage: AAA *1 / USB 5V
Transmission Interface: USB Interface
Working Temperature:0-40?
Operation System: Windows98 SE/2000/ME/XP