Planet DVR-400 User manual

1
Digital Video Recorder
DVR-400
User smanual

2
Copyright
Copyright (C) 2004 PLANETTechnology Corp. All rights reserved.
The productsand programs described in this User sManual are licensed productsofPLANETTechnology,This User s
Manual contains proprietary information protected by copyright, and this User sManual and all accompanying hardware,
software, and documentation are copyrighted.
No part of this User sManual may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to anyelectronic medium
or machine-readable form by any means by electronic or mechanical. Including photocopying, recording, or information
storage and retrieval systems,forany purpose otherthan the purchaser's personal use, and without the prior express
written permission of PLANETTechnology.
Disclaimer
PLANETTechnology does not warrant that the hardware will work properly in all environmentsand applications,and
makes no warranty and representation,eitherimplied or expressed, with respect to the quality,performance,
merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose.
PLANEThas made every effort to ensure thatthis User sManual is accurate; PLANETdisclaims liability forany
inaccuracies or omissions thatmay have occurred.
Information in this User sManual is subjectto change without notice and does notrepresent acommitmenton the part of
PLANET.PLANETassumes no responsibility forany inaccuracies thatmay be contained in this User sManual.PLANET
makes no commitment to update orkeep current the information in this User sManual,and reserves the rightto make
improvements to this User s Manual and/or to the products described in this User s Manual,at any time without notice.
If you find information in this manual that is incorrect, misleading, or incomplete, wewould appreciate your commentsand
suggestions.
Regulatory
FCC Certification
This equipment has been tested andfound tocomply with the limitsfor aclass Adigital device, pursuantto
Part 15oftheFCC rules.These limitsare designed toprovide reasonableprotection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operatedin acommercial environment. This equipment generates, uses,
and canradiate radio frequencyenergyand,ifnotinstalled andusedin accordance withtheinstruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radiocommunications. Operationofthis equipment in aresidential
area is likely to cause harmful interference inwhich case the user will be required to correct theinterference a
the own expense.
CE Mark
This product is marked withthe CE symbol and indicates compliance with all applicable directives.
Trademarks
The PLANETlogo is atrademark of PLANETTechnology.This documentation may refer to numerous hardware and
software productsby their trade names. In most, if not all cases, their respective companies claim these designations as
trademarks or registered trademarks.

3
Revision
User s Manual for PLANETDigital Video Recorder
Model: DVR-400
Rev: 1.0 (Oct. 2004)
Part No. EM-DVR400V1

4
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction..................................................................................1
Overview......................................................................................................................1
DVR Functions......................................................................................................1
Package Content.........................................................................................................2
Physical Details...........................................................................................................2
Buttons Definitions................................................................................................2
Physical Interfaces................................................................................................4
Chapter 2 Preparations & Installation..........................................................5
Installing and Configuring DVR-400..........................................................................5
On-Screen Display......................................................................................................9
Administration Interface...........................................................................................10
OSD (On Screen Display) administration............................................................10
Chapter 3 DVR-400 Menu Setup................................................................12
Introduction...............................................................................................................12
MAIN MENU........................................................................................................12
CAMERASELECT..............................................................................................13
RECORD SELECT..............................................................................................14
VIDEO RECORDING MODE..............................................................................14
RECORD FRAMRATE........................................................................................15
VIDEO QUALITY.................................................................................................16
RECORD SCHEDULE........................................................................................17
SUB MENU.........................................................................................................18
PASSWORD CHANGE .....................................................................................18
TIME SET ......................................................................................................19
DATE DISPLAYFORMAT ..................................................................................19
HDD SETUP.......................................................................................................20
SENSOR SETUP................................................................................................20
Howto enable the Motion detection recording in DVR-400.................................21
NETWORK SETUP.............................................................................................22
PLAYBACK Configurations......................................................................................23
CONTROLBUTTONS.........................................................................................23
Chapter 4 DVR-400 Client UtilityAdministration.......................................25
DVR-400 client utility.................................................................................................25
Procedures of DVR Client utility..........................................................................25
Appendix ASpecifications..........................................................................29

1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Overview
The DVR-400 (Digital Video Recorder) is for recording/retrieving video streamsfromup to 4 channels at the
same time. It adopts cutting-edge digitalimage compression technologytocompress the analog input
channelvideo streams, and uses HDD to record the compressed video stream.
The followingoperationguide explains howto operate/manage the DVR-400,and the followinginstallation
guide explains howto complete the first DVR-400 installation on your side.
DVR Functions
· HighqualityM-JPEG compression
· Video loop through
· Real-time 4 concurrent cameras recording
· MAX. 120 FPS video displaying rate
· Motion detection / video lost buzzer
· Matured embedded systemremote monitoring and control ofDVR
· 4 alarminput for various application
· SwappableHD / Max. 250 GB HD support
· Scheduled/event/continuous recording
1

2
Package Content
The contents of your product should contain the following items:
DVR-400 unit
Power adapter
Screws for swappable HDDtray
Keys for swappable HDD tray
Quickinstallation guide
User smanual CD
Physical Details
FrontPanel of DVR-400
RearPanel ofDVR-400
Buttons Definitions
The following are the introductions ofDVR-400 front panel buttons. The definitions ofthe front are shown
below:

3
· MENU: press to displayOperation menu option
· SELECT: press to change menu field
· ENTER: press to changethe setting valueor enter intoa sub menu
· RECORDING: press to start recording.
· STOP (recording/playback): press stop video recording/playback
· FASTFORWARD:press toplaythe recorded streamfaster.
· PLAYBACK: press to start playback
· PAUSE:press to pause the videoplayback
· REVERSE: press to playbackbackward
· CHANNEL 1: press to select video source onchannel 1
· CHANNEL 2: press to select video source onchannel 2
· CHANNEL 3: press to select video source onchannel 3
· CHANNEL 4: press to select video source onchannel 4
· ALL CHANNELS: press to select all channels display
When entering or modifyingpassword, the button definitions are shown below:
ë
Note
When stopping video recording; it is required to enter the
authorization password. The default value is 111111
Button definition when entering password
means “1”‚means “6”
means “2”8means “7”
means “3”7means “8”
means “4”;means “9”
5means “5”8means “0”

4
Physical Interfaces
Physical conection interface ofDVR-400 are shown and explained in the following descriptions.
1. S-Video:
2. Video output:
3. Monitor: Second Video output.
4. Video input: Connect your standard video cameras to these inputs.
5. Video loop-through: These outputs provide loop-through connections, and can be used for direct
monitoring ofthe connected video cameras.
6. Sensor input/alarm output: 4 sensor inputs and one alarmoutput.
7. NTSC/PALswitch:
8. DC-in (12Voltage): Connect the power cablehere.
9. Audio input/output:
10.LAN: 10/100 Ethernet via the RJ-45 socket.
11.Power switch: This switch should onlybeusedafter shutting down the unit correctlywiththehelp ofthe
Power button on the front panel.
1
3
4
2
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

5
Chapter 2
Preparations & Installation
Installing and Configuring DVR-400
STEP1:
Please power offthe DVR-400 and unlockthe DVR-400 swappable HDD tray
STEP2:
Remove the harddisktraycover; connect your harddisksecurelywith the DC power cable and IDE
cable in the harddisktray. Make sure the installed HDD is set to “Master”and secure the HDD
using the original HD screws or the screws intheDVR-400 accessorypack.
Placeand lockthe HDD trayto DVR-400.Power on the DVR-400,the
DVR-400will now automaticallydetect and format the newdisk(s).
2

6
STEP3:
Please connect TV (monitor) to the Video output connector in the rear panel.
VideoInput connection (TVor monitor)
STEP4:
Please use standard analog video cameras to connectto the DVR400. The DVR-400 equipped 4
BNC connectors on the rear panel for videoinput.
Physical camera installationwith DVR-400 is shown as below:
l Connect thecamera signal line tovideo input on DVR-400
l Power on camera, and youmaynow checkthe video on thescreen.
DVR-400 provides 4x BNCconnectors for video source input.
ë
Note
Please be sure to finish the hard disk drive installation
before using the DVR. The Maximum HDD capacity support is
250GB.
ë
Note
DVR-400 provides one S-Video and
two BNCconnector for video
output.

7
STEP5:
Please ensure DVR-400 is power OFF before commencing, and checkthe power supplystatus.
Use standard RJ-45 cablesto connect the LAN port on DVR-400.
Connect thesupplied PowerAdapter andpower onmachine.
The PWR LEDIndicator should beGreen during normal operation
After powering on the DVR-400, it will checkHDD for several seconds; the informationwill be
displayedon the monitor:
After the internal checking completed, DVR-400will enter into real-time displaymode, the images
on the connectedcamera will be displayedin real-time.
HDD Checking
MASTER HARD DRIVE
[HDD Model number]
CH1
HDD Checking OK
LAN Checking OK
Audio
Checking OK
CH2
CH3 CH4

8
Sensor Installation
The unit provides 4 sensor input for 4 channels. The sensor Installation procedures are as follows.
For the installation ofthesensors:
STEP1: Connect the sensor signalline to the alarmsignal terminal is at the unit s backpanel
STEP2: Connect thevideosignalline totheunit. The Sensor signal terminal is at the unit s backpanel
STEP3: Connect the sensor adaptor jackinto the sensor, and plug in the adaptor.
Alarm installation
The unit provides 1 internal switch for sounding alarmwhen the sensor is activated due to the unwanted
entrance ofanonymous visitor.The switch is open at normal state, but,whenthealarmis activated, the switch
is closedSo that thealarmgetsthepower.The circuitryisshownas abovefigure. There are two simple steps
for the installation ofthe alarm
i. Prepare the power supply: the alarmneeds a power supply; the power supplycomes with the alarm
ii. Connect the alarmpower line: the alarmpower line is connectedto the alarmswitch terminal.
CH4 CH1 CH2 CH3
Alarmout

9
On-Screen Display
Press
&
button to
openOSD menu as
right
Power on the system
CH1
CH3
CH3 CH4
Press
&
button to
exit OSDmenu to
real-time display
Press lbutton to start recording
Recording Mode Display
OSD Mode Display
SEARCH MODE
PLAYBACKMODE
Press„button to search
time or event toplayback
Press
n
button to stop
recording(password is
requested!)
Press &buttonto exit the menu
Press nbutton to stop playback
Press „button
to start
SEARCH TIME
HDD DRIVE: MASTER
04/03/24 13:24:21-04/03/24 13:44:54
>01 TIME 04/09/2413:24:21
02 TIME 04/09/24 13:30:55
03 TIME 04/09/24 13:40:54
04 TIME 04/09/24 13:45:14
05 TIME 04/09/24 13:50:34
(Ù,Ú)MOVE, (SELECT) CHANGE (PLAY)
PLAY (MENU) EXIT(>>)SELECTEVENTOR
CH1 CH2
CH3 CH4
MAIN MENU
CAMERASELECT 1234
RECORD SELECT1234
RECORD MODE EACH
RECORD FRAMERATE 30
VIDEO QUALITY MORRMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
NETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS
(
MENU
)TO EXIT
CH1 CH2
CH3 CH4

10
Administration Interface
PLANET DVR-400 provides OSD menu for machine management and administration.
OSD (On Screen Display) administration
PLANET DVR-400connects with twodefault IP addresses, and default IP address is “192.168.0.20”. Youmay
use anyPC toconnect to the LAN port ofDVR-400 to start machine administration.
M
AINMENU
CAMERASELECT 1234
RECORD SELECT 1234
RECORD MODE EACH
RECORD FRAMERATE30
VIDEO QUALITYMORRMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
NETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT
NETWORK MENU
ACCEPTCLIENT[YES]
MAC ADDRESS 00:30:4F:09:78:52
IPADDRESS 192.168.000.020
SUBNETMASK 255,255,255,000
GATEWAY192.168.000.254
PRESS (Ù,Ú), HEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT
M
AINMENU
CAMERASELECT 1234
RECORD SELECT 1234
RECORD MODE EACH
RECORD FRAMERATE30
VIDEO QUALITYMORRMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
ØNETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT

11
The LANinformation Parameter Descriptionof DVR-400
ACCEPT CLIENTYES / NO
Default: YES
MACMAC address ofDVR-400
Default:
IP LAN IPaddress ofDVR-400
Default: 192.168.000.020
SUBNET MASK LAN maskofDVR-400
Default: 255.255.255.000
GATEWAYGatewayofDVR-400
Default: 192.168.000.254
ë
Note
In the first installation, it is suggested to locate your
PC in the same network segment (192.168.0.x) of DVR-400
.
If you re not familiar with TCP/IP, please refer to related
chapter on user s manual CD or consult your network
administrator for proper network configurations.

12
Chapter 3
DVR- 400 Menu Setup
Introduction
The DVR-400 OSD menu provides ease-of-use machine configurations; please press the MENU buttonofthe
front panel, then the OSD menu will appear witha cursor over the first item.The cursor can be moved bythe
up and downbuttons.
MAIN MENU
Please press “&”button todisplaymain menu optin shownas belowfigure
Operation Buttons
&--- Press to displaymenu option.
pq --- Press to change menu field or change theunit s configuration values.
8--- Press to select menu itemor confirmthe selection.
3
M
AINMENU
CAMERASELECT 1234
RECORD SELECT 1234
RECORD MODE EACH
RECORD FRAMERATE30
VIDEO QUALITYMORRMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
NETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT
ë
Note
Please stop recording or playback before you enter into OSD
menu. You will be requested to enter machine admin password
to stop recording.

13
CAMERA SELECT
The DVR-400 provides 4 camera inputs. Please use channel buttons on the front panel toselect specified
channel for real-time display.
Please use “SELECT”button or “CHANNEL”buttons for different combinations for channel display.
Example:
a) When youchoose(----), all cameras are off
b) When you choose (1234), video content in all cameras will be displayed.
c) When youchoose(1---), onlythe content ofchannel 1 will be displayed.
Channel DisplayControl
In “EACH”mode, you can use the followingbuttons todisplayFull-screen
format ofeach channel.
Channel 1 button: Full screen displayofchannel 1
Cha
nnel
2 button: Full screen displayofchannel 2
Channel 4 button: Full screen displayofchannel 4
Channel 3 button: Full screen displayofchannel 3
M
AINMENU
ØCAMERASELECT1 - - -
RECORD SELECT 1 - - -
RECORD MODE EACH
RECORD FRAMERATE30
VIDEO QUALITYMORRMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
NETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT
ë
Note
Channel Display Control
In ”EACH
”mode, you can use the following buttons to display
Full-screen format of each channel.
ë
Note
While no video connection or connection failure,
“VIDEO LOSS”signal will be displayed, and the built-
in
alarm buzzer will be triggered to sound.

14
RECORD SELECT
Please select desired video channel on this menu: themachine operation is same as “CAMERASELECT”
options.
Onlythevideo in the selected camera will berecorded in DVR-400 harddisk
VIDEO RECORDING MODE
DVR-400 provides 4camera inputs. You can use channel buttons on the front panel to select specified
channel/camera for real-time video displayand recording.
There are two kinds ofrecording mode: EACH mode (full screen mode) and QUAD screen mode. When you
set to EACH mode, you can viewthe full-screen displayofone specified channel.
When you set to QUAD mode, quad-screen (4-camera) will bedisplayed.
Please use Ù,Úbuttons of front panel to select mode and thenenter8button to confirmthe selection
M
AINMENU
CAMERASELECT1 - - -
ØRECORD SELECT 1 - - -
RECORD MODE EACH
RECORD FRAMERATE30
VIDEO QUALITYMORRMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
NETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT
M
AINMENU
CAMERASELECT1 - - -
RECORD SELECT 1 - - -
ØRECORD MODEEACH
RECORD FRAMERATE30
VIDEO QUALITYMORRMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
NETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT

15
RECORD FRAMRATE
There are 9 different framerate settings for operation: 30fps, 15fps, 10fps, 7fps, 5fps, 4fps, 3fps, 2fps, and
1fps. (Factorydefaultsetting: 30fps)
Please use Ù,Úbuttons of front panel to select mode and then enter 8keytoconfirmthe selection
Frame/Second12345710 15 30
1CH 12348710 15 30
2CH 0.5 11.5 22.5 3.5 57.5 15
3CH 0.33 0.67 11.33 1.7 2.33 3.33 510
EACH
MODE
4CH 0.25 0.5 0.75 11.25 1.75 2.5 3.75 7.5
QUAD MODE12345710 15 30
M
AINMENU
CAMERASELECT1 - - -
RECORD SELECT 1 - - -
RECORD MODE EACH
ØRECORD FRAMERATE30
VIDEO QUALITYMORRMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
NETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT
ë
Note
RECORDING FRAME RATE TABLE
The higher t
he record frame rate is, the more natural look
will be displayed on the screen when playing back.
But the lower the record frame rate is, the more you can
save the space on HDD. The following is the recording fps
table for your reference.

16
VIDEO QUALITY
There are 3 different video qualitysettings for operation: Normal, Low, and High
Please use Ù,Úbuttons on the front panel to select video recording qualityand then press the enter8keyto
confirmthe selection
Frame/Second12345710 15 30
HI 733 366 244 183 146 184 73H 48H 25H
NORMAL 992 496 331 248 192 141 99H 66H 33H
EACH
MODE
LO 115 576 384 288 238 153 115 76H 39H
HI 556 279 185 139 11180H 56H 37H 19H
NORMAL 763 382 255 190 152 110 76H 51H 25H
QUAD
MODE
LO 877 438 292 228 175 125 88H 58H 29H
The recording hours on 80GB HDD
M
AINMENU
CAMERASELECT1 - - -
RECORD SELECT 1 - - -
RECORD MODE EACH
RECORD FRAMERATE30
ØVIDEO QUALITYNORMAL
RECORD SCHEDULE
SUB MENU
HARD DRIVE SETUP
SENSOR SETUP
NETWORK SETUP
PRESS (Ù,Ú), THEN (SELECT)
PRESS (MENU) TO EXIT
ë
Note
DIFFERENT VIDEO QUALITY SETTINGS ON HDD CAPACITY
T
he higher the video quality is, the clearer images the unit
plays. But the lower the video quality is, the more you can
save the space on HDD. The following is the recording time
vs video quality settings table for your reference.