How to Setup the Camera System

Located the long cable that carries both power and data to the Mallincam camera.

Insert the side of the cable with the RCA adapter into the white "IN" port on the back end of the IOTA-VTI timer box.

Locate the end of the cable the carries power to the Mallincam camera and carries data back to the IOTA-VTI timer.

Making sure there is enough slack for this cable to allow the camera to move up and down in altitude, secure the cord to the right arm of the form mount with a simple overhand knot.

Turn the Mallincam camera to expose the back end of the camera.

Insert the power cable into the power port of the camera.

Align the two pins on the "VIDEO-OUT" port of the camera with the two slots on the BNC connector of the data cable.

Insert the BNC connector and turn clockwise to secure the connector.

Remove the lens cover from the camera.

Do not touch or attempt to clean the glass covering the camera chip.

Locate the focal reducer which was shipped in a zip-lock bag with the camera.

Screw the focal reducer into the threads on the front end of the camera, turning the focal reducer clockwise.

With the focal reducer attached to the camera, insert the camera system into the T-adapter at the back end of the telescope.

Tighten the two thumb screws on the T-adapter so that the camera is held in place. These screws should be finger tight.

Locate the cable that will be used to connect the IOTA-VTI timer to the Mini-DVR.

Insert the side of the cable with the yellow RCA adapter into the yellow "OUT" port on the timer.

Insert the other end of the Mini-DVR cable into the "AV1" port of the Mini-DVR.

In order to record, the Mini-DVR needs a DV card.

Rotate the DV card so that the labeled end faces the back of the Mini-DVR. Insert the DV card into the slot at the top of the Mini-DVR.

You should be able to feel the DV card engage into a spring mechanism inside the Mini-DVR slot.

Place the Mini-DVR on top of the IOTA-VTI box and place on the tripod tray.

Use care when holding the Mini-DVR. Dropping the Mini-DVR can damage the device.

Shown here is the back end of the Mallincam camera after it has been connected and inserted into the telescope T-adapter.

Press and hold down the center button shown to access the camera menu. This center button is also the "enter" button for the menu.

Use the four arrow keys to navigate the camera menu.