Chapter 1: General Information

Q1.1 What Is the Default IP Address of a Milesight Camera？

A：To find the current IP address, we recommend using the Smart Tools utility to automatically discover all Milesight devices on the same local network.。

The default IP address is 192.168.5.190. 

For some special models, such as the MS-C5321-FPE multi-sensor camera:

• Default wired IP address:192.168.5.190

• Default wireless(Wi-Fi AP mode) IP address: 192.168.1.1

Q1.2 What Are the Default Username and Password for a Milesight Network Camera？

A：

• Default Username：admin

• Default Password：For security reasons, you must set an administrator password when activating the camera. There is no default password.

Q1.3 How to Discover and Activate an IPC Using Smart Tools？

A：Smart Tools is the official Milesight utility for discovering and managing devices on a local area network (LAN). It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. 

Operation Steps：

1. Download and Install Smart Tools（Official Download Link：Milesight Software & Platform）

2. Ensure that the computer and the camera are on the same local area network (LAN).

3. Launch Smart Tools. It will automatically scan and display all Milesight devices.

4. The list displays the device name, IP address, MAC address, model, firmware version, and activation status.

5. Select an unactivated device → Click "Activate" → Set a password

6. Select an activated device → You can modify the IP address, perform batch firmware upgrades, and configure parameters in bulk.

If the IPC cannot be discovered by Smart Tools, please refer to the following technical document:Troubleshooting Guide for Milesight Camera cannot be found by Smart Tools

Q1.4 How to Upgrade IPC Firmware？

A：There are two methods to upgrade the firmware: local upgrade (manually uploading the firmware package) and online upgrade (checking for updates directly from the cloud through the web interface).

Local Upgrade Steps：

1. Confirm the current device model and firmware version (check them on the System Info page in the web interface). 

2. Log in to Milesight Firmware & SDK and download the latest firmware package (.bin file) for the corresponding model.

3. Log in to the IPC web interface → Go to Settings → System → Maintenance → Local Upgrade

4. Upload the `.bin` firmware file, and click upgrade.

5. Do not power off the device during the upgrade process. Wait for 3–5 minutes, and the device will restart automatically. 

Notes：

• During the firmware upgrade process (approximately 3–5 minutes), the device will go offline. Do not power off the device or refresh the page.

• It is recommended to back up the configuration before upgrading (Settings → System → Maintenance → Export Config File).

• For cross-major-version upgrades (e.g., 51.7.x.x → 51.8.x.x), please contact the Milesight Support team to verify compatibility before upgrading.

• If the firmware upgrade fails, the device will automatically roll back to the previous firmware version.

More detail refer to：How to upgrade Milesight camera firmware(new)

Q1.5 How to Restore an IPC to Factory Settings？

A：There are two ways to restore the IPC to factory settings: hardware button reset (recommended) and soft reset via the web interface. 

Hardware Reset Steps (Applicable to Most IPC Models)：

1. Find the Reset button on the camera body. It is usually located near the network port or inside the SD card slot cover and labeled as "RESET".

2. Press the reset button and hold on, then power on the network camera and the IR LEDs will begin to twinkle.

3. Keep pressing the reset button until the IR LEDs stay always on.

4. It will take 1~3 minutes to complete the reset and the IP will turn into 192.168.5.190.

5. Reactivate the Camera.

Soft Reset via the Web Interface：

1. Log in to the web interface → Go to Settings → System → Maintenance. 

2. Click "Reset" and then click "Yes" to confirm.

Note：

• Restoring the IPC to factory settings will clear all custom configurations, including the IP address, password, event rules, storage settings, and more. 

• It is recommended to export a configuration backup before resetting the IPC.

More detail refer to：How to Hardware Reset Milesight Camera

Q1.6 What is the warranty period for the camera?

A: The warranty period starts from the camera shipment date. Standard cameras are covered by a 3-year/5-years(Optional) warranty, while PTZ cameras are covered by a 2-year/3-year(Optional) warranty. Free technical support and after-sales service are provided within the warranty period.

Q1.7 How to find the Camera's Serial Number and MAC Address?

A: There are two ways to find the camera's Serial Number(S/N) and MAC Address:

1. Check the label on the back of the camera. 

The camera's Serial Number(S/N) and MAC Address are printed on the product label.

2. Check through the camera's web interface.

Log in the camera's web interface, then go to:
Settings → System → System Setting → System Info
The Serial Number (S/N) and MAC Address are displayed on this page.

Q1.8 How to Export Camera Diagnostic Logs and Configuration Files ?

A: Log in to the camera's web interface, then go to: Settings → System → Maintenance

• Click Export Diagnose Info to export the diagnostic log.

• Click Export Config File to export the configuration file.

Note：

• A password is required when exporting the configuration file. If the issue needs to be analyzed by the Milesight technical team, please send the configuration file, the configuration file password, and the camera administrator password together for further investigation.

Chapter 2: LPR Information

Q2.1  Does the license plate recognition algorithm require annual licensing fees?

A: The license is valid permanently. The algorithm is built into the camera hardware, eliminating the need for annual fees; firmware upgrades are free, and new license plate types are supported through firmware iterations.

Q2.2  Is the Milesight LPR camera an all-in-one unit, and do I need to purchase a separate spotlight?

A: It is a license plate recognition integrated machine with built-in lighting. In normal scenarios, no additional external lighting fixtures are required. In extremely dark environments, auxiliary lighting can be considered.

Q2.3  How will the cameras handle unlicensed vehicles?

A: The license plate number cannot be output, but vehicle images can be captured and an unlicensed vehicle mark can be output to the platform / interfacing system. It is also possible to set up separate alerts for incidents involving unlicensed vehicles.

Q2.4  Can the camera directly control the gate?

A: Yes, the barrier gate can be connected and controlled through the alarm output port or the Wiegand port of the camera.

Q2.5  Can I manually import pictures or videos for LPR recognition?

A: No, the camera only supports license plate recognition based on real scenes.

Q2.6  Can the camera support for black and white lists?

A: Yes, you can store up to 20,000 records inside the camera. It also supports setting different alarm actions for different lists. 

Q2.7  What vehicle attributes can the LPR camera recognize?

A: Plate number, plate color, vehicle type, vehicle color, vehicle brand, direction, country/region, speed(radar model).

*Vehicle Color and Plate Color identification are not supported in low-light or night conditions.

Q2.8  What is the maximum vehicle speed the camera can detect? 

A: Only radar‑equipped models support speed measurement. Refer to the table below for specific models and their maximum detection speeds.

Q2.9  What are the camera’s license plate capture rate and recognition accuracy?  

A: For supported countries and regions, the capture rate can reach 99%, and the license plate recognition accuracy can reach 98%.

Q2.10 Which countries are supported by the LPR algorithm?  

A: It currently supports more than 80 countries and regions worldwide. Please refer to the following document for details: https://www.milesight.com/static/file/en/download/other/Milesight-LPR-Supported-Region-List.pdf

Q2.11 Can license plate capture records be viewed through the camera’s web interface?

A: Yes. After inserting an SD card, you can view and download captured license plate images and videos on the Smart search page of the camera, as well as generate and download a table of license plate records.

Q2.12 Does the LPR camera support API?

A: Yes. It supports retrieving information and configuring the camera via API. You may contact us to obtain the API documentation.

Chapter 3: Hardware & Installation

Q3.1 What Power Supply Methods Are Supported by Milesight IPC? 

A：Milesight IPC supports two power supply methods: PoE power supply and DC power adapter supply. The supported power supply method depends on the camera model.

PoE Power Supply Standard：

DC Power Supply Specification：

• Standard IPC: DC 12V (a 12V 3A or higher power adapter is recommended)

• Speed Dome: DC 24V (a 24V 3A or higher power adapter is recommended)

• Multi-directional Camera: DC 12V, power consumption > 20W (a 12V 3A or higher power adapter is recommended)

Note：

• The PoE switch output voltage must be within the range of 48V–57V (standard PoE voltage: 48V).

• The recommended PoE transmission distance is within 100 meters when using CAT5/CAT6 network cables.

• For actual parameters, please refer to the datasheet of the specific camera model.

Q3.2 What Is the Maximum Supported SD Card Capacity?

A：The maximum supported SD card capacity is 1TB.

Recommended SD card brands: mainstream brands such as SanDisk, Kingston, and Samsung. The recommended performance rating is Class 10 / U3 / V30 or above.

Note：

• It is recommended to use surveillance-grade SD cards (such as SanDisk High Endurance). Regular SD cards have a shorter lifespan.

• The SD card must be formatted in the web interface before it can be used (Settings → Storage → SD Card → Format).

Q3.3 What Are the Protection Ratings (IP/IK) of Milesight IPCs?

A：The protection ratings vary depending on the model. Most models support IP67 and IK10, while some special models, such as PTZ cameras and Multi-directional Network Cameras, support IP66 and IK10.

Note：

• IP66/IP67 does not mean the device is waterproof. Prolonged submersion may still allow water to enter the device. Always use the product in accordance with its intended application.

• IK10 indicates resistance to a 20-joule impact, equivalent to the impact of a 5 kg object dropped from a height of 40 cm.

• For outdoor installations, proper waterproof connector sealing and lightning protection grounding are required

Q3.4 What Are the Requirements for Ethernet Cable Selection and Cable Length?

A：

• Recommended Ethernet cable types: CAT5e or CAT6 standard Ethernet cables.

• Recommended PoE cable length: up to 100 meters, in accordance with the standard PoE transmission distance.

• Solutions for cable runs exceeding 100 meters：

• Use a PoE Extender.

• Use a PoE switch as a repeater (add one PoE switch every 100 meters).

• Use fiber optic cables with media converters. 

• Outdoor Cabling：

• Use outdoor-rated waterproof Ethernet cables with a waterproof protective jacket.

• Waterproof protection must be applied to both ends of the Ethernet cable (use waterproof connectors and self-amalgamating waterproof tape).

• Avoid parallel installation of Ethernet cables and power cables. Maintain a minimum separation distance of 30 cm.

• For areas prone to lightning strikes, it is recommended to install a network surge protector for the Ethernet port.

Q3.5 How many lanes can the camera cover?  

A：Recommended front mounting covers up to 3 lanes, while side mounting covers up to 2 lanes.

Q3.6 How many alarm interfaces does the camera have?

A：The PG1 models have 2 alarm input interfaces and 2 alarm output interfaces.

Chapter 4: Network & Configuration

Q4.1 What Are the Default Ports of Milesight IPCs?？

A：The standard default ports of Milesight IPCs are as follows：

Note：

• Port 80 may be restricted in some countries or network environments (e.g., by certain ISPs or enterprise networks). It is recommended to use a non-standard port, such as 8101, instead.

• After changing the port, the access URL must be updated accordingly, for example: http://192.168.5.190:8101

• When performing RTSP port forwarding, the internal and external ports must remain the same, as RTSP is not fully NAT-compatible. Otherwise, the camera may fail to be added to an NVR/CMS.

Q4.2 How to Configure Port Forwarding for Remote Access？

A：Port forwarding maps a public port on the router to the IPC's internal network port, enabling remote access from the Internet.

General Steps：

1. Log in to the router management page.

2. Find the "Virtual Server", "NAT Forwarding", or "Port Forwarding" function.

3. Add a port forwarding rule：

• External Port (Public Port)：It is recommended to use a non-standard port, such as 8101.

• Internal IP Address: The IPC's internal network IP address (e.g., 192.168.5.190).

• Internal Port: The same as the IPC's internal port (e.g., HTTP port 80 → external port 8101).

• Protocol: TCP (do not select UDP or Auto, as RTSP transmission over UDP may be unreliable).

4. Save and apply the settings.

5. Verification: Access the IPC through http://Public_IP:8101.

Port Planning for Multiple IPC Deployments：

• Assign a unique external port to each IPC (e.g., 8101, 8102, 8103, etc.).

• The internal HTTP port can remain unchanged (default: 80).

• Map the RTSP port (554) as well, and ensure the internal and external RTSP ports are identical (e.g., 554 → 554).

UPnP Automatic Port Mapping：

• Enable UPnP on the IPC (Settings → Network → UPnP) and select Auto mode

• Ensure that UPnP is enabled on the router as well.

• The router will automatically assign ports and establish port mapping rules.

Note：

• Before configuring port mapping, ensure that the router has a public IP address. The WAN IP should not be within private or carrier-grade NAT ranges, such as 10.x.x.x or 100.64.x.x.

• Security: Avoid exposing commonly used ports such as 80/554 directly to the Internet. It is recommended to use high-numbered ports and enable HTTPS. 

Q4.3 How to Configure DDNS？

A：DDNS (Dynamic DNS) allows users to access IPCs through a domain name when a fixed public IP address is unavailable. 

Configuration Steps：

1. Register an account with a DDNS service provider (such as DynDNS, No-IP, or 3322.org) and obtain a domain name.

2. Log in to the IPC Web interface → Settings → Network → DDNS.

3. Enable DDNS.

4. Select the DDNS service provider.

5. Enter the domain name, username, and password.

6. Save the configuration. The IPC will automatically update its current public IP address to the DDNS server.

Note：

• The router must be configured with port forwarding (refer to Q3.2).

• Domain name resolution may have a delay of several minutes due to DNS cache updates.

• Some DDNS service providers require periodic account confirmation or refresh (e.g., No-IP requires confirmation once every 30 days).

More detail refer to：How to set up DDNS on Milesight camera

Q4.4 How to Configure NTP Time Sync？

A：NTP (Network Time Protocol) is used to synchronize the IPC system time, ensuring accurate timestamps for recorded video.

Configuration Steps：

1. Log in to the IPC Web interface → Settings → System → Date & Time.

2. Set the time zone (e.g., Asia/Shanghai UTC+08:00).

3. Enable NTP.

4. Enter the NTP server address:

• Default：time.nist.gov

• Recommended servers for China：cn.pool.ntp.org 或 ntp.aliyun.com

5. Set the synchronization interval (default: 1 hour).

6. Save the settings.

Note：

• When NTP is enabled, ensure that the IPC can access the public NTP server.

• If the NTP service is unavailable, the time can be set manually (manual time settings will be lost after power failure).

• For video playback and multi-device deployments, NTP synchronization is recommended to ensure consistent timestamps across recordings.

Chapter 5: Streaming & Storage

Q5.1 What Is the RTSP Stream URL Format for Milesight IPC？

A：The RTSP stream URL format varies depending on the camera model.。

Standard Network Camera（Bullet / Dome / Turret / Pro Box, etc.）：

• Primary Stream：rtsp://IP:554/main

• Secondary Stream：rtsp://IP:554/sub

• Tertiary Stream：rtsp://IP:554/third

Fisheye Camera（Channels 01-05 correspond to different streams）：

• Channel 01: rtsp://IP:554/main

• Channel 02: rtsp://IP:554/sub

• Channel 03: rtsp://IP:554/third

• Channel 04: rtsp://IP:554/fourth

• Channel 05: rtsp://IP:554/fifth

AI Dual Sensor Camera（MS-C8477-HPG1）：

• Channel 1: rtsp://IP:554/channel1/main or /sub or /third

• Channel 2: rtsp://IP:554/channel2/main or /sub or /third

AI Multi-directional Camera（MS-C5321-FPE）：

• Sensor 1-4: rtsp://IP:554/sensorN/main or /sub

• Boundle Stream: rtsp://IP:554/bundle/main

Note：

• The default RTSP port is 554. If the port has been changed, use the actual configured port.

• Some RTSP clients require username and password authentication when accessing the stream.

• VLC, FFmpeg, and ONVIF Device Manager are recommended tools for RTSP stream testing.

More detail refer to：RTSP Stream of Milesight Network Camera & NVR & VMS

Q5.2 How to Test RTSP Streaming Using VLC？

A：VLC is a widely used open-source media player that supports RTSP/RTMP streams and can be used to test IPC video streaming.

Test Steps：

1. Download and install VLC（videolan.org）

2. Open VLC → Media → Open Network Stream

3. Enter the RTSP URL（e.g., rtsp://192.168.5.190:554/main）

4. Click "Play"

5. If the configuration is correct, the IPC live view will be displayed normally.

Note：

• The initial RTSP stream playback in VLC may take 2-3 seconds to start.

• High-resolution main stream testing is recommended in a Gigabit Ethernet environment to ensure sufficient bandwidth.

• If the RTSP stream is unstable or lagging in VLC, switch to the sub-stream (/sub) for testing.

Q5.3 How to Configure SD Card Recording？

A：SD card recording can be configured directly from the IPC Web interface. The camera supports continuous recording as well as event-triggered recordings, including alarm recordings, stored on the SD card.

Configuration Steps：

1. Log in to the Web interface → Settings → Storage → SD Card

2. Check the SD card status (capacity, used space, available space, and health status).

3. Format the SD card before first use.

4. Go to the Recording Settings page and configure the recording schedule

5. Configure the storage strategy：

• Recycle Storage：Automatically overwrite the oldest recordings when the SD card is full. 

• Pre-record：For event-triggered recording, set the pre-recording time.

6. Save

Note：

• Recycle Storage is recommended to prevent the loss of important recordings when the SD card becomes full.

• It is recommended to check the SD card health status once a month. The expected service life is approximately 1-3 years, depending on the operating environment. 

Q5.4 How to Stream Video to a Live Streaming Platform Using RTMP？

A：RTMP streaming allows the IPC video stream to be pushed to live streaming platforms such as YouTube and Facebook.

Configuration Steps：

1. Obtain the RTMP push URL and stream key from the live streaming platform（e.g.,rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/xxxx-xxxx-xxxx）

2. Log in to the IPC Web interface → Settings → Network → RTMP.

3. Enable RTMP.

4. Select the video stream to push (Main Stream / Sub Stream).

5. Enter the RTMP push URL and stream key.

6. Save the settings and enable RTMP streaming.

7. The IPC will start pushing the video stream. The live video can be previewed on the streaming platform.

Note：

• RTMP push streaming consumes additional network bandwidth from the IPC.

• It is recommended to use a streaming resolution of 1080p or lower to avoid affecting other IPC functions.

• RTMP streaming is a real-time transmission service and does not save video recordings to the SD card.

• Some live streaming platforms may require specific resolutions and frame rate settings for RTMP streams.

More detail refer to：How to Use RTMP for Live Streaming on Milesight Cameras

Q5.5 How to Enable HTTPS Secure Access？

A：HTTPS encrypts Web interface access traffic to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. 

Steps to Enable HTTPS：

1. Log in to the Web interface → Settings → Network → HTTPS

2. Enable HTTPS

3. Select the certificate type：

• Default self-signed certificate (not recommended for production environments).

• Import a CA certificate (recommended).

• Create a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) and apply for a certificate from a CA.

4. Upload the certificate file and private key.

5. Enable HTTP-to-HTTPS forced redirection.

6. Save the settings and restart the Web service.

Note：

• After enabling HTTPS, access the IPC using an https:// URL. 

• The browser may display a "Not Secure" warning when using a self-signed certificate. Click "Advanced → Continue" to proceed. 

• The certificate and private key files must be in PEM format.

More detail refer to：How to enable HTTPS access on Milesight camera

Q5.6 Does LPR camera always need an SD Card to work?

A：License Plate Recognition, Black and White List Event, violation event, Live View Result Display and Back-end Post can all be performed without an SD card. However, without an SD card, the camera will not record any snapshots or video. Therefore, you cannot search or export LPR logs with images and videos but only text information. And it can store up to 1000 text LPR logs.

Q5.7 Does it support local storage on SD cards? Will the data be lost if there is no internet connection?

A：Supports local capturing and storage on SD card; when the network is disconnected, the captured data is saved locally on the camera, and the data can be retransmitted upon network recovery.

Chapter 6: ONVIF & Third-Party

Q6.1 Which ONVIF Profiles Are Supported by Milesight IPC？

A：Milesight IPC supports ONVIF Profiles S, T, G, and M.

Q6.2 What protocol does Milesight AI LPR Camera support to transfer data to back-end software？

A：TCP, HTTP Post method and MQTT.

Q6.3 Which back-end systems does the camera support?  

A：The camera supports the ONVIF protocol, so it can theoretically be added to any third‑party backend platform that supports ONVIF. In addition, we have implemented extra adaptations in the form of plugins or firmware for popular third‑party VMS platforms such as Nx, Milestone and Genetec.

Furthermore, if your platform supports HTTP, TCP or MQTT protocols, the camera can also transmit data in JSON or XML format to your platform.

Q6.4 Is there a dedicated back-end system for managing the parking camera series?

A：You can push data to your own backend platform via HTTP, TCP or MQTT. Besides, the camera is also compatible with certain other third‑party platforms, such as ZatPark.

Appendix A: Key Parameter Quick Reference Table