How To Add IP Cameras

Note: This is not an article about camera topology. In order to understand how to add cameras to a network, please reference Internal VS External PoE or 2 NIC NVR setup diagram. 

This article is also not about adding third-party cameras. Please refer to Internal VS External PoE and Adding Cameras as ONVIF. 

This article clarifies basic networking requirements for IC Realtime IP cameras and how to add them to IC Realtime NVRs. A laptop is always recommended, and sometimes required to fully configure IP cameras. 

Table of Contents

1. IP requirements for cameras plugged into the NVR's integrated PoE switch
2. Adding cameras that are plugged into the NVR's integrated PoE switch
3. IP requirements for cameras connected to a Local Area Network
4. Adding cameras that are connected to a Local Area Network
5. Examples of correctly and incorrectly added cameras
6. Troubleshooting

1. IP requirements for cameras plugged into the NVR's integrated PoE switch

This is the closest to "Plug and Play" you can get. Using new IC Realtime cameras out of the box and an initialized IC Realtime NVR, simply plugging the cameras will 1) Initialize the camera, and 2) Automatically add the camera to the NVR. 

This is possible for a few reasons:

1. IC Realtime cameras are set to DHCP out of the box
2. IC Realtime NVRs impose their own password onto uninitialized IC Realtime cameras
3. IC Realtime NVRs have port-binding subroutines that only work with IC Realtime cameras

When adding cameras that are already initialized, just be sure they're set to DHCP in the cameras' network settings. You can do this by signing into the web GUI of the camera or by using the Config Tool. 

2. Adding cameras that are plugged into the NVR's integrated PoE switch

If you plug new IC Realtime cameras into an initialized NVR of compatible firmware, that should be all you need to do. The cameras will connect and display automatically. DO NOT ADD THE CAMERAS FROM THE SEARCH UTILITY ON THE NVR. This will keep the NVR from properly port-binding and may cause problems later. 

If the cameras already have passwords assigned to them, the cameras will automatically add, but won't display. The Status will be red. Be sure to click the Modify button (pencil icon) to edit the password the NVR is using to sign into the camera. 

3. IP requirements for cameras connected to a Local Area Network

Configuring IP cameras on a Local Area Network requires a computer. We also recommend using the Config Tool. 

After adding the cameras to the PoE switch on the network, you'll need to set their IP addresses to Static. You'll need to ensure they're on the same IP range as the NVR's NIC. If you need guidance on initializing cameras on the network, please read Initializing IP Camera, linked here. You can static the cameras' IP addresses either in the cameras' web GUI or in the Config Tool. To do so in the Config Tool, be sure to edit the password (Found near the top in the Search Setting menu). 

4. Adding cameras that are connected to a Local Area Network

After configuring the cameras, return to the NVR's Camera Configuration / Remote menu. You can either search for the cameras on the network or Manually Add the cameras using their IP addresses. It is recommended that you manually add cameras if the network scan doesn't populate the cameras. After adding from the network scan, be sure to Modify (pencil icon) the password to match the camera's password. 

When manually adding, the default port used will be 37777. 

5. Examples of correctly and incorrectly added cameras

Below is an example of correctly added IP cameras that are plugged into the NVR directly. 

Below is an example of correctly added IP cameras that are added from the network. 

Below is an example of an INCORRECTLY ADDED IP camera that is plugged into the NVR directly.

Another indication is if a camera listed as on the 10.1.1 network allows you to delete it - this means it hasn't been added properly. 

6. Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is made quicker and easier when the NVR has a monitor connected directly to it via HDMI. If a camera's status is Red, the Live View of that camera will list a specific error. Follow the error troubleshooting guide here, depending on your error: Camera Errors on Monitor Attached. 

Plugged-in camera will not auto-add:

Plug a laptop into the NVR's PoE switch, as if it were a camera. Open the Config Tool and scan for the camera. If the camera doesn't show up at all, call into 1-866-997-9009 for direct troubleshooting.

If the camera lists as not initialized: Initialize the camera and power-cycle it. Initializing article here. 

If the camera is initialized: Go into its web GUI. Ensure the camera is set to DHCP in its network settings. 

If the camera is initialized and set to DHCP but is still not auto-adding: There are two possibilities:

1) The NVR is using an incorrect password to log into the camera. In the Camera Registration Page / Remote / Add or Remove Device (all the same place, depending on your UI) go to the camera's listed connection and update the password by clicking the pencil icon. 

2) There is likely a firmware incompatibility. Go to store.icrealtime.com and sign in as a dealer. Find the camera or NVR you're working with, go to its page, and scroll all the way down to Downloads. The most recent firmware for that device will be listed there. If the device isn't listed on the store page, either email [e-mail] with that unit's Serial Number, System Version, and Build Date, or call into 1-866-997-9009 with that same information. You will be provided the most recent firmware.