Frequently Asked Questions

(Basic operation and Set-up Questions)

Q: How do I view pictures on the built-in viewing screen?

A: Turn the camera to the ON position with the main power switch located on the bottom of the unit. Wait for the backlight to go off in the bottom LCD screen. Press the Cam-PW (Camera Power button). The Cam-in-Use light will come on and stay on, the red light in the top right hand corner, by the card slot, will come on and go off. Wait again for the backlight to go off in the bottom screen. Press the PREVIEW button once and you will either see "No Images Exsist" or the last picture the camera captured. Press PREVIEW two times and the live mode screen will appear. Press the round center button in while in the live mode screen to pull up the camera menus. Arrow right through the camera menus and use the round, center button on the navigator tool to make selections.

Q: How do I view my pictures on the Computer and TV?

A: Turn the camera to the ON position with the main power switch on the bottom of the unit. Wait for the backlight to go off in the bottom screen. Press the Cam-PW (Camera Power button). The Cam-in-Use light will come on and Stay on. The red light in the top right hand corner, by the card slot, will come on and go off. Wait again for the backlight to go off in the bottom screen. Press the PREVIEW button and you will either see "No Images Exsist" or you will see a picture. At this point you can plug the correct cable up to your Computer or TV then plug it into the camera. Your computer will recognize the camera as a Removable Disk Drive. The screen on the camera will turn blue and will show "DCIM". Your TV must be on the input channel with the corresponding Video input port that the cable is plugged into.

Q: My Picture Viewer reads card not ready when I insert my memory card?

A: This is usually caused by the Viewer not recognizing the file format of the card. A quick solution to this problem is to Format the memory card in the camera in which you are capturing pictures. This procedure will delete all images that are stored on the card, so save any images that you would like to keep prior to proceeding.

Q: How far will the my camera detect animals?

A: There are many variables that affect this, a few being size of the animal, air temperature and foliage in between the camera and animal. For general circumstances it will detect out up to 50 feet.

Q: What are some solutions to secure my camera?

A: One suggestion is to use a chain and padlock it through the holes on the steel mounting bracket. Another alternative is a Masterlock Python which can be found by clicking the photo below. The Leaf River iR-7SS in the photo below is secured with a Masterlock Python through the holes on the steel mounting bracket, which is supplied with the camera. The steel security bar (included) wrapped around the front of the unit secures the door. Small padlocks can be inserted in holes on both ends of the security bar to lock the door closed.

Q: Why is my event counter number higher than my picture number?

A: If you are using a Compact Flash (CF) card or Secured Digital (SD) card it might need to be formatted, so the card will recognize the file format the camera writes the pictures in. This can be done by bringing a picture up in the viewing screen, with the card inserted, press the center round menu button. This will put you in the Erase menu. Scroll down to Format and press the center round menu button to confirm choice. This procedure will delete all the images stored on the card, so save any images that you would like to keep prior to this.

Q: How do I set the amount of time my video will run?

A: To set Video Run Time press and hold the PAUSE button. The video icon will appear. Press the PAUSE button until the desired time is shown then press the OK/DELETE to confirm choice. For these changes to take affect please turn the camera OFF and then back ON with the main power switch.

Q: What is Auto Power Off?

A: It is a power save feature, you can adjust it to stay on longer. It is like a screen saver on a computer.

Q: I lost my instructions. How do I get an instruction manual?

A: PDF files of the camera manuals are attached to the camera model descriptions. Simply click on your camera model and look to the bottom of the description to the "Download Product Manual" option and click on it. If the camera model you have is not on the website, e-mail info@vibrashine, indicate the camera model, request the product manual and a PDF file of the manual will be e-mailed to you. If for some reason the "Download Product Manual" option is not attached to the camera description, please let us know by e-mailing info@vibrashine.com and a PDF file will be e-mailed to you. If you have trouble opening the PDF file let us know and we can mail a manual to you.

Q: Can I download the pictures from my memory card to the Picture Viewer?

A: The picture viewer will only copy from the top slot - SD, memory stick, smart media and multi-media to the bottom slot - Compact flash type I and II. The Picture Viewer itself does not have any type of memory holding capabilities.

Q: How long can I expect my batteries to last?

A: The climate in which the unit is being used can affect the battery life. In warmer weather longer battery life can be expected, while colder temperatures might reduce battery life. The amount of events the camera captures on a daily basis will also have a great affect on it as well. In general circumstances you can expect up to 2-3 months of life, or up to 2000-3500 images. In Fast Trigger mode subtract a few weeks or couple hundred pictures.

Q: What type of card should I use for my camera?

A: The cameras take a Compact Flash (CF) card or a Secure Digital (SD) card, depending on the camera model. The brand of the card is a personal preference, although SanDisk, PNY, Kingston, Simpletech, and Delkin Devices have worked well for many of our customers. Note: SanDisk SD cards are not recommended with models iR-7SS, DV-7SS, iR-5, and DV-5. Lexar Platinum II cards are not recommended for use with the cameras.

Q: What size CF or SD card can I use?

A: The cameras will accept CF or SD cards (depending on model) up to 2GB (gigabytes) in storage capacity. Anything larger than 2GB will not work with the cameras.

Q: How does the memory work?

A: Images from the internal memory of the camera must be directly downloaded to a computer or viewed on a television; they can not be transferred to a memory card. If a card is inserted in the camera, the pictures will be stored on the memory card. The internal memory does not have to be full for the pictures to go to the memory card.

Q: Why are some of my pictures white?

A: The color or EXPOSURE VALUE (EV) setting may not be set to automatic. Bring a picture up in the viewing screen, now press the PREVIEW button once more. The camera should now be in Live mode, press the center round menu button, scroll right to the COLOR menu, select AUTO and press the center menu button

A: The FLASH is not set to automatic. Bring a picture up in the viewing screen, now press the PREVIEW button once more. The camera should now be in Live mode. Press the center round menu button, in the top right hand corner. There should be a lightning bolt with an "A" next to it, if not, press flash until it is displayed.

A: The animals are coming too close to the camera. The flash or infrared illuminator is "blowing" out the image. Back the camera several feet from the focal area.

Q: Why are my pictures black?

A: For the flash to work properly it needs to be in the automatic setting. This will allow the flash to be used only when it is needed. Bring a picture up in the viewing screen. Press the PREVIEW button once more. The camera should now be in Live mode. Press the center round menu button. Press the FLASH button until the lightning bolt with an "A" next to it appears.

Q: Why are there no animals in my pictures?

A: The camera may be pointed into the rising or setting of the sun, triggering the detection sensor. Reposition camera. If the unit is mounted along a trail a good tip is to point the camera up or down the trial, which would allow the animal to trigger the camera earlier and also capture an image of multiple animals following close behind the first animal.

Q: How does resolution effect my camera?

A: The lower the resolution the maximum amount of images will fit into the least amount of storage. The higher the resolution is set the better quality picture the camera will produce, but this will limit the image storing capacity. Inserting a CF card or SD card would allow for more images to be stored in either setting according to the size of the memory card.

Q: My camera will not take pictures?

A: The CF card / SD card might be non-operational. Turn unit off, remove CF card / SD card and turn unit back on. If the camera will work without the card inserted, but stops when card is inserted, there may be a problem with the card. Contact our technical support team for further assistance with this problem.

A: Self timer might be activated, which would allow the camera to take only one picture. Bring a picture up in the viewing screen, now press the PREVIEW button once more The camera should now be in Live mode, press the center round menu button, press the Preview button once more. This will bring you to the Live camera mode. Press the center round menu button, you will be in the Capture menu select SINGLE and press the center round menu button to confirm selection.

Q: Camera will not turn on?

A: Battery power might be too low. Replace old batteries with new.

Q: How do I set the Date and Time?

A: Activate the "live mode" viewing screen (described previously in FAQ list). Press the round, center button on the navigator tool to pull up the camera menus. Arrow right until you see the time/date option. Down arrow to SET TIME. Arrow right to change option arrow up or down to change numbers. Press the center round menu button, choose YES and press center round menu button to confirm choice. Depending on the model camera you have, there may be an option to turn the time/date stamp on or off. If the camera menu reads "Stamp On" the camera is asking if you want to activate the time/date stamp. If the camera menu reads "Stamp Off" the camera is asking if you want to deactivate the time/date stamp. Select with the center, round key on the navigator tool. The camera menu should read "Stamp Off" in the time/date menu if you want the time and date stamped on your photo.

Q: My Picture viewer displays "Card Not Ready". Why?

A: Take your memory card and Format it in the camera that you are taking pictures with. This will erase all your images on that card so save the pictures that you would like to keep before proceeding. The Picture Viewer should recognize the card after this process.

Q: Why is the letter "F" scrolling across the bottom screen?

This normally occurs when users are holding the camera in their hands while trying to program it. This is an indication that the filter is adjusting to different light sources with the movement. Place the camera with the door face down on a surface when programming and the "F" will stop scrolling across the screen.