HQCAM HQ-M21 Wi-Fi Bird Box Camera User Manual

1. Product Introduction

The HQCAM HQ-M21 is a network camera designed for security surveillance and bird watching. It connects to the internet via a network cable or Wi-Fi, allowing you to remotely view real-time images on your mobile phone or computer from anywhere. The camera supports video storage on a Micro SD card or computer. It features motion detection and humanoid detection alarms, which can trigger email notifications, phone messages, and alarm sounds.

Product List

Product Precautions

• The optimal operating temperature for this camera ranges from -10°C to 50°C. Avoid exposing it to extreme hot or cold environments.
• During installation, protect the camera's interface cable and power supply. Ensure they are not short-circuited or excessively lengthened.
• For optimal image quality, keep the front and sides of the camera lens clear of reflective objects like glass or white walls to prevent overexposure.
• Place the camera in an area with strong Wi-Fi signal, away from potential jamming sources like metal objects or microwave ovens.
• If this is a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera (note: this model is not PTZ), do not manually force rotation; adjust orientation via the mobile app.

Image: Front view of the HQCAM bird box camera next to a wooden birdhouse, with icons indicating P2P, WiFi, Mobile Monitoring, TF/SD card support, and Night Vision.

Image: Front view of the HQCAM bird box camera highlighting its features: WiFi, SD Card, APP, RTSP, Audio, ONVIF, P2P. Optional features include RTMP push stream, POE, 4G, two-way voice, and alarm linkage.

2. Setup

2.1 Powering On

1. Connect the provided 12V power adapter to the camera's power interface.
2. Wait a few minutes for the camera to complete its startup sequence.

2.2 Reboot or Restore Factory Settings

• Reboot: Disconnect and then reconnect the power to reboot the camera.
• Restore Factory Settings: Press and hold the reset button (typically found on one of the camera's cables) for 5 seconds. You will hear a "dong..." sound, indicating the camera is restoring to factory settings.

Note: The reset button is usually a small button located on one of the camera's connection cables.

Image: The HQCAM bird box camera shown with its various connection cables and a small button panel, likely for reset or configuration.

2.3 App Installation

Download the "CamHiPro" or "CamHi" app from the Google Play Store (for Android) or Apple App Store (for iOS). You can also scan the QR codes below:

Android

iOS

Image: QR code for downloading the CamHi/CamHiPro app.

2.4 Connecting the Camera to Your Phone (Wi-Fi)

Method 1: Connect with Wi-Fi (Wireless Setup)

1. Pre-checks:
   a. Ensure the Wi-Fi signal strength at the camera's installation location is above 70%. You can verify this later in the app.
   b. Connect power to the camera. Do NOT connect a network cable for this method.
2. Connect to Camera's Hotspot:
   a. On your phone, go to "Settings" > "WLAN" (Wi-Fi).
   b. Look for a Wi-Fi network named "IPCAM-******" (e.g., IPCAM-66666). If you don't see it, reset the camera and wait one minute.
   c. Connect to this hotspot. The password is "01234567".
3. Add Camera in App:
   a. Open the "CamHiPro" app.
   b. Tap "Add Camera" (usually a "+" icon).
   c. Select "IP camera".
   d. Choose "New device".
   e. Confirm "Yes, I want to add this device".
   f. Tap "Add to".
   g. Enter the camera's default username (admin) and password (admin).
4. Configure Wi-Fi for Camera:
   a. The app will prompt you to "Configure wireless and add devices".
   b. Select your home Wi-Fi network from the list and enter its password.
   c. Tap "Configure wireless and add devices".
   d. Once successful, you will hear a "ding..." sound from the camera. If not, recheck your Wi-Fi password.
5. Name Camera: Give your camera a descriptive name (e.g., "Bird Box Cam") and tap "confirm".
6. The camera is now added. Tap on the online camera to view the live feed.

Method 2: Connect with Network Cable (Wired Setup)

1. Connect both the power adapter and a network cable to the camera.
2. Ensure your mobile phone is connected to the same local area network (LAN) as the camera, and both have internet access.
3. Open the "CamHiPro" app and follow the steps: "Add Camera" > "IP camera" > "New device" > "Power is on, next step" until you reach the "Confirm access network" page.
4. On the "Confirm access network" page, select "Connected network cable".
5. The app will search for devices on the LAN. Select your camera from the list.
6. You will then be prompted to choose whether to configure Wi-Fi for the camera. If you intend to use it wired, select "Not configured yet, add directly". If you want to switch to Wi-Fi later, configure it now, then unplug the network cable to activate Wi-Fi.

2.5 Micro SD Card Installation

Refer to the detailed installation tutorial provided in the full CamHi IP camera product information (available at www.hqcam.cn) for instructions on how to install the Micro SD card into the camera. Ensure you use a high-quality SD card to prevent recording failures or camera malfunctions.

3. Operating the Camera

3.1 Watching on Computer

Using the "Search Tool":

1. Download and install the "Search tool" from the CamHi IP camera product information section on www.hqcam.cn.
2. Run the search tool. It will detect cameras on your local network.
3. You can use this tool to find cameras, modify their IP addresses if needed, and access their web interface.

Web Access:

• Double-click the camera entry in the search tool to open its web configuration page in your browser.
• Note: Some settings may be missing if you are not using Internet Explorer.

Using "HiP2P Client" (Multi-channel Management):

1. Install the "HiP2P Client" software, available from the CamHi IP camera product information on www.hqcam.cn.
2. Run the client and navigate to the "Config" page.
3. Click "Input UID" to add your camera. The UID serial number can be found on a label on the camera itself.
4. After adding, double-click the camera to watch the live video.
5. The HiP2P client allows managing multiple cameras (up to 32 channels), saving video to your computer, playing back local and SD card videos, and configuring camera parameters.

3.2 Recording Settings

To set up Micro SD card recording:

1. In the CamHiPro app, tap the "Setting" icon (gear icon) for your camera.
2. Select "SD card plan recording".
3. Enable "Record".
4. Configure "Recording Length" (duration per segment, typically 600 seconds).
5. Set the "Recording Time Period" (e.g., "Easy setup" for all day, or "advanced settings" for custom schedules).

3.3 Alarm Recording

To configure recording based on alarms:

1. In the CamHiPro app, go to "Setting" > "Alarm management and notification".
2. Under "Camera alarm", enable desired detection types: "Motion detection alarm", "Audible alarm", "Humanoid alarm". Adjust sensitivity as needed.
3. Under "Action with Alarm", enable "Alarm recording to SD card". You can also configure other actions like siren, email photo, FTP photo, etc.

3.4 Record Playback

To view recorded footage:

1. In the CamHiPro app, tap the "Playback" icon for your camera.
2. You can choose between "Time playback" (timeline view) or "File playback" (list of video files).
3. Select the date from the calendar.
4. For "File playback", tap on a video file to play or download it.

Image: Screenshot of the camera's live view from inside a wooden bird box, showing the interior.

Image: Screenshot of the camera's live view from inside a bird box, showing a bird perched inside.

4. Maintenance

• Cleaning: Gently wipe the camera lens with a soft, dry cloth. For the camera body, use a slightly damp cloth if necessary, avoiding harsh chemicals.
• SD Card Management: Periodically check the SD card for available space. Format the SD card through the app settings if needed, which will erase all stored footage. Replace the SD card if it becomes corrupted or fails to record.
• Firmware Updates: Check the official HQCAM website (www.hqcam.cn) or the CamHiPro app for any available firmware updates to ensure optimal performance and security.

5. Troubleshooting (Q&A)

Q: I forgot my password.

A: Reset the camera to factory settings and reconfigure it.

Q: Wi-Fi configuration failed.

A: Check the following:

• Is the Wi-Fi signal sufficient at the camera's location?
• Are the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password correct?
• Are the Wi-Fi name and password in English characters only?
• Is the Wi-Fi password length 31 characters or less?

Q: The device list shows the camera is offline.

A: Ensure your phone has internet access. Verify the camera's wired or Wi-Fi connection is active and connected to the internet. If using Wi-Fi, check the signal strength and confirm the Wi-Fi name or password hasn't changed.

Q: Live video is very stuck, or the camera shows offline.

A: Ensure both your phone and the camera have a good, stable internet connection with at least 2Mbps bandwidth. If using Wi-Fi, confirm the signal at the camera's location is strong enough.

Q: The mobile app does not receive push notifications.

A: Check if alarm push notifications are enabled in the app (Settings > Alarm management and notification). Also, ensure the app has permission to send notifications on your mobile phone's operating system settings.

Q: Playback video cannot find video files.

A: Check if the SD card is damaged or properly installed. Verify the camera's internal time setting is correct and that you are selecting the correct playback time range.

6. Specifications

Package Information

• Weight: 0.297 kg
• Dimensions: 13 cm (Length) x 9 cm (Width) x 8 cm (Height)

Image: A hand holding the compact HQCAM bird box camera, illustrating its small size.

Image: Rear view of the HQCAM bird box camera, showing ventilation slots and the mounting bracket.

7. User Tips

• Focus Adjustment: The camera features an adjustable focus lens. For optimal clarity, especially in bird box applications, carefully adjust the lens focus during setup.
• App Compatibility: The camera works perfectly with the CamHiPro app for live viewing, settings, and playback.
• Multiple Cameras: If using multiple cameras on your local network, note that the host name may not be changeable. Distinguish cameras by their IP addresses.
• External Lighting: Some users have successfully integrated external white daylight LED strips (purchased separately) that plug inline with the camera's power, enhancing daytime visibility inside dark enclosures.
• Power Supply: The camera requires a 12V power supply via the included adapter; it is not USB powered.

8. Warranty and Support

For detailed product information, additional tutorials, and the latest firmware, please visit the official HQCAM website: www.hqcam.cn.

If you encounter any issues not covered in this manual, please refer to the full user manual PDF available for download on the product page or contact your seller for support.

PDF User Manual: A comprehensive user manual in PDF format can be found at: View PDF Manual