Two-Way Talk

Surveillance systems are specialized to do just that: survey. When an alert notifies you of an event, you become little more than a backseat observer. 

With Two-Way Talk you are able to become a part of the scene. If your cameras detect a package delivery, or if you spy something happening that shouldn't be, you can speak through the camera directly to whomever is there. 

This article is for IC View+. If you're using either IC View (Legacy) or ICRSS Pro, please refer to this article: 2-Way Talk Operation. 

Talking through cameras is a feature of IP systems, not analogue. While you can still speak through the DVR on analogue systems, it would either be through the HDMI-Out, or through the Mic Out RCA jack from the DVR. 

Table of Contents

1. Requirements
2. Setup
3. Use
4. Troubleshooting

1. Requirements

In order to take advantage of Two-Way Talk you will need cameras that have both Audio In and Audio Out. 

Cameras that have built-in microphones and built-in speakers:

• IPMX-E40F-ADW1 (Active Deterrence)
• IPMX-B40F-ADW1 (Active Deterrence)
• IPEL-D40V-W1-LED
• IPEL-B40V-W1-LED

Other cameras accept audio-in and audio-out using RCA jacks. You can filter which cameras have this by going to https://store.icrealtime.com/cameras/ip-cameras, selecting the "Audio" filter along the left, and selecting "Audio In/Out". Microphones and speakers connected to the camera in this way must be powered directly, they do not receive power from the camera. 

The NVR-208NS is NOT COMPATIBLE with Two-Way Talk. You can speak through the NVR like an analogue recorder, but not through the camera directly. 

2. Setup

Make sure the cameras you plan on talking through are initialized and are set up to receive audio. An article on initializing cameras can be found here: Initializing IP Camera. 

Enabling Audio-In:

This can be done both on the camera's web GUI and the NVR the camera is connected to. The picture below is from a camera's web GUI. 

1. Navigate to Setting > Camera > Audio
2. Enable both Main Stream and Sub Stream
3. Ensure the Audio-In Type is correct. "Mic" if the camera has a built-in mic, "Line-In" if you have an external mic connected and powered. 
4. Save changes

The picture below is from an NVR's web GUI. 

1. Navigate to Advanced Settings > Camera Configuration > Video Stream
2. Select the channel of the camera
3. Select the "Audio Settings" box
4. Check the "Audio" box. 
5. Save changes

Enabling Audio-Out:

This requires no configuration. Audio-Out is passive, and there are no menus that adjust or enable audio out. Just be sure whatever external speaker you have connected has power and is working properly. Again, Audio-Out is either a built-in speaker or an RCA jack. 

Connecting your NVR to the IC View+ Application:

Please refer to this article on adding your NVR to the IC View+ Application: Adding Devices and Creating a Device Card

3. Use

When opening the application fresh you'll be in the Home section. If you are in a different menu, you can either press the back arrow at the top-left, or choose the option labeled "ICRealtime" at the bottom-left. 

From the Home section you'll be able to choose the NVR that has the camera you're attempting to talk through. After starting the Live View for that NVR, you'll need to double-tap the camera view to bring it up on its own. 

Single-tap the microphone icon to speak through the camera. You should receive a prompt that says "Channel talk on". 

Press and hold the microphone icon to speak through the NVR. You'll be met with a different prompt that says "Storage device talk on". 

Speaking through the NVR can be heard from both the TV that is connected via HDMI and whatever speaker is connected to the "Mic Out" RCA jack on the back of the NVR. 

4. Troubleshooting

If you single-tap the microphone icon in the app and it prompts "Storage device talk on" instead of "Channel talk on", then the NVR doesn't support Two-Way Talk, the camera doesn't support Two-Way Talk, or the camera isn't properly configured. Ensure the NVR isn't a 208NS, check store.icrealtime.com to confirm the camera has Audio Out, and finally go over the configuration details listed at the beginning of this guide. 

If the NVR isn't compatible but you would still like to use Two-Way Talk, you can get around the NVR by putting the camera on a networked switch. After setting it on a static IP address and adding it back to the NVR, go into the camera's Network Settings. Under "P2P", ensure it's both enabled and online. You can now connect the camera to your IC View+ application directly using its Serial Number. You may speak through the camera as described above.