A network speaker lets you talk to a trespasser the moment they show up, which is one of the most effective ways to deter them. This article shows how to connect an Axis network speaker to Angelcam and where to find it afterwards.
Angelcam supports two ways of using a speaker:
Automatic: when a person is detected, the speaker plays a pre-recorded message. See Deter a trespasser automatically with a pre-recorded message.
Push to speak: you or a shared contact talk to the intruder live from the Speakers tab in MyAngelcam, from a shared location view or from the mobile app. See Speak directly to burglars using your property's speakers.
Why a network speaker
Network speakers such as the Axis C1310-E have a built-in amplifier and connect over Ethernet, so they are quicker to install than an analog speaker. You don't need an amplifier or audio cables, only a PoE switch and a network cable. The speaker can be up to 100 m from the switch. The trade-off is the price: an Axis speaker costs around $499. If you already have an analog speaker, see How to install any 3.5 mm audio speaker via AngelBox.
Before you start
The speaker is powered, connected to your network and reachable from a computer on the same network.
You know the speaker's admin username and password.
You know the speaker's firmware version and platform (
aarch64orarmv7hf). Both are shown in the speaker's web interface under System → About.
Step 1: Download the Angelcam Connector package
For firmware 12.0 and higher:
For firmware 10.10 up to, but not including, 12.0:
Step 2: Install the Angelcam Connector on the speaker
The Connector is installed the same way as on an Axis camera. Open the speaker's web interface, go to Apps, upload the package you downloaded and start the app. The video shows the installation on an Axis camera; the steps on a speaker are the same.
Step 3: Connect the speaker to your Angelcam account
Open the Angelcam Connector app in the speaker's web interface and follow its link to MyAngelcam. Sign in if you are asked to.
MyAngelcam waits for the speaker to come online. Leave the page open; this usually takes under a minute.
On the Connect your speaker page, enter a name for the speaker and the speaker's admin username and password, then click Submit. MyAngelcam checks that it can reach the speaker with these credentials. If you see Unable to connect to the speaker, check that the speaker is online; if you see Invalid username or password, check the credentials.
When you see Speaker connected, you're done.
Where to find the speaker in MyAngelcam
Open My Location and switch to the Speakers tab. Each speaker has a Test button that checks the connection, a Push to speak button and a Play audio message button for your pre-recorded messages. The menu on the right lets you rename the speaker, move it to another location or remove it.
The speaker also appears on the Angelcam Connector tab as a device, with the speaker listed under Speakers connected.
Note: Pre-recorded messages are managed under Manage audio messages on the Speakers tab. Playing a message automatically when a person is detected is set up by our support team for now. Write to hello@angelcam.com and tell us which speaker and which message you want to use.
Network speaker vs. analog speaker
Pros
Less labor, easier to install
Up to 100 m from the network switch, over a single network cable
No audio cables or amplifier needed
Built-in microphone for audio detection and self-test
Cons
Higher cost
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