Amcrest offers affordable IP cameras with local storage and RTSP support. This guide covers common issues.
Camera Won't Connect to WiFi
Initial setup problems:
- Amcrest app: Use Amcrest View Pro app or Amcrest Cloud app
- 2.4GHz: Most cameras only support 2.4GHz WiFi
- WPS: Can use WPS button on router for quick setup
- Web interface: Connect via ethernet first to configure WiFi
- Reset: Hold reset button 30 seconds for factory reset
Can't Access Camera Remotely
Remote viewing issues:
- P2P mode: Enable P2P/cloud in camera settings
- Port forwarding: Not needed for P2P, but required for direct IP access
- DDNS: Set up DDNS if using direct connection without P2P
- Firewall: Check if firewall blocks camera traffic
Video Stream Problems
Buffering and quality issues:
- Bandwidth: Reduce stream resolution/bitrate if buffering
- Sub-stream: Use sub-stream for viewing, main stream for recording
- WiFi signal: Check camera WiFi signal strength
- Encoding: Try H.264 instead of H.265 for compatibility
Motion Detection Issues
Alert and recording problems:
- Enable detection: Turn on motion detection in camera settings
- Detection zones: Configure motion zones to reduce false alerts
- Sensitivity: Adjust sensitivity level (higher = more sensitive)
- Schedule: Check motion detection schedule settings
- Notifications: Enable push notifications in app
Home Assistant Integration
Local integration options:
- RTSP stream: Add camera using RTSP URL in generic camera
- Amcrest integration: Official integration provides more controls
- ONVIF: Many Amcrest cameras support ONVIF protocol
- Frigate: Works great with Frigate NVR for AI detection
SD Card and Recording
Local storage issues:
- Format card: Format SD card in camera, not computer
- Card size: Check maximum supported card size
- Overwrite: Enable overwrite to continue recording when full
- Playback: Access recordings through web interface or app