Alnet VideoDR-S User manual

VideoDR-S User’s Manual
User’s Manual version 1.12 (May 2003)
This manual applies to the program version 1.0.0.249
2003 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
The information in this manual is up-to-date at the moment of this publication. ALNET SYSTEMS, INC.. has all rights to modify the program without earlier
notification.
This manual applies only to the VideoDR-S server application.

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 2
Table of contents
1INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................4
1.1 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................4
1.2 VIDEO CAPTURE CARDS ....................................................................................4
1.3 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS ......................................................5
1.3.1 Minimum requirements ..............................................................................5
1.3.2 Recommended configuration .....................................................................6
1.3.3 What hardware to avoid? ...........................................................................6
2INSTALLATION OF THE VIDEODR-S SYSTEM ON A PC.................................8
2.1 INSTALLATION OF VIDEO CAPTURE CARDS...........................................................8
2.2 INSTALLATION OF THE DONGLE ..........................................................................8
2.3 CONNECTION OF CAMERAS,SWITCHES AND ALARM INPUTS ..................................9
2.4 INSTALLATION OF THE SOFTWARE ....................................................................10
3STARTUP AND CONFIGURATION OF THE VIDEODR-S SYSTEM ................16
3.1 RUNNING THE PROGRAM FOR THE FIRST TIME ...................................................16
3.2 FIRST CONFIGURATION –STEP BY STEP ...........................................................17
3.3 MAIN PROGRAM VIEW .....................................................................................18
3.4 SCREEN DISPLAY MODES,BOOKMARKS,SAVING A FRAME FEATURES ..................22
3.4.1 Sequence of displaying camera images and saving a frame...................22
3.4.2 Window display modes (full screen, window, normal)..............................23
3.4.3 Split screen modes (screen layout)..........................................................23
3.4.4 Bookmarks...............................................................................................23
3.5 CONFIGURATION OF CAMERA SETTINGS ...........................................................23
3.6 CONFIGURATION OF THE VIDEO CAPTURE CARD ................................................29
3.7 CONFIGURATION OF PROGRAM SETTINGS .........................................................30
3.8 CONFIGURATION OF NETWORK SETTINGS –VIDEO SERVER ...............................31
3.9 CONFIGURATION OF ARCHIVE FILES .................................................................32
3.10 CONFIGURATION OF SERVER ACCESS ACCOUNTS..............................................33
3.10.1 Editing an account................................................................................34
3.10.2 Adding a new account ..........................................................................37
3.10.3 Deleting an account..............................................................................37
3.11 CONFIGURING DNS SERVICE ..........................................................................37
4USING THE VIDEODR-S SYSTEM ...................................................................39
4.1 BROWSING THE VIDEO IMAGE ARCHIVE.............................................................39
4.1.1 Control panel of the archive .....................................................................40
4.1.2 Searching for motion in image archives...................................................41
4.1.3 Exporting archive to AVI file.....................................................................42
4.1.4 Inserting the bookmark into the video archive..........................................43
4.1.5 Zooming into fragments of the image ......................................................43
4.1.6 Setting the archive image parameters and motion detection sensitivity...44
4.1.7 Scaling the time charts.............................................................................44
4.1.8 Browsing recordings from a given day – using the calendar....................44
4.2 SCHEDULER ..................................................................................................45
4.2.1 Camera Operation Schedule (motion detection alarm)............................45
4.2.2 Input Operation Schedule ........................................................................47

3 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
4.2.3 System alerts ...........................................................................................48
4.3 SELECTING AND ADDING NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES ..............................................49
4.4 CREATING A BACKUP COPY OF THE VIDEO IMAGE ARCHIVE .................................51
4.5 UPDATING THE PROGRAM ...............................................................................52
4.6 ”ABOUT”WINDOW ..........................................................................................53
4.7 EXITING THE PROGRAM...................................................................................54
4.8 LOGIN AND LOGOUT OPTIONS ..........................................................................54
5DOME CONTROL ..............................................................................................55
5.1 DOME CONTROL SETTINGS..............................................................................55
5.2 DOME CONTROL PANEL...................................................................................57
6DONGLE VALIDATION .....................................................................................58
7UNINSTALLATION OF THE VIDEODR-S SYSTEM SOFTWARE ....................61
8FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .....................................................62
9ADVANCED SETTINGS ....................................................................................64
9.1 TUNNELING ...................................................................................................64
9.2 DIAL-UP ........................................................................................................64
10 CONTACT INFO ................................................................................................66

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 4
1 Introduction
The digital technology successfully conquers many fields of life where it has
been used only marginally until now. This is happening thanks to continuous
technological progress and development of new algorithms. Employment of new
technologies and methods for digital image recording and compression, decreasing
prices of mass memory units and faster processors, contributed to development of
modern closed-circuit television systems, the best of which is currently the
VideoDR-S system.
1.1 System description
The VideoDR-S is a digital video recorder designated for operation with
closed-circuit television cameras. The system runs on IBM-compatible computers
with Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows XP operating system. It can
record the image from a maximum of 16 cameras, supports up to 12 remote
switches and 16 inputs for additional alarm inputs. It allows inspection and control
through a computer network (e.g. the Internet). Pro version and above allows for
PTZ domes control. The program permits setting of motion detection in arbitrary
areas of the screen, as well as motion searching in archives. The differential
image-compression method, while preserving excellent image quality, allows image
recording longer than in other systems of this type, at the same file size. The
differential image-recording algorithm used does not replace the entire new frame but
only its part that has changed. The replaced image fragments are called deltas in the
system.
Home Edition version is designed for households and is limited in comparison with
Professional edition. The limitations are as follows:
-alarm inputs and remote switches not supported,
-there might be only one administrator and regular user in the system,
-3 fps per camera limited frame rate capture,
-remote access only to current day archives,
-no scheduling feature.
Real Time version supports video capture in real time. Maximum 30fps per each
camera for NTSC TV system and 25fps for PAL TV system.
The software used for operation of the VideoDR-S comprises two independent
programs. The first of them is a server application, operating the video capture card
and related processes. The second is a client application used for connecting to the
server through local networks or the Internet. The server includes all the client
options and tools for the computer on which it is installed and running. The
installation version is comprised of two separate executable files – for the client and
the server. The optional client application is free of charge, and it allows remote
management and browsing of data made available by the server. The video archive
of the server may also be browsed remotely by the client application.
1.2 Video capture cards
The video capture cards are extensions of the motherboard, placed inside the
computer case, plugged into PCI slots of the motherboard. A single card includes
four BNC standard terminals used for input of video signal from cameras, and a serial

5 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
interface used for connecting up to four alarm signals as well as 3 devices to be
controlled by the card (3 relays). The system can operate up to 4 cards.
The basic element of a single card is the BT878 processor used for conversion of
video input signal into digital form. This processor is capable of capturing up to 25
frames per second. Connecting 4 signals to one converter (a card with one converter)
gives a computing power resulting in 7 frames per second for each of the four active
video inputs of a single card. When only one video signal input of a one-processor
card is active, it is possible to convert this signal with the speed guaranteed by the
BT878, which is equal to 30 frames per second (25 for PAL system).
We have another video capture card that is used for Professional Real Time version.
It has four BT878 processors. You can connect 4 or 8 cameras to this video capture
card and have up to two cards in one device. If you use one capture card you could
have captured 30 fps per each camera.
1.3 Hardware and software requirements
For failure-free operation of our systems we recommend using processors and
motherboards based on the Intel chipset.
NOTE!!!
The VideoDR-S has been designed for continuous operation under Microsoft
Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows XP operating systems. VideoDR-S will not
work with other operating systems (e.g. Windows 95/98/Me, BeOS, Linux...).
1.3.1 Minimum requirements
The recommended minimum is a computer with:
•
•
•
•
•
•
256 MB of RAM,
large capacity hard drive (20Gig +)
graphics card with 32 MB of RAM (e.g. based on the GeForce2
graphics processor),
monitor supporting 1024x768 resolution.
Depending on the number of cards installed, the following processors are
recommended:
Intel Celeron 1.0 - 1.2 GHz (256 kB Cache) – one card,
Intel Celeron 1.3 - 1.4 GHz (256 kB Cache) – two cards,

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 6
•
•
•
Intel Celeron 1.3 - 1.4 GHz (256 kB Cache) – three cards,
Pentium IV 1.8 MHz and better – four cards.
We recommend the Intel chipset of the motherboard to fully utilize the PCI bus
speed. For 1 to 3 card systems – i815, for 3 to 4 cards – i845 or i850.
1.3.2 Recommended configuration
•Pentium 4 class processor for optimal operation of the entire system,
•512 MB of RAM,
Motherboards based on Intel chipsets: 815E/815EP (PIII), 845(P4), 845D(P4),
845E(P4), 845G(P4).
Recommended motherboards:
•ASUS P4B
•ASUS P4B266
•ASUS P4B533
•ASUS P4B533-V
•GIGABYTE 8IRX
•GIGABYTE 8IEX
•GIGABYTE 8IEXP
•GIGABYTE 8IGX
•MSI 845E Max2
•MSI 845G Max
•MSI MS-6337
•ABIT-SA6R
•ICP Rocky-4784EVG
•ASUS TUSL2-C (PIII / Celeron)
•AXIOM SBC8168VE
(Motherboards based on VIA/SiS/Ali chipset are not recommended)
PCI slot expansions: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 × 32-bit PCI 2.1
RAM:
•Transcend DDR 256MB (DDR-266)
•KingSton DDR 256MB (DDR-266)
•KingMax SDRAM 256MB (PC-133)
•KingMax DDR 256MB(DDR-333)
Graphic cards: 16-bit color with DirectDraw support
Recommended graphic cards:
•Leadtek WinFast GeForce2 MX400
•Leadtek WinFast A170 DDR TDH
•Leadtek WinFast 3D S325 32MB
•Leadtek WinFast A250 TD 128MB
•ATI RADEON 8500 64MB/128MB
•ELSA GLADIAC 525 128MB
•ELSA GLADIAC 517 VIVO 64MB
1.3.3 What hardware to avoid?
Motherboards with an onboard/integrated graphics card.

7 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
•Motherboards not based on the Intel chips.

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 8
2 Installation of the VideoDR-S system on a PC.
The following paragraphs outline step-by-step instructions for installation of the
hardware dongle, video capture cards and VideoDR-S system software.
2.1 Installation of video capture cards
Depending on the selected kit, one to four video capture cards are delivered,
together with the hardware “dongle” and the software operating with the specified
number of cards.
In the first step of the installation process, ensure that the computer is switched
off, then remove the screws and remove the left side panel of the PC case (looking
from the front) and insert all video capture cards into available PCI slots1
PCI slots
Placing the case horizontally will allow easy access to the motherboard. Insert
video capture cards into successive available slots. After inserting all the video
capture cards replace the side panel and fasten the screws.
2.2 Installation of the dongle
For the software to operate correctly, the hardware dongle must be installed.
LPT dongle USB dongle
Plug the dongle into the printer parallel port (LPT) or USB port at the back of the
computer. The computer can now be switched on and the software installed.

9 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
LPT port
USB port
Dongle
connected as
a transitory
element to the
LPT port
2.3 Connection of cameras, switches and alarm inputs
Connect the cameras, plugging the BNC plugs from the cameras into the BNC
sockets on the video cards in the computer. Ensure that the cameras are powered
on.
Connector of alarm inputs
and relay outputs
Input 1 Input 2 Input 3 Input 4
The connection of a suitable cable to the 15-pin connector of a given video card
accommodates connection of switch outputs and additional sensor inputs. Using this
connector, you can connect 4 additional alarm sensors and 3 switch outputs to each
card. Two relays are SPST type, and one is SPDT type. A pin layout of the connector
is presented below:

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 10
2.4 Installation of the software
At the startup, the Windows operating system should recognize a new device in
the computer (the installed video capture cards).
The system will ask if you want to install drivers for the new Video Capture
device in the system. Leave this window open (do not click any of the buttons) and
begin the installation of the VideoDR-S software.

11 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
After the startup, the installation program will display a welcome screen,
prompting you to install the software for the VideoDR-S system. Press the Next
button :
The next screen will display information concerning the license to be accepted
by the user. Clicking the Yes button confirms the acceptance of license and
conditions offered by the software manufacturer.
The next window displayed will ask for the user name and company name to
whom the product will be registered. The First name and surname of the user, as well
as the Company name, must be entered in respective fields in order to proceed with
the software installation.

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 12
The program will ask you to choose a target location. You can accept the default
settings or chose another location by clicking the browse button. Press the Next
button to proceed.
In the next step you will be asked for a target folder in the Start menu of
Windows system. The default folder is VideoDR-S. You may accept the default or
specify another location.

13 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
A message stating “Dongle driver installed” will confirm successful
installation of the software.
The last window will remind you, that it is necessary to install the video capture
card drivers, providing the cards are already installed in the computer.
Start the Microsoft Windows Add/Remove Hardware Wizard. Press the Next
button in this window and the system will automatically find drivers for the installed
video capture cards. Windows XP will display a message warning about missing
Microsoft digital certificate signatures for the drivers. Select the Continue anyway
option.

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 14
An alternative method to open the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard is via
Device Manager in the Control Panel. Right mouse-click Sound, video and game
controllers from the device list and select the option Scan for hardware changes.
Follow the steps in the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard to proceed with
installation.
1. 2.
3. 4.
Install the driver for the audio capture device. If you have more than one card,
you will have to repeat the above steps for each one.
In order to ensure that the video card drivers have been installed correctly, you
can check if they appear without error or warning note in the Device Manager listing.
You should find drivers installed as per the following screenshot.

15 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
ALNET VideoDR-S WDM Video Capture and,
ALNET VideoDR-S WDM Audio Capture.
A shortcut to the program will be created by default on the Windows desktop.
Start the VideoDR-S system, by clicking the Start DR-S shortcut on the desktop or by
selecting it from the Start menu. The VideoDR-S program is now ready for
configuration.

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 16
3 Startup and configuration of the VideoDR-S system
To start the program, click the Start DR-S icon on the Windows desktop or
select the program from the Start menu, Start / Applications / ALNET or the
alternative location chosen during installation. By default the VideoDR-S starts
automatically with Windows. A program monitoring agent detects any operating
system failure or other problem and will require the digital video recorder to be
restarted.
3.1 Running the program for the first time
The program started for the first time displays a window asking for selection of
the user interface language and cameras’ TV system (NTSC or PAL). Select the
language from the drop-down list and press OK.
In next step you will be prompted for entering the program license number that
could be found in the supplied package.
Enter the number and press OK. If you cannot find the number you should contact
the distributor or manufacturer but for the time being you can click Cancel and
program will run. An hour later after you clicked the Cancel you will be prompted
again for entering the license number. You can always do it by selecting menu About
and then click Enter license number.
The next window is the warning message:
Warning: No archive recordings found. Recording/Playing will not be possible.
This is a reminder to configure the database for recording (description in Chapter
3.9).
The program will now ask for a new user name and password. This new user ID
will have administrator status and rights.
NOTE!!! Remember the user name and the password of the administrator,
as it is necessary to use this login until other users with administrative rights

17 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
are created. Creating other user accounts and editing existing accounts is described
in Chapter 3.10.
When running the program in the future, it is necessary to enter a valid user
name and password.
Initial configuration is required the first time the program is started.
3.2 First configuration – step by step
1. Camera Settings. Set the quality of the recorded image and the sensitivity
of the changed fragments replacement. You can mask an area, decide when
the image should be recorded and set the motion detection threshold.
Additionally, you can select the color of displayed texts and set other
personal preferences. More functions of individual elements of the window
are described in Chapter 3.5.
2. You can also select the required resolution of image recording, as
necessary. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality, but it
results in a reduced frame per second rate and also larger files. For settings
see Chapter 3.6.
3. Before starting the recording you have to create video archive databases.
Here you select archive files size and disk space thresholds and locations.
Description in Chapter 3.9.
4. If you want to configure the VideoDR-S as a video server, in order for the
client application to connect to it through a network, you have to activate the
video server. See Chapter 3.8. It is good practice at this point to create an
additional user in the system, especially for the remote connection, due to
security considerations such as insecure connections. Remember to assign
access rights for cameras, the archive, time, domes, etc. More details are in
Chapter 3.10.
Below you can find a description, appearance and functions of individual
elements in the view of main window of the VideoDR-S system.

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 18
3.3 Main program view
The toolbar at the top of the screen contains a drop-down menus giving
access to the most important options of the system.
Program menu:•
•
•
oMinimize – minimize the window to an icon in the taskbar
oLogin – switch to another user without needing to restart the
program
oExit – exits the program. While closing, the application prompts
you to save any configuration changes to the configuration file. If
you close the application for the first time, you have to specify
the configuration file location.
Tools menu:
oBrowse archives – go to the archive of video recordings.
oSchedule – run program tasks at scheduled time
oBackup – archive the folders with video recordings.
oProgram update – see the newest versions of the program on
the Internet, download and install a new version of the program.
Configuration menu:
oCameras – go to a camera configuration window.
oCapture cards – configuration of the image capture cards.
oNetwork – settings of remote access to the server through a
computer network (e.g. the Internet).
oArchive –go to the archive of video recordings.
oUser accounts – go to user accounts settings.

19 ALNET SYSTEMS INC.
•
•
oDomes – settings of the domes controlling methods.
oProgram settings – go to program settings.
Bookmarks
oAdd bookmark in archives – this option lets you add a
bookmark in the archives.
About
oAbout VideoDR-S – displays information about the manufacturer
and program version.
oEnter license data – appears only if you haven’t registered your
copy yet. It will open the window where you can enter the license
number.
The following screenshot shows some of the most important elements of the
system, i.e. views from cameras, information about the name of the camera, the date
and the number of captured frames per second.
Camera
name
Number of
captured frames
per second
Current time and
date
The user name, the time and the number of days recorded in the archive, as well as
the number of remote users connected, are displayed in the upper right corner of the
window.

VideoDR-S User’s Manual. 20
On the left side there are icons allowing direct access to desired configuration
functions of the program, and to switch the camera views.
Turn the recording on / off.
Camera Settings.
Browse the video archives.
Settings of the video cards.
Settings of remote access to the server through a computer network (e.g. the
Internet).
Settings of access to the mass storage of the computer. Specification of the
archive locations.
Settings of the server parameters.
Configuration of user accounts for remote access.
Scheduler – controlling the program behavior depending on activation of alarm
inputs of the system, detection of motion by the cameras, or system events.
NOTE! Option not available in the Home Edition version
Dome control – NOTE! Option not available in the Home Edition version.
Allows setting the joystick and the keyboard for controlling the camera domes.
Detailed description in Chapter 5.
Dome control panel – NOTE! Option not available in the Home Edition
version. Virtual joystick, if no joystick has been connected then you can control
dome movements using this panel. Detailed description in Chapter5.
Options to change the camera view. Divide the screen in a layout as shown on
the icon.
The right side of the screen contains icons representing switches and sensor
inputs of the video cards. Clicking a particular icon causes activation of that switch
and a change in the icon appearance.
Switch icons. Every video card has 3 built-in switches; therefore the system can
operate a maximum of 12 switches. Click a switch with the mouse pointer to
toggle on or off. On the image to the left the switch # 1 is on, and the other two
switches are off. A switch may, for example, turn on the light in a room. Right-
click on a switch icon to call up the Output parameters window. NOTE!
Option not available in the Home Edition version