Vandlion A31

Vandlion A31 Mini Camera User Manual

HD 1080P Type-C 1500mAh Long Battery Life WiFi Closely Sports DV

1. Introduction and Important Notes

Please read this manual carefully before using this device to ensure easy and quick operation.

  • The information in the manual is subject to change without notice.
  • The information in this manual is copyrighted. Reproduction of any part without prior written permission is prohibited.
  • The company reserves the right of final interpretation of this manual.
  • All products and images may have slight nuances; the actual product prevails. Product changes may occur without notice.
  • Always insert a TF card before using the camera.
  • We recommend using a high-quality memory card for coherent and clear images.

Safety Cautions

  • Children should not play with the recorder unsupervised. Avoid dropping or colliding with hard objects to prevent data loss or hardware damage.
  • It is not recommended to use this recorder while driving a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle. Prioritize driving safety.
  • Regularly back up important files. Data loss may occur, and files might be difficult to recover.
  • Do not use an overloaded charger or bend the charging cable to prevent fire hazards. Do not handle the charger with wet hands to avoid electric shock.
  • Do not immerse the device in water or other liquids. Do not clean with chemical reagents that could damage or corrode the shell.
  • This product contains a built-in lithium battery. Do not disassemble it. Avoid exposing the battery to direct sunlight, fire, or similar overheating conditions.
  • If used in areas affected by strong magnetic/electromagnetic fields, radio waves, or high voltage, the product may not function properly.

Disclaimer

⚠️Camera products can only be used for purposes permissible under applicable law and regulations. Misuse of the product for any illegal activities is strictly forbidden. Please comply with the applicable laws and regulations in your country/area.

2. Product Overview

The Vandlion A31 Mini Camera is a compact and versatile device designed for various recording needs, including sports, pet monitoring, and general walking use. It features HD 1080P video recording, a long-lasting 1500mAh battery, and WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring.

Key Features:

  • Plastic shell with anti-fall design.
  • One-key recording for ease of use.
  • 110-degree wide-angle lens.
  • Simultaneous recording and charging.
  • Video file protection feature.
  • Multiple resolution options: 1080FHD/1080P/720P.
  • Functions as a car driving recorder, car DVR, or sports DV.
  • Supports TF cards from 8GB to 256GB (FAT32 format required).
  • Photograph, video shooting, audio & video recording capabilities.
  • System time synchronization.
  • Versatile use: bike, motorcycle, car etc.
  • Charging time: approximately 2 hours.
  • WiFi connectivity for close-range monitoring (5-10m without obstacles, no remote control).
  • Long battery life: About 5 hours of continuous video recording.
  • High-speed Type-C port for charging and data transmission.
  • Playback software compatibility: QQPlayer/Potplayer/VLCmedia/SMPlayer.
  • Supports taking photos during recording.
  • Auxiliary light and tripod mountable.
  • Motion Detection, Loop Recording, and multi-language support.
  • Color: Black.

Product Diagram and Components

Vandlion A31 Mini Camera diagram with labeled parts
Figure 1: Front, side, and top views of the Vandlion A31 Mini Camera with labeled components.
  1. Video Key: One-key operation to record and save.
  2. Power Button: Long press to turn on/off. Short press in standby to turn on/off screen backlight.
  3. Previous/Volume Up Button (◀◀): In video playback, increases volume. In pause/stop, switches to previous song. In video/photograph interface, enters WiFi interface (displays hotspot name, password, QR code for APP).
  4. Next/Volume Down Button (▶▶): In video playback, decreases volume. In pause/stop, switches to next song. In recording, adds a mark to protect the video file.
  5. Lanyard Hole
  6. HD Camera Lens
  7. Left Fill-in Light
  8. LED Indicator Hole
  9. Screen: 1.3-inch TFT colorful screen.
  10. Menu Key: Short press to switch video/photograph/playback, long press to exit menu setting.
  11. Play/Pause Button (▶▶): In video playback, short press to play/pause. In main menu, short press to enter sub-menu or save settings.
  12. Speaker Hole
  13. Right Fill-in Light
  14. Return Button (↵): In sub-menu, short press to return to the previous menu.
  15. Type-C Port
  16. Reset Key: Use to reset the device if it crashes.
  17. Photo Key: Press once to take a photo during video recording.
  18. Fill-in Light Key: Turns the fill-in light on/off.
  19. TF Card Slot: Supports up to 256GB (FAT32 format required). Note: Backup files before formatting.
  20. Screw Hole
  21. Back Clip

3. Setup Guide

Initial Setup and Power On

  1. Insert TF Card: Ensure a TF card (Class 10 or above, 8GB-256GB, FAT32 format) is inserted into the TF card slot (19) before use. If using a 64GB or 128GB card for the first time, format it using the camera's menu.
  2. Power On: In off mode, long press the Power button (2) to turn on the device. The screen will display the standby interface.
  3. Language Setting:
    Video: Unboxing and initial setup, including inserting the TF card, powering on, and navigating to language settings.

    After powering on, press and hold the Menu button (10) to enter the menu. Navigate to "Language" (Option 10 in setup menu) and select your preferred language (e.g., English, Français, Deutsch, etc.) using the Previous/Next buttons (3, 4) and confirm with the Play/Pause button (11).

APP Download and WiFi Connection (WIFI Version Only)

  1. Download APP: Scan the QR code below with your Android or iOS mobile phone to download the "Roadcam" APP.
    QR code for Roadcam APP download
    Figure 2: QR code for downloading the "Roadcam" mobile application.
  2. Activate Camera WiFi: Power on the camera and enter the video/photograph interface. Press the Previous/Volume Up button (3) to enter the WiFi interface. The screen will display the WiFi hotspot name (e.g., ACTIONCAM) and password.
  3. Connect Mobile Phone to Camera WiFi:
    • On your mobile phone, go to WiFi settings.
    • Connect to the WiFi hotspot named "ACTIONCAM".
    • Enter the password: 12345678.
    • If your phone prompts "The current WLAN network cannot access the Internet, do you want to switch to another network?", please select "Cancel". The device should then show as connected.
  4. Open Roadcam APP: Open the "Roadcam" APP on your mobile phone. Click the appropriate icon (refer to APP interface for exact icon, usually a camera or connection icon) to connect. The point-to-point AP will be directly connected, allowing the device to function without an external network.

4. Operating Instructions

Power On/Off

  • Turn On: In off mode, long press the Power button (2) to turn on the device.
  • Turn Off: In on mode, long press the Power button (2) to turn off the device.
  • Auto Power Off: In standby mode, if there is no operation for 3 minutes, the device will automatically turn off to save power.

Video Recording and File Protection

  1. Start Recording:
    • From off state: Long press the Video key (1) to turn on the device and immediately start video recording.
    • From on state: Short press the Video key (1) to start video recording.
  2. Save Recording: Short press the Video key (1) again to save the current recording file.
  3. Automatic File Saving: Video recording files are automatically saved as separate files every 10 minutes to prevent data loss due to file overload.
  4. Protect Video File: During video recording, short press the Next/Volume Down button (4). A lock icon will appear at the top of the screen, indicating that the current recording file has been marked for protection. Protected videos are "read-only" and cannot be overwritten when the memory is full in loop recording mode.
    Screenshot showing protected video files on the camera
    Figure 3: Example of protected video files displayed on a computer, showing "read only" attribute.

Taking Photos

  • Power On and Take Photo: In power off state, long press the Photo key (17) to power on the device and take a photo.
  • Switch to Photograph Mode: Short press the Menu key (10) to switch to photograph mode.
  • Take Picture: In photograph mode, short press the Play/Pause button (11) or the Photo key (17) to take a picture.

Playback and File Management

  1. Enter Playback Interface: Short press the Menu key (10) to switch to the video playback interface.
  2. Play/Pause: In video playback, short press the Play/Pause button (11) to play or pause the video file.
  3. Volume Adjustment:
    • Increase Volume: Short press the Previous/Volume Up button (3).
    • Decrease Volume: Short press the Next/Volume Down button (4).
  4. Navigate Files: In pause/stop state, use the Previous/Volume Up button (3) to switch to the previous file, and the Next/Volume Down button (4) to switch to the next file.
  5. Browse Photos: Short press the Menu key (10) to switch to the photo browsing interface. Use the Previous/Volume Up (3) and Next/Volume Down (4) buttons to navigate through photos.
  6. Delete Files:
    • In the playback interface, select the file you want to delete.
    • Long press the Menu button (10). A menu will pop up.
    • Select the "Delete" option.
    • Short press the Play/Pause button (11) to confirm.
    • Short press the Return button (14) to exit.
  7. Delete Protection Video Files:
    • First, switch to the playback video interface.
    • Find the protected video you want to delete.
    • Long press the Menu button (10). A menu will pop up.
    • Select the "Protection" option.
    • Short press the Play/Pause button (11) to enter.
    • Choose to "Unlock" the current file.
    • Short press the Play/Pause button (11) to confirm.
    • Then proceed to delete the file as described in step 6.
    • Short press the Return button (14) to exit.

Menu Settings

To access settings, in video recording/photography mode, long press the Menu key (10) to find the settings menu. Use the Previous/Next buttons (3, 4) to select options and the Play/Pause button (11) to enter. Press the Return button (14) to exit.

  • Resolution: Select video resolution from 1080FHD, 1080P, or 720P.
  • Image Size (Photo Quality): Select photo resolution from 40M (7296*5472), 21M (5120*3840), 16M (4608*3456), 10M (3648*2736), 8M (3264*2448), 5M (2592*1944), 3M (2048*1536), 2M (1920*1080), 1.3M (1280*960), or VGA (640*480).
  • Date and Time: Short press Previous/Next buttons (3, 4) to set the number, and Play/Pause button (11) to confirm.
  • Motion Detection: Enable or disable motion detection.
  • Loop Recording: Options include Off, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes. Default is 10 minutes.
  • Image Setting: Adjust image parameters.
  • Continuous Shooting: Options include Off, 3 Continuous Shooting, 5 Continuous Shooting, 10 Continuous Shooting.
  • Exposure Compensation: Set exposure for recording and pictures.
  • Formatting: Format the TF card. (Warning: This will erase all data. Backup files first.)
  • Language: Select from multiple languages.
  • Auto Power Off: Options include Off, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 10 minutes. Default is 3 minutes.
  • Screen Protection (Backlight): Options include Off, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes.
  • Indicator Light: Turn the indicator light on/off.
  • Version: Displays device version information.
  • Memory Storage: View memory usage.
  • Factory Reset: Restore factory settings.

5. Connecting to a Computer

Diagram showing camera connected to a laptop via USB
Figure 4: Connecting the camera to a computer via USB.
  1. Plug the USB data cable (Type-C) into the camera's USB port (15) and the other end into a USB port on your computer.
  2. The camera screen will display options like "Storage", "Camera", and "Charge".
  3. Use the Previous/Next buttons (3, 4) to select your desired mode, then short press the Play/Pause button (11) to confirm.
    • Storage: After selecting "Storage", the computer will recognize the device as a "Removable Disk", allowing you to transfer files.
    • Camera: Select "Camera" to use the device as a PC Camera (webcam) with video chat software (e.g., Tencent QQ).

Important Notes for Computer Connection:

  • Always remove the "Removable Disk" safely from your computer using standard methods to prevent data loss.
  • If the computer does not recognize the device or the "Removable Disk" logo does not appear after a few seconds, please try resetting the camera (using the Reset Key 16) and re-plugging the USB cable.
  • If issues persist, try changing the USB cable, updating your computer's mainboard drive program, or restarting your computer.
  • For playing video files, especially large ones, it is recommended to use a card reader to directly access the content on the TF card for faster and more reliable data transfer.

6. Charging the Device

  1. Connect the USB data cable (Type-C) to the camera's USB port (15) and the other end to a computer's USB port or a USB charger.
  2. The battery will be fully charged in approximately 2 hours.
  3. During charging, the charging icon on the screen will be gray (and the red indicator light will be on). Once fully charged, the charging icon will turn green (and the green indicator light will be on).
  4. The device supports simultaneous charging and recording.

7. Maintenance

  • Battery Care: If the product is not used for an extended period, charge and discharge the battery once every 3 months to maintain its efficacy.
  • Cleaning: Do not clean the recorder with chemical reagents or cleaning agents, as these can damage or corrode the device's shell. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.
  • Storage: Store the device in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

8. Troubleshooting

Q: The device cannot be turned on.
A: Ensure the device is charged if there is no power. Try restarting the device or pressing the Reset button (16) to reboot it.
Q: The "Removable disk" does not appear when connected to the computer.
A:
  • Check if the USB cable is damaged.
  • Ensure the USB cable is correctly plugged into the computer.
  • Try changing the USB cable.
  • Update your computer's mainboard drive program.
  • Restart your computer.
Q: Cannot play recording files or record.
A: Ensure you are using a qualified high-speed Class 10 or above TF card. If the issue persists, try formatting the TF card (after backing up any important data).

9. Specifications

FeatureDetail
Size (MM)96mm x 33mm x 17mm
WeightAbout 58g
Display1.3-inch TFT Color Display Resolution
USB ConnectorHigh-speed Type-C
TF Card Support8GB-256GB (Max), FAT32 format required
Video FormatMOV
Video CodeH.264
Frame Rate30FPS
Video ResolutionFHD1080P / 1080P / 720P
Photo FormatJPG
Photo ResolutionUp to 40M (7296*5472)
Camera LensAbout 110 Degrees Wide Angle
Battery Capacity3.7V/1500MA Lithium Battery
Battery Continuous Recording TimeAbout 5 hours
Charging TimeAbout 2 hours
Motion Detection DistanceStraight line 5 meters
WiFi RangeClosely within 5-10m distance without obstacles
Operating Temperature-5 to 45 Celsius
Computer Operating SystemWindows/Mac OSX
Playback SoftwareQQ video / PotPlayer / VLCPlayer / SMPlayer
Other Auxiliary FunctionsFill-in light, tripod mount

Memory Card Recording Time (Approximate)

Resolution1080FHD1080P720P
8GB1.5 hours2 hours4 hours
16GB3 hours4 hours8 hours
32GB6 hours8 hours16 hours
64GB12 hours16 hours32 hours
128GB24 hours32 hours64 hours

(For reference only, actual test results may vary.)

10. User Tips

  • Always use a high-speed Class 10 or above micro SD card for optimal performance.
  • Charge the camera for 2-3 hours before its first use.
  • The camera's WiFi is for close-range monitoring via the mobile app and does not offer remote control functionality over long distances.
  • When connecting to a computer, if you intend to transfer large video files, consider using a dedicated TF card reader for faster and more reliable data transfer.
  • Remember to back up your files before formatting the TF card.

11. Warranty and Support

  • Warranty: All products come with a 1-year warranty from the store.
  • Returns: Enjoy 7 days to return if quality problems are encountered. Free returns are available within 90 days.
  • Fast Delivery Guarantee: If delivery is delayed, a $1.00 coupon code may be provided. Refunds are offered if the package is lost or items are damaged. A full refund is available if no delivery occurs within 30 days.

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