Common Problems and Solution for IP Cameras

IP camera or network camera is a new product which combined with analog and network video streaming technologies, in addition to its image capturing functions like the conventional analog camera, IP camera has built-in video compression processor with web server function, to compress raw video footage, then broadcast over Internet. The authorized users can access the data from anywhere with internet connection. 
What's the common problem of IP camera?

1. Can't find IP camera when you use search software

Foremost, rechecking whether power supply and Ethernet cables are connected correctly. If the problem still exists, checking the network setting for IP camera and your computer/Laptop/tester. Go to network connection, configure IP address to same IP segments, Subnet mask and default gateway must be same for both IP camera and computer. Ensuring IP camera and computer are in the same router.

2. Can't visit IP camera from Internet (WAN)

For this problem, there are two possible factors. Firstly, there is no port mapping for IP camera. As we know, IP camera requires port mapping for remotely access from Internet (WAN). Without port mapping, IP camera is only accessible from local network (e.g 192.168.1.20). To solve this problem, you just need to log in your local router, and enable port mapping for IP camera in virtual server menu. Secondly, if you use domain or DDNS service, making sure the domain point to correct IP address with correct port number.

3. Connect 4 IP cameras, but only one IP camera displays images

This problem occurs when you didn't change the default IP address of IP cameras. After you bought the IP cameras, all of them were configured with a same IP address. With reason of IP conflict, when several IP cameras connect to router, one camera can work, but the rest of cameras can't connect to network. To solve this problem, you need to set an unique IP address for each of cameras.

How to change IP address for the IP Camera ?

Accessing the camera with default IP address (e.g 192.168.1.20), then login with default account information. Go to "Device Config", then choose "Network", you can change the IP address for the camera.

4. PoE IP camera can't see at night (dark images)

Insufficient power supply, which caused the PoE IP camera can't turn on Infrared illuminators, thus images are black at night. PoE (Power over Ethernet) is useful technology which greatly reduced the cost on IP camera installation. But it also has drawbacks; the voltage will drop when PoE IP camera connects to a PoE Switch or NVR. Typically, IEEE802.3af standard PoE only can transmit 20-30 meters. To solve this, user should use high quality Ethernet cable, or shortening the connection distance.

5. Video delay (video latency) when watch live video

Since network camera need to compress the video, before broadcast over Internet, every IP cameras encounter video latency, which is a common problem in IP video surveillance system. To minimize the video latency time, you can increase the bandwidth through upgrading your network infrastructure, also you can lower the bit-rate of streaming. Lowering the image resolution also helps to reduce the video delay time. Increasing the fps can allow IP camera output smooth video.

Do you experience any of these problems? Please make comments if these information is useful to you. If you experienced other problems which are related to IP camera, please write it down in below comment section.

6. IP camera can't display images

If your IP camera can't display images, also you are not be able to access the IP camera, likely the IP camera doesn't boot correctly. Almost IP cameras work with DC12V power supply, power requirements are different. You can estimate the power requirements on the basis of IR range.

·        No IR, or IR range within 20 meters: Required Power Supply DC12V 1A

·        IR range is within 20-30 meters: Required Power supply DC12V 1A

·        IR range is within 30-50 meters: Required Power Supply DC12V 1.5A

Please note: A regular PoE switch, supports IEEE802.3af, this standard only provides maximum 15.4W power, which means the provided current is 1.25 ampere. In conclusion, the regular PoE switch only can work with IP cameras which require no more than 15.4W power.

7. How to upgrade NVR firmware

If your IP camera connects to NVR, not all problems are caused by IP camera. Sometimes, the problem was caused by NVR. You may solve the problem through upgrading or updating NVR's firmware.

To update the firmware, you need to get the firmware file in a USB stick, which then has to connect USB port of NVR for upgrading.

Step 1. Go to "System Setting", choose "System" > "Upgrade"

Step 2. Select the firmware file, then click "Upgrade".

Step 3. When upgrading succeed, the NVR will reboot.

8. NVR can find IP camera but can't display image

If IP camera can be found through automatically search on NVR, this means the IP camera works properly, NVR detected and received correct video streaming parameters from IP camera. If your NVR shows video abnormal, you need to check the video resolution setting for both IP camera and NVR. The video resolution should be same as the NVR's recording resolution. If you use our IP camera and NVR, you need to choose the system's recording resolution as in below picture:

Choosing appropriate main stream and sub-stream resolution

IP surveillance with Power over Ethernet

An increasing number of businesses, school districts and healthcare facilities are delving into Smart Ethernet switches with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology—and reaping big benefits for their IP Surveillance networks. Power over Ethernet technology describes a system to pass electrical power over Ethernet cabling, along with data. This means that a network device can be powered and operated using the same cable as for network connection, eliminating the need for power outlets close to an IP camera, for example. However, in order to save money on installation and increase the security level by using PoE, it's important to keep certain key points in mind when dealing with the technology. This article will guide you through equipment and standards within PoE that will help you succeed in the field.

Power over Ethernet, or PoE, is not a new technology and it's already widely utilised in networking, for example in IP phones, wireless AP's and IP cameras. The first successful design and implementation of a proprietary PoE system was accomplished by Cisco in the year 2000. Their technique of putting 48V DC power on the LAN data cable along with the data traffic helped them overcome their customer's objections to wall adapter powering – and in the end also helped them to sell a lot of VoIP phone systems.

The PoE scheme

In a PoE scheme, two different types of devices are involved: power sourcing equipment (PSE) and powered devices (PD). A PD is a PoE enabled network end device, such as an IP security camera, equipped to accept low voltage power transmitted over Ethernet cabling.

A PSE on the other hand, is a device that provides ("sources") power to the Ethernet cable. Power is supplied in common mode over two or more of the differential pairs of wires found in Ethernet cables and comes from a power supply such as an Ethernet switch. There are two types of PSEs which can add PoE to your network: endspans and midspans. Endspans are Ethernet switches that include the power over Ethernet transmission circuitry and are commonly called PoE switches. Midspans are power injectors that stand between a regular Ethernet switch and the powered device, injecting power without affecting the data.

IEEE standards In June 2003, the IEEE working group released the ratified IEEE 802.3af PoE standard. It provides up to 15.4W of DC power (minimum 44V DC and 350mA) to each powered device. The maximum current of IEEE 802.3af is 360mA. The output voltage range of IEEE 802.3af is from 44V DC to 57V DC.

In 2010, IEEE ratified a new PoE standard, 802.3at, which provides 30W of DC power to the PD. The maximum current of IEEE802.3at is 600mA. The output voltage range varies from 50V DC to 57V DC. The IEEE 802.3at standard is also known as PoE+ or PoE plus.

The four PoE phases Every PSE is responsible for managing four basic aspects (or phases) of PoE:

1. PD detection
2. PD classification
3. Power-up
4. Power-removal

PD detection and PD classification are carried out through complex signaling protocols which make sure that power is delivered to the PD according to the classification. It prevents powering when no PD is connected and assures prompt power removal when a PD is disconnected. The protocols also maintain a stable DC current flow at all voltage levels. A PoE enabled PSE provides a low power signaling mechanism that constantly monitors for a 802.3 powered device (PD) to appear at the end of the LAN cable. If a non-powered network device is connected, the PSE can function just as a non-PoE and perform an "ordinary" link to the networked device. However, if an 802.3 PD is connected, the PSE will quickly recognise this and begin the process of powering it up.

Cables The IEEE standard for PoE requires Category 5 cable (CAT-5) or higher for high power levels, but can operate with Category 3 cable for low power levels. But still, even high quality outdoor Category 5 cable (CAT-5) is much cheaper than USB repeaters or AC wire.

Fault protection To minimize the possibility of damage to equipment in the event of a malfunction, the more sophisticated PoE systems employ fault protection. This feature is good to have and shuts off the power supply if excessive current or a short circuit is detected.

UPS PoE can increase your security level through a so called central UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) in the monitor room or central control room where the PoE Ethernet switch is located.

In case of a power outage, critical networking devices will become inoperable unless they are protected by a UPS with battery backup. Having the networked equipment distributed throughout your building or campus requires the distribution of several UPS systems. With PoE, a single, centrally managed UPS can be used to supply backup power to your PSE equipment. All the distributed PD networking devices can then receive battery-backed power even in power outages.

Centrally managed power also enables remote shutdown or remote reset capabilities. Through managing a PoE-enabled LAN switch via a web browser or by SNMP, remote networking devices can be easily reset or shut down saving the time and expense of dispatching a technician.

PSE Conformance Test is important despite the various requirements described for PD detection signaling in the 802.3 specification, there is considerable room for design variation. In practice, detection pulses and detection measurement schemes do vary significantly across PSE interface technologies. The 802.3at specification leaves considerable room for implementation dependent behaviours. Additionally, many vendors of PSE will choose to go outside the 802.3 specification in ways that will affect the ability to power and maintain pure 802.3at PDs. This high degree of variation adds a number of PoE compatibility issues, such as problems with voltage levels.

PoE challenges design and test engineers a great deal. Evaluating the quality of a PSE comes down to having to work with "smart" multi-channel DC power sources that are activated and deactivated through signalling protocols operating over several power delivery and polarity configurations. The application and management of DC power over multiple local area network connections must be completely transparent, safe, non-destructive, and non-disruptive to the traditional data transmission behaviours of those network connections and associated network equipment.

for example, has over ten years of PoE Ethernet switches design experience, and in the quality assurance lab every PSE needs to pass the PSE Conformance Test Suite offered by Sifos Technologies. The test suite for 802.3at produces up to 115 test parameters depending upon PSE capabilities. These parameters are measured in 23 distinct tests that cover over 95 percent of the PSE PICS (conformance check list items) in the IEEE 802.3at specification. The test is widely used throughout the networking community as the industry "norm" for PSE specification compliance.

Due to the fast pace of this sector, with most equipment having a realistic lifespan of around five years, it is most important to buy a fully qualified system. If you buy equipment which is not fully conformant to IEEE 802.3at or IEEE 802.3af, you might end up having to deal with a real nightmare in the future.

A few of the advantages with PoE

• Equipment can be placed in the most optimal location instead of choosing one where power is available.
• Network installations can be accomplished cheaper, easier and faster.
• Network changes, such as adding, removing or moving something, can be made much easier.
• Using a PoE infrastructure enables centralised power management capabilities for critical network devices.
• PoE can be used in security applications where USB or AC power is unsuitable, inconvenient or too expensive to use.

Point To Point Communication for IP Camera

Point To Point with Nano Tp-LocoM5

Many Installers are requesting methods to connect their Security Systems. From running cable race ways in commercial buildings to installing conduit above or below ground in residential installations, running wired connections can take a lot of time – which equals more money to spend in labor. This article can serve as a guide on how to maximize the use of our Nano Station Loco M5. In this article we will be going to be utilizing an IP Megapixel system.

Example: IP camera System

Items Needed:-

TP-Loco M5

Any IP camera

Any NVR

Category 5, 5e or 6 Cable / Patch Cables

PoE Switch

Before installing any hardware we first need to configure the Nanos. Lets start by Configuring the Nano that will act as an Access Point. This is the one that will be located at the Main Network.

Nano (Access Point)

Navigate to http://192.168.1.20 on your web browser. If you get this page . Click on “Continue to this website (not recommended)”

This is the correct page you should see displayed on your browser. Once you are here you can log in using UBNT as Username and Password.

Select your Country and agree to the terms of use by ticking the radio button.

Once you have gained access to the Main GUI, navigate to the Wireless Tab

Match the Settings displayed.

Wireless Mode: Access point
WDS : Enabled
SSID: UBNT_Bridge
Security : WPA2-AES
Preshared KEY: UBNT2014

Hit Change but not apply.

Network Mode: Bridge

Static Ip: 192.168.1.159

Match your Gateway as well as the DNS server. In this example we left this out as many networks are different.

Finally hit apply.

Once you have applied the settings your Nano will restart and you can install the Access Point at the Main location where the Main network is.

Nano (Station)

Lets go ahead and open an internet browser.
Navigate to http://192.168.1.20

Use the following credentials to log in.

Username: UBNT Password: UBNT

Select your Country & Language

Check the radio button to Agree the terms of use as.

Once you are loge in navigate to the Network Tab

Use the Following settings

Wireless Mode: Station
WDS : Enabled
SSID: UBNT_Bridge
Security : WPA2-AES
Preshared KEY: UBNT2014

Navigate to Network

Use the Following settings

Network Mode: Bridge

Static Ip: 192.168.1.160

Match your Gateway as well as the DNS server in this example we left this out as many networks are different.

Navigate to the Ubiquity tab

Make sure to match these settings and hit apply.

Once you have completed both Nanos you can install them making sure that they both have line of sight between the devices, some minor adjustments can be done to ensure a good connection.

The Nano’s will lock onto the network by themselves or you can click on the SELECT button this will open up a tab that will display any Access Points in the area select the correct one and lock onto it.

Once you have completed setting up your Point to Point Bridge we can focus on the location.

In this illustration you can see that the Nano (Access Point) is in line of sight with the Nano (Station) that has an IP camera connected to it.

The Connections are simple

Site Side

1.        Connect the camera that you need to add into your Main network onto its own PoE Switch “POE Port”

2.        Attach the “LAN” Cable on the single port PoE switch to the “LAN” on the PoE switch from the Nano (Site)

3.        Attach the “PoE” Cable to the Nano Station “LAN” port.

Main Side

1.        Connect the Nano Station to its PoE switch  (“LAN” to “PoE”)

2. Attach an Ethernet cable from your Router LAN port to the “LAN” port located on the Nano stations PoE switch.

*NVR connections are simple simply attach your NVR to the Router  by attaching a cable in between the LAN port on the NVR to the LAN port of your router.

Mounting Options:

The Nanos come already designed to be attached to a pole, there is a supplied Nylon Zip Ties.

Troubleshooting Tips:

If you have successfully connected all of the devices and you cannot seem to ping your camera on any device on the Station side, make sure that the WDS is enabled in both the AP and Station.

If signal is poor you can use the AirView Application to check your signals. If you are not that tech savvy you can use the Signal bars behind the units or simply log in to both and tweak your nano’s position.

Once you have completed mounting your camera and Nano stations as well as configuring your Nano’s, your system should be up and running.

Also, to view your cameras outside your network, some port forwarding is needed. Ports that need to be opened are 37777,37778 and HTTP ports.

PoE network camera in Global market

Development of PoE network camera in Global market

Since the launching of Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard, global enterprise are eager to utilize this emerging technology in just a few years. According the latest survey, in just six years from 2008 to now, the annual increasing rate of power equipment with PoE technology will reach 33%. In 2014, global market of power devices with PoE technology will be over $5.2 billion, compound annual growth rate will be 38%.

Along with the development of worldwide security market, users start to consider deploying some network cameras and other network security devices. Network surveillance based on PoE is more and more accepted by users and have great development.

PoE (Power over Ethernet) means keeping the current Ethernet cat-5 deployment, assure interface AP for wireless network security cameras and other IP signal devise based on IP signal, at the same time, it is able to power ac electric for those kinds of devices. PoE technology use one general Ethernet cable to transmit Ethernet signal and ac electrical source simultaneously, allowing power and date to be integrated into the same cable system. In the case of guaranteeing the construction cable safety, keep normal answer operation. PoE network camera use PoE technology to realize the network video surveillance, which has power device function to use direct current main provided by power device equipment to transmit to power device via twisted-pair.

Compared to normal network camera, PoE network camera has following advantages: apart from power the connected device through Ethernet cable, PoE reduce the investment cost, as a result, it decrease the overall the deployment costs to  organize the device based on IP infrastructure. Poe not only provide the need for installing wall power connection, which dramatically reduce the plug costs related supporting end devices but also install the network connection device on the place where is hard to deploy the local alternating current power supply, to some content, provide more flexibility. We can separate PoE network camera form power device end in the practice, which can be divide into two types, normal cameras and PoE adaptor. Front end has Ethernet switch for PoE power, and back end has PoE adaptor, which will transmit the twisted cable power to network camera for the working power. Because power device is able to identify the rate of power, when we use ups to power, the advantage of saving energy is more obvious.

Guarding against theft using Outdoor IP Camera

Are you ever have the experience of worried about strangers knocking at your door when your child at home alone? May be every parents have this kind of feeling. Needless to say, that is really a dangerous situation when adults were not at home. Thief or evil guy may take the chance of using children’s innocent resorts to all means in order to achieve his goal. How can we parents to avoid the same thing happen again? We would like to introduce Outdoor IP Camera. The best life and property guarder of your family.

Network Attached Outdoor IP Cameras and Wireless IP Camera attach to the network just like a computer. Set the IP address and they can be viewed by a web browser. Add powerful IP software and you can create a sophisticated surveillance system. Outdoor IP Cameras are much easier to install then the older analog CCTV cameras. The cameras are all connected to the network using standard network cable. The latest cameras can even be powered over Ethernet (POE), making installation even simpler. The new outdoor IP cameras from Axis are powered by POE.
Our complete Outdoor IP Camera systems for indoor or outdoor applications include Outdoor IP cameras, servers, storage, enclosures, lenses and software; everything you need to create a working surveillance system.

That sounds simple enough but when you’re trying to choose the right Outdoor IP camera you’ll begin to notice how many different types of cameras there are:
Weatherproof IP Cameras
Wireless IP Cameras
Indoor IP Cameras / Outdoor IP Cameras

That list can be even further segmented but you get the idea. It can be a dizzying process to wade through the available choices. But, there’s a reason for all the options and in our ongoing discussion of how to find the right Outdoor IP Camera for your project I’ll be detailing the camera types and how/where they are used.

Do you have a clear mind about Outdoor IP Camera, if not, buying one and supplying a more security environment for your children .

Understanding Power over Ethernet for video surveillance

PoE was, and is, supposed to make the powering of devices easy. You take your camera or other device that accepts power via the Ethernet port, you plug in the RJ45 jack to the port, and you walk away. Inside the head end, you plug the other end of the same Ethernet cable into a PoE switch or PoE injector and voila, power is magically delivered to the device along with the data connection. In theory, all of the normal worries are gone. AC power or DC power is irrelevant, and you don't even have to worry about over-powering a camera that, were you to fry it, could potentially set you back a few thousand dollars in equipment costs and man hours!

PoE was supposed to be this way, but practical reality has diverged from the perfect world concept in such a way that the actual installation is almost never that easy. So set aside the “perfect world” notions you have, and let’s start with the basics, so you can understand how PoE works.

There are four classes of PoE: Class 1, 2, 3 and 0. Each PoE classification denotes a range of power that is available to the end device as well as the power that must be available on the port of the power sourcing equipment (PSE):

PoE Classifications

• Class 1 --  4.5 watts at PoE port; 3.84 watts at device
• Class 2 --  7.5 watts at PoE port; 6.49 watts at device
• Class 3 --  15.4 watts at PoE port; 12.95 watts at device
• Class 0 --  15.4 watts at PoE port; .44 to 12.95 watts at device

In the world of PoE there are two kinds of switches that can provide PoE; the kind that operates with a “guarantee per port” and the kind that operates with a “total power budget”. Both kinds of switching are useful but there is a significant difference between them. If you happen to have a switch nearby, look at it and see if you can tell into which one of the above two categories your switch falls.

A switch that guarantees a certain wattage per port -- 15.4 watts per port, for example -- means that you can be sure that no matter how many Class 3 or Class 0 devices are plugged in, the switch will be able to power them. Of course, these switches tend to be bigger, more expensive and ill-suited for use outside of a nice climate controlled room, but they do prevent errors in power planning.

The second type of switch mentioned above -- the kind with a total power budget -- can only power as many PoE devices as it has power to spare. Imagine that you are working with a 4-port switch that carries a total power budget of 30 watts. This kind of switch could power four Class 2 cameras (4 devices x 7.5 watts = 30 watts needed). It could also easily power four Class 1 devices (4 devices x 4.5 watts = 18 watts needed). Continuing with that math, it would be able to power Class 3 or Class 0 devices, but it could only power two of those types of devices.

Power planning is where the rubber meets the road, and it brings up a challenge in our industry.

What happens if a chosen device (i.e., a PoE powered camera) does not clearly specify the PoE class and instead simply gives an operating wattage? You might think that this is OK since a camera which says “6.01 watts” is within the Class 2 specifications and therefore must be Class 2. But that’s where reality often diverges from common sense. In theory, what is supposed to happen is that a device is clearly labeled with a PoE classification so that when said device is plugged into a PSE device, the power budget has been worked out such that each device will receive its required PoE.

What I believe the security industry needs – right now, since PoE is happening today -- is clear labeling of the correct classification of PoE on each and every device that uses PoE. It is all well and good to place the operating or maximum wattage on the device, but industry manufacturers need to take the next step!

Manufacturers should label the device, print it on in large type and with bold colors, CLASS 1, CLASS 2, CLASS 3, CLASS 0, or whatever PoE Plus will hold as a classification. It's OK if your device actually only draws 3 watts during normal operation but for some reason is Class 0. Just tell your integrator channel partners and end users by labeling the device in the manner in which it was intended to be used. This lets system designers know the classification so that they might properly create a power plan and buy the correct devices. No one wants to be in the field trying to get a project done on time and only then realize that their switches don’t have enough power for the devices they’ve purchased.

While I am solidly standing on my PoE soapbox, let me also make a plea for PoE classification to be a priority on data sheets and marketing slicks. Some camera manufacturers make wonderful versions of these spec sheets. You’ll find photos, technical illustrations, cross reference charts, and more -- and often not a hint of PoE classification to be found anywhere. As someone who works with PoE, it sometimes seems as though PoE has become the crazy uncle that everyone has and who no one wants to invite to the party. Unfortunately for all of us, the crazy uncle could actually be the life of the party -- he makes it easy to entertain the guests and always has enough cash to pay for pizza -- but we haven't managed to take advantage of him yet!

PoE is supposed to make things easy, and between the standards bodies, the independent PoE offerings, the lack of classification usage, the errors in PoE chip usage within devices, and the propensity of some manufacturers to create Class 0 signatures in devices that draw minimal wattage, PoE's original purpose has been obfuscated in a way only rivaled by the current explanation of the financial bailout.

Why has it become so complex? Who knows! Unfortunately it has, and confusion has also shared a taxi with a lack of education on the road to PoE's widespread acceptance. People see a label on a device that says “802.af” or “IEEE Compliant” and then automatically assume that they can plug it into a PoE switch or midpsan and have it work with no problem. What makes the education problem worse is that often it does work with no problem, and this leads people to the assumption that PoE is really nothing more than Windows “plug and play” for power. Unlike Windows, however, there is no “blue screen of death” when using PoE. Instead there is a device that does not power on, or (in rare cases) a device that does power on followed by smoke, the smell of singed chip boards and fried capacitors, and then what was a very expensive security device becomes an equally expensive paperweight.