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WingScapes BirdCam User Manual

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  • Page 1 BirdCam User’s Guide...
  • Page 2 This product is covered by one or more of the following US Patents: 6735387, 6768868, and 6834162. Other patents pending. © 2007 Ebsco Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 3: How To Reach Wingscapes

    Customer Support Phone: 888.811.WING (9464) Fax: 205.408.6157 Email: support@wingscapes.com Web: www.wingscapes.com/support Address: Wingscapes 150 Industrial Road Alabaster, AL 35007...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents How to reach Wingscapes Welcome Quick Start Guide Getting to Know the BirdCam Mounting the BirdCam MODE Menu SETUP Menu AUTO Mode MANUAL Mode TIMELAPSE Mode Accessing Photos and Videos Troubleshooting BirdCam Accessories Warranty Additional Information...

  • Page 5: Welcome

    Start Guide” in the following pages and begin experimenting with a simple setup. (We think the best way to get started is to setup the BirdCam at ground level — with bird seed scattered 2 to 4 feet in front of it.) Weather, bird species, feeder type, feeder placement, and other factors all influence BirdCam performance.

  • Page 6: Quick Start Guide

    Remove BirdCam from packaging. Remove rear battery compartment door and insert four new D-cell batteries. Mount the BirdCam so that it is aimed where a bird will land (preferably within 4 feet). Secure the BirdCam with the included stretch cords.

  • Page 7: Getting To Know The Birdcam

    Getting to Know the BirdCam The following sections will help you familiarize yourself with the Wingscapes BirdCam. What’s in the Box • BirdCam • Stretch cords for mounting (2) • USB cable for downloading photos and videos to a computer •...
  • Page 8 Getting to Know the BirdCam camera lens loop for mounting and/or aiming shutter button (in MANUAL mode) cutaways for attaching stretch-cords security hasp for padlock (not included) latches infrared sensor display photocell (turns BirdCam off at dusk / on at dawn)
  • Page 9 Getting to Know the BirdCam focus distance settings focus ring and camera lens shutter button (in MANUAL mode), laser aiming device laser ON/OFF (in SETUP menu) (READ LASER WARNINGS FIRST) easy start guide mode button slot for optional menu navigation buttons...
  • Page 10 Getting to Know the BirdCam Wingscapes BirdCam Specifications Operational Modes AUTO, MANUAL, or TIMELAPSE Housing Weather-resistant and lockable LCD Status Display Operating Mode, Photos/Video taken, Photos/Videos remaining, Battery strength, BirdCam status CMOS Sensor 3.1 Megapixel Built-in Memory 32 MB Memory Card...
  • Page 11 BirdCam properly updates the memory information. b. When an SD card is inserted in the BirdCam, any photos stored in the BirdCam’s internal memory become inaccessible, but are not lost. When the SD card is removed, images in the internal memory become accessible again.
  • Page 12 D-cell batteries, ensure that polarity (+/-) is correct. Battery life is approximately 4 weeks, depending on outside temperature and BirdCam usage. If longer run times are required you can use an optional external 12Volt power source. When the BirdCam is active, the amount of remaining battery capacity is displayed as a percentage.
  • Page 13 Getting to Know the BirdCam Photocell The BirdCam is equipped with a light-sensitive, photo-cell which con- stantly measures available light. In very low light, the photo-cell forces the BirdCam into NIGHT mode. This conserves battery power when there is not enough light to take pictures. When the light level increases, the photo-cell will ‘wake-up’...

  • Page 14: Mounting The Birdcam

    The BirdCam has been designed to offer a balance of mounting flexibility and ease of setup. There are several easy ways to mount the BirdCam. With some ingenuity, you should be able to aim the BirdCam almost anywhere a bird will land.
  • Page 15 BirdCam before operating the laser. To operate the laser aiming device: 1. With the BirdCam door open, use the MODE button to display <ENTER SETUP> and press to enter the SETUP menu. 2. With the BirdCam pointed toward its target (and away from people), press the LASER AIM button.
  • Page 16 The two included stretch cords can be used to attach the BirdCam to a tree or large post. To do this, simply hook the cords to the recessed cutaways on the back of the BirdCam. This is the best way to target a feeder hanging from a tree limb.
  • Page 17 – 20). This enables the BirdCam to work with the vast majority of standard camera tripods. Camera tripods offer great stability and adjustability, so they are a great option to use with the BirdCam. (Note: Most tripods are NOT weatherproof.)

  • Page 18: Optional Accessory

    Scenario #4 – Using the BirdCam Bracket (optional accessory) Wingscapes has designed an accessory bracket that makes it easy to mount a BirdCam on any round feeder pole with a diameter of ½” to 1½”. For more information about this accessory, contact your local...

  • Page 19: Mode Menu

    MODE Menu This Mode menu allows you to move between the BirdCam’s three operating modes (AUTO, MANUAL, and TIMELAPSE) and the SETUP menu. Enter the MODE menu: At any time, press MODE to enter the MODE menu. Navigate the MODE menu:...
  • Page 20 Mode Menu Press MODE, +, or - Press MODE, +, or - Press MODE, +, or - Press MODE, +, or - At any of the above screens, press > to enter your selection.

  • Page 21: Setup Menu

    BirdCam in different conditions. REMEMBER: At any time, you can reset the BirdCam to its default, factory settings by scrolling to RESET TO EASY? in the SETUP menu and selecting EASY - PHOTO.
  • Page 22 Press the MODE button at any time to exit the SETUP menu and return to the MODE menu. NOTE: If the BirdCam is left in this mode without activity for more than 4 minutes it automatically goes to AUTO mode (which is...
  • Page 23 NO – Select to leave the SETUP menu settings alone. EASY PHOTO – Select this value to reset all SETUP menu set- tings to the default values (as they were when the BirdCam left the factory). These settings will be suitable for the average user.
  • Page 24 SETUP Menu PHOTO OR VIDEO? Use this setting to control whether the BirdCam takes photos or 10-second videos. PHOTO – Choose this value to take photos. VIDEO – Choose this value to take videos. PHOTO QUALITY NOTE: This setting does NOT appear when VIDEO is selected in the PHOTO OR VIDEO? setting.
  • Page 25 SETUP Menu LOW 640 x 480 – Use this value to take low-resolution images. These images consume the least amount of memory, enabling users to take the maximum number of images. They are suitable for viewing on a computer or TV screen, e-mailing, or printing small photos.
  • Page 26 In AUTO mode, use this setting to control how often the BirdCam looks for activity. When the BirdCam ‘wakes’ from a delay in AUTO mode, it will look for animal movement until either movement is detected or the photocell forces it into NIGHT mode.
  • Page 27 SETUP Menu DELAY values: NO DELAY 30 MIN 30 SEC 45 MIN 1 MIN 1 HR 2 MIN 4 HR 5 MIN 6 HR 10 MIN DAILY 20 MIN 5 MIN is the default setting...
  • Page 28 SETUP Menu #PHOTOS/EVENT and #VIDEOS/EVENT This setting allows you to specify how many photos the BirdCam will take between each delay period. When the PHOTO OR VIDEO? setting is set to VIDEO, this setting becomes #VIDEOS/EVENT and the maximum value is reduced from 10 to 3 (see table below).
  • Page 29 More about #PHOTOS/EVENT and #VIDEOS/EVENT: In AUTO mode, this setting specifies the maximum number of photos (or videos) the BirdCam can take between delay periods. Provided that it detects continuous motion, the BirdCam will take the maximum number of photos and then re-enter a delay period.
  • Page 30 LOW – This value should be used when you are getting too many images using the MEDIUM value. This may happen when the BirdCam is mounted very close to its target or if many birds are flying behind the feeder without landing.
  • Page 31 YES-KEEP – This option is the default factory value and simplifies the SETUP menu. The imprint information that is currently programmed into the BirdCam will appear in a databar at the bottom of your photos. This selection allows you to bypass the time, date, and BirdCam name programming screens.
  • Page 32 OFF – This option is the default factory value. The optional BirdCam remote control will not work when NO is selected. ON – This option tells the BirdCam to look for a signal from the optional BirdCam remote control. The BirdCam will consume batteries faster when YES is selected.
  • Page 33 BirdCam. YES – To permanently erase all photos and videos stored in the BirdCam’s memory, select YES and press . When DONE is displayed, the memory has been erased. SD Card installed – This option will only erase the SD card. It will not affect images stored in the BirdCam’s internal memory.
  • Page 34 SETUP Menu TEST CAMERA? This option allows you to run a diagnostic test on the BirdCam. It is used to check the BirdCam’s functionality and verify that it is working properly. During this test, important subsystems are tested. This setting has two options: NO –...
  • Page 35 Read the warning label on BirdCam before operating laser. To operate the laser aiming device 1. With the BirdCam door open, use the MODE button to display < ENTER SETUP > and press to enter the SETUP menu. (RESET TO EASY? will display).

  • Page 36: Auto Mode

    AUTO Mode In AUTO mode, the BirdCam uses an infrared sensor to detect bird movement, and then automatically takes either a photo or a video clip (depending on settings chosen in the SETUP menu). NOTE: A combination of heat and motion are required to trigger this infrared sensor.

  • Page 37: Manual Mode

    MANUAL Mode In MANUAL mode, the BirdCam operates like a regular digital camera. When the SHUTTER button is pressed, the BirdCam takes either a photo or a video clip (depending on settings chosen in the SETUP menu). NOTE: The motion-sensor is NOT active in the MANUAL mode.

  • Page 38: Timelapse Mode

    TIMELAPSE Mode In TIMELAPSE mode, the BirdCam takes photos or videos at a specific time interval that you set. NOTE: The motion-sensor is NOT active in the TIMELAPSE mode. Enter TIMELAPSE mode: From the MODE menu, press the +, -, or MODE button until the display reads: START TIMELAPSE >.
  • Page 39 Which Settings are Active in which Mode? Setting AUTO MANUAL TIMELAPSE RESET TO EASY? PHOTO OR VIDEO? PHOTO QUALITY DELAY #PHOTOS/EVENT SENSITIVITY IMPRINT INFO? REMOTE CONTROL ERASE IMAGES? TEST CAMERA? 1 - PHOTO QUALITY setting does not appear when PHOTO OR VIDEO? is set to VIDEO 2 - #PHOTOS/EVENT becomes #VIDEOS/EVENT when PHOTO OR VIDEO? is set to VIDEO...

  • Page 40: Accessing Photos And Videos

    Accessing Photos and Videos View Images on a TV When connected to a TV, the BirdCam controls can be used to scroll through photos and videos. This method will work using the BirdCam’s internal memory or with an optional SD card inserted.
  • Page 41 3. Connect the larger end of the supplied USB cable to a USB jack on the computer. 4. On the BirdCam, enter the SETUP menu. 5. Your computer should recognize your BirdCam as a new drive. a. WINDOWS (Windows 2000/ME/XP/Vista required): BirdCam memory should appear as a new drive labeled “Removable Disk”...

  • Page 42: Troubleshooting

    Alabaster, AL 35007 support@wingscapes.com www.wingscapes.com/support Solutions to Common Problems 1. BirdCam takes too few photos (or videos) in AUTO mode. Suggestions: • Check to make sure that the BirdCam is aimed properly and nothing is between your target and the infrared sensor.
  • Page 43 As with any automatic camera, the BirdCam’s image quality depends on many variables, such as the source and intensity of light. During dawn and dusk, it is normal for the BirdCam to take some dark images. Ideal light conditions are shade or indirect sunlight.
  • Page 44 Troubleshooting Diagnostic Test Running a diagnostic test is an option in the SETUP menu. It is used to check the BirdCam functionality and verify that it is working properly. During this test, important subsystems are tested. Run the Diagnostic Test 1.
  • Page 45 Troubleshooting Error Code: Battery Test Clock Test = Battery Passed = Clock Passed = Battery O.V. or = Clock Failed Battery Low IR Sensor Test Memory Test = Memory OK or = IR Sensor Passed No SD Card MemOK = IR Sensor Failed = Memory Full = SD Card Locked Cam Mod Test...

  • Page 46: Birdcam Accessories

    Alabaster, AL 35007 support@wingscapes.com www.wingscapes.com/support BirdCam Bracket Product # WSBR01 This accessory bracket makes it easy to mount the BirdCam to most standard bird feeder poles. BirdCam Remote Control Product # WSRC01 The BirdCam can be controlled remotely with an optional accessory, creatively named the “BirdCam Remote Control.”...
  • Page 47 The remote works in AUTO, MANUAL, and TIMELAPSE modes and does not inter- rupt the BirdCam’s operation. This remote system can only be used with the Wingscapes BirdCam. Remote Control Instructions: 1. With BirdCam turned OFF, remove dust gaurd from plug labeled “Remote Control Card”...

  • Page 48: Warranty

    Customer Support Department. If your problem cannot be addressed over the telephone, we may need you to send us your defective product plus proof of purchase. Wingscapes Customer Support - WINGSCAPES Phone: 888.811.WING (9464) Fax: 205.408.6157...

  • Page 49: Additional Information

    Additional Information The following information relates to the BirdCam’s laser aiming device. Class II Laser Product Wavelength: 650 nm Maximum Output: < 1 mW This product complies with the applicable requirements of 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 Caution: Looking into the laser beam may be hazardous to the eyes. Do not stare into the beam or direct it toward other people.
  • Page 50 Additional Information This product label can be found This yellow, laser-warning label can be inside the battery compartment. found inside the door, on the face of CK70300001...
  • Page 52 888.811.WING This product is covered by one or more of the following US Patents: 6735387, 6768868, and 6834162. Other patents pending. © 2007 Ebsco Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 19064...

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