CCTV Camera Configuration

Complete guide to setting up, configuring, and managing security cameras in your facility.

Camera Overview

Security cameras provide continuous video monitoring, recording, and AI-powered analytics for your facility. Cameras connect to your network and stream video to the Performance Hub system for viewing, recording, and analysis.

Key Capabilities:

24/7 continuous recording
Motion detection and alerts
AI-powered face detection and recognition
Behavior analysis and anomaly detection
Remote viewing from anywhere
Automatic video retention management
Integration with access control systems

Adding a New Camera

Before You Begin

Network Requirements:

Required: Ethernet connection with Power over Ethernet (PoE)
WiFi is NOT supported for cameras
Adequate internet bandwidth (2-4 Mbps per camera minimum)
PoE-capable network switch or PoE injector

Physical Requirements:

Mounting location with clear view of desired area
Avoid direct sunlight on camera lens
Weatherproof mounting for outdoor cameras
Adequate ventilation for heat dissipation

Installation Steps

Physical Installation:
- Mount camera in desired location
- Connect PoE Ethernet cable to PoE-capable network switch
- Camera receives power and network through single Ethernet cable
- Wait for camera to power on (LED indicators active)
Scan QR Code to Add Camera:

QR Code Location: Physical sticker on the side of the camera

Three Ways to Add:

Option A: Scan QR Code First (Fastest)
- Use phone camera to scan QR code on camera
- Performance Hub "Add CCTV Camera" dialog opens automatically
- Serial number is pre-filled
Option B: Scan from Add Device Dialog
- Click "Add New Device +" in Device Management
- Select "CCTV Camera"
- Click "Scan QR Code With Camera"
- Point camera at QR code on device
- Serial number automatically filled in
Option C: Manual Entry
- Click "Add New Device +" in Device Management
- Select "CCTV Camera"
- Manually type serial number from camera label
- Use if QR code is damaged
Enter Camera Details:
- Camera name (descriptive, includes location: "Front Door Camera")
- Location/room assignment
- Indoor or outdoor designation
- Click "Add"
Camera Appears in Device Management:
- Camera appears in device list within 2-3 minutes
- Status shows "Online" when ready
- Camera begins recording automatically
Configure Camera Settings (detailed below)

Camera Configuration Settings

Basic Settings

Camera Name

Use descriptive names including location and view angle
Examples: "Front Door Camera", "Parking Lot - North Side", "Reception Desk View"
Keep names consistent across all cameras

Location Assignment

Assign camera to specific room or area
Helps organize cameras in CCTV viewing interface
Allows filtering cameras by location
Important for access control integration

Camera Position

Indoor or Outdoor
Specific mounting location (ceiling, wall, corner)
Height above ground
View direction and coverage area

Recording Configuration

Recording Mode:

Continuous Recording (Recommended)

Camera records 24/7 non-stop
Best for security and comprehensive coverage
Automatic overwrite when storage is full
Most reliable for incident investigation

Motion-Activated Recording

Camera records only when motion is detected
Saves storage space
May miss events if motion detection misconfigured
Best for low-activity areas

Scheduled Recording

Record during specific hours only
Useful for areas only used during business hours
Configure time windows based on facility operations
Reduces storage usage

Recording Quality:

High Quality - 1080p or higher

Clear detailed footage
Better for face recognition and identification
Higher storage requirements
Recommended for entry points and high-security areas

Medium Quality - 720p

Balance between quality and storage
Suitable for general monitoring
Most common setting

Low Quality - 480p or lower

Minimal storage usage
May not capture fine details
Only for low-priority areas

Motion Detection

Motion Threshold Slider:

Adjust how sensitive the camera is to motion using the slider with four preset levels:

Subtle: Very sensitive - detects small movements and minor changes
- Best for: Low-activity areas where any movement is significant
- May produce more alerts
Default: Balanced sensitivity (recommended for most installations)
- Best for: General monitoring areas
- Good balance between catching events and avoiding false alerts
Energetic: Moderate sensitivity - detects clear, deliberate movement
- Best for: Moderately active areas
- Reduces false alerts from minor movements
Intense: Low sensitivity - only detects significant movement
- Best for: High-traffic areas where only major events matter
- Minimizes false alerts in busy environments

Adjusting Motion Zones:

Click "Adjust Motion Zone" to define specific areas for motion detection:

Purple overlay shows areas where motion WILL trigger recording
White/clear areas are excluded from motion detection
Add points by clicking between existing points on the mask
Remove points by double-clicking on a point
Use to ignore:
- Areas with constant movement (trees, flags, busy streets, screens/monitors)
- Public areas outside your property
- Areas where you don't need monitoring
Focus detection on:
- Entry and exit points
- High-value areas
- Specific pathways or zones of interest

Image Settings

Adjust Image Settings:

Click "Adjust Image Settings" to fine-tune camera image quality with live preview:

Brightness (-64 to +64)

Adjusts overall image brightness
Increase for darker environments
Decrease if image appears washed out

Contrast (0 to 64)

Controls difference between light and dark areas
Higher contrast makes details more distinct
Lower contrast for softer image

Saturation (0 to 128)

Controls color intensity
Higher values produce more vibrant colors
Lower values produce more muted, grayscale-like appearance

Hue (-40 to +40)

Shifts color tones in image
Adjust if colors appear incorrect
Usually left at default (0)

Gamma (72 to 500)

Controls midtone brightness
Lower values brighten shadows
Higher values darken midtones

Gain (0 to 100)

Amplifies image sensor signal
Higher gain brightens low-light images
May introduce noise/grain at high values

White Balance Temperature

Adjusts color temperature
Compensates for different lighting conditions
Auto mode typically works well

Using Image Settings:

Adjust settings while viewing live camera feed
Changes apply in real-time for immediate feedback
Click "Save Changes (Device Will Restart)" to apply permanently
Click "Load/Reset Defaults" to return to factory settings
Camera restarts briefly after saving changes

Network Settings

Connection Type: Power over Ethernet (PoE) Only

Cameras require PoE Ethernet connection and do not support WiFi:

Why PoE Only:

Reliable continuous connection required for recording
Single cable provides both power and network
Eliminates need for separate power adapter
No signal dropouts or interference
Consistent bandwidth for high-quality recording
Lower latency for live viewing

Network Configuration:

IP Address: Automatically assigned (DHCP)
Subnet mask and gateway: Configured automatically
DNS servers: Use facility network DNS
Port forwarding: Not required (handled by Performance Hub)

PoE Requirements:

PoE-capable network switch (802.3af or 802.3at)
OR PoE injector if switch doesn't support PoE
Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable
Maximum cable length: 100 meters (328 feet)

Bandwidth Management:

Each camera uses 2-4 Mbps continuously
Multiple cameras require significant bandwidth
Configure Quality of Service settings on network equipment
Monitor internet speed regularly
Plan network capacity for total number of cameras

Storage Management

Internal Storage:

All cameras include 128GB high-endurance EMMC internal storage
No SD card slot - storage is built into the camera
High-endurance design for continuous recording
Provides local buffer for recordings

Automatic Upload to Performance Hub:

Recordings automatically upload from camera to Performance Hub
Upload happens continuously in the background
Uses configured region/endpoint for your organization
No manual upload or management required
Recordings accessible from Performance Hub immediately after upload

How Storage Works:

Camera records to internal 128GB EMMC storage
Recordings automatically upload to Performance Hub
Once uploaded, local storage can be recycled
Automatic management - no user intervention needed

Local Storage Management:

Internal storage automatically managed by camera
Oldest recordings overwritten when space needed
Ensure reliable network connection for timely uploads
Camera continues recording even if upload temporarily interrupted

Performance Hub Storage:

Primary long-term storage location
Capacity determined by your subscription
Automatic retention management
Accessible from anywhere with internet connection
Retention period configured by organizational administrator

Storage Monitoring:

View storage usage in Device Management
Displayed as "Activity Down/Up" in device list
"Activity Up" shows data uploaded to Performance Hub
Monitor upload status to ensure recordings transferring correctly

Purge Internal Storage:

Available in Advanced tab → Storage
Manually clears camera's internal storage if needed
Use if troubleshooting storage issues
Recordings already uploaded to Performance Hub are preserved

Camera Placement Guidelines

Entry Points (High Priority):

Front door, back door, side entrances
Loading docks and delivery areas
Emergency exits
Position to capture faces at eye level

Interior Areas:

Reception desk from multiple angles
Hallways and corridors
Workout areas (for safety and behavior analysis)
Equipment storage areas
Staff-only areas

Exterior Areas:

Parking lots with clear vehicle views
Building perimeter
Dumpster and service areas
Outdoor equipment or storage

Avoid:

Direct sunlight in camera lens
Areas with extreme temperature fluctuations
Locations without network cable access (beyond 100 meter PoE limit)
Private areas (restrooms, changing rooms)

Camera Maintenance

Regular Checks

Weekly:

Verify camera is online
Check recording status
Review temperature readings
Test live view functionality

Monthly:

Clean camera lens (use microfiber cloth)
Check camera mounting security
Verify recording quality
Review motion detection accuracy
Test night vision (if equipped)

Quarterly:

Check all cable connections
Inspect weatherproofing (outdoor cameras)
Clean housing and vents
Verify camera positioning hasn't shifted
Update firmware (automatic at 2 AM)

Temperature Management

Normal Operating Temperature:

40-70°C depending on environment and activity
Higher temperatures during AI processing
Outdoor cameras may run hotter in direct sun

Cooling Considerations:

Ensure air vents are not blocked
Verify cooling fan is operational (if equipped)
Provide shade for outdoor cameras in hot climates
Consider relocating if consistently above 75°C

High Temperature Troubleshooting:

Check that vents are clear of dust/debris
Reduce recording quality to decrease processing load
Disable AI features temporarily if overheating persists
Contact support for fan replacement if needed

Storage Capacity Management

Monitor Usage:

Check "Activity Down/Up" column in device list
Shows current storage used vs. available
Alerts appear when approaching capacity

Optimize Storage:

Use motion-activated recording for low-activity areas
Reduce recording quality for less critical cameras
Adjust retention settings if storage is constrained
Archive important footage to external storage

Storage Alerts:

Red indicator when storage is >90% full
Automatic cleanup of oldest footage begins
Consider upgrading storage capacity if frequently full

Camera Troubleshooting

Camera Offline

Immediate Checks:

Verify power connection
Check network cable is securely connected
Test power outlet with another device
Look for physical damage to camera or cables

Network Troubleshooting:

Confirm other devices on network are online
Restart network switch if multiple devices offline
Check for network outage at facility
Verify PoE switch is providing power to camera port

Camera Restart:

Use "Device Management" to restart remotely
Or power cycle camera manually
Wait 2-3 minutes for full restart
Check if camera reappears online

Poor Video Quality

Check:

Camera lens is clean (no smudges, dust, or condensation)
Recording quality setting is appropriate for use case
Adequate lighting in camera view area
Camera is in focus (some cameras have adjustable focus)

Improve Quality:

Increase recording quality setting
Add supplemental lighting in dark areas
Clean lens with microfipher cloth
Adjust camera angle to avoid backlight
For night vision: ensure IR illuminators are working

Motion Detection Not Working

Possible Causes:

Motion sensitivity set too low
Motion zones configured incorrectly
Object detection filtering out human motion
Camera view obstructed

Solutions:

Increase motion sensitivity
Reconfigure motion zones to include areas of interest
Test motion detection with deliberate movement
Review alert history to check if alerts are being generated but not delivered

Recording Gaps

Possible Causes:

Network connectivity issues
Insufficient bandwidth
Camera overheating and throttling
Storage capacity full

Solutions:

Verify PoE Ethernet connection is stable
Reduce recording quality to decrease bandwidth usage
Check camera temperature and improve cooling
Verify storage capacity is adequate
Check for network issues during gap times
Test with different Ethernet cable if connectivity intermittent

Advanced Configuration

Multi-Camera Synchronization

Camera Groups:

Group cameras by area or purpose
View multiple cameras simultaneously in CCTV interface
Synchronized playback for incident investigation
Coordinated motion detection alerts

Camera Tours:

Configure automatic cycling through camera views
Useful for monitoring station displays
Set dwell time for each camera
Organize tours by facility area

Privacy Settings

Privacy Masking:

Block out specific areas in camera view
Protects sensitive areas (computer screens, whiteboards)
Masked areas are never recorded
Configure masks in CCTV & AI module

Access Restrictions:

Control who can view specific cameras
Set permissions by user role
Restrict access to sensitive areas
Audit log tracks all camera access

Best Practices

Installation Best Practices

Always use Ethernet connections unless physically impossible
Mount cameras at appropriate height (7-9 feet for face capture)
Angle cameras slightly downward to capture faces
Avoid backlighting (cameras pointed at windows/bright lights)
Test camera view before permanent mounting
Document camera locations with diagrams
Label cables for easy identification during maintenance

Recording Best Practices

Use continuous recording for entry points and high-security areas
Configure motion zones to reduce false alerts
Monitor storage usage weekly
Test recording playback monthly
Mark critical footage for retention before automatic deletion
Maintain adequate internet bandwidth for number of cameras

Security Best Practices

Change default camera passwords immediately
Use network segmentation for camera traffic if possible
Keep firmware updated (automatic at 2 AM)
Restrict camera access to authorized personnel only
Disable unused camera features to reduce attack surface
Monitor for unauthorized access in audit logs
Physical security: Ensure cameras cannot be easily tampered with

Maintenance Best Practices

Clean camera lenses monthly or as needed
Check all connections quarterly
Test each camera during regular facility inspections
Document all maintenance activities
Replace aging cameras proactively before failure
Keep spare cameras for critical locations
Train staff on basic camera troubleshooting

Performance Optimization

Bandwidth Optimization

For Multiple Cameras:

All cameras use PoE Ethernet (no WiFi congestion issues)
Implement Quality of Service on network equipment to prioritize camera traffic
Schedule non-critical tasks outside business hours
Monitor bandwidth usage during peak times
Consider separate internet connection for cameras if many cameras installed
Use managed PoE switches for better traffic management

Recording Quality Optimization:

High quality for entry points and registers
Medium quality for general monitoring areas
Lower quality for long-range parking lot views
Adjust based on available bandwidth and storage

Processing Optimization

AI Feature Management:

Enable only needed AI features per camera
Face recognition may not be needed on all cameras
Behavior analysis best for entry/exit points
Monitor camera temperature when using AI features

Schedule Intensive Operations:

Face database updates during off-hours
Archive footage during low-bandwidth periods
Firmware updates at 2 AM automatically

Getting Help

Common Support Requests

For image quality issues: Verify recording quality settings and lens cleanliness

For connectivity issues: Check network connection type and signal strength

For AI feature problems: Confirm camera has AI accelerator chip

For hardware failures: Contact support for replacement coordination

Resources

Back to Device Management Overview - Main device management documentation

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Properly configured cameras provide reliable security monitoring and valuable insights into facility operations. Regular maintenance and using Ethernet connections ensures optimal performance and recording reliability.