Time-Lapse Camera Setup: FTP Upload & Image URL Configuration

This guide shows you how to connect your IP camera to webcam.io for automated time-lapse creation. Setup takes approximately 5 minutes with FTP upload — no port forwarding required.

Overview

For time-lapse, webcam.io collects still images (JPEG snapshots) from your camera at regular intervals and automatically creates:

• Frame player — Interactive “live” time-lapse view on your website
• Daily videos — MP4/WebM files generated automatically at midnight
• Historical archive — Browse days, weeks, or months of footage

Two Connection Methods

Comparison of connection methods

Method	FTP Upload ⭐ Recommended	Image URL (Pull)
How it works	Camera pushes images to webcam.io	webcam.io fetches images from camera
Port forwarding	❌ Not needed	✅ Required
Dynamic DNS	❌ Not needed	✅ Required
Network security	Camera stays behind firewall	Camera exposed to internet
Reliability	Better for slow/mobile connections	Depends on camera availability
Setup time	~5 minutes	~15 minutes

Which Should I Choose?

Use FTP Upload unless you have a specific reason not to. It’s more secure, more reliable, and doesn’t require any router configuration.

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Method 1: FTP Upload (Recommended)

With FTP upload, your camera sends images directly to our servers. This is the most reliable method and works even with:

• Slow internet connections
• Mobile/4G/LTE connections
• Firewalled networks
• Dynamic IP addresses

Step 1: Create Webcam in Dashboard

1. Log in to webcam.io Dashboard
2. Click Webcams → Add New Webcam
3. Enter a name for your camera
4. Select FTP Upload as the connection method
5. Click Save

Step 2: Get Your FTP Credentials

After saving, your unique FTP credentials are sent via email and appear on the same page:

Your FTP credentials (example)

Field	Example Value
FTP Server	ftp.webcam.io
Username	user_a1b2c3d4
Password	Xk9mP2qR7s
Port	21

Save Your Credentials

Copy these credentials now — you’ll need them for your camera settings. You can also find them later in your webcam settings or in the confirmation email.

Step 3: Configure Your Camera

Now configure your IP camera to upload snapshots via FTP. The exact steps vary by brand — see camera-specific guides below.

General settings to configure:

Setting	Value	Notes
FTP Server	ftp.webcam.io	Or use static IP if DNS doesn’t work
Port	21	Standard FTP port
Username	Your webcam.io username	From Step 2
Password	Your webcam.io password	From Step 2
Passive Mode	Enabled ✅	required
Upload Path	/ or leave empty	Path doesn’t matter
File Format	JPEG / JPG	Only JPEG supported

Step 4: Set Upload Schedule

Configure your camera to upload images at regular intervals matching your webcam.io settings:

Upload intervals by plan

webcam.io Plan	Snapshots/Day	Recommended Interval
Free	96	15 minutes
LIVE	1,440	1 minute
LIVE	2,880	30 seconds
LIVE+	5,760	15 seconds

Match Your Intervals

Set your camera’s upload interval to match your webcam.io plan. Uploading too frequently will be rate-limited and may block your camera temporarily.

Step 5: Test the Connection

1. Use camera’s test button — Most cameras have a “Test” button in FTP settings
2. Wait 2–3 minutes — For the first image to upload
3. Check webcam.io dashboard — And go to Webcams → Your Camera → Show

Test successful?

You should see images appearing in your webcam view. 🎉

Test button shows “Success” but no images?

The test only verifies login. You also need to configure the capture schedule (see camera guides below).

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Camera-Specific FTP Setup Guides

Hikvision

Hikvision FTP Setup

Step 1: Configure FTP Server

1. Log in to camera web interface (http://CAMERA-IP)
2. Navigate to: Configuration → Network → Advanced Settings → FTP
3. Enter settings:

Field	Value
FTP Server	ftp.webcam.io
Port	21
Username	Your webcam.io username
Password	Your webcam.io password
Directory Structure	None
Upload Picture	✅ Enabled

4. Click Test → Should show “Testing succeeded”
5. Click Save

Step 2: Configure Capture Schedule

1. Navigate to: Configuration → Storage → Schedule Settings → Capture
2. Click Capture Parameters tab
3. Configure Timing section:
   • Enable Timing Snapshot: ✅
   • Format: JPEG
   • Resolution: Main Stream (or as desired)
   • Quality: Medium or High
   • Interval: Match your plan (e.g., 60000ms = 1 minute)
4. Click Capture Schedule tab
5. Draw blue bars for when you want uploads (or select “All Day”)
6. Click Save

Step 3: Enable FTP Upload for Captures

1. Navigate to: Configuration → Event → Basic Event → Motion Detection
2. Go to Linkage Method tab
3. Check: ✅ Upload to FTP
4. Click Save

Hikvision RTSP URL (if needed for testing):

rtsp://admin:password@CAMERA-IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101

Axis

Axis FTP Setup

Step 1: Configure FTP Recipient

1. Log in to camera web interface
2. Navigate to: Settings → System → Events → Recipients
3. Click Add Recipient
4. Configure:

Field	Value
Name	webcam.io
Type	FTP
Host	ftp.webcam.io
Port	21
Folder	/
Username	Your webcam.io username
Password	Your webcam.io password
Use Passive Mode	✅ Yes

5. Click Test → Should show green checkmark
6. Click Save

Step 2: Create Scheduled Event

1. Navigate to: Settings → System → Events → Rules
2. Click Add Rule
3. Configure:
   • Name: Time-lapse Upload
   • Condition: Time → Pulse → Every 1 minute (or your interval)
   • Action: Send images through FTP
   • Recipient: webcam.io (from Step 1)
   • Stream profile: Select resolution
   • Pre-buffer: 0, Post-buffer: 0
4. Click Save

Alternative: Use VAPIX CGI

Axis cameras also support direct image URL:

http://user:pass@CAMERA-IP/axis-cgi/jpg/image.cgi?resolution=1920x1080

Dahua

Dahua FTP Setup

Step 1: Configure FTP Server

1. Log in to camera web interface
2. Navigate to: Setup → Network → FTP
3. Enter settings:

Field	Value
Enable	✅
Server Address	ftp.webcam.io
Port	21
Username	Your webcam.io username
Password	Your webcam.io password
Remote Directory	/

4. Click Test → Should succeed
5. Click Save

Step 2: Configure Snapshot Schedule

1. Navigate to: Setup → Storage → Schedule → Snapshot
2. Select channel
3. Set schedule type: Regular
4. Configure time periods (blue = active)
5. Set interval (e.g., 60 seconds)
6. Click Save

Step 3: Set Snapshot Parameters

1. Navigate to: Setup → Camera → Encode → Snapshot
2. Configure:
   • Snapshot Type: Regular
   • Image Size: 1920×1080 (or as desired)
   • Quality: 5 (high)
   • Interval: Match your plan
3. Click Save

Reolink

Reolink FTP Setup

Step 1: Configure FTP Settings

1. Open Reolink App or web interface
2. Navigate to: Settings → Surveillance → FTP
3. Configure:

Field	Value
FTP Server	ftp.webcam.io
Port	21
Username	Your webcam.io username
Password	Your webcam.io password

4. Click FTP Test
5. Click Save

Step 2: Configure Capture Settings

1. Navigate to: Settings → Surveillance → Record → Schedule
2. Enable snapshot schedule
3. Set interval to match your plan

Note

Some Reolink models have limited FTP scheduling options. Check your model’s capabilities.

Other Cameras

Generic FTP Setup

Most IP cameras support FTP upload. Look for these menu locations:

FTP Server Settings:

• Network → FTP
• Advanced → FTP
• Storage → FTP Upload
• Event → Notification → FTP

Capture/Snapshot Schedule:

• Storage → Schedule → Capture
• Event → Snapshot
• Recording → Snapshot Settings

Key Settings:

Server: ftp.webcam.io
Port: 21
Username: [from webcam.io dashboard]
Password: [from webcam.io dashboard]
Passive Mode: Enabled
Path: / (or empty)

Can’t find FTP settings?

1. Check camera manual for “FTP” or “Snapshot upload”
2. Search: [your camera model] FTP setup
3. Try ispyconnect.com for camera-specific info

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Method 2: Image URL (Pull)

With Image URL mode, webcam.io fetches the latest image from your camera at regular intervals.

Requirements

This method requires:

• Port forwarding configured on your router
• Dynamic DNS hostname (unless you have a static IP)
• Camera accessible from the internet

If you’re unsure, use FTP Upload instead.

Step 1: Find Your Camera’s Snapshot URL

Your camera has a URL that returns the current image as JPEG. Common formats:

Hikvision

http://user:pass@CAMERA-IP/ISAPI/Streaming/channels/101/picture

or

http://user:pass@CAMERA-IP/Streaming/Channels/1/picture

Axis

http://user:pass@CAMERA-IP/axis-cgi/jpg/image.cgi

With resolution:

http://user:pass@CAMERA-IP/axis-cgi/jpg/image.cgi?resolution=1920x1080

Dahua

http://user:pass@CAMERA-IP/cgi-bin/snapshot.cgi

Foscam

http://user:pass@CAMERA-IP/cgi-bin/CGIProxy.fcgi?cmd=snapPicture2&usr=USER&pwd=PASS

Generic ONVIF

http://user:pass@CAMERA-IP/onvif-http/snapshot

Find Your Camera

Use ispyconnect.com/cameras:

1. Select your camera brand
2. Find your model
3. Look for “JPEG” or “Snapshot” URL

Step 2: Set Up Port Forwarding

Forward port 80 (HTTP) or your camera’s web port to your camera’s local IP:

External Port	Internal IP	Internal Port	Protocol
80	192.168.1.100	80	TCP

See Live Streaming Setup → Port Forwarding for detailed instructions.

Step 3: Set Up Dynamic DNS

Create a hostname that always points to your router:

1. Register at No-IP, DuckDNS, or similar
2. Configure DDNS in your router settings
3. Your hostname: e.g., mywebcam.ddns.net

See Live Streaming Setup → Dynamic DNS for detailed instructions.

Step 4: Build Your External URL

Combine your DDNS hostname with the camera path:

http://username:password@mywebcam.ddns.net/ISAPI/Streaming/channels/101/picture

Test in browser: Paste the URL — you should see the current camera image.

Step 5: Configure in webcam.io

1. Log in to webcam.io Dashboard
2. Click Webcams → Add New Webcam
3. Enter a name for your camera
4. Select Image URL as connection method
5. Enter your full image URL
6. Set capture interval
7. Click Save

JPEG Only

webcam.io only processes single JPEG images. MJPEG streams (/mjpg/video.mjpg) are not supported for time-lapse.

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Configure Time-Lapse Settings

After connecting your camera, configure these additional settings:

Capture Interval

Choose how often to capture images:

Capture interval recommendations

Interval	Images/Day	Best For
15 seconds	5,760	Fast action, short projects
30 seconds	2,880	Construction, weather
1 minute	1,440	General time-lapse
5 minutes	288	Long-term projects
15 minutes	96	Seasonal changes

Active Hours (Timer)

Limit capture to specific times to save storage and avoid dark/useless images:

• Daytime only: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Sunrise/Sunset: Automatic based on location (see Timer Settings)
• Business hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Mon–Fri

Resolution

Configure in your camera settings:

Resolution vs. file size

Resolution	File Size	Recommended For
1920×1080 (1080p)	~200–400 KB	Standard time-lapse
2560×1440 (2K)	~400–600 KB	Detail-important scenes
3840×2160 (4K)	~800 KB–1.5 MB	Professional/archival

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Troubleshooting

FTP Issues

Test succeeds but no images appear

Cause: FTP login works, but capture schedule isn’t configured.

Solution: Configure your camera’s snapshot/capture schedule:

• Hikvision: Configuration → Storage → Schedule Settings → Capture
• Axis: Settings → Events → Rules (create scheduled event)
• Dahua: Setup → Storage → Schedule → Snapshot

Also check that “Upload to FTP” is enabled in linkage/action settings.

“Connection refused” or timeout

Possible causes:

1. Wrong server address — Use ftp.webcam.io exactly
2. DNS resolution fails — Try static IP instead
3. Firewall blocking outbound FTP — Allow port 21 outbound
4. Passive mode disabled — Enable passive mode in camera settings

Test FTP manually:

# From command line (Linux/Mac)
ftp ftp.webcam.io
# Enter username and password when prompted

“Authentication failed”

Check:

• Username matches exactly (case-sensitive)
• Password has no extra spaces
• Credentials haven’t been reset (re-check dashboard)

Note: If you switch connection method in webcam.io settings, FTP credentials are regenerated.

Images uploaded but not showing

Check:

• File format is JPEG (not PNG, BMP, or video)
• Upload interval matches webcam.io settings
• Timer settings allow current time
• Check Dashboard → Info for error messages

Camera uploads too fast / gets blocked

webcam.io rate-limits uploads that exceed your plan’s snapshots/day.

Solution:

• Increase upload interval in camera settings
• Disable motion-triggered uploads
• Only enable timed/scheduled uploads

Image URL Issues

“Unable to fetch image”

Check:

1. URL works in your browser (from outside your network)
2. Port forwarding is correct
3. DDNS hostname resolves correctly
4. Camera credentials in URL are correct
5. URL returns JPEG, not HTML or MJPEG stream

Works locally but not externally

Cause: Port forwarding not configured or not working.

Test:

1. Use yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/ to check if port is open
2. Test from mobile phone (with WiFi off) or ask a friend
3. Check if ISP blocks port 80 — try a different port

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Alternative: Script-Based Upload

For custom setups (Raspberry Pi, Linux servers, etc.), you can upload images via command line:

Using lftp

#!/bin/bash
# Upload image to webcam.io

# Configuration
FTP_USER="user_a1b2c3d4"
FTP_PASS="Xk9mP2qR7s"
FTP_HOST="ftp.webcam.io"
IMAGE_FILE="/path/to/snapshot.jpg"

# Upload
lftp -e "put $IMAGE_FILE; bye" -u $FTP_USER,$FTP_PASS $FTP_HOST

Using curl

curl -T snapshot.jpg ftp://ftp.webcam.io/ \
  --user "user_a1b2c3d4:Xk9mP2qR7s"

Capture + Upload (Raspberry Pi)

#!/bin/bash
# Capture image from USB webcam and upload

# Capture
fswebcam -r 1920x1080 --jpeg 85 /tmp/snapshot.jpg

# Upload
lftp -e "put /tmp/snapshot.jpg; bye" \
  -u user_a1b2c3d4,Xk9mP2qR7s ftp.webcam.io

Schedule with cron:

# Run every minute
* * * * * /home/pi/upload-webcam.sh

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Next Steps

Your camera is now connected! Continue with:

1. Embed Widgets — Add time-lapse player to your website
2. Video Clips — Create highlight clips from your footage
3. Text Overlays — Add timestamps, branding, weather data
4. Timer Settings — Configure active hours and sunrise/sunset
5. Backups & Export — Auto-export to YouTube or Dropbox

Need Help?

If you’re stuck, contact us with:

• Your camera make/model
• Connection method (FTP or URL)
• Any error messages from the dashboard

We’re happy to help troubleshoot!