It's time to use the LiLz Cam app to take some test photos so you can position your camera correctly, and adjust the conditions for how/when it takes pictures. First, log in to the app while standing in front of your LiLz Cam and the dummy test panel.
Turn the LiLz Cam On
You can tell if your camera is on or off by looking at the circular LED on the top right of the front panel. If your camera is off right now, go ahead and turn it on after you've attached it to your tripod.
1. Press the green button to check if the camera is turned on.
(i) If the LED on the right flashes blue, your camera is on. This means you can skip steps 2 and 3. Move on to the step titled "Connecting the LiLz Cam to the App."
(ii) If the LED on the right doesn't flash, your camera is off. Move on to step 2 next.
2. Hold down the green button for 3-4 seconds.
3. If the horizontal, thin LED on the left is flashing blue, it means the camera is initializing. Do not turn the camera off or attempt to do anything else with it while the LED is flashing.
Once the LED stops flashing blue, the camera has finished initializing and is now on and ready to use. Note: Turning the Camera Off Hold down the green button for 3-4 seconds while the camera is turned on; once the LED on the right flashes red the LiLz Cam is off.
Connecting the LiLz Cam to the App
Connecting the camera to the app will allow you specify when photos are taken. To connect the two, hold down the green button on the LiLz Cam for 1-2 seconds to activate its setup mode. Follow the steps in the video below to complete the setup.
1. Open the LiLz Cam app on your iPhone and log in. (Read "Step 2 (Installing the App)" if you are unsure how to log in.)
2. Hold down the green button for 1-2 seconds.
3. Tapping on the "LiLz Cam" option in the app will connect the application and your camera.
You have now finished connecting the app and your LiLz Cam and can decide under which conditions your device takes photos.
Adjusting the LiLz Cam's Position using Test Photos
You have three options when taking test pictures.
| Test Photo (Low Resolution) | Takes a single 640 x 480 photograph. This option allows you to take photos relatively quickly, so is often used when testing equipment for the first time. |
| Successive Photos (Very Low Resolution) | Takes several 160 x 120 photos in a row. This setting takes multiple photos in a short space of time, so is often used when adjusting the position of the LiLz Cam. It allows you to move your camera around while confirming that your meters are still being photographed properly. |
| Take a Photo with the Selected Resolution | Take photos with the actual resolutions the LiLz Cam uses when capturing non-test images. Tapping this option will take a picture at whatever resolution is selected next to the "Resolution" option below. There are three resolutions you can choose from: high resolution (2592 x 1936), standard resolution (1296 x 960), and low resolution (640 x 480). You need to wait around 1-2 minutes before you can check a high-resolution image in the app after it's been taken. As such, we recommend that setting for your final checks after you have finished positioning the camera. |
Setting up a Schedule
Here you can select any schedules you have set up on the LiLz Gauge website.
You have now finished setting up most of what you need to start capturing images of your gauges, however, there are some other settings you may also wish to alter.
Miscellaneous Settings
| Flash Settings |
Always Flash：Always flashes on. Automatic Flash：Only uses the flash when brightness is below 30 lux (a very dimly lit room). |
| Flash Type | Close-range：one LED, standard：three LEDs, long-range：six LEDs. |
| Exposure Compensation | Exposure value (EV) can be adjusted from EV -3 to EV + 3. You can also select a different type of exposure compensation for when it is dark (less than 30 lux). This is used for photos where the gauges end up being overexposed. |
| Cropping |
You can crop high-resolution and standard-resolution images before sending them to decrease their file size. High-resolution photos: Can be cropped as standard-resolution (1296 x 960) and low-resolution (640 x 480) images. Standard-resolution photos: Can be cropped as low-resolution (640 x 480) images. Low-resolution images: Cannot be cropped. |
| Scheduled Photo Times | Here you can choose when you want photos to be taken. For example: twice per day at 9:00 and 12:00. |
Watch the video below for tips on using the app to take test pictures and altering various settings.
This marks the end of this step.