UMAX Technologies ASTRACAM User manual

UMAX AstraCam
OWNER'S GUIDE
P/N:83100158-0000
08/99

TRADEMARKS
UMAX is a registered trademark of UMAX Technologies, Inc. AstraCam is a trademark of
UMAX Data Systems. PhotoDeluxe is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. Windows is a
registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PhotoCabinet is a trademark of NewSoft
Technology Corporation. Other names and trademarks appearing herein are trademarks of their
respectiveholders.
COPYRIGHT
1999 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, be 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 rainy/moist environment.
•The product should be operated using only the type of power source indicated on the
product label.
•Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening or removing the enclosure may
expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards.
•This unit has input circuitry suitable for a 5V DC supply.
•The sound pressure level at the operators position according to IEC 7041:1982 should be
less than or equal to 70dB(A).
CAUTION
Improperly inserting the rechargeable 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 AstraCam for Use.
Use only the AC adapter that came with your AstraCam system to power the cradle.
Danger of Explosion - Non-rechargeable AAA Batteries can be used temporarily to take
photos, however, the batteries must be removed prior to putting the camera on the cradle.
Failuretoremoveallofthe non-rechargeable batteries before placing the camera in the cradle
may cause damage to the camera voiding the warranty and/or batteries to discharge or explode
which may cause bodily injury.
Replace only with the AAA size, 1.2V, nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries. Check with
local codes for possible special disposal instructions.

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CONTENTS
Getting Started...............................................................................2
Introduction .............................................................................2
UMAX AstraCam Package Contents .....................................2
Setting Up Your New Digital Camera System..............................3
Installing the Batteries ........................................................... 3
Replacing Worn-Out Batteries .............................................. 3
PC System Requirements .............................................................4
Installing the Software ..................................................................4
Installing Adobe PhotoDeluxe ................................................4
Installing the AstraCam Software ...........................................4
Connecting the AstraCam Cradle..................................................5
Powering Up the Cradle ..........................................................5
Connecting the Cradle to Your Computer ..............................5
The AstraCam Digital Camera .....................................................6
Taking Your First Photo..........................................................7
Recording a Message for Your Photo .....................................8
Erasing Photos ........................................................................8
Camera Memory Full ..............................................................9
Recharging the AstraCam Batteries ........................................9
Using the AstraCam Program......................................................10
Downloading Photos..............................................................11
The AstraCam Software..............................................................12
Viewing Your Photos............................................................13
TransferringthePhotos.........................................................14
Saving a Photo a File.............................................................14
Megapixel...............................................................................15
Deleting Photos......................................................................15
Operating the AstraCam from the Program.................................16
Taking a Photo ..................................................................... 16
Making a Recording ............................................................ 16
Adjusting AstraCam Settings .............................................. 16
Checking the USB Port ........................................................ 17
Quitting the AstraCam Program .......................................... 17
Organizing Your Photo Data with PhotoCabinet ...................... 17
Retrieving Your Photos ....................................................... 18
Creating a Calendar with PhotoDeluxe.......................................19
Creating a Photo & Sound E-Mail ............................................. 20
Preparing a Photo & Sound E-Mail Greeting ...................... 20
Sending Your Photo & Sound E-Mail Greeting .................. 21
Sending a Photo & Sound File as an Attachment ................ 21
Caring for Your AstraCam..........................................................22
AstraCam Specifications.............................................................23
Contacting Technical Support.....................................................24
Product Registration....................................................................24
FCC Declaration of Conformity..................................................25
Warranty......................................................................................26

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GETTING STARTED
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the UMAX AstraCam digital camera system. Now
you can take great digital photos, and capture up to 20 seconds of sound with
each shot. Easily transfer your new photos to a computer and be enjoying them
in just moments.
Your AstraCam 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 PhotoCabinet
and make Internet photo greeting cards with VistaShuttle. AstraCam 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 PackagePackage Contents
Your AstraCam package
contains everything you
need to take digital photos,
download them to your
computer and make use of
your photos. When
unpacking your AstraCam,
make sure you've received
all the components:
•AstraCam Digital Camera
•Cradle with built in battery charger
•2 AAA Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries
•Power adapter & power cable
•Camera Strap
•Quick Start Guide
•AstraCam software CD including:
- AstraCam Software (TWAIN Driver)
- PhotoCabinet
- VistaShuttle
•Adobe PhotoDeluxe software CD

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SETTING UP
YOUR NEW DIGITAL CAMERA SYSTEM
Installing the Batteries
Important Battery Usage Guides: Read Before Using the AstraCam.
WARNING: Improperly inserting the rechargeable 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.
WARNING: Non-rechargeable AAA batteries can be used temporarily to take
photos. However, these batteries must be removed prior to putting the camera in
the cradle. Failure to remove all non-rechargeable batteries before placing the
camera in the cradle may cause damage to the camera, voiding the warranty
and/or causing the batteries to discharge or explode, which may result in bodily
injury.
To put the rechargeable batteries in the AstraCam:
1. Unwrap the 2 AAA rechargeable 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.
Note: Before charging the batteries, you must install the
AstraCam cradle. See page 5, "Connecting the AstraCam
Cradle." When the cradle is connected, place the
AstraCam in the cradle to charge the batteries. The charge
time for the batteries is up to 2.6 hours.
Replacing Worn-Out Batteries
Replace the batteries only with AAA size, 1.2V, nickel metal hydride
rechargeable batteries.
AstraCam
Bottom View

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PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
•Pentium®processor or higher
•MicrosoftWindows®98
•At least 32 MB RAM
•90 MB available hard disk space
•CD-ROM drive
•VGA Color Monitor
•USB Port
•Sound Card (recommended)
INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE
Please quit all Windows programs before installing your new software.
IMPORTANT: Install the software prior to installing the AstraCam Cradle.
Please install Adobe®PhotoDeluxe®first and then install the AstraCam
software.
Installing Adobe PhotoDeluxe
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 everything has been installed, 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 the AstraCam Software
1. Insert the AstraCam 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 CD icon (your CD-ROM drive icon).

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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:
•PhotoCabinet
•VistaShuttle
•AstraCam Software (including the Twain driver)
The default setting is to install all three programs (highly recommended).
You must install the AstraCam and PhotoCabinet software in order to
download photos to your computer using the DOWNLOAD button.
CONNECTING THE ASTRACAM CRADLE
Powering Up the Cradle
The power adapter sends power to the cradle and recharges the AstraCam
batteries when the camera is resting in the cradle.
1. Insert the power adapter plug into the base at the rear of the AstraCam
Cradle.
2. Attach the AC power cord to the power adapter.
3. Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.
Connecting the Cradle to Your Computer
The AstraCam Cradle connects your camera to a computer using the
attached USB cable. The USB system is "hot-swappable." You do not have
to turn your system off before inserting the USB cable into the port.
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).
2. Gently push the USB cable connector from
the cradle into the socket making sure that
it is firmly inserted in the port. With the
AstraCam power switch turned OFF, place
the AstraCam in the cradle. Windows will
display screens saying that it discovered
your new hardware, is updating the driver
database and is installing new software.

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THE ASTRACAM DIGITAL CAMERA
•Viewfinder Look through this to compose the photo.
•Action Light Flashes whenever camera or recorder operates and is
accompanied by an audible beep.
•Record Button Press and hold this button to make a recording.
•White Balance Mode Press to change the White balance settings.
•Erase Button Press to erase photos from the camera.
•Microphone Speak toward the microphone when making a recording.
•Settings Display Shows the current settings of the AstraCam with the
followingsymbols:
White Balance Icon Displays the selected White Balance Mode.
(See page 7, "White Balance Settings for Better Photos.")
Battery Status Shows two solid blocks for full batteries and one
solid block when batteries have less than a 20 percent charge.
Camera Icon Indicates that the AstraCam is ready to take photos.
Microphone Icon Indicates that the AstraCam recorder is ready.
Shots/Seconds Remaining In Camera mode, shows shots remaining.
In Microphone mode, shows seconds remaining.
Process When this symbol flashes, the camera is processing
commands.
Viewfinder Shutter Button
SettingsDisplay
Record Button
Erase Button
Microphone
White Balance
Mode
Action Light
PowerSwitch

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Taking Your First Photo
Taking photos with your AstraCam is easy:
1. Turn the 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 AstraCam 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 very still when taking a picture.
Moving the camera when shooting will create blurry pictures.
White Balance Settings for Better Photos
AstraCam has four white balance settings that adjust the camera for specific
lighting situations. These settings help you get normal looking photos in
different kinds of light. One of the icons below will always appear in the
settings display when the camera is turned on.
You can set the camera to take pictures in:
Sunny light
Cloudy light or shade
Tungsten light (Keep photos from looking too yellow when taken in
tungsten light. This kind of light is common in homes.)
Fluorescent light (Keep your photos from looking too green when
taken in fluorescent light. This kind of light is common in stores.)
To change the white balance setting before taking a photo:
1. Press the MODE button. The camera will make an audible tone. You will
see the White Balance icon in the settings display change.
2. Press and release the button until the white balance setting you want appears
in the settings display.
Note: You can also change the camera's white balance on the computer
using the AstraCam program. See page 16, "Operating the AstraCam from
the Program."

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Recording a Message for Your Photo
After taking your first photo, you can record sound to go with it (if the Record
feature is enabled).
To record a message:
1. Press and hold the RECORD button. The action light next to the viewfinder
starts blinking. In the settings display, the Microphone icon flashes and the
shot counter turns into a countdown timer beginning at 20 seconds.
2. Talk into the microphone or record any close sounds.
3. When you are finished recording,or the countdown time is finished, release
the RECORD button. Your AstraCam returns to photo mode and is ready for
the next photo.
Disabling the Record Feature
You can disable the Record feature on the AstraCam to allow the camera to
store more photos. With Record disabled, the capacity of the AstraCam
increases to 46 shots. (The default mode is Record ON with a 31-photo
capacity, and the Microphone icon appears in the settings display.)
To disable the Record feature:
1. The memory must be empty (no photos are being stored in the AstraCam;
see below, "Erasing Photos").
2. Press the RECORD button. The Record feature is now disabled and the
AstraCam is set to take 46 photos.
Note: To turn on the Record feature, press the RECORD button when the
memory is clear (no pictures in the camera). The Microphone icon will
reappear and the camera will have a 31-photo capacity.
Erasing Photos
You can erase the most recent photo taken or all the photos with the Erase
button. When you erase a photo, the sound recording you made for it is also
erased.
To erase the most recent photo:
1. Press the ERASE button. The film counter will begin blinking and the green
action light will turn on.
2. Press the ERASE button again to erase the photo from the camera's memory.
To erase all the photos:
1. Press and hold down the ERASE button for 3 seconds. The film counter will
begin blinking and the action light will turn on.