Panasonic BL-C1A - Network Camera User manual

Operating Instructions
Please read this manual before using, and save this manual for future reference.
Panasonic Network Camera Website: http://panasonic.net/pcc/ipcam/
BL-C1A
BL-C20A
Network Camera Indoor Use Only
Model No. BL-C1A
BL-C20A
Wired Type
Wireless/Wired Type

Operating Instructions
2
Main Features
[For BL-C20A] Wireless Communication
This Network Camera is compatible with a wireless system based on IEEE
802.11b/g. Wireless installation is playing an ever increasing role in flexible
communication. The use of encryption ensures security on this kind of network.
Communication via Ethernet cable is also available.
Digital zoom feature*1
This camera has a 10× digital zoom feature. This feature allows you to increase or
decrease the size of objects on the Single Camera screen, the Multi Camera
screen, and the Buffered Image screen. This makes it easy to view distant objects.*2
A mouse wheel operation or clicking the right mouse button increase or decrease
the size of the object.
Color Night View Mode
The color night view mode provides better image quality and low light performance
(4 lx*3).
Multi-Camera Support
The Multi-Camera page displays the moving images from up to 4 cameras. This
camera allows you to switch between 3 sets of 4 cameras. Additionally, static
images from a maximum of 12 cameras can be displayed on a single page.
DynamicDNS Service Support
DynamicDNS service allows you to access the camera over the Internet with a
domain name of your choice (e.g. bob.viewnetcam.com) instead of a global IP
address.
Multi-Language Display
The Top page, Single Camera and Multi-Camera page can be displayed in English,
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Korean or
Japanese. The Setup, Maintenance and Support pages are displayed only in
English, Japanese, French or Simplified Chinese.
Motion Detection feature
The Camera has a Motion Detection feature that detects movement, such as
people, based on the preset threshold and sensitivity of the Camera. You can buffer
the camera images, transfer images to an FTP server or send E-mails using the
Motion Detection function as a trigger.
*1 This feature is not available when viewing on a cell phone.
*2 As the magnification increases, the image quality decreases.
*3 The brightness about 1 m (3 feet 3 inches) away under auxiliary fluorescent light. When the
object darkens, color night view mode is automatically enabled. The frame rate and the image
quality decrease in color night view mode. Also, images of moving people or animals may be
blurred.

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 3
Documentation
This manual is for both BL-C1A (Wired Type) and BL-C20A (Wireless/Wired
Type). Available features and operations are different in part depending on
the model. Read this manual carefully and use the Network Camera properly.
(The model no. is indicated on the upper left of the front of the main unit.) The
illustrations and images used in this manual are of BL-C20A.
Trademarks
• Adobe, Acrobat and Reader are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
• Microsoft, Windows, Hotmail and ActiveX are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.
• Screen shots reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation.
• All other trademarks identified herein are the property of their respective
owners.
• This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.
Abbreviations
• UPnP is the abbreviation for "Universal Plug and Play".
• "Network Camera" is called "Camera" in this manual.
• "Setup CD-ROM" is called "CD-ROM" in this manual.

Operating Instructions
4
Camera Feature Locations
BL-C1A Front View
Indicator Display*1
*1The information below varies depending on the indicator settings (see page 96).
*2The indicator turns orange if the camera is not connected to the LAN.
*3The indicator blinks orange if the camera is not connected to the LAN.
*4See page 4of the Troubleshooting on the CD-ROM.
Indicator
The indicator color shows camera status.
(See page 96)
Lens (Focus: 0.3 m [about 11 13/16 inches]—
Unlimited)
Power
on
Normal Operation*2
Updating Firmware
Getting IP address*3
Got IP address
Setting
Finished setting
Not on LAN Orange blinking
Orange blinking
(The camera is reset to factory default status after 1 minute.)
FACTORY DEFAULT RESET
button pressed
Orange blinking Turning off (about 5 seconds)
UPnPTM Failure Orange blinking (About a 2-second interval)
On LAN
Using
DHCP
Automatic
Setup
Internal Failure Red blinking*4
Green
Green
Green
Green blinking
Green blinking
Orange
Orange Orange blinking GreenGreen blinking
Orange blinking
The status when turned on

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 5
BL-C1A Rear View
Stand/Tripod
Mounting Hole
(See Getting
Started.)
Serial number
MAC Address
(See Getting
Started.)
Ethernet
(LAN) port
(See Getting
Started.)
Hook for AC
adaptor cord
DC IN jack
(See Getting Started.)
FACTORY DEFAULT
RESET Button

Operating Instructions
6
BL-C20A Front View
Note
See page 4for the indicator operations.
BL-C20A Rear View
Antenna
FACTORY DEFAULT
RESET Button
Indicator
The indicator color
shows camera status.
Lens
(0.3 m [about 11 13/16
inches]—Unlimited)
Stand/Tripod
Mounting Hole
(See Getting
Started.)
Switch
(WIRED or
WIRELESS)
Ethernet
(LAN) port
(See Getting
Started.)
Hook for AC
adaptor cord
Serial number
MAC Address
(See Getting Started.)
DC IN jack
(See Getting Started.)

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 7
Table of Contents
1 Camera Monitoring......................................................10
1.1 Accessing the Camera................................................................. 10
1.2 Viewing the Single Camera page................................................. 12
1.2.1 Displaying the Banner ............................................................................. 16
1.2.2 Auto Centering the Image (Click to Center)............................................. 16
1.2.3 Zooming In and Out................................................................................. 17
1.2.4 Capturing a Still Image ............................................................................ 18
1.2.5 Using the Operation Bar .......................................................................... 19
1.3 Viewing the Multi-Camera page ................................................... 20
1.4 Viewing the Buffered Image page ................................................ 22
1.4.1 Deleting Buffered Images ........................................................................ 24
1.5 Viewing Still Images on Your Cell Phone ..................................... 25
1.5.1 Enabling or Disabling the Buffer/Transfer on Your Cell Phone................. 27
2 Using the Camera's Basic Features ..........................28
2.1 Setup Page of the Camera........................................................... 28
2.2 Connecting the Camera to Your Network..................................... 31
2.3 [For BL-C20A] Using Wireless LAN ............................................. 36
2.4 Using UPnP™ (Universal Plug and Play) .................................... 39
2.4.1 Connecting the Camera to a Router that Supports UPnP™ ................... 40
2.4.2 Connecting the Camera to a Router that does not Support UPnP™ ...... 41
2.5 Registering with the DynamicDNS service .................................. 42
2.5.1 DynamicDNS Service.............................................................................. 46
2.6 Setting the Date and Time ........................................................... 48
2.7 Changing Camera Settings.......................................................... 50
3 Registering Users........................................................52
3.1 Changing the Authentication Setting and Administrator User
Name and Password.................................................................... 52
3.2 Logging in to the Camera............................................................. 56
3.3 Creating, Modifying or Deleting General Users............................ 57
4 Buffering or Transferring Images...............................59
4.1 Procedures of Buffering or Transferring Images .......................... 59
4.2 Buffering or Transferring Images by Timer................................... 60

Operating Instructions
8
4.3 Buffering or Transferring Images by Motion Detection Signal ...... 70
4.4 Setting the Motion Detection........................................................ 83
4.5 Setting Sensor Log Notification.................................................... 86
5 Using Other Features..................................................89
5.1 Changing Initial Settings on the Single Camera page or
the Multi-Camera page ................................................................ 89
5.2 Configuring Multiple Cameras...................................................... 92
5.3 Specifying Operation Time........................................................... 94
5.4 Changing the Indicator Display .................................................... 96
5.5 CGI Interface................................................................................ 97
6 Camera Maintenance ..................................................98
6.1 Maintenance page ....................................................................... 98
6.1.1 Confirming the Status .............................................................................. 99
6.1.2 [For BL-C20A] Confirming the Wireless Status ....................................... 99
6.1.3 Confirming Session Status ...................................................................... 99
6.1.4 Confirming Sensor Logs ........................................................................ 100
6.1.5 Restarting the Camera .......................................................................... 100
6.1.6 Updating the Camera Firmware............................................................. 101
6.1.7 Creating a Configuration File ................................................................. 104
6.1.8 Loading Settings from a Configuration File............................................ 105
6.1.9 Resetting the Camera to Factory Default............................................... 106
6.2 Support page ............................................................................. 107
6.2.1 The Help page ....................................................................................... 107
6.2.2 [For BL-C20A] The Wireless Help page ................................................ 108
6.2.3 Product Information ............................................................................... 108
6.2.4 Support Information ............................................................................... 108
6.3 FACTORY DEFAULT RESET Button.......................................... 109
7 Other Information......................................................110
7.1 Default Setting List..................................................................... 110
7.2 Cleaning..................................................................................... 119
7.2.1 Cleaning the Main Unit .......................................................................... 119
7.2.2 Cleaning the Lens.................................................................................. 119
7.3 Setting an IP Address on Your PC ............................................. 120
7.4 Using Setup Program................................................................. 121
7.5 Setting Your PC.......................................................................... 128

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 9
7.5.1 Setting Proxy Server Settings on a Web Browser ................................ 128
7.5.2 Setting UPnP™ to Display Camera Shortcut in My Network Places..... 131
7.5.3 Setting the Internet Temporary File Setting on the Web Browser.......... 131
7.6 ASCII Character Table ............................................................... 132
7.7 File Size and Number of Buffered Images ................................. 133
7.8 Specifications............................................................................. 136
Index..................................................................................139

Operating Instructions
10
1 Camera Monitoring
1.1 Accessing the Camera
1. Start up the web browser on your PC.
2. Enter "http://IP Address (or URL):Port Number" on the address bar, and
press [Enter] on the keyboard.
• When the port number is 80 (default), you do not need to include the port
number in the address. See page 33 for details about the port number.
• If the camera image is not displayed, see page 9and page 10 of the
Troubleshooting on the CD-ROM.
3. The Enter Network Password window is displayed. Enter the user name and
password that you set previously, and click [OK].
Note
When [Permit access from guest users] is set on the Security: Administrator
page (see page 52), the authentication window will not be displayed.
E.g. http://192.168.0.253:50000
http:// .viewnetcam.com:50000

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 11
4. Click the following tabs to display each page.
Note
When users other than an administrator are accessing the camera, the [Setup]
and [Maintenance] tabs are not displayed. Additionally, when [Do not permit
access from guest users] or [Permit access from guest users (mobile only)] is
set on the Security: Administrator page (see page 52), the [Login] tab will not
be displayed.
ATo Single Camera page (page 12)BTo Multi-Camera page (page 20)
CTo Buffered Image page (page 22)DTo Setup page (page 28)
ETo Maintenance page (page 98)FTo Support page (page 107)
GTo log in to the camera (page 56)
A B C D E F G
Select a language.
Version Number

Operating Instructions
12
1.2 Viewing the Single Camera page
1. Access the camera (see page 10).
• The Top page is displayed.
2. Click the [Single] tab at the top of the page.
• When the Security Warning window is displayed, click [Yes] (see page 14).
• See page 15 for the Security Warning window when using Microsoft®
Windows®XP Service Pack 2.
3. Close the web browser.
Note
• While viewing images under fluorescent lighting, the image may appear
noisy or experience flicker if the incorrect AC power setting was selected.
Select the frequency that is used in your area (see page 50).
• When the camera image is not displayed immediately or correctly, click
[Refresh] at the tool bar on the web browser. The image will be refreshed.
• The digital zoom can be operated only when displaying video (Motion
JPEG).
• The refresh interval is set to [Motion] by default. The setting can be
changed on the operation bar (see page 19).
• The refresh interval may change depending on the network condition, PC
performance, what object you view and the number of simultaneous users.
• When displaying video (Motion JPEG), the camera allows up to 20
simultaneous accesses. The 21st user will see a gray screen. (Access to
play buffered images is also included in the maximum number.)
• To reduce the data traffic, set up [Limit Continuous Motion JPEG] on the
Image Display page (see page 89). The video (Motion JPEG) can be
automatically changed to refreshing still images. Images of moving
subject are blurred or not displayed.
Capture Image
Button
(See page 18)
Operation Bar
(See page 19)
Features on the
image
• Click to
Center (See
page 16)
• Digital Zoom
(See page 17)
The banner is
displayed.
(See page 16)

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 13
• When the camera transmits a dark scene, the camera image may become
white, or horizontal lines may be displayed on the screen. This is one of the
characteristics of a CMOS sensor. This is not a malfunction.
• To display the Single Camera page directly, add it to the [Favorites] on the
web browser.
• To view dark images, select [Enable] (default) at Color Night View on the
Camera Setup page. The image will be brighter, but the refresh interval may
increase and image quality may decrease in a dark place. (See page 50)
• [For BL-C20A] The video (Motion JPEG) may stop because the wireless
communication may be disconnected depending on the environment.
Click [Refresh] on the web browser when the communication is
disconnected.
• If ActiveX®Controls (see page 14 or page 15) cannot be installed,
download them from the Panasonic Network Camera support website at
http://panasonic.net/pcc/support/netwkcam/
Error messages and screen color
When general or guest users access the Single Camera page outside the
Operation Time, or when over 20 (the maximum number) users access the page
simultaneously, a gray screen and error messages will be displayed on the page.
Error Message Cause and Remedy
The operation time
has ended.
When general or guest users access the Single Camera
page outside the Operation Time, a gray screen will be
displayed. Clicking [Refresh] on the web browser displays
an error message. Consult your administrator about the
Operation Time.
The maximum
number of accesses
has been
exceeded.
When [Motion] is selected for the Refresh Interval, up to 20
users can access the camera simultaneously. For the 21st
user, a gray screen and an error message will be displayed
on the Single Camera and Buffered Image pages. Wait for
a moment, and click [Refresh] on the web browser, or
change the value for the Refresh Interval.
An error message
is displayed.

Operating Instructions
14
Security Warning window
When trying to view a video (Motion JPEG) for the first time, a Security Warning for
ActiveX Controls will be displayed. When using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, log
in as an administrator to install ActiveX Controls and enable video (Motion JPEG)
viewing.
If you cannot install ActiveX Controls or you cannot see the video
(Motion JPEG) using Internet Explorer
• In Internet Explorer, click [Tools]→[Internet Options]→[Security] tab and click
[Custom level].
(1) Check "Prompt" in "Download signed ActiveX Controls".
(2) Check "Enable" in "Run ActiveX Controls and plug-ins".
• ActiveX Controls can be installed from the CD-ROM.
(1) Restart the PC.
(2) Confirm that Internet Explorer is closed.
(3) Double-click "ocx\install.bat" on the CD-ROM.
Note
• When the IP address was changed for the camera, enter it on the address bar.
• Video (Motion JPEG) may not be displayed. Wait for a moment.
• If you use a proxy server, set the web browser not to access the proxy server
(see page 128).
• In some corporate network environments, a firewall may be used for security
purposes. This may prevent motion video (Motion JPEG) from being
displayed. In this situation we recommend:
– Contacting your network administrator.
– Using regularly refreshed images rather than video (Motion JPEG).

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 15
Security Warning window on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
To view a video (Motion JPEG), ActiveX Controls must be installed.
Follow the steps shown below to install ActiveX Controls.
1. Click the warning displayed above the tabs, and click [Install ActiveX
Control...].
2. Click [Install].

Operating Instructions
16
1.2.1 Displaying the Banner
An image and its linked website can be specified for a banner. To display the
banner, the Banner Display settings need to be set on the Image Display page (see
page 89). Clicking the banner displays the website of the set URL Link. The Banner
Display is not enabled as the default.
1.2.2 Auto Centering the Image (Click to Center)
Using your mouse, click any portion of the camera image when using the digital
zoom. The image will automatically move to place the selected point in the center
of the screen.
1. Move the cursor to the desired point.
2. Click it.
• The clicked point is centered.
Note
• A clicked position may deviate from the center depending on the position.
• Images can only be moved within the page when magnification is ×1.
Cursor

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 17
1.2.3 Zooming In and Out
This Camera has 10× digital zoom feature that uses ActiveX Controls. The digital
zoom feature can be used while playing video (Motion JPEG) on the Single
Camera, Multi-Camera and Buffered Image pages. The digital zoom feature can be
operated by rotating the mouse wheel or clicking the right mouse button.
Note
• The Click to Center feature is available while zooming in or out. Images
can only be moved within the page when magnification is ×1.
• As the magnification increases, the image quality decreases.
• This feature is not available when viewing on a cell phone.
• When camera images are buffered and transferred, the camera images
are not zoomed in and out.
Clicking the right mouse button
Moving the mouse up or down while pressing the right mouse button zooms in and
out.
Rotating the mouse wheel
On a screen, rotating the mouse wheel away from
you zooms in, and rotating it towards you zooms
out.
Note
The performance of the mouse varies
according to your OS.
Zoom out
Zoom in
Zoom in
Zoom out

Operating Instructions
18
1.2.4 Capturing a Still Image
Still images can be saved on your PC.
1. Select an image resolution to display an image.
2. Click the Capture image button.
• The camera image opens in another window.
3. Right-click the image, and select [Save Picture As...].
• The Save as dialog box is displayed.
4. Specify a folder, enter the file name and click [Save].
• The camera image is saved in the folder.
5. Click [Close].
Capture Image Button

Operating Instructions
[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033] 19
1.2.5 Using the Operation Bar
Brightness: Adjusts image brightness in nine steps including
[STD] (Standard). Clicking [-] or [+] darkens or
brightens the image respectively.
Refresh
Interval:
Sets a refresh interval. (Motion—60-second
interval)
Resolution: Selects [640 × 480] or [320 × 240] (default) pixels.
Image
Quality:
Selects the image quality.
• [Favor Clarity] optimizes the image for good
clarity.
• [Standard] keeps the standard quality. (default)
• [Favor Motion] optimizes the image for motion
display.

Operating Instructions
20
1.3 Viewing the Multi-Camera page
To view multiple cameras on the Multi-Camera page, you need to configure each
camera on the Multi-Camera Setup page (see page 92).
1. Access the camera (see page 10).
• The Top page is displayed.
2. Click the [Multi] tab at the top of the page.
• The Multi-Camera page can display up to 12 camera images.
3. Close the web browser.
Capture Image Button (See page 18)
Switches displayed
cameras. If you select
[All] at the View Type,
video (Motion JPEG)
cannot be displayed.
Selects [320 × 240]
(default) or [160 ×
120] pixels resolution.
Selects the refresh
interval (Motion—60-
second interval).
Clicking the camera
name displays the
Single Camera page
in another window.
The Selfcamera is registered at No. 1. (default)