Home | Support | Frequently Asked Questions | Mini PenCam 1.3 F.A.Q.'s (Windows 98SE /ME /2000)

Q: What are the items that should be included in my package?

A: Your package should include the following:

Mini PenCam 1.3 camera
Two CD’s (Mini PenCam 1.3 [includes supplementary programs and camera driver] and Ulead Video Studio)
USB cable
Installation guide
Base and Stand
Wrist Strap

Q: My Mini PenCam 1.3 was missing some of the accessories when I purchased it, how can I replace them?

A: If you are missing any items, we suggest you return it to the purchase location for a complete package. If you are unable to exchange your camera, then please contact Technical Support for assistance.

Q: What is the resolution of my Mini PenCam 1.3 and how many pictures can I take?

A: The following are the Specifications for the Mini PenCam 1.3:

Sensor Type:

1.3 Mega-pixel CMOS

Internal Memory:

Built in 16 MB of SDRAM (for avi movies)
Built in 16 MB of Flash Memory (for digital stills)

*Note: 8 Megabytes = 64 Megabits

Images:

1248 x 960 (Hr) - up to 50 pictures
640 x 480 (Lr) - up to 160 pictures

AVI movie format:

624 x 480 (Hr) 30 seconds / 10 fps
304 x 240 (Lr) 120 seconds / 10 fps

Q: What are my computer system requirements to run the Mini PenCam 1.3 ?

The requirements are:

Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
Pentium 266 MHz (or equivalent) processor or higher
64 MB of RAM (128 MB recommended)
Video card with 4 MB of RAM for a minimum of 24-bit (high color) display
4x speed CD-ROM
An available USB port.

Q: What do the images on the Screen Display (LCD) stand for?

A: Please consult the following for information:

Q: I do not have a USB port on my computer, is there an adapter?

A: The camera requires direct power from the USB port; the camera will not work with any adapters. Your best option is to install a USB PCI card. This will provide you with 2 USB ports. We recommend that you check with your computer manufacturer for compatibility. You can also contact a local computer repair store and have them help you.

Q: Will the Mini PenCam 1.3 work with Windows 95?

A: No, the driver is only compatible with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP.

Q: Is this camera compatible with Windows NT?

A: No. The Mini PenCam 1.3 requires a USB power connection and Windows NT does not support USB.

Q: Is this driver compatible with Macintosh computers?

A: No, the Mini PenCam 1.3 is only compatible with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP. We do not have any Macintosh drivers for this camera or any of our cameras. You may be able to install the camera on your system if you were to install third party software, such as Virtual PC, which allows you to run Windows on a Macintosh computer. Please note that although we have had users confirm that the Mini PenCam 1.3 will work with Virtual PC’s Windows 98, we cannot offer support for Macintosh users, nor can we guarantee that it will work.

Q: Will this camera work with my existing imaging (scanners/other cameras) devices?

A: If you are unable to use the Mini PenCam 1.3 or your existing camera or scanner properly, uninstall both devices, and then reinstall the Mini PenCam 1.3 first. We recommend that our camera be installed first to avoid any driver conflicts. For troubleshooting steps, refer to the following instructions according to operating system.

Follow these steps to refer to the Device Manager for Windows 98 and Windows ME:

Go to your start button
Choose settings
Select control panel
Open up system
Go to the device manager’s tab
If the camera is installed correctly, you should have an icon called imaging device. Also, when you click the plus sign it should list your camera.

Follow these steps to refer to the Device Manager for Windows 2000:

Go to your start button
Choose settings
Select control panel
Open up system
Go to the hardware tab
Click on device manager
If the camera is installed correctly, you should have an icon called imaging. Also, when you click the plus sign it should list your camera.

Follow these steps to refer to Multimedia properties for Windows 98 and ME:

Go to your start button
Choose settings
Select control panel
Open multimedia, for Windows ME it would be sounds and multimedia
Go to the devices tab
Scroll down to video capture devices
Click the plus sign.
This will give a listing of all of the active video capture devices.

Follow these steps to refer to Multimedia properties for Windows 2000:

Go to your start button
Choose settings
Select control panel
Choose sounds and multimedia
Go to the hardware tab
Double click legacy video capture devices
Go to the properties tab.
Here it will give a listing of all of the active video capture devices.

Q: Where is the CD-Key that I need to install for the Video Live Mail, and the Video Kanoid programs?

A: Both of the CD-Keys are printed on the outer edge of the Mini PenCam 1.3 installation CD that was provided in your package. All programs should be listed, please refer to the program you are trying to install. Right after the name of the program it should list any Key you need.

Q. Why does my camera just beep a couple of times when I try to take a picture?

A. That is an indication that your camera is full. Please download your images or video to your computer and then clear your camera.

Q. Why does my camera keep flashing "0", when I try to take a picture?

A. You will need to reset the memory. To do so please follow these steps:

Follow these steps to reset the memory:

Turn your camera on

Hold the mode button down until you see "888" flashing

Once that comes up, let go of the mode button and press the shutter button

Wait until "888" is no longer on the LCD

Try taking a picture

Please keep in mind "0" will flash a couple of times before counting to "1", that goes for every picture that is taken

Q: When I connect my camera to the computer or try to get a live view, I get an error that says "Video Device is not attached", what do I do to fix this?

A. If you have a TV/Tuner card and do not want to disable it, then please try using another program like Netmeeting for Windows. That program will allow you to use the camera as a camcorder. Otherwise try the steps provided below:

Follow these steps for Windows 98 and ME:

Go into your Control Panel and into Multimedia.
Click on the Devices tab.
Find Video Capture Devices and expand it by clicking the "+" next to it.
You should see all video capture devices there.
Look at the properties of each device. For all devices other than our camera, choose "Do not use this video capture device" and place a check in the "Do not map through this device" box.
Then click OK. You may need to restart your PC.
Once the PC has restarted (if necessary), try using the camera again. If the devices were properly disabled, you should be working fine.

Follow these steps for Windows 2000:

Open your Control Panel.
Double click on Sounds and Multimedia.
Click on the hardware tab and select legacy video capture devices.
Click on the properties button and then click on the properties tab.
You should see the available capture devices.
Look at the properties of each device. For all devices other than our camera, choose "Do not use this video capture device" and place a check in the "Do not map through this device" box.
Then click OK. You may need to restart your PC.
Once the PC has restarted (if necessary), try using the camera again. If the devices were properly disabled, your camera should be working fine.

Q: When I record my video from the Mini PenCam 1.3 Manager I do not get any sound.

A: The Mini PenCam 1.3 Manager does not have a sound recording feature. However, if you have a microphone, you can accomplish this using Video Live Mail or Ulead Video Studio.

Q. When I use my camera as a web cam, I do not get any sound.

A. In order to get sound while you're using the Mini PenCam 1.3 as a web cam, you will need a separate microphone.

Q: My picture quality is grainy.

A: Generally, this happens when there is insufficient lighting or battery life is low. First, try taking snapshots in a brighter environment such as outdoors. If this does not resolve the problem, replace the batteries.

Q. Why are my pictures coming out blurry?

A. If your pictures are coming out blurry, it may be because you did not adjust the focus lens. Line up the line on the focus lens with the lines of the preferred option.

For extreme close ups - Line up to the flower
For people/mid size shots - Line up to the middle
For landscape/people shots - Line up to mountain

Q: Is there a flash I can add onto my Mini PenCam 1.3, if not how can I take pictures in poor lighting?

A: We do not offer, nor are we aware of any accessory flash for the Mini PenCam 1.3.

Q. How do I create a new album?

A. To create a new album please follow the steps below:

Open up your Mini PenCam 1.3 Manager
Open the Album Manager (there will be a small blue arrow, toward the bottom of the screen)
Click on New
Type in your new album name
Locate the "..." button beneath the Delete button and click on it
You should be able to type in your path or browse through folders to choose one
Try clicking on your C:\ drive, then type in an album name
Click OK, you will be asked if you would like to create the folder, click yes
Click on Update, then highlight your new album and click open album
Once you have your new album created and opened, transfer your pictures into it.

Q. How can I edit or print my pictures?

A. In order to print or edit pictures (saved in your manager), you will need to open an imaging program, such as MSPaint or Imaging. Then open the picture from there. If you are not familiar with opening files in MSPaint or Imaging, please follow the steps provided below

Open your Camera Manager
Open the Album Manager (small arrow towards the bottom of the screen)
Left click once on your album to select it
On the bottom half of that window locate where it says "Path"
Take note of what is there, exactly word by word
Close your album manager and mega manager
Go to Start, Programs, Accessories, Paint/Imaging
Click on File, then Open
Where it says Look in:, click on the drop down arrow to the right.
From there look at the path you wrote down and follow it, by locating the folders it names and clicking on them
Once you get to MyAlbum, locate where it says "File Types" on the bottom of the window.
Click on the drop down arrow to the right and select "All Files"
That should bring up your picture files.
From there, double click on a picture file and that should open your picture up.
From here you can do what you like with your pictures
To print: click on File then print.

Q: Why does the Mini PenCam 1.3 manager close when I try to get a Live View?

A. Please make sure you meet all requirements for your system. If you have a TV/Tuner card and do not want to disable it, then please try using another program like Netmeeting or Imaging for Windows. Those programs will allow you to use the camera as a camcorder. Otherwise try the steps provided below:

Access your Device Manager
Locate any question marks or exclamation marks
Double click on it and select to reinstall the driver, select it.
Go through the installation and select what is recommended
You will be prompted with a total of 2 installations, follow through with both

If your computer cannot locate the drivers for your camera or asks you to connect to the internet, click on back and follow with the steps below:

Choose to specify the location and click next
Select to include this location and click on the browse button beneath it
Locate my computer and click on it
Locate your C:\ drive and click on it
Locate Windows (if it is not listed locate WINNT) and click on it
Locate Setup504 and select it
Click on OK, then Next
That should locate the driver for your camera
You will be prompted with a total of 2 installations, follow through with both.

Q. Why does it say "Cannot Connect Camera", when I try to use my camera with the Manager?

A. Please follow the same steps as indicated in the question above.

Q: Why can’t I send email directly from the Mini PenCam 1.3 manager?

A: Some Internet providers’ email format, such as AOL, is incompatible with the Mini PenCam 1.3 manager mail feature. You will need to send your pictures as attachments. Every e-mail provider has the option to do so. Follow the steps below:

Open up an e-mail
Click on the attachment button
Locate your pictures and click insert.

Q: Why can't I get the email function from Video Live Mail to work?

A: There are several reasons why Video Live Mail may not work. You should contact your Internet Service Provider to configure the email functions for Video Live Mail. The alternative is to send your pictures and video as attachments. Virtually every email provider supports this option.

Q. How can I tell if my batteries are low?

A. When your camera is turned on, you will see a battery symbol on the LCD display. That indicates your battery power.

Q: How long will my batteries last?

A. The average battery life of the camera is approximately 1 week. When the LCD display turns off, the camera enters standby mode; the camera does not actually power off. In order for the memory to function, whether you have pictures stored in the camera or not, the RAM must have a constant current of power. We recommend that you do not store the pictures on the camera longer than necessary. Download your pictures as soon as possible.