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Questions About
the MediCap USB300 Questions
About Playing Videos and Viewing Images on Your Computer Questions
About Additional Features Questions About the MediCap USB300 1. Brief Description of the MediCap USB300 Q. What is the MediCap USB300? A. The MediCap USB300 records video and still images from medical video devices such as endoscopes, arthroscopes, surgical microscopes, C-Arms, ultrasounds, etc. The USB300 can record in high defintion (720 or 1080) or standard definition. Recordings can be made to a USB drive plugged into the unit or to the unit's internal hard drive (internal drive is for use in networked systems only). Video is recorded in H.264/MPEG4, the industry's most widely used high-definition format. Still images can be recorded in JPG or BMP formats. The USB300 can be connected to a network, allowing recordings to be transferred from the unit's internal hard drive to other locations. Connecting an optional USB keyboard allows entry of patient information. Hands-free recording is supported through camera triggers or optional foot pedals. Other documents you may find useful: 2. No Video or Scrambled Video Q. My USB300 is connected to my monitor, but there is no video picture on the monitor (or the picture is scrambled, like a TV that is not tuned in). What should I do? A. The USB300 requires a clear video input signal. If the input signal is not clear, then the output signal will also be unclear and will result in a scrambled picture on the monitor or no picture. A poor input signal can be caused by a faulty video source (for example, a broken camera), by a loose or defective cable, or by improper configuration of the unit. Please check the following: STEP1) Check the video
input and output connections to ensure they are secure and connected properly.
The USB300
User Guide includes a "typical connections" diagram. STEP 2) Test the video signal by disconnecting the input cable from the MediCap and connecting it directly from the video source (camera, etc.) to the monitor. The picture should be clear. If it is not, there may be a problem with the video source or with the cable being used. Check the output cable in a similar way by connecting it directly from the video source to the monitor. 3. Image on External Monitor Is Too Small, Too Big, Stretched, or Squeezed Q. The video image does not take up the entire monitor or it is cut off on the edges, or "strectched" or "squeezed." What should I do? A. Your video camera may capture video in a different shape from your monitor screen. For example, your camera may capture wide-screen video, but your monitor may have a square screen. In this case, it is normal to see black "bars" at the top and bottom on the screen. For another example, your camera may capture video in a square shape, but your monitor may be "wide-screen." In this case, it is normal to see black bars on either side of the screen. It is also possible that you need to adjust the Output Resolution setting on your USB300. Press the Menu button on the front panel. Then use the arrow and Select buttons to go to the Setup menu. Try adjusting the Output Resolution setting to see how it affects the shape of the image on your monitor. 4. Image on Front Panel Monitor Is Squeezed Q. The video image on the front panel monitor is "squeezed." What should I do? A. It is normal for the front panel monitor to show a "squeezed" image. This is because the front panel monitor is not as wide as HD video resolutions; the HD image is adjusted to fit on the smaller screen. Please note that the front panel monitor is intended only for navigation, not for diagnosis; you should always connect an external monitor and view it while making a diagnosis. 5. Front Panel Monitor Is Displaying "Color Bars" Q. The front panel monitor is displaying "color bars" (colored vertical stripes). Is this OK? A. Yes. It is normal for the front panel monitor to display color bars when using the highest HD video resolution (1920 x 1080). This is because the front panel monitor is much smaller than the highest HD resolution; the video image cannot be scaled down in a manner that will display on the small screen so color bars are displayed instead. When you see color bars on the front panel monitor, you should view video and menus on an external 1920 x 1080 HD monitor connected to the back panel. If you do not have an external 1920 x 1080 HD monitor, then you should use the Set Up menu to change to a lower resolution such as 1280 x 720 (this will also remove the color bars from the front panel monitor). If you are having difficulty viewing the Set Up menu (for example, you don't have an external 1920 x 1080 HD monitor and color bars are being displayed on the front panel monitor), then you can press the following sequence of buttons to return to 1280 x 720 resolution (this will also remove the color bars from the front panel monitor). First, turn the unit off and back on and wait for 30 seconds. Then press "Menu", press "Select", press the forward arrow, press "Select" four times, press the forward arrow four times, press "Select", press the forward arrow, press "Select". Then turn the unit off and back on. 6. Button Sequence Required When Switching to Highest HD Resolution Q. When I switch the highest HD resolution (1920 x 1080), I am asked to press a sequence of buttons on the front panel. Why? A. Some HD monitors will not display video at the highest resolution (1920 x 1080). To make sure that your monitor can display video at the highest resolution, the USB300 runs a simple "confirmation test" when you change the resolution setting to 1920 x 1080 in the Set Up menu. During the test, the USB300 displays a sequence of buttons on your monitor. You are asked to press those buttons on the front panel. This confirms that you can see video on your monitor at the highest resolution -- the USB300 then makes the change to the new setting. If you are unable to press the sequence of displayed buttons, it indicates that you cannot see video on your monitor at the highest resoloution. When this is the case, the USB300 will not change to the new setting. This simple confirmation test helps avoid a situation where you cannot see video on your monitor and so cannot navigate through the menus. 7. USB Flash Drive Does Not Work Q. I have a USB flash drive that will not work with my MediCap. What should I do? A. If you have a MediCapture brand flash drive that does not work with your MediCap, please backup all images and videos from the drive onto your computer and then try formatting the drive as described in the next section. If formatting the drive does not correct the problem, please contact MediCapture Technical Support. If you have a non-MediCapture brand flash drive that does not work with your MediCap, please try the following three steps. Non-MediCapture drives are referred to as "third-party drives." STEP 1) Try a high-performance drive such as a MediCapture brand drive. The drive you are using may be "slow." The performance of flash drives can vary greatly. Even high-cost drives from major manufacturers may have peformance problems (in most cases this will be due to a slow chip in the drive). Recording video requires a high performance drive -- one that can accept large of amounts of video data at a high rate of speed. MediCapture has tested its MediCapture brand flash drives to ensure that they meet the necessary performance standards to record video. If you are having problems with a third-party drive, please try a MediCapture brand drive to see if that solves the problem. STEP 2) Delete
any files that were pre-loaded on the drive by the manufacturer. There
may be files on a third-party flash drive that are not compatible with
the MediCap. Some third-party flash drives come with files that automatically
load when you insert the drive. For example, a manufacturer may have preloaded
a security program on the drive that asks you for a password when you
insert the drive in your computer. Although, these types of "auto-run"
files are compatible with computers, they are not compatible with devices
like the MediCap; they can "confuse" the MediCap so it will
not recognize the flash drive. The solution in this case is to insert the third-party drive in your computer and delete all files that may have come preloaded on it by the manufacturer. Alternatively, uninstall any preloaded programs that are on the flash drive by opening the programs and selecting any uninstall options. When you have ensured that the drive is completely empty, try inserting it in the MediCap again. However, note that if you delete or uninstall preloaded files from a third-party flash drive, it may no longer perform some of its advertised functions. For example, if you purchased a third-party drive from a company that includes security features on the drive, once you delete all files on the drive, the advertised security features may no longer function. NOTE: Some
preloaded files on the USB flash drive may be hidden; so in order to delete
them, you may need to turn on an option that allows you to view hidden
files. To do so, use this procedure in Windows: STEP 3) Format the drive. The drive may have become "corrupted." This can happen for a variety of reasons; the most common is that the drive was unplugged while data was being written to it. To correct this problem, please backup all files from the flash drive onto your computer and then try formatting the drive as described in the next section. CAUTION:
Formatting a drive erases ALL files on the drive. Please format with caution
Q. I understand that "formatting" a drive can correct problems with the drive. How do I format a USB flash drive? A. You can use the following procedure to format a USB flash drive on a Windows computer: 1.
Insert the USB flash drive in your computer. 9. How To Open the USB Connector Cover on the Front Panel Q. My MediCap has a plastic cover over the USB connector on the front panel. How can I open this cover? A. You can open this cover by lightly pressing down on the top of the cover to reveal the USB connector. The cover keeps the device sealed when not in use. Once the connector is revealed, you can insert the USB flash drive. Q. In what formats does the MediCap USB300 save still images? Which format is best for my application? A. The MediCap USB300 can save images in JPG and BMP formats. You select the image format in the Image Options Menu (press the Menu button on the front panel and then use the Forward and Select buttons to select "Image"). The best image format for your application may depend on the third-party software that you will use to view, edit, and store the images. Check with your software vendor or IT department for recommendations on a suitable image format. Here is a brief description of each format:
Q. What is the file size of each still image captured by the MediCap? A. File sizes vary widely depending on the image resolution and format and, and how much detail is in the image. Approximate file sizes for images using various resolutions and formats are as follows:
Q. In what format does the MediCap USB300 save video clips? A. Video clips are saved in the H.264 format. This is the video industry's most widely used high definition format and is the preferred format for most medical applications due to its high quality. Note that Microsoft Windows Media Player does not play this format by default. If your captured videos are not playing, you may need to install an upgrade. Q. Can I select a preset length for clips? A. If the default "Unlimited" option is selected in the USB300 Video Options Menu, recording will start when you press the Capture Video button, and stop when you press the Capture Video button again (you can use the corresponding foot switch in place of the button). As an alternative
to the "Unlimited" option, you can select the following preset
lengths for video clips: 5 sec., 10 sec., 30 sec., 1 min., 2 min., 5 min.,
or 10 min. Preset limits can be useful for recording short ultrasound
"cardio loops" and similar procedures. When a preset limit is
selected, recording starts when you press the Capture Video button, and
stops automatically when the limit is reached, or sooner if you press
the Capture Video button again. Q. What is the file size of a one minute video clip recorded with the MediCap USB300? A. Video file sizes depend on the amount of motion and detail being recorded, and the quality level selected in the USB300 Video Options Menu (the higher the quality level, the larger the file). Approximate file sizes for recorded videos at various resolutions and quality levels are as follows (no audio track):
Questions About Playing Videos and Viewing Images on Your Computer 15. How To Transfer Videos from a USB Flash Drive To Your Computer Q. How do I move my recorded videos and images from a USB flash drive (or external USB hard drive) to my computer? A. It's easy to transfer your recorded videos and images from a USB drive to your computer. You can "drag and drop" them using this procedure: STEP 1) Insert the USB drive containing captured images into a USB connector on your computer. Allow a few seconds for the computer to "recognize" the drive. STEP 2) The computer will manage the flash drive just like any other drive on your computer. Navigate to the drive and open it so you can see the folders it contains. STEP 3) To move a file, click-and-hold on the file (press down the mouse button and don't let up). Then drag the file to the desired folder on your computer and release the mouse button. To select multiple files, hold down the Control key (Ctrl) while you click each file. To select a series of files, hold down the Shift key while you click on the first and last files in the series. NOTE: Refer to Windows or Mac OS operating instructions for information on how to access drives on your computer and manage files. 16. How to Transfer Videos from the Internal Hard Drive to Your Computer
Q. How do I move my recorded videos and images from the internal hard drive to my computer? A. Use a network
connection to move your recordings from the internal hard drive to your
computer. For instructions on how to connect the unit to a network, see
'Network Connection' below. Note
that you cannot use a USB cable to connect the unit to your computer.
Also, you cannot move recordings from the internal hard drive to a USB
drive. 17. Playing Videos on a Windows Computer Q. The videos I've recorded with my MediCap USB300 won't play on my Windows PC. What should I do? A. The MediCap USB300 saves video in H.264 format which is the medical industry's preferred HD format due its high image quality. Microsoft Windows Media Player (included with your Windows computer) does not play H.264 videos by default. The upgrade required to play these videos may already be installed on your computer. To check, try playing several videos recorded with the USB300. If the videos play, then your configuration is OK. If the videos do not play, you can install a free add-on that allows you to play your USB300 videos with Microsoft Windows Media Player. Click here for instructions. 18. How To View File Extensions (JPG, MP4, etc.) Q. I would like to find out which files on my computer are "JPG" files, which are "MP4" files, etc. But when I look at the file names, I don't see "JPG" or "MP4." How can I view these letters in the file name? A. Windows file names end with a period followed by three letters. This is called the "file extension" --- it indicates the file type. For example, "MP4" at the end of the file "V001.MP4" indicates this is a video recorded in the H.264 format (the format used by the USB300). By default, Windows
computers do not display these three-letter file extensions. However,
sometimes it is useful to see the extensions because it gives you more
control when managing your files. Here is how to view the file extensions
in Windows: 19. How To Associate Files with Programs Q. When I double-click on a file, it doesn't open with the program I want. For example, when I double-click on a video clip that I captured with my MediCap USB300, the video starts playing in a media player that I am not familiar with, but I want Windows Media Player to play the video instead. How can I cause a particular program to open files when I double-click on them? A. Each file extension (MP4, JPG, etc.) in Windows is associated with a particular program; these are called "file associations." (Note: for a description of file extensions and how to view them, see the previous question.). When you double-click on the file, it will open with its associated program. Often when you install a new program, it will associate itself with existing file extensions, and then those file types will no longer open with the program you expect. Other times, a program may arbitrarily associate itself with file types without giving any notice. If you don't like the current file associations on your computer, you can manually change them. Here is an example. Suppose that when you double-click on a video recorded by your USB300 (an mp4 file) the video starts playing in media player that you would prefer not to use. Instead, you would like to play the video with Windows Media Player. To make this change, you would do the following: 1.
RIGHT-click on one of the video files (for example, V001.MP4). Now, whenever you double-click on a video recorded by your USB300 (or any mp4 file), it will open with Windows Media Player. Questions About Additional Features 20. Entering Patient Information Q. Can I enter patient information during an imaging session? A. Yes. Please
refer to this document for important information: Also note the following:
21. Using an External Hard Drive Q. Can I record video and images to an external USB hard drive instead of to a USB flash drive? A. Yes. Please
refer to this document for important information: Also note the following:
22. Using the Internal Hard Drive (for networked systems only) Q. Can I record video and images to the internal hard drive? A. Yes, but connect the unit to a network before you use the internal drive. The internal hard drive is only for use on systems that are connected to a network. This is because a network connection is the only method for moving videos and images off of the internal hard drive. You cannot connect the unit to your computer via a USB cable and you cannot move images from the internal hard drive to an external USB drive. Therefore, the only way you can access the video and images on the internal hard drive is via a network connection. For information on how to connect the unit to a network, see the next question.
After you have set up a network connection, you can enable recording to the internal hard drive (go to the Advanced menu, select "Network Setup," and then select "Record to Internal Hard Drive"). Q. Can I connect the USB300 to a network? A. Yes, but making the connection requires knowledge of computer networks. The connection should only be made by a qualified member of your technical support staff (or outside consultant) who is familiar with networking procedures. You can connect the USB300 to a network via a standard Ethernet cable plugged into the LAN connection on the back panel. To configure the connection, go to the Advanced menu and select "Network Setup." To make entries in the Network Setup screen, you will need to plug a USB keyboard into the back panel of the USB300. USB keyboards from most manufacturers are compatible with the USB300. When you connect the USB300 to your network, its internal hard drive can be “mapped” on to your computer. You can then “drag and drop” recorded videos from the USB300’s internal drive onto your computer’s drive or any other network drive that is also mapped to your computer. For detailed instructions
please refer to this document:
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