GE Security VSR-4 User Manual
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GE Security VSR-4 User Manual

GE Security VSR-4 User Manual

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VSR-4

User Manual

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Summary of Contents for GE Security VSR-4

  • Page 1: User Manual

    Security VSR-4 User Manual...
  • Page 2 Trademarks and patents GE and the GE monogram are registered trademarks of General Electric. The VSR- 4 product and logo are registered trademarks of GE Security. Other trade names used in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the manufacturers or vendors of the respective products.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Installing and Configuring the VSR-4 ........
  • Page 4 Follow the steps below to Upgrade the VSR-4: ....... . .
  • Page 5 Factory Service................. . 76 Warranty and Return Information .
  • Page 6 VSR-4 User Manual...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    Introduction This is the GE VSR-4 User Manual for models VSR-4-300 and VSR-4-600. This document includes an overview of the product and detailed instructions explaining: • how to install and configure; and • how to connect to other GE IP devices.

  • Page 8: Overview

    The VSR-4 has a form factor that’s one-half rack unit wide by 2U high, so it fits easily into a standard 19-inch rack. Some models of the VSR-4 are equipped with a removable hard drive caddy, which allows for portable storage or evidence transfer.

  • Page 9: Features

    Features • View live and recorded video from multiple VSR-4’s using Video Navigator software. • Advanced MPEG4 video compression. • 4-channel Composite Video Input/Output connection. • Over 1 week nonstop recording with outstanding picture quality and audio (Base model). •...

  • Page 10: Installation Environment

    VSR-4 User Manual Installation Environment Power: Ensure that the site's AC power is stable and within the rated voltage of the external power supply. If the site's AC power is likely to have spikes or power dips, use power line conditioning or an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS).

  • Page 11: Passwords

    Passwords Passwords are provided to limit access to the VSR-4, WebServer, and the Video Navigator software. It is recommended that the default passwords be changed after installation is complete. As a security measure, store the password in the administrator's secured files or in a limited access area.

  • Page 12: Vsr-4 Connectors And Indicators

    VSR-4 User Manual VSR-4 Connectors and Indicators This section deals with the various physical features, connectors, and indicators of the VSR-4. Front Panel Controls and Features Figure 2. Front Panel: VSR-4-300 shown 1. Removable Hard Drive (certain models only): Pull the latch, unlock with key and slide the hard drive out.

  • Page 13: Back Panel Connections

    5. Audio In: 4-channel line-level audio input with RCA style connectors. 6. Audio Out: Line-level audio output with RCA style connector. 7. RS-232 Serial Port: Connects to a PC’s serial port and can be used to configure the VSR-4 with the VSR keyboard software.

  • Page 14: I/O Connector

    Three 10-pin connectors (P16, 17, and 18) on the back panel provide the connections for the alarm inputs, outputs, and other data lines. Connect the wires to the 3 terminating connectors provided with the VSR-4. See the table below for a description of the pinouts.

  • Page 15: Power Connector

    Table 5. Ethernet RJ45 pinouts Not connected Not connected Not connected Not connected Power Connector Plug the power cord into the power cord connector and then into a properly rated wall socket. Once power is applied to the unit, it will begin its power-up procedure. The unit will begin by displaying the software version on Monitor-A, then the unit will begin recording automatically.

  • Page 16: Rs232 Port

    RS232 Port The RS232 port is provided for external control of the VSR-4 from a PC via the PC’s serial port. This requires the use of a DB9-F to DB9-F null modem cable (or DB25-F depending on the type of RS232 port on the PC).

  • Page 17: Composite Monitor Output

    If an additional device is connected to the monitor’s looping output, set the termination of the additional device as 75-Ohm, and set the termination of the monitor as Hi-Z (High Impedance). Cable 75-Ohm Connectors SVHS (Y/C) Monitor Output Connect a composite monitor capable of accepting a SVHS video signal. SVHS video output has a 4-pin mini- DIN style connector.

  • Page 18: Connection Diagrams

    VSR-4 User Manual Connection Diagrams Use the figures on the following pages a guide to connect the various peripherals to the VSR-4. Figure 4. Connection diagram...
  • Page 19 Figure 5. Typical network setup...

  • Page 20: Installing And Configuring The Vsr-4

    Installing and Configuring the VSR-4 Before any operations can begin with the VSR-4 the Video Navigator and VSR Keyboard software must be installed. Make sure all connections are completed, at a minimum the power cord and the ethernet cable must be connected.

  • Page 21: Starting Vsr Keyboard

    Figure 6. VSR Keyboard buttons This program acts as a virtual front panel for the VSR-4. The following describes each of the controls and a brief description of their function. 1. Analog Camera Buttons 1-4: Selects an analog camera to display on monitor A.

  • Page 22: The Vsr Keyboard Menu Bar

    VSR-4 User Manual 17. Connection Type Menu: Use this menu to select between RS232 or Ethernet connection. 18. Address Menu: Select from a list of found VSR addresses or COM ports if RS232 is selected as the connection type. 19. Ethernet Serial Number: Enter the unit’s Ethernet serial number. The default is 1111.

  • Page 23: Keyboard Shortcuts

    Note: To read a unit’s ethernet information and populate the ethernet fields you must be connected to a PC by RS232. See Making a Serial Connection on page 18. Click on the Read button. If you are connected by RS232 the unit’s ethernet information should populate the ethernet fields and the other buttons should be enabled.

  • Page 24: Making A Serial Connection

    3. Connect the VSR-4 and the PC with a DB9-F to DB9-F (or DB25-F) null modem cable. This cable should be plugged in the RS232 port on the VSR-4 and one of the COM ports on the PC. A monitor should also be connected to the VSR-4 on monitor A out.

  • Page 25: Making An Ethernet Connection

    Making an Ethernet Connection To configure the VSR-4 over Ethernet, follow the steps below. 1. Plug one end Ethernet cable into the Ethernet connection on the rear of the DSR. Plug the other end of the cable into an active Ethernet port. This could be in a router or directly to the Ethernet port on your computer.

  • Page 26: Webserver

    The VSR-4 has an integrated WebServer interface. The WebServer provides the user the means to remotely configure, upgrade, and view information about the VSR-4VSR-4. The default IP address from the factory is 3.112.55.10. To get the VSR-4 to stream video, at a minimum the Streaming settings must be configured. To access the web interface: 1.

  • Page 27: Network Settings

    Email settings. Network Settings This page provides an alternate method of changing the VSR-4’s IP addresses. You can also enable DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and assign your unit a hostname. DHCP is an Internet protocol for automating the configuration of devices that use TCP/IP. DHCP can be used to automatically assign IP...

  • Page 28: Streaming Settings

    Figure 13. Network Settings page Streaming Settings These pages setup the video streaming properties of the VSR-4. Video streaming is a new concept to many, so we have included the following overview. A certain level of IP network knowledge is required to properly set up video streaming.
  • Page 29 IP network. It's used primarily for broadcasting messages over a network. A UDP sender sends out digital video over an IP network. A UDP sender can be the VSR, VSR-4, IP Camera, or SymNet (Encoder). A UDP receiver is typically a VSR1, Video Navigator, or a VSR4, which can display and record the streamed video.

  • Page 30: Streaming Settings For Udp Unicast Or Tcp

    Figure 13 illustrates streaming settings for a UDP unicast from the SymNet to the VSR-4. The VSR-4 is setup as a receiver in Normal mode with the Receiver Cam Map IP address set at 192.168.10.20 (The IP address of the sender). The SymNet is setup as a sender with the streaming address set at 192.168.10.40 The IP address of the receiver.

  • Page 31: Streaming Settings For Udp Multicast

    The default multicast address is 230 for the first field and the balance being the unit’s current IP address. The VSR-4 is setup as a receiver in Normal mode with the Receiver Cam Map IP address set at 192.168.10.20 (The IP address of the sender) and Use default Multicast Address checked. The SymNet is setup as a sender with the mulitcast address set at 230.168.10.20.
  • Page 32 VSR-4 User Manual To use a multicast address other than the default, uncheck Use default Multicast Address on both web pages, click the Advanced command in the mode drop-down menu and enter the same multicast address in the Streaming Address field.

  • Page 33: Mpeg Settings

    MPEG Settings This page provides settings that have to do with MPEG quality and speed. Three quality settings are available; standard, medium, and high. The MPEG preset settings control the video latency (delay). Selecting the low latency preset can increase the speed of the video, but the quality will suffer. Figure 18.

  • Page 34: Password Settings

    Figure 20. Password settings screen Email Configuration The screen provides options for configuring your email alerts. You must input the mail server’s IP address but the VSR-4 does not require an account on the mail server. Figure 21. Email configuration screen...

  • Page 35: User Operations

    User Operations The following user operations are implemented through the VSR Keyboard utility. Figure 22. VSR Keyboard and Keyboard shortcuts Recording (R) To begin recording, click the record button or press the R key on your keyboard. RECORD will be indicated for three seconds, near the upper left hand corner of the output monitor.

  • Page 36: Playback

    No Overwrite mode: The user must acknowledge the on-screen message by pressing the Enter button. In this mode the VSR-4 will not record over previously recorded data. To continue recording, the data must be erased (or deleted) in the Advanced / Disk Maintenance menu.

  • Page 37: The Removable Hard Drive

    Some models of the VSR-4 come with a removable hard drive. The hard drive is not hot swappable; meaning the VSR-4 must be powered down before drive removal. Unplug the power from the VSR-4 before removing the hard drive. The VSR-4 will not recover if the system is CAUTION CAUTION not powered down during drive removal.

  • Page 38: Key Lock

    VSR-4 User Manual Hard Drive Front Panel Figure 23. Hard drive front panel Hard drive activity LED, amber. Power indicator, green. Active handle (shown open). Handle. Key lock. Key Lock Figure 24. Key lock Power on, drive locked. Power off, drive locked.

  • Page 39: Removing The Hard Drive

    Removing the Hard Drive Figure 25. Removing the hard drive 1. Stop any operations that the VSR-4 is performing. 2. Unplug the power to the VSR-4. 3. Pull the active handle outward. 4. Use the key provided and place the key lock in position 3 shown above (rotate counter clockwise).
  • Page 40 VSR-4 User Manual Figure 26. The disk analysis screen The left and right arrow keys on you keyboard move the two arrow cursors across the representation of the recorded video. As the cursors move across the screen the corresponding disk time is indicated in the upper right of the screen.

  • Page 41: Specifying Search Parameters

    Use this to specify: • The Start and Stop date of the search. • The Start and Stop time of the search. • The camera selection is not editable. • To search for recorded alarms. Searching for All Recorded Events Using the Arrow buttons to navigate, highlight [START SEARCH], then press the Enter button.
  • Page 42 VSR-4 User Manual Figure 28. The search results screen Selecting from the Search Results Use the Arrow buttons to select a recorded event. Press the Enter button to select the event, or press the Menu button to exit the Search Results menu.

  • Page 43: The Menu System

    The Menu System This section provides a brief overview of the menu system, for complete information about the menu system and basic setup of the VSR-4, see Main Menu Setup on page 39. How to use the Menu system Throughout this manual, there are headings like these.
  • Page 44 VSR-4 User Manual Figure 29. The arrow buttons The Main Menu The Main menu provides access to all of the operator programmable options. For complete information about operator programming in the Main menu, see Main Menu Setup on page 39.

  • Page 45: Main Menu Setup

    Main Menu Setup Main Menu / Time/Date Figure 31. The time/date menu Use this menu to specify: • The time format: 12 or 24 hours. • The date format: MM/DD/YY, DD/MM/YY, or YY/MM/DD. • The time. • The date. • Set the Region for the Auto Daylight Savings Time feature.
  • Page 46 VSR-4 User Manual Main Menu / Time/Date / Set Date Format Figure 33. The set date format menu To set the Date format, use the Arrow buttons to select the desired Date format. Format the Date as either: • DD/MM/YY •...
  • Page 47 Main Menu / Time/Date / Set Date Figure 35. The set date menu To set the Date: 1. Click the Enter button. The highlighting will move to the row of numbers. 2. Enter the date in Months, Days, and the Year. Day of the Week will update automatically. Use the Arrow buttons to change the values.

  • Page 48: Main Menu / Sequencing

    Figure 37. The network time protocol setup menu Use this menu to enable/disable and specify how often time synchronization should occur between the VSR-4 and the Network Server. The Region /Time Zone must be setup prior to enabling the option.

  • Page 49: Main Menu / Alarms

    Figure 39. The fullscreen dwell menu Main Menu / Alarms Use this menu to configure the alarm handling features of the unit The VSR-4’s primary function is to furnish recorded video. Although the unit has alarm handling and motion CAUTION CAUTION detection functions, these are considered secondary features.
  • Page 50 VSR-4 User Manual Main Menu / Alarms / Input Configuration Figure 41. The input configuration menu Configure the alarm inputs as either Normally Open or Normally Closed. Configure as follows. • Normally Open Zero Potential Relay Contact: Configure in menu as Normally Open.
  • Page 51 Main Menu / Alarms / Enable / Disable Figure 43. The alarms enable. disable menu Use this menu to Enable or Disable the alarm inputs. Select from the following: • Individual Enable: Allow the user to access the Alarm Enable submenu, and enable or disable alarm inputs on a per camera basis.
  • Page 52 VSR-4 User Manual Main Menu / Alarms / Buzzer Setup Figure 45. The buzzer setup menu Use this menu to configure what actions trigger the internal buzzer. Select from the following: • Global Buzzer • Live Alarm Buzzer • Video loss Buzzer •...
  • Page 53 Main Menu / Alarms / Post Alarm Duration Figure 47. The post alarm duration menu Select the amount of time you want the unit to record at the conclusion of the alarm Main Menu / Alarms / Email Figure 48. The email notification screen This screen allows you to setup the types of events to be notified of, and the email addresses (up to three) to be notified.
  • Page 54 VSR-4 User Manual Email Address Format The format of the email addresses should be entered as follows. If the email address to be notified is john.doe@somecompany.com, then john.doe should be entered in one of the Email User fields and somecompany.com should be entered in the subsequent Email Domain field.

  • Page 55: Main Menu / Record Timer

    Main Menu / Record Timer Figure 51. The record timer menu This menu allows the user to program a timed-recorded event. Use this menu to specify: • The date, or days on which the recording will occur. • The start and stop time. •...
  • Page 56 VSR-4 User Manual 6. Use the Arrow buttons to enter the time the recording will end. Entering a time "before" the start time will cause the unit to record until the indicated stop time on the next day. When finished entering the stop time, use the Arrow buttons to navigate to the SPD setting.

  • Page 57: Main Menu / Record Settings

    Main Menu / Record Settings Figure 52. The record settings menu Use this menu to specify: • The record speed when the unit detects an alarm condition. • The recorded picture quality. • The percentage of Variable Bitrate Encoding (VBR) Main Menu / Record Settings / Record Speed Figure 53.

  • Page 58: Main Menu / Camera Title

    VSR-4 User Manual click the Enter button to confirm the selection and exit the menu, or click the Menu button to exit the menu without making changes. Main Menu / Record Settings / Variable Bitrate Figure 55. The variable bitrate menu This menu allows you to select the Variable Bitrate percentages from 5 to 25%.

  • Page 59: Main Menu / Display Settings

    2. click the Pause button to select the desired character set. 3. Use the Arrow Buttons to navigate the cursor in the camera title. 4. Use the Arrow Buttons to navigate the cursor in the character bank. 5. click the Rec UP button to insert a blank character or click the Rec Dn button to insert the selected character.
  • Page 60 VSR-4 User Manual Main Menu / Display Settings / Record Capacity Select ON, to display the amount of time remaining before the hard disk runs out of record space. The data is displayed near the upper left hand corner of the output monitor. The unit displays the Record Capacity with two measures of time, and switches automatically depending on the amount of time remaining: •...

  • Page 61: Main Menu / Advanced Menu

    3. clicking the Enter button on the last character will complete the password selection and the unit will display the Advanced menu. Main Menu / About Use this menu to display information about the VSR-4. Select Main Menu / About to display the About screen. Figure 59. The about screen...

  • Page 62: Advanced Menu Setup

    VSR-4 User Manual Advanced Menu Setup Use this menu to configure the advanced features of the unit. Figure 60. The advanced menu Advanced Menu / Disk Overwrite Mode Figure 61. The disk overwrite menu Use this menu to specify how the unit will handle disk overwrite issues once the hard disk becomes full.
  • Page 63 Advanced Menu / Disk Overwrite Mode / No Overwrite Functions of No Overwrite mode: • Recording always starts at end of last recording. • Recording stops when end of disk is reached (when disk is full). • When the end of the disk is reached, the unit displays an on-screen message indicating that the disk is full, and the unit has stopped recording.

  • Page 64: Advanced Menu / Disk Maintenance

    VSR-4 User Manual Advanced Menu / Disk Maintenance Figure 62. The disk maintenance menu The user can perform the following disk maintenance: • Delete data (with the possibility of restoring it). • Undelete data (restored if it has not yet been overwritten).
  • Page 65 Advanced Menu / Disk Maintenance / Disk Test The Disk Test Setup menu provides several testing options including the test time, frequency, and duration. • Disk Test: Options include Disable, Test Now, Test Periodically. The Test Periodically option runs the Disk Test at the specified frequency. The Disk Tests run in the background and will not interfere with normal operations.
  • Page 66 VSR-4 User Manual Should a disk test fail, several actions will performed: • An icon will be displayed indicating disk failure. It is displayed on Monitor A on the bottom of the screen in the middle. This icon will only disappear when the disk is replaced.

  • Page 67: Advanced Menu / Auto Delete Mode

    Figure 66. The unprotect time range menu Advanced Menu / Auto Delete Mode Configuring the unit with the Auto Delete mode from 1 to 99 days prevents the unit from displaying or archiving any data that is more than the selected number of days old. This feature may be required by law in some jurisdictions, please consult with the local authorities.

  • Page 68: Advanced Menu / Communications

    VSR-4 User Manual Advanced Menu / Communications Figure 68. The communications menu Use thus menu to specify: • The data transfer rate for the RS-232 serial port. • Configure the network address for the RS485 network. • The units Ethernet network connection settings.
  • Page 69 Advanced Menu / Communications / RS485 Figure 70. The network address menu Use this menu to specify the units unique network address. Save changes and exit the menu: click the Enter button. Exit the menu without making changes: click the Menu button. Advanced Menu / Communications / Ethernet Settings An Ethernet session is an active network connection between a PC and the unit, with the user viewing live camera images or accessing data stored on the hard disk.
  • Page 70 • Name Service: Select from Disable, WINS or GnuDIP. Enabling WINS registers the hostname and IP address within the current Network. This ensures that you can connect to the VSR-4 by hostname within the network. See for information on configuring Dynamic DDS with GnuDIP.
  • Page 71 Dynamic DNS and GnuDIP In order to use Dynamic DNS with GnuDIP, the user has to configure following in the menus: • Name Service must be set to GnuDIP (Ethernet Setting Menu). • Primary Name Server must be set to the IP address of the GnuDIP server (Ethernet Setting Menu). •...
  • Page 72 VSR-4 User Manual messages. For more information on video streaming, see the Streaming Video Overview on page 22. Select from the following menu options: • Streaming Enable: Select from Disable, Receiver, or Sender. • Streaming Protocol: Select from UDP or TCP.

  • Page 73: Advanced Menu / Adjust Picture

    Advanced Menu / Adjust Picture Figure 76. The adjust picture menu Use this menu to specify the Brightness, Contrast, and Saturation of the video input. Adjustments made to the video input will alter the recorded image. Advanced Menu / Adjust Picture / Adjust Brightness Use this menu to increase or decrease the brightness of the image.

  • Page 74: Advanced Menu / Front Panel Lock

    Figure 77. The front panel lock menu Use this menu to lock or unlock the virtual front panel.This command prevents unauthorized alterations of the VSR-4’s settings. Use the Arrow buttons to select UNLOCK KEYBOARD or LOCK KEYBOARD. Click the Enter button to confirm the selection and exit the menu, or click the Menu button to exit the menu without making changes.
  • Page 75 Figure 79. The password selection menu Changing the Operator (Advanced menu) Password To change the password: 1. Highlight the Operator password, then click the Enter button. A password box will appear. 2. Enter the new password using the Up/Down Arrow keys to select the number then click enter to move to the next field.
  • Page 76 VSR-4 User Manual password is 2222. This password is only used when Name Service in the Ethernet Settings Menu is set to GnuDIP. Changing the DDNS Password 1. Enter the new password using the Up/Down Arrow keys. 2. Highlight OK, then click the Enter button.

  • Page 77: Upgrading The Vsr-4

    The date purchased. • Symptoms of the unit that might require upgrade. 2. The VSR-4 unit connected to a PC equipped with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5 or later via Ethernet cable. 3. The IP address of the VSR-4. 4. Please exit all non-essential software on the PC.

  • Page 78: Factory Defaults

    VSR-4 User Manual Factory Defaults Menu defaults Function Setting Time Format 24 Hour Date Format MM / DD / YY Normal Record Speed 60 pictures per seconds (NTSC) Alarm Record Speed 60 pictures per seconds (NTSC) Record Quality High Disk Overwrite Mode...

  • Page 79: Streaming Defaults

    Streaming defaults Function Setting Streaming Mode (Normal Setup) Disabled Streaming Protocol (Normal Setup) Streaming Port (Normal Setup) 8090 Streaming address (Normal Setup) Receiver Cam Map ID Address for camera 4 (Normal Setup) Sender Control Enable (Advanced Setup) Selected Sender Control Port (Advanced Setup) 8092 Receiver COntrol Enable (Advanced Setup) Selected...

  • Page 80: Technical Specifications

    VSR-4 User Manual Technical Specifications General Power Supply 100-240 Volt AC, Auto-Ranging adapter AC Amps 1.65-0.85 A Operating Temperature Range Operating: 0 to 40 ºC. Storage: -20 to +60 ºC. Relative Humidity Range (Non-Condensing) Operating: 10% to 80%. Storage: 10% to 95% Dimensions Inches: 3.4 x 8.5 x 15.7, mm: 86 x 216 x 399...

  • Page 81: Audio

    Time and Date Record Speed Record Capacity Video Loss Playback Speed Reverse Play Part Numbers User Manual 0150-0304 All specifications are subject to change without notice. GE Security believes all specifications are correct, but no liability is assumed for omissions or errors.

  • Page 82: Warranty And Service

    For warranty information, see the following page. Warranty and Return Information GE Security warrants all of its equipment for three years from the date of purchase. This warranty covers any defects in materials and workmanship. Equipment failures that are due to improper installation, modification, abuse, or acts of nature will not be covered by this warranty.
  • Page 83 • Fewer than 45 days from purchase, GE Security will replace the product with new equipment. • From 45 days to 1 year from purchase, GE Security will replace the product with refurbished equipment. • From 1 year to 3 years from purchase, the product must be sent in for repair. Advance replacements will be sent for a fee of $100.

  • Page 84: Contacting Technical Support

    Many GE Security documents are provided as PDFs (portable document format). To read these documents, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded free from Adobe’s website at www.adobe.com.

This manual is also suitable for:

Vsr-4-600Vsr-4-300

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