Barcode scanning tips

'avit has a rather sophisticated barcode scanner that is optimized to work even on older iPhones (1st generation and 3G) that don't have autofocus lenses. However, there are a few things you can do to make it easier to scan barcodes, especially on older devices:

1. Good lighting: 'avid will recognize barcodes easier when you're in a room with good lighting (or outdoors where there is plenty of diffuse ambient light). That said, I've successfully scanned barcodes in dimly lit rooms by candlelight on a 3GS (your mileage may vary depending on other environmental factors also).

2. Hold steady: Especially for particularly difficult barcodes on older devices, it can make a difference how steady you hold your iPhone and the book you're trying to scan. Try holding your breath for a second to reduce the shake if you encounter a particularly difficult barcode to scan.

3. Avoid glare: reflections and glare make it more difficult for 'avid to recognize barcodes. Try to angle the book so that glare (especially on the barcode itself) is eliminated as much as possible.

4. Scan the right barcode: Some books have several barcodes. Make sure you're scanning the one for the ISBN. Most ISBNs today are 13 digit numbers that start with 978.

5. Multiple barcodes: Some books have a smaller barcode right next to the big one. If 'avit is having trouble scanning the barcode because of this, covering the smaller barcode may help. This tip comes courtesy of Matt Harris.

6. Bookstore barcodes: Some booksellers – notably Borders and Waterstones – sometimes place their own barcode stickers over the barcodes on the books themselves. The barcode stickers used by Waterstones are actually the ISBN and are easy to scan. Borders appears to use its own barcodes that 'avit does not recognize. If you're scanning a book in Borders, simply peel their own sticker if it is covering the book's ISBN and stick it elsewhere on the book (don't worry, they don't tear, I've done it many times!)

7. Play around a bit: Some barcodes are harder to scan than others. Although you shouldn't have trouble with any barcode on a 3GS, some particularly difficult barcodes may pose issues for older devices. If you find a barcode is hard to scan, try moving it further away from the camera and slowly moving the camera towards it.

If all else fails, please let me know which book you were having trouble scanning but posting on the support forum and I'll look into it.