Digital Camera

[Lucias_Clay]

I recently purchased a 'Cheap' Digital Camera and after reading all the instructions I noticed that after you take pics you connect it to the usb port to download to your P.C. it doesnt say anything about shutting down first before connecting or disconecting. I was under the impression that you did not connect or disconnect anything while your P.C. was running. The only thing it warns about is disconnecting while using it as a P.C. cam. Whats the deal?

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"....I'm tired of being lonesome, ornery and mean." (Waylon Jennings)(Rest in Peace my friend.)

[buck52]

Howdy
Probably a good idea to turn the camera off before connecting
it then turn it back on.

that being said...I have plugged my USB camera in both on and off with no trouble

buck

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just hav'n fun

[Lucias_Clay]

Yea buck I have been turning the camera off before plugging it in but since it derives its power from the p.c. while plugged in you can't turn it off(I've tried) while plugged in. What I think I was remembering was parallel and serial ports, that you weren't supposed to plug or unplug anything while you p.c. was turned on but I think I remeber reading on the forum somewhere that it did not extend to the usb port. Thanks for the reply.

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"....I'm tired of being lonesome, ornery and mean." (Waylon Jennings)(Rest in Peace my friend.)

[This message has been edited by Lucias_Clay (edited 06-15-2002).]

[Whyzman]

Lucias_Clay,

USB can be "hot" plugging and unplugging...no need to power down. One of the nice features. Not sure why they warn regarding the PC Cam scenario. But, I'd follow their directions to the "T" for warranty purposes and possible PC damage...though it is a mystery! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

[mjc]

The warning while using as a PC cam might have something to do with possible data corruption.

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[ErnieK]

Lucias
Go to the manufacturers web site and check there, look for the PDF file for your camera and download it. I bought a digital camera 2 days ago (Cool-icam G3) and this has to be turned ON before connecting to the computer or to the TV/or/Video. I had to load the drivers for it and re-start the comp BEFORE connecting the camera. The on-line PDF gives more info than the small manual supplied. Once the drivers are loaded you can hot-connect (Keep computer up and running) with USB

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Ernie

[This message has been edited by ErnieK (edited 06-16-2002).]

[Lucias_Clay]

the book says not to disconnect while in PC Camera mode to avoid "Function Failure" I guess that would be the same as "Data Corruption".
Ernie I went to the web site(by the way it is a Vivitar Vivicam10) and clicked on PDF file and all I got was a blurb about the camera specifications, no more data on its use. I also had to load drivers, that went without a hitch. I got this as a starter camera, not real big on taking pictures, just something to send pics to friends on the internet. As far as the pics I've taken several pics the ones of my dog turned out the best. but the light in my house isn't really the best for picture taking. Haven't done any outside yet. Thanks for all the replys. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif You are all so http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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"....I'm tired of being lonesome, ornery and mean." (Waylon Jennings)(Rest in Peace my friend.)

[This message has been edited by Lucias_Clay (edited 06-16-2002).]

[BigBlue66]

I have two cheap digcams. Why I went out and bought another one after the first one, I'll never know. One is the Agfa EPhoto CL15 and the other one is a JAM 3.0. Both of them take crappy pics, especially inside. They both come with photo software that can supposedly 'fix' the picture for resolution, detail, red-eye and so on. They are both OK for sending a pic via email, but the pics are sometimes fuzzy or cloudy.

I just borrowed a digcam from work to take some pics of my modded computers. It is nothing fancy either. It only has 1.3 megapixels and 2X digital zoom, but I gotta tell ya, I'm thinking of buying one for myself. It's the HP Photosmart 318 and I see now where I could get one for ~$200. The pics I took are exceptionally clear, especially with the built-in flash. Even the digital zoom worked well. I took a close-up pic of my modded AX-7 HSF and it really looks good.

There are guides all over the net on how to choose a digital camera. Now I wish, oh how I wish, that I hadn't shelled out money for my two cheapy digcams.

Live and learn.

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This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

This message has not been edited by BigBlue66.

[ErnieK]

BB
How about this for £74.00 (Approx $109.00)
cool-icam (www.cool-icam.com) G3

1.3 Megapixel
8MB onboard memory
Facillity of upto 64 MB Compact flashcard
Auot flash
3 picture settings
self timer
Take three pictures rapidly (one click)
Movie facillity (dependant on mem installed0
View directly to Tv or Vodeo as well as computer
2x digital zoom
Xp compatable

Plus 4 peices of software (Lates versions form Arcsoft)

Been told it is a very good camera for this price. But as I know nothing about them I have to take others words. What I do know is that when I was pricing them the prices for 1.3 megapixels were running at £160.00, and they did not have the direct viewing to TV/Video

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All cables supplied. Only things not given are a desk stand and carry case. But whose complaining http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by ErnieK (edited 06-16-2002).]

Yet again when I edit a post I loose the original wording in the post and am only left with the edit. Why? what happens?
Have retyped all above the line from the edit page



[This message has been edited by ErnieK (edited 06-16-2002).]

[Lucias_Clay]

Well after taking more pics with my camera I have discovered that it takes pretty decent pics, once I remeber the subject is supposed to be facing the light(duh). Some of the more expensive ones may produce better but for my purposes and budget this works very well. Of course they also have binoculars with a digital camera built in, but I could get into LOTS of trouble with one of those http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif. Thanks for all the comments.


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"....I'm tired of being lonesome, ornery and mean." (Waylon Jennings)(Rest in Peace my friend.)

[This message has been edited by Lucias_Clay (edited 06-25-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Lucias_Clay (edited 06-25-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Lucias_Clay (edited 06-25-2002).]

[ErnieK]

Lucias
As a matter of curiosity.
How many pic's do you get with one (1) set of batteries (2 x AA @ 1.5v).
The most I can get is 22-24 snaps at the lowest setting. The camera auto switches of after one minute and only 2-3 snaps taken at any one time.
(Low resolution - 624 x504 pixels compression JPEG70) This whilst at the lowest settings. No flash etc.

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Ernie

[Lucias_Clay]

I am not sure yet, I have taken more than 30 so far on the cheap batteries that came with the camera and still taking more. In addition to pics it also can be used as a webcam and will take videos at 13fps.
ViviCam 10 Features:

• 640 x 480 Resolution
• PC Video camera mode (13 fps CIF)
• Focus Free
• Macro mode
• Auto Flash
• 8 MB Internal Memory - store up to 70 VGA images
• LCD Status display
• USB Connectivity to your PC
• Optical viewfinder
• Auto white balance and auto exposure
• 10 second self-timer and tripod socket
• Auto power-off (60 seconds)




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"....I'm tired of being lonesome, ornery and mean." (Waylon Jennings)(Rest in Peace my friend.)

[drdan]

I have an Olympus D-460. I think it takes great pictures. You need a USB card reader with it but I like the colors with the mid range or better Olympus cameras. Rechargable NiMH batteries and a large capacity card makes the camera a lot more fun. Having the capability of taking lots of pictures helps you get a few good ones. You can just delete the others and it didn't really cost anything. Here's a couple of shots with the D-460. The first is Pikes Peak after a spring storm and the second is the 50,000 ft tall column of smoke from the Hayman fire as seen from Colorado Springs a couple of weeks ago.

http://drdansinfo.com/P3160005.jpg

http://drdansinfo.com/P6090072.jpg

[sea69]

Nice Doc- could use them as desktop backgrounds!

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif



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sea1_69@hotmail.com

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[Lucias_Clay]

Very nice. Yes as with anything price counts, Though I have gotten several good pics with mine. I haven't yet figured out how to place any in my posts how did you do it?

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"....I'm tired of being lonesome, ornery and mean." (Waylon Jennings)(Rest in Peace my friend.)

[buck52]

Howdy Lucias_Clay

You need to upload your picture to a web site so you can link to it.
Some ISP's provide free storage or you can open an account with Boomspeed or a simiiar host site. Then you just put the url of your image in between the img tags...

click the quote button on drdan's post to see what he did

buck

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just hav'n fun

[Lucias_Clay]

Thanks buck.I think I have read this info before but had forgotten. And of course it is in the faq section http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif I am looking into a web page now but am slow about jumping into anything.See you in the 'New Forums' http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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"....I'm tired of being lonesome, ornery and mean." (Waylon Jennings)(Rest in Peace my friend.)