Camera Setup Guide

Complete guide to setting up your cameras with DracoCam

1. Hardware Requirements

Supported Camera Types

  • IP Cameras: ONVIF-compatible network cameras
  • USB Cameras: UVC-compatible USB webcams
  • RTSP Streams: Any camera supporting RTSP protocol
  • HTTP Streams: Cameras with MJPEG or HTTP video streams

Network Requirements

  • Cameras and DracoCam system on same network
  • Minimum 2 Mbps upload bandwidth per camera
  • Static IP addresses recommended for IP cameras
  • Port forwarding if accessing remotely

2. Physical Installation

Camera Placement

  • Height: Mount 8-10 feet high for optimal coverage
  • Angle: Slightly downward angle (15-30 degrees)
  • Coverage: Avoid blind spots and overlap coverage areas
  • Lighting: Consider lighting conditions and potential glare

Power and Connectivity

  • Use PoE (Power over Ethernet) for single-cable installation
  • Ensure weatherproofing for outdoor installations
  • Test connectivity before final mounting
  • Label cables for easy identification

3. Network Configuration

IP Camera Setup

  1. Find Camera IP: Use network scanner or camera's setup tool
  2. Access Web Interface: Navigate to camera's IP in browser
  3. Set Static IP: Configure static IP in camera settings
  4. Enable ONVIF: Turn on ONVIF support if available
  5. Configure Users: Create dedicated user for DracoCam

Router Configuration

  • Reserve IP addresses for cameras (DHCP reservation)
  • Configure port forwarding for remote access
  • Enable UPnP if using automatic discovery
  • Set up QoS rules for video traffic priority

4. DracoCam Configuration

Adding Cameras

  1. Open Dashboard: Navigate to DracoCam dashboard
  2. Auto Discovery: Use "Discover Cameras" feature
  3. Manual Add: Enter camera details manually if needed
  4. Test Connection: Verify video stream is working
  5. Configure Settings: Set recording quality

Camera Settings

  • Resolution: Choose appropriate recording resolution
  • Frame Rate: Set frame rate (15-30 FPS recommended)
  • Motion Detection: Configure motion sensitivity
  • Recording Mode: Motion-triggered recording starts automatically when activity is detected

5. Testing and Validation

Connection Test

  • Verify live video feed is displaying
  • Check recording functionality
  • Test motion detection triggers
  • Validate remote access if configured

Performance Optimization

  • Monitor CPU and memory usage
  • Adjust recording quality if performance issues
  • Check network bandwidth utilization
  • Review storage space usage

6. Common Issues

Connection Problems

  • Camera not found: Check IP address and network connectivity
  • Authentication failed: Verify username and password
  • Stream timeout: Check camera stream URL and protocol
  • Poor video quality: Adjust resolution and compression settings

Quick Fixes

  • Restart camera and DracoCam system
  • Check firewall settings
  • Update camera firmware
  • Reset camera to factory defaults if needed