Triplett CobraCam USB – PN: 8100 - Manual (Page 5)

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and select Preview. Then click the Start / Snapshot button on the CobraCam USB to initial-
ize the image capture.) AMCAP may be opened manually by selecting Telescope Driver,
then AMCAP from the Program menu.)
The video image from the camera should now be displayed in the AMCAP main window.
The tabs at the top of the AMCAP window allow various settings and adjustments to be
altered. The user may change these experimentally and observe their effect upon the im-
ages. More information about these settings is available on-line at www.triplett.com.
Many features of the CobraCam USB are automatic. The camera adjusts itself to produce
the best image obtainable. As with all video cameras, the image becomes more noisy as
the light level is reduced. Since the CobraCam USB is a digital camera, it produces digital
noise (instead of analog noise) that looks like random vertical lines in the image. These
become less visible as the light level is increased.
The CobraCam USB has relatively slow response time. If the camera is moved quickly, the
image seen on the computer will blur. To obtain the best images, move the camera slowly
and hold it steady.
The best image focus occurs several inches in front of the camera lens. Objects farther
away are slightly out of focus but still easily viewable.
CobraCam USB Controls
1) Headlite Control
2) Start / Snapshot Button
Using the CobraCam USB Controls
The proper use of the Headlite control (located on the handle of the CobraCam USB ) is not
obvious and requires some experimentation. It has little effect when there is adequate light
for the camera, but has a dramatic effect when the light level is low or absent. The Headlites
are intended to illuminate objects near the camera lens. They will not light up objects that
are several feet or more away. The Headlite control is adjusted so that the best view of the
desired object is obtained. If the adjustment is too bright, the image will ‘glare’ and ob-
scure visibility. Generally, the lowest brightness that produces a useable image is best. It
will often be found that a better image can be obtained by slightly repositioning the camera
and adjusting the Headlite brightness.
The Start / Snapshot button on the CobraCam USB serves two purposes. First, with some
OS’s, like XP, it will automatically open the application software and the image window with
its initial press. Subsequent presses with take a ‘snapshot’ of the image in the window. If
you do not save the images, the next press of the button will overwrite the previous image.
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