Video Mode
The Video Mode section outlines how to configure the sensor for video recording. It details trigger signal behaviours, extend-on-motion options, and timing parameters. This mode enables reliable video capture of wildlife behaviour using either natural or artificial lighting.
Video Mode Menu Overview
When the sensor is set to Video Mode, pressing the right arrow from the Home Screen will cycle through the following menu screens in order. Each screen allows configuration of a key parameter controlling how the sensor detects motion and manages video recording. After the final screen, the menu loops back to the Home Screen.
- Wireless Channel – Set or disable the wireless transmission channel used to communicate with Camtraptions receivers.
- Wide Sensor – Control the behaviour and relative sensitivity of the wide-angle PIR sensor.
- Far Sensor – Control the behaviour and relative sensitivity of the narrow-field, long-range PIR sensor.
- Time (Recording Length) – Define the duration of each video recording following a detection.
- Gap – Set a retrigger delay between recordings to manage how soon the sensor is able to reactivate.
- Extend Time (EXT) – Enable or disable Extend Mode. When enabled, motion detected during recording resets the timer, extending the clip until motion stops or the maximum limit is reached.
- Video Mode (Signal Type) – Select the type of control signal used to start and stop video recording, depending on camera brand: 1 Press, 2 Press, or Hold mode.
- Wake Time – Configure a wake-up period to give cameras time to power up before recording begins.
- Set Time – Adjust the internal real-time clock to ensure accurate time-based operation.
- Time Mode – Enable or disable time windows that restrict when the sensor is active.
- Set On Time – Define the time of day when the sensor becomes active.
- Set Off Time – Define the time of day when the sensor becomes inactive.
- External Wake – Schedule periodic half-press pulses to prevent connected equipment from entering deep sleep.
- Set Mode – Switch between Video and Still operating modes.
After the Set Mode screen, pressing the right arrow again returns to the Home Screen.
Video Mode Settings
When the sensor is set to Video Mode, three additional menu screens become available: Recording Time (TIME), Extend Time (EXT TIME), and Video Trigger Mode (MODE). These settings control how long the camera records, whether recordings are extended when movement continues, and how the sensor communicates with your camera model.
Recording Time (TIME)
The Recording Time screen sets how long the sensor will command the camera to record each time motion is detected.
Adjusting the Recording Time
- From the Home Screen, press the Right Arrow until you reach the TIME screen.
- Use the Up or Down buttons to adjust the recording duration in seconds.
- Press the Set button and then use the Up or Down buttons to adjust the recording duration in minutes.
- Press the Set button to confirm and save.
The duration can be set from 10 seconds up to 15 minutes 59 seconds using the same adjustment method as other time-based settings.
This value represents the length of each video clip triggered by motion detection.
Extend Time (EXT TIME)
The Extend Time option determines whether new motion detected during a recording will extend the recording duration. The Extend Time will be added to the remaining recording time from the moment that the last motion was detected.
This feature is useful for capturing continuous activity without cutting off prematurely when animals remain in view.
Adjusting the Extend Time
- From the Home Screen, press the Right Arrow until you reach the EXT TIME screen.
- Use the Up or Down buttons to adjust the number of seconds to extend the recording time by, from between 10s and 99s (10s by default).
- Press the Set button to confirm and save.
Enabling or Disabling Extend Time
Example:
If the Recording Time is 1 minute, the Extend Time is 30 seconds and new motion is detected 45 seconds into the recording, then the clip length would be 45s + 30s for a total clip length of 1 minute 15 seconds.
Note: C Var 6 (see the Custom Variables section) can be used to limit the total recording length when Extend Time is enabled.
Video Trigger Mode (MODE)
The Video Mode screen defines how the sensor sends start and stop signals to the camera. Different camera brands and models interpret these signals differently, so selecting the correct mode ensures reliable video triggering.
| Mode | Description | Compatible Systems |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sends a full-press signal to start recording, then repeats a full-press signal every 10 seconds to maintain recording. If more than 10 seconds elapse without a signal, the camera automatically stops recording. | Sony cameras connected to the Camtraptions Sony Video Cable v2. |
| 2 | Sends a full-press signal to start recording and another full-press signal to stop recording. | Most Canon and Nikon mirrorless cameras. |
| H | Sends a wireless full-press signal to start recording, then repeats a full-press signal every 10 seconds to maintain recording. The sensor holds a wired full-press signal for the entire length of the video. | Used to activate equipment requiring a constant full-press signal. |
Mode 1 is typically the most reliable, as it ensures that if any trigger signal is missed, the camera will automatically stop recording instead of continuing indefinitely or becoming out of sync with the sensor’s start/stop commands.
Mode 2 - Many cameras (including Canon and Panasonic models among others) that operate using Mode 2, also need an intial half-press signal, followed by a pause, so that they fully wake up first before starting a recording. This initial half-press signal + pause can be added using the global Wake Time setting.
Suggested Camera Settings (Video)
When using the Camtraptions PIR Sensor in Video Mode, camera setup will depend largely on creative goals and equipment preferences. This section focuses on the key settings that ensure reliable operation when the camera is controlled by the sensor, rather than prescribing specific exposure or quality settings.
- Focus Mode: Use Manual Focus and pre-focus on the area where you expect the subject to appear. This prevents focus hunting when the camera is triggered and ensures consistent, sharp results. Use a small aperture to give a larger depth of field where necessary.
- Exposure and Quality Settings: Choose your preferred resolution, frame rate, and picture profile according to creative requirements, memory capacity and power considerations. The sensor will not affect these choices.
- Power Saving: Enable Auto Power-Off after approximately 30 seconds of inactivity to conserve battery life. The Wake Time feature of the sensor can be used (and for some cameras must be used) to reawaken the camera before a recording commences.
- Stabilisation: Turn off image stabilisation (IS/VR) on both the camera and lens to avoid unnecessary power use and framing drift.
- Lights: For night-time recording, use continuous lights rather than flashes. The sensor can trigger Camtraptions Power Switches to turn lights on and off using the same wireless signals that control the camera.
For Nikon and Canon cameras, the camera’s menu settings must be configured to allow the shutter button to start and stop video recording. Enabling this option ensures the camera can respond correctly to trigger signals sent via the shutter release socket, allowing the sensor to start and stop video recording automatically.