This article explains how to setup a H.264 IP camera with Camcloud to enable cloud storage and other features.

Tip: MJPEG or H.264, which one do I choose? Typically older cameras are MJPEG cameras where newer ones have H.264 support. Consult your camera's documentation. Some support both.

First you want to get your IP camera on your network. Follow your camera's documentation to complete this step.

Login to camcloud.com and go to the “Timeline” page.

There are 3 general steps required to setup an H.264 IP camera with Camcloud.

  1. Camera Info. Select your camera type (in this case, Generic H.264).
  2. Network. This is where you give Camcloud the camera’s login credentials, IP address and port. It requires port forwarding to work with IP cameras.
  3. Settings. Some final camera settings, including obtaining FTP credentials from Camcloud that need to be entered into the camera’s FTP settings area.


1. Camera Info.

This step allows you to select the type of camera you wish to setup with Camcloud, then give it a name (e.g. “Front Door Camera”). When setting up an IP camera, select Generic H.264 as the type. If you see the manufacturer in the camera model list select it, otherwise select "Generic".

 

2. Network

If you have not setup the camera on your network with port forwarding, please STOP HERE. Read our Port Forwarding Guide for instructions on this before proceeding further.

It's also highly recommended you setup a static IP address for your camera with a properly configured DNS. This will ensure your camera always has the same IP address on your network should the router reboot for any reason. Read our Static IP & DNS Setup Guide.

Once you’ve done this, complete the rest of the form.

- The username and password are the camera’s login credentials.

- The external IP will already be filled in with your current IP but you should verify it is correct - an easy way to accomplish this is to Google “my IP”. A better option is to register with a dynamic DNS provider such as DynDNS and enter the domain name. Some details can be found here. (Tip: Many cameras already provide a free DDNS service with the purchase of your camera. Check first!)

- Port is the RTSP port you assigned to this camera and have port forwarded on your network, the default is typically 554.

- Finally you need confirm the RTSP path is correct. Search for RTSP stream in your camera documentation.

Tip: The RTSP path will look something like this: /videostream.cgi or /channel1. Your documentation might show a full path of the IP and port, but you only want to enter the path after that. For example if your documentation says: rtsp://xx.xx.xx.xx:554/channel1, you only want to enter the path of: /channel1 into the path field.

Tip: Not all camera's behave the same when a max bitrate is set, you may need to limit the camera even lower than 1280kbps. The frame rate should also be kept at or below 15 (10 is recommended).

Once you complete this form select “Next”. Camcloud will run a network test to ensure we can connect to your camera before proceeding to Step 3. (Alert: Some cameras may support H.264 (i.e. they have a RTSP path) but give invalid streams. For example some D-Link and TrendNet models. You may be able to set them up but you will find the Live View will not work on the web or mobile. In that case select Generic MJPEG as your camera type.)

If it goes through it means you were successful at pinging the camera which means our Network Setup is complete.

Now you’re ready to select the Recording Mode (Continuous or Motion Recording). Make sure to take note of the FTP server, username and password, as these will be used to record motion events.

3. Settings.

Once your camera is setup on your network there are a few remaining settings required in order to add cloud storage of your motion events.

First, configure your camera to send motion events. This varies per camera but typically involves three steps:
  • Input FTP credentials. Your camera will have a place to enter the FTP credentials. Take the credentials provided to you when you created the camera. Enter the address, your credentials, port (21) and make sure to select passive mode if you have that option.


Tip: Some cameras ask for you to enter a path or upload folder. Typically this can be left empty but some cameras require this option to be filled in. In that case enter anything like “videos” or forward slash (/).

 

  • Enable motion detection - most cameras simply have a checkmark or something that says: yes, please send motion events. Here you will create "Motion events" or "Action" or "Snapshot" to trigger an event to that FTP. It varies per camera. You might also have something called "Interval" which must be set to specify the number of seconds between motion events, keep the number low.
  • Create motion detection area. Some cameras require you to draw the areas of where you want it to detect motion. Many cameras don’t have this option but if you do you typically find it under the motion detection options.


Once you’ve added the supplied FTP credentials to your camera’s configuration, you’re ready to start using your IP camera with Camcloud!