AI NVR Quick Start Guide Version 1.0.
Contents Front Panel ............................................................................................................................ 3 Rear Panel ............................................................................................................................. 5 Hardware Setup..................................................................................................................... 5 NVR Initialization ........................................................................
Welcome Thank you for purchasing an Amcrest AI NVR. Before installation and operation, please read the below safeguards and warnings carefully. Many of the setup sections below have corresponding videos on YouTube To access the setup videos, please go to http://amcrest.com/videos NOTE: This document is applicable to all Amcrest 42XXX-AI and 52XXX-AI Series NVRs. This document provides a quick setup and overview of your Amcrest AI NVR and its features.
Button Icon Power Button USB Up/1, Description Press and hold this button for five seconds to shut off or power on the NVR. Use the switch on the back of the NVR to initially power the device. Front panel USB 2.0 Port. Fast Forward/7 Activate current control, modify setup, move up and down in a menu Increase/decrease numeric functions. Tilt camera up and down using PTZ menu (if applicable). Move left or right in a menu. When viewing playback, use these buttons to scan forwards or backwards.
Rear Panel The rear panel of the NVR may differ model to model. Below is a representation of the rear panel for the NV42XX-AI Series. Non-PoE ports PoE Ports. HDMI VGA USB 2.0 port Network port USB 2.0 port. Connect a mouse, USB storage device, etc. 10M/100Mbps self-adaptive Ethernet port. HDMI Output VGA video output port GND High definition audio and video signal output port. VGA video output port. Outputs analog video signal. This connects to the monitor to view analog video.
It is recommended to connect all components before mounting any of the cameras. This is to ensure all components are working properly before they are physically installed. If any components are not functioning, please contact Amcrest Support: https://amcrest.com/contacts There will be two parts to this section: 1. Hard drive installation 2. Setting up the cable connections A hard drive must be installed to record or save any footage. If no hard drive is installed, you can only view the cameras from the NVR.
Setting Up the Cables The following instructions will show you how to set up the cables for the NVR, cameras (PoE and Wi-Fi), as well as a monitor or TV screen. To set up the cable connections, there are 5 major steps: 1. Connect a monitor or TV screen to your NVR. The NVR is compatible with any monitor or screen that uses a VGA or HDMI connection. For purposes of this guide, we will use a VGA connection.
NVR Initialization After applying power to the NVR, the system will turn on. Allow the NVR to finish loading. The Device Initialization screen will appear. Select your location, language, and video standard then click Next to continue. Select your time zone as well as current date and time. Click Next to continue. Enter Password Create a new admin password for your NVR. The password for your device should be between 8 and 32 characters.
If you have assigned an unlock pattern, you will need to draw the pattern again to confirm your assigned unlock pattern. Password Protection Additional means of password protection and retrieval can be set up in this menu. If you would like to reset your password using your email, make sure the email address checkbox is enabled and enter a valid email address in the Email Address field. The email address will be retained in the system.
Once this section is complete, click on the Save button to save your information to the device. Startup Wizard Walkthrough The first page of the Startup Wizard will appear which allows you to setup any General, Network, Remote Devices, and Record Control Settings for the NVR. Before proceeding please note, most Amcrest products are H.265 compatible. H.265 provides a more advanced technology than H.
Once you are satisfied with the settings on this screen click Next to continue. Date & Time The Date & Time settings screen is used to set the date and time for your NVR. If you want to utilize daylight savings time, click on the DST enable toggle switch. This should be enabled by default. Click Next to continue. Note: Make sure to toggle the NTP toggle switch to the off position if you do not want to sync your device to an NTP server.
Holiday This screen allows the user to set and modify holiday settings which allows the NVR to record or send snapshots based on specific schedules set by the user. Please note, a holiday record / snapshot setup has a higher priority than an ordinary date record/snapshot setup plan. Below is a screenshot of the Holiday settings screen: To add a holiday schedule to your NVR, click on the Add Holidays button. This will take you to an “Add Holidays” screen.
P2P The next screen that appears is the P2P screen. This screen allows you to connect your NVR to your mobile device via the Amcrest View Pro app. The P2P status should read as “Online”. To download the app, use your mobile device’s camera and scan the Cell Phone Client QR code. When using the app, use the SN QR Code for quick access to the serial number for your NVR. Click the Next to continue.
Camera Registration The next screen that appears is the Camera Registration screen. This is where you can begin adding cameras to the NVR. If the cameras are not directly connected to the back of the NVR, please make sure they are active and on the same network as the NVR before proceeding. To begin adding a device, click on Device Search to allow the NVR to scan for connected devices on your network. A list of applicable connected devices will show on the screen.
If the status of your camera is red, it indicates the camera is not properly connected to the NVR. This could be because the password for the camera is not entered properly in the system. To modify the password for your camera, click on the edit icon (pencil) located in the Edit column in the Added Device menu. Select the Password field and use the onscreen keyboard to enter the password for your camera. Once the password has been entered, click Connect then click Save to continue.
As previously stated, our H.265 compatible products will come factory defaulted to H.264 compression, but for increased performance, the camera's settings can be automatically switched to H.265 compression. Switching to H.265 compression reduces bandwidth without sacrificing frames per second or resolution. To activate H.265 compression, click on the H.265 Auto Switch. For more information on H.265 compression, please visit: amcrest.com/support Click on Next to proceed.
Click Next to continue. This will take you to the snapshot settings for scheduled recordings. This screen is used similarly to the Rec menu only it pertains only to snapshot events. Once you have scheduled your events, click on the OK button to continue. Once the setup process is finished you should see a dialog box indicating the startup wizard is finished. Click Save to continue The next screen you will see will be the video wall screen which will display all connected devices.
OPERATION: View system information, system updates. Import/export configuration files, etc. BACKUP: Search and backup files using a USB flash drive. DISPLAY: Configure resolution and display settings. AUDIO: Configure audio announcements and import audio files. Management CAMERA: Add, search, review or edit settings for each camera, including video settings (e.g. quality, bit rate, color, etc.). NETWORK: Review and edit TCP/IP, connection, DDNS, Email settings, etc (e.g. P2P, UPnP, Multicast, etc.
Click Apply to save your settings. Adjusting Bitrate Since H.265 compression uses roughly 30% less resources than H.264, the camera will typically come defaulted to a preset bitrate when switching to H.265. For instance, when switching to H.265 on a 4K camera, the bitrate may be defaulted to 8192 Kb/S, however, adjusting the bitrate to a lower value may help to increase the overall efficiency of the camera while viewing playback or watching live view.
2. Click on Record. The Record menu displays all active channels and streams being used for recording. If using snapshots, ensure the Snapshot radio button is enabled on each stream. To apply the settings to all channels, click on the All radio button. 3. Click on Apply to save the settings to your device. Setting Up Recording Schedules 1. From the Main Menu, click on STORAGE in the MANAGEMENT section: Make sure you are on the SCHEDULE > REC page.
To choose a channel (or camera) for which to configure, click the number next to Channel, then select either a single channel or All if you would like the schedule to apply to all channels currently connected to your NVR: By default, the NVR will have the schedule for each recording type to record 24/7. Also note, that the NVR uses military time from 00:00 to 24:00 hours instead of 12 a.m. to 12 a.m. To edit a recording schedule, select a recording option from the colored boxes.
Click the eraser icon to the right of any day if you would like to clear the entire row of blocks. To add or remove motion detection blocks to the grid, mark the yellow checkbox next to MD, then click individual cells or click-and-drag for multiple blocks: To the left of each day, there are small boxes which can be marked to ‘link’ days together. This is useful if you want to save time by instantly making changes to multiple days simultaneously.
Another way to configure recording schedules is by manually setting time periods. Click the “gear‟ icon to the far right of any day to open the Period page: Here, the periods (Periods 1 - 6) will be in displayed in chronological order. You can set either Regular, MD, Alarm, MD&Alarm or IVS, checkboxes. You can also copy the period settings over to other days by checking them individually or checking All. Make sure to click Save when finished.
When finished on this screen, click Apply to save your changes. Setting Up Email Alerts Setting up Email alerts will allow you to receive snapshots of events via your email. These events can be motion detection, IVS, Face Detection, or other events captured by your device. Each event type must have the “Send Email” option enabled to allow the feature to send snapshots to your email. To setup email alerts, please refer to the information provided below. 1.
Now, whenever your camera detects motion, you will get email alerts sent to the email that was set up in the system. This will include an email with a snapshot of what was seen when the event was triggered. Setting Up Motion Alerts This will allow snapshots of motion detection events to be emailed to you.
3. Ensure the toggle switch for motion detection is enabled and adjust any motion detection settings or motion schedules accordingly. Adjusting Region Settings You can set up “regions‟ for motion detection using the region grid on your NVR. By default, the entire area of view for your cameras will be highlighted with red blocks indicating that all areas of the live view screen will have active motion detection.
In plain English: Sensitivity is the difference between a squirrel running up a tree, versus a big dog running up to and barking at that tree. A squirrel would trigger motion detection at a higher sensitivity because it takes less change or movement to qualify as motion. But the dog would trigger motion detection at a lower sensitivity because it takes more change or movement to qualify as motion.
Adjusting Motion Detection Schedules Motion detection schedules work the same as the schedules outlined in section: “Setting Up Recording Schedules.” To adjust a motion detection schedule, click on Period and use your mouse to adjust the timeline. Click on the settings (gear) icon to set multiple periods. Click on Save to save your schedule. 3. Click on the “Send Email” checkbox. To enable the NVR to send an email once a motion is detected. 4. Click on Apply to save the settings to your system.
Using Non-AI Cameras The AI features available with the NVR can be used with non-AI cameras. These features include, Face Detection, Face Recognition, and certain IVS rules such as tripwire and intrusion. People Counting is only available if a compatible AI camera is applied to the system. When using a non-ai camera on the NVR, make sure to enable the AI by Device option in the Type menu for each compatible feature. A Smart Plan may not be available if using AI features with a non-AI camera.
Setting Up Face Detection Face detection is used to allow your device to detect face events. This feature can be used either by the NVR or by the camera (if supported). For more information on setting up face detection, please refer to the information provided below. 1: Access the Smart Plan menu and select the channel you would like to configure from the Channel drop down menu. Click on the Face Detection icon and then click Apply.
3. It is best to leave the Rule settings as default, however, they can be adjusted by clicking on the Setting button. Use your mouse to adjust the minimum (Min) and maximum (Max) size of the face detection area. 4. When triggered, the face detection event will be retained in the face detection smart search menu or snapshots of the event can be emailed to you.
A display of all face detection data will be displayed along with facial attributes. Click on the event you would like to view, and a clip of the event will be displayed in the built-in player. Click on the play icon to view the event. Storing a Face Detection Event Face detection events can be stored on a USB flash drive. Insert the flash drive into a USB port on the device then click the check box next to the event you wish to store.
Using Face Recognition Face recognition is used in conjunction with face detection to locate and determine facial similarities detected by the system. Images are registered in a face library, by the user, and accessed via a face recognition smart search tool that is built into the NVR. A USB flash drive with applicable images (in jpeg format) should be inserted into a USB port on the NVR if you are importing images locally. 1. Ensure Face Detection is enabled in the Smart Plan menu. Click Apply 2.
If you have a single image to add click Register ID, if you have multiple images to add click on Batch register. Follow the on-screen prompts to add the images into the library. Once the images have been successfully modeled into the database left click on the interface to exit. 4. Navigate back to the Face Recognition menu in the Parameters section and click on the Setting option in the Target Face Database field.
Note: To adjust Common Mode settings, click on the Trigger (gear) icon and select which additional options you would like to apply to this feature. Be sure to click Apply to save the settings to your device. Viewing Face Recognition Data All face recognition data retained by the system can be accessed via the Face Recognition option located in the Smart Search menu. A search by attributes or a search by image can be performed.
If searchable images are already uploaded into a face library click on Face Library and select an image from the interface, then click Save to begin a search. If you would like to add images locally click Local Upload and follow the on-screen prompts to upload images. A USB flash drive with applicable images (in jpeg format) can be used to upload images to the NVR. Once an image has been loaded, enter a start and end time of the event, and click Smart Search.
2. Click on the IVS option located in the Parameters menu and verify the correct channel is being used. If you are using AI features available on the camera side, select AI by Camera, in this example we will be using AI by Device to highlight key features of the NVR. Click Add to add an IVS rule. IVS Features Available by Device. Any camera, whether AI or non-AI, connected to the NVR can take advantage of the NVRs builtin AI features, including IVS.
4. Use your mouse to draw an area or line on the interface. Click on the interface and use your mouse to draw an area or line, click your mouse on the interface when done, then right click to set the area or line to the system. If you would like to add a name for the rule, enter a name in the Name box. The Direction drop down menu allows you to choose a direction in which the rule will be triggered. Object filters can be enabled for accuracy. Click Save.
Note: Once an IVS rule is triggered the line or area visible on the live view screen will flash. Viewing IVS Data Any IVS data retained on the system can be viewed using the IVS Smart Search interface or via the playback menu if an IVS schedule is set in the system. To learn more about recordings schedules, please refer to section “Setting Up Recording Schedules”. 1. To view IVS data using the IVS smart search interface, click on the IVS option located in the Smart Search menu.
highest level to blue which is the lowest level. For more information on how to use heat map, please refer to the information provided below. 1. Ensure the Heat Map icon is enabled in the Smart Plan menu. Click Apply. 2. Enable the Heat Map toggle switch to turn on the feature. Click Apply. Note: A schedule can be set for this feature by clicking on the Setting button in the Period field. This will allow the feature only to function during specific times set by the user.
3. To view Heat Map data, click on the Smart Search option and click on Heat Map. Enter a start and end time into the interface and click Search. The heat map period cannot exceed one month of reporting. All heat map data will appear in the interface. Note: To back up a heat map image, click on Export then click Save. This will save a BMP image to an external USB flash drive.
2. Click on the People Counting option located in the Parameters menu. Ensure the correct channel is being used and click on the Enable toggle switch to enable the feature. Click Apply. 3. To update any information regarding people counting. Click on the RULE button located in the Rule field of the interface. It is best to leave this area as default; however, you can modify the name, direction, or target filtering of the feature.
Viewing People Counting Data People counting data shows the number of people reported by the system entering or exiting the area within a specified amount of time. This information is displayed graphically using a histogram or a line graph and can be exported to a USB flash drive if needed. For more information on how to view people counting data please refer to the information provided below. 1. Click on the People Counting option located in the Smart Search menu.
4. An excel spread sheet of this data can be exported and backed up via a USB flash drive. To export this data to a USB flash drive, insert a USB flash drive into a USB port on the NVR. Click Export in the interface. Click Save, this will export the excel sheet to your flash drive. Accessing Playback Motion detection and IVS recordings can be accessed in the Playback option on the main menu. A hard drive must be installed to access and view recordings from this menu.
A timeline of the recordings will appear in the interface. Click the Play button ( ) to play all recordings available on the timeline. Additionally, all days with recordings available will be highlighted in the calendar portion of the interface with a dot. To select specific days/months or years, use the navigation arrows provided in the calendar. A file list of recordings can also be shown by clicking on the File List icon ( ) located in the interface.
To play a recording from the File List menu, double click on the file you want to view. The recording will automatically begin to play in the interface. How To Upgrade System Firmware Keeping the firmware on your NVR up to date is an important part of overall system health. For security purposes, it is highly recommended to upgrade the firmware on your device every time a new firmware is available. To locate the most up to date firmware for your NVR please visit https://amcrest.
other. Once you have the IP address, your computer will be able to find and communicate with your NVR. A browser plugin is just like a translator. Using your NVR by itself, without a is different than using it on your computer. By using the NVR on your computer through a web browser, you need to introduce a new piece of software that allows your computer to understand the language that the NVR speaks in a way that a computer can understand. That’s what the browser plugin is for.
4. In the Network settings page locate the TCP/IP option on the left panel list. Then, locate where it says IP Address on the main center page of the window. 5. Write it down. It will look something like ‘192.168.xx.xxx’, or ’10.0.XX.XXX’ depending on your network, router, or service provider. Note: It does not matter what your IP address looks like, however, the IP address is needed to access the NVR from a web browser.
When the NVR has been setup successfully you will hear a beep from the NVR and a prompt in the browser letting you know that the initialization is complete. You will then be taken to the login screen. Enter the username and password for your NVR then click Login. Note: Please allow all permissions to allow the plugins to function in your browser. Once the plugins are allowed the main menu screen will appear.
4. Access your router's user interface and port forward the device using the HTTP port information displayed in the system. Every router's port forwarding protocols are unique. For more information on how to port forward your specific device, please visit portforward.com or refer to the user manual for your specific router. Note: When port forwarding the NVR in your router, make sure to use the TCP, UDP and updated HTTP protocols displayed in the NVR.
Accessing the Device Remotely After setting up the NVR in the previous steps provided, open a web browser and enter in the DDNS domain name address previously setup for your NVR. For example, if the DDNS domain name is http://abc123456789.amcrestddns.com and your HTTP Port is 12345, the URL would be http://abc123456789.amcrestddns.com:12345 Remote access not working? (troubleshooting steps) Please contact Amcrest Support via one of the following options: Visit http://amcrest.
Playback: This menu allows you to view playback of motion detection, IVS, or continuous recording events. For more information on the features included in the playback menu, please refer to section, “Accessing Playback”. AI: This menu allows you to manage and view artificial intelligence features such as, face detection, face recognition, IVS, people counting, as well as smart search and IVS playback features.
3. Tap “Start”. 4. Tap “DVR/NVR” 5. Tap “P2P Connection” Note: IP/Domain/DDNS can be used to establish a DDNS connection. For more information on how to setup a DDNS connection please visit https://amcrest.com/support 6. Scan the QR code. The QR code can be found on the serial tag along with the scannable barcode. 7. Create a name for the device and enter a username and password. The default username and password will be admin. Tap “Start Live View”. 8.
Note: To locate the serial number, you must either have physical access to the NVR or computer access to the web interface to access the P2P menu. The SN QR code will be the serial number for your device. For more information regarding the Amcrest View Pro app, please visit: https://amcrest.com/support FCC Statement 1. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
This equipment complies with IC RSS-102 radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20cm between the radiator and any part of your body. Pour se conformer aux exigences de conformité CNR 102 RF exposition, une distance de séparation d'au moins 20 cm doit être maintenue entre l'antenne de cet appareil ettoutes les personnes.
