FAQ

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions Digital Camera SONY Smart Zoom MVC-CD350 3.2 Mega Pixels Revised 10/28/2004 1. Q: A: Does this camera record on floppy diskette? No, it uses mini-cds. These are small cds that are recordable. They are usually made to hold about 210 MB of data (pictures or video). There are two kinds: CD-R and CD-RW. What is the difference between CD-R discs and CD-RW? CD-R means a CD that you can record on, once only. After you FINALIZE the CD, you can’t ever record more pictures on that CD. These are usually pretty inexpensive. CD-RW means a CD that you can record to, delete data from, edit data, and make multiple changes. You can take pictures for one field trip, print them, erase the pictures from the CD, and re-use the same CD-RW disc for taking another set of pictures. This way the CD-RW may be re-used as often as 20 – 30 times or until the media “wears out” and no longer works. They are more expensive than CD-R discs, but more versatile. To re-use a CD-RW, you must first UNFINALIZE the CD-RW. Then changes may be made to the disc. What is INITIALIZE? Before you can use the camera, you must first place a CD-R or CD-RW in the camera. Then, you must INITIALIZE the disc. You do this by turning the camera dial on top of the camera to SET UP. Then use the arrow keys on the back of the camera to go down to “Disc Tool 1”. Then, use the right arrow button to select options to the right. Then, use the down button to select INITIALIZE. Click the right button once. Click the up button to select OK. Place the camera on a level, non-moving surface. Click the up button once to select OK, and wait for the process to complete. It usually takes less than 20 seconds. After INITIALIZE is complete, you can turn the camera knob back to one of the picture taking settings and then take pictures. You only ever have to INITIALIZE a CD or CD-RW once. 2. Q: A: 3. Q: A: 4. Q: A: What are all the settings on the dial on top of the camera for and what do they each do? The green camera picture is the setting for auto adjustment and is the one you would most often use. The black camera picture with the P is for using settings that you can customize using the menu functions on the camera. The SCN setting is for scene selection picture taking: on the beach, areas with bight white snow, twilight, soft portraits, high speed action shots, etc. (see paper manual p.55). The button with a triangle in a rectangle (universal symbol for PLAY) is used when you want to use the LCD screen to look at your pictures. The movie clip symbol is the setting to use when you wish to use the camera to take digital movies, motion images, or multi burst images. OK, I have taken pictures, but I want to see them. How do I delete the ones I don’t want? Use the dial on top of the camera to select the PLAY setting (triangle inside a rectangle). Then, the last picture taken will display on the camera screen. If you want to see others, you can use the arrow buttons on the back of the camera to scroll through all of the pictures on the disc. If you wish to delete a picture, click the trash can button on the back of the camera and use the up arrow button to select delete. Then, press the center button (in the middle of the arrow buttons) to confirm the delete. OK, I am done taking pictures, now what? You need to FINALIZE the disc. This makes the disc readable by your computer’s CD-ROM drive. To do this, follow the same procedure as INITIALIZE, but choose FINALIZE, OK, etc. instead (from the SET UP setting on the dial on top of the camera). Once your disc is finalized, you can remove it from your camera, place it into your computer, click on my computer, CD drive, and then the folders containing your pictures. Once you FINALIZE a CD-R, you can’t take more pictures on that CD. Once you FINALIZE a CD-RW, you need to UNFINALIZE the disc before you can place more pictures on the CD. How can I print my pictures? Printing pictures is expensive, so please be sure that you have reviewed your pictures, selected only those you wish to print, cropped them, etc. The best place at SBIS to print these out in color is in the Wireless Lab (room 112). Each of the laptops and the desktop PC in the room is connected to both of the color laser printers. What about when the battery gets low? The battery should not need to be removed. It’s rechargeable. To recharge the battery, open the DC in flap on the left side of the camera (when looking at the back of the camera). Plug the power cable into to camera and into a wall socket. You can check the remaining life of the battery by turning the camera on and touching the menu button on the back of the camera. The battery indicator is a 5. Q: A: 6. Q: A: 7. Q: A: 8. Q: A: small picture in the upper left hand of the LCD screen. Please charge the battery before you plan to use the camera. Also be considerate of the next person who needs to use the camera and charge the camera before it is returned or plug it in when it is returned, so it can charge until the next person needs to use it. 9. Q: A: What about using flash? You can use various types of flash by turning the camera on, selecting the green camera picture setting on the dial, and selecting the up button on the back of the camera. You may choose between no flash, automatic flash, red eye reduction, etc. You may be surprised to see that when using a digital camera, most pictures taken without flash turn out quite well. Remember, you can also change image qualities such as brightness, etc. through the use of image editing software like the software that came with the camera. Do I need a cable to use to connect the camera to my computer to download my pictures? No. You can just place the CD into your computer. Most CD-ROM drives have a small recessed area in the CD tray that is designed to hold mini-CDs. Can I use the camera as a video camera and shoot a movie? Yes! To do this, change the dial setting to the movie mode by rotating the dial to the setting listed right before SET UP (knob on top of camera). Then, push the Trash/Image Size button on the back of the camera to select your image size. VGA is normal, and 160 is extra small to make the movie file small enough to email. Then press the shutter button down to start recording. Record your movie. Press the shutter button down again to stop recording. Then, the file will record to the disc inside the camera. If you selected VGA, you get a bigger (higher quality) movie that can be up to 5 min., 51 sec. Long. If you selected 160, your movie will be lower quality and smaller, but can be up to 89 minutes, 11 sec. long. Experiment and see what works well for you. How many digital cameras were purchased on the E2T2 Grant? Two. Are tripods available? Yes, each digital camera has a tripod you can check out with the camera. Can cameras be used out of school? Only for school related trips. Not for personal use or for external organizations, etc. How long can I keep the camera? Only as long as you need it please. Be sure that you make provisions for safe storage of the camera. Once you check it out, it becomes your sole responsibility. Locked storage for overnight is available in the office. 10. Q: A: 11. Q: A: 12. Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: 13. 14. 15. Q: A: 16. Q: A: Where can I sign the camera out? Technology equipment purchased on the E2T2 grant may be signed out in room 110 from the Curriculum Facilitator or Teacher Specialists. Use the 3-Ring binder labeled “E2T2 Technology Equipment Sign-Out” to sign the camera out. Where can I get discs for the camera? A starter supply is available in room 110 from the Curriculum Facilitator or Teacher Specialists. Each building is responsible for ordering and keeping discs on hand for teachers to use. Are these 2 digital cameras assigned to a certain grade level? No, they are available to any teacher or class that needs them on a first-come, first-served basis. Please plan ahead and reserve your time. My question isn’t listed here, what can I do? Several options include: 1. request that it be added to a revision of this FAQ. 2. request personal or group training from the Technology Coach. 3. read the online manual for the camera. 4. read the mini paper manual that is in the camera bag. 17. Q: A: 18. Q: A: 19. Q: A: LEN