VIDOS-NVR User Guide
Copyright This user guide is the intellectual property of VCS and is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted for any purpose, by whatever means, electronic or mechanical, without the express written permission of VCS. Release: April 2004 (Software Version 3.0) © Copyright 2004 VCS Video Communication Systems AG Note This user guide has been compiled with great care and the information it contains has been thoroughly verified.
Contents 0 Chapter 1 Contents Chapter 1 Introduction About this user guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIDOS-NVR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Overview of functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supported components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 5 Appendix Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Error messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction 1 About this user guide This user guide is intended for persons responsible for the installation and operation of the VIDOS-NVR. It describes the installation of the software and how to operate the VIDOS-NVR using a Web browser. Conventions Symbols and notation The following symbols and notation are used to draw attention to specific situations. Warning! This symbol indicates safety instructions that must be followed to avoid loss of data.
Chapter 1 VIDOS-NVR The VIDOS-NVR is a software for digitally recording and replaying video sequences. NVR stands for Network Video Recorder, because the VIDOS-NVR enables any standard PC (commercial server) with sufficient storage capacity to function as a digital network recorder. External storage or RAID systems are also supported. The VIDOS-NVR offers completely new technology for network-based storage of digital video data.
Chapter 1 Overview of functions The main functions of the VIDOS-NVR are: ] Device-independent digital recording of video, audio and metadata ] Faster, more convenient search function to access desired video sequences ] Availability of the recorded video images on the entire network worldwide ] Simple integration of an unrestricted number of cameras and storage media ] Immediate integration in VIDOS ] Direct access from any location via a Web browser ] User-friendly graphical operating interface ] Gap-free
Chapter 1 System requirements Installation requirements Your system must meet the following requirements in order to install the VIDOSNVR: ] Computer with a Pentium III Xeon or Pentium IV CPU, 1.
Installing VIDOS-NVR 2 Installation The installation program for the VIDOS-NVR can be found on the CD-ROM. The program will usually start automatically after the CD is placed in the drive. If the CD does not start automatically, open Windows Explorer and start file vidos-nvr_setup.exe on the CD manually by double-clicking. Note Before inserting the CD, close all applications and open programs. Warning! For security reasons, the VIDOS-NVR should not be installed on the same computer as VIDOS.
Chapter 2 Settings and video sequences stored during the term of the demo version are still available after the conversion to the license version. Conversion to the Temporarily Unlimited License Version Activation of the VIDOS-NVR for temporarily unlimited use is done with the help of two activations keys that you receive from your software distributor. Warning! The VIDOS-NVR license is bound to your computer.
Chapter 2 You will receive two activation keys from your software distributor that are generated based on the installation code and activate the VIDOS-NVR license version for the respective computer. – Open the NVR-Config page in the Web browser. – Enter the first key as Activation Code (typing or with copy&paste). – Click Set to save the activation key. The message Activation Code successfully entered! is displayed.
Chapter 2 Updates Note Before installing a VIDOS-NVR update, recorded data should be backed up. Before beginning the update, make a back-up of directory ...\vidos-nvr-data including all data and subdirectories. – Install the new version. De-installation If you no longer wish to use the VIDOS-NVR on a computer, the program can be removed at any time. – Terminate any active recordings using the VIDOS-NVR and close the Web browser and VIDOS if it is running.
Starting and Stopping VIDOS-NVR 3 Automatic start After installation, the VIDOS-NVR will start automatically. You can check whether it started successfully. – Open the Windows services management console (Start – Settings – Control Panel – Administrative Tools – Services). – Look for VIDOS-NVR in the list of services. – Check in the Status column to see whether the service started. Stopping the program You can stop the VIDOS-NVR at any time.
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Chapter 4 Operation using a Web Browser 4 Basics The VIDOS-NVR is designed to be operated with VIDOS all-purpose video management software from VCS. VIDOS provides access to the complete range of functions in the VIDOS-NVR. However, limited operation is also possible using a Web browser. You can create and configure recording tasks and view stored recordings. The VIDOS-NVR can be accessed from any location worldwide.
Chapter 4 Password protection in the VIDOS-NVR If the VIDOS-NVR is password-protected against unauthorized access, a dialog box requesting the password will appear first. – Enter the user name and associated password in the corresponding text fields. – Click OK. If the password is correct, the VIDOS-NVR replay page will open. Navigation Configuration and operation of the VIDOS-NVR takes place in four HTML pages. Use the links in the upper part of the window to access these pages.
Chapter 4 Password protection and license information On the NVR-Config page you can assign passwords and get information on the license status. Protect the VIDOS-NVR with a password in order to prevent unauthorized access. The VIDOS-NVR uses two authorization levels: ] Service Access to all VIDOS-NVR functions ] User Access to the status page and for replaying stored recordings Note Always assign both authorization levels.
Chapter 4 – Enter the new password again in the Password confirm: field to rule out the risk of typing errors. – Then click Set to save the changes. Note If no password has been assigned to the selected authorization level, then the message No password set! is displayed. In the section License settings information on the license status is displayed. Here the license version can be changed inserting activation keys (see page 10).
Chapter 4 Recording task administration The VIDOS-NVR offers extensive options for planning and managing recording tasks. The NVR-Setup page provides an overview of all programmed recording tasks. You can create new recording tasks here and existing tasks can be edited or deleted. – Click New. The Add Recording window will open, and a new task can be created. or – Select an existing task and click Edit. The Edit Recording Setup window will open, and the selected task can be edited.
Chapter 4 Recording task configuration All key parameters for the recording task can be configured resp. changed in the Add Recording resp. the Edit Recording Setup window. Both windows provide the same parameters. – Click New on the NVR-Setup page to open the Add Recording window and to create a new task. or – Mark one of the listed recording tasks and click the Edit button. The Edit Recording Setup window will open and you can change the settings for the chosen recording task.
Chapter 4 Add device manually You can add video sources not yet active in your system. Click the Add button. The Add device manually window will open. Enter the IP address in the new window and choose the device type. Video Encoder Select the encoder for the video source from which you wish to record video images. The selection options depend on the video source selected. Encoder settings can be changed in the configuration pages for the transmitting device concerned.
Chapter 4 Note Until now, Automatic Network Replenishment has only been supported by VCS devices. This option is only possible if the selected video source has a local storage medium and local recording is enabled. Warning! Automatic Network Replenishment can only function properly if the system time of the video source is synchronized with that of the computer on which the VIDOS-NVR is installed. To accomplish this, the computer with the VIDOS-NVR must be set up as the time server for the video source.
Chapter 4 Post-Alarm time Enter here the length of time for the alarm recording. Recording scheduler Here you can define a schedule for each recording task by clicking the button Time... (see following section).
Chapter 4 Scheduling the recording A schedule can be set up for each recording task. Consequently, the recording will be made only at particular times. The VIDOS-NVR is set to record continuously as standard. You have the option to configure recording intervals as part of a week schedule. You can define the times at which recording takes place for each separate day of the week. The Set Recording Time window shows the schedule for the recording task that you are currently configuring.
Chapter 4 Status query The NVR-Status page presents important information regarding the current status of the VIDOS-NVR as well as a list of all recording tasks. Note The parameters shown are for your information only; they cannot be changed here. Active Recordings This field displays all recording tasks with the configured parameters. In addition to the parameters, a symbol shows the current status of the task. Recordings in progress are designated with a camera icon.
Chapter 4 ] Data Rate The data transfer rate of the current recording ] ANR-Technology On is displayed if Automatic Network Replenishment is enabled, if not Off will appear. System Load The system load on the computer with the VIDOS-NVR installed should not exceed 80 to 90%. At higher system loads, we recommend using a second VIDOS-NVR.
Chapter 4 Selecting a recording for replay After you have established a connection to the VIDOS-NVR, the NVR-Replay page will be displayed automatically. This page provides convenient filters for selecting a recording to replay. All the functions for this are found on the righthand side of the page. First select a video source and, if desired, a time range, which the VIDOS-NVR is to search for recordings. The recordings found will be displayed in a hit list.
Chapter 4 ] None No time filter will be used in the search. ] Today The search will be restricted to recordings that were made on the same day. ] Yesterday The search will be restricted to recordings that were made the day before. ] Last seven days The search will be restricted to recordings made during the previous seven days. ] Last 30 days The search will be restricted to recordings made during the last 30 days. ] User defined This option allows you to define a time range for the recording search.
Chapter 4 Note A video source must always be selected first; otherwise, a corresponding error message will be displayed. – Select a video source and use a time filter (if desired) in order to restrict and accelerate the search. – Click Search to start the search. A hit list of all the recordings found will be displayed below the filter area. If no recording meeting the specified criteria is found, a corresponding message will be displayed. Change the specified criteria and start the search again.
Chapter 4 Controlling replay After a recording has been selected for replay, it can be viewed. All the functions for replaying recordings are located in the left portion of the NVR-Replay page. You can select the resolution for displaying the video image. Click on the 528x432 or 704x576 link above the video image to select the display resolution. A time bar is displayed below the video image for easy orientation.
Chapter 4 increases the time interval and reduces the level of detail Buttons for controlling the replay are displayed below the time bar. The buttons have the following functions: jump to the beginning of the recording, jump to the previous recording in the list fast rewind stop play pause fast forward jump to the end of the recording, jump to the subsequent recording Note When fast forward or fast rewind are used, the VIDOS-NVR jumps from one I-frame (“intra-frame”) to the next.
Chapter 4 MPEG decoder installation If no video image is displayed during replay, it may be necessary to install a current MPEG decoder. Suitable software for this can be found on the VCS program CD. – Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive of the computer. The CD will start automatically. If the CD does not start automatically, open the root directory of the CD in Windows Explorer and double-click MPEGAx.exe. – Follow the instructions on the screen.
Chapter 4 Saving segments from recordings Segments from recordings can be saved during replay. The segments are saved in MPEG format. Note The MPEG viewer from VCS is needed to replay the saved segments. The current version of the MPEG viewer can be downloaded via the Get MPEGviewer software? link on the NVR-Replay page and installed if necessary (see page 34). – Select a recording and start replay. – Click the button for saving segments.
MPEG-viewer installation The MPEG viewer serves for the viewing of saved segments without using VIDOS or a VIDOS-NVR. If e.g. dedicated segments are passed on to third parties as evidence these can be displayed on any PC with the help of the MPEG viewer. The current version of the VCS MPEG viewer can be downloaded via the link Get MPEG-viewer software? on the NVR-Replay page. – Click the link Get MPEG-viewer software? and save the file MPEGViewer.exe to your hard drive.
5 Appendix Troubleshooting If a problem cannot be resolved, please contact your software distributor or VCS Customer Service (support@vcs.com). The following table is intended to help identify causes of malfunctions and, where possible, to suggest solutions.
Chapter 5 Error messages The following error messages are displayed in certain situations when accessing the VIDOS-NVR via the Web browser. Note In many cases it is enough to refresh the page in the browser, and the error message will no longer be displayed. Use the F5 key to refresh the page. Error Message Meaning Solution Select a video source in the Video No video source was Input required. Please select a video selected when searching for source: field. recordings. source first.
Chapter 5 Technical support In you have questions regarding the use of the VIDOS-NVR, which are not answered in this user guide, please contact your software distributor or: VCS Video Communication Systems AG Forchheimer Strasse 4 90425 Nuremberg, Germany Phone: +49 (0)911 9 34 56-0 Fax: +49 (0)911 9 34 56-66 info@vcs.com Internet Comprehensive information regarding the VIDOS-NVR and other products from VCS is available on VCS AG's website: http://www.vcs.
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VCS Video Communication Systems AG Forchheimer Strasse 4 90425 Nuremberg, Germany Phone: +49 911 93456-0 Fax: +49 911 93456-66 E-mail: info@vcs.com http://www.vcs.com ID No.
