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Cisco Meraki Documentation

MV63 Installation Guide

This guide describes how to install and configure the Cisco Meraki MV63, a smart camera that integrates with the Meraki dashboard. It covers the overview, powering, preparing dashboard, and step-by-step installation instructions for the MV63 camera.

MV63 Series Overview

The Cisco Meraki MV63 series are network cameras that are easy to deploy and configure. They integrate with the Meraki Dashboard and use cloud-augmented edge storage. The MV series removes the need for complex servers and video recorders. This eliminates the usual limits on video surveillance deployments.

Package Contents 

In addition to the MV camera, the following are provided:

 

      The image shows the items included in the package along with the MV camera.      The image shows the items included in the package along with the MV camera.  

    The image shows the items included in the package along with the MV camera.              The image shows the items included in the package along with the MV camera.                         

Unit

MV63-HW

MV63M-HW

MV63X-HW

Mounting Equipment

1 x T10 Torx key

2 x desiccant pack

1 x base mount plate small

1x base mount plate large

1x Decorative cover

1 x conduit adapter

MV63 series does not ship with mounting screws and anchors as an included accessory in the packaging content.

Screw Recommendation: 

  • Type: Self-Tapping Screw
  • Size: M4
  • Length: Minimum 25mm
  • Screw head diameter: Maximum 10mm
  • Driver Type: ANY (eg: Philips)
  • Head Type: ANY (Eg: Pan Head)
  • Build Material: Stainless Steel

The anchor’s insertion diameter must be smaller than the screw’s diameter. The anchor’s length must be longer than the screw’s length. Choose the appropriate anchor based on the installation surface, such as concrete, brick, wood, or drywall.

Powering the MV63 Series

The MV63 features a 1000BASE-TX Ethernet port and requires 802.3at PoE+ minimally for operation. Route the Ethernet cable from an active port on a PoE switch or injector.

Power over Ethernet supports a maximum cable length of 300 ft (100 m).

Pre-Install Preparation 

You should complete the following steps before going on-site to perform an installation:

Configure Your Network in the Dashboard 

The following is a brief overview of the steps required to add an MV63 series camera to your network. For detailed instructions about creating, configuring and managing Meraki Camera networks, refer to the online documentation (https://documentation.meraki.com/MV).

  1. Login to http://dashboard.meraki.com. If this is your first time, create a new account.

  2. Find the network to which you plan to add your cameras or create a new network.

  3. 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 bottom of the unit.

  4. Verify that the camera is now listed under Cameras > Monitor > Cameras.

Check and Configure Firewall Settings 

A firewall must allow outgoing connections on specific ports to certain IP addresses. Find the latest list of outbound ports and IP addresses for your organization 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  

The MV63 series camera does not support static IP assignment. MV63 units must connect to a subnet that uses DHCP and has available DHCP addresses to function properly.

Installation Instructions 

The MV63 series will automatically update to the latest stable firmware during the first setup. Some features may be unavailable until the update finishes. This process can take up to 5 minutes to enable whole disk encryption. You can monitor the progress by checking the MV LED status.

The MV63 body can reach high temperatures during operation and should be handled with care.

Mounting Instructions 

For most mounting scenarios, the MV63 wall mount provides a quick, simple, and flexible means for mounting your device. The installation should be done in a few simple steps: 

Leave the protective plastic cover on the optical dome throughout the installation process to prevent any damage to the dome. The protective cover should be removed once the installation is completed. 

The image shows keeping the protective plastic cover on the optical dome during installation to prevent damage, and removing it after installation is complete.

1. Carefully loosen all four Torx head security screws and remove the optical dome from the base. A tether cable is attached to the optical dome and camera base to simplify installation. Remove the desiccant pack included in the camera during product shipment and replace it with the provided 2x spare desiccant pack. This is important to prevent moisture from accumulating within the sealed optical dome.

The image shows loosening the four Torx head security screws to remove the optical dome, handling the tether cable, and replacing the desiccant pack to prevent moisture inside the sealed dome.The image shows loosening the four Torx head security screws to remove the optical dome, handling the tether cable, and replacing the desiccant pack to prevent moisture inside the sealed dome.The image shows loosening the four Torx head security screws to remove the optical dome, handling the tether cable, and replacing the desiccant pack to prevent moisture inside the sealed dome.

     The image shows loosening the four Torx head security screws to remove the optical dome, handling the tether cable, and replacing the desiccant pack to prevent moisture inside the sealed dome.The image shows loosening the four Torx head security screws to remove the optical dome, handling the tether cable, and replacing the desiccant pack to prevent moisture inside the sealed dome.

Microphone Cut-off Switch 

The MV63 Series has a new microphone cut-off switch at the camera's base. This switch can be used to disable audio and override the Dashboard Audio Settings for an added layer of security. If the regulations require disabling audio or Dashboard control for Audio enablement needs to be disabled, the microphone cut-off switch can be leveraged and set to Disabled. 

The image shows the MV63 Series camera’s microphone cut-off switch used to disable audio and override Dashboard settings for security compliance.

If the microphone switch is disabled and the camera is mounted, toggling the switch back ON would require accessing the camera's base.

Factory Reset Button

The factory reset button on the MV63 series is located under the dome behind one of the desiccant packets. You will first need to unscrew the dome using the provided allen key to access the reset button. Then press the reset key for 5 seconds using a paper clip or a SIM ejector tool.

The image shows how to access and press the factory reset button on the MV63 series by unscrewing the dome and using a tool to hold the button for 5 seconds.              The image shows how to access and press the factory reset button on the MV63 series by unscrewing the dome and using a tool to hold the button for 5 seconds.

Mounting Base Plate Template Instructions

Use the template to determine mounting hole locations for wall mounting before screwing in the base mount plate. Peel backing from the mounting template to stick on the wall. Use template holes marked with the letter “A” for standard wall mounting. Screw the base mount plate onto the wall in pre-determined locations using the provided wall screws.

The image shows how to use the mounting template to mark hole locations on the wall for standard mounting before attaching the base mount plate with screws.The image shows how to use the mounting template to mark hole locations on the wall for standard mounting before attaching the base mount plate with screws.

 

Cable Gland Assembly and Installation

Refer to in-depth cable gland assembly guide to connect the PoE cable to the camera cable gland and ensure seal is water-tight. This step is very important and may result in damage to the camera if done improperly.

Ensure the camera conduit adapter and terminal adapter are placed over the camera pigtail before connecting external conduit to prevent water damage, hardware failure, and warranty void.

The image shows the correct placement of the camera conduit adapter and terminal adapter over the camera pigtail before connecting external conduit to prevent water damage, hardware failure, and warranty void.

Conduit Adapter Installation

If using a conduit adapter, attach the terminal adapter to the conduit adapter. Route the conduit over the water-tight cable gland assembly and terminate at the terminal adapter. Ensure the camera conduit adapter is securely placed on the base mount plate as pictured.

The image shows the proper attachment of the terminal adapter to the conduit adapter, routing the conduit over the water-tight cable gland assembly, and secure placement of the camera conduit adapter on the base mount plate.

Installing the conduit box to MV63 series: (optional) 

The image shows the optional installation of the conduit box on the MV63 series camera.

Attaching to the Mounting Plate

MV63 series comes with two base mount plates, a small plate and a large plate. The functionality of both plates is identical. Please refer to the guidelines below on using the base plate mounting to any surface or on top of a mounting accessory. 

MV63 Mount using small base plate 

The image shows the small base plate being mounted onto the wall surface using the provided paper template to mark the screw locations for installation.The image shows the base plate being fixed to the wall using 3 wall anchors and screws for secure mounting.

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

  • Use 3x Wall anchor and screws to fix the base plate to the wall.

  • The MV63 Series cameras have a button to engage the locking mechanism. Press the button while aligning the MV63 series to the small base plate.

MV63 Small Base Plate 3.pngMV63 Small Base Plate 4.png

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

  • The camera is locked onto the plate and secured.

MV63 Mount using large base plate 

MV63 Large Base Plate 1.pngMV63 Large Base Plate 2.png

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

  • Use 4x Wall anchor and screws to fix the base plate to the wall.

  • The MV63 Series cameras have a button to engage the locking mechanism. Press the button while aligning the MV63 series to the large base plate.

The image shows the base plate being fixed to the wall using 4 wall anchors and screws for secure mounting.The image shows pressing the locking mechanism button while aligning the MV63 series camera to the large base plate for secure attachment.

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

  • The camera is locked onto the plate and secured.

MV63 Mount using the large base plate and Decorative Cover 

MV63 Large Base Plate Deco Cover 1.pngMV63 Large Base Plate Deco Cover 2.png

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

  • Use 4x Wall anchor and screws to fix the base plate to the wall.

  • Place the decorative cover on top of the large base plate and press the cover against the plate. You will hear a click as the decorative cover is secured.

The image shows mounting the large base plate onto the wall surface using the paper template for accurate placement before installation.The image shows twisting the camera while holding the button until a click is heard to engage the locking mechanism securely.

  • The MV63 Series cameras have a button to engage the locking mechanism. Press the button while aligning the MV63 series to the small base plate.

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

The image shows the camera locked onto the plate and secured to ensure proper installation and stability.

  • The camera is locked onto the plate and secured.

5. Once completed, twist and lock the camera to the base plate; a click is heard when the camera is locked. 

6. Observe the status LED on the left side of the camera lens assembly and ensure the camera is connected via Ethernet (solid green) or WiFi (solid blue). An MV must first be provisioned over a wired Ethernet connection before it can be deployed wirelessly. Instructions for configuring an MV for wireless can be found in the MV Wireless Configuration Guide article.

MV63 LED Status Indicator

Your MV63 series is equipped with an LED light on the front of the unit to convey system functionality and performance information.

The following colours and patterns indicate the various status conditions of an MV:

  • Rainbow (solid, rotating through colours) - MV is booting up.

  • Flashing Blue - MV is searching for WiFi network(s).

  • Flashing Green - MV is upgrading or initialising for the first time.

  • Solid Green - MV is connected via Ethernet. 

  • Solid Blue - MV is connected via WiFi.

  • Solid Violet - MV has audio recording enabled.

  • Solid Amber - MV is not able to connect to the Dashboard.

  • Flashing Red: MV63 Series has detected insufficient PoE power.

The image displays the MV63 series LED status indicator colors and patterns to convey the camera’s system functionality and performance status.

Flashing Red LED state: MV5.5 is the minimum firmware requirement for this new state

The MV63 series requires an 802.3at power source; if insufficient power is detected, the MV alerts using a flashing RED LED state and reports more details to the event log.

6. Aim the lens.  Look through the camera on the Meraki Dashboard to fine-tune the picture. The camera sensor and lens unit can be physically tilted through 65 degrees, rotated through a range of +/-90 degrees, and panned through 354 degrees. The image can only be rotated by 180 degrees in software, and no other adjustments can be made. Zoom and focus can be adjusted remotely and can not be adjusted physically on the camera. For more information on zooming, refer to the adjusting the Field of View article.

Never adjust or remove the rubber lens gasket or protective lens guard.

The image is displayed to illustrate how to aim and adjust the Meraki MV63 camera lens physically and remotely, including the tilt, rotation, pan ranges, and remote zoom and focus controls via the Meraki Dashboard.

7. Re-install the optical dome and completely secure all four Torx head security screws. Remove the protective plastic cover.

The image is displayed to show the re-installation of the optical dome by securing all four Torx head security screws and removing the protective plastic cover.The image is displayed to show the re-installation of the optical dome by securing all four Torx head security screws and removing the protective plastic cover.

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