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Quick Start Tutorial

This tutorial walks you through setting up Clone for the first time and getting your cameras configured. Follow these steps in order for the best experience.

Prerequisites: Complete the Docker Installation first.

🎯 What You'll Accomplish​

By the end of this tutorial, you'll have:

  • ✅ Logged into Clone for the first time
  • ✅ Added camera credentials for authentication
  • ✅ Viewed your camera live streams
  • ✅ Synchronized your first camera settings
  • ✅ Explored Clone's main features

Estimated time: 15-20 minutes

📝 Step 1: First Login​

  1. Open your web browser and navigate to Clone:

    http://localhost:1776

    Replace localhost with your server's IP address if accessing remotely

  2. Log in with default credentials:

    • Username: admin
    • Password: admin

  3. You'll be automatically redirected to the Camera Authorization page

🔒 Security Tip: After completing this tutorial, change your admin password in Settings!

🔐 Step 2: Set Up Camera Authentication​

The Camera Authorization page shows all cameras found in your NVR config file. You need to provide login credentials so Clone can connect to each camera.

Understanding the Interface​

You'll see a table with your cameras showing:

  • Camera Name - From your NVR config
  • IP Address - Camera network address
  • Status - Connection status (will show "No Auth" initially)
  • Credentials - Where you'll enter login details

Adding Camera Credentials​

For each camera in the list:

  1. Click the "Edit" button or camera row to expand credentials section

  2. Enter Main Camera Credentials:

    • Username: Your camera's admin username (often admin)
    • Password: Your camera's admin password

  3. Enter ONVIF Credentials (if different from main credentials):

    • Some cameras use separate credentials for ONVIF protocol
    • If unsure, use the same credentials as main camera
    • Leave blank to use main credentials

  4. Click "Save" for each camera

Quick Setup for Multiple Cameras​

If all your cameras use the same credentials:

  1. Enter credentials for the first camera
  2. Copy the credentials (Ctrl+C)
  3. For remaining cameras: Click edit → Paste credentials → Save

Example credentials setup:

Camera: Front Door (192.168.1.100)
Main Credentials:
  Username: admin
  Password: your_camera_password

ONVIF Credentials:
  Username: admin  (or leave blank to use main)
  Password: your_camera_password  (or leave blank)

Verifying Connection​

After saving credentials for each camera:

  1. Check Status Column - Should change from "No Auth" to "Connected" or "Online"
  2. Look for Error Messages - Red text indicates connection problems
  3. Test Connection - Click "Test" button if available

⚠️ Common Issue: If cameras show "Connection Failed", verify:

  • IP addresses are correct
  • Cameras are powered on and accessible
  • Username/password are correct
  • Firewall isn't blocking access

🏠 Step 3: Access the Dashboard​

Once you've added credentials for at least one camera:

  1. Click "Continue to Dashboard" or navigate to Dashboard from the menu

  2. You'll see the main Dashboard with:

    • Live camera streams in a grid layout
    • Camera status indicators (online/offline)
    • Quick stats for each camera

  3. Camera tiles show:

    • Live video preview
    • Camera name
    • Connection status
    • Basic information

Dashboard Tips​

  • Click any camera tile to go to detailed camera settings
  • Green border = Camera online and working
  • Red border = Camera offline or connection issue
  • Gray border = No video feed available

📹 Step 4: Explore Camera Settings​

  1. Click on any camera tile from the Dashboard

  2. You'll be taken to the Camera Page showing detailed settings tabs:

    • Video Settings - Resolution, bitrate, codec, etc.
    • Audio Settings - Audio codec, sample rate, etc.
    • Conditions - Picture settings, exposure, white balance, etc.

  3. The Video Settings tab opens by default and shows:

    • Main Stream settings (high quality)
    • Sub Stream settings (lower quality for previews)
    • Current values from your camera

Understanding the Interface​

  • Left Panel: Live video preview from the camera
  • Right Panel: Configuration settings organized in tabs
  • Bottom Buttons: Save, Reset, and other actions

🔄 Step 5: Your First Synchronization​

Important: Before making changes, synchronize Clone's database with your camera's current settings.

Why Synchronize?​

  • Clone needs to know your camera's current configuration
  • This ensures the settings you see match what's actually on the camera
  • Prevents accidentally overwriting settings you want to keep

How to Synchronize​

  1. Navigate to the Synchronize page:

    • Click "Synchronize" in the main navigation menu

  2. Select your camera from the dropdown

  3. Choose "Video" tab (start with video settings)

  4. You'll see two columns:

    • Database Values - What Clone has stored (may be empty/default)
    • Camera Values - Live settings from your camera

  5. Click "Pull Camera → DB" to import camera settings into Clone

  6. Repeat for "Audio" tab if your camera has audio

After Synchronization​

  1. Return to Camera Page (click camera from Dashboard)
  2. Settings should now show your camera's actual values
  3. You can now safely make changes knowing you're working with current data

🚀 Step 6: Test Configuration Changes​

Now that you're synchronized, let's make a small test change:

  1. Go to a camera's Video Settings (Camera Page → Video tab)

  2. Make a small change like adjusting bitrate:

    • Find "Main Stream Bitrate"
    • Change value slightly (e.g., from 4096 to 4000)

  3. Click "Save Settings"

  4. The change is saved to Clone's database

  5. To apply to camera, click "Apply to Camera" button

    • This pushes the change to your actual camera hardware

  6. Verify the change:

    • Check the video stream quality
    • Use Synchronize page to confirm camera now has new value

🎉 Step 7: Explore Clone Features​

Now that you have Clone working, explore these key features:

Dashboard​

  • Monitor all cameras at a glance
  • Quick status overview of your camera network
  • Jump to any camera settings with one click

Camera Page​

  • Detailed configuration for individual cameras
  • Live preview while making changes
  • Organized settings in logical tabs

Clone Feature​

  • Copy settings from one camera to many others
  • Bulk configuration changes across your network
  • Save time on repetitive tasks

Synchronize​

  • Compare database vs camera settings
  • Import camera settings into Clone
  • Keep everything in sync

Diagnostics​

  • Test camera connections
  • View system logs
  • Brand detection for optimal settings

✅ Quick Success Checklist​

Confirm you've completed these essential steps:

  • Logged in successfully with admin/admin
  • Added camera credentials for at least one camera
  • Seen live streams on Dashboard
  • Visited Camera Page for detailed settings
  • Synchronized at least one camera (Video tab)
  • Made a test configuration change
  • Applied change to camera successfully

🎯 What's Next?​

Immediate Next Steps​

  1. Set Up All Cameras - Add credentials for remaining cameras
  2. Synchronize All Settings - Import all camera configurations
  3. Change Admin Password - Secure your installation

Explore Advanced Features​

  1. Configuration Cloning - Copy settings between cameras
  2. Health Monitoring - Track camera performance
  3. Automated Sync - Keep settings in sync automatically

Learn More​

  1. Complete Feature Guide - All of Clone's capabilities
  2. Configuration Reference - Advanced settings and options
  3. Troubleshooting Guide - Solve common issues

🆘 Having Issues?​

Common First-Time Problems​

Can't access http://localhost:1776

  • Try your server's IP address instead
  • Check if Clone container is running: docker ps
  • Verify port 1776 isn't blocked by firewall

Cameras show "Connection Failed"

  • Double-check IP addresses in your config.yml
  • Verify camera credentials are correct
  • Ensure cameras are powered on and accessible

No live streams on Dashboard

  • Check camera credentials are saved
  • Verify network connectivity to cameras
  • Look for errors in Diagnostics → Logs

Settings appear empty or wrong

  • Run Synchronization first (Synchronize page → Pull Camera → DB)
  • Ensure credentials are correct for camera access
  • Check Diagnostics for connection errors

Get Help​

🎊 Congratulations! You've successfully set up Clone and are ready to start managing your camera network efficiently. Welcome to the Clone community!