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.
After the reset, secure boot guarantees the state of the device.
Configure and install the device.
Set a new password for the root account
Important
The default administrator username is root. If the password for root is lost, reset the device to factory default settings. See Reset to factory default settings
Support tip: Password security confirmation check
Type a password. Follow the instructions about secure passwords. See Secure passwords.
Retype the password to confirm the spelling.
Click Create login. The password has now been configured.
Secure passwords
Important
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.
Webpage overview
Live view control bar
Live view
Product name
User information, color themes, and help
Video control bar
Settings toggle
Settings tabs
Additional settings
Set video input
To use the video encoder, the video inputs for the connected cameras (channels) must be set. When you log in to your device for the first time, the automatically detected video inputs for the cameras are set to Automatic. If you need to change the video inputs, you can do it manually:
Select Manual and set the video input settings for each channel you want to change.
Click Next to verify your settings and to restart the device.
Note
The device will only restart if you have made any changes to the video input settings.
If you need to change the video inputs for the connected cameras after setting up the device:
Go to Settings > System > Video input.
Select Manual and set the video input settings for each channel you want to change.
Click Apply and restart.
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 leveling guide in combination with a mechanical adjustment of the camera.
Go to Settings > System > Orientation and click .
Adjust the camera mechanically until the position of the reference area or the object is aligned with the leveling guide.
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, log in to the webpage and go to Settings > System > Orientation.
This product supports several devices. For a complete list of supported devices, see axis.com
Go to the camera’s webpage.
In the installation wizard, go to Select a PTZ mode and select PTZ driver from the drop-down list.
Once you’ve accessed the live view, go to Settings > System > Accessories.
Select one of the following actions:
If the PTZ driver is not uploaded, select Upload driver.
If the PTZ driver is uploaded, go to Select driver to use and select PTZ driver from the drop-down list.
Select a video channel.
Enter the Device id and select Device type from the drop down-list. To decide which device type to use, see the documentation supplied with the PTZ driver.
Go to the PTZ tab and check that the PTZ settings are available.
Create a guard tour with preset positions
A guard tour displays the video stream from different preset positions either in a predetermined or random order, and for configurable periods of time.
Go to Settings > PTZ > Guard tours.
Click +.
To edit the guard tour’s properties, click .
Type a name for the guard tour and specify the pause length in minutes between each tour.
If you want the guard tour to go to the preset positions in a random order, turn on Shuffle.
Click Done.
Click Add to add the preset positions that you want in your guard tour.
Click Done to exit the guard tour settings.
To schedule the guard tour, go to System > Events.
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
Important
If you reduce the bandwidth it can result in loss of details in the picture.
Go to live view and select H.264.
Go to Settings > Stream.
Do one or more of the following:
Note
The zipstream settings are used for both H.264 and H.265.
Turn on dynamic GOP and set a high GOP length value.
Increase the compression.
Turn on dynamic FPS.
Note
Web browsers do not support H.265 decoding. Use a video management system or application supporting H.265 decoding.
Set up network storage
To store recordings on the network, you need to set up your network storage.
Go to Settings > System > Storage.
Click Setup under Network storage.
Enter the IP address of the host server.
Enter the name of the shared location on the host server.
Move the switch if the share requires a login, and enter username and password.
Click Connect.
Record and watch video
To record video you must first set up network storage, see Set up network storage, or have an SD card installed.
Record video
Go to the live view.
To start a recording, click Record. Click again to stop the recording.
Watch video
Click Storage > Go to recordings.
Select your recording in the list and it will play automatically.
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.
Go to Settings > System > Events to set up a rule. The rule defines when the device will perform certain actions. Rules can be setup as scheduled, recurring, or for example, triggered by motion detection.
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.
Note
If you make changes to an active rule, you have to restart the rule for the changes to take effect.
Record video when the camera detects motion
This example explains how to set up the camera to start recording to the SD card five seconds before it detects motion and to stop one minute after.
How to record a video stream when the camera detects motion
Make sure that AXIS Video Motion Detection is running:
Go to Settings > Apps > AXIS Video Motion Detection.
Start the application if it is not already running.
In the list of conditions, under Application, select AXIS Video Motion Detection (VMD).
In the list of actions, under Recordings, select Record video while the rule is active.
Select an existing stream profile or create a new one.
Set the prebuffer time to 5 seconds.
Set the postbuffer time to 60 seconds.
In the list of storage options, select SD card.
Click Save.
Record video when the camera detects loud noises
This example explains how to set up the camera to start recording to the SD card five seconds before it detects loud noise and to stop one minute after.
Note
The following instructions require that a microphone is connected to audio-in.
Go to Settings > System > Detectors > Audio detection.
Adjust the alarm level according to your needs.
Create a rule:
Go to Settings > System > Events and add a rule.
Type a name for the rule.
In the list of conditions, under Audio, select Audio Detection.
In the list of actions, under Recordings, select Record video.
Select the stream profile where audio has been turned on.
Set the prebuffer time to 5 seconds.
Set the postbuffer time to 60 seconds.
In the list of storage options, select SD card.
Click Save.
Use audio to deter intruders
This example explains how to connect a speaker to the camera and set it up to play a warning message when the camera detects motion in a restricted area.
Required hardware
Active speaker with built-in amplifier and connecting wires
NOTICE
Make sure the camera is disconnected from power before making the connections. Reconnect to power after connecting the wires.
Add audio clip to the camera
Go to Settings > Audio > Output and click .
Click Upload new clip.
Browse to locate your audio clip and click Done.
To trigger the camera to play the audio clip when it detects motion, create a rule in the camera’s webpage.
Provide visual indication of an ongoing event
You have the option to connect the AXIS I/O Indication LED to your network camera. This LED can be configured to turn on whenever certain events occur in the camera. For example, to let people know that video recording is in progress.
Required hardware
AXIS I/O Indication LED
An Axis network video camera
Note
For instructions on how to connect the AXIS I/O Indication LED, see the installation guide provided with the product.
The following example shows how to configure a rule that turns on the AXIS I/O Indication LED to indicate that camera is recording.
Go to Settings > System > I/O Ports.
For the port that you connected the AXIS I/O Indication LED to, set the direction to Output, and set the normal state to Open circuit (NO).
Go to Settings > System > Events.
Create a new rule.
Select the Condition that must be met to trigger the camera to start recording. It can, for example, be a time schedule or motion detection.
In the list of actions, select Record video. Select a stream profile or create a new. Also set the Prebuffer and Postbuffer as required.
Save the rule.
Create a second rule and select the same Condition as in the first rule.
In the list of actions, select Toggle I/O while the rule is active, and then select the port the AXIS I/O Indication LED is connected to. Set the state to Active.
Save the rule.
Other scenarios where AXIS I/O Indication LED can be used are for example:
Configure the LED to turn on when the camera starts, to indicate the presence of the camera. Select System ready as a condition.
Configure the LED to turn on when live stream is active to indicate that a person or a program is accessing a stream from the camera. Select Live stream accessed as a condition.
Send an email automatically if someone spray paints the lens
How to send an email notification if someone spray paint the lens
Go to Settings > System > Detectors.
Turn on Trigger on dark images. This will trigger an alarm if the lens is sprayed, covered, or rendered severely out of focus.
Set a duration for Trigger after. The value indicates the time that must pass before an email is sent.
Create a rule:
Go to Settings > System > Events > Rules and add a rule.
Type a name for the rule.
In the list of conditions, select Tampering.
In the list of actions, select Send notification to email.
Select a recipient from the list or go to Recipients to create a new recipient.
To create a new recipient, click . To copy an existing recipient, click .
Type a subject and a message for the email.
Click Save.
Audio
Add audio to your recording
Turn on audio:
Go to Settings > Audio and turn on Allow audio.
Go to Input > Type and select your audio source.
Edit the stream profile which is used for the recording:
Go to Settings > Stream and click Stream profiles.
Select the stream profile and click Audio.
Select the checkbox and select Include.
Click Save.
Click Close.
Learn more
Image quality
Privacy masks
A privacy mask is a user-defined area that covers a part of the monitored area. In the video stream, privacy masks appear either as blocks of solid color or with a mosaic pattern.
You’ll see the privacy mask on all snapshots, recorded video, and live streams.
You can use the VAPIX® application programming interface (API) to turn off the privacy masks.
Important
If you use multiple privacy masks it may affect the product’s performance.
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.
Note
The pause between successive guard tours is at least 10 minutes, and the fixed minimum viewing time is 10 seconds.
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
Note
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.
Note
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.
Applications
AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP) is an open platform that enables third parties to develop analytics and other applications for Axis products. To find out more about available applications, downloads, trials and licenses, go to axis.com/applications.
To find the user manuals for Axis applications, go to help.axis.com.
How to download and install an application
How to activate an application licence code on a device
Troubleshooting
Reset to factory default settings
Important
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. The product has been reset to the factory default settings. If no DHCP server is available on the network, the default IP address is 192.168.0.90.
Use the installation and management software tools to assign an IP address, set the password, and access the video stream.
The installation and management software tools are available from the support pages on axis.com/support.
It is also possible to reset parameters to factory default through the web interface. Go to Settings > System > Maintenance and click Default.
Firmware options
Axis offers product firmware 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 firmware 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 product firmware strategy, go to axis.com/support/firmware.
Check the current firmware
Firmware is the software that determines the functionality of network devices. One of your first actions when troubleshooting a problem should be to check the current firmware version. The latest version may contain a correction that fixes your particular problem.
To check the current firmware:
Go to the product’s webpage.
Click on the help menu .
Click About.
Upgrade the firmware
Important
Preconfigured and customized settings are saved when the firmware is upgraded (provided that the features are available in the new firmware) although this is not guaranteed by Axis Communications AB.
Important
Make sure the product remains connected to the power source throughout the upgrade process.
Note
When you upgrade the product with the latest firmware 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 upgrading the firmware. To find the latest firmware and the release notes, go to axis.com/support/firmware.
Go to Settings > System > Maintenance. Follow the instructions on the page. When the upgrade has finished, the product restarts automatically.
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 the firmware
Firmware upgrade failure
If the firmware upgrade fails, the device reloads the previous firmware. The most common reason is that the wrong firmware file has been uploaded. Check that the name of the firmware file corresponds to your device and try again.
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 ping and the IP address of the device):
If you receive: Reply from <IP address>: bytes=32; time=10... this means that the IP address may already be in use by another device on the network. Obtain a new IP address from the network administrator and reinstall the device.
If you receive: Request timed out, this means that the IP address is available for use with the Axis device. Check all cabling and reinstall the device.
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 cannot be accessed from a browser
Cannot 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 http or https in the browser’s address field.
If the password for the user root 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.
The device is accessible locally but not externally
To access the device externally, we recommend using one of the following applications for Windows®:
AXIS Companion: free of charge, ideal for small systems with basic surveillance needs.
AXIS Camera Station: 30-day trial version free of charge, ideal for small to mid-size systems.
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 the router settings between the client and the device need to be configured. The TTL (Time To Live) value may need to be increased.
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 preventing viewing.
Poor rendering of H.264 images
Ensure that your graphics card is using the latest driver. The latest drivers can usually be downloaded 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.
Steady during startup, during reset to factory default or when restoring settings.
Network LED
Indication
Green
Steady for connection to a 1 Gbit/s network. Flashes for network activity.
Amber
Steady for connection to a 10/100 Mbit/s network. Flashes for network activity.
Unlit
No network connection.
SD card slot
NOTICE
Risk of damage to SD card. Do not 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. Do not remove the SD card while the product is running. Unmount the SD card from the product’s webpage before removal.
This product supports microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC cards.
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.
The bus connectors are the physical interfaces to the video encoder chassis that provide power, network, RS485, and I/O terminal connections.
BNC connector
Each video input is terminated using a coax/BNC connector.
Connect a 75 Ohm coaxial video cable; the recommended maximum length is 250 m (800 ft).
Note
75 Ohm video termination can be enabled/disabled for the video input through the product's webpage at . Video termination is enabled on factory default. If the product is connected in parallel with other equipment, for optimum video quality, we recommended to enable video termination only for the last device in the video signal chain.
Network connector
RJ45 Ethernet connector.
Audio connector
Audio in – 3.5 mm input for a mono microphone, or a line-in mono signal (left channel is used from a stereo signal).
Audio input
1 Tip
2 Ring
3 Sleeve
I/O connector
Use the I/O connector with external devices in combination with, for example, motion detection, event triggering, and alarm notifications. In addition to the 0 V DC reference point and power (DC output), the I/O connector provides the interface to:
Digital input –
For connecting devices that can toggle between an open and closed circuit, for example PIR sensors, door/window contacts, and glass break detectors.
Digital output –
For connecting external devices such as relays and LEDs. Connected devices can be activated by the VAPIX® Application Programming Interface, trough an event or from the product’s webpage.
6-pin terminal block
Function
Pin
Notes
Specifications
DC ground
1
0 V DC
DC output
2
Can be used to power auxiliary equipment. Note: This pin can only be used as power out.
12 V DC Max load = 50 mA
Configurable (Input or Output)
3–6
Digital input – Connect to pin 1 to activate, or leave floating (unconnected) to deactivate.
0 to max 30 V DC
Digital output – Internally connected to pin 1 (DC ground) when active, and floating (unconnected) when inactive. If used with an inductive load, e.g., a relay, connect a diode in parallel with the load, to protect against voltage transients.
0 to max 30 V DC, open drain, 100 mA
Example
DC ground
DC output 12 V, max 50 mA
I/O configured as input
I/O configured as output
Configurable I/O
Configurable I/O
Power connector
2-pin terminal block for DC power input. Use a Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) compliant limited power source (LPS) with either a rated output power limited to ≤100 W or a rated output current limited to ≤5 A.
RS485/RS422 connector
Two 2-pin terminal blocks for RS485/RS422 serial interface. The serial port can be configured to support:
Two-wire RS485 half duplex
Four-wire RS485 full duplex
Two-wire RS422 simplex
Four-wire RS422 full duplex point to point communication
Function
Pin
Notes
RS485/RS422 TX A
1
(TX) For full duplex RS485/RS422
RS485/RS422 TX B
2
RS485/RS422 RX/TX A
3
(RX) For full duplex RS485/RS422 (RX/TX) For half duplex RS485
. 
.
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.