General DCS1700 User manual

HIGH-PERFORMANCE
VGA RECORDING
VIDEO BORESCOPE SYSTEM
USER’S MANUAL
DCS1700
Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 –3
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What’s in the Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
roduct Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 –7
Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 –9
Install Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Attach robe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 –9
Insert SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Reset Auto ower Off Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Operating Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 – 21
Viewing Live Video on the LCD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 – 11
Viewing Live Video on a TV Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Operating the VGA Resolution robe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 – 14
Using the Three Control Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 – 13
Attaching the Mirrored Viewing Tip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Taking ictures and Recording Videos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 – 15
Viewing Saved Videos and ictures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 – 16
Navigating the Two Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 – 21
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 – 22
Operating, Maintenance & Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 – 23
Compatible robes and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Return for Repair olicy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing General Tools & nstruments’ (General’s) DCS1700 (The V PER
1700) High-Performance VGA Recording Video Borescope System. Please read this
user’s manual carefully and thoroughly before using the instrument.
The DCS1700 is a complete system that combines a handheld VGA resolution
(640 x 480 pixel) recording video borescope console (wand-type grip plus LCD) with
General’s P16181HP VGA Resolution Probe. The P16181HP is 39 in. (1m) long and has a
camera head diameter of 0.22 in. (5.5mm). The DCS1700 grip is also compatible with
dozens of other high-performance VGA and QVGA resolution (320 x 240 pixel) probes
from General; a complete list can be found on p. 24.
2

The DCS1700 has three operating modes: Preview, Playback and Menu:
• In review mode, live video framed by the camera’s field of view is displayed on
the console’s LCD. The V PER 1700 automatically enters this mode when powered
on. Separate front-panel buttons allow you to increase and decrease the brightness
of the camera lighting LEDs. Another front-panel button allows you to enlarge (zoom
in on) a target by 50% (a zoom level of 1.5X) or 100% (2.0X). Yet another button
allows you to horizontally “mirror” video, making it possible to read serial numbers
seen and reversed by a probe with a mirrored viewing tip.
The DCS1700 also allows you to record VGA resolution inspection videos and
photos on a standard-size SD memory card with a single push of a button. While
you are recording a video or before you take a photo, you can adjust the brightness
and contrast of the display or zoom in on the target and these actions will be
reflected in the stored file—in other words, what you see is what you save. Analog
versions of stored files and raw and manipulated (zoomed or mirrored) real-time
probe video can be exported through an included video cable to any NTSC- or PAL-
format TV monitor with an RCA input jack.
• In layback mode, you can browse the SD card for saved video and picture files
and view the media on the console’s LCD or a larger TV monitor. Video clips and
photos also can be viewed on a PC: 1) by removing the SD card and plugging it in
directly; 2) through a card reader; or 3) via the included USB cable. Photos are
saved as .jpg files, so most photo viewer applications can open them. However,
although videos are saved as .avi files, Microsoft Windows Media Player lacks the
codec neeed to open them. Video files can be opened by more-versatile media
players such as freeVLC (www.videolan.org). The 4GB SD memory card included
with the DCS1700 can store more than two hours of VGA resolution video, recorded
at an average of 26 Mbytes/minute, in addition to hundreds of photos.
• In Menu mode, you use familiar scrolling motions and responses to dialog boxes to
navigate a main menu with six submenus as well as a “special function” menu that
provides access to two display controls and two custom display modes. Collectively,
the menus and submenus let you:
• Browse video and photo files stored on the SD card
• Operate in black & white mode
• Precisely measure the size of any object in the camera’s field of view using an
included probe tip accessory
• Set baseline levels for display brightness and contrast
• Perform “housekeeping” functions such as 1) formatting and checking the
capacity of the SD card, 2) deleting files individually or in bulk, 3) setting the date
and time, 4) limiting the duration of video clips, 5) enabling or disabling display of
the date and time on the LCD, 6) choosing any of 27 languages for menu and
on-screen text, 7) selecting a Video Out format, and 8) adjusting the triggering
time of the console’s Auto Power Off function.
3

KEY FEATURE
• Wand-type grip can be operated one-handed, freeing your other hand to use tools
• 3.5 in. (89mm) diagonal LCD
• 39 in. (1m) long, 0.22 in. (5.5mm) diameter soft metal probe with 640 x 480 pixel
(VGA) resolution camera lit by six LEDs—four facing forward and two at an angle,
to provide glare-free indirect lighting
• Light boost, anti-reflection and 90° image rotation buttons on probe handle
• Probe and stainless steel camera head are P67 water, oil and dust-proof
• Grip accepts dozens of other VGA and QVGA (320 x 240 pixel) resolution probes of
various lengths and diameters to suit special applications
• Records VGA resolution video clips and still images using familiar menu-driven user
interface. Saved video and photo files incorporate real-time brightness, contrast and
zoom adjustments you make on the fly to optimize target clarity and detail
• Slow-motion and fast-forward video playback
• Brightness and contrast control, video mirror and 2X video zoom buttons on grip
• Black & white mode
• Object measurement mode
• 4GB SD memory card
• Analog video out jack and cable with RCA plug
• USB cable for uploading/viewing media saved on SD card on PC without ejecting card
• Adjustable Auto Power Off interval
• Choice of 27 menu languages
• Custom hard plastic carrying case
• Powered by four “AA” Alkaline or rechargeable batteries
• 1 year limited warranty
AFETY IN TRUCTION
CAUTION!
Never insert a probe attached to the DCS1700 into a structure or space kno n
or suspected to contain live electric iring
• The DCS1700 is intended for industrial applications only. Do not use it for human or
any other biological inspections.
• Never insert an attached probe into any flammable gas or liquid (including fuels in
an oil, gasoline or diesel tank)
• Do not disassemble the instrument. Doing so creates a potentially fatal electrical
hazard (and voids the warranty as well).
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WHAT’ IN THE CA E
The DCS1700 comes in a custom hard plastic protective carrying case. nside the
case are:
• The DCS1700 console. The console integrates an LCD, a connector for a high-
performance camera-tipped probe from General, separate front-panel buttons for
capturing videos and photos, and a keypad containing seven multi-function buttons.
• The P16181HP VGA Resolution Probe and a 110° mirrored viewing tip
• An object measuring tip that fits any of General's 5.5mm diameter high-
performance probes
• A 4GB full-size SD memory card
• A video cable for connecting the DCS1700 to a TV monitor. The cable has a male
RCA plug at one end and a mini-stereo plug at the other.
• A USB cable with a mini-USB plug on one end and a full-size USB plug on the
other end.
• Four “AA” Alkaline batteries
• A soft cloth, a bottle of liquid, and cotton swabs for cleaning the camera’s lens and
LEDs and the LCD
• This user’s manual
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Fig. 1 shows the names and
locations of all of the controls,
ports and jacks of the DCS1700.
Table 1 details how the function
of each front-panel button
changes with the console’s
operating mode. Familiarize
yourself with the labels,
positions and functions of all
buttons and connectors
before moving on to the
Setup nstructions and
Operating nstructions.
Fig. 1. The controls and connectors of the DCS1700 console.
5
2
robe
connector
Snapshot
button
SD card
socket
LCD video
out jack
ower on
LED
ower
on/off
button
Battery
compartment
Start/stop
video
recording
button
LCD
USB
out jack
Keypad
robe video
out jack

Table 1. The DCS1700’s multi-function buttons
Button Label In review Mode In layback Mode In Menu Mode
N/A
N/A
Opens Main Menu
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Opens Special
Function menu
n Album menu, offers option to
delete selected video or photo
file
Offers option to delete
selected video or photo
file
Decreases
brightness of
camera lighting
LEDs
n Album menu, selects
(next-oldest) file at left
n Settings submenu of
Date/Time menu, highlights
field at left for change
ncreases
brightness of
camera lighting
LEDs
n Album menu, selects
(next-newest) file at right
n Settings submenu of
Date/Time menu, highlights
field at right for change
Selects highlighted item
n Settings submenu of
Date/Time menu, saves
displayed setting
nitiates playback of
selected video clip
During playback,
pauses/resumes
playback
ressed once,
enlarges target 50%
(zooms 1.5X)
ressed twice,
enlarges target
100% (zooms 2.0X)
ressed three
times, returns to
1X viewing
Moves up one line within menu
or submenu
n Settings submenu of
Date/Time menu, increments
value of highlighted field
Selects next-oldest
video or photo
During video playback,
fast-forwards playback:
ressed once, slows
playback to 50% speed
ressed twice, slows
playback to 25% speed
ressed three times,
slows playback to
12% speed
ressed once,
mirrors video
horizontally
ressed again,
undoes mirroring
Moves down one line within
menu or submenu
n Settings submenu of
Date/Time menu, increments
value of highlighted field
Selects next-newest
video or photo
During video playback,
speeds up playback:
ressed once , increases
playback speed by 50%
(to 1.5X rate)
ressed twice, doubles
playback speed (to
2X rate)
ressed three times,
quadruples playback
speed (to 4X rate)
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Button Label In review Mode In layback Mode In Menu Mode
N/A N/A
N/A N/A
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Table 1. The DCS1700’s multi-function buttons (continued)
ressed once,
enters Playback
mode and displays
newest video or
photo
ressed again,
returns to Preview
mode
Takes a picture
(stores .jpg photo on
SD card)
Powers console on
and off
Powers console on
and off
Powers console on and off
ressed once,
starts recording an
.avi video clip on
SD card
ressed again,
stops recording
Exits Main Menu and returns
to Preview mode
Pressed within a submenu or
sub-submenu, moves up one
level
Returns to Preview
mode
During video playback,
stops playback and cues
up same video to
starting point
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ETUP IN TRUCTION
INSTALL BATTERIES
The DCS1700’s battery compartment is accessible from the bottom of the grip. You can
use the supplied four “AA” Alkaline batteries or install your own rechargeable “AA”
batteries.
Rechargeable batteries will likely save you money in the long run because the DCS1700
is a “high-drain” device that draws up to 2A from its ~5.5VDC battery stack when
recording videos. You should not expect a set of non-rechargeable batteries to power
more than 4 hours of operation.
To install batteries:
1. Turn the console upside down and
flip up the semicircular handle on the
captive screw securing the battery
compartment cover. Loosen the screw
by placing the handle between your
thumb and index finger and turning
counterclockwise (left figure at right).
2. Open the battery compartment by
flipping up the cover (right figure
above).
3. nstall two “AA” batteries in the left
well and two in the right well, using
the + and – polarity marks on the
inside of the cover as an orientation
guide (left figure at right).
4. Flip down the cover and secure it by turning the screw handle clockwise (right
figure above). Flip down the chrome screw handle when you’re done.
ATTACH PROBE
Attach the P16181HP (or another high-
performance probe from General) by
plugging its connector into the probe
connector at the top of the console. The
connectors mate in only one way, when
the two dots—one on the console’s
connector and the other under the collar at the end of the probe—are aligned. After you
have lined up the dots, push the two connectors together so the alignment keys on
opposite sides of the probe’s connector slide over the flats of the console’s connector
(left figure above). Slide the collar on the probe’s connector forward and tighten the
collar by turning it clockwise.
You can now remove the protective rubber cap from the camera-tipped end of the
probe. t is good practice to replace the cap whenever the probe will not be used for a
while. Now is also the time to peel away and discard the plastic film that protects the
console’s LCD.
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To disconnect the probe from the console in the future, turn the collar counterclockwise
and pull the probe straight out and away.
INSERT SD CARD
1. Lift up the bottom of the rubber
cover on the right side of the
console (left figure).
2. Rotate the cover around its pivot
point at the top to expose the SD
card socket and LCD video out jack on the right side.
3. Remove the supplied SD card or another card of up to 32GB capacity from its
packaging. Discard the packaging but save the plastic storage case.
4. Plug the SD card into the socket (right figure above). Be sure the card’s gold
contacts face the rear of the console and enter the socket first. Push in the card
until you feel it spring back and you hear a click.
To remove the card later, push it in gently until you hear a click and the card pops out far
enough for your fingers to grab.
RESET AUTO POWER OFF INTERVAL
By default, the Auto Power Off function of the DCS1700 is disabled. To minimize how
often you must change or recharge the instrument’s batteries, General strongly
recommends that you reset the Auto Power Off interval to 5 or 10 minutes of inactivity at
the front-panel buttons. Having the DCS1700 occasionally power off on its own is only a
minor inconvenience because the unit can be restarted in less than 5 seconds.
To change the Auto ower Off interval:
1. Power on the console by pressing the button and holding it for at least
3 seconds.
2. Press the button to open the main menu. ALBUM will be highlighted.
3. Press the once to scroll up to and highlight SETTINGS.
4. Press the button to open the SETTINGS submenu. AUTO OWER OFF will be
highlighted.
5. Press the button to open the AUTO OWER OFF submenu.
6. Press the button to scroll down to and highlight the 5or 10 line.
7. Press the button to save your selection.
8. Press the button three times to return to Preview mode.
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OPERATING IN TRUCTION
VIEWING LIVE VIDEO ON THE LCD
f you followed the procedure for resetting the Auto Power Off interval in the previous
section, you have already experienced powering the DCS1700 on. Each time you power
the unit on—or return to Preview (live video) mode from Playback or Menu mode—the
screen below will appear on the LCD.
The two “vital signs” of the
DCS1700—remaining battery
power (in white, at lower left) and
remaining SD card capacity (in
green, at lower right)—will appear
for four seconds, superimposed on
video being captured in real time by
the camera at the end of the probe.
A fully charged set of batteries
would be represented by a
completely white icon. The width of
the bright-green area at the left of the SD card icon reflects how much capacity is
already used. A card that is nearly full would be represented by a bar that is green
almost to its right edge.
After four seconds, both vital sign indications will disappear, leaving only the system
time at the top of the screen. The system time (which includes the date) must be
entered by you via one of the menus; see p. 18 for instructions. Time and date settings
are retained following battery changes and system resets.
To increase the brightness of the display, press the button. To decrease
brightness, press the button. n a brightly lit room, changing the intensity of the LEDs
at the tip of a probe has only a small effect on the brightness of video on the screen. The
on-screen impact of changing brightness is more pronounced in dark environments.
To horizontally “mirror” live video, press the
button. This feature makes it easier to read
equipment labels and serial numbers, as shown
at right.
To zoom in on a target, press the button. Pressing the button once enlarges the
target by 50% (a zoom level of 1.5X). Pressing the button twice enlarges the target by
100% (a zoom level of 2.0X). Pressing the button a third time returns to 1X (actual size)
viewing. When video is being zoomed, the zoom level is indicated at the bottom right of
the display.
The mirroring and zooming effects can be applied at the same time when viewing video
on the DCS1700’s LCD.
The P16181HP probe supplied with the DCS1700 system is a “soft metal” design, which
means that it will not retain its bent shape. Because soft metal probes are so flexible,
they are best suited for inspecting the interior of pipes or densely packed equipment
enclosures (such as engine compartments). With the probe inserted, you can twirl it until
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Memory card capacity