Night Owl X Series 16CH User manual

Easy 1-2-3 Setup
*Phone not included
X Series 16CH

Contents
Chapter 1: FCC Radiation Norm ............................................................ 6
Chapter 2: Package Contents ................................................................ 7
Chapter 3: System Requirements .......................................................... 8
Chapter 4: Safety Instructions ................................................................ 9
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting .................................................................. 11
Chapter 6: DVR Components............................................................... 13
6.1 Back Panel of DVR ................................................................ 13
6.2 Front Panel of DVR ................................................................ 14
6.3 Mouse .................................................................................... 15
6.4 Remote................................................................................... 16
Chapter 7: DVR Installation .................................................................. 17
7.1 Connecting the Power Supply ................................................ 17
7.2 Connecting the DVR to a TV or Monitor ................................. 18
Chapter 8: Camera Installation............................................................. 19
8.1 Connecting Cameras to the DVR ........................................... 19
8.2 Mounting the Cameras ........................................................... 20
Chapter 9: DVR Start-up ...................................................................... 21
9.1 System Initialization................................................................ 21
9.2 On-Screen Display ................................................................. 22
Chapter 10: Startup Wizard .................................................................. 23
Chapter 11: Login Screen..................................................................... 24
Chapter 12: Main Menu ........................................................................ 25
Chapter 13: Menu Icons ....................................................................... 26
Chapter 14: Basic Menu ....................................................................... 27
14.1 System Menu ....................................................................... 28
14.2 Date/Time Menu................................................................... 29

Contents
14.2.1 Date/Time Menu ....................................................... 30
14.2.2 DST Menu................................................................. 32
14.3 Display Menu ....................................................................... 32
14.3.1 Display Menu ............................................................ 33
14.3.1.1 Mask Screen.................................................. 34
14.3.1.2 Color Screen.................................................. 35
14.3.1.3 Time/Name Screen........................................ 37
14.3.2 Auto Seq Menu ......................................................... 38
14.4 Record Menu........................................................................ 39
14.4.1 Basic Menu ............................................................... 39
14.4.2 Bit Rate Menu ........................................................... 40
14.4.3 Resolution ................................................................. 41
14.4.4 Schedule Menu ......................................................... 42
14.5 User Menu............................................................................ 43
14.5.1 User Management Menu .......................................... 45
Chapter 15: Advanced Menu................................................................ 46
15.1 Alarm Menu.......................................................................... 47
15.1.1 Motion Menu ............................................................. 47
15.1.1.1 Area Screen................................................... 48
15.1.1.2 Schedule Screen ........................................... 49
15.1.1.3 Trigger Screen ............................................... 50
15.1.2 Video Loss Menu ...................................................... 51
15.1.3 Others Menu ............................................................. 52
15.2 Network Menu ...................................................................... 53
15.2.1 LAN Menu ................................................................. 53
15.2.2 PPPoE Menu ............................................................ 54

Contents
4
15.2.3 Port Menu ................................................................. 55
15.2.4 Sub-Stream Menu..................................................... 56
15.3 COMM Menu........................................................................ 57
15.3.1 DDNS Menu.............................................................. 57
15.3.2 E-Mail Menu.............................................................. 58
15.3.3 UPnP Menu............................................................... 59
15.4 PTZ Menu ............................................................................ 60
Chapter 16: Record Search Menu........................................................ 61
Chapter 17: Converting Files to AVI ..................................................... 65
Chapter 18: Disk Management Menu ................................................... 66
Chapter 19: Information Menu.............................................................. 68
19.1 Device Menu ........................................................................ 69
19.2 Network Menu ...................................................................... 70
19.2.1 LAN Menu ................................................................. 70
19.2.2 PPPoE Menu ............................................................ 71
19.3 Online Menu......................................................................... 72
19.4 Record Menu........................................................................ 73
Chapter 20: Maintenance Menu ........................................................... 74
20.1 Basic Menu .......................................................................... 75
20.1.1 Firmware Upgrade .................................................... 76
20.2 Settings Menu ...................................................................... 77
Chapter 21: Remote Access................................................................. 78
21.1 Connection of DVR and Router/Modem ............................... 79
21.3 Apple (Mac) Network Configuration ..................................... 83
Chapter 22: Port Forwarding ................................................................ 87
22.1 Checking the Ports after Port Forwarding ............................ 87
80
...........................
21.2 Windows – based Network Configuration
®

Contents
Chapter 23: DDNS Registration ........................................................... 88
23.1 Registering a Free Domain Name........................................ 88
23.2 Adding your New Domain Name to your DVR...................... 90
Chapter 24: Internet Viewing ................................................................ 91
24.1 Setting ActiveX Controls....................................................... 91
24.2 DVR Login............................................................................ 92
24.3 Using Nightowl View ............................................................ 93
24.4 Using Control Management Software (CMS-Nightowl View) 100
Chapter 25: Night Owl Pro Mobile Application.................................... 114
Chapter 26: Specifications of DVR ..................................................... 121
Chapter 27: Information Log............................................................... 122
Chapter 28: Warranty ......................................................................... 123
Interactive How-To videos are available for the
chapters indicated with this icon.
You can also visit Night Owl’s website at
http://www.nightowlsp.com/Videos

6
!
Chapter 1: FCC Radiation Norm
!
FCC
!
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with limits for Class B
digital devices pursuant to Part 15 of Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) rules.
FCC Compliance Statement
!
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
frequency interference in residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed or used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communication. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on. The user is encouraged to try and correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
!
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
!
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
!
CAUTION!
!
The Federal Communications Commission warns the user that changes or
modifications to the unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Contents
7
Chapter 2: Package Contents
Your DVR Security Kit includes the following items.
1 x 16 Channel H.264 DVR
1 x DVR Power Adapter
1 x Driver CD
2 x Quick Setup Guides
1 x RJ45 Cable (Ethernet)
1 x Remote Control
(batteries included)
1 x Mouse
1 x 6 ft. HDMI Cable
3 x Night Owl Security Stickers
WHAT’S INSIDE

8
Chapter 3: System Requirements
Please be sure the computer that you will use with the DVR Security Kit
complies with the following specifications:
Includes CD-ROM drive
Windows ®®®
® XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8
Mac ®
OS X 10.6 and Above
Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9 and 10 web brower
®

Contents
9
!
!
Chapter 4: DVR Safety Instructions
!
!
•Use the provided power adapter.
!
Do not use this product with a power source that applies more than the
specified voltage.
•Never insert metal into the DVR case or its openings.
!
Inserting metal into the DVR case may cause electric shock.
!
•Do not operate in wet or dusty area.
!
Avoid placing the DVR in areas such as a damp basement or dusty
attic.
•Do not expose the DVR to rain or use near water.
!
If the DVR accidentally gets wet, unplug it and contact technical
support immediately.
•Keep product surfaces clean and dry.
!
To clean the outside case of the DVR, use a lightly dampened cloth.
Do not use cleaning solutions or solvents.
•Do not install near any heat sources.
!
Do not install the DVR near any heat sources such as stoves, heat
registers, radiators, or electronics (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.
•Unplug the DVR when moving it.
!
Make sure that the DVR is unplugged before you move it. When
moving this device, be sure to handle it with care.
•Make sure there is good air circulation around the DVR.
!
This DVR uses an internal hard drive, which generates heat during
operation, for video storage. Do not block vents on the DVR, as these
vents reduce the generated heat while the system is running. Place this
product in a well-ventilated area.

10
1
Chapter 4: DVR Safety Instructions
•Do not attempt to remove the top cover.
If you observe any abnormal operation, unplug the DVR immediately
and contact technical support. Do not attempt to open the DVR to
diagnose the cause of the problem. (WARNING: You may be subjected
to severe electrical shock if you remove the cover of the DVR.)
•Handle the DVR carefully.
If you drop the DVR on any hard surface, it may damage the device. If
the DVR doesn’t work properly due to physical damage, contact an
authorized dealer for repair.
•Recommended: Use with an uninterruptable power supply (UPS).
Connecting your DVR and cameras to a UPS allows continuous
operation even during power outages. The run-time duration will
depend on the rating of the UPS used.

11
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting
If a problem occurs, you may be able to easily correct it yourself. The
following table describes the most common problems and their solutions.
Please refer to the table before calling Night Owl Technical Support.

Chapter 5:Troubleshooting

13
Chapter 6: DVR Components
6.1 Back Panel of DVR
Alarm Inputs
1 VGA Output
(TV/Monitor)
2 USB
Ports
E-SATA
Backup
PTZ
Compatible
16 Video Inputs
Power 2 Audio
Inputs
(10)
1 Audio Output
1 Video
Output
HDMI
Output
Network
Ready
(1)

Chapter 6: DVR Components
6.2 Front Panel of DVR

15
Chapter 6: DVR Components
!
!
!
6.3 Mouse
!
You can use a mouse instead of the remote control to navigate through
your DVR’s menus. Connect the included mouse to the USB port on the
back of the DVR.
!
Use the mouse buttons to perform the following:
!
1. Left Button: Click to select a menu option. During live viewing in
split-screen view, double-click on a channel to see the selected
channel in full-screen view; double-click the channel again to return
to split-screen view.
2. Right Button: Click to display a list of menus.
!
3. Scroll Wheel: Scroll up and down through menus.

Chapter 6: DVR Components
16
6.4 Remote Control
Use the remote control to navigate through the DVR’s menus.
NOTE: PTZ cameras are not included with security system kits.

Chapter 6: DVR Components
17
!
!
Chapter 7: DVR Installation
!
7.1 Connecting the Power Supply
!
!
1. Plug the included power adapter cable into the back of the DVR.
!
!
!
!
2. Plug the other end of the power adapter cable into an available wall
outlet (or, if you are using an uninterruptable power supply, plug the
adapter cable into one of its output sockets).

18
!
Chapter 7: DVR Installation
!
7.2 Connecting the DVR to a TV or Monitor
!
!
Using the supplied HDMI connector:
!
!
1. Connect the HDMI connector to the back of the DVR’s HDMI port.
!
!
2. Connect the other end of the cable to an available HDMI input on
your TV or monitor.
!
3. Select the appropriate video input channel on your TV or monitor
to view the DVR.
Note: If your TV does not have an HDMI port, you will need to purchase a
VGA or a BNC-to-RCA video cable. For a VGA connection, attach one end
of the VGA cable into your DVR’s VGA port and the other end into your
TV’s VGA port. For a BNC-to-RCA connection, attach the cable’s yellow
RCA video connector to a yellow Video Input port on your TV, and the
cable’s BNC video connector to the Video Out (V-OUT) port on the back of
the DVR.

Chapter 6: DVR Components
19
Chapter 8: Camera Installation
8.1 Connecting Cameras to the DVR
1. Your DVR system comes with one 60-ft. coaxial cable per camera.
Connect each cable to a camera using the BNC connectors (yellow
connector) and the DC connectors (red connector).
2. Plug the other end of the cables into the Video Input ports on the
back panel of the DVR.
3. Connect the provided four-way power splitter cable into the DC
connectors of the cables.
4. Plug the power splitter into the camera power supply.
5. Plug the camera power supply into an available wall outlet or
uninterruptable power supply.
Make sure all cameras are working (prior to mounting them) by
connecting them as described in the section above. Once all
cameras are confirmed to be fully operational, you can run the
cables and mount the cameras at their final locations.

20
Chapter 8: Camera Installation
8.2 Mounting the Cameras
1. Choose a location: Decide where you would like to mount the
camera.
2. Indicate screw positions: Mark three holes on the surface where
you plan to mount the camera, using the holes in the camera base
as a guide.
3. Anchor screws: Using a drill bit slightly smaller than the included
screw anchors, drill into the mounting surface using the guide
marks you placed in the previous step. Insert the screw anchors.
4. Mount the camera: Hold the camera in place and tighten each
screw securely into the anchors.
5. Make sure the camera is secure: Once the camera's mount is
screwed in place, make sure that the camera is securely mounted
by placing gentle pressure on the mount.
6. Adjust the camera position: Adjust the camera housing to point
the camera lens in the direction you would like to record.
Don’t feel like installing the system yourself?
Let InstallerNet do the work for you.
Contact us at 1-800-806-5513 or visit us at
www.nightowlsp.com