KollectorV8 SWManual
KollectorV8 SWManual
Vicon Industries Inc. does not warrant that the functions contained in this equipment will meet your
requirements or that the operation will be entirely error free or perform precisely as described in the
documentation. This system has not been designed to be used in life-critical situations and must not be
used for this purpose.
Software Manual
Important Notice
This Software Manual is delivered subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
This Manual contains proprietary information belonging to Vicon. Such information is supplied solely for the
purpose of assisting explicitly and properly authorized users of the ViconNet system.
No part of its contents may be used for any other purpose, disclosed to any person or firm or reproduced
by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the express prior written permission of Vicon.
The text and graphics are for the purpose of illustration and reference only. The specifications on which
they are based are subject to change without notice.
The software described in this Manual is furnished under a license. The software may be used or copied
only in accordance with the terms of that agreement.
This software uses libraries from the FFMpeg project under the LGPLv2.1 in your program About box.
Information in this Manual is subject to change without notice. Corporate and individual names and data
used in examples herein are fictitious unless otherwise noted.
Copyright 2015 Vicon Industries Inc. All rights reserved.
ViconNet and Kollector are registered trademarks of Vicon Industries Inc.
Other company and brand products and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.
Important Notice i
FCC Notice
Note: Complies with Federal Communications Commission Rules & Regulations Part 15, Subpart B for a Class
A digital device.
WARNING
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in
strict accordance with the manufacturers instruction, may cause interference to radio and television
reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device in
accordance with the specification in subpart B of part 15 of the FCC rules, which are designed to provide
reasonable protection against such interference in a commercial installation. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio
and television reception, which can be determined by turning equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try and correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Plug the equipment into a different electrical outlet so that the equipment and receiver are
on different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional
suggestions.
The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:
Interference Handbook, Bulletin CIB-2
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Mailstop
SSOP, Washington, D.C. 20402-9328, ISBN 0-16-045542-1.
Warning: Power must be removed from this unit before removing circuit modules or cables.
Caution: This unit contains circuit cards with integrated circuit devices that can be damaged by static
discharge. Take all necessary precautions to prevent static discharge.
ii FCC Notice
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1, INTRODUCING VICONNET ...........................................................................1
What Is ViconNet? .......................................................................................................................................... 1
What Is the Kollector?.................................................................................................................................... 1
Frequently Asked Questions ......................................................................................................................... 2
UPS System Requirements ........................................................................................................................... 5
System Architecture....................................................................................................................................... 6
Front Panel Indicators.................................................................................................................................... 7
iv Table of Contents
Table of Contents v
vi Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Introducing ViconNet
This chapter introduces the ViconNet system and includes the following sections:
UPS System Requirements, page 5, outlines the main ViconNet system requirements.
Front Panel Indicators, page 7, explains the Kollectors front panels LED indicators.
What Is ViconNet?
ViconNet is innovative open-platform video management software (ONVIF-S conformant) that allows
integration with IP cameras, encoders and IP edge devices, including megapixel cameras. Open standard
cameras and edge devices from numerous industry-leading manufacturers are compatible with ViconNet
software. Additionally, the ViconNet interface has integrated Events Management and ViconNet VI video
intelligence.
ViconNet is a fully scalable secure network solution for Windows platform. It allows viewing and recording of
video from any camera anywhere on the network and integrates seamlessly with Vicons line of Kollector
DVRs and NVRs. ViconNet offers H.264 compression in addition to ViconNets proprietary MPEG-4 optimized
compression or JPEG compression. It is compatible with Vicons Express series NVRs and DVRs and
supports Vicons Access Control System (VAX).
Introducing ViconNet 1
The Kollector utilizes three different video compression methods, selectable based on the applications
requirements:
Normal: Optimized MPEG-4. A proprietary compression algorithm developed by Vicon that produces
outstanding video quality and extended recording durations.
Full: JPEG. Standard full-frame compression for use in situations that cannot use motion compensation
compression.
H.264: Video compression technology that provides superior video quality at substantially lower bit rates
than previous standards, delivering MPEG-4 quality with a frame size up to four times greater.
The Kollector distributes its own collected video to each client, or to another Workstation, upon request over a
network. The Kollector includes full 16-channel simultaneous record and playback, an integrated GUI for
system configuration, playback and recording on a SVGA monitor, and support for NTSC/EIA and PAL/CCIR
video cameras.
Make sure to obtain the storage calculator for ViconNet or the other manufacturers open standard camera
you are using and calculate the different types of cameras separately. When calculating bandwidth, estimate
the worst-case to ensure your network can carry the traffic.
2 Introducing ViconNet
Introducing ViconNet 3
Can the network bandwidth be increased to allow for more information (frame rates)?
The recorder will always use the maximum bandwidth available, but it will sacrifice FPS in order to
maintain the selected quality within that available bandwidth. In different cameras as well as H.264
compression in the DVR, you can select the bandwidth you wish to use.
Can we set up presets or tours through a recorder for our PTZ domes?
Any dome feature is accessible from any recorder or Workstation, based on the logged in users
authorization profile and on whether PTZ drivers are installed and configured.
Is there a priority level available for PTZ domes on a recorder? If two people are looking at a
Kollector remotely and trying to PTZ the same dome, what happens?
In a primary/secondary setup, the first person connected to a camera controls the PTZ (primary/
secondary status is indicated by a P or S in the lower-left corner of that video display). A secondary user
with the same or higher priority can simultaneously control the dome or can force the changeover to
become primary. If the second user has lower priority, there can be a request to take control; the current
primary user decides whether or not to allow the changeover.
NOTE: This is exclusive of USER ID authorizations as determined by the system administrator.
How do we save the recorded images to a transportable file type (such as *.AVI) for video clips?
The Vicon line of products can burn CDs (if available) or can be saved to a portable USB device in the in
the ViconNet proprietary format that will enable a viewer to be exported and allow playback of the secure
(unalterable) format (the playback PC must meet the minimum requirements of the viewer). It can also
create *.AVI, XVID or MPEG-4 files, playable in Windows Media player (video and audio). These files are
not secure, and can be altered. Still images (in *.JPG format) can also be exported from the application.
After capturing a still image from the Kollector's software, can the image be processed or
enhanced before exporting to improve quality of the image?
The viewed image can be altered while on display (brightness, color, contrast), but the file itself cannot be
changed; by extension, the exported images would not be altered. Most computers have a graphics
application (such as Microsoft Paint) that can be used, and there are many third-party software products
designed to alter *.JPG files (which is the type of picture created using the export feature).
4 Introducing ViconNet
Does the ViconNet software have the ability to send any notification on an alarm?
Alarm macros can be created on the recorder that sends the alarm notification and/or video to any other
device (Kollector or Workstation) on the network. Alarms can also be sent over email or as a text
message (requires mail server, text server).
Input:
Output:
NOTES:
It is required that external devices (such as RAID units, backup drives or external DVD units) be connected to
the power source via UPS when used with the ViconNet system.
Introducing ViconNet 5
System Architecture
The diagram shown below illustrates a ViconNet system structure that incorporates a variety of ViconNet
devices.
6 Introducing ViconNet
No.
1
Indicator
Steady green light
Meaning
Camera detection
Description
During application startup, the ViconNet system tests the LEDs
(flashes once) and scans for cameras connected to its rear
panel. This green light confirms the detection of cameras
attached to these channels.
Record in process
Sensor detection
Alarm
An alarm signal has just been received via the related channel.
Note that sensors are NOT defined by default. They must first be
added in Alarm setup; see Chapter 3. Once added, the LED is
steadily on; LED blinks upon alarm activation.
The Kollector Strike has LEDs for power and HDD functionality.
Introducing ViconNet 7
8 Introducing ViconNet
Chapter 2
Getting to Know ViconNet
This chapter describes the ViconNet application and familiarizes you with its components and functionality.
This chapter contains the following sections:
Logging In, page 10, describes how to log in to the ViconNet application.
Main Window, page 11, describes all the elements in the ViconNet Main window that provide access to
the basic functions required to operate the system.
Navigator Window, page 35, describes all the elements in the ViconNet Navigator window that provide
access to all playback functionality.
Alarm Window, page 48, describes the popup window displayed when an alarm event occurs in the
system.
Logging Out, Exiting or Shutting Down, page 52, describes how to log out without closing the ViconNet
application, to close the ViconNet application and exit to the operating system, or to shut down or restart
the ViconNet unit.
Watchdog, page 53, describes the Watchdog feature, which acts as a safety mechanism in cases of
unforeseen incidents such as temporary power failures.
Note: In this manual, any features for the Kollector Force are relevant to Kollector Elite and Pro units upgraded
to the latest version 7 software; Kollector Strike features pertain to Kollector Lite units upgraded to the latest
version 7.
Note: Some of the screens shown in this manual may be slightly different in appearance than those that are on
your screen. There should be no difference in content or functionality.
Logging In
Logging in to the ViconNet application is performed using your assigned user name and password. The
allowed system operations are dependent on your assigned authorization rights (refer to Chapter 3,
Configuring the ViconNet System, for additional details).
The full functionality of the ViconNet system is available only after the system is registered. Before registration
is performed, the system will function with limited Viewer functionality only. Refer to the Registering Your
System section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System for further information.
A ViconNet Administrator user can configure the system to automatically log in selected users. Then, each
time the user starts the application, the ViconNet Main window will be presented without having to enter a
user name and password. Refer to the Configuring Auto Login section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet
System.
NOTES:
Before you log in to the ViconNet application, verify that the hardware components are properly installed and
functional. For additional details, refer to the hardware manual.
During startup, you will notice the relevant front panel LEDs light up on the Kollector Force, as the system
automatically detects the connected cameras and devices. For more details, refer to Chapter 1, Introducing
ViconNet.
-ORSelect StartViconNet. The ViconNet Login window appears, displaying the name of the last logged in
user.
NOTE: If you restart your Kollector, the ViconNet application automatically starts up with the Login
window open.
2. In the User Name field, enter your assigned user name. If you are an administrator entering for the first
time, enter admin. If you are a guest, enter guest.
3. In the Password field, enter your assigned password.
NOTES:
If you are a guest, you do not need to enter a password.
If you are an administrator entering the application for the first time, you do not need a password. After
logging in as admin, it is recommended to assign yourself a password, as described in Chapter 3,
Configuring the ViconNet System.
4. Click
Main Window
After logging in to the ViconNet application, the Main window is displayed, as shown on the following page,
enabling you to:
Control devices.
Generate reports.
Each of the above tasks is described in detail in the subsequent chapters of this manual.
NOTE: The allowed operations depend on each user's assigned site authorization. Refer to Chapter 3,
Configuring the ViconNet System, for additional details about configuring site authorization.
The following example illustrates the elements and options in the ViconNet Main window:
The window shown above provides access to all the basic functionality required to operate the system and
contains the following elements:
Function Controls
Audio
Picture
Matrix
Controls
PTZ
Export Image
Links
The following is a brief description of each toolbar button and its function:
Button
Description
This option enables you to manage and work with macros that have been configured in the system.
Macros are used for recording video and audio according to preconfigured schedules and
preconfigured alarm events, as well as for performing sequence sessions.
Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System and Chapter 7, Managing Macros and
Schedules, for detailed configuration and management procedures.
This option enables you to view and generate the following types of reports:
Device Status: Displays the current activity state of all currently configured devices.
Alarm History: Displays all the alarm events that have occurred in the system.
Event History: Displays all the triggered events that have occurred in the system (requires
ViconNet event management license and inputs).
Recording Status: Displays an estimate of the recording time remaining, according to the
database capacity and current data rate (BPS/frame), as well as a total of devices that are currently
recording.
Audit Log: Provides a basic log of operations performed in the system, which is useful for history
and debugging purposes. Information is accumulated continuously. 8,000 record lines can be
accumulated and removed thereafter on a first-in-first-out basis.
CFN Log: Provides a basic log of all failures that generated central failure notifications. This report
is only available from the Nucleus.
Network setup.
PTZ controls.
Site information.
Defining groups.
Defining users.
NOTE: Users and Groups are defined on the Nucleus unit.
Button
Description
Button
Description
Recording Verification System (RVS) continually monitors the recording performed by a scheduled
macro or autorecord. It ensures continuous recording by notifying users of any recording errors.
Auto/Manual FPS Manual FPS distribution of each camera per DSP, so that you know exactly
how many FPS are recorded and displayed per camera.
Central Failure Notification (CFN) continually sends notification, to specified sites, of errors that
occur in the system.
Device Groups enables you to create logical groups of devices, regardless of the site to which
each device is connected.
Map Sets enables you to map your working environment in terms of where ViconNet systems
are physically located on your premises.
Open Standard Cameras defines the parameters of each Vicon open standard camera and open
standard cameras from other vendors on the system and provides a link to that cameras browser
for configuration.
Open Standard Camera Format the selection of the default video stream type for that
workstation.
Display Settings allows you to select a resolution and screen aspect ratio.
Events Management create profile for user-defined events connected to an external system
(such as access control or license plate recognition).
Archive - configure how video is saved, using the advanced mode with playback or the wizard
provided.
Links create a list of convenient URL links to sites for easy access from ViconNet.
Web Server - how to setup to view ViconNet as a web browser and use with mobile devices.
Video Masking - how to create masked areas on the video image to block sections of the video
from view.
Settings Summary provides a summary of all the settings configured in a specific site.
Reset Nucleus resets the list of sites appearing in the main Site List and the setup browser.
Clears all history of disconnected sites. Disconnected sites appear in the Site List and the Setup
Site Selection window with the following icon:
Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System, for detailed configuration procedures.
This option enables you to log out without closing the ViconNet application. You can then log in as a
different user.
Shutdown: Enables you to close the application and return to the operating system.
Groups, page 22
No. of Recording Cams and Mics: The combined total of cameras and microphones that are currently
recording.
Scheduler State
The current operational state of the Macro Scheduler is displayed:
For details about the Macro Scheduler, refer to Chapter 7, Managing Macros and Schedules.
Search Feature
To quickly locate a device in any of the device lists, there is a search feature. Type the name of the device
into the Search field. The search result will highlight in the list. A next and previous button provides navigation
in the list as needed. This search feature is in several places within ViconNet where there are device lists, for
example Macro editor.
Site List
The ViconNet Site List is a hierarchical list that displays the current transmitters and devices in the system.
This list can be navigated using standard tree expand and collapse functionality. Each storage location
contains the devices that are available for viewing and recording live video and audio segments and each
transmitter and device list is correlated to a specific storage location.
Search Feature
The following five device types can be configured to accommodate your individual and organizational
requirements:
Device Type
Video
or
Description
Camera or PTZ Camera
Audio
Microphone
Detector
Sensor
Relay
Relay
Speaker
Speaker
NOTES:
The cameras that appear in the Site List are automatically detected by the system during startup. If a
camera is not physically connected to the system, it will not appear in the list. If the camera is disconnected
after startup, a red X icon ( ) is displayed next to the relevant camera in the Site List and a blank screen
appears in the Video Display area.
For the Kollector, microphones appear automatically in the Site List, regardless how many microphones are
actually connected. Only the currently associated physical microphones are operational. Each site can have
up to 16 cameras, microphones and sensors connected to it.
Selecting a device starts that device's video/audio transmission and enables you to perform all viewing,
listening and recording operations. There is a Connecting indication until the video displays.
Using the Site List, you can select or deselect cameras and microphones for viewing and recording, as
follows:
Select a camera in the list or drag and drop it from the list to the Video Display area. The following
occurs:
The live video transmission begins and is displayed in the selected location in the Video Display area.
The pink border in the Video Display area automatically moves to the next available display location.
Select a microphone by clicking its icon in the list. The following occurs:
To reverse a selection:
Select the device in the list again. The following occurs:
The live video and audio transmission is stopped. The video appears static in the Video Display area.
The live video transmission for all cameras connected to the transmitter begins and is displayed in the
Video Display area.
NOTES:
When you select a video display location that contains an active display, a pink border is displayed around
the relevant device in the Site List.
You can also click the STOP button to stop all video and audio transmission immediately, if required.
For the Kollectors, the maximum number of cameras that can be selected simultaneously is sixteen,
depending on the current display mode. If you select more than the maximum number, it will overwrite a
previously selected camera.
A total of 16 microphones and/or cameras can be selected simultaneously on the Kollector (only 4
microphones are available on the Kollector Strike).
You can also change the maximum number and location of the cameras you want to view and record, as
described in Video Display Area, page 22 and Display Mode Controls, page 29. Refer to Chapter 4, Viewing
and Listening to Live Video/Audio and Chapter 5, Recording Live Video/Audio, for detailed procedures using
the Site List.
Site Map
The ViconNet Site Map provides you with the ability to define the location of Kollector units, cameras and
microphones on a map of the physical environment/premises. Maps can be grouped into map sets. The map
set you are currently working on is called the working set. The Working Set site maps can be viewed by
clicking on Site Map in the left hand panel of the Main window. The Site Map list can be navigated in the
same way as the Site List. However, the devices in the Site Map list are organized by maps and map sets,
not by site (meaning, by physical location of devices as opposed to by device name).
You can define your maps and map sets by selecting Map Sets from the System Settings window. The image
in the lower-left panel changes according to the object selected in the Site Map list.
Maps are loaded in to the system using the Add New Map utility. (For more details, refer to the Defining Site
Maps and Map Sets section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet system.) Maps can be loaded from any
media, including CDs or USB drives.
The map can be dragged to the middle of the editing space and then expanded or navigated and so on, as
described below.
The following options are available for working with the selected map in the Map Set:
Button
Description
Enables you to navigate to the parent map.
Enables you to navigate to other maps in the Map Set.
Enables you to remove text labels from the map.
Enables you to expand the picture.
Enables you to return the map to its previous state (expansion).
Enables you to maximize the map to fit the entire screen.
Enables you to close the map image. The Site List tab is redisplayed in the left-hand panel.
To activate or deactivate a camera, click the camera icon on the map. If the camera icon is flashing, it is
deactivated. If it is steady, it is active.
NOTE: If there are two monitors connected to the Kollector, clicking Site Map in the Main window opens
the map set (the Working Set) on the second monitor.
For more details about Site Maps, see Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
Groups
The ViconNet Groups list is a hierarchical list like the Site List, which displays the transmitters and devices
connected to your ViconNet system. The Groups list can be navigated using standard tree expand and
collapse functionality in the same way as the Site List. However, in contrast to the Site List, which is
organized by transmitters, the devices in the Groups list are organized by logical groups and group sets,
where each group can consist of cameras and microphones from multiple distinct transmitters.
You can define your groups and group sets by selecting Devices Group Sets from the System Settings
window, as described in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
NOTE: When defining device groups in the Devices Group Sets Management window, you can define one
group set as the Working Set. This is the group that will appear in the Groups list in the Main
window. To view a different group set, you must change the working set in the Devices Group Sets
Management window.
Groups are loaded in to the system using the Add New Group utility. (For more details about defining groups
and group sets, refer to the Defining Groups and Group Sets section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet
System.)
NOTE: The Groups list is only enabled after at least one group has been defined in the Devices Group
Sets Management window.
Individual devices can be dragged from a group to the Video Display Area.
In the Groups list, you can select to list the devices by name, secondary ID (as configured in the Groups Sets
Management window) or both.
In the Groups list select the required option from the dropdown list and click Go. The devices in the selected
Group Set will be displayed according to your selection.
Selecting a device starts that device's video/audio transmission and enables you to perform all viewing,
listening and recording operations.
Using the Groups list, you can select or deselect cameras and microphones for viewing and recording, as
follows:
Select a camera in the Group list or drag and drop it from the list to the Video Display area or enter the
devices secondary ID in the Go box and click Go.
The live video transmission begins and is displayed in the selected location in the Video Display area.
The pink border in the Video Display area automatically moves to the next available display location.
Select a microphone by clicking its icon in the list. The following occurs:
To reverse a selection:
Select the device in the list again. The following occurs:
The live video and audio transmission is stopped. The video appears static in the Video Display area.
NOTES:
When you select a video display location that contains an active display, a pink border is displayed around
the relevant device in the Groups list.
You can also click the STOP button to stop all video and audio transmission immediately, if required.
Devices (cameras, encoders and so on) can be added to a group by dragging them directly to the list of
devices in the Groups Editor window.
For more details about groups, see Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
By selecting the camera from the Site List, Site Map or Groups list (the camera is displayed in yellow).
The video is automatically displayed in the Video Display area.
By dragging and dropping a camera from the Site List, Site Map or Groups list to the Video Display
area.
By entering the device secondary ID in the Go box at the top of the Groups list and clicking Go.
By selecting a recorded camera in the Navigator window and then displaying its video in the Video
Display area, as described in Navigator List, page 37.
The following example shows nine live video transmissions displayed in the Video Display area, with the
name of each camera located at the top of each video display location.
The selected location (indicated by the pink border) then becomes the active location, and its video and audio
transmission is affected by the display mode controls (page 29), playback controls (page 33) and other
controls (page 34).
NOTE: The camera currently displayed in the active video display location is also indicated by a pink border
around its icon in the Site List/Site Map/ Groups list.
When a camera's video is displayed in one of the video display locations, its related information is also
displayed, such as the following:
Live, Playback or Recording indications, according to the function currently being performed.
P (Primary) or S (Secondary) status of the site relative to this camera. The first site to operate a camera
(whether locally or remotely) acquires Primary status relative to it. Any other site that accesses the
camera while it is already being operated acquires Secondary status relative to that camera. If the
Primary site disconnects from a camera that currently has Secondary sites associated with it, the
secondary site that connected earliest automatically acquires Primary status relative to that camera.
The picture quality and refresh mode during Live and Playback operation. For example,
indicates the
quality 5 at the Normal refresh mode. (For details, refer to the About Picture Quality and Refresh Mode
section, page 30.)
If you want to enlarge the size of an image in one of the video display locations, double-click the required
location. The selected image is maximized to fill the entire Video Display area. You can double-click the
image again to restore it to its previous size.
You can also change cameras from one video display location to another within the Video Display area, as
required, for example, when viewing live and recorded segments simultaneously. The default location for all
the display modes is the top left, but you can change it by clicking in a different location. The pink border
moves and indicates the new active location.
Right-clicking anywhere in a camera that is currently recording displays a shortcut menu with five options, as
shown.
NOTE: If the selected camera is live, all five options are displayed. If the selected camera is not live, only
the Start Playback From Time and Edge Playback options are displayed.
Primary Info: Displays the Primary Information For window, which shows details regarding the Kollector
that currently has Primary status relative to this camera.
Request to be Primary: Enables you to send a request to the current primary user to take control and
become the primary user. If you request to be the primary user, a message is displayed on the current
primary user's display.
When you have the same or higher priority, you can request or force. It is recommended to force.
NOTE: In the Quality and FPS Priority window, selecting the checkbox on the lower-right side
(default = checked) sets the response to automatically accept the Request to be Primary if 30
seconds pass with no response from the current primary user.
Force to be Primary: Enables you to force yourself to be the primary user, providing that you have the
same or higher user priority than the current primary user (as defined in the User & Group Management
window). If you force yourself to be the primary user, the P in the corner of the display on the current
primary users display changes to S, and the S in the corner of your display changes to P.
If the user is already the Primary user, the Force to be Primary option is disabled.
If the user has lower priority than the current primary, and selects Force to be Primary, the message
Request to be primary was not approved will be displayed.
Start Quick Playback From: Enables you to play video back from that camera (in an adjacent camera
display location), without interrupting the recording process. This avoids having to remove one's eyes
from the current live video while playing back to investigate suspicious activity, as would be the case if
playback is initiated from the Navigator window.
Edge Playback: Enables you to play back video directly from the edge device user interface, as long as
that device has the playback capability.
For details about how to perform Quick Playback, refer to Quick Playback in Chapter 6, Playing Back
Recorded Video/Audio.
Start Playback From Time: Enables you to play video back from a live camera (in an adjacent camera
display location). When Start Playback From Time is selected, calendar and time boxes are displayed.
To select the database to be played back, click Select Database. A site list with Audio Video Databases
(AVDB) is displayed in the lower-left panel. If there is no data in the database, a message is displayed.
If there is data in the database, the playback image is displayed in the cell adjacent to the camera
recording and it waits for you to press Play. If the selected database is the local database, you can either
run it from there or by pressing Playback in the Navigator window. The advantage of activating the
playback from the Main window, as opposed to from the Navigator window, is that all Main window
functionality is still displayed.
To activate Start Quick Playback From, Edge Playback and Start Playback From Time, right-click the
live camera (meaning, a camera which is currently recording) or right-click the camera in the Site list. If a
camera is off, or if it is not live, the only options are Start Playback From Time and Edge Playback.
Description
Single: Enables you to view or record from one camera.
Two-by-two matrix (Quad): Enables you to view or record from up to four cameras simultaneously.
Hexa (Six): Enables you to view or record from up to six cameras simultaneously.
Three-by-three matrix (Nine): Enables you to view or record from up to nine cameras
simultaneously.
Four-by-four matrix (Sixteen): Enables you to view or record from up to sixteen cameras
simultaneously.
Full Screen: Enables you to maximize a selected video display location to fit the entire screen
(including the Site List). To restore the maximized screen to its previous size, click the Back
icon
in the top right corner or right-click in the screen and click
. You can also click <ESC>.
NOTES:
The upper left video display location in all of the display modes is the default video display location for the
first camera that you select for display in the Video Display area, unless otherwise allocated.
Refer to Chapter 4, Viewing and Listening to Live Video/Audio, Chapter 5, Recording Live Video/Audio, and
Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio, for additional details about selecting cameras and video
display locations.
In addition, double-clicking a video display location in the Video Display area enlarges the selected location
to full video display size, which is the same as the Single display mode, described on page 29. To return the
Video Display area back to its previous display mode, double-click the full display again.
TIP: The display mode can also be changed from the Navigator window, if required, as described in the
Changing the Display Mode section, page 45.
For example,
indicates the quality 5 at the Normal refresh mode. These concepts are described in the
following sections.
Picture Quality
Picture quality (also known as resolution) refers to the compression level of the video images. The following
qualities are available for recording purposes (these refer to ViconNet devices and/or megapixel cameras
using ViconNet mode; this does not pertain when the system is being run in H.264 mode):
Quality
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Type
Properties
4 CIF
Better picture quality, but slower data transmission.
2 CIF
CIF
Less clear picture quality, but faster data transmission.
HCIF
The quality and refresh mode in which video was recorded is displayed during the first five seconds of
playback.
The recorded video quality is determined according to the configuration settings for Manual Recording,
Recording Management, Macro Creation and Pre/Post-Alarm. For additional details, refer to the relevant
sections in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
When different recording options are requested concurrently, the recorded picture quality that applies is
determined according to prioritization settings. For details, refer to the Picture Quality and FPS Priority section
in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
In order to improve transmission speed, the maximum quality of live images is set automatically according to
the selected display mode, as follows:
Display Mode
Max Display
Quality
Single
Two-by-two matrix
Hexa (Six)
The Single mode is assigned the highest available resolution, while other modes are assigned lesser
resolutions, in proportion to their number of views. This is because the smaller views (for example, 3x3 or
4x4) generally do not benefit from higher resolutions and are equally legible in a lower resolution.
When the
buttons in the Main window Function Controls area are enabled, you can
manually override the display mode-determined live picture quality for the currently selected camera. The
qualities 1, 5, 6 and 7 are available for this purpose. The quality and refresh mode of the live video is
displayed during the first five seconds following the manual Quality change. (For information about enabling
the buttons, refer to the Configuring Manual Recording and Picture Quality section in Chapter 3, Configuring
the ViconNet System.)
Refresh Mode
The refresh mode refers to whether all the frame data (Full mode, represented by an F in the bottom-left of
the camera view) is displayed each time or only changes that occur in the frames (Normal mode, represented
by an N in the bottom-left of the camera view) are displayed. The view image is automatically played back in
the refresh mode in which it was recorded.
For open platform cameras there is no N designation. The mode will either be F (full motion JPEG) or
MPEG/H.264.
The refresh mode of the recorded image is determined according to the configuration settings for Manual
Recording, Recording Management, Macro Creation and Pre/Post Alarm. For additional details, refer to the
relevant sections in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
Function Controls
The ViconNet Function Controls enable you to record or stop the live video and audio currently displayed in
the Video Display area, as well as stop the macros currently running in the system, if required. Additionally,
an archive wizard is available that allows a quick archiving tool without using the playback screen.
Option
Description
Records all video currently displayed in all the video display locations in the Video Display area
and stores the recorded data into the predefined local storage location. To stop recording, click
the Stop Record button.
Refer to Chapter 5, Recording Live Video/Audio, for detailed recording procedures.
Stops the transmission of all video currently displayed in the Video Display area.
To begin recording again, you must re-select the required cameras, as described in Chapter 5,
Recording Live Video/Audio.
Stops all macros currently running independently within the system or as a result of the
scheduler. Macros control operations such as:
Preconfigured schedules.
Sequence sessions.
Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System, and Chapter 7, Managing Macros and
Schedules, for additional details.
When these buttons are enabled, you can manually override the live picture quality for the
currently selected camera, as required. The qualities 1, 5, 6 and 7 are available for this purpose.
(For information about enabling the buttons, refer to the Configuring Manual Recording and
Picture Quality section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.)
Enters a bookmark in the events management log (requires ViconNet event management
license).
Enables ViconNet system to work in a low bandwidth network. When this button is pressed, the
scale factor of the compression changes. The higher the compression, the lower the quantity of
data (kB). In this case, smaller frames are transmitted, but more frames per second (FPS) are
sent over the network. Low bandwidth functionality is subject to video priority settings.
NOTE:
If there are multiple users watching the same camera, from two locations, the low
bandwidth is activated according to the settings in the Quality and FPS Priority
window, and according to the priority of the user who selects it, as described in
Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
For example: If one user has 1 Normal and the other user has 5 Normal priority, and
Highest Requested Quality is checked in Quality and FPS Priority window, then:
If 5 Normal requests low bandwidth, it is not activated.
If 1 Normal requests low bandwidth, it is activated on both users (that is, it is forced on
the other user).
Option
Description
Low bandwidth can also be configured by checking the Low bandwidth checkbox in the Macro
Editor window (in the quality area).
You can define whether or not Museum Search information is sent over low bandwidth. For more
details, see the Configuring Low Bandwidth section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet
System.
To increase the maximum FPS available when working in low bandwidth, you can
select that there be no museum search for low bandwidth from the Low Bandwidth
System Settings window.
Opens archive wizard. From this screen, select the cameras whose video is to be saved, the
dates and times of the video to be saved and select the storage location.
button, the
Control Dialog Display area displays additional controls specific to controlling the picture. Refer to the Other
Controls section, page 34, for additional details about the controls that affect this area.
Playback Controls
The ViconNet system enables you to play back one or multiple recorded segments in the Video Display area.
The playback controls are enabled when selected video is played back in the Video Display area. (Playback
is started by clicking
Description
Forward: Plays the recorded video and audio segment.
This control also enables you to restart playback of a recorded video and audio segment that has
been stopped automatically due to an alarm event.
NOTE: Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System, for additional details about
configuring alarm events.
Fast Forward: Fast-forwards the recorded segment at the following speeds (related to the normal
speed): 1/4, 1/2, x2, x5, x10, x50, and x100.
NOTE: Place the mouse cursor over a button to view its related fast forward speed.
Option
Description
Backward: Rewinds the recorded video and audio segment.
Fast Rewind: Fast rewinds the recorded segment at the following speeds (related to the normal
speed): 1/4, 1/2, x2, x5, x10, x50, and x100.
NOTE: Place the mouse cursor over a button to view its related fast rewind speed.
Stop/Pause: Stops/pauses the current playback of the recorded segment.
Prev: Displays the previous frame in the recorded segment.
Next: Displays the next frame in the recorded segment.
Other Controls
In the Other Controls area, there are functions that affect one selected device at a time and are active only if
a relevant device type is selected. As you select each of these controls, additional controls or information,
relevant to the selected control, are displayed in the Control Dialog Display area. Additionally, a button that
allows connection to a list of URLs created for this system can be accessed.
The Other Controls area provides the following functions:
Function
Description
This button displays controls in the Control Dialog Display area for modifying the sound of the
playback and live video images (change volume or mute).
This button displays controls in the Control Dialog Display area for modifying the color,
brightness, and contrast of the displayed video images.
Changing the picture settings is irreversible (meaning that after the settings have been changed,
the previous settings are lost).
NOTE: The last saved picture settings can only be restored by selecting Restore from the
System Settings window, However, this restores ALL the last backed-up system
settings. Refer to the Step 3: Controlling the Picture section in Chapter 4, Viewing and
Listening to Live Video/Audio, for additional details.
This button displays controls in the Control Dialog Display area
(lower-left panel) for viewing the four analog outputs made
available by the matrix capable Kollector Force rear panel. The
matrix feature enables four digital streams to be converted back
to analog from the Kollector Force, and servers such as analog
monitors or TVs can be used to view the output.
If there are no sites with the relevant hardware, the message: "No site supporting the switching
matrix exists" appears.
Function
Description
This button enables you to display video from a PTZ camera in the Video Display area. This
option also automatically displays a driver-specific interface for PTZ-enabled cameras in the
Control Dialog Display area and on the screen. The user must be authorized in the Site
Authorization list to use PTZ and Set Preset controls.
Refer to the Operating a PTZ Camera section in Chapter 4, Viewing and Listening to Live
Video/Audio, for additional details.
This button displays buttons in the Control Dialog Display area by which system functions can
be configured to operate via external device commands.
This button is operational only when an external control panel has been configured on your
system. Refer to the Configuring a Control Panel section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet
System, for additional details.
This button enables you to print out the Main window Video Display area panel, showing the
frames currently being displayed.
Refer to Chapter 9, Printing/Exporting Frames and Creating Video Files for additional details.
This button displays the Navigator window, enabling you to select recorded video and audio
segments for playback viewing and listening.
Refer to Navigator Window, page 35, and Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio, for
additional details.
This button enables you to save a selected single frame or group of consecutive frames being
viewed in playback to any network destination as JPEG images.
Refer to Chapter 9, Printing/Exporting Frames and Creating Video Files for additional details.
Opens the list of URL links.
Navigator Window
The Navigator window, which is accessed by clicking the Playback button in the ViconNet Main window,
displays a visual mapping of the storage location, enabling you to:
Display and play back recorded video and audio content in the Main window.
Each of the above tasks, which are available for playing back recorded video and audio, is described in detail
in Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio.
The following example illustrates the elements and options in the Navigator window, which provide access to
all playback functionality:
Navigator List
Zoom Controls
Functions and Settings, page 46, which includes the following elements:
Museum Search
Synchronized Playback
Archive Controls
Thumbnail Search
Export Video
Analytics Search
Play Button
Navigator Area
The window elements by which you can navigate and select the system devices are described in the following
sections:
Navigator List
The Navigator list displays a hierarchical list of the current storage location sources, transmitters and devices
configured in the system, as well as any currently defined archives. The Navigator list can be navigated using
standard tree expand and collapse functionality.
Each storage location (represented by a site name plus its IP address) contains the contents of all recorded
devices available for viewing and playing back recorded video and audio segments.
For the Kollector, each transmitter and camera list is correlated to a specific storage location, within a storage
type AVDB (Audio and Video Database) or Archive. The AVDB contains all saved (recorded) video and
audio data, while the Archive contains the previously archived video and audio data. Data from both storage
types is available for playing back.
Using the Navigator list, you can select or remove recorded cameras for viewing, as follows:
A camera or microphone is selected on the Kollector by clicking its icon in the list.
The following occurs:
An automatic scan for the device's recorded contents in the storage location is performed.
The camera or microphone name appears selected in the Recorded Device Contents area, and its
recorded contents are displayed.
The name of the camera appears in the next default video display location in the Main Window Display
Location area.
To reverse a selection:
Select the camera or microphone in the list again. The following occurs:
The camera or microphone information is removed from both the Main Window Display Location area
and the Recorded Device Contents area.
To remove the camera or microphone from the Main Window Display Location area but still
view its recorded contents:
Deselect the camera or microphone in the Recorded Device Contents area. The following occurs:
The camera name is removed from the Main Window Display Location area.
The Navigator list controls, displayed at the bottom of the Navigator list, enable you to define what is
displayed in the Navigator list, as follows:
Regular: Displays only the regular databases that contain recorded video and audio segments.
Refer to Chapter 5, Recording Live Video/Audio for additional details about recording live video and
audio.
Archives: Displays only the archives (and their relevant devices) that have been created in the
system. Refer to Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio for additional details about creating
archives and playing back recorded/archived video and audio.
Video Vault: Displays the recorded data that has been designated to be saved in the video vault.
Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System, Storage Database.
Both (regular & archives): Displays both the regular databases (and their relevant devices) and all
current archives (and their relevant devices).
The Recorded Device Contents area displays a list of the cameras and microphones that have been
selected for viewing and playing back their recorded contents, as described in Navigator List, page 37.
The list in this area displays the name of each selected camera or microphone, as well as a graphical
representation of the recorded contents, which appears as a horizontal bar with the following indications:
Half-height blue line indicates a recording where no data was found (empty frames).
In addition, a legend for the currently displayed information is displayed at the bottom of the Recorded
Device Contents area, as shown in the following example:
NOTES: The recorded contents that are displayed depend on the playback time interval you select, as
described in Time Interval Tabs, below, and Date/Time Controls, page 42.
You can also zoom the recorded segments in the Recorded Device Contents area, as described in Zoom
Controls, page 44.
Next to each camera or microphone in the list is a checkbox, enabling you to select and deselect it as an
active viewing camera for display in the Main window. You can select up to sixteen cameras (depending on
the selected display mode), as well as sixteen microphones, at one time from which to view and play back
recorded video and audio, as described in Navigator List, page 37.
Description
Displays all recorded segments for the selected cameras and microphones during the last 24 hours
(from the current time). This option is the default.
Displays all recorded segments for the selected cameras and microphones during the last 72 hours
(from the current time).
Displays all recorded segments for the selected cameras and microphones during the last 7 days (from
the current time).
Displays all recorded segments for the selected cameras and microphones regardless of when the
recording occurred.
When you select a time interval tab, the Time Interval Map area changes to reflect your selection, as
described below. The display of the recorded contents of the selected device is also updated, as described in
Recorded Device Contents Area, page 40.
Refer to the following section for an alternate time interval selection method.
Date/Time Controls
The From and To Date/Time controls
you to specify an exact start (From) and end (To) date and time for the recorded segment(s) that you want to
view and play back in the Recorded Device Contents area.
This alternate time interval selection method (used instead of the time interval tabs) lets you fine-tune the time
interval period. Using the time interval controls, you can select a specific:
Date range by selecting To and From dates for the recorded segment(s) you want to view (using a popup
calendar).
Time range (hour, minutes and seconds) for the recorded segment(s) you want to view by specifying the
required start and end time.
After you select a date range and/or time range, you must click the View In (Zoom Controls) button to
implement the selection. The Time Interval Map area is automatically updated according to the dates and
times specified, as described below. In addition, all the video and audio segments recorded during the date
and time range are displayed, as described in Recorded Device Contents Area, page 40.
NOTE: The time interval controls are used in the Selecting Playback Time Interval procedure in Chapter 6,
Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio.
When you modify the time interval, as described in Time Interval Tabs, page 41, or Time Interval Controls,
above, the Time Interval Map area automatically changes and reflects the new time interval.
In the Recorded Devices Content area, hold down the left mouse button at the required starting point of
the segment and drag the mouse pointer to the required ending point. Blue shading covers the selected
segment, as shown in this example:
Zoom Controls
The Zoom Controls enable you to zoom in and out of a selected segment in the Recorded Device Contents
area to make it easier to view. This provides you with the option to fine-tune your view of a selected segment
and view only the required portion, which makes it easier to select a specific playback start time, as described
in both Time Interval Tabs, page 41 and Date/Time Controls, page 42.
Option
Description
Zooms in on the selected segment in order to fine-tune the selection capability and
simultaneously updates the Time Interval Map accordingly.
This option is also used to implement the selections you make in the Date/Time
controls, as described on page 42.
Zooms out of the selected segment, returning the Time Interval Map area to its
previous display status. This option is available according to the number of "zooms
in" that were triggered.
2. Click the
button. The Time Interval Map area time line is changed according to the
indicated zoom.
3. To redisplay the time line before the Zoom action, click the
button.
The Zoom feature is used in the Step 4: Zooming the Video Display section in Chapter 4, Viewing and
Listening to Live Video/Audio.
The relevant device name is displayed in the next default location when you perform any one of the following
actions:
-OR-
Thereafter, when the Play button is selected, the devices in the Main Window Display Location area are
displayed in their respective locations in the Main window, ready for viewing and playing back.
TIP: The display mode can also be changed from the Main window, if required, as described in Display
Mode Controls, page 29.
Museum Search
The
button enables you to search for a specific camera's data within a defined region of the
database, saving you having to review the whole database. You can locate all the video segments that
include a specific difference, for example, a main door opening, or a car being moved. (For details, refer to
the Museum Search section in Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio.)
Synchronized Playback
When the
checkbox is selected, prior to selecting the Play button, the Main window
button, the Navigator window is replaced by the Main window, enabling you
to view and play back the selected recorded cameras and microphones in that window's Video Display area,
as described in the previous sections.
view and play back the recorded segments for the selected cameras and microphones according to the
selected time interval, playback start time, display mode and video display location.
If Synchronized Playback is not selected, then the playback controls will apply to only one selected camera
at a time. That camera is selected by clicking its block in the Main Window Display Location area (the
selected block will have a pink border). The Main window playback controls then apply only to the selected
camera.
The Synchronized Playback checkbox is selected automatically whenever a microphone is selected. (The
Synchronized Playback selection is mandatory for audio playback.)
This option is used in the Displaying Video/Audio Content procedure in Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded
Video/Audio.
NOTE: The Synchronized Playback checkbox must be selected before clicking the Play button. The
synchronization of devices only applies to Playback mode.
Thumbnails Search
The
button enables you to search a selected video segment on open standard cameras for the
exact video required. For details, refer to Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio and Chapter 9,
Printing/Exporting Frames and Creating Export Video Files.
Analytics Search
The
button enables you to search for video displaying behavior violations from one camera at a
time. (This is only available if ViconNet VI has been installed and configured on the system.) Select a defined
segment of time from the selected camera. Clicking the Analytics Search button will display video to show
each violation during the selected time. A slider visually represents when the violation occurred in that time
period.
Archive Controls
The archive controls enable you to create or remove archives that contain specific recorded data from specific
devices:
Option
Description
Enables you to create a new archive, which includes specifying the archive
location, name and contents.
Enables you to remove an archive and all its contents.
The archives are included in the Navigator site list together with other databases and can be selected for
viewing, or any other file operations, as required.
All playback functions can be performed on the archived data in the same way as regular recorded data, as
described beginning from the Selecting Recorded Video/Audio section in Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded
Video/Audio.
You can archive directly to a CD, DVD or USB drive. Archives can be played on any PC, from an
automatically started "Player" version of the ViconNet application. (The ViconNet application does not have to
be installed on the PC.)
If the System Authentication feature is configured, an authentication status is added to the archive, which
enables verification that live or played-back ViconNet-produced videos were not tampered with. Refer to the
Configuring System Authentication section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System for more details.
Play Button
Main window, in which the playback can be viewed in the Video Display area.
Clear Button
The
Cancel Button
The
button closes the Navigator window and reinstates the Main window.
Alarm Window
Whenever an alarm event occurs in the system, regardless of the window in which you are currently working,
the Alarm window is displayed as a popup window on top of your current window in the bottom-left corner.
You can drag the Alarm window to anywhere on your screen and it remembers its last location the next time it
is opened.
The Alarm window displays the current alarm (indicated by a red icon), as well as all recently alarmed devices
(indicated by a green icon).
The Mute checkbox enables you to mute the alarm siren. While this is selected, you can still view the video
from the device on which the alarm event occurred.
The siren is auto-enabled (the Mute checkbox is automatically deselected) after each new alarm.
The Alarm window contains the following information:
Column
Detector Name
Description
The name of the device on which the alarm event occurred.
When you click the device's icon, the alarm history for that device is displayed,
as shown in the following example:
NOTE: The
checkbox is provided for your optional use, for example, to
remind yourself which alarms you have already viewed.
Alarm Type
Local Time
The local time of the alarm, translated from the local time zone where the alarm
event occurred.
Column
Remote Time
Description
The time at the remote location where the alarm event occurred.
NOTES:
If the alarm occurred locally or at a site in the same time zone, the local
time and remote time will be identical.
If the alarm occurred at a remote site in a different time zone, the local
time will display the local time zone translation of the remote time.
Example:
If the alarm occurred in London at 0700 and the display you are looking at
(the Nucleus) is in Eastern US, the remote time displayed is 0700 and the
local time is 0200.
Site Name
Activations
Number
Indicates the number of times an alarm has been activated on the specific
device within a specific time period.
Each time the alarm is activated, another alarm event line is added to the alarm
history for that device (except in the case of a re-activation, as described
below).
In cases where the alarm was activated and then re-activated within a very
short period of time afterwards, the re-activation of the alarm is not displayed in
the alarm history.
Combine
Alarms which
occur within
The time interval that passes after an initial alarm, in which another alarm
action will not trigger a new alarm, but will cause an increment of +1 in the
Number of Activations field. This is useful if there are a lot of similar alarm
triggers and you do not want to continuously activate new alarms.
NOTE:
In the Alarm Setup window, the value in the field Min time between alarms
field determines how much time must pass after the first and subsequent
alarms before a new alarm is generated (for a specific camera).
The difference between Min time between alarms and the Combine Alarms
which occur within, is that the Min time between alarms field defines
that an alarm is not generated within a certain time, where as the Combine
Alarms which occur within field determines which alarms are combined
as additional activations of the last alarm.
Example:
Minimum time between alarms = 1 minute
Combine alarms which occur within = 2 minutes
If alarms are continuously being generated, a new line only appears in the
Alarms popup screen after one minute has passed. If an alarm occurs
between one and two minutes after the former alarm, it is added to the
previous alarm's data (existing row) as an additional activation. If Combine
alarms which occur within... is smaller than Minimum time between
alarms, the number of activations is always one and each alarm generates a
new row (alarm.)
In order for the Alarm window to pop up during an alarm event, the specific device must be configured in the
Active Detectors and Associated Macros window, as described in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet
System.
NOTES:
When an alarm event occurs in the system, you will notice that the relevant red LED on the Kollector Force
front panel blinks. Refer to the Front Panel Indications section in Chapter 1, Introducing ViconNet. Alarm
sensors are NOT defined when the latest version 6 is installed. The sensor must first be added and
configured in Alarm setup. Refer to Alarm Configuration in Chapter 3. If a Kollector Elite is being upgraded
to the latest version 6, all previously alarms that were set up will be lost and have to be added back in.
When a macro is running as a result of an alarm event, the following is applicable:
If the macro is performing display operations, all functions in the ViconNet Main window, except for the
Stop Macro, Schedule/Macro and Shutdown buttons, are disabled.
If the macro is performing all other recording operations, all functions in the ViconNet Main window
remain operational.
You can also generate an Alarm History report that contains all the alarms that occurred in the system, as
described in Chapter 8, Generating Reports. Video can be played back from this report.
2. Click Yes. The ViconNet Login window is redisplayed, as described in Logging In, page 10.
NOTE: If the user is not authorized to logout, a Change User button replaces the Logout button. Once
Change User has been pressed, the Login window appears, with the Cancel button enabled (for
the case that the user regrets trying to log out).
Exiting ViconNet
Exiting is performed when you want to exit the ViconNet application and close the application.
to display the Setup Site Selection window. (For details about this window, refer
to the Activating the Configuration Functions section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.)
2. Click the Exit to O.S. button.
Click
Watchdog
The Watchdog feature is provided for recovery purposes and acts as a safety mechanism in cases of
unforeseen incidents such as temporary power failures.
If the application "locks up," the ViconNet application is restarted automatically after approximately one and a
half minutes. This is useful, for example, if a scheduled macro was running during the night and there was a
power failure. In this case, the application will automatically restart and resume running the macro.
Chapter 3
Configuring the ViconNet System
This chapter describes all the configuration functions available in the ViconNet system and contains the
following sections:
Accessing the Configuration Functions, page 57, describes how to access the System Settings
window, which enables you to start to perform configuration functions for a selected site.
Modifying the System Configuration, page 59, describes how to modify all ViconNet default system
configurations, including network setup.
Using Reset Nucleus, page 77, describes how to remove all disconnected sites from all site lists and
sub-lists in the ViconNet system.
Using the Central Failure Notification (CFN) Mechanism, page 79, describes how to receive
notifications indicating that certain applications have failed, for example, macro, recording and database
failures.
Configuring the Central Failure Notification (CFN) Effects, page 81, describes how to configure
when Central Failure Notifications will be displayed and for how long.
Configuring System Authorizations, page 83, describes how to categorize users into groups
according to the system operations that you want them to access.
Configuring Site Authorization, page 91, describes how to define the system operations that can be
accessed by each group of users.
Configuring Auto Login, page 97, describes how to configure the system to automatically log in
selected users.
Configuring Storage Database Utilities, page 99, describes how to set up video storage locations for
storage purposes.
Configuring System Authentication, page 108, describes how to activate the display of system
authentication results.
Defining Device Groups and Group Sets, page 109, describes how to organize devices into defined
groups and group sets.
Configuring Manual Recording and Picture Quality, page 115, describes how to configure the
picture quality and refresh rate that applies to manually initiated recording.
Configuring Recording Management, page 117, describes how to setup 24/7 recording or boosting
recording parameters upon motion.
Configuring Auto/Manual FPS, page 119, describes how to select automatic or manual configuration
of the FPS per DSP.
Using the Recording Verification System (RVS), page 122, is combined into CFN functions for
version 7, to notify users of any recording errors.
Creating Macros, page 123, describes how to create sets of instructions that cause the system to
perform specific tasks in a specific order. (Information about scheduling of macros is provided in the
Creating Schedules section, page 173.)
Defining Texting and Email, page 135, describes how to configure the ViconNet system so that a Text
Message or Email can be triggered by a macro.
Setting Video and Audio Priority, page 137, describes how to define the video settings to be used
when different viewing/recording functions are requested concurrently.
Configuring Alarm Events, page 141, describes how to define alarm setup links and how to set pre
alarms and post alarms.
Configuring the Video Analytics Engine, page 158, describes how to enable the video analytics and
set up the configuration.
Configuring Events Management, page 159, describes how to define events generated from an
external control system and how to control and present information about these events.
Configuring Archives, page 169, describes how to define the Archive Wizard that is used from the
Main screen.
Links, page 170 allows the creation of a list of convenient URL links to be used by the system.
Creating Schedules, page 173, describes how to create schedules that instruct the system about
when to run specific macros.
Configuring Low Bandwidth, page 178, describes how to configure low bandwidth to send museum
search information over low bandwidth.
Restoring and Backing Up System Settings, page 179, describes the ViconNet system restore and
backup features.
Configuring an External Control, page 180, describes how to enable system operation via buttons on
an external control panel.
Defining Site Maps and Map Sets, page 184, describes how to receive notifications indicating that
certain applications have failed, for example, macro, recording and database failures.
Open Standard Cameras, page 192, describes how to enable and configure the open standard
cameras that are available on the network (both Vicon and those from other vendors).
Defining Open Standard Camera Format, page 197, describes how to set up the video format of the
open standard cameras from other vendors.
Using the LTU, page 198, describes how to set up and install a translation of all the user interface
terminology for use by non-English speakers.
Web Server, page 202, describes how to setup to view ViconNet as a web browser.
Video Masking, page 206, describes how to create masked areas on the video image to block sections
of the video from view.
Viewing the Settings Summary, page 209, describes how to view all the settings for a specified site in
one place, without navigating through all the windows of that site.
Display Settings, page 210, describes how to change the screen resolution and aspect ratio.
Registering your System, page 212, displays the registration window for the ViconNet system.
Note: In this manual, any features for the Kollector Force are relevant to Kollector Elite and Pro units
upgraded to the latest version 8 software; Kollector Strike features pertain to Kollector Lite units upgraded to
the latest version 8.
The local site always appears at the top of the list. The Nucleus site is listed second, displayed as
(Nucleus), unless the local site is the Nucleus, as shown above.
The Exit to O.S. button enables you to exit to the Operating System and to close the ViconNet
application.
NOTE: There is a limit to the amount of time you can leave the setup screen open without working in it.
Therefore it is important to save your settings each time you make a change. Before ViconNet will shutdown
in this situation, the following warning screen will display.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to configure the network setup and click
. The
When the function is not supported, the associated button is disabled (grayed out).
These options are only
enabled if the Kollector
being configured is also
the Nucleus.
NOTE: The Site Name and Site IP information are displayed automatically on this and subsequent
windows.
Configuring the Network Setup, below, describes how to configure the network setup for each device
in the system, including which device is running the master Nucleus and which device is running the
backup Nucleus.
Configuring/Modifying Cameras, Microphones, Sensors and Relays, page 66, describes how to
configure which devices are available and operational in the system.
Configuring/Modifying PTZ Controls, page 76, describes how to configure PTZ camera controls,
such as driver and version information.
Each time the Nucleus device is restarted or the user Exits the ViconNet software and then
launches it again.
Each time the user makes any setup changes on the Nucleus device and clicks the Close button
on the Setup screen.
Each time the backup Nucleus device is restarted or the user Exits the ViconNet software and
Step 2: Configuring the Network Setup for a Master Nucleus System, page 62
NOTES:
To prevent problems, it is recommended that you methodically plan your network ahead of time.
Do not use this procedure to modify an already existing network.
Before beginning, ensure that all CAT5 cables to the transmitters and Workstations are connected to a hub
or switch and that they are properly wired on each end, per 568B (or 568A). It is important to not mix
connection methods or connect or disconnect cables when the application is running.
. The
3. Click
NOTE: The options in the IP Address Settings area, as well as the Change Time button, are disabled
during remote setup.
4. You can change the device's name, if required, by clicking
window. After you have assigned a new name to the site, click
5. (Optional) To manually synchronize the local device time with all sites connected to the Nucleus, select
the Synchronize Time on the Network option (default=checked).
NOTE: The system also automatically synchronizes the time every one minute.
6. (Optional) To synchronize the time with your local time settings,
Deselect the Synchronize Time on the Network option (if it is selected).
Click
and update the time in the displayed Date/Time Properties window. This is useful if
The local IP address and DNS are displayed automatically in the Nucleus IP and Master Nucleus
DNS name fields.
3. In the IP Address Settings area, select the Specify an IP address radio button and set the Local IP
address and the Subnet Mask.
4. Click
. The application will reboot and the Nucleus name will appear in the top-left corner of the
3. Repeat step 1. The name of the backup Nucleus should be grayed out so that you cannot change it.
Workstation
Offline
If the Site Type column displays the word Other, it means that the application is not communicating
correctly with that site. This can occur if the network connection is broken between that site and then
reconnected (for example, due to an unplugged network cable) or because of some other network
interruption. To correct this problem, go directly to that site, exit to the operating system and then restart
the application.
4. Go to the site handling the master Nucleus and drag a camera from the Site List to check if video can
be seen from a site on the Nucleus.
5. Go to the Kollector and playback a camera. The site should appear in the Site List.
6. Log in to each of the sites in the list and playback a camera.
Each device that you connect to a specific input in the system must be configured separately, using the
ViconNet application, so that the system can recognize and operate the device. This consists of configuring
information that enables the system to identify the device such as the device type, name, input number and
so on.
During device configuration, a table of buttons for all devices is displayed. When you select a device from
this table, the configurable information, specific to the selected device and input, is displayed in the bottom
portion of the window.
NOTE: The device appears in the Site List automatically and can be used immediately for all available
system functions. No configuration is required for this purpose.
The local camera definition procedure, described below, includes a region of interest (ROI) area
definition aspect, by which recording and display update is triggered only when the changes to the
camera view affect defined ROI areas, at specified sensitivities. This usefully conserves storage
capacity by limiting the number of frames recorded to those required for business purposes.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select your local Kollector and click
on page 58.
3. Click
NOTE: You can click Undo to restore the last saved settings, if required.
TIP: You can print the current Device List details by clicking the Print button.
4. Select a camera button from the Video section of the Devices List area. The Video Input Setting area
at the bottom of the window displays all the configurable settings for the selected device. A numerical
index number is displayed automatically in the ID field. The ID number is assigned by the system and
cannot be changed (read-only). Select detector Normal state, Close or Open, if not already done so in
the Alarm Wizard.
6. Select either ViconNet proprietary compression algorithm or H264. If ViconNet is selected, choose
either Standard or Super fine picture quality. Standard is a very high picture quality provided by
ViconNet; For users who require extremely high quality, select Super fine. This lowers the overall
compression and results with an even higher picture quality but this will impact on bandwidth and
storage (approximately 15% addition to standard bandwidth and storage calculation). If H264 is
selected, choose VBR (Variable Bit Rate) or CBR (Constant Bit Rate). If CBR is selected, select Bitrate
Setting. The following screens will display.
Select the required video bit rate for the camera (max 8000).
7. To select the microphone sample rate and modify the balance between playback speed and recording
storage space, select the
8. Select the required audio sample rate (8000 (default), 16000, or 24000) and click OK. The sample rate
is for all microphones defined in the site list/system. Use the slider to adjust the setting for the
playback rate and recording storage.
7. In the Recording storage vs. Playback performance area move the slider to select the balance you
want between how fast video will be played back and the amount of storage space required for your
system.
8. Click the
area will trigger recording on the selected camera. You can limit the triggering to when changes are
detected in specific regions of interest (ROIs). The Region of Interest Definition window is displayed.
The window shows the live view of the selected camera, with blue, red or yellow colored grid blocks
over selected regions of interest. If no settings were yet defined for this camera, the colored grid blocks
cover the entire picture, indicating that the change detection that would trigger recording currently
applies to the entire camera view area.
You can focus the change detection mechanism on security-sensitive objects in the camera space by
using the window functions to vary the coverage of the colored grid blocks. (Only the segments covered
by colored grid blocks are considered for change detection purposes.)
For example, you can focus on windows or doors (as shown in the picture
opposite) to monitor opening/closing events.
Description
This button clears all the current colored grid blocks in the view. You can then use the Pencil
tool to define grid blocks for specific ROIs within the view surface.
NOTE: Change detection does not function unless ROIs are identified by colored
(blue, red or yellow) grid blocks.
This button marks colored grid blocks over the entire window surface, meaning that change
detection will apply to the entire camera view. You can then use the Eraser tool to remove
specific grid blocks.
When the Pencil tool is selected, the cursor becomes a pencil icon.
You can define ROIs by clicking and dragging over the required view area segments, thereby
drawing arrays of red, blue or yellow grid blocks (according to which pencil is selected).
The Tool Size Selector area includes buttons for three pencil sizes.
According to the selected size, the cursor draws a small (single block),
medium (4-block) or large (16-block) width of grid blocks per sweep.
When the Eraser tool is selected, the cursor becomes an eraser icon. You can erase ROI
segments by clicking and dragging over selected grid blocks, thereby erasing them.
The Tool Size Selector area includes buttons for three eraser sizes.
According to the selected size, the cursor will erase a small (single
block), medium (4-block) or large (16-block) width of surface blocks per
sweep.
The Block Control selector enables you to define how many blocks of the colored grid arrays
must be simultaneously involved in the change before recording is triggered. For example:
"1" (the most sensitive setting) indicates that recording should be triggered if a change is
detected in even one block amongst all the defined ROIs.
"16" (the least sensitive setting) indicates that the change must be simultaneously
detected in at least 16 blocks within the entire view area. The blocks do not have to be
contiguous.
NOTE: The selected maximum cannot exceed the total number of blocks defined
in ROIs.
The Sensitivity Control enables you to adjust the triggering sensitivity (by dragging the slider)
between High (higher detection of changes) to Low (lower detection of changes).
The Show Grid button applies a gray planning grid to the parts of the window where no ROIs
(colored grid blocks) are defined. The gray grid is only for purposes of viewing where ROIs
may potentially be defined and does not affect the change-detection process. When selected,
the button changes into a Hide Grid button by which the planning grid can be suppressed,
making only the "active" colored grid blocks visible.
When you have finished defining grids and recording triggering sensitivity for the selected camera, click
the
or
button. (Both buttons save the current settings. The Save button leaves
the window open for additional changes, while OK redisplays the Device Settings window.)
9. If the local camera is a PTZ, configure the PTZ driver and communication information, as described in
Configuring/Modifying PTZ Controls, page 76.
10. To configure or modify additional local cameras, repeat steps 4 to 9, as required.
As you select another camera button in the Device Settings window, the new or modified name of the
local camera that you have just configured is displayed automatically on the appropriate button in the
Video section (for example,
).
11. Click
. The new or modified local camera configuration is saved automatically in the system
(without requiring a reboot) and the camera appears in the Site List in the ViconNet Main window as
an available device, meaning it is available immediately for all operations.
NOTE: After you have configured a device in the system, it also appears in all other device lists, such
as when creating macros, defining alarm setup links and setting pre/post alarms. Refer to the
relevant sections in this chapter for additional details.
In addition, the system automatically notifies all connected sites (through the network) of the new or
modified local camera configuration.
Modifying Microphones
The ViconNet system enables you to modify up to 16 microphones on the Kollector Force and 4
microphones on the Kollector Strike.
To modify a microphone:
1. Perform steps 1 to 3 in Configuring/Modifying Local Cameras, page 66.
2. Select a microphone button from the Audio section of the Devices List area. The Audio Settings area
at the bottom of the window displays all the configurable settings for the selected device.
In addition, a numerical index number is displayed automatically in the ID field. The ID number is
assigned by the system and cannot be changed (read-only).
3. In the Name field, enter a logical name for the microphone.
4. (Optional) In the Description field, enter descriptive textual information about the microphone.
5. To modify additional microphones, repeat steps 1 to 4, as required.
As you select another button in the Device Settings window, the new or modified name of the
microphone that you have just modified is displayed automatically on the appropriate button in the
Audio section and the configuration is automatically saved.
6. Click
5. (Optional) In the Description field, enter descriptive textual information about the sensor.
6. To configure/modify additional sensors, repeat steps 1 to 4, as required.
As you select another button in the Device Settings window, the new or modified name of the sensor
that you have just configured is displayed automatically on the appropriate button in the Detector
section and the configuration is automatically saved.
7. Click
. The new or modified sensor configuration is saved automatically in the system (without
requiring a reboot) and the sensor appears in the Site List in the ViconNet Main window as an
available device, meaning it is available immediately for all operations.
NOTE: After you have configured a device in the system, it also appears in all other device lists, such as
when defining alarm setup links. Refer to the relevant sections in this chapter for additional details.
Configuring/Modifying Relays
The ViconNet system enables you to configure or modify up to 16 relays, if required.
NOTE: The relays are only enabled in this window when using the Kollector Force with the matrix rear
panel. In this case, the system automatically recognizes the relays.
To configure/modify a relay:
1. Perform steps 1 to 3 in Configuring/Modifying Local Cameras, page 66.
2. Select a relay button from the Relay section of the Devices List area. The Relay Settings area at the
bottom of the window displays all the configurable settings for the selected device.
3. In addition, a numerical index number is displayed automatically in the ID field. The ID number is
assigned by the system and cannot be changed (read-only).
4. In the Name field, enter a logical name for the relay. For example, you can assign a name that relates
to the proper relay operation.
5. (Optional) In the Description field, enter descriptive textual information about the relay.
6. To configure/modify additional relays, repeat steps 1 to 5, as required.
As you select another button in the Device Settings window, the new or modified name of the relay that
you have just configured is displayed automatically on the appropriate button in the Relay section and
the configuration is automatically saved.
7. Click
. The new or modified relay configuration is saved automatically in the system (without
requiring a reboot) and the relay appears in the Controls area in the ViconNet Main window as an
available device.
NOTE: You can also define an external relay by selecting Controls & Events Drivers in the System
Settings window. For more details, refer to Configuring an External Control, page 180.
Option
Description
PTZ Driver
PTZ Version
Port Number
Camera Address
to
3. To configure or modify PTZ controls for additional PTZ cameras, repeat steps 1 and 2, as required.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
Disconnected
Sites
3. Click
. All sites that appeared in the Setup Site Selection window, the Site List in the
Main window and other sub-lists as disconnected (offline) have now been removed from the lists. An
example is shown below:
You can configure the duration for which the CFNs will be displayed by selecting the
option in the System Settings window, as described in the Configuring the Central Failure Notification (CFN)
Effects section on page 81.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site with the Nucleus and click
3. Click
4. In the Site List section, select which site(s) to notify about a failure occurring in any other site that
shares the same Nucleus from the Available area and then click
This window is accompanied by a sound (similar to the Alarm window). Selecting the Mute checkbox
silences the alarm for this message; however, the next time the window is displayed, the alarm will sound.
Checking the Disable sound checkbox disables the sound option completely, meaning that the alarm will
not sound again.
To see more details about the error, double-click it to open a window like the one shown here.
NOTES:
The local site in which the failure occurred receives the user notification even if it was not selected in the
Nucleus CFN setup.
Disconnected sites are marked with a (*).
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the required site and click
page 58.
3. Click
Always Display CFN Dialog: Specifies that the Central Failure Notifications window be displayed
continuously until it is closed manually by clicking OK.
Display Local Failure Notification For: Specifies the duration that the Central Failure Notifications
window be displayed each time a CFN is sent.
Do Not Display Local Notification: Specifies that CFNs relating to the local site (meaning, the site
on which you are working) should not be displayed.
5. From this screen you can activate a macro when there is a Central Failure Notification. Check the box
and select the macro you want to run from the dropdown list. Refer to the section on the Macro Editor
on how to configure macros.
Click Save. If either Display Local Failure Notification For or Do Not Display Local Notification was
selected, a message is displayed requesting that you confirm your selection.
The CFN Effects Settings window is closed.
The Central Failure Notifications window, as shown on page 80, is displayed according to the setting you
selected.
Users and Groups can only be defined in the Nucleus. The User & Group Management button in the
System Settings window is disabled in all other sites.
After groups and users have been defined, you can define which system operations will be available to
each group of users, per site, as described in Configuring Site Authorization, page 91.
Thereafter, each authorized user can access the system and the ViconNet application, using their assigned
user name and password. The system automatically checks the login information according to the assigned
group and then enables the allowed system operations, which can include:
Viewing and recording live video/audio, as described in Chapter 4, Viewing and Listening to Live
Video/Audio and Chapter 5, Recording Live Video/Audio.
Playing back recorded video/audio, as described in Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio.
Access to the available sites and devices (cameras, microphones and so on) is also dependent on the
assigned authorization of each user.
Defining Groups
The ViconNet system enables you to define groups to which you can assign specific users. The purpose of
each group is to categorize specific users so that they can all be assigned the same site authorization
rights. These rights determine the system operations each group can perform.
After defining the groups, you can assign users to the groups, as described in Defining Users, page 88. You
can then configure the site authorization for each group, as described in Configuring Site Authorization,
page 91.
is displayed, showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on
page 57.
2. Select your local Kollector and click
on page 58.
3. Click
NOTE: When working in the User & Group Management window, you can click Undo to restore the last
saved settings, if required.
The system provides two default groups (Administrator and Guest), each with their respective site
authorizations. Refer to Configuring Site Authorization, page 91, for a description of these groups.
4. Click
. The fields in the bottom portion of the window are enabled, as follows:
. The new group is added to the group list at the top of the window.
NOTES:
To edit a group, select the group from the list in the User & Group Management window and click Edit
Group. Then modify the displayed settings, as described in the procedure above and click Save.
To delete a group, select the group from the list in the User & Group Management window and click
Delete Group.
8. To add additional groups, repeat steps 3 to 7, as required.
ViconNet provides an Active Directory, an interface that allows importing groups and users from another
server to ViconNet. These groups can then be used as any other group in the system.
1. Select the
2. To access the domain to import, enter the user name and password of an authorized domain user
and the domain site. Click Connect. A list of groups in that domain will display in the Available area
of the screen.
3. Select the groups to be imported into ViconNet (those with relevant users) from those available in
the domain and click Add. Repeat for all the groups to be added. A group can be deleted by
selecting it in the Selected list and clicking Remove. Since groups on other domains may be
periodically updated by their system managers, you can select to have your group updated as well.
Check the box to Actvate auto update of selected group; then select a time period of from hour to
24 hours for how often the list is updated. When all groups have been added, click Apply and then
OK. These groups are now included in the group list on the Users & Groups Management page.
4. These new groups can now be edited and users added like any other group. Additionally, a Domain
column will be added to the Site Authorization list to define which system operations can be
accessed by each group from the domain.
You can now add specific users to the defined groups, as described in the following section. When
connected to Active Directory, the users who are members of the groups are also imported, so there is
no need to create a user or associate them, just define their authorization.
Defining Users
The ViconNet system enables you to categorize the specific users in your system into groups. Users must
be defined in the Nucleus and can be seen in all the sites. You can then configure the site authorization for
each group of users, per site, depending on the system operations that you want them to be able to access.
NOTE: When working in the User & Group Management window, you can click Undo to restore the
last saved settings, if required.
2. Click
. The options in the bottom portion of the window are enabled, as follows:
Description
User name
User description
Password
Verify Password
Priority
Select the user's priority in the system. This priority is used in conflict
situations, for example when a user requests or forces her/himself to
be the primary user (default = 1). For example, post alarm recording
is performed at the quality of the user/macro that has the highest
priority.
Refer to the Creating a Macro section for an example of use of user
priority.
4. In the Group Association section, select which group to assign the user from the Available area and
then click
. The new user is added to the user list at the top of the window.
NOTES:
To edit a user, select the user from the list in the User & Group Management window and click Edit
User. Then modify the displayed settings, as described in the procedure above and click Save.
To delete a user, select the user from the list in the User & Group Management window and click
Delete User.
7. To add additional users and their group assignments, repeat steps 2 to 6, as required.
8. Use the Duplicate User button to create a new user with the same associated groups and priorities as
the selected user.
You can now set the site authorization for each group of users that you have defined, as described in
Configuring Site Authorization, below.
ViconNet Administrator: Users assigned to this group have authority to perform all system operations.
ViconNet Guest: Users assigned to this group have authority only to log in, log out and exit the
ViconNet application. Default values shown in entry fields may also be changed, if required. All other
options are disabled.
When configuring site authorization, each group is displayed in its own column along with a list of available
system operations. This enables you to set site authorization for one or multiple groups by selecting the
appropriate options in each column.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site name for which you want to configure site authorization and click
. The
3. Click
NOTE: When working in the Site Authorization window, you can click Undo to restore the last saved
settings, if required.
The Site Authorization window contains the two default groups (Administrator and Guest) as well as
all other groups currently defined in your system. The operations in the Administrator group cannot be
modified, but you can modify the operations in the Guest group, if required.
4. Expand the branches in the Action list to view the categories, as required (see the examples
below).
NOTE: The Live View action enables the users of an authorized group (see next step) unlimited
access to the specified device. (The actual feasibility of the device use depends on the device's
authorization for the relevant group.)
5. In the appropriate group column, define the system operations that you want authorized for that
group by selecting (
) or deselecting (
For example, under Groups Device Sets, each group within a Devices Group Set can be assigned
different authorizations. In this way, users in each group only have access to the cameras associated
with the group they are in.
NOTE: The Live View feature, as well as the Device Data Retrieval feature under the Playback
branch, are authorized on a per device (camera and microphone) basis.
6. To copy the actions from this site and send them to another site, use the
button.
Select the site to which the actions are to be exported from the Site List and click Add; that site will
appear in the Selected list. Sites can be removed from this list by clicking Remove.
7. To copy the actions of one group to another group, use the
button.
Select the source of the actions to be duplicated. Select the destination group to be duplicated from the
Available list and click Add; that group will appear in the Selected list. Groups can be removed from this
list by clicking Remove.
8. To restore the last saved settings, click Undo.
9. Click
10. Click
in the message.
or
Click
NOTES:
If you click Cancel in the Site Authorization window before you click Save, a message is displayed,
prompting you to save your changes.
To edit the existing site authorization for a group, repeat the procedure above, select or deselect the options
as required and then save your changes.
IMPORTANT:
When replacing the Nucleus of the system (by changing the Nucleus IP in the Network Settings window),
you must first redefine all the users and groups in the new Nucleus. To do so:
1. Go to the site that is to be the new Nucleus and manually define all the users and groups.
2. In all the sites connected to the current Nucleus, change the Nucleus IP in the Network Settings
window to the IP of the new Nucleus. In each site, the system will restart. Upon restart, the site will ask
you if you want to run a conversion (to put all the current site authorizations into the new Nucleus).
3. Either:
Click Yes site authorizations from the existing Nucleus are saved in the new Nucleus,
or,
Click No site authorizations are lost and only the administrator and guests can log in to sites
connected to the new Nucleus. In the Site Authorization window, all the rows appear with red crosses
(Xs). For other users to access the sites connected to the new Nucleus, follow the To configure site
authorization procedure, as described on page 91, for each site.
IMPORTANT:
When joining a new Nucleus with either a Workstation or Kollector recorder, the new user obtains a group
list from that Nucleus. This group list (on the new unit) will have no privileges (meaning that by default, all
Actions are labeled with a red X). In order for the new user to obtain privileges in that group, a user must
login to the Nucleus as an Administrator, locally or remotely, and enable the privileges (change the red Xs
to green checks) for that unit. This procedure must be repeated on all units in the system where group
privileges are required.
When joining a new Nucleus with either a Workstation of Kollector recorder, the previously established
group privileges will be disabled on that unit when the "Nucleus" designation is removed. To restore those
privileges, the unit must disengage from the new Nucleus unit and re-establish itself as a standalone
Nucleus.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select your local Kollector and click
on page 58.
3. Click
NOTE: If Auto Login has already been defined for the user name, the window fields will show the user
name and 8 asterisks (********) in the Password field.
4. Select the Enable Auto Login checkbox to enable entering data to the window.
5. Enter the required user's user name and password in the applicable fields. (If you want to remove a
user's Auto Login configuration, delete the displayed entries or unclick the checkbox.)
6. Click OK. The System Settings window is redisplayed.
NOTE: If the entered user name and password combination is not defined in the system, an error
message will be displayed. You should try the entries again.
The specified users will now be able to access the system without a login procedure.
NOTE: The Auto Login (or Auto Login removal) becomes operational only after the next restart of the
application by the Administrator user.
NOTE: To avoid damage to databases, if the current session involves recording (since the last reboot), the
Storage Database Utility is disabled. Otherwise, the following message is displayed:
In this case, disable recording management and macro recording, restart the application and then
select the Storage Database Utilities option again.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the local Kollector and click
page 58.
3. Click
NOTES:
When working in the Storage Database Utilities window, you can click Undo to restore the last saved
settings, if required.
In addition, the options in the Storage Database Utilities window are disabled during remote setup.
4. Click
. The bottom portion of the Storage Database Utilities window is enabled, as follows:
5. Click the arrow next to the Select Disk dropdown list and then select the required location. Do not
record on the OS C drive or any other internal drive if a RAID is attached.
The system automatically detects the Maximum Size of the selected directory, depending on the
available disk space. The default directory size is 2000 MB (which is also the minimum size).
6. In the Directory Size field, type in the required size (between the minimum and maximum).
7. Click
in the bottom of the window. The new storage location information is added to the
to change the location of the DB Storage for the Bookmark and Video Vault recorded
data.
9. Click the
recording time limitation and to select the maximum duration for which recordings should be stored.
10. Check the box and enter the number of days to limit recording.
11. Click the
tab. Selecting this option enables you to select the type of disk on
which an archive can be saved. If nothing is checked, you can only save locally.
Allow remote network Drive Archives: Select this option to enable you to save an archive on a
non-local disk (i.e., Network drive). If it is not selected, you can only save locally.
Allow removable (USB) drive DB Archives: Select this option to enable you to save an archive on a
removable disk such as a USB device or a CD.
Create Archives on a removable drive with Archive Player This is enabled by default; it allows you
to save an archive together with the ViconNet Viewer on a removable disk, such as a USB device or a
CD, so that on selecting to play the archive, the ViconNet Viewer automatically runs. Deselect to disable.
a secure location when the database is full where it will not be automatically overwritten. Record must
be on for this setting.
Check the box to allow this recorded data during alarm to be overwritten. Additionally, you can select a
number of seconds before and after the alarm to be saved.
13. To add an additional disk, repeat steps 4 to 11, as required.
NOTE: To edit a storage location, select the storage location from the list in the Storage Database
Utilities window and click Edit Disk. Then modify the displayed settings, as described in the
procedure above and click Save.
14. Click
. When saving a change to the size of the database, data may be deleted (if database
size is reduced). The confirmation message shown below is displayed, to give you the option of either
deleting any excess data or just hiding it.
15. Either:
Click Yes to delete the data that does not fit in the new database, or
Click No to hide the data that does not fit in the new database. (That means, the data files can still
be viewed from Windows Operating System, but you will not see them in the ViconNet application. If
in the future the database is enlarged, the data files will again become visible.)
The data is deleted/hidden on a FIFO (First In First Out) basis (meaning that the oldest data is
deleted/hidden first). The following message is displayed:
16. Click
Deleting Disks
Storage locations can be deleted if no longer required. To delete a storage location, select the storage
location from the list in the Storage Database Utilities window and click Delete Disk.
To clear databases:
1. Repeat steps 1 to 3 of the Configuring Storage Locations procedure, page 99.
2. In the Storage Database Utilities window, click the
HD Mobility
The HD Mobility feature enables saving data from the hard disk of a malfunctioning Workstation or recorder
(a recorder that has stopped working). This feature enables you to take the hard disk from the
malfunctioning recorder and insert it into a working recorder.
Once the hard disk is connected, it is recognized and displayed in the Navigator as an archive.
NOTE: Since this disk contains an external database, you cannot add it to the local database configuration
using the Storage Database Utilities window in the setup. If you try to add it, you get the following
message:
Auth X: Indicates that the authentication was checked properly but the results were poor and could not
be confirmed as authentic.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to view system authentication results and click
. The
3. Click
4. Select the Check Picture Authentication checkbox. This will activate the authentication reporting
mechanism in the video destination.
When you play back a video segment or watch live video, the system reports whether or not the video
is authentic. (When the Check Picture Authentication checkbox is deselected, authentication results
are not reported.)
5. Click
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to define a Group Set and click
3. Click
4. Click Add. The next blank line in the Devices Group Sets area becomes editable and the text New
Devices Group Sets appears automatically as the name of the new group set.
5. Enter a name for the new Group Set and press Enter.
NOTE: Upon clicking Select as working Set, Working Set is displayed next to the name of the Group
Set.
6. To configure which groups to put into a group set, double-click the Group Set name. The Groups Editor
window appears with the name of the new (selected) Group Set at the top of the list in the upper-left
panel.
7. Select the new group in the list in the top left to add to this Group Set and click Add new group. A
group called New Group appears in the Group Set (in the list). You can edit the name of the group by
either typing directly while it is still editable (indicated by blue highlight) or later by selecting it and
clicking the Rename group button.
8. Navigate to and select the device you want to add to the group in the Devices list in the bottom-left
corner of the window. Once the Group is highlighted, and the name appears at the top of the window
above the Group Set navigation list, drag the device to the list of devices on the right select the device
and click Add new device button. Note that there is a Search function available that can quickly sort
through the list of devices to locate the device you want to add.
9. (Optional) For each device selected, enter a unique secondary ID (2nd ID). This ID can be any number
up to 3 digits. This number must be entered if you are going to use a VMC keypad.
NOTE: If you try to give two devices the same secondary ID, the conflicting lines are colored pink, as
shown below. In addition, if the devices, which have the conflict, are placed in two groups, the
groups icon in the Group Set list are also colored pink.
10. (Optional) You can reorder the list view in the Group by clicking on the up
the right of the list.
11. Clicking the
and down
arrows to
After a Group Set has been created as the Working Set, you can select to display either the device name or
secondary ID or both Main window Groups list.
To close the window without saving your changes, click Close. In this case, a confirmation message
appears to verify that you do not want to save your changes.
The definition of the Group Set: The Group Set can be renamed, deleted or defined as the Working
Set.
The content of the Group Set: Groups and devices can be added to or deleted from the Group Set.
In the Devices Group Sets Management window, click Edit. The Groups Editor window appears. The
Group Set can be edited as described above.
To rename the Group Set, from the Devices Group Sets Management window, click Rename.
Devices can be added to the group by selecting the device and dragging it to the list or by clicking Add
new device. To remove a device from the group, highlight it in the list and click Remove device from
group.
Group Set in the list is then automatically changed to add the suffix " Working Set".
To see the Working Set in the Main Window, click the Groups tab.
buttons in the Main window Function Controls area can also be enabled, which allow
you to manually override the display mode-determined Live picture quality for the currently selected
camera. The qualities 1, 5, 6 and 7 are available for this purpose. (For more information, refer to the
Function Controls section in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.)
NOTE: Changing the display mode after you manually select a quality will override your selection.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to configure manual recording and click
. The
3. Click
4. Make the required Quality (picture quality) and Mode (refresh mode) selections, as follows:
Option
Quality
Description
The picture quality that you select determines the resolution at which the video images will be
recorded. Select the required picture quality from the range of one to eight, where:
NOTE: When different recording options are requested concurrently, the recorded picture
quality that applies is determined according to prioritization settings. For details,
refer to the Picture Quality and FPS Priority section, page 137.
Mode
The refresh mode determines the rate that the frames will be refreshed during the recording. Select
the required refresh mode, as follows:
Normal: Records only changes within the frames, resulting in an economic storage location
process. This option enables you to view the recorded video at a high frame per second rate,
depending on the magnitude and number of changes.
Full: Records full video image frames. During the recording operation, this refresh mode causes
the selected storage location to fill up at a faster rate.
NOTE: For additional details about picture quality and refresh mode in recording vs. playback, refer to
the About Picture Quality and Refresh Mode section in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site name for which you want to configure automatic recording and click
System Settings window is displayed, as shown on page 58.
3. Click
. The
4. The Available devices list displays all camera/microphones on the system. Select the required devices
to be configured for recording. Either drag the device into the Recording devices list or highlight it and
click the
(add icon). From here each device can be configured. To remove a device from the list,
(remove icon).
5. Select the device in the Recording device list to highlight it. Each device can be configured to record
24/7 (default) or to boost on motion; both options can be selected for the device. Additionally, a device
can be configured to record only when there is a motion alarm by deselecting the Record 24/7
checkbox. Each device can be configured individually or click Apply to all cameras if they are all to have
the same configuration.
Note: When recording on motion or boosting on motion, the motion settings must be done from the camera
browser.
6. When configuring Record 24/7, select the Recording quality number from the list (Q number). Then
select the Frames per second (fps).
7. When configuring Boost on motion, select the Recording quality number from the list (Q number). Then
select the Frames per second (fps). Select a time for Post event recording (minutes:seconds). Highlight
the minutes/seconds and click the up/down arrow to change the value.
8. If it is desired to only record when motion occurs, deselect Record 24/7 and the Boost on motion fields
screen will change to Record on motion only. Select the Recording quality number from the list (Q
number). Then select the Frames per second (fps). Select a time for Post event recording
(minutes:seconds). Highlight the minutes/seconds and click the up/down arrow to change the value.
9. When configuration is complete, select OK. The configuration screen will close. A message will display
that this screen will time out if left idle for too long. Be sure to save settings.
Column
Description
Camera Name
DSP
FPS
Use
Remainder
If selected, the system will automatically use all the remaining FPS for the specified DSP (default =
selected).
Automatic FPS
When configuring macro recording, recording management and pre/post alarms in their respective windows
(meaning, all windows that configure cameras for recording), the cameras are distributed to the DSPs and
are automatically assigned FPS, according to a preset algorithm (meaning that you do not control the
distribution of the FPS to the DSPs).
NOTES:
If the FPS configuration is set to Auto FPS, the FPS obtained for a camera may be different to that which
was specified in a specific window (see above examples).
In the Recording Management window, the camera assignment to DSPs is cyclic, meaning camera 1 goes
to DSP 1, camera 2 to DSP 2, camera 3 to DSP 3 and so on.
Example
If the site is a Kollector with 120 FPS, there will be 4 DSPs and each one will have 30 FPS. The cameras
will be distributed evenly between the DSPs.
3. Click
. The
Manual FPS
If you do not want to distribute the FPS equally between the DSPs and the cameras (using the default
algorithm), you can manually set the FPS configuration. In manual FPS configuration, the cameras are
assigned FPS per compression DSP, meaning that you set each camera to a specific DSP, with the
required FPS (up to the maximum available for each DSP).
Example
If a system has four DSPs and eight cameras and Auto FPS is selected, the camera distribution will be
cameras 1 and 5 to DSP1, cameras 2 and 6 to DSP2, cameras 3 and 7 to DSP 3 and cameras 4 and 8 to
DSP 4. When Manual FPS is selected, if DSPs 1 and 2 do not have enough FPS available, the user can
change camera assignment. In this way, FPS can be more evenly distributed so that the number of FPS is
not cut and the number of FPS requested in recording management can be implemented.
5. Click OK. The manual settings are saved and the manual FPS set here, in the Auto/Manual FPS
window, overrides all FPS settings in other windows.
NOTES:
If the settings in the Auto/Manual FPS window are changed, ALL recording and live video are performed
with the new settings.
If low bandwidth is selected in the site and manual FPS is also selected, the FPS will not be higher (as it
would with low bandwidth and Auto FPS). The FPS will remain the same as with normal bandwidth,
meaning, in this case, low bandwidth will only reduce the bps (bits per second).
Creating Macros
The ViconNet system enables you to create macros, which are sets of instructions that are made up of
user-defined commands that the system executes either automatically or manually in the specific defined
order. The commands in each macro give instructions to the system about which devices will perform
specific tasks, for how long and in what order. In addition, you can configure macros for each Kollector
independent of the other sites in the system, according to your requirements.
There are two types of macros:
Regular macros: which are comprised of a series of instructions as described in the section Creating
Regular Macros, below.
Matrix macros: which are comprised of a series of instructions for defining which cameras are to be
displayed on each of the four analog outputs. More details are provided in the section Creating Matrix
Macros, page 132.
For information about the scheduling of macros, refer to the Creating Schedules section, page 173.
Recording location.
Related devices.
Sending alarms.
Sending emails.
NOTE: Matrix macros have limited configuration options; see section To create a matrix macro, page 132.
After you create a macro, you can configure the system to activate the macro in the defined order by:
The alarm setup links, as described in Defining Alarm Setup Links, page 142 (automatic).
You can also modify or delete an existing macro, if required. (For more details, refer to step 16 in the To
create a macro procedure, below.)
To create a macro:
1. From the ViconNet Main window, click
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site name for which you want to configure a macro and click
. The System
3. Click
NOTE: Initially, the top portion of the Macro Editor window is blank. If macros have been defined
previously, they will appear in the list.
4. Click
. The Macro Editor window changes and displays the Macro area in the
middle of the window. This section of the window is where you define the sequence of commands for
each macro.
5. In the Macro Name field, enter a logical name for the macro, for example, Front Entrance External
Cameras or Emergency All Cameras Recording.
NOTE: The User Name is displayed automatically according to your log in information.
6. (Optional) In the Description field, enter a brief textual description of the macro.
7. Add the first command by selecting the required command type, as follows:
Record & Display: Simultaneously records and displays live video/audio from the selected
camera/microphone.
Send Alarm: Automatically forwards alarm events to the destination site you specify. This causes
an alarm notification message to be displayed on the destination site.
Remote Macro: Automatically executes the selected macro on the destination site you specify.
Send Email: Automatically sends an email to the Email address you specify.
Send Text Message: Automatically sends a text message to the telephone number you specify.
Run Application: Automatically launch an .exe/batch file; a second file cannot run until the first is
finished.
NOTES:
If you select the Record & Display option, then the selected device records and displays live
video/audio simultaneously. If you select the other command types, then the macro runs in the
sequence of commands that you define.
Record operations are available both locally and remotely, but display operations are always local.
If a macro is running display operations (manual, scheduler, or alarm-initiation) all functions in the
Main window are disabled, except for the Stop Macro, Schedule/Macro and Shutdown buttons.
If a macro is performing any other operations, all functions in the ViconNet Main window remain
operational.
As you select a command type, the bottom portion of the Macro Editor window changes and displays
the settings relevant for the type of command that you selected.
The steps that follow provide an example for the Record & Display settings. For details about all the
settings for all the macro commands available, see the Macro Commands section on page 130.
NOTE: All displayed settings for each command type are mandatory.
8. Either:
Select
to include the related devices that you defined for
the device during alarm setup (refer to Defining Alarm Setup Links, page 142, for additional details),
-ORSelect the required transmitter in the list to view its available devices (yellow icon = active;
gray icon = disabled). Note that there is a Search function available that can quickly sort through the list
of devices to locate the device you want to select.
Then select one or more required devices from the list. After selection, the device names and icons
appear highlighted
9. In the Duration field, use the up/down arrows to select the duration of the command (in HH:MM:SS
format),
-ORSelect the required time segment and type in the required value using the keyboard.
NOTE: The duration is set for the entire operation and not per device.
10. Configure the Quality (picture quality), Mode (refresh mode) and FPS (frames per second) settings for
the selected device, as follows:
Option
Quality
Description
The picture quality that you select determines the resolution at which the video images are
recorded when the macro is activated. Select the required picture quality from the range of one to
eight, where:
NOTE: When different recording options are requested concurrently, the recorded
picture quality that applies is determined according to prioritization settings. For
details, refer to the Picture Quality and FPS Priority section, page 137.
Low
Bandwidth
Selecting low bandwidth raises compression. When the compression is higher, the quantity of data
(kB) is lower and in this case, smaller frames are transmitted, allowing more frames per second
(FPS) are sent over the network.
Mode
The refresh mode determines the rate that the frames are refreshed when the macro is activated.
Select the required refresh mode, as follows:
FPS
The FPS determines the rate at which the video segments are recorded. Select the required
frames per second, as follows:
Max: Sets the frames per second (FPS) rate to the maximum available from the system.
Custom: Enables you to set a custom FPS rate (1-30 for NTSC or 1-25 for PAL).
NOTE: When different recording options are requested concurrently, the recorded FPS
that applies is determined according to prioritization settings. For details, refer to
the Picture Quality and FPS Priority section, page 137.
NOTE: For additional details about picture quality and refresh mode in recording vs. playback, refer to
the About Picture Quality and Refresh Mode section in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
11. Configure the PTZ, Preset, Expanded Display Mode and Destination settings for the selected
device, as follows:
Preset: The Preset dropdown list enables operation of a preset for the currently selected PTZ
camera. The presets, representing fixed location-and-zoom points in the video display, must first be
defined as described in Operating a PTZ Camera in Chapter 4, Viewing and Listening to Live
Video/Audio. Then, when a preset is selected (for example, preset1), the macro automatically
moves the camera to the view area indicated by the preset.
Expanded Display Mode: Select this checkbox to expand the current screen display to fit the
entire screen (including the Site List).
Destination Storage: Select the local or remote transmitter (storage location) to which you want to
record the live video/audio when the macro is activated.
NOTE: The Expanded Display Mode checkbox is set for the entire operation and not per device.
12. Click
. The Macro Editor window displays the settings of the first command that you
NOTE: The Add device, Edit and Delete options also become enabled at this point.
13. (Optional) To add another device to the same command, click
Select an additional device from the list and configure its settings, as described in steps 8 to 12.
14. (Optional) To add a new command to the macro script area, select the required command type and
configure the command settings, as described in steps 7 to 12.
The following example shows a single command (Record & Display operations) that has been defined
for the macro, with five cameras selected.
NOTES:
The location of each new command is above the highlighted command. In order to add the command to
the bottom, you must cancel the highlighting (by clicking once in the blank area of the macro script
area) before clicking Apply.
To edit a command line in the macro script area, select it and click Edit. Then modify the displayed
settings and click Apply. Double-clicking on the command also opens the editing panel at the bottom of
the window. For the Record, Display and Record & Display commands, if the command line is
selected, only the Duration and Expanded Display Mode fields can be updated. If a single device
under the Record, Display or Record & Display command is selected for editing, all the settings
relevant to that command are displayed, as described in the above procedure and in the Macro
Commands section on page 130.
To delete a command line from the macro script area, select it and click Delete.
When you have defined all the commands for the macro, click
. The macro is saved and
the new macro name and description are displayed in the list at the top of the Macro Editor window.
16. Click to close the Macro Editor window. The System Settings window is redisplayed.
All macros that you define(d) are available during alarm setup, as described in the following sections:
Macro Commands
The following is a list of the commands (actions) available to be triggered by a macro, including a
description of the settings to be configured for each command:
Command
Record & Display
For more details
about the Record
& Display
command
settings, see the
preceding
procedure.
Setting
Description
The devices to record and display. For more details, see step 8
above.
Duration
Quality
Low bandwidth
Mode
FPS
PTZ
Record
For more details
about the Record
command
settings, see the
preceding
procedure.
Expanded Display
Mode
Destination Storage
The devices to record and display. For more details, see step 8
above.
Duration
Quality
Low bandwidth
Mode
FPS
Command
Setting
PTZ
Description
Select presets and auxiliary for a PTZ camera.
(For more details, see the PTZ description above.)
Display
For more details
about the Display
command
settings, see the
preceding
procedure.
Destination Storage
Select devices
The devices to record and display. For more details, see step 8
above.
Duration
Quality
Low bandwidth
Mode
FPS
PTZ
Expanded Display
Mode
Pause
Duration
Relay
Select Devices
Action
Send Alarm
Destination
Remote Macro
Site/Macro
Select a remote site (that will open) and then a macro to run on it.
Send e-mail
Subject
Message
Name
E-mail address
Message
Name
Phone Number
Play Sound
A .wav audio file that will play. Sound will be overridden if another
sound command was executed.
Run Application
Application Path
An .exe or batch (.bat) file that will launch. Attempting to run a second
exe/bat file while one is already running, will fail!
Send Text
Message
NOTES:
For the Record, Display and Record & Display commands, the Duration and Expanded Display Mode
values are set for the entire operation and not per device.
For the Send e-mail and Send Text Message commands, multiple recipients can be added by entering
each name and e-mail address/phone number and clicking Add. Recipients can be removed by selecting
the recipient in the list and clicking Remove.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector Force for which you want to configure a macro and click
. The System
3. Click
4. Click
5. In the Macro Name field, enter a logical name for the macro, for example, Front Entrance External
Cameras or Emergency All Cameras Recording.
NOTE: The User Name is displayed automatically according to your log in information.
6. (Optional) In the Description field, enter a brief textual description of the macro.
7. Enter the macro commands. The commands available for matrix macros are Pause and Matrix.
Pause: In the case where several matrix commands are configured, Pause enables you to set the
amount of time the first command will run before the second matrix command takes over.
Example
In one matrix command, only four cameras can be configured. If you want more than four cameras
to be displayed on the analog outputs, you can configure the matrix macro so that every X minutes
another four cameras are displayed. To do this, you must configure several matrix commands, each
time with four other cameras, but between the matrix commands, you set pause commands with a
duration of X minutes.
NOTE: In a macro with only one matrix command (up to four cameras), there is no need for a
pause command because once the matrix macro is running, the cameras will be displayed
on the analog monitors until the macro is stopped manually.
Matrix: Displays the site list (bottom left) and four output dropdown boxes (monitors). From the output
boxes, select which camera goes to which output.
To define which camera display connects to which output, click Matrix.
Select the camera to be displayed on each analog output from the dropdown boxes in the
bottom panel and click Apply.
To define the duration of the recording click Pause.
To set other cameras to connect to the four analog outputs after the pause, repeat steps 7.1 to
7.3.
3. Select On (Closed), Off (Open) or Momentarily (configurable between 500 and 2500ms).
4. Click Apply.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select your local Kollector and click
on page 58.
3. Click
Use Email: Select/deselect to activate/deactivate the Email option in the Macro Editor window.
Set the SMTP Server Information, as follows (your system administrator can provide you with this
information):
5. Set the Sender Information (your system administrator can provide you with this information):
Use Texting: Select/deselect to activate/deactivate the texting option in the Macro Editor window.
Set the Modem Settings (your system administrator can provide you with this information):
7. Click OK.
Highest setting value: The highest of all the setting values used by the applicable recording options is
utilized (default method). For example, for Picture Quality purposes - if Pre/Post alarms uses quality 8,
Recording Management uses quality 1 and both functions are executed concurrently, quality 1 is used
for this recording.
NOTE: If the Highest Requested Quality/FPS is not selected, the recording FPS and quality are
determined by a combination of the setup in the Quality and FPS Priority window and the
User/Macro priority.
-OR-
Highest priority rank: The setting value used by the recording option having the highest priority rank is
utilized. For example, for Picture Quality purposes, you can set Pre/Post alarms with priority 1 and
Recording Management with priority 2. Then, if both functions are executed concurrently, the Pre/Post
alarms quality setting is used for this recording.
(The Highest priority rank criteria selection actually includes three priority levels, enabling you to
prioritize between all the recording functions - see step 4 in the procedure below.)
NOTE: The Priority is set up between different functions of the system, NOT between users or macros.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to define priorities and click
3. Click
To always use the highest setting value, select the Highest Requested Quality checkbox
(selected by default) and continue to step 6.
To use a priority ranking as the selection criteria, leave the Highest Requested Quality
checkbox unselected.
Select the "1" cell of the function that should have highest priority. (Its Picture Quality setting
should always be used if any other recording function is executed concurrently.) Note that as
you select a cell, the other cells' priorities are automatically renumbered, since only one
function at a time can have the same priority.
Select the "2" cell of the function which should have second priority. (Unless the "1" function is
executed concurrently with it, the "2" function's setting should always be used.) The remaining
function is then automatically set as "3".
NOTE: The priority cells in an area are enabled only when the area's Highest Requested Quality
checkbox is unselected.
5. In the Frames Per Second (FPS) area, make the required selections regarding FPS setting
precedence and priorities, in the same way as described in step 4.
6. To enable the user to manage the camera on which macros are running, meaning to allow the user to
take over as the primary user of the camera, select User always becomes Primary over a running
macro (default = unchecked).
7. Click OK to save the selections.
NOTE: When a camera is selected to record at 3N and at 3F simultaneously, it will record at 3N, meaning
that Normal mode takes priority over Full mode when the resolution is the same number.
User/Macro Priority
Two users/macros can work or run on the ViconNet system at the same time. The following rules are
implemented to define which user/macro will have the priority to define, for example, system behavior or
settings, in each conflicting situation.
NOTES:
This feature does not relate to whether the user priority is higher or lower than the macros priority.
The last macro to start takes over the PTZ presets, regardless of its priority.
If the User always becomes Primary over a running macro option is unselected and the user priority is
lower than the priority of the macro, then the user cannot take over as primary under any circumstances.
Example
If the user is the primary user and the macro is due to start with secondary status, it will take the primary
status from the user automatically ONLY if it (the macro) has higher priority. If the macro has lower priority,
it will run all commands, except those that only the primary user can control, such as PTZ preset, FPS and
quality.
NOTE: If the Highest Requested Quality is selected in the Quality and FPS Priority window in the source
of the camera and the macro has the highest FPS and quality, the FPS and quality WILL be
controlled by the macro.
Defining Alarm Setup Links, page 142, which consists of linking a macro to a specific device and a
specific alarm event. In this case, when the preconfigured alarm conditions are met, the system
automatically runs the linked macro, which gives instructions to the system about which devices to
activate, for how long and so on.
Setting Pre/Post Alarms, page 154, which consists of configuring what devices the system will
activate before and/or after an alarm event occurs. This includes configuring settings such as the
recording duration, video quality and so on.
Sensors: Each sensor is configured to be associated with a specific alarm type, such as smoke, fire,
motion detection, perimeter intrusion, window intrusion, door intrusion and so on.
Video Loss: A loss of video signal to the devices, for example by means of a disconnected video
connection.
VMD Video Motion Detection: Activity detected in a preconfigured area of the premises where
activity is cause for concern.
Video Analytics: Activity detected using ViconNet video intelligence that provides various types of
video analytic data detection.
NOTE: The Serial Connection or Network Connection Message feature will be functional in future versions.
In order to activate a macro via an alarm, the source device must be linked in the system to the macro that
will run when the alarm conditions are met. When an alarm is activated, a notification is sent to the local
station and the relevant macro linked to that alarm is executed.
By default, alarms are displayed as a popup window in the bottom-left corner, on top of your current
window. You can drag the Alarm window to anywhere on your screen and it remembers its last location the
next time it is opened. For more information about the Alarm window, see the Alarm Window section in
Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
Displaying the Alarm window. This happens automatically on the local station for every type of alarm
event. (Refer to Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet, for additional details about the Alarm window.)
Initiating any defined pre/post alarms. (Refer to Setting Pre/Post alarms, page 154, for additional
details.)
Executing any linked macro. In this case, you can configure the alarm conditions that will cause the
macro to run on the device if the alarm conditions are met during a specific time period. (Refer to
Creating Macros, page 123, for additional details).
IMPORTANT: If a device is removed from the list of alarm setup links, you will not receive automatic
notification from the system that the alarm event has occurred.
NOTE:
When a macro is running as a result of an alarm event, the following is applicable:
If the macro is running display operations (manual, scheduler, or alarm-initiation) all functions in the
Main window are disabled, except for the Stop Macro, Schedule/Macro and Shutdown buttons.
If the macro is performing any other operations, all functions in the ViconNet Main window remain
operational.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site name for which you want to define alarm setup links and click
. The System
3. Click
. The Active Detectors & Associated Macros window is displayed, showing the
For the Kollector Strike and Force (or Kollectors updated to the latest version 6), the default alarm
setup links consist of 16 cameras with alarm type Video Loss. Additionally, 16 sensors (Kollector
Force; 4 sensors for Kollector Strike) with alarm type Intrusion can be added; these sensors are NOT
defined by default and must be added in setup. Follow the procedure below to add a detector type
sensor. One external alarm can be configured that can trigger macros linked to the external alarm.
Note: Any Kollector that is updated from a lower version to the latest ViconNet version 8 will lose all sensors
that were previously setup; a notification will be displayed to redefine any sensor. These alarms will have to
be added and configured again after the unit is updated.
NOTE:
Instructional notes appear in all the alarm setup windows to assist you in defining the alarm setup links.
Switcher Macro = Matrix Macro.
4. Select the alarm Display Settings, as follows:
Always display alarm dialog: The Alarm window is displayed indefinitely, until you close it. The
default position is in the bottom left-corner.
Display alarm message for seconds: The Alarm window is displayed for the amount of time
selected in the dropdown list box.
5. Click
. The first step of the Alarm Setup Wizard window is displayed, where you select the
device for which you want to set up an alarm link. (The Active Detectors & Associated Macros window
Edit Detector button enables you to modify already defined alarms.)
6. From the displayed list, select the required device. The name and type of the selected device is
displayed automatically in the Detector Name and Detector Type fields, as well as a device-specific
alarm link description (if an alarm link is already defined).
NOTE: The detector type is based on the physical type of device.
7. Click
NOTE: The window shown above appears differently when a camera alarm or video analytics alarm is
selected as a detector.
8. Select the Sensor alarm type (dry contact), as follows:
Intrusion
Motion Detector
Smoke
Perimeter
Fire
Other
VMD - Video Motion Detection: Activates an alarm due to activity beyond specified sensitivities in
preconfigured regions of interest (ROIs) in the camera view area. (Refer to When Not to Use VMD,
page 154, for an important warning about using this option.)
Video Loss: Activates an alarm due to the video signals being stopped by any means (for
example, a cut power line)
-ORIf you selected a video analytics alarm as the detector, select the alarm type from the list. All Analytics
Alarms is the default setting. See display below. Note that to use Video Analytics, you must be
connected to the Nucleus and to a Video Analytics Engine, page 158.
9. Click
If you selected a Sensor or Video Loss as the detector, continue to step 12, where you will define
the time schedule for the macro.
If you selected VMD - Video Motion Detection, continue to step 10, where you will define the
regions of interest (ROIs) on which the VMD mechanism will focus.
If you selected Video Analytics, continue to step 12, where you will define the time schedule for
the macro.
10. If you selected VMD - Video Motion Detection, the Select Alarm region of interest window is
displayed, which enables you to define the regions of interest (ROIs) for which VMD should trigger
alarms for the selected camera.
The window shows the Live view of the selected camera, with colored grid blocks over selected regions
of interest. If no settings were yet defined for this camera, colored grid blocks cover the entire picture,
indicating that the change detection that would trigger alarms applies to the entire camera view area.
You can focus the VMD on security-sensitive objects in the camera space by using the window
functions to vary the coverage of the colored grid blocks. (Only the segments covered by colored grid
blocks are considered for VMD purposes.)
For example, you can focus on windows or doors (as shown in the picture
opposite) to monitor opening/closing events.
The following options are provided:
Option
Description
This button clears all the current colored (blue, red or yellow) grid blocks in the view. You can
then use the Pencil tool to define grid blocks for specific ROIs within the view surface.
NOTE: The VMD does not function unless ROIs are identified by colored grid
blocks.
This button marks colored grid blocks over the entire window surface, meaning that VMD will
apply to the entire camera view. You can then use the Eraser tool to remove specific grid
blocks.
Option
Description
When one of the Pencil tools is selected, the cursor becomes a pencil icon.
You can define ROIs by clicking and dragging over the required view area segments, thereby
drawing arrays of blue, red or yellow grid blocks (according to which pencil is selected).
The Tool Size Selector area includes buttons for three pencil sizes. According to
the selected size, the cursor draws a small (single block), medium (4-block) or
large (16-block) width of grid blocks per sweep.
When the Eraser tool is selected, the cursor becomes an eraser icon. You can erase ROI
segments by clicking and dragging over selected grid blocks, thereby erasing them.
The Tool Size Selector area includes buttons for three eraser sizes. According to
the selected size, the cursor erases a small (single block), medium (4-block) or
large (16-block) width of grid blocks per sweep.
The Block Size Control selector enables you to define how many blocks of the colored grid
arrays must be simultaneously involved in the change before an alarm is triggered. For
example:
1 (the most sensitive setting) indicates that an alarm should be triggered if a change is
detected in even one block amongst all the defined ROIs (that is, the alarm triggering is
unlimited).
16 (the least sensitive setting) indicates that the change must be simultaneously
detected in at least 16 blocks within the entire view area. The blocks do not have to be
contiguous.
NOTE: The selected minimum cannot exceed the total number of blocks defined in
ROIs.
The Sensitivity Control enables you to adjust the triggering sensitivity (by dragging the slider)
between High (higher detection of changes) to Low (lower detection of changes).
The Show Grid button applies a gray planning grid to the parts of the window where no ROIs
(colored grid blocks) are defined. The gray grid is only for purposes of viewing where ROIs
may potentially be defined and does not affect the change-detection process. When selected,
the button changes into a Hide Grid button by which the planning grid can be suppressed,
making only the "VMD-active" colored grid blocks visible.
11. When you have finished defining grids and VMD sensitivity for the selected camera, click
12. The Alarm Setup Wizard window is displayed, where you define the time schedule for the macro.
13. (Optional) To cause the system to activate the macro only if the alarm conditions are met during a
specific time range on specific days (for example, during non-working hours on weekdays), define the
time period in the Alarm Activity Time area, as follows:
Option
Active From/To
Description
Select the start and end time for the time period (in HH:MM:SS format) by:
Selecting the required time segment and then using the up/down arrows to scroll to
the required value,
-OR-
Selecting the required time segment and using the keyboard to type in a numerical
value.
Minimum time
between alarms
Select how much time must pass after the first and subsequent alarms before a new
alarm will be generated (for any specific camera).
Up to three time-range-and-days definitions can be defined in the Alarm Activity Time area.
From 12:00 AM to the following 12:00 AM (full 24 hours), on Saturday and Sunday.
14. Click
to proceed to the next step of the Alarm Setup Wizard where you can define the
related devices.
15. (Optional) Select the required devices in the Available area and click
Selected area.
NOTES:
You can remove a device from the Selected area by selecting it and then clicking Remove. The device
is redisplayed in the Available area.
The related devices that you select here will be included automatically when you use the Push to
Insert Related Devices option during macro creation. Refer to Creating Macros, page 123, for
additional details.
16. Click
to proceed to the next step of the Alarm Setup Wizard where you can select a macro
or a matrix macro (switcher macro) to link to the device. A list of macros currently defined in the
system is displayed.
NOTE: You cannot select a macro with an unlimited duration for an alarm setup. Upon selecting a
macro with an unlimited duration and clicking Finish, the following message is displayed:
17. (Optional) From the list, select the macro to be activated by the system when the selected alarm
conditions are met on the specific device.
NOTES:
A macro can also be linked to related devices, if required, so that when the alarm conditions are met on
any of the configured devices, it automatically causes the system to run the macro on all the devices
related to the alarmed device.
At this point, you can also create a new macro (meaning, macros do not have to be pre-defined) or edit
an existing macro, by clicking the Macro Editor button. Refer to Creating Macros, page 123, for
detailed information about creating new macros.
18. Click
. The device's new alarm setup link is displayed in the list in the Active Detectors &
20. Click
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site for which you want to set pre/post alarms and click
3. Click
NOTE: You have the option to set only pre alarms, only post alarms, or both, depending on your
requirements.
4. In the Select devices for pre/post alarm area, select the devices from the Available area that you
want to be affected by the pre alarm and post alarm settings and click
Selected area.
NOTE: You can remove a device from the Selected area by selecting it and then clicking Remove.
The device is redisplayed in the Available area.
5. Select the required Recording Duration (mm:ss) settings for the pre/post alarms, as follows:
Pre alarm: When an alarm is activated in the system, this option causes the system to immediately
save the data prior to the alarm of the selected devices to the storage location. The data is saved
according to the selected duration, the selected Recording Duration setting and the Video and
Mode settings, as described in the subsequent steps in this procedure.
Select the required time segment and then use the up/down arrows to scroll to the required value,
-AND/ORSelect the required time segment (mm or ss) and then use the keyboard to type in a numerical
value.
Post alarm: When an alarm is activated in the system, this option causes the system to
immediately begin recording the selected devices for the selected duration.
Select the required time segment, as described in the Pre alarm option above.
NOTE: Pre alarm and post alarm settings are not directly related to macros and can run without macros
being configured in the system. When different recording options are requested concurrently, the
recorded Quality and FPS that applies is determined according to prioritization settings. For details,
refer to the Picture Quality and FPS Priority section, page 137.
The MAX fields in the Pre/Post Alarm Settings window (page 155) are read-only fields. The maximum
times are the highest possible limits. These upper limits displayed in the MAX fields changes according
to the selected number of cameras, quality, mode, FPS and transmitter type. The actual recorded
duration may differ from the duration requested. (The default MAX values are five minutes for pre alarm
and ten minutes for post alarm.
If pre\post alarm is defined in the Quality and FPS Priority window as first priority and the Pre alarm
recording duration in the Pre/Post Settings window is not set to 00, the recording is performed
according to the quality requested in the Pre/Post Alarm Settings window, even though no alarm
occurred. If pre\post alarm is defined in the Quality and FPS Priority window as first priority and
Pre alarm recording duration is set to 00 (meaning, do not save in a buffer), the recording is performed
according to the second priority function selected in the Quality and FPS Priority window (either quality
of recording management or user/macro) and only after an alarm occurs, the recording is performed
according to the quality defined in the Pre/Post Alarm Settings window for the duration defined in the
Post alarm recording duration field.
6. If you have configured pre alarm settings in step 5, select one of the following Recording Duration
settings:
Save all Pre/Post alarm cameras selected: When an alarm is activated on any device in the
system, this option causes the system to immediately save the pre and post alarm data of all the
selected devices to the storage location. The data is saved according to the settings that you define
in the other options in the Pre/Post Alarm Settings window.
Save only the detectors selected related devices: When an alarm is activated, this option
causes the system to immediately save the pre and post alarm data of only the selected devices
that are also listed as related devices for that alarm.
NOTE: Refer to Defining Alarm Setup Links, page 142, for additional details about adding related
devices.
7. Select the required Video settings for the alarm-activated recorded data, as follows:
Quality: The picture quality that you select determines the resolution at which the pre alarm and/or
post alarm data is recorded.
Select the required picture quality from the range of one to eight, where:
FPS: The rate at which the pre alarm and/or post alarm data will be recorded.
Select the required frames per second from the available range (NTSC: 1 to 30; PAL: 1-25).
Refer to Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet, for additional details about picture quality and FPS.
8. Select one of the following Mode settings (refresh mode):
Normal: Records only changes within the frames for pre and post alarm data.
Full: Records full frames for pre and post alarm data.
Refer to Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet, for additional details about the refresh mode.
9. Click
to save your settings and close the Pre/Post Alarm Settings window.
Note: If automatic recording has been enabled recording is already taking place and setting pre/post alarms
is not necessary.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to configure video analytics and click
. The System
4. Check the Enable AgentVI Video Analytics box. The AgentVI server IP address and Draw Object
Data fields on the screen will become editable.
5. Enter the AgentVI server IP address.
6. Check Draw Object Data if it is required. The Draw Object Tail will then become enabled to check, if
required. These options create an area around the object that is being followed. When video with
analytic behavior is displayed, the video will display polygons that outline the behavior violation
according to the parameters set up in the video analytics. The tail shows the direction of the motion.
These indicators supply details to track the behavior and follow its progression. Refer to Appendix E,
Using Video Analytics for details.
Events Management
ViconNet provides a powerful event management system that allows integration with another control
system, such as access control or license plate recognition. The event management system is designed to
allow any external source to send events to it over the network. Events Management provides a wide array
of options to manage, control and present information about the events generated from that control system.
Note: The events management system uses a common SQL database installed on one of the Workstations
(Vicon recommends installing the database on the Nucleus, assuming it is a PC registered as a Workstation
or NVR and not a DVR). The event management system can use an existing SQL server if such exists.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to configure events and click
4. The top four buttons provide for local configuration of events, to customize what will happen when an
event occurs. From the Events Settings screen, select
5. Select where to save the events, either on the local database or elsewhere, as a central database.
(One shared database on the Nucleus is the preferred option.) Click
. A Cancel button is
provided.
7. Select what type of message to display when an event occurs [display message for a selectable
duration of 5-30 seconds, display accumulated event list, pop-up message or no display indication at all
(events will only be added to the database for future use)]. Additionally, select if information (text)
should display on the video for the incoming event (note that the available fields in the dropdown lists
change according to the system it is integrated with); the number of fields of text depends on the
selected video size (4, 6 or 9 fields for small, medium or large, respectively). Select the time duration of
the display and the type of border. Click
. A Cancel button is provided.
9. This screen defines a set of conditions for which an event will be treated as an alarm and/or activate a
macro. To configure this trigger, click Add. The following screen displays.
10.
Select whether the event will trigger an Alarm, a Macro or an Alarm & Macro. If macro is selected,
choose it from the drop down list; name the trigger. If it is required that all events trigger an
alarm/macro, check that box. To choose events to be triggers, select which fields will trigger the
alarm/macro and input the condition which will be used to identify the trigger; any number of database
fields can be chosen from the top list. To further refine the trigger, one field of the same type can be
selected from the second list, and this second field can be in combination with the first (AND) or in
addition to the first (OR).
11.
To modify a trigger, use the Edit, Delete or Delete All buttons to edit a selected trigger, delete a
selected trigger or delete all triggers. The Show Details button displays a list of the specifics for the
selected trigger.
12.
13.
This screen defines the set of conditions under which defined related devices (i.e., cameras and
microphones) will be used (for recording or display) when an event occurs, linking an event to a camera
condition. To configure the camera, click Add. The bottom portion of the screen becomes active.
14.
Select cameras and microphones and the related field(s) you want to cause the camera to be stored in
the database. See below.
15.
Define the content of the database fields that cause the camera to store the event. The selected field
can Equal, Not Equal or contain specific information. Click Save when completed. In this way, several
related devices can be linked to a specific condition in the event and used as a group for display and
recording purposes to one event without creating multiple macros. An Undo button deletes the addition.
16.
To modify previously configured cameras, select Edit; click Delete to eliminate a camera from the list.
17.
The bottom four buttons pertain to settings related to database configuration. From the Events Settings
screen, select
18.
Depending on the system integrated with, the database field might already be populated or, in some
cases, those need to be defined. Even if the integration driver is already defined, the users need to
choose which of the fields available to include in the database and those not to include. The Events
Database Configuration screen allows the creation of database fields and how these fields are defined
and used. Click Add to add a database field. The following screen displays.
19.
The drop down menu lists all the fields that are pre-defined for the specific system; for example the
license plate recognition driver will list: Lane, Plate number and other fields. To create other fields that
are NOT pre-defined, name the new field and define the type as Alpha Numeric or Numeric; check the
radio buttons of the categories of how the field will be indexed (to be used for queries on that field).
Note that if Allow to modify the stored data is checked, this editing can be reviewed in the Events
History Report. If a field is Searchable, it can be used to look for events with that field.
20.
Events can be announced by pop-up screens, if selected in the Events Message Display screen. The
21.
Each field on the screen can be dragged to a location for a custom design. Click OK to save the design
or Cancel the changes. This allows the user to design the look of a pop-up message; this should be
done after all fields have been defined in the database.
22.
. The following
23.
After selecting a field column, use arrows at top to move the column to a different location on the list.
Click OK to save the design or Cancel the changes.
24.
The database by nature is limited by size (4 GB with the free SQL 2005 express). This requires
maintenance to make sure it is always operational. It is recommended to schedule backups for the
database or to clear un-needed data.
Note. This is a different database than the video database; it contains events relevant to the event
management system only and not playback video.
25.
To clear all or some of the older events in the database by date, select
. The following
screen displays.
26.
From the dropdown, select the date up to which all events will be deleted. Click on Delete to remove
these events from the database.
27.
28.
Select an empty folder in a location on the PC to save the backup Events database. Click OK.
29.
30.
Select the folder that contains the backup Events database. Click OK. The backup database will be
31.
32. Check the box to attach a snapshot to an event when it occurs. For a recorded event, a pre-event
snapshot can be taken up to 59 seconds before the event occurs. The snapshot will be from the
cameras related to the event as defined in step 12 and requires those cameras to be recorded if a prealarm snapshot is needed.
33.
34.
Queries allow for easy and fast retrieval of data using the Events History Reports; refer to Chapter 8.
This screen allows the setup of specific inquiries on events and defines which fields will be used in
these queries. Any query created here is saved and can be easily run at any time, saving the need to
compose the query on-the fly. To add a query, select Add. The bottom of the Events Queries Setup
screen becomes active.
35.
Enter a name in the Query Name field. Select the DB fields to be included in the query; when
database fields are defined as Alpha Numeric, define them as Equals, Not Equals or Contains and
enter terminology in the field(s); Numeric fields are defined as Equals, Not Equals, Is bigger than, Is
smaller than or Is within range. Select Save to save this query or Undo to cancel it.
36.
Change a query by selecting the Event Query from the list and click the Edit button. The fields at the
bottom of the screen become active to make any necessary changes. Select Save. To delete a query,
select it from the list and click Delete; a Delete All button is provided to delete every query from the
list.
Configuring Archives
ViconNet provides two methods of saving selected files in archives. The advanced method is created
through the playback screen and is done directly from the Navigation screen. As an alternative, an Archive
Wizard is available that can be accessed directly from the Main screen. That method is configured through
the System Settings screen.
1. From the ViconNet Main window, click
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to configure events and click
4. Select the Use archive wizard radio button. The area below the button will become active.
5. From the selection, check to choose any or all of the parameters as required by your system.
6. Choose to either Require user login to play the archive or allow Login automatically using the
following user credentials. A user and password entered in this screen must be that of an existing
user in the system who has playback permission in the Site Authorization list.
7. The
Creating Links
ViconNet offers the ability to create a list of URL links directly from the Main screen.
7. From the ViconNet Main window, click
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
8. Select the Kollector for which you want to configure events and click
10. To add a link to the list, select Add. The following screen will display.
11. Fill in the fields with a URL name and a URL path. Click Save to save the settings.
12. An Undo button is provided to delete this URL from the list.
13. A URL can be changed or deleted by selecting the URL from the list. The Edit and Delete buttons will
become active.
Creating Schedules
A schedule is a group of user-defined settings that cause the system to activate a selected macro during a
specific time period and for a specific length of time.
The ViconNet system enables you to use the ViconNet application to create multiple schedules, according
to your requirements, which consists of selecting which macro to run on which days of the week, as well as
a start time and end time for each day.
Each schedule, using its defined macro, performs the respective commands on the configured camera and
microphone inputs only during the time periods defined in the schedule. The transmitter remains idle during
the non-scheduled times.
During schedule configuration, you can also determine if the defined macro will run continuously during the
selected time period or at specific intervals. This enables you to fine-tune your macro operations and may
reduce storage space in the storage location by recording data only during the scheduled time periods. You
can also modify or delete an existing schedule, if required.
To create a schedule:
1. Ensure that you have created the required macros, as described in Creating Macros, page 123.
2. From the ViconNet Main window, click
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
3. Select the Kollector or which you want to create a schedule and click
4. Click
The Scheduler Settings window contains the following information about each schedule:
Column
Description
Macro Name
Start Time
End Time
End Day
Scheduler Type
The defined run option, which determines if the macro will run continuously or only
at specified intervals.
5. Click
NOTE: When working in the Scheduler Settings window, you can click Undo to restore the last saved
settings, if required.
6. From the Macro or Matrix dropdown list, select the macro for which you want to create a schedule. The
defined macro description is displayed automatically in the Macro Description field.
7. Select the days of the week that you want the macro to run from the Sunday - Saturday checkboxes.
NOTE: Selecting days of the week refers only to the coming week. To select other future dates, select
dates from the Specific dates area, as described in step 9, below.
8. In the Active From and To fields, define the start and end time (in HH:MM:SS format) for the macro to
run on each of the selected days, as follows:
Select the required time segment and then use the up/down arrows to scroll to the required value,
-OR
Select the required time segment and then use the keyboard to type in a numerical value.
If the Active From and To times are the same, the schedule will be for a 24-hour period.
NOTES:
Specific dates selected can be deleted by highlighting the date in the list and clicking Remove date.
If the date you select is in the past, a message requesting a future date is displayed.
If both a Start Day and a Specific date are selected, the macro will run on both the day selected in the
Start Day area and the date selected in the Specific dates area.
10. In the Options area, select a run option for the macro, as follows:
Option
Description
Run
Continuously
This option causes the selected macro to run continuously, during the selected days and
during the time period that you selected in the Active From and To fields.
Launch Every
This option causes the selected macro to run at regular intervals, depending on the
minute/hour value that you select from the dropdown list.
NOTE: When an alarm event occurs, the execution of the alarm macro takes
priority over the execution of the schedule macro.
Run
This option causes the selected macro to run a specified number of cycles (from 1 to 256)
from the selected start time.
NOTE: For scheduler to run now, ensure that Active From time is the current time
or later.
11. Click
. The new schedule is added to the list at the top of the window. The ViconNet Main
window is redisplayed.
After creating the schedule, the system activates the relevant macro automatically according to the
schedule settings that you have defined.
You can also activate the macro manually, if required, as described in Chapter 7, Managing Macros
and Schedules.
If you open the Scheduler Settings window again (as described at the beginning of this procedure), you
will see the new schedule in the list.
NOTES:
To edit a schedule, select the schedule from the list in the Scheduler Settings window and click Edit. Then
modify the displayed settings, as described in the procedure above and click Save.
To delete a schedule, select the schedule from the list in the Scheduler Settings window and click Delete.
To disable all scheduler operations, click the Scheduler is enabled button and then click Yes in the
displayed message. The button then toggles to Scheduler is disabled.
If a scheduled macro was stopped using the Stop Macro option in the Main window, the Scheduler is
enabled button (in the Scheduler Settings window) changes to Scheduler is suspended and the scheduler
switches to Disabled mode. Clicking the Scheduler is suspended button displays a message that
provides the option to Enable the scheduler, Disable the scheduler or Cancel (meaning, stay in
Suspended mode).
In Suspended mode, a message appears every five minutes asking if you want to enable the macro
scheduler.
If the user does not respond (click Yes or No) within 30 seconds of the message appearing, the macro
scheduler is automatically enabled.
If the system reboots while a macro is running or scheduled to run, on system startup, the macro resumes
from the place it stopped (if it is still within its time limits).
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select your Kollector and click
page 58.
3. Click
4. Select either Send museum search information over low bandwidth or Dont send museum
search information over low bandwidth, as required.
5. Click OK.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site name for which you want to back up or restore settings and click
. The
5. To continue, click Yes. A standard file browser window is displayed. Navigate to the backup file that you
want to restore and click OK.
NOTE: Remember the backup location for restoration purposes. It is important to restore system settings
on the same transmitter on which the backup was performed.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site name and click
page 58.
3. Click the
NOTE: If the relevant drivers are not installed, the following message is displayed:
4. When the drivers are correctly installed, click the Add Driver button to display a list of the pre-installed
drivers. The types include: PTZ joystick, relays, control panel, keypad, event and host protocol (PLC).
5. From the Driver Name list, select the required driver.
6. Select the Internal COM Address with which to communicate with the device, the Port Number and
the Baud Rate.
NOTES:
Ensure the Internal COM Address is different for each control driver, or the following message
appears:
.
For PTZ Joystick, the Baud Rate must be 4800.
7. Select/Deselect Auto start checkbox.
If not selected, the control must be activated manually in the Main screen, as described in the section
Activating a Control, below.
8. Certain drivers, for example Bookmark, require that the Network Information area be completed. If
these fields are not grayed out, select Network Server or Network Client and enter the required
information. When using PLC-TCP there are two drivers (.dll), one to serve as a TCP/IP Client
(Client.dll) and the second to serve as a TCP/IP Server (Server.dll). The choice depends on the system
sending the PLC commands. For the Client.dll, set the Servers IP address and the User Port; for the
Server.dll, only the Port Number is defined. For PLC-COM, no setup is required.
Activating a Control
Controls such as joystick, relay and so on, must be activated in order for them to function in the ViconNet
system.
To activate a control:
1. In the Main window, click Controls. A list (list) of all sites with controls configured is shown in the
lower-left panel. To see the controls configured for a specific site, click on the site in the list.
Control
Relay
How to Activate
Click on the control driver in the list. The following GUI is displayed in the lower-left panel.
Select Activate and the Activation time (duration of activation of relay in milliseconds).
Activated relays appear in the controls list with a yellow icon and bold text.
NOTES:
The Number of controls actually connected is the number of actual physical connections. If
this number is 0, a relay cannot be activated.
The Current state displays the name of the last relay activated.
Speaker
PTZ
Joystick
Click on the joystick control in the list. The joystick control is activated and a GUI message appears
in the lower-left panel that the control is on line. If there are no joysticks physically connected
(configured), the message in the GUI is:
appears.
2. Click Add. The next blank line in the Map Sets area becomes editable and the text New Map Set
appears automatically as the name of the new map set.
3. Enter the correct name for the new map set and press Enter.
4. To configure which maps to put into a map set, double-click the map set name or click Edit to enter the
Maps Editor screen. The Maps Editor window appears with the name of the new (selected) map set
at the top of the list in the upper-left panel.
5. To add maps to the map set, click Add new map. The Maps Editor Browser window appears.
Maps added to the map set retain their original size and resolution. Double click the thumbnail of the
map to move it up and down to make room to add a device in that location.
6. Browse to and select the map you want to add to the map set. Once the map is highlighted and the
name appears in the File name box, click Open.
NOTES:
1. Double-clicking the map name in the browser does not add it to the map set (as it does not know
where to add it).
2. If the map is larger than the screen, it fills the entire screen in the editing space. To navigate to
another part of the map, use the navigation map in the bottom right-hand corner of the editing
space.
A map can also be dragged directly from the list onto the displayed map (in the editing space), to create
a sub-map. (For example, if you have a map of a whole floor, you may want to insert a map of only one
room on that floor.)
NOTE: If a map that is dragged onto another map has sub-maps, these sub-maps are also dragged
onto the map set.
Sub-maps: A sub-map is a map inside a higher-level map, for example a detailed map of one room
might be a sub-map of a map of a whole floor. The location of the sub-map can be moved as needed.
Text boxes: A text box allows you to write a textual comment wherever you want on the map. An
example is shown on the following page.
Devices: Devices that can be added to a map are cameras, microphones, sensors and servers. The
devices should be added to maps according to their physical location.
You can only access a sub-map via the Map Set list.
You cannot add the same map twice in the same higher-level map, but you can drag it from the list
into another map.
Maps are not added recursively, meaning that parent maps must be added first.
3. To add a text box (a comment displayed on a map) to the displayed map, click Add text box. Edit the
text in the text box as required and drag the text box to the required location on the map in the editing
space.
4. To add a device (camera, server, microphone, sensor) to the displayed map, drag the device from the
Devices list in the left-hand panel into its required location onto the displayed map. An icon and a label
are displayed on the map.
NOTE: After you drag the device onto the map, the device and its label become two separate objects. If
you move the device to another location on the map, the device icon and the label must be
dragged separately.
To activate a device, click the icon on the map. If the device is activated, the icon blinks.
To deactivate the device, click the icon again. If the device is deactivated, the icon remains steady (not
blinking).
5. Use the
button load an update a map without changing the devices already placed on a
previous map.
To close the window without saving your changes, click Close. In this case, a confirmation message
appears to verify that you do not want to save your changes.
CAUTION: The Maps Editor window times out after 20 minutes. If you are editing maps for an
extended period of time, be sure to save your changes every few minutes. If you do not save
within 20 minutes, when you click Save or Save & Exit, the following message appears:
CAUTION contd: Any editing that has been done since last saving will not be retained.
Additionally, when clicking on the Site Map tab in the Main Window, the map set that has been
selected as the Working Set (see next section) will not appear. If this occurs, terminate
ViconNet by clicking on Exit to OS in the Setup menu and then start ViconNet again.
The definition of the map set: The map set can be renamed, deleted or defined as the working set.
The content of the map set: Maps, sub-maps and devices can be added to or deleted from the map
set.
In the Map Sets Management window, click Edit. The Maps Editor window appears. The content map
set can be edited as described above.
To rename the map set, from the Map Sets Management window, click Rename.
To select which map set will be displayed in the Main window, click
set in the list is then automatically changed to add the suffix " Working Set".
To see the working set in the Main Window, click the Site Map tab.
In the Map Sets Management window, select this map set and click
Network Global Set and is available to any ViconNet devices on the network. It can be viewed on this
Nucleus by clicking in the Set Map tab on the Main Window.
To choose the Network Global Set to be the Site Map on another ViconNet device, go the Map Sets
tab in System Settings on that unit. The name of the map set (Network Global Set) that was created on
the Nucleus will appear. Click
To delete a device or a text box from a map, select the object and click Delete item.
To delete a map, click (select) the map to be deleted in the list and click Delete map. A message
appears asking you to confirm you want to delete the specific map.
If the map to be deleted has sub-maps, text boxes or devices, they will also be deleted. Once the map
is deleted, the previous map in list is selected.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Nucleus for which you want to configure a camera and click
. The System
This screen allows you to add a camera, edit an existing camera or delete a camera.
If the camera license has not been registered, or if the number of licenses has been exceeded, the following
message will display.
To add a camera
1. Click the
to add
standard; this also explains which cameras are accessed using VNSetup.
2. For non-Vicon open standard cameras, the Camera Details area will become enabled. Select a device
from the Available Devices on Net dropdown list; most cameras are automatically added to the list when
they are on the network and the Camera Details are automatically populated. From the Vendor list, select
the correct manufacturer. If your camera is not on the list, or you want to change the details, enter its
details manually, as described in step 3 and on below.
For Vicon open standard cameras, after the search has completed, the detected cameras are displayed
and are added automatically to the list. The camera list can be sorted to display in ascending or
descending order by any of the column headings to make it easier to select the desired camera in the
list; simply click the camera name column to select toggle the up or down order. A message will display
to add a User Name and Password for each detected camera. The User Name and Password for the
camera are the cameras identity in its browser. It is recommended that the user be administrator level to
be able to access all camera features. After being named, the camera can be activated. Click on the
camera. Click the
Note: Vicon open standard cameras will only be detected if they are on the same LAN as the PC. Cameras
that are not on the LAN have to be added manually. Refer to the instruction manual for the camera to add
cameras manually.
3. Enter a Camera Name for this camera and select IP or DNS. (DNS is used to add the camera by its
hostname on the network instead of its IP address and is only available if the camera is registered in the
DNS.)
4. For open standard cameras from other vendors, select a format for the camera. Only formats that are
supported by this camera will display. The format for Vicon open standard cameras is set from the
cameras Video Settings screen. Select the same format, MPEG-4 of M-JPEG.
5. The Port Number will default to 80. This is the most standard port. If you want to use another port, you
must check the cameras browser to set the correct port.
6. Enter a User Name and Password for this camera. This will be the cameras identity in its browser. It is
recommended that the user be administrator level to be able to access all camera features. If you want
to specify a site where the camera is recorded (instead of automatic recording search), select it from the
dropdown Primary recording site list; this is an optional setting.
7. There is a checkbox to Enable Edge playback. This allows a camera to be played back directly from the
camera itself, not from ViconNet (if the device allows playback capability, for example the Express line or
cameras with a micro SD card). Note that for the Vendor Vicon Express, ViconNet recognizes it as an
Edge device and the fields remain grayed out but Edge playback is enabled. You can test the playback
address by clicking
will display and playback is viewed from there. A camera can record both on ViconNet and internally to a
micro SD card. The example below shows an HDExpress screen.
Click the button to access the camera browser. Below is a Vicon camera screen and a sample non-Vicon
camera screen; account is the user name in this sample. This sample screen will vary according to the
camera selected.
10. Click Save to save your settings and Close to exit the window. An Undo button is provided.
11. To use Edge or Quick Playback for these cameras, the storage location address of the camera/edge
device (where the camera is being recorded, for example the SD card on a camera) must be selected. If
not previously done, select from the dropdown list of available resources to record the camera.
12. Click on the
setting up authorization for Live View, Playback and PTZ actions by selecting (
) or deselecting (
the appropriate categories, as required. If all cameras are to have the same authorizations, check Apply
to all cameras box to avoid setting up each camera individually.
To edit a camera
1. Click the
2. Select the camera that you want to edit. The Camera Details area will become enabled.
To delete a camera
1. Click the
2. Select the camera that you want to delete. The following screen will display.
3. Select Yes to delete the camera. Click Save to save your changes and Close to exit the window.\
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Kollector for which you want to configure open platform camera format and click
The System Settings window is displayed, as shown on page 58.
screen displays.
4. Select the format for the non-Vicon open standard camera. The default format is the one that the
camera uses according to its setup; selecting one of the other options will request this video format
from the cameras. If the camera doesnt support the selected format, the default format will be used.
5. Click OK to save your settings or Cancel.
5. Click
or select Open from the File menu. The Open resources ViconNet window is displayed with
6. (Optional) To change the location where the translated file will be saved, open the browser by clicking
on the arrow next to the path text box and browse to the required location. (For example, if you want
to open a file from another version of the ViconNet application.)
7. If a library file already exists, browse to it in the Translated file text box and click Open. To create a
new library, click
and so on.
8. (Optional) Select an interface element group from the options in the toolbar or from the Groups menu.
All the terms which appear in that element group are displayed in the list in the left-hand panel.
9. Click on the row to be translated. The user interface where the selected term appears in the system is
displayed in the lower right-hand panel and the selected term appears with a text box to translate it in
the top right-hand panel.
10. Type the translation in the Translation text box in the top right-hand panel.
11. Repeat steps 8 to 10 above until all the terms required have been translated. The translations are
saved automatically the selected path.
NOTE: As long as the LTU remains open, the individual translated terms are saved while you
translate/navigate to other terms.
12. To save the library, click
or select Save from the File menu. Enter filename of your choice and
Description
Enables you to change font, font size and font style of the translated term.
Enables navigation to the next term in the list of terms. You can also navigate
to the next term by selecting Next in the Actions menu.
Enables navigation to the previous term in the list of terms. You can also
navigate to the previous term by selecting Prev in the Actions menu.
Enables you to search for a specific term that appears in the system (button
text, label, message and so on). You can also search for a term by selecting
Find or Find in all groups in the Actions menu.
Provides information about the LTU.
Sort
You can sort the list of terms alphabetically by clicking the Original text
column header or by selecting Sort by in the Actions menu.
Show identical
name
You can show other terms with identical name by selecting Show identical
name in the Actions menu.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
13. Select your local Kollector and click
on page 58.
15. If an LTU library has already been created, highlight it and click OK. The translation is immediately
implemented and all the translated terms appear in the site's user interface.
Example:
Original Text:
Translated Text:
If an LTU library has not been created, follow the procedure To create a translation library file
procedure, page 198.
NOTES:
Terms that were not translated remain in the default language.
To implement the translation on another site, the .ltu file must be saved on that site in
./ViconNet/VnData/Settings. The file then appears in the LTU library list in the LTU Settings window
and can be implemented as described in step 4 above.
Web Server
Using the Web Server screen allows ViconNet to open as a web-based viewer. The Web Server must be
setup from the Nucleus. From the Nucleus, select the Nucleus to be setup as the server. Note that there are
limits to how much can be run on the server and that there are certain performance criteria required.
1. From the ViconNet Main window, click
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the site name for which you want to configure the web server and click
. The System
4. The Nucleus can run the server either as a Web Server or Load Balancer. Select how you want to run
the server.
5. The default settings for running as a Web Server are HTTP and Port 80. If these selections are
acceptable, click OK. If changes to the default settings are required, click
. The
HTTP is the standard communication protocol for the web and mobile viewers.
If added security is required, select HTTPS or both HTTP and HTTPS. If HTTPS is selected,
the SSL encryption fields will display to enter the certificate and key for communication with
the web server. Either a self signed can be selected by checking the box or an official
certificate issued by a CA (Certificate Authority) must be uploaded from your PC. Provide the
path to the certificate directly, or use the Browse button to locate it.
It is not necessary to enter the Nucleus IP since the server is on the Nucleus.
6. The system is set for Optimal image quality by default; it is recommended to keep this setting and no
further action is necessary. If changes to the quality settings on the Video Quality Screen are required,
this can be is accessed by clicking
Consider changing this selection carefully. The selected Video Quality Setting applies to all video streams
sent from this server and the selection does impact on the server and mobile device resources. Click OK if
any change was made.
7. The default settings for running as a Load Balancer are HTTP and Port 80. If these selections are
acceptable, click OK. If changes to the default settings are required, click
. The
The Load Balancer distributes the web and mobile viewers across the available servers to optimize the
load on the system. It is recommended to make the Nucleus into the Load Balancer. Using Load
Balancer is only relevant when using multiple web servers.
On a system running a Load Balancer, all communication is directed to it. The only address to browse
to or connect to from a mobile device is this servers IP address.
HTTP is the standard communication protocol for the web and mobile viewers.
If added security is required, select HTTPS (default port is 443) or both HTTP and HTTPS. If
HTTPS is selected, the SSL encryption fields will display to enter the certificate and key for
communication with the web server. Either a self signed can be selected by checking the box
or an official certificate issued by a CA (Certificate Authority) must be uploaded from your PC.
Provide the path to the certificate directly, or use the Browse button to locate it.
8. Enter the IP addresses and ports of all web servers to be used in the fields. Adding a server address
will automatically add another line for another address. If any information is incorrect, an error
message will display. To delete a server, click in the leftmost column to highlight the line and use the
delete key on the keyboard.
9. After configuration is complete, from the buttons at the bottom
, select
Configure to start the configuration; select Abort to if the changes should not be saved. Exit will bring
you back to the Web Server window.
10. A status button is available that, when clicked, opens a window that displays the status of the
configuration. Click hide to close this window
11. After the Web Server is activated, the ViconNet application will restart.
Video Masking
In certain situations, it may be necessary to block selected areas in the video from view, both on live
viewing and playback. Video Masking must be setup from the Nucleus.
1. From the ViconNet Main window, click
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select the Nucleus site name for which you want to configure video masking and click
4. Select the camera from the list on the left side for which you want to create the video masks. The video
mask setup screen is displayed, as shown below.
5. Check the Enable Masking box to allow you to create the video masks. The tools on the left are used to
create the video mask. The following options are provided:
Option
Description
This button marks colored grid blocks over the entire window area, meaning
that the entire camera view will be masked. Then use the Eraser tool to remove
specific grid blocks.
When the Pencil tool is selected, the cursor becomes a pencil icon.
Create the masking area by clicking on the required view area to be blocked,
thereby drawing an arrays of red, blue or yellow grid blocks (according to which
pencil is selected). The size of the area is determined by the option below.
The Tool Size Selector area includes buttons for three pencil sizes.
According to the selected size, the cursor draws a small (single
block), medium (4-block) or large (16-block) width of grid blocks per
sweep.
When the Eraser tool is selected, the cursor becomes an eraser icon. You can
erase masked areas by clicking over selected grid blocks, thereby erasing
them.
The Tool Size Selector area includes buttons for three eraser sizes.
According to the selected size, the cursor will erase a small (single
block), medium (4-block) or large (16-block) width of surface blocks
per sweep.
6. After all masked areas on the camera have been created and positioned, click Save or Save & Exit to
exit the setup screen. Click Close to exit the setup screen without saving any changes.
7. The live video now displays with the masked area grayed out, as shown in the display below. Any
video playback also displays the mask.
Video Mask
8. The masks can be turned on and off from the live video display. Right click on the video; a dialog box
displays. Click on Mask/Unmask Video to remove or display the configured masks.
Note: The system saves the mask as it is currently defined. A mask can then be changed, but that change to
the mask will also be changed in playback.
When video is played back and then paused, an attempt to mask or unmask the image will not change the
mask. Click on the next or previous frame buttons to refresh the image.
showing a list of all currently connected transmitters and Workstations, as shown on page 57.
2. Select your local Kollector and click
on page 58.
3. Click the
is shown below.
4. (Optional) Click Print to print the full list of settings for the selected site.
5. (Optional) Click Save to save the settings to a rich text file (.rtf).
Display Settings
The Display Settings window enables you to change the screen resolution of the application.
page 58.
3. Click the
Select the screen resolution required. A variety of resolutions are provided, dependant on the video
adapter on your PC.
There is a checkbox to Show application on full screen. When this is checked, ViconNet will
automatically switch to the full resolution on the monitor. If the application is moved to a different
monitor, it will adjust to that monitor and continue to display at full resolution.
Select the aspect ratio required. This selection is made dependant on the video coming from the
cameras.
Checking the Maintain aspect ratio box will cause to video to fit and therefore may be distorted or
stretched. This button is disabled on Kollectors.
Checking Show Video Details allows certain information to be visible on the video displaying; to
prevent this information from displaying do not check.
NOTE: The ViconNet application always opens with the resolution defined in the Display Settings window,
regardless of the resolution settings defined for the PC on which the application is running.
4. Click OK.
Note: This setup is not available for remote setup!
appears.
implement the new registration and enable the functionality of your purchased application.
Note: If your system includes non-Vicon open platform camera(s), they need a license (VN-CAM-LIC) and to
be registered after the software registration is completed. These cameras only need to be registered once in
the Nucleus for the entire system.
Chapter 4
Viewing and Listening to Live Video/Audio
This chapter includes the following sections:
Overview, page 216, provides an overview of the viewing and listening process, which also includes
some optional tasks that can be performed, as required.
Viewing and Listening Workflow, page 217, illustrates the main steps for viewing and listening to live
video and audio.
Step 1: Selecting the Display Mode, page 218, describes how to select the required number of video
display locations.
Step 2: Selecting Cameras and Microphones, page 220, describes how to select and control devices in
order to view and listen to their live video and audio.
Step 3: Controlling the Picture, page 225, describes how to control the contrast and brightness of the
live video display.
Step 4: Zooming the Video Display, page 226, describes how to zoom in or out from a live video
display.
Step 5: Operating a PTZ Camera, page 227, describes how to view and listen to video from a PTZ
camera.
Overview
The ViconNet system enables you to monitor live video and audio using the cameras and microphones
configured in the ViconNet system. The devices send the live video pictures and audio segments to the
Kollector via the network. The cameras and microphones available for viewing live video and audio on each
Kollector are configured during system setup, as described in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
In order to view live video and audio, you must select the display mode (the number of display locations in the
ViconNet application that is sufficient for the number of cameras that you want to monitor). Then you can
select the devices using the Site List.
When you have selected the required devices, you can select the picture quality (if the Quality buttons in the
Main window Function Controls area are enabled - refer to the Configuring Manual Recording and Picture
Quality section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System), the refresh mode and additional picture
settings that determine how the live video and audio is displayed on the connected Kollectors. The selections
that you make also affect the data during recording and playing back operations, as described in Chapter 5,
Recording Live Video/Audio and Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio.
The ViconNet system also provides some optional functions that can be used when viewing and listening to
live video and audio. These include the ability to zoom in on a specific video display to view it in more detail
and to use a PTZ camera.
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
NOTE: The workflow shown above is performed after you have already logged in to the ViconNet application,
as described in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
In the Main window, select the required option from the Display Mode controls at the bottom right of the
window, as follows:
Display
Mode
Description
Single: Provides a single video display location in the Video Display area. (Quality 1)
Quad: Provides four individual video display locations simultaneously in the Video Display area.
(Quality 5)
Six: Provides six individual video display locations simultaneously in the Video Display area.
(Quality 5)
Nine: Provides nine individual video display locations simultaneously in the Video Display area.
(Quality 6)
Sixteen: Provides sixteen individual video display locations simultaneously in the Video Display
area. (Quality 7)
Full Screen: Maximizes a selected video display location to fit the entire screen (including the Site
List). (Quality 1)
NOTE: In order to improve transmission speed, the quality of live images is set automatically for each display
mode selection (for example, Quality 1 for the Single mode, as mentioned above). For information
about display mode quality, refer to the About Picture Quality and Refresh Mode section in Chapter 2,
Getting to Know ViconNet.
In the Navigator window, select the required Display Mode icon (located below the Main window Display
Location area).
Thereafter, when the Play button is selected, the devices in the Main window Display Location area are
displayed in their respective locations in the Main window, ready for viewing and playing back.
The following example shows the Video Display area after the Four
selected.
TIP: You can maximize an individual video display location in the Video Display area by double-clicking the
required location. Double-clicking again reverts back to the previous view.
As transmission begins, the appropriate controls for the specific type of device that you selected become
active in the Control Dialog Display area, which enables you to modify the live video and audio, as
described in the subsequent sections in this chapter.
The maximum number of cameras that can be selected simultaneously is sixteen, depending on the current
display mode. If all display locations are in use and you select another camera, the selected camera replaces
one of the previously displayed cameras.
NOTES:
The cameras that appear in the Site List are automatically detected by the system during startup. If a
camera is not physically connected to the system, it will not appear in the list. If the camera is
disconnected after startup, it is removed from the list. If a camera is disconnected while it is active
(meaning being displayed or recorded), a red X icon ( ) is displayed next to the relevant camera in the
Site List and a blank screen appears in the Video Display area.
The microphone nodes that are displayed will correspond with the detected microphones. Each site can
have up to 16 cameras, microphones and detectors connected to it (Kollector Strike has 4 microphones
and 4 sensors).
3. Select the required device from the Site List in one of the following ways:
In the Video Display area, select a video display location (indicated by the pink border) and then
select the required camera from the list. The live video transmission is displayed automatically in the
selected location, and the camera or microphone icon appears highlighted, as shown in the example
on page223.
A microphone is selected by clicking its icon in the list.
NOTES:
If you select a video display location that is currently active:
The live video and audio transmission for the new device that you select will override the current one.
A pink border is displayed around the relevant device in the Site List.
In addition, if no empty video display locations are available when you select a device, the video and
audio transmission for the new device will override the next default video display location, starting with the
location at the top left.
-OR
Drag and drop a camera from the list onto the required video display location. As you drag the
camera, the mouse cursor changes to a camera icon and then the live video transmission is
displayed as you drop the camera into the required video display location, as shown in the example
on page 223.
-OR-
Select a recorder/transmitter and drag and drop it anywhere in the Video Display area. Live video
transmission from all the connected cameras are displayed in the current video display locations.
NOTE: The number of devices that can be displayed at one time in the Video Display area is dependent
on the number of video display locations in the currently selected display mode. Refer to Step 1:
Selecting the Display Mode, page 218, for additional details about changing the display mode, if
required.
The following example shows four live video transmissions displayed in the Video Display area. The
name of each camera is located in the top of each video display location.
NOTES:
You can manually stop the transmission at any time by clicking STOP.
The name of the currently logged in user and the master nucleus are displayed in the Current Details
area (upper left corner).
When a macro is running as a result of an alarm event, the following is applicable:
If the macro is performing display operations, all functions in the ViconNet Main window, except for
the Stop Macro, Schedule/Macro, Logout and Shutdown buttons, are disabled.
If the macro is performing all other recording operations, except display, all functions in the
ViconNet Main window remain operational.
Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System for additional details about macros.
4. To display live video and audio from additional devices, repeat step 3, as required.
TIP: To reverse a device selection, click the required device in the Site List again. The live video and
audio transmission for the deselected device is stopped.
5. Proceed to the relevant steps in this chapter to modify the live video and audio display that you have
selected, such as the picture quality and refresh mode.
Note About Picture Quality and Refresh Mode:
The view image quality is set automatically according to the selected display mode. The Single mode is
assigned the highest quality. Other modes are assigned lesser qualities, in proportion to their number of
views.
The view image is automatically refreshed according to the refresh mode in which it was recorded.
For more information about image quality and refresh modes, refer to the About Picture Quality and Refresh
Mode section in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
Note About Listening to Audio:
You can select a number of microphones for listening. However, selecting more than one microphone
simultaneously may create noise distortion.
buttons.
Changing the picture settings is irreversible (meaning that after the settings have been changed, the previous
settings are lost).
To control the picture brightness, contrast and color for a specific camera:
1. Select the required camera from the Site List/Site Map/ Group list or in the Video Display area.
2. Click
. The picture controls are displayed in the Control Dialog Display area with the transmitter
and device name shown above them:
Description
Adjusts the light level on the display screen.
Contrast
Adjusts the difference between the lightest and darkest areas on the display screen.
Color
Adjusts the color intensity (amount of white contained in the basic colors) on the display
screen. For example, a fully saturated red would be pure red. The less saturated the
color, the more pastel the appearance.
- OR
Select Load Default to load the picture settings you last saved (by clicking Save as Default).
In order to improve transmission speed, the maximum quality of live images is set automatically according
to the selected display mode, as follows:
Display Mode
Max Display
Quality
Single
Two-by-two matrix
Hexa (Six)
The Single mode is assigned the highest available resolution, while other modes are assigned lesser
resolutions, in proportion to their number of views. This is because the smaller views (for example, 3x3 or
4x4) generally do not benefit from higher resolutions and are equally legible in a lower resolution. When the
buttons in the Main window Function Controls area are enabled, you can manually
override the display mode-determined live picture quality for the currently selected camera. The qualities 1, 5,
6 and 7 are available for this purpose. The quality and refresh mode of the Live video is displayed during the
first five seconds following the manual Quality change. (For information about enabling the buttons, refer to
the Configuring Manual Recording and Picture Quality section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet
System.)
3. Click the
button. The live video from the selected camera is displayed in the Video Display area,
as follows:
Description
Yellow
Direction
Arrows
Optical Zoom
Click the plus (+) or minus (-) symbols of the
from the center of the displayed video.
5. Click the
icon at the center of the image. The following PTZ controls are displayed in the
Control Dialog Display area.
Description
You can define the "preset" choices in the preset scroll list to represent fixed location-and-zoom
points in the video display. Then, when a preset (for example, preset1) is clicked, the view
automatically focuses on the associated view area.
You can define (or reassign) a preset, as follows:
Move to the required specific area/zoom using the window navigation functions.
Click
NOTE: Up to 99 presets (depending on the camera's model) may be defined. Presets can
be selected either manually, as described above, or automatically, as part of a
macro process.
Option
Description
These options affect the ability to observe objects in the video display location in relation to one
another (proximity) by controlling the amount of light entering behind the PTZ lens, as follows:
Clicking
Clicking
Clicking
Sets the PTZ camera to automatically rotate around 360 while displaying the video.
Stops uncontrolled directional movement of the video display in the case of a malfunction.
Moves the PTZ camera lens to focus in and out (near and far).
Auxiliary buttons for configuring internal PTZ settings, used in accordance with the PTZ camera
operating manual instructions. (This applies only to Vicon PTZ cameras.)
NOTE: Live video and audio can also be selected from the Alarm History Report.
Chapter 5
Recording Live Video/Audio
This chapter includes the following sections:
Overview, page 230, provides a general overview of the manual and automatic recording processes.
Recording Live Video/Audio (On-Demand), page 231, describes how to manually record live video and
audio without the use of configured macros and schedules.
Recording Management, page 234, describes how to setup 24/7 recording or boosting recording
parameters upon motion.
Automatic Scheduled Recording, page 235, describes how to automatically record live video and audio
according to a pre-configured time schedule.
Alarm Recording, page 236, describes how to automatically record live video and audio in response to
an alarm event.
Overview
The ViconNet system enables you to perform recording operations using several types of recording modes to
accommodate individual and organizational requirements, including:
On-demand recording, which records inputs from selected cameras and microphones, and saves the data
to a selected storage location.
Automatic recording, which uses preconfigured recording settings to record all currently connected
cameras and/or microphones when the ViconNet application starts.
Automatic scheduled recording, which uses preconfigured macros to record specific cameras and
microphones according to a preconfigured time schedule without user intervention.
Alarm-only recording, which uses preconfigured macros to record specific cameras and microphones
when an alarm event occurs in the system.
All recording modes require you to pre-configure the recording settings, which include selecting which devices
to record, the recording duration and quality, as well as the required macro and time schedule where relevant.
Note About Picture Quality, Frames per Second (FPS) and Refresh Mode:
The picture quality, FPS and refresh modes for recording purposes are set in the Automatic Recording, Macro
Creation and Pre/Post-Alarm Configuration procedures. For additional details, refer to the relevant sections in
Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
When different recording options are requested concurrently, the picture quality and FPS that applies is
determined according to prioritization settings. For details, refer to the Picture Quality and FPS Priority section
in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
When the
buttons in the Main window Function Controls area are enabled, you can
manually override the recording picture quality for the currently selected camera, as required. The qualities 1,
5, 6 and 7 are available for this purpose. (For information about enabling the buttons, refer to the Configuring
Manual Recording and Picture Quality section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.)
Recording operations can be performed simultaneously on both local and remote Kollectors. Recording
operations can also be performed on specific cameras and microphones at the same time that you are
viewing live video and audio from other selected cameras and microphones in the ViconNet system, as
described in Chapter 4, Viewing Live Video/Audio.
NOTE: During recording operations, you will notice that the green LED for the relevant device(s) blinks on the
Kollector Force front panel. Refer to the Front Panel Indications section in Chapter 1, Introducing
ViconNet.
Selecting a site, which is a transmitter physically connected to the cameras and microphones you want to
record.
Selecting the cameras and microphones that you want to record. The selection of each camera and
microphone automatically starts the live video and audio transmission and displays it in the selected video
display locations.
Recording the live video and audio, which stores the data for playback purposes in a predefined storage
location.
The selections between 1 and 8 provide varying degrees of image compression, resulting in varying degrees
of system resources use and data transmission.
The refresh mode determines whether you record the full frames for the live video or only the changes within
the frames.
NOTE: Both the picture quality (resolution) and the refresh mode affect the recording in all current video
display locations simultaneously.
3. Select the required camera or microphone that you want to record in one of the following ways:
In the Video Display area, select a video display location (indicated by the pink border), and then
select a camera from the list. (A microphone is selected by clicking its icon.) The live video and audio
transmission is displayed automatically in the selected location, and the camera or microphone icon
appears highlighted, as shown in the example on page 233.
NOTE: If you select a video display location that is currently active:
The live video and audio transmission for the new camera or microphone that you select will
override the current one.
A pink border is displayed around the relevant camera in the Site List.
-OR
Drag and drop a camera from the list to the required video display location. As you drag the camera,
the mouse cursor changes to a camera icon, and then the live video and audio transmission is
displayed as you drop the camera into the required video display location, as shown in the example
below.
-OR
Select a transmitter and drag and drop it anywhere in the Video Display area. Live video
transmission for all the connected cameras are displayed in the current video display locations.
NOTE: The number of cameras that can be displayed at one time in the Video Display area is dependent on
the number of video display locations in the currently selected display mode. Refer to Chapter 4,
Viewing and Listening to Live Video/Audio, for additional details about changing the display mode.
The following example shows four live cameras displayed and ready for recording in the Video Display
area, with the name of each camera located at the top of each video display location.
4. To display live video and audio from additional cameras, repeat step 3, as required.
TIP:
To reverse a selection, click the required camera or microphone in the list again. The live video
and audio transmission for the deselected camera or microphone is stopped.
NOTE: You can change the picture quality and refresh rate settings for manual recording. Refer to the
Configuring Manual Recording and Picture Quality section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet
System.
5. Click
The currently active cameras and microphones begin recording live video and audio simultaneously.
The recorded data is loaded and stored into the predefined storage location.
NOTE: When the storage location is full, older files are automatically emptied chronologically to make room
for newer files.
6. To stop recording, click the
. The active
cameras and microphones stop recording, but the live video and audio continues to be displayed.
NOTE: Clicking STOP turns off all cameras and microphones.
Recording Management
The ViconNet system enables you to configure recording management, which allows the system to record the
selected connected cameras and/or microphones continuously (24/7), to boost recording upon motion, to
record 24/7 and then boost upon motion, or to record only upon motion.
Note: When recording on motion or boosting on motion, the motion settings must be done from the camera
browser.
Configuring recording management consists of selecting the cameras and/or microphones that will be
recorded and selecting the recording settings. Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System, for
additional details.
Alarm Recording
The ViconNet alarm recording capability enables you to configure the system to automatically record and/or
display camera and microphone inputs when an alarm event occurs in the system by:
Setting pre/post-alarms.
Defining alarm setup links consists of first configuring macros in the system for the devices you want to
activate when an alarm event occurs and then linking the macro to a specific alarm type. Each macro is made
up of user-defined commands that instruct the system about which devices to activate, for how long, in what
order, and so on.
When you link the macro to an alarm type, you can also configure it so that the system will activate the macro
only if the defined alarm conditions are met during a specific time period, for example, at night and on the
weekends.
Setting pre/post-alarms consists of configuring a pre-alarm and post-alarm duration and the recording settings
and then configuring which devices will be affected by the settings. When an alarm event occurs in the
system, the following actions take place:
If you have configured a post-alarm, when an alarm event occurs in the system, the system immediately
begins recording the configured devices according to the post-alarm settings. This enables you to know
what happened immediately after the alarm event occurred.
If you have configured a pre-alarm, when an alarm event occurs in the system, the data for the configured
devices for the pre-alarm duration is saved immediately to the storage location according to the pre-alarm
settings. This enables you to know what happened immediately before an alarm event occurred.
Set the pre-alarm and/or post-alarm settings, according to your requirements, as described in the Setting
Pre/Post-Alarms section of Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
When an alarm event occurs on any device, the system will activate the configured devices and
automatically save the pre-alarm and/or post-alarm data to the appropriate storage location.
Chapter 6
Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio
This chapter includes the following sections:
Playback Workflow, page 239, illustrates the main steps for playing back recorded video and audio
segments.
Step 1: Selecting Recorded Video/Audio, page 240, describes how to select the initial parameters in
the Navigator window for the recorded video and audio that you want to play back.
Step 2: Changing the Main Window Display Location, page 244, describes how to change the location
where the recorded video and audio is displayed in the Main window, if required.
Step 3: Selecting the Playback Time Interval, page 245, describes how to select the start and end
playback time for the recorded video and audio segment.
Step 4: Selecting the Playback Start Time, page 247, describes how to select a specific point in a
recorded video and audio segment at which playback will begin.
Step 5: Displaying Recorded Video/Audio Content, page 250, describes how to view a recorded video
and audio segment in the Main window.
Step 6: Playing Back from a Selected Camera/Microphone, page 252, describes how to play back
recorded segments from one or all cameras and a selected microphone displayed in the Main window
and discusses the Quick Playback feature, which enables you to play back video from a camera that is
currently recording (in an adjacent camera display location), without interrupting the recording process.
Thumbnails Search, page 257, describes how to search for a specific open platform cameras data
within a defined region of the database.
Museum Search, page 259, describes how to search for a specific camera's data within a defined region
of the database.
Video Analytics, page 264, describes how to view a specific cameras detected suspicious activity
collected from a specific time period.
Creating Archives, page 266, describes how to create archive databases that contain specific recorded
data for use at a later time.
Overview
The ViconNet system enables you to select and play back recorded video and audio segments that have
been stored in defined storage locations. You can play back data that has been recorded either on your local
Kollector or on other remote Workstations in your ViconNet system. In addition, you can play back data that
was recorded manually or that was recorded automatically as a result of an alarm event or a preconfigured
schedule.
In order to play back recorded video and audio, in the Navigator window, you must select the devices that you
want to play back according to the corresponding number of display locations. Then you can select the
playback time interval and start time according to the recorded segments that you want to play back.
When you have synchronized all the options in the Navigator window, you can display and play back the
selected segments simultaneously or individually in the Main window, as required.
Picture quality (resolution) refers to the compression level of the video images. The quality of the recorded
image is determined according to configuration settings, with eight degrees of quality that can be assigned.
The following settings are for ViconNet cameras only using ViconNet compression method (open platform
cameras from other vendors may vary); this does not pertain when the system is being run in H.264 mode:
Quality
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Type
Properties
4 CIF
Better picture quality, but slower data transmission.
2 CIF
CIF
Less clear picture quality, faster data transmission.
HCIF
The view image quality is also a function of the selected display mode. The Single mode is automatically
assigned the highest resolution available. In order to improve transmission speed, other modes are
automatically assigned lesser resolutions, in proportion to the number of views selected. In general, the
smaller views (for example, 9 or 16) do not benefit from higher resolutions and are equally legible in a lower
resolution.)
The ViconNet system also provides some optional functions that can be used when playing back recorded
video and audio. These include viewing alarmed segments of recorded data and creating archives that
contain specific recorded data, if required.
Playback Workflow
The following workflow illustrates how to play back recorded video and audio segments using ViconNet. Each
step is described in the sections that follow.
NOTE: The workflow shown above is performed after you have already logged in to the ViconNet application,
as described in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
Additional procedures are provided for performing the following (optional) functions:
Storage source, which is a predefined storage location (located on a local or remote Kollector) that
contains the contents of all recorded devices available for viewing and playing back recorded video and
audio segments.
The storage locations, transmitters and devices in the system can be viewed in a hierarchical list in the
Navigator window. Each transmitter and device list is correlated to a specific storage location.
Site, which is a transmitter physically connected to the recording cameras and microphones.
-ORArchive, which is a previously defined database that contains specific recorded data from specific
devices.
Recorded camera or microphone, which is the device that has recorded the data that you want to view
and play back.
Cameras can be selected either from the Navigator list or by using standard drag and drop functionality.
(A microphone is selected by clicking its icon.) When you select a camera or microphone for viewing and
playback using either selection method, a scan of the storage location is performed for that device's
recorded data, which is then displayed.
NOTE: Refer to Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet, for a description of the each area in the Navigator
window.
The first time you access the Navigator window, the Main window display location Quad is displayed. You
can change this depending on how many cameras you want to select, as described in Step 1: Selecting
the Display Mode in Chapter 4, Viewing and Listening to Live Video/Audio.
If you change the display mode in the Main window, the Main Window Display Location area changes
automatically according to your selection, as shown in the following example:
NOTE: The next time the Navigator window is accessed, the display mode that was last selected will be
displayed in the Main Window Display Location area.
2. Expand the Navigator list to display a list of the system's available storage locations and archives, if any.
3. Expand the required storage location to display a list of the currently connected transmitters. Transmitters
that have related recorded devices are displayed.
4. (Optional) Select the required viewing option from the Navigator List Controls (Regular, Archives, or
Both). The Navigator list is updated depending on your selection.
5. Expand the required transmitter to display a list of currently recorded cameras and microphones and/or
expand the required archive to display its contents, as shown below:
6. From the Navigator list, select the camera or microphone with the recorded segment(s) that you want to
view or listen to.
The following details are displayed:
The name of the selected camera or microphone appears on the left side of the Recorded Device
Contents area, with the checkbox automatically selected. (See the picture shown below.)
The recorded video and audio segments contained in the storage location for the selected camera or
microphone appear in blue in the middle of the Recorded Device Contents area, as shown below:
NOTE: The recorded video and audio segments that are displayed also depend on the currently selected
time interval. The default time interval is Last Day. Refer to Step 3: Selecting the Playback Time
Interval, page 245, for additional details about changing the time interval.
The name of the selected camera also appears in the Main Window Display Location area in the
location marked with the pink border, as shown below:
The default display location for the pink border is the top left or the first empty location. As you select
additional cameras, the pink border automatically moves to the next display location, indicating the new
default position for the next recorded camera that you select.
NOTE: You can change the position of the pink border by clicking in an empty display location or
dragging and dropping it from one location to another. Refer to Step 2: Changing the Main
Window Display Location, page 244, for additional details.
TIP: You can also select a camera by dragging and dropping it from the Navigator list:
To the required display location in the Main Window Display Location area.
-OR
As you perform this action, the mouse cursor changes to a camera icon and then the camera or
microphone name appears in the relevant location in the Main Window Display Location area (as
shown above).
7. To select additional recorded cameras or the microphone, repeat step 6, as required. Each device you
select appears in both the Recorded Device Contents area and in the Main Window Display Location
area, as described above.
NOTES:
The recorded devices that you select can be displayed simultaneously with live video and audio in the
Main window.
The
The
button closes the Navigator window and reinstates the Main window.
Removing a camera from a display location and reassigning a different camera to that location.
Any of these methods enable you to determine the exact display location that each camera will be displayed
and available for playback in the Main window.
In the Main Window Display Location area, move the pink border to the required display location by
clicking on the new location and then select the required camera from either the Recorded Device
Contents area (after first deselecting the device) or from the Navigator list.
The new camera name appears automatically in the display location that you selected (as shown in the
example on page 242).
-ORAdd or remove cameras from the Main Window Display Location area by selecting or deselecting the
appropriate checkbox (
), the name of the selected camera appears in the Main Window Display
Using one of the time interval tabs, which enable you to select a range of time, as described below.
-OR-
Using the time interval controls, which enable you to specify an exact date and time, as described on
page 246.
The time interval option enables you to fine-tune the time interval period by date, hours, minutes and
seconds. For example, you may want to view recorded segments for Camera 1 and Camera 2 only between
the hours of 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, or you may want to view recorded segments for the same cameras for
the previous 24 hours.
You can also select, for example, only a date and later zoom in on the recorded segment, as described in the
next step.
To select the playback time interval using the time interval tabs:
1. In the Navigator window, ensure that the required camera(s) and/or microphone(s) are selected (
) in
the Recorded Device Contents area, as described in Step 1: Selecting Recorded Video/Audio, page
240.
2. In the Recorded Device Contents area, select the time interval of the recorded segment that you want to
view from the following time interval tabs:
Tab
Description
Displays all recorded segments during the last 24 hours (from the current time),
as shown in this example:
Tab
Description
Displays all recorded segments during the last 7 days (from the current time), as
shown in this example:
Displays all recorded segments for the selected cameras and microphones
regardless of when the recording occurred.
As you select a time interval tab, the recorded segments displayed in the Recorded Device Contents
area is updated automatically.
To select the playback time interval using the time interval controls:
1. In the Navigator window, ensure that the required camera(s) and/or microphone(s) are selected (
) in
the Recorded Device Contents area, as described in Step 1: Selecting Recorded Video/Audio, page
240.
2. Select a specific starting (From) date and time of the recorded segment, using the time interval controls
on the top-left side of the window, as follows:
and next
arrows to select
Click the hour, minutes, or seconds portion of the From or To time field to select it (for example,
select the hours
).
to change the selected portion of time or type in the required time
Repeat the previous two sub-steps (click and select) for the other time elements (for example,
minutes and seconds), as required.
3. Select a specific ending (To) date and time of the recorded segment, using the time interval controls on
the top-right side of the window. This is done in the same way as described in step 2.
4. Click
. The Recorded Device Contents area is updated with the recording date/time interval
NOTES:
The Recorded Device Contents area is refreshed when you switch to the Main window and then switch back
to the Navigator window.
In addition, changing the playback time interval can take a couple of seconds if the video storage location is
considerably large.
Zooming in on a specific recorded segment in order to fine-tune the selection capability (optional).
Selecting the exact playback point in the recorded segment, including hour, minute and second, if
required.
This option enables you to play back only the required portion of the recorded segment instead of having to
play the entire segment.
When you select multiple devices in the Recorded Device Contents area, the playback start time applies to
all currently selected devices. For example, if you have selected Camera 1 and Camera 2 and you select a
playback start time of 12:00 PM on May 9, the recorded segments beginning at the selected playback time for
both cameras will be available for playback in the Main window.
NOTE: If you do not select a playback start time, as described in this procedure, all recorded segments for
the selected cameras and microphone will begin playing back according to the start time of the first
available frame.
In the Recorded Device Contents area, position the mouse pointer to the left or right of the recorded
segment that you want to zoom in on.
Mark the recorded segment by holding down the left mouse button and dragging the mouse pointer
over the recorded segment until the blue shading covers the entire recorded segment, as follows:
Click
Repeat the previous two sub-steps (mark and zoom) to zoom in further on the selected recorded
segment, if required.
The following example shows a recorded segment that has been zoomed in to show the hours between
4:00 PM and 6:00 PM:
The following example shows recorded segments zoomed in further to show the minutes between 1:30
PM and 1:37 PM.
NOTE: If you have selected more than one device in the Recorded Device Contents area, all recorded
segments for all devices in the marked (shaded) area will be zoomed in on simultaneously.
2. Select the playback start time by using the mouse pointer to click and scroll the pink arrow to the exact
location (including the hour, minute and second) in the recorded segment, as follows:
TIP:
You can also set the playback start time by using the time interval controls
on the
bottom-left side of the window. The time and date are selected in the same way as described for the
From time and date selection in Step 3: Selecting the Playback Time Interval, starting on page 245.
NOTE: When you click on the pink arrow, a tooltip appears, displaying the date and time of its current
location in the recorded segment(s). This enables you to pinpoint the exact playback start time, if
required. Refer to Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet, for additional details.
checkbox.
If this option is not selected, then the playback controls will apply to only one selected camera or
microphone at a time. That device is selected by clicking its block in the Main Window Display Location
area. (The selected block has a pink border.) The Main window playback controls then apply only to the
selected video display location.
NOTE: The Synchronized Playback checkbox is selected automatically whenever a microphone is
selected. Refer to the Synchronized Playback section in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet for
further information.
3. Click
. The Navigator window closes and the first frame of the recorded segment(s) for each
selected camera and microphone is displayed in the Main window in its selected display location, as
shown below:
Each recorded segment appears in its selected display location with its camera source information (date,
time and camera name).
All the currently displayed cameras and all microphones at the same time.
The ability to play back from one camera or microphone at a time or all cameras simultaneously depends on
the selection you made in Step 5: Displaying Recorded Video/Audio Content, page 250, as follows:
If you chose to play back video and audio from all currently displayed recorded devices, then the
playback controls in the Main window apply simultaneously to all video display locations (and
microphone) that contain recorded data.
If you chose to play back video and audio from one recorded device at a time, then you can select the
video display location (indicated by the pink border) for any of the recorded cameras in the Main window,
or select any microphone by clicking its list icon. The playback controls in the Main window then become
active only for the selected device.
During playback, the recorded segment(s) plays from the selected playback start time.
You can also navigate through the recorded segment using standard playback controls such as fast forward
and rewind.
. The selected recorded segment plays and the camera source details
change accordingly.
If you selected the Synchronized Playback checkbox, all the video and audio segments for the
displayed cameras/microphone play simultaneously. (The checkbox is automatically selected whenever a
microphone is selected.)
3. (Optional) Use the following buttons to navigate through the recorded segment(s) during playback, as
required:
Button
Description
Fast Forward: Fast-forwards the recorded segment at the following speeds (related to
the normal speed): 1/4, 1/2, x2, x5, x10, x50 and x100.
Backward: Rewinds the recorded video and audio segment.
Fast Rewind: Fast rewinds the recorded segment at the following speeds (related to
the normal speed): 1/4, 1/2, x2, x5, x10, x50 and x100.
NOTE: Place the mouse cursor over a button to view its related fast forward speed.
Stop/Pause: Stops/pauses the current playback of the recorded segment.
Prev: Displays the previous frame in the recorded segment.
Next: Displays the next frame in the recorded segment.
Quick Playback
The following options are available for quick playback of videos:
Edge Playback
Cancel Playback
Edge Playback
The Edge Playback option allows you to playback video from any edge device that is currently recording, as
long as the device has been configured to allow it. Refer to chapter 3, Configuring ViconNet. The playback
video will display directly from the devices interface, not on ViconNet. Refer to the documentation for the edge
device for details on playback. Edge Playback can be selected by clicking the live camera in the site list or by
clicking the display area while the camera is recording.
To perform quick playback options (Start Quick Playback From, Start Playback From time):
1. In the Main window, right-click in the required camera display location.
2. Select Start Quick Playback From and the number of seconds from the current moment from which you
want to play back. For example, you can play back starting from what was recorded one minute ago.
To perform quick playback options (Start Quick Playback From, Start Playback From time):
3. In the Main window, right-click in the required camera display location.
4. Select Start Quick Playback From and the number of seconds from the current moment from which you
want to play back. For example, you can play back starting from what was recorded one minute ago.
-ORSelect Start Playback From Time and a calendar is displayed to select the date to playback the video.
The playback is shown in the adjacent video display location. For example, if Start Quick Playback
From is selected from camera1, the camera1 playback appears in the camera2 video display location,
temporarily overriding the live video from that camera. (Live video continues on camera1. While this is
happening, recording continues uninterrupted on both cameras.)
During the playback, the regular Playback Controls (described on page 252) are available, enabling you,
for example, to fast forward or rewind the playback, exactly as if the camera was selected from the
Navigator.
If no recording is associated with the selected time (for example, the current recording started more
recently than one minute ago, or the most updated video is 30 minutes old), the following warning is
displayed.
(Optional) To playback currently playing video at another time, select Move Playback To Time and a
calendar is displayed to select the date to playback the video.
5. To stop the quick playback, click the Stop button or right-click the camera icon in the site list or the
display area and select Cancel Playback. Live video returns to the adjacent video display location.
Note: You can use Quick Playback and Move Playback To Time on IP cameras as well.
Thumbnails Search
The
button enables you to search a selected video segment on open platform cameras for the
exact video required. For details, refer to Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded Video/Audio and Chapter 9,
Printing/Exporting Frames and Creating Export Video Files.
6. From the Navigator screen, select a camera and the time interval you want to search. Then click
Thumbnail Search. The following screen displays.
7. This screen displays 16 frames of video from the first display in the time interval selected, outlined in
green, to the last, outlined in yellow; the time interval is divided into 16 equal segments of the time
interval.
8. The search can be narrowed down by changing the start and end times. Right click on the thumbnail that
is to be the new start time. Select Set As Start Time; that thumbnail will now be outlined in green. Repeat
the procedure for the thumbnail that is to be the new end time and select Set As End Time; that thumbnail
is not outlined in yellow. Additionally, the end time thumbnail can be selected by holding the Control key
on the keyboard and clicking the desired thumbnail. Click the Refresh button to distribute this new time
interval across the 16 frames. To go back to the previous settings, click the Back button; to return to the
newer time interval, click the Forward button.
9. When the time interval has been fine tuned to the exact times required, the video can be archived or
exported.
10. The archive the video, select the Archive button. The screen will return to the Navigator screen with the
time interval shown in green and the Create Archive button highlighted. Select the storage location from
the left list and the archive process will start. Refer to the section on the Archive Wizard for details.
11. To export a video clip, click the Export button. The screen will return to the Navigator screen and the
Video Clip Exporter screen will display. Follow the prompts on the wizard; refer to the section on
exporting video clips in Chapter 9.
Museum Search
The Museum Search option enables you to search for a specific camera's data within a defined region of the
database, saving you from having to review the entire database. You can locate all the video segments that
include a specific difference, for example, a main door opening or a car being moved.
The Museum Search option enables you to locate the following types change entities:
Episodes: Sets of consecutive frames in which significant changes that determine a unique event are
detected.
Viewing the unique recorded segments described above consists of selecting the required device(s) in the
Recorded Device Contents area and then selecting the Museum Search option. You can then search in the
storage location for one or all of the unique segments and play them back in the Main window, as described in
the previous steps in this chapter.
3. Click the
4. The Video Display area shows the first frame of the time interval that was selected in step 2. (The Time
Range area shows the selected time interval start and end times.) If required, navigate to a relevant
frame in the segment using the playback controls. These are used in the same way as the playback
controls of the ViconNet Main window, described in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
5. In the current frame, define the following:
The ROIs relevant for the current search procedures. This is done using the Grid Definition tools.
The sensitivity of the detection mechanism: how many blocks of the colored grid
arrays must be simultaneously involved in the change before a detection is
recognized. This selection is made from the Minimum Number of Blocks
selector.
A description of how to perform these definitions is provided in the Defining ROIs section, page 262.
6. If you want to find specific frames where changes occurred in already defined ROIs, use the Detector
Control functions, as follows:
Option
Description
This button starts a search, from the current frame forward, for any frames in which significant
differences in ROIs (based on the Minimum Number of Blocks selection) are detected. The
start time of each detected frame is listed in the Start Time column in window's Detector List.
As each difference frame is detected, the frame image is displayed in the Video Display area.
The process continues until the end of the time interval is reached, or until the Stop button is
clicked.
This button performs the same actions as the List + Pictures button, but does not display the
frame images. The process continues until the end of the time interval is reached, or until the
Stop button is clicked.
This button can be used to search for each next frame (one frame each time the button is
clicked) in which there is an applicable difference. The frame image is displayed in the Video
Display area.
You can view selected frames by clicking their start times in the Detector List. The detected differences in
the frame are indicated by light blue blocks.
You can clear the Detector List by clicking the
button.
7. If you want to find "episodes" (sets of consecutive frames in which a significant difference in ROIs is
detected), do the following:
From the Detect only episode longer than dropdown list, select the length of time over which
changes must continuously occur.
NOTE: The default duration is 1.5 seconds. Values from 0.1 seconds to 5.0 seconds can be
selected. In general, the shorter the duration, the more easily episodes will be detected.
Description
This button starts a search for episodes, from the current frame forward. The methodology
by which the episode start and end frames are determined is described in the How
Episodes are Determined section, page 263.
The start time and duration of each episode is listed in the Start Time and Duration
columns in the window's Detector List. As each episode is detected, its first frame image is
displayed in the Video Display area. The process continues until the end of the time
interval is reached, or until the Stop button is clicked.
This button can be used to search for each next episode (one episode each time the
button is clicked).
You can run the frames of an episode by clicking on its entry in the Detector List. Light blue blocks
indicate the detected differences in the frame.
You can clear the Detector List by clicking the
button.
Defining ROIs
When the Museum Search window is opened, blue-colored grid blocks cover the entire frame in the Video
Display area, indicating that the change detection mechanism currently applies to the entire frame area.
You can focus the change detection mechanism on security-sensitive objects in the frame space by using the
window functions to vary the coverage of the colored grid blocks. (Only the segments covered by colored grid
blocks are considered for change detection purposes.)
For example, you can focus on windows or doors (as shown in the
picture opposite) to monitor opening/closing events.
The following options are provided:
Option
Description
This button clears all the current colored grid blocks in the view. You can then use the Pencil tool to
define grid blocks for specific ROIs within the view surface.
NOTE: Change detection does not function unless ROIs are identified by colored grid blocks.
This button marks colored grid blocks over the entire window surface, meaning that change detection
will apply to the entire camera view. You can then use the Eraser tool to remove specific grid blocks.
When the Pencil tool is selected, the cursor becomes a pencil icon.
You can define ROIs by clicking and dragging over the required view area segments, thereby
drawing arrays of colored grid blocks.
The Tool Size Selector area includes buttons for three pencil sizes. According to the
selected size, the cursor draws a small (single block), medium (4-block) or large (16-block)
width of grid blocks per sweep.
When the Eraser tool is selected, the cursor becomes an eraser icon. You can erase ROI segments
by clicking and dragging over selected grid blocks, thereby erasing them.
The Tool Size Selector area includes buttons for three eraser sizes. According to the
selected size, the cursor erases a small (single block), medium (4-block) or large
(16-block) width of surface blocks per sweep.
Option
Description
The Minimum Number of Blocks selector enables you to define how many blocks of the colored
grid arrays must be simultaneously involved in the change, compared to the reference frame, before
a detection is recognized. For example:
1 (the most sensitive setting) indicates that a detection should be recognized if a change is
detected in even one block amongst all the defined ROIs (that is, the triggering is unlimited).
16 (the least sensitive setting) indicates that the change must be simultaneously detected in at
least 16 blocks within the entire view area. The blocks do not have to be contiguous.
NOTE: The selected minimum cannot exceed the total number of blocks defined in ROIs.
The Show Grid button applies a gray planning grid to the parts of the window where no ROIs
(colored grid blocks) are defined. The gray grid is only for purposes of viewing where ROIs may
potentially be defined and does not affect the change-detection process. When selected, the button
changes into a Hide Grid button by which the planning grid can be suppressed, making only the
"active" colored grid blocks visible.
Video Analytics
The Analytics Search option enables you to view a specific cameras detected suspicious activity collected
from a specific time period (ViconNet VI must be part of the system).
1. In the Navigator window, ensure that the required camera is selected. (Only one camera can be selected
at a time.)
2. In the Recorded Devices Content area, select the required time interval by clicking and dragging, as
described in the Selected Time Interval section in Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
4. From the list provided, select which behaviors are to be searched for (All Analytics will automatically
check all behaviors).
5. Click the
button. A list of behavior violations will display at the bottom of the screen.
6. Click the event you want to display. A slider visually represents at what point in the selected time span
each behavior violation occurred. Click Next Event to view the next violation in the list or select another
one from the list. Playback Controls are displayed and can be used as needed.
7. Click Exit to exit the screen.
Note: Video Analytics Engine must be set for this utility to function.
Creating Archives
The ViconNet system enables you to optionally create archives, which contain selected recorded data from a
video database. This consists of selecting the specific devices, the specific recorded data and the destination
location for where you want to save the data. You can then view it at a later time, for example, on another
user's Kollector.
The archives are included in the Navigator site list together with other databases and can be selected for
viewing, or any other file operations, as required. As an alternative, archives can be created from the Main
screen using the
All playback functions can be performed on the archived data in the same way as regular recorded data, as
described beginning from the Selecting Recorded Video/Audio section in Chapter 6, Playing Back Recorded
Video/Audio.
You can archive directly to a CD, DVD, local or remote drive. CD or DVD archives can be played on any PC,
from an automatically started "Player" version of the ViconNet application. (For playing CD and DVD archives,
the ViconNet application does not have to be installed on the PC.)
The ViconNet system can be set to automatically verify that ViconNet-produced archive was not tampered
with. Activating the display of system authentication results for play back can be done in the same way as for
a regular database. For more details, refer to the Configuring System Authentication section in Chapter 3,
Configuring the ViconNet System.
Selected archives can also be removed from the network or another PC.
NOTE: After creating an archive, you can perform all playback functions on the archived data in the same
way that you can with regular recorded data, as described beginning from the Selecting Recorded
Video/Audio section, page 240.
3. Click
. The Navigator list is replaced by an Archive area, which automatically displays the
The selection area is indicated with a lime green shading and the size of the selected contents is
displayed at the top of the Archive area in the Estimated archive size field (in MB).
4. In the Archive area, navigate to the required archive destination (network path, CD-ROM or DVD device).
The destination details are displayed automatically at the bottom of the Archive area.
5. In the Archive Name Ext field, enter a logical archive name. The archive name is automatically added to
the archive date and time details.
6. Click
7. Click
. A progress bar in the Archive Controls area indicates that the archive creation is in
process.
8. (Optional) To view additional details during the archive creation process, click
. The relevant
details are displayed in the Control Dialog Display area, as shown in the following example:
NOTE: If required, you can stop the archive creation process by clicking Stop Archive.
The new archive is displayed in the Navigator list with an Archive icon
You can now select the devices in the archive and perform all required playback functions, as described
in the previous sections in this chapter.
To remove an archive:
1. From the Navigator list, select the required archive.
2. Click
3. Click Yes to confirm the action. The archive is deleted from the database.
NOTE: Recorded video and audio can also be played back from the Alarm History Report.
display. ViconNet allows you to directly select the camera from which you want to archive video.
3. Select the time and date for the archive file to begin and end. Click Next. The system will retrieve the data
and the following screen will display.
4. Select a storage location for the archive. The estimated file size and detail will display. Click Next. The
following screen will display.
Name the archive and, if required, a destination folder within the storage location. Click Finish. An Advanced
button is enabled only if archiving to a CD/DVD or thumb drive is selected as the storage location. When
Advanced is selected, the following screen will display.
5. Check a box as required for the Archive Player functionality. Select to use autologin or require a user to
login to play the archive. Click Next.
6. The screen will return to the Main ViconNet screen and show the progress of the archiving.
Archive Player
If an archive is saved to a CD or DVD, it can be run like on a player. All the ViconNet files necessary to do this
are saved to the CD with the archive.
1. The CD is formatted to autorun. When it displays, the following login screen will display:
Notes:
If the login user was unauthorized to playback in the system that the archive was taken from, playing back the
archive will be denied.
Login of a user who belongs to another ViconNet network (different Nucleus) will fail.
2. Enter the User Name and Password and select Login. The following screen will display about
Authentication.
5. Select a Display mode of 1, 4, 6, 9, 16 or Full Screen (FS). Then check the box next to the camera name
for each camera's archive video to display. When the camera(s) is selected, it will display as below and
the Forward and Backward play bar will become active.
. The
6. Using the play bar, select the speed to play back the video, in forward and reverse.
Chapter 7
Managing Macros and Schedules
This chapter describes how to manage and work with macros and schedules in the ViconNet system and
contains the following sections:
Creating Macros and Schedules, page 275, provides a brief description of the process for creating
macros and schedules.
Working with Macros, page 276, describes how to manually start and stop macros that have been
created in the system, as well as view macro details and status information.
System. Basic information about working with and managing the configured macros and schedules in your
ViconNet system is described in the following section.
Stopping and/or restarting all macros that are currently running in the system due to the scheduler.
Displaying or hiding the macro script, which contains all the macro commands and their settings.
You can also edit and delete macros that are configured in the system, if required, as described in the
Creating Macros section of Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
NOTE: When a macro is running as a result of an alarm event, the following is applicable:
If the macro is performing display operations, all functions in the ViconNet Main window, except for the
Stop Macro, Schedule/Macro, Logout and Shutdown buttons, are disabled.
If the macro is performing all other recording operations, all functions in the ViconNet Main window
remain operational.
NOTE: The above example shows how the macro script is displayed in the bottom of the Scheduler/Macro
Status window when you select the Show Macro option.
The Scheduler/Macro Status window contains the following information about each macro:
Column
Description
Macro Name
Macro Description
Status
Activated by
2. Select the appropriate macro in the list and then select the required option, as follows:
Option
Description
Runs the selected macro immediately.
Runs the selected macro immediately and closes the Macro Status window.
Stops all macros currently running in the system that are running independently or as a
result of the scheduler.
Resumes all stopped macros that had been running as a result of the scheduler before
they were stopped.
This option does not affect any macros that are configured to use the scheduler in the
future, meaning they will be activated as configured.
Displays/hides the macro script in the bottom of the window (as shown in the example on
page 277).
Updates the list of macros currently configured in the system.
Chapter 8
Generating Reports
This chapter describes the various types of reports that can be generated using the ViconNet system and
contains the following sections:
Overview, page 280, provides a brief description of the ViconNet system report generation capabilities,
how to access the Reports window and a brief description of the options for saving reports to files.
Opening the Reports Window, page 283, describes how to open the Reports Window.
Generating Device Status Reports, page 284, describes how to generate reports that show status
information about each device in the system.
Generating Alarm History Reports, page 285, describes how to generate reports that show information
about each alarm that occurs in the system, for both live and playback video.
Generating Recording Status Reports, page 289, describes how to view information about devices that
are currently recording.
Generating Audit Log Reports, page 290, provides basic log information for debugging and history
purposes.
Generating CFN Log Reports, page 292, provides basic log information describing all system failures
that generated a CFN.
Generating Event History Reports, page 293, describes how to generate reports that show information
about each event that occurs in the system, for both live and playback video.
Overview
The ViconNet system enables you to generate various reports that each contain a specific type of information,
including:
Alarm History Reports: Provides details of all alarms that have occurred in the system, according to the
selected criteria
Recording Status Reports: Provides a summary of the devices that are currently recording
Audit Log Reports: Provides a list of all actions performed in the system, according to the selected
criteria
RVS Log: Provides a basic history of all RVS messages from all verified (monitored) sites
CFN Log: Reports ALL the failures for a specific site or for all sites
Each type of report can be used for analysis of system operations. In addition to easy access to specific
information, you can sort and search through the report information, as required.
Saving Logs
In addition, each report provides the option to save the log files, enabling us to retrieve logs from IP and other
products that do not have a hard drive (and therefore save their logs in the Nucleus), or from remote sites that
are connected to the same Nucleus, yet are not physically reachable (such as a unit that is located in a closet,
or where the USB is behind the unit and cannot be reached, and so on). This feature enables browsing and
selection of a destination folder to save a log.
Description
Select to save the logs/reports from a site listed in the dropdown site list to a file.
The sites listed in the dropdown list will be either the local site (site selected in the
Reports Site Selection window), or if you are in the Nucleus, the local site and
any IP products connected to the same Nucleus.
NOTE: To save reports from an IP product, select the Nucleus in the Report Site Selection window and
select the relevant IP product from the dropdown list in the Save Logs window.
The Save Software Logs option is available in all of the report windows.
. Click
Save Software Logs. If one of the devices connected to the selected site is active, the following
message is displayed:
2. Click OK to continue to the Save Software Logs window or Cancel to return to the Reports window.
- OR
Click Browse and browse to the required location. Then click OK to return to the Save Software Logs
window.
4. Select the required save option and select the site whose report you want to save (if the Save logs from
the following site only option is selected).
5. Click Save. If the logs are saved successfully, the following message is displayed.
connected Kollector:
This report contains the following device status information about each device:
Column
Description
Device Type
Device ID
The numerical index number that was automatically assigned to the device during system
setup.
Device
The name of the device that was assigned during system setup.
Activity State
Indicates the current operation state of the device (Opening, Closed, Starting, Activate,
Stopping, Closing, Ready or Disconnected).
NOTE: Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System, for additional details about the device type,
device ID, and device name.
Click the Specify time and date radio button and select a start date and start time from the
dropdown lists.
-OR-
Click the First alarm radio button to list the alarms starting from earliest detected alarm in the
database.
Click the Specify time and date radio button and select an ending date and ending time from the
dropdown lists.
-OR-
Click the Last alarm radio button to list the alarms up to and including the latest detected alarm in
the database.
-OR-
Description
Go to last page of alarms
Jump back 1000 alarms
Jump forward 1000 alarms
Go to first page of alarms
4. Click the Refresh button. The following history information about each alarm event is displayed:
Column
Alarm source
Description
The name of the device on which the alarm event occurred.
When you click the device's icon, the alarm history for that device is displayed.
NOTE: The
checkbox is provided for your optional use, for example, to remind
you which alarms you have already viewed.
Alarm Type
Local time
Column
Description
Remote time
Site Name
Number of
Activations
Indicates the number of times an alarm has been activated on the specific device within a
specific time period.
Each time the alarm is activated, another alarm event line is added to the alarm history for that
device (except in the case of a re-activation, as described below).
When an alarm was activated and then re-activated within a very short period of time, the reactivation of the alarm is not displayed in the alarm history.
The time interval that passes after an initial alarm, in which movement will not trigger a new
alarm, but will cause an increment of +1 in the Number of Activations field, is defined in the
Combine Alarms which occur within field in the Alarm window.
In addition, the time of the first and last alarms in the period selected is displayed (read only) in the Alarm
History Site Report window.
NOTE: You can combine similar alarms that occur within a specified period of time as a single record by
entering a time period in the Combine alarms which occur within (mm:ss) field.
In the list displayed in the Alarm History report, right-click the alarm for which you want to playback the
video and select Start Live or Start Playback From.
If you selected Start Playback From, select the time to start the playback from (relative to the alarm)
from the list displayed.
The video is displayed in the Video Display area in the Main window. The
button is
button.
The Recording Status report contains the following summary information about devices that are
currently recording:
Recording time at current rate: An estimate of the recording time remaining, according to the
database capacity and current data rate (Bytes/Sec), before already recorded content will be
overwritten. The overwriting takes place on a FIFO (first in first out) basis.
Number of cameras and microphones currently being recorded: The combined total of devices
that are currently recording.
NOTE: This information is also provided in the ViconNet Main window Device Status area. Refer to
Chapter 2, Getting to Know ViconNet.
The following detailed information is provided about each camera and microphone that is currently
recording:
Column
Description
Device Name
Site Name
Specify whether the search should Match Whole Word and/or Match Case.
Click Find.
The Audit Log report contains the following information about each event that is found:
Column
Description
Date/Time
Command
4. If required, you can click Save to save the result of your search in an HTML format, using the Save Audit
Log window, which is a standard Save As window.
3. From the dropdown list, select the site (or all sites) for which you want to see the CFN log (default=All).
NOTE: The differences between the RVS Log and the CFN Log are:
1. The RVS Log includes errors related to recording only, whereas the CFN Log reports ALL failures; see
explanation at end of RVS Report Log section.
2. The CFN Log is only available from the Nucleus.
Note: By default, events are cleared from the display list after 24 hours. To view events in a later time period,
click Queries and change the time filter to include the time and dates required.
List View
Thumbnails View
Description
Go to last page of event
Jump back 1000 events
Jump forward 1000 events
Go to first page of events
If you selected Start Quick Playback From, select the time to start the playback from
(relative to the event) from the list displayed.
The video is displayed in the Video Display area in the Main window. The
button is displayed in the bottom-left corner of the Main window.
button.
3. If Show Event Information is selected, the following screen displays with details on that specific event.
The information on this screen can be displayed in either of two formats, by selecting Event Dialog Mode
or Full Event Details Mode at the top of the screen. Similarly, if Show Edit History is selected, a screen
displays to indicate if any of the details of an event have been changed. If Allow to modify the stored
data has been checked in the Database Configuration setup, Edit History will be active and an edit
history will display.
8. Click
1.
This screen provides a space to write in any pertinent information about the event. The tools
at the top of the screen provide for selection of font, color and where the report will be saved.
Double click the snapshots and event details on the right of the screen to include them in the
report. The report is saved as an .rtf file. A previously written report can also be accessed
through this screen.
3.
2. Select a location where to export the snapshot. The snapshot will be saved as a .jpg file.
1. Click
2. The screen displays a list of the current queries configured in the setup. Specify the report content time
frame:
Click the Date And Time radio button and select a start date and start time from the dropdown
lists.
-OR-
Click the First Event radio button to list the events starting from earliest event in the database.
Click the Date And Time radio button and select an ending date and ending time from the
dropdown lists.
-OR-
Click the Last Event radio button to list the events up to and including the latest event in the
database.
3. Click the Search button at the bottom of the screen. A list of events that matches the query will display.
4. Right click an event in the list to Show Event Information, Show Edit History, Edit Event (if enabled),
Start Live (video) or Start Quick Playback From. These all function in the same manner as in the
Events History List; see instructions above.
5. Click
current list without going back into setup. The following screen displays.
6. Enter information, either a word or phrase in the field provided or in the DB Fields below. If the field has
been defined as searchable in the Events Database Configuration, it can be looked for.
7. Click Generate Report at the bottom of the screen. A list of events that include the specific query
parameters displays.
Chapter 9
Printing/Exporting Frames and Creating
Video Clips
This chapter describes how to print out or export selected frames, and to create video files from selected
playback segments. This chapter contains the following sections:
Printing Frames, page 300, describes how to print any frame being viewed in the Main window (live or
playback).
Exporting Frames, page 301, describes how to save a selected single frame or group of consecutive
frames being viewed in playback to any network destination as JPEG images.
Creating Video Clips, page 302, describes how to create a video file from a selected playback segment,
which can then be viewed using any standard video viewer.
Printing Frames
You can print out the Main window Video Display area panel, showing the frames currently being displayed
in Live or Playback mode.
Exporting Frames
You can save selected single frames or groups of consecutive frames being viewed in playback to any
network destination as JPEG images.
4. Enter the required destination path on your network, either directly or using the standard browser window
that is displayed by clicking the
button.
5. Specify the number of consecutive frames, including the current frame, from which JPEG images should
be created (up to 9999). You can enter this either directly in the Number of Consecutive Pictures field,
or using the Up/Down buttons.
6. Enter a base file name in the File Name field. (Do not include the file extension. The requested files are
automatically named using the base name plus a suffix to denote the applicable frame number.)
7. Click Save to save the requested images to the selected location.
NOTE: If Cancel is clicked while the Export is in process, the frames that were already exported up to that
point will not be removed from the destination folder.
3. Click the
Your camera, microphone and time interval selections are shown in read-only fields.
4. Enter the required destination path on your network, either directly or using the standard browser window
that is displayed by clicking the
5. Enter a base file name in the File Name field. (Do not include the file extension.)
6. Select the File Type from the dropdown list: AVI, MPEG-4, DivX (requires codec installation) or xVid.
Note: Video recorded in MPEG-4 and H.264 compression can only be exported to MPEG-4 or Xvid. Video
created from ViconNet compression or a JPEG recording (i.e., open standard cameras, Vicon and those
for other manufacturers) can also create AVI files as well as MPEG-4 or Xvid.
7. Click Start to create the video file at the selected location in the selected format.
Appendix A
Configuring the Personal Firewall
Due to various security risks, Vicon has decided to keep only specific ViconNet application ports open, while
fully closing and protecting all others. To do this, Microsoft's Personal Firewall feature, which exists in every
Windows operating system, is used.
The following table lists all ports per protocol used by the ViconNet application, version 4 and higher. All other
ports should be kept closed in order to protect the system from future security breaches. If other ports are
open from an earlier version of ViconNet, they will be closed automatically, to match the list of required open
ports, as shown below.
Open Ports
Closed Ports
NOTE: The Personal Firewall feature is configured by default in Vicons Embedded revisions higher than D.
Vicon recommends using the Microsoft Personal Firewall feature, especially in the following cases:
The Kollector is connected indirectly through a network that has at least one computer connected to the
Internet.
6. Click the Advanced tab and select the checkbox in the Internet Connection Firewall area.
IP Address
External Port
Protocol
Internal Port
IP Address
4354
127.0.0.1
4354
TCP
4354
127.0.0.1
4355
127.0.0.1
4355
TCP
4355
127.0.0.1
4356
127.0.0.1
4356
TCP
4356
127.0.0.1
4357
127.0.0.1
4357
TCP
4357
127.0.0.1
4358
127.0.0.1
4358
TCP
4358
127.0.0.1
4359
127.0.0.1
4359
TCP
4359
127.0.0.1
4354
127.0.0.1
4354
UDP
4354
127.0.0.1
4355
127.0.0.1
4355
UDP
4355
127.0.0.1
4356
127.0.0.1
4356
UDP
4356
127.0.0.1
4357
127.0.0.1
4357
UDP
4357
127.0.0.1
4358
127.0.0.1
4358
UDP
4358
127.0.0.1
4359
127.0.0.1
4359
UDP
4359
127.0.0.1
80(web service)
127.0.0.1
80
HTTP
80
127.0.0.1
11. When you have finished configuring all of the ports, click OK twice to close all the windows and then click
Close to close the Local Area Connection Status window.
12. The Local Area Connection icon now displays a lock, as shown below.
settings. Vicon takes no responsibility if customers change any of the default settings or disable this feature
completely.
There are, however, a few circumstances where the Personal Firewall configuration must be either extended
or disabled completely to enable additional communication channels between the Kollector and other
devices/computers over the network, for example:
When using the Microsoft RDP protocol for remote control support (Remote Desktop Connection)
NOTE: This option can be opened separately without disabling the Personal Firewall completely, as
described below.
3. In the displayed Service Settings window, enter RDP in the Name or IP address field, as shown:
4. Click OK three times to close all the windows and then click Close to close the Local Area Connection
Status window.
Appendix B
Configuring the Network
This appendix describes certain aspects of configuring the ViconNet network. It contains the following
sections:
Configuring the Network Adapter, page 310, describes how to configure a network adapter when the
Kollector has more than one.
Configuring a Network with DHCP, page 311, describes how ViconNet uses networking, in particular
the use of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
), select the correct adapter (the required IP) from the IP Address Settings list.
2. Click OK. The application at the current site requests to be restarted in order to work with the new
settings.
NOTE: If a virtual connection (VPN) is also defined, the virtual adapter IP address is also displayed in the
list of options (providing it was previously connected) and the user can choose to work with it.
NOTE: If you restart your site, you will be logged in automatically to the ViconNet application (if the Auto
Login setup is active, as described in the Configuring Auto Login section in Chapter 3,
Configuring the ViconNet System).
2. In the User Name field, enter your assigned user name. If you are an administrator entering for the first
time, enter admin.
5. To open the Network Settings window, follow steps 1 through 3 in Step 1: Setting the Site IP Addresses,
in the Creating a New Network section in Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet System.
6. In the IP Address Settings area, select the Obtain an IP address automatically radio button.
7. Click
8. Repeat steps 1 through 5 to reopen the Network Settings window. The completed DHCP setup should
look as shown below, with the IP address displayed in the Network Settings area.
NOTE: Once ViconNet has an IP address, it will no longer use one assigned by Windows or by the DHCP
server. Forcing a new DHCP detection of the Kollector requires first manually setting the IP address,
so that it starts with the new manual address. To obtain a new address, repeat the steps in this
procedure.
Appendix C
Setting Up a VPN Service
This appendix presents an example of how to setup a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service (server and
client) for the ViconNet application. Configuring the system to work this way is performed by changing the
network settings in the ViconNet application setup, as described in the procedure below.
The VPN server in this example is a Windows XP Professional Workstation with two network interface cards
(NICs). The VPN server should be assigned to a separate Workstation; the VPN client can be assigned to the
ViconNet Workstation or Viewer.
NOTE: While the example presented here uses Windows XP Professional, other VPN servers can be used
as well.
The VPN setup consists of four steps:
In this example, a number of cameras are connected to Kollector Forces under an internal/corporate network
for security purposes, as shown below. When users outside the office wish to view the cameras over the
Internet, the VPN server in the office serves as a bridge between the external world and the internal
network. The remote machine creates a VPN tunnel with the VPN server and allows users to connect to the
Kollector Forces as if they were under the same internal network in the office.
5. Select the Set up an advanced connection radio button and then click
6. Select the Accept incoming connections radio button and then click
7. In the screen that appears, make sure that no checkboxes have been selected and then click
8. Select the Allow virtual private connections radio button and then click
9. Use any existing user name or create a new user name for the new connection and then click
10. Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) checkbox and then click
11. Click
3. Select the Networking tab, select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) checkbox and then click
4. Select the Specify TCP/IP addresses radio button and in the From and To fields, enter the range of IP
addresses. It is important to ensure that you do not use IP addresses that are already in use in your
network and that they are under the same network as the Kollector/Workstation.
5. When you have finished, click
3. Select the Virtual Private Network connection radio button and then click
4. In the Company Name field, enter the name of the connection, as you want it to appear in the network
and then click
5. Enter the external IP address of the Workstation serving as the VPN server (as described in page 314
and then click
7. Click
8. Dialup from the Workstation to the VPN server to get an IP address from the IP address pool defined
there. Both sides must be connected to the Internet.
Internet
VPN Tunnel
or Private Network
VPN Connection
Using PPTP or L2TP
LAN Using IP
NOTE: Contact your system administrator if you need help with these steps.
9. After the VPN connection is established between the Workstation and the VPN server, an additional IP
address will be created for use by the ViconNet application.
2. Deselect the This Site is the Master Nucleus checkbox and enter the IP address of the site that handles
the Nucleus on your network in the Nucleus IP field.
3. Click
. The new settings are saved and the application reboots. On the top-left side of the
Main window, the site name displayed next to the word Nucleus: should be your system's Nucleus.
4. Click
to connect to the VPN server and make sure the application is established.
5. Start the ViconNet application on the Workstation and set the Nucleus IP address to that defined in
step 1.
6. In the Site List, make sure you can see the cameras over the network and that the list is updated.
Troubleshooting
If the application suddenly gets disconnected from the Nucleus, you should try the following:
Check that the VPN connection between the Workstation and the VPN server is still connected.
Check that the IP address you have received from the VPN server is compatible with the list of addresses
defined on your local network.
Appendix D
Using Video Analytics
This appendix explains how to use the integrated ViconNet VI video analytics with the ViconNet system.
Before this feature can be used, be sure that the video analytics server is installed on a designated PC and
its configured properly to function in ViconNet environment. The figure below illustrates a typical installation.
Refer to the documentation for the video analytic software for details, instruction manual XX180 series.
WS ( Nucleus)
Kollector 1
Kollector 2
LAN
NVR
The Video Analytics must be set up on the ViconNet system. Refer to Chapter 3, Configuring the ViconNet
System, Video Analytics Engine and Configuring Alarm Events, for detailed instructions. After the video
analytics is set up, video can be played back from the Navigator window. Refer to Chapter 6, Playing Back
Recorder Vide/Audio.
When video with analytic behavior is displayed, the video will display polygons that outline the behavior
violation according to the parameters set up in the video analytics. Refer to the documentation for the video
analytic software for details, instruction manual XX180 series. The screen below is an example of live video.
Object Tail
Object Data
Object Tail
Appendix E
Running ViconNet as a Service
Starting at version 5, ViconNet can be run as a standard Windows service.
A Windows service is a process controlled by the operating system and is independent of user login or a
graphical user interface. This option is sometime required by IT managers who are used to running Windows
service applications on their system.
How does it work?
By default, the ViconNet application runs with its fully featured graphical user interface (GUI) on the computer
(Viewer, NVR and Workstation). Choosing to run the application as a Windows service will load ViconNet on
the PC, but it will not be running the GUI at all.
The ViconNet application will be controlled by the operating system and any service tool used by the system
administrator. Access for configuration and setup of the system operating in service mode can be done
remotely from any ViconNet workstation, NVR or Kollector exactly as ViconNet allows today.
Where will this be usually required?
Running as a service is usually required for those systems running behind the scenes, such as an NVR and
DVR. Because running as a service disables the GUI, running Viewers and Workstations that usually view
and control video in this mode does not make sense.
Advantages
For those who prefer running as a service in general (usually IT personnel), this option is now provided. It also
offers the following:
Service will start automatically after system reboot, even if there is no user to log into Windows (on
PCs where login is required)
Service can be remotely restarted using IT tools, if needed
PC screen has no GUI
Its important to remember that ViconNet still works and runs its tasks.
System Default
When installing ViconNet version 6 and above, the service option is automatically added to the computer. By
default, ViconNet is installed in non-service mode and will have to be configured to run in service mode if
required.
Note: Exit the ViconNet application before using the ViconNet Service Configurator.
To access the ViconNet Service Configurator, click on the Start button and go to Programs -> Vicon ->
ViconNet.
Click on ViconNet Service Configurator to run
By default, after installation, ViconNet will not be set to run as a service and will show the following:
If you want to have ViconNet run as a service, click the button Run The ViconNet As a Service. The
Configurator will change:
Clicking the button again will switch back to non-service mode (always showing the latest state).
Once running as a service, you will be able to connect to the system from other ViconNet devices in the same
way you would when running the full application.
You can close the ViconNet Service Configurator at any time by clicking the X on the top right corner.
Running ViconNet
If ViconNet is configured to run as a service, any attempt to run it manually (by clicking the ViconNet shortcut)
will result with the following error message:
If you need to run ViconNet manually, first make sure to stop the service using the ViconNet Service
Configurator as described above and only then running the application manually.
Advanced Notes
The actual service running the ViconNet application is called VNAgent and can be found in the Windows
service manager, if needed.
Shipping Instructions
Use the following procedure when returning a unit to the factory:
1. Call or write Vicon for a Return Authorization (R.A.) at one of the locations listed below. Record the name
of the Vicon employee who issued the R.A.
a.
b.
c.
R. A. number
d.
e.
f.
3. Pack the unit carefully. Use the original shipping carton or its equivalent for maximum protection.
4. Mark the R.A. number on the outside of the carton on the shipping label.
If the product is to be used outdoors or in dusty, humid, or other hostile environments, it must be suitably
protected.
Camera products must be protected, whether in use or not, from exposure to direct sunlight or halogen light as
the light may damage the camera image sensor. This applies to both indoor and outdoor use of the cameras.
For camera products supplied without a lens, extreme care should be used when mounting a lens on these
products. Damage to the product due to incorrectly mounted lenses will invalidate this limited hardware
warranty.
Failure to comply with any of the aforementioned requirements will invalidate this Limited Hardware Warranty.
Date of retail purchase is the date original end-user takes possession of the equipment, or, at the sole discretion of the
Company, the date the equipment first becomes operational by the original end-user.
The sole remedy under this Warranty is that defective equipment be repaired or (at the Companys option) replaced, at
Company repair centers, provided the equipment has been authorized for return by the Company, and the return shipment
is prepaid in accordance with policy. Repaired or replacement hardware will be warranted for the remainder of the original
Warranty Period or ninety (90) days, whichever is longer. When a product or part is exchanged the replacement hardware
becomes the property of the original purchaser and all hardware or part thereof that is replaced shall become the property
of Vicon.
The warranty does not apply (a) to faulty and improper installation, maintenance, service, repair and/or alteration in any way
that is not contemplated in the documentation for the product or carried out with Vicon consent in writing, operation
adjustments covered in the operating manual for the product or normal maintenance, (b) to cosmetic damages, (c) if the
product is modified or tampered with, (d) if the product is damaged by acts of God, misuse, abuse, negligence, accident,
normal wear and tear and deterioration, improper environmental conditions (including, but not limited to, electrical surges,
water damage, chemical exposure, an/or heat/cold exposure) or lack of responsible care, (e) if the product has had the
model or serial number altered, defaced or removed, (f) to consumables (such as storage media or batteries) (g) to products
that have been purchased as is and Vicon the seller or the liquidator expressly disclaim their warranty obligation pertaining
to the product, (h) to any non-Vicon hardware product or any software (irrespective of packaged or sold with Vicon hardware
product) and Vicon products purchased from an unauthorized distributor/reseller, (i) to damage that occurs in shipment or
(j) to damages by any other causes not related to defective design, workmanship and/or materials.
The warranty for the products shall run from Vicon to End User customers only (including product purchased through
authorized partners and resellers). Vicon is not obligated under any circumstances to honor warranties on product(s)
purchases from internet auction sites including eBay, uBid or from any other unauthorized resellers. Except as explicitly
provided herein, Vicon disclaims all other warranties, including the implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose and
merchantability.
Software supplied either separately or in hardware is furnished on an As Is basis. Vicon does not warrant that
such software shall be error (bug) free. Software support via telephone, if provided at no cost, may be discontinued
at any time without notice at Vicons sole discretion. Vicon reserves the right to make changes to its software in
any of its products at any time and without notice.
The Warranty and remedies provided above are exclusive and in lieu of all other express or implied warranties
including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Certain
jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties. If laws under such jurisdictions apply, then all
express and implied warranties are limited to the warranty period identified above. Unless provided herein, any
statements or representations made by any other person or firm are void. Except as provided in this written
warranty and to the extent permitted by law, neither Vicon nor any affiliated shall be liable for any loss, (including
loss of data and information), inconvenience, or damage, including, but not limited to, direct, special, incidental or
consequential damages, resulting from the use or inability to use the Vicon product, whether resulting from breach
of warranty or any other legal theory. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Vicon total liability for all claims under this
warranty shall not exceed the price paid for the product. These limitations on potential liabilities have been an
essential condition in setting the product.
No one is authorized to assume any liability on behalf of the Company, or impose any obligations on it in connection with
the sale of any Goods, other than that which is specified above. In no event will the Company be liable for indirect, special,
incidental, consequential, or other damages, whether arising from interrupted equipment operation, loss of data,
replacement of equipment or software, costs or repairs undertaken by the Purchaser, or other causes.
This warranty applies to all sales made by the Company or its dealers and shall be governed by the laws of New York State
without regard to its conflict of laws principles. This Warranty shall be enforceable against the Company only in the courts
located in the State of New York.
The form of this Warranty is effective February 1, 2015.
THE TERMS OF THIS WARRANTY APPLY ONLY TO SALES MADE WHILE THIS WARRANTY IS IN EFFECT. THIS
WARRANTY SHALL BE OF NO EFFECT IF AT THE TIME OF SALE A DIFFERENT WARRANTY IS POSTED ON THE
COMPANYS WEBSITE, WWW.VICON-SECURITY.COM. IN THAT EVENT, THE TERMS OF THE POSTED WARRANTY
SHALL APPLY EXCLUSIVELY.
www.vicon-security.com