FAQ
Q. The wait for the camera to load up every time can be disconcerting -can the camera be kept live once loaded?
A. The older Canon models are a bit slow, but it’s not too big a deal, after a while you get into the habit of opening up the remote control early in the proceedings – while your customer is discussing how their picture should be framed and before selecting a few chevrons etc. It does take a while before visualisation feels a normal part of the flow of interaction between yourself and your customer, remember that you have established a certain pattern over the years and introducing this new element upsets the rhythm – for a time. There is little delay with newer models.
Q. Camera position. What height above artwork do you recommend?
A. Our camera is mounted on the ceiling, 6ft above the counter. The image quality set to yield a jpg size of 800-1,000Kb, giving plenty of on-screen resolution for cropping down to small subjects.
Q. What on-camera settings are required to operate it remotely?
A. The camera should be hooked up to an external power adaptor as it may be in use for extended periods. It should never swithced off while attached to the computer or disconnected while the computer is running. The Auto Powerdown feature should disabled, an in-camera menu setting.
Q. How do I install Pre-view upgrades?
A. Login using the username and password that you used when you first downloaded the program, download and run the installpreview.exe file. Do not uninstall your old version as that will destroy your settings, moulding list etc.
Q. How much does an upgrade cost?
A. All upgrades are free.
Q. I would like to install Pre-View on more than one computer. How much for second and subsequent copies?
A. No additional charge to operate the program on more than one station using the same business name.
Q. How will I know when an upgrade is available?
A. Upgrades to Pre-View will be announced on The Picture Framer’s Forum.
Q. How can I attach my camera to the ceiling?
A. Some CCTV mounting brackets are suitable for this purpose. The screw has the same thread as a standard camera tripod fitting.
Q. The USB cable supplied with my camera is not long enough to reach my ceiling mounted camera. Can I just buy an extension for it?
A. The USB standard specifies a maximum length of 5 metres (approx. 16 feet) for USB cables. Extension cables are available, but are not recommended. If a cable longer than 5 metres is required, use an ‘active repeater’ cable – essentially a cable with its own mini-hub built in to one end. You can ‘daisy-chain’ up to 5 five-metre cables, using 4 hubs, or 4 ‘active repeaters’, plus one plain cable, to give a maximum of 25 metres (80 feet). Our own setup at Scenes has two repeater cables joined together to give us the necessary reach.
Q. What are the ‘hidden’ charges (anual renewal, or other recurring fees)?
A. There are no hidden charges. Once registered there are no further charges and you are free to enjoy the use of Pre-view indefinately.
Q. My camera is not a Canon, can I use it with Pre-View?
A. While Pre-View will not operate your camera remotely, it will work with the the jpg files produced by any digital camera. Most cameras, when attached by USB appear to the computer as an additional drive. Just navigate to the image folder within this drive when you use Get Image/From File.
Q. When I switch on my camera, I get a box asking me to “Select the program to launch this action”. How can I turn this off?
A. Open Control Panel—> Scanners and Cameras
Right-click on your camera model and select Properties
Click on the Event tab and Select An Event—> Camera Connected
In Actions click the radio button Take No Action
Click OK and close Scanners and Cameras
Q. A message, ‘Camera not connected to the computer’ appears when the “Get Image From Camera” button is pressed.
A. Ensure that the drivers for the camera have been installed, the camera is switched on (in playback mode), and that all of the USB connections are properly seated.