HP PHOTOSMART E217 (01) PDF DOCUMENT

The HP PHOTOSMART E217 digital camera offers several features to enhance your photography experience:

• **Video and audio capability:** You can record video clips or add audio clips to your still pictures.

• **Transferring images to a computer:** Easily transfer images from your camera to your computer.

• **Direct print:** Print directly from your HP PHOTOSMART E217 to any PictBridge-certified printer without needing a computer.

• **Internal memory or memory card:** Store images in the camera’s internal memory or on an optional memory card.

To attach the wrist strap to your HP PHOTOSMART E217, thread the strap through the wrist strap mount on the side of the camera and secure it.

Follow these steps to install the batteries in your HP PHOTOSMART E217:

1. Open the Battery/Memory card door on the side of the camera by sliding the door toward the front of the camera.

2. Insert the batteries as indicated by the diagram inside the door.

3. Close the Battery/Memory card door by pushing the door down and sliding it toward the back of the camera until it latches.

For the best performance, it is recommended to use NiMH, Lithium, or Alkaline batteries with your HP PHOTOSMART E217.

To turn the HP PHOTOSMART E217 camera on, slide the lens cover open until it clicks. This will uncover the lens, the Power/Memory light on the back will turn solid green, and the camera will power up.

To turn the camera off, slide the lens cover closed until it clicks, covering the lens.

CAUTION: When sliding the lens cover, keep your fingers clear of the lens. Fingerprints on the lens can impair the quality of your pictures.

When you first turn on your HP PHOTOSMART E217, you will be prompted to set the language, date, and time.

Choose the Language:

1. A language selection screen will appear. Scroll to the language you want using the up and down buttons on the Controller.

2. Press the Menu/OK button to select the highlighted language.

Set the Date and Time:

1. After setting the language, the Date & Time screen will appear. The first item highlighted is the date and time format. Use the up and down buttons to change the format if needed.

2. Press the right button to move to the next selection (e.g., month, day, year, hour, minute).

3. Adjust the value of the highlighted selection using the up and down buttons.

4. Repeat moving and adjusting until the date and time are set correctly.

5. Press the Menu/OK button when you are finished. A confirmation screen will appear. If the information is correct, highlight Yes and press the Menu/OK button.

Your HP PHOTOSMART E217 has internal memory, but you can use an optional memory card for more storage. When a memory card is installed, all new images and videos will be stored on it.

To install a memory card:

1. Turn off the camera.

2. Open the Battery/Memory card door on the side of the camera.

3. Insert the memory card into the small slot behind the batteries, with the notched end of the card going in first. Ensure the card snaps into place.

4. Close the Battery/Memory card door and turn on the camera.

To format the memory card:

1. With the camera on, press the Menu/OK button, then use the right button to move to the Playback Menu (icon looks like a play symbol).

2. Press the down button to highlight Delete, and then press the Menu/OK button to display the Delete sub-menu.

3. Use the down button to highlight Format Card, and then press the Menu/OK button.

4. On the confirmation screen, press the down button to highlight Yes, and then press the Menu/OK button to format the card.

To remove the memory card, turn the camera off, open the door, and press down on the top edge of the card. It will spring outward from the slot.

Back of the Camera

Top of the Camera

Front, Left Side, and Bottom of the Camera

The HP PHOTOSMART E217 has two main states:

• **Live View:** Allows you to take still pictures and record video clips.

• **Playback:** Allows you to review the still images and video clips you have captured.

You can switch between these states by pressing the Live View/Playback button.

The camera also has three main menus that appear on the Image Display:

• **Capture Menu:** Lets you specify settings for taking pictures, such as image quality and ISO speed.

• **Playback Menu:** Lets you magnify, rotate, delete, and print images, as well as add audio clips.

• **Setup Menu:** Lets you modify configuration settings like display brightness, date and time, and language.

To access the menus, press the Menu/OK button.

To take a still picture with your HP PHOTOSMART E217:

1. Press the Live View/Playback button until the Live View icon appears in the upper left corner of the Image Display.

2. Frame the subject for your picture in the Image Display.

3. Press the Shutter button on top of the camera to take the picture. The camera beeps after the picture is taken.

After a picture is taken, it appears for several seconds on the Image Display for an “Instant Review”.

To record a video clip, which includes audio, on your HP PHOTOSMART E217:

1. Press the Live View/Playback button until the Live View icon appears on the Image Display.

2. Frame the subject for your video using the Image Display.

3. To start recording, press and release the Video button on top of the camera. A video icon, REC, a video counter, and a message will appear on the display. The Self-Timer/Video light on the front will turn on solid red.

4. To stop recording, press and release the Video button again. Otherwise, the video will continue recording until the camera runs out of memory.

Note: Digital zoom is not available while recording video clips.

You can use the digital zoom on your HP PHOTOSMART E217 to capture a portion of a scene. Note that using digital zoom reduces the resolution of the image.

1. While in Live View, press the up arrow button (Zoom In) on the Controller to enter digital zoom. A yellow frame will appear.

2. Continue to press the Zoom In button until the yellow frame surrounds the area you want to capture. If you zoom too far, press the down arrow button (Zoom Out) to enlarge the selection.

3. When the image is framed as desired, press the Shutter button to take the picture.

4. To turn digital zoom off, press the Zoom Out button until the yellow frame disappears.

Setting the Flash

Press the Flash button repeatedly to cycle through the available flash settings on your HP PHOTOSMART E217. The selected setting’s icon will appear on the Image Display.

The flash setting resets to Auto Flash when you turn the camera off.

Using the Focus Modes

Slide the Focus Mode switch on the front of the camera to change the focal distance.

To use the self-timer on your HP PHOTOSMART E217:

1. Secure the camera on a tripod or a stable surface.

2. Press the Timer button until the Self-Timer icon appears on the Image Display, then frame your subject.

3. Depending on what you are capturing:

• **For Still Pictures:** Press the Shutter button. A countdown appears on the screen, and the Self-Timer/Video light on the front blinks for 10 seconds before the camera takes the picture.

• **For Video Clips:** Press the Video button. A 10-second countdown appears, and the light blinks before the camera starts recording.

The self-timer setting resets to normal after the picture is taken or the video clip is recorded.

The Capture Menu on your HP PHOTOSMART E217 allows you to adjust settings that affect your images and videos.

1. To display the Capture Menu, ensure the camera is in Live View and press the Menu/OK button.

2. Use the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through the menu options (e.g., Shooting Mode, Image Quality, EV Compensation).

3. To change a setting, you can either:

• Press the Menu/OK button to enter a sub-menu for the highlighted option, make your selection, and press Menu/OK again.

• Use the left and right arrow buttons to change the setting directly for some options without entering a sub-menu.

4. To exit the Capture Menu, press the Live View/Playback button.

The available settings in the Capture Menu include:

• Shooting Modes

• Image Quality

• Date & Time Imprint

• EV Compensation

• White Balance

• ISO Speed

Shooting Modes on the HP PHOTOSMART E217 provide pre-defined settings optimized for different scene types. To change the mode, go to the Capture Menu, select Shooting Mode, and choose from the following options:

The Playback Menu on your HP PHOTOSMART E217 allows you to manage and manipulate your captured images and videos.

1. To display the Playback Menu, press the Live View/Playback button to enter Playback mode, then press the Menu/OK button.

2. Use the up and down arrow buttons to highlight the Playback Menu option you want to use on the left side of the screen.

3. Use the left and right arrow buttons to move to the image or video clip you want to affect.

4. Select the highlighted menu option by pressing the Menu/OK button and follow the on-screen instructions.

The table below summarizes the Playback Menu options:

There are a few ways to transfer images from your HP PHOTOSMART E217 to a computer.

Using the USB Cable (with HP Software):

1. Confirm the HP Image Zone software is installed on your computer.

2. Connect the larger end of the supplied USB cable to your computer and the smaller end to the USB connector on the camera.

3. Turn on the camera. The HP Image Transfer software on your computer should launch and guide you through the process.

Configuring the Camera as a Disk Drive (without HP Software):

1. On your camera, go to the Setup Menu.

2. Navigate to the USB option and select Disk Drive.

3. Connect the camera to your computer with the USB cable. The camera will appear as a removable disk drive, allowing you to copy files manually.

Using a Memory Card Reader:

1. If you are using a memory card, you can remove it from the camera and insert it into a memory card reader connected to your computer.

2. The memory card will appear as a removable drive, and you can copy the image files from the DCIM folder.

You can print directly from your HP PHOTOSMART E217 to any PictBridge-certified printer.

1. Check that the printer is turned on and ready to print. Load paper if needed.

2. Connect your camera to the printer:

a. On the camera, go to the Setup Menu and ensure the USB Configuration is set to Digital Camera.

b. Use the supplied USB cable to connect the camera’s USB port to the printer’s PictBridge port.

3. When the camera is connected, a Print Setup menu displays on the camera’s screen.

4. Use the arrow buttons on the camera to change print settings like Images to print (selected or all), Print Size, Paper Type, etc.

5. When the settings are correct, press the Menu/OK button on the camera to begin printing.

Note: Video clips cannot be printed directly from the camera.

The Setup Menu allows you to adjust core camera settings for your HP PHOTOSMART E217.

1. While in Live View, press the Menu/OK button.

2. Use the right arrow button to scroll to the Setup Menu tab (wrench icon).

3. Use the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through the Setup Menu options.

4. To change a setting, highlight it and either press the Menu/OK button to enter a sub-menu or use the left/right buttons to change it directly.

5. Press the Live View/Playback button to exit the menu.

Options in the Setup Menu include:

• Display Brightness

• Camera Sounds

• Date & Time

• USB Configuration

• Language

• Move Images to Card

• Reset Settings

To reset your HP PHOTOSMART E217 camera to the factory default settings:

1. If you have an optional memory card in the camera, remove it.

2. In the Setup Menu, select Reset Settings….

3. In the Reset All Settings? sub-menu, highlight Yes.

4. Press the Menu/OK button to reset the settings and return to the Setup Menu. This will reset all settings in the Capture and Setup menus except for Date & Time, Language, and USB Configuration.

5. If you removed a memory card in Step 1, you can now replace it.

If your camera does not respond at all, you can perform a hard reset:

1. Turn off the camera.

2. Remove the batteries for 5 to 10 seconds.

3. Reinsert the batteries and close the battery door.

If your HP PHOTOSMART E217 camera does not turn on, try the following solutions:

• **Lens Cover:** Make sure you have slid the lens cover open far enough until it clicks.

• **Batteries:**

– The batteries could be low or completely drained. Try installing new or fully recharged batteries.

– Ensure the batteries are installed correctly, matching the polarity diagrams inside the compartment.

– For best results, use Energizer Lithium AA or rechargeable NiMH AA batteries. Ordinary Alkaline batteries may not provide enough power.

• **Memory Card:** The optional memory card may be unsupported or corrupted. Remove the memory card and see if the camera turns on. If it does, the card is likely the issue. Try formatting the card with a computer or replace it.

• **Reset:** If the camera has stopped operating, perform a hard reset by removing the batteries for 5-10 seconds and then reinserting them.

Here are common causes and solutions for image quality issues with your HP PHOTOSMART E217:

• **My image is blurry:**

– **Cause:** Low light requiring a long exposure. **Solution:** Use a tripod to hold the camera steady, improve lighting, or set the flash to Auto Flash or Flash On.

– **Cause:** Subject was too close. **Solution:** Set the camera to Macro focus mode.

– **Cause:** Camera or subject moved. **Solution:** Hold the camera with two hands, press the Shutter button gently, or use Action shooting mode.

• **My image is too bright:**

– **Cause:** Flash was too strong for a close subject. **Solution:** Turn the flash off or move back from the subject.

– **Cause:** EV Compensation was set too high. **Solution:** Set EV Compensation back to 0.0.

– **Cause:** Scene had many dark objects. **Solution:** Decrease the EV Compensation.

• **My image is too dark:**

– **Cause:** Subject was too far for the flash. **Solution:** Ensure the subject is within the flash working distance (up to 5 meters / 16.5 feet).

– **Cause:** Scene had many light-colored objects. **Solution:** Increase the EV Compensation.

– **Cause:** A light is behind the subject (backlit). **Solution:** Use the Flash On setting for fill-flash.

• **My image is grainy:**

– **Cause:** ISO Speed setting was too high. **Solution:** Use a lower ISO Speed setting.

– **Cause:** Image Quality setting was too low. **Solution:** Use a higher Image Quality setting, such as 4MP Best.

– **Cause:** The camera was too warm. **Solution:** The effect will diminish as the camera cools. Avoid storing the camera in very hot locations.

Here are solutions for common error messages that may appear on your HP PHOTOSMART E217’s display:

• **UNSUPPORTED CARD:** The memory card is not a supported type. Ensure you are using a compatible SD or MMC card. If it is the proper type, try reformatting it.

• **CARD IS UNFORMATTED** or **CARD HAS WRONG FORMAT:** The camera needs to format the memory card. Press OK to format the card, which will delete all files on it. If you do not want to format it, remove the card.

• **CARD LOCKED:** The lock switch on the side of the SD memory card is in the locked position. Turn the camera off, remove the card, and slide the switch to the unlocked position.

• **MEMORY FULL** or **CARD FULL:** There is not enough space to save more images. Transfer images to a computer and delete them from the camera/card, or replace the card with a new one.

• **CARD IS UNREADABLE:** The camera is having trouble reading the card. It may be corrupted or unsupported. Try turning the camera off and on again. If that fails, try re-formatting the card. If it will not format, replace the memory card.

• **ERROR SAVING IMAGE/VIDEO:** The memory card was removed before the camera finished writing to it, or the card was half-locked. Always wait for the Power/Memory light to stop blinking before removing the card.

• **Camera has experienced an error:** A transient problem has occurred. Turn the camera off and on again. If that does not fix the problem, try resetting the camera by removing the batteries for 10 seconds.

Proper battery management will improve the performance of your HP PHOTOSMART E217.

Top Points About Batteries:

• The first time you use a set of NiMH batteries, be sure to fully charge them first.

• If you do not intend to use your camera for more than two months, remove the batteries.

• Never mix batteries of different types (e.g., Lithium and NiMH), brands, or ages. Always use two identical batteries.

Extending Battery Life:

• Change the Display Brightness setting in the Setup Menu to Low.

• Minimize the use of flash by setting your camera to Auto Flash instead of Flash On.

• Turn the camera off between shots.

Power Indicators:

The battery icon on the display shows the remaining power:

Basic Camera Care:

• Before storing, wipe any moisture from the camera body with a clean, dry, soft cloth.

• Store your camera in a cool, dry place away from windows, furnaces, and damp basements.

• Always slide the lens cover over the lens when not in use to protect it from dust and scratches and to conserve battery life.

• Never open the camera’s casing or attempt to repair it yourself.

Cleaning the Camera Lens:

1. Slide the lens cover to uncover the lens.

2. Gently blow on the lens to remove any loose dust.

3. Lightly wipe the lens with a non-chemically treated, lens-cleaning tissue, using a circular motion.

Cleaning the Camera Body and Image Display:

1. Gently blow on the Image Display to eliminate dust.

2. Wipe the entire surface of the camera and the Image Display using a clean, dry, soft cloth. You can also use lens-cleaning tissue on the display.

The following table lists the approximate number of still images that can be stored in the 16MB internal memory of the HP PHOTOSMART E217. Note that not all 16MB is available for storage, and values are for images without audio clips.