Dakota Alert DVR-01 — Digital Video Recorder User Guide

User guide for the Dakota Alert DVR-01 Digital Video Recorder — a battery-powered, motion-activated PIR camera with onboard microSD recording.

Box Contents

• 1 × DVR-01 unit
• 1 × Base
• 1 × USB cable
• 1 × 4GB Micro SD card (factory installed, supports up to 32GB)
• 1 × Built-in lithium battery
• 1 × Charger plug

Charging the Battery

Charge the battery by connecting the DVR-01 to a computer using the included USB cable, or connect the USB cable to the included charger plug and plug into a standard outlet.

Battery Life

If the DVR-01 is recording continually, battery life is 2–3 hours. If recording infrequently, battery life is 7–10 days.

Setup

When mounting the DVR-01 or placing it in the base, make sure the PIR sensor is above the camera — otherwise the video will record upside down with the time stamp right side up.

Installing the microSD Card

Open the battery-compartment cover and find the card slot at the top of the compartment. Make sure the card contacts face down and slide the card into the slot until it clicks. To remove, push the card until it clicks, then release.

Recording Video

• Turn the power switch to "ON" to power on the unit.
• Any motion activates the PIR sensor; the DVR-01 automatically records video and audio for 30 seconds, then returns to standby. It restarts recording when motion is detected again.
• Response time: about 0.5 seconds when connected to external power, about 2 seconds on battery only.
• When memory is full, the DVR-01 automatically overwrites the oldest videos on the card.

Indicator Light Status

Viewing and Downloading Videos

1. Set the power switch to "OFF".
2. Connect the DVR-01 to a computer using the included USB cable.
3. Press and hold the "SET" key and turn the power switch to "ON". Release "SET" when the indicator light turns green (about 2 seconds) — the computer will recognize new USB hardware.
4. Find the video folder on the DVR-01's removable disk. Folders are named by date and recording order — e.g., "10012700" means videos in that folder were created on January 27, 2010, recording order 00.
5. Video files are named with the exact recording time — e.g., "07-41-23.AVI" was recorded at 07:41:23. Double-click a file to replay it.

Setting the Time

The DVR-01 defaults to January 1, 2008, and reverts to this date if all power (including battery) is cut off. To reset the time:

1. Switch the device to USB mode (see Viewing/Downloading Videos above).
2. Create a new text file named TIMECFG.TXT on the removable disk.
3. Open the file and enter the current time in the exact format TIME,YYYY/MM/DD/hh:mm:ss; — for example, TIME,2009/07/15/18:20:30;. There must be no spaces in the string, and all letters must be capitalized, or the change will not be accepted.
4. Save the file, close the device window, and detach the DVR-01 from the computer.
5. Power off, then power back on.
6. Trigger the device to record a video — the current time is written into the new file and the TIMECFG.TXT file is automatically deleted. If the file is still present afterward, the change failed; repeat from step 2.

Technical Support & Warranty

Contact Dakota Alert at (605) 356-2772, Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Central Time, or visit www.dakotaalert.com.

Dakota Alert warrants this product free of defects in material and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. The warranty does not cover damage from accident, abuse, act of God, or improper operation. Defective units should be returned to Dakota Alert with a note describing the trouble, your name/return address, and the original sales receipt.

Dakota Alert, Inc. — 32556 E. Main Street, PO Box 130, Elk Point, SD 57025. Phone: (605) 356-2772, Fax: (605) 356-3662.