All You Wanted
To Know About…
Network Client 3.1
But didn’t know what to ask.
Date: 4/9/03
Contents:
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What’s new in Network Client 3.1? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Live Video/Remote Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Retrieved Video/Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Getting Connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote set-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Getting Video in and out of Network Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Alarm Event Handler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Enhancement Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
JPEG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Network Client Evolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
General:
Network Client 3.1 functionality is an improvement over pervious versions. New features include the ability to remotely configure the new Intellex features and a powerful event handling system. An alarm at an Intellex will notify your Network Client PC, even if Network Client isn’t currently running. The previous License Key scheme has been replaced with a Product Code that is prominently displayed on the CD jewel case. Adding these new capabilities to this already feature rich remote software maintains Network Client’s leadership in remote viewing and control of digital recording functions. Network Client 3.1 provides greater interaction with Intellex from any location.
What is it? Network Client software allows a standard PC to communicate with Intellex on a network (LAN/WAN) or through a dial-up connection. It enables you to review Intellex video, text and audio on a PC from a distance. Network Client will work with WIN98SE, WIN NT, WIN 2000 and WIN XP operating systems. The purpose of the product is to allow a user to communicate with Intellex. The communication between the two is either through a network, or, a dial-up connection. A PC could be connected directly to an Intellex with a “crossover” network cable for local operation. So, Network Client is your window to Intellex. It is not a stand-alone product.
The product consists of a CDROM and a manual. Actually, the manual is on the CD. A Product Code number is printed on the product CD jewel case. This number takes the place of the Software License Key number used in previous Network Client versions. You will be prompted to enter the number during installation. If you have a current valid Network Client software and license key installed on your PC, you can get a free upgrade to version 3.1 by accessing the tycovideo.com website.
We have provided six versions of Network Client software. Version 1.0 was the first step. This required a hardware key and provided basic retrieval functions. It works only with Intellex 1.X. Version 2.0 provides live video and remote set-up. Basic functions were available without a hardware key. Live video requires a key. This version works with Intellex 2.01 and 2.1. Network Client 2.2 (there is no version 2.1,) provided improved features. Version 2.4 adds text, audio and dome control. Version 3.0 adds multi-camera playback among other features. Version 3.1 adds a comprehensive alarm-handling package. Confused? Probably, as there was a 2.3 upgrade only version to 2.2 that allows dome control. See the Network Client Evolution page for an easy to understand compatibility chart.
How to use this book:
This document is the latest in a series of practical product guides designed to provide real-world insight into product value. This manual is separated into categories. It is not necessarily intended to be read from front to back cover, although you are encouraged to do so as a general overview of the product. This is a basic reference manual for Network Client 3.1. Although sprinkled with technical information, it is a practical overview of features that could be valuable information during the sales and application process. Each category starts with a definition of the category. The content provides practical information on each facet of Network Client 3.1. Typically asked questions are included. The intent is to explore each category in a direct manner in as few words as possible. It indicates the good, the bad and the ugly. After reading this document, you will likely agree that there is much good, little bad, and only a rare ugly. Although “bad” and “ugly” are not historically good things to discuss with sales prospects, this information is important to know and may keep you from selling the product into the wrong application. The “good” information may help provide alternate solutions to the customer’s application.
What else do you need to know? You won’t find everything in this book. You will be exposed to the general features and application of Network Client 3.1. You will retain the technical information for as long as you keep this paper handy. The general concepts should stay with you and be available for casual conversation. In order to gain in-depth operation knowledge of Intellex and Network Client, you have to work with the products on a regular basis. The operation of these products is a hands-on experience. So grab a mouse and explore every menu item. Be a player, not just a fan.
What’s new in Network Client 3.1?
For those of you who are already familiar with Network Client, this new feature summary may be all you need to know to bring you up to speed. Let’s walk through what you will run into as you work your way through the menus.
Installing the software: When you install the software you will be invited to read the “read me” file that typically accompanies new software. There are amazing things in the read me file. Take a minute and actually read it. You could save yourself a lot of grief down the road.
The fifteen-day trial period introduced in version 2.4 has been discontinued in 3.1. It has been replaced with a Product Code that is prominently displayed on the product CD jewel case. Just enter the Product Code numbers when prompted during the installation process.
If you have a previous Network Client version installed with a valid license key, you can download a free upgrade to version 3.1 by accessing the tycovideo.com website. The website will ask you to enter your valid license key number. Entering a valid key will take you to the “get your PID” (Product ID) page. Once the Product code is known, the software may be downloaded. Will you be able to use this number more than once? No. Install the downloaded software and enter the Product Code when prompted.
Remote Setup of New Intellex features: Several new features have been added to Intellex for version 3.1. Network Client has been enhanced to allow remote setup of these new features including:
Covert Camera: This feature in Intellex will allow an authorized user to configure covert cameras (record, but not display). Authorized Intellex users will be able to see the covert cameras (based on their log in password). The covert camera will have an asterisk visible in front of the camera title for authorized users. Unauthorized users will see a blank cameo. Network Client users are considered as authorized to see all cameras. So a Network Client user will be able to view a covert camera whenever they connect to an Intellex.
Camera Selectable Frame Rate: Network Client will allow remote configuration of individual camera record rates.
Motion Exception: Network Client will allow setup of alarm triggering and searching of the Intellex database using the motion exception tools.
Advanced Text Search: Network Client will allow configuration of advanced text functions to trigger alarms and to search an existing Intellex database.
Activity Log: Network Client will allow viewing of the Intellex activity log and select viewing parameters. You can export the list to a file and print the list.
Event Handling: This is a major new feature for Network Client. Alarms generated at an Intellex, whether motion, wired, manual, or text alarms, are “pushed” to Network Client. The Network Client GUI has been expanded to provide a list of alarms, a video window providing a live view of the alarmed camera and a tool bar allowing you to quickly access features. You can configure the Network Client to receive alarm notification even if Network Client is not currently running.
Live Video: Remote Monitoring
Live Video: With Network Client, live video is provided from Intellex, through a network, or, dial-up connection. There are no cameras connected to the Network Client PC. Live video is displayed directly on the monitor from video sources connected to the camera inputs of the remote Intellex. This can be directly from cameras, looped through other devices in the CCTV system, or, from any standard video source.
When you first connect to an Intellex site, you must click and drag the video to the display screen. Select the “instrument” (the Intellex you want to see) and drag it to the display area. This puts the Intellex video into the display format selected (2x2, 3x3, 4x4). You could select individual cameras and drag them to the cameos you select. This may seem awkward at first. The intent is to build the camera format you want, and then save it to the configuration list. You could select cameras from different sites and save them in a single format. For instance: Select the 4x4 screen format, then insert four cameras from an Intellex in San Diego into the first four cameos, four from New York in the second, four from Boca and four from Mons. Once selected, give this grouping a name and save it as a configuration. You will now have a 4x4 format with the prime cameras from four locations displayed simultaneously.
In typical use, several scenarios will be saved as an initial set-up. Each is later selected directly from a pull down list. What seems cumbersome to set up initially will be a breeze to select in normal operation. In a typical application, live monitoring will consist of selecting these pre-selected formats from a single pull down configuration menu.
Image update speed will be limited by the connection method. See the “Getting Connected” section for more detail. The basic concept is that a LAN connection is best because it provides more bandwidth. WAN connections are limited by the speed of the network telephone connection. Dial-up is limited by the modem speed.
Q. I know that the 1.0 version of Network Client would only allow one connection to an Intellex at a time. 2.0 allowed more. Has this been improved in the new version?
A. Starting with version 2.2, we have limited the number of Network Client live connections to five in the DV16000 and two in the DV8000. The good news is that you can see live video in five Network Client locations at the same time. The bad news is that the individual image update speed decreases as additional connections are made. The available image update speed is shared among the Network Client connections. Remember that Intellex is performing multiple functions at the same time (live video, playback, search, archive, record and handle Network Client connections). At some point the processing speed can’t handle it all. The live connection limit ensures that the record speed won’t slow down.
Q. Can I limit the allowable number of live Network Client connections to an Intellex to less than 5?
A. Yes. At the Intellex, select “setup,” “port address.” The menu allows you to change the port addresses and the number of allowable Network Client connections. This is a way to limit the maximum bandwidth requirement of this node (Intellex) on the network. Zero is one of the options for those who want to be left alone. Remember that this restricts the live viewing only. You can still perform other functions. If you attempt to view live video when set to zero, you will see an error message indicting that the Intellex has unexpectedly disconnected.
Q. Can I record the live video from Intellex directly to the hard drive on the Network Client computer?
A. No. The live video is for remote monitoring in an attended application. Entering images into the Network Client database is accomplished by downloading a selected video clip, cropping the portion you want, then saving the clip.
Q. You say that Network Client can communicate with Intellex by LAN/WAN and dial-up. Can I use both connection methods at the same time?
A. Yes. You can connect to Intellex via Ethernet and dial-up to another location at the same time
Q. How many different sites could I view at the same time?
A. The simultaneous limit is the number of cameos available. You can view one camera from each of 16 different sites at the same time (4x4 mode). You can save any number of configurations, so, the total number of sites that you can access is not an issue.