Ovation FlashBack-3C User manual

Issue: 4.7.2134-2 Ovation Systems Ltd Page 1
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FlashBack-3
Covert Video Recorder
User Guide
FlashBack-3C
H.264/AVC Single & Dual
SD Card Recorder
Version 4 User Guide
Ovation Systems Ltd.
Springfield Barn
London Road
Milton Common
Oxfordshire
OX9 2JY
UK
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.ovation.co.uk

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FlashBack-3
Covert Video Recorder
User Guide
1Essential Information..................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Support, Latest Updates and Information:................................................................................ 4
2Installation...................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 FlashBack-3 Single................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 FlashBack-3C Dual................................................................................................................... 7
2.3 I-Conex Connector Pin-outs..................................................................................................... 7
2.4 External Control Inputs (Record Switches and Triggers)......................................................... 9
2.5 I-Conex Peripherals................................................................................................................ 10
2.6 GPS / PTZ interface (RS232 Port) ........................................................................................ 11
3Operation.......................................................................................................................12
3.1 Secure Digital SD card ........................................................................................................... 12
3.2 Formatting the SD Card.......................................................................................................... 12
3.3 Switching On the Unit............................................................................................................. 13
3.4 Setting the Date and Time zone............................................................................................. 13
3.5 Status LED.............................................................................................................................. 13
3.6 Make a Recording .................................................................................................................. 14
3.7 Switching Off........................................................................................................................... 14
3.8 Reset to Defaults.................................................................................................................... 15
3.9 FlashBack-3 Dual ................................................................................................................... 15
4Playing SD Card Recordings........................................................................................16
4.1 Playing with VLC .................................................................................................................... 16
4.2 Playing with Microsoft Media Player....................................................................................... 16
5Internal Battery..............................................................................................................17
6SD Card Configuration Wizard.....................................................................................18
7Webpage Interface........................................................................................................19
7.1 IP Address.............................................................................................................................. 19
7.2 Webpage Login ...................................................................................................................... 20
7.3 Home Page............................................................................................................................. 20
7.4 File List Page.......................................................................................................................... 21
7.5 Alarm List Page ...................................................................................................................... 21
7.6 Audio / Video Setup Page (A/V Setups)................................................................................. 22
7.7 Basic Trigger Page................................................................................................................. 23
7.8 Introduction to Expert Triggers............................................................................................... 25
7.9 Connectivity Page................................................................................................................... 27
7.10 View Page............................................................................................................................... 28
7.11 System Page .......................................................................................................................... 28
7.12 Settings Page ......................................................................................................................... 29
8Firmware Upgrades.......................................................................................................30
8.1 SD card Upgrade.................................................................................................................... 30
8.2 Ethernet upgrade.................................................................................................................... 30
9FindMe Ovation Internet Device Manager ...................................................................31

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FlashBack-3
Covert Video Recorder
User Guide
1 Essential Information
IMPORTANT► FlashBack-3 running version 4.3 or higher can operate with SD cards of up
to 128GB. New SD Cards must be formatted by the FlashBack-3 before
use. See Section 3.2 page 12 for more information.
IMPORTANT► It is important to set the time zone, date and time before use. This can be
set via the SD Card Configuration Wizard (page 18) or the System Setup
webpage (page 28)
1.1 Introduction
FlashBack-3C is a miniature DVR / video streamer designed for covert surveillance
operations in the FlashBack-3 product line. The FlashBack-3C has Ovation's I-Conex
connectors on the rear of the unit; I-Conex includes a selection of cable assemblies that
interface to commonly used power, video and audio connectors.
FlashBack-3 utilises H.264 video compression to record high quality, full SD resolution real-
time video to one or two SD cards. FlashBack-3 has an Ethernet port which enables
simultaneous recording and streaming live video to a remote monitoring point via the
internet. It is also possible to selectively download recorded files while recording.
Figure 1: FlashBack-3 System Diagram

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FlashBack-3
Covert Video Recorder
User Guide
FlashBack-3 Key Features:
Full resolution PAL/NTSC video and stereo audio recording to SD memory cards with
H.264 video compression.
Single or dual SD memory card slot options. Supports high capacity SDHC cards up
to 128 GB.
Record start / stop by local buttons, remotely wired switches or triggers, internal timer
or by internal motion detection.
Configurable video quality (bit rate) and time-lapse record modes.
Built-in microphone or external line / microphone level stereo inputs. Mic bias
supplied.
Onscreen display of date, time and coordinates from an external GPS receiver (if
connected).
100Mbps Ethernet interface supporting video streaming, control, configuration and file
download.
Simultaneous record and streaming of video and audio over Ethernet.
Built in vibration feedback for body-worn applications.
Wide DC input voltage range (6 to 28 V).
Internal camera power supply of 5, 9, or 12 Volts.
Optional internal battery with charger.
1.2 Support, Latest Updates and Information:
Ovation Systems website includes a Secure User Area with the latest software updates, data
sheets, user guides etc. for download. To gain access, please email [email protected].uk
with the serial number of one of your units, together with your name and organisation.

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FlashBack-3
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User Guide
2 Installation
2.1 FlashBack-3 Single
FlashBack-3C is compatible with Ovation’s I-Conex interconnection system. I-Conex includes
a selection of cable assemblies that interface to commonly used power, video and audio
connectors (see Figure 4), as well as flying leads for more complex installations. The
connections to the rear of FlashBack-3 are colour coded to indicate their function as shown
in Figure 2, below.
CAUTION►Only connect cables with the same colour code to each input. Figure 3 shows
a basic FlashBack-3C Single installation.
TIP► Any cable may be lengthened by the in-line extension cables provided.
On the FlashBack-3C Single, the brown / blue connector has a dual function of either
Ethernet or RS232 interface, which is auto-switched depending upon which cable type is
connected (feature enabled from FB3 serial number 3751 onwards).
Figure 2: FlashBack-3C Single Rear Panel Connectors
Figure 3: Example Cable Installation

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Camera DC out
2.1 mm DC Jack Plug
100mm
Video In
BNC Skt
100mm
Audio
RCA Phono
Right
Audio Left
RCA Phono
200mm
Audio
Camera
1M
500mm
1M Male to Female
Extension x 1
0.5M Male to Female
Extension x 1
Power + Control
Power
Long Extension
Short Extension
Male
Male
200mm
1.5 m
Audio Right
(Video 2)
Audio Left
(Video 1)
Audio / Video Splitter
Ethernet Socket
RJ45
DC Power IN
2.1 mm Jack Skt
Network
Red /(Brown) - DC IN
- Rec Ctl 2
Blue - Rec Ctl 1
Brai
Green
d/(Black) - Ground
Figure 4: FlashBack-3C Single I-Conex Cable Set

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2.2 FlashBack-3C Dual
The FlashBack-3C Dual has additional connectors including; dedicated RS232 and Ethernet
ports, separate record control and DC power inputs, and an audio and video monitor output
port. See Figure 5 and Figure 7, page 8.
Figure 5: FlashBack-3C Dual Interfaces
2.3 I-Conex Connector Pin-outs
The pin-outs for the FlashBack-3C Single and Dual are shown below:
Camera Power
Mic Bias
(~3V DC)
Video Ground Ground
Audio Ground
11
1
1
44
4
4
Video In 1
Audio In L
Video In 2
Audio In R
22
2
2
33
3
3
Rec Control 2
(record trigger)
6 to 28 V DC In
GPS Power
(3.3/5V DC)
Ground
1
1
4
4
TXD
RXD
2
2
3
3
Video Out
Ground
Audio Out L
Audio Out R
Record OK
Ground
Rec Control 1
(record switch)
Rec Control 2
(record trigger)
As looking into the connectors
on the rear of the FlashBack-3C
Pin 1 Red (Brown)
Pin 2 Green (White)
Pin 3 Blue
Pin 4 Screen (Black)
Pin-out of flying lead
assembly
Alternative cable
colours shown in brackets.
NB:
(Blue and brown connector pin-outs are identical)
Rec Control 1
(record switch)
Figure 6: FlashBack-3 pin-outs

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FlashBack-3
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Camera DC out
2.1 mm DC Jack Plug
100mm
100mm
Video In
BNC Skt
100mm
100mm
Audio
RCA Phono
Right
Audio Left
RCA Phono
200mm
Audio
Camera
1M
500mm
1M Male to Female
Extension x 2
0.5M Male to Female
Extension x 2
Power + Control
Power
Long Extension
Short Extension
Male
Male
200mm
Audio Right
(Video 2)
Audio Left
(Video 1)
Audio / Video Splitter
Ethernet Socket
RJ45
DC Power IN
2.1 mm Jack Skt
Network
Audio Out Right
Audio Out Left
100mm
Video Out
200mm
Audio/Video Out
Red /(Brown) - DC IN
- Rec Ctl 2
Blue - Rec Ctl 1
Brai
Green
d/(Black) - Ground
Red /(Brown) - Record OK
Green
Blue - Rec Ctl 1
- Rec Ctl 2
Braid /(Black) - Ground
1.5m
Control
1.5 m
Figure 7: FlashBack-3 Dual I-Conex Cable Set

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Covert Video Recorder
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2.4 External Control Inputs (Record Switches and Triggers)
Recording can be controlled in a number of different ways;
The start / stop buttons on the unit,
Remotely via the web interface, or
The external switches / triggers.
There are two external control inputs for the FlashBack-3C; “Record Control 1” (Blue cable)
and “Record Control 2” (Green cable).
By default “Record Control 1” is configured to record when connected to Ground (i.e. a
record switch input) and “Record Control 2” records for a pre-set time when connected to
ground (i.e. a record trigger input). On the FlashBack-3 single, these control inputs are
available via the DC power input connector. On the FlashBack-3 dual, control inputs are
available using both the “Control” and “DC Power” connectors. See Figure 8, below.
The function of the two external control inputs is programmable using the web interface; see
Section 7.7, page 23.
Figure 8: Example External Record Switches and Triggers

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2.5 I-Conex Peripherals
There is a range of I-Conex peripherals available for the FlashBack-3C range including
miniature low light cameras, Knowles microphones, GPS receivers etc.
GPSAntenna
Bullet Camera Miniature 12V
Bullet Camera
Knowles Microphone (pair)
GPS Antenna / Receiver
RS232 Interface cable
21842
21842
Knowles Mic Right
Knowles Mic Left
RS232 DTYPE
Control PIR sensor
Figure 9: Example I-Conex Peripherals
Please contact [e-mail] for more information.

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Covert Video Recorder
User Guide
2.6 GPS / PTZ interface (RS232 Port)
The optional GPS receiver puck has an RS232 NEMA output. When enabled the GPS
coordinates are overlade on the recorded video (AV Setups webpage, page 22), GPS can
also be used shown in the FindMe PC application (Section 9, 31) to remotely show the
current position and historical track via Google Maps.
The GPS receiver is connected to the blue RS 232 connector via the i-Connex cable adaptor
provided. It is powered via the same connector which is enabled via the “Connectivity” web
page (Section 7.9, page 27).
The RS232 interface can also control an external PTZ when used with FindMe, Ovation’s PC
device manager software. Visca and Pelco-D protocols are supported which are set in the
“Connectivity” web page (Section, 7.9, page 27). An optional RS422/RS485 converter is
available for PTZ connections (see below). For more information, contact
[email protected].uk.
NB► After an upgrade to version 4.7 the RS232 Function will be set to off (even if it was
enabled before the upgrade).
IC1A-5863: i-Conex in-line RS232 to RS422 /
RS485 converter.
IC1A-5667: i-Conex GPS receiver (5 Volt)

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3 Operation
3.1 Secure Digital SD card
The key features when selecting SD cards for FlashBack-3 are:
Card speed of x200 (30 MB/s) or higher.
Cards of up to 128GB are supported.
All cards must be formatted FAT32 before use, preferably by the FlashBack-3
(see Section 3.2 below).
Ensure the maximum card operating temperature is in-line with expected operating
ambient temperature plus 15ºC (+27ºF) to allow for internal heating. FlashBack-3 has
a maximum operational temperature of +60ºC (140ºF), so a card with a +80ºC
(176ºF) temperature specification is recommended (eg SanDisk Extreme or similar).
3.2 Formatting the SD Card
IMPORTANT► It is essential that all SD cards are formatted (FAT32) before use by
inserting the card and pressing the front panel “Format” button (see below). Format starts
when the status LED starts flashing red, at which point the format button may be released.
Format is complete when the status LED stops fast flashing red.
Figure 10: FlashBack-3 Front Panel Format Button
Format /
reset to defaults
button.
(Operate button with
a ballpoint pen or similar)
Front panel

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3.3 Switching On the Unit
When power is connected and the record button is momentarily pressed (or external “Control
Input 1” is connected to ground), the unit “wakes-up” and the operating system boots. This
takes around 30 seconds and is indicated by a flashing red status LED, see Figure 11,
below.
3.4 Setting the Date and Time zone
Before operation, the date, time and time zone must be set on the System webpage see
Section 7.11, page 28 or the Wizard (Section 6, page 18).
3.5 Status LED
The LED on the front panel gives an indication of the unit's status over a 2 second cycle with
major functions as shown below. In general terms, the more the LED shows green, the
better.
00.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
Flashing green: recording OK.
Long green with blink: ready to record.
Flashing green with red blink: recording with no video.
Long green, short red: no video present, media OK.
Short green, long red: video ok, media full or not present.
Long green with red blink: ready to record with GPS enabled but no GPS data present
Permanent fast flashing red / green: system error.
Fast flashing red: media format or error.
System boot sequence:
Seconds = No LED
Error Conditions:
Long red with blink: no video present AND media full or not present.
Figure 11: Status LED Function
Status LED Status LED “B” Status LED “A”

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3.6 Make a Recording
1. Ensure the card is selected and formatted as described in Section Error! Reference
source not found.3.2 above.
2. Check the Status LED is showing green with the occasional blink every 5 seconds. This
indicates the unit has a good video input and the SD card is ready to accept a recording.
If LED is not showing green, please refer to Section 3.5 above.
3. To start recording, press the record switch (or connect external “Control Input 1” to
ground). Once recording, the status LED flashes green. If the internal vibration alert is
enabled then unit vibrates for approximately 2 seconds, indicating recording has
commenced. Vibration alert is enabled in the “A/V Setup” advanced webpage (see
Section 7.6 page 2221). TIP► FlashBack-3 can be configured to fill the SD card and
then stop, or loop around the card(s) (see Section 7.6 page 22).
4. To stop recording, press the [Stop] button (or open “Control Input 1”). The file closes
almost immediately and the card is ready to be removed as soon as the Status LED
reverts to a long green. NB►When you stop recording the unit using the blue [Stop]
button the unit also stops streaming.
5. Once the above is complete, the card may be removed and placed into a card reader for
viewing. See Section 4, page 16.
The SD card is inserted / removed as shown below.
Warning:
It is important to press the
[Blue] button and wait for
the status LED to stop
flashing red before
removing the card. This
suspends all card activity
(including streaming) for 30
seconds to allow the card to
be safely removed.
Figure 12: Inserting / Removing the SD card
3.7 Switching Off
Press and hold the [Stop] button for 5 seconds, until the unit enters its low power mode and
the Status LED goes out.
NB►When the unit is switched off with power connected (or with a charged internal battery)
the Status LED briefly flickers red/green every 8 seconds.
Push card
into slot until
clicked home.
Insert Card
Remove Card
Push card further
into the slot and
release. The card
then ejects.

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3.8 Reset to Defaults
The FlashBack-3 can be reset to defaults via front panel format button with the following
procedure:
1. Shut-down the unit by holding the "off" button for 5 seconds.
2. Remove the SD card(s).
3. Press the format button (the right-hand “A” button in the case of the Dual). Unit starts
booting.
4. Keep pressing the format button for approximately 30 seconds, until the LED flashes
very fast red.
5. After the LED stops flashing very fast red, the format button can be released.
6. Shut-down the unit.
7. Reinsert the SD card(s).
8. Reboot the FlashBack-3.
The unit is now set to the factory defaults including an IP address set by DHCP, which
defaults to 192.168.0.123 thirty seconds after boot, if no DCHP address is supplied.
3.9 FlashBack-3 Dual
FlashBack-3 Dual has two SD card slots with the main slot "A" located on the right. Only one
card is active at a time, indicated by the associated status LED. You can format the active
card by pressing the format switch for 5 seconds (see page 12).
If you want to “hot swap” the cards, press the format switch next to the inactive slot to move
the recording to the unused card. Release the button as soon as status LED on the new
drive becomes active. It is also possible to swap cards remotely the via the FindMe and
webpage interfaces.
Format /
reset to defaults
button.
(Operate button with
a ballpoint pen or similar)
Front panel

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4 Playing SD Card Recordings
Once a recording has been made, it can be played by removing
the SD card, inserting the card into a PC and navigating to the "flv"
folder. FlashBack-3 video files are made using H.264 compression
in Adobe FLV format which are playable in with Adobe Flash and
VLC (www.videolan.org) etc. FLV files are used because they can
be easily streamed (eg widely used by YouTube) and the file is
still playable in the event of loss of power while recording.
NB► FlashBack-3 saves recordings with UTC date and time
(rather than local time) ie the “date modified” time when
listed in Windows does not include the time-zone or
daylight savings offset.
4.1 Playing with VLC
Video files are located on the SD card in the folder marked "flv". Files are limited from 1 to 15
minutes long (set via the webpage interface, see Section 7.6 page 22). To play the
recordings, open the "flv" folder and play the files with VLC media player.
Function
Shortcut key
Next file
n
Previous file
p
Faster playback
+
Slower playback
-
Short backwards jump
Alt + left
Short forwards jump
Alt + right
Next frame
e
Play/pause
Spacebar
Figure 13: Playing FlashBack-3 recordingf with VLC
TIP►You can easily load all the files into VLC by double-clicking the “VideoPlaylist.pls”
file in the root of the SD card. You can then navigate forwards and backwards through
the files by clicking the highlighted buttons, or select a start point using the “Play list”
button (see picture above).
4.2 Playing with Microsoft Media Player
Microsoft Media Player requires a plug-in to play FLV files. K-Lite Codec pack is
recommended (see www.codecguide.com) which is available for download from the Useful
Applications Folder of Ovation’s secure site www.ovation2.couk

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5 Internal Battery
An internal lithium polymer battery is available as an option for the FlashBack-3 single. The
battery is charged whenever power is applied to the FlashBack unit. Charging continues
when the unit is switched off and power is applied. Charging a flat battery typically takes 2
hours.
Once charged, the internal battery usually provides around 1 to 1.5 hours of record time. This
time is reduced if powering an external camera.
TIP► To help save battery power when the unit is not recording, it is
recommended to enable the inactivity sleep timer in the “System" >
Advanced webpage. See Section 7.11, page 28).
IMPORTANT► Installing the battery upgrade limits the ambient temperature operation to
+35ºC (95ºF).
To install the battery into a FlashBack-3C:
1. Disassemble the FlashBack-3C by unscrewing the four screws in the base plate of the
unit.
2. Attach the battery to the new base plate using the supplied tape, see Figure 14.
3. Attach the PCB shield to the PCB using the supplied tape, as see Figure 14.
Figure 14: Attaching the internal battery and PCB shield
4. Connect the battery as seen in Figure 15 and reassemble the FlashBack-3C using the
original screws
Figure 15: Connecting the internal battery

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6 SD Card Configuration Wizard
There are two ways to configure the FlashBack-3. Basic configuration by a wizard located on
the SD card and full configuration by logging on to a web page interface served by the unit.
FlashBack-3 adds a configuration Wizard to the SD card. Remove the card from your FB3
and inset into your PC & and double-click “FB3-Config-Wizard.” Go through the instructions
and save a file called “settings.txt” to the card. Transfer the card to your FlashBack-3 and
reboot. The new configuration is then loaded.
NB► The Wizard only changes a small number parameters. If there’s any doubt about the
state of the unit, a reset to defaults (see page 15 Section 3.8) is recommended before
you load the “settings” file.
Figure 16: FlashBack-3 Configuration Wizard

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7 Webpage Interface
7.1 IP Address
By default the units are set for a combination of DHCP and Static IP addressing. On boot-up,
FlashBack-3 searches for a DHCP server and, if found, uses the IP address allocated by that
server. If this does not happen within 20 seconds, the unit reverts to a static IP address as
set in the "Connectivity" web page, see Section 7.9, page 27 (default is 192.168.0.123).
NB► The Wizard can be used to set a static IP address by checking the “Network
connection + server setup” option on the start page (see Section 6Error! Reference
source not found., page 18)
DC Power
7 to 24V DC
Direct Ethernet Connection
(PC must be set to 192.169.0.xxx
IP address range)
Alternative
Ethernet Connection
via DHCP Router.

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7.2 Webpage Login
FlashBack-3 can also be configured by a webpage interface which loads into your web
browser. Various configuration pages are available which are accessed via the tabs at the
top of each page with an option to show advanced parameters on most pages.
7.2.1 Login Page
Open your web browser and enter the IP address of your
FlashBack-3 unit. At the login prompt, enter your
username and password. Defaults are admin / admin.
7.3 Home Page
The Home page gives an overview of the FlashBack-3's status and recording control.
The [Advanced] button exposes more information including the firmware version and a
button to swap cards in the case of a Dual card recorder (note cards can be swapped during
recording with less than a 1 second loss in video).
Recording is controlled via the “Record start” and “Record stop” buttons. The “Stream start”
and “stream stop” control functions require a Server and Ovation’s FindMe viewing software
to be setup and installed, see Section 9, page 31.