W3 Gear NinjA Micro User manual

NinjA Micro™
Owner’s Manual
Before You Begin
FCC Verification
NOTE:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 5 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interferences in a residential installation. Thi
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
-
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
-
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
-
Connect the equipment into an outlet on
- Consult the dealer of an e
xperienced radio/TV technician
IMPORTANT NOT : Prohibition against eavesdropping
Except for the operations of law enforcement officers conducted under la
either directly or indirectly, a devices operated pursuant to the provisions of this Part for the purpose of
overhearing or recording the private conversations of others unless such use is authorized by all of the parti
engaging in the conversation.
WARNING:
Modifications not approved by the party responsible for compliance could void user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
© 20 2 W3GEAR. All rights reserved.
Designated trademarks and brands are the property of the
NinjA Micro™
camcorder
Owner’s Manual
Revision 1.01
Last Updated: 14-F B-2012
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 5 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interferences in a residential installation. Thi
s equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
Connect the equipment into an outlet on
a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
xperienced radio/TV technician
for help
IMPORTANT NOT : Prohibition against eavesdropping
Except for the operations of law enforcement officers conducted under la
wful authority, no person shall use,
either directly or indirectly, a devices operated pursuant to the provisions of this Part for the purpose of
overhearing or recording the private conversations of others unless such use is authorized by all of the parti
Modifications not approved by the party responsible for compliance could void user’s authority to
© 20 2 W3GEAR. All rights reserved.
Designated trademarks and brands are the property of the
ir respective owners.
camcorder
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 5 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
s equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
wful authority, no person shall use,
either directly or indirectly, a devices operated pursuant to the provisions of this Part for the purpose of
overhearing or recording the private conversations of others unless such use is authorized by all of the parti
es
Modifications not approved by the party responsible for compliance could void user’s authority to

Package Contents
-NinjA Micro™ camcorder
-Belt Clip
-Universal Mount Bracket
-Wall Bracket
-USB Cable
-4GB Micro SD card
-Silicone Cover
-Neck Strap
-Power Adaptor
Before Using the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
The NinjA Micro™ camcorder
has a built
phones use, only smaller). We charge them up before we send them out
you’ll need to top it up before using it.
To charge the NinjA Micro™ camco
rder
. Locate the mini-
USB port on the base of the
2.
Using the supplied USB cable, attached the
supplied USB wall charger
3.
While charging, the both blue LED and the red Led wil
4. The NinjA Micro™ camcorder
requires
first charge, to leave the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
negative impact on the performance of the battery
General Guidelines
These are just a couple of points to keep in mind while using the
•Do not point the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
powered headlights or stadium lights. The bright light may damage the image sensor, either leaving a
permanent “shadow” on your videos where the light source has damaged the sensor, or renderi
sensor completely inoperable.
•
Avoid adverse weather conditions. Excessive heat (direct or ambient) and moisture (such as rain or
humidity) will cause the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
these elemen
ts may permanently damage the
•Do not dispose of
in fire. Lithium
dramatically.
•The small lens on the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
•
If the lens does become dirty, clean with cleaning alcohol and/or a specialized leans cleaning cloth (these
are available from all good camera stores).
•
Follow proposal disposal guidelines in your locality if you intent to dispose of t
Many localities have strict guidelines as to the disposal of electronic items, particularly those with built
rechargeable batteries.
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
has a built
-in lithium ion battery (
the same sort of battery as most mobile
phones use, only smaller). We charge them up before we send them out
–
however, due to time in transit,
you’ll need to top it up before using it.
rder
:
USB port on the base of the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
Using the supplied USB cable, attached the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
to a USB port on your computer, or to
While charging, the both blue LED and the red Led wil
l stay on
requires
2 -3
hours to achieve a full charge. It is important, particularly the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
charging for the full duration
negative impact on the performance of the battery
These are just a couple of points to keep in mind while using the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
towards exceedingly bright light sources such as the sun, high
powered headlights or stadium lights. The bright light may damage the image sensor, either leaving a
permanent “shadow” on your videos where the light source has damaged the sensor, or renderi
Avoid adverse weather conditions. Excessive heat (direct or ambient) and moisture (such as rain or
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
to behave erratically or not work at all. Acute exposure to
ts may permanently damage the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder.
in fire. Lithium
-
ion batteries can, when exposed to significant heat, explode quite
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
can be difficult to clean. Avoid dusty o
If the lens does become dirty, clean with cleaning alcohol and/or a specialized leans cleaning cloth (these
are available from all good camera stores).
Follow proposal disposal guidelines in your locality if you intent to dispose of t
Many localities have strict guidelines as to the disposal of electronic items, particularly those with built
the same sort of battery as most mobile
however, due to time in transit,
to a USB port on your computer, or to
hours to achieve a full charge. It is important, particularly the
charging for the full duration
– not doing so can have a
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
:
towards exceedingly bright light sources such as the sun, high
-
powered headlights or stadium lights. The bright light may damage the image sensor, either leaving a
permanent “shadow” on your videos where the light source has damaged the sensor, or renderi
ng the
Avoid adverse weather conditions. Excessive heat (direct or ambient) and moisture (such as rain or
to behave erratically or not work at all. Acute exposure to
ion batteries can, when exposed to significant heat, explode quite
can be difficult to clean. Avoid dusty o
r dirty environments.
If the lens does become dirty, clean with cleaning alcohol and/or a specialized leans cleaning cloth (these
Follow proposal disposal guidelines in your locality if you intent to dispose of t
he NinjA Micro™ camcorder.
Many localities have strict guidelines as to the disposal of electronic items, particularly those with built
-on

Structure Layout
Lens: The business-end of the camera, used to focus light on to the image sensor. For best result, ensure the
lens is clean and free from debris.
Mode Select: Changes the recording mode of the camera.
Micro SD Card Slot: The slot for inserting the Micro SD card which the NinjA Micro™ camcorder records to.
To insert a card, simply push it into the slot. To remove it, push it in again, and it will “pop” right out.
Reset Button: Used to quickly return the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to its initial booted state. This is typically
used only if the NinjA Micro™ camcorder freezes and needs to be reset.
Strap Clip: Used to attach the included neck strap. Alternatively, it can be used to attach the NinjA Micro™
camcorder to just about anything – such as a key-chain or similar.
Power: Press to turn the NinjA Micro™ camcorder on and off. Do not turn off the NinjA Micro™ camcorder
while recording, or immediately after recording.
Record/Stop: Starts and stops the NinjA Micro™ camcorder recordings.
Microphone: The device which records sound. If these holes are blocked, then the range and quality of the
audio recording will be significantly reduced.
L Ds: Small colored lights which will indicate the current state and function of the NinjA Micro™ camcorder.
There are two LEDs, one red and one blue. In bright light (such as sunlight) these might be difficult to see.

Operating the NinjA Micro™ camcorder
To turn the NinjA Micro™ camcorder ON:
•Press and hold the Power Button for approximately one second.
•The blue and red LEDs will come one. When the red LED turns off and the blue LED stays on, this indicates
that the NinjA Micro™ camcorder is now ready to record.
To turn the NinjA Micro™ camcorder OFF:
•Press and hold the Power Button for approximately one second.
•Do NOT turn the NinjA Micro™ camcorder off whilst recording video, or immediately after
recording video.
•The NinjA Micro™ camcorder needs several seconds after stopping a recording to write the video on the
Micro SD card – turning the NinjA Micro™ camcorder during the writing to card process will corrupt the
date, and render the video file unusable.
Low Power & Automatic Shutdown:
When the NinjA Micro™ camcorder’s battery starts to run low, it will automatically shut itself down. If it is
currently recording a video, it will stop recording and finalize writing the video file to the Micro SD card before
turning itself off. Recharge the battery fully before turning the NinjA Micro™ camcorder on again.
The NinjA Micro™ camcorder will also automatically shut itself down and about to run out of recording space
on its Micro SD card. To fix this, replace the Micro SD card with a fresh (or, at least, not full) one, or connect
the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to a PC and clear data off the cart by cutting and pasting it, or simply deleting it.
Resetting the NinjA Micro™ camcorder:
Occasionally, particularly during long periods of constant use, the NinjA Micro™ camcorder may freeze and
stop working correctly. If this happens, the NinjA Micro™ camcorder needs to be reset.
•Locate the Reset button, located immediately below the Micro SD card slot.
•Using a thin sharp object such as a tooth pick, unfolded paper clip or hair pin, gentely press and hold the
Reset button for approximately one second.
•Once the NinjA Micro™ camcorder has been reset, you’ll need to set the Time and Date again.
Shooting Video
•Turn the NinjA Micro™ camcorder on.
•Wait several seconds for the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to properly initialize.
•When the red LED goes out and blue LED is on, the NinjA Micro™ camcorder is ready to record.
•Press the Record/Stop button to begin recording video.
•Whilst video is being recorded, the blue LED will stay on and the red LED will flash slowly.
•To stop the recording, press the Record/Stop button again. The red LED will flash quickly whilst video data
is being saved.
Voice/Sound-Activated Recording:
The NinjA Micro™ camcorder can be configured to operate as a sound-activated recording device. This makes
the NinjA Micro™ camcorder a sound-activated recording device. This makes the NinjA Micro™ camcorder a

great solution for a set-and-forget recording device. The internal battery will last for more than 0 hours of
standby time if nothing triggers the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to record.
Soft sounds (for example, softer than a person speaking in a loud voice approximately 3ft/ m away) may not
trigger the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to record.
To engage Sound-Activated Recording Mode:
•Turn the NinjA Micro™ camcorder on in the usual way.
•Wait until the red LED goes out, and the NinjA Micro™ camcorder is in standby.
•Press the Mode button.
•The blue LED will stay on, and the red LED will flash slowly to indicate that the NinjA Micro™ camcorder is
in sound-activated recording mode.
•While armed in this mode, a moderate to loud sound will trigger the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to record.
•Once triggered to record, the NinjA Micro™ camcorder will continue recording for a minimum of two
minutes, or longer if the sound continues.
•To deactivate the sound-activated recording mode, simply press the mode button. Once the red LED goes
out, sound-activated recording mode has been deactivated.
Mounting the NinjA Micro™ camcorder
Neck Strap
Using the Neck Strap is pretty straight forward, and a great way to make sure you never lose the NinjA
Micro™ camcorder – it’ll be round your neck!
•Attach the clip on the end of the strap to the small tab on the top of the NinjA Micro™ camcorder
•Sling the strap around your neck
•For best results, hold the NinjA Micro™ camcorder steady whilst you’re shooting video – leaving it on the
neck strap will result in a very random, frenetic video which will rarely capture what you want.
Belts/Pockets Clip (or Silicone Case)
•Inset the NinjA Micro™ camcorder into the bracket.
•The four corners of the clasp will lock into position on the four corners of the NinjA Micro™ camcorder
•The NinjA Micro™ camcorder can now be clipped onto a belt, pocket, collar, or any other location which
offers suitable support for the clip.
•To remove the NinjA Micro™ camcorder from the clip, hold it in the middle and twist gently. The clip is
easiest to remove one corner at a time.
•The silicon sleeve works in a similar manner, and has a loop on the back to attached to a belt or similar.
The differences are primarily that a) the silicon sleeve is more delicate, and could tear if mistreated and b)
the silicon sleeve will offer some degree of protection from scratches, dust and moisture.
Wall /Ceiling Mounting Options
The NinjA Micro™ camcorder comes with two options for permanent mounting, a permanent clip and a clip-to-
wall mounting. If you want to use the NinjA Micro™ camcorder with the belt/pocket clop, use the free-pivot
Wall Bracket mounting that the clip can attach to. To mount the NinjA Micro™ camcorder only, use the
standard wall clip.

•The Wall Bracket (used with the belt/pocket clip) is capable of attaching double side adhesive tape or
Velcro to any suitable surface. This is handy for mounting the clip onto a PC monitor as a webcam. For
permanent installation, we recommend using the screw holes.
•The standard wall clip needs to be screwed, glued or taped into place. Screws and cable ties are preferred
for resilient mounting option.
Setting the Time & Date
You can setup the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to print the date and time that a recoding was taken directly onto
the video, like a watermark. To enable this function, you’ll just need to set the time and date – the NinjA
Micro™ camcorder will keep track of it from there.
To set the Date and Time:
•Open Notepad . It’s usually located in the Accessories folder in the Start Menu (assuming you’re using a
Microsoft Windows ®). If you don’t have a Notepad, any plain text editor will work fine.
•Enter the date and time in the following format:
[date]
YYYY/MM/DD
HH:MM:SS
So, if it was eight-thirty five in the night on the 2 st of February 20 2, then the file would read:
[date]
20 2/02/2
20:35:00
•Save this file, naming it “tag.txt”
•Copy this file to the Micro SD card
•With the Micro SD card already inserted into NinjA Micro™ camcorder, turn the NinjA Micro™ camcorder
ON.
•The NinjA Micro™ camcorder will read the text in the file, and update its internal clock to match the date
and time as set by you.
•The date and time will be updated to the NinjA Micro™ camcorder’s internal clock when it is turned on.
Note: If the NinjA Micro™ battery is completely drained of power or it you’ve pressed the Reset button,
the data and time will be reset.
Connecting to your PC
You can playback the video from Micro SD card in the NinjA Micro™ camcorder by connecting the NinjA
Micro™ camcorder to your computer.
•Locate the mini-USB plug on the bottom of the NinjA Micro™ camcorder
•Find a spare USB port on your computer
•For maximum speed, find a free USB port on your computer, and avoid using USB extension cables or hubs
•Connect the spare USB port on your computer to the mini-USB port on the NinjA Micro™ camcorder using
the supplied USB cable
•The NinjA Micro™ camcorder will be detected as a USB storage device, and can be accessed in the same
way as you would any other USB flash drive
•The video recordings are stored as an AVI file in folders named 00MEDIA , 0 MEDIA and so on.

Using the NinjA Micro™ camcorder as a PC Camera
You can also connect the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to your computer and use it as a PC camera. A typical use
of this feature would be to use the NinjA Micro™ camcorder as a webcam for Internet chat programs.
To use the NinjA Micro™ camcorder as a PC camera, first install the driver:
•Download the latest driver from http://www.w3gear.com/
•Locate and Run the downloaded driver file, follow further on-screen prompts
•You may be asked to confirm your choice to run this file, or be warned that this driver is “not digitally
signed”. This is normal: choose to continue running and installing the driver
•Once the installation is complete, you will now have an icon on the desktop labeled “AMCAP”
To Connect the NinjA Micro™ camcorder in PC Camera Mode:
•Connect the NinjA Micro™ camcorder to your computer via the USB cable
•If you have not already done so, turn the NinjA Micro™ camcorder on
•Wait until your computer has detected the NinjA Micro™ camcorder as a removable USB Mass Storage
Device
•Press the Mode button. This will switch NinjA Micro™ camcorder as a USB PC webcam
•Double click the AMCAP icon on your desktop. Once the program runs, you’ll be able to use the NinjA
Micro™ camcorder as a PC camera
Note: Webcam function is only supported on Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 based PC
Shooting Guide
Framing:
•Typical, about 3 feet ( m) is about right if filming a shot of someone’s face – this way, their face will
occupy approximately half the vertical space in frame.
•To get a whole person in frame (assuming they’re approximately six feet tall) then you’ll need to be about
0ft (3m)
Focus:
•The NinjA Micro™ camcorder has a fixed focus lens, which means you’ll never need to adjust focus.
•The fixed lens will achieve focus within approximately 30cm ( /
2
ft) from the lens, varying slightly
depending on the amount of available light. It will hold focus to infinity.
xposure:
The NinjA Micro™ camcorder will adjust exposure automatically, varying its gain setting autonomously,
reacting to the amount of available light. There are a couple of things to bear in mind, however:
•Shooting a dark subject in front of a bright background can cause the auto-exposure feature of the NinjA
Micro™ camcorder to become confused, and drop the exposure down so that the background is correctly
exposed whilst the subject becomes a silhouette. Avoid brightly lit backgrounds, unless you want this
effect.

•To decrease exposure, the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
each frame for a shorter time. This means that you’ll ge
bright light –
useful for shooting fast
•On the other hand, in low-
light, each frame needs to be exposed longer to get enough light into the (very
small) lens. This can be effect can be mi
or particularly serious (in situations such as shooting under a street lamp).
•
The image quality, depth of field and exposure range will all improve dramatically as more light is available.
Tips & Tricks:
Photography is an art
best way to get better results is just to keep using the
wasting film; just delete off the
old files on
Troubleshooting
Problem:
I’ve recorded videos, but the
Solution:
Chances are that this problem is caused by turning the
video files have been properly saved to the
recordings
and waiting until the red LED has gone off before turning the
Problem: The
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
Solution: Try charging the battery
provide a full 5V to attach
devices and thus will not charge the battery properly. You can also charge the
Micro™ camcorder from a stand-
alone USB charger.
Problem: My v
ideos and pictures seem blurry.
Solution:
If the lens becomes dirty, this can cause the
and blurred. Clean the lens using a dedicated lens cleaning cloth and lens cl
cleaning alcohol).
Problem:
My videos seem too shaky.
Solutions:
As a general rule, this usually indicates that the mount you’ve used for the camera (or arm, if
you’re shooting hand-
held) needs to be more stable. Gener
belt/pocket clip whilst recording video, and are moving or travelling in a vehicle which is moving. Generally,
you’ll achieve the best results holding the
your elbows on your torso. That way, your body and both arms form a kind of rudimentary tripod, greatly
steadying your videos.
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
shortens its electronic shutter speed, thus exposing
each frame for a shorter time. This means that you’ll ge
t better high-
speed photographic performance in
useful for shooting fast
events, like sports.
light, each frame needs to be exposed longer to get enough light into the (very
small) lens. This can be effect can be mi
nor (such as shooting in a shopping mall or a stadium under lights)
or particularly serious (in situations such as shooting under a street lamp).
The image quality, depth of field and exposure range will all improve dramatically as more light is available.
Photography is an art
–
there is no right or wrong way to shoot.
best way to get better results is just to keep using the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
. Besides, it’s not like you’ll be
old files on
Micro SD now an
d then, and you’ll be set!
I’ve recorded videos, but the
Micro SD card seems to be blank.
Chances are that this problem is caused by turning the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
video files have been properly saved to the
Micro SD
card. Always use the Record/Stop button to stop
and waiting until the red LED has gone off before turning the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
won’t turn on.
again
. When doing so, avoid using a USB hub
devices and thus will not charge the battery properly. You can also charge the
alone USB charger.
ideos and pictures seem blurry.
If the lens becomes dirty, this can cause the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
and blurred. Clean the lens using a dedicated lens cleaning cloth and lens cl
eaning solution (typical
My videos seem too shaky.
As a general rule, this usually indicates that the mount you’ve used for the camera (or arm, if
held) needs to be more stable. Gener
ally, this will occur if you use the lanyard or
belt/pocket clip whilst recording video, and are moving or travelling in a vehicle which is moving. Generally,
you’ll achieve the best results holding the
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
with both hands in front of you, resting
your elbows on your torso. That way, your body and both arms form a kind of rudimentary tripod, greatly
shortens its electronic shutter speed, thus exposing
speed photographic performance in
light, each frame needs to be exposed longer to get enough light into the (very
nor (such as shooting in a shopping mall or a stadium under lights)
The image quality, depth of field and exposure range will all improve dramatically as more light is available.
there is no right or wrong way to shoot.
Practice makes perfect. The
. Besides, it’s not like you’ll be
d then, and you’ll be set!
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
off before the
card. Always use the Record/Stop button to stop
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
off.
. When doing so, avoid using a USB hub
– some USB hubs will not
devices and thus will not charge the battery properly. You can also charge the
NinjA
NinjA Micro™ camcorder
videos to be distorted, soft
eaning solution (typical
ly a type of
As a general rule, this usually indicates that the mount you’ve used for the camera (or arm, if
ally, this will occur if you use the lanyard or
belt/pocket clip whilst recording video, and are moving or travelling in a vehicle which is moving. Generally,
with both hands in front of you, resting
your elbows on your torso. That way, your body and both arms form a kind of rudimentary tripod, greatly