V69379M Digital Camera User Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this camera. Everything you need to take quality digital photos and videos is included with your camera.

Please read this manual carefully first in order to get the most out of your digital camera.

Important Notice

Please do not plug the camera into the USB port of your computer until you have installed the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software and the camera's driver. Plugging in your camera at this stage will cause the device to not be recognized by the computer and no images will be downloaded.

Key Features

• 3-in-1 Digital Camera
• Takes over 200 photos
• Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software for uploading and managing photos and videos to or from the most popular photo sharing and social network websites.
• Works as a Webcam on Windows and Macintosh computers

What's Included

The following items are included with your camera:

1. Digital Camera
2. USB cable
3. Wrist Strap
4. Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software Installation CD
5. Quick Start Guide (not shown)

Note: Batteries not included.

Computer System Requirements

To be able to download photos and videos to your PC or Macintosh, you will need the following minimum configuration:

WINDOWS OS

• Microsoft® Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 or Windows 7
• Pentium® 4 processor (or above)
• 250 MB available hard disk space
• 512 MB of RAM
• 16-bit Color display, 1024 X 768 recommended screen resolution
• CD-ROM Drive
• QuickTime® 6 or higher
• Microsoft® Internet Explorer 7 or higher
• Windows Media Player 10 or higher

MAC OS

• Intel processor running Mac OS X v10.5.x or later
• 250 MB free hard disk space
• 256 MB RAM
• Display: 1024 X 768 recommended screen resolution
• QuickTime® 6 or higher

A Quick Look at your Digital Camera

A diagram shows the various parts of the camera:

• Shutter Button: Used to take photos.
• View Finder: For composing shots.
• Lens: The primary optical component.
• LED Light: Indicates camera status.
• Mode Button: Used to cycle through camera modes.
• Battery Cover: Located on the bottom, provides access to the battery compartment.
• Tripod Socket: For mounting the camera on a tripod.
• USB Plug: For connecting the camera to a computer.
• LCD Display: Shows camera settings and information.
• Wrist Strap Connector: For attaching a wrist strap.

Installing the Batteries

Your camera requires 2 AAA batteries (not included). Follow these steps:

1. Open the battery compartment.
2. Insert the batteries in accordance with the [Polarity Symbol] polarity shown on the inside of the battery cover.
3. Close the battery compartment.

The LCD will flash if your batteries are running low. When the battery voltage drops below 2.2V, the LCD will display "Lo" and the camera will automatically switch off.

Note: If you do not intend to use your camera for an extended period, remove the batteries to avoid leakage and corrosion.

Starting Your Camera

WARNING:

• Please download any photos you have on the camera before opening the battery compartment.
• Opening the battery compartment and/or removing the batteries will erase the photos currently stored in the camera.
• Photos may be lost when batteries run low.
• Downloading and saving your photos and videos often is recommended to prevent loss of captured images if battery power becomes too low.

To start the camera:

1. Make sure the camera lens is visible by sliding the lens cover to the left.
2. Press the MODE button to start the camera.
3. The camera emits a beep to confirm it is ready for use.
4. The red LED next to the View Finder will light up to confirm the camera is on and ready for use.
5. The LCD display indicates the number of photos that can be taken.

Energy Saving Feature:

To conserve battery power, the camera automatically switches off if not used for 30 seconds.

Note: To download photos and videos, you must first install the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software and the camera driver. Refer to the "Installing the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software and Camera Driver" section.

Taking Photos

1. Compose your shot using the view finder. The optimal distance between the camera and the subject is approximately 5 feet.
2. Hold the camera steady and press the Shutter button to take the photo.
3. The camera will beep when a photo is taken.
4. The photo is saved as a JPEG file in the camera's memory.
5. The LCD screen will display the number of photos that can still be taken.

Note: If there are more than 99 photos left to take, the hundreds digit will appear on the LCD for a split second when you take the photo. Thereafter, the last two digits will appear.

How to Proceed when your Camera Memory is Full:

If the camera beeps twice continuously or a "00" appears on the LCD, the memory is full. No further photos can be taken until existing photos are downloaded and cleared from the camera memory.

To continue taking photos:

1. Download all photos and videos from your camera to your computer.
2. After downloading, delete all photos from your camera.
3. Once the camera memory is empty, you are ready to take more photos and videos.

The Camera Modes

Power Off [Power Off]

1. Press the MODE button for the [Power Off] icon to appear on the LCD screen.
2. Press the Shutter button, and the camera will switch off.

Self-Timer [Self-Timer]

1. Press the MODE button for the [Self-Timer] icon to appear on the LCD screen.
2. Press the Shutter button.
3. A 10-second countdown will start (the camera will beep once a second).
4. After 10 seconds, a photo will be taken.

Continuous Shot Mode [Continuous Shot] (Video)

1. Press the MODE button for the [Continuous Shot] icon to appear on the LCD screen.
2. Hold the Shutter button down for the camera to continuously shoot the video.
3. The camera will beep, and countdown digits will appear while the video is being taken.
4. Lift your finger off the Shutter button to stop shooting the video.
5. The video will be saved as an AVI file.

Note: Photos taken in Continuous Shot Mode may fail under poor lighting conditions.

3 Shot Mode [3 Shot]

1. Press the MODE button for the [3 Shot] icon to appear on the LCD screen.
2. Press the Shutter button once; 3 continuous JPEG shots are taken.

Note: The 3 photos taken in this mode will be downloaded individually.

Delete All [Delete All]

To delete all photos on the camera:

1. Press the MODE button for the [Delete All] icon to appear on the LCD screen.
2. Press the Shutter button, and the photo counter will flash.
3. Press the Shutter button again within 5 seconds, and all photos in the camera will be deleted.
4. The LCD counter will reset to show the maximum number of photos that can be taken at the current resolution and compression.

Delete (Last Photo) [Delete Last Photo]

To delete the last photo taken:

1. Press the MODE button for the [Delete Last Photo] icon to appear on the LCD screen.
2. Press the Shutter button within 5 seconds, and the last photo will be deleted.
3. The LCD counter will display the updated number of photos that can be taken at the current resolution and compression.

Photo Resolution

There are 2 photo resolutions to select from: High Resolution [High Resolution] or Low Resolution [Low Resolution].

1. Press the MODE button for the [High Resolution] or [Low Resolution] icons to appear on the LCD screen.
2. If the LCD displays [High Resolution], this means the present resolution is Low Resolution [Low Resolution]. To change to High Resolution, click the Shutter button.
3. If the LCD displays [Low Resolution], this means the present resolution is High Resolution. To change to Low Resolution, click the Shutter button.
4. All photos taken after changing the resolution setting will be taken at the new resolution.
5. The resolution setting can be changed at any time.

Note: Photos taken at higher resolution take up more of the camera's memory, therefore fewer photos can be taken at high resolution compared to low resolution.

Compression [High Density]/[Low Density]

There are 2 photo compressions to select from: High density [High Density] or Low density [Low Density].

1. Press the MODE button for the [High Density] or [Low Density] icons to appear on the LCD screen.
2. If the LCD displays [High Density], this means the present compression is Low density [Low Density]. To change to High density, click the Shutter button.
3. If the LCD displays [Low Density], this means the present compression is High density. To change to Low density, click the Shutter button.
4. All photos taken after changing compression will be at the new compression.
5. The compression setting can be changed at any time.

Note: Photos taken at lower compression take up more of the camera's memory, therefore fewer photos can be taken at lower compression than with high compression.

The photo resolution and compression settings determine the number of photos that can be taken and the amount of memory required for each photo. The following table shows how many photos can be taken based on image resolution and compression:

Frequency - [50Hz]/[60Hz]

The camera has 2 Frequency settings: 50Hz for Asia and Europe, and 60Hz for the U.S. and Japan.

To set the camera for the correct frequency:

1. Press the MODE button for the [50Hz] or [60Hz] icons to appear on the LCD screen.
2. If the LCD displays [50Hz], this means the present frequency is 60Hz. To change to 50Hz, click the Shutter button.
3. If the LCD displays [60Hz], this means the present frequency is 50Hz. To change to 60Hz, click the Shutter button.
4. All photos taken after changing frequency will be at the new frequency.
5. The frequency setting can be changed at any time.

Installing the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software and Camera Driver

Warning: Do not plug your camera into the computer until the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software installation is complete.

1. Insert the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. The Vivitar Experience Image Manager will begin to install.
2. Please review the license terms. On PC and Macintosh: Click "I accept the terms of this license agreement" and then click "Next" to continue.
3. On PC only: Let the "Vivitar Experience Image Manager" installer create the folder where the program will be installed, and then click "Install".
4. Please wait while the application continues the installation process on your computer. Follow all instructions.
5. Note: On the MAC: A window to 'Install Camera Drivers' opens. Click 'Install' then click 'Close' once installation is complete.
6. On PC: Click the "Close" button when the installation is complete. The application automatically opens.
7. On MAC: Close the 'Perian pane' System Preferences window that appears as the last step in the installation. The application automatically opens.
8. If you closed the application, click on the Vivitar Experience Image Manager from your computer to open and run the application.

Connecting your Camera to the Computer

1. Use the USB cable that came with your camera to connect your camera to your computer.
2. Plug one end of the USB cable into the USB slot on the side of the camera and plug the other end into an available USB port on your computer.
3. Your camera will automatically turn on.
4. The first time you connect the device to the computer, you will have to wait a few moments until the computer recognizes the device. A "Found New Hardware" notification may appear.

Getting Photos and Videos from your Camera to your Computer

Important: Do not disconnect the cable during transfer. Doing so will cancel the transfer of any files on their way to your computer.

1. Select the "Get Images" button from the Main menu of the Vivitar Experience Image Manager software.
2. The "Get Images from device" window opens.
3. You can select to download photos, videos, or both.
4. Select your camera (removable disk) from the device window. If your camera is the only USB device connected, it will be selected automatically.
5. Select a location on the computer where to place the new photo and video files.
6. Add the new photo and video files to albums if desired.
7. Select to remove the media files from the selected device (removable disk) after the import.
8. Click the "Get Media" button to transfer the photos and videos from your camera to your computer.
9. A media download progress bar appears on the bottom left, showing the number of media files downloading. A message appears when the download is complete.
10. The selected photo and video files are now downloaded to your computer, ready for use in the chosen folder and albums.

Getting Started!

Using the Vivitar Experience Image Manager, you can:

• Upload and manage photos and videos to and from popular photo sharing and social networking sites like Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, MySpace, Photobucket, Twitpic, Twitgoo, and YouTube.
• Seamlessly transfer photos and videos from one social network to another.
• Organize your images by creating offline and online albums.
• Edit images using automatic and manual tools.
• Use automatic "Geotagging" with built-in Google Maps.

For more details, open the 'Help guide' from the Help menu or click the "Take a Tour" button on the application's Home page.

Using Your Camera as a Webcam

Your camera can also be used as a webcam with most instant messenger and web conferencing applications that support video.

On PC:

The webcam driver is installed when you install the Vivitar Experience Image Manager Software.

1. Open your web conferencing application to activate the video camera option.
2. Rotating lines will appear on the camera's LCD screen to show it is active and in webcam mode.
3. Position your camera as desired and begin to use it as a webcam.

Note:

• Use the settings option of your web conferencing application to change settings if needed.
• If you have a built-in camera on your computer, use the settings option to choose this 'Dual Mode Camera'.
• The camera does not have a microphone.

On Mac:

The webcam driver is installed when you install the Vivitar Experience Image Manager.

To preview the webcam video feature and open the Webcam application window, follow these instructions:

1. Click the "Macintosh HD" icon on the desktop.
2. Click the "Library" folder.
3. Click the "QuickTime" folder.
4. Click "69379_pccam" to open the Webcam application for Mac.
5. Once the object appears in the Webcam application window, close the window and open your instant messenger or web conferencing application to begin using this camera as a webcam.

Note:

• Use the Control menu / Video settings option of your web conferencing application to change settings if needed.
• If you have a built-in camera on your computer, use the settings option to choose this 'Dual Mode Camera'.
• The camera does not have a microphone.

After connecting your camera to your computer, it will remain on while plugged into USB and will not switch off. Disconnecting the USB cable will automatically switch the camera off.

Maintenance of Your Digital Camera

The digital camera is a delicate device. Handle your camera with care to avoid damaging it.

• Do not expose your camera to heat sources.
• Do not use your camera in wet or moist conditions.

Sakar Warranty Card

This warranty covers the original consumer purchaser only and is not transferable. Products that fail to function properly UNDER NORMAL USAGE, due to defects in material or workmanship, will be repaired at no charge for parts or labor for a period of one year.

What Is Not Covered By Warranty:

Damages or malfunctions not resulting from defects in material or workmanship, and damages or malfunctions from other than normal use, including but not limited to, repair by unauthorized parties, tampering, modification, or accident.

What To Do When Service Is Required:

When returning your defective product (postage pre-paid) for service, your package should include:

1. Copy of original bill of sale.
2. A detailed written description of the problem.
3. Your return address and telephone number (Daytime).

MAIL TO ADDRESS BELOW:

Technical Support

For technical support issues, please visit our website at www.vivitar.com. You can find manuals, software, and FAQs at the website. If you can't find what you are looking for, email us at support@vivitar.com, and one of our technical support team members will answer your questions.

For phone support:

• In the US: call 1-800-592-9541
• In the UK: call 0800 917 4831
• In Australia: call 1800-006-614

If you would like to call from anywhere else, please visit www.vivitar.com for your local toll-free number.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have taken photos, but my computer says "No photos in camera." What do I do?

A: First, ensure that you have taken photos with your camera. Press the Shutter button a few times to take some sample photos and try again. If you still get a "no photos" error, this indicates that the software was not installed correctly or your computer may not meet the minimum system requirements (see the Computer System Requirements section of this manual).

Q: How do I make sure I don't lose important pictures?

A: Your camera uses SDRAM memory, which requires a constant electric current to store your photos. Should your camera lose power (e.g., if batteries die, run out of power, or are removed), all stored pictures will be lost. We recommend always downloading your photos to your computer as soon as possible to prevent unintentional data loss.

Q: If I have a MAC, will the camera work?

A: Yes. This Twain camera also works as a Digital Camera and Webcam on Macintosh computers. Be sure to follow all installation instructions for installing the driver for this camera on your MAC.

Q: If the webcam does not work?

A: Make sure you have connected the camera correctly into an available USB port or hub and the webcam application is opened. On first plugging the camera into the computer, allow the computer to recognize your camera first before opening the software or webcam application.

FCC Compliance

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.

Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

NOTE: 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 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 receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or experienced radio/TV technician for help.