Q) What is the difference between a Network Video Server and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) / Network Video Recorder (NVR) ?
A) A NVSS has the following advantages over a DVR/NVR:
- Better remote viewing experience with internet bandwidth adaptation.
- Virtual Private Network sessions for strong security over internet.
- Better authorization control.
- Remote archiving of recorded video data.
- Dynamic Domain Name Service (DNS) support i.e. works on Dynamic IP.
- Networked Attached Storage for large storage of video data
- Mobile device support.
- Email and (Short Message Service) SMS Alerts.
Q) Does it require Static IP address for Internet access?
A) Both Dynamic IP addresses as well as Static IP addresses are supported.
Q) How many cameras are supported?
A) enVigil servers support 4, 8, 16 and 32 camera configurations.
Q) Does it supports IP cameras?
A) Not currently. Hybrid DVRs will be launched soon.
Q) How many Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras can we connect to the System?
A) All cameras in the system can be PTZ cameras.
Q) What is the minimum bandwidth requirement for the system?
A) Generally 128 Kbps is minimum expected bandwidth for reasonably good video monitoring experience.
Q) Can we connect output of the server to TV monitors?
A) Yes. There is 1 Video out interface from the enVigil box which can be connected to a TV monitor.
Q) How many sensors and relays can be connected to the system?
A) Each I/O Module supports 4 sensors and 4 relays. Up to 8 such I/O modules can be daisy-chained to support 32 sensors and 32 relays.
Q) Can we have remote recording of data on Network Attached Storage (NAS)?
A) Yes. EnVigil supports recording to NAS devices.
Q) Do we require a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card to be put inside the system for SMS support?
A) No. enVigil does not need GSM connectivity to send SMS. We send SMS messages to a SMS integrator who in-turn forwards those messages to your cell phone.
Q) How many users can login to the system at a time?
A) Four simultaneous users can be connected to the system at any given time.
Q) How many PTZ camera protocols this system supports? Can we add more?
A) By default two PTZ protocols are supported: PELCO-D and PELCO-P. More PTZ protocols can be added directly from the client.
Q) What is the minimum and maximum hard disk capability of this system?
A) enVigil is available at multiple HDD capacities from 256GB to 2TB per box. Additional storage can be added as NAS.
Q) Which OS is used in enVigil?
A) enVigil is based on a Linux platform for stability and reliability. The remote client can be operated from any Windows machine.
Q) What is the power requirement of the System?
A) 100 Watts. Runs on 230 V AC supplies (India).
Q) How does the system handle Dynamic IP?
A) Cradle provides a hostname with every enVigil server. This hostname can be used to identify the enVigil server from anywhere on the internet. The enVigil servers are equipped with software to update the hostname with the correct IP address whenever the IP address changes.
Q) How much disk space is used by a single camera in continuous record mode?
A) This typically depends on the bit-rate or quality selected and on the frame rate of recording. This varies anywhere from 600 MB to 3 GB per day per camera.
Q) What kinds of camera are supported by enVigil?
A) Any camera with a NTSC/PAL output is supported.
Q) Where can enVigil be installed?
A) enVigil can be installed in retail stores, shopping malls, multiplexes, hotels, railway and bus terminals, factories, manufacturing plants, construction sites, pharmacies, warehouses, apartments, museums, parking lots, petrol pumps, toll booths, data centers, schools, offices, banks and other establishments.
Q) Can we control enVigil from a remote place?
A) Yes. enVigil can be connected through the Internet or through the Local Area Network (LAN).
Q) What type of interfaces are provided with enVigil?
A) VGA, USB, Ethernet, Serial Port, RS485.
Q) How are hard disk related problems handled?
A) SMART capable hard disks are used. The system constantly monitors the hard disks using SMART and reports any errors. Also, failing hard disks are repaired automatically if possible.
Q) Can we use this system for Video Conferencing?
A) Yes. It can be used but with some limitations - though the system is not built for video conferencing, it is possible to connect two different enVigil servers and create a conference.
Q) Can we use this system for Public Addressing?
A) Yes - with limitations. A single audio output is provided which can be hooked up to a speaker for public addressing from a remote location.
Q) What will happen if the inbuilt hard drive gets full?
A) The system will recycle itself and the oldest recorded data will over-written.
Q) Can we see live video on mobile phones?
A) Yes. But the mobile should have internet browser capability and moreover the video will be refreshed once every few seconds.
Questions related to installation
Q) What type of connectors are required to connect the camera cables to the server?
A) BNC Connectors.
Q) Do we need to run a separate cable from Camera to server?
A) Yes
Q) What type of cable is required for camera cabling?
A) RJ-6 ( 4+1 Cable)
Q) Does every camera require a separate power supply?
A) Yes.
Q) What is the specification for single or multi point SMPS for camera power supply?
A) Multi Point SMPS: 12V DC, 5 Amp.
Single Point SMPS: 12V DC, 1 Amp.
Q) What is the specification for PTZ camera power supply?
A) 12V AC, 1 Amp.
Q) How we can connect Audio to the server?
A) By connecting the audio out jack from the microphone to a BNC connector (this wire is provided in the 4+1 cable) and then to the enVigil server. Each microphone should have its own 5V DC power supply.
Q) Which type of UPS is supported?
A) APC (American Power Corporation) UPS.
Q) What type of Routers are recommended?
A) ADSL 2 Routers + Firewall.
Q) What type of monitor should be connected to the system?
A) It is advisable to connect a 15" monitor with a minimal resolution of 1280x1024.
Questions related to usage
Q) How can I connect to my System remotely?
A) You should use a Windows computer (Windows XP or Vista) and should have an internet connection. If you know the hostname of the machine, then you could go to webpage hosted by your server (http://<servers_hostname>) and follow the instructions there to install the client and connect to the server.
Q) What are the steps to install the client for remote viewing?
A) When you visit the server's webpage, detailed instructions are provided for installing the client.
Q) In how many different resolutions can the video be recorded?
A) Three: CIF, Half-D1, D1 (full resolution)
Q) What type of recording modes are possible?
A) Continuous and Motion based recording is supported.
Q) What kind of events are detected by the server?
A) For each camera, the following events are detected: Video Loss, Motion, and Blind Detection. Also, depending on whether I/O module is connected or not, sensor event are also detected.
Q) What kind of sensors are supported?
A) The I/O module accepts a digital sensor input. That is, the sensor inputs are just switches that are turned on digitally from a sensing device such as a motion detector.
Q) How do we configure Email and SMS?
A) You need to provide following details:
- SMTP Host: e.g. mail.gmail.com
- SMTP Port: e.g. 465 or 587
- Authentication: requires your username and password.
- Email addresses (up to ten in numbers) with personalised messages
- Cell phone numbers (maximum of 2) with personalised messages
Q) How many users we can create?
A) Up to 50 users can be created in the system.
Q) What are the rights provided for different users?
A) Four different types of users are possible.
- Administrator:- has total control of the system.
- Shared View and Private Control:- can see and change the shared view type and see private cameras. But this type of user is not allowed to keep a copy of the recorded video
- Shared and Private Control:- can only see but can�t change the shared view. Can also see the private cameras that have been assigned to this type of user.
- Private Control:- Can only view his private cameras. Shared view is not available for this type of user..
Q) Can two administrators login to the system at the same time?
A) No. This is because administrators have total control over the system, and it is possible that two administrators can give conflicting setup parameters to the system.
Q) Can we archive one month recorded video at a time?
A) Yes. It is possible to archive both locally as well as remotely (But only administrators are given access to archiving functionality).
Q) Can we attach another hard disk for maximizing data storage?
A) Yes.
Q) Where can I see the user logs of my system?
A) Using the client GUI, under View-> Show User Log.
Q) Do we need to install the client on my Laptop/PC every time I try connect to the system?
A) Installation is required only for the first time. You can use the installed client to connect further on.