How to Set Up Your Amcrest ProHD WiFi Indoor Camera System

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It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the not-so-easy-to-follow security camera User Manuals. They’re supposed to make setting up indoor camera systems stress-free! The problem with a lot of these so-called “simple” guides is that they’re hard to follow. They’re only “simple” if you’re already familiar with the equipment and its terminology from the outset. This is why I decided to create a series of easy-to-understand guides. The purpose of these is to take the headache out of the security camera setup procedures.[1]

You may also want to print off our “Home Security Glossary of Terms” to familiarize yourself with some of the terminology. It’s in alphabetical order for easy reference. In this piece we look at setting up the Amcrest ProHD Wi-Fi indoor camera. We first connect using the free Smartphone app and then to the computers on your home network. Trust me; it’s a lot easier than it sounds. You may want to read this post as well, 5 Places You Need Indoor Security Cameras.

NOTE: You can jump to any part of this post by clicking the links in the table of contents

Table of Contents

  1. Set Up Options for the Amcrest IP2M-841 ProHD 1080P (1920TVL) WiFi IP Security Camera
  2. #1 Setup Using the Free Amcrest Apps
  3. #2  Setup the Camera on the Home Desktop (Computer)
  4. #3  Setup the Camera on Peer to Peer (P2P) Networking
  5. #4 Setup and Using Cloud Storage
  6. Final Thoughts

Set Up Options for the Amcrest IP2M-841 ProHD 1080P (1920TVL) WiFi IP Security Camera

How you set your camera up depends on how you want to use it, i.e. wired or wireless. Perhaps you also want remote access as well as local access. The ways you record and store your footage are other considerations. The only way to make everything simple is to break it all down in to digestible, easy-to-understand sections, so that’s what we’ll do.

The five setup options you will learn about in my Quick Start Page include the following:

  1. Setting up the camera on your Smartphone using the Amcrest app
  2. Setting up the camera on your Home Desktop (computer)
  3. Setting up the camera on Peer to Peer (P2P) networking*
  4. Setting up and using cloud storage

* Computers and other devices (smartphones, tablets, phablets, etc.,) connected to each other via the Internet.

#1 Setup Using the Free Amcrest Apps

For the uninitiated, I had better just explain what an app is before we move on. In technology terms, an app is a small, self-contained computer program that performs specific functions. Programmers design apps for use with smartphones, tablets or other high-tech electronic devices. You can also view an app as a bit of software if you like; a small computer program that carries out specific tasks. In this case, the Amcrest app allows you to access and control your indoor security camera unit(s). Before you can do that, you first have to get the app onto your mobile device.

The Amcrest View Lite and View Pro are free apps. You can use these on a smartphone, tablet or both. The beauty of this quick setup procedure is that it gives you the option for direct live access to your Amcrest ProHD camera. And it doesn’t matter where you happen to be in the world at any given time.

With remote access you get to control all the essential features, things like:

  • Pan/Tilt/Zoom
  • Recording
  • Taking snapshots
  • Two-way audio
  • Other features

You can download the Amcrest apps from the iOS app store or Google play store. We will use the Amcrest View Lite app for the purpose of this guide.[2],[3]

Connecting the Camera

OK, before you do anything else, you first need to connect your Amcrest ProHD camera to a power supply with its power adapter (included). It shouldn’t take any longer than a minute or two before the camera is ready for use. If you look at the rear of the unit you will see a small LED light. As soon as it turns green (blinking or solid) your camera is set.

Download and Initiate the Amcrest View Lite App

Connect your smartphone or tablet to your home Wi-Fi if it’s disconnected. If you haven’t already done so, visit the iOS app store or Google play store and download the Amcrest view lite app. That’s it—you’re now ready to set up the app so that you can view and control your home security camera on your smartphone or tablet.

Follow these steps to set up the Amcrest View Lite app:

  • Launch the app once it’s on your smartphone
  • On the upper left hand corner of your screen, click on the three dots to reveal the menu
  • Go down and click on the “Device Manager” option
  • On the next screen you will see a “+” icon—click it. You’re now at the “Add Device” screen
  • Choose the option “WiFi Configuration
  • Now add a name (anything that makes sense to you, e.g., Amcrest Living Room)
  • Scan the QR Code by selecting the “QR Code” icon on the bottom of your camera

Point to note: If you have trouble scanning the QR Code, you can enter the serial number (SN) manually. The SN is located on the base of your camera.

  • Now click the “Next” button
  • You will be prompted to enter your home wireless password so add that and click “Next

Point to note: Once you’ve entered your WiFi password, the camera will attempt to connect. This can take anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes so be patient. If your camera fails to connect after two minutes, my advice is to use the desktop method to connect it instead (see below).

  • OK, once the connection is made, click “Start Live Preview” at the bottom of the screen
  • You will now get a prompt to change the default password with one of your own—add it
  • Your smartphone will now open the Live Preview screen

That’s it. The ProHD 1080P WiFi IP Security Camera is now on your wireless network. You will find all the important icons along the bottom of your smartphone or tablet screen.

Point to note: When it comes to issues of security, that includes the use of strong passwords too. Make sure all your passwords are at least eight characters long, preferably more. Include a mix of numbers, upper and lowercase letters and symbols. Don’t worry about remembering them. All you have to do is use one of the free password managers (PWM) for all your login profiles. The password you use to login to the password manager is the only one you’ll ever have to remember, but you need to make sure it’s a strong one. My personal favourite PWM is Dashlane, but there are others you might want to check out before making a decision.[4]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What if I want to connect the camera to other smartphones and tablets?

A. That’s quite doable, but you’ll have to refer to the P2P section below.

Q. What happens if I forget my new password?

A. This is actually quite a common issue but it’s more of an inconvenience than a problem. People often enter a new password without writing it down or saving it somewhere—then they forget it. If you do this, just hold down the LED reset button on the back of the camera for a few seconds. This will force a hard reset so that you can start over.

Q. I’m not sure what all the icons and features mean in the apps interface?

A. Simply tap the “Menu” icon (top left side). Now tap “More” then “Help“. From the “help screen” choose which area you would like more details on. It’s no different to using the help options on modern smartphones.

OK, that’s all there is to setting up the camera on your smartphone or tablet using the Amcrest View Lite app. Now we’ll look at setting the camera up on you local home network. This will allow you to access the camera and all its features from a standard PC or Mac.

#2  Setup the Camera on the Home Desktop (Computer)

The “desktop” option means you can view the camera’s video stream on your computers. This can be hard-wired or WiFi. If you use WiFi, you first have to set it up on your smart phone as per the instructions above. Most of you reading here will also want to access your camera and all its features on the home computer network. In general, wired connections are more stable when it comes to speed and connectivity. This is especially noticeable if your WiFi network has a week or inconsistent signal. Connecting your security cameras to desktop PCs and notebooks gives you the benefit of bigger screens. You can then access the interface and all its features via popular web browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari in the case of Macs. How you run your setup is entirely up to you, but it’s nice to know you have both wired and wireless options.

The desktop setup is a pretty straightforward procedure:

  • Connect your camera to a power supply with its power adapter (included)
  • Now connect your security camera to the router with the Ethernet cable (included)

Point to note: You can skip the second step if you’ve already added your camera to the home WiFi earlier using the Amcrest view lite app above

  • Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive and wait for it to install the IP configuration software
  • Once installed, open the IP config software and click on the “Refresh” button.
  • Now click the “Browser” icon to launch the interface in the appropriate web browser
  • Log in to the camera using default username and password (admin/admin)

Point to note: If this is the first time you have logged into your Amcrest ProHD 1080P WiFi IP Security Camera, you will get a prompt to change the password. Make sure it’s at least eight characters in length and be sure to include a variety of numbers, upper and lowercase letters and a symbol or two. Be sure you store your password somewhere secure like a password manager (PWM).

#3  Setup the Camera on Peer to Peer (P2P) Networking

You’re all set to use P2P once you’ve setup your camera on the internet. The P2P feature allows you to add your ProHD WiFi IP Security Camera to multiple tablets and smartphones if you want to.

Here are the steps for setting up P2P from scratch:

  • Connect your camera to a power supply with its power adapter (included)
  • Make sure the camera is connected to the internet using your WiFi or wired connection
  • Launch the Amcrest app from your device
  • From the “Menu” icon (top left) tap the “Device Manager” option
  • From the “Device Manager” screen, tap the “+” icon and then choose “P2P
  • You can now name the camera so choose something appropriate to you and your setup
  • Tap the “QR Code” in the S/N field to scan the QR barcode on the bottom of your camera

Point to note: If you have trouble scanning the QR Code, you can enter the serial number (SN) manually. The SN is located on the base of your camera.

  • Once you’ve scanned the QR Code you’re at the login screen. You can also change your username and passwords before logging in if you need to.
  • Tap the “Next” button for the Amcrest app to connect your device to the camera
  • Now tap the “Start Live Preview” option

Point to note: If this is the first time you’ve logged in with the mobile device, the system will prompt you to create a new, strong password.

That’s it! You have successfully setup your Amcrest ProHD camera to a new device. You can now view live and playback recordings at your leisure.

#4 Setup and Using Cloud Storage

All cloud storage means is saving your video footage online, in a safe secure place. This is a handy feature, especially if an intruder runs off with your camera. It means you can still access everything your Amcrest ProHD has recorded up to the point where the thief disconnects the unit. If you only rely on a physical MicroSD card, your footage is lost along with the stolen camera. This is why the “cloud” is so useful when it comes to the home security setup. With cloud storage, you get to access, store and playback on any of your devices that have a connection to the internet. Click the link for other storage options.

  • Connect your camera to a power supply with its power adapter (included)
  • Now connect the Amcrest ProHD camera to the internet via your wired or WiFi setup
  • From your web browser, visit amcrest.com/cloud to sign up for a free account
  • Once you’ve registered, click on the “Add Camera” button
  • Give the camera a recognizable name and enter it’s serial number (bottom of the camera)
  • Go to the “Settings” page and adjust your preferences then click “Finish

Points to note: Along the top of the webpage are your menu buttons. Use these to view recorded footage or to watch the camera in live view.

Final Thoughts

Most people run into difficulties setting up the Amcrest ProHD Wi-Fi indoor camera—and other indoor camera systems—because of impatience. Never try to get things up and running if you’re short on time. Follow these suggestions on this page and allow yourself as much time as you need to. I can promise you that in situations like this slow really is the quickest way forward. There’s nothing complicated about any of it—even a technophobe can do it. But you must be in a relaxed state and allow yourself time to work through the steps. Good luck!

Resources

  1. http://www.smh.com.au/news/big-questions/why-are-instruction-manuals-always-so-difficult-to-understand-andfollow/2008/05/30/1211654289823.html
  2. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mm.android.direct.AmcrestViewLite&hl=enz
  3. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amcrest-view-lite-for-ipad/id950978877?mt=8
  4. http://www.howtogeek.com/195430/how-to-create-a-strong-password-and-remember-it/

Mark Bickmore

Hi, my name is Mark Bickmore. I'm an Engineer, who has a keen interest in home security and keeping my family, property and valuables safe from burglars. This website was set up to help me explore the research, facts and myths about burglars and burglary. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions, comments or suggestions.

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