VAL VALCam Pro User manual

VALCam USB with Flash
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the VALCam USB, the first
image acquisition system designed specifically for photo-
ID and visual database applications. All camera controls
(pan, tilt, oom and exposure level) are available from the
mouse or keyboard. Manual positioning of the camera is
eliminated for increased operator efficiency.
In addition to hands off control, the VALCam USB
provides a synchroni ed photoflash for consistent high
quality image acquisition in any environment. Software
controls are provided for flash intensity and flesh tone
adjustments making the acquisition of top quality images a
snap. High quality captures with perfect skin tones and
exposure can be obtained effortlessly in any environment,
even dark rooms!
Video Associates Labs, Inc.
11525A Stonehollow Dr., Suite 130
Austin, TX 78758
1-800-331-0547
www.VAL.com

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Features Include:
• Complete USB hardware interface
The only connection to the computer is a USB cable
• Mouse control of pan tilt zoom and exposure in
Pan/Tilt/Zoom version. Zoom in/out for the Zoom
version.
• Uses optical pan tilt zoom for highest resolution.
• Synchronized photoflash with software control of
flash exposure and flesh tones. Perfect captures even
in dark rooms.
• Hassle free integration of photoflash.
• Includes 32 Bit Twain Driver. Optional Software
Developers Kit available.
• Will work in all major Windows photo ID and
imaging applications.
• High-resolution single chip CCD array (796x494).
• Auto Focus S-video output.
• Available in both NTSC and PAL video standards.
Quick start instructions for hardware and software installation
are provided. A trouble-shooting guide will help resolve any
installation and operational problems. The Imaging Hints and
Tips section will help the end user achieve high quality
captures.
If technical support is needed please contact:
Video Associates Labs Inc.
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

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Parts List for available VALCam products:
8000-630 VALCam Pro with Flash
High resolution Pan/Tilt/Zoom Camera
External USB interface box
Multi-cable interconnect
Hi Intensity Photo-Flash
Universal mounting bracket for flash
USB cable
4 Port USB Hub
Brick power supply for USB interface box
Instruction Manual
Installation Disk
8000-628 VALCam Zoom with Flash
High resolution USB Zoom camera
Hi Intensity Photo-Flash
USB cable
4 Port USB Hub
Brick power supply for camera
Instruction Manual
Installation Disk

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Installing the VALCam USB Zoom
1.
Do not connect the camera to the computer until after
software installation.
2.
Mount the photo-flash to the hot-shoe connector on top
of the camera.
3.
Connect the flash cable to the matching receptacle on
the back of the camera.
4.
Connect the power adaptor to the matching connector
on the back of the camera. Plug the power adaptor to a
wall socket.
5. Connect the USB cable to the back of the camera.
Do not connect the USB cable to the computer.
Installing the VALCam USB Pan/Tilt/Zoom
1. Do not connect the camera to the computer until after
software installation.
2.
Attach the flash-mounting bracket to the bottom of the
camera. Use the knob on the bottom of the flash
bracket to secure the attachment.
3. Attach the complete unit to the tripod.
4.
Attach the photo-flash to the hot-shoe connector on the
flash bracket.
5.
Locate the camera multi-cable.
6.
Connect the brown S-video connector on the multi-
cable to the matching S-Video connector on the
camera. Verify that the connector is properly oriented
and gently insert the connector. Do not force the
connection.

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7. Connect the red Visca connector to the matching red
connector on the camera.
8.
Connect the yellow power connector to the matching
yellow connector on the camera.
9.
Connect the photo-flash cable to the matching white
connector on the multi-cable.
10.
Connect the 25 pin connector on the multi-connector
to the USB converter box.
11.
Connect the power supply to the USB converter box.
12.
Connect the USB cable to the converter box. Do not
connect the other end of the USB cable to the
computer.
Final Installation for Win XP and Win 2000
1. Run Setup VALCam USB.EXE located on the
installation CD.
2.
Verify that the camera is configured as described
above. Make sure the power supply is connected and
plugged in to a wall outlet.
3. Verify that the USB cable from the Zoom camera or
converter box are attached. Plug the USB cable to your
computer USB port.
4. The computer will find new hardware and install the
device. Answer
Yes or Continue if you are queried
during the installation.
5. The installation process will install 2 devices before
the process is completed.

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6. You can confirm the installation opening Device
Manager and noting the “
VALCam USB Camera ”
listed under “
Imaging Devices ”
Basic Operation
1. Confirm that the display settings of your computer are
set to 24 or 32 bit color (16 bit is not recommended)
.
2. Click on START->PROGRAMS->VALCam USB
and start the application.
3.
The application will determine if the version of
DirectX installed on the computer is capable of using
the camera. If the version needs to be upgraded, an
error message will be displayed. The Microsoft
DirectX upgrade is provided on the installation CD. If
necessary run the DirectX upgrade and restart the
camera application.
4. The
VALCAM ID capture control box will appear. If
you receive an error message or the capture control
box does not appear displaying live video consult
the troubleshooting guide.

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Camera motion controls
1. Press the + key next to the numeric key pad, the camera
will oom in. Release the
+ key and the camera will stop
ooming. To oom out press the
– key next to the numeric
keypad. Release the
– key to stop the action.
2.
Use the ↑
↑↑
↑ , ↓
↓↓
↓ , ←
←←
← , →
→→
→ keys on your keyboard to control
pan/tilt operation. Hold down keys to initiate action and
release keys to stop action. (Pan/Tilt/Zoom Camera only)
3.
Place the mouse over the button and hold down the left
mouse button. The camera will oom in. When the mouse
button is released, ooming will stop. The button works
the same way to oom out.
4.
Place the mouse over the button and hold down the left
mouse button. The camera will tilt up. When the mouse
button is released, camera motion will stop. The , ,
buttons works in a similar fashion. ( Pan/Tilt/Zoom
Camera only)
5.
PTZ speed can be adjusted in the “Adjust Dialog Box”.

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Adjust Live Preview/Capture Parameters
1.
Click the Flash Off button.
2.
Adjust the Brightness control buttons for proper
image illumination. This is the only control used to
adjust image brightness.
3.
The last setting of the Brightness control are
remembered between sessions.
4. Click the
Adjust button and click the “ Flesh Tone ”
tab.

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4. Adjust the Live Red and Live Blue scroll controls up and down.
Note the changes in the image hue. These controls should be used to
fine tune image color for optimal quality.
5.
Adjust the Live Color control and note the changes in the image.
This control adjust color intensity from pale to very intense.
6.
Click the “Page Defaults” button to reset White Balance and
normali e color settings.
Sharpness Control
1. Click the “ Advanced ” tab on the Adjust Dialog box.
2.
The “ Image Sharpness ”
control adjusts post capture
image enhancement. The
effects of this control are not
visible until the capture is
viewed. The default is 2.
3.
The “Frame Grabber” sharpness adjustment affects real
time out image sharpness. The default is 3.
4.
Higher or lower values might be warranted in different
circumstances. If the values are too high the image will
look edgy and noisy. If the value is too low the image will
look soft or out of focus.
Capturing a Live Images
1.
Verify that the Use Preview is set to Yes and Use
Flash
is set to Flash Off.
2. Zoom in as close as necessary to your subject.
NOTE: Always zoom in as tight as the image
composition will allow for best quality images
.
3.
Adjust Brightness , Flesh Tone , and Sharpness controls
for best image quality.

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4. Click the Capture Button and the capture will happen
immediately.
5.
Click the “Save” button to send the image to clipboard or
your application. Click the “Don’t Save” button to discard
the image and prepare to take another capture. This is very
useful when using the Twain driver as you can immediately
take another capture without restarting the application.
Using the Photo-Flash
The photo-flash allows optimal captures to be obtained in
any environment with the highest quality. You can even take
captures in a completely dark room and varying subject
distances with no degradation of image quality.
Once the flash intensity is set for a given subject distance,
all captures will be identical even with different amounts of
room light.
The VALCam stores different settings for Flash and non
Flash captures so both live and Flash captures can be
obtained without user intervention.