Creative WebCam Pro User manual

User Manual
Creative WebCam Pro
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative
Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd. The software
described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and may be used or copied only in accordance 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.
Copyright © 1998-2002 Creative Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
Version 1.0
May 2002
Sound Blaster and Blaster are registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries.
Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. All other products are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents

i
Contents
Introduction
Before You Begin............................................................................................................................................. i
Package Contents.................................................................................................................................. i
README file............................................................................................................................................ i
System Requirements.......................................................................................................................... ii
Document Conventions..................................................................................................................... ii
1 Installing Creative WebCam Pro
About Creative WebCam Pro.............................................................................................................. 1-1
Installing Creative WebCam Pro.......................................................................................................... 1-1
In Windows 98/98 SE/Me.............................................................................................................. 1-2
In Windows 2000............................................................................................................................ 1-4
In Windows XP................................................................................................................................ 1-5
Verifying the installation........................................................................................................................... 1-6
In Windows 98/98 SE/Me/2000/XP........................................................................................... 1-6
2 Using Creative WebCam Pro as a Web Camera
Starting PC-CAM Center........................................................................................................................ 2-1
Capturing Images and Video.................................................................................................................. 2-2
Taking a Photo in Preview Mode................................................................................................ 2-2
Recording a Video in Preview Mode......................................................................................... 2-3
Viewing a Photo......................................................................................................................................... 2-3
Viewing a Video.......................................................................................................................................... 2-4
Reactivating the Camera......................................................................................................................... 2-4
Starting PC-CAM Center Help............................................................................................................. 2-4

ii
3 Creative WebCam Pro Applications
Creative PC-CAM Center...................................................................................................................... 3-1
Creative WebCam Monitor................................................................................................................... 3-1
Microsoft NetMeeting.............................................................................................................................. 3-1
Appendixes
A Technical Specifications
Construction.......................................................................................................................... A-1
Camera housing..................................................................................................................... A-1
Power....................................................................................................................................... A-1
Sensor....................................................................................................................................... A-1
Resolution............................................................................................................................... A-1
Sensitivity................................................................................................................................. A-1
Video formats......................................................................................................................... A-1
Exposure control.................................................................................................................. A-1
Color balance......................................................................................................................... A-1
Color matrix........................................................................................................................... A-2
Port compatibility.................................................................................................................. A-2
Software compatibility......................................................................................................... A-2
B Troubleshooting
Problem Installing Software.................................................................................................................... B-1
Problems Using Creative WebCam Pro............................................................................................ B-1
Problems in Windows XP...................................................................................................................... B-3

iii
C Note on USB Compatibility

Introduction

Introduction i
Introduction
Creative WebCam Pro is a 24-bit, 16.7-million-color digital video camera kit that
gives you everything you need to capture still images and full-color video. Not only
that, it also allows you to communicate face-to-face with others on the Internet!
Creative WebCam Pro is designed to be used on your computer as well as your
laptop!
Creative WebCam Pro is bundled with the following software:
• Creative PC-CAM Center
• Creative WebCam Monitor
For more information, see "Creative WebCam Pro Applications" on page 3-1.
Before You
Begin
Package Contents Your package includes the following items:
• Creative WebCam Pro
• Creative WebCam Pro installation CD
README file The README file on the CD-ROM contains information not available at the time of
printing. Read the file before you begin installing Creative WebCam Pro.

Introduction ii
System
Requirements •Intel
®Pentium®II 233 MHz or higher IBM®compatible PC
• 64 MB RAM on motherboard
• 100 MB free hard disk space (for installation of all software titles)
• Available USB port or self-powered USB hub
• Microsoft Windows®98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), Windows Millennium
Edition (Me), Windows 2000 or Windows XP
• Display adapter that supports 16-bit color at a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels
• CD-ROM drive installed
• Sound Blaster®or other Windows-compatible audio card and microphone
(required for videoconferencing)
• Modem or LAN access to the Internet (required for videoconferencing)
Document
Conventions The following typographical conventions are used throughout this document:
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.

1Installing Creative WebCam Pro

Installing Creative WebCam Pro 1-1
Installing Creative WebCam Pro
This chapter tells you how to quickly install Creative WebCam Pro and the software
that comes with it.
AboutCreative
WebCam Pro Figure 1-1 highlights the features of Creative WebCam Pro.
Installing
Creative
WebCam Pro
Use the installation procedures for your operating system.
For users of Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows Millenium, see “In
Windows 98/98 SE/Me” in the section that follows.
For users of Windows 2000 and Windows XP, see "In Windows 2000" on page 1-4
and "In Windows XP" on page 1-5.
Figure 1-1: Creative WebCam Pro.
LED light
This indicator lights up
in green when Creative
WebCam Pro is turned
on.
Focus ring
To adjust the view focus, point the lens
toward your subject and then rotate this
ring in a clockwise or counterclockwise
motion until the image is in focus.
USB cable
Snapshot button
After you have started Creative PC-CAM Center,
you can press this button to capture a still image.
USB connector

Installing Creative WebCam Pro 1-2
In Windows 98/98
SE/Me 1. Do not connect Creative WebCam Pro to your computer before installing the
drivers.
If you accidentally begin installation with Creative WebCam Pro connected, the
Add New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel button.
2. Insert the Creative WebCam Pro CD into your CD-ROM drive.
3. Click the names of the drivers and applications you want to install on your
computer.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
You may be asked, after an application is installed, if you want to restart your
computer. Select No until all the drivers and applications are installed.
5. Connect Creative WebCam Pro’s USB cable to an available USB port on your
computer (Figure 1-2). Place Creative WebCam Pro on top of your computer
monitor or another flat surface, or fix it to your laptop screen (Figure 1-3).
Windows automatically detects the device.
• You can safely install the
Creative WebCam Pro
with your computer
turned on.
• The USB port(s) on your
computer may be found
on the front panel
instead of the back
panel.
• You can daisy-chain the
Creative WebCam Pro
through another USB
device or attach the
Creative WebCam Pro to
a self-powered USB hub.
• If you have a
microphone, connect it
to your audio card. Most
audio cards have an
external microphone
connector. Read your
audio card’s
documentation for more
information.
Figure 1-2: Connecting Creative WebCam Pro to your computer.
USB port

Installing Creative WebCam Pro 1-3
i.If you are prompted to insert the Windows 98/98 SE CD, replace the Creative
WebCam Pro CD with the appropriate CD.
Note: Windows 98 is available in various editions. Be sure to use the correct
edition for your system.
ii.In the Insert Disk dialog box, click the OK button.
iii.Follow the instructions on the screen.
6. Check the image in the Video preview pane of the Creative WebCam Pro
Camera Configuration dialog box. If it flickers or displays a series of dark
bands, click the Cancel Flicker button.
7. Click the Finish button, and then restart your computer if you are prompted
to do so.
Figure 1-3: Connecting Creative WebCam Pro to your laptop.
USB port

Installing Creative WebCam Pro 1-4
In Windows 2000 1. Do not connect Creative WebCam Pro to your computer before installing the
drivers.
If you accidentally begin installation with Creative WebCam Pro connected, the
Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel button.
2. Insert the Creative WebCam Pro CD into your CD-ROM drive.
3. Click the names of the drivers and applications you want to install on your
computer.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. You may be
asked, after an application is installed, if you want to restart your computer.
Do not restart your computer until all the drivers and applications are
installed.
5. Connect Creative WebCam Pro’s USB cable to an available USB port on your
computer (Figure 1-2). Place Creative WebCam Pro on top of your computer
monitor or another flat surface, or fix it to your laptop screen (Figure 1-3).
Windows automatically detects the device.
6. When a Digital Signature Not
Found dialog box appears, telling
you that Creative WebCam Pro
(Figure 1-4) has been detected,
ignore the message and click the
Yes button.
Installation will be complete in a
while.
7. Check the image in the Video
preview pane of the Creative
WebCam Pro Camera
Configuration dialog box. If it
flickers or displays a series of dark
bands, click the Cancel Flicker
button. Figure 1-4: Digital Signature Not Found
dialog box.

Installing Creative WebCam Pro 1-5
8. Click the Finish button, and then restart your computer if you are prompted
to do so.
In Windows XP 1. Do not connect Creative WebCam Pro to your computer before installing the
drivers.
If you accidentally begin installation with Creative WebCam Pro connected, the
Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel button.
2. Insert the Creative WebCam Pro CD into your CD-ROM drive.
3. Click the names of the drivers and applications you want to install on your
computer.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. You may be
asked, after an application is installed, if you want to restart your computer.
Do not restart your computer until all the drivers and applications are
installed.
5. Connect Creative WebCam Pro’s USB cable to an available USB port on your
computer (Figure 1-2). Place Creative WebCam Pro on top of your computer
monitor or another flat surface.
Windows automatically detects the device. Installation will be complete in a
while.
6. If the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears, select Install the
software automatically (Recommended), and then click the Next button.
7. If a Microsoft warning dialog box appears, ignore the message and click the
Continue Anyway button.
8. Check the image in the Video preview pane of the Creative WebCam Pro
Camera Configuration dialog box. If it flickers or displays a series of dark
bands, click the Cancel Flicker button.
9. Click the Finish button, and then restart your computer if you are prompted
to do so.
At the time of this
product's release,
Microsoft strongly
encouraged 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
appears.
You may see this
message when installing
this driver. If you do,
you may choose to click
the Continue Anyway
button. Creative has
tested this driver on
Windows XP, and it does
not impair or destabilize
your computer.
If you need more XP-
related information, go
to the product web
site's Help or speak with
Creative Technical
Support staff.

Installing Creative WebCam Pro 1-6
Verifying the
installation
In Windows 98/98
SE/Me/2000/XP 1. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
In Windows XP, click Start -> Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon.
3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab.
In Windows 2000/XP, click the Hardware tab, and then click the Device
Manager button.
4. Click the plus (+) sign next to the Imaging Device icon.
The entry “Creative WebCam Pro” should appear. If it does not, repeat the
steps for the correct operating system: "In Windows 98/98 SE/Me" on page 1-
2, "In Windows 2000" on page 1-4 or "In Windows XP" on page 1-5.

2Using Creative WebCam Pro as a
Web Camera

Using Creative WebCam Pro as a Web Camera 2-1
Using Creative WebCam Pro as a Web Camera
Starting PC-
CAM Center PC-CAM Center is an easy-to-use application that enables you to take pictures and
record short videos with the Creative WebCam Pro. You can also view pictures and
videos, and create and manage albums.
To start PC-CAM Center, do one of the following:
❑Click Start -> Programs -> Creative -> Creative WebCam -> PC-CAM
Center.
❑Press the Snapshot button on the camera.
❑If, during installation, you clicked the option for PC-CAM Center to launch
automatically at Windows startup, you will have an icon on your taskbar. Click
this icon.
❑You can start PC-CAM Center in Live Video mode from the menu that appears
when your WebCam Pro is auto detected.
If PC-CAM Center
does not recognize
the camera correctly,
see Appendix A,
"Troubleshooting".

Using Creative WebCam Pro as a Web Camera 2-2
After PC-CAM Center is started, the PC-CAM Center screen similar to Figure 2-1
appears. The following sections describe the more commonly used operations. For
more details on how to use PC-CAM Center, see the section “Starting PC-CAM
Center Help” on page 2-4.
Capturing
Images and
Video
With PC-CAM Center, you can take photos and record videos in two modes — with
and without a preview. The preview mode is active by default.
For instructions on how to take a photo or record a video without a preview, refer
to the PC-CAM Center Help file. To launch PC-CAM Center Help, see “Starting PC-
CAM Center Help” on page 2-4.
Taking a Photo in
Preview Mode To take a photo in the default preview mode:
1. In the PC-CAM Center window, click the Live Video button. The current
camera view is displayed in the Viewing window.
2. In the Save Photo in box, select the destination album for your photo.
3. If the Save automatically check box is selected, click to clear it.
Figure 2-1: PC-CAM Center screen.

Using Creative WebCam Pro as a Web Camera 2-3
4. To capture the image in the viewing window, click the Snap Photo button at
the bottom of the window.
The image is captured but not saved. A preview of the photo is shown at the
bottom-left corner of the Live Video window.
5. Click the Save button.
The photo is added to the destination album.
Recording a Video
in Preview Mode To record a video in the default preview mode:
1. In the PC-CAM Center window, click the Live Video button. The current
camera view is displayed in the Viewing window.
2. In the Video Size box, select a suitable resolution.
3. In the Save Video in box, select the destination album for your photo.
4. If the Save automatically check box is selected, click to clear it.
5. To start recording a video, click the Capture video button.
The button starts blinking to indicate that recording is now in progress.
6. To stop the recording, click the button again.
The button stops blinking. The video is captured as an AVI file but is not
saved.
7. To preview the video, click the Play button on the bottom-left corner of the
Live Video window.
After you have previewed the video, and have decided that you want to save
the video, click the Save button.
The video capture is added to the destination album.
Viewing a
Photo To view a photo you have taken:
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.
The album’s thumbnails are displayed in the Thumbnails window.

Using Creative WebCam Pro as a Web Camera 2-4
3. Double-click the thumbnail of the image that is displayed in the Thumbnails
window.
The image, in its actual size, is displayed in the PC-CAM Center Viewing
window.
If you are not satisfied with the result, you can select a higher resolution, and
then capture the image again.
Viewing a
Video To view a video you have taken:
1. Click the My Album button. PC-CAM Center is now in My Album mode.
2. In the My Album box, click the My Video folder and then click the album that
contains the video that you want to view.
The album’s thumbnails are displayed in the Thumbnails window.
3. Double-click the thumbnail of the video you want to view.
The video will play in the Viewing window.
If you are not satisfied with the result, you can select a higher resolution, and
then capture the video again.
Reactivating
the Camera If your computer goes into standby mode, your camera will go into suspend mode.
You can reactivate the camera and computer using the following methods:
❑Move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard.
❑Press the camera’s Snapshot button.
Starting PC-
CAM Center
Help
This Help file contains instructions on how to use PC-CAM Center to take pictures
and record short videos. It also teaches you how to change settings so as to achieve
optimum quality for your pictures and videos.
To start the Help file:
1. Click the Creative logo at the top left corner of PC-CAM Center’s main window.
2. On the PC-CAM Center menu, click Help.