Zetta Z16 User manual

Zetta Z16 Wide Angle 720p HD
Intelligent Security Camcorder-
SpyTec User Manual
Last Modified on 06/09/2016 4:02 pm EDT
SPYTEC Z16 WIDE ANGLE 720P
HD INTELLIGENT SECURITY
CAMCORDER USER GUIDE
Thank you for choosing the SpyTecZ16 Wide Angle 720p HD Intelligent Security Camcorder. The
granola bar-size video camera weighs only 2.3 ounces and is easily hidden. The multi-trigger, time-
programmed recording device captures high-definition (720p) video. The lens housing rotates
vertically 180° for flexible image framing from a hidden vantage point. Recordings can be triggered
automatically by motion, vibration or voice, and videos are date-time stamped. The camera’s microSD
slot accommodates up to a 200GB microSD card. The camera can be set for loop recording so that it
never runs out of memory. With a vibration standby time of up to 90 days and the capability to power
recording for up to 10 hours from its internal battery, the camera is extremely flexible to place and
operate. Using the electrical outlet adapter and a 200GB card, the camera can achieve looped

recordings of up to 200 hours.
What’s in The Box
Camcorder (also called the DVR) 5V wall outlet adapter
USB 2.0 cable User manual
Requirements
A microSD card with up to 200GB of memory
A Windows or Macintosh computer with USB port, media player software and Internet access to
download the camera’s control software.
GETTING STARTED
Quick Start
Here’s the fastest way to start video recording right out of the box. Since the battery is unlikely to be
charged, connect the USB cable to the camera and AC adapter and plug the adapter into a power
outlet. Insert a microSD memory card with a capacity of 32GB or less. Keep in mind that the camera’s
date/time stamp will not be accurate since it would need to be first adjusted from the computer
software. Move the three-position switch to the middle position, On-the-go mode, indicated by the
run- ning man icon. Hold down the power button until the LED turns green. When you see the green
LED continually flashing, the camera is recording. Make sure the to remove the protective plastic tab
on the lens and point the camera lens at the subject.
Charging the Battery
The fastest way to charge the Z16 is by plugging the AC adapter into a wall outlet or power strip
while the other end of the cable is connected to the USB port on the right side of the camera (with
the lens facing you). If this is the product’s first use or the battery hasn’t been refreshed in several
months, figure on a charging time of 6 hours (when not recording) or until the orange LED turns

green. When you remove the camera from the USB power cable, the LED will shut off. Charging the
camera from a computer’s USB port will take longer. Recharging the camera regularly shouldn’t take
more than 1-3 hours depending on how much the battery has been depleted.
Note: To check if the battery has power, make sure the camera is disconnected from an external
power source and hold the power button for one second.
If there’s no memory card in the slot or the inserted card is unformatted, the LED will briefly turn a
steady green (indicating internal power) then a steady red (indicating there’s no memory card), then
turn off.
If there is a formatted memory card inserted and the three-way switch has been left in Surveillance
or On-the-go mode , the LED will turn a steady green, then after a few seconds start flashing
green indicating the camera is recording.
If you’re only checking power, press the power button for two seconds to stop recording. The green
LED will stop flashing, turn orange, then turn off completely. If the three-way switch is in Custom ,
the LED will light up orange then green. The green LED will flash briefly, then turn off.
Tip: There’s no way to tell whether the battery is fully- or partially-charged. Always charge the
camera before a recording session or keep the camera plugged into a power source if you’re unsure
how much power is left in the battery.
Handling and Formatting the
Memory Card
Because a MicroSD card (not included) is fragile and about one-quarter the size of an SD card, it’s easy
to damage or lose. Keep your eye on the card as you insert the edge with the eight metal contacts
pointed up into the slot while the camera’s bottom indicia plate rests on a flat surface. Push the card in
until it snaps into place. To remove the card, press it in with your finger nail, being careful to block the
card from becoming airborne as it’s ejected by the slot’s spring mechanism.
The easiest type of memory card to use with the Z16 contains a capacity of 32GB or less, while cards
with more memory must be properly formatted to be recognized by the camera. See the
Troubleshooting section (pg. 18) for formatting instructions.
What’s on the Camera
LEFT SIDE FRONT RIGHT SIDE

Using the Z16 Zetta Widget
Software
To adjust the date and time in your camera and to customize the Z16’s range of features, you must
first download and install the Widget software on your Windows or Macintosh computer. Use your
computer browser to go to:
http://support.spytecinc.com/help/article/link/zetta-widget
Choose the PC or Mac version of the software to download, install and launch.
An icon on the upper left corner of the Zetta Widget software is red when the camera isn’t
connected to a USB port on the computer and green when it is.
Note: the software refers to the camera as the DVR as in “digital video recorder”. The Zetta Widget
menus can be viewed in English, French, German, Italian and Chinese (simplified or traditional).
Adjusting the Camera’s Settings from the
Software
Using the included USB cable, attach the camera to the computer where the Zetta Widget software
is installed.
When the Z16 is attached to the PC, two lettered drives appear: one drive is the SD card (where the
files are stored) and one is the camera’s internal memory. The latter has a small amount of on-board
flash for settings and firmware. It’s not sufficient to store video.
The camera must be plugged into your computer to use the software. If the camera is not connected,
you’ll see an unplugged icon in red next to “DVR disconnected” at the top of the screen. When the
camera is connected using the included USB cable, you’ll see a plug in green followed by “DVR
connected.”
Note: Whenever you change settings in the software, they must be transferred to the camera. Click

on the circular icon to the left of “Sync Settings to DVR” to complete your choices. A confirming
checkmark in green next to “Settings Saved” will appear on the screen.
Setting the Date and Time
In order to superimpose the correct date and time in videos recorded with the Z16, you must first use
the Zetta Widget software. With the plug icon shown in green and labeled “DVR Connected,” click on
the clock in the left icon. You can accept the PC Date Time active on your computer or you can click on
the Custom Date Time. Either way, make sure to click on Sync Date Time to DVR so that the settings
are saved to the camera. By default, the date and time are superimposed on the bottom-right cor-
ner of the video as it’s being recorded. See Timestamp (pg. 8) under Customizable Features if you
want to record videos without the date and time.
Note: Remember to connect the camera to your computer to adjust the time when the clock springs
ahead or falls back an hour.
Setting the Mode
To get high-definition resolution (1280 x 720) during manual recording, move the three-position
switch to the middle position, the On-the-go mode . For less resolution (640 x 360) but longer
recording time before running out of memory or overwriting previous video in a circular recording,
move the switch to Surveillance mode . The frame rate is the same for both modes. Neither mode
supports the automated triggers or unattended recording times you can set using the Zetta widget.
If you’ve set the camera from the Zetta widget to start recording on its own from a trigger or
designated time, you must leave the slider in the Custom position .

Recording a Video
To start a recording manually, make sure the mode is set for Surveillance or On- the-go. Press and
hold the Power button until the green LED lights up. It will shine steadily, then after a few seconds
flash continually to indicate that a recording is in progress. To end a recording, hold the Power button
for two seconds. The LED will turn orange, then turn off to indicate recording has stopped.
Note: The Custom mode is used to start a recording automatically from designated triggers or at
preset times according to instructions downloaded to the camera from the Zetta widget computer
software.
Customizable Features
The Z16’s self-starting flexibility become evident when you take advantage of the camera’s
programmable features using the Zetta Widget software.
To see the Custom selection screens, change the Setting Mode from Express to Custom, then click

on the Save Option button. A check mark in a green circle will appear on the left side of the screen
confirming Option Saved. Now, when you click on Settings in the left column, you’ll be greeted with a
laundry list of capabilities selectable via radio buttons.
Video Quality
You can choose one of three video qualities by using the Zetta Widget software. They are High,
Medium, and Low. High Quality means that the video is saved with the least amount of file
compression; Low Quality with the most compression. The default video quality is High. Once you’ve
clicked on High, Medium or Low, make sure to click on Sync Settings to DVR and leave the camera’s
three-position switch in Custom mode.
Resolution
When using Custom Mode, select a resolution of 1280 x 720 or 640 x 360 to suit your needs. The
former creates a high definition picture; the latter facilitates longer recording time when you need to
stretch memory. If you move the slider on the camera away from Custom Mode, all custom settings

will be disabled and recording resolution will be determined by positioning the switch at Surveillance
Mode or On- the-go Mode.
Frame Rate
You can choose to record video at a High frame rate of 20 frames per second or at a Low rate of 6 fps.
High is closer to full motion while Low enables longer-duration recordings. The Zetta Widget default
frame rate is High.
Indoor Lighting Condition
The camera can be set to accommodate the frequency of electrical grids in various countries in order
to provide the best flicker-free video when indoor lighting is deployed. For use in North America, the
software should be set to 60 Hz, though you’re unlikely to see much difference. The default is 50 Hz.
Day / Night Mode
Set to “Day mode” if the environment in which the camera is placed always has adequate lighting. Set
to “Night mode” for poor lighting conditions. Set to “Auto” if the lighting condition will change while
the camera is operating. Make sure to click on Sync Settings to DVR and keep the camera’s three-
position switch on Custom mode.
Orientation
The camera can operate upside down, which is a capability you may want to put to use based on its
hiding position such as prioritizing whether the USB- or switch-side faces out for easier access in a
tight corner. Resulting video will appear upside down on your computer unless you choose the Up-
side-down option in the Zetta Widget software. Make sure to click on Sync Settings to DVR and keep
the camera’s three- position switch in Custom Mode. The default is Normal orientation.
Time Stamp
Without user intervention, the video’s date and run time are superimposed along the bottom right of
the screen in the format: 2016/03/04 11:04:58 (year/month/day/hour/ minute/second). This allows
you to identify the exact moment an incident occurred. However, if you prefer not to time stamp the
picture, click on the Disable button, then on Sync Settings to DVR. Make sure to keep the slider
switch on the camera in the Custom Mode position. The time stamp will not be recorded, and it will
not appear on the video.

Note: You cannot change the time stamp format.
Circular Recording
Also called loop recording, circular recording means that the camera will automatically overwrite the
oldest video file with the newest video so that you don’t have to keep changing memory cards or
transferring files to your computer.
The setting assumes you don’t need to archive days-old video but simply want the ability to retrieve
recent footage when a surveillance situation or vehicular accident warrant further review. Click on the
Enable button, then Sync Settings to DVR. Keep the three-position switch on the camera on Custom
Mode. You can always disable Circular Recording from the software. When the camera’s three-way
switch is set to Surveillance or On-the-go modes, circular recording is enabled. In Custom mode, it’s
enabled by default.
Split File Time

Managing your recordings is made easier from shorter-length files. That way, you can review snippets
instead of epics and upload incidents without a lot of irrelevant video. You can set the software to
have the camera save video into discrete files every 10-, 15- or 20 minutes.
So, for instance, if you selected the latter interval, a 3-hour recording will be automatically saved as
nine 20-minute files. You won’t lose information between contiguous videos, and the smaller files may
be more manageable. Split File Time is not a factor when operating the camera in Surveillance or On-
the-go modes for short periods of time. For longer durations, files will be created at timed intervals as
follows: in Surveillance mode, every 20 minutes; On-the-go, every 15 minutes. The Custom mode
default for Split File Time is every 15 minutes.
To choose for yourself when the camera automatically saves recordings at one of the three intervals,
click on the 10-, 15- or 20-minute button, then click on Sync Settings to DVR. Make sure to leave the
camera’s three-position switch on Custom mode.
Mic
In some situations, audio in a video recording is irrelevant or undesirable. You can turn off the

camera’s microphone by clicking on the Disable button. Make sure to click on Sync Settings to DVR
and keep the camera’s three-way switch in the Custom mode. The mic is enabled in Surveillance and
On-the-go modes. It’s also enabled by default when selecting High Quality Video recording in
Custom mode. It is disabled for Medium- and Low-quality recording.
LED On / Off
For the most clandestine surveillance in a less-than-secure space, you’ll want to minimize the chances
of giving away the camera’s position from a lit LED. You can disable the multi-colored light entirely.
After clicking on the LED Off setting, make sure to click on Sync Settings to DVR and keep the
camera’s switch in Custom mode.
The LED is set to On in Surveillance and On-the-go modes. It’s set to On by default in Custom mode.
Tip: It may not be prudent to disable the LED. You’re also disabling the camera’s status indicators.
Triggers
Continuous video recordings are comprehensive, but they consume storage and make locating
incidents laborious. Alternatively, you can set the camera to start video recording by using up to three
triggers: voice, vibration and/or motion. The camera’s responsiveness to these triggers each can be
adjusted according to three levels of sensitivity.
Voice-Trigger Sensitivity
In the case of the camera’s microphone picking up a voice or voices to trigger recording, you can
adjust the mic sensitivity to High, Medium, or Low. If the goal is to trigger a recording from people
yelling or shouting, set the sensitivity to Low. If it makes more sense to trigger a recording from
people whispering, set the sensitivity to High. If you’re not sure, set it to Medium. You should
experiment to see which setting is best in the intended environment.
Once triggered, a recording will continue for 2 minutes, then return to standby until triggered again.
After choosing a voice-sensitivity trigger in the Zetta Widget software, make sure to click on Sync
Settings to DVR and keep the camera’s switch in Custom mode. Voice triggering is disabled in
Surveillance and On-the-go modes. In Custom mode, it’s set for high sensitivity during High Video
Quality; medium for Medium quality and low for Low quality. The Widget software’s voice-trigger is
disabled by default.
Vibration-Trigger Sensitivity

You can set the camera to start recording when it senses a vibration, which may be an appropriate
use when placing the camera in an unattended vehicle. You can set the level of sensitivity to High,
Medium or Low. In a noisy environment like when the car is parked on a busy street, set the trigger to
Low Sensitivity. (Otherwise, the camera might be triggered to record too much.) But in an isolated
parking lot, set the trigger to High Sensitivity. (That way it will pick up subtle changes.) If you’re not
sure, set it to Medium. You should experiment to see which setting is best in the intended
environment.
Once triggered, a recording will continue for 2 minutes, then return to standby until triggered again.
After choosing a vibration-sensitivity trigger in the Zetta Widget software, make sure to click on Sync
Settings to DVR and keep the camera’s three- way switch in Custom mode. The Vibration trigger is
disabled in Surveillance and On-the-go modes.
Vibration Standby Mode
Choosing Power Saving can enable 90 days of standby time, but it will cause a slight delay before
recording begins. Fast Wake Up, on the other hand, kicks in instantly.
When you change a setting, make sure to click on Sync Settings to DVR and leave the camera’s
three-position switch in the Custom mode. Vibration Standby Mode is not applicable to Surveillance
and On-the-go modes. As for the Zetta Widget’s custom settings, the default is Power Saving.
Motion-Trigger Sensitivity
The most useful automatic trigger to cause a video to start recording from a fixed- position camera
typically is motion. Someone darts into view,and the camera begins to record. You can set the
trigger’s sensitivity level to High, Medium or Low. If you’re expecting a lot of motion in the camera
frame, such as shadows cast by tree limbs swaying in a breeze in front of an outdoor light, you’ll want
to set the sensitivity to Low so as not to be overwhelmed by too much video. If you expect little
activity, you should set the trigger sensitivity to High. That way, if there are subtle changes, you’ll be
able to pick them up. If you’re uncertain, try the Medium setting. In any case, it’s a good idea to try out
your choices in a test run before a mission-critical operation.
Once triggered, a recording will continue for 2 minutes, then return to standby until triggered again.
After choosing a motion-sensitivity trigger in the Zetta Widget software, make sure to click on Sync
Settings to DVR and keep the camera’s three- way switch in Custom mode. The motion trigger is
disabled in Surveillance mode and set to medium in On-the-go mode. In Custom mode, it’s set high
for High Video Quality, medium for Medium quality and low for Low quality.
Tip: Keep in mind that the motion trigger cannot distinguish between a cat and a cat burglar. If a
guard dog is typically active, for instance, you may want to aim the camera so that the floor is out of

frame.
VEHICULAR USE
The Z16 can be used to automatically trigger video recording in a variety of ways in a vehicle:
Car-Activate Recording for video capture when the engine is turned on
Car-Stop Recording for when the engine is turned off
Car-Activate & Car-Stop Recording for both
Note: An optional car cigarette lighter adapter with USB charging port is required for the camera to
automatically recognize whether the engine is turn on or off. (See Specifications on pg. 17.)

Using the Zetta Widget software, first click on the Disable setting under Motion- Trigger Sensitivity.
Then, choose one of the following:
Car-Activate Recording: To capture video while driving, the camera will automatically power on and
start recording when the car’s ignition is started. The camera will automatically shut down when the
car is turned off.
Car-Stop Recording: To capture video while the car is parked, the camera will automatically start
recording video when the car is turned off and stop recording video when the ignition is started.
Car-Activate & Car-Stop Recording: To capture video while both driving and when the car is parked,
the camera can be set to record for 24-hours of coverage.
After making your selection, make sure to click on Sync Settings to DVR. In addition to leaving the
camera’s three-position switch in the Custom mode, the camera must be plugged into the vehicle’s
cigarette lighter socket using the optional 5-volt car adapter and included USB cable. The camera
recognizes whether the vehicle is running or not based on whether power is flowing into the socket.
In the case of a vehicle with an always-on powered socket, recordings must be manually started and
stopped.

Auto On / Off
Like using the On/Off alarm setting on a clock radio, clicking on Scheduled Recording will activate
recordings at the times you’ve set. Clicking on Disable will cause the camera to ignore scheduled
recordings. Remember to click on the Sync Settings to DVR button in the software and leave the
camera’s three-position switch in Custom mode. Auto On/Off is disabled for Surveillance and On-the-
go modes.
Scheduling the Camera for Auto Recordings
Most times, you’ll want to leave the camera unattended so that it starts and stops recordings on its
own. Using the Zetta Widget software, you have the flexibility to schedule the camera to shoot video
at various times on a weekly schedule. You set each block of recording time in one-hour increments.
You can also designate whether the camera starts recording based solely on preset times or whether
the programmed times puts the camera on standby ready to record only when triggered by an
external event such as a voice, vibration or motion.

Turn on the camera, click on Settings on the left side of the Zetta Widget software, then scroll all the
way down to the Auto On/Off selection. Click on Scheduled Recording, then the Edit link. You’ll see
the Schedule Settings screen showing a 7-day, 24-hour calendar. Move your mouse to a particular
time slot. You can either click and let go to highlight a one-hour block or click and hold the mouse to
extend the time in one-hour multiples.
Upon highlighting a time block, a Create Task box appears. The default is Always Record. By instead
clicking on the Trigger record selection, you can check off up to three ways for the camera to start
recording.
You can instruct the camera to start recording within the designated time block if triggered by a voice,
a vibration or a motion. You can check off more than one trigger, and any of them will cause the
camera to start recording.
Tip: The advantage of setting triggers is that you won’t have to review hours of non-eventful
footage.
Once you click OK, you’ll be able to view your choices on the calendar. Designated time blocks are
outlined in gray. As the legend at the bottom of the calendar shows, a transparent block indicates an
Always Record task. Blocks that are occupied by one or more colored icons indicate that you’ve set
one or more triggers:
You can always change your options by right-clicking within a block. The Create Task box will appear
Voice -Trigger Option
Vibration -Trigger Option
Motion -Trigger Option

with your previous settings.
To activate your designated Schedule Settings on the Z16, make sure to click OK on the Schedule
Settings screen. Then, in the Settings screen, make sure to click on the Sync Settings to DVR button.
Keep the camera’s three-way switch in Custom mode. The camera will not automatically record if the
switch is left in the other two positions.
Unplugging the Camera from the Computer
Pay attention to the camera before you unplug it from your computer. Make sure the camera’s three-
way switch is in Custom mode. Fully charged, the green LED on the camera should be steadily lit. As
you unplug the camera, the LED will go dark. Now, press and hold the Power button on the camera
until the LED turns green. It will flash a bit, then go out. Place the camera in position where you want it
to record. The camera will now be good to go. It will automatically start recording at the times you’ve
designated or be trigger-ready to record within those blocks of time.
Note: Auto recordings are only possible when the camera’s three-way switch is left in Custom mode.
Playing and Transferring Video
When you’re ready to review videos captured by the Z16, plug the camera into your computer using
the included USB cable. Windows users will see a box pop up showing Removable Disk and a letter
such as (D:). Double click on the
ZETTA file folder to see a list of video clips according to this naming convention: ZETT A_2016-03-
02_10.36.07 as in is ZETTA year-month-day hour.minute.second. You can play clips directly from the
camera or copy them to your computer. You’ll need to open a video with Windows Media Player, VLC
Media Player or another player of your choice. (Player software is not included with the camera.)
LEDs at a Glance
It’s important to pay attention to the Z16’s multi-color light emitting diode in order to know the
status of the camera. Here’s a quick guide:
While Powered from Camera’s Battery
Green steady: camcorder is booted up
Red steady: no card, card fail, battery low or card full (and not set for circular recording)
Green flashing: recording in progress

Green/Red intermittent flashing: recording in progress but battery is low
While Powered from Electrical Outlet or Car Adapter
Orange: camera is charging
Red steady: no card, card fail or card full (and not set for circular recording) Orange/Green
intermittent flashing: charging and recording in progress Green flashing: charging complete and
recording in progress
LED off: charging complete and no recording
While Connected to Computer
Orange steady: charging
Green steady: charging complete
Specifications
Lens Fixed
Lens head vertical rotation 180°
Sensor 1 MP (1280 x 960)
Resolutions 1280 x 720 (720p) or 640 x 360 (360p)
Frame rates (frames per second) 20 fps (high) or 6 fps (low)
Video qualities High, medium, low
Sensor sensitivity 1.3 V/lux-sec
Sensor viewing angle (diagonal) 160°
Memory card support Max 200GB microSD card
Memory usage High frame rate: 15 min./GB Low frame rate: 1hr./GB
Microphone Speech-grade
Battery handling Non-removable
Recording time 10 hours continuous (max with fully-charged battery)

Standby time More than 4 months when vibration triggering is
enabled
Battery type Rechargeable 1200 mAh 3.7V Li-ion
5V adapter 5V, 600mA DC adapter with mini USB out
Current consumption 100mA
Optional USB car charger 1000mA
Storage and operating temperature
range
32 to 113°F (0 to 45°C)
File format AVI
Port Micro-B USB 2.0
Slot MicroSD/HC/XC
Internal memory None useable
Size (D x W x H) 4" x 1.7" x .75" (10.2 x 4.3 x 1.9 cm)
Weight 2.3 oz. (64 g)
TROUBLESHOOTING AND FAQS
Zetta Widget Software Loads But Won’t
Operate
The camera must be connected and recognized by your computer for you to use the software.
Otherwise, options will be grayed out and every screen will show an unplugged icon in red along with
the phrase DVR Disconnected.
64- to 200GB microSD card support
If a high-capacity card is not recognized by the Z16, you’ll need to properly format it. If the card has
not been used before, formatting it won’t wipe out any data. But if the card has been in use, keep in
mind that any data stored on the card will be lost during formatting.
Fully insert the up to 200GB microSD card into the camera’s memory slot until a click is heard and

connect the camera to your PC using the included USB cable.
Windows Users
Download the formatting utility from: http://support.spytecinc.com/help/article/link/gui-format-
program
Format the card as FAT 32. Quit all other programs including the anti-virus, firewall, browser and file
manager. Otherwise, it will fail to start formatting. Disable the computer sleep mode. There are two
removable drives added. Choose the drive for the microSD card with capacity 59 / 63 / 128 GB listed.
The allocation unit is 32768. Choose “quick format” and press start. Once finished, if the memory card
still cannot record, please do it again but uncheck the “quick format”. It will take around between 2-
and 9-hours to finish. Do not touch anything during this time and make sure the power supply and
cable connection are stable.
Macintosh Users
Format the card as “MS-DOS FAT” by using spotlight to search for “disk utility”. There are two
removable drives added. Choose the drive for the microSD card with capacity 59 / 63 / 128 GB listed.
Choose Erase. Choose “MS-DOS FAT ” under the Format. Press “Erase” at the lower right corner.
Then press “Erase” in the new pop-up windows. Wait for a while, making sure and that the power
supply and cable connection are stable. Formatting should be complete.
For more help formatting cards greater than 32GB, see:
http://support.spytecinc.com/help/article/link/64gb-sd-card-formatting-guide
http://support.spytecinc.com/help/article/link/how-to-video-formatting-a-64gb-sd-card
How do I check card memory?
If you’re not sure how much free space the memory card in your camera contains, connect the Z16 to
your computer using the USB cable. The device will pop up on a Windows computer as a removable
disk followed by a letter. Right-click on Properties to see how much space has been used and how
much free space remains.
Can I use the Z16 as a live Web cam?
No. The camera will not record when attached to a computer via its USB cable. It will charge and play
recorded video through a media player on your computer.