This is continued from Part 3.
In this installment, I discuss how to configure NTP, recording to a memory card and the status LED indicator control.
Network Time Protocol
Enter an Network Time Protocol (NTP) server host name or IP address to synchronize the camera’s date and time to within 10 milliseconds of the official time. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Internet Time Service has a list of NTP servers to choose from; I choose the time-a.nist.gov server. The date/time is important because the camera places a timestamp over each image.
NTP Server: time-a.nist.gov
Color Night View
As a matter of preference, I enable Color Night View because color does so much to enhance an image. Try it both ways to see what you like best.
Panasonic Network Camera - Color Night View
Camera Audio
Enable the camera audio output if you’re hooking up a set a external speakers.
Panasonic Network Camera Setup - Audio
SD Memory Card Formatting
The Panasonic Network Camera uses an SanDisk Standard SD™ memory card. A 2GB card will store about 24 hours of 640×480 high quality images saved at 1 image per second. The camera will also accept a 4GB SD/SDHC memory card. The number of images that can be saved to an SD memory card depends on the resolution and quality of the pictures. See this table for the number of images for a given memory capacity and image settings.
SanDisk Standard SD Memory Card - 2GB
Formatting a New SD Memory Card
A new SD memory card must be formatted first before the camera can record images. There are two ways to format a new memory card:
- The camera’s on-board command located at Setup → Buffer/Transfer Trigger → Format
or - Panasonic’s free formatting software utility for WinXP and Vista. The formatting program requires that your personal computer has an SD memory slot.
The SD memory card slot is located on the side of the camera under a rubberized dust cover. The SD memory card installation instructions by Panasonic are here.
- Panasonic Network Camera – SD Memory Card Slot BB-HCM511A/BB-HCM531A
Recording Images to an SD Memory Card
After the new memory card is formatted and installed in the camera slot, you’re ready to configure how images will be recorded. I use a Timer Trigger to save an image each second the SD memory card.
To configure a Timer Trigger, click Setup → Trigger and click on a trigger number 2, 3, 4 or 5.
Setup Triggers to Store Images to Memory - Panasonic Network Camera
Under Trigger Setting, check the Enable box and click Next.
Timer Trigger Setting - Panasonic Network Camera
Under Time Setting, you can select the days, times and frequency the images will be written to the SD memory card. Here I’ve enabled 7×24 recording of one image per second at 640×480 resolution favoring clarity. The “No Transfer/Memory Overwrite” setting means the images are not transmitted externally (e.g. via e-mailed) and new images overwrite the oldest images when the memory is full.
Trigger Timer Setting - Panasonic Network Camera
Click Save to retain your settings. The camera is now recording images to the SD memory card.
Viewing Recorded Images
See the Panasonic User Guide for a wealth of information about viewing images and MPEG-4 videos.
To view images recorded to the SD memory card, click the “Buffered Image” tab on the main web menu.
Viewing SD Memory Card Images - Panasonic Network Camera
Use the fast forward and reverse scan buttons to choose a starting point in the recording history, choose the number of images to download and click Download. The images are saved in a proprietary .PNC file format. You will need the Network Camera SD Viewer utility to view and convert the .PNC files to .JPEG.
Stealth Mode – LED Indicator Control
The camera status LED is located on the lower right front of the unit. The LED will flash and/or change color to indicate various conditions. You can disable the status LED if you don’t want to attract attention to the camera, especially at night. (Or maybe it’s better to leave the LED so it will glow a steady green to let people know a camera is there to deter crime.)
To disable the LED, click Setup → Indicator Control and select the “Never turn indicator on” option, the click Save.
LED Indicator Control - Panasonic Network Camera
This series about the Panasonic Network Cameras covered several of what I consider to be frequently used features. Other things you can do with Panasonic cameras are:
- MPEG-4 video recording with audio. Video recording can be configured to run continuously or triggered when the camera senses motion by comparing changes in the picture image. See Setup → Motion Detection to adjust sensitivity and Setup → Trigger → No 1 Motion Sensing.
- Upload images to a web site or e-mail images. See Setup → Trigger.
- Configure Guest accounts for family and friends. See Setup → General User. I created an account for the Grandparents to be closer to the family activities.
Enjoy!
Bob Jackson
February 6th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Bob – I am considering purchasing this network camera but have one question about motion detection. I would like to buy the indoor version and simply sit it in the window (I have a North facing window so sun isn’t a big deal). However, I’m wondering if motion detection will work through the window. I’ve read that some sensors do not work through windows. Can you tell me what you know about this? Would my type of configuration work?
February 6th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
The less expensive models like the BL-C111A and BL-C131A use an infrared sensor that senses body heat to detect motion. Window glass can block the infrared and Panasonic notes this in the camera User Guide. False alarms are possible too, because warm air currents from a heating vent can trigger the infrared motion detector.
The more expensive models like the BB-HCM511A and BB-HCM531A work differently and detect motion by analyzing changes in pixels from one image to the next. The BB-HCM* models will therefore detect motion through windows and aren’t fooled by warm air currents. The motion sensitivity is adjustable and BB-HCM511A/531A User Guide in section “2.9 Adjusting Motion Detection Sensitivity” states:
Motion may not be detected as desired if the object’s color is similar to the color of the background.
Thanks for reading!
Bob Jackson