Python Amcrest

A Python 2.7/3.x module for Amcrest Cameras using the SDK HTTP API. Amcrest and Dahua devices share similar firmwares. Dahua Cameras and NVRs also work with this module.

Documentation: http://python-amcrest.readthedocs.io/

Installation

PyPI

$ pip install amcrest --upgrade
$ eval "$(register-python-argcomplete amcrest-cli)"

# To enable amcrest-cli autocomplete in the system:
$ echo 'eval "$(register-python-argcomplete amcrest-cli)"' >  /etc/profile.d/amcrest-cli-autocomplete.sh

RPM

$ git clone git@github.com:tchellomello/python-amcrest.git
$ ./autogen.sh
$ make rpm
$ dnf/yum install amcrest-cli-NVR.rpm pythonX-amcrest-NVR.rpm

Usage

from amcrest import AmcrestCamera
camera = AmcrestCamera('192.168.0.1', 80, 'admin', 'password').camera

#Check software information
camera.software_information
'version=2.420.AC00.15.R\r\nBuildDate=2016-09-08'

#Capture snapshot
camera.snapshot(0, "/home/user/Desktop/snapshot00.jpeg")
<requests.packages.urllib3.response.HTTPResponse object at 0x7f84945083c8>

#Capture audio
camera.audio_stream_capture(httptype="singlepart", channel=1, path_file="/home/user/Desktop/audio.aac")
CTRL-C to stop the continuous audio flow or use a timer

#Move camera down
camera.ptz_control_command(action="start", code="Down", arg1=0, arg2=0, arg3=0)

#Record realtime stream into a file
camera.realtime_stream(path_file="/home/user/Desktop/myvideo")
CTRL-C to stop the continuous video flow or use a timer

Command Line

$ man amcrest-cli
or
$ amcrest-cli --help

# Saving credentials to file.
$ vim ~/.config/amcrest.conf
[patio]
hostname: 192.168.0.20
username: admin
password: 123456
port: 80

[living_room]
hostname: 192.168.0.21
username: admin
password: secret
port: 80

$ amcrest-cli --camera living_room --version-http-api
version=1.40

Text User Interface (TUI)

Configure amcrest.conf and trigger amcrest-tui, make sure the user triggering amcrest-tui have access to framebuffer device or use sudo.

NOTE: Execute it from console logins, like /dev/ttyX (Non X Window). Pseudo-terminals like xterm, ssh, screen and others WONT WORK.

$ vim ~/.config/amcrest.conf
[patio]
hostname: 192.168.0.20
username: admin
password: 123456
port: 80

[living_room]
hostname: 192.168.0.21
username: admin
password: secret
port: 80

$ amcrest-tui

Supportability Matrix

Cameras

Model	Tested	Status	Results/Issues
IPM-721	Yes	working
IPM-HX1	Yes	working
IP2M-841	Yes	working
IP2M-842	Yes	working
IP3M-941	Yes	working
IP3M-943	Yes	working
IP3M-956	Yes	working
IP3M-956E	Yes	working
IP3M-HX2	Yes	working
IP4M-1026B	Yes	working
IP4M-1041B	Yes	working
IP4M-1051B	Yes	working
IP5M-1176EB	Yes	working
IP8M-2496EB	Yes	working
IP8M-T2499EW-28M	Yes	working

Network Video Recorders (NVR)

Model	Tested	Status	Results/Issues
XVR DAHUA 5104S	Yes	working

If you have different model, feel fee to contribute and report your results.

Help

If you need any help, please join our community on the Gitter channels available at Gitter.