There are a couple of ways to setup your Hikvision camera:
- Port Forward Auto Setup – completely automated setup procedure with port forwarding
- Plug and Play Setup (select models) – completely automated plug and play setup procedure (highly recommended if you have a supported camera)
- Manual Setup – add the settings to your camera individually
- Troubleshooting – common pitfalls
Auto Setup with Port Forwarding
Note: Before starting, make sure that you've port-forwarded your camera. If you're unsure how to start the port-forwarding process, take a look at our guide.
Step #1. Start the "Add Camera" Wizard
First, log in to Camcloud.com. You should be brought to your "Timeline" where your existing cameras are listed.
Click on "Add Camera", select "Hikvision", name your camera as desired, and choose "Port Forward".
After clicking Next, enter your camera's username, password, IP address, RTSP port, and HTTP port. Ensure that your RTSP and HTTP ports are forwarded on your router. Use an "admin" user since the "operator" level typically doesn't have enough access.
Click on Next. Here, you can change notification settings, encoding, resolution, and other details. When you're done, click "Finish".
The setup wizard will now run through its process and confirm that it completed the configuration successfully.
Plug and Play Setup
Only the Acusense line of cameras is supported. Please see the Compatible Plug & Play List to determine if your camera is supported. Search for "PCI-" to view the list of Hikvision Plug and Play cameras.
**Please contact Camcloud Support to receive the required firmware, as Hikvision is not currently providing it on their website.**
Step #1: Add the Camcloud App to the Hikvision Camera
Pre-requisite: You must be running the Hikvision OpenSDK firmware: v5.5.150_OP_210201. Please contact your Camcloud representative to obtain the firmware and the Camcloud app.
Go to the Open Platform menu and browse to the Camcloud app. Click "Import" to install the app.
**NOTE:** Before adding the app file, confirm the camera’s date/time is correct (System > Time Settings Tab).
Once installed, it will appear as shown below:
Click the button to run the Camcloud app. It will ask for permissions—do not select any permissions. Click OK to continue.
Step #2: Add the Camera
Now, add the camera by selecting Hikvision and choosing the Open SDK option. Enter the serial number, MAC address, and username/password when prompted.
Tip: You can find the serial number under System > System Settings and the MAC address under Network > Basic Settings.
That's it!
Manual Setup
Don't follow this guide! Use the automated setup above. There is no need to manually set up your camera.
Step #1. Setup the Camera
First, set up the camera as a Hikvision device. Choose a name for your camera and turn Off "Auto Setup".
Before you head over to the Hikvision camera interface, make sure you’ve taken note of your FTP Credentials. You can find them on the cameras page here:
Tip: When we first pop up the dialogue to enter your FTP Credentials, we suggest using ftp.camcloud.com. If that doesn’t work with your Hikvision camera, use 18.204.23.246 instead.
Step #2: Hikvision FTP Setup
Go to the Hikvision Camera Interface and click on the “Configuration” tab, then under “Advanced Configuration” click on “Network”. Now click on the FTP tab.
Enter your FTP credentials manually (copy/paste may not work). Ensure the “Upload Picture” checkbox at the bottom is checked, then click on "Test" to confirm correct FTP configuration.
Step #3: Hikvision Interface Event and Storage Configuration
Under “Advanced Configuration”, click on “Events”. Enable Motion Detection and select a Motion Detection Area.
Scroll down to “Linkage Method” and ensure “Upload to FTP” is checked.
Finally, go to “Storage”, click on the Snapshot tab, scroll down, and check “Enable Event-Triggered Snapshot”.
Your camera is now ready to use cloud storage with Camcloud. When motion is detected, you’ll be able to view the captured activity.
That's it for the setup!
Troubleshooting
1. I'm not getting motion events
Newer cameras/firmware include an additional motion detection option. Ensure that the following is enabled:
Also, check out this guide.
2. No preview or image on my mobile device (Camera page)
New firmware versions may disable the Hikvision CGI. Enable it by going to: Network > Advanced Settings > Integration Protocol.
3. Camera limit reached
Answer #1: This error may be misleading. Ensure you use an "admin" user when adding a camera, as the "operator" level typically lacks sufficient access.
Answer #2: This error might occur during the final step of adding the camera. It indicates that the process got stuck while writing the motion detection settings. Check the "Event" menu in the Hikvision interface. If it only shows Basic mode (with no Expert mode), the configuration may have failed.
4. Unable to change password or edit settings
If the camera has been factory reset or is in its default state, some models require that you enable Integration Protocols. Enable both:
- Enable Hikvision-CGI
- Enable Open Network Video Interface
