Observint R4 User manual

R4, R8, R16 Embedded Digital Video Recorder
Firmware V8.1.0 User Manual
Products: R4, R8, R16 Digital Video Recorders
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE USING YOUR SYSTEM, and always follow the instructions for safety
and proper use. Save this manual for future reference.
RS_R4-8-16_V8.1.0_RM
190227

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About this manual
This manual supports the R4, R8 and R16 Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) with V8.1.0 rmware. It describes usage of the startup
Wizard, and the parameters used in the embedded rmware screens. It also includes a basic approach to accessing the DVR across
an Ethernet network and via the smartphone app HDVision Mobile.
To nd the rmware version in embedded menus, go to the System | Information screen. See “8.4 Information” on page 62.
LEGAL NOTICE
Observint Technologies (Observint) products are designed to meet safety and performance standards with the use of
specic Observint authorized accessories. Observint disclaims liability associated with the use of non-Observint
authorized accessories.
The recording, transmission, or broadcast of any person’s voice without their consent or a court order is strictly
prohibited by law.
Distributing, copying, disassembling, reverse compiling, reverse engineering, and exporting, in violation of
export laws, the software provided with Alibi video recorders is expressly prohibited.
Observint makes no representations concerning the legality of certain product applications such as the making,
transmission, or recording of video and / or audio signals of others without their knowledge and / or consent.
We encourage you to check and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations before
engaging in any form of surveillance or any transmission of radio frequencies.
Microsoft, Windows, and Internet Explorer are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and / or other countries. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to
Google Permissions. Apple, iPhone,iPod touch, and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks
and names or their products. Observint disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than
its own.
No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the express written
permission of Observint Technologies.
© 2019 by Observint Technologies. All Rights Reserved.
15505 Long Vista Drive, Suite 250, Austin, TX 78728
For Sales and Support, please contact your distributor.

iiiR4, R8, R16 DVR V8.1.0 User Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
SECTION 1 Systems Overview...................................................................1
1.1 Using the mouse.....................................................................3
SECTION 2 Initial Setup........................................................................5
2.1 Activation...........................................................................5
2.2 Using theWizard for initial conguration ................................................7
SECTION 3 Channel - Live Display ..............................................................14
3.1 Live display ........................................................................14
3.1.1 Status Icons....................................................................15
3.1.2 Start menu ....................................................................15
3.1.3 Toolbars.......................................................................16
3.2 Live screen controls .................................................................17
3.2.1 Channel - Live screen............................................................17
3.2.2 Channel - PTZ screen ............................................................18
3.2.3 PTZ control panel ...............................................................19
3.2.4 Motion........................................................................21
3.2.5 PIR ...........................................................................23
SECTION 4 Record ...........................................................................26
4.1 Encode ............................................................................26
4.2 Record ............................................................................27
4.2.1 Record Schedule................................................................28
4.3 Capture............................................................................29
4.3.1 Capture Schedule...............................................................29
SECTION 5 Alarm Conguration ...............................................................31
5.1 Motion alarm handling ..............................................................31
5.2 PIR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
5.3 PTZ Linkage alarm menu.............................................................33
5.4 EXCEPTION .........................................................................34
SECTION 6 Network Conguration .............................................................35
6.1 General settings ....................................................................35
6.1.1 PPPoE settings .................................................................36
6.1.2 Port Conguration ..............................................................36
6.2 DDNS settings ......................................................................37
6.3 Email setup ........................................................................39

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
6.3.1 Email Schedule.................................................................40
6.4 FTP setup ..........................................................................40
6.4.1 FTP Schedule ..................................................................41
SECTION 7 Device Conguration ...............................................................43
7.1 Disk...............................................................................43
7.1.1 Disk Group ....................................................................45
7.1.2 S.M.A.R.T. data .................................................................45
7.2 Cloud settings ......................................................................46
SECTION 8 System Settings ...................................................................48
8.1 General settings ....................................................................48
8.1.1 Date and Time .................................................................49
8.1.2 Output Conguration ...........................................................51
8.2 Multi-User setup....................................................................54
8.3 Maintenance .......................................................................58
8.3.1 Log...........................................................................59
8.3.2 Load Default ...................................................................60
8.3.3 Upgrade ......................................................................60
8.3.4 Parameter Management ........................................................61
8.3.5 Auto Reboot ...................................................................62
8.4 Information ........................................................................62
8.4.1 Channel Information ............................................................63
8.4.2 Record Info ....................................................................64
8.4.3 Network Status.................................................................64
SECTION 9 Search, Playback, Backup and Tags ...................................................65
9.1 Using Search Features ...............................................................65
9.1.1 Video Clip Backup ..............................................................66
9.1.2 Search, Playback and backup video................................................69
9.1.3 Event Search, Playback and backup video ..........................................71
9.1.4 Event Playback Control ..........................................................73
9.1.5 Sub-periods Playback ...........................................................73
9.2 Smart Search and Playback ...........................................................74
9.2.1 Smart Search Area ..............................................................75
9.2.2 Tags ..........................................................................76
9.2.3 Picture Search and View .........................................................79
SECTION 10 Remote Login .....................................................................81

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
10.1 System Requirements ...............................................................81
10.2 Remote login.......................................................................81
10.2.1 Remote login with Surveillance Plugin installation ..................................81
10.3 Live screen .........................................................................84
10.4 Playback screen.....................................................................86
10.5 Remote Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
10.6 Local Settings ......................................................................88
SECTION 11 HDVision Mobile App for Remote Access ...............................................89
11.1 Getting Started .....................................................................89
11.2 Help screens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
11.2.1 Overview .....................................................................91
11.2.2 Live (View) ....................................................................92
11.2.3 (Remote) Playback .............................................................92
11.2.4 Record (Local Playback) .........................................................93
11.2.5 Image (Manager)...............................................................93
11.2.6 Remote Setting ................................................................94
11.2.7 Alarm ........................................................................94
11.2.8 Device (Manager). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
SECTION 12 Using Video Player Software .........................................................96
12.1 Installation on Windows .............................................................96
12.2 Play video le ......................................................................98
12.2.1 Capture image .................................................................99
12.2.2 Save clip ......................................................................99
APPENDIX A Troubleshooting ..................................................................101
A.1 System troubleshooting ............................................................101
A.2 Best Practices .....................................................................103

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NOTES

1R4, R8, R16 DVR V8.1.0 User Manual
SECTION 1: SYSTEM OVERVIEW
SECTION 1
Systems Overview
Congratulations on purchasing your new Embedded DVR security system! Your system includes the following key features:
General
• Connectable to 4, 8 or 16 compatible analog camera (depends on the capacity of the DVR)
• Supports H.265 / H.264 video le formats
• PAL / NTSC adaptive video inputs
• Each channel supports dual-stream
• Independent conguration for each channel, including resolution, frame rate, bit rate, image quality, etc.
• The quality of the input and output record is congurable
Local Monitoring
• HDMI / VGA outputs provided
• HDMI video output at up to 4K resolution
• Multi-screen display in Live is supported, and the display sequence of channels is adjustable
• Live screen can be switched in groups. Manual switch and auto-switch are provided and the auto-switch interval is
congurable
• Custom window-division live display layout conguration
• Congurable main stream and sub-stream for the live display
• Quick setting menu is provided for live display
• Motion detection, video tampering, video exception alert and video loss alert functions
• Privacy mask
• Multiple PTZ protocols supported; PTZ preset, patrol and pattern
• Zooming in by clicking the mouse and PTZ tracing by dragging mouse
HDD Management
• Up to 8 TB storage capacity for each disk supported (refer to the specications for your recorder for hardware capabilities)
• S.M.A.R.T. and bad sector detection
• HDD group management
• HDD property: read-only, read / write (R / W)
• HDD quota management; dierent capacities can be assigned to dierent channels
• HDD health monitoring
Recording, Capture and Playback
• Continuous, event, PIR video recording parameters and recording modes
• Pre-record and post-record for alarm, motion detection for recording, and pre-record time for schedule and manual recording

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• Searching record les and captured pictures by events (alarm input / motion detection)
• Tag adding for record les, searching and playing back by tags
• Locking and unlocking record les
• Local redundant recording and capture
• Normal / Smart video playback mode
• Searching and playing back record les by channel number, recording type, start time, end time, etc.
• Supports playback by main stream or sub stream
• Smart search for the selected area in the video
• Zoom during playback
• Reverse playback of multi-channel
• Supports pause, play reverse, speed up, speed down, skip forward, and skip backward when playback, and locating by
dragging the mouse
• Supports thumbnails view and fast view during playback
• Manual capture, continuous capture of video images and playback of captured pictures
Files Management
• Export video data by USB device
• Export video clips during playback
• Lock / unlock alarm information to prevent / allow erasure.
• Alarm and Exception
• Alarm for video loss, motion detection, HDD error, and HDD full, etc.
• Alarm triggers full screen monitoring, audio alarm and sending e-mail
Other Local Functions
• Operable by front panel, mouse, remote control, or control keyboard
• Multi-level user management; admin user is allowed to create many operating accounts and dene their operating permission,
which includes the limit to access any channel
• Operation, alarm, exceptions, and log record and search
• Manually clearing alarms
• Import and export device conguration information
Network Function
• IPv6 is supported
• TCP/IP protocol, DHCP, DNS, DDNS, NTP, SADP, SMTP, NFS are supported
• TCP, UDP and RTP for unicast
• Support access by HDVision Mobile app
• Remote Web browser access by HTTPS ensures high security
• Remote reverse playback via RTSP
• Remote search, playback and download
SECTION 1: SYSTEM OVERVIEW

3R4, R8, R16 DVR V8.1.0 User Manual
SECTION 1: SYSTEM OVERVIEW
• Remote parameters setup
• Remote viewing of the device status, system logs and alarm status
• Remote HDD formatting and program upgrading
• RS-485 transparent channel transmission
• Alarm and exception information can be sent to the remote host
• Remotely start / stop recording
• Remotely start / stop alarm output
• Remote PTZ control
• Remote JPEG capture
• Two-way audio and voice broadcasting
• Embedded Web server
1.1 Using the mouse
Mouse control
A standard 3-button (left / right / scroll-wheel) USB mouse can also be used with this DVR. To use a USB mouse:
1. Plug the USB mouse into the either the front panel or back panel USB connector of the DVR.
2. When the recorder is powered on, the mouse will be automatically detected. If the mouse is not detected, the mouse may not
be compatible with the DVR. Please refer to the recommended device list from your provider.
Using the mouse
1. Left Button:
—Click to select menu options.
—During live viewing in split-screen view, double-click on a channel to view it in full-screen. Double-click the channel
again to return to split-screen viewing.
—Click on a channel in the Live screen to open Camera Quick Toolbar.
—Click and hold to drag sliders and scales on menu mode.
2. Right Button:
—Click once to open the task bar on the Live screen.
—In menus, click to go back or close the menu.
3. Scroll Wheel:
—In menus, scroll to move up / down through the menu content.
—While hovering over the volume control wheel, scroll to turn system volume up / down.

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Using the Remote Control
3
5
11
14
16
9
1
6
4
2
10
13
15
12
7
8
9
No. Icon Description
1 1-8 Numeric keys
Press to display channel 1~8
2 9, 0 Numeric keys
3 ALL Press to display all channels
Multiple display mode
4 Menu Press to enter or exit the Main Menu
5 Mute Mute On/o
6 Submenu Go to submenu
7 Up arrow key; Volume increase
8 SEL Press to enter the selected menu item and edit the setting
9 Left/Right key; Decrease/increase parameter value of control bar.
10 Down arrow key; Volume decrease
11  Press to rewind during video playback
12  Press to fast forward during video playback
13 Press to play recorded video or enter the recording search menu
14 Press to start manual recording
15 Press to stop manual recording or stop the video playback
16 | | Press to pause the video playback or enter frame-playback mode
Using the Virtual Keyboard
When you click in an editable data entry eld, a virtual keyboard will appear. Click on the character in the keyboard to enter it into
the eld. When the data entry is complete, click the Enter key in the lower right corner.
Move cursor
left, right Enter
Click to
delete
previous
character
Click for
upper,
lower case
SECTION 1: SYSTEM OVERVIEW

5R4, R8, R16 DVR V8.1.0 User Manual
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP
SECTION 2
Initial Setup
When the DVR is rst powered on, it must be activated. Activation sets the admin user password and a Lock Pattern if used.
After Activation, you can use the Wizard to setup the basic conguration of the system, including network parameters, time,
cameras, etc.
2.1 Activation
When the DVR powers on, a “SYSTEM INITIALIZING” splash screen normally appears within 3 minutes. If it is the rst time
powering on the recorder, an activation screen will open. You must use this menu to setup an admin password for the system, and
an Unlock Pattern, if preferred, for quickly accessing the conguration menus if the recorder.
1. In the screen shown above, enter your admin password in the New Admin Password and Conrm Password elds (see
below). Ensure that the Password Strength of your password is at least Medium (preferably Strong).
NOTE If you forget your password, you will be unable to login the system, please contact your vendor to reset the password.

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2. If you want to use an Unlock Pattern to access the conguration menus, open the Unlock Enable drop down list, and then
click Enable. Click Apply to continue.
3. Click the Draw button to open the Set Unlock Pattern window.
4. In the Set Unlock Pattern window, drag the mouse cursor across a pattern of circles, then release the mouse.
5. Repeat the pattern you entered, and then click Apply to save the conguration. The conguration Wizard initial screen will
open.
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP

7R4, R8, R16 DVR V8.1.0 User Manual
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP
2.2 Using the Wizard for initial conguration
Use the Wizard to setup the basic conguration of your system. Advanced conguration options are available in the Setup menus.
Refer to the rmware user manual (to be provided) for your recorder for more information.
1. When the initial Wizard window appears, click Start Wizard to continue.
2. The next Wizard screen is used to congure the network settings of the recorder. Initially, the recorder acquires network using
DHCP (Dynamic Host Conguration Protocol) which usually exists somewhere on your LAN. DHCP provides network settings
that are compatible with other devices on your LAN.

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a. It is preferred to have xed network settings instead of dynamic settings, however. To change from dynamic network
settings to xed settings, copy the settings found through DHCP for the Local Connection and DNS, uncheck the DHCP
select box near the top of the menu, then re-enter the DHCP Local Connection and DNS settings. You can also enter your
own network settings for the recorder (these must be compatible with other devices on the LAN). If you choose to enter
your own network parameters, consider the following:
IP Address: The IP address identies the DVR in the network. It consists of four groups of numbers between 0 to 255,
separated by periods. For example, “192.168.001.100”.
Subnet Mask: Subnet mask is a network parameter which denes a range of IP addresses that can be used in a
network. If IP address is like a street where you live then subnet mask is like a neighborhood. The subnet address also
consists of four groups of numbers, separated by periods. For example, “255.255.000.000”.
Gateway: This address allows the DVR to access the Internet. The format of the Gateway address is the same as the IP
Address. For example, “192.168.001.001”.
DNS1/DNS2: DNS1 is the primary DNS server and DNS2 is a backup DNS server. Usually should be enough just to enter
the DNS1 server address.
b. You can also congure the ports the DVR. If you need to change the port numbers of your DVR, consider the following:
Web Port: This is the port that you will use to log in remotely to the DVR (e.g. using the Web Client). If the default port
80 is already taken by other applications, please change it.
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP

9R4, R8, R16 DVR V8.1.0 User Manual
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP
Client Port: This is the port that the DVR will use to send information through (e.g. using the mobile app). If the default
port 9000 is already taken by other applications, please change it.
RTSP Port: This is the port that the DVR will be allowed to transmit real-time streaming to other device (e.g. using a
streaming Media player.).
HTTPS: HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website
that you are connected to. If you want to log in remotely to the NVR using Web Client, you need to complete the port
forwarding in your router. The default port number is 0443.
PPPoE: PPPoE is an advanced protocol that allows the DVR to connect to the network more directly via DSL modem.
Check the Enable PPPOE box, and then enter the User name and Password of the PPPoE.
c. Click Next to continue.
3. Use the Date/Time menu to set the Date, Time, Date Format, Time Format, Time Zone, NTP and DST (daylight savings time).
a. When changing parameters in the Date and Time tab, consider the following:
Date: Click on the calendar icon to set the system date.
Time: Click to set the system time.
Date Format: Choose from the drop down menu to set preferred date format.
Time Format: Choose time format between 24-hour and 12-hour.
Time Zone: Set the correct time zone.
b. Click the NTP tab. To use a Network Time server to automatically set the date and time in your recorder, check the
Enable NTP box, and then select a Server Address from the drop down list. Click Update Now to acquire the current
Date and Time information.

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c. Click the DST (Daylight Savings Time) tab. Setup the values in the DST menu to match your local DST custom, if preferred.
If changing the DST settings, consider the following:
DST: Enable if Daylight Saving Time (DST) is observed in your region.
Time Oset: Select the amount of time to oset for DST
Time Mode: Choose to set the daylight saving time in weeks or in days
Start Time/End Time: Set the start time and end time for daylight saving.
4. Click Next to continue.
5. In the Disk menu, you can congure how your disk (HDD) will be used. The Overwrite (Auto) feature enables you to always
keep a previous, optional number of days of data written to the HDD when the disk becomes full, and Format initializes the
HDD for use in the recorder and erases all data on the disk. If you installed HDDs in your recorder, it is strongly advised to
format these drives before using your recorder.
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP

11R4, R8, R16 DVR V8.1.0 User Manual
a. To congure the HDD for Overwrite:
i. Check the select box for the HDD you want to congure from the list above.
ii. Open the Overwrite drop down list, and then select Auto.
b. To format an HDD:
i. Check the select box for the HDD you want to Format from the list above.
ii. Click the Format button. Allow the format operation to complete before continuing.
6. Click Next to continue.
Use the Resolution menu to select an output resolution that matches your monitor. The DVR automatically adjusts the
output resolution during start up to match the highest resolution of your monitor.
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP

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7. To change the resolution, open the drop down list, select the resolution you prefer, and then click Apply.
8. Click Next to continue.
The Mobile screen shows the P2P settings provided with your recorder, and a QR code you can scan to easily connect the DVR
to the mobile app HDVision (available free for Android and iOS).
9. Click Next to continue. The Summary screen shows the settings selected the Wizard.
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP

13R4, R8, R16 DVR V8.1.0 User Manual
10. In the Summary screen, you can:
—Check the select box to Don’t show this window next time.
—Click Previous to return to the Wizard screens and change your selections.
—Click Finish to close the Wizard.
11. Click Finish to close the Wizard.
SECTION 2: INITIAL SETUP

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SECTION 3: CHANNEL - LIVE DISPLAY
SECTION 3
Channel - Live Display
Use the Channel menus to congure the camera, live display, PTZ setup, motion setup, convert mode, and other camera related
conguration parameters. The DVR supports only compatible analog cameras connected to the backpanel.
3.1 Live display
Use the Live display to view video streaming from your cameras. The display can show one video frame, or split into up to 16 video
frames. The display also includes Status icons in each frame that indicate is recording, or detected motion, and I/O alarm, or an HDD
problem.
Task Menu Bar
Start Menu
Quick Setting Toolbar
Camera Title
System Date / Time
Status Icons
The Live screen includes several useful features:
• Camera Title
—A-: This indicates that the camera connected is an AHD camera
—T-: This indicates that the camera connected is a TVI camera
—C-: This indicates that the camera connected is a CVI camera