Getting started with your 1st or 2nd Gen IP bird box cameraUpdated 2 months ago
If you've just purchased an IP bird box camera from us, this might be your first hands-on experience with a camera like it. So this article is intended to answer some common (and uncommon) questions and help you get set up, no matter which model of camera you have purchased from us or your specific requirements.
Please Note: do not install the camera before you have definitely got it connected to your internet router. If you install the camera first and then try to set it up this can make things far more difficult!
Secondly, you may ask what is an IP camera? This stands for 'internet protocol' camera, which is a device that can send images and video over the internet. The technology in these cameras is most commonly used in CCTV, but has many applications. It basically means your camera can be accessed anywhere in the world that has an internet connection (if you set it up correctly).
This guide will answer the following questions:
- Which camera do I have?
- How do I set it up?
- How to configure your camera settings
- How do other people watch it?
- Why isn't my IP bird box camera working?
- Other questions and useful guides
Which camera do I have?
Wi-Fi -
NCIP2WF or NCIP9WF
These models look identical, like in the picture below. The easiest way to tell the specific model is to look on the box the camera came in, the model code will be on the back. If you don't have the original packaging any more, try to remember the time you bought the camera. If it was purchased before December 2019, you almost certainly have an NCIP9WF. If it was purchased after December 2019 you almost certainly have an NCIP2WF.
If you are still unsure, you can find out by putting the camera into AP mode and looking at the name of the Wi-Fi network which the camera broadcasts. The NCIP2WF will broadcast a network called 'IPC_xxx', and the NCIP9WF will have a network called 'BEYE_xxx'. If the camera is already connected to your Wi-Fi you will have to completely reset the camera to put it into AP mode, so don't do this unless for some reason it is crucial that you find out what type of camera it is.
GFIP220BWF or GFIP1BWF
These cameras are white and significantly larger than the other WI-Fi cameras we offer.
Wired -
NCIP2
These cameras are green, and have an Ethernet port on the end of the cable. They also do not have an SD card slot, unlike the Wi-Fi models.
NCIP9
These cameras look very similar to the NCIP2, except they are black in colour. They also have an Ethernet port on the end of the cable, and do not have an SD card slot.
How do I set it up? (Wi-Fi)
The Wi-Fi cameras can function in 'AP mode' or when connected to a Wi-Fi network. AP stands for 'access point', which means that the camera can broadcast it's own Wi-Fi network. This is like your Wi-Fi router, but only with a range of five metres or so, and no access to the rest of the internet.
It is sometimes necessary to use AP mode at first to be able to configure it to connect to your Wi-Fi router, but it is also useful if you want to be able to place the camera somewhere without a connection to the internet; you can still access and download the recordings so long as you are quite close to the camera.
Most people prefer to connect the camera to a Wi-Fi network so they can view it remotely, share with friends and family and download the footage more easily. If you have a Wi-Fi bird box camera and would prefer to use AP mode, follow this guide.
If you would prefer to connect it to the internet, follow the relevant guide for you below:
NCIP2WF
- Android or Apple phone/tablet (recommended method)
- Android or Apple phone/tablet (alternative method)
NCIP9WF
- Android or Apple phone/tablet (recommended method)
- Android or Apple phone (old guide for XMEye)
GFIP220BWF
- Android or Apple phone/tablet
GFIP1BWF
This camera was released on a trial basis so there is not a guide written for it. However the setup method is exactly the same as the NCIP9WF.
How do I set it up? (Wired)
NCIP2 or NCIP9
- Android or Apple phone/tablet
How to configure your camera settings
Now that your camera is working and connected to your internet router, there are a few things you might need to do before installing it into your bird box!
How to insert and prepare the SD card for recording using a phone, tablet or computer
This section only applies if you have a Wi-Fi bird box camera and an SD card.
If you hold the camera with the lens facing straight upwards, the SD card needs to be inserted with the metal contacts first, facing upwards. You should feel a small amount of resistance then a click when it is locked into place. To remove the card push it further in and you will feel it click and spring out again. Do not insert the card when the camera is turned on, or it will not recognise the SD card. If you do this, just leave the card inside, and power the camera off and on again.
To prepare the SD card for recording using a mobile device, open up iCSee Pro, select your camera, then select the cog wheel icon in the top right corner. Go to Storage Management and select 'Format SD Card'. To prepare the SD card for recording using a Windows or Apple computer, open up CMS5, go to Device Config, select your camera in the menu on the left side of the screen, then Disk Manager. Select the SD card, then click 'Format' on the right side of the screen.
How do other people watch it?
Once the camera has been successfully connected to your internet router, you don't need to go through the same set up process to add it to other devices. Whether you want to view it on a phone, tablet or computer, just follow this guide. If you want to add it to a Mac computer follow this guide instead.
This will not work unless you have used one of the guides above to connect it to your internet router first.
You can also remotely watch the camera feed using some versions of Internet Explorer! This is not the recommended method, and doesn't work in other browsers unless they are very outdated, but it works perfectly well if another option is not available. Some of the cameras advanced settings which are hidden when using VMS/CMS5 or iCSee Pro are accessible using Internet Explorer. If you would like to do this, follow this guide.
If you want to share the footage with a large audience, you can live stream the camera footage onto Youtube, follow this guide to set it up.
Why isn't my IP bird box camera working?
- Cannot view the camera remotely
- Meaning of error codes in iCSee Pro and XMEye
- How to edit motion detection settings using Internet Explorer
How to reset the camera to factory defaults
If you have a Wi-Fi bird box camera, just re-set the camera by holding down the white button for 15-30 seconds until you hear the camera click.
Forgot password
If you have a Wi-Fi bird box camera, just re-set the camera by holding down the white button for 15-30 seconds until you hear the camera click. You will then need to re-connect the camera to your Wi-Fi router again. If you have a wired IP bird box camera the process is more complicated, please follow this guide instead.
Other questions and guides
Can this camera run from battery power?
Yes, you can use a rechargeable 12V battery pack to power these cameras. Alternatively, though this is not something we sell or can offer much advice on, it has been reported that these cameras can be powered using a car/motorbike battery. When combined with a solar panel this can allow for uninterrupted power, providing weather conditions are appropriate.
View on a Kindle Fire
First, set up an RTSP stream for your camera, then download the app TinyCam onto your Kindle. The RTSP stream can then be entered into the app and used to view the camera. This has been confirmed to work but is not an officially supported way of using the camera so additional information is limited.
Connect to other programs
OBS Studio (follow the first half of this guide if you just want to use OBS Studio without live streaming)
Other Useful Guides -
How to focus the camera
How to set the correct time on a phone, tablet or computer
How to enable audio on a phone, tablet or computer
Configuring recording settings using a phone or tablet
Configuring quality settings using a computer
How to save and share recordings using a phone or tablet
How to save and share recordings using a computer
How to 'snip' live videos from iCSee Pro
How to flip or reverse your camera image in iCSee Pro
Use it as a webcam
View on a smart TV
Live stream to Youtube
Using an RTSP stream
How to connect to iSpy and record (NCIP2)
Need more help?
If you need help with anything else please check out our other guides or get in contact.