Blue-Iris

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Remote Camera Setup & Configuration

This repository contains the documentation, bill of materials (BOM), and 3D printing files required to deploy and configure the remote automation camera setup.

📋 Table of Contents

• Hardware Prerequisites
• Software Requirements
• Installation & Network Configuration
• Blue Iris Configuration
  • Adding Cameras
  • Web Server Setup
  • CPU Optimization (Critical)

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🛠 Hardware Prerequisites

Please refer to the full Remote Monitoring Cameras BOM folder for comprehensive details. Core components include:

Cameras: Primary recording devices.

Network Switch: A POE (Power Over Ethernet) Switch is required to provide data and power to the cameras.

Cabling: Standard ethernet cables.

Mounting Hardware: Includes a camera mount. STLs for the 3D printed cover and mounting brackets are included in this repository.

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💻 Software Requirements

Blue Iris: The primary surveillance and connection software. Note: Blue Iris does not have a native macOS version and requires Windows.

DHCP Server: Required for dynamic IP address assignment if your local network lacks one. The installer is also available on Google Drive.

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🚀 Installation & Network Configuration

Step 1: Download and Install Blue Iris

1. Download the Blue Iris software from the official website
2. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
3. Update to the latest version if applicable

Step 2: Network Setup

Option A: Networks Without a DHCP Server

1. Install and Configure the DHCP Server

   The DHCP server will assign IP addresses to any camera that connects to the network.

   a. Extract the DHCP installation files to Program Files

   b. Run dhcpwiz.exe to launch the configuration wizard

   c. Select the network adapter you're going to use for the local network

   • If you need to configure the adapter first, refer to the network adapter configuration instructions

   d. Configure supported protocols (leave unchecked):

   • HTTP (Web Server)
   • TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol used for remote boot)

   e. Set the IP address range:

   • Stay on the same IP Address XXX.XXX.X.XXX so that everything is on the same network
   • If you have static IP addresses on the network, don't overlap with the dynamic pool
   • Set lease time to 1 Day (only needs to be short if you're going to have lots of devices and might run out of addresses)
   • Make sure the "Trace" option is checked
   • No need for any of the advanced options

   f. Write the .INI file (overwrite if needed)

   • This converts all the settings from the previous steps into a configuration file

   g. Install the service

   • Windows will then restart the DHCP server whenever the computer reboots
   • Configure the Firewall exceptions when prompted

   h. Verify installation

   • The DHCP server will run in the background
   • Any new devices on the XXX.XXX.X.XXX network will be dynamically assigned an address from the pool
   • The dhcptrc.txt file contains the log and is useful for troubleshooting connections

   Note: For future changes to the DHCP settings, you can edit the .ini file directly OR recreate it through dhcpwiz.exe. You'll need to restart the service for the settings to take effect.

2. Connect the cameras directly to the POE switch and your PC.

3. Test the connection by opening Chrome and navigating to the camera’s IP address to access its control software.

   

   Camera web interface showing device information and settings

4. Set credentials - If prompted.

Option B: Networks With a DHCP Server (e.g., Hamilton)

1. Connect cameras to the POE network switch and your PC.

   • Note: The Hamilton DHCP server will automatically assign an IP address starting with XXX.XXX.X.XXX

2. Verify the physical connection - Check that both indicator lights on the camera are on:

   • Green - Network connection
   • Red - Power

3. Find the camera’s IP address - Open Windows Command Prompt and type:

   arp -a

   This will display a list of IP addresses and their associated physical (MAC) addresses.

4. Locate your camera - Look for the dynamic type. The camera’s IP should be similar to the Hamilton’s IP (XXX.XXX.X.XXX).

5. Test the connection by opening Chrome and navigating to the camera’s IP address.

6. Log in.

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⚙️ Blue Iris Configuration

Adding Cameras

Follow the Blue Iris instructions for adding the cameras. Important: The RTSP port is different from the ONVIF default.

1. If Blue Iris cannot find the camera automatically, type the IP address into the http:// field and click Find/Inspect.

2. Once the connection is found, make sure to fill out the "Streaming Profile" portion.

Blue Iris camera configuration showing network settings and stream profiles

3. Configure the main and sub stream profiles as needed.

Blue Iris main interface showing live camera feeds

Web Server Setup

Enable the web server to stream a live view using the Calico Instrument Link on any PC connected to the Calico-Instrument network.

1. Open Blue Iris and navigate to Settings.

2. Open the Web Server tab, then click the Advanced button.

3. Set the authentication ("Require from:") to Non-LAN only.

CPU Optimization (Critical)

Re-encoding video is extremely CPU-intensive, wastes disk space, and should be avoided. Implementing these optimizations is highly recommended.

Direct-to-Disc Recordings: Allows recording directly to the hard drive without re-encoding. This is the most important optimization.

• Right-click a camera -> Camera properties... -> Record tab -> click Video file format and compression....

• Select the Direct-to-disc option.

• Note: This is profile-specific. If set for one profile, it will not automatically apply to others. It is strongly recommended to have the camera embed its own timestamp into the video stream.

Sub Streams: Available in Blue Iris 5.2.7+, this allows decoding a sub stream instead of the main stream, yielding massive performance gains. See the Sub Stream Guide for details.

Run As a Service: Running Blue Iris as a Windows service allows it to start automatically, recover from crashes, and reduce CPU usage when the GUI is closed.

Set Frame Rates: Lower frame rates to reduce CPU load. Change default frame rates (usually 25-30 FPS) to 15 FPS.

• Limit Live Preview: Apply a low number for the live preview rate limit. This reduces load without affecting actual recordings.

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