VistaQuest VQ5218 User Manual

VistaQuest VQ5218 is a digital camera capable of taking still images, recording videos, and capturing audio. It features a TFT monitor screen, a self-timer, a flash, and a zoom function. The camera supports SD/MMC cards for storage. You can connect it to a TV or a PC for viewing or transferring files. The camera is powered by two AAA batteries.

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VQ5218

User’s Manual

Parts of the camera·······························································4

Preparing for using ·······························································5

Monitor Screen Display ·························································8

Using this digital camera·····················································10

Using the Self-timer and Burst snapshot ································12

Using the Flash ·······································································13

Using the Zoom Function ························································14

Recording video clip ·······························································15

Recording audio······································································16

5. Using the menu in record mode ············································16

Menu in capture mode ····························································17

Menu in video mode································································19

Setup menu ············································································20

6. Playback ···············································································22

Playback still image ································································22

Playing back movie clips·························································23

Playing back audio files ··························································23

Other function in playback mode ············································24

Delete files ·············································································25

7. Making connections ······························································29

Connecting the Camera to a TV···············································29

Connecting the Camera to a PC···············································30

8. Software Installation····························································31

Installing the Software ···························································31

9. Troubleshooting ···································································34

10. Technical Specifications······················································36

Thank you for purchasing this digital camera. Please read these operating instructions carefully in order to use the digital camera correctly. Keep the instructions in a safe place after reading so that you can refer to them later.

Precautions

Before using the camera, please ensure that you read and understand the safety precautions described below.

• Do not try to open the case of the camera or attempt to modify this camera in any way. Maintenance and repairs should be carried out only by authorized service providers.

• Keep the camera away from water and other liquids. Do not use the camera with wet hands. Never use the camera in the rain or snow. Moisture creates the danger of electric shock.

• Use only the recommended power accessories. Use of power sources not expressly recommended for this equipment may lead to overheating, distortion of the equipment, fire, electrical shock or other hazards.

Parts of the camera

1: Shutter button

2: Power button

3: Self-timer indicator LED

4: Flash strobe

5: Macro button

6: USB jack

7: Lens

8: Microphone

9: TFT monitor screen

10: Left/self-timer button

11: Playback button

12: Zoom out button

13: Zoom in button

14: Busy light

15: Macro light

16: Up/Display button

17: Ok button

18: Right/Flash button

19: Down/Mode button

20: Delete Button

21: Menu button

22: Battery cover

23: SD card slot

24: Tripod socket

Preparing for using

Installing the battery

Open the camera battery door as illustrated.

2. Insert two AAA-size batteries with the positive (+) and negative (-) poles matching the directions indicated on the battery cover.

Close the battery door.

Inserting the memory card

Turn off the camera before inserting or removing the memory card. Be sure to orient the card correctly when inserting it. Never try to force the memory card into the slot when you feel resistance. The memory card has a write protect switch, which used to protect data from accidental

deletion. Therefore, whenever you want to record, format or delete files in the SD card, disable the write protection beforehand.

Turn off the digital camera.

Insert the memory card as illustrated.

• Never insert any other object which is not a SD/MMC card into the camera’s SD card slot. Doing so will cerate the risk of damaging to the camera and the card.

• Never remove the SD card from the camera while the camera is powered on. Doing so can cause failure to the picture recording operation, and even damage the memory card.

Format the memory card

All data will be deleted including protected files. Be sure to download important files to your computer before formatting.

1: Turn the power on, and set the camera to the Setup Menu.

2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select [Format] and then press the

RIGHT button or OK button to launch the submenu.

3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [YES] and then press the

OK button to erase all data.

4: Press the MENU button to close the menu.

Setting the language

When using the camera for the first time after purchasing it, be sure to choose a language and set the date & time before using the camera.

1: Turn the power on, and set the camera to the Setup Menu.

2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select [Language] then press the RIGHT button or OK button to launch the submenu.

3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the desired language and then press the OK button to confirm the setting.

Setting the date and time

1: Turn the power on, and set the camera to the

Setup Menu.

2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select

[ Date&Time] then press the RIGHT or OK button to launch the submenu.

3: Press the UP or DOWN button to change the highlighted value. Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to move the cursor between settings.

4: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.

5: Press the MENU button to close the menu.

Monitor Screen Display

Capture mode

Video record mode

Playback mode

Using this digital camera

Turning the camera on and off

To turn on the camera, press the POWER button to turns on the camera.

Press the POWER button again to turn the camera off.

• To save battery power, the camera automatically turns off a period of time after the last control accessed. Press the POWER button to power the camera back on. You can change the power-off time by setting the function [Power Save] in the Setup menu.

Change the record mode

There are three record modes in this camera.

1: Press the POWER button to turn on the camera, and the camera get into the default capture mode.

2: Press the MODE button to change the mode. Each time the MODE button is pressed the mode icon is changed.

Display Title

Capture mode

Video mode

Audio mode

Description

For taking still photos.

For recording movie clips.

For recording audio files.

• When the digital camera is in playback mode you must press the PLAYBACK button to change it to record mode firstly then you can use the MODE button to change mode.

• If you want to preview the record files you can press the

PLAYBACK button to set the digital camera to playback mode .

Taking still images

Turn on the camera.

Press the MODE button to set the camera to capture mode, the icon

appears on the LCD screen.

Use the LCD screen to frame your subject.

Hold the camera steady and then press the SHUTTER button completely down to take a picture.

• Automatically the number displayed on the screen is decreased by one. For example, if the screen displays 018 when the camera is powered on, after one photo has been captured, 017 will appear. If the memory is full, “Memory FUL “ will appear on screen.

• Make sure that your fingers do not cover the lens.

• Do not take the memory card or battery out when the camera is saving the image, otherwise the image will not be saved completely.

Using the Self-timer and Burst snapshot

Use the self-timer to set a delay from the time the SHUTTER button is pressed to the time the image is shot. Use the burst snapshot to take pictures continuously.

1: Turn the power on, and set the camera to the Capture Menu.

2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select [Drive Mode] then press the

RIGHT or OK button to launch the submenu.

[Off]: Take photos without delay.

2 seconds: The Shutter release will delay for 2 seconds.

10 Seconds: The Shutter release will delay for 10 seconds.

Burst snapshot: Press the SHUTTER button once to take three pictures continuously.

3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the desired mode and then press the OK button to confirm the setting.

4: Press the MENU button to close the menu.

4: Press the SHUTTER button to take picture.

• You can also press the LEFT/SELF-TIMER button to change the mode quickly.

Using the Flash

The flash is not only for taking pictures when there is insufficient light, but also for when the subject is in shade or with backlight conditions. Pressing the RIGHT/FLASH button cycles your camera through the various flash modes. The flash will not activate during continuous shooting or movie recording.

Turn the power on and set the camera to the Capture mode.

Press the RIGHT/FLASH button to change the flash mode. Each time the RIGHT/FLASH button is pressed the flash mode is changed.

Icon Title Description

Auto flash Flash fires automatically when shooting conditions require extra lighting.

Full Flash Flash fires every time you take a photo, regardless of lighting conditions.

Flash OFF The flash never fires even in dark conditions.

Press SHUTTER button to take a picture.

• The flash will not work when the battery is low.

• The screen is blank when the flash is charging. The next image can be shot only when charging is completed.

• Shooting with a flash in a bright environment may cause incorrect exposure.

Using the Zoom Function

This camera has a digital zoom function that allows you to zoom in or zoom

out on subjects. The digital zoom enlarges or shrinks the image using a software process.

1: Turn the camera on and set it to capture mode or video record mode.

2: Press the or button to compose the image.

: zoom out for a wide-angle shot.

: zoom in for a telephoto shot.

When the zoom button is pressed, the value of magnification level appears on the LCD monitor.

Recording video clip

1: Turn the camera on and set it to video record mode.

2: Press the SHUTTER button to start recording. Press the RIGHT button to have a pause and press it again to continue.

3: Press the SHUTTER again to end the recording. If the memory is full the camera will stop recording automatically.

• The LCD monitor displays the recorded time.

• This digital camera doesn’t have a speaker. So the voice you record can be heard only by playing it on TV or PC.

Recording audio

1: Turn the digital camera on and set it to audio record mode.

2: Press the SHUTTER button to start recording. Press the RIGHT button to have a pause and press it again to continue.

3: Press the SHUTTER again to end the recording. If the memory is full the digital camera will stop recording automatically.

• On the center of the LCD monitor displays the recorded time.

• This digital camera doesn’t have a speaker. So the voice you record can be heard only by playing it on TV or PC.

• There is no menu in audio record mode.

5. Using the menu in record mode

When a menu is displayed, the UP/DOWN/RIGHT/OK button is used to make the desired setting. The audio record mode doesn’t have a menu.

Menu in capture mode

1: Turn on the camera and set it to capture mode.

2: Press the MENU button to display the menu.

3: Use the UP or DOWN button to select an item.

4: Press the RIGHT button or OK button to enter the submenu.

5: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the desired item.

6: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.

7: Press the MENU button to close the menu.

Capture menu list

Menu item Function

Resolution There are 4 options for choice: [2592X1944] by interpolation/[2048X1536]/[1280X960]/[640X480]

Quality Select a lower image quality to decrease the image size in order to capture more images. There are three options for choice:[Super Fine] /[Fine] /[Normal].

Metering Change the metering method to change the brightness of the picture.

[Center]: The exposure will be calculated based on light in the center area and this is suitable for general use.

[Multi]: The exposure will be calculated based on the average light.

[Spot]: Only the spot in the center of the LCD screen will be metered for light.

White

Balance

Driver

Mode

Effect

Adjust the white balance to suit different light sources.

There five items for option: [Auto]/[Daylight]/ [Cloudy] /

[Fluorescent] / [Tungsten].

Exposure Set the exposure value manually to compensate for unusual lighting conditions such as indirect indoor lighting, dark backgrounds, and strong backlighting. The exposure value range is –2.0 to 2.0.

Use this item to set the camera to different mode:[Off]/

[Self-timer 2s]/ [Self-timer 10s]/ [Burst].

Use this function to change the image’s color tone:

[Normal]/ [B&w] / [Sepia] / [Negative]/[ Red]/ [Green]/

[ Blue].

Date

Stamp

This function can be used to add a date to your pictures as you take them. There are three items for option:

[Off]: Neither date nor time is added to the image.

[Date]: Add data to the image.

[Date& Time]:Add data and time to the image.

Menu in video mode

1: In video record mode press the MENU button to display the menu.

2: Use the UP or DOWN button to select an item.

3: Press the RIGHT or OK button to enter the submenu.

4: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the desired item.

5: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.

6: Press the MENU button to close the menu.

Menu item

Movie Size

Function

Select small movie size to record longer time. There are three items for option: 720x480/ 640x480/

Frame Rate

320X240.

Select low frame rate to record longer time. There are two items for option: High/ Low.

Metering See the details on Capture menu list

White Balance See the details on Capture menu list

Setup menu

You can set the system items in setup menu.

1: Turn the power on and press the MENU button to display the menu.

2: Press the RIGHT button to select [Setup].

3: Use the UP or DOWN button to select an item.

4: Press the RIGHT button or OK button to enter the submenu.

5: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the desired item.

6: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.

7: Press the MENU button to close the menu.

Menu item Function

Auto Review Adjust the review time after taking a picture. There are three items for option: [Off]/ [1sec.]/ [3 sec.].

Power frequency

Light Frequency should be set to either 60Hz or 50Hz depending on your region. [50HZ] / [60HZ].

Power save To save power, the camera is turned off automatically after a period of time. There are three options: [1min.] /

[3min.] / [5min.].

Date& Time Refer to setting the date and time

Language English / French / German / Spanish / Italian /

Portuguese / Dutch

TV Out

USB

Start-up

Image

TV Out should be set to either NTSC or PAL depending on your region. [NTSC] /[PAL].

You can use this camera as a PC camera or removable disk. [PCCAM]: Use as a PC camera;

[MSDC]: Use as a removable disk.

You can use your favorite picture as the start-up image.

[Off]: No start-up image.

Format

Reset all

[System]: Use the default image as the start-up image.

[My image]: Use your favorite image as the start-up image.

See the details on format the SD card.

To reset the entire menu and button operation settings to initial default. [Yes]/ [ No].

6. Playback

Playback still image

1: Turn the camera on, and then press the PLAYBACK button to set the camera to playback mode . The latest recorded file appears on the

LCD screen. If there are no images stored, a message [No File] appears.

2: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to preview the previous or next image.

Playing back movie clips

1: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the movie clips you want to playback.

2: Press the OK button or SHUTTER button to start playing. Press the

MENU button to end playing. Press the UP button to pause it and press it again to continue. Press the RIGHT button to fast forward and press the LEFT button to back forward.

• This digital camera doesn’t have a speaker. So the voice you record can be heard only by playing it on TV or PC.

Playing back audio files

1: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to select the audio file you want to playback.

2: Press the OK button or SHUTTER to start playing. Press the MENU button to end playing. Press the UP button to pause it and press it again to continue. Press the RIGHT button to fast forward and press the LEFT

button to back forward.

• This digital camera doesn’t have a speaker. So the voice you record can be heard only by playing it on TV or PC.

Other function in playback mode

Viewing Thumbnails

Press the button to view the file in thumbnails mode. Use the

UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT button to select a file. Press the OK button to view the file in full screen.

Lock files

1: Press the MENU button in playback mode.

2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Lock].

3: Press the RIGHT button or OK button to enter the submenu.

4: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the item: [Lock/Unlock one]:

Lock /Unlock current file. [Lock All]: Lock all files. [Unlock all]: Unlock all files.

5: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.

6: Press the MENU button to close the menu.

• If the file has been locked the icon will display on the LCD screen. The locked file can not be deleted.

Delete files

1: Press the MENU button in playback mode.

2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Delete].

3: Press the OK button or RIGHT button to enter the submenu.[ One]:

Delete current file. [All]: Delete all files except locked files.

4: Use the UP or DOWN button to select the item.

5: Press the OK button to confirm the setting. A dialog box will appear.

Using UP or DOWN button to select the item [Yes].

6: Press the OK button to delete the current file or all files.

• If you want to delete a single file you can press the DELETE button to delete the file quickly.

Play a slide show

1: Press the MENU button in playback mode.

2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Slide Show].

3: Press the RIGHT button or OK button to enter the submenu.

[Start]: Select this item to prepare for slide showing after setting the slide show mode.

[Interval]: Set the interval time by pressing the LEFT or RIGHT button.

The range of interval time is 1 second to 10 seconds.

[Repeat]: Press the LEFT or RIGHT button to set the repeat function on or off.

4: Use the UP or DOWN button to select [Start].

5: Press the OK button start slide show.

6: Press the MENU button to end slide show.

• Only the still image can be show in slide show.

Effect

1: In playback mode, press the MENU button.

2: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the [Effect].

3: Press the RIGHT or OK button to entering the submenu: [B&W], [Sepia],

[Negative], [Red], [Green], [Blue], [Binarize], [Sunset], [Warm], [Cold],

[Contrast].

4: Press the UP or DOWN button to select an effect to change the image’s color tone.

5: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.

Rotate the image

1: Select an image you want to rotate in playback mode.

2: Press the MENU button to display the menu.

3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Rotate].

4: Press the RIGHT button or OK button to launch the submenu:

Rotate: Each time the OK button is pressed the image will rotate 90°.

Save: Select this item to save the rotated image.

Back: Select this item to close the submenu.

Resize

1: Select an image you want to resize in playback mode.

2: Press the MENU button to display the menu.

3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Resize].

4: Press the RIGHT button or OK button to launch the submenu:

2048x1536/ 1280X960/ 640x480 .

5: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item.

6: Press the OK button to save the resized image.

• The image can only be resized to smaller size.

Set the image as the start-up image

1: Select an image you favorite in playback mode.

2: Press the MENU button to display the menu.

3: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Start-up Image].

4: Press the RIGHT button or OK button to launch the submenu: Set/

Cancel.

5: Press the UP or DOWN button to select the item [Set].

6: Press the OK button to confirm the setting.

7: Set the item [Start-up Image] in the setup menu to [My image] mode.

And then the digital camera will use the image you selected as the start-up image.

7. Making connections

Connecting the Camera to a TV

Connect the camera to a TV via the supplied

AV/USB cable and then turn on the camera. The camera LCD screen turns black and the TV screen now performs as the camera LCD screen.

Connect the camera to a TV via the

AV/USB cable (supplied) .

Turn on the TV and the digital camera , and then set the TV to “AV” mode.

When the camera is set to record mode, you can preview the subjects you want to record on the TV screen.

When the camera is set to Playback mode, you can review all the pictures, video and audio clips stored in the camera on the TV.

Connecting the Camera to a PC

There are two ways to download files from the camera's internal memory or memory card to a computer:

• By inserting the memory card into a card reader

• By connecting the camera to a computer using the supplied USB cable.

Using a Card Reader

1: Eject the memory card from the camera and then insert it into a card reader that is connected to a computer.

2: Open [My Computer] or [Windows Explorer] and double-click the removable disk icon that represents the memory card.

3: Copy images from the card into a directory of your choice on the computer’s hard disk.

Connecting the Camera to a PC with the USB Cable

1: Set the USB mode to [MSDC] mode. See the details on page 24.

2: Connect the supplied USB cable to the computer's USB port and turn on the camera. A message “MSDC” appears on the screen when connection

to the computer has been successfully completed.

3: Open [My Computer] or [Windows Explorer]. A "Removable Disk" appears in the drive list. Double-click the "Removable Disk" icon to view its contents. Files stored on the camera are located in the folder named

"DCIM".

4: Copy the photos or files to your computer.

8. Software Installation

Installing the Software

The bundled software CD has the drivers and software that come with digital camera.

Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. The autorun menu appears:

The following software is listed:

• Install Driver: Installs software for PC camera

• Arcsoft Mediaimpression: Installs software for pictures and video clips.

Note: Arcsoft MediaImpression only includes Windows XP and

Windows Vista, Windows 7 platforms.

If the autorun menu does not appear automatically, open the CD-ROM in

[My Computer] or [Windows Explorer] and double-click the file named

[autorun.exe] to start the program. You can also click [Run] in the

Windows Startup menu, enter "D:\autorun.exe" (where D is your CD-ROM drive letter) in the text box, and click [OK].

Install Driver

1: Click [Install Driver].

2: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.

How to use the PC Camera function

Please install the camera driver first. Connect the camera to the computer via the USB jack. Power on the camera, the LCD screen display “PC CAM” or “MSDC”. Press the MODE button to set it to “PC

CAM” mode. Double click the icon to run the program. If it was the first time you use this function please select the item < Preview> as in the illustration. And then you can use it as the pc camera function.

If you want to change the imaging size, select <Video Capture Pin> to change the Output Size.

9. Troubleshooting

Power does not turn on.

1.Battery is inserted in the wrong direction.

★ Reload battery in the correct direction.

2.Battery is insufficient to power ★ Replace or recharge the on. battery.

The camera does not take pictures.

1.Memory is full. ★ Insert a new memory card.

2.Memory card is not formatted ★ Format the memory card again correctly. or use a new card.

Image is blurry or out of focus.

1.The camera was moving when ★ Hold the camera steady when the image was captured. shooting picture.

Image is not displayed on the LCD monitor.

1.A memory card with non-SUNP ★ This camera cannot display images (recorded with other non-SUNP images. camera) is loaded.

Recorded images are not saved in memory.

1.The camera was turned off before ★ If the battery low indicator the images are saved in memory. appears on the LCD monitor, replace the battery immediately.

10. Technical Specifications

Display

Focus range

1.8" TFT Color LCD

150cm ~ infinity

Shutter

Resolution

Electronic Shutter: 1/2000 ~ 1/2sec.

StillImage:5M(2592x1944) by interpolation;

3M(2048x1536);1M(1280X960); VGA (640x480)

Video: 720x480, 640 x 480, 320 x 240

Sensitivity Auto