Levenhuk DTX 500 LCD Digital Microscope User Manual

: June 5, 2024
: levenhuk

Levenhuk DTX 500 LCD Digital Microscope

Levenhuk-DTX-500-LCD-Digital-Microscope-PRODUCT

Microscope parts

LCD display
MicroSD card slot
Fine focus knob
Microscope optical tube
Stage
Coarse focus knob
Focus lock knob
Shutter button
Brightness adjustment wheel
Magnification adjustment wheel
Power cable socket
RCA socket
USB socket
Battery compartment
Battery status indicator
Function keys

The kit includes: a microscope, rechargeable battery, power cable, USB cable, RCA cable, Levenhuk DTX installation CD, cleaning cloth, user guide, and calibration scale.

Microscope assembly

Open the battery compartment at the bottom of the microscope base. Insert the battery into the] battery compartment matching the indicated polarity. The battery has to be fully charged before] turning the microscope on for the first time. Plug the power cable into the power cable socket] on the microscope body (11) and connect it to a power source. The battery status indicator (15)] will turn red. Once the battery is fully charged, the indicator will go out. You can now disconnect] the microscope from the power source and turn it on. The fully-charged battery allows you to] use the microscope for two hours. The illumination will grow dim and the image quality will decrease to inform you that the battery is low. Charge the battery, as described above. A microSD card (purchased separately) is required to save captured images and recorded videos. Turn the microscope off and insert the microSD card into the corresponding slot on the microscope body until it locks in place with a click. Do not apply excessive force when inserting the microSD card. Try rotating the card, if it does not lock in place with ease. Format the card before using it.to turn the microscope on press the power button (16). To turn the microscope off press the power button (16) again (refer to Power saving for more information).

Image capture mode icon
Sequence capture mode icon
Captured image counter/Total number of images that may be captured (based on the current resolution)
MicroSD status icon
Current image resolution
Battery status indicator

Note: interface icons may be hidden by pressing the magnification adjustment wheel (10).

Using the microscope

Capturing an image

Turn the microscope on and place a specimen on the stage. Adjust the illumination brightness, so that the specimen is evenly lit. Change magnification and focus your view, if necessary, then lock the results in place with the focus lock knob (7). Press the shutter button (8).

Recording a video

Press the ◄ key (16) to switch to video mode. The icon in the upper left corner of the screen will change in confirmation. Press the shutter button (8) to start recording and press it again to stop.

Playing recorded videos

Press the ◄ key (16) to switch to playback mode. The icon in the upper left corner of the screen will change in confirmation. Select the desired video clip with scroll keys (16) and press OK to play it.

Deleting files

When browsing saved files, press the Wrench key (16), select Delete… press OK to confirm the selection (you can choose to delete everything or just the selected file from the displayed menu).

Protecting files

When browsing saved files, press the Wrench key (16), select Protect press OK to confirm the selection (you can choose to protect everything or just the selected file from the displayed menu).

Slideshow

When browsing saved files, press the Wrench key (16), select Slide Show, and press OK to confirm the selection.

Interface color mode

When browsing saved files, press the ▲ key to switch between existing interface color modes.

Magnification

Scroll the magnification adjustment wheel (10) to zoom your view in or out.

Note: magnification range of Levenhuk DTX 500 LCD is 1—4х.

Transferring files to a computer

Connect the microscope to your computer with a USB cable and, when the AutoPlay window appears, choose to use the microscope as an external storage device.

Main menu

Press the Wrench key (16) to open the main menu. From this menu you can set image resolution, adjust image quality and sharpness, as well as set parameters for sequence capture.

Resolution

Select Resolution in the main menu and choose the required image resolution. Press OK to confirm the selection.

Note: model supports the following resolutions: VGA / 1.3M / 3M / 5M / 8M / 12M.

Sequence capture

Select Timer from the main menu and set the total number of images to be captured in the Frames dialog window. Confirm your selection by pressing OK. A new dialog window will appear where you can set the interval between images using the ▲ and ▼ keys. Press OK to confirm and ◄ to return to capture mode. Press the shutter button to start capturing images. The icon in the upper left corner will change in confirmation. Once the set number of images has been captured, the screen will return to standard capture mode. Press the shutter button at any time to stop sequence capture.

Quality

Select Quality from the main menu and choose one of the existing settings. This will change the compression rate of captured images.

Sharpness

Select Sharpness from the main menu and choose one of the existing settings.

Language

Select Language from the main menu and choose one of the existing settings. Press OK to confirm the selection.

Power saving

Select Power Save from the main menu and set the idle time before the microscope automatically shuts down.

Display frequency

Select Frequency from the main menu and choose one of the existing settings. Press OK

Date and time display

Select Date Stamp from the main menu and choose one of the existing settings. You can opt to display the date or both date and time. Press OK to confirm the selection.

TV connection

Select TV Out from the main menu and choose one of the existing settings. Press OK to confirm the selection.

Date and time

Select Date/Time from the main menu and set the current date and time. Press OK to confirm entry. You can also choose one of the following date formats: YY/MM/DD, DD/MM/YY, or MM/DD/YY.

Format SD card

Select Format SD from the main menu to format the installed memory card.

Settings reset

Select Sys. Reset from the main menu to revert back to factory settings.

Hardware version

Select Version from the main menu to check the current hardware version.

Connecting the microscope to a TV-set

Plug the RCA cable into the microscope and connect it to your TV set (refer to the User Guide of your TV set for additional information). Turn on the TV and select the correct channel from the corresponding menu of the TV set (refer to the User Guide of your TV set for additional information).

PortableCapture Pro software

Insert the installation CD into your CD drive. The Main Menu window will be displayed. Select PortableCapture software to install the PortableCapture Pro application. Keep in mind that a system restart will be required during installation. The installation CD contains a copy of this User Guide, which you can read by clicking the corresponding entry in the Main Menu. Connect the microscope to your PC with a USB cable and run the PortableCapture Pro application. A pop-up message will warn you if the microscope is not connected to the PC.

Note: function keys are disabled when the microscope is connected to a computer as a camera. The microscope is operated through the PortableCapture Pro application. All the images and videos will be saved to the computer’s hard drive.

Capture an image
Start and stop
video recording
Sequence capture (you can set the time to begin capturing images or videos, the interval between them, video duration, and the number of images or videos to be captured)
Full-screen mode. To exit full-screen mode, press Escape on your keyboard or double-click anywhere on the screen.

Levenhuk-DTX-500-LCD-Digital-Microscope-FIG-7

Save as
Copy to clipboard
Copy file
Previous image
Next image
Undo the last action
Repeat the last action
Draw
Text
Measurement
Calibration

File

Photos Directory: set a directory for captured images.
Videos Directory: set a directory for recorded videos.

Options

Resolution: set image resolution.
Date/Time: hide or display the date and time of capture during the preview.
Language: change the language of the user interface.
Crossing: hide or display a grid on images.
Full-screen mode: go full screen.

Capture

Photo: capture an image.
Video: record a video.

Capturing an image

Click the corresponding icon on the toolbar or select Photo from the Capture menu.

Recording a video

Click the corresponding icon on the toolbar or select Video from the Capture menu.

Sequence capture

Click the corresponding icon on the toolbar. A dialog window will appear where you can set a number of parameters for sequence capture. Click the Photo radio button to set the time to begin capturing images, the interval between them, and the total number of images. Click the Video radio button to set the time to begin recording videos, their duration, the interval between them and the total number of clips.

Calibrating

Before calibrating the microscope, turn the grid display on. To do so, select On from Options > Crossing. By default, the grid is visible. Place the calibration scale on the stage and focus your view. Make sure that the vertical axis of the grid is parallel to scaledivisions and capture an image. Double-click the image thumbnail to open it in a separate window. Click the corresponding icon on the toolbar to begin calibration. Using your mouse, choose two points on the image (you have to know the actual distance between these two points). Once you choose the second point, a dialog window will open, where you have to enter the known distance in the Actual dimension field. The application will automatically calculate the magnification of the image. Click OK to close the dialog window. The calculated magnification will be displayed in the Magnification field.

Note: chosen points should form a horizontal line.

You can check calibration results by measuring the same distance with the Any Angle Linetool. Click the measurements icon, choose the Any Angle Line tool and draw a similar line on the image. If the measured distance is equal to the actual distance, calibration has been successful.

Recalibration

The calibration process has to be repeated if the magnification or focus has been changed during observations.
Click the corresponding icon on the toolbar again and select Reset picture magnification]from Reset magnification. Repeat the calibration process, as described above. Change the magnification and capture a few images. Double- click one of the thumbnails to open the] resulting image in a preview window. Click the calibration icon on the toolbar and select Set picture magnification from Set magnification. Enter the current magnification in the dialog] window that appears and click OK. If you want to use the same magnification when capturing images in the future, click the calibration icon on the toolbar and select Set capture magnification from Setmagnification.

Measurements

It is recommended to calibrate the system before proceeding with measurements.

Any Angle Line: Press and hold the left mouse button to start drawing a line. Release the left mouse button to complete the line.
Continuous Line: Use this tool to draw a curve on the image and measure its length.
Radius Circle: Draw a straight line on the image. The application will automatically calculate the radius, as well as circumference and area of the corresponding circle.
Diameter Circle: Draw a straight line on the image. The application will automatically calculate the diameter, as well as the circumference and area of the corresponding circle.
Three Points Angle: Place three points on the image with your mouse. The application will automatically calculate the angle value.

Draw and text

PortableCapture Pro allows you to add drawings and textboxes to your images. Open an image in a preview window and click the Pencil icon on the toolbar. Select one of the tools from the drop-down menu and draw something on the image. By clicking the TT icon on the toolbar, you can edit font type and color to be used in textboxes.

Working with the application for Mac OS users

Browse to the mac folder on the installation CD and copy the PortableCapture Pro file to the desktop. Use a USB cable to connect the microscope to your computer. Run the portable capture Pro application by double-clicking its icon. A magnified image of the observed specimen may be seen in the main window of the application. From the Options menu, select Preview Size to set the image resolution.] Keep in mind that the preview window cannot be resized (the standard resolution is 640×480). The image resolution is shown in the bottom left corner of the preview window.From the Options menu, select Date/Time to display or hide the date and time of capture during preview. Click the corresponding icon on the toolbar or select Photo from the Capture menu to] capture an image. An image thumbnail will appear on the right side of the main window. Click the corresponding icon on the toolbar or select Video from the Capture menu to start recording a video. A video thumbnail will appear on the right side of the main window.

Note: During recording, the camcorder icon on the toolbar will turn red. Click the icon again to stop recording. Image and video thumbnails are displayed on the right side of the main window of the application. Double- click an image thumbnail to open it in a separate preview window. Editing images with PortableCapture Pro application is similar to working with other applications in Mac OS.

Care and maintenance

Never, under any circumstances, look directly at the Sun, another bright source of light, or at a laser through this device, as this may cause PERMANENT RETINAL DAMAGE and may lead to BLINDNESS. Take necessary precautions when using the device with children or others who have not read or who do not fully understand these instructions. After unpacking your] microscope and before using it for the first time check for the integrity and durability of every component and connection. Do not try to disassemble the device on your own for any reason.]For repairs and cleaning of any kind, please contact your local specialized service center. Protect the device from sudden impact and excessive mechanical force. Do not apply excessive pressure when adjusting focus. Do not overtighten the locking screws. Do not touch]the optical surfaces with your fingers. To clean the device exterior, use only special cleaning wipes and special optics cleaning tools from Levenhuk. Do not use any corrosive or acetone-based fluids to clean the optics. Abrasive particles, such as sand, should not be wiped off lenses, but instead blown off or brushed away with a soft brush. Do not use the device for lengthy periods of time, or leave it unattended in direct sunlight. Keep the device away from water and high humidity. Be careful during your observations, always replace the dust cover after you are finished with observations to protect the device from dust and stains. If you are not using your microscope for extended periods of time, store the objective lenses and eyepieces separately from the microscope. Store the device in a dry, cool place away from hazardous acids and other chemicals, away from heaters, open fire and other sources of high temperatures. When using the microscope, try not to use it near flammable materials or substances (benzene, paper, cardboard, plastic, etc.), as the base may heat up during use, and might become a fire hazard. Always unplug the microscope from a power source before opening the base or changing the illumination lamp. Regardless of the lamp type (halogen or incandescent), give it some time to cool down before trying to change it, and always change it to a lamp of the same type. Always use the power supply with the proper voltage, i.e. indicated in the specifications of your new microscope. Plugging the instrument into a different power outlet may damage the electric circuitry of the microscope, burn out the lamp, or even cause a short circuit. Children should use the device under adult supervision only. Seek medical advice immediately if a small part or a battery is swallowed.

Battery safety instructions

Always purchase the correct size and grade of battery most suitable for the intended use. Always replace the whole set of batteries at one time; taking care not to mix old and new ones or batteries of different types. Clean the battery contacts and also those of the device prior to battery installation. Make sure the batteries are installed correctly with regard to polarity (+ and -). Remove batteries from equipment that is not to be used for an extended period of time. Remove used batteries promptly. Never attempt to recharge primary batteries] as this may cause leakage, fire, or explosion. Never short- circuit batteries as this may lead to high temperatures, leakage, or explosion. Never heat batteries in order to revive them. Remember to switch off devices after use. Keep batteries out of the reach of children, to avoid the risk of ingestion, suffocation, or poisoning.

Specifications

Image sensor: 5Mpx (up to 12Mpx by interpolation)
Magnification: 20–200–500x
Available image resolutions: 12Mpx, 8Mpx, 5Mpx, 3Mpx, 1.3Mpx, VGA
Photo/video format: .jpeg/.avi
Memory card: microSD up to 32Gb (not included)
Objective lens: High-quality lens
Display: 3.5″ TFT-display, 4:3 ratio
Illumination: 8-LED system with variable brightness
Power source: Li-ion battery (3.7V/1050 mAh)
Operation time: 2 hours, charging time: 2 hours
Frame rate: 30fps
Power cable: 100–240V, 50/60Hz; 5V, 1A output
OS language: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese
Software language: English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Chinese
Dimensions (HхWхD): 227 x 104 x 149mm
Weight: 760g (with the battery)

The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to the product range and specifications without prior notice.

System requirements

Operating system: Windows 7/8/10, Mac 10.6~10.15
CPU: at least P4 1.8GHz, RAM: 5 12MB, interface: USB 2.0

Levenhuk International Lifetime Warranty

All Levenhuk telescopes, microscopes, binoculars, and other optical products, except for]their accessories, carry a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. A lifetime warranty is a guarantee on the lifetime of the product on the]market. All Levenhuk accessories are warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for six months from the purchase date. The warranty entitles you to the free repair or replacement of the Levenhuk product in any country where a Levenhuk office is located if all the warranty conditions are met. For further details, please visit: www.levenhuk.com/warranty If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your product, contact the local Levenhuk branch.