UMAX Technologies ASTRACAM 1800 User manual

UMAX AstraCam 1800 Owner's Guide
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Where Technology is Headed
AstraCam 1800
Digital Camera
User’s Manual
P/N: 83100192-0000

UMAX AstraCam 1800 Owner's Guide
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TRADEMARKS
UMAX is a registered trademark of UMAX Technologies, Inc. UMAX AstraCam 1800 is a
trademark of UMAX Data Systems. PhotoDeluxe is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Mr. Photo is a trademark of
NewSoft Technology Corporation. Other names and trademarks appearing herein are
trademarksoftheirrespectiveholders.
COPYRIGHT
2000 UMAX Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
UMAX Technologies, Inc.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
Read all of the instructions:
•Save these instructions for later use.
•Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
•When replacement parts are required, make sure that service technicians have used
replacement parts that conform to at least the same safety standards with regard to fire,
electric shock, or other hazards.
•Do not use this product near water or in a rainy or moist environment.
•Use only the type of power source indicated on the product label.
•Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or removing the product casing
may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards.
CAUTION
Improperly inserting the batteries (wrong polarity) may cause damage to your camera and will
void the warranty. See the guide symbols inside the battery case for proper installation of the
batteries and read the section titled, Preparing the UMAX AstraCam 1800 for use.
Replace only with the AA size, 1.5V, batteries. Check with local codes for possible special
disposal instructions.

UMAX AstraCam 1800 Owner's Guide
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Contents
GETTING STARTED....................................................................................................2
Introduction...........................................................................................................2
UMAX AstraCam 1800 Package Contents................................................................2
SETTING UP YOUR NEW DIGITAL CAMERA.............................................................3
Installing the Batteries.............................................................................................3
Replacing Worn-Out Batteries.................................................................................3
Inserting the SmartMedia Card.................................................................................3
Caring for the SmartMedia Card...............................................................................3
PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.....................................................................................4
MACINTOSH SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS....................................................................4
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE...................................................................................4
Installing UMAX AstraCam 1800 Software (PC).......................................................4
Installing UMAX Astracam 1800 Software (Mac)......................................................5
Installing Adobe PhotoDeluxe (PC)..........................................................................5
Installing Adobe PhotoDeluxe (Mac)........................................................................5
CONNECTING THE UMAX ASTRACAM 1800 TO YOUR COMPUTER........................6
VIDEO-OUTPort:.................................................................................................6
USB Port:..............................................................................................................6
UMAX ASTRACAM 1800 DIGITAL CAMERA.............................................................7
Taking Your First Photo..........................................................................................8
Image Mode Settings..............................................................................................8
ErasingPhotos.......................................................................................................8
Camera Memory Full..............................................................................................9
Viewing Images on a TV.........................................................................................9
UPLOADING IMAGES TO YOUR COMPUTER..........................................................10
Auto Download (PC only).....................................................................................10
Acquire via TWAIN driver....................................................................................10
UMAX PHOTOSTUDIO DRIVER (TWAIN COMPATIBLE).........................................11
SAVING A PHOTO TO A FILE IN MR. PHOTO..........................................................12
ORGANIZING YOUR PHOTO DATA WITH MR. PHOTO..........................................13
RetrievingYourPhoto..........................................................................................13
MAKING A PANORAMA PHOTO WITH MR. PHOTO...............................................14
ACQUIRE PHOTOS THROUGH ADOBE PHOTODELUXE .........................................15
CREATING A CALENDAR WITH PHOTODELUXE...................................................15
CREATING A PHOTO E-MAIL USING VISTASHUTTLE (PC)....................................17
Preparing a Photo E-Mail Greeting.........................................................................17
Sending Your Photo E-Mail Greeting.....................................................................18
Sending a Photo File as an Attachment...................................................................18
CARING FOR YOUR UMAX ASTRACAM 1800.........................................................19
PRODUCT REGISTRATION.......................................................................................19
UMAX ASTRACAM 1800 SPECIFICATIONS..............................................................20
TROUBLESHOOTING................................................................................................21
CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT......................................................................21
FCC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY....................................................................23
WARRANTY..............................................................................................................24

UMAX AstraCam 1800 Owner's Guide
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GETTING STARTED
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the UMAX AstraCam 1800 digital camera. Now you
can take great digital photos, easily transfer your new photos to a computer and
begin enjoying them in just moments.
Your UMAX AstraCam 1800 comes with software to make your photo taking
experience really creative. Use Adobe PhotoDeluxefor artistic manipulation
of your photos or to just make them better. Organize your photos with Mr.
Photo and make Internet photo greeting cards with VistaShuttle. UMAX
AstraCam 1800 with its lightweight point and shoot simplicity, and fast photo
downloading is a great way to welcome you to the world of digital photography.
UMAX AstraCam 1800 Package Contents
Your AstraCam 1800 package contains everything you need to take digital
photos, download them to your computer and make use of your photos. When
unpacking your AstraCam 1800, make sure you've received all the components:
•AstraCam 1800 Digital Camera
•USB Cable
•Video cable
•2 AA Batteries
•Camera Strap
•User’s Manual
•Quick Start Guide (Located on interior flap of box)
•4 MB SmartMedia Card
•UMAXAstraCam 1800 CD including:
- UMAX AstraCam 1800 (TWAIN Driver)
- Mr. Photo
- VistaShuttle (PC)
•Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition CD

UMAX AstraCam 1800 Owner's Guide
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SETTING UP YOUR NEW DIGITAL CAMERA
Installing the Batteries
Important Battery Guides: Read Before Using the UMAX AstraCam 1800
Note: Improperly inserting the batteries (wrong polarity) may damage your
camera and will void the warranty. See the guide symbols inside the battery
case for proper installation of the batteries.
To put the batteries in the UMAX AstraCam 1800:
1. Unwrap the 2 AA batteries. Note the
polarity symbols near the ends of each
battery.
2. Open the battery cover at the bottom of
the camera by pushing the cover out with
your thumb.
3. Note the +/-polarity symbols on the
contacts attached to the inside of the cover. Insert each battery so that the
polarity symbol of the exposed end of each battery matches the polarity
symbols on the contacts inside the battery compartment.
4. Close the cover.
Replacing Worn-Out Batteries
Replace the batteries only with AA size, 1.5V batteries.
Inserting the SmartMedia Card
1.Open the panel on the right side of the camera.
2. Insert the SmartMedia card in (with the
metallic side facing toward the back of the
camera) until the card clicks into place. Pushing
on the center of the card again will release it to
pop out.
Caring for the SmartMedia Card
Store in a cool dry place and do not expose to moisture, extreme heat or
leave in direct sunlight. Do not use this media in any device that is can be
used to record or save audio sound files. Do not bend, fold or open the
SmartMedia cartridges.

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PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
•Pentium®processor or higher
•MicrosoftWindows®98, 2000, ME
•At least 32 MB RAM
•90 MB available hard disk space
•CD-ROM drive
•VGA Color Monitor
•USB Port
MACINTOSH SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
•New G3, G4 or iMac
•Macintosh System OS 8.6 or later
•At least 32 MB RAM
•90 MB available hard disk space
•CD-ROM drive
•VGA Color Monitor
•USB Port
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE
Please quit all Windows programs before installing your new software.
IMPORTANT: Install the software prior to connecting the UMAX AstraCam
1800.
Installing UMAX AstraCam 1800 Software (PC)
1. Insert the UMAX AstraCam 1800 Digital Camera CD into your CD-ROM
drive. (If the installation program starts automatically, skip to step 5.)
2. Double-click on the MY COMPUTER icon on your Windows desktop.
3. Double-click on the UMAX AstraCam 1800 CD icon (your CD-ROM
drive icon).
4. Double-click on the SETUP icon.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions to continue the installation. On the Select
Component screen, select the programs you want to install:
•Mr. Photo
•VistaShuttle
•UMAXAstraCam 1800 Software (including the Twain driver)

UMAX AstraCam 1800 Owner's Guide
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Thedefault settingis to install all three programs (highly recommended).
You must install the UMAX AstraCam 1800 and Mr. Photo software in
ordertodownload photostoyour computer.
Installing UMAX Astracam 1800 Software (Mac)
1. Insert the UMAX AstraCam 1800 camera CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Double-click on the UMAX AstraCam 1800 CD icon on the main screen.
3. Double-click on the AstraCam CD installer icon.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to install Mr. Photo and AstraCam 1800
software (including the TWAIN driver). The default setting to install both
programs is highly recommended.
Installing Adobe PhotoDeluxe (PC)
1. Insert the Adobe PhotoDeluxe CD into your CD-ROM drive. (If the
installation program starts automatically, skip to step 5.)
2. Double-click on the MY COMPUTER icon on your Windows desktop.
3. Double-click on the PHOTODELUXE icon (your CD-ROM drive icon).
4. Double-click on the AUTOPLAY icon.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions to continue the installation. This CD will
install Adobe PhotoDeluxe, Adobe®Acrobat®Reader and Adobe®Type
Manager®.
6. Once the installation has finished, click on the FINISH button to finish
installation and begin the registration process.
7. After registration is complete, you will be prompted to restart the computer.
Click on the OK button to restart Windows.
Installing Adobe PhotoDeluxe (Mac)
1. Insert the Adobe PhotoDeluxe CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Double click on the PhotoDeluxe icon located on the main screen.
3. Double click on the English flag icon.
4. Double click on the Adobe PhotoDeluxe installer.
5. Select the region where the software was purchased. By clicking on the
arrow on the button regions other than the United States can be
selected.(the default region is the United States.)
6. Follow the onscreen instructions to continue the installation.
Click once on the “RESTART” button to restart your computer.

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CONNECTING THE UMAX ASTRACAM 1800 TO YOUR
COMPUTER
Important: Install all software first before connecting the UMAX
AstraCam 1800 to your computer.
The UMAX AstraCam 1800 connects to the computer using the included
USB cable. The USB is "hot-swappable." You do not have to turn your
system off before connecting the USB cable.
1. Look on the back of your computer for the USB port. The USB
port is a small slot 1/2" long by 1/4" wide (see illustration on the
right). Insert the USB cable into the USB socket.
2. With the UMAXAstraCam 1800 power switch turned off, gently insert the
small end of the USB cable into the side of the UMAX AstraCam 1800.
Thesideof theconnectordisplaying the
USB symbol printed should face
towards the back of the camera.
3. Windows will state that it discovered
your new hardware, and is updating the
driver database.
Note: To conserve battery power, you can
turn off the camera when connected to the
computer for uploading.
VIDEO-OUT Port:
The video-out port is used to view images on a TV.
USB Port:
The USB port is used to transfer the photos to your computer.
USB Port
Video-out
(TVPort)

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UMAX ASTRACAM 1800 DIGITAL CAMERA
•Flash Button - Sets Automatic, Off and Forced flash.
•Viewfinder - Look through this to compose the photo.
•Quality Button - Press to change the image quality mode.
•Action Light - Flashes whenever camera operates and is accompanied by an
audible beep.
•DeleteButton - Press to erase photos from the camera.
•Settings Display - Shows the current settings of the UMAX AstraCam 1800
with the following symbols on the B&W LCD:
Flash Status - Indicates Forced Flash, Automatic and Flash Off
HQ EQ SHQ Quality - Indicates that the UMAX AstraCam 1800 is ready
to take photos in High Quality, Economy or Super High Quality mode.
Battery Status - Shows three solid blocks for full batteries, 3 blocks
for 100% charge, 2 blocks for 50% charge and 1 block when less than a 20%
charge.
Camera Icon - Indicates that the UMAX AstraCam 1800 is ready to
take photos.
Shots / Remaining - In Camera mode, shows shots remaining.
Process - When this symbol flashes, the camera is processing
commands.
ActionLight
Power Switch
Shutter Button
Flash
Delete
Quality
SmartMedia Slot
Video-out
USB Port
Viewfinder
StatusDisplay

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Taking Your First Photo
Taking photos with your UMAX AstraCam 1800 is easy:
1. Turnthe power switch ON.
2. Compose your photo by looking through the viewfinder.
3. Slightly press and hold the SHUTTER button. You will hear a short beep as
the UMAX AstraCam 1800 automatically sets exposure.
4. Continue pressing fully down on the SHUTTER button. You will hear a
second short beep as the photo is taken. Release the shutter button.
Note: It is important to hold the camera still when taking a picture.
Image Mode Settings
With the UMAX AstraCam 1800 you can choose between 3 separate modes
for taking pictures.
(1) EQ (Economy Quality) 640 x 480 allows for the most photos to be
taken (50 images on a 4 MB SmartMedia card) and stored on the
internal media. This setting is best used for images that are going to be
used in Web pages, e-mail and screen shots. This mode takes up the
least amount of storage space on the SmartMedia with no compression
and fewer errors in the image.
(2) HQ (High Quality) 1280 x 960 allows for images to be taken (20
images on a 4 MB SmartMedia card) and used for printed material or
detailed image shots. This setting uses a high compression ratio.
(3) SHQ (Super High Quality) 1280 x 960 with less storage compression
that allows for images to be enlarged above the original size without
image degradation of the image. (10 images stored on a 4 MB
SmartMedia card) This particular mode takes up more space on the
storage media than the other two modes.
Erasing Photos
You can erase the most recent photo taken or all the photos with the Erase
button. To erase the most recent photo:
1. Press the DELETE button. The film counter will begin blinking and the
green action light will turn on.
2. Press the DELETE button again to erase the photo from the camera's
memory.
To erase all the photos:
1. Press and hold down the DELETE button for 3 seconds. The film counter
will begin blinking and the action light will turn on.