INSTRUCTION MANUAL Digital Voice / Video Recorder SB-VRC8000 Revised: April 2, 2013 Thank you for purchasing from SafetyBasement.com! We appreciate your business. We made this simple manual to help you enjoy your new product as quickly and easily as possible. Be sure to check the TECH SUPPORT tab on your product page at SafetyBasement.com for the latest available manual.
PRODUCT REFERENCE 1. Microphone 2. Power 3. USB Port 4. Recording Indicator 5. Play 6. Previous / Left Arrow 7. Menu Button M 8. Earphone Jack 9. Camera 10. Display 11. A-B Repeat Button 12. Next / Right Arrow 13. N/A 14. Volume 15. Video / Audio Recording 16. SD Card Slot Page 2
BEFORE FIRST USE - SD CARD This recorder can accept an optional SD card for storarge, up to 32 GB in size. We recommend using a CLASS 10 SD card for optimal performance. 1. Please note the proper positioning of the SD card for insertion. With the screen of the recorder facing UP, the SD card will be inserted with the Gold connectors facing UP. See the photo below. 2. Gently place the SD card, Gold connectors UP, into the SD card slot. 3. Gently push the SD card into place. The card will click into place when properly inserted. If there is any resistance, remove the card and try again. 4. To remove the card, press gently on the card, and it will click out. Step 1 - Gold connectors should be UP Step 2 - Card is partially inserted, click into place Step 3 - SD card is properly inserted Page 3
BEFORE FIRST USE - FILES Your recorder does not need any files to work properly with your Windows or Mac PC. Please see notes at the end of this manual for optional software to playback your video and audio files. BEFORE FIRST USE - CHARGING Please fully charge your device before first use. 1. Your device should be OFF for proper charging. 2. Insert USB cable into your recorder. 3. Insert the other end of the USB cable into the your PC. 4. The screen of your recorder will turn on, and show a USB connection icon. Your computer will also open a window so that you can access files. Since there are no files yet, you can ignore this. 5. Please let the recorder charge for several hours. You may find it more convenient to charge your recorder using the included wall adapter. Please, do not use any other wall adapters with your recorder, as they could damage your device and void your warranty. Page 4
SETTINGS - LANGUAGE After charging, you can remove the USB cable. For a PC, please EJECT your device as you would any external drive. You should always EJECT a device properly before removing from your PC or Mac. 1. Check the Video / Audio record switch on the right side and be sure it s in the center SAFE position. 2. Turn on your recorder using the Power Switch on the left side. The screen will turn on, and the first Menu option will appear. New devices come from the factory set to the Chinese language. We are now going to set it to English. Step 3 - The Settings Icon Step 5 - Menu options with Language highlighted Step 6 - Available Languages 3. Use the Arrow keys to move to the SETTINGS icon, which looks like a gear, shown above. 4. Press the M key to enter the settings menu. 5. The first option in the settings menu is the Language options. Just press M to enter the list of available languages. 6. Use the Arrow keys to highlight English. Press M to save your settings. 7. The recorder is now using the English language. Page 5
SETTINGS - TIME 1. If you are back on the main screen, use the arrow keys to move to the Settings Icon, the gear, and press M to enter the settings menu. 2. Use the arrow keys to go down the list until you see Time Settings. Press M to enter this menu. The Time / Date Option Adjusting the Date 3. The Time will be high-lighted first. Press M to edit the Time. 4. Use the Arrow keys to set the hour. 5. Press PLAY to move to the Minutes. Use the Arrow keys to set the minutes. 6. Press PLAY to move to the Seconds and adjust. 7. When finished setting the TIME, press M to save. 8. After a few seconds, the recorder will return to the main menu, so you may need to press M to enter the Time Settings option again. 9. Use the Arrow key to highlight the DATE. Press M. 10. Adjust the Year, Month and Day using the Arrow keys and PLAY as you did above. 11. When your DATE has been set, press M to save. Page 6
SETTINGS - SD CARD The recorder has 8 GB of internal memory, which is plenty for audio recording at any level of quality. However, you may need additional memory for video recording. The recorder can accept an SD memory card up to 32 GB in size. When using an SD card, you need to direct the recorder to use it. Step 2 - Memory Medium Step 3 - Choose TF Card to use your SD card 1. If you are back on the main screen, use the arrow keys to move to the Settings Icon, the gear, and press M to enter the settings menu. 2. Use the arrow keys to go down the list until you see Memory Medium. Press M to enter. 3. With the SD card installed, you should see 2 options; internal memory and TF card. To use the SD card, use the arrow keys to highlight the TF Card option. 4. Press M to save your option. Step 2 - Memory Medium Step 3 - Choose TF Card to use your SD card To see how much room is left in the memory you have chosen, choose the Memory Information option from the main menu. Press M. Use the Arrow keys to scroll down the available information on storage. Page 7
SETTINGS - AUDIO FORMAT This recorder has 4 available formats for your audio recordings. They are; AMR, WAV, MP3 and AAC. The default setting is WAV. AMR WAV (default) MP3 AAC Narrow band 4-12 kbps 384 kbps 64 kbps variable We recommend you use the default WAV option for best quality recordings and best compatibility with PC or Mac software you may use with these files. Your second best option is MP3. Step 2 - Memory Medium Step 3 - Choose TF Card to use your SD card 1. From the settings menu, choose Set Audio Record Mode. Press M to see the options. 2. Use the arrow keys to highlight the audio format you wish to use on your audio recordings. 3. Press M to save. Page 8
SETTINGS - SCREEN OPTIONS This recorder has 2 options for the screen itself; Brightness level and Screen Saver. Brightness Option The Brightness Option sets the brightness of your screen. From the settings menu, choose Brightness Option. Press M. 1. Use the arrow keys to set the brightness level. Set it to the far left to make the screen go completely dark. 2. Press M to save your setting. Screen Saver Option Timing Delay for Screen Saver Use the Screen Saver setting to set how quickly the screen goes dark when no buttons have been pressed. Note: the screen stays ON during video recording, so you can aim your camera. 1. Use the arrow keys to set the amount of time before the screen goes dark. Set to OFF if you want the screen to always be on. 2. Press M to save your settings. Page 9
RECORDING Recording with this recorder is very easy. Just flip the switch into Video or Audio recorder, and it starts recording. The Audio / Video / Safe Switch Screen during audio recording. Note the Recording light is on. Push the switch Down into the REC position (shown on the back of the recorder) and it starts recording audio. To save your file and immediately start a new file, press PLAY. To Stop recording and save the file, push the switch into the Safe position. The Audio / Video / Safe Switch To record Video, push the switch into the Video position. The device will immediately start recording. The screen will stay on during video recording, so that you may aim the camera during use.. To stop recording, push the switch into the SAFE position. The screen during video recording Page 10
PLAYBACK AUDIO You can playback your audio and video recordings on the device. You can also playback MP3 files you have moved onto the device. We will look at moving files later in this manual. Playback of Audio Recordings and MP3 files work the same way. Just choose the correct option to start; Audio Record to playback your recordings, Audio for your MP3 files. Press M to enter. Playback Recorded Files Playback your MP3 files A single file Your file list 1. Use the arrow keys to cycle through your available files. Or quick-press M to see a list. 2. To play a file from the list, highlight it and press PLAY to select it, then PLAY again to start playing that file. Page 11
PLAYBACK AUDIO During playback, you have a few options as well. Quick-press M to access the Repeat options, and the EQ settings. These are only available during Playback of an audio file. Options during Playback The Repeat Options Your file list Page 12
PLAYBACK VIDEO To playback your recorded video files, choose Video Recorder from the main menu. Press M to enter. Playback Video Files Available video files Player controls 1. To play a file from the list, highlight it and press PLAY. 2. Press M to return to your list of available files. Page 13
FILE MAINTENANCE In Audio and Video modes, in Stand By, you can remove individual files or all files from your device. File list File Maintenance 1. In Audio or Video modes, quick-press M to access your list of available files. 2. Highlight a file. Quick-press M to enter the file maintenance menu. 3. Highlight the option for that file, or choose Delete All to remove all files from device. Page 14
MP3 FILES Audio Mode is available to playback MP3 files you have moved onto your device. MP3 files must be placed in the correct folder for proper operation. Playback your MP3 files 1. Make sure the REC / SAFE / VIDEO switch is in the SAFE position. 2. Turn the Power Switch OFF. 3. Connect your USB cable to your device. 4. Connect the other end to your PC. Your PC will automatically connect the device. 5. You will access the device like any other external drive. 6. Open the device folder, and look for a folder named MUSIC. 7. COPY your MP3 files into the MUSIC folder. 8. EJECT the device from your PC. 9. Disconnect the USB cable. Your MP3 collection should now be accessible from the PLAY AUDIO option. Page 15
CONNECTING TO PC / MAC 1. Be sure that the REC / SAFE / VIDEO switch is in the SAFE position. 2. Be sure that the Power Switch is set to OFF. 3. Connect the USB cable to your device. 4. Connect the other end of the USB cable to your PC. 5. Your PC will automatically connect to your device and open a window to show the contents of your device. WINDOWS - RETRIEVE YOUR FILES 1. Please wait until Windows recognizes your device. This may take several seconds. Note: the first time you connect your device, Windows may install standard drivers. This is normal. 2. Access your device as you would any standard Flash Drive. 3. COPY your files from the device to a folder on your PC. You may now highlight and DELETE the files from your device. 4. Be sure to properly EJECT your device from Windows before unplugging it. MAC OS X - RETRIEVE YOUR FILES 1. Please wait until Mac recognizes your device. This may take several seconds. It will mount as a Device in your FINDER. 2. Access device as you would any standard FLASH DRIVE. 3. SPECIAL NOTES TO MAC USERS! 4. To properly save your files to your Mac, MOVE your files, rather than copy. 5. Create a folder on your Mac. 6. Highlight the files on the device. 7. CMD CLICK and drag the files to your folder. Let go and choose MOVE. 8. To properly empty your device on Mac, be sure to Empty your Trash Can before ejecting the device. 9. Be sure to properly EJECT your device from Mac before unplugging it. NOTE: Please copy your files to your PC for smoother playback. Thank you! And enjoy your new device from SafetyBasement.com! Page 16
DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS Audio Audio Formats Audio Encoding WAV Bit Rate Mode WAV Bit Rate WAV Sampling Rate WAV, MP3, AMR, AAC WAV 384 kbps, MP3 64kbps, AMR narrow band 4-12 kbps, AAC variable Constant 384 kbps 24 KHz MP3 Bit Rate Mode MP3 Bit Rate MP3 Sampling Rate Constant 64 kbps 24 KHz Video Video Format AVI Video Codec MJPG Resolution 640x480 Aspect Ratio 4:3 Bit Rate 5864 kbps Audio Format PCM Audio Bit Rate Mode Constant Audio Bit Rate 128 kbps Sampling Rate 8000 Hz Photo N/A Page 17
DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS Device Info Memory Built In Memory Expansion Battery Type Charger Type Dimensions Weight Ports Built In Speaker 8 GB SD card, up to 32 GB Built In Rechargeable USB port, wall adapter included 98MM*38MM*13MM 127g USB port, Earphone jack, SD card slot Notes There is a red recording indicator light. The screen can be set to go dark during Audio Recording using the Screen Saver option. The screen will stay lit during Video Recording. File sizes shown are approximate. File Sizes Video (10 min) Audio WAV (10 min) Audio MP3 (10 min) 420 MB 28 MB 4.5 MB Page 18
SUGGESTED SOFTWARE Your Windows PC or Mac has built-in software that will play most of the files created by devices like yours. However, if you are having problems playing your files, or need more options, please download and try these programs. This software is free and can be downloaded directly from the links below. You can find support and tutorials for these programs on their respective websites. SafetyBasement can not provide software support for these programs As with ANY files you download from the internet, be sure to scan them for viruses using your particular virus scanner. While most users report no issues using this software, we can not be responsible for any damage caused by this software. Please proceed carefully. Back up your PC before installing any new software. VIDEO PLAYBACK - VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html) The VLC Media Player can play almost any video or audio file type. There is a version for Windows and for Mac OS X. VIDEO EDITING for WINDOWS - MOVIE MAKER 2012 (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-movie-makerdownload) Movie Maker is a simple video editing program from Microsoft. Please go to this link, and choose the download for your version of Windows. Please note: Movie Maker is part of the Windows Essentials package. VIDEO EDITING for MAC OS X - imovie (Visit the Apple Mac App Store for latest version) imovie is a simple video editing program from Apple. It comes installed with your new Mac. The latest version is also available at the Mac App Store at additional cost. AUDIO PLAYBACK and EDITING - AUDACITY (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) Audacity is a popular audio editing program used by amateurs and professionals to edit simple and complex audio projects. You can use Audacity to convert your audio files to another format, such as MP3. There is a version for Windows and Mac OS X. PHOTOS Your Windows and Mac computers have the ability to do basic editing of photos built in. Page 19