Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Dennis, how did you get the conduit to work? I'm still having problems with that.

I agree that the unit is good, but the software seems a bit 'beta'. It seems like Targus's website would atleast mention the product!

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

Is it just me? (HandCam problems)

Nachtwerg,

My initial conduit problems were resolved. I think it was different than yours; when I installed the s/w, the conduit simply wouldn't install. But that was because I am running XP Pro and I was installing it as Administrator and the Palm Desktop was for another user.

But I'm curious that no one else seems to be having the problems taking an image that I do. I admit I don't have the steadiest hand in the world, but I could make do with my EyeModule2 (while I still had it), and my cheapie standalone digital camera. But I can barely take a steady photo with this one.

I've already requested my RMA from buy.com. But if someone could let me in on a tip to actually taking a decent photo with this thing, I'd be glad to try it out.

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 26

What's an "RMA"? I just bought the handcam from buy.com. I've never shopped at buy.com before. Can you return the camera and get a full refund? Can you post sample pics taken with the handcam? thanks

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

Return Mecrchandise Authorization (I think). And yes, it seems buy.com is very accomodating to returns. They have entirely autmated the return process.

But if someone could point out what I'm doin wrong, I'll be happy to give it another try.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

No, I don't think you're doing anything wrong. This camera does seem to be hyper sensitive to motion and to lighting conditions. However, I'm satisfied with it for my purposes (a simple, little, "spy" type camera device with extra functionality).

I don't have an Eyemodule 2 (If I could find one at a good price, I may choose to give it a shot), but I can recognize that this thing is very sensitive to motion.

I've got the conduit working, so I'll post some pics I've taken with it. It IS possible to get steady, clear shots with it, but both the lighting AND subjects need to be just right in order to do so.

I'm actually uploading them to my site as I type, so I'll reply once again with some samples.

__________________
-Richard Powell

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

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 229

wow just checked out your webby, very kewl artwork. Pretty crazy how you have worked at EB for 3 years now? Anyway..looking forward to seeing those pictures.
oh yeah and thanks for all the input, we realy appreciate it.

__________________
Don't Worry It's Human Nature To Point Out The Obvious

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

Okay, so I've uploaded a few HandCam pics to my site at the following address:

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

Not only do I have the HandCam pics up, but I've also placed some pics from some other cameras I've used in the past, just to compare for quality.

To be honest, while not perfect by any means, the HandCam does relatively well compared to one of my past purchases -- the Aiptek PenCamII.

When I purchased it (the PenCam), it cost roughly $150. Considering how picky it was when taking pictures, and considering the quality of the shots (or lack thereof), it's no wonder I returned it a week later.

While I also posted shots from my "real" digital camera, I don't carry that thing around with me everywhere I go (like I do with my Prism). It's also rather obvious that you're taking a picture with it. With the HandCam (and PenCam for that matter), you can catch some "covert" shots without anyone ever truly noticing. And since I always seem to have some big black piece of plastic hanging off my Prism at all times, no one really notices the little lens attached to it (I typically carry my VisorPhone in the slot).

All in all, it's not as bad a product as it COULD have been, as it does have some redeeming features. But conversely, it's not as GOOD a product as it could have been either. It all depends on what's important to you and how you intend to use it.

__________________
-Richard Powell

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

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

quote:

---

Originally posted by LeaDxPainT
wow just checked out your webby, very kewl artwork. Pretty crazy how you have worked at EB for 3 years now? Anyway..looking forward to seeing those pictures.
oh yeah and thanks for all the input, we realy appreciate it.

---

No prob. I just wanna provide what little information I can to those that need/want it. Thanks, though. The appreciation is appreciated.

And I recently quit EB, so I'm no longer there. I believe it was almost 2 and half years that I was there. You have to understand that I love games and gaming in general, and working at a place that allowed me to just "talk games" with people was really really cool (and the checkout policy was a plus, as well). But the upper management just kept on getting worse and worse, so I had to go. I had a better paying job already, and there was really no more reason for me to stay, as all the 'cool people' had left.

But anyway, that's just the short version of the whole situation, hehe.

__________________
-Richard Powell

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

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Richard,

As a fellow VisorPhone/Handcam owner, have you had any problems with the switching of the two units? I seem to get a lots of crashes when I do the swap.

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 26

need help

I just got my handcam. So far it works fine. I haven't had any problems with crashes or anything like that. However, I still can't get the conduit to work, if one does exist. I installed the software from the Installation cd, but I still don't see the conduit under my hotsync manager. So what should I do? Anyone else have this problem? Am I supposed to see a conduit in the hotsync manager?

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

Same problem here, emailed them and got a response, but that didn't work either, so I emailed them back, still waiting on that.

"Sterling,

Happy to help. Here are some additional steps to check:

1. The file folder it creates to sync photos will be C:\TargusHandcam (not C:\handcam). Note: this is created once the sync is enabled
2. If files have been moved to the camera's memory, they can't be transferred. They need to be stored in the PDA memory
3. Sync the PDA once before saving snapshots to it.
4. The system must be rebooted after the HandCam software is installed. It will normally sync afterward.
5. Please ensure the HotSync software was installed before the Targus HandCam software. If not please uninstall and reinstall the Targus HandCam software"

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Duluth GA
Posts: 26

Got Mine

I got mine last night - the first shot I took were blurred and yellow, but I've gotten better results. I didn't like the manual - Didn't seem to have ANYTHING on the focusing of the unit.

Although I can see the Hotsync deposited pictures, the webcam functions is still not up. I've had Driver problems, USB power problems, and now multiple problems with the software either detecting the camera or linking with it in Webcam mode.

Targus's support number proved a 20 minute wait for an uniformed databaseless individual that was zero help and would "escalate my call"

Its better than what I had before which is nothing unless you count a Gameboy camera that's around someplace...

__________________
Mark Brinkman aka OMNITRON
My PDA??? - Visor Prism with Memplug CF and 128MB card

NEW >>> [email protected] <<< NEW
View my Handcam Photo albums at <a class="a" href="http://www.webphotos.iwon.com/list_photos_edit.asp?mi=1&smi=1&a=54400">IWON</a> or <a class="a" href="http://photos.yahoo.com/mark_a_brinkman/">Yahoo</a

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Most of the webcam issues I've come across have been due to having two apps trying to access the camera at the same time.

For example, be sure to shut down the Targus Handcam application before running Yahoo Messenger's webcam option. If you don't, you can get 'camera not installed' errors.

Registered: Jan 2002
Location:
Posts: 2

It sounds unlikely, but is anyone aware of a programmers API for the module?

Is there one for the EyeModule?

Thanks,
Steve

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 26

Dampeoples,

I got the exact same reply as you. They also mentioned looking under the system or system32 folder for a file called HandCamCond.dll but I couldn't find it. I didn't find it on the installation disk either.

I'm getting pretty frustrated. I emailed them about it so I'll give them one more chance to rectify this.

BTW, how do you go about returning something you bought from buy.com? Do you need to get a mailing sticker or something like that?