Triplett CobraCam USB2 User manual

84-897
03/11
Triplett
CobraCam
USB2
Inspection Camera
with USB Interface
Instruction Manual

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CobraCam USB2 Features
• Low Cost Digital Inspection Camera Solution for use with PC or Laptop
• Handheld 34" exible ‘snake’ can be bent to numerous shapes
• SnapShot and Live Video function
• Snapshots and Video can be saved to memory on the PC or Laptop
• Quick Zoom Button (4 Settings)
• Full color image (settable to Black and White)
• Camera is only 7/16" (11.5mm) diameter, inserts in small places
• Camera has 2 adjustable white LEDs for illumination
• Camera is waterproof up to the handle
• Camera focuses at approx 2 1/2" (usable to innity)
• No batteries needed (powered by USB connection)
• 6ft cable from Camera to computer
• Hard-Sided Carrying Case included
• Magnetic Pickup, Hook, and Mirror accessories included
• Works with Windows XP, ME, 2000, Vista, and 7
• One Year Warranty
Provided software allows capture of still images (bitmap or JPEG) or video (AVI). Image can
be rotated and/or mirrored, and properties are adjustable (brightness, contrast, hue, gamma,
etc.) Various special effects included (Solarize, Mosaic, Invert, Edge, Distort, etc.)
Uses for the CobraCam USB2
• See plumbing and electrical installations in inaccessible places (wall, ceiling, etc.)
• See behind or beneath objects that are difcult to move
(bookcase, desk, refrigerator, etc)
• See inside furnace ductwork or in and around the heat exchanger or ‘A’ coil
• See inside pipes
• See hidden nameplates
• See how cables are connected to the back of equipment
• See hidden leaks
• See Insect or Rodent infestations
• See lost jewelry
• See the part you dropped
• See hidden sensors on car engine
• See under car seats
• See around corners or through small holes
• Retrieve small magnetic objects (nuts, bolts, washers, screws, etc.)
• Many other uses too numerous to mention . . . in industry, around the house,
during surveillance, or just as a fun toy.

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Introduction
The Triplett CobraCam USB2 Inspection Camera is a hi-tech tool that uses the latest technology
to see images of difcult to view locations. Its water resistant exible shaft and miniature cam-
era t into awkward spaces, tight locations or through small holes. Bright LED headlights in the
camera illuminate dark areas, allowing the camera to ‘see’ in total darkness. A magnetic probe,
hook, and mirror enhance the usefulness by allowing the camera to pick up magnetic objects,
hook onto small objects, or view objects located at right angles to the camera body.
The USB interface provides a low cost solution for users who already have a computer with
a USB connection. The provided software allows the CobraCam USB2 to display its images
on computers running Windows XP, ME, 2000, Vista, or 7.
The CobraCam USB2 requires no additional power source, and the software allows the user to
conveniently save photos or video of anything the CobraCam USB2 sees. Adjustable software
controls allow the images to be enhanced or modied in various ways.
Product Specifications
Size: Flexible Snake: 3/8" dia x 34" long
Camera: 7/16" (11.5mm) dia x 2 1/4" long
USB Cable: 6ft
Camera: 640 x 480 (300K) pixels
1/6th VGA CMOS imager
Focal distance 2 1/2". Usable to infinity
54 degree viewing angle
F 2.8 lens
Auto exposure
Waterproof to 3ft
Snake: Polyethylene covered steel flex. Minimum radius bend, 1 1/2"
Illumination: 2 adjustable brightness white LEDs in camera head
Interface: USB, 1.1 or higher
Operating System: Windows XP, ME, 2000, Vista, or 7
Provided Software: AMCAP Super_Telescope.exe on CD

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Installing the Software
The details of software installation vary depending on the PC and Operating System used.
These instructions are for a generic installation on a computer running Windows XP.
Install the software before connecting the CobraCam USB2 to the computer.
Insert CobraCam USB2 CD into the computer. The computer may automatically start the
Installshield Wizard, it may open a dialog box showing the location of the ‘Super_Telescope.
exe’ software, or it may do nothing. If the Wizard starts, follow the instructions to install the
software. If a dialog box opens showing the Super_Telescope.exe le, left click (or double
click) on ‘Super_Telescope.exe’ to start the Installshield Wizard and follow its instructions. If
nothing happens when the CD is inserted, use ‘My Computer’ or ‘Windows Explorer’ to nd
the le named ‘Super_Telescope.exe’ on the CD. When Super_Telescope.exe is found, left
click (or double click) on ‘Super_Telescope.exe’ to start the Installshield Wizard. Follow the
Wizard’s instructions to complete the rst part of the software installation. A dialog box may
appear with a message about software compatibility (Windows Logo testing). If this message
appears, click ‘Continue Anyway’. Follow the Wizard’s instructions to complete this part of the
installation. The dialog box may disappear several times during the installation. Wait until the
box reappears and completes the installation. The last screen of the Wizard will ask the user
to click the Finish button. Click the Finish button and wait for the box to close.
Other Operating Systems
When the CobraCam USB2 software is installed on a Windows Operating System (OS) other
than XP, different but similar dialog boxes will appear. There may be some additional steps
. . . or fewer steps. Generally, follow the instructions in the Wizard to complete the software
installation.
First use of the CobraCam USB2
With the CobraCam USB2 plugged into the computer’s USB port, click the Start / Snapshot
button on the handle of the CobraCam USB2. This will open the application software (called
AMCAP) and the image from the CobraCam USB2 will appear on the computer screen. (On
some OS’s, the AMCAP window may not open, but its icon appears on the Task Bar. If this
happens, click on the icon to open the AMCAP application. If an image from the camera is
not seen, click on the Options tab and select Preview. Then click the Start /Snapshot button
on the CobraCam USB 2 to initialize the image capture. AMCAP may be opened manually by
selecting USB2.0 PC Camera, then AMCAP from the Program menu.
The video image from the camera should now be displayed in the AMCAP main window. The
tabs at the top of the AMCAP window allow various settings and adjustments to be altered.
The user may change these experimentally and observe their effect upon the images.

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Many features of the CobraCam USB2 are automatic. The camera adjusts itself to produce
the best image obtainable. As with all video cameras, the image becomes more noisy as the
light level is reduced. Since the CobraCam USB2 is a digital camera, it produces digital noise
(instead of analog noise) that looks like random horizontal lines in the image. These become
less visible as the light level is increased.
The CobraCam USB2 has relatively slow response time. If the camera is moved quickly, the
image seen on the computer will blur. To obtain the best images, move the camera slowly
and hold it steady.
The best image focus occurs several inches in front of the camera lens. Objects farther away
are slightly out of focus but still easily viewable.
CobraCam USB2 Controls
1) Headlite Control
2) Start / Snapshot Button
3) Zoom Button
Using the CobraCam USB2 Controls
The proper use of the Headlite control (located on the handle of the CobraCam USB2 ) is not
obvious and requires some experimentation. It has little effect when there is adequate light
for the camera, but has a dramatic effect when the light level is low or absent. The Headlites
are intended to illuminate objects near the camera lens. They will not light up objects that
are several feet or more away. The Headlite control is adjusted so that the best view of the
desired object is obtained. If the adjustment is too bright, the image will ‘glare’ and obscure
visibility. Generally, the lowest brightness that produces a usable image is best. It will often be
found that a better image can be obtained by slightly repositioning the camera and adjusting
the Headlite brightness.
The Start / Snapshot button on the CobraCam USB2 serves two purposes. First, with some
OS’s, like XP, it will automatically open the application software and the image window with its
initial press. Subsequent presses with take a ‘snapshot’ of the image in the window. If you do
not save the images, the next press of the button will overwrite the previous image.
The Zoom button is used to instantly select the desired zoom level. Press and release the
button to select a higher zoom. When the highest zoom level is reached, pressing the button
again resets the zoom to the lowest level.
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Saving Pictures
After AMCAP is running, take a ‘snapshot’ by pressing the Start / Snapshot button on the
CobraCam USB2. The snapshot will appear in a Snapshot Reader window. To save the snap-
shot, click on the File (F) tab, then click Save. The File Save Dialog window opens. Choose
a location to save the snapshot. Give a name to the le (the software defaults to ‘Image’).
Choose to save the le in Bitmap (bmp) or JPEG (jpg) format. Click Save.
Saving Video
Start AMCAP. Click the File tab, select Set Capture File and the Set Capture File window will
open. Choose a location to save the video. Give a name to the le. Be sure to put ‘.avi’ on the
end of the name. Click Open. The Set File Size window will open. Enter a maximum le size
(Note: .avi les use about 10MB per second) Click OK. The window will close and the main
AMCAP window will be displayed. Click on the Capture tab then select Start Capture. The
Ready to Capture window will open. To start recording video, click OK. The Ready to Capture
window will close, displaying the main AMCAP window showing the video image that is being
recorded. The recording will stop when the le reaches the maximum size (or maximum time).
To stop recording video, click the Capture tab and select Stop Capture.
Note: Video les can be very large. To reduce the size of the le, capture it a low frame rates
and low resolution.
Viewing Snapshots and Video
AMCAP does not contain viewers for the saved snapshots or video. Windows contains various
‘viewers’ and ‘players’ for these les. To view or play the les, nd them in the locations that
they were saved to, then click on them to open them with a Windows viewer or player. The
snapshots can usually be viewed in Windows Explorer, and the video can usually be viewed
in Windows Media Player.
CobraCam USB2 Includes:
Magnetic Attachment
Hook Attachment
Mirror Attachment
Software CD
Instruction Manual
Carrying Case

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Maintenance
No regular maintenance of the CobraCam USB2 is required. In the event the product is defec-
tive or is damaged, please contact Triplett for repair information.
Customer Support
In the unlikely event that you experience problems with your Triplett product, please
contact us at [email protected].
Triplett One Year Limited Warranty
Triplett / Jewell Instruments warrants instruments and test equipment manufactured by it to be free
from defective material or workmanship and agrees to repair or replace such products which, under
normal use and service, disclose the defect to be the fault of our manufacturing, with no charge within
one year of the date of original purchase for parts and labor. If we are unable to repair or replace the
product, we will make a refund of the purchase price. Consult the Instruction Manual for instructions
regarding the proper use and servicing of instruments and test equipment. Our obligation under
this warranty is limited to repairing, replacing, or making refund on any instrument or test equipment
which proves to be defective within one year from the date of original purchase.
This warranty does not apply to any of our products which have been repaired or altered by
unauthorized persons in any way so as, in our sole judgment, to injure their stability or reliability, or
which have been subject to misuse, abuse, misapplication, negligence, accident or which have had
the serial numbers altered, defaced, or removed. Accessories, including batteries and fuses, not of
our manufacture used with this product are not covered by this warranty.
To register a claim under the provisions of this warranty, contact Triplett / Jewell Instruments’ Customer
Service Department for a Return Authorization Number (RMA) and return instructions. No returned
product will be accepted without an RMA number. Upon our inspection of the product, we will advise
you as to the disposition of your claim.
ALL WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY LAW ARE HEREBY LIMITED TO A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM
DATE OF PURCHASE, AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE WARRANTY ARE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU
OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
The purchaser agrees to assume all liability for any damages and bodily injury which may result
from the use or misuse of the product by the purchaser, his employees, or others, and the remedies
provided for in this warranty are expressly in lieu of any other liability Triplett / Jewell Instruments
may have, including incidental or consequential damages.
Some states (USA ONLY) do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. No representative of Triplett
/ Jewell Instruments or any other person is authorized to extend the liability of Triplett / Jewell
Instruments in connection with the sale of its products beyond the terms hereof.
Triplett / Jewell Instruments reserves the right to discontinue models at any time, or change
specifications, price or design, without notice and without incurring any obligation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state
to state.

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