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GE SymDec 4 User Manual

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Security
SymDec 4

User Manual

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  • Page 1: User Manual

    Security SymDec 4 User Manual...
  • Page 2 Document number/revision: 0150-0304C. Disclaimer The information in this document is subject to change without notice. GE, in keeping pace with technological advances, is a company of product innovation. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure that all information provided is entirely accurate and up-to-date. GE accepts no responsibility...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Installing and Configuring the SymDec 4........
  • Page 4 Follow the steps below to Upgrade the SymDec 4: ....... .
  • Page 5 Online publication library ............... . 84...
  • Page 6 SymDec-4 User Manual...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    Introduction This is the GE SymDec 4 User Manual for models SymDec 4-300 and SymDec 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

    In PAL video mode the SymDec 4 can record a t 50, 25, 17, 13, 10, and 5 pps. The SymDec 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.

  • Page 9: Features

    Features • View live and recorded video from multiple SymDec 4’s using SymNav software. • Advanced MPEG4 video compression. • 4-channel Composite Video Input/Output connection. • 3 video quality settings. • Virtual triplex functionality. • Auto-detect video mode (NTSC or PAL) on startup.

  • Page 10: Installation Environment

    SymDec 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 SymDec 4, WebServer, and the SymNav 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: Symdec 4 Connectors And Indicators

    SymDec 4 User Manual SymDec 4 Connectors and Indicators This section deals with the various physical features, connectors, and indicators of the SymDec 4. Front Panel Controls and Features Figure 2. Front Panel: SymDec 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 SymDec 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 SymDec 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 SymDec 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

    Composite Monitor Output When connecting directly from the SymDec 4 to the monitor, select the 75-Ohm impedance setting on the monitor. 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).

  • Page 18: Connection Diagrams

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

  • Page 20: Installing And Configuring The Symdec 4

    Installing and Configuring the SymDec 4 Before any operations can begin with the SymDec 4 the SymNav software 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 SymDec 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

    19. Ethernet Serial Number: Enter the unit’s Ethernet serial number. The default is 1111. 20. Connect/Disconnect Button: Click this button to connect to the SymDec 4 whose address is selected. The VSR Keyboard Menu Bar The following menus are available on the menu bar.

  • Page 23: Keyboard Shortcuts

    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. Figure 8. The ethernet settings tab Next, click on the Change button to input the information in the IP profile. The IP profile stores multiple unit’s settings in a drop-down menu.

  • Page 24: Making A Serial Connection

    3. Connect the SymDec 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 SymDec 4 and one of the COM ports on the PC. A monitor should also be connected to the SymDec 4 on monitor A out.

  • Page 25: Webserver

    SymDec 4. The default IP address from the factory is 192.168.1.10. To get the SymDec 4 to stream video, at a minimum the Streaming settings must be configured. To access the web interface: 1.

  • Page 26: Network Settings

    Factory reset Network Settings This page provides an alternate method of changing the SymDec 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 addresses.

  • Page 27: Streaming Settings

    Figure 13. Network Settings page Streaming Settings These pages setup the video streaming properties of the SymDec 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 28 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 SymDec-1, SymDec 4, Symveo IP Camera, or SymNet (Encoder). A UDP receiver is typically a SymDec-1, SymNav software, or a SymDec 4, which can display and record the streamed video.

  • Page 29: Streaming Settings For Udp Unicast Or Tcp

    Figure 15 illustrates streaming settings for a UDP unicast from the SymNet to the SymDec 4. The SymDec 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...

  • Page 30: Streaming Settings For Udp Multicast

    All the settings on the Advanced Streaming settings must match between the sender and the receiver. In this configuration both the SymDec-1 and SymDec 4 are able to receive a video stream from the SymNet or SymVeo IP Camera.
  • Page 31 Figure 16. Sample UDP multicast settings 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 32: Camera Mpeg Settings

    SymDec 4 User Manual The advanced mode screen has settings for: • The Streaming Port • Streaming Address • Sender Control Enable • Sender Control Port • Receiver Control Enable • Receiver Control Port These settings must match exactly between the multicast device and any device which wants the stream.

  • Page 33: Display Options

    Display Options This page allows you to select what type of information to display on the output monitor. Figure 19. Display options screen...

  • Page 34: Password Settings

    SymDec 4 User Manual Password Settings Type in a new username and password on this page. Click Confirm to implement. To return the username and password to the default admin, Click on the Reset button. Figure 20. Password settings screen Email Configuration The screen provides options for configuring your email alerts.

  • Page 35: Network Time Protocol Settings

    From this screen you can setup your various email accounts and addresses. Consult with your IT professional to obtain these settings. Figure 22. The basic email configuration screen Network Time Protocol Settings This screen provides settings for syncing and selection of Network Time Protocols. Daylight savings time is also turned on or off here.

  • Page 36: Factory Reset

    SymDec 4 User Manual Factory Reset This screen enables you to perform a factory reset. The IP address will not be reset during a factory reset. Select the Yes button to reset. Figure 24. The factory reset screen...

  • Page 37: Symbrowser

    Symbrowser The SymBrowser screen provides you access to live and recorded video without the need for additional software. Simply type in the unit’s IP address and click on the connect button. The following features are available: • Right-click on the video to switch from live or playback mode or view full-screen. •...

  • Page 38: User Operations

    SymDec 4 User Manual User Operations The following user operations are implemented through the VSR Keyboard utility. Figure 26. 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 39: Playback

    No Overwrite mode: The user must acknowledge the on-screen message by pressing the Enter button. In this mode the SymDec 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 40: The Removable Hard Drive

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

  • Page 41: Key Lock

    Hard Drive Front Panel Figure 27. Hard drive front panel Hard drive activity LED, amber. Power indicator, green. Active handle (shown open). Handle. Key lock. Key Lock Figure 28. Key lock Power on, drive locked. Power off, drive locked. Power off, drive unlocked. (shown)

  • Page 42: Removing The Hard Drive

    User Manual Removing the Hard Drive Figure 29. Removing the hard drive 1. Stop any operations that the SymDec 4 is performing. 2. Unplug the power to the SymDec 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 43 Figure 30. 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 44: Specifying Search Parameters

    SymDec 4 User Manual Figure 32. The search filters menu 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. •...
  • Page 45 Selecting a Start and Stop Time 1. Using the Arrow buttons to navigate, highlight the TIME parameter, then press the Enter button. The unit will enter Edit mode. 2. Use the Arrow buttons to change the start and stop time values. Use the Arrow buttons to navigate among the different parameters.

  • Page 46: The Menu System

    User Manual 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 SymDec 4, see Main Menu Setup on page 42. How to use the Menu system Throughout this manual, there are headings like these.
  • Page 47 Figure 34. 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 42. Figure 35. The main menu Main Menu / Advanced Menu To access the Advanced menu: 1.

  • Page 48: Main Menu Setup

    SymDec 4 User Manual Main Menu Setup Main Menu / Time/Date Figure 36. 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.
  • Page 49 Main Menu / Time/Date / Set Date Format Figure 38. 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 • MM/DD/YY • YY/MM/DD 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 50 SymDec 4 User Manual Main Menu / Time/Date / Set Date Figure 40. 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 51: Main Menu / Sequencing

    Use this menu to enable/disable and specify how often time synchronization should occur between the SymDec 4 and the Network Server. The Region /Time Zone must be setup prior to enabling the option. Update Interval, Select from: Disable, Once per Day, Twice per Day, and Once per Hour NTP Primary Server: Enter IP Address of Primary Server.

  • Page 52: Main Menu / Alarms

    Main Menu / Alarms Use this menu to configure the alarm handling features of the unit The SymDec 4’s primary function is to furnish recorded video. Although the unit has alarm handling and CAUTION motion detection functions, these are considered secondary features. This unit should not be the only alarm device on site.
  • Page 53 Main Menu / Alarms / Input Configuration Figure 46. 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 54 SymDec 4 User Manual Main Menu / Alarms / Enable / Disable Figure 48. 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 55 Main Menu / Alarms / Buzzer Setup Figure 50. 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 • Playback Buzzer •...
  • Page 56 SymDec 4 User Manual Main Menu / Alarms / Email Figure 52. 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. Follow the context sensitive on-screen instructions to setup the individual fields. Also, please note that the Region/Time Zone setting must be set correctly for Email notification to time stamp messages accurately.
  • Page 57 Main Menu / Alarms / Relay Configuration Figure 53. The relay configuration menu Use this menu to configure each relay output as either: • Normally Open • Normally Closed Main Menu / Alarms / Video loss Action Figure 54. The video loss action menu Use this menu to configure how the unit responds to video loss.

  • Page 58: Main Menu / Record Timer

    SymDec 4 User Manual Main Menu / Record Timer Figure 55. 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.

  • Page 59: Main Menu / Record Settings

    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 ON/OFF setting. 7.
  • Page 60 SymDec 4 User Manual Main Menu / Record Settings / MPEG Settings Table The MPEG settings table sets up a matrix of recording parameters the Record Rate menu uses to control the quality of the MPEG recording for each camera.
  • Page 61 Main Menu / Record Settings / Record Rate The record rate menu uses the table setup in the MPEG Settings Table to control the recording qualities for each camera. Figure 58. The record rate menu Use the Arrow buttons to select the desired index number that corresponds to an entry in the MPEG Settings Table.

  • Page 62: Main Menu / Camera Title

    SymDec 4 User Manual Main Menu / Camera Title Use this menu to edit the camera title. Figure 60. The camera title menu Camera Title Edit Menu 1. With the camera title selected, click the Enter button. The menu will enter the Edit mode and the character bank will appear in the center of the menu.

  • Page 63: Main Menu / Display Settings

    Main Menu / Display Settings Figure 61. The display settings menu Use this menu to specify what status information will be displayed on the output monitor. Select On or Off, for the following items. • The current time and date. •...

  • Page 64: Main Menu / Advanced Menu

    SymDec 4 User Manual Main Menu / Display Settings / Last Alarm To display the time and date of the last alarm, near the upper right hand corner of the output monitor, select On. The unit will display LAST ALARM NONE if there is no previous record of an alarm.

  • Page 65: Main Menu / About

    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 SymDec 4. Select Main Menu / About to display the About screen. Figure 63. The about screen...

  • Page 66: Advanced Menu Setup

    SymDec 4 User Manual Advanced Menu Setup Use this menu to configure the advanced features of the unit. Figure 64. The advanced menu Advanced Menu / Disk Overwrite Mode Figure 65. The disk overwrite menu Use this menu to specify how the unit will handle disk overwrite issues once the hard disk becomes full.

  • Page 67: Advanced Menu / Disk Maintenance

    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 68 Test Duration: This option is for the type of test to run; Fast or Thorough. The Thorough test will test significantly more sectors than the Fast test. GE recommends using the Thorough test. The Fast test can miss some disk failures.
  • Page 69 Figure 67. The disk test setup menu Use the Arrow buttons to move between the menu fields and the Arrow buttons for the selections within the fields. When satisfied with the selections select OK and click the Enter button to execute. The Disk Test will run in the background and will not interfere with normal operations.
  • Page 70 SymDec 4 User Manual Advanced Menu / Disk Maintenance / Protect Use this menu to select a section of video by date to protect from deletion. Use the Arrow buttons to move between the menu fields and the Arrow buttons for the selections within the fields. When satisfied with the selections select OK and click the Enter button to execute.

  • Page 71: Advanced Menu / Auto Delete Mode

    Figure 70. 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 72: Advanced Menu / Motion Detection

    SymDec 4 User Manual Advanced Menu / Motion Detection Use this menu to: • Enable motion detection on a per camera basis. • Activate individual zones in a scene to respond to motion. • Activate the on-screen motion detection indicator.
  • Page 73 Figure 74. The motion detection parameters setup menu Navigate in this menu using the arrow keys to select the field and change the parameters. Activity Vs. Intrusion Activity detection is a simple type of motion detection having only a sensitivity setting and a relay output. Intrusion detection is a more sophisticated type of motion detection, with additional features such as false alarm rejection levels, minimum target size, and an alarm output.
  • Page 74 SymDec 4 User Manual Link To Alarm: Select the alarm number that you wish to activate when motion detection is activated. Main Menu / Motion Detection / Setup Active Zones Use this menu to setup the Active Zones for motion detection. The screen shown below will overlay the current video image allowing for precise activity zone setup.

  • Page 75: Advanced Menu / Camera Scope

    Main Menu / Motion Detection / Indicate Detection Motion detection may be indicated on-screen by displaying the letter M. Use this menu to turn this feature ON or OFF. Advanced Menu / Camera Scope Use this menu to view a luminance histogram of the currently display video. A luminance histogram is a graphical representation of how many times each grey-level value occurs in an image.
  • Page 76 SymDec 4 User Manual 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. • Configure the User Datagram Protocols (UDP) to broadcast and receive data.
  • Page 77 When Ethernet is first selected, this warning box will appear. Figure 81. The reset warning box Select OK to continue. Figure 82. The ethernet settings menu...
  • Page 78 • 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 SymDec 4 by hostname within the network. See Dynamic DNS and GnuDIP on page 72 for information on configuring Dynamic DDS with GnuDIP.
  • Page 79 Advanced Menu / Communications / Ethernet Advanced Use this menu to configure the Ethernet Advanced communications settings. Select from the following: • Bandwidth: Local bandwidth control, set from 5Kb per second through 250Kb and Unlimited. The minimum of this setting and the setting requested by SymNav software will be used. •...
  • Page 80 SymDec 4 User Manual Figure 84. Streaming settings menu Advanced Menu / Communications / Streaming Advanced Use this menu to configure the receiver and sender control settings. Both the receiver and senders settings must match exactly. Select from the following menu options: •...

  • Page 81: Advanced Menu / Adjust Picture

    Advanced Menu / Adjust Picture Figure 86. The adjust picture menu Use this menu to specify the brightness, contrast, and saturation of any of the cameras. Adjustments made to the video input will alter the recorded image. Selecting any of the cameras will bring up the Adjust Picture menu.

  • Page 82: Advanced Menu / Front Panel Lock

    Figure 89. The front panel lock menu Use this menu to lock or unlock the virtual front panel.This command prevents unauthorized alterations of the SymDec 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 83: Advanced Menu / Change Password

    Use this menu to enter the Factory Password, and restore the unit to the factory defaults. The Factory reset password is 8111. Use the Up/Down Arrow keys to select a character, then use the Enter button to complete the selection, and move to the next character.
  • Page 84 SymDec 4 User Manual 3. Re-enter the password. 4. Highlight OK, then click the Enter button. The user will be prompted, indicating if the password was entered correctly and changed. Deactivating the Ethernet Password To return the unit to No Ethernet Password Protection, enter the Ethernet Access Reset Password (1111) in the password box.

  • Page 85: Upgrading The Symdec 4

    The date purchased. • Symptoms of the unit that might require upgrade. 2. The SymDec 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 SymDec 4.

  • Page 86: Factory Defaults

    SymDec 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), 50 pictures per second (PAL) Alarm Record Speed 60 pictures per seconds (NTSC), 50 pictures per second (PAL)

  • Page 87: 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 88: Technical Specifications

    SymDec 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 89: 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 90: 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:

Symdec 4-300Symdec 4-600

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