A11 - Web Camera
A12 - Red Clip-On Cylinder Webcam
A22 - Web Camera Clip
A23 - Web Camera, no driver
A32 - Web Camera, blue
A34 - Web Camera, black rectangular
A35 - Web Camera, flexible neck
A36 - Webcam with Microphone, Metal Finish
A42 - Blue Webcam with Microphone
A43 - Blue Webcam with Speaker
A49 - Teddy Bear Plush Webcam
A50 - Puppy Dog Plush Webcam

For Webcams with Microphones: Setup Pictures

Enable Front Panel or Back Panel Microphone & Audio Jacks

A11 Web Camera 

Win XP and below  --  Download WINXP_Software

Vista only  --  Download WINVISTA_Software

A32, A34, A35 Web Camera

Download Software

System Requirements:

• Windows XP (Service Pack 2), Windows Vista, or Windows 7
• AMCAP software

Introduction for Web Cameras:

Thank you for choosing one of our web cameras. This high performance digital product is great for simple, real-time data/picture/video transmission to your computer via your USB port. It is small enough to provide a convenient and intimate experience while still providing you with high quality video and picture capturing. This camera will help bring together you and your loved ones.

Installation for all models listed above: 

Your computer should recognize that a device has been plugged in to it, if your computer does not prompt you to install the device, please visit the AMCAP link posted above in the System Requirements section to download the driver for free for your camera.

You are now ready to use your webcam.

To install your new camera take the USB plug that is attached to the camera and plug it into the USB port located on your computer.

Below you will find a few examples of chat programs where you can use your new webcam; of course this is not a complete list as there are hundreds of ways and websites where you could use your camera. This is a simple list to help you get started (Note: not all of the webcams we offer are able to be used with the following programs. Please see your webcam listing on our website to get an idea of which programs your webcam will associate with).

AOL Instant Messenger:

Sign in to AOL Instant Messenger (AIM).

Locate and click on the "Edit" feature on the top of the AIM screen.

Next, locate and click the tab on the right side of the menu that says "Enhanced IM".

In this tab you can set your video and audio settings. Under "Camera:" select "USB Video Device"--this is your Webcam.

Press Apply at the bottom of the window.

Select the user you wish to hold a video chat with and double click on their username.

Located on the bottom of the screen that just popped up is a button for "Video". Click this button to initiate a video chat with your friend. If they accept, you will be connected and they will be able to see you through your webcam.

Microsoft Live Messenger:

Sign in to Microsoft Live Messenger

Located at the top of the screen, you will find an option to view the "Menu," click this button.

Inside the "Menu" you should roll over "Tools" with your mouse. This should give you options within the "Tools" category.

Click on "Audio and Video Setup" to setup your webcam with Microsoft Live Messenger.

Follow the prompts to set up your speakers (select "None" from the dropdown menu if not applicable), microphone (select "None" if not applicable), and webcam. (Make sure you do not have another program that is using the webcam open or it will not register.)

Once you have set up your device, select the person you would like to have a video chat with and double click on their username. A screen should appear. At the top of the screen there is a button for "Start or stop a Video Call"--click this button.

If the person you wish to chat with accepts your video call, they will now be able to see you through your webcam.

Yahoo Instant Messenger:

If you wish to set up your webcam so that any of the users on your friends list will have access to view what your webcam is viewing follow the steps ahead. If you would like to do something more specific, skip ahead to the Yahoo Instant Messenger (Cont’d) section.

Sign in to Yahoo Instant Messenger.

Located at the top of the screen you will find the word "Messenger"--click this word.

When the drop down menu appears go down to the option "My Webcam" and click on it.

A screen will appear telling you that you are activating your webcam. Click accept.

Your webcam is now available for those on your list to view.

Yahoo Instant Messenger (Cont’d):

With Yahoo Instant Messenger you have a few options available to you in terms of using your webcam, click on the "Actions" button at the top of your program to begin:

If you would like to broadcast your webcam to a few specific friends you can click on "Invite to View My Webcam". From there you can select from a list of your friends who you wish to send an invite to view your webcam.

If you would like to have a video conference with a few of your friends you can select "Invite to Conference" and select the members in your list you wish to have a conference with.

If you would like to have someone on your list view your webcam during your conversation you can open a chat with that person. Select "Actions" within your message box and then select "Invite to View My Webcam," this will only invite the person you are chatting with to view your webcam.

Skype:

Once you are signed in to Skype locate the "Tools" option at the top of the screen.

Under the drop down menu for "Tools" select "Options."

Inside "Options" you will see a tab on the left hand side for "Video Settings" (if this is not visible when the screen opens, click on "General Settings," it is listed under that section).

In this section you can select what devices you would like to use for your video calls. Select your USB video device.

To make a video call on Skype simply select the user you wish to make the call with and press the green phone button towards the bottom of the screen.

Once the user you are trying to reach has accepted your phone call, the video (and audio where applicable) from your camera will automatically come up in your call.

Note: This bullet is ONLY for users who purchased one of our microphone webcams:

If you would like to use the microphone attached to your camera, simply go click on the "Audio Settings" tab to select your webcam microphone. (It should say something similar to "mic in at panel")

Recording Video:

To record video to your computer using the AMCAP program provided, follow these directions:

Plug your webcam into your computer

Double-click on the AMCAP program icon on your desktop to open it.

You should now see the image of what your camera is viewing on your computer screen in the AMCAP program.

At the top of the AMCAP screen you should see the word "Capture". If you click on this word you should see a drop down menu.

Select "Start Capture" from the menu.

A screen will pop up asking you to select OK if you are ready to start capturing video. Click OK.

Your video has begun recording to your computer.

When you have recorded what you wanted to record, go back up to the top of the screen and select "Capture" again.

When the drop down menu appears you will select "Stop Capture."

To save the video to your computer you must select "File" at the top your AMCAP screen.

IMPORTANT:

When the drop down menu appears, select "Save Captured Video." This will give you the option of picking the place on your computer you would like to save your file, as well as naming it.

You have now successfully created a video using your webcam.

Back to top

Troubleshooting Question & Answer:

Question: Why is my computer not recognizing my webcam?

Try to unplug the camera and plug it back in a few times, this will usually make the computer register the camera, it does not always work the first time.

If you are still experiencing problems, try restarting your computer.

If your computer still does not register your camera, try updating the USB Port Drivers,

Click on your "Start" menu

Go to "Control Panel"

Click on "System"

Click on the "Hardware" Tab

Click on "Device Manager" button on the top

Find the Universal Bus Serial Bus Controller lines and click on the "+" that is in front of it to expand the list.

Right click on one or all of the USB ports and select "Update Driver…"

Follow the instructions on the screen to update the drivers.

Question: Why can't the webcam take snapshots and record video?

Taking snapshots and recording video can be activated by an existing software program already installed on your computer or you can download the AMCAP program from our site:

Win XP and below

Download Software

Vista only

Download Software

Question: Why is the camera screen black?

Make sure nothing is obstructing the view of the camera. Then try unplugging the camera and plugging it back in to your computer because it may not have registered right the first time. Also, try running other video programs on your computer to make sure it is a problem with the camera and not the computer you are using.

At the top of the AMCAP screen you should select "Capture."

In the drop down menu you should select "Set Time Limit."

In here you can enter the amount of seconds you would like to have recorded and enter that number in the box after "Time Limit:"

IMPORTANT:

Once you have entered in the amount of seconds you would like to be recorded, you must click on the checkbox located in front of "Use Time Limit" or else it will not record only for your set amount of time.

Question: How do I change the quality of the picture in the AMCAP program (ex. Brightness, Contrast, hue, sharpness, etc.)?

Select "Options" at the top of the AMCAP screen.

In the drop down menu select "Video Capture Filter."

Here you will see all of the settings that you can change as far as picture quality. Slide the toggles back and forth and they will change the image you are currently viewing through the AMCAP capture screen.

When you like the look of the image you are viewing, hit the "OK" button at the bottom of the screen and your settings will be saved.

Question: I am using the AMCAP program provided and I would like to know how I adjust the screen size for the video without stretching or distorting the picture?

Select "Options" at the top of the Amcap screen.

Select "Video Capture Pin" from the drop down menu.

Under the drop menu for "Output Size:" Select the size you would like for your video. The number that it is set to is the default for the best picture size from that camera, you will be able to adjust some of them to make the picture either larger or smaller but this will most likely take away from the quality of the picture itself.

Warning:

Avoid touching the lens with your hands or any sharp materials.

Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the lens.

Keep away from liquids

Keep out of severe heat or cold

Do not keep in humid or dusty conditions

Avoid dropping the camera, and/or dropping objects on to the camera.

Never disassemble or service the webcam yourself.

Do not forcefully bend or pull on your cable

Webcam Safety Precautions:

Remember that photos and videos that you choose to post online, or send to people online, can be used without your knowledge or permission.

Use caution when setting up your webcam; do not put it in a location that would give away information about you, your location, or your family.

Always unplug or cover your webcam when you are not using it, there are programs that allow hackers to activate a webcam without the knowledge of the owner.

If you have children who will have access to your webcam, discuss with them the practice of only using a webcam to communicate with people that they know.

Back to top

For Webcams with Microphones: Setup Pictures

This image shows the correct way to plug in a webcam with a microphone. The cable from the camera splits into two different plugs: a USB plug and a 3.5mm plug. The 3.5mm plug must be plugged into a microphone jack on the computer, or the microphone will not work. Below are some example pictures illustrating what the microphone jack might look like on different computer systems.

This picture shows some common ports on the front of a computer. At the top are four rectangular USB ports. Below that is a mic port, color-coded with pink and showing a microphone symbol, then there is a headphone or speaker port, colored green and showing a headphone symbol. Lastly, there is a firewire port (1394) that is covered. The mic port (in pink) is for "audio in" to the computer and the green headphone port is for "audio out" of the computer.

This photo shows the USB (at the top), Mic (far left, bottom row), Headphone (middle, bottom row), and Firewire (1394, bottom row, far right) symbols more clearly, and also shows how the ports may look without their color coded jacks. Not all computers will have the color coded jacks, so it is especially important to check the symbols and make sure your 3.5mm microphone plug is connected to the correct port. It must be plugged into the mic port - if it is plugged into the headphone/audio-out port, the mic on your webcam WILL NOT WORK.

And finally, this image shows the back panel of a computer. The mic port is in pink on the far left, and the USB ports are directly above it.

Enable Front Panel Microphone & Audio Jacks

Depending on your computer's settings, you may need to enable the microphone or headphone ports before your mic or speakers will work. You can do this from your computer's Control Panel in Windows. XP, Vista, and Windows 7 may differ slightly in what the windows are called, but the procedure is essentially the same.

1. Open the Control Panel (usually it is in the Start menu).

2. Open Sounds & Audio Devices.

3. You will see tabs for Volume, Sounds, Audio, Voice, and Hardware, or a similar set of tabs. The Voice tab will be the one you use to adjust microphone settings. Click the Voice tab, then look for a box that says "Voice recording".

4. Click on the button that says Volume. Here you will different volume settings. If you are using a microphone on your computer's front panel port, then look for a "Front Mic" setting. Make sure it is not muted, and that the volume is adjusted to a comfortable audible level. If you do not see the Front Mic setting and your computer definitely has a Front Mic port that you want to use, then follow steps 5 and 6 below. Otherwise, skip to step 7.

5. Next, still in the Recording Control window, click the Options item near the top of the window. Select Properties from the menu.

6. In the Properties window, you can choose which devices (such as the Front Mic) are displayed in the Recording control window. Make sure the box next to Front Mic is checked. Click OK to exit.

7. Click OK to close all active windows and save your new settings. Your front mic port should be ready to work now. If it still does not work, please check with your computer manufacturer or search the Microsoft Knowledgebase for more information that may apply to your individual computer's setup.

Back to top

Return to Product Support Page