EZ Setup - Speco Blue Recorders

A guide and overview of the EZ Setup menu for Speco Blue Recorders

If this is the very first time the recorder is booting up, or if the unit just experienced a full factory default, the EZ Setup menu will start off with a few extra steps before diving into the actual EZ Setup menu. 

First Time Setup menu

• Upon first initialization, or after a factory default, the first thing the unit will ask for is for the user to create an admin password.
  • Create an admin password using the guidelines at the bottom of the page.

• Log In Automatically will allow the account to be signed in indefinitely. This ignores the auto-logout function.
• Pattern Lock allows the user to create a password from a pattern using a 3x3 grid. It is an optional setting.
  
  • Select Next once the desired options are set.

• The next page to appear will ask for security questions. The user is able to create their own questions with their own answers. These questions can later be recalled as an option for password recovery. 
  • Type in a question. Then type in an answer. Select Add to create the combination. 
  • Select Next once the questions are set. Next will also skip this page if no questions/answers need to be set up.
    
    

• The next page is the Disk Settings page. Depending on the unit purchased, one HDD may only appear, or up to 8 HDDs may appear. It is possible to purchase a unit without an HDD, if that is the case, this page will be empty.
  • Format the HDD's if they are asking to be formatted. If they have never been formatted, they will not operate. A Status of 'RW' will show it is ready for use.
    • Select Next once the HDDs are set up.

EZ Setup

• Once the first three pages have been set up, the 'true' EZ Setup page will appear. This menu can be accessed at any moment at the live camera screen from the hamburger menu ☰ icon.
  
  • Select OK to proceed.

• The first page of EZ Setup is the EZ Network page. This page allows the user to quickly set up their networking options.
• Under the Ethernet Port 1 column, it is advisable to checkmark Obtain an IP address automatically (use DHCP). This will allow for the network to configure the recorder unit to the best possible settings the network sees fit. If the user is knowledgeable of the rules and information of their own network, they may leave this unchecked and insert their own information. Please acknowledge that any wrong information inserted into this section may prevent the recorder unit from properly accessing the internet.
  • The same rule applies for Obtain DNS automatically. It is best to allow the network to configure the unit, although the user is able to insert their own information. Please acknowledge that any wrong information inserted into this section may prevent the recorder unit from properly accessing the internet.
  • The same rule applies for the Port section. The default ports should be good for standard operation.
• Recorder units with 32+ channels will have a right column that says Ethernet Port 2. Recorder units with less than 32 channels will have a right column that says Internal Ethernet Port.
  
  • If the recorder has 32+ channels, the same rules apply as Ethernet Port 1. Ethernet Port 2 is typically for the cameras. In most cases, it is not recommended to change the default information.
  • If the recorder unit has less than 32 channels, it is recommended to not touch the Internal Ethernet Port settings. The cameras will use those settings to connect to the recorder automatically.
    • Select Next once all options have been set.

• The next page to appear is Other Network Settings. This page helps configure network options that does not include the IP address.
  • If what UPnP is, or does, is unknown to you, do not enable and configure UPnP. This setting should only be configured by users who understand UPnP and its functions.
  • The option for DDNS can be enabled as per user preference. It is another type of connection to use instead of the IP address. DDNS allows for external connections but will require port forwarding in order to operate. 

• The next page is the EZ Camera page. There is a top half and a bottom half of the menu.
  
  • The top half will contain any camera's that the recorder unit recognizes on the network. The bottom half will contain the camera's that have been added to unit.
  • The Plus + button on the right side will allow the camera to be added to the unit. Once added, the camera should disappear from the top half and appear at the bottom.
    
    • Once the cameras have been added, select Next.

• The next page that may appear is the Disk Mode page. If the recorder unit does not support RAID, this page will not exist. 
  • If what RAID is, or does, is unknown to you, do not enable and configure RAID. This setting should only be configured by users who understand RAID and its functions.

• The next page is the EZ Record page. This is where the record type can be configured.
  • This page is entirely up to user preference.
    • Motion Record will record only when the cameras detect motion.
    • Sensor Record will record only when an external sensor is triggered via relay, like an alarm system.
    • Continuous Record will record indefinitely.
    • AI Record will record only when the cameras detect a person, vehicle and/or non-motor vehicle, like a bike.
      • These options can all be mixed and matched as the user sees fit.
      • The Advanced option at the bottom shows more customization options.
  • Once the desired record mode settings have been set, select Next. 

• The next page to appear is the QR Code page. The QR code is usually the main method to connect remotely to the unit. It does not require port forwarding.
  • It is highly suggested to enable NAT.
    • Select Next when done.

• The next and final page to open is the Cloud Upgrade page. This option can only be used if NAT is enabled. Cloud Upgrade will use the internet to determine if the recorder unit has an available firmware upgrade. It can then be used to download and apply said firmware.
  • If NAT has been enabled on the previous page, it is recommended to enable Cloud Upgrade as well.
    • Select OK once configured.

The EZ Setup menu is finished, and the recorder unit can now be operated freely.

Initial submission Date: June 5, 2024

Article authored by: Frank Bondietti