Knowledge
Field & platform basics, explained clearly
Short guides for camera-trap monitoring: protocols, weatherproof ratings, wildlife AI, and how upload into Untamed Data works. Written for field teams and program managers — not jargon for its own sake.
Topics
What you can learn here
Jump to a guide, or scroll — each topic is its own section.
FTP vs FTPS
Why encrypted upload matters, when plain FTP is only a fallback, and how Untamed Data uses per-camera logins.
Read guide → HardwareIP66 vs IP67 vs IP68
What weatherproof ratings mean for trail cameras left outdoors for months.
Read guide → PlatformWhat is wildlife AI?
Detection, species labels, confidence scores, and the human review queue — without black-box cloud APIs.
Read guide → UploadHow camera upload works
One login per camera, brand-agnostic folders, then AI and the dashboard.
Read guide → SetupWhat your camera needs
FTPS, internet, file types, and passive mode — the checklist before you buy or deploy.
Read guide → QualityReview queue & confidence
Why some detections wait for a person, and how corrections stay in your data.
Read guide →Protocols
FTP vs FTPS
Both move files from a trail camera to a server. Only one encrypts the login and transfer.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the classic way cameras push photos and videos to a server. Many trail cameras still support it. The problem: usernames, passwords, and files can travel in the clear unless something else protects the path.
FTPS is FTP with TLS encryption. It protects the login and the file transfer in transit — the same idea as HTTPS for websites. That is why Untamed Data prefers FTPS whenever the camera offers it.
Encrypted login and upload. Always choose this when your camera supports it.
Works on many older models. Use only if FTPS is unavailable on the device.
In Untamed Data, each camera gets its own FTP/FTPS login. The login identifies the camera — not folder names or weird file paths — so brand-agnostic devices still map cleanly into your project.
Hardware
IP66 vs IP67 vs IP68
IP ratings describe how well a housing resists dust and water. Useful when a camera sits outside for an entire season.
The code has two digits: the first is solid/dust protection (6 = dust-tight), the second is water protection. Higher second digit = tougher water test — but always read the manufacturer notes (depth, duration, and “not for diving” disclaimers matter).
- IP66 — dust-tight; protected against powerful water jets. Common for outdoor electronics that face rain and hose-down, not submersion.
- IP67 — dust-tight; temporary immersion (typically up to 1 m for a short time, per standard test conditions). Better when a camera may sit in standing water after storms.
- IP68 — dust-tight; continuous immersion under conditions the manufacturer specifies (depth and duration vary by product). Highest common outdoor rating for “wet field” deployments.
For trail cameras, a high IP rating helps, but it is not the only factor: cable glands, battery doors, solar mounts, and how the unit is strapped to a tree all affect real-world weatherproofing. Pair a solid IP rating with good placement and periodic checks.
Platform
What is wildlife AI?
In Untamed Data, wildlife AI means automatic detection and species labeling on trail camera photos and videos — with people still in control.
When media lands in your project (via FTPS/FTP or manual upload), our EU-hosted inference service looks for animals and assigns a species label with a confidence score. Empty or non-wildlife triggers are filtered early so your dashboard focuses on real activity.
High-confidence detections can flow straight into the gallery, charts, and maps. Lower-confidence results go to the review queue, where your team confirms or corrects the species. Corrections stay with the detection for audit and quality tracking.
That is different from handing images to an opaque third-party US cloud recognition API. Processing runs on Untamed Data infrastructure in Europe, next to your footage and organization workspace.
Upload
How camera upload works
One login per camera. Brand-agnostic folders. Then AI and your dashboard.
Each camera in Untamed Data gets its own FTP/FTPS account. When the camera uploads a photo or video, the platform knows exactly which project and camera it belongs to — regardless of folder names or file naming on the device.
After upload, wildlife AI runs in the background. Results appear in your dashboard, analytics, maps, and review queue. You can also upload manually from an SD card when automatic upload is not practical.
Setup
What your camera needs
A short checklist before you buy hardware or enable automatic upload.
- FTPS support (preferred) — or plain FTP if FTPS is not available on the device. See FTP vs FTPS.
- Outbound internet — cellular data or another network path so the camera can reach the server.
- Photo and/or video — common formats such as JPG/JPEG and MP4/AVI/MOV are supported.
- Passive mode — required for most camera FTP clients; configured when you enable automatic upload in Untamed Data.
Not every SKU from a brand is guaranteed. We maintain a tested models catalog and can check compatibility if your device is not listed yet.
Quality
Review queue & confidence
AI accelerates labeling. People keep quality under control.
Not every capture is equally clear. Night shots, partial animals, or unusual angles can lower the model’s confidence. When a detection falls below the threshold (in the platform, typically around 70%), it is held in the review queue until someone confirms or corrects the species.
- Confirm as-is — accept the AI suggestion when it looks right.
- Correct the species — pick the right label; the correction is stored.
- Bulk actions — clear many items during busy seasons.
Reviewed detections join the same charts, maps, gallery, and exports as automatic high-confidence results — with a clear quality trail.
Go further
Related pages
Product detail, hardware, and program design live next door.
Product
Full platform capabilities: dashboard, analytics, maps, teams, export.
Open →Wildlife AI
Pipeline, review, and EU infrastructure in more depth.
Open →Supported cameras
Tested FTPS models and how to connect hardware.
Open →FAQ
Short answers on accounts, storage, review, and privacy.
Open →Ready to try the platform?
Create a demo account, or contact us if you need help choosing cameras or protocols.