Axis T8705 - User Manual

AXIST8705VideoDecoder
UserManual

Summary

Solution Overview

Get Started

Find the Device on the Network

Instructions on locating Axis devices and assigning IP addresses using utility tools.

Browser Support

Lists compatible web browsers for accessing the device's web interface.

Open the Devices Webpage

Steps to access the device's user interface via a web browser.

Set a New Password for the Root Account

Procedure for establishing the initial root password for device security.

Secure Passwords

Recommendations for creating strong, secure passwords to protect the device.

Webpage Overview

An introduction to the device's graphical user interface and its functionalities.

Configure Your Device

Add Multiple Cameras

Steps to add multiple Axis cameras using the device's wizard.

Add a Camera

Guide on manually adding a single camera, including non-Axis brands.

Configure a Monitor

How to set up display outputs for viewing video sources.

Advanced Camera Settings

Details on adjusting specific parameters for connected cameras.

Remove a Camera

Procedure for disconnecting and removing a camera from the device.

Upgrade Your Device to Firmware Version 6.0.x

Instructions for updating the device's firmware to the latest version.

The Device Interface

Status

Information panel showing the current operational state and resource usage of the device.

Video Sources

Section for managing and configuring connected cameras or video streams.

Display

Configuration options for video output, including multi-view layouts and sequencing.

Jobs

Feature for scheduling automated tasks like restarts or NTP synchronization.

System

Settings related to device time, date, network configuration, and basic system parameters.

IPv4

Configuration settings for the IPv4 network protocol.

IPv6

Configuration settings for the IPv6 network protocol.

Hostname

Options for setting a network hostname for device identification.

DNS Servers

Configuration for Domain Name System servers for network name resolution.

HTTP and HTTPS

Settings for network access protocols and security configurations.

Security

Configuration options related to device security, including certificates and network authentication.

Users

Management of user accounts and their access privileges on the device.

Logs

Accessing and viewing system event logs, access logs, and server reports.

Maintenance

Restart

How to reboot the device without affecting current settings.

Restore

Returning the device to a previous state or factory default settings.

Factory Default

Resetting all device settings to their original factory values.

Firmware Upgrade

Process for updating the device's software to a newer version.

Configuration

Options for downloading or uploading device configuration files.

Learn More

Streaming and Storage

Details on video compression formats and their impact on bandwidth and storage.

Troubleshooting

Reset to Factory Default Settings

Instructions on how to reset the device to its original factory state.

Firmware Options

Explanation of different firmware tracks (active, LTS) and their implications.

Check the Current Firmware Version

Steps to verify the installed firmware version on the device.

Upgrade the Firmware

Detailed procedure for updating the device's firmware.

Firmware Upgrade Problems

Solutions for issues encountered during or after firmware updates.

IP Address Issues

Troubleshooting steps for problems related to device IP addressing.

Access and Login Problems

Solutions for problems preventing access to the device's interface or login.

DHCP IP Address Changes

Information on handling dynamic IP address changes from DHCP.

IEEE 802.1 X Certificate Errors

Guidance on resolving certificate-related issues with network authentication.

Performance Considerations

Factors affecting the device's operational performance and network throughput.

Specifications

Product Overview

A visual and descriptive summary of the device's physical components.

LED

Explanation of the status indicators (LEDs) and their meanings.

Buttons

Description of the device's physical buttons and their functions.

Connectors

Details on the available physical ports for connecting peripherals.

Power Connector

Information about the DC power input port.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The AXIS T8705 Video Decoder is a device designed to decode and display video streams from Axis cameras and other compatible video sources on a monitor. It acts as an intermediary between network-connected cameras and a display, allowing users to view live video feeds without the need for a computer.

Function Description

The primary function of the AXIS T8705 Video Decoder is to receive video streams over a network, decode them, and output them to a connected display via an HDMI connector. It supports both Motion JPEG and H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10/AVC) compression formats, offering flexibility in video quality and bandwidth usage. The device can handle multiple video sources, allowing for various display configurations such as sequencing through different cameras or displaying multiple cameras simultaneously in a multiview layout.

The decoder operates by connecting to a network where Axis cameras or other video sources are present. Users can add cameras to the decoder either through a step-by-step wizard for Axis cameras or manually for other brands by providing the camera's IP address, username, password, and video stream URL. Once configured, the decoder can manage these video sources and present them on a monitor.

Usage Features

The device offers a user-friendly web interface for configuration and management, accessible via a web browser by entering the device's IP address. The interface includes several key sections:

• Solution Overview: Provides a visual representation of how the decoder integrates into a surveillance system, showing cameras connected to a network switch, which then feeds into the decoder and finally to a monitor.
• Get Started: Guides users through the initial setup, including finding the device on the network, opening its webpage, and setting a root password. It also details browser compatibility and secure password recommendations.
• Configure Your Device: This section is central to setting up video display.
  • Adding Cameras: Users can add multiple Axis cameras using a wizard that searches the network and allows for credential input. For non-Axis cameras, manual addition is required, specifying the video source type, configuration details (name, IP address, username, password, URL for the video stream, and codec).
  • Configuring a Monitor: Users can define how video sources are displayed. Options include "Sequencer" mode, which cycles through video sources one at a time with a user-defined interval, and "Multiview" mode, which displays multiple video sources simultaneously in a chosen layout. Users can create multiple views, each with its own name, duration (for sequencer mode), layout, and resolution.
  • Advanced Camera Settings: After adding a camera, users can access more detailed settings for each video source through an "Edit video source" option.
  • Removing Cameras: Cameras can be easily removed from the configuration.
• The Device Interface: Provides an overview of the web interface elements, including navigation menus, help access, language settings, theme selection (light/dark), and user management options.
  • Status: Displays real-time information about the device's performance, such as RAM, CPU, GPU, and GPU bus usage, decoding process status (Running or Stopped), IP address, and current date and time.
  • Video Sources: Lists all configured video sources, showing their name and type (Axis or Generic). It also provides options to add new sources and edit existing ones.
  • Display: Allows users to manage display views, add new views, start/stop sequences, and configure view settings like name, duration, layout, and resolution.
  • Jobs: Users can schedule various tasks, such as restarting decoding, rebooting the system, or synchronizing the NTP server. Jobs can be set to recur minutely, hourly, daily, or on specific weekdays.
  • System: Contains settings for date and time synchronization (manual or automatic via NTP/DHCP), network configuration (IPv4 and IPv6 settings, hostname, DNS servers), and HTTP/HTTPS access. It also includes security features like certificate management for authentication (client/server and CA certificates) and IEEE 802.1x protocol support.
  • Users: Manages user accounts, allowing administrators to add up to 100 users with different roles (Administrator, Operator, Viewer), each having specific access rights to device settings and views.
  • Logs: Provides access to various reports and logs, including the device server report (containing product status and access log), system log (for device events, warnings, and critical messages), and access log (for failed login attempts).
• Learn More: Offers information on streaming and storage, including details on video compression formats like Motion JPEG and H.264, and their implications for bandwidth and image quality.

Maintenance Features

The AXIS T8705 Video Decoder includes several features to ensure its smooth operation and allow for necessary maintenance:

• Plain Config: An advanced configuration page for users familiar with Axis device settings, allowing direct editing of most parameters.
• Restart: Allows users to restart the device without affecting current settings or running applications.
• Restore: Returns most settings to factory default values, requiring reconfiguration of the device, events, and PTZ presets afterward. Note that some network settings (boot protocol, static IP, default router, subnet mask, 802.1X, O3C) are preserved.
• Factory Default: Resets all settings to factory default values, including the IP address, making it necessary to reset the IP address to access the device again. This is a more comprehensive reset than "Restore."
• Firmware Upgrade: Enables users to update the device's firmware to newer versions, which may include improved functionality, bug fixes, and new features. Axis offers active and long-term support (LTS) tracks for firmware. The upgrade process allows for standard upgrade, factory default upgrade (resets settings), or autorollback (reverts if not confirmed). The device also supports firmware rollback to a previously installed version. Instructions are provided for upgrading, including a critical step to first upgrade to an intermediate firmware version (V5.1.8.5) before proceeding to V6.0.x. In case of upgrade failure, steps are outlined to send a report and manually upgrade using an SD card.
• Check Current Firmware Version: Users can easily verify the installed firmware version through the device interface's "Status" section, which is useful for troubleshooting.
• Download/Upload Configuration File: Allows users to download a configuration file (excluding certificates and private keys) to back up settings or transfer them to another device. Conversely, a configuration file can be uploaded to apply existing settings to the device, overwriting existing configurations in the same area.
• Troubleshooting Section: Provides guidance for common issues, such as problems with firmware upgrades (e.g., wrong file uploaded, issues after upgrade), setting IP addresses (e.g., different subnets, IP conflict), and browser access (e.g., login issues, changed IP by DHCP, certificate errors with IEEE 802.1X). It also offers insights into performance considerations, highlighting factors like image resolution, compression levels, number of clients, simultaneous streams, event usage, HTTPS streaming, network infrastructure, and client computer performance that can affect the device's operation.
• Contact Support: Directs users to axis.com/support for further assistance.
• Control Button: A physical button on the device that can be used to reset it to factory default settings.
• LED Indicators: A network LED provides visual feedback on network activity (flashing red for activity, unlit for no connection).

Axis T8705 Specifications