Understanding the Basics: What You Need to Know Before Buying

Before diving into the different types of security cameras, it’s crucial to understand some basic but important considerations that will influence your choice.

Identifying Your Security Needs

When considering the installation of a security camera system, the first step is to assess your specific needs. The requirements of a sprawling estate versus a cozy apartment differ vastly. Similarly, a retail business will have different security needs compared to a manufacturing unit. Begin by asking yourself the following questions:

Answering these questions will lay a solid foundation for your search and ensure that you don’t end up with a security camera system that’s either overkill or insufficient for your needs.

Security Camera Buying Guide and How to Choose

Considering the Location

The location where the cameras will be installed plays a pivotal role in your decision-making process. Indoor cameras differ significantly from outdoor cameras, particularly in terms of durability and weather resistance. If you’re considering outdoor surveillance, ensure the cameras are weatherproof and have adequate night vision capabilities.

Exploring Security Camera Technologies

When choosing a security camera, it is critical to understand the differences and similarities between IP security cameras and HD over coax security cameras to select the right type for specific needs.

What are IP Security Cameras?

IP (Internet Protocol) security cameras are digital video cameras that use networks to transmit image data and control signals over an IP network. These cameras can be directly accessed from a network connection, making them highly versatile for a variety of settings.

Advantages of IP Security Cameras

High Resolution: IP cameras are known for high-resolution images, which can go up to 4K resolution, allowing for clearer and more detailed images.

Scalability: They are highly scalable as one can easily add more cameras to the existing network without significant infrastructure changes.

Remote Accessibility: IP cameras can be accessed and controlled remotely, making it possible to monitor footage from anywhere in the world via the internet.

Disadvantages of IP Security Cameras

Cost Factors: They tend to be more expensive than other types, both in terms of initial setup and maintenance.

Network Dependency: These cameras require a stable network connection, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.

What are HD Over Coax Security Cameras?

HD over coax security cameras transmit high-definition video over coaxial cable. These cameras are an upgrade from the traditional analog CCTV systems, providing better resolution and clarity without the need for new cabling infrastructure.

Advantages of HD Over Coax Security Cameras

Cost-effectiveness: Generally less expensive than IP cameras and utilize existing coaxial cable setups.

Ease of Installation: They are relatively easy to install, especially if replacing existing analog systems.

Reliability: Less dependent on network bandwidth and do not suffer from network-induced lag.

Disadvantages of HD Over Coax Security Cameras

Limited Resolution: While improved over analog cameras, their resolution does not compare to the high levels achievable by IP cameras.

Scalability Issues: Adding more cameras often requires additional DVRs (Digital Video Recorders), which can complicate the system.

Comparing Video Quality and Resolution

When it comes to resolution, IP cameras generally offer more with options going up to 4K, whereas HD over coax typically maxes out at 1080p. This makes IP cameras a better choice for scenarios where detail is critical.

Comparing the Cost Implications

IP cameras have a higher upfront cost primarily due to the need for networking equipment and possibly, higher quality cabling. However, HD over coax cameras often involve less expensive equipment but might incur more costs if extensive cabling is needed.

Remote Access Capabilities

Both IP camera systems and HD over coax camera systems excel in remote access as they can be configured for view from any location thru PC, cell, or tablet through the internet. 

Use Case Analysis

For large, expanding facilities or highly detailed surveillance needs, IP cameras would be more suitable. In contrast, HD over coax cameras are well-suited for smaller setups or where budget constraints are significant.

Future Trends in Security Cameras

The future likely holds further enhancements in camera resolution and network capabilities for IP cameras, and continuous integration of advanced analytics. HD over coax might see improvements in compression and transmission to allow for higher resolutions.

Both IP and HD over coax security cameras offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. Your choice should depend on your specific needs, budget, and desired scalability. Understanding these aspects will guide you in choosing the most suitable type.

Exploring Types of Security Cameras

With a basic understanding of what to consider before purchasing, let’s delve into the most popular types of security cameras available on the market.

Dome Cameras

Dome cameras are named for their dome-like shape, making them more discreet than other types. They’re excellent for indoor use, especially in retail or commercial settings, where they can blend in with the decor while providing a wide viewing angle.  In addition, most of our dome cameras are also vandal resistant.

Bullet Cameras

Bullet cameras are long and cylindrical. They are typically used outdoors, mounted on walls or ceilings. These cameras are known for their strong night vision capabilities and long-distance viewing, making them ideal for monitoring large areas like backyards or parking lots.  Whether you need a wide angle or a zoom we have the perfext bullet security camera for you. 

Wireless vs. Wired Cameras

Another crucial consideration is whether to go for wireless or wired cameras. Wireless cameras offer flexibility in placement and are generally easier to install. However, they depend on your Wi-Fi signal’s strength and can be more susceptible to interference. On the other hand, wired cameras require a more complex installation process but provide a more stable and reliable connection, making them well-suited for extensive surveillance systems.

Smart Cameras

Smart cameras come with features like motion detection, facial recognition, and automatic alerts. These cameras not only record footage but also analyze it, sending you notifications when something out of the ordinary happens. They’re perfect for homeowners who want to stay informed about their property’s security in real time.  We also have specialty cameras such as PTZ, license plate, and fisheye cameras.

Key Features to Look For

Delving deeper into the specifics, here’s what you should look for when shopping for a security camera:

Selecting the right security camera for your home or business requires careful consideration of your specific security needs, the features you value most, and the type of camera that best suits your space. By taking the time to understand the different options available and what each offers, you can make an informed choice that ensures your property is watched over effectively. Remember, the goal is not just to deter potential intruders but to give you the confidence that comes with knowing your space is secure. Whether you opt for a dome camera for your business interior or a bullet camera for outdoor surveillance, ensuring your peace of mind is the ultimate priority.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Note: These guides were written for Uniview NVR users who prefer to change settings remotely using a mobile or desktop browser (Internet Explorer). Remote and local configurations share many similarities and only the locations and availability of each feature may vary. The Uniview NVR Manual can provide more information if what you are looking for is not found in this simple guide or if you prefer local access by connecting a mouse and display to your NVR.

How Do I Access My Uniview Security System?

There are two ways to interface with your Univew Security System and to access all its features and configuration options you can choose to access it locally or remotely. Local access refers to connecting your Network Video Recorder to a display and a USB mouse. The monitor and the mouse will serve as the input-output for interfacing. Remote access refers to connecting to your Network Video Recorder through a browser (Internet Explorer provides the greatest compatibility) installed on a device that is in the same network as the Security System.

Local Access and First Time Setup

The NVR interface can be accessed directly by simply connecting the NVR to a display (this can be done with an HDMI or older VGA cable) and to a mouse. Once the display and the mouse is connected and the login screen is displayed, proceed to login. Since this is the first time, we will be using the default username and password (at the time of writing default login and password are admin and 123456) found on the manual that came with the NVR. 

After logging in, Uniview’s privacy policy will be shown for you to review. Once you have reviewed and accepted, you will immediately gain access to the NVR and cameras connected to it. But, since it is the first time we are logged in and we are still using the default credentials, we will be prompted to change the login information.  You will be using the new password for all your future access with the NVR.

Once the password has been changed, a pattern lock will also be prompted (this is optional and can be skipped). After doing so, the Privacy Policy will be displayed for the user to review. The screen that follows the Privacy Policy will let us connect our mobile devices to the NVR. This will grant access to Live View, alerts, and other configurations we may want.

The device QR code will be presented here. Allowing you access to the EZCloud feature. Devices can be added to the cloud manually but it is far easier to just use a link given from the QR code. If you want to pair the NVR with the EZView app, click here to read more about it. 

The next step is to set or synchronize the time. This step will ensure that all scheduling configurations you will set and all alerts and alarm information will be accurate and will work based on your local time.

After this, you will be prompted to check the TCP/IP settings, the default settings will work for most people. If you need to specify networking (usually when DHCP is not enabled on other devices on the network), please do so here. You will still be able to alter this later.

Once the time and the password have been configured, you are now ready to enable and disable the features of the NVR.

To access the menu, you can right-click on any part of the screen and then click on Menu. It can also be accessed along with other options by moving your cursor to the bottom left of the screen. This will take you to the SETUP screen where you can enable and customize alerts, features, and other options available to you.

Remote Access and First Time Setup

You can also access the NVR interface through the use of a browser on a device connected to the same network as the NVR. To do this, you will need the IP address of the NVR you wish to connect to. The easiest way to find this on a Windows PC is with Uniview’s EZTools which can be downloaded here. Once installed on your computer, running the EZtools will automatically show you all connected Uniview devices.

The IP address can also be obtained by logging into your router and checking connected devices, using the command prompt (arp -a command and checking for new devices on the private network) or simply using another display for the NVR to check the current IP address of the device.

Note: Any browser should work to alter configurations, however using Internet Explorer will be the easiest to access the live view. (due to some newer browsers not supporting certain plugins). 

From here, we can see the IP address given by our router to the NVR. 192.168.254.192. It will likely be different for you. Clicking on the Remote Web button will open your default browser and take you to the NVR interface.

You can then proceed to login to your Uniview NVR Interface. Since this is the first time, we will be using the default username and password found on the manual that came with the NVR. After logging in, Uniview’s privacy policy will be shown for you to review. Once you have reviewed and accepted, you will immediately gain access to the NVR and cameras connected to it. But, since it is the first time we are logged in and we are still using the default credentials, we will be prompted to change the login information. You will be using the new password for all your future access with the NVR.

Once the password has been updated, you will be greeted by the Live View display. Clicking on any of the cameras found on the left will show you live footage from it. In this case, a single IP camera is connected to the 4-Channel NVR.

From here, you can now click on SETUP to access all configurations and features and set them up to your preference.

Uniview How To Guides 2024

How Do I Start Recording And Scheduling?

Once properly installed and powered, most Uniview Security System immediately starts recording and saving footage to the Hard Disk Drive. To configure when and what types of footage you choose to save, you only need to navigate to the Recording Schedule tab.

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Schedule

Pre-Record and Post-Record:

If the Pre-Record and Post-Record values are set to 60 seconds and 300 seconds respectively and using motion detection as a trigger, here is how it will play together:
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Event-Types:

The setup that is shown on the screenshot above can be interpreted this way. During weekdays, from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the system will monitor and record all footage into memory. The rest of the day, the system will not record anything unless a motion trigger or an alarm event is detected. During weekends, the system will not record anything except for motion-triggered events. During holidays, the system will not record anything unless an event is triggered.

How Do I View Playback, Timeline, and Events?

The Playback tab is found between the Live View and Setup tabs of your Uniview Web-Based Interface. As always, Internet Explorer would provide the widest range of options not available to other browsers.

Navigation: Playback

The playback sidebar is the first point of interest. The top drop-down allows you to filter what types of playback you wish to view. The options are as follows:

Normal: Default playbacks and scheduled recording sessions.

Tag: Shows a playback list that matches a tag keyword.

To utilize this feature, you will need to create tags on certain times you want to save for future reference. To do this, click on the time you want to create your tag and click on the Add Customized Tag button on the toolbar as shown here:

A window will open that allows you to name your tag and adjust the time.

After clicking OK, the new tag will be created. To search for tagged footage, change the filter into Tag, click on the Camera, specify the Keyword, set the time range to search between, and then click search as shown below:

This will display all tagged footage that matches the Keywords.

Event: Shows playback list for a matching event. Very similar to the above example but a simpler approach is only looking for footage of recorded events. To use this function change the filter to Event, choose a specific Event-Type from the drop-down list, select the Camera, specify the Time Range the system will search. Click search. This will display all events that match the Event-Type captured by the camera within the time range.

Smart: The system analyzes recordings for smart search results. 

How Do I Monitor And Manage My Storage?

To monitor and manage your storage, you will need to access the Hard Disk group on the setup. The settings and their functions are explained below.

Navigation: Setup > Hard Disk > Hard Disk

Hard Disk

This tab shows you details of the current storage situation of your NVR. The total capacity and the available free space can be monitored from this tab alongside options to add and more storage.

Disk Group

This tab allows the creation and management of Disk Groups. A handy tool if managing a large number of Hard Disks and to simplify storage allocation.

Navigation: Setup > Hard Disk > Disk Group

The disk group feature allows us to assign hard disks to a disk group and use the disk group to store recordings and snapshots of specified cameras. Different arrays can be assigned to different disk groups. Redundant disks cannot be assigned to any disk group. Disk group information will be initialized if any disk in the group is formatted.

Allocate Space

This tab allows setting a maximum storage allocation for each camera on a disk group.

Navigation: Setup > Hard Disk > Allocate Space

Advanced

This tab will determine what the Network Video Recorder will do once the Hard Disk Drives are full and new footage needs to be saved. Setting this to Overwrite should allow the NVR to delete older footage to make space for new ones to be saved while setting this to Stop will prevent any new recordings to be saved.

Navigation: Setup > Hard Disk > Advanced

How Do I Set Up Tamper Detection?

To set up Tamper Detection, you will need to access the Tampering section of the Camera Setup.

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Tampering

How Do I Set Up Motion Detection?

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Motion

How Do I Set Up Face Detection?

The Face Detection feature creates an EVENT when a person’s face is detected by the Video Content Analysis. It will then proceed to take screenshots of the person or persons detected.

Navigation: Setup > VCA > Face Detection

How Do I Set Up Line Crossing Detection?

The Cross Line Detection feature creates an EVENT when an object crossed a specified line. This feature has 3 modes. A<->B which creates an event whenever an object crosses the line. A->B which only triggers when an object moves from side A to side B. B->A which only triggers when an object moves from side B.

Navigation: Setup > VCA > Cross Line Detection

How Do I Set Up Intrusion Detection?

The Intrusion Detection feature creates an EVENT when an object that meets the minimum size relative to the region (based on percentage) enters any of the specified regions and stays inside the region past the minimum time threshold.

Navigation: Setup > VCA > Intrusion Detection

How Do I Set Up People Counting?

The people counting feature is used to monitor the number of people entering or leaving an area.

Navigation: Setup > VCA > People Counting

How Do I Adjust Image Enhancements, Exposure, Infrared, and Starlight?

Although fully-functional and is configured by default, you can specify desired image enhancements on the Image tab.

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Image

How Do I Adjust Resolution, Frame Rate, Bit Rate, and Video Compression?

Adjusting the resolution, frame rate, bit rate, and compression of recorded footage can be done by navigating to the Encoding Tab.

Navigation: Setup > Camera > Encoding

How Do I Name My Cameras and Manage On-Screen Display?

Navigation: Setup > Camera > OSD

How Do I Directly Transfer Footage From My Security System to My USB?

To transfer footage from the Network Video Recorder to your USB, you will need to create a video clip from the recorded footage, then save it to your USB.

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The NVR features embedded 16x 802.3 at/af PoE ports to provide users easy and convenient IP camera installation, and also supports remote and mobile access via VIVOCloud and iViewer apps for both iOS and Android devices. The VIVOCloud app provides instant push notification and direct video playback functions when triggered by an alarm notification and provides users a flexible and intelligent NVR for seamless use in small to medium sized video surveillance applications.

Highlight Feature

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New Web UI Available for Plug-in Free Browser

Actively adopting current trends and simultaneously protecting your cybersecurity, VIVOTEK’s new web UI supports Chrome browsers without the need for web plugins. It lets users login and operate with ease, and solves issues related to system administrator authority, safety risks, browser, and OS updates. Furthermore, it now supports H.265 technology meaning that users can attain higher and more efficient image compression rates than previous H.264 systems while maintaining high image quality.

More

Smart VCA Event Search

The NVR supports alarm management and event search of VIVOTEK’s deep-learning video analytics technology, Smart VCA. The user can search by single or multiple event types, playback triggered events and then export these search results to video clips.

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PoE Management

Allow users to quickly troubleshoot problems and monitor power use for better operation. When overloaded, some PoE ports will auto power-off until system power is falls below the threshold for system protection.

Integration with Genetec Security Center

VIVOTEK NVR’s are not only fully integrated with our own VMS software – VAST 2, now they are also able to connect with Genetec Security Center via ONVIF, offering various functions including NVR search & add, video/audio display, video streaming configuration, edge playback, and NVR firmware upgrades. With the connection to Genetec Security Center, reliable video surveillance solutions can be delivered to address small, medium, and large surveillance implementations.

Customer Support

Customer support allows VIVOTEK technical support to rapidly debug your NVR, users only need to export logs by pressing one key and providing the logs to the technical support team to get customer support.
In addition, you can get an access ID while connected to the internet. By keeping the remote access button on and providing the access ID to the technical support team, we can remote access your NVR to analyze the cause of errors and then debug it.

Better Video Quality with Lower Bandwidth

With H.265 standard and VIVOTEK’s Smart Stream technology, VIVOTEK NVR is not only able to provide the high quality video, also save the usage of network bandwidth and recording capacity more than regular H.264 standard.

4K IP Camera Video Input and 4K Local Video Output

Supporting 4K IP camera video input and 4K local video output, VIVOTEK’s NVR can provide users extra high definition video resolution ensuring they will never miss a single detail in both video monitoring and recording.

VIVOCloud App & Portal for 24/7 Viewing

The free VIVOCloud app makes surveillance lightweight and portable, ensuring efficient operation. The latest P2P technology makes remote access even more convenient, by simply scanning the QR-code and installing the app, users can view live streams and play recorded clips with the intuitive interface anytime, anywhere. Armed with the Push Notification function, users will directly get an alert message on their Android/iOS mobile device and directly playback the video to check for any suspicious activity.

Vivotek NVR Linux based user guide

Read Also : Vivotek firmware DVR NVR IPC Software download

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What information of the ND/NV-Series NVR should I provide to contact technical support for help?

Please provide the following information while contacting technical support for help:

We might need the following information, but they are not compulsory:

[Linux-based NVRs] How to upgrade the ND-series NVR?

Enhancing the functionality and security of your ND/NV-Series NVR is crucial, and firmware upgrades play a pivotal role in this process. Please follow the steps below to upgrade the ND/NV-Series NVR:

Before starting the upgrade, it’s recommended to back up your current settings and data to prevent any potential loss.

Step 1. Search for your NVR model on the VIVOTEK official website: https://www.vivotek.com/.

Step 2. Click on the webpage of your specific NVR model.

Step 3. Select ‘Downloads’ to find and download the latest firmware version (for example, ND9425P, as shown in the picture).

Step 4. After downloading, unzip the file to find a .img file.

Step 5. To update the firmware, access the NVR and import the .img file via Settings > System > Maintenance > Update Firmware.

There are two ways to access the NVR: via a Web console or a Local console. Please choose the appropriate method for accessing your NVR.

Web console

Navigate to Settings > System > Maintenance > Update Firmware and follow the previously mentioned steps.

Local console

Firstly, place the .img file on a USB drive and insert it into the NVR.

Then, access the system settings by clicking on the gear icon in the local view.

Once in the ‘Settings’ interface, go to System > Maintenance > Update firmware and proceed as described earlier.  

How to export debug logs and enable remote access function from ND-Series NVR(Linux-based)?

Starts from firmware version v4.1 of ND/NV-Series NVR, VIVOTEK add remote access function on the customer support page.

Please follow the step below to export debug logs and enable remote access* function to get access ID:

There are two ways to access the NVR, please choose which one you access to NVR. 

Web console.

Local console.

Note 1:
1.Remember to provide MAC address of ND-Series NVR at the same time when providing the access ID.
2. Remote access has 14 days validity.

Note 2:
* Important Notice *
The ND9213P, ND9323P and ND9425P NVR remote access service for customer support will be temporarily stopped starting from Feb. 7th, 2022 until the middle of April, 2022 due to service maintenance and firmware tunning. After the proper changes have been done in the cloud platform and the firmware, VIVOTEK will release an statement informing the new NVR firmware v4.1 release and will resume the remote services for those specific models.
For ND9441. ND9541, ND9441P, ND9541P, ND9322P, ND9424P, ND9322P-v2 and ND9424P-v2, remote cloud service will NOT be supported. 

Web console.

• Go to setting>System>Customer support page
(A). Export debug logs.
(B). Enable remote access.(OFF->ON)
(C). Cope Access ID.

Local console.

• Go to setting>System>Customer support page
(A). Export debug logs.
(B). Enable remote access.(OFF->ON)
(C). Cope Access ID.

How to export the backup/configuration file of the ND/NV-Series NVR(Linux-based)?

The NVR backup file contains the device configuration files, usually this file is exported as a security measure in case the device needs to be reset to defaults and then be restored with a predetermined configuration or previous configuration. This file can also be used by VIVOTEK Technical Support in case they require to reproduce an issue (using the same configuration parameters). In order to export the backup file of the ND/NV-Series NVR please follow the next guide:

Chose your interface:
There are two ways to access the NVR, please choose which one you access to NVR. 

Note: If you are planning to provide the configuration file to Technical Support for analysis/troubleshooting please remember to provide the password of the admin account as well.
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Web console:

Step 1. Using a browser, access the NVR using the username and password.

Step 2. Click on the gear icon to access the NVR configuration page.

Step 3. Click on the “System” tab and select “Maintenance”.

Step 4. In the “Maintenance” interface click on the “Backup” button to export the backup/configuration file of the NVR. 

Step 5.When the download promp appears, click on “Save” to save the backup file to the computer.

Step 6.Be sure that the file was correctly stored.

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Local console:

Step 1. Prepare and insert the USB into the NVR USB port. You can use either the back panel USB and frontal panel USB ports (if any) to extract the files. 

Step 2. In the Live View interface, click on the gear icon to access the device configuration page. 

Step 3. Go to the system tab, select the maintenance section and click on the “Backup” button to copy the configuration file in the USB. 

How to know the MAC address, model name, firmware version and device pack version of the ND/NV-Series NVR(Linux-based)?

Please follow the steps below to check the MAC address, model name, firmware version, and device pack version of the ND/NV-Series NVR:

There are two ways to access the NVR, please choose which one you access to NVR. 

Web console.

Local console.

Web console.

1.MAC Address:
Please open the Shepherd on your PC to find the MAC address of NVR.
(Refer to How to get camera list with camera model name, firmware version and MAC addresses via Shepherd?)

2.Model name, Firmware version and Device pack version:
Go to setting>Information>Information

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Local console.

1.MAC Address:
Please find the MAC label on the top of cover or bottom cover of ND/NV-Series NVR.
If there are 2 MACs on the MAC label, please provide us 2 MACs.

2.Model name, Firmware version and Device pack version:
Go to setting>Information>Information

How to get camera list with camera model name, firmware version and MAC addresses via Shepherd?

Question

How to get camera list with camera model name, firmware version and MAC addresses via Shepherd?

Answer

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Camera Site Features

Verkada sites have several features that make managing and viewing the devices in a site easier. This article details the features available for camera sites.

Read Next :

• How To Use Femii Security Cameras
• How to Add Cameras to Google Home
• How to Add Cameras to Amazon Alexa

Note: These options are only available to users with Site Admin permissions

Steps

1. Select the Cameras button from the All Products menu

2. Hover over a site until the ellipsis ⋮ appear next to the site name

3. Select the ellipsis ⋮ to view the site options

This menu has the following options:

• Add a Floorplan

  • Floor plans are a great way to plan and visualize your Verkada system. They can also be useful for a myriad of reasons, from historical activity hotspots to active motion detection.

• Reorder Cameras

  • The reorder cameras feature allows users to change the order in which they see the cameras. This feature is helpful as it allows the user to prioritize the feeds they want to see in a specific order.

• View as Grid

  • This feature displays all the cameras in the site as a grid.

• View Site Stats

  • View trends of data usage for cameras at the site and individual level

• Share Site

  • You can share cameras in bulk to give people temporary access to a site, sub-site, or specific floor plan.

• Add Devices to Site

  • This feature allows a user to quickly add a device to a site with the site name already configured.

     

   

Enabling Wi-Fi on Supported Verkada Cameras

Verkada CD61, CD61-E, CB61-E, CB61-TE, CM61, and D50W models support Wi-Fi. This article covers the process of enabling and using Wi-Fi.

In order to enable and use Wi-Fi on Verkada cameras, a few conditions must be met:

1. The camera model must be one of the following models:

   1. CD61

   2. CD61-E

   3. CB61-E

   4. CB61-TE

   5. CM61

   6. D50W

2. Wi-Fi must be enabled at the organization level. Contact Verkada Support to enable this if it is not already enabled. Verkada Support will only need a support token to perform this action, and you can generate one using this article for reference.

3. The Verkada camera must be connected to an Ethernet network and must be online to receive the Wi-Fi configuration. It is possible to enable Wi-Fi and configure your SSID and password if the device is offline, but it will need to connect to a wired network to pull this new configuration.

First, navigate to the camera’s settings by clicking the gear icon on the camera’s live feed page.

 

Next, click Device to navigate to the Wi-Fi option, and click Configure.

 

Finally, toggle on Enable camera Wi-Fi, select your wireless network, and enter your password to connect the camera. Click Connect once you’re ready to save.

 

Now you’re done! The camera will retain this configuration on reboot. You can confirm which connection is in use via the checkbox.

 

Note: If the SSID or password changes for the Wi-Fi network, you must pre-configure the new Wi-Fi network on the camera or use a wired network to re-configure the camera. If the camera is offline, it will not pull a new wireless configuration.

Low Bandwidth Mode

Reduce network utilization for your cameras

Verkada camera architecture is optimized to provide organizations with the best user experience with minimum bandwidth usage. In normal operation, Verkada cameras consume as low as 20-50 Kbps upload bandwidth depending on the camera model and features enabled. However, there are cases where Verkada cameras need to be deployed in extremely bandwidth constrained environments, such as remote locations, mobile deployments or sites with high camera densities.

For such deployments, we offer Low Bandwidth Mode that further reduces the resting bandwidth consumed by Verkada cameras by up to 75% and streaming bandwidth by up to 33% with a slight decrease in video quality and video scrubbing experience. Low Bandwidth Model enables customers to run their day to day security operations and incident response use cases without downtime, loss in productivity or overwhelming existing mission critical workloads. Low Bandwidth Mode is available for all Verkada cameras and can be enabled from Command for a single camera or in bulk for multiple cameras at the same time.

 

What features contribute to internet bandwidth consumption

Video streaming: remote video streaming (live or historical) constitutes the bulk of internet bandwidth consumption, with standard quality consuming 300-600 Kbps and high quality video consuming 1500-3000 Kbps of internet bandwidth depending on camera model and mode (live video vs historical playback). Details of bandwidth consumed by different camera models can be found here. Special notes:

• Remote playback of video consumes upload bandwidth on the camera’s network but consumes download bandwidth on the client’s network.

• If the client and camera are on the same network local video flows directly from the camera to the client and does not consume any internet bandwidth. Learn more about local streaming in this Knowledge Base article.

• If cloud backup has been enabled then the video upload to the cloud consumes upload bandwidth on the camera’s network. If the requested video is present in the cloud, the video flows directly from the cloud to the client, so no additional bandwidth is consumed for historical playback.

Resting bandwidth: Verkada cameras upload thumbnails once every 20 seconds. However, if the camera sees any motion in the 20 second interval, the camera uploads an additional thumbnail to capture the motion event. So, during active hours Verkada cameras send 2 thumbnails every 20 seconds.

In addition to thumbnails, cameras upload camera health metrics, and video metadata throughout the day. The thumbnails are used to deliver a smooth video scrubbing experience on the single cameras page and history player. The camera health metrics are used to monitor the health of the camera and ensure it is behaving as expected. The metadata helps with smooth video streaming and playback experience. Note that:

• Thumbnails constitute the majority of upload bandwidth

• People analytics, vehicle analytics, and timelapse features consume additional internet bandwidth.

• Timelapse needs high-resolution JPEG images to be periodically sent to the Verkada cloud and consumes additional bandwidth

 

How does Low Bandwidth Mode reduce the bandwidth consumed

Video streaming bandwidth:

Low Bandwidth Mode reduces the high quality video bitrates on 4K cameras (CD61, CD61-E, CD62, CD62-E, CB61-E, CB61-TE, CM61) and fisheye camera (CF81-E) from 3 Mbps to 2 Mbps that allows more video streams to play with minimal loss in video quality.

 

Note: The cloud backup feature cannot be used if the camera is operating in low bandwidth mode

 

Resting bandwidth:

Under Low Bandwidth Mode, non-motion thumbnails are uploaded only once every 5 minutes. Motion thumbnails are still uploaded at most once every 20 seconds if the camera sees motion during the 20 second interval. In addition to thumbnail upload frequency, thumbnail quality and size are also reduced to minimize thumbnail size.

 

Note:

1. The timelapse feature cannot be used if the camera is operating in low bandwidth mode.

2. When Low Bandwidth Mode is enabled for a camera any older or cached thumbnails stored on the camera are deleted and only new thumbnails from that point onwards are uploaded to the cloud.

 

Enabling Low Bandwidth Mode

Low Bandwidth Mode is available for all cameras and can be enabled at an individual camera level or in bulk for multiple cameras at the same time.

 

Enabling it for a single camera

The feature can be toggled on from the camera settings menu.

 

 

 

Enabling it for multiple cameras

From the Devices page, select all cameras that need Low Bandwidth Mode and click on Edit Settings in the top left-hand corner.

 

Permissions

Only Org Admins or Site Admins can enable or disable Low Bandwidth Mode.

Configuring License Plate Recognition

This guide goes over how to configure the LPR feature on the bullet series cameras

Our bullet series cameras can perform license plate recognition. This guide will take you through the requirements and steps to ensure LPR delivers the best results. For a more detailed explanation of how LPR works navigate to this guide.

 

Note: You must be an organization admin to enable LPR Mode.

 

Note: After enabling LPR mode on a camera and configuring it, it will take up to 5 minutes for results to populate.

 

Installing the LPR camera

Before installing your LPR Camera, there are a few considerations to keep in mind for the best results.

1. Lane Monitoring

   • The CB51 & CB61 cameras should be positioned to face a single lane of traffic for vehicles traveling 20 MPH or less, such as an entrance or drive-thru.

   • The CB52 cameras can be positioned to face a single lane of traffic for vehicles traveling 80 mph / 128 kph

   • The CB62 cameras can be positioned to face multiple lanes of traffic for vehicles traveling 80 mph / 128 kph

      

2. Optimal Plate Detection

   • To ensure optimal license plate detection with the CB51-E & CB61-E cameras, it is recommended that vehicles be within 60ft / 18m of the camera.

   • To ensure optimal license plate detection with the CB52-TE & CB62-TE cameras, it is recommended that vehicles be within 115ft / 35m of the camera. However, it is possible to detect license plate details from up to 164ft / 50m away or further.

   • To ensure optimal license plate detection with the CB52-E & CB62-E cameras, it is recommended that vehicles be within 46ft / 14m of the camera. However, it is possible to detect license plate details from up to 66ft / 20m away or further.

      

3. Proper Positioning Improves Accuracy

   • The CB51 & CB61 cameras should be positioned no more than 20º horizontally and/or 40º vertically from the location of the license plate.

   • The CB52 & CB62 cameras should be positioned less than 30° vertically or horizontally from the location of the license plate. It is acceptable to have a larger angle for lower speeds (e.g. 45° for parking lot deployments) and recommended to have a smaller angle for fast speeds (e.g. 15° for highway deployments). The camera may still be able to capture adequate images outside of these angles, but with a lesser degree of accuracy.

      

4. Lighting

   If the area where license plates will be captured is far away and not well lit, it is strongly recommended to use an external IR illuminator to improve the visibility of the license plates.

Enabling LPR on a camera

Note: You must be an organization admin to enable LPR Mode.

 

To enable LPR Mode

1. Navigate to the designated LPR Camera

2. Select Settings

3. Select Analytics

4. Next to License Plate Recognition (LPR) Mode select Enable

Once LPR has been enabled the camera will go through a firmware update which may take five minutes or more to finish.

 

Configuring the LPR camera

Once LPR mode has been enabled on a camera follow the prompts to complete the setup.

1. Ensure that the camera image is set to the recommended mounting angles then click Next.

2. Configure the Optical Zoom so that the passing vehicle takes up more than half of the frame. Use Auto Focus or Manual Focus if the image becomes blurry after using the Optical Zoom then click Next.

3. Click and drag a region of interest over the area that license plates will pass through then click Next. The selected area must be less than half of the entire frame.

4. Optional: Add a context camera to capture the scene for the full view of vehicle events then click I’m done.

Note: You can also get back to this menu by clicking the cogwheel to the right of a license plate event on the Events page.

 

Viewing License Plates on the Events Page

Viewing license plates captured

Once a camera has been enabled for LPR mode a new section of Command will be available to view under the Events page of all captured license plates. This area will show all the captured license plates along with a clip of when the capture happened.

 

 

 

Filtering for specific license plates

You can use the search bar to find a specific license plate. Entering the license plate will bring up the exact clip(s) of when it was seen. You are also able to filter for a specific camera along with a specific day.

 

Enable License Plates of Interest Alerts

First, ensure you have alerts enabled for license plates. Click the bell icon next to the License Plates button.

 

Next, select the methods you wish to use to receive notifications.

 

To enable license plates of interest, select the bell icon next to the search bar to see a list of all the license plates of interest.

 

Click Add to add plates to the detection system.

 

Note: Any plate added as a license plate of interest affects all other users. If you add a plate, any other user configured to receive alerts will be notified if that plate is detected.

Wide Dynamic Range

How and when to enable WDR on your camera

Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) is a technology used to compensate for dramatic differences in light exposure across a camera’s image. It works by making brighter parts of the image darker while making darker parts of the image brighter to create a more balanced image.

 

WDR Disabled

WDR Enabled

To enable/disable WDR on your camera

1. Select the video quality button in the bottom left of the camera live feed

2. Select WDR

3. Choose ON or OFF

Naming a Camera

Naming your camera in Command

Once you’ve added your camera to Command, you can give it a name.

 

Note: You will need to have the role of Site Admin to make this change.

 

How to change the name of a camera

1. Select the camera you want to change the name on

2. Click the Settings button

3. Enter the desired name in the Name field

   

    

 

Adding a device to your Command account

To activate your Verkada device in Command, enter its serial number or scan its QR code

Once you’ve plugged your device into a PoE-enabled device, it will automatically begin to boot. You’ll then need to add your device to your Verkada Command account. You can either do this through the Command portal or the iOS app.

 

Verkada supports up to 1,000 sites with up to 2,500 cameras per site.

 

Note:

In order to add a new camera to your organization, you must be one of the following:

• An Organization Admin

• A Site Admin of the site you are adding cameras to

In order to add a new access controller, air quality sensor, or alarm panel you must be:

• An Organization Admin

Click here for more information on user permissions.

 

Command Website

On a desktop, laptop, or smartphone log into your Command account and select Devices from the All Products menu in the top left-hand corner. From here, select + Add Devices in the top right-hand corner.

 

Next, choose the site to put the device in and set the location. Then enter the device’s serial number. Click Activate to add the device to your Org.

 

You can also add all the devices in an order to bulk import cameras.

Click Add an Entire Order on the Add Device page. Select the site and location for the new cameras and enter the order number The order number should be the following order V1S-1234-5678 or V2S-1234-5678.

 

Quick Camera Setup

When adding new cameras to Command you will have the option to copy settings from any camera in the same site onto these new cameras. Once you click activate on the Devices page a quick setup menu should pop up. From the dropdown menu in the top right-hand corner, you can select a camera from the site to copy the settings from. Once the desired camera is selected select Activate with above settings to add the cameras. If you want to skip this step and add the cameras with default settings select Activate with default settings.

Adding cameras via the Command Mobile App

Select the > button in the bottom right-hand corner and select the Add Device button. Align the QR code on the camera or box within the 4 blue corners of the scan area.

 

Once aligned the code will automatically scan and the camera will be added to your organization. You’ll be brought to the camera’s settings page and can either add more cameras or tap DONE to return to the previous page.

 

Camera Online

Once you’ve entered or scanned your camera’s serial number, the camera will begin transmitting video. Typically it takes 3-4 minutes for the video stream to become visible in Command. A solid blue status light on the front of the camera will indicate that it is connected, recording, and transmitting video.

Camera Settings Page

View and edit your camera’s name, location, site and other settings in Command

To view a camera’s administration settings, select the Settings tab located below the video player. From the General tab, you can view general camera settings information such as time zone, serial number, model, storage, etc. For more information on configurable settings click on the links below.

 

 

From this page you can change the following tabs:

• General

  • Site

  • Name

  • Location

  • Reboot Device

  • Schedule Firmware Updates

  • Audit log

• Device

  • Orientation

  • Low Bandwidth Mode

  • Timelapse

  • RTSP

  • Audio

  • Autofocus

  • Identify

  • Onboard Retention

  • Delete Device

• Events

  • Motion events

  • Crowd events

  • Tamper events

  • Manage Alerts

• Privacy

  • Data Storage Location

  • Privacy Regions

• Analytics

  • People History

  • Vehicle History

• Backup

   

Navigating the Verkada Command Mobile App

Guide to understanding both icons and functionality for the Command video app

The Command mobile app allows you to bring your Verkada cameras right to your fingertips. Once logged in you will be greeted with many tools that will allow you to access Command from anywhere.

 

Command App Home Screen

 

The organization bar (located at the bottom) will allow you to easily navigate through the following from left to right:

• Home screen

• Search

• Notification events

• Archives

• Account settings

Just like in the Command web application, once logged in you will be able to navigate through all of your organization’s sites.

 

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Sites

On each site you can quickly tell if a camera is offline. There will also be three dots on the right-hand side which represent more options.

 

This will bring up the following:

• Site name

• Amount of cameras

• Ability to share a public link

 

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Viewing a camera

Once the desired camera is selected you will have the following tools to choose from:

 

• Face Search

  

   

• Calendar icon: This allows you to pick a specific date and time that will show all face results within that time frame.

• Upload a face icon: This allows you to either take a picture of someone’s face or upload a picture from your phone’s camera roll.

  • Once a face is uploaded then all faces captured on the camera that match that photo will appear.

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People History

People analytics uses powerful edge-based camera capabilities to detect people and faces.

 

Appearance: This filter searches based on the apparent sex, clothing color, and whether or not a backpack is present.

Calendar icon: This allows you to pick a specific date and time that will show all face results within that time frame.

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Vehicle History

Vehicle analytics uses powerful edge-based capabilities to detect vehicles.

 

Appearance: This filter searches based on the vehicle color and vehicle type.

Calendar icon: This allows you to pick a specific date and time that will show all vehicle results within that time frame.

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Motion Search

Motion search allows you to quickly find key events.

 

Calendar icon: This allows you to pick a specific date and time that will show all motion results within that time frame.

Grid search: Once clicked, the live stream will have a grid overlay. From there you can easily drag your finger over the boxes you would like to search, and the results will show any motion detected within those boxes.

 

 

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Settings

All of the following can be found under Camera Info and Settings.

 

• Camera settings – Camera name, site name, location, and orientation

• Serial number

• Model

• Firmware version

• Local IP address

   

Camera Deployment Best Practices Guide

How best to prepare for camera installation and what to do if you run into issues.

During a hardware installation, problems can arise. Issues can be caused by the network, physical environment, component failure, misconfiguration, or improper installation techniques. This guide covers ways to solve and prevent installation challenges by presenting a best-practice deployment approach in the field. It also suggests a simple staging process intended to mitigate costs and complexities related to post-install troubleshooting. The six parts to deployment are:

1. Preparing Command for install

2. Preparing the network

3. Staging cameras before installation

4. Installing cameras

5. Finalizing deployment

6. Troubleshooting installed cameras

Preparing Command for Install

• Create an Organization and set up your Command account

  • A Command organization is required to manage Verkada devices. Each camera needs to be added to the organization

• The installer should be an organization admin and a site admin for all sites containing cameras so they can confirm the devices are working and provide a support access token at the request of Verkada Technical Support in the event there is a technical issue

  • The installer can add the camera(s) to the organization using their order number which can be found on the packing slip or in the order confirmation email

     

• For security purposes, ensure that all Verkada devices are added to the organization prior to installation

Note: Verkada Technical Support requires a support access token to troubleshoot Verkada cameras. This token can only be generated by users who have admin permissions in the organization containing their cameras.

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Preparing the network

Network requirements

Verkada cameras require connectivity to the Verkada Cloud and NTP servers located on the internet. Without network connectivity, the platform will have limited functionality and may report inaccurately in Command.

 

Before installing a Verkada system, the network environment needs to support the following protocols and services:

• DHCP – Cameras receive their IP address and network settings via the DHCP protocol. They do not support static IP configurations. A DHCP server must be present on the LAN to provide the cameras with an IP address, default gateway, subnet mask, and DNS servers

• DNS – Cameras use the Domain Name System to resolve Verkada URLs to their associated IP addresses

• HTTPS – Cameras communicate with Verkada Command using HTTPS over TCP port 443

• NTP – Each camera is hardcoded with well-known NTP servers on the internet. NTP is used to sync the camera time so footage timestamps are correct. The correct time is also required for HTTPS to work

Refer to this KB for more detail on network requirements.

 

Verkada Technical Support will ask to troubleshoot these services when there is a network issue. The troubleshooting process can require a packet capture of network traffic to analyze the root cause.

 

Note: Cable integrity is important to supply PoE and data to a camera. Cable termination, interconnects, distance, and bends must all be taken into account.

 

Power budgeting

Each Camera requires PoE power to function. Make sure your network switch has enough PoE power to support all of the connected cameras at full power draw.

 

Don’t forget: Cameras use less power during the day. When cameras switch to night mode, the IR emitters activate to illuminate the scene for better visibility. The IRs increase power draw. If multiple cameras are connected to the same PoE switch, the PoE draw can increase significantly at night. If the switch does not have enough power to deliver to all the cameras, some cameras will go offline. A telltale sign of your switch not having enough power is that cameras will go offline each night around the same time as other cameras on the same switch when entering into night mode.

 

An easy way to spec power on a switch is to multiply the number of cameras connected by 30 Watts which is the maximum power delivered by PoE+. For example, if you had 10 cameras you would calculate like this:

 

10 cameras X 30 Watts = 300 Watt PoE budget on the switch

 

Note: Full power draw can be found on the datasheet for your camera model. Remember, each switch port should be able to supply the maximum amount of power required by the camera.

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Staging cameras before installation

Staging devices helps you to avoid the costs and difficulties of troubleshooting a faulty camera after it has been installed (such as needing a lift to physically access the camera). Staging involves confirming the devices function correctly before they are installed at their intended locations. Once a camera is staged correctly, further troubleshooting can focus on the physical and network environments.

 

Stage devices as follows:

1. Connect each device to your PoE switch

2. Allow the device to check in to the Command portal and update

   1. If the device does not check in or update in 30 minutes you will need to troubleshoot

3. Make sure that you are getting a video feed in Command

4. Make sure history is being populated in Command

Note: The plastic protective film on the camera dome should not be removed before installing at the actual end location.

 

Building a staging lab

Verkada Technical Support recommends investing in a mobile staging environment to test and upgrade devices before installing them at their final install location. A mobile staging lab can be transported in a case and shipped to a site before installation. The staging lab is made up of the following components:

• Internet uplink

• Managed PoE+ switch

• Router (includes, DHCP, DNS)

• Known good short ethernet patch cables

• Computer with Ethernet adapter

• PoE injector

• 5G mobile hotspot router with adequate data plan (optional)

Typically your staging lab will use the customer network for internet access. It is good practice to include a 5G mobile hotspot router in your staging kit so the cameras can get internet access when the customer network is not prepared or is having issues.

 

Pro Tip: Verkada Technical Support recommends not using a firewall in your staging environment because blocking the camera’s traffic could result in additional troubleshooting. The staging lab should only contain what is necessary for the cameras to operate.

 

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Installing cameras

Once staging is complete the cameras should be ready to install in their intended locations. You can find step-by-step guides to installing each camera model here. When you install cameras be sure to take into account image quality during the day and the night when determining orientation and placement.

 

Pro Tip: Verkada Technical Support recommends using the Verkada Command Mobile App during the installation process. You will be able to see the camera stream on your phone which will allow more accurate placement and orientation of the device when installing it in its final location.

 

Keep the following in mind when installing cameras:

• If IRs are reflected or obstructed they will cause glare in the image in night mode

  • Ensure the IRs are not facing a white or reflective surface

  • Ensure the IRs are not obstructed by camera housing

• Make sure outdoor cameras have a water-tight seal. Confirm the cable gland is properly secured and the seal is properly tightened

  • Make sure the desiccant pack is installed inside the camera case to prevent condensation build-up

• Do not remove the plastic film on the camera dome until you have positioned the camera properly to cover it until properly installed on location. If a dome gets grime it will show as glare in night mode. It may even make the image blurry in day mode

  • Do not touch the inside or outside of the camera dome because it will get fingerprints that cause glare when the IR illuminators come on

  • If you remove the plastic cover, wipe down the dome with a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove grime and fingerprints

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Finalizing the deployment

The most important aspect of an installation is delivering a working solution to the customer that they can maintain and get help on when you leave. This means demonstrating to them that they have access to all of the devices they purchased and that the devices are fully functional. Complete the checks below to demonstrate that the installation was successful before you leave the site.

1. Make sure the plastic film is removed from all the camera domes

2. Make sure at least two customer users are added as org admins and site admin for all sites

3. Have the customer login and confirm they can see all of their cameras

4. Check with the customer to confirm the expected number of cameras are added to Command

5. Verify IR glare is not present at night

6. Check with the customer to confirm each camera is live streaming in HQ, SQ, local streaming, and recording history as expected

7. Once you confirm all the cameras are working and accessible, have the customer remove your account from their org if you are not going to manage their account on their behalf. You will want to confirm the customer access to the support page so they can leverage Verkada Technical Support if needed

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Troubleshooting deployed hardware

When installing cameras into production, issues may surface that were not present during staging.

 

Pro tip: Before contacting Verkada Technical Support for camera troubleshooting assistance:

• Find the serial number on the back of the camera and ensure you can find that serial number in Verkada Command

• Have an active support token available for Technical Support. If the issue involves live streaming or history, ensure video access is enabled for the token

LED Status

Most issues yield LED behavior that suggests a probable root cause. Below are the LED statuses, their associated causes, and remediation steps. The LED is located on the front bezel of any Verkada camera.

 

What if the camera worked in staging, but doesn’t work when installed in the install location?

• If a camera worked in staging but not when it is installed, take the device back to your staging lab to see if it works

• If it does, you can show this to the customer and work with them to resolve the issue

• If the device does not work in staging, contact Verkada Technical Support so they can help diagnose the problem in the staging environment

LED Status	Issue	Troubleshooting step 1	Troubleshooting step 2
Flashing Blue	Network issue	Connect the camera with a known-good short patch cable to a known-good switch port	If the camera continues flashing blue, go through Troubleshooting network issues at the bottom of this document
LED Solid Orange	If the camera is solid orange for more than 5 minutes, it is not receiving enough power or the boot process has failed	Connect the camera with a known-good short patch cable to a known-good switch port	If the camera remains solid orange, take the camera to the staging lab and contact Verkada Technical Support
LED Solid Blue and the device shows offline in Command	The camera is not added to Command	Confirm the serial number on the backplate of the camera matches the serial number of the camera in Command. If they don’t match, add the correct serial number and wait for the camera to check-in	If the serials match, take a picture of the serial number on the device and contact Verkada Technical Support
LED Flashing Orange	If the camera LED continues flashing orange for 30 minutes or more, it is unable to finish a firmware upgrade	Connect the camera with a known-good short patch cable to a known-good switch port and wait 30 minutes to see if it clears	If the camera does not upgrade on the direct connection, take the camera to the staging lab and contact Verkada Technical Support
No LED	If LED is not illuminated it is not receiving power	Connect the camera with a known-good short patch cable to a known-good switch port. Try using a PoE injector	If the camera LED does not illuminate, take the camera to the staging lab and contact Verkada Technical Support

​​Troubleshooting network issues

First, try to eliminate the core network as the issue. With your mobile testing kit, you can test using your mobile hotspot, taking the customer network out of the equation.

 

Network Diagnostic Tests

This simple battery of tests uses your laptop and the IP address used by the camera to confirm the network is configured to work with Verkada.

1. Work with the DHCP server admin to get the following for the Camera: IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers. The camera can be identified on the DHCP server by its MAC address. You can find the MAC address on the backplate of the camera.

2. Disconnect the camera from the network. (This avoids an IP conflict when you configure your laptop to the same IP address.)

3. Assign your laptop the same IP settings as the camera

4. Connect your laptop to the same cable used previously by the camera

5. Verify that you can access the URLs in your browser:

   • https://access.control.verkada.com/ping

   • https://api.control.verkada.com/ping

   • https://relay.control.verkada.com/ping

   • https://index.control.verkada.com/ping

   • https://firmware.control.verkada.com/ping

     Expect to see an Access Denied response for the above URL

   • https://update.control.verkada.com/ping

6. Verify NTP reachability for Verkada’s NTP servers

   • For Mac users, open a terminal window and enter

     • sudo sntp -sS time.control.verkada.com

     • sudo sntp -sS 34.216.15.26

   • For Windows users, open a command prompt and enter

     • w32tm /stripchart /computer:time.control.verkada.com /samples:3 /dataonly

     • w32tm /stripchart /computer:34.216.15.26 /samples:3 /dataonly

If any of the above requests fail, work with the network administrator to permit outbound connections:

• TCP port 443 to

  • access.control.verkada.com

  • api.control.verkada.com

  • relay.control.verkada.com

  • Index.control.verkada.com

  • Firmware.control.verkada.com

  • update.control.verkada.com

• Bidirectional UDP port 123 for

  • time.control.verkada.com

  • time.cloudflare.com

  • 34.216.15.26

• TCP Port 4460 to

  • time.cloudflare.com

Checking network bandwidth

Run an Internet speed test to confirm the network has adequate upload and download bandwidth. You should have enough upload bandwidth to support the number of cameras the customer plans to view simultaneously.

 

If all the above tests succeed yet the camera LED continues to flash blue, reach out to Verkada Technical Support.

Device Firmware Updates & Integrity

Verkada devices update their firmware automatically

Verkada releases regular updates to its firmware. These updates enhance security and functionality, and they are included at no cost as part of your cloud license.

 

Scheduling firmware updates

Firmware is pushed automatically, if you would like to schedule firmware updates to happen during a certain time of day follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to the Settings tab of the camera you want to schedule updates on

2. Select General

3. Toggle on Schedule Firmware Updates

4. Set the desired window for when updates should occur

   Note: The update window needs to be a minimum of 2 hours and the camera may reboot during this time

Automatic failover

To ensure failsafe updates, each Verkada device is equipped with a dual-partition firmware bank. In the unusual event that a firmware update fails, the device will automatically revert back to the previous version of the firmware, and try the update at a later time.

 

If you have any questions, please email us at support@verkada.com.

 

Firmware integrity checks

Verkada runs a firmware integrity check periodically on all cameras to ensure there hasn’t been any tampering with our firmware. If a device were to fail an automated check, our security team would be notified immediately and you will be contacted.

 

Does my camera stop recording during firmware updates?

We take extra care to ensure failsafe firmware updates and minimize service interruptions. Your camera will go offline for a few moments as the software update process is being finalized. These updates should occur during our regularly scheduled maintenance windows so service interruptions are minimal.

Changing a Camera’s Orientation

Rotate and flip your camera’s feed to match the installation angle or if it’s upside down

In most cases, you’ll want to install your camera with normal orientation so that the video stream in Command appears as you’d expect. Some install locations may benefit from being installed in a non-standard orientation to maximize the field of view.

 

For example, a camera may be installed at 90 degrees to capture a full view of a long hallway or stairwell.

 

In these cases, you’ll want to rotate the orientation of your camera in Command.

 

Configuration Steps

1. Select the desired camera

2. Select the Settings tab

3. Select the Device tab

4. Under Orientation click Change and select the desired option

5. Select the desired orientation and select Save

 

 

Verkada Fisheye Mode

The CF81-E supports the following Fisheye Modes:

• Panoramic – Provides a 180° panoramic view which is best when the camera is wall mounted

• Four-Way Split – Splits out the panoramic view into 4 sections for a 360° view used mainly when the camera is ceiling mounted

• Pan/Tilt/Zoom – You can decide to show the video feed either as a 360° view, as a tiles view with different angles, or explore the video with your digital PTZ functionality

Note: Click here to learn more about the CF81-E modes.

 

To change the fisheye mode follow the steps below:

1. Select the desired camera

2. Select the Settings tab

3. Select the General tab

4. Under Fisheye Mode click Change and select the desired option

    

   

    

5. From the dialog box, select the desired mode and save. The camera will reboot to implement this change.

 

Privacy Regions

Privacy regions allow you to block out part of the camera’s field of view

Privacy regions allow a user to configure portions of a camera’s view to be blocked out. Areas blocked by a privacy region will be blocked out on the camera’s live feed and in historical footage.

 

Note: you will need to have Site Admin permissions to configure privacy regions for a camera.

 

Creating and Deleting a Privacy Region

Navigate to the camera you want to configure, then select the Settings tab

 

Select the Privacy tab, then select Mark Privacy Regions

 

To create the region, use the grid in the dialog box; click and drag over the area you want to hide. You will see a black box drawn over the area.

 

To delete the region, select the X on each configured privacy region in the dialog box.

 

The changes will save automatically. Once the camera updates (typically under a minute), you can expect your live feed to contain the privacy regions.

 

Privacy regions are not retroactive. The camera may take a minute or two to update its configuration, after which you will see the privacy region on the camera’s live feed and associated historical video going forward.

 

Note: the D80 does not support privacy regions.

Using Focus and Optical Zoom

Optical Zoom and Focus on D30, D50, CD51, CD61, CB51, and CB61

Verkada’s D30, D50, CD51, CD52, CD61, CD62, CB51, and CB61 cameras are equipped with a varifocal lens to zoom and focus. Optical zoom is meant to adjust the field of view during installation, not for continual adjustments. To zoom in on live or historical view you’ll want to use digital zoom.

 

Note: Zooming or focusing a camera requires Site Admin permissions.

 

Optical Zoom

• Select the camera

• Select the SQ/HQ menu in the bottom left-hand corner of the video player

• Select Optical Zoom

• Use the slider to adjust the zoom

Note: It may take 30-45 seconds to fully complete the zoom adjustment and auto-focus cycle.

 

Auto Focus

Fix blurry images with Auto Focus

A camera will attempt to intelligently focus on several regions automatically. In the event an image is blurry, rerun autofocus to bring the image into focus.

• Select the camera

• Select the SQ/HQ menu in the bottom left-hand corner of the video player

• Select Auto Focus

• Wait while the camera intelligently focuses the image

Fixing a blurry image with a custom focal point

If the image is still blurry after running autofocus or you want to select a certain object as the focal point, you can set a custom focal point.

• Select the camera

• Select Settings

• Select the Devices tab

• Select Custom under Autofocus and choose Change Focus Point

• Select the desired focus point from the grid, the changes will autosave

   

Manual focus

• Select the camera

• Select the SQ/HQ menu in the bottom left-hand corner of the video player

• Select Manual Focus

• Use the slider to manually focus the camera

• Wait a while the camera focuses the image

Troubleshooting

If none of the steps above work, try zooming in slightly and then run the autofocus feature.

• Select the camera

• Select the SQ/HQ menu in the bottom left-hand corner of the video player

• Select Optical Zoom

• Click the + button on the far right twice

• Wait for the optical zoom to adjust

• Run the autofocus by clicking the Autofocus button in the SQ/HQ menu

• Wait for the autofocus to finish

   

Using Sites and Sub-Sites

Sites and Sub-Sites divide your cameras into groups to manage permissions

Sites

Verkada makes it easy to keep all of your cameras organized by site within your organization. Users can only see cameras in the sites they have been granted permissions to. This allows you to scope which cameras are accessible to each user or group. Because site permissions are broken down into roles, you also have the ability to specify the type of access each user or group has to the cameras within a site (viewer or admin). Please see the article on user permissions for more information.

 

Creating a Site

1. Select Cameras from the All Products menu in the top left-hand corner

2. Select Manage Sites in the top right-hand corner

3. Click Create Site in the top right

4. Name your site and click Add

Adding Cameras to an Empty Site

1. Select Cameras from the All Products menu in the top left-hand corner

2. Scroll until the empty site is shown

3. Click the +camera icon

4. Select Move Cameras to this site and add the cameras you would like to move

5. Select Add New Cameras to be taken to the Add Devices page with this site preselected

Moving Cameras to a New Site

1. Select the checkbox in the top left-hand corner of the camera’s feed on the home page

2. Once the camera(s) have been selected, a bar will appear at the top of the page

3. Use the Select Site dropdown box to select the destination site to move the cameras to

4. Select Move camera(s).

Sub-Sites

Sub-sites are used to grant permissions to one or more cameras within a site. This eliminates having to create a new site each time you need to scope permissions to one or more cameras. A sub-site can be nested in other sub-sites providing a hierarchy of permissions for better access control.

 

Creating a Sub-Site

1. Select Cameras from the All Products menu in the top left-hand corner

2. Select Manage Sites in the top right-hand corner

3. Hover over the site you would like to create a sub-site for

4. Select Add Sub-site on the right-hand side

5. Name your site and click Add sub-site

Deleting a Site or Sub-Site

Note: You cannot delete a site or sub-site until all cameras and sub-sites have been removed.

1. Select Cameras from the All Products menu in the top left-hand corner

2. Select Manage Sites in the top right-hand corner

3. Hover over the site you would like to delete

4. Select the bin icon on the right-hand side

5. Select Delete to confirm

    

Change the location of the camera

Instructions on changing the map placement of a camera

Changing a camera’s location affects two things – the camera’s position on the map and its time zone. You can change a camera’s location from the camera’s settings page or from the Devices page.

 

Note: When a camera’s location is changed the camera will be removed from any floor plans it is currently on.

 

Change a Camera’s Location from the Settings page

1. Select the camera

2. Select Settings

3. Select General

4. Under Location select Change to update the address

5. A map and search bar will appear, enter the address of the location in the field and select it from the dropdown menu.

6. Select Save to apply the change

 

Change a Camera’s Location from the Devices Page

1. Select Devices from the All Products menu in the top left-hand corner

2. Select the camera for which you would like to change the location

3. Select the Location box in the camera details panel on the right

4. A map and search bar will appear, enter the address of the location in the field and select it from the dropdown menu

5. Select Save to apply the settings

    

Bulk change a Camera’s Location from the Devices Page

1. Select Devices from the All Products menu in the top left-hand corner

2. Select the checkbox next to any camera you would like to change the location on

3. Select Edit Settings at the top of the page

4. Next to Location select Change

5. A map and search bar will appear, enter the address of the location in the field and select it from the dropdown menu

6. Click Save to apply the settings

Note: Changing a camera’s location to certain jurisdictions may limit the people analytics features of the camera (i.e. gender search, face detection, and person of interest).

Camera Stats

Check motion, online status, and bandwidth consumption with camera stats

Camera stats can be used to check trends of the following information over a period of time:

• The volume of motion activity in the frame

• Camera connectivity

• Camera uptime

• Bandwidth consumption

Navigating Camera Stats

Check camera stats by selecting a live camera stream and navigating to the Stats icon under the live view. The default timeline is 24 hours but it can be changed to a week or month to see stats over a longer period of time.

 

Motion activity

The Motion timeline shows the volume of motion detected in the frame over a period of time. You can move your cursor over the timeline and see the stats associated with the motion.

 

Camera connectivity

The online timeline shows the camera’s connectivity to the Verkada cloud over a period of time. Blue bars indicate the camera was connected to the Verkada servers while red indicates the camera lost connectivity to the cloud. Place your cursor over the timeline to see the date, time, and outage duration.

 

The uptime timeline shows the period of time a camera was powered on and recording. Under most circumstances the two charts will be the same, however, if a network interruption is occurring the uptime will remain blue. Significant differences between the uptime and online timelines may indicate a local network issue.

 

Bandwidth Consumption

Traffic Out and Traffic In show the upload and download bandwidth consumption over a period of time.

 

 

Traffic Out indicates the camera upload bit rate. The following data contributes to the upload bit rate; thumbnails, metadata, streams, archives, and cloud backups.

 

Traffic In indicates the camera download bitrate. The following data contributes to the download bitrate; firmware downloads, configuration changes, as well as commands sent from the cloud such as a reboot request.

Devices Page Overview

An overview of the devices details from the Devices page

The Devices page allows for quick navigation through your Verkada devices. Here you will be able to add devices to the org, see device information, change a camera’s site location, and reach individual camera live streams. Devices are also sorted by the site that they are placed in for easy visibility.

 

Add a device

At any time you can add a device to your organization by clicking + Add Devices button on the top right-hand corner.

 

Change devices view from sites to a list

At any time you can change the device page view from the Sites view to a List by clicking the list button on the top right corner.

 

In the List view use the triple dot icon in the top right-hand corner to add/remove columns from the view.

 

Change a device’s site location

Once a device is selected, you will be able to change its site location by clicking Site then selecting the pertaining site for the device to be, click Save to confirm.

 

 

Change a device’s physical address

Once a device is selected, you will be able to change its physical address by clicking Location then enter the desired address and select it from the drop-down, click Save to confirm.

 

 

 

Bulk changes

Lastly, the Devices page can be used to make bulk changes to a site. Currently, we support the following bulk option:

• Site

• Location

• Motion events

• Tamper events

• Crowd events

• Data storage location

• Analytics features

Simply click the check box next to the cameras you wish to change and select Edit Settings, you may also bulk delete cameras by selecting Delete.

 

Find a Camera’s MAC Address

Find your camera’s MAC address in Command

Note: All Verkada MAC addresses start with E0:A7:00

 

In some cases, such as for troubleshooting, static DHCP assignments, firewall whitelists, etc. it is useful to know the MAC address of the camera.

 

There are two main ways to find your camera’s MAC address:

1. Printed on the camera label – On the bottom of each camera is a label containing the serial number, a quick-add QR code, as well as the MAC address.

   

    

2. Camera Info Page – Once the camera has come online in command, you can find the MAC address from the camera’s info page:

   1. Select the devices tab

   2. From the list of devices, select the camera in question

   3. You will find the MAC address on the camera info section on the right

Note: Viewing the camera’s MAC address from Command requires the Org Admin permission level.

 

People Heatmaps for Floorplans

People heatmaps offer a more detailed view of activity within a building by displaying a history of individuals’ movements on floorplans using color-coded contours. This feature can help businesses better understand how their spaces are being used, such as identifying high-traffic areas and analyzing traffic patterns and behavior.

 

In order to use people heatmaps you will need at least one floorplan uploaded with cameras placed on it. The cameras will need to be calibrated to set up regions of interest.

 

Note: People analytics needs to be enabled on a camera before it can be calibrated.

 

How To Access

1. From the Home page select the Map icon in the bottom right-hand corner.

2. Select the desired building and floor you want to view.

3. In the top right-hand corner, People Heatmap should already be selected. If not, select the dropdown to select it from the menu.

    

   

    

4. From here, you can select the desired time interval in the bottom right-hand corner. The default is 1 hour but you can increase it up to 1 day.

    

   

    

   You can also select a date and time from the calendar menu in the middle of the page.

    

   

    

    

5. In the bottom left-hand corner, you can play a time timelapse to see people’s movement over time.

Example of the timelapse feature

Deleting a Camera

Instructions for deleting or factory resetting a camera

Organization Admins and Site Admins have the ability to delete a camera. Deleting a camera can be used to accomplish two things:

1. Remove a camera from your organization

2. Erase all recorded footage

IMPORTANT: Deleting a camera from Command will erase all of its recorded footage and it will not be able to be recovered!

Deleting a Camera

Sometimes you need to remove a camera from your account either because you want to use it in a different organization or it is no longer needed. Follow the steps below to delete a camera from your organization.

Note: If you plan to re-add the camera, make sure you document the camera’s serial number.

1. Select Devices from the All Products menu in the top left-hand corner

2. Select the camera(s) by clicking on the check box on the left

3. Select Delete

4. Enter the verification code and select Delete

Deleting cameras from the Command App

1. Press and hold the camera you want to delete

2. Select Edit Device

3. Select Delete Camera

4. Enter the 4-digit code to confirm that you want to delete the camera

 

Resetting a Camera

If you need to erase footage on a camera and start over, follow the above steps to delete the camera. Once the camera is removed from your organization, follow the steps in this article to re-add the camera to your Command account.

 

Note: This option resets the camera name, site, settings, and map location

Calibrating Cameras for Floorplan Heatmaps

Instructions to calibrate cameras for the heatmaps feature on floor plans

In order to use people heatmaps on floorplans, you will need to calibrate the cameras you want to see heatmaps for. People heatmaps will only show on a floorplan for motion detected by cameras that have been calibrated.

 

Note: Before calibrating cameras please ensure that you have enabled people analytics on all cameras you wish to calibrate. Cameras will need to be placed on the floorplan map for them to start collecting motion data. If a camera is removed from the floor plan, this will reset its calibration.

 

For best results, the camera’s field of view should be pointed straight down towards the floor/ground as much as possible. An angle of at least 70 degrees from the horizontal is recommended.

 

Process

1. Select Floorplans on the top right-hand corner of the Home page

2. Select the floorplan you wish to calibrate cameras on

3. Select the camera you wish to calibrate and select the Calibrate for heatmap button

    

   

    

4. In the floor plan, click and drop 4 points to select the area where you wish to track people’s motions with the camera.

5. In the camera view, click to drop 4 points in the same order and for the same area as in the last step to complete the calibration.

    

   Note: The sequence of the dropped points is important and should be identical between the floor plan and the camera floor footage. The video below illustrates how to calibrate cameras with dropped points in the correct sequence.

Compatible models: Certain models like D30, D50, or D80 which don’t have analytics can’t be calibrated. Additionally, certain camera settings which disable analytics are also not compatible with calibration like CF81s on ePTZ mode or cameras used for LPR.

Blue Iris is extremely powerful and customizable. It will let you capture motion recordings, snapshots, and you can even send Deepstack Blue Iris images to Telegram to keep a history of all objected-detected events in place.

This is a very thorough guide, but I’m going to break it down in a step-by-step for beginners. Even if you’ve never use Blue Iris, Deepstack, or any other local NVR security camera software, you can get this up and running quickly and easily.

Let’s get started!

Prerequisites:

Before you get started, you will need the following items:

• A Windows 10 or Server 2019 computer, preferably an Intel Core i7 with QuickSync (I’m using an AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700)
• A couple security cameras setup on your network (I’m using an indoor Amcrest IPM2 and an outdoor Amcrest IP5M turret)
• A copy of the Blue Iris software (lifetime $69.00 cost)

Once you have those 3 items setup and ready to go, you can begin the Blue Iris installation process below.

Step 1: Download and Install Blue Iris

The first step is to purchase a copy of Blue Iris. Once purchased, you can download the full version.

Double-click the blueiris.exe to start the installation.

It will prompt to install any missing prerequisites. Click Next.

Agree to the ToS to install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.

Once complete, it’ll bring you back to the Welcome screen. Click Next again and accept the Blue Iris terms and conditions.

Install Blue Iris in the default folder. Then click Install.

Installation only takes a few seconds. Check the Launch Blue Iris 5 box and then click Finish.

A product activation box will popup. If you are using the 15-day free trial, you can just click Demo. Otherwise, enter a product activation code you received after purchasing by clicking Next.

Note: If you don’t want to setup Deepstack for object detection (which is free and open source), you can skip Step 2 and go directly to Step 3. If you do want to install Deepstack, follow Step 2.

Step 2: Install Deepstack

Navigate to this URL: https://docs.deepstack.cc/windows/

Click the Download CPU Link for Windows. There is also a Download link for Nvidea GPU’s, if you’d like to offload the AI detection on your graphics card instead.

Once downloaded, double-click the .exe to run it.

Install Deepstack with all defaults. Click Finish once complete. To launch Deepstack, open Powershell from the Window Start menu.

deepstack --VISION-DETECTION True --PORT 80

Step 3: Launch Blue Iris

Search your computer or server for Blue Iris from the Windows Start button. You can launch either Blue Iris Admin or Blue Iris.

On the top left corner, click the gear to enter the Global settings screen.

For the rest of step 3, I’m going to refer to each section as “tabs”.

About Tab

In the About tab, give your system a name (i.e. – Blue Iris)

In the Software Support and Updates section, it should default to “no automatic updates” by default. If not, you’ll want to turn automatic updates off.

Clips and Archiving tab

For this section, we’ll need to create a few Windows folders where we want the Blue Iris clips and recording footage to be stored. Ideally you’ll want to choose a harddrive with a decent amount of storage.

I’m using my S:\ drive as the target, which is a 690gb SSD array.

Create a new parent folder on your target drive called “BlueIris” (i.e. S:\BlueIris).

Click into your BlueIris folder and create 4 new folders:

• db
• New
• Stored
• Alerts

Next, we need to map the 4 new folders to the “Folders” section in Blue Iris.

“New” Folder

Click the New folder in Blue Iris. Change the path to the path of your “New” Windows folder. Set a limit, uncheck limit clip age, and set to delete. This is basically going to continually record and store footage until your 300gb is reached and then delete the oldest clips. If you have a large NAS or external drive, you could also click the Move to Folder option and archive them there instead of deleting.

Note: The more cameras you have and the higher resolution they are, the more storage space you’ll need.

“Stored” Folder

Since I have my clips set to delete once it hits the 300gb limit, I’m not really going to be using the Stored folder, so I’m setting it to 20gb, unchecking Limit Clip Age, and setting it to Delete. Down the road I may use this folder for exported clips.

“Alerts” Folder

The “Alerts” folder is where all pictures will be stored (including the Deepstack analyzed snapshots).

I set the limit size to 1gb, checked the box to limit the age to 7 days, and set it to Delete.

“db” folder

You will also need to set the path for the Blue Iris database(db).

IMPORTANT: Your “New” and “db” folders should be on a fast, local storage drive (like an internal SSD), but the Stored folder can be on anything you want. The warning in the above screenshot reminds you of that as well.

Users tab

The Blue Iris users tab is is where you can create and limit access. For example, you can non-admin users, limit access to camera groups, set access times, restrict logins on your local network or configure login schedules.

I recommend leaving these as default for now. You can always come back and adjust these later. For now, just create a new user with a secure password, grant it Administrator access, and restrict access to LAN only (since I’m only ever going to access my cameras on my local network or across my WireGuard VPN). If you do plan on accessing your cameras from a remote network, you’ll need to open a firewall port and uncheck the LAN Only box.

After your new admin user has been created, disable the local_console user.

Web Server tab

To access Blue Iris, you can either open it from the desktop app or from a web browser. I primarily use the Blue Iris Admin desktop app to manage or adjust Blue Iris settings and the web server to view my cameras.

Blue Iris will autofill your server’s network information, including IP address and port. This will allow you to log into Blue Iris from an IP address like 192.168.68.137:81 from any browser on your network. Super handy for accessing from your phone. (I recommend going to this URL on your phone, then click your browser settings > Send to Home Screen. This will give you a shortcut on your phone for quick access)

You can leave everything as default here and just delete the remote access URL and uncheck “refresh external IP. Remote Access can configured later on and would be used for sending snapshots as phone push notifications, but I won’t be going over that in this guide.

Startup tab

The only thing you need to change in this tab is checking the box for “Run As A Windows Service”. This will allow Blue Iris to automatically start up after your computer starts and should reduce system resources.

After checking the box, a popup will prompt you for your username and password:

Cameras tab

Ideally, a 6th generation Intel processor or better is recommend. This allows you to use the QuickSync feature to decode footage more efficiently than raw processing. My AMD CPU is more than powerful enough for my two cameras but I still set this option anyways.

For most users, you’ll want to choose Intel + VPP.

AI tab

Check the Use Deepstack server on IP/port option. If you installed Deepstack, then make sure to check the box Auto start/stop with Blue Iris also.

If you didn’t start Deepstack earlier with the Powershell command, click Start Now (Mine shows Stop Now because it’s already running).

I leave everything else with their default settings.

Other Tabs

You’ll probably notice a bunch of other tabs in Blue Iris as well. Those are a little more advanced than I want to go over in this basic installation guide, but in future I will be setting up the Digital IO and IoT tab to configure with my MQTT broker in Home Assistant. That will be a separate guide and I’ll edit this post once I have that setup.

Adding Cameras to Blue Iris

Now comes the fun part: Adding your cameras to Blue Iris local NVR!

As I said earlier, I’m using two Amcrest cameras.

Launch the Blue Iris Admin desktop app if it’s not already open. Right-click the large black box to add a new camera. I’m using the name “drivewaycam” for both the full name and short name.

For the type, choose Network IP.

For the Options, choose Enable Motion Detector and Direct to disc recording. If you’d like your footage to capture audio, you can check the Enable Audio box if you’d like.

After clicking OK, you’ll be brought to a camera configuration screen. This setup will vary slightly depending on your camera manufacturer.

The easiest way to setup the initial configuration is by entering your cameras’ IP address, user, and password in the http:// field.

Then click Find/Inspect. This will autofill the stream profiles for you. (Note: For Reolink and Hikvision cameras, you have to log into the camera and enable the ONVIF option. See The Hook Up’s video for more info on it.)

Under the Advanced section, the only thing I changed is checking the box for Decoder Compatibility Mode.

If you are using an Amcrest like I am, then Amcrest has also put together a handy wiki page I referenced here. Once you click OK, you’ll be brought to the camera customization page, where you can configure things like triggers and alerts.

Video Tab

Here are my settings for the Video tab.

Set your framerate equal to the FPS in your camera (You can view the current FPS logging into your camera using it’s IP address in a web browser).

Then, uncheck Display overlays live and set your Hardware Decode to default.

Audio Tab

If you enabled Audio in the previous step, just make sure to check the box in this tab to enable it. If not, disable it.

Trigger tab

On the main page of the Trigger tab, set yours to match mine.

Click Configure next to Motion Sensor checkbox. Set your options just I like did. Since we are using Deepstack for object detection, you can uncheck object detection on this screen.

Under the When Triggered section, click Artificial Intelligence. For this part, I’m just telling Deepstack to look for “person” with a confidence level of 60%. Deepstack will be analyzing 3 images to determine whether or not it’s a person. There’s a ton of objects you could detect, such as car, truck, boat, bicycle, dog, etc. A full list of detectable objects can be found here. If detecting multiple objects, separate them with a comma and no spaces.

Make sure the Fire “On Alert” box is checked as well as the “Auto-flag confirmed alerts“. I also turned off Burn Label.

Record tab

We are going to configure this tab to use Continuous Recording + Alerts, splitting video into 1 hour files. I am also using a Pre-trigger buffer to record 5 seconds prior to motion being detected. This means Blue Iris will continually record footage until the “New” folder reaches it’s limit (configured to 300gb in the “New” tab section above)

Alerts tab

The only thing you need to change in this tab (for now) is setting the Fire when: to This camera is triggered. You can leave everything else as default.

Remaining tabs

The Webcast, Schedule, PTZ/Control, Watchdog, and Post tabs can be left alone for now.

Your camera is now setup!

Click OK. You should now see the Live Feed of your first camera in Blue Iris.

Testing Object Detection

Now, it’s time to test your Blue Iris + Deepstack NVR. To test, simply walk in front of your camera for a few seconds.

On the left tab, click the dropdown for “Alerts”. I have 5 alerts displayed so far which correspond to the 5 times I walked in front of my camera and Deepstack has detected that I am a “person”.

Basic Blue Iris Usage

Like I said earlier, Blue Iris is now recording 24/7. Once your limit has been reached, it will start to overwrite the old footage. If you’d like to see all recorded footage, change the dropdown to New. Then, double-click a segment to view it. They will be broken up into 1-hour segments as specified in camera settings > Record tab.

At the bottom, you’ll see a flag at the point in time when “person” object was detected:

However, since we are using Deepstack, we’ve configured these events to go into the Alerts folder so we don’t have to manually search through hours of video. So, you can also just switch to the Alerts dropdown, double-click a recording, and view just that clip.

I think it’s also important to explain how Deepstack works in the Alerts folder. If you sit and watch the “Alerts” dropdown, you’ll see it occasionally add an image and then delete it. This is because Deepstack has determined that the image processed isn’t a person. You will still see all images in your S:\BlueIris\Alerts folder. If you want to view just the images Deepstack has detected as a person, you’ll have to view those from within Blue Iris, not your Windows “Alerts” folder.

Remember: We set a 1gb limit on the Alerts folder, so once it hits 1gb, it’ll start deleting the older images.

Motion Rectangles

If you would would like to see motion rectangles around your motion detections and jpeg’s, here’s what you’d change:

Right click a camera > Camera Settings > Trigger tab. Check motion sensor and click Configure. Under Advanced, check Object detection and make sure to highlight “Show object rectangles”.

To see live motion squares on playback, double-click a recorded clip. Right click > Overlays > Add Motion Overlays.

Troubleshooting Deepstack/Blue Iris Detections

During initial setup, Deepstack might not detect the object correctly.

You might get false positives (i.e. – snapshots taken of things other than person, or nothing at all), or it may not trigger person detection. I recommend editing your AI confidence level by clicking the gear on your camera > Trigger tab > Artificial Intelligence:

Then, edit your confidence level here:

Adding Additional Cameras to Blue Iris

At this point, you may be dreading adding extra cameras. However, this is actually super easy. You can basically “copy” the existing settings from your first camera and apply it to any new ones! Really the only things you’ll need to change is the IP address of the extra cameras.

Right-click the black space next to your existing camera. Then click Add New Camera.

Give it a name and choose Copy from Another Camera:

Backup and Export Blue Iris Configuration

Now that you’ve got things setup and working, I highly recommend exporting your Blue Iris configuration. Just on the offchance your computer crashes or you need to reinstall Blue Iris at some point, it would be very useful to not have to setup this up from scratch again.

I recommend backing up to a different drive than where you installed Blue Iris or your recordings, such as a flash drive up uploading to Google Drive.

Click the gear at the very top of Blue Iris Admin. On the General tab, click Export.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully this tutorial helps you setup Blue Iris 5 and Deepstack quickly and easily! I wanted to give a shoutout to The Hook Up’s Youtube video which is where I got a lot of my inspiration and insight on how to set this up properly, so definitely check out his video as well.

I was hoping to setup a local NVR solution using Frigate in Home Assistant, but unfortunately every time I add cameras to my Home Assistant configuration.yaml, my zwave and zigbee networks stop responding correctly. I’m still not sure why. I even setup a 2nd HA instance, connected it to a different switch port, and didn’t use a zwave/zigbee dongle on the 2nd instance.

I’m not even upset that Frigate didn’t end up working for me, as Blue Iris is extremely customizable and works perfectly in my environment.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below and I’d be happy to help you out if I can!

Objectives

After this course, you will be able to:

Know how to use tools to get the on-site information.

Master the basic knowledge to test the device.

Get the first on-site information to headquarter and provide a fast respond to customer end.

Load more : Chinese IP Camera Update Firmwares

【Firmware Upgrade Method for HDCVI DVR 】

Firmware Check

You can check if the firmware is the latest firmware from the interface below. If it is not the latest one, we always suggest our customers upgrade to the latest one.

Path: MANAGEMENT-SYSTEM-UPGRADE-Online Upgrade

Firmware Upgrading From Web Client

You can upgrade the device firmware from the web interface.

Path: MANAGEMENT-SYSTEM-UPGRADE-System Upgrade

Firmware Upgrading via Configtool

You can use the ConfigTool to upgrade the device without login.

Firmware Upgrading From Local Menu

Prepare one USB flash disk and copy the firmware to the USB flash disk. Insert the USB storage device containing the upgrade files into the USB port of the device.

Path: Main Menu > SYSTEM > UPGRADE

Click System Upgrade.

Click the file that you want to upgrade.

Click Start.

Local U-boot Upgrading

U-boot is a very simple and easy way to upgrade the device.

Prepare one U disk.

Decompress the firmware file and put u-boot.bin.img and update.img to the root file of the U disk.

Shut down the device, insert the U disk to the USB port of the device.

Power on the device. The system will upgrade it automatically. Then pull out the U disk.

NOTE: U-boot is not applicable for N8 platform XVR.

TFTP Serial Port Upgrade

For some difficult cases, the CVI DVR is down or failed to upgrade in other ways, then we can use TFTP serial port upgrade.

If the computer has RS232 serial port, then no need the drive and USB-232 converter.

If the computer doesn’t have RS232 serial port, then first install the drive of USB-232 converter.

Insert the USB-232 converter to the computer, it will automatically identify and run it .

You can make sure the serial port number from the path below:

Right click computer-attributes- device management-port(COM and PLT)

Check the serial port number

RS-232 Connection

Please see the connection between the recorder and computer as below:

TFTP Serial Port Upgrade

Install secureCRT and run it, create a serial port connection.

Click File-Quick Connection

Choose protocol as serial protocol

Set the port as the real port number of the serial port

Make sure the data input is the same with the ones on the recorder.

Select Baud rate, which is 115200 by default.

Data bits is 8 by default.

Untick  RTS/CTS, by default, it is ticked.

Enter serial window, reboot CVI DVR manually, and screen will be printed as below:

When it shows Hit any key to stop autoboot, input 3 “*”quickly in 1 second, otherwise you cannot  enter the next # mode.

When you enter the # mode successfully, then you can edit the serial values.

setenv ipaddr <IP address of  CVI DVR>

setenv netmask <netmask of CVI DVR>

setenv gatewayip <gateway ip of CVIDVR>

saveenv

setenv serverip (server ip of TFTP server ip>

Install and run TFTP server, make sure the CVI DVR and TFTP server reach each other or can ping.

Get the correct firmware and decompress it, put all the files in one path and choose this path it TFTP.

To run the firmware, enter run da

After the upgrading finished, enter run up

NOTE: U-boot is not applicable for N8 platform XVR

Enter boot to reboot the DVR. Close TFTP server.

Firmware Upgrade for CVI Camera

You can upgrade the CVI camera via local menu of CVI DVR

Main Menu > CAMERA > COAXIAL UPGRADE

You need to insert the USB storage device that contains the upgrading files.

Click Browse.

Select the upgrade file and then click OK.

Select the check box of the channel that you want to upgrade.

Click Start Upgrade.

If the upgrading is successful, the system pops up a message indicating the upgrading is completed.

【VLC Media Player Introduction 】

VLC media player can play RTSP real-time transmit stream, helping us troubleshoot the docking problem when connecting the IPC to XVR.

URL format is as follows:

rtsp://<User Name>:<Password>@<IP Address>:<Port>/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0
channel: Channel, 1-768; subtype: Code-Stream Type, Main Stream 0, Sub Stream 1.

For example: rtsp://admin:admin123@192.168.1.111: 554/cam/realmonitor?channel=1&subtype=0

You can also check the RTSP port number and stream format from web browser

Path: MANAGEMENT-NETORK -CONNECTION

Install VLC media player.

Run VLC media player.

Click Media and choose open network stream

Play the video and check if it is the problem of XVR or IPC.

If the VLC stream from the IPC is normal, then we can judge that it is the problem of XVR. We suggest you capture a package for analysis.

Please filter IP package during the process to make the package small.

First start capturing, then use VLC to call the stream, make sure the whole RTSP connection process is captured.

【Wireshark】

lInstall Wireshark and run it.

Choose the net card you want to capture and click Start.

It will display the live capturing interface.

After the problem recurring, stop capturing and save it.

IP Filter Function

If you want to filter the IP address of CVI DVR, then you can filter:

ip.addr= =172.11.4.37

If you want to filter 2 IP address of both CVI DVR and IPC, then you can filter:

ip.addr==172.11.4.37 && ip.addr==10.172.18.125

【RS232 Serial Port Printing】

For some difficult cases, we can get its serial port serial printing information for analysis.

If the computer has RS232 serial port, then no need the drive and USB-232 converter.

If the computer doesn’t have RS232 serial port, then first install the drive of USB-232 converter.

Insert the USB-232 converter to the computer, it will automatically identify and run it .

You can make sure the serial port number from the path below:

Right click computer-attributes- device management-port(COM and PLT)

RS-232 Connection

lPlease see the connection between the recorder and computer as below:

Install secureCRT and run it, create a serial port connection.

Click File-Quick Connection

Choose protocol as serial

Set the port as the real port number of the serial port

Make sure the data input is the same with the ones on the recorder.

Select Baud rate, which is 115200 by default.

Data bits is 8 by default.

Untick  RTS/CTS, by default, it is ticked.

Enter serial window, reboot CVI DVR manually, and screen will be printed as below:

When it shows Hit any key to stop autoboot, input 3 “*”quickly in 1 second, otherwise you cannot  enter the next # mode.

When you enter the # mode successfully, then you can edit the serial values.

set dh_keyboard 0

Save

boot.

The device will reboot and print all the serial log automatically.

The log should cover the time when the problem recur, make the log short and precise.

After the operation is done, please don’t forget to set the dh_keyboard value back to 1.

【USB Flash Disk Printing】

Though RS232 log info is more complete, in some conditions, we also recommend USB flash disk upgrading as it is simple and easy to operate it.

Make sure dh_keyboard=1, by default, its value is 1. Prepare one USB flash disk.

Insert the USB flash disk before power on CVI DVR.

Power it on, when the problem recurs, shut down the device via menu manually.

Take the USB disk and copy all the files in the USB disk and send it to R&D.

Capturing Packet and Backing up in USB Flash Disk

For some cases, we also need to capture packets to analyze, for example, device becomes abnormal after connecting the network cable, video lag when remote visit. Generally speaking, we can locate all the causes via RS232 interface, very few cases needs packet capture.

Path: Main Menu > INFO > NETWORK > Network Test

Connect a USB storage device to the Device.

Click Refresh.

The Device starts detecting the USB storage device and displays its name in the Device Name box.

Select the route of the data that you want to capture and back up.

In the Network Sniffer Packet Backup area, click Browse.

Select the route.

Click the icon to start packet capturing and backing up.

Only the data packet of one LAN can be captured at one time.

After capturing starts, you can exit the Test interface to perform other operations such as web login and monitoring.

Click the icon to stop capturing.

The backup data is saved in the selected route under the naming style “LAN name-time.pcap.“ You can open it by using Wireshark software.

【Summary】

Know and master the tools use instruction for troubleshooting a HDCVI product.

Introduce several upgrading methods, wireshark, VLC and log printing methods.