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Setup FTP on Dahua cameras to capture time-lapse and live images

Use the onboard FTP function of Dahua cameras to reliably upload live images to Teleport

While the exact interface may vary depending on the camera firmware version, here are the steps to setup FTP on the latest firmware of newer Dahua cameras.

Older cameras may attempt to save DVR proprietary content which may cause issues, see guidance below. In general we upload images or 'snapshots' not video which may enable the DVR feature on the camera.

  1. Browse to the FTP configuration on the camera. This is done by logging into the camera firmware web page once you know it's IP address. For example : http://192.168.0.93 To discover the cameras IP address you can look at devices connected to your router or use Dahua Config Tool

  2. Then go to Picture -> Storage. Select Network Storage option, select standard FTP (not sFTP) and enter ftp.teleport.io as the server, port 21 and feed ID as username, and password provided on the feed dashboard 'Live image' tab. Storage path shuld be empty and use Level 1 directory and choose a file name that contains date & time so we can read the image timestamp on our end. Apply settings. Clicking test likely will show errors as Dahua attempts to use the FTP site as a read/write storage which we do not support. Image upload will however work without issue.

  3. Now we choose the schedule to upload images at this is done in the Time Plan tab. Make sure to draw the green 'General' line as that is the auto recurring image upload. Otherwise images will only be uploaded on events such as motion detection. Click Apply save and you should soon see live images on your Teleport feed!

  4. Now configure the upload interval, make sure this matched the interval selected in the 'Live image' -> 'Capture rate & schedule' tab. Uploading images faster than configured on Teleport will result in the feed being throttled or blocked.

Auto Upload

The 'Auto Upload' Dahua function, does not work on the General recurring image schedule, only on the Event based schedule. It will only upload images when motion or other events are triggered. This can be used for extra content capture, but as a result does not work for general time-lapse capture purposes. This may change with future Dahua firmware updates.

To use Auto Upload use the following settings, api.teleport.io for the domain dame, port 443, and Path as /api/v2/frame-set?feedid=<your feed id>&broadcastkey=<broadcast key from the live image tab>

Older Dahua cameras, configure FTP to upload JPG images only

Dahua menu names and locations vary slightly by model and firmware. The important rule is: Configure Teleport FTP storage under Picture/Snapshot, not under Record/Video. If the camera uploads .dav and .idx files, video recording has been directed to the Teleport FTP server.

Older Dahua cameras — Web 3.0 interface

  1. Open Setting → Camera → Video → Snapshot and configure the snapshot type, quality and interval.

  2. Open Setting → Storage → Schedule → Snapshot.

  3. Draw a green General schedule for the required upload times and save it.

  4. Open Setting → Storage → Destination → Path.

  5. In the Snapshot section, select FTP for the required event type, normally Scheduled/General.

  6. In the Record section, remove FTP from every row. Select Local storage if video should remain on the SD card.

  7. Open Setting → Storage → Destination → FTP and enter the Teleport FTP information listed above.

  8. If video is not required, clear Storage → Schedule → Record and disable Record linkage in all enabled event rules.

Some older cameras share one FTP account between recordings and snapshots. On those cameras, the selections under Destination → Path determine whether JPG snapshots, DAV recordings, or both are sent to that account.

Confirm the configuration

Wait for at least one configured snapshot interval and confirm that the Teleport feed updates.

The camera should now upload files ending in:

  • .jpg

It should no longer upload:

  • .dav — Dahua video recording

  • .idx — index belonging to the video recording

Existing DAV and IDX files might remain visible, but no new ones should appear after all video schedules and record linkages have been removed.

If DAV or IDX files continue appearing in the log files on teleport.io

Check all three of the following:

  1. FTP was configured under Picture → Storage, not Record → Storage.

  2. Record → Time Plan does not contain an active recording schedule.

  3. Motion Detection, IVS, Smart Motion Detection and Alarm rules do not have Record or Record Linkage enabled.

If an NVR is performing the FTP upload instead of the camera, the recording and FTP settings must also be changed on the NVR.

Once again more detailed instructions for newer Dahua cameras — Web 5.0 interface

1. Configure the snapshot

  1. Log in to the camera’s web interface using its IP address.

  2. Open Picture → Snapshot.

  3. Set Type to Scheduled.

  4. Select the desired image quality.

  5. Set the snapshot interval to match the Capture rate & schedule configured in the Teleport feed.

  6. Click Apply.

Do not upload images more frequently than the rate configured in Teleport.

2. Configure the snapshot schedule

  1. Open Picture → Time Plan.

  2. Select General. This is normally shown as a green schedule.

  3. Draw the periods during which images should be uploaded. For continuous operation, cover the entire day and copy the schedule to every day of the week.

  4. Click Apply.

Motion and Alarm schedules are unnecessary unless event-triggered images are specifically required.

3. Configure FTP for pictures

  1. Open Picture → Storage.

  2. For Scheduled pictures, select:

    • Storage Method: Network Storage

    • Protocol: FTP — do not select SFTP

    • Server: ftp.teleport.io

    • Port: 21

    • Username: the Teleport Feed ID

    • Password: the password shown under the feed’s Live image tab

    • Storage Path/Remote Directory: leave empty

  3. If directory structure options are shown, use a single Level 1 directory.

  4. If filename customization is available, choose a filename containing the capture date and time.

  5. Click Apply.

The camera’s FTP test may report an error because Teleport provides write-only access and Dahua’s test expects additional read or directory-management permissions. The configuration is working if JPG images begin appearing in the Teleport feed.

4. Disable video uploads

Open Record → Storage and make sure it is not configured as:

Network Storage → FTP

If local video recording is required, select Local Storage instead. This allows video to remain on the camera’s SD card without uploading it to Teleport.

If video recording is not required:

  1. Open Record → Time Plan.

  2. Remove all General, Motion and Alarm recording periods.

  3. Check enabled Motion Detection, IVS and Alarm rules and disable their Record or Record Linkage action.

Do not disable snapshot linkage when event-triggered JPG images are wanted.

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