Why can’t I see video from Foscam camera on a 3rd party NVR or NAS?

This article covers problems viewing the video feed from a Foscam camera to a 3rd party NVR/NAS which is ONVIF compliant. This article discusses some troubleshooting tips to correct this.

Solution 1: Verify the 3rd party NVR/NAS brand, model number, and firmware version.

• Visit the website of the manufacturer of the NVR/NAS and check for updated firmware. Be sure to select the appropriate firmware for the NVR/NAS that is having the issue. If the improper firmware is uploaded to the wrong model of NVR/NAS this could cause the unit to malfunction. Therefore it is important to verify the brand, model number, and firmware version of the unit in question. Please see the manufacturer’s website and technical notes related to the firmware before proceeding.
• Follow ALL the recommended steps on the manufacturer’s web site before initiating this procedure. Foscam does not support 3rd Party equipment and cannot be held liable to any difficulties the user may encounter when attempting this procedure.

Solution 2: Verify that the 3rd party NAS/NVR supports Foscam cameras or the ONVIF protocol.

• If the device offers both options try them both to see which options offers the best performance for your application.

Solution 3: Verify the 3rd party NAS/NVR support ONVIF 2.1 compliance. If it is an earlier ONVIF version check to see if a firmware update for the NAS/NVR has been released.

Solution 4: Verify that no special characters have been used for the Foscam camera login credentials. Special characters qualify as those which are not A-Z and 0-9.

• Special characters in some instances may keep the NAS/NVR from being able to login to a Foscam product.
• Verify that the username and password for the Foscam product are more than five characters long.

Technical Notes:

1) For Foscam models: C1, FI9816P, FI9803P V2, C1 Lite and FI9800P make sure to turn on ONVIF compliance under the camera’s settings.

2) Verify the correct ONVIF port is being used.

3) The Hikvision NVR only supports ONVIF protocols for Foscam cameras.

4) The QSNAP NAS only uses ONVIF protocols to add Foscam HD cameras and Foscam protocols to add Foscam SD cameras.

5) Some 3rd part NAS/NVR systems fail the initial test when attempting to add Foscam cameras. Complete the installation procedure to see if in fact the video feed is recognized by the product.

If after performing the above steps the video feed is still not showing up on the NAS/NVR verify the compatibility of the unit. After verification and checking all the settings there is still no success in viewing the video feed contact the Tech Support department of the 3rd party product for further assistance.