Video Chat Starter Kit Quick Reference and Installation ... - Unisupport

Tevion Video Chat Starter Kit Quick Reference and Installation Guide 

Video Chat Starter Kit 

Quick Reference and Installation Guide 

© 2005 Smart IT USA. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 28


Index 

Index.........................................................................................................................2 

Introduction ...............................................................................................................3 

Packaging Contents.....................................................................................................3 

System Requirements..................................................................................................3 

Web Camera Features .................................................................................................4 

1. Software and Web Camera Installation .....................................................................4 

1.1 Install The Web Camera Driver ........................................................................4 

1.2 Connecting The Web Camera To Your PC .........................................................7 

1.3 Install ArcSoft ® Software Suite ...................................................................... 13 

1.4 Install Instant Messenger Program ................................................................. 16 

2. Start Video Chatting .............................................................................................. 16 

3. Using AMCAP Software .......................................................................................... 17 

4. Overview Of ArcSoft ® Software Suite (VideoImpression ® 2 And PhotoImpression ® 5). 21 

4.1 ArcSoft PhotoImpression 5 ............................................................................ 21 

4.2 ArcSoft ® VideoImpression 2........................................................................... 23 

4.3 Making Your First Video................................................................................. 24 

4.4 E-mailing A Video ......................................................................................... 26 



Introduction 

Video Chatting Made Easy: With the Video Chat Starter Kit, you have everything you 

need to video chat live, face-to-face with friends and family and it’s easy as 1, 2, 3. The 

high resolution, VGA web camera with built-in microphone allows you to create a live 

videoconference and chat (either talking or typing) using popular instant messaging 

programs (a link to download a free instant messaging program of your choice is included 

on the CD ROM). And the bundled ArcSoft ® Software Suite will enrich your web camera 

experience by allowing you to capture, edit, produce, and even email videos and photos 

Packaging contents 

• VGA USB web camera with built-in microphone 

• Quick Reference and Installation Guide 

• CD installation disk 

o Web Camera Driver 

o ArcSoft ® Software Suite: Video Impression ® 2 & Photo Impression ® 5: Video 

and picture recording/editing/emailing software 

o Links to download popular instant messenger programs (IMs), video chatting 

software 

o Instruction Manuals for ArcSoft ® Software Suite 

System requirements 

• Windows ® 98, ME, 2000, XP 

• Intel Pentium II ® 400, Celeron ® or AMD Athlon ® processor or higher 

• CD-ROM drive 

• 16bit color display adaptor 

• 500Mb free hard disk space 

• Windows ® compatible soundcard and speakers 

• 1.1 or 2.0 USB port 



Web Camera Features 

1. Software and Web Camera Installation 

The video chat starter kit installation involves four principle steps: 

• Install the Web Camera Driver (includes AMCAP camera preview software) 

• Connect the Web Camera 

• Install ArcSoft ® Software Suite (video/photo editing/production/email software) 

• Install Instant Messenger Software (video chatting software) 

Warning! Do not plug in the web camera until the web camera driver is installed! 

1.1 Install the Web Camera Driver 

The web camera driver needs to be installed before connecting the web camera to your 

PC. Please note that this will automatically also install the AMCAP camera preview 

software described in section 1.2.3 and in section 3. 

Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive and wait until the start-up menu appears. 

When you see the following screen (start-up menu), choose “Web Camera Driver”. 



The installation process will now start. Press “Next” when the following screen appears. 

Choose “Complete” and press “Next”. 

Press “install” to begin the driver installation. 



The driver will now be installed. 

During the installation process the following screen may appear: 

Please click “Continue Anyway” to continue the installation. 



When this screen appears, the installation process is finished. Press “Finish” to close the 

window. 

Restart the computer. 

1.2 Connecting the web camera to your PC 

1.2.1 Connect the camera: When the computer has started up again, connect the web 

camera to a free USB port on your computer. 

Windows may ask you for the driver one more time (according to the screen below). In 

such case, follow the instruction below. 



Make sure the installation disk is located in the CD-ROM drive. 

Choose “No not this time”, press “Next”. 

Choose “Install the software automatically (recommended)”, press “next”. 



The driver will now be installed from the installation CD. The window above will pop up. 

Please press “Continue Anyway” to continue the installation. 

Click “Finish” to complete the driver installation. 



1.2.2 Check to make sure the driver is properly installed 

For Windows XP/2000 users: 

Locate “My Computer” on the desktop > right click on the icon > choose “Properties” 

in the menu > Choose the “Hardware” tab > click on “Device Manager”. In the list 

under “Imaging devices” make sure that there is device named “USB PC Camera 

(SN9C103)”. If there is no such device, please make sure the Web camera is plugged 

into the USB port and run the installation again. 

For Windows ® 98/ME users: 

Double click “My Computer” icon -> Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager -> 

Imaging Device; when you see " USB PC Camera with Mic (SN9C103)" that means 

that the camera is installed. 



1.2.3 Test functionality 

To test the camera's video function, press the snapshot button on the top of the camera 

once (see below). This will automatically start the camera's preview software (AMCAP) 

that was included with the driver installation. The camera's in-use indicator will light up 

and the following screen will appear showing the video being captured by the camera. 

To take a snapshot simply press the snapshot button on top of the camera. This will make 

the snapshot appear in a new window (see below). To save the picture, click “File” 

“Save as...”. Then specify where to save the file and press “Save”. 

Once you have confirmed the camera is operating, exit the program by pressing the red X 

in the top right corner. It is very important you exit this program prior to using 

any other software, which utilizes the web camera. 

Please note that while viewing videos with AMCAP, you do have the ability to change the 

camera settings to improve the picture. To find out more about using AMCAP and 

changing the image properties, go to section 3 “Using AMCAP software”. 



1.2.4 Position the camera and the lens 

The web camera can be attached to laptops using the built-in clip or for desktop users, 

position conveniently on desktop (see pictures below). Adjust the position of the lens up 

or down to capture objects as desired. Use the focus lever to improve picture clarity 

Angle 

Adjustment 

Focus Adjustment 

1.2.5 Configure the built-in microphone 

The web camera houses a microphone that works independently from your computer’s 

sound card. Therefore if you would like to use 

the camera’s microphone for video chatting, 

settings will need to be checked/set. 

1. Click "Start" from the task bar 

2. Click ”Settings” and Choose "Control 

Panels". 

Open the option that corresponds to your 

operating system. 

a. Windows ® 98 users, double click on 

"Multimedia". 

b. Windows ® ME and Windows 2000 users, 

double click on "Sounds and Multimedia". 

c. Windows XP users, double click on 

"Sound and Audio Devices". 

Click the Audio tab. 

Set the preferred recording device 

a. Windows 98 and ME users, click on the 

"Preferred Device for Recording" box. 

b. Windows XP and Windows 2000, click on 

the Default Device box under Sound 

Recording. 

Choose “USB camera”. 

Close the window. 



1.3 Install ArcSoft ® Software Suite 

The video chat starter kit is bundled with the ArcSoft ® Software suite, which contains 

powerful video and picture software tools for recording, editing, producing, emailing and 

more. The suite includes VideoImpressions ® 2 and PhotoImpressions ® 5. To install this 

software, click on “ArcSoft Software Suite” on the installation CD’s startup menu. 

1. This screen appears. Press “Next”. 

2. To agree with the license press “Yes” 

3. If the software should be installed in a different directory than the default, click 

“Browse” to specify the new directory, otherwise press “Next”. 



4. Choose which software to install. Select both and click “Next”. 

5. Click “Next” 



6. The software is now being installed. 

7. When this window is displayed, the software has been installed. Please select “Install 

DirectX” and press “Finish” to start the DirectX ® installation. 

8. The DirectX ® installation will now start. Select “I accept the agreement” and press 

“Next”. 



9. The installation program will now check if the latest version of DirectX ® is installed on 

the computer, otherwise it will update to the newest version. 

When the update is completed press “Finish” to complete the installation. 

1.4 Install Instant Messenger Program 

To video chat with a friend, you will need to download and install your choice of free 

instant messaging software, which provides video chatting features (unless you already 

have one installed). 

Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive and wait for the start-up menu to appear. 

Select “Download Popular Instant Messengers (IMs)”. This will start up the Internet 

browser and go to the web camera website with links to popular instant messengers. 

Choose a popular instant messenger to download. You will be linked automatically to the 

download website of the instant messenger you chose. Follow the download and 

installation instructions on the screen. 

Please note that the web camera is compatible with popular instant messengers available 

today including: 

• AOL ® Instant Messenger (AIM ® ) 

• MSN ® Messenger and Windows ® Messenger 

• Yahoo! ® Messenger 

2 Start Video Chatting 

Video Chatting is the easy and fun way to talk face-to-face with friends and family over 

the Internet. In order to video chat you will need to install and download an instant 

messaging program of your choice (see step 1.4) and have your web camera installed (the 

receiver of your video message however does not need a web camera to see you). While 



not all instant messenger programs are identical, they all share the same basic steps in 

order to start video chatting. 

• Establish Screen Name / ID 

• Establish Contact/Buddy List (people you want to Video Chat with) 

• Verify/adjust web camera and built-in microphone settings 

• Invite someone from your contact/buddy list to a video session/conference (with 

the option to chat with text or audio) 

• Start Video Chatting. 

You will find a more detailed step-by-step instruction by selecting the help option from 

whichever Instant Messenger program you decide to install. For your reference, below are 

some key definitions: 

• Screen Name/Passport logon/ ID: The name, which identifies you in the instant 

messenger community. Also the name, which your buddies/contacts should add to 

their buddy list. 

• Buddy List/Contact list: The list of your friends/contacts who also have the instant 

messenger program and with whom you want to chat 

• Video Session/ Video Chatting: A face-to-face, live video and audio communication 

using the web camera 

3. Using AMCAP software 

The AMCAP software is a quick preview tool for your web camera and allows you to adjust 

camera settings to improve the picture quality. AMCAP also allows you to capture video, 

but we recommend you use ArcSoft ® VideoImpressions ® 2 for this function. 

Note: The changes made to the picture in this program will also apply in other 

applications using the web cam (such as ArcSoft VideoImpression ® 2). 

To start AMCAP press the snapshot button on the web cam (make sure the camera is not 

in-use by any other software programs before doing this). 



This window may appear if you have more than one program installed that can use the 

webcam: 

Select AMCap and press “OK” to continue to the AMCAP application. 

The main preview screen will appear. Be sure that “preview” is checked in the 

“options” menu. 



To change the resolution of the picture go to the “Options” menu, choose “Video 

Capture Pin…”. 

In the “Properties” menu it is possible to change the different image options: 

Frame Rate: changes how many times the picture is updated per second. 

Color Space/Compression: Changes how the camera converts the colors. 

(Recommended: RGB 24) 

Output size: Defines the actual resolution of the picture in pixels. (Note: if set to 640 x 

480, the maximum frame rate will be 17.5) 



To change the quality and colors of the picture, go to the “options” menu and select 

“Video Capture Filter…”. 

In this menu it is possible to change a lot of different properties to improve the image 

quality: 



Image control: 

Image mirror flip/image vertical flip: Flips the picture horizontal and vertical. 

Brightness/Contrast/Gamma/Hue/Saturation/Sharpness/Image quality: Adjust 

these settings to improve the picture quality to fit the actual conditions. 

Auto Mode Control: 

(For advanced users only) 

Change these settings only if you have a reason to. Otherwise leave the setting in Auto 

mode. 

In/Out Door: 

Changes the light sensitivity of the camera compared to indoor or outdoor conditions. 

Flicker: 

To avoid a flashing picture this setting should be set to fit the power source in your 

region. (In the US 60Hz is used, In Europe 50Hz is used) 

Display: 

Change this option to fit if you have a flat panel display/laptop (LCD) or if you have a 

normal CRT screen. 

Backlight comp: 

If the light conditions are poor check this option to improve the light in the picture. 

Note: The settings changes instantly on the preview screen. 

4. Overview of ArcSoft ® Software Suite (VideoImpression ® 

2 and PhotoImpression ® 5) 

The ArcSoft ® Software Suite is loaded with video and picture production and editing 

applications which will truly enhance your web camera experience. In the following 

sections you will find a brief overview of the software. A full brochure can be found on 

the installation CD ROM. To access the manuals, select the browse function from the CD- 

ROM start-up menu. A window with the contents of the CD will open. Here the manuals 

are located. 

4.1 ArcSoft PhotoImpression ® 5 

ArcSoft PhotoImpression ® 5 is a complete digital image editing application designed 

with real people in mind. Easy-to-use “Getting Start” guides, user-friendly interface, and 

complete image editing functionality, give users a wonderful experience in organizing, 

viewing, enhancing, editing, printing and sharing photos. 



Click “Start” “Program” “ArcSoft Software Suite“ “PhotoImpression 5” to 

launch PhotoImpression ® 5 or double click PhotoImpression 5 icon on the desktop and 

you will see a window as the screenshot above. 

Select the picture source. For example: 1. Click “Folder” for acquiring photos from 

your computer 2. Select the file path. 3. You can start editing them. 

Note:For more detailed information, please refer to the Help of the program 

1. Get Photo – Choose how to view or acquire photos. 

2. Enhance – Crop, brighten, rotate, resize and modify photos. 

3. Create – Add clip art, special effects, frames and more. 

4. Project – Make calendars, photo books and greeting cards. 

5. Print – Print multiple images per page and multiple pages at one time. 

6. Send – Email photos or upload them to online photo sharing accounts. 



4.2 ArcSoft ® VideoImpression 2 

ArcSoft ® VideoImpression 2 creates home movies and slide shows by combining 

existing videos, still images, exciting scene transitions, and multiple audio tracks. Though 

simple to use, the program provides intense and broad video editing and export options 

perfect for owners of digital still cameras, desktop and digital video cameras, and 

camcorders. 

Click “Start” “Program” “ArcSoft Software Suite“ “VideoImpression 2” to 

launch VideoImpression ® 2 or double click VideoImpression 2 icon on the desktop and 

you will see a window as the screenshot above. 

Open a Project – Lets you browse the project files in the VideoImpression 2 ® system 

folder. By “project,” we mean to say a file that contains all of the settings and each 

individual component on the Storyboard. When you save your work as a project, you can 

go back and swap components, add and remove them, alter audio, etc. 

Create a Video – Create a new video project. You can retrieve media materials from the 

device connected or choose media files from system folder. You can choose video 

materials from your photo album as well. 

Create a Slide Show – Create a slide show project. You can retrieve media materials 

from the device connected or choose media files from the system folder. You can choose 

slide show materials from your photo album as well. 

If the box “Always show this wizard when VideoImpression starts.” at the bottom 

of the wizard is checked, the wizard will appear each time you run the program. If you'd 

like to skip the wizard next time, uncheck the box. 

Select the item you desire and the picture and videos you need then you will enter the 

editing interface as below. 

You can use the six steps in the Function Menu to create video clips and slide shows. 



1. Media - Select the videos and images that will comprise your final movie or slide show. 

2. Edit - Modify video and image color and adjust the duration of each movie component. 

Only available for video projects. 

3. Effects - Add neat special effect transitions between each component, or apply a premade 

theme. 

4. Text - Place animated text on any movie component. Only available for video projects. 

5. Narrate - Record audio directly from the program and add it to your movie. 

6. Produce - Combine all components to create your final video; save it in a variety of 

ways or email it to friends. 

The Storyboard - The backbone of the creation process, it's where you assemble your 

movie. 

The Player - Preview and modify your movies in this area. 

Working with Albums - Albums let you organize your media for easy access. 

Note: For more detailed information, please refer to the Help of the program or in the 

instruction guides found on the CD-ROM. 

4.3 Making your first video 

This section is designed to walk you through the simple steps required to practice 

recording a video with your web camera using ArcSoft VideoImpression ® 2. A more 

general overview of the software can be found in section 4.2 and a full user guide can be 

found on the CD-ROM. 

To record a video, start the video recording/editing program called VideoImpression ® 2. 

This program is made for recording video from your camera and for editing and or 

emailing the video afterwards. 

The following screen is the start-up menu. Here you can choose 3 options: 1) To open an 

existing project (video), 2) To record a new video, or 3) to transform still images into a 

slide show video. 



For your first recording choose option no. 2. 

Choose “capture from device”. 

Press the record button 

to start recording from your web camera. 

The program now asks where to save the recorded file. Specify the filename in the first 

box and click on the folder icon to specify the location where the file will be saved. 



Then press the button “Start Capturing” 

To stop the recording, press the stop button 

The recording is now shown on the clipboard in the main program. Press the recording 

button once more to make another recording or press done to start editing your video. 

If you only see the main screen press the camcorder button to open the recording 

window again. 

4.4 E-mailing a video 

When you have recorded a video, you can easily e-mail it to your friends. 

To e-mail a video go to Arcsoft © Video Impression 2 and record a video as described in 

section 3a. 

When the video is recorded go to the menu point called “6 Produce” . 

Select Email. 

To select the file format, select WMV (ASF) 

Choose the preferred quality from the “compression” drop down box. Recommended is 

128 kbps (video for email). 

Email program: select MAPI. 



Then press “SEND” 

Select where to save the file and press “Save” 

To email the video, go to your email program. Open a new draft and choose attach file. 

Then locate the file you just saved and send the mail. 



The MSN® Messenger and Windows® Messenger trademarks are the property of Microsoft Corporation. 

The Yahoo!® Messenger trademark is the property of Yahoo! Inc. 

The AIM® and AOL® Instant Messenger TM trademarks are the property of America Online, Inc. 

The VideoImpressions® 2, PhotoImpressions® 5 and ArcSoft® trademarks are the property of ArcSoft Inc. 

The Tevion trademark is the property of Aldi, Inc. 

Microsoft Corp., Yahoo!, Inc. and America Online, Inc. have not tested, do not sponsor or endorse, and are 

not affiliated with the Tevion Video Chat Starter Kit. 

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.

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