tomdlgns

Wondering if anyone has encountered something similar to the following with Bosch NDC-455 and NDN-498 cameras on Exacq. The Exacq site claims that with Bosch firmware rev 5.70 these cameras passed testing, and that is what our cameras are running.

 

We've had the Bosch cameras connected to Exacq for quite some time, a couple of years now. These cameras were originally on a BVMS deployment we had, but then we changed vendors. There appeared to be no problems, as the cameras were all online and features such as motion recording worked. Now, suddenly, SOME of the cameras remain in "Connecting" status on Exacq, but the cameras are all online - they can be pinged, and can be viewed on a Web browser. No configuration changes were made at all.

 

The only thing that seems to work to bring them back "online" according to Exacq, is to add in a second stream. The additional stream is connected and the camera view is there, but now there is less functionality, such as a lack of motion recording (expected). This causes the camera to need to be set in Free Run so it continuously records 24/7 and puts a burden on storage space.

 

Other than pulling in a second stream, I've tried to re-enter admin credentials, deleting the camera from Exacq and re-adding it, and simply disconnecting and reconnecting the camera, but with little success. My next course of action is to perform a factory reset on the Bosch cameras to see if this helps, but I've had mixed results at other locations that have experienced a similar problem - same camera model(s) and firmware rev, too.

 

 

So...what gives? It's the weirdest thing...anyone else seen something like this with Exacq?

 

 

EDIT 5/10/2016: I've tried a factory reset on an NDN-498, and no luck. Still requires the same "fix" for lack of a better word.

I have a few bosch cameras at various sites (running on exacq servers) and I can tell you this, the bosch cameras are slowly being phased out from our installs/setup. I am not a fan of the current bosch cameras and I had such a bad experience with the cameras that I don't want to use them anymore.

First, it was a grounding issue (according to the bosch rep). This is important to note because we designed the box with the camera electronics to only have a power outlet and PoE switch, each camera was going to plug into the PoE switch (I did not want injectors). Of course because of the grounding issues (known to bosch) I had to add some injectors.

Then it was a firmware issue (they had trouble connecting to exacq, sometimes they would connect and other times they would randomly drop offline). The weirdest issue was one site had 6 bosch cameras. I was told their firmware issue was fixed. We staged all of the equipment in our office, everything connected to exacq...no problems. We take the equipment to the site, start installing each camera one at a time...exacq kept showing 'connecting' and i was not pleased to see that. at the end of the day, the minute we plugged in the LAST camera, they all connected within seconds. I have no idea what caused that.

If your camera is on the compatibility list for exacq, it should work. Assuming you have active support, exacq should escalate the issue. I will say this, be 100% certain that all your connections are good. We had a duplex issue that presented itself about 1 year after everything was working great, it was process of elimination that got us to the camera that was causing issues and it was a machine made cable. Maybe some moisture got into the connector? Possibly a bad pin and the cables were moved/bumped that caused the issue.... not sure, we replaced the patch cable and everything came back online (many cameras were flopping connected/connecting, etc...it was very annoying).

ok, if that is how the program functions (connecting to each camera) then i am really glad i ditched this software.

 

If I may ask which software did you use instead?, I'm in desperate need of something good for hikvision cams, and can't find anything decent for good price.

i went with a professional VMS application (avigilon), was not a free/cheap solution, but it does what i need it to do and works great.

I have been running Hikvision iVMS-4200 for a few months. It was so non-intuitive, that I decided to type up everything I knew so I wouldn't forget. I hope everyone appreciates this: it took a while!

-Tony17112acst

 

"- Set a different Server Port for each camera to allow easy access via smart phone."

 

i suppose it a user wants to directly connect to 1 camera then your advice is accurate and makes sense, but again, i assume people want to connect to the server and then view the cameras from there.

 

thanks.

I think he is right, because I dont think you can connect your mobile app or remote client to the ivms server directly, unless you use the PCNVR version, in order for you to view cameras remotely you will need to port fwd each camera individually. I disagree with him in regards to change internal camera port, I think you can leave it to default and just assign dif ports in your router for each camera and link it to local cam ip.

Please note that in order to play recorded files on your mobile phone you will have to add the storage server port separately and when reviewing on your phone you will select the storage server not the individual camera.

ok, if that is how the program functions (connecting to each camera) then i am really glad i ditched this software.

yes, you are right, you can use different ports, externally, and map them to the same camera port, internally.

for example, your firewall/router rules can say (assuming your firewall/router supports this)

(external) port 8180, ip 192.168.1.100 ----> port 5000 (internal)

(external) port 8181, ip 192.168.1.101 ----> port 5000 (internal)

(external) port 8182, ip 192.168.1.102 ----> port 5000 (internal)

(external) port 8183, ip 192.168.1.103 ----> port 5000 (internal)

(external) port 8184, ip 192.168.1.104 ----> port 5000 (internal)

with that being said, i am no longer port forwarding unless i absolutely must for whatever reason. best way to connect to your camera system is to setup a VPN connection. it is more secure and you don't have to mess with firewall/router rules for the cameras, NVR/camera server, etc... i realize that this isn't an option for all. if your only option is to port forward, make sure to use a strong password.

I have been running Hikvision iVMS-4200 for a few months. It was so non-intuitive, that I decided to type up everything I knew so I wouldn't forget. I hope everyone appreciates this: it took a while!

-Tony17112acst

 

thanks for taking the time to write that up. i am not longer using hikvision, but i still read it.

i have a question with this step

"- Set a different Server Port for each camera to allow easy access via smart phone."

i disagree with this. i don't think you should have to mess with the camera ports. isn't the entire purpose/point of the server to setup a VPN or port forward the server ports so you connect to the server, which you can then access 1 camera or all the cameras....?

i suppose it a user wants to directly connect to 1 camera then your advice is accurate and makes sense, but again, i assume people want to connect to the server and then view the cameras from there.

thanks.

 

 

Yeah I'm familiar with Geovisions limitations too well. I've been thinking of switching from GV to something else for over 10 years. I just keep waiting for something to make a switch to. Came pretty close to switching to Milestone recently. I've been testing it for a while. Seems like the industry standard has become 50 per 3rd party cam license. Wish it was a little less than that. What did you end up going with? Milestone \ BI \ Synology?

avigilon (from a couple recommendations from this forum). there are a couple things that i wish avigilon would improve, but it is a very good system.

i had a lot of geovision analog system in the past, i am phasing them out one or two at a time every year.

Set up Geovision GV-NVR computer to send recorded video to a folder on a Synology NAS. ( I am NOT using the Surveillence Station package on the Synology NAS).

 

The files are accessible if I manually go to the NAS (DiskStation Software) and look in the folder. GV-NVR is sending the recorded video to the NAS.

 

When I open the "Video/Audeo Log" window on the GV-NVR software, it shows that there are no events to play back.

 

On the DiskStation software, the folder used to record has read/write access.

 

Can someone help?

 

Thanks

just thought of something....how are you navigating to the synology/NAS folder from within geovision? i have never tried selecting something other than a local hard disk, does that menu (from within gv) see network shares?

how about creating an iscsi between the gv pc and the synology...make it a D, E, F drive....whatever you can use, then tell gv to save to that (should see it as a local drive) and see where that takes you.

Set up Geovision GV-NVR computer to send recorded video to a folder on a Synology NAS. ( I am NOT using the Surveillence Station package on the Synology NAS).

 

The files are accessible if I manually go to the NAS (DiskStation Software) and look in the folder. GV-NVR is sending the recorded video to the NAS.

 

When I open the "Video/Audeo Log" window on the GV-NVR software, it shows that there are no events to play back.

 

On the DiskStation software, the folder used to record has read/write access.

 

Can someone help?

 

Thanks

 

Curious if you ever got this to work or not. I'm considering purchasing a Synology NAS as well for my GV-NVR system. thanks

i am still curious to see if this works, but i ended up replacing the geovision system with another IP VMS.

geovision has too many limitations (in my opinion) and i was sick of dealing with them.

There are only 2 gateway accounts.

 

[im g]http://www.cctvforum.com/images/imported/2015/08/276743_1.png[/img]

 

User access to cameras are set in group policies not users.

 

[im g]http://www.cctvforum.com/images/imported/2015/08/276743_2.png[/img]

yeah, i was able to find the two gateway accounts, those were visible when i first accessed the gatewat (after install).

thanks for pointing out the group tab, didn't even think to click on it...makes sense now.

 

 

still not clear on the mobile/web users. this section explains the two built-in users but nothing about creating new users.

 

By default, the Gateway has two users: an Administrator that configures the Gateway, and an Operator that

connects to the Gateway through the ACC Mobile app or the Gateway Web Client.

You can change the Operator username and password, but you can only change the password for the

Administrator.

The default Administrator username is administrator with no password. You are required to set a password

immediately after your initial login.

The default Operator username is operator with no password. It is recommended that you set a new username

and password to increase the security

The Users page, you can do any of the following:

To change the Administrator or Operator password, enter and confirm a password in the New

Password: field then click Apply.

To change the Operator username, enter a new name in the User Name: field then click Apply.

 

It's 2 step login process

 

First log in is to access mobile App

second to access server

meaning YOU create new users on Server

Get it ?

i created the user on the server, but that user can't login to the mobile app. i don't have any issues logging into the mobile app with the administrator account, for obvious reasons.

also, i can't seem to restrict a user to specific camera(s), they are all checked and grayed out when i am editing the permissions/settings.

It helps to save the files to a folder instead of the desktop.

 

It's also help to read help manual and watch YouTube training video

http://4a54f0271b66873b1ef4-ddc094ae70b29d259d46aa8a44a90623.r7.cf2.rackcdn.com/assets/Uploads/en_US/PDFACCGateway06172015.pdf

i got some answers to my questions from that PDF...

- http authentication...when checked this disables the force of https/ssl.

still not clear on the mobile/web users. this section explains the two built-in users but nothing about creating new users.

By default, the Gateway has two users: an Administrator that configures the Gateway, and an Operator that

connects to the Gateway through the ACC Mobile app or the Gateway Web Client.

You can change the Operator username and password, but you can only change the password for the

Administrator.

The default Administrator username is administrator with no password. You are required to set a password

immediately after your initial login.

The default Operator username is operator with no password. It is recommended that you set a new username

and password to increase the security

The Users page, you can do any of the following:

To change the Administrator or Operator password, enter and confirm a password in the New

Password: field then click Apply.

To change the Operator username, enter a new name in the User Name: field then click Apply.

The player will be in the same location you exported the .ave files.

Probably named AvigilonControlCenterPlayerStandalone-5.6.x.x

yeah, after a second look it was there, the files did not auto arrange, the 3 exported file were not by the player shortcut, at quick glance the player icon blended in with the client, gateway and control icons...thanks.

 

is creating a bookmark the same thing as creating a start/stop point? do i need to create a bookmark before i see an option to export?

question number 6 is now answered as well as the bookmark/export, thanks.

edit- i exported some video and forced it to limit the video to 700 to act as if i was going to copy to CDs and i checked the box to include the player. when export was complete, i saw 3 .ave files, where is the player?

trying the export, again, this time in avi format to see if windows media player has any issues with the file.

as i was typing this it appears that a 20 minute clip will take 3 hours to export (avi, full res). i stopped the export. i will try a lower resolution.

thanks.

5. when searching for video, can you mark your start/stop points and then quickly export the video clip? are those the bookmarks? i did not mess with the bookmark feature, yet.

 

Bookmarks are simply to mark a incident for future review or to prevent the video from being deleted.

is creating a bookmark the same thing as creating a start/stop point? do i need to create a bookmark before i see an option to export?

ssmith10pn, thank you for answering the questions. thewireguys sent me a PM and answered every question i had and gave me some additional information, i appreciate the help from everyone.

after experimenting with the software, i think it is fair to say that i didn't give avigilon a fair chance, i am not sure why i dismissed them so quick, it might have had something to do with bringing the cameras (hikvision) into the system, but once i got over that hurdle, things looked much better. as i have stated in this thread a few times, i have been using exacq for a while and i guess i was just expecting everything to work the same as exacq, regardless, once you get the hang of things, it isn't that bad. i do have some more questions, feel free to answer them, if you'd like to and have some time (you too twg...thanks again)

i have the server/client/gateway installed on the main server/site PC, everything is working great.

at the remote site, i tested the HTML5 web client and the local fat client, both work great, but i don't see a need to use anything other than the HTML5 web client....i will still test both, but i am very happy with the web client.

i have downloaded the player software, but i have not installed it yet (one of my questions, which is why i didn't install it, yet).

1. what is http authentication in the gateway program/setup? by default it is not enabled and i still had to authenticate.

answered http authentication forces http to used instead of https.

2. is it possible to disable https? i have ports open for https and http, but when i use http it redirects to https (chrome and ff). i don't have a certificate for the https so the end user will always see the warning message. it isn't a big deal, i can live with that, but i am curious. also, right now i am connecting directly over the internet with a ddns name, once i have finalized this site, there will be a VPN tunnel between home and office http should work fine with the VPN tunnel. this is not a huge issue, but something i did notice. if i leave the https port blank and click apply, it populates with the last value.

answered yes, to disable https simply enable http authentication (check the http authentication box).

3. when logging into the web client, it seems that i have to login two times. it seems that the first login is to the web client and the second login is for the site i want to connect to. i suppose this makes sense if you have 1 gateway box and 5 sites under that gateway and each site has a different login, but i only have one so it seems redundant.

4. using the mobile app, it was very east to connect to my site (i was not on the LAN when setting up the mobile app)...just make sure the proper ports are open. the app is very user friendly, the only question i have is swiping left/right to go to the next camera. it seems the only way to get to another camera is to double tap to get to the view and double tap on the next camera you want to view. with most mobile apps i have used, you can swipe to cycle through cameras. not a huge issue, there might be an update that offers that, i just want to make sure i am not missing something.

5. when searching for video, can you mark your start/stop points and then quickly export the video clip? are those the bookmarks? i did not mess with the bookmark feature, yet.

answered you can create bookmarks, bookmarks are not overwritten (protect them) you can export boookmarks.

6. is it possible to type a specific date/time and go right to that? i don't have enough hard drive space to store footage for more than a couple days (installed on a test box, right now) but the computer this will end up getting installed on will have plenty of storage. if i want to go back, let's say 3 weeks, the only way i see to do that is to click the back arrow which takes me back 1 day at a time. it isn't many clicks to get me there, but i am curious if there is a way to enter a specific date/time.

answered you can click on the date/time box and more options appear.

7. users for the mobile software. when logged into the gateway, it appears that there are only two accounts, administrator and operator. i created a user in the client software, but i wasn't able to login to to the mobile software with the user i added in the client. i have no problem logging into the mobile software with the administrator/operator, but how do you provide mobile login access to a user that should only have access to one/limited cameras? i also don't want this user to be able to look at playback/stop recording/make any other changes, simply viewing.

answered create the user on the server, i used the client software, on the mobile app, i logged in as operator on the first screen and when i connected to the server i logged in as the user, this works fine. the next thing i want to find out is how powerful is the operator account? it seems that i will have to give that password out to anyone that needs the mobile app.

thanks

thewireguys, can you give me a quote for 16 licenses? or at least tell me the cost and i can find a local dealer if the price is right.

i have not had a chance to re-test the software, but i plan on doing that this weekend.

a few questions i have that will probably help me out, big time, with my test

- is there server and client software, meaning, the site with the cameras runs dedicated software to capture video footage and at the remote site (owners home, etc...) they would run client software to login and view remotely? i am spoiled with exacq....server runs as a service and all you need is the client.

- when running the remote client, assuming there is one, can it be setup to pull a lower res image from the main site? i want 1080p/best recording on the on-site server, but the remote user just needs to see the image, 1080p isn't needed (or wanted due to bandwidth limitations) when viewing remotely).

- what happens when i want to A- upgrade the software in 2-3 years (assuming there are improvements) and B- i want to add more cameras, how does licensing work, at that point? free upgrades? pay to upgrade? if i want 2 more IP cameras (adding 2, not swapping 2 out) do i simply pay for 2 additional licenses?

- does avigilon support iscsi recording? i might purchase a synology NAS, setup an iscsi connector, and point it to the w7 machine that will be running avigilon and have it show up as a D or E drive, will avigilon see that drive and record to it?

thanks in advance.

edit- i would have to use the standard version of the software, the core is missing some features i am looking for.

is it possible to somehow configure the CMS software to use the sub image instead of the main image?

For the main local pc are you using the pcnvr version or the 4200 with storage server?

 

Regardless of which version your using on the remote pc try going into system configuration under image tab unselect auto change stream type. Then by main view select each camera and select sub stream.

yes, main site is using PCNVR software (which is 4200 series), i didn't see an option for storage server with that software, only with the CMS, which i am running at the remote site. i am recording to an external USB drive (testing) until i decide to get a larger drive for the PC (will be a sata drive, inside the PC case).

at the remote site, i am running the client version of 4200 software and when i set it to what you mentioned (tried that before you replied back) it says something along the lines of "reconnect stream to take effect" i tried closing the stream and reconnecting and i tried closing the program...still seems to grab the 1080p version when i double click the thumbnail frame.

i read this entire thread and i am still confused. i have used a handful of VMS software packages and hikvision is by far the most confusing one of all. then again, this is also the only free package i have used.

i am not trying to hijack the thread, but maybe someone can point me in the right direction with all of the testing/troubleshooting that you all have been through.

my one and only site has 13 IP cameras configured inside the PCNVR ivms4200 software, running on w7 pro. i didn't have any issues adding the cameras, saving the view, etc... i don't have any problems with the ivms4500 iphone app (off site, over the internet, connects just fine)....this also tells me my ports are forwarded properly.

my problem is with the CMS software i am trying to run on a computer, off site from where the cameras are located, for remote viewing.

on the remote PC, i installed the CMS software, which contains the client, storage server and streaming server, i only checked the box to install the client. when i launch the client, i put in the hostname/IP of the main site, it finds it, authenticates and shows me all the cameras.

so far so good. my issue is that i can't seem to figure out how to view a reduced image/resolution of the cameras at the remote site. locally i am viewing/recording at 1080p and best (5) image. i have an option to set a main image resolution and a sub image resolution. is it possible to somehow configure the CMS software to use the sub image instead of the main image?

interesting, i would have figured that others on here have used/still use this software.

i am not sure if i am missing an obvious setting, but i can't seem to figure out how to get the cameras to automatically start recording on program start. the cameras are part of the template that records all day, but i have to manually click the record button on all the cameras to start recording.

i am using ivms 4200 pcnvr.

When you install the client on a pc, go to the "add server" section, where you enter the username and password for the server. Under where you enter that info are a few buttons to select what kind of connection you are one. Try changing that to see if the image quality changes.

It was resolved. I posted the resolution in edit 2 of my last reply.

 

can you give me an example of how avigilon blows away exacq in the recorded video? all i care to see is 1080p video being recorded, how can one system be better than the other at that?

 

also, how do i get around the poor quality when viewing real time? 99% of the time i will be looking at real time footage.

 

thanks for your input.

 

edit- the cameras are 10/100, but the switch they are plugged into and the PC i am using for the NVR are gigabit and i have confirmed everything that should be gigabit has connected at gigabit speeds.

 

Instead of trying to explain to you it is better to just show you.

 

If you want full HD on your client all the time click on the cog in the top right of the client software: then client settings> display At the bottom change Display Quality to MAX. This will give you the HD stream no matter what but if you have a lot of cameras you will start pushing your client computer because he will have to decode many HD streams at once.

 

As for the recording you have to see it. Let the cameras record for a couple of hours and then click on the recorded tab. You can then click anywhere on the timeline and see recorded video instantly. You can also left client and hold and then scrub though all your recorded video and fast or as slow as you would like.

ok, i will give it another shot (with the cog wheel setting and the recording playback), however, exacq playback is not bad at all, at least, not in my experience. usually i have the date and time. when i put in the parameters i see the green content bar and the blue sections where there is motion. most of the time, that is all i need. i can also left click and hold with exacq.

can you PM me pricing for 16 licenses on 1 server, i'd like to compare that initial price with exacq's initial price.

i haven't even looked at the client/remote client software for avigilon, i do like that exacq runs as a service and that the exacq software is very easy to install and manage.

 

i was in the single view and in the matrix view. i am not a fan of the program auto detecting my resolution and adjusting the camera feed. i did not look at any recordings once i noticed that the live view looked poor. exacq running on that same PC/resolution (trial, 1 cam license) doesn't limit the real time view.

 

from what i have seen, exacq is easier to add a camera into the system and the user interface is more intuitive. again, i have been using exacq for many years and i know where most all the settings are, i am a little biased.

 

Well you should look a the recorded video as this is where Avigilon blows away Exacq. Also for one or 4 cameras HDSM is not that important on your LAN but when you have 50+ cameras it becomes very important.

 

PM AK357 as might log in a give you the full demo which will show you how well it works.

can you give me an example of how avigilon blows away exacq in the recorded video? all i care to see is 1080p video being recorded, how can one system be better than the other at that?

also, how do i get around the poor quality when viewing real time? 99% of the time i will be looking at real time footage.

thanks for your input.

edit- the cameras are 10/100, but the switch they are plugged into and the PC i am using for the NVR are gigabit and i have confirmed everything that should be gigabit has connected at gigabit speeds.

 

 

Are you looking at the camera in single view or matrix view? What you are seeing is HDSM Avigilons automatic stream manigment. Avigilon will automatically select the HD or low res stream from the camera depending on bandwidth, screen resolution and/or matrix view. When you switch to recorded video do you see the HD stream?

 

Every Exacq customer we have we switched to Avigilon after they demoed Avigilon for 30 days. They where much happer with reviewing video and how much easier it is to use and manage.

i was in the single view and in the matrix view. i am not a fan of the program auto detecting my resolution and adjusting the camera feed. i did not look at any recordings once i noticed that the live view looked poor. exacq running on that same PC/resolution (trial, 1 cam license) doesn't limit the real time view.

from what i have seen, exacq is easier to add a camera into the system and the user interface is more intuitive. again, i have been using exacq for many years and i know where most all the settings are, i am a little biased.

I agree with zr1, for what you're wanting to do, that is a total waste of money.

 

Get a 16 channel NVR, log in remotely via web browser, access the footage, save and back it up to thumb drive, e-sata drive, additional internal drive, etc. No need to burn anything.

 

When you return to the NVR location, simply remove the thumb drive/e-sata drive, connect and boom, done.

i listed one of the reasons i want a PC based NVR. thank you for your feedback, but i am not looking for a standalone NVR.

 

 

so far, not a fan of aviglion at all. picture quality doesn't look good, when i check the settings, quality is set to 1080p and quality was on 1 (best). doesn't look as good as it did in hikvision NVR or the browser.

Strange

I have 100's HIK working with Avigilon with excellent picture quality

Where are u located ?

chicago.

setting it up was not the most intuitive, in my opinion. but this is coming from someone who has been using exacq for 5+ years.