Amcrest Forum

If Amcrest does not reply within 48 hours that within the next 5 weeks they will be adding MKV or MP4 or at the very least AVI support for direct to FTP writing, this camera is being returned.

I just purchased 2 HD720p Cameras for use in a restaurant and set up the recording to be done remotely via ftp.

I am very disappointed in the dav format and even more so the fact that the Amcrest View software doesn't work at all.
It is now mis March 2016 and I have a few days left to return these cameras. Is there any eta on the supposedly upcoming firmware/software up date to not only finally add direct mp4 record capability but software improvements as well?

I really like the clarity and general operation of the Cameras, but this lack of functionality is a deal breaker for the upcoming camera installs I have scheduled.

I had the idea of ​​buying more than one camera . What good is having the option of sending your video recordings ftp if you can not read them because stored in a non- readable file . ( .dav ) . Please do not buy this camera if you want to backup your files in a format other than .dav

gosh, I really hope you support a different format.... I have IPads and Iphones and I can't look at any recorded security videos.....
please contact us when you have this ready.... I can really use it in about 3 weeks.... that will be when I convert over all my cameras to yours
thank you

Hello dick-o I found a way to read the files but it should be done by scripts on your computer:

Basically I followed the next tutorial to convert all the dav files on a folder to mp4:
https://www.virag.si/2012/01/web-video- ... fmpeg-0-9/

Hope it helps you too

Just a note that the switches mentioned in Erik's post are largely unneeded with recent versions of ffmpeg. In version 3+, it's adequate to simply use:

ffmpeg -r framerate -i inputfile.dav outputfile.mp4

Where framerate is whatever your camera is recording at - e.g. 20, 30, etc.

Thanks for the info Morgon, the updated command works flawless

Melvin wrote:Hello,
Unfortunately there is no option for that at the moment other than using an online converter program. We are in the process of updating the device firmware that will enable recording videos in MP4 format.

Has there been any updates related to this fix for the video format? For those wanting to use FTP, the DAV extension is essentially worthless. We cannot check the videos on the go from an mobile device....or even use VLC player from a home PC. We are forced to download some other software unless we want to convert the DAV.

I will be returning my foscam (or whatever you call yourselves these days) if there is no resolution within 10 days.

Strangely, if I send the Dav file from my FTP site to google drive, the file can be played there. Additionally, if I email myself the file from Google drive, I will get an MP4 file as an attachment.

GaryPSU wrote:Strangely, if I send the Dav file from my FTP site to google drive, the file can be played there. Additionally, if I email myself the file from Google drive, I will get an MP4 file as an attachment.

Thanks for the tip. But I already returned my camera.

Didn't seems like there is enough support for these compared the competition.