FLIR TCX series User manual

Instruction Manual
FLIR TCX Thermal Cameras


Instruction Manual
FLIR TCX Thermal
Cameras
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US iii


Table of contents
1 Overview ..........................................................................................1
2 Thermal Imaging Overview .................................................................2
3 Tri-Mode IP/MPX/Analog Overview.......................................................3
3.1 Connecting the Camera ............................................................. 3
4 Web Configuration Setup ...................................................................5
4.1 Supported Browsers.................................................................. 5
4.2 Internet Explorer Setup .............................................................. 5
4.3 Safari Setup.............................................................................5
4.4 Firefox Setup ...........................................................................6
4.5 Google Chrome Setup ...............................................................6
5 Live View..........................................................................................8
5.1 PTZ Control Panel (PTZ Cameras Only)......................................... 9
5.1.1 PTZ Controls............................................................... 10
5.1.2 Scan ......................................................................... 10
5.1.3 Preset........................................................................ 10
5.1.4 Pattern....................................................................... 11
5.1.5 Goto.......................................................................... 11
5.1.6 Pan ........................................................................... 12
5.1.7 Tour .......................................................................... 12
6 Setup ............................................................................................. 13
6.1 Camera ................................................................................ 13
6.1.1 Settings ..................................................................... 13
6.1.2 Region of Interest (ROI) ................................................. 19
6.1.3 Setting ROI to Match Motion Detection Areas ..................... 20
6.1.4 Video......................................................................... 21
6.1.5 Snapshot.................................................................... 22
6.1.6 Overlay ...................................................................... 23
6.1.7 Privacy Masking........................................................... 24
6.1.8 PTZ Speed ................................................................. 25
6.1.9 Idle Motion.................................................................. 25
6.1.10 Power Up ................................................................... 26
6.1.11 PTZ Restart ................................................................ 27
6.1.12 Default....................................................................... 27
6.1.13 Path .......................................................................... 28
6.1.14 Audio......................................................................... 29
6.2 Network................................................................................ 29
6.2.1 TCP-IP....................................................................... 29
6.2.2 Connection ................................................................. 30
6.2.3 ONVIF ....................................................................... 31
6.2.4 PPPoE....................................................................... 31
6.2.5 DDNS........................................................................ 32
6.2.6 IP Filter ...................................................................... 32
6.2.7 SMTP (Email).............................................................. 33
6.2.8 UPnP......................................................................... 34
6.2.9 Bonjour (unsupported) .................................................. 34
6.2.10 Multicast (Advanced) .................................................... 34
6.2.11 QoS (Service Only)....................................................... 35
6.3 PTZ ..................................................................................... 35
6.3.1 Preset........................................................................ 35
6.3.2 Tour .......................................................................... 36
6.3.3 Scan ......................................................................... 37
6.3.4 Pattern....................................................................... 37
6.3.5 Pan ........................................................................... 38
6.4 Event ................................................................................... 38
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US v

Table of contents
6.4.1 Motion Detect.............................................................. 38
6.4.2 Relay Activation (Cameras with Alarm I/O Only) .................. 40
6.4.3 System Alerts .............................................................. 41
6.4.4 Network ..................................................................... 45
6.4.5 Illegal Access .............................................................. 45
6.5 Storage ................................................................................ 46
6.5.1 Record Schedule ......................................................... 46
6.5.2 Snapshot Schedule ...................................................... 47
6.5.3 Holiday Schedule ......................................................... 48
6.5.4 Path .......................................................................... 48
6.5.5 Local ......................................................................... 49
6.5.6 FTP........................................................................... 49
6.5.7 NFS .......................................................................... 49
6.5.8 SMB.......................................................................... 50
6.5.9 Record Control ............................................................ 50
6.6 System................................................................................. 51
6.6.1 General...................................................................... 51
6.6.2 Date & Time................................................................ 51
6.6.3 Account ..................................................................... 52
6.6.4 Default....................................................................... 54
6.6.5 Import / Export............................................................. 55
6.6.6 Auto Maintain .............................................................. 55
6.6.7 Upgrade..................................................................... 56
6.7 Information ............................................................................ 56
6.7.1 Version ...................................................................... 56
6.7.2 Log ........................................................................... 57
7 Playback (Cameras with microSD only).............................................. 58
7.1 Playback Controls ................................................................... 59
7.2 Backing up Video Files............................................................. 59
8 Connecting a Camera in MPX Mode ................................................... 61
8.1 MPX On-Screen Display (OSD).................................................. 61
8.1.1 Accessing the OSD Menu .............................................. 61
8.1.2 OSD Menu Tree ........................................................... 63
9 Connecting to Cameras with FLIR Cloud™ CMS .................................. 67
9.1 System Requirements.............................................................. 67
9.2 Installing FLIR Cloud™ Client .................................................... 67
9.3 Adding a Camera over the Local Network (LAN) ............................ 68
9.4 Adding a Camera over the Internet using a DDNS Address .............. 69
10 Using FLIR Cloud™ Client for PC or Mac ............................................ 72
10.1 Home Page ........................................................................... 72
10.2 Live View .............................................................................. 72
10.2.1 Live View Controls........................................................ 73
10.2.2 Opening Live View in Multiple Monitors ............................. 74
10.3 Controlling PTZ Cameras ......................................................... 75
10.3.1 PTZ Presets................................................................ 76
10.3.2 PTZ Tours................................................................... 76
10.3.3 PTZ Pattern ................................................................ 77
10.3.4 PTZ Scan ................................................................... 78
10.3.5 PTZ Pan..................................................................... 78
10.4 Playback............................................................................... 78
10.5 Playback Controls ................................................................... 80
10.6 Downloading Video to your Computer Hard Drive........................... 81
10.7 Alarm ................................................................................... 81
10.8 Log...................................................................................... 82
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US vi

Table of contents
10.9 E-map .................................................................................. 83
10.10 Devices ................................................................................ 85
10.11 Device Config ........................................................................ 85
10.12 Alarm CFG ............................................................................ 86
10.13 Tour & Task............................................................................ 88
10.14 Account................................................................................ 89
10.14.1 Managing User Accounts ............................................... 89
10.14.2 Managing Roles........................................................... 91
10.15 General ................................................................................ 91
10.15.1 Basic......................................................................... 92
10.15.2 File ........................................................................... 92
10.15.3 Alarm Prompt .............................................................. 93
10.15.4 Version ...................................................................... 93
11 Smartphone and Tablet Apps ............................................................ 95
11.1 iPhone.................................................................................. 95
11.1.1 Prerequisites............................................................... 95
11.1.2 Connecting to Your Network Camera on an iPhone .............. 96
11.1.3 Live View Interface ....................................................... 97
11.1.4 Controlling PTZ Cameras............................................... 98
11.1.5 Viewing Snapshots and Videos with Local Files .................. 99
11.1.6 Using Playback Mode on iPhone ................................... 100
11.1.7 Enabling Push Notifications .......................................... 103
11.1.8 Using the Event List .................................................... 104
11.1.9 Using Favorites.......................................................... 104
11.1.10 Using the E-Map ........................................................ 106
11.1.11 Device Manager......................................................... 108
11.2 iPad................................................................................... 108
11.2.1 Prerequisites............................................................. 108
11.2.2 Connecting to your network Camera on an iPad ................ 108
11.2.3 Live View Interface ..................................................... 109
11.2.4 Controlling PTZ Cameras............................................. 111
11.2.5 Using Playback Mode on iPad....................................... 112
11.2.6 Using Local Files to View Manual Recordings................... 113
11.2.7 Enabling Push Notifications .......................................... 114
11.2.8 Using the Event List .................................................... 117
11.2.9 Using Favorites.......................................................... 118
11.2.10 Using the E-Map ........................................................ 119
11.2.11 Using the Device Manager ........................................... 122
11.3 Android .............................................................................. 123
11.3.1 Prerequisites............................................................. 123
11.3.2 Connecting to Your Network Camera on Android ............... 123
11.3.3 Live View Interface ..................................................... 123
11.3.4 Controlling PTZ Cameras............................................. 125
11.3.5 Viewing Snapshots and Videos with Local Files ................ 125
11.3.6 Using Playback Mode on Android .................................. 126
11.3.7 Enabling Push Notifications .......................................... 128
11.3.8 Using the Event List .................................................... 130
11.3.9 Using Favorites.......................................................... 130
11.3.10 Using the E-Map ........................................................ 132
11.3.11 Device Manager......................................................... 134
12 RTSP Streaming (Advanced)........................................................... 135
13 Firmware Upgrade Tool .................................................................. 137
13.1 Installing a Firmware Upgrade Over the LAN............................... 137
13.2 Installing a Firmware Upgrade Over the Internet........................... 138
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US vii


Overview
1
This manual covers the following topics related to your FLIR TCX Series thermal camera:
•Web browser configuration interface: See 4 Web Configuration Setup, page 5.
•Firmware upgrade tool: See 13 Firmware Upgrade Tool, page 137.
•Central Management Software for PC / Mac: See 9 Connecting to Cameras with
FLIR Cloud™ CMS, page 67.
•Smartphone / tablet apps: See 11 Smartphone and Tablet Apps, page 95.
NOTE
• For physical installation instructions, please refer to the Quick Connection Guide for your camera
model.
• Some settings described in this manual may not be available depending on the features supported
by your camera model.
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 1

Thermal Imaging Overview
2
The Tri-Mode IP/MPX/Analog Thermal camera is a state-of-the-art thermal imaging de-
vice that will provide excellent night visibility and situational awareness without any form
of natural or artificial illumination. The sensors do not produce images from visible light
like an ordinary camera or the human eye does. Thermal cameras use energy in the in-
frared band to produce images by sensing subtle differences in temperature and gener-
ating images based on those differences.
By using a thermal camera, you are viewing heat, not light. If there is a person in the live
view image, you can see there is a person, but identifying who that person is may be im-
possible regardless of the resolution of your thermal sensor. Similarly, while a higher res-
olution sensor will detect a person at a greater distance, a low resolution sensor in many
cases will still detect the same motion.
The thermal imaging sensor relies on the fact that all objects, even very cold objects like
ice, emit thermal energy in the portion of the spectrum that the sensor can detect, the
long wave infrared (LWIR). Therefore, unlike a visible-light camera, the thermal imaging
sensor produces images based on directly radiated rather than reflected energy.
Any scene displayed by the sensor contains a range of thermal energy (temperatures),
from the lowest to the highest, that is present in the scene. These temperatures are
grouped by the sensor into a maximum of 256 “shades of gray” based on the thermal im-
age processing settings. Since the TCX Series camera is sensitive enough to distinguish
many more than 256 different temperatures, each “shade of gray” will represent a range
of temperatures.
For example, in a simplistic case, an image comprised of 60% sky (very cold) will devote
60% of the available “shades of gray” to the sky, leaving only 40% for the remainder of
the image. The temperature range assigned to each “shade of gray” is controlled by the
choices in the Camera Settings menu or the MPX on-screen display (OSD).
FLIR Systems, Inc. offers a comprehensive selection of training courses to help you to
get the best performance and value from your TCX Series cameras. You can find out
more at www.flir.com/training.
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 2

Tri-Mode IP/MPX/Analog
Overview
3
The cameras offer three video output modes: standard analog, high definition (MPX),
and IP.
•IP / PoE: Provides high definition video output through Ethernet. If you are not using
PoE, make sure to connect the camera to a power source.
•MPX: Provides high definition video output through a BNC connector. To use MPX
mode, insert the MPX terminator into the camera’s Ethernet cable before you power
on the camera. When the terminator is installed, IP / PoE mode is not available. If the
camera is powered up without the terminator installed, IP and analog mode is enabled.
MPX terminator
•Analog: Provides high definition video output through a BNC connector.
NOTE
After the camera is powered on, it may take up to 2 minutes for the camera to fully boot up and show a
picture.
3.1 Connecting the Camera
NOTE
Actual alarm lead configuration may differ from the configurations shown below. Always refer to the
alarm lead tag for a full description.
Mid Bullet Alarm
The camera can activate an external alarm with an output signal when provided with an
external voltage from an alarm receiving device. The camera can accommodate a DC
powered device (maximum 2 A @ 30 Vdc) or an AC powered device (maximum 0.5 A @
125 Vac). When an alarm event occurs, the camera closes an internal relay which com-
pletes the circuit. The camera can only operate as a normally open (NO) switch device.
1. ALARM_COM
2. ALARM_NO
The camera can receive two external alarms with input signals provided by an exter-
nal switch closure. The camera provides two TTL voltage circuits (maximum 5 Vdc).
When the camera senses an external switch closure (which completes the circuit),
an alarm event occurs. The camera can be configured to sense input signals either
as normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC).
3. ALARM_IN1
4. ALARM_IN2
5. ALARM_GND
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 3

Tri-Mode IP/MPX/Analog Overview
3
PTZ Alarm
The camera can activate an external alarm with an output signal when provided with an
external voltage from an alarm receiving device. The camera can accommodate a DC
powered device (maximum 2 A @ 30 Vdc) or an AC powered device (maximum 0.5 A @
125 Vac). When an alarm event occurs, the camera closes an internal relay which com-
pletes the circuit. The camera can only operate as a normally open (NO) switch device.
1. ALARMOUT_1
2. ALARMCOM_1
The camera can receive two external alarms with input signals provided by an exter-
nal switch closure. The camera provides two TTL voltage circuits (maximum 5 Vdc).
When the camera senses an external switch closure (which completes the circuit),
an alarm event occurs. The camera can be configured to sense input signals either
as normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC).
3. ALARMGND
4. ALARMIN_1
5. ALARMIN_2
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 4

Web Configuration Setup
4
The camera includes a built-in web interface that can be accessed using a web browser.
4.1 Supported Browsers
• Google Chrome™, Mozilla Firefox®, and Apple Safari® (via Webplugin)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer® 8.0 or later, 32-bit version (via ActiveX®)
4.2 Internet Explorer Setup
1. Open Internet Explorer® and enter the camera’s IP address in the address bar in the
following format: http://IP address:HTTP Port.
• For example: http://192.168.0.100:80
• The IP address can be found using the FLIR Cloud CMS. See 9.3 Adding a Cam-
era over the Local Network (LAN), page 68 for details.
2. A notification bar appears asking if you would like to install ActiveX® plugins. Click
Install or Allow to install the plugins.
3. Enter the camera user name (default: admin) and password (default: admin) and
click Login.
4.3 Safari Setup
1. Open Safari® and enter the camera’s IP address in the address bar in the following
format: http://IP address:HTTP Port.
• For example: http://192.168.0.100:80
• The IP address can be found using the FLIR Cloud CMS. See 9.3 Adding a Cam-
era over the Local Network (LAN), page 68 for details.
2. A notification appears asking if you want to use the NPMedia plug-in. Click Trust to
use the plug-in.
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 5

Web Configuration Setup
4
3. Enter the camera user name (default: admin) and password (default: admin) and
click Login.
NOTE
If video from the camera does not appear after installation, quit Safari® by right-clicking on the Sa-
fari® icon in the dock and then selecting Quit. Then restart Safari® and log back into your camera.
4.4 Firefox Setup
1. Open Firefox® and enter the camera’s IP address in the address bar in the following
format: http://IP address:HTTP Port.
• For example: http://192.168.0.100:80
• The IP address can be found using the FLIR Cloud CMS. See 9.3 Adding a Cam-
era over the Local Network (LAN), page 68 for details.
2. A notification appears asking if you want to use the MMX plug-in. Click Allow... to
use the plug-in.
3. Enter the camera user name (default: admin) and password (default: admin) and
click Login.
NOTE
If video from the camera does not appear after installation, quit Firefox® by closing the browser
window. Then restart Firefox® and log back into your camera.
4.5 Google Chrome Setup
1. Open Chrome™ and enter the camera’s IP address in the address bar in the follow-
ing format: http://IP address:HTTP Port.
• For example: http://192.168.0.100:80
• The IP address can be found using the FLIR Cloud CMS. See 9.3 Adding a Cam-
era over the Local Network (LAN), page 68 for details.
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 6

Web Configuration Setup
4
2. Click Please click here to download and install the plug-in.
3. The plug-in downloads automatically. When finished, double-click the plug-in in the
downloads bar at the bottom of the browser window.
4. Enter the camera user name (default: admin) and password (default: admin) and
click Login.
NOTE
If video from the camera does not appear after installation, quit Chrome™ by closing the browser
window. Then restart Chrome™ and log back into your camera.
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 7

Live View
5
Upon login, the web interface opens to the Live View.
NOTE
Some functions are not available on all IP camera models, based on the features available.
1. Stream/Protocol Select: Allows you to select the video stream and protocol used in
Live View.
•Main Stream: Click to view the Main Stream. The Main Stream provides better
picture quality and resolution, but requires higher bandwidth.
•Sub Stream: Click to view the Sub Stream. The Sub Stream is recommended for
better performance when viewing the camera over the Internet.
•Protocol: Select the protocol that will be used to stream video: TCP or UDP.
2. Video Display Controls ()
•Original Size: Click to view the video in its original size. This depends on
the resolution and if you are viewing the Main Stream or Sub Stream.
•Full Screen: Click to view the video in full screen. Double-click or press ESC
to exit full screen mode.
•Width / Height Ratio: Click to select Original to use the original proportions
of the image or Adaptive to adapt the image proportions to the size of the screen.
•Realtime / Fluency: Click to select Realtime,Normal, or Fluency.
•PTZ Controls (PTZ cameras only): Click to Hide/Show PTZ camera con-
trols. For details see 5.1 PTZ Control Panel (PTZ Cameras Only)
3. Menu Tabs
•Live: Click to access Live View.
•PTZ: On micro PT cameras, the PTZ Control Panel is opened using the PTZ tab,
which replaces the button on the Video Display Controls panel.
•Playback: Click to playback video from the camera’s microSD card (cameras that
support microSD only).
•Setup: Click to setup camera functions.
•Alarm: Click to configure alarms.
•Logout: Log out of the camera.
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 8

Live View
5
4. Live View Functions ( )
•Pen: Click the pen icon to activate the pen. Then, click-and-drag to draw
lines overtop the video display. Click the arrow next to the pen icon to select the
pen color .
•Alarm Output: Click to activate an alarm output device connected to the
camera (cameras with alarm I/O only).
•Digital Zoom: Click to activate digital zoom mode. Click-and-drag in the vid-
eo area to select an area to zoom to, then drag to move the zoomed area or follow
motion in the video. Right-click to return to full frame view.
NOTE
This control only zooms the Live View video on the current browser; other video streams are
not affected. To set a zoom level for all video streams, see 6 Setup, page 13
•Snapshot: Click to save a snapshot from the camera to your computer hard
drive. To configure the folder where snapshots are saved, see 6.1.13 Path, page
28.
NOTE
Depending on your computer’s security settings, you may need to run your browser as adminis-
trator to save snapshots or manual recordings.
•Triple Snapshot: Save the next three frames from the camera as snapshots.
•Manual Record: Click to start manually recording live video to your com-
puter hard drive. Click again to stop recording. To configure the folder where man-
ual recordings are saved, see 6.1.13 Path, page 28.
•Audio Output: Click to mute / un-mute audio coming from the camera
(audio-enabled cameras only; must have self-powered microphone connected to
the camera).
5.1 PTZ Control Panel (PTZ Cameras Only)
From Live View, click to open the PTZ control panel.
NOTE
The PTZ control panel only allows you to call pre-configured function. To configure PTZ functions such
as preset locations and tours, see 6.3 PTZ, page 35
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 9

Live View
5
5.1.1 PTZ Controls
1. Click the arrows to move the camera.
2. Click the middle button to engage EZoom and then click and drag on the video to set
the camera EZoom and position.
3. Adjust the camera speed.
NOTE
The EZoom is an internal camera setting that will effect all video streams. Click and drag over an area
from the left to the right and the camera will zoom in and center the enclosed image. Drag from the right
to the left and the camera will zoom out and center the enclosed image.
5.1.2 Scan
You can use the Scan function to have the camera move automatically between two
points.
To configure the scan function:
1. Select Scan from the dropdown menu under PTZ Function.
2. Click Start to begin the scan.
5.1.3 Preset
You can save preset positions in the camera to recall them later.
To go to a preset location:
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 10

Live View
5
1. Select Preset from the dropdown menu under PTZ Function.
2. Enter the number of the preset you would like to move the camera to.
3. Click Goto to move the camera to the preset location.
5.1.4 Pattern
You can use the pattern function to record a series of camera movements to recall later.
To run a pattern:
1. Select Pattern from the dropdown menu under PTZ Function.
2. Select the pattern to run from the dropdown menu.
3. Click Start to run the pattern.
5.1.5 Goto
The Goto function allows you to move the camera to a position with specified parameters.
To move the camera to a specified position:
1. Select Goto from the dropdown menu under PTZ Function.
2. Enter the Horizontal Angle you would like to move the camera to between 0~360.
3. Enter the Vertical Angle you would like to move the camera to between 0~90.
4. Enter the EZoom level between 0~24.
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 11

Live View
5
5. Click Goto to go to the specified position.
5.1.6 Pan
You can use pan to have the camera move horizontally between two positions.
To start a pan:
1. Select Pan from the dropdown menu under PTZ Function.
2. Click Start to begin panning.
5.1.7 Tour
Use tours to have the PTZ camera move automatically to several preset locations in a
cycle.
To start a tour:
1. Select Tour from the dropdown menu under PTZ Function.
2. Select the desired tour to run from the dropdown menu.
3. Click Start to begin the tour.
#LX400062; r.30885/35920; en-US 12
Table of contents
Other FLIR Thermal Camera manuals