Creative PC-CAM 550 User manual

User Manual
Creative PC-CAM 550
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 © 2002 Creative Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
Version 1.0
April 2002
PC-CAM is a trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. 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.

ii
Contents
Introduction
About the Applications .............................................................................. vi
Creative PC-CAM Center .................................................................. vi
Creative WebCam Monitor ............................................................... vi
Before You Begin .....................................................................................vii
Package Contents ........................................................................... vii
Third Party Software ....................................................................... vii
README File................................................................................... vii
Minimum System Requirements ....................................................... vii
Updating Drivers............................................................................ viii
Document Conventions................................................................... viii
1 Installing PC-CAM 550
PC-CAM 550 .......................................................................................... 1-1
Buttons and LCD on PC-CAM 550............................................................. 1-3
Buttons ....................................................................................... 1-3
LCD.............................................................................................. 1-4
Inserting or Changing Batteries ............................................................... 1-6
Installing Software ................................................................................. 1-7
In Windows 98/98 SE/Me .............................................................. 1-7
Verifying the installation in Windows 98/98 SE/Me.....................1-9
In Windows 2000.......................................................................... 1-9
Verifying the installation in Windows 2000.............................. 1-10
In Windows XP ........................................................................... 1-11
Verifying the installation in Windows XP ................................. 1-12
2 Using PC-CAM 550 as a Web Camera
Starting PC-CAM Center.......................................................................... 2-1
Capturing Images and Videos .................................................................. 2-2
Taking a Photo in Preview Mode ......................................................2-3

iii
Recording a Video in Preview Mode ................................................. 2-3
Viewing a Photo ..................................................................................... 2-4
Viewing a Video ..................................................................................... 2-4
Reactivating the Camera......................................................................... 2-4
Starting PC-CAM Center Help...................................................................2-5
3 Using PC-CAM 550 as a Digital Camera
Turning on the Camera........................................................................... 3-1
Battery Low........................................................................................... 3-1
Taking Pictures ...................................................................................... 3-2
Tips on Taking Good Pictures...................................................................3-5
Downloading Images from the Camera..................................................... 3-6
Deleting Images from the Camera ........................................................... 3-7
Docked Mode ............................................................................... 3-7
Undocked Mode ............................................................................ 3-7
Appendixes
A Technical Specifications
Features and Specifications .....................................................................A-1
Driver and Operating System Compatibility ...............................................A-2
Power ...................................................................................................A-2
Sensor..................................................................................................A-2
Image Resolution...................................................................................A-2
Docked mode ............................................................................... A-2

iv
Undocked mode............................................................................ A-3
Light Sensitivity .....................................................................................A-3
Video Formats .......................................................................................A-3
Exposure Control ...................................................................................A-3
Color Balance ........................................................................................A-3
Color Matrix...........................................................................................A-4
Port Compatibility ..................................................................................A-4
Flash ....................................................................................................A-4
B Troubleshooting
Problem Installing Software.....................................................................B-1
Problems Using PC-CAM 550 ...................................................................B-1
Problems in Windows XP .........................................................................B-4
C Note on USB Compatibility

Introduction

Introduction v
Introduction
Creative PC-CAM 550 is an Internet video camera that allows you to capture images
in 24-bit (16.7 million) colors. It also records videos in full-color. The following are
just some of the things you can do with your PC-CAM 550:
❑Video Conferencing. Want to chat face-to-face with someone over the Internet?
Used together with Microsoft NetMeeting, PC-CAM 550 allows you to have real-
time videoconferencing with virtually anybody over the Internet!
❑Security Camera. Worried that someone will use your computer without your
knowledge? When used together with WebCam Monitor, PC-CAM 550 can function
as a security camera, recording short videos of any movement in its field of view.
It can also be programmed to take pictures automatically at regular intervals.
❑Portable Digital Camera. As PC-CAM 550 is detachable, you can disconnect it
from the computer and use it as a digital camera to take pictures anywhere you
like! With PC-CAM 550’s focus-free lens, you don’t need to manually focus your
camera. Downloading images from PC-CAM 550 is a breeze with PC-CAM Center.
Creative PC-CAM 550 is also compatible with Instant Messanger Software, such as
MSN, AIM and Yahoo Messanger. Use the Creative PC-CAM 550 to add video to your
favorite Instant Messaging software, such as MSN Messenger (included with your
software package), Yahoo Messenger, or the Windows Messenger feature built in to
Windows XP.

Introduction vi
About the
Applications
Creative PC-CAM
Center
This powerful application lets you take pictures or record videos and store them in
albums. Use this application to download pictures to your computer, when using
PC-CAM 550 as a portable digital camera. You can also export pictures or videos to
other programs, or send them as attachments in your e-mail message. There are
various settings for you to adjust, allowing you to optimize the quality of your
pictures and videos.
Creative WebCam
Monitor
If you are thinking of putting a live snapshot of your office, garden, or even your
hamster cage on your web page, use WebCam Monitor. Just point your camera,
specify some settings, and WebCam Monitor does the rest, including automatically
uploading the snapshots to your web site. WebCam Monitor can even act as a
motion-detecting security system that automatically sends an e-mail message to
notify you whenever anybody moves within the camera’s field of view.

Introduction vii
Before You Begin
Package Contents Your package contains the following items:
❑One PC-CAM 550 camera
❑One PC-CAM 550 camera stand
❑One wrist-strap
❑One USB cable
❑Four 1.5 V alkaline AAA batteries (twin pack)
❑One PC-CAM 550 installation CD
Third Party
Software
❑Ulead®Photo Express™ MCE 4.0
❑Adobe Acrobat
❑Microsoft®NetMeeting
README File ❑The README file on the PC-CAM 550 installation CD contains information not
available at the time of printing. Read the file before connecting your PC-CAM to
the computer.
Minimum System
Requirements
❑Genuine Intel®Pentium®266 MHz, AMD®K6-2 300 MHz or faster processor
❑32 MB RAM (64 MB RAM recommended)
❑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 450 pixels
❑CD-ROM drive installed
❑Sound Blaster®or other compatible audio card and microphone (required for
videoconferencing)

Introduction viii
❑Modem or LAN access to the Internet at 28.8 Kbps or faster (required
for videoconferencing)
For optimal performance:
❑Display adapter that supports 24-bit color at a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels
❑Sound Blaster 16 or higher, or other Windows-compatible audio card with full-
duplex support for simultaneous two-way conversations
Updating Drivers To download the latest drivers and file updates for PC-CAM 550, visit
http://www.creative.com.
Document
Conventions
The following typographical conventions are used throughout this document:
Creative does not assume
any costs charged to connect
to the Internet.
Table 1: Document conventions
This Represents
This notepad icon indicates information that is of particular
importance and should be considered before continuing.
This alarm clock icon indicates that failure to adhere to
directions may result in loss of data or damage to your
computer.
The warning sign indicates that failure to adhere to
directions may result in bodily harm or life-threatening
situations.

1
Installing PC-CAM 550

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-1
Installing PC-CAM 550
PC-CAM 550 Figure 1-1 shows you the front and back views of the camera.
Front LED
Lights up when
the camera is
connected to the
computer.
Snapshot button
Viewfinder
Focus-free lens
Front view
Back view
Viewfinder
Camera-ready LED
Strobe-Flash
Figure 1-1: Front and back views of PC-CAM 550.

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-2
Figure 1-2 shows the buttons and LCD on the camera.
• To view pictures that you
have taken while using the
camera on-the-go, you
must connect the camera
to the computer and
download the pictures
using PC-CAM Center.
• As JPEG compresses an
image according to its
details, colors and
compression ratio, the file
size varies according to the
picture taken.
Figure 1-2: Buttons and LCD on PC-CAM 550.
Self-timer single snapshot (high resolution
)
and Self-timer single snapshot (normal
resolution) modes icons
Battery level indicator
Operation Mode button Flash mode button.
Image counter
Power button
Flash mode Icons
Audio cues enabled icon
Multiple-snapshot (normal
resolution) mode icon
Single snapshot (high resolution),
Single snapshot (normal resolution)
and Single snapshot (low resolution)
modes icons

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-3
Buttons and
LCD on PC-
CAM 550
The following section explains the functions of the buttons and LCD on
your PC-CAM 550. Refer to Figure 1-1 and Figure 1-2 for the location of these
buttons and LCDs on your camera.
Buttons The following buttons are found on your PC-CAM 550:
❑Power button
To turn on your camera, press this button. You can only turn on your camera
when it is disconnected from the computer.
To turn off your camera, press and hold this button for two seconds.
Note: The camera will turn itself off if it is left idle for three minutes.
❑Operation Mode button
This button will change the camera’s operation mode each time it is pressed.
There are six modes of operation: Single snapshot (normal resolution), Single
snapshot (high resolution), Single snapshot (low resolution), Self-timer single
snapshot (normal resolution), Self-timer single snapshot (high resolution) and
Multiple snap shot. To erase all the data from your camera, press this button
together with the Snapshot button.
❑Flash Mode button
This button will change the camera’s flash mode each time it is pressed. There
are two flash modes: Auto and Disabled. To delete the last file from the
camera, press the Flash Mode button and Snapshot button simultaneously.
❑Snapshot button
This button is used for taking photos. It is a two-stage button. Pressing the
button halfway (the first stage) will allow the camera to make the necessary
adjustments for flash and exposure. Pressing the button completely (the
second stage) allows the camera to take a picture.

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-4
LCD The following LCD icons and symbols are found on your PC-CAM 550:
❑Single snapshot (high resolution)
This icon indicates that you are in Single snapshot (high resolution) mode. In
this mode, the camera captures images at 1280 x 960 pixels with software
interpolation.
❑Single snapshot (normal resolution)
This icon indicates that you are in Single snapshot (normal resolution) mode.
In this mode, the camera captures images at 640 x 480 pixels.
❑Single snapshot (low resolution)
This icon indicates that you are in Single snapshot (low resolution) mode. In
this mode, the camera captures images at 320 x 240 pixels.
❑Multiple snapshot
This icon indicates that you are in the Multiple snapshot mode. In this mode,
the camera captures five successive snapshots at 640 x 480 pixels.
❑Self-timer single snapshot (high resolution)
This icon indicates that you are in Self-timer single snapshot mode (high
resolution). In this mode, the camera takes a high resolution snapshot after a
specified length of time. Images are captured at 1280 x 960 pixels with
software interpolation.
❑Self-timer single snapshot (normal resolution)
This icon indicates that you are in Self-timer single snapshot mode. In this
mode, the camera takes a normal resolution snapshot after a specified length
of time. Images are captured at 640 x 480 pixels.
❑Auto Flash
This icon indicates that your camera is in Auto Flash mode. In this mode, the
camera automatically detects whether there is sufficient light and activates the
camera flash if needed.
• No batteries are required
when the camera is
connected to the
computer.
• If the camera is to be
connected to the computer
for a long period of time,
remove the batteries to
prevent battery leakage.
• Make sure that you insert
the batteries in the correct
direction. If not, they may
leak and cause damage to
the camera.
• Do not mix old batteries
with new ones or batteries
of different types together.

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-5
❑No Flash
This icon indicates that your camera’s flash is disabled.
❑Battery level indicator
This icon displays the battery level.
❑Audio cues enabled
This icon indicates that the various audio cues built into your camera are
enabled. When these cues are enabled, various beep sounds and shutter
sounds are emitted. Press the Operation Mode button for two seconds to
disable your camera’s audio cues. To enable your camera’s audio cues again,
press the Operation Mode button for two seconds.
❑Image Counter
Depending on which mode you are in, this counter displays
the total number of photos left.

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-6
Inserting or
Changing Batteries
For PC-CAM 550 to function as a portable digital camera when it is
disconnected from the computer, you need to insert four 1.5 V AAA alkaline
batteries into its battery compartment.
To insert or replace batteries:
1. Press the Power button for two seconds to turn off the camera.
2. Holding the camera in one hand, push the
battery compartment cover catch inwards, and
then lift the cover up with your fingertip as
shown in Figure 1-3.
3. Remove the old batteries (if any).
4. Insert the new batteries according to the
directions indicated in the battery compartment,
as shown in Figure 1-4.
5. Close the battery compartment cover and then
push the catch outward to lock the compartment
cover.
Figure 1-3: Opening the battery
compartment.
Figure 1-4: Inserting batteries.
Insert batteries
according to the
directions shown.

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-7
Installing
Software
Refer to the instructions for your computer's operating system.
For users of Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows Me, see “In Windows 98/98
SE/Me” in the section that follows.
For users of Windows 2000, see “In Windows 2000” on page 1-9.
For users of Windows XP, see “In Windows XP” on page 1-11.
In Windows 98/98
SE/Me
1. Do not connect PC-CAM 550 to your computer before installing the drivers.
If you accidentally begin installation with PC-CAM 550 connected, the Add New
Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel button.
2. Insert the PC-CAM 550 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.

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-8
5. Connect PC-CAM 550’s USB cable to an available USB port on your
computer (see Figure 1-5). Place PC-CAM 550 on top of your computer monitor
or another flat surface.
Windows automatically detects the device.
i. If you are prompted to insert the Windows 98 CD, replace the PC-CAM 550 Installation
CD with the appropriate CD.
Note: Windows 98 is available in various editions. Be sure to use the correct edition for
your computer.
ii. In the Insert Disk dialog box, click the OK button.
iii. Follow the instructions on the screen.
• The USB port(s) of certain
computers may be found
on the front panel instead
of the back panel.
• You can also attach the
camera to a self-powered
USB hub.
• You can connect the
camera while the computer
is switched on.
Figure 1-5: Connecting PC-CAM 550 to the computer.
USB cable
USB port

Installing PC-CAM 550 1-9
6. When the PC-CAM 550 Camera Configuration dialog box appears,
check the image in the Video preview pane. 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.
Verifying the installation
in Windows 98/98 SE/
Me
1. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
2. On the menu that appears, click Properties.
3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab.
4. Click the plus (+) sign next to the Imaging Device icon.
The entries Creative PC-CAM 550 (Still Image) and Creative PC-CAM 550
(Video) should appear. If they do not, repeat the steps in “In Windows 98/98 SE/
Me” on page 1-7.
In Windows 2000 1. Do not connect PC-CAM 550 to your computer before installing the drivers.
If you accidentally begin installation with PC-CAM 550 connected, the Found
New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel button.
2. Insert the PC-CAM 550 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 PC-CAM 550’s USB cable to an available USB port on your computer
(Figure 1-5). Place PC-CAM 550 on top of your computer monitor or another flat
surface.
Windows automatically detects the device.