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.
This video demonstrates how to use preview mode.
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.
You can use the device with the following browsers:
ChromeTM
EdgeTM
Firefox®
Safari®
Windows®
✓
✓
*
*
macOS®
✓
✓
*
*
Linux®
✓
✓
*
*
Other operating systems
*
*
*
*
✓: Recommended *: Supported with limitations
Open the device's web interface
Open a browser and type the IP address or host name of the Axis device.
If you don’t 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 features and settings in the web interface of devices with AXIS OS, see AXIS OS web interface help.
Create an administrator account
The first time you log in to your device, you must create an administrator 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
Important
Use HTTPS (which is enabled by default) to set your password or other sensitive configurations over the network. HTTPS enables secure and encrypted network connections, thereby protecting sensitive data, such as passwords.
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.
Make sure 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:
Go to Video > Installation > Power line frequency.
Select a power line frequency and click Save 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 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.
Adjust the focus
This product can have four 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.
Spot: The focus is set to a fixed area in the center of the image.
Spot focus
To turn off autofocus and adjust the focus manually:
In the live view window, if the Zoom slider is visible, click Zoom and select Focus.
Click 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.
Create a focus recall area
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.
Adjust the focus.
Click the focus recall button.
Delete a focus recall area
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: .
Click the focus recall button.
Select scene profile
A scene profile is a set of predefined image appearance settings including color level, brightness, sharpness, contrast and local contrast. Scene profiles are preconfigured in the product for quick setup to a specific scenario, for example Forensic which is optimized for surveillance conditions. For a description of each available setting, see The web interface.
You can select a scene profile during the initial setup of the camera. You can also select or change scene profile later.
Go to Video > Image > Appearance.
Go to Scene profile and select a profile.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Note
When you reduce the max gain, the image can become darker.
Set the max gain to a lower value.
If there is an Aperture slider, move it towards Open.
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 Video > Stream > General and set the compression as low as possible.
Below the live view image, click and in Video format, select MJPEG.
Go to Video > Stream > Zipstream and select Off.
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.
Go to Video > Image > Wide dynamic range.
To set the amount of WDR, select Low, Medium or High from the WDR level list.
If you still have problems, go to Exposure and adjust the Exposure zone to cover the area of interest.
Image stabilization is suitable in environments where the product is mounted in an exposed location where vibrations can occur, for example, due to wind or passing traffic.
The feature makes the image smoother, steadier, and less blurry. It also reduces the file size of the compressed image and lowers the bitrate of the video stream.
Note
When you turn on image stabilization, the image is slightly cropped, which lowers the maximum resolution.
Go to Video > Installation > Image correction.
Turn on Image stabilization.
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.
Go to Video > Image.
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 license plates 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.
You can add an image as an overlay in the video stream.
Go to Video > Overlays.
Click Manage images.
Upload or drag and drop an image.
Click Upload.
Select Image from the drop-down list and click .
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, or select modifiers to show for example the current date.
Select a position. You can also click-and-drag the overlay in the live view to change the position.
Show the pan or tilt position as a text overlay
You can show the pan or tilt position as an overlay in the image.
Go to Video > Overlays and click .
In the text field, type #x to show the pan position.
Type #y to show the tilt position.
Choose appearance, text size, and alignment.
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 preset positions and compass direction will be visible in the compass field in all video streams and recordings.
To activate the compass:
Go to PTZ > Orientation aid.
Turn on Orientation aid.
Position the camera view at north with the crosshair. Click Set north.
To add a preset position to show in the compass field:
Go to PTZ > Preset positions.
Use the crosshair to position the view where you want to add a preset position.
Click Add preset position to create a new preset position.
Adjust the camera view (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 PTZ > Limits.
Set the limits as needed.
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 PTZ > Guard tours.
Click Guard tour.
Select Preset position and click Create.
Under General settings:
Enter a name for the guard tour and specify the pause length between each tour.
If you want the guard tour to go to the preset positions in a random order, turn on Play guard tour in random order.
Under Step settings:
Set the duration for the preset.
Set the move speed, which controls how fast to move to the next preset.
Go to Preset positions.
Select the preset positions that you want in your guard tour.
Drag them to the View order area, and click Done.
To schedule the guard tour, go to System > Events.
Create a recorded guard tour
Go to PTZ > Guard tours.
Click Guard tour.
Select Recorded and click Create.
Enter a name for the guard tour and specify the pause length between each tour.
Click Start recording tour to start recording the pan/tilt/zoom movements.
When you’re satisfied, click Stop recording tour.
Click Done.
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
Reducing the bandwidth can lead to loss of detail in the image.
Go to Video > Stream.
Click in the live view.
Select Video format AV1 if your device supports it. Otherwise select 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 all video encodings except MJPEG.
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.
Note
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.
Record and watch video
Record video directly from the camera
Go to Video > Stream.
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.
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 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 to perform when the conditions are met.
Note
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.
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 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.
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 actions, under Overlay text, select Use overlay text.
Select a video channel.
In Text, type “Motion detected”.
Set the duration.
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.
Start the application if it is not already running.
Make sure you have set up the application according to your needs.
Add a preset position:
Go to PTZ and set where you want the camera to be directed by creating a preset position.
Create a rule:
Go to System > Events and add a rule.
Type a name for the rule.
In the list of actions, select Go to preset position.
Select the preset position you want the camera to go to.
Click Save.
Record video when the camera detects impact
Shock detection allows the camera to detect tampering caused by vibrations or shock. Vibrations due to the environment or to an object can trigger an action depending on the shock sensitivity range, which can be set from 0 to 100. In this scenario, someone is throwing rocks at the camera after hours and you would like to get a video clip of the event.
Turn on shock detection:
Go to System > Detectors > Shock detection.
Turn on shock detection, and adjust the shock sensitivity.
Create a rule:
Go to System > Events > Rules and add a rule.
Type a name for the rule.
In the list of conditions, under Device status, select Shock detected.
Click + to add a second condition.
In the list of conditions, under Scheduled and recurring, select Schedule.
In the list of schedules, select After hours .
In the list of actions, under Recordings, select Record video while the rule is active.
Select where to save the recordings.
Select a Camera.
Set the prebuffer time to 5 seconds.
Set the postbuffer time to 50 seconds.
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.
Create the preset positions:
Go to PTZ > Preset positions.
Create the home position that includes the entrance of the gate.
Create the zoomed-in preset position so that it covers the area in the image where you assume that the license plate will appear.
Create a rule:
Go to System > Events and add a rule.
Name the rule “Gatekeeper”.
In the list of actions, under Preset positions, select Go to preset position.
Select a Video channel.
Select the Preset position.
To make the camera wait a while before it returns to the home position, set a time for Home timeout.
Click Save.
Trigger a notification when the camera lens is tampered
This example explains how to set up an email notification when the camera lens gets either spray painted, covered, or blurred.
Activate the tampering detection:
Go to System > Detectors > Camera tampering.
Set a value for Trigger delay. The value indicates the time that must pass before an email is sent.
Turn on Trigger on dark images to detect if the lens is sprayed, covered, or rendered severely out of focus.
Add an email recipient:
Go to System > Events > Recipients and add a recipient.
Type a name for the recipient.
Select Email as the notification type.
Type the recipient’s email address.
Type the email address that you want the camera to send notifications from.
Provide the login details for the sending email account, along with the SMTP hostname and port number.
To test your email setup, click Test.
Click Save.
Create a rule:
Go to System > Events > Rules and add a rule.
Type a name for the rule.
In the list of conditions, under Video, select Tampering.
In the list of actions, under Notifications, select Send notification to email and then select the recipient from the list.
Type a subject line and message for the email.
Click Save.
Audio
Add audio to your recording
Turn on audio:
Go to Video > Stream > Audio and include audio.
If the device has more than one input source, select the correct one in Source.
Go to Audio > Device settings and turn on the correct input source.
If you make any changes to the input source, click Apply changes.
Edit the stream profile that is used for the recording:
Go to System > Stream profiles and select the stream profile.
Select Include audio and turn it on.
Click Save.
Add audio capability to your product using portcast
With portcast technology, you can add audio capability to your product. It allows audio and I/O communication digitally over the network cable between the camera and the interface.
To add audio capability to your Axis network video device, connect the portcast compatible Axis audio device and I/O Interface between your device and the PoE switch which provides power.
Connect the Axis network video device (1) and the Axis portcast device (2) with a PoE cable.
Connect the Axis portcast device (2) and the PoE switch (3) with a PoE cable.
Axis network video device
Axis portcast device
Switch
Once the devices are connected, an audio tab becomes visible in the settings for your Axis network video device. Go to the audio tab and turn on Allow audio.
See your Axis portcast device’s user manual for more information.
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.
Important
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.
Click Add and select the pairing type Audio from the drop-down list.
Select Speaker pairing.
Type the network speaker’s IP address, username and password.
Click Connect. A confirmation message appears.
The web interface
To read about all the features and settings available in the web interface of devices with AXIS OS, go to AXIS OS web interface help.
Learn more
Long-distance connections
This product supports fiber-optic cable installations through a media converter. Fiber-optic cable installations offer a number of benefits such as:
Long-distance connection
High speed
Long lifetime
Large capacity of data transmission
Electromagnetic interference immunity
Find out more about fiber-optic cable installations in the white paper “Long distance surveillance - Fiber-optic communication in network video” at axis.com/learning/white-papers.
For information about how to install the media converter see the Installation Guide for this product.
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.
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 hide the privacy masks.
Important
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.
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)
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
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.
Target bitrate
Analytics and apps
With analytics and apps 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 apps for Axis devices. Apps can be preinstalled on the device, available for download for free, or for a license fee.
To find the user manuals for Axis analytics and apps, go to help.axis.com.
Note
Several apps can run at the same time but some apps might not be compatible with each other. Certain combinations of apps might require too much processing power or memory resources when run in parallel. Verify that the apps work together before deployment.
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 web interface:
Go to PTZ > Preset positions.
Direct the camera view to the area you want to track, and click Add preset position to create a preset position.
Go to PTZ > Autotracking.
Click Autotracking to start and open the application.
In the application interface:
Go to Settings > Profiles.
Click and select the preset position you created in the device’s web interface.
Click Done.
Select a Trigger area.
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.
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.
Product specific considerations
For best results, the camera must be correctly mounted. There are also requirements on the scene, image and objects.
Mount the camera up to a maximum height of 3 m (9.8 ft).
Humans in the center of the image are unlikely to be classified.
Objects near the edge of the image appear smaller than objects near the center and are therefore unlikely to be detected. To minimize the risk of missed detections, we recommend a height of at least 8% of total image radius for humans and 6% of total image radius for vehicles.
Object in the centerObjects at the edgeObjects near the center
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.
Cybersecurity
For product-specific information about cybersecurity, see the product's datasheet at axis.com.
Signed OS is implemented by the software vendor signing the AXIS OS image with a private key. When the signature is attached to the operating system, the device will validate the software before installing it. If the device detects that the integrity of the software is compromised, the AXIS OS upgrade will be rejected.
Secure boot
Secure boot is a boot process that consists of an unbroken chain of cryptographically validated software, starting in immutable memory (boot ROM). Being based on the use of signed OS, secure boot ensures that a device can boot only with authorized software.
Secure keystore
A tamper-protected environment for the protection of private keys and secure execution of cryptographic operations. It prevents unauthorized access and malicious extraction in the event of a security breach. Depending on security requirements, an Axis device can have either one or multiple hardware-based cryptographic computing modules, which provide a hardware-protected secure keystore. Depending on security requirements, an Axis device can have either one or multiple hardware-based cryptographic computing modules, like a TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) or a secure element, and/or a TEE (Trusted Execution Environment), which provide a hardware-protected secure keystore. Furthermore, selected Axis products feature a FIPS 140-2 Level 2-certified secure keystore.
To learn more about the cybersecurity features in Axis devices, go to axis.com/learning/white-papers and search for cybersecurity.
Specifications
Product overview
NOTICE
Make sure the dome is attached in operation mode, otherwise focus may be affected.
Dome
Control button
Status LED indicator
SD card slot
Part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N)
Mounting hole (3x)
Ventilation plug
Hook for safety wire
Multiconnector
Dome cover
Dome attachment ring
O-ring
Dome bracket screw T20 (4x)
Dome
O-ring
Dome ring
Dome ring screw T25 (4x)
AXIS T8607 Media Converter Switch - external view
Cover
Network connector SFP (2x)
Network connector RJ45 (2x)
Camera network LED indicator
Network LED indicator (4x)
Power LED indicator
Power connector (DC input)
Grounding screw
Multicable inlet
I/O terminal connector
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.
Status LED behavior for focus assistant
The status LED flashes when the Focus Assistant is active.
Color
Indication
Red
The image is out of focus. Adjust the lens.
Amber
The image is close to focus. The lens needs fine tuning.
Green
The image is in focus.
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.
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.
RJ45 Ethernet connector with Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+).
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 VDC 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
Function
Pin
Notes
Specifications
DC ground
1
0 VDC
DC output
2
Can be used to power auxiliary equipment. Note: This pin can only be used as power out.
12 VDC 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 VDC
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 VDC, 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
Multiconnector
Terminal connector for connecting the supplied media converter switch, which provides the following signals:
DC Power
Network (Ethernet 10/100Base-T)
Input/Output (I/O)
When connecting external equipment, the supplied multicable is required in order to maintain the product's NEMA/IP rating. For more information, see Multicable connectors.
Multicable connectors
Multicable overview
Power wire (red)
Digital I/O wire (blue)
Ethernet wire (green/white)
Ethernet wire (green)
Ethernet wire (orange/white)
Ethernet wire (orange)
Digital I/O wire (yellow)
Ground wire (black)
Power wire (red)
Ethernet wire foil shield (2x)
Braided shield coil
Function
Wire
Connect to
Specifications
Configurable (Input or Output)
2 – blue 7 – yellow
Digital input – I/O terminal connector
0 to max 30 V DC
Digital output – I/O terminal connector
0 to max 30 V DC, open drain, 100 mA
RX+
3 – green/white
Ethernet – receiving
RX-
4 – green
Ethernet – receiving
TX+
5 – orange/white
Ethernet – transmitting
TX-
6 – orange
Ethernet – transmitting
0 V DC (-)
8 – black
0 V DC
DC output (24 V)
1, 9 – red
Power connector
24 V DC
Clean your device
You can clean your device with lukewarm water and mild, nonabrasive soap.
NOTICE
Harsh chemicals can damage the device. Don’t use chemicals such as window cleaner or acetone to clean your device.
Don’t spray detergent directly on the device. Instead, spray detergent on a nonabrasive cloth and use that to clean the 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 and mild, nonabrasive soap.
To avoid stains, dry the device with a clean, nonabrasive cloth.
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:
Press and hold the control button and the power button for 15–30 seconds until the status LED indicator flashes amber. See Product overview.
Release the control button but continue to hold down the power button until the status LED indicator turns green.
Release the power button and assemble the product.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 you set up your system, it’s important to consider how different settings and situations affect performance. Some factors affect bandwidth (bitrate), others affect frame rate, and some affect both.
The most important factors 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 clients or unicast H.264/H.265/AV1 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 video streams with different codecs simultaneously affects both frame rate and bandwidth. For optimal performance, use streams with the same codec.
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.