Creative WebCam Pro eX User manual

User Manual
Creative WebCam Pro eX
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
August 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 eX
About Creative WebCam Pro eX....................................................................................................... 1-1
Installing Creative WebCam Pro eX................................................................................................... 1-1
In Windows 98/98 SE/Me.............................................................................................................. 1-2
In Windows 2000 ............................................................................................................................ 1-5
In Windows XP................................................................................................................................ 1-7
Verifying the installation........................................................................................................................... 1-8
In Windows 98/98 SE/Me/2000/XP ........................................................................................... 1-8
2 Using Creative WebCam Pro eX 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

ii
Reactivating the Camera ......................................................................................................................... 2-4
Starting PC-CAM Center Help ............................................................................................................. 2-4
3 Creative WebCam Pro eX 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-2
Exposure control .................................................................................................................. A-2
Color balance......................................................................................................................... A-2
Color matrix........................................................................................................................... A-2
Port compatibility.................................................................................................................. A-2
Software compatibility......................................................................................................... A-2
B Troubleshooting
Problem Installing Software.................................................................................................................... B-1
Problems Using Creative WebCam Pro eX..................................................................................... B-1

iii
Problems in Windows XP ...................................................................................................................... B-3
C Note on USB Compatibility

Introduction

Introduction i
Introduction
Creative WebCam Pro eX 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 eX is designed to be used on your computer as
well as your laptop!
Creative WebCam Pro eX is supplied with the following software:
• Creative PC-CAM Center
• Creative WebCam Monitor
• Microsoft®NetMeeting®
For more information, see "Creative WebCam Pro eX Applications" on page 3-1.
Before You
Begin
Package Contents Your package includes the following items:
• Creative WebCam Pro eX
• Creative WebCam Pro eX installation CD
• Quick Start Guide
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 eX.

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
eX

Installing Creative WebCam Pro eX 1-1
Installing Creative WebCam Pro eX
This chapter tells you how to quickly install Creative WebCam Pro eX and the
software that comes with it.
About Creative
WebCam Pro
eX
Figure 1-1 highlights the features of Creative WebCam Pro eX.
Installing
Creative
WebCam Pro
eX
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 1-5
and "In Windows XP" on page 1-7.
Figure 1-1: Creative WebCam Pro eX.
LED
This indicator lights up
in green when Creative
WebCam Pro eX 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 eX 1-2
In Windows 98/98
SE/Me
1. Do not connect Creative WebCam Pro eX to your computer before installing
the drivers.
If you accidentally begin installation with Creative WebCam Pro eX connected,
the Add New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel
button.
2. Insert the Creative WebCam Pro eX 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 Creative WebCam Pro eX 1-3
5. Connect Creative WebCam Pro eX’s USB cable to an available USB port on
your computer (Figure 1-2). Place Creative WebCam Pro eX 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 eX
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 eX
through another USB
device or attach the
Creative WebCam Pro eX
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 eX to your computer.
USB port

Installing Creative WebCam Pro eX 1-4
i.If you are prompted to insert the Windows 98/98 SE CD, replace the Creative
WebCam Pro eX 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
eX 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 eX to your laptop.
USB port

Installing Creative WebCam Pro eX 1-5
In Windows 2000 1. Do not connect Creative WebCam Pro eX to your computer before installing
the drivers.
If you accidentally begin installation with Creative WebCam Pro eX connected,
the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel
button.
2. Insert the Creative WebCam Pro eX 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 eX’s USB cable to an available USB port on
your computer (Figure 1-2). Place Creative WebCam Pro eX 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 the Digital Signature Not Found dialog box similar to Figure 1-4
appears, telling you that Creative WebCam Pro eX (Video) has been detected,
ignore the message and click the Yes button.
7. When another Digital Signature Not Found dialog box similar to Figure 1-4
appears, telling you that Creative WebCam Pro eX has been detected, ignore
the message and click the Yes button.
8. Installation will be complete in a while.

Installing Creative WebCam Pro eX 1-6
9. When the Digital Signature Not
Found dialog box similar to Figure
1-4 appears, telling you that
Creative WebCam Pro eX
(Video) has been detected, ignore
the message and click the Yes
button.
When another Digital Signature
Not Found dialog box similar to
Figure 1-4 appears, telling you that
Creative WebCam Pro eX has
been detected, ignore the message
and click the Yes button.
10. Installation will be complete in a
while.
11. Check the image in the Video
preview pane of the Creative WebCam Pro eX Camera Configuration
dialog box. If it flickers or displays a series of dark bands, click the Cancel
Flicker button.
12. Click the Finish button, and then restart your computer if you are prompted
to do so.
Figure 1-4: Digital Signature Not Found
dialog box.

Installing Creative WebCam Pro eX 1-7
In Windows XP 1. Do not connect Creative WebCam Pro eX to your computer before installing the
drivers.
If you accidentally begin installation with Creative WebCam Pro eX connected,
the Found New Hardware Wizard dialog box appears. Click the Cancel
button.
2. Insert the Creative WebCam Pro eX 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 eX’s USB cable to an available USB port on your
computer (Figure 1-2). Place Creative WebCam Pro eX 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 Microsoft warning dialog boxs appear, ignore the messages and click the
Continue Anyway button.
8. Check the image in the Video preview pane of the Creative WebCam Pro
eX 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 eX 1-8
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 eX (Video)” 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 1-5 or "In Windows XP" on page 1-7.
5. Click the plus (+) sign next to the Universal Serial Bus controllers icon.
The entry "Creative WebCam Pro eX (Composite)" 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- 5 or "In Windows XP"
on page 1- 7.

2Using Creative WebCam Pro eX as
a Web Camera

Using Creative WebCam Pro eX as a Web Camera 2-1
Using Creative WebCam Pro eX 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 eX. 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 eX is auto detected.
If PC-CAM Center
does not recognize
the camera correctly,
see Appendix A,
"Troubleshooting".