How to install and use Camera Live on a compatible Windows or Mac PC/laptop

Camera Live is a free program for you Windows PC or Mac that can be used to locate its local IP address and to view the camera’s live feed locally and remotely. 

First download the appropriate installation file from the links below and install the program.

For a Windows PC click here

For a Mac click here

Once you have installed the program, open it and click on Add Video. Then click on Discover to find the cameras UID, or enter it manually ensuring it is correct and all in uppercase. Enter the cameras password ensuring this is correct and in the correct case. Then give the camera a name e.g. garden, drive etc. and click on OK.

Once added wait for the camera to connect to the program. When it is connected you will see a green icon next to the UID, you can then view your camera’s live feed by clicking on the play icon. You will see the “No Video” message until you have viewed the live feed for the first time and the program can produce a thumbnail image from this.

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Forgotten your password or getting a wrong password message?

If a password has been forgotten unfortunately there is no way to recover these as this would compromise the camera security.

The default username and password for the camera will be “admin” e.g.:

Username:     admin
Password:      admin

We recommend trying these first to see if they allow you to login. 

These must be entered all in lowercase and should be double checked as some devices such as iPhones/iPads will set the first letter to uppercase automatically.

When changing the password this should be in alphanumeric characters (i.e. a,b,c… 1,2,3…) only with no special characters or spaces.

If the default password has been changed you cannot recall what you set it to you will need to reset the camera to the factory defaults to regain access. 

NB: When you reset a camera it will reset it to factory defaults (and will lose the WiFi details you currently have set) so you should only perform a reset while your camera is connected to your router with an ethernet cable.

To do this can you:

1) Remove all cables connected to the camera.
2) Remove any SD card from the camera.
3) Wait 10 mins.
4) Connect the ethernet cable to the camera and your router, you should hear a click when the cable is connected.
5) Wait 2 mins.
6) Connect the power cable to the camera.
7) Wait 5 mins for the camera to power up.
8) Locate the camera’s reset button or recess.

For the outdoor camera this will be a button on the underneath of the camera or on the end of a cable.
For the indoor camera this will be a recess on the back of the camera that can be pressed with a paperclip or similar.

9) Press and hold for 20 seconds and release.
10) Wait 5 mins for the camera to reset ensuring it remains connected to your router with the ethernet cable throughout.

Then once the camera is reset can you log in to the camera interface using the default username and password which is “admin”

As the camera has been reset it will be at the factory defaults once again, so you will need to setup your camera again with the WiFi details, etc. as if from new.

To do this take a look at the setup guides in the section below.

Having touble setting up your camera to record to SD card/NVR/NAS drive.

Are you looking to setup recording? If so please see the links below for full setup guides for each recording method. If you have already set it up but have encountered an issue it may be worthwile running through the setup once more, to check for any errors or mistakes.

SD card recording

UCAM NVR recording

NAS Drive recording

If you are still seeing an error or it is not working as expected please take a look at the common issues and their solutions in the list below.

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SD card not supported or faulty.

Motion detection page not configured correctly

NAS details not entered accurately.

NVR IP address may have changed.

Incorrect Task Management setup

How can I transfer video clips from an SD card in the camera to my computer?

If you are looking to transfer recordings from an SD card installed in the camera to you computer over WiFi this is limited to one file at a time for practical reasons:

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1) If your SD card had, for example, 128GB of clips it would not only be very cumbersome to transfer that quantity to your computer over your local WiFi but potentially slow down your local network too. As SD cards have very limited file speeds transferring this magnitude of data may also take a very long time to offload.

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2) It is also impractical or unwise to transfer en masse as it would also cause a slow down of the camera’s capabilities for the time while the transfer is progressing, and your camera could miss key motion events from being recorded.

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Solutions? There are a number of options available to you:

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– You can browse the recordings stored on your camera directly from a web browser and check which recordings are important to keep. You can play back the clips in your browser without needing to download to your computer first. Click here for a guide on how to do this.

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– You can set the sd card to auto overwrite so that it automatically deletes the oldest recordings when the card is full, so you don’t have manually delete.

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– You can use a number of tasks in the camera to automatically offload clips from the sd card (before they get overwritten) to Dropbox, your own FTP server, etc.

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– If you really must download everything off the SD card the easiest and quickest way is to take the sd card out and insert directly into your computer (if it supports SD media) and then simply drag and drop the files off the card to your computer.

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These are but a few suggestions. If you need further advice on the full range of recording and playback options do get in touch with our Support Team and they will be delighted to help.

Cannot connect to the camera remotely using the app.

Are you having trouble connecting to the camera using the app on your phone? This may be a p2p error. The camera and app use p2p to connect, if the camera is unable to connect to the p2p server then it will not be viewable via the app. Click here to check and resolve this.

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Has the camera been set to a static IP? We do not recommend setting the camera to a static IP as this is not usually required and can render the camera inaccessible if setup incorrectly. Click here to check this has been setup correctly. 

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Is the UID correct and all in uppercase? If any character in the cameras UID is not in uppercase it will not be able to connect to the app remotely. If this is the case, delete the camera from the app and add it again. For help with this click here for an Android device and click here for an iOS device.

Changed WiFi router or given a new router by your ISP?

If for some reason you have changed/updated your WiFi router your camera(s) will need to be reset to factory defaults and setup again, since the WiFi details and ip addressing on your camera(s) will still be that of your old router.

To reset your camera(s) and start afresh please click here.

NB: Be sure to read and follow the reset instructions carefully to avoid any problems or delay in setup.

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Once reset you will need to setup the WiFi connection again. Please follow one of the guides below to complete this.

PC Method

App Method

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WPS Method, for WPS enabled routers.

Power LED flashing rapidly and camera offline?

A rapidly flashing green power LED usually indicates that the camera’s firmware has encountered an error. This is rare but can occasionally happen after an unexpected power cut (if the camera is in the middle of performing a task), due to incorrect settings in the camera (too many enabled tasks, conflicting settings etc.), or due to a faulty SD card. 

This can usually be resolved with a reset of the camera. To do this first power down the camera and leave it for at least 10-15 minutes, then follow the steps on the page linked below to reset the camera. Note: a reset will clear all changed settings in the camera and revert it back to the defaults.

How to reset the camera

If the reset does not clear the error then you should get in touch with our support team using the “contact us” form as they will be able to advise on the next steps to resolve the issue.

How to install and use Camera Live V1

How to reset a camera.

If you think you need to reset your camera we recommend you first get in touch with us using the “Contact us” form as a reset may not solve your issue and will wipe the camera of any user data, meaning you will need to set the camera up again.

But should you want to reset your camera anyway please use either of the guides below.

NB: When you reset a camera it will reset it to factory defaults (and will lose the WiFi details you currently have set) so you should only perform a reset while your camera is connected to your router with an ethernet cable.

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There are two ways to reset the camera: physically by pressing the hardware reset button or digitally via the camera’s web interface….

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Physical reset procedure

1) Remove all cables connected to the camera.
2) Remove any SD card from the camera.
3) Wait 10 mins.
4) Connect the Ethernet cable to the camera and your router, you should hear a click when the cable is connected.

5) Wait 2 mins.
6) Connect the power cable to the camera.
7) Wait 5 mins for the camera to power up.
8) Locate the camera’s reset button or recess.
For the outdoor camera this will be a button on the underneath of the camera or on the end of a cable.
For the indoor camera this will be a recess on the back of the camera that can be pressed with a paper-clip or similar.
9) Press and hold for 20 seconds and release.
10) Wait 5 mins for the camera to reset ensuring it remains connected to your router with the Ethernet cable throughout.

Then once the camera is reset can you log in to the camera interface using the default username and password which is “admin”

Digital reset procedure

1) Remove all cables connected to the camera.
2) Remove any SD card from the camera.
3) Wait 10 mins.
4) Connect the Ethernet cable to the camera and your router, you should hear a click when the cable is connected.
5) Wait 2 mins.
6) Connect the power cable to the camera.
7) Wait 5 mins for the camera to power up.

8) log in to the camera interface on a PC, see the guide here on how to do this.

9) Go to Setting, Tools, Backup or Reset.
10) Click on Reset, then when it appears click on Reboot.
10) Wait 5 mins for the camera to power up fully, ensuring it remains connected to your router with the Ethernet cable throughout.

Then once the camera is reset can you log in to the camera interface using the default username and password which is admin (in lower case) for both.

As the camera has been reset it will be at the factory defaults once again, so you will need to setup your camera again with the WiFi details, etc. as if from new. You’ll find the details here: http://ucam247.helpsite.io/categories/3646-camera-setup

Forgotten your password or getting a wrong password message?

If a password has been forgotten unfortunately there is no way to recover these as this would compromise the camera security.

The default username and password for the camera will be “admin” e.g.:

Username:     admin
Password:      admin

We recommend trying these first to see if they allow you to login. 

These must be entered all in lowercase and should be double checked as some devices such as iPhones/iPads will set the first letter to uppercase automatically.

When changing the password this should be in alphanumeric characters (i.e. a,b,c… 1,2,3…) only with no special characters or spaces.

If the default password has been changed you cannot recall what you set it to you will need to reset the camera to the factory defaults to regain access. 

NB: When you reset a camera it will reset it to factory defaults (and will lose the WiFi details you currently have set) so you should only perform a reset while your camera is connected to your router with an ethernet cable.

To do this can you:

1) Remove all cables connected to the camera.
2) Remove any SD card from the camera.
3) Wait 10 mins.
4) Connect the ethernet cable to the camera and your router, you should hear a click when the cable is connected.
5) Wait 2 mins.
6) Connect the power cable to the camera.
7) Wait 5 mins for the camera to power up.
8) Locate the camera’s reset button or recess.

For the outdoor camera this will be a button on the underneath of the camera or on the end of a cable.
For the indoor camera this will be a recess on the back of the camera that can be pressed with a paperclip or similar.

9) Press and hold for 20 seconds and release.
10) Wait 5 mins for the camera to reset ensuring it remains connected to your router with the ethernet cable throughout.

Then once the camera is reset can you log in to the camera interface using the default username and password which is “admin”

As the camera has been reset it will be at the factory defaults once again, so you will need to setup your camera again with the WiFi details, etc. as if from new.

To do this take a look at the setup guides in the section below.

Camera is rebooting often

Do you find the camera does not remain online for any length of time? If so this is usually a setup or a hardware error, typically with the SD card or the recording setup. Please take a look at the troubleshooting guides below to help resolve your issues.

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SD card not working.

Too many tasks enabled.

Issues with power supply, outdoor cameras.

Cannot view the video from the app.

If you are having trouble viewing video in the app it is likely due to one of the issues listed below. 

Poor Wifi connectivity

p2p disabled

Privacy mode enabled blocking access to the live feed.

Live feed or playback is jerky and not smooth

The first thing to check will be that the camera has a strong WiFi connection. This can be checked in the app by going to Edit Camera, Advanced Setting, WiFi Setting and should be at least 50-60%. A poor WiFi signal can cause the playback of the live feed to be poor. Click here for advice if the WiFi signal strength is poor.

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If the WiFi connection is strong, the next thing to check will be that the stream setup is set appropriately for your network. The defaults for this are below and can be found by logging in to the camera’s web interface and going to Setting, Camera, Stream Setup.

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The H.264 bitrate should be left at the default of 1536, raising this can cause the camera to send more data than your router can cope with causing a jerky live stream.

The MJPEG stream should not be set higher than the default of 50. This is an uncompressed stream that is used for the cameras motion detection, not for recording or streaming, raising this can cause issues with the streaming as it puts a high load on the camera.

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You should also check that you do not have too many tasks enabled, conflicting tasks can cause issues with the camera’s ability to stream well. You should only have one of task 7, 8, 9 or 10 enabled at any one time. For more information on setting up the task management page click here.

NVR IP address keeps changing.

You have setup and NVR with a camera successfully however it stops recording after a short time.

This may be due to your router assigning the NVR a new IP address very often. In this case the best way to prevent this from changing and your details in the Storage Setup page becoming incorrect is by setting the NVR to a static IP address.

To do this please take a look at our setup guide for Setting the NVR to a Static IP address.

Having Trouble With WiFi setup?

Does your WiFi use older WEP Encryption? If so click here

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Not getting a wireless connection where you have placed your camera? Click Here for more information.

I’ve wanted to make this list for a while, and hopefully it will help answer some simple questions or guide newcomers on their IP video quest. Feel free to add, change, or refine this!

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Most Popular Camera Manufactures (on this forum):

ACTi (http://www.acti.com) – Midrange camera – good price – free software.

Avtech (http://www.avtech.com.tw) – Has good ‘push’ support for events to mobile devices.

Avigilon (http://www.avigilon.com) – Similar to Axis cost – must buy through dealer – good software/support.

Axis (http://www.axis.com) – Popular choice – higher end cameras get expensive – easy to find online for sale – free + paid software options.

Dahua (http://www.dahuasecurity.com‎) – Re-branded as Q-See – low price – difficult to find updates/support.

Geovision (http://www.geovision.com.tw‎) – Midrange – have some LPR cameras.

Grandstream (http://www.grandstream.com) – Low cost – have some unique features.

Hikvision (http://www.hikvision.com‎) – Becoming more popular – re-branded as Lorex/Swann systems from Costco.

IQinVision (http://www.iqeye.com) Midrange pricing.

Mobotix (http://www.mobotix.com) – Cameras made in Germany – reliable but expensive – no moving parts to fail in their cameras.

Vivotek (http://www.vivotek.com) – Midrange pricing.

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Other Camera Manufactures:

Arecont (http://www.arecontvision.com/‎)

Brickcom (http://www.brickcom.com/)

Bosch (http://www.boschsecurity.us/en-us/ProductInformation/Cameras/NetworkCameras/)

Canon (http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/security_video_solutions/network_cameras)

GE (Unknown Website Address)

Honeywell (http://www.honeywellvideo.com/products/cameras/ip/index.html)

JVC (http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/category.jsp?productId=PRO5.2)

Panasonic (http://www.panasonic.com/business/psna/products-surveillance-monitoring/index.aspx)

Pelco (http://www.pelco.com/sites/global/en/home.page)

Samsung (https://www.samsung-security.com/)

Sony (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/mkt-security/)

Toshiba (http://www.toshibasecurity.com/)

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IR Illuminators:

Raytec (http://www.rayteccctv.com/)

Axton (http://www.axtontech.com/)

Iluminar (http://www.iluminarinc.com/)

+Other Generic Brands

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Accessories:

PoE Switch (Unmanaged, or Managed which allows remote powering on/off of specific ports) (TRENDnet, Netgear, D-Link, Cisco, Axis, etc.)

Ethernet Cable (Regular/Burial Grade)

Lenses (C/CS/S/D Mounts)

IR Illuminators (Discussed Above)

Enclosures (Pelco, Videolarm, Axis, Generic Brand, etc.)

PIR Sensor (Optex, Bosch, etc)

UPS Battery Backup System

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Popular Places To Buy:

[Redacted – do a search on the forum for general ideas ]

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Video Recording Software:

ACTi VMS (Free) – Only supports ACTi Cameras.

Avigilon (Per channel: Core ~$100, Standard ~$200, Enterprise ~$350) – Purchase through authorized dealers.

Axis Camera Companion (Free) – Only supports certain (newer) Axis Cameras. 16 cameras max.

Axis Camera Station (~$90/license)

Axxon Next (Free for 16 channels) (http://www.axxonsoft.com/products/axxon_next/)

BlueIris ($29.95 – $49.95) (http://blueirissoftware.com/) – Supports a large variety of network cameras.

exacqVision ($50 – $150/license + $25 yearly for optional updates)

Genetec (Expensive)

Geovision (Free)

Luxriot ($99 – $1000+)

Milestone XProtect (Free – $1000+)

Mobotix Control Center (Free) – Supports other cameras for viewing. May be able to record with MXServer.

OnSSI (Unknown)

Vitamin D (Free/$49/$199) (http://www.vitamindinc.com/index.php) – PC + Mac Compatible

Zoneminder (Free) – Open source Linux software.

…Etc, Most Manufactures Provide Their Own Software.

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Network Video Recorders (NVR’s)/NAS Stations:

Synology (1 License Included – ~$50 /per additional license)

Dahua

QNAP

Luxriot

NUUO

Hikvision

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iPhone Viewing Apps:

Netcam Viewer (Free/$5.99) (http://bit.ly/18UfXMs)

Live Cams Pro ($1.99) (http://bit.ly/19RAleQ)

QCamPro ($7.99) (http://bit.ly/14iCWxR)

Official Mobotix (Free) (http://bit.ly/15XNtmo)

IP Cam Viewer Pro ($3.99) (http://bit.ly/10QAwYn)

Dahua iDMSS Lite (Free) (http://bit.ly/110ZjmV)

Dahua iDMSS Plus ($4.99) (http://bit.ly/12FyWpw)

+Specific Manufacturer’s Apps (Q-See, Hikvision, etc) (Search Manually) – Typically better integrated then 3rd party apps.

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Android Viewing Apps:

IP Cam Viewer Pro ($3.99) (http://bit.ly/TG6OyB)

Dahua gDMSS Lite (Free) (http://bit.ly/12zjvAs)

Dahua gDMSS Plus ($5.00) (http://bit.ly/12FzfAA)

+Specific Manufacturer’s Apps (Q-See, Hikvision, etc) (Search Manually) – Typically better integrated then 3rd party apps.

The Ultimate IP Camera Guide v3.

Review Sites/Sample Videos:

Network Camera Critic (http://www.networkcameracritic.com/)

Mateusz CCTVnerd (http://www.youtube.com/user/mateuszfen)

Megapixel Cameras – Images and Demos (viewtopic.php?f=19&t=11322)

Plazor (http://www.plazor.com)

Axis YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/AxisCommunications)

Avigilon YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/Avigilon)

MXInstaller (http://www.mxinstaller.com/)

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Companies That Rebrand/Resell:

Swann (Rebrands Hikvision Equipment)

Lorex (Rebrands Hikvision Equipment)

Q-See (Rebrands Dahua Equipment)

Toshiba (Appears To Rebrand Vivotek)

Cisco (Sometimes Rebrands Pelco)

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Other Helpful Links:

CCTV Lens Calculator (http://www.jvsg.com/online/#)

Identification And Recognition Guide (http://www.axis.com/academy/identification/index.htm) – Make sure you have the correct resolution for your application.

Security Today – IP Cameras (http://security-today.com/directory/list/ip-video.aspx)

CCTV Frame Rates Comparison (

) – Recordings don’t necessarily have to be 30fps for desired results.

IP Video 101 Training (http://ipvm.com/report/ip_video_training_course_101)

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Live Demo Cameras:

Mobotix Cameras (http://www.mobotix.ro/live-ro-p-3.html) or (http://comsurv.com/live-video-cameras/)

Axis Cameras (http://www.axis.com/camerademo/) or (http://ipcameralive.com/)

Mixture (http://camelive.info)

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Terminology:

CBR: “Constant bit rate [encoding] means that the rate at which a codec’s output data should be consumed is constant.” (i.e. the amount of data flowing from camera to user/nvr is always constant – even during movement or lack thereof. [See also VBR])

DSD: (http://www.dsdcctv.com/)

DVR: “a consumer electronics device or application software that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other local or networked mass storage device.”

Edge Recording: “The concept of taking audio/video from a camera, and storing it at the edge of the Ethernet network instead of transporting it across the network to a centralized recording facility such as a Network Video Recorder.” (Most cameras have this ability now.)

IR/IR Illuminator: LED’s (often a separate device) which provide illumination for cameras in near to total darkness. The light produced cannot be seen by the human eye. The camera must be sensitive to IR for this to be useful (some cameras have ‘fixed’ IR cut filters). ‘White light’ illuminators are also available. These produce light visible to the human eye and to a camera with or without an IR cut filter.

LPR/ANPR/AVI/CPR/LAPI: “A mass surveillance method that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates.”

NAS: Basically a box filled with hard drives for storage of data. Some cameras have the ability to record directly to these networked boxes without the need for an always on or dedicated computer.

NVR: “A software program that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other mass storage device.”

ONVIF: “Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) is a global and open industry forum with the goal to facilitate the development and use of a global open standard for the interface of physical IP-based security products.”

PIR: Passive Infrared “is an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view. They are most often used in PIR-based motion detectors.”

PoE: “A system to safely pass electrical power, along with data, on Ethernet cabling.”

UPS: “uninterruptible power supply…is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source, typically mains power, fails.”

VBR: “Variable bit rate files vary the amount of output data per time segment.” (i.e. Less data during still scenes, more data during high movement periods.)

WDR: “‘Wide dynamic range’ describes an attribute of an imaging system which can capture greater scene details from shadows to highlights than normal.”

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Commonly Asked Questions:

Q: “Which brand or manufacturer should I buy?”

A: Each brand has its strengths and weakness, whether it be price, size, low light capabilities, resolution, frame rate, support, software, compatibility, etc. There really isn’t one magical brand or camera. Each security scenario is different and requires a unique solution.

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Q: “Where can I buy an IP HD PTZ Outdoor Camera for $200?”

A: Probably not going to happen. PTZ cameras are expensive because of all the motors, belts, gears, and such. Perhaps instead consider using several fixed multi-megapixel HD cameras instead for coverage.

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Q: “How do I embed/add video from a camera to a website?”

A: See: http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1290 or http://bit.ly/10rC8WV

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Q: “How do I view my cameras on my TV/Monitor?

A: Consider using an Android powered HDMI dongle. These mini computers are powerful and compact enough to be attached to a TV or monitor for camera viewing using an Android app. Also see: http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=1049

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Q: “Should I buy a Foscam?”

A: These cameras are not typically discussed here because of their poor reliability and feature set. They are often cloned and copied making firmware updates and support hard to come by. So in short, probably not. However if you are just starting with IP cameras, many members have since upgraded from these over time to bigger and better.

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Q: “How do I view my camera(s) from the internet?”

A: You need to setup your router for port forwarding. Here are several guides to assist you. See: http://www.networkcameracritic.com/?p=124 or http://bit.ly/184DTvf

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Q: “What shutter speed should I use during low light/night?”

A: “Typically 1/30 of a second is as low as you would want to have it set. Any longer and moving objects will be blurry making the footage less then useful.

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Q: “Should I use a wireless camera for my application?”

A: Wifi signals, especially at long distances, can drop or become unreliable. They also become targets of hacking “resulting in free access to your personal cameras (EXTREMLY DANGEROUS) or blocked cameras, ones that will not record anything.” It is best to use a hardwired connection via cable for installations. PoE installation can supply signal and power over one cable for easy installation. If a cable is not an option consider using a dedicated wifi access point, like the type made by Ubiquiti Networks.

Technical Guide to IP Cameras– Overview, Types, Applications

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An IP camera (Internet Protocol Camera) is a type of security camera that receives video data and sends video footage via an IP network. It is also known as network camera or IP security camera, often used as remote monitoring and management tools in many sectors and environments to protect the property or monitor home, business, or public security. Connected with other devices such as network video recorders and displays via a network, IP cameras allow you to monitor specific areas from any remote location, bringing much convenience to our daily lives.

How Does An IP Camera Work?

IP cameras work the same way as digital cameras to capture high-quality images. What sets them apart is the capability of IP cameras to compress those files and automatically transmit them to a network video recorder (NVR) via a network. Usually, IP cameras are connected to the network via ethernet cable with a broadband modem or router, or wirelessly via a Wi-Fi router.

In a building that has already been equipped with a network, all you have to do is to connect the IP surveillance cameras and other devices into your network system, just the same way that you would do when you connect your laptop or cell phone to your Wi-Fi.

After everything is well connected, the cameras can start working, capturing and sending video footage to the network video recorder.

Four Common Types of IP Camera

There are various video surveillance solutions, in which many different types of security cameras are adopted. Among those surveillance cameras, there are four most commonly used ones, dome cameras, bullet cameras, and turret cameras. Knowing more about the differences among dome vs bullet vs turret vs fisheye cameras will help you find out the one that fits you most.

Four Important Specifications of IP Cameras

When looking for a security camera, not only should you decide on the type of it, but also you need to notice that the specifications can make a huge difference. There are four of the most essential specifications.

Resolution

The resolution of IP cameras is the total number of pixels that make up an image, which is usually measured by the width and height of the image. The most common resolutions of security cameras are 720p, 1080p, 5MP, 4K and 8MP. Usually, higher resolutions mean that there are more pixels per inch (PPI), resulting in a high-quality, crisp image.

Field of View

The lens of an IP camera allows you to frame an area that you want to spot. Different lens systems come with different fields of view, which determines how wide an area you can see. A wider field of view will allow the camera to spot a larger area. Typically, for a large parking lot and a small room, you will need lenses with different viewing angles.

Focal Length

The focal length of a lens, which is measured in “mm”, determines the angle of view and how far the camera can see. There are two types of lens, fixed lens and varifocal lens. The most common fixed focal length is 3.6mm, which leads to a 90° view angle and a distance of 20 feet. There is also 8mm lens with a 40° view angle and identification distance of 40 feet. For varifocal lenses, the most common ones are 2.8-12mm lenses.

At 2.8mm you get around 100° view angle, with only around 10-feet identification distance. At 12mm you will achieve around a 30° angle of view and identification at around 50 feet. The wider the focal length, the further away it can focus and the narrower the field of view.

Low Light Sensitivity

Low-light sensitivity, usually measured in Lux(lx), refers to the ability of a camera to provide high-quality images even in low-light conditions by presenting details and reducing noise in the output images. There are few factors contributing to the low light performance of a camera, including pixel size, signal-to-noise ratio, lens aperture, etc. A lower Lux has the ability to present high-quality images in darker areas. For example, cameras with 100-1,000lx are applied to record under work-space light, while cameras with 0.0001lx are usually adopted for moonless nights or overcast nights.

Most Popular IP Camera Applications

Home Use

For those looking for tools to get close with their families, monitor family security or protect family property, IP cameras are always a go-for item. Many homeowners equip their families with a video surveillance system to make themselves and their families feel safer.

The IP cameras installed in home security systems have been used to serve a number of purposes. For example, they can be installed near the front door to capture the image of each one who steps into or sneaks around the house, or installed in the backyard to catch a view of their families’ happy moments, or installed inside the room, to make sure their baby is being well taken care of, etc.

Business Use

Commercial security cameras are often used in business buildings, supermarkets, shops, restaurants, etc. For business owners, security cameras can not only protect their property to ensure normal operations and prevent criminal acts with real-time monitoring, but also can keep them connected with daily operations and employee safety.

Outdoor perimeter security can also be maintained with video surveillance solutions to monitor the surroundings. Compared to traditional systems, commercial IP video surveillance systems offer greater reliability and security with built-in encryption, data compression, network connection, and cybersecurity measures.

Public Safety

Surveillance cameras play an important role in managing public rules, protecting public safety and property. It’s not difficult to find that there are plenty of monitoring cameras along the traffic roads, parking lots and around the governments or hospitals. Moreover, there are lots of public areas deployed with security cameras, including schools, parks, communities, neighborhoods, etc.

Conclusion

IP cameras have become a dispensable part of home, business or public surveillance systems. With the proper video management software, the video recorded by IP cameras can be viewed from anywhere worldwide via the network, whether using a laptop or a mobile phone. In many cases, IP cameras can also be controlled remotely, adding much convenience to our lives.

There are various types of security cameras that are designed for specific applications, and that’s why you need to take several factors into consideration when purchasing IP cameras for your security system. Before the next step, it would be better to figure out your budget and your requirements first.

Guide to Understanding IP Cameras

Welcome to a venture into the captivating digital world of Internet Protocol (IP) cameras. Whether you’re considering investing in this game-changing technology or you’re simply eager to boost your tech acumen, we’ve got your covered. Untangling complex technical jargon and translating it into simple language, this blog post will chart your course through the depths of understanding IP cameras.

What is an IP Camera?

An IP camera , also known as a network camera, is a digital video tool that sends and receives data via the internet. Unlike its analogue predecessor, the CCTV (Closed Circuit TV), it offers the functionality to view live or recorded footage from anywhere, anytime using a web-based platform or mobile application. Think of IP camera as the digital evolution.

Advantages of the IP Camera

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Understanding IP Camera Operation

Let’s dive deeper into how these fantastic little devices work.

Capturing Images

The essence of an IP security camera is in its lens, sensor, and processor. The lens focuses on the light emanating from the surroundings, which then hits a digital sensor. This sensor transforms the received light into an electronic signal that the processor can turn into a digital video stream.

Sending Images

The key difference between an IP camera and previous systems lies in its ingenious use of the Internet Protocol. Instead of sending unprocessed data to a recorder, IP cameras encode and process the signal on the device before transmitting it to be stored or viewed over the network. This reduces the workload for the recorder, enhancing the system’s efficiency.

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Most Popular Types of IP Cameras

Not all IP cameras are created equal, of course. Different styles suit different needs. Here’s a quick classification of the most commonly used types:

Bullet Cameras

These are named for their cylindrical shape, resembling a bullet. Bullet cameras are great for monitoring both wide focused areas such as entrances or small rooms.

Dome Cameras

Identified by their dome shape, these cameras provide a wider viewing angle ideal for bigger spaces like living rooms or stores.  Some come with adjustable lenses to hone in on important areas.

PTZ Cameras

PTZ stands for Pan-Tilt-Zoom. A PTZ IP camera provides the functionality to remotely control the movement and zoom of the camera, making it perfect for large, open spaces.

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IP Camera Installation: Tips and Tricks

Installing an IP camera isn’t rocket science. Here are some friendly tips to ensure you obtain the best surveillance results:

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Securing Your IP Camera

In an increasingly digital world, security is paramount. Here are a few guidelines to secure your IP camera system:

Change the Default Password

On purchase, devices often come with generic login credentials. It’s essential to change these immediately to a unique and complex password.

Regular Firmware Updates

Stay up-to-date with the latest firmware version provided by the manufacturer. This ensures your device is protected from any known loopholes.

Effective Network Security

Ensure your home or business network security is robust. Use established security measures such as firewalls and secure Wi-Fi protocols.

The captivating world of IP cameras offers the potential for superior surveillance solutions. The charm of hands-on control combined with the convenience of remote access can revolutionize how we approach security. Yet, it is crucial to remember that with great power comes great responsibility. In this digital age, securing our devices should always be a priority. Embrace the technology but don’t forget to keep it secure. Welcome to the future of surveillance.

editor’s note: The application supports many brands and models. The main models are included in the article. We explained our guide through the Amcrest system.

Blue Iris User Manual

To download a full user manual for Blue Iris 5, click on the link provided below.

Blue Iris 5 User Manual

How To Upgrade Blue Iris Demo Software With An Amcrest License Without Losing Settings

If you are currently using a demo version of the Amcrest Blue Iris software upgrading your account will not reset your settings. All settings will be retained on the software after the upgrade is complete. For more information on how to upgrade your demo version of Blue Iris to paid version, please follow the steps provided below.

Step 1: Open your Blue Iris software and click on the Settings option (  ) in the upper left corner of the interface and click on Settings/info.

Step 2: In the About tab, click on the Register now option.

Step 3: In the Activation screen, click Next

Step 4: Enter the Amcrest license number or key you have purchased into the activation box. Click Next to continue.

Step 5: Click Finish once the code has been activated.

Step 5: The new license key has now been applied to your Blue Iris software. The information can be viewed in the License Key section of the menu. Click OK to continue.

The “Evaluation Copy” overlay will be removed from the live view screen and your previous settings will be accessible throughout the software.

Blue Iris 5 Compatibility

To install the Blue Iris 5 software onto your computer, go to the Blue Iris website and download the installation file .

Minimum Requirements

Recommendations When Using Many and/or HD Cameras

Compatible with the Following Brands:

Amcrest, 4XEM, ACTT, Airlink101, AIRLive, Allnet, Apexis, Arecont, Astak, AVTech, Avlosys, Axis, Bosch, Canon, Cisco, Coolcam, Dericam, Di4-Lan, DLink, EasyN, Edimax, Evocam, Foscam, Gadspot, Ganz, Gandstream, Hawking, HIKVision, HooToo, Intellinet, JVC, Linksys, Logitech, Lorex, Microseven, Mobotix, Panasonic, Pelco, Planet, Sanyo, Sharx, Siemens, Sony, Stardot, Swann, Toshiba, Tenvis, TO-LINK, Trendnet, Vivotel, Wansview, Y-Cam, Zavio, Zonet and many more.

For more information on how to install the Blue Iris 5 software, click here.

Blue Iris UI3 update Issue

If you are attempting to update to a new version of the Blue Iris software and receive an error such as:

this is not a result of a bug or issue with the software itself but is a result of an update made to Visual Studio C++ compiler which is the software used to build Blue Iris. To resolve the issue, a simple reinstall of the software will fix the problem, however, if you wish to resolve the issue without reinstalling the software, please refer to the information below.

A resolution will be based on the which version of Windows you are running. For instance, if you are operating on a 64-bit version of Windows you will need to search and run the VCREDIST_X64.exe to resolve the issue. If you have a 32 bit system you will run the VCREDIST_X32.exe.

If this file is not found on your computer you may run it from the following URL blueirissoftware.com/VCREDIST_X64.exe (or VCREDIST_X32.exe for 32 bit).

Step 1: Load the VCREDIST .exe file and click Run

Step 2: Click on Install.

Step 3: A restart of your computer will be required to complete the install. Click on Restart to restart your computer.

After your computer has finished restarting please load the Blue Iris software and run the update as normal. If this does not fix the issue a full re-install of the software may be required. To re-install the Blue Iris software on your computer, access the Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a program”.

Locate the Blue Iris Software from the Programs and Features list and click Uninstall. Select “Yes” to remove Blue Iris from your computer. For more information on how to install Blue Iris on your computer click

Note: It is recommended to not delete any registry entries or license activations during this process.

Click Finish, to restart your computer and complete the uninstall.

For more information on how to install the Blue Iris software on your computer, click here.

Blue Iris Not Automatically Starting up After a Crash?

If your Blue Iris software crashes or becomes unresponsive and the software does not restart automatically with its last settings displayed then the software may need to be ran as a Windows service. By default, Blue Iris 5 is not set to run as a Windows service so therefore would have to be implemented manually. For more information on how to set Blue Iris as a Windows service, refer to the information provided below.

Step 1: Open Blue Iris 5 and click on the settings menu located in the upper left corner of the screen.

Step 2: In the Settings menu, click on the Startup tab.

Inside the Startup tab, make sure the “Use last window position” option is selected in the Window field then click on the “Run as a Windows service (no UI, run again for console)” checkbox. This will enable your software to run as a Windows service. Click OK to continue.

Step 3: The service will install automatically. Click OK to reboot or restart the Blue Iris software.

The software is now running as a Windows service which allows the software to reboot with last settings in tact after a crash or service interruption.

How to Add a Camera Into Blue Iris

The camera and the computer you are using must be on the same network during setup. Please make sure you are running the most current version of Blue Iris during setup. The latest version of Blue Iris can be downloaded here.

There are 2 ways to add a camera into Blue Iris. You can right click on the main menu, or click on the settings menu (  )in the top-left corner of the interface.

Adding a Camera

To begin, right-click on the main interface or click on the settings menu () to access the “New camera” menu.

In the new camera menu, give your camera a name, a short name (for URLs and filenames), choose a type, which in this case will be a Network IP, and enable any options such as, enabling audio, motion detection, etc. Click OK to continue.

This will open two windows. The top window will be Network IP Camera Configuration. Enter the address of your camera (IP Domain or DDNS as well as RTSP address) and click on the Find/Inspect… button on the right to confirm. Enter the username and password, select the make as Amcrest, select the model of your device (ProHD and HDseries cameras as “ProHD 1080p RTSP/HTTP”), and specify the RTSP and ONVIF ports.

Note: If you choose the other option profile, “ProHD/IP2/3/4/4M Mainstream RTSP” features such as PTZ or other related features may not be accessible. Please use ProHD 1080P RTSP/HTTP in the Model field.

After filling in the information required, click OK. The second window will appear titled New Camera. Here you can make many adjustments to the way you want Blue Iris to configure your camera.

The page is defaulted to the Video tab. The options available for adjustment are Image Format and Frame Rate, PTZ Controls, Recording through Blue Iris, Alerts through Blue Iris, and other features. Once you have finished adjusting any necessary settings, click on OK to add the camera. The live view screen of your camera will show in the interface.

How to Renew a Key in Blue Iris 5

Any expired keys in the Blue Iris 5 software will cause the software not to work with any connected cameras and may cause them to be inaccessible. Keys in the Blue Iris software provide up to one year of service from the initial start date of your license and will need to be renewed before they expire.

Note: Please ensure you are using the most up to date version of Blue Iris. To download the most up to date version of Blue Iris, click here.

For more information on how to renew your Blue Iris key, please refer to the steps provided below.

Step 1: Click on the settings menu (  ) located in the top-left corner of the interface and select “Settings”.

Step 2: In the bottom left corner of the Blue Iris Settings menu, click on the Upgrade/renew button to renew the key for your license.

Note: The new expiration date will be displayed in the menu and will be good for one year of the initial start date.

When you have purchased or renewed your account you will receive a new code in your email. Once the new key provided is entered into the Activation menu, press the “OK” button.

How To Install Blue Iris 5

To install the Blue Iris 5 software onto your computer, go to the Blue Iris website and download the installation file .

Minimum Requirements

Recommendations When Using Many and/or HD Cameras

Compatible with the Following Brands:

Amcrest, 4XEM, ACTT, Airlink101, AIRLive, Allnet, Apexis, Arecont, Astak, AVTech, Avlosys, Axis, Bosch, Canon, Cisco, Coolcam, Dericam, Di4-Lan, DLink, EasyN, Edimax, Evocam, Foscam, Gadspot, Ganz, Gandstream, Hawking, HIKVision, HooToo, Intellinet, JVC, Linksys, Logitech, Lorex, Microseven, Mobotix, Panasonic, Pelco, Planet, Sanyo, Sharx, Siemens, Sony, Stardot, Swann, Toshiba, Tenvis, TO-LINK, Trendnet, Vivotel, Wansview, Y-Cam, Zavio, Zonet and many more.

Follow the on screen instructions to install the software. You can use the demo version or purchase a license. There is are options for a fill license (up to 64 cameras) for $69.95 or a Lite license for a single camera for $34.95.

Note:  Any Blue Iris keys that have expired support have to be renewed or upgraded for it to work in Blue Iris version 5. Additionally, if you are upgrading from version 4, please allow access and remove version 4 from your system. Please say NO to deleting any of your settings. Settings are automatically backed up to C:\Program Files\Blue Iris5\backup_upgrade_50.reg. Click OK to continue.

Now that you have your software installed, it’s time to start adding your cameras. Ensure that you have already installed your cameras and they are working correctly in a web browser. For more information on how to access your camera in a web browser (web UI), click here

If you have any PTZ cameras, go ahead and set the presets, if any, now through the web interface before adding them to Blue Iris. The Blue Iris interface is shown below:

For more information about adding a camera into the Blue Iris software click here

How to Enable Two Way Audio Using Blue Iris

If your camera supports two-way audio and you are using it in Blue Iris, two-way audio can be configured directly in the software. Please make sure a compatible microphone is set up and configured on your computer before enabling it in Blue Iris. For more information on how to enable two-way audio using Blue Iris please refer to the information provided below.

Step 1: Log into Blue Iris and access the device.

Step 2: Click on the Blue Iris software settings icon.

Step 3: Click on the Audio tab and enable the Enable audio capture hardware option.

Note: Make sure the proper microphone is selected in the Device dropdown menu.  Use the Gain slider to adjust and test the microphone audio.

Step 4: Select the proper output device for your computer in the Output (Device) dropdown menu and click OK.

Step 5: On the main interface click the speaker option to hear the audio from the device. Then click and hold the microphone icon and speak into the microphone.

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The device is ideal for space-constrained environments due to its compact design while its web-based interface makes it easy to configure and manage. The Senstar A10D Thin Client™ is a secure, reliable, and cost-effective PC alternative designed to display 720p or 1080p video from network video quickly and easily. The device can be controlled via the web, or through the convenience of your smartphone.

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Supported Touch Screen Monitors for Thin Client 2.0.1

AG Neovo – http://ca.agneovo.com/

iiyama ProLite – http://www.iiyama.com/us_en/products/prolite-t1731sr-1/

For more information, see the Release Notes in the downloads page: https://xnet.senstar.com/Xnet/Downloads/ThinClientUpdate.aspx

Senstar A10D Thin Client Firmware Upgrade

The following article outlines how to check for firmware updates through Thin Client.

Optionally, you can manually download the firmware upgrade from here and then click Upgrade from the Maintenance section, as shown in step 2.

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onnect to Thin Client using SSH

Enable SSH in Thin Client

SSH is disabled by default and any time a factory restore is performed.

1. Open a web browser and enter http://thinclientIP/EnableSSH. Recommended browsers include: Mirosoft® Internet Explorer, Mozilla®, Firefox®, and Google Chrome™.

2. The message “SSH Successfully enabled” appears.

3. If you are using Linux go to command–line and enter ssh <username>@<IP address>. For example, ssh root@10.234.1.10. When prompted enter the password.

4. If you are using Windows® ensure a version of PuTTY is downloaded.

When you are done, you should consider disabling SSH. The link to disable SSH is http://thinclientIP/DisableSSH.

Cannot connect to ONVIF-compliant camera because no ONVIF stream available

Issue

Network cameras/encoders supporting ONVIF do not offer a way to set up an ONVIF stream/profile necessary for making an ONVIF connection from the Thin Client to the ONVIF-compliant device.

Solution

If the camera manufacturer does not provide a method for setting up ONVIF streaming profiles, use a third-party tool to do so. One such open source tool is the ONVIF Device Manager: http://sourceforge.net/projects/onvifdm/

Senstar Thin Client User Guide 2024

Read Also : Verkada Viewing Station setup and user guide

Device cannot connect to Video Source

Issue

The Thin Client cannot connect to Mobile Bridge, and you see an Invalid Video Source error when setting up or re-configuring the device as follows: “Unable to connect to video source. Please verify server address and credentials and try again.”

Solutions

All Thin Client Articles

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Camera views contain blank camera panels

Issue

Thin Client camera views contain one or more blank camera panels on the web interface and/or the HDMI output monitor.

Solution

The Thin Client can decode up to 1920×1080 at 30 FPS in H.264, MJPEG, or MPEG4. Ensure you have at least one (1) camera stream configured at this resolution or lower.

Note: Camera streams above 1920×1080 resolution cannot be decoded to the camera.

The Thin Client device automatically selects an appropriate video stream based on the resolution of the panel the video is being rendered in. Thin Client will select the stream with a resolution that most closely matches the panel’s resolution without exceeding it.

Therefore, it is recommended to have one (1) stream at 1920×1080 and another stream at 800×450 as the Thin Client will select the best stream automatically based on the camera view layout selected.

Cisco 2960-X and Catalyst SG300 switch with Thin Client

Issue

Thin Client is not connecting to cameras, not displaying cameras, not working properly on the network.

Reason

The network port is ‘flapping’ that is, going up and down constantly and so the Thin Client cannot connect.

Source of Problem: Cisco Switches

The EEE (Energy-Efficient Ethernet) feature on the switch is the source of the issue. See Cisco bug report here:

https://quickview.cloudapps.cisco.com/quickview/bug/CSCus35889

Resolution

Disable the EEE feature on the switch. This resolves the issue with the Thin Client.

Edges of the Displayed Image are Cropped

Symptoms:

The edges of the displayed video images are cropped.

Probable Cause:

It is likely that overscan is enabled on the displays being used. Overscan is the term used to describe the situation when not all of an image is present on a viewing screen. By default most TVs and monitors are set to use overscan to compensate for potential artifacts at the edge of the screen from the incoming signal.

Solution:

Turn off overscan on all the displays being used. The procedure for this varies depending on the product; therefore, consult the documentation for your particular model for complete instructions.

Device does not power on

Issue

When you attempt to power on the Thin Client by plugging it in to a PoE switch, and one or more of the following occurs:

Solutions

HDMI output is not working or is cut off

Issue

The Thin Client is not displaying HDMI output on the monitor.

– or –

HDMI television output is partially cut off.

Solutions

Upgrading from a version older than 1.2.1.515

If you have a Thin Client version older than 1.2.1.515 do NOT update directly to Thin Client 2.01.

You MUST update to 1.2.1.515 first and then to 2.0.1.

The version number is displayed in the top left of the Web interface and in the About section at the top of the Settings page.

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Connection Fails, Unable to Retrieve Live Video: Thin Client 2.1.0 – Mobile Bridge

Example Scenario:

When you connect a Thin Client to a PSA, the Mobile Bridge is installed with default values. The entered IP address is localhost or 127.0.0.1.

Issue:

Thin Client tries to retrieve live video and the connection fails.

Solution:

During Mobile Bridge setup, you must enter a unique IP address when Mobile Bridge is installed on the same machine as the Symphony Server. Do NOT enter 127.0.01 or localhost during the Mobile Bridge setup because the Thin Client will NOT be able to retrieve video via that Mobile Bridge.

Example:

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Cannot Log into Thin Client Using Chinese Characters

Applies to Thin Client v2.0.0 and 2.0.1

Issue:

User tries but fails to log into Thin Client using Chinese characters in username or password.

Solution:

To set up your Thin Client so that users can log into the Thin Client using Chinese characters, you must modify Thin Client settings using the settings.sh script.

Note: To ensure settings are updated, it should print to screen, MBCodepage|936 or MBCodepage|950

If you run Mobile Bridge version 2.1.6 or newer, the code page is printed on start. Search for “Current encoding” in Mobile Bridge log:

Current encoding: xxxxx codepage: yyyyy

Thin Client 2.1.0 – Wrong time displayed in video decoration when connecting to cameras via Mobile Bridge

Issue:

When you connect to cameras via Mobile Bridge and you manually change the time in the Thin Client web interface, the time does NOT change on the video decoration. The time decoration in the video is always the time of the server to which the camera is connected.

Cause:

Thin Client converts the Symphony Server’s Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to local time and displays it in the video decoration. The time decoration therefore is not affected by local system time.

Reason:

This is necessary because of historical video, which must show the converted time from the server.

Important: If the time is changed when connecting directly to the camera, the updated time is displayed in the video decoration.

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2.2.0 Keyboard and Remote Control (CEC) Functions

* Mouse and touch control only.

Note: Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) has different trade names depending on the manufacturer. For example:

Touch Screen Monitor Not Working with Thin Client

Problem:

Touch screen monitor does not work with the Thin Client.

Issue:

The touch screen monitor must be on before powering on the Thin Client.

Resolution:

Ensure your monitor is on and restart the Thin Client.

Add Axis cameras with dewarped panoramic view to Thin Client devices

To see the video from an Axis fisheye camera in a dewarped panoramic view, you must manually add the camera using a direct connection with an RTSP URL.

Stream profile settings:

Thin Clients do not display video when connecting through Mobile Bridge

Symptoms

Thin Clients do not display video when connecting to Symphony using Mobile Bridge.

Probable cause

The Thin Clients are using TLS 1.0 and the Mobile Bridge is using TLS 1.2.

Solution

Configure the Thin Clients to use TLS 1.0.

SNMP settings for Thin Client devices

To connect to a Thin Client device using an SNMP browser, you must use the following settings in addition to the IP address of the Thin Client device.

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This guide explains the setup for each option so that you can determine which one is best suited for your needs and scene.
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How to find the camera’s light settings in its web interface:​

Even if the camera is connected to an NVR, before anything, you will need to log into the camera directly to access the advanced image and light settings to enable the different light modes, as these are not accessible from an NVR.
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By default, your camera will be set to remain in ‘ColourVu only’ mode during low-light, meaning the white light will be constantly on when it is dark and never use its IR. The below sections will show you on how to configure the new ‘Smart Hybrid’ mode, ‘IR only’ mode, and ‘ColorVu only’ mode.
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How do I set my camera to Smart Hybrid mode:​

This mode is utilises both the IR and white LEDs built into your camera. It is useful as it allows you to keep your cameras to stay discreet in IR mode while there is no activity in your scene, and then switch to full colour when a person or vehicle is detected by putting white light on the scene, providing you with all of the additional information a colour image offers while also acting as a deterrent.

Here are the steps to enable this mode:
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How to Configure the Light Settings on Hikvision Cameras

How to Configure the Light Settings on Hikvision CamerasHow to Configure the Light Settings on Hikvision CamerasHow to Configure the Light Settings on Hikvision Cameras.

How do I set my camera to ‘IR only’ mode:​

This mode is recommended if you would like the camera to be as discreet as possible and your scene is dark at night, as the camera will use its IR LEDs all the time at night and then switch back to colour during the day, meaning the white light is never used.
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How do I set my camera to ‘ColorVu only’ mode:​

This is the opposite to IR mode, as the camera will turn on its white light at night and keep it constantly on, meaning that its IR is never used. This mode is ideal if you are not worried about the camera being discreet and prefer a colour picture 24/7.
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How do I set up events and email or push notifications on my Hikvision camera?

Video Analytics, or “VCA events”, are some of the most useful features available on a Hikvision camera. Using these will mean that your footage is analysed in real-time for any activity or abnormalities with your system that you would like to receive an alert for. The different events that are available currently (which ones are available varies which each model of camera) include:

This guide will cover the setup of three of the most popular event options:

Motion Detection – This is one of the first AI options that was introduced and will analyse your footage for any moving object in a specified part of your scene and can alert you as soon as it is detected. As it detects motion in its most basic sense, it uses less of a camera or NVR’s processing power than the other event options, meaning it is always available regardless of your video compression settings.

If you are not using a device with AcuSense then this option will give you the most false-positive alerts, as it offers the fewest ways for filtering out moving objects that you are not interested in, such as object size and the direction or duration of the motion.

Intrusion Detection – This is similar to motion detection in that it will alert you when a moving object is detected within a predefined “intrusion zone”. However, this is better if you want more control over when you are alerted as it will only notify you when a moving object enters the zone, rather than whenever movement occurs within it. This event type also allows you to specify the size of trigger objects, as well as how much of an object enters the zone and for how long before you are alerted.

Line Crossing Detection – This option is particularly useful for various entrances, boundaries, and roads, etc., as it allows you to draw a line in your scene so that you are notified when an object moves across that line. Importantly, you can specify the direction(s) of movement across the line on which you are notified. Like intrusion detection, you also have more control over the size of the trigger object and how much of it must cross the line.
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Note – Before starting, you will need to check that your Default Gateway and DNS Server are correctly set up in your device’s network parameters, as these need to be right in order for you to be sent email notifications. To check these, please see part 2.​

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Section 1: Setting up motion detection​

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Step 1:​

Connect to your device’s web browser interface by browsing for its IP address and log into it. If it is recording to an NVR, then connect to this, as this is where you should set your events from.​

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Step 2:​

Once you’re in, navigate to:​

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Configuration → Event → Basic Event → Motion​

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If you’re using an NVR, select your camera from the “Camera” dropdown.​

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Note – To set one of the other VCA event options, you’ll need to go to “Smart Event” rather than “Basic Event”, where you will be shown a list of tabs with all the other available events on your camera. ​

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Step 3:​

Tick the “Enable Motion Detection” box.​

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Step 4:​

Decide if you want to enable “Dynamic Analysis for Motion”. When this is turned on, green squares will show on anything that triggers motion detection in the camera’s feed, which can help with identifying exactly what has triggered the event.​

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Note – Cameras usually determine what is ‘motion’ in your scene by detecting pixel changes in the image, as a large amount of pixel change usually indicates movement. However, if there is lots of visible noise in your image due to gain control in low light, you will probably see a high number of false alerts on the camera. Using one of the more advanced event types, or the camera’s built-in LEDs to illuminate the scene, will help here. ​

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Step 5:​

Once you’re happy with the view of your scene, click on the hexagon or “Draw Area” button in “Area Settings”, which will allow you to use your mouse to draw the area within which you would like motion detection to be active.​

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On Easy IP 3.0 and earlier cameras, These areas will be indicated by a red grid or polygon that appears when you click on part of the scene.​

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The newer cameras will get you to draw one solid shape for each of your detection areas by left-clicking to set each point of that shape. When you have set all the points that you need, right-clicking will complete the shape and allow you to draw any others that you need.​

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To clear your zones, just click the cross or “Clear All” button.​

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Note – If you are not using an AcuSense camera or NVR, then you should make sure that the edges of your detection zones are not on top of anywhere that is likely to see a lot of movement, shadows, or reflections (e.g. roads, foliage, windows or the sky), to mitigate the number of false triggers. ​

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Step 6:​

If you’re using an EasyIP 4.0 camera, draw any more detection zones that you need by repeating step 5 above.​

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Step 7:​

Adjust the “Sensitivity” bar if you need, which determines how sensitive the detection is to pixel changes. The higher the sensitivity, the more easily motion detection is triggered, meaning you will receive more alerts as a result.​

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A good starting point for the sensitivity is 60, but you will likely need to tweak this yourself over time to identify the optimum setting for your scene.​

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If there is lots of activity in your scene, then avoid setting the sensitivity too high so that you don’t receive lots of false-positive triggers.​

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Note – In the case of Line Crossing and Intrusion Detection, the sensitivity setting refers to the amount of an object that is needed to cross the line, or enter the box that you’ve drawn, before the event is triggered. ​

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Step 8:​

If you’re using AcuSense features, then use the “Detection Target” boxes to specify what you want to trigger the event. You can select both “Human” and “Vehicle” here if you are interested in both.​

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Step 9:​

Click “Save” at this point so that you don’t lose these settings. ​

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You’ll now need to go to the “Arming Schedule” and “Linkage Method” pages to set when you would like the event to be active, and what you would like to happen on triggers.​

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Please refer to sections 4 and 5 below for instructions on how to set these things.​

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Section 2: Setting up line crossing detection​

Step 1:​

In a web browser, go to:​

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Configuration → Event → Smart Event → Line Crossing Detection​

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If you’re using an NVR, select your camera from the dropdown at the top of the page.​

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Step 2:​

Tick the “Enable Line Crossing Detection” box.​

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Step 3:​

Click on the line button or “Draw Area” to draw your line on the video feed – you can move, rotate or resize however you like. ​

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Step 4:​

Set your maximum and minimum target sizes by clicking the size filter buttons, and drawing these on the camera preview.​

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Anything that crosses your line and is smaller than your minimum box, or larger than the maximum box, at the point of the line, will not trigger the event.​

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You should use objects or vehicles in the scene to guide you here. For example, I have set the minimum target size to be slightly smaller than any car that’s near where I’ll draw my line, and the maximum to be slightly larger than a large HGV.​

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Note – It doesn’t matter where boxes are on the feed. Also, these boxes will only be visible on this event page, and will not show up on your footage in the live view or playback pages. ​

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Step 5:​

If you’re using an AcuSense camera or NVR, then specify the “target(s)” that you would like to trigger the event by ticking the box. There is no issue with ticking both “Human” and “Vehicle” here. ​

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Step 6:​

Specify your “Direction”, which refers to the direction from which an object much cross your line to trigger the event. The different options available are explained beneath:​

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A<->B – Any object crossing from either direction will trigger​

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A->B – Any object crossing from side “A” to side “B” will trigger (In this case, from left to right)​

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A<-B – Any object crossing from “B” to “A” will trigger (In this case, from right to left)​

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Step 7:​

Adjust the sensitivity bar to suit your needs. Setting this high will reduce the amount of an object that is needed to cross your line before this is triggered. This will, of course, result in more triggers. As the optimum setting here depends on how busy your scene is, we recommend starting at 60 and then adjusting the bar over time until you find the best results. ​

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Step 8:​

Use the “Line” dropdown to select and draw any more lines, repeating steps 2-8 above.​

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Step 9:​

Click “Save” at this point so that you don’t lose these settings. ​

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You’ll now need to go to the “Arming Schedule” and “Linkage Method” pages to set when you would like the event to be active, and what you would like to happen on triggers.​

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Please refer to sections 4 and 5 below for instructions on how to set these things.​

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Section 3: Setting up intrusion detection​

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Step 1:​

In a web browser, go to:​

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Configuration → Event → Smart Event → Intrusion Detection​

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If connected to an NVR, select your camera from the dropdown at the top of the page.​

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Step 2:​

Tick the “Enable Intrusion Detection” box.​

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Step 3:​

Click on “Draw Area” to draw your intrusion zone (or “Detection Area”) on the video feed, which can be a 3 or 4 sided shape. Left-click on the camera preview to set each of these points. Once your zone is drawn, you can still move each of the points to change the shape to better fit your area of interest.​

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Note – If the edges of your zone are very close to a road, foliage, or anywhere that is likely to see lots of movement, then you will likely see a number of false-positive alerts. This is because any movement on these lines can trigger the event. If you can, you should allow for a bit of a gap between these parts of the scene and your intrusion zone. ​

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Step 4:​

Set your maximum and minimum target sizes by clicking the “Size Filter” buttons, and drawing these on the live camera feed above.​

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Anything that enters your configured intrusion detection zone and is smaller than your “Min” box, or larger than the “Max” box, will not trigger the event.​

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You should use objects or vehicles in the scene to guide you here. For example, I have set the minimum target size to be smaller than the smallest person I’d expect to see in that part of the scene, and the maximum to comfortably cover a very tall person.​

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Note – It doesn’t matter where boxes are on the feed. Also, these boxes will only be visible on this event page, and will not show up on your footage in the live view or playback pages. ​

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Step 5:​

If you’re using an AcuSense camera or NVR, then specify the “target(s)” that you would like to trigger the event by ticking the relevant box. There is no issue with ticking both “Human” and “Vehicle” here.​

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Step 6:​

Now, adjust the “Threshold” bar as you need. This can be set between 1 and 10 seconds and refers to how long an object needs to be within your intrusion zone before triggering the event. For example, setting this to “0” will mean that the event is triggered as soon as a valid target enters your zone.​

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Step 7:​

Adjust the sensitivity bar to suit your needs. Setting this high will reduce the amount of an object that is needed to enter your zone before the event is triggered. This will, of course, result in more triggers. As the optimum setting here depends on how busy your scene is, we recommend setting this to 60 and then adjusting the bar over time until you find the best results.​

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Step 8:​

Use the “Region” dropdown to select and draw any more intrusion zones, repeating steps 2-6 above.​

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Step 9:​

Click on the “Arming Schedule” tab and set this by filling in the hours you want the event to be enabled for in blue.​

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Note – Please see section [1] step 9 above for a more detailed explanation on how to set your arming schedule. ​

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Step 10:​

Click “Save” at this point so that you don’t lose these settings. ​

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You’ll now need to go to the “Arming Schedule” and “Linkage Method” pages to set when you would like the event to be active, and what you would like to happen on triggers.​

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Please refer to sections 4 and 5 below for instructions on how to set these things.​

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Section 4: Setting the Arming Schedule for your events​

Now that you have set your “Area Settings”, click on the “Arming Schedule” tab to set when the event will be active.

This will bring up a timeline with the week broken up into days and hours – depending on the device that you are using, it might look different to the grid below. If a period is filled in blue then the event will be active (or “armed”) for that hour; If the period is white, the event will be off.

Use your mouse to draw up the weekly Arming Schedule that suits. You can also use the popup box that appears when you click on any blue period to finely adjust the start arming times:
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Clicking on the “Erase” button and then a blue period will allow you to clear the arming:
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When you’re happy with this schedule, click “Save”.

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Section 5: Setting up email & push notifications for your events​

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Click on the Linkage Method tab on the event’s page (shown above), which is where you will set up your email notifications, as well as other alert types.​

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The different options are explained below:​

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Audible Warning: This will cause the NVR / browser to bleep when on event triggers.​

Send Email: This will set the NVR to email you on event triggers, with a screenshot of the camera’s view at the time.​

Notify Surveillance Centre: This refers to Hik-Connect and needs to be activated in order to receive push notifications in Hik-Connect.​

Full Screen Monitoring: This will get the NVR to automatically throw up a camera’s live feed in full screen during a trigger for an event set on that camera.​

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To enable Hik-Connect push notifications:​

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To set up push notifications, you need to make sure that Notify Surveillance Centre is ticked as a “Linkage Method”.​

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You also need to make sure that push notifications are enabled for Hik-Connect in your phone’s settings. To enable them via the app, go to:​

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More → Settings → Enable Push Notification​

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How to Connect The IP POE Camera to NAS, Network Attached Storage (NAS) provides a centralized location on a network to store data. Synology NAS goes beyond that, enabling you to build a private cloud to store, access, back up, and share files freely and securely. Introduction: The article below demonstrates how to connect the camera to NAS in 2 different ways, which are done by NFS and ONVIF connections. let`s take Synology NAS for example in this article. 

Method 1: NFS Connection

1. Please power on the camera and the NAS system.
Both the NAS and camera should be connected to the same router/network by Ethernet cables.

2. Download the Synology Assistant software via the link below.
https://www.synology.cn/zh-cn/support/download.

3. Please run the Assistant software on the computer. If the NAS is running, it will be detected.

How to Connect The IP POE Camera to NAS

Read More : CCTV Super Password

4. Access the NAS with its IP address.
5. The user name and password is the account of your NAS.

6. Please check the Storage status that should be “Healthy”.

7. Go to File Sharing–File Service to enable NFS service.

8. Go to Shared Folder to create a file to save the records from the camera. The Name can be anything. And click Next until you see the “NFS permissions”.

9. Click “Create” to allow permission for the camera.
Hostname or IP: it can be * or the IP address of the camera (see step 10).
Privilege: Read/Write
Squash: No mapping
Security: sys

Then you will see the result like the picture below.

Finally, the settings on NAS are finished. Please remember the path of the camera on NAS. The path can be found in the left corner of the picture above.

Now let’s go to configure the settings on the camera.

10. Please refer to this instruction to find the IP address of the camera and access the Configuration. https://help.annke.com/hc/en-us/articles/900003867006

11. Go to Storage Management–HDD Management. Please adjust the “Percentage of Record” to 100%. Otherwise, the HDD formatting will be failed.

12. Go to Net HDD. Click the Gray shift to enter the IP address of NAS. And the file path that you created for the camera on step 9.

13. After that, please click Test. If you can see “Test succeeded”, the connection is working.

14. Go back to HDD management, you will find the NAS as the HDD.9
The HDD status will be Uninitialized.

15. Click “Format” to format the HDD. The disk formatting duration depends on the disk capacity. A 1TB HDD may take 10 minutes for formatting. Please wait patiently until the status is automatically back to Normal.

16. Go to Storage to set up a recording schedule.

17. Waiting 10 minutes for recording and going to Playback to see if you can playback the footage.
If yes, the NAS is working.

Tips: You can also download the footage from NAS.
1. Access the NAS setting, and you will find there are many files that were automatically created.

2. Find the MP4 files. Please note the size of the file.

3. Right-click the mouse to download the MP4 file.

4. Please open the file with the VLC player or other player that supports H.265 format.

Method 2: ONVIF Connection

1. To start with, please refer to the instructions below to access the camera on the web browser. Then enable and create an Onvif account. Please follow steps 1-6 in the instruction below:
https://help.annke.com/hc/en-us/articles/900000598226

2. Access your NAS first and go to the control panel to find the Surveillance Station.

3. Go to IP camera–Add camera–Quick setup.

4. Fill in the information about the camera.
Name: Created by yourself. It can be anything.
IP address: IP address of the camera. Please find it on the SADP tool.
Port: 80
Brand: Onvif
Camera model: All functions
User name: Username of ONVIF account you create on step1.
Password: password of the Onvif account.

5. Click Load Capability and test connection to verify the adding result. If you can see the live view image of the camera, the connection is successful.

6. Click Next and confirm the information and click Finish.

7. To download the video, please go to Control Panel–Recording–find the footage you need–download.

If this article is helpful to you, please click the “helpful” button after you review it. Any comments would be appreciated.

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