Use ProHD IP2M-841 as baby monitor camera

[kjs1028x]

I just received a single IP2M-841 camera. We want to use it to monitor the baby overnight.

The camera has been setup wirelessly via scanning the QR code and I can view/control the camera using the Amcrest View Pro app on my smartphone.

We've noticed significant slowdown of our internet speed (surfing, video streaming, downloads) since we've installed the camera, especially when we have the app running. I spent hours last night searching for solutions in the manual/forums/google and tried different settings/resolutions/bitrates, etc to no avail. I find it unbelievable that a single camera can cause such a grief.

I have a few questions, hopefully someone can help.

-Is the camera constantly sending data even when no devices are accessing/viewing it?
-Is the camera sending traffic via the internet even when the connected devices are within the same WLAN network?
-If so, is there an option/method to view the camera directly without going through the internet as we'll mainly be viewing it while we're home?

We just want to be able to monitor the baby from multiple devices when we are home and baby is sleeping.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Melvin]

Hello kjs1028x,

1) It can send data to check for firmware updates, check NTP and P2p server etc but it will not take much of data. At max it can be a few MB's a day I believe.

2) If you are accessing the camera on your smartphone with the P2p method, this will take data. Ensure that the viewing mode is set to Sd and not HD on the app on the live view screen. This will save a lot of data.

3) If you add the camera on the app with the Ip/domain method and use the local ip address of the camera and TCP port 37777, it will not have any internet usage as that is totally within your network. You can find the Ip address using the IP config tool from a PC/MAC connected to the same router as the camera.

https://support.amcrest.com/hc/en-us/ar ... g-Software

[kjs1028x]

Thanks that answered all my questions. Following your answer, I was able to connect to the camera's local IP (port 37777) using the app on my android phone. However we can no longer connect using local IP on any of our phones. No matter what we try (reboot router, restart camera, restart app) it keeps showing "Login Timeout". I've tried port forwarding 37777 to a specific phone but still the same "Login Timeout" error. I can still connect to the camera on my PC using local IP (using Chrome's Amcrest Web View app) and also the P2P method on all phones still works. Any help would be appreciated.

[Melvin]

Hello kjs1028x ,

When you add the camera with Local IP, make sure your phone is connected to your home wifi. This will only work locally when your phone is connected to your home wifi specifically the same wifi the cameras are connected to. Please check to see if that is the case.