FAQ
TLC Series
BCC300-C- A construction time-lapse camera bundle comes with a TLC300 time-lapse camera, IPX4 waterproof housing ATH120, and an industrial-grade aeronautical aluminum alloy clamp.
BCC300-M- A construction time-lapse camera bundle comes with a TLC300 time-lapse camera, IPX4 waterproof housing ATH120, and a wall mount.
TLC300- The camera only.
The TLC300 provides a multilingual user interface with eight languages, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Italian, German, Spanish, and French.
Yes, the USB socket can be used to plug into external power via a standard electrical socket or by using a power bank. We recommend always using batteries as a backup in addition to an alternative power supply to prevent disruptions that could cause your camera to stop recording and make sure you have a stable power supply.
If you use a power bank, make sure that you use one that allows you to turn off the power-saving mode. Most power banks will turn themselves off while plugged into our cameras because our cameras use very little energy to operate the power bank thinks they don’t need power anymore and the power bank will turn off. In our office, we use Voltaic brand power banks and they have proven to be reliable with our cameras because you can turn off the power-saving mode however any brand power bank with that function will work.
Other than a power bank, we recommend the ATH2000 waterproof battery housing which can be inserted with 16 AA alkaline batteries to provide a longer battery life to the camera.
The TLC300 supports up to 128 GB SD card. Please remember to format the 64 GB and 128 GB SD cards to FAT32, or access the Menu-> Advanced-> Format SD card in advance if you first use them.
The battery life and SD card space depend on the capture interval and batteries you are using with your camera. For example, with a 5 min capture interval, you can expect a battery life (alkaline batteries) of around 100 days. Please use the Time Lapse Calculator on our website to calculate estimated battery life, memory storage capacity, and clip length.
Your camera is not waterproof, filming outdoors will require using a waterproof housing such as the ATH120 or ATH2000 waterproof power housing.
The official operating temperature of our cameras is 32°F-113°F (0°C-45°C). However, many of our customers have had success filming long-term projects in locations such as Siberia and Dubai.
If you are planning to film in extreme heat or cold environments, make sure you are using high-quality batteries such as Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries which have been made to withstand temperatures from -40ºC to 60ºC. Low-quality batteries are unable to withstand extreme temperatures and using them will result in drastically lower battery life.
Several things could contribute to having a shorter battery life than our estimations:
a. Battery type
Do not use zinc-carbon batteries with our cameras or swap out single batteries. To optimize power and performance only use new AA lithium, alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries.
b. Camera settings
Our battery estimations are calculated using the camera factory settings. If you change the white balance, add flicker filters, or adjust any other of your camera’s settings, it can affect your camera battery life. We suggest you plug in an external power supply while you are adjusting the settings to prevent it from consuming the inner battery power.
c. LCD screen
Turning your camera on and off as well as using the LCD screen to adjust camera settings for extended periods can drain power. If you manage to make some big changes to your camera settings and require the use of your LCD for an extended period, we recommend using an external power source for the setup period so that you do not drain your batteries. When everything is set up and good to go unplug your camera and it will switch to using battery power.
d. Firmware version
Check if your camera has the newest firmware version. The firmware version on your camera can be accessed by going to MENU -> Advanced -> System Info. Please check if it matches up with the newest firmware version on our website.
e. Filming environment
Your battery life can vary depending on the environment you are filming in. The estimation results in our time-lapse calculator are done under 77 °F (25 °C) conditions. Extreme temperatures can affect the longevity of your batteries.
Your camera is not waterproof, filming outdoors will require using a waterproof housing such as the ATH120 or ATH2000 waterproof power housing.
Moreover, frequent lighting changes can also affect the battery life. Our estimation results were calculated in a stabilized lighting environment without light changing.
If you are planning to film in extreme heat or cold environments, make sure you are using high-quality batteries such as Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries which have been made to withstand temperatures from -40ºC to 60ºC. Low-quality batteries are unable to withstand extreme temperatures and using them will result in drastically lower battery life.
The official operating temperature of our cameras is 32°F-113°F (0°C-45°C). However, many of our customers have had success filming long-term projects in locations such as Siberia and Dubai. If you are in an environment with extreme temperatures it might affect the battery life of your camera.
Your camera is not waterproof, filming outdoors will require using a waterproof housing such as our ATH1000 or ATH2000 waterproof power housing. To avoid fogging, please use desiccant packs or anti-fog pads inside your waterproof housing and replace them every few weeks (or as needed).
If you are planning to film in extreme heat or cold environments, make sure you are using high-quality batteries such as Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries which have been made to withstand temperatures from -40ºC to 60ºC. Low-quality batteries are unable to withstand extreme temperatures and using them will result in drastically lower battery life.
The minimum focus distance is from 60 cm to infinity.
Files can be downloaded by inserting your SD card into your computer. If you are using a Windows PC, we recommend you the Brinno Video Player.
If you are using a Mac computer, you may need to download a video player called VLC, HandBrake, or something similar because AVI files cannot be opened by Mac computers. In some cases, your Mac computer will auto-convert files to MOV format and auto-play in QuickTime.
VLC can be downloaded here.
HandBrake can be downloaded here.
If you are still having issues opening your video files contact customer service at: customerservice@brinno.com
If you are using a Windows PC, we recommend you the Brinno Video Player.
If you are using a Mac computer, you may need to download a video player called VLC, HandBrake, or something similar because AVI files cannot be opened by Mac computers. In some cases, your Mac computer will auto-convert files to MOV format and auto-play in QuickTime.
VLC can be downloaded here.
HandBrake can be downloaded here.
If you are still having issues opening your video files contact customer service at: customerservice@brinno.com
Your camera is only compatible with SD cards up to 128 GB. If you insert a card that is larger than 128 GB you will get the “SD Card Error” message.
Brinno cameras need their SD cards in FAT32 format. If your SD card is not in the correct format, please reformat it to FAT32 on the display menu.
If the SD card you are inserting is the correct size and you are still getting the message that could be a sign that the SD card you are using is damaged. Please try using another SD card. In the case where you continue to get the same error message even when replacing your card, the SD slot might be damaged. Please contact our customer service team at: customerservice@brinno.com
You may set your required filming days and time by going to the Menu-> Schedule.
The maximum file size is 500 MB. If you need to set a schedule, please access the Menu-> Advanced-> File split in advance to choose if you want the camera to save one file every day, or continuous recording until it reaches 500 MB and save it as a file.
You can use any free video editing software that comes on your computer. If you are using a Windows computer, the Video Editor app on your computer will work fine.
With Mac computers, you may need to convert the files to MP4 or MOV. If your computer does not auto-convert the files, you will need to use the application VLC, HandBrake, or another file-converting software and then combine the files using iMovie.
VLC can be downloaded here.
HandBrake can be downloaded here.
Adobe Premier Pro and other professional editing software can be used for more complicated editing.
In rare cases, an issue might occur with the auto-save function. To avoid these types of issues, please make sure you always use new batteries. Even if you are using external power, please always use batteries as a backup.
Our cameras have been designed to auto-combine photos into AVI time-lapse videos. If you require individual JPGs, you can use the Brinno Video Player to convert your AVI files into JPGs.
Brinno Video Player can be downloaded here – For Windows computers ONLY. To save a single JPG go to File -> Save Current. If you would like to convert your entire video to JPGs go to File -> Export.
If you have replaced or changed your lens to one of our BCS lenses, please make sure that you’ve installed the IR filter. If the lens is fine and the issue remains, please contact our customer service team at: customerservice@brinno.com
1. The LED light on the front of your camera will blink Green every 10 seconds to indicate that the camera is recording.
2. If the interval is set to under 10 seconds, the LED will blink Green according to the time interval. For example, with a 1-sec interval, the LED will blink Green every 1 second.
3. If you set a schedule, and started the recording before the scheduled time, the LED will blink Green every 10 seconds to indicate that the camera is on standby.
If you are filming outdoors or in an environment where there is a risk of your camera getting wet, you will need to use one of our waterproof housings, either the ATH120 or ATH2000 waterproof power housing.
While filming in high-humidity environments, you can use desiccant packs or anti-fog pads to absorb excess moisture from the inside of your waterproof housing. Swap old ones out every few weeks to maintain a low-humidity environment inside the housing.
Keep your waterproof housing in the same position and only remove your camera every time you need to swap batteries or SD cards. By only removing your camera and not the housing you will maintain the same view angle and focus area.
Yes, you will see the timestamp at the bottom of the footage. We recommend the Brinno Video Player, in which you can play the AVI time-lapse videos and check the days and times the footage is being filmed.
The Brinno Video Player can be downloaded from here.
No, please only use regular SD cards with your Brinno camera otherwise they might malfunction and not record. Please refer here for the recommended SD card brands and types.
The minimum focus distance is 40cm, make sure your camera is at least 40cm away from your filming target. If your camera is more than 40cm away and your video is still out of focus, please contact customerservice@brinno.com to request assistance.
Yes, you have to insert the SD card into your PC to play the time-lapse files.
If you are using a Windows PC, we recommend you the Brinno Video Player.
If you are using a Mac computer, you may need to download a video player called VLC, HandBrake, or something similar because AVI files cannot be opened by Mac computers. In some cases, your Mac computer will auto-convert files to MOV format and auto-play in QuickTime.
VLC can be downloaded here.
HandBrake can be downloaded here.
If you are still having issues opening your video files contact customer service at: customerservice@brinno.com
Yes, your camera can be plugged into a laptop using a USB cable and used as a webcam. Please ensure that the camera firmware is FW 1.51 version or above.
For Windows, plug your camera in and go to the built-in camera app on your computer. You may need to switch cameras in the application so that it shows the camera view instead of your webcam.
For Mac, plug your camera in and use Skype or another IM app. Once in the app go to Settings -> Video and Audio to select your camera and the video source.
Can I set my camera to Livestream?
No, none of our cameras are capable of recording sound.
Yes, the lens is interchangeable, and it is compatible with our BCS 18-55 or BCS 24-70.
You may refer here for the information on our BCS 18-55/BCS 24-70.
If you use a MacOS and want to use Premiere Pro to edit your footage, you will need to download a video converter such as VLC, HandBrake, or Any Video Converter to convert your footage from AVI to mp4. After converting your video you can use Premiere Pro.
Any Video Converter can be downloaded here.
VLC can be downloaded here.
HandBrake can be downloaded here.
If you have any questions, send us an email at: customerservice@brinno.com
The TLC300 is 1080p.
We suggest only using AA alkaline/ lithium or NiMH rechargeable batteries in the camera. Please note that if the batteries are dead, please always replace all the batteries with new ones at once. Do not mix the new and all batteries to prevent battery issues from happening.
Do not use zinc-carbon batteries with our camera.
The camera is only compatible with up to 128 GB SD card. Kindly ensure that the SD card is unlocked before you insert it into your camera, and please remember to format them via the display Menu-> Advanced-> Format SD.
We have a recommended SD card list for your reference. You may refer to the SD card brands and types below if you need to use a bigger size of SD card.
This issue is found in the older firmware version. If you encounter this issue, kindly access the display Menu-> Advanced-> System Info to check the current camera firmware version.
You may download the latest camera firmware from the Brinno website-> Support Page, and follow the instruction in the tutorial manual to upgrade it.
Please note: if your camera has “20, 30, 60, ∞” written on the lens then you have the BAC2000 not the TLC2020.
You will need to loosen the tiny screw on the camera lens. Just loosen it, not remove it, once it's loose then the lens will rotate. With each movement the focus will change.
Once the lens is loosened and able to move you can access the focus settings within your camera. Go to Menu -> More ->Focus. Here you can change the focus of particular points of interest and zoom in.
After playing around with your lens and the menu settings and finding a good focus, you will need to tighten the screw on the lens so that it doesn't accidentally move out of focus again. Make sure you tighten it without OVER tightening it.
You can find a quick video tutorial here.
This video starts around 1:35 because the earlier info is not relevant to your problem.
The difference is that the TLC2020 battery port has been designed to hold two additional AA batteries which more than doubles the camera battery life while using lithium batteries. Other than changes to the battery port, the firmware and sensors are the same between the TLC2020 and TLC2000 cameras.
Do not swap the battery cover that comes with the TLC2020 onto a TLC2000 camera, it will not allow you to extend your battery life and may damage your camera.
The camera that comes with the BAC2000 is identical to the TLC2020. What makes the two different is the special adjustable lens that comes with the BAC2000. This lens is unique to the BAC2000 and cannot be bought as an accessory or used in other camera models. Every lens is specially installed into the camera and cannot be removed or changed.
There are four capture modes available: Time Lapse, Step Video, Stop Motion, and Still Photo.
1.Time lapse: Take a sequence of photos at interval and shoot schedule of your choice. The time lapse video is automatically generated when you finish recording.
2.Step Video: Record short video clips at selected capture interval and clips are automatically combined into a video file.
3.Stop Motion: Manually take multiple photos one frame at a time. Photos are automatically combined creating an animated stop motion video.
4.Still Photo: Take still photos.
Yes, the USB-C socket can be used to plug into external power via a standard electrical socket or by using a power bank. We recommend always using batteries as a backup in addition to an alternative power supply to prevent disruptions that could cause your camera to stop recording.
If you use a power bank make sure that you use one that allows for you to turn off the power saving mode. Most power banks will turn themselves off while plugged into our cameras because our cameras use very little energy to operate that the power bank thinks they don’t need power anymore and the power bank will turn off. In our office we use Voltaic brand power banks and they have proven to be reliable with our cameras because you can turn off the power saving mode however any brand power bank with that function will work.
Alternatively, you can purchase our ATH2000 power housing that will provide you with up to 336 days of power using a 5 minute capture interval.
The battery life and memory card space will depend on the capture interval and batteries you are using with your camera. We recommend using lithium batteries for longer projects, for example with a 5 min capture interval you can expect a battery life around 99 days(TLC2020)/49 days(TLC2000) with lithium batteries whereas if you are using alkaline you will get around 66 days(TLC2020)/33 days(TLC2000). Please use the Time Lapse Calculator on our website to calculate estimated battery life, memory storage capacity, and clip length.
Make sure you select your battery type in the settings of your camera – instructions can be found on the Battery Settings page of your camera manual.
Download the newest version of the manual on our support page
By selecting the correct battery type your camera will adjust how it consumes power and optimize the longevity of your batteries.
In addition, the official operating temperature of our cameras is 32°F-113°F (0°C-45°C) however many of our customers have had success filming long term projects in locations such as Siberia and Dubai.
If you are in an environment with extreme temperatures it might affect the battery life of your camera. Make sure you are using high quality batteries such as Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries which have been made to withstand temperatures from -40ºC to 60ºC. Low quality batteries are unable to withstand extreme temperatures and using them will result in drastically lower battery lives.
There are a number of things that could contribute to having a shorter battery life than our estimations:
1.Battery type
We recommend using lithium batteries for longer projects, for example with a 5 min capture interval you can expect a battery life around 99 days with lithium batteries whereas if you are using alkaline you will get around 66 days. Make sure you select your battery type in the settings of your camera – instructions can be found on page 52 of your camera manual . By selecting the correct battery type your camera will adjust how it consumes power and optimize the longevity of your batteries. Lastly do not use zinc-carbon batteries with our cameras or swap out single batteries. To optimize power and performance only use fully charged lithium, alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries.
Lastly do not use zinc-carbon batteries with our cameras or swap out single batteries. To optimize power and performance only use fully charged lithium, alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries.
2.Camera settings
Our battery estimations are calculated using the camera factory settings. If you change white balance, add flicker filters, or adjust any other of your camera’s settings it can have an effect on your camera battery life.
3.LCD screen
Turning your camera on and off as well as using the LCD screen to adjust camera settings for extended periods of time can drain power. If you will be making big changes to your camera settings and require the use of your LCD for an extended period of time then we recommend using an external power source for the setup period so that you do not drain your batteries. When everything is set up and good to go unplug your camera and it will switch to using battery power.
4.Firmware version
Check if your camera has the newest firmware version. The firmware version on your camera can be accessed by going MENU -> MORE -> System Info, please check that it matches up with the newest firmware version on our website.
5.Filming environment
Your battery life can vary depending on the environment you are filming in. The estimations in our time lapse calculator are done under 77 °F (25 °C) conditions. Extreme temperatures can affect the longevity of your batteries. Your camera is not waterproof, filming outdoors will require using a waterproof housing such as our ATH1000 or ATH2000 housings.
If you are planning to film in extreme heat or extreme cold please make sure you are using high quality batteries such as Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries which have been made to withstand temperatures from -40ºC to 60ºC. Low quality batteries are unable to withstand extreme temperatures and using them will result in drastically lower battery lives.
Frequent lighting changes can also affect the longevity of batteries and our battery life estimations have been calculated in a stabilized lighting environment.
The official operating temperature of our cameras is 32°F-113°F (0°C-45°C) however many of our customers have had success filming long term projects in locations such as Siberia and Dubai. If you are in an environment with extreme temperatures it might affect the battery life of your camera.
Your camera is not waterproof, filming outdoors will require using a waterproof housing such as our ATH1000 or ATH2000 housings. To avoid fogging please use desiccant packs or anti-fog pads inside your waterproof housing and replace them every few weeks (or as needed).
Make sure you are using high quality batteries such as Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries which have been made to withstand temperatures from -40ºC to 60ºC. Low quality batteries are unable to withstand extreme temperatures and using them will result in drastically lower battery lives.
Files can be downloaded by connecting your camera to your computer using the USB-C cable that came with your camera or inserting your microSD card into your computer.
If you are using a Mac computer you may need to download a video player called VLC, HandBrake or something similar because AVI files cannot be opened by Mac computers. In some cases your Mac computer will auto-convert files to MOV format and auto-play in QuickTime.
VLC can be downloaded here.
HandBrake can be downloaded here.
If you are still having issues opening your video files contact customer service at: customerservice@brinno.com
If you are using a Mac computer you may need to download a video player called VLC, HandBrake or something similar because AVI files cannot be opened by Mac computers. In some cases your Mac computer will auto-convert files to MOV format and auto-play in QuickTime.
VLC can be downloaded here.
HandBrake can be downloaded here.
If you are still having issues opening your video files contact customer service at: customerservice@brinno.com
Your camera is only compatible with SD cards up to 128GB. If you insert a card that is larger than 128GB you will get the “SD Card Error” message.
Brinno cameras need their SD cards in FAT32 format. Format your card in your camera by using the formatting prompts or use your computer to reformat your card to FAT32.
If the SD card you are inserting is the correct size and you are still getting the message that could be a sign that the SD card you are using is damaged. Please try using another SD card. In the case where you continue to get the same error message even when replacing your card, the SD slot might be damaged. Please contact our customer service team at: customerservice@brinno.com
A filming schedule can be set up through your camera menu, choose the days of the week and required filming times.
Through the schedule settings you can also choose whether you want daily files or continuous. If you choose daily your camera will produce one time lapse video per day whereas with continuous your camera will continuously create a file until it reaches 500MB.
The maximum file size for our cameras is 500MB so if you are filming a long-term project you will end up with multiple video files with a maximum file size of 500MB.
You can use any free video editing software that comes on your computer. If you are using a Windows computer the Video Editor app on your computer will work fine. With Mac computers you may need to convert the files to MP4 or MOV. If your computer does not auto-convert the files you will need to use the application VLC, HandBrake or another file converting software and then combine the files using iMovie.
VLC can be downloaded here.
HandBrake can be downloaded here.
For more complicated editing, Adobe Premier Pro and other professional editing software can be used.
In rare cases an issue might occur with the auto-save function. To avoid these types of issues make sure you always use new batteries that are fully charged and even if you are using external power always use batteries as a backup.
Our cameras have been designed to auto-combine photos into AVI time lapse videos. If you require individual JPGs you can use the Brinno Video Player to convert your AVI files into JPGs.
Brinno Video Player can be downloaded here – For Windows computers ONLY
To save a single JPG go File -> Save Current. If you would like to convert your entire video to JPGs go File -> Export.
If you have replaced or changed your lens to one of our BCS lenses make sure that you did not forget to put in the IR filter.
In the case where you have not adjusted the camera lens check if your camera has the newest firmware version. The firmware version on your camera can be accessed by going MENU -> MORE -> System Info, please check that it matches up with the newest firmware version on our website.
The LED light on the front of your camera will blink Green every 10 seconds to indicate that you are recording.
1If you are filming outdoors or in an environment where there is a risk of your camera getting wet you will need to use one of our waterproof housings, either the ATH1000 or ATH2000.
While filming in high humidity environments you can use desiccant packs or anti-fog pads to absorb excess moisture from the inside of your waterproof housing. Swap old ones out every few weeks to maintain a low humidity environment inside the housing.
Keep your waterproof housing in the same position and only remove your camera every time you need to swap batteries or SD card. By only removing your camera and not the housing you will maintain the same view angle and focus area.