Amcrest TC-1241EW-AI User manual

TC-1241EW-AI
Quick Start Guide
Version 1.0.0
February 2nd, 2023

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Contents
Overview...........................................................................................................................3
Installation.........................................................................................................................3
Initialization.......................................................................................................................4
Playback ...........................................................................................................................5
Motion Detection...............................................................................................................6
Email Alerts.......................................................................................................................7
Using Thermal AI Features................................................................................................8
How To Upgrade System Firmware...................................................................................8
FCC Statement ...............................................................................................................12
References & Contact Information...................................................................................12

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Welcome
Thank you for purchasing an Amcrest camera!
This document provides a quick setup and overviewof your device and its features. Foraccess
to a full usermanual or furtherinformation regarding yourdevice please visit:
http://amcrest.com/support
Important Safeguards and Warnings
●All installation and operations of the device should conformto your local electrical safety
codes.
●We assume no liability or responsibility for any of the fires or electrical shocks caused by
improper handling or installation.
●We are not liable for any problems caused by unauthorized modificationsor attempted
repair.
●Handle with care, avoid fromdroppingor placing the device in unsecure areas.
Overview
This hybrid thermal camera offers2 separate channels, a thermal channel and a visible channel
for dual image fusion. It offers various AI functions such as IVS for increased perimeter
protection, call detection, smoking detection, and other features necessary for short-distance
protection and monitoring. The device is perfect for factories, parking lots, villas, and more.
The camera features 1 IR LED which allows the camera to detectobjects fromup to 98ft away as
well as a designated warning light that can be set to flash and act as a deterrent once certain
rulesare triggered. The camera can be accessed in most mainstream web browsers however,
for optimal use, it is highly recommended to use IE mode in Microsoft Edge as most options
and smart thermal features require the use of a .exe plugin. However, the camera features
flexible storage options to store recordingsto a microSD card (up to 256GB) or SFTP/FTP, all
these features can be accessed and customized using a web browser.
Installation
Before setting up your camera, please ensure the installation surface can supportat least 3 times
the weight of the camera.
MicroSD Card Installation
The camera is compatible with up to a 256GBmicroSD card. Please make sure the microSD
card is rated class 10 or above and properly formatted before installing into the camera.
1. Remove the hatch on thecamera and locate the microSD card slot.
2. Insert the microSD card into the slot and press in to secure.
3. Place thehatch back onto the camera and tightly secure.
Camera Installation
Included with your camera is an installation bracket that can be used to mount your camera to an
installation surface. As stated, please make sure the installation surface can support at least 3
times the weight of the bracket and camera. For more information, please refer to the installation
guide included with this device.
Note: When installing the camera, please make sure to position the viewing angle of the camera
in a manner that is optimal for capturing thermal data. A junction boxor wall mount can be
applied however will be sold separately.

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1. Apply the installation sticker to the
mounting surface.Use a drillhead to drill the
holeson the sticker and insert the wall
anchors. Please note, a 1” paddle bit can be
used to run any cabling through the surface.
2. Use the included torx wrench to remove the
camera fromthe installation bracket.
3. Align the holesof the installation bracket to
the holes provided on the installation sticker
and wall anchors. Connect any wiring, apply
the installation bracket to the surface and
secure using the provided installation screws.
Place the turret cover over the camera.
4. Adjust the camera to a desired position and
use the torx wrench to secure the camera to
the installation bracket.
Initialization
The camera can be accessed in a web browser using an IP address. The IP address for your
camera can be located using the Amcrest IP config tool, before locating the IP address,please
make sure the camera and the computer are on thesame network.To download the Amcrest IP
config tool, please visit amcrest.com/downloads and download the IP config software.
After obtaining the IP address,the camera can be viewed using most mainstream web browsers,
such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, etc., however most thermal features will
require the use of a .exe plugin. For an optimal experience it is highlyrecommended to use
IE mode in Edge or otherbrowseroption that supports this function. Please ensure all
plugins are allowed and running before initialization is complete. To begin, enter the IP address
for your camera into the browser.
Enter the a unique password for the camera into the modify password menu and click Save. This
will be the password used to access your camera, the default username will be admin. Once the
password has been entered, you will be directed to the live view interface.

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Live View
The live view interface allows you to view and monitor real time visual and thermal data detected
by the camera. These feeds willbe represented as separate channels within the camera.
Playback
The playback menu allows the user to search and view events captured by the camera. This
includes motion detection and continuous recording events. Please make sure a microSD card is
inserted into the camera before using this feature.

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The events retained in this menu can be related to both visual and thermal events. By default,
the file list will be set to view visual events, however, to view thermal events, selectthe Thermal
option located in the channel field. Please note, files related to thermal AI events will be indicated
as red, motion detection events will be yellow, and continuous recordings will be green.
Use the included calendar to select a date of the events. Please note, days with data applied to
them will be highlighted green. Clickon File List to display the events in the file list, double click
on the event to viewit. To download an event, click the download icon and allow theevent to
download to your computer. Please note, events will be stored to the file path destination
displayed in the Path menu of the device. For more details on playback, please visit
amcrest.com/support.
Motion Detection
The camera will be set to record both channels by default once an event is detected. However,
certain features, such as email alerts, can be enabled which can allow snapshots of the motion
detection events to be emailed after it has been detected. To access the motion detection menu,
click Setup>>Event>>Video Detection to access the motion detection tab.
A motion detection schedule can be enabled as well which will allow the camera only to trigger
motion events at specific points in the day. To create a motion detection schedule, click the
Setting option next to schedule.A total of 6 periodscan apply to a schedule. To apply each time
to all days of the week, select Copy All.
By default, motion detection will be set to trigger 24/7 however, however to just this, select a
specific day fromthe list, select a time bar fromthis selection and use your mouse to adjust the

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time accordingly. Click Save to save and apply the motion detection schedule. If any adjustments
have been made, click Save.
Email Alerts
The email alerts option provides a solution that will allow you to receive email notifications of any
motion detection, AI events, or other features are triggered. Asnapshot of the event can be
emailed after a valid email addresshas been registered in the system. Please note, in this
example we are using Gmail.
1. Navigate to Setup>>Network>>Email(SMTP)
2. Select your email provider, which in this case is Google. The SMTP server, authentication, and
port number will be imported for you.
3. Enter the email addressinto the username field.
4. Enter a generated password (provided by Google) for your email address into the password
field. To obtain thispassword, access your Gmail account and select Manage YourGoogle
Account. Select Security and click on App passwords (please make sure 2-factor
authentication is established before entering). Enter the password for your email and click Next.
Select the Custom option, enter a name for the authentication, and click Generate. Use this
password for email alerts.
5. Enter the email addressof the sender into the Senderfield.
6. Enter the email addressof the receiver into the Mail Receiver field and click the “+” button to
import.
7. Click Save, then click Test to test the connection.

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Using Thermal AI Features
The camera comes equipped with the following AI features, IVS, fire detection, call detection,
smoking detection, hottrace, and picturein picture. An activated warning light can be activated
once an AI rule is triggered. For more information on these featuresplease refer to the table
provided below.
Feature
Description
Smart Plan
Acts as a ‘master switch’ for AI features. Each smart plan is applicable
to specific channelsinside the camera and must be enabled for the
feature to properly function excluding fire detection, hot trace, and
picture-in-picture.
IVS
IVS features, such as tripwire and intrusion, are used to enhance
perimeter protection. These featuresare setup using the visual
channel.
Fire Detection
This feature allows the camera to detect high heat in the area. By
default, anti-jamming mode will be enabled which allows the camera
to only exclude objects with continuous levels of high temperatures
such as a boiler or similar object. However, high response mode can
also be enabled which allows the camera to detect any firedanger
detected by the camera.
Call Detection
This feature allows the camera to trigger an event if a person in the
frame is actively using a cell phone.
Smoking Detection
This feature allows the camera to trigger an event If it detects a
human in the frame lighting an object such as a cigarette, cigar, etc.
Thisrule can only be activated on the thermal channel(channel 2) in
the smart plan menu.
Hot Trace
This feature allows the user to enable a color palette for the thermal
channel automatically or manually. If using a manual hot trace, use
the high CTMaker Color and LowCTMaker Color dropdown menus to
select a color for these thermal readings.
Picture-in-Picture
This feature allows the user to enable or disable a thermal image to be
displayed in thevisual feed.
When enabling an AI feature, a smart plan must be saved and applied in the system. Features
such as fire detection, hot trace, and picture-in-picture do not require asmart plan. For more
information on the features included with this device please visit, amcrest.com/support.
How To Upgrade System Firmware
Keeping the firmware on your camera up to date is an important part of overall system health.
For security purposes, it is highly recommended to upgrade the firmware on your device every
time a new firmware is available. To locate the most up to date firmware for your device please
visit https://amcrest.com/firmware
1. Download the .bin file for your camera from https://amcrest.com/firmware
2. Open your camera in a web browser and navigate to Setup>> System>>Upgrade.
3. Click Import and locate the .bin file on your computer.
4. Click Upgrade and allow the camera to upgrade.
Accessing the Web User Interface Remotely
For the purposesof this guide, we will outline the most common method for setting up web
access. Port forwarding using the HTTPprotocol and using Dynamic Domain Name Server
(DDNS) is the easiest way to setup stable remote access.

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For this method,you should have direct access to your router as well as the ability to port
forward the device using the router’s built-in interface. Below is a step-by-step walk through
those details howto setup the camera for remote web access using DDNS.
1. Log into the web UI and navigate to Setup>>Network>>Connection.
It is recommended to ensure the port number is at least 5 digits long to prevent any port conflicts.
You can change the port to any 5-digit number that is less than 65535 (e.g.12345) byclicking the
number field and entering a new port number. Write it down, then click Save.
2. The system will need to reboot for this change to take effect. Click OK.
3. Oncethe camera has come back online,log back into the web UI and navigate back to the
Connection menu to verify the HTTP port has been updated properly.

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4. Access your router's user interface and port forward the device using the HTTPport
information displayed in the system. Every router'sport forwarding protocols are unique. For
more information on how to port forward your specific device, please visit portforward.comor
refer to theuser manual for your specificrouter.
Note: When port forwarding the camera in your router, make sure to use the TCP, UDP and
updated HTTPprotocols displayed in the camera. If DDNS is not an option, the device can be
accessed remotely using the public IP address for your networkand the HTTP port used that
was port forwarded in your router. To locate your public IP address and verify the connectivity of
your system, please visit: canyouseeme.org
5. Click on the DDNS menu located in the Network tab. In the DDNS menu, click on the Type
checkbox to enable DDNS. Make sure the AMCREST DDNS type is selectedand a host name
for the camera (one you create) is entered in the HostName field. As an example, the hostname
will be in the following format: mynewcamera.amcrestddns.com
Enter the username and password and click Save.
Accessing the Device Remotely
After setting up the camera in the previous stepsprovided, open a web browser and enter in the
DDNS domain name address previously setup for your CAMERA.
For example, if the DDNS domain name is http://abc123456789.amcrestddns.comand your
HTTPPort is 12345, the URL would be http://abc123456789.amcrestddns.com:12345
Amcrest View Pro App Setup
The thermal camera can be added to the Amcrest View Pro app if needed, however,is only
applicable to live view and playback. The app can playback the visual or thermal channel if
needed.
The Amcrest View Pro app can be downloaded in both the App Store and Play Store.
The following steps will continue the app setup processfor an Android phone and, though the
iPhone version of the app has slightly different steps, most of this process is identical and easy.
Download and install the Amcrest View Pro app for the App Store or Google Play Store.
Open the app on your mobile device and allow the app to load.