Swann SW-R-DVR4NET User manual

INSTALLATION GUIDE
Table of Contents
If this device does not work when you first
plug it in, do not take it back to the store.
Contact the Swann Helpdesk using one of the Toll-Free
numbers shown on the back cover of this booklet.
Most problems can be quickly and easily fixed with a
quick chat with one of our friendly technical staff.
(Toll-Free available in the US and Australia only)
DVR4-Net
4 Camera
Digital Video Recorder
For Network & Web Monitoring
System Setup ......... 4
1. ......... 4
2. Accessing the Menu .................. 4
3. System Setup ........ 5
4. Time/Date Set ................ 5
5. HDD Format Set ......... ... 6
6. Factory Reset ...... ... .......... 7
7. Video Setup .................. 7
8. Name Setup .................. 7
9. Br /Con Setup ......... ....... 8
10. Record Setup ......... ........8
11. Network Setup ......... .....9
12. N Enable Set ........ .. .10
13. Mac Set ....................... 11
14. Alarm Setup ................11
15. Motion Detection Settings ....... 12
16. Area Set ...................... 13
17. Schedule Set ................ 13
18. Protocol Set .................14
Buttons On the Front Panel ............................................................................14
1. Recording/Playing Control Buttons Area ....... 1
2. Function Control Area ...........................15
3. Channel Choosing Control Area ...... .........16
Display Status While Running.............................................................................17
1. Screen Display While Running ..............................17
2. Screen Display While Playing ................................17
3. TRIP Display ........................................................ 18
System Connection............................................................................................. 18
1. Back Panel and Connection Terminals .................... 18
2. Video and Audio Connection ................................. 19
3. Alarm Connection ................................................. 19
4. Hard Disk Connection ........................................... 21
Quick User Guide................................................................................................22
1. Start the DVR4Net .............................................. ... 22
2. Turn off the DVR4Net ..............................................22
3. Normal Recording ................................................... 22
4. Alarm Recording ...................................................... 22
5. Time Recording ...................................................... 23
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Using the Setup Menu................................................................................ ........
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6. Playback ....... ....... .. 23
7. Search Play ...... ....... ....... .. 23
8. Time Search ....... ... ....... .. 24
9. Event Search ....... ....... .. .. 25
10. Start Stop Search ....... ....... .. 25
11. Zoom Operation ....... ....... .. 26
12. PIP Operation ....... ....... .. 26
13. Information Display ....... ....... ... 27
14. Default Setting ....... ....... .. 27
1 . ....... ....... .. 2
1 . Remote Control ....... ....... .. 29
1 . Serial Port Control ....... ....... .. 29
1 . PC View Software Operation ....... ....... 29
Appendix A: Trouble shooting guide ..... 33
Appendix B: Serial port protocol .. 35
Appendix C: Record Time Table ..... . 37
Specifications ....................38
Exterior ....................38
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5 Menu Option Table..................................... ..................... ........... ............. 8
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Dimensions.......................................................................
Security Notice
!Power supply
This Digital-Video-Recorder uses a DC 12 volt indoor power supply. The voltage of
the power must be verified before using. When the DVR4Net is not in use for a long
time, pull out the plug from the socket and disconnect the power.
!Security
This DVR4Net is for indoor use only; in order to avoid the danger of a short circuit or
electric shock, please do not expose the DVR4Net to rain or a moist environment. If any
solids or liquids enter the unit’s case, please turn off the power supply immediately, and
return the unit to a qualified technician to check the DVR4Net before restarting it.
This DVR4Net is a precise instrument; do not attempt to repair any component of the
DVR4Net by yourself as this will void warranty. If your DVR malfunctions in any way,
please contact the dealer in your area or Swann Tech Support directly.
!Installation
Please choose an appropriate site to install the DVR4Net, to ensure adequate ventilation
around the DVR4Net to avoid excessive heat. Do not install the DVR near a radiator,
ventilating trunk, heat sources, under direct sunshine, dusty locations or anywhere there
is a chance for mechanical vibration or impact.
!Video input: 4channels; video output: 2 channels.
!Audio input: 4channels; audio output: 1 channels.
!Four optional levels of image quality: very high, high, normal, low. Record and playback
frame rate change enable for recording.
!Compression mode: Modified MJPEG.
!Compatible with NTSC and PAL format.
!Supports alarm recording and time recording.
Multi-function searches: be able to distinguish different alarm records and time records
from ordinary records; be able to search by time, by segment or by event.
!Support various playback modes: pause, several fast forward and backward play modes.
!Support zoom, auto, and PIP function.
! 4 alarm input and 1 relay alarm output.
! Equipped with IR remote control
! Supports video loss and motion detection functions.
! Supports watermark image security protection.
! Triplex operation, can play back and search while it is recording. Both live and playback
pictures can be displayed on screen simultaneously.
! Totally independent from a PC platform, to give you the best opportunity to avoid loss of
recording from shutdown caused by the failure of other programs and operating system
malfunctions etc.
Name Quantity
4-channel Network DVR 1
IR Remote Control 1
Power Cable 1
Power Adaptor 1
BNC to RCA Female Adaptors 5
Hard Drive Tray and 2 Keys 1
Remote Viewing Software 1
User Manual 1
If any of these components are missing please contact your retailer
Features of this DVR
Contents list

System Setup 3. System Setup
When the cursor is moved to System Set, please push the enter button and the System Setup
window will appear, which is illustrated as below.
PLAY REPEAT: if you set this to “YES”, when you play the video to the end of the HDD, it will
automatically play the video from the beginning of the HDD again. If set to “NO”, it will stop
when the end of the recording is reached.
VIDEO SOURCE: switch the video format to suit the TV standard of your country, NTSC or
PAL.
BUZZER SOUND: buzzer switcher, if set to “OFF”, the buzzer will not work. The buzzer
sounds when motion is detected, if motion detection is enabled.
Before using the DVR, you must set up the system according to your needs and location;
otherwise the DVR4Net will run with the default settings which may be unsuitable. Refer to the
button description pages starting on page 14 to describe the button functions in detail.
1. Using the Setup Menu
When in setup mode, pushing the up button or down button, will move the cursor among the
various settings, continuous pushing will make the cursor move among the options one by one.
The selected option will display in a yellow color.
While choosing digital fields, e.g. year, month, day, hour, minute, second etc, push the left button
or right button, to move to the different digits of one field, continuous pushing will make it move
among digits one by one, and it can recur.
Please push the “+” or “-” button to change the value that the cursor shows, then push the
ENTER button to enter the sub menu and push Menu button to return to previous menu.
2. Accessing the Menu
If the DVR is in recording mode you cannot access the menu unless you stop record first. Press
the Stop button and enter the password to stop all functions then press the Menu button.
System setup is achieved through entering the setup menu, and then setting the options in each
feature’s window. To access the menu, please push Menu button on the front panel, it will display
the password input window.
The password is a random combination of 4 digits of “0-9”. The default is “0000”. To enter the
menu below, you have to input the correct password by pushing the digit buttons. If the
password you input is incorrect, the system will automatically return to the main screen. If you
want to cancel the input of the password, you can push the Menu button to return to the main
screen again. While inputting the password, in order to avoid being revealed to a bystander, the
password you input is displayed on the screen as “*” signs.
To change the password, please refer to “password change” section.

4. Time/Date Set
When the cursor is moved to Time/Date Set, push the Enter button and the TIME/DATE SET
window which is illustrated below will appear.
Please push up, down, left, and right buttons to move the cursor, push + and - buttons to
modify the value.
FORMAT: the date display format, which can be different for USA, EURO and Australian
users.
DISPLAY: if set to “OFF”, time will not display on the screen.
LOCAL: time display position on the screen.
5. HDD Format Set
When the cursor moves to HDD FORMAT SET, please push ENTER button, the System
Setup confirmation window will appear, which is illustrated below.
If you select “YES” and push the enter button, all video on the HDD will be deleted, if you do
not want delete all recordings, please select “NO”.
6. Factory Reset
When the cursor moves to Factory Reset, please push enter button, the confirmation window
will appear, which is illustrated as below.
If you select “YES” and push the enter button, all of the DVR settings will reset to default, if
you do not want to reset to the default settings, please select “NO”.
7. Video Setup
When the cursor moves to Video Setup, please push enter button, the Video Setup window
will appear, which is illustrated as below.
BOUNDARY: boundary line color
BACK GROUND: back ground color.

8. Name Setup
When the cursor moves to Name Setup, please push the Enter button, the Name Setup
window will appear, which is illustrated as below.
Each channel's name can contain a combination of up to eight characters. Push the UP or
DOWN button to move the cursor and push the ENTER button to select which channel you
wish to modify, then push the LEFT or RIGHT button to select each character, then push +
or - button to modify each character, and then push the ENTER button to save this name.
DISPLAY: if set to “OFF”, the channel's name will not display on the screen.
9. Bright/Contrast Setup
When the cursor moves to Bri/Con Setup, please push enter button, the Bri/Con Setup
window will appear, which is illustrated as below.
BRI: picture brightness CON: picture contrast
Please push UP, DOWN, LEFT, and RIGHT buttons to move the cursor, push + and -
button to modify the value. When the setting changes are complete, press the MENU button
to save the changes and return to the previous menu.
10. Record Setup
When the cursor moves to Record Setup, then push enter button, the Record Setup window
will appear, which is illustrated as below. Push up or down button to move the cursor. Push
“+”or “-” button to change the value. While the DVR is in recording or playback mode, you
cannot access to this menu unless you stop record or play first.
OVER WRITE: if set to “YES”, the DVR will automatically overwrite the HDD from the
beginning when the HDD is full. If set to “NO”, the DVR will automatically stop recording
when the HDD is full.
REC SPEED: the recording frame rate of the DVR, factory default setting is 30F/1SEC for
NTSC (25F/1SEC for PAL), Which means DVR records the events at the speed of 30 shots
of frames per second. The higher the record frame rate, the more natural look will be
displayed on the screen when you playback. The lower the record frame rate, the more you
can save the space on the hard disk drive. The highest frame rate is 60F/1SEC(PAL -
50F/1SEC).
REC QUALITY: There are four different video quality settings: LOW, NORMAL, HIGH and
VERY HIGH. The higher the video quality, the clearer images when you playback. The lower
the video quality, the more you can save the space on the hard disk drive.
RESOLUTION: the record picture size of the DVR, there are two modes: 360 and
720,default is 360. In 720 mode, the record picture is twice bigger than in 360 mode, but in
360 mode can save half of HDD usage.
PB SPEED: the frame rate of playback, default is NO USE, which means the same as record.
AUDIO ENABLE: audio select, the DVR has one record channel, you can select one in four
channels, the default is channel one.
A/M REC TIME: when a motion or sensor alarm occurs, this option sets the DVR recording
duration, the default is one minute.

11. Network Setup
Move the cursor to Network Set, then push the ENTER button, the network setup menu
window will appear, which is illustrated below. If the PC View software is connected over the
Internet or your Network to the DVR you cannot access this menu until you disconnect.
The settings for your SUB NET, GATEWAY and IP ADDR(ess) and will vary depending on
the settings applied to your current network. Please compare the settings in the properties of
your computers network connection to help you set the DVR4Net network address. The first
three groups of numbers in IP ADDR must be the same on both PC and DVR4Net, but the
last three digits must be different on each machine (eg 192.168.001.167 for DVR4Net and
192.168.001.010 for your PC). Consult with a Network Technician or PC professional for
further information on your network setup as changing these settings can affect your Internet
connection if done incorrectly.
To change the network settings, push the UP, DOWN, LEFT or RIGHT button to move the
cursor among the digit groups. Once the digit group is highlighted push the ENTER button
then you can push + and - button to modify the value and then push LEFT or RIGHT to
change digits within the group. When you have set the correct value, you can push the
ENTER button and use the LEFT or RIGHT button to select another digit group. When you
have finished push ENTER then Menu to save the settings and return to the N/W Setup
menu.
Network SPEED: If the network condition is good and you have a fast connection, you can
set speed to fast and the network can then transmit at a higher rate, but if the network
condition is not very good, please set the speed to normal.
12. N/W Enable Set
Move the cursor to N/W Enable, then push the ENTER button, the N/W Enable setup
window will appear, which is illustrated as below.
13. Mac Set
When the cursor moves to Mac Set then push enter button, the Mac Set window will appear,
which is illustrated as below.
If you have more than one DVR in a local area network, you have to set each DVR to have an
exclusive mac address, but remember that you have only one chance to modify the mac
address, once you have changed the mac address, this menu will not appear again. If you want
to change the mac address again, please load the factory set, then you can change the mac
address again.
14. Alarm Setup
When the cursor moves to Alarm Set, then push enter button, the alarm setup window will
appear, which is illustrated as below. Push upward or downward button to move the cursor.
Push “+” or “-“ to change the value.
ALARM ENABLE: alarm trigger switch, can be set to off, low lever or high lever. If users set it
to off, the DVR will ignore the alarm input.
MOTION ENABLE: Motion alarm switch, can be set to on or off, if set to off, the motion
alarm will be ignored.
MOTION LEVEL: motion sensitivity level, if the figure in the picture is small, please set to
high or very high, the default is normal.
BUZZER SOUND: buzzer sound time when there is a sensor or motion alarm.
Note: Users must press the Schedule button after setting up the parameters to activate
the settings.

15. Motion Detection settings
1. When surveying nearby objects (2-10 meters)
For detection during daytime, please set motion detection sensitivity to Normal level; for
detection at night, please set to sensitivity to Low.
2. When surveying objects in 50-100 meters area
The objects 50-100 meters away will be quite small on the screen. For detection during
daytime, please set motion detection sensitivity to High level. At night set sensitivity to Very
High.
When covering a brightly lit area at night as below, please set sensitivity to Normal level.
Note: the above suggestions are a guide only based on testing in a general environment. You
will need to select the best parameters according to the actual operation environment you are
covering. Try different settings until you get the desired motion detection result.
16. Area Set
Move the cursor to Alarm Set, then push the ENTER button and the alarm setup window will
appear, as illustrated as below. Push the UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT button to move the
cursor and push the ENTER button to change from detection ON to OFF. Push and hold
ENTER to change all values to the same as the area you have selected.
If the area marker icon is set to yellow this area is monitored for motion detection, and if the
icon is grey motion sensing is disabled for that area.
17. Schedule Set
When the cursor moves to Schedule Set, please push enter button, the schedule set window
will appear, which is illustrated as below.
You change the recording schedule during a day (24-hour period) using this option.
0-24 stands for 24 hours of a day, each hour can be set to one of three states: T (time),
A (alarm), - (disable).
(T) This period is time scheduled, when the DVR4Net is in scheduled state (push the
Schedule button), this period will record automatically.
(A) This period is alarm scheduled, when the DVR4Net is in scheduled state (push the
Schedule button), this period will record automatically when there is an alarm input (including
both motion and sensor alarms).
(-) This period will not record unless you push the record button.
Push the LEFT button or RIGHT button to move the cursor, then push “+” or “-” button to
change the value. Push the ENTER button to set all the values the same as selected one.
Note: Manual record mode and schedule record mode (including motion detection
record mode, sensor record mode and time schedule record mode) cannot be used at
the same time. Once the user selects Schedule record mode, manual record mode will
be disabled. If the user selects manual record mode, schedule record mode will be
disabled.

18. Protocol Set
You must set the correct protocol so you can control the DVR with a Computer or Keyboard.
Move the cursor to Protocol Set, then push the ENTER button and the Protocol Setup
window will appear, which is illustrated below. Push the UP or DOWN button to move the
cursor, and push “+” or “-“ to change the value.
BAUDRATE: Can change form 2400bps to 38400bps.The default is 2400bps.
PROTOCOL: The protocol used by the computer or keyboard to control the DVR, please
refer to appendix A. The default is PTC1.
ADDRESS: The address of the DVR for the protocol, which can be changed from 0x00 to
0xff. The default is 0x01.
The front view of the video-recorder is illustrated as below, see over page for details of each
button’s function.
1.Recording/Playing Control Buttons Area
Buttons On the Front Panel
1.Record:
This is manual recording button. Push this button to record video on to the hard disk, Re-push
this button or push stop button to stop recording (enter the password to confirm). Recording
and stop will work simultaneously on all four channel’s images. This button doesn't work when
schedule mode is enabled.
2.Play:
Push this button to start playing the video stored in hard disk, Re-push this button or push stop
button, to stop playing . Playing and stop will work simultaneously on all four channel’s images.
This button doesn't work while Time recording and Alarming recording are enabled.
3.Pause:
Push this button to stop playing temporarily; push the play button to continue to play.
4.Rew:
Fast backward button. Push this button to start fast backward playing. Push play button to start
normal playing from the present position.
5.Forward:
Fast forward button. Push this button to start fast forward playing. Push play button to start
normal playing from the present position. The fast forward has five speeds; every time you
push the button the play speed will increase from slow to fast (2, 4, 8, 16 and 32x) and then
back to slow.
2.Function Control Area
1.Auto/1: Auto key; push this button to set the DVR to auto dwell state which will show the
different channels independently according to the time set in auto sequence set menu, you
can set the dwell time of each channel. Push the channel select button to quit this mode.
While inputting numbers, this button is used as number key of “1”.
2.Zoom/2: Zoom key, push this button, to set the DVR to zoom mode, please refer to zoom
operation in user guideline for details, push the zoom button again to cancel zoom operation.
While inputting numbers, this button is used as number key of “2”.
3.PIP/3: PIP key, push this button, to set the DVR to PIP (Picture in Picture) mode, please
refer to PIP operation in user guide for details, push the channel select button to quit PIP
mode. While inputting numbers, this button is used as number key of “3”.
4.Trip/4: Trip key, push this button, to set the DVR to trip mode, please refer to trip operation
in user guide for details. While inputting numbers, this button is used as number key of “4”.

5.Stop/5: Stop key, while recording or playing video, push this button to stop recording or
playing. This button doesn't work while Time recording and Alarming recording. While
inputting numbers, this button is used as number key of “5”.
6.Search/6: Search key, push this button to enter search menu, please refer search play in
user guideline for details. While inputting numbers, this button is used as number key of “6”.
7.WM/7/+: Watermark key, if the DVR is playing video, you can push this button to see the
watermark of the picture, if the video was recorded by this DVR and has not be changed,
there will be a watermark symbol in each picture, push watermark key again to clear the
display. While inputting numbers, this button is used as number key of “7”, When in system
setup menu, this is the +(increase) button.
8.Display/8/-: Display key, push this button to display current information on the screen, push
again this to clear the information display. While inputting numbers, this button is used as
number key of “8”. When in system setup menu, this is the - (decrease) button.
9. /9: Single frame rewind button, while in playback state, press and hold this button to see
single frame rewind, press play button to play normally. While inputting numbers, this button is
used as number key of “9”.
10. /0: Single frame forward button, while in playback state, press and hold this button to see
single frame forward, press play button to play normally. While inputting numbers, this button
is used as number key of “0”.
11.Menu: Push this button to enter system setup menu, in menu setup mode, push this
button to save settings and quit current menu.
12.Schedule: Push this button to enter schedule state, if the DVR is in schedule state, there
will be an “S” symbol on screen, push again this button to quit schedule mode.
3.Channel Selection Control Area
1.First channel/up: Push this button to see full screen display from channel 1. While selecting
menu items, push this button to move the cursor UP.
2.Second channel/down: Push this button to see full screen display from channel 2. While
selecting menu items, push this button to move the cursor DOWN.
3.Third channel/left: Push this button to see full screen display from channel 3. While
selecting menu items, push this button to move the cursor LEFT.
4.Forth channel/right: Push this button to see full screen display from channel 4. While
selecting menu items, push this button to move the cursor RIGHT.
5.Quad Mode/Enter: Push this button to see all images of 4 channels at the same time. When
the menu item is highlighted, push this button to select the menu or option.
Display Status While Running
1.Screen Display While Running
2.Screen Display While Playing
01/07/2005 13:02:13: live video shows descriptions in white color
01/02/2005 13:14:35: playback video shows descriptions in yellow color

3.TRIP Display
In Trip Mode, there will be eight pictures on screen, PB CH1~ PB CH4 are playback pictures,
CAM 1~ CAM4 are live pictures.
Push TRIP button or channel buttons to exit Trip Mode.
1.Back Panel and Connection Terminals
The power cord, camera input and video output signal terminals are all at the back of the
DVR4Net. The connections to monitor, camera etc are all handled through the terminals and
sockets on the back panel. The back view of the DVR4Net is illustrated as below.
Each part of the back panel is illustrated as
below:
1. DC Power Socket
2. BNC Video input 1, 2, 3, 4
3. BNC Video output
4. Audio input 1, 2, 3, 4
5. Audio output
6. RS485 screw terminals
7. Alarm output screw terminals
8. Alarm input screw terminals
9. +5V screw terminal
10. GND screw terminal
11. RJ 45 Network interface
System Connection
2.Video and Audio Connection
The DVR can support up to 4 cameras video input at the same time.
There are two steps for camera installation.
1.Connect the Video Signal Line to the DVR channel input.
2.Connect the power adaptor jack to the camera.
The DVR can connect 4 audio input channel's, but you can only select one for recording.
To display the DVR picture, the DVR's video output signal should be transferred to your TV set
or monitor. Any TV set that has a “Video Input” terminal is suitable for displaying the picture.
The figure above shows the default video and audio signal line connection.
Note: You can only record one audio input at a time, so you can only connect one audio input
at a time also. If you connect the audio to cam1, you cannot connect audio to any of the
sockets for cam 2 to cam 4. You should disconnect them.

3.Alarm Connection
The DVR can support up to 4 alarm inputs and three alarm outputs.
Alarm input: There are two types of alarm input.
1. Voltage output 5V and 0V
A: If the sensor outputs high voltage (5V) normally and outputs low voltage when triggered
(0V), then users must set DVR for low voltage alarm.
B: If the sensor outputs low voltage (0V) normally and outputs high voltage when triggered
(5V), then users must set DVR for high voltage alarm.
2. Open/Close output
A: N.O. Normally open/close when triggered. DVR must be set for low voltage alarm.
B: N.C. Normally closed/open when triggered DVR must be set for high voltage alarm.
This diagram shows an example of an
alarm output connection.
Alarm output
There are three alarm output pins, the status of these pins are illustrated as below
N.O.
COM N.O.
COM
Before alarm After alarm
N.O.
COM
N.C.
Alarm
5V
4.Hard Disk Connection
There are several steps to install the hard disk.
Note: If the DVR comes with a HDD, skip the following steps.
 Pull out the hard drive rack from the DVR
side panel.
2. Open the top cover of the drawer.
3. Jump HDD to Master
Jump to Master
4. Connect the ribbon cable (IDE) cable &
power cable.
5. Close the top cover of the drawer and put
the hard drive drawer back into the DVR. (Make
sure the cables are firmly pressed onto the HDD
interface)
6. Lock the hard drive draw by turning the key
clockwise.

Quick User Guide
1.Start the DVR4Net
Before starting the DVR4Net, please make sure all the items in the “Security Notice” at the
beginning of this manual are fulfilled and that the input and output cables are all correctly
connected. Also ensure the DVR4Net's input video (NTSC/PAL) and the monitor (NTSC/PAL)
are both set to the same standard. NTSC for USA & Canada, PAL for Australia, UK and most of
Europe.
Fit the hard drive to the removable caddy and insert the removable caddy into the housing, then
lock it up (turn the hard disk lock to the right) and connect the power which will then boot the
DVR4Net and it will start to work.
2.Turn off the DVR4Net
Only turn off the DVR4Net when the system is inactive. Do not to turn off the DVR4Net while
playing or doing the System Setup. Turning off the DVR4Net while recording may cause the
recording to corrupt, and can cause the HDD to be unreadable in some cases.
Push the Record button to stop recording or push Stop button to stop playing or exit from
System Setup menu, then turn off the power.
If do not wish use the video recorder for a long time, you should pull out the power line from
the electrical outlet and store the unit where it will not be damaged.
3.Normal Recording
Connect the power to all related equipment; ensure that there is video input using direct
connection to your TV or VCR.
Push the Display button to check spare space of the hard disk, if there is not much space,
please consider changing your hard disk first or select Overwrite mode.
Check recording parameter setup before recording; select video quality, frame rate.
Note that you cannot change record setting during the process of recording.
Manual recordings are the normal recording condition. Under the manual mode
(non-schedule status), pushing the Record button will record all channel’s video.
Push the Record button to begin recording, four channels will start simultaneous recording.
While in normal recording mode, push the Record or Stop button, and enter the right password,
to stop recording.
During the process of recording if the hard disk is full and the system is set to automatic
overwrite, the recording will not be interrupted but the DVR4Net will automatically begin to
overwrite recorded video from the earliest (oldest) recorded area. If the system is set to
overwrite disabled, it will stop recording once the HDD is full.
4.Alarm Recording
Alarm recording is not started by manually pushing the Record button, it is automatically activated
once Schedule mode is enabled.
Alarm recording can be activated by alarm input signal or motion, if the connection of alarm input
equipment is correct, stable and reliable, and the alarm setings are correct.
For recording to be activated by exterior input signal or motion detection the system must be set
to Schedule Mode active and that period is set to “A” in Record Schedule setup. You must also
set the menu of Alarm Setup for exterior input alarm, and the alarm enable setting of that
channel must be set to “ON”. For Motion Alarm, the motion enable setting of that channel must
set “ON”, and set the area for motion detection must be set.
If Schedule mode is disabled the system will not start recording on alarm. Setting schedule on
or off is achieved through pushing the SCHEDULE button on the front panel or remote, but
not through the System Setup menu and window. When the unit is in Schedule Mode active,
the character “S” will display on the screen. Alarm video recording can’t be stopped by pushing
the RECORD or STOP button while Schedule Mode is active. To ensure that once Schedule
Mode is set to on that the schedule cannot be accidentally stopped there is a password
protection to stop Schedule Mode. You must press the SCHEDULE button then enter the
correct password to turn Schedule Mode off.
Check Alarm Recording setup before recording; confirm the video quality and the frame rate,
as the record setting can’t be changed during the recording process.
As long as the alarm input signal is correctly set the alarm recording will continue during the
period of time set up by A/M REC TIME, and when the outside the time period the alarm
recording automatically stops.
5.Time Recording
Time recording starts and stops recording automatically according to the pre-arranged time
period. It is applied to a fixed timetable, for example business hours time recording (or outside
business hours time recording) with fixed start/stop time.
To start the Time Recording function you must have a record schedule setup beforehand.
When this is done, push the SCHEDULE button on the front panel to set schedule mode to
on and the schedule symbol “S” will display on the screen. The Time Recording mode will
not work unless you activate Schedule Mode.
To make Time Recording mode active the system must be set to Schedule Mode active and
that period is set to “T” in Record Schedule setup.
In Time Record mode, you must push the SCHEDULE button then enter the password to
stop time recording.
Because Time recording is reliant on the system being set with the correct time, you must
adjust the time to your correct local time before using this function.
6.Playback
Push the PLAY button and the system will begin to play the images recorded from the start of
the most current recording.
If the recording is playing, push the PAUSE button to pause playing, push the PLAY button
again to resume normal play.
To use Fast Forward playing or Fast Backward playing, push the FORWARD or REW button
while the recording is playing to see faster playback. Push the PLAY button to return to normal
speed playing from the current place.
Continuous pushing of the FORWARD button will change the fast-forward between five levels
of speed (X2, X4, X8, X16, X32) in sequence. Continuously pushing the REW button will
change the fast backward playback between four levels of speed (X2, X4, X8, X16) in
sequence.
During playback mode, press the Single Frame Forward button to play a frame at a time, and
hold the button in to continually play one frame at time while the button is held.
During playback mode, press the Single Frame Rewind button to play back a frame at a time,
and hold the button in to continually play one frame at time while the button is held.
Push the PLAY button again to resume normal playback speed, or push the STOP button to
stop playing.

7.Search Play
Push the Search button to display the Search Play window on the screen.
TIME SEARCH: search recording by the time you enter.
EVENT SEARCH: search recording by event list.
START STOP SEARCH: search recording by segment.
Push the UP or DOWN button to move the cursor, then push the ENTER button to enter
the sub menu you have highlighted. Push the SEARCH button again to quit the search menu.
8. Time Search
Move the cursor to Time Search, then push the ENTER button and the Time Search
window will appear, as illustrated as below.
Push the LEFT or RIGHT button to move the cursor, push + and - button to modify the
time, then push the ENTER button to start play from the time you selected. Push the
SEARCH button again to return to the Search Play menu.
If the time you enter doesn’t match recorded video, the DVR will automatically play the video
closest to the time you enter.
START: the first time you record.
END: the end time of the last recording, you must enter a time between start and end. If the
HDD has been overwritten, the start time maybe not correct.
9. Event Search
Move the cursor to Event Search, then push the ENTER button, the event search window
will appear, which is illustrated below.
There are four types of event list: MOTION, ALARM, SCH and NETWORK.
MOTION means motion triggered alarm recording.
ALARM means external sensor triggered alarm recording.
SCH means scheduled time recording.
NETWORK means network activated recording.
Push the UP and DOWN button to move the cursor among the event list, push the LEFT or
RIGHT button to see the Previous or Next page, and push the ENTER button to play the
segment you have selected. Push the SEARCH button to return to the Search Play menu.
10. Start Stop Search
Move the cursor to Start Stop Search, push the ENTER button and the Start Stop Search
window will appear, which is illustrated below.
All recorded segments are displayed here, push the UP or DOWN button to move the
cursor among the segment list then push the LEFT or RIGHT button to see Previous or
Next page, push ENTER button to play the segment you select. Push the SEARCH button
again to return to the Search Play menu.

11. Zoom Operation
Push zoom button, the DVR will be in zoom mode, which is illustrated as below. Push
upward, downward, leftward or rightward to move the zoom area, then push enter button to
zoom, push zoom button again to cancel zoom operation.
12.PIP Operation
Push PIP button, the DVR will be in PIP mode, which is illustrated as below.
You can push the PIP button again to change PIP mode Press and hold the PIP button to set
each PIP picture. Press and hold the PIP button, until one channel name is highlighted yellow,
then push the LEFT and RIGHT button to change selected channel, push the + and - button
to change this channel's picture, then push ENTER.
13.Information Display
If you push display button, the main information of the DVR will display on screen.
\
HDD SIZE: the size of the hard disk you insert to the DVR.
HDD USED: the usage of the hard disk.
OVERWRITE: hard disk overwrite enable. 00:HDD full count time
REC SPEED: record frame rate speed.
QUALITY: record picture quality.
RESOLUTION: record resolution.
AUDIO: audio enable camera.
IP ADDRESS: IP address of the DVR.
NET SPEED: Networks transmit speed.
VALID REC TIME: the beginning and the end of recording time
14.Default Setting
The default setting for each item is shown in the chart on the next page.
“Defaults” is the initial setup by the manufacturer. The user can change the setup according to
the actual environment and demands. If there is any confusion or unexpected effect, choose
“Defaults” and reset all settings to original.
You can choose “FACTORY RESET” in “SYSTEM SET” menu, and reset all settings to default
setting.

Setup
window
for each
item
Setup items Default setup Selectable setup
Year/Month/Day/
Hour/Minute
2005/01//01
12/00/00
2000~2099/Common sense
rules
Auto Time 1 second 0~99second
Buzzer Sound ON ON/OFF
Password 0000 N/A
Play Repeat YES YES/NO
General
setting
Video Input NTSC format NTSC/PAL
Quality Normal Very high/High/Normal/Low
Overwrite Enable YES YES/NO
Rec Speed 30f/s(NTSC)
25f/s(PAL)
60f/s~1f/2s(NTSC)
50f/s~1f/2s(PAL)
Resolution 360 360/720
PB Speed NO use 60f/s~no use(NTSC)
50f/s~no use(PAL)
Audio Enable CAM 1 CAM1~CAM4/OFF
Recording
Para
A/M REC Time 1 Minute 0~99minute
Sub Net 255.255.255.0 N/A
Gate Way 192.168.1.1 N/A
IP Address 192.168.1.167 N/A
Net Work Speed Fast Fast/Normal
N/W Enable ON ON/OFF
Net Work
Setting
Mac Address 0a0b0c0d0e0f N/A
Alarm Enable OFF ON/OFF
Motion Enable OFF ON/OFF
Motion Level Normal Very low/Low/
Normal/High/Very high
Buzzer Sound No Use 0~99 second
Alarm
setting
Schedule setting A A/T/-
Baud Rate 2400 2400/4800/9600/19200/38400
Protocol PTC1 PTC1/ PTC2/ PTC3/ PTC4
S
Y
S
T
E
M
S
E
T
U
P
Protocol
Setting Address 01 0~0xff
15.Remote Control
All the functions of the DVR can be operated by the remote control. The button function of
the remote is the same as the front panel of the DVR.
16.Serial Port Control
To control the DVR through the RS485, you have to make sure the protocol and baud rate
isset correctly, please refer to appendix B.
17. PC View Software Operation
Using the PC View software, you can view the DVR from the Internet or your Network. You
can also view and backup the recorded video information on to the HDD of your computer.
To install the software insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive, explore the CD through My
Computer and double click on the file “setup.exe” then follow the prompts to install the
software on to the computer from which you will be viewing your DVR4Net. Once the
installation is complete, click (XP example) Start - All Programs - NetViewer - NetViewer, then
when the software opens you will see the window detailed below:
Click “Setup” to set the IP address of your DVR4Net and the TV system format as below. The
default User ID and Password are both “admin”. It is recommended you change the password
as soon as you have finished the setup of the DVR4Net.

Net Search operation: if the software is in net search mode (click ), and the net
search window will display, it includes event search, start stop search and time search.
Event Search: click beside the Event List, then click , the event list will display as below:
Select one event list and click beside Event List, then click , and it will start to play this
event video. Select another list and click again, and it will play the selected event video.
Start Stop Search: click beside S-S List, then click , start stop list will display as below:
Select one event list and click beside Event List, then click , and it will start to play this
video event. Select another list and click again, and it will play the selected event video.
Time Search: enter time in time search box, then click , it will start to play video from the
date and time you enter as shown below.
Enter the correct IP address of the DVR4Net (if connecting over the Internet you will need to
enter the IP address of your Broadband Modem or Router) and select PAL or NTSC
according to the TV system in your location, then click “OK”. When users survey by Internet,
To view the DVR4Net from the Internet you should first enable Port Forwarding (sometimes
called Virtual Server) on ports 5000-5002 on your router and forward these ports to the IP
address assigned to the DVR4Net. Consult the manual of your Broadband Modem or Router
for information on how to do this.
Once the correct settings are made and you have entered the correct details you will see the
window below.
The various software buttons of the remote viewing software are detailed below.
- 1. Live: if you select this, you can connect to the DVR from the Internet and
view live pictures on the DVR.
- 2. Net Search: if you select this, you can search the video recorded on HDD of the DVR,
- 3. Local Search: if you select this, you can play the video recorded on you computer.
- 4. HDD Scan: it can scan all video information on a HDD that has been used on a DVR.
- 5. Connect button: begin connection with DVR4Net
- 6. Disconnect button: disconnect from DVR4Net
- 7. Local record button: Click on this icon,to record the pictures from the DVR to your
local computers HDD.
- 8. Setting: click to display the settings window.
Live Operation: if the software is in live mode (click ), then click , it will connect to the
DVR, and the live pictures will be transmitted to display on the window. Click , to stop
12 3 4
567 8

Local Search operation: if the software is in local search mode (click ),
local search window will display, it can play the video on HDD of you computer.
Click , select one video file, the click , it will play the video file
HDD Scan: Connect the HDD that used in the DVR to a PC and then select HDD Scan, if
the software is in HDD scan mode (click ), local search window will display,
Click and Select one HDD, then click , it will scan all video information on the
HDD.
Local Record: click to start local record, it will record picture from Internet onto local
HDD of the computer, click again to stop recording.
Setting: click , setting window will display, you can change IP/Port and Video format of
The DVR, start and stop recording on DVR.
Quit: first you have to click , then click to close the software.
Appendix A: Trouble shooting guide
Q. What kind of camera should I buy for this DVR?
A. This unit is designed to work with any of Swann’s extensive Security Camera range, but any
existing composite video camera using BNC or RCA interface for indoor/outdoor/infrared will
work with the DVR. It doesn't matter whether it is color, black/white or a mix of both camera
types. USB cameras are not suitable for use with the DVR4Net.
Q. What kind of alarm device should I buy for DVR?
A. Most sound alarms are compatible with our DVR, consult your alarm manufacturer for
information on compatibility.
Q. I can't turn on the DVR.
A. Make sure that the power cord is plugged in correctly and the red power light on DVR
front panel is on. Make sure your power point is turned on.
Q. I see nothing but a blue screen after I turn on the DVR.
A. Check the camera input and video output connection on DVR back panel. If you can't find a
problem with these connections, check whether the camera power cable is firmly connected.
Make sure the system format for NTSC and PAL is set to your TV standard.
Q. I see a fatal error message on the screen.
A. If you see the error messages such as “System fatal error is occurred”, pull out and put in
the hard disk drive or replace the hard disk. Also make sure that hard disk rack is firmly locked.
Otherwise, replace the hard disk. Do not enable motion sensing when no HDD is fitted.
Q. Can I prevent other people from stopping the recording while I am gone?
A. If the DVR is in schedule or recording mode, no one can change the setting unless they use
the correct password. You should change the password during the initial setup of the unit.
Q. How can I erase all data on the hard disk drive?
A. Select “HDD Format Set” option on the menu.
Q. I forgot my password. What should I do?
A. Enter “1234” when logging in instead of a normal password and it will reset the DVR's
password to the factory default password of (0000).
Q. Can my desktop PC read the video data on hard disk drive in DVR?
A. Yes, you can use our Remote Viewing software to read all video data on hard disk via the
ethernet connection, but you can’t connect the HDD directly to a PC as the DVR HDD
format can’t be read.
Q. What happens if I install my PC hard disk drive into the DVR?
A. You can use a PC hard disk drive in the DVR. However, once it runs in DVR, it will delete
any PC operation system and files on the hard disk drive.

Q. What kind of hard disk drive should I purchase to make the DVR run?
A. Any PC compatible IDE, ATA hard disk drive will work.
Q. Does this DVR kit come with sensors, cameras, or hard disk drive?
A. No. You have to buy each accessory separately.
Q. What is the longest period that I can record?
A. Up to a year with a 250GB HDD at the lowest quality setting when set at 1 frame per
second. See the table on page 37 for information on recording duration.
Q. Can I control the DVR with a computer or a keypad?
A. Yes, you can use a computer or a keypad to control the DVR through the RS485 port.
Q. Why can’t I access the Time/Date Set, HDD Format Set or the Record Set menu?
A. You must stop recording or playback before you can access these menu settings.
Q. Why can’t I access the Network Set menu?
A. Please stop the connection of the PC View software from the Internet before you access
the Network Set menu.
Q. I push the record button, but the DVR does not start recording, why?
A. Push the display button to see if there is a hard disk detected, also if the DVR is in schedule
mode (there is a “S” on the screen in yellow), you cannot start recording by pushing the
record button, you have to push the schedule button again and enter your password to cancel
schedule mode.
Q. I push the stop button, but the DVR does not stop recording, why?
A. If the DVR is recording in schedule mode (there is a “S” on screen), you cannot stop
recording unless you quit schedule mode first. Push schedule button and enter your password
to cancel schedule mode.
Q. There is movement on the screen, but the DVR does not start recording.
A. Make sure the motion detection of that channel is on, the area set is ok, the A/M rec time is
not set to off, that time of schedule is set to “A”, and the DVR is in schedule mode. You can set
the motion level to a higher setting such as HIGH or VERY HIGH if all other settings are ok.
Q. When the network connection between DVR and client computer is cut off, why does
the DVR halt and the clock stop?
A. If the network is cut off abnormally, the DVR4Net will halt for 20 seconds without response
to any front panel buttons while it resets. After 20 seconds, it will restore to normal state, but
the icon that shows network status won't disappear until the network reset after10 minutes.
In this period the client computer cannot connect to the DVR and you can’t enter the
network menu.
Appendix B: serial port protocol
Serial port setting: BAUD, n, 8, 1 (BAUD =2400,4800,9600,19200,38400)
PTC1: (three byte)
Command
(CHAR)
Hexadecimal
Number
Function Description
/RE 0x2F 0x52 0x45 Record
/TP 0x2F 0x54 0x50 Play
/PE 0x2F 0x50 0x45 Pause
/RT 0x2F 0x52 0x54 Reward
/FT 0x2F 0x46 0x54 Forward
/FS 0x2F 0x46 0x53 Auto/1
/FS 0x2F 0x5A 0x4D Zoom/2
/ZM 0x2F 0x50 0x50 PIP/3
/RS 0x2F 0x52 0x53 Trip/4
/SP 0x2F 0x53 0x50 Stop/5
/SH 0x2F 0x53 0x48 Search/6
/QY 0x2F 0x51 0x59 Water mark/7/+
/DY 0x2F 0x44 0x59 Display/8/-
/SE 0x2F 0x53 0x45 Previous field/9
/FF 0x2F 0x46 0x46 Next field/0
/AF 0x2F 0x41 0x46 Menu
/SC 0x2F 0x53 0x43 Schedule
/01 0x2F 0x30 0x31 Ch1/up
/02 0x2F 0x30 0x32 Ch2/down
/03 0x2F 0x30 0x33 Ch3/left
/04 0x2F 0x30 0x34 Ch4/right
/22 0x2F 0x32 0x32 Chall/enter

PTC2: (seven byte)
PTC3: (seven byte)
Byte 5 and byte 6 are ransom value from 0x00 to 0xff.
Byte 7 = mod [(byte2 + byte3 + byte4 + byte5 + byte6)/100]
Note: This protocol is the same as PELCO-D, which is used to control a speed dome. So, if
you use PELCO-D to control a speed dome with your keyboard, you can also use the
keyboard to control the DVR through this protocol using a different address to distinguish the
DVR and the speed dome.
Byte1 Byte2 Byte3 Byt4 Byte5 Byte6 Byte7
0xFF Addr Var1 Var2 Check
sum
Var1 Var2 Function PELCO-D
0x00 0x08 Ch1/up Up
0x00 0x10 Ch2/down Down
0x00 0x04 Ch3/left Left
0x00 0x02 Ch4/right Right
0x04 0x00 Chall/enter Iris close
0x00 0x40 Record Zoom
wide
0x00 0x20 Play zoom tele
0x02 0x00 Search Iris open
0x00 0x80 WM/+ Focus far
0x01 0x00 Display/- Focus
near
Transmitting S.N Transmitting
worth
Instructions
Byte1 0x03 Fixed byte
Byte2 0xaa DVR identifier word
Byte3 0x01 Fixed byte
Byte4 Device id DVR device address
Byte5~7 Refer to PTC 1 Same command as PTC 1
PTC4: (eight byte)
Note: This protocol is the same as PELCO-P's call function; you can use PELCO-P's call
function to control the DVR. First, you must set right protocol, baud rate and address, second,
you push the call button on the keypad, then enter the number according to the Var table
above, then push the enter button.
Note: The above figures are from our test results using a default setup, and are for the users
reference. Actual recording times may vary depending on hard disk size, subject complexity,
camera resolution and movement within the frame.
Byte1 Byte2 Byte3 Byte4 Byte5 Byte6 Byte7 Byte8
0xa0 Addr 0x00 0x07 0x00 Var 0xAF Checksum
Byte8 = byte1 xor byte2 xor byte3 xor byte4 xor byte5 xor byte6 xor byte7
Var Function Var Function
0x01 Ch1/up 0x0C Schedule
0x02 Ch2/down 0x0D 0/next field
0x03 Ch3/left 0x0E 1/auto
0x04 Ch4/right 0x0F 2/zoom
0x05 Chall/enter 0x10 3/PIP
0x06 record 0x11 4/trip
0x07 Play 0x12 5/stop
0x08 Pause 0x13 6/search
0x09 Reward 0x14 7/WM/add
0x0A Forward 0x15 8/display/DEC
0x0B Menu 0x16 9/previous field
Rec rate field/sec Picture quality Resolution Recording time
50 fps Very high 720 7.5 hours
50 fps Low 720 20 hours
25 fps Normal 360 24 hours
25 fps Low 360 67 hours
1 fps Normal 720 720 hours
Appendix C: record time for 40GB hard disk (hours)

I tem Speci fi cat i on
Video signal NTSC/PAL
Video input Composite£ º
1.0V p-p/75¦ ¸£ ¬ BNC× 4
Video output Composite£ º
1.0V p-p/75¦ ¸£ ¬ BNC× 2
Audio input -8Db 22K
¦ ¸
, RCA connector× 4
Audio output -8Db 3K
¦ ¸
, RCA connector× 1
Alarm input 4
Alarm output 1
Compression standard Modified MJPEG
Record time 18-1680 hours/40G
Electron clock Year/Month/Day£ »
Hour/Minute/Second
Security function 4 Digit Password protection
Power source DC12V
Power 25W
Environment
temperature
Work Temperature£ º +5°C~+50°C / +41F°~+122°F - humidity£ º < 90%
Store Temperature£ º 0°C~+60°C / +32°F~+140°F - humidity£ º < 95%
Exterior size Approx. 432×55×286mm / 17 x 2 x 11inches
Weight Approx. 3.2Kg / 7lbs
112244
33
556688
77
9900
432mm
55 mm
70 mm
286mm
POW ER RE C PAUSE
PLAY RE W FORWA RD
AUT O ZOO M PIP T RIP
STO P SEA RCH W M/+ DI SPL AY/-
MEN U SCH EDU LE
Specifications
Exterior Dimensions
www.swann.com.au
Swann Tech Support
E-mail Support
International e-mail: [email protected]
(We usually reply on the next working day)
Telephone Support
USA: 877-274-3695 (Toll free Calls to Melbourne Australia)
International: [phone] (Calls to Melbourne Australia)
Swann Tech Support operating hours:
9am - 5.30pm Mon to Fri Australian EST (UTC/GMT+10)
3pm - 11.30pm Sun to Thurs US Pacific Standard Time (UTC/GMT -8)
4pm - 12.30am Sun to Thurs US Mountain Standard Time (UTC/GMT -7)
5pm - 01.30am Sun to Thurs US Central Standard Time (UTC/GMT -6)
6pm - 02.30am Sun to Thurs US Eastern Standard Time (UTC/GMT -5)
Subtract one hour from local US time during Australian Daylight Saving period
(approx Last Sunday of October to last Sunday of March)
Add one hour to local time during Daylight Savings period in the USA when it
applies in your region
See http://www.worldtimeserver.com for information on different time zones
and the time in Melbourne Australia compared to your local time.
Swann Helpdesk Details
www.swann.com.au