Reviving Amcrest IPM-721S - steps?

[Diver4242]

I just found an Amcrest IPM 721S that I used to use some years ago. I'd like to revive and use it. I downloaded the latest firmware, manuals, software for the camera. I think I used to use Blue Iris. Is there a better choice between the Amcrest software/app and Blue Iris? Do both or either one charge? I want to avoid subscriptions and just record to microSD and get alerted if there's activity (outdoor monitoring of our RV).

What steps should I take? Use the Amcrest config app to do the firmware upgrade, then move to blue iris or the amcrest app?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[TonyR]

Use a PC to perform the F/W upgrade, do via Ethernet not wireless.
Blue Iris ("BI") has a 15 day trial, costs $63 one-time beyond that, updates & support included for first year.
The Amcrest app for PC and phone is free but BI can run circles around it.
The BI app for phone is OK but not required, use BI's built-in webserver "UI3" to view cams using a browser.

EDIT 11/23/23 @ 1613 CT: Apparently you were using BI back in Aug. 2016:

Lost contact from app to server

I'm running the latest version of blue iris on my windows 10 laptop, and v2.0.34 of the app on my samsung android phone. It was all working great, until recently. When the camera is tripped, I get the texts from blue iris, so that part is OK. But when I try to use the app, I get "Unable to...

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