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TLR Bridge

Manual

Thank you for choosing the TLR Bridge, a hardware controller designed for reliable long-term GoPro time-lapse photography.

This manual explains how to set up the device, connect it to your GoPro, configure the system, manage internet connections, adjust camera settings, handle files, and enable remote access through TimelapseRobot.

1. Introduction

1.1 What the TLR Bridge Does

The TLR Bridge is a dedicated controller for GoPro cameras used in time-lapse applications. It:

  • Powers and controls the GoPro

  • Resets the GoPro automatically if it freezes

  • Allows detailed scheduling of shooting times

  • Uploads photos to your TimelapseRobot account

  • Saves all photos locally to an SSD (optional)

  • Operates via Wi-Fi or LTE

  • Provides a local configuration page accessible from any phone, tablet, or laptop

The device is designed for simplicity and long-term reliability.

1.2 Buttons, LEDs, and Ports Overview
front_wording.png
usbc_wording.png
usba_wording.png

Status LED

Indicates the general operating state:

  • Blue: TLR Bridge is booting

  • Yellow: Transitional boot step

  • Green: Ready for operation

  • Red: An error has been detected

  • Any solid color: The device is receiving power

Camera Connection Button

Places the TLR Bridge into pairing mode so it can connect to the GoPro via Bluetooth.

Camera Connection LED

Indicates the GoPro connection state:

  • Blinking Purple: Searching for or attempting to pair with the GoPro

  • Blinking Blue: Successful Bluetooth pairing (GoPro paired but not yet controlled)

  • Solid Blue: GoPro connected via cable, powered, and fully controlled

  • Red: Connection failed; the TLR Bridge resets GoPro power

Setup Button

Activates and deactivates configuration mode and opens the Local Setup Page.

Setup LED

Shows whether setup mode is active:

  • Off: Normal operation

  • Solid Green: Configuration mode active / Local Setup Page open

Internet LED

Indicates internet connection status:

  • Solid Green: Connected via Wi-Fi

  • Blinking Green: Connected via LTE

  • Solid Red: No internet connection available

Device ID

Printed on the bottom/front of the device.

Used to access the Local Setup Page and to link the device to your TimelapseRobot account.

Ports

  • Power Port

    Connect the supplied power adapter here.

  • Camera Port

    Supplies the GoPro with power and downloads photos.

  • LTE Antenna

    Attach the LTE antenna if using a SIM card for mobile data.

  • SSD Port

    Connect an SSD here for local backup storage.

sim_card_slot.png

  • Sim Card Slot
    Insert Sim Card for LTE use.

2. Getting Started

2.1 What You Need

To use the TLR Bridge, you will need:

  • A GoPro 12 or GoPro 13 + an SD Card inside

  • For pairing: GoPro battery

  • The supplied power adapter

  • A smartphone, laptop, or tablet

  • A web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, etc.)

  • Optional: SIM card for LTE

  • Optional: SSD for local storage backup

  • Optional: TimelapseRobot account

2.2 Powering the TLR Bridge

1. (Optional) Insert a SIM card into Sim Card Slot.

sim_insert.png

2. Connect the supplied power adapter to the Power Port.

3. Plug into a wall outlet.

4. Watch the Status LED sequence: Blue → Yellow → Green.

5. When Green, the device is ready.

6. If the Status LED remains Red, restart the device. If the issue persists, contact support.

Important: Only use the supplied power adapter.

2.3 Preparing the GoPro

Before pairing:

  • Ensure the GoPro is not connected to the TLR Bridge yet via USB cable.

  • GoPro battery should be at least 50%.

  • Latest GoPro firmware installed.

  • SD card inserted.

  • No other TLR Bridges nearby in pairing mode.

The TLR Bridge must be in pairing mode:

  • Status LED: Solid Green

  • Camera Connection LED: Blinking Purple

To enter pairing mode, press the Camera Connection Button.

2.4 Pairing the TLR Bridge with GoPro

Steps

Before you start, make sure to reset the GoPro’s wireless connections

  1. Power up the GoPro.

  2. Swipe down to open the Dashboard.

  3. Swipe left until you see “Pair Device”.

  4. Tap “Pair Device”.

    • TLR Bridge should be next to the GoPro.

    • Ensure pairing mode is active (Status LED solid green, Camera Connection LED blinking purple).

    • If not blinking purple → press the Camera Connection Button.

  5. GoPro shows:

    “Ready to pair to the GoPro Quik app or other Bluetooth compatible device.”

  6. Wait for pairing. This may take some time.

  7. After successful pairing:

    • GoPro shows “Quik App” or “…” briefly

    • Then returns to the “Ready to pair…” screen

    • Camera Connection LED changes from purple blinking → blinking blue

      (Bluetooth pairing successful, but GoPro not yet controlled by TLR Bridge)

  8. Remove the GoPro battery.

  9. Connect the GoPro to the Camera Port using the supplied USB C cable.

  10. Within the next 60 seconds, the TLR Bridge will power the GoPro.

    → Camera Connection LED becomes solid blue, meaning full control is active.

3. Local Setup Page

The Local Setup Page is the configuration interface of the TLR Bridge.

You can access it using any device with a web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.).

Internet is not required for this process.

3.1 Accessing the Local Setup Page

  1. Press the Setup Button.

  2. Setup LED turns solid green.

    • Internet LED becomes red because the internal Wi-Fi hotspot has no internet.

  3. On your mobile phone, laptop or tablet:

    • Open Wi-Fi settings

    • Connect to the network named after your Device ID (e.g., TLR-fc3ba926)

    • Smartphone users: disable mobile data to avoid interference

  4. On your mobile phone, laptop or tablet: Open a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari).

  5. Enter the following address:

    deviceID.local

    Example: tlr-fc3ba926.local

  6. Enter your password. When setting up, you can find your default password on the back of the printed “First Steps” guide.

3.2 Setting the Timezone

A pop-up reminder will appear the first time if no timezone is set.

  1. Open Device Settings.

  2. Select the timezone.

  3. Click Submit.

3.3 Changing the Password

  1. Go to Device Settings → Change Password.

  2. Enter current password.

  3. Enter a new password.

  4. Confirm the new password.

  5. Click Change my password.

  6. Wait for confirmation.

4. Connecting the TLR Bridge to the Internet

Internet enables:

  • Remote control

  • Automatic uploads

  • Online monitoring

The TLR Bridge can connect via LTE or Wi-Fi.

4.1 LTE Connection

1. Insert a SIM card.

sim_insert.png

2. Restart the TLR Bridge by unplugging the power cable.

3. When LTE is active, the Internet LED blinks green.

4.2 Adding a Wi-Fi Network

  1. Open the Local Setup Page.

  2. Navigate to WiFi.

  3. View available networks.

  4. Under Add Connection, enter SSID (WiFi name) and password.

  5. Click Add.

  6. Exit setup mode by pressing the Setup Button.

  7. When connected via WiFi, the Internet LED becomes solid green.

4.3 Deleting a Wi-Fi Network

  1. Open the Local Setup Page.

  2. Go to WiFi.

  3. Under Connections, click Delete.

5. Camera Control

5.1 Camera Settings

Power Off Between Shots

  • Yes (recommended):

    GoPro powers off after each shot → more stable long-term operation.

  • No:

    GoPro stays powered → not recommended for long-term time-lapse.

Click Submit to save changes.

5.2 Shootplan

Controls when and how often the GoPro takes photos.

Creating a Shootplan

  1. Select active weekdays (blue = active).

  2. (Optional) Enable Set Start/Stop Time and choose a time window.

  3. Set the interval (seconds or minutes).

  4. Click Submit.

Example

  • Active: Tuesday, Wednesday

  • Time: 08:00–22:00

  • Interval: 5 minutes

The GoPro will automatically wake up, shoot, and power off according to these rules.

6. File Management

6.1 Auto-Delete After Successful Transfer

  1. Open the Local Setup Page.

  2. Go to File Management → Camera Storage.

  3. Enable: Auto-delete from camera SD card after successful transfer.

  4. Click Submit.

This prevents SD card overflow.

6.2 Cloud Uploads

  1. Open File Management → Cloud Strategy.

  2. Set Upload Mode to Instant.

  3. Choose Upload Frequency:

    • 1: Upload every photo

    • 2: Upload every second photo

    • 3: Upload every third photo and so on…

  4. Click Submit.

6.3 Local Backup to SSD

  1. Format the SSD to exFAT.

  2. Connect the SSD to the SSD Port.

  3. From this moment onward, every new photo will be saved to the SSD, independent of cloud upload frequency.

7. Device Management

7.1 Factory Reset

  1. On the Setup Page login screen, click Reset to factory settings.

  2. Confirm the warning.

  3. Wait for the operation to complete.

  4. If linked to TimelapseRobot, unlink the TLR Bridge in your TimelapseRobot account before linking it to another project.

7.2 Connecting to the TimelapseRobot Web Interface

  1. Log in at my.timelapserobot.com.

  2. Open your project → click Add Camera.

  3. Select GoPro Camera and name it.

  4. Choose a subscription plan.

  5. Enter the Device ID (without “TLR-”).

  6. Click Add Camera.

  7. The system asks you to bring the device online.

  8. Once the TLR Bridge is online, the page refreshes automatically.

Your device is now ready for remote use.

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