As part of new Product Security and IOT standards, later firmware for the Vista VK2 range of IP cameras no longer provides a default admin password. Instead, simply follow this guide to activate each VK2 IP camera on first bootup and enter your own strong password for security.

Additionally, the later firmware now defaults to HTTPS only for secure web browser access! 

 

Until successfully activated, the VK2 camera will:

  • Not allow plug and play connectivity when adding to Vista Viper NVRs.
  • Not be accessible via ONVIF from third-party NVRs.
  • Not stream video over Ethernet.

 

Note: not all NVRs, including Vista legacy ranges, support the HTTPS protocol for ONVIF. In such installations, please refer to later in this guide to change the VK2 camera to HTTP after activation!

 

 

 

 

Camera Models and Firmware Versions

Camera and password activation has been introduced from the below firmware versions. 

 

VK2-2MPXBIR28V12 

VK2-2MPXVFD28V12 

VK2-2MPXVRDIR28V12M 

VK2-2MPXBIR28V12s 

VK2-2MPXVRDIR37 

VK2-2MPXVRDIR6V22M

v4.0.7_H_5213_Release 2024.03.01

VK2-4MPXBIR28V12M

VK2-4MPXVFDIR28V12M

VK2-4MPXBIR28V12Ms 

VK2-4MPXVRDIR28V12M

v3.4.6_H_6411_Release 2024.03.01

VK2-HDX20-SMW

 

v1.5.4-PTZ_H_5229_Release 2024.03.01

VK2-HDX23IR-SMW

 

v2.8.3-PTZ_H_5213_Release 2024.03.01


 

 

Activation and Password Setting

First, download Vista’s VK2 Smart Manager software, minimum version 2.3.3.31, to your PC to help discover and manage multiple VK2 cameras.

 

                                                                  DOWNLOAD

  • Visit url www.vista-cctv.com. 
  • Click navigation bar and links Support > Downloads > Vista IP 
  • Click folders [VK2_IP Range] > [VK2_Software] > [_Smart Manager]
  • Click and download the latest version of the .zip file, unzip and install.

 

  • With all your required VK2 cameras connected to the network and powered up, connect the laptop with VK2 Smart Manager to the same network and open the application.
  • The below screen will be shown with all VK2 cameras on your Ethernet segment.

  • Double-click on the first camera to be activated, the below screen will appear.

 

  • Enter your required STRONG password to activate and then [SAVE].
  • Repeat until all required cameras are activated.
  • Now add the cameras to your required NVR using admin as the ID and the strong password you set.

 

NOTE: If your NVR does not support ONVIF over HTTPS, you may not be able to add the VK2 cameras or gain successful PTZ control. If so, first set the VK2 cameras to use HTTP instead. Refer below.

 

  • Using VK2 Smart Manager again, double-click each camera (in turn) you wish to change to HTTP.
  • Login to the HTTPS web page.
  • Click menus [System] > [Security] > [HTTP & HTTPS]and set as below.
    • Authentication Mode           = Basic (refer to compatibility table over the page)
    • Connection mode                = HTTP&HTTPS
  • Click [Save]. 
  • Add the camera to the NVR again and fully test.

 

This completes the procedure.