Amcrest IP2M-841 Configuration Frustration

revbilly

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I bought a refurbished unit from Amcrest Direct. Couldn't get the Search Tool to install until I logged in as Admin. An error message would have been helpful there...

I run the tool, get the address, and put it in Chrome, and I get the dialog "Please click here to download and install the plugin," which I did. I'm able to get into the interface, change the password, and look around. I configured the WiFi connection, but didn't uncheck the ethernet box.

I unplug the webcam and plug it back in. Now I can't get to it. I open the Search Tool and I see two entries. One is valid, and the other is random. Exactly the same across the fields except for the IP address.

I power cycle the camera again, put in the address, and the interface comes up asking me again to download and install the plugin. I looked at my Chrome extensions and see it is installed and active.

I'm starting to think this was returned by someone as defective, and they just stuck it back in the box and sold it as "Certified Refurbished."
 

t84a

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First, the Chrome extension is junk. Use IE 11. If you're seeing 2 IPs it may be that one is from your ethernet connection and the other is from wifi. Use IE and your troubles will go away.
 

TonyR

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+1^^. Use IE11.
Install Fing on your smartphone or tablet and get onto your LAN's Wi-Fi.
Run cable from router LAN port to camera.
Perform factory reset on camera as here.
When LED on rear of camera is green, perform scan with Fing and locate the cam's IP.
Log into cam with that found IP.
Go to can's "Network"/"Wi-Fi" tab, click on SSID of your wireless, input security code and click on "Connect".
Go to cam's "Network/TCP/IP" tab. At top select dropdown of "wireless" as the "default"; click on "Save".
If you're OK with the IP assigned by your router's DHCP server, click on radio button for "static" and click on "save". Write down that IP address.
Unplug wired connection.
Power down cam, wait 10 sec's, power back up.
Wait 60 seconds, cam should be online wirelessly at the IP you wrote down.

NOTE: the wired connection and the wireless each have their own unique IP address!
 

revbilly

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+1^^. Use IE11.
Install Fing on your smartphone or tablet and get onto your LAN's Wi-Fi.
Run cable from router LAN port to camera.
Perform factory reset on camera as here.
When LED on rear of camera is green, perform scan with Fing and locate the cam's IP.
Log into cam with that found IP.
Go to can's "Network"/"Wi-Fi" tab, click on SSID of your wireless, input security code and click on "Connect".
Go to cam's "Network/TCP/IP" tab. At top select dropdown of "wireless" as the "default"; click on "Save".
If you're OK with the IP assigned by your router's DHCP server, click on radio button for "static" and click on "save". Write down that IP address.
Unplug wired connection.
Power down cam, wait 10 sec's, power back up.
Wait 60 seconds, cam should be online wirelessly at the IP you wrote down.

NOTE: the wired connection and the wireless each have their own unique IP address!
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The actual problem I'm having is that I'm prompted to download and install the plugin that is already running. I'm using a desktop to do this configuration. Windows 10 with Chrome browser. I have a data limit because I'm in a rural area, and I don't want to download the plugin every time I need to configure the webcam.

Thanks for the explanation about the two connections. That seems to rule out the hardware problem I suspected.

Shit. Could the plugin require admin privileges? Seems like a longshot. Just brainstorming here...
 

TonyR

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Have you tried Internet Explorer 11? That should work.
If not try Palemoon browser, 32 bit here.
If so and still no joy, uninstall the plug-in and try this one for Chrome.

EDITED 1802 CT:
Forget Chrome, it's in a loop and the extension IS enabled in "settings".
I just used my IE11, it works.
Just used my Firefox, it works also; asked to enable "MMX" which I did.
 
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lifeatredline

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+1^^. Use IE11.
Install Fing on your smartphone or tablet and get onto your LAN's Wi-Fi.
Fing used to be my go to during installs till I found Wifiman app by Ubiquiti. Check it out! Also I have a cam or two that promps for downloading a plugin when accessed by browser but in those it's just to display video, the settings menus work without it. Don't know if yours could be that way.
 

pozzello

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1) the plugin gets downloaded from the camera, not from the internet.
2) use Internet Explorer for initial setup, as others have suggested.
 

revbilly

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During troubleshooting, after the camera had been on for a few hours, I picked it up and almost burned my hand. I measured the temperature at the tripod mount with an infra-red thermometer and it was 180°F. I'm calling it a hardware problem and sending this back.

Now I'm shopping for another PTZ wireless... I need something with good range.
 

pozzello

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if you want to take a chance on another one, at least there are plenty more of those available starting ~$50... :)
Amcrest IP2M-841 | eBay
 
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TonyR

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I'm starting to think this was returned by someone as defective, and they just stuck it back in the box and sold it as "Certified Refurbished."
During troubleshooting, after the camera had been on for a few hours, I picked it up and almost burned my hand. I measured the temperature at the tripod mount with an infra-red thermometer and it was 180°F. I'm calling it a hardware problem and sending this back.

Now I'm shopping for another PTZ wireless... I need something with good range.
You found why it was likely returned...Amcrest plugged it in, it worked, they did not let it run long enough to see it get hot like it did. Poor handling on their part.

It can happen...I wouldn't judge all of Amcrest products as being like that, as I have installed a half dozen IPM-721's and IP2M-841's and 8 of their 2MP POE bullets for people in the last 3 years (none "refurbed" however) and all are still working great.
 

revbilly

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You found why it was likely returned...Amcrest plugged it in, it worked, they did not let it run long enough to see it get hot like it did. Poor handling on their part.

It can happen...I wouldn't judge all of Amcrest products as being like that, as I have installed a half dozen IPM-721's and IP2M-841's and 8 of their 2MP POE bullets for people in the last 3 years (none "refurbed" however) and all are still working great.
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My thoughts exactly.

And while I have your attention, what do you think of the range on your IP2M-841s? I'm replacing an old Foscam that's a long way from the WAP. I would assume that this newer and more advanced cam would be better at picking up a signal, but it does worry me a bit that there's no external antenna. Do you have any opinion on the difference in range (if any) between models with external and internal antennas?
 

TonyR

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Two weeks ago I replaced a Foscam FI9831P with an Amcrest IP2M-841 in an all-brick sunroom, AP is a Unifi LP about 20 feet away and inside a closet; no issues thus far.

The Foscam was working great as far as I could tell but it began loading up the error log in Blue Iris, about 12,000 entries a day.
 

th182

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Anyone have reboot issues with the Amcrest line? I ordered an IP3M-941B off of amazon and am finding that it occasionally reboots itself. Or it’ll just go “no signal” for a while and won’t come back in BI unless I do a camera reset from BI. Even then it takes a while sometimes. I suspected WiFi issues but it does it on Ethernet as well.
 

TonyR

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Anyone have reboot issues with the Amcrest line? I ordered an IP3M-941B off of amazon and am finding that it occasionally reboots itself. Or it’ll just go “no signal” for a while and won’t come back in BI unless I do a camera reset from BI. Even then it takes a while sometimes. I suspected WiFi issues but it does it on Ethernet as well.
No negative issues here.
I have a IP2M-841W for 3 months and a IPM-721, the latter for 3 years, no issues. I have installed 3 more 721's elsewhere over 2 years ago, also no issues.
I think you got a stinker....I'd take advantage of amazon's easy replacement.
 

th182

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Good to hear! I was debating an exchange vs a return. I’ll give another one a shot and see how it goes. It’s handy for checking up on the doggo while at work!
 

revbilly

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No negative issues here.
I have a IP2M-841W for 3 months and a IPM-721, the latter for 3 years, no issues. I have installed 3 more 721's elsewhere over 2 years ago, also no issues.
I think you got a stinker....I'd take advantage of amazon's easy replacement.
Do you notice your IP2M-841 getting unusually warm? The reconditioned one I returned reached 180°F after three hours. I returned it and bought a new one. It doesn't get as hot as that, but it does get pretty warm. I've never had a little PT webcam heat up like this before. Should I be worried?
 
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