Vivotek ND8301 User manual

Rev. 1.6.1.11
User’s Manual
ND8301 Network Video Recorder
VAST inside • HD Local Display •
Full Integration with VIVOTEK Cameras
Rev. 1.0

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i - User's Manual
Revision History ............................................................................................................................... vii
Chapter One Hardware Installation and Initial Conguration ..................................................................1
Introducing ND8301 Network Video Recorder ...................................................................................1
Special Features .........................................................................................................................1
Physical Description .........................................................................................................................2
Hardware Installation..........................................................................................................................3
Network Deployment ..........................................................................................................................6
Initial Conguration.............................................................................................................................7
Ready to Use....................................................................................................................................10
NVR Desktop Elements....................................................................................................................13
Control Center...........................................................................................................................13
Menu Bar...................................................................................................................................14
Chapter Two NVR LiveClient Conguration ..........................................................................................15
VAST LiveClient Functionality ..........................................................................................................16
VAST Server.....................................................................................................................................17
Activating the VAST Server ..............................................................................................................17
How to Stop/Reboot the Server........................................................................................................17
LiveClient Conguration ...................................................................................................................18
Opening the LiveClient Interface and Logging in ............................................................................18
LiveClient User Interface ..................................................................................................................19
Menu Bar...................................................................................................................................19
Status Panel..............................................................................................................................19
Quick Access Bar ......................................................................................................................20
Live Video Monitoring Window..................................................................................................20
Hierarchical Management Tree .................................................................................................21
Camera Control Panel...............................................................................................................22
Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) Control Panel....................................................................................22
Two Way Audio Control Panel............................................................................................23
Event Window ...........................................................................................................................24
Instant Playback........................................................................................................................25
Audio Control ............................................................................................................................25
How to Manage Devices (Cameras) ................................................................................................26
Insert Cameras..........................................................................................................................26
Enable SVC ..............................................................................................................................30
Update Devices.........................................................................................................................33
Delete Devices from the VAST Server ......................................................................................34
Batch Insert Cameras ...............................................................................................................35
Camera Conguration ...............................................................................................................39
View Live Videos .......................................................................................................................42
Table of Contents

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Dual / Multiple Streams......................................................................................................42
Fisheye Display Modes......................................................................................................42
Refresh...............................................................................................................................47
Streaming Server ...............................................................................................................47
Get Public IP ......................................................................................................................47
Camera Settings ................................................................................................................48
Remove Live Video from the Video Monitoring Window ...........................................................48
How to Change the VAST LiveClient Layout....................................................................................49
Changing the Layout of the Live Video Monitoring Window......................................................49
Switch Video Channels ......................................................................................................49
Congure Layout Mode......................................................................................................49
Rotating Video Pages ........................................................................................................50
Edit Layout .........................................................................................................................50
Maximize the Live Video Monitoring Window............................................................................52
How to Manage Stations ..................................................................................................................54
Relay Settings ...........................................................................................................................54
How to Manage User Accounts ........................................................................................................55
The Default User Roles and Permissions of User Accounts .....................................................55
Manage a User Account............................................................................................................57
Add a New User Account ...................................................................................................57
Permission of the User Account ................................................................................................58
Delete the User Account ...........................................................................................................59
How to Set up Association Management..........................................................................................60
Association Management..........................................................................................................60
How to Set up Event Management...................................................................................................62
Event Management ...................................................................................................................62
How to Congure the Station General Settings................................................................................69
Server Settings..........................................................................................................................69
Log Settings ..............................................................................................................................69
Reboot Settings.........................................................................................................................70
How to Congure Station Network Settings .....................................................................................71
Port Settings..............................................................................................................................71
UPnP Settings...........................................................................................................................71
Proxy Settings ...........................................................................................................................71
Web Access Settings.................................................................................................................71
How to Edit Recording Stoage .........................................................................................................72
Recording Storage Settings ......................................................................................................72
Default Storage Group Settings .........................................................................................73
Add New Storage Group(s)................................................................................................76
How to Edit Recording Schedules....................................................................................................77

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Edit Schedule List .....................................................................................................................78
Add Schedules...................................................................................................................78
Rename Schedules............................................................................................................78
Delete Schedules...............................................................................................................78
Load/Save Schedule Templates.........................................................................................79
Edit Camera List........................................................................................................................80
Edit Time Frame List .................................................................................................................81
Add New Time Frames.......................................................................................................82
Recording Settings.............................................................................................................83
The Concept of Repeat Frequency ...........................................................................................84
Repeat Frequency: Daily Setting .......................................................................................85
Repeat Frequency: Weekly Setting (Day-based)...............................................................88
Repeat Frequency: Monthly Setting (Day-based)..............................................................91
Repeat Frequency: Yearly Setting (Day-based).................................................................93
How to Manually Begin /Stop Recording..........................................................................................95
How to Edit Scheduled Backup Settings ..........................................................................................96
Select Backup Source...............................................................................................................96
Setup Backup Schedule............................................................................................................97
Select Backup Target ................................................................................................................97
Other Options............................................................................................................................97
How to Congure Station Server Settings........................................................................................98
DDNS Settings ..........................................................................................................................98
Network Storage Server Settings..............................................................................................99
SMTP Settings ........................................................................................................................100
How to Use the Talk Panel .............................................................................................................101
Add a Camera to the Talk Panel..............................................................................................101
Remove a Camera from the Talk Panel ..................................................................................103
How to Congure E-map Settings ..................................................................................................104
Upload an E-map ....................................................................................................................104
User Interface of E-map Settings Page (View Mode)..............................................................105
Quick Access Bar.............................................................................................................106
Status Panel.....................................................................................................................106
User Interface of E-map Settings Page (Edit Mode) ...............................................................107
Device Management ...............................................................................................................108
Live View Dialog Settings........................................................................................................109
Open Live View Dialog.....................................................................................................109
Send to Single View.........................................................................................................109
E-map Link ..............................................................................................................................110
How to Congure Client Settings ...................................................................................................113
Snapshot Settings ...................................................................................................................113

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Take a Snapshot ..............................................................................................................114
Recording Settings..................................................................................................................115
Type 1: Record to EXE ....................................................................................................115
Type 2: Record to 3GP.....................................................................................................115
Type 3: Record to AVI ......................................................................................................116
Built-in Media Player--EXE...............................................................................................119
View Settings...........................................................................................................................121
Display Location...............................................................................................................121
Date and Time Format .....................................................................................................122
Video Display Mode .........................................................................................................122
Font Settings....................................................................................................................122
General Settings .....................................................................................................................123
System Settings ...............................................................................................................123
Event Settings..................................................................................................................124
Rotation Settings..............................................................................................................124
Display Settings ...............................................................................................................125
Joystick Settings .....................................................................................................................127
Enable Joystick ................................................................................................................127
Proxy Settings .........................................................................................................................131
How to Use PiP (Picture-in-Picture) ...............................................................................................132
Enable PiP...............................................................................................................................132
Global View......................................................................................................................132
ROI (Region of Interest)...................................................................................................133
Digital Zoom In.................................................................................................................133
Snapshot Zoomed In Image.............................................................................................133
PiP Settings......................................................................................................................133
How to Congure Video Enhancement ..........................................................................................134
Basic Image Adjustment..........................................................................................................134
Defog.......................................................................................................................................136
Apply a Preset Defog Prole............................................................................................136
Create a New Defog Prole .............................................................................................137
How to Search for a Device on the Hierarchical Device Tree ........................................................139
How to Lock LiveClient for Security Concerns ...............................................................................140
How to Log out from the VAST Server ...........................................................................................140
How to Exit VAST LiveClient ..........................................................................................................140
Lauch Playback & Return to System Manager...............................................................................141
Chapter Three NVR Playback Conguration.......................................................................................142
Activating VAST Playback and Logging in to a Server...................................................................142
VAST Playback User Interface .......................................................................................................144

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Menu Bar.................................................................................................................................144
Status Panel............................................................................................................................144
Quick Access Bar ....................................................................................................................145
Recorded Video Playback Window .........................................................................................145
Query Panel-- Browsing Page.................................................................................................146
Query Panel--Time Search Page ............................................................................................147
Query Panel--Event Search Page...........................................................................................148
Query Panel--Bookmark Search Page....................................................................................149
Query Panel--Log Viewer Page...............................................................................................150
Video Clips List Window..........................................................................................................151
Playback Control Panel...........................................................................................................152
How to Playback Recorded Video..................................................................................................153
Select a Recorded Video Clip .................................................................................................153
Remove Recorded Video Clips from Video Cells....................................................................155
Timeline Slider Bar and Histogram..........................................................................................155
Zoom in / out of the Histogram................................................................................................156
Synchronous Playback............................................................................................................157
Audio Control ..........................................................................................................................159
How to Change the Playback Layout .............................................................................................160
Changing the Layout of the Recorded Video Playback Window.............................................160
Switch Video Channels ....................................................................................................160
Congure Layout Mode....................................................................................................160
Maximize the Recorded Video Playback Window...................................................................161
How to Backup Recorded Video ....................................................................................................163
How to Search for a Video Clip Taken at a Specic Time ..............................................................169
How to Add a Bookmark.................................................................................................................170
How to Search for Events...............................................................................................................171
Select Event Category ............................................................................................................172
Event Category- All Events ..............................................................................................172
Event Category- All Motion Events...................................................................................172
Event Category- All IVA events ........................................................................................173
Event Category- All DI Events..........................................................................................173
Event Category- Named DI Events..................................................................................174
Start Event Search ..................................................................................................................175
Backup the Event Videos ........................................................................................................176
How to Search for a Bookmark ......................................................................................................177
How to Search Logs .......................................................................................................................178
Select Log Category/Log Type/Log Level ...............................................................................179
Search All Local Logs.......................................................................................................180
Search Login History........................................................................................................180

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Search Login Activities.....................................................................................................181
How to Congure Client Settings ...................................................................................................183
Snapshot Settings ...................................................................................................................183
Export Settings........................................................................................................................183
View Settings...........................................................................................................................185
Proxy Settings .........................................................................................................................185
General Settings .....................................................................................................................185
System Settings ...............................................................................................................185
Display Settings ...............................................................................................................185
How to Congure Video Enhancement ..........................................................................................185
How to Search for a Device on the Hierarchical Management Tree ..............................................185
How to Lock VAST Playback for Security Concerns ......................................................................186
How to Log out from the VAST Server ...........................................................................................186
How to Exit VAST Playback............................................................................................................186
Chapter Four Auxiliary Utilities ............................................................................................................187
Service ...........................................................................................................................................188
Import and Export Utility .................................................................................................................188
Import / Export Utility ......................................................................................................................188
Installation Wizard 2 ......................................................................................................................190
Shepherd........................................................................................................................................191
Upgrade .........................................................................................................................................193
File Manager ..................................................................................................................................194
Keyboard........................................................................................................................................194
Disk Status .....................................................................................................................................195
Network Status ...............................................................................................................................196
System Status ................................................................................................................................197
Technical Specications ......................................................................................................................198

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Revision History
Rev. 1.0: Initial release.
Symbols and Statements in this Document
i
INFORMATION: provides important messages or advices that might help prevent inconvenient
or problem situations.
NOTE: Notices provide guidance or advices that are related to the functional integrity of the
machine.
Tips: Tips are useful information that helps enhance or facilitae an installation, function, or
process.
WARNING! or IMPORTANT: These statements indicate situations that can be dangerous or
hazardous to the machine or you.
Electrical Hazard: This statement appears when high voltage electrical hazards might occur
to an operator.
Read Before Use
The use of surveillance devices may be prohibited by law in your country. The Network Camera
is not only a high-performance web-ready camera but can also be part of a exible surveillance
system. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the operation of such devices is legal before
installing this unit for its intended use.
It is important to first verify that all contents received are complete according to the Package
Contents listed below. Take note of the warnings in the Quick Installation Guide before the
Network Camera is installed; then carefully read and follow the instructions in the Installation
chapter to avoid damage due to faulty assembly and installation. This also ensures the product is
used properly as intended.
The Network Camera is a network device and its use should be straightforward for those who
have basic networking knowledge. It is designed for various applications including video sharing,
general security/surveillance, etc. The Configuration chapter suggests ways to best utilize the
Network Camera and ensure proper operations. For creative and professional developers, the
URL Commands of the Network Camera section serves as a helpful reference to customizing
existing homepages or integrating with the current web server.
Package Contents
■ ND8301
■ Power cords and power adaptor
■ Software CD
■ Warranty Card
■ Quick Installation Guide
The operating system and VAST server are installed on an IDE ash mounted on the main
board. There is no need to install software.
NOTE:

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User's Manual - 1
Chapter One Hardware Installation and
Initial Configuration
Introducing ND8301 Network Video Recorder
VIVOTEK ND8301 is a 8 CH Network Video Recorder designed for sophisticated recording ap-
plications. The unit is equipped with an Intel Dual-core Atom Processor with maximum recording
throughput at a robust 96 Mbps. RAID 0/1 is supported with two removable HDDs for backup
efficiency, with an external eSATA port for additional expansion. A first for the VIVOTEK NVR se-
ries, a local display output port is now available with full HD resolution (1920X1080), eliminating
the need for a separate PC to view video from the unit. Setup of parameters such as IP, HDD,
and basic camera configuration can easily be performed with the setup wizard, making the
ND8301 the easiest NVR to use yet. When using more than one of the same model of VIVOT-
EK camera, the “Shepherd” program can be used to duplicate configuration settings to multiple
cameras.
The ND8301 operating system is the VIVOTEK professional central management software
VAST, allowing for simple and effective management of a surveillance system using the Live-
client and Playback functions. As VIVOTEK camera features are fully integrated into VAST,
cutting-edge edge technologies such as SVC and Activity Adaptive Recording can be utilized to
conserve bandwidth and optimize recording. A server running VAST software can also directly
control ND8301, and compatibility with the iViewer application allows for access to the ND8301
on mobile devices. By integrating all of the components together using the VIVOTEK ND8301/
Cameras/VAST/iViewer, users can realize a fully featured and robust next-generation surveil-
lance system.
Special Features
 Intelligent PiP Function -- Digital Zoom In Mode
Convenient Remote Access via Client/Server Architecture
Effective & Reliable Event Trigger Management
Real-time 8-channel Live Viewing and Simultaneous 4-channel (VGA) Playback
Multiple Simultaneous Streams for Different Media Platforms
Activity Adaptive Streaming for Dramatically Reducing Bandwidth and Storage Space
 Synchronous/ Asynchronous Playback for Effortless Viewing
Extremely Versatile Settings for Recording Storage and Recording Schedule Management
 Role-based User Management to Enhance Security Operations
Efficient Data Backup, Search, and Export
Intelligent PTZ/ E-PTZ Remote Camera Control
Overall Device Management through Intuitive E-map Feature
Supports Two Way Audio
Supports Auto Stream Size
Supports SVC adaptive frame rate setting
* The number of linked devices will depend on the license purchased along with the system.
* The ability to extend devices is also subject to the network bandwidth and computer performance.

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Physical Description
Front View
Disk 1
Disk 2
HDD LED
Power
button & LED
Reset button
Rear View
RS-232 (reserved) LAN WAN
VGA
USB2
combo
USB1
combo
eSATA
MIC-In
Line Out
Line In
DC Power Fan exhaust
outlet
IMPORTANT:
It is important to leave a clearance of 15cm
to the rear side of the chassis. The clearance
is required to ensure an adequate airow
through the chassis to ventilate heat. A 5cm
clearance is also required on both sides of
the chassis.
To ensure normal operation, maintain ambi-
ent airow. Do not block the airow around
chassis such as placing the system in a
closed cabinet.
15cm
5cm
5cm
5cm

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Hardware Installation
SATA hard disk(s) are user-supplied. The network video recorder can readily accommodate
most of the off-the-shelf SATA hard drives.
1. Use a at-blade screwdriver to unlock the rotary bezel lock. Open the drive bay bezel by pull-
ing the lever on it.
Bezel Lever
2. Install your hard disk to the drive bay. Gently put the hard disk into drive bay with its label
side facing up and the connector side towards the inside of the chassis. Push the hard disk
in. Stop pushing it when you feel the contact resistance.
Bezel Lock

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HDD
Bezel Lever
3. Close the drive bay bezel.
4. 4-1. Press on the left edge of the drive bay bezel to snap it into place.
2
1
Bezel Lock
4-2. Use a at-blade screwdriver to turn the bezel lock to the “locked” position.
You should always lock the drive bezel when the drive bay is populated. This ensures the
hard drive is securely installed.

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Interface Connections
LAN Internet
Router
1 2
3 4 5
6
7
LAN WAN
VGA USB devices
External enclosure
Audio devices DC power adaptor
1 & 2. Connect CAT5 or better-quality Ethernet cables to cameras via a local, switched network,
or clients through the Internet. Refer to next page for more information.
3. Connect the DB15 VGA port to a monitor (with resolutions up to 1920x1080).
4. Connect USB devices such as keyboard and mouse.
5. If an external eSATA storage enclosure is available, connect it to the eSATA port.
6. Connect speakers or microphone to the phone-jack connectors.
7. Connect the supplied 100-240V DC power adaptor. (50~60Hz, 5A)

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Network Deployment
1. Connect the supplied power adapter to a power outlet.
2.
Connect network cameras to the NVR’s LAN ports.
3. If you want to access NVR over the Internet, connect the NVR to the Internet via the WAN
port. A web console can be established from a remote PC by keying http://<public IP>:3454
in a browser’s URL address eld. However, port forwarding on the router for the TCP port will
be necessary.
4. Push the power button to run the NVR.
Router
Internet
Router
Default Fixed IP:
192.168.1.10
LAN WAN
Switch
Wireless AP / Router
Clients
The LAN and WAN ports can be congured into the same or different subnets.
You may also connect cameras through the WAN port. If you have cameras connected via the
WAN port, make sure the WAN port and the cameras connected through it acquire static IP
addresses even when the WAN port is connected to router or AP. If not, the cameras detected
through the WAN port will use the default IPs, e.g., 169.254.xx.xx, and the LiveClient software
will not be able to detect their presence.
NOTE:
Default: DHCP

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Initial Conguration
1. The system power on self test and OS initialization takes about 2 minutes to complete. Once
your NVR is started, you will be prompted by the Setup Wizard. You should then begin the
initial setup. The system is booted from an embedded IDE ash. No software installation is
required.
2. Enter the default User name and Password as admin & admin. It is recommended you
change the password later to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Click Next to proceed with conguration and follow the onscreen instructions to nish the
conguration process.
4. Note the following when you move to the Network page:
4-1. If your local network has a DHCP server, you can select the "Get IP address
automatically (DHCP)."
4-2. If your LAN port connects to an isolated switch with cameras attached to it, you can
manually assign IP addresses to cameras, and the address for the LAN port itself.
The default static IP for the LAN port is 192.168.1.10.
During boot-up, a Startup Menu will prompt allowing you to restore system to factory defaults.
This function is only required in circumstances that you need to renew all system settings, such
as moving the NVR to a different installation site or network environment.
NOTE:
1. NVR System

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4-3. Connect your WAN port to a router or AP with the routing capability and then to a DSL or
Cable modem.

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5. On the Disk page, Select disk drives by clicking the checkboxes in front of disk drives.Select
Build single disk, Build RAID0, RAID1, or other option from the Disk conguration pull-
down menu. Click Apply and wait for a few minutes for the conguration to take effect.
Refer to the description available with every disk volume type on the screen, such as those
for RAID0 and RAID1.
6. On the Camera page, all cameras connected through the local network should appear on
a Camera list after a brief search. You can manually assign IP addresses by clicking on
the cameras' address eld. You can also select the "Assign IP addresses to all cameras"
checkbox and let NVR assign IPs to cameras.
Click Next to end the initial setup. Make sure you have the cameras' access credentials in
order to make individual changes. It is also highly recommended to synchronize cameras'
time with that of the NVR system. Click the checkbox below for an automated synchronization.

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Ready to Use
1. You will then be at the Control Center screen. Double-click on the LiveClient or Playback
buttons to congure live viewing and recording settings.
2. Open the LiveClient utility to change live view layout, camera streaming frame rate, and other
options.
3. 3-1. By default, the Batch Insert Cameras window will prompt for you to recruit cameras
into your conguration. If it does not, you can enter the Conguration menu, select Camera
Management > Batch Insert Cameras.

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3-2. Click on the Search button.
3-3. Select cameras by clicking their checkboxes.
3-4. Click OK, return to the previous window, and click the Insert button.

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4. It is important to ensure that the live viewing and recording conguration does not
exceed the system's limits:
Compression MPEG4 H.264
Resolution CIF VGA 1080P CIF VGA 1080P
Frame rate 30fps 30fps 30fps 30fps 30fps 30fps
Bit rate 512Kbps 1Mbps 6Mbps 512Kbps 1Mbps 6Mbps
No. of streams 1252731
In terms of local display, the default stream 1 for live view can be congured with a
resolution up to Full HD 30fps. Stream 1 is also a source for continuous recording. Make
sure your 8 cameras' stream 1 resolution does not exceed 1080P at 30fps.
The NVR supports Auto Stream Size, which automatically adjusts streaming display for
efcient leverage of system resources. If you disable the Auto Stream Size function and
manually congure your stream settings, you must comply with the limitations listed above.
You may need to congure a recording stream of a particular resolution and bit rate. When doing
this, you should make sure the Recording load does not exceed the maximum 96Mbps as the
sum of bit rates per second allocated for all recording streams. If you have multiple cameras and
the upper bound is exceeded, proceed with the following:
Congure the Recording setting in Conguration > Camera Management > Update
Camera. When the Update window prompts, select a camera. Click on the Recording
Settings tabbed menu, and select a smaller stream (in higher or lower bit rate or resolution)
as the source of recording. Click Update to save your conguration and repeat the setting
until the recording load is back within the 96Mbps limitation.
IMPORTANT: