What is a Network Port and why do I need one?
Network Ports can often be a difficult concept to understand. When working with IP cameras you don’t really need to worry about them until you have to set up remote access. Routers rely on ports to limit data which can access your camera and differentiate between multiple devices. Believe it or not, you are using a port just now, only you can’t see it.
HOWTO: Setup E-mail Notification on Panasonic BB and BL Cameras
IP cameras have the ability to send you email notification on alarm but they cannot send this by themselves. They require an email service or SMTP server to send the email.
This guide walks you through setting up email notification on a Panasonic IP camera with a GMX email account. The shots in this guide are from a Panasonic BL-C131 but should be almost the same for all BL or BB range Panasonic IP cameras.
HOWTO: IP Camera Remote Access
Remote access is often a key factor when choosing a security camera. The ability to monitor a location remotely is a huge benefit for most and is often the main reason for selecting an IP camera.
Buy IP cameras at our online store >>
However, the act of setting up remote access can often be very confusing for non-technical users and can lead to difficulty. The process is actually very simple but does require some explanation.
What are the differences between HD and Megapixel cameras?
Over the last year there has been an explosion in the number of manufacturers offering megapixel cameras, with many reaching over 3-megapixel. However, more recently there have been a number of cameras offering HD quality video footage in addition to their megapixel cameras, such as the Axis P1344 and the Sony RH124P.
HOWTO: Axis Internet Dynamic DNS Service
IP security cameras allow you to view your home or business from anywhere in the world with access to an Internet connection. To connect to your camera you need to know the IP address of your Internet connection that your camera is connected to. This is known as the ‘public’ IP address.
Most domestic ISPs allocate dynamic IP addresses which changes each time you connect to the Internet. If this happens it will leave you unable to connect to your camera.
Axis Internet Dynamic DNS Service provides a way to continually access your camera even if your IP address changes. This is achieved by your camera updating the Axis Internet Dynamic DNS Service with its current external IP address and the service provides you with a unique domain name to link to the address.
This guide walks you through the setup process.
Why do we need selectable Power over Ethernet classes?
With the recent launch of the new D24, M24 and Q24 IP cameras form Mobotix, we have noticed a new feature which initially didn’t seem to have a purpose:
Selectable Power over Ethernet classes
The new models will feature selectable Power over Ethernet classes which can be adjusted from within the web interface. Read more >>
UPnP: Friend or Foe?
We get a lot of technical support requests regarding Port Forwarding, the process of allowing access through the firewall on your router to your camera so that you can access your camera from across the Internet. It’s a tricky process which can leave many novice users scratching their heads. Read more >>
HOWTO: Setup a Y-cam with a Dynamic DNS Service from DynDNS.com
To access your IP camera from an external Internet connection you need to know the IP address assigned to your connection by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). This address is known as the public or external IP address and is expressed in the form of four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by a point e.g. (89.72.192.100). You can easily find your current external IP address by visiting www.mycamIP.com.
However, most domestic ISPs give customers a Dynamic IP address which is likely to change if connection is lost, or change periodically without warning. This means that the external IP address you use to access your camera may frequently change leaving you unable to connect.
A Dynamic DNS service allows you access to your IP camera by acting as a go-between. You set your camera to automatically update the Dynamic DNS service with its current external IP address and when you use your Dynamic DNS address it will always link you to your camera. As an added benefit you can also choose a unique and memorable host name which is easier to remember than an IP address.
This step-by-step guide walks you through the process of setting up a Y-cam network camera with the free Dynamic DNS service from www.DynDNS.org. This will include the camera setup, choosing your host name and registration with DynDNS.com. We will then show you how to access your camera using your chosen host name.
HOWTO: Updating the System Software (firmware) on a Mobotix IP Camera
You may need to update the system software (firmware) on your Mobotix IP camera if you find there is a problem with the operation or functionality of the IP camera or if you require new features made available in the new release. However, we do not advise performing an update of the system software every time a new version is released, or if the IP camera is operating normally. Updating the system software does pose a slight risk given that if the update is not completely successful the camera may be permanently damaged.
This guide walks you through all the steps necessary to update the system software on your Mobotix IP camera. It includes where to download the system software, the procedure to back up the current configuration to a file, how to reboot the camera and how to upload the new system software to the camera.
HOWTO: Setup Mobotix MxEasy Video Management Software with Mobotix IP Cameras
MxEasy is a video management software from Mobotix which works with up to 16 Mobotix IP cameras. Mobotix IP cameras work around a decentralised concept where all processing is performed on the camera itself with storage at the edge. All data is recorded on locally attached (to the camera) storage devices. MxEasy offers an easy way to configure, monitor and play back recordings from multiple Mobotix IP cameras.
This guide walks you through the initial setup wizard which will open when you first run MxEasy. The setup wizard will search for available Mobotix IP cameras on your network, allow you to configure the cameras with a compatible IP address for your network and set security access to MxEasy and the selected cameras.
MxEasy is compatible with the following Mobotix ranges:
Mobotix D22M
Mobotix M22M
Mobotix D12D
Mobotix M12
Mobotix Q24M