NST MR8 User manual

Mini Security Recorder
USER MANUAL
Ver.: 1.0
1-512-756-1678
MR8

Contents
1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .......................................................................................................... 1
2. FEATURES.................................................................................................................................. 2
3. PACKING LIST........................................................................................................................... 3
4. NAME and FUNCTION of EACH PART ...................................................................................4
4.1 Front View.............................................................................................................................. 4
4.2 Side View ............................................................................................................................... 5
5. BASIC CONFIGURATION.........................................................................................................6
6. OPERATION................................................................................................................................ 7
6.1 Power On................................................................................................................................ 7
6.2 Live Mode .............................................................................................................................. 7
6.3 Record Mode.......................................................................................................................... 8
6.4 Playback Mode....................................................................................................................... 9
6.5 PC Playback ......................................................................................................................... 12
6.6 SD Card Maintenance ..........................................................................................................13
6.7 How to Download the Updated Software ............................................................................14
7. MENU SETUP........................................................................................................................... 15
7.1 Main Menu........................................................................................................................... 15
7.2 Search and Play.................................................................................................................... 15
7.3 Date/ Time............................................................................................................................ 15
7.4 Motion Detection ................................................................................................................. 16
7.5 Record Setup ........................................................................................................................ 17
7.6 SD Card Options .................................................................................................................. 20
7.7 System.................................................................................................................................. 21
7.8 Status .................................................................................................................................... 22
8. TROUBLE SHOOTING............................................................................................................23
9. SPECIFICATION....................................................................................................................... 24
The author assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions that may appear in this
document nor does the author make a commitment to update the information herein.

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It is advised to read the Safety Precaution Guide through carefully before operating the
product, to prevent any possible danger.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT OPEN!
CAUTION :
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK,
DO NOT OPEN COVERS (OR BACK).
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of un-insulated “ dangerous voltage”.
CAUTION: This symbol is intended to alert the user to presence of important operating and
maintenance (Servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment (Applicable in the European Union
and other European countries with separate collection systems).
This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product shall not be treated as household
waste. Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and
electronic equipment. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential
negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could otherwise be caused by
inappropriate waste handling of this product. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural
resources. For more detailed information about recycling of this product, please contact your local city
office , your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.
Do not Plug and unplug the power cord, it may result in product malfunction.
Do not install the MR8 in an environment where the humidity is high.
Unless the product is waterproof or weatherproof, otherwise poor image quality may occur.
Do not drop the MR8 or subject it to physical shocks.
Except for vandal-proof or shockproof product, otherwise malfunctions may occur.
Never leave the MR8 in direct SUN light. It
can damage the product.
Do not spill any liquidson the MR8.
If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Alcohol or beverage can contain minerals that corrode the
electronic components.
Do not install MR8 in extreme temperature conditions.
Use the camera under conditions where temperatures are between 5∘C(41∘F ) ~4 5 ∘C.(113∘F ) . B e e s p e c i a l l y
careful to provide ventilation when operating under high temperatures.
MR8

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2. FEATURES
zThe DVR supports NTSC or PAL video system, and auto detects video loss.
zThe DVR is built-in with H.264 video and G.711 audio codec. It supports 1 channel video
and 1 channel audio recording and playback operation.
zAudio/ Video data are recorded directly on the SD card with FAT32 file system and AVI
file format. Simple data backup method to a PC.
zAudio/ Video data are recorded directly as AVI file format. You can view the data straight
from your PC, and playback those AVI files with popular media players.
zFor 1 GB SD card, the record time is about 1 hours at Standard Quality for NTSC: 30 fps
@ 352 x 240 and PAL: 25 fps @ 352 x 288.
zThe DVR supports: manual, motion detection, and schedule recording mode with
independent video size, quality, and frame rate set up.
zFor motion detection, multiple detection blocks and appropriate motion trigger level can
be set up.
zSupport key lock function.
zUse anywhere, the device supports either DC power adaptor or nickel metal hydride
(NiMH), alkaline batteries.

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3. PACKING LIST
Check to make sure all of the items shown below are included in your Portable Security
Recorder Kit. If something is missing, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
Item Description Item Picture QTY
Mini Portable Security Recorder 1
Audio/ Video Cable 2
Power Adaptor DC 5V/ 1A
Input: AC 100~240V
Output: DC 5V/ 1A
1
Manual 1
Quick Guide 1

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4. NAME and FUNCTION of EACH PART
4.1 Front View
(1) Power LED ：Power Indicator. If the batteries are running low, this
indicator flashes.
(2) Play LED ：Play Indicator
(3) Menu/ Lock LED ：Menu / Key Lock Indicator
(4) Rec LED ：When SD card is writing data during recording, record
indicator keeps lighting.
(5) Stop/ Exit Button ：Stop Record or Play/ Exit Menu
(6) Rec Button ：Manual Record Button
(7&8) SUp Button
TDown Button ：Cursor Movement Up/ Down to select item in the Setup Menu.
(9&10) W/ – Left Button
X/ +Right Button ：Playback – Press to Fast Forward or Fast Rewind. Menu – Press to Increase/ Decrease Setup Value.
(11) «Enter Button ：Sub-Menu – Press to enter Sub-Menu.
Key Lock/ Unlock Switch Monitoring/ Playback – Simultaneously pressing《Enter«》
first and then《Menu 》button for 1 second to switch the
Key Lock Function “ON/ OFF”.
(12) Display Button ：Status Line ON/ OFF switch.
(13) Play Button
Pause Button ：Monitoring – Press to Playback. Playback – Press to Pause.
Pause – Press to Playback.
(14) Menu Button ：Press to enter Menu Setup.

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4.2 Side View
(15) AV IN: Audio/ Video Input
Video In (yellow)
Audio In (white)
AV In
Audio/Video IN: 3.5 mm ∅jack for audio/ video line in.
(16) AV OUT: Audio/ Video Output
Video Out (yellow)
Audio Out (white)
AV Out
Audio/Video OUT: 3.5 mm ∅jack for audio/ video line out.
(17) POWER: DC/ Battery Power Switch
(18) DC 5V IN: 5V/ 1A Power Input
(19) SD Card Slot
(20) Battery Compartment Cover
19

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5. BASIC CONFIGURATION
1. Power: Use the power adaptor supplied, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), alkaline
batteries.
2. Video System: Connect the camera, the device auto detects NTSC/ PAL video system
(the output video system will be setup the same as its input video system). Without
connecting the camera, the video system setup will be the same as its previous setup.
3. Power Switch: Switch to DC when using the supplied power adaptor or switch to
BATT when using battery.
Please use appropriate SD Memory Card (4GB or above), otherwise the recording data
will present intermittent conditions.
Withdraw SD card only when the device is switched off or currently under
non-recording status, otherwise system may be unstable or data stored in the SD card
may be damaged.

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6. OPERATION
6.1 Power On
1. The power switch is situated on the right side of the device, switch to DC when using
the supplied power adaptor or switch to BATT when using battery.
NOTE 1: Booting time (does not include SD card checking process) is about thirty seconds.
NOTE 2: Booting time may be slightly longer if an image file error occurs, because the system will
automatically try and fix this situation.
NOTE 3: Implementing SD card checking process, the system will temporarily be busy and may
result in delays or short-term operating time display frozen.
2. After power on, the system auto enters live monitoring. When the system is currently
under schedule recording, it auto enters record mode.
3. “” icon shown on the status line, indicates that SD card is operating normally.
4. When SD card is not inserted or problem occurs on the SD card, “ ” icon will be
shown on the display. Please re-format before proceeding.
5. You can play while the SD card is “read only”, but you cannot record.
6. Simultaneously pressing “Enter” and “Menu” button for one second to switch the Key
Lock Function “ON/ OFF”. When function key is locked, Menu/Lock indicator keeps
flashing.
7. After power-loss the system auto returns to the previous recording mode.
Do not withdraw the SD card while booting. It may destroy the data stored within the SD
card.
6.2 Live Mode
Live mode is the default setup after system start-up.
①Time Display: System Date and Time.
②Key Lock: Show all buttons have been locked and the functions are ineffective.
③REC Indicator: Icons will circle around as shown by the illustration below.
Î Î Î

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④REC type:
：Manual Record
：
Schedule Continuous Record
：
Motion Detection Record
：
No Schedule Record
⑤Camera status: Indicates external camera connection.
⑥REC format (resolution)
：CIF resolution in NTSC system
：
CIF resolution in PAL system
：
D1 resolution in NTSC system
：D1 resolution in PAL system
⑦REC format ( quality)
：High quality
：
Medium quality
：
Low quality
⑧Record format (audio on/off)
：Record both audio and video
：
Record only video
⑨SD Card Status:
：SD Card has not been inserted or malfunctioned.
：SD Card is functioning normally.
：Disk full.
：Overwrite prevention status.
SD Card is proceeding file testing.
⑩SD Card loop function: Overwrites the earliest file if SD card has been full
while recoding. Please refer to 【7.6 SD Card Setup】.
⑪Low battery signal: In battery-powered mode, the icon indicates that the
batteries are running out. Meanwhile, the POWER indicator flashes.
When SD card is not inserted, record and playback function is inapplicable, but
monitoring is applicable.
6.3 Record Mode
1. Start Record: 3 Types of recording mode.
(1) Manual Record: Suitable to record at anytime. Press《Rec》button, to enter
manual recording status (start recording). For more information, please refer to【7.5
Record Setup】.
(2) Motion Detection Record: Suitable to record, when there are severe image changes.
Motion detection triggers schedule recording, but it will only start recording when

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the variation exceeds the alarm limitation value. For more information, please refer to
【7.4 Motion Detection Setup】and【7.5 Record Setup】.
(3) Continuous Record: Suitable on few constant frame recording or on long-term
continuous recording. For more information, please refer to【7.5 Record Setup】.
2. Stop Record:
Press《Stop》button, stops manual recording only. Enter《Play》or《Menu 》
schedule recording (Motion Detection and Continuous Record), all kinds of
recordings will be stopped. To continue recording, please follow the methods below
to restart recording.
Manual Record Repress《REC》button.
Continuous Record
Motion Detection Record
After exit playback or menu mode, whether the setup has
been changed or not, the system will auto re-check the
record schedule setup again.
3. The event status is determined by the system recording, according to the order of priority.
The order of priority: Manual Record, Motion Detection and then Schedule Record.
4. Different recording modes may have different kinds of setups. Basic setup: video size,
recording frames, video quality, and audio recording. When different recording
modes are triggered, the system starts recording according to the different setup. This
kind of design provides flexibility to ensure efficient recording time and quality.
Example: Work hour from 8:00am to 6:00pm, setup「Schedule Record」to low video
quality with less recording frames to extend the recording time. And off work hour,
setup 「Motion Detection Record」to enable high video quality with the highest
recording frames, when an event occurs.
5. When video input is interrupted, recording automatically stops.
6. Video or audio may be recorded into the SD card (SD card is purchased separately).
Do not withdraw the SD card while recording. It may destroy the data stored within
the SD card.
Power loss during recording results incomplete videos or errors.
6.4 Playback Mode
Selectable Playback format: Continuous Playback and Searching Playback.
(1) Normal Playback: Press《Play/ Pause》button to playback according to the SD card
file order recorded.

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①Playback Status:
`：Press《/》button once to playback, press it again to pause.
 ：Press《》or《》button to Fast Rewind or Fast Forward (Speed: x2/
x4/ x8/ x16/ x32). Press《/》button to return to normal speed
playback.
II ：During playback, press《/》button to pause playback and press
again to return to playback status.
②Playback Speed
：Speed x2
：Speed x4
：Speed x8
：Speed x16
：Speed x32
③Display Record Date and Time
If recording time occurred during the implementation of daylight saving time, then a
message "-DST" will be displayed (as shown below).
Press《Stop/Exit》button to stop playback and return to monitoring status.
Press《Display》to hide/ display the icon message on the display.
(2) Search and Playback: Enter MENU and select【SEARCH AND PLAY】item.
【TIME SEARCH】

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①The user may press《S》or《T》button to move the cursor up or down and
setup Year/ Date/ Time. After setup, press《Enter«》button to enter next setup
page.
①Year/ Month Setup：Press《W》or《X》button to select the year or month, press
《S》or《T》button to adjust the year or month. When a date font color is
blue indicates that the date contains recording file. Press《Enter«》button to
enter and press《Stop/Exit》button return to exit the setting page.
②Date Setup：Press《W》or《X》button to choose a date with recording file. When
a date font color is blue indicates that the hour contains recording file. Press
《Enter«》button to enter and press《Stop/Exit》button return to exit the
setting page.
③Hour Setup：Press《W》or《X》button to choose an hour with recording file.
Press《Enter«》button to enter playback mode and playback starting from the
hour of the first recording file or press《Stop/Exit》button return to exit the
setting page.
NOTE 1：To avoid confusion of implementing daylight saving time after the end of the recording time,
【TIME SEARCH】
date and time display shows only the date and time without implementing
of daylight saving time.
NOTE2：Press《Stop/Exit》button to stop playback and the system will return to【SEARCH and PLAY】
selection and enables the user to select the prefered input source.

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【EVENT SEARCH】
①Display Page：Display method (Current Page/ All Pages), press《W》or《X》
button to select the previous page or the next page.
②Event Setup：According to the date and time of the incident, press《S》or《T》
button to select the previous or next event recording to playback. Press
《Enter«》button to enter playback mode and playback the recorded file.
③Event Type：【EVENT SEARCH】The list shows only the event recording
(Motion Detection).
NOTE 1：To avoid confusion of implementing daylight saving time after the end of the recording time,
【EVENT SEARCH】date and time display shows only the date and time without
implementing of daylight saving time.
NOTE 2：Press《Stop/Exit》button to stop playback and the system will return to【EVENT
SEARCH】selection and enables the user to select the prefered input source.
The device supports playback only to images recorded by our device, other AVI
video files are not guaranteed.
6.5 PC Playback
1. The device uses SD card as its main storage. User may read the data stored in the SD
card from the computers that supports SD card reader device.
2. All video files (under dvr folder) and file names are ordered according to recorded
times (sequence).
File Playback: User may use Microsoft®－Media Player or DivX－DivX Player
(http://www.divx.com/) to playback video files.
When first time using Media Player to playback, it requires the most updated
decoder from the Microsoft®software website.

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6.6 SD Card Maintenance
1. The device supports only FAT32 file system; therefore it is unable to determine other
file systems. Please refer to【7.6 SD Card Setup】and proceed “Format”.
2. The system supports only partial SD card file system repair. The system is unable to
detect any file system damage, therefore please format the SD card or proceed system
recovery on the PC.

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6.7 How to Download the Updated Software
1. Use the SD card to update your system firmware.
2. Please follow the steps below to update the software:
(1) Create a new folder named “firmware” on the SD card and then copy the new
firmware into the folder.
(2) Insert the SD card; proceed item【MENU > SYSTEM > UPGRADE】and update
the software.
(3) When the confirmation message appears, select【YES】, to start the update.
(4) After software update has been completed, the system will auto reboot the device.
Do not withdraw the SD card while updating.

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7. MENU SETUP
7.1 Main Menu
MENU Content: Basic Menu Operations.
Press《S》or《T》button, to select the item.
Press《Enter«》button, to enter the sub menu (＞).
Press《Stop/Exit》button to return to previous page.
NOTE: All words underlined and bold indicates「Default Value」.
7.2 Search and Play
Please refer to (2) Search and Playback under section【6.4 Playback Mode】.
7.3 Date/ Time
MENU Content: Basic Menu Operations.
Press《S》or《T》button, to select the item.

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Press《Stop/Exit》button to return to monitoring mode or to previous page.
Press《W》or《X》button to increase or decrease setup value.
7.4 Motion Detection
MENU Content: Basic Menu Operations.
Press《S》or《T》button, to select the item.
Press《Enter«》button, to enter the sub menu (＞).
Press《Stop/Exit》button to return to previous page.
Press《W》or《X》button to increase or decrease setup value.
Motion Detection Sensitivity Setup:
Changing the alert value may affect the recording sensitivity of the Motion Detection. Select
item【SET MD SENSITIVITY】, and then press《W》or《X》button to increase/ decrease
sensitivity rate.
①Date Format ：Y / M / D M / D / Y D / M / Y
②Date/ Time
Adjustment ：Year Setup: 2000 - 2030
Month Setup: 01 - 12
Time Setup: 00 : 00 - 23 : 59
③Daylight Saving ：Start Date and Time, End Date and Time. Currently the
setup is available for setting up Start and End time only
in hours, and the Start and End time can not be in the
same month.
①Set Motion Detection
Area ：Press《Enter«》button to enter sub-menu.
②Set Motion Detection
Sensitivity ：(Min) 0 1 2 3 4 56 7 8 9 (Max.)

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Motion Detection Area Setup:
Motion picture area is divided into (NTSC) 22x15 or (PAL) 22x18 small detection blocks.
①Detection Area：One or more detection blocks form a detection area.
②Cursor：Press《S》《T》《W》《X》button to change the position of the cursor.
③Setup Mode：Press《X/ II》button to switch among different modes.
ADD ALL Enable all blocks
DELALL Delete all blocks
ADDAREA Add a new detection area
DELAREA Delete a detection area
(1) ADDALLand DELALLsetup method, press《X/ II》button to switch the mode
and press《MENU/OK》button to complete the setup.
(2) ADD AREA and DEL AREA setup method, press《X/ II》button to switch the
mode and press《S》《T》《W》《X》button to move the cursor to setup the starting
point of the block, press《MENU/ OK》button. Then move the cursor to setup the
ending point of the block, press《Enter«》button to complete the setup.
(3) To activate or deactivate a single block, press《X/ II》button to switch to ADD
AREA/ DEL AREA mode. Press《S》《T》《W》《X》button to move the cursor
to the desired block and press《Enter«》button. Then move the cursor to any
block and back again to the original block. Press《Enter«》button again to
finish adding/ deleting the single block.
(4) Detection area is indicated by green block and non-detection region by black
block.
NOTE: Detection block setting page, if the image changes within the detection area is higher than the warning value,
then the detection block turns to color red, and can be used as a reference for setting the sensitivity rate.
7.5 Record Setup
Selectable manual or schedule recording, basic setups are shown below:
1. MANUAL RECORD: Press (Rec) button to start recording.

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MENU Content: Basic Menu Operations.
Press《S》or《T》button, to select the item.
Press《Stop/Exit》button to return to previous page.
Press《W》or《X》button to increase or decrease setup value.
①Video Size
NTSC 704x480 352x240
PAL 704x576 352x288
②Frame rate
VIDEO
SIZE FRAME RATE (fps)
(NTSC)：1/5 1/3 1 2 3 5 10 15 20 30
(PAL)：1/5 1/3 1 2 3 5 8 12 17 25
③Image Quality:
HIGH Using high recording quality (More SD card storage capacity will be required).
MEDIUM Using medium recording quality.
LOW Using low recording quality (Less SD card storage capacity will be
required).
④Audio Record: ON/ OFF , whether to enable or disable audio recording.
NOTE 1: Menu setup is inapplicable during manual recording.
2. SCHEDULE RECORD (Motion Detection/ Continue): Records only within the setup
time range.
Press《Enter«》button to enter Schedule Setup, Motion Record, and Continuous Record.