Complete Guide to CCTV Setup and Installation
This guide covers setting up the CMS desktop software on a Windows PCfor local and remote CCTV viewing - it's the desktop route, not a mobile app guide.
Looking for the mobile app guide instead? See our mobile CCTV setup guide.
The CMS software gives you a full desktop view of your CCTV cameras and recorder from a Windows PC - handy if you'd rather manage your system from a bigger screen than a phone. It's a one-time setup that takes 11 short steps from install to viewing your first camera feed.
Get up and running in 11 steps
Install & connect
Install the CMS software
Install the CMS software on your Windows PC, selecting English as the language during setup.
Open the application
Open the installed CMS application.
Accept the login prompt
Accept the login prompt - no credential changes are needed for first use.
Add your system
Open System settings
Go to System settings via the menu in the bottom right.
Open Device Manager
Select Device Manager from the menu on the right-hand side.
Create a zone
Create a new zone using the "Add Area" button.
Name the zone
Give the zone a name in the configuration dialog.
Add a device
Add a device to the zone you've just created.
Configure the device
Set the Device Name (a label, e.g. "Home"), LoginType (IP Address, Port, Domain, Cloud or Serial ID), Username (default: admin) and Password (empty by default, until you set one). As a general security best practice, it's worth changing the default password once you're connected.
View your cameras
Connect the device
Double-click the device to connect to it.
Start streaming video
Right-click the device and select "Connect all video" - choose Main Stream for a faster connection, or Extra Stream if your connection is slower.
Need a hand setting up?
If you get stuck configuring your device or zones, our team can talk you through it over the phone.
More than just CCTV
AMCO covers more than CCTV - here's what else customers ask us about once their cameras are up and running.
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