Swann DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER User manual

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M4-8000H051212E
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4ch 1080p SDI
Digital Video Recorder

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Introduction
Before You Begin
FCC Verication
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
These devices comply with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
• These devices may not cause harmful interference, and
• These devices must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All jurisdictions have specic laws and regulations relating to the use of cameras. Before using any camera for any purpose, it
is the buyer’s responsibility to be aware of all applicable laws and regulations that prohibit or limit the use of cameras and to
comply with the applicable laws and regulations.
FCC Regulation (for USA): Prohibition against eavesdropping
Except for the operations of law enforcement ocers conducted under lawful authority, no person shall use, either directly
or indirectly, a device operated pursuant to the provisions of this Part for the purpose of overhearing or recording the private
conversations of others unless such use is authorized by all of the parties engaging in the conversation.
WARNING
Modications not approved by the party responsible for compliance could void user’s authority to operate the equipment.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• Make sure product is xed correctly and stable if fastened in place
• Do not operate if wires and terminals are exposed
• Do not cover vents on the side or back of the DVR and allow adequate space for ventilation
DEFAULT PASSWORD INFORMATION
To ensure your privacy, this DVR supports password protection.
The default, all-access username is “admin”. If the DVR asks you to log in before you’ve set a password, enter admin as your
username and leave the password blank. This will give you access to all areas of the DVR.
The password function is disabled by default. However, if you’re asked for a password, the default is “12345”.
To ensure your ongoing privacy, we strongly recommend setting a password as soon as possible. Choose something that
you’ll remember, but that others would be unlikely to guess.
If you do manage to lock yourself out of the DVR, you’ll need to contact us at the Swann Technical Support Telephone Helpdesk
- the number is on the back cover.

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Introduction
Contents
Introduction
Before You Begin 2
Contents 3
Introduction 4
Connecting the DVR
Installation Guidelines 5
Front Panel of the DVR 5
The Rear Panel of the DVR 6
Connection Diagram 7
Connecting Additional Devices 8
The Alarm & Sensor I/O Block 9
Basic Setup
SDI: How it compares to traditional CCTV 10
Basic DVR Operation 10
Basic Setup: General 11
Basic Setup: HDD & Networking 12
Basic Setup: DDNS & Email 13
Basic Setup: NTP & DST 14
Basic Setup: Account Conguration & Completion 15
Basic Setup: Installing MyDVR on PC 16
MyDVR: Logging In 17
MyDVR: Interface 18
MyDVR: Local Conguration 19
MyDVR: Conguration Overview 20
Remote Access From a Mobile Device 24
Advanced Conguration
Operating the DVR Locally 25
Menu Layout 26
Advanced Conguration 27
Display: Camera 28
Display: Output 29
Recording: Encode 30
Recording: Option 31
Recording: Schedule 32
Search: Playback 33
Search: Backup 34
Search: Event 35
Search: Log Search 35
The Playback Interface 36
Network: General 37
Network: Advanced 38
Network: Advanced: DDNS 39
Network: Advanced: NTP 39
Network: Advanced: IP Filter 40
Network: Network Status 40
Network: Advanced: Email Settings 41
Alarm: Motion 42
Alarm: Motion Detection Conguration 43
Alarm: Motion Detection Notes 44
Alarm: Motion Detection - Action 45
Alarm: Video Loss 45
Alarm: Sensor 46
Alarm: Alarm Output 47
Alarm: Exception 48
Device: HDD 49
Device: S.M.A.R.T. 49
Device: PTZ 50
System: General 52
System: User 53
System: System Information 54
System: Device State 54
System: Maintenance 55
Reference
Troubleshooting 56
Addendum: Third Party Hardware 57
Technical Specications 58
Warranty Information 59
Helpdesk / Technical Support Details 60

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Introduction
Introduction
Congratuations on your purchase of this Swann DVR. You’ve
made a ne choice for keeping a watchful eye over your home
or business. Let’s take a moment to talk about some of the
features this DVR oers, and how to get the most out of them.
Oh my, this is a big manual. How long will this take?
Yes, but you won’t have to read all of it - you should be up and
running by page 25!
It can take a few hours to connect everything and run through
the setup procedure.
The latter half of this manual is for advanced users only - the
DVR is seriously congurable - the out-of-the-box settings do
a great job in 90% of situations, but some users will want to
get into the nitty-gritty detail, so that information is presented
for those who need it.
The Basic Setup
The default settings of the DVR will cover most basic
installation requirements of the DVR.
To get the most out of your hard drive, we’ve congured the
DVR to record only when it detects motion - that way, you
won’t ll the hard drive with video of nothing happening.
Before installing anything, connect the DVR and cameras
and test your system.
We ensure everything is working properly when we ship
them out, but sometimes things can be damaged in
transport, and occasionally components can fail. Better to
nd out now, before everything is xed in place!
Getting the DVR Setup
There are three stages to getting your DVR set up. If you want
to use the default settings, you’ll only need to complete steps
one and two.
Stage 1. Connecting the DVR (page 5 to page 9)
This sections details what you can connect to the dierent
inputs/outputs of the DVR.
Everyone’s setup will vary a little bit - it depends what cameras
came with the DVR (if any) and what device(s) you’ve already
got.
Stage 2. Basic DVR Setup
The DVR needs a few things to be set properly before it can do
its thing. Follow the instructions from page page 11 to page
24 to get everything working.
3. Optional: Advanced DVR Conguration
The latter part of this manual covers advanced DVR operations.
This DVR comes with all the professional-grade capabilities
you’d expect from a quality Swann product, but many
advanced capabilities require detailed setup to function
correctly.
If you’re not an advanced user, don’t worry. The out-of-the-box
settings really do work well, and we’d only suggest changing
them if you’ve got a really specic plan in mind.
You’ll need to read a page or two of this section if:
• you’ve got a PTZ capable camera - see page 50.
• you’re connecting external sensors (page 46).
• you want to alter the motion detection sensitivity or the
areas it applies to (page 42).
What is “SDI”, and why is it so good?
A Serial Digital Interface is another way of transmitting images from a camera to the DVR, oering up to
six times the image quality of composite video.
(Some relevant math for the curious: (1920 x1080) / (720 x480) = 6).
The SDI camera channels on this DVR are capable of recording at 1080p FULL HD in real-time, which is
approximately four to ve times the information content of composite video. SDI uses very similar cables to
composite video, but they’re a little bit dierent. For best results, ensure you use the supplied cables.
For the DVR to work correctly, ensure that:
ONLY Swann SDI cameras are connected to the SDI camera inputs.
Composite Video Cameras are not compatible with this DVR.

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Connecting the DVR
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Front Panel of the DVR
1) USB 2.0 Port: For connecting the USB mouse, USB external
storage to the DVR for backup, or for applying new rmware.
2) Play/Pause: Opens the playback interface from the live
viewing mode. Pauses playback or resumes playback from
paused.
3) Display: Enters split-screen view, where the screen shows
one or four (2 x 2) video feeds at once.
4) Menu/ESC: Opens the DVR’s menu, or goes back one step
from a submenu.
5) Select: As the name suggests, it selects an option or item
from a menu.
6) D-pad: For navigating around menus when you’re not using
the mouse. (Why aren’t you using the mouse? It’s awesome.)
7) Power LED: Will be lit whenever the DVR is supplied power
and turned on.
8) HDD LED: Will ash whenever the DVR is writing to/reading
from the installed hard drive.
Installation Guidelines
• Do not expose the DVR to moisture. Water is
the arch-enemy of electrical components and
also poses a high risk of electric shock.
• Avoid dusty locations. Dust has a tendency to
build up inside the DVR case, leading to a high
risk of failure or even re.
• Only install the DVR in a well ventilated
space. Like all electronics, the circuitry and hard
drive in the DVR produce heat, and this heat
needs a way out.
• Do not open the DVR case except to install/
swap the hard drive inside. There are no user
serviceable parts inside.
• Never open the case whilst the DVR is
plugged in, and never turn the DVR on whilst
the case is open.
• Use only the supplied power adapter. Other
adapters may cause damage to the DVR or
cause a re.
• Do not cut or modify any cable for any reason.
Doing so will void your warranty, as well as pose
a great risk of re or electrical shock.
• Do not expose the DVR to sudden bumps or
shocks (for example, being dropped). The DVR
is as robust as possible, but many of the internal
components are quite fragile.
• Remember that the DVR is, in all likelihood,
going to be left on 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. Keep this in mind when choosing a
location for installation.

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Connecting the DVR
The Rear Panel of the DVR
1) SDI Inputs 1 - 4: These are the high-denition video inputs
and are where you should connect your 1080p SDI cameras.
These connection use a similar BNC connector to a composite
video channel found on other DVR models, however the
cameras (and some cables) are not interchangable.
For the best results , don’t use existing composite video cable
but rather connect your SDI camera(s) with the supplied
cables marked for use with SDI.
2) Audio Inputs: These will accept a standard line-level signal
(<1V).
3) PTZ (RS485) Port: To connect the RS485 cables to control a
PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) device to the DVR.
4) VGA Output: For connecting a television or PC monitor
with a VGA input.
5) HDMI Output: The primary output of the DVR. For the
highest possible video output quality, we suggest using this
output.
• For best results, use a monitor/television capable of
displaying Full HD 1080p.
• Note that many televisions which can display 1080p
signals are not actually Full HD. These kinds of televisions
downscale a 1080p signal to the resolution of the screen.
For the best possible image, use a television/monitor
which can display 1920 x 1080 or higher.
6) USB/eSATA1 Port: To connect an external hard drive or a
ash drive, to which you can backup footage. Accepts both
USB and eSATA devices such as:
• USB ash drives
• USB hard drives
• eSATA hard drives.
For the best results use devices which support USB 2.0 (or
higher) speeds.
7) Network Port: Where you can connect the DVR to a
network, typically directly into the router or network switch.
8) DC 12V Power Input: Where you connect the included DC
12V power adapter. Use only the supplied power adapter with
the DVR, and use the power adapter only with the DVR.
9) Audio Output: A standard line-level audio output.
10) eSATA 2 Port: For connecting an eSATA hard drive to use
as a primary recording disk. A hard drive connected in this way
will be used to store raw footage in the same way as the DVR’s
internal hard drive(s).
11) Alarm & Sensor I/O Block: For connecting external
alarm sensors and/or alarm output devices (such as sirens or
lighting) to the DVR.
12) Power Switch: Master ON/OFF switch.
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Connecting the DVR
Connect the DC12V
Output from the
power supply to
the power input.
Connect the SDI outputs from
your cameras into the marked SDI
inputs on the rear of the DVR.
Connect your cameras to
power, using the a power-
splitter (if included).
Connect the power
adapter(s) to a wall outlet.
If you’ve got a
monitor with
VGA but not
HDMI, connect
it to the VGA
output on the
DVR.
If you’ve got a TV or monitor with
HDMI in, connect to the HDMI port
on the DVR.
Connect an ethernet
cable from the LAN
port on the DVR to
a spare port on your
router.
Connection Diagram

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Connecting the DVR
The Audio Out
port can be used
to connect a
stereo, speakers,
headphones or
other external sound
device.
The Audio In ports can be
used to connect audio devices
to the DVR. Obviously, your
microphone probably won’t look
like that one - they’re often built
into cameras.
The PTZ port (RS485)
can be used to connect
compatible PTZ
devices, such as this
Swann PTZ SDI dome.
Connecting Additional Devices
Connect the mouse to the front USB 2.0 Port.
This port can also be used to connect USB devices to
backup to, but you’ll need to unplug the mouse to do it.
An external
hard drive with
an eSATA port can
be connected to the
eSATA port on the DVR,
and can be utilized in the
same manner as the internal
HDD.
The combination USB/eSATA1 Port is used
for backing up footage. You can connect:
- A USB Flash Drive
- A USB Hard Drive
- An eSATA Hard Drive
Note: If using USB storage media, USB 2.0 (or
faster) devices are recommended.

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Connecting the DVR
The Alarm Ports on the DVR sport a removable terminal block.
The terminal block is used to facilitate easy connection and
disconnection of so many wires, rather than having to unscrew
each one individually if you want to move the DVR or access
the rear panel.
Alarm In 1 - 4: Connect the output from external sensors
here. Only one of the two outputs should be connected here,
the other should be connected to a 12V terminal and/or the
Ground terminal, depending on the requirements of the
sensor (consult the documentation for the sensor).
The Alarm In number does not directly correspond with a
channel number - these can be set later (see “Alarm: Sensor”
on page 46 in Advanced Conguration for details).
12V: Active DC power output. Connect any sensor device
inputs which require 12V DC here. The Alarm IN connections
share common +12V DC connections.
GND: The ground connections. The Alarm IN and Alarm OUT
connections share a common ground.
Alarm Out: The outputs for connecting an external alarm
device, such as a siren or security lights, to the DVR.
N1, C1:The outputs for Alarm Out 1. Check your alarm device’s
documentation to see which ports should be connected.
The Alarm I/O Block
The Alarm & Sensor I/O Block

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Basic Setup
SDI: How it compares to traditional CCTV
Basic DVR Operation
Swann DVRs can feature two dierent kinds of input channels,
the high denition SDI channels, and the standard denition
composite video channels. This DVR is entirely SDI, so only
supports SDI cameras. For best results we recommend using
Swann 1080P SDI cameras.
SDI
SDI technology allows 1080p Full HD images to be transmitted
via similar cables to traditional, analogue video. By encoding
the information digitally, you can transmit up to six times the
resolution of traditional CCTV cameras
This means that:
• Your images will be far more detailed than traditional
CCTV camera footage.
• You can use wider angle cameras to cover more area at
the same level of detail as traditional cameras
• Your DVR is going to require more hard drive space to
record images from your cameras than traditional CCTV
cameras (all that quality has to be stored somewhere!)
To maximize the (many) advantages of SDI while minimizing
(few) drawbacks:
• As much as possible, make use of Motion Detection and/
or Alarm-based recording as your primary recording
mode(s). This will help save hard drive space as the DVR
will not be lling it’s internal storage with images of
nothing happening.
• It’s more important that cameras with adjustable lenses
(such as adjustable zoom or focus, or both) must have
these set as accurately as possible.
The USB Mouse (Recommended)
The easiest way to operate the DVR is to use the included USB
optical mouse - we put together the look and feel of the menu
system specically for mouse-friendly navigation.
The controls are pretty easy to remember - heck, there are only
two buttons. It couldn’t be simpler.
Left click:
• Selects an item or conrms a choice.
Right click:
• Opens the menu bar from the live viewing screen.
• Returns one “step” from a submenu.
• Opens a context menu in some settings screens.
The Scroll Wheel:
• Can be used to adjust the values of sliders and scales
when highlighted by the mouse.
Of course, you don’t have to use the mouse.
The Front Panel
The buttons on the front panel are adequate for operating the
DVR, but they’re hardly ideal for ongoing use.
Between Menu, Select and the D-pad (directional pad) you can
navigate through all the DVR’s menus and congure almost
any setting. It’s a little clunkier than the mouse and it’s not as
quick and easy, but it does save a little space.
Wireless Mice
Many wireless mice are compatible with the DVR. The only
kinds of wireless devices compatible are those that interface
in the same manner as regular wired devices: typically, these
will be mice which come with a dedicated USB receiver which
is pre-paired to the mouse.
Combination wireless receivers (such as those that come with
keyboard/mouse combinations) are usually NOT compatible
with the DVR. We suggest avoiding them.
Note that Bluetooth devices are NOT compatible with the
DVR. Use a wireless mouse that has a dedicated USB receiver.