Night Owl HDA10 Series User manual

www.NightOwlSP.com
QUICK SETUP GUIDE
HDA10 SERIES

1
What’s in the Box
Package Contents
USB Mouse (x1)Camera(s)
Remote Control
(includes batteries)(x1)
Disclaimer: The exact components of your system, images and
quantities may vary depending on your model number. While
these may vary, this QSG will address the setup and initial
configuration of your DVR and cameras.
DVR
60 ft. Video/Power Cables
(1 cable per camera)
Power Splitter(s)
(1 per 4 cameras)
6 ft. HDMI
(x1)
6 ft. Ethernet
(x1)
Monitor Router
Items Not Included
Mounting
Hardware
Safety
Stickers
DVR Power
Adapter (x1)
Camera Power
Adapter(s)
(1 per 4 cameras)
RESET LAN1 LAN2 LAN3 LAN4 WAN
60 ft. Video/Power/Audio Cables
(If applicable:1 cable per camera)
Your system may include an audio enabled camera.
Each audio enabled camera comes equipped with
an audio enabled BNC Video/Power cable. Simply
connect the white audio end of the BNC cable to
an open audio input port on the rear of the DVR and
ensure the audio input port number and channel port
number match. For instance, if you have an audio
enabled cable plugged into video input port 1, it will
also need to be connected to audio input port 1. After
making the audio input connection, be sure to enable
the audio function in the DVR’s menu.

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DVR Rear View
CB
AD E G H I
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Audio Inputs – Audio inputs allow for the connection of audio enabled cameras by
connecting the white RCA plug to one of the audio inputs. After making the
audio input connection, be sure to enable the audio function in the DVR’s menu
interface.
Audio Output – Audio output allows for the connection of an amplified speaker
using an RCA connector.
Video Inputs – Video inputs allow for the connection of BNC cameras.
HDMI Output – HDMI output allows for a video connection. If the TV/Monitor has an
HDMI input, connect the HDMI cable from the HDMI output port on the DVR to the
HDMI input port on your TV/Monitor.
VGA Output – VGA output allows for a video connection. If the TV/Monitor does not
have an HDMI input but does have a VGA input, connect the VGA cable from the
VGA output port on the DVR to the VGA input port on your TV/Monitor. (VGA cable
is not included)
RJ-45 (Ethernet) Port – RJ-45 port will be used to connect the DVR to your router/
modem via the included Ethernet cable.
USB Port – USB port allow for the connection of a USB mouse and/or a USB flash
drive. You will connect the included USB mouse to assist you in navigating the
DVR’s menu interface. You will connect a USB flash drive to download video files
from the DVR and save them to your USB flash drive.
RS-485 (PTZ) Port – RS-485 port allows for the connection of a Pan-Tilt-Zoom
(PTZ) camera. Some PTZ cameras utilize Up the Coax (UTC) technology and will
not require the RS-485 port to function.
Power Input – Power input to connect the included 12V DC power supply.
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Images used are for reference only. Your product may vary slightly. An 8 channel model is displayed above.
Product Overview

3
Updating Your System’s Firmware
1Connect one end of the included
Ethernet cable into the LAN port on
the back of the DVR. Connect the
other end into your Modem/Router
to establish an Internet connection.
NOTE: You must have an Internet
connection before powering on
the DVR. The lights in the LAN
port on the back of the DVR will
blink repeatedly when the Internet
connection has been established.
Router Not
Included
ETHERNET
ETHERNET
Before setting up your system, you must update your DVR’s
firmware. Please follow the steps detailed herein. If you do not
update your firmware, you will be unable to use this QSG or the
updated Startup Wizard.

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2Next, connect the DVR to your
TV/monitor using the provided
HDMI cable. If your TV/monitor
does not have an HDMI port,
you may use a VGA cable
(not provided).
NOTE: To view cameras, TV/
Monitor must be tuned to
the same Input the HDMI is
plugged into.
3Using the provided DVR power
adapter, power on the DVR.
NOTE: Power adapters will be
labeled as either DVR or
Camera.
4Once the DVR has powered on,
a Notice message will appear
indicating a new firmware version
is available. Select OK.
NOTE: Failing to select OK
will result in the firmware not
being updated.
HDMI

Updating Your System’s Firmware
5Next, you will be prompted to
login to the DVR. DO NOT enter
a password. Instead, select Login
and bypass the password request
at this time.
NOTE: Once the firmware has
updated, you will begin the
Startup Wizard and will create
a password at that time.
7This process may take up to
5-8 minutes. It is crucial that
you DO NOT power off the DVR
during this process as that will
cause damage to your unit.
6The firmware will now be
downloaded and you will see
a message on screen showing
the firmware is being remotely
updated.
NOTE: DO NOT power off the
DVR during this process.
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8After the firmware has finished
updating, your DVR will
automatically reboot. Once
the reboot has occurred, you
will be directed to the Startup
Wizard to begin configuring
your system.
Thank you
for updating
your firmware!

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Connecting Your System
Router Not
Included
HDMI
You may also connect using VGA (not included)
HDMI
ETHERNET
ETHERNET
Plug one end of the included
HDMI cable into the HDMI
port on the back of the DVR.
Plug the other end of the HDMI
cable into the back of your
TV or monitor. NOTE: To view
cameras, TV/Monitor must be
tuned to the same Input the
HDMI is plugged into.
1
Plug in the USB Mouse into
the USB port on the back
of the DVR.
3Plug one end of the included
Ethernet cable into the LAN
port on the back of the DVR.
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2
Plug the other end of the
Ethernet cable into a port on
the back of your router.
5
STOP: BEFORE installing, test
each camera locally to confirm they
function properly.

Power cable
connectors
Power splitter
connectors
Power
splitter
Camera Power
Adapter
Connect the female power
leads of the BNC cables to the
male power splitter ends.
Surge Protector
(not included)
Plug the DVR power adapter into a
surge protector or Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS). NOTE: Some
systems will beep upon booting up.
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Connect the power splitter to the
camera power adapter and plug
the adapter into a surge protector or
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).
NOTE: Power adapters are labeled TO
CAMERA ONLY and TO DVR ONLY.
9
Connect the DVR power adapter
to the Power Input on the rear of
the DVR.
10
8
Surge
Protector not
included
8
Connect the BNC connector of
the video/power cable labeled
TO DVR ONLY to an open video
input on the DVR.
NOTE: Make sure you twist and
lock BNC connectors.
Make sure you twist and lock BNC connectors
TO CAMERAFROM CAMERA
Connect the ends of the cable
attached to the camera to the
ends of a video/power cable
labeled TO CAMERA ONLY.
6 7
Audio enabled cameras will have a white RCA
connector to transmit audio signal (Optional).

9
Booting Up for the First Time
On the ‘Password Creation’ screen, please note the following:
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Write your
password here:
Admin Account Creation
By default, the username will be ‘admin’. It must
remain ‘admin’ upon your initial account configuration.
However, you may add additional users at a later time.
Recovery Email Address
Please ensure you provide a valid email address in
case your ever forget your account information.
NOTE: Password can be any alphanumeric combination
between 6 and 20 characters.
Remember Your Password
Night Owl strongly recommends writing down your
password within the Quick Setup Guide. You will need
it every time you log into your DVR and to remotely
view on a Smart Device.
Important… Please Read
Startup Wizard
1When you power on the DVR
you will be prompted with
the following screen. Please
follow the instructions to
complete the Startup Wizard.
9

When you reach the ‘Camera/Channel Settings’ screen, you will want to
have installed the cameras in their final position. Please make sure
you have mounted cameras at least 7ft. above the ground and angled
them slightly down.
At this stage of the Startup Wizard, you will be instructed on adjusting
the camera sensitivity and setting the Motion Detection Area. Having
your cameras in their final position will be key.
So, if you would like to detect motion for the front door to your home,
place the camera to the side of the entrance.
The infrared sensor
works best for
‘side to side’
movement across
the cameras field
of view as opposed
to movement
directly to or away
from the camera*
3
*This note only applies if you
have Smart Infrared cameras.
NOTE: For additional configuration of your DVR, please refer to the owner’s
manual located on our support page at www.NightOwlSP.com.
This is the last screen you
will see when you have
successfully completed the
Startup Wizard.
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10

Creating Additional Users within the DVR
The admin of the DVR has more privileges than standard users. When configuring
your system for remote viewing, we strongly recommend not giving more than one
(1) smart device admin access. Up to three (3) users can remotely view the DVR
simultaneously. If there are multiple users who will be viewing the DVR on their
smart device, we encourage the admin to create additional users at the DVR level.
To add additional users to the DVR:
Right-click and select Main Menu.
Login.
Select System.
Select Users.
Select an unassigned user account. NOTE: The status of an unassigned
user account will read Disable.
Select Edit to Enable the user account and assign a User Name and
Password. You may choose to enable or disable Password requirements for
each user. If the Password Required entry is Disable, the user will not need
a password to login to the DVR.
Click Save to apply new settings. You will need to enter your admin
password to save the Enabled user settings.
Click Permission to select which menus, settings and playback/recording
functions are available to that specific user and on which channels. All will
give that user basic admin settings.
Select Save to apply permission settings.
Right-click to exit the Menu.
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NOTE: If the admin login is used on multiple smart devices simultaneously,
additional users will be able to override admin changes.

Using Night Owl HD
Download Night Owl HD from the
App Store or Google Play Store
and install the application on
your device.
NOTE: Setup is the same
for phone and tablet.
Download and Install Application
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1
To add a device, go to the Main Menu
and select Device Manager.
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Disclaimer: The images of the Night Owl HD App are taken
from the Android™version of the application. If you are using
a iOS®device, the interface may vary slightly; however, the
setup will be the same.

13
Using Night Owl HD
3Select the Add tab in the top right
corner of your screen to add your DVR.
4Select the blue Scan button
to utilize Owl Scan.
NOTE: You may also elect to
manually enter the P2P ID which
can be located within the System
Menu of your DVR. Navigate to
Right Click Menu > Main Menu >
System > Info > P2P ID

Using your phone’s built-in
camera, hover the lens over
the QR code on the top of
the DVR and wait for it to
successfully scan.
5
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Enter the password
of your DVR and then
select Save.
NOTE: Your DVR
password should be
stored on page 9 of
this QSG.
6

App Overview
Live View: Displays real-time footage of your system.
Remote Playback: View recordings and images and
save them to your phone’s album.
Saved Video: View video saved to your Night Owl
HD App.
Saved Images: View images saved to your Night Owl
HD App.
Device Manager: Add a new DVR and manage
your devices.
Notifications: Manage custom push notifications.
Help: For additional resources regarding the
Night Owl HD App.
Device: To navigate to another added DVR.
View: Change the channel view.
Local: Record a video and save directly to the application.
Snap: Take a snapshot image and save directly to the
application.
Stream: Switch between Mainstream and Substream.
Audio: Control audio for audio enabled camera or
microphone.
PTZ: Control a PTZ camera.
Stop Single: Stop a single channel from steaming live view.
Stop All: Stop all channels from streaming live view.
NOTE: Menu order may vary between iOS®and Android™.
Definition of User Icons
15
Using Night Owl HD

Using Night Owl HD CMS Software
Access your DVR from any computer, anywhere!
Main View
Viewing live video,
controlling PTZ
functionality and setting
image parameters.
Remote Playback
View system recordings
and images and save
them directly to your
PC or Mac®.
Group Device Management
Add and configure available
DVRs and cameras on your
network.
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Night Owl HD CMS Software
The Night Owl HD Control Management Software (CMS) allows
you to view your Night Owl Security system remotely from a PC
or Mac®. Additionally, you can playback recorded video, save
video and images directly to your PC or Mac®, configure numerous
settings such as channel names and set record preferences.
To download the CMS Software:
Go to www.NightOwlSP.com
Click on the Support tab.
In the Search bar, type “HD CMS”.
Download the Night Owl HD CMS Software.
Once downloaded, select PC or Mac®.
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Using Night Owl HD CMS Software

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
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1. Does my DVR have to be connected to the Internet?
Your DVR does not require an Internet connection for basic operation, but you will need to
connect the DVR to your router in order to remotely view your system on a PC/Mac®or
Smart Device.
2. Does my DVR have to be connected to a TV or monitor?
For initial setup, you will need to connect your DVR to a TV or monitor. After completing the
initial setup, your DVR does not need to be connected to a TV or monitor to view or capture
recordings. You can view your system using the Night Owl HD CMS Software on a PC/Mac®
or by downloading the Night Owl HD app on your Smart Device.
3. Are my cameras weatherproof?
Yes, your cameras are weatherproof and will endure minimal moisture and dirt /debris.
However, Night Owl strongly recommends placing all outdoor cameras under an eave or
awning to help shield them from overexposure to the elements, which could reduce your
camera’s lifespan.
4. Why does my camera stop working at night?
It is possible that your camera is not receiving enough power for the LEDs needed
for Night Vision. Try plugging that camera directly into the camera power adapter
(bypassing the splitter) to see if the LEDs turn on. If they do, you may need to
purchase an additional camera power adapter for that camera.
5. Why am I not able to add my DVR to the Night Owl HD App?
In order to successfully add your DVR to the Night Owl HD App, you must enter the password
for your DVR verbatim. This password should be stored on page 5 of this QSG and will be the
same password you use to login to your DVR. If the exact same password is not entered, you
will not be permitted to add the device.
6. Why can’t I connect using the Night Owl HD app or Night Owl HD CMS Software?
If you are having trouble connecting using our mobile app or client software, A) your Night
Owl system may not be connected to a router, B) the latest firmware or client software
may not be installed on your computer or mobile device or, C) the password may have been
entered incorrectly or, D) You may need to restart your DVR and try again.

Rev 170928
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United States and/or other countries.
www.NightOwlSP.com
Please visit www.NightOwlSP.com.
Click the Support tab.
Type HDA10 in the top right search bar.
Access the support material needed.
For system manuals, troubleshooting
guides, FAQs, video tutorials and more:
EMAIL
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[e-mail]
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