Dahua General 960H Mini 1U series User manual

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Please read this user’s manual before
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H.264
4/ 8/ 16 CH
960H DVR
User’s Manual

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CAUTION
Please read this user manual carefully to ensure that you can use the device correctly and safely
We do not warrant all the content is correct. The contents of this manual are subject to change
without notice
This device should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label.
The voltage of the power must be verified before using. If not in use for a long time, pull out the plug
from the socket
Do not install this device near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other
device that produce heat
Do not install this device near water. Clean only with a dry cloth
Do not block any ventilation openings. And ensure well ventilation around the machine
Do not power off the DVR at normal recording condition! The correct operation to shut off DVR is to
stop recording firstly, and then select “shut-down” button at the right of the menu bar to exit, and finally
to cut off the power.
This machine is indoor using equipment. Do not expose the machine in rain or moist environment. In
case any solid or liquid get into the machine’s case, please cut off the power supply immediately, and
ask for qualified technicians to check the machine before restart
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. No any parts repaired by yourself without technical
aid or approval.
This manual is suitable for 4, 8 and 16 digital video recorders.

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1.1 Main Features
COMPRESSION FORMAT
Standard H.264 compression with low bit rate and better image quality
LIVE SURVEILLANCE
Supports HDMI/ VGA/BNC output
Supports channel security by hiding live display
Display the local record state and basic information
Supports USB to make full control
RECORD MEDIA
Supports one SATA HDD to record for a longer time without any limitation
BACKUP
Supports USB 2.0 devices to backup
Supports saving recorded files with AVI standard format to a remote computer through internet
RECORD & PLAYBACK
Record modes: Manual, Schedule, Motion detection and Sensor alarm recording
Supports recycle after HDD full
Resolution, frame rate and picture quality are adjustable
4CH DVR supports 4 CH 960H real-time recording
8CH DVR supports 960H @12/15frame recording or 8CH full D1/CIF real-time recording.
16CH DVR supports 960H @6/7frame recording
Three record search modes: time search, event search and image search
4/8/16-CH screen playback simultaneously
Supports deleting and locking the recorded files one by one
Supports remote playback in Network Client through LAN or internet
ALARM(for 4 and 8 CH DVR only)
Supports schedule for motion detection and sensor alarm
Supports pre-recording and post recording
Supports linked channels recording once motion or alarm triggered on certain channel
Supports linked PTZ preset ，auto cruise and track of the corresponding channel
PTZ CONTROL
Supports various PTZ protocols
Supports 128 PTZ presets and 8 auto cruise tracks
Supports remote PTZ control through internet
SECURITY
Customize user right: log search, system setup, two way audio, file management, disk
management, remote login, live view, manual record, playback, PTZ control and remote live
view
Supports 1 administrator and 63 users.
Supports event log recording and checking, events unlimited
NETWORK
Supports TCP/IP, DHCP, PPPOE, DDNS protocol
Supports IE browser to do remote view
Supports setup client connection amount
Supports dual stream. Network stream is adjustable independently to fit the network bandwidth
and environment.
Supports picture snap and color adjustment in remote live
Supports remote time and event search, and channel playback with picture snap
Supports remote PTZ control with preset and auto cruise
Supports remote full menu setup, changing all the DVR parameters remotely
Supports mobile surveillance by phones with iPhone/Android/
Supports CMS to manage multi devices on internet

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1.2 Front Panel Instructions
Notice: The pictures are only for reference; please make the object as the standard.
Label Name Function
REC / FOCUS Manual record / focus adjustment(PTZ)
PLAY / IRIS Enter Playback/ iris adjustment (PTZ)
REW / SPEED Fast rewind on playback mode /speed adjustment (PTZ)
FF / P.T.Z. Fast forward on playback mode /enter PTZ mode
MENU / +
Enter menu page / increase value
BACKUP / - Enter backup page / decrease value
STOP / ESC
Stop playback on playback mode /
Exit menu or jump back to previous page
Split / Direction
Key
Switch split / Move selected item
Enter Validate action
USB Connect USB thumb drive or mouse
IR receiver Remote receiver

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1.3 Back Panel Definition
Rear Panel for 4-ch
Item
Name
Description
1
Audio out
Audio output, connect to the sound box
2
Audio in
4 CH Audio input
3
ALARM IN
Connect to external sensor 1-4
4
ALARM OUT
1-ch relay output. Connect to external alarm
5
GND
Grounding
6
Video in
Video input channels from 1-4
7
CVBS port
Connect to monitor
8 Spot out
Connect to monitor as an AUX output channel by channel. Video would
be displayed without OSD.
9
VGA port
VGA output, connect to monitor
10
HDMI port
Connect to high-definition display device
11
LAN
Network port
12
USB port
Connect USB mouse or connect external USB devices
13
DC12V
POWER INPUT
14
RS485
Connect to speed dome or keyboard
Rear Panel for 8-ch
Item
Name
Description
1
Audio in
4 CH Audio input
2
GND
Grounding
3
ALARM OUT
1-ch relay output. Connect to external alarm
4
ALARM IN
Connect to external sensor 1-8
5
Video in
Video input channels from 1-8
6
VGA port
VGA output, connect to monitor
7
HDMI port
Connect to high-definition display device
8
LAN
Network port
9
USB port
Connect USB mouse or connect external USB devices
10
DC12V
POWER INPUT
11
RS485
Connect to speed dome or keyboard
12
Audio out
Audio output, connect to the sound box
13
CVBS port
Connect to monitor
14 Spot out
Connect to monitor as an AUX output channel by channel. Video
would be displayed without OSD.

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Rear Panel for 16-ch
Item
Name
Description
1 RS485 Connect to speed dome or keyboard（A is TX+, B is TX-）
2
Audio in
2-CH Audio inputs
3
Video in
Video input channels from 1-16
4
HDMI port
Connect to high-definition display device
5
VGA port
VGA output, connect to monitor
6
LAN
Network port
7
USB port
Connect USB mouse or connect external USB devices
8
DC12V
POWER INPUT
9
Video out
Connect to monitor
10
Audio out
Audio output, connect to the sound box

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1.4 Remote Controller (Optional)
This remote control use AAA battery, the definition as following:
Fig 2.4 Remote Controller
Button
Function
Power Button
Switch off—to stop DVR. Use it before turning off the power
Record Button To record manually
-/-- /0-9 Digital Button Input number or choose camera
Fn1 Button Unavailable temporarily
Multi Button To choose multi screen display mode
Next Button To switch the live image
SEQ To enter into auto dwell mode
Audio To enable audio output in live mode
Switch To switch the output between BNC and VGA
Direction button
To move cursor in setup or pan/title PTZ
Enter Button To confirm the choice or setup
Menu Button To enter into menu
Exit Button To exit the current interface
Focus/IRIS/Zoom/PTZ To control PTZ camera. Move camera/zoom/IRIS/Focus
Preset Button To enter into preset setting in PTZ mode
Cruise Button To enter into cruise setting in PTZ mode
Track Button To enter into track setting in PTZ mode
Wiper Button To enable wiper function in PTZ mode
Light Button To enable light function in PTZ mode
Clear Button To return to the previous interface
Fn2 Button Unavailable temporarily
Info Button
Get information about DVR like firmware version, HDD information
To control playback. Play/Pause/Stop/Previous Section/Next
Section/Rewind/Fast Forward
Snap Button To take snapshots manually
Search Button To enter into search mode
Cut Button To set the start/end time for backup in playback mode
Backup Button To enter into backup mode
Zoom Button To zoom in the images
PIP Button To enter into picture in picture setting mode
◆Switch Remote Control ID
Take remote control and point to DVR then continuously press “8”,”8”,”ID(0-65535)”,”Enter”.
＊The ID must be the same on DVR.
＊For example: If ID=1, please take remote control and point to DVR then press 8, 8, 1, Enter.

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1.5 Control with Mouse
1.5.1 Connect Mouse
It supports USB mouse through the port on the rear panel, please refer to Fig 2.4 Remote Controller.
Notice: If mouse is not detected or doesn't work, check below steps:
1. Make sure the mouse is connected to the USB mouse port not the USB port
2. try another mouse
1.5.2 System operation by mouse
The structure of the main menu is shown in Fig 2.4 Remote Controller.
In live:
Double-click left button on one camera to be full screen display. Double-click again to return to the previous
screen display.
Click right button to show the control bar at the bottom of the screen as Fig 2.4 Remote Controller. Here are all
control and setup. Click right mouse again to hide the control bar.
In setup:
Click left button to enter. Click right button to cancel setup, or return to the previous.
If want to input the value, move cursor to the blank and click. An input window will appear as Fig2.5. It supports
digitals, letters and symbols input.
Fig 2.5 Digital Numbers and Letters Input Window
Users can change some value by the wheel, such as time. Move cursor onto the value, and roll the wheel
when the value blinks.
It supports mouse drag. I.e. Set motion detection area: click customized, hold left button and drag to set motion
detection area. Set schedule: hold left button and drag to set schedule time
In playback:
Click left button to choose the options. Click right button to return to live mode.
In backup:
Click left button to choose the options. Click right button to return to previous picture.
In PTZ control:
Click left button to choose the buttons to control the PTZ. Click right button to return to live.
Notice:Mouse is the default tool in all the operation below unless Exceptional indication.

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2 Basic Function Instruction
2.1 Power On/Off
Before you power on the unit, please make sure all the connection is good.
2.1.1 Power on
Step1: connect with the source power; switch on the power button near the power port in the rear panel
Step2: the device will start to boot, and the power indicator will become blue
Step3: before start, a WIZARD dialogue box will pop-out (refer to below picture) and show some information
about time zone and time setup, IP information, record quick setup and HDD information page.
After the device powers on, if there is no menu or only has live image display, user can long press ESC
button to switch.
Notice: this serial device can only display menu on VGA monitor or BNC monitor at one time, if there is
live image display without menu display, please check up whether other device has menu display firstly, or
long press ESC key to wait for login dialog box to appear.
2.1.2 Power off
User can power off the device by using remote controller, keyboard and mouse.
By remote controller:
Step1: press Power button, the shut down window will appear, click OK, the unit will power off after a while.
Step2: disconnect the power
By keyboard and mouse:
Step1: enter into Menu, then select “System Shut Down” icon, the Shut down window will appear
Step2: click OK, the unit will power off after a while.
Step3: disconnect the power
2.2 Login
User can login and logout the DVR system. User cannot do any other operations except changing the
multi-screen display once logout.
Fig 3-1 Login
Notice: the default user name and password is “admin” and 123456 ”
The concrete operation steps for change password, add or delete user please refer to Fig 3.7 User
management configuration for more details.

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2.3 Live preview
Fig 3-2 live preview interface
The explanation of symbol in the live preview interface:
symbol
meaning
symbol
meaning
Green Manual record Red
Alarm in trigger
record
Yellow
Motion detection record
Blue
Schedule record
2.3.1 Live playback
Click Play button to playback the recorded video. Refer to Figure3-3. User can do concrete operation by
click the buttons on screen.

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Fig 3-3 live playback
Item Function Description
1
Camera name
Enable or disable camera name display
2
Playback process bar
Last/next segment of record and time process
3 Cut
Enable to select a specific part of the video and
back it up on usb drive
4 Playback basic function
Play/ Pause / Stop / frame forward / fast forward
/ fast rewind
5
Display mode
Choose among different display mode
6
Live view
Enable to see 4 camera in live during playback
7
Zoom
Screen digital zoom x2
8
Color
Setup picture color
9
Volume
Volume mute on/off
10
Reduce
Hide playback tool bar
11
Exit playback mode
12
Move the playback bar in the screen

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3 Main menu setup guide
Click right mouse or press ESC button on the front panel, the control bar will display on the screen, refer to
Fig 4-1:
1
Single
Full channel
2
Multi
4ch:1/4, 8ch:1/4/9, 16ch:1/4/9/16
3
E-Zoom
Live/playback digital zoomx2
4
Audio
Audio channel setup and volume
5
PTZ
Into PTZ control mode
6
Record
Manual record
7
Playback
Playback the nearest file
8
Main Menu
Into main OSD
9
Dwell
Channel sequence(only 16CH)
Fig 4-1 main menu toolbar
Click Menu button, the interface will pop-up as Fig 4-2; press MENU button on the front panel or
operate with remote controller also can display the main menu.
Main OSD
Fig 4-2 system setup
Full channel switch, camera 1 ~ 4 or camera 1 ~ 8, camera 1 ~ 16
①
②
③
④
⑤
⑥
⑦
⑧

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3.1 Basic configuration
Basic configuration includes three sub menus: system、date& time and DST.
3.1.1 System
Step1: enter into system configurationbasic configurationsystem; refer to Fig 4-3:
Fig 4-3 basic configuration-basic
Step2: in this interface user can setup the device name, device ID, video format, max network users, VGA
resolution and language. The definitions for every parameters display as below:
Device name: the name of the device. It may display on the client end or CMS that help user to recognize
the device remotely.
Video format: two modes: PAL and NTSC. User can select the video format according to that of camera.
Password check: enable this option, user needs to input user name and password can do corresponding
operations with the relevant right in system configuration.
Show time: display time in live.
Show wizard:tick off this item, there will display an opening wizard with time zone and time setup
information
Max network uses: set the max user amount of network connection
VGA resolution: the resolution of live display interface, range from: VGA800*600、VGA1024*768、
VGA1280*1024 and HDMI
Language: setup the menu language.
Note: after changed the language and video output, the device needs to login again.
3.1.2 Time & date
Step1: enter into system configurationbasic configurationtime & date; refer to Fig 4-4:
16 CH
Fig 4-4 basic configuration-time & date
Step2: set the date format, time format, time zone in this interface; click off “sync time with NTP server” to refresh NTP server date; user
also can adjust system date manually
Step3: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button to exit current interface.

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3.1.3 DST
Step1: enter into system configurationbasic configurationDST; refer to Fig 4-5:
Fig 4-5 basic configuration-DST
Step2: in this interface, enable daylight saving time, time offset, mode, start & end month/week/date, etc.
Step3: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button
to exit current interface.
3.2 Live configuration
Live configuration includes four submenus: live, host monitor, SPOT and mask.
3.2.1 Live
In this interface, user can setup camera name, adjust colors: brightness, hue, saturation and contrast.
Step1: enter into system configurationlive configurationlive; refer to Fig 4-6:
Fig 4-6 live configurationlive
Step2: tick off camera name; click “setting” button, a window will pop-up as Fig 4-7:
Fig 4-7 live-color adjustment
Step3: in this interface, user can adjust brightness, hue, saturation and contrast in live; click “default” button
to resort default setting, click “OK” button to save the setting.
Step4: user can setup all channels with same parameters, tick off “all”, then do relevant setup.
Step5: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button

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to exit current interface.
3.2.2 Main monitor
Step1: enter into system configurationlive configurationhost monitor; refer to Fig 4-8:
Fig 4-8 live configuration-host monitor
Step2: select split mode: 1×1、2×2、2×3、3×3、4×4 and channel
Step3: dwell time: the time interval for a certain dwell picture display switching to next dwell picture display
Step4: selected the split mode, then setup current picture group. Click button to setup the previous
channel groups of dwell picture, click button to set the latter channel groups of dwell picture.
Step5: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button
to exit current interface.
3.2.3 SPOT
Step1: enter into system configurationlive configurationSPOT; refer to Fig 4-9:
Fig 4-9 live configuration-SPOT
Step2: select split mode: 1×1and channel
Step3: dwell time: the time interval for a certain dwell picture display switching to next dwell picture display
Step4: selected the split mode, then setup current picture group. Click button to setup the previous
channel groups of dwell picture, click button to set the latter channel groups of dwell picture.
Step5: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button
to exit current interface

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3.2.4 Mask
User can setup private mask area on the live image picture, max threes areas.
Fig 4-10 live configuration-mask
Setup mask area: click Setting button, enter into live image to press left mouse and drag mouse to set mask
area, refer to below picture. Click Apply button to save the setting.
Delete mask area: select a certain mask area, click left mouse to delete that mask area, click Apply button to
save the setting.
Setup mask area
Notice: The mask area will not be recorded on DVR. Please use this function carefully.
Live image mask area

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3.3 Record configuration
Record configuration includes five sub menus: enable, record bit rate, time, recycle record and stamp.
3.3.1 Enable
Step1: enter into system configurationrecord configurationenable; refer to Fig 4-11:
Fig 4-11 record configuration-enable
Step2: tick off record, audio and record time
Step3: user can setup all channels with same parameters, tick off “all”, then to do relevant setup.
Step4: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button
to exit current interface.
Definitions and descriptions of Record:
Parameter
Meaning
Record
Record switch of every channels
Audio
Enable live record audio
3.3.2 Record stream
Step1: enter into system configurationrecord configurationrecord bit rate; refer to Fig 4-10:
16CH
Fig 4-10 record configuration-record bit rate
Step2: setup rate, resolution, quality, encode and max bit stream
Step3: user can setup all channels with same parameters, tick off “All”, then to do relevant setup.
Step4: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click
“exit” button to exit current interface.

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Note: if the rate value set is over high the maximum resources of the device, the value will be
adjusted automatically.
If 960H mode is enabled, here are the following resolution available
Resolution: CIF and WD1
Frame rate
Number of channel.resolution@NTSC frame rate(PAL frame rate)
4 CH 4CIF@30(25) 4WD1@30(25)
8 CH 8CIF@30(25) 8WD1@15(12)
If 960H is disabled, here are the following resolutions available
Resolution: CIF, HD1 and D1
Frame rate
Number of channel.resolution@NTSC frame rate(PAL frame rate)
4 CH 4CIF@30(25) 4HD1@30(25) 4D1@30(25)
8 CH 8CIF@30(25) 8HD1@30(25) 8D1@30(25)
For 16 channel DVR
16 CH 16CIF@30(25) 16HD1@30(25) 16D1@15(12)16WD1@7(6)
Quality of recorded images. The higher the value is, the clearer the recorded image is. Six options: lowest,
lower, low, medium, higher and highest.
Encode VBR and CBR
Max bit stream : range from: 256, 384, 512, 768, 1024, 1280, 1536, 1792, 2048 kbps
3.3.3 Time
Step1: enter into system configurationrecord configurationtime; refer to Fig 4-12:
Fig 4-12 record configuration-time
Pre-alarm record time: the record time before event happen i.e. record time before motion detection or
sensor alarm is triggered.

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Post-alarm record: set the post recording time after the alarm is finished, five options: 10s、15s、20s、30s
and 60s.
Expire time: the hold time of saved records. If the set date is overdue, the record files will be deleted
automatically.
Step2: user can setup all channels with same parameters, tick off “all”, then to do relevant setup.
Step3: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button
to exit current interface.
3.3.4 Stamp
Stamp：User can overlap the channel name and time stamp on video.
Step1: enter into system configurationrecord configurationstamp; refer to Fig 4-13:
Fig 4-13 record configuration-stamp
Step2: tick off camera name, time stamp; click Set button, user can use cursor to drag the camera name and
time stamp in random positions, refer to below Figures:
Before drag after drag
Step3: user can setup all channels with same parameters, tick off “all”, then to do relevant setup.
Step4: click “default” button to resort default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button
to exit current interface.

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3.3.5 Recycle record
Step1: enter into system configurationrecord configurationrecycle record;
Step2: tick off recycle record, the recycle record function will enable, it will cover the earlier recorded files
and keep recoding when HDD is full; if disenable this function, it will stop recording when HDD is full.
Step3: click “default” button to reset default setting; click “apply” button to save the setting; click “exit” button
to exit current interface.
3.4 Schedule configuration
Schedule configuration includes three sub menus: schedule, motion and alarm.
3.4.1 Schedule
The volume means the seven days of a week from Monday to Sunday, the row means 24 hours of a day.
Click the grid to do relevant setup. Blue means checked area, gray means unchecked area.
Step1: enter into system configurationschedule configurationschedule; refer to Fig 4-14:
Fig 4-14 schedule configuration-schedule
Step2: select channel, double-click and a dialog box will pop-up as Fig 4-15, user can edit week schedule: