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	Step #2: Camera Setup

1) Throw the Panasonic Software CD-ROM Across the Room

If you are using a Mac or Linux machine, then take the CD-ROM that was included in the box and throw it across the room. Besides containing a couple PDFs that you can also find online, the CD-ROM is useless. Who reads that boring manual crap anyway.

Even though it doesn't say so in the instructions, on the box, or on Panasonic's website, this camera works on Macs. However the setup assistant that comes on the CD-ROM is PC only. The fact that companies still only make PC only software is completely ridiculous. Yeah we're talking about you Panasonic. Ridiculous.

It doesn't matter what operating system you are using (Mac, PC or Linux), you can use a web browser like Internet Explorer or Safari to configure this camera.

2) Make Sure Your Camera is Switched to 'Wired'

Pick up your camera and turn it upside down. The toggle switch for 'Wired' / 'Wireless' is located on the bottom of the camera. Make sure the switch is set to 'Wired'. By default it should come already switched in wired mode.

3) Connect Camera to Network and Power

Before we can setup and configure the camera, you need to use an Ethernet cable to connect it to your network router first. It doesn't matter if you purchased the wireless model. A wired connection is necessary to complete the initial setup of the camera.

• Connect power cable to your camera.
• Plug in one end of the Ethernet cable to your camera and the other to your network router.

What color light do you see on the front of your camera?

GREEN: Congratulations! You camera is not only powered on, but also connected to your network.

ORANGE: Oops. The camera has power, but it's not on your network. You need to use an Ethernet cable to connect your network camera to a router or hub that's connected to your DSL or Cable Modem.

4) Preparing Your Wireless Network For The Netcam

If your camera is not wireless, then skip to the next section below.

Before your network camera can function properly on your network, you'll need to prepare your network router to accept it as part of the family.

Open the configuration screen for your router. If you don't know how to configure your router, then bust out the manual that came with it. In the example below, we'll be using Apple's AirPort Utility (Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility). Just follow along if you have a different router than an Apple AirPort. For example, NetGear, Linksys, D-Link, etc. The general gist of the information is basically the same.

Wireless Security: The Panasonic netcams really like the WPA2 Personal setting. Apple also recommends that their customers use WPA2 Personal. It's a good secure choice. If your router is using a different setting, then please change it to WPA2 Personal now.

Network Speed: The speed of your Panasonic Network camera needs to match the speed of your network. There are currently 4 wireless speeds - A, B, G, N (slowest to fastest). For example, you can't connect a N only speed wireless card to a B only speed network. That's like trying to race a Lamborghini in the Tour De France. The Panasonic Netcams can handle B, G or B/G (both).

In the screenshot below we chose a special Apple AirPort 802.11n setting with backwards compatibility for B and G networks. This way newer and faster computers can take advantage of N speeds, but slower B and G speed devices can still access the network.

NOTE: If you change your wireless router settings, you may have to reconfigure your other wireless devices on your network (ie. Apple TV, computers, iPhone, iPod Touch, wireless media servers, etc.).

5) What's Your Camera's IP Address?

Before we can access the camera using a web browser, we need to know the camera's IP address. It's just like making a phone call. You can't call someone until you know their number.

After you've properly connected your camera to your network, chances are, one of these two links will pull up your camera's setup screen: http://10.0.1.253 or http://192.168.1.253. Try them. Hopefully one of them will open a configuration screen for your camera. If you see the configuration screen, then skip to the next step. If not, keep reading.

We need to find the IP address of the camera. If you are on a Mac, click on the Apple in the top right of your screen, select About this Mac and click on More Info (Apple > About This Mac > More Info). Now scroll down and select Network. In the Network section, your DNS server address should be listed (Apple Menu > About this Mac > More Info > Network > DNS: Server address).

The address of your camera is your DNS address, except with a "253" in the last number position. So for example, if your DNS address is 10.0.1.1, then the address of your camera is 10.0.1.253. Once you know your camera's address, open your web browser and type in the camera address like it's a website. If you are adding multiple cameras to the network, their address will probably end with the next lowest number like 252, 251, 250 and so on.

If you know how to find your DNS address on a PC, them please email us.

6) Wireless Settings

The first time you access your camera (try these links http://10.0.1.253 or http://192.168.1.253 or see the step above) you should see the Wireless Configuration screen. Select Enable. The click on Next.

You now need to input your wireless router's SSID (aka the name of your wireless network), speed and password. As I mentioned above, I had to select WPA/WP2 Personal to get the camera to work with my Airport Extreme. Then click Save.

7) Restart Camera to Enable Wireless Connection

After configuring your camera for Wireless mode, you need to do the following:

• Unplug the Ethernet cable from your camera.
• Unplug the power cable from your camera.
• Turn the camera upside down and toggle the switch to 'Wireless'
• Plug the power back in to the camera.
• Walk back over to your computer. Quit your web browser. Then launch it again.
• Open a new window in your web browser and access your camera's IP address again (ie. http://10.0.1.253 or http://192.168.1.253). You should now be able to access the camera settings wirelessly.

8) Oops!

If something goes wrong, you can always reset your camera by sticking a paperclip end into the tiny hole on your camera.

09) You're done here.

Let's go to the next section.

Panasonic Network Camera - Tutorial Introduction Camera Setup Camera Settings Configure Your Camera for Internet & Mobile Viewing Triggers & Motion Detection Monitoring Your Cameras Remotely

This item is available for purchase from Amazon.com Panasonic Corporation, formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., is a multinational corporation based in Kadoma, Japan. Its main business is in electronics manufacturing and produces products under a variety of names including Panasonic and Technics. For more information, check out: http://www.panasonic.com Rating: Requirements: More details here Manufacturer: Panasonic