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Amcrest A2 Quick Start Manual

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A2 Digital Video Recorder
Quick Start Guide
Version 1.0.1.
th
May 10
, 2021

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Summary of Contents for Amcrest A2

  • Page 1 A2 Digital Video Recorder Quick Start Guide Version 1.0.1. May 10 , 2021...
  • Page 2 How To Upgrade System Firmware .................. 31 Computer Access Setup ....................31 Accessing the Web User Interface ..................33 Web Interface Walkthrough....................35 Amcrest View Pro App Setup .................... 36 FCC Statement ........................39 IC Warning Statement ....................... 39 References & Contact Information ..................40...
  • Page 3 Thank you for purchasing an Amcrest DVR! This document is designed as a reference tool only for the installation and operation of your DVR. To access and download the full user manual for your DVR, please go to amcrest.com/support. Important Safeguards and Warnings Use of this product should conform to your local electrical safety codes.
  • Page 4 It is recommended to connect all components of the system as shown below before mounting any of the cameras. This is to ensure all components are working before any physical installation takes place. If any components are not functioning, please contact Amcrest Support at https://amcrest.com/contact or by giving us a call at 888-212-7538.
  • Page 5 3. Connect an Ethernet cable to your router and connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the back of the DVR. 4. Plug the included power adapter into the power port on the back of the DVR and plug the power adapter into a wall outlet or surge protector.
  • Page 6 The DVR has connections for only 1 hard drive inside the case and the hard drive must be no bigger than 10TB (Terabytes). To install your hard drive, the following is needed: A medium sized (regular) Phillips-head screwdriver - not included A hard drive - not included (unless you purchased a ‘kit’...
  • Page 7 Please note that the system consists of two accounts (out of the box): Username: admin Password: admin (administrator, local and network) Username: default Password: default (hidden user) Lastly, you will be asked to enter a prompt question for your account. This is useful if you have forgotten your password and would like an easier means of recovering your password.
  • Page 8 If you have assigned an unlock pattern, you will need to draw the pattern again to confirm the validity of your assigned unlock pattern. Password Protection Additional means of password protection and retrieval can be set up in this menu. If you would like to reset your password via email, toggle the toggle switch to the on position and enter a valid email address in the Email Address field.
  • Page 9 Once this section is complete, click on the OK button to save your information to the device. Startup Wizard Walkthrough The first page of the Startup Wizard will appear. If you do not want to use the Startup Wizard, or you have already gone through it and do not want it to keep appearing, unmark the checkbox next to Startup and click Cancel.
  • Page 10 Date & Time The next screen that appears will be the Date & Time settings screen. This is where you can set the date and time for your specific location. If you wish to utilize daylight savings time, toggle the DST toggle switch to the on position.
  • Page 11 The next screen that appears is the settings screen. This will be enabled by default. It is highly recommended to keep this enabled if you want to use, you are the Amcrest View Pro mobile app or AmcrestView.com to view your cameras remotely.
  • Page 12 DVR. Once complete the video wall will be displayed. Left click on the video wall and click on Main Menu to access the main menu. Main Menu overview The screenshot below is the main menu screen for the Amcrest DVR console interface:...
  • Page 13 Below are short descriptions for each of the menu items on the main menu: LIVE: Access the live view screen and display a video wall for each connected device. SEARCH: Search and playback recorded video that is stored on the hard drive. ALARM: View and configure live alarm information and notifications sent by the device.
  • Page 14 Connecting an IP Camera This is optional however, please note, adding an IP camera to the DVR, will conflict with AI features. The number of IP cameras added to the DVR will be dependent on how many channels your specific model supports. The DVR will be provided with specific channels for IP cameras, typically towards the bottom of the channel list and will not replace an active analog channel in the DVR.
  • Page 15 4. Choose a channel (camera) to configure by selecting a channel from the Channel dropdown menu. If you would like the schedule to apply to all channel, click All. 5. By default, the DVR will have the schedule configured to record 24/7 on each record type. Please note, the DVR uses military time which goes from 0 to 24 hours.
  • Page 16 Note: Click the eraser icon to the right of any day to clear the entire row of blocks. 6. To add or remove motion detection blocks, click on the checkbox next to Motion, then click the individual cells on the grid or click and drag for multiple blocks. 7.
  • Page 17 8. Another way to configure recording schedules is by setting the time periods. Click the ‘gear’ icon to the far right of any day to open the Period page: Here, the periods (Periods 1 - 6) must be in specified in chronological order. You can set either record type to a specified period.
  • Page 18 In the Copy window, you can select individual channels for any cameras you have added to the DVR or select All. Click OK when finished. 10. When finished on this screen, click Apply to save your changes. Setting Up Motion Detection and Email Alerts Your DVR will save motion detection recordings, in addition to scheduled ‘regular’...
  • Page 19 Sensitivity - is the measure of how many pixels on the screen need to change before being considered motion. 0 is the lowest value and 100 is the highest. In plain English: Sensitivity is the difference between a squirrel running up a tree, versus a big dog running up to and barking at that tree.
  • Page 20 6. You can also adjust the motion detection schedules directly from this settings page by clicking Setting next to Period. The Schedule page works very similarly to the recording schedule page featured in the previous section of this guide. 7. Next, if you want to receive email alerts of your motion detection events, check the Send Email box.
  • Page 21 Start by making sure the Enable toggle switch is toggled to the on position. Then, enter the SMTP Server which, for Gmail, is: “smtp.gmail.com”. The port number will be: “465”. In the Username field, enter your new Gmail account’s address. For example: “amcrestemailsme@gmail.com”.
  • Page 22 SMD – Allows the device to use smart motion detection to detect between human and motor vehicles. Face Detection & Recognition - Face detection is used to allow your device to detect and record face image events. Face recognition is used in conjunction with face detection to locate and determine facial similarities detected by the system.
  • Page 23 2. Use the Sensitivity dropdown menu to select a motion sensitivity. Motion sensitivity can range from low, medium, and high. Select an effective target (object filter) option (Human, Vehicle). Both object filters can be enabled at the same time if needed. 3.
  • Page 24 2. It is best to leave the settings as default, however, they can be adjusted by clicking on the View Setting button. You can use your mouse to adjust the minimum (Min) and maximum (Max) size of the face detection area. 3.
  • Page 25 Note: Common mode can only be setup locally on the DVR or by using Internet Explorer on a PC. If using Face Recognition on other browsers, such as Google Chrome or Firefox, please use Stranger Mode. How to Use Common Mode 1.
  • Page 26 Note: Enable Stranger Alarm to allow the system to alert once an unrecognized face is detected. For more information on stranger alarm and how to use face recognition, please visit amcrest.com/support 5. Click Apply to save the face recognition settings to the DVR.
  • Page 27 For more information about the AI features available on your device, please visit: https://amcrest.com/support 2. To configure an IVS rule, click on the Type dropdown menu to select an available IVS rule. Once a rule is selected, click on the Draw (pencil) icon, to begin configuring the rule.
  • Page 28 triggered if a vehicle is detected by the system. Both object filtering options can be used simultaneously if needed. 4. If you would like to add multiple rules to the device, click on Add and repeat the IVS setup process for the rule. Click Apply once all IVS rules are set. Use the Parameters (gear) icon to apply any additional settings to an IVS rule, such as enabling email snapshots, etc.
  • Page 29 Smart Motion Detection (SMD) Smart Motion Detection (SMD) uses an advanced algorithm to differentiate human and vehicular shapes within a scene and send alarms only when a person or vehicle is detected. Please note, SMD and IVS cannot be activated on the same channel. For more information on how to setup SMD please refer to the information provided below.
  • Page 30 To view recordings from the search menu, select the camera you wish to view from the Camera Name section by clicking on a checkbox next to the device. A timeline of the recordings will appear in the interface. Click the Play button ( ) to play all recordings available on the timeline.
  • Page 31 To locate the most up to date firmware for your DVR please visit https://amcrest.com/firmware-subscribe Upgrading the firmware for your DVR can be done locally, using a USB flash drive, or via a web browser using the web user interface.
  • Page 32 3. After the progress bar completes, if you see a Windows Security Alert popup, click Allow access (if applicable). 4. This brings you to the main screen of the Amcrest IP Config Software. Your DVR will automatically be found on your network and appear in the list (if properly connected with an Ethernet cable to your router).
  • Page 33 4. In the Network settings page locate the TCP/IP option on the left panel list. Then, locate where it says IP Address on the main center page of the window. 5. Write it down. It will look something like ‘192.168.xx.xxx’, or ’10.0.XX.XXX’ depending on your network, router, or service provider.
  • Page 34 It is recommended to ensure the port number is at least 5 digits long to prevent any port conflicts. You can change the port to any 5-digit number that is less than 65535 (e.g. 12345) by clicking the number field and entering a new port number. Write it down, then click OK. 2.
  • Page 35 5. Click on the DDNS menu located in the Network tab in the left panel. In the DDNS menu, click on the Enable checkbox to enable DDNS. Make sure the AMCREST DDNS type is selected and a domain name for the DVR (one you create) is entered in the Domain Name field. As an example, the Domain Name will be in the following format: mynewDVR.amcrestddns.com...
  • Page 36 These audio announcements can be used as voice prompts within the system. Amcrest View Pro App Setup The Amcrest View Pro app allows instant access to all live camera streams from any location. The app supports a multitude of features and includes both a plug-and-play setup as well as a manual network setup.
  • Page 37 1. Download and install the Amcrest View Pro app for the App Store or Google Play Store. 2. Open the app on your mobile device and allow the app to load.
  • Page 38 DDNS connection. For more information setup DDNS connection, visit amcrest.com/support 7. Create a name for the device and enter a 8. Update the default password for the device and tap “Start Live View” to view the device. username and password. The default username and password will be admin.
  • Page 39 Note: To locate the serial number, you must either have physical access to the DVR or computer access to the web interface to access the P2P menu. The SN QR code will be the serial number for your device. For more information regarding the Amcrest View Pro app, please visit: https://amcrest.com/support FCC Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
  • Page 40 This quick start guide is for reference only. Slight differences may be found in the user interface. All the designs and software here are subject to change without prior written notice. All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned are the properties of their respective owners Copyright © Amcrest 2021...

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