MV44X Installation Guide

Configure Your Network in the Dashboard 

The following is a brief overview of the steps required to add an MV44X camera to your network. For detailed instructions about creating, configuring and managing the Meraki Camera networks, refer to the MV - Smart Cameras documentation.

• Login to http://dashboard.meraki.com. If this is your first time, create a new account.
• Find the network to which you plan to add your cameras or create a new network.
• Add your cameras to your network. You will need your Meraki order number (found on your invoice) or the serial number of each camera, which looks like Qxxx-xxxx-xxxx and is found on the unit label.
• Verify that the camera is now listed under Cameras > Monitor > Cameras.

Check and Configure Firewall Settings 

If a firewall is in place, it must allow outgoing connections on particular ports to IP addresses. The most current list of outbound ports and IP addresses for your organization can be found under Help > Firewall Info on the dashboard. 

DNS Configuration Best Practices for LAN Streaming

Each camera will generate a unique domain name for secured direct streaming functionality. These domain names resolve an A record for the private IP address of the camera. Any public recursive DNS server will resolve this domain.

If utilizing an on-site DNS server, please allow *.devices.meraki.direct or configure a conditional forwarder so that local domains are not appended to *.devices.meraki.direct and that these domain requests are forwarded to Google public DNS. 

Assigning IP Addresses  

Currently, the MV44X camera does not support static IP assignment. MV44X units must be added to a subnet that uses DHCP and has a pool of available DHCP addresses to operate correctly.

Step 1: Loosen the Dome Housing Screws

• Using the provided security-bit screwdriver, locate the six (6) perimeter screws around the MV44X dome housing.

  • Loosen each screw to about 50%—AVOID removing them completely. This will allow the lifting or removal of the dome cover without losing the screws. 

• Ensure the screws remain securely in their slots so they don’t fall out during the following steps.

Step 2: Lift the Dome Housing 

• After partially loosening the six perimeter screws in Step 1, gently lift the cover away from the rest of the housing 

Tip: If the dome doesn’t move freely, ensure each screw is loosened enough to allow rotation, but not too loose that it detaches from the base.

Step 3: Replace the Desiccant Packet

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• The MV44X ships with a pre-installed desiccant pack to ensure the camera is moisture-free during transit and installation, this pack must be removed and replaced with a fresh desiccant pack provided in the box.

• Remove the desiccant pack and identify the designated spots inside the camera assembly where the desiccant packet should be placed. 

• Find the new desiccant pack and remove it from its silver-colored protective pouch.

Step 4: Unlatch and Lift the Camera Base

• On the camera base plate, you’ll see two latches on either side of the camera lens, lift the latches to the upright position to unlock the camera from the base plate. 

Step 5: Detach the Mounting Plate

• After completing the previous unlatch/lift step (Step 4), separate the mounting plate away from the amin camera assembly 

• Place the mounting plate aside safely 

Step 6: Remove and Discard Pull Tab

• Remove pull tab and discard

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Step 7: Mounting Plate Instructions

• Mount the small base plate onto the wall surface using the paper template provided

• Feed the cable 

  • Pull the cable through the hole, lining it up with the center opening of the mounting plate.

  • Confirm that you have enough slack on the camera side to attach or adjust the cable later. 

• Use 3x screws to fix the base plate to the wall 

• The MV44 Series cameras have a button to engage the locking mechanism. Press the button while aligning the camera to the small base plate.

• Twist the camera while holding the button until a click is heard. 

• The camera is locked onto the plate and secured.

• Secure base plate with final screw

Step 8: Remove Gasket and Thread Ethernet Cable 

• Remove plug from camera body and dispose of the rubber gasket from the RJ45 seal.

• Once the gasket has been removed insert the RJ45 cable puller.

• Grab the remaining hanging Ethernet cable from step 7 and attach to the cable puller.

  • Insert Ethernet cable into the cable puller till a click is heard

• Pull the Ethernet cable through the RJ45 seal

• Remove cable from cable puller. 

Step 9: Power On and Verify Network Connection 

• Align the RJ45 connector with the camera’s Ethernet port.
  • Push it in firmly until you hear or feel the latch click into place. 

• Ensure the power source is PoE+ (802.3at).

• Look for an LED indicator to confirm the camera is powered. 

• Wait for the camera to show online on the Meraki dashboard and ensure the video feed is viewable. 

Step 10: Reattach the Camera Assembly 

• Gently lift the camera assembly towards the mounting plate.

• Push down the latches on either side of the lens to lock the mounting plate to the camera assembly.

• Ensure the plate and camera assembly sit flush against each other and against the ceiling 

Step 11: Adjust the Camera Angle and Orientation 

• Once the live view is available, the lenses can now be correctly aimed as needed by following these steps:

  • Move the camera imager vertically to capture more ceiling or floor as needed

  • Rotate the lens horizontally on the 360 track to aim the lenses at the areas of interest.

  • Adjust the lens assembly to straighten the image if the scene appears tilted.

  • Use the Meraki dashboard to Optical Zoom each imager if needed, if you want a narrower field of view. 

• Use the Meraki dashboard to verify the camera’s angle is correct.

• Make fine-tune adjustments until you have the optimal field of view 

Step 12: Adjust the Camera Angle and Orientation

• Hold the dome cover (the large outer shell) and position it so the alignment markers match up with the camera assembly.
• You will see small arrows on the dome and camera base indicating the correct orientation.
• Ensure the dome edges are flush with the camera’s base, no gaps should be visible.
• Identify the six (6) perimeter screws around the dome cover (the same ones loosened in earlier steps).
• Using the provided screwdriver, turn each screw clockwise until it’s snug.
• Tighten them in a star or alternating pattern to ensure even pressure (e.g., top-left, then bottom-right, etc.). Avoid Over-Torquing.
• Stop once you feel moderate resistance as over-tightening can strip threads.
• Once fully tightened, the dome should be firmly in place, with no visible gaps.

Step 13: Attach Weather Shield

• Hold the weather shield parallel to the camera, orienting it so the grooves align with the screw holes. 

• Slide or push the shield onto the dome until is sits flush on the camera housing. 

• If it doesn’t sit evenly, remove and realign.