Axis Companion Classic User Manual

AXIS Companion Classic

UserManual

AXIS Companion Classic

Table of Contents

AbouttheAXISCompanionsolution............................3

HowtoinstallanAXISCompanionsystem.......................4

Installhardware................................................4

RegisteraMyAxisaccount........................................4

DownloadandinstallAXISCompanionvideomanagementsoftware......4

CreateasiteforyourAXISCompanionsystem........................5

DownloadAXISCompanionmobileapp..............................5

Dailyuse..................................................6

Howtoaccesscamerasfromyourcomputerandmobiledevice..........6

Howtoviewlivevideo...........................................6

Howtoplayrecordings...........................................6

Howtosaverecordings...........................................6

Howtoplaysavedrecordings......................................7

Howtovalidatesavedrecordings...................................7

Howtoaddacameratoyourexistingsite...........................7

Howtoremoveacamerafromyoursite.............................8

Howtoadjusttheimagesettings..................................8

Howtocongurevideomotiondetection............................9

Troubleshooting............................................1

Technicalissues,

Howtoxcommonissues........................................10

Howtorestoreadevice..........................................10

Howtodoahardresetonacamera................................11

Howtodoahardresetontherecorder..............................1 1

Howtosaveasystemreport......................................12

Howtoupgradermware.........................................12

cluesandsolutions................................10

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2

AXIS Companion Classic

About the AXIS Companion solution

AbouttheAXISCompanionsolution

AXISCompanionisacompleteend-to-endsurveillancesolutiondesignedtomeettherequirementsofsmallbusinesses.

AnAXISCompanionsolutioncanconsistof:

• AXIS Companion Line cameras, Axis IP cameras and encoders with firmware 5.50 or higher.

• AXIS Companion Recorders.

• Axis system accessories, such as memory cards and AXIS Companion Switches.

• AXIS Companion Classic video management software for Windows computers and mobile devices (iOS and
Android).

3

AXIS Companion Classic

How to install an AXIS Companion system

HowtoinstallanAXISCompanionsystem

FollowthesestepstoinstallyourAXISCompanionsystem:

1. Install hardware on page 4

2. Register a MyAxis account on page 4

3. Download and install AXIS Companio

4. Create a site for your AXIS Companion system on page 5

5. Download AXIS Companio

Resultofsysteminstallation:

•ThermwareisupgradedonallAxisdevices.(Thisrequiresinternetaccess).

•Anadminuseriscreatedwiththesamepasswordasthesite.

•Therecordingsareenabledwithdefaultsettings.

•Theremoteaccessisenabled.(Thisrequiresinternetaccess).

n Classic

n Classic

mobile app on page 5

video management software on page 4

Installhardware

1.Installyourcamerahardware.Forinstructionshowtoinstallyourcamerahardware,gotowww.axiscompanion.con/manuals,
selectthedeviceyouwanttoinstall,andseethechapterHowtoinstallthedeviceofeverydeviceyouwanttoinstall.

2.Connecttherecordertoyournetwork.

3.ConnectthecamerastotherecordersintegratedPoEswitchoranexternalPoEswitch.

4.Connectthecomputertothesamenetworkastherecorder.

5.Connectthepowercabletoyourrecorder,andwaitafewminutesfortherecorderandcamerastobootupbefore
proceeding.

CAUTION

Keep the recorder in a well ventilated environment and with plenty of empty space around the recorder to avoid overheating.

To nd out more, you can watch these video tutorials.

Register a MyAxis account

Register a MyAxis account at axis.com/my-axis/login

We recommend that you create a separate account for the end-user to be used as the main operative account.

Download and install AXIS Companion Classic

1. Go to axiscompanion.com/vms and click Download to download the AXIS Companion Classic
Windows client.

2. Sign in using your MyAxis account.

3. Read the license agreement, and select one of the alternatives to proceed.

4. Save the file to a location of your choice.

4

AXIS Companion Classic

How to install an AXIS Companion system

5.Openthele,andclickRuntostarttheinstallation.

6.Ifyouwanttoallowtheapptomakechangesonyourdevice,clickYes.

7.SelectlanguageandclickOK.

8.FollowtheAXISCompanionSetupWizard.

CreateasiteforyourAXISCompanionsystem

Asiteisasinglepointofentrytoasurveillancesolution,forexampleallcamerasinastore.Youcankeeptrackofseveralsites
throughasingleMyAxisaccount.

1. To start using AXIS Companion Classic, sign in with the end-user MyAxis account.

2. Click Get started.

3. Name your site and choose a strong password.

Note

Rememberyourpassword.Ifyoulosethesitepassword,thecamerasandrecordersmustberesettofactorydefault.

4.ClickNext.

Optional:

-Deselectacameraifyouwanttoexcludeitfromthesite.

-Torenameacamera,clickonthecameraname.

5.ClickNext.

6.Settiltorientation,byspecifyinghowthecameraismounted,ceiling,wallordesk.

7.ClickFinishandthenwaitwhileAXISCompanionconguresthecameras.

Note

The configuration may take several minutes.

For getting-started video tutorials, see AXIS Companion tutorials.

Download AXIS Companion Classic mobile app

Note

It is not possible to install the AXIS Companion 360 camera with the app. You have to install the camera with the AXIS
Companion Classic software. Also, client dewarping is currently not supported by AXIS Companion Classic mobile app.

1. Go to your App store or Google play.

2. Search for AXIS Companion Classic and download the app.

3. Sign in to AXIS Companion Classic using your MyAxis account.

4. Click one of the alternatives to proceed.

5. Select your site and log in using your site password.

Tondoutmoreonhowtousetheapp,seeAXISCompaniontutorials.

5

AXIS Companion Classic

Daily use

Daily use

These instructions are only valid for the features within AXIS Companion Classic Windows client. For similar features within
the AXIS Companion app, see the AXIS Companion tutorials

How to access cameras from your computer and mobile device

1. Sign in to AXIS Companion Classic on a computer or a mobile device using the end-user MyAxis account.

2. Select the site and log in with the site password.

FindoutmoreatAXISCompaniontutorials.

Howtoviewlivevideo

1.Goto

2.Selectwhichcamerayouwanttoview.

Towatchavideoofhowtozoom,panandtakesnapshots,seetheAXISCompaniontutorials.

Howtoplayrecordings

1.Goto

2.Usethetimelineandcalendartondtherecording.

3.Selectthecamerainthetimelineandmovetheplaybackmarkertothedesiredtime.

4.ClickPlay.

Towatchavideoofhowtobrowseandplayrecordings,seetheAXISCompaniontutorials.

Howtosaverecordings

1.Goto

2.Click

3.Selectastartandanendtimeforacamerarecording.

4.Selectwhichcamerastosaverecordingsfrom.

5.Savetherecording.

Towatchavideoofhowtosaverecordings,seetheAXISCompaniontutorials.

6

AXIS Companion Classic

Daily use

Howtoplaysavedrecordings

Toplayasavedrecording,openitwithAXISFilePlayer.

Whenyousavearecording,theAXISFilePlayerwillbesavedinthesamefolder.TheAXISFilePlayerhasatimelineshowing
whattimetherecordingwasmade.

Howtovalidatesavedrecordings

Youcanvalidatearecordingtoconrmthatthetimestampandimageshavenotbeenmanipulatedaftertherecordingwasrst
saved.Forthispurpose,adigitalsignaturewillbeincludedinthelewhenyousavearecording.Youcanaddapasswordtothe
digitalsignatureforincreasedsecurity .

1.Toprotectyourdigitalsignaturewithapassword:

-InAXISCompanion,goto

-UnderRecordings,selectShowdigitalsignatureoptionswhensavingrecordings.

-Whensavingarecordingnow,theDigitalsignaturewindowwillappear ,allowingyoutochooseapassword
forthesignature.

2.Validatearecording:

-OpenthesavedrecordingwithAXISFilePlayer.

-ClickToolsandselectVerifydigitalsignature.

-Enterpassword,ifapasswordwasappliedtothesignature,andclickOK.

Awindowappearstoinformwhetherornottherecordingisvalid.

andCustomize.

Howtoaddacameratoyourexistingsite

Note

This instruction is only valid for the features within AXIS Companion Classic Windows client.

1.ConnectthecamerastotherecordersintegratedPoEswitchoranexternalPoEswitch.

2. In the AXIS Companion Classic Windows client, go to

andCameras .

3. Click

4. Select the camera that you want to add to your site.

5. Click Next.

6. Set tilt orientation, by specifying how the camera is mounted, ceiling, wall or desk.

7. Click Finish and then wait while AXIS Companion Classic configures the camera.

Note

Thecongurationmaytakeseveralminutes.

7

AXIS Companion Classic

Daily use

Howtoremoveacamerafromyoursite

Note

This instruction is only valid for the features within

1. In the AXIS Companion Classic Windows client, go toandCameras .

2.Selectthecameratoremove,andclick

3.Ifthecamerahasongoingrecordings,selectStopmotionandcontinuousrecordingtostoprecordings.

4.IfthecameraisconnectedtoanautomaticallyinstalledNAS(NetworkAttachedStorage):

-SelectRemoverecordingsfromnetworkstorageifyouwanttoremovesavedrecordingsonthenetwork
storagedevice.

5.ClickOK.

AXIS Companion Classic Windows client.

Note

Whenrecordingsareremovedfromanautomaticallyinstallednetworkstoragedevice,ongoingrecordingsmadebyother
camerastothesamenetworkstoragedevicecouldbetemporarilyinterrupted.RecordingsmadetoSDcardsandother
networkstoragedeviceswillnotbeaffected.

Howtoadjusttheimagesettings

Note

This instruction is only valid for the features within AXIS Companion Classic Windows client.

1. In AXIS Companion Classic, go toandCameras .

2.Clickandthenselect (orrightclickonthecamera).

Hereyoucancontroltheimagebyadjustingsettingslike:

•Appearance

•Whitebalance

•Exposure

•Overlay

•Day&Night

•Privacymask

Fordetailedinformationaboutalltheavailableimagesettings,goto
Help>Overview>Conguration>Cameras>ImageSettings.

8

andclick

AXIS Companion Classic

Daily use

Howtocongurevideomotiondetection

Recordingonlywhenmotionisdetectedsavesconsiderablyondiskspaceandbandwidth,comparedtocontinuousrecording.Ifthe
motiondetectionistriggeredtoooften,forinstanceduetoatreemovinginthewind,thenyoucanchoosetoignoreanymotion
withinthatpartofthecameraview.

1. In AXIS Companion Classic, go to

2.MakesurethecameraisenabledintheMotiondetectioncolumn.

3.Right-clickacameraandselectMotiondetection.

4.IntheMotionrecordingdialog,clickSettings....

5.IntheMotiondetectionsettingswindow,youcanchoosewhatpartofthecameraviewtoincludeinthemotiondetection.

-Edittheshapeoftheareatobeincludedformotiondetection.

-Todrawanareathatwillbeexcludedfrommotiondetection,selectEnableexcludearea.

andCameras .

9

AXIS Companion Classic

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Technicalissues,cluesandsolutions

Issue

Ihavenoliveview.

Myrecordingsarenot
available.

Icannotconnecttomy
cameras.

Ireceiveerrornotication:
“Nocontact”.

Solution

GotoHowtoxcommonissuesonpage10.

GotoHowtoxcommonissuesonpage10.

GotoHowtoxcommonissuesonpage10.

GotoHowtoxcommonissuesonpage10.

Howtoxcommonissues

1.Checkthatyourcamerasandrecorderhavepower.

2.Checkthatthenetworkisworking.

3.Checkthatthecamerasareconnectedtothesamenetworkasthecomputer,unlessyouareremote.

Stillnotworking?

4. Make sure your cameras, recorder and Windows client have the latest firmware and software updates.

See How to upgrade firmware on page 12.

5. Restart the AXIS Companion Classic Windows client.

6. Restart you cameras and recorder.

Stillnotworking?

7.Restorethecamera,orcameras,thatcausesproblems.SeeHowtorestoreadeviceonpage1

Stillnotworking?

8.Restorethenetworksettingstofactorydefault.SeeHowtorestoreadeviceonpage10.

Stillnotworking?

9.Makeahardresetonthecamerasandtherecorder,tocompletelyputthembacktofactorydefaultsettings.

SeeHowtodoahardresetonacameraonpage1 1andHowtodoahardresetontherecorderonpage1 1.

Stillnotworking?

10.SaveasystemreportandcontactAxistechnicalsupport.SeeHowtosaveasystemreportonpage12.

Howtorestoreadevice

1. In AXIS Companion Classic, go to

andCameras .

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10

AXIS Companion Classic

Troubleshooting

2.Click andthenselectRestoredevice.

3.Ifyouwanttorestorethenetworksettingstodefaultaswell,thenselectAlsorestorenetworksettings.

4.ClickYes.

Note

IfyoucannotaccessthedeviceandthissettingintheAXISCompanionPCclient,trythistask:Howtodoahardresetona

cameraonpage1 1

Howtodoahardresetonacamera

Note

Follow this task when you cannot access the camera and the Restore or Factory default settings in the
AXIS Companion Classic Windows client.

Resetting the camera to factory default settings will restore all settings, including the IP address.

1.Selectthecamerayouwanttohardresetandremoveitfromthesite.

SeeHowtoremoveacamerafromyoursiteonpage8.

2.Disconnectthepowerfromthedevice.

3.Pressandholdthecontrolbuttononthedevice,andthenreconnectthepower.Keepthecontrolbuttonpressedfor
15–30secondsuntilthestatusLEDindicatorashesamber.

4.Releasethecontrolbutton.TheprocessiscompletewhenthestatusLEDindicatorturnsgreen.

Theproducthasbeenresettothefactorydefaultsettings.

5.Addthecameratothesiteagain,seeHowtoaddacameratoyourexistingsiteonpage7.

Howtodoahardresetontherecorder

WARNING

Movetherecorderverygentlywhileitisswitchedon.Suddenmovesorshocksmaydamagetheharddisk.

Note

Resettingtherecordertofactorydefaultsettingswillrestoreallsettings,includingtheIPaddress.

1.Switchofftherecorder:

Pressthepowerbuttononthefrontoftherecorderfor4-5secondsuntilyouhearabeep.

2.Waituntiltherecorderisswitchedoff,thenturnitovertoaccesstheresetbutton.

3.Pressandholdtheresetbutton.Pressandreleasethecontrolbuttontostarttherecorder.Releasetheresetbuttonafter
15-30secondswhentheLEDindicatorashesamber.

4.Slowlyputtherecorderbackinitsplace.

5.TheprocessiscompletewhenthestatusLEDindicatorturnsgreen.Theproducthasbeenresettothefactorydefault
settings.IfnoDHCPserverisavailableonthenetwork,thedefaultIPaddressis192.168.0.90

6.Resetyourcamerasconnectedtotherecorder.SeeHowtorestoreadeviceonpage1

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11

AXIS Companion Classic

Troubleshooting

Howtosaveasystemreport

1. In the Axis Companion Classic Windows client, click

2. Click Save System Report.

3. When you register a new case at Axis Helpdesk, attach the system report.

Howtoupgradermware

Newrmwareupdatesbringyoutothelatestandimprovedsetoffeatures,functions,andsecurityenhancements.

1. In the AXIS Companion Classic Windows client, go to

2. Click on

Deviceswithavailablermwareupgradeswillbeshowninthedialog.

Selectthedevicesyouwanttoupgrade.

3.Ifyouhavedownloadedarmwarelefromwww.axis.com,clickUsedownloadedrmwareletobrowsetothe
locationofyourrmwarele.

4.ClickUpgrade.

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User Manual
AXIS Companion Classic
© Axis Communications AB, 2016 - 2018

Ver.M2.1

Date:November2018

PartNo.T10136920