VistaQuest VQ1000 User manual

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User’s Manual

020606
This manual is designed to assist you in using the VistaQuest digital camera.
Information in this document has been carefully checked for accuracy;
however, no guarantee is given to the absolute correctness of the contents.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, 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:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Note!
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void your authority to operate the equipment.
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.
Declaration of Conformity
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
This device may not cause harmful interference.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Canadian Department of Communications
This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du
Réglement sur le matériel brouilieur du Canada.

Trademark Recognition
Windows (an abbreviated term referring to the Microsoft Windows Operation
System), NetMeeting, and Media Player are registered trademarks and
products of Microsoft Corporation registered in the USA and other countries.
Arcsoft PhotoImpression 5 and Arcsoft VideoImpression 2 are products and
trademarks of Arcsoft Inc. Other corporate, product names, or trade
references are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies.
General Warnings
When fitting batteries into the camera, check the polarity of the batteries (-
and +) to ensure that you insert the battery correctly. 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.

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About the camera ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Unpacking the camera --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Camera features ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Changing the camera face panel--------------------------------------------------------- 4
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In ns se er rt ti in ng g a a B Ba at tt te er ry y---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
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Ca ap pt tu ur ri in ng g D Di ig gi it ta al l S St ti il ll l I Im ma ag ge es s ------------------------------------------------------------- 11
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Ca ap pt tu ur ri in ng g S St tr re ea am mi in ng g S Sn na ap ps sh ho ot ts s ( (V Vi id de eo o c cl li ip ps s) ) ---------------------------------------- 13
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So of ft tw wa ar re e O Ov ve er rv vi ie ew w & & F Fe ea at tu ur re es s----------------------------------------------------------- 16
Picture Manager (TWAIN) ----------------------------------------------------------------- 16
Arcsoft PhotoImpression 5 --------------------------------------------------------------- 17
Arcsoft VideoImpression 2----------------------------------------------------------------- 17
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In ns st ta al ll li in ng g t th he e S So of ft tw wa ar re e ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

Installing the DIGITAL CAMERA Driver ------------------------------------------------ 19
Connecting to your PC --------------------------------------------------------------------- 22
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Us si in ng g t th he e VistaQuest Digital Camera a as s a a P PC C/ /W We eb b C Ca am me er ra a - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 29
Connecting the camera to a PC ---------------------------------------------------------- 29
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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
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  -----------------------------------------------------------------
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About the camera
Congratulations on your purchase of VistaQuest digital camera.
Your camera has been ergonomically designed to allow you to
quickly and easily capture quality digital images and short video
clips.
With a 1.3 Mega-Pixel image sensor you are assured of clear
images that can be printed, displayed on a web site, or sent to
friends and family through e-mail. The 1.3 Mega-Pixel image sensor
is capable of capturing digital still images and streaming snapshots.
Using the Picture Manager interface software, the streaming
Snapshots from your camera will automatically converted into digital
video clips. You can also use the camera as a PC/web camera,
taking real-time images when connected to your PC with the
supplied USB cable.
The included software enables you to easily download your images
and video to your PC. With Arcsoft PhotoImpression5 and
VideoImpression2 software you can edit your images and video with
ease. For more information on how to use Arcsoft
PhotoImpression5 and VideoImpression2, you may visit their
website at www.Arcsoft.com.

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Unpacking the camera
Open the package and examine the contents. Your package should
contain the following items:
• Digital camera
• Camera neck strap
• Tilt base (optional)
• USB cable
• Color face plates (optional*)
• Software CD containing:
− Picture Manager (TWAIN driver)
− Arcsoft PhotoImpression 5
− Arcsoft VideoImpression 2
Color faceplates may be included with your camera kit
depending upon the options selected by your camera retailer.

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Camera Features
Please refer to the following diagram to identify the camera features:
1. Shutter Button
2. Viewfinder
3. Strap eyelet
4. Lens
5. Removable face panel
6. USB connector
7. Status LCD
8. Power/Mode button
9. Battery compartment cover

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Changing the Camera Face Panel
You can give the VQ1000 a new appearance by changing the front
panel. The camera comes with several cool-color faceplates that
you can use interchangeably. Follow these instructions to change
the faceplate.
1. Turn the camera OFF.
2. Open the battery compartment cover located on the bottom
of the camera by sliding the cover in the direction indicated
by the arrow.
3. Remove the battery. Notice the small hole underneath the
battery. Use a ballpoint pen to gently press through the
hole.
4. The faceplate will detach from the camera. Remove the
faceplate from the front of the camera.
5. Select another colored plate and place it on the front of the
camera, snapping it into place.

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Note: Be sure to download your images before changing the
faceplate to avoid losing your images or video clips.
Inserting a Battery
Follow these instructions to insert or replace the battery in your
camera:
1. Turn the camera OFF.
2. Open the battery compartment cover located on the bottom of
the camera by sliding the cover in the direction indicated by the
arrow.
3. Note the battery polarity marks inside the battery compartment.
Insert (1) one fresh AAA alkaline battery, and replace the battery
compartment door. You will hear a click as the door snaps into
place.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS:
• Do not open the battery compartment when the camera
is ON.
• Store your camera with the battery removed. However,
download your images prior to storing your camera. A
small amount of battery power is required to maintain
images in memory and therefore the battery will drain

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completely over time, even when not used. Loss of
image data will occur should the battery lose power.
• The VQ1000 allows up to 30 seconds for changing
the battery without losing images saved in the
camera. It is recommend that you always download
your images within 24 hours to avoid losing your
images.
• Even without any images stored in the camera, the
camera will slowly draw battery power. To conserve
battery power, after downloading images, remove the
battery from camera.
Note: The VQ1000 will use some battery power
whenever a battery is inserted. Remove the battery
from the camera after downloading images if the
camera will not be used for more than a day.

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Turning the Camera ON and OFF
• To turn the camera ON, press and hold the Power/Mode
button for about two seconds.
• To turn the power to OFF, press and hold the Power/Mode
button for three seconds.
Note: The camera will automatically power off after 60 seconds
of inactivity.
LCD Information/Status Display
The following icons are used in the Information/Status LCD display
to present mode and setting options.

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Note: When scrolling through the modes, an
icon blinks when it is selected.

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Camera Icons and Descriptions
To select your desired setting, press the Power/Mode button to
scroll through the different modes. The icons will display in the
status LCD. Press the Shutter button to select a function while it is
displayed. The camera is now ready to capture an image or
streaming snapshots according to your selected preferences.
Note: If you do not press any button within five
seconds, the LCD screen automatically returns
to the operational mode screen – ready to
capture an image.
Icon Description
Number of images and videos captured
High Resolution mode (HI and two-stars)
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128
0 x 1008 pixel resolution for still
HI

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images
LOW Resolution mode (LO and one-star)
 640 x 480 pixel resolution for still images
Indoor mode to capture images indoors, or in
darker environments
Outdoor mode to capture images outside
Streaming Snapshot
mode for capturing Video
Clips
 The Movie Icon with one-star is 320 x
240 video resolution
 The Movie Icon and no-star is 160 x 120
video resolution
ERASE ALL - to erase ALL images and videos
saved in the camera
ERASE LST - to erase the LAST image saved in
the camera
LO

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Battery level indicator
Low battery. The icon begins to blink and the
camera turns off after two beeps.
Please
replace the battery within 30 seconds
otherwise the pictures in the camera
will be lost.
USB connection to computer
Capturing Digital Still Images
1. Press the Power/Mode button once to turn the camera on. (Press
and hold for about two seconds.)
(No images, indoors light, full battery,
highest resolution)
2. Press the Power/Mode button again to scroll to the setting you
want:
Default
Setting

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HI and
Selects 1280 x 1008 pixel resolution (best
image quality)
LO and
Selects 640 x 480 pixel resolution (lesser
image quality, but you may capture more images)
Press the Shutter button to select the resolution and return to
the main screen.
3. Press the Power/Mode button to scroll to indoor/outdoor:
Indoor: Use when inside a building or when
ambient light is low.
Outdoor: Use when capturing images outdoors.
Press the Shutter button to select lighting condition and return
to the main screen.
4. Frame your subject through the viewfinder and press the Shutter
button to capture an image. After approximately one second you
will hear a beep to confirm the image was captured. The LCD
display will increment by one as it shows the number of images
that have been captured.

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Capturing Streaming Snapshots (Video clips)
1. Press the Power/Mode button to turn the camera on. (Press and
hold for about two seconds.)
2. Press the Power/Mode button to scroll to the streaming snapshot
mode setting.
Press the Shutter Button to select this mode and return to the
main screen.
3. Press the Power/Mode button to scroll to the movie resolution
setting. Select the desired resolution:
320 x 240
[No Icon] 160 x 120
Press the Shutter Button to save the video resolution preference
and return to the main screen.
4. Press the Power/Mode button to scroll to indoor/outdoor, and
select the desired setting:
Indoor: Use when inside a building or when
ambient light is low.

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Outdoor: Use when outdoors.
Press the Shutter button to make a selection and return to the
main screen.
5. Frame your subject in the viewfinder. Press and hold the Shutter
Button to capture streaming snapshots. You will hear continuous
beeps as the image frames are recorded. Release the shutter
button to stop recording. The LCD display will increment by one
with each movie clip captured.