Frequently asked questions
Are AV cameras RoHS compliant?
Arecont Vision products conform to the Europeans Union Restrictions on Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic equipment (RoHS) Directive 2002/95/EC for six regulated substances. The certification is applicable to all Arecont Vision products shipped after April 15, 2006.
Are there any moving mechanical parts in the AV3130?
The AV3130 does not have any mechanical moving parts inside.
Can I update all my cameras with the same version of firmware?
There are several types of firmware update files. The camera model(s) is listed in the update file name.
Can image archival be configured for cyclic recording?
AV100 software will overwrite old files every few minutes once the available disk space reaches a limit value that the end user can set. By default the value is 15GB but can be changed manually by editing the [storage] field of LocalMachine.ini file located in C:Program FilesArecont VisionVideo Surveillance.
Can we mount a motorized zoom lens from another supplier?
Motorized zoom is not supported by the camera, but you can mount the external PTZ unit with independent controls.
Do the AV cameras support multicasting?
All single sensor H.264 cameras support multicasting.
Does your software include motion detection?
Our software does include motion detection. However, most AV cameras also support on-board motion detection that, in contrast to software motion detection, does not take up CPU cycles. The “on camera” feature was implemented to reduce the overall network bandwidth so the camera itself will not send images until motion is detected. The user can adjust 3 motion detection sensitivity settings and specify up to 64 motion detection zones.
How and where do I get the latest AV Application Manager Software?
Please visit http://www.arecontvision.com click the support tab, select “Literature/Downloads”, click on Download button under Software.
How and where do I get the latest AV100 manual?
Please visit http://www.arecontvision.com click the support tab, select “Literature/Downloads”, click on Download button under Manual.
How can I get the AV100 built-in web server to work?
AV100 software has built-in web server that allows multi-user remote access to live video and video archives. This web server can be accessed from IE browser by typing:
HTTP://ip_address:port/guix.htm
where ip_address is the IP addresses of the computer running AV100 and the port corresponds to the port number set in the Remote Viewing menu. Please note that in order to access AV100 server remotely the user should enable the server by checking the Allow Remote Viewing field and select the port that is not blocked by the firewall. For increased security the default value of remote access port is 4250. The user has the option to select any available port. Often the port 80 (HTTP port) is most likely to be open on the secured network as it is used by default by IE browser.
How can I register with the "Developer Support Portal”?
Access to Developer Support Portal requires an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement, to be signed in paper form prior to obtaining access). More information can be provided through websales@arecontvision.com
How do I access the Arecont Vision MegaPixel® WEB camera home page to view my cameras remotely?
Simply type in http://200.168.100.10/index.html. Replace bold (200.168.100.10) IP address with actual camera IP address.
How do I assign a Subnet Mask and Gateway to my camera?
a. On the camera webpage, go to Network tab and enter the desired information and click Apply
b. Save your changes by going to the Administration tab and click "Save all settings to flash"
How do I disable the auto startup of the Arecont Vision software?
Click on Advanced on the AV Software Settings and uncheck “Auto – Startup”.
How do I enable motion detection?
Please refer to AV manual for different ways to enable motion detection.
How do I find out what version of software is installed and what are the IP and MAC addresses of my cameras?
This information is displayed in the About dialog (Figure 34). To open the About dialog, right click mouse and select About.
How do I get online technical support for Arecont Vision cameras?
Please create an account on our support page at http://support.arecontvision.com. Once an account has been created, a new ticket can be created and one of our technical support team will follow up with you promptly.
How do I request an RMA for my Arecont Vision camera?
Log in to our support portal http://support.arecontvision.com, under “CREATE NEW ISSUE” select RMA. Once your RMA is approved you will be asked to contact your Distributor to return the product.
How do I reset the camera settings to the original factory configuration?
Resetting the AV camera to its original configuration can be achieved through the built-in web server. To reset the AV camera open IE explorer and type as http://ip_address/set?params=factory
Replace ip_address with the actual camera IP address.
How do I save the camera settings via web browser?
Save your changes by going to the Administration tab and click "Save all settings to flash"
How do I set up multicasting on the H.264 cameras?
You can set it up in the camera webpage: http://Camera_IP. Go under H.264 -> UDP/RTP multicast stream and check the box next to 'Active' and now you should see the multicast stream in VLC (http://camera_IP/stream.sdp)
How do I upload images to a website/ ftp server?
Arecont Vision's cameras do not support automatic upload images to ftp server (NVR software is required).
How do the Arecont Vision cameras utilize PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom)?
There is no mechanical PTZ. However AV cameras have multi-megapixel resolution and allow instantaneous electronic pan, tilt and zoom by specifying PTZ window coordinates. Multiple users can each select their own windows, as though each user independently controls the PTZ.
How much bandwidth does an Arecont Vision camera use?
Bandwidth and storage vary greatly based on many factors like camera resolution, compression, image quality, movement, etc. It’s always best to use the Arecont Vision Bandwidth & Storage Calculator found on our website at http://www.arecontvision.com/sales-tools.html
How much storage space is required when using AV cameras?
The storage space requirements will vary depending on how compressible your imagery will be. Shown below (Figure 31) is an example of a system running at 22 FPS. However, the user can specify the archival frequency to be lower than the full frame rate. Most AV cameras also provide highly sophisticated on-board motion detection. To further reduce the required storage the user has an option to archive only those images that contain the motion. Furthermore, AV cameras support real-time resolution changes and image windowing on a frame-by-frame basis. The user may wish to archive windows of interest or reduced resolution images at the high frame rate while archiving full resolution images at the lower frame rate.
Is it possible to adjust the threshold when using a DN camera ?
Yes, it is possible to adjust the treshhold when using our DN models. Please refer to AV manuals for more details.
Is it possible to run the AV100 on other operating systems than XP/Vista ?
The AV100 only supports XP and Vista.
Is it possible to use the auxiliary output for anything else than a flash light ?
The auxiliary IO functionality needs software support. Currently, the AV100 software only supports IO with a flash. Other NVR software may support more functionalities.
Is the MegaPixel® WEB camera home page compatible with Mozilla Firefox?
You can view photo, video, and adjust the camera setting via the internet using Mozilla Firefox.
Is there a link to view live video from your camera systems?
We have three sites that can be accessed. Please contact our sales team at sales@arecontvision.com
Is there a third party software that can be used?
Arecont Vision cameras are supported by many third-party software packages Contact websales@arecontvision.com for an updated list or visit www.arecontvision.com.
Using a media player such as VLC what’s the RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocal) command?
a. The general command for rtsp is: rtsp://camera_ip/h264.sdp?res=(half|full)&x0=(0..max_sensor_width)&y0=(0..max_sensor_height)&x1=(32..max_sensor_width)&y1=(32..max_sensor_height)&qp=(4..51)&ssn=(1..65535)&[doublescan=(0|1)]&[bitrate=(0..65536)]&[fps=1..100]
b. Please read page 55 for detail explanation.
What adjustments can be made to reduce the motion blur?
The shutter speed is automatically controlled by the camera. The motion blur may occur when the camera operates slow shutter speeds (long exposure times). This may happen when the scene is relatively dark. AV cameras provide a number of options that allow the user to control auto-exposure behavior when the illumination is low.
The user can set the preferred exposure time that the camera will attempt to maintain as long as illumination level allows. This setting essentially allows the user to choose the tradeoff between gains and exposure time at reduced light levels. There are 3 basic settings: Speed, Balance, and Quality (Figure 35). These settings can be selected from “Low Light Mode” menu Mode list. Speed setting will result in higher image noise but will attempt to maintain 10ms exposure time for as long as possible, reducing motion artifacts. Quality setting will maintain 40 ms exposure time, resulting in low-noise image with some motion blur in low light. Balanced setting is in between.
There are also two special modes, High Speed and MoonLight™ that can be used for very fast moving targets and very low illumination, respectively. High Speed mode allows the user to specify fixed exposure time in terms of milliseconds (from 1 to 80). While this will allow crisp video of fast moving vehicles, the side effect of this setting is that low-light performance of the camera will be significantly worse (up to 800 times) than in default mode. Therefore, High Speed should only be used for well lit scenes.
The other special mode, MoonLight™ implements long exposure times (up to 0.5 seconds) in combination with proprietary noise cancellation technology. This mode allows viewing under extremely low illumination conditions. It is important to note, that MoonLight™ is NOT digital frame integration and will offer significantly better image quality than cameras that employ digital frame integration. However, the motion blur will still be significant.
Setting the Low Light Mode to Speed is the first thing to do to eliminate the motion blur. If that doesn't produce enough improvement, the user may want to open the lens aperture more to allow more light in. The user may also want to consider going with the camera equipped with auto-iris lens - the lens will open automatically as illumination diminishes. If that is not sufficient, the user may want to consider using lower resolution camera. For example, 2-megapixel AV2100 has larger pixels and has better low-light sensitivity than the 3-mega pixel product, AV3100. If that still does not yield sufficient low-light performance then, the user should consider AV3130 day-night camera that uses monochrome sensor in low light conditions and is sensitive to 0.00 lux .
What do I do when I get the warning “camera cannot be detected”?
Ensure appropriate power is being given to the camera and that both a solid orange light and flashing green light is ON. Turnoff your windows firewall, anti-virus, and any other software that may be accessing the camera on the same network. If the camera is still not detected, contact Arecont Vision support.
What information can I provide to AV customer support for a faster response to my issues?
AV Camera MAC address and firmware release (shown in the About dialog box).
Switch or POE model number.
Type of network cable eg Cat 5e (min and max distance of run)
Type of power used (VDC, milliamps, Watts)
Computer Information:
- PC Model number
- 100base-T or Gigabit card
- CPU speed
- Hard disk size, and available free space.
Please provide the lmlog.dat file and localmachine.ini file
This file can be found on XP C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataVideo
and Vista C:Users(YourUserName)ApplicationDataVideo Application
Or C:Users(YourUserName)AppDataLocalVirtualStoreProgramDataVideo Application
What is Ethereal and where can I get it?
Ethereal is a network protocol analyzer. It can be obtained through their web site at http://www.ethereal.com/
What is the class of MegaVideo® and SurroundVideo® cameras?
MegaVideo® cameras are PoE class2 and SurroundVideo® cameras are class 3.
What is the cost of an Arecont Vision camera?
The cost varies from camera to camera but for unparallel clarity our prices are unbeatable. Almost all cameras have MSRP well below $1000. Visit us online at http://www.arecontvision.com/buy.html. Fill out the form and our sales staff will contact you.
What is the Default IP of Arecont Vision cameras?
Arecont Vision cameras do not have a specific default IP Address. Using the AV100 Application Manager and connecting the Arecont Vision camera to the same network as the PC running the AV100 software, the IP address of the camera can be found and changed if needed. This software comes standard on a CD with every camera and is downloadable from Arecont Vision’s website. For more detailed instructions on how to find and change the IP address, please review the User’s Manual.
What is the Default password of Arecont Vision cameras?
Arecont Vision cameras do not have a default password because no login is required for the first use of the camera. If a password is desired to secure the camera or because a 3rd party VMS requires one, simply log onto the camera web page by typing the camera IP Address on Internet Explorer and enter a password under Administration tab. The User ID will be admin.
What is the maximum physical distance between computer and AV camera?
Typical Ethernet 100Base-T has a maximum distance of 100 meters (330 feet). The range can be increased by using the standard powered mid-span switch. Alternatively, 3Com IntelliJack Switch that accepts the power over Ethernet can be used to avoid the need to provide mid-span power supply.
What is the night performance (Lux) of the AV3130 camera?
In low-light conditions AV3130 switches to 1.3 megapixel monochrome sensor resulting in good image quality down to 0.01 Lux AV3130 is also sensitive to near-infrared illumination – allowing the use of standard infrared illuminators as the light source.
What is the voltage for the external power supply usage?
Voltage (12V~48V DC) as marked on the back panel of the camera.
What lenses and housing work with Arecont Visions cameras?
Arecont Vision offers an assortment of lenses and housings that fulfill almost every security need. These lenses and housing can be found on the Products tab on Arecont Vision’s website. By selecting a specific camera, a list of recommended lenses and housings/domes can be found. If a specific application requires lenses or housings/domes other than on the recommended list, please contact your local Arecont Vision sales manager who can help you with your specific application.
What type of video compression is used in AV cameras?
AV cameras use MJPEG (Motion JPEG) and H.264.
When I attempt to update the firmware on the AV camera with the firmware update option I receive the “Ack Timeout” message. Why do I get this error?
If you get the timeout message take the following steps:
• Make sure that no application is requesting the images from the camera during the update
• Make sure that the camera is connected via switch and not with direct cross-over cable
• Re-run AV Installer prior to the upgrade to make sure that the camera is accessible and there is no IP conflict
When I start the AVI Maker (export), why do I only get one image?
The exact time must be selected (hour, minute and second). Please refer to AV manual for further instructions.
When should the user choose auto-iris option?
Many AV cameras support auto-iris option. These cameras are: AV1300-AI, AV2100-AI, AV3100-AI and AV5100-AI. Auto-iris option allows keeping the lens optimally closed when there is sufficient scene illumination, providing good depth of focus. When the illumination diminishes the camera opens the lens, allowing more light to reach the sensor, thus extending the sensitivity range of the camera. Auto-iris option should only be used for outdoor applications, where there is a large variation in illumination conditions. In many applications the auto-iris is unnecessary. It is important to keep in mind that the best image quality will be achieved with megapixel lenses. The auto-iris lenses available on the market today are not megapixel and will yield the images that are less crisp than those that can be obtained with manual megapixel lens.
Where do I find a lens recommendation chart?
Lens selection strongly depends on application. Please contact our sales team for recommendations.
Where do I find H.264 bandwidth calculator?
We currently do not have H.264 bandwidth calculator. We recommend our customers to use JPEG calculator and divide a factor 6~10 depending on the complexity of their typical scene.
Where do I find H.264 demo movie or similar on the web page?
The H.264 demo video is available upon request. Please contact our technical support at support@arecontvision.com.
Where do I get the latest AV100 / firmware / manual?
The latest AV100 / firmware / manual is available on Arecont Vision's website under "Support" section (Support, Literature/Downloads/Manual).
Which DVRs support AV cameras?
There are several DVRs that support Arecont Vision cameras. A few examples are Bosch, March networks, and Sanyo DVRs. Please visit our website www.arecontvision.com for the latest updates.
Which port settings for firewall/router do I use?
AV100 software use port 69. Firewall will be automatically configured when you run camera installer for the first time.
Why do I get a license warning?
A license is only need if you need to achieve video. You can obtain a license file by contacting your distributor or contacting websales@arecontvision.com.
Why does my web browser not work with multicasting?
Media players such as VLC or Apple QuickTime support multicasting.
Why is my Arecont Vision camera not detected by the Camera Installer?
If the camera is not detected it maybe because of the firewall settings. To allow Camera Installer access to the network the user should, configure the firewall properly. To configure the Windows firewall, access the Windows Security Center in the Windows Control Panel, and then click on Windows Firewall.
In the Windows Firewall window (Figure 33), click the Exceptions tab and add AV programs (AV Installer, AV Manager, and AV Video System) to the list of exceptions. Once the selections have been made click OK, and re-run the Camera Installer. If the Camera Installer still cannot find the camera make sure that there are no hardware firewalls in the gateways and routers on your network.
23 Jun 2010 - Arecont Vision Announced as Outstanding New Vendor by PSA.