General NVR Setup
The following documentation instructs users on how to configure their NVR to send SMTP alerts to DICE for all its connected streams. NVRs are those devices used to record and store video footage of connected cameras.
Intended Audience
This documentation is intended for individuals who are familiar with the setup and use of their NVR and camera devices.
Users are expected to be familiar with the following:
- How to access their NVR GUI.
- Basic understanding of how to configure camera streams within the NVR interface.
- Data entering camera stream information within the Add Stream documentation.
Data Entering Camera Streams
Prior to data entering camera streams, you will have to create a Subscriber Account within Matrix. This is the account the streams should be data entered under.
- See the Data Entry documentation for more information on how to create subscriber accounts.
Prior to completing the following steps, you will have to data enter all NVR camera streams within Matrix.
- See the Add Stream documentation for instructions on how to data enter cameras within Matrix.
If you have any questions regarding Camera Setup or Data Entry, contact DICE support for guidance.
Once an account is created and the camera streams have been data entered, you can proceed to configuring the NVR via the below documentation.
Gathering Information
Prior to logging in to your NVR GUI, the following information needs to be assembled:
- Server
- Server Port
- Recipient
This information is located on each camera stream data entered within Camera Setup. You will only require the information from one of the applicable NVR streams data entered on the account.
Configuring Network Settings
The following screenshots are of a Platinum/LTS NVR browser interface. Your NVR may look different; however, the fields you will be populating should be located in similar areas and named in a similar fashion (if not nearly identical).
Access your NVR the way you normally would to configure its basic settings. This documentation is accessing the NVR from a browser window (Chrome) using its Local IP/HTTP Port.
Navigate to the Advanced Network settings of the NVR. Under these settings, you should have access to a tab/option called Email or SMTP.
The primary fields we will be focusing on are:
- SMTP Server
- SMTP Port
- Attached Image
- Interval
- Receiver
- Receiver’s Address
Perform the following steps to begin configuring the NVR to send alarms.
- Input the Server address listed in Matrix into the SMTP Server field.
- Input the Server Port listed in Matrix into the SMTP Port field.
- Please Note: the default ports users can input here are 25 and 26. When testing, please try the alternate port if emails are not received.
- Select the Attached Image option.
- Select 5 from the Interval dropdown.
- Input a brief identifier into the Receiver field.
- Input the Recipient address listed in Matrix into the Receiver’s Address field.
Select Save to complete configuring the SMTP information.
Important
The most important options you need to be aware of are:
- Selecting an option that controls attaching images/video clips to the SMTP email.
- Populating applicable fields with the SMTP Settings located on the camera stream within Matrix.
Troubleshooting Tip
The available Test option can be selected to send a test email to DICE. Within Camera Setup, select the the Enable Event Viewer option and select the NVR Test option; when selected, users should see the Email Received/Ignore: Email contained no attachments message display over the thumbnail.
If this does not display, try updating the Server Port and confirm the SMTP email token address is entered correctly.
Please Note: NVRs vary and sometimes this testing option isn’t viable. You may still see the Testing Failed error display within your NVR even though we did receive the email.
Configuring Stream Settings
Navigate to the Basic Event settings of the NVR. Under these settings, you should have access to a tab/option called Motion.
Please Note: the following steps will need to be completed on each camera stream you wish to receive alarms from.
The primary fields we will be focusing on are:
- Enable Motion Detection
- Enable Dynamic Analysis for Motion
- Linkage Method (specific to Hikvision-type cameras/NVRs)
Perform the following steps to configure an individual camera stream to send a clip when its triggered.
- Select the Enable Motion Detection option.
- Select the Enable Dynamic Motion Detection option.
- Select the Linkage Method tab.
- This will display the linkage settings for the stream.
- This will display the linkage settings for the stream.
- Select the Send Email option from the Normal Linkage options.
- Select the applicable Trigger Alarm Output option.
- Select the camera stream you are currently viewing from the Trigger Recording options.
- Select Save to complete configuring the stream.
Repeat the above steps for all applicable camera streams.
Important
The most important options you need to be aware of are:
- Enabling motion detection on the camera stream.
- Ensuring the camera stream will send an email.
- Ensuring the camera stream will attach a recording of the motion to the email.
The steps above ensure the camera will send an email alert with a clip of captured motion attached.
Once all streams are configured using the above steps, your NVR is now properly set up to route alarms from its connected streams to Matrix Monitoring.
Troubleshooting Tip
Once configured, select the Enable Event Viewer option within Camera Setup and verify activity is being properly routed to all NVR streams. If you see the message: NVR stream not data entered, verify all NVR streams are data entered. When this message is displayed, it means the system received an email from the NVR that originated from a stream that does not exist within Camera Setup on the account.
