RVRC Training Manual Fast Trace Installer Menu Advanced Independent Monitoring
Introduction The following guide is explain how to set up a Fast Trace or Fast TX and common areas to look out for and check to ensure communications integrity and reduced levels of activity. The information contained within this document has been compiled in conjunction with Adpro Technical Support and draws upon past experiences within the Remote Video Response Centre. Recommended settings within the Fast Trace / TX have been highlighted in red for quick reference. Points highlighted in red are areas that are commonly checked by the RVRC during the commissioned process but should be programmed where possible by an engineer. Please note the RVRC operators are not trained technicians and therefore are not able to fully program CCTV systems. Programming should be completed by the onsite engineer in all instances. Main Menu When accessing an installer menu the following menu will be seen once downloaded. Site ID. This should be unique to the site and is obtained from the RVRC. If the customer wishes to dial in remotely an observer password should be set up here for the customers use. This can be anything. The CMS password should be allocated by the RVRC or Engineer. This should not be given to the end-user as allows access to higher functions of the transmitter.
Date/Time Settings The Timezone should be set to GMT Greenwich Meantime: Dublin, Edinburgh, London. Daylight Settings should be enabled with the following selected: Last Sunday of March Last Sunday of October This will automatically change the time by one hour in Summer and Winter. Licensing Ignore this completely we do not use. This is used if the customer wishes to add peripheral functions to their device. For example if the customer purchases Point of Sale (POS) devices a license key must be purchased from Xtralis to enable this functionality. Communications All relevant settings are contained within sub menus (see below)
Ethernet Setting This is the IP address of the unit on the customer s network. The subnet is normally set as 255.255.255.0 but is dependent on the customer s network settings. This is the default gateway that the unit will connect to the internet via. This setting depends on the transmission speed Serial Communications Please note the below settings should be replicated for both Port 1 and Port 2 unless different technologies are connected to each port i.e. ISDN & PSTN Modem/TA is usually set as Generic Modem or Generic TA Line type should be set as Dial unless customer has leased line (see later note in call list) Dial Time (seconds) should be set to 30 seconds Answer Rings will normally be set as 1 ring. Advance setting see below
Two IP addresses will be provided by the RVRC which should be input into this field for both Communications Port 1 & 2. Video Central will not accept a connection from a Fast Trace /TX system if a site is already connected which has the same IP addresses programmed into this field. Advanced Communications Properties The RVRC has no involvement with these settings.
Call List There are several subtle difference when setting up the call list depending on the communications method used. ISDN / PSTN Settings Connection attempts should always be set to 2. Connection Seperation This should be set to a minimum of 60 seconds to enable the TA/Modem to reinitialise between communication attempts. -The receiver numbers will be provided by the RVRC. It is important that at least 2 numbers have ::1 at the end of the number i.e. 08448003451::1. This is to ensure that the system will use the correct protocol when making a call to the RVRC. -Please note that the receiver number may require a prefix, for example if you must dial 9 first for an outside line. The engineer should confirm this information with the client. -If a leased line is installed on site the receiver number may require the prefix 1280 to enable communication, for example 128008448003451. Ethernet Setting Connections attempts should be set to 10. Call separation should be set at 5 seconds. The RVRC will provide the IP addresses that the system will dial upon activation. Where 10 dial attempts are connected each unique IP address should only be input once.
If multiple communication paths are to be used the primary and back up should be selected here. If only one communication path is in use the backup should be set to none. Connected Equipment General Alarm Relay This can be set to either On Event or On Connection to site. This is used to disable local telemetry control. Normally set to On Connection to Site. If PTZ or Dome Cameras are connected this option is used to set the protocol for telemetry control.
Connected Equipment Cameras This menu is used to configure camera details. By selecting an available channel and selecting configure, camera details can be added and amended. Configure Menu General Tab An appropriate camera name should be input here describing the location of the camera (not numbered). There should be indicative of the camera type for example Front Door Static or Front Door Dome. The camera type should selected colour or monochrome. Upon activation the Adpro will capture three images. This option sets the time interval between each image. This should be set at either 0.5 or 1 second. For presets or static cameras covering a small activation area 0.5 seconds should be selected. This option should be selected if the camera is terminated at the Adpro unit. This option should be selected if activity detection is to be used with this camera. See later section on activity detection. This option should be selected if the camera is a dome or PTZ. This will open an additional menu.
PTZ Settings This should be set as Interruptible. When connected to the system this will ensure that upon activation the camera does not keep returning to presets while the RVRC controls the camera. This option sets the delay between an activation occurring and the Fast Trace capturing an image. This should be set to allow enough time for the camera to achieve the designated preset position before capturing the first image. Normally this is 2 3 seconds. The Auto-Home option should be set to always. This will ensure the camera returns to its home position at all times. This is the length of time that the camera should remain inactive before it is returned to its home position. This is normally set at 60 seconds.
Configure Menu Activity Detection Activity detection is a method of generating alarms on the Adpro Fast Trace. This technology works by sensing changes in the pixilation within the filed of view of the camera. Please note that for external detection purposes this should not be used as the sole method of protection in any instance. Under no circumstances should this be enabled on PTZ or Dome Cameras. This technology is prone to high levels of activity and is dependant on an incident occurring within the field of view of the camera. Self-Explanatory, normally set as Medium. Where high activity levels are observed the sensitivity should be reduced. The hold time is the period of time that the system will hold the alarm active. For example if set to 10 seconds following an activation the system would keep the alarm in the active state for 10 seconds. During this time further movement would not generate further activations if generated from the same video channel. This setting is important when using additional detection in an AND logic fashion. If no hold time was assigned and the camera position did not exactly match the area of detection no alarms may be generated as both inputs may not trigger at the same time. The final option in this menu is used to configure the areas within the field of view of the camera that will generate alarm activations through changes in the pixilation. This can be used to map areas such as doors/windows that require monitoring or exclude areas such as foliage. With the Fast Trace it is possible to enable alarms to only be generated when a connected alarm input is activated and activity is detected within the field of view of the camera. This has proved successful in reducing activity levels from numerous sites with issues such as off site activity and foliage. The RVRC recommends that activity detection is enabled for all static cameras in conjunction with physical detectors using AND logic. In this example the area of activity detection has been set to exclude the bushes to the left of the image. The filled squares represent the areas where alarms will be generated when movement is seen.
Configure Menu Contrast Monitoring Please note, Contrast Monitoring is not supported by the RVRC as it generates high levels of false alarm activity and is unreliable. These settings are not used. Connected Equipment Monitor Tick this option if a monitor is connected on site. Select the cameras which will be sequenced on the local monitor. Select the length of time that system will display each camera for on the local monitor.
Connected Equipment Transaction Devices These setting can only be changed if a license for POS have been purchased from Xtralis and applied to the transmitter. Connected Equipment Transparent Data Port It is possible to connect peripheral devices to the Fast Trace / TX using a serial port. This can enable remote connection to these devices via the transmitters communications path. Connected Equipment Alarm Inputs This menu is used to configure alarm input details. By selecting an available channel and selecting configure, alarm input details can be added and amended.
Alarm Input Settings A description of the connected alarm input should be provided to help the RVRC, Engineer and Client easily Identify the relevant input. The Alarm Input Type should be specified. For BS8418 compliance Normally Open/Closed DEOL can be used. The detector can be wired in series to the transmitter via a resistor which is provided. This will generate a tamper alarm in the event of cable tamper. The hold time is the period of time that an alarm input is held active. During the hold time period no further activations will be generated from that device. The normal option that is selected is When Active. However this generate high levels of activity as the input would only need to be clear from alarm for milliseconds. It is recommended that this is set at a minimum of 10 seconds. For open sites this may need setting higher. This option is used to select how an alarm event is transmitted to the RVRC. There are three options: Quad This is used for most detector triggers. Live This option should be selected for Intercom alarms. Duress This option should be selected for Personal Attack alarms Connected Equipment - Presidium Inputs These inputs only need to be configured if a Presidium unit is connected to the Fast Trace / TX. A description of the input should be provided which relates directly to the associated camera. See above Alarm Input Settings Details
Connected Equipment Control Outputs Any auxiliary devices connected to the Fast Trace TX can be configured in this menu. Examples include external lighting, access barrier etc. Please refer to the manufacturers guidelines of the auxiliary device before configuring the device. An appropriate name should be programmed to enable easy identification of the device. Connected Equipment Audio The input type is selected here; Microphone, Line In or Switcher This option is used to select if Gain will be used on the Audio. This option is to adjust the level of Gain on the Audio Input in the Adpro Unit. This option sets the volume for the output into an amplifier.
Connected Equipment Arming/Disarming Where an Alarm Input is used for the arming & disarming this option should be used to configure the device. Under normal circumstances the last Alarm Input (20) is used to connect a keypad or keyswitch to arm and disarm the system. There are several types of alarm input that can de defined in this menu i.e. Normally Open/Normally Closed. Where tamper protection is required the arm/disarm device should be wired back to the Alarm Input in series with a resistor. This option should then be set to Normally Open DEOL for example. This will also ensure BS8418 compliance It is also possible to indicate the set/unset condition of the Adpro Fast Trace/TX back to the user. A keypad may be connected to an Alarm Input and configured in a similar fashion as detailed above. Again this will ensure BS8418 compliance but is best practice for all systems to prompt the user to disarm once they have entered the premises. This is also a visual indicator to the user at a remote location of the system status. The final option is a feature of the Fast Trace/TX which will indicate the status of the connected Alarm Inputs. When setting this will indicate to the user that all Alarm Inputs are clear on the system and highlights any issues. It is highly recommended that this feature is utilised on all CCTV systems as the user will be made aware of any issues with their equipment before arming the CCTV system. This will also indicate to the user where Active Beams may have been blocked. The default state should be set the same as the detector configuration i.e. if the detectors are set are normally closed this should be set as normally closed also.
Operational Behaviour It is possible to adjust the length of time that the Fast Trace will retain recordings. Normal recording will occur 24 hours per day while Event Recording will only take place upon activation of an Alarm Input. Using Modes (explained later) the length this information can be retained can be increased. Please note the length of time that information can be stored is dependant on the hard drive capacity, recording quality set and number of cameras being recorded. Normally this is set to 60 days normal and 30 days Event. Operational Behaviour Modes Modes can be utilised on the Fast Trace transmitter to designate how the unit behaviours between certain times and dates. These modes can be configured to activated when the system is either Armed or Disarm or they can be programmed into a schedule. In this example we will use the Arm/Disarm status to change a mode. Highlight an available Number and select configure. The system will then ask you to Name the Mode. To set the Arm/Disarm status to control the different modes use the drop down menu and select Use External Input to Change Modes. Now Press Configure. You must now select which mode will be used when the Input is Open i.e. Disarmed and which mode will be used when the input is closed i.e. Armed. The use of modes will become clearer when we discuss Audio and Camera Behaviour later in this guide.
When using a calendar the Selection Method for the Mode Change should be set to Specify Mode Changes in a Calender. Once this has been selected press configure and the following will be displayed. The Fast Trace will automatically default all times to Mode 1 Operation. To change this left mouse click at the start time you wish to change the mode of operation. Hold the Left mouse down and drag until you reach the time you wish to end this mode of operation. In this example we have set this to between 8:00 am 11:00am on a Sunday. When you release the left mouse button the following will be displayed. Simply select the new mode you wish to use between these times.
Operational Behaviour Camera Behaviour The Camera Behaviour is used to determine how the camera behaves in different modes of operation. Here we can configure different quality levels for recording i.e. lower quality during hours of business, which Alarm Inputs will cause an activation on the camera, when the system will dial out an alarm event. Select Mode of Operation Settings Select Camera to change settings Tab Menu for different Camera settings (explained in more detail below). Video Capture is normally set to continuous and event (see below explanations). Video Capture Consider in this example that we have programmed 2 Modes of Operation associated with the Front Door Static Camera that will be changed when the system is either armed or disarmed. Mode 1 will be used when the CCTV System is disarmed and Mode 2 when the CCTV System is Armed. When the CCTV System is disarmed the requirement for high quality images and continuous recording is not as great. Mode 1 has been configured in this example to only record on event. The quality for Pre-Event and Event has been set to 3 and the rate to 1 with the durations reduced. The recording type can be modified to: Do Not Record (No recordings will take place when Mode 1 is in operation) Continuous (recording will take place continuously when Mode 1 is in Operation) Event (recording will only take place when an alarm input associated with the camera activates) Continuous and Event (recordings will take place continuously but any events will be highlighted on the recording. Also the quality can be increased from when an event is detected.
Mode 2 is used in this example when the System is Armed and the premises are unoccupied in this example. The Recording Type has been set to Continuous and Event. While continuously recording the quality has been set to 5 but when an alarm input associated with the camera activates the quality increase to 7. By setting these modes the length of recordings which can be stored can be increased without the need to install additional hard drives. Event Triggers This menu is used to configure which alarm inputs are associated with which camera. In this example we will configure Camera 6 Garden Dome to two different detectors and specify the preset position the dome camera will seek upon activation. To enable us to add detection methods to the list the Video Capture must be set to either Event or Continuous and Event. Select Add to List to begin configuring the detectors associated with the Camera.
The Type is used to select if the Event Input is a Alarm Input Previously Configured or built in Activity Detection (see previous guidance notes relating to activity Detection). If the Event Input is an Alarm Input please select the Alarm Input from the drop down list that will generate activations from the system. If using activity detection choose the appropriate Camera from the list. In this example we are configuring a Dome Camera. Tick Enable PTZ Preset and enter the numeric value of the preset position which will match the detector range. By configuring multiple detectors to a Dome Camera we can cover larger areas of the premises and offer higher levels of security using a single dome camera. However this can cause issues in itself where multiple detectors are assigned to a single dome camera. Upon activation sufficient time should be allowed for the dome camera to spin to a preset position before images are captured and transmitted through to the RVRC, typically this is between 2-3 seconds. An object moving at speed through the detection zone can potentially be out of the preset position of the camera before the images are captured and the RVRC deem the activation as No Visible Cause. It is recommended that for the purposes of verifying an event all alarm inputs are associated with static cameras as no delay is required to achieve a preset position. Dome Cameras can be used on the CCTV System where the customer or end-user requires evidential quality images as they enable the RVRC Analyst to zoom into an object and obtain a minimum of 50% of the picture height.
Event Response These options are used to configure the type of response the Fast Trace/TX will provide when an alarm input is triggered. These settings can be amended for each mode of operation. For example you may only require a Video Loss signal to be transmitted through to the RVRC when the system is armed. In addition the settings can be amended and configured for each individual camera. Activate Control Output If this option is selected a control output will also be activated upon activation of the camera. This may trigger lighting or an automated tannoy announcement for example. Dial Out on Event If you wish an alarm activation to be transmitted through to the RVRC this option should be selected. Normally the Dial out only when Armed (secure) will also be selected to ensure alarms are only transmitted through to the RVRC when the system is armed. Cameras that are to be monitored locally only should have both these options disabled. Any camera that is monitored by the RVRC should have the Dial Out on Video Loss Enabled. This will ensure that if the Video Signal to the Camera is lost the RVRC will receive an alert. Dial Out on Invalid Contract should not be selected as the RVRC does not support this technology. Where Audio devices such as microphones are connected to the Fast Trace/TX this will enable audio recording upon activation of an alarm input.
Operational Behaviour Multi Screen Live Behaviour Guard Tour Settings are used to configure which cameras will be sequenced when the end-user or RVRC selects a guard tour when viewing the site and how long the system will dwell on each camera. Selectable Multi Screen Settings allows for different profiles to be set for the system. In turn this enables different options when viewing multiple cameras at once, for example a 4 camera display can be set up. As a default an option to view all connected cameras at once is programmed already. Under normal circumstances the RVRC would expect all cameras to be selected in the Multi-Screen Live Camera List with a dwell time of 5 seconds.
New Profile Copy Profile Paste Profile Rename Profile Delete Profile Available Profiles Layout of cameras as they would appear on screen. Remaining Cameras connected to system not assigned to the current profile. Video quality for designated profile. When a new Profile is first set up the following will screen will be seen. Highlight the required cameras and press the left and right arrows to either add a camera or remove it from the profile. The system will place the cameras on screen in the order in which they are added to the list. In the above example we added the cameras in the following order 1, 4, 6 & 2. Then select the Video Quality which you wish the cameras to be displayed in. Please note that higher qualities will result in the system taking longer to display all cameras at once and lower refresh rates. Using these settings profiles can be set up for the customer to use during the daytime to simply display areas of interest to them.
Operational Behaviour Entry/Exit Behaviour These settings are used to program in an entry/exit route on the CCTV equipment with a delay to prevent alarms being generated through to the RVRC during entry & egress of the customer. Please note although an exit delay can be an effective method of reducing activity from a customers site we do not recommend the use of an entry delay. Should a genuine incident occur within the zones assigned to the entry route the RVRC will not receive alarm images until after the delay has finished. In many cases we observe incidents that are over within 2 minutes yet typically an entry delay is at least 3 minutes in length to allow the customer sufficient time to enter the alarmed area and disarm the system. Alternative methods should be provided to arm and disarm the CCTV System whilst ensuring no activations from staff entry & egress are transmitted through to the RVRC. Both the entry and exit path and delay are configured in separate menus. Simply select configure next to the appropriate option. To enable an entry/exit zone simply highlight any alarm inputs and cameras that are within the entry/exit zone and press the Left and Right arrows to add or remove the equipment to the entry/exit route. Enter an appropriate Entry/Exit Delay to ensure that no activations are transmitted through to the RVRC during the set or unset procedure.
Maintenance There are three features of the Fast Trace/TX transmitters that are used by the Remote Video Response Centre to provide an additional level of service to our customers. Temperature Monitoring Should the unit get too hot an alert can be sent to the RVRC. Zone Isolation Reminder An alert can be sent to the RVRC at a scheduled time if the system identifies that any connected equipment is isolated form the system. Site Pulse Polling between the site based transmitter and RVRC receivers can be enabled. Temperature Monitoring This option should be selected at all times. In the event of the Fast Trace/TX becoming too warm an alert will be sent to the RVRC.
Zone Isolation Reminder The RVRC will provide a time that should be programmed within the transmitter to dial through an alert if any connected equipment is isolated from the system. Site Pulse The Site Pulse should be enabled and as a default the interval set at 12 hours for PSTN, ISDN and ADSL customers. The Site Pulse Start Time will be provided by the RVRC. Should the customer require more frequent polling of the CCTV system we can provide this at an additional charge. Please contact the RVRC for more information.