Frequently Asked Questions About Our Quality CCTV Systems

Only an on-site appliance, the bridge. Additionally, while some of the models have a built in PoE component, we recommend using an Eagle Eye Network Managed PoE switch for the models that do not.

The bridge is Eagle Eye Network’s cloud-managed on-premise appliance that connects the cameras to the Eagle Eye data center where the video is stored. The bridge buffers the video in case the internet connection goes down. The bridge also does the encryption, data de-duplication, bandwidth management, motion analysis, and compression of the video.

It’s simple. In fact, here is a video of a 6th grader setting up the Eagle Eye Bridge in less than 5 minutes.

There is no need for any IT resources to initiate, set up, or manage a typical installation. But we know sometime there is a need to identify mac addresses, static IP’s, etc. for internal protocols.

No download needed for the on-premise appliance. Plus, we manage updates for the bridge remotely, so no effort from the user is required.

Only the Eagle Eye App is required to download if a mobile device will be used.

Nothing, same functionality, and layout. Just use your fingers instead of a mouse/trackpad.

Users can also set up real-time video access for First Responders in the event of an on-premise security compromise. Users can choose who they wish to notify as a First Responder and to which cameras these individuals have access. This is incredibly helpful, for example, when law enforcement needs to view a specific time frame of video. Users can provide access to the camera to the individual to search through the video for the information they need alleviating the user from dedicating time and resources to searching through video footage for a specific incident. Furthermore, first responders can download and save the video for which they are searching

We recommend 400 kbps per IP camera. This is not a rule, however. Our system is flexible and there are many different settings that can be adjusted to make our system work with your upload bandwidth. Read this for an in-depth look at bandwidth, along with some examples.

Each system and situation is unique, but I will answer how I calculate the maximum at the end of this answer. Unless you are desiring recording 24/7, a proper system is only keeping recordings for history when it needs to, upon a motion in an area, during certain hours of the day, upon some tripwire or other AI enhance feature, or a combination of one or more of the previous “initiates”. So the bandwidth on the network and into the cloud varies (See FAQ “How do I make sure I have enough bandwidth during business hours” for more on bandwidth control).

To calculate a base max upload speed requirement, use 1MP=1MBps. So, if you have six 4MP cameras, recording at 2MP images, consider a 12MBps upload speed needed (6x2=12). As you can see it is calculated on the actual image being recorded not the max image capability of the camera.

The Eagle Eye Network Bridge can be set to a percentage of available network speed and/or during a window of time. It samples the upload speed to the server every four hours and adapts its upload push.

Each system is unique, but with the capability for the Eagle Eye Network bridge to record about 2 days of video, as long as the total recordings tagged for cloud retention balance with the available upload capacity during the non-business hours it should be possible.

Also making sure all the cameras are only tagging the streams to the cloud when needed, by not tagging the wind blowing the trees as an example, reduces the total data file size to be upload.

Weather like rain, snow, and heavy winds will always exceed the minimum movement thresholds and tag video for upload that it would not during cloudy or sunny days.

Not maintaining your cameras to be free of insects will not only impede your recorded view but will exceed the minimum movement threshold settings.

Black Box CCTV checks your system monthly for overall data speed capability, upload needs, and a per camera feed upload need. Issues are reported back to you asking to allow us to make corrective actions, or if we have your permission on file, we will go ahead and make them. To ensure the changes do not affect the systems goal to tag valid video, a visual check on recorded video is done shortly after.

As many as you want. In fact, the Eagle Eye VMS is ideal for multiple locations.

There is no maximum number, there is no charge nor user license requirements.

From the web or our dedicated mobile apps. 

Black Box CCTV owns the bridge. We also keep it updated, maintain it, and address any issues that there might be with it. In the case of the CMVR, you own it. You also own the Cameras and managed switches that are obtained through us. Of course, your installed infrastructure cabling is yours.

Your uploaded video is not lost on either product (Bridge or CMVR). If it has not been up-loaded to the cloud then it is a possibility I hate to say. With proper balance of video to upload capacity, and notification management, the issue, so far, has been manageable.

Eagle Eye Network does provide a rapid response replacement subscription for those that require as little downtime as possible upon a failure.

Storage on the edge is another solution that can be deployed and managed to minimize loss of video.

That is your choice. You can set all or individual cameras up as Private and Black Box CCTV will have no feed nor access to recordings. It is suggested to wait after 60 days from installation of any camera, as it takes about 2 months of daily/weekly review and set up to dial each camera to minimize the upload speed needs.

The private setting also will not allow Black Box CCTV to review a night recording during the monthly checks for spots/dirt/illumination issues. If during our monthly review a camera is found to be on Private, An email will be sent out to have you turn privacy off for the monthly review with a date of the review. A small administration fee will be added to the account for the reschedule.

The Privacy setting will need to be turned off prior to any troubleshooting diagnostic, camera setting changes, assistance with review of footage, clip archiving, etc. that may need to be required or requested by you.

End users that select the privacy setting are charged by BLACK BOX CCTV a small administration fee per camera (only those on privacy) for the extra steps involved to maintain the system.

Watch the video about Eagle Eye Video Search.