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OpenEye Knowledge Base

Adding Axis Cameras

Streamline installation and configuration by using the native integration in OpenEye Web Services for Axis cameras. Discover multisensor Axis cameras and add all sensors in one go without having to add the camera and selecting the correct sensors multiple times. 

Best Practices 
  • Use the Axis IP Utility to configure the camera. 
  • Ensure all devices are running the latest approved firmware. 
  • Set the IP address to either static or DHCP depending on the install. 
  • Ensure the correct username and passwords are in place. 
  • All streams must be H.264. 
Native Camera Protocol

If available, using the native camera protocol for an IP camera is the recommended method to connect to cameras. This native protocol will include the unique integration features of those cameras such as analytics. However, native camera protocols are not available for cameras from every manufacturer.

ONVIF

ONVIF is an industry standard connection protocol for network-based cameras and will be much more accessible to cameras from third party manufacturers but may require camera setting adjustments to work correctly. They may not include the same unique camera functions as a native camera protocol.

RTSP

Connections to cameras via RTSP are the most direct connection to a camera’s video stream and will allow multiple camera entries  using the same IP address. RTSP will just pull video into the server software, so it will not include any additional features like audio that would be available through the other connection methods.

Adding Single Sensor Axis Cameras
Camera Discovery (Recommended) 
  • Connection uses Axis integration protocol.
  • Single sensor Axis IP cameras can be added to the recorder via Add Camera discovery after the camera has been assigned an IP address matching the camera network on the recorder.
  • If configured as DHCP and plugged into a recorder that offers DHCP assignment to cameras, no additional setup should be necessary before the camera is discoverable via Add Cameras in Setup > General Configuration > Cameras.
Manually Adding a Single Sensor Axis Camera 

In Apex Server Software versions 2.5 and below, cameras can be manually connected over Axis or ONVIF protocols.

NOTE: Manually Add a Camera is useful for troubleshooting or on larger networks where built-in camera discovery results in a very large list.

Manually Add a Camera Using Axis Protocol 
  1. Manually add camera. See Adding Cameras Manually for additional information on adding cameras.
  2. Fill out the relevant information: Username, Password, and IP Address.
  3. Select Axis as the Protocol
  4. Give the camera a name and hit Save
Manually Add a Camera Using ONVIF 

Legacy Axis cameras may not always connect with the Axis Protocol and may be added as an ONVIF camera. Additional steps are required for this to connect. 

  1. Log in to the camera setup pages.
  2. Navigate to System Options > Security > ONVIF and add a new user. 
  3. Set the ONVIF user password and select Administrator for the User Group
  4. Once these steps are done, follow the same steps above for Adding with Axis Protocol, but select ONVIF in the dropdown.  
Manually Add an Axis Camera Using RTSP 

If the camera is not discovered in the Add Camera screen, you can manually add the camera using RTSP. 

NOTE: Adding as RTSP can be very useful when troubleshooting camera connections. 

  1. Manually add camera. See Adding Cameras Manually for additional information on adding cameras.
  2. Change the Protocol dropdown to RTSP.
  3. Port can remain blank unless custom RTSP ports are in use, default port is 554.
  • The most common RTSP URL for High Stream on Axis cameras: 
    • rtsp://<device-ip>/axis-media/media.amp?videocodec=h264&camera=1 
  • For low stream, use the same RTSP URL appending a specific resolution to the end: 
    • rtsp://<device-ip>/axis-media/media.amp?videocodec=h264&camera=1&resolution=640x480 

 

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