WIRELESS LIVE-VIEW REMOTE User's Manual FREEWAVE VIEWER VL
INTRODUCTION Thank you for selecting the Vello FreeWave Viewer VL Wireless Live-View Remote. The bright 3.5" color viewer displays the live view from select DSLR cameras and can trigger the shutter and control video recording from up to 328 feet (100 meters) away in an open area. The two-component system consists of the Transmitter/Mini-Cam that fits on the shoe mount of your camera and the Receiver/Viewer that you can hold like any mobile device or mount on a tripod.
For a more elaborate setup, you can use additional FreeWave VL Transmitter/Mini-Cams and a single Receiver/Viewer to monitor and control up to four cameras. Each camera can be matched to its own wireless channel, and each can be placed in a different nearby location. For example, you can shoot the same subject from various angles.
CONTENTS In The Box • Transmitter/Mini-Cam with swivel antenna and shoe-mount locking collar • Receiver/Viewer with embedded antenna and pop-up sun shade • USB Type A to Type B Mini USB cable to connect to your computer or charger • 2–NP-60 batteries • USB wall charger • Composite video-output cable • Wrist strap for Receiver/Viewer • User manual 4
Required Accessories • Data and IR cables for use with specific DSLR camera models (See separate compatibility insert) Recommended Accessories • NP-60 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack • Compact AC/DC Charger for NP-60 Battery • Vello Cold Shoe Mount with 1/4" Thread (CS-20) for mounting the Transmitter/Mini-Cam to a bracket or tripod • Vello Straight Flash Bracket (CB-600) for mounting the Transmitter/Mini-Cam next to your camera while keeping its hot shoe free 5
KEY FEATURES • Live-view wireless display and remote control • Built-in camera to support cameras without live-view • Video start and stop control for Canon models that support infrared mode • Up to 328' (100 m) operating distance • Built-in color 3.
SUGGESTED USES FOR YOUR LIVE-VIEW REMOTE SYSTEM • Shooting wildlife, pets or other elusive or dangerous subjects from a distance • Photographing children and other shy subjects that behave differently when in close proximity to a photographer • Maintaining a view from a camera placed in a nearby but hard-to-access location like the foot of a stage or edge of a sporting event • Taking wireless self-portraits • Adding live-view functionality to cameras that don’t innately offer the feature by using the built-
PRECAUTIONS • To prevent damage to your equipment or injury to yourself or others, read all of the following safety instructions before using this equipment. Keep these instructions for future reference. • This equipment contains small parts which may pose a choking hazard. Consult a physician immediately if a child swallows any part of this device. • Keep out of reach of children. 8 • Dispose of batteries in accordance with local environmental regulations.
• Only use batteries listed in this manual. Do not short or disassemble them. Do not attempt to insert batteries upside down or backwards. Batteries are prone to leakage when fully discharged. To avoid damage to the product, be sure to remove the batteries when leaving the product unattended for prolonged periods or when no charge remains. In case liquid from the batteries comes into contact with skin or clothing, rinse immediately with water.
OVERVIEW OF TRANSMITTER/MINI-CAM 1. Power switch 2. Antenna 3. Signal LED 4. Power LED 1 5. Match button 2 3 4 6. Charger LED 5 6 7. USB port 8. IR port 9. Camera socket 10. Mini-cam lens 10 13 12 11 9 8 7 11. Heat vent 12. Battery cover release 13.
OVERVIEW OF RECEIVER/VIEWER 1. Power switch 2. Shutter button 1 2 3 3. Shutter indicator LED 4 4. Heat vent 5. USB port 6. Charger LED 5 15 6 14 7. Tripod mounting socket 8. Battery cover 9. Composite video output 13 10. View screen 11. Sleep indicator LED 12 12. Sleep | CH+/− button 11 10 9 8 7 13. Playback | Delete button 14. Set button 15.
BATTERY SETUP AND CHARGING The Transmitter/Mini-Cam and Receiver/Viewer each use one of the two included NP-60 lithium-ion batteries. 1. Press the cover release button on the back of the Transmitter/ Mini-Cam and remove the battery compartment door. Then, insert the battery with the contact points aligned according to the +/ /− icons. Reattach the cover. 12 2. The Receiver/Viewer doesn’t have a cover release button.
3. To charge each battery, make sure the power switch on both the transmitter and receiver are set to off. Attach the smaller end of the USB cable to the transmitter and the larger end to the USB wall charger. Plug the USB wall charger into a wall outlet or power strip. A depleted battery takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge. While charging, an LED on the transmitter will glow red. When fully charged, the LED indicator light will dim. Repeat the process to charge the Receiver/ Viewer.
USING THE POP-UP SHADE The pop-up shade is pre-installed on the Receiver/Viewer. To open it, place your thumb under the narrower tab and lift the cover. The side panels will pop open. To close the shade, push in both side panels and snap down the cover. To remove the shade, lift the bottom-most (wider) tab off the device. The entire shade will come off. 14 SCREEN ADJUSTMENTS To attach the shade, align the tab at the top of the shade with the slot above the screen.
CANON CAMERA COMPATIBILITY Certain Canon DSLRs cannot auto-focus when you half press the Receiver/Viewer’s shutter button in LV mode. They include the Canon Rebel XS (1000D), Rebel T1i (500D), and Rebel XSi (450D). These cameras can auto focus by pressing the camera’s own * button. The Canon 5D Mark II, 50D, 40D, 1D Mark IV, and 1Ds Mark III cameras can auto focus by pressing the AF-ON button.
FUNCTIONS AND OPERATION SETUP 1. Attach the Transmitter/ Mini-Cam to your DSLR by turning the knob underneath counterclockwise, sliding the transmitter into your camera’s shoe mount. Then, turn the knob clockwise to tighten the locking collar in place. Note: the shoe is used solely for physical support. 16 2. Attach the appropriate data cable (not included) to the camera socket on the transmitter and the twin ends (where applicable) to your camera’s AV output and remote shutter socket.
CHANNEL MATCHING 1 2 Once the transmitter and receiver are charged, switch on the power for both devices. You can choose from four viewing channels. Since the default is Channel 1, you should be able to see a picture from the Mini-Cam in the transmitter on the receiver’s screen. A tiny “1” inside a camera icon appears at the top left of the screen. If no signal is being received on that channel, a red X appears to the right of the channel number.
Here's how to match channels: 1. Press the Menu button four times to display the Match menu at the bottom of the screen. 2. Press the Set button to cycle through the channels. 3. To select the highlighted channel, fully press the Shutter button on the Receiver/ Viewer. The shutter indicator light will flicker, then stop after a few seconds. 18 4. Press the Match button on the Transmitter/Mini-Cam while the Receiver/Viewer's shutter indicator light is flickering. 5.
You will only need to change and match channels if there’s interference with other devices or you add up to three other Transmitter/Mini-Cams for control from your Receiver/Viewer. You can operate the system through one of two views: Mini-Cam or Live View (LV). The picture from the transmitter’s embedded camera is the Mini-Cam view. It delivers a VGA-quality picture from the fixed lens on the transmitter. The lens offers an approximately 35mm field of view.
DRIVE MODES Single Shots 1. Set your camera to Single shot mode. 2. Press the Menu button on the Receiver/Viewer followed by the Set button to navigate to the single shot icon [ ]. 3. Half press the shutter button on the Receiver/Viewer to activate focusing. A green LED will light up near the upper right corner of the LCD. 4. Fully press the shutter button to take the shot. The shutter LED will turn red. Continuous Shots 1. Set your camera to Continuous drive mode. 2.
Self-Timer Mode 1. Set your camera to Single Shot drive mode. 2. Press the Menu button on the Receiver/Viewer and go to Drive mode. Use the Set button to navigate to the clock icon [ ]. 3. Half press the shutter button on the Receiver/Viewer to focus the camera. Full press to release the shutter. The camera’s shutter will be triggered 5 seconds later, giving you time to get into the picture, for instance.
VIDEO RECORDING Transmitter Setup This function requires the optional FW-IRC infrared emitter that attaches to the VL’s transmitter. 1. Set your camera to infrared remote shooting mode and video mode. 2. Connect the VL transmitter to your camera with the appropriate data cable (not included) by attaching the single end of the data cable to the transmitter’s camera socket and the A\V end to your camera’s A\V socket. 22 3. Connect the IR cable to the transmitter.
Note: IR video recording will be disabled if the data cable is connected to your camera’s remote shutter socket. Ensure the remote shutter socket is not connected before attempting to record video in IR mode. Receiver Setup Press the Menu button on the Receiver/Viewer and go to Drive mode. Press the Set button and choose video mode [ ]. Video Shooting When the Receiver/Viewer is set to LV mode, it can display what the lens on your DSLR sees.
MULTIPLE CAMERA CONTROL If you want to capture the same subject from different angles or different subjects within range of one Receiver/Viewer, you can operate up to four cameras from one Receiver/Viewer. Multiple camera control is compatible with stills or video as long as you switch drive modes on the FreeWave Viewer VL. Follow these steps to set each Transmitter/Mini-Cam to one of the four channels. 24 1. Press the Menu button four times to display the Channel menu at the bottom the screen.
SLEEP MODE On the Receiver/Viewer press the Sleep button for 2 seconds. Both it and the transmitter on the current channel will go to sleep. An LED on the receiver will glow orange; the power indicator on the transmitter, red. To wake up the receiver and transmitter, press the Sleep button for three seconds. Sleep mode does not support multiple transmitters.
MINI-CAM IMAGE PLAYBACK Whenever you take a picture while in Mini-Cam mode, the Receiver/Viewer will store the image in its internal memory. Note: There is no way to disable this feature. Only still images shot from the Mini-Cam can be saved in the internal memory of the Receiver/ Viewer. There is no storage or playback on the Receiver/Viewer from shooting in Live View mode. Note: Images captured in Live View mode will be saved to your camera’s memory card.
OUTPUTTING TO A TV OR VIDEO RECORDER Plug the smaller pin end of the included video cable into the Video output port, located on the bottom of the Receiver/Viewer and the larger plug into a composite video port on your TV. (You may want to add your own composite video cable to create a longer cable.) Set your TV to the appropriate video input. You’ll be able to watch the live Mini mode on your TV from one or more Transmitter/Mini-Cam units in other rooms.
TROUBLESHOOTING Why is my camera unable to shoot? • Ensure batteries are installed correctly, and power is switched on. Why is my camera unable to control video? • Make sure you’re using a compatible Canon-branded DSLR. Other brands will not work. • Check that the FreeWave Viewer VL’s transmitter and receiver are on the same channel. • Check that your camera and the FreeWave Viewer VL are in IR mode. • Be sure that cables are connected correctly. • Ensure the Receiver/Viewer is set to video mode.
Why is my camera unable to control multiple camera shutters? • Be sure each transmitter has been matched successfully with the receiver. • Be sure the receiver channel has been switched to the appropriate transmitter. What can I do about signal disturbance or shooting interference? • Try another channel. • Be sure the channel is the same on the transmitter and receiver. • Move the receiver or camera to a non-interfering position until the signal connects.
SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions Weight (with battery) Frequency Range Signal technology Number of channels Battery Battery life (per battery) Built-in camera resolution View screen Screen resolution Viewing angle Storage 30 Transmitter/Camera Receiver/Viewer 3.4 × 2 × 1.6" (87 × 50 × 41 mm) 5 × 3.1 × 1.2" (127 × 79 × 30 mm) 4 oz. (113 g) 7.2 oz. (204 g) 2.4 GHz Up to 328' (100 m) Digital signal transfer, frequency switching 4 NP-60, 1200 mAH, rechargeable Lithium-ion 4 hours 0.3 MP 3.
FCC COMPLIANCE This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, the FreeWave Viewer VL may cause harmful interference to radio communications. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designated to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
One-Year Limited Warranty This VELLO product is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal consumer use for a period of one (1) year from the original purchase date or thirty (30) days after replacement, whichever occurs later.
