Ctronics CTIPC Series IP Camera User Manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing Ctronics products. This user manual provides comprehensive instructions for setting up and using your Ctronics CTIPC security camera. We are committed to providing the best service to all our customers. For any issues, please contact us for a lifetime warranty.

This manual covers setup via the mobile app and PC software, camera viewing, settings, and frequently asked questions.

Contact Information:

• Email: support@ctronics.com
• Website: www.ctronics.com

Social Media:

• Online Support: ?
• Facebook: f Ctronics
• Instagram: ? Ctronics
• YouTube: ▶️ Ctronics Support

Table of Contents (English Section)

1. Product Overview

Ctronics CTIPC security cameras are indoor or outdoor cameras with various shapes and functions. They support Android and iOS smart phones, as well as Windows PC and Mac. Users can install multiple Ctronics CTIPC security cameras on a single piece of equipment.

2. Setting

After power-on, the camera will begin to work. It can be used as an independent video recorder. It is suggested to connect the system to your mobile device or PC for easy access. The camera can be added and managed via the mobile app, PC software, or a web browser.

3. Downloading and Installation of APP on a Mobile Phone

Please search for the app "Ctronics pro" in the App Store or Google Play, download, and install it on your smartphone.

Note: A prompt reading “Grand mobile phone use permissions for APP?” may appear during connection. Please choose "Yes" to enable all functions of the APP.

3.1 Registration of Login ID

A personal APP account can protect your privacy security, ensuring only you can view your camera feed. Follow these steps to register:

1. Open the APP and choose "Register" to enter the registration interface (See Figure 1).
2. Enter your email address for registration and click "Get verification code". After receiving the code, enter it in the corresponding field, set your password, confirm it, and click "Register" to finish the registration (See Figure 2).

Figure 1: Shows the login/registration screen with fields for Email and Password, and a 'login' button. A 'register' link is highlighted.

Figure 2: Shows the registration interface with fields for Email, Verification Code, Password, and Confirm Password, and a 'register' button.

4. Connection to a WiFi Network

There are two methods to connect your camera to a network:

4.1 Method A: Configure the network through the personal hotspot on your mobile phone.

For a video guide on network configuration via personal hotspot, please scan the QR code below or click the link:

https://youtu.be/P28GGqEzZI8

Step 1: Preparations

1. Connect the camera to a proper power supply and place it close to your mobile device and router.
2. After power-on and self-check, long press the "Reset" button for 8 seconds and release it upon hearing a prompt tone indicating a successful reset.
3. Note: After completing this step, wait for 1 minute before proceeding.
4. Enter the WLAN setting interface of your mobile device, find your family's WiFi network in the list, and connect to it.

Step 2: Connect the camera to your WiFi network

1. Open the "Ctronics pro" mobile application on your phone. Click the "+" symbol (See Figure 3) and choose "Camera (WIFI/Wired)" (See Figure 4) to enter the device adding interface (See Figure 5).
2. Click "New device" and verify that the camera has been powered on (See Figure 6). If it has, click “Power is on. Next step” to proceed to the network cable connection confirmation interface. If the network cable is not connected, click "Not connected to the network cable" (See Figure 7) to choose the network configuration interface.
3. Choose "AP distribution network equipment" as the adding method (See Figure 8) and click "Go add" to scan the QR code on the camera (See Figure 9). After successful scanning, there will be an automatic connection to the camera's hotspot. Click "CONNECT” (See Figure 10) to enter the wireless configuration interface.
4. Select your family's WiFi network, enter its password, confirm it, and click "Configure wireless and add" (See Figure 11) for configuration. The camera will connect to the WiFi network automatically. Click "confirm" to add the camera (See Figure 12).
5. Note: Ensure your WiFi network password contains at most 31 characters and avoids special characters like "?!" or "&,.". It is suggested to use a password with both digits and letters.

Figure 3: Shows the "Ctronics pro" app interface with a "+" icon to add a device.

Figure 4: Shows the menu after clicking "+", with options like "Camera (WIFI/Wired)", "4G camera", etc.

Figure 5: Shows the "Add device" screen with a "New device" option.

Figure 6: Shows the confirmation screen with "Power is on. Next step" button.

Figure 7: Shows the option "Not connected to the network cable".

Figure 8: Shows the "AP distribution network equipment" option.

Figure 9: Depicts a Ctronics camera with its QR code, instructing the user to scan it with their phone.

Figure 10: Shows the "Device to use with Ctronics Pro" screen with "CONNECT" button.

Figure 11: Shows the WiFi configuration screen with password entry and "Configure wireless and add" button.

Figure 12: Shows the "confirm" button.

4.2 Method B: Configure the network through a network cable.

For a video guide on network configuration via a network cable, please scan the QR code below or click the link:

https://youtu.be/HAn3F3TvoEo

Step 1: Preparations

1. Connect the camera to a proper power supply and place it close to your mobile device and router.
2. Take out the network cable provided in the package. Connect one end to the LAN port of your router and the other end to the network cable interface of the camera. (If the indicator on the network cable interface is flashing, it suggests a successful network connection.)
3. Enter the WLAN setting interface of your mobile device, find your family's WiFi network in the list, and connect to it.
4. Note: Ensure the WiFi network connected to your mobile phone and the network cable connected to the camera share the same router.

Step 2: Add the camera to APP "Ctronics pro" and connect it to the WiFi network.

1. Open the "Ctronics pro" mobile application on your phone. Click the "+" symbol (See Figure 13) and choose "Camera (WIFI/Wired)" (See Figure 14) to enter the device adding interface (See Figure 15).
2. Click "New device" and verify that the camera has been powered on (See Figure 16). If it has, click "Power is on. Next step" to enter the network cable connection confirmation interface. If the network cable is connected, click "Connected network cable" to enter the device list interface (See Figure 17).
3. On the device list interface, choose the device's UID (See Figure 18) that was searched. The APP will skip to the device information interface automatically.
4. After device information confirmation, click "ADD TO” (See Figure 19). Select your family's WiFi network, enter its password, confirm it, and click "Configure wireless and add" (See Figure 20) for configuration. The camera will connect to the WiFi network automatically. Click "confirm" to add the camera (See Figure 21).
5. Note: Ensure your WiFi network password contains at most 31 characters and avoids special characters like "?!" or "&,.". It is suggested to use a password with both digits and letters.

Figure 13: Shows the "Ctronics pro" app interface with a "+" icon to add a device.

Figure 14: Shows the menu after clicking "+", with options like "Camera (WIFI/Wired)", "4G camera", etc.

Figure 15: Shows the "Add device" screen with a "New device" option.

Figure 16: Shows the confirmation screen with "Power is on. Next step" button.

Figure 17: Shows the "Connected network cable" option.

Figure 18: Shows the "Device List" interface displaying connected devices.

Figure 19: Shows the "ADD TO" button.

Figure 20: Shows the "Configure wireless and add" button.

Figure 21: Shows the "confirm" button.

5. APP Overview

On the main interface of the APP, users can view videos saved on the MicroSD card of the mobile device, local screenshots, and videos on the camera. Users can also visit the camera and set parameters (See Figure 22).

Figure 22: Shows the "Ctronics pro" app main interface with a camera feed, numbered controls for various functions.

Key Interface Elements:

1. Sidebar: Used for viewing account information, local files, accessing the store to view and purchase products. For any product-related questions, click the online customer service icon to contact support.
2. Four-screen setting: In the four-screen setting interface, click "Add four-screen group". Enter a group name and choose the cameras to add. Click "OK" to view the real-time images of the four cameras simultaneously.
3. Add camera: Click "+" to select the device to connect based on the camera model.
4. Playback of videos in MicroSD card: Click the icon to view videos and files under "Time playback", "File playback", and "Image playback" (See Figures 23, 24, 25).
• Time playback: Select "All Videos" or "Alarm Videos". Then, choose the desired date and time to view the corresponding videos.
• File playback: Search for videos by time, play them, and download them to your mobile phone.
• Image playback: View the alarm snapshots captured by the camera.
5. Local files: After clicking the snapshot and video buttons on the real-time image interface, manually captured images and videos will be saved here. They can be viewed and downloaded to your mobile phone's photo albums.

Figure 23: Shows the "Time playback" interface with a timeline and a list of recorded videos.

Figure 24: Shows the "File playback" interface with search options and a list of video files.

Figure 25: Shows the "Image playback" interface displaying alarm snapshots.

6. Camera Viewing

Click the camera image to enter the real-time monitoring interface (See Figure 26).

Figure 26: Shows the camera viewing interface with numbered controls for various functions.

Interface Controls:

1. Setting (⚙️): Access the camera's parameter setting interface to adjust various settings.
2. Image quality mode (SD/HD): Choose between "HD" and "SD" for the previewed images.
3. Sound monitoring (?): Monitor sounds near the camera.
4. Manual recording (?): Record the current video and save it as a local file on the APP.
5. Screen image saving (?): Capture a screenshot of the current screen image and save it as a local image on the APP.
6. Voice intercom (?): Use voice intercom functionality by long-pressing this icon.
7. PTZ operation button (⬆️⬇️⬅️➡️): Operate the camera's Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) for upward, downward, leftward, and rightward rotation.
8. Digital zooming (+/-): Zoom in on images using the "+" symbol or zoom out using the "-" symbol. Note: This function only amplifies the size of the camera images and does not change the lens' focal length or image definition.
9. Mirror/flip (?): Flip the camera images horizontally (left-right mirroring).
10. Volume control (?): Set the camera's input and output volume.
11. Optical zooming: Zoom in or out on near and far objects and adjust the focus.
12. Preset position: Set specific positions for the camera to return to. Move the camera to a desired position, enter a number (e.g., "1"), and click "Set". This position will be recorded. To move to a preset position, enter the corresponding number and click "Call". The camera will automatically move to the saved position.
13. Night vision mode:
    • Infrared light mode: Enables infrared light for black-and-white pictures.
    • Full-color mode: Enables white-light light for full-color screen images.
14. Intelligent mode: When no human is detected, the infrared light turns on for black-and-white pictures. When a human is detected, the white-light turns on for color pictures. If no human is detected for 30 seconds, the pictures revert to black-and-white.
15. Intelligent tracking: The PTZ rotates to track detected motion or human-shaped objects until they disappear, then returns to its original position automatically.

7. Camera Setting

Access the camera's setting interface (See Figure 27).

Figure 27: Shows the camera settings menu with categories like Wireless, Password, Alarm, Audio/Video, SD Card, and System settings.

Settings Categories:

• Wireless setting: Connect to a WiFi network by searching for it and entering the password.
• Change password: The default password is "admin". It is recommended to change the default password to protect your camera.
• Alarm Settings:
  • Alarm management and notification:
    • Alarm push: Receive alarms on your mobile phone when moving objects are detected. Note: If you do not receive alarms, scan the QR code or click the link to view instructions on making the APP run videos in the background (Android only). https://youtube.com/shorts/Z3Bu7SPGAyc?feature=share
    • Equipment alarm:
      • Motion detection and alarming: The camera alarms when any moving object is detected. Motion detection sensitivity can be adjusted.
      • AI alarming: Enable/disable the camera to track identified objects.
      • Alarm trigger: The default mode is "interlinked trigger", which detects only human-shaped objects to reduce false alarms. In "separate trigger" mode, the camera alarms upon detecting any moving or human-shaped object.
  • Set alarm plan: Includes simple and advanced settings for detection and alarming schedules (e.g., around-the-clock or user-defined periods).
  • Alarm linkage: Enable/disable saving videos or snapshots to the TF card. Configure the camera to sound an alarm via its speaker when motion is detected, with options for sound type and duration.
• Audio and video management:
  • Video settings: View code rates and frame rates. Note: Video parameters are automatically adjusted by the system and do not require manual modification.
  • Audio settings: Set audio output type (Line input/microphone input) and input/output volume (1-100, adjustable).
• SD card recording and capacity:
  • SD card plan recording: Enable/disable round-the-clock recording. Set bit stream, video file duration (15s ~ 900s), and recording period.
  • SD card settings: View total and remaining storage space of the MicroSD card. Note: A 1080P camera supports up to a 64GB TF card; cameras above 1080P support up to a 128GB TF card.
• System settings:
  • Time setting: Set the camera's time and time zone.
  • Default setting: Restart and reset the camera to factory defaults.
  • Device information: View camera information such as software version, IP address, and network type.
• Share camera: Click the share icon to enter the sharing interface. Enter the email address of the person you want to share with, click the share button. A QR code will be generated. The recipient can then select "Add sharing device" on their adding interface and scan the QR code to share access (See Figure 28).

Figure 28: Shows the "Share camera" interface with options to enter email and a list of shared devices.

6. Use HIP2P Client Software to Set Up the Camera

6.1 Use the HiP2P Software to Connect to the Camera

Step 1: Preparation

1. Download and install the PC/MAC software "HiP2P" from the Ctronics website (www.ctronics.com).
2. Connect the camera to the power supply.
3. Connect the camera to your mobile phone via network configuration, or connect the camera to the router with a network cable for networking.

Step 2: Connect the Camera in HiP2P Software

1. Run the "HiP2P" software on your computer. By default, there is no password, and the password field is blank.
2. Click the setting icon (⚙️) on the menu bar and select the input device UID option (See Figure 29-1).
3. Enter the UID and name of the camera. The default password is "admin". (The UID is located on the label of the camera, as shown in Figure 29-2).
4. Click the preview interface, select the device, right-click, and drag the camera into the screen window.
5. After a few seconds, the camera will display the status "Online" on the interface (See Figure 30).

Figure 29-1: Shows the "P2P Client" software interface with "Device Management" options and an "Add Device" dialog box.

Figure 29-2: Shows a Ctronics camera label with details like MODEL:CTIPC-285C, UID, User, Psw, Power, and Made in China.

Figure 30: Shows the "IP CAMERA" interface with a device listed as "Online".

6.2 PC/Mac Client Software Introduction

You can connect multiple Ctronics security cameras to the same PC using the "HiP2P" PC/Mac software, which can be downloaded from the Support-Download section of the Ctronics website.

Note:

• Compared to the Windows software, the interface of the Mac software is more simplified. Many functions may only be available in the Windows version.
• The default login account is "admin" with a blank password. You can leave the password field blank and confirm to access the functions on the interface.

The menu bar has 8 function icons: Preview (?️), Auto add, Local playback, Remote playback, Settings (⚙️), System log, Switch user, and Exit (from left to right).

6.3 Preview Interface

This interface is used to view the real-time picture of the camera, operate the camera's PTZ and image settings, set preset positions, use the voice intercom, take pictures and videos, and perform split-screen viewing (See Figure 31).

Figure 31: Shows the "IP CAMERA" preview interface with a camera list, multiple live feeds, and numbered controls for PTZ, preset positions, image settings, zoom, intercom, recording, and screenshots.

Preview Interface Controls:

1. Camera list: Displays the name information of the cameras.
2. Camera real-time image: View the live image of the camera.
3. PTZ control (⬆️⬇️⬅️➡️): Operate the camera to rotate up and down, and use the camera lens optical zoom. Note: Fixed focus cameras do not support the zoom function.
4. Preset position setting: Move the camera to a position, enter a number (e.g., "1"), and click "Set". This position will be recorded as position "1". Move the camera to a second position, enter "2", and click "Set". The second position will be recorded as position "2". To move the camera to a preset position, enter the corresponding number and click "Call". The camera will automatically move to the preset position (only applicable to PTZ cameras).
5. Image settings: Adjust the color balance, brightness, etc., of the image.
6. Electronic zoom: Zoom in on a specific part of the image.
7. Intercom function (?): Click the button to speak to the person on the other side of the camera.
8. Volume adjustment (?): Adjust the volume.
9. Manual recording (?): Record the real-time picture and save it to the computer disk.
10. Save the picture (?): Take a screenshot of the real-time picture and save it to the computer disk.
11. Number of split screens: Choose single screen or multiple screens to view the camera feed.
12. Full screen mode: Display the full screen picture.
13. Hide event: Click to hide the event box below.

6.4 One-click Add Interface

Click this option to automatically add cameras that are in the same Local Area Network (LAN).

6.5 Remote Playback

Remote playback allows you to view recorded videos from the TF card. After inserting the TF card, the camera automatically saves videos to it. To play recorded videos, select the camera, recording type, date, and time to find the desired video for viewing (See Figure 32).

Figure 32: Shows the "IP CAMERA" remote playback interface with options to select video files, channels, dates, and times, and playback controls.

Remote Playback Controls:

1. Video file list: Displays the name and time information of video files on the SD card.
2. Video type: Choose different video types to filter the video content.
3. Select channel: Select different cameras to view their videos.
4. Recording time: Play recordings from different time periods by selecting the year, month, day, and time.
5. Camera video image: View the video image of the camera.
6. Play button (▶️): Click to start playing the video.
7. Pause playback: Click to pause video playback.
8. Save the picture (?): Take a screenshot of the playback screen and save it to the computer disk.
9. Electronic zoom: Zoom in on a part of the image.
10. Full screen mode: Display the full screen picture.
11. Volume adjustment (?): Adjust the volume.
12. Video progress bar: Move the progress of the video for repeated viewing.

6.6 Settings

Manage devices within the software (See Figure 33).

Figure 33: Shows the "IP CAMERA" software interface with "Device Management" options including "Add Area", "Modify Area", "Delete Area", "Input UID", "Modify Device", "Delete Device", "Add", "Search", and "Select All".

Device Management Functions:

1. Area management: Add, modify, or delete areas.
2. Add camera: Input the camera's UID, name, and password to add it. The default password is "admin"; if it has been modified, enter the modified password.
3. Camera management: Modify or delete an added camera.
4. Search and add the local camera.

Parameter Setting

Set camera parameters (See Figure 34).

Figure 34: Shows the "IP CAMERA" software interface with "Parameter settings" selected, displaying categories like Video, Image, Audio, Alarm, Network, SD Card, Timed capture, PTZ, Login Info, System, 4G Settings, and Motion Detection.

Parameter Categories:

• Video (1): View video parameters, set OSD, and video frequency. Note: Video parameters are adaptive by the system and do not support manual modification.
• Image settings (2): View image parameters and enable or disable smart tracking.
• Audio (3): Set input and output volume to control the sound.
• Alarm settings (4): Configure motion detection, humanoid detection, mailbox alarm, and FTP alarm. When an object is detected, the camera will alarm and send pictures or videos to the mailbox and FTP server. You can also set the alarm time and customize the alarm time period.
• Network settings (5): View information such as IP address, HTTP port, HTSP port, and ONVIF protocol.
• TF card (6): Set the type of video stream to be recorded and the duration of the video file. Check the remaining space of the TF card and format it. You can also set the recording time to customize the recording.
• Timed capture (7): Set the image to be saved to the TF card and FTP server.
• PTZ (8): Set the camera PTZ parameters.
• Login information (9): Modify the camera's password.
• System (10): Set the time zone of the device and view device information parameters.
• Wifi settings (11): Set the WiFi network of the device and check if the connected WiFi network is normal.
• Motion detection (12): Set multiple detection areas and detection sensitivity.
• Recording management: Set PC hard disk recording, enable/disable recording, set recording schedule, make custom settings for recording, and select the computer disk to change the storage path. Note: Keep the software running on the PC to record video on the hard disk.
• Alarm management: Set the alarm function on the PC side, enable/disable alarms, set the alarm schedule, and configure sound alarms on the PC.
• User Management: Set the user account and password for HIP2P on the PC.
• Other settings: Set the saving path for pictures after taking a local photo, the number of split screens for the real-time interface, and the default password after adding a camera.

7. Use PC Browser to Set Up the Camera

Step 1: Preparation

1. Connect the camera to a power supply.
2. Connect the camera to the router with a network cable. Ensure your computer and camera are in the same local area network. (If you have already connected the network via the mobile APP, you do not need to connect the network cable).

Step 2: Connect the Camera in the PC Browser

1. In the mobile phone APP settings, find the camera information interface and check the IP address of the camera (See Figure 35).
2. Open an IE browser on your computer, enter the camera's IP address in the browser, and search.
3. Input the default user name "admin" and the default password "admin" to enter the camera welcome interface.
4. Select the language and click "PC View" to access the camera (See Figure 36).

Figure 35: Shows the "Device Information" interface with the "IP Address" highlighted.

Figure 36: Shows the camera welcome interface accessed via a PC browser, with options for "PC view" and "Setup software".

8. FAQ

1. How do I turn the camera on?

   Once powered on, the camera will automatically turn on and self-check the gimbals. There is no power indicator on the camera. You can cover the light detector to simulate night mode and check if the infrared LED is on. If it is, the camera is powered on correctly.

2. What if the camera network "IPCAM-xxxxxx" cannot be found and the mobile device cannot connect to the camera?

   Please reset the camera to factory settings, then search the internet again on your mobile device. Note: Do not connect the network cable when looking for the camera network on the mobile device.

3. How can I recover the password of the camera?

   If you forget the password, you must reset the camera to factory default settings and then set a new password.

4. How do I reset the camera to factory default settings?

   If the camera is connected online, you can find the reset option in the phone application or PC software. If the camera is offline, press and hold the reset button on the camera's connection line for 15-20 seconds to reset it.

5. How do I delete the videos on the TF card?

   When the TF card is full, the camera will automatically clear the original records. If you wish to delete videos manually, you can enter the "Ctronics pro" APP's TF card settings and format the TF card.

6. I set up the camera WiFi network, but when I unplug the network cable, the camera disconnects.

   The camera does not support special characters (e.g., è ào...) or symbols (@#& .) in the WiFi SSID and password. Please use standard English letters and numbers. Also, check your router settings and ensure that your Wi-Fi encryption is not set to AES + TKIP combined algorithm, as this is not supported.

7. The time displayed on the recorded video is incorrect. What is the difference in the actual recorded time?

   By default, the camera's time zone is GMT+8. Please enter the camera's time setting and select the correct time zone. If you observe daylight saving time, enable that option. After selecting the new time zone, remember to verify the changes; the camera will restart to apply the correct time.

8. The alarm recording only lasts 15 seconds. How do I modify the length of the alarm video?

   The length of the alarm video is fixed at 15 seconds and cannot be modified. If the camera continues to detect motion at the end of 15 seconds, it will start a new recording. If an action lasts longer than 15 seconds, multiple recordings will be generated.

9. I don't know how to enter the mail information in the mail settings.

   We have a document detailing email settings and various email providers. You can find it in the Support-Download section of our website, www.ctronics.com, for reference.