AXIS Q8615-E PTZ Camera

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.

Access the device

  1. Open a browser and enter 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.

  2. Enter the username and password. If you access the device for the first time, you must set the root password. See Set a new password for the root account.

  3. The live view page opens in your browser.

Verify that no one has tampered with the firmware

  1. To make sure that the device has its original Axis firmware, or to take full control of the device after a security attack:
  2. Reset to factory default settings. See Reset to factory default settings.

    After the reset, secure boot guarantees the state of the device.

  3. 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
  1. Type a password. Follow the instructions about secure passwords. See Secure passwords.

  2. Retype the password to confirm the spelling.

  3. 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

  1. Live view control bar
  2. Live view
  3. Product name
  4. User information, color themes, and help
  5. Video control bar
  6. Settings toggle
  1. Settings tabs

Additional settings

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

  1. 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.
  2. Go to Settings > System > Orientation and click .

  3. Adjust the camera mechanically until the position of the reference area or the object is aligned with the leveling guide.

Adjust the focus

  • This product has three focus modes:
  • Auto: The camera automatically adjusts focus based on the entire image.

  • Area: The camera automatically adjusts focus based on a selected area of the image.

  • Manual: The focus is set manually at a fixed distance.

  1. To turn off autofocus and adjust the focus manually:
  2. In the live view window, if the Zoom slider is visible, click Zoom and select Focus.

  3. Click M and use the slider to set the focus.

Adjust the focus faster with focus recall areas

To save the focus settings at a specific pan/tilt range, add a focus recall area. Each time the camera moves into that area it recalls the previously saved focus. It’s enough to cover half of the focus recall area in the live view.

  • We recommend the focus recall feature in the following scenarios:
  • When there is a lot of manual operation in live view, for example with a joystick.

  • Where PTZ preset positions with manual focus are not efficient, for example movements where the focus setting changes continuously.

  • In low-light scenarios, where the autofocus is challenged by the lighting conditions.

Important
  • The focus recall overrides the camera’s autofocus at the specific pan/tilt range.
  • A preset position overrides the focus setting saved in the focus recall area.
  • The maximum number of focus recall areas is 20.
  1. Create a focus recall area
  2. Pan, tilt, and zoom into the area where you would like to have focus.

    As long as the focus recall button shows a plus , you can add a focus recall area in that position.

  3. Adjust the focus.

  4. Click the focus recall button.

  1. Delete a focus recall area
  2. Pan, tilt, and zoom into the focus recall area you want to delete.

    The focus recall button toggles to minus when the camera detects a focus recall area: .

  3. Click the focus recall button.

Reduce image processing time with low latency mode

You can optimize the image processing time of your live stream by turning on low latency mode. The latency in your live stream is reduced to a minimum.

  1. Go to Settings > System.

  2. Go to Plain config > Image source.

  3. Go to Low latency mode and select On.

  4. Click Save.

Select exposure mode

There are different exposure mode options in the camera that adjusts aperture, shutter speed, and gain to improve image quality for specific surveillance scenes. Go to Settings > 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 using night mode

Your camera uses visible light to deliver color images during the day. As the available light diminishes, you can set the camera to automatically shift to night mode, in which the camera uses both visible light and near-infrared light to deliver black-and-white images. Since the camera uses more of the available light it can deliver brighter, more detailed, images.

  1. Go to Settings > Image > Day and night, and make sure that the IR cut filter is set to Auto.

  2. To determine at what light level you want the camera to shift to night mode, move the Threshold slider toward Bright or Dark.

  3. If using an accessory IR illuminator, enable Allow IR illumination and Synchronize IR illumination to use IR light when night mode is activated.

  4. Note

    If you set the shift to night mode to occur when it’s brighter, the image remains sharper as there will be less low-light noise. If you set the shift to occur when it’s darker, the image colors are maintained for longer, but there will be more image blur due to low-light noise.

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 Settings > 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.

  • Reduce sharpness in the image.

  • Note

    When you reduce the max gain, the image can become darker.

  • Set the max gain to a lower value.

  • Open the aperture.

Maximize the details in an image

Important

If you maximize the details in an image, the bitrate will probably increase and you might get a reduced frame rate.

  • Go to Settings > Image > Capture mode and make sure to select the capture mode that has the highest resolution.

  • Go to Settings > Stream and set the compression as low as possible.

  • Go to Live view settings > Video format and select MJPEG streaming.

  • Go to Settings > Stream and turn off Zipstream functionality.

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.

Image without WDR.
Image with WDR.
Note
  • WDR can cause artifacts in the image.
  • WDR may not be available for all capture modes.
  1. Go to Settings > Image > Wide dynamic range.

  2. Turn on WDR.

  3. Use the Local contrast slider to adjust the amount of WDR.

  4. Use the Tone mapping slider to adjust the amount of WDR.

  5. 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.

Stabilize a shaky image with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)

Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) can be used in environments where the product is mounted in an exposed location and subject to vibrations, for example, wind or passing traffic. Turn on EIS to get a smoother and steadier image without blur.

EIS also reduces the file size of the compressed image and lowers the bitrate of the video stream.

Note

When EIS is turned on the image is cropped slightly, lowering the maximum resolution.

  1. Go to Settings > Image > Image correction.

  2. Turn on EIS.

  3. Use the slider to adjust the electronic image stabilization.

Compensate for barrel distortion

Barrel distortion is a phenomenon where straight lines appear increasingly bent closer to the edges of the frame. A wide field of view often creates barrel distortion in an image. Barrel distortion correction compensates for this distortion.

Note

Barrel distortion correction affects the image resolution and field of view.

  1. Go to Settings > Image > Image correction.

  2. Turn on Barrel distortion correction (BDC).

  3. Use the slider to adjust the barrel distortion correction.

Verify the pixel resolution

To verify that a defined part of the image contains enough pixels to, for example, recognize license plates, you can use the pixel counter.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Orientation.

  2. Click .

  3. In the camera’s live view, adjust the size and position of the rectangle around the area of interest, for example where you expect license plates to appear.

    You can see the number of pixels for each of the rectangle’s sides (X and Y), 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.

How to create a privacy mask
  1. Go to Settings > Privacy mask.

  2. Click New.

  3. Adjust the size, color, and name of the privacy mask according to your needs.

How to change the appearance of the mask

Show an image overlay

You can add an image as an overlay in the video stream.

Show the pan or tilt position as a text overlay

You can show the pan or tilt position as an overlay in the image.

  1. Go to Settings > Overlay and click Create overlay.

  2. Select Text and click Create.

  3. In the text field, type #x to show the pan position.

    Type #y to show the tilt position.

  4. Choose appearance, text size, and alignment.

  5. The current pan and tilt positions show up in the live view image and in the recording.

Add street names and compass direction to the image

Note

The street name and compass direction will be visible on all video streams and recordings.

  1. Activate the compass
  2. Go to Settings > Apps.

  3. Select Orientation Aid PTZ.

  4. Start the application and click Open.

  5. Position the camera view at north with the crosshair. Click Set north.

  1. Add a preset position
  2. Go to Settings > PTZ.

  3. Use the crosshair to position the view where you want to add a preset position.

  4. Click the + to create a new preset position.

Adjust the camera view (PTZ)

To learn more about different pan, tilt, and zoom settings, see Pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ).

Limit the pan, tilt, and zoom movements

If there are parts of the scene that you don’t want the camera to reach, you can limit the pan, tilt, and zoom movements. For example, you want to protect the privacy of residents in an apartment building, which is located close to a parking lot that you intend to monitor. To limit the movements, go to Settings > PTZ > Limits.

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.

  1. Go to Settings > PTZ > Guard tours.

  2. Click .

  3. To edit the guard tour’s properties, click .

  4. Type a name for the guard tour and specify the pause length in minutes between each tour.

  5. If you want the guard tour to go to the preset positions in a random order, turn on Shuffle.

  6. Click Done.

  7. Click Add to add the preset positions that you want in your guard tour.

  8. Click Done to exit the guard tour settings.

  9. To schedule the guard tour, go to System > Events.

Turn on heater

The heater turns on and off automatically depending on the ambient temperature. You can turn on the heater manually for a pre-defined period of time.

  1. Go to the live view.

  2. Click .

  3. Set a duration and click Start.

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.

  1. Go to live view and select H.264.

  2. Go to Settings > Stream.

  3. Do one or more of the following:

    • Turn on the Zipstream functionality and select the desired level.

    • 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

  1. To store recordings on the network, you need to set up your network storage.
  2. Go to Settings > System > Storage.

  3. Click Setup under Network storage.

  4. Enter the IP address of the host server.

  5. Enter the name of the shared location on the host server.

  6. Move the switch if the share requires a login, and enter username and password.

  7. 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.

  1. Record video
  2. Go to the live view.

  3. To start a recording, click Record. Click again to stop the recording.

  1. Watch video
  2. Click Storage > Go to recordings.

  3. 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.

To learn more, check out our guide Get started with rules for events.

Trigger an action

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

Note

If you change the definition of a stream profile that is used in a rule, you have to to restart all the rules that use that stream profile.

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.

  1. Make sure that AXIS Object Analytics is running:
  2. Go to Settings > Apps > AXIS Object Analytics.

  3. Start the application if it is not already running.

  4. Make sure you have set up the application according to your needs. If you need help, see the user manual for AXIS Object Analytics.

  1. Create a rule:
  2. Go to Settings > System > Events and add a rule.

  3. Type a name for the rule.

  4. In the list of conditions, under Application, select Object Analytics.

  5. In the list of actions, under Recordings, select Record video while the rule is active.

  6. Select an existing stream profile or create a new one.

  7. Set the prebuffer time to 5 seconds.

  8. Set the postbuffer time to 60 seconds.

  9. In the list of storage options, select SD card.

  10. Click Save.

Show a text overlay in the video stream when the device detects motion

This example explains how to display the text “Motion detected” when the device detects motion.

How to show text overlay when the camera detects motion

Make sure that AXIS Video Motion Detection is running:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > AXIS Video Motion Detection.

  2. Start the application if it is not already running.

  3. Make sure you have set up the application according to your needs.

  4. Add the overlay text:
  5. Go to Settings > Overlay.

  6. Click Create overlay.

  7. Select Text and click Create.

  8. Enter #D in the text field.

  9. Choose text size and appearance.

  10. To position the text overlay, choose Custom or one of the presets.

  11. Create a rule:
  12. Go to System > Events > Rules and add a rule.

  13. Type a name for the rule.

  14. In the list of conditions, select AXIS Video Motion Detection.

  15. In the list of actions, select Use overlay text.

  16. Select Camera 1.

  17. Type “Motion detected”.

  18. Set the duration.

  19. Click Save.

Note

If you update the overlay text it will be automatically updated on all video streams dynamically.

Direct the camera to a preset position when the camera detects motion

This example explains how to set up the camera to go to a preset position when it detects motion in the image.

  1. Make sure that AXIS Video Motion Detection is running:
  2. Go to Settings > Apps > AXIS Video Motion Detection.

  3. Start the application if it is not already running.

  4. Make sure you have set up the application according to your needs. If you need help, see the user manual for AXIS Video Motion Detection 4.

Add a preset position:

Go to Settings > PTZ and set where you want the camera to be directed by creating a preset position.

  1. Create a rule:
  2. Go to Settings > System > Events > Rules and add a rule.

  3. Type a name for the rule.

  4. In the list of conditions, select a video motion detection condition under Application.

  5. From the list of actions, select Go to preset position.

  6. Select the preset position you want the camera to go to.

  7. Click Save.

Zoom in on a specific area automatically with gatekeeper

This example explains how to use the gatekeeper functionality to make the camera zoom in automatically on the license plate of a car that passes through a gate. When the car has passed, the camera zooms out to the home position.

  1. Create the preset positions:
  2. Go to Settings > PTZ > Preset positions.

  3. Create the home position that includes the entrance of the gate.

  4. Create the zoomed-in preset position so that it covers the area in the image where you assume that the license plate will appear.

  1. Create a motion detection profile:
  2. Go to Settings > Apps and open AXIS Video Motion Detection.

  3. Create a profile that covers the entrance of the gate and then save the profile.

  1. Create a rule:
  2. Go to Settings > System > Events and add a rule.

  3. Name the rule “Gatekeeper”.

  4. In the list of conditions, under Application, select the motion detection profile.

  5. In the list of actions, under Preset positions, select Go to preset position.

  6. Select a Video channel.

  7. Select the Preset position.

  8. To make the camera wait a while before it returns to the home position, select Home timeout, and set a time.

  9. Click Save.

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.

  1. Go to Settings > System > I/O Ports.

  2. 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).

  3. Go to Settings > System > Events.

  4. Create a new rule.

  5. 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.

  6. In the list of actions, select Record video. Select a stream profile or create a new. Also set the Prebuffer and Postbuffer as required.

  7. Save the rule.

  8. Create a second rule and select the same Condition as in the first rule.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

Direct the camera and open the lock to a gate when someone is nearby

This example explains how to direct the camera and open a gate when someone wants to enter during daytime. This is done by connecting a PIR detector to the product’s input port and a switch relay to the product’s output port.

Required hardware

  • Mounted PIR detector

  • Switch relay connected to the gate lock, in this case the switch is normally closed (NC)

  • Connecting wires

Physical connection

  1. Connect the wires from the PIR detector to the input pin, see I/O connector.

  2. Connect the wires from the switch to the output pin, see I/O connector

Configure I/O ports

You need to connect the switch relay to the camera from the camera’s webpage. First, configure the I/O ports:

Set the PIR detector to an input port

  1. Go to System > I/O ports.

  2. Select Input in the Port 1 drop-down list.

  3. Give the input module a descriptive name, for example “PIR detector”.

  4. To trigger an event whenever the PIR detector senses motion, select Open circuit in the drop-down list.

Set the switch relay to an output port

  1. Go to System > I/O ports.

  2. Select Output in the Port 2 drop-down list.

  3. Give the output module a descriptive name, for example “Gate switch”.

  4. To open the gate whenever an event is triggered, select Closed circuit in the drop-down list.

Create rules

For the camera to open the gate when the PIR detector senses someone nearby, you need to create a rule in the camera:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Events and add a rule.

  2. Type a name for the rule, for example “Open gate”.

  3. In the list of conditions, select PIR detector.

  4. In the list of actions, select Toggle I/O once.

  5. In the list of ports, select Gate switch.

  6. Set state to Active.

  7. Set the duration.

  8. Click Save.

  9. Create another rule with the name “Direct the camera to the gate".

  10. Select the same input signal as before, but as action select the previously created “Gate entrance” preset position.

  11. Click Save.

Cleaning recommendations

NOTICE

Never use harsh detergent, for example gasoline, benzene, or acetone.

  1. Use a can of compressed air to remove any dust or loose dirt from the device.

  2. If necessary, clean the lens with a soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water.

Note

Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight or at elevated temperatures, as this may cause stains when the water droplets dry.

Learn more

Capture modes

A capture mode is a preset configuration that defines how the camera captures images. The selected mode can affect the maximum resolution and maximum frame rate available in the device. If you use a capture mode with a lower resolution than the maximum, the field of view might be reduced. The capture mode also affects the shutter speed, which in turn affects the light sensitivity – a capture mode with a high maximum frame rate has a reduced light sensitivity, and vice versa. Note that with certain capture modes you might not be able to use WDR.

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.

The image shows how the field of view and aspect ratio can change between two different capture modes.

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.

Remote focus and zoom

The remote focus and zoom functionality allows you to make focus and zoom adjustments to your camera from a computer. It is a convenient way to ensure that the scene’s focus, viewing angle and resolution are optimized without having to visit the camera’s installation location.

Privacy masks

The privacy mask is relative to the pan, tilt, and zoom coordinates, so regardless of where you point the camera, the privacy mask covers the same place or object.

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.

Important

If you use multiple privacy masks it may affect the product’s performance.

You can create several privacy masks. The maximum number of masks depends on the complexity of all the masks combined. The more anchor points in each mask, the fewer masks you can create. Each mask can have 3 to 10 anchor points.

Important

Set the zoom and focus before you create a privacy mask.

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.

The video streaming indicator is another type of overlay. It shows you that the live view video stream is live.

Pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ)

Preset positions

A preset position is a saved view that can be used to quickly move the camera view to a specific position.

A preset position can consist of the following values:

  • Zoom position

  • Focus position (manual or automatic)

  • Iris position (manual or automatic)

The preset positions can be reached at any time:

  • from the drop-down list in the live view window

  • as actions in the event system

  • as triggers in the event system

  • when setting up a guard tour

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.

Set up washer

Note

The washer is optional.

  1. Go to Settings > System > I/O Ports.

  2. For the port used with the washer — set Output as the direction.

  3. Now go to the Live View.

  4. Use the joystick (or mouse) to position the washer nozzle in the center of the image.

  5. Go to Settings > System > Accessories.

  6. Got o Washer and set Nozzle Position to ON.

  7. Select the pin (I/O port) the washer is connected to.

  8. To set the duration of the the washer sequence in seconds, enter a value for the Washer pump time. The wiper starts when there is 5 seconds left of this time.

  9. To set the duration of the wiper sequence in seconds, enter a value for the Washer wiper time.

The below table provides some examples of different washer-wiper sequence setups.

Time elapsed (seconds)Washer pump time: 10 s
Washer wiper time: 10 s
Washer pump time: 20 s
Washer wiper time: 12 s
0Washer startsWasher starts
5Wiper starts
10Washer stops
15Wiper stopsWiper starts
20Washer stops
22Wiper stops

Configure connected illuminators

This device supports the connection of IR illuminators and white light illuminators.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Accessories > External illuminators.

  2. Select the type of illuminator connected to Illuminator 1 and Illuminator 2.

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.

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.

  1. Target bitrate

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.

    1. Target bitrate
    2. Actual average bitrate
  • You can also turn on maximum bitrate and specify a target bitrate within the average bitrate option.
    1. Target bitrate
    2. 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 out more about available applications, downloads, trials and licenses, go to axis.com/products/acap/application-gallery.

To find the user manuals for Axis applications, go to help.axis.com.

Note
  • 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.
How to download and install an application
How to activate an application licence code on a device

Autotracking

With autotracking, the camera automatically zooms in on and tracks moving objects, for example a vehicle or a person. You can manually select an object to track, or set up trigger areas and let the camera detect moving objects. The application is best suited for open areas with no obscuring objects and where movement is unusual. When the camera doesn't track an object, it returns to its connected preset position.

Important
  • Autotracking is designed for areas with a limited amount of movement.
  • Autotracking does not track objects behind privacy masks.
  • If both autotracking and guard tour are enabled, guard tour takes priority over autotracking. This means autotracking stops if a guard tour starts.
Set up Autotracking 2

This example explains how to set up the camera to track moving objects in an area of interest.

In the device’s webpage:

  1. Go to Settings > PTZ.

  2. Direct the camera view to the area you want to track.

  3. Click and create a preset position.

  4. Go to Apps > AXIS PTZ Autotracking.

  5. Start and open the application.

In the application:

  1. Go to Settings > Profiles.

  2. Click and create a profile.

  3. Select the preset position you created in the device’s webpage.

  4. Click Done.

  5. Select a Trigger area.

  6. Go to Settings > Filters:

    • To exclude small objects, set width and height.

    • To exclude short-lived objects, set a time between 1 and 5 seconds.

  7. Click Autotracking to start tracking.

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.

Security

TPM module

The TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a component that provides cryptographic features to protect information from unauthorized access. It is always activated and there are no settings you can change.

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:

  1. Press and hold the control button and the power button for 15–30 seconds until the status LED indicator flashes amber. See Product overview.

  2. Release the control button but continue to hold down the power button until the status LED indicator turns green.

  3. Release the power button and assemble the product.

  4. The process is now complete. 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.

  5. Using the installation and management software tools to assign an IP address, set the password and access the video stream.

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:

  1. Go to the product’s webpage.

  2. Click the help menu .

  3. 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 cover is attached during upgrade to avoid installation failure.

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.

AXIS Device Manager can be used for multiple upgrades. Find out more at axis.com/products/axis-device-manager.

How to upgrade the firmware
  1. Download the firmware file to your computer, available free of charge at axis.com/support/firmware.

  2. Log in to the product as an administrator.

  3. 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 after firmware upgrade

If you experience problems after a firmware 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 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.

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 Settings > System > Date and time.

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.

Lower frame rate than expected

  • See Performance considerations.

  • Reduce the number of applications running on the client computer.

  • Limit the number of simultaneous viewers.

  • Check with the network administrator that there is enough bandwidth available.

  • Lower the image resolution.

  • Log in to the device’s webpage and set a capture mode that prioritizes frame rate. Changing the capture mode to prioritize frame rate might lower the maximum resolution depending on the device used and capture modes available.

  • The maximum frames per second is dependent on the utility frequency (60/50 Hz) of the Axis device.

Can't select H.265 encoding in live view

Web browsers do not support H.265 decoding. Use a video management system or application supporting H.265 decoding.

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.

  • Removing or attaching the cover will restart the camera.

  • 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

Contact support at axis.com/support.

Specifications

Product overview

  1. Power button
  2. Control button
  3. SD memory card slot
  4. Input power connector
  5. I/O connector
  6. RJ45 connector
  7. SFP slot for SFP module (SFP module not included)
  8. Sunshield
  9. Wiper
  10. Front window
  11. Top cover
  12. Inner cover
  13. Lens
  14. Lid
  15. Base unit

SD card slot

NOTICE
  • 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 SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.

For SD card recommendations, see axis.com.

SD, SDHC, and SDXC Logos are trademarks of SD-3C LLC. SD, SDHC and SDXC 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.

Power button

The power button is used with the control button to reset the camera to factory default settings. See Reset to factory default settings.

Connectors

Network connector

RJ45 Ethernet connector.

SFP connector.

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 (12 V 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, through an event or from the device’s web interface.

6-pin terminal block

FunctionPinNotesSpecifications
DC ground10 V DC
DC output2Can 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)3–6Digital 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
  1. DC ground
  2. DC output 12 V, max 50 mA
  3. I/O configured as input
  4. I/O configured as output
  5. Configurable I/O
  6. Configurable I/O

Power connector

4-pin terminal block for power input.