Maisi M20 User manual
QUICK START GUIDE
Maisi Camcorder M20
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PRIOR TO USE
* Install the device near the rear-view mirror to obtain the best open-field view. Do NOT install
the camcorder in a location that will obstruct your required driving view.
* Make sure that the lens is within the wiping range of the windscreen wiper to ensure a clear
view even when it rains.
* Do not touch the lens with your fingers. Finger grease may be left on the lens and will result
in unclear videos or snapshots. Clean the lens on a regular basis.
* Do not install the device on a tinted window. Doing so may damage the tint film.
* Make sure that the installation position is not hindered by the tinted window.
CAUTION
* Use the authorized car charger only.
* Never disassemble or attempt to repair of this product. Doing so may damage the camcorder,
cause electric shock and void your product warranty.
* Never short-circuit the battery.
* Set up time and date accurately before you use this camcorder.
* Exposing the camcorder to open flames can cause explosion.
* Due to local laws and vehicles safety considerations, do not manually operate the camcorder
while driving.
* The supplier is NOT responsible for the loss of any data/content during operation.
* Strictly observe relevant laws as this product cannot be used for any illegal purpose. The
user is responsible for any legal matters.
Before you start using the Car Camcorder it is assumed that you agree to the above
statements.
How to contact us?
If you come across any issue, please feel free to drop us a quick email at:
maxtopuk@gmail.com. We answer most emails within 12-24 hours. If you purchase from
Amazon, you can contact us via Amazon Message as well.
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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this MAISI camcorder. This camcorder is specifically designed for
real time video and audio recording when driving.
1.1 Features
* High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDR)
* HD Image 2304*1296
* Up to 170 Degree Wide Angle Glass Lens & IR-Filter
* Built-in G-sensor
* Collision Detection
* Emergency Recording File
* GPS (GPS dongle included)
1.2 Package Contents
The package contains the following items. In case there is any missing or damaged item,
contact us immediately.
* 1x Camcorder
* 1x GPS Dongle
* 1x Mounting Bracket
* 2x Red 3M Pad
* 1x Power Charger (4M)
* 1x USB Cable
* 1x Quick Start Guide
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1.3 Product Overview
Button Illustration
Number
Button Name
Button Illustration
①
OK/MIC button
1. Long press to enable/disable Microphone while
recording
2. Press to stop/start recording; take a picture;
start/stop playback
②
Menu button
Press to bring up the Record/Picture/Preview/
System menu;
③
Up/EV button
1.Press to go upward in the menu;
2. Press to adjust EV value while recording.
④
Down/Mode button
1.Press to go downward in the menu;
2.Press to switch among Record/Picture/ Preview
Mode
⑤
Micro SD Card Slot
Insert the SD card with the gold plate facing the
back of the camera; Press to eject the SD card
⑥
Reset
Press to reset the camcorder in abnormal
situations.
⑦
GPS Port
To insert the GPS dongle
⑧
Charging Indicator
When the battery is charging, this indicator will
show red light.
⑯
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⑨
Recording Indicator
When the camcorder is recording, this indicator will
blink blue light.
⑩
GPS Indicator
When the GPS dongle is inserted, this indicator will
show constant green light.
⑪
Microphone
Enable to record audio
⑫
Lens
Fixed camera lens
⑬
DC IN Port
For power supply
⑭
USB Port
For data transmission
⑮
HDMI Port
For HDMI connection to TV etc.
⑯
Power button
1. To turn on/off the device
2. Short press to go to screensaver mode when the
camcorder is recording (the screen goes black
while recording continues)
Note:
* Power Button: Press it once to turn on the camera, long press (2-3s) to turn off the camera.
Press it once when recording to turn the camera into screen saver mode.
* To go to Menu, make sure the camera is not recording. If the camera is recording, press OK
button to stop the recording first, then press Menu button to go to Menu.
* Same rules apply (stop recording first) if you want to change the camera from Recording
Mode to Picture Mode or Playback Mode.
1.4 Screen Interface Illustration
Number
Icon Name
Icon Illustration
①
Movie Camera Icon
Indicating the camcorder is in Recording Mode
②
Battery
Indicating the remaining power for the device. The
average life of the battery is about 30min. Please
charge your camcorder when the power is low.
③
Micro SD Card
When the card is properly inserted and recognized
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by the camcorder, this icon will show up. Otherwise
it will be a “X”.
④
G-Sensor
Indicating the sensitivity of the G-sensor you set.
The higher the blue color stands, the more sensitive
it is.
⑤
Motion Detection
This icon shows up only when motion detection is
enabled. Please disable it while driving.
⑥
Emergency Recording
This Icon shows up when collision/vibration occurs
and followed by device mandatory file protection.
You can enable the emergency recording by
pressing the Menu button while recording.
⑦
Microphone
It only shows up in Recording Mode. Long press the
OK button to turn it On/Off.
⑨
GPS
When the GPS model is not inserted, this icon is red;
When the GPS model inserted and is duly
recognized by the camcorder, this icon will turn
green and the camcorder will record route of your
journey as well as the speed with the footage. If the
Date/Time stamp is enabled, you will see the speed
displayed on the right bottom corner of the screen.
⑩
Speed Limit
Please set the Speed Warning Setting
⑪
ADAS
Only appears when it is enabled (GPS Dongle
required for Lane Departure Warning function)
⑫
HDR
When resolution is set to HDR _1920x1080@30P, it
appears. HDR function can achieve more clear
images in dark/dim environment.
⑬
EV
Exposure Value, “+” means brighter, “-“ means
dimmer
⑭
Video Resolution
The video resolution you set.
⑮
Loop Recording
The loop setting time you chosen will be displayed in
the middle of this icon. For the current setting, the
loop time is 3 Minutes.
⑯
Date/Time Stamp
If enabled, the model number/speed/car plate
number/date/ time will be displayed on the right
bottom corner on the screen, and this info will be
saved on the recording.
Only when the GPS model is inserted and
recognized will the speed info be shown.
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2 Getting Started
2.1 Inserting the Memory Card
Insert the memory card with the gold contacts facing the back of the camcorder. Push the
memory card until it clicks into place.
To remove the memory card
Push to eject the memory card out of the slot.
Note:
1. Do not remove or insert the memory card when the camcorder is turned on. This may
damage the memory card.
2. It is recommended to use a 32GB, Class 10 or above micro SD card.
3. Please format the micro SD card prior to the initial use.
4. If the screen shows “Low Speed Card” while recording, it means the writing speed of the
memory card is too slow. Please replace it with a higher-speed memory card.
2.2 Installing in Vehicles
2.2.1 Mount to windshield
1. Attach the bracket to the camcorder. Slide it into the bracket holder.
2. Before installing the bracket, please use alcohol to clean the windshield and suction cup of
the bracket. Wait for dry and press suction-cup on the windshield
3. Hold the base firmly on the windshield and press down the clamp to mount the car holder to
the windshield. Make sure the base is securely locked in place.
2.2.2 Adjust the camcorder position
1. Loose the small screw to swivel the device vertically or horizontally.
2. Then tighten the small screw to make sure the camcorder is securely locked in place.
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2.3 Connecting to Power
Use only the supplied car charger to power up the camcorder and charge the built-in battery.
1. Connect one end of the car charger to the USB connector of the camcorder.
USB port input: DC 5V / 1A.
2. Plug the other end of the car charger to the cigarette lighter socket of your vehicle. Once the
vehicle engine is started, the camcorder will automatically turn on.
Car charger input: DC 12 / 24V.
Note:
1. Use the product with the supplied charger only, please do not use other power chargers to
avoid camera burn or cause the battery explosion.
2. When use this camcorder for the first time, please charging to battery full.
3. Please be noted that if the ambient temperature reaches 45°C or above, the car charger
may supply power to camcorder, but it will not charge the Lithium-ion battery.
2.4 Camcorder on/off
2.4.1 Auto On/Off: the device will automatically turn on when the car engine starts up, and
automatically start recording when the camcorder turns on. Once the engine stopped, the
device will automatically save the recording and turn off (Please set <Delay Power Off> to 15s,
see Page 9).
2.4.2 Manual On/Off: long press the power button to turn on/off the camcorder.
2.5 Set date and time prior to use
2.5.1 The device will automatically start recording when turns on, please press the OK button
to stop recording and enter Standby Mode.
2.5.2 Press the Menu button once to enter Recording setting, press ▼ button to select <Time
Zone>, press OK to enter time zone setting, press▲/▼to set the time zone to <+0> for UK,
Press OK button to confirm.
2.5.3 From Standby Mode, press Menu button twice to enter system setting, press ▼ button to
select <Time Setup>, press OK button to enter time setting. Press the ▲or▼ button to adjust
the value of date/time, press the OK button to enter another field. Press OK button to confirm
the value and press Menu button to exit.
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3 To Use the Device as a Video Recorder
In Recording Mode, this icon will show up on the top left corner of the screen, when
camcorder is recording, the red dot is blinking on top left corner and the Recording
indicator on left is blinking blue.
3.1 Record videos while driving
When the car engine starts up, the device will automatically turn on and start recording. When
the engine stops, the device will automatically stop recording. Or you can manually stop
recording by pressing OK button.
3.2 Record all other types of videos
Press the OK button to start recording; press the OK button again to stop recording.
3.3 Emergency Recording
3.4 Menu setting operations
(1) Press OK button to stop recording.
(2) Press the Menu button to bring up the menu.
(3) Press ▲ or ▼ button to select menu items.
(4) Select the settings you want to modify, press OK button to enter the setting.
(5) After the setting is modified, press Menu button to return to standby mode.
Record mode settings
Menu Options
Available options
Video Resolution
[2560x1080@30P 21:9/2304x1296@30P 16:9/1920x1080@30P
16:9/ HDR 1920x1080@30P 16:9/1280x720@30P 16:9]
2304x1296 is best for day; HDR 1920x1080 is best for night.
Image Quality
[Super Fine, Fine, Normal]
Meter Mode Setting
[Center, Average, Spot]
Center: center-weighted average metering; Average: average
metering; Spot: spot metering.
Light Freq
[Auto / 50Hz / 60Hz].
Choose the correct frequency for the power line to avoid flickering.
For UK, please choose 50Hz.
Note: If G-sensor is enabled and a collision is detected, the device will automatically lock
the current recording and this recording will not be overwritten.
Note: (1) the device will save recordings every 1,3,5 minute, please refer to the loop
setting.
(2) The recordings will be saved to SD card inserted. If the SD card is full, the oldest file will
be automatically overwritten.
(3) The collision recording or emergency recordings cannot be overwritten and requires
manual deletion.
Note: the cigarette lighter sockets of some vehicles provide continuous power supply even
when the engine stops. If this is the case, please turn off the device manually or unplug the
car charger from a car cigarette lighter socket.
Page 9 of 16
Date Stamp Setting
[On/Off]
When it is ON, model number/speed/plate number/date/time (preset)
will be shown at the right bottom corner of the screen and will appear
on the recording files.
ADAS Detect
[On / Off]
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, which
including:
A: Lane-Departure-Warning-System: If lane-changing occurs,
warning picture will appear to warn the driver;
B: Low-Light-Warning-System: t will remind you to turn on the
headlight if you drive in low-light condition
C: Driver-Fatigue-Warning-System: device will send a warning
picture and warning tone to the driver when continuous driving (more
than 4 hours) is detected, followed by the same every two hours.
Loop Setting
[1min/3min/5min]
The device will generate a file every 1min/3min/5min. Once the
capacity is full, the oldest file will be overwritten. A32GB SD card can
record continuously for around 3 hours at the best resolution 1296P
before the capacity is full.
Time Zone
[-12~+12]
Set the time zone for different country. “+0”for London.
AE Bias
[-2.0EV~+2.0EV]
Adjust the EV value to make the footage or snapshot brighter or
dimmer.
Speed Warning
Setting
[Off/80KMH/120KMH]
If the driving speed exceed the preset value, the camcorder will give
out alarm to warn the deriver. Note: this feature is only available with
GPS dongle inserted.
LED Setting
[On/Off]
If set to Off, the LED light on the buttons will turn off.
G-Sensor Setting
[Off/Low/Medium/High]
This refers to the sensitivity. Under G-Sensor mode, when an impact
is detected the footage will be saved anyways.
Motion Detection
[On/Off]
Under Motion Detection mode, the camcorder records automatically
when it senses movement in front of it. Please disable it when
driving.
System settings
Menu Options
Available options
Language Setting
[English/Russian/Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese]
Record Mode Setting
[Auto Record/Manual Record]
When set to Auto Record, the camcorder will automatically start
recording when the car starts up; when set to Manual Record, you
will need to press the power button to turn on the camcorder.
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System Mode
[NTSC/PAL]
Please set to PAL when you are in UK.
Driver ID Setting
Set up the plate number for the car
Time Setup
Set up the date and time display for the recording
Format
To format your SD card
Default Setting
To turn the camcorder to factory default settings
Backlight Off Setting
[Off/1 min/3 min/5 min]
Device will automatically turn off the display after certain amount of
time you set. It is also called screen saver. The recording will
continue though screen goes black.
Delay Power Off
[Off/15 sec/30 sec/1 min]
Device will automatically power off (when you unplug the power
supply) after certain amount of time. If set to Off, the device will turn
off when battery drains up.
Beep Sound Setting
[On/Off]
Turn on/off the sound when the camcorder starts up/turns off and
when you press the button.
Version Info
Shows the firmware version of the device.
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4 To Use the Camera for Taking Pictures ONLY
4.1 Enter Picture Mode
If you want to use the camera to take pictures only (not record), then you can change it to the
Picture Mode. To enter the Picture Mode, press Mode button (left button) to change. In Picture
Mode, you can see a camera icon like this located to the top left corner of the screen.
Note: If camera is in Recording Mode and it is recording (the red dot blinking on top left
corner and the recording indicator is blinking blue), press OK button to stop the recording first,
and then press Mode button to go to Picture Mode.
4.2 Take Pictures
Under Picture Mode, you can press OK button to take pictures.
4.3 Enter Menu for Picture Mode
To access the menus for Picture Mode, press the Menu button once when you are in Picture
Mode.
Picture settings
Menu Options
Available options
Picture Resolution
[4M (2688x1512 16:9) or 9M (4000x2250 16:9) or 13M (4800x2700
16:9)]
Image Quality
[Super Fine, Fine, Normal]
Date Stamp Setting
[On/Off].
Whether the snapshot will come with date/time display or not.
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5 Accessing, Playback and Delete Files
5.1 Enter Preview Mode
To enter Preview Mode, in recording mode, please press OK button to stop recording first, then
press Mode button for twice.
5.2 Enter Menu for Preview Mode
To access the menus for Picture Mode, press the Menu button once when you are in Preview
Mode.
Picture settings
Menu Options
Available options
Play Mode Setting
[Play One, Play All, Repeat One, Repeat All]
Illustration please refer to 5.2.4
Delete File
Delete the selected file
5.3 Preview Recordings/Pictures
5.2.1 When you are in Preview Mode, please Up button to select Normal File Category
(Recordings saved in file named NORMAL) or Emergency File Category (Recordings saved in
file named EVENT).
5.2.2 Press OK button to choose the category you want to view. Then the last footage/picture
will be enlarged which means it is selected and the footage/picture name will be displayed.
(suffix .MOV is for footage and .JPG for pictures).
5.2.3 Press Up button to select the footage/picture you want to preview, press OK button then
the footage/picture will be on full screen.
5.2.4 Press OK button to start to playback the footage.
If you set the Play Mode Setting to <Play one>, the device will stop playback when a recording
is ended; if set to <Play All>, the device will continue to playback next recording saved when
this one ended; if set to <Repeat one>, the device will repeat playback the recording you’ve
chosen; if set to <Repeat All>, the device will repeat playback all recordings saved.
5.2.5 You can press OK button to stop playback, then press Mode button to go back to
previous page.
5.4 How to delete Files?
On camcorder, only files under Normal File Category can be deleted. Files under Emergence
File Category should be deleted on computer.
If you want to delete files, press OK to select it, press the Menu button to bring up the menu,
press Down button to select <Delete File>, press OK button to enter the setting and the
options are shown below:
Delete this file; Delete all files
1) If you choose <Delete this file> and press OK to confirm. You should see this:
Delete this file? –
√
X
Note: when you are selecting category or files, please press Up button only, DO NOT press
Down button, otherwise you will go back to recording mode.
Page 13 of 16
You can choose
√
and press OK to confirm the action.
2) If you choose <Delete all files> and press OK to confirm. You should see this:
Delete all files? –
√
X
You can choose
√
and press OK to confirm the action.
5.5 How to Access the Files on Computer?
Please connect the Camcorder to a computer via a USB cable, the USB cable should be
connected to the USB port on the right side of the camcorder, not DC IN port. The device will
show up as a Removable Disk on your computer. It normally contains folders as below:
EVENT: This file contains emergency recordings which will not be overwritten in the loop
recording. The device can save up to 50 emergency recordings. This files requires manual
deletion on computer.
HD Player: This file contains default player Eyelog and DataKam, which are compatible with
Windows system ONLY.
NORMAL: This file contains normal recordings saved and pictures you have taken. These
recordings can be overwritten in the loop recording. You can delete these recordings/pictures
either on camcorder on or on computer.
5.6 Playback Files on Computer
Please install these two players on your Windows computer. Add the files to player by clicking
the Green “+” icon.
If your camcorder has a GPS dongle, you can see the GPS information (Route/speed etc.) on
the player as well as recorded footage while playback. If your camcorder does not have a GPS,
dongle, you will be able to read the G-senor data and recorded footage with these two players.
You can also playback the footage by windows media player or Quick Time player, but the
image quality could be impacted in some cases.
Note: If a file is locked (protected), you will not be able to delete it on the camcorder, but
you can delete it on your computer.
Page 14 of 16
6 Specifications
Items
Technical specification
Image Sensor
5MP
Maximum Display Resolution
2304×1296 30P
Storage Media
Support Micro SDHC, up to 32GB class 10 or above
LCD Display
3.0” LCD color TFT
Lens
170-Degree Fixed Focus lens
Focus Range
0.5m~Infinity
Ae Bias
-2.0~2.0EV
Video
(Format: MOV)
Resolution: [2560x1080@30P 21:9, 2304x1296@30P 16:9,
1920x1080@30P 16:9, HDR 1920x1080@30P 16:9,
1280x720@30P 16:9]
Still Image(Photograph)
(Format: JPEG)
Resolution: [4M (2688x1512 16:9), 9M (4000x2250 16:9),
13M (4800x2700 16:9)]
ADAS Detect
Lane departure warning system, Low light warning system,
Driver fatigue warning system
G-Sensor
3-Axis G-Force sensor
Loop Setting
1min/3min/5min
GPS
Support
Microphone
Support
Speaker
Support
Time/Date Stamp
Support
Connection
Mini USB
Battery
Built-in Li-polymer rechargeable
Operating Temperature
0 ~ 50°C
Operating Humidity
20 ~ 70% RH
Storage Temperature
-20 ~ 80°C
Dimensions
110 x 47 x 31.5 mm
Weight
Approx. 118g (without memory card)
Operating System
Windows
Page 15 of 16
7 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why won’t the camera auto-start?
* Make sure if the power cable goes DC IN port on the top of the camcorder (not the USB port
on the right side of the device)
* Check if the Record Mode Setting is set to <Auto>.
* It could be the car charger design. Since there are so many brands of cars on market, so do
the car socket design. Our car charger may not be compatible with all car models. If our car
charger is not compatible with your car, you can contact us for further resolution on this.
What is the maximum allowed memory capacity for the camera?
While up to 64GB may be functional, we guarantee only up to 32GB micro SD Card “Class 10”
rating as the maximum allowed capacity for the moment.
How do I know the camera is recording?
You'll notice three changes when the camera is recording.
1) The second indicator on the left side of the camcorder will blinking blue.
2) The round dot icon on the top left of the display will flash red.
3) There is a counter on the top right of the display, and the numbers will be increasing
identifying how long the file has been recording.
Why my camera freezes a lot, and sometimes even not responding when the buttons
are pressed?
If the camera freezes, you can press the Reset button. In most cases, the freezes are related
to the card (compatibility etc.). You can try another SD card.
If the SD card is full with emergence files, the camcorder will freeze and will not start recording,
in some cased the buttons will refuse to response when pressing. If this is the case, please
format the SD card on your computer and then format it again on your camcorder.
You can contact us if the issue cannot be fixed at your end, we will seek possible firmware
update for you. If you received a faulty unit we can replace it for you.
Why only 10s footage is saved?
Please check if you have enable the motion detection. The motion detection function will
conflict with loop recording and resulting few seconds videos.
Why isn’t the video/picture clear?
* Go to Resolution Setting and make sure you choose the highest resolution.
* Make sure the lens film is removed prior to use
* Make sure there are no fingerprints, dirt, or water on the lens, and clear the camera lens
using a piece of wet cloth on regular basis.
* Please use the players in the HD Player file for the playback. As per experience, sometimes,
the footage will be pixelated on Windows Media Player, but actually the recording is clear, it is
just the player issue.
Page 16 of 16
I cannot get to the settings menu?
Make sure the camera is not recording (you can press OK button to stop recording) and press
the Menu button (top right one) to bring up the Record/Picture/Preview Mode Menu. Press
Menu button again to bring up the System Menu.
What is “Loop Recording”?
All of our dash cams are currently utilizing the loop recording system. The options are 1/3/5
minutes. For example, if it is set to 5min, the camcorder will generate a file every 5 minutes.
Once the SD card capacity is full, the oldest file will be overwritten by the latest one.
Is there a “Emergency” button to start recording and save on demand on the
camcorder?
Yes. Just press the Menu button once (when the camera is recording) to achieve this function.
There will be an exclamation mark next to the counter. Press OK button to stop the
emergency recording. Emergency recordings will not be overwritten.
What is a "G-Sensor" feature on a dash camera?
A "G Sensor" is a feature / setting that allows a specific video file that is actively being
produced / recorded to be "locked" and protected from becoming deleted as the camera
continues to record video while in " loop". Cameras have low, medium and high settings for
G-sensor. If the setting is set too high, then the camera may "lock" files every time you come to
a quick stop or run over a pothole. The G-Sensor setting must be used cautiously and
experimented with for each driver and vehicle. It is suggested that a new camcorder owner
drive with G-sensor set to off or in the low setting in order to get a "feel" for how it functions in a
particular vehicle and driving style.
How is the motion detection function for?
Under motion detection, the camcorder will capture moving objects in front of your car. You can
use it in parking lot. The battery of the camcorder will not last long, so it is recommended to
use a power bank to power the device.
Why there is strips in the image?
Please adjust the Frequency (50Hz/60Hz) of the camcorder.
In case of device shutdown in abnormal condition:
Please press the "RESET" button on the button of the device and restart the device.
How do I know if the GPS is working?
* The bottom indicator at the left side of the camcorder will be constant green;
* The GPS icon on the left side of the screen will be green, (it will take a few time for the GPS
function to be connected);
* If the Date/Time stamp is enabled, there will be speed info showing on the right bottom
corner of the screen.
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