Setting up a security camera is easier than you think.

Installing a security camera used to be complex and expensive. But now that most homes have a wireless network, connecting them is easy. Many cameras these days can capture images during the day and at night, as well as tell you when someone is lurking around.

What you need

‣ Wireless network running with the 2.4GHz frequency
‣ 1080p Wi-Fi IP camera with pan/tilt (Part#: QC3900 $99.95)

[https://www.jaycar.com.au/1080p-smart-wi-fi-ip-pan-tilt-camera-smart-life-compatible/p/QC3900]

‣ Smartphone running either iOS 8 or later, or Android 4.4

Setting up your camera

Step 1

Download the Smart Life app to your smartphone. The Android version can be found at the Play Store while the iOS version is available through Apple’s App Store. If you add more cameras to your network later, you’ll be able to see and control them all from this one app. You’ll need to create a user account from within the app so you can review what your camera sees remotely when away from home.

Step 2

Connect the camera to mains power using the supplied adaptor and USB cable.

Step 3

Launch the Smart Life app and click on the ‘+’ to add a camera. In the menu, choose ‘Video Surveillance’ and ‘Smart Camera’. An LED will flash on the front. This indicates that the camera is in pairing mode.

Step 4

Ensure that your phone is connected to your wireless network on 2.4Ghz frequency. Then tap on ‘Next’ to choose\confirm your Wi-Fi network. Tap next.

Step 5

In order to connect the app with the camera, using the camera scan the QR code by placing the camera approximately 15-20cm from app screen. Move the camera slowly towards and away from the screen until an audible prompt is heard.

Step 6

Once the connection between the app and camera is complete, there will be a prompt on the app to advise ‘initialising complete’ and the camera is ‘Added’, tap ‘Done’ to add to your list of devices.

Step 7

The camera is now ready to use. Place it in your home in an unobtrusive location where it can pick up unexpected movement. If you decide to expand your camera network, you can add more ‘Powered by Tuya’ cameras to the app by following the same pairing instructions.

Playing with the app

Once you’re all set up, it’s time to start experimenting! The Smart Life app lets you share the live camera feed to other members of your household, change the camera’s focus by using the pan and tilt functions, as well as record footage and manage motion alerts. Video captured by the camera is stored on a microSD card that’s plugged into the camera and you can download footage to your smartphone for viewing and sharing. It even boasts two-way audio so you can communicate with someone if the camera alerts you to their presence.