[Sony Flash Tool User Home Selector Solutions
Amancio Mccrae
This manual describes how to get started with your CamDo UpBlink Time Lapse Controller for your GoPro* or Sony** camera. UpBlink is a low power, WiFi enabled time lapse and scheduler accessory that unlocks the full potential of the GoPro* and Sony** cameras. UpBlink allows users to control when and how the camera will trigger based on a daily schedule and when an internet signal is available, photos can be uploaded to our CloudX server. Configuration is handled through an easy-to-use web interface via a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
UpBlink is equipped with an RGB LED which provides the user with a full range of feedback. While the LED is flashing green UpBlink is NOT in capture mode and schedules are inactive. Below is a list of each LED flash type and what they represent. Under normal operation, the following LED colors/patterns apply:
PoE (power over ethernet) can also be used where available to power the UpBlink using a PoE splitter that can supply 5V 2A via a MicroUSB port. Data connections can be supplied using a USB-to-Ethernet adapter on the same line.
If using an external battery pack, ensure that the battery output has an "Always On" operation. It is important to note that most of the USB battery packs on the market have a standard automatic power saving feature which turns off the battery output if the battery pack is not constantly supplying power to a device (Auto Off feature). If the Sony/GoPro is powered off for more than a few minutes between scheduled triggers, the external battery pack might automatically shutdown due to inactivity. This automatic off power saving mode would result in the camera system becoming unpowered, while the large battery pack still has lots of capacity remaining.
Our battery packs are specially designed for use with the UpBlink controller because they have an Always On power output mode. Our V50 battery packs (pictured above) have the "Always On" mode enabled whenever a USB cable is connected to either of the USB output ports.
However, our (discontinued) V44 and V15 battery packs have two modes of operation, the "Always On" mode that is required for UpBlink as well as the standard "Auto Off" mode. With the V44 and V15, Always On mode must be manually enabled to prevent the battery output from automatically turning off since the camera system is drawing very low power between scheduled triggers. Below is a video showing how to confirm your V44 or V15 battery pack is set to the correct Always On mode of operation.
Note: UpBlink uses a custom cable - do not connect any other USB-C cable to this port as it may damage UpBlink or the camera! If you lose or damage your cable a replacement can be purchased from our website: HERE
The Sony camera's battery must remain inside the camera's battery compartment. UpBlink will maintain a charge to the camera's battery and can reset the camera to restore system functionality should any camera error be experienced.
The GoPro HERO10 and HERO11 cameras require the installation of the GoPro Labs firmware with a QR code to gain control of the Camera's power state. For the UpBlink compatible QR code to function, the GoPro battery MUST be removed from the camera. The default photo and other capture settings should be adjusted from the camera menu before deployment (See section 9.2 below for GoPro capture mode information).
Connect the USB cable included with the GoPro camera to the GoPro camera, then connect the USB-A end to the CamDo USB-C to USB-A adapter. The USB-C end of the adapter connects to UpBlink's camera port.
Note: While new cables are in production, the current USB adapter is non-reversible. The USB-C cable connection to the GoPro is reversible, however, the correct orientation of the USB-C to UpBlink connection needs to be tested using the power button within UpBlink's manual controls menu.
Turn on the GoPro camera to adjust the default settings (See section 9.2 below for GoPro capture mode information). To conserve power, set the touch display brightness to the lowest 10%, the screensaver time to 1 min, and disable voice control. The LED, beep volume, and GPS can also be disabled to conserve additional power if not required.
It is strongly recommended to remove the GoPro battery for reliable long-term deployment. When the GoPro battery is removed, your power supply must be rated for at least 2Amps output at 5Volts. If your power supply cannot provide 2Amps, the GoPro battery can remain inside the camera to provide the additional power require by the camera and UpBlink will maintain a charge to the GoPro battery. However, the use of the GoPro battery will disable the *safety reset feature.
For long term GoPro installations, you must remove the internal battery of the GoPro camera to allow UpBlink to hard reset the camera that can restore system functionality should a GoPro camera error be experienced.
*Safety Reset Feature: Removing the GoPro battery allows for UpBlink to fully manage the power supply to the GoPro camera. Therefore if the GoPro camera becomes unresponsive, such as in the event of a camera crash, UpBlink can pull all power from the GoPro to force a hard reset to restore functionality to the system (similar to pulling and replacing the GoPro battery when the camera crashes). However, if the GoPro battery remains inside the camera, when UpBlink attempts to remove power from the GoPro, the camera will not reset since the GoPro remains powered from the camera battery.
NOTE: Some phones and computers have WiFi settings that will automatically connect to a known WiFi network with the strongest internet signal rather than staying connected to UpBlink. Since connecting to UpBlink's WiFi Access Point network does not provide external internet access, some devices will not stay connected to UpBlink. You might need to temporarily adjust the WiFi settings on your device or remove any saved networks in the area for the period required to set up the new schedule of UpBlink.
If the LED illuminates green when the button is pressed, UpBlink is currently in capture mode awaiting the next scheduled trigger and holding the button for three seconds will activate the WiFi AP signal. If the LED flashes white, cyan, or blue, UpBlink is currently processing a scheduled trigger and holding the button for three seconds will end the currently active process before activating the WiFi AP signal. UpBlink flashes the LED green once a second while booting up the WiFi Access Point and then green once every 5 seconds to indicate that WiFi Access Point is actively broadcasting and can be connected to using your smartphone/computer.
See Section on LED Status for additional LED indications.
Once UpBlink has been programmed, the WiFi Access Point must be turned off to resume capture mode. This is done by either pressing the "Restart in capture mode" button from the programming UI, or holding the wifi button down for 3 seconds. When the button is pressed, the LED will flash yellow indicating that the UpBlink busy broadcasting the WiFi Access Point and continuing to hold the button for three seconds will end this active process. While shutting down the WiFi Access Point signal the LED will flash yellow once a second until the WiFi signal has turned off. When the LED is inactive, UpBlink is now in capture mode and will trigger the camera at the programmed schedule times. When in capture mode a short button press will flash the LED green when not triggering the camera and white/cyan/blue if a camera trigger is in process.
A. Restart Button: UpBlink's capture schedules are inactive while the WiFi Access Point is broadcasting. Clicking the RESTART IN CAPTURE MODE button will shutdown the WiFi Access Point to activate the schedules in capture mode.
B. Settings Menu: Click the Settings drawer to open the UpBlink's settings menu. This menu provides selection of UpBlink's interfacing ports, including the camera control type (Sony or GoPro) and LED flash indicators. Also included in the settings menu is an optional text field allows you to change the appended text for the network name of UpBlink's WiFi Access Point.
C. Save All: Clicking SAVE ALL will store the settings for all schedules. Important: Be sure to click "SAVE ALL" if any changes are made to the schedules. The Status message box (D) will display if there are unsaved changed to the schedules. If any schedule errors are present, the SAVE ALL button will become grey and disabled, while the problem schedule will become highlighted red. Correct any scheduling errors to enable the green SAVE ALL button.
D. Status Message: This box will display information about your programmed schedules as well as communication status between your viewing device and UpBlink. The box will display Success if your device is connected to UpBlink's WiFi and the controller has accepted the issued command. If your device is no longer connected to UpBlink's WiFi or a communication error has occurred, the disconnection message will be displayed here.
F. Camera Status: Displays information about the Sony or GoPro camera including; the camera's battery life, SD capacity available, and if the camera is powered on with open communication to UpBlink.
G. Camera Time: Displays the time and date used by UpBlink when triggering the programmed schedules. This time and date will be automatically pushed to the GoPro camera when it is triggered by UpBlink making it very easy to keep the system time up to date. The Sony camera time is not synced, although UpBlink's timestamp is used in the file naming (and EXIF data) of any images set to upload. If Cloud uploads are enabled, UpBlink will sync the clock with an NTP server when connected to the internet to ensure the time always remains accurate.
J. Manual Test Controls: This menu can be hidden/revealed by clicking on the drawer to provide a way of manually controlling the camera. These controls are typically only needed to test that the camera is communicating with the UpBlink controller.