Amcrest ATC-1201G User manual

Digital Game & Trail Hunting Camera
ATC-1201G
User Manual
Version 2.0.1
Revised September 21, 2016

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Table of Contents
Welcome.............................................................................................................................................................4
Important Security Warning .........................................................................................................................4
Important Safeguards and Warnings..........................................................................................................5
Caution ...............................................................................................................................................................5
1. Features and Specifications .....................................................................................................................6
1.1 General Description ..............................................................................................................................6
1.2 Features ...................................................................................................................................................7
1.3 Camera Body Interface ........................................................................................................................7
1.3 Camera Components and Feature ..............................................................................................................8
1.4 Remote Control ......................................................................................................................................8
1.4.1 Navigating ............................................................................................................................................9
1.4.2 Characters ............................................................................................................................................9
1.5 Shooting Information Display ............................................................................................................9
1.6 Supported Format ...............................................................................................................................10
2. Easy Operation...........................................................................................................................................11
2.1 Power Supply ........................................................................................................................................11
2.2 Insert the SD-card ...............................................................................................................................12
2.3 Power on and Enter the ON Mode ..................................................................................................12
3. Enter TEST Mode .......................................................................................................................................13
3.1 Custom Setting .....................................................................................................................................13
3.2 Manual Capturing................................................................................................................................13
3.3 View Images or Videos .......................................................................................................................13
3.4 Activate Laser Pointer ........................................................................................................................14
3.5 Adjust Exposure ...................................................................................................................................14
3.6 Zoom In ..................................................................................................................................................14
3.7 Power Off ..............................................................................................................................................14
4. Advanced Operations...............................................................................................................................15
4.1 Settings Menu ......................................................................................................................................15
4.1.1 Photo Settings....................................................................................................................................16
4.1.2 Video Setting......................................................................................................................................17
4.1.3 System Setting....................................................................................................................................18
4.1.4 Default................................................................................................................................................19
4.1.5 General Settings.................................................................................................................................20
4.1.6 Camera Mode ....................................................................................................................................20
4.1.7 Format SD-Card .................................................................................................................................20
4.1.8 Photo Size ..........................................................................................................................................21
4.1.9 Video Size ..........................................................................................................................................21
4.1.10 Date and Time .................................................................................................................................21
4.1.11 Multi ................................................................................................................................................22

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4.1.12 ISO....................................................................................................................................................22
4.1.13 Video Length....................................................................................................................................23
4.1.14 Video Sound ....................................................................................................................................23
4.1.15 Interval.............................................................................................................................................23
4.1.16 Timer................................................................................................................................................24
4.1.17 Enter Password................................................................................................................................24
4.2 Playback .................................................................................................................................................24
4.2.1 Viewing Photo or Video ....................................................................................................................24
4.2.2 Delete Photo or Video.......................................................................................................................25
4.2.3 Lock Photo or Video ......................................................................................................................25
4.3 File Numbering ....................................................................................................................................25
4.4 Firmware Upgrade ..............................................................................................................................25
Appendix I: Technical Specifications ...................................................................................................................29
Appendix II: Parts List..........................................................................................................................................30

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Welcome
Thank you for purchasing our ATC-1201G Amcrest Digital Game and Hunting Trail Camera! This user manual
is designed as a reference tool for the installation and operation of your camera. Here you can find
information about the camera’s features and functions, and information to aid in troubleshooting.
For access to the quick start guide and other support information, go to http://amcrest.com/support
To contact Amcrest support, please do one of the following:
Visit http://amcrest.com/contacts and use the email form
Call Amcrest Support using one of the following numbers
Toll Free: [phone]
International Callers (Outside of US): [phone]
USA: [phone]
Canada: 437-888-0177
UK: 203-769-2757
Email Amcrest Customer Support [email protected]m
Important Security Warning
In order to keep your Amcrest camera secure and prevent unauthorized access, please make sure to follow
the steps below:
Ensure that your camera has the latest firmware as listed on
www.amcrest.com/firmware
Never use the default password for your camera. Set a different
password.
Lock device and tighten to a tree with the straps provided.

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Important Safeguards and Warnings
1. Transportation Security
Heavy stress and violent vibrations moisture should not occur during transportation, storage, and
installation of the device.
2. Repair Professionals
All the examination and repair work should be done by qualified service engineers. We are not liable for any
problems caused by unauthorized modifications or user-attempted repair.
3. Environment
The camera should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, flammable materials, and explosive
substances. While the camera is weatherproof, it should not be immersed in water at any point as this may
cause permanent damage. It is recommended that camera is placed at least one meter (three feet) above
the ground when in use for recording.
4. Operation and Maintenance
Do not touch the camera sensor or lens directly. To clean dust or dirt off of the lens, use an air blower or a
microfiber cloth.
5. Accessories
Use only the accessories recommended by manufacturer. Before installation, please open package and
ensure that all components are present. Contact Amcrest directly if anything is broken or missing in the
package.
Caution
The working voltage of the camera is 6.0V. The camera can be powered by four or eight AA batteries (using
four AA batteries will offer less battery output).
Please unlock write-protection before inserting the SD-card. Please insert the SD-card when the power
switch is in the OFF mode before testing the camera. Please do not insert or take out the SD-card when the
power switch is in the ON mode.
We recommend formatting the SD-card with the camera when being used for the first time. The camera
will be in USB mode when connected to a USB port of a computer. In this case, the SD-card functions as a
removable disk.
Please ensure there is sufficient battery life when upgrading the firmware, otherwise the upgrade process
can be interrupted. If any issue occurs after an improper upgrading process, the camera can potentially stop
functioning properly.

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1. Features and Specifications
1.1 General Description
The Amcrest ATC-1201G is a big game hunting camera which can be triggered by any movement in a
specified region monitored by highly sensitive Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensors. It can also
automatically capture high quality pictures (up to 12 Megapixels) and record 1080p HD video clips (WVGA
or QVGA).
At sunrise, the unit begins to take color photos and video until there is insufficient light. At dusk, the camera
will take infrared (monochrome) photos and video.
Easy to use with a 2.0 inch colorful LCD display, and weatherproof for outdoor usage, the Amcrest ATC 1201G
is the best hunting camera for all your needs.
Includes:
Digital Camera
Wireless Controller
USB Cable
TV Cable
User Manual

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1.2 Features
The Amcrest ATC-1201G Digital Game and Hunting Trail Camera has the following features:
High Quality HD Images & Video Resolution
The ATC-1201G Digital Game and Hunting Trail Camera video resolution can capture video in 720P, 1080P
HD, WVGA, and QVG. Recorded video length options consist of 10s/30s/60s/90s. Select resolution for still
photos are 12M/8M/5M. Long night vision range is up to 65 feet and PIR Field of View (FOV) is 100° wide.
Both video and image files may be played on the built in 2” Color LCD screen while camera is on TEST Mode.
Interval Timer/Multi-Shot
The ATC-1201G Digital Game and Hunting Trail Camera has a minimum interval of one second and maximum
interval is 30 minutes. This means the PIR works will be disabled after each trigger for the interval time you
set. Multi-Shot settings include single/3/6/9 pictures.
Battery Life and Memory
Batteries capabilities last up to three months depending on quality of batteries, amount of time it remains
on, and interval and multi-shot settings. This device has the capability of holding an SD Card of 8MB to 32
GB of memory which store all video and photos.
Mounting and Positioning
The ATC-1201G Digital Game and Hunting Trail Camera comes with a fastening nylon strap, is tripod
compatible and has a built-in laser pointer for precision.
1.3 Camera Body Interface
The camera has the following input/output (I/O) interfaces: USB connector, SD-card slot, TV output, and
external DC power connector. Take a few moments to become familiar with the camera’s controls and
display. It is helpful to bookmark this section and refer to it as you read through the rest of the manual.

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1.3 Camera Components and Feature
NO.
Name
1)
Bottom Cover
2)
SD-Card Slot
3)
USB Connector
4)
TV Out connector
5)
PIR (Passive Infrared)
6)
Infrared Flash
7)
Lens
8)
2-inch color LCD Display
9)
Sound recorder
10)
Lock
11)
Power switch
12)
Battery compartment
13)
Portable remote control
1.4 Remote Control
The remote control is primarily used for custom settings and password input. This is an infrared wireless
remote control. The maximum distance the remote can be used at is 9 meters (30 feet). There are 15 buttons
on the remote control.

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NOTE: Remote control is located inside of the camera.
1.4.1 Navigating
Press UP or DOWN to select or highlight a menu item, press LEFT or RIGHT to select the menu item options,
and press OK to make a selection.
1.4.2 Characters
Press the “*” button on the remote to activate the built-in laser pointer.
1.5 Shooting Information Display
When the camera is turned on (the power switch is in the TEST position), the shooting information will be
displayed on the LCD.

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1.6 Supported Format
Item
Format
Photo
JPG
Video
AVI
SD Card Format
FAT32
NOTE: If problems occur when reading the SD-card, try testing the SD-card on other devices to see if the
same problem occurs. If the SD-card still fails to work, please format the card using a computer and then
reinsert the card into the camera and try again.

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2. Easy Operation
2.1 Power Supply
To supply power to the camera, four or eight AA size batteries are needed.
Open the bottom cover. Confirm that the power switch is in the OFF (right) position, pull out the battery
holder. Load the fully charged batteries into the holder according to the polarity shown below. Push the
battery holder back into the battery chamber.
The following batteries with 1.5V output can be used:
1. High-density and high-performance alkaline batteries (Recommended)
2. Rechargeable alkaline batteries
3. Rechargeable NiMH batteries
There are four battery slots. Slots 1 and 2 form one group (“1” will be marked on the holder), while slot 3
and 4 form the other group (“2” will be marked on the holder) where each group can supply power
individually.
When in Test Mode, the camera will automatically shut down to save power if no operations are performed
within three minutes; it can be turned back on by any kind of motion detection.

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When in a low-battery state, the camera will be automatically shut down. Please change the batteries at
this time.
2.2 Insert the SD-card
Insert a SD-Card into the card slot with contacts facing the front of the camera. Camera must be on Off
Mode when SD-Card is being inserted.
Please note that the SD-card can only be inserted in one direction. Make sure that the write-protection
“Lock” switch of the SD-card is in the “Write” position (not locked). The SD-Card icon will appear on
the Live Image Feed in Test Mode after it is inserted.
2.3 Power on and Enter the ON Mode
Before switching the camera on, please pay attention to the following:
1. Avoid temperature and motion disturbances that could be mistaken as animals or humans such as
trees that are exposed to direct sunlight for much of the day or any other heat source. These may
cause false triggers.
2. The camera should be placed about one meter (three feet) from the ground. As an example for
deer, waist height is a good height. In general, one to two meters (3 – 6 feet) in height is preferred.
Toggle the power switch to TEST mode and allow the camera to boot up. Allow the LCD screen to power on.

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Then slide the power switch to ON mode. After switching to the ON mode, the motion indication LED (red)
will blink for about 15 seconds. The 15 second timer is a buffer before the camera starts to capture photos
or videos, e.g. for closing and locking the bottom cover, fixing the camera on a tree, or walking away from
the area being monitored.
When powered on, the camera will take pictures or videos automatically according to default settings or
custom settings. The camera has an audio recording function, so sound will be embedded in recorded video
clips.
NOTE: If the camera has not been configured to your preferred settings which must be done while camera
is in TEST mode (see Section 3), the camera will function on the default settings (see Section 4.1.4 for details
of default settings).
3. Enter TEST Mode
Slide the power switch to the TEST position to enter into TEST mode. There are some functions in TEST mode
such as follows: custom settings, manual capture, preview.
3.1 Custom Setting
Press the MENU button to enter into the menu settings. The camera can be manually customized which will
display on the camera or an external TV monitor. The detailed operations will be described in the “Advanced
Operations” chapter of this manual.
3.2 Manual Capturing
You can press OK to manually capture photos or record video.
3.3 View Images or Videos
There are two ways to view the captured images or videos:
1. View using the LCD screen on the camera

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2. View using a TV monitor which connects to the camera with a TV cable
Press RIGHT on the remote from the main screen. The latest image will be shown on the LCD screen of the
camera or TV monitor. Press UP to view the previous image and press DOWN for the next image. Detailed
operations like deleting images or videos are described in the “Advanced Operations” chapter.
3.4 Activate Laser Pointer
To activate the built-in laser pointer, press the * button on the Live Image Feed. The laser pointer is especially
useful when it is dark for pointing to an object or a certain region of interest. Use the tilt adjuster on the
back of the camera to adjust the angle for taking photos/videos
NOTE: The laser pointer can be harmful to an individual’s eyes, therefore please avoid pointing the laser
pointer at other individuals.
3.5 Adjust Exposure
To adjust the exposure, press the LEFT arrow button on the Live Image Feed.
3.6 Zoom In
To zoom in, press the UP arrow button on the Live Image Feed.
3.7 Power Off
Slide the power switch to the OFF position to power off the camera. Please note that even in the OFF mode,
the camera still consumes certain power at a minimal level. If the camera will not be used for a long period
of time, it is recommended to remove the batteries or battery compartment.

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4. Advanced Operations
From the basic operations of the camera in previous chapters, the camera has three basic operation modes:
1. OFF mode: Power switch is set to the OFF position (Right).
2. TEST mode: Power switch is set to the TEST position (Middle).
3. ON mode: Power switch is set to the ON position (Left).
OFF mode is the specified safe mode when replacing the SD-card or batteries and transporting the camera.
TEST mode is used to customize the camera’s settings and the remote control is needed for this. The Live
Image Feed will display on the LCD screen after the camera is set to TEST mode. Pressing the MENU button
on the remote will display the settings menu.
ON mode should be set when you are ready to start using the camera. The power switch must be toggled
to TEST mode first to allow the camera to boot up if it was not previously set to TEST mode. Switch to the
ON mode after the Live Image Feed displays on the LCD screen. The LCD screen shuts off and the motion
indication LED (red) will blink for about fifteen seconds. The fifteen second timer is a buffer before the
camera starts to capture photos or videos. The camera will take pictures or videos automatically according
to default settings or custom settings.
This chapter explains the advanced operations for customizing the camera’s settings.
4.1 Settings Menu
Navigating the Menus and Settings:
1) Switched the camera to Test Mode. The Live Image Feed will appear on the camera’s LCD display.
2) Press the MENU button. The Settings Menu will appear which consists of Camera, Video, and
Setup. The top right of screen will display the word Camera, Video, or Setup.
3) Press down to navigate the menu and configure features within that settings menu (Camera,
Video, or Setup).
4) Press the LEFT button to exit a feature (for example, Resolution in the Camera Menu), and return
to the corresponding setting menu without saving the feature.
5) Press the LEFT button again will set the selection on the Camera Settings, Video Settings, and
Setup Settings at the top right of screen.
6) Press Menu to exit that settings menu and return to the Live Image Feed.

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4.1.1 Photo Settings

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4.1.2 Video Setting

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4.1.3 System Setting

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4.1.4 Default
Default Settings are listed as below:
Icon
Setting
Default
Options
Mode
Camera
Camera, Video, Camera & Video
Language
English
English, French, German, Spanish and Russian
Resolution (Camera)
12M
12M, 8M,5M
Interval
5 Seconds
5-30 Seconds,1-30 Minute
Multi
Single
Single,3,6,9 Pictures
ISO
Auto
Auto,100,200,400
Resolution(Video)
1080P
720P,1080P, WVGA,QVGA
Video Length
10s
10s,30s,60s,90s
Date/Time
Same Date/Time
YY/MM/DD,MM/DD/YY,DD/MM/YY Adjust
Distance
High
High, Normal, Low
NO.
CAM 000
6 Alphanumeric Characters

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Timer
0:0:0 to 23:59:59
Adjust
Format
SD Card
Internal Memory, SD Card
TV Mode
NTSC
PAL,NTSC
Password
Off
Off, On
4.1.5 General Settings
The steps are suitable for the following menu items: Camera Mode , Photo Size , Video Size
, Multi , Video Length , Interval , and Timer .
4.1.6 Camera Mode
There are three camera modes: Camera , Video , and Camera & Video . Set the camera mode
via the settings menu.
The following shows how to set the Camera mode to Video, provided that the previous option is Photo:
a) Press MENU to display the settings menu.
b) Press RIGHT twice to navigate the Setup Menu (“Setup” will appear to top right of the screen).
c) Select DOWN until you see Mode.
d) Press OK to open the submenu and select Video.
e) Press OK to save the current setting, then press MENU to return to the Live Image Feed.
f) Press MENU return to the info display without saving the settings.
4.1.7 Format SD-Card
The system will delete all images or videos stored on the SD-card after formatting. Make sure you have a
backup of your important data.
a) Press MENU to display the settings menu.
b) Press RIGHT twice to navigate the Setup menu (“Setup” will appear at the top right of the screen).
c) Press DOWN until to Format.
d) Press OK to select Format.