Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 158

HandCam software problems

I received my HandCam last night. The unit is certainly packaged nicely. It comes with a USB docking station and some sort of notebook clip. And a pretty, if basic, manual.

I took a few pictures and even a movie. The swivel lens and focus ring are nice touches after using the EyeModule2. The Visor software is intuitive.

But then comes the problems.

The desktop software seems comprehensive, but completely uncofigurable. First, it doesn't let you change the install directory, and there is no option to install just the conduit.

I don't have my Palm software in the default location, so I am assuming that's why the desktop conduit was not installed. And I had no intention of using this as a desktop webcam, but I could not deselect this in the install options, and the funtionality of my existing webcam was disabled.

So, it seems like a nice product, but I'm waiting for version 2.0 of the software.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 24

How are the pictures?

I was wondering how well the Targus pictures come out? Do they look nice? Does the Handcam share the same problems that the EM2 has such as a sloooooooooooooooow "shutter speed" requiring you to have extremely steady hands to take clear pictures? Can someone post some unedited full 640x480 targus pics online? I want to buy one but would like to see how it performs. Thanks!
-Fagan

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 158

As soon as I figure out how to install the hotsync conduit, or fugre out how else to get the pictures off the device, I'll let you know. I have sent an email to Targus tech support -- we'll see.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 20

link to buy it

i am having trouble finding a link to buy this module..

any help

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 175

go to buy.com, it's only $79.99. it does seem ridiculous that targus doesn't have anything about it on its own website.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

quote:

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Originally posted by dennisl
As soon as I figure out how to install the hotsync conduit, or fugre out how else to get the pictures off the device, I'll let you know. I have sent an email to Targus tech support -- we'll see.

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 158

Sorry, about that. I didn't follow up on my own thread!

I got a nice quick response form Targus suggesting I try copying HandCamCond.dll from the cd directly into my Windows/System directory to get just the conduit to install. That didn't work, but I did appreciate a direct reply.

I went ahead and installed the s/w as provided. The conduit installed correctly. The problem I had was that I am running XP Pro and the Administrator account with installation privileges was not the account with the PalmDesktop installation. Once I installed from _that_ account, it was okay.

But the lack of options in installing it is a big minus. Especially as it disabled my exisiting WebCam s/w. (Granted, this is a better webcam, but still ...)

But the remaining problem is that I still can hardly take a decent picture with it. It's probably that I'm not steady enough, but as I said elsewhere, I got far more reliable results from the EyeModule2.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

I tried installing just the .dll, but that doesn't work either. I'm running 98, and I can get everything to work but the conduit. I may try a tech support email to them, but I may return it in lieu of the Eyemodule if pic stability is going to be a problem, the webcam is nice, but I don't really need it.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: El Segundo,CA
Posts: 374

OK, I got the camera, plugged it in the Visor and tried to take a full size photo. It said more memory was needed although I had more than 300k. Palm size were OK. Did a soft reset and it worked OK then. Just installed on my Win 98 PC and conduit is there (havent checked) but when I start Handcam it says Digital Video PC camera is not connected to this computer. No info on their web site. Any ideas?
Also I would be interested in upgrading to a 4Meg chip.

__________________
My Treo has more memory than I do.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York City
Posts: 158

j762538,

To look at the pictures, navigate to the Handcam folder on your C:\ drive. (I wish this was configurable!) The HandCam software is for operating it as a webcam, and for adjusting the camera settings. (I still want to test and see if these are retained when operating as a module. -- But will backup first before subjecting myself to another looping reset. -- Your mileage may vary.)

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Cypress, TX, USA
Posts: 27

Howdy j7+,

quote:

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Originally posted by j762538
OK, I got the camera, plugged it in the Visor and tried to take a full size photo. It said more memory was needed although I had more than 300k. Palm size were OK. Did a soft reset and it worked OK then. Just installed on my Win 98 PC and conduit is there (havent checked) but when I start Handcam it says Digital Video PC camera is not connected to this computer. No info on their web site. Any ideas?

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Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

quote:

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Originally posted by j762538
Also I would be interested in upgrading to a 4Meg chip.

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__________________
-miradu

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

SO HOW DO THE PICTURES LOOK?

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

If you pop on over to the "HandCam in Stock" thread, you'll find more discussion about this thing's, er, 'issues'.

Also, I posted some pics earlier in the week to compare. They can be found here:

http://www.raptorgames.com/HandCamPics/index.html

When I first got it, I was pretty satisfied as well. However, this thing's slowly starting to eat away at my tolerance (see my most recent post in the aforementioned thread). I'm HOPING that some of the issues here can be resolved through software/driver updates, but I'm not exactly holding my breath . . .

__________________
-Richard Powell

"Nice guys may finish last, but you know, the company's much better back here."

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

I'll stick with my eyemodule2. You know you can correct most of
those problems with Paint Shop Pro or PhotoShop? Except for the
blurred ones.

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

quote:

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Originally posted by dsilver
Howdy j7+,



I installed under win2k and had to do most everything manually. It needs files that aren't installed by default by whatever Windows system you are running. If you (or others) are running win2k, I'd be happy to .zip up the files I needed and make them available via WinMx. File names are the same no matter what the system. The install program will ask for:

ccdecode.sys
dshowext.ax
kstvtune.ax
kswdmcap.ax
ksxbar.ax
mstee.sys

All are located in one of the .CABs located on your windows install disk. The only reason it took me so long to complete my install was finding where the above files were hidden. So far (without much testing), I'm pretty satisfied with my $80 purchase. Will post more as I mess around with it...

David

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Cypress, TX, USA
Posts: 27

quote:

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Originally posted by dampeoples


Can't seem to find these files anywhere. If I just place them on my hard drive - will the conduit start working, or is there something else that needs to be done? Thanks,

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

I tried that, it just brought up the repair/modify install screen with no option to install individual files like you were speaking of. Oh well, looks like I got a webcam and a Prism with a bunch of pics on it I'll end up deleting. Back to my REAL digital camera I guess. Thanks,

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 175

Well, luckily, I haven't had any install problems with WinME. And I haven't had the double-pic problem either. I took two test shots at Palmsize and two at full size and they came out fine. I think it's interesting that the full-size retain their color when synced to my PC, even though I'm using a Platinum, but the palm-size are not.

My question is, though, what the hell is the 2 meg for on the cam? With the handcam out, my images are still viewable with the app on my VPL.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

You have to transfer them to the module by checking on it in the list mode, they stay on the Visor too, so you have to manually delete them there after you move them over, kinda a pain, but it works