ACTi Network Video Recorder User manual

ACTi NVR User’s Manual
Version 2.2.57
2010/5/25

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NVR 2.2 SP3 (V2.2.57) User’s Manual
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Table of Contents
1Overview 9
ACTi NVR Architecture ...................................................................... 9
ACTi NVR Server...........................................................................9
ACTi NVR Workstation.................................................................10
NVR Web Client...........................................................................10
System Requirements ..................................................................... 11
Operating System and Browsers Supported ................................. 12
Editions Explained........................................................................... 12
Keyboard Shortcuts ........................................................................ 13
2Installing 14
Backup ............................................................................................. 16
SQL ................................................................................................... 16
IIS Server.......................................................................................... 16
Ports and Firewalls.......................................................................... 17
Disabling UAC in Windows Vista and Windows 7 ........................ 20
NVR Main Program.......................................................................... 20
Restore old setting to NVR Database ............................................ 21
License ............................................................................................. 21
How does registration work..........................................................22
Online Registration.......................................................................22
Offline Registration (Through ACTi website)............................23
Verify your license........................................................................24
3NVR Quick Start 25
Logging In........................................................................................ 25
Finding Cameras on the Network .................................................. 27
Find cameras with IP Utility..........................................................27
Adding cameras to NVR System..................................................... 28
Adding cameras Automatically via Active Setup ..........................28
Adding cameras Manually............................................................29
Add or configure cameras via Copy setting..................................31

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Configuring Access Rights .............................................................. 32
Defining Camera Groups .............................................................32
Setup Camera Group Basic Info 32
Setup which groups does each camera belong 33
Defining User Roles.....................................................................33
Defining Users .............................................................................34
View Live Video .............................................................................. 35
Display selected Camera .............................................................35
Recording and snapshots................................................................ 36
View recorded video....................................................................... 37
Export Video as Evidence ............................................................... 37
4NVR Operation Explained 38
Camera Setup .................................................................................. 38
Camera........................................................................................38
Add New Camera 38
Auto Scan 39
Manual 40
Detail Description Setting 43
Frame Rate Setting 44
Advanced Setting 45
Delete Camera 48
Copy Settings 50
Record Path.................................................................................51
Schedule...................................................................................... 52
Special Day 54
Motion..........................................................................................56
PTZ..............................................................................................59
PTZ Preset...................................................................................61
Preset Tour................................................................................... 63
Event Manager.............................................................................65
Event List 65
Mail Notification Setup 69
System Setup................................................................................... 70
Camera Groups ...........................................................................70
User Roles...................................................................................71
Users............................................................................................72

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Storage ........................................................................................73
Joystick ........................................................................................75
View Layouts................................................................................77
View Tours....................................................................................79
Language.....................................................................................81
Services.......................................................................................83
License.........................................................................................84
How does registration work 84
Online Registration 84
Offline Registration (Through ACTi Website) 85
VerifyYour License 87
System.........................................................................................88
Map Setup ....................................................................................... 91
E-Map Setup................................................................................91
Add Map 92
Edit Map 92
Add Cameras...............................................................................93
Add Map Link 95
Map Tour 96
Active Monitor ................................................................................ 97
Overview......................................................................................97
Active Monitor Toolbar.................................................................. 99
Camera Panel............................................................................100
Event Panel................................................................................101
PTZ Panel..................................................................................104
Adding cameras into preview windows.......................................106
Personal profile..........................................................................107
Layout Manager.........................................................................107
System Monitor..........................................................................109
Active Player.................................................................................. 111
Overview....................................................................................111
Active Player Toolbar..................................................................112
Video Search .............................................................................113
Video Search Result ..................................................................114
Play Archive from Search Page..................................................115
Snapshot Search .......................................................................116
Snapshot Preview......................................................................117
Playback Control Panel..............................................................118

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Export ........................................................................................119
Active Player - Export.................................................................119
Time Based Search Bar.............................................................120
Channel Layout..........................................................................121
Synchronous Playback............................................................122
Open file/Drag-drop channel...................................................122
Finding your time and Synchronize............................................123
Sync Main and Sync Follower....................................................124
Sync Playback............................................................................125
Active Map..................................................................................... 126
Map Overview...........................................................................126
Mini Preview...............................................................................127
Web Client ..................................................................................... 128
Introduction................................................................................128
Connecting to NVR as a Web Client ..........................................128
Web Client Restrictions..............................................................131
ACTi Utility Suite ........................................................................... 132
IP Utility......................................................................................132
Media converter .........................................................................132
Backup Wizard...........................................................................132
Streaming Explorer ....................................................................132
Archive Player............................................................................132

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Figure List
Fig. 1 System Requirements............................................................... 11
Fig. 2 List of Supported Operating Systems ..................................... 12
Fig. 3 Keyboard Shortcut List............................................................. 13
Fig. 4 License Requirements for each version................................... 22
Fig. 5 Online Registration .................................................................. 22
Fig. 6 Offline Registration.................................................................. 23
Fig. 7 Verifying License Registration Info ......................................... 24
Fig. 8 Login Screen (NVR Workstation) ............................................. 25
Fig. 9 IP Utility..................................................................................... 27
Fig. 10 Add New Cameras - Auto ........................................................ 28
Fig. 11 Auto Search Camera List .......................................................... 28
Fig. 12 Add New Cameras –Manual ................................................... 29
Fig. 13 Camera Setup - Add New Camera........................................... 38
Fig. 14 Camera Setup –Auto Scan - Auto Search Result List ............. 39
Fig. 15 Camera Setup - Manual............................................................ 40
Fig. 16 Camera Setup –Manual - Basic Settings................................. 40
Fig. 17 Camera Setup –Manual - Get Device Setting completed ...... 42
Fig. 18 Camera Setup - Detail Description Setting Tab ...................... 43
Fig. 19 Camera Setup - Frame Rate Setting ........................................ 44
Fig. 20 Camera Setup –Advanced Setting - Video Quality................. 45
Fig. 21 Camera Setup –Advanced Setting –Video Adjustment........ 46
Fig. 22 Camera Setup –Advanced Setting –Connection Port ........... 47
Fig. 23 Camera Setup - Delete Camera................................................ 48
Fig. 24 Camera Setup - Copy Setting................................................... 50
Fig. 25 Camera Setup - Record Path .................................................... 51
Fig. 26 Camera Setup - Schedule –Weekly View ............................... 52
Fig. 27 Camera Setup –Schedule –Copy Setting(Weekly) ................ 53
Fig. 28 Camera Setup - Schedule - Special Day................................... 54
Fig. 29 Camera Setup - Schedule - Copy Setting (Special day) .......... 55
Fig. 30 Camera Setup - Motion - Get motion setting ......................... 56
Fig. 31 Camera Setup –Motion - Motion Setup ................................. 57
Fig. 32 Camera Setup - PTZ setup ........................................................ 59
Fig. 33 Camera Setup - PTZ preset....................................................... 61
Fig. 34 Camera Setup - Preset Tour...................................................... 63
Fig. 35 Camera Setup –Event Manager - Setup ................................. 65

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Fig. 36 Camera Setup –Event Manager - PIR...................................... 66
Fig. 37 Event Manager Setup –Action Tab ......................................... 67
Fig. 38 Event Manager Setup - Notification via Email ....................... 69
Fig. 39 System Setup - Camera Groups ............................................... 70
Fig. 40 System Setup - User Roles ....................................................... 71
Fig. 41 System Setup - Users................................................................ 72
Fig. 42 System Setup - Storage Management .................................... 73
Fig. 43 System Setup - Joystick............................................................ 75
Fig. 44 System Setup - Joystick - Dropdown features menu ............. 76
Fig. 45 View Layouts ............................................................................ 77
Fig. 46 System Setup - View Tours ...................................................... 79
Fig. 47 System Setup - Language ........................................................ 81
Fig. 48 System Setup - Language - Language List to Insert ............... 81
Fig. 49 System Setup - Language - Language List to Remove ........... 82
Fig. 50 System Setup - License - License Requirements ..................... 84
Fig. 51 System Setup - License - Online Registration ......................... 84
Fig. 52 System Setup - License - Offline Registration ........................ 85
Fig. 53 System Setup - License - Verifying Registration Info ............. 87
Fig. 54 System Setup - System - System Property .............................. 88
Fig. 55 System Setup - System - System E-Mail Setting..................... 89
Fig. 56 System Setup - System - System FTP Setting System............. 89
Fig. 57 System Setup - System - License Information ........................ 89
Fig. 58 System Setup - System - Available Disk Drive Capacity......... 90
Fig. 59 System Setup - System - Workstation Setting........................ 90
Fig. 60 System Setup - System - Camera Model Update.................... 90
Fig. 61 Map Setup - Map Manager (Before adding any map) ........... 91
Fig. 62 Map Setup - Adding Map Image File....................................... 92
Fig. 63 Map Setup - Selecting Map...................................................... 92
Fig. 64 Map Setup - Adding Cameras to Map..................................... 93
Fig. 65 Map Setup - Arranging Cameras ............................................. 93
Fig. 66 Map Setup - Selecting Map...................................................... 95
Fig. 67 Map Setup - Selecting Map to add into Map Tour ................. 96
Fig. 68 Map Setup - Changing sequence in Map Tour........................ 96
Fig. 69 Active Monitor.......................................................................... 97
Fig. 70 Active Monitor - Side panels ................................................... 98
Fig. 71 Active Monitor - Active Monitor Toolbar................................ 99
Fig. 72 Active Monitor - Camera Panel.............................................. 100
Fig. 73 Active Monitor - Camera Panel - Sorting the Camera Tree .. 100

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Fig. 74 Active Monitor - Camera Panel - Popup Info Panel .............. 101
Fig. 75 Active Monitor - Event Panel - Camera Panel....................... 101
Fig. 76 Active Monitor - Event Panel - Event Preview window....... 102
Fig. 77 Active Monitor - Event Panel -Event Playback window....... 102
Fig. 78 Active Monitor - Event Panel - Event Popup Mini-Preview . 103
Fig. 79 Active Monitor - PTZ Panel .................................................... 104
Fig. 80 Active Monitor - PTZ Panel - Mouse PTZ ............................... 104
Fig. 81 Active Monitor - Playback window ....................................... 106
Fig. 82 Active Monitor - Personal Profile .......................................... 107
Fig. 83 Active Monitor - Change Password....................................... 107
Fig. 84 Active Monitor - System Monitor.......................................... 109
Fig. 85 Active Monitor - System Monitor –Select Type of Log........ 109
Fig. 86 Active Monitor - System Monitor - Export ........................... 110
Fig. 87 Active Player - Overview........................................................ 111
Fig. 88 Active Player - Video Search .................................................. 113
Fig. 89 Active Player –Video Search result ....................................... 114
Fig. 90 Active Player –Play Archive from Search Page .................... 115
Fig. 91 Active Player –Snapshot Search............................................ 116
Fig. 92 Snapshot Preview................................................................... 117
Fig. 93 Finding Sync Main start point ............................................... 123
Fig. 94 Sync Main and Sync Follower................................................ 124
Fig. 95 Active Map - Active Map Overview ...................................... 126
Fig. 96 Active Map - Mini Preview Window ..................................... 127
Fig. 97 Web Client –Login Screen ..................................................... 129
Fig. 98 Web Client –Basic Mode........................................................ 130
Fig. 99 Web Client –Advanced Mode ............................................... 130

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Overview
ACTi NVR Architecture
ACTi NVR is a windows-based program that provides full functionality IP-based network video
surveillance.It consists of several modules, such as: ACTi NVR Server, ACTi NVR Workstation,
ACTi Web Client and ACTi Utility Suite.
ACTi NVR Server
NVR Server includes several Win32 services.These programs start automatically when the
computer boots up and operate in the background, without requiring login by Administrator.
The server configurations are done by NVR Workstation or NVR Web Clients.The services
are:
Active Event Manager
Event Manager handles events and responses, and executes all rule-based reactions.
Active Schedule Service
Schedule service provides recording and scheduling management.
Active Service Manager
This program monitors the other software service modules. If the other services are down, it
will automatically restart them.
Active Streaming Service
Streaming engine handles connection to ACTi IP devices and provides video stream to
multiple clients.
Active Message Engine
Message engine maintains proper background communication between the various win32
services.

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ACTi NVR Workstation
NVR Workstation includes a set of programs that provide interface between users and the
NVR server. NVR Workstation may be installed on the same PC as the NVR server, or they
may be installed separately and connect to NVR Server via network. For NVR Professional,
workstation and server are bundled together and must be on the same PC.They are:
Active Setup
This module includes both Camera Setup and System Setup. Users can add and setup
cameras and devices, configure system parameters and e-maps here.
Active Monitor
In this module you can see live view from cameras and devices, perform PTZ operations with
mouse or Joystick, view system log, receive alert on the Event panel, setup view layouts or
survey with pre-defined multi-layout tour.
Active Player
You may find and playback existing recordings in this module. Up to 4 channels may be played
back synchronously.Snapshots or excerpted video segments can be taken from playback files.
Recorded files can also be exported to AVI format here.
Active Map
You can see camera deployment on maps here.Live video feed may also be displayed right on
the e-maps.Cycling map tour views are also defined here.
NVR Web Client
NVR Web Client is the web version of interface to access NVR.You do not have to install any
program to use Web Client, just Open IE 7 or IE 8 and type in the server web address/port to
login. Almost all of NVR workstation‟s functions can be accessed on Web Client, except a few
minor restrictions.

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System Requirements
The performance of NVR is largely determined by the hardware PC capability.The table below
provides basic guideline for selecting proper hardware.The minimum required hardware will
provide acceptable performance for systems that use mostly MPEG4 streams. Surveillance
systems that use primarily H.264 streams should satisfy Recommended PC Spec for good
performance.
PC
Specifications
16 Channels
32/48/64 channels
Minimum
Recommended
Minimum
Recommended
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo
2.4 GHz
Intel i5-650
3.2 GHz
Intel Core 2 Quad
2.66 GHz
Intel i7-940
2.93 GHz
Memory
4GB
4GB +
4GB +
4GB +
Network
Gigabit Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet
Graphics Card
nVidia 9500 GT or
better
nVidia GTS 250
or better
nVidia 9800 GT or
better
nVidia GTX 260 or
better
Graphics Card
memory
512 MB or more
512 MB or more
512 MB or more
512 MB or more
Hard Drive
Space
2 GB for NVR ,
100 GB for Video
2 GB for NVR,
250 GB for Video
2 GB for NVR,
500 GB for Video
2 GB for NVR,
1TB for Video
Fig. 1 System Requirements
NOTE: Live view for multiple channels require good hardware for smooth performance.If your
live view performance is not satisfactory, please reduce the number of channels viewed at the
same time, and use Layout Tour to scan through all the channels instead.
NOTE: When CPU power is not enough to provide smooth live view, NVR will decode only one
frame per second to save computing power.This is done to ensure that recording is always
properly processed. In extreme cases, like when viewing 64 Megapixel H.264 video streams at
the same time, PC will be overloaded and NVR will stop operation.This is a common limitation
imposed upon all Windows based video management programs. Enhancement for this
limitation will be available in the next version of NVR.
NOTE: PC Spec requirements are the same for 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

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Operating System and Browsers Supported
NVR works with windows-based PCs for both 32 bit and 64 bit systems.The versions
supported are listed as below.
NVR requires Internet Explorer 7 or 8 to work. Internet Explorer 6 and below are
no longer supported. For 64 bit systems, 32 bit IE is required.
Fig. 2 List of Supported Operating Systems
Editions Explained
ACTi NVR comes in two versions, Enterprise and Professional.
Professional Version provides full functionality on a single PC.You record and access the
videos on the same computer.
Enterprise Version provides remote access from another PC. User may connect to Server by
either Workstation or Web Client. Recording is done on the server. Enterprise version is
divided into Server and Workstation. Remote users do not need to install NVR Server.
Function Overview
* Some functions cannot be setup through web client and must be configured via workstation.
OS
Version
32 bit
64 bit
Windows Vista
Ultimate sp1
Y
Y
Enterprise sp1
Y
Y
Business sp1
Y
Y
Windows Server 2003
Standard sp2
Y
Y
Enterprise sp2
Y
Y
Windows XP
Professional sp3
Y
N/A
Windows Server 2008
Standard
Y
Y
Enterprise
Y
Y
Windows 7
Professional
Y
Y
Version
NVR Professional
NVR Enterprise
Single Package
Server
Workstation
Web Client
Live View
Y
Y
Y
Record
Y
Y
Playback
Y
Y
Y
Setup
Y
Y
Y*
Remote Access
Y
Y

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Keyboard Shortcuts
NVR provides many keyboard shortcuts to save your time.Here‟s a list of the available
hotkeys.
Keyboard Shortcut
Description
F5
Refresh. This will restart the application session, and
starts from login page.
Ctrl+F6
Toggle Video display stretch
Ctrl+F7
Create snapshot
Ctrl+F8
Toggle start / stop tour.
Ctrl+F9
Show / hide camera tree panel
Ctrl+F10
Cancel auto-login mode during login
Ctrl+F11
Show / hide title bar
Ctrl+F12
Toggle full-screen mode
ESC
Cancel full-screen mode; return to normal mode. This
function is only valid in full-screen mode
Fig. 3 Keyboard Shortcut List

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Installing
If you are using ACTi NVR CD-ROM, just follow the auto run sequence. If you downloaded
NVR from our website, please run the installer .exe file included. Users that start from auto run
will see the first three screens described below.Users that install directly from the installer files
will proceed directly to installation. If you are using the enterprise version, please first install
windows IIS server (Refer to the How to Setup IIS Server document. After you have IIS setup
then you should install NVR Server, and lastly workstation. For remote user you may only
install workstation as long as you can connect to the server.
Before actual installation, you will be asked to register online. Registering provides many
benefits, including online customer help desk, e-Newsletter and free software downloads.You
may choose to Skip and proceed to NVR installation.
The next screen will show the Installer. Choose the software you wish to install on this PC.
Please refer to the previous section if you do not know what version to install. (If you
downloaded ACTi NVR from the website, you may have a single software package, without
multiple choices.In this case just click install.)
Note: Be sure to have at least one NVR Server in your system to record video. If you are
installing Enterprise Server, you must also install NVR workstation in the same machine
to access server settings.

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For installing Workstation, just follow the on screen instructions.For installing NVR
Enterprise Server or NVR Professional, please see sample screen from NVR
Enterprise Server setup, and follow below steps:

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Backup
If you are doing a fresh install, you may ignore this section.
If you are upgrading from a previous version of NVR or otherwise doing a re-install, then it
would be best to backup existing settings before installing. Please note that NVR 2.2 SP3 has
a slightly change database structure.You must use the latest version of Backup Wizard that
comes with the NVR 2.2 SP3 for backup and restore. During NVR 2.2 SP3 installation, the
existing database will be converted to the new format, and your existing data will still be
accessible by the upgraded version.
Click “Step 1: Backup Database”to launch Backup Wizard. Select the version of NVR installed
on the current PC.Use the closest one if you do not find an exact match. Enter the correct
NVR IP address, NVR Admin account and password. Then choose the destination folder for
backup files (Default folder is C:\backup).
For detailed instructions, please see Backup Wizard User’s Manual.
SQL
NVR 2.2 requires SQL database engine to work.The NVR installer will automatically install
Microsoft SQL 2005 Express SP3 on your PC. Please follow all on-screen instructions.
If you have already installed Microsoft SQL 2005, please be sure to upgrade it to SP3.
During NVR installation, NVR will need to log in to Database Server.Please provide your own
password for Login ID “sa”, instead of the default password for fresh SQL installs.
IIS Server
NVR 2.2 SP3 requires Microsoft IIS server to operate.You need to install and configure IIS
before installing or upgrading your NVR. Please refer to the document “How to Setup IIS
Server”for detailed instructions. Please note that 64-bit systems are configured slightly
different from 32-bit systems.

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Ports and Firewalls
Several ports are needed to transmit data for NVR. Please properly configure the firewalls
on the Server PC, Workstation PC and the routers in between. Blockage in any point of the
way will prevent NVR from functioning properly.
In Some cases, you may need to allow unlimited access through firewall for NVR core
services.This is required if you use RTP protocol for communication.You can go to Control
Panel -> Windows Firewall -> Allowed Programs to add the following two programs to the
allowed list:
C:\Program Files\NVR\ActiveStreamEngine\ActiveStreamingService.exe
C:\Program Files\NVR\ActiveScheduleService\ActiveScheduleService.exe
Sample screenshots from Windows 7 are shown below. The steps are similar in other
versions of windows OS
Port Name & Number
Workstation
Web Client
Local
Remote
Local
Remote
HTTP Port (Default 80)
No Need
Required
Required
Required
Control Port 6001
No Need
Required
Required
Required
Streaming Port 6002
No Need
Required
Required
Required
Message Port 8001
No Need
Required
Required
Required

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Step 1: Control Panel -> Windows Firewall -> Allow a program through Windows Firewall
Step 2: Allow Another Program

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Step 3: Browse to the target program. In this sample Active Streaming Service is shown.
Add this into the list of allowed programs.
Step 4: Streaming Service is added to the allowed programs list. Do the same for Active
Scheduling service.

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Disabling UAC in Windows Vista and Windows 7
UAC (User Access Control) is a security setting that restricts access in Microsoft Windows
Vista. You must disable UAC before installing NVR in Windows Vista and Windows 7.
You may disable UAC through Windows control panel, or through the TweakUAC tool that
comes with NVR.
TweakUAC will launch automatically during install if you still have UAC on. Choose Turn UAC
off now.”, then restart the computer before continuing installation. You may choose to turn UAC
back on with TweakUAC after NVR has been fully installed.
NVR Main Program
After you completed setting up SQL server, disabling UAC for Vista / Win7 and setting up IIS
server, you can proceed to install NVR. Please follow the on-screen instructions. For NVR
Server, the recommended path is C:\Program Files\NVR.You can change the destination
folder path if you really need to.
NVR will need to log into the SQL server during installation.
If you are doing a fresh install, just use the default account / password. If you have
your own “sa”password, use this instead of the default password. If you forgot the
password for “sa”account, please select Windows Authentication instead. When you
use Windows Authentication, just use your windows login account / password. Please
see following image.