FAQ

Yes. you can use conventional analog cameras with the NVR by adding network video encoders.
The network video encoder such as DE-1101 converts an analog video signal to a network video signal and supports the DirectIP protocol.
If you use the network video encoder supporting DirectIP protocol, analog cameras can communicate with NVR by DirectIP protocol.

Currently, G.711 u-Law, G.711 a-Law, ADPCM 16KHz, or G.726 audio codecs have been applied to the recorder. Please refer to the A&E specification for audio codec information applied in each product.

Most NVRs have RJ-45 female connectors on the back. You need to connect UTP cable’s RJ-45 male connector to NVR’s RJ-45 female connector directly. Also, you have to connect the cables correctly according to WAN or LAN. For WAN, you should connect the UTP cable to the public area network port. For LAN, you should connect the UTP cable to the local or private area network port. Mostly, CAT-5 UTP cable is used for connecting IP cameras, and CAT-5e or higher level UTP cable is used for connecting network switching hub.

A Network Video Recorder (NVR) is an internet protocol (IP) based video surveillance system or software that is designed to record and playback the video from IP cameras. Unlike DVRs (Digital Video Recorder), typically, NVRs do not have video compression engines on board because the video is digitized, processed and compressed by IP cameras, and then transmitted to the NVRs over IP network. But, the NVRs should decode both live video streams and playback video streams.

Usually, the NVRs support multi-channel video display, flexible recording schedule with different video profiles with playback capability, a user-friendly GUI, intelligent event detection and notification, remote monitoring and control, and PTZ camera control, etc.

There is a similar, but different network video recorders called Network Storage Recorders(NSRs). Typically, NSRs do not have video output, and all the operations are done over the IP network. So you need to use a PC to access the live or recorded video.

SMART(Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) is a feature provided by HDD. It monitors possible conditions that the HDD has been exposed to or the status of HDD errors.
Your DVR can be configured to set the SMART information check schedule and condition. It can send alarm out or notification of SMART error.
If you see SMART error messages, it would be a good idea to change the HDD. Because this means your HDD could be damaged.

If you can’t see any images on a monitor, please check the following points.

- Check the monitor is turned on and video input cable is connected to the NVR correctly. Also, check whether the monitor cable has no defect.
- Check the display mode of the monitor is set to the input source (HDMI or VGA) correctly. 
- Restart NVR and check the video is displayed on the monitor within 3 minutes. If NVR is restarted, the video resolution is adjusted automatically when video resolution between NVR and the monitor is not the same.
- If you have another monitor, replace the monitor and restart NVR. If the video is still not displayed on another monitor properly, please report the problem to our customer support.

Normally, NVRs or network switching hubs are PSEs (Power Sourcing Equipments) and have no consideration about the PoE and DC power because they generate the PoE power using DC power and have no collision between PoE and DC power.
However, cameras are PDs (Powered Devices) and should select one of PoE or DC power if both powers are supplied. So, if both PoE and DC power are supplied to the camera, the camera uses DC power first and sends a power status message to PSE via signal lines, then PSE recognizes that the camera is using DC power and stops supplying PoE power to the camera.

Yes. DirectIP supports plug and play functionality. If you connect the camera’s cable to NVR’s DirectIP port, you can see the camera’s image on the monitor connected with NVR. However, NVR shows the camera’s image sequentially according to the camera’s connection sequence regardless of NVR’s DirectIP port number. So, if you want to fit the image display sequence to NVR’s DirectIP port number, you need to rearrange the display sequence of NVR’s video image.

Some DirectIP cameras have built-in alarm in/out ports. Normally, alarm input has TTL voltage level and NC/NO programmable. Alarm output only supports the NO mode with relay output. Regarding the alarm in/out specifications, you can connect your alarm devices such as a smoke sensor or fire alarm to the alarm in/out port on the DirectIP camera.
DirectIP NVRs can set and use the each DirectIP camera’s alarm in/out ports as well as NVR’s alarm in/out ports.
For using an alarm input device connected to DirectIP, you should select [Setup]-[Event]-[Alarm-In] menu sequentially. Then you can select the alarm input device connected in DirectIP as event signal channel.
For using an alarm output device connected to DirectIP, you should select [Setup]-[Device]-[Alarm-Out] menu sequentially, Then you can select the alarm output device connected to DirectIP as alarm output channel.
Using the above setup configuration, you can use external alarm devices directly wired to the camera input which will be seen by the system as if it were connected to the NVR directly.

DirectIP cameras can be configured by IDIS Discovery software and DirectIP NVRs. Our software helps to find and configure your camera fast and easy. If DirectIP cameras are connected to DirectIP NVRs, you can easily configure multiple DirectIP cameras on NVR’s setup menu. If you set multiple camera configurations on NVR, all changed parameters will be passed to each DirectIP camera immediately.

No. DirectIP cameras have no OSD menu. So, you should configure the DirectIP using IDIS NVR, IDIS Solution Suite, IDIS Center, or IDIS Discovery software.

It’s difficult to get the same level of performance with 3rd party cameras. Generally, concerning transmitting video streams to DirectIP NVRs, 3rd party cameras have lower performance than DirectIP cameras. That is because DirectIP protocol has specific multiple stream channels and their video profile and frame rate adjustment technology to satisfy optimal performance of video data transmission for live monitoring, recording, playing, and remote transmitting. So, if you connect 3rd party cameras with IDIS NVRs, the benefits of DirectIP protocols disappear.

Of course, you can use the existing switching hub, But, most non-DirectIP switching hub can’t support the specific features like DirectIP hub. 
DirectIP hub supports the following features.
- PoE functionality which is designed to be able to connect both IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at PD devices though all ports can’t connect IEEE 802.3at PD devices.
- Power on/off control for each camera
- Connection notification for each camera
Therefore, if non-DirectIP switching hubs are used in conjunction with DirectIP devices, some benefits of DirectIP will diminish.

IRE stands for Insitute of Radio Engineers and represents the composite video signal in percentage terms. That is, 100 IRE equals 100% full signal level which means 714mV amplitude active video signal.
Generally, 30 IRE is a minimum value for a detailed and acceptable image.
Most cameras represent the lux level that the maximum amplitude of the video signal is 30% or 50% of the original amplitude.

ICR

ICR (Infrared Cut Filter) is used with color CCD or CMOS image sensors to produce accurate color images. During the day, the camera uses an ICR to reflect or block mid-infrared wavelengths while passing visible lights. However, as light diminishes below a certain level, some cameras can automatically turn off ICR functionality to deliver high-quality, black and white image using infrared light.

TDN

TDN (True Day/Night) technology supports night vision capability by implementing a physical ICR that is removed by a mechanical motor.

DDN

DDN (Digital Day/Night) technology allows for viewing in both day and night conditions, without the use of an ICR. As light diminishes below a certain level, DDN technology switches color image to black and white image to offer similar benefits to TDN at a lower cost. At night, the captured image depends on the lighting and infrared waves off objects.