Installation instructions for the DCAM Capture Software, MS Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP

1. Install the DCAM Capture software
2. Install an appropriate framegrabber
3. Upgrade to DirectX 8.0

1. Install the DCAM Capture software

Download the DCAM Capture software package from the link shown on the right.  You must have a username and password to access the download page.

After downloading the exe file, double-click on it to start up the installation dialog. Please have your serial number ready, as the DCAM libraries will not work without it.

The default installation directory is C:\Program Files\Videre Design\DCAM. You may choose any other directory you wish.

The installation adds dcam.exe to the Start menu under DCAM.

NOTE: with version 1.1 of the DCAM software, we are using a more direct driver interface, which is more efficient, and works with all varieties of the MSW OS (98SE, ME, 2000, and XP).  If you are upgrading from version 1.0 of the DCAM software, you should re-install the camera drivers: see (3) below.

NOTE: It is no longer necessary to install DirectX 8.1.

DCAM Capture Software latest version, 0.5 MB

2. Install an appropriate  framegrabber

You must install a 1394 OHCI card, or have a working 1394 port on your PC. To install the 1394 card supplied by Videre Design, or your own 1394 card, look at the directions on the right.  If you already have a working IEEE 1394 port, then just go to step 3 of the instructions on the right.

1. Shut down the computer and install the PCI card, then restart; or, plug in the PCMCIA card.
2. The New Hardware Wizard will walk you through the installation.  You may need your MSW OS CDROM.  If the wizard tells you to reboot, do so.
3. Plug in the DCAM device to an open IEEE 1394 port (with the PCMCIA card, make sure you have the external power adapter plugged in).  Again, the New Hardware Wizard should appear.  If it asks for the location of the driver, use C:\winnt\inf (MSW2000/XP) or C:\system\inf (MSW 98/ME).

Note to Sony VAIO users:

Sony VAIO computers use a Sony driver for their IEEE 1394 ports, which is incompatible with the Microsoft driver.  To switch to the Microsoft driver, follow the directions on the Adobe website for SonySwitcher. 

3. Re-installing the drivers

If you have an older version of the DCAM software, you can install the new software directly over the old distribution.  But, the drivers must be re-installed.  See the instructions on the right.

In some cases, a new installation may not find the camera drivers.  The cameras must show up as "Videre Design DCAMX" in the hardware listing.  Again, you can re-install the drivers using the instructions on the right.

1. To see if the DCAM device is installed correctly, plug in the DCAM device.  Go to Start->Settings->Control Panel->System->Hardware->Device Manager dialog.  There will be a listing of hardware devices.  Look under Imaging Devices.
2. If there is no Videre Design DCAMX entry under Imaging Devices, but there is another entry, you probably need to re-install the DCAM drivers.  Double-click on whatever imaging device there is, bringing up the Properties, and go to the Driver tab. Click on Update Driver. In the Wizard, second pane, select the "Display a list of known drivers" button, then Next. You should see several choices, among them Videre Design DCAMX, which you should select. Keep clicking through to the finish. Then, check the Device Manager to see if you have a DCAMX.