VMS Integration: Best Practices

Issue:

A customer/integrator is using Arecont Vision cameras and running into various issues. They need a process to follow to streamline their troubleshooting issues.

API documentation can be found here: https://http-api.arecontvision.com/

NOTE: VMS vendors (confirmed: Avigilon, ExacqVision, Milestone) are no longer updating the Arecont Vision driver. The focus has shifted to ONVIF compatible cameras. Ensure the functions/features you want are compatible via ONVIF.

NOTE: CostarHD partners listed will only use one license for our OMNI cameras (4 sensors)

• Avigilon
• ExacqVision
• Milestone

NOTE: All Contera cameras must be added as ONVIF.

NOTE: Just because a device is ONVIF compliant does not mean all features/functions (i.e. motion) will be supported. See this link: https://www.onvif.org/conformant-products/ and filter it by CoStar Technologies and then look at the respective model. For example, the AV5255PMIR-SH (MegaDome 2 Series) is ONVIF Profile S compliant. Per the ONVIF Profile Feature Overview motion is not supported in Profile S. If motion is required, the camera must support motion detection and the Arecont Driver must be used when adding the camera to the VMS.

Resolution:

Verify camera functionality.

1. Verify the camera Web UI is accessible and that you can see live video in the browser.
2. Verify you can view the RTSP stream from the same computer the VMS software is installed on.
   • How to connect to RTSP streams on Arecont cameras
   • How to connect to RTSP streams on Contera cameras
3. Verify you can see the live stream of the camera using ONVIF Device Manager
4. Do not troubleshoot any VMS problem until the above steps pass.

 
VMS Guidelines:

1. Check with the VMS manufacturer if the camera requires a specific firmware version. 
   • Information on any matrix they provide may be outdated and only show firmware they have had time to certify. There will typically be newer firmware on the Arecont Vision website which resolves camera issues we have identified and resolved.
   • NOTE: Downgrading camera firmware is not always possible in the field once you are at a particular revision. It will require the camera to be sent in as an RMA to be reflashed to the required version.
2. If there is an issue when the camera is added to the VMS with the Arecont driver, attempt the below:
   • Remove the camera from the VMS.
   • Re-add it using the ONVIF or RTSP option.
   • If it is successful, the Arecont driver they provided is out of date.
3. If there is an issue when the camera is added to the VMS with the ONVIF driver, attempt the below:
   • Remove the camera from the VMS.
   • Re-add it using the Arecont Driver if available or RTSP option.
   • If it is successful, verify the camera datasheet states the camera is ONVIF compliant.
4. Check the VMS manufacturer for a software update.