1 Instruction
1.1 General Description
This camera is a digital scouting camera with MMS functionality, serving as a digital infrared surveillance camera. It is triggered by the movement of humans or animals detected by a high-sensitivity Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensor. Upon detection, it automatically captures high-quality pictures (up to 8M pixels) or records video clips (720P HD), based on default or custom settings. The captured images are then instantly sent to a mobile device or email via GSM/GPRS/MMS network. Users receive alerts when the camera is triggered or based on custom settings.
The camera captures color pictures and videos in sufficient daylight. At night, built-in 940nm LEDs enable clear monochrome pictures or videos. It features a 1.5-inch color LCD display screen and an embedded sound recorder. A laser pointer is included to assist in targeting the photo area. The camera supports MMS/SMS/E-mail transmission via GSM/GPRS Network and is resistant to water and snow, also functioning as a portable digital camera.
1.2 Camera Body Interfaces
The camera is equipped with the following I/O interfaces: USB connector, SD card slot, and external DC power connector.
Familiarize yourself with the camera's controls and displays. It is recommended to bookmark this section for future reference.
Figure 1: Diagram of camera functional indicators shows the following components: 1. Bottom Cover, 2. TV-out connector, 3. Power switch, 4. SD-card slot, 5. Laser pointer, 6. Lens, 7. PIR sensor, 8. Antenna, 9. LCD Display, 18.6V DC in, 10. Sound recorder, 11. Indication LED, 12. IR flash, 13. SIM card slot, 14. USB connector, 15. Lock, 16. Battery depot, 17. Battery depot handle.
1.3 Remote Control
The remote control serves as the input device for the camera, primarily used for customer settings and password input. It is an infrared type wireless remote control with a maximum effective distance of 30 feet.
The remote control features fifteen buttons.
Figure 2: Remote control displays the remote's layout, including Menu, OK, Cancel, a numeric keypad (0-9), *, and #, along with directional navigation buttons.
1.3.1 Navigating
Use the UP ⬆️ or DOWN ⬇️ buttons to select or highlight menu items. Press LEFT ⬅️ or RIGHT ➡️ to select options within an item, and press OK to confirm a selection.
1.3.2 Characters
When entering digits, letters, or punctuation, pressing a button continuously cycles through available characters. For example:
- '1' cycles through: 1, ., /, :, @, _
- '0' cycles through: 0, +, -
Press the '*' punctuation key to activate the laser pointer.
1.4 Shooting Information Display
When the camera is powered on and the switch is in the TEST position, the current settings are displayed on the screen.
Figure 3: Shooting information display illustrates the display elements: 1. SIM card status icon (indicating if the SIM card is inserted and functional, or if MMS is not working), 2. Camera mode, 3. Image size, 4. Signal strength, 5. Battery level, 6. Telecom provider, 7. Date (M:D:Y), 8. Time (H:M:S), 9. Available space, 10. Number of images.
1.5 MMS/GPRS function
This camera can instantly send pictures to your mobile device via a GSM/GPRS network. You will be alerted when a picture or video is captured. The camera uses the GPRS network for MMS messages, requiring GPRS service to be activated with your service provider. It supports four frequency bands: 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz.
The SIM card icon indicates the status: A filled icon signifies the SIM card is inserted and working. An empty or crossed-out icon may indicate issues like loss of signal or communication problems preventing MMS function. If the SIM card is not inserted, no SIM card icon will appear.
1.6 Supported Format
| Item | Format |
| Photo | JPG |
| Video | AVI |
| File format | FAT32 |
Important notices regarding file system format: The camera generally does not require specific file system formats. If you encounter issues reading the SD card on other devices, format the SD card either in the camera or on a computer, then reinsert it.
2 Cautions
- ⚠️ The camera operates at a working voltage of 6V and is powered by 8 AA batteries. Install batteries according to the polarity markings.
- ⚠️ Ensure the SD card is inserted before powering on the camera. If no SD card is present, the camera will shut down automatically with a continuous indication sound.
- ⚠️ Unlock the write-protect switch on the SD card before inserting it. Insert or remove the SD card only when the power switch is in the OFF position.
- ⚠️ It is recommended to format the SD card using the camera, especially for the first use, as SD cards formatted by other cameras may have compatibility issues.
- ⚠️ Verify that your SIM card has GPRS data services enabled. Allow approximately 10-20 seconds for the camera to acquire a signal when entering setup mode.
- ⚠️ In TEST mode, the camera will automatically shut down after 3 minutes of inactivity. Restart the camera to continue operation.
3 Quick Start Guide
3.1 Power Supply
The camera requires four or eight AA batteries for power. Open the bottom cover, ensure the power switch is OFF, and pull out the battery pack using the silver handle. Load fully charged batteries into the pack, observing correct polarities. Push the battery pack back into the chamber. Supported batteries include high-density alkaline, rechargeable alkaline, and rechargeable NiMH batteries (all 1.5V output).
The battery compartment has four slots, grouped as '1' (slots 1 & 2) and '2' (slots 3 & 4). One group is sufficient, but using both is recommended. A low-battery state will trigger two indication sounds and send an SMS alert; replace batteries promptly.
Caution: Risk of explosion if batteries are replaced with an incorrect type. Dispose of used batteries according to instructions.
Correct Disposal: This product's marking indicates it should not be disposed of with household waste in the EU. To prevent environmental harm, recycle responsibly. Use designated return and collection systems or contact the retailer for environmental safe recycling.
3.2 Insert the SD card and the SIM card
Open the bottom cover and insert an SD card into the card slot. Ensure the SD card is not in the 'write' (locked) position for correct camera function. For MMS/SMS/E-mail functions, insert the SIM card into its slot at an angle, typically in the upper left.
3.3 Do the Camera Settings
Download the camera setup software (BMC_config.zip) from the manufacturer's website. The specific website address is provided on the last page of this manual.
3.4 Enter into the Test Mode
Slide the power switch to the TEST position to enter TEST mode. In this mode, you can access functions such as custom settings, manual capture, preview, and manual MMS sending. The remote control is required for operation in TEST mode.
3.4.1 Custom Settings
Press the MENU button on the remote control to access the menu settings. This allows for manual customization of camera settings displayed on the LCD screen. Detailed instructions are available in the "Advanced Operations" chapter.
3.4.2 Manual Capturing
Press the RIGHT ➡️ button to manually capture a photo or record a video.
3.4.3 View Images or Videos
Press OK to view images; the latest captured image will be displayed. Use UP ⬆️ to view the previous image and DOWN ⬇️ for the next. Videos cannot be played back on the LCD screen; only their thumbnails are shown.
3.4.4 Delete Photo or Video
Navigate to the image or video you wish to delete. Press MENU, select DELETE, then use LEFT ⬅️ or RIGHT ➡️ to select all items for deletion, and press OK to confirm.
3.4.5 Send MMS
When the 'Send Mode' is set to 'Manual', you can send a selected photo to a preset address in TEST mode. 'Daily Report' and 'Instant' modes are used in ON mode.
3.5 Power on and Enter into the ON Mode
Before powering on, consider the following:
- Avoid placing the camera near sources of temperature or motion disturbances, such as large leaves, curtains, air conditioners, or chimney outlets, to prevent false triggering.
- The optimal height for placing the camera varies with object size, with three to six feet generally recommended.
Slide the power switch to the ON position to enter ON mode. You can adjust the camera's orientation towards the target monitoring area using the laser pointer before entering ON mode.
Upon powering on, the motion indication LED (red) will blink for approximately 10 seconds. This is a buffering period before automatic photo or video capture, allowing time for closing and locking the cover, securing the camera, and moving away.
In ON mode, the remote control is not needed; the camera automatically captures photos or videos based on default or previously set custom configurations. The sound recording function embeds audio into video clips.
3.6 Power Off
Slide the power switch to the OFF position to turn off the camera. Note that even in OFF mode, the camera consumes a small amount of battery power. Remove batteries if the camera will not be used for an extended period.
4 Advanced Operations
This chapter details advanced operations for customizing camera settings, building upon the basic operations described previously. The camera has three primary operation modes:
- OFF mode: Power switch is in the OFF position. This is the safe mode for replacing SD cards or batteries and for transporting the camera.
- ON mode: Power switch is in the ON position.
- TEST mode: Power switch is in the TEST position.
4.1 Settings Menu
To access the camera's settings menu, press MENU while in TEST mode. The settings menu will appear on the LCD screen.
| Setting Items | Description |
| Language | Choose the desired menu language. |
| Camera Mode | Select between capturing images or recording videos. |
| Set Clock | Allows changing the date and time. The date format is month/day/year, and the time format is hour: minute: second. Use navigation buttons (e.g., ⬅️, ➡️, ⬆️, ⬇️) to select and change values. The valid year range is 2009 to 2050. |
| Photo Size | Choose the image resolution, e.g., 8 megapixels or 5 megapixels. |
| Photo Burst | Determines the number of pictures taken per trigger in Photo mode. Options include '1 Photo', '2 Photos', and '3 Photos'. |
| Video Size | Select the video resolution, e.g., 1280x720 (HD) or 640x480 (VGA). |
| Video Length | Set the duration for video recording. |
| Time Lapse | Enables capturing images or videos at preset time intervals, regardless of motion detection. The default is 'Off'. Setting a non-zero value activates Time Lapse mode. Note: If PIR Trigger is set to Off, Time Lapse cannot be set to Off. |
| PIR Trigger | Defines the PIR sensor's sensitivity. Options are High, Normal, Low, and Off. 'Normal' is the default. Higher sensitivity increases the likelihood of triggering by motion. High sensitivity is recommended for low-interference environments, while lower sensitivity is better for outdoor use with interference like wind or heat. Sensitivity is also affected by temperature; higher temperatures reduce sensitivity. Note: If Time Lapse is set to Off, PIR Trigger cannot be set to Off. |
| PIR Interval | Sets the duration the PIR sensor remains disabled after each trigger in ON mode. The minimum interval is 0 seconds, allowing continuous operation. |
| Work Hour | Allows setting specific times for the camera to record or capture. Outside these hours, the camera will be shut off and will not record triggers. Setting this to 'Off' enables continuous operation. |
| MMS Set | Configure MMS settings, requiring GPRS service activation. Parameters include URL, APN, IP, and Port. Contact your network provider for assistance. |
| GPRS Set | Configure GPRS settings, including Email Server, Port, and APN. Contact your network provider for assistance. This method of sending images via SMTP to email is cost-effective. |
| Send Mode | Select the transmission mode: 'Manual' (works in TEST mode, only photos can be sent), 'Daily Report' (works in ON mode, reports summarized information at a preset time), 'Instant' (works in ON mode, sends MMS instantly after capture), or 'Off' (disables communication). |
| Send To | Choose the destination for sending images: Phone (via WAP), Email (via WAP for MMS, or via SMTP for GPRS). |
| Version | Displays firmware and IMEI information of the camera. |
| Format SD | Formats the SD card, deleting all images and videos. |
| Default Set | Restores all customer settings to their default values. |
4.2 Default Setting
The default settings are as follows:
| Setting Items | Default | Options | Submenu |
| Language | English | Suomi, Deutsch, Svenska | |
| Camera Mode | Photo | Video | |
| Set Clock | Enter | Adjust Clock | |
| Photo Size | 8MP | 5MP | |
| Photo Burst | 1 Photo | 2 Photos, 3 Photos | |
| Video Size | 1280x720 | 640x480 | |
| Video Length | 10 sec | 5-60 sec | |
| Time Lapse | Off | 5Min-8Hour | |
| PIR Trigger | Normal | High, Low, Off | |
| PIR Interval | 5 Sec | 0-55 Sec, 1-60 min | |
| Work Hour | Off | On | 00:00 - 23:59 |
| MMS Set | Enter | URL, APN, IP, Port | |
| GPRS Set | Enter | Server, Port, APN | |
| Send Mode | Manual | Daily Report, Instant, Off | |
| Send To | Phone[MMS] | Email[MMS], Email[GPRS] | |
| Version | Enter | MCU, IMEI | |
| Format SD | Enter | Yes, No | |
| Default Set | Save |
4.3 Send MMS Manually
The 'Send MMS' option is available when 'Send Mode' is set to 'Manual'. In playback mode, select the desired image and press MENU to send it. Note that only photos can be sent in this mode; videos cannot. If the SIM card is not inserted, images cannot be sent.
4.4 Laser Pointer
The laser pointer beam can be activated as an additional function for pointing at an object or a specific region of interest (ROI). Press the '*' key to turn on the laser light in TEST mode.
⚠️ NOTE: Please be aware that the laser pointer can be harmful to the eyes if pointed directly at another person.
Appendix I: PIR Detection Zone
Figure 4: Different detection range illustrates Boly's detection ranges at various angles. It shows five detection arcs: 45ft at 35 degrees, 73ft at 50 degrees, 85ft at 55 degrees, 100ft at 60 degrees, and 120ft at 60 degrees, labeled as Normal, Long Range, Extra Long Range, Super Long Range, and Ultra Long Range respectively.
Figure 5: Detection angle VS F.O.V angle shows that the PIR detection angle (α) is slightly smaller than the field of view angle (β). This design helps to avoid capturing empty frames and ensures most motions are detected.
Appendix II: Technical Specifications
Figure 6: PIR Detection Range displays a comparison of detection zones between a 'Normal PIR' and the 'NEW PATENTED PIR' for the SG550M-8mHD. The plot indicates that the new patented PIR offers an extra-long detection range.
| Image Sensor | 5MP Color CMOS, 8MP Interpolation |
| Lens | F/NO=2.2, FOV(Field of View)=60° |
| PIR detection range | 85ft |
| Display Screen | 1.5" LCD |
| Memory Card | From 8 MB to 32 GB |
| Picture Resolution | 8MP = 3264×2448, 5MP = 2560×1920 |
| Video Resolution | 1280×720 (25fps), 640×480 (20fps) |
| PIR Sensitivity | Adjustable (High/Normal/Low) |
| Trigger Time | 1.2s |
| Weight | 0.30 kg |
| Operation/Storage Tem. | -20 - +60°C / -30 - +70°C |
| PIR Interval | 0s – 60 min. |
| Photo Burst | 1-3 |
| Video Length | 5-60s |
| Power Supply | 8×AA or 4×AA |
| Stand-by Current | < 0.25 mA (<6mAh/Day) |
| Display Screen | LCD display on camera |
| Sound Recording | Available |
| Mounting | Rope/Belt/Python lock |
| Dimensions | 140 x87 x55 mm |
| Operation Humidity | 5% - 90% |
| Security authentication | FCC, CE, RoHS |
*without battery
Appendix III: Parts List
| Part Name | Quantity |
| Digital Camera | One |
| Wireless Remote Control | One |
| USB Cable | One |
| Belt | One |
| User Manual | One |
| Antenna | One |
| Warranty Card | One |
Website information: Download the APP software from here: http://www.bolyguard.com/Download.htm
(Version 1.3)
