Network Video

Fundamentals
Axis Communications' Academy

Lab Material
Table of Contents
1. Assign a static IP address on your PC 5
1.1 Assign a static IP address on your PC 5

2. Basic camera installation 9

2.1 Connect the camera 9
2.2 Assign a fixed IP address to your camera 14
2.3 Initial camera settings – Password, PTZ driver, flickering 16
2.4 Basic Setup - Focus Assistant 19
2.5 Basic Setup – Remote Back Focus 20
2.6 Basic Setup – Date, Time & Status LED 21
2.7 Basic Setup – Video Stream 23
2.8 Connect the AXIS T8414 Installation Display 25
2.9 Set focus and take a snapshot 28

3. Image usability 31
3.1 Corridor Format 31
3.2 Pixel calculation – inches/feet (for metric version, see next page) 34
3.3 Pixel calculation – metric 35
3.4 Using the pixel counter 36
3.5 Motion blur 41
3.6 Flickering 44
3.7 White balance 46
3.8 Wide Dynamic Range: Dynamic contrast 48

4. Optimizing bit rate 49

4.1 Optimizing bit rate 49
4.2 Compression effectiveness 52
4.3 Scene and color complexity 54
4.4 How do privacy masks affect bit rate and storage? 57

5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities 59

5.1 Local storage configuration 59
5.2 Set up an event using camera tampering 61
5.3 Configuring the I/O lab kit 63

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Table of Contents
5.4 Port settings - Normally open or normally closed? 65
5.5 Motion detection 67
5.6 Configuring the IR cut filter to operate on a schedule 71
5.7 Download and install a camera application 73
5.8 Cross-camera collaboration – Triggering an output port 77
5.9 Using an HTTP event to trigger the virtual port in another device 79
5.10 Setting presets and guard tour 83
5.11 Cross-camera collaboration – PTZ 85

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 1. Assign a static IP address on your PC

1. Assign a static IP address on your PC

1.1 Assign a static IP address on your PC

Purpose
In order to access your camera or encoder, you need to ensure that your computer and your device are on
the same subnet. In this exercise, you will assign an IP address to your computer. In a subsequent exercise
you will assign an IP address, belonging to the same subnet, to your camera or encoder. Pay attention
to your trainer’s instructions.

Instructions
1. Navigate to Control Panel, choose Network and Internet, and then click Network and Sharing
Center. This is the window that you should see:

2. Click Local Area Connection to begin configuring your static IP address.

3. In the Local Area Connection Status window, click the Properties button to display the Local Area
Connection Properties dialog. See the image below.

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1. Assign a static IP address on your PC

4. Double-click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the item box of the dialog window.

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 1. Assign a static IP address on your PC

5. Click the Use the following IP address radio button, enter the appropriate values for your static IP
address, and then click OK. This sets your PC’s IP address to a static number.

END OF LAB

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 2. Basic camera installation

2. Basic camera installation

2.1 Connect the camera

Purpose
The purpose of this exercise is to get access to the camera that will be used throughout the lab exercises
in Network Video Fundamentals. To create a good starting point for the exercises, you will first initiate
the factory default settings on your camera. You will then be using AXIS Camera Management to locate
and access the camera.

Instructions
1. The first thing to do is to factory default your camera. Use your finger, or a pen, for example, to press
and hold the camera’s control button.

1. Control button

2. While pressing the Control button,

connect power using a network cable
(because you are using PoE).

When the status LED turns green (this

may take up to 1 minute), factory
default is completed and you can
release the control button. 1. Status LED

3. To gain access to the camera, install AXIS Camera Management, by downloading from:
http://www.axis.com/products/cam_mgmt_software/index.htm

Note that you need to use your Axis account and password to download any programs from axis.com.
An alternative is to install AXIS Camera Management from the supplied USB memory stick. Follow the
prompts and accept the software installation recommendations.

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2. Basic camera installation

4. Start the program from the Start menu or Desktop icon.

5. Select This computer, tick log on as current user then click Log On .

6. Note that you might at some point during our exercises come across the following login screen instead
— see below. In this case, select Use current windows user, then click Log On. This login screen will
appear after any restart of AXIS Camera Management.
Tip! To avoid having entering your details at each restart, just click on Remember me before login on.

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 2. Basic camera installation

7. The program starts automatically to look for devices to add. Select your camera and follow the
instructions on the screen to add it to AXIS Camera Management.
Tip! Wish to know which camera is yours? Turn it over so you can see the label with the serial
number/MAC address. Then look for it in the column called Serial Number

8. As requested, enter a new password — Make a note of your password, because you might need to
exchange this with other groups later on in other exercises. Note that passwords are case sensitive.

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2. Basic camera installation

9. Well done! You are now ready to add your camera to AXIS Camera Management!

10. In the Options menu, select Set Master Credentials in AXIS Camera Management. Set the Master
Credentials by entering the user name "root" and the password you set previously. Now you are able to
access and configure the camera directly from AXIS Camera Management.

11. One last thing: Setting

the user password from
AXIS Camera Management enables
you to enter credentials or create
users with different user profiles for
many cameras simultaneously.

Using AXIS Camera Management, add

a new user. Right-click your camera,
then select User Management > Add
User.

12. For Name, use “admin”, and as a

password, enter ‘pass’. In this step,
you are also asked to create an
access level role for this user. Select
Administrator.

13. In the list, click on the active link (under Address) or your camera. A browser window will open, giving
you access to your camera.

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 2. Basic camera installation

END OF LAB

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2. Basic camera installation

2.2 Assign a fixed IP address to your camera

Purpose
To be able to access your camera, this camera and your computer must be on the same subnet. You will
now assign an IP address to the camera. Note that in many installations, cameras are required to have a
fixed IP address. Let’s learn how to easily achieve that by using AXIS Camera Management.

Instructions
1. In AXIS Camera Management, select your network camera (it should appear in blue), and then click
the icon Assign IP shown in the image below.

2. In the warning dialog that appears,

select Yes and then enter the IP
address, Subnet mask and Default
router provided by your trainer to
complete the following fields on the
screen:

3. To start the assignment of the new IP address, click OK. A progress bar will appear. Address assignment
can take some time, so be patient. After completion, a results dialog opens (bottom right-hand
corner) to confirm that the action is completed.

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 2. Basic camera installation

Note
The Tasks tab also shows the status of any tasks running on AXIS Camera Management.

4. In the overview screen, verify that status is set to OK.

5. Now you can access your camera, which is using its new, fixed IP address.

END OF LAB

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2. Basic camera installation

2.3 Initial camera settings – Password, PTZ driver, flickering

Purpose
There are several steps required for initial configuration of the AXIS P1354 network camera prior to first
use. These include setting the camera to use the correct power line frequency, and selecting the camera's
PTZ mode.

Important
After a camera factory default, you will need to go through the same process again.

Instructions
1. Access your camera by clicking on its address within AXIS Camera Management. A browser will open
displaying your camera’s interface. The first time you click on Live View you might be prompted to
enter a password. Follow the installation wizard to complete this task. Note that if you completed the
previous exercises correctly, it is likely that this password is already set.

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 2. Basic camera installation

Note
If you have forgotten the password you set for user "root" (which is the preconfigured administration
user name), you will need to perform a factory default on the camera (see 2.1 Connect the camera).
An ‘Administrator’ has unrestricted access to the product's administration tools and can determine the
registration and rights for all other users. Your camera supports multi-user password protection, where
access can be restricted to defined users only (maximum of 20). In a real installation we recommend that
you enter a strong password. Passwords can consist of 1 to 64 characters. All characters are valid.

2. Select the correct PTZ driver. For this exercise, select Digital PTZ.

Note
If you need to change the PTZ mode of your camera after determining the initial settings, you will need to
perform a factory default on the camera (see 2.1 Connect the camera).
To setup Digital PTZ, go to Camera Settings. In View Area, enable PTZ for the desired view area. You also
need to ensure that the user has been given PTZ rights in the User Settings.
To set up Mechanical PT, follow the instructions to connect a PT head (such as the Pelco PT head or
YP3040). In the Initial Settings window, select the uploadable PTZ driver. Connect the PT head (your P1354
has a serial port for pan/tilt head connection), upload driver in the web interface (Setup > PTZ – Driver
Selection) and activate PTZ. Note that the required drive is available through Axis Support pages.

3. Select the correct Flickering option depending on your location.

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2. Basic camera installation

Note
The flickering effects caused by fluorescent lighting can be reduced. The power line frequency can be set
to match the frequency of the alternating mains current: either 50 Hz (most parts of the world) or 60
Hz (Americas, Japan, Korea). The camera then synchronizes the frequency of the shutter to the peaks of
the mains current, so every reading from the sensor is made when the light is at the same intensity
level. To accomplish this, the camera also has to adjust the shutter speed to an equal or lower multiple
of the mains current.
For countries with 110 V 60 Hz current, for example the US, the fastest available shutter speed is 1/120th
of a second, while countries with 220 V 50 Hz will have 1/100th of a second as the fastest available
shutter speed.

4. Well done! You have now completed all initial camera settings. Let's move on to some of the basics of
setup.

Important
In Live View, if prompted to accept Microsoft ® ActiveX ® components (AXIS Media Control), please do so
according to the instructions in your web browser display.

END OF LAB

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 2. Basic camera installation

2.4 Basic Setup - Focus Assistant

Purpose
A focused camera is important from an image quality perspective. In this exercise you will learn how to
enable and use the focus assistant feature of the camera.

Instructions
1. To simplify the focusing process, Axis box cameras are equipped with a focus assistant, which is a
feature that helps you focus the camera without your having to look at the actual image. Start the
assistant by briefly pressing the camera's control button (used in 2.1 Connect the camera to set
the factory default).

The camera’s status LED (on top of the camera – behind the lens) will now start to flash. Unless the
camera is already focused, the LED will flash in either a RED or AMBER color.

1 Status LED

2. Focus the camera by rotating the lens’

focus ring in either direction while
paying attention to the status LED.
Once the LED starts flashing GREEN,
the camera is in focus. If you rotate
the focus ring too much, the status
LED will change color and become
either amber or red again. Make sure
that you rotate the focus ring and not
the zoom ring for the varifocal lens.

1 Focus ring: Near - Far or N - ∞

3. Once the status LED flashes green, lock the lens setting with the locking screw and press the control
button.

END OF LAB

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2. Basic camera installation

2.5 Basic Setup – Remote Back Focus

Purpose
The camera can also be focused the traditional way by looking at Live View while rotating the focus ring.
In addition, the AXIS P1354 is equipped with back focus, so you can fine-tune the focus after setting the
initial rough manual focus. Back focus is also ideal to use when you want to set the focus off-center. Let’s
look at how it’s done.

Instructions
1. Start by opening the Setup menu of the camera’s home page. In Basic Setup, open the Focus menu
and follow the six steps outlined in the Focus menu.

2. If you want to alter the focus zone – that is, set the focus off-center, or reduce the scene area for
camera focus – click the Advanced tab in the Focus menu.

3. Always remember to re-enable the iris after focusing, since disabling it significantly reduces depth of
field. This is vital to obtain accurate focus, but is unnecessary for actual surveillance.

END OF LAB

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 2. Basic camera installation

2.6 Basic Setup – Date, Time & Status LED

Purpose
The Date & Time parameters allow the camera to be configured for a specific time zone. You can also set
the camera's clock manually, or synchronize the clock with local PC time or an NTP server.
The status LED can also be configured in various states. This can be necessary when using the camera in
a housing, because reflected light from the status LED can cause image quality problems, or because
the camera needs to be "hidden" during operation.

Instructions
1. Go to Basic Setup > Date & Time and select the correct time zone from the drop–down menu.

2. Next, select Synchronize with computer time and click Save.

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2. Basic camera installation

Note
The option Synchronize with NTP Server - NTP means Network Time Protocol – is used to obtain the
correct time from an NTP server every few minutes, so all the cameras in the network will remain
synchronized. The NTP server's IP address or host name is specified in the Advanced TCP/IP Settings
(Systems Options > Network > TCP/IP > Advanced). This option should be selected if using IEEE 802.1X.
It is strongly recommended to use an NTP server for time synchronization. Some Axis cameras, such as
those in the AXIS M10 series, have no internal clock; this means that when power supply is interrupted, the
clock stops and the NTP server will synchronize the time automatically when power is restored.

3. Go to Setup > System Options > Ports & Devices > LED. Under Status LED, we will set this to Off to
ensure the LED is not illuminated during normal operation.

4. Click Save and verify that the LED is no longer illuminated.

END OF LAB

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 2. Basic camera installation

2.7 Basic Setup – Video Stream

Purpose
Since the camera default is set up for ceiling mounting, the image will need to be rotated 180 degrees
for desktop use. To examine frame- and bit rate, we will set up the text overlay function. We will study
frame- and bit rate in another exercise.

Instructions
1. Go to Setup > Basic Setup menu. Select the Video Stream sub menu.

2. Set the image size to 1280*720 and rotate the image so it is displayed correctly with camera placed on
the camera stand. Save your changes.

3. Tick the boxes Include date and Include time. Date and time will now appear as text overlay on the
Live View screen. Save your changes.

4. To see frame rate (frame per second=FPS) and bit rate (bit per second=bit/s), select Include text and
add the following: #r FPS #B Mbit/s in the text field. Save your changes.

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2. Basic camera installation

Note
Clicking the question mark in the blue circle at the upper right-hand corner of any menu will display a
page-specific help menu.
Your camera supports the use of modifier fields. These can be used to modify file names when uploading
images, format the date and time added to image overlays, and add information to notification images.
To find out more about these handy modifiers, click the question mark button at the top of the Video
Stream Settings menu and look for the topic File Naming and Date/Time formats to know about those
useful modifiers.

5. Click Save. Go to Live View to verify your settings or click on Open in the Preview menu.

Tip! You can also open two browsers, one for Live View and one for any of the configuration options
(in this case, Video Stream Settings).
END OF LAB

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 2. Basic camera installation

2.8 Connect the AXIS T8414 Installation Display

Purpose
In this exercise, you will learn how to use the AXIS T8414 Installation Display.

Instructions
1. To power up the AXIS T8414, connect it to an electrical outlet and set the power switch on the
upper right side to ON.

2. Press the Start key and hold for three

seconds. The power indicator will
light up, the data indicator blinks,
and a progress bar is displayed on the
screen. Once the main menu appears
after about 45 seconds, you are ready
to connect the camera.

1. Power LED
2. Data LED
3. Light Sensor
4. Touch LCD
5. Navigation keys
6. ESC
7. Start/Enter/Snapshot key

3. Your next step is to connect and

power up the camera. Use a network
cable to connect the camera to the
AXIS T8414’s LAN/POE OUT port.

4. Make sure the Power Bank switch on

the upper left side of the AXIS T8414 is
set to Off (no external power bank
will be used). In order to switch on
PoE functionality, use the stylus pen
to tap the PoE ON icon. The PoE
icon in the upper right corner of the The house in the upper left corner is the Home icon
display changes from red to green,
and the AXIS T8414 is now ready to
provide power to the camera.

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2. Basic camera installation

5. Camera boot is initiated and will take

about 40 seconds. When the LED on
the camera is green, you are ready to
continue with camera installation by
tapping the IP Camera icon, followed
by the Device Search icon.

6. In the dialog that appears, ensure that your camera is selected and tap CONNECT. Live images from
the camera are now displayed.

7. The next step is to assign an IP address to the camera. Start by pressing the Escape key (ESC) to return
to the menu system, and then tap the Home icon (to the upper left on the display).

8. Continue by tapping the Setup icon, followed by the IP icon, and finally the IP connection icon.

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 2. Basic camera installation

9. Enter an IP address for the camera in the dedicated field, then tap the Enter/Save key (to the lower
right on the display).

1. Enter/Save
2. Return

END OF LAB

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2. Basic camera installation

2.9 Set focus and take a snapshot

Purpose
You will now use the AXIS T8414 to adjust the camera’s focus.

Instructions
1. Tap the Home key to return the
main menu and then connect to the
camera by tapping the IP Camera
icon, followed by the Connect icon.
Live images from the camera are now
displayed.

2. Press and hold the Up and Down navigation keys simultaneously to flip the view 180 degrees. (Flip
again if necessary to obtain the correct image.)

3. Tap ZOOM for digital zoom.

4. The image is displayed with the camera’s default resolution. Adjust the focus using the focus pullers
on the camera. To use back focus command, press on left and right arrows simultaneously.

5. In the lower left corner, ZF (Zoom/Focus) is displayed. You can use this to zoom in on details. Once
zoomed in, you can tap the ZF to switch to PT (Pan/Tilt) mode and use the arrow buttons to navigate
within the image.

6. To get back to the full image, tap PT again and then tap ZOOM.

7. The snapshot function is useful when

documenting an installation to show
what all cameras looked like when
installation is complete. Press the
snapshot key to save the current
image.
1. Snapshot key

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 2. Basic camera installation

8. In the snapshot editing page that

appears, choose T8414 as the storage
location.

9. Enter a file name and (optionally) a

description. Tap the Enter key to save.

10. Hit ESC and then tap the Home icon

to reach the main menu.

11. To view a snapshot, tap the Setup

icon, followed by the Snapshot icon.

12. In the dialog that appears, select

T8414 as the display path. In the
file list, tap the name of your saved
snapshot. The snapshot is displayed
to the right.

END OF LAB

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 3. Image usability

3. Image usability
3.1 Corridor Format

Purpose
Axis Corridor Format provides an opportunity to use the aspect ratio of 9:16, thereby using the available
pixels where they provide most value. This format often provides more usable image information and can
increase the pixel density of an object within the scene. In this exercise we will compare Axis Corridor
Format™ to regular 16:9 HDTV format, and show how it can reduce storage requirements and increase
pixel density.

Instructions
1. Point your camera in a direction where the corridor format would be useful, for example a corridor or a
line of shelves. Re-focus if needed.

2. Take a snapshot of the view. Your snapshots are stored in MyDocuments\AXIS Media Control –
Snapshots.

Tip! If you want to display the Snapshot button on the top right corner of your Live View, go to Setup >
Live View Config and select Show snapshot button in the list Action buttons.
Tip! If you want to open a window that displays your stored snapshots, go to the Live View window
and right-click on the image. Select Settings, go to the Snapshots tab, and select Open the snapshot
folder in the background.

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3. Image usability

3. Place the camera and stand assembly

on its side (90° sideways) on a table,
so the camera is facing the scene.

4. On the camera home page, tab

Setup > Video stream, and rotate
the image 90° or 270°. Open the
Live View to make sure your image
is correct. You might need to adjust
the focal length.

5. Make a snapshot of the view in corridor format.

6. Compare your snapshots, especially comparing a specific object or person, as shown in the examples.

7. Using this method shows that the object covers more pixel area in corridor format – increasing the
apparent pixel density of the object.

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 3. Image usability

8. Can you think of a scenario where the Axis’ Corridor Format would be of use?

....................................................................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................................................

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END OF LAB

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3. Image usability

3.2 Pixel calculation – inches/feet (for metric version, see next page)

Purpose
The resolution and the surveillance requirements (identification/recognition/detection) both affect the
maximum scene width. The higher the resolution, the wider the scene capture and the more useable image
detail. Conversely, the more demanding the surveillance requirements are, the narrower the scene width will
be. In this lab exercise, we will gain an understanding of pixel density and how it relates to image usability.

Instructions
1. The maximum scene width depends on the surveillance requirements and the resolution. The examples
below illustrate scene widths for typical scenarios.

If we have a set pixel density requirement, we can determine scene capture width based on the
formula below. If a camera’s native horizontal resolution is known, we can divide this by the pixel
density requirement. Dividing this by the horizontal pixel density requirement gives us the scene
capture width the camera is capable of delivering for the horizontal density.

2. As we have discussed, identification for challenging conditions requires 80 pixels per face or 12.7
pixels/in. Let’s look at an example from the table below, identification at resolution 1280 x 720.
1280 pixels / 12.7 pixels per inch gives us 101 in. Thus, the maximum scene width we can cover while
keeping the 12.7 pixels/in requirement is 101 in.

Resolution / Detection Recognition Identification

Requirement 4 pixels/face 20 pixels/face 80 pixels/face
640 x 480 200 in
1280 x 720 101 in
1920 x 1080 600 in 151 in

3. Complete the table above by calculating the scene width for the listed resolutions and requirements.

END OF LAB

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 3. Image usability

3.3 Pixel calculation – metric

Purpose
The resolution and the surveillance requirements (identification/recognition/detection) both affect the
maximum scene width. The higher the resolution, the wider the scene capture and the more useable image
detail. Conversely, the more demanding the surveillance requirements are, the narrower the scene width will
be. In this lab exercise, we will gain an understanding of pixel density and how it relates to image usability.

Instructions
1. The maximum scene width depends on the surveillance requirements and the resolution. The examples
below illustrate scene widths for typical scenarios.

If we have a set pixel density requirement, we can determine scene capture width based on the
formula below. If a camera’s native horizontal resolution is known, we can divide this by the pixel
density requirement. Dividing this by the horizontal pixel density requirement gives us the scene
capture width the camera is capable of delivering for the horizontal density.

2. As we have discussed, identification for challenging conditions requires 80 pixels per face or 500
pixels/meter. Let’s look at an example from the table below, identification at resolution 1280 x 720.
1280 pixels / 500 pixels per meters gives us 2.56 m. Thus, the maximum scene width we can cover
while keeping the 500 pixels/meter requirement is 2.56 m.

Resolution / Detection Recognition Identification

Requirement 4 pixels/face 20 pixels/face 80 pixels/face
640 x 480 5.12 m
1280 x 720 2.56 m
1920 x 1080 15.36 m 3.84 m

3. Complete the table above by calculating the scene width for the listed resolutions and requirements.

END OF LAB

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3. Image usability

3.4 Using the pixel counter

Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to learn how to use the pixel counter within the camera web interface. We will
also find practical approaches to adjusting and setting a camera to comply with resolution requirements for
a given purpose, such as facial- or license plate recognition. Students will also be able to use the counter
to assess the actual resolution in a scene where a set angle of view is required.
When determining resolution, we need to know where we want a given resolution. Since a camera can
see as far as the human eye, we need to determine at what distance we want the required resolution.
Sometimes we want a certain resolution across the entire field of view, but we might also require a given
resolution at a line or point closer to the camera. We will refer to this as a capture point.

Instructions
1. Set the camera to get a fairly realistic field of view and determine a capture point. In the example
below, the doorway is the capture point.

2. In the setup menu, go to Setup > Focus and click Show pixel counter. Set the width to 80 pixels and
click Apply or adjust the frame by dragging out the lower right corner of the frame.

Tip! The pixel counter can also be displayed by right-clicking the Live View image.

3. Have a partner stand at the capture point facing the camera and adjust the zoom and focus of the
camera by adjusting the lens pullers to make the pixel counter box as wide as your partner’s face.
Go to Live View and take a snapshot.

4. Change the resolution of the camera to 480*270 pixels and take a new snapshot from your Live
View without changing zoom, focus, or the position of your model. The files will be stored in My
Documents/ AXIS Media Control – Snapshots.

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 3. Image usability

5. Going back to the original resolution, reposition the camera to face in another direction, or select a
different capture point. You will now use an object of known size to determine appropriate facial
resolution at the new capture point. Since we will still be working with 80 pixels for facial, let us
convert that into a more sensible measurement.

6. An “average” face is 16 cm or 6.3 inches wide. As a consequence, we will need to cover our capture
point with 80 pixels/16 cm = 5 pixels/cm, or 80 pixels/6.3 inch ≈ 12.7 pixels/inch.

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3. Image usability

7. You need to determine the pixel width for the object that the camera needs to deliver a resolution
equivalent to 80 pixels for a face at the capture point. Use a sheet of paper, a doorway, or another
object of known size to calculate this required pixel width.

8. In our example scene below, the door framed in orange is where we have our capture point. Given
that the door is 70 cm or 28 inches wide, a horizontal pixel density of 355 pixels is required (70*5
or 28*12.7).

9. Place your selected object at the capture point and use the pixel counter to measure according to your
own calculations. Adjust the field of view for the resolution you came up with in your calculation.

10. Check your latest settings by using the pixel counter to measure an actual face at the capture point.
In the image to the right, the lab attachment face is used as reference, and as you can see the 80
pixel box fits snugly.

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 3. Image usability

11. Compare the two images taken in steps 3 and 4. Resize the images to make them similar in size.
Look for image details and unique identification features and compare. Discuss your findings within
your group.

12. In the final exercise, the goal is to determine facial resolution at a certain angle of view. Start by
pointing the camera to an object of known size and zoom the lens all the way out. Use the pixel
counter to measure a given size, and use the number of pixels to calculate the number of pixels
a face would represent in your capture point.

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3. Image usability

For example, if the object you are using as the capture point is 100 cm (3 ft) wide, and the pixel
counter shows 300 pixels when placed across it, your resolution is 3 pixels/cm. At 16 cm, a face will
be 16*3 = 48 pixels wide in your capture point.

END OF LAB

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 3. Image usability

3.5 Motion blur

Purpose
Motion blur typically occurs in low-light situations. In this exercise you will change the camera setting in
order to minimize the motion blur. But what are the consequences?

Instructions
1. Create a scene with movement using a Newton’s Cradle, for example, or move your hands/fingers in
front of the camera.

Turn off the lights to simulate a low-light situation!

After focusing the camera, set the Newton's Cradle in motion or move your hand/fingers.

2. Discuss: How do we limit motion blur?

Tip! Increase lighting? Exposure time?

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3. Image usability

3. Look into the various options for shutter and gain in Camera Settings. To do this, go to Setup > Video
& Audio > Camera Settings (see screen shot below).

Tip! If you would like read more about shutter and gain, click on the help file icon.

4. Discuss the difference in shutter and gain settings. What is the difference between motion and
low noise?

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 3. Image usability

5. Take a snapshot as Auto for shutter and gain with different priority.

Tip! If having difficulty trying to create motion blur, increase the shutter speed.

Write down your conclusion:

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END OF LAB

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3. Image usability

3.6 Flickering

Purpose
If your camera is used in a scenario with fluorescent light, image flickering is likely to occur. This can be
compensated for by using a default setting in the camera. In most cases, the initial power line frequency
setting will resolve the issue, but if flickering is still visible, try this additional setting: Exposure control.

Instructions
1. Go to Setup > Video & Audio > Camera Settings.

2. In the drop-down menu Exposure control, select the flicker-free setting that applies to your region
(50/60 Hz). Click Save.

3. Go back to Live View and verify that your image is now flicker-free.

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 3. Image usability

4. As you can see, the flicker-free settings change the maximum shutter speed and therefore can limit
the camera capabilities and effectiveness.

Important
This setting should be used only when no other option is available.

END OF LAB

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3. Image usability

3.7 White balance

Purpose
The camera’s home page has a number of default white balance settings to choose from. In this exercise
you will see which setting provides the best white balance for your scenario. Working alone or in groups
identified by the instructor, perform the following lab exercise.

Instructions
1. Place an object in the center of the table and place the camera at one end of the table so it is facing
toward the window or away from the window, to allow for either direct or reflected light.

2. Go to Setup > Video & Audio > Camera Settings and verify that the camera’s settings are default.

Important
The default setting for White Balance is set to Automatic.

3. Go to Live View and take a snapshot of the image with the default setting and rename it ‘auto.jpg’-
This will be used as a reference image.

4. Change the setting for White Balance to Manual and edit the white balance point, setting this point
on a beige or other off-white area, Click OK and verify the image.

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 3. Image usability

5. Save your selection and then view the result in Live View.

Tip! Open two browsers: one for Live View and one for Video & Image.

6. Take a snapshot in each of the different White Balance modes.

7. Rename each snapshot with the name of the mode setting, for example: ‘fixed-outdoor1.jpg’,
‘fixed-indoor1.jpg’.

8. Review and discuss each snapshot : Which is the best? Which is the worst?

9. Discuss: Is Automatic always my best choice?

10. Select a custom white balance window in the drop-down menu, then select Edit to place it on a
specific area in the image.

11. Observe and discuss the potential for this feature and also how the image is or could be affected.

END OF LAB

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3. Image usability

3.8 Wide Dynamic Range: Dynamic contrast

Purpose
If your camera is to be used in a scenario with a wide range of lighting conditions, or a scenario with areas
that are much darker or brighter than others, the image quality may be poor in specific areas of the image.
We can compensate for this by using a setting in the camera called WDR – Dynamic Contrast. In this
exercise, we will make changes to this setting to observe its effect on image quality.

Instructions
1. Position the camera so that the live image contains a bright object or window.

2. Take a snapshot and label it Dynamic Contrast Off.

3. Enable Dynamic Contrast in Video & Audio > Camera Settings. Save your changes

4. Take a snapshot and label it Dynamic Contrast On.

5. Compare and discuss the two snapshots.

Important
Dynamic contrast is only possible when the Exposure control setting is set to Automatic.

END OF LAB

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 4. Optimizing bit rate

4. Optimizing bit rate

4.1 Optimizing bit rate

Purpose
Storage is a major concern for many network surveillance installations. In this exercise you will see how
the storage need varies depending on codec used.

Instructions
1. You are going to make two recordings: one using Motion JPEG and the other one using H.264.

2. In the camera home page, you will first need to enable a recording button: Under Setup, select Live
View Config. Select Enable recording button within the section called Viewer Settings, and click Save.

3. The Live View window now displays a recording button.

4. Check that the camera is in focus and keep the same field of view during both recordings.

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4. Optimizing bit rate

5. Make sure that compression is set to the default value, 30.

6. For the first recording, ensure that you are using Motion JPEG, and for the other one H.264. In Live
View, change the Stream Profile (see screen shot below) to either Motion JPEG or H.264 and then
record 1 minute of video while someone/something randomly moves within the field of view.

Note that your recordings will be saved on your local computer in My Documents\AXIS Media Control
– Recording.

Tip! Cameras can deliver multiple video streams. Therefore you can have one stream on Motion
JPEG and one on H264. For this exercise, open two tabs or two browser windows: one with H264
and one with Motion JPEG.

7. Compare the file sizes in MB.

8. What does this tell you about storage needs for the different codecs?

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 4. Optimizing bit rate

9. Go to Setup > Video & Audio and click on the H.264 tab. Select Baseline profile from the drop-down
menu. Click Save.

10. Complete the previous steps of image comparison and again compare the results between the two
different H.264 profiles (Main/Baseline).

END OF LAB

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4. Optimizing bit rate

4.2 Compression effectiveness

Purpose
Working as a team, we will be using several cameras and one laptop to complete this exercise. Using the
worksheet provided, you will examine how the codec and the compression rate affect the bit rate. If you
have access to Microsoft® Excel®, enter the numbers directly into the sheet!

Instructions
1. Using the USB stick given to you by the trainer, find and open the worksheet for this exercise and
select the Compression tab. Alternatively, you can use the worksheet in the student class manual.

2. Place the complex image in the image stand or lean it against an object so that it remains upright
during the lab exercise. Place it close enough to the camera to fill the entire field of view and refocus
the camera to provide the best image possible.

3. Make sure the text overlay displays bit rate [Mbit/s]. If not, go to Basic Setup > Video Stream, select
Include text: #B Mbit/s.

You will now measure the bit rates using different codecs, different compression settings (0, 30, 60,
and 90) and with/without movement.

Remember to observe how the image quality changes when the compression setting is changed. At
what point does the image become unusable?

Note
For a complete list of text modifiers that can be placed in the text box to add text display on-screen, click
the question mark in the blue circle at the upper right-hand corner of the Video Stream settings menu page.

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 4. Optimizing bit rate

4. For your first measurement, make sure compression is set to 0 and that MJPEG is being used.

5. In the worksheet, enter the bit rate for this setting (displayed in the text overlay).

6. Create movement by tapping with your fingers on the back of the picture. Enter the bit rate in the
worksheet.

7. Change the codec to H.264. Measure the bit rates for the still image and for movement. Enter your
results in the worksheet.

8. Repeat these measurements with the different compression settings and enter your results in the
worksheet.

9. Study the different charts to analyze the result and discuss your observations with your team.

Tip! Instead of changing the codec in the Stream Profile drop-down menu in Live View, you can
change the default stream profile by selecting Setup > Live View Config and selecting Stream Profile.
Remember to save your changes.

END OF LAB

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4. Optimizing bit rate

4.3 Scene and color complexity

Purpose
In this exercise, we will observe how bit rate is affected by changing the brightness, sharpness, contrast
and color levels of an image. We will also look at how scene complexity can affect camera bit rate.

Instructions
1. For this exercise, use the simple and complex images given to you by the trainer. Open the worksheet
and select the Settings tab.

2. Set the compression to 30.

3. Put the simple image in the image stand, close enough to the camera to fill its entire field of view, and
refocus the camera to get the best image possible.

4. Make sure the text overlay displays bit rate [Mbit/s].

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 4. Optimizing bit rate

5. Measure the bit rate for MJPEG and H.264 for still and moving images. Enter the bit rates in the first
table in the Excel sheet. Please note that the data for the complex scene will be copied for this exercise.

6. In the camera’s home page, go to Setup > Video & Audio > Camera Settings .

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4. Optimizing bit rate

7. Set Brightness, Sharpness and Contrast to 75 and click Save.

8. Go to Live View. Take a snapshot and name it ‘High contrast’.

9. Repeat the same measurements as above, but now for both the simple and the complex images. Enter
your results in the second table in the worksheet.

10. Study the result.

11. Set Brightness, Sharpness and Contrast to 25, and Color level to 50.

12. Go to Live View for the camera. Take a snapshot and name it ‘Low contrast’.

13. Repeat the same measurements as above. Enter your results in the third table in the worksheet.

14. Study the result. Compare your high/low-contrast snapshots.

15. Reset all values to 50.

END OF LAB

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 4. Optimizing bit rate

4.4 How do privacy masks affect bit rate and storage?

Purpose
We discussed the use of privacy masks to not only hide areas that we don't want or need to be seen, but
also to reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and potentially stored. In this exercise we
will compare the amount of data reduced by using a privacy mask in our image.

Instructions
1. Prior to the creation of the privacy mask, go to Live View and verify the bit rate of your image. Write
the values for both MJPEG and H.264 here:

MPEG _____________________

H.264 _____________________

2. Go to Setup > Video & Audio > Privacy Mask and select Add to create the privacy mask in your image.

3. Place the privacy mask anywhere in your image and drag the lower right corner to size it so that it
covers approximately one third of your image.

4. Once done, click Save and then click Enable to allow the privacy mask to take effect.

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4. Optimizing bit rate

5. Go to Live View and verify that your image has the privacy mask in place. Compare the bandwidth use
of this image with the bandwidth required when a privacy mask is not used.

6. Discuss the result with your group.

END OF LAB

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5.1 Local storage configuration

Purpose
The purpose of this exercise is to become familiar with some of the advanced capabilities of Axis network
cameras, such as camera tampering and the generation of events from other Axis devices.

Instructions
1. Install the microSDHC memory card
into the slot at the back of the
camera, as shown in the image below.
Gently insert the card face up and
with the contacts entering the slot
first.

1 Memory card slot

2. Go to System Options > Storage > SD Card and click on SD Card to open the Storage Management
windows. At this point, the card can be formatted (options are: vfat or ext4) and disk management
options can be configured.

3. When the local storage SD memory card has been correctly mounted, navigate to Setup > Recordings
and verify access to the SD memory card.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

4. From the Recording List, recordings can be played directly through the camera’s interface or
downloaded to the local machine or removable media if desired. They can also be removed directly
from the list. Recording properties can be verified for date, time and size information as well as
video format and resolution.

Note
If the recordings are to be downloaded for viewing elsewhere with a media player, the AXIS Matroska File
Splitter is needed; this can be downloaded from our website free of charge at the following url:
http://www.axis.com/techsup/software/index.htm
The Matroska splitter will work with all Microsoft® DirectShow®-based media players on Windows®
platforms (that is, Windows® Media Player®). Alternatively, download the VLC® Media Player by VideoLAN:
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html.

END OF LAB

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5.2 Set up an event using camera tampering

Purpose
The purpose is to gain experience working with events. We will use camera tampering as the trigger,
because this also lets us explore how we can capture video of something happening before the event is
actually triggered. There are two objectives for this exercise:
a) Ensure that we are notified of the movement of the camera.
b) Enable us to identify the root cause of the tampering. To do this, we need to set up an event.

Instructions
1. Go to Setup > Detectors > Camera Tampering. Make sure you understand the Minimum duration
setting as well as the Alarm for dark images setting. When should/shouldn’t this feature be used? Be
prepared to explain the use. Use the help file if needed.

2. Continue by moving into the Event menu to create an Action Rule that will be triggered by tampering.
This is listed under Action Rules > Add. You will configure the event for video upload to your
local storage MicroSD card. If this is not visible as an option, check the camera to see if the card
is physically present.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

3. Since the actual tampering takes place before the event is triggered, you will need to use buffers to
capture the incident. Look into the tampering settings to see how much time passes before the camera
registers movement and set up the buffer(s) accordingly.

There is a minimum duration threshold that the tampering event can register. The default value is 20
seconds, but this can be set as needed. This setting is found in Setup > Detectors.

The pre-buffer duration must be equal to or longer than the minimum duration of the event.

4. Initiate the event by turning the camera and changing its field of view. Then wait and examine the
video located in the Recordings menu in the camera setup menu. Did you capture the source of
the movement? If not, discuss why?

5. After you have completed all previous steps in the exercise, disable the event in order to avoid
unintentional recordings.

Important
This type of event requires a short period after the event has been configured before the camera will detect
the tampering event. Once the event is configured, it is advisable to wait at least 30 seconds.

END OF LAB

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5.3 Configuring the I/O lab kit

Purpose
The I/O Lab kit contains the components needed to create a testing tool for verifying and triggering events
on the AXIS P1354 camera. The components in the lab kit will make it possible to trigger and verify
events using the Alarm input/output. The pushbutton will enable activation of an event, while the LED
will provide proof of an event occurrence. Please refer to the table provided for correct LED setup, since
this will differ depending on the power source.

Instructions
1. only. For real-life setups, with
The use of I/O as explained in the Lab exercises is for Lab purposes only
stronger electrical currents, a relay should always be used, just as we have seen in the training material.

2. The LED and pushbutton need to be connected based on the pin-out of the device being used. Always
verify the correct pins on the terminal block in the product installation manual.

3. For this lab we are using the AXIS P1354 camera. We need to connect the LED to pins 2 and 4.
The LED cathode (positive leg) is longer and must be connected to pin 2. The LED anode (negative
leg) is shorter and is to be connected to pin 4.

4. The pushbutton is a simple, normally open circuit and is to be connected to pins 1 and 3. The
AXIS P1354 has one dedicated input and one dedicated output. Verify this information again in the
installation manual prior to connection in a production environment.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5. We are also using PoE for power; therefore, we must use only the red LED, since its voltage requirement
is lower. See below.

Function Pin Notes Specifications

GND 1 Ground
3.3V DC Power 2 Can be used to power auxiliary equipment. Max load = 50mA
Note: This pin can only be used as power out
Digital Input 3 Connect to GND to activate, or leave floating Min input = -40V DC
(unconnected) to deactivate. Max input = +40V DC
AXIS P1353–E and AXIS P1354–E: Connected to
housing electronics at delivery.
Digital Output 4 Uses an open-drain NFET transistor with the source Max load = 100mA
connected to GND. If used with an external relay, a Max voltage = +40V DC
diode must be connected in parallel with the load,
for protection against voltage transients.

END OF LAB

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5.4 Port settings - Normally open or normally closed?

Purpose
The purpose of this exercise is to gain an understanding of the difference between NO and NC and how the
port default status can be altered in the setup menu.

Instructions
1. Start by opening Port Status under System Options.

2. While holding the pushbutton, click F5 to refresh your browser. Check the status change and determine
if the default port setting is Normally Open or Normally Closed.

3. Go to I/O ports and change the port setting for both ports. Check the LED, and repeat the previous
step using the pushbutton.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

4. Make sure you understand the difference between NO (Open circuit) and NC (Grounded circuit).

5. Ensure that the ports are set to Normally Open before leaving the exercise.

END OF LAB

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5.5 Motion detection

Purpose
The purpose of this exercise is to gain insight into how to configure and use motion detection to trigger
events, and to learn the capabilities and some limitations of the Video Motion Detection settings. In this
lab exercise, we will be using local storage for event recording and also the I/O kit for event notification.

Instructions
1. Set up two motion trigger windows: one large and one small. Set up one exclude window that
partially overlaps both motion detection windows. Go to Setup > Detectors > Motion Detection and
ensure Configure Included Window is checked. Select New and label the window ‘Large’. Drag the
lower right corner to resize the window. Configure an additional include window and label it ‘Small’.
Click on Configure Excluded Window to create the needed exclude zone. Click Save once the windows
are created. How does the exclude window affect the area within the include zone?

2. Switch between the large and the small window in order to see the effects of or relationship between
object and window size, and how that affects actual triggering of the window. With similar settings,
which window is most easily triggered – the large or the small one?

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

Note
What you are likely to see when the camera is monitoring something relevant (not just your hand waving
in front of the lens), is a trigger pattern similar to the one in this image. The challenge is then to configure
the event in order to give you consecutive video, rather than just short bursts of video or even single
frames. Move into event setting to examine this more in detail.

3. Prior to event creation, we must ensure that an SD memory card is installed in the camera and
properly formatted and mounted. Go to System Options > Storage and verify the SD memory card is
installed and mounted properly.

4. Configure the event and focus on the settings for image upload – what is the best setting and why?
If you are uncertain, try different settings and compare the videos that are recorded using different
settings.

5. Go to Setup > Events > Action Rules > Add and set up the rule for Video Motion Detection based on
the ‘Large’ window and select Actions Record Video.

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

6. Configure the Action to record video to local SD memory card storage with a pre-buffer of 3 seconds
and a post-buffer of 5 seconds. Set the stream profile to Quality.

7. If you set a predetermined upload time, don’t set it too long, because it won't have any effect (5
seconds will do). What will happen if there is continuous movement in the include window?

8. Once the event is configured, create movement in the VMD include zone. To verify that recordings
from the event exist, go to Setup > Recordings and select a recording to play back by highlighting it
in the list and clicking Play.

9. Since an event can only have one Action associated with it, we must configure an additional Action
Rule to illuminate the LED while simultaneously recording to the local storage device from the
previously configured rule.

10. Go to Events > Action Rules and click Add to create the rule based on Video Motion Detection,
with Output Port 1 and a duration of 5 seconds.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

11. Create motion in the field of view of the camera and observe the LED. It should illuminate for 5 seconds.
After that, you can verify that a recording accompanied the event by looking in the Recordings List.

Important
In the next exercise we are going to use AXIS Video Motion Detection 2.1. Therefore, make sure that
all rules are disabled.

END OF LAB

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5.6 Configuring the IR cut filter to operate on a schedule

Purpose
In some surveillance scenarios, a camera may need to limit when the IR cut filter engages or disengages.
Examples include when a camera is placed with a view of a light source, which keeps the cameras from
switching to night mode, or when a camera toggles between day and night modes, resulting in unusable or
very noisy images. We will use event management in this lab exercise to set up a schedule and action
rule to control the camera’s IR cut filter.

Instructions
1. Go to Setup > Events and configure a new schedule. For this exercise we will label it IR cut filter. Set
the schedule for Daily triggering and set the start and end times for about 5 minutes in the future to
allow for the completion of event setup. Select the day of the week and click OK.

2. Once the schedule has been created and saved, we will set up the Action Rule as shown in the image
below.

3. Begin by naming the new Action Rule ‘IR on Time’, selecting Time as the trigger, Use Schedule and
your newly created schedule.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

4. The Actions will be type Day/Night Vision Mode, and Mode will be set to night, as in the image below.

5. Click OK to save the event and go to Live View and verify your image switched to black and white
mode at the predefined time according to your event settings.

END OF LAB

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5.7 Download and install a camera application

Purpose
In this exercise, we will get hands-on experience working with the AXIS Camera Application Platform by
downloading and installing the AXIS Video Motion Detection 2.1 application onto your camera.

Instructions
1. Before you start the exercise, make sure you have access to your MyAxis account so you can download
the application. Alternatively, use the USB memory stick provided, to upload AXIS Video Motion
Detection 2.1.

2. Go to
http://www.axis.com/products and
navigate to Camera applications.
Select AXIS Video Motion Detection
2.1, and click Download application.
This will open the log-in window to
MyAxis, where you will need to log in
to your MyAxis account. Download
the application to your desktop.

3. Alternatively, you can navigate to the supplied USB and copy the application to your desktop from
the software Labs directory.

Important
Ensure that built-in video motion detection is not in use by disabling all Action Rules.

4. Moving back to the camera’s setup menu, select Applications and the window shown below will
open. Continue by browsing to your desktop. Select the file AxisVideoMotionDetection.eap from the
newly copied folder and select Upload package.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5. Highlight the AXIS Video Motion Detection application in the Installed Applications list and click
Start, then proceed by clicking Motion Detection, which is now visible in the left side main menu
under Applications.

6. In order for the application to work we will need to configure it. Click on AXIS Video Motion Detection
settings and a new window will open, allowing you to create the Area of Interest and an Exclude Area.

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

7. Right clicking anywhere on the rectangle adds a point to create a polygon containing up to 20 points.
This allows you to manipulate the Area of Interest to customize it for the required scene. The Exclude
Area can be configured in the same way as the Area of Interest.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

8. The installed application can now be used in place of the built-in VMD . Create an event in much the
same way as previously, except this time, select the trigger Applications as shown in the image below.

9. Continue creating the event(s) to either illuminate the LED or record video to local storage. Be careful
to select the correct VMD when creating the event, because the default VMD is still accessible under
Detectors in the Events menu.

END OF LAB

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5.8 Cross-camera collaboration – Triggering an output port

Purpose
The purpose here is to use an input device connected to one Axis network product to control an output
port on another unit. You will do this through VAPIX® and HTTP notifications. To be able to do this,
collaborate with the camera user seated closest to you. You will be using your AXIS P1354 with the
complete I/O kit to trigger and respond. Your task is to set up the system so your own camera's pushbutton
triggers the other camera's LED, and vice versa.

Instructions
1. Start by using AXIS Camera Management to find the other camera on the network based on the MAC
address, so you can use each other’s cameras to perform the exercise.

2. Set up an HTTP event recipient (Go to Events > Recipients). The server is set up from your own camera’s
interface. Give the event server a name to remember what it does - for example OutputLEDP1354.

Then add the URL to the server. What is the correct server address – your own or the other
camera’s? Discuss with your partner to find the correct answer. In addition to the IP address,
the URL should call a script on the server to engage the output port. The full URL will be
http://P1354serveraddress/axis-cgi/io/port.cgi where P1354serveraddress is the actual IP address of
the AXIS P1354.

3. Continue by filling in the user name

and password for the AXIS P1354,
as well as proxy info if a proxy is in
use (in most classroom contexts, this
won't be necessary). Save the event
server.

4. Then create an event set to be triggered by the input port on your camera. Give the event a describing
name, such as P1354OutputActive. When triggered, your camera should send an HTTP notification to
call a script on the event server you previously configured. However, it does not tell it what to do, so
we need to use the Custom parameters to specify the port number and whether it should be activated
or deactivated. The output port is port number 2 and it is set to active by using :/ (colon forward slash).
The string will look like this: action=2:/ – Once you are done, save the event.

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5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5. Try the event and make sure the LED illuminates when you push the button.

6. A new question immediately arises: “How do you make the LED turn off?” The HTTP event can only
perform one task and therefore you need to setup another event to de-activate the port. Start by
copying the previous event from the event list and change the name so you know what it does.

7. In the event itself, there are two items you need to change to make it work. One is the custom
parameters, where we previously activated the event through :/. To de-activate you need to reverse
and use :\ (colon backslash). The second event setting you need to change is up to you to locate
and change!

8. When you are done, save the event and try it out! The LED should be illuminate when you push the
button and shut off when you release the button. If you are done ahead of your peers, make changes
so the pushbutton acts as a normally closed – NC switch and try it out.

9. Another option is to set an event duration for the camera’s output to remain illuminated for a
predetermined amount of time, such as a pulse to unlock a magnetic lock. This can be easily
configured in Custom parameters. Using milliseconds as the duration, append the string with 5000\
to allow for the event to trigger for 5 seconds and then have the LED shut off. The string will look
like this: action=2:/5000\

END OF LAB

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 5. Video analytics and I/O capabilities

5.9 Using an HTTP event to trigger the virtual port in another device

Purpose
In the previous exercise we triggered the output port on another camera. However, that was everything
this event was capable of doing. In this exercise, you will share one AXIS P8221 with your partner group
and create an event where you trigger the virtual input port of your own camera.
Using the virtual input port provides greater flexibility, because one trigger can be set to accomplish several
activities. By triggering the device’s virtual port, you get full access to every action available in a camera
event. The challenge is that it is a bit more time-consuming to set up because you have to configure and
set events at both the trigger device and the output device.
Once again you will be using VAPIX® and HTTP notifications. This time we will be using an
AXIS P1354 network camera as the device with an output unit connected to it, while the AXIS P8221 I/O
Audio module will have an input sensor connected to it as a trigger. In addition to the flashing LED in the
previous example, we want the AXIS P1354 to start uploading images to the local storage SD memory card
when an event is triggered.

Instructions
1. Start by performing a factory default of the AXIS P8221 when connecting it to the network. Use
AXIS Camera Management to find the AXIS P8221. Connect to it and setup an HTTP event server on
the AXIS P1354 from the AXIS P8221 interface. Give the event server a name so you can remember
what it does - for example VirtualPort.

2. The server address url is http://P1354serveraddress/axis-cgi/io/virtualinput.cgi where

P1354serveraddress is the actual IP address of the AXIS P1354. Remember to save!

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3. The next step is to create an event triggered by the pushbutton connected to the AXIS P8221. Give the
event a descriptive name, for example P1354VirtualActive. When triggered, the AXIS P8221 should
send an HTTP notification to the event server we previously configured.

4. To make the event work you need to fill in the custom parameters, where we specify which port to
trigger with the text string: action=6:/

The number for the virtual port is always 6, and we should use / to activate it. Do not forget to
save the event when you are done.

5. Since the HTTP event can only perform one task, you need to setup another event to de-activate the
port just as in the previous exercise. Repeat what you did in the previous exercise, but adapt to current
settings. Remember to use a descriptive name – for example P1354Virtualinactive.
Now you are ready with the configuration of the triggering device and it is time to move on to
configure the camera.

To make use of the added benefit of the virtual input port, we need to create an event within the
camera and define what it should do once triggered.

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6. The virtual port equals the manual trigger and the Triggered by... should be set to manual trigger.

Important
For troubleshooting, the manual trigger can be activated from the Live View – but first the button has to
be enabled in the Live View Config menu. Don’t forget to save your changes.

7. From here on, configuring the event is straightforward as with other events.

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8. When the event is triggered, video should be saved to the local storage. In addition, the output port
should be set to active and illuminate the LED. Make appropriate settings for this.

9. When all settings are complete, save the event and test it, and make sure it works as intended by
looking at the video recording.

10. After you test the event, disable the event and erase the video from the local storage.

END OF LAB

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5.10 Setting presets and guard tour

Purpose
In your AXIS P13 Series network camera, there is a menu option called PTZ. Because the camera is a
fixed box camera, this feature is in fact a digital PTZ, where only parts of the sensor are used to create a
PTZ-like effect. By using digital PTZ, we are in fact reducing the usable area of the sensor – thus lowering
the maximum resolution. While it might be difficult to find cases where such a use is really beneficial, it
serves our purpose well right now, since we are working with presets.

Instructions
1. Go to Setup > Video & Audio > Camera Settings and check the box for Enable View Area.

2. Once enabled, a new sidebar menu named View Area will appear; click on it. In the new window,
select Enable PTZ and then set the minimum video stream resolution.

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3. In the new menu, select Preset Positions and add three different presets by panning, tilting and
zooming to different positions within the field of view. It might be obvious that you should not move
the camera, but just in case: do NOT move the camera itself.

4. Return to Live View and test your presets.

5. Go back to the PTZ and Guard Tour menu and add a guard tour by selecting the presets to be included.
Note that you do not have to use all presets, that the presets can be used in random order, and that
presets can be set at different time intervals.

6. Save and close the guard tour menu. This will take you back to the main menu.

7. Start the guard tour and watch in the Live View window.

8. Explore and find out how you can activate events with Guard Tours.

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5.11 Cross-camera collaboration – PTZ

Purpose
This exercise will combine several previous lab exercises. You will be using events, HTTP notifications,
VAPIX, and PTZ presets to control a PTZ from a fixed camera. As with previous exercises, you will be
collaborating with your fellow students, using the AXIS P13 Series network camera. You should work
together on this exercise, letting one camera control the PTZ of the other.

Instructions
1. Start by disabling the PTZ functionality of one of the cameras and set the resolution to 1280*720.
Align the cameras so they have more or less the same field of view.

2. In the non-PTZ camera, create and set motion trigger zones to match the PTZ presets found in the
other AXIS P13 Series network camera in three non-overlapping zones. If the PTZ presets do overlap,
use a tool to avoid motion triggers within the area of overlap.

3. Continue by creating an HTTP recipient. Remember to give it a descriptive name. The event server resides
on the camera we are supposed to control, so the URL is the IP address of the PTZ-enabled camera,
including a call for the appropriate CGI script: http://P1354IPaddress/axis-cgi/com/ptz.cgi.
Enter the same user name and password as for the camera, just as in previous exercises. In our
context, we are not using a proxy, so all proxy fields can be left blank. Test it and you should receive a
message: Upload successful

4. The next step is to create the action rule triggered by Detectors. Set the Schedule to Always. Select
the Recipient previously configured and move on to set up the Custom Parameter. For this event,
the custom parameter name is: gotoserverpresetname and the value is set to the name of the actual
preset previously defined in the other camera.

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5. Click OK to save the event and you’re ready to try it out.

6. As in the other exercises, the HTTP only triggers the event, but it does not deactivate it. Do what you
have to do to make the camera return to home upon end of motion, then copy the events to the other
presets and try it out. Some tweaking of motion triggers might be needed for perfection, but don't
spend time on this now. Understanding event configuration is more important here.

END OF LAB

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About Axis Communications
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