Safety Vision OBSERVER 4100 User manual

OBSERVER™ 4100
USER GUIDE

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
Important Notices
Title: Observer™4100 User Guide
Firmware Version: X3-4-T642681
Document Version: 2.3
Safety Vision attempts to provide information contained
in this manual based on the latest product information
available at the time of publication. However, because of
Safety Vision’s policy of continual product improvement,
Safety Vision reserves the right to amend the information in
this document at any time without prior notice.
This material is condential and the property of Safety
Vision. It is shared with your company for the sole purpose
of helping you with the operation of the described
equipment.
Safety Vision makes no warranty of any kind with regard
to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and tness for a particular
purpose. Safety Vision shall not be liable for errors
contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages
in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of
this material.
Safety Vision expressly disclaims all responsibility and
liability for the installation, use, performance, maintenance,
and support of third-party products. Customers are advised
to make their independent evaluation of such products.
No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced,
or translated to another language without the prior written
consent of Safety Vision.
Safety Vision® is a registered trademark of Safety Vision, LLC. All
other products or name brands mentioned in this document are
trademarks of their respective owners. For more information
about Safety Vision and its products, go to www.
safetyvision.com or call 800-880-8855.

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 1
Table of Contents
Components 2
SD Card Insertion 3
Installation 5
Flat Mount 5
Panic Button (Part #SV-4100-PANIC) 5
Lock Box (Part #SV-4100LB) 6
Remote Control 8
Live View 10
Menu Navigation 10
Video Playback 11
Exporting Video Files 13
Conguration 14
System Menu 14
Record Menu 22
Network Menu 31
Event Menu 36
Peripheral Menu 45
System Information 47
Appendix A: Web Application Manager 51
Appendix B: Specications 54
Appendix C: Recording Time Calculator 55
Appendix D: Dimensions 56

2OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
Components
1 - USB Port - Insert a USB ash drive to
download events quickly without having to
remove the Secure Digital (SD) card.
2 - External Monitor Output - Attach an
external monitor to the Observer 4100 with an
RCA plug here to congure the mobile digital
video recorder (MDVR).
3 - Door Lock - The Door Lock secures the
door over the SD card slot for security.
4 - SD Card Slot - Insert an SD card into the
slot behind the door until it clicks. To remove
the SD card, briey press it in until it ejects.
5 - SD Card Slot Door - The SD Card Slot Door protects
the SD card from contaminants and damage.
6 - Status LEDs - The Status LEDs illuminate to display the
current status of the Observer 4100.
- Flashes when the SD card is being accessed.
- An error may have occured.
- The GPS LED illuminates when the GPS module is
searching for a signal; it then ashes steadily when locked
on.
- The unit is interfacing with an optional Ethernet device.
- The unit is receiving power.
- The unit is recording video.
- One or more cameras have become detached or are
malfunctioning.
- An alarm has occured (as congured in the
Conguration Menu).
For further information regarding the
conguration of the Observer 4100,
see the Conguration chapter.

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 3
SD Card Insertion
To insert an SD card into the Observer
4100:
1. Insert the key and turn it
counterclockwise.
2. Push the SD card slot door rmly to
the right.
3. Insert an SD card into the Observer
4100 label-side up, with the notch to the
right, until it clicks in place.
4. Push the SD card slot door to the left
rmly and conrm it is closed all the way.
5. Insert the key and turn it clockwise to
lock the door.
Do not force the SD card into the
Observer 4100 upside down or
backwards.
To remove the SD card, follow the
procedure above, press the card into the
slot until it clicks, then allow it to spring
out.
Do not remove the SD card until the
Observer 4100 is turned o.
Important Notice: Proper maintenance procedures for
digital media require that recorded data be reviewed on
a regular basis to ensure the DVR is operating correctly.
Consult with your eet or vehicle maintenance manager
to implement a regular data review policy that ts with
your facility routines to ensure data integrity.

4OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
WIRING HARNESS CONNECTIONS
Recommended Sensor Connections (12V)
Sensor 8 Stop Arm Lights (school bus)
Sensor 7 Amber Warning Lights (school bus)
Sensor 6 Door (or wheel chair lift)
Sensor 5 Head Lights
Sensor 4 Event Button (see note)
Sensor 3 Brake Lights
Sensor 2 Left Turn Signal
Sensor 1 Right Turn Signal
Power Harness
Red Power (12 - 32V DC)
Black Ground
White Ignition (Yellow on some models)
Table A
Cable Length
SVS-3MMF 10’
SVS-5MMF 16’
SVS-10MMF 33’
SVS-15MMF 49’
SVS-20MMF 65’
Table B
Cable Length
SV-4100-10-CBL 10’
SV-4100-20-CBL 20’
SV-4100-35-CBL 35’
SV-4100-50-CBL 50’
Note:
After connecting a Panic Button or CP3/4
monitor, they must be congured in the
Settings > Peripheral > Ext. Com. Setup
menu. Select the accessory in the eld for
the appropriate COM connection.

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 5
Installation
Flat Mount
Secure the MDVR to the surface with self-
tapping screws or rivets.
Ensure that the front panel of the MDVR
remains accessible and there is a minimum
2.5 inches of clearance for cables.. Do not
install the Observer 4100 in an area of the
vehicle cabin that could interfere with the safe
operation of the vehicle.
Panic Button (Part #SV-4100-PANIC)
An optional panic button module is available.
The panic button provides an additional status
LED display, remote control sensor, and external
monitor output in addition to the panic button.
When the panic button module is installed,
ensure the following settings are congured
properly:
1. In the Settings menu, select Peripheral,
then Ext. Com. Setup. Select PANIC
BUTTON in COM4.
2. Ensure the panic button module is
connected to the 485A-2 and 485B-2
terminals.
3. In the Settings menu, select Event, then
“Emergency Alarm” (Alarm of Panic Button
screen). Select ON in the EN (enable) and ALARM elds.
4. Ensure the module is connected to ground and 5V.

6OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
Lock Box (Part #SV-4100LB)
Use the following procedure to install the
Observer 4100 in the SV-4100LB Lock Box::
1. Open the front door.
2. Use a T15 security bit to remove the
screw centered underneath the door
hinge.
3. Push the lid to the rear and lift it up to
remove it.
4. Mount the lock box to a at surface using
secure mounting hardware through the
six open holes in the bottom of the lock
box (three near the front, three near the
rear).
5. Ensure the power and ground leads for
the auxiliary fan are threaded through
the cable passage in the rear.
6. Attach the power and ground leads to
the +12V and GND terminals respectively
on the Observer 4100 terminal block.
(The terminal block remains on the
outside of the lock box.)
7. Thread all cables that will be connected
to the Observer 4100 through the
cable passage and connect them to the
Observer 4100.
It is easier to attach cables to the back of the
Observer 4100 before it is secured in the lock
box.

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 7
8. Place the Observer 4100 in the lock box
over the raised screw holes and secure
it using the included screws.
9. Replace the lid and push it rmly
forwards, ensure the tabs in the rear
engage the back of the lock box.
10. Use a T15 security bit to replace the
central screw under the hinge.

8OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
CP3 Monitor CP4 Monitor

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 9
Remote Control
The Observer 4100 remote control is used to navigate
through the conguration menus or to control video
playback on an external monitor. Point the remote control
at the IR receiver on the front panel of the Observer 4100 to
make selections.
Power - Use this key to power the Observer 4100 on or o.
Login/Lock - Quickly access the login screen or secure the
unit when already logged in. Login values can be set in the
conguration menu.
1 - Numeric Keypad - Use the numeric keypad to input
numerical values when conguring the system. Additionally,
you can use the 1, 2, 3, and 4 keys to display that numbered
video channel during video playback. Press the 0 key to
switch between displaying individual channels and a quad
view.
2 - + and - Keys - Use the + and - keys to increase or
decrease values by one.
3 - Navigation Buttons - Use the four arrow keys to
navigate between input elds or menu selections when
conguring the system. Use the Enter key in the center of
the arrow keys to make selections. During video playback
the left and right arrow keys can be used to rewind or fast-
forward.
4 - Additional Remote Control Keys
VGA - Switch the output mode of the external monitor to
VGA1, VGA2, or VGA3.
Video - Switch between VGA output and the front composite
external monitor output.
Brightness, Contrast, and Color - Press this key repeatedly
to toggle between brightness, contrast, and color options for
each individual channel. Use the + and - keys to adjust each
value.
Setup - Quickly access the conguration menu. Login may
be required.
Exit - Quickly return to the previous menu while viewing
conguration menus. Pressing this key on the main
conguration menu returns to the live view.
Play - Press this key to resume regular speed video playback
when video is paused or stopped.
Slow - Press this key to slow down video playback.
GoTo - Press this key to quickly access video recorded at a
certain time. When playing back video, press this key and
input the desired time. Press Play to begin video playback.
Stop - Press this key to manually stop video recording.
Record - Press this key to manually begin recording again
once it has stopped.
F1 - Press this key, at the bottom left of the remote, to
automatically export all recorded marked events to a USB
ash drive inserted into the front panel USB port. (This
feature must be rst enabled in the Settings > System >
General menu.)
All additional buttons are unused at this time.
CP3 and CP4 Monitors
The available CP3 and CP4 monitors integrate an external
monitor and the functionality of a remote control. Buttons
on the monitor are functionally the same as the remote
control buttons described above.
CP3 and CP4 also provide an IR receiver for the remote
control. When using the remote control, ensure it is pointed
at either the IR receiver on the monitor or the IR receiver on
the front of the DVR.
CP4
Additionally, the CP4 monitor provides two additional
buttons on the left side of the control panel. The blank
black button toggles between dim and bright monitor
brightnesses for day or night. The red PB button provides
Panic Button functionality.

10 OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
Live View
Attach an external monitor to the front RCA port (or install
a permanent external monitor as shown in the Installation
diagram) while the Observer 4100 is on to view the Live View.
Menu Navigation
Press the Setup or Login/Lock keys on the remote control
while an external monitor is connected to access the
Observer 4100 menu.
You must login with a password using the number keys on
the remote if one has been set in the conguration menu.
Use the up and down arrow navigational keys to switch
between the Video Playback, Conguration, and Information
icons and display their associated menus.
Use the right arrow key to select and expand successive
menu options. Use the left arrow key to return to collapse
the current menu option and return to the previous menu
option.
For more information on setting
the device password, refer to the
Conguration chapter.

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 11
Video Playback
To view recorded video with an attached external
monitor, use the remote to access the menu, then select
the rst icon. The All Files and Event Files options appear.
Select the All Files option to review all recorded video
stored.
Select the Event Files option to review only video
marked as events.
The File/Event Search screen appears.
Use the arrow keys on the remote control
to select a specic day on the calendar,
or use the provided elds to narrow your
search and select the Search button at
the bottom of the screen.
All Files
FILE SOURCE: Select the source to search
(SD).
FILE TYPE: Select a specic type of event
to search for.
CHANNEL: Select a specic channel that
was recording.
DATE: Select a specic date when the
video started recording.
START/END TIME: Select a specic
time when the video started recording.
The Observer 4100 searches the hour
following the time entered in this eld.
For example, enter “14:00:00” searches
for video from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Event Files
EVENT TYPE: Search only for one type of event.
DATE: Select a specic date when the video started
recording.

12 OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
File List
After selecting criteria from the File Search menu,
the File List menu appears. The following elds are
displayed:
All Files
SEL: Use the arrow and Enter keys on the remote
control to select or unselect each le. Selected les
can then be exported. Multiple les can be selected
at one time.
LOCK: A locked le is indicated with an “L”. Locked
les cannot be overwritten. Unlocked les can be
overwritten, and are indicated with a “U”.
TYPE: Indicates the type of video.
RES: Indicates the resolution the video was record-
ed at.
FR: Indicates the frame rate in FPS (frames per sec-
ond) the video was recorded at.
TIME: Displays the time the video recording started
and stopped.
SIZE: Displays the size of the le, in MB (megabits).
FIRST, PGUP, PGDW, LAST: Use the arrow and
Enter keys to select these options to scroll through
screens of the displayed les (if there are more les
than can be displayed on one screen).
Event Files
SEL: Use the arrow and Enter keys on the remote
control to select or unselect each le. Selected les
can then be exported. Multiple les can be selected
at one time.
EVENT NAME: Displays the type of event that trig-
gered the video recording.
DATE: Displays the date on which the video was
recorded.
TIME: Displays the time the video recording started.
FIRST, PGUP, PGDW, LAST: Use the arrow and
Enter keys to select these options to scroll through
screens of the displayed les (if there are more les
than can be displayed on one screen).

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 13
Exporting Video Files
Video les can be exported to a USB thumb drive
inserted into the USB port on the front of the
Observer 4100.
To manually export video les, use the following
procedure:
1. Select each le you want to export in the
SEL column.
2. Insert a USB thumb drive into the USB port
on the front panel of the Observer 4100.
3. Select the Export option on the right side
of the screen.
A Remark window appears.
4. Select Sure.
A progress bar appears, as well as the total
number of les being exported.
5. When the “Backup Successful” message
appears, select Sure.
6. Remove the USB thumb drive.
To automatically export alarm video les recorded the same
day as the present, use the following procedure:
1. Ensure ON is selected in the EVENT FILES AUTO-
EXPORT (USB) eld in the General menu (see page 15).
2. Insert a USB thumb drive into the USB port on the
front panel of the Observer 4100.
3. Press the F1 key on the remote control.
A message appears to indicate video is automatically
exporting to the USB drive. If no alarm video les are
present, a message will appear.
For video to be marked as alarm, the recording must be
initiated by a sensor congured as an alarm. For more
information about conguring a sensor as an alarm, see
page 33.
4. When the “Backup Successful” message appears,
select Sure.
5. Remove the USB thumb drive.
If the amount of video being downloaded exceeds the
capacity of the USB thumb drive being used, a prompt
appears requesting that an additional thumb drive be
inserted to conclude the export.
Exported les are saved on the root directory of the USB
thumb drive. Files are titled rst by Unit ID, then Alarm Log,
then the date recorded.
Note - The maximum size USB ash drive the DVR
supports is 30 GB.

14 OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
Conguration
Select the Conguration icon to display the System,
Record, Network, and Event menus.
These menu options allow you to congure
how the MDVR operates, in addition to setting
passwords and updating the rmware.
System Menu
Date/Time
The Date/Time menu determines the system time
that appears on recorded video.
Date: Use the number keys on the remote to set the
current date manually.
FORMAT: Select from middle endian (MM/DD/
YYYY), little endian (DD/MM/YYYY), or big endian
(YYYY-MM-DD) date formats.
Time: Use the number keys on the remote to set the
current time manually.
FORMAT: Select from 12 hour (12H) or 24 hour (24H)
time formats.
TIME SYNC SOURCE: Select Global Positioning
System (GPS), Network Time Protocol (NTP), or
manual (NONE).
TIME ZONE: Select how many hours the local time
zone is deviated from GMT. (In the United States,
Eastern is “-5”, Central is “-6”, Mountain is “-7”, and
Pacic is “-8”.)
SYNC TIME: Use the number keys on the remote to
manually enter the time at which the Observer 4100
synchronizes the time by NTP.
NTP SERVER IP: Use the number keys on the remote
control to manually enter the IP address of the
server by which the Observer 4100 synchronizes
time by NTP.
DST: Turn Daylight Savings Time adjustments on
(ON) or o (OFF).
DST MODE: Only available when DST is set to ON.
Select AUTO to adjust the time automatically at 2:00
AM on the second Sunday in March and the rst
Sunday in November, or select CUSTOM to select
which Sundays in which months.
The Observer 4100 must have a clear
GPS signal to syncronize its time via
GPS, or it must have network access to
syncronize by NTP.

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 15
General
The General menu determines the
behavior of the Observer 4100 upon
start up and shutdown, in addition to
other controls.
ON/OFF TYPE: Select TIMER to display
the START UP TIME, SHUT DOWN
TIME, and BOOT UP IN RECORDING
TIME elds. This option automatically
starts and shuts down the MDVR at the
specied time. Select the IGNITION
option to power the MDVR only when
the vehicle starts. This displays the SHUT
DOWN DELAY MIN eld. Select TIMER
OR IGNITION to include both types of
start up and shutdown parameters.
(ON/OFF TYPE: TIMER)
START UP TIME: Use the number keys on
the remote control to manually enter the
time the Observer 4100 starts up each day.
SHUT DOWN TIME: Use the number keys on the remote
control to manually enter the time the Observer 4100 shuts
down each day.
START UP IN RECORDING TIME: Select ON to begin
recording automatically upon start up. Select OFF to require
recording be manually triggered.
(ON/OFF TYPE: IGNITION)
SHUT DOWN DELAY MIN: Use the number keys on the
remote control to manually enter the time (in minutes) that
the Observer 4100 continues to record after the vehicle has
been powered down.
BUZZER: Turn an audible buzzer on (ON) or o (OFF) when
an event occurs.
IDLE TIME SEC: Use the number keys on the remote control
to enter the time (in seconds) that the conguration menus
display without input before automatically exiting to the live
view.
EVENT FILES TO AUTO-EXPORT (USB): Select ON to enable
the ability to automatically download all recorded events to
a USB ash drive inserted into the front panel of the DVR.
ASPECT MODE: Select 4:3 or 16:9 to match the aspect ratio
of the external monitor.
TRANSPARANCY: Select the level of transparency of the on-
screen menus.
When the ON/OFF TIME eld is set to
TIMER, the MDVR automatically shuts
down after ve minutes when it is
turned on outside of the time specied.
To turn this feature o, enter this menu
and select IGNITION in the ON/OFF
TYPE eld.

16 OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
Register Info
The Register menu includes the assorted serial
numbers and names unique to the Observer 4100
for identication.
UNIT S/N: The Observer 4100’s serial number.
This number is unique and cannot be changed.
UNIT ID: The Observer 4100’s identifying number.
Use the number keys on the remote control to
input a unique number ranging from “00000” to
“99999”.
COMPANY NO.: Use the arrow keys on the remote
control to enter the name of the agency to which
the Observer 4100 belongs.
VEHICLE ID: Use the number keys on the remote
control to enter the number of the vehicle in
which the Observer 4100 is installed.
DRIVER/ROUTE NAME: Use the arrow keys on the
remote control to enter the driver’s name and/or
their route name, up to 5 characters.
VEHICLE S/N FOR CMS: Enter a 7 digit facility-
dened serial number that identies this specic
Observer 4100 in the Observer Management
System (OMS).

OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE 17
Format
Formatting a device erases all existing
data, including recorded video.
Use the following procedure to format a
device:
1. Use the arrow keys on the remote
control to select a device from the
drop-down menu.
Available devices include SD (inserted
SD card), or USB (inserted USB ash
drive).
2. In the FUNCTION eld, select FAST
FORMAT (to format normally) or
SLOW FORMAT (to search for bad
storage sectors before formatting)
3. Select FORMAT.
A Warning message appears.
4. Select OK.
5. The format process begins.
When nished, the Observer 4100
restarts automatically. Formatting a device erases all data,
including recorded video.
Use with caution.

18 OBSERVER 4100 USER GUIDE
Upgrade
Periodically Safety Vision releases new rmware
updates for the Observer 4100 to increase
functionality and features.
Use the following procedure to update the
Observer 4100 rmware:
1. Obtain the rmware update le from Safety
Vision Technical Support.
2. In the root directory of a USB ash drive cre-
ate a folder titled dvrupgrade.
3. Place the rmware update le in the
dvrupgrade folder.
4. Insert the USB ash drive in the front USB
port of the Observer 4100.
5. Access the Upgrade menu.
6. Ensure FIRMWARE is selected in the drop-
down menu to update the MDVR’s rmware.
Additionally, select MCU, LOGO Update, or
CP4 to update those devices, respectively.
7. Select UPGRADE.
The update process begins.
The Observer 4100 rst checks for an appropriate
upgrade le. If one is detected, it automatically
restarts.
Upon restarting, the Observer 4100 displays
“System Updating...” on the external monitor
while it installs the upgrade.
When complete, “System Initializing...” is
displayed, and the Observer 4100 starts as normal.
The rmware update has been successfully
installed and it is safe to remove the USB ash
drive.
The rmware can only be updated to
a version more current the rmware
currently installed.