Here you can read the frequently asked questions that our clients have:
What is an IP camera?
An IP camera or network camera is also known as a digital camera that connects directly to your wireless network or to your router with an Ethernet cable. The camera is a separate entity on the network.
Must the camera be connected to a computer?
No, a network camera does not need connected to a computer, but you need a computer to install the camera the first time.
What do I need to get started?
You need a network and a computer to install software, etc.. To use the wireless feature of the camera you need a router to handle this. If you must use the camera to the network, there must be an available network port in your router. In order to use functions such as remote monitoring, notification ny e-mail, etc., the network will have access to the Internet. All cameras come with power cable, wall / ceiling-mount, software, manual and network cable.
What browsers are supported by Foscam?
Your Foscam camera can be accessed with most standard browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and others.
Is foscams cameras are compatible with third-part software?
Yes, foscams cameras are compatible with several third part software.
Are there any costs?
No, foscams cameras are operational and software updates are available for free from www.foscam.com. Costs in connection with third party software would be added, if desired, but it is not necessary.
How do I find out my outgoing IP address?
There are several ways to find your IP address. Normally, such information about which IP address you have comes from your ISP, but you can also check it online by example http://www.whatsmyip.org showing your outbound IP address when connected to your home network.
Can I install my Foscam IP camera without the installation CD?
Yes, you can by downloading the free software "IPcam Tools" from foscam.com find your Networks camera IP address, connect it and then open the program "IPcam Tools" so you can reach the camera and its settings . The camera must be connected to the router when you start up until you set have set the W-LAN.
How do I store videos / pictures?
With Internet Explorer browser (note: only works with this browser), you can record directly from camera menu in the 'Live Video' mode. You can configure how you want to save your files. The browser window must be open during recording.
What is infrared?
IR, or infrared light makes it possible to illuminate an area without visible to the eye, allowing discreet surveillance even at night. The camera's ability to light up depends on how many IR LEDs camera is equipped with. The cameras are also equipped with a custom-made light-sensitive lens for optimal infrared film, this can cause some colors can seem a bit pale in the daylight. IR function is turned on and off automatically at different lighting conditions.
How to set Mail Service?
When setting the email service you will need an outbound SMTP server that does not use SSL encryption. Note that in many cases you do not need to have have an email account with the carrier, but you can send by their server anyway. Sending and receiving email must be entered. SMTP port is usually 25 (but can vary depending on ISP). Click send and then send a test email to verify that everything works.
Why my camera cannot connect wireless?
Normally, camera cannot connect WIFI mainly due to wrong settings. Please check the following points:
1)When you click scan button, can the camera find router’s WIFI signal? (should find)
2)When you set SSID for camera, please set it the same as SSID of your router;
3)Wireless key should be the same with router’s wireless key;
4)Whether disable mac address filter or not; (should disable, if you enable mac address filter, please add the camera’s wireless mac address in the allow list)
5)Whether camera is too far from router?(In normal home environment, keep the distance not beyond 20m is better)
6)Check the antenna of the camera fixed well or not.
Firstly, please check when you click scan button, camera can detect the WIFI signal or not. (Normally, it need scan two or more than two times) If it can find, you can click the SSID of your router in the wireless list, then SSID, encryption will be filled in the following boxes automatically. It only need enter the wireless key.
Secondly, if the camera cannot scan router’s WIFI signal, please fill in SSID, encryption and wireless key manually to try.
Lastly, if all the wireless settings have no problem, but the camera still cannot connect WIFI, please try other encryption, even without encryption to test; put the camera near your router to test. If it still can’t connect, please contact our technical support for deep help.
My Camera's Night Vision Is Not Working At Night
Sometimes the IR lights may get "stuck." We suggest trying to flash a flashlight a foot in front of the camera, thereby blinding it. When it comes back it resets the IR LEDs and auto-iris appropriately, and the night vision may start to work again.
IP camera Tool is completely blank
I have opened IP camera tool, but can not see my camera, it's completely blank.
Then there is a high probability that your PCs block that you can view your cameras.
There are now several other options.
1. One option is to log directly into your router using your router's default IP address
(Google your router's brand / model and find the default IP address it)
2. Another possibility is the use of an alternative tool, for example. this:
http://www.saveontelephonebills.com/camera/DevFind.zip
3. A third possibility is that when kameret is connected to your router, hold the reset button on the camera for approx. 15 seconds.
Login problems - Internet Explorer
For Internet Explorer - please only install the ActiveX when it prompts.
NOTE: Please try to access FI9821W with IE-32bit. It does not support IE-64bit. If you cannot install the plug-in correctly when login your camera on Windows7, please try the below steps:
a. Add the FI9821W's IP as a trusted site on web browser.
b. Right click the IE desktop icon, choose “Run as administrator”.
For Firefox:
Please check your Firefox browser version, FI9821W only support the versions higher than 4.x.x. Update your Firefox first before install the plug-in for FI9821W, or there will be problem during the installation.
For Safari:
If you are a Mac user, please use Safari to login FI9821W. The plug-in will enable you to have the full functions as well as on Windows OS. It does not support using other browser on Mac except Safari to view FI9821W.
I have enterd the software, but I see no picture - Internet Explorer
This should be the solution:
- Uninstall ActiveX
- Remove all cookies
- Disable the firewall and virus scanner temporarily
- Reinstall the ActiveX
Software "IP Camera Tool" will not start up - Windows 7
If you are using Windows 7 - 64-bit version is IP Camera Tool by default installed in the directory C: Windows SysWOW64 but the shortcut as the creation refers to a different address.
You must go into the folder named
C: Windows SysWOW64 and start the program called IPCamera.exe
You can create a shortcut to the program, right click and select Create Shortcut, you can place the shortcut to where you want it to be.
When "Real-time IP Camera Monitoring System" starts up there is just black screen
The likelihood is that ActiveX is not working properly or is blocked.
The solution should be to:
- Uninstall ActiveX
- Remove all cookies
- Disable firewall and virus scanner temporarily
- Reinstall the ActiveX
Record Path and Alarm Record Path can not save files - Windows 7
To set the path that you want to record to the User Preferences (User Settings), you may find that even if you choose the path it will not be saved anyway. This is typically caused by the extra security that is Windows 7, by default, which means you are not allowed to select the tracks you want.
To access this you must add the camera's IP address to the addresses you trust, and ensure that the safety of this option is set to low, as follows:
1. Go into the camera's login page with your Internet Explorer
2. Select 'Internet Options / Privacy'
3. Choose 'Web sites you trust,' and add the camera's internal IP address (the one shown on page)
4. You uncheck 'Require a server verification (https :) for all sites in this zone' - you should NOT save the camera's address with 'https' in front
5. Security is then to 'Low'
The browser then rebooted, and you can log into the camera and make your settings of the path.
The camera's user platform will not start up - Windows Internet Explorer
When you use Internet Explorer under Windows, there's the Windows set a very high level of security.
This security means that you can risk not being allowed to install certain software
Your IP Cam uses a so-called ActiveX component that contains the camera's user platform, this ActiveX component must be installed for you to use your camera. When you connect the camera the first time (or if the component is not installed), you are asked if you want to install the ActiveX component, if you are not allowed for this is because Windows have set your security level too high.
You must now add the address of the camera is set up to ensure web pages and change the security level of the page, this do the following:
1. Stand on the camera's welcome page in Internet Explorer as your camera's address appears in the address bar.
2. Select Tools / Internet Options in Internet Explorer
3. Select the Security tab
4. Then click the Trusted sites
5. Then click on Web Sites
6. Remove the checkmark next to Require server verification (https :) for all sites in this zone
7. Then click on Add
8. Click Close
9. Under Security level for this zone slider to run down to Low
10. Click on OK
Consequently, all versions of Internet Explorer closed and you can take the camera again. You will now be allowed to install the camera ActiveX module.
I get the error 'certificate is not within the validity period "- Internet Explorer
To start the camera's platform into Internet Explorer to install an ActiveX control. An ActiveX control is encoded with a specific expiration date, and has mistakenly Foscam coded any of these with an expiration date is reached, and therefore you will not be allowed to install the control.
You must change the date on your computer to a date which is within the period you are told that the certificate is valid, eg. 1/2-2012 and start the camera's platform again, then you get permission to install the ActiveX control and then you must correct your computer's date back to today's date.
Foscam is starting to make a patch for ActiveX controls to again have the correct dates.
Do the following:
1. Close all versions of Internet Explorer and IP Camera Tool
2. Change the date on your computer before 01/02-2012 (right click the clock in the lower left corner and select 'Adjust Date and Time')
3. Start IP Camera Tool up
4. Click on the camera address so it starts up in Internet Explorer
5. You should now be allowed to install ActiveX module and able to enter the camera
6. Change the date back on the computer then
How to make a 'soft' reset?
A 'soft' reset resets the administrator user access, so it is again possible to log on as administrator. After reset, you can log on to:
User: 'admin'
Password: '(blank)' (a few cameras have a password - see the accompanying manual)
You need to do to reset:
1. Press the reset button depressed for 5 seconds, and REMEMBER that there MUST be current at the camera while.
2. Unplug the camera, while the reset button still held down.
3. Release the reset button and set power to the camera again.
4. When the camera is started up after the reset, you may log in as admin user.
How to make a "hard" reset?
A 'hard' reset will reset all camera settings to factory default so that all your settings will be removed / reset. After reset, you can log on to:
User: 'admin'
Password: '(blank)' (a few cameras have a password - see the accompanying manual)
You need to reset:
1. Press the reset button at the bottom of my. 30 sec, and REMEMBER that there MUST be current at the camera while.
2. When the camera is reset to restart it by itself, you can then see it in the lights of the camera that turns off briefly.
3. Take the camera through IP Camera Tool again.
4. Now you can login as admin user.
You should connect the camera with a network cable before doing a reset, otherwise you run the risk of any wireless settings are removed.
When you make resetten you can see if it happens by looking at the lights on the camera where the network cable is connected. When these go out the moment it is because the camera is about to reboot and resetten subsequently happened.
How do I check my "Port Forward"?
Here is a piece of software, where you can check that your port forwarding is done correctly.
I get the error "Windows has detected a problem with this file - DVM_IPcam2.ocx '- when I use my IE
To launch the camera's platform in Internet Explorer to install an ActiveX control. An ActiveX control is encoded with a specific expiration date, and by mistake Foscam coded these with an expiry date has passed, you will not be allowed to install the control.
You must now change the date on your computer to a date that is before 1/6-2011 and start the camera's platform up again, so you get permission to install the ActiveX control and then point the computer's date back to date.
I forgot username / password for the camera
If you forgot your username / password, or for some other reason can not log in to the camera, you can reset the camera user access to the factory settings. This means that the users you have created will be deleted and you will be able to access the camera as if you have nothing entered and you have to use the default administrator user:
User: 'admin'
Password: '(blank)' (In a few cameras have been set password - look in your manual)
You need to do to reset:
1. Press the reset button in the bottom for 10 seconds while the power is on camera.
2. Unplug the power from the camera while the reset button is pressed.
3. Get rid reset button and power the camera again.
4. When the camera is restarted, you can log in as the admin user again.
