brickhouse security Camscura Pro Hidden Camera User Guide
- June 5, 2024
- brickhouse security
Table of Contents
Camera Pro Hidden Camera
User Guide
Camera Pro
The Camera Pro is a fully functional and customizable video recording system
in a compact case. Use the preset recording mode, or program custom settings
to record based on motion, vibration, body heat, voice, or time of day. The
Camera Pro allows you to change video quality, video orientation, and more.
Record for up to 36 hours on a single charge, or use the AC adapter and
eliminate power concerns.
All video is recorded to a micro SD card. Use the BHS Cam Setup Tool to
customize your settings from your Mac or Windows PC, and view your videos
using your computer’s media player (MPC Star, VLC, etc.).
In the box, you will find the Camscura Pro Hidden Camera, a USB cord, AC power adapter, and this user’s guide.
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Getting Started
The first step in using your device is charging it. Connect the device to a
USB port on your PC or plug it into AC power with the included adapter. While
charging, the LED indicator will glow orange and will turn green when the
battery is full. Before first use, we suggest charging the device for 8 hours.
This device does not have internal memory and relies on a micro SD card for
recording. The micro SD card should be inserted with the gold contacts facing
up in the direction of the BrickHouse Security logo. Before inserting a micro
SD card, make sure the card is formatted correctly. It must be FAT32 format.
If your card is formatted differently, or otherwise doesn’t appear to be
working, you can download our specialized app on our help site.
help.brickhousesecurity.com/kb/article/228-how-to-format-your-sd-card
To install the micro SD card, place the camera on a flat surface with the BrickHouse Security logo facing down. The card should be inserted with the gold contacts facing up, away from the logo.
Settings
This chart shows the default settings for your Camscura Pro.
Default | Circular Mode | Custom Mode |
---|---|---|
Video quality | High | High |
Resolution | 1280×720 | 1280×720 |
Frame Rate | High | High |
Day/Night Mode | Auto-Switching | Day Mode |
Orientation | Normal | Normal |
Timestamp | Enable | Enable |
Circular Recording | Enable | Enable |
Split File Time (min) | 20 | 10 |
PIR-Trigger Sensitivit | Enable | Disable |
Voice-Trigger Sensitivity | Disable | Disable |
Vibration-trigger Sensitivity | Disable | Disable |
Motion-Trigger Sensitivity | Disable | Enable |
Auto On/Off | Disable | Disable |
To change settings on your device, you first need to download and install the
BHS Cam Setup Tool. This can be downloaded from
http://help.brickhousesecurity.com. Type “Camscura Pro” into the search box
to find links to software, firmware, video tutorials, and FAQs. The BHS Cam
Setup Tool is available for Mac and PC.
To install the BHS Cam Setup Tool for PC, download BHS_Cam_Setup_Tool. exe.
the After download is complete, double-click on the .exe file to begin the
installation. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
To install the BHS Cam Setup Tool for Mac, download BHS_Cam_Setup_Tool. dmg.
the After download is complete, double-click on the .dmg file to begin
installation. Drag the BHS Cam Setup Tool icon into the Applications folder to
complete installation. Once installation is complete, click on Finder and
select Applications. Double click BHS Cam Setup Tool to launch.
Note that the time/date stamp on your videos will not be accurate until you
have adjusted settings with the BHS Cam Setup Tool.
Videos can be played using MPC Star (http://www.mpcstar.com/download.
PHP)oralplayer(http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html). To edit and rotate
recorded videos, you can download VideoPad Editor here:
http://download.cnet.com/VideoPad-Video-
Editor/3000-13631_4-10906278.html
Add the video clthe ip to sequence and then select it. Choose the ‘Rotate’
effect. Click on the right or left arrow to rotate.
BHS Camera Tool
The BHS Cam Setup Tool is broken up into 3 sections. When the device is
plugged into your PC via USB, the icon along the top will say “DVR Connected”.
If it says “DVR Disconnected,” you may need to power your computer off and on
and plug the device back in.
Date/Time: in the Date Time section, you can adjust the time stamp on
your videos. Choose PC Date Time to program the device using the time and date
saved to your computer.
Click the Custom Date Time option button to manually program the timestamp
using the dropdown boxes.
DVR Date Time SnapShot displays the timestamp programmed into your Camscura
Pro when it was connected to your PC.
To load any time changes, click on Sync Date Time to DVR. You should see a
notification that reads “Date Time Updated” when complete.
If the device runs out of power it will hold its time settings for up to 5
days. If more time passes between charges, the time will have to be reset.
Settings
In the Settings section, you can create custom recording settings for your
Camscura Pro.
Video Quality: High, Medium, or Low. The higher the video quality, the
more memory it will use.
Resolution: 1280 x 720 or 640 x 360 — Refers to the number of dots per
unit of area on a screen. Setting your device to a higher resolution will
produce a better quality image, but will also increase the video file size.
Circular Recording : Enable or Disable circular recording. When enabled,
the device will automatically delete the oldest file on the memory card if it
reaches capacity, and replace it with a new file.
Timestamp: Enable or Disable to turn the timestamp on and off.
Frame Rate: High is 18 FPS (frames per second). The Low is 6 FPS. Higher
frame rates will produce a smoother video. Lower frame rates may produce
choppy video.
Split File Time: Choose 10, 15, or 30. This is how long the device will
record before creating a new file. For example; if you choose 10, the device
will save each recording and start a new file every 10 minutes.
Day/Night Mode: Choose Day, Night, or Auto-switching. When in Night mode,
the device needs less light to capture video, but its picture can be “blown
out” if there is bright light. Enabling Auto-switching will allow the device
to automatically switch between Day and Night modes, depending on current
lighting conditions.
Orientation: Choose Normal or Vertical Flip. In the Normal setting, the
side of the device with the BrickHouse Security Logo will be considered the
top.
In Vertical Flip, the side with the USB Port will be considered the top. This
allows you to adjust orientation depending on where you will be placing the
device.
Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR): Enable or Disable the PIR Sensor. PIR is a
sensor that detects heat energy. If humans, animals or objects that emit heat
pass the sensor, it will trigger the device to begin recording. Using the PIR
feature will prolong battery life.
Voice-Trigger Sensitivity: High, Medium, Low, or Disable. When the
Camscura Pro detects sounds higher than xx decibels, it will begin recording.
For Sensitivity:
High: 62dB
Medium: 67dB
Low: 70dB
Reference:
Normal conversation at 3ft: 60dB
Mobile Phone Ringtone: 70dB
Vibration Trigger Sensitivity: High, Medium, Low, or Disable the
vibration sensor.
Motion Detection Sensitivity: High, Medium, Low, or Disable motion
activation. By default, motion detection is enabled with medium sensitivity
using Circular mode. Schedule Recording: this allows you to enable Audio,
Motion, or Vibration trigger recording at a certain time of the day. Once you
have chosen your settings, click on the Sync Settings to DVR icon. You will
receive a Settings Saved notification when they have been loaded.
Option: The Options section allows you to change the language the BHS Cam
Setup Tool Tool will display. Choose from English, French, German, Chinese
traditional, and Chinese simplified. Click on the Save Options button to save
any changes you have made. When disconnecting the Camscura Pro from your
computer, be sure to always choose the Safely Remove Hardware option in the
Windows control panel.
LED Status Guide
Without AC Adapter Connected
– Green LED on: Camscura Pro powering up
– Green LED flashing: Begin recording, after 60 seconds the LED light
will turn off and the Camscura Pro will continue recording.
– Green / Red LED intermittent flashing: Camscura Pro still is recording
and the battery running low. -Red LED on: Camscura Pro does not detect a micro
SD card, faulty micro SD card inserted, micro SD card full (Circular Recording
disabled), or battery low. With AC Adapter Connected
– Orange LED on: Charging
– Green LED on: Charge complete
– Green LED flashing: Charge complete and begin recording, after 60
seconds the LED light will turn off and the Camscura Pro will continue
recording.
– Green /Orange LED intermittent flashing: Charging and Recording at the
same time.
– Red LED on: Camscura Pro does not detect a micro SD card, faulty micro
SD card inserted, micro SD card full (Circular Recording disabled), or battery
low.
Connected to Computer
– Orange LED on: Charging
– Green LED on: Charge Complete
Recording Video
To record video, choose Circular or Custom using the Mode switch, then hold
down the Power button for 2-3 seconds. When powered on, the Green LED will
turn on and flash for 60 seconds before going dark. Once it stops blinking,
the device is recording using the settings loaded for whatever mode you have
chosen.
Viewing Your Files
To view your files on a computer, simply connect the device via the supplied
USB cord with the Micro SD card inserted to the device, making sure the device
is powered Off. It will connect as a removable drive, and depending on the
settings on your PC, it may automatically notify you that new hardware was
detected. If so, select Open Folder to View Files.
If it is not automatically detected, click Start on your desktop. Select My
Computer if you are using Windows XP, or Computer if using Windows Vista or
Windows 7. The device should be listed as a Removable Disk under the devices
With Removable Storage section. Open that drive, which will contain a folder
called BHS. This folder will contain all your recorded files.
Upgrading Firmware
Occasionally, upgrades may be available for your device’s firmware that add
functionality or fix issues. To upgrade your device, download the new firmware
to your PC and open the file. Once open, press the upgrade button on the
device using a paperclip, pin, or similar and connect the device to your
computer via USB. The upgrade should occur automatically, and a notification
will appear on your screen once it has been completed.
Troubleshooting
Problem: The device is “stuck” with the LED light on and is not responding
toany buttons.
Solution: This issue occurs most commonly when the device is given too
many commands too quickly (rapidly pressing the power button repeatedly).
This can cause it to freeze up. If this occurs, use a paperclip or other small
object to gently push the Reset button. Hold the buttons down for 10 seconds
to force the device to power down and reset.
Problem: The time is incorrect.
Solution: Charge the device and use the BHS Cam Setup Tool to set the
time.
If the battery remains drained for 5 days, time settings will be lost.
Problem: As soon as the device is turned on the LED turns red and it will
not accept any commands.
Solution: This indicates that the Camscura Pro is unable to read a memory
card. Make sure there is a micro SD card inserted in the device. If there is a
card, try formatting it or using another card.
Glossary
DVR: short for Digital Video Recorder; this abbreviation refers to any
device capable of recording and saving a digital video file. This is the high-
tech equivalent of a VCR.
GB: GB is short for gigabytes which is a unit used to measure computer
storage capacity and is approximate to 1.07 billion bytes. 1 Gigabyte of data
is almost twice the amount of data that a CD-ROM can hold. Additionally, 1
Gigabyte could hold the contents of about 10 yards of books on a shelf.
LED: An abbreviation for “light-emitting diode,” it’s an electronic
device that lights up when electricity passes through it. LEDs are good for
displaying images because they can be relatively small, and they do not burn
out. However, they require more power than LCDs.
Micro SD Card: Micro SD cards, also known as TransFlash, are smaller
versions of SD memory cards. As electronic devices are becoming smaller, Micro
SD cards are becoming more and more common in the marketplace.
USB Port: A USB port is a standard cable connection interface on personal
computers and consumer electronics. USB ports allow stand-alone electronic
devices to be connected via cables to a computer. USB can connect computer
peripherals such as mice, keyboards, PDAs, gamepads and joysticks, scanners,
digital cameras, printers, personal media players, flash drives, and external
hard drives.
For help and information on your device, visit the BrickHouse Security
knowledge base at http://www.help.brickhousesecurity.com
References
- GPS Trackers, Counter Surveillance, Hidden Cameras, Counter Surveillance
- VideoPad Masters - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download
- How to Format Your SD Card - BrickHouse Security - powered by HappyFox
- GPS Trackers, Counter Surveillance, Hidden Cameras, Counter Surveillance
- Official download of VLC media player, the best Open Source player - VideoLAN