THIS is how I got Direct Mode to work

[djharryg]

For days I could not figure out how to get direct mode to work. I selected the "use direct mode when network wasn't found" button. No luck.

I tired shutting off my home network. The eye-fi network would never show up.

FINALLY it hit me. I needed to make the DIRECT network one of the networks on the card. I inserted the card into the card reader, and added a network I called "direct" to the card.

I took the card out of the reader and put it into my camera. I then chose the "direct" network to join on the computer. I inputted the network key that the eye-fi center gave me. Now... the camera can send pictures to the computer. FINALLY!!!!

[Wolfie]

I had, after 3 hours, the exact same "duh" moment with the android app. I added the Eyefi hotspot to the wifi networks in the phone network settings panel and "poof" it started working. It seems they left this little tidbit off all the instruction sheets I could google/search for.

[pajamas]

I thought Direct Mode on works on smart phones and tablets? (eg. iphones and ipads)

whats the difference between using Dirent Mode and linking to the home PC?

[dustinash]

this is ridiculous.. Can someone please instruct me on how to actually get direct mode working not how to create a ad hoc netowrk. or was it.. I dont even know what the heck is going on here..

[ahinchcliffe]

pajamas direct mode allows a computer / laptop with wireless lan card to connect to the card directly without need of a wireless router / access point (please note that a computer with only one wireless network device can only connect to one wireless device at a time).

so if you are in range of a known wireless network the computer / laptop will prefer to connect to this rather than the Eye-fi card "direct"ly (see what i did there) ok so now that clear or atleast i think so...

there are then two routes your photo's can take to your chosen destination

1} is for the files to arrive at your pc / tablet without leaving the general vacinity of your wireless network ( requires that your firewall does not block this route if this route is blocked then see below)
2} the photo's leave your general vacinity and take a trip round the WWW to Eye-fi's servers were they are pushed back down the WWW to your chosen pc / tablet (this route requires internet access available to both and will not work if it is missing)

so you need to decide how you are going to connect to the Eye-fi card....

if you are at home then you need to allow the card to connect to you home wireless lan and make sure your internet security does not block Eye-fi traffic.
if you are out and about then you may choose to use direct mode and force your laptop / tablet to connect to the Eye-fi adhoc network created by the Eye-fi card itself again ensuring your internet security does not block Eye-fi traffic (note te Eye-fi adhoc network DOES NOT! appear unless it is activated in the eyefi app and in some cases on the camera and there are photo's on the card that have NOT! been previously transfered)

[dustinash]

umm no dude.. there are two ways to connect your efe-fi to computer without net. One is by "direct mode" the other is to set up an adhoc server on the pc. Essentially I think they are the same thing except with direct mode the card is hosting (is the network hub) and with ad hoc, the computer is. So by creating a netowrk like you did you created an ad hoc network called "direct" but it is not direct mode, it is connecting to the computer through an adhoc, the fact that it is names "direct" has nothing to do with direct mode.

In either case your better off then me. This card wont work for me at all. It did, for a bit, intermittently now it is just a lump of wasted money in my camera. Spent 3 days troubleshooting and nothing but a tech reply that says "increase your eyefi sliders to forever, that solves your problem. your request is now closed"

BULL it solves my problem! That was already done! Did the tech take the time to read my log? Obviously not! Because this card has wasted three days of my life this card has cost me 5 times what I paid, its time I could have spent working or relaxing. I'm trying to keep myself composed and patient and not go ranting on ever forum from DPreview to B&H, but it is pretty frustrating and demeaning to have your case closed without the tech even dealing with the problem. Ill give it a couple of days though. I'm going to try and put the card down and not think about it. Wait for my appeal to repopen the case to resolve...

[ahinchcliffe]

you are confusing direct mode in Eye-fi centre as the method of transfer wich is not what it is. there are two issues you need to seperate as they are not entirely related the method of connection and the method of transfer the connection method can be direct mode or infrastructure ... the method of transfer can be relayed (via internet to eye-fi and back) or directly.

enabling "direct" mode does not imply the pictures will travel directly to your computer and go no were else (they can do) and direct mode will not work in the presence of known wireless networks as it is infact another wireless connection method. direct mode is intended to be used were no other wireless connection method is known or available.

if you want your pictures to stay away from the WWW you need to disable relayed transfer if also you want to use the Eye-fi card in the presence of known wireless networks this is also fine add the network to the card and again disable relayed transfer's.

post the last part of your logs to a message here and i will try and help you solve your problem if i can. i can only offer general advice as you haven't stated exactly the nature of the problem.

[Humpty Dumpty]

Hi. Setting up Direct Mode is extremely easy to do. You don't need to set up an "Ad-Hoc" network or any other kind of network to get Direct Mode to work. That's because the Eye-Fi card's wireless signal IS the network. The following are step-by-step instructions that I used on a Mac. If you can understand the basic concept behind these instructions then you shouldn't have a problem...

My Tips on Setting up Direct Mode…

One of the most important things to understand about setting up Direct Mode is to know you can only enable Direct Mode AFTER you've completed the following: 1) you must completely install the Eye-Fi Center software. 2) you must set up a new Eye-Fi account online (which will require an internet connection). 3) your Eye-Fi card must be fully activated. Once each of those things has been completed, to enable Direct Mode, do the following:

Step 1 - Launch your Eye-Fi Center Software. Using the supplied USB adapter, plug your Eye-Fi card into your computer…

Step 2 - When the Eye-Fi Center software opens, select your Eye-Fi card from the Devices column shown at the left. Then click on the small gear symbol located on the same line to open a preference panel entitled "Eye-Fi Card Settings"…

Step 3 - In the Eye-Fi Card Settings panel, there are several preferences you'll need to set:

a) Under the "Photo/Computer" tab, make sure the checkbox is enabled to allow the software to automatically upload all photos to the location you've designated. Use the "Manage" section of the tab to select the folder where you want your Eye-Fi photos to be downloaded into. The "Video/Computer" tab allows you to manage the same settings for videos...

b) Under the "Networks/Direct Mode" tab, to enable Direct Mode, make sure the checkbox which says "When no known Wi-Fi networks are in range, start the Direct Mode network" has been checked. In that same panel, you must also select the length of time you want the Eye-Fi card's Direct Mode wireless signal to continue transmitting whenever you take a new snapshot. Setting both sliders to "4 minutes" is a good choice. Once Direct Mode has been enabled, below the adjustment sliders will be displayed the Direct Mode Encryption Password (it's an 8-digit code shown to the right of the words WPA2). My code says "4WNRGCXG". Make sure you write that password down. That's the password you'll need to connect to the Eye-Fi card's Direct Mode wireless signal once you've reinserted the card back into your camera. Last but not least, when all above has been configured, don't forget to click on the "Start Direct Mode Network" button at the bottom of the menu (it's very easy to miss) and then click on the "Save" button to save your settings. Miss any of these steps and Direct Mode will not be set up properly...

Once all your preferences has been set and your settings saved, close out the Eye-Fi Center Software, remove your Eye-Fi Card from the USB adapter and reinsert it back into your camera. Once your camera has been turned on and you've taken a new snapshot, the card should immediately activate and begin transmitting its Direct Mode wireless signal in an attempt to transmit the image to your computer. But in order for your computer to receive that image, it must first connect to the card's Direct Mode wireless signal. Therefore, while the card is still transmitting (it will transmit for 4 minutes), look under your computer's wireless menu and you should now see a brand new wireless signal showing up under that menu labeled something like "Eye-Fi Card 24acaf". That is the Eye-Fi card's Direct Mode wireless signal attempting to transmit the image to your computer. Therefore, select that signal from your computer's wireless menu and try to connect to it. Once you've selected it, automatically a dialog box should open on your screen asking you for the encryption password. Simply enter the encryption password you saved from above and - Voila!...you're connected to the Eye-Fi card's network. Once connected, the snapshot you took with your camera should then immediately begin downloading to your computer and into the folder you designated. That's all there is to it. It truly works...

If after the above you're still having problems, then please see a more recent post I made entitled "An Elegant Camera-To-Laptop Slideshow Solution For Mac Users". Scan down through that post and you'll find two separate places where I go into great detail about setting up Direct Mode. I even provide you with several important troubleshooting tips. For example, in that post I explain that, if you have your home Wi-Fi network or some other network enabled in the Eye-Fi software, that too can prevent Direct Mode from working at times. So see that post for more details…

Hope this helps...

[Bigpauly]

I'm having the same issue I guess. I'm within range of my WLAN. I cannot get eye fi to transfer to iPad in direct mode.It transfers to main pc. Its fine if I'm not in range of my WLAN. So can't get it to transmit to iPad while in range of WLAN?
Anyone..please. I't says on eye fi site that WLAN takes priority over direct mode. I've asked them at eye fi to clarify but they just keep telling me to read the instructions on the direct mode set up. Something is not right. Me?

[giropizza]

I set everything like Humpty Dumpty said.
When I shoot with my camera the wifi eye-fi network appears in the wireless network list on my pc and the pc istantly connect to it.
But the pictures remain on the card.
If I start my home wireless lan the card works perfectly connecting itself to the lan and downloading the pictures on my pc.
What I'm doing wrong? There's some flag to enable when the card is in direct mode?
Please help me because I buyed this card to tether when I'm not at home so the direct mode is foundamental to me.
I have a pro card and I shoot in raw with a Nikon D300s.

Thanks

[Humpty Dumpty]

Giropizza, I have no idea why your pictures aren't downloading automatically. They should be. My computer is set up exactly the same and the pictures are downloading flawlessly. From what you are saying, I can just about guarantee you you don't have Direct Mode set up properly. Because that is what Direct Mode is - it enables and forms a direct network connection between your camera and computer when no other network connection is available. And since your home wireless LAN connection works fine but your Direct Mode connection does not, this tells me you have not set up Direct Mode correctly despite what you may think. The following are some details I would check:

1) With your Eye-Fi Card removed from your camera and connected to your computer via the USB adapter, open the Eye-Fi Card Settings Preference Panel of your Eye-Fi Center Software. Under the "Transfer Mode/Selective Transfer" tab, set the choice to "Automatic" (this setting allows all media to be automatically transferred to your computer).

2) Under the "Photos/Computer" tab of the Settings Panel, make sure the checkbox is enabled that allows the software to automatically upload all photos to the location you've designated. The "Manage" section of the tab allows you to select a folder on your computer where you want the Eye-Fi Photos to be downloaded into. Make sure you have selected such a folder. The "Video/Computer" tab of the Settings Panel allows you to manage the same settings for Videos.

3) Under the "Networks/Direct Mode" tab, make sure you have Direct Mode enabled. That is, make sure the checkbox which says "When no known Wi-Fi networks are in range, start the Direct Mode network" has been checked. Also important, in that same panel you must select the length of time you want Direct Mode to continually transmit. For example, I have both my sliders in my Direct Mode panel set to "4 minutes". This means that each time I take a new snapshot with my camera, the Eye-Fi card will continue to transmit a signal that my computer can connect to for a period of 4 minutes before giving up and shutting off. If the period is set too short (like for only 30 seconds) the signal may stop transmitting before your computer can see it and connect to it. However, if the signal ever does stop transmitting before your computer can connect, all you have to do is just take a new snapshot with your camera to make the card start transmitting again. Setting the sliders to 4 minutes has worked well for me. Once Direct Mode has been enabled, below the sliders you'll see displayed the Direct Mode Encryption Password you'll need to connect to the camera's signal. Make sure you're using that same password when connecting to the camera's signal with your computer. Last but not least, when all above has been configured, don't forget to click on the "Start Direct Mode Network" button at the very bottom of the menu (it's very easy to miss) and then click on the "Save" button to save your settings. Miss any of these steps and Direct Mode will not be set up correctly.

4) While troubleshooting your Direct Mode problem, I highly recommend that under the "Networks/Private Networks" tab that you completely remove all networks (if any) listed under this tab (like your home LAN) until you get Direct Mode working properly. You don't need to have any networks enabled under that tab to get Direct Mode working properly. For example, I have no networks at all listed under that tab, yet my Direct Mode transfers from camera to computer works like a charm. So get your Direct Mode problems straightened out first. Then go back and enable any other networks you may desire.

5) Once Direct Mode has been set up and enabled, save your settings, close out your Eye-Fi Center software and reinsert your Eye-Fi Card back into your camera. And keep in mind, you must take a new snapshot with your camera before the card will begin transmitting again. Once it begins transmitting, the length of time it will continue to transmit will be based on your settings in the Direct Mode Preference Panel. While the card is still transmitting, you can then connect to the signal with your computer. Once connected, the snapshot should immediately begin downloading to your computer and into the folder you have designated. For example, each time I take a new snapshot with my camera, after a few seconds, a small thumbnail will suddenly appear in the upper right corner of my computer screen showing the image with a progress bar as it downloads into the folder. You also should be seeing a similar thumbnail each time you take a snapshot, unless "thumbnail display" has been disabled in Preferences.

Concerning the issue of Raw images not downloading via Eye-Fi, I recently learned the company manufacturers three different type Eye-Fi cards: Eye-Fi Connect, Eye-Fi Mobile, and Eye-Fi Pro. Only the Pro card offers the ability to transfer Raw images over Eye-Fi. Therefore, if you need that ability, that's the card you'll need to purchase.

Hope this helps.

[Humpty Dumpty]

I'm having the same issue I guess. I'm within range of my WLAN. I cannot get eye fi to transfer to iPad in direct mode.It transfers to main pc. Its fine if I'm not in range of my WLAN. So can't get it to transmit to iPad while in range of WLAN?
Anyone..please. I't says on eye fi site that WLAN takes priority over direct mode. I've asked them at eye fi to clarify but they just keep telling me to read the instructions on the direct mode set up. Something is not right. Me?

Bigpauly, what you said is correct. If you have a home Wi-Fi network (WLAN) and Direct Mode is enabled at the same time, the Eye-Fi card will always give priority to your home Wi-Fi network and will use it first so long as it in range. Only when it can't find your home Wi-Fi network will it create a Direct Mode connection. In fact, the Eye-Fi card will not even transmit a Direct Mode wireless signal (for your computer to connect to) so long as your home Wi-Fi network is in range. If you want to force the Eye-Fi card to always operate in Direct Mode and even when you are in range of your home Wi-Fi connection, simply open your Eye-Fi Center Software and remove all networks from under the Networks/Private Networks tab. This tab is what gives the software permission to connect to certain networks. If you have no networks listed under the Private Networks tab, you're good to go and your Eye-Fi card will always operate in Direct Mode, even in the presence of your home WLAN.

[davdigsb]

Humpty Dumpty thanx for your detailed explanation. I found what was wrong in my case )

[lancatera]

Where can you buy a LAN card for Telecom NZ broadband? For some reason my broadband wasn't working when I tried to install it so I called the helpline and they told me i had to buy a LAN card. However, he couldn't tell me where I could buy one.
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[Robbphoto]

GIROPIZZA- I know it has been awhile since your post, so hopefully you've figured it out by now. If you haven't, you may (if you haven't already) make sure your camera is shooting in RAW/JPEG or just JPEG mode. I sometimes forget to switch and wonder why images aren't getting off the card.

[Chronos]

I'm not sure if I have totally misunderstood everything that I have read about Direct Mode or I am exceptionally thick...perhaps a mixture of both!

Can someone please tell me how I can get my pictures onto a laptop in my studio using Direct mode?

Camera Canon 1Ds mark11
Desktop operating system - XP3

remote Laptop - Windows 7 home edition

I have no problem transferring images onto the desktop, that works fine and my images open up in Lightroom3 as planned.

I believe that I have done everything that humptydumpty as explained however I just cannot get it to work!

There is something that I have either missed or misunderstood and would appreciate 'a idiots guide' to sort it out.

Thanks

[Humpty Dumpty]

I'm not sure if I have totally misunderstood everything that I have read about Direct Mode or I am exceptionally thick...perhaps a mixture of both!

Can someone please tell me how I can get my pictures onto a laptop in my studio using Direct mode?

Camera Canon 1Ds mark11
Desktop operating system - XP3

remote Laptop - Windows 7 home edition

I have no problem transferring images onto the desktop, that works fine and my images open up in Lightroom3 as planned.

I believe that I have done everything that humptydumpty as explained however I just cannot get it to work!

There is something that I have either missed or misunderstood and would appreciate 'a idiots guide' to sort it out.

Thanks

Hi. If none of the above solves your problem and to anyone still having problems setting up Direct Mode...please see a more recent post I made entitled "An Elegant Camera-To-Laptop Slideshow Solution for Mac Users". Scan down through that post and you'll find two separate places where I go into great detail about setting up Direct Mode. I even provide you with some valuable troubleshooting tips. My explanation in that post is about as simple as it gets. So read through that post and all your questions should be answered...

[drdurst]

I got direct Mode to work following HD's procedure ... the only thing Eye-Fi Center won't do is create a new folder when browsing for a folder to save to. You'll have to create the folder beforehand using My Computer [windows], ala C:\Photos\\Subfolder_Name ... then choose such folder in the setup.

I also found to set the timeout to Forever and correspondingly setting the camera to always on. Once you make the initial connection and enter the passkey your 'puter will remember the connection settings. If however the camera or the system times out you will have to re-connect in "Wireless Connections". And, if the Eye-Fi connection doesn't show, with your camera on take a picture to force the card to send a signal for the 'puter to connect to.

[Humpty Dumpty]

I got direct Mode to work following HD's procedure ... the only thing Eye-Fi Center won't do is create a new folder when browsing for a folder to save to. You'll have to create the folder beforehand using My Computer [windows], ala C:\Photos\\Subfolder_Name ... then choose such folder in the setup.

I also found to set the timeout to Forever and correspondingly setting the camera to always on. Once you make the initial connection and enter the passkey your 'puter will remember the connection settings. If however the camera or the system times out you will have to re-connect in "Wireless Connections". And, if the Eye-Fi connection doesn't show, with your camera on take a picture to force the card to send a signal for the 'puter to connect to.

Be aware, there is a downside to setting your Eye-Fi card's transmission settings to "Forever". The downside is that it causes your camera to transmit constantly, even when you're not even taking pictures. Therefore, it can run you camera's battery down quite easily. That is why I set the transmission timer to only 4 minutes...