Creative WebCam NX Ultra User manual

User’s Guide
Creative WebCam NX Ultra
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 © 2003 Creative Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
Version 1.1
October 2003
© Copyright 2003, Creative Technology Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The Creative logo, Audigy logo, 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 Micosoft Corporation. All other brand and product names listed are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.

Contents

ii
Before You Begin........................................................................................................................................... iv
Package Contents ................................................................................................................................ iv
README file.......................................................................................................................................... iv
Minimum System Requirements ..................................................................................................... iv
Technical Support and Warranty .................................................................................................... v
Product Registration............................................................................................................................ v
Document Conventions.................................................................................................................... vi
4 Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra
About Creative WebCam NX Ultra................................................................................................. 1-1
Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra .............................................................................................. 1-2
In Windows 98/98 SE /Me/2000/ XP......................................................................................... 1-2
Verifying the installation in Windows 2000 & XP ....................................................... 1-6
Verifying the installation in Windows 98/98 SE and Windows Me........................ 1-6
5 Creative WebCam NX Ultra Applications
Creative
PC-CAM Center........................................................................................................................................ 3-1
Creative WebCam Monitor................................................................................................................... 3-1
6 Using PC-CAM Center
Starting PC-CAM Center........................................................................................................................ 2-1
Capturing Images and Video .................................................................................................................. 2-2
Taking a Photo.................................................................................................................................. 2-2
Recording a Video ........................................................................................................................... 2-2
Viewing a Photo ......................................................................................................................................... 2-3

iii
Viewing a Video.......................................................................................................................................... 2-4
Reactivating the Camera ......................................................................................................................... 2-4
Starting
PC-CAM Center Help ............................................................................................................................. 2-4
Appendixes
A Technical Specifications
Construction .......................................................................................................................... A-1
Power ....................................................................................................................................... A-1
Sensor....................................................................................................................................... A-1
Video Resolution................................................................................................................... A-1
Picture Resolution - Still mode......................................................................................... A-1
Video formats......................................................................................................................... A-1
Exposure control .................................................................................................................. A-1
Color balance......................................................................................................................... A-1
Field-of-view ........................................................................................................................... A-1
Depth-of-field......................................................................................................................... A-1
Port compatibility.................................................................................................................. A-1
Software compatibility......................................................................................................... A-2
B Troubleshooting
Problems Using Creative WebCam NX Ultra ................................................................................ B-1
C Note on USB Compatibility

Introduction

Introduction iv
Introduction
Creative WebCam NX Ultra is a digital camera kit that gives you everything you
need to capture 24-bit still images and video in 16.7 million colors. Not only that, it
also allows you to communicate face-to-face with others on the Internet!
Creative WebCam NX Ultra comes with the following software:
❑Creative PC-CAM Center
❑Creative WebCam Monitor
For more information, see "Creative WebCam NX Ultra Applications" on page 2-1.
Before You
Begin
Package Contents Your Creative WebCam NX Ultra package contains the following items:
❑Creative WebCam NX Ultra with USB cable attached
❑Microphone
❑Creative WebCam NX Ultra installation CD containing drivers, software
applications and User’s Guide (on CD)
❑Quick Start booklet
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 NX Ultra.
Minimum System
Requirements
❑266 MHz Intel®Pentium®II or higher IBM®compatible PC
❑64 MB RAM
❑250 MB free hard disk space
❑Available USB 1.1 port or a USB hub with external power supply
Applications included
on your Installation
CD may vary
depending on camera
model and region of
purchase.

Introduction v
❑Microsoft Windows®98/98 SE (Second Edition), Windows Me (Millennium
Edition), Windows 2000 or Windows XP
❑16-bit color display at a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels
❑CD-ROM drive installed
❑Sound Blaster®or other Windows-compatible audio card. Sound Blaster 16 or
higher required for simultaneous two-way conversation with full-duplex support.
For Videoconferencing
❑Modem or LAN access to the Internet at 28.8 Kbps or faster
Technical Support
and Warranty
Technical Support information can be found in the Installation CD. Go to
d:\Support\<language>\Support.pdf
Warranty information can be found in the Installation CD as well. Go to
d:\Warranty\<region>\<language>\Warranty.pdf
Please keep your Proof of Purchase for the duration of the Warranty
period.
(replace d:\ with the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive, <region> with the region
you are in, and <language> with the language the document is in)
Product
Registration
Enjoy a host of benefits by registering your products during installation, or at
www.creative.com/register. Benefits include:
❑Service and Product Support from Creative
❑Exclusive updates on promotions and events!

Introduction vi
Document
Conventions
Tip. This tells you about short cuts or hints relating to a feature.
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 NX
Ultra

Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra 1-1
Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra
This chapter tells you how to quickly install Creative WebCam NX Ultra.
About
Creative
WebCam NX
Ultra
Figure 1-1 highlights the features of Creative WebCam NX Ultra.
• You can install the
WebCam with your
computer turned
on.
• The USB port(s) on
your computer may
be found on the
front panel and/or
the back panel.
• You can attach the
WebCam to a USB
hub with an
external power
supply.
Figure 1-1: Creative WebCam NX Ultra
Focus ring
Adjusts the view
focus. Point the
lens towards
your subject and
then rotate this
ring in a
clockwise or
counterclockwise
motion until the
image is in focus.
USB cable
USB connector
Front View Side View
Hinged lever for
mounting camera on
LCD panel
Snapshot button
Press this button to
launch PC-CAM center
or capture images

Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra 1-2
Installing
Creative
WebCam NX
Ultra
Follow the installation procedures for your operating system.
In Windows 98/98
SE /Me/2000/ XP
1. Do not connect Creative WebCam NX Ultra to your computer before installing
the drivers. If you accidentally begin installation with Creative WebCam NX
Ultra connected, the Add New Hardware Wizard or Found New Hardware
Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel button and disconnect the
WebCam from your computer.
2. Insert the Creative WebCam NX Ultra Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.
If it does not run automatically, click Start -> Run and type
d:\ctrun\ctrun.exe (replace d:\ with the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive).
3. Click the options for installing drivers and applications.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions 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. Place your Creative WebCam NX Ultra on top of
your computer monitor or other flat surface. For
LCD flat panel monitors or notebook computers,
use the integrated hinged lever to balance the
camera. See Figure 1-2.
Figure 1-2: Placing your WebCam
on your computer
Hinged
lever

Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra 1-3
6. If you want to connect a microphone for video conferencing, plug it into your
computer as shown below.
Figure 1-3: Connecting a microphone to your computer
Microphone
Microphone
connector
Headphones
connector

Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra 1-4
7. Connect your WebCam to your computer as shown in Figure 1-4.
For Windows XP only
After connecting your camera, Windows automatically detects the device.
8. When the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears, click the Install
the software automatically (Recommended) option, and then click the
Next button.
9. Check the image in the Video preview pane of the Creative WebCam NX
Ultra Camera Configuration dialog box. If it flickers or displays a series of
dark bands, click the Cancel Flicker button.
10. Click the Finish button, and then restart your computer if you are prompted to
do so.
Figure 1-4: Connecting Creative WebCam NX Ultra to your computer
USB port

Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra 1-5
For Windows 2000 only
8. When a Digital Signature Not
Found dialog box appears, telling you
that Creative WebCam NX Ultra
has been detected, click the Yes
button.
9. Check the image in the Video
preview pane of the Creative
WebCam NX Ultra Camera
Configuration dialog box. If it
flickers or displays a series of dark
bands, click the Cancel Flicker
button.
10. Click the Finish button, and then
restart your computer if you are
prompted to do so.
For Windows Me and Windows 98/98 SE only
8. After connecting your camera, Windows automatically detects the device.
i. If you are prompted to insert the Windows 98 or Windows Me CD, replace
the Creative WebCam NX Ultra Installation CD with the appropriate CD.
Some computers may be supplied without the Windows CD, but have the
necessary files stored in c:\windows\options\cabs (replace c:\ with
the drive letter your Windows has been installed on).
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 onscreen instructions.
9. Check the image in the Video preview pane of the Creative WebCam NX
Ultra Camera Configuration dialog box. If it flickers or displays a series of
dark bands, click the Cancel Flicker button.
Figure 1-5: Digital Signature Not Found
dialog box.

Installing Creative WebCam NX Ultra 1-6
10. Click the Finish button, and then restart your computer if you are prompted to
do so.
Veri fying t he
installation in
Windows 2000 &
XP
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 Hardware tab.
4. Click the Device Manager button. A window appears.
5. Click the plus (+) sign next to the Imaging Device icon.
The entry “Creative WebCam NX Ultra” should appear. If it does not, uninstall
and reinstall your WebCam.
Veri fying t he
installation in
Windows 98/98 SE
and Windows 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 entry “Creative WebCam NX Ultra” should appear. If it does not, uninstall
and reinstall your WebCam.

2Creative WebCam NX Ultra
Applications

Creative WebCam NX Ultra Applications 2-1
Creative WebCam NX Ultra Applications
The Creative WebCam NX Ultra application CD includes the following:
❑Creative PC-CAM Center
❑Creative WebCam Monitor
Creative
PC-CAM
Center
This powerful application lets you take pictures or record videos, and stores them in
albums. 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. For details, see
"Using PC-CAM Center" on page 3-1.
Creative
WebCam
Monitor
Want to put a live snapshot of your office, coffee pot, or even your fishtank on your
web page? Creative WebCam Monitor is the application to use. Just point your
camera at your subject and pick a time interval. WebCam Monitor does the rest,
including uploading the snapshots to the Internet. WebCam Monitor also acts as a
motion-detecting security system which automatically e-mails you when somebody
comes near your computer while you are not present.

3Using PC-CAM Center

Using PC-CAM Center 3-1
Using PC-CAM Center
This chapter tells you how to quickly set up Creative WebCam NX Ultra as a web
camera using the PC-CAM Center software.
For detailed information about the application’s features and settings, refer to its
Help file. (See “Starting PC-CAM Center Help” on page 3-4.)
Starting
PC-CAM
Center
PC-CAM Center is an easy to use application that enables you to take pictures and
record videos with Creative WebCam NX Ultra. You can also view pictures and
videos, and create and manage albums.
You can start PC-CAM Center in
any of the following ways:
❑Click Start -> Programs ->
Creative -> Creative
WebCam -> Creative PC-
CAM Center
.
❑Double-click the Creative
Cam Detector icon on
your taskbar.
This icon appears if, during
installation, you clicked the
option for Creative Cam
Detector to launch
automatically at Windows
startup.
❑Plug your camera into the USB
port and let Windows
auto-detect it. You can choose to start PC-CAM Center in Live Video mode from
a popup window that appears.
• If PC-CAM Center
does not recognize
the camera
correctly, see
Appendix A,
“Troubleshooting.”
• PC-CAM Center
automatically
detects your
installed model of
Creative WebCam,
and disables any
unsupported
features in the user
interface.
Figure 3-1: PC-CAM Center screen.