I bought a new UNV MDVR so that I could start recording my hunts. Got it in the mail. First things I notice, the instructions seem like they were printed on someones laser printer at home, that has a damaged drum. You know-lines missing from the page from top to bottom. Looks like the instruction booklet has been run through a shredder, and then the pieces put back together.

Found the manual on-line so that's one problem solved.

Here is my issue.. Nothing, I mean NOTHING in the manual indicates what type of SD card is to be used. This recorder DOES NOT come with an SD card. I went to Walmart and bought a 64MB SD card that fits perfectly in the slot, but even with the card plugged in when you power the unit on, it says "NO CARD PRESENT" then "INSERT CARD". Card only goes in one way so I think I've got that part down. When the card is inserted you can hear, and feel, that the recorder is trying to read the card, but it just keeps attempting to read until you pull the battery out. Once it starts trying to read the card, you can no longer power it down, or do anything to stop it like it is locked in a bad cycle. Only removing the battery will stop this. Further, when it is trying to read the card, the icons on the screen are not solidly lit, and appear to be rolling, or hazing across the screen.

Anybody have any ideas where I can start trying to figure out what is wrong? I'm going to go back to Walmart and try to exchange the card for a different one to see if that is the issue. However, again, NOTHING IN THE INSTRUCTIONS SAYS WHAT SIZE OR TYPE OF SD CARD IS NEEDED. Maybe I've got a card that is good, but just not compatible with this recorder. Maybe I got a bad card.

With my luck, I got the only bad unit that has shipped since they started selling them.

Flipping through the set up buttons, I selected the "SD CARD INFO" screen and the only option available is All: 34.0M then next line under it is Free: 0. Does this mean it must have a 34M card?

There is no method to change the information that appears on either line.. At least if there is I can't figure out how to do it.

If I try to format the card that is in it, I keep getting a "memory Error" message in red across the screen. So, it will not format this card.

Try making sure you buy a class 10 card just for your own piece of mind. I don't remember if there is a size limit but I currently use a 32gb and don't have any problems at all.

I believe the max is 32 gigs. which will hold alot.

And I would get a class 10 as recommended.

Thanks for the input. I will return my new 64G card and trade it out for a 32. Wish they had included that little tid bit in the instructions. or on the box. Or on their "specifications". Or, any number of other places.

Surely you contacted UNV?

I got a 32G card and all is well. I did send Ultimate Night Vision an e-mail indicating that they need to include information in their instructions as to which cards are compatible with their product.