A button camera is a great way to record information in a discreet way. Button cameras are spy cameras with the lens size of a button. They can be hidden inside your shirt in place of a button or any other place to record any video you require. Most button cameras come with an SD memory card slot wherein the recordings can be stored. They also have a USB port which can be used to connect the camera to a computer to transfer and store the recordings and to charge the camera. In this article, we will be giving you step by step guidelines on how to use a button camera.
How to Use a Button Camera (Step by Step Guide)
A button camera is easy to use once you know the basic steps.
Step 1
We will first insert the SD memory card into the button camera. Locate the SD memory card slot of the camera. Remove the protective cover of the slot. Insert the SD memory slot into the camera, making sure that you insert it the right side up. Ideally, the memory card should resist the insertion if the memory card is not positioned correctly.
Step 2
We will now charge the button camera. Locate the USB port on the camera. Remove the protective cover of the slot. Insert the USB cable into the USB port. Insert the other end of the USB port into a power source such as a USB port adaptor. Switch on the adaptor. An LED light switch should turn on, indicating that the charging has begun. Wait for the button camera to be fully charged.
Step 3
We will now turn on the button camera. Locate the power button on the button camera. Press it for about three seconds and then let go. A whirring sound or an LED light will be switched on, indicating that the button camera is now switched on. The camera is by default on standby mode. A steady LED light will indicate that the button camera is on standby mode.
Step 4
Now we will learn how to take a photograph using the button camera. Locate the record button on the camera. It should be near the power button. Ensure that the button camera is turned on by following step 3. Once the camera is in standby mode, position the camera such that it faces the scene you want to capture through a photograph.
Steady the button camera and press the record button. A whirring sound or a flashing LED light should indicate that the photograph has been taken. Repeat the process as many times as required. We can continue this process until the time the SD memory card’s memory has been filled.
Step 5
Now we will learn how to record a video. Follow steps one, two and three. Skip step 4. Long press the record button on the button camera for about three seconds and let go. A whirring sound or a blinking LED light will indicate that the recording has begun. As opposed to Step 4, the button camera will vibrate and blink twice to differentiate between a photograph and a recording.
The button camera is now recording a video. To stop recording, as before, long-press the record button for about three seconds and let go. A triple vibrating sound and triple blink of the LED light will indicate that the button camera has stopped recording. To go back to the standby mode, press the record button once.
Step 6
We will now learn how to record audio on the button camera. Follow steps one to three. Skip steps four and five. Press the power button once. The camera will vibrate five to six times. The LED light will flash five to six times. These are the indicators that the button camera is now recording audio.
Kindly note that the button camera in this mode is recording only audio and not video. To stop recording the audio, press the power button again. A triple vibrating sound and triple blink of the LED light will indicate that the button camera has stopped recording.
Step 7
We will now learn how to turn off the button camera. Skip steps four to six. Long press the power button. The button camera will vibrate two times and the LED light will blink twice. This will indicate that the button camera is now off. In the off mode, the button camera cannot record any video, audio or photographs.
Step 8
We will now learn how to use a button camera, disguising it as a button. Take the shirt or jacket where you want to place the button camera. Remove one of the buttons of the shirt or jacket to be used. Make a small slot in place of the original button. Insert the button camera from the inside of the shirt or jacket such that only the camera lens is visible and the body is hidden on the inside of the shirt or jacket.
Alternatively, we can insert the button camera in the lapel of one of the buttons, making sure that only the lens is visible and not the body of the button camera. You can reinforce it in position using tape is required.
Step 9
We will now learn how to transfer the recordings of the button camera into a laptop or computer. Using the USB cord, insert one end of the USB port into the USB slot of the button camera and the other end into the USB slot of the computer or laptop. Turn on the laptop or computer. Once the button camera is connected to the laptop or computer, click on ‘My computer’ or ‘This PC’. you will see that a new drive has been introduced into the laptop or computer.
Open that driver. You will see that there are various folders, separating the audio recordings, the video recordings and the photographs. Select the recording you want to store and select copy. Go to the destination folder of your laptop or computer and click on paste. The files will begin to copy into the destination folder. It can take a while depending on the number of files to be copied and the speed of the computer or laptop. Once the files are copied, you can delete the recordings in the button camera in case you need to free up space in the SD memory card.
Things You Would Need Before You Use a Button Camera
- An SD Memory Card: Any standard SD memory card can be used. However, we recommend using a memory card with a higher memory capacity as it will allow you to store more photos, audio files and videos. A higher memory card would mean less time spent transferring the recordings into a laptop or computer to empty the memory card once it is filled.
- A USB Cord with a mini USB jack on one and a standard USB jack on the other end: any standard USB cable can be used. This cable will be used for two purposes. The first one is to connect the button camera to a computer or laptop where the recordings and photographs captured by the button camera can be transferred and stored. The second is to charge the button camera. The USB cable can be connected to a USB adaptor to connect it to a power source to charge the camera. However, it is necessary to check the USB port of the button camera before using it as there are different kinds of USB ports on different button cameras.
- A USB Adaptor: Any standard USB adaptor can be used. This will be used to charge the button camera. The USB cable will be inserted into the adaptor at one end and the button camera on the other. It is important to ensure that you verify the USB ports and jacks of the button camera and power cable, matching it with the adaptor before using it.
- A power source: the power source can be a standard power source in your home or office or also a computer or laptop. The power source will be used to charge the button camera.
- A computer or laptop: any computer or laptop with a USB port can be used. The computer or laptop will be used to store the recordings and photographs of the button camera. It can also be used to charge the button camera in case a USB adaptor is not available.
- A shirt or jacket: we will be using the shirt or jacket to disguise the button camera as a button on the shirt. It is important to match the shirt or jacket buttons with that of the camera to provide a compelling disguise. A different coloured button amongst other shirt buttons will defeat the purpose of the camera to any observer.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article has given you enough knowledge on how to use a button camera. Using a button camera can be simple once you know the basic steps. It is a great discreet way to gather information or evidence as per individual requirement. The SD memory slot helps save the recordings. You can also transfer the recordings and store them in a secure place such as a computer using the USB port. It is to be noted that we do not support or endorse using the button camera for any illegal purposes or to violate someone’s right to privacy.
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