How to Use a Sercomm iCamera2 as an IP Camera

11 Jul 2023, 01:01

How to Use a Sercomm iCamera2 as an IP Camera

This guide will help you reuse your Sercomm iCamera2 when you've lost the original power cable or want to use it wired.
In this guide, ill show you how to connect and set up your iCamera2, configure it as an IP camera, and troubleshoot common issues.

Guide Overview:

Step 1: Connect the iCamera2 to Your Network
Ethernet Connector Pinout for iCamera2
Step 2: Accessing the iCamera2's Web Interface
Step 3: Configuring the iCamera2 as an IP Camera
Step 4: Testing the iCamera2 IP Camera
Optional: Add to Homebridge
Additional Resources for iCamera2 Setup

Warning:

Connect the iCamera2 to Your Network
To connect the iCamera2 to your network, your going to need to DIY or buy an adapter to give the camera data and 12v power.
Plug one end of the custom Ethernet cable into the iCamera2 and the other end into your router.
*Make sure to follow the pinout guide below for the correct wiring.

Ethernet Connector Pinout for iCamera2

The Ethernet connector on the iCamera2 requires both Ethernet and 12v 1A power to run wired.

Note:

Please note that this is a custom configuration and the camera is not POE powered but 12v.

A wired connection is needed for initial configuration, after that you may use it over wifi but you still have to provide 12v with an ethernet connector.

The pinout from left to right, with the cable inserting from the bottom (tab down), is as follows:

Pin 1	Pin 2	Pin 3	Pin 4	Pin 5	Pin 6	Pin 7	Pin 8
(WO)	(OR)	(WG)	(12V)	Empty	(G)	(GND)	Empty

Pin 1	Pin 2	Pin 3	Pin 4	Pin 5	Pin 6	Pin 7	Pin 8
White-Orange	Orange	White-Green	12V Red Power	Empty	Green	Black Ground	Empty

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Here is a 3D Printable Enclosure to make a nice looking POE Box:
https://www.printables.com/model/556958 ... e-12v-case

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Amazon Affiliate Links:
Keystone Jacks: https://amzn.to/45Ty86f
12v DC Jack: https://amzn.to/47GvD8Y

Step 2: Accessing the iCamera2's Web Interface

Lets reset the camera to its defaults.

Process
-Connect the cable to the camera.
-Hold button on the back of the camera.
-Keep the button held for 30 seconds, then release it.
*You may need to power cycle the camera again without holding in the reset button if it doesn't connect to the network.

Next, you need to access the iCamera2's web interface.

Open a web browser on your computer and type in the IP address of the iCamera2.
If you don't know what the cameras IP Address is use an IP Scanner like: https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/

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Click on "Administration"
The default username is administrator. There is no password.
You will now be able to create a new admin user with a strong password.

Note: You will need to log in quickly and change the admin username and password, or ensure that the camera cannot connect to the Internet yet.
Some cameras will "phone home" and reconfigure themselves with the vendor's username & password.

Some cameras don't show the web interface by default and may show a default 404 error page.

Code: Select all

This command is used to activate the administration menu.
http://administrator@CAMERA-IP-ADDRESS/adm/enable_ui.cgi

You should see a webpage that simply says "Response OK"

Now try to access the iCamera2's web interface.

Thanks: https://github.com/edent/Sercomm-API/

Step 3: Configuring the iCamera2 as an IP Camera

Once you're in the web interface, you can configure the iCamera2 to work as an IP camera.
This may involve changing some settings, such as the camera's IP address and port number.

Step 4: Testing the iCamera2 IP Camera Setup

Finally, you should test the iCamera2 to make sure it's working correctly as an IP camera.
You can do this by accessing the camera's feed from another device on your network.

Optional: Add to Homebridge

Code: Select all

Homebridge Config
{
	"name": "<Camera Location Name>",
	"manufacturer": "Sercomm",
	"model": "iCamera2",
	"serialNumber": "<Camera Serial Here>",
	"videoConfig": {
		"source": "-i rtsp://administrator@<Camera IP>:554/img/media.sav",
		"stillImageSource": "http://administrator@<Camera IP>:554/img/snapshot.cgi",
		"audio": true
	}
}

Wired or Wi-Fi connectivity is supported!

You can configure this from the browser UI (CAMERA-IP-ADDRESS) or with a URL:

Code: Select all

Set SSID: http://CAMERA-IP-ADDRESS/adm/get_group.cgi?group=WIRELESS&wlan_essid=YOUR_WIFINAME
Set WLAN Password: http://CAMERA-IP-ADDRESS/adm/get_group.cgi?group=WIRELESS&wpa_ascii=YOUR_WIFIPASS

Thanks: https://sunoo.github.io/homebridge-came ... mera2.html

Additional Resources for iCamera2 Setup

iCamera2 Manual: https://fccid.io/P27ICAMERA2/User-Manua ... al-2410893

Adding iCamera2 to Homebridge: https://sunoo.github.io/homebridge-came ... mera2.html

For more detailed information about setting up this camera thru the Cameras API, you can visit the following link: https://github.com/edent/Sercomm-API/

► Changing Firmware

Conclusion: Successfully Setting Up Your iCamera2 as an IP Camera

That's it! You've successfully set up your iCamera2 as an IP camera.