Installation
Preview mode
Preview mode is ideal for installers when fine tuning the camera view during the installation. No login is required to access the camera view in preview mode. It is available only in factory defaulted state for a limited time from powering up the device.
Get started
Find the device on the network
To find Axis devices on the network and assign them IP addresses in Windows®, use AXIS IP Utility or AXIS Device Manager. Both applications are free and can be downloaded from axis.com/support.
For more information about how to find and assign IP addresses, go to How to assign an IP address and access your device.
Browser support
You can use the device with the following browsers:
ChromeTM | Firefox® | EdgeTM | Safari® | |
Windows® | recommended | recommended | ✓ | |
macOS® | recommended | recommended | ✓ | ✓ |
Linux® | recommended | recommended | ✓ | |
Other operating systems | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* |
*To use AXIS OS web interface with iOS 15 or iPadOS 15, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Experimental Features and disable NSURLSession Websocket.
If you need more information about recommended browsers, go to AXIS OS Portal.
Open the device's web interface
Open a browser and type the IP address or host name of the Axis device.
If you do not know the IP address, use AXIS IP Utility or AXIS Device Manager to find the device on the network.
Type the username and password. If you access the device for the first time, you must create an administrator account. See Create an administrator account.
For descriptions of all the controls and options in the device’s web interface, see The web interface.
Create an administrator account
The first time you log in to your device, you must create an administrator account.
Enter a username.
Enter a password. See Secure passwords.
Re-enter the password.
Accept the license agreement.
Click Add account.
The device has no default account. If you lose the password for your administrator account, you must reset the device. See Reset to factory default settings.
Secure passwords
Axis devices send the initially set password in clear text over the network. To protect your device after the first login, set up a secure and encrypted HTTPS connection and then change the password.
The device password is the primary protection for your data and services. Axis devices do not impose a password policy as they may be used in various types of installations.
To protect your data we strongly recommend that you:
Use a password with at least 8 characters, preferably created by a password generator.
Don’t expose the password.
Change the password at a recurring interval, at least once a year.
Verify that no one has tampered with the device software
- To make sure that the device has its original AXIS OS, or to take full control of the device after a security attack:
Reset to factory default settings. See Reset to factory default settings.
After the reset, secure boot guarantees the state of the device.
Configure and install the device.
Web interface overview
This video gives you an overview of the device’s web interface.
Configure your device
The capture mode setting is only available for AXIS M2036-LE Bullet Camera.
Basic settings
Set the power line frequency
Go to Video > Installation > Power line frequency.
Click Change.
Select a power line frequency and click Save and restart.
Set the capture mode
Go to Video > Installation > Capture mode.
Click Change.
Select a capture mode and click Save and restart.
See also Capture modes.
Set the orientation
Go to Video > Installation > Rotate.
Select 0 , 90, 180 or 270 degrees.
See also Monitor long and narrow areas.
Adjust the image
This section includes instructions about configuring your device. If you want to learn more about how certain features work, go to Learn more.
Level the camera
- To adjust the view in relation to a reference area or an object, use the level grid in combination with a mechanical adjustment of the camera.
Go to Video > Image > and click .
Click to show the level grid.
Adjust the camera mechanically until the position of the reference area or the object is aligned with the level grid.
Select exposure mode
To improve image quality for specific surveillance scenes, use exposure modes. Exposure modes lets you control aperture, shutter speed, and gain. Go to Video > Image > Exposure and select between the following exposure modes:
For most use cases, select Automatic exposure.
For environments with certain artificial lighting, for example fluorescent lighting, select Flicker-free.
Select the same frequency as the power line frequency.
For environments with certain artificial light and bright light, for example outdoors with fluorescent lighting at night and sun during daytime, select Flicker-reduced.
Select the same frequency as the power line frequency.
To lock the current exposure settings, select Hold current.
Benefit from IR light in low-light conditions by using night mode
Your camera uses visible light to deliver color images during the day. But as the visible light diminishes, color images become less bright and clear. If you switch to night mode when this happens, the camera uses both visible and near-infrared light to deliver bright and detailed black-and-white images instead. You can set the camera to switch to night mode automatically.
Go to Video > Image > Day-night mode, and make sure that the IR-cut filter is set to Auto.
To set at what light level you want the camera to switch to night mode, move the Threshold slider toward Bright or Dark.
To use the built-in IR light when the camera is in night mode, turn on Allow illumination and Synchronize illumination.
- Note
If you set the switch to night mode to occur when it’s brighter, the image remains sharper as there is less low-light noise. If you set the switch to occur when it’s darker, the image colors are maintained for longer, but there is more image blur due to low-light noise.
Optimize IR illumination
Depending on the installation environment and the conditions around the camera, for example external light sources in the scene, you can sometimes improve the image quality if you manually adjust the intensity of the LEDs. If you have problems with reflections from the LEDs, you can try to reduce the intensity.
Go to Video > Image > Day-night mode.
Turn on Allow illumination.
Click in the live view and select Manual.
Adjust the intensity.
Reduce noise in low-light conditions
To reduce noise in low-light conditions, you can adjust one or more of the following settings:
Adjust the trade-off between noise and motion blur. Go to Video > Image > Exposure and move the Blur-noise trade-off slider toward Low noise.
Set the exposure mode to automatic.
- Note
A high max shutter value can result in motion blur.
To slow down the shutter speed, set max shutter to the highest possible value.
If there is an Aperture slider, move it towards Open.
Reduce sharpness in the image, under Video > Image > Appearance.
Reduce motion blur in low-light conditions
- To reduce motion blur in low-light conditions, adjust one or more of the following settings in Video > Image > Exposure:
- Note
When you increase the gain, image noise also increases.
Set Max shutter to a shorter time, and Max gain to a higher value.
- If you still have problems with motion blur:
Increase the light level in the scene.
Mount the camera so that objects move toward it or away from it rather than sideways.
Handle scenes with strong backlight
Dynamic range is the difference in light levels in an image. In some cases the difference between the darkest and the brightest areas can be significant. The result is often an image where either the dark or the bright areas are visible. Wide dynamic range (WDR) makes both dark and bright areas of the image visible.
- WDR can cause artifacts in the image.
- WDR may not be available for all capture modes.
Go to Video > Image > Wide dynamic range.
Turn on WDR.
If you still have problems, go to Exposure and adjust the Exposure zone to cover the area of interest.
Find out more about WDR and how to use it at axis.com/web-articles/wdr.
Monitor long and narrow areas
Use corridor format to better utilize the full field of view in a long and narrow area, for example a staircase, hallway, road, or tunnel.
Depending on your device, turn the camera or the 3-axis lens in the camera 90° or 270°.
If the device doesn’t have automatic rotation of the view, go to Video > Installation.
Rotate the view 90° or 270°.
Verify the pixel resolution
To verify that a defined part of the image contains enough pixels to, for example, recognize the face of a person, you can use the pixel counter.
Go to Video > Image and click .
Click for Pixel counter.
In the camera’s live view, adjust the size and position of the rectangle around the area of interest, for example where you expect faces to appear.
You can see the number of pixels for each of the rectangle’s sides, and decide if the values are enough for your needs.
Hide parts of the image with privacy masks
You can create one or several privacy masks to hide parts of the image.
Go to Video > Privacy masks.
Click .
Click the new mask and type a name.
Adjust the size and placement of the privacy mask according to your needs.
To change the color for all privacy masks, click Privacy masks and select a color.
See also Privacy masks
Show an image overlay
You can add an image as an overlay in the video stream.
Go to Video > Overlays.
Select Image and click .
Click Images.
Drag and drop an image.
Click Upload.
Click Manage overlay.
Select the image and a position. You can also drag the overlay image in the live view to change the position.
Show a text overlay
You can add a text field as an overlay in the video stream. This is useful for example when you want to display the date, time or a company name in the video stream.
Go to Video > Overlays.
Select Text and click .
Type the text you want to display in the video stream.
Select a position. You can also drag the overlay text field in the live view to change the position.
Record and watch video
- Record video directly from the camera
Go to Video > Image.
To start a recording, click .
If you haven’t set up any storage, click and . For instructions on how to set up network storage, see Set up network storage
To stop recording, click again.
- Watch video
Go to Recordings.
Click for your recording in the list.
View and record video
This section includes instructions about configuring your device. To learn more about how streaming and storage works, go to Streaming and storage.
Reduce bandwidth and storage
Reducing the bandwidth can lead to loss of detail in the image.
Go to Video > Stream.
Click in the live view.
Select Video format H.264.
Go to Video > Stream > General and increase Compression.
Go to Video > Stream > Zipstream and do one or more of the following:
- Note
The Zipstream settings are used for both H.264 and H.265.
Select the Zipstream Strength that you want to use.
Turn on Optimize for storage. This can only be used if the video management software supports B-frames.
Turn on Dynamic FPS.
Turn on Dynamic GOP and set a high Upper limit GOP length value.
Most web browsers don’t support H.265 decoding and because of this the device doesn’t support it in its web interface. Instead you can use a video management system or application that supports H.265 decoding.
Set up network storage
- To store recordings on the network, you need to set up your network storage.
Go to System > Storage.
Click Add network storage under Network storage.
Type the IP address of the host server.
Type the name of the shared location on the host server under Network share.
Type the username and password.
Select the SMB version or leave it on Auto.
Select Add share without testing if you experience temporary connection issues, or if the share is not yet configured.
Click Add.
Set up rules for events
You can create rules to make your device perform an action when certain events occur. A rule consists of conditions and actions. The conditions can be used to trigger the actions. For example, the device can start a recording or send an email when it detects motion, or show an overlay text while the device is recording.
To learn more, check out our guide Get started with rules for events.
Trigger an action
Go to System > Events and add a rule. The rule defines when the device will perform certain actions. You can set up rules as scheduled, recurring, or manually triggered.
Enter a Name.
Select the Condition that must be met to trigger the action. If you specify more than one condition for the rule, all of the conditions must be met to trigger the action.
Select which Action the device should perform when the conditions are met.
If you make changes to an active rule, the rule must be turned on again for the changes to take effect.
Record video when the camera detects an object
This example explains how to set up the camera to start recording to the SD card when the camera detects an object. The recording will include five seconds before detection and one minute after detection ends.
Before you start:
Make sure you have an SD card installed.
- Make sure that AXIS Object Analytics is running:
Go to Apps > AXIS Object Analytics.
Start the application if it is not already running.
Make sure you have set up the application according to your needs.
- Create a rule:
Go to System > Events and add a rule.
Type a name for the rule.
In the list of conditions, under Application, select Object Analytics.
In the list of actions, under Recordings, select Record video while the rule is active.
In the list of storage options, select SD_DISK.
Select a camera and a stream profile.
Set the prebuffer time to 5 seconds.
Set the postbuffer time to 1 minute.
Click Save.
Show a text overlay in the video stream when the device detects an object
This example explains how to display the text “Motion detected” when the device detects an object.
- Make sure that AXIS Object Analytics is running:
Go to Apps > AXIS Object Analytics.
Start the application if it is not already running.
Make sure you have set up the application according to your needs.
- Add the overlay text:
Go to Video > Overlays.
Under Overlays, select Text and click .
Enter
#D
in the text field.Choose text size and appearance.
To position the text overlay, click and select an option.
- Create a rule:
Go to System > Events and add a rule.
Type a name for the rule.
In the list of conditions, under Application, select Object Analytics.
In the list of actions, under Overlay text, select Use overlay text.
Select a video channel.
In Text, type “Motion detected”.
Set the duration.
Click Save.
Audio
Connect to a network speaker
Network speaker pairing allows you to use a compatible Axis network speaker as if it is connected directly to the camera. Once paired, the speaker acts as an audio out device where you can play audio clips and transmit sound through the camera.
For this feature to work with a video management software (VMS), you must first pair the camera with the network speaker, then add the camera to your VMS.
- Pair camera with network speaker
Go to System > Edge-to-edge > Pairing.
Type the network speaker’s IP address, username and password.
Select Speaker pairing.
Click Connect. A confirmation message appears.
The web interface
To reach the device’s web interface, type the device’s IP address in a web browser.
Support for the features and settings described in this section varies between devices. This icon indicates that the feature or setting is only available in some devices.
Show or hide the main menu. Access the release notes. Access the product help. Change the language. Set light theme or dark theme. The user menu contains:
The context menu contains:
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Status
Security
Shows what kind of access to the device that is active, what encryption protocols are in use, and if unsigned apps are allowed. Recommendations to the settings are based on the AXIS OS Hardening Guide.
Hardening guide: Link to AXIS OS Hardening guide where you can learn more about cybersecurity on Axis devices and best practices. |
Time sync status
Shows NTP synchronization information, including if the device is in sync with an NTP server and the time remaining until the next sync.
NTP settings: View and update the NTP settings. Takes you to the Date and time page where you can change the NTP settings. |
Ongoing recordings
Shows ongoing recordings and their designated storage space.
Recordings: View ongoing and filtered recordings and their source. For more information, see Recordings Shows the storage space where the recording is saved. |
Device info
Shows the device information, including AXIS OS version and serial number.
Upgrade AXIS OS: Upgrade the software on your device. Takes you to the Maintenance page where you can do the upgrade. |
Connected clients
Shows the number of connections and connected clients.
View details: View and update the list of connected clients. The list shows IP address, protocol, port, state, and PID/process of each connection. |
Video
Click to play the live video stream. Click to freeze the live video stream. Click to take a snapshot of the live video stream. The file is saved in the ‘Downloads’ folder on your computer. The image file name is [snapshot_YYYY_MM_DD_HH_MM_SS.jpg]. The size of the snapshot depends on the compression that the specific web-browser engine where the snapshot is received applies, therefore, the snapshot size may vary from the actual compression setting that is configured in the device. Click to show I/O output ports. Use the switch to open or close the circuit of a port, for example, to test external devices. Click to manually turn on or turn off the IR illumination. Click to manually turn on or turn off the white light. Click to access onscreen controls:
Starts the washer. When the sequence starts, the camera moves to the configured position to receive the wash spray. When the whole wash sequence is completed, the camera returns to its previous position. This icon is only visible when the washer is connected and configured. Starts the wiper. Click and select a preset position to go to that preset position in the live view. Or, click Setup to go to the preset position page. Adds or removes a focus recall area. When you add a focus recall area, the camera saves the focus settings at that specific pan/tilt range. When you have set a focus recall area and the camera enters that area in the live view, the camera recalls the previously saved focus. It’s enough to cover half of the area for the camera to recall the focus. Click to select a guard tour, then click Start to play the guard tour. Or, click Setup to go to the guard tours page. Click to manually turn on the heater for a selected period of time. Click to start a continuous recording of the live video stream. Click again to stop the recording. If a recording is ongoing, it will resume automatically after a reboot. Click to show the storage that is configured for the device. To configure the storage, you need to be logged in as an administrator. Click to access more settings:
Click to show the live view at full resolution. If the full resolution is larger than your screen size, use the smaller image to navigate in the image. Click to show the live video stream in full screen. Press Esc to exit full screen mode. |
Installation
Capture mode: A capture mode is a preset configuration that defines how the camera captures images. When you change the capture mode, it can affect many other settings, such as view areas and privacy masks. Mounting position: The orientation of the image can change depending on how you mount the camera. Power line frequency: To minimize image flicker, select the frequency your region uses. The American regions usually use 60 Hz. The rest of the world mostly uses 50 Hz. If you're not sure of your region's power line frequency, check with the local authorities. |
Rotate: Select the preferred image orientation. |
Image
Appearance
Scene profile: Select a scene profile that suits your surveillance scenario. A scene profile optimizes image settings, including color level, brightness, sharpness, contrast, and local contrast, for a specific environment or purpose.
Saturation: Use the slider to adjust the color intensity. You can, for example, get a grayscale image. Contrast: Use the slider to adjust the difference between light and dark. Brightness: Use the slider to adjust the light intensity. This can make objects easier to see. Brightness is applied after image capture, and doesn’t affect the information in the image. To get more details from a dark area, it’s usually better to increase gain or exposure time. Sharpness: Use the slider to make objects in the image appear sharper by adjusting the edge contrast. If you increase the sharpness, it may increase the bitrate and the amount of storage space needed as well. |
Wide dynamic range
WDR: Turn on to make both bright and dark areas of the image visible. Local contrast: Use the slider to adjust the contrast of the image. A higher value makes the contrast higher between dark and light areas. Tone mapping: Use the slider to adjust the amount of tone mapping that is applied to the image. If the value is set to zero, only the standard gamma correction is applied, while a higher value increases the visibility of the darkest and brightest parts in the image. |
White balance
When the camera detects the color temperature of the incoming light, it can adjust the image to make the colors look more natural. If this is not sufficient, you can select a suitable light source from the list.
The automatic white balance setting reduces the risk of color flicker by adapting to changes gradually. If the lighting changes, or when the camera is first started, it can take up to 30 seconds to adapt to the new light source. If there is more than one type of light source in a scene, that is, they differ in color temperature, the dominating light source acts as a reference for the automatic white balance algorithm. This behavior can be overridden by choosing a fixed white balance setting that matches the light source you want to use as a reference.
Light environment:
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Day-night mode
IR-cut filter:
Threshold: Use the slider to adjust the light threshold where the camera changes from day mode to night mode.
IR light If your device doesn’t have built-in illumination, these controls are only available when you connect a supporting Axis accessory. Allow illumination: Turn on to let the camera use the built-in light in night mode. Synchronize illumination: Turn on to automatically synchronize the illumination with the surrounding light. The synchronization between day and night only works if the IR-cut filter is set to Auto or Off. Automatic illumination angle: Turn on to use the automatic illumination angle. Turn off to set the illumination angle manually. Illumination angle: Use the slider to manually set the illumination angle, for example, if the angle needs to be different from the camera’s angle of view. If the camera has a wide angle of view, you can set the illumination angle to a narrower angle, which equals a greater tele position. This will result in dark corners in the image. IR wavelength: Select the desired wavelength for the IR light. White light Allow illumination: Turn on to let the camera use white light in night mode. Synchronize illumination: Turn on to automatically synchronize the white light with the surrounding light. |
Exposure
Select an exposure mode to reduce rapidly changing irregular effects in the image, for example, flicker produced by different types of light sources. We recommend you to use the automatic exposure mode, or the same frequency as your power network.
Exposure mode:
Exposure zone: Use exposure zones to optimize the exposure in a selected part of the scene, for example, the area in front of an entrance door. Note The exposure zones are related to the original image (unrotated), and the names of the zones apply to the original image. This means, for example, that if the video stream is rotated 90°, then the Upper zone becomes the Right zone in the stream, and Left becomes Lower.
Max shutter: Select the shutter speed to provide the best image. Low shutter speeds (longer exposure) might cause motion blur when there is movement, and a too high shutter speed might affect the image quality. Max shutter works with max gain to improve the image. Max gain: Select the suitable max gain. If you increase the max gain, it improves the visible level of detail in dark images, but also increases the noise level. More noise can also result in increased use of bandwidth and storage. If you set the max gain to a high value, images can differ a lot if the light conditions are very different from day to night. Max gain works with max shutter to improve the image. Motion-adaptive exposure: Select to reduce motion blur in low-light conditions. Blur-noise trade-off: Use the slider to adjust the priority between motion blur and noise. If you want to prioritize low bandwidth and have less noise at the expense of details in moving objects, move the slider towards Low noise. If you want to prioritize the preservation of details in moving objects at the expense of noise and bandwidth, move the slider towards Low motion blur. Note You can change the exposure either by adjusting the exposure time or by adjusting the gain. If you increase the exposure time, it results in more motion blur, and if you increase the gain, it results in more noise. If you adjust the Blur-noise trade-off towards Low noise, the automatic exposure will prioritize longer exposure times over increasing gain, and the opposite if you adjust the trade-off towards Low motion blur. Both the gain and exposure time will eventually reach their maximum values in low-light conditions, regardless of the priority set. Lock aperture: Turn on to keep the aperture size set by the Aperture slider. Turn off to allow the camera to automatically adjust the aperture size. You can, for example, lock the aperture for scenes with permanent light conditions. Aperture: Use the slider to adjust the aperture size, that is, how much light passes through the lens. To allow more light to enter the sensor and thereby produce a brighter image in low-light conditions, move the slider towards Open. An open aperture also reduces the depth of field, which means that objects close to or far from the camera can appear unfocused. To allow more of the image to be in focus, move the slider towards Closed. Exposure level: Use the slider to adjust the image exposure. Defog: Turn on to detect the effects of foggy weather and automatically remove them for a clearer image. Note We recommend you not to turn on Defog in scenes with low contrast, large light level variations, or when the autofocus is slightly off. This can affect the image quality, for example, by increasing the contrast. Furthermore, too much light can negatively impact the image quality when defog is active. |
Optics
Temperature compensation: Turn on if you want the focus position to be corrected based on the temperature in the optics. IR compensation: Turn on if you want the focus position to be corrected when IR-cut filter is off and when there is IR light. Calibrate zoom and focus: Click to reset the optics and the zoom and focus settings to the factory default position. You need to do this if the optics have lost calibration during transport, or if the device has been exposed to extreme vibrations. |
Stream
General
Resolution: Select the image resolution suitable for the surveillance scene. A higher resolution increases bandwidth and storage. Frame rate: To avoid bandwidth problems on the network or reduce storage size, you can limit the frame rate to a fixed amount. If you leave the frame rate at zero, the frame rate is kept at the highest possible rate under the current conditions. A higher frame rate requires more bandwidth and storage capacity. P-frames: A P-frame is a predicted image that shows only the changes in the image from the previous frame. Enter the desired number of P-frames. The higher the number, the less bandwidth is required. However, if there is network congestion, there could be a noticeable deterioration in the video quality. Compression: Use the slider to adjust the image compression. High compression results in a lower bitrate and lower image quality. Low compression improves the image quality, but uses more bandwidth and storage when you record. Signed video: Turn on to add the signed video feature to the video. Signed video protects the video from tampering by adding cryptographic signatures to the video. |
Zipstream
Zipstream is a bitrate reduction technology, optimized for video surveillance, that reduces the average bitrate in an H.264 or H.265 stream in real time. Axis Zipstream applies a high bitrate in scenes where there are multiple regions of interest, for example, in scenes with moving objects. When the scene is more static, Zipstream applies a lower bitrate, and thereby reduces the required storage. To learn more, see Reducing the bit rate with Axis Zipstream
Optimize for storage: Turn on to minimize the bitrate while maintaining quality. The optimization does not apply to the stream shown in the web client. This can only be used if your VMS supports B-frames. Turning on Optimize for storage also turns on Dynamic GOP. Dynamic FPS (frames per second): Turn on to allow the bandwidth to vary based on the level of activity in the scene. More activity requires more bandwidth. Lower limit: Enter a value to adjust the frame rate between minimal fps and the stream default fps based on scene motion. We recommend you to use lower limit in scenes with very little motion, where the fps could drop to 1 or lower. Dynamic GOP (Group of Pictures): Turn on to dynamically adjust the interval between I-frames based on the level of activity in the scene. Upper limit: Enter a maximum GOP length, that is, the maximum number of P-frames between two I-frames. An I-frame is a self-contained image frame that is independent of other frames. |
Bitrate control
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Orientation
Mirror: Turn on to mirror the image. |
Overlays
: Click to add an overlay. Select the type of overlay from the dropdown list:
Widget: Meter: Show a bar chart that displays the most recently measured data value.
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View areas
: Click to create a view area. Click the view area to access settings. Name: Enter a name for the view area. The maximum length is 64 characters. Aspect ratio: Select desired aspect ratio. The resolution adjusts automatically. PTZ: Turn on to use pan, tilt, and zoom functionality in the view area. |
Privacy masks
: Click to create a new privacy mask. Privacy masks: Click to change the color of all privacy masks, or to delete all privacy masks permanently. Mask x: Click to rename, disable, or permanently delete the mask. |
Analytics
AXIS Object Analytics
Start: Click to start AXIS Object Analytics. The application will run in the background, and you can create rules for events based on the application’s current settings. Open: Click to open AXIS Object Analytics. The application opens up in a new browser tab where you can configure its settings. Not installed: AXIS Object Analytics is not installed on this device. Upgrade AXIS OS to the latest version to get the latest version of the application. |
Metadata visualization
The camera detects moving objects and classes them according to object type. In the view, a classified object has a colored bounding box around it along with its assigned id. Id: A unique identification number for the identified object and the type. This number is shown in both the list and the view. Type: Classifies a moving object as Human, Face, Car, Bus, Truck, Bike, or License Plate. The color of the bounding box depends on the type classification. Confidence: The bar indicates the level of confidence in the classification of the object type. |
Recordings
Click to filter the recordings. From: Show recordings done after a certain point in time. To: Show recordings up until a certain point in time. Source: Show recordings based on source. The source refers to the sensor. Event: Show recordings based on events. Storage: Show recordings based on storage type. |
Apps
Add app: Install a new app. Find more apps: Find more apps to install. You will be taken to an overview page of Axis apps. Allow unsigned apps: Turn on to allow installation of unsigned apps. Allow root-privileged apps: Turn on to allow apps with root privileges full access to the device. View the security updates in AXIS OS and ACAP apps. Note The device’s performance might be affected if you run several apps at the same time. Use the switch next to the app name to start or stop the app. Open: Access the app’s settings. The available settings depend on the application. Some applications don’t have any settings. The context menu can contain one or more of the following options:
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System
Time and location
Date and time
The time format depends on the web browser’s language settings.
We recommend you synchronize the device’s date and time with an NTP server.
Synchronization: Select an option for the device’s date and time synchronization.
Time zone: Select which time zone to use. Time will automatically adjust to daylight saving time and standard time.
Note The system uses the date and time settings in all recordings, logs, and system settings. |
Device location
Enter where the device is located. Your video management system can use this information to place the device on a map.
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Network
IPv4
Assign IPv4 automatically: Select to let the network router assign an IP address to the device automatically. We recommend automatic IP (DHCP) for most networks. IP address: Enter a unique IP address for the device. Static IP addresses can be assigned at random within isolated networks, provided that each address is unique. To avoid conflicts, we recommend you contact your network administrator before you assign a static IP address. Subnet mask: Enter the subnet mask to define what addresses are inside the local area network. Any address outside the local area network goes through the router. Router: Enter the IP address of the default router (gateway) used to connect devices that are attached to different networks and network segments. Fallback to static IP address if DHCP isn’t available: Select if you want to add a static IP address to use as fallback if DHCP is unavailable and can’t assign an IP address automatically. Note If DHCP isn’t available and the device uses a static address fallback, the static address is configured with a limited scope. |
IPv6
Assign IPv6 automatically: Select to turn on IPv6 and to let the network router assign an IP address to the device automatically. |
Hostname
Assign hostname automatically: Select to let the network router assign a hostname to the device automatically. Hostname: Enter the hostname manually to use as an alternative way of accessing the device. The server report and system log use the hostname. Allowed characters are A–Z, a–z, 0–9 and -. |
DNS servers
Assign DNS automatically: Select to let the DHCP server assign search domains and DNS server addresses to the device automatically. We recommend automatic DNS (DHCP) for most networks. Search domains: When you use a hostname that is not fully qualified, click Add search domain and enter a domain in which to search for the hostname the device uses. DNS servers: Click Add DNS server and enter the IP address of the DNS server. This provides the translation of hostnames to IP addresses on your network. |
HTTP and HTTPS
HTTPS is a protocol that provides encryption for page requests from users and for the pages returned by the web server. The encrypted exchange of information is governed by the use of an HTTPS certificate, which guarantees the authenticity of the server.
To use HTTPS on the device, you must install an HTTPS certificate. Go to System > Security to create and install certificates.
Allow access through: Select if a user is allowed to connect to the device through the HTTP, HTTPS, or both HTTP and HTTPS protocols. Note If you view encrypted web pages through HTTPS, you might experience a drop in performance, especially when you request a page for the first time. HTTP port: Enter the HTTP port to use. The device allows port 80 or any port in the range 1024-65535. If you are logged in as an administrator, you can also enter any port in the range 1-1023. If you use a port in this range, you get a warning. HTTPS port: Enter the HTTPS port to use. The device allows port 443 or any port in the range 1024-65535. If you are logged in as an administrator, you can also enter any port in the range 1-1023. If you use a port in this range, you get a warning. Certificate: Select a certificate to enable HTTPS for the device. |
Network discovery protocols
Bonjour®: Turn on to allow automatic discovery on the network. Bonjour name: Enter a friendly name to be visible on the network. The default name is the device name and MAC address. UPnP®: Turn on to allow automatic discovery on the network. UPnP name: Enter a friendly name to be visible on the network. The default name is the device name and MAC address. WS-Discovery: Turn on to allow automatic discovery on the network. LLDP and CDP: Turn on to allow automatic discovery on the network. Turning LLDP and CDP off can impact the PoE power negotiation. To resolve any issues with the PoE power negotiation, configure the PoE switch for hardware PoE power negotiation only. |
One-click cloud connection
One-click cloud connection (O3C) together with an O3C service provides easy and secure internet access to live and recorded video from any location. For more information, see axis.com/end-to-end-solutions/hosted-services.
Allow O3C:
Proxy settings: If needed, enter the proxy settings to connect to the proxy server. Host: Enter the proxy server’s address. Port: Enter the port number used for access. Login and Password: If needed, enter username and password for the proxy server. Authentication method:
Owner authentication key (OAK): Click Get key to fetch the owner authentication key. This is only possible if the device is connected to the internet without a firewall or proxy. |
SNMP
The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) allows remote management of network devices.
SNMP: Select the version of SNMP to use.
Note All Axis Video MIB traps are enabled when you turn on SNMP v1 and v2c traps. For more information, see AXIS OS Portal > SNMP.
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Security
Certificates
Certificates are used to authenticate devices on a network. The device supports two types of certificates:
These formats are supported:
Important If you reset the device to factory default, all certificates are deleted. Any pre-installed CA certificates are reinstalled. Add certificate : Click to add a certificate.
The context menu contains:
Secure keystore:
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Network access control and encryption
IEEE 802.1x IEEE 802.1x is an IEEE standard for port-based network admission control providing secure authentication of wired and wireless network devices. IEEE 802.1x is based on EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol). To access a network protected by IEEE 802.1x, network devices must authenticate themselves. The authentication is performed by an authentication server, typically a RADIUS server (for example, FreeRADIUS and Microsoft Internet Authentication Server). IEEE 802.1AE MACsec IEEE 802.1AE MACsec is an IEEE standard for media access control (MAC) security that defines connectionless data confidentiality and integrity for media access independent protocols. Certificates When configured without a CA certificate, server certificate validation is disabled and the device tries to authenticate itself regardless of what network it is connected to. When using a certificate, in Axis' implementation, the device and the authentication server authenticate themselves with digital certificates using EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol - Transport Layer Security). To allow the device to access a network protected through certificates, you must install a signed client certificate on the device. Authentication method: Select an EAP type used for authentication. Client certificate: Select a client certificate to use IEEE 802.1x. The authentication server uses the certificate to validate the client’s identity. CA certificates: Select CA certificates to validate the authentication server’s identity. When no certificate is selected, the device tries to authenticate itself regardless of what network it is connected to. EAP identity: Enter the user identity associated with the client certificate. EAPOL version: Select the EAPOL version that is used in the network switch. Use IEEE 802.1x: Select to use the IEEE 802.1x protocol. These settings are only available if you use IEEE 802.1x PEAP-MSCHAPv2 as the authentication method:
These settings are only available if you use IEEE 802.1ae MACsec (Static CAK/Pre-Shared Key) as the authentication method:
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Prevent brute-force attacks
Blocking: Turn on to block brute-force attacks. A brute-force attack uses trial-and-error to guess login info or encryption keys. Blocking period: Enter the number of seconds to block a brute-force attack. Blocking conditions: Enter the number of authentication failures allowed per second before the block starts. You can set the number of failures allowed both on page level and device level. |
Firewall
Activate: Turn on the firewall.
To make exceptions to the default policy, you can create rules that allows or denies connections to the device from specific addresses, protocols, and ports.
: Click to create another rule.
Pending rules: An overview of the latest tested rules that you are yet to confirm. Note The rules that have a time limit appear under Active rules until the displayed timer runs out, or until you confirm them. If you don't confirm them, they will appear under Pending rules once the timer runs out, and the firewall will revert to the previously defined settings. If you confirm them, they will replace the current active rules. Confirm rules: Click to activate the pending rules. Active rules: An overview of the rules you are currently running on the device. : Click to delete an active rule. : Click to delete all rules, both pending and active. |
Custom signed AXIS OS certificate
To install test software or other custom software from Axis on the device, you need a custom signed AXIS OS certificate. The certificate verifies that the software is approved by both the device owner and Axis. The software can only run on a specific device which is identified by its unique serial number and chip ID. Only Axis can create custom signed AXIS OS certificates, since Axis holds the key to sign them. Install: Click to install the certificate. You need to install the certificate before you install the software. The context menu contains:
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Accounts
Accounts
Add account: Click to add a new account. You can add up to 100 accounts. Account: Enter a unique account name. New password: Enter a password for the account. Passwords must be 1 to 64 characters long. Only ASCII printable characters (code 32 to 126) are allowed in the password, for example, letters, numbers, punctuation, and some symbols. Repeat password: Enter the same password again. Privileges:
The context menu contains: Update account: Edit the account properties. Delete account: Delete the account. You can’t delete the root account. |
Anonymous access
Allow anonymous viewing: Turn on to allow anyone access the device as a viewer without logging in with an account. Allow anonymous PTZ operating: Turn on to allow anonymous users to pan, tilt, and zoom the image. |
SSH accounts
Add SSH account: Click to add a new SSH account.
Account: Enter a unique account name. New password: Enter a password for the account. Passwords must be 1 to 64 characters long. Only ASCII printable characters (code 32 to 126) are allowed in the password, for example, letters, numbers, punctuation, and some symbols. Repeat password: Enter the same password again. Comment: Enter a comment (optional). The context menu contains: Update SSH account: Edit the account properties. Delete SSH account: Delete the account. You can’t delete the root account. |
Virtual host
Add virtual host: Click to add a new virtual host. Enabled: Select to use this virtual host. Server name: Enter the name of the server. Only use numbers 0-9, letters A-Z, and hyphen (-). Port: Enter the port the server is connected to. Type: Select the type of authentication to use. Select between Basic, Digest, and Open ID. The context menu contains:
Disabled: The server is disabled. |
OpenID Configuration
If you can't use OpenID to sign in, use the Digest or Basic credentials you used when you configured OpenID to sign in.
Client ID: Enter the OpenID username. Outgoing Proxy: Enter the proxy address for the OpenID connection to use a proxy server. Admin claim: Enter a value for the admin role. Provider URL: Enter the web link for the API endpoint authentication. Format should be https://[insert URL]/.well-known/openid-configuration Operator claim: Enter a value for the operator role. Require claim: Enter the data that should be in the token. Viewer claim: Enter the value for the viewer role. Remote user: Enter a value to identify remote users. This assists to display the current user in the device’s web interface. Scopes: Optional scopes that could be part of the token. Client secret: Enter the OpenID password Save: Click to save the OpenID values. Enable OpenID: Turn on to close current connection and allow device authentication from the provider URL. |
Events
Rules
A rule defines the conditions that triggers the product to perform an action. The list shows all the currently configured rules in the product.
You can create up to 256 action rules.
Add a rule: Create a rule. Name: Enter a name for the rule. Wait between actions: Enter the minimum time (hh:mm:ss) that must pass between rule activations. It is useful if the rule is activated by, for example, day-night mode conditions, to avoid that small light changes during sunrise and sunset activate the rule repeatedly. Condition: Select a condition from the list. A condition must be met for the device to perform an action. If multiple conditions are defined, all of them must be met to trigger the action. For information about specific conditions, see Get started with rules for events. Use this condition as a trigger: Select to make this first condition function only as a starting trigger. It means that once the rule is activated, it remains active for as long as all the other conditions are met, no matter the state of the first condition. If you don’t select this option, the rule will simply be active whenever all the conditions are met. Invert this condition: Select if you want the condition to be the opposite of your selection. Add a condition: Click to add an additional condition. Action: Select an action from the list and enter its required information. For information about specific actions, see Get started with rules for events. |
Recipients
You can set up your device to notify recipients about events or send files.
If you set up your device to use FTP or SFTP, don’t change or remove the unique sequence number that’s added to the file names. If you do that, only one image per event can be sent.
The list shows all the recipients currently configured in the product, along with information about their configuration.
You can create up to 20 recipients.
Add a recipient: Click to add a recipient. Name: Enter a name for the recipient. Type: Select from the list:
Test: Click to test the setup. The context menu contains: View recipient: Click to view all the recipient details. Copy recipient: Click to copy a recipient. When you copy, you can make changes to the new recipient. Delete recipient: Click to delete the recipient permanently. |
Schedules
Schedules and pulses can be used as conditions in rules. The list shows all the schedules and pulses currently configured in the product, along with information about their configuration. Add schedule: Click to create a schedule or pulse. |
Manual triggers
You can use the manual trigger to manually trigger a rule. The manual trigger can, for example, be used to validate actions during product installation and configuration. |
MQTT
MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a standard messaging protocol for the Internet of Things (IoT). It was designed for simplified IoT integration and is used in a wide variety of industries to connect remote devices with a small code footprint and minimal network bandwidth. The MQTT client in Axis device software can simplify integration of data and events produced in the device to systems which are not video management software (VMS). Set up the device as an MQTT client. MQTT communication is based on two entities, the clients and the broker. The clients can send and receive messages. The broker is responsible for routing messages between clients. You can learn more about MQTT in AXIS OS Portal. |
ALPN
ALPN is a TLS/SSL extension that allows for the selection of an application protocol during the handshake phase of the connection between the client and server. This is used to enable MQTT traffic over the same port that is used for other protocols, such as HTTP. In some cases, there might not be a dedicated port open for MQTT communication. A solution in such cases is to use ALPN to negotiate the use of MQTT as the application protocol on a standard port, allowed by the firewalls. |
MQTT client
Connect: Turn on or off the MQTT client. Status: Shows the current status of the MQTT client. Broker Host: Enter the hostname or IP address of the MQTT server. Protocol: Select which protocol to use. Port: Enter the port number.
ALPN protocol: Enter the ALPN protocol name provided by your MQTT broker provider. This is only applicable with MQTT over SSL and MQTT over WebSocket Secure. Username: Enter the username that the client will use to access the server. Password: Enter a password for the username. Client ID: Enter a client ID. The client identifier is sent to the server when the client connects to it. Clean session: Controls the behavior at connection and disconnection time. When selected, the state information is discarded at connect and disconnect. HTTP proxy: A URL with a maximum length of 255 bytes. You can leave the field empty if you don't want to use an HTTP proxy. HTTPS proxy: A URL with a maximum length of 255 bytes. You can leave the field empty if you don't want to use an HTTPS proxy. Keep alive interval: Enables the client to detect when the server is no longer available without having to wait for the long TCP/IP timeout. Timeout: The time interval in seconds to allow a connect to complete. Default value: 60 Device topic prefix: Used in the default values for the topic in the connect message and LWT message on the MQTT client tab, and in the publication conditions on the MQTT publication tab. Reconnect automatically: Specifies whether the client should reconnect automatically after a disconnect. Connect message Specifies if a message should be sent out when a connection is established. Send message: Turn on to send messages. Use default: Turn off to enter your own default message. Topic: Enter the topic for the default message. Payload: Enter the content for the default message. Retain: Select to keep the state of client on this Topic QoS: Change the QoS layer for the packet flow. Last Will and Testament message The Last Will Testament (LWT) lets a client provide a testament along with its credentials when connecting to the broker. If the client disconnects ungracefully at some point later (maybe because his power source died), it can let the broker deliver a message to other clients. This LWT message has the same form as an ordinary message and gets routed via the same mechanics. Send message: Turn on to send messages. Use default: Turn off to enter your own default message. Topic: Enter the topic for the default message. Payload: Enter the content for the default message. Retain: Select to keep the state of client on this Topic QoS: Change the QoS layer for the packet flow. |
MQTT publication
Use default topic prefix: Select to use the default topic prefix, that is defined in the device topic prefix in the MQTT client tab. Include topic name: Select to include the topic that describes the condition in the MQTT topic. Include topic namespaces: Select to include ONVIF topic namespaces in the MQTT topic. Include serial number: Select to include the device’s serial number in the MQTT payload. Add condition: Click to add a condition. Retain: Defines which MQTT messages are sent as retained.
QoS: Select the desired level for the MQTT publication. |
MQTT subscriptions
Add subscription: Click to add a new MQTT subscription. Subscription filter: Enter the MQTT topic that you want to subscribe to. Use device topic prefix: Add the subscription filter as prefix to the MQTT topic. Subscription type:
QoS: Select the desired level for the MQTT subscription. |
MQTT overlays
Note Connect to an MQTT broker before you add MQTT overlay modifiers. Add overlay modifier: Click to add a new overlay modifier. Topic filter: Add the MQTT topic that contains the data you want to show in the overlay. Data field: Specify the key for the message payload that you want to show in the overlay, assuming the message is in JSON format.
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Storage
Network storage
Ignore: Turn on to ignore network storage. Add network storage: Click to add a network share where you can save recordings.
Remove network storage: Click to unmount, unbind, and remove the connection to the network share. This removes all settings for the network share. Unbind: Click to unbind and disconnect the network share. Unmount: Click to unmount the network share. Write protect: Turn on to stop writing to the network share and protect recordings from being removed. You can’t format a write-protected network share. Retention time: Select how long to keep recordings, to limit the amount of old recordings, or to comply with regulations regarding data storage. If the network storage becomes full, old recordings are removed before the selected time period passes. Tools
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Onboard storage
Important Risk of data loss and corrupted recordings. Do not remove the SD card while the device is running. Unmount the SD card before you remove it. Unmount: Click to safely remove the SD card. Write protect: Turn on to stop writing to the SD card and protect recordings from being removed. You can’t format a write-protected SD card. Autoformat: Turn on to automatically format a newly inserted SD card. It formats the file system into ext4. Ignore: Turn on to stop storing recordings on the SD card. When you ignore the SD card, the device no longer recognizes that the card exists. The setting is only available for administrators. Retention time: Select how long to keep recordings, to limit the amount of old recordings, or to comply with regulations regarding data storage. If the SD card becomes full, old recordings are removed before the selected time period has passed. Tools
Wear trigger: Set a value for the SD card wear level at which you want to trigger an action. The wear level ranges from 0–200%. A new SD card that has never been used has a wear level of 0%. A wear level of 100% indicates that the SD card is close to its expected lifetime. When the wear-level reaches 200%, there is a high risk of the SD card malfunctioning. We recommend setting the wear trigger between 80–90%. This gives you time to download any recordings as well as replace the SD card in time before it potentially wears out. The wear trigger allows you to set up an event and get a notification when the wear level reaches your set value. |
Stream profiles
A stream profile is a group of settings that affect the video stream. You can use stream profiles in different situations, for example, when you create events and use rules to record.
Add stream profile: Click to create a new stream profile. Preview: A preview of the video stream with the stream profile settings you select. The preview updates when you change the settings on the page. If your device has different view areas, you can change the view area in the drop-down in the bottom left corner of the image. Name: Add a name for your profile. Description: Add a description of your profile. Video codec: Select the video codec that should apply for the profile. Resolution: See Stream for a description of this setting. Frame rate: See Stream for a description of this setting. Compression: See Stream for a description of this setting. Zipstream: See Stream for a description of this setting. Optimize for storage: See Stream for a description of this setting. Dynamic FPS: See Stream for a description of this setting. Dynamic GOP: See Stream for a description of this setting. Mirror: See Stream for a description of this setting. GOP length: See Stream for a description of this setting. Bitrate control: See Stream for a description of this setting. Include overlays: Select what type of overlays to include. See Overlays for information about how to add overlays. Include audio: See Stream for a description of this setting. |
ONVIF
ONVIF accounts
ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is a global interface standard that makes it easier for end-users, integrators, consultants, and manufacturers to take advantage of the possibilities offered by network video technology. ONVIF enables interoperability between different vendor products, increased flexibility, reduced cost and future-proof systems.
When you create an ONVIF account, you automatically enable ONVIF communication. Use the account name and password for all ONVIF communication with the device. For more information see the Axis Developer Community at axis.com.
Add accounts: Click to add a new ONVIF account. Account: Enter a unique account name. New password: Enter a password for the account. Passwords must be 1 to 64 characters long. Only ASCII printable characters (code 32 to 126) are allowed in the password, for example, letters, numbers, punctuation, and some symbols. Repeat password: Enter the same password again. Role:
The context menu contains: Update account: Edit the account properties. Delete account: Delete the account. You can’t delete the root account. |
ONVIF media profiles
An ONVIF media profile consists of a set of configurations that you can use to change media stream settings. You can create new profiles with your own set of configurations or use preconfigured profiles for a quick setup.
Add media profile: Click to add a new ONVIF media profile. Profile name: Add a name for the media profile. Video source: Select the video source for your configuration.
Video encoder: Select the video encoding format for your configuration.
Note Enable audio in the device to get the option to select an audio source and audio encoder configuration. Audio source: Select the audio input source for your configuration.
Audio encoder: Select the audio encoding format for your configuration.
Audio decoder: Select the audio decoding format for your configuration.
Audio output: Select the audio output format for your configuration.
Metadata: Select the metadata to include in your configuration.
PTZ: Select the PTZ settings for your configuration.
Create: Click to save your settings and create the profile. Cancel: Click to cancel the configuration and clear all settings. profile_x: Click on the profile name to open and edit the preconfigured profile. |
Analytics metadata
Metadata producers
Lists the apps that stream metadata and the channels they use.
Producer: The app that produces the metadata. Below the app is a list of the types of metadata the app streams from the device. Channel: The channel that the app uses. Select to enable the metadata stream. Deselect for compatibility or resource management reasons. |
Detectors
Camera tampering
The camera tampering detector generates an alarm when the scene changes, for example, when the lens is covered, sprayed or severely put out of focus, and the time in Trigger delay has passed. The tampering detector only activates when the camera has not moved for at least 10 seconds. During this period, the detector sets up a scene model to use as a comparison to detect tampering in current images. For the scene model to be set up properly, make sure that the camera is in focus, the lighting conditions are correct, and the camera doesn’t point at a scene that lacks contours, for example, a blank wall. Camera tampering can be used as a condition to trigger actions.
Trigger delay: Enter the minimum time that the tampering conditions must be active before the alarm triggers. This can help prevent false alarms for known conditions that affect the image. Trigger on dark images: It is very difficult to generate alarms when the camera lens is sprayed, since it is impossible to distinguish that event from other situations where the image turns dark in a similar way, for example, when the lighting conditions change. Turn on this parameter to generate alarms for all cases where the image turns dark. When it’s turned off, the device doesn’t generate any alarm when the image turns dark. Note For detection of tampering attempts in static and non-crowded scenes. |
Edge-to-edge
Pairing
Pairing allows you to use a compatible Axis network speaker or microphone as if it’s part of the camera. Once paired, the network speaker acts as an audio out device where you can play audio clips and transmit sound through the camera. The network microphone will take up sounds from the surrounding area and make it available as an audio input device, usable in media streams and recordings.
For this feature to work with a video management software (VMS), you must first pair the camera with the speaker or microphone, then add the camera to your VMS.
Set a 'Wait between actions (hh:mm:ss)' limit in the event rule when you use a network paired audio device in an event rule with 'Audio detection' as condition and 'Play audio clip' as action. This will help you avoid a looping detection if the capturing microphone picks up audio from the speaker.
Address: Enter host name or IP address to the network speaker. Username: Enter username. Password: Enter password for the user. Speaker pairing: Select to pair a network speaker. Microphone pairing: Select to pair a microphone. Clear fields: Click to clear all fields. Connect: Click to establish connection to the speaker or microphone. |
Logs
Reports and logs
Reports
Logs
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Network trace
Important A network trace file might contain sensitive information, for example certificates or passwords. A network trace file can help you troubleshoot problems by recording activity on the network. Trace time: Select the duration of the trace in seconds or minutes, and click Download. |
Remote system log
Syslog is a standard for message logging. It allows separation of the software that generates messages, the system that stores them, and the software that reports and analyzes them. Each message is labeled with a facility code, which indicates the software type generating the message, and assigned a severity level.
Server: Click to add a new server. Host: Enter the hostname or IP address of the server. Format: Select which syslog message format to use.
Protocol: Select the protocol to use:
Port: Edit the port number to use a different port. Severity: Select which messages to send when triggered. CA certificate set: See the current settings or add a certificate. |
Plain config
Plain config is for advanced users with experience of Axis device configuration. Most parameters can be set and edited from this page. |
Maintenance
Restart: Restart the device. This does not affect any of the current settings. Running applications restart automatically. Restore: Return most settings to the factory default values. Afterwards you must reconfigure the device and apps, reinstall any apps that didn’t come preinstalled, and recreate any events and presets. Important The only settings saved after restore are:
Factory default: Return all settings to the factory default values. Afterwards you must reset the IP address to make the device accessible. Note All Axis device software is digitally signed to ensure that you only install verified software on your device. This further increases the overall minimum cybersecurity level of Axis devices. For more information, see the white paper “Axis Edge Vault” at axis.com. AXIS OS upgrade: Upgrade to a new AXIS OS version. New releases can contain improved functionality, bug fixes, and completely new features. We recommend you to always use the latest AXIS OS release. To download the latest release, go to axis.com/support.
AXIS OS rollback: Revert to the previously installed AXIS OS version. |
Learn more
View area
A view area is a cropped part of the full view. You can stream and store view areas instead of the full view to minimize bandwidth and storage needs. If you enable PTZ for a view area, you can pan, tilt and zoom within it. By using view areas you can remove parts of the full view, for example, the sky.
When you set up a view area, we recommend you to set the video stream resolution to the same size as or smaller than the view area size. If you set the video stream resolution larger than the view area size it implies digitally scaled up video after sensor capture, which requires more bandwidth without adding image information.
Capture modes
A capture mode is a preset configuration that defines how the camera captures images. The capture mode setting can affect the camera’s field of view and aspect ratio. The shutter speed can also be affected, which in turn affects the light sensitivity.
The lower resolution capture mode might be sampled from the original resolution, or it might be cropped out from the original, in which case the field of view could also be affected.
What capture mode to choose depends on the requirements for the frame rate and resolution of the specific surveillance setup. For specifications about available capture modes, see the product’s datasheet at axis.com.
Privacy masks
A privacy mask is a user-defined area that prevents users from viewing a part of the monitored area. In the video stream, privacy masks appear as blocks of solid color.
You’ll see the privacy mask on all snapshots, recorded video, and live streams.
You can use the VAPIX® application programming interface (API) to hide the privacy masks.
If you use multiple privacy masks it may affect the product’s performance.
You can create several privacy masks. Each mask can have 3 to 10 anchor points.
Overlays
Overlays are superimposed over the video stream. They are used to provide extra information during recordings, such as a timestamp, or during product installation and configuration. You can add either text or an image.
Pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ)
Guard tours
A guard tour displays the video stream from different preset positions either in a predetermined or random order, and for configurable periods of time. Once started, a guard tour continues to run until stopped, even when there are no clients (web browsers) viewing the images.
Streaming and storage
Video compression formats
Decide which compression method to use based on your viewing requirements, and on the properties of your network. The available options are:
Motion JPEG
Motion JPEG, or MJPEG, is a digital video sequence that is made up of a series of individual JPEG images. These images are then displayed and updated at a rate sufficient to create a stream that shows constantly updated motion. For the viewer to perceive motion video the rate must be at least 16 image frames per second. Full motion video is perceived at 30 (NTSC) or 25 (PAL) frames per second.
The Motion JPEG stream uses considerable amounts of bandwidth, but provides excellent image quality and access to every image contained in the stream.
H.264 or MPEG-4 Part 10/AVC
H.264 is a licensed technology. The Axis product includes one H.264 viewing client license. To install additional unlicensed copies of the client is prohibited. To purchase additional licenses, contact your Axis reseller.
H.264 can, without compromising image quality, reduce the size of a digital video file by more than 80% compared to the Motion JPEG format and by as much as 50% compared to older MPEG formats. This means that less network bandwidth and storage space are required for a video file. Or seen another way, higher video quality can be achieved for a given bitrate.
H.265 or MPEG-H Part 2/HEVC
H.265 can, without compromising image quality, reduce the size of a digital video file by more than 25% compared to H.264.
- H.265 is licensed technology. The Axis product includes one H.265 viewing client license. Installing additional unlicensed copies of the client is prohibited. To purchase additional licenses, contact your Axis reseller.
- Most web browsers don’t support H.265 decoding and because of this the camera doesn’t support it in its web interface. Instead you can use a video management system or application supporting H.265 decoding.
How do Image, Stream, and Stream profile settings relate to each other?
The Image tab contains camera settings that affect all video streams from the product. If you change something in this tab, it immediately affects all video streams and recordings.
The Stream tab contains settings for video streams. You get these settings if you request a video stream from the product and don’t specify for example resolution, or frame rate. When you change the settings in the Stream tab, it doesn’t affect ongoing streams, but it will take effect when you start a new stream.
The Stream profiles settings override the settings from the Stream tab. If you request a stream with a specific stream profile, the stream contains the settings of that profile. If you request a stream without specifying a stream profile, or request a stream profile that doesn't exist in the product, the stream contains the settings from the Stream tab.
Bitrate control
Bitrate control helps you to manage the bandwidth consumption of your video stream.
Variable bitrate (VBR)
Variable bitrate allows the bandwidth consumption to vary depending on the level of activity in the scene. The more activity, the more bandwidth you need. With variable bitrate you are guaranteed constant image quality, but you need to make sure you have storage margins.
Maximum bitrate (MBR)
Maximum bitrate lets you set a target bitrate to handle bitrate limitations in your system. You might see a decline in image quality or frame rate as the instantaneous bitrate is kept below the specified target bitrate. You can choose to prioritize either image quality or frame rate. We recommend that you configure the target bitrate to a higher value than the expected bitrate. This gives you a margin in case there is a high level of activity in the scene.
Average bitrate (ABR)
With average bitrate, the bitrate is automatically adjusted over a longer period of time. This is so you can meet the specified target and provide the best video quality based on your available storage. Bitrate is higher in scenes with a lot of activity, compared to static scenes. You are more likely to get better image quality when in scenes with a lot of activity if you use the average bitrate option. You can define the total storage required to store the video stream for a specified amount of time (retention time) when image quality is adjusted to meet the specified target bitrate. Specify the average bitrate settings in one of the following ways:
To calculate the estimated storage need, set the target bitrate and the retention time.
To calculate the average bitrate, based on available storage and required retention time, use the target bitrate calculator.
- Target bitrate
- Actual average bitrate
- You can also turn on maximum bitrate and specify a target bitrate within the average bitrate option.
- Target bitrate
- Actual average bitrate
Applications
With applications, you can get more out of your Axis device. AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP) is an open platform that makes it possible for third parties to develop analytics and other applications for Axis devices. Applications can be preinstalled on the device, available for download for free, or for a license fee.
To find the user manuals for Axis applications, go to help.axis.com.
- Several applications can run at the same time but some applications might not be compatible with each other. Certain combinations of applications might require too much processing power or memory resources when run in parallel. Verify that the applications work together before deployment.
AXIS Object Analytics
AXIS Object Analytics is an analytic application that comes preinstalled on the camera. It detects objects that move in the scene and classifies them as, for example, humans or vehicles. You can set up the application to send alarms for different types of objects. To find out more about how the application works, see AXIS Object Analytics user manual.
Metadata visualization
Analytics metadata is available for moving objects in the scene. Supported object classes are visualized in the video stream through a bounding box surrounding the object, along with information about the object type and confidence level of the classification. To learn more about how to configure and consume analytics metadata, see AXIS Scene Metadata integration guide.
Specifications
Product overview
LED indicators
Status LED | Indication |
Unlit | Connection and normal operation. |
Green | Shows steady green for 10 seconds for normal operation after startup completed. |
Amber | Steady during startup. Flashes during device software upgrade or reset to factory default. |
Amber/Red | Flashes amber/red if network connection is unavailable or lost. |
Red | Device software upgrade failure. |
SD card slot
- Risk of damage to SD card. Don’t use sharp tools, metal objects, or excessive force when inserting or removing the SD card. Use your fingers to insert and remove the card.
- Risk of data loss and corrupted recordings. Unmount the SD card from the device’s web interface before removing it. Don’t remove the SD card while the product is running.
This device supports microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC cards.
For SD card recommendations, see axis.com.
microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC Logos are trademarks of SD-3C LLC. microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC are trademarks or registered trademarks of SD-3C, LLC in the United States, other countries or both.
Buttons
Control button
- The control button is used for:
Resetting the product to factory default settings. See Reset to factory default settings.
Connecting to a one-click cloud connection (O3C) service over the internet. To connect, press and hold the button for about 3 seconds until the status LED flashes green.
Connectors
Network connector
RJ45 Ethernet connector with Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Clean your device
You can clean your device with lukewarm water.
- Harsh chemicals can damage the device. Don’t use chemicals such as window cleaner or acetone to clean your device.
- Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight or elevated temperatures, since this can cause stains.
Use a can of compressed air to remove dust and loose dirt from the device.
If necessary, clean the device with a soft microfiber cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
To avoid stains, dry the device with a clean, nonabrasive cloth.
Troubleshooting
Reset to factory default settings
Possibly hazardous optical radiation is emitted from this product. It can be harmful to the eyes. Don’t stare at the operating lamp.
Reset to factory default should be used with caution. A reset to factory default resets all settings, including the IP address, to the factory default values.
To reset the product to the factory default settings:
Disconnect power from the product.
Press and hold the control button while reconnecting power. See Product overview.
Keep the control button pressed for 15–30 seconds until the status LED indicator flashes amber.
Release the control button. The process is complete when the status LED indicator turns green. If no DHCP server is available on the network, the device IP address will default to one of the following:
Devices with AXIS OS 12.0 and later: Obtained from the link-local address subnet (169.254.0.0/16)
Devices with AXIS OS 11.11 and earlier: 192.168.0.90/24
Use the installation and management software tools to assign an IP address, set the password, and access the device.
The installation and management software tools are available from the support pages on axis.com/support.
You can also reset parameters to factory default through the device’s web interface. Go to Maintenance > Factory default and click Default.
AXIS OS options
Axis offers device software management according to either the active track or the long-term support (LTS) tracks. Being on the active track means continuously getting access to all the latest product features, while the LTS tracks provide a fixed platform with periodic releases focused mainly on bug fixes and security updates.
Using AXIS OS from the active track is recommended if you want to access the newest features, or if you use Axis end-to-end system offerings. The LTS tracks are recommended if you use third-party integrations, which are not continuously validated against the latest active track. With LTS, the products can maintain cybersecurity without introducing any significant functional changes or affecting any existing integrations. For more detailed information about Axis device software strategy, go to axis.com/support/device-software.
Check the current AXIS OS version
AXIS OS determines the functionality of our devices. When you troubleshoot a problem, we recommend that you to start by checking the current AXIS OS version. The latest version might contain a correction that fixes your particular problem.
To check the current AXIS OS version:
Go to the device’s web interface > Status.
Under Device info, see the AXIS OS version.
Upgrade AXIS OS
- Preconfigured and customized settings are saved when you upgrade the device software (provided that the features are available in the new AXIS OS) although this is not guaranteed by Axis Communications AB.
- Make sure the device remains connected to the power source throughout the upgrade process.
When you upgrade the device with the latest AXIS OS version in the active track, the product receives the latest functionality available. Always read the upgrade instructions and release notes available with each new release before you upgrade. To find the latest AXIS OS version and the release notes, go to axis.com/support/device-software.
Download the AXIS OS file to your computer, available free of charge at axis.com/support/device-software.
Log in to the device as an administrator.
Go to Maintenance > AXIS OS upgrade and click Upgrade.
- When the upgrade has finished, the product restarts automatically.
You can use AXIS Device Manager to upgrade multiple devices at the same time. Find out more at axis.com/products/axis-device-manager.
Technical issues, clues, and solutions
If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, try the troubleshooting section at axis.com/support.
Problems upgrading AXIS OS | |
AXIS OS upgrade failure | If the upgrade fails, the device reloads the previous version. The most common reason is that the wrong AXIS OS file has been uploaded. Check that the name of the AXIS OS file corresponds to your device and try again. |
Problems after AXIS OS upgrade | If you experience problems after the upgrade, roll back to the previously installed version from the Maintenance page. |
Problems setting the IP address | |||||
The device is located on a different subnet | If the IP address intended for the device and the IP address of the computer used to access the device are located on different subnets, you cannot set the IP address. Contact your network administrator to obtain an IP address. | ||||
The IP address is being used by another device | Disconnect the Axis device from the network. Run the ping command (in a Command/DOS window, type
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Possible IP address conflict with another device on the same subnet | The static IP address in the Axis device is used before the DHCP server sets a dynamic address. This means that if the same default static IP address is also used by another device, there may be problems accessing the device. |
The device can’t be accessed from a browser | ||||||||||||
Can’t log in | When HTTPS is enabled, ensure that the correct protocol (HTTP or HTTPS) is used when attempting to log in. You may need to manually type If the password for the root account is lost, the device must be reset to the factory default settings. See Reset to factory default settings. | |||||||||||
The IP address has been changed by DHCP | IP addresses obtained from a DHCP server are dynamic and may change. If the IP address has been changed, use AXIS IP Utility or AXIS Device Manager to locate the device on the network. Identify the device using its model or serial number, or by the DNS name (if the name has been configured). If required, a static IP address can be assigned manually. For instructions, go to axis.com/support. | |||||||||||
Certificate error when using IEEE 802.1X | For authentication to work properly, the date and time settings in the Axis device must be synchronized with an NTP server. Go to System > Date and time. |
The device is accessible locally but not externally | |||||||||||||||||||
To access the device externally, we recommend you to use one of the following applications for Windows®:
For instructions and download, go to axis.com/vms. |
Problems with streaming | |||||||||||||||||||||
Multicast H.264 only accessible by local clients | Check if your router supports multicasting, or if you need to configure the router settings between the client and the device. You might need to increase the TTL (Time To Live) value. | ||||||||||||||||||||
No multicast H.264 displayed in the client | Check with your network administrator that the multicast addresses used by the Axis device are valid for your network. Check with your network administrator to see if there is a firewall that prevents viewing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Poor rendering of H.264 images | Ensure that your graphics card uses the latest driver. You can usually download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Color saturation is different in H.264 and Motion JPEG | Modify the settings for your graphics adapter. Go to the adapter’s documentation for more information. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lower frame rate than expected |
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Can't select H.265 encoding in live view | Web browsers don’t support H.265 decoding. Use a video management system or application that supports H.265 decoding. |
Problems retrieving additional video streams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Can’t connect over port 8883 with MQTT over SSL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The firewall blocks traffic using port 8883 as it’s deemed insecure. | In some cases the server/broker might not provide a specific port for MQTT communication. It may still be possible to use MQTT over a port normally used for HTTP/HTTPS traffic.
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Problem with startup | |
Cold startup delay | When the temperature is below -20 °C (-4 °F), the camera is first heated to approximately -20 °C (-4 °F) before it initializes. |
Performance considerations
When setting up your system, it is important to consider how various settings and situations affect the performance. Some factors affect the amount of bandwidth (the bitrate) required, others can affect the frame rate, and some affect both. If the load on the CPU reaches its maximum, this also affects the frame rate.
The following factors are the most important to consider:
High image resolution or lower compression levels result in images containing more data which in turn affects the bandwidth.
Rotating the image in the GUI can increase the product's CPU load.
Access by large numbers of Motion JPEG or unicast H.264 clients affects the bandwidth.
Access by large numbers of Motion JPEG or unicast H.265 clients affects the bandwidth.
Simultaneous viewing of different streams (resolution, compression) by different clients affects both frame rate and bandwidth.
Use identical streams wherever possible to maintain a high frame rate. Stream profiles can be used to ensure that streams are identical.
Accessing Motion JPEG and H.264 video streams simultaneously affects both frame rate and bandwidth.
Accessing Motion JPEG and H.265 video streams simultaneously affects both frame rate and bandwidth.
Heavy usage of event settings affects the product’s CPU load which in turn affects the frame rate.
Using HTTPS may reduce frame rate, in particular if streaming Motion JPEG.
Heavy network utilization due to poor infrastructure affects the bandwidth.
Viewing on poorly performing client computers lowers perceived performance and affects frame rate.
Running multiple AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP) applications simultaneously may affect the frame rate and the general performance.
Contact support
If you need more help, go to axis.com/support.