Step by Step Guide for
Upgrading Your NetCamPro Camera to Cloud Mode Using an Android Device
Table of Contents
Introduction...2
Backing Out Cloud Mode...2
Indoor Camera Factory Reset...2
Outdoor Camera Factory Reset...2
Preparation...3
Tethering to a SmartPhone WiFi Hotspot...3
Upgrade Procedure...4
Step 1: Determine the Camera's IP Address...4
Step 2: Backup Your Camera Configuration...6
Step 3: Upload Config File to the Cloud...11
Step 4: Upload New Config File to the Camera...18
Copyright (C) 2015 NetCamPro https://go.netcampro.com
Introduction
This documents shows the steps necessary to upgrade your NetCamPro camera from Local mode to Cloud mode. In Cloud mode your camera will store media files using off site cloud storage, issue email alerts, and provide rich sharing functions.
The operation entails downloading a backup configuration file from the camera's internal website to your device. You then upload this file to the NetCamPro Camera Configuration Wizard which allocates the needed cloud resources and modifies the uploaded configuration file accordingly. Finally you download the new configuration file to your device and use it to “restore” your camera. Reboot the camera and it will then function in Cloud mode.
The Camera Configuration Wizard can be found at:
https://cloud.netcampro.com/wizard.php
Backing Out Cloud Mode
You can switch your camera back to autonomous Local mode by using the wizard (handy if the camera is mounted in a hard to get at location). You can also switch a camera to autonomous Local mode by performing a factory reset.
Indoor Camera Factory Reset
On indoor cameras use an unfolded paper clip to poke in the hole marked “reset” on the back of the camera. After the camera has been powered up for at least 60 seconds, gently insert the paper clip until a click is felt. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Remove the paper clip. The camera power light should go off for 5 seconds and then come back on again for 5 seconds. If the camera is connected to Ethernet the light will blink and then turn red. Otherwise it will remain green.
Outdoor Camera Factory Reset
For outdoor cameras it is likely best to remove the camera from its mount and bring it inside. Remove the rain hood. Twist the lens cover off. There is a small push button next to the micro SD drive. After the camera has been powered up for at least 60 seconds gently depress the button with a tiny screw driver or other such pointed object until a click is felt. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Release the button. The camera power light should go off for 5 seconds and then come back on again for 5 seconds.
If the camera is connected to Ethernet the light will blink and then turn red. Otherwise it will remain green.
Preparation
Before starting you will need to search for the App NetCamProLive (all one word) in the Google PlayStore and install it on your Android device if you have not already done so.
As well you will need to know the UID of the camera (printed on the back) and its password.
The factory default credentials are username: admin
password: admin
It is critical that the phone and the camera be on the same local area network. If the camera is connected via WiFi then the phone must be on the same WiFi network router. If the camera is
connected via Ethernet or PoE then the phone must be connected to the WiFi zone associated with that same Ethernet connection.
Tethering to a SmartPhone WiFi Hotspot
Your NetCamPro camera can tether to your phone's WiFi Hotspot eliminating the need for an external WiFi router. When this is happening communication is directly between the phone and the camera. In autonomous Local mode your phone's data plan will not be used unless another non-tethered user connects to the camera.
In Cloud mode images and video clips will be sent using your tethered phone's data plan. Should the connection be broken the camera will save all the images and video clips on it's micro SD drive and then, once it can connect again, it will send them to the cloud.
Shipped from the factory (or after a factory reset) the camera's WiFi parameters are initialized to look for a network as follows:
SSID: wirelessnc Security: none
If you activate the HotSpot on your phone with the same parameters and the camera is in range it will automatically connect in under a minute. You then can use the NetCamProLive App's +Add Camera / Search function to find the camera.
Upgrade Procedure
The screen shots provided are of the Chrome browser on an Android phone. Other browsers should work just as well for this purpose. If you prefer working on a larger screen you may use a PC or MAC connected to the same local network as the camera and phone.
Step 1: Determine the Camera's IP Address
Use the NetCamProLive App by clicking the + Click here to add camera link and then click the Search link:
The NetCamProLive App will scan the local area network and list all NetCamPro cameras it can find:
In the above screen shot are two cameras. The UID (printed on the back of the camera) of the camera that we are putting into Cloud mode is E9ST9M5Y1Y. So the IP address of the camera in this case is: 192.168.0.80
Step 2: Backup Your Camera Configuration
In this step you will download a backup of the camera's configuration file to your phone.
Open a Chrome browser on your phone and enter the IP address as the Search or type URL value.
When the NetCamPro splash screen appears click the Settings button.
Note that if you use another brand of browser the navigation may be slightly different than the Chrome screen shots shown here.
Enter the camera's administration login info and click Log In. The factory default credentials are:
User Name: admin Password: admin
Click on the Tools Menu and then the Backup or Reset option of the Tools sub-menu.
Click the Backup button. A Downloading message should flash on the screen for a few seconds. Once the Downloading message disappears the operation is complete.
Leave the Chrome browser window open – you will need it for the last step. You optionally can verify that the file was downloaded to your phone by checking the Android Downloads, Other Downloads section:
If you happen to download the config.cfg more than once your phone will add (1), (2), etc to the name of each copy of the file. When you see multiple files it is best to choose the highest numbered one as that will be the very latest version.
Step 3: Upload Config File to the Cloud
In this step you will upload the config.cfg file to the NetCamPro Camera Configuration Wizard. The Wizard will edit the file and allow you to download the results as a file named new_config.cfg.
When converting your camera to Cloud mode you will need to supply the email address associated with your NetCamPro account. If you do not have a NetCamPro account the cloud will automatically create a free one and send you a sign-up email that asks you to select a password and time zone.
The screen shots below show the process of signing up for a new NetCamPro account. If you already have an account the work flow will vary slightly.
Open a new tab on the Chrome browser and enter:
cloud.netcampro.com/wizard.php
as the Search or type URL value.
Click on the Camera Setup Type. Then click on Cloud.
Enter your email address:
Click on the Choose file button, then click on Documents:
Click on config.cfg and you are returned to the Wizard home page. You may make other changes to your camera's configuration such as turning the audio on/off and flipping the image by using the drop down boxes.
Click the Upload button:
Momentarily you should receive the following email:
Click on the Activate Cloud Storage button. Enter your chosen login password twice, select a timezone, and then click the Next button. You will then be asked to login with your new account.
You will then be offered a link to the newly edited camera configuration file. Click on the Download New Config File button and a Downloading message will flash on the screen for a few seconds.
Step 4: Upload New Config File to the Camera
When the Downloading message above clears switch back to the Chrome tab with the camera's admin website. Click the Choose file button. Then click Documents.
Click on the new_config.cfg file. Then click the Restore button.
Click on the Reboot button. In about 3 minutes motion activated media should start appearing in your NetCamPro account. Switch back to the NetCamPro tab in the Chrome browser and click on the camera icon to refresh the page.
