How to Connect your BZBGEAR Camera to the Network (Windows)

For the VPTZ Series of cameras please refer to the following article: https://bzbgear.com/knowledge-base/how-to-connect-your-bzbgear-vptz-camera-to-your-network/

The biggest hurdle most people face when installing their IP-enabled camera is getting it onto their network. We created this set-by-step tutorial to help make this task as easy as possible.

*Before beginning consult with your Network Administrator. Your network setup may differ from the examples provided.*

To successfully complete this process you will need several pieces of information. The first is the IP address of your computer. You will also need to select an unused IP address on your local network (This is the address you will set the camera to). The third piece is the default IP address of your camera. Finally, you will need the IP address of your Default Gateway/Router.

With the exception of the VPTZ series, all BZBGEAR cameras have a default IP address of:

192.168.5.163

The computer must be on the same subnet as the camera to connect successfully, therefore the computer must be connected to the 192.168.5.x subnet. We can achieve this via the Local Area Network Properties on the computer.

Right-click on the internet connection in the lower right corner of the desktop and select “Open Network & Internet Settings”.
   

Select “Change Adapter Options”

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Right-click on your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select “Properties”.

Select “Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” as shown below and click “Properties”.

For the following steps refer to the diagram below. Click on the bubble for “Use the following IP address”

In the IP address field enter a non-conflicting IP address on the same subnet as the camera. If there is another device with the same IP address you will not be able to connect. In the example below we are using 192.168.5.200

In the Subnet mask field enter 255.255.255.0 In the Default gateway field type 192.168.5.1 You can leave the DNS fields blank.

NOTE: When you are finished configuring the camera you will need to return to this screen and click the bubbles for “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server automatically” to restore internet connectivity to your computer. Also make sure to reconnect any ethernet cables you may have unplugged.

Click OK to apply your settings.

Click OK to close the network properties screen.

Once you have applied your settings open your web browser and enter the IP address of your camera.

Enter the login information to access the interface. The username and password should both be admin for a default camera. You will now be looking at the camera preview window. At the top right select Configuration.

On the left side below the Network Configure heading select Ethernet.

In the IP address field you will enter the unused IP address you selected at the beginning. Our example will use an address of 192.168.20.186

*This address MUST NOT be in use by any other device on your network or you will create an IP conflict and be unable to access your camera.*

In the Subnet Mask field enter 255.255.255.0 the enter the IP address of your Default Gateway in the field below. Double-check your values and click the Save Button.

Next you need to select DNS on the left-hand side of the screen. Unless you are given different information by your network administrator you should enter 8.8.8.8 for Preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 for Alternative DNS Server. Click Save.

On the left-hand side of the screen click the Reboot option, then click the Reboot button that appears.

Once your camera reboots, repeat the steps on your computer to adjust "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPV4) Properties" and click the bubbles for "Obtain IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically". Click OK to close all network-related screens.

Your computer and camera should now be on your network. Open your web browser and enter the IP address you assigned to your camera and your setup is complete.