Add Stream
Users assign camera streams to subscribers via the Add Stream option within Camera Setup. This documentation instructs users on how to data enter camera streams on subscribers via the available options. For general information on Camera Setup, see the Camera Setup Introduction.
Selecting the Add Stream option will display the Add Stream dialog box. Users can define camera information by populating the necessary fields. Depending on the camera type you are data entering, some of the available fields will not be applicable to your setup. The following documentation defines each field and its indented purpose.
Note: If you are adding a camera connected to a Synology NAS, additional steps must be taken to acquire the Username and Password for the camera. See the Synology NAS documentation for instructions.
Prior to defining the various credential and configuration information, input a descriptive name for the camera into the Description field. This description will appear in Monitoring, Reports, and elsewhere in the software to identify the camera. The remaining available options are defined below.
RTSP Settings
The RTSP Settings section is used to define the credential information used to access and view RTSP camera video streams. The available options are defined below. If the camera is not an RTSP camera, see the Stream Options section below for additional information on alternate camera types.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| Username | Determines the alias used in conjunction with the password to gain access to the camera within its online interface. Note: If you are data entering a Vivotek brand camera, the username cannot contain any special characters. See the Vivotek Cameras documentation for instructions. |
| Password | Determines the password used in conjunction with the username to gain access to the camera within its online interface. |
| IP Address / FQDN | Determines the IP address or domain name the camera is connected to. Note: The IP Address or FQDN input into this field must be visible to DICE for the system to properly communicate with the camera. Note: If your camera is configured to use an EZCloud DDNS, this field should be left blank. More information on EZCloud can be found below within the Stream Options section. |
| Port | Determines the RTSP port the camera is connected to. Note: The port is typically listed within the camera’s browser interface. |
| Path | Determines the RTSP path the camera follows when communicating video data. Note: RTSP path syntax can vary from camera to camera. See the RTSP Path Appendix below for a list of acceptable camera brand paths. |
| URL | As the above fields are populated, the URL will automatically complete. This URL can be selected and viewed using your computer’s media player to confirm the information entered is correct. If correct, your media player will display a live view of the camera. |
Alarm Settings
The Alarm Settings section allows users to assign an account zone to the camera stream. Assigning a zone ensures it is attached to any alarms generated by the camera. See the Zones documentation for more information on managing subscriber zones.
Assigning a zone to a camera ensures any alarms received on the zone will display the applicable camera view within Monitoring.
Input the Alarm Signal identifier of the zone you would like to assign to the camera into the Zone field. Users can also select the magnifying glass icon to search for and select a zone.
Stream Options
The Stream Options section allows users to define optional handling and integration information. As users select options from the dropdowns, additional relevant fields will display for use. All available Stream Options are defined below.
Please Note: required fields are indicated via an asterisk (*) character.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| Live View Integration | Determines the vendor or video format the camera will use to display video information. More information on the available options can be found below. |
| Show Advanced Processing Options | Determines if the camera will utilize certain analytics and chart code functionality for sent events. More information on the available options can be found below. |
| Show Advanced DDNS Options | Determines if the camera will utilize EZCloud services for DDNS routing. More information on the available options can be found below. |
| Show PTZ Options | Determines if the camera will utilize pan, tilt, zoom functionality. More information on the available options can be found below. |
| Show Voice Options | Determines if the camera will utilize voice down or relay functions. More information on the available options can be found below. |
| Management URL | Allows users to assign the web address used to manage the camera’s settings to the stream. Once assigned, users can access the camera’s URL when viewing the stream’s live view. More information on Management URLs can be found below. |
Live View Integration
The Live View Integration dropdown determines how the camera will report video data to DICE. The available options are defined below.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| blank | Sets the camera to use the default set within Flag Maintenance. See the Flag Maintenance documentation for more information on configuring camera live view defaults. |
| rtsp | Determines the camera will use real time streaming protocol information (as defined within the RTSP Settings section) to communicate video information. You can set cameras to use RTSP by default within Flag Maintenance. |
| pimg | Determines the camera will use the same settings as RTSP; however, PIMG is more tolerant of slow or congested internet connections to supply live data albeit at a lower display quality. You can set cameras to use PIMG by default within Flag Maintenance. |
| Exacqvision | Determines the camera will use Exacqvision as its live view vendor. More information on Exacqvision can be found below. |
| None | Determines the camera will be an events only stream not compatible/not applicable with viewing the camera’s live view. If selected, the ability to preview the stream and view its live images will be removed. |
| Rhombus | Determines the camera will use Rhombus as its live view vendor. More information on Rhombus can be found below. |
Exacqvision
If Exacqvision is selected from the Live View Integration dropdown, the Exacqvision setup fields will display. These fields are used to assign information to the camera so live view is properly displayed. All Exacqvision fields are required in order to communicate properly with the camera. These fields are defined below.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| Exacqvision service IP/Hostname | Determines the address the camera is connected to. |
| Exacqvision server port | Determines the web port the camera is connected to. |
| Exacqvision server username | Determines the alias used in conjunction with the password to gain access to the camera. |
| Exacqvision server password | Determines the password used in conjunction with the username to gain access to the camera. |
| Exacqvision server camera id | Determines the identifier assigned to the camera within Exacqvision. Users can select the magnifying glass icon to search for and select an ID. |
Rhombus
If Rhombus is selected from the Live View Integration dropdown, the Rhombus Share ID field will display. This field is used to assign the Rhombus Stream Share Link to the camera.
Input the ID into this field. See the Rhombus Third Party Integration documentation for instructions on how to configure the cameras. Once the Share ID is populated, users will no longer have access to the RTSP Settings fields since the information is not applicable to Rhombus cameras.
Please Note: Rhombus brand cameras will not display a thumbnail image. Users can still select the the image area to view live view camera footage.
Advanced Processing Options
The Show Advanced Processing Options dropdown determines if the camera requires specific handling options when delivering events to the system. If True is selected, additional options will display. These options are defined below.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| Use Custom AI/Verification Provider | Determines if users will be using a specific AI provider to verify AI activity within camera frames. More information on AI providers can be found below. |
| Ignore Regions of Interest | Determines if users will define regions of interest within the camera view. True: ROIs will not be used for this camera. All events received should be sent directly to Monitoring for handling. False: ROIs will be used on this camera. Received events will first be verified for motion or analytics as defined within the ROI settings prior to being sent to Monitoring for handling. See the Stream Management documentation for more information on configuring ROIs. |
| ROI Any Motion Alarm Chart Code | Determines the alarm chart code that will be assigned to Any Motion alarms generated by the camera. If left blank, the default chart code for video alarms will be used. See the Stream Management documentation for more information on the Any Motion option. |
Please Note: See the Thermal Radar Cameras documentation for information on Thermal Radar devices. We recommend setting the Ignore Regions of Interest options to True for Thermal Radar cameras.
Custom AI/Verification Provider
If True is selected from the Use Custom AI/Verification Provider dropdown, the Custom AI/Verification Provider field will display.
Select the AI vendor from those available. Currently, DICE has integrated with the following providers: Evolon, Actuate, and SentryAI. If you are using one of these as your AI provider but the option is not available to you, please contact DICE to complete setup.
Once an AI provider is selected, users will have access to additional analytics options.
Users can define the verification parameters assigned to the AI provider via the available options. These options are defined below.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| AI/Verification Minimum Confidence | Determines the AI provider’s percentage confidence level for object detection. For Example: If 60 is input into this field, the AI provider will only deliver alarms if it is 60% certain that the observed object is what was designated (person, vehicle, etc.) |
| Disable Person Detection | Determines if the AI provider should ignore attempting to identify people when delivering alarms. True: Objects recognized as people will be ignored by the system and will not deliver to Monitoring. False: Objects recognized as people will be acknowledged and delivered to Monitoring as configured. |
| Disable Vehicle Detection | Determines if the AI provider should ignore attempting to identify vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, etc.) when delivering alarms. True: Objects recognized as vehicles will be ignored by the system and will not deliver to Monitoring. False: Objects recognized as vehicles will be acknowledged and delivered to Monitoring as configured. |
Advanced DDNS Options
The Show Advanced DDNS Options dropdown determines if the camera will utilize EZCloud for Dynamic DNS functionality. If True is selected, additional options will display. These options are defined below.
This section contains supplemental documentation intended to be used in conjunction with your EZCloud users’ manual. This section assumes the user is familiar with the setup and use of Dynamic DNS via EZCloud.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| DDNS Integration Type | Displays ezcloud as the DDNS provider. Currently, EZCloud is the only DDNS integration vendor available. |
| EZCloud DDNS URI | Determines the identifier provided by EZCloud for Dynamic DNS functionality. |
Once properly configured and saved, the camera’s IP/FQDN field will automatically populate with the correct IP. This IP will only display after users save the camera and view the camera’s Edit screen. See the Stream Management documentation for more information on managing existing camera streams.
PTZ Options
The Show PTZ Options dropdown determines if the camera will utilize pan, tilt, zoom functionality. If True is selected, an additional option will display. This option is defined below.
Users currently have access to two available PTZ Integrations: Exacqvision and Vapix. If Exacqvision is selected, no additional information is necessary. If Vapix is selected, additional options will display. These options are defined below.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| Axis Vapix Camera Number | Determines the camera’s numeric identifier. |
| Axis Vapix HTTP Port | Determines the network port Matrix Interactive will use to connect to the camera’s HTTP API. |
Voice Options
The Show Voice Options dropdown determines if the camera will utilize voice down or relay toggle functions. If True is selected, additional options will display. These options are defined below.
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| Voice Integration Type | Displays DICEVoice as the integration being used for voice functions. Currently, DICEVoice is the only voice integration available. |
| DICEVoice Type | If applicable, determines the panel type used to communicate between your PBX and the audio device. |
| DICEVoice Extension | Determines the phone extension dialed by the PBX to connect to the audio device. |
Once configured, users can select the Voice Down option from the camera’s live view to speak through the assigned audio device. See the Video Wall documentation for more information on voice down functionality.
Management URL
Users can assign the web address used to manage the camera to the stream via the Management URL field. Once assigned, users will have access to the globe icon located on the stream’s live view. When selected, the management URL will open within an alternate browser window. This will allow users to access camera information quickly when viewing streams within Matrix.
Complete Stream Setup
After populating the applicable Add Stream fields, users can save the stream and continue with final setup.
Select the Preview button to display a thumbnail image of the camera’s current view. This option allows users to confirm the RTSP Settings information entered are correct and the stream is displaying normally.
Once confirmed working, select Save Stream to complete creating the camera profile. Once saved, the Region of Interest, SMTP Settings, and Stream Tags sections will display. See the Stream Management documentation for more information on the options available after saving new streams.
RTSP Path Appendix
The following table lists potential RTSP paths users can input when data entering cameras within Matrix. Please note: the available paths are generic and may not work for every brand. Make sure you consult your camera’s user manual for additional information on setting up RTSP settings.
| Brand | RTSP Path | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Alibi | /Streaming/Channels/<Stream ID>02 | Confirm the <Stream ID> is is the numerical ID assigned to the camera view you are viewing.Example Path: /Streaming/Channels/102 |
| Avigilon | /defaultPrimary<Stream ID>?streamType=u | Confirm the <Stream ID> is the numerical ID assigned to the camera view you are viewing.Example Path: /defaultPrimary2?streamType=u |
| Axis | /axis-media/media.amp?fps=6&resolution=320x240&camera=<Stream ID> | Confirm <Stream ID> is the numerical ID assigned to the camera view you are viewing. Single view axis cameras can omit the &camera= tag from the path completely.Example Path: /axis-media/media.amp?fps=6&resolution=320x240&camera=5 |
| Digital Watchdog | /<camera id>?stream=-1&resolution=240p | Confirm the [camera id] is the unique ID assigned to the camera within its browser interface. See the Digital Watchdog Cameras documentation for more information on configuring Digital Watchdog devices.Example Path: /123ab456-12ab-ab12-ef34-1234abcd456e?stream=-1&resolution240p |
| Geovision NVR | /cam[camera id]_stream2 | Confirm the [camera id] included in the path is the camera’s assigned identification number as configured within your Geovision NVR/DVR software.Example Path: /cam123_stream2 |
| Geovision Camera | /media/video2 | N/A |
| HanWha Wave | /[camera id]?stream=-1&resolution=240p | Confirm the [camera id] is the unique ID assigned to the camera within its browser interface. See the HanWha Wave Cameras documentation for more information on configuring HanWha Wave devices. |
| Hik | /Streaming/Channels/<Stream ID>02 | Confirm the <Stream ID> is the numerical ID assigned to the camera view you are viewing.Example Path: /Streaming/Channels/102 |
| Honeywell | /cam/realmonitor?channel=<channel number>&subtype=1 | Confirm the <channel number> is the correct NVR channel.Example Path: /cam/realmonitor?channel=2&subtype=1 |
| Platinum | /Streaming/Channels/<Stream ID>02 | Confirm the <Stream ID> is the numerical ID assigned to the camera view you are viewing.Example Path: /Streaming/Channels/102 |
| Sightlogix | Normal: /mpeg1 Thermal: /mpeg2 | N/A |
| Speco | /profile2 | Users must confirm the live view profile of the camera within its Onvif interface is enabled. |
| Synology | /Sms=1/unicast | This path is obtained by setting stream paths to Forever within the NAS software. See the Synology NAS documentation for more information on configuring NAS devices. |
| Uniview | /unicast/c<Stream ID>/s2/live | Confirm the <Stream ID> is the numerical ID assigned to the camera view you are viewing.Example Path: /unicast/c2/s2/live |