ViewCommander Edge User manual

ViewCommander-Edge
User Guide

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The information in this manual is subject to change without notice. Internet Video & Imaging, Inc.
assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions that may appear in this
manual.
Note: Some product features included in this manual may not be available in all
product versions.
Copyright © 2013-2014 Internet Video & Imaging, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Part No. UMEDG-140602

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................... iii
Connecting to ViewCommander-Edge for the First Time.....................................................................4
Power.....................................................................................................................................................4
Windows Logon......................................................................................................................................4
Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse...........................................................................................................4
Network...............................................................................................................................................4
Configuring ViewCommander-Edge.......................................................................................................5
The Write Filter.......................................................................................................................................5
When to Use the Write Filter...............................................................................................................5
Configuring Your IP Address..................................................................................................................6
Configuring Wi-Fi....................................................................................................................................7
Bandwidth Management..........................................................................................................................8
Accessing ViewCommander-Edge Via the Internet ............................................................................ 10
Via Windows Remote Desktop (RDP)..................................................................................................11
Video Storage......................................................................................................................................... 13
Factory Reset......................................................................................................................................... 14
Accessing ViewCommander-Edge Remotely......................................................................................15

4
Connecting to ViewCommander-Edge for the First Time
Power
Power up the ViewCommander-Edge (the Edge) by first connecting the supplied 12
Volt power supply to the power connector in the back of the Edge unit. Then plug the
AC adapter into an AC outlet.
ViewCommander-Edge is configured to boot-up when power is supplied. This is useful
if the power should cycle while the Edge unit is deployed.
Windows Logon
To login to Windows, either connect a Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse to the Edge unit, or
connect the Edge unit to a network
Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse
Simply connect a Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse to the Edge unit and log into it like a
desktop computer.
Network
Connect an Ethernet cable to the RJ45 jack in the back of the Edge unit to log
into it via Windows Remote Desktop. See Via Windows Remote Desktop (RDP)
on Page 11.
The Edge is shipped with a pre-configured IP address. Please see the
supplemental document that was shipped with your ViewCommander Edge for
specific network information and logon password information.

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Configuring ViewCommander-Edge
The ViewCommander-Edge will need to be configured with your specific settings
before it is deployed. A Write Filter has been implemented on the Edge to ensure the
system starts in the same state every time.
The Write Filter
ViewCommander Edge uses a Write Filter to ensure system integrity. This causes all
changes made to the C: drive to be reset whenever the machine reboots. Whenever
you need to make a permanent change to your ViewCommander Edge system, we
recommend the following procedure:
1. Restart the machine to clear any unwanted changes.
2. Make the changes you want to save.
3. Launch the ViewCommander Utility.
4. On the Write filter tab, click on “Commit and Restart”.
a. If the changes you are making require a restart of the machine, press
“Commit and Disable” instead, then use “Enable Write Filter”
immediately after the reboot.
5. Your computer will reboot, and your changes will be saved.
When to Use the Write Filter
Use the Write Filter to save changes to Windows itself, like your Window’s password
or IP Address.
DO NOT use the Write Filter to save changes to ViewCommander. ViewCommander’s
settings are saved to the D: drive, which is not Write Filter-protected.

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Configuring Your IP Address
To set the IP Address of your system:
Right click on the ‘Network’ icon on the Windows Desktop and select
‘Properties’.
Click ‘Change Adapter Settings’ in the left column.
Right click on the ‘Bridge’ icon on and select ‘Properties’.
Double click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’
Change the IP address settings as required.
This will be the internal address used by your router or modem for port forwarding. It is
recommended this setting not be modified via Remote Desktop, as you may be unable
to reconnect after any changes.

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Configuring Wi-Fi
ViewCommander Edge can create its own Wi-Fi network, so that you can connect
locally without using a data plan. You can use the ViewCommander Utility to configure
this network as needed, on the Wi-Fi tab:
Enter a desired network name (SSID) and password, then check “Enable Wi-Fi” and
press Save. Note that changes to the SSID and Password need to be committed to
the Write Filter to persist after a system reboot, but changes to the Enable Wi-Fi check
box do not.
Once Wi-Fi is enabled, the Edge unit will have a local address of 192.168.173.1. This
address does not interfere with your normal network configuration.

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Bandwidth Management
ViewCommander-Edge includes some built-in features to help manage bandwidth
use. In ViewCommander, under the Video tab for each camera, is an “Edge Settings”
button.
When “Restrict Client Bandwidth” is checked, ViewCommander will retransmit video at
a lower quality and framerate when accessed remotely. The framerate is controlled by
the “Max Frames per Second” box, while the quality and resolution are adjusted to
keep each frame under the size limit set by the “Max Kilobytes per Frame” box. Note
that while these options reduce bandwidth use, they are per-connection. Each
connection to the ViewCommander-Edge system will use as much bandwidth as it is
allowed; bandwidth is not divided amongst active connections.
The Schedule Access Times schedule prevents ViewCommander from transmitting
video at all outside of specified times. This is useful to prevent unauthorized use of
bandwidth.
The Image Scaling drop-down menu allows ViewCommander to recompress images
to a smaller resolution based on your desired image size. The scaling only takes place
when ViewCommander is accessed remotely, and the recordings on the
ViewCommander-Edge will not be scaled down.

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The Web View settings allow ViewCommander to override the Outgoing Bandwidth
Settings under certain circumstances. If “Motion is detected” is checked,
ViewCommander will send a full-speed, high-quality stream whenever a motion event
is triggered. If “User requests acceleration” is selected, a “Turbo” button appears on
the Remote Web Access’ Live Video page which requests the high-quality stream in
15 second intervals.

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Accessing ViewCommander-Edge Via the Internet
By default, ViewCommander Edge is set to use port 51080 for Remote Web Access.
You will need to configure your router to forward port 51080 to the ViewCommander
Edge device, after which you can access ViewCommander through any web browser.
ViewCommander-Edge has a few features in its web interface that the normal version
of ViewCommander does not. The Live Video page gains a “Turbo” button, which
allows users to temporarily speed up video if the ViewCommander-Edge is slowing it
to conserve bandwidth.
The System Settings page also gains an “Edge Settings” tab to allow remote
configuration of setting not present in the base version of ViewCommander.