Black Box Micro HD User’s Guide Page 1 BrickHouse Security User’s Guide
Black Box Micro HD The Black Box Micro HD 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, voice, or time of day. The Black Box Micro HD allows you to change video quality, video orientation and more. Record for up to 10 hours on a single charge, or use the AC adapter and eliminate power concerns. All video is recorded to a micro SD card.
In the box you will find the Black Box Micro HD, 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.
can record in the FAT 16/32 format. If you aren’t sure how to format an SD card, you can find instructions here: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WJU2Jf87KU&feature=plcp . The Black Box Micro HD is compatible with micro SD cards up to 64GB capacity.* *Special software is required to format 64GB micro SD cards before use. You can download the software here: http://download.cnet.com/HP-USB-Disk-Storage-FormatTool/3000-2094_4-10974082.
This chart shows the default settings for your Black Box Micro HD.
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 “Black Box Micro HD” 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. After download is complete, double click on the exe file to begin installation.
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The BHS Cam Setup Tool is divided 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.
DVR Date Time SnapShot displays the timestamp programmed into your Black Box Micro HD 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. 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 or VLC Player 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 clip to sequence and then select it. Choose the ‘Rotate’ effect. Click on the right or left arrow to rotate If the device runs out of power it will hold its time settings for up to 5 days.
Settings In the Settings section you can create custom recording settings for your Black Box Micro HD. 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.
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 20 FPS (frames per second). Low is 5 FPS. Higher frame rates will produce a smoother video. Lower frame rates may produce choppy video. Split File Time: Choose 10, 15, or 20. This is how long the device will record before creating a new file.
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 Normal setting, the side of the device with the BrickHouse logo slot will be considered the top.
Voice-Trigger Sensitivity: High, Medium, Low, or Disable. When the Black Box Micro HD detects sounds higher than the selected sensitivity, it will begin recording.
Motion Detection Sensitivity: High, Medium, Low, or Disable motion activation. By default, motion detection is enabled with medium sensitivity on Custom mode. Schedule Recording allows you to enable Audio, Motion, or Vibration trigger recording at a certain time of the day. If Schedule Recording is enabled, power the device on, and it will record based on your selected triggers and scheduled timeframe.
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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 Option section allows you to change the language the BHS Cam Setup Tool will display. Choose from English, French, German, Chinese traditional, and Chinese simplified. Click on the Save Option button to save any changes you have made.
Without DC Adapter Connected -Green LED on: Black Box Micro HD powering up -Green LED flashing: Begin recording, after 60 seconds the LED light will turn off and the Black Box Micro HD will continue recording. -Green / Red LED intermittent flashing: Black Micro HD still is recording and battery running low. -Red LED on: Black Box Pro HD does not detect a micro SD card, faulty micro SD card inserted, micro SD card full (Circular Recording disabled), or battery low.
Recording Video To record video, choose Surviellance, on the go, custum 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.
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 to any 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 1 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 Black Box Micro HD 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 gigabyte 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.
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. Currently, the highest capacity of micro SD card is 64GB. USB Port: A USB port is a standard cable connection interface on personal computers and consumer electronics.
For help and information on your device, visit the BrickHouse Security knowledgebase at http://www.help.brickhousesecurity.
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