VistaQuest VQ-2000 User manual

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User’s Manual

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Contents
1 Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
Overview----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
Warnings and Precautions-----------------------------------------------------------------
1
Package Contents----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
System Requirements-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3
Camera Features-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4
2 Installing the Batteries-----------------------------------------------------------------------
5
3 Insert/Remove SD/MMC Memory Cards-----------------------------------------------
6
4 Capturing Images-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Power On the camera -----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Power Off the camera -----------------------------------------------------------------------
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5 Camera Status Icons ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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6 Display Information and flows-------------------------------------------------------------
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7 Capture an Image----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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8 Using Flash Light-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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9 Self-Time----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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AVI Capture------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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11 Continuous Capture--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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12
Deleting Images-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Delete the Last Image-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Delete All Images-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
14
Techniques for Capturing the Best Images---------------------------------------------
14
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Installing Camera’s Driver and Software------------------------------------------------
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14
Uninstalling Software and Camera’s Driver--------------------------------------------
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Uninstalling Software------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Uninstalling Camera’s Driver--------------------------------------------------------------
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15
Downloading Images to A Computer-----------------------------------------------------
18
For Windows 98/me customers-----------------------------------------------------------
18
For Windows XP------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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For Windows 2000/me/98------------------------------------------------------------------
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Arsoft PhotoImpression 5-------------------------------------------------------------------
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Arcsoft VideoImpression 2-----------------------------------------------------------------
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Using VQ2000 In PC-Cam Mode---------------------------------------------------------
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Checking the Connecting of Your VQ2000 --------------------------------------------
23
20
Internet Video Conferencing-------------------------------------------
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21
Using the Camera with NetMeeting------------------------------------------------------
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Specifications----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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23
Attached Leaflet-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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020606
WARNING

When the battery icon is blinking,
download the pictures to your computer, immediately,
and change the batteries; otherwise,
your images will be lost.


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1. Introduction
Overview
Thank you for purchasing a VistaQuest digital camera. It can capture digital images,
short video-clips (continuous shooting mode), and it can also serve as a PC/Web camera.
The camera is equipped with 8 MB of memory to store your images and movie clips.
You may download your images and movie clips to your computer using the USB cable
and included software.
Warnings and Precautions
FCC STATEMENT -
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B
digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

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Use of shielded cable is required to comply with Class B limits in Subpart B of Part 15 of
the FCC rules. Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment unless
otherwise specified in the manual. If such changes or modifications should be made, you
could be required to stop operation of the equipment.
GENERAL WARNINGS –
Do not use batteries other than those specified for use with the camera. The use of
unsuitable batteries may result in the batteries splitting or leaking and causing a fire,
injury, or soiling of the battery compartment.
When placing batteries in the camera, check the polarity of the batteries (- and +) to
ensure proper orientation. Incorrect polarity may result in the batteries splitting or leaking
and causing a fire, injury, or soiling of the battery compartment.
Remove the batteries if the camera will not be used for an extended period of time. The
batteries may leak and cause a fire, injury or soiling of the battery compartment. If the
batteries leak clean and wipe the battery compartment carefully and install new batteries.
Wash your hands carefully if you touch the battery fluid. Please note that when you
remove the batteries your images will be lost from the camera memory.
WARNING: Handling the USB cable on this product may expose you to lead, a chemical
known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash your hands after handling.
TRADEMARK INFORMATION -
Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Pentium® is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Other names and products may
be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owner.

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Package Contents
1. Camera
2. USB cable
3. Software
4. User’s Manual
5. Two AA batteries
6. Hand strap
Note: Included components may vary, as specified by local retailers and locations.
Check with your retailer for specifics.
System Requirements
You must use a computer to download the images from your camera. The computer that
you use must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Windows SE 98/Me/2000/XP
2. Direct X 8.0, or higher
3. 128 MB RAM
4. 60 MB hard disk space available
5. Available USB port
6. CD-ROM drive

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Camera Features
1. Shutter Button
2. Flash
3. Viewfinder
4. USB Port
5. Lens
6. Self-Timer LED
7. Power/Mode Button
8. ENTER Button
9. Status LCD
10. Tripod Socket
11. Strap Eyelet
12. Battery Compartment Cover

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2. Installing the Batteries
Step 1: Open the battery door by lifting the tab on the
door.
Step 2: Insert two AA batteries with the polarity as
Shown.
Step 3: Close the battery cover.
Warning: Do not open the battery door when the camera is powered ON. This will
cause all images in memory to be lost immediately. If you open the battery door when
the camera is OFF (when changing the batteries) you must close the door within thirty
(30) seconds or your images will be erased from memory.
Notes:
1. Always download your images to your computer soon after you have captured them.
Never assume your images will be retained for more than three or four days. If the
batteries are depleted, your images will be lost.
2. If you must change the batteries, makes sure the camera is OFF and then changes the
batteries in less than thirty (30) seconds.
3. If you will not use the camera for a long time (several days, or more) remove the
batteries. The batteries will discharge slowly if left in the camera. This may cause
complete battery discharge as well as loss of images. The batteries may corrode if
left in the camera for extended periods of time.
4. Dispose of batteries properly in accordance with local laws and regulations. Do not
place them in fire.
5. The camera has an automatic power-saving feature. The camera will turn off
automatically if it has not been used after approximately sixty (60) seconds.
6. When the camera is connected to a computer using a USB cable, it is not necessary to
use batteries because the camera uses the power provided by the computer through
the USB interface.

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3. Insert/Remove SD/MMC Memory Cards
The camera accepts a Secure Digital (SD) or a Multimedia
Card (MMC) memory card up to 256MB capacity.
The memory card takes priority over the internal memory.
Whenever a memory card is inserted the camera will immediately
use the memory card in preference to the internal memory.
Therefore, when a memory card is inserted, the camera will
store images and videos on the memory card. Likewise,
the camera will playback images and videos that are stored
on the memory card only. To access internal memory remove
the memory card.
Inserting a Memory Card
Insert an SD or MMC card into the memory card slot located on the side of the camera,
and gently press down with your finger.
Removing a Memory Card
Gently press down on the memory card and it will partially eject. Pull the card out with
your fingers.
Note: To use the internal memory (8MB), please remove the memory card first.

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4. Capturing Images
Using your new camera is fun and easy. There are two
basic steps to capturing your first image.
Step 1: Turn on the camera by pressing the
Power/Mode button for two seconds.
Step 2: Press the shutter button to capture an image.
It is really that easy! The following sections will tell you about more features that are
available on your camera.
Power On the Camera
To power on the camera pressing the Power/Mode button for two seconds
as shown above. The camera will beep
once, indicating that it is ready. The Status
LCD display will turn on like this:
In this example the camera is ready to capture image in Hi resolution mode.
Note that the camera will automatically power-off after 10 seconds inactivity to save
battery power. To turn the camera on again, press the button.
Power Off the Camera
To turn the camera power OFF, press and hold the button for five (5) seconds
and the status LCD will shut off.
Note: The camera will automatically power-off after 10 seconds of inactivity.

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5. Camera Status Icons
Beyond the basics of capturing an image, the camera has many other features. Turn on
the camera and notice the many icons and symbols on the status LCD:
As you press the Power/Mode button the LCD display will change in the following order.
To learn more about each function refer to the referenced section in this User Manual.
Camera Icons and Descriptions
Icons Descriptions
Number of images that you may capture in the available memory
Movie Mode for capturing video clips
Battery Indicator:
2 levels: Battery is full
1 levels: Battery is half full
0 levels : Battery is near empty; flash is disabled and the icons on the
status LCD flashes
2408x1536: Take pictures about 3.2 M pixels.
1600x1200: Take pictures about 2.0M pixels (default)
1280x1024: Take pictures about 1.2M pixels
640x480: Take pictures about 0.3M pixels
Erase one photo/video
Erase all photos & videos
Indicate the connecting of your camera and the computer
Self-timer allows 10 seconds to capture an image
SD Card: When a SD card is inserted in the camera it will show on the
LCD display.
Take pictures in large size (default)
Take pictures in small size
Flash off (default)
Force flash
Auto flash

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6. Display Information and flows
1. Resolution Setting
Press the Power/Mode button once. The LCD display will be as shown on
the left. Press Power/Mode button repeatedly, the four stars (2408x1535)
icon on the right top of the LED will change to one star (640x480) icon.
Each time you are supposed to hold down Shutter button to confirm.
2. Self-timer



Press the Power/Mode button four times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. When the shutter button is pressed, the camera will
shoot after beeping ten times. The function is ideal for getting yourself
into the picture.
3. AVI Mode
Press the Power/Mode button five times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. When the shutter button is pressed, Press Shutter
button to start playback of the AVI. Press Shutter again to stop the video
playing.
4. Continuous Shooting
Press the Power/Mode button six times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. Three pictures will be taken in sequence after you
press the shutter button. The counter will increase from 000 to 003.

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5. Compression Rate
Press the Power/Mode button seven times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. Press the shutter button to confirm for shooting more
images but small size.
Press the Power/Mode button eight times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. Press the shutter button to confirm for shooting few
images but big size.
6. PC-Cam mode
Press the Power/Mode button nine times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. Connect your camera to the computer with the USB
cable.
7. Frequency Setting
Press the Power/Mode button ten times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. Press the shutter button to confirm. You can set the
frequency according to the frequency of local power mains.
Press the Power/Mode button eleven times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. Press the shutter button to confirm. You can set the
frequency according to the frequency of local power mains.

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8. Force flash
Press the ENTER button once. The LCD display will be as shown on
the left. Press the shutter button to confirm.
9. Auto flash
Press the ENTER button twice. The LCD display will be as shown on
the left. Press the shutter button to confirm.
10. Flash Off
Press the ENTER button three times. The LCD display will be as
shown on the left. Press the shutter button to confirm.
11. Delete One Picture
Press the ENTER button still for two seconds times. The LCD display
will be as shown on the left. Press the shutter button to delete the last
picture in the camera.
12. Delete All Picture/Videos
ON the basis of Delete One Picture settings. Press the ENTER button
once. The LCD display will be as shown on the left. Press the shutter
button to delete all the pictures in the camera.

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7. Capture an Image
In film-photography we say: “Take a Photo.” In digital-photography we say: “Capture an
Image.” Capturing an image with this camera is easy.
Step 1: Power on the camera and look through the viewfinder to frame your subject.
Make sure your subject is no closer than three or four feet (one meter) or else it will not
be in good focus.
Step 2: Press the Shutter button to capture an image.
The camera will beep once and the image counter will increase by one count.
For example the counter may change from 000 to 001.
The display counter shows the number of images to be taken. When the “FUL” warning
message appears on the Info/Status LCD it means the memory is full and you must
download your images or delete them to make more space available.
Note: Please note that when batteries disconnected or discharged, the memory,
and all taken pictures will be erased.
8. Using Flash Light
When you take pictures at night, indoors or in gloomy conditions. Please use flash. Press
the Enter button repeatedly to choose the flash options. (Please note the changing of the
icon on the left bottom of the LCD.).
Flash Off: the flash is off. (Default)
Force Flash: the flash fires every time you take a picture, regardless of the lighting
conditions.
Auto Flash: the camera detects ambient lighting conditions, and the flash fires if it
detects insufficient light.

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9. Self-Timer
If you would like to get into the image you may use the self-timer feature to delay image
capture by ten (10) seconds. Place the camera on a tripod or a flat, stable surface.
Turn on the camera. Press the Power/Mode button four times until the “ ” icon
appears on the LCD display.
Press the Shutter button the camera will beep as it counts down. The camera will capture
an image automatically after 10 seconds.
10. AVI Capture
You can capture motion-video clips using the AVI capture feature. The image is stored in
AVI format. The image counter increments by one after movie clips are stored. Video
clips are captured at a resolution of 320 x 240. The movie-clip frame rate will be
approximately six frames per second. Movie clips are silent. (No audio.) To use the
AVI capture mode follow these steps:
Step 1: Power on the camera. Press the Power/Mode button five times until the “ ”
icon appears on the LCD display.
Step 2: Once the Shutter button is pressed, the camera will beep and the camera starts
recording videos and the red LED will blink.
Step 3: Press the Shutter button again to stop recording. The camera will stop recording
automatically when the built-in memory is full. When the built-in memory is full,
the word “FUL“ will be shown on the LCD display.
Note: When you download a movie-clip it will be in the popular AVI format. Use Windows
Media Player or Apple Quick Time Player to view movies.

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11. Continuous Capture
You can capture three images using the continuous capture feature. When you use this
mode the image resolution will be 640 x 480. To use the Continuous Capture mode
follow these steps:
Step 1: Power on the camera. Press the Power/Mode button six times until the “ ”
icon appears on the LCD display.
Step 2: Press the Shutter button the camera will capture three images continuously.
12. Deleting Images
You can delete the last image captured, or you may delete all images in memory.
Delete the Last Image
Power on camera. Press the Enter button still for two seconds times until the
“ ” icon appears on the LCD display. Then press the shutter button to
delete the last picture in the camera. (Example: 020 will change to 019.)
Delete All Images
Power on the camera. ON the basis of Delete One Picture settings. Press the Enter
button once, the icon appears on the LCD display. Press the shutter button to
delete all the pictures in the camera.
Note: All Images will be deleted and the image counter will display 000.
Techniques for Capturing the Best Images
The camera can capture good images. Here are a few tips for getting the best possible
images from your camera.

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1. Use good lighting. The digital camera works best with adequate lighting.
2. Avoid uneven lighting and high contrast. Compose your scenes so that there are no
deep shadows or bright backgrounds. The key to good images is balanced (even)
scene lighting. Use the fill - flash for scenes where high contrast and dark shadows
are unavoidable.
3. Minimum focus distance. Make sure your subject is not too close. The minimum
focus distance is three to four feet (one meter.)
4. Position your primary subject in the center of the image. The camera focuses best
in the center of the image. The edges of your images are softly focused, giving a
nice soft perimeter effect to each image.

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13.
Installing Camera Drive and Software
• Installing Driver
1.Turn on the computer.
2.Insert installation CD into the CD-ROM drive and the
installation CD menu will appear.
3.When you see the following screen, choose
“Camera Driver”.
4.Follow the on-screen instructions.
5.Restart the computer.
For Windows 2000/XP only:
During installation of the driver or software, computer may display the
message: “The software you are going to install doesn’t contain the Microsoft
signature, and may not work correctly. Do you want to continue? Y / N”
Please select Y to continue the installation.
• Installing Software
1.Insert installation CD into the CD-ROM drive and the
installation CD menu should appear.
2.When you see the following screen, choose
“Arcsoft Software” to install the software.
3.Follow the instructions on screen.
4.Installed software will automatically create
“VideoImpression 2” or “PhotoImpression 5”
logo on your desktop.