1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. StarDot Technologies Manuals
  4. Security Camera
  5. NetCam XL
  6. User manual

StarDot Technologies netcam XL User Manual

Stardot technologies netcam xl user's manual
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

netcam
XL
User's Manual
w w w . s t a r d o t - t e c h . c o m

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for StarDot Technologies netcam XL

Summary of Contents for StarDot Technologies netcam XL

  • Page 1 netcam User’s Manual w w w . s t a r d o t - t e c h . c o m...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Chapter 1 Configuration...5 1.1 Before You Start ..5 1.2 What’s Included and What’s Required ...5 1.3 Parts of NetCam ...6 1.4 Connecting NetCam to a Network ...6 1.5 An Overview of Network Connectivity ..7 1.6 Connecting NetCam to a Modem ..9 Chapter 2 Installation ...10 2.1 Installing NetCam ..10 2.2 Outdoor Environment ..11 Chapter 3 Accessing NetCam ...12 3.1 Viewing NetCam’s Images ...12 3.2 Accessing NetCam’s Configuration Menus .
  • Page 4 Page 4 NetCam XL...

  • Page 5: Chapter 1 Configuration

    Congratulations on your purchase of a StarDot NetCam XL network camera with integrated web server. The NetCam XL provides the highest quality live still images and video in a remote camera that can be connected to a network or a modem. With proper usage, NetCam will provide many years of quality remote imaging.

  • Page 6: Parts Of Netcam

    Parts of NetCam Network Activity LED NET (Ethernet Port) Used to Connect NetCam to a Network Connecting NetCam to a Network The StarDot Tools software can be used find NetCam’s IP address or to configure NetCam with a Setup Wizard.  Install the StarDot Tools software by inserting the CD-ROM and running setup.exe (it should run automatically).

  • Page 7: An Overview Of Network Connectivity

    12VDC Power Supply (Included) Plugs Into Combo Ethernet/Power Cabl Router, Switch or Hub (Not Included) An Overview of Network Connectivity A LAN or network connection is the simplest configuration for NetCam. NetCam simply needs an IP address (and other networking parameters) to make the live images and configuration menus accessible from any web browser on the network.
  • Page 8 If you are installing NetCam on a company network, you will probably want to get this information from your system administrator. The easiest way to configure NetCam manually is to connect NetCam to a serial port on your computer. Plug one end of the null modem serial cable into the S1 port on the back of NetCam and the other end into an available 9-pin serial port on the back of your computer.

  • Page 9: Connecting Netcam To A Modem

    Connecting NetCam to a Modem In order to use NetCam with an analog phone line, you will need the Dial-Out NetCam package (CAM-XLxxx-02, which comes with an external modem and cable), a dial-up ISP account, and an analog phone line.  Install the StarDot Tools software by inserting the included CD-ROM and running setup.exe.

  • Page 10: Chapter 2 Installation

    Chapter 2 Before installing NetCam in its final location, it is important to configure and test it first (see Chapter 1). Installing NetCam Ethernet Connection If NetCam will be connected directly to an Ethernet network, measure the distance from NetCam to the nearest Ethernet hub or switch. This distance should not exceed 300 feet.

  • Page 11: Outdoor Environment

    Mounting the Camera To mount NetCam outdoors, it must first be encased in an outdoor enclosure (different models are available from StarDot Technologies, see http://www.stardot-tech.com/netcamxl). Install NetCam in an outdoor enclosure and adjust the internal mount so NetCam’s lens is up against the enclosure window.

  • Page 13: Accessing Netcam's Configuration Menus

    Accessing NetCam’s Configuration Menus Virtually any web browser can be used to access NetCam’s configu- ration menus. To access these menus, type NetCam’s IP address in your browser’s address bar (example: http://192.168.1.5). This will bring up the live image page. Click on the Configuration link. You will be prompted for a User Name and Password.
  • Page 14 the image exposure based on the overall brightness of the image. The following functions are only implemented when Auto Exposure is enabled. • Brightness - The higher the number, the brighter the picture. This is the target for the auto exposure code. •...

  • Page 15: Manual Exposure

    This is due to the way color is calculated with digital image sensors. The largest “high quality” image on NetCam XL 640 is 320x240. On NetCam XL 1.3MP, it’s 640x480 and on the NetCam XL 3MP, it’s 1024x768.

  • Page 16: Jpeg Quality

    Saturation This represents the amount of color in the image. The higher the number, the more saturated the color. Haze This represents the amount of haze subtraction. The higher the value, the more haze is subtracted and the image results in higher contrast. Using the Auto Haze function is recommended over setting the haze manually.
  • Page 17 R - This represents the amount of red skew in the image. G - This represents the amount of green skew in the image. B - This represents the amount of blue skew in the image. The recommended setting is auto color balance with Average selected.

  • Page 18: Overlay Properties

    For instance, %d inserts the current day of the month on the live image. There is a complete list of markup characters below and a mini reference on the Overlay page itself. Default: NetCam XL %a %b %d %H:%M:%S %Y Exposure: $e Scale The size of the font can be scaled from 1x (smallest size) to 4x (largest size).
  • Page 19 useful for archiving images with unique filenames (based on the current date and time, for instance). Date Markups Year, Four-Digit [2000-2199] Year, Two-Digit [00-99] Month, Numerical [01-12] Month, Full [January-December] Month, Abbreviated [Jan-Dec] Week of Year (Starting with Sunday) [00-53] Week of Year (Starting with Monday) [00-53] Day of Month [01-31] Day of Week, Numerical (Sunday=0) [0-6]...
  • Page 20 Page 20 Page XL XL XL XL XL XL XL XL XL XL XL XL XL NetCam XL...

  • Page 21: Ftp Properties

    FTP Properties The FTP Properties instruct NetCam to upload images to a remote server. After making changes, click the Apply button to save the settings in the camera. FTP Upload FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, one of the most popular methods for transferring files over the Internet.
  • Page 22 Path/File This field combines two elements, the image filename, preceded by an optional path or directory. Consult with your hosting company to determine if you need to specify a path. If you don’t, you simply put the desired name of the image file here. Example Without Path: netcam.jpg Example With Path: /html/images/netcam.jpg Advanced Fields...
  • Page 23 Secondary Path/File NetCam can optionally upload the image with a separate path and/or filename from the Path/File above. This provides a very convenient way to archive images on your server while still maintaining a statically named live image. One way to do this is to include date/time markup characters as part of the filename.
  • Page 24 Keep in mind that the overhead of FTP doesn’t allow for the same update rates that you see when accessing NetCam directly with a browser. It is safe to say that FTP restricts 320x240 uploads to once every 1-3 seconds, even on a DSL or cable connection.

  • Page 25: Applet Properties

    Applet Properties The Applet/Web Properties page contains information for customizing the NetCam image-viewing Java applet. After making changes, click the Apply button to save the settings in the camera. IMAGE VIEWER JAVA APPLET The live images on the main NetCam web page are presented with the aid of a Java applet called Capture Client.

  • Page 26: Date/Time Properties

    Date/Time Properties The Date/Time Properties allow you to set the date and time in NetCam. After making changes, click the Apply button to save the settings in the camera. Setting the Date and Time Automatic vs. Manual - For the most accurate date & time, having NetCam automatically synchronize with a network time server is recommended.
  • Page 27 also manually modify the time and date in the Date/Time box. In either case, be sure to hit the Apply button after you’ve set the time. TIME ZONE NetCam integrates your current time zone into the time/date string and can even automatically adjust for daylight savings time. Type in the time zone code from the list on this page.

  • Page 28: Network Properties

    Network Properties The Network Properties page contains all the IP configuration information for setting up NetCam on a network. After making changes, click the Apply button to save the settings in the camera. Ethernet If your network is Ethernet-based (LAN, cable modem, DSL), use the NET port on the back of NetCam to access the camera.
  • Page 29 to use. If you are setting up NetCam behind a residential gateway or cable/DSL router, your IP address will probably be something similar to 192.168.1.5. • Subnet Mask - Find out your netmask from your network ad- ministrator. If you’re on a private network, your netmask will almost always be 255.255.255.0.

  • Page 30: Dial-Out Properties

    Dial-Out Properties The Dial-Out Properties page contains all the ISP dial-up configuration information for setting up NetCam on a dial-up modem. After making changes, click the Apply button to save the settings in the camera. Internet Dial-Out Connection (PPP) If NetCam’s primary connection to the Internet will be a dial-up modem connection to the Internet, enter your ISP (Internet Service Provider) account information here.
  • Page 31 , = pause one second # = same as # button on phone * = same as * button on phone Timeout NetCam will attempt to dial up the ISP for the specified number of seconds. If NetCam is unable to connect during this time period, it will stop and start over again.

  • Page 32: Security Properties

    3.10 Security Properties The Security properties page contains user/password information for securing NetCam from unwanted visitors. NetCam Users NetCam has its own multi-user capable, password protected operating system. By default, the live images can be viewed by anyone and only the configuration pages are password protected.

  • Page 33: Advanced Menu

    Adding a New User To add a user to the Users list, type in the desired username in the Name field. Type and retype a password in the Password fields. Click the Add/Modify button. New users will only have viewing rights; only the admin user can make configuration changes in the camera.

  • Page 34: Trigger Properties

    3.12 Trigger Properties The trigger menu allows you set up NetCam to capture and upload a series of images based on a triggered event using the input ports on the back of the camera. Trigger Overview By connecting an alarm system, motion detector or other type of sensor to the back of NetCam, it is possible to gather a series of images when the sensor “triggers”...
  • Page 35 I/O Level Select the state of your trigger source’s output. SCHEDULE NetCam can wait in trigger-capture/upload mode 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or you can set whatever time window and days of the week you like. Use military time for the beginning and ending window times.
  • Page 36 Delay The number of milliseconds to delay between image captures. For the fastest possible frame rate, set this to 33. Viewing other video sources during the triggered capture will affect the recording speed. Assuming no other video sources are being viewed/uploaded, here are some example frames rates for a single triggered video source: 33 ms = 30 Frames Per Second (Max Speed) 250 ms = 4 FPS...
  • Page 37 unsure if you need passive mode, it is usually safe to enable it anyway. Default: On Timeout If the FTP process hasn’t completed within the time specified here, the Express 1 will attempt to restart the process. Default: 120 UPLOAD VIA SMTP (EMAIL) If you prefer the event-triggered image captures be e-mailed, select this option.

  • Page 38: Dynamic Dns

    3.13 Dynamic DNS If NetCam is behind a DSL or cable modem connection and the public IP address changes, you can use tzo.com as a dynamic DNS service. This maps your dynamic (i.e. always changing) IP address to a static hostname of your choice (i.e.

  • Page 39: Chapter 4 Imaging Tips

    Chapter 4 As is the case with any camera, whether digital or film-based, steps can be taken that will great improve image quality. NetCam is no exception to this rule. The following tips will help you achieve the best possible images with NetCam.
  • Page 40 The Sun If possible, aim NetCam so that it never points directly into the sun. The best direction is north or south. If you must point the camera in a western or eastern direction, try to get as little sky as possible in the image. What you want to avoid is direct sunlight -- as with any camera, or your eyes for that matter, looking into the sun produces some of the worst images.

  • Page 41: Image Processing Options

    Image Processing Options The images produced by NetCam are processed and compressed inside the camera. Many options that affect the quality of the image are available on the Image Properties Page -- the important ones are listed here (for a complete list, see Chapter 2.1).

  • Page 42: Chapter 5 Netcam Lenses

    Chapter 5 The Focus Ring NetCam ships with a pre-focused lens. Most lenses available for NetCam also have a focus ring which allows you to focus the lens for a closer subject. The focus ring may be marked in meters: 0.2m -- 0.3 -- 0.4 -- 0.5 -- 1.0 -- oo The oo stands for infinity.
  • Page 43 it from StarDot, it will be noted on the packaging. The only difference between a C-Mount lens and CS-Mount lens is the C-Mount lens requires a 5mm spacer between the lens and the chrome back-focus ring (the spacer is included with the standard 8mm C-Mount lens that ships with NetCam).

  • Page 44: Troubleshooting Guide

    4. Telnet to NetCam and type ftpscript ftp0.scr and press Enter. Watch the results for errors. Technical Support Technical support for NetCam customers is available directly from StarDot Technologies. Answers to most questions can be found at our web site at http://www.stardot-tech.com. Technical Support and Software/Firmware Downloads http://www.stardot-tech.com/netcam Technical Support via E-mail help@stardot-tech.com...

  • Page 45: Specifications

    Specifications TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Image Sensor Sensitivity Exposure Imaging Features Image Compression Frame Rate Typical File Sizes Network Connection Network Protocols Supported Serial Connection I/O Connectors Internal Operating System Security Operating Temperature Dimensions Weight EMI Approval Power Requirements FCC STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
  • Page 46 6820-H Orangethorpe Ave Buena Park, CA 90620 U.S.A. 714-228-9282 • Fax: 714-228-9283 E-mail: info@stardot-tech.com http://www.stardot-tech.com © Copyright 2001-2006 StarDot Technologies [netcam xl manual.indd]...

Table of Contents