Actiontec 802NCG Owner's Manual

Actiontec
54 Mbps Wireless
Network Camera
User Guide
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................1
Features......................................................................................................................... 1
Internet Features ........................................................................................................... 2
Security Features ..........................................................................................................2
Wireless Features.......................................................................................................... 2
Physical Details.................................................................................................................. 3
Front Panel.................................................................................................................... 3
Rear Panel..................................................................................................................... 3
Package Contents ..............................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2 BASIC SETUP ................................................................................................... 6
System Requirements........................................................................................................ 6
Installation ......................................................................................................................... 6
Setup ................................................................................................................................... 8
Setup Procedure............................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 3 ADVANCED VIEWING SETUP ................................................................... 14
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 14
Adjusting the Video Image ............................................................................................. 14
To Adjust the Video Image: .......................................................................................14
Controlling User Access to the Video Stream ............................................................... 16
To Enable This Feature:.............................................................................................. 16
Operation .................................................................................................................... 16
Making Video Available From the Internet.................................................................. 17
Wireless/Ethernet Network Camera Setup ................................................................. 17
Router/Gateway Setup................................................................................................ 18
Viewing Via the Internet ............................................................................................ 19
Motion Detection/E-mail Alerts .....................................................................................20
To Use Motion Detection/E-mail Alert ...................................................................... 20
CHAPTER 4 WEB-BASED MANAGEMENT ....................................................................22
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 22
Connecting to the Camera .............................................................................................. 22
Connecting Using Your Web Browser ....................................................................... 22
Welcome Screen............................................................................................................... 23
View Video Screen........................................................................................................... 24
Administration Menu...................................................................................................... 25
System Screen .................................................................................................................. 25
Network Screen................................................................................................................ 27
WEP Screen................................................................................................................ 30
WPA-PSK Screen....................................................................................................... 32
Image Screen.................................................................................................................... 32
User Screen ......................................................................................................................34
Add/Modify User Screen............................................................................................ 35
E-mail Screen................................................................................................................... 36
Status Screen.................................................................................................................... 38
Upgrade Firmware Screen .......................................................................................... 40
CHAPTER 5 VIEWING & RECORDING........................................................................... 41
Overview ..........................................................................................................................41
Installation ....................................................................................................................... 41
System Tray Icon............................................................................................................. 42
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Main Screen ..................................................................................................................... 42
Adding Cameras to the Camera List ............................................................................. 44
Adding Cameras on the Internet ................................................................................. 45
Modifying an Existing Camera................................................................................... 46
Viewing Live Video .........................................................................................................47
Recording Video .............................................................................................................. 48
Recording Preferences................................................................................................ 48
Live Recordings.......................................................................................................... 49
Files ............................................................................................................................50
Scheduled Recordings ................................................................................................51
Viewing With Your Web Browser ................................................................................. 53
Viewing Over Your LAN ........................................................................................... 53
Viewing Via the Internet ............................................................................................ 55
CHAPTER 6 TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................. 57
Overview .......................................................................................................................... 57
Problems........................................................................................................................... 57
APPENDIX A SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................59
Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Network Camera............................................................. 59
Regulatory Approvals ..................................................................................................... 60
CE Approvals .............................................................................................................60
Limited Warranty ........................................................................................................... 61
Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved.
Document Version: 1.0
All trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.
ii 1
Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter covers the features, components, and capabilities of the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Network Camera.
1

Overview

The Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Network Camera has an integrated microcomputer and a high quality CMOS digital-Image-Sensor, enabling it to display high quality live streaming video over your wired LAN, the Internet, and for the Camera, an 802.11g Wireless LAN.
Using enhanced MPEG-4 technologies, the Camera is able to stream high quality video and audio directly to your PC. The high compression capabilities of MPEG-4 reduce network bandwidth requirements to amazingly low levels.
A convenient and user-friendly application is provided with the Camera for both viewing and recording video. If necessary, you can even view video using your Web browser on a variety of software platforms.
Figure 1: Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Network Camera

Features

Standalone Design. The Camera is a standalone system with built-in CPU and video
encoder. It requires only a power source and a connection to your LAN or wireless LAN.
Suitable for Home, Business, or Public Facilities. Whether for home, business or
public facility surveillance, or just for entertainment and fun, the Camera has the features you need.
Multi-Protocol Support. Supporting TCP/IP networking, SMTP (E-mail), HTTP, and
other Internet related protocols, the Camera can be easily integrated into your existing network.
Easy Configuration. A Windows-based “Wizard” application is provided for initial
setup. Subsequent administration and management can be performed using a standard Web browser. The administrator can configure and manage the Camera via the LAN or Internet.
Viewing/Recording Utility. A user-friendly utility is provided for viewing live video.
For periods when you are absent or for scheduled recording, this utility also allows you to record video to an ASF file on your computer. The recorded files are in a standard Windows Media format, and thus usable by a wide variety of programs, if required.
Motion Detection. This feature will send you an e-mail when motion is detected. The
Camera will compare consecutive frames to detect changes caused by the movement of large objects. This function only works indoors due to the sensitivity of the CMOS sensor. If desired, a short video can be included as an attachment to the e-mail.
Audio Support. You can listen as well as look! Audio is included with the video if
desired. You can use either the built-in microphone or an external microphone.

Internet Features

User-definable HTTP port number. This allows Internet gateways to use “port
mapping” so the Camera and a Web server can share the same Internet IP address.
DDNS Support. In order to view video over the Internet, users must know the Internet
IP address of the gateway used by the Camera. If the gateway has a dynamic IP address, DDNS (Dynamic DNS) is required. Since many existing gateways do not support DDNS, this function is incorporated into the Camera.
NTP (Network-Time-Protocol) Support. NTP allows the Camera to calibrate its
internal clock from an Internet time-server. This ensures the accuracy of the time stamp on video from the Camera.

Security Features

User Authentication. If desired, access to live video can be restricted to known users.
Users will have to enter their username and password before being able to view the video stream. Up to 20 users can be entered.
Password-Protected Configuration. Configuration data can be password protected, so
that only the Camera administrator can change it.

Wireless Features

Standards Compliant. The wireless router complies with the IEEE802.11g (DSSS)
specifications for wireless LANs.
Supports both 802.11b and 802.11g Wireless Stations. The 802.11g standard
provides for backward compatibility with the 802.11b standard, so both 802.11b and
802.11g wireless stations can be used simultaneously.
Speeds to 54Mbps. All speeds up to the 802.11g maximum of 54 Mbps are supported.
Wired and Wireless Network Support. The Camera supports both wired and wireless
transmission.
Security WEP (64-, 128-bit) and WPA-PSK support on the wireless interface is
provided.
2

Physical Details

Front Panel

Figure 2: Camera: Front and Back Views
Focus Ring
Microphone
Ready LED
Active LED
LAN LED
Wireless LED
Normally, it is not necessary to adjust the focus. The default focus range is from 1 meter (3 feet) to infinity. If the image is not clear, try adjusting the focus.
The built-in microphone is mounted on the front. There is also a connection for an external microphone on the rear. Connecting an external microphone will disable the built-in microphone.
On - Power on.
Off - No power.
Blinking - The “Ready” LED will blink during start up. This will
take 15 to 20 seconds.
Off - Idle.
Blinking - The Camera is providing a live video stream to at least
one viewer.
On - LAN port is connected to a hub or switch.
Off - LAN port is not connected.
Blinking - Data is being transmitted or received via the LAN port.
On - Wireless interface is active.
Off - Wireless interface is not available.
Blinking - Data is being transferred via the wireless interface.

Rear Panel

Antenna
Attach the supplied antenna here. The antenna is adjustable; best results are usually obtained with the antenna positioned vertically.
3
Power Input
MIC In
LAN port
Reset Button
Connect the supplied power adapter here.
If required, an external microphone can be attached here. Attaching a microphone here will disable the built-in microphone on the front. Microphones designed for use with computers are usually compatible with this microphone input.
Use a standard LAN cable to connect your Camera to a 10/100BaseT hub or switch.
Note:
Attaching the LAN cable to the Camera disables the wireless interface. Only one interface can be active at any time.
This button has two functions:
Restore Default IP Address - When pressed and released, the Camera’s IP address will be automatically obtained from the DHCP server.
Restore Default IP Address, Administrator ID, and Administrator password - When pressed and held for three
seconds, the IP Address, Administrator ID, and Administrator Password settings will be set to their default values.
IP Address: automatically obtained from the DHCP server
Administrator ID: administrator
Administrator Password: null (no password)
Note: After this procedure is completed, the Ready LED will blink three times to confirm that the reset was completed successfully.
4

Package Contents

The following items should be included: If any of these items are damaged or missing, please contact your dealer immediately.
1. Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Network Camera
2. Installation CD-ROM
3. Quick Installation Guide
4. Power Adapter
5. Base, Stand, and Swivel Connector
6. Extender Unit
7. Mounting Screws
8. Antenna
5 6
Chapter 2
Basic Setup
This chapter provides information about installing and configuring the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Network Camera.

System Requirements

To use the LAN interface, a standard 10/100BaseT hub or switch and network cable is required.
To use the wireless interface on the Camera, other wireless devices must be compliant with the IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11g specifications. All wireless stations must use compatible settings.

Installation

2
Figure 3: Camera Installation
1. Mount the Camera on the supplied base and stand.
Screw the supplied antenna to the mounting point on the rear of the Camera.
Join the base, stand, and swivel connector to the camera, as shown in the diagram above.
2. Connect the LAN cable.
Connect the Camera to a 10/100BaseT hub or switch.
Activating the LAN interface disables the wireless interface, because only one interface can be active. The LAN interface is recommended for initial configuration.
The default wireless settings for the Camera are:
Mode: Infrastructure ESSID: Actiontec WEP: Disabled
3. Adjust the Antenna
Screw the antenna to the rear mounting point of the Camera, then adjust the antenna to an upright position to improve wireless reception.
4. Power Up
Remember, before connecting the power adapter, the LAN cable must be connected to the Camera.
Connect the supplied power adapter to the Camera and power up. Use only the power adapter provided. Using a different one may cause hardware damage.
4. Check the LEDs
The Ready LED will turn on briefly, then start blinking. It will blink during startup, which takes 15 to 20 seconds. After startup is completed, the Ready LED should remain ON.
The Active LED should be OFF. It will flash when anyone is viewing live video.
Either the LAN LED OR the Wireless LED should be ON.
For more information, refer to “Front Panel” in Chapter 1.
7

Setup

Initial setup should be performed using the Setup Wizard. This program can locate the Camera even if its IP address is invalid for your network. You can then configure the Camera with appropriate TCP/IP settings for your LAN.
Subsequent administration can be performed with your Web browser, as explained in chapter 3, “Web-based Administration.”

Setup Procedure

1. Insert the supplied CD-ROM into your drive. If the setup program does not start automatically, run Setup.exe in the root folder.
You will see the Welcome screen shown below.
Click the Setup button to start the “Setup Wizard.”
"
Figure 4: Welcome Screen
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2. The next screen lists all of the Cameras on your LAN.
Figure 5: Camera List Screen
Select the desired Camera from the list on the left. The current settings for the selected
Camera will be displayed in the table on the right.
Click Next to continue.
3. You will be prompted for an administrator name and password.
If using the default values, enter administrator for the name, and leave the password
blank.
Otherwise, enter the Administrator ID and Password you previously set on the User
screen.
Figure 6: Password Dialog
The Administrator ID and password can be set on the User screen of the Web interface. The Web interface can be accessed by clicking Web UI on the final screen of the Wizard.
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4. On the following TCP/IP screen, shown below, choose Fixed IP or Dynamic IP. Dynamic IP address is recommended.
Figure 7: Fixed or Dynamic IP Selection
Click Next to continue.
5. If you chose Fixed IP Address, the TCP/IP Settings screen appears.
Figure 8: TCP/IP Settings
Enter an unused IP Address from within the address range used on your LAN.
The “Subnet Mask” and “Default Gateway” fields must match the values used by
computers on your LAN.
The “Primary DNS” address is required in order to use the e-mail alert or Dynamic
DNS features. Enter the DNS (Domain Name Server) address recommended by your ISP.
The “Secondary DNS” is optional. If provided, it will be used if the Primary DNS is
unavailable.
Click Next to continue.
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6. The “Wireless Settings” screen appears.
Figure 9: Wireless Settings
Mode - If you have an access point or wireless broadband router, select
Infrastructure. Otherwise, select Ad-hoc.
Authentication Type - Select the value used on your LAN.
ESSID - Enter the value used by your other wireless devices.
Domain - Select the domain to match your location.
Channel - For Ad-hoc mode, select the channel used by your other wireless devices.
(For Infrastructure mode, the access point determines the channel used.)
7. Click Next to continue to the “Security” screen, shown below.
Figure 10: WEP Key Settings
WEP Encryption - Select the option used on your wireless LAN.
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Keys - If using WEP, the default key must match the key used on your other wireless
stations. The other keys are optional. You can enter the key value directly, or generate a key by entering a string into the “Passphrase” field, and clicking the “Generate” button. If using WPA-PSK on your access point or router, enter the same pre-shared key. This is an alphanumeric between 8 and 63 characters long, and is case-sensitive.
Click Next to continue to the following screen.
8. This screen allows you to enter a suitable description of the Camera, and set the correct time zone, date, and time. Make any desired changes, then click Next to continue.
Figure 11: Camera Settings
9. The next screen, shown below, displays all details of the Camera.
Click Save if the settings are correct.
Click Back to modify any incorrect values.
Figure 12: Save Settings
12
10. After clicking Save, you will see the screen below.
Figure 13: Final Screen
If desired, you can click Web UI to connect to the camera using your Web browser.
11. Click Exit to end the Wizard. Setup is now complete.
13 14
Chapter 3
Advanced Viewing Setup
This chapter provides information about the optional settings and advanced features for viewing video on the Actiontec 54 Mbps Wireless Network Camera, and is aimed at experienced network administrators only.
3

Introduction

After setting up the Camera, it can immediately be used by all users on your LAN.
Refer to chapter 5, “Viewing & Recording,” for details on viewing and recording live video.
This chapter describes some additional settings and options for viewing live video:
Adjusting the video image
Controlling user access to the live video stream
Making video available from the Internet
Using the “Motion Detection/E-mail” feature

Adjusting the Video Image

If necessary, the Camera Administrator can adjust the video image. Settings are provided for:
Image size - Select the desired size. The larger sizes require greater bandwidth.
Image quality - This determines the degree of compression applied to the video stream.
Higher quality requires greater bandwidth.
Power Line Frequency - Select 50Hz or 60Hz power line frequency, depending on what’s used in your region. The correct setting will improve the picture quality under florescent lighting.
Exposure - Adjust the brightness of the image if the “Auto-Exposure” setting does not give satisfactory results.
Color Adjustment - Red, green, blue intensity can be adjusted.
Time Stamp - If enabled, the time will be displayed on the video image.
Text Overlay - If enabled, up to 20 characters can be superimposed on the video image.
This is useful for identifying the camera.
Audio - If desired, audio can be included in the video stream.

To Adjust the Video Image:

1. Connect to the Web-based interface of the Camera. (See chapter 4, “Web-based Management,” for details.)
2. From the “Administration” menu, select Image. You will see a screen similar to the one shown below.
Figure 14: Image Screen
3. Make the required adjustments, as explained below, and save your changes.
Video Settings
Resolution
Image Quality
Power Line Frequency
Adjustment
Brightness
Red, Green, Blue
Default Button
Options
Time Stamp
Select the desired video resolution. The default resolution is set to 320*240.
Select the desired image quality. The default “Image Quality” is set to “Normal.” Note: Higher image quality requires more bandwidth.
Select the power line frequency (50Hz or 60Hz) used in your region, to improve the picture quality under florescent lighting.
Select Automatic or Manual.
When set to the default setting, Automatic, the Camera adjusts the brightness automatically based on the current environment.
If you want to adjust the brightness manually, select Manaul. You can then enter the desired value.
Adjust these color settings to the preferred values. Note: When Automatic is selected, this setting will not take effect.
Clicking this will set all the “Adjustment” fields to their default values. You must click Apply to save these changes.
Enable the check box if you want the time to be displayed on the video image.
Text Display
Audio
If you want text to be displayed on the video image, enable this feature by checking the check box. You can enter text up to 20 characters. This feature is often used to identify a Camera when multiple Cameras are installed.
If you want audio to be included with the video, enable this option. Some bandwidth will be allocated to the audio stream. In some situations, this may affect the quality of the video.
15

Controlling User Access to the Video Stream

By default, all users can connect to the Camera and view live video.
If desired, you can limit access to known users by requiring each user to login to the Camera with their individual username and password.

To Enable This Feature:

1. Connect to the Web-based interface of the Camera. (See Chapter 4, “Web-based Management,” for details.)
2. From the “Administration” menu, select User.
3. In the “User Access” section, activate Only Users in database.
Figure 15: User Screen
4. To add users to the database, click Add and enter the name and password for each user.

Operation

When each user connects, they will be prompted for their username and password. They must enter the name and password defined on the User screen.
If using the Windows Viewing/Recording utility, the username and password can be entered so users do not need to provide the login data each time.
16

Making Video Available From the Internet

If your LAN is connected to the Internet (typically via a broadband gateway/router and broadband modem), you can make the Camera available on the Internet.

Wireless/Ethernet Network Camera Setup

The Camera configuration does NOT have to be changed, unless:
You want to change the port number from its default value (1024).
You want to use the DDNS (Dynamic DNS) feature of the Camera.
Second Port Configuration
Normally, HTTP (Web) connections use port 80. Since the Camera uses HTTP, but port 80 is likely to be used by a Web server, you can use a different port for the Camera. This port is called the “Second Port” (the first port being port 80).
The default second port number is 1024. If you prefer to use a different port number, you can specify the port number in the Camera's “Network” screen, as shown below.
Figure 16: Network Screen
The Network screen is part of the Administration interface. See Chapter 4, “Web-based Management,” for further details on using this interface.
Viewers need to know this port number in order to connect and view live video, so you must inform viewers of the current port number.
DDNS (Dynamic DNS)
Many Internet connections use a “Dynamic IP address” where the IP address is allocated whenever the Internet connection is established.
This means other Internet users don't know the IP address, so can't establish a connection. DDNS is designed to solve this problem by allowing users to connect to your LAN using a
domain name rather than an IP address.
To Use DDNS:
1. Register for the DDNS service with a supported DDNS service provider. You can then apply for and be allocated a domain name.
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