Assembly Instructions

Conceal-a-Cam Installation Instructions

PLEASE READ BEFORE INSTALLING

Before installing your Conceal-a-Cam, it’s important to know the Conceal-a-Cam enclosure may not be placed in areas where visitors would expect to have privacy. Under potential penalty of law, it may not be placed in a bedroom, bathroom , changing room or other areas within your home where visitors would not expect to be recorded. Federal (and many state) laws strictly prohibit recording in areas that are not considered common areas. Any violation of these laws could lead to serious criminal charges and penalties, including jail.

Additionally, check for your individual state laws with regards to your ability to record audio on your camera. Many states require two-party consent for any audio recording. Whether your camera is enclosed in Conceal-a-Cam or not, it is important to understand if it is permissible to record audio of visitors without their consent.

SET-UP  INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

Select and mount a favorite photo.  The viewing area of the standard frame is 3-1/4" x 3-1/4.  It can be helpful but not required if the photo is cut down to slightly larger than these dimensions.  If the photo is too large, it can block the camera's field of view. Have a 4x4 photo printed seems to work best.

Step 2

Turn off or cover camera recording LED. Most indoor security cameras have the option to turn off the LED monitor light located on the front of the camera. This will be found in the settings of the camera set up software.  For those that do not have this option, a blocking card will be provided to cover the LED. (See step 4)

Step 3

Turn off night vision. Infrared night vision, which is an option on most cameras, will cause glaring against the glass in low light environments and may make it difficult to view the image.  For this reason, turn off night vision within the camera's settings. Note: while this will eliminate your ability to view through the camera in total darkness, even a small amount of light will provide some ability to record events in near darkness. If night-time recording is important to you, consider installing a small night light or leaving a small light on to partially illuminate the area.

Step 4

Attach black blocking card. We have included blocking profiles for multiple cameras (unless we know which camera you own.) Select the card that seems to align with the size of your camera while aligning the lens with the cutout. If your camera has a small light sensor above the lens (Ring), be sure it is also unblocked and viewable through the cutout. To attach, remove the protective layer over the circle adhesive, and mount the blocking card on the front of the camera. (The paper does not wrap around cylinder-shaped cameras. It will press flat against the glass in the frame once the camera is installed.)

Step 5

Mount your camera to adhesive tape. A large piece of two-sided mounting tape has been installed in your Conceal-a-Cam enclosure. Ideally, the lens of the camera should be mounted near one of the upper corners of the enclosure, with the lens pressed against the glass. To secure the camera in this location, remove the film on the two-sided tape, hold the camera against the glass and the top of the frame, and slide it toward the tape, eventually making contact with the adhesive. Press it firmly against the adhesive mounting tape to secure it in place.

Depending upon your camera and the size of the picture mounted in your frame, you may need to experiment with other locations. Some cameras may be best mounted (using the 2-sided tape) upside-down to the bottom of the enclosure. Most camera settings have an option to Flip the video for upside-down mounted cameras.

Step 6

Secure back panel, pull through electrical cord.  A small hole has been pre-drilled to allow the camera's electrical cord to pass through without pinching it. Pull the cord through as you place the back panel onto the enclosure.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

I see a glare or just a reflection of the camera on the display.

Turn off the night vision option in the camera settings.  Even if it appears already off, turn it on and then off again.

Something is blocking part of the field of view.

Most likely the photo you've chosen is partially entering the cameras field of vision. If you're able, trim or move the photo so that it no longer enters the camera's viewing field. If this is unsuccessful, relocate the camera to another area in the enclosure (opposite corner, upside down on the bottom, etc.)

Another reason for partially blocked field of vision may be that the camera's lens is not facing forward.  It may be turned slightly and is viewing the side of the enclosure.  If this is the case, firmly pull the camera off the 2-sided tape and reposition it, ensuring that the lens is facing directly toward (and is pressing against) the glass.

I need to relocate the camera but I'm out of the 2-sided tape.

The tape can be re-used several times. Avoid touching it with your fingers as much as possible, but it can be pulled off the enclosure and relocated to another area.

I can't see anything at night.

Unfortunately, with the night vision option turned off, your low light viewing will be extremely limited. If possible, keep a small amount of light illuminated in the area you would like to monitor.

I can see the camera through the glass.

The first step is to make sure the black blocking card has been affixed to the front of the camera.  Additionally, if any light enters the enclosure, the glass will stop being opaque.  Make sure the back of the enclosure is securely in place, any LED on the camera is turned off or covered, and that any photo in the frame fully covers the opening with no light entering through the sides. If bright sunlight shines directly on the one-way matting, some portions of the camera may be able to be seen.  If this is the case, move the frame to a location out of direct sunlight.

My battery operated camera isn't detecting motion.

Unfortunately, battery operated camera will not detect motion or send motion notifications when within the frame. You will be able to view live video (and record) through these cameras, but notifications will not work as intended.

The image on the video seems dim, fuzzy or colored strangely.

In most cases, poor coloring or image quality relates to the light sensor on the camera being covered by the blocking card. On the Ring Cameras this light sensor is located just above the lens. Be sure that the light sensor and the lens are both seeing through the rectangular cut out of the blocking card. The Blink Mini and Wyze Cam V3 do not have a light level sensor. 

If there is limited lighting in the room the image may lose its color because the infrared lighting has been turned off. For a demonstration of what image quality should look like with optimal lighting, click here.